Week 7 CFB Thread (spoilers)

[SirFozzie]

The Eagles better be ranked after this one. 20-3 up on VaTech, and if it wasn't for that one drive by NCSt, they'd be 5-0 after it.. :)

[cartman]

The Eagles better be ranked after this one. 20-3 up on VaTech, and if it wasn't for that one drive by NCSt, they'd be 5-0 after it.. :)

Well, they are ranked #25 in this week's FOFC Top 25, if it's any consolation. :)

[Galaxy]

The Eagles better be ranked after this one. 20-3 up on VaTech, and if it wasn't for that one drive by NCSt, they'd be 5-0 after it.. :)

Yeap..But they could be 1-4 depending on how things bounce.

[SirFozzie]

Man, the ACC this year. Parity-a-gogo. That's gonna be a huge game next week (vs FSU), loser out of the ACC title hunt.. but if they win that, they'll be 9-2 at worst I think (of course the ACC is full of parity) heading into that game with Miami on Turkey Day 9-2.

[SirFozzie]

wow, what an awful call, if I was VT, I would've run to the field, said hike and spike the ball just to keep the ball, cuz there is NO way in hell that this won't be overturned

[SirFozzie]

"After further review, we are complete morons, and we're sorry. Incomplete"

[SirFozzie]

22-3 final.

The FSU game next week=the biggest game in a few years (the only one bigger recently I can think of was the game against Syracuse they bombed a few years back that would have sent them to a BCS bowl if they won

[Ksyrup]

FSU is already out of the hunt. They'll lose at least 2 more times in conference, plus against UF.

After seeing Duke hold their own for a half against Alabama, I'm glad the FSU game isn't being televised at all. I don't think I could stand to watch that kind of embarrassment.

[cartman]

Pitt is stompin' a mudhole on Central Florida. It's 28-0 after the 1st quarter!

[timmynausea]

With their schedule, I'm not really surprised that Pitt is 6-1, but I'm surprised that they've looked pretty good getting there (aside from the Michigan State game of course.) We'll see where they're really at against Rutgers next week.

[WVUFAN]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! The Chokies lose again.

Sorry, it just gives me great joy when they lose.

[Ragone]

We call that.. Dolajoy

[JonInMiddleGA]

UGA leads Vandy 3-0 with 10 min left in Q2.
Talk about ugly, check out this drive that just wrapped up (and be happy this isn't on television):

1-10-VANDY 23 (11:43) Chris Nickson passed to Earl Bennett for 10 yards.
1-10-VANDY 33 (11:14) Chris Nickson passed incomplete.
2-10-VANDY 33 (10:52) VANDY was penalized 5 yards.
2-15-VANDY 28 (10:52) GA was penalized 5 yards.
2-10-VANDY 33 (10:47) GA was penalized 5 yards.
2-5-VANDY 38 (10:21) Chris Nickson passed incomplete.
3-5-VANDY 38 (9:57) VANDY was penalized 5 yards.
4-5-VANDY 38 (9:57) Chris Nickson passed incomplete.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, WVU has 279 yds total offense at the half, including 100+ rushing from both Slaton & White ... but their lead over Syracuse is only 17-14.

[JonInMiddleGA]

UGA converts on 3rd-and-23 from their own 42. 3 plays later, JT III throws for a 22 yd TD and it's 10-0 over Vandy.

Meanwhile, I wonder how many homecoming queen's Vandy sees crowned each year?

edit to add: TD Vandy. 50 yd drive after a good KOR. 10-7 with 3 mins left in the half

[General Mike]

come on Rutgers.

[General Mike]

Navy's QB broke his leg, or so it seems.

[JonInMiddleGA]

13-7 UGA over Vandy at the half.

[cartman]

Meanwhile, WVU has 279 yds total offense at the half, including 100+ rushing from both Slaton & White ... but their lead over Syracuse is only 17-14.

C'mon Greg Robinson, help your old team out. Texas would greatly appreciate an upset of WVU. :)

[General Mike]

C'mon Greg Robinson, help your old team out. Texas would greatly appreciate an upset of WVU. :)

Well it's 31-14 now. 3:15 left in the 3rd.

[WVUFAN]

Pat White has 218 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Steve Slaton has 124 yards rushing on 15 carries.

364 yards as a team on the ground for WVU, midway through the 3rd quarter. Good lord.

[JonInMiddleGA]

14-13 Vandy over UGA, with 12:52 left in Q3.
'Dores go 26 yards in four plays after a Kregg Lumpkin fumble on the first poss. of the 2nd half.

[DeToxRox]

#15 Iowa is down 24-21 to Indiana with 2:20 left in the third

[WVUFAN]

Make that 4 rushing TD's for Pat White.

38-14 WVU.

[MJ4H]

Arkansas scores on a 52 yard run from scrimmage on their first offensive play (Darren McFadden) and leads 14-0 over SEMO nearing the first quarter break.

[General Mike]

10-0 Rutgers.

Mike Teel is playing well so far.

[Celeval]

Five minutes left in the third, Vandy leading (as they have most of the 2nd half) 14-13.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Vandy blew a golden opportunity, throwing an INT into the end zone on 2nd & goal from the UGA 4. Commodore defense sticks Georgia with a three-and-out to force a punt, now just under 4 mins left in the 3rd quarter, still 14-13.

[JonInMiddleGA]

TD VANDY !!!

35 yd TD pass to cap a 71 yd drive.
21-13 Vandy with 2:25 left in the 3rd.

[Celeval]

Two big plays later, Vandy up 21-13 with about two minutes to go in the third... definately the most interesting game at the moment, unless Iowa-Indiana - Hoosiers are up there in another possible upset.

[ice4277]

Because nobody else on here cares, Central Michigan 12, Ball St. 7 late in the 3rd quarter.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Vandy holds on 1st-and-Goal at the 6, limits Georgia to a short FG.
It's 21-16 Vandy with 10:40 left to play.

[MJ4H]

Arkansas pretty much all over SEMO now after an 80 yard TD run by Felix Jones. 28-0 coming up on halftime. Should be at the game myself, but son is ill.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia picks off a short pass & runs it back for the go-ahead TD.
2 pt conversion try fails, Georgia now leads 22-21 with 9:50 left in the game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Vandy fumbles on 3rd & 3, but recovers, forced to punt ... which they then shank for a 6 yard kick despite the absence of any rush. UGA ball on the Vandy 33 with just 7:28 to play.

Meanwhile, Georgia is playing Lumpkin & Ware at RB after Brown (11 carries/75 yds) left earlier with what radio says was an apparent knee injury.

[DeToxRox]

Indiana beats Iowa. Congrats to Hoepner. Helluva story, helluva coach.

[Bearcat729]

Nice to see Indiana pull the upset over Iowa

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia misses a FG (first miss of the day by the backup kicker), Vandy takes over with 5:02 left, trailing 22-21.

[General Mike]

17-0 Rutgers. Mike Teel is taking care of business.

[JonInMiddleGA]

17-0 Rutgers. Mike Teel is taking care of business.

CBSsportsline has it 10-7 Rutgers after Navy just got a TD. Huh?

[DeToxRox]

Because nobody else on here cares, Central Michigan 12, Ball St. 7 late in the 3rd quarter.

I should put you on my ignore list for wasting my time with this.

[DeToxRox]

CBSsportsline has it 10-7 Rutgers after Navy just got a TD. Huh?

It's 17-0 Rutgers. They blocked another punt too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's 17-0 Rutgers. They blocked another punt too.

