This Week in College Football - 10-24-15
By: Larry Causion Jr. CausionCreations.com
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2015
Credit: Associated Press
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2015
Credit: Associated Press
What a day it was in college football yesterday. There were upsets, there were surprisingly close match ups and their were some teams that just looked dominant. Lets take a look at some of the key match ups.
Arkansas outlasts Auburn 54-46 in 4 overtimes
The Arkansas Razorbacks outlasted the Auburn Tigers 54-46 in four overtimes.
The Tigers rallied from 14 points down in the first half, and quarterback Sean White led them on a game-tying drive late in regulation -- capped by a 41-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson. However, they were unable to overcome eight dropped passes, including one that would have gone for a touchdown in the fourth overtime to Ricardo Louis, while adding to their disappointing season so far.
The win kept Arkansas' bowl hopes alive, doing so in the longest game in major college football this season, according to STATS.
The Tigers rallied from 14 points down in the first half, and quarterback Sean White led them on a game-tying drive late in regulation -- capped by a 41-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson. However, they were unable to overcome eight dropped passes, including one that would have gone for a touchdown in the fourth overtime to Ricardo Louis, while adding to their disappointing season so far.
The win kept Arkansas' bowl hopes alive, doing so in the longest game in major college football this season, according to STATS.
No. 6 Clemson hands Miami worst loss ever, 58-0
Clemson looked very much like a national title contender. Miami looked like a team that hit rock bottom.
Deshaun Watson threw for one touchdown and ran for another before sitting out most of the second half and No. 6 Clemson rolled to a 42-0 lead by halftime on the way to embarrassing Miami 58-0 on Saturday -- the worst loss in the 90-year history of Hurricanes football.
Wayne Gallman rushed for 118 yards and another touchdown for the unbeaten Tigers (7-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won 35 consecutive games against unranked opponents. The Tigers scored touchdowns on five of their first six drives, knocked Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya out in the second quarter with what was believed to be a concussion and outgained the Hurricanes 567-146.
This is Clemson, now: A team that's rolling and will face Florida State in two weeks with a chance to take control of the ACC race.
This is Miami, now: A team that seems like it's heading toward another mediocre season, with a fan base that gets angrier by the week. And there wasn't even any assurance postgame that Kaaya will be ready to go next week when the Hurricanes visit Duke.
There was booing in the first quarter, a "Fire Golden" chant soon afterward and many of those who did show -- the announced attendance was 45,211, while the actual number was clearly far less -- never returned to their seats after halftime, perhaps a wise move given that Clemson already had a 42-0 lead and was dealing Miami a loss that undoubtedly won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Even members of the U.S. Congress took to Twitter to complain about how far the Hurricanes (4-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have fallen.
"I know it isn't far from outhouse to penthouse," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "I don't celebrate anything from Miami's bad day. I feel for him. I hate it, man. Al Golden is a great guy. I have a lot of respect for him. I have respect for this university."
The score was a blowout, and so was just about every stat.
Until Saturday, Miami's worst loss was a 70-14 defeat to Texas A&M on Dec. 8, 1944. It was Clemson's largest win over an FBS opponent since an 82-24 win over Wake Forest on Oct. 31, 1981. Clemson had 33 first downs to Miami's six, 567 total yards to Miami's 146, and outrushed the Hurricanes 416-53. It was the most rushing yards for the Tigers since 2000, the most allowed by Miami since 2008.
Deshaun Watson threw for one touchdown and ran for another before sitting out most of the second half and No. 6 Clemson rolled to a 42-0 lead by halftime on the way to embarrassing Miami 58-0 on Saturday -- the worst loss in the 90-year history of Hurricanes football.
Wayne Gallman rushed for 118 yards and another touchdown for the unbeaten Tigers (7-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won 35 consecutive games against unranked opponents. The Tigers scored touchdowns on five of their first six drives, knocked Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya out in the second quarter with what was believed to be a concussion and outgained the Hurricanes 567-146.
This is Clemson, now: A team that's rolling and will face Florida State in two weeks with a chance to take control of the ACC race.
This is Miami, now: A team that seems like it's heading toward another mediocre season, with a fan base that gets angrier by the week. And there wasn't even any assurance postgame that Kaaya will be ready to go next week when the Hurricanes visit Duke.
There was booing in the first quarter, a "Fire Golden" chant soon afterward and many of those who did show -- the announced attendance was 45,211, while the actual number was clearly far less -- never returned to their seats after halftime, perhaps a wise move given that Clemson already had a 42-0 lead and was dealing Miami a loss that undoubtedly won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Even members of the U.S. Congress took to Twitter to complain about how far the Hurricanes (4-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have fallen.
"I know it isn't far from outhouse to penthouse," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "I don't celebrate anything from Miami's bad day. I feel for him. I hate it, man. Al Golden is a great guy. I have a lot of respect for him. I have respect for this university."
The score was a blowout, and so was just about every stat.
