NCAA (College Football)

oobi · Post time 11-9-2007 04:03 AM

- college football (NCAA) -

0-2 showdown: Hart says Michigan will beat Irish

ESPN.com news services
Updated: September 10, 2007, 2:20 PM ET

Link to original article

College football fans looking for a top-caliber game to invest their time in Saturday can't lose by watching No. 1 USC at No. 14 Nebraska. The same probably can't be said of this season's edition of Michigan-Notre Dame.

By Sunday, either the Wolverines or the Fighting Irish will be 0-3. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's job security seems shaky at best. Notre Dame hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in eight quarters.

Amid the sourness is the spice Michigan running back Mike Hart tried to sprinkle on this weekend's game: He guaranteed a Wolverines victory in Ann Arbor.

Chad Henne grimaces in pain after being injured Saturday. The QB is week-to-week and Michigan wouldn't disclose the exact nature of his injury.

AP Photo/Tony Ding

"This team's going to be ready to go, there's no doubt in my mind. I'm not going to lose. We're not going to lose," Hart said Saturday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It is what it is. Obviously, I talk. I talk a lot, everyone knows that. I mean what I say. It came out in there because I feel like we're being doubted. I feel like it's something we need."

That left Carr on the spot just a day after his Wolverines, who were upset by Appalachian State in their season opener, suffered their most-lopsided defeat in 39 years, 39-7 to Oregon, also at home.

"I'm not surprised by anything Mike Hart says," Carr said, according to the Free Press. "Do I like it? He said it, and he's got to back it up. We've got to back him up right now, I guess. What do you want him to say? We're not gonna win?

"That certainly will give Notre Dame some ammunition. But, hey, it doesn't matter what's said. It's really what happens when the ball is teed up. So we'll see."

The Irish have been outscored by 51 points in losses to Georgia Tech (33-3) and Penn State (31-10), their lone touchdown at Happy Valley coming on a 73-yard interception return by Darrin Walls for the game's first score.

Hearing Hart's pledge, a chagrined Charlie Weis said on Sunday, "If I watched the [Notre Dame] games the last two weeks, I might have made the guarantee myself."

Carr's Wolverines have opened a season with two straight losses at home for the first time since 1959 and have dropped four straight, dating to last season, for the first time in four decades. The 32-point loss to Oregon was Michigan's worst since losing 50-14 at Ohio State in 1968, the season before Bo Schembechler's debut in Ann Arbor.

By the second loss, discussion over whether Carr could hold on to his job through the season began to swell. Les Miles, who coaches second-ranked LSU and played for and coached under Schembechler at Michigan, has been labeled as a potential successor.

"You know what? I've got to be real honest with you. I have not given a lot of thought to it because frankly it's something that's not eminent," Miles said, according to the Lafayette, La., Daily Advertiser. "I want to look at this football team, and if anything that I did in talking about or thinking about that took me away from this football team, it'd be unfair to them. So I really don't want to talk about it. I don't like that talk.

"I can only tell you honestly that I'm not going to give any thought to it. I'm not going to worry about it. I've received no calls because I've put the word out, 'Leave me alone.' "

Adding to Carr's challenges is the absence of senior quarterback Chad Henne, who did not play in the second half against Oregon because of a lower leg injury and will not be available against the Irish. Henne's status is considered week to week.

Still, Carr remains upbeat despite a season that has lost all national championship appeal.

"I'm doing great," Carr said Saturday. "I've got great kids here. And you don't know me. But those who do know me, friend and foe, I think would agree that I'm a tough-minded competitive guy. And there isn't anything that comes my way that I can't handle, professionally. And there is nothing, there is nothing, that can keep me down. Not a loss to Appalachian State, not a loss to Oregon. Not a hundred losses. And not the loss of my job. And I think the same thing can be said for our team here, and the guys that play football at Michigan."

"It was one of those deals that when he started to run, you yell: `No! No! No! ... Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"' Welker said.

Hobbs made a few cuts to the left sideline and took off untouched into the end zone to give New England a 21-7 lead 14 seconds into the third quarter.

"When you start going, you can feel it opening up more and more," Hobbs said. "You just want to head for that end zone. I always try to find that sixth or seventh gear, the gear they don't even make."

The previous record for longest kickoff return was 106 yards by three players, most recently by Roy Green of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979.

The play also tied the record for longest in NFL history, matching the 108-yard missed field goal returns by Chicago's Devin Hester last season against the Giants, and the Bears' Nathan Vasher the previous season against San Francisco.

"That was tough to swallow," Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "It was tough for us to give up that."

Laveranues Coles had two touchdown catches for the Jets, who had a scare in the third quarter when quarterback Chad Pennington hobbled to the sideline with a lower right leg injury.

On second-and-12 from the Patriots 49, Pennington went back to throw and was hit hard by Jarvis Green. Pennington was slow to get up and was in obvious pain before standing up, then collapsing to the turf after taking a few steps. Pennington eventually hopped on his left leg to the sideline.

