Here's the column that makes your Tuesdays brighter, Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard. We still miss you, Alan Malamud.
Big Ten Overreactions
Summaries
USC 59 - Georgia Southern 20: Los Angeles, CA- Former HC Clay Helton brought his Eagles to the Coliseum. It wasn't a great homecoming for old Gomer. He saw his defense give up a ton of yards. USC's 755 yards of offense was the most gained by any SC team since 1972. Once again SC had to come from behind to win as RB Waymond Jordan fumbled on SC's first drive to set up GSU with a first down at the Trojans 41-yard line. Three plays later GSU QB Weston Bryan hooked up with WR Camden Brown for a 32-yard TD and a 6-0 lead. The Eagles then, in a move all too painfully reminiscent of former ST coach John Baxter, lined up the old swinging gate formation and went for two. The conversion failed miserably USC then went 75 yards for the go ahead score when WR Jacobi Lane made one the best one-handed catches you will ever see with a defender draped all over him. SC led 7-6 after the PAT from PK Ryon Sayeri and Never looked back. While the defense had some struggles at times, it was apparent that nobody was going to stop the Trojan offense but the Trojans. QB Jayden Maiava torched the Eagles defense completing 16 of 24 passes for 424 yards and four TDs. While Lane had the SportsCenter Top 10 catch, WR Makai Lemon had the most yards catching four balls for 158 yards and two TDs. Despite the fumble Jordan lugged the leather 16 times for 167 yards and a score. For GSU QB JC French IV connected on 19 of 35 passes for 179 yards, two scores and an interception.
Telling Stat: In the rearview mirror; And with one rout, Clay Helton can now continue being just a bad memory along with Smith, Tollner and Hackett in the pantheon of horrible Trojans coaches.
Oklahoma 24- Michigan 13: Norman, OK- It was their first meeting since the '76 Orange Bowl, while old guys like me reminisced about Bo Schembechler and Barry Switzer, the current teams got after it under the lights at the stadium once known as Owen Field. What seems to be evident in this game was that Oklahoma wasn't going to let Wolverine true freshman phenom QB Bryce Underwood get comfortable. It was his first game in a truly hostile environment and the Sooners threw their whole blitz package at him. Underwood finished the game completing just 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards. RB Justice Haynes was a bright spot for the UM offense rushing for 125 yards and score in 19 carries. Meanwhile OU junior QB John Mateer had a great night. He completed 21 of 34 passes for 27 yards, a TD and an interception. He also ran for 74 yards on 19 carries and scored twice. His favorite target was WR Deion Burks who made seven catches for 101 yards and TD.
Telling Stat: When they needed it; Nursing a 21-13 lead, Oklahoma went on a 16-play drive that covered 78 yards and ended in a field goal to make it a two score game with 1:44 to play in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern 42- Western Illinois 7: Evanston, IL- It was a beautiful late summer evening with hints of Fall's soon arrival at the Wildcats temporary home that lies on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was here that the Cats earned their first win of the young year in a thrashing of Fighting Leathernecks of the FCS. The Wildcats scored TDs on their first three drives and ended the competitive portion of this game quickly. Two short TD tosses by QB Preston Stone and a 43-yard TD from RB Cam Porter accounted for the scores. Up 22-0 in the second quarter, the NU offense took a quarter off before adding to their lead with two FGs of 35 and 25 yards from PK Luke Akers in the third frame. The last quarter saw the Wildcats sub liberally and still add another 14 points to the board for a 42-0 lead on another short TD pass from Stone and a 58-yard scamper to paydirt by backup QB Ryan Boe. Western Illinois spoiled the shutout with a late score when backup QB Carson Carswell hit WR Christian Anaya from eight yards out with 2:47 to play. When it was over, Stone had completed 21 of 29 passes for 245 yards and three scores. Stoine's backfield mate, Cam Porter was the game's leading rusher with 91 yards on 12 carries and a TD. For the outmanned Leathenecks, Carswell was their top player. Against the NU subs, he threw for 52 yards and a TD.
