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

[studbucket]

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

I also am intrigued by the coaching rumors!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Harvard Crimson (9-3) vs. #22 Carnegie Mellon Tartans (12-1)
Wednesday, December 26, 2012 | 7:30 PM
Motor City Bowl
Detroit, Mich. – Ford Field | ESPN

Record vs. Opponent: 0-1-0
Last Five Meetings
2006 – Harvard 20, Carnegie Mellon 0

The Lowdown
While No. 22 Carnegie Mellon may harbor some disappointment after not being considered for a BCS at-large bid, its postseason matchup features more than enough storylines when it squares off with Harvard in the Motor City Bowl. The Crimson are coached by former CMU head man John Elliott, who had the impossible task of guiding the Tartans in their transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division I football, which he successfully did after eventually lifting the program to a pair of bowl games and an appearance in the 2009 MAC Championship Game. Elliott retired following the 2010 season and was replaced by current CMU head coach Jules Nottingham, and after a sabbatical year he returned to the sidelines at Harvard.

Elliott’s Crimson should prove to be a worthy test for the nationally-ranked Tartans, coming in with a 9-3 record and share of the Ivy League championship. Already having eclipsed its school record for victories with 12, Carnegie Mellon could extend its bowl winning streak to three with a Motor City Bowl win and improve its bowl record to 4-2. Furthermore, a win over Harvard would be the perfect send-off of sorts for a multitude of Tartans, including Heisman winner Eddie Williams – who announced that the Motor City Bowl would be his final collegiate football game – and Nottingham, who is rumored to leave for a more prolific job after the season.

Scouting Harvard
Harvard has been red hot since a 3-2 start, winning six of its last seven games with only a failed two-point conversion in a 46-44 loss at Princeton providing the lone blemish. The Crimson have averaged 43.4 points per game over this seven-game stretch, claiming wins over Brown (34-14), Columbia (56-42), Maine (37-18), Yale (38-9), Cornell (39-10), and Idaho (56-21). A victory over Carnegie Mellon would give Harvard its first 10-win season since 2004 when it finished a perfect 10-0 and claimed the No. 13 national ranking as Ivy League champions.

The Crimson’s explosive offense is engineered by sophomore quarterback Stephen Rivers (169.4 QB rtg., 252-392, 3,784 yards, 39 TD [2 rush], 14 INT), an All-Ivy League First Team selection and younger brother of Super Bowl XLII MVP and current San Diego Chargers signal-caller Philip. He boasts a bevy of experienced weapons in Harvard’s spread offense, led by fifth-year seniors Alex Fagan (82 catches, 1,220 yards, 13 TD) and John Robertson (49 catches, 679 yards, 7 TD) on the outside, and senior Charlie Underwood (214 carries, 1,354 yards, 12 TD; 17 catches, 335 yards, 2 TD) lining up beside him at runningback. Fagan and Underwood both joined Rivers on the All-Ivy League First Team, while Robertson is a three-time selection as a return specialist. The offensive line features redshirt senior guard Brandon Robinson, a two-time All-Ivy League First Team pick with a unit-high 85.0 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), and junior tackles Thomas Bobo and Kevin Mason, also all-conference selections.

Harvard uses a 3-4 defense and leans on All-Ivy League sophomore nose tackle Kawika Reid (43 tackles, 3 sacks) to cause disruption. Flanking him are senior All-Ivy ends Cedric Diggs (43 tackles, 4 sacks) and Alex Roth (40 tackles, 3 sacks), with the duo combining for 22 sacks over their careers. The linebacker corps has been a weak spot with three first-year starters, but the secondary boasts top mid-major talent in junior cornerback Joe Avery (33 tackles, 5 INT) and senior free safety Lamont Ruud (27 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT). Avery made the All-Ivy League First Team, while Ruud is a four-year starter with 122 tackles, three sacks, and six interceptions in his career.

On special teams, junior kicker Trevor McKeon (15-17 FG, 49-52 XP, 94 points) and freshman punter Ross Alexander (26 punts, 47.8 avg., 7 inside 20) both were on the All-Ivy League First Team and own PFF ratings of 80.0. Robertson, as previously mentioned, is a three-time All-Ivy pick as a returner with a kick return and punt return touchdown to his name.

