Stats & Info: Kirk Cousins
The Washington Redskins mortgaged their future on QB Robert Griffin III, trading their 2012 first- and second-round picks and their first-round picks in 2013 and 2014 in order to draft the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner.
So it came as a surprise to many when the Redskins used their fourth-round pick on Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins.
From an historical standpoint, the Redskins are:
• First team since the 1989 Green Bay Packers to draft two quarterbacks in the first four rounds. In '89, Green Bay selected Anthony Dilweg in the third round then Jeff Graham in the fourth round. (They combined to make seven NFL starts, all by Dilweg.)
• First team since the 1971 Houston Oilers to use two of their first three draft picks on quarterbacks. In 1971, the Oilers took Dan Pastorini with the third overall pick, then selected Lynn Dickey in the third round. (Both went on to start more than 100 games during their careers.)
BeckCousins was not the only QB transaction made by the Redskins on Wednesday. They also released John Beck, who started three games last season. Combined with Rex Grossman the pair committed 30 turnovers, which was tied with Tampa Bay last season for the most turnovers committed by a team’s quarterbacks.
For what it's worth, the only team to select three quarterbacks in the same draft in the Common Draft Era is the Oakland Raiders, who took Dave Humm (5th), Harry Knight (9th) and Tom Doyle (14th) in 1975.
Draft Wrap-up
• More than 55 percent of the drafted players (142 of 253) came from four conferences: SEC (42 players), Big Ten (41), ACC (31), Pac-12 (28). It’s the sixth straight year that the SEC had the most selections. Almost 20 percent of the players drafted (50 of 253) were defensive backs.
• Alabama had the most players drafted with eight, followed by Oklahoma and Georgia with seven.
• Some schools that did not have any players drafted: UCLA, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Minnesota, BYU, Kansas, Texas Tech, Washington State.
• The Browns made the most picks (11) and the Saints made the fewest (5).
• The Minnesota Vikings selected wide receivers Greg Childs and Jarius Wright from Arkansas. Minnesota is the first team to draft two wide receivers from the same school in the same draft since the 2007 Indianapolis Colts took Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall from Ohio State.
• After allowing an NFL-worst 411.6 yards per game in 2011, the Packers drafted defensive players with their first six picks. The Patriots, who finished 31st in yards allowed last season, also took six defensive players with their first six picks. Green Bay and New England became the first teams since the 2002 Titans and 2002 Colts to draft defensive players with their first six picks of a draft, and just the seventh and eighth teams to do so in the Common Draft Era (since 1967).
• The draft started with the Colts taking a quarterback and it ended with them taking a quarterback. Mr. Irrelevant is Northern Illinois' Chandler Harnish, the first time since 1997 that a QB was the last pick. (In '97, Mr. Irrelevant was Ron McAda from Army.)
• Speaking of quarterbacks, Case Keenum (155) and Kellen Moore (142) rank first and second, respectively, with the most touchdown passes in FBS history. Both, however, went undrafted. At Boise State, Moore went 50-3 (.943 win percentage), the best record by starting quarterback in the history of college football. (Moore signed with the Detriot Lions shortly after the draft.)
So it came as a surprise to many when the Redskins used their fourth-round pick on Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins.
From an historical standpoint, the Redskins are:
• First team since the 1989 Green Bay Packers to draft two quarterbacks in the first four rounds. In '89, Green Bay selected Anthony Dilweg in the third round then Jeff Graham in the fourth round. (They combined to make seven NFL starts, all by Dilweg.)
• First team since the 1971 Houston Oilers to use two of their first three draft picks on quarterbacks. In 1971, the Oilers took Dan Pastorini with the third overall pick, then selected Lynn Dickey in the third round. (Both went on to start more than 100 games during their careers.)
For what it's worth, the only team to select three quarterbacks in the same draft in the Common Draft Era is the Oakland Raiders, who took Dave Humm (5th), Harry Knight (9th) and Tom Doyle (14th) in 1975.
Draft Wrap-up
• More than 55 percent of the drafted players (142 of 253) came from four conferences: SEC (42 players), Big Ten (41), ACC (31), Pac-12 (28). It’s the sixth straight year that the SEC had the most selections. Almost 20 percent of the players drafted (50 of 253) were defensive backs.