Telling Stat: Stalled Chains; Northwestern held Western Illinois to just 2 for 12 on third down to pave the way to an easy win.
Maryland 20- Northern Illinois 9: College Park, MD- The Terps came into this one as 16.5 point favorites, but they had a struggle against kids from DeKalb. While the Maryland defense turned in a fine effort to keep the Huskies in check, the offense was at the mercy of true frosh QB Malik Washington. Washington had all the tools and you can see the potential, but he makes typical freshman mistakes and that kept NIU in the game. However, when faced with a 4th & 5 with 9:20 left in the game at the NIU 42-yard line, Washington grew up little. He saw the open man and fired a laser to WR Shaleak Knotts for a 42-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach. Washington completed 19 of 35 passes for 254 yards and two TDs. TE Dorian Fleming was his favorite target catching seven balls for 70 yards and a score. For NIU RB Telly Johnson, Jr was their best player, running the ball 10 times for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Telling Stat: They bent halfway; Maryland's defense allowed 180 yards on the ground, but grounded the NIU air attack allowing just 91 yards to keep the Huskies out of the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Penn State 34- Florida International 0: Happy Valley, PA- it was the second week in a row where the Nittany Lions offense was late to the party, but the defense was more than enough to ensure a win at Beaver Stadium. FIU tried to dig themselves a deep hole early by turning the ball over on downs once and seeing QB Kyone Jenkins throw and interception. However, PSU didn't take advantage of the good fortune. The Fighting Paternos held just a 10-0 lead at intermission thanks to a nine-yard TD pass from QB Drew Allar to TE Khalil Dinkins and a 41-yard FG from PK Ryan Barker. The second half saw the PSU offense stay sluggish. They nursed a 20-0 lead until deep in the final period when a pair of late TD runs by the backfield duo of RBs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton pushed to score out to 34-0. When it was over, Allar was good on only 19 of 33 throws for 200 yards and two TDs. Allen and Singleton combined for 220 yards rushing on 29 carries and two scores to spearhead the PSU rushing attack. For FIU, Jenkins threw for 127 yards and an interception.
Telling Stat: Idle Chain Gang; Penn State held FIU to 3 of 12 on 3rd Down Conversions to erase any threat by the Panthers offense.
Illinois 45- Duke 19: Durham, NC- Illinois hit the road to Wallace Wade Stadium to take on the Blue Devils. The first half was played to near standstill with the Illini taking a14-13 lead into the half. The second half was a different story as the Orange and Blue took Duke to task, blowing them out 31-6 to grab the win. While the UI defense rendered the Duke offense inert, the Illini offense led by QB Luke Altmyer went on three long scoring drives to extend their lead in the third quarter. A TD pass from Altmyer to WR Justin Bowick, a TD run from WR Hank Beatty that covered 25 yards and 35-yard FG from PK David Olano resulted in a 31-19 advantage . The final quarter saw Altmyer connect with WR Collin Dixon for a two-yard TD pass and RB Ca'Lil Valentine race 23 yards for two touchdowns to put the game away. Altmyer ended the day throwing for 296 yards and four TDs while RB Kaden Feagin led all rushers with 49 yards on 17 carries and a TD. For Duke, QB Darian Mensah was good on 23 of 34 aerials for 334 yards, tow TDs and an interception.
Telling Stat: They kept grinding; This game was statically closer than the score indicates, but the Illinois defense got the all the key stops to win the game.
