Beaver Fever: An Oregon State Dynasty

[Emac78]

The Pac-10 bowl record was 3-2. Arizona State and Oregon lost. USC, Cal, and OSU won. Definitely should have been LeFevour.

[Emac78]

#5 Virginia Tech (11-2) vs #6 Utah (11-1)

Utah Scores 28 Unanswered Points
to Beat Va Tech



(top) Ute OLB Stevenson Sylvester catches the game-changing interception and returns it for a pick-six. (bottom left) VT QB Tyrod Taylor threw for 363 yards and two TDs. (bottom right) Ute HB Matt Asiata ran for 175 yards and scored two TDs.

Miami, FL - Utah's only loss came against Oregon at Autzen Stadium. If it were not for that one loss, the Utes may have been playing in the title game. But the Orange Bowl would match up the Mountain West champion Utes against the ACC champion Virginia Tech. Prestige was on the line for both conferences. Although the Utes were able to beat Alabama the previous year in the Sugar Bowl, the Mountain West was still looking for respect.

Utah looked completely overmatched against Virginia Tech early on. The Hokies took a 10-0 lead in the 2nd quarter when QB Tyrod Taylor threw over the top to TE Sam Wheeler for a 23-yard TD. Utah had one good offensive play in the 1st half when QB Corbin Louks connected deep with WR Elijah Wesson for a gain of 54 yards. Unfortunately, the big gain would only lead to a 37-yard field goal to make it 10-3 VT. Hokie HB Darren Evans would expand the lead to 17-3 with a one-yard TD scamper. Then to end the half, Taylor hooked up with FB Kenny Jerrerson from two yards away to put Virginia Tech up 24-3 at halftime.

The situation looked hopeless for the Utes as they were unable to sustain a drive in the 3rd quarter as both teams' defenses were living up to their #3 (Virginia Tech) and #4 (Utah) defenses. But finally in the 4th quarter, QB Corbin Louks engineered a drive and WR Jereme Brooks would score on a 13-yard jet sweep to cut the Hokie lead to 24-10. Ute HB Matt Asiata would later break off a 66-yard TD run to suddenly make it a one-score game, 24-17.

The Hokies looked like they were about to put the game away as QB Tyrod Taylor had the Hokies inside the red zone. But that is where the Utes brought pressure on Taylor. As Taylor tried to get rid of the football, he was hit in throwing motion. The ball fluttered in the air where Ute OLB Stevenson Sylvester made the interception and returned it for a pick-six to tie the game 24-24 with 3:40 remaining.

Utah would get the ball back and HB Matt Asiata would finish off a long drive with a five-yard TD scamper with only :35 left on the clock, giving Utah its first lead of the game, 31-24. Tyrod Taylor and the Hokies took over at their own 28-yard line with under :30 left in the game. Taylor would lead an impressive last-second drive, but at the Ute 20-yard line Taylor threw up a prayer that was knocked down as the Utes celebrated another BCS victory.

#5 Virginia Tech 24
QB Tyrod Taylor: 32-52, 363 yds, 2 td, int
HB Darren Evans: 26 car, 138 yds, td
WR Dyrell Roberts: 11 rec, 138 yds
OLB Cam Martin: 9 tkl, 2 tfl, sk, ff

#6 Utah 31
QB Corbin Louks: 15-26, 191 yds
HB Matt Asiata: 24 car, 175 yds, 2 td
WR Elijah Wesson: 7 rec, 133 yds
OLB Stevenson Sylvester: 6 tkl, int, defl, td

[Fox1994]

Damn. GO UTES! lol.

[Emac78]

The Hokies sure choked that one away.

[Emac78]

#17 Texas (10-3) vs #8 South Carolina (9-3)

No Contest



(top) Texas QB Colt McCoy passes for 349 yards and three TDs. (bottom left) Texas WR Jordan Shipley streaks wide open down the sideline for a 62-yard TD. (bottom right) Texas HB Cody Johnson trucks over a defender on a bruising 60-yard run.

