NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com NCAA Football FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/FSU's Streak Survives, Will Bowden?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/fsus-bowl-streak-survives-will-bowden/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/fsus-bowl-streak-survives-will-bowden/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/fsus-bowl-streak-survives-will-bowden/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- When Bobby Bowden finally decides to slip quietly into retirement, he believes Florida State fans will remember the good times -- and not the program's recent slide -- that happened during his storied coaching career. One question: Does his career have any chance at a storybook ending?

FSU's dramatic 29-26 home victory over Maryland Saturday helped an already wounded Seminole Nation avoid further grief, if not slow a potentially uncomfortable showdown with its iconic coach. Instead, the Seminoles (6-5) breathed a collective sigh of relief and became bowl eligible for the 28th straight year.

Another streak is on the line at top-ranked Florida next Saturday.

"Say that without laughing. Don't you dare laugh," Bowden chuckled when asked if he thought his team could beat the Gators, who have won five consecutive and six out of the last eight games in the series.

"Anything is possible. You have a team, unranked, playing the No. 1 team in the nation at their place with a five-game winning streak against us."

"But nothing is impossible."

The Seminoles proved as much against the Terrapins, relying on a bit of luck and three freshmen.

A mere two minutes away from a devastating loss, FSU freshman Greg Reid darted 48 yards with a punt return to the Maryland 44. Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen said Nick Ferrara intended to punt the ball out of bounds on the right sideline, but it drifted back into the hands of Reid, the ACC's leading punt returner.

Freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel, who had tossed his third interception of the game on the Seminoles' previous possession, scrambled twice for 35 yards and then tossed a 6-yard completion to Tawian Easterling.

That set up freshman Lonnie Pryor's 3-yard run with 32 seconds left to send a season-low crowd of 66,042 at Doak Campbell Stadium home with a smile.

"I knew when our defense got three and out, I had to make a big play then," Reid said.
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"We've been fighting it all year, you know, big plays. I told EJ [Manuel] before I would set him up for good field position and all you've got to do is finish the game. Everything worked out. We're going to get better, we are going to get ready for the Gator game, I can tell you that."

That's certainly good to know.

FSU finished its home season with a 3-3 record and for the second straight home game there were thousands of empty seats despite pregame activities honoring departing senior players and longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.

Andrews, 68, the gum-chewing, fiery/friendly ol' cuss, is leaving after 26 seasons to be a full-time grandfather to the children of his son Ronnie, who died suddenly in 2007. Andrews was given a new garnet Ford crew cab pickup from his former players before the game and he was carried off the field by his current players after the game.

A relieved Andrews, who was awarded the game ball, said you couldn't have scripted a better story in terms of winning his final home game. Bowden, who had attempted to talk his good friend out of retirement and into one more season in 2010, was also thankful the game had a good ending.

"It would have been awful to send him out with a loss, it would have been awful," Bowden said. "Mickey's a great guy. I bet he will shed a lot of tears -- you won't see them -- but he's so sentimental."

The 80-year-old Bowden, meanwhile, continues to press forward. He has repeatedly indicated he wants to return to coach next year.

While his future has been the source of speculation for years, the heat increased earlier this season when Jim Smith, chairman of the university's trustees, said Bowden should leave after this season.

The flames of discontent were once again further stroked earlier this week when Ann Bowden, Bobby's wife, publicly dared the university to fire Bowden. She had earlier stated she felt betrayed by Smith and others who wanted to push out her husband.

"You know, we don't need the university as much as they need us -- as much as they need him and his connections and reputation and everything," Ann Bowden told USA Today. "If they want to pull that trick [and force Bobby to retire], we'll just shake the dirt off our feet and go to Europe or go on a long cruise or something.

"They'll have to fire him for him not to go another year ... If they've got guts enough to do it, let them do it."

Bowden wanted no part of any verbal jousting following the Maryland game, saying he instead wanted to enjoy the victory.

"Let's don't talk about me. We've talked about me enough the last two weeks," Bowden laughed, proving he certainly hasn't lost his sense of humor, even though FSU is just 37-26 in the past five years.

"The [wins] are all big for me. That's one thing you don't get too old for, is a win. Can you imagine how miserable I would be if we lost? Miserable."

Bowden's not the sentimental type either. He said he didn't give one thought to the possibility that it may have been his final home game at FSU as well.

"Did it cross my mind?," Bowden asked. "No. I don't do that."

Hmm, the Maryland-FSU game could have been called the Buyout Bowl.

Bowden has indicated he would like to coach through at least the 2010 season. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has a contract already calling for the school to pay him $5 million if he is not the head coach by January 2011.

Expect a decision on Bowden's future quickly after the Florida game. Again, as reported earlier by FanHouse, it's believed he has been given two options - step away with a nice payday or return and allow Fisher control of the team, including coaching decisions.

On the other sideline was Friedgen, who, given the Terps' financial woes, is expected to remain as head coach for the remaining two years of his contract. The university needs a cool $4.5 million if it wants to move the Fridge early and elevate head coach-in-waiting James Franklin.

Time will determine those moves.

Bowden wanted to enjoy the moment, while Friedgen suffered through his team's sixth consecutive defeat.

"It's one of those games you lose it," Bowden explained.

"Look up and say gosh, you just lost it. Then you pull it out. Then you look up there and we just lost it again. They scored a touchdown. Then first thing you know we won it. It was that kind of game.

"It's hard to believe we won it."

FSU's Streak Survives, Will Bowden? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenJim HenrySat, 21 Nov 2009 18:19:00 EST Swinney Is Rock of Clemson Programhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/swinney-is-rock-of-clemson-program/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/swinney-is-rock-of-clemson-program/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/swinney-is-rock-of-clemson-program/#commentsFiled under: ,

Even with 10 gallons of Gatorade - orange, naturally - dripping off him, and clad in a gray Clemson sweatshirt right out of George Costanza's wardrobe, Dabo Swinney may still have been the most neatly manicured man in Memorial Stadium.

Consider that a lesson about the unflappable nature of bookish Clemson coach. Not even a Gatorade ambush can stray so much as a hair from the coach's gameplan.

"This is just an extremely special day," Swinney said of the Tigers' 34-21 victory over Virginia, a win that came hours after they clinched the ACC's Atlantic Division, Clemson's first title of any sort since 1991.

It was a belated birthday present for Swinney, who turned 40 Friday and was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by 77,000 purple-and-orange well-wishers, a going away gift for C.J. Spiller and Clemson's talented senior class, and something of an anniversary present for all involved.

In the 13 months since Clemson athletics director Terry Don Phillips selected the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator to succeed Tommy Bowden, bypassing several other more proven coaches on Bowden's staff, the man with part in his hair crisper than a wide receiver's route has become the unmovable center of the Clemson program.

So, fittingly, after the biggest win of his career, Swinney gave the game ball to Phillips.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him," Swinney said in the postgame press conference. "He had a vision, believed in me and had the vision to see something in me, to give me an opportunity to lead this program and go against the grain. A lot of people probably didn't want me to get this job, and a lot of people probably don't want me to have this job. But I got it, and we're division champs."

Technically, the Tigers were division champs before they ever took the field. Boston College's loss to North Carolina, which went final in the minutes before the Tigers ran onto the field, assured the Atlantic Division to Clemson.

And at the auspicious moment in program history, Swinney issued a proclamation for the program, perfectly in keeping with the eyes-on-the-prize coach who may very well eat breakfast by blueprint.

"There's no celebrating,'' he told his team. "You're division champs, but champions take care of business and you've got business out on that field."

The Tigers complied fully.

After a back-and-forth first half that featured three touchdowns a surprising number of gadget plays from the Cavaliers, one of the nation's least productive offenses, Swinney and the Tigers adjusted after halftime.

They went into the locker room with a 24-21 lead, but forced the Cavaliers into three-and-outs on each of the Wahoos' first three possessions while tacking on the game's final 10 points. In the fourth quarter alone, the Tigers managed six sacks. Virginia didn't dent the scoreboard again.

"We didn't play smart in the first half," Swinney said. "We weren't disciplined with our eyes. And they had a lot of trick plays in the first half. Our staff made great adjustments at halftime and we challenged them in the second half. This team never gave up, and they came out in the second half to win this game."

And for the first time in recent memory, Clemson is getting better as the season wears on. Under Bowden, the leaves weren't the only orange crashing to Earth every autumn. The Tiger were right there wilting with them. A season ago, Clemson began the season ranked No. 9 in the nation, but were blown out by Alabama in the season opener and would lose four of five from late September until early November.

This season, the Tigers flopped early in a grimacing loss to Maryland. But instead of waiting the familiar Clemson fall, Swinney rallied his squad in a heated team meeting.

"It was a great lesson," he said. "We didn't all take genius pills and become smarter. We just grew as a team."

Now the Tigers are headed to Tampa to face Georgia Tech, the team Swinney debuted against last year. He was twice lost to the Yellow Jackets, both in the narrow fashion, including a 30-27 loss this year after the Tigers shook off a 24-0 deficit.

But even amid the celebration, Swinney was already back to business.

"Our first goal was to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division, and we did that," Swinney said. "Our next goal is to win a state championship against South Carolina next weekend. Our third goal is to win the ACC Championship game. Our fourth goal is to win a Bowl game. We're happy today, but we're not done yet."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.

Swinney Is Rock of Clemson Program originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Ray HollomanSat, 21 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST Spiller Force Behind Clemson Revivalhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/spiller-force-behind-clemson-revival/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/spiller-force-behind-clemson-revival/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/spiller-force-behind-clemson-revival/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

C.J. SpillerMuch of the credit for Clemson's turnaround this season goes to its offense. Let us count the ways.

During Clemson's current five-game winning streak -- the program's longest in three seasons -- the Tigers have scored at least 38 points in each game, a program first. During that span, Clemson has averaged 42 points per game, 425 total yards per game, 6.87 yards per play and 220 passing yards a game.

No wonder the Tigers, who had lost three of their first five games by a total of 10 points, are positioned to clinch their first trip to the ACC title game with a home victory Saturday against struggling Virginia.

Of course, Clemson's success on offense revolves around all-purpose back and Heisman Trophy hopeful C.J. Spiller. Spiller needs 103 all-purpose yards to break the ACC single-season record of 2,054, held by Virginia's Thomas Jones.

In last Saturday's victory over N.C. State, Spiller had a 16-yard touchdown run, caught a 34-yard scoring pass and threw a 17-yard touchdown to Xavier Dye, becoming the first Clemson player to do all three in one game.

"I'm just proud of C.J. -- another ho-hum day for him," coach Dabo Swinney said.

"I don't know how many other 'first evers' the guy can have."

Clemson has gained at least 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in each of the last two games. Clemson is 52-0-1 when it has at least 200 yards of each in the history of the school.

The Tigers also have gotten a big boost lately from freshman Kyle Parker. He's thrown 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in the Tigers' four wins over FBS opponents during their five-game winning streak while compiling a 164.9 passer rating.

Swinney's defense, meanwhile, allows 299.3 yards per game to rank second in the ACC and 20th nationally. Clemson's 20 interceptions (12 in the last five games) lead the FBS.

Clemson has not won an ACC Championship since 1991, when a defense led by future NFL players Levon Kirkland, Chester McGlockton and Brentson Buckner, led the nation in rushing defense.

The Tigers were 9-1-1 in the regular season that year and had a 6-0-1 record in the ACC, good enough for the league championship. Clemson defeated Maryland in the final home game on Nov. 16, 1991 and that was the last time Clemson clinched any type of title.

The Tigers have the opportunity to make history on Senior Day Saturday.

"I think that would be really special for those guys," Swinney said.

"I still remember my high school senior game. They work so hard and these guys put so much into it for those 12 Saturdays. It is just a special day and then that it is your last game and an opportunity to win the Division title on the same day. These guys were four years old the last time we won one. It is a great opportunity for them.

"That is why you play the game. All year long they have been working towards their goals and now the second goal is right there in reach. I think it would be really special."

Ann's Still Hot

It was nearly two months ago when Ann Bowden -- wife of FSU coach Bobby Bowden -- said she felt her husband was being betrayed by those who had called for the veteran coach to retire at season's end. She is obviously no less upset these days.

