Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

NCAA Season Wrap up

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Jan 14, 2013
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	2	Virginia Tech Hokies	14	0
2	3	Illinois Fighting Illini	12	2
3	5	Georgia Bulldogs	11	2
4	1	Oklahoma Sooners	12	1
5	8	Oregon Ducks	11	2
6	9	Arkansas Razorbacks	12	2
7	4	Boise State Broncos	11	2
8	11	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	11	2
9	6	Iowa Hawkeyes	10	3
10	13	Michigan Wolverines	11	3
11	7	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	10	3
12	14	Central Florida Knights	13	1
13	10	Oregon State Beavers	11	3
14	20	Utah Utes	11	3
15	22	Auburn Tigers	9	4
16	23	Pittsburgh Panthers	10	3
17	25	Baylor Bears	10	3
18	19	Miami University Redhawks	12	2
19	12	Penn State Nittany Lions	9	4
20	16	Louisiana State tigers	9	4
21	17	Florida Gators	10	4
22	--	Mississippi State Bulldogs	9	4
23	18	Air Force Falcons	10	3
24	--	Houston Cougars	11	2
25	24	Nevada Wolfpack	11	2

Sunbelt Conference Standings - Updated: Jan 14, 5
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
Arkansas State	10-3	0.760	8-0	432	296	W-6
Tulane	10-3	0.760	7-1	387	263	W-2
UL-Monroe	6-7	0.460	5-3	328	335	L-2
UL-Lafayette	6-7	0.460	4-4	307	392	L-1
Florida Atlantic	5-7	0.410	4-4	302	368	L-5
Western Kentucky	2-10	0.160	2-6	200	392	W-1
Memphis	2-10	0.160	2-6	236	368	L-1
Middle Tennessee State	3-9	0.250	2-6	263	357	W-1
North Texas	2-10	0.160	2-6	234	414	L-6

NCAA Football Leaders - Updated: Jan 10, 2013
Passing Yards	yards	Passing Touchdowns	TD
1. Jacob Karam (TTU)	4615	1. Logan Thomas (VT)	43
2. Dayne Crist (ND)	4295	2. Mason Magleby (NEV)	43
3. Tyler Wilson (ARK)	4105	3. Jacob Karam (TTU)	42
4. Colby Cameron (LTU)	4001	4. Tino Sunseri (PITT)	42
5. Ryan Katz (ORST)	3984	5. Ryan Katz (ORST)	42
Rushing Yards	yards	Rushing Touchdowns
1. Dennis Johnson (ARK)	1581	1. Orwin Smith (GT)	21
2. Orwin Smith (GT)	1567	2. Josh Miller (Boise)	20
3. John White (UTAH)	1548	3. Dennis Johnson (ARK)	19
4. Josh Miller (BOISE)	1502	4. John White (UTAH)	17
5. Matt Brown (TEM)	1477	5. Walter Kazee (SDSU)	17
Receptions	R	Receiving Yards	yards
1. Richie Casey (LTU)	132	1. Richie Casey (LTU)	1836
2. Brandon Wimberly (NEV)	100	2. Brandon Wimberly (NEV)	1723
3. Allen Muse (ARKST)	100	3. Alexander Torres (TTU)	1588
4. Deon Miller (TEM)	97	4. Chris Potter (BOISE)	1409
5. Keenan Holeman (SMU)	96	5. TJ Jones (ND)	1392
Receiving Touchdowns	TD	Interceptions	INT
1. Brandon Wimberly (NEV)	17	1. Jordan Poyer (OREST)	10
2. Tyler Eifert (ND)	16	2. Marsalis Teague (TENN)	9
3. Colby Prince (OREST)	15	3. Omar Leftwich (OHIO)	9
4. Tavon Austin (WVU)	14	4. Josh Robinson (UCF)	8
5. Alexander Torres (TTU)	14	5. Bryan Willis (TROY)	8

NCAA Football Award Winners
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Heisman Memorial Trophy	Logan Thomas	QB	Virginia Tech
Bronko Nagurski Trophy	Trent Mackey	MLB	Tulane
Chuck Bednarik Award	Trent Mackey	MLB	Tulane
Davey O'Brien Award	Dayne Crist	QB	Notre Dame
Doak Walker Award	Josh Miller	HB	Boise State
Fred Biletnikoff Award	Brandon Wimberly	WR	Nevada
Jim Thorpe Award	Mo Claiborne	CB	Lousiana State
John Mackey Award	Tyler Eifert	TE	Notre Dame
Linebacker of the Year	Trent Mackey	MLB	Tulane
Lombardi Award	Shane Delery	DT	Tulane
Lou Groza Award	Andre Heidari	K	Southern California
Maxwell Award	Dayne Crist	QB	Notre Dame
Outland Trophy	Everett Benyard	RT	Oregon
Ray Guy Award	Anthony Fera	P	Penn State
Returner of the Year	TJ Jones	WR	Notre Dame
Rimington Trophy	Ben Habern	C	Oklahoma
Walter Camp Award	Denard Robinson	QB	Michigan

All Americans
Logan Thomas (QB-VT) JR (RS)
Josh Miller (HB-BST) FR
Orwin Smith (HB-GT) SR
Brandon Wimberly (WR-NEV) SR (RS)
Richie Casey (WR-LTU) SR (RS)
Tyler Eifert (TE-ND) SR
Nick McRae (LG-GT) SR (RS)
Michael Via (C-VT) SR (RS)
Will Jackson (RG-GT) JR (RS)
Nate Swanson (RT-ILL) JR (RS)
Everett Benyard (RT-ORE) JR (RS)
Colton Miles-Nash (LE-ARK) SR
Taylor Henry (RE-OREST) SR (RS)
Shane Delery (DT-TUL) SR
Stacy McGee (DT-OU) SR (RS)
Ray Shipman (LOLB-UCF) SR (RS)
Trent Mackey (MLB-TUL) SR (RS)
Christian Kirksey (ROLB-IOWA) JR
Jordan Poyer (CB-OREST) SR
Bryan Willis (CB-TROY) SR (RS)
Josh Evans (FS-FLA) SR
Hunter Bates (SS-NU) SR (RS)
Ross Krautman (K-SU) JR
Dylan Breedin (P-ARK) SR
TJ Jones (RET-ND) JR

