College Football Nation: Colorado State Rams
Nobody has dominated the defensive back position in the WAC the way Greg Myers did at Colorado State in the 1990s.
The Rams might have moved on to the Mountain West, but Myers still has his name etched all over the WAC record book, a huge reason why he earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Myers began playing as a freshman and never looked back.
He ended up setting a record for All-WAC selections, making the first team at defensive back in all four years he played, from 1992-95. In addition to his terrific skill in the defensive backfield, Myers also returned kicks, earning one first-team selection as a returner, and two second team honors in his career.
His efforts led him to become a two-time All American, and the winner of the Thorpe Award in 1995 as the best defensive back in the nation. Myers set school and WAC records with 1,332 career punt return yards, leading the Rams to back-to-back WAC titles. He also had 295 career tackles and 15 interceptions.
In an interview with The Denver Post last month, Myers recalled his college days. He now teaches anesthesiology at a hospital in Denver.
"It's amazing to think about what we accomplished," he said. "My college career was an incredible time for me. We had great camaraderie on the team, and I loved the game of football."
The Rams might have moved on to the Mountain West, but Myers still has his name etched all over the WAC record book, a huge reason why he earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Myers began playing as a freshman and never looked back.
He ended up setting a record for All-WAC selections, making the first team at defensive back in all four years he played, from 1992-95. In addition to his terrific skill in the defensive backfield, Myers also returned kicks, earning one first-team selection as a returner, and two second team honors in his career.
His efforts led him to become a two-time All American, and the winner of the Thorpe Award in 1995 as the best defensive back in the nation. Myers set school and WAC records with 1,332 career punt return yards, leading the Rams to back-to-back WAC titles. He also had 295 career tackles and 15 interceptions.
In an interview with The Denver Post last month, Myers recalled his college days. He now teaches anesthesiology at a hospital in Denver.
"It's amazing to think about what we accomplished," he said. "My college career was an incredible time for me. We had great camaraderie on the team, and I loved the game of football."
3-point stance: Te'o's uncanny maturity
December, 13, 2011
12/13/11
5:00
AM ET
By
Ivan Maisel | ESPN.com
1. The reasons Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o gave Monday for returning for his senior year show an uncommon maturity. Te’o decided to chase happiness instead of money. It’s funny how the schools with tougher academic standards find players who think like Te’o. Of the 20 Fighting Irish players drafted since the 2005 season, only four came out early.
2. Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, the new coach at Colorado State, is the first Crimson Tide assistant under Nick Saban to become an FBS head coach and the seventh Saban assistant to do so dating back to his tenure at Michigan State. Mark Dantonio of Michigan State (10-3) and Jimbo Fisher of Florida State (8-4) are the most successful. The next likely Saban assistant to move up and out: defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Broyles Award winner.
3. Ah, the wonder that is social media. The latest athletic figures to learn that grumbling via Twitter is louder than grumbling to someone in the dorm are the UCLA players who missed workouts last week and had their bowl expense checks withheld. The grumbling worked -- the players got their money Monday -- and they also generated a lot of miserable headlines for their team. The players learned the power of their voices. Here’s hoping they learned the responsibility that goes along with that power.
2. Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, the new coach at Colorado State, is the first Crimson Tide assistant under Nick Saban to become an FBS head coach and the seventh Saban assistant to do so dating back to his tenure at Michigan State. Mark Dantonio of Michigan State (10-3) and Jimbo Fisher of Florida State (8-4) are the most successful. The next likely Saban assistant to move up and out: defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Broyles Award winner.
3. Ah, the wonder that is social media. The latest athletic figures to learn that grumbling via Twitter is louder than grumbling to someone in the dorm are the UCLA players who missed workouts last week and had their bowl expense checks withheld. The grumbling worked -- the players got their money Monday -- and they also generated a lot of miserable headlines for their team. The players learned the power of their voices. Here’s hoping they learned the responsibility that goes along with that power.
Let's take a look back at the week that was in the non-AQs:
And then there were none. For the first time since the BCS expanded to five games beginning in the 2006 season, there are no non-AQs represented in BCS games. The shocker of the weekend, of course, was Houston losing to Southern Miss 49-28. The Cougars were the best hope for the non-AQs to get an automatic spot into the BCS for the sixth straight season. All they had to do was win the Conference USA championship game. But Southern Miss came to play with a defense that wreaked havoc for most of the afternoon. The Golden Eagles had six tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups and seven quarterback hurries. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown -- the eighth of the season to set a new FBS record. Tracey Lampley had 240 all-purpose yards as Southern Miss set championship game records for points scored and touchdowns (seven). Heading into the game, most would have guessed it would be Houston setting the records. But the Cougars were held to season lows in scoring and total offense. The loss opened the door for perhaps TCU to sneak in as an automatic qualifier. All the Horned Frogs had to do was move up two spots from No. 18 to No. 16 in the final BCS standings. But they did not move at all, ending up at 18. Boise State, the top-ranked of the non-AQs at No. 7, was disqualified from automatic selection because it failed to win its conference.
But what feels so inexcusable to Boise State and non-AQ fans is the fact that the Broncos were passed over for an-at large berth into the Sugar Bowl by both Michigan and Virginia Tech, ranked lower than them and with more losses than them. Virginia Tech is most galling, considering the Hokies got blown out in two games against Clemson, lost the ACC championship game and have not beaten anybody ranked in the Top 25 this season. So what if the Hokies travel well? That should not be the reason one team gets picked over another just as deserving. The bottom line is this: No one-loss team from the non-AQs has ever been taken as an at-large team. Boise State has now been passed over four times for BCS games as a top-10 team. That includes 2008, when the Broncos went undefeated. Now you know why they want to join the Big East. That conference's representative in the BCS, West Virginia, went 9-3.
MAC comeback. Usually it is Northern Illinois on the losing end of heartbreakers in the MAC title game. So maybe it was about time for the Huskies to feel a little bit of love. If you turned your TV set away from the game after Ohio took a 20-0 lead Friday night, you were probably not alone. Northern Illinois appeared lifeless, was mistake prone, with three first-half turnovers. Quarterback Chandler Harnish had 13 yards rushing and 35 passing yards at halftime. But it was Ohio's turn to make mistakes in the second half, with three interceptions that allowed Northern Illinois to come back and win. Ohio had just 70 total yards after halftime with 31 on the ground and 39 passing. Mathew Sims kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired to give Northern Illinois a 23-20 win and cap its largest comeback in modern-day history. Harnish finished the game with 250 yards passing and three touchdowns, and help avenge a heartbreaking, last-minute loss to Miami (Ohio) in last year's MAC game.
Coaching carousel. Fresno State fired longtime coach Pat Hill after the Bulldogs went 4-9, tying for the most losses in school history. Hill was at the school for 15 seasons and certainly put this program on the national map. But the Bulldogs slipped in recent years, and in the end he simply did not win enough games at the end of his career. Colorado State also fired coach Steve Fairchild after a third straight 3-9 season. UAB hired Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee to replace Neil Callaway. FAU hired Carl Pelini, Nebraska defensive coordinator and brother of Huskers head coach Bo Pelini, to take over for the retired Howard Schnellenberger. Also, according to reports, Ole Miss will hire Arkansas State coach Hugh Freeze after one season on the job with the Red Wolves, and Tulane will hire Saints assistant Curtis Johnson. Hawaii coach Greg McMackin met with the school's chancellor and athletic director on Sunday, and a decision on his future could come soon. The Warriors went a disappointing 6-7 this season after being the preseason choice to win the WAC.