"I've never had a lower leg injury before," Pennington said. "I'm not going to lay there, I'll tell you that."

Pennington flung his helmet to the ground as he hopped over to the bench, where he was surrounded by team trainers. Kellen Clemens replaced him, but Pennington came back to start the Jets' next series with his right ankle heavily wrapped. He led the team on a scoring drive capped by Coles' 1-yard touchdown catch.

In the fourth quarter, Clemens again replaced Pennington, who decided it wasn't worth it to risk further injury. Pennington, 16-of-21 for 167 yards and the two touchdown passes to Coles, was uncertain how serious the injury is.

"The doctors are taking a look at it, and I'm sure I'll see them frequently this week and we'll go from there," he said before limping from the podium.

nhuser · Post time 11-9-2007 05:57 AM

What happened to Michigan?? Lost 2 games in a row and totally out from the top 25

oobi · Post time 11-9-2007 06:27 AM

yes, from top 5 to out of top 25 completely, in a week. i don't hate michigan, i just don't like them.

my first team is the irish. but, lately they look kind of arrogant (especially since charlie weis took over). i really like them when lou holtz was still coaching them. like the system too - especially with full house backs when close to the end zone. great for college, but will never work in the pro.

now, i'm going with my second team, the trojans! yes, the trojans! i chose them because one of my family members used to attend the school. i like pete carroll too, and he used to be a DC for the niners (besides being marine county native).

so, nhuser, who's your favorite college team? don't count sdsu (1-AA). not sure uc diego has any football team as CCAA doesn't have football program (unless they join difference conference, 1-AA or D-2, or stay independent).

nhuser · Post time 11-9-2007 07:03 AM

my fav teams are USC Trojans and Huskers.Aztecs?? I don't think any San Diegans care for this team. Need to do something other than losing all the time. Yes, UCSD doesn't have any football team.

oobi · Post time 14-9-2007 06:42 AM

Week Three

Games of the Week

Saturday September 15, 2007

(10) Ohio State Buckeyes

Washington Huskies

3:30 pm EDT

(22) Tennessee Volunteers

(5) Florida Gators

3:30 pm EDT

(16) Arkansas Razorbacks

Alabama Crimson Tides

6:45 pm EDT

(1) USC Trojans

(14) Nebraska Cornhuskers

8:00 pm EDT

oobi · Post time 15-9-2007 12:32 PM

[table=96%,lemonchiffon]

- ncaa football -

Serving Notice

By Tim Griffin
Special to ESPN.com
Updated: September 14, 2007, 2:16 PM ET

Link to original article

Even if his coach is trying to downplay the approaching game, Nebraska guard Matt Slauson is saying what almost everybody else in Nebraska is thinking about in anticipation of No. 1 USC's visit on Saturday (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

The Huskers have been out of the national spotlight for the past several seasons. Nebraska hasn't produced a 10-win season since 2003 and hasn't been in the national championship picture since before then.

All of that helps to make Saturday's game with the Trojans one of the most eagerly anticipated in school history.

"It's tough not to be extra juiced because it is the No. 1 team," Slauson told the Lincoln Journal-Star. "It's a big game."

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan has tried to make the Trojans seem like anybody else on the Cornhuskers' schedule.

"You don't get too high and don't get too low in terms of your approach," Callahan said. "It doesn't really matter who you are playing. You focus on what you have to get done and accomplish. The opponent is the opponent. We have great respect for whoever comes in here."

[table=95%,black]

Bill Callahan (right) could elevate his program with a win against USC.

Getty Images

But the presence of ESPN's "College GameDay" in Lincoln for the first time in six years adds a little more luster for a program that has been out of the public eye for the past few years.

It wasn't always that way.

When the Big 12 was formed, and before Texas coach Mack Brown and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops turned the conference into their own playground, Nebraska was arguably the nation's best football program. The Blackshirt defense was the scourge of opponents everywhere. Coach Tom Osborne won a share of three national championships during a six-year period. Memorial Stadium was the epicenter of college football.

Those days when Lawrence Phillips, Jason Peter, Tommie Frazier, Grant Wistrom and Ahman Green dominated opponents seem so long ago. The Cornhuskers haven't won 10 games in a season since coach Frank Solich's last season and have struggled to find a national identity under Callahan.

Saturday's game represents the biggest challenge for Callahan, who has posted a 3-6 record against ranked opponents and has not beaten a top-10 foe in five tries. But an upset could represent the national coming-out party for the former Oakland Raiders coach.

"I think it's a great competitive challenge for our football team," Callahan said. "We've been in big games before. We've played the Michigans and the Auburns and the Oklahomas and the Texases. And this is the next big game on our schedule.

oobi · Post time 16-9-2007 12:55 PM

- ncaa football -

Michigan Runs Over Notre Dame 38-0

By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
September 15, 2007

Link to original article

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan took care of Mike Hart's guarantee with ease.