Orleans Darkwa, Derrick Foster, Casey Blum, Shane Delery, Trent Mackey, Ryan Travis all are named to All-Sun Belt team

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Tulane 2012 Season in review : Statistical analysis

Tulane Green Wave 2012 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Aug 25	at #6 Boise State Broncos	Lost, 34-27
Sep 1	at Cincinnati Bearcats	Won, 44-41
Sep 8	vs Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles	Won, 21-7
Sep 15	vs Memphis Tigers	Won, 48-21
Sep 22	vs North Texas Mean Green	Won, 28-21
Sep 29	at Florida Atlantic Owls	Won, 49-10
Oct 6	vs Middle Tennessee State	Won, 28-17
Oct 13	at UL-Monroe Warhawks	Won, 37-31
Oct 20	at UL-Lafayette	Won, 36-7
Oct 27	at Arkansas State Red Wolves	Lost, 30-25
Nov 10	at Louisiana State University Tigers	Lost, 36-13
Nov 17	vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers	Won, 20-0
Jan 6	vs Miami University Redhawks	Won, 11-8

Tulane Green Wave Stats
OFFENSE	TOT	OFF	PASS	RUSH	PPG	PTD	RTD	SACK	1DWN
Tulane Green Wave	5985	4608	3154	1454	29.7	24	18	41	177
DEFENSE	TOT	PASS	RUSH	PTS	SACK	FUMB	INT
Tulane	3539	2785	754	263	52	17	11
CONVERSIONS	3DC	3DA	3D%	4DC	4DA	4D%	2PC	2PA	2P%
Tulane	48	141	34	9	18	50	1	1	100
RED ZONE	ATT	TD	FG	OFF%	DATT	DTD	DFG	DEF%
Tulane	61	29	13	68	32	13	9	68
PENALTIES	PEN		YARDS
Tulane	25		208
TURNOVERS	DIFF	GIVE	INT	FUMB	TAKE	INT	FUMB
Tulane	12	16	8	8	28	11	17

Tulane Green Wave Stats - 2012
Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	YDS/G	LONG	TD	INT	RAT
Evan Nelson	88/155	1502	17	250.3	83	11	5	155.1
D.J. Ponder	31/62	483	15.5	96.6	61	6	1	144.2
Ryan Griffin	96/163	1169	12.1	233.8	58	7	2	130.9
Rushing	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	20+	TD	YDS/G	FUM
Orleans Darkwa	190	1038	5.4	76	11	11	79.8	4
Steve Barnett	52	368	7.0	79	4	6	28.3	0
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG	DROPS	YDS/G	YAC
Brock Saunders	49	558	11.3	2	63	4	42.9	224
Brent Comardelle	40	442	11	3	44	3	34	155
Ryan Grant	38	707	19.1	5	69	4	54.3	161
JoJo Dobbs	29	813	28	7	83	4	62.5	236
Orleans Darkwa	27	282	10.4	4	63	3	21.6	287
Evan Tatford	16	143	8.9	1	22	2	14.3	53
Stephen Barnett	6	62	10.3	1	22	0	4.7	42
Justyn Shackleford	4	74	18.5	0	54	0	6.1	17
Tim Robinson	2	23	11.5	1	20	0	7.6	14
	Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions
Defense	SOLO	AST	TOT	SACK	TLOSS	PD	INT	TD
Trent Mackey	97	37	134	16.5	65	5	1	1
Darryl Farley	37	21	58	2	14	4	1	0
Cameron DeJean	36	17	53	0	3	6	1	0
Shakiel Smith	63	30	33	0	4	8	1	0
Kendrick Washington	22	10	32	0	2	12	2	0
Austen Jacks	20	19	39	4.5	16	1	0	0
Casey Blum	20	6	26	11	19	2	0	1
Shane Delery	19	14	33	15	15	2	0	0
Matt Bailey	14	20	34	0	3	3	0	0
Wendell Beckwith	14	8	22	7	8	3	0	0
Ryan Travis	14	16	30	0	2	11	4	3
	Field Goals				Extra Points
Kicking	FGM	FGA	PCT	LONG	XPM	XPA	PCT	PTS
Cairo Santos	16	27	59	53	41	43	95	89
Punting	PUNTS	YDS	LONG	AVG	NET	BP	IN20	TB
Jonathan Ginsburgh	42	1852	62	44	1610	0	2	8

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Coach Kill out and in comes another Mid Major Miracle

(St. Paul, Minnesota) - Two years ago, the Minnesota Gophers snagged a hot coaching commodity from Northern Illinois when they swiped Jerry Kill who has been on the hot track to stardom. Every year he had a winning season at Northern Illinois and the years before that he built Southern Illinois into a national powerhouse. Yet that track came to grinding halt on Friday when the Gophers announced the signing of new head Coach Tyler Starks, ending Coach Kills reign as the Gopher coach. The Gophers continue to be towards the bottom of the NCAA and are just hoping to climb out of the hole they have been dug into. Jerry Kill reportedly has signed on to be the offensive coordinator at a Louisiana Tech program that is coming off a Western Athletic Championship season.

Tyler Starks was signed to a one year deal and was somewhat disgruntled by the lack of faith placed upon him by the athletic director and board at Tulane University and rejecting a two year contract extension he chose to return to his alma mater in Minnesota in hopes of building them into a national power house. To this point Starks and loyal are two words that shouldn't be mixed. Tyler Starks has had an average time of one year at a school but according to him things will be changing.

"I am at my dream school. Everyone dreams of playing and coaching for that one program that your attached to. I went to school here and I am estatic to be given this opportunity. As long as I get extensions I will be coach for Minnesota. I want to see this turn into a national dynasty and I won't relax until football makes its return to Minnesota. We lose a bit of our offensive firepower this offseason. None the less we are expecting a solid turn around. The Big Ten is a great conference and we might struggle early. But I have faith in these guys. I saw tape of them play and I have no doubt in my mind that this school is only a few years from being nationally known." Spoke Starks in his introduction interview.

