College Football - Football Betting

2005-11-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Texas Longhorns

Oct. 29---college fotball ---
Texas 47 ... Oklahoma State 28---college fotball ---
Down 28-12 at halftime, Texas came out and blew the doors off Oklahoma State thanks to Vince Young, who finished with a career-high 267 rushing yards highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the second half as part of a 35-0 run. Ramonce Taylor added fourth quarter scoring runs from 57 and 12 yards out, and Neale Tweedie caught a 21-yard touchdown pass. In the first half, the Cowboys got a 17-yard touchdown run from Al Pena and two touchdown catches from D'Juan Woods with the second one coming on a tipped pass, but didn't score in the second half.---college fotball ---
Player of the game: Texas QB Vince Young completed 15 of 30 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns with an interception and ran 21 times for 267 yards and two touchdowns. ---college fotball ---
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma State - Passing: Al Pena, 12-27, 152 yds, 2 TD---college fotball ---
Rushing: Mike Hamilton, 31-194. Receiving: D'Juan Woods, 4-90, 2 TD---college fotball ---
Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 15-30, 239 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Vince Young, 21-267, 2 TD. Receiving: David Thomas, 6-104, 1 TD---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: Even after getting down big early against the Cowboys, there wasn't any panic considering how Texas rolled in the second half against them the previous two seasons. However, in the beauty contest that is the BCS, the rough first half, and 194 rushing yards by OSU's Mike Hamilton, might be just enough to edge Virginia Tech closer. To have a game like this against Colorado or Texas Tech would've been fine, but Oklahoma State has been awful all season long. Watch out Baylor; the Longhorns will be focused next week.---college fotball ---
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Oct. 22---college fotball ---
Texas 52 ... Texas Tech 17---college fotball ---
Vince Young threw two touchdown passes to Billy Pittman and Selvin Young ran for two second quarter scores in the stunning rout. Texas Tech scored on a three-yard touchdown pass to Taurean Henderson in the first quarter and was tied at ten early in the second, and then the Longhorns went on a run cranking out 28 straight points highlighted by a 73-yard scoring pass to Pittman. Tech QB Cody Hodges threw 64 times for 369 yards with two touchdown passes; Young ran seven times for 45 yards and a score.---college fotball ---
Player of the game: Texas WR Billy Pittman caught three passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Texas Tech - Passing: Cody Hodges, 42-64, 369 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Taurean Henderson, 17-86. Receiving: Joel Filani, 9-82, 1 TD---college fotball ---
Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 12-22, 239 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Selvin Young, 16-77, 2 TD. Receiving: Ramonce Taylor, 5-65---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: What else do the Longhorns have to do to deserve the number two spot? The defensive backs were all over the Texas Tech receivers, while the offense was efficient taking advantage of every big chance. The team is playing with a swagger and with supreme confidence, and it's stemming from Vince Young, who was able to shake off a few interceptions to help the team roll without a problem. The Longhorn defense might not be full of household names, but it's doing an amazing job. ---college fotball ---
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Oct. 15---college fotball ---
Texas 42 ... Colorado 17 ---college fotball ---
Vince Young showed right away that there was no post-Oklahoma letdown with two touchdowns runs followed up by a five-yard Selvin Young touchdown run followed up by another Vince Young score for a 28-0 lead midway through the second half. Colorado finally broke the run with a 48-yard Mason Crosby field goal, but Young answered right back with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Limas Sweed with 1:29 to play. Colorado got two touchdown passes from Joel Klatt, including an eight yard score to Evan Judge with one second left in the first half. Young closed out the Longhorn scoring with a 13-yard pass to Sweed.---college fotball ---
Player of the game: Texas QB Vince Young completed 25 of 29 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns and ran ten times for 58 yards and three scores. ---college fotball ---
Stat Leaders: Colorado - Passing: Joel Klatt, 19-39, 189 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 13-38. Receiving: Evan Judge, 6-37, 1 TD---college fotball ---
Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 25-29, 336 yds, 2 TD---college fotball ---
Rushing: Vince Young, 10-58, 3 TD. Receiving: Limas Sweed, 7-88, 2 TD---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: How much more dominant can Texas be? Vince Young is the obvious star, but the defense is doing a fantastic job crushing and killing at the line not allowing anyone's running game to get going. Holding on to the ball for 39 minutes helps the defense to stay rested, but the D is doing its job getting offenses off the field in a hurry. Colorado only managed 45 rushing yards and was never in the game. Young is playing at another level right now. ---college fotball ---
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Oct. 8---college fotball ---
Texas 45 ... Oklahoma 12 ---college fotball ---
Texas took the opening drive 82 yards in 12 plays finishing with a 15-yard Ramonce Taylor touchdown catch, but OU made it close late in the first quarter with two Garrett Hartley field goals. And then the rout was on for the Longhorns. Jamaal Charles barreled for an 80-yard touchdown run and Billy Pittman caught touchdown passes from 64 and 27 yards out. Rodrique Wright put the final exclamation point on the win with a 67-yard fumble return for a score. OU RB Adrian Peterson only ran three times for ten yards---college fotball ---.
Player of the game: Texas QB Vince Young completed 14 of 27 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns and ran 17 times for 45 yards.---college fotball ---
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma - Passing: Rhett Bomar, 12-33, 94 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Donta Hickson, 5-22. Receiving: Joe Jon Finley, 2-21, 1 TD---college fotball ---
Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 14-27, 241 yds, 3 TD---college fotball ---
Rushing: Jamaal Charles, 9-116, 1 TD. Receiving: David Thomas, 5-50---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: Phew. Texas finally got over the Oklahoma hump, and it did so in an emphatic way with Vince Young in complete and total command of the game. The OU offense had nothing going without Adrian Peterson, and the Longhorns didn't let if get close after an almost even first quarter. There were was too many penalties, 12 for 110, but it doesn't matter. The lines were terrific, the running game rumbled for 203 yards, and Vince Young showed again why he has to be considered more as an NFL passer. Everything is working.---college fotball ---
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Oct. 1---college fotball ---
Texas 51 ... Missouri 20 ---college fotball ---
Texas converted three turnovers into touchdowns and broke open a tight game with a 37-point run thanks to two Vince Young touchdown passes and two, one-yard Henry Melton touchdown runs. Young, who also ran for a 33-yard score, got what would turn out to be the game winning touchdown on a short pass to Jamaal Charles, who tiptoed up the sidelines before diving over the pylon. Missouri moved the ball well early and scored on a 12-yard Jimmy Jackson touchdown run and a three-yard Brad Smith dash, but wasn't able to get back in the end-zone until late in the fourth on a one-yard Smith run. ---college fotball ---
Player of the game: Texas QB Vince Young completed 15 of 22 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He also led the team with 108 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. ---college fotball ---
Stat Leaders: Missouri - Passing: Brad Smith, 19-37, 181 yds, 1 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Brad Smith, 25-57, 2 TD. Receiving: Sean Coffey, 6-43---college fotball ---
Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 15-22, 236 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Vince Young, 13-108, 1 TD. Receiving: Billy Pittman, 4-81---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: Texas did a fantastic job of adjusting on the fly against the Missouri running game. Brad Smith and the boys moved the ball at will in the first quarter, and didn't do much of anything after. While Vince Young gets all of the publicity, but his supporting cast isn't bad, either, with the three-headed monster of Jamaal Charles, Selvin Young and Henry Melton running extremely well. How good is this team? It looked sloppy and unfocused throughout the first half, and still ended up winning on the road in a 31-point blowout.---college fotball ---
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sept. 17---college fotball ---
Texas 51 ... Rice 10---college fotball ---
Jamaal Charles scored on touchdown runs of 25, 25 and four yards to give Texas a 21-0 lead, and fumble recoveries for scores from Michael Huff and Frank Okam helped push the score to 45-0 before Rice finally got on the board late in the third quarter with a 37-yard field goal. Texas rolled up 361 yards on the ground with Vince Young rushing for 77 yards before coming out.---college fotball ---
Player of the game: Texas RB Jamaal Charles ran 16 times for 189 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 8-14, 101 yds---college fotball ---
Rushing: Jamaal Charles, 16-189, 3 TD. Receiving: David Thomas, 5-66
Rice- Passing: Chase Clement, 2-8, 57 yds---college fotball ---
Rushing: Quinton Smith, 11-76. Receiving: Jarrett Dillard, 2-70---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: It's too early to start talking about Jamaal Charles as another Ricky Williams or Cedric Benson, but he certainly showed he can handle the workload as long as Selvin Young can't go. While Rice had no prayer of beating Texas, it would've been nice to see Vince Young build on his Ohio State performance with a strong passing outing, but it wasn't needed. The defense suffocated anything Rice tried to do early, but it's going to have to crank up the intensity a few notches again before dealing with Missouri and Brad Smith.
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Sept. 10---college fotball ---
Texas 25 ... Ohio State 22---college fotball ---
