The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

[moose141]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Great get in signing Williams, though I don't think he will necessarily come in and take the job. It will just be great to have some depth behind Keyes to at least give you another feasible option when he is struggling. If you can manage to redshirt Williams for a season, Keyes of course will get the mandated NCAA bump and hopefully will be able to be more than serviceable for you.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Great get in signing Williams, though I don't think he will necessarily come in and take the job. It will just be great to have some depth behind Keyes to at least give you another feasible option when he is struggling. If you can manage to redshirt Williams for a season, Keyes of course will get the mandated NCAA bump and hopefully will be able to be more than serviceable for you.

Disagree. Keyes has been brutal this year. No way Tartan fans want that kid at QB again. Sorry but got to say it. Williams needs to be in their Day 1 as soon as he hits campus.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Super excited for Williams. Does Keyes have the ability to shift to another position, or will he just become the backup..

Me too! I'm hoping he'll come with good ratings, but regardless he should be a good addition to the quarterback room next year. I'll be trying to sign one more quarterback at least in the off-season to add to the competition. As for Keyes' best second position, it would probably have to be RB but with Manning entrenched there and Satele behind him, it probably would be a waste to move him into that crowd.

Great get in signing Williams, though I don't think he will necessarily come in and take the job. It will just be great to have some depth behind Keyes to at least give you another feasible option when he is struggling. If you can manage to redshirt Williams for a season, Keyes of course will get the mandated NCAA bump and hopefully will be able to be more than serviceable for you.

Yeah I won't be giving him the job right away, but if his ratings are up to par I'll definitely run through some practices and see if he'd be ready to start the opener. I'm also more than likely going to be changing offensive philosophies after the season and have some playbooks in mind, so he'd have to fit the new offense too!

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

at
Northern Illinois Huskies (5-6, 4-3 MAC) at Carnegie Mellon Tartans (3-8, 2-5 MAC)
Friday, November 27, 2008 | 8:00 PM (ET)
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Gesling Stadium | FSN Pittsburgh

Team Overview (B- overall, B- offense, C+ defense)
Northern Illinois has everything to play for in its season finale, needing a win to become bowl eligible. After starting off 2-6, the Huskies have rattled off three straight victories against Central Michigan (34-21), Ohio (24-14), and Toledo (42-24) – though all of those games were at home. Four of its losses have come by single digits, including two blown leads of 31-14 at Eastern Michigan (31-35) and 21-13 at Ball State (28-35).

Redshirt senior Dan Nicholson (111.3 QB rtg., 161-319, 1,882 yards, 17 TD, 10 INT) has been a two-year starter at quarterback for the Huskies, and he has a talented group of skill position players around him. Fellow fifth-year Montell Clanton (205 carries, 1,261 yards, 11 TD; 20 catches, 188 yards, 4 TD) is a shifty tailback who has given opposing teams fits. Nicholson’s receiving corps is made up of redshirt seniors as well, with Britt Davis (43 catches, 528 yards, 3 TD), Marcus Perez (8 catches, 176 yards, 1 TD), and Matt Simon (42 catches, 504 yards, 5 TD) leading the charge. Both Davis and Perez have dealt with injuries this season, the latter finally returning after a nine-week layoff.

Fourth-year junior linebacker Cory Hanson (46 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD) leads the NIU defense and is surrounded with plenty of playmakers around him. Redshirt senior defensive ends Larry English (33 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR) and Craig Rusch (34 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 FF) are forces off the edge, and linebackers Josh Allen (54 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR) and Tim McCarthy (49 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR) provide plenty of backup behind the defensive line. The secondary has returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns this year, with senior Melvin Rice (17 tackles, 2 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD) and redshirt junior Jeff Fontana (20 tackles, 2 INT, 2 FF, 1 TD) accomplishing such in conference.

Freshman kicker Maurice Baker (10-14 FG, 40-40 XP) has been very reliable in his first season, and senior Andy Dittbenner (58 punts, 2,466 yards, 34.4 net avg.) does the punting. Perez (9 kick returns, 168 yards; 9 punt returns, 84 yards) entered the season as the Huskies’ primary returner, though Davis (29 kick returns, 705 yards, 1 TD; 19 punt returns, 182 yards) has been explosive in that role too.

