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

[slicknick3822]

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

Good to see you back Whisper, hopefully you can take another step with CMU this year!

[sgf83]

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

Good luck on the hunt for the MAC Championship!

[TheAStev]

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

Can't wait for some more CMU action! Looking forward to seeing how the team does under Jules.

[Careless Whisper]

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

Good to see you back Whisper, hopefully you can take another step with CMU this year!

Good luck on the hunt for the MAC Championship!

Can't wait for some more CMU action! Looking forward to seeing how the team does under Jules.

Thanks all, much appreciated! Finished the first game last night and I definitely had some rust to knock off - will hopefully have the report up tonight or sometime tomorrow!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Nottingham’s Debut Derailed in Overtime by Quakers
Carnegie Mellon turned the ball over five times in season-opening defeat to revenge-minded Penn



Sophomore tailback Lawrence McIntire broke three tackles on this 36-yard touchdown catch. (Andre Edwards / Getty Images)

by Alicia Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- When Carnegie Mellon was searching for an opening week opponent this past offseason, Penn head coach Al Bagnoli was the first to call.

The matchup seemed compelling enough. It was two of the most academically prestigious schools on opposite ends of the state, both excelling in their promotions out of college football’s lower ranks, and who met last December in the Motor City Bowl. Bagnoli knew his Quakers would be underdogs following the Tartans’ 50-10 shellacking in December, and that’s precisely why he wanted the immediate rematch.

What was envisioned to be a dream debut for Carnegie Mellon head coach Jules Nottingham turned to be anything but, as Penn shocked the Tartans in overtime, 27-24, to open the 2011 season.

“We wanted to get the bad tastes out of our mouths (from the Motor City Bowl),” said Bagnoli. “I respect and admire what (Carnegie Mellon) has done with its program in such a short amount of time, and I knew we were much better than what we showed last time around. Our guys came out fired up and ready to play, and I think everyone assumed it would be another cakewalk.”

Carnegie Mellon (0-1) struggled offensively in its first game without the graduated Justin Keyes under center, averaging 3.1 yards per carry on the ground and 8.2 yards per pass attempt with three interceptions through the air. Both Kevin Wilson and Gerald Culver spent time at quarterback for the Tartans, with Culver compiling 203 yards of total offense (8-15, 177 yards, 1 INT; 11 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD) and Wilson’s touchdown pass being the lone bright spot on his dismal day (6-18, 92 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT).

“I should have prepared (Kevin Wilson and Gerald Culver) better,” said Nottingham. “We were just a second too slow with a lot of our reads, and I’ll take the blame for that. It’s hard to come in against a good opponent and excel in your first start, but I have full faith in both Kevin and Gerald that they’ll get the job done moving forward.”

The CMU defense opened strong, as Erik Sellers deflected a pass and it landed in Elvis Washington’s arms, with the senior strong safety racing 63 yards for a pick six. Mark Toth collected a sack on the next Penn (1-0) drive, followed by a second three-and-out, but the Tartans offense couldn’t take advantage as Wilson was intercepted by Fred Newby late in the first quarter.

The Quakers responded with an impressive 12-play, 80-yard drive to make it 7-7, as Justin Brown found Brad Schmidt in the corner of the end zone from 12 yards out. Culver checked in a few drives later for the first time, but he gave the ball up quickly after fumbling an option pitch. The hosts’ defense continued to keep Penn at bay, thanks to a Jon Crowell interception and a Toth forced fumble, and that set the stage for Wilson to find Lawrence McIntire for a 36-yard score with 1:02 remaining in the half. That 14-7 advantage would be short-lived however, as Brown connected with Pat Schifano for a 59-yard bomb moments later, then found him again as time expired from 28 yards out to tie it at 14-14.

CMU started the second half with some momentum by collecting three first downs, but Wilson was then intercepted by Charles Pennington and sprained his elbow trying to tackle him on the return. The visitors used that turnover to reach the red zone, only for Toth to foil their plans with an interception on the six-yard line. The Tartans called upon Eddie Williams to help flip the field, and the redshirt sophomore responded with a 42-yard jet sweep. That kicked off a quick five-play drive ending in a Culver 10-yard keeper that put CMU back in front, 21-14.