Coach Jerry Kill was unavailable for comment.

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Signing Day in Minnesota

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recruiting - 2012
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Roger Bryant	HB	HS	Hammond, LA	5'8	180
Stewart Taylor	DE	HS	Hiawatha, IA	6'1	237
Ryan Wilson	QB	HS	Abilene, Texas	6'2	223
Chris Cunningham	WR	HS	Long Beach, CA	6'2	210
Charles Jones	G	HS	Inver Grove Heights, MN	6'1	315
Dylan Beverly	OLB	HS	The Woodlands, TX	6'5	217
James McKenzie	WR	HS	Vermillion, SD	6'2	195
Sean Johnson	OLB	HS	St.Louis Park, MN	6'5	242
Demetrius Salas	CB	HS	Wisconsin Rapids, WI	6'2	186
Sheldon Hurd	DE	HS	Oshkosh, WI	6'3	244
James Coker	DT	HS	Evanston, IL	6'4	281
Brock Fontenot	DE	HS	San Marcos, TX	6'5	238
Marvin Battle	OLB	HS	Henderson, TX	6'2	205
Joe Ricks	MLB	HS	Green Bay, WI	6'5	235
Victor Jordan	OLB	HS	Watertown, SD	6'1	211
Jeff McKinney	G	HS	Rolling Meadows, IL	6'4	285
Eric Gilliam	OLB	HS	Rugby, ND	6'2	225
Jeff Reed	FS	HS	Waxahachie, TX	6'0	188
Dan Beck	OLB	HS	Mission Bend, TX	6'4	210
Nate Breedlove	WR	JUCO So	Decatur, IL	6'1	171
Richard Fenner	TE	HS	Burnsville, MN	6'3	239
Ron Harper	QB	HS	Margate, FL	5'11	206
Nick Olsen	FB	HS	Morton Grove, IL	5'9	227
Gary Harris	WR	HS	Sarasota Springs, FL	6'5	186

Remaining needs: None

Of the entire list above, all besides Gary Harris signed with a scholarship, Harris will be walking on to Minnesota

Coach Starks on his recruiting class "Signing my first five star in Roger Bryant was an absolute dream come true. We will be without a solid starter at quarterback after Marquis Gray's graduation this past season and it seems my successor did little to improve the squad. I have done what I can and I sought out recruits that many over looked as well as those heavily contested recruits that seemed to be under rated by recruiting 'experts'. Our class hit the top twenty five at number twenty three and with the volume of recruits this spring training camp is going to be more intense then ever. We have a few months before spring training starts, look forward to it. We are bringing back Gopher football!"

Top Recruiting Classes - 2012
RK	TEAM	5	4	3	2	1	TOTAL
1	Oklahoma Sooners	6	7	8	0	0	21
2	Auburn Tigers	6	10	2	0	0	18
3	Ohio State Buckeyes	3	10	10	0	0	23
4	Texas Longhorns	3	9	8	1	0	21
5	Louisiana State Tigers	1	11	11	0	0	23
6	Southern California Trojans	0	14	6	5	0	25
7	Michigan Wolverines	1	9	11	0	0	21
8	Virginia Tech Hokies	1	10	7	3	1	22
9	Utah Utes	1	8	12	0	0	21
10	Texas Christian Horned Frogs	1	7	14	0	0	22
11	Alabama Crimson Tide	2	10	3	0	4	19
12	Florida State Seminoles	1	8	8	4	0	21
13	Texas A&M Aggies	1	6	11	4	0	22
14	South Carolina Gamecocks	0	7	14	1	2	24
15	Nebraska Cornhuskers	2	4	13	0	0	19
16	Oregon Ducks	1	6	12	0	0	19
17	Texas Tech Red Raiders	0	5	16	2	0	23
18	Stanford Cardinal	0	8	7	4	1	20
19	Oregon State Beavers	0	6	11	3	2	22
20	Connecticut Huskies	0	2	19	4	0	25
21	Pennslyvania State Nittany Lions	3	3	5	0	7	18
22	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	2	4	8	1	1	16
23	Minnesota Golden Gophers	1	0	17	6	1	25
24	Georgia Bulldogs	0	7	10	0	0	17
25	Boise State Broncos	0	5	11	5	0	21

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Major conferences expand, all BCS conferences have championship game

Originally it had been planned to be a gradual return of a championship game for the Big Twelve and the gaining of one for the Big East. Yet after this season it was made clear that the Big Twelve needed a championship game. Two consecutive seasons of Oklahoma dominating the conference gave them reason enough, with the reintroduction of the conference championship game which will now be played at Relliant Stadium home of the Houston Texans. The traditional division names of North and South will be making their return.

The Big East with it's expansions will now feature a conference championship game to be played in Bank of America Stadium, the home of the Carolina Panthers. A high profile booking that will add some extra flair to bridge the two divisions, which will be named Metro for the northern schools in the conference and Dixon in reference to the Mason-Dixon line in respect to the southern schools in the conference.

Onward to the movements.

Starting with the Atlantic Coast Conference, the movement of note was the introduction of Central Florida to replace the hopeless Virginia Cavaliers that have struggled heavily as of late. The Central Florida Knights had been reported to have received bids from the SEC as well to give Florida an instate rival but opted for the Atlantic Coast conference. They join the Coastal division and no further restructuring was done.

The Big Twelve added two schools, both on a stretch. Two seasons ago, the Colorado Buffalo left to join the Pacific Twelve, the Big Twelve got the next best thing, the Colorado State Buffalo had inked a deal to join the Big Twelve after several consistent seasons. The other school joining the Big Twelve is Southern Methodist University which has seen a strong revitalization under June Jones. Neither team is on the typical quality of a BCS school, but the Big Twelve was hard pressed to find a team to join the conference. It is rumored that both Nevada and Boise State turned down offers, for their own personal reasons related to the issue.

