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Notes from the Margins: QB Controversies around the nation
By Jason Roberts | October 11, 2008
It’s been a long week of recovery for this author, and just today, the voice has started to return and the nail marks in the palms suffered during the excruciating final quarter of my beloved Florida State Seminoles’ huge win down in Cape Coral are finally starting to disappear. Alas, pain is sometimes pleasure - though, honestly, after this week, any value found in such a statement is likely to change drastically for any number of coordinators, coaches, and players that over the last seven days saw their lives change dramatically now at the halfway point of the 2008 season.
Auburn trashed their first-year (can we even say “first year” and be accurate?) offensive coordinator, Clemson will turn to backup Willy Korn at quarterback to light a spark for the once-ranked Tigers, and Iowa State watches as backup quarterback Phillip Bates quits the team and requests a release from his scholarship with the Cyclones - and all this in just the last three days! Can things get any nuttier?
Let’s dive headfirst into this huge Big Six Conference edition of “Notes for the Margin” and find an answer . . .
Big XII
Baylor Bears
According to The Gazette, the Iowa State Cyclones undoubtedly have something to worry about when it comes to true freshman quarterback for the Baylor Bears, Robert Griffin. Most everyone already knows about his blazing speed - the key factor in the freshman’s winning the Big 12 title in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships - but less celebrated is the fact that the youngster current ranks 30th in the nation for total offense with an average of 253.4 yards per game, averages 87.2 yards a game rushing, and currently has matched a school record with at least one touchdown scored on the ground in each of Baylor’s last five games.” His presence on the field has also allowed the team as a whole to rank second in the Big XII for rushing at 218.0 yards a game, a statistic which should heavily favor the Bears, given that Iowa State has allowed an average of 174.2 yards of rushing in each game played.
Colorado Buffaloes
Is there trouble currently brewing at the quarterback position for the Colorado Buffaloes? According to the Rocky Mountain News, there just very well be, this as the paper reports Tuesday that head coach Dan Hawkins informed reporters that backup Matt Ballenger will start seeing “meaningful playing time” in order to push starter Cody Hawkins in preparations for the Kansas Jayhawks this coming Saturday. “You always want to push guys,” Hawkins is quoted as saying, adding, “you always want to have that element in there that, ‘Hey, you need to play or you’re not going to play.’” The head coach noted that he was “intrigued” to see how Ballenger “competes, see how he compares”; “Sometimes you never know,” Hawkins continued, “You bring another guy in and things happen and people respond. We’ll see how that goes.” The news come in light of the redshirt freshman’s replacing of the younger Hawkins at quarterback in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s Texas matchup, a move intended, says CU’s coach, “to let him go in and get his first-game jitters out of the way . . .”
Iowa State Cyclones
The Des Moines Register writes on Tuesday that though Austen Arnaud seems to have been identified as the premier passer for the Iowa State Cyclones over the last couple of games (last Saturday, Arnaud had his best statistical performance ever), offensive coordinator Robert McFarland is insistent upon the fact, “You’ll see Phillip [Bates] play.” “This isn’t something where we’re now just going to play Austen,” McFarland told reporters recently, emphasizing that both Bates and Arnaud are expected to carry on some sort of quarterback rotation this Saturday as Iowa State travels to Waco, Texas to take on the Baylor Bears. “We really haven’t changed our stance or position on that,” head coach Gene Chizik states of the subject. “We’re not moving Phillip to tailback or wideout. He is a quarterback.”
* Update - ESPN.com reports Friday that Bates in fact has quit the team and requested a release from scholarship in order to identify another school for which he can play football. Responded head coach Gene Chizik, “”I am disappointed that Phillip is quitting our team. Although I understand his desire to be a starting quarterback, I am extremely disappointed that he is quitting two days prior to a game. However, we will give him his release, continue to support him academically and honor his scholarship for the rest of the fall semester.”
Kansas Jayhawks
It’s a question that many fantasy owners confronted when discussing Kansas Jayhawks junior running back, Jake Sharp - What ever happened to the guy that last year ran for over 800 yards and grabbed seven touchdowns playing behind former standout, Brandon McPherson? Where did he go over the course of the 2008 season? Sharp himself tried to provide an answer this past Saturday, as Kansas took on the Iowa State Cyclones; coming off the bench as the Jayhawks’ coaching staff continues to evaluate the talents of what has become a three-man backfield, the native of Salina, Kansas showed he was still “a gamebreaker,” in the words of offensive coordinator Ed Warinner, and someone “we gotta find ways to get him the ball.” No pun intended, but facing a weak ISU defensive front, the junior tailback, notes the Kansas City Star, looked sharper than he has all season, grabbing 79 yards rushing on 19 carries and a record-breaking 107 yards receiving on just three receptions, coupled with his first two touchdowns of the 2008 season. “We certainly are impressed with what Jake did,” head coach Mark Mangino told reporters this week. “It’s a situation where we’re leaning his way to get more work, but we have the other two backs in the picture, no question.” A sign that Mangino and staff are backing up what they say, this week’s team depth chart showed that Sharp had been bumped up to a co-starting spot with Angus Quigley, who to this point in time, has gained 227 yards rushing on 44 carries, enough to lead all Jayhawks’ backs for the season. That being the case, fantasy owners may want to watch to see if Sharp indeed begins to show the talent which so many took note of throughout last season, but have, up to now, been deeply disappointed hasn’t reemerged thus far this football season.
From the pages of the Rocky Mountain News for Monday comes the surprising news that head coach Mark Mangino of the Kansas Jayhawks is determined this year to see starting quarterback Todd Reesing run “only when he’s forced to” - i.e., when forced out of the pocket, etc. Yet, according to the News, Reesing’s 45 rushes for 68 yards and two touchdowns thus far for 2008 actually has the junior on pace to surpass his 2007 season numbers, in which the native of Austin, Texas rushed 92 times for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Remarkably, despite this fact, Reesing, the article states, currently ranks second in the Big XII for passing yards per game (344.8).
Missouri Tigers
Fantasy owners that took a chance on drafting Missouri Tigers’ tailback Derrick Washington already likely realize this, but performing as he has over the first five games of the season, the sophomore from Peculiar, Missouri currently sits second-best in the Big XII Conference in terms of rushing yards per game (100.0), third in yards per carry (7.5), and leads the country in scoring, averaging 14.4 points each the Tigers take the field. “It’s something I’ve been working for,” Washington states, “to be up there as one of the top rushers in the Big 12. I’m glad it’s happening right now, but I need to keep working hard and get better every day.” He seemed to achieve just that this past weekend, running for a career-high 139 yards against Nebraska on just 14 carries and in only three quarters of work; as the Columbia Tribune notes, only two other Missouri backs in the history of the program have rushed for more yards against Nebraska, with Joe Moore doing so in 1969 and James Wilder in 1981.
