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

[Careless Whisper]

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

#25 Carnegie Mellon Tartans (9-1, 6-0 MAC) at Western Michigan Broncos (4-7, 2-5 MAC)
Saturday, November 17, 2012 | 12:30 PM
Kalamazoo, Mich. – Waldo Stadium | ROOT Sports Pittsburgh

Record vs. Opponent: 3-1-0
Last Five Meetings
2011 – Carnegie Mellon 34, Western Michigan 26
2010 – Carnegie Mellon 38, Western Michigan 20
2009 – Carnegie Mellon 43, Western Michigan 14
2008 – Western Michigan 42, Carnegie Mellon 10

The Lowdown
While it wouldn’t be completely and indisputably guaranteed due to tiebreaker scenarios, a win for No. 25 Carnegie Mellon this Saturday at Western Michigan should secure the school’s second Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Game berth in four seasons. The Tartans have won nine consecutive games since a season-opening 52-28 defeat to then-No. 25 West Virginia, and have been unstoppable since entering MAC action (#MACtion) with only one opponent – Miami (Ohio) – finishing within one score of the MAC East leaders. Western Michigan hasn’t been a difficult foe for CMU since its debut FBS season in 2008, with the average margin of victory in the Tartans’ three wins being 18.3 points.

College football history could be made in Kalamazoo on Saturday as CMU redshirt junior wide receiver Eddie Williams is two receiving touchdowns away from breaking the NCAA Division I FBS career record. Williams is sitting at 49 touchdowns through 36 career games, with the record currently held by Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards from 1996 to 1998. Edwards scored 27 receiving touchdowns as a junior to finish with 50 in 34 career contests. Williams has caught a receiving touchdown in all of the Tartans’ 10 games this season, and has multiple receiving scores in seven games – a number that includes four straight performances with two receiving touchdowns and a school-record five-touchdown performance at Buffalo earlier this year.

Scouting Western Michigan
Western Michigan is the only team eliminated from MAC West Division contention, with Saturday’s tilt against the Tartans serving as its 2012 finale. The Broncos have played better as of late with two wins in their last three games against Central Michigan (38-21) and Penn (49-13), with a narrow 45-42 loss to Eastern Michigan sandwiched in there. WMU also topped current MAC West leader Ball State on the road, 38-35, after opening the conference slate with two losses.

Junior quarterback Aaron Smith (126.9 QB rtg., 217-377, 2,613 yards, 23 TD, 17 INT; 108 carries, 475 yards, 5 TD) likely keeps WMU from the complete bottom of FBS football, with the three-year dual-threat starter accumulating 69 touchdowns (59 passing, 10 rushing) over his career and generating an 87.0 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). His weapons have been severely hampered this season, with redshirt junior tailback Jake Smith (84.0 PFF) lost to the season early with a broken collarbone and sophomore wide receiver Brandon Ruffin (30 catches, 260 yards, 2 TD) missing the second half of the campaign with a knee cartilage tear. Former junior college product Will Swain (72 catches, 778 yards, 9 TD) and true freshman Rick Warren (38 catches, 386 yards, 4 TD) have had good seasons despite sub-76.0 PFF grades, while redshirt junior Marvin Marshall (25 catches, 445 yards, 4 TD) has proven to be a red zone threat for the Broncos.

The defense is led by senior defensive tackle Steve Scott (36 tackles, 1 sack), who is a four-year starter and 2010 All-MAC First Team selection with 14 career sacks to his name. Fellow lineman Tom Patrick (32 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 2 FR) and classmate David Bowling at linebacker were Preseason All-MAC picks entering the season, with Bowling only having four tackles to his name after missing most of the campaign due to injury. In the secondary, WMU has a pair of talented pieces in redshirt sophomore cornerback Brandon Adams (40 tackles, 2 INT, 1 FF) and fifth-year senior safety Craig Brooks (23 tackles, 2 FF, 2 FR), who both are at or above an 80.0 PFF grade. Brooks is the captain of the defense and has seven career interceptions despite not having one in 2012.

Did You Know?
A victory in any of Carnegie Mellon’s remaining games would give the program just its third 10-win season in history. It has been 22 seasons since the Tartans’ last – a 10-1 campaign in 1990 that ended with a 17-7 defeat to eventual national runner-up Lycoming in the NCAA Division III First Round. CMU’s other 10-win season came in 1979, as it collected that 10th win in the NCAA Quarterfinals, 31-25, before falling to eventual champion Ithaca, 15-6, in the semifinals. The 40 points allowed in two NCAA games nearly matched the Tartans’ regular-season total in 1979, as their defense gave up just 44 points over the nine-game slate.

