2002-2003 PLAYOFFS
1. Miami (12-0) *aq
2. Ohio State (13-0) *aq
3. Georgia (12-1) *aq
4. Washington State (10-2) *aq
5. USC (10-2)
6. Iowa (11-1)
7. Oklahoma (11-2) *aq
8. Kansas State (10-2)
9. Notre Dame (10-2)
10. Texas (10-2)
11. Michigan (9-3)
12. Florida State (9-4) *aq
2002-2003 FIRST ROUND
#12 Florida State (9-4) at #5 USC (10-2)
#11 Michigan (9-3) at #6 Iowa (11-1)
#10 Texas (10-2) at #7 Oklahoma (11-2)
#9 Notre Dame (10-2) at #8 Kansas State (10-2)
USC 26 Florida State 21 (USC wins 86.1%, avg. score = USC 35.1 FSU 18.3)
Carson Palmer hit Alex Holmes on a game winning 18 yard touchdown pass with 3:06 remaining in the fourth quarter to complete a second half comeback against Florida State, and send USC to the playoff quarterfinals next week. The underdog Seminoles controlled the game for much of the first half, taking a 7-0 lead on a 47 yard touchdown pass from Chris Rix to Anquan Bolden midway through the first quarter. Two long second quarter rushing touchdowns from Greg Jones gave FSU a 21-10 halftime lead. After USC pulled ahead 26-21 late in the fourth quarter, Florida State had one last chance, and they drove the ball to the USC 15 before turning the ball over on downs with just 8 seconds left in the game:
Iowa 52 Michigan 13 (IOWA wins 88.1%, avg. score = IOWA 31.7 MICH 15.1)
Fred Russell rushed for 288 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to a 52-13 blowout over the Michigan Wolverines. The game was a rematch of a 34-9 Iowa rout over Michigan in Ann Arbor back in October. Michigan was able to keep it close in the first half, with Iowa leading 21-13 at halftime. Iowa scored 31 unanswered points in the second half, aided by three Michigan turnovers. The Hawkeyes did not turn the ball over during the contest, and they capitalized on the Michigan mistakes to run up the large margin of victory. Hawkeye quarterback Brad Banks was an efficient game manager, passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
Oklahoma 31 Texas 26 (OKLA wins 72.3%, avg. score = OKLA 28.0 TEX 19.7)
The last time the Texas Longhorns came to Norman, Oklahoma they defeated the Sooners 32-7 on November 18, 1922. The Sooners waited 80 years to get their payback at home, and it came today with a hard fought 31-26 win. Since 1929, the two schools have played their annual “Red River Shootout” at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with the Sooners also prevailing 35-24 is this season’s version. Today, it was OU running back Quentin Griffin who led the way for the Sooners. Griffin rushed for 213 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. The Sooners led 17-13 at halftime, but Texas came out on their opening possession of the second half and took a 20-17 lead on a 4 yard touchdown run by quarterback Chris Simms. Oklahoma regained the lead 24-20 on a 14 yard Griffin touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, Oklahoma safety Brandon Everage intercepted an errant Simms’ pass and returned it to the Texas 22 yard line. Five plays later, the Sooners took a 31-20 lead on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Nate Hybl to Trent Smith. Texas scored with just 7 seconds left in the game on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Simms to Sloan Thomas, but the Longhorns failed to convert the two-point conversion attempt. OU recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the victory.
Kansas State 33 Notre Dame 3 (KSU wins 94.1%, avg. score = KSU 26.7 ND 7.5)
Darren Sproles rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries to lead the Kansas State Wildcats to an easy victory over visiting Notre Dame in the first round of the playoffs. The Notre Dame offense was essentially shut down by an inspired Kansas State defense, gaining only 160 total yards and 7 first downs. The only points of the game for the Fighting Irish came on a 25 yard field goal from Nicholas Setta at the end of the first half to cut the KSU lead to 17-3. Wildcats’ defensive back Terence Newman made life miserable for Notre Dame quarterback Pat Dillingham, picking him off three times. The Kansas State defense and rushing game were so dominant that quarterback Ell Roberson only attempted 5 passes, completing two, including a 32 yard touchdown pass to James Terry.