University of Oklahoma starting quarterback Sam Bradford suffered a concussion during the Sooners' 34-27 loss to Texas Tech Saturday night.
Bradford departed the contest after Oklahoma's first offensive play. Bradford made a tackle after teammate Allen Patrick fumbled.
Bradford came back out for another series after suffering the concussion before giving way to Joey Halzle.
Bradford wasn't the only injury suffered by the Sooners. Stoops said wide receiver Adron Tennell tore an anterior cruciate and will miss the rest of the season,
Defensive end Alan Davis had a concussion and became the third Sooners defensive end injured this season.John Williams is out for the season after surgery on a torn Achilles' tendon, and Big 12 sacks leader Auston English has missed the past two games with a hairline fracture in his right leg. The Sooners had hoped English would return last week.
"He did a little bit and is getting closer, but again it's just too early in the week to know," Stoops said.
Running back DeMarco Murray's knee cap shifted
.Posted: November 19, 2007
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma's leading rusher DeMarco Murray has a dislocated kneecap and will miss Saturday's game against Oklahoma State.
Bradford is the nation's top-rated passer, just ahead of Florida's Tim Tebow, and has 28 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He was replaced by Joey Halzle in the first quarter Saturday, and Stoops said that might have had an impact on the Sooners' season-worst 106 yards rushing.
Halzle, who had split time with freshman Keith Nichol as Bradford's backup earlier in the season, completed 21 of 41 passes for 291 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his first significant playing time.
Stoops said he'd feel comfortable if Halzle had to start in Bradford's place this week.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon will miss the remainder of the season due to damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Brady Leaf finished the game under center for Oregon and went 22-for-46 with 163 yards and two interceptions. Leaf is expected to continue as the starting signal-caller when the Ducks play at UCLA next Saturday.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The UCLA Bruins are coming off a bye and finally getting healthy.
Although they again will start a quarterback who wasn't even on the depth chart at the position starting the season, and open with a walk-on at tailback when they face the No. 9 Oregon Ducks this weekend, they'll have several familiar faces back.
Ben Olson, their oft-injured No. 1 quarterback, is practicing again and may be available for "emergency" duty. Tailback Chris Markey, who led the Bruins in rushing and receiving last year but has been plagued by turf toe and other ailments this season, also could be ready to go.
Osaar Rasshan, who had been converted to receiver then switched back to quarterback when backup Pat Cowan was hurt two games ago, is scheduled to get his second start for UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
Redshirt sophomore Craig Sheppard, a non-scholarship player, will open at tailback against Oregon (8-2, 5-2 Pac-10).
-------------------------------------------
At times, it seemed as if Mississippi quarterback Brent Schaeffer might never start again.
Yet with a week left in his college career, it looks like he'll get one last chance. Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron stopped short of naming Schaeffer the starter over Seth Adams for Friday's game at Mississippi State, but he gave broad hints Monday.
Orgeron said with a good week of practice, Schaeffer will start for the first time this season after starting all 12 games last year.
The Rebels hope Schaeffer can provide the same kind of spark against the Bulldogs that he did against top-ranked LSU in a 41-24 loss last Saturday. The senior came off the bench in relief of Adams in the second quarter and set career highs with 208 yards passing and 94 yards rushing against the nation's top defense.
He ran for one touchdown and threw for another, displaying the kind of athleticism and play-making ability Orgeron saw when he signed Schaeffer out of junior college.
Adams won the starting job away from Schaeffer after Orgeron opened the position to competition in the spring. At the time, the coach said Schaeffer needed to do a better job of attending classes and being a leader along with playing better on the field.
-----------------------------------------------------
Two years ago, the NCST Wolfpack rebounded from a miserably slow start with a hot second half and needed only a regular season-ending Senior Day victory against Maryland to become bowl eligible.
They got that win. Now they want another one.
So, the Wolfpack's clearest path to the postseason is to beat Maryland and hope Atlantic Division champion Boston College beats Miami.
------------------------------------------------------ Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt won't announce until gametime whether freshman Pat Bostick, the starter most of the season, or Kevan Smith will open at quarterback Saturday against South Florida.
An ineffective Bostick was benched during a 20-16 loss to Rutgers last Saturday, but returned to throw an interception into the end zone during the final minute. Bostick was replaced earlier in the game by redshirt freshman Kevan Smith, but Smith injured his right shoulder.
Smith did not separate his shoulder, as Pitt initially thought, and could play Saturday against South Florida (8-3, 3-3 Big East) if he outperforms Bostick during practice.
Bill Stull began the season as Pitt's quarterback, but injured a thumb in the Sept. 1 opener against Eastern Michigan and hasn't played again. Smith started the next two games but was replaced by Bostick midway through a Sept. 22 loss to Connecticut, and Bostick had played since.
Bostick, a star at Manheim Township High in Lancaster, Pa., a season ago, is 121-of-196 for 1,135 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions for Pitt (4-6, 2-3). Smith is 36-of-64 for 415 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
----------------------------------------------------------------- Miami quarterback Kyle Wright was beaten up at Virginia Tech, and still had the battle scars to prove it Monday.
There's nasty scrapes on his chin, right hand and right leg.
His left hand is oddly swollen. Bruises adorn his body.
Miami has lost three straight and five of its last six games, including two straight by at least 30 points for the first time in 63 years.
But Wright -- who was sacked five times and knocked down on several other plays against the Hokies -- doesn't believe the Hurricanes have abandoned all hope.
The Hurricanes haven't lost to Boston College since 1984 -- the game where Doug Flutie threw his famous "Hail Flutie" pass to Gerard Phelan to cap the Eagles' 47-45 win at the Orange Bowl.
Miami has won all 15 meetings since, and hasn't lost at Boston College since 1975. The Eagles (9-2, 5-2) have already clinched the ACC's Atlantic Division title and a spot in next weekend's league title game, but are chasing the school's first 10-win regular season since 1940 as well.
All-time, Miami is 23-3 against Boston College, an indicator that the Hurricanes' bowl hopes aren't exactly shot yet.
Yeah, so what, as VT’s HC Beamer had never beaten FSU before this year. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Billboard Material: Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes invited the wrath of Florida Gator fans on Monday, boldly predicting that "Tim Tebow's going down" when the rivals meet in the regular-season finale for both teams.
"The bigger they are the harder they fall," Hayes said. "Hopefully we can go out there and shatter his dream."
Tebow has run for 20 touchdowns and passed for 26 more this season to become the first quarterback in NCAA history to reach 20 touchdowns in each category. The 46 touchdowns nearly doubles the 24 TDs produced by the Seminole offense.
Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews most likely would have preferred his star linebacker not provide any additional motivation for the 12th-ranked Gators.
------------------------------------------------ Last season, Missouri beat Kansas for the first time in four years.
What about Saturday?
"It's really hard to pick. They're both really, really good," said Iowa State coach Gene Chizik, whose first season ended with a loss Saturday at Kansas, three weeks after losing to Missouri. "Both do different things that pose different problems. ... Both are worthy of representing the North, no matter who wins."
Kansas State played the Jayhawks in early October and lost to Missouri on Saturday.
"Kansas has really improved. When we watched them getting ready for our game, I thought they were the best team we had played then," Wildcats coach Ron Prince said. "I find Missouri very, very challenging. They are a very difficult team to deal with, with so many weapons and they are so good on defense."
