College Football - Football Betting

2005-10-30T17:22:00.000-08:00

Illinois Fighting Illini---College Football---

Oct. 29---College Football---
Wisconsin 41 ... Illinois 24---College Football---
Brandon Williams caught a 62-yard touchdown pass and Brian Calhoun scored five touchdowns with a six-yard run set up by a blocked punt as the Badgers kept the Illini at arm's reach all game long. Illinois was able to crank out 538 yards of total offense with two Tim Brasic touchdown passes and a three-yard Pierre Thomas touchdown run. Wisconsin was outgained on the ground 261 yards to 239, but Calhoun was unstoppable scoring on runs of six, two, six, three, six and 46 yards, all virtually untouched.---College Football---
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 35 times for 197 yards and five touchdowns and caught two passes for 37 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 20-39, 277 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Tim Brasic, 16-116. Receiving: Kyle Hudson, 10-114, 1 TD---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 14-22, 225 yds, 1 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 35-197, 5 TD. Receiving: Jonathan Orr, 5-41---College Football---
What to take away from this game: As strange as it sounds after a 17 point loss, there's a lot to be happy about. Illinois doesn't have the talent to beat the top Big Ten teams, but it came up with a strong offensive performance against Wisconsin. The offensive line beat up the Badger front seven, while QB Tim Brasic did a great job running effectively. In the end, Brian Calhoun and the consistency of the Badger offense proved to be too much, but the defense had its moments highlighted by a good fourth down stop late in the fourth. ---College Football---
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Oct. 22---College Football---
Penn State 63 ... Illinois10---College Football---
Illinois scored first on a 41-yard Jason Reda field goal, and then the floodgates opened as Michael Robinson threw four touchdown passes and ran for two scores sparking a 63-point run finally stopped late in the fourth quarter by the Illini on a two-yard Chris Pazan touchdown pass. The Nittany Lion defense also got into the act with a Dan Connor fumble return for a score and a 76-yard Nolan McCready interception return for a touchdown.
Player of the game: Penn State QB Michael Robinson completed 11 of 18 passes for 194 yards and four touchdowns and ran seven times for 69 yards and two scores. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Michael Robinson, 11-18, 194 yds, 4 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Michael Robinson, 7-69, 2 TD. Receiving: Den Butler, 4-95, 2 TD---College Football---
Illinois - Passing: Chris Pazan, 10-14, 84 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 9-45, Receiving: R. Mendenhall, 4-30, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Illinois should've been much, much better against Penn State after having two weeks off after the blowout loss to Indiana. The defense simply doesn't have the speed to keep up with any team with a little bit of athleticism, and the pass defense has completely gone bye-bye. The short passing game was solid, but there needs to be much more from the running game and more production on the deep passes to get the offense going. ---College Football---
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Oct. 8---College Football---
Indiana 36 ... Illinois 14---College Football---
Blake Powers threw four touchdown passes and Chris Taylor ran for a 12-yard score as Indiana rolled up 403 yards of total offense. Up 21-13, IU broke the game open in the fourth quarter on an 18-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Thigpen and an eight-yard scoring pass to James Hardy. Illinois managed two Jason Reda field goals and a three-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Bryant.---College Football---
Player of the game: Indiana QB Blake Powers completed 22 of 35 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 22-35, 198 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Chris Taylor, 18-132, 1 TD. Receiving: James Hardy, 10-118, 2 TD---College Football---
Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 22-39, 230 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 11-46, Receiving: Jody Ellis, 7-76---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Uh oh. Illinois can't seem to get anything going on offense in Big Ten play with the running game going in the tank against Indiana. If you can't get the offense going on the Hoosiers, you're not going to get it moving on Penn State. When everything else is failing, Illinois needs to grind it out more with the running game. The passing attack simply isn't doing enough to stay in games, so it has to be up to the coaching staff to used Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey. QB Tim Brasic is a fine runner, but he can't lead the team in carries.
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Oct. 1---College Football---
Iowa 35 ... Illinois 7---College Football---
Iowa got two touchdowns from Ed Hinkel in the to go along with a three-yard Marcus Schnoor touchdown run for a 21-0 lead, and then cruised from there. E.B Halsey ran for a one-yard score, but that was all the fun the Illinois would have as the Hawkeyes answered with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Scott Chandler and a 66-yard Damian Sims scoring run. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Iowa QB Drew Tate completed 17 of 22 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 32-44, 233 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 15-100. Receiving: E.B. Halsey, 11-40, 1 TD---College Football---
Iowa - Passing: Drew Tate, 17-22, 175 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Albert Young, 13-102. Receiving: Albert Young, 4-51---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The offense was able to move the ball and there weren't that many mistakes against Iowa, but there weren't enough long, sustained drives and the team failed to convert every time it was in scoring range. Against a team like Iowa, that can't happen. E.B. Halsey is a fine safety valve receiver and the coaching staff did a good job of getting the ball in his hands. Now, it's up to the defense to start stopping someone.
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Sept. 24---College Football---
Michigan State 61 ... Illinois 14---College Football---
Michigan State cranked out 705 yards of total offense with Drew Stanton throwing five touchdown passes. A 28-0 second quarter run, highlighted by four Stanton scoring strikes with two to Jerramy Scott, put the game away. Illinois got two touchdown passes from Tim Brasic, but he couldn't get the offense to stay with the Spartan attack.
Player of the game: Michigan State QB Drew Stanton completed 20 of 26 passes for 259 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for five passes for 12 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 16-30, 146 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Tim Brasic, 11-57. Receiving: Jody Ellis, 4-52---College Football---
Michigan State - Passing: Drew Stanton, 20-26, 259 yds, 5 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 13-193. Receiving: Matt Trannon, 5-76, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Ron Zook's job is to make sure this blowout loss to Michigan State doesn't carry over to next week's Iowa game. The defense looked like it was running in slow motion compared to the speedy and crisp Spartan attack, while the defense did next to nothing to get Drew Stanton and the MSU offense off the field looking lousy on third downs. Tim Brasic is a decent all-around quarterback, but Illinois isn't going to be too happy with the offense if he's the leading rusher. ---College Football---
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Sept. 17---College Football---
California 35 ... Illinois 20---College Football---
Illinois owned the first half hanging on to the ball for over 21 minutes and taking a 17-7 lead on one yard touchdown runs from Pierre Thomas and Tim Brasic, but Cal took over in the second half as Marcus O'Keith scored twice and Tim Mixon returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. Illinois could only manage a 31-yard Jason Reda field goal in the fourth quarter. ---College Football---
Player of the game: California RB Justin Forsett ran 16 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 43 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Cal - Passing: Joseph Ayoob, 8-17, 121 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Justin Forsett, 16-187, 2 TD. Receiving: Justin Forsett, 3-43
Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 21-37, 228 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 12-57, 1 TD. Receiving: Kendrick Jones, 6-56---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Illinois is going to have to learn how to stop a ground game, and fast. California was hurting on offense without some of its top players, but it still rumbled for 294 yards and three touchdowns. With Michigan State and Iowa ahead, the Illini needs to figure something out defensively or start to get the offense geared towards more shootouts. QB Tim Brasic has been fine, but he needs to start getting the ball deeper to be able to hang with teams like Cal. ---College Football---
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Sept. 10---College Football---
Illinois 40 ... San Jose State 19---College Football---
San Jose State started off the scoring on a six-yard touchdown run by Adam Tafralis, and then Illinois went on a run scoring the next 40 points before the Spartans finally got back on the board with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Trestin George. Illinois QB Tim Brasic ran for two touchdowns and Jason Reda kicked four field goals. The Illini outgained the Spartans 243 yards to 13 on the ground. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Illinois QB Tim Brasic completed 17 of 22 passes for 199 yards and an interception and ran eight times for 20 yards and two touchdowns. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: San Jose State - Passing: Chad Bozzo, 6-10, 111 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Chad Bozzo, 14-11. Receiving: Bryan Watje, 6-111---College Football---
Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 17-22, 199 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 14-79, 1 TD. Receiving: Melvin Bryant, 4-52---College Football---
What to take away from this game: That's the Illinois running game that Illini fans have been hoping for. San Jose State couldn't stop Illinois from pounding away, and that helped QB Tim Brasic get into a groove making only one mistake. Holding on to the ball for 34:05 helped keep the defense fresh, and it showed as it was flying around and aggressive against the run. This is exactly the type of confidence-building performance the team has to want going into the road trip to Cal.---College Football---
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Sept. 3---College Football---
Illinois 33 ... Rutgers 30 OT---College Football---
