Week 1 2015
Most Exciting Games of the Week
1. Brigham Young (BYU) Cougars @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Astounding finishes are easy to find in any college football season and this year has already provided an example.
After one quarter of play, the Cornhuskers had plowed their way to a 14-7 lead. However, BYU senior quarterback Taysom Hill was not about to let his Cougars go down without a fight. Using his arms and legs, Hill ignited the offense to 17 2nd quarter points, aided by a timely turnover forced by the Cougars defense. As the teams headed to the locker rooms, BYU had a 24-17 halftime lead.
During the half, the Nebraska fans anxiously awaited the start of the 2nd half, hoping their team would find a way to extend their winning streak in season opening games to 30, a streak which began all the way back in 1986. Would this be the year the streak would finally be broken?
Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. and his offense came out in the 2nd half determined to take back the lead. Unfortunately, they went 3 and out on their first possession of the third quarter. Nebraska cornerback Nate Gerry picked up the slack, intercepting Hill's pass and returning it to the BYU 35 yard line. Three plays later, Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby evened the score at 24 with a 10 yard TD run. On their next possession, Armstrong capped off an 8 play drive with a short TD pass.
Nebraska held onto their 28-24 lead through the end of the 3rd quarter. Things got even worse for BYU at the start of the 4th quarter when Hill had to leave the game with a minor leg injury. That left the offense in the hands of freshman backup Tanner Mangam. With the help of his receivers and running backs, Mangam led a drive that resulted in a field goal to get his team within a point. Both teams did little on offense until only a minute remained in the game.
The Cougars had the ball with 48 seconds left in the game at their own 24 yard line. 6 plays later, BYU had the ball at the Nebraska 42, 4th and 3 with 1 second remaining. Mangam caught the shotgun snap, rolled to his right and heaved a Hail Mary pass into the endzone. Receiver Mitch Mathews leaped into the air, caught the ball in traffic, then stretched backwards into the endzone for a game-winning touchdown!! The home fans were silent while the Cougars ran onto the field and celebrated their miracle victory.
The season opening winning streak for Nebraska has ended at 29 games. And whoever faces BYU in the coming months better be ready to take on a truly battle-tested team.
Final score: BYU 33 Nebraska 28
After one quarter of play, the Cornhuskers had plowed their way to a 14-7 lead. However, BYU senior quarterback Taysom Hill was not about to let his Cougars go down without a fight. Using his arms and legs, Hill ignited the offense to 17 2nd quarter points, aided by a timely turnover forced by the Cougars defense. As the teams headed to the locker rooms, BYU had a 24-17 halftime lead.
During the half, the Nebraska fans anxiously awaited the start of the 2nd half, hoping their team would find a way to extend their winning streak in season opening games to 30, a streak which began all the way back in 1986. Would this be the year the streak would finally be broken?
Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. and his offense came out in the 2nd half determined to take back the lead. Unfortunately, they went 3 and out on their first possession of the third quarter. Nebraska cornerback Nate Gerry picked up the slack, intercepting Hill's pass and returning it to the BYU 35 yard line. Three plays later, Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby evened the score at 24 with a 10 yard TD run. On their next possession, Armstrong capped off an 8 play drive with a short TD pass.
Nebraska held onto their 28-24 lead through the end of the 3rd quarter. Things got even worse for BYU at the start of the 4th quarter when Hill had to leave the game with a minor leg injury. That left the offense in the hands of freshman backup Tanner Mangam. With the help of his receivers and running backs, Mangam led a drive that resulted in a field goal to get his team within a point. Both teams did little on offense until only a minute remained in the game.
The Cougars had the ball with 48 seconds left in the game at their own 24 yard line. 6 plays later, BYU had the ball at the Nebraska 42, 4th and 3 with 1 second remaining. Mangam caught the shotgun snap, rolled to his right and heaved a Hail Mary pass into the endzone. Receiver Mitch Mathews leaped into the air, caught the ball in traffic, then stretched backwards into the endzone for a game-winning touchdown!! The home fans were silent while the Cougars ran onto the field and celebrated their miracle victory.
The season opening winning streak for Nebraska has ended at 29 games. And whoever faces BYU in the coming months better be ready to take on a truly battle-tested team.
Final score: BYU 33 Nebraska 28
2. North Dakota State Bison @ Montana Grizzlies
This game was not on my radar, mainly because these two teams play in the 1-AA division of college football. (All the big teams play in 1-A) However, this game was a full 5 days before the start of 1-A action and I was craving some good college football. This game would not disappoint.
