Captain's Round-Up: Top 25 Action Week 3

~ #1 USC defeated # 14 Nebraska 49 – 31

Six running backs piled up 313 yards rushing for the Trojans as they went into Lincoln and had little trouble disposing of the Huskers. QB John David Booty threw 2 TDs on a mistake free night that saw USC go up 42 – 10 before Nebraska scored 21 points in the final quarter to make it look at least decent.

~ #2 LSU defeated Middle Tennessee State 44 – 0

QB Matt Flynn sat out this week’s game with a twisted ankle. It didn’t matter as backup Ryan Perrilloux got his first career start and completed 20 of 26 for 302 yards and 3 TDs as LSU’s domination on both offense and defense continued. The Tigers rolled up 511 yards of offense while only allowing 89 from MTS.

~ #3 Oklahoma defeated Utah State 54 – 3

Sam Bradford continues to impress as the Sooners’ QB as he threw for 255 yards and 3 TDs in the route of Utah State. Oklahoma’s RB by committee continued to impress as six different players rushed for a total of 349 yards.

~ #4 West Virginia defeated Maryland 31 – 14

The Mountaineers proved that they are a lot more then just Steve Slaton and Pat White as Noel Devine ran for 136 yards on just 5 carries including three long runs that set up WVU touchdowns. Slaton ended the night with 137 yards and 3 scores en route to an easy victory.

~ #5 Florida defeated # 22 Tennessee 59 – 20

QB Tim Tebow took his first big test as a starter and didn’t disappoint the thousands in the Swamp. Throwing for 299 yards/2 TDs and rushing for 62 yards/2TDs, Tebow led the Gators in the route in the battle for the SEC East. Tennessee got close in the beginning of the third quarter to make it 28 – 20, but 31 unanswered points by Florida blew it open to finish the Volunteers off.

~ # 6 Texas defeated UCF 35 – 32

Longhorns’ QB Colt McCoy and RB Jamaal Charles did a lot, but it ended up being just enough to avoid a big time upset that has littered the season so far. Tight the entire way through, Texas went up by 11 with under four minutes to go, but the Golden Knights drove for a TD and 2-point conversion to get within 3 with under a minute to go. But a failed onside kick locked in the win for Texas but a huge moral victory for UCF.

~ # 7 Wisconsin defeated Citadel 45 – 31

The Badgers got a big scare before opening it up in the second half. The Citadel went into halftime tied with Wisconsin at 21, but then RB P.J. Hill ended up tying a school record with five TDs en route to the win.

~ # 8 California defeated Louisiana Tech 42 – 12

Lavelle Hawkins returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD and that was all she wrote as the Golden Bears cruised. RB Justin Forsett helped the effort rushing for 3 TDs and 152 yards as Louisiana Tech couldn’t get anything going on either side of the ball to even try and stay in the game.

~ # 9 Louisville lost to Kentucky 40 – 34

A top contender for game of the week as the Wildcats went back and forth all game with the Cardinals even going down 34 – 33 with less then two minutes to go. A blown coverage though led to QB Andre’ Woodson connecting with Steve Johnson for a 57-yard TD. Louisville’s hail mary attempt as time expired was complete but came up 10 yards short.

~ # 10 Ohio State defeated Washington 33 – 14

QB Jake Locker and the rest of the Huskies couldn’t get past 3 interceptions and 4 total turnovers as Ohio State racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense in a game the Buckeyes controlled all day. RB Chris Wells rushed for 134 yards and a TD as Washington just couldn’t contain him.

~ # 11 UCLA defeated Utah 44 – 6

Utah QB Tommy Grady started it early and the Utes didn’t relent at all the entire day as they simply destroyed the Bruins. Grady passed for 4 TDs and UCLA was only outgained by 14 yards in total yardage but five turnovers did them as 7 – 3 was the closest they would get for the whole game.