Iowa State 16- Iowa 13: Ames, IA- A beautiful 60 degree afternoon greeted the combatants for the 73rd edition of this rivalry. The Cyclones never trailed in this game. They took an early 6-0 lead on FGs of 44 and 27 yards from PK Kyle Konrardy. Iowa PK Drew Stevens put a 31-yard kick through the uprights to cut the Cyclone lead to 6-3 early in the second quarter. ISU QB Rocco Becht extended the lead to 10 for his team when he threw a two-yard scoring strike to TE Benjamin Brahmer. But Iowa answered right back when they marched 85 yards in 15 plays capping off the drive with a two-yard run up the gut by QB Mark Gronowski. After the break Iowa would use almost two thirds of the third quarter to march 77 yards in 16 plays to tie the game up at 13-13 when Stevens split the sticks from 36 yards out. With 8:21 left the question was which QB would lead his team to the win? Iowa's new transfer who had been incredibly successful on the FCS level or the ISU QB who had led his team for years. The ISU kid did it. Becht's Cyclones overcame a bad non-call for PI and got a lucky catch on a deflected pass to get near midfield by TE Gabe Burkle. Three plays later Becht made Frankie Albert, Sammy Baugh and Sid Luckman proud when he threw a jump pass on 3rd and 2 to Burkle at the Hawkeyes 48-yard line. BUrkle took it 10 yards to the 38-yard line. Thre runs later, Konrardy was good from 54 yards and ISU had a 16-13 lead. Iowa had one last shot at tying the game, but were held for downs and the Cy-Hawk Trophy will stay in Ames for another year. Becht's final numbers were 18 of 27 passing for 134 yards and a TD to go with 11 yards rushing on five carries. For the hard luck Hawkeyes Gronowski competed 13 of 24 passes for only 83 yards, but did run for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Telling Stat: Grounded Hawkeyes; Iowa was held to under 100 yards passing for the second straight week.
Indiana 56- Kennesaw State 9: Bloomington, IN- It was bit of a slow start for the Hoosiers as they slowly built a 21-6 halftime lead over the Owls. The home folks at Memorial Stadium got little more nervous as KSU cut their deficit to 21-9 on the first drive of the third period. Then the Hoosiers kicked themselves into gear on both sides of the ball sandwiching three TD around two KSU turnovers to go out to a 42-9 lead and total control of the game. Two more late scores by the subs finished off the game. For IU, QB Fernando Mendoza completed 18 of 25 passes for 235 yards and four TDs while backfield mate RB Lee Beebe, Jr. ran for 90 yards on 11 carries and a TD of his own. A Mendoza did sub in for a Mendoza. Fernando handed the offense off to little brother Alberto who completed three of three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. For KSU, QB Amari Odom went 10 for 16 passing for 176 yards and an interception.
Telling Stat: 21-0 in 9:42 = Rout; In a 9:42 span of the the third quarter, Indiana put up 21 points in a 9:42 span while forcing two KSU turnovers to turn a close game into a rout.
Minnesota 66- Northwestern State 0: Minneapolis, MN- Golden Gopher DB John Nestor picked off Demon QB Abram Johnston and took it back 29 yards for a TD one the first play from scrimmage. That started a 35-0 first quarter onslaught of points that sent the Gopher faithful home early in this laugher at Huntington Bank Stadium. Even Mother Nature had enough of the blowout and the game was ended due to severe weather in the area with 6:15 left in the final period of play. For the Gophers, QB Drake Lindsey completed eight of nine passes for 139 yards and a TD. He also ran for a score. The Minnesota defense held the Demons to 42 total yards.
Telling Stat: Grounded by the Gophers; Northwestern State's longest drive lasted four plays and covered 15 yards in this mismatch of an affair.
Ohio State 70- Grambling 0: Columbus, OH- After their huge win over then #1 ranked Texas last week, the Buckeyes enjoyed a light workout while thrashing the Tigers. TheeeOSU built upon a 35-0 halftime lead before emptying the benches to start the second half. QB Julian Sayin completed 18 of 19 passes for 306 yards and four TDs with an interception in one half's worth of work. WR Jeremiah Smith caught five of Sayin's passes for 119 yards and two scores while RB Bo Jackson, (yes, that's his name), toted the rock nine times for 108 yards and a score.
Telling Stat: Never a threat; Grambling only crossed the 50-yard line once all game and that drive resulted in a missed field goal.
