Week 5 News and Notes
By Phil Steele
Toledo was without starting RB Adonis Thomas but Morgan Williams rushed for 130 yards. TOL drove 10/3pl for a TD after a fumbled punt and 2 pt conv to go up 8-3. After an int the Rockets went 41/5pl for a TD, 15-3. They were up 22-13 at the half and despite being outFD’d 17-12 and outgained 318-305, they rolled to three 2H TD drives in a 36-13 win.
Michigan had their most lopsided win since beating Indiana 58-0 in 2000. MarQueis Gray, the QB for Minnesota DNP and true frosh Max Shortell (1st start) hit 11-22-104 and had -16 yards rushing on 4 carries. In the 1H Mich had a 384-69 yd edge and the Gophers’ first snap in Mich terr didn’t happen until there was less than 1:00 left in the 3Q. Mich won The Little Brown Jug leading 38-0 at the half scoring on all six 1H poss.
Penn St let Indiana hang around blowing some scoring opportunities and IU had the ball down by 6 at the end. PSU finished with a 464-256 yd edge and once again Matt McGloin moved the team the best with Rob Bolden hitting 6-14-67 and McGloin 10-22-204. PSU had a TD called back on a hold on 2&gl from the 15 and then had a pass tipped and int’d near the goal line. PSU later would go on a 66/12pl drive but from the 5 yd line settled for a 22 yd FG and despite a 242-105 yd edge at the half, the game was tied at 3. PSU settled for a 27 yd FG then went on a 12pl drive and fmbl’d at the IU2. PSU got a 74 yd TD pass from McGloin to Moye for some breathing room, 13-3 after 3Q’s and drove 64/13pl and settled for a 32 yd FG, 16-3. IU converted on 4th down on a 77/14pl drive for a TD with 3:51 left and got the ball back with 2:06 left getting to the PSU40 with :02 left but their pass fell incomplete.
Kansas shockingly jumped out to a 20-0 lead vs Texas Tech with 191 yards and 3 TD’s on their first 15 plays. Texas Tech survived that punch in the stomach and rolled to a 45-27 lead after 3Q’s and finished with a 530-478 yd edge. KU got a TD with 3:30 left to close it to 45-34 but TT rec’d the onside kick and got to the KU11 with 2 FD’s taking a knee.
In the 1H Cincinnati had a 3-0 TO deficit and only led 6-0. In the 2H MU missed a 34 yd FG and UC got a 72 yd pass setting up a TD. Later they drove 80/12pl for a TD to lead 20-0 and then when a snap went over MU’s P’s head, UC fell on it for a TD to make it 27-0. UC was int’d in the EZ twice in the game and had a 398-264 yd edge.
For the 2nd straight week Syracuse’s game came down to a replay at the end. In the 2nd OT SU fumbled. The replay appeared to show the RB was down but another showed the ball came out so it was inconclusive and SU’s fumble which was ruled rec’d by Rutgers, ended the game. RU had missed a chance to win the game in regulation missing a 44 yd FG. At the half, RU had 13-2 FD and 187-88 yd edges yet trailed 7-3 as SU had a 65 yd FR TD. RU had a 23-13 FD edge but only a 302-295 yd edge.
Tennessee had 541-264 yd and 27-10 FD edges. They led 17-7 after 1Q and 31-7 at the half. UT extended it to 41-7 with 11:32 left with BUF getting a 30 yd FG with 8:38 left and then rec’d an onside kick but they were SOD on 4&4 at the UT18 with 6:42 left. UT faked a punt for a FD, got 2 FD’s and ran out the clock.
A 3rd straight road game and having to face the option is not the ideal scenario for any defense and Army rolled to a 423-199 yd edge vs Tulane with a 21-10 FD edge. Raymond Maples rushed for a career high 144 yards. TU jumped out to a 6-0 lead after Orleans Darkwa had a 66 yard run on the 2nd play of the game but TU did not score again and after having 165 yards at the half they finished with just 199.
Montel Harris returned to BC’s lineup and rushed for 108 yards becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher topping Derrick Knight (2003). Still, WF finished with a 392-336 yd edge and never trailed. They scored a TD on their opening poss and led 17-9 at the half. Harris fumbled at the WF10 trailing 26-9 and BC was int’d at the 2 with 4:59 left in the 3Q. BC got a TD with 13:05 left and settled for a 32 yd FG with 6:00 left to pull within 24-19. WF got a 22 yd FG with 2:59 left and BC on 4&4 at the WF45 was SOD with 1:43 left.
Georgia dominated Mississippi St more than the final score as they had 20-13 FD and 315-213 yd edges. Isaiah Crowell topped 100 yards rushing for the 3rd time in 3 SEC games. MSU’s only score came on a 72 yd IR TD with 9:10 left in the 4Q as UGA was looking to add to a 24-3 lead. UGA was int’d at the MSU20 but still led 21-3 at the half. UGA had a bad snap on a 22 yd FG and was tkl’d for a 12 yd loss, settled for a 27 yd FG, was int’d at the MSU29 and missed a 47 yd FG in their 14 pt win.