This game could have been on the Kansas campus, but the schools agreed long before the season to play at Arrowhead Stadium.
"We've known for a long time we were going to play this game over there. We're ready to do it," Mangino said. "It's the same case with Missouri next year, have the game at Arrowhead and not on their campus. Everything is equal. There's no advantage or disadvantage to either team."
-------------------------------------- TEXAS TURNAROUND?: Oklahoma's loss Saturday at Texas Tech did more than knock the 10th-ranked Sooners out of the national championship picture. It kept Texas in contention for the Big 12 South title and a possible BCS game.
The No. 13 Longhorns had an 0-2 conference record for the first time since 1956 after their 28-21 loss to Oklahoma on Oct. 6. They have since won five games in a row.
If Texas wins Friday at Texas A&M, and Oklahoma loses Saturday to Oklahoma State, the Longhorns are the Big 12 South champions. That would put them in the Big 12 championship game, where another victory would guarantee a BCS game.
Still, Mack Brown doesn't want his team looking past Texas A&M, which won last year's grudge match.
"We need to be focused on this game, and not worry about anything around it," Brown said. "After a couple of mishaps early, this team has been fighting every day to get back in the mix, and done that because they paid attention and did not look around."
Bob Stoops has to get Oklahoma over its disappointment and ready for its rivalry game.
"We understand there's a lot out there. To have an opportunity to be your conference champion, we value that in a big way here," Stoops said. "We have to have some discipline to get that done."
------
Tailback was never expected to be a question for VirginiaTech this season, not after Branden Ore's first-team All-ACC performance in 2006.
But Ore's season started slowly after he missed some summer workouts to attend to some personal issues at home, and he's only now starting to really hit his stride. He was at his best last week with 81 yards and two touchdowns in a 44-14 victory against Miami, and said his health and an improving offensive line share the credit.
"I'm 100 percent now. I know it's late in the season, but it happened," he said of finally shaking some nagging injuries that conspired to make him less effective.
This" is another late season run by the No. 8 Hokies, one that finds them a victory at Virginia on Saturday away from another trip to the ACC championship on Dec. 1. The winner of the game at Charlottesville plays Boston College for the title.
Beamer, too, thinks it helps that the offensive line, riddled by injuries and inexperience for much of the year, is finally back together and getting better.
While Ore and the offense struggled earlier, the defense held the opposition to two touchdowns or less seven time as the Hokies won eight of their last nine games.
Now that the offense has topped 40 points in consecutive games against Florida State and the Hurricanes, Glennon sees only more good things in the future.
"We're at an all-time high in confidence level going into the biggest game of the season and one of the biggest games in this rivalry," he said.
"We picked the right time to start clicking."
Posted: November 18, 2007
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's Percy Harvin worked out with teammates Sunday, and coach Urban Meyer expected the team's most dynamic receiver back against rival Florida State.
Harvin's return would give quarterback Tim Tebow and the 12th-ranked Gators a full complement of receivers for the first time in more than two months.
Posted: November 19, 2007
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida receiver Percy Harvin has endured migraine headaches since he was 10 years old. He never had them like this though.
"It wouldn't go away," Harvin said Monday following his practice in two weeks. "I couldn't see. I was dizzy. I couldn't walk... It was the worst I had. It was the worst I ever felt. I was just nauseous and throwing up. It feels good to be back out here."
Gators (8-3) were still OK. They have scored 110 points in the two games without Harvin, thanks mostly to Tebow and WR Caldwell.
Although Florida should be healthy at receiver against the Seminoles (7-4), the Gators could be without three defenders.
Cornerback Joe Haden sprained an ankle, defensive tackle Mike Pouncey hyper-extended a knee and defensive lineman Lawrence Marsh injured a foot. Meyer expected to know more about their injuries Monday.
Meyer does expect to have return man Brandon James back Saturday. James, who is fourth nationally in punt returns (18.7) and 13th in kickoff returns (29.0) sat out Saturday's game for violating team rules.
---------------------------------------------------- MTSU vs. TROY
Posted 11/14
The Blue Raiders have played 11 games in 11 consecutive weeks and will finish their regular season schedule Tuesday at Troy for a nationally televised game on ESPN2. That means Monday and Tuesday served as the team's abbreviated bye week.
MTSU is in desperate need of rest after being physically beaten in a 34-24 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday(11/10), where the Blue Raiders were outscored 20-3 in the second half.
"I think (fatigue) caught up with us just a little bit last week," Stockstill said. "I said it (Saturday) that we looked like a tired football team in the second half. Maybe the effects of the year just finally caught up to us, and guys' bodies finally broke down a little bit.
Sophomore running back Phillip Tanner will likely miss a third game in a row with a knee injury. Safety Jeremy Kellem, who played only special teams last week, is questionable with a chipped bone in his ankle. Freshman quarterback Dwight Dasher is probable with knee and ankle injuries.
MTSU has five players who have played more than 700 snaps this season. Its five starting offensive linemen have played an average of 68 snaps per game this season with few substitutions.
Stockstill said his team would play with energy at Troy next Tuesday but that a grueling schedule has taken its toll on his roster.
11/18
Playing on national TV is a big event," MTSU senior cornerback Bradley Robinson said. "This is our chance to show the nation what we're about.
"Both these teams have already shown we can beat people outside the Sun Belt. Troy beat Oklahoma State, and we beat Memphis and nearly beat Virginia. Tuesday will be a time when we can stir up a buzz for ourselves."
One major distinction between Troy's signature non-conference win this season from MTSU's is that it came on national TV — a 41-23 rout of Oklahoma State on ESPN2.
The Trojans have beaten then-No. 17 Missouri, Oklahoma State and Marshall in nationally televised games at their home stadium. Troy also won last season's New Orleans Bowl on ESPN2.
MTSU has as much
experience on national TV as Troy, only not as much success.
Tuesday will mark the Blue Raiders' fifth nationally televised game in the last two seasons. MTSU has lost three straight ESPN or ESPN2 games, including two defeats to Louisville and one loss to Central Michigan in last year's Motor City Bowl.
MTSU has been the underdog in all three losses,
Troy QB Haugabook was the Sun Belt's best player a year ago, garnering conference player of the year, offensive player of the year, newcomer of the year and first-team offense awards. But he may have already improved on that superlative performance this season.
This season, he has already surpassed his passing and rushing totals of last season while guiding Troy to a 7-3 overall record and 5-0 Sun Belt mark.
In addition to passing for a career-high 2,516 yards in only 10 games, Haugabook has also rushed for 481 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
MTSU held Haugabook in check for about 57 minutes in their meeting last season before he torched the Blue Raiders on back-to-back touchdown passes in the final 2:19.
Haugabook completed six consecutive passes for 80 yards in two straight scoring drives to rally past MTSU 21-20. MTS was a bowl team LY.
11/12
As for MTSU's game at Troy Tuesday (Nov. 20), Stockstill said injury status should not determine his starting quarterback.
"It will come down to who performs the best in practice," Stockstill said. "Dwight is healthy enough to play, I think. Health should not be an issue."
Craddock has passed for 1,143 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions, while rushing for 82 yards and one score in five starts this season. Dasher has passed for 1,148 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 528 yards and three scores in six starts.
Craddock and Dasher rank 1-2 in Sun Belt pass efficiency.
November 21, 2007
Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer
Bowl Bubble Teams ARIZONA (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Arizona State
Why they will make it: The surging Wildcats have won three in row, including a victory over then-No. 2 Oregon.
