Keys to the Big Games
Week Nine, Oct. 29---college fotball ---
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech

By John Harris---college fotball ---

a. Revenge and Redemption are a Two Way Street – Prior to last year’s Clemson-Georgia Tech classic at Clemson, Calvin Johnson was an unknown freshman wide receiver and Clemson CB Tye Hill was looking to make a name for himself. 60 minutes later, Johnson was a SportsCenter highlight reel and Hill (and Justin Miller as well) was poster shot fodder for the Tech newbie. One year later, both guys are looking for a bit of redemption and, perhaps, some revenge. Hill, one of the better cover corners in the league, struggled covering the 6’4” 225 pound uber stud last year on the outside. The Clemson corner is one of the fastest CBs in the nation, and he has to use that quickness and speed to his advantage against Johnson. The Tech star WR loves to get that subtle push-off on DBs downfield, but Hill must use his speed to get up in Johnson’s hip pocket and not allow the big fella to get his arms on him. Stay underneath him as he goes up for the ball in the air. Keep your feet moving at all times and don’t let him get any separation to get that little shove. But, the Tiger corner isn’t the only one looking for a little vengeance. After having the Miami game moved to November, the last time Johnson was on the field, he was ‘dropping’ a potential game winning pass against NC State, which resulted in a game ending interception. Considering the fact that Johnson typically catches anything in his zip code, that drop was a shocker, and it could be the difference in Tech heading to Boise or some nice Florida destination for a bowl game later this year. So, Johnson is desperately ready to redeem himself back out on the field. Thus, these two combatants seek the same thing, and the one who reaches redemption nirvana could be the guy leading his team to victory.---college fotball ---
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b. Gaines and Losses – Tenet #1 facing Georgia Tech – do not lose contain on Tech QB Reggie Ball. That should be a little easier for Clemson’s DE Gaines Adams and Charles Bennett than for many other teams. Adams leads the Tigers with 5 sacks and added 14 QB pressures to his resume, while Bennett has 1.5 sacks and 8 QB pressures. Decent stats, sure, but even if the duo doesn’t rack up one sack this week, they’ll be doing their job if they keep Ball in the pocket. Quite simply, Clemson will win the game if Ball has to throw from the pocket throughout the game. Where Ball can take this offense to another level is by either stepping up and under a pass rushing DE or by simply beating him to the outside. That’s what makes this such a difficult task for Adams and Bennett. With the majority of pocket passers, the two could take a hard, high rush and use their speed without the threat of the QB stepping up and under. But, if the Tiger duo doesn’t get off the ball quick enough, the only thing they can do is essentially bull rush the tackle right back into Ball. The Tigers’ DE must make the Tech QB feel as though the walls are closing in on him and there’s nowhere to go. It might not be the ‘sexy’ way to do it, but that’s the way the perimeter rush ends have to attack him – quick, smart and consistent.---college fotball ---
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c. The Blitzing Zone – He may not get the publicity of other DC at other BCS universities, but Georgia Tech DC Jon Tenuta is one of the best defensive minds in the game. And, this week against Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst, the Tech DC will throw his best blitz and his best zone at the Tiger signal caller. Tenuta loves the zone dog/blitz scheme and it’s what Whitehurst will see throughout this game. The one key to facing a zone blitzing defense is finding the blitzers prior to the snap. Sounds easy, but in reality, not so much. To stop Whitehurst, Tenuta will want him on the run, so don’t be surprised to see blitzers coming up the middle to force #6 to escape to the outside. But, Tenuta will mix up his package throughout the game, giving Whitehurst as many different looks as possible, such that Whitehurst doesn’t recognize what the Tech DC is doing to him. Clemson will more than likely answer with two things – max protection and continued zone running plays. Although RB James Davis is on the shelf, Reggie Merriweather is still a load to handle for 60 minutes, so the Tigers can put the Yellow Jackets back on their heels with more of Merriweather. But, even in max protecting Whitehurst, the Tigers must still make sure that seven can block five, as inane as that sounds. If they don’t, Tenuta will unleash his zone blitz packages all game long.---college fotball ---
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Conclusion – Clemson played as well as they’ve played in a while in their convincing win over NC State, but the loss of James Davis couldn’t have come at a worse time. RB PJ Daniels and Tashard Choice must be a one-two punch, picking up key yards on the ground to keep the Clemson front seven honest. But, the key ultimately is how well Reggie Ball handles the aggressive Clemson defense. With two weeks off to get healthy, physically and mentally, Ball should be at the top of his game. As long as he doesn’t turn it over, Tech will win a tight, physical and bruising game. Georgia Tech – 27 vs. Clemson – 24---college fotball ---