They corrected it just a minute ago, very weird looking, they had showed a 9 yd TD pass for Navy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Vandy coverted a 4th & 5 to stay alive, just under a minute left, Vandy just running the ball now, to try to set up a FG with the ball around the 19 yd line.

edit to add: Vandy runs the ball again, UGA calls their last timeout. 53 seconds left, it'll be third & 6 from the 15. Expect Vandy to run it again & then take a TO to set up the FG.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Timeout Vandy, 15 seconds left, getting ready for about a 32 yd FG try to win it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

IT'S GOOD !!!! IT'S GOOD !!! IT'S GOOD !!!

Vandy leads 24-22 with just seconds to go.

[DeToxRox]

All Vandy fans get boxed today.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I think we need a new thread just for Georgia football. It wouldn't be the first time we had one. :D

[General Mike]

way to go Vandy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Dipsy-do try on the KOR, one toss & a fumble and it's over.
Vanderbilt celebrates on the "G" logo at midfield, beating Georgia 24-22 to spoil their homecoming for the 2nd time in 12 years (1994 was the last time Vandy beat Georgia, on homecoming that time too).

First loss to an unranked team at home for UGA during the Richt era.

edit to add: I'm thinking sportstalk radio in Athens is going to be great fun this week :D

[MJ4H]

I think we need a new thread just for Georgia football

Im sure we will probably have one at some point today.

Arkansas leads 42-0 over SEMO at halftime. Arkansas has rushed for 4 miles.

[General Mike]

Rutgers 27, Navy 0.

Mike Teel with 15 for 24, 216 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Oh my goodness, things really are getting tough in Athens:
CMR just cussed on the post-game radio interview
("Vanderbilt played a damn good game")

Yep, it's gonna be fun to listen to the radio this coming week.

[Poli]

According to the Ardent Rules of College Football Rooting (TM), I'm glad Vanderbilt beat Georgia.

I'm also happy about it in general.

Now I will root for Georgia to beat Florida.

[General Mike]

34-0 Rutgers. 2:37 left

[cartman]

Did I see that scrollbar correctly that Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone and will miss the rest of the season?

[DeToxRox]

Did I see that scrollbar correctly that Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone and will miss the rest of the season?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2625553

[cartman]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2625553

Thanks. I caught it out of the corner of my eye, and when I checked online, there weren't any links anywhere yet.

[Blade6119]

Did I see that scrollbar correctly that Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone and will miss the rest of the season?

Missouri's date with OU just became far easier, though its sad to see that happen to such a talented kid. He does seem to be a tad injury prone though, but he really is an elite talent.

[cartman]

Another score I am surprised with at halftime:

Colorado 20
Texas Tech 0

:eek:

edit: make that 20-0. There was still a little time left in the half.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Cincinnati leads #7 Louisville 10-3 with 3:32 left in the 1st half.

[Blade6119]

Nice QB stat line for the Mizzou-A&M game so far:

MIZZ - Daniel 8-9 221 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT

A&M - Mcgee 7-7 105 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT

[Wolfpack]

State loses the jawbreaker game with Wake (I really hate playing Wake Forest every year, especially since Grobe became coach). As is usual with the fanbase, those who were loudly proclaiming support for Chuck after the last couple of weeks have begun (or in some cases already finished) turning against him again.

The irony is that many are backhanding Wake saying we beat ourselves and we should never lose to a team like Wake, yet somehow, I get the feeling they say the same things about us in Tallahassee. They don't wish to understand what is becoming a point of fact anymore: this is not (nor has it been since Grobe came) the historic weak sister Wake Forest that I think still holds the record for worst all-time winning percentage in D-IA. They'll likely never contend for a national championship and only rarely ever compete for the ACC title (it could be this year, if they can get Clemson to lose another game), but they will ruin a lot of seasons and make many bowls as long as Grobe is there.

Frankly, I'm looking for 6-6 and 4-4 in the ACC this year after what's happened so far. We're not so inept as we were against Akron and Southern Miss, but neither are we as good as we were against BC and FSU. We're about where we've always been, right in the middle.

Problem is, Chuck got folks to pony up for nice shiny new buildings on the premise that being in the middle wasn't good enough for State anymore. That's primarily why he's getting a lot of flak. Given the dilapidated situation at Carolina this year, he absolutely must win the UNC game this year. Back in 1999 State was average, but Carolina was horrible. Carolina beat State in the final game of the season in Charlotte with a converted running back pressed into service at QB because of injuries. Not long aferwards, Mike O'Cain got it in the neck. Amato broke that long losing streak to Carolina in 2000, but has consistently struggled to beat Carolina since then, even when State was generally thought to have the better team. Lose again this year, and it'll wipe out all goodwill from the BC and FSU games and (if he doesn't get canned) make his seat plutonium-bomb-hot going into next season.

[duckman]

Missouri's date with OU just became far easier, though its sad to see that happen to such a talented kid. He does seem to be a tad injury prone though, but he really is an elite talent.

Missouri may turn around and beat OU, but they're are not going to have an easy time doing it. Allen Patrick played very well last year in AD's absence and has played well in limited action this season. Patrick is far from a slouch.

[Celeval]

Wake's side of the conference is really up for grabs - the win against NCS is nice, but aside from next week at UNC, every other matchup will be a tough one (home v. BC, at FSU, home v. VT, at Maryland). That said, the Atlantic division right now (ACC records):

Wake 3-1 (loss to Clemson)
North Carolina State 2-1 (loss to Wake)
Clemson 3-1 (loss to BC)
Boston College 2-1 (loss to NC State)

Then FSU and Maryland are both two-loss teams... well, Maryland hasn't lost yet, but down 20-0 to Virginia in the third quarter, close enough.

[MikeVick7]

Missouri may turn around and beat OU, but they're are not going to have an easy time doing it. Allen Patrick played very well last year in AD's absence and has played well in limited action this season. Patrick is far from a slouch.
They may want to concentrate on beating A&M first.

[Blade6119]

They may want to concentrate on beating A&M first.

Im a huge mizzou fan, but i predicted a loss today so i wont be as upset as most people if we do lose. Im not expecting 13-0 like some people, and i think finishing 10-3 or 9-4 is still a good season for us. I merely was saying OU is easier now, which no one will argue against. Ya, they have back-ups...but you dont replace someone like Adrian without some drop-off.

[tdydynasty]

The ACC is a mess. 8-4 or even 7-5 will probably get a invitation to the ACC title game. Imagine Wake Forest playing on New Year's Day and Florida State, Miami and VA Tech playing before New Year's Day. It is possible. Everybody but Duke and North Carolina. They are waiting on basketball season.

[cartman]

The ACC is a mess. 8-4 or even 7-5 will probably get a invitation to the ACC title game. Imagine Wake Forest playing on New Year's Day and Florida State, Miami and VA Tech playing before New Year's Day. It is possible. Everybody but Duke and North Carolina. They are waiting on basketball season.

With the new rules, the ACC might have to give up their BCS slot this season.

[JHandley]

How many more replays does the PAC-10 have to completely blow before they just decide they're better off without it? It was embarassing for them before, now it's just comical.

[TroyF]

Another score I am surprised with at halftime:

Colorado 20
Texas Tech 0

:eek:

edit: make that 20-0. There was still a little time left in the half.

CU has been getting a teensy bit better every week. They always end up with three or four horrible plays a game that kill them. At Mizzu was a nice 4 and 2 play call where the TE dropped a wide open pass. At Georgia, a fourth down TD was called back by penalty. It's always just a few dumb plays.

Then the Baylor game happened last week and blew my mind. The defense had played well for most of the year and just layed an egg.

It all came together today. The defense played well, Jackson continued his improvement and had a nice game. The line came together and did a great job blocking. CU didn't commit the stupid penalties at the worst times. And they torched Tech. 30-6 final, could have been worse if it hadn't been for a fourth quarter fumble at the Tech 7 yard line.

Long, long, long way to go, but it's good to see the improvement continues and a nice W on the board for Hawkins and the guys.