And then there were none. For the first time since the BCS expanded to five games beginning in the 2006 season, there are no non-AQs represented in BCS games. The shocker of the weekend, of course, was Houston losing to Southern Miss 49-28. The Cougars were the best hope for the non-AQs to get an automatic spot into the BCS for the sixth straight season. All they had to do was win the Conference USA championship game. But Southern Miss came to play with a defense that wreaked havoc for most of the afternoon. The Golden Eagles had six tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups and seven quarterback hurries. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown -- the eighth of the season to set a new FBS record. Tracey Lampley had 240 all-purpose yards as Southern Miss set championship game records for points scored and touchdowns (seven). Heading into the game, most would have guessed it would be Houston setting the records. But the Cougars were held to season lows in scoring and total offense. The loss opened the door for perhaps TCU to sneak in as an automatic qualifier. All the Horned Frogs had to do was move up two spots from No. 18 to No. 16 in the final BCS standings. But they did not move at all, ending up at 18. Boise State, the top-ranked of the non-AQs at No. 7, was disqualified from automatic selection because it failed to win its conference.
But what feels so inexcusable to Boise State and non-AQ fans is the fact that the Broncos were passed over for an-at large berth into the Sugar Bowl by both Michigan and Virginia Tech, ranked lower than them and with more losses than them. Virginia Tech is most galling, considering the Hokies got blown out in two games against Clemson, lost the ACC championship game and have not beaten anybody ranked in the Top 25 this season. So what if the Hokies travel well? That should not be the reason one team gets picked over another just as deserving. The bottom line is this: No one-loss team from the non-AQs has ever been taken as an at-large team. Boise State has now been passed over four times for BCS games as a top-10 team. That includes 2008, when the Broncos went undefeated. Now you know why they want to join the Big East. That conference's representative in the BCS, West Virginia, went 9-3.
MAC comeback. Usually it is Northern Illinois on the losing end of heartbreakers in the MAC title game. So maybe it was about time for the Huskies to feel a little bit of love. If you turned your TV set away from the game after Ohio took a 20-0 lead Friday night, you were probably not alone. Northern Illinois appeared lifeless, was mistake prone, with three first-half turnovers. Quarterback Chandler Harnish had 13 yards rushing and 35 passing yards at halftime. But it was Ohio's turn to make mistakes in the second half, with three interceptions that allowed Northern Illinois to come back and win. Ohio had just 70 total yards after halftime with 31 on the ground and 39 passing. Mathew Sims kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired to give Northern Illinois a 23-20 win and cap its largest comeback in modern-day history. Harnish finished the game with 250 yards passing and three touchdowns, and help avenge a heartbreaking, last-minute loss to Miami (Ohio) in last year's MAC game.
Coaching carousel. Fresno State fired longtime coach Pat Hill after the Bulldogs went 4-9, tying for the most losses in school history. Hill was at the school for 15 seasons and certainly put this program on the national map. But the Bulldogs slipped in recent years, and in the end he simply did not win enough games at the end of his career. Colorado State also fired coach Steve Fairchild after a third straight 3-9 season. UAB hired Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee to replace Neil Callaway. FAU hired Carl Pelini, Nebraska defensive coordinator and brother of Huskers head coach Bo Pelini, to take over for the retired Howard Schnellenberger. Also, according to reports, Ole Miss will hire Arkansas State coach Hugh Freeze after one season on the job with the Red Wolves, and Tulane will hire Saints assistant Curtis Johnson. Hawaii coach Greg McMackin met with the school's chancellor and athletic director on Sunday, and a decision on his future could come soon. The Warriors went a disappointing 6-7 this season after being the preseason choice to win the WAC.
Taking a look back at Week 9 for the non-AQs:
Southern Miss flying high: Plenty have taken notice of the Golden Eagles this season following a 7-1 start. They are now ranked No. 25 in the BCS standings for the first time since 2004, and have gotten off to its best start since 1996. After getting a big challenge from UTEP on Saturday, going into halftime tied at 10, Southern Miss scored 21 points in the second half and shut the Miners out in the fourth quarter to win 31-13. The defense, which has had its share of letdowns the last several seasons, has shown major improvement. Southern Miss has allowed just a touchdown and three field goals over the last two games, and held its fourth opponent of the season to under 100 yards rushing. Southern Miss went undefeated in October for the first time since 2000 and have emerged as the favorite to win the East in Conference USA.
Arkansas State red hot: The two best teams in the Sun Belt are quite unexpected -- Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette, under two first-year coaches. The Red Wolves are bowl eligible with Hugh Freeze leading the way after a 37-14 win over North Texas. This is a program that posted back-to-back 4-8 seasons before Freeze took over. They have one bowl appearance as an FBS team, back in 2005, a 31-19 loss to Southern Miss. They now lead the Sun Belt at 4-0, with a huge showdown against Louisiana-Lafayette (7-2, 5-1) looming Nov. 12.
Keenum watch: Case Keenum threw a whopping nine touchdown passes in a 73-34 win over Rice, passing Graham Harrell for the most career touchdown passes in FBS history. Keenum now has 139, five more than Harrell had from 2005-08 at Texas Tech. Next up on the Keenum assault of the NCAA record book -- the career passing yards record. Keenum now has 16,805 passing yards to rank second in NCAA history. He needs 268 yards Saturday against UAB to pass Timmy Chang, who holds the mark of 17,072 yards set from 2000-04 at Hawaii.
Upset of the week: Wyoming 30, San Diego State 27. The Cowboys scored 30 first-half points behind true freshman quarterback Brett Smith, who scored two passing and two rushing. One of those scores came on third-and-goal from the San Diego State 26. Then Wyoming had to hold off a furious comeback. Ronnie Hillman ran for 224 yards -- including a 99-yard touchdown that was the longest play from scrimmage in school history. But it was not enough. Kicker Abel Perez had a tough game, missing field goal attempts from 39 and 27 yards in the fourth quarter, along with an extra point as well. Coach Rocky Long said the first half was “as bad a defensive performance in the first half as I've been associated with.” Wyoming, 18-point underdogs going into the game, moved to 5-2 on the season but needs two more wins to become bowl eligible because two of its victories came against FCS teams. Still, the Cowboys have a shot with New Mexico and Colorado State left on the schedule.
Close calls: Akron. The Zips came oh so close to beating Central Michigan after Clayton Moore drove the team 56 yards and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Marquelo Suel as time expired. Rather than go for the tie, they went for the win. But Moore threw incomplete on the 2-point conversion and Central Michigan won 23-22.
Idaho. Hawaii kicker Kenton Chun made a 35-yard field goal with 32 seconds to play to give the Warriors a 16-14 lead. Idaho nearly pulled the upset, but Trey Farquhar missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt with 8 seconds left. Idaho dropped to 1-7 and 0-4 in the WAC.
Colorado State. UNLV quarterback Caleb Herring ran for a 5-yard touchdown 1:20 left to give the Rebels a 38-35 win. Pete Thomas tried to rally the Rams, but one of his passes was tipped and intercepted at the UNLV 28-yard line with 35 seconds left. Also of note in the game, Phillip Payne set the school career touchdown receptions record with 25. Colorado State, a team many thought had a shot for a bowl game this season, dropped to 3-5.
Helmet stickers
Patrick Edwards, WR, Houston. Edwards had seven receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns in a 73-34 win over Rice -- the best receiving performance for any player this season. Edwards leads the nation with 11 touchdown receptions. Also in the game, Tyron Carrier returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, the seventh of his career. That ties the NCAA mark for kickoff returns for touchdown, set by C.J. Spiller at Clemson.
Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. White had nine catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-35 win over Ball State to become Western Michigan's career receptions record holder at 261. He also went over 1,000 yards this season, making him only the third receiver to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in school history.
Jonathan Anderson, S, TCU. Anderson finished with a career-high and team-best 17 tackles (11 solo) and recorded his first career interception in a 38-28 win over BYU. Anderson, who came off the bench to replace the team’s leading tackler, Tekerrein Cuba, had the team's highest tackle total since 2004.
Alonzo Harris, RB, ULL. Harris had a career-best 189 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry in a win over Middle Tennessee.