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Keys to the Big GamesWeek Six, Oct. 8Cal vs. UCLABy John Harris
---college football---
a. Metaphors?!? – Of course, all of you have seen the Tom Brady commercial about the five layers of Visa protection – Metaphors? Sure, you have. Well, the five metaphors, errr, linemen in white on Saturday, are certainly one of the best singular units of protection in the nation. They’ll be a significant factor to this game as they face a UCLA defensive line that doesn’t match up well with them at all. The Cal OL has helped produce a 100+ yard rusher in each of Cal’s first five games. Furthermore, this is, essentially, the same line that helped pave the way for a 2,000 yard season for former All-American RB J.J Arrington in 2004. They’re quick, cohesive and can get movement when they need it. ---college football---
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The Cal backs, Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, don’t have to dance around in the backfield with this bunch – they know that a hole will develop quickly, so they just have to get there and exploit it. The key for the Cal line is that there’s no one, relatively speaking, on the UCLA defensive line that creates a massive amount of concern against the run. Therefore, uncovered linemen can move up to the second level and occupy Bruin LB Spencer Havner and Justin London. The last thing those two guys want is for Philip, Merz, O’Callaghan, Robertson and/or Smith (in for injured Andrew Cameron) to be in their face as they attempt to track Lynch and Forsett. Tough day for those linebackers, knowing that the five Bear metaphors will provide protection for the Cal RB duo.---college football---
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b. Marcedes SL 560 – The UCLA wide receivers, the healthy ones anyway, don’t seem to present much of a threat to the Cal secondary, on the surface. However, UCLA has the great equalizer – TE supreme Marcedes Lewis. The soon-to-be All-American leads the Bruins with 22 catches for 296 yards, a quite impressive 13.5 yard average. ---college football---
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That would seem to be a little high for a tight end, but it probably demonstrates the problems that Cal can and will have with Lewis. Because he’s so talented, the Bruin offensive staff can use that to their advantage by having him line up in a number of different positions - all in the name of getting Lewis a match up mismatch. So, how does Cal attempt to cover Lewis? Great question, but one thing they can do is put a linebacker on him. WHAT? A LB? Well, initially. That linebacker has to get his hands on Lewis right off the line of scrimmage. Disrupt the timing of the route from jump. ---college football---
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The problem is that Cal has to take that OLB out of the run defense game plan to do it, and you can’t afford to do that on run/pass downs against UCLA (you think Maurice Drew won’t want to see six in the box?). So, to counter, Cal can put a corner on him. Get up in his space and don’t allow him to separate from that CB at all. Match him stride for stride. Then, you have a chance. If Lewis has his hand on the ground, walk the DE out to a ‘jet’ pass rush position and walk the OLB up to the line of scrimmage, a pseudo 46 Bear look, and jam Lewis as hard as possible on the snap. If it’s pass, his route’s timing is off. If it’s run, that OLB has created a logjam of bodies on the perimeter. But, keep in mind, even if Cal can do those things, it might not be enough to slow this big time stud.
---college football------college football---
c. The One – It’s important to make a good first impression. In that case, let’s just say that Cal WR DeSean Jackson has left an indelible imprint on the Cal program. Jackson might be the most productive and talented true freshmen receiver in the nation. If he isn’t, it’s a small team picture with PSU’s Derrick Williams and Justin King. Either way, the Long Beach Poly grad is second on the team with 14 catches for 190 yards, and he has seamlessly moved into the starting lineup.---college football---
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Alongside fellow starting WR Robert Jordan, Jackson is benefiting from seeing single coverage, for the most part, due in large part to Jordan’s presence and the positive effects of the running game. Against a UCLA secondary that has been good this season, giving up only 185 yards per game, Jackson is going to get a solid test. But, that’s the kind of thing that Jackson responds to well. He’s going to want the football and Jeff Tedford probably has a few tricks up his sleeve to get #1 the ball. Once he gets the ball, the One knows what to do with it. Keep an eye on how many different ways Tedford concocts to get the ball to Jackson and what he does with it after the catch/handoff.---college football---