For the first time since it's inception the Big East will feature two divisions and a championship game, the Metro division features new blood in Miami University, whom finished 12-2 in the past season, have won the MAC a solid amount of times in recent years and have produced NFL talent namely Ben Roethlisberger making them a solid candidate to be promoted with the Big Ten holding with it's current members, the Big East offer became ideal. The Metro division will feature Cincinnati, Connecticut, Miami, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

On the flip side the Dixon division found themselves with another Texas school giving the Horned Frogs an instate rival while potentially isolating the South Florida Bulls who still seem like a fish out of water especially after Central Florida opted for the Atlantic Coast rather than the Big East. The Dixon division features, Houston, Louisville, Rutgers, Texas Christian, South Florida and West Virginia.

The Conference USA will fall to eleven members for the upcoming season losing Houston, Central Florida and Southern Methodist while only gaining two teams to replace them. Brigham Young agreed to join the Conference USA after it was agreed that they would not be scheduled any games on Sundays and given other concessions that made being independent needless. The Virginia Cavaliers found themselves relegated and should be a decent competitor in the Conference USA. The Conference USA will probably stay without a Conference Championship unless they can poach solid talent from a lower conference. With the new BCS rules in line, it is unlikely to gain a member without first losing one.

The Mid American conference would lose the Miami Redhawks to the Big East while gaining no new members. Having had thirteen schools participating in the conference, the loss of one member still allows them to retain their bowl game and there was no further shuffling done.

The Mountain West shipped off a few low squads trimming their number to nine while picking up back to back Sunbelt champion, Arkansas State whom has been tearing apart the Sunbelt with ease the past few seasons making the move giving them a whole new opportunity to prove their worth. They also brought in the Tulane Green Wave who signed the deal after getting kicked out of the Conference USA a season ago.

The Pacific Twelve made no movements, although it had been rumored for a while that Washington State is on the hot seat, Nevada and Boise State are popular names being thrown around but both schools seem intent on building the Mountain West into a power conference.

The South Eastern Conference holds with all the current members but rumors have been flying around about a potential move of Kentucky to the Big East that would send South Florida down to the Southeastern Conference giving Florida an instate rival that would hold off offers to join the ACC and take some of the flair away from the Southeastern conference.

The Sunbelt would only lose the Arkansas State Redwolves, the Tulane Green Wave were also lost in the offseason making way for the seven team Sunbelt to be formed. The winner of this conference is realistically the best of the worst.

The Western Athletic Conference added some steam raising their dismal amount of teams from 5 to 8 taking some teams back from the Mountain West. Giving New Mexico State their rivals in New Mexico who the Mountain West allowed to leave citing competitive reasons for allowing them to go. They would add the Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels and Wyoming Cowboys to round out the moves of this NCAA season.

Seem like a lot? We thought so too but the logic behind it all was fairly function. Under court ruling a playoff system needed to be implemented, Automatic qualifying conferences having championship games could count in place of a playoff and the NCAA pushed towards that resolution by making the Big Twelve surrender some of their higher standards. The common shuffling among lower conferences was done for purely competitve reasons to give each team their proper level of challenge and to hopefully erase a lot of undefeated and winless seasons. After this wave of moves it could realistically be expected that there would be minimal moves next year if any.

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Minnesota Golden Gophers 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Aug 24	vs Kentucky Wildcats
Aug 31	at North Carolina Tarheels
Sep 7	vs Missouri Tigers
Sep 14	at New Mexico Lobos
Sep 21	vs Purdue Boilermakers
Oct 5	at Indiana Hoosiers
Oct 12	at Wisconsin Badgers
Oct 19	at #5 Michigan Wolverines
Oct 26	vs #7 Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov 9	at Michigan State Spartans
Nov 16	vs Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 23	vs #21 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Minnesota Golden Gophers Depth Chart - 2013
Regular Offense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
WR	AJ Barker	Victor Keise	Jason Simmons
TE	Peter Avery	Quinn Dortch	Lamonte Edwards
LT	Ed Olson	Kyle McAvoy
LG	Matt Eggen	Luke McAvoy
C	Brooks Michel	Zac Epping
RG	Jonathan Ragoo	Jon Christensen
RT	Jimmy Gjere	Zac Epping
WR	Fitzgerald Toussaint	Devon Crawford Tuft
QB	Tom Parish	James Johnson
FB	Nick Olsen	LaMonte Edwards
HB	Roger Bryant	LaMonte Edwards	Devon Wright	Brock Vereen
Base 3-3-5 Defense
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LDE	Matt Garin	Ben Perry
NT	Eric Jaques	Rashede Hageman	Alex Manson
RDE	Kendall McGhee	Jared Bennett
LOLB	Jason Bernard	Dylan Beverly	Sean Johnson
MLB	Brendan Beal	Curtis McCutcheon	Sean Johnson
ROLB	Jephete Matilus	Sean Johnson
CB	Brock Vereen	Chris Lee	Demetrius O'Neill
SS	James Manuel	Jamar Thomas
FS	Jamar Thomas	Tyrone Bouie
SS	Trey Chambers	Jamar Thomas
CB	Steven Montgomery	Demetrius Salas
Special Teams
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
K	Chris Hawthorne
P	Dan Orseske
H	James Johnson
PR	Fitzgerald Toussaint	AJ Barker	Lamonte Edwards	Brock Vereen
KR	Fitzgerald Toussaint	AJ Barker	Lamonte Edwards	Brock Vereen
LS	Ed Olson	Jimmy Gjere	Brooks Michel

Captains
Offensive AJ Barker (SR-RS) Wide Receiver
Defensive Brendan Beal (SR-RS) Middle Linebacker

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Coach Starks on preseason expectations

"After having time with this team and learning and fitting people where they need to be placed I have solid faith that this team can compete right out of the gates and will undoubtably be a lot better than they are last year. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Tom Parish who has seen extended playing time the past two years, will have the starting job heading into this season. His arm is solid but his true strength is in running, this guy is elusive and we can open up option runs more than I have in the past.

