Results of Last Week's Game to Watch
#25 Navy Midshipmen @ Memphis Tigers
This American Conference showdown started fast, with Navy taking a 10-7 lead after just 3 total possessions. The rest of the first half saw only a field goal scored by Memphis, bringing the score to a 10-10 tie at the break.
The 3rd quarter started badly for the Midshipmen. Early in Navy's possession, quarterback Zach Abey's pass was intercepted by Memphis linebacker Austin Hall who returned it to Navy's 12 yard line. Two plays later, Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson completed a pass to Darrell Henderson for a ten yard touchdown.
The Midshipmen couldn't muster any response on their ensuing drive, but a great punt by Owen White pinned the Tigers at the own 1 yard line. The punt paid dividends when Ferguson was forced to throw the ball out of bounds to avoid getting tackled in his own endzone. Ferguson was still in the pocket when he threw it, which merits an intentional grounding penalty. By rule, intentional grounding in the endzone is a safety for the opposing team, worth 2 points. Being awarded a safety also meant that Navy would receive a kickoff from Memphis.
The Navy triple-option offense then went to work, running the ball play after play, wearing down the Memphis defense. Quarterback Zach Abey muscled his way into the endzone on the 10th play of the drive and the Midshipmen now had a 19-17 lead.
Riley Ferguson responded to the adversity well, throwing 5 straight completions on the Tigers' next drive. But eventually, two incompletions necessitated a field goal attempt. Kicker Riley Patterson nailed the 42 yarder, giving Memphis a 20-19 lead.
The Memphis defense followed up the success of their offense by ending the success of Navy's potent running attack with a defensive stop. After receiving the ensing punt, the Memphis picked up where they left off. Five plays into the drive, the Tigers had charged into Navy territory thanks to a personal foul penalty against a Navy player. The next 2 plays were as tasty as a nice juicy steak for the Tigers. Top receiver Anthony Miller caught a pass from Ferguson on the first, and wide receiver Phil Mayhue used a spectacular toe drag along the left sideline to haul in the pass on the second. It was not long before Miller caught his 2nd touchdown pass of the day.
Navy started to self-destruct on their next drive when Abey fumbled deep in his own territory. Memphis defender Curtis Akins fell on the loose ball and the Tigers had secured any momentum they didn't already have. Despite the exceptional field position, the Tigers weren't able to take full advantage and settled for a field goal.
Memphis now led 30-19 and appeared to be on their way to a victory. However, the Tigers had a turnover of their own midway through the 4th quarter. Afterwards, the Navy offense found their sea legs and put together a touchdown drive, adding 2 points on a successful conversion attempt. Memphis' lead was now down to 3 and they punted on their next drive, giving Navy a chance to set sail on a game-winning drive. But the Midshipmen's dream were short-lived as Abey threw an interception on the first play to none other than linebacker Austin Hall.
Memphis simply ran the rest of the clock out and roared like Tigers as they celebrated an important victory over a military academy that always fields tough football teams.
Final Score: Memphis 30, Navy 27
The Navy triple-option offense then went to work, running the ball play after play, wearing down the Memphis defense. Quarterback Zach Abey muscled his way into the endzone on the 10th play of the drive and the Midshipmen now had a 19-17 lead.
Riley Ferguson responded to the adversity well, throwing 5 straight completions on the Tigers' next drive. But eventually, two incompletions necessitated a field goal attempt. Kicker Riley Patterson nailed the 42 yarder, giving Memphis a 20-19 lead.
The Memphis defense followed up the success of their offense by ending the success of Navy's potent running attack with a defensive stop. After receiving the ensing punt, the Memphis picked up where they left off. Five plays into the drive, the Tigers had charged into Navy territory thanks to a personal foul penalty against a Navy player. The next 2 plays were as tasty as a nice juicy steak for the Tigers. Top receiver Anthony Miller caught a pass from Ferguson on the first, and wide receiver Phil Mayhue used a spectacular toe drag along the left sideline to haul in the pass on the second. It was not long before Miller caught his 2nd touchdown pass of the day.
Navy started to self-destruct on their next drive when Abey fumbled deep in his own territory. Memphis defender Curtis Akins fell on the loose ball and the Tigers had secured any momentum they didn't already have. Despite the exceptional field position, the Tigers weren't able to take full advantage and settled for a field goal.
Memphis now led 30-19 and appeared to be on their way to a victory. However, the Tigers had a turnover of their own midway through the 4th quarter. Afterwards, the Navy offense found their sea legs and put together a touchdown drive, adding 2 points on a successful conversion attempt. Memphis' lead was now down to 3 and they punted on their next drive, giving Navy a chance to set sail on a game-winning drive. But the Midshipmen's dream were short-lived as Abey threw an interception on the first play to none other than linebacker Austin Hall.
Memphis simply ran the rest of the clock out and roared like Tigers as they celebrated an important victory over a military academy that always fields tough football teams.
Final Score: Memphis 30, Navy 27
Most Exciting Game of the Week
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ #11 Miami Hurricanes
Two weekends ago, Miami snatched a victory away from Florida State, a rival they hadn't defeated in 7 years, by way of a last-second touchdown pass from quarterback Malik Rozier to wide receiver Darrell Langham. The looming question for Miami was whether or not they could handle Georgia Tech and their crafty triple-option rushing attack so soon after celebrating a monumental victory.
Early in the 2nd quarter, it appeared that Miami had not handled success well. They were trailing 14-3 due to an offense which could hardly do anything right and a defense that couldn't stop the triple-option. But much to the delight of the home fans, the Hurricanes began to do things rights on offense, scoring 10 unanswered points during the remainder of the quarter.
