Wisconsin Badgers

Oct. 29---College Football---
Wisconsin 41 ... Illinois 24---College Football---
Brandon Williams caught a 62-yard touchdown pass and Brian Calhoun scored five touchdowns with a six-yard run set up by a blocked punt as the Badgers kept the Illini at arm's reach all game long. Illinois was able to crank out 538 yards of total offense with two Tim Brasic touchdown passes and a three-yard Pierre Thomas touchdown run. Wisconsin was outgained on the ground 261 yards to 239, but Calhoun was unstoppable scoring on runs of six, two, six, three, six and 46 yards, all virtually untouched.
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 35 times for 197 yards and five touchdowns and caught two passes for 37 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Illinois - Passing: Tim Brasic, 20-39, 277 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Tim Brasic, 16-116. Receiving: Kyle Hudson, 10-114, 1 TD---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 14-22, 225 yds, 1 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 35-197, 5 TD. Receiving: Jonathan Orr, 5-41---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Yeah, Wisconsin beat Illinois by 17 points, but the defense couldn't handle mobile quarterback Tim Brasic allowing 116 yards. After Purdue QB Curtis Painter ran wild last week, there has to be a big, big concern going into the Penn State game facing Michael Robinson. The defensive line continues to get pushed around, while the back seven needs much better coaching against the option. With that said, the Badger offensive line did a fantastic job when it had to, and no one reads blocks like Brian Calhoun.---College Football---
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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---College Football---
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: Wisconsin might have come up with a double-digit win over Purdue, but there are still plenty of things to worry about. For one, the pass protection has been mediocre at best giving up three sacks and several pressures. The running game never really got going, the third down defense was awful, and for yet another game, there was no pass rush from the banged up front line. While none of this should matter at Illinois, the team needs to be sharper at Penn State in two weeks.
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Oct. 15---College Football---
Wisconsin 38 ... Minnesota 34---College Football---
Wisconsin took advantage of a dropped snap to block a punt for a touchdown with :30 to play for an improbable win. Down 34-24 with just over two minutes to play, the Badgers got a 21-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Williams, and then the defense held forcing the Gopher punt on fourth and one. The ending overshadowed a brilliant day from the Gopher running game, which ran for 411 yards, led by Laurence Maroney, who ran for 258 yards highlighted by a thrilling 93-yard touchdown. The two teams traded scores all game long with Gary Russell running for two scores for the Gophers and Wisconsin's Brian Calhoun scoring on three runs. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 23 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 29 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Minnesota - Passing: Tony Mortensen, 7-17, 99 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Laurence Maroney, 43-258, 1 TD. Receiving: Logan Payne, 2-24---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 15-26, 235 yds, 1 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 12-110, 3 TD. Receiving: Brandon Williams, 7-121, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The Badgers stayed alive in the Big Ten title race with their unbelievable last-minute win over Minnesota, but this game once again showed a major problem: run defense. After getting blown over by Northwestern, the Gophers ran for 411 despite no threat coming from backup QB Tony Mortensen and the passing game. On the plus side, UW QB John Stocco is coming into his own throwing with far more confidence than he did at the beginning of the year. Wisconsin likes the balance, but could use the offensive line to be more dominant and get the running game rolling like the Wisconsin running game again. ---College Football---
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Oct. 8---College Football---
Northwestern 51 ... Wisconsin 48---College Football---
