Week 13, 2024

Hey All,

The last week of the regular season looms in front us with hopes that it can be as exciting as this past weekend was.  Here's a look back at last weekend with another edition of Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard.  We still miss you, Jim Murray.  

Summaries 

USC 19- UCLA 13: Pasadena, CA- A dark and rainy night at the Rose Bowl seemed to be the perfect backdrop for this ugly 94th matchup  between the pair of crosstown rivals.  The first half was a festival of fields goals as UCLA took a 3-0 lead on the first drive of the game when PK Mateen Bhaghani was dead solid perfect from 51 yards out.  The SC defense then managed to shutdown the bRuins for the rest of the half while the SC offense made three separate trips inside the UCLA 10-yard line only to be forced into three FGs by the bRuins defense.  PK Michael Lantz's kicks were from 19, 23, and 22 yards. The game play was chippy throughout the half as rivalry games usually go, but UCLA seemingly dug themselves a huge hole to end the first half.  A UCLA player and an assistant coach piled up three unsportmanlike conduct penalties as the teams exited the field for the half when the teams almost came to blows.  UCLA was forced kickoff from their own five-yard line to start the third quarter.  USC then started the period from their own 48-yard line.  USC didn't take advantage of the good fortune and were held for downs at the UCLA 45-yard line.  The bRuins seized the momentum off that defensive stop and marched 54 yards in seven plays to take lead on the game's first TD when TE Moliki Matavao caught a screen pass from QB Ethan Garbers and rumbled 10 yards to the end zone.  Up now 10-9, UCLA then forced a Trojan punt and then drove for a 29-yard FG and 13-9 lead.  Ahhh, 13-9, a score that haunts Trojans to this day.  Well, this band of Cardinal and Gold footballers didn't let that score stand.  After forcing a bRuins punt,which was shanked by Punter Brody Richter, USC had a 1st and 10 at the UCLA 49-yard line. Two plays later WR Makai Lemon stunned the crowd when he took a backwards pass form QB Jayden Maiava and then threw a forward pass to a wide open WR Ja'Kobi Lane who was tackled at the UCLA four-yard line.  On the next snap Maiava scrambled right and then left and then threw a laser to the far left corner of the end zone where Lane grabbed it and got a foot inbounds for a touchdown.  USC now led 16-13 with 6:55 left to play in the game.  UCLA then went for a 4th and 1 from their own 34-yard line.  Garbers was stuffed on the QB sneak and USC took over on downs. Eight plays later Lantz would send his fourth FG of the evening through the uprights from 30 yards out and the Men of Troy had a precarious 19-13 lead.  UCLA's final drive to the try and win the game was snuffed out without the Trojan defense not allowing a single yard as Garbers was hurried and threw poorly on four straight downs.  Three kneel downs later and USC's  series record with the bRuins improved to 51-34-7 all time.  More importantly,  USC won back the Victory Bell, became bowl eligible and made sure that UCLA would not make a bowl this year. For the victorious Trojans, Maiava complete 19 of 35 passes for 221 yards and a TD, while RB Woody Marks toted the rock 18 times for 76 yards and also caught four balls for 25 yards.  For the beaten bRuins, Garbers completed 20 of 29 passes for 265 yards and a score.  His best receiver was J. Michael Sturdivant who hauled in five throws for 117 yards. 

Telling Stat:  A leg for postseason play;  USC PK Michale Lantz's four FGs kicked USC into a bowl game.   

Michigan State 24 - Purdue 17: East Lansing, MI-  Things looked pretty normal for what Purdue football had been this year as Michigan State held a 24-3 lead at halftime.  Michigan State scored 24 unanswered points after the Boilermakers took an early 3-0 lead.  The Spartans fifth win of the year looked like a cinch when the third quarter began.  However, MSU left their offense in the locker room when the second half began.  That left their defense the task of keeping Purdue winless in Big Ten play.  A two-yard blast into the end zone by Purdue FB Devin Mockobee in the third quarter and a seven-yard TD pass from QB Hudson Card to TE Max Klare after that left Michigan State ahead by a single score with 13:54 to play.   Things were pretty tense in cold and rainy Spartan Stadium the rest of the way as the Purdue defense enabled their offense to try and tie the game on three final drives.  However the Boilermakers offense just couldn't take advantage of the opportunities,  with several key passes dropped by wide open receivers.  This gaffes allowed the Green and White to escape with the win.  In the win, QB Aiden Chiles led the Michigan State offense with 15 completions in 31 attempts for 159 yards and two TDs.  Card completed 26 of 47 passes for 342 yards, a TD and an interception in the bitter loss.

Telling Stat: A Big Fat 0;  Purdue is winless in Big Ten play.

Michigan 50- Northwestern 6: Ann Arbor, MI- The first half was close in this one as the Wolverines held a slim 10-6 lead with 1:57 left in the second quarter.  The Wildcats had just made the score 10-6 on PK Luke Akers' second scoring kick of the game.  Michigan had the ball and faced a 1st and 10 at their own 35-yard line. 11 plays later,  The Maze and Blue went up 17-6 on a three-yard TD toss from QB Davis Warren to TE Colston Loveland.  The TD became part of what turned into a 40-0 run by the Wolverines to wipeout the Wildcats and reach bowl eligibility.  For the first time this year, the Wolverines had a truly balanced offense.  They ran for 201 yards and threw for 195.  RB Kalel Mullings led all rushers with 92 yards on 12 carries and three TDs.  QB Davis Warren looked like a real QB completing 26 of 35 passes for 195 yards, a TD and an interception.  For the now 4-7 Wildcats, QB Jack Lausch completed 10 of 21 passes for 106 yards and two interceptions.

Telling Stat: Bottled Up in Ann Arbor;  Northwestern was held to 128 total yards and just eight  first downs by the Wolverines.   

Ohio State 38- Indiana 15: Columbus, OH-  A pretty confident bunch of Hoosiers came to The Horseshoe last Saturday.  Their HC Curt Cignetti was full of bluster of how his team wasn't afraid of the Buckeyes and how they would take the game to TheeOSU in their own yard.  Well, talk proved to be cheap as is it always is as the Hoosiers were outclassed by the Buckeyes who took advantage of IU's special team failures to blow the game open and keep IU without a win in this series since 1988.  Indiana started the game of with a 70-yard TD drive to take a 7-0 lead on a two-yard run by RB Ty Son Lawton.  The Buckeyes tied the game a couple drives later on an 11-yard TD pass from QB Will Howard to WR Emeka Egbuka.  The game stood tied, but you could feel that TheeeOSU's defense had taken control of the game.  After their initial drive, the Hoosiers had been held to almost zero yards of offense.  It looked like the game would go into the break tied at 7-7, but a special teams failure by IU would change the game.  Lined up for a punt from their own 30-yard line with 1:47 left in the second quarter.   IU Punter James Evans had the snap go right through his hands.  That muffed snap became a 23-yard loss and the Bucks had a 1st and Goal at the Indiana seven-yard line.  Three plays later, RB TreVeyon Henderson found the end zone form four yards out for a 14-7 lead for the Scarlet and Gray.  Then to start the third quarter disaster struck again for IU's punt team.  Evans did field the snap and get the punt the away, but TheeeOSU PR Caleb Downs grabbed the ball at his own 21-yard line and ran right by a host of Hoosiers 79 yards for a TD.  Just like that, Indiana was down, 21-7 and you could  feel Indiana's hopes for a an upset fade away.  The Hoosiers offense wouldn't mount a serious drive until the score had reached 31-7 in favor of the Buckeyes.  IU did cut their deficit to 31-15 with 1:53 left, but Ohio State chose to stick it to IU with a late TD run rather than just take a knee and end the game.  For Ohio State, QB Will Howard completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards with two TDs and an interception while Henderson would finish with 68 yards rushing on nine carries and a TD.  For the punchless Hoosiers, Lawton was the only bright spot, gaining 79 yards on 15 carries with two scores.  

Telling Stat: Throttled;  While OSU built-up a 31-7 lead over Indiana, the Buckeye defense held the Hoosiers to 21 total yards and a single first down. 

Illinois 38- Rutgers 31: Piscataway, NJ- It was a sunny but chilly late fall day at SHI Stadium.  This game was a back and forth slugfest with Rutgers clinging to the lead until the 3:07 mark of the fourth quarter when Illini QB Luke Altmyer kept he ball on an option and ran down the right sideline 30 yards for a TD and a 24-22 lead.  The Scarlet Knights did not flinch after falling behind and put together a 10-play, 65-yard drive to retake the lead at 31-30 when QB Athan Kaliakmanis threw a swing pass to RB Kyle Monangai who weaved his way 13 yards to paydirt.  Illinois fought back to get within long FG range for PK David Olano with :14 seconds left.  Olano's 58-yard FG attempt failed, but Rutgers had called time out just prior to the kick.  Illinois HC Bret BIelema sent his offense back onto the field to try and get closer for another try by Olano.  On the next play Altmyer hit WR pat Bryant and he broke outside and flew down the Rutgers sideline 40 yards for the game-wining score.  Up 36-31 with :04 left, the Illini kicked off and Rutgers tried to pull a Stanford-Cal play.  Only the kids from New Jersey  went backwards and were caught in their own end zone for a safety to end the game. That made the final score, 38-31 in favor of the Illini. For the now 8-3 Illini, Altmyer completed 12 of 26 passes for 249 yards and a pair of TDs.  In the loss, Kaliakmanis completed 18 of 36 aerials for 174 yards and two TDs  He also ran for 84 yards on 13 carries and two more scores.  

Telling Stat: Late Long Distance for the W; Illinois put together TD drives of 75, 90, and 75 yards in the fourth quarter to wrestle the win away from Rutgers.