It lived up to the billing. Vince Young found Limas Sweed for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just over 2:37 to play to go up by one, and Ohio State gave it back on its ensuing possession on a Justin Zwick fumble. Texas turned the ball over on downs on the Ohio State one after Henry Melton just barely missed a touchdown just missing the pylon, but OSU QB Troy Smith was sacked for a safety to end all Buckeye hopes. Texas turned it over three times in its own end, but Ohio State could only manage three field goals out of them. Josh Huston connected on four field goals for the Buckeyes, but his missed 50-yarder gave the Longhorns new life late leading to the decisive touchdown drive.
Player of the game: Texas QB Vince Young completed 18 of 29 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions and ran 20 times for 76 yards. Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk made 12 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, forced one fumble, recovered a fumble and picked off a pass. ---college fotball ---
Stat Leaders: Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 18-29, 270 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT---college fotball ---
Rushing: Vince Young, 20-76. Receiving: Jamaal Charles, 6-69---college fotball ---
Ohio State - Passing: Troy Smith, 5-11, 78 yds, 1 TD---college fotball ---
Rushing: Antonio Pittman, 17-75. Receiving: Santonio Holmes, 4-73, 1 TD---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: Vince Young will get all the praise and all the national love after his brilliant performance against Ohio State, but the clutch play of the defense deserves just as much credit for bailing out the offense after the turnovers. Safety Michael Griffin was all over the field making ten tackles, and DE Tim Crowder got consistent pressure in the backfield. And yes, Young was unbelievable considering the loss early on of Selvin Young to an injury. This was the game that put Texas in a position to play for the national title, but it can't let down in two weeks at Missouri. ---college fotball ---
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Sept. 3---college fotball ---
Texas 60 ... UL Lafayette 3---college fotball ---
Texas ran for 418 yards and never had a problem after ULL got its only points early on a Sean Comiskey 47-yard field goal. Freshman RB Jamaal Charles ran for a 14-yard score to start off a run of 54 unanswered points with David Thomas catching two scoring passes and Vince Young throwing for three scores and running for another. The only drama was in the Texas kicking game failing to convert three first half extra points.
Player of the game: Texas QB Vince Young completed 13 of 17 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He also ran seven times for 49 yards and a score. ---college fotball ---
Stat Leaders: UL Lafayette - Passing: Jerry Babb, 9-18, 109 yds ---college fotball ---
Rushing: Caleb Rubin, 9-34. Receiving: Derrick Smith, 6-78---college fotball ---
Texas - Passing: Vince Young, 13-17, 173 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT ---college fotball ---
Rushing: Jamaal Charles 14-135. Receiving: Brian Carter, 3-65---college fotball ---
What to take away from this game: So there will be a lot of talk in Austin this week after the problems with the kicking game, but that's all there is to fault after the glorified scrimmage against UL Lafayette. Vince Young was razor sharp with his passes until his early throws in the second half. It would've been nice if there was a little more explosion from the passing game; Young was simply efficient. The bench was emptied and several young players got meaningful playing time, and that will come in extremely handy down the road. RB Jamaal Charles looks like the read deal, but so did Selvin Young and Ramonce Taylor. ---college fotball ---
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2005 Schedule ---college fotball ---
Sept. 3 – UL Lafayette (3-8 overall, 2-5 in Sun Belt) – Offense: This could be an interesting offense in Sun Belt play if all the parts come together. The quarterbacks are tremendous with Jerry Babb on the short list for Sun Belt Player of the Year, and backup Michael Desormeaux ready now to shine. Bill Sampy is one of the league's best receivers, but he needs to graduate this summer to remain eligible. The starting five on the line is experienced and decent, but there aren't any backups to rely on. The running game will rotate several backs.---college fotball ---
Defense: The Ragin' Cajuns had an up-and-down year with a great pass defense, at least statistically, because everyone spent so much time running the ball. The defensive line looked appreciably better this spring, but it has to generate more of a pass rush. The linebacking corps should be stronger with four experienced players. The strength is at corner with four players to rotate in the two spots, but the new safeties have some big shoes to fill.
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Sept. 10 – at Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 in Big Ten) – Offense: The offense was average to flat-out bad struggling with its consistency, and then came the Michigan game as QB Troy Smith had his breakout game giving hope for a more explosive 2005. The plan is for experience to turn into production with two good quarterbacks, some decent looking, but unproven runners, and a devastating receiving corps with Santonio Holmes and Heisman candidate Ted Ginn Jr. The line returns four starters and should be better. Finishing 98th in the nation in total offense and 71st in scoring offense again will be absolutely unacceptable.---college fotball ---
Defense: Nine starters return to a defense that was its typical bend-but-rarely-break self for most of the year, but it has to deal with defensive coordinator Mark Snyder moving on to take the Marshall head coaching gig. The nation's best linebacking corps leads the way with A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and Mike D'Andrea all sure to be making a ton of dough next year at this time. The secondary will be solid if it can find a second corner across from Ashton Youboty, and the line will be good if it can find a killer pass rusher.---college fotball ---
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Sept. 17 – Rice (4-7, 4-4 in Conference USA) – Offense: Another year, another claim by the coaching staff that there will be more passing. Trying to take a cue from Utah, the Owls will go to a shotgun a bit more and run a little bit of a spread attack, but this will still be a rushing offense. Joel Armstrong is a good all-around quarterback who needs to be more of a consistent passer. The backfield is loaded with speedy options that fit the system perfectly, while the line should be fine.---college fotball ---
Defense: The Owl defense was more than fine at preventing long drives finishing 50th in the nation, but it was killed by lousy field position and couldn't do anything when offenses got within scoring range evidenced by finishing 104th in scoring defense. Enough experience returns to hope for a better season with a good front line, a deep group of linebackers and some excellent safeties. The problem is the overall size in the back seven and the lack of a true shutdown corner.---college fotball ---
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Oct. 1 – at Missouri (7-4, 4-4 in Big 12 North) – Offense: The Missouri offense was a major disappointment last year failing to crank out the rushing numbers it should've and not getting enough pop in the passing game. The return of QB Brad Smith will make this a strong attack, but he needs to be let loose after being made into more of a pocket passer last year. WR Sean Coffey and TE Martin Rucker will be his main weapons until the running back situation is figured out. The line has work to do, but it will be better than it'll initially get credit for with some All-Big 12 caliber talent waiting to bust out.---college fotball ---
Defense; The Missouri defense has to replace most of the front seven, but it should still be good enough to stay at the high level set last year when it finished 14th in the nation. The secondary will be tremendous with three starters returning to the nation's number three pass defense, and it'll get help from Brian Smith and a front line that'll get to the quarterback. The concern is consistency against the run losing top tackles and Mizzou's all-time leading tackler James Kinney at weakside linebacker.---college fotball ---
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Oct. 8 - Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2 in Big 12 South) – Offense: There are some massive losses with QB Jason White, WRs Mark Clayton, Brandon Jones and Mark Bradley, and star linemen Jammal Brown and Vince Carter gone. Fortunately, all-everything back Adrian Peterson returns to carry the offense. The line and receiving corps needs retooling, but they'll each be solid with a little bit of time. The quarterback situation will get the most attention up until the opener with Rhett Bomar, Paul Thompson and Tommy Grady all good enough to get the nod with Bomar the likely starter after a few games. ---college fotball ---
Defense: This might not be the star-studded killer of past seasons, but it's still full of great athletes and should still be fantastic against the run. The main concern is in the secondary after OU only came up with eight picks. Top athletes like Eric Bassey and Chijoke Onyenegecha have to play up to their potential and new safeties Darrien Williams and Jason Cater have to shine right away. The front seven fill be more than solid thanks to the return of Dusty Dvoracek at tackle along with the emergence of an unheralded, but talented linebacking corps.
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Oct. 15 – Colorado (6-5, 4-4 in Big 12 North) – Offense: Colorado was brutally painful at times last year early, but it got better as the season went on against average teams. Against good defenses, the attack did absolutely nothing scoring nine against Missouri, seven against Texas and three against Oklahoma. With Bobby Purify graduating, the first step is to find a consistent running back to carry the offense. There are plenty of speedsters with several good options to choose from. The passing game needs QB Joel Klatt to revert to his 2003 form, but to do that the receivers have to start catching the ball and the line has to be better in pass protection. The tight ends, Joe Klopfenstein and Quinn Sypniewski, are outstanding.---college fotball ---
Defense: The Buffs had a rough 2004 finishing last in the conference in total defense, but the potential is there for this group to be much better with a ton of returning experience that should be used to the 4-3 defense it switched to last year. The back seven should be tremendous and it'll be a major shocker if the pass defense gives up 260 yards per game again. The front four will have issues against great running teams, but it'll get into the backfield.
