News and Notes Part 1
By Phil Steele
Phil Steele.com
Pittsburgh dominated their Wed night game vs Connecticut even more than the final score as in the 1H they had a 321-80 yd edge but had a FD at the UC22 with :13 left and no time-outs and took a sack and got zero points and only led 21-3. Pitt led 35-13 when UC took over with 3:22 left and went 71/8pl for a garbage TD with :43 left. The victory was costly for Pitt as they lost star RB Graham (knee) as well as starting OT Matt Rotheram (brk ankle) and starting WR Cameron Saddler (fractured sternum) all for the season.
The Houston/Rice game opened in heavy rain and Rice, after rec’ing a Case Keenum fmbl for a TD, had a shocking 17-7 lead. Keenum at that point had not thrown a TD pass. Tyron Carrier got UH’s first score on a 100 yd KR TD tying the NCAA career KR TD record with 7. Keenum needed 5 TD passes to set the NCAA record for career TD passes and had 9 vs Rice. He would have 3 TD passes in the final 6:28 of the 1H to make it 38-20 and UH had a 331-214 yd edge. UH even had a 97 yd TD run with 5:11 left in the 3Q but UH’s 47 yd TD pass with 10:13 left closed the scoring at 73-34.
Special teams hurt BYU. In fact, they had a 218-191 yd edge vs TCU but trailed 28-10. BYU had a low snap on a punt that the P kicked OOB at their own 8 setting up a TCU TD and then BYU pulled within 14-10 but was SOD on 4&3 at the TCU29, int’d at midfield and under pressure they only got off a 23 yd punt. BYU was int’d in the EZ on 2&6 from the 9 and then BYU was watching a punt roll dead when Wesley scooped it up and ret’d it 19 yds with :49 left in the half setting up a 33 yd TD pass 2pl later. BYU had a shot at a 50 yd FG but a late decision by Mendenhall to go for the FG had the unit run on the field and the K slipped on the attempt. Another bad snap on a punt set TCU up for a 38/4pl TD drive and the Cougars trailed 35-10 early 3Q but got a key TD with 2:01 left in the game to pull within 38-28.
Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint ran for a career-high 170 yards. UM had 339 yds rushing and a 535-311 yd edge. Things looked good for Purdue early as they got a 48 yd TD pass to lead 7-0 and UM scored a TD then was int’d on their next 2 drives but PU was sk’d for a safety then gave up a 37 yd FG, was int’d and UM drove 83/5pl for a TD and UM added a 22 yd FG on the final play of the half to lead 22-7 and PU’s first four 2H poss were 3 punts and an SOD at the UM1 when trailing 36-7.
Central Michigan was in control vs Akron leading 13-0 at the half with a 200-97 yd edge and led 23-9 when UA took over with 5:51 left. The Zips got a TD with 2:57 left to pull within 7 and CM punted with 1:47 left. UA went 56/9pl and got a TD on the final play of the game on a 4&1, 9 yd pass and went for 2, the wind was swirling, and it failed.
Louisville had a 339-182 yd edge and led 27-3 when Syracuse took over with 2:53 left and went 63/6pl and on 4&7 got a 20 yd TD pass with 1:31 left to “only” lose 27-10.
Virginia Tech in the 1H vs Duke had a 301-162 yd edge, was int’d at the Duke2 and from the Duke30 was int’d in the EZ and also missed a 29 yd FG. In the 2H VT clinging to a 14-10 lead, punted with 1:50 left and Duke was int’d on 4&1 at their own 38 with :55 left.
Western Michigan led Ball St 35-14 with 2:08 left in the half but gave up a TD with :52 left. Being aggressive, they opted to throw it and were int’d and BSU drove 41/5pl for a TD with :08 left to get back in the game, 35-28 at half. It was 42-35 with 5:50 left when EM added a 40 yd FG with 1:55 left for some breathing room and BSU was stopped on 4&gl at the WM.
Washington St actually had a 30-20 FD edge vs Oregon despite the fact that RB LaMichael James and QB Thomas ret’d and started. Brian Bennett replaced Thomas in the 2H. In the 2H WSU had a 260-215 yd edge but they were int’d at the 2 with 8:17 left in the 1Q, int’d at the 2 with 8:35 left and missed a 25 yd FG and trailed 15-10 at the half. The Ducks finally got some breathing room with a Thomas 93 yd KR TD and WSU trailed 43-20 when they went 85/13pl getting a 9 yd TD run and 2 pt conversion with 1:50 left in the game.