Coming out of the locker room, the Hurricanes were only down by a point, but would have to kick the ball to the Yellow Jackets. Knowing Georgia Tech was apt to control time of possession in a game, Miami Head Coach Mark Richt decided to try an onside kick to catch Georgia Tech off guard. The kick would need to travel right around ten yards to give Miami a chance to legally recover it. Miami kicker Michael Badgely attempted the onside kick, but the ball traveled definitely less than ten yards. It hit a Miami player in the foot and bounced into an area of empty grass. Thinking quickly, Georgia Tech's Lamont Simmons picked up the ball and raced 42 yards to score a gift-wrapped touchdown.
Early in the 2nd quarter, it appeared that Miami had not handled success well. They were trailing 14-3 due to an offense which could hardly do anything right and a defense that couldn't stop the triple-option. But much to the delight of the home fans, the Hurricanes began to do things rights on offense, scoring 10 unanswered points during the remainder of the quarter.
Coming out of the locker room, the Hurricanes were only down by a point, but would have to kick the ball to the Yellow Jackets. Knowing Georgia Tech was apt to control time of possession in a game, Miami Head Coach Mark Richt decided to try an onside kick to catch Georgia Tech off guard. The kick would need to travel right around ten yards to give Miami a chance to legally recover it. Miami kicker Michael Badgely attempted the onside kick, but the ball traveled definitely less than ten yards. It hit a Miami player in the foot and bounced into an area of empty grass. Thinking quickly, Georgia Tech's Lamont Simmons picked up the ball and raced 42 yards to score a gift-wrapped touchdown.
After this blunder that I can only describe as the worst onside kick attempt I have ever seen, Miami trailed by 8. Each team scored a field goal in the 3rd quarter and Georgia Tech's lead remained unchanged.
At the start of the 4th quarter, Miami's offense was approaching midfield, trying to mount a drive that could possibly tie the game. Right around that time, a late afternoon rain shower, quite typical in south Florida, began to drench the field. Soon, players were splashing, slipping, and sliding as they continued to play. Almost as if the Hurricanes were energized by the weather, the Miami offensive line opened a big hole that running back Travis Homer sped through en route to a 27 yard touchdown dash. Miami would try for a two point conversion, but failed when a pass by Rozier fell incomplete.
The Hurricanes were still down by 2 and the Yellow Jackets were not about to let that lead slip away. Georgia Tech forced Miami to punt on their next two drives, but Miami's defense played just as tough and forced 3 punts.
At this point, only 2 1/2 minutes remained in the game and Miami had the ball, affording them one last chance to construct a game-winning drive.
The first part of the drive went well for the Hurricanes. Three completions from Rozier to top wide receiver Braxton Berrios provided the spark to get the drive moving. Then, 3 straight completions from Rozier to receiver Christopher Herndon IV pushed the ball forward to the Georgia Tech 34 yard line. Another completion to Berrios appeared to have brought Miami into field goal range, but an illegal block penalty on Miami brought it back.
Three plays later and Miami was facing a do-or-die 4th and 10. Rozier caught the shotgun snap but didn't find any open receivers right away and scrambled out of the pocket. With the Georgia Tech defensive line bearing down on him, Rozier elected to loft a pass toward the hero of the previous week's game: wide receiver Darrell Langham. Langham was surrounded by two defenders, and, as I watched the ball sail through the air, I had major doubts as to Langham's chances of catching it.
Langham and the defenders leapt into the air. First, the ball bounced off a defender's helmet, glancing off toward Langham. Then, it hit Langham's helmet and bounced right into his view.
Now falling backwards, Langham had the skills and composure to come down with a catch. Miami fans jumped to their feet as the commentators tried to describe the miraculous catch.
A key 12 yard run by Homer 2 plays later, made Badgley's forthcoming field goal attempt about the same distance as an extra point. Badgley redeemed himself for the terrible onside kick by hitting the ball straight and true through the uprights. Miami players soon raced onto the field, celebrating the resurgence of Miami football.
Final Score: Miami 25, Georgia Tech 24
Top 2 Games to Watch: Week 8
1. #19 Michigan Wolverines @ #2 Penn State Nittany Lions
Michigan has had a season of ups and downs. In Week 1 they defeated the Gators with a dominating defense performance. Two weeks ago, the Wolverines' offense struggled mightily in a disappointing 14-10 loss to rival Michigan State. However, Michigan bounced back with an overtime victory over Indiana last week.
Will Michigan be able to roll into a massive stadium filled with over 100,000 Penn State fans and be able to keep this game close? Or will the Nittany Lions' Heisman frontrunner, running back Saquon Barkley, prove too much for the Wolverines to handle?
My pick: Penn State
2. #11 USC Trojans @ #13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Even though these two teams are located at opposite sides of the country, they have faced off in games dating back to 1926. This has created a rare long distance rivalry that is rich in tradition and excitement.
Will the Trojans jump back into the playoff discussion with a much-needed big win? Or will the Fighting Irish win this highly-contested battle and stake their own claim for a playoff spot?
My pick: USC
Extra Point
Texas A&M Aggies @ Florida Gators
Florida's chances to get back into the win column looked pretty good early in the 4th quarter when they scored a rushing touchdown to take a 17-10 lead. Unfortunately, those were the last points the Gators scored in the game, and Texas A&M's 3 field goals during the rest of the 4th quarter was enough to spell defeat. I think a 3rd straight SEC East Division title is all but out of the question now for the Gators.
Final Score: Texas A&M 19, Florida 17
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