Prediction
Carnegie Mellon hasn’t been tested all that often in MAC play, and its most recent victory – 48-21 over Navy – suggests it is hitting peak form. That spells trouble for Western Michigan, who has nothing to play for other than pride in its final game of a dismal 2012. The Tartans should roll and move onto Senior Night next Thursday with one eye on Detroit. Carnegie Mellon 45, Western Michigan 17.

[studbucket]

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

Hopefully it's as easy as you predict. That would be great!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Williams Becomes New NCAA Touchdown King in Tartans’ Rout of WMU
CMU wide receiver Eddie Williams caught two touchdowns in the first quarter, breaking the NCAA FBS career record of 50



Eddie Williams' record-breaking touchdown came on this 10-yard catch midway through the first quarter. (Ashley Black / Getty Images)

by Alicia Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- A frequently-empty Waldo Stadium was packed to capacity Saturday afternoon with its crowd of 36,361 looking to witness history. Carnegie Mellon redshirt junior wide receiver Eddie Williams made sure it was a short wait, catching two touchdowns in the first five minutes to break the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) career record as the No. 25 Tartans romped Western Michigan, 42-10, to reach the 10-win milestone for the third time in school history.

Eddie Williams now has 51 career receiving touchdowns to his name, topping the previous mark of 50 set by Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards from 1996 to 1998. In what was a record-breaking day in more ways that one for Carnegie Mellon (10-1, 7-0 MAC), the Tartans also saw senior defensive tackle Matt Burnsides break the career school record for sacks with his 38th, surpassing former teammate David Brown (2008-11), and his classmate Kevin Wilson tie the single-game program record for touchdown passes with five.

“Hats off to Eddie (Williams) for all that he’s accomplished,” said CMU head coach Jules Nottingham. “To catch over 50 touchdowns in less than three seasons is incredible. I know that there have been some people out there discounting his Heisman resume because we’re not playing in the Big Ten or any BCS conference, but let me be frank with you – Eddie could play anywhere in the country and he’s going to immediately be one of the best receivers in the NFL when he gets drafted. You need to get your head examined if you think anything other than that.”

“I’m truly honored to have broken the (NCAA FBS career receiving touchdown) record,” added Williams. “I couldn’t have accomplished this without my coaches and teammates, and a special shoutout goes out to Kevin (Wilson), Gerald (Culver), and of course (former CMU quarterback) Justin (Keyes). Breaking Carnegie Mellon’s school records were on my mind the moment I stepped onto campus as a freshman, and after doing that I knew I wanted to shoot for some of the NCAA records. This truly has been a dream season, but we’re not done yet!”

Williams tied the record just 40 seconds into the game, as he hauled in a 33-yard pass from Wilson to put the visitors ahead early, 7-0. Western Michigan (4-8, 2-6 MAC) managed a couple of first downs before punting it back to CMU, which led to an eight-play, 78-yard drive that concluded with the record-breaker on a 10-yard drag route. Wilson added his third touchdown pass four seconds into the second quarter when he connected with Kelvin Butler on a seven-yard slant. The Broncos showed promise on the ensuing drive, only for it to end in a 23-yard field goal by Kendrick Perry to make it 21-3, which remained the score through halftime.

The Tartans made it 28-3 on their first drive of the second half with a Lawrence McIntire three-yard run, then after an interception by Bobby Magnum, Wilson found Isaac Schroeder wide open for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The senior quarterback’s record-tying fifth came with 8:15 to go on a one-yard hitch to Travis Sledge.

Williams finished with 10 receptions for 143 yards and the two first-quarter touchdowns. He was joined in the century club with Sledge, who had 100 yards on the dot on eight catches. Wilson finished with 365 yards passing on 28-of-38 attempts, and CMU’s offense as a whole outgained WMU, 492-266, while holding the ball for 34:19 of the 60 minutes.

Burnsides’s record-setting sack came in the third quarter, as both he and Nick Ford brought down Broncos quarterback Aaron Smith. Smith finished with 150 yards passing on 16-of-37 attempts and two interceptions, with most of his yardage coming on a 63-yard third-quarter touchdown pass.

Carnegie Mellon finishes the regular season with a Thursday night matchup at Gesling Stadium against Northern Illinois.

