College Football Line - Football Betting

2005-10-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

Purdue Boilermakers

Oct. 29---College Football---
Penn State 33 ... Purdue 15---College Football---
Penn State rolled up 516 yards of total offense with four Kevin Kelly field goals and touchdown runs from Curtis Painter, Michael Robinson, and two short runs in the second half from BranDon Snow. Purdue hunt tight for a half highlighted by a 25-yard touchdown run from Curtis Painter, but the offense couldn't get anything going in the second half with only a Brandon Kirsch four-yard score. Penn State outrushed Purdue 303 yards to 113.---College Football---
Player of the game: Penn State RB Tony Hunt ran 24 times for 129 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Penn State - Passing: Michael Robinson, 13-29, 213 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Tony Hunt, 24-129. Receiving: Jordan Norwood, 4-59
Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 11-21, 102 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Jerod Void, 10-57, Receiving: Kyle Ingraham, 7-77---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The loss to Penn State finally puts a nail in the coffin. Purdue has to be considered the season's most disappointing team with the biggest problems continuing to be on a defense that isn't doing anything right. There's no pressure in the backfield, and the front seven is getting shoved all over the place. On offense, there's nothing consistent mainly because the quarterback situation is now a mess with Curtis Painter predictably up-and-down and Brandon Kirsch without the confidence of the coaching staff. The Michigan State game this week could be very ugly.
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Oct. 22---College Football---
Wisconsin 31 ... Purdue 20---College Football---
Wisconsin broke open a tight game with a weaving 84-yard interception return for a touchdown from Roderick Rogers midway through the third quarter to spark a 21-0 run. Brian Calhoun took a short pass 40 yards for a score, and Jack Ikegwuonu stepped in front of a pass and took it 62 yards for a score. Purdue QB Curtis Painter ran for a touchdown and threw a four-yard touchdown pass.
Player of the game: Wisconsin DB Roderick Rogers made four tackles, broke up three passes, and returned an interception 84 yards for the game changing touchdown.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Purdue - Passing: Curtis Painter, 23-44, 212 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Curtis Painter, 11-60, 1 TD. Receiving: Brian Hare, 5-38---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 15-26, 217 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 20-62. Receiving: Brian Calhoun, 5-78, 2 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: While Curtis Painter adds something interesting to the mix, quarterback hasn't been Purdue's problem. The Wisconsin game needed a veteran leader who wouldn't make mistakes, and in hindsight, that should've been Brandon Kirsch. The defense did a decent job against the Badger attack, and there were some good kicks from Ben Jones, but Painter interceptions ended up being the difference.
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Oct. 15---College Football---
Northwestern 34 ... Purdue 29---College Football---
Northwestern overcame a 20-point Purdue second half rally to get a one-yard Tyrell Sutton touchdown on fourth down with 1:50 to play. The Wildcats jumped out to an early 21-3 lead on two Brett Basanez touchdown passes and a nine-yard Basanez scoring run, but Purdue's offense woke up in the second half on a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Dorien Bryant on the opening kick, and two Brandon Jones touchdown runs. Bryant caught 16 passes for 153 yards.---College Football---
Player of the game: Northwestern QB Brett Basanez completed 37 of 55 passes for 463 yards and three touchdowns and ran seven times for 43 yards and a touchdown. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: Brett Basanez, 37-55, 463 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 13-89, 1 TD. Receiving: Shaun Herbert, 11-96---College Football---
Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 37-58, 360 yds, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Jerod Void, 7-37, 1 TD. Receiving: Dorien Bryant, 16-153---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Alright, so the season has now completely gone into the tank as Purdue once again couldn't come up with a close win. Northwestern's offense is strong, but there's no excuse for Purdue's experienced pass defense to be picked apart yet again. There's little to no pressure being generated from the front line, and the secondary simply isn't covering well. QB Brandon Kirsch and WR Dorien Bryant are putting up tons of yards, but it hasn't been enough to overcome the puzzling defense. ---College Football---

Oct. 8---College Football---
Iowa 34 ... Purdue 17---College Football---
Iowa broke open a tight game with 14 unanswered points in the second half helped by a safety, a 36-yard scoring play from WR Clinton Solomon, and an Ed Miles interception to thwart a Purdue drive. Solomon, who was dinged up during the game, started off the Purdue scoring with a 78-yard touchdown catch as Iowa jumped out to a 17-7 lead. Purdue came back on a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dorien Bryant and a 46-yard Ben Jones field goal, but couldn't get any closer in the fourth quarter.---College Football---
Player of the game: Iowa QB Drew Tate completed 19 of 33 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Drew Tate, 19-33, 357 yds, 3 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Albert Young, 36-165. Receiving: Clinton Solomon, 5-166, 2 TD---College Football---
Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 31-50, 353 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Kory Sheets, 16-78, 1 TD. Receiving: Dorien Bryant, 10-141, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Purdue's defense has gone from bad to worse in one of the season's most puzzling disasters. The Iowa game at home was supposed to be the team's defining game, and it might have been allowing 535 yards having equal problems with the Hawkeye passing and running games. The offense might not be keeping the chains moving consistently, but it's cranking out yards with Brandon Kirsch having a strong game outside of an interception. With the way the Northwestern offense is playing, next week could be an even bigger problem. ---College Football---
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Oct. 1---College Football---
Notre Dame 49 ... Purdue 28---College Football---
Notre Dame's offense was nearly perfect in the first half on the way to a 28-0 halftime lead on two, one-yard Rashon Powers-Neal touchdown runs, a four-yard scoring pass to Jeff Samardzija and a ten-yard touchdown from Darius Walker. Purdue's offense showed up in the second half putting up 28 points, but the outcome had been decided thanks to a 55-yard score from Samardzija, helped by poor tackling from the Purdue defense. Purdue got two touchdowns from Dorien Bryant and two from Kory Sheets, but turnovers and inefficiency in the first half proved too costly. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn completed 29 of 36 passes for 440 yards and three touchdowns with an interception.
Stat Leaders: Notre Dame - Passing: Brady Quinn, 29-36, 440 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Darius Walker, 23-80, 1 TD. Receiving: Maurice Stovall, 8-134---College Football---
Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 29-44, 274 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Kory Sheets, 6-66, 2 TD. Receiving: Dorien Bryant, 14-127, 2 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Purdue had better figure out how to tackle again. Notre Dame's offense was able to do whatever it wanted to, but it didn't help that veteran Boilermaker defenders were bouncing off Irish ball-carriers. There was little to no pass rush generated by the front line, while the secondary didn't make any plays on the Irish receivers. On offense, the coaching staff has complained about Brandon Kirsch's ability to run the option, and his decision making on his pitches proved costly again.
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Sept. 24
Minnesota 42 ... Purdue 35 2OT ---College Football---
Minnesota's Gary Russell ran for a three-yard touchdown in the second overtime, and then the defense held knocking away a fourth down pas to come up with a gut-check win. Down 21-20 late in the fourth, Gopher QB Bryan Cupito threw an interception to Dan Bick for a touchdown, but the Gophers responded with a 12-play, 65-yard drive culminating with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Matt Spaeth, followed up by a successful two-point conversion run from Cupito on the option. Purdue scored first in the extra time with a five-yard run from Kory Sheets, but Minnesota answered with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Logan Payne. Russell scored three times for the Gophers; Brandon Kirsch threw two touchdown passes for the Boilermakers.---College Football---
Player of the game: Minnesota RB Laurence Maroney ran 46 times for 217 yards and caught five passes for 59 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 15-34, 246 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Kory Sheets, 10-101, 1 TD. Receiving: Charles Davis, 5-110, 1 TD---College Football---
Minnesota - Passing: Bryan Cupito, 22-35, 271 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Laurence Maroney, 46-217. Receiving: Laurence Maroney, 5-59---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Where was the Purdue defense against Minnesota? The Gopher running game is one of the best in the nation, but the Boilermakers failed to come up with a big stop late, and never seemed capable of slowing down what the Gopher offense, once focused, wanted to do. Purdue showed it could run the ball last week against Arizona, but it couldn't get it going this week when it really mattered. The mediocre play of QB Brandon Kirsch didn't help matters.---College Football---
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Sept. 17---College Football---
Purdue 31 ... Arizona 24---College Football---
Purdue powered the ball for 239 yards and held Arizona to only nine yards on the ground as Jerod Void ran for three touchdowns, including a 55-yard dash on the opening drive. Arizona stayed alive on two Richard Kovalcheck touchdown passes, but couldn't get over the hump in the fourth quarter. Arizona outpassed Purdue 287 yards to 140. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Purdue RB Jerod Void ran 18 times for 107 yards and three touchdowns and recovered a fumbled punt.. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Arizona - Passing: Richard Kovalcheck, 23-40, 287 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Bell, 14-35. Receiving: Mike Thomas, 6-84
Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 7-16, 140 yds
Rushing: Jerod Void, 18-107 yds, 3 TD. Receiving: Dorien Bryant, 4-82---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Purdue appears to be going out of its way to show it can run the ball. Arizona has a fantastic secondary, so the Boilermakers simply pounded the ball with Jerod Void and the strong offensive line. The defense did a great job of getting pressure in the backfield and didn't allow Wildcat RB Mike Bell to breathe. It was a little too close for comfort all game long, but it was a good performance going into a nasty Big Ten opener at Minnesota.---College Football---
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Sept. 10---College Football---
Purdue 49 ... Akron 24---College Football---
Purdue jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead on a 13-yard Ray Williams touchdown run and a 13-yard blocked punt return for a score from Kory Sheets, the first of his two touchdowns. Akron made it interesting for a few moments on an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jasper Montgomery, but Purdue's Jerod Void put an end to the drama with a 46-yard scoring dash. Brandon Kirsch threw two touchdown passes to Dustin Keller and Dorien Bryant started off the fourth quarter with a three-yard touchdown run. Akron's highlight was a 79-yard halfback option touchdown pass from Brett Biggs to Montgomery. The Boilermakers outgained the Zips 211 yards to 23 on the ground. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Purdue RB Jerod Void ran ten times for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Akron - Passing: Luke Getsy, 25-44, 283 yds, 2 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Brett Biggs, 11-47. Receiving: Domenik Hixon, 6-79---College Football---
Purdue - Passing: Brandon Kirsch, 22-34, 252 yds, 2 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Jerod Void, 25-44, 2 TD. Receiving: Dorien Bryant, 9-70---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Considering everyone is back on the Purdue D, it gave up a lot of yards to Akron. The Zips were able to crank out 362 yards through the air and keep the game from being a blowout. Fortunately, the Boilermakers have a few games (at Arizona, at Minnesota) to tighten up before facing Notre Dame. On offense, they know they can run after pounding the ball down Akron's throat. If they can do that against Arizona, then it's really time to get excited.
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2005 Schedule ---College Football---
Sept. 10 - Akron (5-6, 3-5 in MAC) – Offense: The offense wasn't quite as explosive as it should've been with Charlie Frye at quarterback and Brett Biggs toting the rock finishing 88th in the nation in total offense and 62nd in scoring. There are a few weapons in place for a big season, most notably Biggs and WR Domenik Hixon, but they aren't going anywhere unless a rag-tag group on the offensive line comes together in a hurry around star tackle Tim Crouch. There are good prospects at quarterback, but there isn't a Frye. Even with Biggs, the rushing attack was 106th in the nation and won't improve with this O line.---College Football---
Defense: The Zips need more overall production and hope the return of seven starters will do the trick. Essentially, the D needs something it can hang its hat on. It would be pass coverage if there was a sure-fire sacker to help the cause. The secondary is the strength with four starters returning to the 3-3-5 alignment and emerging playmakers at corner. The front six has to prove it can get to the quarterback, but there are speedy options at linebacker to try to get the job done.

