Indiana Hoosiers

Oct. 29---College Football---
Michigan State 46 ... Indiana 15---College Football---
Demond Williams took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and the Michigan State rout was on. Drew Stanton threw a touchdown pass ran ran for a score putting the Spartans up 23-2 early in the second quarter, but Indiana struck in the final minute on a 23-yard touchdown pass to James Hardy. The extra point was blocked by Williams and returned for a two-point conversion by Ashton Watson sparking 23 point run finally stopped on a 11-yard Hardy touchdown catch with no time left. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Michigan State QB Drew Stanton completed 17 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, and ran ten times for 27 yards and a score.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 20-35, 198 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Chris Taylor, 12-56. Receiving: James Hardy, 8-77, 2 TD---College Football---
Michigan State - Passing: Drew Stanton, 17-31, 244 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 11-109, 1 TD. Receiving: Kerry Reed, 6-80, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Michigan State provided several openings for Indiana to make plays and make the game interesting, but the Hoosier offense couldn't take advantage of all of them only converting one of four chances in the red zone. The passing game has to bomb away efficiently, or IU isn't going to hand around in the final three games. Blake Powers threw three interceptions and had his second straight rough outing. He doesn't have to throw for 360 yards like he did against Iowa, but he has to come close to beat Minnesota next week.---College Football---
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Oct. 22---College Football---
Ohio State 41 ... Indiana 10---College Football---
Ohio State's defense held Indiana to 137 yards of total offense and a 39-yard field goal with IU's touchdown coming on a 57-yard fumble return for a score from John Pannozzo. Ohio State answered the Hoosier score with 24 unanswered points highlighted by a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown from Brandon Mitchell and a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown from Ted Ginn Jr. Troy Smith threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and ran for a 23-yard score.---College Football---
Player of the game: Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman ran 26 times for 133 yards.
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 13-29, 72 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: J. Sears, 6-27. Receiving: Marcus Thigpen, 3-13---College Football---
Ohio State - Passing: Troy Smith, 14-23, 226 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Antonio Pittman, 26-133, Receiving: Santonio Holmes, 3-13---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The offense came up with a dud against Ohio State, but the Buckeye defense will do that to a lot of teams. WR James Hardy was covered like a blanket, and nothing else worked without any sort of a running game to speak of. The team pressed in the second half and made mistakes. This is still a good offensive team that has to get the passing game that needs to get back on track next week against the lousy Michigan State pass defense.---College Football---
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Oct. 15---College Football---
Iowa 38 ... Indiana 21---College Football---
Iowa overcame a 203-yard receiving day from James Hardy and 40:09 time of possession in favor of IU with Albert Young touchdown runs from 31 and 26 yards out and a 42-yard touchdown pass to Clinton Solomon. IU was able to move the ball all game long, but couldn't get any closer than three early in the fourth quarter. A 30-yard Damian Sims touchdown run with just over four minutes to play finally put the Hoosiers away.
Player of the game: Iowa RB Albert Young ran 26 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns, and caught two passes fro 63 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 37-57, 360 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Chris Taylor, 17-39. Receiving: James Hardy, 12-203, 1 TD---College Football---
Iowa - Passing: Drew Tate, 12-24, 265 yds, 2 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Albert Young, 26-125, 2 TD, Receiving: Scott Chandler, 4-87
What to take away from this game: Could Indiana have come even close to beating Iowa at Iowa last year at this time? As strange as this might sound, this is a loss to build on. The Hoosiers, thanks to the most exciting young pitch-catch combination in the country, Blake Powers to James Hardy, continue to make every game interesting. While the run defense couldn't keep Iowa in check, the offense did a great job of keeping the chains moving hanging on to the ball for over 40 minutes.---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: Beating Illinois might not be like beating Ohio State, but Indiana can't argue with a 4-1 start. Blake Powers threw the ball well, and James Hardy, once again, showed that he just might be the Big Ten's best receiver. Powers had to deal with a variety of blitzes and coverages, and he handled himself well. The offense also showed nice balance getting Chris Taylor involved enough to be a major factor. A bowl game will still be tough with a brutal back half of the schedule ahead, but IU certainly won't be a pushover. ---College Football---
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Oct. 1---College Football---
Wisconsin 41 ... Indiana 24---College Football---
Brandon Williams caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt 63 yards for Wisconsin's tenth-straight home win. Indiana was able to stay alive on three Blake Powers touchdown passes highlighted by an 83-yard play to James Hardy, but turned the ball over four times. John Stocco threw three touchdown passes for the Badgers finishing the Hoosiers off with a 22-yard scoring strike to Jonathan Orr.
Player of the game: Wisconsin WR Brandon Williams caught six passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, returned four punts for 86 yards and a touchdown and one kickoff for 21 yards.