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Conclusion – The Cal offense, behind Joe Ayoob, is still solid, and as a team, they took Arizona out behind the woodshed, but this UCLA team, similar to say Penn State or Nebraska, has another huge opportunity to let people know that they’re for real. Critics say that the OU win was more of a result of OU’s poor play and not UCLA’s all-around effort. ---college football---
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But, the Bruins are ready to take the next step, and it’s going to happen behind a defense that must play better against the run. Don’t expect the Bruins to sit still and play their base defense against Cal’s powerful run game. They should mix in some run blitz looks and some stunt packages to ensure that Havner and London register double digit tackles, keeping Lynch and Forsett under control. The Bruins will score, so it’s all on the defense to do their job. UCLA – 31 vs. Cal – 24---college football---

Temple Football Coach Bobby Wallace Says He Is Leaving at End of Season
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA Oct 10, 2005 — Bobby Wallace is leaving Temple in the same shape he found it. The Owls have one of the worst programs in college football. In the wake of an 0-6 start this season, he's ready to let someone else try to bring Temple some respectability.

After eight losing seasons where he never won more than four games and the program's future was always uncertain, Wallace said Monday he will leave at the end of the year when his contract expires. - College Football -

"What we've been through, the transition we've been through, has taken a toll on me and my family," Wallace said. "It hasn't been easy."

No, it sure hasn't. - College Football -

Wallace coached the Owls through one of their worst eras in a historically woeful program. Since Wallace took over in 1998, Temple was booted out of the Big East, switched home stadiums and is playing its first year as an independent before joining the Mid-American Conference as a full member in 2007. - College Football -

The one constant has been the losing. Wallace has gone 19-66 since taking the job in 1998. Temple's last winning season came in 1990 and it hasn't played a bowl game since 1979.

"Losing will wear on you and we've lost a lot of games," Wallace said.

Even with three two-win seasons and a one-win season on his Temple resume, this one has truly been Wallace's toughest. The Owls have allowed more than 60 points three times already and lost by three points against Western Michigan, their best chance for a win this year.

The 11 opponents on Temple' schedule finished a combined 83-48 (.634) last year and eight of its opponents played in bowl games. - College Football -

It doesn't get any easier Saturday when the Owls play seventh-ranked Miami.

Wallace said he met with athletic director Bill Bradshaw last week to talk about his future. Wallace said he made the decision now to give Temple a jump start on finding a new coach.

"If I waited until the end of the season, it would be unethical for Bill to talk to anyone right now," Wallace said. - College Football -

Bradshaw said he would immediately start looking at candidates, but had no timetable for a hire.

Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

College football's most unique traditions

Pete Fiutak /
CollegeFootballNews.com

College football is known for its pageantry, rivalries, and traditions more than any other American sport. From coast to coast, college football programs have their own quirky ways of celebrating the game with unique rituals that can only come from decades of games, along with a deeply rooted passion from the alumni and fans.

So which traditions are the most unique in college football? Which ones are the most identifiable, and which ones inspire the most excitement and stir the deepest feelings? Compiled by the staff of CollegeFootballNews.com, here are the 10 most unique traditions based on what they mean to the game, what they mean to each school, and above all else, how cool they are. From the awe-inspiring sights of a 1,300-pound buffalo and 20,000 students jumping around, to the drama of a flaming spear plunged into the ground, to the parties and social gatherings that bring fans together, here's our very debatable list of the 10 most unique traditions.

1. Texas A&M 12th Man

No tradition in college football embodies the spirit of the sport more than the Texas A&M 12th Man. Going against No. 1 Centre College in 1922, the Aggies were scrapping for players in a tough game that took its toll on both sides. A&M head coach Dana X. Bible, in need of more bodies, called up to the press box for E. King Gill, a basketball player who had seen a little bit of time on the football team in previous seasons, to put on a uniform and be prepared to play. The Aggies pulled off the 22-14 upset without needing Gill's services, but he stood ready on the sidelines earning the moniker of the 12th Man.

Now, A&M's 12th Man is a student section that stands the entire game prepared in case they're needed. Former Aggie head coach Jackie Sherrill took it one step further by allowing A&M students to form the kickoff coverage unit. It eventually evolved into an honor belonging to one student who gets to play on special teams.

