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