Lampford Mark, RB, Nevada. Mark had 185 yards on eight carries for a 23.1 yard average in a 48-34 win over New Mexico State. He got all those yards after sitting out the first three quarters, then posting two runs of 80 yards or more.
Southern Miss flying high: Plenty have taken notice of the Golden Eagles this season following a 7-1 start. They are now ranked No. 25 in the BCS standings for the first time since 2004, and have gotten off to its best start since 1996. After getting a big challenge from UTEP on Saturday, going into halftime tied at 10, Southern Miss scored 21 points in the second half and shut the Miners out in the fourth quarter to win 31-13. The defense, which has had its share of letdowns the last several seasons, has shown major improvement. Southern Miss has allowed just a touchdown and three field goals over the last two games, and held its fourth opponent of the season to under 100 yards rushing. Southern Miss went undefeated in October for the first time since 2000 and have emerged as the favorite to win the East in Conference USA.
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Thomas Campbell/US PresswireHouston QB Case Keenum is on the cusp of breaking the NCAA career passing yards record.
Thomas Campbell/US PresswireHouston QB Case Keenum is on the cusp of breaking the NCAA career passing yards record.Keenum watch: Case Keenum threw a whopping nine touchdown passes in a 73-34 win over Rice, passing Graham Harrell for the most career touchdown passes in FBS history. Keenum now has 139, five more than Harrell had from 2005-08 at Texas Tech. Next up on the Keenum assault of the NCAA record book -- the career passing yards record. Keenum now has 16,805 passing yards to rank second in NCAA history. He needs 268 yards Saturday against UAB to pass Timmy Chang, who holds the mark of 17,072 yards set from 2000-04 at Hawaii.
Upset of the week: Wyoming 30, San Diego State 27. The Cowboys scored 30 first-half points behind true freshman quarterback Brett Smith, who scored two passing and two rushing. One of those scores came on third-and-goal from the San Diego State 26. Then Wyoming had to hold off a furious comeback. Ronnie Hillman ran for 224 yards -- including a 99-yard touchdown that was the longest play from scrimmage in school history. But it was not enough. Kicker Abel Perez had a tough game, missing field goal attempts from 39 and 27 yards in the fourth quarter, along with an extra point as well. Coach Rocky Long said the first half was “as bad a defensive performance in the first half as I've been associated with.” Wyoming, 18-point underdogs going into the game, moved to 5-2 on the season but needs two more wins to become bowl eligible because two of its victories came against FCS teams. Still, the Cowboys have a shot with New Mexico and Colorado State left on the schedule.
Close calls: Akron. The Zips came oh so close to beating Central Michigan after Clayton Moore drove the team 56 yards and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Marquelo Suel as time expired. Rather than go for the tie, they went for the win. But Moore threw incomplete on the 2-point conversion and Central Michigan won 23-22.
Idaho. Hawaii kicker Kenton Chun made a 35-yard field goal with 32 seconds to play to give the Warriors a 16-14 lead. Idaho nearly pulled the upset, but Trey Farquhar missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt with 8 seconds left. Idaho dropped to 1-7 and 0-4 in the WAC.
Colorado State. UNLV quarterback Caleb Herring ran for a 5-yard touchdown 1:20 left to give the Rebels a 38-35 win. Pete Thomas tried to rally the Rams, but one of his passes was tipped and intercepted at the UNLV 28-yard line with 35 seconds left. Also of note in the game, Phillip Payne set the school career touchdown receptions record with 25. Colorado State, a team many thought had a shot for a bowl game this season, dropped to 3-5.
Helmet stickers
Patrick Edwards, WR, Houston. Edwards had seven receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns in a 73-34 win over Rice -- the best receiving performance for any player this season. Edwards leads the nation with 11 touchdown receptions. Also in the game, Tyron Carrier returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, the seventh of his career. That ties the NCAA mark for kickoff returns for touchdown, set by C.J. Spiller at Clemson.
Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. White had nine catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-35 win over Ball State to become Western Michigan's career receptions record holder at 261. He also went over 1,000 yards this season, making him only the third receiver to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in school history.
Jonathan Anderson, S, TCU. Anderson finished with a career-high and team-best 17 tackles (11 solo) and recorded his first career interception in a 38-28 win over BYU. Anderson, who came off the bench to replace the team’s leading tackler, Tekerrein Cuba, had the team's highest tackle total since 2004.
Alonzo Harris, RB, ULL. Harris had a career-best 189 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry in a win over Middle Tennessee.
Lampford Mark, RB, Nevada. Mark had 185 yards on eight carries for a 23.1 yard average in a 48-34 win over New Mexico State. He got all those yards after sitting out the first three quarters, then posting two runs of 80 yards or more.
Time to take a look back at Week 8 for the non-AQs:
Quarterbacks rule. In case you missed it, three quarterbacks had pretty awesome days on Saturday. Dominique Davis of East Carolina completed 26 straight passes. Kellen Moore of Boise State tied the NCAA record for career wins with 45. Case Keenum of Houston became the NCAA career leader for total offense, with the NCAA career passing mark and NCAA career touchdown passing mark in his sights. You can read more about their days here.
Southern Miss streaking. The Golden Eagles are off to their best start since 2000 after an impressive 27-3 win over SMU. They are ranked No. 25 in the coaches' poll, their first ranking since 2004, and have won five straight. Austin Davis has been impressive but so has the defense, which has made big-time improvements this season and has been a major reason this team is now the favorite to win the East Division in Conference USA. SMU came into the game with its high-powered passing offense, but Southern Miss totally shut down the Mustangs, who had season lows for points and passing yards (173). Southern Miss had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. After it plays UTEP (4-3) Saturday, Southern Miss does not have a team left on the schedule with a winning record, making it conceivable the Golden Eagles could win out. Who would they face in the C-USA title game? The West is still wide open between Houston (7-0, 3-0), Tulsa (4-3, 3-0) and SMU (5-2, 3-1), but the No. 17 Cougars would have to be the favorite if they keep rolling. They get Rice this Thursday, but close the season with back-to-back games against the Mustangs at home, then at Tulsa on Nov. 26.
Bowl bound: Southern Miss and Houston are two of five non-AQs already bowl eligible (Boise State, ULL, BYU).
Next up on deck, with games this weekend:
Arkansas State (5-2) vs. North Texas
Toledo (5-3) vs. Northern Illinois (Nov. 1)
Ball State (5-3) at Western Michigan
Northern Illinois (5-3) at Toledo (Nov. 1)
Temple (5-3) vs. Ohio (Nov. 2)
Ohio (5-3) vs. Temple (Nov. 2)
TCU (5-2) vs. BYU (Arlington, Friday)
SMU (5-2) at Tulsa
* Eastern Michigan is 5-3 but the Golden Eagles need to get to seven wins because they have two wins over FCS opponents.
Disappointments: This has been a popular question during my weekly chats: Which team(s) have been the biggest disappointment. There are three on my list today: Fresno State, UCF and Colorado State. The Bulldogs had WAC nemesis Boise State out of the way this season, the perfect opportunity to win a league championship before moving on to the Mountain West. Instead, they have sputtered to a 3-5 start and just lost to Nevada. Fresno State needs to win three games to become bowl eligible. It should be able to get there, but nothing is a given with the improved play of Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and San Jose State. Meanwhile, there were those who thought Colorado State had everything it needed to get back to a bowl game, with a young quarterback in Pete Thomas and 14 starters returning. But injuries have completed decimated this team, and the Rams are 3-4 and are going to need to pull an upset or two to get to six wins with UNLV, San Diego State, TCU, Air Force and Wyoming left.
Perhaps most disappointing of all, though, has been UCF. Here you have a program coming off the first Top 25 season in school history and a win over Georgia in the bowl game. Many thought that would give this program much-needed momentum and a building block for the future. Instead, the Knights dropped to 3-4 and 1-2 in conference last week after a loss to previously winless UAB, losing to a team that played its backup quarterback and backup running back. Starting quarterback Jeff Godfrey was benched in favor of Blake Bortles, who nearly led the Knights to a win. Now UCF might have a quarterback controversy on its hands, as coach George O'Leary has declined to say who would start Saturday against Memphis. The Knights have some tough games left and are going to need help to make it back to the C-USA title game.