After a Billy Kiel field goal for Penn at the end of the third quarter, the Tartans churned out an 11-play drive only to see it halted with a Culver interception in the red zone. That swung the pendulum completely in the Quakers’ favor, and they responded with a clock-killing 16-play, 90-yard trek that ended in a Brown touchdown toss to Brad Schmidt, making it 24-21 to the visitors.

CMU had an answer, rattling off an eight-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a Jon Foster 43-yard tying field goal. The defense then forced a three-and-out to give the offense a chance at a miracle win, but Williams hauled in Culver’s Hail Mary attempt two yards short of the end zone.

That seemed to be a precursor for overtime, as McIntire fumbled on the first play and James Battle jumped on it for Penn. The Quakers then picked up four yards to line it up for Kiel, who was true from 39 yards out for the game-winning field goal.

Williams recorded 146 yards on seven catches for the CMU offense, while Toth provided 10 tackles, a sack, interception, and forced fumble for the defense.

Brown threw for 289 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions for Penn. Armando Allen collected 118 yards (80 rush, 38 rec) of offense on 28 touches (21 rush, 7 rec).

Carnegie Mellon will look to lick its wounds next Saturday, Sept. 10 when it travels to No. 15 Nebraska.

Pennsylvania Quakers at Carnegie Mellon Tartans
Sep 3, 2011	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Pennsylvania Quakers (0-0)	0	14	3	7	3	27
Carnegie Mellon Tartans (0-0)	7	7	7	3	0	24

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
10:27	(CMU) Elvis Washington 63-yard interception return (Jon Foster kick)	0	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
14:39	(PENN) Justin Brown 12-yard pass to Brad Schmidt (Billy Kiel kick)	7	7
1:02	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 36-yard pass to Lawrence McIntire (Jon Foster kick)	7	14
0:00	(PENN) Justin Brown 28-yard pass to Pat Schifano (Billy Kiel kick)	14	14
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
6:02	(CMU) Gerald Culver 10-yard run (Jon Foster kick)	14	21
0:39	(PENN) Billy Kiel 35-yard field goal	17	21
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		PENN	CMU
3:36	(PENN) Justin Brown 1-yard pass to Brad Schmidt (Billy Kiel kick)	24	21
1:05	(CMU) Jon Foster 43-yard field goal	24	24
OVERTIME SCORING		PENN	CMU
---	(PENN) Billy Kiel 39-yard field goal	27	24

Pennsylvania Quakers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Justin Brown 21/35 289 3 3 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Armando Allen 21 80 3.8 0 Justin Brown 14 57 4.0 0 Matt Stevenson 3 12 4.0 0 Drew Manigat 1 2 2.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Armando Allen 7 38 5.4 0 Pat Schifano 4 118 29.5 1 Brad Schmidt 4 70 17.5 2 Derek Forte 3 40 13.3 0 Matt Stevenson 2 12 6.0 0 Drew Manigat 1 11 11.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD James Battle 7 0 1 0 Fred Newby 7 0 1 0 Sean Young 6 0 0 0 Frank Carroll 4 0 0 0 Amir Patterson 4 0 0 0 Charlie Jackson 3 1 0 0 Jared Jackson 2 1 0 0 Justin Lamb 1 1 0 0 Charles Pennington 1 0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Billy Kiel 2/2 3/3 9 39 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Vincent Holt 6 255 42.5 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Armando Allen 4 81 20.2 0 Derek Forte 1 24 24.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Armando Allen 2 14 7.0 0