Northwestern rolled up 674 yards of total offense with 41 second half points led by RB Tyrell Sutton, who ran for three touchdowns and caught a fourth score. Wisconsin made it interesting in the final four minutes with Jonathan Orr catching two of his four touchdown passes within 1:05 of each other, but a final last-minute drive stopped before it could get started on a Reggie McPherson interception. The Badgers had a 17-10 lead at halftime thanks to a nine-yard pass to Orr and a five-yard Booker Stanley touchdown run, but the it was all Wildcats in the second half. Brian Calhoun became the first Wisconsin player ever with 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game running for 122-yards and a score and catching 11 passes for 128 yards. Wildcat LB Tim McGarigle made 25 tackles. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton ran 29 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for nine yards and a score. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: Brett Basanez, 26-36, 361 yds, 3 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 29-244, 3 TD. Receiving: Jonathan Fields, 8-48---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 24-31, 326 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 23-122, 1 TD. Receiving: Brian Calhoun, 11-128---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The defensive front four couldn't generate any pressure on Northwestern QB Brett Basanez, and it couldn't figure out how to get a man on the open receivers on third downs. The offense was fine, despite a few bad John Stocco throws even when he had time, but it's the defense that'll be all the talk before going to Minnesota. The Badgers, for the first time in a long time, appeared manhandled by an opposing offensive line. ---College Football---
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Oct. 1---College Football---
Wisconsin 41 ... Indiana 24---College Football---
Brandon Williams caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt 63 yards for Wisconsin's tenth-straight home win. Indiana was able to stay alive on three Blake Powers touchdown passes highlighted by an 83-yard play to James Hardy, but turned the ball over four times. John Stocco threw three touchdown passes for the Badgers finishing the Hoosiers off with a 22-yard scoring strike to Jonathan Orr.
Player of the game: Wisconsin WR Brandon Williams caught six passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, returned four punts for 86 yards and a touchdown and one kickoff for 21 yards.
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Blake Powers, 20-41, 244 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Yamar Washington, 8-35. Receiving: James Hardy, 7-157, 2 TD---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 13-24, 274 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 26-101, 1 TD, Receiving: Brandon Williams, 6-113, 2 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Wisconsin's offense was relatively ineffective, the secondary was a bit sloppy, and Brian Calhoun was held in check, but it was still a blowout win over Indiana. The Badger coaches aren't going to be happy with the 103 rushing yards, but they'll be pleased with the play of John Stocco, who pushed the bell downfield well and looked in command of the offense when he wasn't pressured. The defense did a good job of forcing turnovers with big hits. ---College Football---
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Sept. 24
Wisconsin 23 ... Michigan 20---College Football---
John Stocco kept it for a four-yard touchdown run with :24 to play to cap off an 11-play drive to give Wisconsin the lead, and then the defense held as a penalty and a Chad Henne slip sealed the win. Michigan answered a six-yard Brian Calhoun touchdown run to take the lead with nine minutes to play on a flea-flicker resulting in a Mario Manningham 49-yard touchdown catch. Henne also threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Jason Avant, but Wisconsin stayed alive on three Taylor Mehlhaff field goals.
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 35 times for 155 yards and a touchdown and led the Badgers in receiving with seven catches for 59 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Michigan - Passing: Chad Henne, 16-34, 258 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Max Martin, 16-91. Receiving: Jason Avant, 7-108, 1 TD---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 15-32, 147 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 35-155, 1 TD, Receiving: Brian Calhoun, 7-59
What to take away from this game: The running game wasn't quite rumbling and QB John Stocco looked tentative and unsure on too many passes, but the Badgers found a way to beat Michigan, so it doesn't matter how it looked. Give the defense credit for coming up with the turnovers when it had to, and give credit to the team for not panicking when the Wolverines struck with the big 49-yard flea-flicker touchdown. There can't be a letdown over the next two weeks with Indiana and Northwestern coming up, but this would be a great time to reduce Brian Calhoun's workload. The offense needs him 100% healthy with Minnesota and Purdue down the road.---College Football---