Iowa 29- Maryland 13: College Park, MD- Iowa came out wanting to establish the run early and run often on the Terrapins after UCLA stymied the Hawkeye running game two weeks ago.  Who could run the ball best would be the question in this one as the QB situation was in limbo for both squads.  Maryland started a banged up Billy Edwards, Jr. , while Iowa was down three signal callers and had to start Colorado State walk-on transfer Jackson Stratton.  Edwards only lasted two series as it became evident he could not hold up to the pounding by the Iowa defense.  Stratton lasted the whole game, because he didn't have to do much but hand off and hit open receivers on play action.  The receivers were open because the Hawkeyes ran over, around and through the Maryland defense.  Iowa ran the ball 57 times for 273 yards and a pair of TDs.  RB Kaleb Johnson lugged the leather for 164 yards on 35 carries with a TD while RB Kamari Moulton only touched the ball 12 times, but he gained 114 yards on those carries with a 68-yard sprint to the end zone that put the game away.  The Terps defense did manage to force Iowa into five field goal attempts, but PK Drew Stevens made all five attempts, including a 54-yarder to help send the Terrapins down to defeat. In the loss, QB M.J. Morris completed 12 of 23 aerials for 103 yards, two TDs and two picks. 

Telling Stat: A leg up;  PK Drew Stevens' five FGs lifted the one-dimensional Hawkeyes offense to victory. 

Penn State 26- Minnesota 25: Minneapolis, MN- The Nittany Lions came from behind to beat whining P.J. Fleck and his pesky bunch of Golden Gophers.  PSU looked flat as the gray flannel skies that covered Huntington Bank Stadium to start the game.  With 12:56 left in the second quarter, Minnesota had a 10-0 lead and had held PSU to 35 total yards.  Minnesota's 10 points came courtesy of a 20-yard TD run by RB Marcus Major and a 48-yard FG from PK Dragan Kesich.  The Lions then got back into the game quickly after that. PSU QB Drew Allar threw a 45-yard TD pass to WR Omari Evans to make the score 10-7.  They then picked off Gopher QB Max Brosmer on the next series and turned that into a game-tying 45-yard FG from PK Ryan Barker.  A wild sequence closed out the half as Minnesota blocked a pair of PSU kicks.  The first was a punt that the offense tuned into a 21-yard pass from Brosmer to TE James Geeers to make the score 17-10 Minnesota.  The second blocked kick happened after PSU seemed ready to tie the game after Allar bulled his way into the end zone with :18 left in the half.  The Gophers broke through and blocked the PAT attempt and CB Ethan Robinson scooped up the kick and took it back all the way for two-points.  That gave the Golden Gophers a 19-16 lead at the half.  The opening drive of the third quarter saw Minnesota extend their lead to 22-16 on a 42-yard FG from Kesich.  Then after an exchange of punts, Penn State pulled ahead when they sandwiched a 12-yard TD run by RB Nick Singleton and a 32-yard FG from Barker.  Down now 26-22, The Gophers would get into the red zone,  but were forced to kick a 26-yard FG with 5:48 to play.  Now down by just a point at 26-25, the Maroon and Gold would need to get a stop on defense in order to have a shot win the game.  They didn't get it.  The Fighting Paternos ran the ball 11 straight times and then hit an 11-yard pass to TE Tyler Warren for a first down at the Minnesota three-yard line with :27 left.  A kneel down later and PSU escaped with the win.  Allar was solid completing 21 of 28 passes for 244 yards and a TD while his favorite target, Warren was good as usual hauling in four balls for 102 yards.  Singleton led all rushers with 63 yards on 13 carries and a TD.  For the hard luck Gophers, Brosmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 175 yards, a TD and an interception.  

Telling Stat:  They finished strong;  Penn State's game-clinching, clock-killing drive was a work of art.  12 plays, 72 yards and 11 of those plays were runs.  Impressive. 

Nebraska 44- Wisconsin 25: Lincoln, NE-  You could feel the urgency in the air for both teams as they battled for bowl eligibility at Memorial Stadium,  However, you could feel that Nebraska and their home crowd wanted the win that much more.  The Huskers turned a 7-7 first quarter tie into a 24-10 halftime edge by taking advantage of a trio of miscues by the Badgers. The Big Red turned two missed Badger FGs and a fumble into 17 second quarter points.  Those 17 points were a 12-yard TD run by RB Dante Dowdell, a five-yard TD pass from QB Dylan Raiola to WR Jamal Banks and a 37-yard FG from PK John Hohl.  The second half saw the Cornhuskers defense do just enough to keep the Badgers at bay while the the offense extended their lead and finished the game strong scoring the most points they have all year.  It was a full team effort for the Big Red as Raiola completed 28 of 38 passes for 293 yards and a TD while RB Emmett Johnson had a great day. He led all rushers with 113 yards on 16 carries and he was the Huskers leading receiver catching. six passes for 85 yards. His backfield mate, Dowdell only gained 41 yards on 10  carries, but he found the end zone three times.  Wisconsin QB Braedyn Locke completed 20 of 30 passes for 292 yards, three TDs and and an interception. His top receiver was WR Vinny Anthony II who caught seven tosses for 137 yards and a TD.  

Telling Stat: Seven is Heaven;  Nebraska scored on seven straight drives against the Badgers.  It could have been eight, but the Huskers took a knee to kill the clock at the end of the game.     

Observations

...The BIG picture;  Oregon has already punched their ticket to the Big Ten title game.  Their opponent could be either Ohio State, Penn State or Indiana.  If OSU beats Michigan, they are in.  If they lose and PSU beats Maryland, the Lions are in.  If OSU and PSU both lose and Indiana beats Purdue, the Hoosiers are in.  

...Retirement time?;  Utah HC Kyle Whitingham is pondering hanging up his whistle.  He's in his 20th year at the helm of the Utes and is by far the best HC they have ever had.  Wasatch Goodbye?

...The dreaded bid;  Yes, USC is now bowl eligible, but it looks more and more like the bowl game the Trojans will be playing in is the most unwanted bowl bid of the old Pac12, the Sun Bowl. Sigh. 

...This just in;  UCLA sucks. 

...Turing Point Possible;  Will the Nebraska program take off a like a rocket under HC Matt Rhule after finally becoming bowl-eligible for the first time in forever?  Only time will tell. 

...Florida Funk;  Florida has been great the past two weeks, but can they maintain that level of play in 2025?  UF HC Bully Napier may never get off the hot seat in The Swamp. 

...Rebels yelled out?;  Has Ole Miss gone as far as they go with HC Lane Kififn? 

...Two birds spotted in Durham;  Duke QB Malik Murphy threw up a pair of middle fingers after throwing a TD pass v. Virginia Tech.  Duke HC Manny Diaz said the team will handle the discipline for the act internally. See it here,  Exuberance of Youth 

...Bulldog's bite lifts Lions and Big Green;  Yale's 34-29 victory over Harvard in the 140th edition of The Game means the race for the Ivy League title ends in a three-way tie between Harvard, Dartmouth and Columbia.  For the Fighting Blue Lions of Columbia it's their first share of the Ivy League crown since 1961.  Roar Lions! Roar!

...So much for So Cal;  The State of California is out of the D-III football playoffs as SCIAC Champion Pomona-Pitzer fell to Whitwortth, 21-13 in the first round. 

...A&M still in it;  If Texas A&M upsets Texas this week and Tennessee beats Vanderbilt, the SEC would finish in a four-way tie for first place.  If that happens, the Aggies would take on Georgia in the league title game. As if this first meeting between the Longhorns and Aggies in 15 years needed to add any more fuel to the fire.  WOW!

...2 and Out;  Not giving it much credence, but this reporter has heard a little too much buzz that an SC upset of ND would be all the CFP committee would need to eliminate the Irish in favor of a three-loss SEC team.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

...Ride Ponies Ride!;  SMU punched their ticket to the ACC title tilt with a 33-7 drubbing of Virginia.  SMU will face either Miami or Clemson.  It's simple, Miami beats Syracuse Saturday and they are in. If the Canes lose, Clemson is in.  

...A note for my dad;  In the first round of the D-II playoffs, Slippery Rock beat New Haven, 14-7. 

...Norman Concerns;  OU fans were worried that their fan base would sell all their seats to Alabama fans befor their game last week due to their mediocre record.  I just wonder how could they tell if it happened? Both fanbases are all clad in red and white and share basically the same demographic profile. The game last week looked like an intersquad scrimmage on my tv. 

...Take that Colt back to the barn; Colt McCoy proved to be a pretty bad analyst for the USC-UCLA game.  He got lost in mid sentence a few tines and just quit speaking.  He also got several players names wrong and he called USC, USA a few times too.  Faceplam.  

...And then there was one;  Kent State is the only winless team left in the FBS.  The Golden Flashes have a serious chance to go 0-12 on the road at Buffalo this week. 

...Soft as Charmin;  I'm just amazed at how soft Big Ten officiating is.  PI doesn't exist and holding only gets called on receivers on the edges of a play.  Also, I've never seen so many coaches get away with just ripping the refs and throwing tantrums in a game without a flag.  Crazy.  

From The Cringe Files 

...End of the internet;  You know you've reached the end of the internet when this video pops up randomly.

Enjoy the cringe. YMCA, I think

NFL Note

...Thinking of Cleveland;  I'd have loved to play in the Steelers-Browns game became of this picture alone.

Big Ten Overreactions

Ohio State's late cosmetic TD didn't fool anyone. 

Indiana may never punt again.

Rutgers will think hard about freezing kickers in the future.

Illinois is a good, tough team. 

Penn State will destroy Maryland.

Purdue is happy basketball season is here.

USC is happy bowl eligibility doesn't depend on  the ND game.