Carnegie Mellon Tartans at Western Michigan Broncos
Nov 17, 2012	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#25 Carnegie Mellon Tartans (10-1, 7-0 MAC)	14	7	14	7	42
Western Michigan Broncos (4-8, 2-6 MAC)	0	3	7	0	10

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		CMU	WMU
14:20	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 33-yard pass to Eddie Williams (Joseph Love kick)	7	0
8:50	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 10-yard pass to Eddie Williams (Joseph Love kick)	14	0
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		CMU	WMU
14:56	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 7-yard pass to Kelvin Butler (Joseph Love kick)	21	0
7:35	(WMU) Kendrick Perry 23-yard field goal	21	3
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		CMU	WMU
8:50	(CMU) Lawrence McIntire 3-yard run (Joseph Love kick)	28	3
7:16	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 20-yard pass to Isaac Schroeder (Joseph Love kick)	35	3
5:23	(WMU) Aaron Smith 63-yard pass to Jimmie Houston (Kendrick Perry kick)	35	10
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		CMU	WMU
8:15	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 1-yard pass to Travis Sledge (Joseph Love kick)	42	10

Carnegie Mellon Tartans PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Kevin Wilson 28/38 365 5 0 Gerald Culver 0/1 0 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Lawrence McIntire 17 79 4.6 1 Jeff Gilmore 6 38 6.3 0 Clay Armstrong 1 10 10.0 0 Kyle Holland 1 6 6.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Eddie Williams 10 143 14.3 2 Travis Sledge 8 100 12.5 1 Chris Smith 4 38 9.0 0 Leon Razzano 3 53 17.7 0 Isaac Schroeder 2 24 12.0 1 Kelvin Butler 1 7 7.0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Nick Ford 5 1 0 0 Brandon Williams 3 0 0 0 Tim Wright 3 0 0 0 Matt Burnsides 3 1 0 0 Jordan Gibson 3 0 0 0 Bobby Magnum 2 0 1 0 Graham Taylor 0 0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Joseph Love 0/1 6/6 6 -- PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Andy Fitzhugh 4 175 43.7 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kelvin Butler 1 25 25.0 0 Kyle Holland 1 24 24.0 0 Jeff Gilmore 1 14 14.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kelvin Butler 3 53 17.7 0

Western Michigan Broncos PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Aaron Smith 16/37 150 1 2 Alex Bracken 3/4 44 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Justin Parks 11 60 5.5 0 Aaron Smith 4 9 2.5 0 Alex Bracken 2 2 1.0 0 Blake Massey 1 1 1.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Rick Warren 7 43 6.1 0 Will Swain 5 18 3.6 0 Adrian Fanene 3 13 4.3 0 Jimmie Houston 2 68 34.0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD David Bowling 9 0 0 0 Brandon Adams 6 0 0 0 Andrew Garrett 5 0 0 0 Jon Woods 5 0 0 0 Craig Brooks 4 0 0 0 Warren Capps 4 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Kendrick Perry 1/1 1/1 4 23 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Don Preston 8 319 39.9 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Brandon Adams 3 61 20.3 0 Will Swain 2 46 23.0 0

[Deuce2223]

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

Looks like Williams is still going strong, as is the dynasty... Always love coming back and catching up on some great threads that have been years in the making..

[Careless Whisper]

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

Looks like Williams is still going strong, as is the dynasty... Always love coming back and catching up on some great threads that have been years in the making..

Glad to see you around here again, Deuce! This is still going on strong as you said, even if updates have slowed down. I don't plan on getting the new game anytime soon (would love to, but would have to purchase a next-gen system first), and I definitely want to try and get to present day with this so this will continue on as the sore thumb amongst all the CFB25 reports.

[Careless Whisper]

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

Around the NCAA – Week 12 Edition
No. 6 Missouri keeps its slim BCS championship hopes alive with a narrow 27-21 win against rival Kansas

ESPN The Magazine Cover Story
Lucky This Time! – Kansas couldn’t quite pull off the upset against rival Missouri.

No. 6 Missouri remained in the group of seven undefeated teams this past Saturday, withstanding a late comeback to top rival Kansas, 27-21, in the Border Showdown. The Tigers looked to be in cruise control through three quarters, leading 27-0 before the four-win Jayhawks scored 21 unanswered in the final stanza. Missouri was without starting runningback Montee Ball, but leaned on Spencer Ware in Ball’s absence as the tailback rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. For Kansas, Mark Powdrell tossed two fourth-quarter touchdowns and had 161 yards passing on 16-of-30 attempts.