Why they won't: Arizona State might be in position to clinch the Pac-10 championship, and could even be in the national championship race, when the teams play.  ARKANSAS STATE (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Southern Miss
Why they will make it: The Indians have won two of their past three.
Why they won't: Arkansas State is 0-5 on the road.  COLORADO (5-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Nebraska
Why they will make it: Nebraska has won just one of its past six.
Why they won't: The Huskers' one win was in their last game and they scored 73 points.  FLORIDA ATLANTIC (5-5)
Remaining schedule: at Florida International; at Troy
Why they will make it: This week's opponent, Florida International, is winless.
Why they won't: Florida International is improving and played well the past two games in losses to Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette.  KANSAS STATE (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Fresno State
Why they will make it: The Wildcats only have to beat the WAC's third-place team.
Why they won't: That third-place WAC team has scored at least 30 points in five of its past six games, and Kansas State has allowed 153 points in the past three games – all losses.  LOUISIANA-MONROE (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Louisiana-Lafayette
Why they will make it: The Warhawks just beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Why they won't: If there ever was a chance for an emotional letdown, this is it.  LOUISIANA TECH (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Nevada
Why they will make it: The Bulldogs have won three of their past four. That loss was at LSU, which is understandable.
Why they won't: Nevada is 10th nationally in rushing offense. Louisiana Tech ranks 39th against the run.  LOUISVILLE (5-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Rutgers
Why they will make it: Rutgers has scored more than 20 points just once in its past four games, against Army.
Why they won't: Louisville's defense isn't much better than Army's.  MARYLAND (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at NC State
Why they will make it: Four of the Terps' six losses have been by eight or fewer points, and three of those teams are bowl-bound.
Why they won't: The Wolfpack also are one win away from bowl-eligibility and have played better of late than the Terps.  MIAMI (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Boston College
Why they will make it: In recent history, the Hurricanes have dominated BC.
Why they won't: In recent history, Miami rarely has been this mediocre.  NEBRASKA (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Colorado
Why they will make it: QB Joe Ganz has thrown 11 touchdown passes in two starts.
Why they won't: Imagine how many touchdown passes Ganz could throw if he were playing against Nebraska.  NEVADA (5-5)
Remaining schedule: at San Jose State; vs. Louisiana Tech
Why they will make it: Unbeaten Hawaii needed a last-second field goal to defeat Nevada last week.
Why they won't: Neither San Jose State nor Louisiana Tech are pushovers.  NORTH CAROLINA STATE (5-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Maryland
Why they will make it: QB Daniel Evans has passed for more than 200 yards in each of the past five games and has eight touchdown passes in that stretch.
Why they won't: Evans also has thrown five interceptions in the past two games.  OHIO U. (5-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Miami University
Why they will make it: The Bobcats play their decisive game at home.
Why they won't: They've already lost two home games.  TOLEDO (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Bowling Green
Why they will make it: TB Jalen Parmele has rushed for more than 100 yards in seven consecutive games and Bowling Green ranks 111th in the nation in run defense. Why they won't: Bowling Green is on a three-game winning streak and has legit bowl hopes.  UCLA (5-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Oregon; at USC
Why they will make it: The Bruins will likely rally around embattled coach Karl Dorrell and try to save his job.
Why they won't: The Bruins lost to Notre Dame and have had a rash of injuries at quarterback.  VANDERBILT (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Wake Forest
Why they will make it: The Commodores are unbeaten against teams from outside the SEC.
Why they won't: Their previous non-conference opponents – Division I-AA Richmond, Eastern Michigan and Miami University – aren't nearly as good as Wake Forest.  WYOMING (5-6)
Remaining schedule: at Colorado State
Why they will make it: Colorado State has managed just two victories all season.
Why they won't: Wyoming hasn't been competitive in its past two games. The Cowboys have been outscored 85-10 in that stretch. 
Rudy Carpenter, ASU’s SQB, now playing with a sprained throwing thumb, is 20-8 as a starter since replacing Keller for the final five games in 2005.
That includes a 28-21 loss at USC last season that was in some ways the reverse of 2005. The No. 3 Trojans led 21-0 early in the second quarter, only for the Sun Devils to pull even late in the third quarter. Tailback Chauncey Washington took the lead in a 74-yard drive to put USC back on top with 4:29 left.
Though the Sun Devils have lost seven in a row to USC, they believe that the past two games show the gap is closing. Their next chance, perhaps with the Rose Bowl on the line, is Thursday.
"We've played them tough until the fourth quarter, then we really let them run away with the game," ASU tight end Brent Miller said. "That's in the back of everybody's minds. That's something we've really got to focus on is making sure we finish
Certainly, there is ample reason for all regions to tune in. Both ASU (9-1, 6-1 Pac-10) and USC (8-2, 5-2) harbor legitimate Rose Bowl aspirations. The Sun Devils also remain, at least peripherally, in the national championship picture.
The Sun Devils were ranked sixth when they played at No. 4 Oregon on Nov. 3. But the USC game feels bigger because of the Thanksgiving spotlight and because of Oregon's loss last week, which put control of the Pac-10 back in ASU's hands.
Bolden expects to be at the center of the USC offensive game plan. That goes with the territory for a freshman starting at cornerback in the pass-happy Pac-10.
Given a choice, opponents prefer to test Bolden rather than senior Justin Tryon on the opposite side. Yet the high school tailback/safety has held up for the most part.
He returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown in his first start at Stanford on Sept. 29 and has four pass breakups to go with 23 tackles. Most important for Bolden's on-field esteem, he helped to keep California's talented receiving corps in check in a second-half shutout Oct. 27.
Carpenter has bum thumb on his throwing hand. He's been grimacing for a month, and some think he could be playing with a torn ligament. Yet, his over-the-top passion is fueling the offense for the Sun Devils.
Both teams had 12 days to plan for game.
With 10 returning defensive starters this season, Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said USC might be the best team in the history of college football. ASU coach Dennis Erickson said the Trojans belonged in the National Football League. Washington State coach Bill Doba said no one could beat them but themselves.
Then the season began. And injuries piled up. To date, 12 USC starters or projected starters have missed time. Booty, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, missed three games with the finger injury. All-America tackle Sam Baker has missed the past two with a hamstring injury, although Carroll expects him back on Thanksgiving. In all, USC has started seven different combinations along the offensive front.
Senior quarterback John David Booty, still dealing with a broken finger on his throwing hand, is 7-0 against ranked teams during his career.
And Booty's success may depend on the reliability of the team's perpetual moniker: Tailback-U.
Senior running back Chauncey Washington is the punch, and sophomore Stafon Johnson and freshman Joe McKnight can dance.
The triumvirate combines for 173 rushing yards per contest.
The Trojans yield an average of just 268 yards per game, third best in the nation, and 16 points, which is sixth-best.
And though Taylor will be sitting back in a man defense likely covering ASU's Michael Jones or Chris McGaha, he knows his teammates will make every effort to apply pressure on ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter.
"With all the sacks they have given up, not only during the last two weeks but during the entire season, I think we have to," Thomas said.
The Sun Devils inconsistent pass protection has resulted in a conference-worst 43 sacks yielded, including fifteen in the last two games.
Even though its last game was almost two weeks ago, USC is still hurting.
