College Football Nation: Fresno State Bulldogs
1. A seven-member majority of ACC schools came one vote shy of adding a $100,000 fine to the heap of penalties that the NCAA announced for North Carolina last month. That did not leave the majority happy. Neither will this: North Carolina announced that it has uncovered widespread academic fraud in its African and Afro-American Studies program, including classes in which a significant number of football and mens’s basketball players enrolled. But ACC commissioner John Swofford said in an email that the league “doesn’t review institutional reports of this kind.”
2. In case you missed it, on Tuesday night authors Buzz Bissinger and Malcolm Gladwell debated author Tim Green and sportswriter Jason Whitlock on whether college football should be banned (Yes, banned). Bissinger and Gladwell “won” the debate, the sponsor said, because surveys taken of the audience indicated more people sided with them afterward than before. The debate took place at NYU, which means, if nothing else, Bissinger/Gladwell understand home field. If they want to impress somebody with the sparkle of their intellects, hold the next debate at Ohio State. Or Texas. Or Alabama….
3. Dozens of football players who can’t crack a lineup at a football power transfer down a rung or two on the FBS ladder so that they can play. A few make lateral moves because of family concerns or scheme changes. But it’s hard to recall a player like Fresno State junior Jalen Saunders, an All-WAC wide receiver who is climbing up the ladder to Oklahoma. Saunders, who didn’t like his role in the spread offense installed by new Bulldogs coach Tim DeRuyter, will be eligible for the Sooners in 2013.
2. In case you missed it, on Tuesday night authors Buzz Bissinger and Malcolm Gladwell debated author Tim Green and sportswriter Jason Whitlock on whether college football should be banned (Yes, banned). Bissinger and Gladwell “won” the debate, the sponsor said, because surveys taken of the audience indicated more people sided with them afterward than before. The debate took place at NYU, which means, if nothing else, Bissinger/Gladwell understand home field. If they want to impress somebody with the sparkle of their intellects, hold the next debate at Ohio State. Or Texas. Or Alabama….
3. Dozens of football players who can’t crack a lineup at a football power transfer down a rung or two on the FBS ladder so that they can play. A few make lateral moves because of family concerns or scheme changes. But it’s hard to recall a player like Fresno State junior Jalen Saunders, an All-WAC wide receiver who is climbing up the ladder to Oklahoma. Saunders, who didn’t like his role in the spread offense installed by new Bulldogs coach Tim DeRuyter, will be eligible for the Sooners in 2013.
For the first time in 15 springs, a new head man will be roaming the Fresno State sideline.
Tim DeRuyter has no Fu Manchu mustache, and he has saved the blustery talk about playing "anytime, anywhere." If you want even more proof that that these truly are new times at Fresno State, then pay attention to the revamped offense and defense DeRuyter brings with him now that spring practice is officially under way.
Goodbye pro-style and hello spread.
Goodbye 4-3 and hello 3-4.
None of this is to say that every single trace of former coach Pat Hill has been scrubbed from the Bulldogs. Hill recruited every player on the field this spring, instilling a toughness in each of them. He won more than 100 games in 14 seasons, bringing Fresno State to national prominence before the program slid back down. A 4-8 campaign in 2011 spelled the end for Hill, who gave everything he had to Fresno State.
But there is no doubting that folks in town got antsy for a change. The administration did, as well. So in comes DeRuyter, a proven defensive assistant getting his first opportunity as a head coach. He plans to put his own indelible stamp on the program, one he believes has the same potential Hill always spoke so passionately about during his time in the Valley.
"Coach Hill, he established a toughness, a physicality, a work ethic we're going to build on," DeRuyter said in a phone interview. "We're going to tweak some things offensively and defensively, but we're going to keep the identity of Fresno State. We're going to add a speed factor to it as far as how fast we're going to play on offense and defense."
Speed factor aside, the major question DeRuyter must answer right at the top is how he takes this program from good to great. Since the most successful non-automatic qualifying programs have gone to different conferences, there is a void that Fresno State can easily fill. The next rising non-AQ could very well be the school that was the very first rising non-AQ back in the early part of the past decade.
"You have to talk about consistency, and consistency happens in January, February, March -- all the way through the year," DeRuyter said. "That's one of the things we've talked about with our players. To win championships, you have to get after it now. If we play the exact pace, tempo and intensity, it's going to get us there. Coach Hill did tremendous things. His teams went toe-to-toe with everybody. If they did have a disappointment along the way, it was maybe losing to a team on paper they felt they should have beaten. No matter who we play, there's a standard for Fresno State football we have to live up to."
Losing seasons are unacceptable. So getting back to a bowl is a primary goal. Though the schemes will look decidedly different, the personnel on offense will not. Derek Carr returns for his second season as the starting quarterback. Though he is a pro-style quarterback, DeRuyter said Carr has fully embraced the switch to the high-tempo spread offense.
"He's an ideal guy to build around," DeRuyter said. "I go back to the game a year ago when they went to Lincoln and played Nebraska. He does not get fazed. He can spin the ball, and he also is a guy who can make plays and extend the play with his feet. His biggest attribute is his demeanor on the field. The game becomes slow for him because he gets it."
Seven other starters return, including running back Robbie Rouse and receivers Jalen Saunders and Rashad Evans and the entire starting offensive line. Offense, however, has rarely been a concern at Fresno State. The defense has been in major need of fixing for several years now, so it makes sense the Bulldogs hired somebody with DeRuyter's acumen as a defensive coach.
The transition to a 3-4 is meant to get more athletic players onto the field while also allowing the Bulldogs to better disguise their blitzes and schemes. Identifying the four best linebackers is a huge priority in the spring. The good news is that several injured players return, including safeties Phillip Thomas and Derron Smith.
Couple all these transitions with moving to a new conference home in the Mountain West, and getting used to a new head coach, and you have the makings of quite a different look at Fresno State.
Tim DeRuyter has no Fu Manchu mustache, and he has saved the blustery talk about playing "anytime, anywhere." If you want even more proof that that these truly are new times at Fresno State, then pay attention to the revamped offense and defense DeRuyter brings with him now that spring practice is officially under way.
Goodbye pro-style and hello spread.
Goodbye 4-3 and hello 3-4.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Mark CrosseTim DeRuyter is bringing is own vision this season to the Fresno State program.
AP Photo/Mark CrosseTim DeRuyter is bringing is own vision this season to the Fresno State program.None of this is to say that every single trace of former coach Pat Hill has been scrubbed from the Bulldogs. Hill recruited every player on the field this spring, instilling a toughness in each of them. He won more than 100 games in 14 seasons, bringing Fresno State to national prominence before the program slid back down. A 4-8 campaign in 2011 spelled the end for Hill, who gave everything he had to Fresno State.
But there is no doubting that folks in town got antsy for a change. The administration did, as well. So in comes DeRuyter, a proven defensive assistant getting his first opportunity as a head coach. He plans to put his own indelible stamp on the program, one he believes has the same potential Hill always spoke so passionately about during his time in the Valley.
"Coach Hill, he established a toughness, a physicality, a work ethic we're going to build on," DeRuyter said in a phone interview. "We're going to tweak some things offensively and defensively, but we're going to keep the identity of Fresno State. We're going to add a speed factor to it as far as how fast we're going to play on offense and defense."
Speed factor aside, the major question DeRuyter must answer right at the top is how he takes this program from good to great. Since the most successful non-automatic qualifying programs have gone to different conferences, there is a void that Fresno State can easily fill. The next rising non-AQ could very well be the school that was the very first rising non-AQ back in the early part of the past decade.
"You have to talk about consistency, and consistency happens in January, February, March -- all the way through the year," DeRuyter said. "That's one of the things we've talked about with our players. To win championships, you have to get after it now. If we play the exact pace, tempo and intensity, it's going to get us there. Coach Hill did tremendous things. His teams went toe-to-toe with everybody. If they did have a disappointment along the way, it was maybe losing to a team on paper they felt they should have beaten. No matter who we play, there's a standard for Fresno State football we have to live up to."