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 20-41, 244 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Yamar Washington, 8-35. Receiving: James Hardy, 7-157, 2 TD---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 13-24, 274 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 26-101, 1 TD, Receiving: Brandon Williams, 6-113, 2 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Indiana isn't good enough to beat teams like Wisconsin when it commits 12 penalties and turns the ball over four times, but there were some very positive things to take away from Madison. For one, the play of WR James Hardy showed IU has a burgeoning weapon to keep going to. Second, the run defense did a fantastic job of holding up under the pressure of the Badger offensive line. IU hung tough with Wisconsin, it simple made too many mistakes.---College Football---
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Sept. 17
Indiana 38 ... Kentucky 14---College Football---
Indiana jumped out to a 17-0 lead on two Blake Powers touchdown passes, and let the defense to the rest of the work only allowing a 13-yard touchdown run to Rafael Little and a 79-yard touchdown pass to Scott Mitchell. Powers threw four touchdown passes for the game, while the defense held UK to nine first downs and 217 yards of total offense.---College Football---
Player of the game: Indiana QB Blake Powers completed 17 of 22 passes for 135 yards and four touchdowns. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 17-22, 135 yds, 4 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Chris Taylor, 17-176. Receiving: Tamar Washington, 5-27---College Football---
Kentucky - Passing: Andre Woodson, 10-18, 133 yds, 1 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Rafael Little, 17-88, 1 TD. Receiving: Jacob Tamme, 4-25---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Where did the defense come from? After the poor performance against Nicholls State and the close call to Central Michigan, Indiana looked fantastic on both sides to the ball with QB Blake Powers taking another step up in his play. Most importantly, the defense was fantastic holding Kentucky to 77 yards on the ground. IU ran for 305 yards.
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Sept. 10
Indiana 35 ... Nicholls State 31---College Football---
In a game that almost wasn't thanks to travel problems getting Nicholls State from Louisiana to Bloomington, it turned out to be a classic. IU's defense gave up 408 rushing yards, but the offense saved the day with a ten play, 89-yard drive to in the final 2:55 to win on a seven-yard touchdown catch from James Hardy with :47 to play. Joseph Tobias ran for touchdown runs of 50 and two yards to keep Nicholls State in the game, and then a 40-yard Anthony Harris touchdown run late in the third quarter really turned the heat up. IU QB Blake Powers threw four touchdown passes with one in each quarter. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Indiana QB Blake Powers completed 19 of 36 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. He also ran 12 times for 36 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 19-36, 307 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Chris Taylor, 11-48, 1 TD. Receiving: James Hardy, 8-122, 1 TD---College Football---
Nicholls State - Passing: Yale Vannoy, 4-10, 51 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Broderick Cole, 23-99, 1 TD. Receiving: Patrick Gordon, 1-32---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Nicholls State had little to no time to prepare thanks to all the problems in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but it was still able to almost pull off one of the most shocking upsets in a long, long time. Why? No Indiana run defense. 408 yards to a D-I team goes to show just how far IU has to go before it's going to be a threat in the Big Ten race. If the D can't stop NSU, how can it stop Wisconsin, Iowa or Ohio State? On the plus side, QB Blake Powers and WR James Hardy have developed into a nice groove over the first two games.
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Sept. 2
Indiana 20 ... Central Michigan 13---College Football---
Indiana got a 74-yard touchdown pass from Blake Powers to Marcus Thigpen early in the fourth quarter to take a seven-point lead, and then turned to the running game late to keep the ball away from Central Michigan and preserved the lead. The Chippewas got a big play of their own with an 80-yard Ontario Sneed touchdown run along with two Rick Albreski field goals. Powers threw two other touchdown passes, each coming in the second quarter.---College Football---
Player of the game: Indiana QB Blake Powers completed 17 of 35 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns with an interception---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 17-35, 281 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Yamar Washington, 20-109. Receiving: James Hardy, 5-106, 1 TD---College Football---
Central Michigan - Passing: Kent Smith, 18-36, 216 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 14-148, 1 TD. Receiving: Ontario Sneed, 4-9---College Football---
What to take away from this game: It might have only been a win over Central Michigan, but considering the problems IU has had on the road in recent seasons, it's still a much needed victory. QB Blake Powers was able to make enough big plays, helped by some fantastic catches, to get the lead, but IU needs to be able to use its running game better in the first three quarters. CMU wore down against the Big Ten line in the fourth quarter, but that's not going to happen later on in the season. ---College Football---
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2005 Schedule ---College Football---
Sept. 3 – at Central Michigan (2-9, 2-6 in MAC) – Offense: Central Michigan got a great year out of the offense for most of last year finishing second in the MAC in rushing and putting up close to 400 yards of total offense per game. There are some excellent pieces to build around led by do-it-all running back Jerry "Bam Bam" Seymour who should finish among the top ten in the nation in total offense. QB Kent Smith had some explosive moments helped by his top returning wideout targets, Damien Linson and Justin Harper. The line is very young, but it won't be all that bad if it can improve on its pass blocking.