There was surprise snowfall in Maryland and while they announced 29,945 there were less than 10,000 on hand. Boston College led 14-3 after 1Q and 21-3 at the half. MD took over with 5:23 left and went 68/12pl for a TD with 2:07 left to pull within 28-17 but BC took a knee at the MD14 to end it.
Oklahoma lost leading rusher Whaley to injury on the first play of the game and it was really a story of 2H’s. In the 1H Kansas St led 17-14 mid2Q but a key play of the game happened with :19 left in the half. KSU was down by 3 and had the ball but fmbl’d and OU would get a 53 yd FG that just cleared the upright on the final play of the half which gave them momentum into the locker room and a 23-17 lead. The Sooners scored TD’s on their first 5 poss of the 2H while KSU punted on all 5 and the game turned into a blowout with OU finishing with a 690-240 yd edge.
Notre Dame was coming off a disappointing loss the previous week to USC and held Navy to a season low 229 yds. Navy was starting backup QB Miller (5-13-33) who rushed for 55 yards on 19 carries. ND had 2 RB’s score multiple TD’s for the first time since 2001 and the starters sat the 4Q. ND led 35-7 at the half with a 258-100 yd edge. Navy was SOD at the ND14 on their opening 3Q drive and the Irish went 86/9pl for a TD to go up 42-7. Navy was SOD at their own 43 and the Irish 5pl later got another TD for a 49-7 lead en route to their 56-14 win.
As has been the case in all 3 Texas A&M losses this year they blew a double digit halftime lead as they led 28-17 at the half but only managed a FG in the 2H. A&M led 28-14 when Missouri got a 26 yd FG on the final play of the half to give them some momentum. Still the game shifted when A&M up 28-17 with 11:20 left was int’d at the 25 and ret’d 45 yds. MO drove 30/3pl to get a TD to get back in the game and then went 79/6pl for the lead, 31-28. A&M tied it on a FG with 4:10 left after having a FD at the 15. A&M was sk’d on FD at the MO42 with :25 left and fmbl’d and MO missed a 46 yd FG but got a TD on 3&8 in OT on an 11 yd pass and A&M was SOD on 4&5.
Arkansas is the anti-Texas A&M as for the 3rd time this season, they trailed by DD but rallied for a win. Casey Hayward broke up 6 passes and Vandy actually finished with a 462-388 yd edge. Ark rallied to tie it on a 94 yd FR TD with 13:25 left in the game and took the lead on a 42 yd FG with 6:53 left but had the ball on their own 39 with 4:37 left and went conservative. On 3&8 that was partially blk’d, they ran for a 1 yd loss and punted and VU went 80/8pl but missed a tying 27 yd FG at the end.
Northwestern scored on 9 of their first 10 poss and piled up a 616-488 yd edge in a high scoring shootout vs Indiana. IU has now allowed 40+ points in 4 straight games. NU had a 59-31 lead when IU got a TD with 9:08 left and NU then ate up the final 9:08 going 54/17pl taking a knee at the IU8 to end it.
Minnesota students stormed the field after their upset of Iowa. It was a game where UI blew numerous chances to put the game away and left the scrappy Gophers in the game. UM had been outscored 48-0 in the 1Q of their first 7 games but it was scoreless. UI took their first 5 drives of the game into UM territory but were SOD at the UM31, punted 19 yds, missed a chip shot 21 yd FG on 4&2 and missed a 43 yd FG that clanged off the upright and it was just 7-7 at the half despite a 260-165 yd edge. UI leading 14-7 was at the UM14 when they were sk’d and fmbl’d and it was ret’d 43 yd getting the Gophers back in the game. It was still UI 21-10 when they gave up a TD with 8:22 left and UM then rec’d a surprise onside kick and would get a TD on 4&gl from the 3 with 2:48 left and went for the gutsy 2 pt conv (failed) but they still led by 1. IU was SOD on 4&10 at its own 31.
Tulsa pounded SMU with a 451-265 yd edge. The game was played with 28 mph swirling winds but TU settled for a 22 yd FG on their 2nd poss then after an int, drove 20/5pl for a TD and after a 27 yd punt into the wind and K/C interf, drove 25/6/pl for a TD to lead 17-0. It was 24-0 at the half and they had a 230-76 yd edge and increased the lead to 38-7 when SMU gained 72 and 56 yds on their final 2 drives which ended on SOD at the 3 and int in the EZ from the 4.