Michigan St entered the game vs Ohio St #1 in the country in total D (172 ypg) and finished with a 321-178 yd edge. In fact, OSU’s only score came with :10 left in the game with Joe Bauserman at QB. Braxton Miller hit 5-10-56. MSU ended a 7 game losing skid to the Buckeyes. The Spartans scored a TD on their 2nd poss on a 65/6pl drive for a 7-0 lead which they never relinquished. OSU was int’d at the MSU6 but MSU had a 170-87 yd edge at the half. MSU had a 3rd & gl at the 6 and was int’d in the EZ early 4Q but with the score 10-0 OSU punted with 8:52 left, punted on 4&13 from its own 4 with 5:31 left, was SOD on 4&10 at the MSU43 with 3:06 left then took over with 1:51 left and went 62/6pl for a TD with :10 left in the 10-7 final.
Virginia blew numerous opportunities in the 1H. They had 496-296 yd and 27-12 FD edges for the game but they let Idaho stay in the game and almost lost. In the 1H UVA went on consecutive drives of 67 and 73 yds for TD’s to lead 14-0. UVA was int’d at the UI20, fmbl’d at the UI43 and fmbl’d at their own 26 and despite a 277-147 yd edge, only led 14-6 at the half. At the end of the half, UVA’s QB Rocco took off on a run and was tkl’d at the 10 but they ran out of time. UVA had a 41 yd FG blk’d, missed a 36 yd FG and IU blk’d a punt for a TD with 3:11 left and the 2 pt conv tied it. In OT each team scored a TD but UI went for 2 and their pass was incomplete.
QB Teddy Bridgewater made his first start for Louisville and had a couple of key int’s in the 2H. In the 1H Bridgewater hit a 41 yd TD pass with :33 left in the half to give UL a 13-7 lead and the Cards had a 167-130 yd edge. Marshall went on an 85/13pl drive but had a 19 yd FG blk’d. UL went on a 9pl drive and missed a 47 yd FG. Marshall went on a 62/7pl drive settling for a 24 yd FG and only trailed 13-10. UL was int’d at their own 30 with 4:32 left and MU went 30/5pl for a TD with 1:49 left for the lead. UL got to the MU45 but Bridgewater was int’d at the 37 and MU got 1 FD and took a knee for the upset.
The talk all week was how Robert Griffin had thrown more TD passes than incompletions. Well, he had 5 TD passes and 8 incompletions vs Kansas St and his first int of the year. KSU trailed 35-26 in the 4Q but he threw an int on the 2nd last drive of the game and his 4th & 2 pass fell incomplete at the end and KSU got the home win, 36-35 to move to 4-0. Baylor actually came in ranked #15 in the country.
West Virginia was off a loss and their O-line opened up some big holes. Dustin Garrison rushed for 233 yards at the half and 291 for the game. WV finished with 643-217 yd and 30-14 FD edges. WV led 38-10 at the half and scored TD’s on their first 3 poss of the 2H to lead 55-10 in the rout.
Auburn had 358-289 yd and 22-13 FD edges vs South Carolina who was playing with double revenge. Stephen Garcia tossed a couple more int’s hitting just 9-23 passes. AU took over with 5:27 left trailing 13-9 and went 57/12pl. They got a 9 yd TD pass to Philip Lutzenkirchen with 1:38 left and then SC got to the AU30 and thought they had :01 left but ran out of time.
Northwestern got Dan Persa back in the lineup and appeared headed for an upset of Illinois. They led 28-10 midway thru the 3Q. Persa hit 10-14-123 but threw for 4 TD’s. Illinois went 74 and 58 yards for TD’s to get back within 28-23 and Persa was injured. Illinois took the lead 31-28 but fumbled at their own 36 and Northwestern got a TD with 1:15 left to appear to pull out the win. IL went 69/7pl and with just :13 left Scheelhaase’s 1 yd TD run gave IL the come from behind win.
FIU had a 568-384 yd edge vs Duke. It was tied at 17 at the half when FIU got a FG and a TD to lead 27-17 with 13:30 left. Duke got a TD with 11:56 left to pull within 3 then Panthers QB Carroll on 2&8 had the ball slip out of his hands and Duke rec’d at the 9. Duke got a 9 yd TD run by Thompson with 6:52 left on the next play to take a 31-27 lead. FIU got to the Duke12 but on 4&10 fired incomplete in the EZ with 2:29 left.
Troy was playing with legitimate revenge after UAB used a Hail Mary pass to beat them the year before but this time Troy needed a late TD to pull out the win. Troy did have a 521-356 yd edge. UAB was playing without starting QB Ellis and Jonathan Perry hit 19-39-196 yds. UAB got a 91 yd PR setting up a 5pl 1 yard TD run in the 1H but Troy led 14-13 at the half. Troy missed a 43 yd FG and UAB got a 41 yd FG to lead 16-14 then UAB got a 52 yd IR TD to lead 23-14. Troy fumbled at the UAB30, punted and was int’d at the UAB30 on their next 3 poss. They got a FG with 5:18 left then got an int on a screen pass ret’d to the 12. On 3&11 pass interfer gave them a FD to the 2 and they got the go-ahead TD with 4:07 left to lead 24-23. UAB was SOD on 4&2 at the Troy48.
Louisiana Tech/Hawaii was blown open in the middle of the 3Q as UH got 2 defensive TD’s in a :04 span. Leading 20-13, UH went 65/10pl getting a TD with 9:29 left in the 3Q to lead 27-13. LT got to midfield but was int’d and ret’d 49 yards for a TD. LT then fmbl’d the KO and UH ret’d it 12 yards for a TD and it was 41-13. UH finished with a 494-368 yd edge.
