Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #22 Temple Owls @ East Carolina Pirates
As is the case for many East Carolina home games, there was a "blackout" in effect. (A blackout is when all the fans are instructed to wear black shirts to the game). The cheers of the East Carolina faithful willed their team to a slim 14-10 lead that lasted from just before halftime until deep into the 4th quarter. After being held scoreless for nearly 2 full quarters, the Temple offense finally hit its stride, putting together a 7 play 71 yard drive that reached the endzone on a TD pass from quarterback P.J. Walker. The Pirates got a chance to respond with 3 minutes remaining, but couldn't manage a single 1st down. The ensuing punt was blocked by the Owls and recovered deep in Pirates territory. 2 plays later, the Owls put the game away on a TD run by J. Thomas.
Final Score: Temple 24 East Carolina 14
This win keeps Temple undefeated and makes their home game against Memphis in late November into a contest that might determine which team gets invited to a New Year's bowl game.
2. #6 Clemson Tigers @ Miami Hurricanes
Anyone who watched this game knows it was basically over after Clemson scored a touchdown with a trick play on their first drive. Clemson is a great team, but the effort of the Miami players was lackluster to put it nicely. Any chance the Hurricanes had of winning was gone before halftime as were most of their fans.
Final Score: Clemson 58 Miami zilch
Most Exciting Game of the Week
Auburn Tigers @ Arkansas Razorbacks
To describe this game as a marathon would be an understatement. SEC Conference games are usually hard-fought, but this one surpassed them all.
Let's pick things up early in the 4th quarter. Don't worry, there's still plenty to cover. Arkansas has just scored a field goal to take a 24-21 lead, leaving only a minute on the clock for Auburn to work with. The Tigers use their time wisely, marching down to the Razorbacks' 24 yard line in less than a minute. Kicker Daniel Carlson nails the 41 yard field goal and sends the game to overtime.
In overtime, each team gets one possession starting at their opponents' 25 yard line. Auburn gets the ball first and quickly scores a touchdown within 3 plays. The pressure is now on Arkansas to even the score or lose in front of the home crowd. The Razorbacks charge down to the 6 yard line after 5 plays. But a 3rd down incompletion brings up a last chance 4th and 3. Quarterback Brandon Allen fires a pass to a well covered receiver who catches it firmly for the touchdown. The game is going to a 2nd overtime.
In the each overtime, the order of possession switches by rule so Arkansas gets the first opportunity to score. This time, the Razorbacks tally a touchdown after 3 plays on a short scamper by running back Kody Walker (see below). The Tigers respond with a 6 play TD drive of their own that sends the game into triple overtime.
When the game enters a third overtime, teams have to go for 2 if they score a touchdown (this helps to make a 4th overtime less likely). The Tigers use their running game exclusively during their possession, adding another 7 points on a TD run by running back Peyton Barber. On the two point conversion attempt, wide receiver Melvin Ray catches a pass in the corner of the endzone from quarterback Sean White, creating a 46-38 Auburn lead.
Razorback fans shift nervously in their seats, hoping their team can somehow force a 4th overtime. Six plays later, the Razorbacks face another last chance opportunity, this time 4th and 2 from the 4 yard line. Instead of running straight up the middle, which is what most teams would do on 4th and short, Brandon Allen pitches the ball to Kody Walker who sprints untouched into the endzone. On the ensuing 2 point conversion, Arkansas turns to the passing game. Allen rolls out to the right and hopes a receiver will get open. At last, he finds one and fires a pass into the waiting hands of tight end Jeremy Sprinkle. The Arkansas fans jump up and down in delight, while the members of the Auburn offense heave a tired sigh, knowing their team will need them again.
The Auburn offense has to come back on the field sooner than they think, after watching Brandon Allen complete a 25 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Morgan on the 1st play of the drive. A successful 2 point conversion pass to Kody Walker extends the lead even further. Now it's the Tigers turn. Peyton Barber is held to a single yard on his 1st down carry. On 2nd down, Sean White lofts a deep pass to star receiver Ricardo Louis who has an opportunity to catch the ball in the endzone. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Louis fails to catch the ball.
After an incomplete pass on 3rd down, Auburn has one last chance to keep the game going. White's 4th down pass to Louis is broken up by Arkansas defensive back Josh Liddell. The Arkansas bench clears as the players use whatever energy they have left to celebrate a wild SEC victory.
Let's pick things up early in the 4th quarter. Don't worry, there's still plenty to cover. Arkansas has just scored a field goal to take a 24-21 lead, leaving only a minute on the clock for Auburn to work with. The Tigers use their time wisely, marching down to the Razorbacks' 24 yard line in less than a minute. Kicker Daniel Carlson nails the 41 yard field goal and sends the game to overtime.
