College Football Week 18 – Is Brian Schottenheimer Florida’s next OC?
Twenty-Six Bowls in a Fortnight,And a few Presents from Santa
Near the end of my previous blog on December 19, I mentioned that the six schools still looking for a new head coach should be close to announcing their choices. Sure enough, no sooner than I filed the blog then two of the six schools – Southern Miss and Hawaii – named their new coaches.
South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was named the new head coach at Southern Miss. Johnson previously coached at Southern Miss, serving as the school’s defensive coordinator in 1988 and 1989. Johnson is well-traveled throughout the South – better than Jack Daniels. In addition to South Carolina and Southern Miss, he has been the defensive coordinator at Alabama, Clemson, Mississippi State and Appalachian State. Johnson also was the head coach of The Citadel from 2001 to 2003.
Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow is the new head coach at Hawaii. Chow has made the rounds as an offensive coordinator, serving as OC at BYU, N.C. State, USC, UCLA and the Tennessee Titans. Still waiting for Santa to bring them a coach for Christmas are Akron, Houston, Penn State and Pitt.
Five days before Christmas and Ohio State got its present early. It was all coal and switchers for the Buckeyes. We knew the Buckeyes had been naughty last year and so did Santa. The NCAA slapped Ohio State with a one-year probation that includes a bowl ban for the 2012 season – Urban Meyer’s first. But that will leave Urban more time to spend with his family next Christmas.
The Buckeyes also were stripped of nine scholarships over three seasons, which will limit the size of their recruiting classes for the next three years. That was an increase to the five scholarship reductions Ohio State had already self-imposed.
The bowl ban came as a surprise to Ohio State officials, or so they made it appear. But most college football analysts felt it was warranted – well warranted. There is wide-spread speculation that Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee and athletic director Gene Smith will get the axe within the year. Stay tuned!
Speaking of stripped, I think Swamp Mama stripped me of some of my bourbon balls. It was time for the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl and my supply was getting low. They weren’t going to last me for two weeks and 26 bowls. Down early in the game, Marshall rallied, played well in the second half and beat Florida International, 20-10. I think there were more football players on the field than there were spectators in the stands at the Beef-O Bowl.
Before the game, reports had FIU coach Mario Cristobal as the leading candidate to get the Pitt job. Some said it was a done deal. But Cristobal must have done himself in, losing to Marshall. The next day, December 21, Pitt announced that Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst was the Panthers new coach. So much for Super Mario. Chryst becomes Pitt’s fourth coach within a year – Dave Wannstedt, Michael Haywood, Todd Graham and Chryst.
Not long after the Pitt announcement, Houston named its new coach – Tony Levine. Levine was the assistant coach and special teams coach at Houston under Kevin Sumlin.
Santa only had Akron’s and Penn State’s stockings to fill now.
While, two schools gained a coach on December 21, one school – Yale – lost its coach. The Bulldogs’ coach Tom Williams resigned, or was he fired, over a resume brouhaha. Williams, who became the Yale coach in 2009, had listed himself as a Rhodes Scholarship finalist on his resume. However, the Rhodes Trust said that Williams was never a Rhodes candidate, much less a finalist.
The issue came to the surface in November prior to the annual Yale-Harvard game. Yale quarterback Patrick Witt, an actual Rhodes finalist, was scheduled to have his Rhodes Scholarship interview at the same time as the Yale-Harvard game. Witt elected to play in the game and forgo the interview, thus passing on the opportunity to win a Rhodes Scholarship.
Someone wrote about Witt’s coach – Williams – being a Rhodes candidate. The Rhodes Trust got wind of this and said that Williams never was a Rhodes candidate. And now Williams is no longer the coach at Yale. Shades of George O’Leary lying on his resume and being fired by Notre Dame only a few days after he was hired to coach the Irish.
As expected, TCU beat Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl, 31-24. Not expected, however, the Bulldogs gave the Horned Frogs a run for their money. Louisiana Tech led throughout much of the game. The Bulldogs were fired up; the Frogs weren’t. But the Frogs won.
The next day, December 22, Terry Bowden became the new coach at Akron. Bowden, a former head coach at Auburn and a college football analyst on ABC, has been the coach of Division II North Alabama the past three seasons.
So that just leaves Penn State still looking for a coach. It’s kind of strange. It’s been a long time. Maybe no one wants to coach the Nittany Lions. No one that is except Tom Bradley, the interim coach.
The search committee interviewed Bradley on December 22. Hopefully, that was just a matter of courtesy. Bradley would be nothing more than a pawn for Joe Paterno. Penn State needs to flush out Bradley and the entire football staff. The school needs to cleanse itself of all the Paterno incest.