Until Saturday, Miami's worst loss was a 70-14 defeat to Texas A&M on Dec. 8, 1944. It was Clemson's largest win over an FBS opponent since an 82-24 win over Wake Forest on Oct. 31, 1981. Clemson had 33 first downs to Miami's six, 567 total yards to Miami's 146, and outrushed the Hurricanes 416-53. It was the most rushing yards for the Tigers since 2000, the most allowed by Miami since 2008.
Maryland comes up Short in Baltimore
Maryland's determined effort before a spirted crowd of 68,948 could help turn this into a regional rivalry.
Mike Locksley was promoted from offensive coordinator after head coach Randy Edsall was fired on Oct. 11. Although Maryland (2-5, 0-3) led in the fourth quarter and played its best game in a month, the result was all too familiar.
On a day he completed only 13 passes, Christian Hackenberg guided Penn State to a gritty win over Maryland and earned a place in the Penn State record book.
Hackenberg threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns, and Penn State squeezed out a 31-30 victory Saturday to spoil the debut of Terps' interim coach Mike Locksley.
In addition to tossing TD passes of 37, 20 and 27 yards, Hackenberg had completions of 40, 38 and 31 yards. Chris Godwin had four catches for 135 yards and DaeSean Hamilton totaled 96 yards on his five receptions.
Mike Locksley was promoted from offensive coordinator after head coach Randy Edsall was fired on Oct. 11. Although Maryland (2-5, 0-3) led in the fourth quarter and played its best game in a month, the result was all too familiar.
On a day he completed only 13 passes, Christian Hackenberg guided Penn State to a gritty win over Maryland and earned a place in the Penn State record book.
Hackenberg threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns, and Penn State squeezed out a 31-30 victory Saturday to spoil the debut of Terps' interim coach Mike Locksley.
In addition to tossing TD passes of 37, 20 and 27 yards, Hackenberg had completions of 40, 38 and 31 yards. Chris Godwin had four catches for 135 yards and DaeSean Hamilton totaled 96 yards on his five receptions.
Ga Tech beats Florida State on 78-yard return on final play
Lance Austin ran toward the ball, rolling along at the Georgia Tech end of the field as the final seconds ticked off the clock. He hesitated, a bit confused as his coach screamed for him to leave it alone.
The sophomore scooped up the ball at his own 22 and took off the other way. He didn't stop running until he reached the end zone, his 78-yard return of a blocked field goal on the final play giving Georgia Tech a stunning 22-16 upset of the No. 9 Seminoles on Saturday night.
On the Florida State sideline, coach Jimbo Fisher stoically removed his headset, clearly shocked at only the second loss in the last three seasons for the Seminoles.
The white-clad Georgia Tech fans poured onto the field, celebrating with the players after perhaps the most improbable win in school history. They were still milling about when a replay of the final play, complete with the call by the Yellow Jackets' radio crew, was played on the video board.
They cheered wildly as Austin zigzagged down the field all over again on the big screen at the opposite end of the stadium.
In a finish reminiscent of Auburn running back a missed field goal to beat Alabama two seasons ago -- the original Kick Six -- Georgia Tech snapped a five-game losing streak, its longest since 1994, and dealt a devastating blow to Florida State's title hopes. The Seminoles won the national championship in 2013 and reached the national semifinals a year ago.
Now, they'll need some help to get that far again, though a victory over No. 6 Clemson in two weeks could boost them back into the running.
The sophomore scooped up the ball at his own 22 and took off the other way. He didn't stop running until he reached the end zone, his 78-yard return of a blocked field goal on the final play giving Georgia Tech a stunning 22-16 upset of the No. 9 Seminoles on Saturday night.
On the Florida State sideline, coach Jimbo Fisher stoically removed his headset, clearly shocked at only the second loss in the last three seasons for the Seminoles.
The white-clad Georgia Tech fans poured onto the field, celebrating with the players after perhaps the most improbable win in school history. They were still milling about when a replay of the final play, complete with the call by the Yellow Jackets' radio crew, was played on the video board.
They cheered wildly as Austin zigzagged down the field all over again on the big screen at the opposite end of the stadium.
In a finish reminiscent of Auburn running back a missed field goal to beat Alabama two seasons ago -- the original Kick Six -- Georgia Tech snapped a five-game losing streak, its longest since 1994, and dealt a devastating blow to Florida State's title hopes. The Seminoles won the national championship in 2013 and reached the national semifinals a year ago.
Now, they'll need some help to get that far again, though a victory over No. 6 Clemson in two weeks could boost them back into the running.
USC Beats undefeated Utah
In less than two weeks, Southern California went from the depths of a coach's firing to the heights of a wild celebration after beating the No. 3 team in the nation.
Most of these Trojans have been on a roller coaster from the day they joined this storied but troubled program. This particular peak sent them soaring over mighty Utah.
Cameron Smith returned the second of his three interceptions 54 yards for a touchdown, and USC knocked the third-ranked Utes from the unbeaten ranks with a 42-24 victory Saturday night.
Most of these Trojans have been on a roller coaster from the day they joined this storied but troubled program. This particular peak sent them soaring over mighty Utah.
Cameron Smith returned the second of his three interceptions 54 yards for a touchdown, and USC knocked the third-ranked Utes from the unbeaten ranks with a 42-24 victory Saturday night.