Season Results
09/06 | at Iowa | L, 3-29
09/13 | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | W, 38-7
09/20 | at Tennessee | L, 17-53
09/27 | at Bowling Green * | L, 28-31
10/04 | BUFFALO * | W, 42-21
10/11 | BOISE STATE | L, 23-30
10/18 | at Eastern Michigan * | L, 31-35
11/01 | at Ball State * | L, 28-35
11/08 | CENTRAL MICHIGAN * | W, 34-21
11/15 | OHIO * | W, 24-14
11/22 | TOLEDO * | W, 42-24

PFF Top Five
Larry English, R-Sr., DE (90)
Britt Davis, R-Sr., WR (89)
Tim McCarthy, R-Sr., MLB (89)
Montell Clanton, R-Sr., HB (89)
Eddie Adamski, R-Jr., C (89)

Injury Report
Northern Illinois: Alex Krutsch, Sr., DT (torn shoulder muscle – 8 weeks); Jon Brost, R-Sr., G (torn shoulder muscle – season); Spencer Williamson, R-Jr., SS (broken wrist – season)
Carnegie Mellon: Devon Elliott, Sr., DT (dislocated knee – 4 weeks)

Suspensions
Northern Illinois: Terrel Smith, Fr., FB (team rules – 1 game)
Carnegie Mellon: None

[Careless Whisper]

Season 3, Game 12: Northern Illinois at Carnegie Mellon

Second Half Collapse Leads to Season-Ending Defeat
Freshman tailback Nate Satele ran for a career-high 101 yards and a score in the loss


Carnegie Mellon tailback Nate Satele took reins of the offense with Jim Manning's first-quarter departure. (Michael Welch / Getty Images)

by Jayson Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Facing a motivated Northern Illinois team looking to reach bowl eligibility, Carnegie Mellon fell apart in the second half after trailing by three at halftime, ultimately falling by a 38-14 margin in its season finale this evening at Gesling Stadium.

Carnegie Mellon (3-9, 2-6 MAC) lost Jim Manning and Pete Carlson to injury in the first half, but freshman Nate Satele responded with the first 100-yard game of his career. However, Northern Illinois (6-6, 5-3 MAC) rode the legs of Montell Clanton in the second half and received three touchdown passes from Dan Nicholson to break the game open in the final 30 minutes.

“Not how we wanted this season to end,” said third-year head coach John Elliott. “Losing Jim (Manning) and Pete (Carlson) early on put us behind the eight ball early, and we knew we had a tough task ahead of us with (Northern Illinois) playing for a bowl bid and how motivated they’d be. I’m proud of the fight in the first half, and for the entire season really with us adjusting to FBS ball. We’ll build off the good moments from this season, take that into the off-season and recruiting, and be ready for an even better 2009.”

Satele took charge after Manning’s departure in the first quarter, scoring from three yards out with 2:13 remaining in the half to tie the game at 7-7. Neither team would sniff the red zone until the very end of the half, as Maurice Baker converted a 23-yard field goal to make it 10-7 at halftime.

The Huskies carried that jolt of momentum into their opening drive of the second half, leading to a Nicholson 32-yard touchdown toss to Marcus Perez. The Tartans were forced to punt with their next chance, and NIU added onto its lead with an extended drive capped by a Nicholson 7-yard pass to Justin Anderson in the end zone.

Things seemed bleak after CMU’s next drive began with two rushes for a yard, but then Justin Keyes found a wide-open Kurt Thompson down the sideline for a 79-yard touchdown to trim the gap to 24-14. The hosts forced a stop from the Huskies on their next possession and had another opportunity to cut into the lead in the fourth quarter, but Satele was stripped from behind on a rush to the NIU 32.

The freshman tailback finished with 101 yards and the aforementioned score on 16 carries, while Keyes added 145 passing yards and 45 yards on the ground.

Aaron Crosby totaled 11 tackles and a sack defensively, and Walter Hunter added a second takedown of Nicholson.