Sept. 17 – at Arizona (4-7, 3-5 in Pac 10) - Offense: The offense was one of the worst in America finishing next to last in scoring and 112th in yards. Youth and lack of proper personnel was the main problem as offensive coordinator Mike Canales tried to do what he could with his spread offense. There's still a general lack of talent, but things should be better with a more physical line paving the way for a good backfield led by Mike Bell. Quarterback Richard Kovalcheck has a little bit of experience and will look to build on his season-ending performance against Arizona State. Syndric Steptoe and newcomer B.J. Vickers are a decent 1-2 receiving punch.
Defense: The Stoops boys are still working mostly with what was handed to them two years ago, but they're starting to mold this group into something special. Eight starters return with all four, including all-stars Antoine Cason and Darrell Brooks, to a secondary that should be much tighter if it gets any help from a pass rush that wasn't there for most of last season. Instead of getting funky with blitzes, the hope is for the line to get more of a push. This isn't a big defense, especially at linebacker, but it'll get by on its speed.---College Football---
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Sept. 24 – at 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.---College Football---
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Oct. 1 - Notre Dame (predicted finish: 5-6) – Offense: Ten starters return with the one non-starter, RB Darius Walker, one of the team's best players. Charlie Weis threw everything but the kitchen sink at QB Brady Quinn and the rest of the offense this spring with everyone handling the new attack better than expected. Quinn has the talent, the receivers, and the coaching to put up some huge numbers. Senior receivers Rhema McKnight and Maurice Stovall have to finally live up to their hype and the veteran offensive line has to be better in every phase.---College Football---
Defense: Only three starters return to a defense that was statistically great against the run, but horrible against the pass finishing second-to-last in the nation in pass defense. Speed and athleticism was a problem that's not going to be much better right away unless some of the fast backup defensive backs (like Terrail Lambert) get on the field. Despite the lack of returning starters, there's enough overall experience that this won't be a lousy D, but it won't be a killer.---College Football---
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Oct. 8 - 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. 15 - Northwestern – (4-7, 2-6 in Big Ten) Offense: Consistency was a problem last year and there weren't enough points scored against most of the good defenses, but it was still the nation's 29th ranked offense and it should crack the top 25 this year. The passing game will be one of the Big Ten's best with veteran quarterback Brett Basanez working with an experienced and deep receiving corps. Terrell Jordan and Brandon Robinson will combine to keep the running game rolling behind Zach Strief and a good line. The guards are a bit of a question mark, but that's nitpicking.---College Football---
Defense: The potential is there for a good year after struggling away from Evanston. The return of end Loren Howard, corner Marquice Cole and linebacker Adam Kadela from the injury problems of last year will be a big help. The line should be a rock against the run with excellent size, while the linebacking corps has two All-Big Ten talents in Tim McGarigle and Nick Roach to build around. There's not a sure-thing pass rusher on the line meaning the fast corners will have to be better in coverage to improve a shaky pass defense.---College Football---

Oct. 22 – 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. 29 – at Penn State 6-5, 3-5 in Big Ten) – Offense: A ton of experience returns to one of the worst Penn State offenses ever averaging 17.73 points per game with five games scoring seven points or fewer. The line has all five starters returning (if C E.Z. Smith and G Tyler Reed are back from spring suspension) and it has to be much, much better. The receiving corps got a major boost this recruiting season with lightning-fast Derrick Williams and Justin King adding some desperately needed pop. There has to be more from the quarterbacks with the underwhelming Michael Robinson getting the nod since star prospect Anthony Morelli hasn't progressed enough yet. There's talent in the backfield; now it has to do more.---College Football---
Defense: The nation's tenth best defense and fifth best scoring D should be even better with almost all the parts returning and FS Chris Harrell coming back after missing all of last year with a neck injury. The defense didn't allow more than 21 points per game coming up with a shockingly good season. The corners will be among the best in the nation as will the starting linebackers. Overall depth and a lights-out pass rusher are the slight weaknesses, but that's nitpicking.
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Nov. 5 - Michigan State (8-3, 5-3 in Big Ten) – Offense: Last year's attack finished tenth in the nation, and first in the Big Ten, exploding on top defenses like Wisconsin's and Michigan's. Consistency was an issue, and it will be again unless talented quarterback Drew Stanton can stay on the field. With no reliable backup quarterback to count on, the oft-injured Stanton's health is the difference between a good and a great offense. While there aren't the name players like other Big Ten teams boast, this has the potential to be the league's best offense if a home run hitter can be found at running back and the newcomers to the right side of the line come through as expected.
Defense: Some work needs to be done after losing several top players from just about everywhere. This wasn't a solid defense, but it had its moments and will be athletic this year, if nothing else. There isn't a steady pass rush putting more pressure than needed on the average corners. The linebackers can move and should be the D's strength as the season goes on. Being tougher against the run would be a big plus.