Did You Know?
Carnegie Mellon’s second game at Gesling Stadium in its return to NCAA Division I competition came against Harvard on Oct. 21, 2006. On that day, the Crimson blanked the Tartans, 20-0, sending the hosts to 0-7. Then-freshman quarterback Alex Smith made his first career start and threw for 104 yards and an interception on 19-of-34 attempts, and Robert Riley provided 112 yards (89 rushing, 23 receiving) from scrimmage in the defeat. CMU would win its next home game two weeks later, 27-24, against NCAA Division II foe Shippensburg.

Prediction
Harvard has played good football as of late and has even more incentive to perform with Elliott’s ties to Carnegie Mellon. If this was played at a different part of the season, or if the Tartans hadn’t come off a narrow victory in the MAC Championship Game, then the Crimson would be an appealing pick to win. However, CMU has too much firepower on both sides of the ball, and a desire to close out this record-breaking season on a high note. Carnegie Mellon 44, Harvard 30.

[studbucket]

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

I'm feeling optimistic, but I think that this isn't even that close. More like CMU 38, Harvard 17. We'll see if I'm undervaluing Ivy League football...but I'm a skeptic

[Careless Whisper]

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

Carnegie Mellon Crushes Crimson to Complete Dream 2012 Season
The No. 22 Tartans led from their opening possession and built a lead as large as 28 points to finish a 13-1 campaign



Left: Heisman Trophy winner Eddie Williams catches a 25-yard touchdown between two defenders. /
Right: CMU safety Bobby Magnum dislodges the ball from Harvard's Adam Gray. (Marie Thompson / Getty Images)

by Jayson Thomas, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter

DETROIT, Mich. -- The most fascinating chapter (so far) to Carnegie Mellon’s Division I story was closed with the perfect ending, as the No. 22 Tartans dominated Harvard from start to finish to come away with a 42-21 victory in the Motor City Bowl.

Carnegie Mellon (13-1) scored on its opening possession and never looked back, building a lead as large as 28 points in the third quarter. The Tartans outgained Harvard (9-4) by a 214-yard margin (515-301) – a mark that included a 150-to-39 difference on the ground – and forced three turnovers compared to their one in the waning stages of the contest.

“Our guys were completely locked in tonight,” said CMU head coach Jules Nottingham. “Kevin (Wilson) and Eddie (Williams) were unstoppable in the first quarter, and we really set the tone with how well the opening drive went. I honestly believe this is one of our best performances of the entire season, because I know how strong of a program Coach (John) Elliott runs (at Harvard), and we couldn’t afford to have our effort or execution drop off. This season was truly a special one, and I hope our guys will be able to look back and take pride in what we accomplished this year – I know I will.”

The Tartans struck early, capping a six-play, 65-yard opening drive with a highlight-reel 25-yard touchdown catch by Eddie Williams, who outleapt two Crimson defenders on an underthrown deep ball by Kevin Wilson. Graham Taylor was then in the right place at the right time on Harvard’s first drive, diving on a backwards pass to give his offense the ball on its own 40-yard line. Neither that drive or the Crimson’s ensuing possession ended in points, but CMU doubled its lead on the first play of its third trek, as Williams snagged a screen pass, slipped past a couple of Harvard defenders, and raced into the endzone untouched from 56 yards out.

Down 14-0, the Crimson got back into the game in the closing stages of the first quarter, as Stephen Rivers found slot receiver Nate Battle for a 17-yard touchdown. The gap went back to 14 points soon after when Wilson connected with Travis Sledge for a 26-yard touchdown, but Rivers had another response when he hit Alex Fagan down the sideline for a 40-yard score to make it 21-14 with 6:47 left in the half.

Wilson’s day came to a premature end on the Tartans’ final drive of the half, as he suffered a strained shoulder on a late hit from Derek Lane. Gerald Culver entered the game and didn’t miss a beat, converting a pair of first downs with his arm and legs before giving way to Clay Armstrong for a one-yard touchdown plunge with 1:12 on the clock. Brandon Williams would pick off a Rivers pass over the middle to send the teams into the locker rooms for halftime.

After Harvard stumbled out of the second half gate with a three-and-out, Culver needed four plays to push the lead to 21 points as Lawrence McIntire hauled in his screen pass and found paydirt from 44 yards out. Former walk-on Luke Harvey then forced and recovered a fumble from Fagan on the ensuing kickoff, and McIntire doubled his touchdown haul four plays later with a one-yard dive to make it 42-14. That looked to be the final score until the final two minutes of the contest, as John Robertson scored on a 25-yard jet sweep following a John Gilmore fumble.