Oregon 69- Oklahoma State 3: Eugene, OR- Okie State HC Mike Gundy gave the Ducks some bulletin board material when he took issue with UO's roster by saying, "Oregon's paying a lot of money for their team." UO HC Dan Lanning respond with "We spend to win." Then his Ducks went out and just destroyed the Cowboys. The Quacks raced out to a 41-0 halftime lead and then let the subs finish the game from the midpoint of the third quarter. QB Dante Moore torched the Cowboys, completing 16 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three TDs. The RB Duo of Noah Whittington and Jayden Lamar combined for 178 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries.
Telling Stat: 8+2 = Blowout; Oregon's defense forced eight three and outs and picked off two passes to ensure that Ducks would easily beat the Cowboys.
Rutgers 45- Miami (OH) 17: Piscataway, NJ- The Redhawks who hail from the Cradle of Coaches continued their road trip tour of the Big Ten with a stop in New Jersey. Last week they held their own for a full three quarters before Wisconsin put the game away. Just about the same thing happened this week with the Scarlet Knights Taking over the final quarter and a half to move to 2-0 on the season. It was a back and forth contest with RU holding a 24-17 lead midway through the third period. Then RU QB Athan Kaliakmanis threw TD passes of 17 and five yards to WRs Ian Strong and DT Sheffield to give his squad a lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Thrown in a four-yard TD Jaunt from RB Antwan Raymond and we have our final score. Kaliakmanis was good on 26 of 36 pass attempts for 259 yards and four scores with Strong catching nine of those throws for 116 yards and a pair TDs. Meanwhile Raymond ran for 82 yards on 13 carries and two scores of his own. QB Dequan Finn was the Redhawks offense throwing for 251 yards and an interception and running g for 85 more and a TD.
Telling Stat: Finishing Freeze Out; Rutgers held Miami (OH) to zero points and only 51 yards on 19 snaps int the fourth quarter to help put this one in the win column.
Wisconsin 42 Middle Tennessee State 10: Madison, WI- The Badgers offense hasn't been a ball of fire this year. They held off a Miami (OH) team that had offensive problems of their own last week and went into the half off this game nursing a slim 14-10 lead over the Blue Raiders. You could cut the tension with a knife at Camp Randall Stadium when MTSU ate up half the third quarter marching down to the Badger 24-yard line in 12 plays. However the 13th play of the drive was 4th and 1. It was a 4th and 1 because the refs reviewed the previous play in which MTSU was awarded a first down and overturned that call saying the runner was a half yard short of the line to gain. The Badgers then stuffed RB Jekail Middlebrook for a loss and took over on downs. The Sons of Bucky didn't look back after that stop and were in the end zone three plays later when WR Trech Kekahuna took the ball around the right end and raced 61 yards to paydirt. The Badgers would score three more times over the final quarter plus to runaway form MTSU. UW QB Danny O'Neil compared 23 of 27 throws for 283 yards, three TDs and an interception. For the Blue Raiders QB Nicholas Vattiato was good on 20 of 31 passes for 197 yards, a TD and an interception.
Telling Stat: 1+1= W; 1 overturned call and one defensive stop turned this game around for Wisconsin.
Nebraska 68- Akron 0: Lincoln, NE- The true home opener for the Cornhuskers was a total blowout. After a slow first quarter, the Huskers turned a 9-0 lead into a 33-0 halftime advantage. They rolled from there subbing everyone in as the scores piled up. In a little less than three quarters worth of work QB Dylan Raiola connected on 24 of 31 tosses for 364 yards and four touchdowns while RB Emmett Johnson ran the ball 14 times for 140 yards and two scores of his own.
Telling Stat: 0 for 2 ain't great; Akron hasn't scored a point all season. That's zero points in two games.
