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

[Careless Whisper]

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

at
Penn Quakers (6-6) vs. Carnegie Mellon Tartans (8-4)
Sunday, December 26, 2010 | 7:30 PM (ET)
Motor City Bowl
Detroit, Mich. – Ford FIeld | ESPN2

Team Overview (D overall, D+ offense, D defense)
Penn qualified for a bowl after finishing the regular season at 6-6, picking up four Ivy League wins as well as a pair of non-conference triumphs against UAB (31-26) and Rice (38-7). The Quakers were victorious in three of their last four contests, but are coming off a 20-13 defeat at Dartmouth to close the 12-game original slate.

A pair of transfers have led the offense in redshirt junior tailback Armando Allen (180 carries, 1,214 yards, 14 TD; 29 catches, 543 yards, 6 TD) and fifth-year senior Moe Brown (74 catches, 1,004 yards, 6 TD). Allen, arriving from Notre Dame, is in his first season with Penn, while the former South Carolina wideout Brown tallied 787 yards and five touchdowns on 76 receptions last season. Junior signal-caller Justin Brown (129.2 QB rtg., 174-316, 2,385 yards, 20 TD, 16 INT) has been the team’s starter since arriving on campus and possesses the ability to extend plays with his legs. Along with Allen and Moe Brown, the quarterback also relies on sophomore runningback Jamaal Dyches (50 carries, 237 yards, 2 TD; 9 catches, 173 yards), junior wide receiver Derek Forte (40 catches, 419 yards, 4 TD), and sophomore tight end Adam Todd (14 catches, 282 yards, 3 TD) on offense, and has All-Ivy League Second Team sophomore guard Austin Leonard leading the offensive line.

Penn possesses one of the nation’s top freshmen in defensive end Paul Powell (42 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 FF), who made the All-Ivy League First Team. Flanking him on the opposite side is junior Charlie Jackson (48 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 FF), who has 11 career sacks and was a Second Team selection this year. Another first-year, defensive tackle Edwin Lewis (20 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 FF), made the All-Ivy League Second Team alongside Jackson. Junior James Battle (67 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR) leads the linebacker corps as a third-year starter, while classmate Amir Patterson (33 tackles, 3 INT, 1 TD) is the team’s best defensive back with a pair of All-Ivy League honors in 2008 and 2009 to his name.

The Quakers have a pair of freshmen kicking for them in Billy Kiel (10-18 FG, 37-39 XP) and Vincent Holt (56 punts, 2,388 yards, 42.6 avg., 15 inside 20). The transfer duo of Moe Brown (34 kick returns, 697 yards; 39 punt returns, 352 yards) and Allen (11 kick returns, 273 yards) handle the returning duties.

Season Results
09/03 | at Oklahoma State | L, 7-49
09/11 | at #6 Florida | L, 17-56
09/18 | UAB | W, 31-26
09/25 | at Rice | W, 38-7
10/09 | HARVARD * | L, 18-28
10/16 | at Columbia * | W, 38-21
10/23 | YALE * | L, 24-31
10/30 | RUTGERS | L, 14-28
11/06 | PRINCETON * | W, 31-14
11/13 | at Cornell * | W, 45-9
11/20 | BROWN * | W, 39-7
11/27 | at Dartmouth * | L, 13-20

PFF Top Five
Moe Brown, R-Sr., WR (89)
Armando Allen, R-Jr., HB (87)
Paul Powell, Fr., DE (82)
Charlie Jackson, Jr., DE (80)
Amir Patterson, Jr., CB (80)

Injury Report
Penn: Matt Stevenson, Jr., WR (strained back – 4 weeks); Patrick Brooks, Fr., DE (forearm fracture – 5 weeks)
Carnegie Mellon: Jon Crowell, R-So., CB (dislocated ankle – season)

Suspensions
Penn: None
Carnegie Mellon: None

[Deuce2223]

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

Just got back to town after another 4 day Disc Golf trip. Brutal loss's by A&M and Clemson in Championship Week really cleared up the picture for the Natty I guess, but then they both get screwed when it came to Bowl selection with a 2 loss Penn State and even Texas getting the At-Large bids (I am guessing A&M probably was Texas's 1 loss).

