Go Beavs: An Oregon State Dynasty

[packersfan4eva]

Whooooooo, that was close. Congrats on heading back to the Rose Bowl. Or the National Championship if you suddenly rise up that many rankings

[Emac78]

Week 14


#18 USC (9-2) @ #4 UCLA (9-1)

Trojans Take Down Bruins

USC HB Clint Donaldson is stopped yet again on 4th down.

Pasadena, CA - On the 2nd play of the game, USC QB Mark Nelson was picked off by freshman UCLA CB James Johnson. UCLA looked like they were in position to take an early lead. But Rick Neuheisel decided to go for it on 4th-and-inches in USC terrtory rather than take the field goal. Where HB Clint Donaldson was stuffed. The Trojans responded with an impressive, long drive. QB Mark Nelson, not the most fleet of foot was able to run it in himself, diving across the goal line on a bootleg for a 2-yard TD run to give USC the ealry 7-0 lead.

Later, it would be the Trojans who attempted a 4th-and-one where USC HB Bruce Brady was stuffed. With good field position, UCLA QB Bryan Quinn hit WR Eric Pleasant on a short curl. After a few missed tackles, the short curl turned into a 35 yard gain. The drive would be finished off with a HB Clint Donaldson finding the outside and shrugging away a tackle for a 5-yard TD to tie the game 7-7. A UCLA interception by OLB Martin Green would set up a 35-yard FG to put UCLA in front 10-7 heading into the 2nd quarter.

The Trojans would take a 14-10 lead when HB Travis Dickerson was able to leap and extend the ball across the goal line on a 1-yard TD run. The Bruins followed that up with a missed 54-yard field goal attempt. On the ensuing possession, UCS HB Bruce Brady hurdled a defender on his way for a 9-yard TD run to give the Trojans a 21-10 advantage. USC would miss a 38-yard FG and UCLA countered that with another missed field goal of 52 yards. But USC would tack on a last second 44-yard FG to end the half up 24-10.

In the 3rd quarter, UCLA would find themselves at the USC 3-yard line with a 4th-and-one. Neuheisel again would decide to go for it rather than taking the easy points. Quinn's pass to the end zone would be knocked down. Later, the Bruins would find themselves at the USC 4-yard line with a 4th-and-inches facing them. And again Neuheisel decided to for it where HB Clint Donaldson was stuffed.

UCLA's defense managed to keep them in the game and UCLA would get back into the red zone in the 4th quarter with 5:30 remaining. This time they faced a 4th-and-two at the USC 6-yard line. And again HB Clint Donaldson was stopped up the middle. USC was able to take some time off the clock as HB Bruce Brady was able to keep the chains moving. The drive would stall where USC would miss a 32-yard FG wide right. UCLA now had only 1:50 left to go in the game and needed two touchdowns. With :50 left, Quinn was picked off by USC CB Aaron Capps to seal the game shut. The Trojans had knocked UCLA out of the Rose Bowl but Oregon State defeated Oregon in the Civil War. So the Beavers will head back to the Rose Bowl.

#18 USC 24
QB Mark Nelson: 26-37, 300 yds, 2 int, rush td
HB Bruce Brady: 22 car, 84 yds, td
WR David Schlicher: 7 rec, 91 yds
FS Joe Burley: 10 tkl, tfl, 2 defl, ff

#4 UCLA 10
QB Bryan Quinn: 30-43, 322 yds, int
HB Clint Donaldson: 23 car, 64 yds, td, 5 rec, 77 yds
WR Charles Vincent: 7 rec, 83 yds
OLB Martin Greene: 13 tkl, 5 tfl, 2 sk, int (Pac-10 DPOW)

[b][size=+2]Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#5 Penn State 41
#21 Pittsburgh 23

Miami 35
#11 Nebraska 27

Texas A&M 48
#3 Tulane 24

#7 Ohio State 14
#24 Alabama 27

[b]Oregon 21
#8 Oregon State 27[/b]

[u]#18 USC 24
#4 UCLA 10[/u]

[b][size=+2]BCS Rankings[/size][/b]

1 Notre Dame 11-0
2 TCU 11-0
3 Penn State 11-1
4 Clemson 11-1
5 Florida 11-1
[b]6 Oregon State 11-1[/b]
7 Oklahoma 11-1
8 UCLA 9-2
9 Texas 11-1
10 Tulane 11-1
11 USC 10-2
21 Cal 10-2