Losing seasons are unacceptable. So getting back to a bowl is a primary goal. Though the schemes will look decidedly different, the personnel on offense will not. Derek Carr returns for his second season as the starting quarterback. Though he is a pro-style quarterback, DeRuyter said Carr has fully embraced the switch to the high-tempo spread offense.
"He's an ideal guy to build around," DeRuyter said. "I go back to the game a year ago when they went to Lincoln and played Nebraska. He does not get fazed. He can spin the ball, and he also is a guy who can make plays and extend the play with his feet. His biggest attribute is his demeanor on the field. The game becomes slow for him because he gets it."
Seven other starters return, including running back Robbie Rouse and receivers Jalen Saunders and Rashad Evans and the entire starting offensive line. Offense, however, has rarely been a concern at Fresno State. The defense has been in major need of fixing for several years now, so it makes sense the Bulldogs hired somebody with DeRuyter's acumen as a defensive coach.
The transition to a 3-4 is meant to get more athletic players onto the field while also allowing the Bulldogs to better disguise their blitzes and schemes. Identifying the four best linebackers is a huge priority in the spring. The good news is that several injured players return, including safeties Phillip Thomas and Derron Smith.
Couple all these transitions with moving to a new conference home in the Mountain West, and getting used to a new head coach, and you have the makings of quite a different look at Fresno State.
The Mountain West and Conference USA have announced plans to form a new athletic association for the 2013-14 season, as a way to ensure their future survival due to heavy losses each league has suffered in realignment.
Presidents and chancellors of the 16 schools that will be a part of the group met in Dallas on Sunday to discuss the details. Those schools: Air Force, UAB, Colorado State, East Carolina, Fresno State, Hawaii, Marshall, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV, Rice, Southern Miss, UTEP, Tulane, Tulsa and Wyoming. With the exception of Hawaii as a football-only member, the participation would involve all sports.
The Mountain West is losing Boise State and San Diego State to the Big East, while Conference USA is losing Houston, Memphis, SMU and UCF to the Big East as well. Most interesting in the announcement made Monday were these two points that will likely be included in the future structure of the new association:
- Membership of 18 to 24 universities
- Championship football game format that includes semifinal matchups
Growing from two to eight teams means the new association might have designs on absorbing the WAC, which is struggling to hang on after recent defections to the Mountain West, or possibly going after teams in the Sun Belt. Utah State and San Jose State, currently in the WAC, have been tied to the Mountain West in the past. In fact, Utah State was offered a spot in the Mountain West in 2010 but turned it down.
The championship game format, complete with semifinals, is obviously intriguing simply because that is something most folks have yearned for in college football as a whole. If the league grows to 24 teams, having four teams making it into a "championship round" would seem to increase interest. Especially if the semifinal round is on a home campus.
Now keep in mind regular-season scheduling will be contained to divisions, and those divisions are going to be set based on geography. There is a reason the news release cited this as essential to the new association: "bringing fiscal discipline into athletics and ensuring competitive fairness."
Right now, Conference USA has teams stretching from East Carolina to El Paso. So one would think that it would make more sense to have UTEP in a different division than the Pirates, just like they are now, with road games East contained to one or fewer a year, or perhaps eliminated entirely. If the league gets to 18 teams at a minimum with two nine-team divisions -- think eight regular-season football games contained to that division.
That should help alleviate some of the money that is spent on traveling alone, especially in the nonrevenue sports.
Let's take a look back at some of the top moments from the non-AQs in 2011, both good and bad.
1. A missed field goal strikes again. Everybody knew the Boise State-TCU game would have major implications in the national picture. No. 5 Boise State came in undefeated, with a 65-game regular-season home winning streak and veteran Kellen Moore leading the way. But the Horned Frogs are never an easy out, as Boise State has learned through the years. Casey Pachall rallied his team from a fourth-quarter deficit with 1:05 to go when he threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Carter. Rather than go for the extra point to tie the game at 35, Gary Patterson went for 2. It was a bold move, but it was one he felt was necessary if he wanted to win in regulation. Pachall converted with a pass to Josh Boyce and TCU went up 36-35. Moore wasn't done. He guided the Broncos into position for the game-winning field goal. But for the second straight year, they missed. This time, it was Dan Goodale's 39-yard kick sailing wide right, denying Boise State a shot at a BCS game. TCU left the Mountain West with its third straight conference title.
2. Houston collapses. All Houston had to do to secure its first BCS berth was beat Southern Miss in the Conference USA title game. The Cougars were the favorite, having gone undefeated in the regular season with Case Keenum behind center. Southern Miss had lost to UAB. So yeah, most everybody expected the Cougars to romp. Instead, the Golden Eagles pulled one of the biggest upsets of the season, shutting down Keenum and winning 49-28 in a game they dominated from start to finish. Keenum threw two interceptions and was harassed all day long. The end result: Houston ended up in the TicketCity Bowl, a far cry from one of the major BCS games. Southern Miss won its first C-USA title game.
3. Records broken. The two best non-AQ players this year ended up breaking two of the most meaningful stats for quarterbacks. Moore ended his career as the NCAA all-time wins leader with 50, passing Colt McCoy of Texas; Keenum ended his career with several NCAA marks -- 19,217 passing yards; 20,114 yards of total offense; 155 passing touchdowns; and 1,546 completions. They both did all they could to lead their teams with maturity and class, and were great representatives for their respective programs.
4. No BCS. For the first time since the BCS expanded to five games, there were no non-AQ teams represented. Much was made about a one-loss No. 7 Boise State team getting passed over for an at-large selection in favor of two teams ranked lower in the BCS standings (Michigan and Virginia Tech). Though four non-AQs finished the season ranked in the AP poll (Boise State, TCU, Houston, Southern Miss), this season will be remembered as one in which there were no undefeated non-AQs for the first time since 2005.
5. Expansion. One of the biggest storylines to eclipse the entire season was expansion, and its impact on the non-AQs. The Mountain West and Conference USA announced they were forming an alliance in the hopes of gaining an automatic bid, and bolstering itself in the event they lost teams. Well, the inevitable happened and they both lost teams. Boise State and San Diego State are leaving the MWC for the Big East, along with UCF, Houston and SMU of C-USA. With TCU going to the Big 12, you can say the non-AQs have been stripped of nearly every single one of their most consistently good teams. There is no word on the future of the alliance between the MWC and C-USA.
6. End of an era. Pat Hill had become an institution at Fresno, guiding the Bulldogs to some of their most important victories in the past 15 years while putting this program on the national map. But this team has slid in recent years and hit rock bottom in 2011 -- going 4-9, tying the mark for most losses in school history. The administration decided it was time for Hill to go and fired him after winning 112 games and going to 11 bowl games in his career there.
7. End of an era, Part II. Many wondered how good TCU would be this season with Andy Dalton headed to the NFL. After a few early-season struggles, the Horned Frogs proved they would be just fine. TCU ended its Mountain West reign with its third straight conference title; 11 victories; and yet another top 15 ranking. In fact, TCU is one of just four schools (Alabama, Boise State and Oregon) to finish in the top 15 of both major polls over the past four seasons. On top of that, TCU and Boise State are the only schools to win at least 11 games each of the past four years.
8. Navy streak ends. For the past eight years, we have come to expect Navy in a bowl game. But it was not meant to be this season. The Midshipmen lost one heartbreaking game after another -- five games by three points or fewer. The last one of those was a 27-24 setback to San Jose State in the second-to-last game of the season. Navy led going into the fourth quarter, but could not hold on. A victory in that game would have ensured a bowl appearance, because Navy finished the season with its 10th straight win over Army.
9. Got any D? The wildest game in college football happened in the MAC this year, between Northern Illinois and Toledo. Now this game is what MAC-tion is all about. The Huskies outlasted the Rockets 63-60 in a game that featured eight lead changes, 1,121 combined yards of offense and a MAC-record 17 touchdowns. Chandler Harnish won the game when he threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Perez Ashford with 19 seconds left. The victory gave Northern Illinois the MAC West title, and allowed the Huskies to make it to the conference title game, where they won their first title since 1983. They also ended up tying the school record with 11 victories.