[JHandley]

Dola.

When Dan Fouts, an Oregon alum, refers sarcastically to the replay officals as "their friends" that's a bad sign.

[MikeVick7]

Im a huge mizzou fan, but i predicted a loss today so i wont be as upset as most people if we do lose. Im not expecting 13-0 like some people, and i think finishing 10-3 or 9-4 is still a good season for us. I merely was saying OU is easier now, which no one will argue against. Ya, they have back-ups...but you dont replace someone like Adrian without some drop-off.
Right, I have no problems with what you had said. I know you weren't guaranteeing a win against OU or anything like that.

[Celeval]

The ACC is a mess. 8-4 or even 7-5 will probably get a invitation to the ACC title game.

...?

The ACC isn't as good this year as it was last, by any measuring stick, but they've got three in the top 25 (assuming VT leaves and BC comes in, both likely) and two in the top 15. One of those (GT & Clemson) will probably be top ten after next week, as they play each other. There are four one-loss teams in the ACC (Clemson, BC, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech)... same amount as the Big 12 (Mizzou, A&M, Texas, Nebraska) and more than the Big 10 (Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin). Am I saying the ACC stacks up alongside these this season? No... but while I wouldn't be surprised to see a pair of 2-loss teams in the ACCG, I don't know how 8-4 or 7-5 will do it.

[st.cronin]

I think the ACC is down a little bit this year, as is the Big 10. I think the SEC is probably down more than anybody, and the Big East and the Pac 10 are both up.

just my $.02

[MikeVick7]

What's up with Fresno St? Nice halftime score against Hawaii. Has their confidence just been broken during this recent slide or has their talent just dropped off from last year to this year?

[JHandley]

...?

The ACC isn't as good this year as it was last, by any measuring stick, but they've got three in the top 25 (assuming VT leaves and BC comes in, both likely) and two in the top 15. One of those (GT & Clemson) will probably be top ten after next week, as they play each other. There are four one-loss teams in the ACC (Clemson, BC, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech)... same amount as the Big 12 (Mizzou, A&M, Texas, Nebraska) and more than the Big 10 (Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin). Am I saying the ACC stacks up alongside these this season? No... but while I wouldn't be surprised to see a pair of 2-loss teams in the ACCG, I don't know how 8-4 or 7-5 will do it.

Just nitpicking, but you forgot Iowa.

[Celeval]

Just nitpicking, but you forgot Iowa.

Check your scores, Iowa lost to Indiana and is 5-2.

[JHandley]

Edit - Nevermind, I misread your orginal post. You're correct. I thought you were counting teams in the Top 25 in the Big Ten.

[Celeval]

I think the ACC is down a little bit this year, as is the Big 10. I think the SEC is probably down more than anybody, and the Big East and the Pac 10 are both up. Agreed on the ACC, Big East, and PAC-10. I'm really not sure about the SEC, they're not as down as they've looked the last couple weeks, and not as good as seen before... somewhere in the middle. But the point is... for all the "ACC is down" talk, it's worth noting there are still good teams there... they're just not FSU/Miami/Virginia Tech like they have been.

[Celeval]

Edit - Nevermind, I misread your orginal post. You're correct. I thought you were counting teams in the Top 25 in the Big Ten. Ahh... gotcha.

[st.cronin]

Agreed on the ACC, Big East, and PAC-10. I'm really not sure about the SEC, they're not as down as they've looked the last couple weeks, and not as good as seen before... somewhere in the middle. But the point is... for all the "ACC is down" talk, it's worth noting there are still good teams there... they're just not FSU/Miami/Virginia Tech like they have been.

The SEC has been very unimpressive. Arkansas got murdered by USC, at home, and Kentucky got clobbered by Louisville, Ole Miss and Miss St. have some bad ooc losses - other than Tennessee over Cal, I can't think of any real good ooc wins for any SEC squad. Maybe Auburn over Washington State.

[MikeVick7]

Baylor 10
Texas 0

Oh Baylor, stop teasing me.

[Poli]

WAR EAGLE!

Now that I've said that, I expect to be hit with a bolt of lightning.

[st.cronin]

Auburn's D is off to a poor start.

[SirFozzie]

Ok, I like the ESPNU coverage. The six camera coverage is a bit freaky at first, but the constant skycam reminds me of a video game look :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Ok, I like the ESPNU coverage. The six camera coverage is a bit freaky at first, but the constant skycam reminds me of a video game look :)


Yeah. I'm loving the 6 camera coverage, although I'm not sure I would like it if I had a smallish TV.

[Ben E Lou]

Meanwhile, Georgia is playing Lumpkin & Ware at RB after Brown (11 carries/75 yds) left earlier with what radio says was an apparent knee injury.Dat boy likely has a torn ACL, according to my contacts. :(

[SirFozzie]

Time for me to put on my future hat, I think within 10 years, as digital coverage becomes bigger and bigger, most games on TV will be programmable in such a way, with a main camera available and various window in windows for other cameras that you can choose (like the skycam), and all the windows go on the screen where you want them

I think between this, and the alternative commentary tracks they do over in England for Premier League games (the fans announcing is always interesting), the seeds are there.

[SirFozzie]

Jeysus Cristo, what a catch.. that would have been a TD in the Pro's too.

[st.cronin]

Time for me to put on my future hat, I think within 10 years, as digital coverage becomes bigger and bigger, most games on TV will be programmable in such a way, with a main camera available and various window in windows for other cameras that you can choose (like the skycam), and all the windows go on the screen where you want them

I think between this, and the alternative commentary tracks they do over in England for Premier League games (the fans announcing is always interesting), the seeds are there.

I am actually surprised/disappointed that this isn't already possible.

[SirFozzie]

I am actually surprised/disappointed that this isn't already possible.

I think you'll see a lot more of that in the HDTV generation

[cartman]

Baylor 10
Texas 0

Oh Baylor, stop teasing me.

You got your wish

Texas 28
Baylor 10

at the half

[st.cronin]

Odd sequence there ... Auburn fumbles at the 2, next play is a safety. So Auburn gets 2 points and the ball back. This looks like it could be an absolutely epic game.

[Poli]

Dat boy likely has a torn ACL, according to my contacts. :(

Ah man, I really hate to hear that. :(

[Eaglesfan27]

Great blocking but that was still an impressive 20 plus yard TD run by Tebow.

[SirFozzie]

This FLA-AUB game is gonna be a shootout all the way.

[SirFozzie]

HOLY SHIT!

[TazFTW]

Hawaii 68
Fresno State 37

F Fresno!

[SirFozzie]

the holy shit was for a bench clearing brawl between Miami and Florida International

[Poli]

What the hell is going on at Miami??

[st.cronin]

lol @ Miami

[st.cronin]

Shocking that Miami would be involved in a bench-clearing brawl. And with FIU, no less. Coker is d-u-n, dun.

[Poli]

What the hell was that FIU guy sitting on top of the Miami player just pounding him?

That dude better have been ejected.

[Eaglesfan27]

What channel is the Miami game on?

[SirFozzie]

it was shown during the FLA-AUB game

[Eaglesfan27]

it was shown during the FLA-AUB game


On the regular ESPN coverage? Or was I blind and missed it on the full circle coverage.

[TazFTW]

It was on ESPN during a break.

[SirFozzie]

They just showed it again.

8 FIU Players and 5 MIA players ejected

[Poli]

Good.

[SirFozzie]

wow, Auburn ties it up with a blocked punt and can take the lead with a XP

[st.cronin]

wow, Auburn ties it up with a blocked punt and can take the lead with a XP

Also, there are some hotties in the seats.

[Poli]

Thank you, Wilbur.