Defense: CMU's defense made a few strides last year, but it still gave up way too many points and got worse as the season went on. The line should be a little bit better with some good-sized tackles and Dan Bazuin on the end, but the back seven has to be better. It's a fast group with several converted safeties playing linebacker and a couple of speed demons at corner, but there's little size. A team with big receivers will eat the CMU secondary alive.---College Football---
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Sept. 10 – Nicholls State---College Football---
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Sept. 17 - Kentucky (2-9, 1-7 in SEC) – Offense: The offense went from bad to worse as last season went on. Outside of the 51-point outburst against Indiana and the 37-31 loss to Tennessee to close things out, the Cats averaged just over ten points per game failing to score more than 17 in nine of the 11 contests. There's hope for a major improvement with the return of receivers Tommy Cook and Keenan Burton from injury and the emergence of big Andre Woodson at quarterback. There are plenty of backs to handle the workload, but the line has to be far better than it was last season.---College Football---
Defense: Time and again the defense was put in horrible positions last season thanks to a lame offense, but it rarely came up with a big stop on its own against teams with a pulse. The biggest problem was a run defense that got ripped apart for 225 yards per game. Things might not be appreciably better losing top tackler Jon Sumrall from the linebacking corps with a neck condition that forced him to retire, and now needing some true freshmen to play key roles. The line should get to the quarterback, but there are still concerns about how it'll hold up against the run. The secondary is solid led by star safety Muhammad Abdullah.---College Football---
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Oct. 1 – at 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.
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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Oct. 8 - Illinois (4-7, 2-6 in Big Ten) – Offense: Ed Zaunbrecher brings his passing attack from Gainesville to Champaign and is looking for the right pieces to fit. The running backs will be the centerpiece early on with Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey as good as any twosome in the Big Ten. The receiving corps has potential with Kendrick Jones a burgeoning star. A quarterback has to emerge as a star to run the offense like Chris Leak did for Florida. Inexperienced junior Tim Brasic has the inside line on the job, but he'll need time to get his feet wet. The line is average at best.---College Football---
Defense: The defense struggled in every phase trying to overcome injuries and youth. The D is still extremely young, but it's athletic with good speed almost everywhere. The secondary will have to be a rock early with good safeties in Justin Harrison and Morris Virgil and rising corners Alan Ball and Charles Bailey. The undersized linebacking corps will be an issue early, where the ends have to generate more of a pass rush.---College Football---
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Oct. 15 – 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.---College Football---
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.
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Oct. 22 - 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---
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Oct. 29 – at 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.---College Football---
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.
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Nov. 5 - Minnesota (7-4, 4-4 in Big Ten) – Offense: If all the parts stay healthy and QB Bryan Cupito improves on his consistency and accuracy, the offense will be one of the top ten in America. The left side of the line, along with center Greg Eslinger, will dominate. The receiving corps looks like an NBA backcourt with size, speed and athleticism. Of course, the star of the show will be junior Laurence Maroney who should by a lock for at least 1,500 yards.---College Football---
Defense: Head coach Glen Mason will work with the defense most of the time this off-season to try to improve things after a few lousy seasons. The pass defense was horrible and won't get much help right away from the pass rush. The linebacking corps will be fine in time, but the secondary will need plenty of work. The strength is in the middle of the line with All-Big Ten tackle candidates Anthony Montgomery and Mark Losli.
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Nov. 12 – at Michigan (9-2, 6-2 in Big Ten) – Offense: On straight talent, it'll be hard to beat the Wolverines if QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart improve at all on their fantastic freshman years. The loss of all-everything receiver Braylon Edwards will hurt worse than many will you have you believe. However, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston are very, very good. The line will have three All-Big Ten performers in guard Matt Lentz and tackles Adam Stenavich and Jake Long; now the pass protection has to be better.---College Football---
Defense: One of the most scrutinized defenses in the country this off-season after meltdowns against Ohio State and Texas, there's enough talent returning, and enough pressure on defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann, to expect a bit more consistency. There are some big losses, particularly in the secondary, but there are always enough athletes in Ann Arbor to go around. The line will be the strength with Gabe Watson and Pat Massey one of the nation's best tackle tandems. Can the back seven handle mobile quarterbacks? Will this be a tighter D against the top teams? The jury is still out.
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Nov. 19 - 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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Keys to the Big Games
Week Eight, Oct. 22---college football---
Oregon State vs. UCLA---college football---