10. Turn it around. This season, the Sun Belt literally turned itself upside down. Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State and Western Kentucky went a combined 9-27 in 2010. This season, they went 26-12 and each finished with a winning record. Arkansas State won the league and finished 10-3; ULL went 9-4. Both teams made bowl games. Western Kentucky, which went winless in 2009, finished 7-5 but was left out of a bowl.
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Otto Kitsinger III/Getty ImagesQB Casey Pachall and TCU stopped Boise State's 65-game regular-season home win streak en route to a third straight Mountain West title.
Otto Kitsinger III/Getty ImagesQB Casey Pachall and TCU stopped Boise State's 65-game regular-season home win streak en route to a third straight Mountain West title.2. Houston collapses. All Houston had to do to secure its first BCS berth was beat Southern Miss in the Conference USA title game. The Cougars were the favorite, having gone undefeated in the regular season with Case Keenum behind center. Southern Miss had lost to UAB. So yeah, most everybody expected the Cougars to romp. Instead, the Golden Eagles pulled one of the biggest upsets of the season, shutting down Keenum and winning 49-28 in a game they dominated from start to finish. Keenum threw two interceptions and was harassed all day long. The end result: Houston ended up in the TicketCity Bowl, a far cry from one of the major BCS games. Southern Miss won its first C-USA title game.
3. Records broken. The two best non-AQ players this year ended up breaking two of the most meaningful stats for quarterbacks. Moore ended his career as the NCAA all-time wins leader with 50, passing Colt McCoy of Texas; Keenum ended his career with several NCAA marks -- 19,217 passing yards; 20,114 yards of total offense; 155 passing touchdowns; and 1,546 completions. They both did all they could to lead their teams with maturity and class, and were great representatives for their respective programs.
4. No BCS. For the first time since the BCS expanded to five games, there were no non-AQ teams represented. Much was made about a one-loss No. 7 Boise State team getting passed over for an at-large selection in favor of two teams ranked lower in the BCS standings (Michigan and Virginia Tech). Though four non-AQs finished the season ranked in the AP poll (Boise State, TCU, Houston, Southern Miss), this season will be remembered as one in which there were no undefeated non-AQs for the first time since 2005.
5. Expansion. One of the biggest storylines to eclipse the entire season was expansion, and its impact on the non-AQs. The Mountain West and Conference USA announced they were forming an alliance in the hopes of gaining an automatic bid, and bolstering itself in the event they lost teams. Well, the inevitable happened and they both lost teams. Boise State and San Diego State are leaving the MWC for the Big East, along with UCF, Houston and SMU of C-USA. With TCU going to the Big 12, you can say the non-AQs have been stripped of nearly every single one of their most consistently good teams. There is no word on the future of the alliance between the MWC and C-USA.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Gary KazanjianPat Hill won 112 games and made 11 bowl appearances in 15 seasons at Fresno State.
AP Photo/Gary KazanjianPat Hill won 112 games and made 11 bowl appearances in 15 seasons at Fresno State.7. End of an era, Part II. Many wondered how good TCU would be this season with Andy Dalton headed to the NFL. After a few early-season struggles, the Horned Frogs proved they would be just fine. TCU ended its Mountain West reign with its third straight conference title; 11 victories; and yet another top 15 ranking. In fact, TCU is one of just four schools (Alabama, Boise State and Oregon) to finish in the top 15 of both major polls over the past four seasons. On top of that, TCU and Boise State are the only schools to win at least 11 games each of the past four years.
8. Navy streak ends. For the past eight years, we have come to expect Navy in a bowl game. But it was not meant to be this season. The Midshipmen lost one heartbreaking game after another -- five games by three points or fewer. The last one of those was a 27-24 setback to San Jose State in the second-to-last game of the season. Navy led going into the fourth quarter, but could not hold on. A victory in that game would have ensured a bowl appearance, because Navy finished the season with its 10th straight win over Army.
9. Got any D? The wildest game in college football happened in the MAC this year, between Northern Illinois and Toledo. Now this game is what MAC-tion is all about. The Huskies outlasted the Rockets 63-60 in a game that featured eight lead changes, 1,121 combined yards of offense and a MAC-record 17 touchdowns. Chandler Harnish won the game when he threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Perez Ashford with 19 seconds left. The victory gave Northern Illinois the MAC West title, and allowed the Huskies to make it to the conference title game, where they won their first title since 1983. They also ended up tying the school record with 11 victories.
10. Turn it around. This season, the Sun Belt literally turned itself upside down. Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State and Western Kentucky went a combined 9-27 in 2010. This season, they went 26-12 and each finished with a winning record. Arkansas State won the league and finished 10-3; ULL went 9-4. Both teams made bowl games. Western Kentucky, which went winless in 2009, finished 7-5 but was left out of a bowl.
3-point stance: Farewell to Pat Hill
December, 6, 2011
12/06/11
5:00
AM ET
By
Ivan Maisel | ESPN.com
1. When sportswriters talk about exciting games we covered, one of my trump cards is the Fresno State-USC game in 2005. The No. 16 Bulldogs scared the No. 1 Trojans to death before losing, 50-42. Fresno State coach Pat Hill borrowed the philosophy that Bobby Bowden used to put Florida State on the map in the 1980s: play anybody, anywhere, anytime. Hill’s Bulldogs beat Colorado, Oregon State, Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Washington, Kansas State, etc. Fresno State let Hill go Sunday after 15 seasons with a record of 112-80. He’s one of the good guys. Hill will be missed.
2. Oregon dropped suspended junior corner Cliff Harris from its program Monday. Man, he gave up a lot for the privilege of not adhering to coach Chip Kelly’s rules. Harris may have been a 2010 consensus All-American, but this year, the Ducks got along just fine without him. Harris played in six games before being suspended for a second time. When Oregon plays in the Rose Bowl, Harris will be looking for an FCS school or trying to explain to the NFL why it should take a chance on a kid who got thrown off the team.
3. Tulane made a smart choice in hiring Saints receiver coach Curtis Johnson as its new head coach. As a college assistant, Johnson made a reputation as a top recruiter, most memorably for going into New Orleans 21 years ago and finding tailback Marshall Faulk for San Diego State. Johnson has never been a head coach, which means Tulane made a leap of faith. But with an alienated New Orleans fan base and nine straight losing seasons, the Green Wave can’t afford to play it safe.
2. Oregon dropped suspended junior corner Cliff Harris from its program Monday. Man, he gave up a lot for the privilege of not adhering to coach Chip Kelly’s rules. Harris may have been a 2010 consensus All-American, but this year, the Ducks got along just fine without him. Harris played in six games before being suspended for a second time. When Oregon plays in the Rose Bowl, Harris will be looking for an FCS school or trying to explain to the NFL why it should take a chance on a kid who got thrown off the team.
3. Tulane made a smart choice in hiring Saints receiver coach Curtis Johnson as its new head coach. As a college assistant, Johnson made a reputation as a top recruiter, most memorably for going into New Orleans 21 years ago and finding tailback Marshall Faulk for San Diego State. Johnson has never been a head coach, which means Tulane made a leap of faith. But with an alienated New Orleans fan base and nine straight losing seasons, the Green Wave can’t afford to play it safe.
Former Fresno State coach Pat Hill delivered a passionate final speech Monday, a day after he was fired after 15 seasons as head coach of the Bulldogs.
Hill declined to take questions during a news conference on the Fresno campus, and instead read prepared remarks about what he accomplished there, and what he felt was left to do. He noted the rise in the graduation rates, and made no apologies for his "anytime, anywhere" mantra, though Fresno State had a tougher time as the seasons wore on winning those big games.
"We’ve competed at a very high level," Hill said. "We brought some big-time opponents to Fresno. We’ve won some big games on the road. And that’s what people really look at, believe it or not. I feel for some schools that don’t play that kind of schedule, that lose one game and get sent to the Las Vegas Bowl or something like that. But the way to make a move if you’re a Division I football program is to play the best. We entered the ring, we gave it our best shot. Didn’t finish it, but I would have much rather had the fight than never fought about it and just talked about it, so hopefully big time football will remain. And even though everybody said there was a down trend in our wins and losses, I just want to say, not counting this year, since 2000 only 23 schools in this country have more wins than your Bulldogs."