[SirFozzie]

and life is starting to imitate a game of NCAA07 (WILD momentum swings)

[Poli]

I was thinking more like NCAA05 or 06...where I watched a punter miss the snap.

[SirFozzie]

here's the ESPN story about the Miami/FIU brawl

MIAMI -- A sideline-clearing brawl interrupted the third quarter of the Florida International-Miami game Saturday night, prompting the ejection of 13 players in the first meeting between the South Florida rivals.

FIU had eight players ejected, Miami had five. It was the first on-field fight in FIU's five-year football history, school officials said.

Florida International's ejected players were wide receiver Chandler Williams, defensive backs Lionell Singleton, Chris Smith and Marshall McDuffie Jr., fullback John Ellis, linebacker Mannie Wellington, tight end Samuel Smith and defensive end Jarvis Penerton.

The ejected Miami players were offensive linemen Derrick Morse and Chris Barney, running back Charlie Jones, and cornerbacks Carlos Armour and Bruce Johnson.

All 13 players are expected to be suspended for one game.

The fight started shortly after Jon Peattie's extra point with 9:00 left in the third quarter gave Miami a 14-0 lead. Both sidelines quickly emptied, with several fights breaking out during the melee before order was restored.

The brawl lasted about five minutes, and it took officials several more minutes to sort out the penalties. Players from both sides appeared to be swinging helmets, and one injured FIU player came onto the field swinging a crutch at Miami players.

More than two dozen uniformed police officers came onto the field, trying to end the fights.

Several minutes after order was restored on the field, one fight broke out among fans in the northwest corner of the end zone, with more than 12 police officers running into the stands to break up that melee. More officers, including some wearing helmets, continued to surround the perimeter of the field.

Tensions ran high throughout the evening, with several instances of players exchanging heated words at the end of plays.

But emotions quickly boiled over after Miami's second touchdown.

James Bryant caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Wright, then drew a 15-yard flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. After that catch, he appeared to point at the FIU bench, then took a theatrical bow.

Moments later, Peattie kicked the extra point and the brawl started.

[st.cronin]

I'm pretty impressed with Dallas Baker, Florida wr.

[Poli]

Dear Auburn, let Leak run on the option. Take out his pitch man.

Thank you.

[k0ruptr]

Colt Brennan for heisman!

[st.cronin]

This is my favorite game of the year so far.

[Poli]

Thank you Leak.

[MikeVick7]

How was that a fumble?

[Poli]

Well, to me it didn't look like he had any intention of throwing. It appeared that he just lost his grip on the ball.

Still, I did expect the call to be incomplete.

[k0ruptr]

USC struggling again, against Arizona St. tie game 21-21 3rd Q

[Poli]

Well, that was a legit turnover.

[cartman]

My two favorite teams right now are Auburn and Arizona State.

:D

[biological warrior]

My two favorite teams right now are Auburn and Arizona State.

:D
Dont forget Penn State!:)

[st.cronin]

My two favorite teams right now are Auburn and Arizona State.

:D

I would think you'd still need somebody to beat WVU, no?

[MikeVick7]

It they ruled that a defender knocked that out of Leak's hand then that was a terrible call.

[DeToxRox]

I would think you'd still need somebody to beat WVU, no?

I wouldn't be so sure. If Texas wins out and USC loses, I could see Texas getting over WVU in the BCS. Texas would be #3 probably in the polls.

[DeToxRox]

Michigan's D has taken out two of PSU's QB's. Morelli and Clark were both KO'ed it looks like. Unreal how good this D is.

[tucker rocky]

Gators lose!

[Poli]

This is the happiest I've ever been during a Tennessee off week, I think.

Well, I was pretty happy when Tennessee wasn't playing last year.

[cartman]

I would think you'd still need somebody to beat WVU, no?

Yep, but nothing can be done about that right now. At this point, I'm just a casual fan of Auburn again.

If tOSU runs the table and there are a bunch of 1 loss teams, or if no one ends up undefeated and there are multiple one loss teams, if Texas is one of them, they should get the chance to defend the title.

That being said, there is still a lot of football left to be played between now and then.

[k0ruptr]

I think Boise St. is pretty happy whenever an undefeated team goes down.

[JPhillips]

Has the #1 team ever played #2 twice in the regular season? It looks like that could happen this year.

[st.cronin]

I think Boise St. is pretty happy whenever an undefeated team goes down.

Heh. How great would a Boise State-WVU title game be?

[cartman]

Has the #1 team ever played #2 twice in the regular season? It looks like that could happen this year.

I think it happened a few years back with Fla. St./Miami or Fla St./Florida

[k0ruptr]

now thats a game I would watch fo sho!

[cartman]

Heh. How great would a Boise State-WVU title game be?

There would be mass suicides of Fox Sports execs if that happened. :)

[SirFozzie]

I think Boise St. is pretty happy whenever an undefeated team goes down.


Except today

Hawaii 68-37 over Boise St.

[MikeVick7]

No that was Fresno St.

[k0ruptr]

yea. Fresno St.

[k0ruptr]

Heh USC remains undefeated, 28-21 against an Arizona St. team that got absolutely manhandled 2 weeks ago by the ducks

[kingnebwsu]

I don't understand how anyone could have USC ranked ahead of either Ohio State or Michigan, especially after today's games.

[rowech]

I'm baffled as to why as ASU you punt there. Coach basically just took away any chance his team actually had at winning. While slim, he just took it from them.

[cartman]

I'm baffled as to why as ASU you punt there. Coach basically just took away any chance his team actually had at winning. While slim, he just took it from them.

You HAVE to be aware of the new clock rules by this point in the season.

[Craptacular]

here's the ESPN story about the Miami/FIU brawl
...
All 13 players are expected to be suspended for one game.
...
The brawl lasted about five minutes, and it took officials several more minutes to sort out the penalties. Players from both sides appeared to be swinging helmets, and one injured FIU player came onto the field swinging a crutch at Miami players.

I wish they showed more of this during the "highlight" that I saw. I certainly hope that most of these players are suspended for far more than one game. The FIU player who came running in to kick a Miami player should be gone for the season, as should the Miami player(s?) and anyone else who swung helmets at other players' heads.

[Oilers9911]

Oh my goodness, things really are getting tough in Athens:
CMR just cussed on the post-game radio interview
("Vanderbilt played a damn good game")

Yep, it's gonna be fun to listen to the radio this coming week.

Is damn still considered a cuss?

[SirFozzie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JWeE9KqZjQ

the Miami-FIU fight.

There's a guy on Miami, #19.. he should be goin to jail right now, for stomping on several downed FIU players

[Noble_Platypus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JWeE9KqZjQ

the Miami-FIU fight.

There's a guy on Miami, #19.. he should be goin to jail right now, for stomping on several downed FIU players

So should the Miami player (#26) who was swinging his helmet at FIU players.

[rowech]

FIU might have started this but I'm just amazed at the attitude one player had after they game. Something to the effect of they started it, we finished it. I understand a little shoving, etc. but to have something erupt into that? I say this with all sincerity knowing it will never happen. The rest of the season should be canceled for both teams. Period. End of discussion. And yes....it is that simple.

[Craptacular]

I wish they showed more of this during the "highlight" that I saw.

Ahh, thank you SportsCenter and DVR ... just based on what I could see from the clip, at least the following players should be gone for multiple games or the whole season:

FIU #26 (punches UM#16 (the holder on the XP))
FIU #24 (runs in and kicks UM#16 after getting pushed away by the umpire)
UM #26 (swings his helmet at FIU #17 and hits him in head)
UM #19 (runs in and repeatedly stomps on FIU #17 and #53)

On the XP that preceded the brawl, FIU #24 looks like he basically just gives a shot to the facemask of the player blocking him, and then they both get into it after the play. The holder comes in to try and break up one of the shoving matches, and the FIU player takes a swing at him. Then all hell breaks loose. I'm sure there were plenty of cameras that captured all of this, and the law better come down hard.