The Sun Belt Conference has one bizarre finish after another. ULM had 30-9 FD and 456-283 yd edges at home vs WKU. Unfortunately for ULM they had a 38 yd FG blk’d and a 9 yd punt set up WKU for a 29 yd TD drive. ULM was SOD at the WKU25 late 1H. ULM went on a 58/14pl drive but missed a 30 yd FG to open the 3Q. ULM got a TD with 1:00 left to take a 21-20 lead but gave up a 79 yd KR to the 9 and a TD and 2 pt conversion 2pl later. ULM still tied it with :06 left but in OT, on 1st & gl from the 3 was int’d in the EZ and WKU got a 24 yd FG.
Florida lost their 4th in a row for the first time since 1988. Georgia had a 354-226 yd edge but ST hurt them as UF had a 99 yd KR TD and a 63 yd KR set up a 40 yd FG. UGA got a TD with 13:18 left to lead 24-20 and at the end of the game, UGA had a 4th & 2 at the UF10 and broke a tackle and was brought down at the 1 on what would be the last play of the game.
One week after North Carolina committed 6 TO’s vs Clemson, they forced 5 from Wake Forest. It wasn’t just the TO’s that had NC winning 49-24 as they had a 562-331 yd edge. NC drove 34 and 77 yds on their first 2 poss, both after WF TO’s for a 14-0 lead but only led 14-10 at the half with a 215-134 yd edge. NC missed a 47 yd FG and only led 21-17 when they went 80/9, 34/5pl (after int), 41/3pl (after int) and 75/6pl (WF SOD) for TD’s on 4 consecutive poss to go up 49-17.
Joe Paterno broke Eddie Robinson’s record for victories by a Div I coach with 409 but this was a low scoring defensive battle with 18 punts in a game played in snow. Illinois had 94 yds passing and the Lions just 98. Penn St was SOD on 4&1 at the UI35 and UI went 64/11pl for a TD and a 7-0 lead with 3:32 left 3Q, which appeared commanding. PSU settled for a 30 yd FG with 7:00 left and got it back at their 20 with 3:05 left and went 80/10pl for a TD with 1:08 left. UI did drive but a 42 yd FG bounced off the upright on the final play.
Army gave Max Jenkins his first career start in what would be his last game at Michie Stadium as a senior. The game was played in snow. Fordham was shutout for the first time in six years and allowed 50 points for the first time in over a decade. Army led 42-0 at the half and very few fans remained at the end in the freezing stands. Rich Ellerson who played in the CFL said he’d never played in a game with such high winds and that they were playing a team that wanted to throw the ball and it was difficult to throw. Army finished with 544-86 yd and 27-6 FD edges.
If you were watching the scoreboard, Oklahoma St absolutely dominated Baylor in their 59-24 win as it was 35-0 at half and 49-3 after 3Q’s. BU actually finished with a 36-23 FD edge and it was not all garbage yards. In fact BU’s first drive went 69/16pl but on 4&1 they were SOD at the gl line. BU fmbl’d the KO setting up a 13 yd OSU TD. BU went 49/7pl but missed a 48 yd FG. BU went 63/13pl but on 3&gl from the 5 was int’d in the EZ. BU went 46/11pl but on 4&1 was SOD at the OSU32. BU went 57/8pl but on FD from the OSU26 was int’d at the 11 and ret’d 34 yds. BU fmbl’d in the 3Q to set up an OSU 7 yd TD drive, went on a 10pl TD drive for a 36 yd FG, a 66/9pl drive but fmbl’d at the OSU1 before finally getting a TD on the first play of the 4Q when trailing 49-3.
It was a tough loss for Colorado St as they had a 480-361 yd and 26-20 FD edges. CSU was SOD at the UNLV33, allowed a 98 yd KR TD, went on 12 and 9pl drives but settled for 40 and 23 yd FG’s and perhaps on the key play of the game fumbled a punt at their own 11 with :51 left in the half setting up a UNLV TD with :14 left and they trailed 17-14 at the half. CSU missed a 47 yd FG, was SOD at the UNLV27 and fumbled at their own 15. At the end of the game UNLV got a TD with 1:20 left for the lead and CSU got a FD at the UNLV 28 but was int’d at the 24.
Louisiana Tech had a 339-127 yd edge at the half but only led 24-14 vs San Jose St. LT opened it to 38-14 with SJS getting a late 3Q TD and then driving 99/11pl for a 3&20, 20 yd TD pass with 3:18 left.