Oklahoma Sooners
Is there something slowing down Oklahoma Sooners tailback DeMarco Murray? According to the Tulsa World, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Given that Murray was last year “a complementary back, almost a backup” to Allen Patrick, to expect to see an increase in overall numbers through the Sooners’ first five games (316 yards on 50 carries last season, 431 on 85 carries thus far in 2008) for the sophomore isn’t a surprise. What is, however, is the fact that Murray has seen his yards per carry rushing average fall from 6.3 (the highest average since 2002) in 2007 to 5.1 yards this year. The World faults the recovery from a major knee injury for the decline in the latter category, the result which has found Murray “still trying to find the burst” which made him such a hot commodity just one year ago. “I just haven’t hit the long one yet,” Murray tells the World, adding, “It’s a bit frustrating.” Murray’s father concurs, noting as well, “Something is not there this year. I don’t what’s the problem. Either he’s still hurt and doesn’t want to say anything or he doesn’t have the confidence back in that knee.” Still, despite any prospective slow down in Murray’s stride, the sophomore remains productive, having already posted two 100+ yard days and nearly grabbing a third by rushing for 96 yards last weekend against Baylor.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
KFOR reports on Tuesday that head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Mike Gundy, announced that starting tight end, Brandon Pettigrew, remains “day-to-day,” his status for Saturday’s game against Missouri currently unknown. Pettigrew, readers may recall, has been out with a foot injury. The article notes that quarterback Zac Robinson expects his senior tight end to be back in the line up as the Cowboys travel to Columbia, Missouri this weekend, adding “he was surprised [Pettigrew] didn’t play against Texas A&M.”
Texas Longhorns
Fantasy owners - take note of starting tailback Chris Ogbonnaya for the Texas Longhorns, as the Houston Chronicle notes early this week that the senior currently sits as a) the Longhorns’ top receiving threat out of the backfield, b) is considered UT’s best blocker, and c) even managed to make a touchdown-saving tackle during a “career-best performance” last weekend against Colorado. Versus the Buffaloes, Ogbonnaya accounted for 187 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, an outing which the Chronicle notes finally pegged him the top tailback for the team heading into this weekend’s huge showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners.
Texas A&M Aggies
Head coach Mike Sherman of the Texas A&M Aggies told reporters this Monday, as covered by The Dallas Morning News, that quarterback Stephen McGee would be reevaluated, with team doctors and the A&M coaching staff making a determination of whether or not his injured right shoulder would allow him to play under center this coming weekend against the Kansas State Wildcats.
Meanwhile, the website TheBatt.com writes that Sherman was praiseworthy of sophomore backup quarterback Jerrod Johnson in a 24-of-43 passing, 218 yards and two touchdown performance last Saturday against Oklahoma State, commenting that Johnson “did a lot of things right, but needed to be patient and allow the offensive line to block.”
Texas Tech Red Raiders
A subject we’ve written on before here in this column, the website LubbockOnline.com highlights earlier this week the fact that Texas Tech Red Raiders’ running backs, Shannon Woods and Baron Batch combined for 195 yards rushing and receiving this past weekend against the Kansas State Wildcats. Woods, claims the article, finished the game with a season-high 18 carries for 70 yards, while Batch took nine carries for 68 yards and a touchdown; as a unit, the two ended the night with 30 rushing attempts, a season-high for the Red Raiders thus far into 2008.
ACC
Boston College Eagles
BC Offensive coordinator Steve Logan told The Boston Globe earlier this week that in approaching the game plan for quarterback Chris Crane, a fifth-year senior, “It was time . . . . to take the gloves off. He had to prove that he could not only play aggressively, but smart, and he did that for the most part.” Such commentary comes in light of concerns raised by both Logan and head coach Jeff Jagodzinski that one season of playing time for Crane was simply not enough to develop the youngster and that efforts perhaps should be turned toward getting redshirt freshman Dominique Davis additional snaps under center in preparation for next season. Still, writes the Globe, the Eagles “also needed to win now,” unable to afford going 0-2 in ACC play with a loss to last weekend’s opponent, the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Thus. the Eagles coaching staff made a determination that it needed to “find out what Crane had in him,” a gamble which paid off in the senior quarterback throwing for a career-high 428 yards passing and two touchdowns, while adding three additional scores on the ground. Noted Logan, subsequently, “I’m really proud of him. I thought he could do it. It was a big step for him.”
Clemson Tigers
When asked by reporters what starting quarterback for the Clemson Tigers, Cullen Harper, could do to improve his play, head coach Tommy Bowden responded, stating, “Maybe scrambling, if you held my feet to the fire.” Bowden continued on, noting, “Cullen, like everybody else, can play better”; still, it is the coach’s belief that, “He’s not playing badly.” Harper, after all, noted to son of Florida State’s coaching great, Bobby Bowden, remains second in the ACC for passing efficiency and is completing 67% of his passes; running with the ball seems to be about the only area that Harper might see a progression in his final year with the Tigers. The senior doesn’t seem to disagree; he is quoted in an article published on GreenvilleOnline.com, “There are going to be certain times when I have to prove I’ve got the athletic ability to hurt teams with my running ability. I’ve just got to go out there and try not to force the ball down the field, and if there’s pressure I’ve got to be able to run and scramble and make plays with my feet, which is something I can do.”
* Update - Apparently someone held Bowden’s feet to the fire and burned them; for as ESPN.com reports Friday, starting quarterback Cullen Harper has been officially benched by the Tigers’ head coach and will let backup Willy Korn play under center beginning next weekend as Clemson prepares to take on ACC rival, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The same GreenvilleOnline.com article highlights the frustration of wide receiver Aaron Kelly; through the first five games of the season, the piece notes, the senior has just three fewer passes than he did at this same time last year, but has yet to take a reception in for a score thus far in 2008.