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Oct. 22 – Texas Tech (9-2, 6-2 in Big 12 South) – Offense: You know what you're getting: a bazillion passing yards, a big season from RB Taurean Henderson, and one of the top ten offenses in America. A triggerman has to be found as QBs Cody Hodges has to take the job by the reins now that Graham Harrell is out with a broken leg, but don't expect the machine to stop rolling. The receiving corps and backfield is solid and diverse, but the line has to come together to allow the stars to shine. The right side is great with Manuel Ramirez and E.J. Whitley retuning to add some stability to the shaky rest of the line.---college fotball ---
Defense: The defense made great strides last year improving to 46th in the nation in total defense and got better as the season went on. Now this should be the best defense in the Mike Leach era with one of the Big 12's best secondaries, a strong linebacking corps, and a rising line with a potential superstar pass rusher in Keyunta Dawson. Overall depth is a bit of an issue and the run defense needs to be more physical, but there's reason to get excited about this group.---college fotball ---
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Oct. 29 – at Oklahoma State (5-6, 2-6 in Big 12 South) – Offense: One of the most unbalanced attacks, finishing 12th in the nation in rushing and 111th in passing, will go through a drastic change under offensive coordinator Larry Fedora, who coached at Florida last year. There will be more three and four-wide sets, but the running game won't be completely abandoned. Do the Cowboys have the personnel to run a passing attack? That remains to be seen as the receivers are inexperienced behind go-to target D'Juan Woods, and the line was build to grind out the running game. The big question is at quarterback where Donovan Woods, Bobby Reid and Al Pena will battle it out for the starting spot until the opener. ---college fotball ---
Defense: The defense will switch from a 4-2-5 to a 4-3 and will attack, attack and attack. The line will be a strength and could grow into one of the Big 12's best if tackles Ryan McBean and Xavier Lawson-Kennedy live up to their press clippings, and top pass rusher Nathan Peterson returns healthy from a torn ACL. The linebackers are experienced, but unspectacular. The secondary is a major issue with the tragic death of Vernon Grant casting a huge shadow over a group that needed some work anyway. Now it'll be up to several true freshmen to play key roles right away.---college fotball ---
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Nov. 5 – at Baylor (0-8, 3-8 in Big 12 South) – Offense: There's a decent mix of experience and up-and-coming talents, but now there has to be production after finishing 102nd in the nation in total offense and last in the Big 12 in scoring. There aren't enough good players to hand around most Big 12 teams in a shootout, but there's enough to work with to be effective. The passing game was surprisingly effective averaging 213 yards per game, and it should be better if Shawn Bell can stay healthy and hold down the starting quarterback job. The line is big and more talented with the return of Nick Pace from injury.---college fotball ---
Defense: The Bears got hammered for 37 points and 421 yards per game, but things should be a bit better with eight returning starters and the most depth head coach Guy Morriss has had. The pass defense gives up the short passes in bunches, but doesn't give up too many big plays and should be better with safeties Maurice Lane and Willie Andrews as good as any pair in the Big 12. The run defense has to be much better, especially in the middle of the line, and there needs to be a reliable pass rusher.---college fotball ---
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Nov. 12 – Kansas (6-5, 3-5 in Big 12 North) – Offense: The offense should be better as long as there's some consistency at quarterback. That's the issue with Adam Barmann and Jason Swanson sure to battle it out for the number one job up until opening day. The receiving corps will be better with an upgrade of talent, although it's inexperienced. Clark Green and Gary Green should provide more pop to the ground attack behind a veteran line.
Defense: Unsung all of last year, now the Jayhawk D should be a killer with eight returning starters and some serious talent at key spots. CB Charles Gordon will be on the short list for most All-America teams, while Nick Reid, Kevin Kane and Banks Floodman will all get All-Big 12 recognition of some sort. The line isn't full of stars, but it's going to be more than solid led by end Jermial Ashley.---college fotball ---
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Nov. 25 – at Texas A&M (7-4, 5-3 in Big 12 South) – Offense: The offense put up decent numbers finishing 20th in the nation and averaging 28.4 points per game, but it wasn't nearly as effective as it should've been running the ball against run defenses with a pulse. QB Reggie McNeal spread his throws around enough to come up with a big season, and now he needs his backfield to provide more help as Courtney Lewis has to stay healthy and steady backups need to emerge. There's experience on the line, but it'll be a juggling act to find the right combination. The whole of the receiving corps is better than the sum of its parts.---college fotball ---
Defense: While the defense made great strides from 2003's disaster, there were still problems that all came to a head in the Cotton Bowl loss to Tennessee. This is an experienced D with several solid players, but it's not all that fast and is missing sure-thing pass rushers and pass defenders. There's good size in the front seven and big hitters in the secondary. Now this group has to be much better against the pass and can't be pushed around against the run. There are too many veterans to ask for anything but even more improvement.---college fotball ---
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2005-10-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Instant AnalysisUCLA 47 ... California 40By Matthew Zemek
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In the end, Maurice Drew’s speed beat Marshawn Lynch’s power.In a sensational pair of performances by two world-class running backs, UCLA’s dazzling burner made the last and biggest play to overcome Cal’s ballet bruiser in a wildly entertaining and well-coached football game. It’s not as though Cal didn’t put its best foot forward—the Bears rolled up 40 points on over 550 yards of total offense. However, the Bruins were able to take over in the final minutes of play, saving their best for last on a play that Karl Dorrell and his staff Drew up just for Maurice.---college football---
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On a play that looked incredibly reminiscent of the San Francisco 49ers during their Steve Young salad days in the 1990s, Dorrell and offensive coordinator Tom Cable had UCLA quarterback Drew Olson—who once again proved to be up to the task as a fourth-quarter field general in Westwood—sprint to his right side at a severe angle, not too far from the line of scrimmage. Given the wide sprint-out---college football---
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(as opposed to a deep rollout), Olson had a clearer, shorter, and more available angle from which to hit Drew in the flat. Upon receiving the short pass, Drew promptly turned on the afterburners to outrace Cal’s defense down the sideline, gliding inside the pylon before any Golden Bear defender could touch him. It was the latest and most significant display of drive-thru speed for a man who is announced as Maurice Drew, but whose extra name on the back of his jersey suggests that the young stud, inspired by the loving memory of his late grandfather, is Jones-ing for success with a little extra intensity this season. ---college football---
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That extra fire in Jones-Drew’s belly lifted him and his teammates to a breathtaking victory that makes Los Angeles-area football the hottest property in college football.Austin, Blacksburg, State College, Tallahassee, Tuscaloosa and Athens might all have one really good team, but the Left Coast metropolis has two of them. And if Karl Dorrell’s boys do what they should be able to do in their next four games, UCLA will find itself 9-0 heading into a showdown with Arizona State on Nov. 20. Win that, and look out: an undefeated UCLA team will collide with USC in an armageddon-like battle on Dec. 3. ---college football---
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The City of Angels will become the site of a college football apocalypse, with UCLA rising up to claim a share of the LA football stage. It’s surely premature to talk about late November right now, but the mere fact this giddy possibility exists in Westwood is a credit to a program, and even more particularly to the long, hard labor of Karl Dorrell, whose guts had more than a little to do with the outcome of this game.Jones-Drew’s heroics, while off the charts, would not have been possible had Dorrell not ordered up a fake punt with roughly nine minutes to go and UCLA facing a 4th and 2 near midfield. ---college football---
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Down 40-28 and having to score—and also in need of resting a tired defense which had been sagging in the face of ruthless punishment from the battering-ram action of Lynch—UCLA had to go for the first down, and when a fake punt enabled Jarrad Page to rumble for 38 yards, the momentum of the game—solidified on UCLA’s subsequent touchdown—turned 180 degrees on a dime, flowing abundantly to the manly team dressed in the baby blues. After a gut-check stop of Cal’s offense near midfield with less than three minutes left, the Bruins made their decisive march to victory... and an old, Terry Donahue-like place among the Pac-10’s elite.
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Olson and receiver Marcus Everett got the Bruins within striking distance, after which Jones-Drew delivered the dagger to give UCLA a lead that held up when Trey Brown picked off a Joe Ayoob pass on Cal’s last-ditch drive. Between a runner Jones-ing for excellence and a coach who Drew up great plays in key situations, UCLA found the kind of tandem Saturday night that leads to breakthrough seasons. ---college football---
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After a win this good over a Cal team that could still do a lot of damage in 2005, the culture of UCLA football—as in places called State College, Tuscaloosa, South Bend and Lincoln—seems to be returning to older and better days. ---college football---
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2005-10-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Division III school says `Let's play 2'