2. Army-Navy game procession

The most endearing and emotional tradition in college football, the procession, also known as the "March-On" of the Army Corps of Cadets and Brigade of Midshipmen, is seen by many as more exciting than the actual game between Army and Navy. The pageantry of the procession is the perfect prelude to one of college football's most heated, yet most sane, rivalries. It's as good-natured as a rivalry can possibly be, with everyone in the stadium on the same team when all is said and done.

3. Florida State's Chief Osceola and Renegade

For pure intensity and excitement, nothing beats the electrifying few moments in Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium when a student, dressed up Seminole Tribe leader Chief Osceola, rides on the field on an Appaloosa horse named Renegade and fires a flaming spear in the middle of the field. FSU graduate Bill Durham created the idea, and then got the approval of the Seminole Tribe, and then got the approval of head coach Bobby Bowden who allowed it to start in 1977. Now, it's done before every Florida State home game, cranking up the intensity level for both sides.

4. Ohio State dotting of the "i"

What would college football Saturdays be without the soundtrack coming from the bands? Every school has a version of a marching band, but Ohio State's "Script Ohio" is the most impressive and famous with the band forming the word "Ohio" in the middle of the field.

Just before the end of "Le Regiment," the drum major leads a senior sousaphone player out to the top of the "I," points to the spot where the dot is needed, and the honored band member becomes the dot before bowing to the crowd. It's the highest honor Ohio State bestows, and has allowed a few select non-band members, like Woody Hayes, to take part.

5. The Grove at Ole Miss

What's college football without a good tailgate party? The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party before the annual Florida-Georgia game might be the biggest, but the shindigs thrown before Ole Miss home games at the Grove are the best. An oasis in the normally uncivilized world of college football, the Grove is known for dressing up, drinking down, good food, and cream of the crop, Miss America-caliber women.

6. Tennessee's Floatilla

Is there a better way to get to a college football game? In 1962, former Tennessee broadcaster George Mooney got to Neyland Stadium by floating on his boat down the Tennessee River, starting the tradition of fans forming the "Volunteer Navy" boating their way to the game. Of course, the galas are tremendous in one of college football's most unique tailgating parties.

7. Wisconsin's "Jump Around"

College football is one big party, and no school is better at letting loose than Wisconsin, ranked the No. 1 party school in the nation by The Princeton Review. Adding to the raucous excitement of game day in Madison is the relatively new tradition of making Camp Randall Stadium one big house party after the third quarter of every game.

As soon as the quarter ends, the song Jump Around by House of Pain blares over the loudspeakers, and the entire student section, along with the band and many others around the stadium and on the sidelines, jump up and down. The tradition became so wild that there were concerns about the effects on the stadium's structure. Engineers eventually determined there was no danger, and now the upper-deck shaking, human-induced earthquake goes on.

8. Colorado's Ralphie

In 1966, a rancher named Bubby Hays brought a six-month-old buffalo named Ralphie to Colorado's Folsom Field and walked him around a bit. It turned into a tradition with six sophomore students making the trip before each game to Hays' ranch to run Ralphie around for two hours to tire her out a little bit (yes, the first Ralphie was a girl), and then bring her to the stadium to come charging out of the tunnel while the fans did a "Buffalo Stomp," sending the crowd into a tizzy. It has become one of the most impressive and intimidating entries in all of college football.

9. Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner

Started in 1965 after an Oklahoma alum donated the first "Sooner Schooner," along with the horses to pull it, the covered wagon would cruise around during the game. By 1980, it became the school's official mascot and was zipped around the field after Oklahoma touchdowns as one of the most identifiable symbols in all of sports.

10. Clemson's Howard's Rock

Several schools have inspiring pregame patting rituals. Notre Dame players walk down the stairs of their locker room hitting a sign that says, "Play like a champion today." Michigan players run out of the tunnel and jump up to hit the "Go Blue" sign. But Clemson's rubbing of The Rock is the most awe-inspiring.

Before Clemson games, the team stands at the top of a hill, rubs Howard's Rock, and then runs down the hill while the crowd goes wild. It started in 1964 when Clemson alumnus S.C. Jones brought a rock back from Death Valley, Calif., and gave it to Tiger head coach Frank Howard. Howard let it sit on his office floor before telling his secretary to "do something with it, but get it out of here." The secretary ended up keeping the Rock, and it was eventually put on a pedestal on the top of the hill in the stadium in 1966. That day, Clemson rallied in the second half to beat Virginia and the Rock stayed. "If you're going to give me 110 percent, you can rub my rock," Howard barked at his players. "If you're not, keep your filthy hands off of it."