Nov. 12 - 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.
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---

Nov. 19 – at Indiana (3-8, 0-8 in Big Ten) – Offense: The offense actually wasn't that horrible over the first part of last season. Consistency was the biggest problem and the defense didn't exactly help the cause. Even with the loss of three big starters (QB Matt LoVecchio, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis and WR Courtney Roby) the potential is there to do much more with an experienced line that gets two of its top players (OT Isaac Sowells and C Chris Mangiero) back from injury The running game will be serviceable with Chris Taylor and Yamar Washington until the young recruits come around and the receiving corps has plenty of speedy prospects. None of the promise will come true if Blake Powers, or one of the other quarterback candidates, doesn't start playing at a D-I level.
Defense: The D returns nine starters with the hopes of being stronger in all phases. There's a better chance of the pass defense improving than the run defense with a good pass rush taking the heat off the speedy young corners. Being a wall against the run will be a problem needing to convert John Pannozzo from fullback to middle linebacker and Greg Brown from the offensive line to tackle. Outside of Brown, there's little Big Ten-size inside.---College Football---
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2005-10-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

Keys to the Big GamesWeek Five, Oct. 1USC vs. Arizona StateBy John Harris
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a. Time to Make the Donuts – Although Reggie Bush is perhaps the most electrifying player that has ever played college football, there’s going to come a time this year when the USC offense is going to have to bury a team in the trenches. In other words, LenDale White time. For all of the stars on this offense, White hardly gets his name on the marquee, but the last thing that any defense wants to see is 6’2” and 235 pounds of angry, chip on his shoulder running back in the fourth quarter with something to prove.
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White registered 111 yards (7+ yards per carry) last week at Oregon, and his role should increase as the year goes on. Sooner or later, some defense is going to match up better than either Hawaii, Arkansas or Oregon, and White is going to play a large role in that victory. During the Oregon game, he had an isolation run early in the game and he looked as good, quick and powerful as he has ever looked. It’s just hard to imagine that some scared defensive back who sees #21 bearing down on him won’t want to cower in fear and run for cover.
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The question becomes how can White be incorporated more into the offense and, also, with Bush on the field at the same time? Want to see a defensive coordinator throw in the white towel, put Bush and White on the field at the same time. Arizona State has two physical linebackers, Jamar Williams and Dale Robinson, in the middle and after they tire chasing Bush, they’re going to get a face full of White. At that point, the USC offense should go ground and give Matt Leinart the rest of the game off. And, that means it’ll be a White Christmas in Tempe.---college football---
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b. It’s a Screen Thing – Teams can move the football on USC. They’re not invincible. Now, with that being said, what did teams learn from the Oregon game? One of the biggest thoughts is that you have to use their aggressiveness against them. Oregon did have some downfield passing game success, but once USC quit making mental mistakes and blowing coverages, there was not much activity after the middle of the second quarter. But, with Dallas Sartz, the Trojans senior leader at OLB, on the bench injured, the use of screen passes might be one area that Arizona State can have some success. ---college football---
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The Sun Devils used the screen twice in the fourth quarter in the Sun Bowl last year with Rudy Burgess and had great success with it. Sam Keller has been throwing the football so well down the field to Derek Hagan and company that the linebackers know they have to get deep in their drops to play underneath digs, curls and crossing routes. With the defensive line getting after it on the pass rush and the linebackers deeper than usual, the screen areas should be wide open. Now, the rub is that USC makes great second half adjustments, so the ASU staff can’t go to the well too often, but it’s still a package that they can use to get Burgess loose in the open field.---college football---
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c. Love to Love – Centers should get some Love, too, right? Well, for Arizona State, there’s plenty of Love to go around – Grayling Love, that is. The All-Pac 10 offensive lineman is a major factor in this game for a number of reasons. First, the obvious – if ASU is going to move the football consistently, they’ve got to run in the A and B gaps effectively, which means running behind Mr. Love in the middle. The Sun Devil center has the experience advantage over the Trojan tackles, and he, and his guards, must be able to get a hat on a hat, consistently to give Burgess and/or Keegan Herring room inside to run. ---college football---
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USC is too quick to try to establish much of an outside zone, perimeter running game, but teams that have moved the ball well have been able to attack inside the hashes. Secondly, the senior center is control of all the line calls. Essentially, Love will help determine the changes in run blocking and pass protection based on what he reads at the line of scrimmage. ---college football---
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Keller has to stay upright in the pocket, and if he is, he can pick USC apart, like Aaron Rodgers did last year. But, keeping him protected is Love’s responsibility, in more ways than one. Keep an eye on the middle of that Sun Devil offensive line and if they’re able to open holes in the middle and give Keller time to throw.
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Conclusion – ---college football---

For as good as this USC offense is, the Arizona State offense has put up similar numbers and points. USC might have the ‘stars’, but Keller and Hagan are one of the best pass-catch duos in the nation. However, USC has Bush, and he’s enough to turn a track meet into a one sided offensive show in the second half. The Sun Devils will battle through the first two and a half quarters, but by the third quarter, Bush will make a play to blow the game wide open. USC – 51 vs. Arizona State – 35---college football---

2005-10-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Texas changing mind in AP Top 25
By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP Sports WriterOctober 23, 2005
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Texas is changing some minds.
The second-ranked Longhorns picked up two more first-place votes in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday, gaining on No. 1 Southern California. ---college football---
USC is on top of the rankings for a record 27th straight poll. The Trojans received 55 first-place votes and 1,615 points. The Longhorns, coming off a 52-17 victory over previously unbeaten Texas Tech, received the remaining 10 first-place votes and 1,569 points in the media poll. ---college football---
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I didn't move USC down as much as I moved Texas up,'' said Joe Giglio of The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C., one of two voters to switch Texas and USC this week. ``I feel (the Longhorns) have a more complete resume and I'm really impressed with how they've handled their business.'' ---college football---
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After a Saturday with no major upsets, the top nine teams held their positions in the Top 25. Virginia Tech is No. 3, followed by Georgia, Alabama, Miami, LSU, UCLA and Notre Dame. ---college football---
Texas Tech was the only top-10 team to fall. The Red Raiders dropped seven spots to No. 17 after their first loss of the season. That leaves six unbeaten teams -- USC, Texas, ---college football---
Virginia Tech, Georgia, Alabama and UCLA. ---college football---
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With USC and UCLA set to finish the season against each other and a Georgia-Alabama matchup in the Southeastern Conference title game possible, the regular season could end with four unbeaten teams.
Northwestern moved into the rankings this week for the first time since 2001. The Wildcats (5-2) defeated Michigan State 49-14 on Saturday and are now 21st in the country. The Spartans fell out of the rankings.
Michigan is back in the rankings after a 23-20 overtime win at Iowa. The Wolverines have been in and out of the poll in an up-and-down season that has been filled with close games. ---college football---
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Earlier this season, Michigan snapped a string of 114 straight weeks in the rankings, which was the longest in the nation and dated back to 1998. The Wolverines moved back into the poll after a win, then dropped back out after another loss. Two straight last-play victories over Penn State and the Hawkeyes have Michigan at No. 25. ---college football---
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The top five teams in the USA Today coaches' poll were identical to the AP rankings with USC, Texas, Virginia Tech, Georgia and Alabama. ---college football---
In the AP poll, No. 10 is Florida State, followed by Penn State and Ohio State. ---college football---
No. 13 Boston College, which has its highest ranking since the end of the 1993 season, plays at Virginia Tech on Thursday night. ---college football---
No. 14 is Oregon, followed by Wisconsin and Florida, which has a big game coming up on Saturday.
The Gators will try to hand Georgia its first loss in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party at Jacksonville, Fla. The Bulldogs will likely be without quarterback D.J. Shockley, who injured his knee in a 23-20 win over Arkansas. ---college football---
After Texas Tech at No. 17, West Virginia is 18th and Auburn fell three spots after losing 20-17 in overtime at LSU. ---college football---

No. 20 TCU is followed by Northwestern, Fresno State and Tennessee, which remained in the rankings with a 3-3 record. ---college football---
California is No. 24. ---college football---
Falling out of the rankings along with Michigan State was Virginia. The Cavaliers followed up a win over Florida State with a 7-5 loss at North Carolina on Saturday.---college football---

2005-10-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

Temple Football Coach Leaving After Season

By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Bobby Wallace is leaving Temple in the same shape he found it: As one of the worst football teams in the country. - College Football -

After eight losing seasons of never winning more than four games, Wallace said Monday he will leave at the end of the year when his coaching contract expires.