Observer News Services

Northwestern College, a Division III school of 2,600 students located in Roseville, Minn., did something Saturday that possibly no other school has ever done: play two football games on the same day. - College Football -

The Eagles hosted Trinity Bible of Ellendale, N.D., at noon local time and won 59-0. They took a 6-mile bus ride to St. Paul and played Macalester College at 7 p.m.

The Eagles couldn't find an opponent for a required 10th game. When Macalester told Northwestern it was available Oct. 8, the Eagles had to consider the offer. "We looked at each other and said `hmmm,' " coach Kirk Talley said. - College Football -

Athletics director Matt Hill said he could find no one who has ever heard of a college team playing a doubleheader. The hardest part for the players might have been preparing in practice for two opponents. - College Football -

"It's a little confusing sometimes out there," defensive lineman Sam Townsend said last week.

Navy gets leg up for coveted trophy

Joey Bullen kicked a 46-yard field goal with four-tenths of a second left, capping a stunning comeback that carried Navy past mistake-prone Air Force 27-24.The victory gives Navy a boost in its quest to retain the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy, awarded to the team with the best record in games between the three major service academies. Navy won it in 2003 and 2004, and will retain it unless Army beats Air Force and Navy.

Gophers take back jug

Gary Russell ran 61 yards to set up the winning kick with a second left for Minnesota, which beat Michigan for the first time in 16 years. The Gophers stormed Michigan's sideline looking for the Little Brown Jug, the oldest trophy in Division I-A. - College Football -

They lifted the bulky water jug, which dates to 1903, over their heads and celebrated in front of a stunned crowd.

2005-10-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

College football: NFL can’t take away Badgers’ fine line

By Benjamin Wideman
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

MADISON — What was perceived to be the University of Wisconsin football team’s weakest link is quickly turning into one of its biggest assets. - College Football -

Six months after the NFL draft claimed the Badgers’ entire starting defensive line, the young replacements have stood their ground through the first four games this season.

Even Wisconsin football coach Barry Alvarez, who trumpeted the potential of his revamped defensive line all offseason, seems pleasantly surprised by what has transpired. It’s especially eye-catching considering that, of the 10 defensive linemen listed on the depth chart for today’s game against Indiana, junior end Joe Monty is the only one who isn’t a freshman or sophomore.

“I’ve been very impressed with how the guys that are still healthy in the defensive line have stepped up and played, regardless of age or regardless of how much experience they’ve had,” Alvarez said.

Gone are Erasmus James and Co., replaced by Monty, sophomore tackle Nick Hayden, redshirt freshman tackle Jason Chapman and true freshman end Matthew Shaughnessy. Sophomores Justin Ostrowski and Jamal Cooper, who would be starting if they were healthy, suffered significant knee injuries and could miss the rest of the season. - College Football -

Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner said that although the names along the Badgers’ defensive line have changed since last year, the performances are strikingly similar. All four starting defensive linemen have at least one sack, led by Hayden’s three. - College Football -

Thanks in part to the defensive line, Wisconsin has allowed only 16 second-half points all season, including none in the third quarter. The Badgers rank second in the Big Ten in run defense (65.5 yards per game) and sacks (14).

“They really play hard, and they pursue the ball,” Hoeppner said of the Badgers’ defensive line. “They are a really great tackling team. That is a great compliment to their defensive staff.

“They did lose that defensive line to the NFL, and they haven’t really missed much of a beat. They are still able to play physical up front. It will be a challenge for our offensive line.” - College Football -

Green Bay Press Gazette.

2005-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

College football showdowns

The state's Big 3 face key league games while UCF gets to meet USF.

By Alan Schmadtke | Sentinel Staff Writer

College football doesn't have a 14-week playoff system. It only seems that way.

Today, that "playoff system" involves the state's Big 3. In addition, the UCF-USF rivalry is born.
No. 6 Florida hosts No. 5 Tennessee in Gators Coach Urban Meyer's inaugural Southeastern Conference game. The game will have a huge bearing on who wins the SEC East.

No. 8 Florida State makes its first trip to No. 17 Boston College in the Eagles' Atlantic Coast Conference debut. ESPN's GameDay crew will be on hand. - College Football -

No. 13 Miami goes to No. 20 Clemson, the Hurricanes' first appearance since their 10-7 Labor Day loss to FSU. An 0-2 start in ACC play essentially torpedoes UM's conference-title hopes.

And despite years of feet-dragging, USF faces UCF for the first time. The Bulls aim to avoid becoming the first home team since 2003 to lose to the Golden Knights, who have lost 16 in a row. - College Football -

Outside of the state teams, little drama appears on tap. Surprising Notre Dame celebrates new Coach Charlie Weis' first game in South Bend, Ind. Michigan State is the opponent. Upset victories over Pittsburgh and Michigan have the Fighting Irish back in the top 10 (No. 10). And No. 23 Fresno State, considered by some to hold the best chance for a non-traditional team to crash the Bowl Championship Series party this year, has a key appearance at Oregon.

2005-09-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

College football begins with intrigue

RALPH D. RUSSO

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The first weekend of the major college football season started with Steve Spurrier's triumphant, though far from inspiring return, and ended with Bobby Bowden catching a break.

In between Charlie Weis lifted spirits at Notre Dame and two of last season's best teams showed they're not what they used to be. - College Football -

Five days of football provided more questions than answers and has already made the season interesting.

Looking up

The Golden Domers have to be giddy after watching Brady Quinn and the Fighting Irish put together a Patriots perfect performance at Pittsburgh. It really couldn't have gone any better than the 42-21 win, which was over at halftime. - College Football -

Suddenly, this week's Notre Dame-Michigan game in Ann Arbor is a lot more interesting.

"Now I've got to worry about Michigan, and it doesn't make any difference who we're playing, it's a tough game every week," Weis said.

The Wolverines' defense showed only minimal improvement over last season in Michigan's 33-17 win over Northern Illinois, allowing 400 yards to the Huskies. So how will the Wolverines stop Quinn and Darius Walker?

On the flip side, No. 4 Michigan is a big step up from Pitt. And, remember, Tyrone Willingahm started 8-0. - College Football -

New Florida coach Urban Meyer rode into the season with high expectations and his Gators did nothing to dash the optimism with a 32-14 victory over Wyoming. With Louisiana Tech on deck this week for Florida, the first true test for the Gators won't come until they host Tennessee on Sept. 17.

Winning ugly

The Volunteers didn't live up to all the preseason hype in their first game, a 17-10 win over UAB that probably reopened up the quarterback competition for Tennessee and undoubtedly made fans in Knoxville nervous. - College Football -

Erik Ainge edged out Rick Clausen and was tabbed the starter a week before the opener. Then Ainge played poorly and was pulled for Clausen, who played far better against the Blazers.