Rutgers was led out on the field by former player Eric LeGrand and the game was played in poor conditions with rain and blowing snow. Footing was tortuous and no more than 5,000 were in the stands cutting down on RU’s home edge. The Knights appeared poised for the upset as they led 31-21 at the half and were up 31-28 when with 11:02 left when they faked a 28 yd FG and had an open man in the EZ but the pass was floated and hung up for a little but was dropped. West Virginia got a TD with 6:18 left then RU fumbled at their own 37 and WV got a 37/3pl drive for a TD with 4:50 left. RU’s last 2 drives were SOD at the WV33 and int’d WV22.
Hawaii did have a 353-234 yd edge vs Idaho but it was a tough loss for the Vandals. In the 1H they were SOD on 4&1 at the UH42 which set up a UH FG and they trailed 13-7. UI got a 70 yd FR TD with 4:22 left in the 3Q to lead 14-13. Idaho had 2 chances to put it away. They went for it again on 4&1, this time at the UH16 with 14:11 left and was SOD. UI was driving again and with 3:04 left, up by 1, UI had 3&6 at the UH9 but was int’d at the 5. UH drove and got a 35 yd FG with :30 left for the lead. UI got 1 FD and then gained 6 yds on 2 passes and their 53 yd FG on the game’s final play was no good.
Texas had a 5 game home losing streak in Big 12 play end in a thoroughly dominating 43-0 romp over Kansas. UT had a 35-3 FD and 590-46 yd edge. At the half they had a 316-10 yd edge and punted just once while KU punted 7 times.
Mississippi and Auburn were tied 17-17 at half and UM had a 215-191 edge but Clint Moseley would have his first 4 career TD passes and AUB got WR Blake back and he had 71 yards rec. AUB dominated the 3Q with a 141-22 yd edge and pulled away in their 41-23 win with UM even getting a 10 yd TD pass on the game’s final play.
There were a couple of key plays in the South Carolina/Tennessee game. UT settled for a 22 yd FG on their first drive then were going to go for it on 4&1 at the SC20 but 2 false start pen’s forced a 47 yd FG and they missed it. Trailing 7-3 on 4&1 Worley’s QB sneak was stuffed at the 44 with 4:48 left in the half. In the 3Q SC appeared to get a break when UT had a 54 yd int that appeared to be for a TD but the defender was knocked out at the 2. Two plays later, frosh Worley, who was making his first start at QB was int’d at the 2 and SC went on a 98/20pl drive almost exclusively on the ground and got a TD to go up 14-3. UT rec’d a fmbl at the SC27 but Worley threw into double coverage in the EZ for a int TB. UT brought Sims in at QB and converted on 4&1 and 4&5 but on 4&1 at the SC28 WR Rogers fell down and the pass was incomplete and SC got 3 FD’s to run out the clock.
Clemson came in unbeaten and Georgia Tech off 2 losses and a key injury note was that RB Andre Ellington for CU DNP. CU took their opening drive 67/12pl but settled for a 34 yd FG. CU fmbl’d on their own 19 and GT would go 71/8pl, 80/11pl and 78/9pl on their next 3 poss all for TD’s to lead 24-3 at the half with CU missing a 40 yd FG. CU got a TD with 14:47 left to get within 14 then got a 26 yd IR to the GT9 but threw an int in the EZ and GT went on a back breaking 58/16pl drive before being SOD with 1:29 left while CU’s final play was an int at midfield with 1:06 left.
Kentucky lost starting QB Morgan Newton on the 3rd series of the game trailing 7-3 at the time. Mississippi St had a 21-6 lead at the half and was int’d at the 2 with the Bulldogs having a 271-127 yd edge. Frosh QB Maxwell Smith for UK caught his stride in the 2H. He led UK 51/12pl for a 35 yd FG on the first drive then 70/11pl for a TD to pull them within 28-16 with 13:50 left. On their 3rd and last drive of the 3Q, UK went 68/16pl but on 4&7 was SOD at the 8 with 4:46 left and the Bulldogs got 3 FD’s running out the clock.
News and Notes Part 2
By Phil Steele
Phil Steele.com
East Carolina did have a 461-266 yard edge vs Tulane but TU actually led 10-7 at one point after an 11 yard punt set them up for a 47/2pl TD drive. It was 17-13 at the half and 27-13 when TU was SOD on 4&9 at the EC44. EC went 56/5pl getting a TD with 2:11 left to go up 34-14.
