Results of Last Week's Games to Watch
1. #3 Louisville Cardinals @ #5 Clemson Tigers
Billed as the biggest game of the year so far, this crucial battle of ACC frontrunners lived up to and surpassed expectations.
After a scoreless first quarter, Louisville took the early lead on a short touchdown run by running back Jeremy Smith at the end of a drive fueled by the running and passing abilities of superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. Following that, however, Clemson took control of the 2nd quarter. The Tigers went on to score 4 touchdowns before the half, 3 on beautiful touchdown passes by senior playmaker Deshaun Watson and the other on a short scoring run by talented running back Wayne Gallman. Seeing how the last Clemson touchdown was mere seconds before the end of the half, I figured that the momentum was clearly in Clemson’s favor.
On the other hand, these situations are breeding grounds for overconfidence. Furthermore, five years of following college has taught me that no lead is safe. It turned out to be true in this case.
The Cardinals came soaring back in the next 20 minutes of play, their offense reaching new heights while the Tigers were plagued by complacency on offense. Louisville scored 19 unanswered points to take a 29-28 lead.
When Watson, Gallman, and the rest of the Tigers offense came back onto the field, urgency marked their faces. But on just the second play of the drive, Watson's pass was intercepted by top cornerback Jaire Alexander, his second interception of the day. Four plays later, Jackson darted through the right side of the defense to score an 11 yard touchdown. Now down by eight, Clemson looked like they were in serious trouble.
When Watson, Gallman, and the rest of the Tigers offense came back onto the field, urgency marked their faces. But on just the second play of the drive, Watson's pass was intercepted by top cornerback Jaire Alexander, his second interception of the day. Four plays later, Jackson darted through the right side of the defense to score an 11 yard touchdown. Now down by eight, Clemson looked like they were in serious trouble.
On the ensuing kickoff, Clemson wide receiver Artavis Scott broke off a spectacular return and was finally pushed out by the kicker after a 77 yard return. Just two snaps later, Watson fired a bullet over the middle to receiver Mike Williams who muscled his way in for the touchdown. However, when Watson's pass was batted then intercepted on the two point conversion attempt, the Tigers still trailed by 2. The Clemson defense would have to come up with a stop.
And stop them they did. On 3rd and 2, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins raised his muscular arm into the air and batted down Jackson's pass that would surely have been caught for a first down. After the ensuing punt, Watson and Gallman took 7 plays to lead the offense to the Louisville 35 yard line.
On the next play, Watson realized Louisville had 12 men on the field (a 5 yard penalty) and the defense was very confused. So he called for the center to snap the ball, caught the shotgun snap, and lofted a pass to wide receiver Jordan Leggett. Leggett outran the defender covering him and ran untouched into the endzone. Easy as pie, right?
Head coach Dabo Swinney decided to go for two again and this time it worked. The Tigers now led 42-36, but over 3 minutes still remained on the clock.
On the next play, Watson realized Louisville had 12 men on the field (a 5 yard penalty) and the defense was very confused. So he called for the center to snap the ball, caught the shotgun snap, and lofted a pass to wide receiver Jordan Leggett. Leggett outran the defender covering him and ran untouched into the endzone. Easy as pie, right?
Head coach Dabo Swinney decided to go for two again and this time it worked. The Tigers now led 42-36, but over 3 minutes still remained on the clock.
Louisville took that remaining time and used it effectively. Lamar Jackson continued to use his strong arm and fast legs to lead the Cardinals into the redzone after just 7 plays. But after 3 ineffective plays and a false start penalty made them go a yard in reverse, the Cardinals were running out of chances. On 4th and 11th, Jackson scrambled to the right and threw a pass to wide receiver James Quick near the left sideline. Quick caught it and looked like he could make it past the 1st down marker. But at the last moment, trailing cornerback Marcus Edmond pushed Quick out of bounds a half a yard short. The Tiger defense celebrated around Edmond while thousands of Clemson fans within the confines of the affectionately named Death Valley cheered wildly.