Going to be hard for me to root for Hawaii to win the Fiesta Bowl when I wish it was Boise State there instead, but the Warriors undefeated season deserves to be there, its just sad that a 12-1 and Top-25 ranked team like Boise is stuck playing a 5 loss Southern Miss team in the Hawaii Bowl. It's to bad all the bowl games are tied to specific conferences and not allow them to create better matchups. Would be cool if a future game would allow you to custom the bowl's into tier levels and have more upper tier bowls select teams based off of ranking and records, then mid tier bowls for teams who were runner up's in Power 5 conferences playing Champs of non-power 5 conferences, then lower tier bowls for teams who finish above .500 in Power 5 vs runner up divisional winners of non Power 5 conferenes.

Really looking forward to the off-season and seeing how recruiting shapes up, but first you got to send out Keyes as a winner...

[Careless Whisper]

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

Just got back to town after another 4 day Disc Golf trip. Brutal loss's by A&M and Clemson in Championship Week really cleared up the picture for the Natty I guess, but then they both get screwed when it came to Bowl selection with a 2 loss Penn State and even Texas getting the At-Large bids (I am guessing A&M probably was Texas's 1 loss).

I was shocked that neither made a BCS bowl, especially with them being near the top all season. Penn State being in there over both doesn't make much sense, though I guess they received some sort of bump for being the defending national champions. At least A&M and Clemson made what were the other "New Year's Six" bowls so they're a little bit more prestigious than the others, but that's not much of a consolation in this report.

Going to be hard for me to root for Hawaii to win the Fiesta Bowl when I wish it was Boise State there instead, but the Warriors undefeated season deserves to be there, its just sad that a 12-1 and Top-25 ranked team like Boise is stuck playing a 5 loss Southern Miss team in the Hawaii Bowl. It's to bad all the bowl games are tied to specific conferences and not allow them to create better matchups. Would be cool if a future game would allow you to custom the bowl's into tier levels and have more upper tier bowls select teams based off of ranking and records, then mid tier bowls for teams who were runner up's in Power 5 conferences playing Champs of non-power 5 conferences, then lower tier bowls for teams who finish above .500 in Power 5 vs runner up divisional winners of non Power 5 conferenes.

Really looking forward to the off-season and seeing how recruiting shapes up, but first you got to send out Keyes as a winner...

Boise definitely deserved better than what they got, that's for sure. It would be nice to be able to adjust some of the bowl game tie-ins and hopefully the new game allows for that customization. I will say while the Broncos have been hurt the most from Hawaii's current run, they may be getting some relief on that front after the season!

As for the game, I've had it played for a few days now and should have the report later today. Already have a few of the offseason posts completed in Word too, and will try to finish those up later so I can start posting those throughout the week!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Tartans Stun Penn in Intrastate Bowl Matchup, 50-10
Carnegie Mellon quarterback Justin Keyes threw for 288 yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate game



Freshman runningback Lawrence McIntire scores one of his two touchdowns on this screen pass. (Andre Edwards / Getty Images)

by Alicia Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter

DETROIT, Mich. -- Last year at Ford Field, Carnegie Mellon experienced heartbreak after watching a 17-point lead slip away in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Game against an undefeated Toledo side. 379 days later, the Tartans were celebrating their first Division I bowl win as they dismantled Penn in the Motor City Bowl, 50-10.

Carnegie Mellon (9-4) set the tone on the second play when Mark Toth knocked Penn (6-7) quarterback Justin Brown out of the game with a shoulder injury. Without their three-year starting signal-caller, the Quakers’ star runningback Armando Allen and wide receiver Moe Brown were rendered ineffective as the duo combined to account for 55 scrimmage yards on 12 touches.

“Just a stellar effort all around by our guys, they absolutely deserved this after the season they had,” said CMU head coach John Elliott. “We definitely vanquished some demons from the last time we were here, though that wasn’t on our minds at all. We knew we had a challenge ahead of us with Penn and wanted to take out some frustration from not being able to compete for a conference title. I’m thrilled for the seniors because they really put their hearts and souls into this program and helped build it from the ground up.”

After Toth’s knockout of Justin Brown, Zac Hood brought down backup Nick Bryant to force a Penn punt. Three plays later, Justin Keyes connected with Kelvin Butler on a quick out pass, and the Randy Moss Award recipient raced untouched 37 yards to open the scoring. The Quakers would answer with their lone highlight of the night, as Jamaal Dyches scored on a 72-yard jet sweep with Allen in the wildcat formation, but CMU would take the lead for good near the end of the opening quarter as Keyes scored on a 22-yard option keeper to make it 14-7.