• Alabama had the most players drafted with eight, followed by Oklahoma and Georgia with seven.
• Some schools that did not have any players drafted: UCLA, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Minnesota, BYU, Kansas, Texas Tech, Washington State.
• The Browns made the most picks (11) and the Saints made the fewest (5).
• The Minnesota Vikings selected wide receivers Greg Childs and Jarius Wright from Arkansas. Minnesota is the first team to draft two wide receivers from the same school in the same draft since the 2007 Indianapolis Colts took Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall from Ohio State.
• After allowing an NFL-worst 411.6 yards per game in 2011, the Packers drafted defensive players with their first six picks. The Patriots, who finished 31st in yards allowed last season, also took six defensive players with their first six picks. Green Bay and New England became the first teams since the 2002 Titans and 2002 Colts to draft defensive players with their first six picks of a draft, and just the seventh and eighth teams to do so in the Common Draft Era (since 1967).
• The draft started with the Colts taking a quarterback and it ended with them taking a quarterback. Mr. Irrelevant is Northern Illinois' Chandler Harnish, the first time since 1997 that a QB was the last pick. (In '97, Mr. Irrelevant was Ron McAda from Army.)
• Speaking of quarterbacks, Case Keenum (155) and Kellen Moore (142) rank first and second, respectively, with the most touchdown passes in FBS history. Both, however, went undrafted. At Boise State, Moore went 50-3 (.943 win percentage), the best record by starting quarterback in the history of college football. (Moore signed with the Detriot Lions shortly after the draft.)
The 10 plays that shaped the CFB season
December, 6, 2011
12/06/11
5:39
PM ET
By Gregg Found | ESPN.com
There were 770 games played in the 2011 college football season. We give you the 10 plays that shaped the BCS Championship race.
1. Tyrann Mathieu returns fumble for TD
LSU 40, Oregon 27
Significance: These top-five teams were locked in a 6-3 game. The Tigers went three-and-out and punted, but Kenjon Barner fumbled the return at the three and LSU's playmaker snapped it up and went into the end zone for a momentum-shifting score.
2. Kirk Cousins completes 44-yard Hail Mary to Keith Nichol
Michigan State 37, Wisconsin 31
Significance: Wisconsin had its eyes on a perfect regular season and a spot in the title game. But after a last-second heave, ricochet, catch and then video review, that dream was dashed.
3. Oklahoma misses 28-yard field goal vs Texas Tech
Texas Tech 41, Oklahoma 38
Significance: The Sooners were preseason No. 1 and still undefeated, but trailed 31-7 at home. They mounted a comeback, but after Michael Hunnicutt's missed FG from 28 yards out there wasn't enough time left to overcome a 10-point deficit.
4. Tajh Boyd gets intercepted in the end zone
Georgia Tech 31, Clemson 17
Significance: Down 14 points, Clemson had just intercepted Georgia Tech, getting the ball at Georgia Tech's nine-yard line. But on the first play, Boyd was picked by Jemea Thomas, ending the Tigers' comeback and dashing their national-title hopes.
5. LSU’s Eric Reid intercepts Alabama at the 1-yard line
LSU 9, Alabama 6 (OT)
Significance: In a 6-6 game in the fourth quarter, LSU's Eric Reid wrestled the ball away from Alabama TE Michael Williams at the one-yard line for an interception, preventing what could have been the winning score. LSU would win it in overtime.
6. Boseko Lokombo picks off Andrew Luck and returns it for TD
Oregon 53, Stanford 30
Significance: This was Stanford’s last major obstacle to a perfect regular season. Down 16 points, Luck had Stanford driving. But the pick ended those hopes, putting the game out of reach and handing the Cardinal its only loss of the season.
7. Boise State misses 39-yard field goal as time expires
TCU 36, Boise State 35
Significance: Playing on the home turf where they had been dominant for so long, the Broncos went down a point after TCU made the gutsy call to go for two. But Boise drove down the field before Dan Goodale sailed his kick wide right as time expired and the Broncos were no longer unbeaten.