After Watson took a knee to run the rest of the clock out, Clemson fans rushed the field as they are known to do after big wins. Coach Swinney gave another impassioned postgame interview surrounded by a mass of fans and the Tigers continued their run of impressive regular season performances.
Final Score: Clemson 42 Louisville 36
2. Oklahoma Sooners @ #21 TCU Horned Frogs
Although this game was loaded with points and gigantic changes of momentum, it couldn't match the finish of the Clemson game. As is the case in most of the Big 12 Conference, both teams have high powered offenses combined with porous defenses. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and TCU quarterback Kenny Hill turned the field into a playground where they could have a proper duel. Hill had the hot hand at first and the Horned Frogs hopped out to a 21-7 lead.
Then Mayfield and Sooners running back Semaje Perine responded with an explosion of production on offense, helping Oklahoma to a 28-3 scoring run that gave them a 35-24 halftime lead. The Sooners lengthened their lead with 2 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, but 3 touchdown drives and a 2 point conversion by TCU in the 4th quarter got the Frogs back within 3. But when all was said and done, the ending wasn't all that dramatic. The Sooners kicked a late field goal and held on to win by 6. This just proves that you should never count a good team out.
Then Mayfield and Sooners running back Semaje Perine responded with an explosion of production on offense, helping Oklahoma to a 28-3 scoring run that gave them a 35-24 halftime lead. The Sooners lengthened their lead with 2 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, but 3 touchdown drives and a 2 point conversion by TCU in the 4th quarter got the Frogs back within 3. But when all was said and done, the ending wasn't all that dramatic. The Sooners kicked a late field goal and held on to win by 6. This just proves that you should never count a good team out.
Final Score: Oklahoma 52 TCU 46
Most Exciting Game of the Week
North Carolina Tar Heels @ #12 Florida State Seminoles
A key inter-divisional clash in the ACC between perennial front runner Florida State and young upstart North Carolina turned out to be more than Seminole fans had bargained for.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Seminoles trailed 28-14, having been outplayed by the Tar Heels for most of the game.
However, a sense of panic was noticeably absent among the Florida State players. The Seminoles have built a reputation in the past few years of mounting successful comebacks in any situation. It was almost as if the players were saying, "We've got them right where we want them."
However, a sense of panic was noticeably absent among the Florida State players. The Seminoles have built a reputation in the past few years of mounting successful comebacks in any situation. It was almost as if the players were saying, "We've got them right where we want them."
On two successive drives separated by a Tar Heels punt, the Seminoles marched down the field with gusto. Quarterback Deondre François was on target with his passes and running back Dalvin Cook used strong bursts of his well-known speed to tear through the Tar Heels defense. Cook finished each drive with a short TD run, bringing the score to a 28 point draw.
Not about to give the game away, North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky and his offense went to work. After a holding penalty on the offense early in the drive, Trubisky fired 3 straight completions that set them up in prime Florida State territory. On the 7th play of the drive, Trubisky threw a screen pass to wide receiver Thomas Jackson. Jackson broke two tackles, picked up a key block from a fellow receiver, and sped down the sideline for a 34 yard touchdown. But kicker Nick Weiler's extra point was blocked, and the Tar Heels' lead was a precarious 6.
Two and a half minutes remained and the Florida State offense knew what it had to do. On the first third down on the drive, François lobbed a screen pass to Cook who took it all the way down to the North Carolina 33 yard line. On top of that, Tar Heels defensive lineman M.J. Stewart was flagged for roughing the passer, a 15 yard penalty, moving the ball into the redzone. Seven plays later, the Seminoles had the ball at the Tar Heels 2 yard line, facing a 2nd and Goal.
As the chosen play called for, François scrambled to right, looking for an open receiver. Once he saw that there were none, François knew it was time to run.
He dodged one tackle, ducked under another one and dove into the endzone for a touchdown! When Florida State kicker Ricky Aguayo nailed the extra point with only 23 seconds left, North Carolina was left with just the smallest glimmer of hope.