Down by 20 midway through the third quarter, Illinois roared back with two field goals and two Tim Brasic touchdown passes to tie it, and then had a chance to win in regulation, but missed a 52-yard field goal. In overtime, Rutgers scored first on a 40-yard Jeremy Ito field goal for the lead, but Illinois got a two-yard Pierre Thomas touchdown run to give head coach Ron Zook his first win as the new head coach. Rutgers appeared in command after an 83-yard Brian Leonard touchdown run coming after leaping over an Illinois defender, but the defense couldn't change the momentum and couldn't get a fourth quarter stop.---College Football---
Player of the game: Illinois QB Tim Brasic completed 23 of 33 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also ran 18 times for 123 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Rutgers - Passing: Ryan Hart, 27-44, 343 yds, 2 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Leonard, 11-119, 1 TD. Receiving: Tres Moses, 5-82---College Football---
Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 23-33, 217 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Tim Brasic, 18-123. Receiving: E.B. Halsey, 7-61, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Say what you will about Ron Zook and his coaching abilities, but his teams believe they can win when their backs are against the wall. Illinois had no right to come back against Rutgers after a horrible start, but it was able to ride the momentum and the excitement of the home opener to come up with an exciting win that should do wonders for the rest of the season. However, there are issues. The defense didn't tackle all that well and had a hard time doing anything against Scarlet Knight QB Ryan Hart, but the offense got hot and the rest of the team followed on the way to the win. Next week against San Jose State is key to tune everything up before facing Cal. ---College Football---
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2005 Schedule ---College Football---
Sept. 3 – Rutgers (5-6, 2-5 in Big East) – Offense: QB Ryan Hart will once again lead one of the nation's most productive passing attacks with a loaded receiving corps highlighted by Tres Moses and tight end Clark Harris. Can the attack actually produce points on a regular basis? It struggled wildly with consistency and turnovers while getting nothing from a ground game that averaged 2.5 yards per carry and 83 yards per game. There's way too much experience in the backfield to have a repeat disaster.
Defense: It's an interesting mix of talents and strengths with a great group of ends led by Ryan Neill and an experience linebacking corps, but there has been little in the way of overall results. With many newcomers to the mix last year in key spots, things got rocky finishing 104th in the nation in total defense and 88th in scoring D. The biggest area of improvement should be the secondary where Derrick Roberson and Joe Porter are good looking corners who should be over most of their struggles.---College Football---
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Sept. 10 - San Jose State (2-10, 0-8 in WAC) – Offense: It'll be an interesting attack if the quarterback situation improves. Adam Tafralis returns after struggling as a freshman in a platoon role. He has a good receiving corps to work with welcoming back the top three receivers and a tight end in Brian Watje who's just waiting to break out. The running backs are puny, but lightning quick and should do well running behind a massive line.
Defense: Dick Tomey, the architect of Arizona's old Desert Swarm, will be looking for aggressiveness and speed from his defense. Seven starters return with decent size up front and three safeties playing linebacker. The secondary should be the strength with the return of All-WAC candidates Josh Powell and Trestin George. The key will be to improve the nation's 116th run defense, but that could be a problem early with the small back seven.
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Sept. 17 – at California (9-2, 6-2 in Pac 10) - Offense: It's asking a lot to replace a 2,000-yard running back, a first round NFL draft pick quarterback, and some of the top receivers and hope to be even better. It won't happen right away needing either Joseph Ayoob or Nathan Longshire to shine at quarterback, while all the superstar receiver prospects have to play like steady veterans. There aren't any concerns about the running game with Marshawn Lynch leading a deep running back corps behind one of the nation's best lines.---College Football---
Defense: All the fireworks from the offense overshadowed a fantastic year from a defense that finished second in the nation against the run and eighth in scoring defense. The 2005 D is even more talented with more speed and skill than Cal has ever had, but it's going to take a while for everything to come together with all the new faces in key places. The entire linebacking corps needs to be overhauled and there are some big losses on the line, but the talent is more than there to replace the lost production. This defense will attack, attack and attack some more; fortunately there are two experienced corners in Harrison Smith and Daymeion Hughes to handle the pressure.
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Sept. 24 - Michigan State (8-3, 5-3 in Big Ten) – Offense: Last year's attack finished tenth in the nation, and first in the Big Ten, exploding on top defenses like Wisconsin's and Michigan's. Consistency was an issue, and it will be again unless talented quarterback Drew Stanton can stay on the field. With no reliable backup quarterback to count on, the oft-injured Stanton's health is the difference between a good and a great offense. While there aren't the name players like other Big Ten teams boast, this has the potential to be the league's best offense if a home run hitter can be found at running back and the newcomers to the right side of the line come through as expected.
Defense: Some work needs to be done after losing several top players from just about everywhere. This wasn't a solid defense, but it had its moments and will be athletic this year, if nothing else. There isn't a steady pass rush putting more pressure than needed on the average corners. The linebackers can move and should be the D's strength as the season goes on. Being tougher against the run would be a big plus.---College Football---
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Oct. 1 – at Iowa (9-2, 6-2 in Big Ten) – Offense: Iowa had a big mess on its hands last year with one of the nation's worst running games brought on by injuries to the backfield and inconsistency on the offensive line. Both areas should be much better with the healthy return of lightning fast runner Marques Simmons and an experienced line ready to be one of the Big Ten's best. The passing attack should be tremendous led by All-America candidate Drew Tate at quarterback and an experienced, productive, and very fast receiving corps.
Defense: The back seven will be among the best in America as long as there aren't any major injuries. The linebacking duo of Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge and the corner tandem of Jovon Johnson and Antwan Allen are good enough to make up for the potential problems on the defensive line. There's absolutely no experience to count on up front losing Matt Roth and Jonathan Babineaux, and there's even less depth. If there's no pass rush, the secondary will have a hard time being as good as it was last year.---College Football---
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Oct. 8 – at Indiana (3-8, 0-8 in Big Ten) – Offense: The offense actually wasn't that horrible over the first part of last season. Consistency was the biggest problem and the defense didn't exactly help the cause. Even with the loss of three big starters (QB Matt LoVecchio, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis and WR Courtney Roby) the potential is there to do much more with an experienced line that gets two of its top players (OT Isaac Sowells and C Chris Mangiero) back from injury The running game will be serviceable with Chris Taylor and Yamar Washington until the young recruits come around and the receiving corps has plenty of speedy prospects. None of the promise will come true if Blake Powers, or one of the other quarterback candidates, doesn't start playing at a D-I level.
Defense: The D returns nine starters with the hopes of being stronger in all phases. There's a better chance of the pass defense improving than the run defense with a good pass rush taking the heat off the speedy young corners. Being a wall against the run will be a problem needing to convert John Pannozzo from fullback to middle linebacker and Greg Brown from the offensive line to tackle. Outside of Brown, there's little Big Ten-size inside.---College Football---
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Oct. 22 - Penn State 6-5, 3-5 in Big Ten) – Offense: A ton of experience returns to one of the worst Penn State offenses ever averaging 17.73 points per game with five games scoring seven points or fewer. The line has all five starters returning (if C E.Z. Smith and G Tyler Reed are back from spring suspension) and it has to be much, much better. The receiving corps got a major boost this recruiting season with lightning-fast Derrick Williams and Justin King adding some desperately needed pop. There has to be more from the quarterbacks with the underwhelming Michael Robinson getting the nod since star prospect Anthony Morelli hasn't progressed enough yet. There's talent in the backfield; now it has to do more.
Defense: The nation's tenth best defense and fifth best scoring D should be even better with almost all the parts returning and FS Chris Harrell coming back after missing all of last year with a neck injury. The defense didn't allow more than 21 points per game coming up with a shockingly good season. The corners will be among the best in the nation as will the starting linebackers. Overall depth and a lights-out pass rusher are the slight weaknesses, but that's nitpicking.---College Football---
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Oct. 29 - Wisconsin (7-5, 3-5 in Big Ten) – Offense: Paul Chryst comes over from Oregon State to take on the co-offensive coordinator job along with Brian White, and he should do more for the passing game. John Stocco showed flashes of being a reliable quarterback last year, but he didn't do it often enough. The running game needs the backs to stay healthy, and the receiving corps has to make more big plays. While the line loses some key parts, it'll still be a strong group with a few big-time dominators.---College Football---
Defense: Bret Bielema's defense was one of the big stories of the 2004 Big Ten season finishing ninth in the nation and sixth in scoring defense. Now the entire front four needs to be replaced as does most of the secondary with several All-Big Ten talents graduating. However, there's hope with great looking young defensive linemen ready to take over and a good linebacking corps to steady things early on. There's no way to reproduce the same numbers as last year, but don't look for the roof to cave in like many will predict.---College Football---
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Nov. 5 – 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 Football---
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 Football---