Bobby Bowden has indicated many times that he wants to continue to coach at FSU next season. His status will be determined by school officials at regular-season's end. Here's what Ann had to say in a USA Today story earlier this week concerning her 80-year-old husband's future.

"You know, we don't need the university as much as they need us -- as much as they need him and his connections and reputation and everything," Ann said in the story.

"If they want to pull that trick, we'll just shake the dirt off our feet and go to Europe or go on a long cruise or something. ... They'll have to fire him for him not to go another year. ... If they've got guts enough to do it, let them do it."

Spirit Award

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who recently overcame a rare form of bone cancer and helped inspire more than $120,000 in donations for cancer-related causes, has been selected for the Disney Spirit Award given annually by Disney Sports to college football's most inspirational figure.

Herzlich will be presented with the award during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards at Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, Dec. 10.

"The Disney Spirit Award is an award that means more to me than any award based on statistics and on-the-field achievements," Herzlich said in a prepared statement.

"I have had to battle a deadly rare disease this past year and, along with beating the disease, I was fortunate to be able to help others along the way. To be recognized with this award is an honor and I hope that it shows people around the world that there is hope and that it will encourage them to continue to battle."

Buyout for Groh?

Al GrohFor embattled Virginia coach Al Groh, it's business as usual.

The Cavs are on the cusp of having consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1981-82. Add in a four-game losing streak and factor in a decline in attendance, season-ticket sales, and fund-raising, and one would suspect Groh's future in Charlottesville, Va., appears bleak.

Groh, in his ninth season, knows there is not much he can do about the future, so he deals with the present. And he believes his team has prepared well for Saturday's game against Clemson.

"Pick out your target, block out all distractions and take dead aim," Groh said, explaining Virginia's mentality heading into the Clemson game.

"It takes everything a team and a player has got to get ready to compete successfully, much less think about those extraneous things."

According to media reports, it would coast Virginia more than $4 million to pay Groh for the two years that remain on the contract.

Must-Win for Blue Devils

Duke (5-5), which has dropped its past two games to North Carolina and No. 7 Georgia Tech, finds itself in a must-win situation Saturday at Miami if Blue Devils hold any hope of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.

It doesn't help that the banged-up Blue Devils haven't won against the Hurricanes since 1976 and have lost the past five games.

Enough of those negative vibes, says Duke coach David Cutcliffe.

"When I get on that plane, I want to believe we are going down there not with the hopes of winning, but planning to win," Cutcliffe said.

"I can tell you 5,000 reasons we won't win. If I tell you 5,000 reasons we won't win, then I have to tell you 5,000 things we are going to do about it. I talked about the challenges, what they are and what we are going to do about them.

"If you don't prepare well, you won't believe you have a chance to win or are going to win when you are playing. It all comes down to the preparation; the sincere, focused, intense preparation."

Spiller Force Behind Clemson Revival originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Al GrohAlGrohBobby BowdenBobbyBowdenC.J. SpillerC.j.SpillerJim HenryThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST FSU Appeals Its Case to NCAAhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/15/fsu-appeals-its-case-to-ncaa/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/15/fsu-appeals-its-case-to-ncaa/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/15/fsu-appeals-its-case-to-ncaa/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bobby BowdenWill Florida State and the NCAA see eye-to-eye and make nice?

FSU officials and representatives presented the university's appeal before the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee in Indianapolis Sunday. The Seminoles argued to overturn one penalty handed down earlier by the NCAA in the university's academic-misconduct scandal -- the order to vacate wins in football and nine other sports.

School and NCAA officials worked together to investigate the claims and concluded with a deal that FSU believed would solve eligibility questions of athletes involved. But the NCAA Committee's punishment could cost football coach Bobby Bowden 14 victories and the men's 2007 track team its outdoor national championship.
Read the PDF Attachment:
Chain Reaction of Unprecedented Steps in Florida State's NCAA Case

"Florida State University will not comment at this time, except to restate what has already been said several times publicly," said attorney William (Bill) E. Williams, who presented the schools' appeal.

"That is, we worked every step of the way with the NCAA staff on this case, and we had an understanding that if we did everything as they said, all player eligibility matters would be resolved.

"The documentation of that understanding can be seen at a glance in the attached Chain Reaction of Unprecedented Steps in Florida State's NCAA Case."

The five-member Infractions Appeals Committee typically takes more than a month to decide a case. However, with the holidays approaching, FSU might not hear a yay or nay until early next year.

FSU President T.K. Wetherell has loudly and publicly criticized the NCAA's plan to strip coaches and athletes of wins in 10 sports.

Wetherell has repeatedly contended there was an agreement between the NCAA and FSU on student-athlete eligibility, and student-athletes gave up their academic due process rights in accepting the plan.

The case involved 61 student-athletes and three former FSU employees and largely centered on a tutor providing answers to quizzes for an online music course.

The NCAA has denied any deal was struck.

Bowden told the media on Saturday that he doesn't expect good news.

"I've got no idea what'll happen,'' Bowden said after his team's win at Wake Forest.

"I don't hear much hope. I don't hear anybody saying we're going to make it. I don't hear anybody saying that. I think they're [the NCAA] making a mistake... We'll see what they're going to do."

If FSU wins, the Infractions Appeals Committee could hand the case back to the Committee on Infractions, which has said the scholarship reductions would have been "more stringent" were it not for the vacating-of-wins penalty.

If FSU loses, there could be lawsuits.

Wetherell has mentioned potential issues, including that athletes gave up their due-process rights by agreeing to a deal that was portrayed to them as a one-shot solution.

FSU Appeals Its Case to NCAA originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenJim HenrySun, 15 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST ACC Notebook: Settling Divisional Raceshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/acc-notebook-settling-divisional-races/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/acc-notebook-settling-divisional-races/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/acc-notebook-settling-divisional-races/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Closure.

That's what we may get from the ACC this weekend in terms of divisional winners advancing to the title game in Tampa, Fla., next month.

Clemson could clinch the Atlantic Division Saturday if the Tigers beat North Carolina State and Boston College loses at Virginia. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, can clinch the Coastal Division by beating Duke in its last league game. Of course, keep an eraser handy, just in case.

Boston College still has a chance to win the Atlantic, but the Eagles need Clemson to lose to the Wolfpack and to Virginia on Nov. 21. If the Yellow Jacket lose, as many as three teams, including Miami and Virginia Tech, could finish with two losses each.

The No. 7 Yellow Jackets (9-1), however, have been the toast of the ACC since losing at Miami in the season's third week. They are on a seven-game winning streak and boast their highest ranking since 1999.

"Since we lost to Miami, I told our guys every Monday that this week's game is single elimination. It's like the playoffs," Tech coach Paul Johnson said.

"That is the way we've tried to go at it. I said after the Miami game I thought no one would win our division with two losses. If we lose on Saturday, then maybe somebody will, but if we win, nobody won't."

Duke, of course, has a chance because it has quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, the ACC's No. 2 passer with 2,428 yards and only five interceptions, and head coach David Cutcliffe.

Tech has its turf-grinding triple option. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in time of possession, keeping the ball 34:56 minutes per game.

"When you're playing a team that possesses the ball as well as Georgia Tech does, the best way to prevent them from dominating the ball is to try and stay on the field yourself," Cutcliffe explained.

"Your offense is not just playing their defense, your offense is playing their offense. You don't want to put your defense right back on the field after they just put together a 12- or 14-play drive, so those things are critical."

Welcome Back Frank

It has been nearly 20 years since Frank Spaziani last stepped inside Scott Stadium, and this time he'll be viewing Virginia football from the opposite sideline.

Spaziani, the first-year head coach at Boston College, was an assistant with the Cavaliers for nine seasons (1982-1990) under head coach George Welsh. This is the Eagles' fifth season in the ACC, but it will be their first trip to Charlottesville, Va.

With Spaziani overseeing the defense, UVA was ranked No. 1 in the country for three weeks in 1990, the only time the Cavaliers ever have been ranked No. 1. However, it didn't end with all roses.

Virginia won its first seven games before losing to eventual national co-champion Georgia Tech 41-38. The Cavaliers won at North Carolina the next week, then lost their last three games.

Following the season, Welsh made the decision to replace Spaziani as defensive coordinator. Spaziani was given the option of coaching defensive backs under new coordinator Rick Lantz but declined. Spaziani appreciated his time spent with the Cavs.

"When you take the whole body of stuff, I have nothing but tremendous memories of Virginia and my experience there, and I can't tell you how valuable it's been to me," Spaziani told The Roanoke (Va.) Times.

Young Guns

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner remains questionable for Saturday's game against No. 20 Virginia Tech with a left knee injury. If Turner is unable to go, look for sophomore Jamarr Robinson to step in behind center.

Robinson attempted his first collegiate passes last Saturday at N.C. State, going 5-for-11 for 27 yards while rushing for a team-high 38 yards.

The Terps also have true freshman Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown available, though they have yet to appear this season. If they sit out the last three games, they will retain four years of eligibility heading into next season.

Although guaranteed a losing season, Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen says he's playing to win and not worried about next year.

"If Chris can go, we're going to have to make that decision," Friedgen told The Washington Times.

"To me, I've been ready to play Danny for two weeks. I think if he's the best guy, let's find out whether he can do it. If Jamarr's doing well, that's great, too. If Chris doesn't play, at least we're going to be able to see where we're at at quarterback."

Around the Horn

Who has the better arm behind center? Kyle Parker, the outfielder, or Russell Wilson, the second baseman?

Parker and Wilson have faced each other on the baseball diamond before, but Saturday's game between Parker's Clemson Tigers and Wilson's N.C. State Wolfpack marks the first time the two quarterbacks are on the same football field.

Parker has set a Clemson record for wins by a starting freshman quarterback, while Wilson, the league's Rookie of the Year last season, is second in the ACC in passing efficiency and leads the ACC in touchdown passes with 24.

"Coming into the season people were trying to make number 11 (Parker) beat them," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

"I think he has answered a lot of those things. He can make every throw. He runs pretty well."

ACC Notebook: Settling Divisional Races originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jim HenryThu, 12 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST FSU's History, Bowden's Future Rest on Shoulders of a Freshmanhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/fsus-history-bowdens-future-rest-on-shoulders-of-a-freshman/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/fsus-history-bowdens-future-rest-on-shoulders-of-a-freshman/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/fsus-history-bowdens-future-rest-on-shoulders-of-a-freshman/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bobby BowdenTALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State fans are speculating that Bobby Bowden's coaching future at FSU might be tied into the Seminoles' bowl eligibility. This much is known for certain: Bowden's status will be determined at season's end. And FSU's bowl chances will become much clearer on Saturday.

The Seminoles' hopes of a strong finish now rest on the shoulders of redshirt freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel. Manuel will make his first career start at Wake Forest following the season-ending shoulder injury to Christian Ponder.

What's at stake?

FSU (4-5) must win two of its final three games to extend its nation-leading streak of 27 consecutive bowl appearances and avoid its first losing season since 1976 -- Bowden's first in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Demon Deacons (4-6), meanwhile, must win their final two games to extend their school-record streak of three consecutive bowl appearances, all under ninth-year coach Jim Grobe.

All eyes will be on the quarterbacks.

Manuel has attempted four career passes. Wake Forest senior quarterback Riley Skinner has passed for 9,163 career yards.

Advantage Deacs, who also have beaten the Seminoles the past three years.

"It'll affect them like it would us if we didn't have Riley Skinner," Grobe said in reference to the Seminoles missing Ponder, who separated his right throwing shoulder on a tackle following an interception against Clemson last Saturday.

"I'm sure the young player is very capable. You very rarely have a backup quarterback that can't get the job done. In our case Ryan McManus is very capable. But anytime you lose a guy with all that experience, especially one of the top quarterbacks in the league, it hurts."

" I feel like our practices are harder than our games to be honest. "
-- FSU QB E.J. ManuelManuel, an athletic, record-setting quarterback from Virginia Beach, Va., believes his practice preparation will help in his transition from backup to starter. Manuel, in fact, split snaps with the first-team offense last week as Ponder was slowed by bruised ribs.

"I feel like our practices are harder than our games to be honest," Manuel said.