Honorable mention

Arkansas: Hog call
Razorback fans spontaneously "Call the Hogs." The fans raise both hands high into the air, fingers waving as the volume increases during the word Woooooooooo. The arms pump down on the word "Pig" and then back into the air on the word "Sooie." "Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!"

Auburn: "Rolling" Toomer's Corner
Toomer's Corner is where the university meets the town in Auburn. Originally, students unable to travel to away games would celebrate out-of-town wins symbolically by gathering at Toomer's Corner. And sometime in the '60s, students began to toilet paper the trees in Toomer's Corner.

Cal: Card stunts
The Cal rooting section is credited with establishing one of the most time-honored traditions in college football. Cal began performing card stunts for the 1910 "Big Game," a rugby match between California and Stanford. Cal students now perform as many as 10 different stunts, using more than 5,000 cards to create different images.

Georgia: Chapel bell
The chapel bell is rung after all Georgia victories and continues until midnight. The tradition began the 1890s when the football field was located only yards from the chapel. The chore used to be reserved for freshmen, but now students and alumni rush to the chapel after a football victory.

Mississippi State: Cowbells
One of the loudest traditions in college football is the Mississippi State University cowbell. Opponents and authorities have tried for years to banish the noisemakers from competition, but Bulldog fans keep bringing them anyway and ring them during the entire game.

Texas: Hook' em Horns hand signal
The Longhorns have by far the most famous hand signal in college football. The signal has been around since 1955 when cheerleader Harley Clark introduced it to the student body. The index and little fingers stick up, while the thumb held down the two interior digits, which looks like the head of a Longhorn.

USC: Traveler and the Trojan
One of the most breathtaking mascots in college football is Traveler at USC. A student in full Trojan dress rides into the stadium on a white horse as the Southern Cal band plays "Conquest."

Washington: Tailgating by boat
Husky Stadium's location on the shores of Lake Washington makes it easily accessible by boat from all over the Seattle area, and encourages many fans to use the water to travel to and from games. Members of the Husky crew team ferry fans to and from the shore to catch the action, or a ride home.

Clemson misses chance to win in regulation on Whitehurst throw

RICK BONNELL

Staff Writer

CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson wide receiver Chansi Stuckey spread his hands shoulder-length apart and sighed. - College Football -

"It wasn't that far, it was just high," Stuckey recalled. "Maybe two feet.

"If I'd gotten that ball, we'd be home celebrating right now."

Instead, he was in a scrum of reporters, explaining a 36-30 triple-overtime loss to No. 13 Miami. With 19 seconds left in regulation, and the 20th-ranked Tigers 10 yards from a potential winning touchdown, Stuckey found himself as alone as you can be in a stadium of 79,000. Somehow, the Hurricanes had lost track of him. - College Football -

"When I saw (the Hurricanes) line up, they looked kind of confused," Stuckey said. "I thought, `This could be the game right here!' "

It would have been, had quarterback Charlie Whitehurst not overthrown the pass. Stuckey kept sprinting, kept stretching, grasping at nothing but air. Whitehurst said he couldn't see just how open Stuckey was, so he threw the ball where only Stuckey had the chance to get it.

"Maybe it looked wide-open," Whitehurst explained. "But it probably wasn't when I threw it."

That was Whitehurst's first mistake. The second came in the Tigers' third overtime possession when he was about to be sacked. Desperate to avoid the rusher, he heaved up a floater that safety Kenny Phillips intercepted to end this exceptionally entertaining game.

"This was probably the best game I've ever been part of," Whitehurst said. "You'd like to win these, but being in it was something. - College Football -

"Something special is going on here."

There'd be no debate about that, had Whitehurst found Stuckey in the end zone. That would have made the Tigers 3-0 heading into a home game with No. 17 Boston College.

Just keeping it close was a feat. The Tigers (2-1, 1-1 ACC) sacked Kyle Wright five times and played turnover-free football until the overtime interception. - College Football -

But the cumulative effect of Miami's running game drained Clemson. The Hurricanes (1-1, 1-1) ran for 122 yards in the second half alone, turning a 10-6 deficit into a 20-10 lead.