Sept. 17---College Football---
Wisconsin 16 ... North Carolina 5---College Football---
Brian Calhoun ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns and the Wisconsin defense held North Carolina out of the end zone on the way to a tough win. The Tar Heels were able to manage a 43-yard Connor Barth field goal, but poor field position proved costly all game long. Calhoun ran for an eighty-yard score in the first quarter and a four-yard touchdown in the fourth.---College Football---
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 38 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 26 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 16-37, 281 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Barrington Edwards, 11-37. Receiving: Jesse Holley, 5-90---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco,14-23, 138 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 38-171, 2 TD, Receiving: Brandon Williams, 5-62---College Football---
What to take away from this game: It might not have been a pretty performance, but Wisconsin survived its first road game by being more physical than North Carolina. The defense hit and hit hard, while the running game did a good job of doing what it had to getting points on the board in the red zone. Of concern is the inability to put the game away and the tough time going on long drives. On the plus side, the offense held on to the ball for 35:44. ---College Football---
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Sept. 10---College Football---
Wisconsin 65 ... Temple 0---College Football---
Wisconsin held Temple to 45 yards of total offense, while the Badger offense got four touchdown passes to John Stocco with three going to TE Owen Daniels in the first half. A 29-yard Tyler Donovan touchdown pass to Marcus Randle El with :14 to play in the first half made it 51-0. Temple lost 11 yards trying to run the ball and only gained five first downs with QB Mike McGann completing four of 20 passes.
Player of the game: Wisconsin TE Owen Daniels caught six passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Temple - Passing: Mike McGann, 4-20, 38 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Umar Ferguson, 12-32. Receiving: Jamel Harris, 3-27---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco,12-19, 180 yds, 3 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Jamil Walker, 13-79, 1 TD. Receiving: Owen Daniels, 6-88, 3 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: What a dream game for Wisconsin. Temple barely offered a nice scrimmage allowing the Badgers to empty the bench and get all the backups some key minutes. More importantly, new star RB Brian Calhoun was able to relax and not get many carries with only 11 for 42 yards with a touchdown, and QB John Stocco was solid gaining more and more confidence. Obviously, North Carolina will provide more of a challenge next week., but Wisconsin appears ready.