8. Brandon Weeden's pass intercepted in first play of second overtime
Iowa State 37, Oklahoma State 31 (2 OT)
Significance: The Cyclones came back from a 24-7 deficit to tie the game at 24 heading into overtime. But on the first play of the second overtime, Brandon Weeden was intercepted. Three plays later Iowa State scored to end Oklahoma State's dream.
9. Oregon misses 37-yard field goal as time expires
USC 38, Oregon 35
Significance: Even after their season-opening loss, the Ducks still had a shot at the BCS Championship. But USC, ineligible for postseason play, gave the Ducks a battle at Autzen Stadium. Down three, Oregon had the chance to send it into overtime. But Alejandro Maldonado missed a 37-yarder.
10. Robert Griffin III completes 34-yard TD pass with :08 left
Baylor 45, Oklahoma 38
Significance: Just like Oregon, Oklahoma still had a chance to sneak back into the title picture despite a loss. But Baylor's Heisman candidate Griffin shocked the Sooners with a game-winning touchdown pass with eight seconds left.
To see images of these plays, click here.
1. Tyrann Mathieu returns fumble for TD
LSU 40, Oregon 27
Significance: These top-five teams were locked in a 6-3 game. The Tigers went three-and-out and punted, but Kenjon Barner fumbled the return at the three and LSU's playmaker snapped it up and went into the end zone for a momentum-shifting score.
2. Kirk Cousins completes 44-yard Hail Mary to Keith Nichol
Michigan State 37, Wisconsin 31
Significance: Wisconsin had its eyes on a perfect regular season and a spot in the title game. But after a last-second heave, ricochet, catch and then video review, that dream was dashed.
3. Oklahoma misses 28-yard field goal vs Texas Tech
Texas Tech 41, Oklahoma 38
Significance: The Sooners were preseason No. 1 and still undefeated, but trailed 31-7 at home. They mounted a comeback, but after Michael Hunnicutt's missed FG from 28 yards out there wasn't enough time left to overcome a 10-point deficit.
4. Tajh Boyd gets intercepted in the end zone
Georgia Tech 31, Clemson 17
Significance: Down 14 points, Clemson had just intercepted Georgia Tech, getting the ball at Georgia Tech's nine-yard line. But on the first play, Boyd was picked by Jemea Thomas, ending the Tigers' comeback and dashing their national-title hopes.
5. LSU’s Eric Reid intercepts Alabama at the 1-yard line
LSU 9, Alabama 6 (OT)
Significance: In a 6-6 game in the fourth quarter, LSU's Eric Reid wrestled the ball away from Alabama TE Michael Williams at the one-yard line for an interception, preventing what could have been the winning score. LSU would win it in overtime.
6. Boseko Lokombo picks off Andrew Luck and returns it for TD
Oregon 53, Stanford 30
Significance: This was Stanford’s last major obstacle to a perfect regular season. Down 16 points, Luck had Stanford driving. But the pick ended those hopes, putting the game out of reach and handing the Cardinal its only loss of the season.
7. Boise State misses 39-yard field goal as time expires
TCU 36, Boise State 35
Significance: Playing on the home turf where they had been dominant for so long, the Broncos went down a point after TCU made the gutsy call to go for two. But Boise drove down the field before Dan Goodale sailed his kick wide right as time expired and the Broncos were no longer unbeaten.
8. Brandon Weeden's pass intercepted in first play of second overtime
Iowa State 37, Oklahoma State 31 (2 OT)
Significance: The Cyclones came back from a 24-7 deficit to tie the game at 24 heading into overtime. But on the first play of the second overtime, Brandon Weeden was intercepted. Three plays later Iowa State scored to end Oklahoma State's dream.
9. Oregon misses 37-yard field goal as time expires
USC 38, Oregon 35
Significance: Even after their season-opening loss, the Ducks still had a shot at the BCS Championship. But USC, ineligible for postseason play, gave the Ducks a battle at Autzen Stadium. Down three, Oregon had the chance to send it into overtime. But Alejandro Maldonado missed a 37-yarder.
10. Robert Griffin III completes 34-yard TD pass with :08 left
Baylor 45, Oklahoma 38
Significance: Just like Oregon, Oklahoma still had a chance to sneak back into the title picture despite a loss. But Baylor's Heisman candidate Griffin shocked the Sooners with a game-winning touchdown pass with eight seconds left.