The lead grew to 23-7 over the first five minutes of the second frame courtesy of a David Brown sack for a safety and 41-yard hookup between Keyes and Lawrence McIntire. Penn chipped away briefly with a Billy Kiel 37-yard field goal, only for the advantage to hit 30-10 near the end of the half when Keyes connected with Eddie Williams for a 30-yard touchdown.

It was smooth sailing from there for the Tartans, though Keyes had one more highlight before departing. His final pass became the 52nd touchdown toss of his career, as he found Williams again for a 10-yard score with 4:59 remaining. Keyes finished his final collegiate game with 288 yards on 17-of-21 passing and four scores, and leaves CMU as the all-time leader in completions (615), attempts (1,087), and passing yards (7,308).

Brown collected two sacks on the night, bringing his nation-leading total to 15. All-America junior cornerback Erik Sellers collected a sack and the lone interception of Bryant to cap his season.

After tallying 112 yards on seven catches, Williams finishes his redshirt freshman season with the single-year records in catches (89), receiving yards (1,329), and receiving touchdowns (14).

The Tartans enter the offseason with a number of questions however, particularly regarding Elliott’s contract situation, potential NFL Draft early departures, and who replaces Keyes at quarterback. Elliott offered no comment when asked about an extension in his post-game press conference.

Carnegie Mellon finishes the season with its most wins since going 10-1 in 1990.

Pennsylvania Quakers at Carnegie Mellon Tartans
Dec 26, 2010	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Pennsylvania Quakers (6-7)	7	3	0	0	10
Carnegie Mellon Tartans (9-4)	14	16	13	7	50

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
12:07	(CMU) Justin Keyes 37-yard pass to Kelvin Butler (Jon Foster kick)	0	7
11:38	(PENN) Jamaal Dyches 72-yard run (Billy Kiel kick)	7	7
2:26	(CMU) Justin Keyes 22-yard run (Jon Foster kick)	7	14
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
14:43	(CMU) Safety; David Brown sacks Nick Bryant in end zone	7	16
11:36	(CMU) Justin Keyes 41-yard pass to Lawrence McIntire (Jon Foster kick)	7	23
5:28	(PENN) Billy Kiel 37-yard field goal	10	23
2:48	(CMU) Justin Keyes 38-yard pass to Eddie Williams (Jon Foster kick)	10	30
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
10:39	(CMU) Jon Foster 49-yard field goal	10	33
5:16	(CMU) Lawrence McIntire 4-yard run (Jon Foster kick)	10	40
1:48	(CMU) Jon Foster 31-yard field goal	10	43
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
4:59	(CMU) Justin Keyes 10-yard pass to Eddie Williams (Jon Foster kick)	10	50

Pennsylvania Quakers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Nick Bryant 15/27 121 0 1 Justin Brown 1/1 1 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Jamaal Dyches 4 82 20.5 1 Armando Allen 8 37 4.6 0 Derek Forte 1 6 6.0 0 Justin Brown 1 4 4.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Moe Brown 4 18 4.5 0 Quinton Allen 3 28 9.3 0 Charles Pennington 3 11 3.6 0 Derek Forte 2 50 25.0 0 Adam Todd 2 10 5.0 0 Brad Schmidt 2 5 2.5 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Justin Wayne 10 0 0 0 Justin Lamb 10 2 0 0 Sean Young 9 0 0 0 Amir Patterson 8 0 0 0 Fred Newby 6 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Billy Kiel 1/1 1/1 4 37 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Vincent Holt 6 227 37.8 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Moe Brown 6 117 19.5 0 Armando Allen 3 56 18.6 0 Jamaal Dyches 1 10 10.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Moe Brown 1 3 3.0 0

Carnegie Mellon Tartans PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Justin Keyes 17/21 288 4 0 Kevin Wilson 3/3 32 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Lawrence McIntire 21 84 4.0 1 Justin Keyes 12 47 3.9 0 Nate Satele 9 12 1.3 0 Eddie Williams 2 11 5.5 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Eddie Williams 7 112 16.0 2 Travis Sledge 5 57 11.3 0 Lawrence McIntire 3 76 25.3 1 Issac Schroeder 2 18 9.0 0 Kelvin Butler 1 37 37.0 1 Bo Robinson 1 10 10.0 0 Stephen Carter 1 10 10.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Aaron Crosby 8 0 0 0 Zac Hood 6 1 0 0 Mark Toth 6 0 0 0 David Brown 5 2 0 0 Erik Sellers 4 1 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Jon Foster 2/2 6/6 12 49 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Andy Fitzhugh 4 153 38.2 3 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Stephen Carter 3 46 15.3 0 Kelvin Butler 1 24 24.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kelvin Butler 4 36 9.0 0

[Careless Whisper]

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

Around the NCAA – 2010 Season Wrap-Up Edition
#1 Notre Dame captures its first national championship since 1988 with a 42-25 win over #2 Wisconsin

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- All aboard the Jimmy Garoppolo hype train.