As for his future and the future of the Fresno State program, Hill closed with this:
"I have a great passion for the game of football, I will remain in the game, I don’t know what capacity. I’m not in any rush right now. My batteries have already been recharged, it didn’t take long. I feel a lot better today than I have for a long time, so I feel very good about where I am in life. I feel that I gave it my best shot for 15 years. It wasn’t good enough and I hope that the next man who comes in can take you all where you want to go. Don’t lose sight of the expectations that this program has. The next level to me is winning championships, going to BCS games and beating top 25 ranked teams. We made our runs. We made some runs. We had two losing seasons in the last 13 years, so we made some runs, we didn’t finish the job. I’ll take complete responsibility for that. I only hope that this team next year can fulfill the dreams of all of you. So as I say goodbye, I thank you for everything. I think the Fresno State football program is in great position right now to make a run. I would have liked to have coached this group of young men, but they will get great leadership, they will do a great job and please give them all your support. Thank you for everything you gave me. It has been great."
Hill declined to take questions during a news conference on the Fresno campus, and instead read prepared remarks about what he accomplished there, and what he felt was left to do. He noted the rise in the graduation rates, and made no apologies for his "anytime, anywhere" mantra, though Fresno State had a tougher time as the seasons wore on winning those big games.
"We’ve competed at a very high level," Hill said. "We brought some big-time opponents to Fresno. We’ve won some big games on the road. And that’s what people really look at, believe it or not. I feel for some schools that don’t play that kind of schedule, that lose one game and get sent to the Las Vegas Bowl or something like that. But the way to make a move if you’re a Division I football program is to play the best. We entered the ring, we gave it our best shot. Didn’t finish it, but I would have much rather had the fight than never fought about it and just talked about it, so hopefully big time football will remain. And even though everybody said there was a down trend in our wins and losses, I just want to say, not counting this year, since 2000 only 23 schools in this country have more wins than your Bulldogs."
As for his future and the future of the Fresno State program, Hill closed with this:
"I have a great passion for the game of football, I will remain in the game, I don’t know what capacity. I’m not in any rush right now. My batteries have already been recharged, it didn’t take long. I feel a lot better today than I have for a long time, so I feel very good about where I am in life. I feel that I gave it my best shot for 15 years. It wasn’t good enough and I hope that the next man who comes in can take you all where you want to go. Don’t lose sight of the expectations that this program has. The next level to me is winning championships, going to BCS games and beating top 25 ranked teams. We made our runs. We made some runs. We had two losing seasons in the last 13 years, so we made some runs, we didn’t finish the job. I’ll take complete responsibility for that. I only hope that this team next year can fulfill the dreams of all of you. So as I say goodbye, I thank you for everything. I think the Fresno State football program is in great position right now to make a run. I would have liked to have coached this group of young men, but they will get great leadership, they will do a great job and please give them all your support. Thank you for everything you gave me. It has been great."
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.
Pat Hill won plenty of games at Fresno State. Indeed, he was once very much revered in his community as a no-nonsense underdog willing to take on all comers any time, any place. In some circles, he still is.
But the tide began to shift against him in the last several years, as it became clear the Bulldogs were no longer in position to fulfill its desire of taking the non-AQ mantle from Boise State and running with it. Really, Boise State took that mantle from Fresno State, a team that nearly became the first BCS buster in 2001.
Between back-breaking nonconference schedules and an inability to beat the top-tier WAC teams, the foundation Hill laid for the Bulldogs began crumbling. It came crashing down this season, a disastrous 4-9 campaign that tied for the most losses in school history. Included in the loss column -- games dropped to New Mexico State and San Jose State, two of the worst teams in the WAC.
Though he has two years remaining on his contract, Hill was fired Sunday after 15 seasons. The school was unapologetic for the move in a press release, in which it cited the decline of the program since 2005:
The numbers are stark, and harsh. But reality says that you can no longer win on what you have done in the past. It is all about what you have done lately, and Hill has not done much to inspire the confidence of his administrators or the faith of his fans. Fresno State faithful have been criticizing Hill for several seasons now, wondering whether a change was needed to breath new life into this program.
Back in 2001, there were no such questions, not with David Carr in control. Carr ended up being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. That year, the Bulldogs made it as high as No. 8 in the national rankings before Boise State shattered its dreams of making it to the BCS. Fresno State set a school record with 11 wins that season, then reeled off three straight seasons with nine victories.
But one big source of pain has been Boise State, a team Hill beat just once. In the last two meetings between the two teams, Boise State outscored Fresno State 108-7.
Earlier this season, a defiant Hill spoke to me for 45 minutes about the state of his program, and the critics who wanted to see him leave. He professed his love for Fresno State, his belief that he would be able to turn the season around, and did not want to make excuses for the struggles of this season.
Hill is a good man, who has poured everything into making this program great. He took a pay cut several years ago when the state university system was in dire need of saving money. You do not get 112 victories in this game, nor last 15 years in one spot, without being a good coach. But the time has come to make a change. When I asked him back in October about his critics and the possibility of this being his final season at Fresno State, he said:
"I love this community. I came with the sword in my hand and when you go out, you go out on your sword. Everybody’s day ends some time and I’ll look back and hold my head high. I’m proud of what’s gone on here. Do I want to win every game? Yeah that’s what everybody expects, and that’s what I want.”
He did win games. But at the end of his career, he simply did not win enough.
But the tide began to shift against him in the last several years, as it became clear the Bulldogs were no longer in position to fulfill its desire of taking the non-AQ mantle from Boise State and running with it. Really, Boise State took that mantle from Fresno State, a team that nearly became the first BCS buster in 2001.
Between back-breaking nonconference schedules and an inability to beat the top-tier WAC teams, the foundation Hill laid for the Bulldogs began crumbling. It came crashing down this season, a disastrous 4-9 campaign that tied for the most losses in school history. Included in the loss column -- games dropped to New Mexico State and San Jose State, two of the worst teams in the WAC.
Though he has two years remaining on his contract, Hill was fired Sunday after 15 seasons. The school was unapologetic for the move in a press release, in which it cited the decline of the program since 2005:
- Fresno State has won just one of its last five bowl games.
- The Bulldogs have a 28-19 (.596) league record over the past six seasons, with an average finish of fourth in the conference standings. Since 2006, Fresno State has posted an 11-29 (.275) record against teams with a .500 record or better while going 21-14 (.600) at home over that period.
- The Bulldogs have struggled against the top three WAC teams each year since 2006, posting a 3-15 overall record. Against all bowl eligible teams since 2006, Fresno State is 8-22. The trend over the last six years has contributed in a 42 percent decline in season ticket sales and a 25 percent drop in ticket revenue.
The numbers are stark, and harsh. But reality says that you can no longer win on what you have done in the past. It is all about what you have done lately, and Hill has not done much to inspire the confidence of his administrators or the faith of his fans. Fresno State faithful have been criticizing Hill for several seasons now, wondering whether a change was needed to breath new life into this program.
Back in 2001, there were no such questions, not with David Carr in control. Carr ended up being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. That year, the Bulldogs made it as high as No. 8 in the national rankings before Boise State shattered its dreams of making it to the BCS. Fresno State set a school record with 11 wins that season, then reeled off three straight seasons with nine victories.
But one big source of pain has been Boise State, a team Hill beat just once. In the last two meetings between the two teams, Boise State outscored Fresno State 108-7.
Earlier this season, a defiant Hill spoke to me for 45 minutes about the state of his program, and the critics who wanted to see him leave. He professed his love for Fresno State, his belief that he would be able to turn the season around, and did not want to make excuses for the struggles of this season.
Hill is a good man, who has poured everything into making this program great. He took a pay cut several years ago when the state university system was in dire need of saving money. You do not get 112 victories in this game, nor last 15 years in one spot, without being a good coach. But the time has come to make a change. When I asked him back in October about his critics and the possibility of this being his final season at Fresno State, he said:
"I love this community. I came with the sword in my hand and when you go out, you go out on your sword. Everybody’s day ends some time and I’ll look back and hold my head high. I’m proud of what’s gone on here. Do I want to win every game? Yeah that’s what everybody expects, and that’s what I want.”
He did win games. But at the end of his career, he simply did not win enough.