The heartbreak: You have got to feel for Navy, one of the most snake-bitten teams in college football. Navy has lost four games this year by a total of eight points. The Midshipmen, Utah State and Indiana are the only three teams in the country to lose four games by eight points or fewer. The heartbreak continued Saturday in a 38-35 loss to East Carolina. The Midshipmen hung tough after losing starting quarterback Kriss Proctor (elbow) and had a chance to win in the closing minute. An apparent touchdown pass from Trey Miller to Matt Aiken was ruled incomplete, and then Navy missed yet another field goal. Aiken appeared to cross the plane after catching the ball at the 2, but the ball came loose as he hit the ground. Replay officials ruled Aiken did not maintain control as the reason for the ruling of an incomplete pass. Navy dropped to 2-5 and is in danger of breaking its eight-year bowl streak.
Helmet stickers
Mike Ball, RB, Nevada. Ball had a career-high 198 yards rushing and a touchdown on 26 carries in a 45-38 win over Fresno State. He had rushes of 35 and 41 yards, the two longest runs by any Nevada player this year.
Byron Hout, LB, Boise State. Had a career-high 18 tackles in a 37-26 win over Air Force. His tackle total is the most by a Broncos player since Korey Hall had 15 against New Mexico State in 2006.
Javonti Greene, RB, Eastern Michigan. Caught a 50-yard pass from Alex Gillett in the first quarter and scored on a 50-yard run midway through the fourth quarter for both touchdowns in a 14-10 victory over Western Michigan.
Bobby McCain, DB, Memphis. McCain had a 79-yard interception for a touchdown in a 33-17 win over Tulane. The interception gave the Tigers the lead for good in their first conference win since beating UTEP 35-20 Oct. 10, 2009.
Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky. Rainey ran for 206 yards and a career-high three touchdowns as the Hilltoppers won their first home game since 2008 with a 42-23 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. Rainey moved into fourth place on the WKU career rushing list with his performance -- the second 200-yard rushing game of his career.
Quarterbacks rule. In case you missed it, three quarterbacks had pretty awesome days on Saturday. Dominique Davis of East Carolina completed 26 straight passes. Kellen Moore of Boise State tied the NCAA record for career wins with 45. Case Keenum of Houston became the NCAA career leader for total offense, with the NCAA career passing mark and NCAA career touchdown passing mark in his sights. You can read more about their days here.
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AP Photo/Gail BurtonDominique Davis misfired on only five of his 45 pass attempts in East Carolina's win over Navy.
AP Photo/Gail BurtonDominique Davis misfired on only five of his 45 pass attempts in East Carolina's win over Navy.Bowl bound: Southern Miss and Houston are two of five non-AQs already bowl eligible (Boise State, ULL, BYU).
Next up on deck, with games this weekend:
Arkansas State (5-2) vs. North Texas
Toledo (5-3) vs. Northern Illinois (Nov. 1)
Ball State (5-3) at Western Michigan
Northern Illinois (5-3) at Toledo (Nov. 1)
Temple (5-3) vs. Ohio (Nov. 2)
Ohio (5-3) vs. Temple (Nov. 2)
TCU (5-2) vs. BYU (Arlington, Friday)
SMU (5-2) at Tulsa
* Eastern Michigan is 5-3 but the Golden Eagles need to get to seven wins because they have two wins over FCS opponents.
Disappointments: This has been a popular question during my weekly chats: Which team(s) have been the biggest disappointment. There are three on my list today: Fresno State, UCF and Colorado State. The Bulldogs had WAC nemesis Boise State out of the way this season, the perfect opportunity to win a league championship before moving on to the Mountain West. Instead, they have sputtered to a 3-5 start and just lost to Nevada. Fresno State needs to win three games to become bowl eligible. It should be able to get there, but nothing is a given with the improved play of Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and San Jose State. Meanwhile, there were those who thought Colorado State had everything it needed to get back to a bowl game, with a young quarterback in Pete Thomas and 14 starters returning. But injuries have completed decimated this team, and the Rams are 3-4 and are going to need to pull an upset or two to get to six wins with UNLV, San Diego State, TCU, Air Force and Wyoming left.
Perhaps most disappointing of all, though, has been UCF. Here you have a program coming off the first Top 25 season in school history and a win over Georgia in the bowl game. Many thought that would give this program much-needed momentum and a building block for the future. Instead, the Knights dropped to 3-4 and 1-2 in conference last week after a loss to previously winless UAB, losing to a team that played its backup quarterback and backup running back. Starting quarterback Jeff Godfrey was benched in favor of Blake Bortles, who nearly led the Knights to a win. Now UCF might have a quarterback controversy on its hands, as coach George O'Leary has declined to say who would start Saturday against Memphis. The Knights have some tough games left and are going to need help to make it back to the C-USA title game.
The heartbreak: You have got to feel for Navy, one of the most snake-bitten teams in college football. Navy has lost four games this year by a total of eight points. The Midshipmen, Utah State and Indiana are the only three teams in the country to lose four games by eight points or fewer. The heartbreak continued Saturday in a 38-35 loss to East Carolina. The Midshipmen hung tough after losing starting quarterback Kriss Proctor (elbow) and had a chance to win in the closing minute. An apparent touchdown pass from Trey Miller to Matt Aiken was ruled incomplete, and then Navy missed yet another field goal. Aiken appeared to cross the plane after catching the ball at the 2, but the ball came loose as he hit the ground. Replay officials ruled Aiken did not maintain control as the reason for the ruling of an incomplete pass. Navy dropped to 2-5 and is in danger of breaking its eight-year bowl streak.
Helmet stickers
Mike Ball, RB, Nevada. Ball had a career-high 198 yards rushing and a touchdown on 26 carries in a 45-38 win over Fresno State. He had rushes of 35 and 41 yards, the two longest runs by any Nevada player this year.
Byron Hout, LB, Boise State. Had a career-high 18 tackles in a 37-26 win over Air Force. His tackle total is the most by a Broncos player since Korey Hall had 15 against New Mexico State in 2006.
Javonti Greene, RB, Eastern Michigan. Caught a 50-yard pass from Alex Gillett in the first quarter and scored on a 50-yard run midway through the fourth quarter for both touchdowns in a 14-10 victory over Western Michigan.
Bobby McCain, DB, Memphis. McCain had a 79-yard interception for a touchdown in a 33-17 win over Tulane. The interception gave the Tigers the lead for good in their first conference win since beating UTEP 35-20 Oct. 10, 2009.
Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky. Rainey ran for 206 yards and a career-high three touchdowns as the Hilltoppers won their first home game since 2008 with a 42-23 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. Rainey moved into fourth place on the WKU career rushing list with his performance -- the second 200-yard rushing game of his career.
Cancer shakes Colorado State family
October, 18, 2011
10/18/11
3:00
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
When the cancer diagnosis came, Marianne Stroud took stock of her life. Then she took action.
Stroud started throwing everything out of her house. Boxes of Christmas decorations. Boxes of clothes, shoes, so many things she did not need. Furniture went on consignment. The giant house went on sale, and they moved into a town home. She and her husband, Colorado State defensive line coach Todd Stroud, downsized in a big way.
Marianne, at age 45, had to face a stark reality. She was not living the way she wanted. Reorganizing– her home, her life, her focus, her priorities – was about the only thing she could control while she fought thyroid cancer this summer.
“That was how I dealt with cancer, and it was like a positive, it was very positive,” Marianne Stroud said in a recent phone interview. “I thought, ‘OK, I can't be guaranteed how much time I'll have left, but by gosh it's going to be lived the way I want to live it and I’m going to be proud of it.
