College Football Nation: helmet stickers 112710
The regular season has come and gone, meaning we hand out helmet stickers one more time:
Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins: Doing a little bit of everything, Perkins rolled up 319 all-purpose yards in Mississippi State’s 31-23 win over Ole Miss to keep the Egg Bowl trophy in Starkville. The redshirt freshman closed the first half with back-to-back touchdown catches of 33 and 36 yards to make it a 21-9 game. He finished with three catches for 140 yards and just missed 100 yards rushing, totaling 98 yards on 13 carries.
Tennessee receiver Denarius Moore: Playing his final game at Neyland Stadium, Moore had seven catches for 205 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown, in the Vols’ 24-14 win over Kentucky. He became the first player in Tennessee history to have two 200-yard receiving games, in either a season or a career. He had 228 receiving yards earlier this season against South Carolina. Moore has nine touchdown catches on the season and is averaging 21.2 yards per catch.
Auburn defensive end Antoine Carter: There’s something to be said for never giving up and playing to the whistle. Carter’s hustle play in the first half to chase down Alabama running back Mark Ingram from behind and poke the ball loose for a touchback is where Auburn’s comeback ignited. Alabama was already leading 21-0 and well on its way to making it 28-0 when Carter knocked the ball loose from Ingram at the Auburn 19. It was the first sign of life Auburn had shown in the game and a play that kept the Tigers within striking distance to make their improbable comeback in the second half before winning 28-27.
South Carolina’s defense: The Gamecocks allowed a touchdown pass on the fourth play from scrimmage Saturday night and then went the next 58 minutes without allowing another point. They held Clemson to 251 total yards and scored a touchdown of their own when Antonio Allen took an interception back 37 yards in the third quarter. The Gamecocks forced three turnovers in the game and also had three sacks in the 29-7 win, only the third time in school history that they’ve won nine or more games in a season.
Arkansas receiver Cobi Hamilton: He’s been Mr. Big Play for the Hogs all season, but his 80-yard touchdown catch on the final play of the first half was the play that broke the game open for the Hogs. With only six seconds remaining, Hamilton hauled in a deep pass down the middle when two LSU defenders collided and he was able to get into the end zone with no time showing on the first-half clock. Hamilton also had an 85-yard touchdown catch earlier in the second quarter and finished with three catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-23 win over LSU.
Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins: Doing a little bit of everything, Perkins rolled up 319 all-purpose yards in Mississippi State’s 31-23 win over Ole Miss to keep the Egg Bowl trophy in Starkville. The redshirt freshman closed the first half with back-to-back touchdown catches of 33 and 36 yards to make it a 21-9 game. He finished with three catches for 140 yards and just missed 100 yards rushing, totaling 98 yards on 13 carries.
Tennessee receiver Denarius Moore: Playing his final game at Neyland Stadium, Moore had seven catches for 205 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown, in the Vols’ 24-14 win over Kentucky. He became the first player in Tennessee history to have two 200-yard receiving games, in either a season or a career. He had 228 receiving yards earlier this season against South Carolina. Moore has nine touchdown catches on the season and is averaging 21.2 yards per catch.
Auburn defensive end Antoine Carter: There’s something to be said for never giving up and playing to the whistle. Carter’s hustle play in the first half to chase down Alabama running back Mark Ingram from behind and poke the ball loose for a touchback is where Auburn’s comeback ignited. Alabama was already leading 21-0 and well on its way to making it 28-0 when Carter knocked the ball loose from Ingram at the Auburn 19. It was the first sign of life Auburn had shown in the game and a play that kept the Tigers within striking distance to make their improbable comeback in the second half before winning 28-27.
South Carolina’s defense: The Gamecocks allowed a touchdown pass on the fourth play from scrimmage Saturday night and then went the next 58 minutes without allowing another point. They held Clemson to 251 total yards and scored a touchdown of their own when Antonio Allen took an interception back 37 yards in the third quarter. The Gamecocks forced three turnovers in the game and also had three sacks in the 29-7 win, only the third time in school history that they’ve won nine or more games in a season.
Arkansas receiver Cobi Hamilton: He’s been Mr. Big Play for the Hogs all season, but his 80-yard touchdown catch on the final play of the first half was the play that broke the game open for the Hogs. With only six seconds remaining, Hamilton hauled in a deep pass down the middle when two LSU defenders collided and he was able to get into the end zone with no time showing on the first-half clock. Hamilton also had an 85-yard touchdown catch earlier in the second quarter and finished with three catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-23 win over LSU.