Florida State Seminoles
With the Florida State Seminoles now ranking second in the ACC with 225 rushing yards per game and having accumulated 14 rushing touchdowns, the website Tallahassee.com makes readers aware of the desire of offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher to find greater success through the air. As acknowledged by starting quarterback for the Seminoles, Christian Ponder, “The biggest thing is we really go to get this passing game going. There are going to be games where it’s really going to come down and depend on that passing game. So we’ve got a lot of things to improve upon there and we’ll get it done.” The resources are definitely there, particularly with one of the deepest and most talented receiving corps FSU has seen in recent years; still, Seminoles’ wideouts have, according to the article, caught just one touchdown in the three games they’ve played against major colleges opponents, while the offense as a whole ranks seventh currently in the ACC in terms of passing offense per game played (192.8 yards). Notes Fisher, the source of the problems lies in a couple of areas: “A couple of times it was protection. A couple of times it’s been bad routes. A couple of times it’s been bad throws.” Given that the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator feels that the “plays are there and we need to improve that aspect of our game,” the hope is over the current bye week that FSU can “get our balance back” and “fix the passing game to a point where we can be more efficient,” thereby approaching the N.C. State game a week from Saturday with a broader sense of offensive flexibility.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Albany Herald notes this week that the 230 yards passing that first-time starter Jaybo Shaw of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets accumulated in this past Saturday’s game against the Duke Blue Devils was the most yards by a school quarterback in his debut performance, while the nine receptions by sophomore receiver, Damaryius Thomas - Georgia Tech’s only pass-catcher for the entire game - made the native of Dublin, Georgia second-best in terms of yards receiving by a school wideout in the history of the Yellow Jackets’ football program.
Miami Hurricanes
The news station WPLG of Coral Gables gives fantasy owners something to think about in terms of utilizing either Robert Marve at quarterback or Graig Cooper at tailback from the Miami Hurricanes any time in the near future; after all, news out of UM this week is that right tackle Reggie Youngblood will miss a second-straight game this Saturday against UCF, with the possibility that he could even miss the remainder of the season. If so, that would make the fourth veteran player that the Hurricanes have lost for the year in just the last three weeks, and could cause major problems for an ACC squad that has lost two straight contests and currently stands with a record of 2-3 for the season.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels finally seemed Saturday to have found a solution for the problem of an ineffective ground game that has plagued them since the start of the 2008 season, this as converted defensive back, Shaun Draughn, got a shot at 19 carries against Connecticut and tallied up 109 yards and a touchdown — the first UNC tailback to eclipse over 71 yards rushing in a game all year. But don’t think that head coach of the Tar Hells, Butch Davis, thinks that Draughn offers a complete solution; speaking about this upcoming weekend’s game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Davis noted, “We’re going to play the guys at the time who give us the best chance to win. I’ll play anybody that will help us win the game. I think our players are receptive to that . . . . We’re going to try to keep guys fresh and give them all an opportunity.” That the head coach means business can be found just by glancing at the team’s current depth chart; for, despite his production this past weekend, Greg Little - with just three carries against UConn - is still listed at the top of that listing, right alongside Draughn. Little still currently leads the team with 223 yards and three scores on the season, this according to the StarNewsOnline.com, but averages only 3.3 yards a carry, as opposed to the 4.7 yards per carry that Draughn has compiled as UNC’s second-best rusher.
North Carolina State Wolfpack
A few notes of interest provided by Scout.com on Monday:
- Freshman T.J. Graham set a new school record Saturday against Boston College, taking back a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter; the previous record, notes the article, was held by Darrell Blackman, set last year with a 99-yard return versus Clemson. Graham also finished the game with the fourth-highest total for kickoff return yards in a single game, accumulating 160 by the sound of the final gun; this places the freshman now in fifth place for most kickoff return yards in a season (currently 628).
- Sophomore wide receiver, Owen Spencer, not only grabbed his first career touchdown on Saturday by set a new career-high with 102 receiving yards; he is the first receiver, notes the article, to go over 100 yards catching since Donald Bowens last year versus Virginia, a span of 10 games.
- The Wolfpack spread the ball out quite well in the passing game, with some 10 different players recording a catch by the end of the day.
- Russell Wilson, freshman quarterback for N.C. State, saw his first action since the season-opener against South Carolina, and subsequently threw for a career-best 218 yards passing; Wilson also scored his first touchdowns on the ground - one in the first, one in the fourth - to become the first Wolfpack quarterback to rush for two touchdowns since Philip Rivers did so against North Carolina back in 2003.
Virginia Cavaliers
The University of Virginia this past weekend shocked the Maryland Terrapins in an impressive 31-0 win, with wide receiver Kevin Ogletree nabbing his second 100+ yard receiving game for the year with five catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns scored (the first two touchdowns by pass for the Cavaliers to this point in the season). Should he happen to compile a third such 100+ yard performance before the end of the year, Ogletree will become just the seventh player in UVA history to have three such games in a single season, highlighting the fact that the junior is anything but just a “possession receiver,” a term which the wideout reviles. Notes Ogletree in an article publishing by the Daily Press, “I feel like I have a responsibility to make plays down the field . . . I don’t think anybody wants to be called a possession receiver or wants to be a possession receiver. I feel like that’s kind of a slap in the face of a receiver.”
Virginia Tech Hokies
Fantasy owners, listen up; The Roanoke Times writes this week that in the wake of a season-ending injury to Virginia Tech Hokies’ tailback, Kenny Lewis, freshman running back Josh Oglesby has been promoted to secondary rusher behind VT’s starter in the backfield, Darren Evans. Asked how he intended to prepare for the enhanced role he be playing for the remainder of the year, Oglesby responded, “Turn myself loose. Just go 100 percent every time I get the ball, run it hard, no thinking, just doing what you know you can do. I think that’s what turning myself loose means.” The native of Garner, North Carolina continued, stating, “What I have to do is come out and show what I can do when I’m in the game. Before, I was trying to bust it big every time because I didn’t know the next time when I would get the ball.”
Big East
Cincinnati Bearcats
Last week saw head coach Brian Kelly, commenting to reporters that redshirt freshmen Chazz Anderson and Zach Collaros would be competing to see who would start under center against the Marshall Thundering Herd; according to the website Cincinnati.com, such a statement was necessarily true. After all, Kelly knew as soon as the Akron game was over that Anderson was his preferred choice, the article notes, but felt he “needed to still evaluate them during the week and make sure that what my thoughts were was true.” Regardless, Anderson played well against the Herd, throwing 16-of-26 for 158 yards passing and two touchdowns, one interception, and will once more start this coming weekend as the Bearcats take on a struggling Rutgers Scarlet Knights at home.
