Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #15 Houston Cougars
Although not the earliest game of the day (Boston College battled Georgia Tech over in Dublin starting at 7:30 a.m. our time) the result of this top 15 matchup proved which team woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
Oklahoma owned a 17-13 lead after a quarter and a half, but after their first drive which resulted in a touchdown, the Sooners offense struggled to find consistency. The scrappy and determined Houston defense was making life difficult for the opposing quarterback-running back duo of Baker Mayfield and Semaje Perine. The Cougars managed two field goals late in the half, included a 47 yarder right before halftime, giving them a 19-17 lead.
The first Oklahoma drive of the second half starting promisingly, but stalled at the Houston 36 yard line. Head Coach Bob Stoops decided to try for a long 53 yard field goal. I thought almost immediately that a Houston returner would have a chance to return the kick for a touchdown if the kick was short, just like what happened in the spectacular upset of Alabama by Auburn three years ago (read about it here) Sure enough, Houston put speedy cornerback Brandon Wilson in the back of the endzone. And just as I expected, the kick was short. The Oklahoma kicking team noticed the returner just after he caught the ball and by then it was too late. Wilson sped down the field next to his team's sideline, his path cleared by ten Houston blockers. He raced into the endzone and celebrated wildly with his teammates.
Why the Oklahoma coaching staff didn't warn their players to be prepared for a possible return is beyond me. It just proves that those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it.
Oklahoma receiver Jarvis Baxter fumbled the ball on the next drive and twelve plays later, Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. cashed in the turnover for seven points. After a largely uneventful 4th quarter, the feisty Cougars were celebrating yet another marquee victory over a prominent foe. A playoff spot is not out of the question for Houston if their winning ways continue.
Final Score: Houston 33 Oklahoma 23
2. #18 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #22 North Carolina Tar Heels
This weekend was chock full of games that looked great on paper and didn’t disappoint on the field. This was one of them.
At the half, the Bulldogs had built a 14-10 lead on the shoulders of running backs Nick Chubb and Brian Herrian. However, on the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, North Carolina would change things in a hurry. Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan received the kickoff cleanly, found a hole, and ran 95 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing Georgia drive, the North Carolina defense stiffened, forcing a field goal which sophomore William Ham missed. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky and running back Elijah Hood led the Tar Heels on a quick TD drive ended with a T.J. Logan touchdown.
Georgia responded with a twelve play touchdown drive that cut the deficit to three. When North Carolina got the ball back they quickly found themselves back up against their own endzone after two costly penalties. Then came the boneheaded play call of a screen pass in the endzone which resulted in an easy safety for Georgia (2 points). Three possessions later, Georgia snagged a two point lead on a field goal of a shorter distance by William Ham. After a quick three-and-out by the Tar Heels, Nick Chubb put the game away with a powerful 55 yard touchdown run.
At the end of it all, Chubb led the Bulldogs with 222 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns, outdistancing T.J. Logan by over 120 yards. I guess we know who the big dogs are after this game.
Final Score: Georgia 33 North Carolina 24
Most Exciting Game of the Week
#10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Texas Longhorns
Last season, the Longhorns limped along to a 5-7, especially disappointing to a program with as storied a tradition as Texas. But with the arrival of a new recruit from a nearby high school, highly-touted quarterback Shane Buechele, things were fixing to change.
After the first half, Buechele had accumulated one touchdown through the air and one on a quarterback sneak. For his part, Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer played great in the first half too, tossing two brilliant touchdown passes to the same receiver. The difference was a short touchdown scored by Texas' running quarterback Tyrone Swoopes with a minute left in the half.
Little more than thirty seconds into the 3rd quarter, Buechele threw a long pass to receiver John Burt who caught the ball in stride and ran the rest of the way for a 72 yard touchdown. The drive after a three-and-out by the Irish, Texas kicked a field goal and Notre Dame found themselves down by 17 points. Then, the offense and defense of Notre Dame came alive. After three quick TD drives surrounding two punts and a turnover by Texas, the Fighting Irish had a 35-31 lead. Almost on cue, Buechele and running back Derrick Foreman used their respective skills to score a touchdown in under two minutes. The extra point after this touchdown is worth noting. Notre Dame blocked the extra point and defender Shaun Crawford returned it to the opposite endzone, giving his team two points. The score was now tied at 37 and would remain so until the end of regulation.
In the first overtime, it took only one play for Notre Dame to score a touchdown while Tyrone Swoopes scored for Texas on a four play drive (remember, drives in overtime start at the opponent 25 yard line). The second overtime contained the deciding moment. Notre Dame managed only three yards in three plays, forcing them to kick a field goal. This gave Texas the golden opportunity they were waiting for. Swoopes ran the ball three times on the final possession, scoring the clinching touchdown on a six yard run where he stretched the ball across the goal line as he was tackled.
The Longhorns rushed the field and surrounded Swoopes as they celebrated. Soon, Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong was being hoisted up onto his players' shoulders not unlike how the Longhorns have dramatically changed the expectations for their season.
Final Score: Texas 50 Notre Dame 47 (2OT)
After the first half, Buechele had accumulated one touchdown through the air and one on a quarterback sneak. For his part, Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer played great in the first half too, tossing two brilliant touchdown passes to the same receiver. The difference was a short touchdown scored by Texas' running quarterback Tyrone Swoopes with a minute left in the half.
Little more than thirty seconds into the 3rd quarter, Buechele threw a long pass to receiver John Burt who caught the ball in stride and ran the rest of the way for a 72 yard touchdown. The drive after a three-and-out by the Irish, Texas kicked a field goal and Notre Dame found themselves down by 17 points. Then, the offense and defense of Notre Dame came alive. After three quick TD drives surrounding two punts and a turnover by Texas, the Fighting Irish had a 35-31 lead. Almost on cue, Buechele and running back Derrick Foreman used their respective skills to score a touchdown in under two minutes. The extra point after this touchdown is worth noting. Notre Dame blocked the extra point and defender Shaun Crawford returned it to the opposite endzone, giving his team two points. The score was now tied at 37 and would remain so until the end of regulation.
In the first overtime, it took only one play for Notre Dame to score a touchdown while Tyrone Swoopes scored for Texas on a four play drive (remember, drives in overtime start at the opponent 25 yard line). The second overtime contained the deciding moment. Notre Dame managed only three yards in three plays, forcing them to kick a field goal. This gave Texas the golden opportunity they were waiting for. Swoopes ran the ball three times on the final possession, scoring the clinching touchdown on a six yard run where he stretched the ball across the goal line as he was tackled.
The Longhorns rushed the field and surrounded Swoopes as they celebrated. Soon, Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong was being hoisted up onto his players' shoulders not unlike how the Longhorns have dramatically changed the expectations for their season.
Final Score: Texas 50 Notre Dame 47 (2OT)
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 2
1. #17 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: 9/10 at 8 p.m. on ABC
The only reason I need to give why this game will be interesting is the fact that they are playing it on the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway! A first of its kind college football experience for sure!
My pick: Tennessee
2. Penn State Nittany Lions @ Pittsburgh Panthers: 9/10 at Noon on ESPN
Pittsburgh running back James Conner fought a successful battle against cancer to return to the football field. Seeing him score a touchdown to add to his running total would be a sight to behold.
My pick: Pittsburgh
I enjoyed seeing Ohio State wallop on Bowling Green. Makes me excited for their scoring potential this season.
ReplyDeleteYeah, poor Bowling Green. After seeing how well Barrett played, I think we can expect great things from the Buckeyes this year. I'll be more confident if I see the same production during Big Ten conference play.
ReplyDelete