Here are five helmet stickers for a job well done this week. All outstanding performances. It wasn't too difficult to pick this week. They all are extremely deserving.
Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M: Gray broke two of the biggest plays in Texas A&M’s season, scoring on runs of 84 and 48 yards as part of a 223-yard day on the ground. No Aggies running back has ever run for more on the Longhorns, and Texas A&M’s 24-17 win guaranteed a losing record for the rival Longhorns for the first time since 1997.
Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska: Burkhead took his share of snaps at quarterback, but usually his role is a runner in that situation. Not against Colorado. Burkhead tossed a pair of touchdown passes for a quarterback rating of 556, and also ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in Nebraska’s 45-17 win over Colorado.
Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State: Who cares if it was against North Texas? Only one player (Nebraska RB Roy Helu Jr. versus Missouri) has had a better rushing day this season than Thomas, who pounded a huge stamp on the Wildcats regular-season finale with a 270-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 49-41 win over the Mean Green.
Taylor Potts, QB, Texas Tech: In his last game at Jones AT&T Stadium, Potts had one of his best performances in a 35-20 win over Houston. He completed 32 of 46 passes for 373 yards and four touchdowns. His big day pushed him over 3,000 yards for the year too. That gave the Red Raiders a 3,000-yard passer for the 11th consecutive season.
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Jones hit a pair of long touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to give Oklahoma a 47-41 win over Oklahoma State, and passed for 468 yards and four touchdowns on 37-of-62 passing. Those attempts seem high until Oklahoma's 107 plays from scrimmage are also considered. Here's how Jones and the Sooners did it. Those 468 yards also tied Sam Bradford for a school record.
Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M: Gray broke two of the biggest plays in Texas A&M’s season, scoring on runs of 84 and 48 yards as part of a 223-yard day on the ground. No Aggies running back has ever run for more on the Longhorns, and Texas A&M’s 24-17 win guaranteed a losing record for the rival Longhorns for the first time since 1997.
Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska: Burkhead took his share of snaps at quarterback, but usually his role is a runner in that situation. Not against Colorado. Burkhead tossed a pair of touchdown passes for a quarterback rating of 556, and also ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in Nebraska’s 45-17 win over Colorado.
Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State: Who cares if it was against North Texas? Only one player (Nebraska RB Roy Helu Jr. versus Missouri) has had a better rushing day this season than Thomas, who pounded a huge stamp on the Wildcats regular-season finale with a 270-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 49-41 win over the Mean Green.
Taylor Potts, QB, Texas Tech: In his last game at Jones AT&T Stadium, Potts had one of his best performances in a 35-20 win over Houston. He completed 32 of 46 passes for 373 yards and four touchdowns. His big day pushed him over 3,000 yards for the year too. That gave the Red Raiders a 3,000-yard passer for the 11th consecutive season.
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Jones hit a pair of long touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to give Oklahoma a 47-41 win over Oklahoma State, and passed for 468 yards and four touchdowns on 37-of-62 passing. Those attempts seem high until Oklahoma's 107 plays from scrimmage are also considered. Here's how Jones and the Sooners did it. Those 468 yards also tied Sam Bradford for a school record.
Here are your top five performers for week 13:
Boston College running back Andre Williams: The true freshman stepped in for injured starter Montel Harris and didn’t miss a beat. He rushed for 185 yards on a school-record 42 carries and scored a touchdown in the Eagles’ 16-7 win over Syracuse.
Florida State: Quarterback Christian Ponder completed 16 of 24 passes for 221 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the 31-7 win over rival Florida. FSU won the state championship and beat the Gators for the first time since 2003. It was the most points FSU has scored against Florida since 2003. The defense forced four turnovers, and coach Jimbo Fisher became the first coach in program history to beat Florida on his first try. Oh, and P.S., they're going to the ACC championship game.
Maryland receiver Torrey Smith: He set the school’s single-game record with four touchdown receptions, while setting career highs with 14 receptions and 224 receiving yards as Maryland knocked off No. 21 NC State 38-31. His 224 receiving yards are the third most in a single game in school history and his 1,045 yards this year are the second most in a season in school history. Smith finished the regular season with 12 TD catches which is a Maryland record and is tied for the ninth most in a season in ACC history. Smith also had 48 kickoff return yards, giving him 272 all-purpose yards in the game. He broke Lamont Jordan’s school record (4,960) for career all-purpose yards and his 5,183 rank seventh on the ACC career list.
Virginia Tech’s running backs: Virginia Tech won its seventh straight game against rival Virginia thanks in large part to the Hokies’ three-headed rushing attack. Ryan Williams scored two touchdowns, David Wilson scored two and Darren Evans added one as the Hokies piled up 201 rushing yards in the 37-7 win.
Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien: He became the first Maryland quarterback to throw for 400 yards in a game since Scott Milanovich in 1993, racking up a career-high 417 yards while completing 33 of 47 passes (70 percent) for four TDs and no interceptions. The freshman made up for the lack of a running game, as Maryland was held to minus-9 yards on the ground, and led the Terps to their first victory over a ranked opponent since a win over No. 17 North Carolina in 2008. O’Brien has 21 TD passes this season, the second most in school history, and has accounted for 23 total TDs, the first Maryland player to do that since 2003. The 417 passing yards are the fourth most in a single game in school history.
Boston College running back Andre Williams: The true freshman stepped in for injured starter Montel Harris and didn’t miss a beat. He rushed for 185 yards on a school-record 42 carries and scored a touchdown in the Eagles’ 16-7 win over Syracuse.
Florida State: Quarterback Christian Ponder completed 16 of 24 passes for 221 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the 31-7 win over rival Florida. FSU won the state championship and beat the Gators for the first time since 2003. It was the most points FSU has scored against Florida since 2003. The defense forced four turnovers, and coach Jimbo Fisher became the first coach in program history to beat Florida on his first try. Oh, and P.S., they're going to the ACC championship game.
Maryland receiver Torrey Smith: He set the school’s single-game record with four touchdown receptions, while setting career highs with 14 receptions and 224 receiving yards as Maryland knocked off No. 21 NC State 38-31. His 224 receiving yards are the third most in a single game in school history and his 1,045 yards this year are the second most in a season in school history. Smith finished the regular season with 12 TD catches which is a Maryland record and is tied for the ninth most in a season in ACC history. Smith also had 48 kickoff return yards, giving him 272 all-purpose yards in the game. He broke Lamont Jordan’s school record (4,960) for career all-purpose yards and his 5,183 rank seventh on the ACC career list.
Virginia Tech’s running backs: Virginia Tech won its seventh straight game against rival Virginia thanks in large part to the Hokies’ three-headed rushing attack. Ryan Williams scored two touchdowns, David Wilson scored two and Darren Evans added one as the Hokies piled up 201 rushing yards in the 37-7 win.
Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien: He became the first Maryland quarterback to throw for 400 yards in a game since Scott Milanovich in 1993, racking up a career-high 417 yards while completing 33 of 47 passes (70 percent) for four TDs and no interceptions. The freshman made up for the lack of a running game, as Maryland was held to minus-9 yards on the ground, and led the Terps to their first victory over a ranked opponent since a win over No. 17 North Carolina in 2008. O’Brien has 21 TD passes this season, the second most in school history, and has accounted for 23 total TDs, the first Maryland player to do that since 2003. The 417 passing yards are the fourth most in a single game in school history.
Non-AQ Helmet Stickers: Week 13
November, 28, 2010
11/28/10
12:49
AM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
Time for a few non-AQ helmet stickers for Week 13:
Lennon Creer, Phillip Livas, Louisiana Tech. Creer ran for a career-high 252 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-38 win over San Jose State. Livas tied a NCAA record with an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown -- his eighth career combined kickoff/punt return for a score. Five other players also have reached the mark, most recently C.J. Spiller of Clemson last season.
Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada. Matthews was instrumental in helping the No. 19 Wolf Pack upset No. 4 Boise State 34-31 on Friday night. He had a combined 216 yards of total offense with two touchdowns -- including a 7-yarder with 13 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Matthews finished with 10 catches for a career-high 172 yards -- just his second 100-yard game of the season.
Alex Green, RB, Hawaii. Set a school record with 327 yards rushing, in less than three quarters no less, in a 59-24 win over New Mexico State. He broke the old record of 270 yards, set by Pete Wilson in 1950. Green went had more than 1,000 yards on the season, the first Hawaii player to go over that mark since 1992.
Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State. Ran for 152 yards on 19 carries to break the conference record for rushing yards by a freshman with 1,304 this season in a 48-14 win over UNLV.
Brandon Burton, CB, Utah. Blocked what would have been a game-winning 42-yard field goal on the final play of the game in a 17-16 win over BYU in the Holy War.
Eric Page, WR, Toledo. Accounted for five touchdowns in a 42-31 win over Central Michigan on Friday. Page scored on kickoff returns of 99 yards and 95 yards, becoming the first player in school history to score twice in one game on kickoff returns. His 99-yard return in the first quarter was the second-longest in school history. Page also caught touchdown passes for 9 and 25 yards and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to QB Terrance Owens.