Rivers, a strong candidate for five separate defensive awards, is questionable due to a sprained ankle, while others including Baker, Booty, and Johnson play through injury.
Two years ago, ASU was ahead of the Trojans 21-3 at halftime before falling 38-28 in Tempe.
And a season ago, ASU lost 28-21 in Los Angeles, but had a shot late at tying the game before an almost inexplicable decision to punt the ball with less than two minutes remaining.
But one advantage the Sun Devils have this season that was missing from the past two is a coach with a lot of experience coaching in big games. In his career, Erickson is 27-16 against top 25 teams.
Arizona State has given up 43 sacks, most in the Pacific 10 Conference and second most in the nation.
"We're licking our chops," Trojans end Kyle Moore said.
Tonight at Sun Devil Stadium, 11th-ranked USC will try to continue the trend that has plagued but not yet seriously hurt seventh-ranked Arizona State.
The defensive line, thinking back to USC's season-best nine-sack performance against Oregon State, believes it can be the difference as the Trojans try to keep their Rose Bowl hopes alive.
Erickson has studied USC's defensive front, which includes Jackson, nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, tackle Fili Moala and Moore, who will play behind freshman Everson Griffen today because of a hand injury.
Some of what Erickson sees is familiar.
"They remind me a little bit of some of the fronts I had at Miami, Warren Sapp, Cortez Kennedy and some of those guys," Erickson said.
Said Erickson: "We haven't seen a defense close to it."
That might be a problem for Carpenter, a junior from Westlake High who has passed for 20 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Carpenter suffered a sprained thumb against California on Oct. 27. He re-injured it when he hit his hand on a helmet against UCLA on Nov. 10."It is going to be a huge week for our offensive line and a huge challenge for those guys to see how well we can protect and run the ball against probably the best defensive line in the country," Carpenter said.
Griffen, an Arizona native, did not hesitate when asked about the Sun Devils' offensive line.
"They're just slow, big guys, that's it," he said. "Just run past them."
USC's offensive line, meantime, is back to full strength with the return of All-American tackle Sam Baker, who sat out all or most of the last three games because of a hamstring injury.
The open date after USC's rain-soaked victory at Cal on Nov. 10 also provided quarterback John David Booty with some extra rest for the right middle finger that was broken against Stanford on Oct. 6.
Last year against Arizona State, with Booty struggling in the second half, USC put the ball in tailback Chauncey Washington's hands. Washington carried 10 times during a fourth-quarter drive that led to the decisive touchdown in USC's 28-21 victory.
The Trojans turned to Washington again against Cal. The fifth-year senior carried 29 times for a career-best 220 yards and a touchdown.
ASU #16 rush Def allowing 103ypg and 6 Tds
Although USC is only 5-5 against the spread this season, the Trojans are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games as road favorites of 3 1/2 to 10 points under Coach Pete Carroll.
Arizona State has done well against the spread as a home underdog, posting an 11-4-1 record in its last 16 games in the role. As a home team overall, it is 5-1 against the spread this season under first-year Coach Dennis Erickson.
USC freshman defensive end Everson Griffen is a surprise starter for Thursday's game against Arizona State.
Neither Griffen nor starter Kyle Moore knew about the change before Trojans coach Pete Carroll announced it.
"I didn't know that," said Moore, who was disappointed.
Moore has played the past twogames with a bruised nerve in his arm that prevents him closing and opening his hand completely. He wore a special brace last week and this week which helps, but he was held out of most contact drills. He will play against Arizona State.
There will also be a change at weakside linebacker, where Kaluka Maiava starts in place of the ailing Keith Rivers (ankle). Maiava will play with a cast after doctors discovered last week he broke his wrist.
"Keith is not 100 percent," Carroll said. "We're going to start Kaluka and see if Keith can help us in the game."
Rivers said his ankle was still an issue after Tuesday's practice.
Wide receiver Ronald Johnson said his turf toe improved and he would be available for the game....
Without an explosive offense, USC seems capable of winning or losing nearly every game. The Cal game came down to the final minutes. and the Trojans narrowly defeated Washington and Arizona.
USC’s SQB Booty has had only 144 passing yards at Nebraska, 236 at Washington, 157 against Oregon State, 129 at Cal.
Jittery receivers, out-of-sync offense, wet footballs, the sun in his eyes ... The Trojans have been making excuses for J.D.B. all season.
The numbers are not pretty. Booty is having the worst season by a USC quarterback since 2001, Carson Palmer's junior year. Booty has thrown for only 15 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Two more picks and he will have the most interceptions by a USC quarterback since 2001 - on 100-plus fewer attempts.
Only two of his 228 passes this season have gone for more than 35 yards. He is averaging 217.8 passing yards per outing for a school that put up 300 through the air with regularity from 2002 to 2005.
USC's offense is as healthy as it has been all season. Booty says his finger is fine.
Updated: November 22, 2007, 9:15 PM ET
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who sustained a concussion in last weekend's game at Texas Tech, has been cleared by physicians to play in Saturday's bedlam game against Oklahoma State, coach Bob Stoops said Thursday.
Stoops didn't release additional information about injured defensive end Auston English, who is doubtful for Saturday. English has missed the past two games with a hairline fracture in his leg.
Oklahoma also will be without leading rusher DeMarco Murray (knee), defensive end Alan Davis (concussion) and backup receiver Adron Tennell (knee).
The Sooners could claim the Big 12 South division title with a victory over instate rival Oklahoma State (6-5, 4-3), and the win would propel them into the Big 12 championship game against the winner of the north division in San Antonio on Dec. 1.
CMU had locked up the MAC West with a win over Western Michigan, and the Akron Zips were far out of the postseason picture.
However, things changed following the Chippewas 48-45 loss to Eastern Michigan last Friday, and now CMU's game with Akron has plenty on the line as the Chippewas need a win to assure a winning record and lock up a bowl bid.
Regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, CMU will still be facing Miami in the Mid-American Conference Championship next Saturday at Ford Field, but if the Chippewas lose their next two games, they would find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the bowl picture.
"On defense Akron has two of the best corners we will see all year," Jones said. "Both are expected to be NFL draft choices. (Akron) plays a difference scheme and will throw new looks at you."
Akron runs a 3-3-5 defense which is not used often by teams, but can pose a challenge to an offense like CMU's as Akron utilizes more defensive backs than the average team.
"CMU is extremely talented and their offense is throwing up 44 points in a league game," Brookhart said during his weekly press conference. "Their quarterback is clearly the best in the league. He makes it happen, both running and throwing the ball. He has very good skills."
The Akron offense has not faired well, as the Zips are 10th in the MAC in total offense, but Akron does have a big threat in receiver Jabari Arthur, who has 78 receptions for 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.
Chris Jacquemain gets the start at quarterback for Akron. Jacquemain has 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions on the season with 1,413 yards through the air.
The Zips running game has been led by Bryan Williams, who has 583 yards on the ground but no touchdowns.
CMU's defense is in need of a boost after the loss to Eastern Michigan, but the Chippewas will once again be dealing with injuries in the secondary, as Calvin Hissong and Josh Gordy are not expected to play.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The 6-5 Chippewas leave tonight for Ohio to prepare for an 11 a.m. Friday Mid-American Conference game against 4-7 Akron.
''It's a little different because it takes you out of your routine,'' CMU coach Butch Jones said. ''But when I was at West Virginia, we played Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving and South Florida the day after.''
