Week 9 2016

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

1. #4 Washington Huskies @ #17 Utah Utes 

This highly anticipated matchup between the leaders of the North and South divisions of the PAC 12 Conference was close throughout.  The Huskies scored the first points of the game on a touchdown run by the master of the spin move, running back Myles Gaskin. Then, early in the 2nd quarter, Washington hit pay-dirt again when Heisman candidate quarterback Jake Browning connected with wide receiver John Ross for a 16 yard touchdown.  Utah scored 10 points late in the half, thanks to the powerful running of Joe Williams. 

Utes quarterback Troy Williams gave Utah the lead with a short TD pass halfway through the 3rd quarter but Browning answered with a TD pass of his own.  Washington extended their lead with a field goal early in the 4th quarter and the home crowd started to get nervous.  Troy Williams responded by leading the Utes on a touchdown drive that lasted only 4 minutes.  The Utah fans clad in bright red came to life.  The stadium got even louder when the Huskies came up short on a 3rd down during their next drive.  However, Washington kept their offense on the field, looking like they were going to go for it on 4th down.  Much to the defense's surprise, Browning punted the ball.  The punt was perfect and the Huskies were able to down it at the 2 yard line.  Sensing an opportunity to change the momentum of the game, the Washington defense forced a 3 and out.  The resulting punt by Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky landed in the hands of Washington returnman Dante Pettis. Pettis retreated for a moment before racing past tacklers all the way to the endzone.  After that amazing play, plenty of time remained for Utah to tie the game up but the Washington defense was not about to let that happen.  The Huskies shut the door with a timely sack and were soon celebrating their 8th win of the season.

Final Score: Washington 31 Utah 24

2. #7 Nebraska Cornhuskers @ #11 Wisconsin Badgers

The first half of this game was typical Big Ten action: football predicated on commitment to the running game and solid defense.  Wisconsin held a 10-7 lead at the break and had the momentum on their side.  Right after the half, Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook and running back Dare Ogunbowale helped the Badgers put together a quality drive.  After 3 straight productive scampers by Ogunbowale, Hornibrook evaded the pass rush and fired a pass through a tight space to wide receiver Robert Wheelwright for a touchdown.  

After the teams traded punts, Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr knew it was now or never.  He used his strong arm and quick feet to cut through the stingy Wisconsin defense and constructed a brilliant touchdown drive.  After getting into the redzone by completing a pass to wide receiver Jordan Westercamp, Armstrong ran it in himself three plays later.   The Nebraska defense stepped up in the 4th quarter, snagging an interception and forcing a missed field goal.  Nebraska scored a field goal in the meantime and the game went into overtime. 

Wisconsin got the ball first in overtime and scored a touchdown after only 4 plays on an eleven yard touchdown run by Ogunbowale.  But Wisconsin kicker Andrew Endicott missed the extra point.  Just like Oregon last week, Nebraska had a chance to win the game.  However, the Wisconsin defense refused to break and 3 plays later Nebraska was left with one chance to get a first down.  Armstrong took a shot into the endzone but the pass was broken up!  The Badgers celebrated triumphantly while the Cornhuskers went back to eating corn.

Final Score: Wisconsin 30 Nebraska 24 (OT)

Most Exciting Game of the Week 

#3 Clemson Tigers @ #12 Florida State Seminoles 

If you go back, I've written about the Clemson vs. Florida State every year I've run this blog.  Every year the stakes are high and each team is loaded with dynamic players.  On top of that, the contests always go down to the wire.

Clemson started off very strong.  The Clemson offensive line gave star quarterback Deshaun Watson plenty of time to pass and ample space to run.

Combine that with the fact that running back Wayne Gallman returned from injury and it was no surprise that the Seminole defense was on their heels for all of the 1st quarter. Clemson's first drive of the day ended in a short TD run by Gallman, while the second culminated in an easy touchdown pass from Watson to top receiver Hunter Renfro. 