Carnegie Mellon finishes its inaugural FBS season – and third NCAA Division I campaign – with a 3-9 overall record and 2-6 mark in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Northern Illinois Huskies at Carnegie Mellon Tartans
Nov 27, 2008	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Northern Illinois Huskies (6-6, 5-3 MAC)	7	3	14	14	38
Carnegie Mellon Tartans (3-9, 2-6 MAC)	0	7	7	0	14

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		NIU	CMU
4:17	(NIU) Justin Anderson 5-yard run (Maurice Baker kick)	7	0
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		NIU	CMU
12:13	(CMU) Nate Satele 3-yard run (Jon Foster kick)	7	7
0:12	(NIU) Maurice Baker 23-yard field goal	10	7
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		NIU	CMU
11:13	(NIU) Dan Nicholson 32-yard pass to Marcus Perez (Maurice Baker kick)	17	7
4:10	(NIU) Dan Nicholson 7-yard pass to Justin Anderson (Maurice Baker kick)	24	7
2:42	(CMU) Justin Keyes 79-yard pass to Kurt Thompson (Jon Foster kick)	24	14
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		NIU	CMU
8:21	(NIU) Dan Nicholson 13-yard pass to Montell Clanton (Maurice Baker kick)	31	14
2:56	(NIU) Montell Clanton 2-yard run (Maurice Baker kick)	38	14

Northern Illinois Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Dan Nicholson 10/20 181 3 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Montell Clanton 29 176 6.1 1 David Koronkiewicz 3 16 5.3 0 Dan Nicholson 5 12 2.4 0 Justin Anderson 3 8 2.7 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Marcus Perez 4 134 33.5 1 Brandon Beal 2 21 10.5 0 Montell Clanton 1 13 13.0 0 Justin Anderson 1 7 7.0 0 Britt Davis 1 3 3.0 0 Matt Simon 1 3 3.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Alex Kube 6 0 0 0 Larry English 5 0 0 0 Cory Hanson 4 0 0 0 Craig Rusch 3 0 0 0 Josh Allen 3 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Maurice Baker 1/1 5/5 8 23 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Andy Dittbenner 4 209 52.2 2 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Marcus Perez 2 38 19.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Marcus Perez 3 13 4.3 0

Carnegie Mellon Tartans PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Justin Keyes 11/24 145 1 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Nate Satele 16 101 6.3 1 Justin Keyes 7 45 6.4 0 Jim Manning 6 36 6.0 0 Korey Harper 1 3 3.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Stephen Carter 4 45 11.2 0 Kevin Cousins 3 14 4.7 0 Kurt Thompson 2 84 42.0 1 Jeremy Miller 1 2 2.0 0 Pete Carlson 1 0 0.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Aaron Crosby 11 1 0 0 Matt Johnson 6 0 0 0 Elvis Washington 3 0 0 0 Mark Toth 3 0 0 0 Walter Hunter 2 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Jon Foster 0/1 2/2 2 -- PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Brad Jones 4 164 41.0 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Stephen Carter 2 40 20.0 0 Pete Carlson 1 24 24.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Stephen Carter 2 13 6.5 0

[moose141]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Tough loss to end the year but with those key injuries early on I think it was inevitable. Keyes got a little help from that one bomb but not a terrible performance from him. Definitely want to see him get at least one more shot to lead the offense at the start of next season following one more season of progression. Set the over/under at 3.5 wins for next year and anything over that will be a success!

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Bummer on losing Manning. To bad it wasn't Keyes I know I am hard on the kid, he actually didn't play bad this game. I feel 6-6 has to be the goal next year, hopefully maybe a change in offense can get you there.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Tough loss to end the year but with those key injuries early on I think it was inevitable. Keyes got a little help from that one bomb but not a terrible performance from him. Definitely want to see him get at least one more shot to lead the offense at the start of next season following one more season of progression. Set the over/under at 3.5 wins for next year and anything over that will be a success!

I was pretty proud of the team for hanging in there when Manning/Carlson went down, but like you said a loss felt inevitable once they left. Satele did enough for me this season so that if he gets a good ratings bump, I won't feel too bad if Manning continues to leave games with injuries next year. Keyes will definitely get his shot to retain the job when I implement the new offense, but Williams and if I bring in another QB will have their shots as well. Regardless of the quarterback, I definitely think going over 3.5 wins is achievable, especially with another recruiting class in the fold and my first two getting a year older!

Bummer on losing Manning. To bad it wasn't Keyes I know I am hard on the kid, he actually didn't play bad this game. I feel 6-6 has to be the goal next year, hopefully maybe a change in offense can get you there.

Hahaha maybe Keyes can win you over someday, but we'll see if he comes away with the starting job next year! I think with the right recruiting class and a good set of progression, plus a quick adjustment to the new offense, then 6-6 is on the table next season. It also depends on my MAC schedule - I'm going to add an Around the MAC weekly update next year, but Ball State, Central Michigan, and Toledo have been the class of the field. They're all western teams, so if I can avoid 1-2 of them next season, then 6-6 becomes that much more possible!