The five-star true freshman tossed four second-half touchdowns after replacing an injured Demetrius Jones, leading No. 1 Notre Dame to its first national championship in 22 seasons with a 42-25 victory over No. 2 Wisconsin. Garoppolo threw for 190 yards on 14-of-21 passing over the final 30 minutes and was named BCS Championship Game MVP after its conclusion.

The Fighting Irish led throughout, though Wisconsin trimmed the gap to 14-11 near the stroke of halftime. Jones, the redshirt senior starter for Notre Dame, connected with senior Duval Kamara on a 93-yard touchdown with 52 seconds remaining in the half to push the lead to 21-11, though he was injured in the process and didn’t return.

Junior signal-caller Jacory Harris threw for 265 yards and a touchdown for the Badgers, but committed three of the team’s four turnovers via interception. Both teams were outside the BCS Championship Game looking in entering conference championship weekend, but benefited from both then-No. 1 Clemson and then-No. 2 Texas A&M losing in their respective title games.

Notre Dame finishes as one of two undefeated teams at the FBS level, joining No. 12 Hawaii who knocked off Nebraska a week earlier in the Fiesta Bowl, 41-38.

BCS Bowl Results
Rose Bowl: #3 Texas (10-1) 28, #9 UCLA (11-1) 18
Sugar Bowl: #6 Florida (12-1) 31, #5 Penn State (10-2) 17
Fiesta Bowl: #16 Hawaii (12-0) 41, #12 Nebraska (11-2) 38
Orange Bowl: #15 Virginia Tech (11-2) 34, #22 Pittsburgh (10-2) 29
BCS National Championship: #1 Notre Dame (12-0) 42, #2 Wisconsin (12-0) 25

Final USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll
1 | Notre Dame [61 first-place votes] (13-0)
2 | Texas (11-1)
3 | Florida (13-1)
4 | Wisconsin (12-1)
5 | Clemson (13-1)
6 | Texas A&M (12-2)
7 | Georgia (11-2)
8 | Penn State (10-3)
9 | Virginia (12-1)
10 | UCLA (11-2)
11 | USC (11-2)
12 | Hawaii (13-0)
13 | Virginia Tech (12-2)
14 | Tennessee (10-3)
15 | Texas Tech (10-3)
16 | Ohio State (10-3)
17 | Boise State (12-1)
18 | Nebraska (11-3)
19 | West Virginia (10-3)
20 | BYU (11-1)
21 | LSU (11-3)
22 | Pittsburgh (10-3)
23 | TCU (11-2)
24 | Missouri (9-4)
25 | Central Florida (11-3)

Major Award Winners
Heisman Memorial Trophy: Willy Korn, Sr., QB, Clemson (176.9 QB rtg., 257-417, 3,942 yards, 56 TD (4 rush), 11 INT)
Maxwell Award: Brandon Saine, R-Jr., HB, Ohio State (313 carries, 2,205 yards, 26 TD; 16 catches, 289 yards, 3 TD)
Chuck Bednarik Award: A.J. Jones, R-Sr., OLB, Florida (71 tackles (21 TFL), 8 sacks, 5 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Davey O’Brien Award: Willy Korn, Sr., QB, Clemson (176.9 QB rtg., 257-417, 3,942 yards, 56 TD (4 rush), 11 INT)
Doak Walker Award: Brandon Saine, R-Jr., HB, Ohio State (313 carries, 2,205 yards, 26 TD; 16 catches, 289 yards, 3 TD)
Fred Biletnikoff Award: DeAndre Hopkins, Fr., WR, Texas Tech (109 catches, 1,309 yards, 16 TD)
John Mackey Award: Greg Salas, R-Sr., TE, Hawaii (59 catches, 1,001 yards, 10 TD)
Outland Trophy: Clint Boling, Sr., OT, Georgia (35 pancakes, 7 sacks allowed)
Rimington Trophy: Pat Allen, Jr., C, Wisconsin (27 pancakes, 5 sacks allowed)
Rotary Lombardi Award: Dee Ford, So., DE, LSU (55 tackles (29 TFL), 10 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR)
Dick Butkus Award: Michael Weeks, Sr., OLB, Texas A&M (69 tackles (16 TFL), 4 sacks, 4 INT, 3 FF, 3 FR, 1 TD)
Jim Thrope Award: Harrison Smith, R-Jr., FS, Notre Dame (30 tackles (3 TFL), 7 INT, 2 FF, 2 TD)
Lou Groza Award: Shannon Quinn, Jr., K, Toledo (19-26 FG, 47-47 XP)
Ray Guy Award: Daniel Murray, R-Sr., P, Iowa (60 punts, 38.4 net avg., 27 inside 20)
Randy Moss Award: Kelvin Butler, Fr., WR, Carnegie Mellon (24.1 kick return avg., 3 TD; 12.7 punt return avg., 3 TD)
Walter Camp Coach of the Year: Stan Brock, Army (9-3 record)