Minnesota will whip Wisconsin 

Wisconsin may be souring on Luke Fickel 

Michigan State will be much improved in 2025.

Northwestern just wants it all to be over for 2024.

Michigan will still pay big money for Transfer Portal QB.

Iowa will boat race Nebraska.

Nebraska won't be ready mentally for Iowa.  

UCLA needs an OL transplant.  

Maryland won't be ready for Penn State this week. 

Ugly Uniform of the Week

We got to the NFL for this week's winner as the Indianapolis Colts wore their "Indiana Nights" uniform v. the Detroit Lions.  The Colts have one of the iconic uniforms of the game.  Wy ruin it with this awful look? Also, Indian Nights?  Really?  Smacks of boredom to me.  Bob Seger did it better with Hollywood Nights back in '78.  

Keeping Up With Your Exes

...1-0 makes a conference champion;  Oregon State PK Everett Hayes nailed a 55-yard FG with :20 left to give Oregon State a 41-38 win over Wazzu in a real barn burner in Corvallis.  The win gives the now 5-6 Beavers the Pac 12 title by beating the only other team left in the league in Washington State. The loss drops the Cougars to 8-3 and kills whatever slim CFP hopes they had.  Next year these teams will play each other twice.  

...An Axe in Strawberry Canyon;  Cal showed great heart in coming back form a 21-7 deficit to beat Stanford 24-21.  The winning score came on a 22-yard TD pass from QB Fernando Mendoza to WR Jonathan Brady with 2:40 left to play. The Bears keep The Axe rivalry trophy in the 127th edition of The Big Game.

...Tempe Turmoil;  ASU raced out to a 21-0 lead then held on for dear life to get a 28-23 win over BYU.  The matchup of old WAC, now new Big XII foes seemed over when ASU QB Sam Leavitt launched a pass high and deep from midfield in an effort to run out the clock with :07 left.  The pass flew out of bounds as the hometown Sun Devil Stadium clock operator ran the clock to triple zeroes.  The fans stormed the field and ASU rejoiced over an upset of the Cougars.  Ahhhhhhhh, but the replay crew buzzed down to review the play.  ASU HC Ken Dillingahm was apoplectic while the review was going on and the fans filled the field.  He reached a P.J Fleck level of  tantrum when the refs declared that there was still a  :01 left on the clock and that BYU had a 1st and 10 at midfield.  Players and admin had to herd up the fans and get them to clear the field as well as resetting the goalposts.  The field was cleared just enough so that one final play could be run .  BYU's  Hail Mary attempt was caught, but the receiver was tackled at the two-yard line.  Now, the game was over and ASU could officially celebrate the upset.  Whew....lol  

Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Montgomery, AL- This game comes from the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the FCS.  Alabama State PK Brandon Gilliam sent one through the big U from 30 yards out to lift the Hornets to a 9-6 win over the Prairie View Panthers.  It was an all-field goal game with Gilliam making good on kicks of 42, 29 and 30 yards.  His game-winner came with 6:03 left in the contest. The ASU defense held fast after the kickoff stopping the Panthers on their final two drives to secure the victory. 

Blowout Game of the Week: Carbondale, IL- This game comes from the FCS and the Missouri Valley Conference where the Southern Illinois Salukis wiped out the Murray State Racers, 62-0.  SIU QB Mike Lindauer had himself one heck of a day.  He completed 20 of 33 tosses for 283 yards and seven TDs.  Yes, Seven TDs! 

Razorback Report: Fayetteville, AR-  It took awhile, but the Hogs managed to pull away from the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs for a 35-14 win. The win makes the Razorbacks bowl eligible. In the win, Arkansas QB Taylen Green completed 20 of 37 passes for 221 yards and a 2 TDs.  He also ran the ball six times for 61 yards and two more scores.  Up next for the Hogs is a trip to Missouri to finish out the regular season. 

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

The Geico Caveman really just needs to get over it and move on with his life.

It's now time to set up the backyard garden for the coming winter. 

Watching the Thanksgiving panic set in for others while you're at the grocery store for other stuff is great theater.

Until next time folks, remember that ugly wins beat beautiful losses every time.

-The Commissioner 

Week 12, 2024

Hey All,

The season is winding down as Autumn itself speeds toward the holiday season.  Here's a look back on the weekend that was with another edition of Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard.  We still miss you, Tom Kelly. 

Summaries

USC 28- Nebraska 20: Los Angeles, CA- It was Homecoming at USC.  The stadium end zones were painted in retro style and the Trojans themselves came out in 1972 throwback uniforms for their clash with the Cornhuskers.  Mired  in a miserable 4-5 start, the Trojans benched QB Miller Moss in favor of backup  QB and UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava.  So, one could hear the massive groans of the Trojan faithful when Maiava threw a gift wrapped pick six to Nebraska DB and Trojan transfer Ceyair Wright on SC's second possession.  Maiava was shaky to start the game, but did manage to get USC back into a 7-7 with 5:04 left in the first period when he hit WR Zach Branch with a six-yard TD pass.  The score was made possible by an outstanding catch by TE Duce Robinson of a poorly thrown ball that went for 24 yards and set USC up with a 1st and Goal at the Nebraska six-yard line.  The Men of Troy took a 14-7 lead early in the second period when WR Kyron Hudson made a juggling catch of the ball of the end zone for a 12-yard TD.  The Huskers tied the game on the ensuing drive when RB Emmett Johnson grabbed a short throw from QB Dylan Raiola and sprinted away from the secondary down the right sideline for the score.  Neither team did much atfter that and the game stood tied at the intermission.  Nebraska got the ball to start the third period and marched right down the field and had a 1st and 10 at the SC 12-yard line. The Trojan defense then made a stand and forced the Huskers to settle for a 29-yard FG from PK John Hohl and a 17-14 lead.  The Trojan offense swept down the field on the ensuing possession thanks to a great 3rd Down grab from Hudson to keep the drive alive at midfield.  Two plays later Maiava hit a wide open Robinson on a crossing pattern and he took it down the left sideline 48 yards to paydirt.  SC now led 21-17.  After forcing a punt by NU, the Trojans made one of those second half mistakes that have proved destructive in their  five losses.  Trying to keep the play going while being sacked Maiava coughed up the ball and handed Nebraska the ball on the SC 15-yard line.  NU had the opportunity to take control of the game and once again the Trojan defense forced a field goal.  Hohl was good from 30 yards out and we had a 21-20 game going to the final quarter.  So, once again SC had a fourth quarter lead.  Would they blow it?  The Trojans got the ball back with 10:19 left and needed to eat clock and score to get some separation from the Big Red.  A near interception and a fumble recovery by Maiava kept SC's drive alive, but SC was faced with a 4th and 1 at the Huskers 47-yard line. SC went for it and ran a speed option to the left.  Maiava pitched the ball to RB Woody Marks who rumbled 34 yards to the NU 13-yard line.  Three plays later Maiava kept the ball, made a man miss and glided into the end zone for a 28-20 lead.  There was 2:45 left on the clock and NU had one last chance to tie the game. It came down one final play form the USC 19-yard line with :05 left. Raiola took one final shot at the end zone where he was picked off by DB Greedy Vance and USC had the victory.  For the now 5-5 Trojans. Maiava completed, (with a lot of luck), 25 of 35 passes for 259 yards, three TDs and one huge interception.  He also ran the ball five times for 20 yards and a score.  Meanwhile, RB Woody Marks lugged the leather 19 times for 146 yards as the backbone of the Trojan attack.  For the Cornhuskers, Raiola completed 27 of 38 passes for 191 yards, a TD and two interceptions.    

Telling Stat: Mobility matters; USC QB Jayden Maiava's 20 rushing yards don't seem like much, but his ability to run made a huge difference in the USC offense. 

Washington 31- UCLA 19: Seattle, WA- It was senior night last Friday on Montlake and the Husky seniors went out with a hard fought W over the Sons of Westwood.  The all-black clad Dawgs and the all-white clad bRuins entered the fourth quarter with the score in favor of the UW, 17-13.  UCLA had driven 49 yards to the Huskies 26-yard line and faced a 4th and 7.  UCLA elected to kick a 44-yard FG attempt to move within a point of the Dawgs.  PK Mateen Bhaghani's kick sailed wide.  UW had stopped the bRuins and then seized on that momentum. They marched 74 yards in eight plays where QB Demond Williams, (who was subbed in for QB Will Rogers who threw two straight interceptions), flipped a one-yard  TD toss to TE Decker Degraaf for a 24-13 lead.  The Dawgs then forced a UCLA turnover on downs and  turned that into a two-yard TD run form RB Jonah Coleman and 31-13 lead with 1:54 left to play. UCLA would add a cosmetic score with :09 left to make the final tally, 31-19 in favor the Huskies.  Williams was solid in relief of Rogers hitting seven of eight passes for 67 yards and a score.  Coleman was the leading group gainer and steadying force for the Dawgs, gaining 95 yards on 21 carries with two TDs.  In the loss, UCLA QB Ethan Garbers completed 27 of 44 passes for 267 yards and two TDs.  

Telling Stat:  3 out of 5 =L;  UCLA fumbled, missed a FG and was held for downs on 3 of their 5 seconds half drives to lose the game. 

Ohio State 31- Northwestern 7: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL- The Friendly Confines hosted this clash of old foes.  The first quarter was one of frustration for both squads as the Wildcats drove into the Red Zone and fumbled, while Ohio State had a 10-play drive end in a punt.  The Wildcats then drew first blood in the second quarter on a 92-yard drive that ended with QB Jack Lausch scoring on a nifty eight-yard scamper.  Then the roof fell for Northwestern.  TheeeOSU went on a 31-0 run to take a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter.  The final period was a glorified scrimmage with the game firmly in the win column for the Scarlet and Gray.  For the now 9-1 Buckeyes, QB Will Howard completed 15 of 24 passes for 247 yards and two scores.  His backfield mate, RB Quinshon Judkins led all rushers with 76 yards on 15 carries and two TDs of his own.  For the Wildcats, QB Jack Lausch completed 21of 35 aerials for 201 yards and he ran for the Wildcats only score.