''There is a lot to play for,'' Jones said. ''But you also have to keep things in perspective. We won the West. We are in the MAC Championship Game. Only two teams can say that. We do want that seventh win and we do want some momentum going into the championship game.''
Akron provides an interesting challenge. The Zips have struggled offensively, but have one of the top defenses in the MAC.
''They will make it tough on us,'' Jones said. ''Their defense is very good, with two of the best cornerbacks in the conference. Those are two guys who will be drafted in the NFL.''
Cornerback Reggie Corner has six interceptions, which leads the conference and is second nationally. Davanzo Tate has two interceptions. Brion Stokes leads the team with 86 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and 51/2 sacks.
It's a challenge for a CMU offense that is second in the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game. QB Dan LeFevour leads the conference in total offense, completions and completion percentage. V
''They are throwing up 44 points (a game) in the league,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''I think it's going to be a shootout, and you're going to have to score a lot of points to win.''
If Friday's game does turn into a shootout, the Zips might have problems keeping up with such a high-powered offense. They are ninth in the conference in scoring offense at 23.4 points per game.
On the other hand, UA should feel confident defensively, especially coming off a solid performance last week. Despite losing 7-0 at Miami, the defense did not allow the points and forced four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble).
It's not that the Zips can't score. The problem has been inconsistency all season — an inability to put together productive and efficient offensive efforts in back-to-back games. Against Ohio University on Nov. 7 at the Rubber Bowl, the Zips put it all together in a 48-37 win against the Bobcats.
The Chippewas give up 38.5 per game. Consider, though, that when you score a lot yourself (and primarily through the pass), you won’t take much time off the clock and the other team will get more possessions. CMU is actually decent at run defense. The pass defense, though, is pretty porous. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 67 percent of their passes, which is worst in the MAC by a large margin. They are almost averaging a 300 yard passing game from the opponent.
From Rasor on the Zips:
How Akron can score — I would say “pass,” but it’s going to be cold and even in ideal conditions, Akron couldn’t pass on a lethal injection with a rusty needle. In his final career start, Chris Jacquemain will have to play like he did against Western Michigan for Akron to have a chance.
Akron #101 in Pass at 181y/g and 14 TD/13INT in 11 g. #104 pass Eff at 109.
Dan LeFevour is the Chips offense. He’s the MAC’s No. 3 passer and No. 8 runner. He has 20 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing scores. LeFevour is the Zips’ worst nightmare — an amazing passer with great field vision and instincts when to leave the pocket.
How Akron can stop them — Cold, sloppy weather would help. And it looks like the Zips will get it. If the conditions are bad, Akron needs to stack the box and focus on the run. If LeFevour can pass, hope for fumbles and that the Zips’ offense can keep up. Also, maybe CMU coach Butch Jones will pull his starters considering the team has little to play for. They’re already in the MAC Championship. But he probably won’t.
Red Report: Going for a bowl
By the Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 - 07:48:27 pm CST
It may not seem like much to you, but Friday’s chance to get a sixth win and extend the season sure seems like a big deal to one Husker.
Senior safety Ben Eisenhart grew up in Culbertson dreaming of playing football for Nebraska. Now that he is a Husker, he’d just assume having the chance to put on the uniform one more time for a bowl game.
To do that, the 5-6 Huskers must win at Colorado on Friday.
Taking on the cold: Friday’s temperatures in Boulder will definitely be the coldest Nebraska has played in this season.
High temps are expected to be around 34 degrees, with the possibility of snow showers.
“We have played in cold-weather games,” Peterson said. “In the Big 12 Championship last year, we still tried to air it out. Whether or not some of our misfortunes in that game were due to the cold weather, it is hard to say. I do not think that is going to affect our game plan at all.”
Nebraska lost 21-7 to Oklahoma in that Big 12 title game, played in freezing temperatures.
Peterson wasn’t about to act macho when talking about playing in the cold.
“It is just no fun to play in cold weather,” he said. “It hurts. It hurts to get hit.”
Colorado’s Cody Hawkins is one of just 16 freshmen starting at quarterback in major college football this year.
Typical of a freshman, the son of CU coach Dan Hawkins has been sporadic in his play. He’s thrown for more than 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. But he’s also thrown 15 interceptions.
Hawkins is not very fleet of foot. His longest run of the season is 12 yards.
Given that the game will start at 10 a.m. in Boulder, the Buffs have been practicing at that time every day this week.
Callahan doesn’t think the early kickoff will hurt Nebraska. On Monday, he had his team practice at 5:50 a.m.
Insider: Colorado
BY CURT McKEEVER / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 - 12:16:44 am CST
KEEP AN EYE ON ’EM
Hugh Charles TB/Sr./5-8/190 pounds
Charles missed the majority of the first three games with a hamstring injury, but since getting healthy he’s been one of the Big 12’s best runners. Of his 86 rushes, 62 have gone for at least 5 yards. In the past six contests, he’s fifth nationally in all-purpose yardage.
Colorado’s rushing offense is quite underwhelming statistically. The Buffs rank eighth in the conference and 75th in the country.
Terrence Wheatley CB/Sr./5-10/175 pounds
Here’s a guy to really keep your eyes on, because he might not be in the game, and that would be a huge hit for the CU secondary. Wheatley has five interceptions and 10 breakups, but he didn’t play against Iowa State on Nov. 10 because of a hairline foot fracture.
Offensive line: The Buffs are extremely young and not very deep here. Freshman left guard Kai Maiava also is listed as the backup at center and the No. 3 right guard. Starting right guard Edwin Harrison, who moved from right tackle in the seventh game, is No. 2 at his old position. Ryan Miller took over at right tackle to become the first true freshman at CU to start at that position. At the other tackle spot, senior Tyler Polumbus is the only Buff to play every single snap this season. He and center Daniel Sanders, a Rimington Trophy candidate who’s been on the field for 802 of 812 plays, have a combined 46 starts.
Defensive line: This unit’s strength is definitely on the inside with George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas, who have 78 tackles between them. Nicolas has just 35, but is tied for the team high with 11 for loss and has another 10 for no gain. Colorado’s ends haven’t been able to generate a strong pass rush, as Lucas and right-side starter Alonzo Barrett have only one sack each. Barrett has five hurries, but Lucas none.
Defensive backs: The Buffs desperately need Terrence Wheatley back at left corner and Ryan Walters at free safety. Both were hurt against Missouri and sat out against Iowa State. In that span, CU has allowed 11 passes of at least 20 yards. Wheatley is one of the top cover corners in the country (he had three interceptions against Texas Tech and is credited for allowing just eight completions all season while playing man coverage). He’s listed as day-to-day; Walters is probable. Right corners Benjamin Burney and Cha’pelle Brown have a combined 16 breakups. Strong safety Daniel Dykes is No. 2 with 79 tackles.
BOULDER, Colo. - One of the best things about Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins, as far as the Nebraska defense is concerned, is that he isn't going anywhere.
In fact, one of the most important statistics going into the game today might be Hawkins' negative rushing total for the season.
A pattern has developed this season of Nebraska having huge problems against running quarterbacks and better success against immobile ones.
During a five-game losing skid, every opponent had a running threat at quarterback and at least three inflicted significant damage - Stephen McGee of Texas A&M, Chase Daniel of Missouri and Colt McCoy of Texas. In those five losses and narrow wins over Ball State and Iowa State, quarterbacks ran for a combined 464 yards on 70 carries (6.6 per carry), not including sacks.