It was Turnovers=Turnaround for Utah which came in +9 in TO’s but were -4 in TO’s. Washington led 17-7 when Utah QB Jordan Wynn came out with injury. Backup QB Hays’ first pass was int’d and UW went 52/4pl for a TD. The Huskies led 31-7 and on 4&21 just ran the ball for 3 yards with 2:29 left. Utah would go 62/10pl and got a garbage TD with :07.
Texas dominated leading 34-0 at the half and gave up two 4Q TD’s. The Longhorns have now won 2 straight on the road vs teams that beat them in Austin last year. It was billed as one of the biggest HG’s in recent memory for Iowa St but Texas dominated and Iowa St had 86 and 63 yd drives for TD’s in the 4Q to make the stats a bit misleading as they show UT only had a 400-380 yd edge and ISU had a 26-19 FD edge. TO’s were a factor but the bottom line is UT got its revenge.
Ohio did have a commanding 391-217 yd edge vs Kent St and 22-14 FD edge. They survived a blk’d FG and a blk’d punt in the 1H and KSU’s only TD came on a 21 yd drive for a TD after recovering a fumble. OU led 10-7 at the half but had a 220-80 yd edge. OU extended it to 17-7. KSU got a 31 yd FG with 5:42 left to pull within 7 and OU punted 34 yds to the 1 with 2:00 left and KSU was SOD at their own 8.
Bethune-Cookman actually outplayed Miami, Fl early and the game was a lot closer than the 45-14 final. BC had 24-15 FD and 422-335 yd edges. BC went 71/12pl but fmbl’d at the UM2 then went 52/9pl for a TD. BC also had a 59/11pl drive end in a missed 38 yd FG. UM had some quick scores like a 56/1pl TD pass in the 2Q and had a 34 yd drive for a TD after kick/catch intef on a PR. UM with 2:00 left got a 59 yd IR TD to lead 45-14 and BC ended the game at the UM6.
WKU nearly ended the nation’s longest home losing streak which was was 18. They did lead 14-10 but Arkansas St rallied for a 19-14 lead with 11:12 left. WKU got a 42 yd TD pass with 10:03 left to go up 22-19 and ASU missed the game tying FG from 44 yards with 5:51 left. WKU got 2 FD’s and then went for the win on 4&1 at the ASU32 and were SOD with 2:39 left. ASU went 66/9pl and got a TD with :36 left and escaped.
Western Michigan was up 14-0 in the 2Q and UC did not cross midfield until 6:00 remained in the 2Q on a 60 yd run. WM led 17-7 at the half. WM fumbled on consec poss and Conn took its first lead with 12:40 left on a TD. The score was 17-17 after 3Q’s. The two teams combined for 35 points in the 4Q. WM retook the lead, 31-24 with 5:53 left but UC on 4&5 got a 26 yd TD pass to tie. WM got a 41 yd TD pass where the WR grabbed the ball over the DB’s head for a TD with 1:35 left and UC threw a deep pass but fmbl’d at the WM13 with :45 left.
TCU’s 22 game home streak was snapped and SMU actually led throughout the game blowing a 16 point 4Q lead but won it in OT. SMU had a 461-454 yd edge. TCU dropped out of the AP Top 25 for the first time in 46 weeks.
Trent Richardson took another positive step towards the Heisman with 181 yards rushing (incl 2 TD’s) and another 27 yards receiving. Alabama has outscored Florida 101-29 in their 3 meetings. UF actually got a 65 yd TD pass on their first offensive play and the game was tied at 10 after 1Q but Bama led 24-10 at the half. UF QB Brantley was inj’d in the final seconds of the 1H and missed the 2H but Bama finished with 21-9 FD and 366-222 yd edges in the 38-10 win.
Washington St had a 455-336 yd edge vs Colorado and 28-20 FD edge. The Cougars were int’d at the CU28, SOD at the CU44 and trailed 13-10 at the half despite a 220-122 yd edge. CU led 20-17 when they got the apparent game clinching TD with 5:11 left, 27-17 but WSU got a TD 7pl later with 2:35 left with all 3 timeouts left, they kicked off deep and forced a punt with 2:03 left and got a 63 yd TD pass with 1:10 left for the lead. CU got a 24 yd pass but Richardson fumbled at the end at the WSU38.
Memphis could have easily beaten Middle Tenn. They led 17-0 early 2Q and it was 17-10 at the half. Memphis was SOD on 4&2 at the MT32 in the 2H but got a 23 yd TD pass with 1:33 left to tie it at 31. MT was backed up to their 6 after the KO. They ran for zero yds and Memphis called time-out with 1:22 left. MT got a 7 yd gain and MT called time-out with :48 left. MT got a 14 yd run to their 27 and opted to go for it and got 17 and 23 yd passes on the next 2pl. After a spike they got a 32 yd TD pass with :11 left for the win.
A key play in the FAU/Louisiana game happened late 1H. FAU had led 17-7 mid2Q but up 17-14, opted to go for it on 4&1 at their own 39 and were SOD. UL took a gift 38/5pl drive for a TD to take the lead, 21-17. UL went up 34-20 on a 46 yd FG with 7:43 left but FAU got a TD with 5:41 left then went 40/5pl for a TD with 1:48 left to tie it. UL went 65/10pl and got a 26 yd FG on the final play to pull out the 37-34 win.
