GEORGIA: Bulldog quarterback D J Shockley was 16-of-24 for 289 yards despite the receivers dropping four passes in the win over Boise State. Shockley also ran for 85 yards and accounted for six touchdowns. The Bulldogs scored 48 points and gained 574 yards. Georgia intercepted Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky four times. Georgia had only five interceptions during the entire 2004 season. Tight end Martrez Milner caught three passes for 111 yards including a 56-yard touchdown. Coach Mark Richt has compared USC quarterback Blake Mitchell to former Florida QB Shane Matthews. Senior defensive tackle Kedric Golston, and offensive tackles Michael Turner and Zeb McKinzey return from suspensions. Several freshmen saw action—defensive tackle Jeff Owens, safety C J Byrd, receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, linebacker Marcus Washington and tight end Tripp Chandler. (UGASports.com)

VANDERBILT AT ARKANSAS: Hog running backs gained 483 yards on 51 rushes and scored five touchdowns in the win over Missouri State. Peyton Hillis gained 135 yards on 14 carries. Felix Jones had 137 yards on eight rushes (17 yard average). De’Arrius Howard gained 120 yards on 12 carries. Robert Johnson was 12-of-21 for 88 yards with one score and one pick. He had four passes dropped. Hog coaches are very concerned about Vandy quarterback Jay Cutler. Right guard Zac Tubbs and tight end Jared Hicks both are still bothered by high ankle sprains. (Hawgsports.com)

VANDERBILT: The Commodores won their opener for the first time since 1997. Quarterback Jay Cutler accounted for 365 yards. The Vandy defense must try to stop a Hog rushing attack after allowing nearly 254 yards to Wake Forest tailback Micah Andrews. (Vandysports.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT AUBURN: The Tigers are reeling after a difficult loss to Georgia Tech. Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox was 22-of-44 for 342 yards with two touchdowns, four interceptions and a fumble. Auburn was only able to rush for 50 yards on 23 carries. The Tigers struggled to harass Tech’s Reggie Ball. Auburn receiver Ben Obomanu caught six passes for 90 yards. Tiger quarterback commitment Neil Caudle, who is from Spain Park (Ala.), tore his ACL and will likely miss the season. In the first half, Auburn allowed 202 yards, 14 first downs and 17 points. In the second half, the defense allowed 111 yards, 9 first downs and two field goals. Tailback Kenny Irons had one carry for six yards. Auburn’s offensive line coach Hugh Nall said his unit made mistakes because all five players were not on the same page. Tackles Marcus McNeil and Troy Reddick and guards Ben Grubbs and Tim Duckworth played the entire game. Centers Joe Cope and Steven Ross rotated. In the secondary, of the four starters—safeties Will Herring and Eric Brock and corners David Irons and Patrick Lee, only Herring has ever started a Division I game. Chris Slaughter (6-3, 170), a receiver from Fort Valley (Ga.) Peach County has committed to the Tigers. (Auburnsports.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Quarterback Omarr Conner was 17-of-24 for 233 yards with four scores in the win over Murray State. Tailback Jerious Norwood had 16 carries for 123 yards. Offensive lineman James Redmond returns this week after being out for several weeks. The site of next week’s Mississippi State-Tulane game will be played in Shreveport, La. (Bulldogblitz.com)