Glendale, AZ - This year's Fiesta Bowl was probably the least interesting of the BCS bowls. South Carolina came in ranked 97th in total offense. The Gamecocks somehow managed to back their way into the school's first BCS bowl, the Fiesta Bowl simply because they were the only team left standing. Texas was the lowest ranked team of all the BCS bowls but everybody knew the Longhorns were one of the best teams in the nation. The injury to Colt McCoy was the only reason that they lost three midseason games.

The ol' ball coach Steve Spurrier almost immediately was throwing down his headset and later his visor when on the first play from scrimmage, South Carolina WR Moe Brown came around on a fly sweep and was lit up by Texas FS Earl Thomas, fumbling ball where the Longhorns recovered inside the Gamecock 30-yard line. The turnover would only set up a Longhorn 37-yard field goal but the play set the tone for the rest of the game. South Carolina would be held on four downs on their next possession at the Texas 45-yard line. The only thing that would stop the Longhorns' potent offense was themselves as a rusty McCoy in the red zone pitched the ball too late on an option, which fell to the ground for an easy Carolina recovery. However, McCoy would later hit WR Malcolm Williams on a deep flag route for a 36-yard TD to put the Longhorns up 10-0.

Texas HB Vondrell McGee would have to fill in for an injured HB Cody Johnson who suffered from turf toe in the 1st half. The Longhorns would not be slowed down as McGee broke loose for a 29-yard gain to start the 2nd quarter. Not long after, McGee was in the end zone from three yards out as Texas went up 17-0. The Longhorns were not done there though as McCoy gunned a deep pass to WR Jordan Shipley streaking wide open down the side line for a quick 62-yard TD. Then to end the 1st half, McCoy led the Horns in a great last-minute drive finished off with a 5-yard TD pass to FB Antwan Cobb to put Texas ahead 31-0 at halftime.

The nightmare continued for South Carolina in the 2nd half as the Gamecocks could get nothing done offensively. The Longhorns were also slowed down in the 3rd quarter but HB Vondrell McGee inside the red zone was able to shove away a tackle and score on a 14-yard TD scamper to put Texas up 38-0 going into the 4th quarter.

Texas HB Cody Johnson would come back in the 4th quarter and truck over a USC defender in the backfield. Then break two more tackles and was not dragged down until he had gained 60 bruising yards. Johnson would later be rewarded with a 9-yard draw as he went untouched into the end zone to make it 45-0 Texas. On the ensuing possession, Texas would tack on a field goal. Then on the ensuing possession, USC QB Stephen Garcia would break his ribs as he was hit hard in the pocket. Not long after, USC HB Eric Baker would leave with an abdominal strain. But backup QB Aramis Hillary with 2:38 left to go in the game finally broke the shutout with a 36-yard TD pass to WR Moe Brown to make it a final score of 48-7.

#17 Texas 48
QB Colt McCoy: 27-37, 349 yds, 3 td
HB Cody Johnson: 15 car, 107 yds, td
WR Jordan Shipley: 7 rec, 103 yds, td
WR Malcolm Williams: 7 rec, 103 yds, td
MLB Jared Norton: 7 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 sk

#8 South Carolina 7
QB Stephen Garcia: 13-26, 100 yds
HB Eric Baker: 17 car, 37 yds
WR Moe Brown: 7 rec, 100 yds, td
OLB Eric Norwood: 11 tkl, tfl

[Fox1994]

DAMN! Upset? I think so. lol.

[Emac78]

Not so much. lol Texas is one of the best teams in the nation when healthy.

[Emac78]

BCS National Championship

#2 Florida (12-1) vs #1 Notre Dame (12-0)

Chris: Well, after a crazy season full of unpredictable upsets, Notre Dame is the only team that stands unbeaten. "Touchdown Charlie" has led the Irish to an undefeated record where they will face the Florida Gators here in the historic Rose Bowl. Notre Dame now has the nation's longest winning streak which stands at 13 games. They will face everybody's preseason favorite, the Florida Gators. Urban Meyer's team's only loss was the upset of the year when they lost up in Kentucky to the Wildcats without an injured Tim Tebow. But since Tebow has come back, the Gators have been dominant. We have already seen some terrific bowl games and we can only hope that the championship will turn out to be as good. Well, it looks like the headgear is on it's way but before we get to our picks, Erin Andrews has an injury report for the game. Erin...