Hart ran for 187 yards on 35 carries and scored two touchdowns, and Ryan Mallett threw for three scores, leading the Wolverines to a 38-0 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.

"You couldn't write it any better than that," Hart said.

Michigan handed the Fighting Irish their worst loss since beating them by the same score in 2003. The Wolverines (1-2) also avoided their first 0-3 start in seven decades.

Notre Dame receiver William David Williams (23) is stopped by Michigan linebacker Austin Panter (54) during the first quarter of a college football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Notre Dame (0-3) is winless after three games for just the second time in school history, putting coach Charlie Weis in unwanted company with Bob Davie. The Fighting Irish have lost five straight for the first time since the 1985-86 seasons, Gerry Faust's last year and Lou Holtz's first.

"My confidence isn't shaken," Weis said. "But as an organization, we haven't done a very good job."

In an unprecedented matchup of the two winningest programs in major college football, Michigan looked like it might not be that bad while the Fighting Irish appeared to be even worse than expected after losing to Penn State and Georgia Tech by a combined 51 points.

"We're starting training camp tomorrow," Weis said. "Obviously, after three games, this team is headed in the wrong direction. The only way I know how to fix that is to go back to the start of training camp and start swinging."

Hart, who after last week's loss 39-7 to Oregon guaranteed the Wolverines would beat Notre Dame, had a sensational performance, even against a defense stacked to stop him.

"I did it to fire myself up, and my team up," Hart said of the guarantee. "It worked out, I guess."

Michigan's defense suddenly was swarming to the football after giving up 73 points in losses to Appalachian State and Oregon.

Irish freshman Jimmy Clausen was 11-of-17 for just 74 yards and an interception. Clausen was sacked seven times, leading to Notre Dame's rushing total of minus-6.

Notre Dame running back Armando Allen (5) is taunted by Michigan defenders Morgan Trent (14) and Will Johnson (97), as John Thompson (49) stands nearby, after Allen was stopped on his carry during the fourth quarter of a football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 38-0.

(AP Photo/Tony Ding)

"I wouldn't want to be in his shoes," Mallett said. "But he's a great player."

Notre Dame prevented Clausen from taking further abuse in the fourth quarter, but had to use Evan Sharpley because backup quarterback Demetrius Jones stunned the team by not showing up for a team meal or the bus trip to Ann Arbor on Friday.

"What happened came as a surprise," Weis said. "I didn't find out until 2:15. The buses were going to pull out at 2:30. But I'm not going to use it as an excuse and say our team was distracted."

Fittingly, Sharpley threw an interception just as it seemed that Notre Dame might avoid a shutout and possibly score a TD on offense for the first time this season.

The Fighting Irish did move the ball enough on the ground on their final drive, however, to avoid breaking their school record of minus-12 yards rushing.

Starting because of an injury to Chad Henne, Mallett was asked to throw just 15 times in his first career start. The freshman had seven completions for 90 yards and TDs to receivers Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington and Greg Matthews.

"It was everything I dreamed of -- a win," Mallett said.

Henne, who had started each of his 39 games at Michigan, is out with what appears to be a knee injury. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has refused to give details, but Henne watched the game with a brace that seemed to be protecting his right knee. Carr said Henne is day-to-day.

It was ugly right from the start for Notre Dame.

The first snap sailed over running back Armando Allen's head, and the Fighting Irish lost 27 yards on their first two drives.

"Obviously, we thought we could do some things if we could get on top of them, but we started in the wrong direction," Weis said.

Notre Dame fumbled five times in the first half, losing two of them, and Clausen threw an interception, helping Michigan take a 31-0 lead.

The Wolverines just coasted in the second half, probably ending their stay in the national spotlight.

For the first time since The Associated Press started ranking teams in 1936, Michigan and Notre Dame were both unranked. They also entered the game winless for the first time, not counting openers.

Hart made his guarantee after the Wolverines' worst loss since 1968, and a week after they were upset by Appalachian State.

Michigan can't celebrate for long because it hosts No. 12 Penn State (3-0) on Saturday.

The Notre Dame leprechaun mascot walks the sidelines during the closing minutes of the team's 38-0 loss to Michigan in a football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

"You don't get much chance to enjoy the victory," Carr said. "But it's a lot better than suffering in defeat, I can tell you that."

Now, Notre Dame is college football's laughingstock, and the Irish might have trouble getting untracked next week against undefeated Michigan State at home -- where the Spartans have won five straight.

"We're not worried about Michigan and we're not worried about Michigan State," Weis said. "We're 0-3 with three lopsided losses, so it doesn't really matter who we are playing until we get good at something."