LOUSIANA TECH AT FLORIDA: Gator quarterback Chris Leak was 26- of- 34 for 320 yards and three scores in the win over Wyoming. At one point in the game, Leak completed 17 straight passes. Leak was sacked four times. Receiver Chad Jackson caught 10 passes for 138 yards and three scores. He also scored on a touchdown run. Florida had no turnovers and only four penalties. The Gators had 411 total yards. Florida struggled to run the ball with 91 yards on 36 carries. Six freshman-defensive back Avery Atkins, linebacker Jon Demps, quarterback Josh Portis, linebacker Darryl Greshman, kicker Jonathan Phillips and tailback Kestahn Moore--played. Wyoming quarterback Corey Bramlett was 14- of- 32 for 150 yards with a pick and a touchdown. Receiver Jovon Bouknight caught five passes for 54 yards with a touchdown. He also had a 66 yard kickoff return. Defensive end Ray McDonald collected a sack and played well against the run. Wyoming was only 2-of-13 on third downs in the game. The Gator defense held Wyoming to 72 yards rushing and recorded three sacks and had seven tackles for loss. Kicker Chris Hetland had two field goals including a 47-yarder. Sophomore offensive guard Drew Miller did a good job replacing Jim Tartt. Despite playing only two series, Portis led the Gators with 45 yards rushing on five carries. Meyer said the starting tailback will be determined by work ethic and assignments. He is also yet to determine the starting holder for kicks. Defensive lineman Jarvis Moss, who is up to 240 pounds, might see some action soon after being shelved with various injuries.

Louisiana Tech, coached by Jack Bicknell, was 6-6 last season in the WAC. This is La Tech’s first game. Senior linebackers Jeremy Hamilton and Byron Santiago are quite capable. Offensive lineman Aaron Lips was a first team WAC player. (GatorBait.net)

SOUTHERN MISS AT ALABAMA: The Tide offensive line allowed only one sack in the win over Middle Tennessee State. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 16- of- 24 for 210 yards and an interception and a touchdown pass to receiver Tyrone Prothro. Tailback Ken Darby rushed for 90 yards on 17 carries. Darby gave the team an impassioned speech at halftime with the Tide leading only 9-7. Defensive end Mark Anderson sacked Clint Marks in the end zone for a safety. The Tide defense held MTSU to only 34 yards rushing, 157 total yards and nine first downs. Receiver Keith Brown caught five passes for 184 yards. Kicker Ryan Saxby, who substituted for Jamie Christensen, kicked a 32-yard field goal, three extra points and had two touchbacks. Right guard Mark Sanders got his first start, but sustained a knee injury. Freshman Marlon Davis starts against Southern Miss with Sanders questionable with a sprained knee. Linebacker Freddie Roach hurt his elbow. He is back at practice. Linebacker Terrance Jones received more playing time because Roach’s injury. Jones has a sprained ankle and is questionable. Punter Jeff Aul averaged 36 yards on three kicks. Ten freshmen saw playing time. Alabama offensive lineman B J Stabler, who had his knee scoped recently, is set to return to practice this week. Freshman tailback Roy Upchurch’s season is over after he had surgery to correct an ankle problem. Redshirt freshman linebacker Rich Wingo’s career is over after he sustained his third concussion.

Southern Miss quarterback Dustin Almond will play against Alabama this year after missing the game with a hamstring injury last year. A problem for Alabama is Southern Miss has not played a game, so no film is available. Also USM has two new coordinators. (Bol.com)

TENNESSEE: The Vols are off this week until they play Florida next week. Vol coaches rotated Rick Clausen and Erik Ainge with varying results. Clausen was 17 -of -24 for 217 yards and Ainge was 5 –of- 14 for 57 yards. Clausen has been tabbed to start against Florida. Cornerback Jason Allen had 14 tackles in the win over UAB. Tailback Gerald Riggs gained 110 yards on 23 carries, but the rest of the running backs were average. Riggs had 62 yards on 11 carries in the first quarter but his nine carries accounted for 24 yards. Freshman tailback Montario Hardesty did not play because of a thigh bruise. Coach Phil Fulmer said he would likely play against Florida. Part of the problem with the rushing attack was offensive lineman Ramon Foster making his first start. Blazer quarterback Darrell Hackney completed 27- of- 38 (71%) for 282 yards with one pick. Receiver Jonathan Wade continues to allow big plays. Demetrice Morley played most of the second half at safety. He was the only freshman to play. Senior captain Parys Haralson was pulled from the field after his second personal foul penalty. Receiver C J Fayton led Tennessee in receiving with five catches for 97 yards. The Vol defense held UAB to only 53 yards rushing. Center Richie Gandy is back at practice. Michael Goggans, a tight end from Benjamin Russell High in Alexander City, Ala., has committed to the Vols. (Volquest.com)