"We have so much pressure on us from the coaches in practice that when the game comes the pressure isn't anything, all the loud stuff and the crowd really don't matter."

Jimbo Fisher, FSU's offensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting, indicated the Seminoles' game plan will be altered to fit Manuel's strengths.

Manuel, who concentrated on his throwing mechanics during the off-season after he missed spring drills with a thumb injury, has a strong arm and appears to glide when on the run. Fisher says an important component will be how Manuel handles the anxiety surrounding his first start.
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Not a problem, according to Manuel. Ponder, who will be facing shoulder surgery soon, will also make the trip with the Seminoles to support Manuel.

"I'm sure coach Fisher is going to put us all in positions we need to be in, in order to be successful and we'll be fine," Manuel said. "The coaches are going to put us in position to be successful, I'm not worried at all."

Grobe expects Manuel, who has played 11 career snaps and is 1-of-4 with four passing yards, to play well.

"This is a really talented guy, we know that he's got great skills, the ability to run and throw," Grobe said. "He was personally recruited by Jimbo Fisher. I'm sure all the things they're doing with Christian Ponder, they feel like they can do with Manual."

Concerning the iconic yet embattled Bowden, Grobe believes Bowden has earned the right to dictate his future.

"You really have to take in all that he's done for that school," Grobe said.

"You really need to be in a mindset that whatever Coach Bowden wants to do you're going to let him do. I think he's earned that right and he's done great things for the school. Anytime you get these legendary coaches that are toward the end of their career, it's important as a school you let them go out the way they want to go out and when they want to go out.

"He's been great and still is great for college football. If you spend anytime with Coach Bowden you know he's got a competitive spirit and he's still a heck of a football coach."

FSU's History, Bowden's Future Rest on Shoulders of a Freshman originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Christian PonderChristianPonderE.J. ManuelE.j.ManuelRiley SkinnerRileySkinnerJim HenryWed, 11 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST FSU's Ponder Out for Seasonhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/fsus-ponder-out-for-the-season/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/fsus-ponder-out-for-the-season/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/fsus-ponder-out-for-the-season/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Florida State needs two more victories in its final three games to become bowl eligible and avoid its first losing season since 1976. The Seminoles will have to accomplish both without their starting quarterback.

Redshirt junior Christian Ponder will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in two weeks, FSU coach Bobby Bowden told his weekly luncheon crowd Monday at FSU's University Center.

Ponder suffered a Grade 3 separation of his right (throwing) shoulder late in the game against Clemson Saturday, and had already been ruled out of Saturday's game at Wake Forest. Heralded recruit E.J. Manuel will get his first start against the Demon Deacons.

Manuel, a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder, threw for nearly 7,400 yards and 68 touchdowns during his prep career in Virginia Beach, Va.

Ponder missed most of practice last week with bruised ribs suffered in the win over North Carolina State on Oct. 31.

Ponder has completed 226 of 329 passes for 2,171 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He led the ACC in passing yards per game (306.6) and total offense (327.4) heading into Clemson.

Ponder was injured when he tackled Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel along the sideline following his fourth interception of the game. McDaniel starred at Tallahassee, Fla., Godby High School and was recruited by the Seminoles.

"I felt it pop," Ponder said.

"I didn't know it was going to be that serious. It [the tackle] was out of frustration. I let that get the best of me. I'm definitely upset. We had three games left - hopefully four. There were still goals we could accomplish. I wish I could be out there."

Manuel, meanwhile, misfired on his only two pass attempts.

"Some kids really come out in a situation like that, some don't," Bowden said Sunday on his teleconference with the media. "How's he going to do? I don't know but I'm anxious to see.

"He's got leadership qualities about him. He's 6-(foot)-5. He's going to see better. He's faster than Ponder. Now will he just go out there and play great? Not likely but you don't know, he might."

Manuel will be backed up by freshman walk-on Ryan Becker.

The Seminoles would like to redshirt Will Secord, who threw for 46 touchdowns in his three-year career at Wakeland High in Frisco, Tex. Secord, a left-hander, also was an accomplished baseball player in high school.

Ponder, who was drawing the attention of NFL scouts for his play on the field, said the injury will most likely lead to his return to the program next season.

His performance had earned him semifinalist honors for the Maxwell Award, presented to college football's player of the year, and he was also in contention for the Manning Award and the Wuerffel Trophy.

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FSU's Ponder Out for Season originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenBobbyBowdenChristian PonderChristianPonderJim HenryMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST Bobby Bowden in No Mood to Celebrate 80th Birthdayhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/bowden-in-no-mood-to-celebrate-birthday/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/bowden-in-no-mood-to-celebrate-birthday/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/bowden-in-no-mood-to-celebrate-birthday/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bobby Bowden turned 80 on Sunday, but he wasn't in the mood to celebrate.

Bowden's Florida State Seminoles lost a key ACC game at Clemson and also their starting quarterback, Christian Ponder, possibly for the season with a separated shoulder in the process on Saturday. Talk about a family funk.

Bowden's son, Terry, whose coaching staff includes younger brother Jeff, saw his undefeated and top-ranked Division-II North Alabama Lions tumble in four overtimes on Saturday, too. And Bowden's son-in-law, Jack Hines, the defensive coordinator at Colquitt County High (Ga.), opened the weekend with a defeat on Friday.

"Our whole family got whipped. We ain't celebrating nothing," Bowden quipped Sunday.

Bowden may want to make a birthday wish though.

The Seminoles (4-5) need to win two of their three remaining games, punctuated by a regular-season finale at top-ranked Florida, to extend their nation's-best streak of bowl appearances that dates back to 1982.

FSU starts that gauntlet on Saturday at Wake Forest (4-6), which has a penchant for playing the Seminoles tough. The Demon Deacons, who have lost four games by three points each this season, need to win their final two games against FSU and Duke to reach six wins and become bowl eligible.

FSU closes its home schedule against Maryland on Nov. 21.

Of course, depending on which side of the debate you stand regarding Bowden's coaching future at FSU, this game could carry historical significance in more ways than one.
"Once you get a certain age, if you're not successful, then they're going to say, 'He's too old,' and 'He's forgot everything.' "
-- Bobby Bowden
Bowden, however, is focused on the immediate hurdle. And that's making sure redshirt freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel is prepared for his first career start against the Deacs.

Manuel misfired on two pass attempts at Clemson after Ponder was injured when he tackled Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel along the sideline following his fourth interception of the game.

According to FSU director of sports medicine Randy Oravetz, Ponder will have his injured right throwing shoulder examined Monday, which will include an X-ray and additional tests. The results of that examination will determine the course of his rehabilitation.

Ponder missed most of practice last week with bruised ribs suffered in the win over North Carolina State on Oct. 31. Ponder has completed 226 of 329 passes for 2,171 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He led the ACC in passing yards per game (306.6) and total offense (327.4) heading into Clemson.

Bowden said he's eager to see how Manuel responds, though the Seminoles' spotty defense could only add to the challenge. Clemson scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take control of the ACC Atlantic Division and knock the Seminoles from the race.

Wake Forest, of course, is quarterbacked by wily veteran Riley Skinner.

"It's tough but there's nothing you can do about it. All you can do is face the situation and do what is the best," Bowden said.

"That means take the next guy, move him up and prepare him the best you can. It is kind of scary. I don't remember any year like this -- yes, I do, my first year at Florida State (1976) and maybe around 1981 -- where you felt like you had to outscore people to win. That's not a healthy situation, and that's the way it has been this year."

Of course, the years -- and birthday candles -- have added up for Bowden. He remains in good health and, despite the uncertainty concerning his future, good spirits.

Bowden is the fifth head coach to coach into his 80s. The other active 80-year-old coaches are Penn State's Joe Paterno (82) and St. John's (Minn.) University's John Gagliardi, who turned 83 on Nov. 1. Amos Alonzo Stagg was 84 when he retired and Upper Iowa's John Dorman was 81.

While consecutive victories over North Carolina and N.C. State helped quiet Bowden's critics, many fans will continue to point to his age and the program's decline this decade as reasons for a change after the 2009 season. Bowden has indicated that he wants to return for a final season in 2010.

"It's predictable," Bowden said earlier.

"Once you get a certain age, if you're not successful, then they're going to say, 'He's too old,' and 'He's forgot everything.' "
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Bobby Bowden in No Mood to Celebrate 80th Birthday originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenJoe PaternoJim HenrySun, 08 Nov 2009 18:10:00 EST ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Bosshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/acc-notebook-bowden-still-the-boss/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/acc-notebook-bowden-still-the-boss/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/acc-notebook-bowden-still-the-boss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Bobby BowdenIt's becoming clear that Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who turn 80 on Sunday, wants to coach the Seminoles in 2010.

The feisty Bowden has tipped his hand many times since coming under fire from high-level boosters, fans and the media following a 2-4 start.

Consecutive victories over North Carolina and North Carolina State have helped quiet restless critics -- and a victory Saturday at Clemson would vault FSU into second place in the ACC Atlantic Division -- and Bowden said Wednesday he will make the final call on who replaces retiring Mickey Andrews as defensive coordinator.

However, Bowden also stressed that head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher will make a strong contribution to the process, so don't expect a disagreement conspiracy between the pair.

"I think [Fisher] definitely has to have a say-so because he's the future here. You know it?" Bowden said. "And it's one of those things I'll make the final decision on. But I'll definitely get his input, and very strongly."

Fisher is scheduled to become the next FSU coach no later than Jan. 1, 2011. If he is not, his contract calls for him to be paid $5 million.

Florida State president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement last month that Bowden's status will be evaluated after the season, and the university would have no comment until then.

In his weekly conference on the Monday with the media, including FanHouse, Fisher said that he anticipates a smooth process with Bowden in hiring the defensive coordinator. Andrews had indicated prior to the season, his 26th at FSU, that this would be his last. He made it official on Wednesday.

Fisher said he keeps a working list of prospects for all position coaches. A timetable has not been set for naming a new defensive coordinator.

"I'm glad to have the input on what we're going to do in the future and what we want to do," Fisher said. "[There] are some outstanding guys [that] will be out there, I'm sure. This is a great job. That's why I don't want to go anywhere.

"I love it here."

FSU fans, however, appear to need coaxing to rally behind their team.

In last Saturday's homecoming game against N.C. State, the Seminoles played before their smallest crowd since 1993. A noon game on Halloween combined with rainy weather, a slow economy and the team's poor performance this season added up to just 67,712 tickets sold in a stadium that seats 82,300.

Quite frankly, judging by the huge pockets of empty seats, it's also unlikely that all ticket holders attended. The athletic department lost out on more than $700,000 in potential ticket revenue, according to school officials.

The Seminoles, who haven't beaten Clemson in Memorial Stadium since 2001, have remaining games at Wake Forest, home against Maryland and at top-ranked Florida.

"We can only take care of what we can take care of, and that's who we play," Bowden said. "This ballgame coming up is the biggest one. However, if you win it, the next one becomes the biggest one."

Stop the Bleeding

Virginia Tech is looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2003 when the Hokies travel to East Carolina Thursday night. Tech head coach Frank Beamer has had only two three-game losing streaks during the Hokies' 16-year bowl run (1997, 2003).

A victory on ESPN would make Tech bowl eligible for the 17th-straight season.

How the Hokies rebound from consecutive defeats to Georgia Tech and North Carolina last Thursday will rely in large part on what their defense can do to reverse a recent trend of poor play on third down, when opponents have converted 18-of-34 the last two games.

"There hasn't been a game this season that we haven't played hard, but sometimes we have to play better and more consistent," Beamer said. "These guys care and we are going to move forward with that in mind."

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Epic Battle

Duke and North Carolina meet on Saturday in what normally translates into an epic battle on the basketball court. But we're talking football at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C

Don't be fooled. This is a huge game for the Blue Devils, who will become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 with a victory. Duke is also looking for its first victory over UNC, which is coming off an emotional and dramatic win at Virginia Tech, since 2003 and just its second since 1989.

Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has posted four consecutive 300-yard passing games. UNC coach Butch Davis went as far as to compare the Blue Devils offense to that of the Indianapolis Colts.

"After I saw [those comments], I called (Colts President) Bill Polian and asked if I could borrow his five offensive linemen," Duke coach David Cutcliffe laughed.

He turned me down."

