CFW Week 20 Results – Carson Beck is a Miami Hurricane
And classics they were
After a number of romps and routs in the College Football Playoff, the two semifinal games lived up to their hype. They were classics. Notre Dame’s Mitch Jeter kicked a 41-yard field goal with 0:07 remaining on the clock to beat Penn State, 27-24. Trailing Ohio State, 21-14, Texas was on the Buckeyes’ goal line with less than three minutes to go in the game. But with 2:13 on the clock, a Quin Ewers fumble was returned for a touchdown by Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer. Ohio State beat Texas, 28-14.
The two halves of the Notre Dame-Penn State game in the Orange Bowl were like two different games. The first half was all defense. The second half, especially the fourth quarter, was all offense. The teams combined for all of 17 points in the first half. In the second half, they tallied a combined 38 points. And 31 of those 38 points were scored in the fourth quarter.
Penn State led at the end of the first half, 10-7. Notre Dame led at the end of the second half, 27-24. The Irish couldn’t find the goal line in the first half because Notre Dame’s offensive line was inefficient. They couldn’t protect their quarterback – Riley Leonard. Leonard was under pressure on every passing play. Penn State only had 10 points at halftime because the Nittany Lion offense didn’t take advantage of the Notre Dame defense. In the first half, the Irish defense lacked the speed to contain Penn State, yet the Nittany Lions couldn’t score more than 10 points.
Against the Irish, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar needed to improve his passing game from the week before against Boise State. He didn’t. Against Boise State, Allar passed for 171 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 52% of his tosses. Against Notre Dame, in spite of having good protection from his offensive line, Allar passed for 135 yards and no touchdowns. And he still only completed 52% of his passes. Against Boise State, Allar threw no interceptions. Against Notre Dame, he threw one interception. More amazing – Penn State’s wide receivers had no catches against Notre Dame.
On the other hand, Riley Leonard, in spite of poor protection from his offensive line, passed for 223 yards and one touchdown. He completed 65% of his passes. He did throw two interceptions. But overall, Leonard’s passing performance against Penn State was better than his passing performance against Georgia the previous week.
Mixing running and passing, in the Orange Bowl, Ohio State moved the ball down the field on its first possession and scored with ease. The Buckeyes were up 7-0 with 7:24 to go in the first quarter. It looked like Texas was going to be another Tennessee and Oregon cupcake for Ohio State.
But after that Ohio State’s opening score, the Texas defense tightened up. Ohio State’s defense continued to play tough. The two offenses were immobile. Finally, with 29 seconds on the clock before halftime, Texas scored a touchdown to even things up at 7-7. However, on the very next play from scrimmage, after Texas kicked off to Ohio State, the Buckeyes scored on a 75-yard pass play from Will Howard to TreVeyon Henderson with 13 seconds to go. Just like that, the Buckeyes were back up by seven – 14-7.
The defenses continued to play tough throughout the third and fourth quarters. While the Buckeyes were held scoreless in the third quarter, Texas scored a touchdown at the 3:12 mark. As the fourth quarter began, Ohio State and Texas were tied, 14-14. Halfway through the fourth quarter, the game remained tied. Then, at the 7:02 mark, Ohio State scored a touchdown to go up 21-14.
In the closing minutes of the game, Texas got a drive going. With less than three minutes remaining, the Longhorns had a first-and-goal on the Ohio State one. For three downs, Texas failed to score. On fourth down, Quinn Ewers fumbled attempting to throw a pass. Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer knocked the ball out of Ewers’ hand. The ball fell to the ground and bounced up into Sawyer’s hands. Swayer scampered 83 yards for a Buckeye touchdown – Ohio State 28, Texas 14.
So, after going 0-4 against Texas while he was at Kansas State, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard finally got a win over the Longhorns.
Meanwhile, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian still can’t win a big game. Last year, Washington beat Texas in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. This year, Texas lost twice to Georgia – the second loss coming in the SEC championship game. Maybe Sarkisian should move on to the NFL.
Misery loves company. Sarkisian is not alone in his woes. Penn State coach James Franklin can’t win a big game either.
2024 wasn’t a good season for Texas Quarterback Quinn Ewers. When you have a first-and-goal on the one and you can’t score, you don’t deserve to win the game. At that point in the game, maybe Arch Manning should have been installed at the quarterback position.
Leading up to the Ohio State-Texas game, USA Today’s Matt Hayes wrote, “Before the Cotton Bowl game, SEC fans weren’t happy that Texas was the conference’s last hope in the College Football Playoff. In fact, the Cotton Bowl semifinal against loathsome Ohio State developed into which team makes you want to puke more – Texas or Ohio State.
Before the game, Michael Bratton, host and owner of That SEC Podcast, said that 80% of SEC fans are rooting against Texas to win it all. That SEC Podcast is the highest-rated SEC show on Apple and Spotify. “If it were anyone but Texas, things would be different,” Bratton said. “But the arrogance from the Texas fans has rubbed most SEC fans the wrong way.”