Carnegie Mellon Tartans PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Gerald Culver 8/15 177 0 1 Kevin Wilson 6/18 92 1 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Eddie Williams 2 46 23.0 0 Lawrence McIntire 12 33 2.7 0 Gerald Culver 11 26 2.3 1 Nate Satele 3 2 0.6 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Eddie Williams 7 146 20.8 0 Stephen Carter 4 66 16.5 0 Travis Sledge 2 21 10.5 0 Lawrence McIntire 1 36 36.0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Mark Toth 10 1 1 0 Bobby Magnum 10 0 0 0 Chris Hill 9 0 0 0 Jon Crowell 6 0 1 0 Jabari London 6 0 0 0 Elvis Washington 5 0 1 1 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Jon Foster 1/1 3/3 6 43 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Andy Fitzhugh 5 218 43.5 2 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kelvin Butler 2 59 29.5 0 Kyle Holland 2 39 19.5 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kelvin Butler 4 15 3.7 0

[Careless Whisper]

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

Around the NCAA – Week 1 Edition
#24 Miami (Fla.) routs #12 Ohio State on the road in the most surprising Week 1 result

ESPN The Magazine Cover Story
The D Seems Ready – Penn State’s defense dominates in its season opener.

No. 4 Penn State had no trouble with FCS Western Kentucky in its season opener, grounding the Hilltoppers, 56-0. Star Jackson was terrific, tossing four touchdowns on 19-of-34 passing with 305 yards. The Nittany Lions scored 35 of their 56 points in the second half and collected four interceptions and four sacks defensively. Next up, a trip to Tuscaloosa to take on unranked Alabama.

Top Storylines
#24 Miami blows brakes off of #12 Ohio State in the Horseshoe, 52-10

Despite losing starting quarterback Robert Marve in the first quarter, No. 24 Miami (Fla.) stunned No. 12 Ohio State in Columbus, winning by an eye-popping 52-10 score. The Hurricanes had little trouble after Marve’s departure, jumping out to a 31-7 halftime lead. Redshirt senior tailback Lee Chambers rushed for 168 yards and three scores on 22 carries, while the Buckeyes received 138 yards and a touchdown from Christine Michael. OSU’s quarterback situation didn’t get any clearer, as redshirt junior David Burgess threw for 57 yards and three interceptions on 7-of-17 passing after beating out third-year sophomore Tajh Boyd in fall camp.

Hello, Johnny! Freshman Manziel thrives in debut with Wolverines

True freshman Johnny Manziel accumulated 407 yards of offense and five passing touchdowns in his collegiate debut as No. 19 Michigan blanked Eastern Michigan, 45-0. Manziel, who threw for 355 yards on 20-of-26 passing, is a five-star prospect who beat out redshirt senior Taylor Motte in fall camp for the job. Fellow freshman Allen Robinson II caught a pair of Manziel’s touchdown tosses, finishing with 79 yards on six receptions. Junior tailback Eddie Lacy recorded 95 yards and a score in his first start after rushing for 657 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010.

Harvard makes up 28-point fourth-quarter deficit, but loses in six overtimes to New Mexico State, 66-63

The most exciting game of the weekend wasn’t on TV, as New Mexico State and Harvard played to six overtimes before the Aggies prevailed, 66-63. NMSU carried a 45-17 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Crimson responded with 28 unanswered points to force overtime. After four sets of field goals and a touchdown with failed conversion, the Aggies finally blanked Harvard in the sixth overtime and kicked another field goal to win. NMSU’s E.J. Manuel was named NCAA Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 424 yards and seven touchdowns, while true freshman Stephen Rivers – brother of Philip Rivers – compiled 423 yards and six touchdowns on 25-of-46 passing for the Crimson.

Heisman Watch
Matt Barkley, Jr., QB, Hawaii | No stats
John Brantley, R-Sr., QB, Florida | 262.8 QB rtg., 10-18, 287 yards, 4 TD
Russell Shepard, Jr., QB, Texas A&M | 153.2 QB rtg., 7-11, 78 yards, 1 TD; 9 carries, 29 yards
Sam McGuffie, Sr., HB, Texas | 15 carries, 115 yards, 2 TD; 2 catches, 57 yards, 2 TD
DeAndre Hopkins, So., WR, Texas Tech | 7 catches, 73 yards, 2 TD