The same site, Cincinnati.com, also reports that one of the most positive things coming out of last week’s win by the Cincinnati Bearcats over Marshall was the fact that the UC running game finally proved the ability to establish a solid rushing attacking, garnering a “robust” 203 yards on the ground against the Thundering Herd, 162 of which came in the second half alone. “We tried to manage the game the best we could relative to our quarterback (situation), so running the football was important for us,” claimed head coach Brian Kelly. “At the end of the day, in the third and fourth quarters, we were able to control the line of scrimmage.” As such, three running backs for the Bearcats had 50 yards or better carrying the ball, with junior Jacob Ramsey leading all UC backs with a career-high 99 yards on 17 carries.
Connecticut Huskies
The Hartford Courant reports this week that one of the biggest surprises for the University of Connecticut football program has been the lack of production at wide receiver, and with D.J. Hernandez in particular. With just 11 receptions for 161 yards so far on the season - 103 which came on seven catches last weekend against UNC - Hernandez nevertheless remains the team’s leading pass catcher; such a development only serves to highlight the fact that the passing game for the Huskies’ has struggled in the hands of both Tyler Lorenzen and Zach Fraser, but also that the teams’ wideouts “expected to gain plenty of yards after the catch” at the start of the season, but since “have struggled.”
Louisville Cardinals
The Courier-Journal writes Wednesday that the competition for backup quarterback behind incumbent starter for the University of Louisville Cardinals’ Hunter Cantwell is heating up, with redshirt freshman Matt Simms going head-to-head with Tyler Wolfe. Simms, now off a four-game suspension for an undisclosed violation of team policy, has seen nearly even snaps in practice this week as has Wolfe, with head coach Steve Kragthorpe intending to name a permanent backup by the end of the day Thursdsay or early Friday morning.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Hard as is it to take to take seriously, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this week noted that the Pittsburgh Panthers are developing one of the most talented receivers in the Big East in 6′5″, 225 pound freshman, Jonathan Baldwin. “When he’s on the field, everybody knows it,” claims head coach Dave Wannstedt. “He’s not hiding from anybody. No secrets.” That Wannstedt’s statement holds some degree of truth is found in the fact that Baldwin put together one heck of a play a week ago Thursday against the South Florida Bulls, taking an “all-go” play for a touchdown as Pitt trailed 7-0. The freshman now has three catches for 67 yards, good enough for a team best average of 22.3 yards per catch. “A young kid like that who can stretch the field - we all see it in practice - we’re going to see a lot more of him in the game,” Wannstedt told reporters. “Having him is a blessing.”
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Could it be that the emergence of the next generation of quarterback for Greg Schiano’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights might be just around the corner? The website NJ.com seems to think so, writing Thursday that, as usual, the backup to starting passer Mike Teel, former Michigan State transfer, Dom Natale, is ready to enter into this weekend’s game with Cincinnati in relief of the struggling senior quarterback, and very well may get the chance to do so, considering that Teel currently ranks 94th in the nation in passing efficiency. “I know I’ve been here a little more than two years and haven’t played,” comments Natale, who was pumped up to the No. 2 spot after Jabu Lovelace recently broke his leg. “I’ve just got to keep grinding every day. It does become hard at times. It’s not easy at all. But I haven’t been frustrated.” That type of attitude, coupled with the fact that Natale brings an element of mobility which is lacking whenever Teel starts under center, could make for an opportunity for the New Jersey native to finally get the opportunity to operate the Rutgers’ offense Saturday, as the Scarlet Knights, currently 1-4, desperately need a win, particularly after losing their Big East opener to West Virginia last Saturday, 24-17.
South Florida Bulls
The website TBO.com informs readers on Thursday that when cornerback Theo Wilson of the USF Bulls returns from a knee injury suffered against North Carolina State, he’ll be playing at a different position - wide receiver. Notes head coach of the Bulls, Jim Leavitt, “We want to see if we can get the ball in his hands. He’s not in the rotation at DB. We have four corners that are and next year we have two more. Theo’s an outstanding football players.”
TBO.com also reports in the same article that wideout Jessie Hester, Jr. was knocked unconscious while making a catch Wednesday during afternoon practice. He was taken off the field on a cart, but was reportedly fine afterward.
Syracuse Orange
The Daily Orange this week tells readers that sophomore running back for the Syracuse Orangemen, Delone Carter, will play out of the backfield this coming weekend as SU takes on Big East opponent, the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown. Carter, who has missed much of the season either at the bottom of the depth chart for tailbacks or found himself injured and on the sidelines as Curtis Brinkley and Doug Hogue carried the bulk of the Syracuse ground game, hopes to rebound against WVU, and should be a solid producer, particularly given that he has averaged nearly seven yards a carry each time he’s touched the ball. The youngster from Ohio admits he’s not fully 100% recovered from a pulled hamstring suffered against Penn State, but is anxious to make a name for himself in a crowded backfield where head coach Greg Robinson is once again considering moving to a three-back system.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The Charleston Daily News for Friday highlights the play of tight end Tyler Urban last Saturday against Rutgers, noting that Urban provided WVU with its first score of the game on his first career reception and touchdown, a 25-yard play action pass into the endzone. A 6′4″, 240 pound freshman, Urban ran just two plays during the entire game, and with the first the aforementioned touchdown grab, WVU’s newest tight end - referred to by head coach Bill Stewart as “the next Owen Schmitt” on National Signing Day back in February - saw his first action since the first pass play of the final scrimmage of summer camp. Regardless of his limited participation, Stewart insists that Urban is “going to be a household name at West Virginia in two years.” “He’s not there yet and he’s got a long way to go,” the head coach continues, “but he’s going to get there.”
Big Ten
Illinois Fighting Illini
A quick note regarding Illinois Fighting Illini starting quarterback Juice Williams and his 431 yards of total offense he put together Saturday against the Michigan Wolverines; notes the Chicago Sun-Times, Williams’ performance was a record-breaker, giving the junior the honor of having gained more offensive yards than any other player - either Wolverines or opponent - in the Big House in the entire history of the Michigan football program. That statistic also highlights the fact that Williams’ now rests eighth in the nation and first in the Big Ten in total offense per game played (323.8 yards) and 28th in the country and second in the Big Ten behind Penn State’s Darryl Clark in terms of passing efficiency (146.03). The Chicago, Illinois native too is 55th in the country in rushing with 80.8 yards per game.