Michigan State 42- Boston College 40 2OT: East Lansing, MI- After a lackluster win to start the year, the Spartans wondered how well they would measure up against the Eagles who beat them 23-19 last year at BC. This game was a tight affair like last year with the Green and White making the key plays to win and take a big step forward for the program. The game see-sawed back and forth with MSU taking an early 7-0 lead on a an 11-yard TD pass from QB Aiden Chiles to WR Nick Marsh only to see BC QB Dylan Lonergan throw TD passes of eight and 12 yards to RB Turbo Richard and WR Jaedn Skeete to take a 14-7 midway through the second quarter. Party answered right back with another TD pass from Chiles. This one was a three yarder to TE Michael Masunas for 14-14 tie. BC would get the last score before the half when Lonergan threw his third TD pass of the game. The play covered 14 yards to WR Reed Harris and the Eagles took a 21-14 lead into the intermission. The third quarter saw Chiles hit Nick Marsh for a 41-yard scoring strike and a 21-21 game. Then the game got downright defensive down the stretch. The teams swapped out FGs with BC PK Luca Lombardo making a 38-yard kick to send tie the game at 27-27 with 1:16 left. On to overtime the game went with Chiles and Lonergan throwing their foriuth TDs off the night. So we now go to the second OT where Turbo crossed the double stripe from eight yards. The mandatory two-point try failed and MSU had their chances to win the game and they made the most of it. Chiles ran three-yards for the tying TD, then he threw a successful two-point conversion pass to WR Omari Kelly and the Spartans had the win. Chiles had a great game. He only comforted 19 of 29 passes for 231 yards, but the he threw for four TDs and also ran for 68 yards on 12 carries and another score. His backfield mate, RB Maki Frazier led all rushers with 85 yards on 17 carries. For the heartbroken Eagles, Lonergan was lights out good, completing 34 of 45 aerials for 390 yards and four TDs while Turbo gained 57 yards on the ground on 13 carries with a TD.
Telling Stat: 1 Stop = W; Michigan State got the stop on BC's two-point attempt in the second OT and that was the difference in the game.
Purdue 34-Southern Illinois 17: West Lafayette, IN- Neither defense did anything to stop the other offense as four first quarter drives led to four TDs and a 14-14 tie to start the second period. Then Purdue's defense that thrives on pressure consistently sent five and six defenders toward the QB on every snap and held the Salukis to three points the rest of the way. The Purdue offense took advantage of that and put 20 more on the board to grab their second win of the year. RB Devin Mockobee was the workhorse for Boilermakers toting the rock 32 times for 126 yards and two touchdown while QB Ryan Browne completed 14 of 23 passes for 170 yards, two TDs and an interception. For SIU QB DJ Williams was accurate on 20 of 33 passes for 202 yards and a TD. He also ran for 19 yards and a score.
Telling Stat: A grounded win; While Purdue's defense ramped up the pressure on SIU, the offense ran the ball 53 times to control the clock and the game.
UNLV 30- UCLA 23: Las Vegas, NV- After getting slapped around last week at home by Utah to start the season, the bRuins looked to a Vegas road trip to get back on track. That didn't happen. In fact it looked like UNLV just might hang 50 on the kids from Westwood as the game went into the break with the Rebels up 23-3. UCLA didn't just roll over and did shutout UNLV 10-0 in the third quarter to cut their deficit to 23-13. The the fourth quarter started and Rebel wideout Var'Keyes Gumms hauled in a 17-yard TD pass from QB Anthony Colandrea and the score was now 30-13 with 12:04 to play. 10 more points brought UCLA to within a score with 5:25 left. The bRuins one last shot to send the game to OT. They overcame a hands to the face penalty to move down to the Rebels 24-yard line with :59 left. Then QB Nico Iamaleava's second down pass over the middle was intercepted by DB Marsel McDuffie and the Rebels had the upset win. For UNLV Colandrea went 15 for 21 passing for 203 yards and three TDs, while RB Jai'Den Thomas ran for 61 yards on 13 carries. For UCLA, Iamaleava overcame a horrible first half to complete 29 of 41 passes for 255 yards with a TD and an interception. He also led all rushers with 74 yards 11 carries and a score.
Telling Stat: A two half game; UCLA won the second half, but UNLV won the first half and that was enough to win the game.