Sept. 3---College Football---
Wisconsin 56 ... Bowling Green 42 Instant Analysis ---College Football---
Wisconsin weathered an early storm after Omar Jacobs threw two of his four touchdown passes for a 20-7 lead, but the Badger running game took over and steamrolled the Falcons for 379 rushing yards with five rushing touchdowns from Brian Calhoun. Bowling Green battled in the first half to tie it at 35, but the run defense couldn't hold up in the second half as the Badgers scored 21 straight points with Booker Stanley adding a 15-yard score to break up the Calhoun touchdown fest. The two teams combined for 1,031 yards.
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 43 times for 248 yards and five touchdowns and caught a pass for 39 yards---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Bowling Green - Passing: Omar Jacobs 29-50, 440 yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: B.J. Lane, 13-65. Receiving: Corey Partridge, 8-160, 1 TD---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco, 8-10, 116 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 43-248, 5 TD. Receiving: Brandon Williams, 3-41
What to take away from this game: Wisconsin didn't panic when Omar Jacobs and Bowling Green were moving the ball at will. With the pounding ground game reminiscent of Badger offenses of a few years ago, and with some defensive adjustments to get to Jacobs, Wisconsin made it a shockingly easy second half. Brian Calhoun isn't big enough to run 43 times a game throughout the season, so Booker Stanley, who ran 14 times for 103 yards and a touchdown, has to get even more work. QB John Stocco had a nice game considering the Falcons spent their time dealing with the run. ---College Football---
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2005 Schedule ---College Football---
Sept. 3 – Bowling Green (8-3, 7-1 in MAC) – Offense: Get the abacus ready because the nation's number two offense, and number four scoring offense, should be rolling again after averaging 506 yards and 44 points per game. Quarterback Omar Jacobs leads a MAC all-star cast that might not put up quite the numbers it did last year, but it'll still be potent. P.J. Pope is back as one of the nation's best all-around backs, while Charles Sharon and Steve Sanders will put up huge numbers as Jacobs' main targets. The line will be dominant on the left side with tackle Rob Warren and guard Kory Lichtensteiger, but there are three new starters coming in and questionable depth.---College Football---
Defense: The Falcon defense wasn't a rock last year. It didn't have to be. Expect more of the same with a decent run defense and a shaky pass defense despite the return of starting corners Jelani Jordan and Terrill Mayberry. There has to be a more steady pass rush with end Devon Parks needing to become more of a playmaker. The linebacking corps will need some work around weakside star Teddy Piepkow.
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Sept. 10 - Temple (predicted finish: 1-10) – Offense: The loss of do-it-all QB Walter Washington is a good and a bad thing. He was the Big East's best player, but the offense became too reliant on him. Pure passer Mike McGann will retake his starting job, but there's no depth whatsoever. The backfield and offensive line will lead to a strong rushing attack, but the new receiving corps has to make the offense more explosive.---College Football---
Defense: Injuries, inexperience and inconsistency led to a miserable season from the defense allowing 439 yards and 36 points per game. Despite the loss of the two best players, LBs Rian Wallace and Troy Bennett, things should be better with a solid front wall helped by the return of Antwon Burton in the middle and an experienced secondary helped by the healthy return of CB Ray Lamb.---College Football---
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Sept. 17 – at North Carolina (3-8, 3-5 in ACC) – Offense: Coordinator Gary Tranquill did a masterful job last year helping the Tar Heels to a big season finishing second in the ACC in total offense. The line is outstanding and the receiving corps is deep and underrated. There are concerns in the backfield needing new quarterback Matt Baker to be consistent, while inexperienced running backs Vince Wilson and Barrington Edwards need to pick up the slack for injured junior Ronnie McGill.---College Football---
Defense: Nine starters, not including top tackle Chase Page, return to a defense that finished 109th in the nation allowing 446.5 yards and 31.83 points per game. The most work has to be done in the run defense with the veteran linebacking corps needing to make far more plays to allow the safeties to play pass defense. The young, inconsistent line has to generate more of a pass rush and the secondary has to pick off more passes.---College Football---
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Sept. 24 - Michigan (9-2, 6-2 in Big Ten) – Offense: On straight talent, it'll be hard to beat the Wolverines if QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart improve at all on their fantastic freshman years. The loss of all-everything receiver Braylon Edwards will hurt worse than many will you have you believe. However, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston are very, very good. The line will have three All-Big Ten performers in guard Matt Lentz and tackles Adam Stenavich and Jake Long; now the pass protection has to be better.
Defense: One of the most scrutinized defenses in the country this off-season after meltdowns against Ohio State and Texas, there's enough talent returning, and enough pressure on defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann, to expect a bit more consistency. There are some big losses, particularly in the secondary, but there are always enough athletes in Ann Arbor to go around. The line will be the strength with Gabe Watson and Pat Massey one of the nation's best tackle tandems. Can the back seven handle mobile quarterbacks? Will this be a tighter D against the top teams? The jury is still out.
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Oct. 1 - 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.---College Football---
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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Oct. 8 – at 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---
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Oct. 15 – 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.
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. 22 - Purdue (9-2, 6-2 in Big Ten) – Offense: Considering the hot start and the nation's 13th best offense and 20th best scoring offense, the Purdue attack was a disappointment having problems with consistency along with an inability to come through in most of the big games. Seven starters return to an offense that has the potential to be far better despite the loss of QB Kyle Orton and top receiver Taylor Stubblefield. Brandon Kirsch takes over at quarterback and should add a bit more life and fire to the position. The receiving corps is loaded with rising star Dorien Bryant, 6-9 Kyle Ingraham and top tight end Charles Davis forming a dangerous trio. The backfield is experienced and good with redshirt freshman Kory Sheets pushing veteran Jerod Void and Brandon Jones. The line will be fine as long as there aren't any injuries to the starting five.---College Football---
Defense: All eleven starters return to the nation's 40th ranked defense. Outside of a few hiccups, it was a consistent group finishing 17th in the nation in scoring defense allowing a mere 17.17 points per game. So why is it hard to get too excited about this group? The line is one of the best in the nation with the best ends (Ray Edwards, Anthony Spencer and Rob Ninkovich), that you've never heard of. The back seven is full of hard-hitting veterans, but there are few star playmakers and there should once again be problems against the better passing teams.---College Football---
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Oct. 29 – at 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---
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Nov. 5 – 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.
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.