Unlucky Deacs

Just 4-5 overall with a 2-3 ACC record entering Saturday's conference showdown against host Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Wake Forest has nearly run out of wiggle room. The Deacs need two wins in their remaining three games to become bowl eligible.

Four of Wake Forest's five losses have been decided by a combined 10 points. Making matters worse, senior quarterback Riley Skinner, who suffered a concussion in last Saturday's defeat against Miami, has been listed as questionable for this week's game.

Skinner is just one of three quarterbacks in ACC history to throw for 2,000 or more yards in each of his four seasons. That list also includes N.C. State's Philip Rivers and Duke's Thaddeus Lewis, who reached that milestone last Saturday.

"We're capable of winning," Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said.

"That's the thing that we know. We've got to have things go right and not much has gone right for this football team. Unfortunately these guys have had some really bad breaks along the way. Obviously we've had some plays we could have made that would have made the difference without needing a break. But this is just about the most unlucky football team I've coached."

After watching film of Wake Forest's games this season, Tech head coach Paul Johnson agrees with Grobe.

"I think a lot of [their troubles] can be attributed to just bad luck," Johnson said.

ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Boss originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenBobbyBowdenjimbo fisherJim HenryThu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Backhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/acc-notebook-hokies-heels-look-to-rebound/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/acc-notebook-hokies-heels-look-to-rebound/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/acc-notebook-hokies-heels-look-to-rebound/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Frank BeamerBoth Virginia Tech and North Carolina want to move forward Thursday night following difficult losses. One of the two will be disappointed.

The No. 14 Hokies (5-2 overall, 3-1 ACC) say they are no longer stewing over their 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, despite the lingering chatter about the Yellow Jackets' chop-blocking techniques and how Virginia Tech no longer controls its destiny in the ACC's Coastal Division.

UNC is coming off a tough loss, too. Playing its first Thursday night home game a week ago, the Tar Heels led Florida State 24-6 after halftime and then fell apart, losing 30-27. The Seminoles had 285 of their 395 passing yards in the second half to keep the Tar Heels (4-3, 0-3) winless in the ACC.

"I thought we were over Georgia Tech last week," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.

"We played hard. They made some great plays. They've got some great players. We didn't quite play as well as we needed to and lost. ... I think our coaches and players put that loss behind us and moved on. We'll see (Thursday night)."

A national television audience and fans at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., should see a tussle over the running game.

UNC has the second-best rushing defense in the league (102.6 yards per game) and allowed only 48 yards to FSU. Virginia Tech, led by Ryan Williams and Josh Oglesby, is second in rushing offense (203.7 ypg).

The Hokies are also looking for consistency on defense after being scorched for 309 rushing yards by Georgia Tech. The defense has already allowed 12 rushes of 20 yards or longer, nearly matching last year's season total (14).

"They know I am not happy," Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. "That's unacceptable around here. For us to have the type of team we need to down the stretch, we've got to play great defense."

As far as the league's pecking order, Virginia Tech needs help if it's going to make a third consecutive appearance in the ACC championship game. The Hokies must win their four remaining conference games and have No. 11 Georgia Tech lose to either Wake Forest or Duke.

"There's a lot of football to be played," Beamer said.

"You've got your BCS standings. You've got your conference situation, and there's just a lot of football to be played. What we can control is how we prepare and how we play against North Carolina. So that's the key thing for us right now, to put all our efforts toward North Carolina."

UNC, meanwhile, now must scramble just to make the postseason. With games at the Hokies, Boston College and N.C. State, as well as home games against Duke and No. 18 Miami, it looks like a tall order.

HOME SWEET HOME?

Over its last six home games, Florida State is an embarrassing 1-5. The only victory came against Jacksonville State in September when the Seminoles scored twice in the closing minutes to survive.

FSU hopes to change its luck Saturday against struggling North Carolina State.

"We've been a mistake-prone football team," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said.

"We've been making just enough errors to get yourself beat. We play close and then we either win it or lose it in the last three minutes. The game we won was that way. I think everybody would rather play at home. It's just that it hasn't happened. And it needs to happen."

Yes it does, especially if the Seminoles want to remain in contention for the ACC championship.

Say what?

It might be a pipe dream, considering FSU's schizophrenic play, but the Seminoles need to win their remaining league games against N.C. State, Wake Forest, Clemson and Maryland to finish 4-1 in the Atlantic Division (and 4-3 overall in the ACC).

If that somehow happens and Boston College losses to either Virginia, North Carolina or Maryland in November, the Seminoles would land in the ACC title game in Tampa, Fla.

When asked if the Seminoles' dramatic comeback victory at UNC last Thursday could turn around the Seminoles' season, Bowden said, "Well, the answer to that is, yes it can. But the question is, will it?

"Did BYU (victory) turn things around? No. We had a great doggone ballgame and then the next week got beat -- and lost, what, three in a row? Is it going to have that effect? It could, but nothing's a guarantee. So we're just going to see what happens."

HOT STREAK

The Duke Blue Devils (4-3, 2-1) haven't played in a bowl since the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl. And they haven't even come close to bowl eligibility since that trip to Tampa.

Well, the Blue Devils have won two straight ACC games for the first time since 1994 and will try to go for three in a row Saturday at Virginia.

Duke needs three wins in its remaining five games to earn bowl status since its win over North Carolina Central, which is transitioning to FCS status, doesn't count in the postseason picture.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe, a positive chap, is certainly enjoying the journey.

"It's week nine of college football and it keeps getting more intense, and I think probably more fun for everybody -- players, coaches, fans and media," he said.

"All of these games get bigger and bigger and bigger."

MIND BOGGLING

Boston College Frank Spaziani was surprised when running back Josh Haden and quarterback Justin Tuggle informed him earlier this week of their plans to leave the program and transfer.

Tuggle started the first two games of the season and helped lead the Eagles to easy victories. But he struggled in a 25-7 loss to Clemson, completing just 4 of 20 passes for 23 yards. Tuggle was intercepted three times and sacked three times. He slipped on the depth chart to No. 3 and then No. 3 with Dave Shinskie and Mike Marscovetra ahead of him.

Haden, whose older brother Joe is a starting cornerback for the top-ranked Florida Gators, started 13 career games and gained 479 yards. Haden, however, has been slowed by an ankle injury and saw his playing time diminish with the emergence of Montel Harris, who turned in a 264-yard, five-touchdown effort in a win over North Carolina earlier this month.

"The timing is tough," Spaziani said.

"As to what was on their minds, I don't know. Who can figure out what is in the minds of 19- or 20-year-olds sometimes.''

ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Back originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jim HenryThu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST Spiller Makes All the Right Moveshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/spiller-makes-all-the-right-moves/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/spiller-makes-all-the-right-moves/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/spiller-makes-all-the-right-moves/#commentsFiled under: , ,

CJ SpillerIt seems as if C.J. Spiller's career has been punctuated by big decisions and big plays.

Spiller selected the Clemson Tigers over childhood favorite Florida State and others out of Lake Butler (Fla.) Union County. A frustrating freshman season nearly prompted him to transfer to Florida. Spiller could have entered the NFL Draft last year as a possible first-round selection. Known as a quiet leader, Spiller promised to speak up this season.

Check, check and check -- Spiller has made all the right moves.

"It has gone by so fast," Spiller told FanHouse Tuesday morning. "It seems like I just got here, and now ... these last five [regular-season] games I am going to enjoy the best way I can with my teammates. Coming back was the best decision I've made in my life. You don't have a better experience than your college one."

Which leads us to Spiller's big plays.

A jack-of-all-trades who is literally breaking records almost every weekend, Spiller has helped put the Tigers in position to win their first ACC title since 1991. And, in the process, he has vaulted into Heisman Trophy contention following his incredible performance at Miami last Saturday that saw him amass a school-record 310 all-purpose yards.

And, by the way, did we mention that Spiller's smile is contagious, his spirit unwavering and his determination unrivaled? Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has spilled the beans many times when it comes to Spiller this season.

"If you're looking at MVPs and Heismans and all that, I don't know of a player in the country that's more valuable to their team than C.J.," Swinney said.
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"Sometimes I feel kind of guilty because this is my first time to ever be a head coach and here's a lot of coaches that coach their whole lives and don't get the opportunity to coach a guy like C.J. Spiller."

Spiller is certainly helping make it a season to remember.

For starters, the Tigers can win the ACC Atlantic Division and advance into the conference championship game in Tampa with wins in their final three league games against Florida State, N.C. State and Virginia. And to think it was only a few weeks ago when the struggling Tigers were being questioned and grilled for their lack of consistency.

"We can't control what everyone says and everyone can voice their own opinion, but the thing about this team is we don't worry about the media or what anyone says about us," said Spiller, who has had a 60-yard play, either from scrimmage or on a return, in each of the first seven games this season and leads the nation in all-purpose yards per game with a 207.86 average.

"We care about the guy that's next to us -- to our right and to our left -- and as long as we do continue to do that, everything will take care of itself. I think every Saturday that we line up, and talent has never been an issue since I've been here, I think we have some of the best guys in the country who can play with anyone in the country.

"And that was on display last Saturday against a great Miami team."

It was a wild one in South Florida, for sure.

The Tigers prevailed 40-37 in overtime when quarterback Kyle Parker fired a 26-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Jacoby Ford. Spiller was super, recording a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown late in the first half and adding a 56-yard score in the second half. He also topped the 100-yard mark in receiving, catching six receptions for 104 yards, and he rushed for 81 yards on 14 carries.

Spiller's kickoff return for a score was the third of the season and sixth in his career, which ties the national record for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a career with Anthony Davis of USC (1972-74) and Ashlan Davis of Tulsa (2004-05). Davis also holds the national record for kickoff returns for touchdowns during a season with five.

Spiller and the Tigers will take a break from ACC and FBS action on Saturday as they play FCS rival Coastal Carolina for homecoming.

Spiller doesn't take credit for his good fortune, instead pointing to teammates and saying he has been blessed from above.

Spiller, however, credits his maturation to the birth of his daughter Shania, now 3, as a freshman. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Spiller has attempted to pattern his game and life after childhood hero Warrick Dunn, the former FSU and NFL star who is also well known for his playing toughness despite his small stature (like Spiller) and civic leadership and community service.

"He's a great running back and a great person, a guy who caught my attention," Spiller said.

Speaking of attention, Spiller is getting plenty.

Despite Clemson's preseason Heisman Trophy push for Spiller -- the university mailed out life-sized posters of Spiller to the media -- he refuses to get caught up in the hype.

"Yes, it's wonderful to see your name in the mix because you are getting recognized but, more importantly, it also means your team is doing well because there are a lot of factors involved," said Spiller, who, with 6,383 yards, is on pace to become just the fifth player in NCAA history to reach 7,000 yards in a career. He also continues to wear a protective walking boot to protect his lingering turf toe injury suffered in the season's second game against Boston College.

"I am just going out there and having fun really, playing hard for my teammates and my team," Spiller continued. "I can't control what other guys [Heisman hopefuls] are doing. I can just control what I do and how I can help our team win games and put us in position to compete for championships around here."



Psst, come on C.J. What did you really think the first time you saw the life-sized poster of yourself?

"It brought a smile to my face -- even though everyone was making fun of my smile," Spiller laughed.

"My mom liked it. But, honestly, it's neat knowing that so many people are pulling for you and so many young people look up to you. I want to be the person they can follow on and off the field."

And, in the end, make their own decisions and plays.

Just like Spiller has done at Clemson.

Spiller Makes All the Right Moves originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>C.J. SpillerDabo SwinneyJim HenryTue, 27 Oct 2009 22:40:00 EST ACC Notebook: FSU Needs Victorieshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/acc-notebook-fsu-needs-victories/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/acc-notebook-fsu-needs-victories/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/acc-notebook-fsu-needs-victories/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It has reached this point at Florida State: panicking Seminole fans are searching for victories.

At 2-4, FSU and head coach Bobby Bowden need to find four more victories in their remaining six games to become bowl eligible. That challenge starts Thursday night in a nationally-televised game at North Carolina. The Seminoles close October against North Carolina State and tangle with Clemson, Wake Forest, Maryland and Florida in November.

FSU has played in 27 consecutive bowl games dating back to 1981, when the Seminoles went 6-5.