Washington 70- UC Davis 10: Seattle, WA- In the final game of Big Ten play this weekend, not a lot of folks saw the Huskies just decimate the Aggies. The Huskies just couldn't be stopped. No, literally they couldn't be stopped, finding the end zone on all 10 of their drives against the hapless Aggies. QB Demond Williams, Jr. completed 16 of 25 passes for 254 yards and a TD. He also ran for 64 yards on eight carries and a TD on the ground. Husky RB Jonah Coleman ran over, around and through the Aggies for 141 yards on 15 carries with five TDs.
Telling Stat: A perfect 10; 10 drives for Washington equaled 10 TDs and a total blowout.
Observations
...Feeling Shaw; Penn State has been channeling their inner Stanford these last two weeks.
...Polar Opposites; Iowa's Kirk Ferentz should get the win he needs this week to pass Woody Hayes for most wins in Big Ten history when his Hawkeyes host UMass. You also couldn't have two more different men to sit one-two on the list.
...Sturdy Golden Bears?; Minnesota invades Berkeley this week. We will find out if Cal's 2-0 start is a mirage.
...Rebel Success; If you tell me that you knew UNLV would be 3-0 to start the year with a win over UCLA, you're lying.
...He ain't happy; After barely pulling out a 27-20 win over Connecticut, frustrated Syracuse HC Fran Brown had his team stay on the field and run wind sprints after the game. Channeling Herb Brooks
...Price of the times; You can get a seat at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Wisconsin-Alabama game for just 28 bucks on the secondary market.
...Minding the Gap; The gap between the four power conferences and the rest of the FBS is growing. The amount of completely uncompetitive blowouts this year has been indicative as to the havoc NIL and the transfer portal has done to the rosters of the smaller schools.
...TE Central; Iowa State sometimes runs an offense with four Tight Ends in the formation. Wow.
...Fun Fact; Iowa and Iowa State didn't play each other from 1935-1976 mainly because Iowa just didn't want to play the game.
...A family moment; With time running down in USC's rout of Georgia Southern, it was cool to see GSU HC Clay Helton's son, Turner play the final minutes of the game at QB for his dad.
...Arrested; UCLA backup QB Pierce Clarkson was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly sideswiping his girlfriend's car. He has placed on indefinite suspension from the team once team officials learned of the arrest. Road Rage
...Buyer's Remorse?; Iowa QB Mark Gronowksi transferred from South Dakota State where he led the Jackrabbits to two FCS national titles. So far with the Hawkeyes, he's 1-1 and has thrown for a 127 total yards. Hmmmmmmm
...Snarky Sark; Texas HC Steve "Cutty Sark" Sarkisian got a little irked when asked about rumors regarding QB Arch Manning's health. He got irked, then got snippy. Snarkisian
...Poggi on deck; With Michigan HC Sherrone Moore beginning to serve his two game suspension for his role in the Connor Stallions case this weekend. Associate HC Biff Poggi will lead the team on the next two Saturdays v. Central Michigan and Nebraska.
...Almost nobody saw it; The Nor'easters of the University of New England beat the Coast Guard Academy Bears, 56-49 in OT in front of 1,000 fans. UNE QB Chris Lang hit WR Berto Zepeda with a 23-yard TD pass to win the game. Hey, if you ever want to go to a UNE game in Biddeford, ME, ticket prices are six bucks for adults, four buck for seniors citizens and kids 12 and under get in free. Oh, and they do give a student discount too.
...Florida Fire; Nobody's seat is hotter in college football than Florida HC Billy Napier. That home loss to South Florida may have sealed his fate in the swamp.
...That good feeling; It's pretty cool to start the Fantasy Football season at 1-0.
...Under the radar this week; 2-0 Vanderbilt at 2-0 South Carolina could be a really good game.
...Bengal Tough; Who knew that UNLV would have a tougher game with Idaho State than UCLA?
...A true Frosh; 66-year old Kent Broussard, a retired accountant, is living out his lifelong of being in the LSU Tiger Band. He's a tuba player and moved to Baton Rouge to make his dream come true. Way to go Kent. You can't hold this Tiger.