Nov. 12 – at Purdue (9-2, 6-2 in Big Ten) – Offense: Considering the hot start and the nation's 13th best offense and 20th best scoring offense, the Purdue attack was a disappointment having problems with consistency along with an inability to come through in most of the big games. Seven starters return to an offense that has the potential to be far better despite the loss of QB Kyle Orton and top receiver Taylor Stubblefield. Brandon Kirsch takes over at quarterback and should add a bit more life and fire to the position. The receiving corps is loaded with rising star Dorien Bryant, 6-9 Kyle Ingraham and top tight end Charles Davis forming a dangerous trio. The backfield is experienced and good with redshirt freshman Kory Sheets pushing veteran Jerod Void and Brandon Jones. The line will be fine as long as there aren't any injuries to the starting five.---College Football---
Defense: All eleven starters return to the nation's 40th ranked defense. Outside of a few hiccups, it was a consistent group finishing 17th in the nation in scoring defense allowing a mere 17.17 points per game. So why is it hard to get too excited about this group? The line is one of the best in the nation with the best ends (Ray Edwards, Anthony Spencer and Rob Ninkovich), that you've never heard of. The back seven is full of hard-hitting veterans, but there are few star playmakers and there should once again be problems against the better passing teams.---College Football---
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Nov. 19 - Northwestern – (4-7, 2-6 in Big Ten) Offense: Consistency was a problem last year and there weren't enough points scored against most of the good defenses, but it was still the nation's 29th ranked offense and it should crack the top 25 this year. The passing game will be one of the Big Ten's best with veteran quarterback Brett Basanez working with an experienced and deep receiving corps. Terrell Jordan and Brandon Robinson will combine to keep the running game rolling behind Zach Strief and a good line. The guards are a bit of a question mark, but that's nitpicking.---College Football---
Defense: The potential is there for a good year after struggling away from Evanston. The return of end Loren Howard, corner Marquice Cole and linebacker Adam Kadela from the injury problems of last year will be a big help. The line should be a rock against the run with excellent size, while the linebacking corps has two All-Big Ten talents in Tim McGarigle and Nick Roach to build around. There's not a sure-thing pass rusher on the line meaning the fast corners will have to be better in coverage to improve a shaky pass defense.---College Football---
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2005-10-26T21:37:00.000-07:00

Keys to the Big Games
Week Eight, Oct. 22
Northwestern vs. Michigan State
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By John Harris---college football---

a. Throwing BB’s – Maybe it’s because as a sophomore Northwestern QB Brett Basanez was an interception waiting to happen. Maybe it’s because he plays for Northwestern. Maybe it’s because of the hyped flyboys that garnered the lion’s share of attention in the conference. For some reason, people are missing out on watching, arguably, the best QB in the Big Ten. Well, it’s a pretty safe bet that the two most effective QBs in this conference will suit up on Saturday in East Lansing. Basanez has been the Big Ten offensive player of the week two straight weeks, and his numbers for those two games are flat out astronomical. Against Wisconsin, he threw for 361 and 3 TDs and ran for 69 yards. At Purdue last week, he was better. Yes, really. He accounted for more than 500 yards of total offense. And, oh by the way, he threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. The numbers don’t typically tell the whole story, but they come pretty dadgum close in this sitatution. Basanez is smokin’ hot and the Wildcat offense is feeding off of his ability to find open receivers, and he can definitely find open receivers. That’s probably been the one thing that Basanez has done as well as anyone throwing the pill in college football. He takes what you give him and doesn’t force the ball into coverage. But, he’s making such great reads that if a defense gives him three or more seconds in the pocket, he’ll find someone open downfield. If not, and this is the hardest part about facing Basanez, he can take off and pick up yards running the football. He does have some designed runs, but when he scrambles, he’s that much more dangerous. Maybe not for the yards he picks up, but because he keeps his eyes focused downfield looking for another open receiver. The Spartan defense must find a way to limit his looks, either by narrowing his focus to finding receivers between the numbers or by keeping him from escaping the pocket. Either way, Basanez has been tremendous lately and if he continues on his roll, the Spartans are in big time trouble.---college football---

b. Sutton’s Place – The problem facing the Michigan State defense this weekend is two-fold. You now know about Basanez, but if you haven’t seen the Wildcats this year, you probably don’t know about arguably the best true freshman running back in the nation – Tyrell Sutton. The 5’9”, 185 pound rookie has been the perfect complement to Basanez in this offense. The spread offense takes advantage of Sutton’s quickness and ability to get into space and exploit the defense. Or, is it the other way around – that Sutton takes advantage of the spread offense? Either way you slice it, Sutton is a key figure for the Northwestern offense. With his quickness, out of the shotgun, he gets ‘into’ the defense as quickly as any running back in the league. Although he’s not a big guy at all, in fact he’s probably smaller than your kid brother, he’s tough to stop because he’s on the defense so quickly, that if you can’t get off a block, he’s by you and into the secondary. And, that’s even worse news for a Spartan defense that’s struggling to stop anyone, much less a two-headed monster like Basanez and Sutton. The MSU defense is only giving up 123 yards on the ground, but Sutton is a bit different back than what MSU has seen this year. Sutton won’t break the tackles that Mike Hart of Michigan does, but both of them have similar explosion to the hole, and Hart’s quickness hurt MSU big time a few weeks ago. Tune in this week and check out #19 – he’s already one of the best RBs in the Big Ten.---college football------college football---

c. Ring it up – Each and every week, MSU true freshman (see, Northwestern isn’t the only one to have a true freshman star RB) Javon Ringer becomes more a part of the Michigan State offense. Against the vaunted Ohio State defense, Ringer was the Spartans leading rusher, running it 16 times for 76 yards, nearly 5 yards per carry. Similar to the effect that Sutton has on Northwestern, Ringer is the perfect fit for the shotgun spread MSU attack. He can make you miss, and when he gets out in space, it’s not that easy to make an open field tackle on the Spartan youngster. After facing the Ohio State linebackers last week, he’ll go head-to-head with Northwestern’s star LB Tim McGarigle. But, what gives Ringer a bit of an advantage, over say a guy like Brian Calhoun from Wisconsin is that to stop Ringer, McGarigle will be stretched to his limits facing the spread look that Michigan State will throw at them. The last thing anyone wants to do is chase a guy like Ringer all over the yard. Linebackers want to play smashmouth and stay within the hashes or even go as far as the numbers, but they don’t want to chase a lightning quick RB from sideline to sideline. But, that’s what he’ll have to do to stop Ringer this Saturday. As with Sutton, keep an eye on the future of the Big Ten – Javon Ringer #39.---college football------college football---