Southern Miss was even more dominant than the 48-24 score but surprisingly they trailed 24-20 mid3Q. SM had a 654-229 yd edge and 33-15 FD edge for the game. Rice scored when SM fmbl’d the KO and Rice ret’d it 17 yds for a TD, 14-13. SM got a 75 yd FR TD in the 2Q and led 20-17 at the half. SM went on a 76/10pl drive and on 4&1 at the Rice4 they fumbled and Rice ret’d it 96 yds for a TD and stunningly led 24-20. SM was int’d on their next drive but scored TD’s on drives of 44, 75 and 63 yds on their next 3 poss to lead 41-24. Rice had a 4&gl at the 6 but they were SOD with 10:20 left and 2 poss later SM went 94/7pl and got a 23 yd TD pass with 3:13 left.
Texas A&M had another dominating 1H leading 35-17 with a 404-271 yd edge. Once again they had another poor 2H and Arkansas would rally for the win. The Hogs got a TD with 1:41 left to take their first lead of the game, 42-38 and A&M on 4&2 from their own 39 was SOD. Tyler Wilson threw for a school record 510 yards. A&M Christine Michael ran for 230 yards and 3 TD’s and A&M which is joining the SEC fell to 0-6 vs the SEC since 1996. WR Wright broke the school receiving record at 204 yards by half and finished with 281 on 13 catches. A&M had 628-581 yd and 30-28 FD edges.
Jordan Jefferson’s susp was lifted and he was called on for a 4th & gl at the 1 QB sneak and a TD early vs Kentucky. Morgan Newton missed on his first 9 throws hitting 2-11 passes in the 1H and was sacked 3 times. LSU had a 201-45 yard edge at the half and took a 35-0 lead with 10:39 left in the game. Kentucky would go 70/12pl getting a TD with 4:22 left and did end the game at the LSU28. The game started at 11:21 am and everyone knows LSU is not as ferocious during the day at Tiger Stadium.
Matt Barkley passed for a school record 468 yards and 4 TD’s. Arizona compiled a 37-26 FD edge and USC had a 582-554 yd edge but this one appeared put away for USC as they led 34-12 in the 3Q. It was 48-34 when USC went for it on 4&1 at the UA37 with 1:51 left. UA stopped them and went 53/5pl with 1:00 left on a 4 yd TD pass.
Boise St was playing with revenge vs Nevada after the Pack had ended their perfect season the previous year. BSU’s D was the key factor as BSU finished with a 329-182 yd edge and a 22-12 FD edge. Cody Fajardo had been splitting snaps with Tyler Lantrip was recovering from a shoulder injury and DNP. BSU only led 20-0 at half but had a 187-54 yd edge. Nevada did not cross their own 38 yd line until 8:23 was left in the 3Q and it happened on a 31 yd KR and NV at that point led 30-0. NV got a 21 yd FG with 14:48 left to make it 30-3. BSU was SOD on 4&2 at the NV29 with 1:39 left and NV got a FD then a 53 yd TD pass with :46 left to only lose by 20.
NC State had a banged up D missing 6 starters and Georgia Tech surprisingly only had a 413-387 yd edge but did score on their first 3 poss to lead 21-0 but it was just 21-14 late 3Q. GT got a TD with 12:29 left then got a 34 yd IR TD and NCSt was SOD on 4&1 at its own 38. GT got a 38 yd TD pass on the next play to make it 42-14. Trailing 45-21 NCSt got a TD with :34 left on a 13 yd pass. GT backup QB Days fmbl’d and NCSt ret’d it 33 yards for a TD with :20 left.
Air Force led 21-3 at the half and it was just 21-10 after 3Q’s. Each team got an early 4Q TD. With just 2:04 left in the game Navy completed a 73/16pl drive incl a key 4th down conversion and got a 37 yd FG. They then rec’d an onside kick and then went 59/7pl for a TD & the 2 pt conv forced OT with :19 left. In OT QB Proctor scored a TD and said something to an AF player and was called for a 15 yd pen which moved them back on the xp and the xp was blocked and AF after their TD kicked a regular xp and won it.
Eastern Michigan had some poor punts of 19, 22 and 20 yards, which kept Akron in the game. EM went 50/9 and 84/9pl for TD’s, 14-0 but only led 17-10 at the half. EM rushed for 328 yards on 56 carries only passing 9 times. EM led 31-16 when UA converted on 4&2 and then got a TD 2pl later with 3:18 left, 31-23. EM only got off a 20 yd punt and UA got to the EM30 down by a TD and 2 pt conv but on 4&14 fired incomplete with 1:01 left.
Week 5 News and Notes Part 2
By Phil Steele
That stats in the N Texas/Tulsa game showed NT with a 22-19 FD edge and TU with only a 412-391 yd edge. I could also point out that TU had not one, but two IR TD’s of 36 and 74 yards. NT was also SOD on 4&gl at the 1 in the 1Q and had a 40 yd FG blk’d after a 1st & gl at the 6 but the bottom line is that TU led this game 41-3. NT got 21 points in the 4Q and trailing 41-10 they got an int with 8:53 left and went 48/11pl for a TD to make it 41-17 and then TU was SOD on 4&1 at its own 39 with 1:06 left and on the final play of the game, NT hit a 26 yd TD pass to lose the game by less than Vegas expected.