Conference Champions
ACC: Virginia Tech (12-2, 7-1)
Big Ten: Wisconsin (12-1, 8-0)
Big 12: Nebraska (11-3, 6-2)
Big East: Pittsburgh (10-3, 6-1); Syracuse (9-4, 6-1)
C-USA: Central Florida (11-3, 7-1)
Ivy League: Yale (11-2, 7-0)
MAC: Akron (11-3, 7-1)
Mountain West: BYU (11-1, 8-0)
Pac-10: UCLA (11-2, 8-1); USC (11-2, 8-1)
SEC: Florida (13-1, 7-1)
WAC: Hawaii (13-0, 8-0)

National Statistical Leaders
QB Rating: Ryan Mallett, R-Jr., Michigan (191.4)
Passing Yards: Matt Barkley, So., Hawaii (4,708)
Passing Touchdowns: Andrew Luck, Jr., Texas Tech (54)
Passing Interceptions: Alex Gibson, R-Sr., New Mexico State (28)
Rushing Yards: Brandon Saine, R-Jr., Ohio State (2,205)
Rushing Touchdowns: Brandon Saine, R-Jr., Ohio State (26)
Catches: DeAndre Hopkins, Fr., Texas Tech (109)
Receiving Yards: Arrelious Benn, Sr., Illinois (1,336)
Receiving Touchdowns: Jacoby Franks, Sr., Texas Tech (18)
Tackles: Brett Irby, So., Eastern Michigan (111)
Sacks: David Brown, Jr., Carnegie Mellon (15)
Interceptions: William Taylor, R-Jr., Oregon; Quintin Banks, R-Sr., Georgia (9)
Field Goals Made: Joe Williams, Jr., Nebraska; Shannon Quinn, Jr., Toledo (19)
Net Punt Average: Dominique Pittman, Jr., San Diego State (40.3)
Kick Return Average: Jeremy Ringfield, R-Sr., Duke (28.1)
Punt Return Average: Kelvin Butler, Fr., Carnegie Mellon (12.6)

[Deuce2223]

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

Congrats on the win. Great way for Keyes to go out. I really hope you can find a QB next year cause it would be horrible to see Eddie Williams talent just get wasted by not having a QB who can get him the ball. I am having flashbacks to Keyes Freshman season already.

Hawaii really go screwed in the poll's a undefeated season and win in the Fiesta Bowl and they still don't get a Top-10 ranking. Would be interesting to see Hawaii, BYU, BSU all in the MWC instead of the WAC, but if I remember correctly CPU teams don't realign in the game correct?

Also any chance CMU gets a invite to another conference or do you see yourself staying in the MAC for a couple more years?

[Careless Whisper]

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

Congrats on the win. Great way for Keyes to go out. I really hope you can find a QB next year cause it would be horrible to see Eddie Williams talent just get wasted by not having a QB who can get him the ball. I am having flashbacks to Keyes Freshman season already.

Haha I'm hoping it won't be that bad with whoever replaces Keyes! I don't see that happening even if they struggle however, because they'll have Williams (and on a lesser note, Sledge) to throw to, whereas Keyes' top receiver as a freshman was a five-foot-seven, 70ish overall Pete Carlson. Gonna be very interesting to see who emerges as the next guy at QB.

Hawaii really go screwed in the poll's a undefeated season and win in the Fiesta Bowl and they still don't get a Top-10 ranking. Would be interesting to see Hawaii, BYU, BSU all in the MWC instead of the WAC, but if I remember correctly CPU teams don't realign in the game correct?

