Here's a little Week Zero appetizer edition of Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard to go with that little taste of football we got this past weekend. We still miss you, Mike Walden.
Summary
Hawaii 23- Stanford 20: Honolulu, HI- It can't be a regular season blog without a game summary, so why not one about a former Pac 12 foe? The Cardinal came in as 2.5 point underdogs to the Warriors which surprised a few folks in the west, but it turns out that our friends in the desert knew what they were doing when setting the betting line. However, the game did look like a blowout was brewing for Stanford early when their 3-0 lead was turned into a 10-0 lead when they sacked and stripped Hawaii QB Micah Alejado of the ball in his own end zone. DE Wilfredo Aybar fell on the loose ball for the SU TD. The Warriors crawled back into the game when much heralded freshman signal caller Micah Alejado capped off a 58-yard drive with a 3-yard TD pass to WR Profele Ashlock. The Cardinal got their second FG from PK Emmett Kenny to take a 13-7 lead in the second period, but it wouldn't last. Alejado threw his second TD pass of the day, a 19-yarder to WR Jackson Harris for 14-13 Warrior lead at the intermission. The third period was a defensive affair with UH PK Kansei Matsuzawa tallying the only points with a 40-yard FG. The Cardinal were now down, 17-13 to start the final quarter. Interim Cardinal HC Frank Reich then saw his team put together a drive reminiscent of the Harbaugh/Shaw teams of the past when they marched 85 yards in 20 plays. RB Micah Ford rumbled in from two yards out to give SU a 20-17 lead with 9:47 to play. It looked like the Cardinal would put the game away as they drove to the Hawaii 24-yard line. On first down QB Ben Gulbranson, a transfer from Oregon State, hit the wrong color jersey with a pass. UH DB KIlnahe Mendioal-Jensen picked off Gulbranson. Alejado, who had been limping noticeably after being hit hard in the third period, led the drive that tried the game when Matsuzawa connected on a 37-yard FG. Now tied at 20-20, Stanford went 3-and-Out on the ensuing possession. Hawaii drove again as time was short. With :04 left on the clock Matsuzawa trotted out for another FG attempt. He was good again as time ran out from 37 yards to lift UH to the victory. In the win, the injured Alejado completed 27 off 39 passes for 210 yards and two TDs. His top target was Ashlock caught nine passes for 69 yards and a score. For the hard luck Cardinal, Ford led all rushers with 113 yards and a TD on 26 carries while Gulbranson completed 15 of 30 tosses for 109 yards and that big interception.
Telling Stat: Unlucky 2; The Cardinal went back to the their offense of years ago by running the ball 43 times and amassing almost 37 minutes of possession, but the two mistakes of a missed field goal and an interception lost the game for the kids from Palo Alto.
Observations
....Internet learning; Hawaii PK Kansei Matsuzawa learned how to be a placekicker by watching instructional videos on YouTube.
...Anytime, Anywhere, Another L; Fresno State stumbled through a 31-7 loss at Kansas to open the year. Time to revisit that mantra, Bulldogs.
...Mullen's near misfortune; UNLV opened up as 30 points favorites over visiting Idaho State of the Big Sky Conference. When it was over the new Rebels HC Dan Mullen, watched his team escape with a 38-31 win over the Bengals thanks to their defense holding for downs late. Whew.
...He said it; UNLV HC Dan Mullen was proud of his Rebels escaping with a win. v. Idaho State saying, "If you're not jumping up and down celebrating, you're playing the wrong game."
...High School note; Mater Dei traveled to Florida and cruised out to a 26-3 halftime lead on St Thomas Aquinas. Then they held on for dear life for a 26-23 win. Mater Dei HC Raul Lara's team is starting to look like his Long Beach Poly teams. A superiorly talented group that is very undisciplined.
...Fine for nine; The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. It's about damn time.
...Adding stupidity to loss; The Father and brother of Kansas State QB Avery Johnson got into a scuffle after the Wildcats lost to Iowa State, 24-21 over in Dublin, Ireland. Yes, the father and brother got into an altercation with each other. The pair released a joint statement apologizing for their behavior via On3 sports. Unhappy Family
...Most painful 0-1; Both Kansas State in the Big XII and Sam Houston in C-USA are now 0-1 in league play a week before Labor Day. Ouch!