Erin: Yes Chris. I've gotten word that Florida SS Ahmad Black seems to have healed from a torn shoulder and is likely to start today for the Gators. The time off has really helped him heal from the injury. With Black back in the lineup, the Gators defense is at full strength and gives Florida another outstanding athlete on the best defense in the nation. I'm also hearing from the Notre Dame trainers than their starting center Dan Wanger is still considered questionable and the Irish will likely be starting a redshirt freshman at center.

Chris: Thanks Erin. Alright guys. Time for the picks.


Kirk: People are so quick to dismiss Notre Dame. We forget the Irish are #1 for a reason. That said, the Irish are in for a rude awakening when they face Florida's intimidating defense today. I see that #1 Gator defense being the difference today but I think Notre Dame will keep it closer than people think.


Lee: You're right Kirk. I've never seen a #1 team dismissed so quickly. This ND offense is good with Clausen, Tate, and Allen leading the way. But let's face it guys, the Irish really haven't played anybody. I mean their biggest win was probably against USC. Heck. Half of the teams in the Pac-10 beat the Trojans. Now this overrated Notre Dame defense that is ranked #2 in total defense will try to stop Tim Tebow, the two-time Heisman winning QB? Not going to happen. Urban Meyer is too good in big games. I do think it will be closer than the experts think but I've got to go with...(Lee puts on the Gator headgear and does the Gator chomp to a mixed reaction from the crowd) Go Gators!

[Fox1994]

Not so much. lol Texas is one of the best teams in the nation when healthy.

Ya, in real life. I just mean by the rankings. # 17 is nine ranks behind # 8, feel me?

[Emac78]

Ya, in real life. I just mean by the rankings. # 17 is nine ranks behind # 8, feel me?

I understood what you meant. I guess you could say it was an upset judging by the rankings but Texas was a lot better than their ranking indicated. They only lost for the same reason as USC. A bunch of injuries including Colt McCoy out for multiple weeks.

[Fox1994]

Ya, except SC's injuries weren't even big. You said they lost Corp and like Johnson, right? That means they'd still have Gable, McKnight, McNeal, and Bradford at tailback. They'd still have Barkley and Mustain at QB.

Who else did they lose?

Incidentally, your championship game is what that one former ND coach 'predicted' on ESPN a while back. (Y'know, the funny old guy whose name I feel stupid for not remembering.) He was only half-serious.

EDIT: Lou Holtz. . . is that it?

[Emac78]

BCS National Championship-Pasadena, CA

#2 Florida (12-1) vs #1 Notre Dame (12-0)

Pasadena, CA - All of the hype entering the championship game at the historic Rose Bowl was about how good the Florida Gators were. Most of the pundits simply dismissed the fact that Notre Dame was ranked #2 in total defense to a weak schedule. The analysts only looked at the fact that the Gators were ranked tops in points per game and total defense. Most thought that the Gators would jump out to a big lead and shut down the Irish offense.

So it came as a surprise when the Fighting Irish pretty easily marched down the field. Notre Dame crossed into Florida territory with a balanced attack but when QB Jimmy Clausen threw over the middle to WR Robby Paris, the receiver was rocked by a crushing hit by superstar MLB Brandon Spikes, separating Paris from the ball. Gator SS Ahmad Black recovered and the Gator crowd erupted as Notre Dame did what they absolutely could not do to start the game.

Florida MLB Brandon Spikes separates ND WR Robby Paris from the ball with a crushing hit.

The Gators took over and two-time Heisman Trophy winning QB Tim Tebow led Florida almost single-handedly into the red zone. Tebow would pass to WR David Nelson who made the catch at the 2-yard line but trying as he tried to get into the end zone, Nelson was stripped of the fooball by ND FS Harrison Smith. The Irish recovered and now the Irish crowd roared. Even though Notre Dame would go three-and-out and have to punt from there own end zone, the Irish were confident.