"What we've been through, the transition we've been through, has taken a toll on me and my family," Wallace said. "It hasn't been easy." - College Football -

The Owls have been outscored 297-63 and have lost five of their games by at least 25 points.

Wallace coached the Owls through one of their worst era's in an already historically woeful program. Since Wallace took over in 1998, Temple was booted out of the Big East, switched home stadiums and is playing its first year as an independent before joining the Mid-American Conference as a full member in 2007. - College Football -

The one constant has been the losing. The Owls are winless in six games this year. Their last winning season was 1990 and they haven't played a bowl game since 1979.

"Losing will wear on you and we've lost a lot of games," Wallace said.

Even with three two-win seasons and a one-win season on his Temple resume, this year has truly been Wallace's toughest. The Owls have allowed more than 60 points three times already and lost by three points against Western Michigan, their best chance for a win this year.

The 11 opponents on Temple' schedule finished a combined 83-48 (.634) last year and eight of its opponents played in bowl games. - College Football -

It doesn't get any easier Saturday when the Owls play No. 7 Miami.

Wallace said he met with Temple Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw last week to talk about his future. Wallace said he made the decision now to give Temple a jump on finding a new coach.

Temple's uncertain status after being voted out of the Big East in 2001 didn't help Wallace in recruiting. The Owls were kicked out because they didn't meet minimum requirements for membership, most notably in attendance, facilities and fielding a competitive team.

"That was a strain on all of us," Wallace said. - College Football -

The Owls have no true conference affiliation for another two years. They are affiliate members of the Mid-American Conference this year and next, slowly adding conference teams to the schedule until they are fullfootball members in 2007.

Wallace led North Alabama to three Division II national championships in 10 seasons at the school in his only other head coaching job from 1988-97. But he never was able to match that success at Temple. The Owls never won more than four games in a season under him, and were 3-26 over the last 2 1/2 years. - College Football -

Wallace said he might have been unprepared for the difficulties of running a major college program.

"I didn't know what I was getting into," he said. "It was an opportunity to be a head coach at a Division I program and I don't regret it for one second. If you ask me to go back to 1998 and if I would take this job, I would say absolutely yes." - College Football -

2005-10-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

College football: Special teams help revive SNC

By Paul Adamski
Press-Gazette correspondent

DE PERE — When St. Norbert College was at its best over the past few football seasons, its offense and defense ranked among the nation’s best in NCAA Division III.Not far behind, however, was the play from the special teams. When the six-time defending Midwest Conference champs got off to a slow start this season, the special teams weren’t making any momentum-changing plays. - College Football -

During last week’s 48-13 win over Knox College, the Green Knights showed flashes of being the powerhouse of years past. The driving force was the special teams.“We saw some new things showing up (against Knox) that didn’t show up the first three weeks,” Purtill said. “One was turnovers, then big plays from the special teams and good field position.”The special teams blocked a punt, intercepted a pass on a broken punt attempt, averaged more than 25 yards per return and helped land the Green Knights their best starting field position of the season. On back-to-back returns, former Ashwaubenon star A.J. Phillips set up the St. Norbert offense in Knox territory. - College Football -

In the Green Knights’ first three games, they started on the opponent’s side of the 50-yard line just twice — and both were barely past midfield. Against Knox, seven of their 11 drives started in Prairie Fire territory.“(Special teams) was a big factor,” Purtill said. “We had some short fields that made for short drives. We (also) had a couple of big plays when they tried to punt the ball, and even when (Knox) did score, we had good returns.” - College Football -

If SNC wants to make a run at a seventh consecutive conference title, Purtill says the play of the special teams will be crucial.With six conference games left, the Green Knights (2-2 overall, 2-1 MWC) trail Monmouth College (4-0, 3-0) by one game. The Green Knights and their opponent today, Illinois College (2-1, 1-1), are among a group of five teams with one loss. They’ll play in Jacksonville, Ill. - College Football -

Green Bay Press Gazette.

2005-09-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

College football notes: Florida intends to regain its bite at "The Swamp"

The Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While Florida teammates dejectedly walked to the locker room, Todd McCullough stood in the tunnel and watched Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen climb a ladder and start directing the band. - College Football -

Clausen led countless choruses of "Rocky Top" and mockingly performed the "Gator Chomp" after Tennessee's 24-10 victory at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in 2003.

"Tears were almost rolling down my cheeks," recalled McCullough, a senior linebacker. "I hated it so bad. It ate me up. It wrenched at me. It was just like a knot in your stomach watching that. I won't ever forget it."

And he doesn't want to see it happen again.

The Gators went 68-5 at "The Swamp" during coach Steve Spurrier's 12-season tenure — winning 30 in a row between 1994 and 1999 — and created one of the best home-field advantages in college football. That changed under Ron Zook, as Florida regressed to a 13-6 home record in three angst-filled seasons. - College Football -

The No. 6 Gators (2-0) want to protect their home field Saturday against fifth-ranked Tennessee (1-0), which has won two in a row in Gainesville.

"If we're going to take back The Swamp, it's got to start Saturday," center Mike Degory said. "We know that. We've had this date marked since January, so we understand the importance of this game."

New coach Urban Meyer has been talking about taking back "The Swamp" for eight months and Florida won its first two home games. He refused to practice at the stadium during the spring and fall, even when the team's practice fields were being redone. Instead, Meyer had the players bused back and forth across campus to intramural fields used by students for recreational football or soccer. - College Football -

"We've made a big deal about, 'That's our stadium. That's a sacred place,' " Meyer said. "That's a place that at one point the Gators didn't lose very often. We've discussed it at great length."

Meyer mentioned it before the opener against Wyoming and again last week against Louisiana Tech. But it means much more against Tennessee.

"I think we all have a sour taste in our mouth because we haven't been on the winning end of many of those games," Degory said. "We have this year to change it."

The Volunteers won in Gainesville in 1971, but lost the next seven games there, including five in a row against Spurrier. - College Football -

Notes

• Coach Bob Stoops of No. 21 Oklahoma said he will decide later this week whether suspended tailback Adrian Peterson will start Saturday against UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

"We'll see. At this point, we anticipate him playing," Stoops said. "Start or not depends on how we feel practice is going, what we feel we need to do."

Peterson, a sophomore who rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns in Oklahoma's 31-15 win against Tulsa on Saturday, was suspended from practice Monday and yesterday after missing classes. He was allowed to participate in team meetings, but is not allowed to speak to the media. Unranked UCLA is favored by 6-½ points. - College Football -

• Troy Smith will start for No. 9 Ohio State on Saturday against visiting San Diego State, while Justin Zwick — the starter in the Buckeyes' first two games this season — has been relegated to the sideline.

• While Penn State linebacker Dan Connor is welcome again at practice after serving a university punishment for allegedly making harassing phone calls, coach Joe Paterno squelched questions about the sophomore's status with the team. - College Football -

"Forget Connor," Paterno said. "I'm not telling anything. I don't know what I'm going to do."

2005-09-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

College Football
Here today, gone today for college football coaches

By Bud Withers
Seattle Times

College football season is only a few days away, marked by familiar signs of autumn: The thud of linemen against blocking sleds, the trill of practice whistles, the sound of coaches hedging on their selection of starting quarterbacks. - College Football -

And oh yes, the ka-ching of the cash register.

Never has the game — particularly nearby — been as marbled by financial factors as in 2005.

• Washington, coming off a 1-10 season, has raised seat-priority assessments about 31 percent across the board. The Huskies have taken the public tack that the investment will help ensure the dreaded 2004 effort doesn't happen again. - College Football -

• In the spring, Arizona not only lopped 19 full-time athletic-department jobs from a roll of 185, it turned the lawn around its basketball arena into a temporary used-car lot. The Wildcats received $150,000 up front from several car dealers in a five-year agreement that requires them to buy about $50,000 worth offootball tickets each fall.

• When Oregon State christens a dramatically revamped Reser Stadium on Saturday against Portland State, it will signify its commitment tofootball — and its reliance on season-ticket holders who are paying several hundred dollars more for the right to buy a pair of seats than they did a year ago.