Conclusion – There wasn’t a lot of room left to discuss the Spartan offensive line, but another game of 12 sacks and QB Drew Stanton might not finish the season. Now, the OSU defense and the Northwestern defense aren’t on the same plane, but, regardless, the focus for the rest of the season has to be protecting Stanton at all costs. Even Ohio State had major problems stopping this Michigan State offense, and Northwestern may not have a chance. But, they can answer on offense, that’s for sure. Expect a lot of points, a track meet early…and an MSU home victory. Michigan State – 45 vs. Northwestern – 41---college football---
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2005-10-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Instant AnalysisPenn State 17 ... Ohio State 10By Matthew Zemek
You know, Joe Paterno’s age is still an issue at Penn State.
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What? How can that be, you say?Come on, don’t pretend you didn’t know: Joe Paterno’s age was naturally a big factor in Saturday night’s headknocking, bone-cracking fistfight between Ohio State and Penn State.
Please—this is too obvious: Jim Tressel was just too young, naive and inexperienced to outdo Paterno.See, told you JoePa’s age was an issue.----collegefootball----
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What took place in State College Saturday night—much like the Nittany Lions’ sudden and electrifying resurgence as a college football power—is at once totally surprising and not surprising at all.What’s amazing about Penn State’s return to glory—and by beating the team that slightly outplayed Texas, the Lions proved that they’re a legit top-ten ballclub—is that Paterno’s offense has so much maturity and intelligence this season. Prolific against Northwestern, Michael Robinson merely needed to secure the football Saturday night against the Buckeyes’ awesome defense. ----collegefootball----
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In two decidedly different situations, Robinson and the rest of a talented but youthful offense were able to display two distinct personalities. A few weeks ago in Evanston, clutch playmaking was the order of the day; Saturday in Beaver Stadium against Ohio State, the Lions merely needed to be airtight, and sure enough, they were.What’s not surprising about the newfound Paterno prominence in the college football world is that his blueshirted defense is still dependable. ----collegefootball----
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The Lions won this game in large part because the home team was able to match A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Donte Whitner with Paul Posluszny, Tamba Hali and Alan Zemaitis, who either destroyed Ohio State’s offensive front or shut down the Bucks on the perimeter. Up and down the line, Penn State’s defense proved to be every bit as good as Ohio State’s more celebrated unit. It wasn’t that the Bucks’ defense was deficient; Penn State’s defensive eleven was simply able to see Ohio State’s A(J)-game and raise its own A-game as well.Continuing the theme of “surprise or no surprise,” another startling element of PSU’s re-entry into the college football spotlight is the fact that Robinson—an upperclassman surrounded by a heckuva lot of freshmen—has suddenly ripened into a fully mature player. ----collegefootball----
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Playing alongside Zach Mills in previous seasons, Robinson could never totally find himself... not just as a football player, but as an athlete endowed with the kind of interior belief and mental toughness that are essential for any big-time performer. This year, Robinson has found a way to be a poised, confident leader who can win games either by making huge plays (Northwestern) or avoiding mistakes. ----collegefootball----
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The extent to which the maturity level has changed in Penn State’s offensive huddle is something few could have foreseen going into the 2005 season.On the other hand, what’s not surprising about Penn State’s offense—in terms of its performance Saturday night and for the season as a whole—is that it hasn’t experienced a total transformation from an X-and-O standpoint. This offense won’t be confused with the Kerry Collins/Ki-Jana Carter/Kyle Brady juggernaut of 1994, but a noticeable talent upgrade (think Derrick Williams) has enabled Robinson to be more of a ball distributor who no longer has to force downfield throws or try too hard to make big plays.----collegefootball----
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Robinson was much more of a game manager and field general against Ohio State, freelancing on a few occasions but trusting his running backs, his defense, and a game plan that called for zero turnovers. The patience and team mindset so evident in Robinson’s play did not translate into a huge scoring night for the Lions, but it was all that he and Joe Paterno needed. Given that Penn State was leading by seven and not down by seven for the final 26 minutes of play, Robinson didn’t need to take risks. Practicality trumped boldness, and for good reason. Clean offensive play acquired more value than explosiveness, and 60 turnover-free minutes later, the Lions had their big win. Not too surprising, when you consider everything.----collegefootball----
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The final coexisting pair of surprise and non-surprise comes from the end result of this contest. What’s surprising is not necessarily that Penn State won, especially since Troy Smith’s ball security, the number one key for Ohio State in every game the Buckeyes play, bit Jim Tressel’s team in the backside Saturday night. In a game that was essentially a 10-all stalemate, one huge pick—by PSU’s Calvin Lowry—made the difference... a difference Smith couldn’t erase in a second half filled with three-and-outs from his struggling offense that was physically and mentally whupped by the sharper, more fired up Lions. That Penn State won this contest was not a shock.No, what was surprising was that Troy Smith didn’t commit more turnovers.
----collegefootball----
On a night when Ohio State’s offense was poor in every single respect—the line got pushed around, Ted Ginn played tentatively, and Antonio Pittman lacked the authoritativeness he displayed in a recent win against Iowa—one might have thought that an OSU loss would come about not because of impotence, but mistakes... multiple mistakes in a horror show of giveaways that repeatedly set up Penn State scores. But that only happened once, as Penn State got only seven points off Buckeye turnovers. It was shocking to see Penn State’s defense smother Ohio State’s offense so decisively. Perhaps the Lions figured to get an occasional three and out, but the blueshirts made Ohio State and its assemblage of playmakers trudge off the field in three plays with astonishing regularity on Saturday. ----collegefootball----
----collegefootball----
The Buckeyes’ offensive talent isn’t good enough to ring up big numbers against each and every Big Ten opponent, and Jim Tressel’s style of play ensures that the Bucks won’t roll up the points each and every Saturday. However, it’s just as true that Ohio State’s offensive talent is not so bad that the Scarlet and Gray should get bageled, and bageled rather easily, over the course of a whole half of football.----collegefootball----
----collegefootball----
An offense that had supposedly grown—and which was coming off a bye week, perfect for implementing new wrinkles and exotics against a much-studied opponent—showed surprisingly little game, astonishingly little fight on the road in Beaver Stadium. In a trend that’s becoming all too familiar for Ohio State fans—and even Jim Tressel supporters have to look in the mirror on this one—the Buckeyes have once again lost an early-October road night game in conference play, one that came after a bye week.----collegefootball----
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After “Madison ‘03” and “Evanston ’04,” the Bucks—particularly their offense, came up with another annual display of impotence called “State College ’05.”In the end, you have to go back to Joe Paterno’s age. He was just too gray and treacherous for Jim Tressel to overcome... and after the all-too-youthful and inexperienced coach had a bye week, for cryin’ out loud.Penn State football: it’s back, and back in a big way. The exultation following this huge win over Ohio State is spilling out through a very Happy Valley, but just watch what will happen if Michigan can be conquered next week in the Big House. A win over the Wolverines, and either Tempe or Pasadena could await Paterno in early January.No man is too old for a holiday vacation like that. ----collegefootball----

2005-10-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Player of the Week award goes to UCLA's Drew

UCLA running back Maurice Drew scored five touchodwns against No. 9 California to earn the USATODAY.com Player of the Week award. The junior totaled 299 all-purpose yards, including a 81-yard punt return for a score and 29-yard reception that was the game-winner with 1:35 left as the Bruins prevailed 47-40. Drew earned the award with the votes of college football editor Erick Smith and Gannett News Service columnist Mike Lopresti. The fan balloting selected Georgia defensive back Greg Blue. - College Football -

This week's winner:

Maurice Drew

The UCLA tailback scored five touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 1:35 left, in the Bruins' 47-40 win over ninth-ranked California. Drew had 299-all-purpose yards, and scored one of his touchdowns on an 81-yard punt return. - College Football -

This week's other nominees:

Greg Blue

The Georgia safety led his team with 14 tackles in the Bulldogs' 27-14 victory at No. 7 Tennessee. Georgia held the Volunteers, including prolific tailback Gerald Riggs, to only 48 yards rushing. - College Football -

Joel Filani

The receiver for 13th-ranked Texas Tech caught two early touchdowns to give the Red Raiders a 21-0 lead at Nebraska. Then, after the Cornhuskers rallied to take a 31-27 lead late in the game, Filani caught his third touchdown with 12 seconds remaining to give Texas Tech a 34-27 win. His final numbers: 11 catches, 163 yards, three touchdowns. - College Football -

Tyrell Sutton

The Northwestern tailback rushed for 244 yards and had four touchdowns in the Wildcats' wild 51-48 victory over No. 14 Wisconsin. Two of his scores came in the fourth quarter, including a 62-yard strike that proved to be the game-winner. - College Football -

Terrence Whitehead

The Oregon running back led the Ducks to a 31-17 upset at No. 20 Arizona State. He finished with two touchdowns, 122 yards rushing and 100 receiving yards on nine receptions.

2005-10-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

College football column Hokies proving they belong on top
Those outsiders are trying to get inside again.

When you think of college football's traditional powers, Virginia Tech doesn't leap to mind.

The program doesn't have the pedigree of USC, Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Alabama and other teams enjoying quick starts this season. - College Football -

The Hokies don't have the history to command that depth of respect ... Yet.