On the ensuing possession, Tebow went back to WR David Nelson who broke a tackle and was able to gain 40 yards to set up a 1st-and-goal at the 2-yard line. This time Tebow ran it in himself on the 2-yard TD scamper to put the Gators on top 7-0.

Florida QB Tim Tebow runs it in himself from two yards out.

Notre Dame would attempt to get HB Armando Allen going in the ground game unsuccessfully. As a result, the Irish were forced to punt again but the punt was a beautiful boomer that was downed at the 5-yard line. But Tebow with his back to the goal line, threw to HB Jeffrey Demps on a screen pass who ducked under a tackle and was off to the races where he was not caught until he was brought down for a 53-yard gain to end the 1st quarter.

Starting the 2nd quarter, the Gators were on the move again. However, depsite the Florida offensive line giving Tebow an eternity to find an open receiver, Tebow gunned a pass to TE Aaron Hernandez but the ball was thrown behind him. As a result, sophomore ND MLB Brian Smith had the coverage and made a great catch for the interception. Then proceeded to show off his speed and outraced everybody to the house for a pick-six to tie it up 7-7.

ND MLB Brian Smith with a timely pick-six.

Though it was now a tie game, the Gators were having no trouble moving the ball and had yet to give up any offensive points to the Irish. The Gators again moved the ball into Notre Dame territory as Tebow was slinging it all over the field. But the drive would stall and Florida would have to attempt a 38-yarder but kick was hooked wide left. So Notre Dame took over with decent field position. However, on the possession, QB Jimmy Clausen was hit as he passes the ball for decent gain to WR Golden Tate. However, Clausen was rolling on the ground in obvious pain. After a break, Clausen left the field. Erin Andrews would report that it was a torn pectoral and the prognosis was not good. Clausen would be out for the rest of the game. So in came QB Dayne Crist. Maybe as a result of the injury, the Irish went to the running game and HB Armando Allen starting breaking loose for some nice gains.

Behind the running of Allen, the Irish moved into the red zone where QB Dayne Crish was able to elude Gator DE Carlos Dunlap in the pocket and threw a strike to TE Kyle Rudolph just short of the goal line. That would set up FB Luke Schmidt to bulldoze his way into the end zone on a 2-yard scamper as Notre Dame took a 14-7 lead.

ND FB Luke Schmidt bulldozes his way into the end zone on a 2-yard scamper.

Notre Dame had now seized control of the momentum as the Irish defense forced a three-and-out. That would force Florida to punt from deep in their own territory. The Irish took over a their own 46-yard line with 1:47 left in the 1st half. But could not take advantage, going three-and-out while taking virtually no time off the clock. So it was Gator ball with 1:29 left to go. Tebow tried to make a play by going deep to WR Deonte Thompson but the outstanding ND sophomore CB Robert Blanton was in terrific coverage and made a fantastic interception.

ND CB Robert Blanton makes a fantastic interception.

But the Irish again went three-and-out as Crist was struggling to succeed under pressure. It is hard to fathom why Charlie Weis did not just have Armando Allen run the ball and take it to halftime but the Gators would get the ball again. This time Tebow threw a strike to WR Riley Cooper on a deep post who split the defense and took it 73 yards to the house to tie it back up 14-14.

Florida WR Riley Cooper takes it 73 yards to the house.

However, on the ensuing play from scrimmage for the Irish, HB Armando Allen got outside and was off to the races. The Gators could not catch him and Allen housed the 72-yard scamper as Notre Dame immediately countered to regain the lead 21-14. Finally, the last two minutes of the 1st half came to an end to send the game to halftime.

ND HB Armando Allen with a 72-yard TD scamper before halftime.

Notre Dame had surprised everybody by not only sticking around with Florida but by leading the Gators at halftime. Then disaster struck for the Gators on the first play from scrimmage as Tebow on an option pitched the ball too late to HB Jeffrey Demps. ND true freshman DE Kapron Lewis Moore was in perfect position and actually intercepted the pitch. Demps had no chance trying to bring down the big lineman as Mooree rumbled in for a touchdown as the Irish were now up 28-14.