Nov. 12 - 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.
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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Nov. 26 – at Hawaii (5-7, 4-4 in WAC) – Offense: The attack will undergo a wholesale change from the nation's number two passing attack losing the NCAA's all-time passing leader Timmy Chang, the top six pass catchers, and top two running backs. The line returns four starters and will have to carry the offense early on until the skill players get their feet wet. Redshirt freshman Tyler Graunke has the inside track on Chang's spot, but he needs the receiving corps to shine right away to give him some help. The overall production will end up being better than the parts.---College Football---
Defense: New defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville will make things interesting by attacking more and using a variety of blitzes to generate more pressure. Something has to be done after the Warrior run defense, the worst in college football, was steamrolled over for 253 yards per game while the D finished second to last in America in yards allowed and 112th in points allowed. The front four should be able to get to the quarterback, but the concern is against the run with two new tackles and cornerback-sized linebackers. The secondary should eventually be fine led by star safety Leonard Peters.---College Football---

Keys to the Big GamesWeek Five, Oct. 1Iowa State at NebraskaBy John Harris
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a. Fearsome Foursome – It isn’t often when Iowa State is the team with the dominating front four, but welcome to the new reality of Big XII North football in 2005. The defensive ends Shawn Moorehead and Jason Berryman aren’t blurs off of the edge in pass rush situations, but they’ll solid in that aspect of the game. Furthermore, they won’t get manhandled at the line of scrimmage against the run. ---college football---
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The interior duo Nick Leaders and Brent Curvey play well together and get a strong push up the middle. Against a Nebraska offensive line that still is adjusting to the balanced West Coast attack that Bill Callahan brought to Lincoln, a huge key to the game will be how that group stops the Iowa State defensive front. ---college football---
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The key for the Cyclones is getting either Moorehead or Berryman soloed up on one of the Nebraska tackles. If the Huskers slide their protection schemes to double up on the defensive ends, then Leaders and Curvey are going to get too much push up the middle, limiting the space that QB Zac Taylor has to step and throw the ball accurately. But, if the Moorehead gets singled up out on the perimeter, Taylor may not have the time to get the ball off. This is a difficult matchup and it might take some max protection to give Taylor some sightlines downfield and some time to make his progression reads.---college football---
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b. Runnin’ Ross – You know, the more things change, the more they should stay the same. For all of talk about the West Coast offense and QBs who throw more than pitch, the main offensive cog is, or should, still be Cory Ross, the Husker tailback. There hasn’t been a time when Ross has been unproductive for this offense. It might surprise people, but Ross has averaged 24 carries each game this year, and that doesn’t need to change at all. At 5’6” and legs the size of redwoods, tackling Ross over the course of 60 minutes is a nightmare. ---college football---
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He has quickness and burst to the hole, and he has the advantage in a sense that this is a better run blocking line than they are a pass blocking unit. Ross is a similar back to Army’s Carlton Jones, who really shredded the Cyclones defense last week in New York, so don’t be too surprised if Bill Callahan doesn’t dial up #4 nearly 30 times this week. If not, it might be another 7 point day for the Husker offense, which isn’t good at all.---college football---
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c. Radio Flyer Flynn – One year you’re the flavor of the month BMOC QB, the next you’re sitting on the bench behind the new flavor of the month in your position. So, what do you do? You become the new guy’s go-to receiver. Welcome to Austin Flynn’s life as we know it. The mega-talented Flynn had a hard time following former Cyclone Seneca Wallace at quarterback, and in 2004, he lost his starting QB job to current starting QB Bret Meyer.---college football---
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However, Flynn had enormous potential and the Iowa State staff couldn’t keep him on the bench. So, he moved to WR, and he looks as if he’s been there for years. He catches the ball going over the middle. He’s a red zone go-to guy. He won’t ultimately be Meyer’s dangerous downfield threat; that’ll continue to be Todd Blythe, but Flynn will be the Troy Brown, the Ricky Proehl – the reliable, tough clutch receiver who will be the guy that’ll make the big catch when needed. He won’t draw much safety attention, and that means he’ll get single coverage much of the night. ---college football---
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He’s too good and too talented to not separate from man-to-man coverage throughout the night. He may not be the star…yet, but that’s alright, he’ll make the Huskers pay for their potential oversight.---college football---
Conclusion – It’s impossible to know how good this Nebraska team is this season. A 7 – 6 win over a three loss Pittsburgh team doesn’t tell us a whole heck of a lot. The Cyclones on the other hand manhandled Iowa at home, but how they play on the road is a question. They struggled mightily at Army, but that might’ve been the best thing to get their attention before they headed to Lincoln.
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RB Stevie Hicks has to have another strong game, and QB Bret Meyer has to be solid in both phases of the game – pass and run. If they can control the ball and make plays, ISU will take a huge step toward a Big XII North title. Iowa State – 24 vs. Nebraska – 21---college football---

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'Horns gaining support
No. 2 Texas adds 2 first-place votes in latest AP poll
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NEW YORK (AP) -- Texas is changing some minds.
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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.
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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.
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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 Charlotte, 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."
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.
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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, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Alabama and UCLA.
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.
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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.
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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.
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---
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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---
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After Texas Tech at No. 17, West Virginia is 18th and Auburn fell three spots after losing 20-17 in overtime at LSU.
No. 20 TCU is followed by Northwestern, Fresno State and Tennessee, which remained in the rankings with a 3-3 record.
California is No. 24.

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.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Red-headed grandchild scores big at ECU football game

Mike Parker
Freedom ENC

On Saturday, Oct. 1, I had the privilege of introducing my grandson Jaxen to the marvelous world of college football.

When Lydia asked if I could keep him, I told her I had tickets to East Carolina's game, so if Jaxen stayed with me, he would have to go to the game. She assured me Jaxen would enjoy afootball outing with Papa. - College Football -

Frankly, I was a little apprehensive. We would have to make a hefty walk from our parking spot to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Would a crowd of 35,000-plus intimidate the little fellow?