[joshuahuskers]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 08)

Just saying hi - I need to get caught up on this. I love that you’re using NCAA 07. Those PS2/Xbox versions were some of the best!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 08)

Just saying hi - I need to get caught up on this. I love that you’re using NCAA 07. Those PS2/Xbox versions were some of the best!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for checking in, man! Yeah I love the PS2 versions of these older titles, they still have so much replayability 10-15 or so years later. I have NCAA 14 and loved playing it through the years, but nothing beats these older games in my opinion.

As for catching up, hopefully you'll be able to! I do have all the game recaps linked on the first page (spoiler alert: there aren't a lot of wins!) if you want to do it that way, but I know that doesn't include the recruiting and around the nation updates and NFL offseason notes. I was thinking of posting a synopsis of the dynasty so far for anyone new that was looking to follow this anyways, so maybe I'll do that after I finish reporting on this season!

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Around the NCAA – Championship Game Weekend Edition
#2 Oklahoma can secure its BCS Championship Game berth with a win over #8 Nebraska in the Big 12 title tilt

ACC: #7 Miami (Fla.) (10-2, 7-1) vs. #10 Florida State (10-2, 8-0) | 12/6, 1:00 PM
Big 12: #8 Nebraska (10-2, 7-1) vs. #2 Oklahoma (12-0, 8-0) | 12/6, 8:00 PM
C-USA: Rice (8-4, 7-1) at Southern Miss (10-2, 8-0) | 12/6, 5:00 PM
MAC: Bowling Green (9-3, 6-2) vs. #24 Ball State (11-1, 9-0) | 12/6, 8:00 PM
SEC: #12 Georgia (10-2, 6-2) vs. #5 LSU (11-1, 7-1) | 12/6, 5:00 PM

BCS Rankings
1 | USC (12-0, 0.979)
2 | Oklahoma (12-0, 0.901)
3 | Penn State (10-1, 0.856)
4 | Texas (11-1, 0.819)
5 | LSU (11-1, 0.782)
6 | West Virginia (11-1, 0.734)
7 | Miami (Fla.) (10-2, 0.683)
8 | Nebraska (10-2, 0.630)
9 | Ohio State (10-2, 0.579)
10 | Georgia (10-2, 0.578)
11 | Michigan (10-2, 0.520)
12 | UCLA (10-2, 0.516)
13 | Florida State (10-2, 0.514)
14 | Florida (10-2, 0.477)
15 | Iowa (10-2, 0.463)

Heisman Watch
Mark Sanchez, R-Jr., QB, USC (182.7 QB rtg., 238-375, 3,819 yards, 49 TD (1 rush), 16 INT
Graham Harrell, R-Sr., QB, Texas Tech | 171.3 QB rtg., 344-496, 4,421 yards, 53 TD (2 rush), 17 INT
Vondrell McGee, R-So., HB, Texas | 166 carries, 984 yards, 12 TD; 31 catches, 712 yards, 9 TD
Ryan Perrilloux, R-Jr., QB, LSU | 158.5 QB rtg., 207-330, 2,680 yards, 33 TD, 9 INT; 102 carries, 416 yards, 5 TD
Pat White, R-Sr., QB, West Virginia | 155.1 QB rtg., 165-262, 1,966 yards, 31 TD, 13 INT; 143 carries, 910 yards, 8 TD

--------------------------

Author’s Note: Apologies for missing the Week 13/14 update – for some reason the schedule didn’t show the Week 14 games, and I had to go to simulate season after my game against Northern Illinois. That’s a weird glitch I’ve never seen before.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Sanchez Adds to USC’s Long List of Heisman Winners
The first-year starter led the Trojans to the BCS Championship Game after throwing 48 touchdowns


USC redshirt junior quarterback Mark Sanchez (left) is the eighth Trojan to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy.

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (AP) -- The University of Southern California is the university of Heisman Memorial Trophy winners.

The Trojans added their record-tying eighth Heisman winner to an illustrious list this evening, as redshirt junior quarterback Mark Sanchez was bestowed with the honor. The first-year starter topped a field of five finalists, beating out Texas Tech fifth-year senior Graham Harrell by 434 points.