[Swaggs]

My three rants of the day:

The guy who swung his helmet should be criminally charged. (Why the hell would you take your helmet off with something like that going on, anyway?)

Arizona State's head coach Dirk Koetter is an idiot. They probably wouldn't have converted on a 4th and 23rd (or whatever it was), but punting the ball away and letting USC run out the clock was ridiculous. I cannot imagine how his team respects him at all.

I'm glad Florida lost because I don't think I could have taken several more weeks of the Chris Leak/Tim Tebow story.

[st.cronin]

At the very least the players swinging helmets and stomping and kicking should be kicked out of school. I'm no lawyer or cop, but I feel like I saw some criminal behavior.

Absolutely disgraceful.

[ISiddiqui]

This isn't going to help Larry Coker's job security any.

[Celeval]

My three rants of the day: The guy who swung his helmet should be criminally charged. (Why the hell would you take your helmet off with something like that going on, anyway?) Probably already had his helmet off on the sidelines. But damn... the spot shadow on ESPN's highlight just a few minutes ago had a guy get completely flipped over in midfield. There should be multiple multi-game suspensions on both sides for this. This is just ugly. I think Miami and FIU just took the Thug U. moniker back after loaning it to Virginia Tech for a while.

[Swaggs]

This isn't going to help Larry Coker's job security any.

I think Miami has to win out, including the ACC Championship, for Coker to keep his job now.

I used to think that if they 8-4 or 9-3 his contract would save him, but he's clearly lost control. Another year of Coker being on the hot seat at Miami would just be borrowed time for him and probably lead him to go for more "quick fix" types with even more questionable character than the guys they already have.

I love the irony of the ACC commercial where all the coaches talk about sportsmanship.

[Swaggs]

Probably already had his helmet off on the sidelines. But damn... the spot shadow on ESPN's highlight just a few minutes ago had a guy get completely flipped over in midfield. There should be multiple multi-game suspensions on both sides for this. This is just ugly. I think Miami and FIU just took the Thug U. moniker back after loaning it to Virginia Tech for a while.

I'm thinking that the guy who swung the helmet and the guy who did the stomping should be out for the rest of the year. If I were Coker, the guy who showboated after scoring, when you are barely beating Florida International of all teams, would sit out the next game, as well.

[Eaglesfan27]

I don't understand how anyone could have USC ranked ahead of either Ohio State or Michigan, especially after today's games.


I'd agree with that. However, if they run the table and beat ND towards the end of the season, they will end up at #2 (assuming that Ohio State remains undefeated and remains #1.)

[DeToxRox]

I'd agree with that. However, if they run the table and beat ND towards the end of the season, they will end up at #2 (assuming that Ohio State remains undefeated and remains #1.)

While nothing is for certain, it does seem as if Michigan vs Ohio State will be #1 vs #2, 11-0 vs 11-0.

OSU's remaining schedule:

Indiana
Minnesota
@ Illinois
@ Northwestern
Michigan

Michigan's remaining schedule:

Iowa
Northwestern
Ball State
@ Indiana
@ Ohio State

[Wolfpack]

What I'm flabbergasted by in the brawl is the asshat doing the color on the CSS broadcast. He's practically celebrating the fight and Miami defending their home field in such a way (former UM football player, maybe?). I'm guessing it'll be his last broadcast. I hope, anyway.

Sad, really. My dad's an alum and I'm sure he is a little less proud to be one tonight.

[JHandley]

"You can't come into the O.B. talking smack like that!" Maybe so, but tomorrow you'll be looking for a J.O.B.

[Eaglesfan27]

While nothing is for certain, it does seem as if Michigan vs Ohio State will be #1 vs #2, 11-0 vs 11-0.

OSU's remaining schedule:

Indiana
Minnesota
@ Illinois
@ Northwestern
Michigan

Michigan's remaining schedule:

Iowa
Northwestern
Ball State
@ Indiana
@ Ohio State

I expect that to happen too. The loser of that game will drop and USC should become #2 if they are still undefeated (which will mean that they have beaten ND who are still liked by voters.)

[SirFozzie]

what a bunch of thugs in Miami:

From players:
"It's not our fault," said Miami's Kenny Phillips, who had an interception. "Whatever it was, it wasn't us."

"It's something they started," Wright said. "And our guys finished it. ... They're going home with a 35-0 loss and they're 0-7."

to the coach:
"This won't be a big negative on the University of Miami," Coker said. "I'll put it that way."

[JHandley]

For what it's worth, Coker may very well be right. This incident just barely makes the list of top 10 things wrong with the Miami program.

[Dutch]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JWeE9KqZjQ

the Miami-FIU fight.

There's a guy on Miami, #19.. he should be goin to jail right now, for stomping on several downed FIU players

_________________
"People Talking In Movie Shows, People Smoking In Bed.. People voting Republican.. GIVE THEM A BOOT TO THE HEAD!" (The Frantics, "Tie Kwan Leep")

"All under heaven is chaos, and the situation is excellent." -Chairman Mao



Words to live by, no doubt.

[Ben E Lou]

"You can't come into the O.B. talking smack like that!" Maybe so, but tomorrow you'll be looking for a J.O.B.You people weren't paying attention. It is obvious who the guy was doing color for that game:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=1083294
F.I.U. FOOTBALL PROGRAM WILL NEVER EVER ACCOMPLISH ANY KIND OF SUCCESS, AGAINST ANY TYPE OF REAL COMPETITION!! MARK MY WORDS-03/11/06!! http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/image/s12.gif

[Easy Mac]

so any word on if Miami will take itself out of a bowl slot this year? The two Carolina schools did that, so there is precedence in the ACC. I'm sure they're not classy enough to do so, just wondering.

Plus that's two fights in the past 10 games (the LSU scuffle in the Peach or whatever bowl).

[Ajaxab]

You people weren't paying attention. It is obvious who the guy was doing color for that game:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=1083294

My favorite part comes just above that with "The F.lorida I.nternational U.niversity's FootBall Program interviews I had was interesting to stay the least coaches lieing directly to my face and microphone, smearing me (trying to convince the listerns that I, a ex-coach and player , was using incorrect juargin and laughting at my questions)."

And poor GW sounds surprised that they were trying to convince 'listerns' that he was using 'incorrect juargin'?

[ahbrady]

I'm baffled as to why as ASU you punt there. Coach basically just took away any chance his team actually had at winning. While slim, he just took it from them.

That was the worst clock management I've ever seen by a coach.

[TroyF]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JWeE9KqZjQ

the Miami-FIU fight.

There's a guy on Miami, #19.. he should be goin to jail right now, for stomping on several downed FIU players

After watching the fight, I think there are a lot of things that need to be done.

1) You are correct, #19 is a pathetic jack ass who should be suspended for the rest of the season and be charged with assault. It amused me that he's on the sideline leading the team into cheers after the brawl. He was by far and away the biggest sissy on the field.

2) The Miami announcer in that clip who talked up the brawl like it was something good, should lose his job instantly.

3) Every Miami coach should be suspended. While the FIU coach was over settling his team down and getting control on the sidelines, the Miami coaches were nowhere to be found and the players were actually celebrating with their helmuts in the air, inciting the crowd further. No way that should have been allowed to happen. They SHOULD have been on the sidelines getting a tounge lashing for their actions, not celebrating them.

4) If FIU players were really as bad as the Miami announcers claimed they were, the FIU coach should also face a suspension.

I guess it says just how far Miami has fallen when they score a TD in the third quarter to give them a 14-0 lead on an 0-6 team and that's cause for bowing at the opposing sideline. Very impressive.