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Matt Thomas (Nebraska) - 3434 yds, 43 td, 5 int
QB Blake Ford (Missouri) ^ 3565 yds, 41 td, 9 int
HB Justin Holiday (Tulane) v 1281 yds, 12 td, 30 rec, 494 yds, 8 rec td
WR Patrick Rackley (Clemson) ^ 83 rec, 1103 yds, 15 td
HB Mike Martin (Texas) - 1352 yds, 10 td, 36 rec, 559 yds, 7 rec td

[Emac78]

Whooooooo, that was close. Congrats on heading back to the Rose Bowl. Or the National Championship if you suddenly rise up that many rankings

The score was a lot closer than the actual game was. I highly doubt I get to the NC. I would need Notre Dame and TCU to lose. And then hope Clemson and Florida lose in their conference championships. And then hope the polls would ranks us above all of those teams.

[Emac78]

SS Damien Cleveland **** #6
Aurora, OH
Committed: Oregon State


WR Michael Alexander **** #6 (43rd)
Aliquippa, PA
Committed: Oregon State

Success on the football field has translated into success on the recruiting trail. The Beavers landed two more four-star prospects after the Civil War victory that will send Oregon State to its 2nd consecutive Rose Bowl. Four-star SS Damien Cleveland from Aurora, Ohio chose Oregon State over offers from Alabama and LSU. Cleveland has done well in the class room, has good speed and has been known as a hard hitter. In addition, OSU landed another top 150 recruit in four-star WR Michael Alexander from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Alexander should be a good possession receiver but should have a hard time finding playing time any time soon competing with all of the other talented recievers on the Beavers' roster.

Oregon State Commitments

QB Todd Jones ****: Hesperia, CA #9 (88th)
HB John Johnson (JUCO) ****: Modesto, CA #10 (84th)
WR Bryan Mitchell *****: East Hill-Meridian, WA #1 (1st)
WR Michael Alexander ****: Aliquippa, PA #6 (43rd)
DE Stephen Thompson *****: State College, PA #1 (15th)
MLB AJ Morton *****: Daleville, AL #1 (2nd)
OLB John Hicks ****: Aranas Pass, TX #3 (57th)
SS Damien Cleveland ****: Aurora, OH #6
P Reggie Hudson *: Napa, CA #22

[Emac78]

Game of the Week

#1 Notre Dame (11-0) @ Boise State (10-1)

Chris: The season is winding to a close but we have one more last week and one more test for Notre Dame against those pesky Broncos of Boise State. (crowd cheers) We are here in Boise for a game that will decide the fate of the Fighting Irish. If Notre Dame can get by the Broncos today, the Irish are almost assured of clinching a spot in the national championship. The other game that will be on everybody's radar today, will be #2 TCU taking on a Washington team that will try to play the spoiler. Penn State, Clemson, and Florida will hope for either Notre Dame or TCU to slip up to give themselves a chance to maybe slip into that 2nd spot for a chance at the national title. As for now it would appear that the Nittany Lions would have the most to gain if either Notre Dame or TCU were to fall today.

Game Prediction

#2 TCU (11-0) @ Washington (2-9)
Kirk: TCU Lee: TCU

Chris: So nobody's going to pick an upset for the Huskies. Well, Boise State's only blemish on the season was an early loss to Hawai'i. Otherwise we could very well be talking about the Broncos having a chance at the national title. Can the Broncos pull off a huge upset to spoil the dreams of the Irish fans everywhere?


Kirk: Ummm...I don't think so Chris. Boise State will have to have everything go their way today to even stand a chance. The Irish should have a field day on offense. I look for ND QB Joe Davis (97 ovr) to have a big day throwing against a rather weak BSU secondary. Notre Dame wins a blowout. (crowd boos)


Lee: But what about BSU QB Laurence Culp (87 ovr)? He is having a sensational season with 3483 yards, 38 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. And Boise's HB Maurice Ford is over 1,000 yards for the season. This team should get more respect than they currently get. But forget about it! Notre Dame's defense will completely dominate in every facet today. The combo of MLBs Jonathan Thompson (99 ovr) and George Cannon (96) will shut down in running game of Boise State. And BSU's receivers will struggle to get open against a very good ND secondary. Oh and the Irish should have no trouble scoring against an inferior BSU defense. (Lee puts on the Leprechaun hat as the crowd boos) GO IRISH!