Arizona St did score 3 TD’s in the 1Q and led 21-0 vs a banged up Colorado team. Tyler Hansen did not start but came off the bench in CU’s 3rd series and threw for 285 yards. ASU only had a 522-420 yard edge. They led 31-7 at the half and it was 34-7 when CU was SOD on 4&gl at the ASU1. CU then fumbled the punt at their own 13 and ASU got a TD to go up 41-7 but CU answered with a TD with 12:45 left, 41-14. CU was SOD on 4&2 at the ASU49 with 8:23 left and ASU went 51/5pl for an 8 yard TD run with 6:20 left. Hirschman came in at QB for Colorado and they went 70/7pl. On 2&11 from the ASU15 Ford got a 12 yard run to the 2 but fumbled.
Air Force lost QB Tim Jefferson in the 1Q but Connor Dietz filled in well and even though he only threw 1 pass, he rushed 6 times for 87 yards. AF, despite being in a flat spot, did lead 35-0 at the half with a 240-115 yard edge. New Mexico fumbled the punt on their own 24 and was intercepted with 3:06 left in the half setting up an AF TD with 1:55 left. NM was intercepted at the AF14 and missed 40 and 30 yard FG’s on their 3 possessions in the 2H resulting in a 42-0 shutout.
Florida St had a 444-166 yard edge including 249-106 in the 1H where they led 24-0. NC State’s best scoring chances ended on a missed 51 yard FG and a fumble at the FSU30. FSU only led 24-0 when they got a 39 yard FG with 8:56 left and added a 26 yard TD pass with 4:28 left.
Nebraska had a huge situational edge vs Michigan St catching the Spartans off 2 big home wins vs Michigan and Wisconsin and they had little left in the tank while Nebraska was off a bye and an easy romp over Minnesota. In the 1H NU led 10-3 but only had a 101-83 yard edge with a 25 yard TD drive after an int. The Huskers went 80/13pl and 89/11pl on their first 2 drives of the 3Q to take command of both the game, 24-3, and the Legends division, as they now hold the tie-breaker over MSU. NU only finished with a 270-187 yard edge.
Kent St was fresh off a bye while Bowling Green was playing its 9th straight grueling game and came off a big upset of Temple. BG did have a 4-2 TO deficit. The final score came with KSU leading 20-15 when BG with :15 left was sacked and KSU returned it for a TD in the 27-15 win.
UCF was off an upset loss and Memphis was off an upset win. The situation said UCF would be angry and smack someone and that they did. They had 28-6 FD and 501-134 yard edges in their 41-0 win.
Texas Tech was off its big upset win over Oklahoma, moving up to #19 in the polls and was thoroughly waxed by Iowa St as they were outgained 512-290 and ISU’s 368 yards rushing was their most since 2002. It was the 2nd straight year ISU beat a ranked team on the road and there was nothing fluky about it. The Cyclones had 67 and 80 yard TD drives and after a 41 yard IR, got a 1 yard TD drive to go up 21-0 and it was 24-7 at the half. They got a 71 yard TD run in the 3Q then leading 31-7 took over with 4:48 left in the 3Q and went on a back breaking 82/17pl drive for a TD with 11:08 left to make it 38-7. TT had just 191 yards passing.
Ohio St had a large situational edge vs Wisconsin, catching UW on its 2nd straight national TV road game while OSU was fresh off a bye, playing with revenge. At the half UW led 7-3 but their powerful run game was held to 10 yards rushing and for the game OSU had a 268-89 yard edge. OSU led 26-14 after getting a TD with 4:39 left but the Badgers got 2 TD’s to take the lead with 1:18 left, 29-26. After a 41 yard KR, OSU got a 40 yard TD pass with :20 left but UW had an untimed down at the OSU43 after a face mask pen. Russell Wilson was hit as he threw and the ball fell incomplete.
John White ran for a career high 205 yards as Oregon St was trying to get its 2nd consecutive road win for the first time since ‘09 and came up way short. Mike Riley said, “We talked all week about how Utah might be the most physical defense we’ve seen and I think we’ve found that out tonight”. It was Utah’s first Pac-12 victory. Utah QB Jon Hays hit just 6-14-62 yards. OSU missed a 50 yard FG at the start and Utah drove 37/8pl for a 48 yard FG. OSU was SOD at the UU37 (14:25 2Q). After a 19 yard PR and a holding pen, Utah started at the OSU47 and 3pl later got a 35 yard TD pass to lead 10-0 and then after an int, drove 18/2pl for a TD. They took over at their own 20 with 2:06 left and White on 2&4, when they were just running the ball to see if they could get any yards, got a 60 yard run down to the OSU14 and 3pl later Utah had another TD, 24-0 at the half. OSU got as close as 24-8 but was intercepted at its own 34 setting up a Utah FG and was SOD at its own 45.