G.J. Kinne, QB, Tulsa. Threw for 406 yards and scored six touchdowns in a 56-50 win over Southern Miss on Friday night. Kinne threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more as the Golden Hurricane closed their season on a six-game winning streak.
Darin Davis, LB, Middle Tennessee. Had two interceptions and returned them for a combined Sun Belt-record 101 yards in a 38-14 win over FAU to keep the Blue Raiders' bowl chances alive.
Lennon Creer, Phillip Livas, Louisiana Tech. Creer ran for a career-high 252 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-38 win over San Jose State. Livas tied a NCAA record with an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown -- his eighth career combined kickoff/punt return for a score. Five other players also have reached the mark, most recently C.J. Spiller of Clemson last season.
Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada. Matthews was instrumental in helping the No. 19 Wolf Pack upset No. 4 Boise State 34-31 on Friday night. He had a combined 216 yards of total offense with two touchdowns -- including a 7-yarder with 13 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Matthews finished with 10 catches for a career-high 172 yards -- just his second 100-yard game of the season.
Alex Green, RB, Hawaii. Set a school record with 327 yards rushing, in less than three quarters no less, in a 59-24 win over New Mexico State. He broke the old record of 270 yards, set by Pete Wilson in 1950. Green went had more than 1,000 yards on the season, the first Hawaii player to go over that mark since 1992.
Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State. Ran for 152 yards on 19 carries to break the conference record for rushing yards by a freshman with 1,304 this season in a 48-14 win over UNLV.
Brandon Burton, CB, Utah. Blocked what would have been a game-winning 42-yard field goal on the final play of the game in a 17-16 win over BYU in the Holy War.
Eric Page, WR, Toledo. Accounted for five touchdowns in a 42-31 win over Central Michigan on Friday. Page scored on kickoff returns of 99 yards and 95 yards, becoming the first player in school history to score twice in one game on kickoff returns. His 99-yard return in the first quarter was the second-longest in school history. Page also caught touchdown passes for 9 and 25 yards and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to QB Terrance Owens.
G.J. Kinne, QB, Tulsa. Threw for 406 yards and scored six touchdowns in a 56-50 win over Southern Miss on Friday night. Kinne threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more as the Golden Hurricane closed their season on a six-game winning streak.
Darin Davis, LB, Middle Tennessee. Had two interceptions and returned them for a combined Sun Belt-record 101 yards in a 38-14 win over FAU to keep the Blue Raiders' bowl chances alive.
Who deserves a sticker on his helmet for a job well done?
Andrew Luck: The Stanford quarterback completed 21 of 30 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns in what could be his final college game at home -- a 38-0 victory over Oregon State -- before he becomes the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Nick Foles: The Arizona quarterback completed 29 of 54 passes for 448 yards and three TDs in the 48-29 loss at Oregon. It the fourth most passing yards in program history.
Brock Osweiler: Arizona State's backup QB came off the bench and completed 27 of 36 passes for 380 yards with four TDs and no interceptions in the Sun Devils' 55-34 win over UCLA.
Darron Thomas: The Oregon QB accounted for four TDs in the win over Arizona, passing for three and running for another.
Washington's defense: The Huskies' defense has struggled much of the year, but it has now turned in consecutive strong performances. After holding UCLA to a single touchdown, the Huskies held Cal to just two field goals in a 16-13 victory (Cal scored a TD on Cameron Jordan's 21-yard fumble return).
Andrew Luck: The Stanford quarterback completed 21 of 30 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns in what could be his final college game at home -- a 38-0 victory over Oregon State -- before he becomes the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Nick Foles: The Arizona quarterback completed 29 of 54 passes for 448 yards and three TDs in the 48-29 loss at Oregon. It the fourth most passing yards in program history.
Brock Osweiler: Arizona State's backup QB came off the bench and completed 27 of 36 passes for 380 yards with four TDs and no interceptions in the Sun Devils' 55-34 win over UCLA.
Darron Thomas: The Oregon QB accounted for four TDs in the win over Arizona, passing for three and running for another.
Washington's defense: The Huskies' defense has struggled much of the year, but it has now turned in consecutive strong performances. After holding UCLA to a single touchdown, the Huskies held Cal to just two field goals in a 16-13 victory (Cal scored a TD on Cameron Jordan's 21-yard fumble return).
Big Ten helmet stickers: Week 13
November, 27, 2010
11/27/10
9:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
It's time to recognize the best and the brightest from Week 13 in Big Ten play.