After announcing his intentions to declare for the NFL Draft this week, Heisman Trophy recipient Eddie Williams collected eight catches, 162 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in his final collegiate game. He finishes with 316 receptions, 5,211 receiving yards, and 62 total touchdowns (54 receiving, 8 rushing) in 40 career games, and owns the NCAA FBS records in single-season receiving yards, career receiving yards, and career receiving touchdowns.

“I’m so fortunate to be a Carnegie Mellon Tartan,” said Williams. “I couldn’t have imagined spending my four years anywhere else. I’m thankful for all my teammates, the staff, Coach (Jules) Nottingham and his leadership, and the man on the other side today, Coach (John) Elliott, who had the belief in me to come visit me in the hospital and sell me on Carnegie Mellon. I will always be a Tartan.”

Also closing his football career is Wilson, who had a tumultuous four years with the Tartans and had completed 13-of-20 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns this evening before exiting with a strained shoulder. The senior finishes ranked second in school history in career completions (392) and passing yards (5,905) and tied for third in touchdown passes (48).

Another CMU figure not expected to return is Nottingham, as news broke during the broadcast that he is a finalist for the Boise State, Tennessee, and UCLA head coaching jobs. The Crawley, West Sussex, England native declined to comment on his future after the game, instead showing gratitude for the school that gave him his first big break.

“Carnegie Mellon is a special place, and I will always consider this place to be a home,” said Nottingham. “I’m so proud of what we achieved here, and I am indebted to the young men I am fortunate to coach and the staff that are just as big of a part of our success as anyone.”

“Jules (Nottingham) has an incredible mind, and the sky is the limit for him as a coach,” added Elliott in his press conference. “While I admit there are still some hard feelings from how it all ended (at Carnegie Mellon), I wish nothing but the best for Jules and will be rooting him on all the way.”

Rivers threw for 262 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on 18-of-42 passing in the loss.

Carnegie Mellon completes its season with a school-record 13 wins and its first NCAA Division I postseason national ranking since 1938.

Harvard Crimson at Carnegie Mellon Tartans
Dec 26, 2012	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Harvard Crimson (9-4)	7	7	0	7	21
#22 Carnegie Mellon Tartans (13-1)	14	14	14	0	42

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		HARV	CMU
11:40	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 25-yard pass to Eddie Williams (Joseph Love kick)	0	7
5:36	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 56-yard pass to Eddie Williams (Joseph Love kick)	0	14
0:07	(HARV) Stephen Rivers 17-yard pass to Nate Battle (Trevor McKeon kick)	7	14
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		HARV	CMU
12:46	(CMU) Kevin Wilson 26-yard pass to Travis Sledge (Joseph Love kick)	7	21
6:47	(HARV) Stephen Rivers 40-yard pass to Alex Fagan (Trevor McKeon kick)	14	21
1:12	(CMU) Clay Armstrong 1-yard run (Joseph Love kick)	14	28
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		HARV	CMU
11:17	(CMU) Gerald Culver 44-yard pass to Lawrence McIntire (Joseph Love kick)	14	35
8:58	(CMU) Lawrence McIntire 1-yard run (Joseph Love kick)	14	42
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		HARV	CMU
1:00	(HARV) John Robertson 25-yard run (Trevor McKeon kick)	21	42

Harvard Crimson PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Stephen Rivers 18/42 262 2 1 John Robertson 0/2 0 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD John Robertson 1 25 25.0 1 Charlie Underwood 4 14 3.5 0 Brandon Hall 1 5 5.0 0 Alex Fagan 1 2 2.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Nate Battle 5 68 13.6 1 Alex Fagan 4 106 26.0 1 Adam Gray 3 33 11.0 0 Joel Heinz 2 40 20.0 0 John Robertson 2 11 5.5 0 Wendell Munoz 1 7 7.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Michael Davis 9 0 0 0 Shelton Fitch 7 0 0 0 Joe Avery 7 0 0 0 Eli Cooper 5 0 0 0 Derek Lane 5 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Trevor McKeon 0/0 3/3 3 -- PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Ross Alexander 8 379 47.3 2 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Alex Fagan 5 99 19.7 0 John Robertson 2 50 25.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD John Robertson 3 14 4.6 0