“It’s such an honor and privilege to join this exclusive club of Heisman winners,” said Sanchez. “I remember watching Carson (Palmer), Matt (Leinart), and Reggie (Bush) growing up, and always dreamed about holding up the trophy like they did. They’re legends, not only for the program, but for the sport at large, and to have my name forever memorialized alongside theirs is something I’ll always cherish.”

Sanchez, who will be leading his 12-0 top-ranked USC squad into next month’s BCS Championship Game against 2006 champion Oklahoma (13-0), posted a 182.7 quarterback rating with 3,819 yards and 48 passing touchdowns this season. He previously sat behind New Orleans Saints quarterback John David Booty for two years and 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart during his redshirt season, before finally getting his opportunity in 2008.

Harrell finished second in the voting after totaling 53 touchdowns (2 rush) and 4,421 passing yards for an 8-4 Texas Tech side. LSU fourth-year junior quarterback Ryan Perrilloux (508 points), Texas redshirt sophomore tailback Vondrell McGee (483 points), and West Virginia second-year finalist Pat White (434 points) were also invited to New York City.

Sanchez joins Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), and Reggie Bush (2005) as Trojan winners of the Heisman. The eight honorees tie Notre Dame for the most in NCAA history, as Brady Quinn became the Fighting Irish’s latest winner in 2006.

Final Heisman Voting
Mark Sanchez, R-Jr., QB, USC | 332 | 225 | 130 | 1,576
Graham Harrell, R-Sr., QB, Texas Tech | 186 | 194 | 196 | 1,142
Ryan Perrilloux, R-Jr., QB, LSU | 67 | 100 | 107 | 508
Vondrell McGee, R-So., HB, Texas | 65 | 88 | 112 | 483
Pat White, R-Sr., QB, West Virginia | 57 | 80 | 103 | 434

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Toth Named AP Freshman All-American, MAC Freshman of the Year
The Coshocton, Ohio native recorded 50 tackles, 3 sacks, and 6 interceptions in 12 starts this season

by Jeff Greenberg, Carnegie Mellon insider for Rivals.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Carnegie Mellon was not highly represented on the bevy of postseason honors lists released this afternoon, but one of its first-year starters managed to impress both the national and regional media.

Mark Toth, a linebacker from Coshocton, Ohio, was named to the Associated Press All-America Freshman Team, and garnered both Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Year and All-MAC Second Team accolades from the league’s media members. He is the first Tartan to garner a football all-conference nod since their move to Division I competition, and the second to be named to a Freshman All-America Team after sophomore tailback Jim Manning collected the honors from Sports Network while CMU played at the FCS level.

Toth emerged as a defensive playmaker in his debut season in Pittsburgh, totaling 50 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He snagged three interceptions in the Tartans’ 37-35 win at Ohio on Nov. 8, and grabbed another two at Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 18.

The Buckeye State-born linebacker was one of six rookies from non-BCS schools to be named to the AP All-America Freshman Team.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Around the NCAA – Bowl Week Edition
BCS title hopefuls #3 Penn State and #4 Texas will settle for an intriguing matchup in the Rose Bowl

Championship Game Weekend
ACC: #7 Miami (Fla.) 24, #10 Florida State 21
Big 12: #2 Oklahoma 39, #8 Nebraska 29
C-USA: Southern Miss 33, Rice 31
MAC: #24 Ball State 31, Bowling Green 17
SEC: #12 Georgia 45, #5 LSU 32

Non-BCS Bowls
Poinsettia Bowl: Toledo (6-6) vs. TCU (9-3)
New Orleans Bowl: Houston (6-6) vs. Yale (6-6)
PapaJohns.com Bowl: Connecticut (6-6) vs. East Carolina (6-6)
New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State (6-6) vs. #24 Ball State (12-1)
Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon (7-5) vs. UNLV (8-4)
Hawaii Bowl: Central Florida (6-6) vs. #20 Boise State (11-1)
Motor City Bowl: Brown (6-5) vs. Bowling Green (9-4)
Holiday Bowl: Texas A&M (8-4) vs. #21 California (10-2)
Champs Sports Bowl: #13 Iowa (10-2) vs. #22 Maryland (9-3)
Texas Bowl: Tulsa (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)
Emerald Bowl: #17 Missouri (9-3) vs. Hawaii (8-4)
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Virginia (9-3) vs. Louisville (9-3)
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: #15 Florida (10-2) vs. Southern Miss (11-2)
Alamo Bowl: Kent State (6-6) vs. Indiana (7-5)
MPC Computers Bowl: Fresno State (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (7-5)
PetroSun Independence Bowl: Utah (6-6) vs. Akron (6-6)
Armed Forces Bowl: Oregon State (6-6) vs. BYU (6-6)
Brut Sun Bowl: Arizona State (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (8-3)
Music City Bowl: South Carolina (6-6) vs. UAB (6-6)
Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Tennessee (7-5) vs. #16 Florida State (10-3)
Insight Bowl: Nevada (7-5) vs. Iowa State (6-6)
Outback Bowl: Vanderbilt (8-4) vs. #14 Wisconsin (9-3)
AT&T Cotton Bowl: #25 Alabama (9-3) vs. #12 Nebraska (10-3)
Capital One Bowl: #18 Arkansas (9-3) vs. #11 Michigan (10-2)
Gator Bowl: #23 Rutgers (10-2) vs. #19 Clemson (10-2)
International Bowl: Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Notre Dame (8-4)
GMAC Bowl: Eastern Michigan (6-6) vs. Rice (8-5)