By the 2nd quarter, however, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook arguably the best running back in the nation, was finally warmed up.  His offensive line began to block more effectively and Cook hit the gaps hard.  Cook's running fueled two 2nd quarter Florida State drives that resulted in touchdowns, including one right before the half.  A field goal was Clemson’s only points of the 2nd quarter.

The Tigers managed another field goal early in the 3rd quarter but then they hit a dry spell.  Florida State defensive back Tarvaris McFadden came down with an interception to end Clemson’s next drive.  One play later, Cook took advantage of great blocking to speed down the right sideline for a touchdown that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The next Clemson drive ended in a punt.  One play after that, Cook raced down the left sideline for another long touchdown run.  

In the blink of an eye, the Tigers had gone from leading by six to trailing by eight.  But the leadership of head coach Dabo Swinney and Deshaun Watson helped the Tigers offense regain their composure.  Watson converted three 3rd down conversions on the next drive.  Gallman ran it in for a touchdown but Clemson failed to score the 2 point conversion. 

Still leading by 2, the Seminoles were unable to move the ball due to a questionable penalty call made all the worse by the ridiculous antics of Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher.  Fisher yelled at a referee for so long that he was finally nailed for a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. 

The Tigers were able to get 3 points out of their next drive to take a one point lead.  With only five minutes remaining, the Seminoles were running out of time.  Florida State got into the redzone thanks to a pass interference penalty on Clemson and a long run by fullback Freddie Stevenson.

Cook grabbed the next handoff and powered through two Clemson defenders for his 4th touchdown of the day.  The Seminoles were back on top, but decided to go for 2 to try and stretch their lead to 7.  Quarterback Deondre François lofted a pass that fell incomplete due to miscommunication between him and wide receiver Travis Rudolph. The door had been left open for Clemson to put together a game-winning touchdown drive. 

Faced with another situation that could make or break Clemson’s quest for a National Championship, Deshaun Watson finished strong yet again.  Two long completions by Watson to wide receiver Jordan Leggett got the ball into Seminole territory.  Then, Watson zinged a pass to Leggett who dodged a pair of defenders and strode into the endzone.

The fans in orange who made the trip to Tallahassee cheered at the top of their lungs. The Tigers added two more points on a completion from Watson to wide receiver Mike Williams.

Florida State only needed a field goal to send it to overtime, but the Clemson defense was getting ready to show their mettle.  Two incompletions by François followed by two sacks by the Clemson defense, and Florida State's comeback attempt fell short.  Amazingly, the Tigers are looking even more resilient and talented than last year.  Go Tigers!!

Final Score: Clemson 37 Florida State 34

Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 10

1. #9 Nebraska Cornhuskers @ #6 Ohio State Buckeyes

Will Nebraska bounce back from their loss to Wisconsin by knocking Ohio State from the Championship hunt or will Ohio State defend their home turf and get their mojo back?

My pick: Ohio State!!

2. UCLA Bruins @ #21 Colorado Buffaloes 

Will the Buffaloes win another game to continue their surprising candidacy for PAC 12 South Division Champion or will the Bruins eke out an even more surprising upset?

My pick: Colorado 

Extra Point

Akron Zips @ Buffalo Bulls

The Akron Zips, leaders of the MAC East division, came to Buffalo expecting to be able to impose their will on a struggling Bulls team.  Both individually and collectively the Bulls said, "Not so fast!"  Buffalo's quarterback Tyree Jackson and running back Jordan Johnson had productive first halves, each recording one touchdown on the ground.  That combined with exceptional defense gave the Bulls held a 20-10 lead at the half.  After a largely uneventful 3rd quarter, Jackson bolted down the field on a 38 yard TD run early in the 4th quarter.  Akron answered with a touchdown drive not long after, but it would the last points of the night for the Zips.  Jackson recorded his firs touchdown pass of the day less than two minutes later.  Johnson added a long rushing touchdown 5 minutes later and soon the Bulls were celebrating a resounding win.  If they keep on winning, a bowl berth is a distinct possibility.

Final Score: Buffalo 41 Akron 21