Carnegie Mellon Tartans PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Kevin Wilson 13/20 217 3 0 Gerald Culver 7/12 148 1 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Lawrence McIntire 15 106 7.0 1 Gerald Culver 5 13 2.6 0 Eddie Williams 2 12 6.0 0 Jeff Gilmore 6 12 2.0 0 Kyle Holland 1 4 4.0 0 Clay Armstrong 4 3 0.7 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Eddie Williams 8 162 20.2 2 Travis Sledge 7 92 13.1 1 Lawrence McIntire 2 62 31.0 1 Chris Smith 2 33 16.5 0 Leon Razzano 1 16 16.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Bobby Magnum 6 1 0 0 Jabari London 5 0 0 0 Robert Wall 5 0 0 0 Brandon Williams 4 0 1 0 Matt Burnsides 3 0 0 0 Jordan Gibson 2 1 0 0 Jon Crowell 2 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Joseph Love 0/0 6/6 6 -- PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Andy Fitzhugh 4 175 43.7 2 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kyle Holland 2 51 25.5 0 Jeff Gilmore 1 21 21.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Jon Crowell 5 34 6.8 0

[Deuce2223]

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

Congrats on the win.. Not going to lie, Williams, Wilson and Jules leave some huge shoes to fill for the Mellons moving forward. Excited though to see who becomes the next Eddie Williams

[studbucket]

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

Love the easy win! If this is the end at CMU, it's a great way to end it. Also nice that it coincides with Williams' departure. Either way, I'm excited for what's next.

[redsox907]

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

What an end to a marvelous career for Fast Eddie.

[Bigsheen]

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

That screenshot of Williams’ hauling in that TD between two defenders is a beaut and encapsulates his career. What a finish and dominating bowl win.

It will be interesting to see what’s next for coach Jules and the Tartans.

[Careless Whisper]

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

Congrats on the win.. Not going to lie, Williams, Wilson and Jules leave some huge shoes to fill for the Mellons moving forward. Excited though to see who becomes the next Eddie Williams

Thanks Deuce! It was a great way to end things for Williams and company at CMU, and it will certainly be a new era of the Tartans moving forward - in more ways than one. As for the next Williams, Travis Sledge certainly doesn't have the same explosiveness and big-play ability as him, but I could see him having a huge senior year no matter who the quarterback is.

Love the easy win! If this is the end at CMU, it's a great way to end it. Also nice that it coincides with Williams' departure. Either way, I'm excited for what's next.

It was a much easier win that I expected - really thought with how I played against EMU, I was in for a battle against Harvard but the early touchdowns really swung momentum my way in a hurry!

As for CMU's future, this is absolutely not the end here - this is a Carnegie Mellon dynasty through and through and will always remain that way. I won't play with Jules' next team, but will keep an eye on them for any future storylines. There will be a new coach with a new philosophy created for CMU, and that will continue to be the process until the program is big enough that there isn't many, if any better jobs for a coach to take, or I create someone that I'd like to keep in place for a "lifetime".

What an end to a marvelous career for Fast Eddie.

Indeed it was, but this certainly won't be the last you hear from him! I have a feeling he's in for a fruitful pro career, whether that's just the NFL, or if he decides to pursue baseball as well.

That screenshot of Williams’ hauling in that TD between two defenders is a beaut and encapsulates his career. What a finish and dominating bowl win.

It will be interesting to see what’s next for coach Jules and the Tartans.

You hit the nail on the head, Bigsheen - Williams has perfected that move so many times and saved both Wilson and Culver's bacon with his leaping ability, and it's fitting that he provided one more highlight catch like that in his final collegiate game.

Appreciate all the comments, everyone! As I mentioned in my reply to Deuce, this truly feels like the end of an era - but I'm excited to start the next chapter of this report! I still have a CMU in the NFL update and NCAA season wrap-up before we get to the juicy stuff, and hope to have that to you over the next week or two.

[Careless Whisper]

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

Tartans to the League: December 2012 Review
Jim Manning finished a breakout season and Calvin Burton scored a punt return touchdown on Monday Night Football

In the 2012 NFL Season, the Carnegie Mellon Tartans have six former players on NFL rosters. At the end of every month, we will provide a brief review on how each player’s season is going.

Todd Andriano, FS, Detroit Lions (#1 FS, 85.0 PFF grade)

Todd Andriano snagged a pair of interceptions in the month of December, leading the Detroit Lions to wins at the Jacksonville Jaguars (24-17) and at home versus the St. Louis Rams (20-16). Despite a Week 17 defeat to the Tennessee Titans, the Lions clinched the NFC North with a 9-7 record and will host the New York Giants on Wild Card Weekend.