By John Harris---college football---

a. Homecoming – There are a few instances in an athlete’s life when he/she gets a little more charged up than usual. A bowl game. A championship game. The opener. The last game of one’s career. Returning to a place that used to be home and sticking it to the home team. And, on that note, say hello to current Oregon State QB and former UCLA Bruin Matt Moore. No matter how he left UCLA, on good terms or miserable terms, he’s got something to prove.---college football---

He won’t tell you that, but he’s a competitor, so you know that he’s going to be going out of his mind just prior to taking the field against a number of his former teammates. But, at some point, the emotion is going to wear off and Moore is going to show the Bruins that he’s a tough out, even on the road, that used to be home, but is now…oh, you get the idea. Moore has piled up some big yardage numbers this year, but his interceptions are up, ten on the year, including three last week at Cal. If there’s anything that should worry the Beaver faithful, it’s giving the ball back to the UCLA offense, so it’s pertinent that Moore take care of the ball.---college football---

Maybe it was the focus Cal put on stopping All-American WR Mike Hass, but Moore was off his game last week and must get that swagger back that was evident early this season. And, there couldn’t be any better place than in Pasadena to show the home folks what he can do.---college football---

b. Barking up the right tree – If you didn’t see the Cal game, you had to pick up the stat sheet and think it was a typo. There’s no way that Beaver RB Yvenson Bernard ran the ball forty two times. They must have put an extra four up on the stat sheet.---college football---

After struggling for a year and a half to replace former OSU All-American RB Steven Jackson, Bernard’s arrival and performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Finishing the game with 42 carries for a whopping 194 yards and two touchdowns, Bernard may have single handedly brought balance to already explosive passing offense. But, beyond what it’s done for the Beavers, the Bruins are struggling, and that might be a ‘nice’ way of saying the run defense really stinks. ---college football---

Even with potential All-American LB Spencer Havner and All-Pac-10 candidate Justin London at linebacker, the Bruins have given up reams of yardage. Washington racked up 213, which is astonishing, in and of itself, because, well, it’s Washington. Cal’s duo of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett were instrumental in helping Cal run for 330 yards. No typo there. Then, to make matters worse, Jerome Harrison of Washington State sliced and diced the UCLA run defense to the tune of 260 yards, 330 for the Cougars in total. Don’t think that Bernard isn’t licking his chops to have his second huge game in a row against the reeling Bruins.---college football---

c. What’s in a Name? – For as good as Bernard was last week, Maurice Jones-Drew has been that good all season long. But, when you assess the effect that Jones-Drew has on this Bruin squad, you have to take into account the total package. From a straight forward run game standpoint, he’s the leading rusher on the team. From a receiving standpoint, he has 14 receptions on the season and is another weapon in the passing game for UCLA QB Drew Olson to capitalize upon. From a return standpoint, he’s returned 11 punts this year for an astounding 30.7 yard average. Wait, WHAT? 30.7 yards per return? Who the heck is kicking that guy the ball? ---college football---