Fresno State struggling with consistency
October, 25, 2011
10/25/11
2:00
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
There are no excuses. There never are from Fresno State coach Pat Hill.
So what he offers when asked about his inconsistent team is an impassioned defense of his players and his program, one that is on the ropes after a 3-5 start. The Bulldogs have been one of the most schizophrenic teams in the nation -- playing exceptionally well at times, but making critical, game-changing mistakes at others.
It has added up to a growing chorus of criticism as the Bulldogs are in danger of missing a bowl game for just the third time in 15 seasons since Hill transformed the program into a consistent winner.
“It’s not lack of effort. These kids have played hard,” Hill said in a phone interview. “We have a chance to be very good still. When we’re playing good, we’re really good. When we make simple mistakes, they burn us at critical times.
“I love this team. This team plays hard, sometimes we just don’t execute at the level we need to execute at. It’s frustrating for me because these kids try so hard, practice so hard and prepare so hard. It’s just one of those years. We’re going through some growing pains with a young team. We’ve always been able to rebound, and we still have five games to go.”
The Bulldogs certainly have shown they are capable of running the table. Every remaining game on the schedule is winnable. After they return from their bye this week, they get Louisiana Tech at home, then go to New Mexico State and Hawaii, before closing out with San Jose State and at San Diego State.
What has been particularly maddening is the way this season set up for Fresno State. The one knock against Hill is that he not won enough conference championships. A big reason is because Fresno State resided in the same conference as Boise State for 10 years. Hill won his only WAC title in 1999 -- before the Broncos joined the league.
But Boise State left this season for the Mountain West, leaving the WAC up for grabs. Fresno State started league play 2-0 but dropped a critical game at Nevada this past weekend that gave the Wolf Pack control of the conference. Fresno State is one of four teams at 2-1.
The game featured plenty of scoring and big plays for the Bulldogs, but also some costly mistakes. The always solid punt coverage team allowed a punt return for a touchdown. Devon Wylie, one of the best punt returners in the nation, muffed a punt that Nevada converted into the go-ahead score. Fresno State forced a late fumble that it could not recover.
That loss was essentially a microcosm of the season. In three of its losses, Fresno State had second-half leads it failed to hold. The Bulldogs led Nebraska 20-14 in the third quarter and played toe-toe with a top-15 team. But they allowed a critical 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to turn the tide.
They led Ole Miss 28-27 midway through the third quarter, but did not score again and lost despite outgaining the Rebels 444-430. About the only game they failed to show up for was against nemesis Boise State, which handed the Bulldogs their worst home loss 57-7. In their last two games, Boise State has beaten Fresno State by a combined 108-7.
“As a team, we wish we could win more games right now, we wish we could have pulled out some of those close ones,” said quarterback Derek Carr, who has thrown for 1,980 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. “It's a tough time to be a Bulldog right now. We're fighting to get to where we have to go, but I have all the confidence in the world with the guys on this team. I love them to death.”
As a result of the disappointing losses, some fans have become increasingly disenchanted with the direction of the program. Hill has given everything he has to Fresno State, and even accepted a 30 percent pay cut in order to help an athletic department and university struggling under the weight of a terrible economy.
He truly loves this program, and it pains him more than anybody to lose this way.
“I’m not fine with where we are,” Hill said. “I’ve been here 15 years. I’m pretty loyal to this group of kids and this program. It drives me nuts that we’re performing in a way that doesn’t make everybody happy. I want to make everybody happy. I want to see the kids I care about so much being happy. Right now, we’re not happy and I don’t like that.”
As for those who have questioned whether he has what it takes to keep building this program, Hill scoffs.
“There’s complaints in every town,” he said. “It’s the world we live in. I don’t get too involved in that stuff. My job is to do everything I can to put this football team in position to win. … I’m committed to this team. I enjoy what I do here. I love this community. I came with the sword in my hand and when you go out, you go out on your sword. Everybody’s day ends some time and I’ll look back and hold my head high. I’m proud of what’s gone on here. Do I want to win every game? Yeah, that’s what everybody expects, and that’s what I want.”
So what he offers when asked about his inconsistent team is an impassioned defense of his players and his program, one that is on the ropes after a 3-5 start. The Bulldogs have been one of the most schizophrenic teams in the nation -- playing exceptionally well at times, but making critical, game-changing mistakes at others.
It has added up to a growing chorus of criticism as the Bulldogs are in danger of missing a bowl game for just the third time in 15 seasons since Hill transformed the program into a consistent winner.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Gary KazanjianDespite a rough start to the season, coach Pat Hill remains committed to getting Fresno State back to where it was.
AP Photo/Gary KazanjianDespite a rough start to the season, coach Pat Hill remains committed to getting Fresno State back to where it was.“I love this team. This team plays hard, sometimes we just don’t execute at the level we need to execute at. It’s frustrating for me because these kids try so hard, practice so hard and prepare so hard. It’s just one of those years. We’re going through some growing pains with a young team. We’ve always been able to rebound, and we still have five games to go.”
The Bulldogs certainly have shown they are capable of running the table. Every remaining game on the schedule is winnable. After they return from their bye this week, they get Louisiana Tech at home, then go to New Mexico State and Hawaii, before closing out with San Jose State and at San Diego State.
What has been particularly maddening is the way this season set up for Fresno State. The one knock against Hill is that he not won enough conference championships. A big reason is because Fresno State resided in the same conference as Boise State for 10 years. Hill won his only WAC title in 1999 -- before the Broncos joined the league.
But Boise State left this season for the Mountain West, leaving the WAC up for grabs. Fresno State started league play 2-0 but dropped a critical game at Nevada this past weekend that gave the Wolf Pack control of the conference. Fresno State is one of four teams at 2-1.
The game featured plenty of scoring and big plays for the Bulldogs, but also some costly mistakes. The always solid punt coverage team allowed a punt return for a touchdown. Devon Wylie, one of the best punt returners in the nation, muffed a punt that Nevada converted into the go-ahead score. Fresno State forced a late fumble that it could not recover.
That loss was essentially a microcosm of the season. In three of its losses, Fresno State had second-half leads it failed to hold. The Bulldogs led Nebraska 20-14 in the third quarter and played toe-toe with a top-15 team. But they allowed a critical 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to turn the tide.
They led Ole Miss 28-27 midway through the third quarter, but did not score again and lost despite outgaining the Rebels 444-430. About the only game they failed to show up for was against nemesis Boise State, which handed the Bulldogs their worst home loss 57-7. In their last two games, Boise State has beaten Fresno State by a combined 108-7.
“As a team, we wish we could win more games right now, we wish we could have pulled out some of those close ones,” said quarterback Derek Carr, who has thrown for 1,980 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. “It's a tough time to be a Bulldog right now. We're fighting to get to where we have to go, but I have all the confidence in the world with the guys on this team. I love them to death.”
As a result of the disappointing losses, some fans have become increasingly disenchanted with the direction of the program. Hill has given everything he has to Fresno State, and even accepted a 30 percent pay cut in order to help an athletic department and university struggling under the weight of a terrible economy.
He truly loves this program, and it pains him more than anybody to lose this way.
“I’m not fine with where we are,” Hill said. “I’ve been here 15 years. I’m pretty loyal to this group of kids and this program. It drives me nuts that we’re performing in a way that doesn’t make everybody happy. I want to make everybody happy. I want to see the kids I care about so much being happy. Right now, we’re not happy and I don’t like that.”
As for those who have questioned whether he has what it takes to keep building this program, Hill scoffs.
“There’s complaints in every town,” he said. “It’s the world we live in. I don’t get too involved in that stuff. My job is to do everything I can to put this football team in position to win. … I’m committed to this team. I enjoy what I do here. I love this community. I came with the sword in my hand and when you go out, you go out on your sword. Everybody’s day ends some time and I’ll look back and hold my head high. I’m proud of what’s gone on here. Do I want to win every game? Yeah, that’s what everybody expects, and that’s what I want.”
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.
Shea McClellin leads Boise State D
October, 6, 2011
10/06/11
3:00
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
The best player on the Boise State defense never thought he would end up playing football in college.
No, Shea McClellin figured basketball was his sport.