With all that's going on at FSU surrounding its porous defense, injuries and the emotional debate surrounding Bowden's future, the Seminoles' best-case scenario might be the program's second 6-6 regular season in four years. FSU beat UCLA in the 2006 Emerald Bowl to avoid its first losing season since 1976, Bowden's first in Tallahassee.

Bowden says FSU's struggles are not a secret.

"We'll go out there and stop a team, and stop a team, and stop a team and then whoop," Bowden said in reference to the Seminoles' defensive lapses.

"So if they ever get that squared away we'll be a pretty good ballclub. Another thing is, nobody's crushed us. We haven't been blown out. We've been right down to the wire with everybody, which maybe with one play less for them or one play more for us, we could be up at the top."

Both the Seminoles (2-4, 0-3 ACC) and Tar Heels (4-2, 0-2) are looking for their first ACC victories of the season. It's actually an intriguing matchup, considering FSU is No. 1 in the conference in offense and last in defense, while UNC is No. 1 in defense and last in offense.

The Thursday night game is also the first of its kind at Kenan Stadium.

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"It's a big challenge for us and we have to execute and play as well as we can if we want to be successful," FSU quarterback Christian Ponder said. "It's a heck of a challenge and it's something that we can show up and shock the world and make a statement because it's a Thursday night game and it's the only game on. So we have an opportunity but a heck of a challenge."

Bowden, who has indicated he'd like to return to coach in 2010, believes FSU's season-opening defeat to Miami has haunted the Seminoles. The game wasn't decided until the final play, when Seminoles receiver Jarmon Fortson was unable to catch a low pass in the end zone for the win.

"I think the old expression that Lombardi said, that winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing and once you've lost, you have got to get your kids to have a positive attitude," Bowden said.

"With us, we've been in every ball game. Every game we've been in has come down to the last three or four minutes. If we score, we win. If we don't score, we lose. Against Miami, we're on the two yard line with a first down but the time caught us and we couldn't get in anything but two plays. Then we missed a touchdown in the end zone that would have won it.

"That might have changed our whole season if could have won that darn ball game."

And if you are wondering about Bowden's retirement plans, he continues to drop hints. The latest one Bowden gave that he will not slip quietly away after this season came in a radio interview he gave Wednesday to an AM station in Raleigh, N.C.

Bowden also told host David Glenn of Sports Radio 850 "The Buzz" that he will not discuss his exit strategy because he doesn't want a highly publicized countdown to the end.

"I know I am in the last years - I say plural - of my career," said Bowden in a transcript of the interview available on ACC Sports Journal.

"My days are numbered. I did not want to say, 'Well, I'm going to leave at this time.' I already know when I'm going to leave. And [coach-in-waiting] Jimbo Fisher knows when I'm going to leave. He and I have talked about it."

ON THE ROAD

Boston College has Notre Dame's number.

The Eagles have won six straight against the Irish, including the last three at storied Notre Dame Stadium. If Boston College prevails, the senior class will graduate having gone undefeated against the Irish.

The bad news is BC is 0-2 on the road this season, falling behind early and never recovering at Clemson (25-7) and Virginia Tech (48-14).

"It is very complicated," BC coach Frank Spaziani said in at attempt to explain the Eagles' road struggles.

"Early in the year we weren't where we are now so that attributes to it. It also depends on the opposition and how they play against us can also factor in. Everything is new to this team because we are so young so we have to learn from it and move
on."

YOUNG GUNS

The two youngest head coaches in the ACC will meet Saturday, when Clemson plays Miami.

Clemson's Dabo Swinney is the youngest head coach in the ACC at 39. He will turn 40 on Nov. 20, the day before Clemson meets Virginia in the final home game of the year. Miami's Randy Shannon is the second youngest head coach at 43. He won't turn 44 until Feb. 24.

If history is any indication, the showdown could generate some gray hairs. The last two games between the teams were decided in overtime. Clemson won at Miami in one overtime in 2004, while the Hurricanes won at Clemson in triple overtime in 2005.

UM is in the driver's seat in the ACC Coastal Division, while the Tigers continue to search for consistency. A win over the eighth-ranked Hurricanes would represent the highest-ranked team Clemson has defeated since the 2004 (end of 2003 season) Chick-Fil-A Bowl, where Clemson defeated No. 6 Tennessee.

"We are in the middle of a division race so at this point it is like a playoff every week in this conference," Swinney said. "We are trying to just stay in the hunt and get better as a football team. We have our hands full. This is a good team we are getting ready to play."

HISTORY LESSON

The Duke Blue Devils, off last week, will try to put together back-to-back ACC wins for the first time since 1994 when they face visiting Maryland on Saturday.

Duke, 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the ACC, says it hasn't lost any momentum from its biggest win of the season, a 49-28 victory over North Carolina State nearly two weeks ago. Thaddeus Lewis completed 40 of 50 passes and finished with a career high 459 yards. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils defense held the Wolfpack offense scoreless in the second half.

Duke and Maryland haven't met in five years.

"Kids don't see much past now, past today, so all they know is that Maryland's had a difficult start," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said.

"But when you put on the tape, they see that Maryland's a good football team. You really don't have to convince kids once they see tape. They've seen enough tape to know what a good team looks like and what a bad team looks like. Maryland is a good team."

ACC Notebook: FSU Needs Victories originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenBobbyBowdenJim HenryThu, 22 Oct 2009 11:26:00 EST ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Uphttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/acc-notebook-hokies-cant-let-up/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/acc-notebook-hokies-cant-let-up/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/acc-notebook-hokies-cant-let-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Virginia Tech travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday in what may be the biggest hurdle left on the Hokies' regular season schedule. The fourth-ranked Hokies are in prime position to be in the national title race with some help. They will also virtually wrap up the ACC Coastal Division with a win in Atlanta.

Of course, this isn't expected to be a walk in the park for Tech either.

The Yellow Jackets, who have won three straight, present a unique challenge to the Virginia Tech defense behind their triple-option. Over the last three games, Georgia Tech has averaged 472.3 yards of total offense. The Hokies, always strong on defense and special teams, appear to be finally clicking on all cylinders now that quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Ryan Williams are propelling the offense.

The game will feature the top three rushers in the ACC -- Williams and the Yellow Jackets' running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who has rushed more than 20 times in each of Tech's last three games.

"Historically, you know that they're going to be strong defensively and in special teams," Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said.

"But, offensively they've played well, scoring a lot of points and racking up a bunch of yards. They have a very athletic quarterback, their tailback is a great player, they have a veteran offensive line and an experienced tight end and they're very well coached. They are just a good team and usually good teams get better as the season goes on."

Virginia Tech has won five straight games after a season-opening loss to Alabama in the Georgia Dome. The Hokies whipped visiting Boston College, 48-14, last Saturday in a rematch of the last two ACC championship games. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is extremely wary of the Yellow Jackets' triple option.

"They are more advanced this year," Beamer said.

"This is the second year they have been in it. They don't turn the ball over very much, and they keep it in the quarterback's hands a lot. But I just think, overall, they are more advanced. It can work both ways, I think the fact that it is different from what you see on a normal basis, makes it very difficult to prepare for in four or five days."

BACK ON THE BUMP

Dave Shinskie will start at quarterback for Boston College in Saturday's home date against North Carolina State at Alumni Stadium. But how long will he play?

Shinskie is still trying to get past last Saturday Virginia Tech loss in which he completed 1 of 12 passes for 2 yards and threw two interceptions. Shinskie told The Boston Globe that he is moving on -- or making the attempt.

"I've been through bad losses," said Shinskie, who played professional baseball before switching careers this past summer.

"It's almost going out in the first inning of a baseball game and giving up nine runs. Your ERA is going to be high. You have to come back throw nine strong innings and hold them scoreless the next time. You've got to put it behind you. You have to do it or you're not going to make it."

STAYING OR GOING?

Bobby Bowden is sticking to his guns. Sort of.

Florida State's legendary coach went on a nationally televised show on Tuesday night and said he was "strongly leaning" toward returning for the 2010 football season. When pressed by the media about the comment following the Seminoles' practice on Wednesday, Bowden said, "If that's what I said, that's what I meant."

Bowden, called to step down at season's end by the university's board of trustees chairman, is under a one year-contract that will be reviewed by the FSU administration at the end of the season.

Last week, Bowden, under fire for the Seminoles' 2-4 start, went on various radio and television shows and said that he would make a decision after the season. He has since softened that stance.

In his Sunday news conference, Bowden said, "I think it's my decision. I think it is" when asked who had the ultimate decision -- Bowden or the FSU administration? -- concerning his future.

FSU has a contract with offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher that names him the head coach by Jan. 2011 or pays him $5 million.

STREAKING

Duke's 49-28 thrashing of host North Carolina State on Saturday was a big win. How big?

The last time Duke won in Carter-Finley was 1984. None of the current Blue Devils were born yet and Duke head coach David Cutcliffe was a 35-year old tight ends coach at Tennessee.

The victory ended an eight-game ACC losing streak, an 11-game slide against the Wolfpack and a 20-game road losing streak in the ACC.

"Everyone wants to talk about streaks," said Cutcliffe, whose Blue Devils are off Saturday. "I don't talk about streaks very often. We just try to take it one game at a time because so many of those streaks are negative in our regard."

STRICTLY BUSINESS

N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien, the former head coach at Boston College, returns to Beantown Saturday. Don't expect O'Brien to get all warm and fuzzy about seeing close friends. When asked if he had anything he wanted to do while in Boston, O'Brien answered:

"Win a football game. I'm telling my players it's a business trip. I'm not going up there for a social."
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ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Up originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenBobbyBowdenFrank BeamerFrankBeamerJim HenryFri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST No Relief for Bowden in Stinging Losshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/no-relief-for-bowden-in-stinging-loss/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/no-relief-for-bowden-in-stinging-loss/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/no-relief-for-bowden-in-stinging-loss/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bobby BowdenTALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Sweet Ol' Bobby.

Bobby Bowden, who turns 80 years old in less than a month, once uttered that fans call him "Sweet Ol' Bobby" when he's winning. When he's losing? They just abbreviate it to "Ol' Bobby." Well, Ol' Bobby has to live with another frustrating loss and criticism for the next 12 days.

In an ACC shootout that featured dynamic offense and dismal defense -- and ended early Sunday morning due to a 78-minute weather delay -- No. 22 Georgia Tech beat FSU 49-44.

Despite churning out 539 yards of total offense -- 403 yards and five touchdowns in the first half -- the reeling Seminoles dropped their third consecutive game and surely kept frowns on the faces of divided boosters, school administrators, trustees and students over Bowden's status.

Bowden and the Seminoles, who have lost five of their last six home games, entered Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night locked arm-in-arm in a sign of solidarity. It was an emotional entrance that drew many in the stands to their feet.

"There's been too much about me and the kids kind of made an issue about it Friday night," Bowden said. "There was too much 'to do' about my welfare. I think the critics will keep criticizing. The good folks won't."

While some dissident students on Facebook called for a "Black Out Doak for Change," encouraging fans to wear black to the game to emphasize their sentiments that it's time for Bowden to leave the very field named after him, those in black were few and far between in the crowd of 76,292.

Everyone, in any color, was drained by the time the clock struck 12:45 AM.

In the end, FSU couldn't contain the Yellow Jackets' triple-option, which totaled 532 yards (401 rushing), six rushing touchdowns and methodically wore down the Seminoles in the second half. After FSU pulled within five points at the 4:14 mark in the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech recovered a Seminole onside kick and ran out the clock.
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The Yellow Jackets outscored FSU 21-9 in the final 30 minutes after they trailed 35-28 at the half.

The teams combined for 1,071 yards of total offense, 93 points and 51 first downs. Looking for big plays? Pull up a seat.

The Yellow Jackets had scores of 69 yards (rushing) and 73 yards (passing). Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt led all rushers with 140 yards on 27 attempts. He scored three rushing touchdowns. Nesbitt added 131 passing yards and a touchdown on 4-of-8 pass attempts. Joining the rush party was Jonathan Dwyer, who had 102 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts. Anthony Allen added 81 yards on just four rushes.