BCS Bowls
Rose Bowl: #3 Penn State (10-1, Big Ten champion) vs. #4 Texas (11-1, at-large) | 1/1, 5:00 PM
Sugar Bowl: #8 Georgia (11-2, SEC champion) vs. #10 UCLA (10-2, at-large) | 1/1, 8:30 PM
Fiesta Bowl: #7 Ohio State (10-2, at-large) vs. #9 LSU (11-2, at-large) | 1/2, 8:00 PM
Orange Bowl: #5 Miami (Fla.) (11-2, ACC champion) vs. #6 West Virginia (11-1, Big East champion) | 1/3, 8:00 PM
BCS National Championship: #2 Oklahoma (13-0, Big 12 champion) vs. #1 USC (12-0, Pac-10 champion) | 1/12, 8:00 PM

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (NCAA Football 07)

Around the NCAA – 2008 Season Wrap-Up Edition
#1 USC claims its second BCS title in five seasons with a 31-24 victory over #2 Oklahoma in Miami

MIAMI, Fla. (AP) -- The 2009 BCS Championship Game provided a little bit more drama than the 2005 Orange Bowl, but the result remained the same.

Behind a four-touchdown performance from Heisman winner Mark Sanchez, USC captured its second BCS championship in five seasons with a 31-24 victory over Oklahoma this evening at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Sanchez, who threw for 231 yards on 23-of-35 passing and was named BCS Championship Game MVP, tossed three touchdowns in the first half to Vidal Hazelton, Marc Tyler, and Jimmy Miller to put the Trojans ahead. The Sooners rode backup quarterback Sam Bradford, who replaced Joey Halzle after he was knocked out of the game, to pull within a touchdown late, but they couldn’t come up with the onside kick.

Stafon Johnson ran for 164 yards on 22 carries for USC. Bradford threw for 142 yards and a score on 10-of-15 passing in relief, outdoing Halzle’s effort of 7-of-15 for 112 yards. Demarco Murray rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown on 15 totes in the defeat.

BCS Bowl Results
Rose Bowl: #3 Penn State (10-1) 47, #4 Texas (11-1) 14
Sugar Bowl: #8 Georgia (11-2) 35, #10 UCLA (10-2) 28
Fiesta Bowl: #7 Ohio State (10-2) 51, #9 LSU (11-2) 21
Orange Bowl: #6 West Virginia (11-1) 38, #5 Miami (Fla.) (11-2) 10
BCS National Championship: #1 USC (12-0) 31, #2 Oklahoma (13-0) 24

Final USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll
1 | USC [61 first-place votes] (13-0)
2 | Penn State (11-1)
3 | West Virginia (12-1)
4 | Oklahoma (13-1)
5 | Ohio State (11-2)
6 | Georgia (12-2)
7 | Texas (11-2)
8 | Miami (Fla.) (11-3)
9 | Nebraska (11-3)
10 | Iowa (11-2)
11 | Wisconsin (10-3)
12 | Florida (11-2)
13 | LSU (11-3)
14 | UCLA (10-3)
15 | Arkansas (10-3)
16 | Michigan (10-3)
17 | Missouri (10-3)
18 | Clemson (11-2)
19 | Boise State (12-1)
20 | Ball State (13-1)
21 | Texas Tech (9-4)
22 | Virginia (10-3)
23 | California (10-3)
24 | Rutgers (10-3)
25 | Florida State (10-4)