In the 1H Maryland did not convert on a 3rd or a 4th down and Towson held the ball for 21:50 and had a commanding 225-111 yd edge. MD did got 65/7pl for a TD on their first poss. After a 28 yd punt and kick/catch interference, MD started at the TU24 but had a 43 yd FG blk’d. TU went 33/7pl but was SOD on 4&1 a the MD41. MD was SOD at the TU28 six plays later. TU went 66/16pl and had a 1st & gl at the 2 but settled for a 23 yd FG, 7-3. TU went 90/16pl and on the final play of the half they settled for a 24 yd FG on 4&1 and missed it. TU had 4 TO’s in the 2H including on the 2nd play when they were int’d at their own 45 and MD went 45/8pl for a TD. TU was sacked and fumbled 2pl later at their own 29 but MD fumbled at the 6. TU went 61/11pl but on 3&10 was int’d at the MD26. 4 punts. MD with O’Brien still at QB went 78/11pl and got a 7 yd TD pass with 7:01 left. TU fumbled the KO and MD went 26/5pl for a TD with 4:26 left for some breathing room. TU had a 378-335 yd edge and 21-20 FD edge.
Oklahoma had two 21 point spurts to turn a reasonably close game vs Ball St into an utter blowout. BS actually onside kicked to open and recovered but had a 2nd & 1 and ran the all twice and then punted. OU went 85/10pl for a TD. OU fumbled the punt at their own 26 and BS got a 34 yard FG, 7-3. OU went 45/9pl for a 44 yd FG, 10-3 and BS went 61/15pl for a 31 yd FG, 10-6. OU went 92/12pl and got a 25 yd TD run to make it 17-6 with 8:22 left 2Q. Jefferson then took over. He got an int at the BS13 setting up a 10/2pl drive, 24-6. Three plays later he got an int at the OU23 and the Sooners went 77/6pl for a TD. Two plays later Jefferson got his 3rd straight int at the BS27 and on 2&10 Jones hit a 27 yd TD pass to make it 38-6. OU was int’d at the BS32 on their next drive with 1:41 left in the half but got a 62 yd pass to the BS13 and missed a 30 yd FG with :42 left. At the half they did have a commanding 406-116 yd edge. BS went 3&out and OU got a 64 yd TD pass 2pl later. BS went 3&out and OU got 56/1pl TD pass. BS20 fumbled and it was ret’d 20 yds for a TD (OU’s 3rd TD in a 1:08 span). After the next 3 poss were punts, OU went 63/12pl for a 39 yd FG, 62-6 (13:42). Neither cross midfield after that.
Northern Illinois was int’d on the 3rd play at their own 40. Central Michigan went 28/8pl for a 29 yd FG. NI got 2 FD & punted and CM got a 79 yd TD pass. NI went 3&out and CM46 got a 46 yd pass to the 7 and a TD on the next play, 17-0. NI20 went 65/12pl but had a 32 yd FG blk’d. CM went 3 &out and NI got a 55/1pl TD pass, 17-7. NI went 62/10pl for a 35 yd FG, 17-10. 3 punts. NI7 took over with 2:21 left in the half and went 60/10pl and missed a 50 yd FG. CM opened the 3Q (20) with an 80/5pl drive and a 43 yd TD pass made it 24-10. NI went 39/8pl for a 35 yd FG and CM went 70/9pl and on 4&1 got a 36 yd TD run by Cotton, 31-13. NI went 34/7pl for a 33 yd FG but CM went 70/6pl with a 46 yd TD pass to Cotton, 38-16 (13:32). NI went 80/4pl for a TD and CM went 70/3pl for a TD, 45-24 (10:42). NI went 80/14pl converting on 4&4 at the CM15 and got a 10 yd TD on 3&5. CM rec’d the onside kick at the NI44. They got 1 FD & nailed a 30 yd FG to go back up by 17, 48-31. NI went 80/12pl for a TD with :47 left, 48-38 then NI rec’d the onside kick. They got a 23 yd pass then on 3&2 opted for a 38 yd FG with :19 left. NI rec’d the onside kick and on 3&10 their Hail Mary pass was int’d at the 15.
Mississippi turned control over to Randall Mackey at QB and he hit 8-18-214 and ran for 35 yards on 5 carries. The first 3 poss were punts and Fresno got a 31 yd PR to the Ole Miss 17. Four plays later they had a TD, 7-0. While Mackey missed his first 3 passes, he led a 74/4pl drive and a 21 yd TD run by Bolden tied it at 7. Fresno St went 3 & out and Ole Miss went 65/5pl and a 22 yd TD pass by Mackey to Harris made it 13-7 (xp blk’d). FSU went 79/5pl and got a 26 yd TD run, 14-13 (:06). FSU fumbled at their own 27. It was Rouses’ first fumble in 401 career carries. Miss went 27/3pl for a TD, 20-14. FSU20 got 1 FD but was int’d on a deep pass at the UM31. FSU went 58/9pl and missed a 32 yd FG (3:01 2Q). UM got 1 FD & punted with 1:15 left and FSU on 4&2 gained 4 yds but a 57 yd FG fell short. At the half FSU had a 264-203 yd edge. FSU37 opened the 3Q with a 63/5pl drive and got a 7 yd TD run, 21-20. UM25 was sacked on 2&12 but roughing gave them a FD and 2 plays later Scott got a 69 yd TD run, 27-21. FSU went 80/10pl and got a 1 yd TD run by Carr, 28-27. 2 punts. Miss went 88/15pl and on 3&9 a 12 yd TD run by Scott, 35-28. FSU went 3 & out and UM got a 57 yd pass to Moncrief to the 5 but settled for a 24 yd FG, 38-28 (3:37). FSU22 went 49/12pl and missed a 46 yd FG with :50 left on 4&13 and Ole Miss took a knee.