Meanwhile, the Central Illinois Herald & Review calls attention to a budding young wide receiver with the Illini, Jeff Cumberland, who Saturday against Michigan, caught his first catch of the season, a 77-yard touchdown on the fourth play of the third quarter. A 6′5″, 250 pound athlete that the Review says “runs like a deer,” the tight-end-turned-wideout is someone that head coach Ron Zook hopes will begin to play a greater role in the Illinois’ offensive game plan. “I think you’ll see more and more from him,” Zook told reporters earlier this week. “We talked about him last night and what’s happening is, the more weapons you have, the more it will help push everyone for playing time.” Thus far, Cumberland prior to Saturday’s appearance had seen limited time on the field, given that the coaching staff felt he had not yet developed the self-confidence and consistency to justify such a move, but coming off a stress-fracture injury to his foot against Louisiana-Lafayette, the junior seemed to have revitalized himself in terms of focus and ability, and should be more of a factor as the Illini head into the second half of their 2008 schedule.
Indiana Hoosiers
Writes The Journal Gazette this Thursday, the Indiana Hoosiers will need to work to improve on the number of times they’ve turned the ball over in the last couple of games, this as head coach Bill Lynch’s squad currently posts a turnover margin of minus 2. According to the piece, only the Michigan Wolverines rank worse in the Big Ten, with a rating of minus 6.
A separate article in The Journal Gazette also points out that the Hoosiers last week against Minnesota faced far too many third-and-long situations, going just 1-of-10 for the game versus the Golden Gophers. Even more disconcerting, the Gazette suggests, is the fact that in six of the nine uncoverted third down plays, Indiana had to go at least 11 yards to make the first-down marker. Yet, the Minnesota contest isn’t the only matchup in which such a pattern was seen; against Michigan State just a week prior, the Hoosiers went 4-of-14 on third-downs, 1-8 in the second half alone. As such, Bill Lynch’s squad ranks 10th in the Big Ten in third-down conversion with a 30.8% success rating.
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Press Citizen provides some interesting notes that fantasy owners may want to consider the next time they start someone from the Iowa Hawkeyes other than junior running back, Shonn Greene:
- The Hawkeyes are current last in the Big Ten in red zone offense, coming away with scores on just 19 of their 26 trips inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. In comparison, notes the Citizen, Penn State, who leads the Big Ten in the same category, has scored on 31 of their 33 attempts inside the red zone.
- Iowa has suffered eight turnovers in the next two weeks, with three coming inside their opponents’ red zone.
- Despite the above, Iowa can point to the fact that they are currently the least penalized team in their conference, the team having been penalized so far this season only 22 times for a total of 199 yards.
Outside of these numbers, the Citizen also provides updated information on tight end Tony Moeaki, a youngster who has missed the last few weeks with a leg strain. According to head coach of the Hawkeyes, Kirk Ferentz, Moeaki could be part of the starting offensive unit that takes the field this weekend against Indiana, though he Ferentz describes the senior’s status as “probably doubtful.” Oddly enough, papers such as the Des Moines Register are suggesting quite the opposite, noting that Moeaki isn’t even listed on this week’s depth chart.
The same article too notes that the “training wheels” are off Iowa’s true freshman kicker, Trent Mossbrucker, this after converting 8-of-9 field goals during the first six games of the year; ironically, the only kick that Mossbrucker missed came on a blocked attempt.
Michigan Wolverines
A 5′9″ and 165 pounds, one wouldn’t think that freshman wide receiver for the Michigan Wolverines, Martavious Odoms, would have a significant impact on Rich Rodriguez’s offense. Yet, quite the opposite is the case, as reports the website MLive.com, with Odoms currently leading the team in receiving yards with 253 on just 23 receptions. That leaves the Pahokee, Florida native being described by his head coach as “a tough little guy” who, at his current pace, could quite easily could break the Michigan freshman record of 508 receiving yards in a single year held by Greg McMurtry and the record for catches by a freshman (27) current held by former UM alumni, Mario Manningham. The article notes that such numbers seem well within reach, especially considering the seven catches for 129 yards and 183 kickoff return yards he acquired in a 315 total all-purpose yard outing this past Saturday against Illinois.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Fondly referred to as the “Decker List,” offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar tells the Star-Tribune that there is currently an ever-increasing number of plays being created by the UM coaching staff directly for junior standout at wide receiver, Eric Decker. According to Dunbar, that list “includes receiving plays, running plays and passing plays.” “It’s in,” the Golden Gophers’ coordinator comments, adding, “We practice it every week. It just hasn’t happened in a game yet.” That Minnesota would develop such a broad-spectrum program for a receiver that currently leads the nation in receiving yards and receiving yards per game (696 and 116, respectively) shouldn’t come as a surprise; yet, Decker remains a lesser-known name at wideout than say Florida’s Percy Harvin or Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin. As such, the university’s sports information office has launched a campaign which one expert referred to as “the best receiver no one knows about” promotion. Minnesota will in conjunction with the operation start offering “emails to media around the country” which will “push to get Decker considered for the Biletnikoff Award,” this even though Decker never even made it to the preseason watch list, while also hoping to get the junior enough recognition to have him considered as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Some interesting factoids regarding the Ohio State Buckeyes is offered up by the website Cleveland.com this week:
- Chris “Beanie” Wells missed a day of practice at the start of the week with the flu, but head coach Jim Tressel told reporters that he “feels good” about how the start tailback’s right foot is healing. Wells said Tuesday that he experienced more soreness after the game at Wisconsin, but was ready to play come this upcoming Saturday.
- With wide receivers Dane Sanzenbacher and Ray Small, third and fourth spot receivers for the Buckeyes, both currently banged up, fantasy owners can expect to see a good deal more of freshman wideout DeVier Posey and fellow underclassmen, Lamaar Thomas. Tressel said of the two, “I think they’re both coming along, I really do. [Lamaar in particular] has been very steady, learning and very attentive.”
- The Ohio State Buckeyes’ coaching staff nearly had a heart attack Saturday against the Wisconsin Badgers, this as fullback Jermil Martin, currently redshirting, suddenly was seen running out on the field as part of OSU’s special teams unit without explanation. “I don’t know the whole story of how he got out there,” Tressel commented. “They almost burned a timeout to go get him off the field.” Martin, who had made the trip to Wisconsin as an emergency backup with starter Brandon Smith having to fill in at tight end with Rory Nichol injured, hadn’t been planned on being used by the coaching staff unless “absolutely necessary” to do so.