December Stats: 5 tackles, 2 INT
2012 Regular Season Stats: 21 tackles, 5 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD

Calvin Burton, CB, New Orleans Saints (#3 CB, #1 KR, #1 PR; 82.0 PFF grade)

Despite a tough December, the New Orleans Saints will again be representing the NFC as the top seed, and Calvin Burton has played a big part in that. Taking over as the lead return specialist following a broken collarbone to Reggie Bush, Burton secured a Pro Bowl nod in the spot with his performance. On Monday Night Football in Week 16, he returned a punt 57 yards to paydirt for his first NFL touchdown in a 27-20 loss to the Denver Broncos, and defensively Burton forced fumbles against both the Broncos and in the regular-season finale at the Philadelphia Eagles (23-22).

December Stats: 4 tackles, 2 FF; 16 kick returns, 324 yards; 14 punt returns, 178 yards, 1 TD
2012 Regular Season Stats: 21 tackles, 2 INT, 2 FF; 47 kick returns, 1,025 yards; 65 punt returns, 698 yards, 1 TD

Matt Fitch, G, Houston Texans (#4 LG; 69.0 PFF grade)

Matt Fitch did not play a snap for the Houston Texans in the month of December. The Texans completed a perfect month with victories over the Detroit Lions (20-17), Minnesota Vikings (27-10), Miami Dolphins (38-20), and Indianapolis Colts (35-13), and enter the AFC playoffs with a 10-6 record, earning the fifth seed and a meeting with the New York Jets.

December Stats: N/A
2012 Regular Season Stats: No stats

Matt Johnson, OLB, Tennessee Titans (#1 LOLB; 84.0 PFF grade)

Matt Johnson suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the Tennessee Titans’ 45-13 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 2. The Titans completed a perfect regular season after picking up victories against the Indianapolis Colts (45-27), Buffalo Bills (51-14), Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7), and Detroit Lions (35-10).

After making a Pro Bowl as a second-year pro last season, Matt Johnson’s third year with the Tennessee Titans ended prematurely as he suffered a torn ACL in the Titans’ 45-13 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 2. He will miss the remainder of the season, but should be healthy ahead of training camp next year.

December Stats: N/A
2012 Regular Season Stats: 4 tackles, 1 sack

Jim Manning, HB, Chicago Bears (#1 RB; 81.0 PFF grade)

Jim Manning added another two 100-yard performances in December to close out a breakout season as the Chicago Bears' lead runningback. Manning rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a 34-24 win at the Dallas Cowboys on Week 14, then followed that up with a 114-yard day in a 26-17 triumph versus the Arizona Cardinals on Week 15.

December Stats: 91 carries, 408 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 51 yards
2012 Regular Season Stats: 394 carries, 1,677 yards, 10 TD; 22 catches, 315 yards, 2 TD

Mark Toth, MLB, Chicago Bears (#1 MLB; 81.0 PFF grade)

Mark Toth finished his rookie season with momentum, leading the Chicago Bears in tackles twice. Toth collected six against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, then added seven in a Week 17 defeat against the Green Bay Packers (14-38) - a loss that ultimately kept the Bears from the postseason. Toth picked off his third pass of the season in Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals.

December Stats: 19 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
2012 Regular Season Stats: 66 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR

[Deuce2223]

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

Seeing those names.. It was like that's some OG Mellons right there.. Great year for Manning..

[Careless Whisper]

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

Around the NCAA – 2012 Season Wrap-Up Edition
Missouri captures its first national championship with a walk-off touchdown pass by its backup quarterback

MIAMI, Fla. (AP) -- In one of the most exciting national championship games in the BCS era, No. 2 Missouri won its first national title in walk-off fashion, defeating No. 1 Wisconsin, 35-32, with a 12-yard pass from Taysom Hill to Spencer Ware as time expired.

Hill, the redshirt junior backup to Heisman Trophy runner-up Jordan Jefferson, entered the game late in the third quarter after Jefferson suffered a concussion. He was given a 28-17 lead once he entered, only to see that advantage slip away with a pair of touchdown runs from Badgers sophomore runningback Melvin Gordon III – the latter being a 24-yard scamper that put Wisconsin ahead 32-28 with 4:04 remaining.

Prior to his departure, Jefferson had thrown for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 11-of-17 passing and added 75 rushing yards. Senior tailback Montee Ball scored three touchdowns – opening the game with a three-yard plunge before tallying two in the third quarter. Hill finished 6-of-10 passing for 61 yards and the winning score, adding 23 yards on the ground during the Tigers’ game-winning drive.