IDAHO STATE AT KENTUCKY: The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to Louisville 31-24 after trailing 28-7. Quarterback Andre Woodson, who was 17 –of- 27 for 278 yards, fumbled the ball near the goal line late in the fourth quarter. He had three fumbles on the day. Louisville defensive lineman Elvis Dumervil had a school record six sacks in the game. Receiver Keenan Burton caught four passes for 98 yards. Defensive lineman Lamar Mills is out for the season with a torn ligament. Idaho State won its opener over Southern Utah. Running back Ken Cornist and Josh Barnett led a rushing attack that gained 197 yards in the game. (CatsPause.com)

OLE MISS: The Rebels are off this week after beating Memphis 10-6. Quarterback Micheal Spurlock was one of the heroes after he ran for a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter on fourth- and- goal to give the Rebels the lead. He was 14- of- 27 for 184 yards. The Rebel defense created two fourth quarter turnovers. Linebacker Patrick Willis, who had 15 tackles, forced Maurice Avery to fumble on the Ole Miss 37 with 2:37 remaining and safety Charles Clark recovered. Later with seconds remaining and Memphis at the Rebel six-yard line, Rebel linebacker Garry Pack intercepted a Will Hudgens pass and returned it 35 yards. Memphis quarterback Patrick Byrne broke his leg on the first series. Ole Miss shut down tailback DeAngelo Williams holding him to 85 yards on 24 rushes. The Rebels rushed for only 58 yards on 22 carries (1.5 yards). The offensive line allowed five sacks. Receiver Mario Hill caught eight passes for 132 yards. (RebelGrove.com)

LSU AT ARIZONA STATE: The game against Arizona State has been moved to Tempe. Arizona State gained 559 yards in beating Temple 63-16 last Saturday. Junior quarterback Sam Keller threw for four touchdowns and freshman tailback Keegan Herring ran for 134 yards. Receiver Derek Hagan is a possession receiver for ASU. Grayling Love leads a talented and deep offensive line. Tight end Zach Miller earned second-team All American honors last season. (Tigerbait.com)

CLEMSON AT MARYLAND: The Tigers beat Texas A & M on a last second field goal from Jad Dean, who had six in the game. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (16- of- 24 for 213 yards and no picks) sat out the fourth quarter with dizziness after taking a helmet to helmet blow. Backup quarterback Will Proctor filled in for him. Freshman tailback James Davis rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries. He carried nine straight times on the winning drive. Receiver Chansi Stuckey also had a 47-yard punt return for a score. Clemson gained 396 yards against the Aggie defense. (TigerIllustrated.com)

MARYLAND: The Terps had balanced offense in the win over Navy with 210 yards rushing and 217 yards passing. Tailback Mario Merrills ran for 149 yards on 30 carries. Sam Hollenbach was 19- of- 30 for 217 and two picks. Hollenbach brought Maryland from behind twice in the fourth quarter. Terp linebacker D’Qwell Jackson had 18 tackles against Navy. Maryland allowed Navy to rush for 246 yards. (TerpTimes.com)

THE CITADEL AT FSU: FSU beat Miami despite the Nole offense gaining only 74 yards passing, 96 yards rushing and nine first downs. The story of the game was the Nole defense that blocked a punt and sacked Miami quarterback Kyle Wright nine times. Drew Weatherford (7- of -24 passing for 67 yards) and Xavier Lee missed 18 –of--26 passes. Running backs Lorenzo Booker and Leon Washington rushed for 120 yards on 25 carries. The 17 points was the lowest score in the series 41- year history. Both teams had 131 snaps—60 of those were no gain, negative yards or an incompletion. The Miami tailbacks were held to 15 yards rushing in the final two quarters after gaining 94 in the first half. Defensive lineman Kamerion Wimbley had two sacks, five tackles and eight quarterback hurries in the game. Despite the loss of Clifton Dickson and four new starters, the line was impressive. Andre Fluellen and Brodrick Bunkley combined for five tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Linebacker Marcello Church, who played the “buck” linebacker position, had two sacks. Receiver Willie Reid is out for at least two weeks with a sprained ankle. Freshman Neefy Moffett played noseguard and was in one of the late fourth quarter sacks of Wright. He will continue to work at defensive end. Another freshman, cornerback Tony Carter, graded out at 87%. (Warchant.com)