Telling Stat: 322-65= Shutdown;  Ohio State's defense held Northwestern to just 65 total yards and zero points while their offense gained 322 yards ands scored 31 points over the same span to take control of this game.    

Illinois 38 Michigan State 16: Champaign-Urbana, IL- The Fighting Illini pulled away in the second half to secure their sixth home win of the year against a undermanned Spartan squad.  MSU came into the game with an injury riddled secondary that was forced to start a lot of youngsters and it showed.  On their first drive of the game, Illini QB Luke Altmyer hit WR Pat Bryant and he took it 57 yards for a TD and a 7-0 lead.  MSU answered right back with a 52-yard scoring strike of their own from QB Aiden Chiles to WR Aziah Johnson, but the PAT failed and the Spartans trialed, 7-6.  The Green and White would never get that close again.  Illinois took a 21-9 lead into the half on a TD run of 11 yards from RB Josh McCray and a four-yard pass from Altmyer to WR Zakhari Franklin.  MSU did make the game interesting when Chiles hit Nate Carter with a five-yard TD toss to make the score, 21-16.  Illinois then took control of the game and went on a 17-0 run to finish off the Sons of Sparty.  When it was over, Altmyer completed 19 of 32 passes for 231 yards and two scores. His favorite target was Bryant who hauled in four passes for 135 yards and a TD.  In defeat, Chiles completed 23 of 40 passes for 256 yards and two TDs.    

Telling Stat: Still Chains;  Illinois held MSU to just 2 of 15 on 3rd Down Conversions.

Penn State 49- Purdue 10: West Lafayette, IN- The only thing that could stop the #4 Nittany Lions was themselves as they easily outclassed the Boilermaker on Senior Day at Ross-Ade Stadium.  A two-yard TD plunge from RB Kaytron Allen, a 15-yard TD pass from QB Drew Allar to TE Tyler Warren  and 10-yard trip to paydirt by RB Nick Singleton staked PSU to a 21-3 lead at the half.  The third quarter saw Penn Sate strike from long distance there times to put the game away.  Warren bulled his way through the Purdue defense for a 48-yard TD run, WR Harrison Wallace grabbed a 46-yard TD pass form Allar and then backup QB Beau Pribula raced 49 yards for a TD to account for PSU's 21 third quarter points. Up 42-3, the Fighting Paternos gave up a late TD when their third and fourth stringers gave up a 20-yard TD pass from PU backup QB Ryan Browne to TE Max Klare.  Penn State added one final score when Pribula connected with TE Luke Reynolds for a 20-yard score.  Allar was nearly perfect completing 17 of 19 passes for 247 yards and three TDs for the Lions.  Warren had a great day for PSU, catching eight passes for 127 yards and a TD while also rushing for 63 yards on three carries with a TD. For the Boilermakers, Klare was the lone bright spot, hauling in seven passes for 91 yards and a score.

Telling Stat: 6.9 is oh so fine;  Penn State averaged 6.9 yards per carry on the hapless Purdue defense.  

Rutgers 31- Maryland 17: College Park, MD- The Scarlet Knights hit the road to grab a win and become bowl eligible.  Trailing 3-0 in the second period, the kids form Jersey went on a four TDs in five drives run to take control of the game with a 28-17 lead. The Rutgers defense bent a lot, but did break for the last 26:16 of the second half to ensure the win.  The four scores were a pair of TD passes from QB Athan Kaliakmanis to WRs Ian Strong an Dymere Miller and pair of short bursts across the double stripe from RB Kyle Monangai.  A 46-yard FG from PK Jai Patel finished off the scoring and the Terps who now sit at 4-6 and need to beat both Iowa and Penn State to be bowl eligible.  In the win, Kaliakmanis completed 20 of 30 throws for 238 yards and two scores.  In the loss, QB Billy Edwards, Jr. completed 32 of 55 passes for 335 yards, a TD and an interception. Terps RB Roman Hemby led all rushers with 87 yards on 15 carries and a score.

Telling Stat: Hollow Yards = L;  In the second half, Maryland went on drives of 45, 51, 61, and 71 yards and came away with zero points. 

Oregon 16-  Wisconsin 13: Madison, WI- Camp Randall was rocking as the Badgers forged a 13-6 lead over the Ducks through three quarters last Saturday night.  Wiscosin held the powerful Webfoot offense to just a pair of FGs from PK Atticus Sappington.  The Ducks looked off from the start of the game, but still remained within striking distance of the Badgers as the final stanza began.  However, top teams don't quit and UO forged a tie at 13-13 with an 11-yard TD run by RB Jordan James. His run capped off a 13-play, 81-yard drive. After an exchange of punts, UO regained the lead on a 24-yard FG from Sappington. Wisconsin had two shots to tie or win the game over the final 2:32 but they were held for downs and then UO picked off QB Braedyn Locke on a tipped pass to end the Badgers upset bid.  The RBs were the stars of this game with James toting the rock for 121 yards and a TD on 25 carries while UW's Tawee Walker carried the ball 20 times for 97 yards.

Telling Stat: 10-0 for 11-0;  It wasn't pretty, it looked more like an Elvis on black velvet, but Oregon shutout Wisconsin, 10-0 in the final period to move to 11-0 on the season. 

Observations

...Schadenfreude is real;  Seeing Colorado drub Utah, 49-24 in a game that wasn't that close made me feel good.  

...Brown out in Amherst;  UMass cut loose HC Don Brown in the middle of his third season with the Minutemen.  His record was 6-28.  

...A yard too far;  On their first drive against Purdue last Saturday, Penn State was flagged for a false start.  The penalty yardage was then marked off wrong.  It should have a standard five-yard mark off.  The ball was moved from the PSU 48-yard line back to the 42-yard line.  That's six yards.  Facepalm. 

...This just in; Purdue stinks on a generationally bad level.  

...One game, two Owls bagged;  The Temple Owls beat the Florida Atlantic Owls, 18-15 in OT last Saturday.  Come Monday, Both HCs were fired.  Temple sacked HC Stan Dayton in his third year after posting a 9-25 record while FAU cut ties with Tom Herman in the middle of year two with a 6-16 record. 

...Historic venue for a big game;  9-0 Army taking on 9-1 Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium just gives all the feels of a historic big game.  This game could easily be a total blowout,  This game will be the third game between the two at Yankee Stadium since 1969.  They met almost every year at Yankees Stadium from 1924-1946.  

...Husker praise;  Watched a postgame breakdown of the Nebraska-USC game from the Huskers perspective.  It was good video, but the fun part was seeing how impressed their crew was with the Coliseum.  It served as good reminder as to how great the Old Gray Lady is and how lucky I have been to spend so much time there.  

...When Army ruled the gridiron;  Army won three straight National Titles from 1944-46. They went 27-0-1 over that stretch and produced two Heisman winners Doc "Mr. Inside" Blanchard and Glenn "Mr, Outside" Davis.    

...Benched for a big reason;  The New York Giants have benched QB Daniel Jones amid another awful season in Gotham.  Jones has not played well, but the real reason for him being told to grab some Pine is the injury clause in his contract.  If Jones gets hurt and cannot pass the standard NFL physical when the new League year begins next March, he would be owed a 23 million dollar guarantee by the club. 

...He said it;  Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin said that some SEC HCs don't want to play in the SEC title game because it could hurt their playoff chances. Hmmmmmm Just skip it

...7 is it; This intrepid reporter's gut feel is that a total of seven Big Ten and SEC teams will make the playoff.  

...Opt out clause;  It's a week too early to speculate on this, but my research tells me that a USC upset of Notre Dame would give the CFP committee the excuse they need to keep the Irish out of the playoff.  

...Provo Problem;  Kansas upsetting BYU may mean that the Big XII gets just one team into the CFP.

...Stiifarm Statue Awareness;  Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are your Heimsan favorites, but part of me thinks that Penn State TE/ Everything Else Back Tyler Warren deserves a trip to New York.  

Big Ten Overreactions

USC could be a 7-5 team.

Nebraska HC Matt Rhule needs to go for it on 4th down more. 

Ohio State can't believe that Indiana is good.

Northwestern is a 4-8 team.

Washington still wonders how they got to play both USC and UCLA at home.

UCLA is a 6-6 team. 

Oregon's talent overcame their jet lag to stay undefeated.

Wisconsin's loss to Oregon will sting for a long time.

Penn State is an 11-1 team.

Purdue needs a defense transplant.

Michigan State is better than they look.

Illinois could end up being the most overlooked 9-3 team in the country.

Rutgers is a 7-5 team. 

Maryland is happy Purdue keeps them out of last place.  

CFL Update

The 111th Grey Cup Champions are the Toronto Argonauts!  They put up 24 fourth quarter points to beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 41-24.  Argos QB Nick Arbuckle completed 27 of 36 passes for 252 yards and two TDs while RB, and former Arizona star, Kadeem Carey ran for 79 yards and a TD on 15 carries to lead the the attack for the Boatmen.  The loss is especially painful for Winnipeg who has now lost their third straight Grey Cup.  Argonauts!

Ugly Uniform of the Week

This color combo is always ugly no matter how you slice it.  Fight On! Beat the bRuins!

