College Football - Football Betting

2005-11-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

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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2005-10-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

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.
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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---

2005-10-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-10-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-09-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

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

2005-09-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-08-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Football 2005 - only in The Leader

The Aug. 24, 2005, print edition of The Leader features Football 2005. This special supplement features preseason coverage of local high school football teams, as well as college teams and the Jacksonville Jaguars. - College Football -

These informative articles and columns are written by Johnny Woodhouse, Chuck Adams, Robert DeAngelo and Rex Edmondson. Football 2005 also features the 2005 football schedules for the Fletcher Senators and Nease Panthers. - College Football -

The Leader publishes several special sections throughout the year. To make sure you never miss out on coverage of the Beaches area, click on the "subscribe" button at the upper right, or call 904-249-9033 to subscribe to The Beaches Leader or Ponte Vedra Leader.

Football 2005 .... only in The Leader.

2005-08-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

Kapp, Casillas Going Into College Hall

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Joe Kapp's never-say-die attitude was in the College Football Hall of Fame long before he was. Every day fans visit the hall and watch the five-lateral kickoff return the Kapp-coached Cal team used in 1982 to beat Stanford 25-20. Kevin Moen finished "The Play" by running over a Stanford band trombonist.
"The play didn't fall out of the sky," Kapp said Saturday. "Was it an accident, good luck or coaching? It wasn't an accident." - College Football -
It wasn't an accident that Kapp was being enshrined Saturday in the College Football Hall of Fame, either. But he was being enshrined for his playing ability, not his coaching.
Oklahoma middle guard Tony Casillas, Penn State running back Lydell Mitchell, Southern Mississippi punter Ray Guy and 16 others were enshrined along with Kapp.
Kapp said it was the lessons he learned as a player at Cal in the late 1950s that helped the Golden Bears beat Stanford 24 years later. - College Football -
"I learned: 'Be ready when opportunity comes. Never give up,'" he said. "My credo in the 1969 Super Bowl year for the Minnesota Vikings was '40 for 60.' Forty players for 60 minutes. That was the attitude of our Rose Bowl team."
That attitude helped the Golden Bears improve from 1-9 a season earlier to 7-4 in 1958, as Kapp threw for 775 yards and ran for 616 yards. He doesn't think of being enshrined as an honor for him, but for the entire team — the last Cal squad to play in the Rose Bowl.
"Quarterbacks get too much credit," he said. "Football's a team game. So when you get the honors, I know what goes into it. This is a team honor." - College Football -
Casillas said he was overwhelmed when he learned that nearly 5 million men have played college football but fewer than 1,000 have been honored by the hall.
"That kind of puts everything in perspective," said Casillas, who won the Lombardi Award as the nation's top lineman in helping the Sooners to a national championship in 1985. "The hall really brings the adrenaline out in you." - College Football -
Mitchell rushed for a then- NCAA record 26 touchdowns in 1971.
"Some of us had to wait longer than others," said Mitchell, who played for the Nittany Lions 1969-71. "But whenever you get in it's just a fantastic feeling. Penn Staters who came before me said: 'Just wait for the experience. I can't describe it to you.' And it's been wonderful."
Guy, despite being the first punter enshrined, doesn't believe the position is overlooked.
"I think it's just a matter of time before they start putting more in here," he said. "It's a part of the game that's very important. It's very critical to the game. The recognition is coming."

TOM COYNE,
Associated Press

2005-08-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Gomez Given Shot in Dallas