NCAA Players of the Week
Offensive: E.J. Manuel, R-Jr., QB, New Mexico State | 30-51, 424 yards, 7 TD in 66-63 (6OT) win against Harvard
Defensive: Adam Wilcox, R-Jr., SS, Virginia | 4 tackles, 3 INT, 1 FR in 52-20 win against Central Florida

Injury Report
Robert Marve, R-Sr., QB, Miami (Fla.) | Dislocated elbow (10 weeks)
Jacory Harris, Sr., QB, Wisconsin | Broken wrist (10 weeks – medical redshirt)
Josh Manning, Sr., HB, Columbia | Broken wrist (9 weeks)
Pat Schifano, Fr., WR, Penn | Torn rotator cuff (season – medical redshirt)
Alvin Williams, R-Jr., OT, Ball State | Torn hamstring (11 weeks)
Lawrence Doby, Fr., OT, Georgia | Torn quadriceps (9 weeks – medical redshirt)
James King, R-Fr., G, Toledo | Torn shoulder muscle (11 weeks)
Robert Tucker, Jr., C, Connecticut | Torn shoulder muscle (season – medical redshirt)
James Anderson, R-So., C, Toledo | Broken elbow (season)
Clinton Carrie, So., C, Florida | Severe concussion (season – medical redshirt)
Tom Anderson, Fr., MLB, Texas Tech | Foot fracture (8 weeks – medical redshirt)
Darnell White, Sr., MLB, Georgia | Broken fibula (6 weeks)
Justin Cox, So., CB, Notre Dame | Knee cartilage tear (7 weeks)
Jim Givens, Sr., FS, BYU | Upper arm fracture (10 weeks)
John Johnson, Jr., SS, Indiana | High ankle sprain (8 weeks – medical redshirt)

Week 1 Notable Top 25 Scores
#9 Virginia Tech 28, Central Michigan 10
#17 Tennessee 38, Marshall 14
#19 Michigan 45, Eastern Michigan 0
#10 Virginia 52, Central Florida 20
#3 Clemson 31, BYU 14
#21 Miami (Fla.) 52, #22 Ohio State 10
#16 LSU 49, Wyoming 14
#13 UCLA 31, UAB 10
#6 Wisconsin 28, UNLV 3
#12 Texas Tech 44, SMU 16
#2 Florida 49, Miami (Ohio) 0

Week 2 National Broadcasts
Colorado (1-0) at #20 California (1-0) | 9/10, 12:30 PM
#3 Clemson (1-0) at Maryland (1-0) | 9/10, 12:30 PM
#4 Penn State (1-0) at Alabama (1-0) | 9/10, 12:30 PM
#21 Miami (Fla.) (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0) | 9/10, 3:30 PM
#5 Texas A&M (1-0) at Southern Miss (1-0) | 9/10, 6:00 PM
Louisiana Tech (0-1) at #8 Notre Dame (1-0) | 9/10, 6:00 PM
Carnegie Mellon (0-1) at #15 Nebraska (1-0) | 9/10, 8:00 PM
#10 Virginia (1-0) at Florida State (1-0) | 9/10, 8:00 PM (Game of the Week; Battle for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy)

[Scuzz]

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

Interesting seeing where some of these recruits end up

[studbucket]

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

Wow at that Miami - OSU game. What a shocker.

[ThatBritishGuy]

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

That's a tough start for Nottingham! Not much you can do when the ball get's fumbled in overtime.

Fun Fact, Nottingham is very, very close to where I live!

[Careless Whisper]

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

That's a tough start for Nottingham! Not much you can do when the ball get's fumbled in overtime.

Fun Fact, Nottingham is very, very close to where I live!

That was such a deflating play, especially with how lousy my RB situation has been since Jim Manning left early for the draft. I hope he didn't catch Nate Satele's fumble bug, because I definitely don't have the QB to hide that this year!