“Instead of waiting until we retired, I wanted to start living the life we dreamed out. Our daughter said our house got radiated. But I just said, ‘We're doing it now.’”
Marianne underwent radiation this summer to treat the cancer, and had her thyroid removed. She spent a week in the hospital and was quarantined for an entire month. That meant Todd and their three grown daughters had to watch for their youngest son, Stone, 5. Todd had to juggle his duties with Colorado State, as well, but he also had a chance to re-evaluate his priorities.
“The little fella there who was obviously clueless as to what was going on, he was the glue that held everything together,” Todd Stroud said. “Everyone rallied around the little guy, and it made us stronger I think as Marianne was going through this. We all put our heads down and pitched in and spent the time together. …
“At the end of the day, as we're going through this profession, you put so much emphasis every week on your job and winning games, it's very easy as a coach to lose focus. This refocuses your energy on what's important. It is important for family to be taken care of first. At the same time, my role as mentor of young men is not just about winning games. It's about helping them grow and sharing your experiences as well.”
The cancer in her thyroid is gone, but Marianne is at high risk for developing cancer again. She needs to go for blood work every six months, and mammograms every six months as well. Colorado State raised cancer awareness last Saturday for its game against Boise State. On “White Out Cancer Day,” the Rams wore all white uniforms at home for the first time in 55 years, and 5,000 white T-shirts were distributed.
Though Marianne still is going through some of the side effects of taking the radiation, she has been able to stay incredibly positive and upbeat. She got that from her husband, who has been a strong leader for so many young men.
“Just leading by example all those years made it easy to emulate him,” she said. “He's always been so strong, so it was easy to physically copy in a way. But there were a few moments that privately that it was crushing for me. Having daughters who are college age, it's an important to be a strong woman, and not to be beaten by things. Even if it went bad, I told myself I would not be weak in front of them, that I would always put on a good face and be strong and have dignity.”
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy Stroud FamilyColorado State defensive line coach Todd Stroud and his wife, Marianne, refocused their priorities after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this year.
Courtesy Stroud FamilyColorado State defensive line coach Todd Stroud and his wife, Marianne, refocused their priorities after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this year.Marianne, at age 45, had to face a stark reality. She was not living the way she wanted. Reorganizing– her home, her life, her focus, her priorities – was about the only thing she could control while she fought thyroid cancer this summer.
“That was how I dealt with cancer, and it was like a positive, it was very positive,” Marianne Stroud said in a recent phone interview. “I thought, ‘OK, I can't be guaranteed how much time I'll have left, but by gosh it's going to be lived the way I want to live it and I’m going to be proud of it.
“Instead of waiting until we retired, I wanted to start living the life we dreamed out. Our daughter said our house got radiated. But I just said, ‘We're doing it now.’”
Marianne underwent radiation this summer to treat the cancer, and had her thyroid removed. She spent a week in the hospital and was quarantined for an entire month. That meant Todd and their three grown daughters had to watch for their youngest son, Stone, 5. Todd had to juggle his duties with Colorado State, as well, but he also had a chance to re-evaluate his priorities.
“The little fella there who was obviously clueless as to what was going on, he was the glue that held everything together,” Todd Stroud said. “Everyone rallied around the little guy, and it made us stronger I think as Marianne was going through this. We all put our heads down and pitched in and spent the time together. …
“At the end of the day, as we're going through this profession, you put so much emphasis every week on your job and winning games, it's very easy as a coach to lose focus. This refocuses your energy on what's important. It is important for family to be taken care of first. At the same time, my role as mentor of young men is not just about winning games. It's about helping them grow and sharing your experiences as well.”
The cancer in her thyroid is gone, but Marianne is at high risk for developing cancer again. She needs to go for blood work every six months, and mammograms every six months as well. Colorado State raised cancer awareness last Saturday for its game against Boise State. On “White Out Cancer Day,” the Rams wore all white uniforms at home for the first time in 55 years, and 5,000 white T-shirts were distributed.
Though Marianne still is going through some of the side effects of taking the radiation, she has been able to stay incredibly positive and upbeat. She got that from her husband, who has been a strong leader for so many young men.
“Just leading by example all those years made it easy to emulate him,” she said. “He's always been so strong, so it was easy to physically copy in a way. But there were a few moments that privately that it was crushing for me. Having daughters who are college age, it's an important to be a strong woman, and not to be beaten by things. Even if it went bad, I told myself I would not be weak in front of them, that I would always put on a good face and be strong and have dignity.”
Video: Boise State DE Tyrone Crawford
October, 16, 2011
10/16/11
12:32
AM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Boise State DE Tyrone Crawford talks to Andrea Adelson after the Broncos' victory over Colorado State.
Boise makes statement in first MWC game
October, 15, 2011
10/15/11
10:50
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Boise State talked conference this week. Yup, Mountain West Conference.
Sure, national headlines may have linked the Broncos to a new home in the Big East. Those were promptly ignored. What was emphasized? Making a statement in their first Mountain West game against Colorado State on Saturday.
You could say No. 5 Boise State made a statement. Or you could say Boise State just kept on rolling and did not really have to say much of anything. The Broncos absolutely controlled the Rams from the start of the game, racking up a school-record 742 yards of offense, and getting career days from running back Doug Martin, receiver Tyler Shoemaker and another eye-popping performance from Kellen Moore in a 63-13 win.
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AP Photo/Jack DempseyBoise State quarterback Kellen Moore was nearly flawless against Colorado State on Saturday.
AP Photo/Jack DempseyBoise State quarterback Kellen Moore was nearly flawless against Colorado State on Saturday.Moore started the game with 18 straight completions and finished 26-of-30 for 338 yards and four touchdown passes. His .867 completion percentage was the fourth-highest total in school history. But it gets better than that. It was the second time this season he completed more than 80 percent of his passes. He did it in the opener against Georgia, too.
If anybody turns their nose at his numbers because of the subpar competition, they simply have not watched Moore play. Coach Chris Petersen said Moore is seeing things well right now, and that might be yet another understatement. When somebody has the experience Moore has, on top of the smarts Moore has, they are bound to succeed. But Moore takes that to another level with the ease in which he directs the offense.
Four of his completions went for over 25 yards. His two touchdown passes to Shoemaker covered 52 yards and 62 yards, helping Shoemaker set his career mark with 180 total yards. Moore now has 120 career touchdowns, one away from tying BYU quarterback Ty Detmer for No. 4 on the NCAA list. He also needs one more win to tie the career wins record of 45, set by Colt McCoy at Texas from 2006-09.
"I knew the whole week going in, the quarterback's a good player," Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild said. "He started out, what did he hit 18 in a row? When I played, I couldn't have done that on air."
Meanwhile, the run game worked better than it has all season, as Martin got to 200 yards, the first time a Boise State player hit that mark since Ian Johnson had 205 against Nevada in 2007. In all, Boise State had eight plays that went over 25 yards, including five that went 36 or more.
When the run and the pass work that well, it is extremely difficult to stop the Broncos.
"If we can run the ball like that, good things will happen for us," Petersen said.
Much was made of the way new challenges would be presented to the coaching staff with a new conference. Boise State had never played Colorado State before, so plenty of game planning and film watching had to be done in order to prepare. But the Broncos made it look effortless, the way they did in the WAC. During their 10-year run in that league, Boise State won eight league championships and posted a 75-5 mark in conference games.
"(This) sets the standard for us in the Mountain West," Shoemaker said. "We talked about that a lot this week in practice, to let them know as a new conference member we're here to compete."
And to keep winning.
Final: Boise State 63, Colorado State 13
October, 15, 2011
10/15/11
9:07
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Thankfully for Colorado State, its first game against Boise State has mercifully come to an end.
It was an all-out Broncos blitz in a 63-13 win, their first conference game in the Mountain West. While talk about the Big East may have overshadowed the day, Boise State made it known it is just as serious about winning this league as it was in the WAC. If Saturday was any indication, they could be on yet another road to domination.