The Vols have two weeks to get it straightened out before back-to-back road games against Florida and LSU determine whether they are truly national championship contenders.

Spurrier knows there are no championships in his immediate future. That become perfectly clear when the Gamecocks couldn't put away Central Florida, owners of the nation's longest losing streak, last Thursday.

"It was not a performance that makes think us we've got a chance for a big year," Spurrier said after a 24-15 victory.

Spurrier has never been one to downplay his team without good reason, and he looks as if he's walking into an ambush on Saturday at Georgia. - College Football -

The Bulldogs might have put together the most impressive effort of the weekend with a 48-13 victory over Boise State. Georgia's new starting quarterback, D.J. Shockley, threw five TD passes and ran for another score.

But Spurrier and the Gamecocks won't be wide-eyed and overwhelmed between the hedges the way Boise State was.

Just as Georgia will be a provide a more accurate read on Spurrier's Gamecocks, South Carolina will be a tougher test for Shockley.

At least Tennessee won

Oklahoma and Auburn are 0-1 after battling for a spot in the national championship game last season. - College Football -

Both teams started new quarterbacks with little success.

Auburn's Brandon Cox, replacing Jason Campbell, threw four interceptions in a 23-14 loss to Georgia Tech. Oklahoma got little production out of both Paul Thompson and Rhett Bomar, the players who competed for the job left open by Jason White's departure, in a 17-10 home loss to TCU.

Auburn moves into a far more manageable part of its schedule, which should allow Cox to get his confidence. The Tigers will still be heard from in the Southeastern Conference.

Oklahoma faces Tulsa on Saturday with a chance to get things rolling, but a trip to UCLA the next week makes 1-2 a real possibility if the Sooners don't play better - and not just at quarterback. - College Football -

"Watching the TCU game and critiquing it Sunday) on tape, we just weren't very physical up front," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said. "TCU just outplayed and outcoached us."

Finally

Bowden can relate to quarterback struggles. The Florida State coach began his 30th season with a redshirt freshman starting and another one on the bench.

Despite a woeful offensive performance, the Seminoles snapped a six-game losing streak to Miami with a 10-7 win on Labor Day night when the Hurricanes pulled a Florida State and messed up a late field goal attempt that would have tied the game.

The joy of breaking Miami's hex had to be tempered by the reality of Florida State's QB situation. Drew Weatherford appears a long way away from being capable of leading a team to a championship. - College Football -

"You've got to put it into perspective with Oklahoma's quarterbacks," Bowden said. "They went through the same thing. Auburn's quarterback is struggling. I just have to get back to reality. Our guys are young too."

2005-08-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Football players: They need to be protected

A Column by Alex Raskin

Before anything else, know that it does not have to happen like this. No matter what Thomas Herrion's toxicology test reports, there is no denying that we can protectfootball players.

The answer is not as obvious as banning some substance r getting out of the heat. We have to get to the root of the problem.

The villain in this case is not football, for if we condemn football we must condemn all things potentially hurtful like swimming pools or automobiles. No, these things are not second nature and we will survive without them; but lives will be made better by their existence.

The villain in Saturday night's death of the San Francisco 49er during after an exhibition game in Denver was something much more complicated.

Thomas Herrion was not a human being.

Not to football fans at least.

Who among us knew his struggle to make the 49ers? Who knew of his struggles to jump from the Cowboys practice squad to their game day roster one season ago? Who knew that Herrion's weight fluctuated from 310 to 350 pounds all while he attempted to keep pace with players much faster than himself?

Realistically speaking, how could we know? Herrion had a thick facemask full of twisted bars that covered his young face.

Fans couldn't see his small joyous eyes that peaked around his bulbous cheeks. Nobody could differentiate him from the countless other third and fourth string players slinging their bodies around during the NFL preseason for an opportunity to risk more during the regular season.

But there is a difference. They still have a chance.

Reggie White's tragic death is still fresh in our minds. White played near 300 pounds, but demonstrated agility known to running backs and receivers. Still, his large heart could not carry the load forever. But Herrion's coaches had no idea what he could endure. They were together so briefly; and while Mike Nolan, head coach of the 49ers, may speak of losing a friend, the truth is that he never knew Herrion. Again, Herrion was a number on a roster sheet waiting to be cut.

We ask a lot of football players because watching someone play with less than their best is unbearable. Players like Julius Peppers and Robert Gallery now grace this league.

The duel threat of size and speed are in vogue, and as these traits get more popular the warning signs for potentially fatal situations become more discrete.

First off, the 49ers were playing in Denver's cool humid climate, and while heat stroke is still possible in those conditions, it is a far cry from the 90 degree plus heat that was partially responsible for the death of Viking tackle, Korey Stringer. Herrion himself playedcollege ball in Utah's high altitudes which suggests the mile-high city may not be the culprit. Furthermore, Herrion walked off of the field under his own power. This was the same field that was surrounded by medical professionals, all of whom were unable to help this young man in time.

What killed Thomas Herrion was the disassociation with the physical nature of this sport. Yes we are desensitized to violence infootball. Sportscenter roles another Ultimate Highlight featuring the cracking of heads on a football field and the American public, myself included, gawks like a tourist at the Sistine Chapel.

To make sure these situations do not happen again, we must take a more human approach to the game of football.

Wellsville High School Football coach Larry Peacock, is a good example.

"It takes a special person to play football," explained Peacock.

He is not the only coach wrapped up in concern for his players, but he is a shining example of pushing his players just enough to make them better people.

Not every coach is seen yelling at his players to go half speed during running exercises.

Peacock however knows that his player's safety may rest in his hands.

"We take a lot of five minute water breaks," explained junior fullback Bryan Hennessy. Peacock takes it a step further. He has two full time people hydrating his team even during cooler temperatures. Peacock also denies his team soda after a certain date to prevent dehydration.

"They say they feel better after that," said Peacock, adding simple things, like sleep, are what concerns him the most about his players' safety. "Kids want to have fun, but we need to operate at game speed, so they better be ready."

But most importantly, Peacock understands that there are much more important things than football. For instance, whenever one of his players has felt the need to call it quits because of an injury the vocal, yet mild-mannered, coach knows how to handle that situation too.

"The kid always makes the right decision because it was their own decision," said Peacock. "These kids have dreams. They see themselves on Madden 2027. It's a dream to just play."

For all of Wellsville's players it should remain a dream because they have a coach concerned with the player underneath the helmet and not the numbers on the jersey or the stat sheet.

Thomas Herrion did not have to die.

We are still weeks away from knowing what caused his demise. In the likely event that he took a legal supplement that may have exacerbated his situation, America will be outraged and the FDA will ban the substance.

Of course that stops nothing until we can begin to realize that a human heart cannot throw around 300 pounds at top speed for an entire game.

When we understand the humanity of the game, then, and only then, can we begin to feel confident that the players are being protected.

2005-08-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Will anybody challenge USC for the college football title?

Smart money is on Trojans
College football is a hard one to predict but I do think USC has to be this year’s favorite again. With two great running backs, a Heisman Trophy winner calling the signals and every recruit you could ever want, how could they not be the favorite?

Teams like Iowa State and Texas will be contenders, but I do not see them winning a shootout with USC. Virginia Tech may be interesting to watch with Little Vick, so keep your eyes on him.

As we have learned so many times in college football, you can never predict what will happen on Saturdays. Don’t forget, that ball isn’t round and one bounce can be a game or a season.

Even with that, my money is on Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and the Trojans.