Virginia Tech seems nouveau rich. That surprising breakthrough into its first national title game against Florida State in 1999 almost seemed flukish. The Hokies, after all, went 36 years without being ranked in the Associated Press poll (1957-93). Before Michael Vick led them in that magical season, they had cracked the AP Top 10 poll just once in the program's entire history, for a single week, in 1996, according to the school's media guide. - College Football -

Now the Hokies won't go away.

They've been a regular in the Top 25 ever since and crept to No. 3 this week.

Coach Frank Beamer, 58, epitomizes this program's understated power.

Anybody who follows college football knows Florida State's Bobby Bowden and Penn State's Joe Paterno have won more games than anybody else in college football with more than 300 victories each. - College Football -

Guess who's No. 3 among active coaches?

With 181 victories, it's Beamer, whose work in that remote campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains is much admired by his coaching brethren if not celebrated by national pundits.

With Michael's little brother, Marcus, at quarterback, and another ferocious Virginia Tech defense and gifted special teams units in place, the chemistry is familiar. - College Football -

The Hokies (4-0) travel to West Virginia on Saturday in a bid to keep alive Tech's hopes of a first trip to the Rose Bowl and a return to the national championship game.

"Every time we play we try to go out there and prove to the country that we belong," cornerback Jimmy Williams told the Roanoke Times this week. "If we keep doing what we're doing, the world will see that we do belong."

While Vick is showing some of the same gifts that made his brother special, the Hokies' defense is the foundation of this run. - College Football -

In the wake of Virginia Tech's 51-7 rout of Georgia Tech last weekend, the Walter Camp Foundation broke tradition in the presentation of its defense player of the week award. For the first time, the foundation gave the award to an entire defensive unit, honoring all the Virginia Tech defenders.

The Hokies have allowed just 23 points and two touchdowns in their four victories.

"I think they're the best football team I've seen since I've been in the ACC," Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey said. - College Football -

Folks in Blacksburg would like to see how that defense would fare against USC's high-powered offense in the Rose Bowl.

The blitz

2005-09-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Former ESPN college reporter found dead

GREEN LAKE, Wis. -- Adrian Karsten, a former college football sideline reporter for ESPN, was found dead at his home just before he was scheduled to report to federal prison for tax evasion. He was 45.

Karsten was expected to report to a facility in Rochester, Minn., this week to serve an 11-month prison sentence followed by probation after pleading guilty to failing to file federal income tax returns. - College Football -

Green Lake County sheriff's deputies found Karsten dead in his home in the town of Brooklyn on Friday.

The coroner's office was still investigating the death Tuesday and declined comment, saying the sheriff's department would release more information on Wednesday.

Investigators said there was no indication of foul play and ''the death does not appear to be suspicious,'' according to a statement. - College Football -

Karsten pleaded guilty in March to two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns totaling about $363,000 in income from 2000 and 2002.

Karsten began his career at ESPN as a production assistant in 1983 and was a reporter from 1991-03, ESPN spokesman Michael Humes said. Humes declined to comment on whether Karsten left voluntarily or was fired. - College Football -

After pleading guilty, Karsten was allowed to ''do scouting for the Minnesota Vikings'' in April, according to a letter from his lawyer to the judge.

2005-08-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Weekend TV loads up on games

By Jack Carey, USA TODAY

If you're a college football fan and it seems as if you've had to wait longer than usual to watch games this year, it's because you really have.

But fret not, King Football is coming, and soon, to a network near you.

Major college teams kick off the season Thursday, and five games will be televised, including the return to the sideline of new South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. The Gamecocks host Central Florida at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Saturday's schedule includes two high-profile coaching debuts when Notre Dame (Charlie Weis) travels to Pittsburgh (Dave Wannstedt) at 8 ET on ABC. An hour earlier, defending national champion Southern California opens at Hawaii (ESPN2).

All told, in the first weekend of the season, there will be at least 34 college games televised from Thursday to Monday. That's 11 more than graced TV schedules over Labor Day weekend last year.

The increase is largely because of the addition of ESPNU to the network lineup and more games broadcast on College Sports TV.

The season is starting later than usual this year because the NCAA has discontinued "preseason" games such as the Kickoff Classic and Pigskin Classic, contests previously held in late August.

That means nearly every team opens this weekend, and, because the NFL doesn't, there will be three college games televised Sunday.

The pros get going Sept. 8, and there will be football of some sort nationally televised for 25 of the month's 30 days.

Too much of a good thing?

"In this multichannel universe, it seems the only point where you'll reach saturation is when every game is televised," said Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University.

"The opportunities exceed the ability of most people, even rabid fans, to consume. Because of that, are people going to quit watching? I don't think so. They can't watch all of them, but they'll watch the ones they're most interested in."

2005-08-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

College Football Player death

Illinois Wesleyan football player dies following heatstrokePEORIA, Ill. (AP) _
Illinois Wesleyan football player Doug Schmied has died after suffering from heatstroke during practice last week.The 6-foot-3, 285-pound, Schmied became ill Friday when it was about 90 degrees during practice and was taken to a regional medical center. He was moved to O-S-F Saint Francis Medical Center on Sunday and placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit where he died on Wednesday at the age of 21.University president Richard Wilson says that there will be a review of the events leading to the player's hospitalization.

Associated Press.

2005-08-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Duo keeps North Texas grounded