Gordon, who was named BCS Championship Game MVP, finished with 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries. Redshirt senior quarterback Jacory Harris added 148 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-20 passing.

Wisconsin, who was also seeking its first national championship, has lost two of the last three BCS Championship Games, falling in 2010 to Notre Dame, 42-25.

BCS Championship Game MVP: Melvin Gordon III, So., HB, Wisconsin (29 carries, 186 yards, 3 TD)

BCS Bowl Results
Rose Bowl: #5 Oklahoma (12-1) 36, #6 USC (11-1) 22
Sugar Bowl: #3 LSU (12-1) 28, #7 Penn State (11-1) 21
Fiesta Bowl: #4 Florida (12-1) 35, #9 Clemson (11-1) 17
Orange Bowl: #17 Maryland (11-2) 31, #13 West Virginia (11-1) 24
BCS National Championship: #2 Missouri (13-0) 35, #1 Wisconsin (12-0) 32

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

Major Award Winners
Heisman Memorial Trophy: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., WR, Carnegie Mellon (125 catches, 2,262 yards, 25 TD; 21 carries, 134 yards, 4 TD)
Maxwell Award: Jordan Jefferson, R-Sr., QB, Missouri (188.2 QB rtg., 214-323, 3,173 yards, 44 TD, 9 INT; 153 carries, 976 yards, 18 TD)
Chuck Bednarik Award: Frank Kellner, R-Jr., OLB, California (80 tackles (22 TFL), 8 sacks, 6 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Davey O’Brien Award: Jordan Jefferson, R-Sr., QB, Missouri (188.2 QB rtg., 214-323, 3,173 yards, 44 TD, 9 INT; 153 carries, 976 yards, 18 TD)
Doak Walker Award: Melvin Gordon III, So., HB, Wisconsin (314 carries, 1,915 yards, 24 TD; 17 catches, 249 yards, 3 TD)
Fred Biletnikoff Award: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., WR, Carnegie Mellon (125 catches, 2,262 yards, 25 TD; 21 carries, 134 yards, 4 TD)
John Mackey Award: Jay Smith, R-Sr., TE, Michigan (23 catches, 465 yards, 10 TD)
Outland Trophy: Matt Louis, R-Jr., OT, Florida (36 pancakes, 2 sacks allowed)
Dave Rimington Trophy: Clinton Carrie, R-So., C, Florida (23 pancakes, 5 sacks allowed)
Rotary Lombardi Award: Carl Black, R-Sr., DE, Nebraska (53 tackles (24 TFL), 9 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR)
Dick Butkus Award: Frank Kellner, R-Jr., OLB, California (80 tackles (22 TFL), 8 sacks, 6 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Jim Thorpe Award: Ahmad Dixon, Jr., FS, California (34 tackles (7 TFL), 2 sacks, 7 INT, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Lou Groza Award: Mike Bass, So., K, Clemson (14-17 FG, 60-60 XP)
Ray Guy Award: Harvey Carter, Sr., P, Texas A&M (48 punts, 34.1 net avg., 19 inside 20)
Randy Moss Award: Kelvin Butler, Jr., WR, Carnegie Mellon (26.3 kick return avg., 1 TD; 10.3 punt return avg., 1 TD)
Walter Camp Coach of the Year: Gary Pinkel, Missouri (14-0 overall, 8-0 Big 12; Big 12 & BCS National champions, #1 in USA Today Top 25)

Conference Champions
ACC: Maryland (12-2, 7-1)
Big Ten: Wisconsin (12-1, 8-0)
Big 12: Missouri (14-0, 8-0)
Big East: West Virginia (11-2, 6-1)
C-USA: Houston (11-3, 6-2)
Ivy League: Princeton (8-5, 5-2); Harvard (9-4, 5-2)
MAC: Carnegie Mellon (13-1, 8-0)
Mountain West: TCU (12-1, 8-0)
Pac-10: USC (11-2, 8-1)
SEC: LSU (13-1, 7-1)
WAC: Fresno State (10-3, 7-1)

