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LOUISIANA MONROE AT ARKANSAS: The Hogs didn’t fold after being down by ten points in the fourth quarter to Western Illinois. Quarterback Casey Dick scored on a four-yard run with 1:49 left in the game to put the Hogs ahead for good. The key play of the drive came on a fourth- and- 10 at the Western Illinois 33 yard line when Dick found receiver Carlton Salters for a first down. Dick completed 25- of- 41 for 318 yards and two scores with one interception. He was the first Hog quarterback to throw for over 300 yards since Clint Stoerner in 1999. He also ran for two scores and had at least six passes dropped. However, Dick was sacked four times. Arkansas was handicapped going into the game because starting tailback Michael Smith was serving a one- game suspension for improper use of scholarship textbooks. Coach Bobby Petrino played 15 freshmen. Freshman receiver Greg Childs caught six passes for 88 yards. Tight end D J Williams caught five passes for 45 yards. Receiver London Crawford is limited with a concussion. Freshman receiver Joe Adams is seeing more playing time. The Hog defense allowed WIU tailback Herb Donaldson to gained 169 yards on 35 carries.
Early in the game the offensive line was not picking up the blitz and receivers were dropping passes. Tailback De’Anthony Curtis ran and caught the ball well. The receivers made some big plays at the end, but struggled for the most part. Offensive line adjustments helped to pick up the blitz in the second half. The defensive line needs to get more pressure on the passer. The linebackers struggled to tackle Herb Donaldson, but Jerry Franklin and Jermaine Love played well. Cornerback Jamar Love dropped three picks.
ULM only rushed for 84 yards in the shutout loss to Auburn. Quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster was 20- of- 38 for 136 yards. Coach Charlie Weatherbie is in his sixth season at ULM. Marty Humphrey, Darrell McNeall and LaGregory Sapp return at receiver.
SOUTH CAROLINA AT VANDERBILT (Thursday): Coach Steve Spurrier has lost to Vanderbilt two straight years for the first time in his career. The Commodores scored three second half touchdowns to overcome a, 10-3, deficit. South Carolina had three special teams’ errors-a missed field goal, a blocked field and a fluke fumble that deflected off the leg of Addison Williams. Receiver Kenny McKinley left the game with a hamstring injury in the first quarter shortly after catching a 19-yard touchdown pass. Without McKinley, the Gamecocks were left with draw plays to tailback Mike Davis and passes to tight end Jared Cook, who caught eight for 111 yards. Starting quarterback Chris Smelley, who was 23- of- 39 for 233 yards, threw two picks. The offensive line, which had three false start penalties, allowed four sacks including two when the game was on the line. Receiver Moe Brown injured his knee and Mike Davis hurt his left thigh. In the first half, Vandy gained 50 yards, but in the second half they moved the ball for 175 yards.
The Gamecock defense was effective, but the offensive line’s five false starts was “pitiful” in the words of Coach Steve Spurrier after the win over N. C. State. South Carolina held the Wolfpack to only 138 total yards. Sophomore Jarriel King earned a start at left tackle. Quarterback Chris Smelley, 4-2 as a starter last year, earned a start Thursday night after completing all five of his passes for 92 yards and two scores. In 10 career appearances, Smelley, who threw five picks in the spring game, has completed 58% of his passes and thrown 12 touchdowns and seven picks. Tommy Beecher who started the game threw four pick. Vanderbilt beat South Carolina, 17-6, last season during one of the low points for the Gamecocks. The Commodore defense collected seven sacks in last year’s game. Spurrier is 12-5-1 in “revenge” games. Spurrier said he was impressed with freshman defensive end Byron McKnight (6-5, 231), who had two sacks in the N C State game.
Vanderbilt beat a SEC team in consecutive years for the first time since 1998-99 when they beat South Carolina. The Commodores scored 21 second half points to beat the Gamecocks. Quarterback Chris Nixon completed 8 of 13 passes for 90 yards and ran for 17. Running back Jared Hawkins ran 17 times for 84 yards.
Chris Nickson, who is on the verge of becoming only the third Vandy quarterback in school history to throw for more than 3,000 yards and run for over 1,000 yards, accounted for 257 yards of offense and three scores in the win over Miami of Ohio. He will likely carry the ball 20 times a game because Vandy doesn’t have a game-breaking running back. Vandy’s defense intercepted three passes. Cornerback D. J. Moore had interception No. 8 in his career to set up one score, returned a punt 91 yards to set up another and made a key sack in a third and long situation to stop a drive late in the first half in the win over Miami Ohio. Ryan Succop and Bryant Hahnfeldt are two of the better kickers in the SEC. Vandy is 2-8 against South Carolina at home.