Former College of the Canyons player Mike Gomez is attempting to take advantage of a golden opportunity in the National Football League. The Dallas Cowboys signed Gomez, a tight end/long snapper who played his final two collegiate seasons at Illinois, on Aug. 7 after injuries to tight ends Dan Campbell and Sean Ryan. - College Football -
“I knew it was going to come down to somebody getting hurt at either a tight end or long-snapper position,” Gomez said. “It just so happened that it was Dallas where they had two guys go down on their first day of camp.” - College Football -
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Gomez has already endured a spring and summer packed with emotion since the end of last season. - College Football -
The former Cougar got a chance to play tight end for the first time since he was at COC and caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Kittner to help lead the Amsterdam Admirals to a 27-21 victory over the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe’s World Bowl championship game on June 11. “I had a great experience playing with some great players and I played a lot more than I was expected to,” said Gomez, who assumed the starting tight end role after Tony Donald went on the injured reserve list. “I took over (at tight end) and we won the World Bowl so it was a great experience.” Just five days after the NFL Europe championship, Gomez’s euphoria turned to disappointment when he was waived by the Buffalo Bills. - College Football -
“It was tough going over there [to Europe]. You give everything that you’ve got and you come back and it’s a little disappointing,” Gomez said. “You go from the extreme high of winning the World Bowl to getting released, but I just kept my head up and didn’t give up the dream because I knew that at some point somebody would give me that call and I’d be able to come back out and show what I can do.” - College Football -
After his final season at Illinois, Gomez was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004 as a long-snapper, but did not appear in a game. He was signed by Buffalo on Feb. 2 and sent to play for NFL Europe where he was fourth on the Amsterdam Admirals in receiving yards with 230 while adding two touchdowns this season. - College Football -
“When I signed on in Buffalo they told me I was good enough to snap in the NFL, but they wanted me to prove that I could be a good backup tight end and that’s what they sent me to Europe for,” Gomez said. “I think I proved that when I was over there.” At COC, Gomez caught 38 passes for 738 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman in 2000 to earn All-West Coast Conference honors. He was used specifically as a long snapper in his two seasons at Illinois and with Jacksonville. With the Cowboys, Gomez is learning a myriad of positions, but he is looking forward to showing what he can do at his favorite position — tight end. “I’m learning the tight end and fullback positions and helping with reps to give guys some breathers at other positions,” Gomez said. “Basically, I’m just trying to find any way that I can help out the team, whether it be on special teams or on offense.” - College Football -
Gomez likes having Bill Parcells as his head coach. “He doesn’t sugarcoat anything and he’s going to tell you what kind of player you are and it doesn’t matter who you are,” Gomez said. “What I like the most about him is regardless if it’s his first-team quarterback or his third-string long-snapper, he’s going to treat you the same and I think he’s a good coach to have.” No matter what role the Cowboys have in store for him this season, Gomez is taking the proverbial one day at a time approach. - College Football -
“You never want your dream to get shot down,” Gomez said. “So as long as I’m still playing, I’m happy, especially being able to come play for an organization like Dallas.”

The Signal

2005-07-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

NASCAR Truck Series to Run at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. - The
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will hold its first race at Talladega Superspeedway in 2006, creating a three-event weekend and taking on college football.
The race will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, on the eve of the Nextel Cup UAW-Ford 500 at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, track and NASCAR officials said Tuesday. The ARCA series race, normally run Saturday, will be held a day earlier. - College Football -
Like the ARCA race, the truck race will go head-to-head with college football games in a state that relishes both sports. - College Football -
"We've been racing since 1997 in the fall, and we feel like the truck series will be a good event on that day," said Rick Humphrey, vice president and general manager of the superspeedway. "We just have to do what we can. We hope that fans here on this property and fans around the state will see a value in the truck series and come out and join us." - College Football -
The truck races have been running at Daytona Superspeedway as well as other tracks.
"This is just another step for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series," said Wayne Auton, director of the series. "The venues keep getting bigger and better. I think this is the biggest venue out there." - College Football -
The truck series began competition in 1995, with annual attendance figures rising from 400,000 to 1.1 million since then. It started running at Daytona in 2000 and has been a training ground for such drivers as Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards.
Series driver Ricky Craven said bringing the race to Talladega "is a natural."
"It's going to be supported and it's going to be a big event," Craven said. "I expect we'll see the same finishes that we've seen here in the past." - College Football -

JOHN ZENOR, AP Sports Writer

2005-07-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Auburn champions at Times-Journal

Though it's not likely to mean much to them, we here at the Times-Journal are officially naming the Auburn Tigers our College Football National Champions for the 2004 season.There's not a trophy and it's the first and probably last time we will bestow such an honor, but it's just too hard to watch this team blaze a 13-0 record through the SEC and wind up without a National Championship of some kind. - College Football -
There has been a lot written about the various and sundry travesties manifested on the fine young men from Auburn this season.They have beaten every opponent placed in front of them, four Top 10 teams, Tennessee twice, Virginia Tech, LSU and Georgia. - College Football -
This team has won with heart and class as much as offense and defense.Still they have watched as USC and Oklahoma reaped the accolades and marched to the "National Championship" game last night in Miami, which quickly turned into USC beating the dog out of Oklahoma.Auburn is a team filled with players who were not household names coming into the season.It is a team that lost two of their biggest stars to the NFL draft and a team that most thought would take a step back this season.Surprise. - College Football -
The addition of a round offensive coordinator from the West Coast added to an experienced offense proved to be a lethal combination for the poor opponents that found themselves facing the Tigers.The Tigers have proven themselves time and again to be both a great football team and a team of great people.At the least, the Tigers deserved the chance to prove themselves worthy against the Mighty Trojans of USC.At the end of the day, whether they get the shiny glass trophy or not, the 13-0 Tigers are undefeated and champions of the SEC.They gave everything they had this season and left nothing on the field, like champions.