BCS Rankings
1 | USC (10-0, 0.976)
2 | Wisconsin (10-0, 0.919)
3 | Florida (11-0, 0.905)
4 | Oklahoma (11-0, 0.867)
5 | Michigan (10-0, 0.821)
6 | Missouri (11-0, 0.766)
7 | LSU (10-1, 0.727)
8 | Texas A&M (10-1, 0.643)
9 | Penn State (10-1, 0.628)
10 | Virginia (11-0, 0.626)
11 | Clemson (10-1, 0.595)
12 | Miami (Fla.) (10-2, 0.503)
13 | Texas (9-2, 0.480)
14 | West Virginia (10-1, 0.426)
15 | Nebraska (9-2, 0.417)

Heisman Watch
Eddie Williams, R-Jr., WR, Carnegie Mellon | 99 catches, 1,830 yards, 25 TD (3 rush)
Jordan Jefferson, R-Sr., QB, Missouri | 186.6 QB rtg., 180-266, 2,511 yards, 35 TD, 5 INT; 122 carries, 810 yards, 15 TD
Johnny Manziel, So., QB, Michigan | 181.2 QB rtg., 176-280, 2,760 yards, 35 TD, 8 INT; 92 carries, 527 yards, 6 TD
Michael Thomas, Fr., WR, Florida | 66 catches, 1,218 yards, 15 TD
Kyle Parker, R-Sr., QB, Virginia | 156.5 QB rtg., 200-327, 2,733 yards, 31 TD, 10 INT; 128 carries, 581 yards, 8 TD

NCAA Players of the Week
Offensive: Kain Colter, Jr., QB, Princeton | 32-43, 371 yards, 5 TD; 10 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD in 45-31 win at Columbia
Defensive: Will Pierce, R-Sr., CB, Michigan | 5 tackles, 2 INT, 2 TD in 52-7 win against Northwestern

NCAA Statistical Leaders
QB Rating: Dak Prescott, So., Florida (187.1)
Passing Yards: Matt Barkley, Sr., Hawaii (3,480)
Passing Touchdowns: Mike Glennon, R-Sr., LSU (39)
Passing Interceptions: Mike Powdrell, So., Kansas (28)
Rushing Yards: Joe Henry, R-Sr., TCU (1,737)
Rushing Touchdowns: Nate Peterson, R-Sr., Navy (19)
Receptions: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., Carnegie Mellon (99)
Receiving Yards: Williams (1,830)
Receiving Touchdowns: Williams (22)
Tackles: Keith Miller, R-So., Bowling Green (96)
Sacks: Adam Goodwin, R-Sr., Texas (13)
Interceptions: Matt Elam, Jr., Arkansas (9)
Made Field Goals: Kyle Dorsey, So., Akron (17)
Net Punting Average: Henry Poole, Sr., UCLA (39.3)
Kick Return Average: Larry Washington, Sr., New Mexico (28.4)
Punt Return Average: LaMichael James, R-Sr., UCLA (14.2)

Injury Report
Michael Armstrong, R-Sr., HB, Central Florida | Broken wrist (season)
Le’Veon Bell, Jr., HB, Indiana | Partially torn MCL (8 weeks)
Trent Richardson, Sr., HB, West Virginia | Dislocated ankle (7 weeks)
Jamaal Dyches, R-Sr., HB, Penn | Broken jaw (5 weeks)
DeAndre Hopkins, Jr., WR, Texas Tech | Abdominal tear (10 weeks)
Terrance Williams, R-Sr., WR, Marshall | Torn quadricep (7 weeks)
Nu’Keese Richardson, Sr., WR, California | Broken thumb (2 weeks)
J.B. Moses, Sr., DT, Texas Tech | Broken tibia (season)
Marlin Love, So., SS, Boise State | Dislocated elbow (7 weeks)

Week 12 Notable Top 25 Scores
#19 Maryland 35, Boston College 28
#14 West Virginia 31, Notre Dame 24
#7 LSU 45, Ole Miss 3
#16 Central Florida 35, SMU 28
#6 Missouri 27, Kansas 21
#2 Wisconsin 49, Michigan State 10
#5 Michigan 52, Northwestern 7
#9 Virginia 23, #21 Virginia Tech 17 (2OT)
#1 USC 59, Oregon 7
#23 BYU 20, Utah 11
#4 Oklahoma 38, Baylor 14
#11 Clemson 27, Navy 13
#22 Washington 31, Hawaii 24
#20 Ohio State 42, Purdue 7