He grew up 45 minutes away from Boise State playing both sports in high school. But then reality hit his junior year. “I was a little bit better at basketball,” he said in a recent phone interview. “I am 6-3, but it’s hard to play point guard when you're 250. So I was like I might try football out.”
McClellin started attending football camps, including one at Boise State. He drew interest from several other teams, but they all wanted him to play tight end. McClellin played running back and linebacker in high school, but Boise State was the only place that envisioned him as a defensive end.
That is the position he wanted to play. That is the school he grew up cheering on. So after he got a scholarship offer from the Broncos, he accepted. Easy decision.
“It's been amazing,” McClellin said. “It's like a dream, basically. I never thought of it. Living it is crazy.”
But perhaps just as incredible as how McClellin landed at Boise State has been his transformation into one of the best defensive ends in the country -- despite learning the position as a freshman in college. McClellin leads the No. 5 Broncos in tackles (21) and sacks (3.5) as they get ready to play Fresno State on Friday night.
When he came Boise State, he took a grayshirt year. That allowed him to begin preparing for the college game, and to learn his new position. He credits that year off as being instrumental to his success.
McClellin dishes off most of the credit to his coaches, including defensive coordinator/line coach Pete Kwiatkowski. He also spent extra time in the weight room and film room to get better. Now he is the anchor of a strong defensive line, a player who has emerged as a three-year starter.
He started the season off with a huge performance, picking up two sacks and seven tackles in an important win over Georgia. Last week against Nevada, McClellin had a sack and six tackles. He lists those games as two of the better ones in his career.
It is no coincidence they both came this year.
“I think in the offseason, I was working better, and the coaches helped me out a lot,” he said. “I just feel more comfortable this year than I have in past years. The comfort feeling helps out a lot.”
In Fresno State, McClellin and the Broncos will be going against a familiar opponent, though they are not members of the same conference this season. Boise State beat Fresno State nine of the 10 times they played as members of the WAC, including 51-0 last year.
McClellin expects an extra motivated Fresno State team, but that is no different than what they expect every week. This will be the final game Boise State will be on ESPN this season, but McClellin says players are not paying much attention to that.
He has not paid much attention to where he stacks up against other players at his position, either.
“I don't look at those kind of things,” he said. “I try to stay away from what everyone is talking about.”
No, Shea McClellin figured basketball was his sport.
He grew up 45 minutes away from Boise State playing both sports in high school. But then reality hit his junior year. “I was a little bit better at basketball,” he said in a recent phone interview. “I am 6-3, but it’s hard to play point guard when you're 250. So I was like I might try football out.”
McClellin started attending football camps, including one at Boise State. He drew interest from several other teams, but they all wanted him to play tight end. McClellin played running back and linebacker in high school, but Boise State was the only place that envisioned him as a defensive end.
That is the position he wanted to play. That is the school he grew up cheering on. So after he got a scholarship offer from the Broncos, he accepted. Easy decision.
“It's been amazing,” McClellin said. “It's like a dream, basically. I never thought of it. Living it is crazy.”
But perhaps just as incredible as how McClellin landed at Boise State has been his transformation into one of the best defensive ends in the country -- despite learning the position as a freshman in college. McClellin leads the No. 5 Broncos in tackles (21) and sacks (3.5) as they get ready to play Fresno State on Friday night.
When he came Boise State, he took a grayshirt year. That allowed him to begin preparing for the college game, and to learn his new position. He credits that year off as being instrumental to his success.
McClellin dishes off most of the credit to his coaches, including defensive coordinator/line coach Pete Kwiatkowski. He also spent extra time in the weight room and film room to get better. Now he is the anchor of a strong defensive line, a player who has emerged as a three-year starter.
He started the season off with a huge performance, picking up two sacks and seven tackles in an important win over Georgia. Last week against Nevada, McClellin had a sack and six tackles. He lists those games as two of the better ones in his career.
It is no coincidence they both came this year.
“I think in the offseason, I was working better, and the coaches helped me out a lot,” he said. “I just feel more comfortable this year than I have in past years. The comfort feeling helps out a lot.”
In Fresno State, McClellin and the Broncos will be going against a familiar opponent, though they are not members of the same conference this season. Boise State beat Fresno State nine of the 10 times they played as members of the WAC, including 51-0 last year.
McClellin expects an extra motivated Fresno State team, but that is no different than what they expect every week. This will be the final game Boise State will be on ESPN this season, but McClellin says players are not paying much attention to that.
He has not paid much attention to where he stacks up against other players at his position, either.
“I don't look at those kind of things,” he said. “I try to stay away from what everyone is talking about.”
Andrea Adelson previews Boise State at Fresno State.
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.
Here are the non-AQ players of the week, as selected by each conference. The independent players of the week are selected by a national media panel.
Conference USA
Offense: Case Keenum, QB, Houston. Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane. Keenum led the biggest comeback in school history in a 35-34 win at Louisiana Tech, completing 25-of-40 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns to overcome a 27-point third quarter deficit. Griffin completed his first 11 passes for 164 yards and finished the game 22-of-26 for 281 yards and a career-high-tying three touchdowns in a 49-10 win over UAB.
Defense: Korey Williams, LB, Southern Miss. Williams led the Golden Eagles with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo stops, in a 52-6 win over Southeastern Louisiana. He added one tackle for loss and an interception return for a touchdown.
Special teams: Nick Adams, KR, UAB. Adams set a UAB single-game record with 194 kick return yards and took a Tulane kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown in a loss to Tulane.
Independent
Offense: Trent Steelman, QB, Army. Had 28 carries for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Northwestern.
Defense: Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame. Grabbed an interception deep in Notre Dame territory and returned it 82 yards, setting up a game-sealing field goal for the Fighting Irish over Michigan State.
Special teams: George Atkinson III, RB/KR, Notre Dame. Had 142 yards on four kickoff returns, including an 89-yard touchdown, in a 31-13 home win over No. 15 Michigan State. Atkinson is the first Fighting Irish freshman to return a kickoff for a score since Raghib Ismail in 1988.
MAC
East Division
Offense: Tyler Tettleton, QB, Ohio. Threw for a career-high 285 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bobcats to a 44-7 victory over Marshall and improve to 3-0 on the year -- its best start to a season since 1976. He also also rushed for a touchdown and a season-best 53 yards.
Defense: Dwayne Woods, LB, Bowling Green. Had a game-high 12 tackles and two tackles for loss in the Falcons’ 28-27 loss to Wyoming.
Special Teams: Matt Weller, K, Ohio. Was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 20, 21 and 34 yards and was 5-for-5 in extra-point attempts in a win over Marshall.
West Division
Offense: Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. Had 13 catches for a season-high 177 yards in a 44-14 win over Central Michigan. White had two touchdowns and a career-best 241 all-purpose yards.
Defense: Travis Freeman, LB, Ball State. Had a season-high 12 tackles in a 28-25 victory over Buffalo.
Special Teams: John Potter, K, Western Michigan. Scored for 14 points in a 44-14 win over Central Michigan with five extra points and a career-matching three field goals (33, 43, 43).
Mountain West
Offense: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State. Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State. Moore went 32-of-42 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns. The 32 completions are a single-game career high for Moore, while the five touchdowns tied his career high. Hillman rushed for 191 yards on a career-high 32 carries and tied his career-high with four touchdowns in a 42-24 win over Washington State.
Defense: Larry Parker, DB, San Diego State. Josh Biezuns, DL, Wyoming. Parker helped forced three turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions, as the Aztecs beat Washington State 42-24. The two interceptions were the first two of his career. Biezuns forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, had two sacks for 15 yards and combined with fellow senior defensive lineman Gabe Knapton to block the potential game-tying extra-point attempts with 3 seconds left as Wyoming beat Bowling Green 28-27.
Special teams: Greg McCoy, DB, TCU. Returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the second half, setting the tone for TCU to score 14 points in the opening 4:18 of the third quarter in its 38-17 win over ULM.
Sun Belt
Offense: Corey Robinson, QB, Troy. Set new career highs for pass attempts (63), completions (36) and rushing yards (33) in a loss to Arkansas. His 373 passing yards were the third most of his career.