Mark Walsh
Boys-Girls Club Sports Director, Roseburg

2005-08-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Kapp, Casillas going into College Hall

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Former Auburn defensive tackle Tracy Rocker isn't satisfied with being enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player. As defensive line coach at Arkansas, he wants to see some of his players follow him into the hall.
"My goal now is to not only to bring a championship back to the University of Arkansas, but also to become a coach one day in the Hall of Fame," Rocker said during the enshrinement dinner Saturday night. - College Football -
Former California quarterback and coach Joe Kapp only made it as a player, but he was the coach for a play that is on display at the hall.
Every day fans visit the hall and watch the five-lateral kickoff return the Kapp-coached Cal team used in 1982 to beat Stanford 25-20. Kevin Moen finished "The Play" by running over a Stanford band trombonist.
"The play didn't fall out of the sky," Kapp said. "Was it an accident, good luck or coaching? It wasn't an accident." - College Football -
Oklahoma middle guard Tony Casillas, Penn State running back Lydell Mitchell, Southern Mississippi punter Ray Guy and 15 others were enshrined along with Rocker and Kapp.
Kapp said it was the lessons he learned as a player at Cal in the late 1950s that helped the Golden Bears beat Stanford 24 years later.
"I learned: 'Be ready when opportunity comes. Never give up,'" he said. "My credo in the 1969 Super Bowl year for the Minnesota Vikings was '40 for 60.' Forty players for 60 minutes. That was the attitude of our Rose Bowl team."
At the dinner Saturday night, players said the thing they miss most about college football is the rivalries and the camaraderie. Player after player talked about the importance of the big game.
"I remember being there and beating Alabama as a team," former Tennessee linebacker Frank Emanuel said. - College Football -
Former Michigan tight end Jim Mandich and Ohio State defensive back Jack Tatum talked about the rivalry between their alma maters.
"I think it's the greatest rivalry of them all," Mandich said. "It's the game where the Big Ten championships are won, trips to the Rose Bowl and national championships are won. That's why it's the greatest rivalry of all.
Wayne Harris, who played offensive guard and linebacker at Arkansas from 1956-58, said his best memories of college football are the relationships he made.
"I think of the closeness with my teammates," he said. - College Football -
Casillas said he was overwhelmed when he learned that nearly 5 million men have played college football but fewer than 1,000 have been honored by the hall.
"That kind of puts everything in perspective," said Casillas, who won the Lombardi Award as the nation's top lineman in helping the Sooners to a national championship in 1985. "The hall really brings the adrenaline out in you." - College Football -
Mitchell rushed for a then-NCAA record 26 touchdowns in 1971.
"Some of us had to wait longer than others," said Mitchell, who played for the Nittany Lions 1969-71. "But whenever you get in it's just a fantastic feeling. Penn Staters who came before me said: 'Just wait for the experience. I can't describe it to you.' And it's been wonderful."
Guy, despite being the first punter enshrined, doesn't believe the position is overlooked.
"I think it's just a matter of time before they start putting more in here," he said. "It's a part of the game that's very important. It's very critical to the game. The recognition is coming."
Also enshrined were Army halfback Bob Anderson, Marshall wide receiver Mike Barber, Wisconsin-Stevens Point quarterback Kirk Baumgartner, Lincoln halfback Leo Lewis, Mississippi Valley State quarterback Willie Totten, Houston quarterback Andre Ware and USC tight end Charles Young. - College Football -
The coaches enshrined were BYU coach LaVell Edwards, George Welsh, who coached at Navy and Virginia, Wisconsin-LaCross coach Roger Harring, and Frosty Westering, who coached Parsons, Albert Lea and Pacific Lutheran.

TOM COYNE
Associated Press

2005-08-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Gophers know all about holes
Minnesota's linemen are the stars of the show

CHICAGO - Offensive linemen are usually the most anonymous athletes on campus, but that's not the case at Minnesota. - College Football -
Center Greg Eslinger and left guard Mark Setterstrom are more than big guys with low numbers on their jerseys. They are familiar faces to Gophers fans after having started for three straight years and playing a big part in one of the top running games in college football. They helped Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III to back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
"In the last two years we've been productive in the running game and people want to talk about us," Setterstrom said. "We do get noticed. It's funny, at a lot of places they don't say anything about the offensive line." - College Football -
Both were All-Big Ten and received some All-American honors last season. But they haven't spent much time patting each other on the back. In fact, they think they may be getting too much attention. - College Football -
"I think we get too much credit at Minnesota," said Eslinger, a 6-foot-3-inch, 295-pound senior from Bismarck. "With the running backs we have, they always are trying to push all the credit on us. Once you're down in the line, look back and see a guy like Laurence Maroney back there, you know he's going to make absolutely every yard he can. That's a credit to him. He makes use of the small holes we give him sometimes." - College Football -
Eslinger, Setterstrom and left tackle Joe Ainslie, a 6-7, 300-pound senior, are returning starters for coach Glen Mason. Barber is now with the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Maroney as No. 1 in the Minnesota one-two punch. The Gophers, with Amir Pinix and Gary Russell moving up the depth chart, will continue to run several backs behind its impressive line.
"Three is better than two and two is better than one," Mason said. "A lot of people perceived there would have been a problem between Maroney and Barber, keeping them both happy. That was never a problem. They complemented each other. They were able to perform because they were both in there. Barber is gone, but we have a couple other guys who opened the door and who we think are pretty good." - College Football -
Eslinger has gotten the most attention of the linemen. He is a two-time Playboy All-American and was named to three other preseason All-American teams. He's on the Outland, Rimington and Lombardi award watch lists and is rated as the No. 1 center in the country.
Starting next to Eslinger for all 38 games of his Gophers career might have kept Setterstrom from more recognition. The 6-3, 305-pounder from Northfield, Minn., is one of the top guards in the country, and Eslinger wants to make sure everyone knows it. - College Football -
"I don't like to think of myself as a shadow, but I don't think he gets enough credit whatsoever for how good a player he is," Eslinger said. "I don't know if he's in my shadow, but he's an excellent player and deserves a lot more credit than what he has been given."
Offense, with quarterback Brian Cupito returning, shouldn't be a problem for the Gophers, who were 7-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten. The other side of the ball is a question mark. Minnesota lost five of its last seven games, giving up 51, 30 and 38 points in losses to Michigan State, Indiana and Wisconsin. Fans know who plays defense for the Gophers for the wrong reasons.
"I was disappointed with our defense last year," Mason said. "The year before we finished in the middle of the pack and that was about as good as we could expect to be. I expected us to be a little bit better last year and we took a step backward." - College Football -
Mason shook up his coaching staff, moving David Lockwood to defensive coordinator and adding Carey Bailey as line coach and Kerry Cooks as secondary coach. Lockwood directed the Gophers' Music City Bowl victory and has simplified the defensive scheme. Linemen Mark Losli and Keith Lipka and linebacker Kyle McKenzie are being counted on to help the defense improve.
"You need to be in the top half defensively (in the Big Ten) if you're going to have a chance," Mason said. - College Football -
If that happens, Losli, Lipka and McKenzie might get some positive recognition.