Across the way, FSU quarterback Christian Ponder passed for a career-high 359 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 18-of-21 passes in the first half for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Jermaine Thomas contributed 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. Taiwan Easterling had 104 receiving yards on five receptions.

Mother Nature had the best defense, forcing both teams into the locker room for more than an hour midway in the first quarter under the threat of lightning and severe weather. When they returned, ho-hum, it was off to the races -- a combined nine possessions resulted in nine touchdowns.

Time to exhale for FSU fans, though, and face the somber reality in these parts.

It was another disappointing defeat for the iconic Bowden, who has suffered just one losing season in 33 years at FSU but has come under fire for mediocrity for much of this decade. FSU tumbled to 2-4 overall and, at 0-3 in the ACC, is one of three in the 12-team league without a conference victory.

The Seminoles, who had never lost to the Yellow Jackets in six previous home games, will look to regroup for their road date at North Carolina (4-2, 0-2) on ESPN Oct. 22.

"We simply could not stop them," Bowden said. "We had to score every possession, they did it and we didn't."

It was the most points the Seminoles have allowed at home since a 49-27 loss to No. 1 Miami in 2001. It was also the most rushing yards since Bo Jackson and the Auburn Tigers piled up 413 in 1985.

Of course, Bowden's future is expected to continue to dominate discussions.

This past week, Board of Trustees chairman Jim Smith called for Bowden to retire at season's end following a loss at Boston College. The FSU administration also said last week that Bowden's coaching future will be decided at the end of the season.

The hometown newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat, said it was time for Bowden to step down. State newspapers such as the Pensacola News-Journal and the Palm-Beach Post published editorials that called for the veteran coach to retire at the conclusion of this season.

Bowden, meanwhile, has rejected the retirement overtures and repeated this week he will evaluate his performance when the time comes.

The firestorm of public opinion involving Bowden has been passionate.

One side believes mediocrity is acceptable. That's what some students and young boosters at FSU are saying about the Seminoles' football program for its insistence to allow Bowden to continue to coach. No mas; they are mad at Bowden, ranked second in career victories among major college coaches, and want him to skedaddle under any circumstance but have resigned themselves it won't happen any time soon.

Older alumni are probably more focused on the image and heritage of of the university, pointing out that Bowden is an integral part of that history. They want Bowden to leave, too -- probably sooner than later -- but they don't want him to leave mad under any circumstance.

That's the kicker, wide right aside.

It's as if nearly everyone associated with FSU entered this weekend mad as Hades.

Some are mad that Jim Smith went public last Sunday and said he wanted Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Some are mad at FSU President T.K. Wetherell, a self-proclaimed ally of Bowden, for not nudging Bowden into retirement years ago and instead in 2007 designing a succession plan that calls for Bowden to retire after the 2010 season.

Some are mad at Athletics Director Randy Spetman, who has acknowledged most e-mails coming to his office have not been supportive of Bowden, simply because he hasn't done enough either as an administrator.

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Some are mad at the Seminole boosters for not getting involved in the fracas. Some are mad at the entire coaching staff for being so dysfunctional despite its claims of harmony. Some are mad at the players for showings such as Saturday's effort that saw the team squander an outstanding offensive performance.

Some are mad the controversy is ruining fund raising and have indicated they will keep their checkbooks closed until a coaching change is made. Some are mad this mess is ruining recruiting and shoving FSU even farther behind state rivals Florida, Miami and, oh my gosh, South Florida, which stunned the Seminoles earlier this season behind a hometown quarterback that the Seminoles didn't actively recruit.

Let's also keep in mind that Bowden has supporters in his corner, too. They are mad the venerable coach is being mistreated and believe he has earned the right to step away on his own terms.

Regardless of feelings and what's being debated publicly, Bowden's currently reviewing two options concerning his future: Resign at season's end with a lucrative buyout or return for a final season in 2010 and give offensive coordinator/head-coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher full control of the program.

Fisher's present contract calls for the school to pay him $5 million if he is not the head coach by January 2011. Bowden makes $2.5 million annually, a tad more than half of the staff's $4.88 million cumulative salary.

Bowden, whose only losing season at FSU was his first in 1976, when he was paid round $45,000 annually, is in obvious danger of finishing below .500.

Would that be enough for Bowden to make the decision on his own to step away? He has always promised that he couldn't stomach mediocrity and losing. But is there more than meets the eye? Is that about pride? Money? Old-age stubbornness?

FSU has two remaining home games -- Oct. 31 against North Carolina State and Nov. 21 against Maryland -- and closes its regular season at Florida on Nov. 28. When asked what he would consider a successful season, Bowden replied, "To me ... win the rest of my games. It won't satisfy everybody but that's the best I can do right now. You know. The way we're playing, you got a long way to go."

What do you think it's going to be by Thanksgiving?

Sweet Ol' Bobby.

Or Ol' Bobby.

No Relief for Bowden in Stinging Loss originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenJim HenrySun, 11 Oct 2009 01:15:00 EST FSU-Georgia Tech in Weather Delayhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/fsu-georgia-tech-in-weather-delay/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/fsu-georgia-tech-in-weather-delay/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/fsu-georgia-tech-in-weather-delay/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Bobby Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles entered Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night locked arm-in-arm in a sign of solidarity. However, a strong, unified start against Georgia Tech has been slowed by the threat of lightning and severe weather, however.

The Seminoles-Yellow Jackets game is in a weather delay tied at 7-7 with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams headed into their respective locker rooms after a Tech touchdown and extra point that tied the game. A severe weather alert was issued and a light rain started to fall.

Thunderstorms rolled through Florida's capital earlier Saturday but the weather cleared for the 8 p.m. EST kickoff. The teams traded scores on their opening possessions in a pivotal ACC showdown. Bowden, 79, who is under fire after the Seminoles started his 35th season at the school with a 2-3 record, has said his age is the biggest reason he's being criticized.

The game is expected to resume at 9:45 p.m. EST.

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FSU-Georgia Tech in Weather Delay originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jim HenrySat, 10 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST At Last, Virginia Tech Finds Good Ju-Ju in Balanced Attackhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/at-last-virginia-tech-finds-good-ju-ju-in-balanced-attack/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/at-last-virginia-tech-finds-good-ju-ju-in-balanced-attack/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/at-last-virginia-tech-finds-good-ju-ju-in-balanced-attack/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tyrod TaylorIf there was anything surprising about Tyrod Taylor's short walk over for the post-game interview, it was that he didn't stretch beforehand. After all, that was by a wide margin the most athletic thing he'd had to in the better part of 90 minutes.

With Taylor on the field, the first half of Virginia Tech's blowout 48-14 win over Boston College taught us just how dominant the Hokies can be when when both sides of the ball play well.

The second half taught us that their backup quarterback is named Ju-Ju.

In retrospect, only one of those should've been unexpected.

Our apologies, Ju-Ju.

"It's good that finally all our hard work paid off because we've been down on ourselves,'' said linebacker Cody Grimm. "We've been working hard and playing what we thought were some good games and having some plays that killed us. For it all to come together is awesome."

But it shouldn't have been a surprise.

This was the game Virginia Tech had hinted at all season, the game Hokie fans have waited on, since the Vick brothers turned scoreboards into rolling odometers. This was the game when the grab-you-by-the-throat defense met an offense that could finally sing in harmony.

It was Taylor beating a Boston College defense that looked like it had overslept and forgot it was exam day. It was freshman tailback Ryan Williams barreling through gaps and piling up yardage. It was a balanced offense rolling to 27 points in the first half (and applauding as the defense tacked on seven more), and a defense that made each and every one stand up

It was Virginia Tech throwing the knockout punch before the Eagles ever heard the bell. Make that a 1-2 combo knockout.

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Offense, meet defense, meet the Hokies best all-around game in four seasons.

"We haven't had one like this in a while." Hokies head coach Frank Beamer said.

For Boston College the first half numbers were a Tarantino screenplay put to numbers, pure horror in four acts, from start to finish.

How bad was it?

Nearly 19 minutes went by before someone caught one of David Shinskie's passes. Of course, it was Virginia Tech cornerback Rashad Carmichael, who promptly returned it for a touchdown.

Shinskie was intercepted twice in the first half and didn't complete a single pass to his own team in the first 30 minutes. For the game, Shinskie would connect on just one pass -- half as many as Taylor threw touchdowns -- before being yanked for the third stringer.

But Shinskie wasn't alone. The list of Eagles who struggled against the Hokies was longer than the waiting list to get in the school.

The Eagles amassed just three yards of offense in the first half, or to put it another way, the same amount of offense as if Yao Ming had stumbled once at the line of scrimmage and stretched forward. Three of BC's six full drives in the first half went for zero or fewer yards.

Trying to find some combination that works, the Eagles ran out their second-unit on offense in the second quarter This was also not the answer.

"We had some manners laid on us," Eagles coach Frank Spaziani said succinctly, manners apparently being a nice way of saying they'd been flattened like a beer can in a car crusher.

But this wasn't a game in which Boston College simply imploded as they were beaten again and again. The Eagles committed just three turnovers, and Virginia Tech was actually whistled for more penalty yardage.

Of course, for the Hokies, the defense is as much as part of the team's identity as Beamer's permanently wind-blown hair. It was the offense that made Saturday's win unique, and a shot across the rest of the nation's bow.

They'd beaten Miami soundly two weeks earlier, but that had been the defense and ground game, coupled with an untimely pair of drops by Miami's Jimmy Graham. This was a balanced attack, in fact, the first time the Hokies had run and passed for more than 200 yards since 2005. They finished with 441 total yards -- 235 on the ground, 206 through the air -- numbers even more impressive when you consider the starters were in baseball caps early in the third quarter.

Those things that had been question marks at the season's start -- could Taylor develop an arm to compliment his legs, could the freshman Williams fill in for Orange Bowl MVP Darren Evans -- became exclamation points against what was the 26th-ranked defense entering the game.

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Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, right, pats quarterback Sam Bradford, left, on the helmet following a touchdown against Baylor in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Oklahoma won the game 33-7. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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    Washington's Devin Aguilar, right, celebrates with Senio Kelemete, left after Aguilar scored a touchdown against Arizona during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton (2) passes during the first half of their NCAA college football game against BYU at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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    BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall watches his team during the second half of their NCAA college football game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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    BYU quarterback Max Hall (15) looks to pass against UNLV during the first half of their NCAA college football game at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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    UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton (2) is sacked by BYU linebacker Coleby Clawson (41) during the second half of their NCAA college football game at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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Taylor played the whole game, or at least the portion he didn't spend on the sideline, like an encore to his game-winning drive against Nebraska. Williams rushed for 159 yards and moved ever closer to snapping Evans' freshman records.
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All of which led to Ju-Ju Clayton getting a rare second half of work in Taylor's place.

Granted, running to the forefront of the ACC isn't the sort of charge you need to wake Napoleon from his grave to lead, but the Hokies are now primed for their third straight ACC title and, the moment Texas loses, possibly the inside track for a berth in the BCS title game.

Virginia Tech's next game, in Atlanta against Georgia Tech's triple option, will likely prove more of a test than the Eagles, and the Hokies have only to look backward to Miami to see how quickly hype can be dispelled.

But after a Saturday afternoon statement, the game plan for the rest of the season seems clear right through to the ACC title game.

More balance. More wins. More Ju-Ju.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.

At Last, Virginia Tech Finds Good Ju-Ju in Balanced Attack originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Ray HollomanSat, 10 Oct 2009 15:50:00 EST ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying Highhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/08/acc-notebook-eagles-flying-high/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/08/acc-notebook-eagles-flying-high/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/08/acc-notebook-eagles-flying-high/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

A solid rivalry has developed between Boston College and Virginia Tech.

While the Eagles have won the last three regular-season games against the Hokies, Virginia Tech has beaten Boston College when its counted most in the past two ACC Championship games. Plenty is at stake again when the two tangle Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

"These guys are a premier program in the country and they haven't skipped a beat since the last time we saw them," BC coach Frank Spaziani said.

"They are always improving. This is a very good football team. They are well coached in offense, defense and special teams. Especially in their venue down there, it is very difficult to play in there. The experience of going down there has to help but this is a similar situation (to Clemson), so we are going to have to buckle up our chin straps."