National Statistical Leaders
QB Rating: Jordan Jefferson, R-Sr., Missouri (188.2)
Passing Yards: Matt Barkley, Sr., Hawaii (4,308)
Passing Touchdowns: Mike Glennon, R-Sr., LSU (50)
Passing Interceptions: Mark Powdrell, So., Kansas; Matt Barkley, Sr., Hawaii (28)
Rushing Yards: Melvin Gordon III, So., Wisconsin (1,915)
Rushing Touchdowns: Melvin Gordon III, So., Wisconsin (24)
Catches: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., Carnegie Mellon (125)
Receiving Yards: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., Carnegie Mellon (2,262 – NCAA Record)
Receiving Touchdowns: Eddie Williams, R-Jr., Carnegie Mellon (25)
Tackles: Keith Miller, R-So., Bowling Green (103)
Sacks: Adam Goodwin, R-Sr., Texas (13)
Interceptions: Matt Elam, Jr., Arkansas (10)
Field Goals Made: Kyle Dorsey, So., Akron (20)
Net Punt Average: Kevin Johnson, Sr., Nevada (39.0)
Kick Return Average: Ryan Frederick, R-Jr., Oklahoma (30.1)
Punt Return Average: Steve McNair Jr., Jr., Tennessee (13.8)

[Careless Whisper]

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

2012 STAT DUMP
- Team statistical leader in bold

Kevin Wilson, Sr., QB | 162.3 QB rtg., 200-319, 3,032 yards, 30 TD, 18 INT; 31 carries, -112 yards, 1 TD
Gerald Culver, Jr., QB | 186.5 QB rtg., 85-129, 1,366 yards, 16 TD, 6 INT; 50 carries, 135 yards, 4 TD
Lawrence McIntire, Jr., HB | 231 carries, 1,121 yards, 11 TD; 25 catches, 331 yards, 4 TD
Jeff Gilmore, R-Fr., HB | 77 carries, 366 yards, 4 TD; 2 catches, 20 yards; 3 kick returns, 85 yards
Eddie Williams, R-Jr., WR | 21 carries, 134 yards, 4 TD; 125 catches, 2,262 yards, 25 TD
Clay Armstrong, Fr., FB | 34 carries, 86 yards, 4 TD; 2 catches, 8 yards
Kyle Holland, R-So., HB | 7 carries, 42 yards; 25 kick returns, 541 yards; 9 punt returns, 37 yards
Dante Joseph, R-So., FB | 2 carries, 13 yards
Chris Smith, Fr., WR | 1 carry, 5 yards; 33 catches, 496 yards, 6 TD
Kelvin Butler, Jr., WR | 1 carry, -1 yard; 16 catches, 194 yards, 3 TD; 26 kick returns, 683 yards, 1 TD; 36 punt returns, 372 yards, 1 TD
Travis Sledge, Jr., WR | 70 catches, 903 yards, 7 TD
Leon Razzano, Fr., TE | 8 catches, 122 yards
Isaac Schroeder, Sr., WR | 3 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
Brian Pittman, So., TE | 1 catch, 35 yards
Brandon Williams, Jr., OLB | 68 tackles (12 TFL), 2 sacks, 3 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR
Matt Butler, So., MLB | 62 tackles (8 TFL), 2 sacks, 2 INT, 3 FF, 2 FR
Jabari London, R-So., FS | 50 tackles (1 TFL), 7 INT, 1 FF
Bobby Magnum, R-Sr., SS | 49 tackles (2 TFL), 1 sack, 4 INT, 1 FF
Matt Burnsides, Sr., DT | 38 tackles (19 TFL), 9 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR
Jon Crowell, R-Sr., CB | 36 tackles (3 TFL), 4 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD
Robert Wall, Fr., CB | 36 tackles (5 TFL), 1 sack, 6 INT
Rob Jones, Jr., CB | 33 tackles (5 TFL), 5 INT
Jordan Gibson, R-So., DE | 31 tackles (8 TFL), 5 sacks, 1 FF
Mario Williams, Fr., DT | 27 tackles (15 TFL), 7 sacks, 2 FF
Zac Hood, Sr., DE | 26 tackles (12 TFL), 5 sacks
Chris Harris, R-Fr., MLB | 22 tackles (2 TFL), 1 FF
Jason Ervin, Sr., OLB | 21 tackles (6 TFL), 1 sack
Graham Taylor, R-So., SS | 20 tackles (2 TFL), 1 INT, 2 FR
Nathan Ford, R-Sr., DE | 14 tackles (9 TFL), 4 sacks, 1 FF
Tyler Wright, Jr., MLB | 13 tackles (1 TFL), 1 FF
Mark Marshall, R-Fr., SS | 10 tackles
Luke Harvey, R-Sr., OLB | 6 tackles
Matt Gonzalez, R-Fr., FS | 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD
Justin Williams, R-Jr., OLB | 5 tackles (2 TFL)
David Watkins, Fr., DE | 5 tackles (1 TFL), 1 sack
P.J. Ryan, Sr., DT | 3 tackles (1 TFL), 1 sack
Aaron Webb, R-So., CB | 2 tackles, 2 INT, 1 TD
Travis Silva, R-Jr., DT | 2 tackles (1 TFL)
Joseph Love, Fr., K | 12-15 FG, 78-79 XP
Andy Fitzhugh, Sr., P | 31 punts, 1,319 yards, 42.5 avg., 35.8 net avg., 12 inside 20