USC got its Christmas present. Quarterback Matt Barkley announced he is passing on the NFL draft and returning for his senior season with the Trojans. Fight on! USC will be ranked No. 1 in preseason polls as a result. And the Trojans are off probation next year. Stay tuned!
Santa was good to Kansas coach Charlie Weis. Quarterbacks Dayne Crist (Notre Dame) and Jake Heaps (BYU) announced they are transferring to Kansas. Crist, who chose the Jayhawks over Delaware and Wisconsin, will be able to play next year, his last. Heaps will sit out a year and be available to play in 2013.
Well, disaster struck. I ran out of bourbon balls on December 22 prior to the Poinsettia Bowl. Disaster struck for Arizona State too. The Sun Devils were humiliated by Boise State, 56-24. Outgoing ASU coach Dennis Erickson looked lost and befuddled on the sidelines. He looked and acted like he didn’t belong there. Obviously, he didn’t.
Friday morning, December 23, Swamp Mama and I left Brevard County and drove north to the Panhandle to spend Christmas with Princess Gator, Bama Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe. We experienced some heavy fog on 192 between Melbourne and St. Cloud. Once we were on the Turnpike, the visibility was good.
Visibility was good, but the traffic was reasonably heavy going north on the Turnpike and I-75 to Lake City. We had light rain showers on I-10 from Lake City to Tallahassee. Then the sun came out west of Tallahassee for the remainder of the drive to Jackson County.
Christmas Eve, Southern Miss beat Nevada, 24-17, in the Hawaii Bowl. After a shaky 1-3 start on my bowl picks, I’ve improved to 4-3 with the Southern Miss win. Twenty-eight bowls to go. And no more bourbon balls.
Christmas Day was a magical day for Gator Gabe and Gator Babe. Few things warm the heart more than seeing the eyes of children on Christmas morning.
After a break for Christmas, the bowl action resumed on December 26. Missouri beat North Carolina, 41-24, in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport.
Two days after Christmas, it was time for Swamp Mama and me to head back to Brevard County. We hit the road early in the morning on December 27. Heavy rain had passed through during the night. As we drove east on I-10, we were chasing the rain. We had clear skies behind us, mixed skies overhead and cloudy skies ahead of us.
Fortunately, the traffic was light on I-10. We caught up with the rain just east of Tallahassee, and it remained our companion – off and on – the rest of the way home.
Once we turned onto I-75 South, the traffic situation changed – dramatically. It was wall-to-wall cars heading south on I-75. Why do Yankees insist on coming to Florida over the Christmas holidays?
We stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Lake City for a late breakfast. Leaving the Cracker Barrel, I bought a Gainesville Sun. When we travel, I always by the local or nearby newspaper wherever we stop. Earlier that morning, I bought a Panama City News Herald in Chipley.
Swamp Mama works the crossword puzzles while I drive. I eventually read the newspapers after we get to our destination. Swamp Mama doesn’t like it when I buy the Gainesville Sun. The Sun carries the New York Times crossword puzzle. They are more challenging than the other crossword puzzles.
As we were making our way down I-75, I looked over at Swamp Mama. She was working on the crossword puzzle. Or should I say, struggling with the crossword puzzle. I could see the frustration on her face. I couldn’t help but say, “How are you and Will Shortz getting along?” Swamp Mama gave me a look that could kill.
Later, Swamp Mama and Bootsie began texting. Bootsie and Rockledge Gator were driving south on I-75 too, only they were up in Georgia. But the traffic was so heavy on I-75 in Georgia, that they got off and were taking the back roads. Damn Yankees!
Home at last. No matter how good a time you had, it’s always good to be home. Western Michigan was practically home in the Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit. But the Broncos lost to Purdue, 37-32. That evening, N.C. State beat Louisville in the Belk Bowl, 31-24.
The next day – December 28 – reports were rampant that Penn State was interested in Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak. But Munchak, a former Penn State player, wasn’t interested in becoming the Nittany Lions’ coach. Supposedly the next choice of the Penn State search committee was Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.
LSU got some good news. Columbus, Indiana, high school quarterback Gunner Kiel, the No. 1 rated high school quarterback in the country, committed to the Tigers. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Kiel previously had committed to Indiana, but had since withdrawn that commitment.
As it turns out, Tom Clements has no interest in becoming the Penn State coach. This is beginning to sound like a broken record. So now, word is the search committee is going after former New York Jets and Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini. Stay tuned!
Toledo beat Air Force in the Military Bowl, 42-41. The Falcons scored with 52 seconds remaining and went for the win instead of the tie. Air Force lined up to kick the extra point, but it was a fake. The Falcons should have converted, but the holder got bottled up running the option. He should have pitched the ball to the kicker sooner. Later, Texas won the Holiday Bowl, beating California, 21-10. I’m 8-4 on my bowl picks.
December 29 and Mangini is still the man for Penn State. No word out of Mangini.