Penn State Nittany Lions
According to the website PennLive.com, with Penn State tight ends Mickey Shuler, Jr. and Andrew Quarless both suffering from ankle injuries heading into this weekend’s major showdown against the Wisconsin Badgers, the Nittany Lions coaching staff is planning on moving 6′2″, 290 pound offensive linemen Mike Lucian over to fill in the gap at the tight end position.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review informs readers on Thursday that wide receiver for PSU, Deon Butler, is scheduled to return to the playing field Saturday night against the Wisconsin Badgers, this as he appears once more healthy after missing the last two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Purdue Boilermakers
With head coach Joe Tiller noting to his pulling starting quarterback Curtis Painter last week in the fourth quarter of a disappointing loss to Penn State, “You let a guy play his way out of a position when he’s played as much as he has,” fans of Purdue and fantasy owners alike learned that Painter will once again be the starter when Purdue takes on Ohio State this upcoming weekend. “I’ll talk to him probably midweek or so,” Tiller told the Indianapolis Star, “but I’m not going [to] spend a lot of time on it because of his experience. I tell the quarterbacks every year that anybody can get replaced at any time, don’t read anything into it. You get a chance to come back and play, you come back and play your best.”
Wisconsin Badgers
Head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, Bret Bielema, told The Badger Herald this week that starting quarterback Allen Evridge will be the team’s starter under center against Penn State, but that the youngster need be aware that the UW coaching staff has every intention of utilizing junior backup, Dustin Sherer, if Evridge for some reason continues to struggle throwing the ball has he has over the team’s two losses this season.
The Journal Sentinel meanwhile reports this week on a subject we have covered previously in this column - redshirt freshman tailback John Clay. Notes the article, Clay’s 10 carries for 69 yards this past weekend against Ohio State may very well have been good enough to move him ahead of sophomore Zach Brown as the top backup to junior starter, P.J. Hill. Head coach Bret Bielema praised the youngster’s rushing production versus the Buckeyes, commenting, “He was productive. He got in there and I thought he really energized everyone that was out there and the crowd. He made some really, really good runs.”
Pac-10
Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Daily Star comments this week that the last time the Arizona Wildcats encountered a “big, bruising tailback” like Toby Gerhart of Stanford, who UA’s defense will face off against the upcoming Saturday, the net result was getting absolutely run over by Rodney Ferguson, senior running back for the New Mexico Lobos. At 6′1″, 235 pounds, Gerhart is, to say the least, a “physical presence” who has to this point in the season ran for 525 yards and six touchdowns; he is also the fourth best in the conference in terms of average yards per carry with six. “He’s a power runner,” notes head coach, Mike Stoops. “He likes to run downhill and break tackles. So that’s his strength. He understands who he is, and doesn’t try to do anything but that.” That Gerhart should be a reason for concern was other further last week, as the junior was the only bright spot in the Cardinal’s matchup with Notre Dame, rushing for 104 yards on just 13 carries; keep in mind as well, that when the Wildcats lined up against New Mexico’s Ferguson, the senior scorched the ground defense to the tune of 158 yards and two touchdowns. Says defensive end Ricky Elmore,”We’re a different team now. I think [Saturday] will be a redemption for us. It’s another big back, so maybe we can get after him.” Fantasy owners will definitely want to see if that does in fact become reality.
A quick note from the same Daily Star article as well; backup quarterback Matt Scott was seen going through full-contact drills Wednesday for the first time this week, this after the freshman suffered a mild concussion in the fourth quarter of last week’s game with the Washington Huskies.
Arizona State Sun Devils
The Buffalo News reports on Tuesday that head coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils, Dennis Erickson, is wanting to review just how well injured starting quarterback Rudy Carpenter holds up with a sprained left ankle before deciding whether or not the senior will play at USC this upcoming Saturday. Readers may be familiar with the fact that Carpenter hurt the ankle in a loss to the California Bears last weekend, a factor which may very well threaten the quarterbacks current streak of 36 straight starts.
Also, the website AZCentral.com explains Sunday that starting kicker for ASU, Thomas Weber, missed just the third field goal - a 44 yard attempt this past Saturday against the California Bears - of his two-year career with the Sun Devils; all in all, the sophomore has hit 32 of his 35 total attempts.
California Bears
Head coach Jeff Tedford suggested to reporters this week that a player who could be having a greater impact on the California Bear’s offensive unit in the near future is redshirt freshman wide receiver, Michael Calvin. To this point in the season less-productive than either Cameron Morrah or Nyan Boateng, Calvin this week broke the 100-yard receiving mark for the season against Arizona State and looks to finally be fulfilling the promise which last year made him the Bears’ Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year. A significant challenge, writes The Daily Californian, has been encountered in a lingering foot injury that doesn’t allow Calvin to “get in and out of breaks properly,” yet, with his foot now having fully healed, the 6′2″ wideout, notes Tedford, is finally “able to run full speed.” “He didn’t really play that much,” the Cal head coach said of the youngster’s involvement in the first half of this season; yet, Calvin has been “getting experience” and is, in Tedford’s eyes, “working himself into the lineup as of now.”
Oregon Ducks
Good news for fans of the team from Eugene, Oregon, this as the Statesman Journal reports that sophomore quarterback Justin Roper was back in practice Monday with the rest of the team, practicing primarily with the second unit and working on conditioning drills. “Arms feel good. Legs feel good,” Roper told reporters following the practice session, adding that even having been sidelined with a partial MCL tear in his left leg for almost a month, “Knee is getting strong. I have confidence in it.” Head coach Mike Bellotti said that the sophomore would “compete for the starting job” under center heading into Saturday’s Pac-10 showdown with the UCLA Bruins, commenting, “I thought he moved pretty good and the ball efficiently. He told me he can do anything we want him to do, so I’m hopeful that will be the case.”
Stanford Cardinal
Offensive coordinator for the Stanford Cardinal, David Shaw, described for the website PaloAltoOnline.com that starting quarterback Tavita Pritchard played “a tale of two halves” in this past weekend’s matchup between the Cardinal and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Case in point - entering into the four quarter, Pritchard had completed just eight-of-17 passing for 76 yards, had three interceptions and was sacked five times, but nevertheless finished the game having hit 10 of his last 11 attempts for 106 yards. “His fourth quarter,” comments Shaw, “was outstanding. He knows that’s our standard for him, and that’s his standard for himself. We need to maintain that for 60 minutes.”
