[Vegas Vic]

2001-2002 PLAYOFFS

1. Miami (11-0) *aq
2. Colorado (10-2) *aq
3. Oregon (10-1) *aq
4. Illinois (10-1) *aq

5. Nebraska (11-1)
6. Florida (9-2)
7. Tennessee (10-2)
8. Texas (10-2)
9. Stanford (9-2)
10. Maryland (10-1) *aq
11. Oklahoma (10-2)
12. LSU (9-3) *aq

2001-2002 FIRST ROUND
#12 LSU (9-3) at #5 Nebraska (11-1)
#11 Oklahoma (10-2) at #6 Florida (9-2)
#10 Maryland (10-1) at #7 Tennessee (10-2)
#9 Stanford (9-2) at #8 Texas (10-2)

Nebraska 52 LSU 31 (NEB wins 54.5%, avg. score = NEB 26.1 LSU 22.7)

Dahrran Diedrick rushed for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns on 27 carries to lead the Nebraska Cornhuskers to a convincing first round victory over visiting LSU. The Huskers rushed for 514 yards on the day. The first half was tight, with LSU leading 21-20 at halftime. The second half featured big play after big play for Nebraska, with long touchdown runs from Diedrick, Thunder Collins and Judd Davies putting the game away. LSU played well offensively, but could not match scores with the Nebraska offense in the second half. LaBrandon Toefield led the Tiger rushing game, with 173 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. LSU quarterback Rohan Davey passed for 302 yards in a losing effort.

Florida 29 Oklahoma 14 (FLA wins 97.0%, avg. score = FLA 40.7 OKLA 13.4)

Florida’s defense took center stage, holding the usually potent Oklahoma Sooners to just 203 total yards, as the Gators advanced to the playoff quarterfinals. The Gators’ offense rolled up 499 total yards and 30 first downs to OU’s 13. The only thing that kept the score reasonably close was four turnovers by Florida, but Oklahoma was not able to capitalize, and their season came to an end. Florida quarterback Rex Grossman passed for 352 yards and two touchdowns, running back Earnest Graham rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and Jabar Gaffney hauled in 7 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Tennessee 34 Maryland 24 (TENN wins 66.3%, avg. score = TENN 26.7 UMD 19.1)

Casey Clausen passed for 389 yards and four touchdowns to lead Tennessee to a 34-24 first round victory over ACC champion Maryland. Tennessee never trailed in the game, taking a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Clausen to Donte Stallworth. Tennessee extended the lead to 21-10 when Clausen connected with Bobby Graham on a 46 yard touchdown pass on the final play of the first half. Maryland managed to keep the game close in the second half, mainly due to a fine effort from running back Bruce Perry, who rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. With Tennessee ahead 31-24, Alex Walls booted a 27 yard field goal with 2:40 left in the game to cement the win for the Volunteers.

Texas 38 Stanford 24 (TEX wins 86.1%, avg. score = TEX 33.7 STAN 15.8)

Cedric Benson rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns, as the Texas Longhorns defeated the visiting Stanford Cardinal to advance to the playoff quarterfinals. Longhorn quarterback Chris Simms passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Texas led 17-7 at halftime, and took command of the game on the opening drive of the second half, capping off a 9 play 57 yard drive with a one yard Benson run to take a 24-7 lead. Stanford was never able to cut the lead below 14 after that. Stanford running back Brian Allen had a good outing, rushing for 150 yards on 19 carries.