Florida State beat Notre Dame, 18-14, in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando. Is Brian Kelly any better than Charlie Weis? Kelly is 16-10 after two seasons in South Bend. Then, in one of the wildest football games ever, Baylor outscored Washington in the Alamo Bowl, 67-56. The two teams combined for 1,397 yards of offense. I’m getting better – 10-4 on my bowl picks.
December 30 and Mangini is still the Nittany Lions man. No word from Mangini. But Penn State acting athletic director David Joyner announced that a new coach would not be chosen by January 3, a self-imposed deadline the search committee had established. Joyner said the search is down to a handful of candidates.
Offensive lineman Barrett Jones announced he will return to Alabama for his senior season. Jones won the Outland Trophy this season, as the nation’s best interior lineman.
In the first of four bowl games on Friday, BYU edged Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl, 24-21. Rutgers bounced Iowa State, 27-13, in the Pinstripe Bowl. Next up, Mississippi State won the Music City Bowl, beating Wake Forest 23-17. In the nightcap, Oklahoma beat Iowa, 31-14, in the Insight Bowl.
The most amazing thing in the Insight Bowl occurred with 2:22 on the clock in the fourth quarter. The SkyCam camera came crashing down onto the field – camera and cables all. I’ve never seen that happen before. Fortunately, the aerial camera didn’t hit anyone. It took several minutes to get the camera and cables off the field.
And even more amazing, the Oklahoma win makes me 14-4 on my bowl picks. If only I had some bourbon balls to celebrate. Sometimes we have to sacrifice.
Since ESPN college football analyst Craig James made his decision to run for the U.S. Senate, the Web and print media have had a heyday, making a joke out of James’ announcement. James has entered the Republican primary in Texas for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kaye Bailey Hutchinson. Several sports writers have written blogs and columns making fun of James, calling him a buffoon.
Many are relieved we will no longer have to put up with James on ESPN. Not one believes that James has a chance in hell of becoming the nominee. Most claim that James is generally hated by everyone.
I have to admit, when I try to associate Craig James with the U.S. Senate in my mind, I can’t help but think: “Libya, Libya. What’s a Libya?” Or: “Uz-beki-beki-beki-stan.” If James fails to win the primary as expected, I don’t know where he will show up next, other than it sure won’t be on Mike Leach’s staff at Washington State.
More allegations against Jerry Sandusky have surfaced. Is there no end to this? And while we’re on the subject, Penn State has become the brunt of jokes in several recent blogs and columns for its failure to find someone who wants to be the Nittany Lions coach. Maybe Penn State’s football program should just take a leave of absence or a sabbatical for a year?
But there is hope yet for the Nittany Lions. Mike Munchak now says he is having second thoughts about the Penn State job. He may be interested after all. But Munchak may be too late. USA Today and ESPN report that the Penn State search committee has settled on New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien as its choice for the job.
I see the connection already. O’Brien is a graduate of Brown. And we know who else is a Brown graduate – Joe Paterno. Interesting!
Five bowl games were played on New Year’s Eve. The action commenced in Houston, where Texas A&M downed Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, 33-22. It was the Aggies last football game as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
Utah won the Sun Bowl, beating Georgia Tech, 30-27 in overtime. Then, Cincinnati beat Vanderbilt, 31-24, in the Liberty Bowl. But look for Vanderbilt to become a very competitive team under James Franklin. The Commodores may cease to be everyone’s homecoming opponent.
In the “We Fired Our Coaches Bowl,” Illinois slumbered past UCLA, 20-14. Actually, it was the Fight Hunger Bowl. I’m not sure either team wanted to win this game. Neither played like it wanted to win. In the nightcap on New Year’s Eve, Auburn blew out Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, 43-24. Just when we thought Auburn was imploding, the Tigers looked good.
So I suffered a few losses on New Year’s Eve. I’m now 16-7 on my bowl picks.
January 1 didn’t feel like New Year’s Day this year. There was no Rose Parade. There were no bowl games. It still felt like December 31. Whenever January 1 falls on a Sunday, it just doesn’t feel like New Year’s Day.
I don’t know what it felt like to Steve Sarkisian’s defensive coordinator, but I’m sure it didn’t feel good. Two days after Washington gave up 67 points to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl, Sarkisian fired his defensive coordinator Nick Holt. He also canned his linebackers coach and defensive backs coach.
Ahhh! January 2 – the New Year’s Day of 2012. Time for a New Year’s Day brunch – some Bloody Marys! – some Mimosa’s! Time to kick back and watch some New Year’s Day…..I mean…..January 2 football. Life is good!
Following reports of Bill O’Brien being the choice of the Penn State search committee, Nittany Lions athletic director David Joyner claims the committee has not made a choice. To make matters more interesting, O’Brien claims he has no interest in the job.