[Careless Whisper]

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

Carnegie Mellon to Join Big Ten in 2013
The Tartans become a football-only member of the Big Ten, swapping its Mid-American Conference (MAC) spot with Purdue

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) -- The Big Ten Conference has caught the biggest mid-major fish in the pond.

The Big Ten presidents and chancellors met Friday morning and unanimously voted to add Carnegie Mellon University as a football-only member beginning in the upcoming 2013 season. The Tartans will remain in the Atlantic 10 Conference for all other sports, and swaps football spots with Purdue, who becomes a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

“We are thrilled to add Carnegie Mellon, a school with great prestige on the field and in the classroom, to our football ranks,” said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany. “Carnegie Mellon had a rich football tradition in the early-to-mid 1900s, and their story of returning to the (NCAA) Division I ranks and succeeding is incredible. Coming off their tremendous season in which they won the MAC, finished in every Top 25 poll, and had the Heisman Trophy winner, it shows that their program is on a rapid rise and made perfect sense to offer them a new football home.”

“This is the cumulation of all the hard work we have showcased since our return to Division I athletics,” said Carnegie Mellon athletic Daniel Corrigan. “The Big Ten is the best football conference in America, and we are deserving to be a part of it. We are proud to compete alongside the prestigious academic and athletic institutions from this league and both create and renew rivalries. When we broke ground on this ambitious move, my long-term vision was to build an athletic department worthy of being mentioned alongside the biggest names in college sports, and this move showcases both our intent and progress towards making that a reality.”

Carnegie Mellon is coming off its best season since World War II, finishing the 2012 campaign with a 13-1 overall record, its first MAC title, and the No. 21 ranking in the Associated Press Media and USA Today Coaches’ Top 25 Polls. The Tartans boasted the Heisman Trophy winner in wide receiver Eddie Williams, who compiled 125 receptions, 2,262 receiving yards, and 29 total touchdowns (25 receiving, 4 rushing), along with five other Associated Press All-Americans – defensive tackle Matt Burnsides, return specialist Kelvin Butler, kicker Joseph Love, cornerback Robert Wall, and defensive tackle Mario Williams. After a season-opening 52-31 loss at then-No. 25 West Virginia, CMU has won 13 consecutive games and capped the year with a 42-21 triumph over Harvard in the Motor City Bowl.

Since its move to NCAA Division I athletics ahead of the 2006-07 academic year, Carnegie Mellon football has compiled a record of 46-44 with four consecutive bowl appearances, three bowl wins, and two MAC Championship Game berths. The Tartans went 1-11 and 5-7 in their first two years as a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) independent before joining the MAC, and following a 3-9 (2-6 MAC) campaign in 2008, the team has gone 7-7 (6-2) in 2009, 9-4 (7-1) in 2010, 8-5 (7-1) in 2011, and 13-1 (8-0) in 2012.

Corrigan noted following the press conference that the remainder of its athletic department is happy in the Atlantic 10, and that there is more flexibility with the football program with the A-10 not sponsoring football among its sports. The Tartans basketball teams have struggled since the move, with neither finishing higher than 11th since the 2006-07 season, but the CMU baseball team is coming off a 31-25 (18-14) campaign in 2012 and was one of the first teams left out of the NCAA Regionals.

Purdue finished last season with a 5-7 overall record and 3-5 mark in the Big Ten. All five of the Boilermakers’ league defeats were blowouts to the Big Ten elite, falling by at least 35 points to Iowa (25-64), No. 7 Michigan (6-42), No. 17 Ohio State (7-42), No. 5 Penn State (0-35), and No. 4 Wisconsin (14-62).

[studbucket]

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

I find it really funny that Purdue is a football-only member of the MAC. Hilarious side effect.

Great move for CMU and it's going to be a real challenge for sure.