As the chosen play called for, François scrambled to right, looking for an open receiver. Once he saw that there were none, François knew it was time to run.
But 23 seconds is a long time in college football. Trubisky tossed a pass to wide receiver Mack Hollins, which netted 23 yards. 17 seconds left. Then a second pass to star receiver Ryan Switzer fell incomplete. 9 seconds left. On the next play, Trubisky tried to throw a deep pass to Hollins again, but the ball hit the turf. Much to the dismay of Seminole fans, officials called defensive pass interference on cornerback Patrice Rene, a 15 yard penalty. With the ball now on the Florida State 37 yard line, North Carolina Head Coach Larry Fedora was faced with a decision. Should they try for a Hail Mary or attempt a very long 54 yard field goal?
Fedora decided to give kicker Nick Weiler a shot, even though he had missed a 51 yarder in the 3rd quarter. There were few who thought that Weiler would make the kick, me included. The snap was good, the hold was great and Nick booted it as hard and accurately as he could. The ball sailed through the air and I though it would narrowly miss to the right. Wrong! The ball made it between the uprights and above the cross bar with room to spare!
The Tar Heels raced onto the field, led by Nick Weiler who mocked the Seminoles' Tomahawk Chop as he ran down the sideline!
A truly remarkable win that is one of the most unbelievable victories of the year.
Final Score: North Carolina 37 Florida State 35
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 6
1. #25 Virginia Tech Hokies @ #17 North Carolina Tar Heels: 10/8 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Can North Carolina notch another important victory against a quality ACC foe one week after shocking Florida State or will Virginia Tech march into Chapel Hill and nab an upset?
My pick: North Carolina
2. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #16 Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas has a real chance to knock off the puffed up juggernaut called Alabama in front of a crowd itching to see the Crimson Tide washed out to sea. Can quarterback Austin Allen and the duo of Arkansas running backs (Rawleigh Williams III and Kody Walker) score enough points to outlast Alabama or will the Crimson Tide.... bleh I can't even write it.
My pick: Arkansas!!!
4th Down Conversion
(new section describing an additional wild ending)
#11 Tennessee Volunteers @ #25 Georgia Bulldogs
With 15 seconds left on the clock Georgia freshman quarterback Jacob Eason lobbed a pass that looked very much like a Hail Mary into the waiting arms of wide receiver Riley Ridley for a 47 yard touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff, Tennessee kick returner Evan Berry managed to return the ball close to midfield. Combined with a 5 yard offside penalty on Georgia, this gave Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs the ball at the Georgia 47 yard line. On the final play of the game, Dobbs heaved the ball 50 yards into the endzone. At just the right moment, Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings leaped in front of the wall of Georgia defenders and came down with the game winning touchdown!
The Tennessee players spilled onto the field alongside head coach Butch Jones who went down to a knee in a combination of celebration and relief. The Volunteers' dream of having a magical season had come to life. (Not to mention they still have a good chance to knock off Alabama in 2 weeks)
The Tennessee players spilled onto the field alongside head coach Butch Jones who went down to a knee in a combination of celebration and relief. The Volunteers' dream of having a magical season had come to life. (Not to mention they still have a good chance to knock off Alabama in 2 weeks)
Extra Point
A shout-out to Uncle Dave and cousins Mark and Mike Horgan
Buffalo Bulls @ Boston College Eagles
One week after a scoring a hard-fought upset over undefeated Army, the Buffalo Bulls charged headlong into Boston College's Alumni Stadium to take on the resurgent Eagles.
Despite fighting hard, Buffalo could score only 3 points against a Boston College defense that can shut down any offense and ended up losing 35-3. However, with Mid-American Conference play set to begin for the Bulls next week, plenty of opportunities remain for the Bulls to reach a bowl game.
Despite fighting hard, Buffalo could score only 3 points against a Boston College defense that can shut down any offense and ended up losing 35-3. However, with Mid-American Conference play set to begin for the Bulls next week, plenty of opportunities remain for the Bulls to reach a bowl game.
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