Both of these teams have a chance to meet for a third consecutive year in the ACC Championship. If the Hokies beat the Eagles and then beat Georgia Tech on the road next week they will have locked up the Coastal Division by mid-October. The Atlantic Division is a tad more unsettled, but Boston College is coming off consecutive wins over division foes Wake Forest and, last week, Florida State.

The last time that BC played at Lane Stadium two years ago, Matt Ryan threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Andre Callender with 11 seconds left and the No. 2 Eagles won 14-10 against the No. 8 Hokies on a Thursday night to keep BC's national title hopes alive. This year, No. 5 Virginia Tech finds itself in the national title hunt.

Boston College's hopes once again hinge on its quarterback -- 25-year freshman Dave Shinskie.

Tabbed the starter two weeks ago against Wake Forest, the former professional baseball player was 31-for-51 against the Demon Deacons. Last week against the Seminoles, he threw for 439 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

"He has athletic skills," Spaziani explained.

"He throws the ball well and has good mechanics and a good touch. His arm is strong enough. He can do some of those things that can help you win. He is progressing just like a freshman would. He is making some progress but by no means is he a polished, accomplished field general. There is not enough experience there. Once again, he is getting better, he is learning and we see improvement. We still need to see a lot more."

Hokies coach Frank Beamer is impressed.

"I know he is playing well for them, and I think his age and maturity helps that situation," Beamer said. "He is really throwing the ball accurately, and I think he really gives them something. With those running backs, his ability to throw the football really helps them."

On the Auction Block

Bobby Bowden's challenges haven't only been on the football field.

The historic Coalson Plantation, a 40-acre estate near Thomasville, Ga., -- 35 minutes north of Tallahassee, Fla. -- whose owners include Bowden and son Tommy Bowden, was sold at auction Thursday. The property, nine miles north of the Georgia state line, dates back to 1825, when the main house was built.

It has 11 guest suites and other buildings add another 22 guest rooms, including the Bowden Presidential Suite, name for the Bowden family. The Bowdens were among the partners in a group that purchased the complex in late 2004.

One of the plantation's most noted attributes is the Showboat Theater, a replica of the stage set from the Broadway musical of the same name. Built in 1934, it hosted the first private screening of "Gone With The Wind" in 1939.

A Tarpon Springs, Fla., couple was the top bidder with a winning bid of $2.5 million.

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Streak Snapped

Too bad.

North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson's NCAA record of consecutive passes without an interception ended at 379 attempts in Saturday's 30-24 loss to Wake Forest. The sophomore was picked off twice, the first on a poorly thrown deep ball and the second in the end zone with 2:02 left and the Wolfpack driving for the go-ahead touchdown.

"I think he took a shot on the first one," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said.

"He's done that in the past, and it didn't pay off. He didn't see the backside safety or corner or whatever it was coming across. The second one, I think he overcompensated. He's just got to calibrate his arm, get it right for the rest of the year. They're two throws he had chances of getting into the end zone, one too far to the left and one too far to the right."

Wilson streak was at 364 passes entering the game and he had thrown 15 more before the streak was snapped.

"I didn't even think about it, to be honest with you," Wilson said. "I am going to keep throwing the ball and giving my guys chances."

Tar Heel Blues

The most disappointing team in the ACC this year? FSU? How about North Carolina?

The Tar Heels have lost their only two conference games by an average of 15 points and one was against struggling Virginia. UNC has serious, serious problems on offense. The unit ranks 113th nationally with just 280.8 yards per game. Quarterback T.J. Yates has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6).

"One of the questions as coaches that we have to ask ourselves is, 'Are we trying to do too much with a young, inexperienced offensive football team?'" UNC coach Butch Davis said. "Some of the things that we did last year, there's some guys that aren't ready to do some of those things all of the time [this year]."

Turtle Power

Much has been made of the Maryland Terrapins' struggles this season. They dropped three of four games to open the season, including an embarrassing effort against Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt conference.

Don't look now, but Maryland (2-3 overall, 1-0 ACC) has the chance to remain in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division with a win at Wake Forest Saturday. The Terps ended their losing woes with a 24-21 win over Clemson last weekend to open ACC play.

"I think we are right on track," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

"I thought last week we got better. I think getting a win (against Wake Forest) will give us momentum and hopefully get us going."

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Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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    In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes watches from the sidelines during the final minutes of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas. The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

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    In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes runs off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas.The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 6: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian University, attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf-Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) celebrates with teammate Sergio Perez, rear, after scoring on a 52-yard pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy linebacker Boris Lee (2) breaks up a pass intended for Middle Tennessee State receiver Malcolm Beyah (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. At left is Troy defender Tebiarus Gill. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) reacts after scoring in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee State in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Middle Tennessee States's Emmanuel Perez (91) and Jeremy Kellem (20) walk away. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) is pursued by Middle Tennessee State's Marcus Udell (3) on a 52-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying High originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenBobbyBowdenJim HenryThu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST ACC Notebook: Pack Ready for Fall Risehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/30/acc-notebook-pack-ready-for-fall-rise/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/30/acc-notebook-pack-ready-for-fall-rise/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/30/acc-notebook-pack-ready-for-fall-rise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Tom O'BrienTom O'Brien teams traditionally get better as the season goes on -- as North Carolina State did in winning four of its last five games last year. With Wake Forest, Duke and Boston College coming up in the next three weeks, the surging Wolfpack could be 6-1 going into its bye week prior to an Atlantic Division showdown at Florida State.

O'Brien, however, isn't about to get caught up in such nonsense. He's a game-at-a-time head coach, and Saturday's meeting at Wake Forest is N.C. State's first ACC game and first road game.

"All I know is what team I got this week against the team I am going to play," O'Brien said. "I don't know who is going to be here next week. We continue to march on and try to be the best we can weekly."

The Wolfpack, winners of three straight following Saturday's come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh, has plenty of reasons to grin.

For starters, N.C. State is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense. Through four games, the Wolfpack is yielding just 201.2 yards per game after holding the Panthers to just 300 yards. Pitt came in averaging 380 yards per game.

State's defensive coaches were credited with doing a tremendous job of adjusting to Pitt's offensive schemes during the game. O'Brien, of course, wasn't ready to do cartwheels. He noted that the N.C. State defense missed more than 20 tackles, just as it had done in the season-opening defeat to South Carolina.

"It doesn't really say anything," O'Brien said of the unit's national ranking. "It's only after four games and one month of the season. If we're there after 12 games then it will say a lot about our defense."

Then there's the stellar play of quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson was 21-of-35 passing for 322 yards and four touchdowns against the Panthers. The majority of that came in the second half, when he led his team from two touchdowns behind by scoring the game's final 21 points. He also rushed the ball 10 times for a career-high 92 yards, including a 21-yard dash on fourth-and-14 from deep in Pittsburgh territory to prolong what turned into the game-tying drive.

"That was just Russell being Russell," O'Brien said.

"That turned the game around for us. He was able to break contain, they were in man coverage and everybody was run off. He took off down the boundary. That was the key scramble of the football game."

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In all, last year's ACC Rookie of the Year was personally responsible for 414 of State's 530 offensive yards in the game. Wilson also pushed his NCAA record streak of passes without an interception to 360. In his last 13 games, Wilson has 29 touchdown throws with zero interceptions.

Wilson credits preparation and his receivers for his streak.

"Each and every practice I'm trying not to throw an interception," Wilson said.

"Every throw I'm trying to move the ball up and down the field and help my team be successful. The same thing with the wide receivers. They know that in the back of their mind they're trying to make plays for me. They don't want to give up an interception. That's a pass that they could have an extra 15 or 30 yards. They don't want to give the ball up."

Tar Heels Run Over

 North Carolina suffered its first loss of the season, 24-7 at Georgia Tech last Saturday, losing its ninth consecutive ACC opener.

The Tar Heels (3-1, 0-1) managed a meager 154 total yards, including just 17 on the ground. On the flip side, UNC surrendered 317 rushing yards, 160 more yards than it had given up in the first three games combined, and turned over the ball three times. The Yellow Jackets also had a significant advantage in terms of time of possession, 42 minutes, 6 seconds to 17:54.

The Tar Heels return home Saturday or their 114th meeting with Virginia (0-3), which is coming off a bye week. The Cavaliers have won two of the past three in the series in Chapel Hill and six of seven overall. Don't expect personnel changes from UNC coach Butch Davis.

"I think we're playing the best players that we've got," Davis said.

"We've got to look at what are their capabilities, what can they realistically do and how can they get better at what we're trying to do? I think the worst thing we can do is some kind of magical hodgepodge where you move the offensive line around. They've got to get some consistency and continuity over the course of the week and the course of the season. We've got to be more effective. We've got to get the ball in the hands of our play makers better."

Frazzled by Turnovers

The struggling Maryland Terrapins have a minus-10 turnover margin. That's bad. In fact, the Terps already are more than halfway to last year's 13-game turnover total of 25. They've been costly, too, leading to 61 of the 153 points allowed this season.

That's why coach Ralph Friedgen has unveiled a new practice tactic this week as Maryland prepares for Saturday's visit from Clemson. Turnovers are met by immediate punishment.

"We're going to do something to recognize the turnovers, whether it's up-downs or whatever," Friedgen said. "I think we have to make a conscious effort to not do this. I think it (turnover) has to be something that we avoid at all costs."

Let it Rain

 Blacksburg, Va., is a tough place for a visiting team to win, especially when Virginia Tech is playing Beamer Ball to perfection -- as the Hokies did against the visiting Miami Hurricanes Saturday. A blocked punt for a touchdown, three sacks and a couple of turnovers turned their showdown with Miami into a laugher.

Let's not forget about the rain either. Word is more rain fell over a 24-hour period Saturday than on any other day in Blacksburg since 1987.

Average at Best

 Following Saturday's home defeat to South Florida, Florida State's record over its past 48 games (dating back to its October, 2005 loss at Virginia) is 25-23.

Corey Clark, a sportswriter with The Tallahassee Democrat, pointed out in his blog that if fans toss out victories against non-BCS conference teams (Troy, UAB, Rice and Western Michigan) and Duke, that record is 19-23.

And, Clark also pointed out that using that same qualifier (which means fans exclude non-BCS teams and Duke), the Seminoles are 5-11 in their last 16 home games against regular FBS football programs.


Quotable

When asked where he thought the ACC stood in the collegiate landscape this young season, N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien indicated he had no idea.

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Washington State running back Dwight Tardy, runs past Southern California safety T.J. McDonald during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. USC won 27-6. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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    Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops answers a question during a news conference in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Oklahoma takes on No. 17 Miami in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Miami. (AP Photo)

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    Penn State coach Joe Paterno listens to a question during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State takes on at Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

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    Penn State coach Joe Paterno jokes with reporters prior to his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State takes on at Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

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    In this Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Southern California running back Stafon Johnson runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. Johnson had emergency throat surgery Monday, Sept. 28, after a weightlifting accident. The senior who scored the No. 7 Trojans' go-ahead touchdown against Ohio State was bench-pressing when the bar slipped from his right hand and fell onto his throat. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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    In this Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Southern California running back Stafon Johnson runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. Johnson had emergency throat surgery Monday, Sept. 28, after a weightlifting accident. The senior who scored the No. 7 Trojans' go-ahead touchdown against Ohio State was bench-pressing when the bar slipped from his right hand and fell onto his throat. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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    In this Oct. 18, 2008, photo, UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft looks to pass as Stanford defensive end Pannel Egboh puts on pressure during an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif. The Bruins won the game on a last-minute touchdown pass by Craft, who's back in the starting lineup as UCLA prepares to face Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 3. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

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    In this Oct. 25, 2008, photo, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford drops back to pass during an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops doesn't know whether Bradford will be ready for Saturday night's game at No. 17 Miami on Oct. 3, but said it won't be a game-time decision. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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    Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin is examined after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee during an NCAA college football game against Northwestern State on Saturday Sept. 26, 2009 in Waco Texas. Griffin is out for the year. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

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    In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless is tackled by Iowa's Pat Angerer, upper right, and Tyler Sash, bottom, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in State College, Pa. Iowa's defense handed the Nittany Lions their first loss for the second-straight season. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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    In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark (17) throws the ball away and was charges with intentional grounding as Iowa defenders Christian Ballard (46) and Jeremiha Hunter move in and clear Penn State offensive lineman Nerraw McCormack (72) out of the way during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in State College, Pa. Iowa's defense handed the Nittany Lions their first loss for the second-straight season. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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"Who knows in today's college football," O'Brien said.

