THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
SPORTS
3B
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Big 12 teams struggle; four lose in third week
BY CASE KEEFER ckeefer@kansan.com
Just when things were looking up for the Big 12 Conference, its teams suffered a disastrous weekend.
The conference's record against ranked nonconference opponents in the last two years fell to 1-17 as Nebraska was overpowered by USC. It didn't end there. Oklahoma State was shocked, Colorado showed little promise and two Big 12 teams narrowly escaped in games against lesser opponents.
BIG 12 GAMES:
NO.3 OKLAHOMA 54
UTAH STATE 3
The Sooners' box score looked like it was taken from a video game. Freshman running back DeMarco Murray had four carries for 100 yards and a touchdown and senior running back Allen Patrick had eight carries for 113 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma defense held Utah State to 153 total yards and eight first downs.
NO. 6 TEXAS 35, CENTRAL FLORIDA 32
The Knights were determined to christen the brand new Bright House Networks Stadium with a win Saturday. They came up just short. For the second time this year, the Longhorns recovered an onside kick within the final minute to ensure victory. Texas kicker Ryan Bailey booted five field goals that proved to be the difference in the game.
NO. 1 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
49, NO. 14 NEBRASKA 31
The Cornhuskers rallied to score 21 points in the fourth quarter to make the score look respectable. But in all reality, the game was over in the second quarter. Trojans Coach Pete Carroll exposed a weak Nebraska rushing defense as his stable of running backs rushed for 313 yards and 8.2 yards per carry.
NO. 25 TEXAS A&M 54,
LOUISIANA-MONROE 14
The Aggies opened up their offense a little more in the victory against the Warhawks. Quarterback Stephen McGee threw for a season-high 237 yards on 19-for-33 passing, while sophomore running back Mike Goodson ran 11 times for 113 yards.
FLORIDA STATE 16,
COLORADO 6
The Seminole offense looked out of sync the entire game, but Florida State's defense made up for it. Seminole junior cornerback Tony Carter had two interceptions and junior linebacker Derek Nicholson recorded 11 tackles. Colorado running back Hugh Charles' return from injury was uneventful as he carried the ball four times for nine yards.
TROY 41, OKLAHOMA STATE 23
Trojans senior linebacker Josh Maxwell forced a fumble on the first play of the game and Troy never looked back. Senior quarterback Omar Haugabook threw for 371 yards and added three total touchdowns. Cowboys sophomore quarterback Zac Robinson played the entire game with former starting quarterback Bobby Reid on the bench.
MISSOURI 52, WESTERN MICHIGAN 24
Although the Tigers didn't shut down Broncos wide receiver Jamarko Simmons, the nation's leader in receptions, they did slow him down. Simmons came in averaging 14 catches and 150 yards per game but Missouri held the junior to 10 catches for 98 yards.
KANSAS STATE 61,
MISSOURI STATE 10
The "power towels" were in full force at Bill Snyder Family Stadium Saturday, and they had reason to be. Senior wide receiver Jordy Nelson caught 15 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. Nelson also threw a touchdown pass in the game.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Southern California's Stafon Johnson carries the ball as Nebraska's Larry Asante gives chase in the first half in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday. Nebraska made a late 21-point surge to close the gap, but the Trojans hung on for a 49-31 victory.
IOWA STATE 15. IOWA 13
Senior kicker Bret Culbertson is the hero in Ames, Iowa, this weekend. The Cyclones blew a 12-point lead in the second half by allowing Hawkeyes quarterback Jake Christensen to get his offense to regain its pulse. But Culbertson hit a game-winning field goal with five seconds remaining.
TEXAS TECH 59, RICE 24
The Red Raiders continued their assault on Conference USA opponents. For the third straight game, Texas Tech beat a C-USA team by scoring at least 45 points. Freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree grabbed three touchdown passes and gained 244 yards. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the Owls are the last C-USA team they play this year.
BAYLOR 34,
TEXAS STATE 27
How did Bears quarterback Blake Szymanski follow up his schoolrecord 412-yard performance from a week ago? By throwing for only 411 yards. But the Bears's main concern was surrendering 418 yards to an FCS opponent, Texas State quarterback Bradley George threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns.