Reid Hanley
Chicago Tribune

2005-07-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

SoCon, other Division I-AAs back in the money

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - With Furman's reputation as a giant killer known throughout college football, Paladins coach Bobby Lamb couldn't get a big-time school to return his call about a potential game. Then the NCAA mandated a 12th game for Division I-A beginning in 2006.
"The 12th game has opened up an avenue" for Division I-AA teams like Furman, Lamb said Tuesday at the Southern Conference rouser. - College Football -
And the results have been immediate. Furman is set to play North Carolina - a 28-3 victory over the Tar Heels in 1999 was the most recent evidence of Furman's skill at handling larger opponents - next season, Virginia Tech in 2008 and schools like Clemson and Florida waiting on deck. - College Football -
Furman was picked as the league's preseason favorites in voting by SoCon coaches and media.
This season, SoCon teams will travel to LSU, West Virginia, Florida State, Kansas and Ole Miss. Along with the exposure and the chance for I-AA players to hit the field against the biggest boys, comes a guaranteed windfall ranging from $300,000 to $450,000 for the athletic department. - College Football -
Citadel athletic director Les Robinson says he expects to clear more than $3 million in guarantees from such games between 2005 and 2010.
"I think it's the best thing to happen to I-AA football," Lamb says, "because from a financial standpoint you get the check you need and the exposure you're kids want."
There's still work to be done, says Wofford coach Mike Ayers, to get the right matchups and ensure you have a competitive team. "It's a work in progress," he said.
The athletic department at The Citadel, like some throughout Division I-AA, have struggled through some lean financial times. The Bulldogs also have had problems on the football field with only one winning season since 1995. Robinson understands that some might criticize the plan to send the overmatched team to Florida State of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Mississippi of the Southeastern Conference this fall. - College Football -
"They say, 'Oh, it's a greedy AD trying to get money' but those kids would walk to play there," Robinson said.
Citadel Dusty Benefield, a senior offensive lineman, agrees. He's gone with the Bulldogs into LSU's Death Valley and Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium through the years and never felt like a lamb headed to the slaughter. "You don't get to do that a lot, so it's special," he said.
Robinson says last year's Citadel tailback, Nehemiah Broughton, gained 73 yards in a 33-3 defeat at Auburn. Broughton was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the NFL draft this past spring. "Nehemiah told me he didn't think he would've been drafted if he didn't get to play against Auburn," Robinson said. - College Football -
Such mismatches have long been a part of football. The bigger opponent typically gets a crowd-pleasing home victory and the chance to overcome early season sluggishness with a less-than-formidable opponent.
Furman had played at least one Division I opponent every season between 1976 and 1996 until the NCAA changed the rules. That's when larger schools had to be more selective about picking an opponent because they could only count a Division I-AA game once every four years to qualify for a bowl, Lamb said. - College Football -
A large victory was great, but if couldn't help you get to a bowl victory, how much good could it do?
Lamb, Robinson and others say the North Carolinas and Floridas went searching for lower tier Division I-A programs and paid them the massive guarantees - sometimes double what a Division I-AA team would receive. - College Football -
A 12th game - and the elimination of the one in four years rule for bowl qualification - puts Southern Conference schools back in play, says Geoff Cabe, the league's interim commissioner. "Those enhancements coupled with the 12th game help us," he said.
All contracts are different, Cabe says. But if you get the right deal, the guarantee can help pay for many things in an athletic department.
"It goes a long way toward meeting goals," Cabe said.
It also can bring a team benefits that can last throughout the season.
Benefield, the Citadel offensive lineman, says the Bulldogs gained untold confidence from moving the ball at Auburn (Citadel was outgained 593 yards to 169) and were only down 14-10 in the third quarter at Duke the following week. Duke went on to a 28-10 victory.
But Benefield says he and teammates have wondered if holding the Auburn Tigers (13-0) to 33 points "was the reason they weren't No. 1 last season." - College Football -
SoCon Notes: After Furman in the media vote, Georgia Southern was next followed by Appalachian State, Wofford, Western Carolina, Chattanooga, Citadel and Elon. The order of the coaches was similar with the only difference that Wofford and Western Carolina tied for fourth place.

PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press

2005-07-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Free football camp offered

High school football coaches are known for stretching the truth when it comes to either the physical dimensions or raw speed of their troops.Players who are 5-foot-11 magically become 6-2 on a roster. And players who run a 4.6 40-yard dash suddenly are world-class sprinters worthy of Olympic consideration. - College Football -
But there is no such fudging in high school combines conducted by Recruits Unlimited. The officials have no personal interest in the proceedings, therefore the accomplishments -- often measured by state-of-the-art equipment -- are completely legitimate and accurate."I like it because you get a real accurate time on the 40," Jefferson High School coach Pete Euzarraga said. "There are some coaches who have a quick finger and (their players) have a real low time. But this equipment is something else. - College Football -
They have a fully automatic Infrared Sensor Timing System. As soon as the athlete moves, the time starts, and you get a real accurate time with that."Jefferson High School will host a free Recruits Unlimited combine Monday.Besides the 40, the combine will test athletes in the 10-yard dash, pro agility, vertical jump and bench press (for reps using either 150, 185 or 225 pounds). The athletes' height and weight will be measured as well.Athletes who are looking to get a little more bang for their buck can sign up for packages, which include everything from academic information to video clips. - College Football -
But even without the packages, athletes will get their times sent directly to their high school coaches, and a free t-shirt, at no cost.The combines were the idea of Mike Minter, a safety for the Carolina Panthers, who grew up in a small town in Oklahoma."He wanted to know what he could do for kids that came from his background," said Greer Montersatelli, president of Recruits Unlimited. "He wanted to see what he could do for kids who didn't have mom and dad writing them checks to go down to College Station for Texas A&M's team camp."So Minter established the combine, offered it for free, and made sure it was well-circulated."It doesn't do a kid any good if you have one camp in the entire state, because (the athlete) doesn't have the means to get to the event," Montersatelli said. "Initially, when we first started, we had rural events and then realized we had to bring it to the kids."Four years into it, the camp is teaming with school districts and coaches associations. - College Football -
"Local coaches and their organizations tend to be behind it more," Montersatelli said. "The turnout in reflection to that ends up being much better. Our goal is to give as many kids an opportunity as we can."Last year, the camp also was at Jefferson and drew about 75-100 athletes. This year, Euzarraga is expecting about 300."I'm hoping one of these days some kid might get a scholarship somewhere (because of the camp)," Euzarraga said. "Maybe somebody will see that this guy had a real good time in the 40, and that they might be able to produce at the next level."

Matthew Aguilar
El Paso Times

2005-07-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

New BCS poll begins 1 month into season

NEW YORK - The Bowl Championship Series has a new poll, one that begins a month into the college football season and will include former coaches and players, plus media members.
Called the Harris Interactive College Football Poll, it will rank the top 25 teams on a weekly basis, starting Sept. 25. Plans call for 114 voters.
The BCS has said it would like to see the elimination of preseason polls, which some believe give highly touted teams an unfair headstart in the rankings.
"This allows for some games to be played in the current season rather than allow teams to be ranked purely on preseason expectations," BCS coordinator and Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg said Monday during a conference call.
The season's first BCS standings will be released Oct. 17.
The new poll replaces The Associated Press poll, which the BCS had used in its formula for ranking teams since 1998. Last season, however, the AP told the BCS it could no longer use its media poll.
In addition to the new poll, the BCS will continue to use the USA Today coaches' poll and a compilation of six computer rankings - each counting for one-third of a team's grade. The coaches will continue with a preseason ballot.
Recently, ESPN pulled out of participating in the coaches poll.
The coaches agreed to have their final ballots made public for the first time this season. The new Harris poll will take the same approach, releasing only the final ballots.
"We thought it was important for there to be consistency with the two human polls," Weiberg said. "To make the ballots public on a weekly basis during the season, we feel the focus would be on who voted for whom and detract from the games being playing."
Weiberg said voters in the new poll will be allowed to make their votes public at any point in the season if they choose.
The AP preseason poll will be released Aug. 20, with the first regular-season poll Sept. 6. The AP national champion will be crowned after the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4. Ballots of AP poll voters are made public all season.
Last season, Southern California and Oklahoma held the top two spots in both the AP and coaches' polls in the preseason and kept those positions throughout undefeated regular seasons.
Auburn, which began the season ranked in the teens in the polls, went unbeaten but never could pass the Trojans and Sooners. The Tigers did manage to tie Oklahoma in the AP poll for one week late in the season.
All three teams finished the regular season unbeaten and USC and Oklahoma played for the national title in the Orange Bowl. Auburn went to the Sugar Bowl, finished the season 13-0 and had to settle for a final ranking of No. 2 behind national champion USC.
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said the preseason rankings put his team at a disadvantage because they had too much ground to make up in the BCS standings before games were even played.
Harris Interactive Inc., a marketing company hired by the BCS last month to coordinate the new poll, is in the process of compiling a panel from 300 possible participants. Voters' names will be made public and all 11 Division I-A conferences and independent teams will be represented in the panel.
Each conference nominated 10 people to be placed into a pool of possible poll voters.