We are absolutely stacked at the halfback spot, with starter true freshman, Roger Bryant our five start prospect will be holding the top spot with his speed he is absolutely blazing, this guy is dangerous, he is already among the more talented players in the NCAA. Lamonte Edwards backing him up is a great player that will open up a lot more two back sets.

At Wide receiver we are stacked as well. Starter AJ Barker is towards the top of the Big Ten in terms of talent, having blazing speed. Halfback to wide receiver convert, Fitzgerald Toussaint is absolutely deadly, his speed is blazing and in the open field he will have no problem breaking off huge runs after his catches.

Middle linebacker, Brendan Beal, the transfer from the University of Florida will be the head of our defense, a clear leader his work ethic is unparallelled and shows no sign of backing down. Our outside linebackers are a young group that should benefit playing alongside such a great athlete as Brendan Beal. Matt Garin will lead the defensive line, at the left end slot, he will be expected to make some plays in the backfield and be a disruptive defensive lineman.

Our secondary will be led by both Brock Vereen and James Manuel, Vereen (Cornerback) is an absolutely burner and should have no issue keeping up with the fastest the NCAA has to offer. James Manuel isn't as fast but his awareness is top notch, he knows where the plays are going and knows how to disrupt them.

Overall I have faith that this team is at least at worst towards the middle of the Big Ten, no longer in the basement. We made big strives over the offseason and they have adapted to my systems and the coordinators here have done everything they could to alleviate the stress of a change in program and bringing freshman up to speed. I think a 7-5 season would not be a stretch."

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

All Americans
Jacob Karam (QB) Texas Tech
Mike Trumpy (HB) Northwestern
Josh Miller (HB) Boise State
Tavarese Maye (WR) Louisiana-Monroe
Kenny Stills (WR) Oklahoma
Evan Wilson (TE) Illinois
Jared Volk (C) Northern Illinois
John Urschel (RG) Penn State
Zac Matthias (RG) Wisconsin
Aundrey Walker (RT) Southern California
Nate Swanson (RT) Illinois
Dennis Dixon (RE) Iowa
Hau Oli Jamora (RE) Washington
Germond Reed (DT) Texas-El Paso
Greg Daniels (DT) Texas
Darius Willis (MLB) Kansas
Garret Gilliland (OLB) Washington
Christian Kirksey (OLB) Iowa
Avery Cunningham (CB) Central Michigan
Monterius Lovett (CB) Marshall
Jay Scott (FS) Southern Methodist
Isaiah Newsome (SS) Louisiana-Monroe
Nate Freese (K) Boston College
Jason Taylor (P) Texas Christian
Rico Brown (RET) Western Kentucky

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Aug 19,
RK	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	Georgia Bulldogs (37)
2	Oklahoma Sooners (23)
3	Oregon Ducks (1)
4	Virginia Tech Hokies
5	Michigan Wolverines
6	Arkansas Razorbacks
7	Iowa Hawkeyes
8	Auburn Tigers
9	Penn State Nittany Lions
10	Florida Gators
11	Louisiana State Tigers
12	Central Florida Knights
13	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
14	Mississippi State Bulldogs
15	Pittsburgh Panthers
16	Utah Utes
17	Oregon State Beavers
18	Illinois Fighting Illini
19	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
20	Stanford Cardinal
21	Nebraska Cornhuskers
22	Boise State Broncos
23	Baylor Bears
24	Texas Tech Red Raiders
25	Southern California Trojans

Heisman Watch - Updated: Aug 16, 2013
NAME	POS	SCHOOL		SEASON STATS
Nathan Scheelhaase	QB	Illinois
Josh Miller	HB	Boise State
Jeff Godfrey	QB	Central Florida
Jacob Karam	QB	Texas Tech
Roy Finch	HB	Oklahoma

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Minnesota speed past Kentucky

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) - The Wildcats aren't the class of the Southeastern Conference and the Gophers were favored in a slight three point victory but this one looked to be a rout especially when the defense which has a very good spread of talent posted three shut out quarters.

This one opened up early and got ugly fast. Tom Parish had to scramble and weave through the defense as his protection broke down but the quarterback soon looked up field and took off. He is far from being one of the faster players in the NCAA breaking for a sixty plus yard run giving the lead to the Gophers.

A quick defensive stop and the Wildcats defense got another taste of Gopher speed. Fitzgerald Toussaint racked up a fifteen yard touchdown reception after beating a jam from a corner and Parish lining up a solid pass. The first quarter ending at 14-0.

In the second it would once again be Fitzgerald Toussaint scoring, this time on a screen, following some solid blocks and juking out a defender to give them a score to increase their lead to twenty-one. The third quarter had only one score as the defenses stepped up on both saids, a twenty-eight yard field goal making it a 24-0 game.

In the final quarter the Wildcats showed life, the first score of their season coming on a twelve yard pass to Gainer that made them come alive and after a quick four and out the Wildcats marched down field again, down 24-8, they would managed to score again as Brazley caught a pass on a fly route and the Minnesota safety overpursued missing the tackle.

This time though, the Gophers needed a score or to burn a lot of clock, the Wildcats had a wave of momentum and even though the Gophers turned back a Wildcat two point conversion making it a 24-14 game, it was too close for comfort and Minnesota fans have grown accustomed to disappointment from their football squad. That would change, Lamonte Edwards took a run between guard and tackle and the tight end would get to the second level making his blocks and Edwards would be tackled into the endzone making it a 31-14 game.

That would do it, as the momentum returned and the crowd at TCF Bank Stadium roared, the Wildcats were on their heels and their offense couldn't get going. Senior Maxwell Smith would throw an interception that would seal the fate of this game. The Gophers running down the clock and starting their season out on the right foot. For Coach Starks this is the first time he has won a season opener. For the Gophers it is the first step towards a positive season.

Pressbook

Spoiler

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

Gophers dominated by superior North Carolina squad

(Raliegh, North Carolina) - The Tarheels had issues getting separation from the Gophers and would even find themselves down at the half, but this game was a tale of two very different halves. Both offenses were simply put ineffective in the first half, the score 10-3, but the Tarheels sprung to life in the second half scoring 41 unanswered points leading to a rout of the 1-1 Minnesota Gophers.