• Washington State, exploring its own remodel to Martin Stadium with marketing surveys and hiring of an architect, has tacked a $5 fee onto each ticket for all home games this season to front that campaign.

It was in discussions with athletic director Jim Sterk about the proposed renovation that WSU coach Bill Doba cast a knowing glance at his boss. - College Football -

"It does help if we win a little bit, doesn't it?" Doba remarked.

Only a little.

Never have the stakes been as high in college football. Never has winning meant so much. Never has the pressure been quite as gnawing on coaches as it is entering this season.

Already buffeted by the twin forces of Internet message boards and sports-talk radio — two outlets that weren't a factor 15 years ago — coaches are increasingly held accountable for the improved facilities around them.

An inexorable shrinkage has taken place in their grace period for success. Not so long ago, a coach could figure to have five years to show he was the right choice, four at the mostfootball-crazed schools. - College Football -

At many places, that window now closes after three years, a trend underscored when Notre Dame — which had always held itself to be above such bottom-line madness — cashiered Tyrone Willingham after only three seasons.

It was when the Irish hired Willingham — now coaching on the rebound at Washington — that they also romanced Mike Bellotti, the Oregon coach.

"The one thing they could tell me they could hang their hat on was, they had never fired a coach," says Bellotti. "They had always let him finish out his contract. It's very interesting that the next coach they hired, they didn't allow that to happen." - College Football -

Willingham's wasn't the only surprise firing. Mississippi, a school whose recent football tradition might be generously described as modest, touted David Cutcliffe as the first coach in school history to win at least seven games in each of his first five seasons. Then, when he went 4-7 last year, one season after a Cotton Bowl victory, he was canned.

The school president said "mediocrity" would not cut it at Ole Miss.

"I was head football coach at Baylor for 21 years," says Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. "I've been out 12, and they've had four head coaches. There aren't going to be any more 21-year terms like I had, and Bobby [Bowden] and Lavell [Edwards] and [Joe] Paterno." - College Football -

The flip side to this amped-up world is that coaches are making money unheard of not very long ago. Think about this: When Washington hired Rick Neuheisel in 1999, his contract — about a million dollars with incentives, roughly $800,000 guaranteed annually — drew concern and derision from some faculty members at Washington. It was among the top fivecollege coaching salaries.

Just six years later, Willingham will make a guaranteed $1.4 million this year. That's a 75 percent increase on what Neuheisel was guaranteed.

Yet Willingham's salary is believed only third-highest in the Pac-10. His contract appears closer to the market than Neuheisel's was in 1999.

Moreover, argues Washington athletic director Todd Turner, Willingham's hire has dramatically altered the face of football at UW. - College Football -

"He's done an incredible job of instantly changing the culture of what we've been having to deal with over the last few years," Turner says. "He's restored confidence in the players; he's returned them to being focused and more disciplined and more committed. You can see it in the way they act."

In 1996, the year running back Corey Dillon led Washington to a 9-3 season, a reserved season ticket cost $160. This year, for a team the media picked to finish 10th in the Pac-10, the tab is $345 — after the 31-percent hike in seat rights.

"There's a climate there, no doubt about it," says Oregon State coach Mike Riley. "People do all this stuff [to improve facilities], and then if it doesn't work, the coach gets fired."

The so-called "arms race" has come after a long period in which facilities lay fallow. Riley, first hired by OSU in 1997, remembers walking into thefootball offices where his dad Bud was a successful assistant coach in the '60s and '70s. - College Football -

"Nothing had changed," he says. "This place had a time warp on it."

Now, with both Washington and Washington State looking to make stadium improvements, the possibility exists that within less than a decade, all four Northwest schools will have done major renovations to theirfootball venues.

The hell-bent trend is a concern to people like Arizona president Peter Likins, chairing an NCAA presidents task force on the future of Division I athletics. Likins also heads up a task force subcommittee on fiscal responsibility.

"There's a general sense of unease among presidents and chancellors," Likins said. "While we're not in crisis, we're engaged in an unsustainable rate of growth in expenditures and revenues. It's not possible for universities to put unallocated money into athletics. That's what people have been doing in recent years." - College Football -

"It scares me to death," says Jim Livengood, Likins' athletic director. "We've got to figure out a way to get our arms around expenses."

He cites spiraling costs for fuel-related services, like airline charters and buses.

"Those are things we have no control over," Livengood says. "As powerful as we think we are in intercollegiate athletics, we're not going to drop the price of oil."

Across the NCAA landscape, there are subtle signs of a system creaking under the weight of football investment and responsibility. Earlier this year, the NCAA waved through a 12th regular-season game starting in 2006, a measure that's all about increased revenue.

When the Bowl Championship Series expands to five games next season, the title game in Tempe, Ariz. — following the Fiesta Bowl a week earlier — is to take place tentatively on Jan. 8, 2007, stretching thecollege football season longer than it has ever been.

Coaches say routinely that the high-rolling finances can't create any more pressure than they feel already. And in fact, they acknowledge the scrutiny is only reflective of the amenities that help them win. - College Football -

"Expectations are up; that's a beautiful thing," says Riley. "Ten years ago, there were no expectations. It was dead, dead, dead. Now people expect to go to a bowl game, they expect to compete for a Pac-10 championship. They expect to beat Oregon."

And increasingly, when they don't, they expect to fire the coach. In the white-hot climate around college football these days, one thing hasn't changed: One side wins and one has to lose.

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

Carroll: USC Offense Might Get Even Better

By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES - Here's a scary thought for the college football world: Southern California coach Pete Carroll believes the Trojans will be improved on offense.
That's difficult to fathom, considering USC scored seven touchdowns and rolled up 525 yards in overpowering previously unbeaten Oklahoma 55-19 in the Orange Bowl in January to secure its second straight national championship. - College Football -

The Trojans, who open the season Saturday at Hawaii, have fielded one of the country's top offenses each of the past three years, averaging 38.2 points in going 13-0 last season; 41.1 points in going 12-1 two years ago, and 35.8 points in going 11-2 in 2002.

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart returns along with USC's five leading rushers and four top receivers. - College Football -

Little wonder Carroll feels the way he does.

"This is the best group we've had based on the experience and the big production from the receivers and the running backs and, of course, the quarterback," Carroll said Tuesday. "I think the continuity is very special. We have Matt at the helm, and the offensive line intact."

Among the other returnees are Heisman finalist Reggie Bush and LenDale White, a potent 1-2 punch at tailback; wide receivers Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett; and tight end Dominique Byrd.

"They might be the best offensive team I've seen physically," Hawaii coach June Jones said on a conference call. - College Football -

Jones said former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville told him recently he hoped USC didn't bring its mascot, Traveler, to Hawaii because "he might die from exhaustion."

Traveler, a white horse, gallops down the Coliseum sideline whenever USC scores.

"I'm glad we don't have to go against them — that would be a headache," defensive end Lawrence Jackson said of the USC offense.

Center Ryan Kalil said he has no doubt the USC offense will be improved.

"Especially in the run game," Kalil said. "I think we're going to do a better job of coming out earlier. We're definitely a finishing team. We're a lot more confident offense than last year, a lot more experienced offense."

Kalil is one of four returning starters in the offensive line from last year. Right tackle Winston Justice was a first-stringer in 2002-03 before sitting out last season because of a student conduct violation. - College Football -

"I think I'm a lot better as a player," Justice said. "The whole offensive line has improved as a unit. I agree with the center — the offense might be better. I think the sky is the limit."

Carroll wouldn't say the defense would be improved — no surprise since star linemen Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson and standout linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Matt Grootegoed have to be replaced.

But Carroll did say this will be the fastest USC defense since he arrived.

"We are excited about it and we are going to need it," the coach said. "Speed is always essential for a terrific defense, but more than that speed can cover up for errors and issues that come up when guys are not doing the right thing. - College Football -

"I am hoping that the speed of this defense will make a difference for us."

Carroll said he isn't concerned regarding motivation. - College Football -

"It is so common for people to think that when someone accomplishes something that they are going to become complacent," he said. "I don't feel like that in anything we have done or anything our players have done.

"We champion the whole concept of competition. We keep everyone at the tip-top of their game or they lose their spot. I can't see any sign of that. I think probably the opposite has happened. We're more driven than ever." - College Football -

USC is listed as a 34 1/2-point favorite over Hawaii, but Carroll said he's not concerned about overconfidence, either.