North Dakota State came into this game a heavy favorite, coming off their 4th straight Division 1-AA championship. But Montana kept the game close with their explosive passing attack. Nevertheless, with 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter the Grizzlies were staring at a 28-35 deficit. They had the ball and were desperately in need of a touchdown. However, their ensuing drive stalled inside the 10 yard line. Instead of going for it on 4th down, Head Coach Bob Stitt elected to kick a field goal and hope his defense could force a 3 and out. The Grizzlies defense roared like a mother bear protecting her cubs and proceeded to force a punt with a minute and a half remaining. Starting at his own 20 yard line, Grizzlies quarterback Brady Gustafson led his team to the Bison 44 yard line. But after 3 incomplete passes the Grizzlies were backed up into a corner. On 4th down, Gustafson came through at last, firing a 31 yard completion to receiver Reese Carlson. 5 plays later, Montana was forced into yet another last chance opportunity: 4th and Goal at the 1 yard line with 6 seconds left. Gustafson handed off to running back Joey Counts who cut left around the mass of blockers and ran in for the game-clinching touchdown. The packed house of Grizzlies fans roared in victory and the players were soon celebrating on the field.
The first college football game televised this season turned out to be the first upset. This year is going to be good!
Final score: Montana 38 North Dakota State 35
Games to Watch: Week 2
1. #7 Oregon Ducks @ #5 Michigan State Spartans
This key game in the 2nd week of the season is a rematch from week 2 of last year. Last year, Oregon defended their home turf expertly, riding their high-powered passing and running attack en route to a 46-27 win over Michigan State. However, the exceptional quarterback who fueled that attack, Heisman Winner Marcus Mariota, is now in the NFL. Fortunately for the Ducks they have a great new quarterback to take his place: Vernon Adams. Adams is a transfer from Eastern Washington University who decided to use his final year of college football eligibility to play for Oregon. He's had three very productive seasons at Eastern Washington, passing for over 100 touchdowns during his career there. Will Adams pilot his new team to a victory in hostile territory or will the Spartans' defense be able to form a phalanx and shut down the Ducks' offense? (If you want to know what I'm talking about just Google the "Battle of Thermopylae")
My pick: Michigan State
2. #19 Oklahoma Sooners @ #23 Tennessee Volunteers
This intriguing early season match-up features two programs going in opposite directions. The Volunteers are gaining momentum under 3rd year Head Coach Butch Jones. Last year, they earned a berth in their first bowl game in 4 years, and have a duo of running backs who are projected to have a great year in 2015. Oklahoma, on the other hand, watched their conference championship hopes for last year go up in smoke, posting a disappointing 8-5 record. Will the Volunteers continue their upward climb with an important victory over a top 25 team, or will the Sooners reclaim their lost momentum with a win on the road?
My pick: Tennessee
It's been the biggest question of the off-season: who will start at quarterback for the Buckeyes? Would it be former Big 10 Player of the Year Braxton Miller who couldn't play last year due to a shoulder injury suffered prior to the season? Or J.T. Barrett who led his team to an 11-1 regular season record last year, amassing substantial passing and rushing yards? Or Cardale Jones who quickly made a name for himself as he led his team to victories in the Big 10 Championship and the College Football Playoff Semifinal and Championship Games?
A couple of months ago, Miller made the transition to wide receiver, leaving the QB battle between Barrett and Jones. Jones won the battle, known only when he took the first snap against Virginia Tech in Monday night's game. Although the Buckeyes trailed at the half by a score of 14-17, Ohio State's offense quickly outpaced Virginia Tech's in the second half. Surprisingly, all three quarterbacks, even Miller, played during the game.
The list of touchdowns are as follows.
Extra Point
(A new optional feature of my blog posts)
Ohio State's embarrasment of riches at quarterback
It's been the biggest question of the off-season: who will start at quarterback for the Buckeyes? Would it be former Big 10 Player of the Year Braxton Miller who couldn't play last year due to a shoulder injury suffered prior to the season? Or J.T. Barrett who led his team to an 11-1 regular season record last year, amassing substantial passing and rushing yards? Or Cardale Jones who quickly made a name for himself as he led his team to victories in the Big 10 Championship and the College Football Playoff Semifinal and Championship Games?
A couple of months ago, Miller made the transition to wide receiver, leaving the QB battle between Barrett and Jones. Jones won the battle, known only when he took the first snap against Virginia Tech in Monday night's game. Although the Buckeyes trailed at the half by a score of 14-17, Ohio State's offense quickly outpaced Virginia Tech's in the second half. Surprisingly, all three quarterbacks, even Miller, played during the game.
The list of touchdowns are as follows.
- 24 yard TD pass by Jones in which he threw the ball off his back foot and across his body and was caught by receiver Curtis Samuel who was the victim of pass interference.
- 80 yard TD run by talented running back Ezekiel Elliot.
- 54 yard TD pass that was thrown by Jones to Miller.
- 53 yard TD run by Miller, featuring a totally awesome spin move. (See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wq6ComNZ_Vs
- 10 yard TD run by Jones.
- 26 yard TD pass by Barrett
Viewing this list, it is obvious that the Buckeyes have 3 different talented players who can take snaps at quarterback. With all that firepower, will the Buckeyes repeat as national champions? Yes they will, providing they don't make a major mistake during a game which has tripped up many a great team in the past.
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