Keeping Up With Your Exes

...Helluva sophomore year;  Arizona State 2nd year HC Ken Dillingham has the Sun Devils at 8-2 and in contention for the Big XII title after his squad went into the Little Apple of Manhattan, Kansas and upset the #16 K-State Wildcats, 24-14.

...Upset in the empty seats;  Among a handful of fans and a lackluster "marching" band saw Stanford  upset #19 Louisville, 38-35.  Stanford scored the final 17 points of the game including a 52-yard FG from PK Emmet Kenny as time expired to get the win.  

Departments 

Low Score Game of the Week: Martin, TN- We go to the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference of the FCS where the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles held on for a 10-9 victory over the University of Tennessee- Martin Skyhawks.  The Golden Eagles took a 10-0 first quarter lead on 15-yard TD run from RB Jalen Mitchell and a 24-yard FG from PK Dom LeBlanc.  The game remained scoreless until forth quarter when UTM got a 40-yard blocked punt return TD from LB Cam Robertson and another blocked punt and then a safety a few minutes later to cut their deficit to 10-9.  However, that's where the score would stay as UTM PK  Jaren Van Winkle's 28-yard attempt bounced off the crossbar with :30 to play.  The win gave Tennessee Tech possession of the rivalry prize, the Sgt. York Trophy.  

Blowout Game of the Week: Fulton, MO-  We head to the Heart of America Conference in the NAIA where the Benedictine College Ravens went on the road to crush the William Woods University Owls, 86-0.  The Ravens jumped out to a 17-0 lead, then really blew it open with a 41-point second quarter for a 58-0 halftime edge.  Ravens QB Jackson Dooley competed 10 of 18 tosses for 136 yards and five TDs in one half of work.  The blowout loss marked the end of the the very first season of football for William Woods.  They fished the year at 1-10 with their only win coming over Westminster College, 50-35 way back on 9/21.  

Razorback Report: The Hogs fought hard, but didn't have enough in the tank to take down the #3 Texas. It was tight affair with the Horns taking a 10-0 lead into the half.  The Hogs played the Horns to a a dead heat in the second half,  but it wasn't enough in the 20-10 loss.  Arkansas QB Taylen Green completed 17 of 25 passes for 149 yards and an interception.  Up next for the Hogs is a home date with Louisiana Tech.  A win over the Bulldogs would make the Razorbacks bowl eligible at 6-5.

This Week's Three Things About Nothing...

Turned on the heater for the first time this Fall.  It's just one of those annual milestones we mark around here. 

Linzer cookies are pretty good.

Why do all the leaves in the alley have to blow into my garage every time I open the door? 

Until next time folks, remember that dual threat QBs are pretty cool.

-The Commissioner 

Week 11, 2024

Hey All,

It was a rather eventful week for a lot of reasons and not many of them good, maybe another edition of Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard can make things a bit brighter.  We still miss you, Mal Florence. 

Summaries 

UCLA 20- Iowa 17: Pasadena, CA- It was a windy and cool, well cool for Southern California, Friday night where Iowa was trying to pick up their first win at the Rose Bowl since 1959.  The teams stumbled and bumbled their way thought his one.  UCLA QB Ethan Garbers threw to the wrong jersey on the bRuins first two drives of the game and Iowa turned those gifts into a two-yard TD run from RB Kaleb Johnson and a 24-yard FG from PK Drew Stevens.  The Hawkeyes held a 10-0 lead to start the second quarter.  The bRuins then woke up and forced a couple of Iowa turnovers and turned those into the game-tying points.  PK Mateen Bhaghani launched a 57-yard FG to go with a two-yard TD pass from Garbers to WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala to account for the 10 points.  UCLA  took a 17-10 lead into the break when they took advantage of a short punt by Iowa.  Garbers connected with WR Logan Loya on a 29-yard catch and run for the go-ahead score. The third period was a scoreless affair witht he defenses controlling the game.  The fourth quarter saw Iowa put together their only solid drive of the game after a huge FG and a huge penalty.  Stevens nailed a 57-yard FG to make the score 17-13, but UCLA LB Bryan Addison was flagged for personal foul on the kick.  Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz took the points off the board and accepted the penalty.  Iowa cashed in the penalty and tied the game eight plays later when RB Kamari Moulton scored from a yard out to the tie the game at 17-17 11:27 left to play.  UCLA then answered that drive with a 13-play, 66-yard march that took 6:38 off the clock and ended with Bhaghani hitting a 27-yard FG for a 20-17 bRuins lead.  Iowa got the ball back and was forced to punt with 4:02 left.  They never got the ball back again.  UCLA ran out the clock and left Iowa fans yearning for the Forest Evashevski era.  Garbers finished the game completing 21 of 34 passes for 203 yards, two TDs and two interceptions.  RB T.J Harden led all rushers with 125 yards on 20 carries. For the Hawkeyes, QBs Brendan Sullivan and Jack Stratton combined to complete just nine of 15 passes for 185 yards and two picks. 

Telling Stat: Should not have been that close; The UCLA defense shutdown Iowa.  They held the powerful Iowa rushing game to just 80 yards.  They also only allowed 12 first downs and limited the Hawkeyes to just 46 offensive plays. 

Ohio State 45- Purdue 0: Columbus, OH- The Buckeyes didn't suffer a let down after their win at Penn State last week as they easily outclassed the Boilermakers at The Horseshoe.  The Buckeye starters played about three full quarters before the benches were emptied.  By that time they held a 38-0 lead and most folks were thinking about making the road trip to Northwestern next week.  In his three quarters worth of work, QB Will Howard completed 21of 26 passes for 260 yards and three scores.  Frosh sensation WR Jeremiah Smith hauled in six of those passes for 87 yards and a TD.  For the scoreless Sons of John Purdue, QB Hudson Card completed a paltry nine of 19 passes for 108 yards and a pick.  

Telling Stat: The chains were stilled;  TheeeOSU held Purdue to just 2 of 12 on 3rd Down Conversions. 

Rutgers 26- Minnesota 19: Piscataway, NJ-  Current Rutgers QB and Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis  fired off three TD passes on his former team to lead the Scarlet Knights to a big win over the Golden Gophers.  Minnesota was nursing a 16-14 lead to start the final period when the Rutgers defense came alive and took over the game.  First came a crunching hit from LB Tyreem Powell  on UM TE Jameson Greers that caused a fumble that was recovered by Safety Shaquan Loyal at the Gophers 12-yard line.  That led to a four-yard TD pass from Kaliamanis to Ian Strong for a 21-16 lead.  Very next drive saw UM QB Max Brosmer sacked for a safety by DT Jordan Walker for a 23-16 lead.  Then after an exchange of punts, Rutgers got a 22-yard FG from PK Jai Patel for a 26-16 lead.  Minnesota did try a mount a comeback, but was held it just a 30-yard FG from PK Dragan Kesich and that's how we get a final score of 26-19.  Kaliakmanis completed 17 of 33 passes for 240 yards and three TDs in the win.  Brosmer completed 27 of 45 passes for the 262 yards and a TD in the losing effort. 

Telling Stat: Defense wins games;  Rutgers owned the fourth quarter holding Minnesota to just three points and 50 yards along with scoring a safety to set the stage for victory.  

Indiana 20- Michigan 15: Bloomington, IN- This first half saw the Hoosiers take it to the Wolverines.  The IU defense forced a pair of turnovers which the offense used to help forge a 17-3 halftime lead.  A pair of TD passes that covered nine and 36 yards from QB Curtis Rourke and a 40-yard FG from PK Nicolas Radicic accounted for the 17 points.  Darkness fell as halftime progressed and the lights came on at Memorial Stadium.  When the lights came on, so did Michigan. The Maize and Blue defense stifled the Indiana offense.  They held the Hoosiers to -6 yards through the middle of the final period.  Meanwhile, the anemic Michigan offense managed to score 12 points.  Field goals of 22 and 56 yards from PK Dominic Zvada and a two-yard TD plunge from RB Kalel Mullings closed the score to 17-15 Indian with 9:35 to play.  The two squads  exchanged punts and that left IU with a 1st and 10 at the Michigan 39-yard line.  The Hoosiers then went on their only drive for positive yards in the half, traveling 16 yards in five plays.  The sixth play was a 41-yard FG from Radicic for a 20-15 lead.  Michigan got the ball back with 2:34 left with chance to win the game, but they would come up a yard short on fourth down at their own 42-yard line.  Indiana got the ball back and secured their first ever 10-0 start to a season.  Rourke completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards, with 2 TDs and an interception in the victory, while UM QB Davis Warren completed 16 of 32 passes for 137 un the losing effort.  

Telling Stat: 6 the hard way;  Three of Michigan's four trips into the Indiana red zone resulted in two field goals and a fumble.  That was the difference in the game.

Oregon 39:- Maryland 18: Eugene, OR- The Quacks came out in actual Oregon colors and worked their way thought their 10th win of the season.  It really was a workmanlike effort against the Terps.  It seemed like the Ducks had trouble keeping their attention on the game while the Terps hung around doing enough to make things interesting.  A three-yard TD run from RB Jordan James, a fumble return for a TD by Brando Johnson that covered 62 yards and a nine-yard TD connection from QB Dillon Gabriel to WR Terrance Ferguson staked UO to a 21-10 halftime edge.  Second half saw Maryland mount a small comeback, but it wasn't enough as the Ducks kept the Terps at bay down the stretch to remain undefeated. Gabriel completed 23 of 234 passes tor 183 yards and three TDs to lead the Webfoot attack.  For the Terps, QB Billy Edwards, Jr. combed 22 of 44 throws for 206 yards, a TD and two interceptions. 

Telling Stat: Turnovers kill;  Maryland was -3 in turnovers and that doomed the Terps to defeat. 