The teams traded field goals early in this one, after both teams took long drives downfield. Minnesota striking first with a twenty-five yard field goal to give them a lead that wouldn't last through the end of the quarter, as the Tarheels would knock in a twenty-five yard field goal tying the game back up at 3.

The Gophers became active in the second quarter their offense making some strides but unable to punch it in until late in the half when they started to drive the ball. Driving downfield, it was Tom Parish connecting with Bryant for a two yard touchdown, giving the Gophers the lead at the end of the half.

The Tarheels came out of the locker room a different team with a different mindset. They were helped by five Tom Parish interceptions that set up big drives but their offense was led by a strong ground game. Senior AJ Blue showed his game changing speed early in the third, breaking a huge touchdown run of over sixty yards to tie the game at ten a piece. A pair of changing possessions and the ball would be back with the Tarheels.

The Tarheels drove down field again and once again, it was AJ Blue running between guard and tackle for a three yard touchdown rush making it a 10-17 game. After a Tom Parish interception in North Carolina territory, the Tarheels began pushing upfield again. Moving quickly they would score on third and goal from a run up the middle, AJ Blue picking up his third touchdown rush. 10-24. After a third Tom Parish interception the Tarheels would mix it up giving AJ Blue a breather. This time Burton came in scoring from two yards out on a pitch. 10-31.

Minnesota could not stop the bleeding and the Tarheels made it clear they were in sole possession of this game early with AJ Blue breaking a sixty yard touchdown run on a pitch out to making it a 10-38 game, the Heels up big and that lead would get even bigger when Tom Parish threw his fifth interception of the day, turning into a long touchdown pass giving the Heels the final score of the game in a blow out victory winning 44-10, a game that the Gophers were winning at the half.

"It's disappointing to say the least, we know we were only two quarters away from going 2-0 and we blew it. I made some bad calls and there was some miscommunications and miscues that led to this. We are going to be okay for this season but this loss hurts. All we can do is look forward to next week against Missouri. Until then we will practice harder and get this off our minds." Spoke a deflated Tyler Starks in the post game press conference.

Pressbook

Spoiler

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Missouri knocks off favored Gophers with deadly offense

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) - The Gophers suffered a tough loss at home from the Missouri Tigers who played their hearts out in what can be considered a very minor upset. Both teams are talented with the Gophers having a small edge that had them as a touchdown favorite in this game. That prediction would not hold as the Tigers stifled a Gopher rally and held together just well enough to escape with a nine point victory that was extended with a late safety on Nick Parish.

After a scoreless first quarter the second quarter erupted with thirty-one points, Missouri holding the edge with twenty-one compared to the Minnesota ten. Josey breaking the game open after an early drive turned into a touchdown from eleven yards out. Back up running back LaMonte Edwards would break off a run between guard and tackle for an eleven yard score. Missouri back on top midway through the quarter with a forty five yard touchdown pass when Josey broke free from the defending corner and tore into the end zone.

On the following drive, two consecutive sacks would turn into a Nick Parish fumble which would be recovered by Ian Breedlove in the end zone scoring again for Missouri. The Gophers would get downfield before the half would expire with Hawthorne scoring on a twenty-nine yard field goal. 10-21.

Missouri only helped their case in the third quarter with back up quarter back Glaser connecting with Leftwich for a forty nine yard score on a deep slant for the 28-10 lead, Ferdinand Toussaint not letting thatstand, responding by beating his corner and turning in a sixty-nine yard touchdown reception. That wouldn't hold as the momentum would shift to Missouri by the end of the quarter with Josey breaking it out a huge eighty-nine yard run embarrassing the Gopher defense extending the lead 35-17.

The Gophers needed to turn things around fast and it felt like they would with their back up quarter back, James Johnson connecting with Crawford Tuft on a flat route that turned into a twenty-one yard score making it a 23-35, failing the two point conversion. The next score coming when a bad punt turned into a goal line offensive call that equated into a safety on a run that left them moving backwards. Down 37-23. The Gophers owuld respond, again Ferdinand Toussaint, breaking out on a screen and juking out a pair of defenders for a sixty-two yard pass conversion making it a 37-30.

Managing to stop the Tigers again, they were able to force a turnover and had the momentum and the fans back in this game down one score. Until two consecutive sacks left them at third and long and on their own goal line. Dropping back, Johnson scanned his options and tried to get a pass out but would be hit from behind and was unable to free himself downed for a safety. The Gophers would fall to 1-2, losing at home 30-39, in a tough turn of events for them. They travel to New Mexico in what should become a tune up game for the school as they head towards their Big Ten schedule.

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

(Baker drags his feet in the end zone ensuring the touchdown)

Gophers beat down the Lobos in a big way

(Albuquerque, New Mexico) - To say the Lobos had a shot in this one would be laughable. The Gophers were frustrated, after being blown apart by the Tarheels they had to turn around and come back to Minneapolis and fall apart when they needed to make some big plays falling for a second consecutive week. This game was nothing more than a way for the Gophers to release some stress and that they did. Running the score up in a 45-7 victory over the outmatched Lobo squad.

"We had some tuning up we needed to do, we needed to see what worked and what didn't. We used this game to get us ready and that was more than enough. We have our conference schedule coming around and it won't be getting any easier. We have Purdue to open Big Ten play and we needed this game to find out what worked and what didn't. We found our strengths and we plan to use them to our fullest capacity in Big Ten play. Don't worry about that. We are going to be ready, I refuse to not have a winning team." Spoke a determined Tyler Starks when asked if he was running up the score.

This one started sort of slow, with only one touchdown in the first quarter coming from back up running back Lamonte Edwards breaking out of the backfield and turning in a twelve yard run for the go ahead score, both sides staying deadlocked through the first quarter in what seemed like it could be a close game. At least until it was blown wide open in the second.