The University of North Texas is starting to sprawl on both sides of Interstate 35 with a student enrollment of more than 31,000. But it's still a David among Goliaths in college football.
The Mean Green play at 30,500-seat Fouts Field, which resembles an overgrown high school facility. Their only I-A consensus All-American is Mean Joe Greene (1968), whose photo hangs on the side of the small press box. (Related item: Sun Belt odds and ends)
North Texas, which only resumed I-A status in 1995 after a 12-year absence, hardly seems the likely place for the nation's top rushers to roam. - College Football -
Yet the last two seasons, Patrick Cobbs (2003) and Jamario Thomas (2004) have led I-A in rushing. It's the first time two backs from the same I-A school have done it in consecutive seasons since 1970, when the NCAA began tracking per-game rushing statistics.
Thomas and Cobbs, who seem to mirror the laid-back attitudes in this far north Texas town, will share the spotlight for the first time when the Mean Green open at LSU on Sept. 3.
"They are really both small-town country kids," North Texas coach Darrell Dickey said. "Patrick drives a pickup truck, and he is from Tecumseh (Okla.), 30 miles out of Norman. Jamario is from Longview (Texas), about two, three hours from here."
They were a perfect fit for North Texas. - College Football -
The 5-9 Cobbs, a fifth-year senior, needed a scholarship from a I-A school; his only other offer was from Division II Missouri Southern. Cobbs, who weighed 188 and was a high school power lifter, was labeled too small and too slow for major schools.
"When he got here, we saw early in two-a-days he was probably a little quicker and faster than people thought," Dickey said of Cobbs, who now weighs about 205. "And he was an extremely hard worker and extremely unselfish." - College Football -
The 5-11, 195-pound Thomas, a sophomore, had interest from Arizona State and Texas Tech, among other big-time schools. He came from a small high school and ran track, which showcased his speed.
Thomas wanted to stay close to home, play for a run-oriented team and find an academic program that could help with his dyslexia. He found all those in Denton.
Thomas led the nation in rushing as a freshman (180.1 yards a game) in 2004 after Cobbs, who led as a junior in 2003 (152.7 yards a game), suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game. - College Football -
North Texas coaches were considering redshirting Thomas, a true freshman, last year. But he impressed them in two-a-days. When the team went to Texas for the 2004 opener, Thomas gasped when he saw the sellout crowd of nearly 83,000 in Austin. Almost as an afterthought, he carried twice in a 65-0 loss to the Longhorns.
"It was, 'Oh, my God, all these people,' " he said of Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. "I didn't know that many people watched a football game."
Cobbs went down the next week against Florida Atlantic. Then a week later Dickey told Thomas he was a starter during the pregame breakfast. - College Football -
On his first play, Thomas streaked 57 yards for a touchdown against Colorado in Boulder. He was on his way to the rushing title, only the third I-A freshman to do so.
"I didn't think it was possible," Thomas said. "After that (first run), I stopped selling myself short."
As Cobbs was rehabilitating his knee, Thomas set a I-A freshman record with six 200-plus yards rushing games and tied a I-A record (for any class) of five 200-yard rushing games in a row. That record had been held by Southern California's Marcus Allen and Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders. - College Football -
Oklahoma freshman Adrian Peterson gained more yards than Thomas, 1,925 to 1,801, but did it in three more games. So Peterson's average was only 148.1 yards.
"The way we produce running backs here, we just plugged another one in, and it worked out well," North Texas junior wide receiver Johnny Quinn said. "We were down for a little bit (after Cobbs' injury). But we play Colorado, and on the opening play, when he takes it to the house, you know you have something special." - College Football -
Giving each other a breather
Now, for the first time, Cobbs and Thomas will be playing together. That's another statistical anomaly since 1970: two I-A rushing champions playing for the same team the same season.
"In any program, you would be surprised to have that situation, whether you are at North Texas or Alabama," said North Texas athletics director Rick Villarreal, a former college football coach. "Yet when you get to know these kids, it is not hard to figure out. They are kids who, in every area of their life, take care of business."
Cobbs has one degree in applied arts and sciences and is expected to get another in sociology by December. Thomas hasn't had any problems with his major in applied arts and sciences despite his learning disability, Dickey said. - College Football -
They never miss workouts or practice. Cobbs also plays on the punt block and punt return teams. Both can be pass receivers, although Cobbs is more advanced.
So who starts? North Texas lists its 2005 starting I-back as Cobbs or Thomas. The Sun Belt Conference lists them as co-preseason Most Valuable Offensive Players as voted by the coaches and selected media.
"At times, they will play in the same backfield," Dickey said. "We don't see it as being a problem because of the type of kids they are. They became very good friends. Patrick went on every trip (after he got hurt). Over the course of the season, when Jamario would come off the field, the first person with him was Patrick. He would go talk to him, and Patrick would say, 'Here is what they are doing.' " - College Football -
Dickey said both have great vision and balance. He gives the edge in speed to Thomas and the edge in strength to Cobbs. He hints at a split backfield but still a variation of North Texas' run-oriented I-offense.
"It is very tough to have them sit on the sideline a long period of time," offensive coordinator Ramon Flanigan said. "The toughest thing is figuring out what they don't do well. ... Fortunately and unfortunately for us, they do everything well."
Said senior offensive lineman Dylan Lineberry: "Patrick is more of a bruiser. Jamario is more of a slippery guy. He makes two or three guys miss." - College Football -
Cobbs and Thomas said they are looking forward to getting breathers this year. In 2003 Cobbs carried the ball more than 30 times in six games. In 2004 Thomas rushed more than 30 times in six games, including a season-high 41 against Louisiana-Monroe. Fewer carries might mean more durability for both. Like Cobbs, Thomas has added muscle and weighs about 215.
"Me and Jamario will get to split time," Cobbs said. "It will be double duty for the defense."
No stranger to adversity - College Football -
As Dickey looks out his office window in a new athletic complex toward busy I-35, he can only chuckle at his good fortune to have found these backs. He needed some luck. Coaching in a cash-strapped program that has had to play road games against Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, Kansas State, Alabama and Arkansas for a big-money guarantee hasn't been easy.
And last season, North Texas' starting quarterback, Andrew Smith, was killed in an auto accident in early August, only three days before fall drills were to begin.
Smith's death and Cobbs' injury could have wrecked the season had Thomas not popped up and led the nation in rushing.
"Our kids know how to work and how to handle adversity because we have had a ton of it," Dickey said, alluding to tough non-conference slates that resulted in 0-5, 1-5, 1-3 and 0-4 starts from 2001-04 but ended in Sun Belt titles. - College Football -
But overcoming adversity isn't always rewarded or noticed. That's particularly true for North Texas' star running backs.
Neither Cobbs in 2003 nor Thomas in 2004 was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back by the Dallas-based SMU Athletic Forum.
Because the Sun Belt competition isn't perceived as strong as the Big 12's might be one reason the North Texas players are bypassed. But Dickey noted that Thomas averaged 6.9 yards last year against three Big 12 teams and 6.6 against Sun Belt teams.
"I feel like if it was somebody at Oklahoma or Oklahoma State or if North Carolina had the numbers these kids had, they'd be among the top eight," Dickey said.
Flanigan, a former Southern Methodist quarterback, suspects this all has to do with SMU, a traditional football school, looking down on North Texas. "It would not look good for (SMU officials) for a little, poor school up the road to win their prestigious award. But those are things which drive our kids and our coaches." - College Football -
Chris Rentzel, chair of the SMU Athletic Forum board, said Thomas was considered just like the other freshmen for the 2004 Doak Walker Award, which was won by Texas senior Cedric Benson.
"It honestly had nothing to do with anti-North Texas SMU bias," Rentzel said. "Jamario was turning up yards, but nobody was seeing it."
Thomas' and Cobbs' names are going to be submitted for this season. SMU begins a two-game series in 2006 with North Texas. - College Football -
Anticipating good results
Neither player seems too concerned about the Doak Walker Award. They are more focused on leading the Mean Green to a fifth consecutive Sun Belt title and extending a 25-game league winning streak. But they will have to do it with a quarterback who has never taken a snap in college.
A starting quarterback must emerge from several candidates in fall drills. Yet the Mean Green entered the 2002 season with no experience at quarterback and still won the Sun Belt title. So it can be done, Dickey said. And North Texas' 1-2 punch at running back has a chemistry all its own. It's the buzz of North Texas this summer. - College Football -
"The fans will be giddier than I will be," Flanigan said of the double-trouble backfield. "My biggest nightmare is messing them up. We know what they can do individually. I have to find balance."

Steve Richardson,
USA TODAY

2005-08-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Corky: NCCA fails with ruling on mascots

The use of American Indian mascots by college teams participating in NCAA tournaments has been outlawed by the organization, which says it's OK during the regular season and that football can do whatever it wants. - College Football -
Say what?
Talk about a no-brainer.
With no brains at all, the NCAA has banned mascots at 18 schools. Sort of.
Nicknames considered "hostile or abusive" will not be allowed on the uniforms "or other clothing" beginning with any NCAA tournament after Feb. 1.
During the regular season, Central Michigan can be the Chippewas if it wishes. Illinois can be the Illini, as long as it behaves. - College Football -
And Utah, Arizona's opponent Sept. 2 in the opening game of the 2005 football season, can still be the Utes, but not in postseason basketball.
Schools can be hostile and abusive in football because the NCAA does not run postseason competition in that sport, although the Bowl Championship Series will weigh in next month on whether to adopt the new restrictions. - College Football -
"What each institution decides to do is really its own business" outside NCAA championship events, said Walter Harrison, chairman of the NCAA executive committee. He is the president of the University of Hartford, which has a politically safe nickname of Hawks.
Basketball teams will no longer be allowed to send mascots along to the NCAA Tournament. Nor will they be permitted to wear these naughty, offensive and icky names stitched to their uniforms. - College Football -
"The NCAA objects to institutions using racial-ethnic-national origin references in their intercollegiate athletics program," NCAA president Myles Brand said.
Guess that means no more Fighting Irish at Notre Dame or Albion College Britons. They will need to think about the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.
Maybe the NCAA should change the site of the 2006 men's Final Four from the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Talk about offensive! Indian-apolis, Indiana? NCAA headquarters should move from that city immediately. - College Football -
The women's 2006 Final Four must switch from Boston, Massachusetts (another Indian word, "near the great hill").
The 2007 women's Final Four in Cleveland? No way, it's in Ohio, an Iroquois Indian word ("something great"). Not to mention Cleveland being home of the baseball Indians.
"All institutions are encouraged to promote these core values and take proactive steps at every NCAA event through institutional event-management," Brand said.
Uh-huh. Is there an interpreter in the house? - College Football -

CORKY SIMPSON
Tucson Citizen

2005-07-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for some football?