The No. 5 Broncos (6-0) became bowl eligible and racked up more than 700 yards of total offense. There was not much that went unaccomplished on the field. Kellen Moore had four incompletions, threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns before being pulled in the third quarter. Running back Doug Martin hit 200 yards. Tyler Shoemaker not only had 180 yards receiving, he also executed a fake punt to perfection.
Had the starters stayed in the game, Boise State could well have scored 70. In any case, Boise State has now posted back-to-back games in which it has scored 50-plus points. The fewest points the Broncos have scored all year? Thirty against Nevada two weeks ago.
It was an all-out Broncos blitz in a 63-13 win, their first conference game in the Mountain West. While talk about the Big East may have overshadowed the day, Boise State made it known it is just as serious about winning this league as it was in the WAC. If Saturday was any indication, they could be on yet another road to domination.
The No. 5 Broncos (6-0) became bowl eligible and racked up more than 700 yards of total offense. There was not much that went unaccomplished on the field. Kellen Moore had four incompletions, threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns before being pulled in the third quarter. Running back Doug Martin hit 200 yards. Tyler Shoemaker not only had 180 yards receiving, he also executed a fake punt to perfection.
Had the starters stayed in the game, Boise State could well have scored 70. In any case, Boise State has now posted back-to-back games in which it has scored 50-plus points. The fewest points the Broncos have scored all year? Thirty against Nevada two weeks ago.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- New conference, no problem for Boise State.
The Broncos rolled to a 63-13 lead after three quarters thanks to their usual high-powered offense leading the way. Kellen Moore went 26-of-30 for 338 yards with four touchdown passes before being pulled from the game with 5:11 to go in the third quarter. He now has 120 career touchdown passes, No. 5 in NCAA history and one behind Ty Detmer of BYU. Consider he has only played in one full game this season -- in the opener against Georgia.
Meanwhile, Tyler Shoemaker had 180 yards receiving and two touchdowns, and Doug Martin ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Seven of the Broncos' nine scoring drives lasted under 2 minutes.
The defensive line harassed and pressured Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas, who had only 100 yards passing and an interception. The Rams were 0-of-10 on third-down conversions through three quarters.
The Broncos rolled to a 63-13 lead after three quarters thanks to their usual high-powered offense leading the way. Kellen Moore went 26-of-30 for 338 yards with four touchdown passes before being pulled from the game with 5:11 to go in the third quarter. He now has 120 career touchdown passes, No. 5 in NCAA history and one behind Ty Detmer of BYU. Consider he has only played in one full game this season -- in the opener against Georgia.
Meanwhile, Tyler Shoemaker had 180 yards receiving and two touchdowns, and Doug Martin ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Seven of the Broncos' nine scoring drives lasted under 2 minutes.
The defensive line harassed and pressured Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas, who had only 100 yards passing and an interception. The Rams were 0-of-10 on third-down conversions through three quarters.
Halftime: Boise State 35, Colorado State 13
October, 15, 2011
10/15/11
7:56
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Boise State leads Colorado State 35-13 at halftime. Let's take a quick look at how it happened:
Stat of the half: 21. First downs for the Broncos, as they scored touchdowns on their first five possessions and racked up 476 yards of total offense on 47 plays. There simply was not much the Rams could do to stop Boise State.
Best player in the half: None other than Kellen Moore, of course. The Heisman Trophy hopeful started the game with 18 straight completions and ended the half 24-of-26 for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Moore did what he always does.
Best call: Colorado State needed to get something going, after falling behind 35-0. So coach Steve Fairchild called a trick play, with Crockett Gillmore throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Joe Brown on a halfback option. It worked so well the first time, the Rams did it again when Charles Lovett threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Matt Yemm later in the quarter.
Stat of the half: 21. First downs for the Broncos, as they scored touchdowns on their first five possessions and racked up 476 yards of total offense on 47 plays. There simply was not much the Rams could do to stop Boise State.
Best player in the half: None other than Kellen Moore, of course. The Heisman Trophy hopeful started the game with 18 straight completions and ended the half 24-of-26 for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Moore did what he always does.
Best call: Colorado State needed to get something going, after falling behind 35-0. So coach Steve Fairchild called a trick play, with Crockett Gillmore throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Joe Brown on a halfback option. It worked so well the first time, the Rams did it again when Charles Lovett threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Matt Yemm later in the quarter.
Boise State rolling against Colorado State
October, 15, 2011
10/15/11
6:56
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The first game for Boise State as members of the Mountain West looks a lot like many of their games in the WAC.
Not much competition.
The Broncos rolled out to a 28-0 lead on Colorado State early in the second quarter with touchdowns on their first four drives. Doug Martin went over 100 yards in the first quarter, with two touchdowns -- a 65-yard run and a 26-yard run. Kellen Moore was 8-of-8 for 107 yards and a 52-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Shoemaker in the first quarter. The Rams have offered little resistance, as receivers have been wide open and Martin has had huge holes.
Meanwhile, the defense held Colorado State without a first down and 7 total yards on 14 plays in the first quarter. Tyrone Crawford had two sacks himself, and added a fumble recovery in the second quarter.
Boise State won eight conference titles in 10 years in the WAC. This is its first game against Colorado State.
Not much competition.
The Broncos rolled out to a 28-0 lead on Colorado State early in the second quarter with touchdowns on their first four drives. Doug Martin went over 100 yards in the first quarter, with two touchdowns -- a 65-yard run and a 26-yard run. Kellen Moore was 8-of-8 for 107 yards and a 52-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Shoemaker in the first quarter. The Rams have offered little resistance, as receivers have been wide open and Martin has had huge holes.
Meanwhile, the defense held Colorado State without a first down and 7 total yards on 14 plays in the first quarter. Tyrone Crawford had two sacks himself, and added a fumble recovery in the second quarter.
Boise State won eight conference titles in 10 years in the WAC. This is its first game against Colorado State.
Pregame: Boise State at Colorado State
October, 15, 2011
10/15/11
5:07
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- It is a gorgeous day here in Colorado for Boise State's first game as a member of the Mountain West, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s.
The big question surrounding the Broncos, of course, is whether they will be long-term members of the Mountain West with so much speculation surrounding them. But there is a football game to be played, so here are a few keys:
1. As you saw in the pregame video -- what will the plan be to neutralize Nordly Capi? Capi is second in the nation with eight sacks, so we will see how the Broncos neutralize him.
2. Will Geraldo Boldewijn have a big game? Boldewijn played in his first game last week, with three catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns, and he is supposed to give the Broncos the deep threat they have been missing so far this season. Chris Petersen said earlier in the week, "I say this to take pressure off of him -- Geraldo’s caught 10 passes for us in the past year. It’s not like getting Austin Pettis or Titus Young back. He’s a young guy that’s a work in progress. But I thought he did well."
3. Boise State pass rush. The Broncos are generally one of the best in the country in this category, but only have nine sacks this season. Petersen was not too concerned when asked about that earlier in the week. "That's where numbers can lie to you," he said. "If you look at the overall numbers, a lot has to do with what those guys are doing up front."
The big question surrounding the Broncos, of course, is whether they will be long-term members of the Mountain West with so much speculation surrounding them. But there is a football game to be played, so here are a few keys:
1. As you saw in the pregame video -- what will the plan be to neutralize Nordly Capi? Capi is second in the nation with eight sacks, so we will see how the Broncos neutralize him.
2. Will Geraldo Boldewijn have a big game? Boldewijn played in his first game last week, with three catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns, and he is supposed to give the Broncos the deep threat they have been missing so far this season. Chris Petersen said earlier in the week, "I say this to take pressure off of him -- Geraldo’s caught 10 passes for us in the past year. It’s not like getting Austin Pettis or Titus Young back. He’s a young guy that’s a work in progress. But I thought he did well."
