We receive the kickoff and start driving immediately.
However, on the 4th play of the drive, Booty throws a pick to their MLB, and he returns it to the 30.
They drive 15 yards before we stop them, and they settle for a FG. 3-0 lead.
On our next drive, we throw a short pass to Jarrett. Then a short pass to Whitney Lewis. He spins from his defender and races 67 yards down the field for a TD. 7-3.
We force them to go 3 and out on their next drive.
Our next drive consists of a few short runs and one long pass to Jarrett for 44 yards. We can't convert a 3rd and 3 on the 21 when Bush is stuffed before he gets going. We kick a field goal from 37 yards out to make it 10-3.
Their next drive starts off well with a long pass to Vickers, and a few good runs. However, Jackson sacks their QB on our 30 and he fumbles the ball. Lua picks it up and runs 8 yards before Vickers catches him.
Jarrett catches a short pass for 4 yards. Then, Bush runs for 3. Then, he gets perfect blocking finds a seam and outruns their defense for a 58 yard TD run to make it 17-3. He really exploded through that hole.
End of 1st quarter: 17-3 lead for us.
2nd quarter:
We exchange a pair of lengthy but ultimately flawed drives that do nothing but eat up clock.
Our next drive, we convert a few 3rd downs thanks to catches by Fred Davis and Jarrett.
We go for it on 4th and 1 from the 28 figuring a 45 yard FG is a bit long for our kicker. They shock us by stopping us short!
They put together a lengthy drive that we finally stop at our own 19. They kick the 36 yard FG to make it 17-6.
We put together some good runs by Bush, a diving catch by Jarrett and work our way down the field. However, as we enter into their 30, Booty throws his second interception of the game. This one is to their DB.
End of half: 17-6 lead for us. We should be winning by a larger margin.
Their first drive ended early when Oscar Lua forced the HB to fumble. Williams recovered the fumble.
We managed to drive 12 yards, but couldn't get it in the endzone. We kicked a FG to make it 20-6.
Their next drive surprised us when on the 3rd play they ran a WR Screen that went for 74 yards before our CB, Gomez caught up to the receiver to tackle him on the 4. After 2 runs, they made it 20-13.
On the ensuing Kickoff, Bush had perfect blocking. He returned it 102 yards for a TD! 27-13.
Their next drive has the QB looking great thanks to his duo of impact WR's. Steptoe has 3 key catches including a 14 yard touchdown pass on a deep cross. 27-20.
End of 3: 27-20.
I decide to go with Bush in the slot and White in the backfield to pummel them inside some. First run, 5 yards for White. 2nd play 6 yard pass to Jarrett.
Next play, White runs for 2. Next play, Jarrett catches it for 3. 3rd and 5, they put pressure on Booty and the DE tips the pass.
We punt the ball. Their returner muffs the punt with no contact, and Gomez recovers on their 12!
We go back to Bush in the slot. 1st play White runs it with good blocking, he stiffarms the MLB. He runs over the SS and falls into the endzone for the TD! 34-20.
Jackson has a sack and a hurry to help hold them to 3 and out.
Our next drive consists of a few nice runs by Bush and a few by White before he tires.
On 1st and goal from the 6, we run a one back set, two TE's. Booty runs to his left on the option. They overplay Bush, and Booty runs it into the endzone. 41-20.
Their next drive consists of some more great catches by their WR's who march it down the field. However, their QB throws his first really bad pass on 1st and 10 from the 24. Brandon Ting intercepts it right inside the endzone, runs it out. Gets a great block by Jackson down field. He runs down the left side of the field. Vickers is gaining on him. He dives into the endzone just as Vickers is about to catch him! 101 yard TD Return! 48-20.
We force them to go 3 and out.
I bring in the 2nd team offense with 90 seconds left. We run the ball a few times and run out the clock.
Game over. 48-20 win.
Passing:
Booty 14 of 29 (48%) for 206 yards. 1 TD 2 INT, sacked 0 times.
Richard Kovalcheck 20 of 39 (51%) for 328 yards. 1 TD 1 INT. Sacked 5 times.
Rushing:
Bush 18 carries for 144 yards, 1 TD. 68 yards after the 1st hit.
Lendale White 9 carries for 54 yards. 1 TD.
John David Booty 5 carries for 21 yards, 1 TD.
Chris Henry 21 carries for 84 yards.
Receiving:
Dwayne Jarrett 7 catches for 105 yards. 0 drops!
Whitney Lewis 5 catches for 93 yards.
Fred Davis 2 catches for 12 yards.
Syndric Steptoe 7 catches for 124 yards, 1 TD.
Brandyn McCall 5 catches for 49 yards.
BJ Vickers 5 catches for 66 yards.
Leading Tacklers:
Darnell Bing 9 tackles.
Keith Rivers 8 tackles.
Oscar Lua 7 tackles.
Wilrey Fontenot 8 tackles.
Leading sacks:
Lawrence Jackson 2 sacks.
Gabe Long 1 sack.
Brandon Ting had our only interception.
Keil McDonald and James Alford had their interceptions.
Mario Danelo was 2 of 2 on FG's with a long of 31 yards.
Star of the Game:
Reggie Bush 144 rushing yards, 0 receiving yards, 229 return yards (on 6 returns), 2 total TD's.