Also any chance CMU gets a invite to another conference or do you see yourself staying in the MAC for a couple more years?

Hawaii definitely didn't get the respect they deserved, though that will likely change in future seasons. You're right that CPU teams can't realign themselves in the game - however, I figured out a slight work-around with that I'll elaborate on here in the offseason posts.

As for CMU, I think I'm going to be in the MAC for an extended period unless I start churning out consistent 10-win seasons, but I'm definitely jumping to the first BCS conference offers me a spot. My worry is that - even though I haven't won it yet - I'm stuck in the MAC for too long and really start dominating. My ideal timeline would to be offered a spot in the Big East or Big Ten after a MAC championship season that sees me win 10-12 games, but I'm still a slight bit away from reaching that goal.

[Careless Whisper]

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

2010 STAT DUMP
(bold denotes statistical leader)

Justin Keyes, Sr., QB | 152.3 QB rtg., 193-315, 2,677 yards, 26 TD, 12 INT; 178 carries, 870 yards, 4.9 avg., 13 TD
Kevin Wilson, So., QB | 83.0 QB rtg., 23-54, 316 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT
Gerald Culver, Fr., QB | 66.0 QB rtg., 4-8, 39 yards, 1 INT
Nate Satele, Jr., HB | 155 carries, 652 yards, 4.2 avg., 5 TD; 6 catches, 51 yards, 8.5 avg., 1 TD
Lawrence McIntire, Fr., HB | 120 carries, 571 yards, 4.8 avg., 6 TD; 8 catches, 121 yards, 15.1 avg., 1 TD
Eddie Williams, R-Fr., WR | 20 carries, 216 yards, 10.8 avg., 3 TD; 89 catches, 1,329 yards, 14.9 avg., 14 TD
Kelvin Butler, Fr., WR | 8 carries, 57 yards, 7.1 avg., 1 TD; 7 catches, 139 yards, 19.9 avg., 2 TD; 41 kick returns, 989 yards, 24.1 avg., 3 TD; 39 punt returns, 495 yards, 12.7 avg., 3 TD
Austin Jones, R-Fr., HB | 13 carries, 45 yards, 3.5 avg.
Brandon Brewer, Jr., FB | 9 carries, 34 yards, 3.8 avg., 1 TD
Clarence Cabral, R-Sr., HB | 3 carries, 6 yards, 2.0 avg., 1 TD
Korey Harper, R-Sr., FB | 1 carry, 3 yards, 3.0 avg.
Stephen Carter, Jr., WR | 44 catches, 500 yards, 11.3 avg., 3 TD; 16 kick returns, 311 yards, 19.4 avg.
Travis Sledge, Fr., WR | 36 catches, 447 yards, 12.4 avg., 2 TD
Issac Schroeder, So., WR | 15 catches, 203 yards, 13.5 avg., 1 TD
David Young, Jr., TE | 13 catches, 219 yards, 16.8 avg., 3 TD
Bo Robinson, Fr., WR | 2 catches, 23 yards, 11.5 avg.
Mark Toth, Jr., MLB | 93 tackles (20 TFL), 9 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF, 1 TD
Erik Sellers, Jr., CB | 65 tackles (5 TFL), 3 sacks, 6 INT, 1 TD
Aaron Crosby, Sr., OLB | 64 tackles (14 TFL), 3 sacks, 2 INT, 3 FF, 2 FR
David Brown, Jr., DE | 49 tackles (23 TFL), 15 sacks, 2 FR
Matt Burnsides, So., DT | 49 tackles (26 TFL), 12 sacks, 2 FF
Elvis Washington, Jr., SS | 45 tackles (2 TFL), 1 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR
Todd Andriano, Jr., FS | 43 tackles (2 TFL), 7 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR
Charlie Cohen, Jr., OLB | 42 tackles (4 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
Hayden Temple, Sr., CB | 41 tackles, 7 INT, 2 FR
Chris Hill, Jr., OLB | 39 tackles (6 TFL), 1 sack, 1 INT
Zac Hood, So., DE | 29 tackles (14 TFL), 6 sacks, 1 FR
Bobby Magnum, R-So., SS | 27 tackles (2 TFL), 1 INT, 1 FF
Rob Jones, Fr., CB | 20 tackles (4 TFL), 3 sacks, 3 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD
Brandon Williams, Fr., OLB | 19 tackles (3 TFL), 2 sacks
Tyler Wright, Fr., MLB | 18 tackles (3 sacks), 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FF
P.J. Ryan, So., DT | 17 tackles (9 TFL), 4 sacks
Jon Crowell, R-So., CB | 2 tackles; 2 punt returns, 19 yards, 9.5 avg.
Jon Foster, Jr., K | 14-18 FG, 64-64 XP
Andy Fitzhugh, So., P | 46 punts, 1,874 yards, 40.7 avg., 36.5 net avg., 19 inside 20

[Careless Whisper]

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

Just cleaned up all the saved posts and updated them to reflect this past season! Will do the same with the NFL ones once I post its wrap-up. Offseason posts will start here later today!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Bumping to the next page.