UCLA opened with a 79/13pl drive. On 4&gl from the 2 they were SOD. Stanford went 99/16pl for a TD. UCLA25 got 1 FD and fumbled and SU went 43/8pl for a TD. UCLA went 3 & out and SU went 60/10pl for a 23 yd FG, 17-0. UCLA went 80/9pl and got a 12 yd TD pass with :08 left, 17-7. At the half SU only had a 205-170 yd edge. SU40 on 2&1 got a 51 yd TD pass to open the 3Q. UCLA went 65/8pl and on 4&1 got a 13 yd TD pass, 24-13 (xpng). 3 punts. UCLA fumbled the punt at their own 34 and SU got a TD 4pl later, 31-13. UCLA went 56/9pl and got a 7 yd TD run with 13:21 left to only trail 31-19 (xpng). SU went 59/8pl and got a 1 yd TD run with 10:22 left. UCLA got 3 FD’s and on 4&10 were SOD at the SU41 with 8:19 left. SU went 59/12pl and Luck threw a 5 yd TD pass which had them win by more than some expected, 45-19. UCLA went 3 & out.
Oregon St was without their top RB Malcolm Agnew. Terron Ward had 30 yards rushing on 5 carries and OSU went to the pass attack as Sean Mannion hit 40-66-341 yds but did have 4 int’s. Arizona St was int’d at midfield and OSU went 36/9pl for a 34 yd FG. ASU was sk’d and fumbled and OSU rec’d at their 25 but settled for a 21 yd FG, 6-0. ASU went 44/9pl to the OSU35 but was int’d at the 29. OSU went 71/8pl for a TD, 13-0. ASU40 went 60/6pl and got a 17 yd TD pass, 13-7. 2 punts. ASU went 53/3pl and got a 24 yd TD pass, 14-13. ASU then got a 78 yd PR TD to open it up 21-13 (6:11). OSU went 71/11pl and missed a 34 yd FG and ASU went 62/8pl and missed a 35 yd FG. At the half OSU had a 273-218 yd edge but trailed by 8. The 3Q opened with 2 punts. ASU was int’d and ret’d 40 yds to the ASU11. Two plays Mannion hit Rogers with a 5 yd TD pass, 21-20. ASU went 80/6pl and got a 37 yd TD run by Marshall, 28-20. 3 punts. After a 19 yd OSU punt, ASU went 38/5pl for a TD to lead 35-20 (14:49). OSU was int’d at their own 47 but ASU was SOD at the OSU33. OSU converted on 4&1 and got to the ASU37 but was int’d in the EZ. 3 punts. OSU15 went 51/11pl getting to the ASU25 but on 2&19 was int’d at the 24 with :59 left.
Notre Dame had 34-17 FD and 551-276 yd edges which was actually 553-181 until Purdue’s final drive which resulted in a 95/11pl drive for a TD. PU was int’d on the first play and ND got a 35 yd TD pass to Floyd. ND went 76/12pl and missed a 28 yd FG. ND went 82/13pl for a 2 yd TD run. ND went 53/11pl and missed a 49 yd FG. ND went 79/3pl with a 55 yd TD run by Woods, 21-0. PU alternated QB’s TerBush and Marve during the game. On Marve’s 2nd series they went 70/14pl and got a FG with 3:39 left in the half, 21-3. ND went 3 & out and PU got 2 FD’s and missed a 54 yd FG. At the half ND had a 314-126 yd edge. ND went 69/7pl for a TD. PU went 39/10pl and punted. ND went 87/12pl for an 11 yd TD, 35-3 then went 70/16pl settling for a 21 yd FG. After 2 punts, PU took over with 4:20 left and went 95/11pl for a garbage TD with :21 left.
New Mexico fired 3rd year HC Mike Locksley and DC George Barlow took over. It was the first time in 40 years that New Mexico St won their 3rd in a row in this series and they dominated right out of the gate. NMS got a 54 yd KR to open and went 31/2pl for a TD. NM got 2 FD’s and punted and NMS went 90/7pl for a TD. NM went 3 &out and NMS went 80/8pl for a TD and led 21-0 (1:42 1Q). 2 punts. NM went 85/12pl for a TD, 21-7 but NMS went 72/12pl for a TD, 28-7 (4:07). At the half, NMS had a 296-166 yd edge. NM got 2 FD’s and punted to open the 3Q and NMS went 97/12pl for a 29 yd TD run, 35-7. NM was int’d but NMS39 after 2 FD’s fumbled at the NM22. NM went 78/5pl after a 43 yd pass got a 9 yd Rogers TD run, 35-14. 2 punts. NMS got 4 FD’s and punted. NM7 went 93/12pl and were int’d in the EZ but def PI gave them a FD at the 2 and they got a TD on the next play. NMS rec’d the onside kick and went 43/5pl for a TD with 1:46 left and NM went 65/5pl for a 19 yd TD pass with :39 left.