"That's always a question," he said. "We always respect everybody. We know that the game can beat you. It's always an issue. It has been addressed. It's important to me. From the first game on last year, we were challenged." - College Football -

Regarding Hawaii, Carroll said: "We are challenged by scheme (run-and-shoot), the expertise of their staff, their ability to play well at home. We are going on the road and it is a naturally most distracting environment you can be in. We are going to paradise to play football."

Kalil said there's no reason to be concerned about the potential distractions.

"If there is any sightseeing, it'll probably be after the game," he said. "We do such a great job when it's business time."

Associated Press

2005-08-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

The College Football Internet Challenge

With the college football season right around the corner, I would like to offer you a challenge that will hopefully give you a new perspective on the game ofcollege football.
It seems that almost everyone has a favorite college football team that they live and die by every year, but this season I want you to pick a second college football team to follow as well. And it has to be one that you don’t hear about all the time, preferably one that is not in Division I-A. Those teams are way too easy to follow. Their games are all over the TV, they get tons of coverage in newspapers and magazines, their highlights are shown constantly on ESPN and all of the major Internet sports sites cover them to death.

No, I’m talking about using the Internet to find and follow a team that doesn’t get any attention in your local area or on a national level either. The 119 teams in Division I-A get plenty of attention, but there are 510 other NCAAcollege football teams across the country that are out there every weekend playing for school pride and getting little or no attention for their efforts. It is from these smaller schools that a number of Arena and af2 players come from.

The Challenge

Find a small college football team that you have never heard of before, in some far off part of the country from where you live, and follow them on the Internet this season. Take the time to get to know them. Find out who their top players are, who the coach of the team is and learn something about the other teams in their conference. Every school has a web site with coverage of their sports teams, but, as always, some web sites are better than others.

You could choose one of the 123 schools in Division I-AA like the Austin Peay Governors in Tennessee, the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens or the Youngstown State Penguins in Ohio. How about one of the 148 Division II schools like the Tuskegee Golden Tigers in Alabama, the Lane Dragons in Tennessee or the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils? You could even select one of the 239 schools in Division III. Schools like the Emory and Henry Wasps in Virginia, the Austin Kangaroos in Texas or the Muhlenberg Mules in Ohio.

And don’t forget about the 94 schools in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) like the Azusa Pacific Cougars in California, the William Penn Statesmen in Iowa or the Montana Tech Orediggers.

How about a junior college football team? There are 68 two-year schools with football programs who are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association located around the country. You could choose the Fort Scott Community College Greyhounds in Kansas, the Blinn College Buccaneers in Texas or, my personal favorite, (and the one I’ll be following this season) the Snow College Badgers in Utah! Incidentally, Blinn College is where Grand Rapids Rampage quarterback Michael Bishop played in 1995 and 1996. He led the Buccaneers to two NJCAA championships and a 24-0 record over two seasons before transferring to Kansas State and becoming a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1998.

There are even 27 colleges across Canada that are part of Canadian Interuniversity Sport that you could also adopt this season. Schools like the York Lions in Toronto, Arcadia Axemen in Nova Scotia or the Simon Fraser Clan in British Columbia.

Of course, there are also 18 Canadian junior college teams that are part of the Canadian Junior Football League. Teams like the London (Ontario) Beefeaters, the Abbotsford (British Columbia) Air Force and the Winnipeg (Manitoba) Rifles.

Keep in mind that the Canadian college teams play on larger fields like they do in the Canadian Football League and they also start their seasons earlier than U.S. college teams. Therefore, they will have already played a couple of games already.

So, how will you decide on which school to give your undying loyalties to this year? Maybe you know someone who knows someone who goes to a smallcollege . You could pick a school that is located in a region of the country that you visited once, or perhaps someplace where you’d like to move to, or retire to, someday. Maybe you just like the school’s unique nickname. However you choose a team, follow them this season and see what happens. You could even get your friends involved by having them adopt new teams also. Then, you can all compare notes on how your respective teams are doing as the season goes along. The Internet is the only way you’ll ever hear about what is going on with most of these teams.

Once you have selected a team, you could even go the extra mile and order a T-shirt, sweatshirt, hat or key chain from the school with their name and/or logo on it. Then, when people ask, "Where the heck is that school at?" you can tell them all about it, just like you were an alumnus! If you are a minifootball helmet collector, like I am, you might even see if they have a mini helmet available that you can add to your collection. Who else in your part of the country would have a helmet from that school in their collection?

This challenge is intended to make you more aware of the many college football teams that exist around the country, other than the ones that come into your home on television every week in the fall. You might find that this one-season experiment becomes a lifelong association from afar. Just because the schools are small doesn’t mean that they don’t have fine athletes playingfootball for them. It might turn out that someone you read about this season will go on to play professionally somewhere, and then you’ll will be able to say, "Why, I’ve been following that guy ever since he was playing at [insertcollege name here]!"

Here are several Internet sites to get you started in your search for a new college football team to follow. Good luck.

Randy Snow

2005-08-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

U-M's Mandich recalls Hall of Fame career

Jim Mandich talks with pride of his days as tight end for Michigan in the late 1960s.
Mandich, who helped the Wolverines upset Ohio State, 24-12, in 1969 and end the Buckeyes' 22-game winning streak, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in South Bend, Ind. - College Football -
"It's quite an honor to be in the College Football Hall of Fame," said Mandich, who caught 119 passes for 1,494 yards and seven touchdowns as a starter at Michigan from 1967-69. "It blows you away.
"I was with Bo (Schembechler), Dan Dierdorf and a couple of other teammates from that '69 team vacationing (in Florida) in March or April, and Bo stood up to propose a toast. He raised his wine glass and said, 'I want to salute Michigan's newest member in College Football's Hall of Fame, Jim Mandich.' It was a special moment. I was floored.
"I've passionately followed Michigan football my whole life. The arrival of Bo in 1969 put Michigan back on the map. That '69 season was a great source of pride, especially that great November day against Ohio State. They had humiliated us the previous year, 50-14, and it was a great motivator for us. We were ready for them." - College Football -
Mandich went on to a nine-year NFL career. He played in four Super Bowls and was on three winners, including the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the last NFL team to go unbeaten. He was also on the Dolphins' 1973 title team and the Steelers' 1978 title team.
Mandich, 57, has owned a construction business the last 25 years. He has been part of the Dolphins' broadcasting team the last 13 years and is a host for a daily sports talk show in Miami.