[Careless Whisper]

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

Elliott Retires, Nottingham Elevated to Head Coach
Former offensive coordinator Jules Nottingham will guide the Tartans into the 2011 season



Jules Nottingham became the CMU offensive coordinator prior to the 2009 season. (Mark Frazier / Getty Images)

by Jayson Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon announced a change in football leadership this afternoon at Skibo Gymnasium, with Jules Nottingham elevated into the head coaching role following the retirement of John Elliott.

Elliott announced his retirement at the start of the press conference, finishing his five-year CMU stint with a 25-38 overall record and a Motor City Bowl win three weeks ago against Penn. The former Gannon defensive coordinator, who posted a 15-9 mark in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, was in the final year of his contract and an extension never materialized.

“I just felt like it’s time,” said Elliott in a brief statement. “I did what I was set out to do here and we helped bring Carnegie Mellon to national prominence. Winning the Motor City Bowl against Penn was a great ending, and I have no doubt that Jules (Nottingham) will build on the success we’ve had.”

“I want to thank Coach (John) Elliott for all his contributions to the program,” added CMU athletic director Daniel Corrigan. “He was given an impossible task and passed with flying colors, and really set the foundation for Carnegie Mellon to be a player nationally. I’m really excited to see Coach (Jules) Nottingham raise the bar from here and help us take that next step.”

Nottingham, a native of Crawley, West Sussex in England, was hired as the Tartans offensive coordinator following the 2008 season. He was previously the quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division II C.W. Post, helping lead the Pioneers to a 12-2 record and NCAA Quarterfinal berth behind Harlon Hill Trophy recipient Cedric Booker. Now 31, Nottingham will be the youngest head coach at the Division I level entering 2011.

“I have to thank both Coach (John) Elliott and Daniel (Corrigan) for believing in me and allowing me to have the opportunity to lead this program,” said Nottingham. “Coach Elliott took a chance on hiring me out of the lower ranks and I will forever be indebted to him. This program’s potential is limitless if we just believe, and I’m honored to build on what Coach Elliott started here and help bring Carnegie Mellon to the top.”

In two seasons with the Tartans, Nottingham’s offenses have produced 34.6 points per game and hit the 50-point mark seven times. This season, CMU ranked fourth in rushing touchdowns (30), 15th in rushing yards (186.3), 16th in points per game (39.2), 23rd in offensive yards (419.5), and 50th in passing yards (233.2). Nottingham has produced two Associated Press All-Americans in runningback Jim Manning (2009 First Team) and wide receiver Eddie Williams (2010 Freshman Team), with Manning leading the nation in rushing yards (1,936) and rushing touchdowns (23) in 2009.

Nottingham reportedly had three different offers at BCS-conference schools to become their offensive coordinator, as well as a head coaching offer at a lower-level mid-major. His deal with the Tartans is for three seasons.

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Author’s Note: With the success that the offense has had under Nottingham as well as Elliott's contract expired, it only made sense to elevate him to head coach. I personally thought Elliott would have been fired by this point in the report with the roster limitations I imposed on myself (and to be fair, he probably would have if I didn't have to switch games), but it felt like the perfect time to end his era and begin Nottingham's. Not much will change from an in-game perspective, but the likelihood of my coach leaving for a bigger school increases with this switch. As noted in the original post, if a school with a higher prestige rating comes knocking, he must take the job and I'll create a new coach (with a new scheme) to take his place.

[Careless Whisper]

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

Todd Andriano to Enter NFL Draft
Junior free safety Todd Andriano was a two-time All-MAC selection with the Tartans



Junior free safety Todd Andriano hauls in this interception earlier in the season against Toledo. (Julian Harrison / Getty Images)

by Alicia Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon junior free safety Todd Andriano has declared for the NFL Draft and signed with an agent, marking the second straight year that the program has lost one of its juniors to the professional ranks.