Southern Miss had a 450-262 yard edge and won 31-13 so you would think the game was a blowout but it was actually closer than the final score. At the half the game was tied at 10 with UTEP having a 177-152 yard edge. SM got a 47 yard TD pass early 3Q and UTEP went 50/12pl for a 47 yard FG to pull within 17-13. After an exchange of punts, SM went 98/16pl and got a 15 yard TD pass to go up 24-13. On 4&2 UTEP jumped offsides giving SM a FD and 2pl later Woodyard ripped off a 68 yard TD with 8:32 left to open up 31-13. UTEP was intercepted at the SM17 and punted on their final 2 poss.
Nevada and New Mexico St were involved in a shootout. At the half NMSU had a 341-284 yard edge a and led 27-20. NMSU took its opening drive 78/12pl capped by a 30 yard TD pass (xpng). UNR went 42/7pl but on 4&4 was SOD at the NMSU27. NMSU got 3 FD’s but on 4&1 was SOD at the UNR33. UNR went 67/5pl with a 26 yard TD run, 7-6. 2 punts. NMSU went 67/6pl for a TD, 13-7. UNR went 67/8pl with a 6 yard TD run by Farjardo, 14-13. 2 punts. NMSU went 82/4pl for a 16 yard TD pass and missed the xp again, 19-14. UNR went 66/9pl and went for 2 but failed, 20-19. NMSU went 74/6pl and got a 14 yard TD run, 27-20 with :26 left in the half. UNR got 2 FD’s and missed a 45 yard FG. UNR opened the 3Q with a 67/9pl drive and the 6 yard TD run made it 27-27. 3 punts. UNR went 80/8pl with an 8 yard TD run, 34-27. NMSU got 2 FD’s but on 3&15 from the UNR36 was intercepted in the EZ and on the next play Mark got an 80 yard TD run, 41-27. NMSU was intercepted at the 50 and UNR went 50/6pl but on 4&10 from the 18 they got a 17 yard pass to Mark, but reaching for the EZ, he fumbled and it went for a TB which kept NMSU in the game. NMSU went 80/5pl with a 36 yard TD pass, 41-34. UNR got an 85 yard run by Mark who had 8 carries for 185 yards. Jefferson’s TD run on the next play made it 48-34. NMSU got a 44 yard pass to the UNR but then had a pass tipped and intercepted at the 10 and returned 25 yards with 6:54 left and UNR went 44/11pl running out the clock at the NMSU21.
Wyoming jumped out to a 30-13 lead and held on in the 2H. San Diego St opened with an 80/8pl drive capped by a 44 yard TD pass, 7-0. UW went 91/13pl and on 3&20 got a 41 yard pass to the 13 and a TD 4pl later, 7-7. SDSU on 2&8 got a 71 yard TD pass to Hillman, 13-7 (xpng). UW went 80/8pl with a 3&gl from the 26, true frosh Smith found McNeill in the EZ, 14-13. UW went 79/8pl including a 3&16, 36 yard pass to Alexander at the start of the drive. Five plays later QB Smith got a 20 yard TD run capping the 79/8pl drive, 20-13 (xpng). UW went 60/8pl and got an 11 yard TD pass to McNeill, 27-13. 3 punts. UW went 64/7pl and added a 33 yard FG on the final play of the half. At the half UW had a 17-7 FD and 396-179 yard edges and the crowd was booing. UW got 2 FD’s and punted and SDSU, from the 1, handed it to Hillman who took it 99 yards (longest run in the FBS this year) for a TD, 30-20 (13:08 3Q). 3 punts. SDSU got a 43 yard run to the UW37 but was intercepted at the UW5 on the next play. After UW went 3 &out SDS went 63/5pl and got a 3 yard TD run by Hillman, 30-27 with 1:00 left in the 3Q. SDSU went 42/10pl but missed a 39 yard FG. UW went 3& out. SDSU returned the punt to the UW25 but 2 pens pushed it back to their own 30. They got 1 FD and punted. UW went 3 & out punting with 6:00 left. SDSU got 3 FD’s on a 41/10pl drive but pushed a 27 yard FG to the left with 1:55 left. UW went 3 & out punting with 1:23 left and SDSU got a 25 yard pass to midfield but on 4&7 Lindley’s pass fell incomplete with :19 left.