Penn State 35- Washington 6: Happy Valley, PA- The Fighting Paternos bounced back after having their hearts ripped out by TheeeOSU last week with a thrashing of the Huskies. The Blue and White turned a 7-0 first quarter lead into a 28-0 halftime advantage and essentially ended the competitive portion of the contest.  The Nittany Lions physically dominated the Dawgs, primarily using their rushing attack too eat clock and score on all four first half drives.  The Four TDs were a an eight-yard run by backup QB Beau Pribula, a pair of two-yard trips across the double stripe by TE Tyler Warren and an eight-yard TD pass from QB Drew Allar to WR Julian Fleming.  The second half turned into a glorified scrimmage with UW getting FGs of 24 and 35 yards from PK Grady Gross before RB Kaytron Allen scored PSU's final points on a one-yard trip to paydirt.  Allar completed 20 of 28 passes for 220 yards and TD while Allen was the leading ground gainer with 98 yards on 20 carries and a score of his own.  For the toothless Huskies, there really wasn't any offense to speak of.  

Telling Stat: They marched to victory;  Penn State's TD drives in this game lasted an average 11 plays and covered 70 yards.

Observations

...Multiple Time Zone troubles;  USC's road troubles are well documented but Washington is worse. the Huskies are also winless on the road, however, they have been outscored 127-57 in those games with the margin of loss getting worse with each trip.  Hmmmm

...Always angry;  I think Indiana HC Curt Cignetti wakes up every day with a chip on his shoulder. 

...Pot meet Kettle;  Utah AD Mark Harlan went on rant about how the officials stole the game with a bad holding call after the Utes lost, 22-21 to BYU.  Seriously?  There have been many questionable calls over the years at Rice-Eccles that favored the Utes.  Too bad, so sad.  Oh, and he also got fined 40k for this rant by the Big XII.  Enjoy it here... Whiner  

...Probation woes;  USC football got hit with a fine and some low level probation after having off field analysts play an on field coaching role.  Big headline, slap on the wrist.  Not a good look

...350 and it feels so good;  Ole Miss got fined $350,000 for the fans storming the field after their upset of Georgia last week.  In accordance with SEC rules, the fine money goes to the Rebels opponent, Georgia.  I'd love to know what's written on the memo line of that check.  LOL!

...A new OC;  Nebraska has a new OC,  Former HC of West Virginian and Houston, Dana Holgorsen will be the Cornhuskers new OC when they face USC this week at the Coliseum.

...He stands alone;  Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel was responsible for his 179th touchdown last week and that's a new NCAA record.  Amazing what all this years of eligibility can help kid do.  Hmmmmm

...Old School Treat;  On 11/23, Army takes on Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium with as chance to go 10-0.  Somewhere Grantland Rice is smiling.  

Big Ten Overreactions

Indiana plays,  "It only matters what we do" football very well. 

Michigan will pay huge dollars for a new QB.

Ohio State never thought Indiana would be a big game.

Purdue just wants the season to end.

Oregon only plays all out when they have to.

Maryland is a 6-6 team.

Washington is a different team the road.

Penn State is dominant in the little games. 

Minnesota is a 7-5 team.

Rutgers will go bowling. 

UCLA is on the rise, the players are all in. 

Iowa is an 8-4 team. 

CFL Update 

The Grey Cup is set!  The Eastern Final saw the Montreal Alouettes force six Toronto Argonaut turnovers, yet lose  30-28. .The Argos escaped with win to punch their ticket to the title tilt. The Western Final saw the Winnipeg Blue Bombers knock off the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 38-22 to secure the other spot in the title game.  The Grey Cup kicks off this Sunday, the 17th at 3 PM PST at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Keeping Up With Your Exes

...1 is a big number; Wazzu whipped Utah State, 49-28 to move to 8-1 on the season with their only loss being to Boise State.  

...1 is a big number;.  Cal has broken their maiden in the ACC.  Last Friday night, the Golden Bears went on the road and beat Wake Forest, 46-36.  QB Fernando Mendoza completed 40 of 56 aerials for 385 yards and two TDs to lead the Golden Bears attack. 

Ugly Uniform of the Week

No winners this week.  

In Memoriam 

John Robinson was one of the best to have ever been the HC at USC.   The College Football Hall of Fame coach had an incredible career and childhood.  I mean, having your best friend growing up and in your  life being John Madden, is pretty special.  So many things can be written about this man.  His 104 wins rank third in the all-time at USC behind only Howard Jones and John McKay.  His perfect 4-0 Rose Bowl record and 8-1 overall bowl record is amazing as well. Amazing is also his stint with the LA Rams where he still ranks second in overall wins.  Much will be said of the powerful teams and great players he coached.  I'll just leave you with a story of how he had a personal impact on my life as my tribute to the man.  

When I was 12 years old, my mom took my friend Billy and me up to USC.  She was working there at the time.  We were set loose on campus and ran straight to Heritage Hall.  Training camp was in full swing.  We walked through the doors into a quiet and serious atmosphere.  players were lying around the place, taped up and studying their playbooks.  Soon they'd don the rest of their gear and head over to practice.  My friend and I ran up the stairs to the second floor where the coaches offices were.  We were standing there looking around when John Robinson came walking out of his office.  We froze. There he was, the man in charge.  I summoned up the courage to ask him if we could watch practice.  He must have had a billion other things to do, but he stopped to answer me.  He looked at us and said, "Boys, when you get to the gate, tell the guard you're friends of Coach Robinson and you can get in."  I felt like we just got handed one of Willy Wonka's Golden Tickets.  So, when we got to the gate, I spewed out the words we were told to say like only a kid can and the guard let us in.  We were now on the field with the Trojans!  A whole new world was opened up to us.  We saw the speed, the power and the violence of the game.  I still remember hearing Marv Goux screaming from all the way down the field at the defensive line.  I saw Student Body Right from as close as you could get without being in the play.  I remember being put to work by the staff as well. We carried bags from one side of the field to another and shagged balls for the punters and kickers.  We loved every minute of it.  It was one of my favorite days ever as a kid and it only happened because of a small bit of kindness from Coach Robinson.  Thank you, JR,  Rest in peace. 

Departments

Low Score Game of the Week: Sioux Center, IA- We head to the Great Plains Athletic Conference in the NAIA iornthis week's entry.  PK Elis Strader split the uprights from 38 yards out with 12:39 left in the 3rd period which gave the Northwestern (IA) Raiders a 3-0 lead over the Dordt Defenders.  Northwestern DB Clayton Bosma made that FG hold up for a 3-0 win when he blocked Dordt's kick to try and tie the game with :08 left in regulation.  The Raiders escaped with the win despite gaining just 169 total yards on a cold windy and rainy Iowa afternoon.

Blowout Game of the Week: Magnolia, AR- This game comes from the D-II ranks.  In a Great American Conference game the  Southern Arkansas Muleriders crushed the Northwest Oklahoma Rangers, 78-0.   The Muleriders did indeed ride. They rushed the ball 49 times for 403 yards and seven TDs.  RB Jariq Scales led all rushers with 112 yards on eight carriers and a TD.  They did well through the air too. QB Judd Barton completed 15 of 19 passes for 247 yards and two TDs.  The overall yardage difference was staggering.  The Muleriders held a 790-53 edge in total yards when it was all over.  

Razorback Report: Arkansas had a bye last week.  This week, the Hogs host Texas.  I'm sure Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal will be looking in on the contest.  

This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...

A stop at Harris Ranch to eat is what makes driving 1-5 through the Central Valley bearable.

Funny how years can melt away when old friends gather together.

Fried pickles are a great appetizer.

Until next time folks, remember that a good defense always keeps you in the game.

-The Commissioner

Week 10, 2024

Hey All,

Here's hoping this week's edition of Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard provides a distraction from this Election Day.  We still miss you, Jim Murray. 

Summaries 

Washington 26- USC 21: Seattle, WA- Yes folks, USC led another game in the fourth quarter only to lose it in agonizing fashion.  The game didn't look like it would be that close for awhile as the Huskies dominated the first half.  Most of that domination by the Dawgs was set top by USC HC Lincoln Riley who decided that throwing most of the time against the NCAA's #1 ranked pass defense was a great idea.  It was great idea for UW who took advantage of Riley's tactic to build a 20-7 halftime lead.  An interception from QB Miller Moss, a missed 52-yard FG and bad kickoff return coverage led to the USC defense having to defend short fields.  Washington got 17 of their 20 first half points off those miscues.  A pair of FGs from 39 and 45 yards from PK Grady Gross and TD runs of 19 and 15 yards form RB Jonah Coleman accounted for UW's first half scores.  SC's  only tally in the half was a one-yard dive into the end zone from RB Woody Marks.  Riley must have been reminded at halftime that SC runs the ball well and that Washington has a weak run defense became the Trojans ran the ball a lot in the third quarter and ended up taking a 21-20 lead.  The running game allowed Moss to hit WR Makai Lemon with a 37-yard TD pass and 19-yarder to TE Kyle Ford.  Then just when SC found prosperity in the runing game, Riley went away from it again.  That resulted in a Moss' third interception of the game.  UW turned that into a four-yard TD run from RB Keith Reynolds and a 26-21 lead with 13:48 to play in the fourth quarter.  SC then answered that score with a 77-yard drive that took 8:38 off the clock. The Trojans had a 4th a Goal at the Dogs one-yard line.  Moss handed off to Marks and he stuffed in the backfield for a loss.  USC's subpar OL failed to make the key block to enable Marks to score.  USC would stop Washington and get one more chance to win the game, but Moss would be sacked to end the game at the UW 14-yard line.  SC RT Mason Murphy whiffed on his block and Moss had no chance to complete the pass.  One kneel down later and the Huskies had the win and USC remained winless on the road.  For the now 5-4 Huskies, Coleman rushed for 102 yards on 23 carries with two TDs, while QB Will Rogers completed 25 of 39 passes for 262 yards. For the now 4-5 Trojans, Marks led all rushers with 123 yards on 22 carries and a score.  Moss completed 30 of 50 passes for 293 yards, two TDs and three huge interceptions.