Defense: Isame Faciane, DT, FIU. LaDarrius Madden, DB, Troy. Faciane had arguably the biggest play of the game against UCF when he picked up a fumble by Jeff Godfrey and returned it 51 yards for a game-tying touchdown in the win over the Knights. Madden had six total tackles and a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Special Teams: Melvin White, DB, Louisiana. Made the momentum turning play against Nicholls State with a 68-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown. The Cajuns outscored the Colonels 24-7 after the blocked field goal.
WAC
Offense: Mike Ball, RB, Nevada. Rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns in Nevada’s 17-14 win at San Jose State.
Defense: Logan Harrell, DT, Fresno State. Recorded a career-high 11 tackles and tied his career-high with 4.5 tackles for a loss of 23 yards in a 27-22 win over North Dakota.
Special teams: Jake Hurst, P, Nevada. Punted six times for 259 yards, A 43.2-yard average, in the win over San Jose State. He had a long of 49 yards and placed two inside the 20-yard line.
Conference USA
Offense: Case Keenum, QB, Houston. Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane. Keenum led the biggest comeback in school history in a 35-34 win at Louisiana Tech, completing 25-of-40 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns to overcome a 27-point third quarter deficit. Griffin completed his first 11 passes for 164 yards and finished the game 22-of-26 for 281 yards and a career-high-tying three touchdowns in a 49-10 win over UAB.
Defense: Korey Williams, LB, Southern Miss. Williams led the Golden Eagles with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo stops, in a 52-6 win over Southeastern Louisiana. He added one tackle for loss and an interception return for a touchdown.
Special teams: Nick Adams, KR, UAB. Adams set a UAB single-game record with 194 kick return yards and took a Tulane kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown in a loss to Tulane.
Independent
Offense: Trent Steelman, QB, Army. Had 28 carries for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Northwestern.
Defense: Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame. Grabbed an interception deep in Notre Dame territory and returned it 82 yards, setting up a game-sealing field goal for the Fighting Irish over Michigan State.
Special teams: George Atkinson III, RB/KR, Notre Dame. Had 142 yards on four kickoff returns, including an 89-yard touchdown, in a 31-13 home win over No. 15 Michigan State. Atkinson is the first Fighting Irish freshman to return a kickoff for a score since Raghib Ismail in 1988.
MAC
East Division
Offense: Tyler Tettleton, QB, Ohio. Threw for a career-high 285 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bobcats to a 44-7 victory over Marshall and improve to 3-0 on the year -- its best start to a season since 1976. He also also rushed for a touchdown and a season-best 53 yards.
Defense: Dwayne Woods, LB, Bowling Green. Had a game-high 12 tackles and two tackles for loss in the Falcons’ 28-27 loss to Wyoming.
Special Teams: Matt Weller, K, Ohio. Was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 20, 21 and 34 yards and was 5-for-5 in extra-point attempts in a win over Marshall.
West Division
Offense: Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. Had 13 catches for a season-high 177 yards in a 44-14 win over Central Michigan. White had two touchdowns and a career-best 241 all-purpose yards.
Defense: Travis Freeman, LB, Ball State. Had a season-high 12 tackles in a 28-25 victory over Buffalo.
Special Teams: John Potter, K, Western Michigan. Scored for 14 points in a 44-14 win over Central Michigan with five extra points and a career-matching three field goals (33, 43, 43).
Mountain West
Offense: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State. Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State. Moore went 32-of-42 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns. The 32 completions are a single-game career high for Moore, while the five touchdowns tied his career high. Hillman rushed for 191 yards on a career-high 32 carries and tied his career-high with four touchdowns in a 42-24 win over Washington State.
Defense: Larry Parker, DB, San Diego State. Josh Biezuns, DL, Wyoming. Parker helped forced three turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions, as the Aztecs beat Washington State 42-24. The two interceptions were the first two of his career. Biezuns forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, had two sacks for 15 yards and combined with fellow senior defensive lineman Gabe Knapton to block the potential game-tying extra-point attempts with 3 seconds left as Wyoming beat Bowling Green 28-27.
Special teams: Greg McCoy, DB, TCU. Returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the second half, setting the tone for TCU to score 14 points in the opening 4:18 of the third quarter in its 38-17 win over ULM.
Sun Belt
Offense: Corey Robinson, QB, Troy. Set new career highs for pass attempts (63), completions (36) and rushing yards (33) in a loss to Arkansas. His 373 passing yards were the third most of his career.
Defense: Isame Faciane, DT, FIU. LaDarrius Madden, DB, Troy. Faciane had arguably the biggest play of the game against UCF when he picked up a fumble by Jeff Godfrey and returned it 51 yards for a game-tying touchdown in the win over the Knights. Madden had six total tackles and a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Special Teams: Melvin White, DB, Louisiana. Made the momentum turning play against Nicholls State with a 68-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown. The Cajuns outscored the Colonels 24-7 after the blocked field goal.
WAC
Offense: Mike Ball, RB, Nevada. Rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns in Nevada’s 17-14 win at San Jose State.
Defense: Logan Harrell, DT, Fresno State. Recorded a career-high 11 tackles and tied his career-high with 4.5 tackles for a loss of 23 yards in a 27-22 win over North Dakota.
Special teams: Jake Hurst, P, Nevada. Punted six times for 259 yards, A 43.2-yard average, in the win over San Jose State. He had a long of 49 yards and placed two inside the 20-yard line.
Let's take a look back at the weekend that was for the non-AQs:
The good: FIU pulled off yet another big win, this one against UCF, 17-10. The Panthers are 3-0 for the first time in school history and received votes in both polls for the first time in school history. They did it without star receiver T.Y. Hilton, who hurt his hamstring. But coach Mario Cristobal says his star player should be fine. ... Trent Steelman had a terrific game for Army, scoring three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Northwestern. It was Army's first win over a team from a Big Ten team since 1988 -- which also was the last time it played a team from that conference. And that team was -- Northwestern. ... Ohio is 3-0 for the first time since 1976 after beating Marshall 44-7. ... Ronnie Hillman had 191 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 42-24 win over Washington State and is now the second-leading rusher in the nation. Hillman is tied for the national lead in rushing touchdowns with eight this season.
The bad: Perhaps bad is a kind way of describing BYU's performance against Utah. The Cougars and Utes generally play a tough, close game. Twelve of the previous 14 meetings had been decided by a touchdown or less. Then came Saturday. BYU had seven turnovers -- three from quarterback Jake Heaps -- and lost 54-10 to its biggest rival. Incredibly, the score was 14-10 at halftime. But one mistake after another snowballed, and BYU faces some serious questions heading into its game against UCF on Friday night.
The upset: If you had asked for any non-AQ game considered a lock for a win Saturday, you probably would have picked Hawaii over UNLV. The Warriors came in as 20-point favorites, have a win over Colorado already this season and played Washington well. But the Rebels shocked the Warriors in one of the more stunning upsets of the day, winning 40-20. I admit it. I did a double-take when I saw the score. Hawaii had four fumbles, 6 yards rushing and converted 1-of-9 third-down opportunities in the disappointing loss. UNLV had scored 24 combined points in its first two losses of the season to Wisconsin and Washington State. But perhaps the UNLV victory should not come as a huge shock. UNLV has beaten Hawaii four of the last five times they have played in Sam Boyd Stadium.
Then there is Western Kentucky, which lost for the 17th straight time at home. Only this loss was to FCS Indiana State 44-16. It was Indiana State's first win over an FBS opponent since 2001.
The oh-so-close: Navy played with South Carolina every step of the way in its game, taking a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter. But South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore was just too much to contain as he ran for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the 24-21 win. ... Temple was right there with Penn State as well, holding a 10-7 lead until late in the fourth quarter. But for the second straight season, the Nittany Lions squeaked out a close victory, breaking Owls' hearts again.
The comeback: The common knock on Houston is that the Cougars generally lose at least one game a season that they should not. That looked to be happening against Louisiana Tech, as Houston trailed 34-7 with 5:11 to go in the third quarter. But alas, the Cougars have Case Keenum, who engineered a furious rally. Houston scored the final 28 points of the game to cap the biggest comeback in school history and win 35-34. Keenum began the rally with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Edwards, and he ended it with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Edwards with 1:36 remaining in the game. Keenum has now engineered three of the top four biggest comebacks in Houston history. In addition to this one, he rallied Houston from 19 points down against UTEP in a 42-37 win in 2008; and from 17 points down against UAB in a 45-20 win, also in 2008.