It finally ended Nov. 10 when they pounced on more of a pro-style passer in Kansas State sophomore Josh Freeman, sacking him four times and dropping him numerous others in the 73-31 rout.
LARAMIE -
Cowboys are 5-6, have lost three straight, five of their last six and will not play in a bowl game for the third straight season.
UW's offense is ranked last in the Mountain West Conference in scoring (18.6 points per game), total offense (322.3 yards per game) and turnover margin (-12).
It's been tough to find many positives from UW's offensive play the last two and a half games. During that time it has scored one touchdown and 13 points. During their three-game slide the Pokes have not surpassed the 300-yard mark in total offense.
UW should have the services of its leading rusher - junior Devin Moore - for the entire game after he saw limited time in last week's loss to Brigham Young with a knee injury.
The Cowboys face a CSU defense that has allowed the fourth-most touchdowns in the MWC (31) and is one of only two teams (San Diego State) to allow more than 400 yards per game of total offense.
Even though CSU has only one win over a Football Bowl Subdivision team this season, it has played well enough to win several other games - just not well enough through an entire game.
Sonny Lubick is in his 15th season as coach at CSU, and his offense has always been based on a strong run game and play-action passes.
The pieces are there this season as junior running backs Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell have combined for 1,515 yards and nine touchdowns, and senior quarterback Caleb Hanie is the league's most efficient passer.
The Rams are third in the league in total offense (377.2 ypg)
UW's defense was ranked in the top 10 nationally two weeks ago, but Utah and BYU rolled up 85 points and 1,002 yards on the Cowboys the last two weeks. BYU torched UW with 362 passing yards, and freshman running back Harvey Unga became only the second back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Pokes.
A key for the defense today is to get a pass rush on Hanie, and CSU has allowed the most sacks in the conference (33).
The Pokes are 19-31-1 in games played in Fort Collins, and have lost four straight.
UW has not won back-to-back games in the series since the 1991-92 seasons. Wyo W 24-0 LY.
Border War could be last battle for Lubick
CSU, facing a daunting schedule, got off to an 0-6 start and at one point was riding a 13-game losing streak. The Rams have gone 2-3 since then but still enter the game 2-9 overall and 1-6 in MWC play - tied with UNLV for last in the league.
Lubick earlier this season hinted, for the first time, that he would seriously consider retiring at the end of the season. Earlier this week, however, he said he wants to return next year.
A final decision probably won't come before Lubick and athletic director Paul Kowalczyk have their annual end-of-season evaluation. Kowalczyk could ask Lubick to revise his staff or make other changes in his program, or he could simply allow the legendary coach to finish out his contract, which expires at the end of the 2009 campaign.
Sonny Lubick is 107-74 in 15 seasons at CSU and 127-93 in 19 seasons overall. He is 10-4 against Wyoming.
Joe Glenn is 26-32 in five seasons at Wyoming and 184-91-1 in 23 seasons overall. He won two national championships at UNC and a Division I-AA title at Montana before coming to Wyoming. He is 2-2 vs. CSU and Lubick.
CSU quarterback Caleb Hanie, thanks to back-to-back solid performances, has taken over the MWC lead in passing efficiency and ranks 22nd nationally. He needs 218 passing yards today to beat his previous season best of 2,427 yards, and he already has established career highs in touchdowns (16) and interceptions (14). With three touchdown passes today, he can move into a tie for fourth on CSU's single-season list and third on the career list.
Wyoming's Karsten Sween, by the way, is last in the MWC in passing efficiency and has thrown a league-high 17 picks.
Despite having a number of talented skill-position players, Wyoming ranks last in the MWC in scoring (14.6 points) and total offense (288.7) in league games. The Pokes have scored just 11 touchdowns in seven league games.
> LAST TIME - This is the final game for 22 CSU seniors and 12 Wyoming seniors.
INJURY REPORT - For CSU, the biggest concerns are at safety, where walk-on Steve Juedes (knee), who started last week, is out and starter Mike Pagnotta (ankle) is questionable. The Rams could get back Jake Galusha, who has missed the past two games with a bad ankle. Also, offensive tackle Cole Pemberton (ankle) is out, but wideout/return specialist Dion Morton, who leads the MWC in kickoff returns, should play after missing two games with a bad ankle.
For Wyoming, linebacker Luke Chase (broken leg) is out.
BOWLING GREEN -
It's that time of year - Toledo week. This season, the Interstate 75 Rivalry also serves as Senior Day for the BG football team.
Three in a row. It represents Bowling Green State University's current win streak and also losing streak to Toledo.
12 Falcon seniors will play in their final regular season game at 2:30 p.m. today. A loss could very well result in and end to their careers as a victory may be needed for BG to earn a berth in a bowl game. With a win the Falcons clinch the best record in the Mid-American Conference and all but guarantee a bowl berth.
A win would surely send BG (7-4) to a postseason game, which most likely would be the International Bowl in Toronto. It would also give coach Gregg Brandon leverage in negotiating a contract extension during the offseason. One could argue that today's game is BG's most important since its meeting with the Rockets in 2005.
UT's season likely will come to an end today, but despite again missing out on a bowl game the Rockets (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) still have a lot to play for. UT's seniors are 3-0 against BGSU, and want to be the first class since 1998 to leave with an unblemished mark against their rivals.
The Rockets have assumed series dominance, winning nine of their last 12 games against the Falcons, four of six under coach Tom Amstutz.
On offense, the Falcons have a quarterback playing tailback in Anthony Turner and another quarterback as their top receiver in Freddie Barnes. Fullback Pete Winovich was recruited as a tight end before switching to linebacker and then over to his current position. Guard Brandon Curtis was recruited as a defensive lineman while receiver Chris Wright was once a defensive back.
"I think through the years we've done a good job of that, trying to get the best out of kids' abilities," said BG coach Gregg Brandon.
Defensively, BG has two former safeties, Loren Hargrove and Erique Dozier starting at linebacker and defensive lineman Sean O'Drobinak played tight end for three seasons before converting to defense in his final season. Not to mention, three of the four players in the secondary (P.J. Mahone, Jahmal Brown and Kenny Lewis) were high school running backs.
"You recruit athletes out of high school," Brandon said. "Quarterbacks, tailbacks those type of guys."
Whatever the formula, it seems to be working for BG. Turner has provided a huge spark for the offense with eight rushing touchdowns.
"We knew he could run the ball so we just moved him a couple of guys over," Brandon said. The coach later admitted that Turner's continued success has been a pleasant surprise.
Barnes has caught 72 passes for 825 yards and eight scores. He and Turner were No. 1 and No. 2 on the depth chart at quarterback at the end of camp in 2006.
The Rockets will be without starting quarterback Aaron Opelt on Friday, which will be an advantage for the Falcons, but running back Jalen Parmalee will still be a major factor in the Toledo offense. UT coach Tom Amstutz will likely try and exploit the Falcons' run defense like many teams have done this season.
Toledo leads the conference with 35 points per game but is last in scoring defense, giving up 39 points per game.
BG Injury Report
Linebacker John Haneline's foot injury will require surgery which will keep him out of Friday's contest. If the Falcons do receive a bowl berth it's still questionable that he'd play.
The injury to his thumb may not keep wide receiver Corey Partridge out of the Falcons' possible bowl berth. He had successful surgery to repair the injury.