TULANE AT ALABAMA: Alabama dominated Clemson on both lines of scrimmage gaining 239 yards rushing compared to 0 for Clemson. Alabama had only two rushing plays go for negative yards. Clemson center Thomas Austin was not able to block Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody. Tide tailback Mark Ingram performed the best of the heralded freshmen in the Clemson win. Ingram gained 96 yards on 17 carries. He also scored on a two- point conversion. Tailback Glen Coffee gained 90 yards. Julio Jones, Don’ta Hightower, Mark Barron and Ingram were among the freshmen who make an impact. Saban won career game No. 99 against Clemson. The biggest concern coming out of the contest was left tackle Andre Smith spraining his knee. Still, the Tide had a plan for Smith’s absence moving left guard Mike Johnson to Smith’s spot and shifting David Ross to guard.
Leigh Tiffin kicked a career high 54- yard field goal. Tiffin kicked four field goals. Tide defensive end Brandon Deaderick had a sack that pushed Clemson back 11 yards at a key point toward the end of the first half. Tight end Nick Walker had a game high and career high seven catches for 67 yards. Quarterback John Parker Wilson was 22- of- 30 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He was not sacked. Wilson, 14-13, became the career leader in competitions with 500 and attempts with 882. The win was Alabama’s first over a top- ten opponent since 2005 when they beat Florida in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s defense held receiver Aaron Kelly to two catches for 28 yards. Alabama outgained Clemson 419 -188 yards. The Tide had the ball 80 times compared to Clemson’s 48. They had the ball for 41 minutes compared to 18 for Clemson. Cullen Harper was 20- of- 34 for 188 yards. Alabama punted twice and committed no turnovers. Redshirt freshman cornerback Demetrius Goode returned to his original running back position Monday.
Alabama is on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden called Saban this week to get some advice on his team.
The Green Wave is staying in Birmingham after evacuating New Orleans due before the arrival of Hurricane Gustav. This is Tulane’s opener for the season. Sophomore Kevin Moore is listed as the starting quarterback. Coach Bob Toledo is in his second season. Seniors Michael Parenton and Troy Kropog have been on the offensive line for the past two years. Receiver Jeremy Williams played in all 12 games last year. Senior Evan Lee is the returning leading tackler. Defensive end Reggie Scott has played in 21 career games. This is the first meeting since 1994. Toledo has suspended senior safety David Shekan, who started 11 games last year, for violating school rules.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT GEORGIA: The Bulldogs collected 11 penalties in the win over Georgia Southern. Defensive tackle Jeff Owens has an ACL tear in his knee that will shelve him for rest of the season. Owens, who hurt the knee on the eighth snap of the game, will redshirt. Senior Corey Irvin, who had a team-high six tackles including two for loss, will replace him in the lineup. Defensive lineman Kade Weston will miss his second straight game with a strained MCL. Freshman DeAngelo Tyson will also see playing time. Ten true freshmen and ten redshirt freshman played for the Bulldogs including receiver A. J. Green who caught two passes for 40 yards. Coach Mark Richt said Green is still a little too indecisive, but he lauded freshman receiver Tavarres King for his downfield blocking. Freshman kicker Blair Walsh made a 52-yard field goal. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 13- of- 21 passes for a career-high 275 yards and two scores and no picks. Stafford, 18-4 as a starter, has yet to have a 300 yard passing game in his career. Offensive lineman Clint Boling returns to the lineup as the starting right tackle and Josh Davis will backup starting left tackle Kiante Tripp. The target date for the return of safety Quinton Banks (knee) and fullback Brannan Southerland (foot) for the Alabama game Sept. 27. Receiver Kenneth Harris (ankle) is still questionable for Saturday but Kris Durham (shoulder) is expected back this week.
The Chippewas were preseason pick to finish second in the MAC western division. Quarterback Dan LeFevour (6-3, 230), the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, threw for over 3,500 yards and ran for over 1,000. Defense is the problem for Central Michigan. Last year, they allowed 36 points and 460 yards per game. CMU beat Eastern Illinois, 31-12, last Saturday. LeFevour threw for 217 yards and three scores. Receiver Antonio Brown is also a dangerous kick returner.