[rowech]

The whole helmet thing on the sideline tells me Coker has no class and no control. Those players should have got reamed for that right then and there. I used to think Coker was alright...now he's just the last in a long line of coaches who recruit thugs and down there and tries to control them enough to play football.

[Celeval]

to the coach:
"This won't be a big negative on the University of Miami," Coker said. "I'll put it that way."

I'm not 100% sure how to take this. I heard him say it in the press conference, and was wondering if that meant he was going to come down really hard to make sure that it wouldn't be a negative against their discipline.

[Balldog]

Both teams should cancel the remaining games of the season. Both Presidents of these schools should make a statement for the future.

I don't see how the President of Miami FL could justify not doing so, the way they celebrated the fight and the way their fans cheered. He needs to show Coker the door today.

[larrymcg421]

As a Hurricanes fan, I'm absolutely disgusted. They're certainly not going to cancel the season, but yes Coker needs to be fired immediately. I don't care if they win out (which they certainly won't if they can only hold a 7-0 halftime lead against FIU). It's time for him to go.

I'd actually like to see Butch Davis back. He was the one Miami coach that really seemed to care about making the program clean. One of my favorite wins in Hurricane history is the 49-45 win over UCLA. This happened one week after the team lost 66-17 to Syracuse.
Since the NC season, Coker's teams have seriously underperformed. The 2002 title game should have never come down to OT. Miami made numerous mistakes that put them in that position. Earlier in that season, we survived a close scare against Boston College. Subsequent seasons weren't much different. Even when we won, it was a huge comeback (Brock Berlin's comeback against Florida, the several comebacks against FSU, the one handed 4th down Winslow grab to beat WVU). Coker has done a terrible job of getting the Hurricanes ready to play. I've actually defended him in the past, but that's because I thought he was a nice guy who was at least trying to run a clean program, like Butch did. Now the team has completely fallen apart with numerous fights and suspensions, Recruiting is tailing off in a massive way, and the team is playing like crap. He should be fired today, but it probably won't happen until we finish the season 7-5 and lose in the Motor City Bowl.

[Logan]

Further support for why Schiano would never leave Rutgers for Miami.

[larrymcg421]

Further support for why Schiano would never leave Rutgers for Miami.

Not really. There's no reason Schiano can't do the same job Butch Davis did. And he will certainly make alot more money at Miami.

[Logan]

Not really. There's no reason Schiano can't do the same job Butch Davis did. And he will certainly make alot more money at Miami.

No, really. He would never go work for a school that will support thugs like this, and would allow things like this mess to happen. He would also never stand for an environment that would cheer as a brawl like this took place. And he would never have a player on his roster who would, one day, be commentating on a game and cheering a brawl, saying that the opposing players deserve it. If he went there, he would spend 4 years turning over the roster, getting these criminals off the team while getting guys he wants in.

Why go through all that effort when he already has a great situation at Rutgers? When you can't lose 3 games without being fired? Don't bring up the money, cause it has nothing to do with it. For one, Miami isn't going to give Schiano a huge deal when he's still relatively unproven, especially when they're still paying Coker. Two, while Rutgers is not in good financial shape, that hasn't stopped them from spending on football. Schiano will always be paid well. Plus the AD has already been told by some of our biggest boosters that the money will be there when needed.

[cthomer5000]

Mike Teel with 15 for 24, 216 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT.

Great win by Rutgers yesterday. I was down in Annapolis and had a great time in the lawn section with the kids who'd come down from Rutgers and being right next to the band. The defense played great, Navy simply couldn't get outside on the option at all. I was sorry to see Navy's QB go down, but i don't think it made much difference except that they might have scored with him in there.

Teel did not look good to me, despite the stats. Still way too many WTF decisions. If he is still starter next year, it's a bad sign.

#19 in the country, baby!

[cthomer5000]

Not really. There's no reason Schiano can't do the same job Butch Davis did. And he will certainly make alot more money at Miami.

I wouldn't be so sure. He can be a legend at Rutgers and once the program gains some ciritical mass it will be very well-supported. They can pay him some pretty big dough to live in his home-state. I think people overlook the fact that this job actually seems to mean a lot to Schiano. I think he really wants to be the guy that makes people pay attention to college football in New Jersey.

It's already amazing to see how much more i'm reading and hearing about the team. It feels great, having gone through some horrible, horrible lows.

[cthomer5000]

That Auburn over Florida result was freaking gigantic for Michigan - now they really control their own destiny for the national title. West Virginia presumably only needs a USC loss now to do the same, though I think they might not look so good once the BCS standings come out.

[larrymcg421]

I wouldn't be so sure. He can be a legend at Rutgers and once the program gains some ciritical mass it will be very well-supported. They can pay him some pretty big dough to live in his home-state. I think people overlook the fact that this job actually seems to mean a lot to Schiano. I think he really wants to be the guy that makes people pay attention to college football in New Jersey.

It's already amazing to see how much more i'm reading and hearing about the team. It feels great, having gone through some horrible, horrible lows.

I think it's great what Schiano has done for Rutgers. But you have to learn to never trust football coaches. Butch Davis was pretty firm in saying he would not leave for the NFL. I believed him and I'm sure many of the recruits did as well.

If Miami wants Schiano, they will make a very lucrative offer that will be hard for him to resist. I'm not saying he will take it, but to say it's definite either way is probably a bit naive.

[dime]

geez. where was all this sanctimonius hand-wringing when clemson and s carolina were in a twenty minute brawl a few years ago?

I think lamar thomas is/was the color commentator who was yapping about how exciting the fight was.

[timmynausea]

That Auburn over Florida result was freaking gigantic for Michigan - now they really control their own destiny for the national title. West Virginia presumably only needs a USC loss now to do the same, though I think they might not look so good once the BCS standings come out.

The BCS rankings are out:

1 Ohio State 7-0 1 2848 1.008 1 1575 1.016 .000 4 .973
2 USC 6-0 3 2652 .939 2 1476 .952 .000 1 .956
3 Michigan 7-0 2 2663 .943 3 1430 .923 .000 20 .934
4 Auburn 6-1 7 2055 .727 7 1122 .724 .000 9 .748
5 West Virginia 6-0 4 2502 .886 4 1411 .910 .000 11 .745
6 Florida 6-1 9 1935 .685 10 1045 .674 .000 17 .738
7 Louisville 6-0 6 2188 .775 6 1205 .777 .000 19 .718
8 Notre Dame 5-1 10 1920 .680 8 1068 .689 .000 6 .694
9 Texas 6-1 5 2360 .835 5 1314 .848 .000 2 .684
10 California 6-1 11 1772 .627 11 981 .633 .000 0 .668
11 Tennessee 5-1 8 2009 .711 9 1060 .684 .000 0 .653
12 Clemson 6-1 12 1607 .569 12 896 .578 .000 0 .504
13 Arkansas 5-1 17 1044 .370 18 532 .343 .000 0 .471
14 Oregon 5-1 15 1136 .402 15 660 .426 .000 5 .449
15 Boise State 6-0 18 942 .333 17 575 .371 .000 0 .432
16 Rutgers 6-0 19 746 .264 19 415 .268 .000 0 .395
17 Nebraska 6-1 16 1088 .385 16 596 .385 .000 0 .354
18 LSU 5-2 14 1241 .439 14 682 .440 .000 12 .350
19 Georgia Tech 5-1 13 1289 .456 13 703 .454 .000 24 .340
20 Boston College 5-1 21 605 .214 21 321 .207 .000 21 .259
21 Wisconsin 6-1 22 567 .201 22 288 .186 .000 18 .254
22 Oklahoma 4-2 20 654 .232 20 354 .228 .000 23 .158
23 Iowa 5-2 23 290 .103 23 172 .111 .000 0 .070
24 Missouri 6-1 25 221 .078 27 89 .057 .000 0 .680
25 Tulsa 5-1 33 5 .002 - - .000 .000 0 .064

Barry Alvarez (Fox's BCS analyst) predicted that the winner of Ohio State-Michigan and Louisville-West Viriginia will play for the national championship.