As a versatile three ring circus, Jones-Drew has just as much impact on a game as his more glorified crosstown rival, Reggie Bush. But, for all of the great numbers that Jones-Drew has put up this year, it’s his passion and energy that drive this team and this offense. He runs with such purpose and just won’t let his Bruins lose. Maybe it’s the magic that he took with him from DeLaSalle High School. Maybe it’s just that he has a heart bigger than the Rose Bowl. Maybe he’s driven by his late grandfather’s will and love. Maybe it’s a lethal combination of all of the above. No matter what it is, Jones-Drew is a guy that you would love to have on your team. Unfortunately for the Beavers, Oregon State is going to find out all about #21 on Saturday.---college football---

Conclusion – Perhaps, UCLA is done playing with house money, especially with the way that the defense is performing the last few weeks. There’s no question that the UCLA offense can win a track meet any day of the week, but they can’t find themselves down this week against the Beavers. UCLA’s front seven must step up and play hard nosed football and shut down the Beaver running game, for if they don’t, WR Mike Hass will eventually get single coverage as the Bruins roll Jarrad Page or Dennis Keyes into the box to stop Bernard. Expect the UCLA defense to step up and stop their former teammate, Moore, as they roll to 7 and 0. UCLA – 45 vs. Oregon State – 37---college football---
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Instant AnalysisGeorgia 27 ... Tennessee 14By Matthew Zemek
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The Tennessee Volunteers, four decades ago, possessed a player of considerable stature in Richmond Flowers.On Saturday evening in Neyland Stadium, however, the Vols watched—and wilted—while Georgia’s Thomas Flowers made a play of considerable stature.Flowers’ punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the Dawgs’ third straight win in Knoxville, cemented Mark Richt as the road warrior of the SEC, and gave D.J. Shockley the statement-making victory he’s coveted for a good long while. ----collegefootball----
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But more than any of those enormous accomplishments, Flowers’ greatest gift to his teammates was to enable their SEC East fortunes to blossom. With Florida having a trip to Baton Rouge next week, the Dawgs will have a hard time not playing at least one game in Atlanta this season. Since the Sugar Bowl—like the SEC Championship Game—will be held in the Georgia Dome at the end of this particular college football campaign, Richt’s road demons could very well have a chance to play in their home state twice within a one-month span. And that second game on the back end of a Georgia Dome doubleheader will not be the Peach Bowl, either—Tennessee might be playing in that contest.----collegefootball----
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But before you think a pair of Georgia Bulldog parties in Atlanta seems unfair, one must quickly realize the extent to which the Dawgs earned their command position in the SEC East on Saturday.From start to finish, Georgia controlled Tennessee... on the line of scrimmage, in the turnover battle, in the field position battle, and in the war of pooch punting, where Gordon Ely-Kelso destroyed Britton Colquitt. D.J. Shockley did commit two huge turnovers, but those miscues were more than offset by his combination of poise and accuracy against the din of a raucous Neyland Stadium crowd. ----collegefootball----
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By repeatedly finding Leonard Pope, his most reliable pass catcher, for big gains on seam routes, Shockley was able to help his mates establish a two-possession advantage. Then, when the Vols drew close, Georgia’s senior leader moved the chains to sustain field position for the Dawgs that would bear eventually bear fruit on Flowers’ punt return. With Colquitt punting from his own end zone, the pressure of a squeezed field made the Vol punter—like most other punters in similar situations—emphasize speed of release instead of hang time. ----collegefootball----
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The predictable-enough result was a distance kick that outdistanced Tennessee’s coverage and made the Vols susceptible to a big return, which is precisely what Flowers pulled off. Shockley didn’t lead his offense to a second-half touchdown until the outcome was decided, but he still carried an enormous amount of influence on the game, and it was his leadership—along with Flowers’ return and the sensational effort of a relentless Georgia defense that shut out Tennessee’s offense—that carried the Dawgs to a huge road win.On the other side of the ledger, Tennessee drowned in mistakes all game long, sputtering along in a dismal offensive performance that witnessed the Vols get bageled. ----collegefootball----
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Don’t let Rick Clausen’s official one-yard touchdown run (or his 24-yard touchdown pass on the game’s final timed down) fool you: Tennessee’s offense scored zero points for all intents and purposes, as Volunteer DB Jonathan Wade came up with a pick six that was six inches short of paydirt. (And as for the Vols’ second score, touchdown passes down 20 points with no time left can’t be said to count for much of anything.) Tennessee’s defense—led in particular by Jesse Mahelona--was the only unit making any plays for the Vols this afternoon. Meanwhile, Georgia—while solid and poised on offense—was dominant on defense and special teams, the two phases of play that Richt said were going to decide the contest.----collegefootball----
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Did they ever. With an iron fist in one hand and a bouquet of Thomas Flowers in the other, the Dawgs have a chance to play a lot of football in Atlanta before the year is out. And what’s more, if they don’t play in Atlanta in January for the Sugar Bowl, the Dawgs could find themselves in another destination: a place called Pasadena----collegefootball----