Updated on Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 9:08 pm, EDT

comment:

irish (0-3) next 5 games:

michigan state spartans (3-0)
at purdue boilermakers (3-0)
at #11 ucla bruins (2-1)
#21 boston college eagles (3-0)
usc trojans (2-0)

notre dame could start 0-8 for the first time in its history. will weis be fired (just like ty willingham)?

oobi · Post time 17-9-2007 01:22 PM

The Associated Press Top 25 - Week 4

RANK	TEAM (First Place Vote)	RECORD	POINTS	PREVIOUS
1	USC Trojans (46)	2-0	1605	1
2	LSU Tigers (19)	3-0	1577	2
3	Florida Gators	3-0	1437	5
4	Oklahoma Sooners	3-0	1434	3
5	West Virginia Mountaineers	3-0	1388	4
6	California Golden Bears	3-0	1232	8
7	Texas Longhorns	3-0	1169	6
8	Ohio State Buckeyes	3-0	1142	10
9	Wisconsin Badgers	3-0	1111	7
10	Penn State Nittany Lions	3-0	1041	12
11	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	3-0	956	13
12	South Carolina Gamecocks	3-0	814	17
13	Oregon Ducks	3-0	810	19
14	Boston College Eagles	3-0	792	21
15	Clemson Tigers	3-0	615	20
16	Alabama Crimson Tide	3-0	516	28
17	Virgina Tech Hokies	2-1	458	18
18	Louisville Cardinals	2-1	367	9
19	Hawaii Warriors	3-0	343	24
20	Texas A&M Aggies	3-0	342	25
21	Kentucky Wildcats	3-0	338	NR
22	Georgia Bulldogs	2-1	333	23
23	South Florida Bulls	2-0	285	26
24	Nebraska Cornhuskers	2-1	277	14
25	Missouri Tigers	3-0	228	27

oobi · Post time 21-9-2007 08:28 AM

Week Four

Games of the Week

Saturday September 22, 2007

(10) Penn State Nitanny Lions

Michigan Wolverines

3:30 pm EDT

(12) South Carolina Gamecocks

(2) LSU Tigers

3:30 pm EDT

(22) Georgia Bulldogs

(16) Alabama Crimson Tides

7:45 pm EDT

oobi · Post time 24-9-2007 05:45 AM

USA TODAY Coaches Top 25 - Week 5

RANK	TEAM (First Place Vote)	RECORD	POINTS	PREVIOUS	CONFERENCE
1	USC Trojans (44)	3-0	1481	1	Pac-10
2	LSU Tigers (8)	4-0	1438	2	SEC (West)
3	Florida Gators (4)	4-0	1347	3	SEC (East)
4	Oklahoma Sooners (4)	4-0	1336	4	Big-12 (South)
5	West Virginia Mountaineers	4-0	1260	5	Big East
6	California Golden Bears	4-0	1137	8	Pac-10
7	Texas Longhorns	4-0	1103	6	Big-12 (South)
8	Ohio State Buckeyes	4-0	1092	9	Big Ten
9	Wisconsin Badgers	4-0	1026	7	Big Ten
10	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	3-0	901	11	Big East
11	Boston College Eagles	4-0	881	12	ACC (Atlantic)
12	Oregon Ducks	4-0	878	13	Pac-10
13	Clemson Tigers	4-0	767	14	ACC (Atlantic)
14	Virginia Tech Hokies	3-1	585	17	ACC (Coastal)
15	Kentucky Wildcats	4-0	545	23	SEC (East)
16	Georgia Bulldogs	3-1	516	21	SEC (East)
17	Hawaii Warriors	4-0	479	16	WAC
18	South Florida Bulls	3-0	451	24	Big East
19	Penn State Nittany Lions	3-1	397	10	Big Ten
20	Missouri Tigers	4-0	369	25	Big-12 (North)
21	South Carolina Gamecocks	3-1	335	14	SEC (East)
22	Nebraska Cornhuskers	3-1	209	22	Big-12 (North)
23	Michigan State Spartans	4-0	167	32	Big Ten
24	Alabama Crimson Tide	3-1	154	20	SEC (West)
25	Purdue Boilermakers	4-0	151	31	Big Ten

oobi · Post time 28-9-2007 11:51 AM

Week Five

Games of the Week

Friday September 28, 2007

(5) West Virginia Mountaineers

(18) South Florida Bulls

8:00 pm EDT

Saturday September 29, 2007

(6) California Golden Bears

(11) Oregon Ducks

3:30 pm EDT

(22) Alabama Crimson Tide

Florida St. Seminoles

5:00 pm EDT

aishiteru · Post time 30-9-2007 06:00 AM

haha we just kicked sooners' ass in our yard. that was one hell of a game

oobi · Post time 30-9-2007 06:39 AM

- the buffaloes roam -

Colorado Holds High-Scoring No. 3 OU Offense in Check

By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Sports Writer
September 29, 2007

Link to original article

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Just as Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops predicted, the third-ranked Sooners couldn't run it up on Colorado. In fact, the Sooners couldn't even beat the Buffaloes.

Kevin Eberhart kicked a career-long 45-yard field goal as time expired to send Colorado past the stunned Sooners 27-24 Saturday.