Ohio State will play Notre Dame for the national championship at 7:30 pm ET, January 20, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck will be quarterbacking the Miami Hurricanes next season. Originally, Beck said he was entering the NFL draft. Then, several days ago, he announced his entry into the transfer portal. Friday, we learned Beck is transferring to Miami. He will receive an NIL package of $4 million at Miami.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Deion Sanders is interested in the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching vacancy. Sanders’ agent has contacted the Raiders to express Deion’s interest in the job. Tom Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders has worked with and mentored Deion’s son Shedeur Sanders. The Raiders have the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft. In an interview last week, Deion said, “The only way I would consider leaving Colorado is to coach my sons. Not son. Sons.”
Singer Sam More, best known as a member of the soul and R&B duo Sam & Dave, died Friday. Sam & Dave had several hits in the late 1960s, including “Hold On I’m Comin,’” “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby,” “Soul Man” and “I Thank You.” Moore was the higher tenor voice of the duo. The other half of the duo, Dave Prater, died in 1988. On most of the duo’s recordings, they were backed by Isaac Hayes (on piano), Booker T and The MGs and The Memphis Horns. A native of Miami, Florida, Samuel David Moore was 89.
Former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney died Friday. McCartney coached the Buffaloes for 13 seasons from 1982 to 1994. He compiled a 93-55-5 record. Under McCartney, Colorado won three consecutive Big Eight Conference titles – 1989-1991. The 1990 team was crowned national champions by the Associated Press. Colorado shared that title with Georgia Tech who finished first in the Coaches Poll. In college, McCartney played football for Missouri. A native of Riverview, Michigan, William Paul McCartney, was 84.
Touchdown Tom
January 12, 2025
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
(The next CFW – Week 22 Forecast – will be posted Thursday morning, January 16.)
Review of the College Football Playoff (Semifinals)
Irish eyes were smiling – (in the Orange Bowl) – Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 24, Penn State 21) – The scoring went in spurts and Notre Dame spurted at the right time. Penn State opened with two scores and led 10-0 in the second quarter. Then Notre Dame scored 17 unanswered points (a field goal and two touchdowns). The Irish led 17-10 early in the fourth quarter. Penn State bounced back, scoring 14 unanswered points. The Nittany Lions led 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter. But as I said, Notre Dame spurted at the right time. The Irish scored 10 unanswered points (a touchdown and a field goal) in the final 4:38 of the game. Notre Dame ended up on top – 27-24. Irish receiver Jared Greathouse had 7 catches for 105 yards. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren had 6 catches for 75 yards. Nittany Lions’ running back Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen rushed for 84 yards and 82 yards respectively. Notre Dame had 383 total yards to 339 yards for Penn State. The Irish were the passing team, while the Nittany Lions were the running team. Possession time was all but even – 30:04 to 29:56 in favor of Penn State. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 66,881
Horns down – (in the Cotton Bowl Classic) – Ohio State 28, Texas 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 34, Texas 27) – The game was tied twice at 7-7 and 14-14, but at no time did Texas ever have the lead. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was 24-33-1, passing for 289 yards and one touchdown. Buckeyes’ receiver Carnell Tate had 7 catches for 87 yards. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was 23-39-1, passing for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Combined, the teams had 711 yards passing, but only 131 yards rushing. Texas just had 58 yards rushing. The defenses shut down the running games. Backup Texas quarterback Arch Manning had one run for 8 yards. Prior to the game, Ewers said he doesn’t expect to play college football next season and will probably enter the NFL draft. Attendance in Arlington: 74,527
Quarterfinal CFP Picks: 2 winners, 0 fumbles
Total CFP Picks: 8 winners, 2 fumbles
Quotes of the Week
“What I don’t like about Notre Dame is the arrogance that Notre Dame football is too good for everyone else,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
“It took all of four months for SEC fans to figure out what the rest of the college football world has known forever. There is no love for the Longhorns outside of those whose blood runs burnt orange,” USA Today sports writer Matt Hayes.
“To make a play like that in that moment. He just became a legend at Ohio State,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day, on his tight end Jack Sawyers.
“Throughout the course of history, Notre Dame has been the most hated team in America. They’re not anymore. Marcus Freeman has made them likeable,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.
“Hell of a fight tonight men of Texas Longhorns football. After the pain subsides, be sure and love on each other and yourselves for so much that you did so well so much of this year. It was a season to be proud of,” Matthew McConaughey, after the Cotton Bowl game.
P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but on the 12th day of the New Year, as college football fans were still celebrating bowl wins, commiserating over bowl losses, worrying about New Year’s resolutions and going back to work or school, the number one song in the country…
…80 years ago, this week in 1945, was “Don’t Fence Me In” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
…75 years ago, this week in 1950, was “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” by The Andrews Sisters with Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra
…70 years ago, this week in 1955, was “Let Me Go Lover” by Joan Weber
…65 years ago, this week in 1960, was “El Paso” by Marty Robbins
…60 years ago, this week in 1965, was “Come See About Me” by The Supremes
…55 years ago, this week in 1970, was “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” by B.J. Thomas
…50 years ago, this week in 1975, was “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” by Elton John
…45 years ago, this week in 1980, was “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes
…40 years ago, this week in 1985, was “Like A Virgin” by Madonna
…35 years ago, this week in 1990, was “Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins
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