Fellow receiver Tyrone Pronty suffered an ankle sprain against Buffalo and it is not certain as to whether or not he will get the nod Friday.
One thing Nutt has never accomplished during his 10-year tenure at Arkansas -- which may be on the verge of coming to an end -- is knocking off a top-ranked opponent.
It will be the third time in the Nutt era Arkansas has played a top-ranked team. None of the other meetings have ended well. There was Clint Stoerner's stumble in the 28-24 loss at Tennessee in 1998. Then Southern California's 70-17 romp in 2005.
A win over LSU would also improve Arkansas' bowl opportunities, perhaps earning the Hogs (7-4, 3-4) a trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Reports surfaced last Friday that Nutt was not expected to return next season to coach the Razorbacks. Arkansas officials have denied the reports, and several sources told The Morning News that no decision has been made about Nutt's future.
His contract runs through Dec. 31, 2012, but it's looking more likely that the Little Rock native who once played quarterback for the Hogs won't last that long.
Current players such as Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden and former stars such as quarterback Clint Stoerner and linebacker Sam Olajubutu have come to Nutt's defense.
"I think it's sad that athletics have come to that to where a coach can win 10 games one season and if he doesn't match that or top that the next year, his job is at stake," Stoerner said this week.
Last year, Ark SQB Dick turned in his worst performance against LSU. Dick completed just 3 of 17 passes for 26 yards and was bullied by the Tigers' defense in a 31-26 loss. It was evident in last season's LSU game, when McFadden threw for more yards (33) than Dick (26).
Dick will face LSU less than a week after perhaps the best game of his career.
He was named the SEC's offensive player of the week for the first time Monday following his four-touchdown performance in last Saturday's 45-31 win over Mississippi State in Little Rock.
He was nearly perfect, completing 14-of-17 passes for 199 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Little Trindon Holliday inflicted the most damage on Arkansas' national championship hopes last November when he returned a fourth-quarter kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown Holliday's status for today's game is uncertain because of an ankle injury he sustained at Ole Miss. But he will be a threat. Holliday returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against the Rebels last week, which was the second of his career.
LSU did just enough to snap the Razorbacks' 10-game win streak and wipe out their national title hopes.
It's no secret that much of LSU's success has come from its ability to push opponents around on the offensive and defensive lines. LSU's offensive front, which is led by Arkansas native Brett Helms, has opened holes and protected quarterbacks. Its defensive line, with future NFL stars like Glenn Dorsey and Kirston Pittman, frustrates offensive lines and has been one of the nation's most feared units.
Arkansas senior Robert Felton will start his second straight game at left tackle in place of injured starter Jose Valdez. Defensive end Malcolm Sheppard is questionable because of an ankle injury. The Razorbacks have nicks and bruises on both sides of their lines, but must find a way to control the game up front.
Friday is senior day at LSU, meaning the Tigers will playing with an extra shot of emotion in a stadium where they've won 19 straight.
LSU has outscored opponents 190-98 in the first half this season.
A quick look at LSU's individual statistics is puzzling. Its leading rusher has 771 yards. Its top receiver has 554 receiving yards. Starting quarterback Matt Flynn has 14 touchdowns passes. So how are the Tigers averaging 39.5 points a game?
LSU has done an outstanding job of spreading the ball around this season. Jacob Hester leads the ground game, but the Tigers hand the ball to four others. Four receivers have at least 20 catches. Even the duties under center have been split between Flynn and dual threat Ryan Perrilloux (when he's not suspended). As a result, LSU is incredibly balanced averaging 220.9 rushing and 229 passing yards.
LSU safety Sr Craig Steltz leads a defense that has forced an SEC-high 30 turnovers. That total includes 19 interceptions.
Stopping Arkansas' run game isn't easy, but Auburn proved it could be done earlier this season. So did Tennessee, which stuffed the Hogs early and rolled. The more success LSU has against McFadden and company in the first quarter, the more pressure it puts on Arkansas' passing attack. That doesn't bode well for the Hogs.
LY the Razorbacks remained in the game thanks to a combined 319 yards rushing from McFadden and fellow tailback Felix Jones.
This article was published on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:48 PM CST in Razorback Central
By Alex Abrams
….this is not the time for Arkansas' defense to be dealing with injuries.
Defensive end Malcolm Sheppard (sprained ankle) and cornerback Jerell Norton (bruised knee) returned to practice Tuesday, but it was apparent that neither was at full speed.
Norton, who ranks second in the Southeastern Conference with five interceptions, fielded punts and ran gingerly while wearing a knee brace.
Meanwhile, fellow cornerback Michael Grant continues to practice despite a pulled right hamstring suffered in practice before last Saturday's 45-31 win over Mississippi State.
"He's OK, but he still doesn't look full speed," Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring said of Grant. "The bottom line is we're beat up and so is every team in America right now.
Herring didn't sound too optimistic about Sheppard, who was limited to only 20 snaps against MSU after spraining his ankle.
The sophomore is still listed as the starting left end on Arkansas' depth chart, but coaches perhaps won't know his status until game time.
"I think we'll know more day-to-day, but if we had to play today, there is no way (he could play)," Herring said.
Latest I found:
ARKANSAS - Defensive end Malcolm Sheppard (11/20, ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against LSU. Cornerback Jerell Norton (11/19, knee) is questionable for Friday's game against LSU. Running back Felix Jones (11/19, thigh) is probable for Friday's game against LSU.
Arkansas has scored 428 points and needs nine more against the Tigers' stout defense to set the school's single-season mark.
the Razorbacks are averaging 38.9 points a game which could be another school record with a strong finish.
Special teams has two touchdowns. The defense has three scores and a safety.
Freshman place kicker Alex Tejada has made an impact, too, making 17 field goals and a school-record, 51 extra points. Tejada's 102 total points ties him with Kendall Trainor for the school's single-season record.
Arkansas enters the LSU game third in the SEC and 13th in the nation in scoring. The rushing offense leads the SEC and is fourth nationally (288.7 yards). The Razorbacks also are second in the SEC in total offense and 20th in the nation (452.4).
Of course, the tailback tandem of McFadden and Jones are a big reason for Arkansas' offensive success. The Razorbacks run the ball nearly twice as much as they throw it.
The Razorbacks averaged 51 points a game in nonconference wins, but the production has dipped in seven SEC games. Arkansas is averaging 32 points in SEC play,but the Razorbacks have won three of their last four SEC contests, topping 40 points in each win.
Arkansas' attack has been bolstered recently by the improving health of receiver Marcus Monk, who was hampered by an early season knee injury but had three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown last week.
Auburn held the Razorbacks to a season-low, 193 yards in a 9-7 win in October. Arkansas didn't score until late in the fourth quarter. A month later, Tennessee dominated the Hogs and held them to 289 yards in the 34-13 win.
Offensive coordinator David Lee said the Tigers will be, no doubt, the toughest defense the Razorbacks have faced. LSU, which is led by defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, is ninth in the nation in scoring defense (17.4 points) and second in total defense (257.6 yards).
The most immediate concern for the Tigers, however, is the mess Miss SQB Schaeffer made of their defense LW. The Rebels finished with 466 total yards, 91 more than the Tigers have allowed any opponent this season. Coming into the game they were No. 1 in the nation in total defense, allowing 268 yards per game.