Football team plays twice

Northwestern College of St. Paul received national exposure when it played two football games in one day. - College Football -

The Eagles beat Trinity Bible College of Ellendale 59-0 at noon Saturday at home and then travelled to and beat crosstown rival Macalester College 47-14 at 7 that night. Northwestern (5-2) is on a five-game winning streak while Trinity is 1-5 and Macalester 0-6.

On Saturday morning, ESPN's College Gameday talked about Northwestern's doubleheader, thought to be a first in the modern day era. The games drew exposure from a number of national media outlets. - College Football -

Northwestern, a nondenominational Christian school with about 2,600 students enrolled, was having trouble finding a 10th opponent without drastically extending the season or busting the travel budget when the two-games-in-one-day idea was raised. It was OK with the NCAA, and the proximity (6 miles) to Macalester Stadium made the Scots a good fit.

"It didn't seem like that big a deal to us at first, but then we started to hear we were going to be on ESPN and I was like, 'Wow,'" Northwestern junior running back Ben Freedman told The Associated Press. - College Football -

The AP also reported that if there was an ideal opponent to open a doubleheader with, it's probably Trinity. The Lions brought only 22 players on the six-hour trip from Ellendale, N.D., where they drew national attention for a 105-0 defeat to Rockford College in Illinois in 2003. The team even had a book written about it, titled "Keeping the Faith: In the Trenches with College Football's Worst Team." - College Football -

Trinity Bible and Northwestern both belong to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in football. Presentation College of Aberdeen is a UMAC member in the other sports.

Currently provisional Division III members, the Northwestern College Eagles have built a fairly successful small-college program since they started fielding a football team in 1973. With more than 70 players on the roster, Northwestern - aiming for its 10th conference title and sixth straight winning season - has a lot more depth than most schools on its schedule.

- Staff AberdeenNews.com and AP Reports

College football notes: Leinart says early scare helped USC

By The Associated Press

OS ANGELES — Quarterback Matt Leinart insists he had a good time throughout No. 1 USC's victory at Oregon last weekend — even when the upset-minded Ducks took a 13-0 lead.

"It was a fun game. It was fun to be behind, that's what college football is all about," the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner said yesterday. "You've got to play four quarters to beat us."

The Trojans made that clear, scoring on seven straight possessions starting late in the second quarter to hammer the previously unbeaten Ducks 45-13.

"It was a battle for a half," Leinart said. "It wasn't a blowout until late in the third quarter, maybe the fourth quarter. It was good for us. We know that every game is not easy."

Offensive tackle Winston Justice smiled when told of Leinart's remarks.

"He said it was fun? I can't say it was fun," Justice said.

The Trojans (3-0 overall, 1-0 Pac-10) might face a tougher test Saturday when they hit the road again to face No. 14 Arizona State (3-1, 1-0). On the other hand, the Sun Devils seemed to be a strong opponent last year when they visited Los Angeles — and lost 45-7.

Leinart said he looks forward to his second game at Sun Devil Stadium. He remembers his first, on Oct. 4, 2003, with great fondness.