2005-07-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Voices of experience stay put
Sox' rights could be another story

Catching up with the latest media moves:
1. Jon Meterparel confirmed yesterday on the air that he'll be the play-by-play voice of Boston College football on WRKO (680 AM) this season. The WEEI (850 AM) morning flash boy/factotum joins analyst Peter Cronan, who's been on the job since 1988. Among those who've called Eagles football: Gil Santos, Bob Lobel, Dale Arnold, Sean McDonough, Sean Grande, and John Rooke. - College Football -
2. WEEI and the Red Sox quietly exercised the option on Jerry Trupiano's contract back in April. The subject came up last week when WEEI announced it would air Sox games in Providence on its 103.7 FM outlet next season.
3. WWZN (1510 AM) and midday host Eddie Andelman have reached agreement on a deal to stay on the air ''as long as I want." - College Football -
Each development brings up ancillary stories, all of which will play out in the coming year. With the Fenway Sports Group now marketing BC sports, the Red Sox in-house advertising and sales marketing group has gained radio experience. What does that mean for the present synergy of cross-promotion with the Sox, Fenway Sports Group, and Entercom (WEEI and WRKO)?
WEEI certainly wants to extend that relationship when its Sox rights agreement runs out after next season, but will the price be too high? - College Football -
Will the Sox take the rights in-house and buy the air time?
Will they follow the Patriots' lead and find an FM stereo flagship? Or, as some suggest, buy their own station?
All interesting questions. Because the Sox-WEEI rights and announcer contracts are scheduled to expire together after next season, it sets the stage for either a renewal or a fresh start.
Meanwhile, to expand on the recent news: - College Football -
1. For Meterparel, who did Revolution radio play-by-play in 2003 and '04 and part-time TV for the team in 2000 and '01, it's an ideal job, one that should get BC football into the WEEI morning show's ''water cooler" chitchat. It's also become a higher-profile job, as BC is embarking on its first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Opening date: Sept. 3 at BYU.
While Fenway Sports Group owns the team's rights, the games will be produced by ISP Sports in Winston-Salem, N.C. ISP does games for 25 (and counting) major colleges and, with working arrangements with even more schools, has a studio host that allows the ''network" to give updates or break into significant games around the country. - College Football -
2. Trupiano on his deal: ''I'm not one to have my name in the paper. I was happy to get the deal done and move forward." Trupiano, however, was on the verge of what Sox trainer Jim Rowe called ''potentially a career-ending injury" last week in Texas. He was on the treadmill at the team's hotel and listening to some of his beloved music when he noticed one of his earphones wasn't working. - College Football -
So the next day he used a spare set, an expensive pair he'd bought for game use. ''They were earbuds, but they didn't block out enough background noise to use during games," he said. Still, they were fine for his workout . . . until the right one broke off. Trupe searched around the treadmill for the broken piece, which turned out to have lodged in his ear.

Bill Griffith, Globe Staff

2005-07-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Columnist Jeff Haney: Football betting by the book (or magazine)