David Goricki / The Detroit News

2005-08-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

EARLY-BIRD SPECIALS
Internet age changes college football recruiting

OAKLAND — Joshua Tatum has not played a down for the McClymonds High football team. In fact, the standout linebacker appeared in just two games as a junior at St. Mary's and underwent shoulder surgery in December. - College Football -
Despite it all, Tatum has nearly 40 scholarship offers.
"It has changed," McClymonds coach Alonzo Carter said. "Five years ago, he would have had to come into his senior year and prove his durability and put up numbers like he did from his sophomore year. He would be one of those guys recruiters come in and look at and say, 'Who is that?'" - College Football -
Tatum is not alone. Warriors tight end Na Derris Ward is one of the country's top Class of 2006 prospects at his position and has more than 25 offers, as does his teammate, defensive tackle Derrick Hill.
Welcome to high school football recruiting in the 21st century.
Thanks largely to the proliferation of Internet recruiting services, along with numerous scouting combines that take place across the country in the spring, recruiting has become a 24/7/365 job for college coaches. - College Football -
And with the glut of information now accessible, early scholarship offers are becoming the norm.
"Now, honestly, it matters a lot more what you do as a junior and over the summer (before your senior year) than what you do as a senior," said Greg Biggins, the director of recruiting for Student Sports. "Your senior year almost becomes meaningless. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, that's just how it is now."
The evolution
Penn State is credited with starting the early-offer rage in the 1990s, and the keep-up-with-the-Joneses mentality of college football dictated that most programs would follow suit.
Nowadays, though, the practice is even more common. - College Football -
According to Rivals.com, Cal already has non-binding verbal commitments from seven players from the Class of 2006, including one from Monte Vista offensive lineman Mike Costanzo.
"The amount of information available has probably quadrupled in the last 10 to 15 years," said Arizona linebackers coach Tim Kish, who recruits the East Bay for the Wildcats and is a 30-year coaching veteran. "That enables Division I-A coaches to obviously gather more accurate information ... and allows you the opportunity to process things faster. - College Football -
"What's changed is there is always evaluation going on year-round. You're always feeling like you can constantly evaluate. You see more kids. That gives you a broader perspective of the young man, and you're able to make quicker evaluations and make more informed decisions."
While Kish cites technological advances — players' highlight films are now often on DVD, for example — as the main reason for the change in the recruiting process, the influx of combines, such as the Army All-American Combine and the Nike Combine, has greatly contributed as well.
For years, college coaches were not allowed to attend combines, although the results were made available. But according to Biggins, that changed three years ago when the NCAA granted coaches a second evaluation, allowing them another chance to size up prospects.
"It definitely opens the door for a lot of kids," Biggins said. - College Football -
Mack sent seven players to the Nike Combine at Stanford in May. After Tatum bench pressed 185 pounds 34 times and dominated the one-on-one drills, schools from across the country were offering him a scholarship. Terrance McCoy, who was the Warriors' third-string running back last season, ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash and got offers from both Nevada and Boise State as a result. - College Football -
"What you do in shorts now can elevate you," said Carter, who admits he was not a fan of the combines when they first began. "It's almost like basketball is now. A lot of kids go play AAU and go to the summer camps and what they do in that summer camp elevates them."
Still, Kish said prospects can earn a scholarship with a strong senior year. Two years ago, Skyline defensive back Michael Norris was an unknown who went on to sign with UCLA and is now vying for a starting spot with the Bruins. - College Football -
"It probably lessens your recruitability if you're not on the radar as a sophomore or junior, but that doesn't mean you're out of the loop," Kish said. "For the most part, the good ones stay good ones, but there might be some kids in that gray area that become pretty good. That's the risk factor of early offers." - College Football -
The prospects
Tatum, at 6-foot-1 and a "rocked out" 225 pounds according to Biggins, is ranked as the No.4 player in the state by Rivals.com and the nation's No.3 inside linebacker. After starring at St. Mary's as a sophomore, the hard-hitting Tatum shined at the Nike combine and was offered a scholarship by Cal coach Jeff Tedford after attending the Golden Bears' camp.
Tatum was expected to have a breakout season in 2004 for the Panthers, but he injured his right shoulder before the season and hurt it again in the second game of the year against El Cerrito. Tatum had surgery Dec.2 for a torn rotator cuff and partially torn labrum, and before the second semester began, Tatum moved to West Oakland and transferred to Mack.
Carter got a hold of Tatum's sophomore year film and put together a highlight tape that was so impressive, every college that saw it made Tatum an offer. He has narrowed his college choices to Cal, USC, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oregon and Ole Miss.
"Coming into Mack, I knew it would be a great environment," said Tatum, who was also featured on the ESPN show "Full Ride" along with several of the nation's top players. "I have to prove I'm what everybody says I am. I'm taking it in stride, and I'm going to keep taking it in stride until the end of the season." - College Football -
Ward (6-6, 245), a first-team All-East Bay selection as a junior, is the prototype tight end with speed, toughness and soft hands. Despite not participating in the spring due to a left knee injury — he was cleared last month to resume playing — Ward is ranked fourth in the country at his position and the 13th-best prospect in the state overall. - College Football -
"The hype now is nothing," said Ward, who is deciding among Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Arizona, Oklahoma, Washington, Ole Miss and Cal. "I know what I have to live up to. It helps make you put the time in and keep working. I haven't accomplished what I want to accomplish yet." - College Football -
Hill, like Ward, has been on recruiters' watch lists since his sophomore year. A first-team All-East Bay pick last season, Hill (6-1, 280) elevated his stock when he did 40 reps on the bench press at the Nike Combine and showed his explosiveness off the ball while earning MVP for defensive linemen at the USC summer camp. His top choices are Cal, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Washington State.
"This summer I had to prove, not only to college coaches but to myself, that this is something I earned and deserve," said Hill, who is rated the No.12 prospect in California and the nation's No.6 defensive tackle. "I don't want to slow down. Now the goal is to keep performing at a high level and get other schools to check out my teammates." - College Football -

David Schoen, STAFF WRITER

2005-07-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Football Hall of Famer Mel Renfro Helps Promote the New Automotive Specialty Concepts, Inc. Business Model in Texas

VANCOUVER, Wash., July 26, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Automotive Specialty Concepts (Other OTC:AMVS.PK - News) is pleased to announce that football Hall of Famer Mel Renfro is helping promote the new AMVS business model this week in Texas, at the Texas High School Coaches Association conference http://www.thcsa.com. Other conference vendors include ESPN Magazine, Gatorade, Nike, Rawlings Sporting Goods, Russell Athletic, and various Texan sports relation organizations. - College Football -
Newly appointed AMVS sales and marketing director, Dexter Morrison, said, ``We are pleased to be joined this week here in San Antonio, Texas by Mel Renfro, whom I have known for a number of years. - College Football -
Many athletic organizations and I are particularly impressed with Mel's ongoing commitment to 'restore today's youth and family unit back to the basic values.''' http://www.melrenfrofoundation.com/Mission_Statement.html
Mr. Renfro is a well-known member of the 1964-1977 Dallas Cowboys team. He earned Pro Bowl berth his first 10 years, as All-Pro five years, as All-conference seven times; started as safety, finished as cornerback; was a no. 2 draft pick in 1964; at University of Oregon as a College All-America and super track man. - College Football -
Lynn Michaels of Texas Sports Radio Network interviewed the first day of the show Mel Renfro with a listening base of over 2 million people. - College Football -

PRIMEZONE

2005-07-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

College football -- by the books

College football preseason annuals have been on newsstands for nearly two months.
You can find out all kinds of things, from how the University of Miami has fared on grass the past seven years against the spread to which coaches are on the hot seat to which school has the best offensive line.
The Sporting News offers eight pages of analysis on each team in its SEC and ACC editions. Athlon Sports provides a hypothetical 32-team playoff format. Phil Steele's gives you more statistics than the average football fan could digest in a season.
In other words, football season is around the corner.
If you are a college football fan, you likely have picked up a magazine or two to find out how your team is projected to fare this season.
"I usually look at rankings, then read about Georgia, the SEC, and other teams on their schedule," said Tim Meadows, a Cocoa Beach resident and University of Georgia graduate. "I read about high-ranked or high-profile teams, and maybe a feature that comes with the special issues."
By printing so early in the summer, these publications do take occasional hits, like this past week when Florida State lost quarterback Wyatt Sexton and cornerback Antonio Cromartie for the season. If you're reading one of your football annuals, you wouldn't know.
"It seems like in college football, things are happening more year-round," said Mitchell Light, editor of Athlon Sports. "Most of our stuff is post spring. Sexton and Cromartie, those things happen. It's frustrating, but those things happen."
Light said Florida State's misfortunes likely weren't enough to drop the Seminoles from winning the Atlantic Division of the ACC.
"But would we have had them No. 5 (overall)? Probably not," he said.
Light said they do not update much on their web site. Athlon's has an agreement with Sports Illustrated and SI.com where its abridged version of teams in its national publication will be updated online with items like Cromartie's injury. But they won't change their conference and overall rankings at this point to accommodate hiccups in the college football scene.
"If the right tackle at Utah breaks his leg, we're not going to go make changes," Light said.
Still, the magazines take pride in being right.
Phil Steele's claims on its cover that it is "the most accurate preseason magazine the last six years."
Lindy's editor J. Lindy Davis Jr., makes it a point in his annual to highlight what his staff was able to do a year ago. He points out that his editors last year correctly picked Southern Cal and Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, Southern Cal winning, Matt Leinart taking the Heisman, as well as Texas' Derrick Johnson winning the Nagurski and Butkus awards, Georgia's David Pollack the Lombardi and Michigan's Braylon Edwards the Biletnikoff.
For the record, it doesn't look like anyone is going out on a limb and picking against Southern Cal this year.
But here are some interesting things from four of the magazines:
In its SEC edition, The Sporting News says Florida is a program on the rise, while Georgia is on the decline.
Who do you think TSN rates as the SEC's top coach? Here's a hint, he hasn't coached a game for his current team. That's right, Steve Spurrier. More interestingly is that Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, who was national coach of the year in some voting a year ago, is listed as the seventh-best in the league.
Phil Steele's rates Southern Cal's quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers as the best in the nation. But there is hope for other teams, the Trojans are listed as having just the second-best offensive line.
Phil Steele's ranks the top conferences. The SEC and Big 10 tie for top honors, while the ACC is third.
Athlon Sports lists UTEP coach Mike Price as the top new coach from a year ago. The Miners went 8-4 under the coach who never got to coach at game at Alabama.
Athlon's top conference? The SEC, followed by the ACC.
Lindy's rates Florida's Chris Leak second to Leinart in QB rankings.
TSN predicts Florida will finish 9-2 with losses to Tennessee and at LSU. If you're a Florida State fan, you know what that means. TSN says the Seminoles will also go 9-2, but with losses to Miami and Florida. And if you are a Miami fan, you know that must mean something good. The Hurricanes are predicted to go 10-1 with its only loss to Virginia Tech.
So take it for what it's worth. Do you think anyone predicted that Southern Cal would win the national championship two seasons ago?
Think anyone thought Auburn would run the table a year ago?
There are plenty of questions and in 45 days when the season starts, we'll begin finding out the answers.