Indiana QB Ben Chappell: Chappell delivered a heroic performance in Indiana's overtime win against Purdue, completing 31 of 50 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns. He broke Kellen Lewis' single-season passing yards record and helped Indiana stop its 12-game Big Ten road losing streak with its first win at Ross-Ade Stadium since 1996.
Wisconsin's cast of stars: I could do a separate set of helmet stickers just for the Badgers after their 70-23 win against Northwestern. Instead, I'll consolidate all the performances here. The sticker is to be shared by defensive end J.J. Watt (3 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 blocked kick), running back Montee Ball (174 rush yards, 4 TDs), running back James White (138 rush yards, TD), quarterback Scott Tolzien (15-for-19 passing, 231 yards, 4 TDs) and safety Aaron Henry (50-yard interception return for a touchdown, 1 fumble recovery).
Ohio State RB Dan Herron: After finishing the first half with one yard on three carries, Herron exploded for 174 rushing yards and a touchdown in the final two quarters. He had a 31-yard touchdown run and tied a team record for longest run from scrimmage with an 89-yard burst that should have been a 98-yard touchdown if not for a bogus holding call. Herron shares the sticker with defensive end Nathan Williams (2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery).
Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins and RB Edwin Baker: The Spartans' backfield tandem came up big in helping Michigan State win a share of its first Big Ten title since 1990. Baker racked up 118 rush yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, while Cousins, playing hurt, completed 17 of 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnesota CB Troy Stoudermire: Stoudermire earns a sticker in both of Minnesota's Big Ten victories. He came up big against Iowa by forcing two fumbles, recovering one and recording a pass breakup. Stoudermire's second forced fumble allowed Minnesota to take over with 4:14 left and run out the clock to secure a 27-24 win.
Indiana QB Ben Chappell: Chappell delivered a heroic performance in Indiana's overtime win against Purdue, completing 31 of 50 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns. He broke Kellen Lewis' single-season passing yards record and helped Indiana stop its 12-game Big Ten road losing streak with its first win at Ross-Ade Stadium since 1996.
Wisconsin's cast of stars: I could do a separate set of helmet stickers just for the Badgers after their 70-23 win against Northwestern. Instead, I'll consolidate all the performances here. The sticker is to be shared by defensive end J.J. Watt (3 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 blocked kick), running back Montee Ball (174 rush yards, 4 TDs), running back James White (138 rush yards, TD), quarterback Scott Tolzien (15-for-19 passing, 231 yards, 4 TDs) and safety Aaron Henry (50-yard interception return for a touchdown, 1 fumble recovery).
Ohio State RB Dan Herron: After finishing the first half with one yard on three carries, Herron exploded for 174 rushing yards and a touchdown in the final two quarters. He had a 31-yard touchdown run and tied a team record for longest run from scrimmage with an 89-yard burst that should have been a 98-yard touchdown if not for a bogus holding call. Herron shares the sticker with defensive end Nathan Williams (2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery).
Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins and RB Edwin Baker: The Spartans' backfield tandem came up big in helping Michigan State win a share of its first Big Ten title since 1990. Baker racked up 118 rush yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, while Cousins, playing hurt, completed 17 of 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnesota CB Troy Stoudermire: Stoudermire earns a sticker in both of Minnesota's Big Ten victories. He came up big against Iowa by forcing two fumbles, recovering one and recording a pass breakup. Stoudermire's second forced fumble allowed Minnesota to take over with 4:14 left and run out the clock to secure a 27-24 win.
Big East helmet stickers: Week 13
November, 27, 2010
11/27/10
7:32
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut: Shaking off a first-half arm injury, Todman ran 31 times for 175 yards and three touchdowns in UConn's 38-17 win over Cincinnati.
Bobby Eveld, QB, South Florida: His numbers (8-for-15, 120 yards) aren't huge. But Eveld is a true freshman walk-on quarterback who came in for the second half in place of starter B.J. Daniels and made several clutch plays to help lead the Bulls to a 23-20 overtime win at Miami.
Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville: Powell ran 23 times for 123 yards and a score and caught two touchdown passes in Louisville's 40-13 victory at Rutgers.
Charlie Strong, Louisville: The Cardinals coach might not wear a helmet, but he deserves some love for getting his team to 6-6 and bowl eligibility when many thought it was impossible his first season.
Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia: Hogan had n 53-yard interception return to set up a touchdown, a forced fumble and recovery, plus six tackles while holding Pitt star receiver Jon Baldwin in check during the Mountaineers' 35-10 win at Pittsburgh.
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