NORFOLK STATE AT KENTUCKY: The Wildcats have won two straight games over Louisville after winning Sunday afternoon. Safety Ashton Cobb returned a fumble 28 yards for a score and defensive tackle Myron Pryor took a fumble 72 yards for a touchdown in the win. Quarterback Mike Hartline was 16- of- 31 for 147 yards and no picks. The Wildcat defense forced five turnovers and held Louisville to only 205 yards. Louisville quarterback Hunter Cantwell turned the ball over four times in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals score only two points the lowest total since being shutout by FSU in 2000.
Norfolk State is predicted in the upper echelon of the MEAC. Coach Pete Adrian was the 2007 conference coach of the year after turning the school into a contender in three years. The Spartans beat Virginia State, 42-0, last Saturday. DeAngelo Branche rushed for 92 yards in the opener. Quarterback Dennis Brown was 12- of- 30 for 126 yards, one touchdown and no picks.
SOUTHERN MISS AT AUBURN: Quarterbacks Chris Todd and Kodi Burns were a combined 13- of- 27 for 85 yards in the win over Louisiana Monroe. Tony Franklin’s plan to rotate quarterbacks on successive plays didn’t work. Burns, who started the game, left in the third quarter with a seven-inch cut on his leg that required stitches and never returned. Burn is very questionable for Saturday. Todd is the starter for the immediate future. Tailback Ben Tate ran for 115 yards on 13 carries in the win over Louisiana Monroe. The Tigers ran for 321 yards. Auburn’s defense held Louisiana Monroe to 218 yards. ULM was only 2- of- 18 on third down. Robert Dunn, who had been in the Tommy Tuberville’s doghouse, ran a punt back 66 yards for a touchdown. Auburn had not returned a punt for a touchdown in 12 years. Freshman receiver Phillip Pierre-Louis tore an ACL in the opener and James Swinton sustained a less serious knee injury in the game. Receiver Montez Billings is struggling with a hamstring. Linebacker Merrill Johnson left the game with a hamstring injury. Freshman cornerback Neiko Thorpe led Auburn with seven tackles. Running back Tristan Davis is back.
Southern Miss beat Louisiana Lafayette, 51-21, to begin the Coach Larry Fedora era. Junior tailback Damion Fletcher, who needs 400 yards to become the school’s career rushing leader, ran for a career high 222 yards and two scores. Southern Miss gained 633 total yards. Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Davis was 14- of- 21 for 206 yards and two scores. Freshman receiver DeAndre Brown caught a 30 yard scoring strike from Davis. Linebacker Gerald McRath had 15 tackles last week. The two teams have not met since 1993.
TROY AT LSU: The makeup date for this game is Nov. 15 when both teams have an open date. Freshman quarterback Jordan Jefferson is due for more time because the coaches love his mobility. Tiger running back Charles Scott, who started the game, ran for 160 yards in the win over Appalachian State, the most by a LSU back since Alley Broussard in 2004. Andrew Hatch, who was 7- of- 14 for 77 yards, started the game at quarterback. His backup, Jarrett Lee, who was 6- of -16 for 116 yards and two scores, also played. The Tigers held Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards to 23 yards rushing and 13- of- 31 passing for 155 yards. LSU has won 28 straight Saturday games. Safety Danny McCray, who had a team-high seven tackles, was on crutches after the game. LSU gained 459 yards on 64 plays.
Troy beat Middle Tennessee, 31-17, last Thursday night. Trojan linebackers Boris Lee and Bear Woods combined for 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Sophomore running back DuJuan Harris rushed for 151 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns in his first start. Sophomore quarterback Jamie Hampton completed 17- of- 28 passes for 136 yards.
OLE MISS AT WAKE FOREST: The Rebel offense scored on five of its first six possessions. Tailback Dexter McCluster sparked the Rebels to a win over Memphis with 125 total yards and a touchdown run out of the “Wild Rebel” formation. Ole Miss gained nearly 150 yards out of the formation. The Rebels scored 41 points, the most against a Division I opponent since Nov. 1, 2003 when they beat South Carolina. Quarterback Jevan Snead was 10- of -22 for 185 yards in his debut. Snead also caught a 37-yard pass from freshman tailback Brandon Bolden. The Rebel defense forced two turnovers. Senior Jamarca Sanford led the team with 13 tackles. Defensive tackle Peria Jerry (knee scoped) is back at practice and might play Saturday.