In overtime, each team gets one possession starting at their opponents' 25 yard line. Auburn gets the ball first and quickly scores a touchdown within 3 plays. The pressure is now on Arkansas to even the score or lose in front of the home crowd. The Razorbacks charge down to the 6 yard line after 5 plays. But a 3rd down incompletion brings up a last chance 4th and 3. Quarterback Brandon Allen fires a pass to a well covered receiver who catches it firmly for the touchdown. The game is going to a 2nd overtime.
In the each overtime, the order of possession switches by rule so Arkansas gets the first opportunity to score. This time, the Razorbacks tally a touchdown after 3 plays on a short scamper by running back Kody Walker (see below). The Tigers respond with a 6 play TD drive of their own that sends the game into triple overtime.
When the game enters a third overtime, teams have to go for 2 if they score a touchdown (this helps to make a 4th overtime less likely). The Tigers use their running game exclusively during their possession, adding another 7 points on a TD run by running back Peyton Barber. On the two point conversion attempt, wide receiver Melvin Ray catches a pass in the corner of the endzone from quarterback Sean White, creating a 46-38 Auburn lead.
Razorback fans shift nervously in their seats, hoping their team can somehow force a 4th overtime. Six plays later, the Razorbacks face another last chance opportunity, this time 4th and 2 from the 4 yard line. Instead of running straight up the middle, which is what most teams would do on 4th and short, Brandon Allen pitches the ball to Kody Walker who sprints untouched into the endzone. On the ensuing 2 point conversion, Arkansas turns to the passing game. Allen rolls out to the right and hopes a receiver will get open. At last, he finds one and fires a pass into the waiting hands of tight end Jeremy Sprinkle. The Arkansas fans jump up and down in delight, while the members of the Auburn offense heave a tired sigh, knowing their team will need them again.
The Auburn offense has to come back on the field sooner than they think, after watching Brandon Allen complete a 25 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Morgan on the 1st play of the drive. A successful 2 point conversion pass to Kody Walker extends the lead even further. Now it's the Tigers turn. Peyton Barber is held to a single yard on his 1st down carry. On 2nd down, Sean White lofts a deep pass to star receiver Ricardo Louis who has an opportunity to catch the ball in the endzone. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Louis fails to catch the ball.
After an incomplete pass on 3rd down, Auburn has one last chance to keep the game going. White's 4th down pass to Louis is broken up by Arkansas defensive back Josh Liddell. The Arkansas bench clears as the players use whatever energy they have left to celebrate a wild SEC victory.
Final Score: Arkansas 54 Auburn 46 (4OT)
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 9
1. West Virginia Mountaineers @ #5 TCU Horned Frogs: 10/29 at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1 (available on most TV packages)
The Horned Frogs need to keep winning to stay hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff. They should be able to do it if their offense fires on all cylinders inside the friendly confines of Amon G. Carter Stadium on Thursday night. The only thing standing in their way is a West Virginia team that is good at scoring points, but not so good at playing defense.
My pick: TCU all the way
2. #11 Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs: 10/31 at 3:30 p.m. on CBS
This is a pivotal contest in the SEC that will likely determine which team will win the East Division and earn a trip to the SEC Championship Game. Can the Gators simply use their ground game to run roughshod over Georgia just as they did last year or will they have to rely on quarterback Treon Harris to connect on short passes (which he is quite capable of doing)? Georgia's offense will have to find a way to get out of their slump they are in if they are to have a chance in this game.
My pick: Florida
Extra Point
#9 Florida State Seminoles @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
To determine which play decided this game is easy. 6 seconds to go in the game the score is tied at 16 and Florida State is lining up for a long 56 yard field goal. Seminoles kicker Roberto Aguayo is one of the most reliable kicker in college football and is quite capable of hitting long field goals. But even Aguayo is bound by the laws of physics and has to make the trajectory on his kick lower so he can kick it far enough. Georgia Tech defensive lineman Patrick Gamble sticks his hand up at the just the right moment and blocks the kick. The ball bounces to the Georgia Tech 22 yard line, where defensive back Lance Austin picks it up. Ignoring Head Coach Paul Johnson's instructions to do the safe thing and fall on it, conceding overtime, Austin instead begins running toward the Florida State endzone. He picks up some blockers, dodges and weaves around potential tacklers, and crosses the goal line with no time left (sound familiar).
The Georgia Tech fans go crazy and quickly storm the field.
The finish was so spectacular you should watch it yourself. http://espn.go.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=400756962# .
The mascot sure had a good time.
Final Score: Georgia Tech 22 Florida State 16
Two-Point Conversion
(An additional bonus section)
I cannot forget to mention the other quadruple overtime game between Duke and Virginia Tech. Yes, 2 games in the same week went to 4 overtimes! In this case, the away team, Duke, won on a gutsy 2 point conversion run by quarterback Thomas Sirk.
Final Score: Duke 45 Virginia Tech 43 (4OT)
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