Clemson scored twice in the last seven minutes of the fourth quarter to square things, forcing Miami out in four downs after passing up an on-side kick option with three minutes left.

But all that left the Tigers with nothing left, when Miami running back Tyrone Moss covered the full 25 yards to the end zone in a single play for the winning score. - College Football -

"I thought our defense was tired at the end," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden concluded. "But we put them on the field way too much." - College Football -

That ultimately winds back to Whitehurst overthrowing Stuckey.

"When you go in there on Sunday, you see a lot of plays that could have won the game," Bowden deflected. "But it's really not one play that wins or loses a game." - College Football -

Some 79,000 Tigers fans might disagree.

The Charlotte Observer

And that was why we waited so much for the first full weekend of college football

And that was why we waited so much for the first full weekend of college football.
Oklahoma? Loses at home.

Tennessee? Scared by UAB at home.

Navy? Almost beat Maryland in the first meeting of the schools in 40 years. Clemson beats Texas A&M with two seconds left. - College Football -

Just what we've been waiting for.

You'll smile to know my views on Auburn-Tech and Georgia-Boise State ended up being about as accurate as Jared Zabransky and Brandon Cox.

Ouch. Yeah, that far off.

Georgia Tech pretty much took out Auburn's knees on both sides of the ball.

Sure, the Tigers had a new quarterback, but he looked like they forgot to unwrap him and take the price tag off. - College Football -

Tech coordinator Jon Tenuta was a maestro on the Plains. He discombobulated the Tiger plan with impressive consistency, and Tech's offensive plan seemed broad and versatile.

Overall, the Jackets looked big and fast and energetic, and in a tough place against a top 20 team.

Auburn looked like it had the questions facing Tech entering the season.

The pick was Auburn 27-13. Please pass the barbecue sauce.

In Athens, Georgia was in control throughout and actually dealt the knockout punch in the third quarter. D.J. Shockley's debut as a starter was rousing. His reads were solid, although he did have some sub-par throws, and he showed more patience than some expected.

While suddenly that type of performance is expected all the time, it takes no Einstein to know that Boise State was a bust and didn't offer near the challenge many predicted. And Georgia's not winning much as long as Shockley's the leading runner. Georgia's lines weren't as dominating as one might have thought. - College Football -

My pick? Georgia 24-17. OK, stop giggling and pass the sauce.

Memo to watchers of both: Don't bank on gift-filled days of turnovers.

Those not residing on Delusion Lane in the "we're gonna go 11-0, woo hoo!" subdivision had to be downright thrilled at the surprising results, which make this week mighty interesting.

Georgia won't be nearly as sharp this week and South Carolina probably will be less ragged as well. The Gamecocks have a solid coaching staff and the defense will come up with something fairly unique. - College Football -

USC's offense? Good question. While South Carolina started off well against Central Florida and then hit a wall, the Gamecocks still bring more to the table than Boise State did.

Lucid Tech fans know that North Carolina - or any decent opponent - offers suspense because this has been the Jackets' problem in recent years: consistency. Can they follow up a sizzling Saturday with even another win, let alone more sparkling play?

A year ago, Tech beat Clemson on the road and then traveled to Chapel Hill for a 21-point spanking. This Auburn win is more impressive, but that adds to the jitters. This is UNC's opener, so who knows how the Tar Heels will look? - College Football -

Opening days are deceptive. Coaches' greatest interest in their teams is between the first and second week, when highs are lowered and lows can ascend.

Remember: there are only 11 games, but it's a long season. That first week, though, was a keeper. - College Football -

macon.com

Inside College Football: New Top Dawg

After sitting behind David Greene for four years, quarterback D.J. Shockley finally gets the chance to lead Georgia

By Stewart Mandel

Mark Richt fell in love with D.J. Shockley's strong arm and exceptional mobility the first time he laid eyes on the quarterback, when Shockley was a ninth-grader participating in Florida State's summer camp. Upon landing the head coaching job at Georgia in January 2001, Richt, formerly the Seminoles' offensive coordinator, made his first recruiting visit to the College Park, Ga., home of Shockley, by then a high school senior who was rated the nation's No. 2 quarterback by SuperPrep magazine. With Bulldogs starter Quincy Carter skipping his senior season for the NFL, both coach and player left that meeting with visions of Shockley starring in Athens, 80 miles away, that fall.

Copyright © 2005 CNN/Sports Illustrated.