UCLA Bruins
Head coach for the UCLA Bruins, Rick Neuheisel, tells the Los Angeles Times this week that Bruins’ kicker Kai Forbath may get a look at adding to his current job description of field goal attampts and PATs duties related to handling kickoff responsibilities heading into this upcoming weekend’s game against the Oregon Ducks. “We’re just trying to create some competition,” Neuheisel told reports when asked why Forbath would be going up against Rotstein this week in practice on kickoffs. “Jimmy does a nice job,” the head coach continued, “but we need to get the ball father down the field. Right now the other team’s average starting position is between the 30- and 40- yard line and that’s too much field position to give up.”
The Times also reports in the same article that freshman quarterback for the Bruins, Nick Crissman, will have surgery on his right shoulder and be out for the next two to three months. The piece states too that wide receiver Marcus Everett, who has been hindered by a dislocated toe, will travel to Eugene, but is not expected to play.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Register informs readers that UCLA quarterback Ben Olson is reportedly “disappointed” to hear that he will be slotted as a backup to Kevin Craft when he returns from a broken foot, but believes “his football career is not over.” “In my eyes,” he tells the paper, “I think I’ll get an opportunity to play, so I’m just going to prepare myself to do that”; that head coach Rick Neuheisel had said the “realistic situation” is that Olsen would come back in “a reserve role” if he somehow returns this season was “news to me,” says Olsen, but still a situation in which he intends to “give it a shot,” as he feels “there’s a lot of football left in me.”
USC Trojans
One of the hottest topics being discussed amongst fantasy owners this week is whether or not Pete Carroll will have injured starter Mark Sanchez under center this weekend, this as the Trojans prepare for an important showdown with the Arizona State Sun Devils. Sanchez was held out of practice through the early part of the week, with The Press Enterprise reporting Wednesday that Mitch Mustain led the first team offense on Monday and Tuesday - though, admittedly, he was described as “spotty,” this according to Carroll’s assessment of the junior. Sanchez, on the other hand, returned to the field on Wednesday, and looked “much better” to Coach Carroll, while offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian described Sanchez’s performance as a “dramatic improvement” over what expectations for the injured starter originally were. Does this mean that fantasy owners can count on Sanchez getting the start Saturday? “We’ll see what happens after today’s work,” Carroll concluded. “If he’s no worse off, he’ll practice the whole practice tomorrow [Thursday], or the majority of it,” a clear sign that the junior is likely to get the call against the Sun Devils this weekend in the Coliseum.
Washington Huskies
The Seattle Times informs readers Sunday that as the Washington Huskies saw two more redshirts lost this past Saturday against the Arizona Wildcats, this as true freshmen running back Terrance Dailey and wide receiver Cody Bruns played in the first collegiate contest of their respective careers, head coach Ty Willingham established himself as a record-holder for the university, now having started more true freshmen than any other head coach for UW.
Washington State Cougars
You almost had to know this was going to happen; reports the Arizona Daily Star for Wednesday, the Washington State University football team held open tryouts Monday for students interested in becoming the next scout team quarterback for Paul Wulff’s Cougars. Reports coming out of Pullman suggest that 29 students showed up and ran plays and drills, while a crowd of 200 watched from the sidelines. “We had a lot of fun with it,” claimed Wulff. “And we can use a little of that right now.” The move comes in light of Marshall Lobbestael being pressed into duty as a starter due to season-ending injuries to both Gary Rogers and Kevin Lopina, and as the fourth- and fifth-string quarterbacks for WSU are left to practice with the first-team offense.
SEC
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Montgomery Advertiser draws attention this week to fifth-year senior wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Will Oakley, who over the last two games against Georgia and Kentucky, has attempted to make up for time lost since sustaining a muscular injury in a weight-room accident earlier in the summer. A 6′1″, 195 pounder out of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Oakley was formerly the favorite target of University of Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow, at Nease High School, where he set a record with 1283 receiving yards on 67 catches in his senior year (2003). Replacing regular starter Mike McCoy during the matchup with the Bulldogs, Oakley did not catch any passes, but is making the most of his opportunity to take the field in his final year with the Tide; his only reception for 2008 - a 13 yard grab versus Western Kentucky - was a personal milestone for McCoy, with the youngster stating, “It felt so good . . . . to finally get out there and finally get the first catch of the season, because I overcame a lot.” Expectations are that he’ll accomplish a lot more before the season is over and could make McCoy one to watch as the rest of the season progresses.
Arkansas Razorbacks
And while we’re on the subject of wide receivers, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette covers the story of freshman wideout, Joe Adams, originally expected to sign with the USC Trojans prior to the start of the 2008 season, but ultimately landed by the Razorabacks’ coaching staff. A former star at Central Arkansas Christian in North Little Rock, the youngster played both side of the ball - defensive back and receiver - and was subsequently nominated to The Associated Press Super Team; he was heavily recruited by Pete Carroll, head coach for the Trojans, but was swayed to stay close to home when assistant coach Tim Horton talked to Adams about his options at UA. Says Petrino of his standout receiver in light of such numbers, “The one thing about Joe you find out on game day is how much of a competitor he is and how much confidence he has in himself. Obviously his athletic ability and ability to run and elevate while he’s running full speed, and make catches above his head and run after the catch - that’s what excited me so much, is his ability to run after the catch.”
Auburn Tigers
Alabama’s The Press-Register reports recently that head coach Tommy Tuberville of Auburn claimed quarterback Kodi Burns will be given the chance to start for the Tigers this coming weekend against Arkansas, but, as far as Burns is aware, Chris Todd still remains embedded as the team’s lead offensive lead. Tuberville insists, “It could happen,” telling reporters, “It just depends on the game plan and how [Burns and Todd] practice all the way through Thursday. The main this is that both of them stay focused and keep practicing like they’re going to be the starter. They have pretty much all year long. It’s just one of those situations where you only have one quarterback.” Subsequently, Burns is expected to have roughly equal numbers of repos in drills this week, with the sophomore saying, “All I can do is just keep going out and practicing and working hard every day.”
Florida Gators
The Naples Daily News writes Tuesday that wide receiver Percy Harvin of the Florida Gators missed a couple of practices this week, but is still expected to play Saturday against the #4 LSU Tigers. Head coach Urban Meyer noted that Harvin sprained his right ankle Saturday and is currently in a protective boot, but hoped to see the junior back on the field Wednesday or Thursday. Meanwhile, Meyer also reported that tailbacks Kestahn Moore and Emmanuel Moody both missed practice earlier this week; Moody, the coach commented, could see time versus the Tigers, but Moody is apparently doubtful.