The heartbreak: Bowling Green had a furious late fourth quarter rally, overcoming a 28-14 deficit when Matt Schilz threw touchdown passes on two straight drives. But Wyoming blocked the game-tying extra point with 3 seconds left to hold on and win 28-27. Wyoming is 3-0 for the first time since 1996. ... San Jose State was 15 yards away from pulling off one of its biggest wins in years. The Spartans trailed Nevada 17-7 in the fourth quarter before Matt Faulkner delivered one touchdown drive and had his team marching down the field for another. But his pass in the end zone was intercepted by Duke Williams with 1:10 left and the Wolf Pack survived 17-14. The road is much tougher for Nevada next, with games at Texas Tech and at Boise State. ... Miami (Ohio) knows the feeling. Zac Dysert had a pass broken up in the end zone as time expired, and the RedHawks lost to Minnesota 29-23.
Milestone watch: TCU coach Gary Patterson earned his 100th career victory as the Horned Frogs’ head coach in a 38-17 win over ULM Patterson is 100-29 in 11 seasons, and needs 10 more wins to surpass Dutch Meyer (109-79-13, 1934-52) as TCU’s all-time winningest coach. Meyer coached TCU to its 1935 and 1938 national championships. Patterson is one of nine active head coaches to have 100 wins at their current school.
Helmet stickers
Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane. Went 22-of-26 for 281 yards and tied a career high with three touchdown passes in a 49-10 win over UAB.
Logan Harrell, DT, Fresno State. Recorded a career-high 11 tackles and tied his career high with 4.5 tackles for a loss in a 27-22 win over North Dakota.
Kellen Moore, Boise State. Completed 32 of 42 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Toledo. The 32 completions is a single-game career high for Moore, while the five touchdowns tied his career high. The five passing TDs also tied the MWC single-game record for most by a senior. The 42 pass attempts were second most in his career, as were his 455 yards.
Trent Steelman, QB, Army. Ran the ball 28 times for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Northwestern. It was his second straight three-touchdown rushing effort.
Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. Had 13 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns in Western Michigan's 44-14 win over Central Michigan. White moved into fourth place on the career receptions list at WMU with 195, is now third in career 100-yard receiving games (13) and is tied for seventh in career receiving TDs (17).
Melvin White, DB, Louisiana. Returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown to break a tie and help the Ragin Cajuns beat Nicholls State 24-7. He also forced a fumble that led to the first score of the game.
The good: FIU pulled off yet another big win, this one against UCF, 17-10. The Panthers are 3-0 for the first time in school history and received votes in both polls for the first time in school history. They did it without star receiver T.Y. Hilton, who hurt his hamstring. But coach Mario Cristobal says his star player should be fine. ... Trent Steelman had a terrific game for Army, scoring three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Northwestern. It was Army's first win over a team from a Big Ten team since 1988 -- which also was the last time it played a team from that conference. And that team was -- Northwestern. ... Ohio is 3-0 for the first time since 1976 after beating Marshall 44-7. ... Ronnie Hillman had 191 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 42-24 win over Washington State and is now the second-leading rusher in the nation. Hillman is tied for the national lead in rushing touchdowns with eight this season.
The bad: Perhaps bad is a kind way of describing BYU's performance against Utah. The Cougars and Utes generally play a tough, close game. Twelve of the previous 14 meetings had been decided by a touchdown or less. Then came Saturday. BYU had seven turnovers -- three from quarterback Jake Heaps -- and lost 54-10 to its biggest rival. Incredibly, the score was 14-10 at halftime. But one mistake after another snowballed, and BYU faces some serious questions heading into its game against UCF on Friday night.
The upset: If you had asked for any non-AQ game considered a lock for a win Saturday, you probably would have picked Hawaii over UNLV. The Warriors came in as 20-point favorites, have a win over Colorado already this season and played Washington well. But the Rebels shocked the Warriors in one of the more stunning upsets of the day, winning 40-20. I admit it. I did a double-take when I saw the score. Hawaii had four fumbles, 6 yards rushing and converted 1-of-9 third-down opportunities in the disappointing loss. UNLV had scored 24 combined points in its first two losses of the season to Wisconsin and Washington State. But perhaps the UNLV victory should not come as a huge shock. UNLV has beaten Hawaii four of the last five times they have played in Sam Boyd Stadium.
Then there is Western Kentucky, which lost for the 17th straight time at home. Only this loss was to FCS Indiana State 44-16. It was Indiana State's first win over an FBS opponent since 2001.
The oh-so-close: Navy played with South Carolina every step of the way in its game, taking a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter. But South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore was just too much to contain as he ran for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the 24-21 win. ... Temple was right there with Penn State as well, holding a 10-7 lead until late in the fourth quarter. But for the second straight season, the Nittany Lions squeaked out a close victory, breaking Owls' hearts again.
The comeback: The common knock on Houston is that the Cougars generally lose at least one game a season that they should not. That looked to be happening against Louisiana Tech, as Houston trailed 34-7 with 5:11 to go in the third quarter. But alas, the Cougars have Case Keenum, who engineered a furious rally. Houston scored the final 28 points of the game to cap the biggest comeback in school history and win 35-34. Keenum began the rally with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Edwards, and he ended it with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Edwards with 1:36 remaining in the game. Keenum has now engineered three of the top four biggest comebacks in Houston history. In addition to this one, he rallied Houston from 19 points down against UTEP in a 42-37 win in 2008; and from 17 points down against UAB in a 45-20 win, also in 2008.
The heartbreak: Bowling Green had a furious late fourth quarter rally, overcoming a 28-14 deficit when Matt Schilz threw touchdown passes on two straight drives. But Wyoming blocked the game-tying extra point with 3 seconds left to hold on and win 28-27. Wyoming is 3-0 for the first time since 1996. ... San Jose State was 15 yards away from pulling off one of its biggest wins in years. The Spartans trailed Nevada 17-7 in the fourth quarter before Matt Faulkner delivered one touchdown drive and had his team marching down the field for another. But his pass in the end zone was intercepted by Duke Williams with 1:10 left and the Wolf Pack survived 17-14. The road is much tougher for Nevada next, with games at Texas Tech and at Boise State. ... Miami (Ohio) knows the feeling. Zac Dysert had a pass broken up in the end zone as time expired, and the RedHawks lost to Minnesota 29-23.
Milestone watch: TCU coach Gary Patterson earned his 100th career victory as the Horned Frogs’ head coach in a 38-17 win over ULM Patterson is 100-29 in 11 seasons, and needs 10 more wins to surpass Dutch Meyer (109-79-13, 1934-52) as TCU’s all-time winningest coach. Meyer coached TCU to its 1935 and 1938 national championships. Patterson is one of nine active head coaches to have 100 wins at their current school.
Helmet stickers
Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane. Went 22-of-26 for 281 yards and tied a career high with three touchdown passes in a 49-10 win over UAB.
Logan Harrell, DT, Fresno State. Recorded a career-high 11 tackles and tied his career high with 4.5 tackles for a loss in a 27-22 win over North Dakota.
Kellen Moore, Boise State. Completed 32 of 42 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Toledo. The 32 completions is a single-game career high for Moore, while the five touchdowns tied his career high. The five passing TDs also tied the MWC single-game record for most by a senior. The 42 pass attempts were second most in his career, as were his 455 yards.
Trent Steelman, QB, Army. Ran the ball 28 times for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Northwestern. It was his second straight three-touchdown rushing effort.
Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan. Had 13 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns in Western Michigan's 44-14 win over Central Michigan. White moved into fourth place on the career receptions list at WMU with 195, is now third in career 100-yard receiving games (13) and is tied for seventh in career receiving TDs (17).
Melvin White, DB, Louisiana. Returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown to break a tie and help the Ragin Cajuns beat Nicholls State 24-7. He also forced a fumble that led to the first score of the game.
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