With the tediousness of the summer sports season winding down -- all NFL training camps will open within a week -- it's time to get the football juices flowing by posing the following questions:Who will win the Super Bowl?No NFL team has ever won three consecutive Lombardi trophies, and only one team in the modern era, the 1965-67 Green Bay Packers, ever won three consecutive NFL Championships (the Packers' last two NFL titles were Super Bowls I-II). So history is stacked prohibitively against New England from equalling the feat.And that's before one considers that the Patriots are bringing in both a new offensive and defensive coordinator. Having to replace one would be challenging enough. But with two, it's hard to fathom that there isn't some sort of adjustment period. - College Football -
How long would it take? Tough to say. Would it matter much anyway? Well, during the Patriots' three Super Bowl seasons, they had to go on the road twice to win the AFC Championship.Tom Brady's health is key, of course. The loss of Tedi Bruschi, while demoralizing in the locker room, probably won't mean much on the field. Remember, this is a team that cut team leader Lawyer Milloy just days before the 2003 season opener, watched him sign with Buffalo -- the Pats' season opener that year -- and deliver some big plays in a 31-0 shellacking. - College Football -
Two weeks later, the Pats started an NFL-record 21-game winning streak. In between was a Super Bowl victory against Carolina.The Patriots are obviously the favorite to threepeat until someone says otherwise by ending their season with a loss.Who could be that team?In the AFC East, the Pats face challenges from the New York Jets and Buffalo. Both teams, while full of strengths, have some question marks. In New York, can Curtis Martin again put up the season he had last year, when, at 31, he become the oldest player to lead the NFL in rushing yards?In Buffalo, can the Bills get enough from first-year starter J.P. Losman, who is replacing over-the-hill Drew Bledsoe, to complement an outstanding defense that ranked second overall and an offense featuring Willis McGahee, Eric Moulds and Lee Evans.Ben Roethlisberger proved a keeper as Pittsburgh's quarterback, but his performance in the playoffs left a lot to be desired. - College Football -
Will another year under his belt make a difference?If Indianapolis could've avoided New England at all the last two seasons, it's likely the Colts could've won back-to-back titles instead of the Patriots. Can Peyton Manning get them over the hump?There are others, but those four represent the best threats to end the Patriots' reign.Who will make the most noise in the Big 12?Texas has the biggest games: at Ohio State on Sept. 10, followed by their annual tilt against Oklahoma on Oct. 8. If the Longhorns win both, it'll be tough to envision them not playing for, at worst, a share of the national title.But the surest bet for quickest start belongs to Texas Tech. - College Football -
The Red Raiders' early schedule is truly pathetic, with non-conference games against Florida International, Sam Houston State and Indiana State. They start conference play against three teams from the North Division (vs. Kansas, at Nebraska, vs. Kansas State).There's no reason to believe the Red Raiders won't be 6-0 entering their Oct. 22 game at Texas. Then reality sets in.Could a big-name team be shut out of the national title race, a la Auburn last season?Very likely. USC is heads and shoulders above everyone in the Pac-10, although a late-season non-conference game against Fresno State is a trap game if there ever was one. - College Football -
The Tennessee-Florida winner could run the table. We know what Texas has to do to get into the mix. That's three teams, and we haven't even gotten to Michigan or any of the ACC favorites.This corner is salivating over a USC-Florida matchup in the Rose Bowl. You'd have the two-time defending national champions against a team coached by Urban Meyer, who has set college football ablaze at Bowling Green and Utah with his innovative spread offense. With it, Meyer-coached teams have gone 39-8 the last four years.It couldn't be any worse than last year's title game, right? - College Football -

PATRICK SHELTRA
Traveler News Editor

2005-07-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Local coach is spirit of surviving all-star game

Only a handful of summer All-Star football games exist in the state. Cal-Hi Sports recently tabbed them a dying breed.
Yet, the Silicon Valley Youth Classic, which kicks off for the 31st time at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at San Jose City College, still thrives. - College Football -
A called the Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Game, it pits many of the top 2005 graduated players from Santa Clara County.
Some of the more famous former participants include present and former NFL players Jeff Garcia, Doug Cosbie, Jeff Ulbrich and Pat Tillman.
How has this game survived while most struggle to stay alive?
Local coaches point to Wedemeyer, a devoted sponsor in the Almaden Valley Rotary Club and the game's spread-the-wealth philosophy.
"They really make sure all the schools in the area get represented," said Valley Christian coach Mike Machado, who has coached in three of the games. "It gets everyone in the community involved."
Said Pioneer head coach Mark Krail, who will coach the South team: "There's not a win-at-all-cost feeling out there. It's just a good, clean time and great opportunity to showcase these kids and give them one last shining moment."
The game benefits numerous local charities, including ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), one which afflicts but not deters Wedemeyer. - College Football -
The former Hawaii prep football star -- once named the state's "Player of the Decade" by a local newspaper -- and starter at Michigan State, Wedemeyer was diagnosed with ALS in 1977 while coaching Los Gatos High.
Doctors gave him three years to live, but he's still flourishing. He continues to help Los Gatos' freshman team despite not being able to walk or talk (his wife Lucy reads lips and translates), and he is totally dependent on a respirator to breathe.
"His spirit and mind are incredible," Machado said. "How could you not possibly be inspired by watching him live his life?" - College Football -
Charlie and Lucy Wedemeyer's lives have been well-chronicled in a PBS documentary, a made-for-TV movie and an autobiographical book, "Charlie's Victory." He's a worldwide motivational speaker and each year coaches a flag- football game for the wives of 49ers players.
As well known as he has become, only one game carries his name, which is one of the reasons he speaks -- through Lucy -- to both teams before each game.
"He's not just a nameplate or figurehead for the game," Machado said. "His presence is the game and all it represents." - College Football -
Close calls: The last four games, three which were won by the South, have been decided by a touchdown or less, including a 20-15 South win last July.
This year's game figures to be run versus pass. Led by quarterbacks Erik Rollin (Los Gatos), Nathan Ford (Palo Alto) and Kiel Trudeau (Leigh), along with a host of strong receivers, the North will come out throwing.
The North is flooded with outstanding running backs, led by Burton Iosefa (Oak Grove), Hasaan Jackson (Mt. Pleasant), Steven Pinon (Piedmont Hills) and Marlon Rosales (Santa Teresa).
"Those guys are all real athletic," Krail said. "We plan to use them all night."
Golf central: Numerous local boys, including Joseph Bramlett (St. Francis), Jordan Cox (Serra) and Roberto Galletti (De La Salle), continue play today at the 58th U.S. Golf Association Junior Amateur at Long Meadow (Mass.) Country Club. - College Football -
On Monday, Galletti had the top local score at even-par 70 (tied for 24th). Stroke play among the 156 players concludes today with the top 64 advancing to Wednesday's first round of match play. The tourney concludes Saturday. - College Football -
The same format is set for the 57th Junior Girls Amateur at BanBury Golf Club in Eagle, Idaho.
Among the top Bay Area entries are Joanne Lee (Carlmont), Christina Corpus (San Leandro), Emily Childs (Alameda), Christine Hirano (Pinole Valley) and Ki-Shui Liao (Alameda).
Corpus is tied for third after a 4-under 67 on Monday. Liao is tied for 44th at 74, and Childs and Hirano are tied for 57th at 75. - College Football -
-- The 77th San Francisco Junior Open begins today and goes through Thursday at Lincoln Park Golf Course. It is the oldest junior tournament in the nation.
Briefly: Longtime Wallenberg girls basketball coach Aki Kuwada has left to take the same job at Lowell. ... Maxpreps.com has signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with the CIF and its Section, Regional and State championship events. The national Internet site, which is based in Cameron Park near Sacramento, is now the official licensee for action photos of CIF playoffs. ... The Sonoma Fencing Academy, featuring Ben Anderson (Sonoma Academy), Sam Perkins (Petaluma), Alex Simmons (Sonoma Valley) and Forrest MacDougall (home-schooled), won the under-20 gold medal at the 10-day U.S. National Championships, which concluded last week in Sacramento. - College Football -