Starting early, freshman running back, Roger Bryant scored on a short six yard run from an offensive flurry that took them down field fast as the Gopher offense began to fire on all cylinders. Midway through the quarter the Gophers would add a field goal making it a 17-0 game. extending their lead in the final two minutes when Tom Parish hooked up with back up tight end Quinn Dortch for a six yard score extending their lead 24-0..

The third quarter extended the gap with a lone touchdown, a pass early in the second half that came after a solid kick return for an eleven yard touchdown pass, extending the Gopher lead to 31-0 and all but putting the game out of reach as the clock expired and turned the game over to the fourth and final quarter.

There was little help for the Lobos who turned around and got smacked around on defense again, with third string running back Dorrell Wright breaking off a huge thirty-seven yard run extending the lead and putting the knife into the Lobos who seemed emotionless to the beating they were receiving and struggled to make any form of resistance to it. The Gophers would strike again just short of two minutes on a long touchdown pass to Barker his second touchdown reception of the day and Tom Parish tossing his third touchdown of the day for the Gophers final score making it 45-0.

Jason Baker for the Lobos would ease his frustrations somewhat breaking out a long forty-one yard touchdown rush splitting the second string defense for the Gophers effectively ending their shot at the shut out. Baker on three rushes had forty-three yards and Chen Gongbay added 41 yards on the ground to compose the Lobo rushing attack for the day, as ineffective as the rest of the squad was.

Tom Parish went 18-27 for 236 yards and the three touchdown passes with no interceptions to taint his great performance he was named player of the game. Roger Bryant only had 53 yards coming off 19 rushing attempts, a fairly disappointing performance from the freshman running back. The (2-2) Minnesota Gophers will travel back home to Minneapolis where they will face the (1-2) Purdue Boilermakers, who is coming off a win at Rice (33-2) before two prior losses to Cincinnati and Northern Illinois.

Pressbook

Spoiler

(Baker pulls in the beautiful pass from Parish extending the Gopher lead)

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A look at the Big Ten

As the conference schedule rolls around there are very few surprises. The big surprise of last season, the Illinois Fighting Illini remain undefeated thus far into the season sitting at 3-0 and 13th in the country. Joining fellow unbeaten squads in #3 Penn State (4-0), the somewhat surprising Indiana Hoosiers (3-0), #5 Iowa Hawkeyes and #23 Wisconsin Badgers (2-0). Each team has shown some sparks and with the Big Ten nursing two of the top five teams, the Big Ten continues to be the class of Midwest football and a showcase that opposes the king of the south in the Southeastern conference. As we roll into the conference play we have made a pair of bold predictions for the upcoming weeks.

Current undefeated most likely to miss a bowl game

Indiana Hoosiers

The Hoosiers are probably feeling pretty good right now at 3-0 but their schedule is leaving a lot to be desired. They beat a currently winless Navy team handily 27-13, but their next two games against weak teams have led to some cause for concern, welcoming Bowling Green to town, the teams battled off in an offensive fistfight that ended in a 41-34 victory, the Hoosiers had to come back to win this one, down 27-20 at the end of the third quarter, twenty one unanswered points brought the Hoosiers into the winning column, in what could've been disastrous. Heading out to Florida the Hoosiers leapt out to an early lead going ahead 9-0 in the first, and holding on with a 9-7 lead at the half, turning into a 12-13 score at the end of the third on a short touchdown run and a failed two point conversion. The Hoosiers would score early in the fourth and hold on but the writing is on the wall. The Hoosiers had one of the easiest out of conference schedules a team could have and they only outscored their opponents, by 28 points with two games coming in one possession games when the Hoosiers were multiple touchdown favorites. The Hoosiers will be lucky to win another game all year. The season ending match against Purdue may be their next and final win keeping them out of a bowl game.

Most disappointing

Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-2)

Nebraska has been contenders ever since coming into the Big Ten after leaving the Big Twelve behind but this season that title may be gone. A season opening blow out win put some hopes for the school but that was quickly erased by a two game losing streak, the first coming in Southern Mississippi in overtime failing to hold off the upstart Conference USA squad. The loss that was more difficult to swallow, at home against UCLA in a blowout to give the Bruins their only win thus far (1-2) in a 17-38 loss, hurt the Huskers pride after starting the season as a favorite to win the Legends division which seems to be blown wide open with only Iowa undefeated. The Huskers would get back on the right path beating Central Michigan by fourteen but the concern is very evident, this team could be on a downward spiral.

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Jan 1,
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	Oklahoma Sooners (35)	4	0	1499
2	2	Oregon Ducks (24)	3	0	1448
3	5	Penn State Nittany Lions (1)	4	0	1361
4	3	Arkansas Razorbacks (1)	2	0	1341
5	4	Iowa Hawkeyes	3	0	1297
6	6	Louisiana State Tigers	3	0	1192
7	7	Mississippi State Bulldogs	3	0	1101
8	8	Central Florida Knights	2	0	1043
9	10	Georgia Bulldogs	2	1	913
10	11	Virginia Tech Hokies	2	1	844
11	12	Utah Utes	4	0	842
12	14	Oregon State Beavers	3	0	740
13	15	Illinois Fighting Illini	3	0	677
14	9	Pittsburgh Panthers	1	1	662
15	16	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	2	0	629
16	18	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	3	1	515
17	20	Boise State Broncos	3	0	463
18	19	Michigan Wolverines	1	1	450
19	13	Auburn Tigers	1	2	434
20	21	South Florida Bulls	3	0	408
21	17	Stanford Cardinal	1	1	368
22	23	South Carolina Gamecocks	3	0	328
23	24	Wisconsin Badgers	2	0	289
24	25	North Carolina Tarheels	3	0	252
25	NR	Houston Cougars	2	0	216

Oklahoma is forming a dynasty, hitting the number one spot and holding it for consecutive weeks for the third straight year

Pittsburgh took a beating in Happy Valley losing 25-42 to the #3 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions

Auburn couldn't stop their skid, falling at home by eight to the Bulldogs of Mississippi State than taking a beating in Death Valley losing 17-41 to the Tigers