Texas-Texas A&M: How they match up
11:27 PM CST on Thursday, November 22, 2007
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning news
WHEN TEXAS RUNS
EDGE:  UT's running game exploded when the coaching staff went to the zone read in the fourth quarter against Nebraska. The Longhorns averaged 318 rushing yards in the last three games. A&M has a mediocre run defense. The Aggies allow 154 yards per game. UT QB Colt McCoy will want to rack up some yardage.
WHEN TEXAS PASSES
EDGE:  UT coaches probably took a long, hard look at the A&M-Oklahoma tape. In that game, OU tight end Jermaine Gresham caught four touchdown passes. UT's Jermichael Finley can slip down the seam and haul in passes. McCoy should throw toward A&M's Arkeith Brown and avoid Marquis Carpenter.
WHEN TEXAS A&M RUNS
EDGE:  A&M has been a run-oriented team all season, and there's nothing to indicate that will change now. Stephen McGee, Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson are the key figures in A&M's zone-read option attack. McGee is A&M's leading rusher with 828 yards. Lane has 16 touchdowns, many from short yardage.
WHEN TEXAS A&M PASSES
EDGE:  McGee did a much better job passing against Missouri. He hit Kerry Franks for a 60-yard gain and found Martellus Bennett for two touchdowns. But the Aggies have leaned on the passing game only when they've trailed in games. McGee has proven that if he must throw it, he can.
SPECIAL TEAMS
EDGE:  A&M has the edge at punter with Justin Brantly. But Texas gets more from its punt returner, Quan Cosby (8.6 yards per return). UT's Ryan Bailey is 16-for-20 on field goals this season, while A&M's Matt Szymanski is 13-for-23. In the end, always take the kicker with better accuracy.
INTANGIBLES
EDGE:  This is likely to be coach Dennis Franchione's final game as Texas A&M's coach. But that's not the Aggies' motivation to win. A&M knows its can ruin UT's Big 12 South title hopes and avoid a 6-6 regular-season finish. Playing at Kyle Field is all the motivation A&M needs.
The Warriors, who have never won the WAC outright, still have one more game remaining after Friday, however, a home date with Washington on Dec. 1. Hawaii shared the conference title in 1992 and 1999.
Boise State is looking for its sixth straight WAC title and is 6-0 versus Hawaii since entering the league in 2001. With a win, the Broncos, - looking for their 10th straight victory since losing 24-10 at Washington on Sept. 8 - would also keep alive their distant shot at a second straight BCS berth.
Hawaii, which looks for its 12 consecutive win, has not defeated Boise State since a 34-19 home victory on Sept. 18, 1999.
The Warriors chances look better with quarterback Colt Brennan expected to start after being in for just two plays in their 28-26 win at Nevada last Friday. Brennan was still not healthy after being knocked out in a 37-30 victory over Fresno State on Nov. 10.
In Brennan's place, Tyler Graunke threw for 358 yards with two touchdowns, and Dan Kelly kicked a 45-yard field goal with 11.7 seconds left for the win.
Though he's never defeated Boise State, Brennan has played well in two starts versus the Broncos, going 54-for-87 for 814 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He threw five TDs in a 41-34 loss at Boise on Sept. 23, 2006.
Hawaii is No. 1 in the country with 48.0 points per game and third at 523.9 yards per contest. Boise State, meanwhile, is third with 44.2 points and 10th at 488.7 yards.
Boise State is looking for its 18th straight conference victory and fourth straight at Hawaii.
Boise State on National TV (25-4) BOISE STATE VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
Record: 3-8
BRONCOS CONVERTING ON NEARLY 84 PERCENT OF
TRIPS INTO RED-ZONE: Through 11 games, Boise State has
scored on 83.3 percent of its trips inside the red-zone. Boise State
has scored 45 times (37 touchdowns and eight fi eld goals) in 54
trips into the red-zone. The Broncos have 23 rushing touchdowns
and 14 passing touchdowns in the red-zone. Six of Boise State’s
missed opportunities have ended on downs, two on fumbles and
one on a missed field goal.
COMPARING BOISE STATE AND HAWAI’I
TEAM STATISTICS
BSU WAC I-A UH WAC I-A
Rushing Offense 200.45 2 23 77.40 9 115
Passing Offense (YPG) 288.27 3 17 446.50 1 2
Passing Offense (Eff.) 159.82 2 5 162.05 1 3
Total Offense 488.73 2 10 523.90 1 3
Scoring Offense 44.18 2 3 48.00 1 1
Rushing Defense 118.18 1 26 121.80 2 30
Passing Defense (YPG) 185.82 1 14 223.40 3 55
Passing Defense (Eff.) 102.49 1 12 147.75 8 112
Total Defense 304.00 1 10 345.20 2 32
Scoring Defense 18.27 1 17 23.50 2 38
Net Punting 35.13 3 49 31.64 8 107
Punt Returns 12.15 8 24 14.21 7 13
Kickoff Returns 23.47 4 22 24.56 3 11
Turnover Margin 0.36 2 32 0.10 4 48
Sacks 2.82 3 20 3.50 1 4
Tackles for Loss 6.64 3 38 8.60 1 4
Sacks Allowed 1.36 1 26 2.10 5 72
The final two home regular-season University of Hawaii football games are "green out" games with fans encouraged to wear green for the nationally televised games.
The Warrior Beat
Stephen Tsai knows University of Hawai'i sports, down to the last decimal of a 40-yard dash. He's lived UH sports since 1987. Few reporters get the inside information like he does. What Tsai writes is a daily must read.
Jason Rivers practiced yesterday and appears good to go.
• Fale Laeli said he's good to go. OK, he's banged up, but he's going to start.
• Michael Lafaele also is banged up, but he's going to start. Or, as he says: "I sat out one game, and that hurt more than anything."
• It doesn't appear Malcolm Lane's sore kneecap will be a problem.
Safety Kenny Estes, who did not play last week, said he has recovered from what is being described as a sprained left shoulder. He hopes to play Friday.
Hawaii has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns this season, in addition to a punt. But the Warriors have also allowed too many yards -- including two touchdowns -- on punts and kicks.
Boise State has outscored Hawaii 31-15 in the kicking game the past two seasons, with the final scores 41-34 and 44-41 in favor of the Broncos. If the Warriors' kicking game fails again, the outcome will probably be the same.
Quarterback Colt Brennan looked good as new at practice this week after coming back from a concussion that allowed him to throw just two short passes in last week's win over Nevada.
Brennan has to be at his best throwing the ball, or Boise State's ball-hawking safety Marty Tadman might pick one off.
In the past two games between these teams, Warriors slot Ryan Grice-Mullins and Broncos corner Orlando Scandrick provided an entertaining matchup, but Grice-Mullins sprained an ankle in last year's game.
Wide receiver Jason Rivers is due for a big game, but he missed some practice time with headaches.
OCT. 1, 2005
Boise State 44
Hawaii 41
At Aloha Stadium: The Broncos dominate the kicking game, as Daryn Colledge blocks a FG and a PAT and Orlando Scandrick returns both all the way, and Quinton Jones goes 92 yards with a punt return.
Sept. 23, 2006
Boise State 41
Hawaii 34
At Bronco Stadium: Special teams fail UH again. Three botched kicks account for a seven-point swing. Ian Johnson rushes for 178 yards and two TDs. Colt Brennan throws five TDs but fumbles at a key point.
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