"It seems like this is going to happen more and more. What was the quote I read in USA Today, I think probably USA Today or somewhere where Bobby Bowden said, 'Where did these guys come from?' Today everybody's got players. As I've said earlier, there are no free Saturdays, and you better be ready. I think people are coaching. There's a lot better coaches out there.

"Guys used to just roll out the ball and have talent and play the game and win. That doesn't happen anymore. I think guys are well-coached, teams are well-coached, they have players in position to win, and if you're not ready to play on a Saturday, anybody can win, anybody can lose."

ACC Notebook: Pack Ready for Fall Rise originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>russell wilsonRussellWilsonJim HenryWed, 30 Sep 2009 11:54:00 EST Not Much Sunshine in Sunshine Statehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/27/not-much-sunshine-in-sunshine-state/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/27/not-much-sunshine-in-sunshine-state/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/27/not-much-sunshine-in-sunshine-state/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Sunshine State's college football teams awoke Sunday in a state of flux.

Florida's Tim Tebow was injured. Miami was bruised. Florida State was exposed. South Florida was, well, giddy. It was just as nuts nationally, too, where four top-10 teams lost this weekend. Six times already this season a team ranked in the top 10 has lost to an unranked team. What comes next? Every game could be a potential adventure as September rolls into October.

"As a whole team we have to learn how to finish the game," UM head coach Randy Shannon said Sunday after reviewing the Hurricanes' 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech 24 hours earlier. "The first two weeks I thought they [players] did a nice job with maturity, doing their responsibility, what they needed to get done.

"Now they took a step back."

Top-ranked UF, meanwhile, just wants to steady its nerves after Tebow suffered a concussion in the Gators' 41-7 victory at Kentucky Saturday. Tebow returned home to Gainesville, Fla., Sunday after spending the night at a Lexington, Ky., hospital.

Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, sustained a scary blow to the back of his head when he was sacked by UK defensive end Taylor Wyndham and fell backward into the knee of offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert late in the third quarter.

Wyndham was "sorry" that Tebow was injured.

"I really don't want to be known as that guy," Wyndham told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "I want to be known for other plays and making big plays and stuff.

"When I got up and saw he was hurt, I was kind of upset about it. It's football, but you always hope that nobody gets injured. It was a good hit, a clean hit. I'm sorry he got hurt; I wish the best for him."

The Gators (4-0) are off Saturday; they play at No. 4 LSU on Oct. 10. It might be several days, maybe longer, before Tebow's status becomes clearer. Backup John Brantley replaced Tebow and completed 4-of-6 passes for 30 yards, including an 8-yard TD pass to Riley Cooper in the fourth quarter. If Tebow isn't able to play against the Tigers, Brantley would make his first career start.

Speaking of first career starts, USF quarterback B.J. Daniels returned to his hometown of Tallahassee, Fla., and helped the undefeated Bulls punk the Seminoles, 17-7.

A week after playing their best of the game of the season in a victory over then-No. 7 BYU, the Seminoles fell flat against a Bulls team that was more motivated, better prepared and, quite frankly, just as athletic.

USF head coach Jim Leavitt called it a "historical win."

It was agonizing for FSU fans.

The performance has once again fanned the flames of whether the program is improving under Bobby Bowden, whose team returns to ACC play on Saturday at Boston College. Bowden pointed out Sunday that the Seminoles still have plenty to play for -- winning the ACC Coastal Division and a berth into the ACC Championship game in Tampa, Fla.

"There's too much season left to be negative," Bowden said.

While FSU's offense is averaging 28.5 points and 401.5 yards per game, the Seminoles continue to lack big-play potential under offensive coordinator, and head coach-in-waiting, Jimbo Fisher.

FSU struggled against USF, losing four fumbles and finishing with 19 yards rushing. The Seminoles managed only seven points despite having eight possessions in Bulls territory, including first-and-goal at the 3 and first-and-goal at the 7.

"Obviously, we're not over it [overall performance] consistently," Fisher said.

"We don't have enough guys over it consistently. We've got a few guys who stayed over it. Again, we're up and down."

That was a similar message echoed by Shannon, whose Hurricanes must regroup in a hurry at home on Saturday against No. 8 Oklahoma.

The game could mark the return of Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford, who sustained a third-degree separation of his right shoulder in the Sooners' season-opening loss to BYU on Sept. 5. However, many believe a more likely scenario would be to have Bradford back for the Sooners' Big 12 opener against Baylor on Oct. 10.

Bradford reportedly flew to Birmingham, Ala., on Friday to see renowned sports surgeon James Andrews.

"We prepare for Oklahoma's offense," Shannon said.

"We can't prepare for Sam Bradford and the other quarterback. Their offense is what makes the offense go. They're not going to change the plays because of who the quarterback is. They're going to run the offense."

Despite wet weather in Blacksburg, Va., Shannon was disappointed by the Hurricanes' effort. There were turnovers, dropped passes, a blocked punt and blown protections.

"We're not where we want to be at," Shannon said.

"I keep saying that type of thing. It's a great situation for us to learn as a football team. We won two big games but we had to come back and get ready for the third team, Virginia Tech, and we didn't do it. Now we have to step up and say, `What do we want to get done against Oklahoma? Are we going to bounce back, go out there and have a great game plan, go out there and execute?' "
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Not Much Sunshine in Sunshine State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tim tebowJim HenrySun, 27 Sep 2009 20:40:00 EST Homecoming King Daniels Leads South Florida to Historic Winhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/26/daniels-returns-home-for-south-floridas-historic-win/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/26/daniels-returns-home-for-south-floridas-historic-win/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/26/daniels-returns-home-for-south-floridas-historic-win/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Welcome home, B.J.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels, who actually lived on the Florida State campus as a youth, returned to his hometown Saturday and helped deliver a historic victory for the University of South Florida. While the 17-7 defeat probably won't serve as an epitaph for the 18th-ranked Seminoles, it certainly damages their national resurgence and disrupts the pecking order in the Sunshine State.

It appears the Big Three is evolving into the Big Four. In a hurry, too.

"It's Florida State. To come up here and beat them in their stadium, they are ranked right now, they have so much prestige, so many wins," said USF All-American defensive end George Selvie, who spearheaded a powerful pass rush that produced five sacks and forced a crucial fourth-quarter fumble that slowed any FSU comeback.

'It was great to come up here, being the underdog, and beat this team and change history. They are part of the Big Three; we have a chance to make it the Big Four."

Of course, one of the bigger storylines was Daniels' return to his backyard, where the redshirt freshman was a two-sport star at nearby Lincoln High School.

Daniels' father Bruce used to work as the housing director at FSU, and the Daniels family lived on campus until B.J. was 7. Daniels grew up a fan of FSU quarterback Charlie Ward and had dreams of playing at FSU, but the Seminoles never actively recruited him. Other opportunities developed, and the Bulls offered Daniels the chance to play both basketball and football.

It was an easy decision.

And an incredible showing Saturday.

Pressed into his first career start after Matt Grothe was lost for the season last week with a torn ACL, the poised and confident Daniels ran for 126 yards, threw two second-quarter touchdown passes and accounted for 341 total yards offense to help the Bulls (4-0) remain undefeated.

While USF coach Jim Leavitt felt Daniels pressed a tad in the second half, wanting to win the game by himself -- who could blame him? -- he rarely blinked under the pressure.

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It was USF's first win over the state's Big Three -- Florida, Miami and FSU.

"You can't even make this stuff up," said Bruce Daniels, who stood with family, friends former prep classmates and teammates of his son near the USF buses that would caravan the Bulls five hours back to their Tampa campus. Added David Wilson, Daniels' high school coach at Lincoln: "He's just a soft spirit and it (pressure) doesn't affect him."

The defeat will surely impact the Seminoles (2-2), who were coming off one of the most impressive victories of the season at then-No. 7 BYU last Saturday. FSU was thoroughly whipped along the line of scrimmage, finishing with just 19 net rushing yards and converting 2-of-12 third-down conversions. Quarterback Christian Ponder was pressured relentlessly, completing 25 of 37 passes for 269 yards, most of it coming on short throws.

Ponder's fumble when sacked by Jason Pierre-Paul with 5:53 remaining helped the bullish Bulls seal the game.

"Boy, I will tell you what, they are a whole lot better than I thought," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "I knew they were good, but when they're playing Western Kentucky, Wofford, Charleston Southern... you just aren't sure of the people they are playing. They are good. They beat the heck out of us.

"They whipped us."

Yes indeed.

USF stopped the Seminoles on four plays from the three-yard line early in the second quarter, a series that Bowden said "told the story right there." The Bulls then needed just five plays to cover 99 yards to get the game's first touchdown as Daniels dismantled FSU with one big play after another. Polite and personable, Daniels said he wasn't nervous considering the circumstances.

"Not at all. I am really not a nervous person," he said.

"I was excited to get out there and play hard for my team. All week I"ve been preaching to my teammates it's not about me, it's about the Bulls stepping up and making a name for ourselves. It was nice to come home and play in front of my friends and family, but it was much bigger than that."


When the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard before a sold out crowd of 83,524 at Doak Campbell Stadium , the large contingent of green-clad USF fans in the south end zone erupted in celebration. A "Whiteout"-- FSU fans were encouraged to wear white shirts to match the Seminoles' white jerseys and pants -- had turned into a wipe out .

"Everyone is disappointed," Ponder said.

"I think everyone realizes that we had a good opportunity to win this ball game and we did everything we could to lose it. USF played great. We're disappointed and come Monday, we are going to have to deal with it."

USF didn't want the party to end.

Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon, USF's former director of athletics who is now involved with the school's fund raising foundation, hugged players as they came off the field. "It doesn't get any sweeter than this," Selmon said. As Daniels gave a quick television interview, teammates Mike Ford puckered up and kissed Daniels on the cheek. Grothe did something FSU wasn't able do to much - slowed Daniels down enough for a mighty bear hug.

Naturally, USF fans didn't want to leave. They chanted "USF, USF," long after the Bulls entered their locker room and FSU fans had made their way to the exits. Leavitt admitted he was nearly overcome by emotion when he saw the fans' excitement. It also was the Seminoles' largest home crowd in four years.

"I nearly broke (down) -- we've built our program from the grassroots," Leavitt said.

"It's great for the University of South Florida, it's great for the city of Tampa and the Tampa Bay area, my home St. Pete, the whole deal. It's a very historical win. It does, to me, change history. I've been on record clearly saying that you have to beat one of them ... you have to beat them to even really get talked about. You can't come close. I told our team if we come close, it doesn't matter. You have to beat them.

"So, at least now, people ask me about 'should you be in the Big Four,' I'd say, 'well at least we should be talked about once in a while, that we are a team that's competitive.' It's one game. We know that."

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The season-long, 10th anniversary celebration of Florida State's 1999 national championship team continued Saturday, when 40 players from the first, wire-to-wire No. 1 team -- and the only unbeaten team in Bowden's career -- were introduced prior to kickoff.

Former greats such as Peter Warrick and Brett Williams shared their feelings on whether the Seminoles were close to regaining their past glory at halftime. Warrick believes the Seminoles need a proven leader on the field, while Williams felt the team had made improvements with its preparation, attitude and technique.

That all might be true, but the Seminoles need to regroup in a hurry for ACC play next week at Boston College. A conference title and automatic BCS berth remain goals.

"Now you see what kind of character you have - some guys will come back and mope," FSU receiver Bert Reed said. "We have to have the leaders like we did after the Jacksonville State game and not let that happen and practice hard and want to get better. We let the little things slip today - protection, ball handling, dropping balls."

Daniels and the Bulls made the little things count.

And the Big Three is evolving into the Big Four.

"He just does what he does all the time," Leavitt said of Daniels.

"He tried to press too much the second half, tried to force things, he wanted to win the game, I think himself. The passion and the drive he had was really remarkable. It's a great story."

Homecoming King Daniels Leads South Florida to Historic Win originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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