In between bowl games, I’ve enjoyed reading a book Bootsie and Rockledge Gator gave me for Christmas – “A Wine Miscellany - A Jaunt Through the Whimsical World of Wine” by Graham Harding.
Among other things, I have learned the world’s largest wine list is at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, Florida. The restaurant’s wine list contains 2,500 pages. The list includes a 1792 Madeira (the oldest wine), two hundred wines by the glass and at least one wine with a price over $10,000 – a Gruaud-Larose 1851.
Speaking of the New Year, Georgia coach Mark Richt is excited about the prospects of 2012. He says the Dawgs will be knocking on the door of the national championship next season. Of course it would help if they beat Michigan State first in the Outback Bowl. And speaking of the Outback Bowl, I think they should take the losing team to Outback. The winning team should be taken to Bern’s Steak House.
Oddsmakers have made Mitt Romney the favorite to win today’s Iowa Caucus Bowl. Game time temperature is forecast to be in the mid-to-upper 30s with partly cloudy skies.
To say that Florida fans were upset with the 2011 Gators is an understatement. Florida only sold 8,000 of its allotted 15,000 Gator Bowl tickets. That’s embarrassing when you consider the Gator Bowl is not only played in Florida, but also is only 70 miles from Gainesville.
Ohio State, which normally travels well, wasn’t much better. The Buckeyes only sold 7,000 of their 15,000 tickets. But I’d say Buckeye fans were rather frustrated too. Still, the bowl should have good attendance, as 50,000 tickets were sold through the Gator Bowl organization. That should assure an attendance of at least 65,000. The Gator bowl seats about 82,000.
Yesterday was another bad day for the Big Ten Conference. Last year, the Big Ten went 0-5 in the New Year’s Day bowls. This year the Big Ten was 1-4. That makes the conference 1-9 over the past two seasons in New Year’s Day bowls.
The lone bright spot for the Big Ten yesterday was Michigan State. The one embarrassment for the SEC was Georgia. The Spartans beat the Bulldogs in the Outback Bowl, 33-30 in triple overtime. Not surprising since Georgia couldn’t beat any good teams all season. Mark Richt should have kept his mouth shut. The Dawgs weren’t knocking on any championship doors yesterday.
The four Big Ten losers yesterday were Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Houston humiliated Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl, 30-14. Florida beat Ohio State, 24-17, in the Gator Bowl. South Carolina topped Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, 30-13. And Oregon outscored Wisconsin, 45-38, in the Rose Bowl. It was Wisconsin’s second-straight year, losing the Rose Bowl.
Just when I thought it can’t get any more exciting than Michigan State-Georgia and Oregon-Wisconsin, along comes Oklahoma State and Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cowboys beat the Cardinal, 41-38 in overtime. Stanford never trailed in the game until the very end. Both quarterbacks – Andrew Luck and Brandon Weeden – were sensational. Okie State receiver Justin Blackmon was sensational too.
Well, the latest is Bill O’Brien won’t be the next coach at Penn State. But San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman may be. And Justin Wilcox won’t be Derek Dooley’s defensive coordinator at Tennessee next season. Wilcox is leaving the Vols program to become Steve Sarkisian’s new defensive coordinator at Washington.
And finally, Florida coach Will Muschamp may have his new offensive coordinator – a former backup quarterback for the Gators under Steve Spurrier. New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is rumored to be at the top of the list for the offensive coordinator job at Florida. Brian is the son of former longtime coach Marty Schottenheimer.
20-9 on the bowl picks, with six to go.
Happy New Year!
Touchdown Tom
January 3, 2012No Buffalo Burgers for the Panthers (in the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl) – Marshall 20, Florida International 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida International 29, Marshall 16). So much for FIU coach Mario Cristobal getting the Pitt job. After the way the Panthers played, I don’t imagine he would get a high school job. It was a good win for the Thundering Herd and coach Doc Holliday. MU freshman quarterback Rakeem Cato has a future. A crowd of 20,072 attended the game in St. Petersburg.
Kermit rules (in the Poinsettia Bowl) – TCU 31, Louisiana Tech 24 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 30, Louisiana Tech 21). Louisiana Tech may have been the best little team nobody heard of this season. The Bulldogs gave TCU a scare – a serious scare. But in the end, the Frogs took care of business. La Tech coach Sonny Dykes looks a lot like his father – Spike. TCU finished the season 11-2. The Horned Frogs played their last football game as a member of the Mountain West Conference. A crowd of 24,607 attended the game in San Diego.
No Sun for the Devils (in the Las Vegas Bowl) – Boise State 56, Arizona State 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 35, Arizona State 17). Arizona State was never in the game. Outgoing Sun Devil coach Dennis Erickson looked like a sad figurehead on the sidelines. The two quarterbacks – Brock Osweiler and Kellen Moore – combined for 688 yards passing. Boise State finished the season 12-1. A crowd of 35,720 attended the game in Las Vegas.