Telling Stat:  Not a nifty 50;  USC threw the ball 50 times against the top ranked pass defense the nation and only ran 29 times.  Those 29 runs averaged almost six yards a carry.  Facepalm. 

Ohio State 20- Penn State 13: Happy Valley, PA- Despite the early start time, a record crowd of 111, 030 filled Beaver Stadium for this clash of Big Ten frontrunners.  Pundits spoke all week about how the Nittany Lions would finally notch a win over the Buckeyes for the first time in almost a decade.  That didn't happen thanks to a stingy Ohio State defense and some key calls going the Bucks way as well.  The Nittany Lons took an early 10-0 lead on a 29-yard FG from PK Ryan Barker and a 31-yard pick six.  CB Zion Tracy picked off TheeeOSU QB Will Howard's first pass of the game and took it to the house.  It looked like PSU might blow out the Buckeyes.  All the Scarlet and Gray did after that was calm work their way back to a 14-10 halftime lead.  Howard got the first TD for the Bucks on a 25-yard TD pass to WR Emeka Egbuka.  The second scoring drive was aided by a taunting call on the Lions after they stopped TheeeOSU on third down.  Five plays after the penalty,  Howard threw his second TD pass of the day, a 21-yarder to WR Brandon Inniss.  It looked ike OSU would take a 21-10 lead into the half, but Howard was hit and fumbled as he reached the Lions goal line.  The ball went out through the end zone for a touchback.  PSU then had their own end zone turnover when QB Drew Allar's pass was knocked out of the hands of his receiver and then intercepted on an amazing play by CB Davison Igbinosun.  TheeeOSU went into half with a 14-10 lead.  The teams traded FGs in the third period and then OSU extended their lead to 20-13 on another FG at the Strat of the fourth quarter.  With 10:13 left in the game, Penn Sate embarked on their best drive of the game.  They moved down the field thanks to TE Tyler Warren making a great 31-yard reception and a 33-yard run that set the Fighting Paternos up with a 1st and Goal at the Ohio State three-yard line.  Three straight runs up the middle by RB Kaytron Allen left PSU facing a 4th and Goal from the one.  QB Drew Allar's fourth down pass fell incomplete in the end zone and the Buckeyes had made a great goal line stand.  The Buckeyes took over the ball worth 5:13 left.  They then ran the ball 11 straight times to kill the clock and walk out of Happy Valley with their eighth straight win over the Nittany Lions.  Howard finished the game completing 16 of 24 passes for 182 yards, with two TDs and an interception.  He also ran the ball 12 times for 24 yards and a fumble.  For the hard luck Lions, Allar completed 12 of 20 passes for 146 yards and a pick.  

Telling Stat: 6 is lonely number;  The Ohio State defense kept Penn State out of the end zone, allowing just a pair of fields goals in this thriller in Happy Valley. 

Minnesota 25- Illinois 17: Champaign-Urbana, IL- You could not have gotten a more evenly played game if you tried to engineer one.  With 9:03 left in the fourth quarter, Illinois held a 17-16 lead after QB Luke Altmyer connected with WR Zakhari Franklin for 21-yard TD pass.  It was the first time Minnesota had trailed all game, but the Gophers did not panic. On the ensuing drive they calmly marched  75 yards in seven plays to take the lead on a one-yard TD toss from QB Max Brosmer to TE Jameson Geers.  The two-point attempt would fail and Minnesota held a tenuous 22-17 lead with 5:14 to go in the game. Illinois then did the unthinkable on their next possession and went for it on 4th and 4 from their own 31-yard line.  Altmyer's pass fell incomplete and the Gophers had the ball deep in Illini territory.  The Illinois defense held Minnesota to a 46-yard FG from PK Dragan Kesich to keep it a one score game at 25-17.  Illinois had one last so to try to send the game to OT, but Altmyer was sacked and fumbled with the Gophers recovering the ball on their own 27-yard line.  One victory formation later, the Golden Gophers had the win.  For Minnesota, Brosmer connected on 22 of 37 aerials for 213 yards and a TD.  His backfield mate, RB Darius Taylor was the game's top ground gainer with 131 yards on 22 carries and a TD.  For the Illini, Altmyer completed 20 of 33 passes for 226 yards and a score.

Telling Stat: Turnovers Kill; In a nearly statical dead heat of a game, Illinois' two turnovers cost them the game.   

Northwestern 26 - Purdue 20 OT: West Lafayette, IN- Fall colors were in full display at Ross-Ade Stadium for this OT thriller between the Wildcats and Boilermakers.  NU broke out to an early 10-3 lead on a 39-yard FG from PK Luke Akers and a 51-yard sprint to paydirt by RB Joseph Himon II.  With 2:33 left in the first half, RB Cam Porter knifed into the end zone form a yard out to give the Wildcats a 17-3 lead.  However, Purdue would get into the game right before the break when QB Hudson Card hit Jamal Edirine with an eight-yard scoring strike to make the score 17-10.  The third quarter was a defensive affair with Purdue edging closer to the Wildcats when PK Spencer Porath hit a 24-yard FG to cut NU's lead to 17-13. The Purple and White went back out to a 20-13 lead on a 41-yard FG from Akers.  Purdue needed a drive to send this one to OT and they got it with 5:16 least in the game.  The Boilermakers marched 75 yards in 11 plays to tie the game.  The TD came when FB Devin Mackobee bulled his way over the double stripe carrying a good humber of tacklers with him.  Both teams misfired on drives in the final moments of regulation and off to OT they went.  Purdue had the ball first in OT and was held for downs by the Wildcats.  However an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty led to the Wildcats starting their half of OT on the Purdue 40-yard line.  Two plays later, QB Jack Lausch hit a wide open Himon and he easily raced 22 yards to the end zone for a 26-20 victory.  For the victorious Wildcats, Lausch completed 25 of 35 passes for 250 yards and a TD.  He also ran for 26 yards on 11 carries.  Himon tallied 78 yards on six carries with a TD. He also caught the game-winning score as part of his three receptions for 34 yards.  As for the Sons of John Purdue, Card completed 21 of 37 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown.

Telling Stat: They beat the odds;  Even though they stopped Purdue to start the OT period,  Northwestern overcame overwhelming odds to win the game.  The odds of scoring in OT when backed up to the 40-yard  line are less than 5%.

Oregon 38- Michigan 17: Ann Arbor, MI- The #1 Ducks ground out a strong road win over the passing adverse Wolverines.  The Webfoots defense hemmed in the almost one-dimensional Michigan offense allowing just 10 first half points.  The Oregon offense put up seven in the first quarter and then 21 more in the second quarter to provide all the separation they would need outlast the Maize and Blue.  The second half saw Oregon stay out ahead far enough of a Wolverine squad that lacks serious comeback ability.  UO QB Dillon Gabriel completed 22 of 34 passes for 294 yards and TD through the air while also running three times for 23 yards and another score.  RB Jordan James toted the rock 23 times for 117 yards and a TD while RB Noah Whitting crossed into paydirt twice to aid the Quacks cause.  For Michigan,  QB Donovan Warren completed 12 of 21passes for 164 yards and two TDs.  (Yes, he actually threw two TD passes).

Telling Stat: They couldn't move the chains; Oregon held Michigan to just 4 of 12 on 3rd Down Conversions and only 11  first downs.

Indiana 47- Michigan State 10: East Lansing, MI- The Hoosiers rolled into Spartan Stadium with plenty of hype and bluster about how dominant they had been getting to 8-0.  They had never trailed in any game and managed to keep an unblemished record even with starting QB Kurtis Rourke missing last week's game due to an injured right thumb. Thoughts of another Hoosier victory turned to talk of upset as Michigan State jumped out to an early 10-0 lead at the end of the first period.  The scoring came on a 47-yard FG from PK Jonathan Kim and a 18-yard TD connection from QB Aiden Chiles to WR Nick Marsh. IU then cut the MSU to 10-7 on the ensuing drive with a 17-yard TD catch by TE Zach Horton from Rourke.  IU then got a pair of TDs sandwiched around an MSU interception to take a 21-10 lead into the break.  The Scores were a one-yard TD plunge by RB Ty Son Lawton and a four-yard pass from Rourke to  

TE Elijah Sarratt.  The second half saw the Hoosiers put up 26 points to blow out the Spartans. IU opened the half with a Safety on a blocked punt by DB D'Angelo Ponds for a 23-10 lead.  They scored on two more TD runs, another TD pass and a FG to run away with the game.  For the Crimson and Cream,  Rourke completed 19 of 29 passes for 263 yards and four TDs and Saratt caught four passes for 59 yards and two scores.  Marsh was MSU's lone bright spot catching five passes for 78 yards and a score.

Telling Stat:  There is a D in Indiana;  After falling behind 10-0 and allowing 123 yards on MSU's first two drives, the Hoosiers held the Spartans to 70 total yards on their final 10 drives.  Thats a nifty seven yards per drive.