Thanks for checking in everyone!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Around the MAC – Week 1 Edition
The MAC nets five wins over FCS opponents and a Toledo 15-14 triumph against Purdue

MAC East Standings
Bowling Green | 1-0, 0-0 MAC
Akron | 1-0, 0-0 MAC
Kent State | 1-0, 0-0 MAC
Buffalo | 1-0, 0-0 MAC
Miami (Ohio) | 0-1, 0-0 MAC
Ohio | 0-1, 0-0 MAC
Carnegie Mellon | 0-1, 0-0 MAC

MAC West Standings
Ball State | 1-0, 0-0 MAC
Toledo | 1-0, 0-0 MAC
Northern Illinois | 0-1, 0-0 MAC
Central Michigan | 0-1, 0-0 MAC
Western Michigan | 0-1, 0-0 MAC
Eastern Michigan | 0-1, 0-0 MAC

MAC Players of the Week
Offensive: Adam Gilmore, R-So., QB, Bowling Green | 21-35, 335 yards, 5 TD in 42-16 win against Eastern Kentucky
Defensive: Brad Haumiller, Sr., OLB, Ball State | 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD in 48-27 win against Wofford

Week 1 Scores
#9 Virginia Tech 28, Central Michigan 10
Toledo 15, Purdue 14
Northwestern 40, Ohio 33
#19 Michigan 45, Eastern Michigan 0
Penn 27, Carnegie Mellon 24 (OT)
Dartmouth 19, Western Michigan 7
Ball State 48, Wofford 27
Buffalo 30, Indiana State 3
Bowling Green 42, Eastern Kentucky 16
East Carolina 38, Northern Illinois 17
Akron 31, Rhode Island 6
Kent State 41, Towson 17
#2 Florida 49, Miami (Ohio) 0

Week 2 Matchups
Cincinnati (0-1) at Western Michigan (0-0) | 9/7, 1:00 PM
Nicholls State (0-0) at Buffalo (1-0) | 9/10, 12:30 PM
Ohio (0-1) at Illinois (1-0) | 9/10, 12:30 PM
Kent State (1-0) at Penn (1-0) | 9/10, 1:00 PM
East Carolina (1-0) at Eastern Michigan (1-0) | 9/10, 1:00 PM
Ball State (1-0) at #16 LSU (1-0) | 9/10, 3:30 PM
Northern Illinois (0-1) at #17 Tennessee (1-0) | 9/10, 3:30 PM
Colorado State (0-1) at Miami (Ohio) (0-1) | 9/10, 3:30 PM
Indiana (1-0) at Central Michigan (0-1) | 9/10, 3:30 PM
Toledo (1-0) at #23 Boise State (1-0) | 9/10, 3:30 PM
Yale (1-0) at Akron (1-0) | 9/10, 6:00 PM
Carnegie Mellon (0-1) at #15 Nebraska (1-0) | 9/10, 8:00 PM

[Careless Whisper]

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

by Jeff Greenberg, Carnegie Mellon insider for Rivals.com

Tartan trio win NFL starting jobs in preseason

Carnegie Mellon will have three former players starting on NFL opening weekend this season in free safety Todd Andriano, linebacker Matt Johnson, and runningback Jim Manning.

Andriano, a fourth-round selection in this past April’s NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, compiled six tackles in the preseason and didn’t allow a catch according to Pro Football Focus. He originally started training camp as the third free safety on the depth chart.

Johnson, a second-year undrafted player on the Tennessee Titans, compiled 12 tackles, two sacks, and an interception in four preseason contests. He netted a team-best six tackles in the second week against the Minnesota Vikings, then tallied a sack in each of the final two games.

Manning, a second-year tailback for the Chicago Bears, rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown on 46 preseason carries. He was in a battle with Kregg Lumpkin and rookie Noel Devine for the starting job.

Calvin Burton was listed as the fourth cornerback on the New Orleans Saints’ depth chart after tallying a pair of interceptions in the preseason. Matt Fitch made the Houston Texans’ final roster as an undrafted free agent and is listed as the fourth guard.

Wilson healthy, to remain starter this week

Junior quarterback Kevin Wilson will remain in the starting role this Saturday at No. 15 Nebraska after suffering a sprained elbow against Penn.