Eagles hack the Pack (in the Hawaii Bowl) – Southern Miss 24, Nevada 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Southern Miss 32, Nevada 22). A tight game throughout, the score was tied 17-17 at the end of the third quarter. Nevada’s Lampford Mark rushed for 183 yards. Southern Miss finished its season at 12-2. A crowd of 32,630 attended the game in Honolulu.
UNC Withers away (in the Independence Bowl) – Missouri 41, North Carolina 24 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 24, Missouri 23). And now you know why the Tar Heels’ interim coach Everett Withers didn’t become full-time coach Everett Withers. Missouri built up a 31-10 halftime lead and coasted in the second half. The Tigers’ James Franklin passed for 132 yards and rushed for 142. Missouri’s defense held the Tar Heels to 36 yards rushing. The football game was Missouri’s last as a member of the Big 12 Conference. A crowd of 41,728 attended the game in Shreveport.
Boilers are spoilers (in the Little Caesars Bowl) – Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 27, Western Michigan 20). In a game of turnovers, WMU had seven – five by quarterback Alex Carder – and Purdue had four. Purdue led 27-15 at the half, then hung on in the second half to beat the Broncos. The Boilers defense held WMU to 46 yards rushing. Western Michigan is now 0-5 in postseason play. A crowd of 46,177 attended the game in Detroit.
Wolfpack shuffles the Cards (in the Belk Bowl) – N.C. State 31, Louisville 24 (Touchdown Tom said: N.C. State 22, Louisville 15). N.C. State led 31-10 late in the third quarter. The Cardinals held the Wolfpack to 65 yards rushing. But the passing of State’s Mike Glennon made up for the lack of rushing. Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien is now 8-2 in bowl games. A crowd of 58,427 attended the game in Charlotte.
Falcons blinded by the Rockets red glare – (in the Military Bowl) – Toledo 42, Air Force 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 35, Air Force 25). With the game tied 28-28 at the half, this one looked like it was going to end like a basketball score. But the two offenses cooled their heels in the second half. Either that or the defenses got better. Toledo finished its season at 9-4. A crowd of 25,042 attended the game in Washington, DC.
Ash tarnishes the Bears – (in the Holiday Bowl) – Texas 21, California 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 27, California 22). The Longhorns’ defense was awesome, holding Cal to 7 yards rushing. And it appears Mack Brown made a wise decision, starting quarterback David Ash in place of Case McCoy. Ash even caught a touchdown pass, thrown by receiver Jaxon Shipley. The Golden Bears didn’t help their cause any, turning over the ball five times. A crowd of 56,313 attended the game in San Diego.
Noles flatten the Hunchbacks (in the Champs Sports Bowl) – Florida State 18, Notre Dame 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 27, Notre Dame 23). With 11 minutes to go in the third quarter, Notre Dame was winning 14-0. It didn’t look good for the Noles. But everything changed after that – positive for FSU, negative for the Irish. The Noles still have running problems – only 41 yards rushing. But what they lacked on the ground, the 249 yards through the air made up for the difference. FSU finished the season at 9-4. A crowd of 68,305 attended the game in Orlando.
March Madness (in the Alamo Bowl) – Baylor 67, Washington 56 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 34, Washington 22). Yeah, this was more like a score you see in the Road to the Final Four. Both defenses obviously came to San Antonio to drink margaritas. It was definitely a game of swings. Baylor led 21-7 at the end of the first quarter. Washington led 42-24 early in the third quarter. Then the Bears caught the final swing, outscoring the Huskies 43-14. Both quarterbacks were excellent, but Washington’s Keith Price was a big surprise. Baylor finished its season at 10-3. A crowd of 65,256 attended the game in San Antonio.
Cougars suck the wind out of the Hurricane (in the Armed Forces Bowl) – BYU 24, Tulsa 21 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 32, Tulsa 27). The BYU defense held Tulsa to 37 yards rushing. The Cougars won in spite of a poor performance by its quarterback Riley Nelson. Nelson threw two interceptions and only completed 42 percent of his passes. BYU finished its season, its first as an Independent, at 10-3. A crowd of 30,258 attended the game in Dallas.
The Scarlet Knights were bright off Broadway (in the Pinstripe Bowl) – Rutgers 27, Iowa State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Rutgers 26, Iowa State 23). The first quarter belonged to Iowa State. But it was all Rutgers after that. The Knights outscored the Cyclones 27-7 in the final three quarters. Iowa State’s Jawan Jamison rushed for 131 yards. Rutgers finished its season at 9-4. And the Scarlet Knights have won five-straight bowl games. A crowd of 38,328 attended the game in New York City.