UCLA 27- Nebraska 20: Lincoln, NE- Coming off their tough loss at Ohio State, the Cornhuskers were looking to bounce back against bRuin squad that has shown some signs of improvement in recent weeks.  However, things did not go as planned as UCLA held a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. A 25-yard FG from PK Mateen Bhaghani and a 10-yard TD pass from QB Chase Garbers to TE Jalen Berger accounted for the 10 points.  A four-yard TD run from Nebraska RB Dante Dowdell made the score 10-7 with 10:02 to play in the half.  UCLA then took a 13-7 lead into the intermission thanks to a 26-yarder by Bhaghani. The Nebraska offense stumbled around in the first then outright hit the fell flat to start the third period.  QB Dylan Raiola was picked off the second play of the half and it was retuned by UCLA LB Kain Medrano 38 yards for a touchdown.  UCLA led now 20-7 and would go up 27-7 when Garbers hit WR Kwazi Gilmer for a 48-yard TD strike.  UCLA now had a 20 point lead with 8:21 left in the third quarter.  The stunned crowd at Memorial Stadium sat in disbelief as their Huskers were getting manhandled by the bRuins. Then UCLA allowed a comeback before hanging on for the win much as they did at Rutgers two weeks ago.  Nebraska cut the UCLA lead to 27-14 on an eight-yard TD toss from Raiola to WR Isaiah Neyor before the start of the fourth quarter.  The bRuins gave up a TD to make things close when Dowdell found the end zone from a yard out with 3:57 to play.  The PAT was missed and UCLA now led 27-20. Raiola was injured on the drive and it would be up to backup QB Heinrich Haarberg to lead the Big Red on a final drive to try and tie the game if they got the ball back.  They did and he did.  Haarberg guided the Huskers down to the bRuins 39-yard line.  On 2nd and 15 Harrberg's pass was tipped and intercepted by CB Kaylin Moore with :29 left on the clock.  UCLA then took a knee and celebrated the win.  Garbers completed 17 of 25 passes for 219 yards and two TDs to lead the bRuins attack.  Gilmer caught three of Garbers passes for 88 yards and a score.  For the shocked Huskers, Raiola completed 14 of 27 passes for 177 yards, a TD and an interception.  Dowdell led all rushers with 61 yards on 17 carries and two trips to the end zone.

Telling Stat: A great 30:10;  UCLA's defense forced four three and outs and scored seven points of their own in the first half plus 10 seconds to pave the way to victory over Nebraska.

Iowa 42- Wisconsin 10: Iowa City, IA- It was chilly night at Kinnick Stadum  where the Badgers seemed to show no hangover form their tough loss last week to Penn State.  They held a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard FG from PK Nathaniel Vakos with 1:56 to play .  The Hawkeyes had just missed a 38-yard FG of their own and UW had the ball at their own 38-yard line.  Nothing would go right for the Badgers from that point on.  Badger QB Braedyn Locke threw an interception that set up Iowa with a 1st and 10 at their own 47-yard line.  That pick was the spark that ignited the Iowa offense.  The Hawkeyes put up double digits in the final three quarters with a running game so methodical it resembled a Combine Harvester clearing a cornfield.  Five of Iowa's six TDs came on the ground.  Wisconsin just couldn't get any offense generated all night except for a 14-yard scoring strike from Locke to WR C.J. Williams well after the game was firmly in the Iowa win column.  RB Kaleb Johnson was the star for the Black and Gold.  He lugged the leather 24 time for 135 yards and three TDs.  QB Brendan Sullivan, starting in place of the injured Cade McNamara, completed seven of 10 throws for 93 yards and a TD.  He also ran nine times for 56 yards and a score. For the Badgers, Locke completed 15 of 29 tosses for 137 yards, a TD and two interceptions in the lopsided loss.

Telling Stat: Highway 330;  Iowa ran for 330 yards and five TDs on 53 carries v. the Badgers.  Thats 6.2 yard per carry for non-math majors in the audience. 

Observations

...No Moss;  USC has benched QB Miller Moss.  Backup and UNLV transfer Jordan Maiava will start for the Men of Troy on 10/16 v. Nebraska.  

...Bad planing;  What moron put the election, the NFL trade deadline and the first ever 12-team CFP rankings on the same day?

...Commodore Cool;  With a 17-7 win over Auburn, Vanderbilt is 6-3 and bowl eligible.  The Commodores have also beaten Alabama and Auburn in the same season for the first time since 1955.

...Cougar-town;  BYU is 8-0 and alone atop the standings in the Big XII.

...6-2 the hard way; Navy waited out a 5-hour weather delay only to be upset at Rice, 24-10. 

...Hypocrisy's end;  There is proposal in the Ivy League to finally allow the league to participate in the FCS playoffs.  For context here, the Ivy League allows teams from every other sport to participate in NCAA playoffs.  Keeping football out of post season participation is an antiquated practice that needs to go.  

...Unreal;  Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley's backwards huddle is one of the craziest things I ever saw. Please watch it here.  Superman wears Kelly Green

...Blown away;  Check out this sideline angle of Barkley's backwards hurdle.  No way!

...No way;  If you thought the Indiana-Ohio State was gonna be one of the top games in the Big Ten this year, you're lying.

...O-fer; It's possible that Oklahoma State could go winless in Big XII play.  The Pokes final three games are at TCU, a home game with Texas Tech and a trip to Colorado.  

...SEC-mageddon; There actually is scenario where an eight-way tie for first place could happen in the SEC. Whoa. 

...On Brave Old Army Team!;  Army moved to 8-0 with and got a big leg up in the race for Commander-in-Chief's Trophy race with 20-3 win at Air Force. The Black Knights of the Hudson haven't been 8-0 since the 1949 season when they went 9-0.  The Cadets had an eager young assistant who had joined HC Red Blaik's staff that season.  He was some guy from the high school ranks named Vince Lombardi. 

...Rough comparison;  James Franklin is the John Cooper of the 21st century. 

...Oddball thought;  If Indiana loses to TheeeOSU and finishes 11-1, not a single one of their wins would be over a team that got as much as a single vote for the AP top 25.

...Celebration Hawaiian Style;  Hawaii AD Craig Angelos "surfed" his way down the UH sideline after the Warriors beat Fresno State, 21-20 last Saturday night.  

  

Big Ten Overreactions 

USC is a 5-7 team.

UCLA is also a 5-7 team.

Michigan wonders what using the forward pass would be like.

Oregon won't get tested until the playoff.

Iowa loves scoring over punting.

Wisconsin just gave up 10 more rushing yards as you read this. 

Washington still wonders how they lost to Rutgers. 

Michigan State will be a force in 2026.

Ohio State is a 10-2 team. 

UCLA is a dangerous team.

Nebraska wonders how they lost to UCLA.

PSU still can't win the ones that really count.

Indiana plays to humiliate their opponents. 

Northwestern has the right QB.

Purdue might give up 700 yards this week.

Keeping Up With Your Exes

Cougars rise;  Wazzu is #20 in the nation after a 29-26 comeback win over San Diego State.  

Toothless Cars;  The wheels have fallen off at Arizona where the Wildcats are 3-6 overall and just 1-5 in Big XII play.  

CFL Update 

The first week of the playoffs are over in the 110-yard league, eh.  In the Eastern Semi-Final the Toronto Argonauts hammered the Ottawa RedBlacks, 58-38.  That win earned the Argos a trip to take on Montreal in the Eastern Final.  Saskatchewan beat British Columbia, 28-19 in the Western Semi-Final. Saskatchewan will travel to take on Winnipeg in the Western Final. Both games are next Saturday, November 9th.  

Baseball Farewell

Congrats to the Los Angeles Dodgers on whipping the New York Yankees four games to one to win the 2024 World Series.  And so with their victory another baseball season has come to an end and with it the joy of watching the summer game.  We now face the cold of late fall and winter with football, hoops and hockey to comfort us until we receive that great little piece of news.  Then suddenly, no matter what the weather may be that day, we feel warmer when are told that pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training.  That bit of soul warming news will arrive right when we need it to.  Funny how life works that way.

Classic Uniform Matchup of the Week:

Ohio State at Penn State wins for not messing up a great game with alternate uniforms.  

Departments 

Low Score Game of the Week: Orange, CA-  The SCIAC, California's only D-III lead makes another appearance in this column with the Chapman University Panthers holding on for a 9-7 win over the Claremont-Muss-Scripps Stags.  Chapman took a 6-0 lead midway through the second period when QB Tyler Pacheco ran five yards for a a TD.  The PAT kick failed.  The with a :04 left in the half, PK Jax Hudson sent a 21-yarder though the uprights for a 9-0 lead.  CMS made it a game when QB Walter Kuhlenkamp hit WR Daniel Rosenberg with 22-yard pass to make it a 9-7 game with 1:36 left in the third quarter.  The game did come down to the wire. Chapman only claimed victory when CMS PK Rich Brutto's 56-yard FG attempt sailed wide with :29 left.  

Blowout Game of the Week: Richmond, VA- It was Homecoming for the Virginia Union Panthers andnthey celebrate it in style with a 91-0 shellacking of the Bluefield State Big Blues.  The game was a league game in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in D-II.  VU QB Mark Wright completed 11 of 15 passes for 347 yards and four TDs.  VU RB Jada Byers led all rushers with 97 yards on 15 carries and three TDs. 

Razorback Report: Fayetteville, AR-  The Hogs were whipped, 63-31 by Ole Miss in a game that wasn't even that close.  The Rebels took a 35-3 halftime lead then coasted from there to the win.  Former Trojan Jaxson Dart competed 25 of 31 passes for 515 yards and six TDs for Kiffin's Kids.  Razorback QBs Taylor Green and Malachi Singleton combined tom complete 21 of 28 passes for 365 yards and a TD in the loss.  Up next for the Hogs is bye followed by home date with Texas. 

This Week's Three Things About Nothing...

Funny how after we fall back, nobody can drive when it's gets dark early.  

Looking forward to TV without a ton of political ads this week.

I wish the stores would let us celebrate Thanksgiving before bombarding us with Christmas.

Until next time, remember that the best teams run the ball well and often.

-The Commissioner