 

[Emac78]

Week 15


#1 Notre Dame (11-0) @ Boise State (10-1)

Irish Stay Undefeated

Despite BSU FS Nate Taylor's three interceptions, Notre Dame still wins handily.

Boise, ID - On a freezing 11 degree night on the smurf turf, the #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish put their undefeated season on the line. The Irish looked like the top team in the land on their first possession as they put together an excellent drive finished with backup HB Calvin Riley taking a toss to the left for a 17-yard TD to put Notre Dame on top 7-0. Boise State responded with a decent possession that set up a 37-yard FG attempt that sailed to the right.

Heading into the 2nd quarter, the Irish put together a long drive but stalled at the BSU 10-yard line with a 4th-and-one. Charlie Weis decided to go for it and HB Calvin Riley was stopped in the backfield. But it would not be long before the Irish were knocking on the door again but this time ND QB Nate Davis was picked off when he threw a ball up for grabs that BSU FS Nate Taylor easily intercepted. The Broncos took advantage of the opportunity as QB Laurence Culp found HB Maurice Ford for a 4-yard TD connection to tie the game 7-7.

Though ND QB Nate Davis would counter by rifling one to the corner of the end zone to WR Keith Williams for a 16-yard TD to regain the lead for Notre Dame. 14-7. On the ensuing kickoff, BSU returner Maurice Ford was lit up by ND LB Terrell Allen for an Irish recovery. However, on 3rd down, Davis threw a horrendous pass that was way off target for BSU FS Nate Taylor's 2nd interception. Unfortunately for Boise State, QB Laurence Culp was picked off by ND FS Mark Greer on the very next play.

As a result, Davis would playfake to HB Tyrone Meade and throw to WR Simeon Cooper over the middle who broke two tackles to find his way into the end zone for a 9-yard TD to make it 21-7. Boise State would get in position for a last second 45-yard FG attempt before halftime, but it was missed to the left.

The 3rd quarter started quite disastrously for ND QB Nate Davis as he was picked off yet again by BSU FS Nate Taylor. Taylor's 3rd interception of the game. But at the ND 12-yard line on 4th-and-one, HB Maurice Ford was stuffed by ND MLB Jonathan Thompson. Then the Irish marched the length of the field where Boise State was able to make a goal line stand, forcing Notre Dame to settle for a 21-yard FG to go up 24-7.

In the 4th quarter, a 2nd interception for ND FS Mark Greer would set up a 43-yard FG as the Irish went ahead 27-7. Culp would be picked off again by ND MLB George Cannon. And the Irish would capitalize on the turnover when HB Tyrone Meade punched it across the goal line on a 5-yard TD run to make it 34-7. The Broncos were able to put together one last scoring drive in the closing minutes when HB Maurice Ford scored on a 3-yard TD run to make it a final score of 34-14. Notre Dame will play for the national championship.

#1 Notre Dame 34
QB Joe Davis: 24-34, 255 yds, 2 td, 3 int
HB Tyrone Meade: 26 car, 101 yds, td
WR Rodney Gonzalez: 4 rec, 66 yds
FS Mark Greer: 2 tkl, 2 int, defl

Boise State 14
QB Laurence Culp: 23-34, 181 yds, td, 3 int
HB Maurice Ford: 23 car, 65 yds, td, 7 rec, 31 yds, rec td
WR Matt Collins: 6 rec, 45 yds
FS Nate Taylor: 8 tkl, 3 int, 2 defl

[b][size=+2]Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#2 TCU 45
Washington 17

[u]#1 Notre Dame 34
Boise State 14[/u]

[b][size=+2]BCS Rankings[/size][/b]

1 Notre Dame 12-0
2 TCU 12-0
3 Penn State 11-1
4 Clemson 11-1
5 Florida 11-1
[b]6 Oregon State 11-1[/b]
7 Oklahoma 11-1
8 Texas 11-1
9 UCLA 10-2
10 Tulane 11-1
11 USC 10-2
21 Cal 10-2

[Emac78]

Championship Weekend
Game of the Week

#13 Auburn (11-1) vs #5 Florida (11-1)

Chris: It looks like Notre Dame and TCU have clinched their spots in the national championship, but we still have championship weekend. I'm not sure we've seen a time where neither of the conference championship games will have any impact on the national title, but it looks like that is exactly what we have this year. However, these fans here in Atlanta know that there is still some serious bragging rights for winning the SEC and an automatic bid to a BCS bowl. (crowd goes crazy) We've got a rematch between Auburn and Florida for the SEC championship. Auburn's only blemish on the season was a loss to the Gators so we will have to see if the 2nd time is the charm for the Tigers.