Mutts kick the Deacons butts (in the Music City Bowl) – Mississippi State 23, Wake Forest 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 29, Wake Forest 13). The Miss State defense held Wake to 63 yards rushing. The Bulldogs’ Vick Ballard rushed for 180 yards. A crowd of 55,208 attended the game in Nashville.
Sooners shoot the Bird (in the Insight Bowl) – Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 25, Iowa 17). Defense won the game for the Sooners. Iowa was held to 76 yards rushing. OU quarterback Landry Jones was ineffective. The Sooners only led 21-14 late in the fourth quarter. Then OU scored two late touchdowns. Oklahoma finished its season at 10-3. A crowd of 54,247 attended the game in Tempe.
Aggies drain the Wildcats batteries (in the Meineke Car Care Bowl) – Texas A&M 33, Northwestern 22 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 22, Texas A&M 21). Texas A&M should have dumped Mike Sherman at the beginning of the season. The Aggies looked a lot better without him. A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, after suffering through a disappointing season, had a great game. Tannehill threw for 329 yards, completing 68 percent of his passes. Neither team had a ground game. Northwestern rushed for only 52 yards and the Aggies only had 80 yards on the ground. Northwestern should refuse invites to bowls. The Wildcats can’t win bowl games. A crowd of 68,395 attended the game in Houston.
Utes take the hon’ out of the Bees (in the Sun Bowl) – Utah 30, Georgia Tech 27 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 23, Utah 20). Georgia Tech won the statistics, but Utah won the game. The Yellow Jackets led the Utes 24-10 halfway through the fourth quarter. Tech’s Preston Lyons (138) and Tevin Washington (96) combined for 234 yards rushing. Utah’s John White rushed for 115 yards. A crowd of 48,123 attended the game in El Paso.
The Commodores checked into the Heartbreak Hotel (in the Liberty Bowl) – Cincinnati 31, Vanderbilt 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 32, Vanderbilt 29). Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros returned for the Bearcats, but was ineffective. Collaros only threw for 80 yards, completing only 41 percent of his passes. But running back Isaiah Pead made up for the difference, rushing for 149 yards. Cincinnati finished its season with a 10-3 record. A crowd of 57,103 attended the game in Memphis.
The Bruins lose their heart in San Francisco (in the Fight Hunger Bowl) – Illinois 20, UCLA 14 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 24, Illinois 21). Illinois’ quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase was a one-man show for the Banned Indians. Scheelhaase passed for 139 yards and rushed for 110 yards. This was the most boring of the bowl games to date. UCLA only had 18 yards rushing. A crowd of 29,878 attended the game in San Francisco.
Tigers char grill the Cavaliers (in the Chick-fil-A Bowl) – Auburn 43, Virginia 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 24, Virginia 22). Virginia had the passing game and Auburn had the ground game. Cavalier quarterback Mike Rocco threw for 312 yards. Auburn rushed for 273 yards. About midway through the second quarter, with the score tied 14-14, Auburn took off and left Virginia in its wake. A crowd of 72,919 attended the game in Atlanta.
Cougars Case the Lions (in the Ticket City Bowl) – Houston 30, Penn State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 21, Houston 20). The Cougars only had 68 yards rushing, but that is not a problem when you have 532 yards passing. Houston quarterback Case Keenum completed 65 percent of his passes. Penn State really didn’t belong in the game. The Nittany Lions only scored 14 points against one of the worst defenses in the country. Penn State was outscored 75-21 in its last two games of the season, losing to Wisconsin and Houston. The Cougars finished their season at 13-1. A crowd of 46,817 attended the game in Dallas.
Spartans grill Uga on the barbie (in the Outback Bowl) – Michigan State 33, Georgia 30 (3OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 26, Georgia 25). Neither team ran well, but both passed well. Each had less than 75 yards rushing, but more than 335 yards passing. The Spartans trailed Georgia, 16-0 at the half. State scored a touchdown with 0:14 remaining in the game and tied the score with the extra point conversion. This was one of the best and most exciting bowl games to date. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio was 0-4 in bowl games at Michigan State, coming into the contest. State finished its season at 11-3. A crowd of 49,429 attended the game in Tampa.
Spurrier’s revenge (in the Capital One Bowl) – South Carolina 30, Nebraska 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, South Carolina 26). This was a close contest until the fourth quarter. Nebraska led at the end of the first quarter, 13-9. South Carolina led at the half, 16-13. Then the Gamecocks scored 14 points in the fourth, leaving the Huskers in their dust. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier lost to Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl at the end of the 1995 season, when the Huskers beat Florida, 62-24. The Gamecocks finished their season at 11-2. A crowd of 61,351 attended the game in Orlando.