AROUND THE NATION:
NO. 2 LOUISIANA STATE
44, MIDDLE TENNESSEE
STATE 0
Tiger sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux started in place of injured Matt Flynn and threw for 298 yards on 20-for-25 passing.
NO.4 WEST VIRGINIA 31,
MARYLAND 14
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Each of the Mountaineers' three wins has followed the same pattern: close game in the first quarter, start to pull away in the second quarter and exhaust the opponent in the final half.
NO. 5 FLORIDA 52, NO. 22
TENNESSEE 20
Kentucky receiver Steve Johnson is grabbed by teammate Dicky Lyons 1r., after hauling in a game-winning 57-yard touchdown pass against Louisville in Lexington, Kent. The Wildcats use the cardinals. 40-34.
Gator sophomore Percy Harvin introduced himself to a national audience with 75 rushing yards, 120 receiving yards and a touchdown.
NO.7 WISCONSIN 45,THE CITADEL 31
The Bulldogs gave the Badgers an early scare before Wisconsin running back PJ. Hill tied a school record with five touchdowns.
NO.8 CALIFORNIA 42,
LOUISIANA TECH 12
The Golden Bears are off to their first 3-0 start since coach Jeff Tedford took over in 2002.
KENTUCKY 40,NO.9
LOUISVILLE 34
Wildcat quarterback Andre Woodson capped off an incredible game with an incredible pass: a 57-yard game winning touchdown to Steve Johnson.
NO. 10 OHIO STATE 33
WASHINGTON 14
Buckeye middle linebacker James Laurinaitis is used to leading his team in tackles, but Saturday he also led Ohio State with two interceptions.
UTAH 44, NO.11 UCLA 6
The Utes' offense showed that the Bruins' defense isn't exactly what it was hyped to be as Utah quarterback Tommy Grady threw for three touchdowns and 246 yards.
NO.12 PENN STATE 45,
BUFFALO 24
Nittany Lion linebacker Dan Connor recorded 12 tackles and a sack.
NO. 13 RUTGERS 59, NORFOLK STATE 0
The Scarlet Knights are known for their offensive weapons, but the defense also made a statement Saturday, giving up only 122 total yards to the Spartans.
NO.21 BOSTON COLLEGE
24, NO.15 GEORGIA
TECH 10
The fact that the Yellow jackets had a top-10 defense made no difference to Eagle quarterback Matt Ryan, who threw for 435 yards.
ALABAMA 41, NO.16 ARKANSAS 38
Not even 195 yards and two touchdowns from Razorback running back Darren McFadden could stop the focused Crimson Tide. Junior quarterback John Parker
Wilson found senior receiver Matt Caddell in the end zone with eight seconds remaining to win the game.
NO. 17 SOUTH CAROLINA 38,SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 3
STATE 3
Gamecock running backs Cory Boyd and Mike Davis combined for 234 yards as their team defeated its second straight opponent named the Bulldogs.
NO.18 VIRGINIA TECH 28,
OHIO7
Hokie freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw for 287 yards in his starting debut. More importantly, he refrained from committing a turnover.
NO.19 OREGON 52
FRESNO STATE 21
No signs of sloppy play appeared in Eugene, Ore. following the Ducks big win against Michigan last week.
is yet to throw an interception this season but added three touchdowns to his sumé Saturday.
NO. 20 CLEMSON 38,
FURMAN 10
NO. 23 GEORGIA 45
WESTERN CAROLINA 16
Georgia quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Ioe Cox connected with ten different receivers to hand the Catamounts their 12th straight loss.
NO.24 HAWAII 49,
UNLV 14
Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan had an uneventful game by his standards, but 298 yards passing and two touchdowns were enough to put away the Rebels.
MICHIGAN 3 8, NOTRE DAME 0
Tiger quarterback Cullen Harper
Although Wolverine fill in quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for only 90 yards, the Michigan defense gained some much-needed confidence by forcing four turnovers.
- Edited by Luke Morris
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