3. Boise State pass rush. The Broncos are generally one of the best in the country in this category, but only have nine sacks this season. Petersen was not too concerned when asked about that earlier in the week. "That's where numbers can lie to you," he said. "If you look at the overall numbers, a lot has to do with what those guys are doing up front."
The Mountain West knew 2011 would be a critical season. The league needed some pretty standout performances in this, the final year during the four-year qualification cycle for an automatic bid into the BCS.
But so far, Boise State is the only school that has done its part. The Broncos are undefeated and ranked No. 5. TCU, which started the season in the Top 25, is now unranked at 4-2. San Diego State and Air Force, two teams some thought could make some national noise this season, are 3-2. Mountain West teams are 2-8 against teams from AQ conferences so far this season.
New Mexico and UNLV have lost to FCS teams. The Lobos remain one of the worst teams in the nation, and fired coach Mike Locksley after an 0-4 start. They are one of three winless teams remaining.
If you are looking for good defense, you are going to have to look elsewhere. Six of the eight teams in the league rank No. 69 or worse in total defense. That includes four teams -- Air Force, Wyoming, UNLV and New Mexico -- ranked No. 106 or worse.
It appears more likely than ever that the Mountain West will fall short of meeting the three criteria to get an AQ bid for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. That means it would have to appeal to the presidential oversight committee for a waiver to become an AQ conference. Of course, conference realignment has made much of college football uncertain.
Commissioner Craig Thompson has talked to Conference USA about partnering up with football in an attempt to see whether this would help get an AQ bid. Though TCU is leaving the conference, its performance this season does count for the Mountain West. But if it is up to the presidential oversight committee to decide, it could weigh this huge factor: Utah, TCU and BYU are no longer in the league. Those three schools put the Mountain West on the map.
In any case, the Mountain West needs Boise State to keep doing its part as the second half of the season gets underway.
Offensive MVP: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State. Moore remains in the Heisman discussion one year after getting an invite to New York. Moore has thrown for 1,391 yards with 17 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Defensive MVP: Nordly Capi, DE, Colorado State. Capi is No. 2 in the nation with eight sacks, and has had a breakout season for the Rams. He also leads the nation with five forced fumbles. He set an NCAA record with four against New Mexico in the season opener.
Biggest surprise: Wyoming. OK, the Cowboys beat two FCS teams, but they already have surpassed their win total from last season at 3-2. True freshman Brett Smith has handled the starting quarterback duties well. The Cowboys are coming off a big loss to Utah State, so we’ll see how they finish up in the second half of the season.
Biggest disappointment: TCU defense. The Horned Frogs are not supposed to rebuild, they are supposed to reload, right? Well, quarterback Casey Pachall has been good in place of Andy Dalton. It’s the defense that has let the team down in two losses this season. That’s not expected of a team that has come to be known for its defense. But the Horned Frogs made huge strides in a win against San Diego State last week, a good sign moving forward.
Best game: Boise State 35, Georgia 21. The Broncos picked up their first win against an SEC team. It was a much needed one, not only to keep BCS hopes alive, but to continue to stay in the national conversation. Moore went 28-of-34 for 261 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and the defense piled up six sacks.
Best coach: Chris Petersen, Boise State. The Broncos came into the season with high expectations once again, and they have been able to manage those and some off-field distractions, as three players have been forced to sit out because they violated NCAA rules. But they haven’t started conference play yet. That begins this week, so Boise State still has much to do to get back to a BCS game.
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Brian Losness/US PresswireKellen Moore and Boise State have been a bright spot for the Mountain West this season.
Brian Losness/US PresswireKellen Moore and Boise State have been a bright spot for the Mountain West this season.New Mexico and UNLV have lost to FCS teams. The Lobos remain one of the worst teams in the nation, and fired coach Mike Locksley after an 0-4 start. They are one of three winless teams remaining.
If you are looking for good defense, you are going to have to look elsewhere. Six of the eight teams in the league rank No. 69 or worse in total defense. That includes four teams -- Air Force, Wyoming, UNLV and New Mexico -- ranked No. 106 or worse.
It appears more likely than ever that the Mountain West will fall short of meeting the three criteria to get an AQ bid for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. That means it would have to appeal to the presidential oversight committee for a waiver to become an AQ conference. Of course, conference realignment has made much of college football uncertain.
Commissioner Craig Thompson has talked to Conference USA about partnering up with football in an attempt to see whether this would help get an AQ bid. Though TCU is leaving the conference, its performance this season does count for the Mountain West. But if it is up to the presidential oversight committee to decide, it could weigh this huge factor: Utah, TCU and BYU are no longer in the league. Those three schools put the Mountain West on the map.
In any case, the Mountain West needs Boise State to keep doing its part as the second half of the season gets underway.
Offensive MVP: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State. Moore remains in the Heisman discussion one year after getting an invite to New York. Moore has thrown for 1,391 yards with 17 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Defensive MVP: Nordly Capi, DE, Colorado State. Capi is No. 2 in the nation with eight sacks, and has had a breakout season for the Rams. He also leads the nation with five forced fumbles. He set an NCAA record with four against New Mexico in the season opener.
Biggest surprise: Wyoming. OK, the Cowboys beat two FCS teams, but they already have surpassed their win total from last season at 3-2. True freshman Brett Smith has handled the starting quarterback duties well. The Cowboys are coming off a big loss to Utah State, so we’ll see how they finish up in the second half of the season.
Biggest disappointment: TCU defense. The Horned Frogs are not supposed to rebuild, they are supposed to reload, right? Well, quarterback Casey Pachall has been good in place of Andy Dalton. It’s the defense that has let the team down in two losses this season. That’s not expected of a team that has come to be known for its defense. But the Horned Frogs made huge strides in a win against San Diego State last week, a good sign moving forward.
Best game: Boise State 35, Georgia 21. The Broncos picked up their first win against an SEC team. It was a much needed one, not only to keep BCS hopes alive, but to continue to stay in the national conversation. Moore went 28-of-34 for 261 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and the defense piled up six sacks.
Best coach: Chris Petersen, Boise State. The Broncos came into the season with high expectations once again, and they have been able to manage those and some off-field distractions, as three players have been forced to sit out because they violated NCAA rules. But they haven’t started conference play yet. That begins this week, so Boise State still has much to do to get back to a BCS game.
Here are the non-AQ players of the week as selected by each conference. The independent players are selected by a nationwide media panel.
Conference USA
Offense: Reggie Bullock, RB, East Carolina. Bullock rushed for a personal-best 169 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries to help East Carolina beat UAB 28-23.
Defense: Jamie Bender, S, UAB. Had 11 tackles and returned one interception 35 yards for a touchdown in a loss to East Carolina. That was the first defensive score for the Blazers since 2009.
Special teams: Danny Hrapmann, K, Southern Miss. Made three of four field goals (43, 35 and 27 yards), including two in the final quarter of a 30-24 victory over Virginia. He also converted a fake punt deep in the Golden Eagles' end zone and ran 31 yards for a first down.
Independent
Offense: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame. Eifert set a career-high with eight receptions for a game-high 75 yards and a touchdown in a 15-12 win at Pittsburgh.
Defense: Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU. Had eight tackles and a sack in a win over UCF.
Special teams: Cody Hoffman, WR/KR, BYU. Had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 24-17 win over UCF. That was BYU's first kickoff return touchdown since Oct. 17, 1998 -- a span of 161 games.
MAC
East Division
Offense: Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple. Ran for a school record and MAC record-tying five touchdowns in a 38-7 win at Maryland. Pierce eclipsed the 100-yard mark in rushing for the 12th time in his career and third time this season. He finished with 149 yards on 32 carries for five touchdowns.
Defense: Luke Wollet, S, Kent State. Had two interceptions while matching his season-high with eight tackles in a 33-25 win over South Alabama.