Week 13 National Broadcasts
#10 Texas A&M (10-1) at #13 Texas (9-2) | 11/23, 6:00 PM (Game of the Week; Lone Star Showdown)
#22 Washington (7-3) at #9 Virginia (11-0) | 11/24, 12:30 PM
#5 Michigan (10-0) at #20 Ohio State (8-3) | 11/24, 12:30 PM (The Game)
#3 Florida (11-0) at Florida State (5-6) | 11/24, 3:30 PM (Battle for the Governor’s Cup)
#7 LSU (10-1) at Arkansas (9-2) | 11/24, 6:00 PM (Battle for the Golden Boot)
#2 Wisconsin (10-0) at Iowa (6-5) | 11/24, 6:00 PM
#16 Central Florida (10-1) at #23 BYU (9-1) | 11/24, 8:00 PM
Notre Dame (6-4) at #1 USC (10-0) | 11/24, 8:00 PM (Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh)

[Careless Whisper]

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

Around the MAC – Week 12 Edition
No. 25 Carnegie Mellon and Eastern Michigan will clinch their MAC Championship Game bids with Week 13 wins

MAC East Standings
#25 Carnegie Mellon | 10-1, 7-0 MAC
Kent State | 10-1, 6-1 MAC
Bowling Green | 5-6, 5-3 MAC
Miami (Ohio) | 8-3, 4-3 MAC
Akron | 4-7, 3-4 MAC
Ohio | 3-8, 2-5 MAC
Buffalo | 1-10, 1-6 MAC

MAC West Standings
Ball State | 6-5, 5-2 MAC
Eastern Michigan | 4-7, 4-3 MAC
Toledo | 5-7, 4-4 MAC
Central Michigan | 3-8, 2-5 MAC
Northern Illinois | 3-8, 2-5 MAC
Western Michigan | 4-8, 2-6 MAC

MAC Players of the Week
Offensive: Kevin Wilson, Sr., QB, Carnegie Mellon | 28-38, 365 yards, 5 TD in 42-10 win at Western Michigan
Defensive: Eric Logan, R-Jr., DT, Kent State | 10 tackles (9 TFL), 3 sacks, 1 FF, in 30-10 win against Pittsburgh

MAC Statistical Leaders
QB Rating: Kevin Wilson, Sr., Carnegie Mellon (167.9)
Passing Yards: Brett Hicks, R-Jr., Ball State (3,084)
Passing Touchdowns: Tyler Byers, R-Sr., Miami (Ohio) (29)
Passing Interceptions: Jeff Smith, R-Sr., Akron (22)
Rushing Yards: Tanner Phillips, Sr., Central Michigan (1,583)
Rushing Touchdowns: Phillips (13)
Receptions: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., Carnegie Mellon (99)
Receiving Yards: Williams (1,830)
Receiving Touchdowns: Williams (22)
Tackles: Keith Miller, R-So., Bowling Green (96)
Sacks: Tim Dunn, Sr., Central Michigan; Matt Burnsides, Sr., Carnegie Mellon (9)
Interceptions: Jabari London, R-So., Carnegie Mellon; Robert Wall, Fr., Carnegie Mellon; Rob Jones, Jr., Central Michigan; Jammal Pollard, Jr., Northern Illinois (5)
Made Field Goals: Kyle Dorsey, So., Akron (17)
Net Punting Average: Maurice Battle, Sr., Akron (38.3)
Kick Return Average: Kelvin Butler, Jr., Carnegie Mellon (26.2)
Punt Return Average: Dustin Kane, R-Jr., Toledo (11.0)

Week 12 Scores
Miami (Ohio) 31, Bowling Green 21
#25 Carnegie Mellon 42, Western Michigan 10
Florida State 38, Eastern Michigan 14
Toledo 24, Northern Illinois 17
Kent State 30, Pittsburgh 10
Akron 24, Ohio 21 (OT)
Ball State 23, Central Michigan 20
#18 TCU 49, Buffalo 3

Week 13 Matchups
Central Michigan (3-8, 2-5 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (4-7, 4-3 MAC) | 11/21, 6:00 PM (Rivalry Game)
Akron (4-7, 3-4 MAC) at Kent State (10-1, 6-1 MAC) | 11/22, 6:00 PM (Battle for the Wagon Wheel)
Northern Illinois (3-8, 2-5 MAC) at #25 Carnegie Mellon (10-1, 7-0 MAC) | 11/22, 8:00 PM
Ohio (3-8, 2-5 MAC) at Miami (Ohio) (8-3, 4-3 MAC) | 11/24, 12:30 PM (Rivalry Game)
Boston College (2-9) at Bowling Green (5-6) | 11/24, 1:00 PM
Ball State (6-5, 5-2 MAC) at Buffalo (1-10, 1-6 MAC) | 11/24, 3:30 PM

[studbucket]

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

I hadn't realized how well Eddie Williams was doing. what a season!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Tartans Trio Named Finalists for National Awards
CMU wide receiver Eddie Williams, kicker Joseph Love, and return specialist Kelvin Butler are in contention for national recognition

by Jayson Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- With a No. 25 national ranking and a 10-1 overall record, it’s no surprise that Carnegie Mellon will have a presence at The Home Depot College Football Awards next month.