Chomp! Chomp! (in the Gator Bowl) – Florida 24, Ohio State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 23, Ohio State 21). It’s a shame Charlie Weis didn’t leave Florida earlier in the season. Maybe the Gators would have won more games. Although the statistics were fairly even, Florida controlled the game throughout. The Gators never trailed the Buckeyes, and led 24-10 until 0:57 left in the game. With all he has been through this season, it was good to see Florida quarterback John Brantley have a good day in his final game as a Gator. Ohio State is now 0-10 against SEC teams in bowl games. A crowd of 61,312 attended the game in Jacksonville.
Ducks bud (in the Rose Bowl) – Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 33, Wisconsin 30). The two teams combined for 1,129 yards of offense. But it was hard to stop the Ducks when not one, but two runners rush for more than 150 yards each – LaMichael James (159 yards) and Darron Thomas (155 yards). Thomas also threw for another 268 yards. Wisconsin’s Montee Ball rushed for 164 yards and Russell Wilson passed for 296 yards. With the score tied 28-28 at the half, the game had the looks of another Baylor-Washington encounter. The Badgers led 38-35 at the end of the third quarter. But then Oregon outscored Wisconsin 10-0 in the final quarter. Oregon finished its season at 12-2. A crowd of 91,245 attended the game in Pasadena.
Cowboys uproot the Trees (in the Fiesta Bowl) – Oklahoma State 41, Stanford 38 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 31, Stanford 28). Stanford placekicker Jordan Williamson, a freshman, missed a 33-yard field goal as time expired at the end of regulation that cost Stanford the game. Then, in overtime, Williamson missed a 42-yard field goal. In the ensuing series, the Cowboys kicked a field goal that won the game for Okie State. Andrew Luck only threw four incomplete passes all night (27-31). Amazingly, Okie State only had 13 yards rushing. Oklahoma State finishes its season at 12-1. A crowd of 69,927 attended the game in Glendale.
Impressive Passers: Houston’s Case Keenum – 45-69-0 for 532 yards; Baylor’s Keith Price – 23-37-0-438; Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden – 29-42-1-399; Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler – 30-47-1-395; Stanford’s Andrew Luck – 27-31-1-347, and Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill – 27-40-1-329.
Also, North Carolina’s Bryn Renner – 27-42-1 for 317 yards; Virginia’s Michael Rocco – 26-41-1-312; Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson – 19-25-1-296; Baylor’s Robert Griffin – 24-33-0-295; Boise State’s Kellen Moore – 26-34-2-293; Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 20-32-2-288, and Oregon’s Darron Thomas – 17-23-1-268.
Also, Oregon’s Darron Thomas – 155 yards; Boise State’s Doug Martin – 151 yards; Purdue’s Akeem Shavers – 149 yards; Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead – 149 yards; Washington’s Chris Polk – 147 yards, and Missouri’s James Franklin – 142 yards.
“I’m feeling like Tom Brady right now,” Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato, after the Herd’s win over FIU in the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl.
“I’ve tried to think what I would do, if one of my coaches had come to me and told me what happened. I would have gone to that guy (Sandusky), asked him if it was true and I would have told him to get away from here and don’t ever come back. And then I would have gone to the police,” former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, on how he would have reacted differently than Joe Paterno.
“With quarterback Matt McGloin getting in a fight and suffering a seizure and concussion after his head hit the floor, one has to wonder whether Penn State’s locker room is forever going to be a place where things go horribly wrong. And with the search for a football coach going nowhere, maybe the best way to attract a top candidate would be to bulldoze it and start fresh,” USA Today writer Tom Weir.
“What does it say when over 400 Penn State football players, rather than merely focusing on the 52 alleged counts of sexual abuse in the Jerry Sandusky child molestation case, seem more concerned about signing a letter in support of former coach Joe Paterno, who was fired amid perceptions that he did not do enough to stop his former assistant coach,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.
“Their (former Penn State football players) loyalty has become delusional. Loyalty has crippled people’s judgment,” former NFL fullback Heath Evans.
“I’m so excited to be a Zip,” Terry Bowden at the press conference introducing him as the new Akron coach.
“We are going to keep growing. The success helps us build our brand. That’s really important. We want to be embedded in the culture of the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania,” Temple coach Steve Addazio, on the Owls 8-5 season, culminating with a bowl win over Wyoming.
“When it comes to sexual molesting little kids, Penn State fans need to quit defending their school and remember this isn’t about the Blue and White; it’s about what’s wrong and right,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“Jon Gruden is a blowhard in the broadcast booth who spouts off when he doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Fox Sports NFL analyst Mike Pereira.