Arizona dominated Washington early taking their opening drive 50/8pl for a 36 yard FG then going 66/8pl capped by a 24 yard TD pass, 10-0. 2 punts. UW went 80/12pl for a TD and Chris Polk set a school record with his 18th career 100 yard rush gm, also becoming the first player in UW history to have 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game and would score 5 TD’s. It was a Kearse 6 yard TD run that made it 10-7 (12:51 2Q). UA went 39/7pl for a 47 yard FG, 13-7. UW went 59/8pl and on 4&1 Polk took it in for the TD, 14-13. UW got 1 FD and was intercepted at its own 46 with 2:33 left in the half. UA had a 198-164 yard edge at the half. UW opened the 3Q with a 50/3pl drive for a TD, 21-13. UA got 3 FD’s to the UW49 but was intercepted at the 32. UW got a 43 yard pass to the UA25 but then a pass to Johnson had him stumble, never gain full control and the ball deflected out of his hands into DB Golden’s who returned it 91 yards weaving through the UW offense for a stunning TD to get UA back to 21-21 after the 2 pt conversion. UW went 76/12pl for a Polk 1 yard TD run, 28-21. UA went 65/4pl for a 9 yard TD pass, 28-28. UW went 3 & out and UA went 64/9pl for a 24 yard FG, 31-28 (14:10). UW got 1 FD and was intercepted at the UA29 but then UW went 81/6pl and got a 5 yard TD run by Polk with 8:21 left, 35-31. UA got 1 FD and fumbled and UW went 50/6pl and Polk’s 2 yard TD run made it 42-31 with 3:59 left. UA got 2 FD’s to the UW35 but on 3&10 was intercepted at the 18 with 2:10 left. UW went 3 &out punting with :28 left. UA was intercepted at the 37 and returned 12 yards to the UA25 and UW took a knee.
The 1H of the Stanford and USC game was actually a defensive struggle with SU having a 168-131 yard edge. SU took its opening drive 83/10pl for a TD. Each team punted. USC went 55/12pl settling for a 22 yard FG. USC was intercepted at its own 41 and SU got 2 FD’s and a 33 yard FG, 10-3 (7:10 2Q). 2 punts. USC got 1 FD and nailed a 50 yard FG with :11 left in the half. The 2H was an offensive explosion. USC got 2 FD’s and got a 61 yard TD run by McNeal to take the lead, 13-10 (13:54). SU went 3 & out getting off an 18 yard punt and USC went 40/3pl with a 25 yard run by McNeal and a 20-10 lead (10:30 3Q). SU went 75/9pl and got a 5 yard TD pass. USC went 3 & out and SU went 86/7pl. They converted on 4&1 for a FD at the 2 and Luck’s 2 yard TD run put SU back in the lead, 24-20. USC went 73/7pl for a 28 yard TD pass to lead 27-24. After a 24 yard KR to the 43, SU got 2 FD’s then was sacked on 3&10 and punted 40 yards to the 2. USC went 3 & out and SU got a 32 yard PR to the USC29. They would get 1 FD and nail a 29 yard FG to tie it with 5:10 left. USC got 1 FD and punted but Luck was intercepted and returned 33 yards for a TD and stunningly USC led 34-27 with 3:08 left. SU got 1 FD and on 3&6 fired incomplete but a personal foul on hitting a defenseless rec gave them a FD and allowed them to continue on a 76/10pl drive for a TD with :38 left. USC made a couple of mistakes. They took over at their 25 and got 2 FD’s to the SU40. They had 2 time-outs but WR Woods, with :09 left, caught the pass, ran across the field trying to get OOB. That extra time he took caused the time to expire and USC could not get off the game winning FG. Had he just gone down and called time-out they would have been able to get the kick off. Each team scored a TD in the 1st OT but despite the offenses dominating, neither tried the 2 pt conv. Each team scored a TD in the 2nd OT and it was 48-48. SU, in the 3OT, got a TD on the 3rd play. USC appeared to get a TD but Lee was spotted down at the 4. On the next play McNeal had the ball stripped and SU rec’d in the EZ for a TB and an 8 pt win.
NCAA 4th Quarter Covers - Oct. 28-30
By: Joe Nelson
Playbook.com
There was some great drama in college football last weekend particularly in the Stanford/USC game and the Wisconsin/Ohio State game. A lot of games also when down to the wire relative to the spread. Here are some of the wild fourth quarter finishes with the pointspread in mind from last week's action.
TCU got a lot of help on special teams as they did not have impressive production last week but the Horned Frogs led BYU 35-10 early in the third quarter and was still ahead of the spread up 35-20 entering the fourth. The Frogs added a field goal with just over five minutes to go in the game with the favorite cover looking fairly secure but BYU scored with a successful two-point conversion with about two minutes to go for the backdoor cover.