Demon Deacon quarterback Riley Skinner, who is from Jacksonville, Fla., was 27- of- 36 for 220 yards and three touchdowns in the win at Baylor. Skinner has 19 wins as the starting quarterback, a school record. He is No. 8 in school history with 24 career touchdown passes. He loves to throw to tight end Ben Wooster who caught six passes last week. Senior cornerback Alphonso Smith picked off pass No. 15 in his career. Wake is trying to win No. 400 in its history against Ole Miss. Aaron Curry led the team with seven tackles. Joshua Shene and Sam Swank are two fine kickers. This is only the second meeting between the teams. The difference in this year’s team is that they are using more of a spread offense with the emergence of some talented receivers and improvement from Skinner. The offensive line struggled to open holes against Baylor. Skinner last year threw 13 picks because he tried to do too much. His mechanics were fine but the team had too many expectations to repeat the previous year’s success. Wake has one of the fastest defenses in the league. The huge Ole Miss offensive line could present some problems for the undersized Wake defensive line. Yet, the Wake defense is one of the fastest in the ACC.
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA AT MISSISSIPPI STATE: State lost to Louisiana Tech after committing 10 penalties and turning the ball over five times including three in the third quarter. Carroll completed only 12- of- 25 passes for 175 yards. Tyson Lee made a strong bid to be considered for the starting role after completing 10- of- 15 passes for 85 yards. However, coach Sly Croom said Carroll would remain the starting quarterback. Lee was sacked three times while Carroll none. Tailback Anthony Dixon ran for 91 yards on 18 carries. Freshman defensive lineman Sean Ferguson became the first freshman to start in the opener since Quentin Culberson did so against Oregon in 2003. Linebacker Jamar Chaney is out for the remainder of the season after fracturing his leg in the second half. Redshirt freshman Jamie Jones will sub for Chaney.
Southeastern Louisiana (3-8 last year) is led by running back Jay Lucas who led the Southland conference with 1,724 yards. He also caught 51 passes. Southeastern Louisiana won at Alcorn State, 34-28, last Saturday night. The win was the first road victory for the Lions since 2005.
TENNESSEE: The Vols are off this week and don’t play again until they host UAB on Sept. 13. The Vols might be looking at a, 2-4, start after a tough loss to UCLA. Although the defense intercepted four passes in the first half including defensive back Nevin McKenzie returning one for a score, the Vols were up by only seven points. Tailback Arian Foster’s fumble at the UCLA 6-yard line might have cost them the game. Jonathan Crompton was only 19- of- 41 for 189 yards and no touchdowns. The offensive line had trouble blocking UCLA’s defensive tackles. Chad Cunningham also had a punt blocked. Cornerback and kick returner Dennis Rogan sustained an undisclosed injury. Outside linebacker Gerald Williams has finally been cleared to play after some academic complications. Signees Montori Hughes and Marlon Walls didn’t qualify and will attend a prep school. Receiver Gerald Jones caught four passes for 40 yards. Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe dropped passes. Tailback Montario Hardesty was impressive on the last touchdown run. Tennessee’s defensive line has five tackles for loss, but no sacks. Linebacker Ellix Wilson made 12 tackles. Still, the Vols secondary didn’t make plays with the game on the line. Tennessee lost even with UCLA losing three starters-tight end Logan Paulsen, receiver Marcus Everett and running back Kahlil Bell—in the first half.
The Vols outrushed UCLA 177 yards (5.5 ypc) to 30 and lost. Tennessee had 28 first downs and threw 17 times when it was second and six yards or less. The Vols passed 48 times and ran 28. The defense never adjusted to Kevin Craft’s three step drop and quick-hitting pattern in the second half. Coach Phil Fulmer said this week that the offensive staff is looking for ways of rolling Crompton out of the pocket to buy him some time. Crompton is struggling with a concussion and a sore ankle.
After the loss at UCLA, the SEC is 6-10 against Pac-10 schools this decade. The SEC is 1-6 at Pac-10 schools and the Pac-10 is 4-5 at SEC stadiums this decade. Since 1998, the SEC is 40-39 in nonconference road games and 24-31 on the road against schools from BCS conferences.
MIAMI AT FLORIDA: Running back Chris Rainey (58 yards including a 33- yard touchdown) and Jeffrey Demps (76 yards including a 62- yard touchdown run) had great games in the win over Hawaii. Rainey still struggles with his assignments. A timeout had to be called to get him lined up correctly. Receiver Louis Murphy (2 catches for 51 yards) and tight end Tate Casey (2 catches for 36 yards) did well. Receiver Deonte Thompson did a good job blocking down field. Quarterback Tim Tebow was 9- of- 14 for 137 yards. He ran nine times for 37 yards. Tailback Emmanuel Moody carried only twice after he sprained an ankle.
Defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh had 2.5 tackles in the game including two sacks. Nearly a dozen players saw action on the defensive line. Ryan Stamper, who had thumb surgery and Wondy Pierre-Louis played well against Hawaii. Cornerback Joe Haden had five tackles, recovered a fumble and added half a sack. The defense held Hawaii to only 2- of- 11 on third down. The secondary intercepted four passes in the game. Florida’s defense under Charlie Strong has picked off 89 passes since 2003.
Brandon James had a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown. Meyer was not happy that any of kickers could get the ball into the end zone. The worst part of the game was 13 penalties for 100 yards.
Meyer said receiver Percy Harvin (foot) and Brandon Spikes (foot) were probable. Meyer said Spikes was favoring his foot in practice. Harvin met with the media this week and said he is not worried about the heel, but he is concerned about injuring another body part while favoring the heel. Stamper (broken thumb) and guard Jim Tartt (shoulder) are questionable. Meyer also said Ronnie Wilson must work his way back on the team. Torrey Davis is working with the scout team. He also praised linebacker Brandon Hicks for his special teams work. Meyer said that tight end Aaron Hernandez will play despite a possible suspension. Meyer simply said he wasn’t ready to play. SEC officials will call the game.
ACC NOTES
MIAMI quarterback Jacory Harris, who was 16- of- 26 for 190 yards, threw for one touchdown and ran for another. Javarris James averaged 6.1 yards per carry. Receiver Leonard Hankerson had three catches and one score. Tight end Dedrick Epps had a 35-yard catch. Defensively, linebacker Darryl Sharpton led the team with four tackles. Tailback Graig Cooper had a 66- yard punt return for a touchdown and a 14- yard rushing touchdown.
The Canes held Charleston Southern to 126 total yards. Linebackers Colin McCarthy, Sharpton, and Sean Spence each had five tackles. Linebacker Spencer Adkins added two sacks. Miami has not lost to Florida since 1985. They have not lost in Gainesville since 1983.
Keys for Miami: Run the football, keep pressure on Tebow and get off to a good start. Florida is the biggest rival for older alumni, but probably not for the players. Miami’s strength is the offensive line, running backs and tight ends.
Randy Shannon said Eric Moncur (who just lost his mother) and Allen Bailey will play 25-30 snaps. He also said that Florida is the level that he wants to achieve for his team. Both Marve and Harris will play.
THE CITADEL AT CLEMSON: Coach Tommy Bowden said a Clemson team has not been dominated at the line of scrimmage in three years like it was against Alabama. Freshman running back Jamie Harper got the first carry of the game and fumbled. He was struggling with an ankle injury. Bowden admitted he called Harper’s number because of a recruiting promise. Receiver Jacoby Ford left the game with a mild concussion. Tailback C. J. Spiller returned the second half kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Defensive tackle Ricky Sapp left the game with a sprained knee. Harper was 20- of- 34 for 188 yards.
GEORGIA TECH AT BOSTON COLLEGE: B.C. quarterback Chris Crane was 12- of- 18 passing and ran seven times for 47 yards. Jeff Smith (11 rushes for 74 yards) had a 47 yard touchdown run. Josh Haden ran 15 times for 66 yards. The defensive line of B. J. Raji and Ron Brace did a good job of stopping the run. Linebacker Brian Toal had seven tackles and Mark Herzlich made eight tackles.
Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt was only 5- of- 12 for 87 yards. Running back Jonathan Dwyer ran for 112 yards. Freshman quarterback Jaybo Shaw also saw action.
WESTERN CAROLINA AT FLORIDA STATE: The Noles have virtually all rookies on special team. Christian Ponder will start at quarterback. As of Monday the new offensive line was Joe Tonga at right tackle, Will Furlong at right guard, Ryan McMahon at center, Rodney Hudson at left guard, and Zebrie Sanders at left tackle. Receiver Corey Surrency has a bum shoulder but will play. There is no new qualifying news on either Charlie Graham or Matt Dunham. Senior Ben Lampkin, who is a walk-on captain that has earned a start, is still ahead of juco transfer Markus White at defensive end.
The depth chart is out. Receiver Rod Owens, who has improved his blocking, will start. Ty Jones will backup Antone Smith at tailback. Seddrick Holloway starts at fullback and walk-on Josh Dobbie at tight end. Defensive tackle Bud Thacker has appealed to reduce his four-game suspension because he sat out the Miami game. In the secondary, Jamie Robinson’s strong offseason has earned him a start over Darius McClure.