...A feel for what's no more; On a recent road trip through Santa Barbara, I reflected as I drove on what was lost when SC joined the Big Ten. The Weekender is no more. I knew at least once a year I'd be heading up I-5 or Highway 101 to either Cal or Stanford. All the time spent driving was punctuated with traditional family road stops and stories of trips past and tales of old games both good and bad. It's sad to see that cultural touchstone taken away with the collapse of the Pac 12.
Cool Uniform of The Week
I'm usually not a fan of straight one-color uniforms, but man Kansas sure looked good in the Jayhawk Blue togs they wore against Fresno State.
CFB Rules Changes for 2025
Fake Injuries- Any player who presents to officials that he is injured, (basically flops and hits the ground), after the ball has been spotted for the next down will cost his team a timeout. If his team is out of timeouts, then they will be assessed a 5-yard penalty. Also, that player must remain out of the game for the next down even if his team uses a timeout and can't reenter play without the approval of the medical staff.
Speaking of Timeouts- Teams have always been granted one timeout during each OT period. Now, after two OT periods, the teams will have one timeout to use for the rest of the game no matter how many more OT periods the game lasts.
Review Verbiage- We all have heard the referee after a video review announce that a call has been "confirmed" or that the call "stands." Now any call that is not changed will be simply said to be "upheld." Calls that are overturned will be explained as they have been before.
Kickoff Capitulation- If any player on the receiving team stands and holds out his arms straight out making a "T" signal while the kick is in the air automatically forfeits his team's right to make a return and the play is whistled dead.
Don't Draw Them Off- Any defensive player stationary or not within one-yard of line of scrimmage may not make any quick gestures or exaggerated movement to simulate a snap to draw the offense into a false start. Failure to comply will result in a 5-yard penalty.
11 is Heaven- No more than 11 defensive players may be on the field when the ball is snapped. Watch those late substitutions, boys. Failure to comply will result in a 5-yard penalty.
He's Defenseless- A player attempting to recover a fumble is now added to the list of defenseless players in regards to personal fouls.
Keep it in Your Holster- No forms of simulating gun violence or simulating the act of brandishing a weapon is allowed. To do so will result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Spark and Crackle- FCS teams can now have coach-to-player communications through their helmets.
A Chicle of Wisdom
The 1935 National Chicle Football card set consisted of only 36 cards, but the lessons on the backs of the cards provided by then Boston Redskins HC Eddie Casey seem to be relevant today. Here'a a look at card #2-Bo Molenda. Casey instructs us here about keeping that ball secured when hitting the line.
CFL Update
The game in the Great White North rolls along into week 13 of their 21 week regular season. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the class of the league this year with a 8-2 record and a narrow one game lead over Calgary in the West Division. In the East Division the Hamilton Tigercats are on top with a 6-4 record. The Commissioner's favorite team, the Edmonton Elks are just 4-6 and last in the West, but they have won three games in a row. Follow the CFL by checking out the league's official site CFL. Oh, and as always the guys at 3 Down Nation have great coverage of the 110 yard game too. 3 Downs
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Montgomery, AL- How About no score at all? The words No Contest are heard a lot in the legal world, but they slapped UC Davis in the face last Saturday night. The Aggies held a 23-17 lead over Mercer when the game was stopped for a lighting delay and inclement weather in the Montgomery area. The game was ended by the powers that be and declared a No Contest. No win or loss is awarded in the case of a No Contest and the stats don't count either. Sigh. The only winner in this game was the Weather Channel. Among the stats that don't count in the record book was a pretty good game for UC Davis redshirt freshman QB Caden Pinnick who was 13 of 24 passing for 141 yards and two scoring tosses. He also had run for 62 yards with a TD before the No Contest was declared.
Blowout Game of the Week: Portland, OR- Not a lot to choose from this week, but the FCS did provide us with a decent sized rout as the Tarleton State Texans worked over the Portland State Vikings, 42-0. The RB duo of Tre Page III and Caleb Lewis combined to rush for 221 yards and three TDs on 26 carries to lead the Texans attack. The Texans defense forced four turnovers and held the Vikings to just 277 total yards in the shutout win.
Razorback Report: The Hogs get into action on 9/30 when they host the Alabama A&M Bulldogs of the FCS.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
...If you didn't know school has gone back into session, the changes in the traffic patterns around town lets you know for sure that school has started.
...Surf Beach in Lompoc is a hidden gem on the central coast of California.
...The Foster's Freeze in Lompoc has good burgers.
Until next time folks, remember that you can't win the national title in September, but you sure as hell can lose it.
-The Commissioner