It was the Buffaloes' first win over a top-five team since Dec. 1, 2001, when they bested Texas in the Big 12 title game.

After Eberhart's kick cleared the crossbar, the fans stormed the field as the dejected Sooners, who had blown a 24-7 second-half lead, walked off, their hopes of a national championship having taken a major hit.

The Sooners (4-1, 0-1) came in averaging a whopping 61.5 points to lead the nation. But behind a tough defense, the Buffs (3-2, 1-0) earned their biggest win under Dan Hawkins, who went 2-10 in his inaugural season last year.

The Buffaloes trailed 24-7 after Allen Patrick scored from 17 yards out following safety D.J. Wolfe's second interception of Buffs quarterback Cody Hawkins. His first one led to Juaquin Iglesias' 13-yard TD catch in the first half.

Hugh Charles scores in the second quarter. OU led 24-10 in the fourth.

AP Photo/Don Ryan

But Oklahoma, which had scored 50-plus points in each of their first four games, was stifled after that, and Colorado outgained the Sooners 219 yards to 46 in the second half.

Colorado began its comeback with Eberhart's 41-yarder to make it 24-10 in the third quarter.

After Ryan Walters picked off Sam Bradford, Hawkins hit Tyson DeVree for the score on fourth-and-goal from the 4, pulling Colorado to 24-17 on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Bradford, who was the second rated passer in the nation entering the game, finished 8-for-19 for 112 yards with two interceptions and was outplayed Hawkins, the Colorado coach's son.

The redshirt freshman was 22-for-36 for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

Colorado safety Daniel Dykes, top, intercepts a pass intended for Oklahoma wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias (9) while cornerback Benjamin Burney (42) pressures during the fourth quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. Colorado beat No. 3- ranked Oklahoma, 27-24.

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Sooners gave the Buffs a huge assist in their comeback when Reggie Smith muffed a fair catch and Colorado's Justin Drescher recovered at the OU 16.

Four plays later, Colorado tied it on Hawkins' 15-yard touchdown strike to Dusty Sprague with 4:05 remaining.

The Buffs forced another punt and Chase McBride's 33-yard return set up Colorado at midfield. Hawkins drove the Buffs to the 27, where Eberhart made the game-winner to give Colorado its biggest upset in years.

Oklahoma led 17-7 at halftime after managing just one long scoring drive, a three-play, 80-yarder that ended with Patrick's 34-yard TD run.

The Sooners went three-and-out on their first two possessions but got great field position on their next drive when Wolfe picked off Hawkins and returned it 33 yards to the Buffaloes 11.

The Sooners lost two yards on their first two runs, then Bradford hit Iglesias for a 13-yard touchdown -- and Oklahoma's first first down -- with 1:40 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

The Buffs tied it at 7 when pulling guard Devin Head opened a hole for tailback Hugh Charles, who scampered in from 25 yards out in the second quarter and finished with 110 yards on 24 carries.

The Buffs announced before the game that freshman tailback Brian Lockridge would sit out with a concussion, which he suffered at practice on Tuesday. Lockridge had been the Buffs' primary tailback since they burned the redshirt on him two weeks ago.

Updated on Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 6:07 pm, EDT

oobi · Post time 30-9-2007 06:48 AM

- illini hands no. 21 penn st. second straight loss -

Illinois Upsets No. 21 Penn State 27-20

ESPN.com
September 29, 2007

Link to original article

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Regus Benn returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and caught a pass for another and the Illinois defense intercepted three passes for a 27-20 upset over No. 21 Penn State on Saturday.

The Illini (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) forced Nittany Lions' quarterback Anthony Morelli into three interceptions and a fumble, all in the second half and all deep in Illinois territory.

Penn State fell to 3-2, 0-2 with upcoming games against Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Morelli completed 21 of 38 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown, but he was picked off by linebacker J Leman and defensive backs Vontae Davis and Kevin Mitchell.

Benn returned a first-quarter kickoff for a score and caught six passes for 84 yards.

Illinois' Regus Benn (9) runs for a touchdown during the first half of the college football game against Penn State at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.

(AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

The Illini led by four at halftime, 21-17, not so different from the 9-3 lead they carried into halftime last year at Penn State. In that game, the Nittany Lions found new life at the break, shutting Illinois out in the second half and winning 26-12.

Like last year, Illinois' offense struggled in the second half, but the defense held Penn State to a field goal in the game's final half hour.

The Nittany Lions drove deep into Illinois territory four times in the second half, and all but one ended with a turnover.

The last, with 27 second left, sealed the win for Illinois.

Morelli, facing a third down and 20 at his own 48, scrambled to his right and threw deep in Illini territory, but Mitchell intercepted.

Illinois' Arrelious Benn (9) goes for extra yardage over the top over Penn State's Anthony Scirrotto (7) and Lydell Sargeant (10) during a college football game at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.

(AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams was sharp for the game's first 20 minutes, but struggled to find his receivers for most of the second and third quarters. The sophomore completed 11 of 23 passes for 120 yards and touchdown, but also threw two interceptions before being replaced in the fourth quarter by red-shirt freshman Eddie McGee.

Updated on Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 4:30 pm, EDT

[ Last edited by oobi at 30-9-2007 06:57 AM ]

oobi · Post time 30-9-2007 09:15 AM

- special teams get k-state by No. 7 texas -

Wildcats Turn Tables Again on McCoy, No. 7 Longhorns

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
September 29, 2007

Link to original article

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Kansas State did it to Texas again, this time with spectacular special teams.

Two kick returns for touchdowns and an interception return for another score propelled the Wildcats to a 41-21 win Saturday over the No. 7 Longhorns, handing Texas its worst home defeat in 10 years under coach Mack Brown.

Linebacker Ian Campbell scored on a 41-yard interception return in the second quarter and James Johnson took a kickoff 85 yards for a 21-14 lead moments after Texas had tied the score.

Jordy Nelson's 89-yard punt return in the third put the Wildcats up 34-21 and all but sealed their second consecutive victory over Texas.

Kansas State (3-1, 1-0) scored on its opening drive, then didn't need another offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter. The Wildcats put up the most points scored against Texas (4-1, 0-1) in Austin since 1997, the Longhorns' infamous "Rout 66" loss to UCLA, 66-3.

Kansas State running back Leon Patton (9) tries to escape the grasp of Texas defender Roy Miller (99) during the fourth quarter in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. Kansas State won, 41-21.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

That blowout came under former coach John Mackovic. Until Saturday, Brown's worst home loss was a 35-17 defeat by Kansas State in 1999. It was also Texas' first loss in a Big 12 opener since 1998, which also came against the Wildcats.

Defensively, K-State harassed Texas' Colt McCoy into his worst game with a fierce pass rush and four interceptions. McCoy was 19-of-39 for 200 yards and a touchdown.

Kansas State beat Texas 45-42 last season and knocked McCoy out of the game with a neck injury on the first drive. The Wildcats punished him again with blitzes that leveled the Longhorns quarterback several times.

On Campbell's interception return in the second quarter, the linebacker stunted on the pass rush, then stuck up his left hand to snag the throw at the line of scrimmage. McCoy was blocked out of the play and Campbell coasted into the end zone with a load of Wildcats escorting him to the goal line.

The Wildcats nearly knocked McCoy out of the game again. He threw another interception on his last play of the half and was slammed to the turf. His legs were wobbly when he got up and he had to be escorted to the locker room by trainers.

Texas receiver Quan Cosby pulls in a touchdown pass over Kansas State defenders Justin McKinney, center, and Chris Carney (30) during the second quarter in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

McCoy returned to start the third and looked sharp when he led Texas to a touchdown that cut the Kansas State lead to 24-21. But another interception set up a K-State field goal. McCoy now has nine interceptions after throwing 11 all of last season.

Nelson's punt return stunned Texas just when it thought it could mount a comeback.

Nelson scored K-State's first touchdown, and his second was a dagger. He fielded the punt at the 11, then moved to his right before cutting up field. Only one Longhorn managed to even get a hand on him before he was in the clear. He still had 15 yards to the end zone when he started pumping his fist to celebrate.

By the end of the third quarter, a large contingent of K-State fans were chanting "Let's go Wildcats!" It wasn't long before Texas fans started raining boos as McCoy and the Texas offense kept misfiring.

Updated on Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 7:29 pm, EDT

[ Last edited by oobi at 30-9-2007 09:20 AM ]

oobi · Post time 30-9-2007 09:24 AM

- backup helps terps upset no. 10 rutgers -

Maryland's Defense Bottles up Rice, No. 10 Rutgers in Upset Win

By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer
September 29, 2007

Link to original article

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Rutgers apparently doesn't like being in the top 10.

Backup quarterback Chris Turner led three second-half scoring drives, Keon Lattimore rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown and Maryland's defense shut down Ray Rice and No. 10 Rutgers' high-powered offense in a stunning 34-24 victory on Saturday.

It marked the second straight year that Rutgers was upset after getting into the top 10. Last year, Cincinnati surprised the Scarlet Knights a week after they reached No. 7 following an upset of then-No. 3 Louisville.

This year it was Maryland (3-2), which had dropped two straight games and was coming off a disheartening 31-24 overtime loss to Wake Forest, a game in which the Terps blew a 24-3 third quarter lead.

Maryland squandered a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter in this one, but rallied in the second half behind Turner, getting field goals of 26 and 37 yards from an erratic Obi Egekeze, a 2-yard TD run by Lattimore and a late 14-yard dash by Lance Ball, who rushed 90 yards and two touchdowns.

Maryland's quarterback Chris Turner (10) passes the football under pressure from Rutgers' Damaso Munoz (17) in fourth quarter NCAA football action Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, in Piscataway, N.J. MAryland won, 34-24.