Finalists for each national award were named this afternoon, and the Tartans will boast three finalists in redshirt junior wide receiver Eddie Williams (Maxwell Award, Fred Biletnikoff Award), freshman kicker Joseph Love (Lou Groza Award), and junior return specialist Kelvin Butler (Randy Moss Award).

Williams, who also doubles as ESPN’s favorite for the Heisman Memorial Trophy, will have a chance to bring home the Maxwell Award for the nation’s best player and the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the top wide receiver. He was the Biletnikoff runner-up last season, and has improved upon his redshirt sophomore campaign with 99 receptions, 1,830 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns, while adding three scores on the ground. Also named Maxwell finalists were Missouri redshirt senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson (186.6 QB rtg., 180-266, 2,511 yards, 35 TD, 5 INT; 122 carries, 810 yards, 15 TD) and Virginia redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Parker (156.5 QB rtg., 200-327, 2,733 yards, 31 TD, 10 INT; 128 carries, 581 yards, 8 TD), while Williams’ competition for the Biletnikoff will be Florida freshman Michael Thomas (66 catches, 1,218 yards, 15 TD) and LSU sophomore Jarvis Landry (70 catches, 1,070 yards, 15 TD).

Love is in the running for the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the nation’s best kicker. The freshman has been a standout for the Tartans, nailing 10-of-13 field goals with a long of 51 yards while missing just one of his 62 extra point attempts. He joins Clemson sophomore Mike Bass (11-14 FG, 43 long, 51-51 XP) and USC senior Lawrence Roberts (12-16 FG, 54 long, 57-58 XP) in the running for the honors.

Butler will look to three-peat as the Randy Moss Award, which is given to the nation’s top return specialist. The junior has scored a kick and punt return touchdown this season and is averaging 26.3 yards per kick return and 10.3 yards per punt return, which tops his numbers from last season (23.8 kick return average, 9.9 punt return average, 1 punt return TD). His nine career combined kick and punt return touchdowns are an NCAA Division I FBS record. The other finalists for the accolade are Maryland senior wide receiver Orson Charles (25.3 kick return average, 10.8 punt return average, 1 kick return TD) and UCLA redshirt senior runningback LaMichael James (21.0 kick return average, 14.3 punt return average, 2 punt return TD).

Carnegie Mellon had nine award semifinalists in all this season, with junior linebacker Brandon Williams (Chuck Bednarik Award, Dick Butkus Award), senior defensive tackle Matt Burnsides (Rotary Lombardi Award), redshirt sophomore free safety Jabari London (Jim Thorpe Award), freshman cornerback Robert Wall (Jim Thorpe Award), redshirt senior strong safety Bobby Magnum (Jim Thorpe Award), and head coach Jules Nottingham (Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award) not advancing to finalist consideration.

[Careless Whisper]

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

by Jeff Greenberg, Carnegie Mellon insider for Rivals.com

CMU to clinch MAC CG spot with a win or Kent State loss

No. 25 Carnegie Mellon can officially clinch its spot in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Game this Thursday with a victory over Northern Illinois, or a Kent State loss to Akron.

The Tartans and Golden Flashes both boast 10-1 overall records, with the latter sitting as the second team out in the USA Today Coaches’ Top 25 with 156 points. Kent State’s regular-season finale against the Zips kicks off at 6:00 PM, two hours before CMU’s finale versus Northern Illinois.

The MAC East Division representative’s opponent will be either Eastern Michigan (4-7, 4-3 MAC) or Toledo (5-7, 4-4 MAC), with the Eagles to clinch the spot if they defeat Central Michigan on Wednesday. Ball State is the current leader in the MAC West Division with a 5-2 record, but is ineligible due to serving the first year of a two-year bowl and championships ban.

Wilson named MAC Offensive Player of the Week

Senior quarterback Kevin Wilson became the fourth different Tartan to garner MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, earning the nod following a five-touchdown performance at Western Michigan this past weekend.