Confernce Championship Predictions

ACC
#24 Virginia (10-2) vs #19 Florida State (9-3)
Kirk: FSU Lee: FSU

Big-12
#16 Missouri (11-1) vs #7 Oklahoma (11-1)
Kirk: OU Lee: OU

Chris: Okay guys, before we get to our picks. We need to find out from Erin if Gator QB Dylan Smith (83 ovr) will be able to play today. Erin, what are you hearing?


Erin Red shirt junior Gator QB Dylan Smith is suffering from back spasms after a hit he took against Florida State on the last game of the regular season. It does not sound like he will be able to go today. However, they do think he will be ready for their bowl game. So it will be up to red shirt junior QB Paul Higgins to lead the Gators today. Higgins is more of a pocket QB who is pretty accurate, but does not have a very lively arm. Guys, it should be interesting to see how that will affect Urban Meyer's gameplan.

Chris: Thanks Erin. That's a tough break for the Gators. It looks like the headgear is here so it's time for the picks.


Kirk: For Auburn, it will come down to their outstanding QB Elliott Sharp (96 ovr) who has 31 TDs and only seven interceptions to go along with over 2900 passing yards. If the Tigers are to win today, Sharp will need to have a good game and get WR Chip Taylor (92 ovr) involved early and often. The Gators will need big numbers from HBs Jerry Davis (95 ovr) and Ken Marshall (96 ovr). The inexperienced QB Paul Higgins will need to get the ball to his playmakers. I'm not sold that Higgins will be able to get it done in this environment. Auburn wins. (loud mixed reaction from the crowd)


Lee: Now wait a sec Kirk. Florida has an excellent defense and has big and I mean big advantages on both sides of the trenches. But with an inexperienced QB going up against arguably the best QB in the conference I've got to go with...(Lee puts on the Aubie headgear to a mixed reaction from the crowd) GO AUBURN!

 

[packersfan4eva]

Congrats on the #6 ranking, is Boise State seriously unranked at 10-2?

[Emac78]

Yeah, they got killed by Hawai'i early in the season. This is a strange season because there are so many one-loss teams. Look at Auburn. They are 11-1 and ranked #13 with their only loss coming against the Gators in the swamp.

Oh yeah. I should mention to you that Indiana so far has the 9th best recruiting class. LOL

[Emac78]

Championship Weekend


#13 Auburn (11-1) vs #5 Florida (11-1)


Gators Obliterated

Aub QB Elliott Sharp threw three TD passes and had nearly 300 passing yards.

Atlanta, GA - On the opening possession of the game, the Tigers marched the length of the field where QB Elliott Sharp found WR Chip Taylor for an 8-yard TD to give Auburn the early 7-0 lead. On the ensuing possession for the Gators, QB Paul Higgins tried to scramble but was stripped of the football for an Auburn fumble recovery. Not long after, Sharp hit freshman WR William Douglas on a post in stride for a huge 58-yard TD to put Auburn out in front 14-0.

[ame=http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/Emac78/Go%20Beavs/?action=view&current=SECChampSharptoDouglas58-ydtd.flv][/ame]

Then FLA QB Paul Higgins threw an interception that Aub CB Dan Gonzalez took back to the house for a pick-six to put the Tigers way out in front 21-0.

The onslaught continued into the 2nd quarter when Aub HB Erik Dixon scored on a 2-yard TD scamper to make it 28-0. Sharp would later hit WR Chip Taylor for a 2nd TD on a 14-yard connection to put the Tigers way out in front 35-0. On the last play of the 2nd half, the Gators were in position to score but QB Paul Higgins threw a jump ball at the goal line that was picked off by Aub FS Jonathan Carey and returned it all the way back for a 98-yd pick-six to make it 42-0 at halftime. Auburn was the favorite but nobody expected this.