RALPH D. RUSSO
Associated Press

2005-07-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

A good offensive line is necessary

WHEELING - No matter the level or style of football a good offensive line is a necessity. When the Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Star Charity Football Classic unfolds July 24, Ohio head coach Dave Caldwell feels he's got a solid crop of linemen ready. "We have big, athletic guys," Caldwell said. "We took guys who were extremely athletic, so they could move around to where we needed them most."
Though some of the players may have to move from a spot they played during their prep days, Caldwell thinks they will adjust quickly.
"We are going to try to keep them in position as much as we can," Caldwell explained. "We have some guys who are big and agile, so we are really pleased with the mixture of players we have."
Set to anchor the offense for the Buckeyes are: River's Shaun Okey and Wesley Haslam, St. Clairsville's Caleb Meyers, Catholic Central's Kenny Davis, Shenandoah's Lucas Michel, Beallsville's Robert O'Hara, Bellaire's Dirk
Soland, Caldwell's Chase Garvin and Steubenville's Quentin Nelson.
Here is a capsule look at the players:
DIRK SOLAND, Bellaire - This former Big Reds' two-way lineman was a staple of both lines for coach John Magistro. Soland was an offensive guard and a relentless defensive end for the Reds, helping them to the playoffs the past two seasons and a regional title in 2003.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder was one of the Reds' top tacklers from his end position and earned several post-season honors for his fine senior campaign. He was a first team All-OVAC, All-District and All-Times Leader pick. Along with football, Soland also earned a monogram in baseball and wrestling at Bellaire.
Soland - who will attend Washington & Jefferson College in the fall - is the
son of Brad and Tina Soland of Bellaire.
SHAUN OKEY, River - This nimble Pilot was the true anchor of the offensive line for coach Mike Flannery's Pilots. Okey served as the center for River and also lined up as a defensive tackle. He graded out at 85 percent blocking and had 53 solo tackles and four sacks.
The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder was a second team All-Ohio pick in Division V. He was also first team All-Eastern District, All-Valley and All-Times Leader. Okey also lettered in basketball during his high school career.
Okey - who is headed to West Liberty State College - is the son of Gerald and Arlene Okey of Sardis.
ROBERT O'HARA, Beallsville - This selection for Caldwell was a no-brainer seeing this Devil anchored the offensive line for the veteran coach. The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder was the center and also lined up at defensive tackle for the Blue Devils.
He was a first-team All-PVC, All-OVAC and All-District selection. He was also a second team All-Valley pick. O'Hara's talents were not limited to the football field, seeing he lettered in both wrestling and track for the Devils.
O'Hara - who is undecided upon his future plans - is the son of Bernie and Bonnie O'Hara of Jerusalem.
QUENTIN NELSON, Steubenville - The Big Red always boasts a formidable offensive line. This selection was one of the big reasons why the Big Red line was again solid in 2004.
Nelson was an offensive tackle for the Big Red, paving the way for fellow OVAC All-Stars Antonio Magnone and Gary Stubbs to do damage for coach Reno Saccoccia.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder was a two-year letterman, an All-Area pick, All-OVAC, first team All-District, second team All-Ohio and winner of the Calvin Jones Award.
Along with football, Nelson was a member of the Big Red track team as a shot putter. He was also active in Key Club and Student Senate.
Nelson - who is headed to Youngstown State University - is the son of Gail Worrals of Steubenville.
CALEB MYERS, St. Clairsville - This mammoth two-way tackle was the leader of the offensive line for the Red Devils and coach Brett McLean this past fall. The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder was a first team All-Times Leader and All-Valley
pick. He was a second team All-OVAC selection and Honorable Mention All-Ohio.
Myers - who is slated to play football at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. - is the son of Reverand Dean Myers and Terri Myers of St. Clairsville.
LUCAS MICHEL, Shenandoah - This Zep is another in a long line of good offensive linemen to come from coach Dan Wesson's program. Michel was a mainstay as a two-way tackle for the Zeps, helping fellow OVAC All-Star Jacob Zerkle take the running game to new levels. He also ranked second on the team in tackles.
Michel was also a state placer in wrestling and the OVAC champion.
For his football exploits, Michel was an All-OVAC, All-PVC, All-District and
All-Valley first team pick. He was also an All-Ohio Special Mention pick.
Michel - who is the son of Leo and LuAnn Michel of Sarahsville - will attend Muskingum College in the fall.
WESLEY HASLAM, River - This was another benchmark of the Pilots' offensive front last fall for Flannery. Haslam lined up as a two-way tackle for the Pilots with his 6-foot-2, 300-pound frame.
He was a first team All-District, All-Times Leader, All-OVAC and second team All-Valley pick.
Wesley is a two-time placer in the state wrestling tournament.
Wesley - who is the son of George and Donna Haslam of Clarington - is heading to Newport News College in Virginia.
CHASE GARVIN, Caldwell - Blocking has become the forte of this Redskin during the past four years. The 6-foot, 245-pounder has been a mainstay on the offensive line for the Redskins and coach Josh Perkins. He was an All-OVAC, All-District and All-PVC pick last fall. Garvin is also active in FFA and 4-H during his high school career.
Garvin - who is undecided about his collegiate future - is the son of Rowena and Alan Garvin of Caldwell.
KENNY DAVIS, Steubenville Catholic - This two-way standout was one of the main reasons for the resurgence of the Crusaders last fall. Davis was a two-way line standout for coach Gregg Bahen's team, helping it to the Division V playoffs.
The 5-foot-11, 245-pounder was a first team All-OVAC, All-District,
All-Valley, Quad County pick. He was also a honorable mention All-Ohio pick. Davis was also a member of the Crusaders' OVAC championship boys track team and was also active in drama at Catholic Central.
Davis - who is headed to Ohio Dominican University - is the son of 1978 OVAC All-Star Ken and Penny Davis of Steubenville.

The Herald-Star

2005-06-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee selects Australia's Bogut as first pick in NBA draft

NEW YORK (AFP) - Giant centre Andrew Bogut, the 20-year-old Aussie who left his US college team after his second year, was the top pick in the 2005 National Basketball Association entry draft

Bogut, who has considerable international experience, was chosen first overall on Tuesday by the struggling Milwaukee Bucks.
"This is a dream come true," said Bogut, who was born in Australia but is of Croatian descent. "I am proud to be Australian and proud to be Croatian too."
The 7-foot Bogut should make an immediate impact on the Bucks, who finished last in the Central Division last year.
Bogut played last season at the University of Utah and has been compared to Vlade Divac.
This marks the first time in modern draft history that the same school produced the top overall pick in both the NBA and National Football League drafts.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Utah quarterback Alex Smith with the top pick in the NFL draft.
Atlanta Hawks chose Marvin Williams as the second overall pick. Williams is a forward who left North Carolina after coming off the bench in his first college season.
"This is definitely a great moment in my life," said Williams, who had the go-ahead basket in that game and was taken second by the Atlanta Hawks. "This can definitely match up with that night."
Guard Deron Williams was the third pick by Utah while Wake Forest guard Chris Paul was selected fourth by New Orleans. Charlotte rounded out the top five by choosing Raymond Felton, who played last season for North Carolina.
This draft marked a resurgence from the American college ranks, which had been obscured by international and high school players in recent years.
Nine four-year collegians were taken in the first round, matching the combined total of internationals and prep stars.
Bucks general manager Larry Harris said they were unable to make up their minds about Bogut until early Tuesday. Harris didn't go into details, but he was full of compliments after the decision was final.
"Looking down the road we thought Andrew would be a good foundation piece for us," Harris said.
"He can step in right away we can get back into the playoff picture next year. Adding a competitor like Andrew means we are solid now in the centre position."
Bogut was the consensus college player of the year but was not the consensus No. 1 pick.
"I was confident, but I wasn't 100 percent," Bogut said. "They said it would be you or Marvin Williams, so it was 50-50. Now that I'm here, it's a great honour."
There were four true international players taken in the first round, including two from France.
Johan Petro (Pau Orthez) was chosen 25th overall by Seattle while his French compatriot Ian Mahinmi (STB Le Havre) went to NBA champion San Antonio Spurs who had the 28th pick. There were four French players taken in the first 47 picks.
Spain's Fran Vazquez (Unicaja Malaga) was taken 11th overall by Orlando and Russian forward Yaroslav Korolev (CSKA Moscow) was chosen 12th by the lowly Los Angeles Clippers.
The Denver Nuggets swung a deal with Portland, trading for the rights to Missouri forward Linas Kleiza, the 27th pick, and 17-year-old Puerto Rican forward Ricky Sanchez, the 35th pick.
Kleiza hails from Lithuania but went to high school in Maryland.
Eleven more players born abroad were taken in the second round.
The New York Knicks used the final pick in the first round (30th) to take forward David Lee from Florida.
After trading down - and picking up the 27th selection as well - the Portland selected Seattle high schooler Martell Webster, the first of nine high school players taken in the draft.
However, just three of those went in the first round as it appeared there was a rush to beat the new provisional collective bargaining agreement, which has an age minimum of 19 beginning next year.
"The agreement had no effect on my decision," said Webster.

College Football Game

2005-06-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

College Football Game