Wilson carved up the Broncos defense, accumulating 365 yards on 28-of-38 passing with a school record-tying five scores. This is the first time that Wilson has been named MAC Offensive Player of the Week, and he joins junior signal-caller Gerald Culver (Sept. 10), redshirt junior wide receiver Eddie Williams (Sept. 25), and junior runningback Lawrence McIntire (Oct. 9) as CMU’s offensive honorees this season.

The Tartans also have had two players earn MAC Defensive Player of the Week this season in junior linebacker Brandon Williams (Sept. 25) and redshirt senior cornerback Jon Crowell (Oct. 23). Crowell also earned NCAA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance after a two-interception performance against Akron.

Tartans to honor Heisman frontrunner and seniors

Carnegie Mellon announced this week that it will hold a special pre-game ceremony for its 10 listed seniors and redshirt junior wide receiver Eddie Williams on Thursday night, as a part of Senior Night festivities.

Williams, who is set to graduate in May 2013 with the rest of his class, is presumably entering the NFL Draft following this season. The Heisman frontrunner and new NCAA receiving touchdown king has accumulated 290 receptions, 4,779 receiving yards, and 51 receiving touchdowns, while adding seven scores on the ground. He is a two-time Associated Press All-American and All-MAC First Team pick.

CMU’s senior class also features former All-Americans in defensive tackle Matt Burnsides (165 tackles, 38 sacks, 1 INT) and cornerback Jon Crowell (108 tackles, 12 INT, 2 FR, 2 TD), as they were both on the 2009 Freshman Team with Burnsides adding a Second Team nod in 2010. Other starters playing their final game at Gesling Stadium include quarterback Kevin Wilson (140.0 QB rtg., 337-589, 5,089 yards, 40 TD, 36 INT), center Joey Muhammad (10 sacks allowed), strong safety Bobby Magnum (146 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR), and punter Andy Fitzhugh (161 punts, 6,643 yards, 41.3 avg., 49 inside 20).

The Tartans also will honor wide receiver Isaac Schroeder (34 catches, 323 yards, 3 TD), defensive end Nathan Ford (20 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 FF), defensive tackle P.J. Ryan (57 tackles, 11 sacks), and linebackers Luke Harvey (10 tackles) and Jason Ervin (52 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT).

First set of bowl projections feature reunion with former CMU head coach

In the first set of ESPN’s bowl projections released this morning, they had No. 25 Carnegie Mellon matched up against Harvard in the Motor City Bowl.

The Motor City Bowl features the MAC and Ivy League champions, with the Crimson sitting at 8-3 overall under former Tartans head coach John Elliott. Elliott retired following the 2010 season and handed the reins over to Jules Nottingham, but the break lasted one year with Harvard hiring Elliott prior to this season. The Crimson feature standout offensive players in sophomore quarterback Stephen Rivers (167.4 QB rtg., 220-353, 3,421 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT), senior runningback Charlie Underwood (192 carries, 1,192 yards, 12 TD), and redshirt senior wide receiver Alex Fagan (72 catches, 1,085 yards, 12 TD).

The projections also listed Kent State playing UNLV in the International Bowl, and Miami (Ohio) taking on Houston in the GMAC Bowl. The Motor City Bowl is scheduled for Dec. 26 at 7:30 PM, and will be aired on ESPN.

Butler to miss remainder of season

CMU suffered a major injury loss this past Saturday, with junior wide receiver and two-time Randy Moss Award recipient Kevin Butler set to miss the remainder of the season after partially tearing his MCL.

Butler is the favorite to win his third consecutive Randy Moss Award with two return touchdowns this season, and has tallied 194 yards and three touchdowns on 16 catches as a wide receiver. Replacing him on kick returns will be a mix of reserve runningbacks Kyle Holland (17 kick returns, 381 yards) and Jeff Gilmore (1 kick return, 14 yards), while redshirt senior cornerback Jon Crowell (14 punt returns, 150 yards, 1 TD in 2009) will handle punt returning duties. Crowell was an Associated Press Freshman All-American as a returner in 2009.

True freshman Chris Smith will see more snaps at wide receiver with the loss of Butler. Smith has collected 25 receptions, 358 receiving yards, and five touchdowns this season.

McClover to miss regular-season finale with back spasms

Sophomore offensive tackle Philip McClover has been ruled out for CMU’s regular-season finale due to back spasms, head coach Jules Nottingham announced today.

McClover became the starter at right tackle after being a backup as a true freshman last season, and owns a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 78.0. True freshman Andrew Graham (74.0 PFF) will replace him in the starting lineup against Northern Illinois.