Still, I had a few aces in the hole. Food, for one. Jaxen likes hot dogs, pizza, Skittles, popcorn, and gummy bears - and the concession stands offer all these and more. Jaxen's beverages of choice are milk or water, and the concession stands sell water. - College Football -

My seats in the upper deck provide a commanding view of the field. Would Jaxen appreciate that view? Restrooms are right around the corner, so potty breaks would not be a problem.

When traveling with a small child, cover all essentials.

The game started, the crowd cheered, the cannon boomed - and Jaxen held his ears.

"It's loud," he observed. - College Football -

"Yes. Remember: Papa told you it would be loud."

Then Jaxen discovered the railing in front of my seats and quickly found he could stand on the railing to improve his view.

As he stood on the second rail directly in front of me, he suddenly turned loose and fell back into me. Although startled, I caught him. Jaxen had just invented the game he would play the rest of the first half. - College Football -

He would yell "Drop!" and then fall backwards into my arms. After four or five drops, he'd turn his face toward mine.

"Is it over yet?"

"No, not yet," I'd reply.

"Yes, it is," he would assure me. - College Football -

"No, it isn't," I'd mutter, looking around him to see the action on the field.

"Yes it is," he'd sing-song back.

"Jaxen, you don't get to say when the game is over. See that clock on the scoreboard. It will tell us when the game is over." - College Football -

After a potty run at the half, we stopped at the concession stands - again. During the first half, he ate a hot dog sans bun, the biggest part of a slice of Papa John's pizza, and most of a bag of Skittles.

At the start of the second half, he asked for gummy bears. I noted that the gummy bears were mostly fruit juice, so I acquiesced. Instead of playing "Drop!" and asking his favorite question, he sat beside me, or on me, and consumed gummy bears. Then he began working on a tub of popcorn. - College Football -

Just how wired will this kid be on the way home?

I needn't have worried. Before we cleared the Greenville city limits I heard a deep, raspy breathing from the car seat in the backseat - and knew that Jaxen had run off-tackle to that great dreamland end zone. - College Football -

Sunday morning I asked him if he enjoyed the game.

"Yes, sir!" he said.

I am not certain which game he meant, but I am pretty sure he was not talking about football.

The Free Press

College football notes: Leinart says early scare helped USC

By The Associated Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company

Monday night college football not so appealing

Craig Handel
Gannett News Service

It seemed like such a good idea at the time.

Labor Day. Monday Night football. The University of Miami and Florida State. Two of college football's most successful programs playing in prime time on national television.

Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Well, after two years, the idea is not nearly as appealing to the Hurricanes and Seminoles as it is to television executives.

A 12th regular-season game in 2006 adds even more scheduling difficulties. What if an actual hurricane creates another postponement? How do the schools fit in a Thursday night game?

While coaches and players still enjoy being in the national spotlight to start the season, the approval isn't as unanimous as it once was.

"You have to weigh that against all these other factors," said FSU athletic director Dave Hart. "That's what I've been doing these last three months and I know (Miami athletic director) Paul Dee is doing the same thing."

There are those on the Miami and FSU sides who want to play on Monday night.

"You have a big game right off the bat and it keeps everyone focused all through the summer," FSU senior DE Kamerion Wimbley said. "Even in the spring, you know you had to get ready because it was Miami. I think it drives players all summer to stay ready and work out. And it's such an emotional game, I like playing it as the first game. I hope they don't change it."

Miami punter Brian Monroe said, "It's the big game, big show, national TV. You want to show the nation what you got."

Miami coach Larry Coker - irritated that not playing on Saturdays early in the season took his team out of rhythm - also doesn't like playing a great team to open the season.

"We're not like the NFL, we don't get preseason games," Coker said. "The idea is that your team gets better as the season goes along."

FSU coach Bobby Bowden said he likes the fact that millions of people are watching the game.

Bowden said he wouldn't be opposed to playing on Monday if an open date could be found somewhere in the schedule.

That's the rub. To avoid an early-season off week next year, Miami and FSU plan to play games five days later against Florida A&M and Troy.

Then there is the Thursday dilemma. Atlantic Coast Conference schools are required to play at least one Thursday night game every other season. With the 12-game regular season - 13 if the teams play in the ACC title game - teams have only one off week during the season.

"The season has been compacted," Hart said. "When you begin to look at all those factors, you got one open date, you're playing 12 games, we got a 12-team league, do you want to be playing on Mondays and Thursdays? That's a serious issue in my mind.