(AP Photo/Mel Evans)

The last touchdown came after Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel was sacked and fumbled on a fourth-and-10 play from the Scarlet Knights 20 with about two minutes to play.

Teel threw two touchdown passes and Rice scored on a 1-yard run with 4:41 to go to cut the Maryland lead to 27-24, but the Terps' defense held stout this time against a Scarlet Knights offense that was averaging 46 points. Rice was held to 97 yards rushing on 21 carries.

The victory over a top 10 team was the first for Maryland since upsetting Florida State in 2004, and this is one it deserved. The Terps outplayed the Scarlet Knights, outgaining them 458-392 while forcing three turnovers.

The play of Turner, who was 14-of-20 for 149 yards in relief of the injured Jordan Steffy, and ability of Lattimore and Ball to gash the Scarlet Knights' defense were major keys to ending Rutgers' 10-game home winning streak.

Steffy took a hit to the helmet on the Terps' final series of the first half and Turner offered a passing dimension that Rutgers had trouble handling.

A 28-yard pass to Isaiah Williams and a penalty for roughing the passer led to Egekeze's 26-yard field goal that tied the game at 17 midway through the third quarter.

On their next series, Ball broke off a 32-yard run and Turner hit Darrius Heyward-Bey for 18 to set up a go-ahead 37-yard field goal with 3:43 left in the third quarter.

Maryland's defense held Rutgers to one first down on its next two series, and Turner led Maryland on a 58-yard touchdown drive. Lattimore capped it with a 2-yard run one play after LaQuan Williams stretched out to making a diving third-down catch of a 27-yard pass.

Rutgers' Jason McCourty tackles Maryland's Danny Oquendo during fourth quarter NCAA football action Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 in Piscataway, N.J. Maryland won 34-24.

(AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Rice, who had 59 yards on his first six carries, got Rutgers close with 4:41 left by capping an 11-play, 77-yard drive. The Scarlet Knights had one more shot after Lattimore was stuffed on a fourth down run from the Rutgers 35.

A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the ball back to the 20 and Teel couldn't produce a miracle finish for the crowd of 43,803, the second-largest in school history.

Rutgers, which had not trailed all season, was down 14-3 late in the second quarter when Teel woke up the offense with two quick touchdown drives for a 17-14 halftime lead.

Teel, who came into the game as the nation's top-rated passer, capped a 78-yard, seven-play drive with a 20-yard toss to Tim Brown, cutting the Terps' lead to 14-10 with 52 seconds left in the half.

After Maryland failed to gain a first down, and lost Steffy, Teel and Rutgers needed only three plays and a penalty to go 70 yards, the last seven on a pass to Tiquan Underwood with six seconds left in the half.

After Maryland linebacker Dave Philistin dropped a sure interception on the opening play from scrimmage, Rutgers went 68 yards before settling for a 29-yard field goal by Jeremy Ito.

That was all the offense Rutgers generated until the end of the half.

Maryland had grabbed a 7-3 lead on a 19-yard run by Ball and upped the advantage to 14-3 on a 15-yard scoring pass from Steffy to Heyward-Bey. The score was set up when Maryland recovered a fumble by Dennis Campbell on a punt return.

Egekeze missed field goals of 51 and 39 yards in the first half.

Updated on Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 7:56 pm, EDT

aishiteru · Post time 30-9-2007 12:31 PM

what a rough week for top AP ranked teams. the trojans barely escaped washington. except the LSU still poised with big win.

oobi · Post time 30-9-2007 12:32 PM

- auburn chomps no. 4 florida -

Byrum's Kick Lifts Auburn Over No. 4 Florida, 20-17

By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
September 29, 2007

Link to original article

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- On a day filled with upsets, Auburn turned in one of the biggest.

Freshman Wes Byrum kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Tigers to a 20-17 victory over fourth-ranked Florida on Saturday night.

The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak for the defending national champions and gave the Gators their first home loss under coach Urban Meyer. They had won 18 in a row, 17 straight since Meyer took over in 2005.

It also might have jeopardized Florida's chances of repeating. Then again, with all the other upsets Saturday, the Gators surely won't slip too far out of the picture.

Florida (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) could take a big step back next week at No. 2 LSU. But if the Gators play like they did Saturday, they could be in for another long day.

Auburn (3-2, 1-1) played sound defense, prevented Tim Tebow & Co. from making many big plays and took advantage of several mistakes to build a 14-0 lead at halftime.

Auburn's Ben Tate (44) dives away from Florida defenders Brandon Spikes (51) and Derrick Harvey (91) to score during the second quarter of a college football game Saturday night, Sept. 29, 2007, in Gainesville, Fla.

(AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

Byrum attempted the winning kick, just as Meyer called timeout. The kick was true, but Byrum had to do it again.

He did, and it was right down the middle.

Auburn used the final 4 minutes to set up the winning field goal. Ben Tate ran for 18 yards on the drive and Brandon Cox found Rodgeriqus Smith twice for 16 yards.