"That's when I got hurt, kind of started my career, you might say," he said. "I got more confident after that. Really, since that game, we've never looked back — as a team and as an offense."

USC was coming off a 34-31 triple-overtime setback at California — Leinart's only loss as a starter in 29 games — and he injured his right leg and ankle early in the second quarter, forcing him to sit out the rest of the first half.

He returned to start the third quarter, and USC outscored Arizona State 27-0 down the stretch to win 37-17. "My ankle was throbbing, I could feel it under the tape," Leinart said.

That victory began a winning streak that has reached 25 games to equal school and Pac-10 records.

USC and the Sun Devils are two of the most explosive teams in the country — USC is averaging 615.7 yards to rank second nationally and Arizona State is fourth at 591.8. The Trojans rank second with a 66.3-point scoring average, and the Sun Devils are tied for sixth at 47.0.

"We have impressive numbers on offense," Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter said. "Their numbers just blow our numbers away."

Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company

College Football: Taking the heat
Mendenhall accepts blame for BYU's failings in the season's first football game

By Patrick Kinahan
The Salt Lake Tribune

PROVO - Bronco Mendenhall had a simple explanation for why one of Brigham Young's defensive linemen lined up offsides three times in the first game.
"It reflects coaching," said the new BYU head coach.
Trying to get an edge, defensive end Manaia Brown had his helmet past the line of scrimmage in Saturday's game against BostonCollege. - College Football -
Instead of pointing fingers, Mendenhall shouldered the blame.
As he always does.
Blunt and candid during interviews, Mendenhall takes full responsibility for his program. He speaks the truth, as he sees it, without deflecting consequences.
"What I've found is if you tell the truth, it saves you so much time trying to remember what you said to people," Mendenhall said. "The starting point is to be honest and straightforward."
Mendenhall's head coaching debut was disappointing, as the Cougars lost 20-3. BYU's new offense fizzled, scoring the field goal only after a blocked punt provided field position deep in BostonCollege territory. - College Football -
Serving as his own defensive coordinator, Mendenhall has little input on BYU's offensive plays. His one big decision came on a fourth down, when BYU punted late in the game on BC's 36-yard line.
The home crowd responded with a chorus of boos. Asked about it after the game, Mendenhall explained his rationale but quickly admitted it was a mistake.
"For some coaches, it's kind of a ploy, where they're going to be the martyr," said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe, a former Division I head coach. "But I think with Bronco, it's real. If something goes wrong he's not going to blame somebody else."
At times over the previous three years, Mendenhall's predecessor, Gary Crowton, struggled to convey his message. - College Football -
After BYU lost to Stanford two years ago, he explained the decision to pass late in the game by saying he wanted to win by nine points rather than two.
Crowton's intent for his team to remain aggressive got buried in the translation. So far, even in defeat, Mendenhall has expressed himself well.
"When he talks, you can sense he really believes what he's saying," said Fred Skousen, BYU's advancement vice president. "There's not a phony bone in him. It's refreshingly honest.
"He's a very smart person, and you can sense that. He doesn't get tongue-tied."
In today's climate, a head football coach does much more than diagram plays. He becomes the face of a program, wearing almost every hat imaginable.
Without any training, Mendenhall has sold his vision to the public.
"He realizes the importance of the public relations function," Skousen said. "I liken him a little bit to [former Utah and current Florida coach] Urban Meyer. He understood that his job was not only to present a winningfootball program, but to sell that to the community, to the fans, to the outside world. I sense Bronco understands the importance.
"Bronco really catches what the expectations are from a whole host of constituents. His job is to communicate to those constituents." - College Football -
At BYU, the football coach also serves as a representative of the LDS Church. Some would argue the coach ranks among the most visible LDS Church members in the world.
Mendenhall willingly embraces his role but admits he underestimated BYU football fanatics.
"They want to know everything about the program," he said. "I hadn't anticipated them wanting to be as involved, and wanting to know, and as interested in our program."
Mendenhall also has been a hit with reporters, who appreciate his honesty. Losing, as Crowton discovered after his first season, could strain the working relationship.
A potential glimpse into the future occurred when BYU players faced hard questions after Saturday's game. Several players were asked about some of Mendenhall's game decisions, a line of questioning he may not have appreciated. - College Football -
"These players are asked to respond to some pretty tough questions," he said. "I'm not sure it's appropriate to ask a player about a coach's decision."