[cthomer5000]

Hmm, i think those kind of backup my thought that WVU could get shut out of the title game even if they go undefeated.

If the polls are:

Michigan-OSU winner #1
WVU #2
Auburn #3

Wouldn't the BCS likely spit out MICH/OSU vs. Auburn?

[cartman]

geez. where was all this sanctimonius hand-wringing when clemson and s carolina were in a twenty minute brawl a few years ago?

I think lamar thomas is/was the color commentator who was yapping about how exciting the fight was.

The schools cut things off at the pass by announcing very soon afterwards that they would not accept any bowl bids.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think lamar thomas is/was the color commentator who was yapping about how exciting the fight was.

Thanks dime. I tried to figure that out earlier today but failed.

THAT is an idiot who should be looking for a job no later than tomorrow morning.

[timmynausea]

Hmm, i think those kind of backup my thought that WVU could get shut out of the title game even if they go undefeated.

If the polls are:

Michigan-OSU winner #1
WVU #2
Auburn #3

Wouldn't the BCS likely spit out MICH/OSU vs. Auburn?

West Virginia is only .003 behind Auburn and their strength of schedule will go way way up the rest of the way with Louisville, Rutgers and Pitt (currently about 18-1 combined.) I think WVU is in as good of shape as they could hope for, really.

[Toddzilla]

Isn't that the THIRD brawl that Miami has been involved in THIS YEAR? Good god, just give them the death penalty already and be done with them.

[cthomer5000]

West Virginia is only .003 behind Auburn and their strength of schedule will go way way up the rest of the way with Louisville, Rutgers and Pitt (currently about 18-1 combined.) I think WVU is in as good of shape as they could hope for, really.

Fair point, but also remember that in my scenario Auburn would be moving up from 7 to 3 in the polls while WVU would only move from 4 to 2.

[SirFozzie]

31 Players suspended (13 MIA, 18 FIU)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The fight is over. The fallout is only beginning.

Thirty one players were suspended on Sunday for their role in a sideline-clearing brawl during a game between Miami and Florida International on Saturday.

The Atlantic Coast Conference suspended 13 players, hours after Miami announced that eight players had been sanctioned. Later, the Sun Belt Conference, in conjunction with FIU, said 18 players had been suspended. Further penalties were not ruled out.

Five of the Miami players were ejected, meaning they drew automatic sanctions from the ACC and the university. Miami coach Larry Coker punished three others after reviewing tape of the incident, which marred the Hurricanes' 35-0 win Saturday night over their neighboring rival.

"Disgraceful," Coker said.

Coker suspended safeties Anthony Reddick and Brandon Meriweather, along with H-back James Bryant. It was unknown how long any of the suspensions will last.

Reddick swung a helmet during the melee, Meriweather stomped on some FIU players during the fight and Bryant drew his suspension for excessively celebrating his touchdown just before the fracas began.

"What's going to be portrayed around the country is probably not going to be positive," Coker said. "But I will tell you this, and if you've been around our players, you know this. We have great kids in this program. They're not good kids. They are great kids."

ACC officials met Sunday to review the brawl.

The suspensions come at a terrible time for Miami, which has six ACC games remaining -- and probably needs five wins to even have a chance at playing for the conference title.

"I don't have many bad days," Coker said Sunday. "This is a bad day. And last night was a bad night."

Miami was involved in a postgame altercation at last year's Peach Bowl against LSU and a pregame incident at Louisville this season.

"We've got a strong grip on this program," Coker said, "although this is obviously a setback."

Coker was asked why he felt the incident took place. He began his remarks by saying FIU is a crosstown rival and that "you've got players on their team who wanted to be here."

Coker said it all began when an FIU player shoved and taunted a Miami player in pregame warmups.

"When it got away," Coker said, "was when they slam-dunked our holder -- grabbed him, lifted him up and threw him to the ground."

Coker added that he did not have a full grasp of the incident from the field Saturday and had a different perspective after watching television replays.

Miami (4-2) had five players ejected: offensive linemen Derrick Morse and Chris Barney, running back Charlie Jones, and cornerbacks Carlos Armour and Bruce Johnson.

FIU (0-7) lost eight players to ejection: wide receiver Chandler Williams, defensive backs Lionell Singleton, Chris Smith and Marshall McDuffie Jr., fullback John Ellis, linebacker Mannie Wellington, tight end Samuel Smith and defensive end Jarvis Penerton.

Officials from both universities apologized publicly Saturday night.

"I can promise you," FIU coach Don Strock said, "that this will never happen again."

It's the third on-field incident involving the Hurricanes in their last seven games. And there's been plenty of off-the-field ones, too.

• Several Miami players fought with LSU players following the Tigers' 40-3 win in the Peach Bowl, a brawl that quickly escalated into an out-of-control melee in the tunnel leading from the field.

• Shortly before the Miami-Louisville game Sept. 16, virtually the entire Hurricanes' roster jumped on the Cardinals logo at midfield -- an act widely viewed as a taunting gesture. Afterward, several Miami players chided teammates for their involvement in that incident.

• A Miami player was shot outside his home shortly before training camp began in what players contend was a robbery attempt. Meriweather returned fire at the alleged assailants. Police said he acted legally.

• Wide receiver Ryan Moore, who was sent home from the Peach Bowl for violating team rules, was suspended for the first two games of 2006 for other violations. He is expected to be charged this week with misdemeanors stemming from an August fight with a woman. He hasn't played this season.

Despite all that, Coker bristled at the suggestion that he doesn't have control of his team.

"I do have a grip on this program," Coker said. "Don't ever doubt that. Don't ever doubt that."

There were many instances of heated words being exchanged from the game's opening minutes, especially after Williams dived helmet-first at prone Miami defender Kenny Phillips following a first-quarter interception.

From there, unsportsmanlike turned into unruly.

Bryant pointed at the FIU bench and bowed to the crowd after catching a touchdown pass with 9 minutes left in the third quarter. Moments later, FIU's Chris Smith wrestled Miami holder Matt Perrelli to the ground and punched him.

McDuffie kicked Perrelli in the helmet. Morse jumped onto the Smith-Perrelli pile, Singleton followed and tried to punch the Hurricanes' Calais Campbell -- and benches began to empty.

"You've got to back up each other," said Miami quarterback Kyle Wright. "You're not just going to sit out there and let guys get beat up."

Several players appeared to throw punches, including Miami's Bryant, DajLeon Farr and Ryan Hill, and Meriweather was seen attempting to stomp on FIU players. At least two FIU players were seen throwing punches on the far side of the field, and another swung a crutch menacingly.

Meanwhile, Reddick charged across the field, helmet raised high over his head, and slammed it into FIU cornerback Robert Mitchell.

The fight marred what was supposed to be the beginning of a rivalry between two schools with players who grew up playing each other on high school fields in South Florida.

Now, there's some doubt if the series will -- or should -- resume.

[Blade6119]

"What's going to be portrayed around the country is probably not going to be positive," Coker said. "But I will tell you this, and if you've been around our players, you know this. We have great kids in this program. They're not good kids. They are great kids."

Coker is just an asshole

[JonInMiddleGA]

They're not good kids.

Well, at least Coker managed to get something right.

[albionmoonlight]

Dat boy likely has a torn ACL, according to my contacts. :(

Yup. Sucks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2627922

[Ben E Lou]

Yup. Sucks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2627922Dat other OTHER boy (Asher) was his backup on kick returns, so we'll be seeing him more now.