Special teams: Ray Hutson, WR, Bowling Green. Blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return in the Falcons’ 37-23 win at Miami (Ohio).
West Division
Co-Offense: Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. Eric Page, WR, Toledo. White set his career record with 14 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in a 23-30 loss at No. 24 Illinois. White became the fourth Bronco to have over 200 career catches and recorded his 14th 100-yard receiving game.
Page had a season-high 13 receptions and career-high 158 receiving yards in a 33-30 overtime loss at Syracuse. Page had 279 all-purpose yards, including 114 yards in kickoff returns.
Defense: Sean Baker, S, Ball State. Had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one interception in a 48-21 victory over Army. He was a part of a Ball State defense that tied an NCAA single game record by not allowing Army to complete a pass in the game.
Special Teams: Jeremiah Detmer, K, Toledo. Kicked a 52-yard field goal in his first career attempt in a 33-30 overtime loss at Syracuse. The 52-yarder was the second-longest field goal in Toledo history.
Mountain West
Co-Offense: Chris Nwoke, RB, Colorado State, Deon Long, RB, New Mexico. Had 102 yards of total offense (85 rushing, 17 receiving) and scored two touchdowns in Colorado State’s 35-34 double-overtime victory at Utah State. Nwoke tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds left in regulation, then provided the game-winner with a 2-yard run on CSU’s second possession in overtime.
Long broke the school and Mountain West single-game record with 378 all-purpose yards in New Mexico’s overtime loss to Sam Houston State. Offensively, Long caught nine passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
Defense: Shaquil Barrett, LB, Colorado State. Had a team-high 14 tackles in a 35-34 double-overtime win at Utah State. He also added his first career fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Special teams: Tanner Hedstrom, LS, Colorado State. Hedstrom recovered two fumbles on muffed punts, including a critical takeaway to set up the game-tying score in Colorado State’s 35-34 double-overtime win at Utah State.
Sun Belt
Offense: Blaine Gautier, QB, Louisiana. In just his fourth career start, Gautier totaled 307 yards (221 passing/86 rushing) and tossed three touchdown passes to lead the offense in a 36-31 upset over FIU.
Defense: Chris Pickett, DB, Troy. Recovered a fumble and returned it for a 63-yard touchdown in a win over Middle Tennessee. Pickett finished the game with seven total tackles, including one for loss, and also broke up a pass.
Special Teams: Brian David, K, Arkansas State. Set a new Sun Belt and school record when he made six field goals in a 53-24 win over Central Arkansas. His 23 points scored in the game also set a league and school record for points scored in a single game by a kicker.
WAC
Offense: Bryant Moniz, QB, Hawaii. Set a new school record and tied an NCAA record with seven touchdown passes in the first half of a 56-14 win over UC Davis. Moniz also set a new school record with 424 passing yards in a half. He was 30-of-40, and did not play in the second half.
Defense: Travis Brown, LB, Fresno State. Made a career-high 11 tackles in Fresno State’s 48-24 win at Idaho. Brown led the Bulldog defense that allowed just 55 yards of total offense in the second half and 44 yards rushing for the whole game.
Special teams: Kevin Goessling, K, Fresno State. Made all six of his extra point attempts and both field goal attempts from 48 yards in the win at Idaho.
Conference USA
Offense: Reggie Bullock, RB, East Carolina. Bullock rushed for a personal-best 169 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries to help East Carolina beat UAB 28-23.
Defense: Jamie Bender, S, UAB. Had 11 tackles and returned one interception 35 yards for a touchdown in a loss to East Carolina. That was the first defensive score for the Blazers since 2009.
Special teams: Danny Hrapmann, K, Southern Miss. Made three of four field goals (43, 35 and 27 yards), including two in the final quarter of a 30-24 victory over Virginia. He also converted a fake punt deep in the Golden Eagles' end zone and ran 31 yards for a first down.
Independent
Offense: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame. Eifert set a career-high with eight receptions for a game-high 75 yards and a touchdown in a 15-12 win at Pittsburgh.
Defense: Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU. Had eight tackles and a sack in a win over UCF.
Special teams: Cody Hoffman, WR/KR, BYU. Had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 24-17 win over UCF. That was BYU's first kickoff return touchdown since Oct. 17, 1998 -- a span of 161 games.
MAC
East Division
Offense: Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple. Ran for a school record and MAC record-tying five touchdowns in a 38-7 win at Maryland. Pierce eclipsed the 100-yard mark in rushing for the 12th time in his career and third time this season. He finished with 149 yards on 32 carries for five touchdowns.
Defense: Luke Wollet, S, Kent State. Had two interceptions while matching his season-high with eight tackles in a 33-25 win over South Alabama.
Special teams: Ray Hutson, WR, Bowling Green. Blocked a punt and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return in the Falcons’ 37-23 win at Miami (Ohio).
West Division
Co-Offense: Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. Eric Page, WR, Toledo. White set his career record with 14 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in a 23-30 loss at No. 24 Illinois. White became the fourth Bronco to have over 200 career catches and recorded his 14th 100-yard receiving game.
Page had a season-high 13 receptions and career-high 158 receiving yards in a 33-30 overtime loss at Syracuse. Page had 279 all-purpose yards, including 114 yards in kickoff returns.
Defense: Sean Baker, S, Ball State. Had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one interception in a 48-21 victory over Army. He was a part of a Ball State defense that tied an NCAA single game record by not allowing Army to complete a pass in the game.
Special Teams: Jeremiah Detmer, K, Toledo. Kicked a 52-yard field goal in his first career attempt in a 33-30 overtime loss at Syracuse. The 52-yarder was the second-longest field goal in Toledo history.
Mountain West
Co-Offense: Chris Nwoke, RB, Colorado State, Deon Long, RB, New Mexico. Had 102 yards of total offense (85 rushing, 17 receiving) and scored two touchdowns in Colorado State’s 35-34 double-overtime victory at Utah State. Nwoke tied the game with a 1-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds left in regulation, then provided the game-winner with a 2-yard run on CSU’s second possession in overtime.
Long broke the school and Mountain West single-game record with 378 all-purpose yards in New Mexico’s overtime loss to Sam Houston State. Offensively, Long caught nine passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
Defense: Shaquil Barrett, LB, Colorado State. Had a team-high 14 tackles in a 35-34 double-overtime win at Utah State. He also added his first career fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Special teams: Tanner Hedstrom, LS, Colorado State. Hedstrom recovered two fumbles on muffed punts, including a critical takeaway to set up the game-tying score in Colorado State’s 35-34 double-overtime win at Utah State.
Sun Belt
Offense: Blaine Gautier, QB, Louisiana. In just his fourth career start, Gautier totaled 307 yards (221 passing/86 rushing) and tossed three touchdown passes to lead the offense in a 36-31 upset over FIU.
Defense: Chris Pickett, DB, Troy. Recovered a fumble and returned it for a 63-yard touchdown in a win over Middle Tennessee. Pickett finished the game with seven total tackles, including one for loss, and also broke up a pass.
Special Teams: Brian David, K, Arkansas State. Set a new Sun Belt and school record when he made six field goals in a 53-24 win over Central Arkansas. His 23 points scored in the game also set a league and school record for points scored in a single game by a kicker.
WAC
Offense: Bryant Moniz, QB, Hawaii. Set a new school record and tied an NCAA record with seven touchdown passes in the first half of a 56-14 win over UC Davis. Moniz also set a new school record with 424 passing yards in a half. He was 30-of-40, and did not play in the second half.
Defense: Travis Brown, LB, Fresno State. Made a career-high 11 tackles in Fresno State’s 48-24 win at Idaho. Brown led the Bulldog defense that allowed just 55 yards of total offense in the second half and 44 yards rushing for the whole game.
Special teams: Kevin Goessling, K, Fresno State. Made all six of his extra point attempts and both field goal attempts from 48 yards in the win at Idaho.
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