Mitch Stephens

2005-07-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

BCS sets up replacement poll

The method for choosing this season’s college football champion has been worked out, but there are no guarantees it will prevent a repeat of last season’s madness.
Bowl Championship Series officials announced Monday that a newly created poll, to be administered by Harris Interactive, will replace The Associated Press in the BCS selection process. - College Football -
AP, citing a conflict of interests, pulled its poll from the BCS formula in December after some of its voters became embroiled in controversy over the complicated selection of Texas, instead of California, to play in the Rose Bowl. California had finished ahead of Texas in both human polls but fifth to Texas’ fourth in the final BCS standings.
Rather than revamp the 7-year-old BCS system or scrap it altogether, officials created another poll to replace the AP’s in the formula. - College Football -
“We have to have a rankings system to make this structure work,” BCS coordinator Kevin Weiberg said. “It’s not a playoff structure. ... We’ve tried to find balance between human polls and computer polls that can work.”
Voting in the Harris poll will be former coaches, former players, administrators and media members. The names of the panelists will not be revealed until Harris has completed its target goal of 114 commitments. - College Football -
Harris poll spokesman John Kennedy said Monday that more than 80 voters had already agreed to participate, adding, “We’re recruiting as we speak.”
Harris drew from more than 300 names that were presented for nomination by the 11 Division I-A conferences and independent schools, including Notre Dame.
To make the poll regionally balanced, it is anticipated that each conference will be represented by 10 voters. - College Football -
The Harris Interactive College Football Poll will make its debut Sept. 25 and will be released weekly through Dec. 4, with final ballots made public. Weiberg said Harris voters would be free to release their weekly votes if they chose.
The voting coaches in the other poll, whose credibility was attacked last season in the California-Texas controversy because they chose to keep their weekly votes anonymous, agreed in the off-season to make their final ballots public this year. - College Football -
The basic structure of the BCS standings remains intact.
The Harris poll joins the USA TODAY coaches poll – ESPN has withdrawn as a co-sponsor – and a computer component in the three-part BCS formula.
The polls will be weighted equally and calculated to a point total. The top two schools in the final BCS standings will play for the BCS national championship Jan. 4 in the Rose Bowl.
Weiberg reiterated Monday there was no movement among college presidents to establish a playoff. He acknowledged that the creation of a new poll did not diminish the possibility for more controversy. - College Football -

Chris Dufresne
Los Angeles Times

2005-07-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

Lee County's Glover signs on to play for Andrew College
Christina Glover's determination more than makes up for her size.

LEESBURG — Christina Glover didn't like not making Lee County High School's softball team last year.
She didn't sulk about it long, however. When the high school sports world threw her a curve, she struck back with a vengeance. It motivated Glover to work even harder, knowing she had the potential to make that team. - College Football -
Recently, Andrew College head coach P.D. Anglea saw that potential Glover knew she had all along and gave her a scholarship to play for his team. She signed with the junior college in Cuthbert on Tuesday at the Kinchafoonee Softball Complex.
"It was really exciting," Glover said, recalling her scholarship offer. "I'm getting money toward my college tuition for just playing softball. My dad had been pushing me since day one, and it's just a really good feeling." - College Football -
At just 4-foot-11, Glover doesn't exactly fit the size of your typical softball player. But it was her grit during her tryout that impressed Anglea.
"The determination she had, that more than made up for her size," Anglea said. "She really wants to play softball." - College Football -
Of the six candidates who tried out by practicing with Andrew's team, Glover's glove work and speed made her stand out. In fact, Anglea not only is going to give Glover a chance to start in the outfield, he also was impressed with her bat and foot speed. With those abilities, she could also be used as a pinch-runner.
This is just the culmination of a softball journey that started at age 7 for Glover.
"While with my friends, we always got out and practiced, and that made me like the game even more," Glover said. "But by the time I was 13, I lost interest because softball became more about winning. You've got to have fun. Fun is what it's all about. It's nice to win, but if you're not having fun it ain't worth it." - College Football -
Glover said she hadn't played fast-pitch softball in a year and recently played in a slow-pitch league affiliated with the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department. That isn't as big an obstacle as having to overcome injuries she sustained in an auto accident June 17. She had a punctured lung, a bruised liver and three fractures in her pelvis.
"Other than that, I'm fine," Glover said with a laugh. "I can't wait until I play softball again."
Despite the injuries, Glover's doctor said she could be playing this fall. - College Football -
"I'm expecting her to play," Anglea said. "She told me she was going to be ready to play so I believe her."

Scott Chancey

2005-06-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

VIRGINIA TECH NOTES

INTEREST IN THE DRAFT: The football staff kept an eye on last week's baseball draft. Dorian Porch, a defensive back signee from Calhoun, Ga., was seen as a possible baseball draft pick who would have then had to choose between college football and pro baseball. The Hokies lost signee Kenny Lewis of Danville to pro baseball two years ago.

But Porch, 5-11, went undrafted and will join the Hokies for the 2005 season.
"Obviously, to be considered a baseball prospect and to be a Division I-A football prospect, he's a pretty good athlete," defensive coordinator Bud Foster said.
The defensive backfield is an area of concern for Tech. The Hokies lost cornerback Eric Green, rover James Griffin and safety Vincent Fuller.
Redshirt freshman Roland Minor will join senior Jimmy Williams as a starting cornerback. D.J. Parker moves from corner to safety. His backup, Justin Hamilton (a converted running back), has an ankle injury. The Hokies still aren't sure if converted outside linebacker Aaron Rouse or Cary Wade will start at rover.
Tech's depth could be affected by the legal problems facing redshirt freshmen cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Theodore Miller. They were arrested late last month on misdemeanor firearms charges and have a July 28 court date.
Either way, it appears there's opportunity for Porch and fellow recruits Victor "Macho" Harris of Highland Springs, Stephan Virgil of Rocky Mount, N.C., and Jahre Cheeseman of Voorhees, N.J.
"We need some more depth [at corner]. There may be a young kid we have to take a look at and see if they can help us," Foster said.
"Safety is a concern still, but I feel a lot better after the last two weeks of spring practice. D.J. Parker really came along. I worry about our depth there. At rover, I still don't know if Rouse is the guy. Cary Wade is one of our most improved players. I have a lot of confidence in him, and D. J. Walton has done well. We can man that position, to a degree, by committee. We'll see."
NO VISITING: A planned visit with the Baltimore Ravens didn't work out for Foster and his defensive staff, but defensive backs coach Lorenzo "Whammy" Ward is spending time with the Ravens' staff.
"He's been invited to their mini-camp," Foster said. "Rex Ryan, their defensive coordinator, has run a similar package to ours over the years. His dad [Buddy] was instrumental in running the 46 package. . . . We're looking at different ways we can get to it, different things we can implement in our scheme."
Foster has spent some time studying film of Southern California and Louisiana State.
"We studied a lot of Southern Cal, they've won back-to-back national championships," Foster said, "so we look at what they're doing defensively. What we do is solid, we're just finding a few little wrinkles we can mess with."
FEATURED SPEAKER: Foster leaves today for San Angelo, Texas, where he will be one of the speakers tomorrow at a clinic that he said will draw about 3,000 coaches. Others on the program, Foster said, are Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, Texas coach Mack Brown, Texas defensive coordinator Gene Chizik (formerly at Auburn) and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis.
"This is the third time they've asked me to speak there, and it's really quite an honor," Foster said.
A GOOD IMPRESSION: Cheick Diakite, one of Tech's four men's basketball recruits, already is on campus. The 6-8, 230-pounder from Bamako, Mali, enrolled for the first summer session. Diakite played at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton, Maine, last season.
"He looks great. He's a monster in the weight room," Tech coach Seth Greenberg said. "He has a great work ethic it looks like. He seems like he's fitting in well. He has a smile on his face all the time."
Greenberg said his three other recruits - 6-6 A.D. Vassallo from Santa Maria Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, 6-8 Terrance Vinson of Valdosta, Ga., and 6-9 Hyman Taylor of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - will enroll for the second summer session, which begins July 5.
"Cheick finished school early and he's not going back to Mali, so this was a chance to get him two sessions academically and get him acclimated to a different environment," Greenberg said.
Junior forward Coleman Collins and junior guard Zabian Dowdell will work as counselors at an adidas camp in Atlanta next month, Greenberg said. Junior guard Jamon Gordon may join them.
ANOTHER YEAR FOR JULLIEN? Spyridon Jullien, an Athens, Greece, native who won two national championships for Tech this year (weight throw at NCAA indoor track meet, hammer throw at outdoor), will probably get a fourth year to compete for the Hokies.
Jullien started college in Greece without taking the SAT or ACT. He took a standardized test before enrolling at Tech, but because he had already started college, that meant the Hokies couldn't accept those scores for athletic qualification purposes and had to treat Jullien like a non-qualifier.
To get his year back, Jullien must complete 80 percent of the requirements for a degree by the start of his fifth season, and he is on track to do so. Tim Parker, Tech's assistant athletic director for compliance, said new legislation passed in April makes that possible. Before, Jullien would have had to earn a degree to get that fourth year.
"He's currently not at 80 percent, so we can't say with certainty he'll get that year, but we expect him to," Parker said. "There's a lot at stake and, knowing this guy, he will not fall short." - Mike Harris
Richmond Times-Dispatch

College Football Information

2005-06-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

College Football Information