There's a decent chance that we won't see Thomas again until the 2008 season.

[SirFozzie]

Looks like the Color Commentator who was cheering on the Hurricanes during the fight might be looking for a job soon.

TV Analyst May Be Fired Over Comments
By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer
10:26 AM PDT, October 16, 2006

MIAMI -- Comments made by TV analyst and former Miami player Lamar Thomas during a sideline-clearing brawl involving the Hurricanes and Florida International will be edited out before the game is replayed later this week.

Thomas may also lose his job with Comcast Sports SouthEast, a regional cable network available in 5.5 million homes.

"We will take appropriate disciplinary action," CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman said Monday. The network will replay the game Wednesday.

Thomas made his comments as dozens of Miami and FIU players stormed the Orange Bowl field and fought during the third quarter of their teams' game Saturday night, an incident that led to the suspension of at least 31 players and forced officials from both schools to publicly apologize for the melee.

"Now, that's what I'm talking about," Thomas said as the brawl raged out of control. "You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked. You don't come into the OB playing that stuff. You're across the ocean over there. You're across the city. You can't come over to our place talking noise like that. You'll get your butt beat. I was about to go down the elevator to get in that thing."

Miami and Florida International have campuses 9 miles apart in Miami-Dade County. It was the first meeting between the two programs, and the Hurricanes went on to win 35-0.

As the fight slowed, Thomas' comments continued.

"I say, why don't they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more? You don't come into the OB, baby," Thomas said. "We've had a down couple years but you don't come in here talking smack. Not in our house."

A tape of the fight, including Thomas' comments, was available on the Internet on Sunday and Monday. The game was available for viewing Saturday night on a pay-per-view basis.

"We do not support or condone any of the comments that were made by Lamar," Fuhrman said.

Thomas was a third-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993 and spent six seasons in the NFL, three with the Bucs and three with the Miami Dolphins.

He has a Gainesville address, but there was no listed telephone number for him in that area. He could not be reached Monday.

Fuhrman said CSS will consult with Miami officials before determining what action should be taken.

"The university recommends talent for the broadcast, but we ultimately will make the decision," Fuhrman said.

[Ben E Lou]

"We will take appropriate disciplinary action," CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman said Monday.Oh baby. This is gonna get GOOD!!!

[MylesKnight]

So this is what Mr. Mark F. is up to nowadays..

Good catch SkyDog. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15774438.htm

Lamar Thomas fired over Orange Bowl brawl remarks
By BARRY JACKSON AND GLENN GARVIN
[email protected]

Saturday's mid-game brawl between the University of Miami and Florida International University claimed its first off-the-field victim Monday when Lamar Thomas, a former Miami player who cheered the fight on from a television broadcasting booth and even threatened to join it, was fired from his announcing job.

Comcast Sports Southeast said it fired Thomas from his job doing color commentary on Hurricane games and will edit his fiery remarks during the brawl from a replay of the telecast scheduled to air Wednesday.

''We don't condone Lamar's statements,'' CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman said. ``He unfortunately got caught in the emotion of it. He blurred the line between what takes place as a participant and your role as a broadcaster.''

When the head-stomping, helmet-swinging brawl erupted during the third quarter, Thomas not only repeatedly cheered University of Miami players on, but said he wanted to join them in taking a swing at the FIU team.

''You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,'' he said. ``You don't come into the Orange Bowl playing that stuff. You're across the ocean over there. You're across the city over there. You can't come over to our place talking noise like that. You'll get your butt kicked. I was about to go down the elevator and get into that thing.''

Thomas, in a telephone interview with The Miami Herald about an hour before he was fired, said no one from CSS suggested he tone it down, and that he hadn't heard from the network since. But he seemed to clearly expect some disciplinary action.

''I'm very new to this whole media thing,'' said Thomas. ``I'm an ex-player. I love the school I was doing games for. I'm very passionate about the University of Miami. I love those kids just like my brothers. I played with my emotions on my sleeve, and I broadcast games just like that.

``Unfortunately, this thing blew up into a national event and I was caught with my pants down. If I had to do it all over again, I would be a little more tactful.''

His threat to go down onto the field to join the fight, Thomas added, was intended as a joke. ''Everybody who knows anything about the Orange Bowl knows it's going to take at least 40 minutes to go down the elevator from the press box,'' he said. ``I'm 36 years old, man -- what am I going to do down there? It was a joke, but people didn't take it that way. That's the way it goes.''

[ISiddiqui]

Good job CSS!

[albionmoonlight]

Lamar Thomas was the guy who talked trash before getting his butt kicked in the Sugar Bowl against Alamaba.

[Celeval]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/10/16/bc.fbc.brawlsuspensions.ap/index.html

Miami extended the suspension of Reddick (helmet swinging) indefinately; also twelve others suspended against Duke

FIU has kicked two players off the team, and suspended sixteen indefinately.

[dawgfan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/10/16/bc.fbc.brawlsuspensions.ap/index.html

Miami extended the suspension of Reddick (helmet swinging) indefinately; also twelve others suspended against Duke

FIU has kicked two players off the team, and suspended sixteen indefinately.
In other words, FIU is taking the punishment more seriously.

[Easy Mac]

From what i heard, CSS is editing/has edited out his running commentary of the fight from the repeat broadcast.

I like how Dan Patrick (or Mike and Mike) pointed out Thomas had an extensive rap sheet, saying what did CSS expect.

[Blade6119]

In other words, FIU is taking the punishment more seriously.
Did you expect any differently? This is miami were talking about...I mean, the coaches reactions during the game when it happened say it all...

What has suprised me is when you read all of the Miami fan's reactions and how they dont seem to be bothered by it at all. Stewart Mandels blog about the suspensions(which is a great article if you ask me) is interesting. Even more interesting is how the Miami Fans continue to place all the blame on FIU...

hxxp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2006/10/one-game-suspensions-thats-riot.html

[miami_fan]

Did you expect any differently? This is miami were talking about...I mean, the coaches reactions during the game when it happened say it all...

What has suprised me is when you read all of the Miami fan's reactions and how they dont seem to be bothered by it at all. Stewart Mandels blog about the suspensions(which is a great article if you ask me) is interesting. Even more interesting is how the Miami Fans continue to place all the blame on FIU...

hxxp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2006/10/one-game-suspensions-thats-riot.html

Well this Miami fan is bothered by it but unfortunately I can't say that it is a surprise. For all the abuse(some of it warrented) the program has taken over the years, I think the job of cleaning up the program that was done by Butch Davis has been severely overlooked even to this day. Davis ran a tight ship and and it showed not only on the field but off it. That discipline has been in steady decline since Coker became the coach. There has been an incident here and an incident there in Coker's second year. but the storm (no pun intended) brewing. The culmination was what the world saw Sat. night. Maybe now Coker, who has been falsely described as the the "good" guy who took no crap and ran a tight ship can be exposed for exactly what he is. Oh wait I am, I am going to hear some bullshit about how he has such a winning record and how he runs a tight ship and continues to lead the program in a class manner. It is a shame to see all the hard work that Davis put in in rebuidling the program in a classy manner has been flushed down the toilet.

[Craptacular]

Donna Shalala needs to grow bigger balls.

[Ajaxab]

Amidst all of this discussion of suspensions, I thought it was really interesting to hear about Auburn-Florida's suspension systems. Blackmon from Auburn and Madison from Florida (if I'm getting the names right) were both suspended by their respective schools earlier this year. I thought it was interesting to hear the announcers mention that you get 5 games at Auburn for underage drinking, but only 3 games at Florida for marijuana use. Of course they didn't line it up like that, but the information came out at different points in the broadcast.