© Copyright 2005, The Salt Lake Tribune.

Ready to roll

Down South, they are primed for college football

My grandfather turned 90 years old this weekend, so I traveled from New York to L.A. (Lower Alabama) for the big celebration. Blogging from the farm is an interesting experience, because as much as I like living in Manhattan, pecking away on the laptop while sitting on a porch swing is pretty unbeatable. Except for the Alabama state bird, the mosquito.

Here in Alabama, and all across the South, for that matter, college football fever is in full swing. Reading the New York Post and New York Daily News every day, you'd have no idea how D.J. Shockley is adjusting to the starting QB gig in Athens, or that Steve Spurrier makes his Gamecock debut this weekend (with an offense he's dubbed the "cock n' fire," which sounds like something I learned about in 11th grade health class).

Unless the St. John Red Storm goes on an improbable run and sweeps the BCS -- improbable, I know, since they don't even have a men's football team -- the college game will probably never get its due up North in the media capital of the world. Understandable. And of course, no one in the South will ever really care about the Yankees or the Red Sox.

Here on the farm, taped to my grandfather's refrigerator are two newspaper clippings, both aged and yellow. One features Bear Bryant, his houndstooth hat pulled low on his brow, being escorted off the field after a bowl game victory. The other picture is of Gene Stallings, being carried off the field after Alabama's 1992 national championship win over Miami. There's also a ticket stub from the 1963 Orange Bowl, as well as a stub from some old regular season game between Alabama and Nebraska.

Just before we took the big family portrait yesterday afternoon, my grandfather unleashed a loud, "Roll Tide!"

And my grandfather didn't even go to Alabama.

This is college football in the South, where the only thing more important than where you go to church is what school you root for. Your allegiances are displayed by bumper stickers and by plastic flags projecting out the car window. It's not replica jerseys -- because they don't make completely accurate current college replicas -- so it's sweats and t-shirts. It's Winnebagos and paper plates, burgers and barbeque chicken. With a side of potato salad, of course.

It's Cokes that get watered down from the sun and humidity, getting sunburn on just one side of your face, and borrowing suntan lotion from stranger in front of you. Frat boys in dress shirts, ties and slacks, and regular people in shorts and sneakers. SEC coaches on TV shilling for pressure-treated lumber, ACC coaches overshadowed by the basketball coaches.

I've never been to a college game up North or out West, but I assume it's a similar, if smaller, experience. College football is equal parts family and funseekers. And at the risk of choking on a cliché, college football in the South really is a way of life, moreso than any pro sport has ever been and probably will ever be. This is partly a reflection of the Southern economy. Most people here aren't going to shell out $45 a pop to watch the Atlanta Hawks play the Los Angeles Clippers. Pro football is popular, as long as the teams are winning (note that the Atlanta Falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons), and the Braves always average a solid crowd, but famously have had problems selling out playoff games.

Why is college football so enduring down here? I think it has something to do with spirit. It's easy and fun to joke about the schools turning into football factories, about the students not really being students, but at the end of the semester, they've got to pass classes like the rest of us once did. These are real kids, who hang out at the student center and for the most part will never play football again after they leave college. So for them this is it, the only memories they'll have to live the rest of their lives on.

And with a pro career eliminated, they don't have to worry about playing for the name on the back of the jersey, and instead can concentrate on playing for the name on the front of the jersey. We understand this, as fans, and we don't root for them, as people, but as representatives of our favorite schools. University presidents like to talk about academics and the importance of the school's rich sociology or math department. The day 105,000 people show up for a math competition, I'll start listening to them. We want to see football, hear helmets cracking, brass sections blowing.

Right now, it's 8:21 a.m., and I'm at a Panera Bread Company restaurant, strictly to rock the free WiFi, although the bagels aren't bad, either. (Note to self: Ask Peter King about the lattes here.)

Looking around, there are about 14 people in here, give or take a few. And I see two Auburn hats, an Alabama golf shirt and a car with an Alabama flag outside.

Are you ready for some football? We are.

Copyright © 2005 CNN/Sports Illustrated.