Big Ten Overreactions
UCLA has't been this bad since 1963 when they went 2-8.
Washington is anonymous to the nation with two 8 PM kickoffs to start the year.
Purdue is a four win team.
Maryland's frosh QB means their season will be a rollercoaster ride.
Michigan please read what I just wrote about Maryland.
Penn State's slow starts will cost them two games.
Oregon loves to be the bully until they get hit in the face.
USC's defense still isn't good enough for 10 wins.
Illinois may stay in the top ten awhile.
Michigan State is going bowling this year for sure.
Wisconsin won't cross the goal line at Alabama this week.
Nebraska is 2-0 with visions of 8-0 in their heads.
Iowa may score more than 30 points this week. Thanks, UMass.
Indiana is an eight win team,
Minnesota is better than last year, but not top tier in the league.
Rutgers will win ugly seven times this year.
Ohio State is headed for a big upset loss.
Northwestern should have built a new stadium where there temporary one is.
Keeping Up With Your Exes
Arizona State felt what to was like to be the hunted this year last they were upset on a late 58-yard TD pass at Mississippi State, 24-20. Where's Cam Skattebo when you need him? Oh and Stanford followed up their loss two weeks ago at Hawaii by getting methodically rolled over by BYU, 27-3 in Provo.
CFL Update
The guys who play for the Grey Cup are now two thirds of the way through the season. The West Division has turned into a two team race with Saskatchewan (10-2) holding a two game lead over Calgary (8-4). Lurking a little off the pace is Winnipeg (6-6). Winnipeg is trying to make their fifth straight Grey Cup appearance. In the East Division mediocrity reigns as a .500 record could win the division. Hamilton (7-5) and Montreal (5-7) are the top two teams with Toronto and Ottawa far off the pace. Speaking of far off the pace, the Commissioner's team, the Edmonton Elks (5-7) are mired in last yet again in the West Division. Get great coverage of the league from the guys at 3 Down Nation. 3 downs, 110 yards, 12 men
Ugly Uniform of the Week
We are going to pick on Long Island University again for a good reason. Yeah, these uniforms still stink but they did get the biggest win in their program history when they upset MAC member Eastern Michigan, 28-23 last Saturday. It is LIU's first win ever over an FBS foe.
A Chicle of Wisdom
Our next card from the 1935 National Chicle football set is that of the one and only John "Shipwreck" Kelly of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Yes, there was Brooklyn Dodgers NFL team. Coach Casey here speaks to us about Kelly's running style. He also reminds us how not to be like Kelly and wear your helmet.
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Glassboro, NJ- We may have a tie. The Profs of Rowan University held a 17-14 lead over the Case Western Reserve Spartans with 2;07 left in the third quarter. Then after two lighting delays that lasted over four hours, the administrators from both school got together and decided to end the game. They also agreed on a final score 17-17 and declared the game a tie. Yeah, they just made up a score. This game is still in the NCAA"s hands for final approval of the tie.
Blowout Game of the Week: Oberlin, OH- We stay on the D-III level where the Calvin University Knights went on the road and just crushed the Oberlin College Yeoman, 88-6. That's a pretty good win for a team in only its' second year of existence. A reported crowd of 513 people saw QB Thomas Vaccaro throw for 189 yards and three TDs while the RBs Hogan Hunter and Nick Earles combine to rush for 200 yards and five scores.
Razorback Report: The Hogs went out and went out to a 28-7 first quarter lead over instate little brother Arkansas State and cruised the rest of the way to a 56-14 win. QB Taylor Green was his usual great self, completing 17 of 26 passes for 239 yards and four TDs with two interceptions and 151 yards rushing on nine carries and another score for the Hogs. Next up for the Razorbacks is strip to rival Ole Miss and the start of SEC play.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
This September's full moon, known as the Corn Moon in the Old Farmer's Almanac, is just huge this week.
The Sun's angle has noticeably changed. Fall is really almost here.
Good fried chicken is one of life's true pleasures.
Until next time folks, winning road games makes for a great team.
-The Commissioner