ND DE Kapron Lewis Moore intercepts the pitch and returns it for a touchdown.

The Gators were now officially in trouble. Then to make matters worse for Florida, Tebow would throw a pass into double coverage trying to connect with Cooper that was deflected and then picked off by CB Gary Gray. Some of the Gators were starting to hang their heads in disappointment. The Irish took over inside Gator territory. Florida brought a huge blitz but QB Dayne Crist found TE Kyle Rudolph wide open down field for an easy 43-yard TD to put Notre Dame up 35-14.

ND TE Kyle Rudolph left wide open for an easy 43-yard TD.

Unbelievably, Tebow would uncharacteristically be picked off again by ND FS Harrison Smith. Crist would just miss WR Golden Tate in the end zone and the Irish would have to settle for a 41-yard field goal to increase the ND lead to 38-14.

So much for Notre Dame's defense being overrated. Tebow's final game in in a Gator uniform continued to be a nightmare as the Irish defensive line sacked the Heisman Trophy winner on 3rd down to force the Gators to punt. With Clause out of the game for the Irish, Notre Dame went to a smashmouth run game and Armando Allen would get around the corner for a 29 yard gain. However, the drive would come up short when QB Dayne Crist was hit late by DE Carlos Dunlap. Now Crist was on the ground holding his back. He would be diagnosed with back spasms and would not return to the game either. Notre Dame was forced to punt. Then the Gators finally put a drive together as Tebow connected on a deep pass of 34 yards to WR Riley Cooper for a touchdown. But the Gators were stopped on the 2-point conversion attempt s Florida was down 38-20.

Florida WR Riley Cooper with a 34-yard TD reception.

With Clausen and Crist out of the game, true freshman Nate Montana was forced to take over. Not surprisingly, the Irish went three-and-out just as the 3rd quarter came to and end. It was now up to Tim Tebow to strap on his Superman suit and lead the Gators to victory. The Gators quickly moved into ND territory behind Tebow's passing. But the Gators soon faced a 4th-and-six at the ND 35-yard line where Tebow found WR Moore open for a 1st down to keep the Gators' hopes alive. But with 4:07 left to go in the game, the Gators soon faced a 4th-and-12 at the 23-yard line. This time Tebow under pressure threw a pass to Nelson but ND FS Harrison Smith was able to knock the ball down for a huge 4th down stop.

The Irish went right back to the ground game. Allen had been gashing the top defense in the nation but this time the Gators forced a quick three-and-out. But Notre Dame's defense came up with another big stand. This time Florida was stopped decisively in their own territory on 4th down by the Irish defense. Celebration immediately ensued both in the stands and on the sideline. Charlie Weis was drencehed in Gatorade as Montana kneeled in the victory formation. The Fighting Irish stretched their winning streak to 14 games and more importantly the Irish were undisputed 2009 national champions.

#2 Florida 20
QB Tim Tebow: 28-43, 431 yds, 2 td, 4 int, 17 car, 58 yds, rush td
WR Riley Cooper: 11 rec, 197 yds, 2 td
SS Ahmad Black: 10 tkl, tfl, fmbrec

#1 Notre Dame 38
QB Dayne Crist: 5-16, 85 yds, td
HB Armando Allen: 20 car, 181 yds, td
TE Kyle Rudolph: 5 rec, 95 yds, td
MLB Brian Smith: 10 tkl, tfl, int, defl, td

[Fox1994]

Cool. Dude, idk what to do. . . Maybe I need to flip a coin or something, but I'm really torn between waiting to get '11 for 360 or '10 for PS2. I'm just not impressed enough with '10 (in particular atmosphere, dynasty set-up) to buy it, but I also don't know if I want to get a new NCAA for PS2. If I ever get around to selling some of my stuff to the pawn shop, maybe the extra cash will allow me to get '10. . . Keep it up. I'll be here waiting for the end of the game.

[Emac78]

Alright. The championship report is finished.

[Herm]

good stuff man, great name for your chise too