Carnegie Mellon In-Season Recruiting Targets
Robert Allen, SS, **** (6’2”, 213 lbs.; Oxford, Ohio / Talawanda) – Verbal Commit
Jamaal Dodds, FS, **** (6’1”, 190 lbs.; Fort McKinley, Ohio / McKinley) – Verbal Commit
DeShawn Russell, CB, **** (6’2”, 180 lbs.; Rockville Centre, N.Y. / South Side) – Verbal Commit
Quinton Smith, C, **** (6’1”, 277 lbs.; Odessa, Texas / Permian) – Verbal Commit
Joshua Byrd, OLB, **** (6’0”, 217 lbs.; North Bethesda, Md. / Georgetown Prep) – Verbal Commit
Aaron Simon, OLB, *** (5’11”, 225 lbs.; Cambridge, Ohio / Cambridge) – Verbal Commit
Don Glover, WR, *** (6’4”, 208 lbs.; Pennsauken, N.J. / Pennsauken) – Verbal Commit
Carlton Norton, DE, *** (6’3”, 225 lbs.; Greensburg, Pa. / Greensburg Central Catholic) – Verbal Commit
Andrew Harper, OLB, *** (6’0”, 248 lbs.; Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Berea-Midpark) – Removed; Committed to Wisconsin
Lawrence Clark, CB, *** (6’2”, 182 lbs.; New Brunswick, N.J. / New Brunswick) – Removed
Josh Greene, MLB, *** (6’1”, 225 lbs.; Dundalk, Md. / Dundalk) – Removed
Doug Dunbar, CB, **** (5’11”, 170 lbs.; Cumberland, Md. / Fort Hill) – Removed; Committed to Clemson
Mark Davis, MLB, **** (5’11”, 237 lbs.; Enid, Okla. / Enid) – Removed; Committed to Texas Tech
Jeremy Jones, DE, **** (6’2”, 225 lbs.; Cudahy, Wisc. / Cudahy) – Removed; Committed to Michigan
Greg Taylor, OLB, *** (6’3”, 213 lbs.; Mercedes, Texas / Mercedes) – Removed; Committed to Texas

[studbucket]

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

What an exciting season and it seems very likely CMU makes the title game.

Am I remembering correctly that Eddie Williams also played baseball? Or was that a different player?

[Deuce2223]

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

It's going to be weird watching the Melons next year minus Wilson and Williams Burnside and Crowell. They have been a huge part of this thread for so long. Sucks to lose Butler. He has been a big player maker too.

[Careless Whisper]

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

What an exciting season and it seems very likely CMU makes the title game.

Am I remembering correctly that Eddie Williams also played baseball? Or was that a different player?

Still need to finish the job against NIU since I didn't realize Kent State is that close to me in the rankings, but we're just one step away - and would face a much easier team than the undefeated Toledo squad we matched up a few years ago!

You are correct on Williams! The SI feature I did on him was posted a few months ago, and I plan on returning to the baseball report at the end of this season and going through season-by-season recaps until the timeline lines up for both reports.

It's going to be weird watching the Melons next year minus Wilson and Williams Burnside and Crowell. They have been a huge part of this thread for so long. Sucks to lose Butler. He has been a big player maker too.

You ain't kidding! We're now a couple of full recruiting classes through this report, and guys like Williams and Burnsides hold even higher importance with how good CMU has been over this stretch. At least if they make the NFL, they'll still be a bit part of this report moving forward.

Butler is a big loss, particularly on the kick return side. I try to use reserves in those spots and neither Holland nor Gilmore have much juice, so I'm not expecting a touchdown on that front for the rest of the year. I usually do that for punt returning too - however, with Crowell's history there as a Freshman All-American (and how he got Wally Pipp'd by Butler), it felt right to have him serve as the replacement there.

[cookies00]

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

This is phenomenal! Still need to catch up. Are you still on 08? I’m thinking about booting up a ps2-era dynasty myself and trying to decide on which game to go with.

[Careless Whisper]

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

This is phenomenal! Still need to catch up. Are you still on 08? I’m thinking about booting up a ps2-era dynasty myself and trying to decide on which game to go with.

Appreciate the kind words, cookies! You may have seen already, but every season preview, player feature, game story, and season synopsis is available on the first page to make catching up easier.

This is still on 08 despite the title saying 07. (Can anyone help on getting that changed?) Honestly, I would still have this on 07 if given the chance - I had to switch games two seasons in after mistakenly deleting the file, and I found 07 more enjoyable to play. It or 2006 would be my choices for a ps2-era dynasty, but I'm excited for whatever you go with!