[ame=http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/Emac78/Go%20Beavs/?action=view&current=SECChamppick-sixCarey.flv][/ame]

The 2nd half was largely a snoozer as neither side found much success offensively. At least Florida was able to keep the Tigers from putting any more points on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the Gators only managed to tack on a 38-yard field goal late in the 3rd quarter. Auburn was able to unbelievably obliterate Florida 42-3 to take home the SEC Championship trophy.

#13 Auburn 42
QB Elliott Sharp: 20-28, 296 yds, 3 td, int
HB Erik Dixon: 17 car, 55 yds, td
WR Chip Taylor: 4 rec, 48 yds, 2 td
OLB Sam Cabral: 11 tkl, 3 tfl, sk

#5 Florida 3
QB Paul Higgins: 23-30, 256 yds, 2 int, 19 car, 29 yds, fl
WR Preston Barnes: 4 rec, 69 yds
FS Aaron Everett: 4 tkl, int, defl

[b][size=+2]Conference Championship Results[/size][/b]

[b]ACC[/b]
#24 Virginia 13
#19 Florida State 40

[b]SEC[/b]
[u]#13 Auburn 42
#5 Florida 3[/u]

[b]C-USA[/b]
Southern Miss 20
#9 Tulane 27

[b]Big-12[/b]
#16 Missouri 49 (QB B.Ford: 349 yds, 6 td)
#7 Oklahoma 28

[b]MAC[/b]
Temple 33
Ball State 28

[b][size=+2]BCS Rankings[/size][/b]

1 Notre Dame 12-0
2 TCU 12-0
3 Penn State 11-1
4 Clemson 11-1
[b]5 Oregon State 11-1[/b]
6 Tulane 12-1
7 UCLA 10-2
8 Texas 11-1
9 Auburn 12-1
10 Florida 11-2
11 USC 10-2

[packersfan4eva]

Yeah, they got killed by Hawai'i early in the season. This is a strange season because there are so many one-loss teams. Look at Auburn. They are 11-1 and ranked #13 with their only loss coming against the Gators in the swamp.

Oh yeah. I should mention to you that Indiana so far has the 9th best recruiting class. LOL

The Hoosiers are an amazing football team. That's why their recruiting class is so good

[Emac78]

Conference Champions

ACC: #20 Florida State 10-3

Big-12: #15 Missouri 12-1

Big East: Pittsburgh 10-2

Big Ten: #16 Michigan 10-2

C-USA: #6 Tulane 12-1

Independents: #1 Notre Dame 12-0

MAC: Temple 11-2

Pac-10: #5 Oregon State 11-1

SEC: #9 Auburn 12-1

Sun Belt: UL Monroe 8-4

WAC: Boise State 10-2

[Emac78]

BCS Selections






#16 Michigan (10-2) vs #5 Oregon State (11-1)




#9 Auburn (12-1) vs #3 Penn State (11-1)




#15 Missouri (12-1) vs #4 Clemson (11-1)




#20 Florida State (10-3) vs Pittsburgh (10-2)



BCS National Championship - Glendale, AZ

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

[LopaKa]

You're obliteration of Florida makes me very happy. Also, i'm predicting TCU as National champs!

[Emac78]

Wow...TCU in the Championship Game?

Yep. Their toughest games were their conference opponents. They are going to be huge underdogs against Notre Dame. But after Texas losing to Ohio last season, I guess anything is possible.

You're obliteration of Florida makes me very happy. Also, i'm predicting TCU as National champs!

I can't take the credit for the obliteration of Florida since it was the AI Auburn that did the obliterating. That was one of the most one-sided game of the weeks I've seen in a while.

I you. Beating down Stanford=FTW.

Stanford is one of the worst teams. I foresee many more beatdowns of the Cardinal in the future.

Nice to see you bring this back up, guess 10 was not up to par lol, ah well Fsu better beat Pitt in that Orange Bowl, and good luck against Mich in the Rose Bowl

I will be really surprised if FSU manages to lose to Pitt. Might see a similar score to Clemson's hammering of Pitt last season. Hopefully we can make it back-to-back Rose Bowl victories.

nice recruiting class

Thanks. We've got the 5th best class in the nation as of now.