To see images of these plays, click here.
Andrew Weber/US PresswireMartavious Odoms and his teammates gave the extra effort needed to get a win over Ohio State
The 40-34 win snapped a seven-game losing streak for Michigan against Ohio State, its longest losing streak ever against the Buckeyes and tied for their second-longest against any team in school history (the Wolverines lost nine straight from Minnesota from 1934 to 1942). It was the first time Michigan scored that many points in a game versus Ohio State since tallying 58 in 1946.
Denard Robinson became the third FBS player since 2000 to pass for 150 or more yards, rush for 150 or more yards and account for five touchdowns in a single game. The others are Chris Nickson of Vanderbilt (2006 vs Duke) and Cam Newton (2010 vs South Carolina and Arkansas State).
Among his other accolades:
• Robinson rushed for 170 yards, more than he’d run for in his previous three games combined (168). Robinson's 170 yards are the third-most by a Michigan player against Ohio State, the most since Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 313 against them in 1995.
• Robinson became the fourth Michigan quarterback to throw for three touchdowns in a game against the Buckeyes, joining Bob Chappuis (1946), Jim Harbaugh (1985) and Drew Henson (2000).
• Robinson’s first touchdown pass gave him 36 for his career, passing Tom Brady on Michigan’s all-time list. His last gave him 38, passing Todd Collins for sixth-most.
• Robinson’s two rushing touchdowns gave him 35 for his career, passing Rick Leach (who went on to play major league baseball) for fifth-most in team history.
• Robinson and teammate Fitzgerald Toussaint each cleared 1,000 yards rushing for the season. It's the second time in team history that the Wolverines had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the same season. The only other was 1975, when Gordon Bell rushed for 1,390 yards and Rob Lytle rushed for 1,040.
Ohio State’s loss ensured that it would finish under .500 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1999, when it went 6-6 overall, 3-5 in league play.
Elsewhere in some of the day's earlier action:
Cousins, Cunningham move up in the record books
Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes for the Michigan State Spartans, passing Jeff Smoker for the most in team history, in a 31-17 win over the Northwestern Wildcats.
Both scores went to B.J. Cunningham, who now has 22 touchdown receptions, passing Plaxico Burress and Andre Rison for third place in school history. Next up-- former Spartans great receiver and current Arizona Diamondbacks manager, Kirk Gibson.
What a comeback!
The North Carolina State Wolfpack outscored the Maryland Terrapins, 35-0 in the fourth quarter of a 56-41 win. The 35 points are tied for the second most any FBS teams has scored in the fourth quarter to tie or win a game in FBS history, trailing only a 36-point effort from BYU in rallying from a 29-14 deficit entering the fourth quarter against Washington State.
Let's take a look at some of the notes from Saturday's early action:
No. 21 Michigan 65, Bowling Green 21
• Michigan Wolverines' QB Denard Robinson compiled 188 yards of total offense in the first quarter before leaving the game with an unspecified injury to his left knee. He was replaced, first by Devin Gardner (7-10, 85 yards, TD) and then by Tate Forcier (12-12, 110 yards, TD).
• Robinson ran for 128 yards on five carries. Over the last five seasons, only West Virginia Mountaineers' running back Noel Devine has run for more yards on five or fewer carries among FBS players. Devine ran for 136 yards on five carries against the Maryland Terrapins in 2007.
• Forcier becomes only the third FBS player since 2004 to complete all of his passes with a minimum of 10 attempts. The last was Fresno State's Ryan Colburn (14-14 vs Idaho) last season.
• The Wolverines' quarterbacks combined to complete 88.5 percent of their passes, the second-highest number in school history, minimum 10 attempts.
• The 65 points are the most Michigan has scored since hanging 69 on Illinois in 1986.
No. 11 Wisconsin 70, Austin Peay 3
• The Wisconsin Badgers score a school-record 70 points and win by a school-record 67-point margin.
• Running back John Clay rushed for 118 yards, passing Rufus Ferguson for ninth place on the school's career rushing list. He also increased his career yards per carry average to 5.59, and is now second in school history behind Ron Dayne (5.84).