MARYLAND AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The defense and running game helped to overcome a poor passing effort. Jordan Steffy (10- of- 18 for 115 yards) and Chris Turner threw for only 126 yards and no scores. Turner will start because Steffy is out for three weeks with an injured thumb. Del’Ray Scott ran for 197 yards in the win over Delaware. Blue Hen quarterback Robby Schoenhoft was 14- of- 22 for 128 yards and one pick.
FURMAN AT VIRGINIA TECH: East Carolina scored nine points in the final four minutes. The biggest blow came on a blocked punt. Macho Harris didn’t play. East Carolina outgained Tech 367 to 244 yards. Quarterback Sean Glennon was 14- of- 23 for 138 yards and two picks. Coach Frank Beamer said quarterback Tyrod Taylor would not redshirt.
UCONN AT NORTH CAROLINA: UNC only had the ball for 24 minutes in the win over McNeese State. Brandon Tate had a school record 397 all-purpose yards including an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown. He ran three times for 106 yards, caught four passes for 93 yards and returned three punts for 142 yards. Quarterback T J Yates was 15- of- 26 for 221 yards with two scores and a pick. Receiver Hakeem Hicks caught six passes for 110 yards. McNeese State scored 27 points on UNC.
UCONN tailback Donald Brown ran 23 times for 146 yards and four scores in the win over Hofstra. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen was 14- of- 25 for 184 yards and three picks.
WILLIAM & MARY AT N C STATE: The quarterbacks were 5- of- 20 for 49 yards in the loss to South Carolina. Tailback Andre Brown played well.
NORTHWESTERN AT DUKE: Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis was effective. Duke’s defense didn’t allow James Madison a third down conversion last week.
OTHER GAMES
SOUTH FLORIDA AT UCF: Quarterback Matt Groethe was 6- of- 8 for 96 yards and two scores in the rout over UT Martin. Ben Williams led the team with 6 carries for 70 yards. The Bulls beat UCF last year at home, 64-12.
UCF’s defense was stellar in the 17-0 win over South Carolina State, but the offense left much to the imagination. Quarterback Michael Greco was 9- of- 16 for 90 yards. Ronnie Weaver ran 23 times for 84 yards. Jordan Richards led UCF with seven tackles. UCF has won seven straight home games. Linebacker Cory Hogue, who missed the last several weeks with a leg injury, will return.
BIG 12
CINCINNATI AT OKLAHOMA: The Sooners had an easy win last week getting up, 50-0, at halftime against UTC. Quarterback Sam Bradford threw for 182 yards and two scores. Tailback DeMarco Murray ran for 124 yards. Under Bob Stoops at home, the Sooners are, 27-2, averaging 30 points per game. Offensive tackle Phil Loadholt and receiver Ryan Broyles returns after one-game suspensions.
UC has gone, 12-3, under Brian Kelly. The Bearcats have an efficient passing game, strong special teams, few turnovers, a very good return game and an excellent road record. Quarterback Dustin Grutza, who replaces Ben Mauck, threw for nearly 300 yards last year.
SAN JOSE STATE AT NEBRASKA: The Cornhuskers gained nearly 500 yards of total offense in last week’s win over Western Michigan. Still, the Nebraska defense allowed 342 yards passing.
San Jose State, coached by Dick Tomey, needed a late touchdown to beat U. C. Davis. They struggled against the U. C. Davis pass rush and will do so even more against Nebraska. Quarterback Kyle Reed, a Cal transfer, led the winning drive last week.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT MISSOURI: Mizzo superstar receiver Jeremy Maclin, who gained 234 total yards, is fine after being injured against Illinois. Derrick Washington gained 130 yards against Illinois. Quarterback Chase Daniel was 26- of -45 for 323 yards and three scores in the win over Illinois. The secondary allowed 451 yards to Juice Williams.
SEMO won last week against Southwest Baptist, but they allowed nearly 300 yards passing. Quarterback Houston Lillard threw for 387 yards last week.
TEXAS AT UTEP: The Longhorns gained 503 yards in the win over FAU last week. Quarterback Colt McCoy was 24- of- 29 for 222 yards and three scores. He also ran for 103 yards.
UTEP allowed 484 yards in a bad loss to Buffalo last Thursday. The Miners have lost seven straight games.
BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.
E-MAIL BRENT AT brentbeaird@comcast.net
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