The Orlando Sentinel also contains an interesting article on the Florida Gators, this one about star quarterback Tim Tebow; the piece notes that despite rumors that Tebow is playing injured after struggling through UF’s first five games, his father, Bob Tebow, has denied that his son is competing while hurt. “Nothing other than the normal bumps and bruises,” the elder Tebow told reporters. “It’s a rough game.”
Finally, the St. Petersburg Times writes Tuesday that the 103 yards respectively that both Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, tailbacks for the Florida Gators, put up along with a combined total of three touchdowns against Arkansas this past weekend accounted for the first time that Florida has had two rushers with 100 yards or better in the same game since Fred Taylor and Bo Carroll did so versus Central Michigan back in 1997.
Georgia Bulldogs
The website Macon.com writes this week that freshman running back Richard Samuel has already learned a number of lessons in his first year as a collegiate tailback, but among the hardest is coming to terms with the concept of patience. After starting as the back up rusher to Knowshon Moreno at the beginning of the 2008 season, Samuel has seen his role “diminish” in the last few weeks, particularly after he cost the Bulldogs a potential touchdown against South Carolina in the team’s conference opener, with his primary work limited to the practice field and special teams. “It’s a little difficult,” Samuel told reporters, “I just want to be high-tempo, so to slow it down and be under control can be a little difficult, but it’s something I need to do to become a better back.” “It’s been difficult for me not to get out there,” the freshman continues. “I’m anxious to get out there. I really want to play. I want to contribute to a win. But also standing back there on the sideline allows me to see how it’s done from other people who have been here longer.”
Also, from the website OnlineAthens.com comes the news that fullback Brannan Southerland is back in practice, this after being away from the football field since the Sugar Bowl, when he broke his left foot badly enough to require two surgeries. “This is a great feeling,” Southerland said Monday after practice. “It’s been a longer recovery and longer rehab than anybody expected. I’m very close to being back to 100 percent. It’s just an incredible feeling to be back out with my teammates again.” The 6′0″, 240 pound fullback is considered, notes the article, one of the SEC’s best overall blocking backs and last year ran 17 times for 24 yards and five touchdowns, while also catching 11 passes for 59 yards and another score in 2007.
Kentucky Wildcats
According to the Courier-Journal, in order to find greater success in the SEC portion of their 2008 schedule, the Kentucky Wildcats must begin improving their numbers running with the ball, this as the Wildcats managed just 35 yards rushing on 20 carries this past weekend against Alabama. That could be a difficult task, at least to according to one Kentucky running back. “I feel like we’re getting better (offensively),” comments tailback Derrick Locke, “but honestly I feel like we’re relying too much on the pass game. I don’t k now if it’s coach not trusting us with the run game. I really don’t know, but I feel like the running backs need some more touches.” Locke continues, noting that the Kentucky coaching staff has stressed establishing the run each week leading up to a game, but that once play actually starts, the Wildcats’ offense is directed differently; “They keep saying we’ve got to establish the run,” he notes, but “we’re not really running. WE haven’t had a running back that had over 100 yards rushing yet. You can’t get that with six carries, four carries, three carries. You just can’t make it happen.”
LSU Tigers
The Advertiser for Wednesday writes that LSU Tigers’ quarterback, Andrew Hatch, is fully involved in practices again with the remainder of his teammates, this after suffering a mild concussion at Auburn on September 20th and not playing in LSU’s last game against Mississippi State on the 27th. Comments head coach Les Miles, Jarrett Lee should still get the starting nod against Florida but expects that the coaching staff will “bring in Andrew on the second or third series, maybe later.”
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Given his 17-of-26 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown against the LSU Tigers - and, as important, if not moreso, no turnovers - in Mississippi State’s last game, head coach Sylvester Croom has decided to allow Tyson Lee to start over Wes Carroll for his second straight game this upcoming Saturday, this against #13 Vanderbilt. Noted Croom of the move, and as provided by The Times-News, “If I feel like during the course of the game we need to make a change, I’ll do that. But it won’t be because of a bad play or something like that. [Lee] doesn’t have to look over his shoulder.”
From the station MyFoxNY.com: Thursday, head coach of the MSU Bulldogs, Sylvester Croom, told reporters to expect that tailback Anthony Dixon will “play every down possible” against #13 Vanderbilt this weekend, “regardless of situation, personnel package or matchup.” “Oh, man,” replied Anthony Dixon, “everybody who knows me knows that’s how I like to play the game. It’s all I’ve been waiting for. That’s what I want to do. That’s the kind of football I want to play.”
Tennessee Volunteers
The website OnlineAthens.com notes that when the Tennessee Volunteers take on the Georgia Bulldogs this upcoming Saturday, it will be Nick Stephens, who last week jump-started Tennessee’s offense in place of regular starter Jonathan Crompton in a 13-9 win over Northern Illinois at home, that will be under center. Says Stephens of his newly assigned role, “I know what to expect. I’m just going to try to go out and block everything else out and play my game. I’m excited. I don’t know, I’m excited. To be on a field like that with people watching in a big, loud stadium like that is exciting. It’s Georgia. That’s about all you need to say.”
Stephens may be a potential answer in the Volunteers’ passing attack, but according to The Daily Times, the once-vaunted Tennessee ground game seems to “have lost its identity.” Notes the article, the Volunteers’ are currently eighth in the SEC in rushing offense, averaging just over 96 yards per game over the last three weeks. Oddly enough, the season low of 69 yards came just last week against Northern Illinois, signaling a major problem for UT as they enter into a punishing portion of the 2008 schedule with games against Georgia and Alabama comprising the next two weeks.
Vanderbilt Commodores
The Tennessean.com writes that Thursday saw Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson having yet another solid day of practice, yet head coach Bobby Johnson still hasn’t decided whether or not the fifth-year senior will get the call to start this upcoming weekend against Mississippi State. “I think he looked pretty good,” said Johnson to local members of the media after practice. “We’ll sit down and evaluate things. [Quarterback coach Jimmy] Kiser is with them in meetings, with them at every second of practice. He’ll have a huge input on what’s going to happen.” Since having sustained a shoulder injury against Ole Miss on September 20th, Mackenzi Adams has been the player to run the Commodores’ offense, and served the key ingredient this past Saturday as Vanderbilt pulled off a major upset of then #13 Auburn at home, but don’t count Nickson out when the Johnson’s team steps out onto the field in Starkville this weekend.
Topics: College Football, Jason Roberts, Notes From the Margins |
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