Wilson struggled in his first career start, throwing for just 92 yards on 6-of-18 passing with a touchdown against two interceptions. His backup, sophomore Gerald Culver, was more efficient through the air (8-15, 177 yards, 1 INT) and added a rushing touchdown, but will be limited to specific offensive packages against the nationally-ranked Huskers.

Taylor suspended two games

Redshirt freshman safety Graham Taylor has been suspended two games, according to multiple sources.

Taylor reportedly violated team rules by skipping multiple meetings, likely frustrated with his role as the fourth safety on the depth chart. He netted a pair of tackles and a pass deflection last week against Penn in his collegiate debut.

Frederick, Adams keep Tartans in top five

CMU received some good news in the recruiting world this week, with two of its top in-season targets keeping the Tartans in their respective top fives.

Four-star quarterback Eric Frederick currently lists CMU as the third school on his list, behind LSU and Texas, and ahead of Texas Tech and Texas A&M. The six-foot-two, 190-pound signal-caller from West Monroe possesses above-average arm strength and accuracy, as well as a 4.90 40-yard dash and 4.1 cumulative GPA.

Three-star defensive tackle Brian Adams has the Tartans as his runner-up at the moment, with Wisconsin leading and Notre Dame, Clemson, and Georgia trailing. The six-foot-two, 275-pound lineman from Naperville Central is one of two defensive tackles the coaching staff is targeting in the middle of the season, alongside four-star Mario Williams.

Elimimian, Carter eliminate CMU from consideration

Two CMU in-season recruiting targets have removed the Tartans from consideration in quarterback Bryan Elimimian and linebacker Zach Carter.

Elimimian, a six-foot-four, 232-pound prospect from Garfield Heights, didn’t think CMU was the right fit and also saw himself as the clear second quarterback target behind four-star Eric Frederick.

Carter, a six-foot-three, 213-pound linebacker from East Grand Rapids, never saw his interest grow in CMU after a couple of weeks. He was one of three outside linebacker targets for the Tartans, joining Steve Johnson (North Canton, Ohio) and Chris Gaston (Hampton, Va.).

Carnegie Mellon In-Season Recruiting Targets
Eric Frederick, QB, **** (6’2”, 190 lbs.; Brownsville, La. / West Monroe) – Top 5
- LSU, Texas, Carnegie Mellon, Texas Tech, Texas A&M
Brian Adams, DT, *** (6’2”, 275 lbs.; Naperville, Ill. / Naperville Central) – Top 5
- Wisconsin, Carnegie Mellon, Notre Dame, Clemson, Georgia
Ron Williams, CB, **** (5’11”, 170 lbs., Wooster, Ohio / Wooster) – Top 8
Matt Hughes, OT, **** (6’5”, 331 lbs.; Salem, Ohio / Salem) – Top 8
Jason Mack, HB, **** (6’0”, 205 lbs.; Nether Providence, Pa. / Strath Haven) – Top 8
Mario Williams, DT, **** (5’11”, 280 lbs.; Lombard, Ill./ Glenbard East) – Top 8
Andrew Graham, OT, **** (6’6”, 337 lbs.; Forestville, Ohio / Winton Woods) – Top 8
Andy Dockery, HB, *** (5’10”, 195 lbs.; Middletown, Ohio / Madison) – Top 8
Eric Pettit, HB, *** (6’2”, 175 lbs.; Fort McKinley, Ohio / McKinley) – Top 8
Mike Petty, WR, *** (6’0”, 208 lbs.; Warren, Ohio / Harding) – Top 8
Jason Sharp, CB, *** (6’1”, 182 lbs.; Bartow, Fla. / Bartow) – Top 8
Steve Johnson, OLB, *** (6’2”, 232 lbs.; North Canton, Ohio / Hoover) – Top 8
Chris Gaston, OLB, *** (6’0”, 248 lbs.; Hampton, Va. / Phoebus) – Top 8
Bryant Elimimian, QB, *** (6’4”, 232 lbs.; Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) – Removed
Zach Carter, OLB, *** (6’3”, 213 lbs.; East Grand Rapids, Mich. / East Grand Rapids) – Removed

[Careless Whisper]

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

at
Carnegie Mellon Tartans (0-1) at #15 Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)
Saturday, September 10, 2011 | 8:00 PM (ET)
Lincoln, Neb. – Memorial Stadium | ESPN2

Top Storyline: Can Carnegie Mellon cover the spread?