KEN BRADLEY FLORIDA TODAY

2005-07-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Summer Leaves Football Fans Wanting Fall

Ironically, the statewide tax holiday season - and the weeks that ensue - may be the most taxing time of year for sports fans.
If only one of those sleek generators could produce the electricity of a college football Saturday or Friday night prep playoff game. As it stands, we're left to aimlessly navigate our sports channels' bland summer programming. - College Football -
Tour de France? A gagging contestant at the Nathan's Famous hot-dog eating contest? The Devil Rays gagging in the eighth?
Frankly, I'd rather watch a stack of spare plywood decompose.
The dog days of summer continue to linger, meaning there's a litter of drab sports offerings on the immediate horizon. NFL preseason games don't kick off until early August, which is roughly the same time college players will smack their first blocking dummy.
Early August? For us card-carrying members of this nation's football-adoring legion, that seems an eternity from now. Until the first NFL preseason game (Indianapolis vs. Atlanta, Aug. 6), the days will drag like a celebrity trial. - College Football -
Amid the swoon, we're left with few options. We can gripe, grouse, grumble - or gaze ahead.
Nothing screams for a few bold football predictions like a humid July day.
So in accordance with The Tampa Tribune's commitment to public service, here are a few forecasts for the 2005 prep, college and pro football seasons.
Consider it a respite from your exposure to the Rays' bullpen.
Bummed, But Bowl Eligible
Steve Spurrier will go 6-5 in his first season as South Carolina's coach, losing to Florida in a nationally televised prime-time game Nov. 12. In that contest, a true freshman will start at quarterback for the Gamecocks. - College Football -
Under first-year coach Urban Meyer, Florida will finish 9-2, with its two losses resulting from deficiencies at linebacker and tailback. The site of those defeats - LSU and Alabama.
Under first-year coach Jay Fulmer, Gulf High will finish 5-5, avoiding a losing season for only the second time since 1993.
Freshman Xavier Lee will start at quarterback for Florida State when it opens the season at home against Miami on Labor Day, but classmate Drew Weatherford also will play. The Seminoles will try to protect their rookies behind center with a methodical running attack, but Miami will win a low-scoring grudge match in sophomore quarterback Kyle Wright's starting debut. - College Football -
Tight end Alex Smith will have the most significant impact of the Buccaneers' rookies, while tailback Carnell ``Cadillac'' Williams misses at least three games with an injury and fails to run for 900 yards.
Pasco will come within a game of reaching the Class 3A state final.
Here Come The Gators
Land O' Lakes will win the newly aligned Class 5A-District 5.
Ron Zook will win his first two games as Illinois coach, then drop eight in a row. The fan base will really start making ``Illi-noise'' when Zook's club squanders a fourth- quarter lead in an Oct. 8 loss at Indiana. - College Football -
For the second season in a row, Hudson quarterback Kyle Hatcher will finish as Pasco County's leading passer. Pasco counterpart Tony Smith will finish as the county's leading rusher.
The second playoff spot in Class 3A-District 8 will be determined by a three-way tiebreaker when Hudson, Zephyrhills and Gulf each finish with 1-2 district records.
NFL coaches Mike Holmgren (Seattle), Jim Haslett (New Orleans), Dom Capers (Houston) and Mike Tice (Minnesota) will be unemployed by season's end.
The Bucs will finish 7-9, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Tampa Bay Online

2005-07-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Five named to WLSC foundation board

WHEELING - Five new members recently were appointed to the West Liberty State College Foundation Inc. board of directors, raising the total membership to 40. The new members include Lynne Exley, Carol Frum, Douglas Kreitzer, E. Alex Paris III and Larry A. Loew.
Exley, of Wheeling, received a bachelor of arts degree from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree from West Virginia University. - College Football -
She served as an educator with Ohio County Schools from 1970 to 1982 and as a co-director of a community-based experience education program from 1976 to 1981. Exley is a life member of the Wheeling Symphony Society, vice chair of the Mt. de Chantal Board of Trustees and secretary of Poinsettia Twig.
Frum, of Wheeling, received an associate's degree from WLSC in 1960 and a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene in 1979. She then received her master's degree in health education from WVU. Upon graduation Frum entered private practice and later joined the WLSC dental hygiene faculty, where she served as program director for six years. She is serving as president of the WLSC Alumni Association. - College Football -
Kreitzer graduated from WLSC with a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1975. He is the director of pricing and sales administration for Greif Corp. and an active member of the President's Circle. He lives in Delaware, Ohio. - College Football -
Paris, of Avella, graduated from WLSC in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in business. He then joined his family business, Alex E. Paris Contracting Inc. and became president of the company in 1989. Paris also is president of EAP Industries and Cherry Valley Lake Development Co. He serves as regional vice president of the National Utility Contractors Association, board member of the Pennsylvania Utility Contractors Association, vice president of Avella Athletics Association and is a youth football and baseball coach. - College Football -
Loew graduated from WLSC in 1975 with a degree in business and economics and worked in insurance and employee benefits. He is the managing partner of the Cornerstone Group in Wheeling, a board member of the American Legion Post 1 and Northwood Health Systems. He lives in Wheeling.
The West Liberty State College Foundation Inc., which oversees 144 funds that support a variety of needs, was chartered in 1964 as the gift-receiving organization for the college. It is a private, non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. - College Football -

The Herald Star

2005-06-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

Ncaa College Football Line

Garrethon Carter attended all the ceremonies for Columbia High football players going on to college and kept saying his day would come.He made good on his promise Tuesday, signing a scholarship to play at Weber International University.In addition to Weber, Carter had scholarship discussions with Edward Waters College, where he made a visit, Livingstone College in North Carolina, and junior colleges in Minnesota and California."I was about to go to California (Mt. San Jacinto), then I really started talking to Weber," Carter said. "It had gone slow at first because of my ACT score."Carter re-took the ACT and participated in a Fresh Start Program, where he wrote an essay at Weber and was interviewed by professors at the school.
"I was accepted at the school on the spot," he said.Carter drew the attention of Warriors defensive coordinator Kelly Scott during a combine at Lincoln High in Tallahassee.He looked at all my results and kept in touch over a period of time," Carter said. "When I was not picked up on national signing day, we really started talking seriously."Carter took an official visit to the Babson Park school on April 23 and he was there last week to participate in a mini-camp."The campus is not real small, but it is not real big," Carter said."All the guys on the team were real friendly and everybody liked the program. They are all a family and want to work hard and compete for an NAIA championship."Fellow Tigers Ray Bohannon and Rodrick Betts signed with Weber this spring and Kyle Dicks is on the team. Carter said Scott wants him for outside linebacker - his position as a senior at CHS - and they will decide on a redshirt season after Weber evaluates its junior college players coming in.Carter has been working out with Albert Coker, Ian Smith and Antwan Julks this summer. The others had already signed scholarships, but Carter was persistent."I was determined, Carter said."I knew I had to go. I am blessed to be here. I want to thank my whole family, my workout partners and everybody who kept me in their prayers."

Ncaa College Football Line

2005-06-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ncaa College Football Line