• The Badgers gained over 600 yards in total offense (618) for the first time since gaining 601 at Indiana in 2008.
• The Badgers have now won 28 straight regular season games against non-conference opponents, which is tied for the second-longest active streak in the country with USC. The Badgers are 15-0 in non-conference home games under head coach Bret Bielema and have outscored their opponents 562-235 in those games.
No. 18 Iowa 45, Ball State 0
• The Iowa Hawkeyes bounce back from last week's loss at the Arizona Wildcats and improve to 15-2 at home since the start of the 2008 season.
• Adam Robinson ran for two TD after being held to just five yds and zero TD by Arizona. It's his third career multi-TD game. He topped the 100-yard mark for the fifth time in his career.
• The Hawkeyes had been 0-3 over the previous three seasons in the game after their first loss.
• The Ball State Cardinals are now 1-21 all-time against the Big Ten.
No. 25 Michigan State 45, Northern Colorado 7
• Kirk Cousins went 16-20 for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Michigan State Spartans improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
• This is the first win for interim head coach Don Treadwell, who stepped in after Mark Dantonio suffered a mild heart attack last weekend.
• Michigan State ran for 200 yards for the fourth straight game. They had just one 200-yard rush game last season.
• Michigan State has played just two FCS schools in its history. They have won both games by a combined score of 89-10 (beat Montana State 44-3 last season).
• Northern Colorado is 0-3 all-time against Big Ten teams.
No. 21 Michigan 65, Bowling Green 21
• Michigan Wolverines' QB Denard Robinson compiled 188 yards of total offense in the first quarter before leaving the game with an unspecified injury to his left knee. He was replaced, first by Devin Gardner (7-10, 85 yards, TD) and then by Tate Forcier (12-12, 110 yards, TD).
• Robinson ran for 128 yards on five carries. Over the last five seasons, only West Virginia Mountaineers' running back Noel Devine has run for more yards on five or fewer carries among FBS players. Devine ran for 136 yards on five carries against the Maryland Terrapins in 2007.
• Forcier becomes only the third FBS player since 2004 to complete all of his passes with a minimum of 10 attempts. The last was Fresno State's Ryan Colburn (14-14 vs Idaho) last season.
• The Wolverines' quarterbacks combined to complete 88.5 percent of their passes, the second-highest number in school history, minimum 10 attempts.
• The 65 points are the most Michigan has scored since hanging 69 on Illinois in 1986.
No. 11 Wisconsin 70, Austin Peay 3
• The Wisconsin Badgers score a school-record 70 points and win by a school-record 67-point margin.
• Running back John Clay rushed for 118 yards, passing Rufus Ferguson for ninth place on the school's career rushing list. He also increased his career yards per carry average to 5.59, and is now second in school history behind Ron Dayne (5.84).
• The Badgers gained over 600 yards in total offense (618) for the first time since gaining 601 at Indiana in 2008.
• The Badgers have now won 28 straight regular season games against non-conference opponents, which is tied for the second-longest active streak in the country with USC. The Badgers are 15-0 in non-conference home games under head coach Bret Bielema and have outscored their opponents 562-235 in those games.
No. 18 Iowa 45, Ball State 0
• The Iowa Hawkeyes bounce back from last week's loss at the Arizona Wildcats and improve to 15-2 at home since the start of the 2008 season.
• Adam Robinson ran for two TD after being held to just five yds and zero TD by Arizona. It's his third career multi-TD game. He topped the 100-yard mark for the fifth time in his career.
• The Hawkeyes had been 0-3 over the previous three seasons in the game after their first loss.
• The Ball State Cardinals are now 1-21 all-time against the Big Ten.
No. 25 Michigan State 45, Northern Colorado 7
• Kirk Cousins went 16-20 for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Michigan State Spartans improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
• This is the first win for interim head coach Don Treadwell, who stepped in after Mark Dantonio suffered a mild heart attack last weekend.
• Michigan State ran for 200 yards for the fourth straight game. They had just one 200-yard rush game last season.
• Michigan State has played just two FCS schools in its history. They have won both games by a combined score of 89-10 (beat Montana State 44-3 last season).
• Northern Colorado is 0-3 all-time against Big Ten teams.
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