Wisconsin vs Nebraska was a huge game and there were plenty of black shirts in attendance in the 81,384. UW fumbled a punt (9:16 1Q) and NU went 39/9pl for a TD, 7-0. Each team went on a long TD drive, 14-7. UW went 77/6pl and got a 3 yd TD run, 14-13 (xp blk’d). 2 punts. The game would change on NU’s next 4 poss when Taylor Martinez was int’d 3 times and they missed a 50 yd FG. Martinez was int’d and UW went 54/6pl for a 36 yd TD pass, 20-14. The key play of the game happened when trailing 20-14 and at midfield, Martinez was int’d and ret’d 11 yds to the UW37. The Badgers got 1 FD and then a 46 yd TD pass with :32 left to lead 27-14. NU missed a 50 yd FG 3pl later. At the half UW did have a 294-213 yd edge. Martinez was int’d again and UW went 42/7pl for a TD, 34-14. UW went 81/14pl for a TD. NU went 52/10pl for a 32 yd FG, 41-17 (13:35). The Badgers went 73/13pl and a 15 yd TD run with 5:11 left made it 48-17. NU went 60/13pl ending at the UW1.
Virginia Tech had a great situation vs Clemson. It was the first road start for a young QB in Tajh Boyd. CU was off 2 emotional wins in B2B weeks at home vs ranked foes and VT had a light early slate so was very fresh. VT’s D played well. In fact, CU had just a 18-17 FD edg. CU20 went 3& out but roughing the P gave them a fD and they still punted 4pl later. VT got 1 FD and a pass hit off the hands of Boykins and was int’d at the 31. CU went 3 & out. VT got 2 FD’s but fumbled at the CU41 (2nd TO on 2 drives). CU went 45/11pl for a 31 yd FG, 3-0. 2 punts. VT20 got 2 FD’s and punted 32 yds for a TB. CU was int’d and returned 14 yards to their 31 and VT had a 1st & gl at the 5 but settled for a 24 yd FG, 3-3. CU after a PF on the KR stated at the VT48, they converted on 3&10 and 3&8 and got a TD with 1:49 left in the half to lead 10-3. At half CU had a 160-137 yd edge. VT’s punter dropped the snap and only got off an 11 yd punt. CU went 66/3pl for a TD, 17-3 (10:42 3Q). VT9 got 2 FD’s and punted. CU went 3 & out and VT got 2 FD’s and punted 29 yds. CU went 3&out. VT got 1 FD & punted 29 yds. CU went 3 & out. VT started at the CU47 but on 4&4 were SOD at the CU12. CU then went 88/8pl and got a TD with 6:12 left to ice it, 23-3.
East Carolina had a record crowd of 50,610 including some standing room only tickets but TO’s did them in for the 1H. EC’s first drive went 51/5pl but they fumbled at the NC18. EC’s pass bounced off the WR’s hands and was int’d and North Carolina got a 14/2pl TD drive, 7-0. EC went 43/6pl but fumbled at the NC21. On 3&6 NC got a 75 yd TD pass, 14-0. EC got 2 FD’s and punted and NC went 91/9pl for a TD, 21-0. EC went 56/13pl and settled for a 35 yd FG, 21-3 (7:40 2Q). NC39 got 1 FD then a 47 yd TD pass. The DB had good coverage but knocked the ball right into Jones’ hands and it was a TD, 28-3 (5:59). EC was int’d with :21 left in the half but NC would miss a 39 yd FG. At the half NC did have a 326-216 yd edge. EC QB Dominique Davis set a school record with 417 yards passing but 234 of that was in the 2H. NC got 2 FD’s and punted and EC went 97/12pl for a TD, 28-10. EC went 66/9pl for a 25 yd FG, 28-13 (:30 3Q). NC went 69/14pl for a 4 yd TD pass to ice it, 35-13 (6:55). EC would gain 121 yds on their final 2 drives. They went 57/9pl including a 4&12 conversion for 29 yds to the 7 and a 4&gl at the 4 TD. NC recovered the onside kick and got 1 FD and was SOD at the EC2 with 1:06 left and EC gained 64 pass yds on the final 9 plays.
4th Quarter Covers - Oct. 1
By: Joe Nelson
Glancing at the scoreboard won't tell you the whole story in many games. Here are the college games that went down to the wire relative to the spread for Saturday, October 1. Get the details on the final minutes in those key games in this weekly column.
Georgia Tech (-10) 45, NC State 35
Georgia Tech led just 21-14 entering the fourth quarter against NC State but there was a lot of scoring left to be done. After scoring early in the fourth the Yellow Jackets got an interception return touchdown just seconds later. On their next possession Georgia Tech took a commanding 42-14 lead with just ten minutes left in the game. NC State would put up a fight in the final minutes as they put together two touchdown drives to bring the score to 45-28 with just over 30 seconds to go, still short of a spread that fluctuated between -9.5 and -12 and closed at -10. Incredibly Georgia Tech fumbled on a first down rushing play and the recovery was returned for a touchdown, closing the margin to just ten points, right on the number for most. The Yellow Jackets would take a knee on their next possession.
Western Michigan (+3) 38, Connecticut 31
The Broncos played tough with a second straight major conference team on Saturday. They were comfortably within the spread the whole game against Illinois but wagers were in the balance this week as Western Michigan and Connecticut entered the fourth quarter tied 17-17. Connecticut struck first in the final quarter but Western Michigan got the next two scores to go up seven with efficient drives and forcing a punt on defense. Connecticut would tie the game with just over two minutes to go after a ten-play 80 yard drive. It took Western Michigan just two plays to get the lead back, connecting on a long pass play to go up seven again leaving about a minute and a half for the Huskies to answer. Connecticut went right down the field but catastrophe struck with a fumble on the Western Michigan 13 yard line with about 45 seconds left to give the Broncos a big win in this shootout that featured 941 yards.