Central Michigan (-7) 23, Akron 22
Going into the fourth quarter Central Michigan led Akron 20-6 and it was 20-0 until a late third quarter score. Akron would go for two on that touchdown, a point that would come back to haunt the Zips. Early in the fourth the teams traded field goals and then Akron found the end zone again with less than three minutes to go, cutting the lead to seven points, right on the closing spread. Akron’s defense forced the 3-and-out and got the ball back and rallied to score as time expired. Akron went for the win but failed to come through with the conversion in a one-point loss.
Western Michigan (-12) 45, Ball State 35
This MAC clash was a game of runs as Western Michigan scored four consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 35-14 but Ball State then capitalized on an interception to score twice in the final minute before the half. Entering the fourth quarter Western Michigan led 42-28, just past the double-digit spread. Ball State would cash in for a fourth quarter touchdown while Western Michigan had to settle for a field goal in the final frame, creating the final margin.
West Virginia (-6) 41, Rutgers 31
In the snow Rutgers seemed to be in charge against West Virginia, leading 31-21 at the half but West Virginia chipped away and took the lead with just over six minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Rutgers immediately fumbled on its next possession and West Virginia used the strong field position to add another score, getting past the road favorite spread. Rutgers moved the ball well on its last two possessions but could not come away with points as the tough conditions made long field goal attempts risky propositions.
East Carolina (-15.5) 34, Tulane 13
East Carolina had big yardage advantages but the Pirates led just 17-13 at halftime against Tulane. East Carolina was still short of the spread after adding ten points in the third quarter and it took until just over two minutes to go in the game for the Pirates to get past the spread, following Tulane going for it on fourth down near midfield.
Missouri (+10.5) 38, Texas A&M 31
Texas A&M has struggled in the fourth quarter in several notable games this season and it happened again last week. The Aggies led 28-17 entering the fourth quarter after a scoreless third quarter, just past the spread. Missouri rallied, scoring twice in the span of just over three minutes to take the lead 31-28 and the Aggies were able to force overtime with a late field goal, sealing a Missouri cover, and the Tigers would go on to win in overtime.
Georgia (-3.5) 24, Florida 20
Florida led early in this rivalry match-up, leading 17-3 in the second quarter before Georgia found the end zone right before the half. Georgia tied the game in the third quarter but the Gators quickly answered to lead 20-17 entering the fourth quarter. Georgia took advantage of good field position on its first possession of the fourth quarter to get a touchdown and squeak by the spread, holding Florida on three late possessions with an excellent defensive stand.
UNLV (+1.5) 38, Colorado State 35
This ugly match-up turned out to be a very exciting game. UNLV led 24-20 at home entering the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to 31-20 early in the fourth. Colorado State answered with touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to lead by four with just over four minutes to go. UNLV came up with the winning scoring drive but left Colorado State some time on the clock. The Rams went 56 yards in three plays in the final minute but the chances were ended with an interception.
Washington (-3.5) 42, Arizona 31
This was a wild game as Washington missed opportunities to pull away early as both teams were plagued by turnovers. It was a tie game entering the fourth quarter and Arizona took the lead with a field goal 31-28 less than a minute into the fourth. Washington had an interception on its next possession but the defense held up and the Huskies put together a quick scoring drive on its first possession. Arizona fumbled on its next possession and Washington again cashed in for a touchdown to get past the spread. Arizona’s threat to spoil the cover ended with an interception in the final two minutes.
Southern Miss (-10) 31, UTEP 13
The Golden Eagles had more of a struggle in this game than glancing at the box score would suggest. Southern Miss led just 17-13 entering the fourth quarter but the UTEP defense seemed to run out of gas in the fourth, allowing 239 yards in the final frame. Southern Miss scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives and UTEP had an interception in its best opportunity of the fourth quarter.
Stanford (-8.5) 56, USC 48
One of the big games on the schedule lived up to its billing as this Pac-12 clash will go down as one of the best games of the season. Stanford led 24-20 entering the fourth quarter but the game was tied 27-27 with just minutes left on the clock. USC scored on an interception return for a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining but Stanford put together the tying scoring drive in the final seconds. The game would be settled in the third overtime as both teams matched scores in the first two stanzas without much trouble. Stanford did the same going first in the third overtime and as the rules necessitate, they went for two and succeeded going up eight and leaving a very empty feeling for USC backers who had +7.5, where the spread was most of the week. USC went 21 yards on its first play and looked sure to find the end zone but Curtis McNeal fumbled to end the game and leave the margin at eight points.