Major Award Winners
Heisman Memorial Trophy: Mark Sanchez, R-Jr., QB, USC (180.2 QB rtg., 261-410, 4,050 yards, 54 TD (2 rush), 17 INT)
Maxwell Award: Graham Harrell, R-Sr., QB, Texas Tech (176.8 QB rtg., 373-532, 4,843 yards, 61 TD (2 rush), 17 INT)
Chuck Bednarik Award: Jonathan Casillas, Sr., OLB, Wisconsin (71 tackles (12 TFL), 4 sacks, 7 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Davey O’Brien Award: Graham Harrell, R-Sr., QB, Texas Tech (176.8 QB rtg., 373-532, 4,843 yards, 61 TD (2 rush), 17 INT)
Doak Walker Award: Ray Rice, Sr., HB, Rice (172 carries, 1,237 yards, 22 TD; 22 catches, 345 yards, 4 TD)
Fred Biletnikoff Award: Vidal Hazleton, Jr., WR, USC (84 catches, 1,334 yards, 18 TD)
John Mackey Award: Chase Coffman, Sr., TE, Missouri (37 catches, 592 yards, 11 TD)
Outland Trophy: Greg Isdaner, R-Jr., G, West Virginia (30 pancakes, 2 sacks allowed)
Dave Rimington Trophy: Mike Dent, R-Sr., C, West Virginia (18 pancakes, 2 sacks allowed)
Rotary Lombardi Award: Kory Bolen, Fr., DE, Columbia (81 tackles (29 TFL), 13 sacks, 2 FF, 3 FR)
Dick Butkus Award: Jonathan Casillas, Sr., OLB, Wisconsin (71 tackles (12 TFL), 4 sacks, 7 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Jim Thorpe Award: Joe Haden, So., CB, Florida (31 tackles, 9 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR, 5 TD)
Lou Groza Award: Pat McAfee, Sr., K, West Virginia (15-19 FG, 65-65 XP)
Ray Guy Award: Brian Mimbs, Sr., P, Georgia (56 punts, 37.2 net avg., 21 inside 20)
Randy Moss Award: Orlando Scandrick, Sr., CB, Boise State (30.2 kick return avg.; 10.7 punt return avg., 1 TD)
Walter Camp Coach of the Year: Brady Hoke, Ball State (13-1 overall, 7-1 MAC; MAC champions, #20 in USA Today Top 25)

Conference Champions
ACC: Miami (Fla.) (11-3, 7-1)
Big Ten: Penn State (11-1, 8-0)
Big 12: Oklahoma (13-1, 8-0)
Big East: West Virginia (12-1, 7-0)
C-USA: Southern Miss (11-3, 8-0)
Ivy League: Brown (6-6, 6-1); Yale (6-7, 6-1)
MAC: Ball State (13-1, 8-0)
Mountain West: San Diego State (7-5, 6-2); UNLV (8-5, 6-2); TCU (10-3, 6-2)
Pac-10: USC (13-0, 9-0)
SEC: Georgia (12-2, 6-2)
WAC: Boise State (12-1, 8-0)

National Statistical Leaders
QB Rating: Mark Sanchez, R-Jr., USC (180.2)
Passing Yards: Graham Harrell, R-Sr., Texas Tech (4,843)
Passing Touchdowns: Graham Harrell, R-Sr., Texas Tech (59)
Passing Interceptions: Justin Roper, R-So., Oregon (30)
Rushing Yards: Gartrell Johnson III, R-Sr., HB, Colorado State (2,091)
Rushing Touchdowns: Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, Sr., Navy (23)
Catches: Ryan Grice-Mullen, R-Sr., Hawaii (112)
Receiving Yards: Jarett Dillard, R-Sr., Rice (1,551)
Receiving Touchdowns: Vidal Hazleton, Jr., USC (18)
Tackles: Geno Johnson, R-Sr., Indiana (103)
Sacks: John Fonoti, R-Jr., Hawaii; Kory Bolen, Fr., Columbia (13)
Interceptions: Joe Haden, So., Florida (9)
Field Goals Made: Jason Smith, R-Sr., Colorado State (19)
Net Punt Average: Chris Miller, R-Sr., Ball State (38.6)
Kick Return Average: Orlando Scandrick, Sr., Boise State (30.1)
Punt Return Average: Spencer Armstrong, Sr., Air Force (13.5)