Byrum did the rest.

The Tigers rushed the field to celebrate and performed the "Gator Chomp" everywhere in front of 90,685 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The Gators were stunned -- much like No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 7 Texas, No. 10 Rutgers and No. 13 Clemson were after they were handed their first losses Saturday.

Tate finished with 65 yards for Auburn. Mario Fannin added 62, and Brandon Cox was 17-of-26 passing for 227 yards. Smith caught nine passes for 102 yards.

The defense deserves even more credit for keeping Florida's high-powered offense in check. The Tigers held Florida to 312 yards, well below its average. They also did it without a full game from defensive end Quentin Groves, who injured his right foot and left the field on crutches.

Tebow was 20-of-27 passing for 201 yards with a touchdown and ran 19 times for 75 yards and a score. He got little help. Percy Harvin caught seven passes for 119 yards, after missing much of the week of practice with a sore hip.

Receiver Andre Caldwell also sat out much of the game, although he did play one snap.

The Gators needed much more to avoid losing to Auburn for the second time in a year. The Tigers were the only team to beat Florida last season.

Florida wanted revenge. Now, however, the Gators will have to wait for another shot.

The Tigers used a running-into-the-punter penalty on the opening possession to keep a drive alive and eventually score on Kodi Burns' 6-yard touchdown run.

They made it a two-touchdown game after blocking Joey Ijjas' 34-yard field goal attempt. Cox completed a perfect touch pass to Carl Stewart along the sideline for a 22-yard gain, then hit Montez Billings for 25 more.

Tate later converted a fourth-and-1 play at the 4, then scored from 3 yards out.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) is stopped by Auburn's Chris Evans (59) and Patrick Lee (20) during a college football game Saturday night Sept. 29, 2007, in Gainesville, Fla.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Florida's defense allowed to many big plays in the first half, the result of too little pressure and too much cushion from the cornerbacks.

The offense wasn't much better. The Gators punted on their first two possessions, had a blocked field goal and then fumbled on fourth down just before the half.

They started the third quarter much better.

After an Auburn punt, Tebow hooked up with Harvin for 52 yards. They couldn't punch it in from the 3 and settled for a field goal.

Tebow threw his second interception of the season on the next possession, a turnover that helped set up Byrum's 30-yard field goal to take it to 17-3.

Meyer was determined to change the momentum on the ensuing drive and called for a fake punt on fourth-and-1 near midfield. The Gators were flagged for an illegal formation and forced to punt.

Florida got a break, though, when Tate fumbled on the next play. Tebow then took over, picking up yards on the ground and eventually connecting with Cornelius Ingram for a 6-yard score that made it 17-10.

After forcing another Auburn, Tebow was at it again. He engineered an 89-yard drive, highlighted by a 32-yard pass to Harvin, and tied it with a 2-yard plunge.

Florida had a chance to take the lead, but a shanked punt gave Auburn the ball at the 39-yard line.

Cox, Tate and Byrum took it from there.

Updated on Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 12:03 am, EDT

oobi · Post time 1-10-2007 06:14 AM

The Associated Press Top 25 - Week 6

RANK	TEAM (First Place Vote)	RECORD	POINTS	PREVIOUS	CONFERENCE
1	LSU Tigers (33)	5-0	1593	2	SEC (West)
2	USC Trojans (32)	4-0	1491	1	Pac-10
3	California Golden Bears	5-0	1475	6	Pac-10
4	Ohio States Buckeyes	5-0	1420	8	Big Ten
5	Wisconsin Badgers	5-0	1271	9	Big Ten
6	South Florida Bulls	4-0	1203	18	Big East
7	Boston College Eagles	5-0	1172	12	ACC (Atlantic)
8	Kentucky Wildcats	5-0	1143	14	SEC (East)
9	Florida Gators	4-1	1031	4	SEC (East)
10	Oklahoma Sooners	4-1	992	3	Big 12 (South)
11	South Carolina Gamecocks	4-1	900	16	SEC (East)
12	Georgia Bulldogs	4-1	885	15	SEC (East)
13	West Virgina Mountaineers	4-1	861	5	Big East
14	Oregon Ducks	4-1	837	11	Pac-10
15	Virginia Tech Hokies	4-1	639	17	ACC (Coastal)
16	Hawaii Warriors	5-0	586	19	WAC
17	Missouri Tigers	4-0	561	20	Big 12 North
18	Arizona State Sun Devils	5-0	497	23	Pac-10
19	Texas Longhorns	4-1	449	7	Big 12 (South)
20	Cincinnati Bearcats	5-0	377	24	Big East
21	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	3-1	299	10	Big East
22	Clemson Tigers	4-1	265	13	ACC (Atlantic)
23	Purdue Boilermakers	5-0	218	26	Big Ten
24	Kansas State Wildcats	3-1	214	NR	Big-12 (North)
25	Nebraska Cornhuskers	4-1	198	25	Big 12 (North)