~ # 12 Penn State defeated Buffalo 45 – 24

QB Anthony Morelli threw a career high four TDs after PSU started out very slowly and down at the end of the first quarter 3 – 0. After that the Nittany Lions had opened up a big enough lead to hold off a late run by Buffalo including 21 points in the fourth quarter.

~ # 13 Rutgers defeated Norfolk State 59 – 0

Ray Rice only finished the day with 72 yards but he had 3 scores to add to his Heisman leading race. But it was Rutgers’ QB Mike Teel who completed only 8 passes the entire day but still threw for 269 yards and 3TDs to lead the Scarlet Knights to the shutout victory.

~ # 15 Georgia Tech lost to # 21 Boston College 24 – 10

Tech’s golden RB Tashard Choice was held to only 60 yards of total offense taking away mostly any chance for victory. Boston College QB Matt Ryan passed for 434 yards and a score to lead the upset.

~ # 16 Arkansas lost to Alabama 41 – 38

Another candidate for game of the week as this back and forth battle also went down to the final minute. The Crimson Tide started out fast going up 21 – 0 in the first quarter but the Hogs came roaring back to take the lead 38 – 31 thanks to 199 yards rushing and 2 TDs from Darren McFadden. But QB John Parker Wilson led a 9-play, 74-yard drive ending with the go ahead TD with only 8 seconds remaining.

~ # 17 South Carolina defeated South Carolina State 38 – 3

For the first time in six years, the Gamecocks have started the season 3 – 0 and they did it behind the arm of QB Blake Mitchell who threw 3 TDs and RB Cory Boyd who rushed for 139 yards and one score. South Carolina managed to pull out the win despite 6 turnovers (4 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles).

~ # 18 Virginia Tech defeated Ohio 28 – 7

Freshmen QV Tyrod Taylor started his first game after coming in relief of starter Sean Glennon last week in the loss to LSU and also won his first game. It wasn’t a huge win but the Hokies were able to overcome two lost fumbles and dominate on defense holding Ohio to only 113 total yards.

~ # 19 Oregon defeated Fresno State 52 – 21

Dennis Dixon is continuing to prove that he is the leader of the Ducks’ offense. Dixon tossed for 153 yards and 2 TDs while running for another score on 55 yards. RB Jonathan Stewart helped the effort with a 165 yard rushing day that included an 88-yard TD.

~ # 20 Clemson defeated Furman 38 – 10

QB Cullen Harper was almost perfect in keeping the Tigers perfect so far this season. Harper threw for 266 yards and 3 TDs on 16 of 19 passing. Combined with few mistakes and good defense, Furman just couldn’t keep up.

~ # 23 Georgia defeated Western Carolina 45 – 16

The Bulldogs may have been worried after the first quarter ended tied at 3, but by the end of three, it was 38 – 9 and smooth sailing. Georgia won the yardage battle 368 to 201 and just played an overall clean game for the expected win.

~ # 24 Hawaii defeated UNLV 49 – 14

Colt Brennan didn’t need to do all the work, but he did enough leading the Warriors to victory with 302 yards passing and 2 TDs. Brennan also rushed for 13 yards and 3 more scores as the route was on and big time.

~ # 25 Texas A&M defeated Louisiana Monroe 54 – 14

The Aggies opened up the offensive door scoring on 9 of 10 possessions en route to racking up 547 yards. ULM’s RB Calvin Dawson rushed for a TD and 126 yards, but he was about the only bright spot for the Warhawks all day.

Lopsided Score of the Week: Duke defeated Northwestern 20 -14 to snap a 22 game losing streak. If you read PTP, I do believe I called that they would win a game this year thank you.

Other Scores Of Interest:

~ Mississippi State defeated Auburn 19 – 14 for Auburn’s second straight loss at home.

~ Michigan destroyed Notre Dame 38 – 0 sending the Irish to an 0 – 3 start. Notre Dame still has yet to score an offensive touchdown this season.