“I’m not saying nobody wants the Penn State coaching job, but I’m hearing the Nittany Lions are now targeting the special teams coordinator at Pahokee High School,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“Urban Gator Bowl: Ohio State-Florida: It’s the ‘Beatles at Shea,’ with Urban Meyer in the role of all four Beatles. He’ll arrive by helicopter, sing ‘Twist and Shout’ and ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ (he’ll lie) and then bask in the afterglow of his former and future kingdoms,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.
“The Cavaliers showed up looking like a Sherwin Williams plant had exploded on their uniforms. Virginia just didn’t know how to dress for a bowl game. But then, postseason appearances don’t come naturally for the Cavs,” Atlanta-Journal Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on Virginia’s uniforms in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
“Urban Meyer has turned the game from the Gator Bowl to the Traitor Bowl,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“We’re going to be knocking on the door of the greatest success you can have in college football,” Georgia coach Mark Richt, on the 2012 Bulldogs.
Elsewhere around college football . . . Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray won the Courage Award given by the Football Writers Association of America for his comeback from cancer…. Notre Dame has added Rice to its 2014 schedule. The game will be played in South Bend.
LSU coach Les Miles was named the Associated Press national coach of the year…. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin was named the Associated Press player of the year…. Texas A&M will open the 2012 season at home against McNeese State…. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was named the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award winner.
On the Internet – College Football Week now has a Website and can be found at www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com.
College Football Week 19 will be posted on the morning of January 10.
For auld lang syne, my friend,
Touchdown Tom
Not directly college football related, but with college football fans still hung over from the bowl games and New Year’s celebration, the number one song in the country…
…75 years ago this week in 1937 was “It’s De-Lovely” by Eddy Duchin
…70 years ago this week in 1942 was “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller
…65 years ago this week in 1947 was “The Old Lamp-Lighter” by Sammy Kaye
…60 years ago this week in 1952 was “Cry” by Johnny Ray & The Four Lads
…55 years ago this week in 1957 was “Singing the Blues” by Guy Mitchell
…50 years ago this week in 1962 was “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens
…45 years ago this week in 1967 was “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees
…40 years ago this week in 1972 was “Brand New Key” by Melanie
…35 years ago this week in 1977 was “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)” by Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis
…30 years ago this week in 1982 was “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John
…25 years ago this week in 1987 was “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles
…20 years ago this week in 1992 was “Black or White” by Michael Jackson
Dan Frazer, a character actor known for a long run of roles as a blue-collar type or a cop, most notably as the beleaguered supervising officer Capt. Frank McNeil on “Kojak,” died two weeks ago at his home in New York City. He was 90. Frazer was steadily employed on television from the 1950s into the 1990s, in both dramas and sitcoms, including “The Phil Silvers Show,” “Car 54, Where Are You?,” “Route 66,” “The Untouchables,” “The FBI,” “Barney Miller” and “Law & Order,” along with “Kojak.” He had roles in several films, including “Lilies of the Field” (1963) with Sidney Poitier. Daniel Thomas Frazer was born in New York City on November 20, 1921. He lived in Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s, but returned to New York in the 1980s.
Ralph MacDonald, a Grammy Award-winning percussionist and composer who was a behind-the-scenes guy on many hit records and to several pop stars in the 1970s and 1980s, and who co-wrote the hits “Where Is Love” and “Just the Two of Us,” died two weeks ago. He was 67. The cause was lung cancer. MacDonald was the percussionist on Bette Midler’s “Do You Want to Dance” (1972), David Bowie’s “Young Americans” (1975) and Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” (1977). He was known as “the ghost behind the million-selling albums.” He made contributions to records by Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Phoebe Snow, Rod Stewart, George Benson, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Luther Vandross and Amy Winehouse. Ralph Anthony MacDonald was born in New York City on March 15, 1944.
Don Mueller, the New York Giants outfielder who was known as Mandrake the Magician for his ability to slap a hit through an infield hole, died last week in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was 84. Mueller was one of the finest singles hitters of his era, and he seldom struck out. Donald Frederick Mueller was born on April 14, 1927, in St. Louis. He made his debut with the Giants in 1948. The Giants sold Mueller to the Chicago White Sox in March 1958. He retired early in the 1959 season with a career batting average of .296 for 12 seasons. He was an All-Star in 1954 and 1955. Mueller lived in Maryland Heights, Missouri, before entering a nursing home in Chesterfield.
Johnny Wilson, an All-Star forward who set a National Hockey League record by appearing in 580 consecutive games, and who played on four Stanley Cup championship teams with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1950s, died last week in Livonia, Michigan. He was 82. The cause was pulmonary fibrosis. After retirement from playing, Wilson was a NHL coach for the Los Angeles Kings, the Red Wings, the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His consecutive-game record was eclipsed in 1963. John Edward Wilson was born on June 14, 1929, in Kincardine, Ontario. He grew up in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Wilson lived in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, near Detroit.
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