“I’m thankful for everything that Carnegie Mellon has provided me over these three years,” said Andriano at a press conference this afternoon. “I’ve learned a lot from this coaching staff and my teammates that have prepared me for this moment. After seeing the draft grades and consulting with my family, I felt like this was the best time to make the jump.”

“We’re really excited to see Todd (Andriano) take the next step,” said new CMU head coach Jules Nottingham. “He’s been a key to the program’s success over these last couple of seasons and whatever team drafts him will be getting a superb person and free safety. We have no doubt that he will be great at the next level.”

Andriano leaves Carnegie Mellon ranked third all-time in career interceptions, tallying 16 over 39 games. He started each one of those 39 contests, recording 123 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The Solon, Ohio native was a three-star recruit from the Class of 2008 and saw his Rivals ranking of the 18th best free safety in high school progress to seventh by his junior collegiate season according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

A two-time All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) selection, Andriano is graded as a Day 2 prospect according to NFL Draft experts and is projected to be taken in the third round.

Todd Andriano (6'1", 188 lbs.; Solon, Ohio / Solon)
- 2008: 31 tackles, 0 sacks, 2 INT, 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 TD
- 2009: 49 tackles, 0 sacks, 7 INT, 1 FF, 0 FR, 0 TD
- 2010: 43 tackles, 0 sacks, 7 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR, 0 TD
- Career: 123 tackles, 0 sacks, 16 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR, 0 TD
- Awards: 2010 All-MAC First Team, 2009 All-MAC Second Team
- Notables: Carnegie Mellon record holder for single-season interceptions (7 in 2009, 2010)
- Recruiting Info: Three-star prospect, #18 free safety nationally

[Deuce2223]

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

Tough losing a DB of his caliber.. 7 INT's back to back year's is some big time #'s. I would think stat's like that would make him a Day 1 pick

[Careless Whisper]

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

Tough losing a DB of his caliber.. 7 INT's back to back year's is some big time #'s. I would think stat's like that would make him a Day 1 pick

Definitely got lucky landing Andriano, as he was part of that "boosted" recruiting class provided with the game change from 07 to 08. He's absolutely a huge loss, because beyond the stats and ratings he had, he was super reliable and never missed a game + Jabari London doesn't quite have the speed/ratings (yet) to replace him without a big drop-off. Not sure what Madden's logic is for exported draft classes, because he seems like he'd be a second rounder at least - however, the third-round grade is what they gave me after I started the offseason in that game.

[Careless Whisper]

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

by Jeff Greenberg, Carnegie Mellon insider for Rivals.com

Johnson wins Super Bowl with Titans

Former Carnegie Mellon linebacker Matt Johnson became the first player in program history to win a Super Bowl last night, as he collected one tackle in the Tennessee Titans’ 21-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XLV.

Johnson played a reserve role in his rookie season, tallying 13 tackles and a sack after being signed as an undrafted free agent last May. He was one of three Tartans to make NFL rosters in 2010, with former tailback Jim Manning and cornerback Calvin Burton playing for the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, respectively.

Manning, a seventh-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, accumulated 96 scrimmage yards (67 rushing, 29 receiving) on 23 touches this season as the Bears won the NFC North with an 8-8 record. Burton, a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, missed the entirety of his rookie year due to injury as the Saints went 10-6 and captured the NFC South.

Carnegie Mellon announces two 2011 home games

The first portion of CMU’s non-conference schedule was revealed over the weekend as the program announced home games against Michigan State and Penn.

The Tartans will host their Motor City Bowl opponents in both teams’ season opener on Saturday, September 3. This will be the team’s third meeting with the Quakers, as they’ve played in 1908, 2007, and in the aforementioned Motor City Bowl last December. CMU is 1-2 all-time against its Ivy League intrastate counterpart.

Carnegie Mellon’s tilt with Michigan State does not have a date as of yet, but it will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams. The Spartans are 3-0-1 against the Tartans, with all four of those meetings coming from 1933-37. CMU eked out a 0-0 tie with MSU in the inaugural 1933 meeting, then fell 13-0 in 1934, 7-0 in 1936, and 13-0 again in 1937.

Carnegie Mellon In-Season Commitments
Kevin Doucette, G, *** (6’3”, 282 lbs.; Elizabethtown, Pa. / Elizabethtown)
Jeff Gilmore, HB, *** (5’8”, 200 lbs.; Winnipeg, Manitoba / Portage Collegiate)