Big Ten Conference Standings - Updated: Sep 16, 2013
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
Penn State Nittany Lions	4-0	1.00	0-0	196	78	W-4
Indiana Hoosiers	3-0	1.00	0-0	88	60	W-3
Illinois Fighting Illini	3-0	1.00	0-0	119	49	W-3
Iowa Hawkeyes	3-0	1.00	0-0	92	58	W-3
Wisconsin Badgers	2-0	1.00	0-0	83	17	W-2
Northwestern Wildcats	3-1	.750	0-0	116	75	W-3
Michigan State Spartans	2-1	.660	0-0	85	49	W-2
Nebraska Cornhuskers	2-2	.500	0-0	118	97	W-1
Minnesota Golden Gophers	2-2	.500	0-0	116	104	W-1
Ohio State Buckeyes	1-1	.500	0-0	73	42	L-1
Michigan Wolverines	1-1	.500	0-0	63	52	W-1
Purdue Boilermakers	1-2	.330	0-0	43	77	W-1

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Aug 24	vs Kentucky Wildcats	Won, 31-14
Aug 31	at North Carolina Tarheels	Lost, 44-10
Sep 7	vs Missouri Tigers	Lost, 39-30
Sep 14	at New Mexico Lobos	Won, 45-7
Sep 21	vs Purdue Boilermakers
Oct 5	at Indiana Hoosiers
Oct 12	at Wisconsin Badgers
Oct 19	at #5 Michigan Wolverines
Oct 26	vs #7 Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov 9	at Michigan State Spartans
Nov 16	vs Northwestern Wildcats
Nov 23	vs Nebraska Cornhuskers

Heisman Watch - Updated: Sep 16, 2013
NAME	POS	SCHOOL		SEASON STATS
Silas Redd	HB	Penn State		Senior
Drew Allen	QB	Oklahoma		Senior (RS)
Lache Seastrunk	HB	Oregon		Junior (RS)
Nathan Scheelhaase	QB	Illinois		Senior (RS)
Ladarius Perkins	HB	Mississippi State		Senior (RS)

Scheelhaase falls from the top spot after posting a 200 yard passing day against a FCS school "It sucks but I can't focus on that, were winning and that's what matters" Spoke the Illini quarterback outside the locker room when the updated heisman race was posted.

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Re: Leading the way through the new age of College Football {--

(Roger Bryant spins out a Purdue defender as he crosses into the end zone in Minnesotas victory over the Boilermakers)

Tom Parish leads the Gophers in offensive battle against Boilermakers

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) - All is good in Minnesota as Coach Starks holds himself off the hot seat by knocking off the Boilermakers in Saturdays 45-33 victory, lifting them into the undefeated column in the conference and elevating themselves to 1-0 in the conference. The game would not come without a price, losing Senior deep threat Ferdinand Troussaint when it was ruled that he had broken several ribs. Lavonte Edwards was handed a suspension for breaking team rules prior to this game leaving the Gophers thin at running back and without their deep threat in Troussaint. Yet they rose to the occasion.

Roger Bryant held the thought that Lavonte Edwards skipping practices because of him turning in a touchdown early in the game. Scoring on a third and goal from the goal line outrunning the pursuit and diving into the end zone just barely making it in for his first touchdown of the day. To make matters worse for the Boilermakers and send the crowd into a frenzy, the Gophers would hit the quarterback on an option (Brandon Beal made the tackle) and it would be scooped up by McGhee, the defensive lineman running it back twenty-eight yards for the touchdown extending their lead and it turned out they would need it.

Purdue would come back tying the game fast in the second quarter as the momentum switched sides yet again, with Ryan Pegram breaking a huge forty-six yard run as the Gopher defense seemed helpless to the blocking and unable to make a wrap up tackle on them. 14-7. Roberts would respond, the quarterback scrambling three yards for a touchdown a short time later for a touchdown tying the game back to fourteen as the Gopher offense would be contained. Tom Parish slowly but steadily drove his team downfield connecting with top receiver AJ Barker for a touchdown giving them a lead that they would not let go of. After going up 21-14, a kick return gone bad, turned into a drive starting from their own three. This turned into a safety giving the two points to Minnesota who would run out the clock in the half. 23-14.

AJ Barker has come in in recent weeks and on the opening drive of the second half for the Gophers he would do it again, catching a pass on a screen and following his blockers on his way to a thirty-three yard touchdown score. The Gophers would convert the two point conversion making it a 31-14 game and seemingly starting to pull away.

Not so fast. The Boilermakers drove downfield with a terrific running game that had undoubtedly wore down the Gopher defense leaving them reeling. Roberts would get this second touchdown of the day from twenty-six yards out on a pitch and breaking a pair of tackles making it 31-20, missing the extra point. On first and ten deep in their own territory Tom Parish would fumble a pitch on an option run and the Boilermakers dived on it, and it only took one play for quarterback Sean Robinson to score again, this time on another scramble seemingly more effective on the ground than through the air. A seven yard run making it a 31-27, this time converting the extra point. Devin Crawford Tuft came up huge after the injury to Ferdinand making several big completions and turning in a 14 yard touchdown reception. 38-27 and they were in position to go for the kill.

Early in the fourth, the option had been run a few times with average success, this time however Tom Parish kept the ball when the linebacker shaded to the halfback and broke it off to a thirty four yard touchdown run, Sean Robinson hit Ross for a seventy-three yard touchdown pass but the two point conversion would be failed 45-33, and the Gophers only needed two more offensive drives to close out the game, stopping a late Boilermaker fourth and short attempt closing out the game.

Tom Parish was nothing short of spectacular going 16-23 for 365 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air and adding one on the ground. He had a great day that will definitely be remembered. Roger Bryant had another average day rushing for sixty-four yards on seventeen carries with a lone touchdown reception. Ferdinand Toussaint despite leaving early lead the team in receptions (5) and yards (134) while not scoring once.

Pressbook

Spoiler

(Baker makes the jump ball reception in the end zone on a bullet from Tom Parish)


(Beal lays out Robinson on first and goal forcing a loss of yards)