SOONERS ROLL TIDE 45-7

Alabama fans may want to put this game out of their memories because this is the type of game that will cause any sane fan nightmares. No one, not even the Oklahoma Sooners themselves could have envisioned a Sooner blowout. The respect that both fan bases share with each other is almost like akin to brothers. At times you love them, but when you compete against them they become your enemy for the duration of that competition.

This game would turn into one of those ugly fights you usually had with your older brother. You know the one where your older brother uses you as a punching bag. The best part of that fight is that at least at the very beginning your chances of getting the best of him is better than when the fist start actually flying.

In the beginning of this Alabama-Oklahoma contest it looked as if both sides would do more pushing and shoving than actually connecting with those right hooks. In fact it was more in line with a war of words early on. You know those, "I'm gonna kick your ass" threats with no real action.

For the first 14:32 seconds neither team was able to land a scoring blow as both teams had trouble moving the ball. Oklahoma would land the first big blow when RB Patrick Collins would find a huge whole on the right side of the Bama defense and race 42 yards to paydirt to give OU the early 7-0 lead and the only score of the opening quarter.

In the second quarter Alabama would give the Sooner offense a gift as Jay Barker would be intercepted by Darren Kilpatrick and give the ball to the Sooners at the Bama 34. Bama's defense though would win this battle as they would deflect a possible knockout punch by OU and force OU to settle for a R.D Lasher 43 yard field goal. Bama now needed to respond offensively and show the OU defense that they could move the ball on them. A holding call though would negate a penetration into the Sooner territory though and force Bama to once again punt the ball. After a return punt by OU, the Sooner defense would strip RB Chris Anderson of the ball at the Bama 16 and it would be scooped up by Frank Blevins setting OU up at the Tides 13.

Four playes later, Jamelle Holieway would race in from 8 yards out to put OU now on top 17-0. That score would turn into a 24-0 Sooner lead just minutes afterward as Barker again was intercepted by David Vickers who would return it back to the Bama 21. Patrick Collins 7 yard run 2 plays later would almost shut out any hope that Bama had of a possible comeback.

Alabama knowing that if they had any hope at all would have to come out and stop the Sooners on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter. After the Sooners had moved the ball down inside the 40 of Bama they would get a break as Lydell Carr would be stripped of the ball and the Bama defense would come up with it to kill the Sooner drive. Barker though again would throw a errant pass that the Sooners would pick once again and take over at the Bama 30.

The Sooners would make the Tide pay for the mistake as Anthony Stafford would race in later from 5 yards out to give OU the 31-0 lead. "I played like crap and this game was lost due to my inability to find my own receivers" stated Barker. Actually Jay, not to debate you but I think the inability to move the ball either on the ground or through the air was the problem. Lets not forget the inability of your offensive line being able to protect you" Oklahoma's defense swarmed and dominated the Bama offense as the Sooner D held the Bama offense to only 101 total yards. Oklahoma recorded 8 sacks, 3 by Troy Johnson, and 5 interceptions off Barker.

Sooner coach Barry Switzer never once called for a pass play and rushed for 361 yards on the ground, led by Patrick Collins 99 yards on 11 carries. Leading 31-0 entering the 4th quarter Switzer ordered his troops to just try to kill clock, but how do you keep from scoring when the opposing QB basically hands your defense a pick 6 late as Barker did. The last score was due to yet another Barker interception and OU only had to go 26 yards with still 9+ minutes to go.

Bama would score with only 1:28 left as they converted a Sooner fumble into a touchdown as they only had to go 7 yards to get it. "Hey at least we scored" stated HC Gene Stallings and we can now build on that".

In the end this wasn't even a fair fight, the Tide kept leaving themselves open for those bruising punches and like in any fight, if you get hit hard and often eventually that knockout blow is going to put your lights out. This was the case in this game, Jim called a great game, but everything and I do mean everything went OU's way and very little things went Bama's way.

OU now heads to Miami and will hope that the defense once again rises to the occasion, while Bama now prepares to regroup at home vs. USC. --submitted by Bill Vogt--

Buckeyes rally to defeat upstard Razorbacks 17-14

An underdog Hog squad knew they were going to have to control the tempo of the game and hopefully take advantage of some Buckeye turnovers before a hostile Ohio State crowd.Things started off as planned when Ohio State fumbled on their first possession but the Hogs failed to take advantage. The game became a defensive struggle for most of the first quarter until Ron Calcagni found Danny Bobo on consecutive plays of 49 and 26 yards to give Arkansas a 7-0 lead with about four minutes remaining in the period.Ohio State picked up one first down on their next possession the pinned the Razorbacks at the 3 yard line. Arkansas brought in the two-TE package and decided to play some smash-mouth football. Twelve straight runs moved the ball to the Ohio State 36. A play action pass failed on first down but Calcagni tried it again on 2nd down. This time it was complete for 15 yards and it was followed by a flagrant face mask. Two more runs produced the TD and a 14-0 lead.

The 100,000+ fans were stunned.Ohio State went three and out on their next possession and this time Arkansas started at their own 14. They gained a few yards but lost them all on two 15 yard personal foul penalties. (Arkansas was penalized 10 times for 110 yards in the game including five personal fouls. The Buckeyes were also penalized 10 times but for 71 yards.) A short punt and a 14 yard return gave Ohio State the ball at the Arkansas 39. Three plays later it was 14-7.The third quarter was a defensive struggle which featured three turnovers including INTs on successive plays at the end of the quarter. The second one gave Ohio State the ball at the Arkansas nine yard line but a key sack on second down meant the Buckeyes had to settle for a FG making it 14-10. A whole lot more defense followed (or poor offense) in the 4th quarter.