For gamblers with a taste for football -- by far the most heavily bet sport in Nevada casinos -- this is the season of eternal hope.
This will be the year they win that handicapping contest, overcome that odious 11-to-10, finally show the oddsmaker who's in charge.
For Howard Schwartz, longtime marketing director at the Gambler's Book Shop, that optimism translates into a hopping business as bettors scarf down a smorgasbord of preseason football publications -- many aimed directly at gamblers.
"I see 'em all," Schwartz said, surveying the dozens of football magazines and preview books at the venerable store on South 11th St. "Newcomers, old pros, system players, guys who just want to show off for their friends. ...
"In football betting you get a lot of guys who like to talk, show off, let everyone know how educated they are. But probably the most successful ones are the quietest ones."
As expected, the shop's hottest seller this summer, Schwartz said, has been Phil Steele's College Football Preview ($8.95), a comprehensive, eagerly awaited annual magazine that is indeed, as the cover advises, "Jampacked With Information."
"It's the best bargain for the price," Schwartz said. "It's almost a book in itself. It has team evaluations, betting angles, you can write (scores) in it. ... What else would you need?"
In handicapping the Heisman Trophy race, Steele makes USC quarterback Matt Leinart a "clear-cut favorite."
Among other noteworthy preseason football publications, according to Schwartz:
The Gold Sheet College & Pro Football Annual ($6.99): This magazine stands out for its coverage of NFL teams' past performance against the point spread in preseason games, including over/under results.
Fast fact from the Gold Sheet: The Denver Broncos are 14-6-1 against the spread in preseason games the past five years, though just 2-3 last year.
Pro Football Statistical Pattern Report ($10), College Football Statistical Pattern Report ($10), NFL Teasers and Totals ($29.95), all by Andy Iskoe: The pattern reports define which statistical categories are the best indicators of teams' ability to cover the point spread, and in the spiralbound book on teasers and totals, Iskoe examines profitable ways to attack those specialty wagers.
Fast fact: From 1999 through 2004, the Green Bay Packers were 18-2-1 in 6-point teaser situations when facing an opponent for the second time in a season.
Marc Lawrence's Playbook ($8.95): This magazine includes against-the-spread results from the past 10 years for each NFL and Division I college team.
Fast fact: The visiting team in the UNLV-Wyoming series is 6-0 ATS in their past six meetings.
Killer Sports NFL Annual ($34.95): Heavy on trends and angles, this spiralbound book contains "some good rationale," Schwartz said.
Speaking generally of trend handicapping, Schwartz said: "People are looking for emotional things to hook their bets into, revenge situations or what have you. You can find some records that sound remarkable, but the important question is what is the rationale or the reasoning behind it. How likely is it to continue?
"Then again, some guys don't care -- if something happened 18 of the last 20 times, well, that's good enough for them."
When researching trends based on how teams perform on grass as opposed to artifical turf, proceed with caution, as the recent technological advances in artificial turf can lead to some confusion.
For example, local handicapper Bobby Bryde points out that the Gold Sheet preview magazine lists UNLV's home field as grass, while Phil Steele lists it as TurfTech.
"I consider TurfTech to be the same as grass," Bryde said. "However, in heavy rain it is worse than (artificial) turf as far as poor footing."
Fast fact from Killer Sports: The Dallas Cowboys play on artificial turf at home, and "... they love to entertain the home fans with their skills on their home surface. This brings up the possibility that they will have a flat spot when on the road on grass."
NFL Notebook Trends, Sides and Totals ($34.95) and College Football Trend Notebook ($34.95), both by Bob Frederick: "You see a lot of the sports (handicapping) services come in and pick up these (books), because reeling off all these facts can make you sound educated," Schwartz cracked. "Meanwhile, their computer crashed three years ago and nobody knows it yet."
Fast fact from Frederick: The Miami Hurricanes are on a 14-3 ATS streak in season openers.
Pointspread Playbook ($19.95), by Al O'Donnell: This book, with schedules, ATS results and extras such as a comparison of money lines to point spreads, has been a Las Vegas staple for more than 20 years.
Fast fact: The Super Bowl champion usually fares poorly against the spread the following year -- but the New England Patriots bucked that trend last season, going 13-5-1 ATS.
Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook ($21.95): This popular book is due to arrive in a couple weeks, said Schwartz, who has about 150 on order. Its later deadline allows for the inclusion of fresher information than many magazines.
British Open
Odds on the "field" -- meaning all other golfers not listed individually -- to win next week's British Open are drifting steadily downward in Las Vegas sports books.
Perhaps the most attractive field bet in town can be found at the Venetian, which offers 3-1 odds on the field (down from 7-2) while listing only 30 individual golfers.
The Las Vegas Hilton offers 9-2 on the field with 49 individual golfers. The Plaza also lists 49 individuals, with 3-1 odds on the field. At Wynn Las Vegas, odds on the field are down to 7-2 from 5-1, also with 49 individuals listed.
Caesars Palace offers 7-1 on the field, but lists an impressive 79 individual golfers.
The field was listed at 2-5 on Tuesday at the Mirage, which has 30 individual golfers on the board. Harrah's has 30 individuals listed and 2-1 odds on the field.
Tiger Woods is favored to win at odds ranging from 2-1 (Harrah's) to 4-1 (Venetian).
The British Open is scheduled for July 14-17 at St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland.

Jeff Haney's

College Football Trivia

2005-06-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

College Football Trivia
Eureka College finds new coach in Chicago

EUREKA -- A University of Chicago assistant will be announced today as Eureka College’s football head coach.
Eureka called a news conference for 2 this afternoon to present Chicago linebackers coach Dan Sullivan as the Red Devils’ coach.
Sullivan will replace Darrell Crouch, who left the Illini-Badger Conference program to coach Washington High School.
Sullivan, a former Loras College linebacker, was an assistant for the Maroons the past two seasons.