MIAMI: The Canes are off this week. They play Clemson next week. Special teams woes cost the Canes against FSU. Jon Peattie missed field goals of 47 and 39 yards. Brian Monroe couldn’t handle the snap from center and muffed Peattie’s last field goal attempt. It was Miami’s first loss to FSU in seven tries. Quarterback Kyle Wright was 16 -of -28 for 232 yards including a touchdown to receiver Ryan Moore. In the second half, Wright was 11- of- 15 for 136 yards. Wright was sacked a school record nine times. Tailback Tyrone Moss carried 23 times for 102 yards. Tight end Greg Olsen caught eight passes for 137 yards. Coach Larry Coker said this is a better team than last year. Safety Anthony Reddick is out probably for the season with a torn ACL. Coker said he never received an explanation as to why FSU was not penalized for linebacker Ernie Sims taking his helmet off. He also said protecting the quarterback against Clemson is a priority. Coker is undecided who the holder will be for Clemson. Romeo Davis and Leon Willams combined for one tackle at middlebacker. Coker also said Devin Hester was pressing on kick returns. (Canesport.com)

ARMY AT BOSTON COLLEGE: BC committed only six penalties in the win over BYU. The Eagles held BYU to only 8 yards rushing, but allowed 330 yards passing on 41 of 60 passing. BC quarterback Quinton Porter was 27- of- 35 for 232 yards on no picks. Army has an underrated running back in Carlton Jones. (Eagleaction.com)

VIRGINIA AT SYRACUSE: Virginia quarterback Marques Hagans was 17- of- 25 for 252 yards with two interceptions and one score in the win over Western Michigan. Virginia was 3- of- 11 on third downs and turned the ball over three times. WMU gained 357 yards. (WagonOnline.com)

NORTH CAROLINA AT GEORGIA TECH: This is North Carolina’s first game of the season. Matt Baker replaces Darian Durant at quarterback.

GEORGIA TECH: Tailback P J Daniels rushed for 111 yards on 23 carries in the win over Auburn. Quarterback Reggie Ball was 17- of -36 for 174 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Tech intercepted Cox four times and recovered another fumble. Tech jumped out to a 10-0 lead and gained 127 total yards on its first two drives. Under Chan Gailey, the Yellow Jackets have beaten five ranked team including four on the road. UNC won last year 34-13. Tech has won six of the last seven meetings. (Jacketsonline.com)

N C STATE: The Wolfpack is off this week after losing to Virginia Tech. State outgained the Hokies 438 yards- to- 232, but still lost the game. Quarterback Jay Davis was 27- of- 42 for 311 yards. The Wolfpack had the lead at halftime, but lost its third straight home game going into the half with a lead. N C State committed 12 penalties for 105 yards. (Wolfpacker.com)

VIRGINIA TECH AT DUKE: The Hokies come off a big win over N C State. Although N C State gained nearly 500 yards of offense, the Hokie defense forced three turnovers. The Hokie punter, Nic Schmitt, weighs 273 pounds. Duke quarterback Mike Schneider threw for only 139 yards and three interceptions in the loss to East Carolina. (HokieHaven.com)

WAKE FOREST AT NEBRASKA: Senior tailback Chris Barclay returns from being suspended for the opener. Sophomore Micah Andrews gained 254 yards last week against Vandy. Nebraska’s Frantz Hardy caught seven passes for 152 yards. In Nebraska’s win over Maine, they gained only 121 yards on the ground and turned the ball over four times. (GoDeacons.com)

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM AND SAMSPORTSLINE.COM.