"The dynamics are different when we signed to play on Monday nights. Had this not unfolded, I would have a different position."

Hart said he relayed these concerns to Loren Matthews, ABC vice-president for programming.

"I think we're going to see on this Monday night, given cooperation from weather, a tremendous atmosphere and a full house," he said.

(Bill Vilona of the Pensacola News-Journal contributed to this report.)

Copyright ©2005 The Daily Advertiser. All rights reserved.

The great 12th game debate in college football

By PETE DIPRIMIO

The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Let's say you're a college football player and you have the choice between doing what you love best in front of, say, 70,000 people and a national television audience, or doing more mind-numbing drills before the same coaches who have just chewed you out?

It's a no-brainer, says Purdue quarterback Brandon Kirsch.

"Players want to play as many games as possible," he says.

Are you kidding me, asks Indiana offensive lineman Adam Hines.

"We work out 365 days a year, sometimes twice a day," Hines says. "We only get 11 shots. It would be nice to get another one under your belt."

What do you expect, asks Purdue coach Joe Tiller.

"If it was up to the players, they'd only practice 15 or 16 times and then play 15 or 16 games. That's the way young people think." - College Football -

College football is going to 12 regular season games next year and if players see opportunity, coaches sense misery. Concerned about injuries and wear and tear, Atlantic Coast Conference coaches voted 12-0 against adding a game. Big Ten coaches were opposed. The Knight Commission, a watchdog group for college athletics, didn't want it. NCAA President Myles Brand didn't care. The NCAA Division I-A board of directors, prodded by financially strapped athletic directors, added a game anyway.

"I don't know many coaches who were for it," Northwestern coach Randy Walker says.

Actually, he knows one - Indiana's Terry Hoeppner.

"Let's play 14 games," he says. "I know I'm the lone wolf. I want to keep playing."

Mention a 12th game to Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and you get the sense we're headed toward damnation. - College Football -

"My major issue is that somewhere down the road a lot of these same people who voted for a 12th game will vote for a 13th game," he says.

Carr takes a deep breath. His eyes narrow. This must be the look Wolverines get when they blow an assignment. Imagine Charlton Heston as Moses seeing the Chosen People worshipping false gods. Yeah, it's that intense. - College Football -

"My belief is that anybody who supports (a 13th) game is betraying the concept of the student-athlete," he says. "We played 12 games before, so it's here. When they get ready for the 13th game, and they will, anybody who supports that is not taking into consideration what a student-athlete goes through. If that happens, they should pay players."

Maybe Carr had a bad breakfast. Or maybe he needs to walk a mile in Tiller's shoes. The Boilers will play 13 games next year without an open date and Tiller, when he's not worrying about how his team will survive it, wonders what's in it for football.

"It doesn't appear that much is coming back to our sport."

Tiller refers to the financial impact. The extra income (Purdue makes around $1.3 million per home game, less than half of what Michigan and Ohio State and Penn State make) will likely go to aiding the athletic program.

Football coaches understand the need. Athletic department budget deficits - much like bad reality TV shows - have become the norm and more money is needed. Still, coaches would like something for their trouble. - College Football -

"Coaches felt that if we added a 12th game, we'd get some relief regarding scholarship numbers," Tiller says. "We didn't. Athletic directors argued that you played 12 games two years ago and didn't need more scholarships, why do you need them now?"

Coaches say extra scholarships - football gets 85 - would provide more depth and lead to less injury. Because the addition of an extra game came without lengthening the season, teams will have to schedule games on what previously was an open date.

"Look at the injuries and the pressures players are under," Illinois coach Ron Zook says. "It's imperative to have an open date." - College Football -

Actually, it's imperative to have home games. Because every Division I-A program wants that money, because easy opponents would ease coaches' win-or-else burden, you're more likely to see matchups with Division I-AA programs such as Indiana State and Illinois State rather than, say, this year's Texas at Ohio State showdown.

"We want to find somebody who wants to play at our place," Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez says. "It will be fit in to complement our other non-conference games."

Complementing games or not, with a season full of possibilities ahead of them, players are ready to rock somebody's world. - College Football -

"Maybe by the end of the year," says Purdue's Kirsch, "when everybody is bruised and tired, we might think differently, but right now, we're thinking let's play as many games as possible."

Just don't tell Lloyd Carr.