Coming off a disappointing loss to Penn in the season opener, the Tartans saw the spread grow from 23.5 to 30.5 in this Saturday’s matchup against No. 15 Nebraska. CMU struggled offensively in pretty much every facet, still reeling from the graduation of Justin Keyes at quarterback. Both junior Kevin Wilson and sophomore Gerald Culver failed to impress in extended time, and the lead runningback in second-year Lawrence McIntire could only muster 2.7 yards per carry. With a talented Blackshirts group across the line of scrimmage Saturday night, it could get out of hand quickly for the Tartans.

Top Matchup: Carnegie Mellon SS Elvis Washington vs. Nebraska TE Maurice O’Donnell

Nebraska senior Maurice O’Donnell is one of the best tight ends in college football, earning three consecutive All-Big 12 nods with 84 catches, 1,563 yards, and 23 touchdowns to his name over his career. A potential first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, he’ll likely see the underrated Elvis Washington, who has emerged as the new leader of the Carnegie Mellon secondary with Hayden Temple’s graduation and Todd Andriano’s early departure to the NFL Draft. Washington was terrific last Saturday against Penn, scoring a defensive touchdown while providing five tackles and an interception, and has seven picks in his career.

Top Mismatch: Carnegie Mellon QBs Kevin Wilson & Gerald Culver vs. Nebraska Defense

The biggest reason why this game could get ugly is the lack of stability at quarterback for Carnegie Mellon versus the uber-talented Nebraska defense. 10 of the 11 starters for the Huskers’ defense have a PFF grade above 82.0, with six or seven likely to continue to the NFL once they depart. Seniors Nick Perry and Mike Martin on the defensive line have collected 25 career sacks combined, and will make life hell for the Tartans offensive line and signal-callers Kevin Wilson (6-18, 92 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) and Gerald Culver (8-15, 177 yards, 1 INT; 11 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD).

Prediction: #15 Nebraska 45, Carnegie Mellon 10

Nebraska will be the most talented team that Carnegie Mellon plays all year, and after a disappointing loss to Penn last weekend, there is little to be excited for in this matchup. Only the bout between Tartans redshirt sophomore wide receiver Eddie Williams and Cornhuskers fifth-year senior cornerback Adam Watson is where CMU has an edge, but it’s washed out unless Wilson and/or Culver can step up at quarterback. We expect this one to get ugly quickly.

Nebraska PFF Top Ten
Nick Perry, Sr., DE (98)
Mike Martin, Sr., DT (98)
Brandon Anderson, Sr., FS (96)
Maurice O’Donnell, Sr., TE (95)
Ben Wells, R-Sr., FS (93)
Jabari Callahan, Sr., OLB (93)
Mike Smith, R-Sr., G (92)
Carl Black, R-Jr., DE (89)
Dan Frazier, R-Jr., QB (89)
Alvin Howard, R-So., HB (88)

Schedule & Results
09/03 | LAMAR | W, 56-0

Injury Report
Carnegie Mellon: None
Nebraska: Nick Hall, Jr., WR (torn groin – 6 weeks)

Suspensions
Carnegie Mellon: Graham Taylor, R-Fr., SS (team rules – 2 games)
Nebraska: Robert Jenkins, R-Jr., MLB (team rules – 2 games)

[BamaToon]

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

I know I am coming into this late, but I am wondering...

..How do you deal with the Momentum Meter? That's the main reason that I quit playing NCAA 07. That blasted Momentum Meter would ruin everything. When one team gets on +5, they just run away with the game.

[young22]

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

Still going, love to see it! I've got so much to catch up on.