Ohio State moved to the Ark 45 but fumbled with 5:51 to play. Calcagni was sacked on 1st down as Arkansas tried to surprise the Buckeye defense. A run gained 5 yards then Calcagni found 3rd string WR Gary Stiggers for 41 yards. 4:35 remained. 4:23 remained when Calcagni lost a fumble on the next play after an 8 yard option run had moved the ball to the OSU 14.Still Ohio State had not managed a sustained drive all day against this Hog defense and they need a touchdown. Thirteen plays later they were at the Arkansas 25 after converting a 3rd and 13, 3rd and 2 and 4th and 6. 1:26 remained and they had just one timeout. The Arkansas defense was very tough as the opponent's moved closer to the goal line and optimism still ran high on their sideline. But Reggie Germany took a medium short pass 25 yards to the house on the next play making it 17-14.Arkansas moved the ball to the 49 after the kick but an 11 yard sack killed their hopes. The Hail Mary fell incomplete as the game ended.Hogs ran 54-188 (includes 4 sacks) and Calcagni was 13-27 for 188 yards passing. Germane was 18-34 for 187 and they picked up 43-156 on the ground (also including 4 sacks). The Hogs D gets a severe test next week as 94 Penn State comes to visit. The Buckeyes travel to Tallahassee to face 93 FSU.

'01 Canes sneak by '98 Arizona 23-20 on a 44 yd FG

Miami (Fla) '01 at Arizona '98. Both coaches know each other pretty well and it showed as the contest was not decided until 34 seconds were left on the clock.

Arizona played the better first half of the game and took a 13-3 lead into the locker room. A 50-yard FG (17% chance) with 46 ticks left sent the visiting team to their locker room searching for answers.

Arizona also won the battle of the 3rd quarter (7 to 3) to make it 20-6 and it really looked like the game was over and heading for blowout status.

But the boosters paid good money for the 2001 Hurricanes. How else would you be able to field a team consisting of Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Willis McGahee, Ken Dorsey, Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Andre Johnson and Najeh Davenport. You have this much talent you need to step up and quit playing like a local high school team (for the blind).

The 4th quarter saw 7 plays flagged with Arizona having 4 go against them. Roughing the passer and pass interference kept the drive alive so that Miami could pull within a TD, 20-13. Clinton Portis did the heavy lifting and Frank Gore finished the drive with a 7-yard rushing TD. With 8 minutes still to go, the Arizona fans were a little nervous. Frank Gore was the hero on the next drive, ripping off a 57-yard run on 3rd and 10. Jeremy Shockey found paydirt on a pass from Ken Dorsey to tie the game at 20-20 with a little over 4 minutes to go.

Another 3-and-out series, followed by a big punt return put the Wildcats in a bad spot. A big sack stalled the drive and Miami had its first lead 23-20 on a 44-yard FG by Todd Sievers. Still plenty of time left for Arizona to possibly tie the game, but unfortunately, they had to start at their own 8-yard line.

Coach Keller was up for the task. Arizona moved the ball to the Miami 29 with 34 seconds left. On 3rd and 2, James Lewis intercepted an errant pass by Keith Smith to end Arizona's chances at overtime.

Frank Gore was the MVP of the game, rushing for 115 yards, 1 TD with a long gain of 57. Clinton Portis had more carries and also eclipsed the 100-yard mark with 106 rushing yards as well. Arizona countered with their own 100-yard guy as Trung Candidate ran for a buck-nineteen and 1 TD.

Both teams struggled on 3rd down (MIA 4-14, ARZ 4-13). Turnovers were key as the Wildcats shot themselves in the foot with 4 turnovers, compared to 2 giveaways by the Hurricanes. 20 penalties for almost 200 yards made for a very sloppy game.

Miami will host Oklahoma, while Arizona travels to Florida.

Shootout at the Coliseum: USC 45, Florida 41

Geller+Weiss=a flip a coin close game result. This one was no different. If it wasn't for turnovers, by both teams the score could have been higher. Well over 1,000 yards of offense posted and it still came down to an onside kick and an offense that had to draw deep down on its reserves to run out the clock and ensure victory. Both QB's were seen icing down their arms after the game. Leinart actually had to miss his ballroom dancing class. Wuerfel limped over to prayer meeting. Expect to see these two squads in the thick of it.

Reggie Bush was unstoppable as he accounted for 243 all purpose yards. Bush was 24-142 with 3 rushing TD's. Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith both eclipsed the century mark for yards receiving. Matt Leinart was 29-37-365-3td-1int to lead the #1 ranked Trojans to victory.

Ike Hilliard caught 7 passes for 134 yards and Reidell Anthony had 7 for 99, which included 2 TD's. The big difference in the game was QB play. Leinart only threw one pick, while Danny Wuerffel (27-38-402-4td-4int) threw 4.

Tuesday 9/23/2008: Opening Night !!!

6 games on tap for week #1:

Florida @ USC
Michigan @ Penn St.
Miami (FL) @ Arizona
Alabama @ Oklahoma
Florida St. @ Texas
Arkansas @ Ohio St.