Eastern Michigan (-8) 31, Akron 23
This ugly match-up in MAC saw Eastern Michigan grab the early lead but struggle to pull away from Akron. The Eagles are not often favored but they faced a spread that bounced around between -8 and -9.5, closing at -8. Entering the fourth quarter the margin was locked at eight points but Eastern Michigan led a successful scoring drive to lead 31-16. Neither team budged on the next possessions but Akron put together a scoring drive to get the margin back to eight with just over three minutes to go. Eastern Michigan was forced to punt again and Akron moved to near the 30 yard line before ultimately failing to convert.
Texas Tech (-6.5) 45, Kansas 34
Kansas got off to a 20-0 lead in this game as underdogs but led just 27-24 at the half as Texas Tech was able to put together quick scores. Texas Tech kept scoring in the third quarter while Kansas went punt, interception, missed field goal, and turnover on downs at the goal line in its next four possessions. Texas Tech did not score in the fourth quarter but the Jayhawks did not score in the second half until just over three minutes to go as what looked like a sure underdog cover early, turned into a loss as Texas Tech was able to get a nice road win.
Boise State (-27.5) 30, Nevada 10
Most won’t be overly impressed glancing at the score in this game for the highly rated Broncos but it was 30-0 entering the fourth quarter and Nevada had just 182 yards of offense with 167 of those yards coming on the last three possessions after Boise State was leading 30-0. Nevada did not have a drive of more than 18 yards until they connected on a field goal early in the fourth quarter, three points that switched the spread winner. Boise State got deep into Nevada territory on its next possession but passed on a longer field goal attempt and Nevada would hit a big play on its final possession, getting a touchdown with only 46 seconds left in the game to create the final score in a game where neither offense was sharp.
Washington State (+3) 31, Colorado 27
The Buffaloes led 20-17 entering the fourth quarter and pushed the lead to 27-17 with just over five minutes to go in the game as the defense really played well most of the game. It took Washington State just seven plays to find the end zone to get back within three points and Colorado was forced to punt after just four plays on its next possession with just over two minutes to go. Washington State took just five plays to score again to grab the lead and Colorado fumbled on its next possession on the edge of field goal range with about a minute on the clock.
Stanford (-23) 45, UCLA 19
Stanford was in control the entire game against UCLA but the game and yardage was a bit closer than the final margin suggests. Early in the fourth quarter UCLA cut the lead to 31-19 but Stanford answered with a touchdown drive just three minutes later to lead by 19, just short of the spread. UCLA got into Stanford territory on its next possession but gave the ball back on downs and with the starters still in the game including Andrew Luck, the Cardinal found the end zone on a pass play with less than two minutes to go to get by the spread for the first time in the game.
Arkansas (+2.5) 42, Texas A&M 38
Texas A&M dominated the first half for the second straight week in a big game but they left the door open for another dramatic comeback. The Aggies led 35-17 at the half but Arkansas chipped away with ten points in the third quarter. Arkansas tied the game at 35-35 with a fumble recovery in the end zone and a 2-point conversion early in the fourth quarter. Texas A&M got the lead back with a field goal with just over four minutes to go for its only score of the second half as the Arkansas defense stepped up. Arkansas went 80 yards in less than three minutes to go up by four with just over a minute go to lead for the first time in the game and the defense held up to end the game.
USC (-12.5) 48, Arizona 41
USC got off to the early lead in this Pac-12 shootout but Arizona chipped away, rallying to get within seven points entering the fourth quarter. Touchdowns were exchanged early in the fourth and then USC had another quick score to lead 48-34 with less than ten minutes to go. The USC defense finally held to force a punt but then Arizona got a stop on downs near midfield to get the ball back with less than two minutes to go. It took less than a minute for the Wildcats to score, getting within the spread with a minute to go but the onside kick failed and USC was able to kneel to kill the clock.
Kansas State (+3.5) 36, Baylor 35
The Wildcats have had no shortage of late game drama this season as they delivered another wild finish. Trailing 35-26 entering the fourth quarter, Kansas State scored with about six minutes to go to get within two points after Baylor missed a field goal on its previous possession. Baylor threw an interception quickly to give Kansas State the ball back and the Wildcats were able to convert for a field goal to sneak out a narrow win after the defense stopped Baylor’s last chance.
LSU (-29.5) 35, Kentucky 7
LSU Struggled on offense with a rough game from Jarrett Lee but the defense dominated, allowing for a 28-0 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Tigers got past the massive spread early in the fourth quarter but with just over four minutes to go Kentucky had its only successful drive of the game, going 70 yards for a touchdown and a backdoor cover.
Tulsa (-23) 41, North Texas 24
Tulsa dominated North Texas through three quarters, leading 41-3 entering the final quarter. North Texas got its first touchdown of the game early in the fourth and then with many Tulsa reserves in the game The Mean Green scored again with just over three minutes on the clock. Tulsa was still covering the large spread at that point but on its next possession in its own territory the Golden Hurricane oddly went for it on fourth down rather than punting. Subsequently North Texas was left favorable field position and with eight seconds on the clock the winning tickets flipped as North Texas scored its third touchdown of the fourth quarter.