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Ruellit, even though there are some other undefeated teams, I think the Chiefs are by far the most impressive. The only thing that could stop them will be injuries (sure hope not) and peaking too soon. But, from what I have seen they are on the right track. I'm pulling for you and the Chiefs. Go Priest!
Colt
LOL, Ruellit. I said I'd pay good money so I wouldn't have to see that. But, after some deep thought and consideration, I may be willing to throw a few Shillings into the hat if you shave your legs first. <ggg>
No Pervert Colt
Sara,
One place he won't be going is Dallas. I think he has a Bounty on his head down here. It's hard for all of us who have had a team that has won a Super Bowl, start tanking. These past three 5-11 seasons have been the pits. We still may end up 5-11 again but, I'm betting that Parcells will take us to more than 5 wins this season. The playoffs still seem pretty far fetched, but in pro sports, anything can happen.
Colt
LOL, Carolyn, you'd pay good money to keep Ruellit from doing a lap dance in a TuTu or pay good money to see the dance? Actually, to me, it depends on whether or not he shaves his legs, first. I think we could take a snap shot and replace his iHub pic with one that shows Ruellit in all his glory, wearing a TuTu. Maybe Matt could even give Ruellit another iHub T-shirt.
Colt
Oh, and Ladies, Please No nude photos. We run a clean and tight ship here. Semi-nude will be considered though.
Ruellit
Carolyn, Sarah, and Susie, if you two want to get your picture taken in your respective teams, Rams & 49'ers & ?, Cheerleaders uniform, I'll get Ruellit, to place them in the iBox, next to the Cowboy Cheerleader's photos. Let me know, OK? :>)
I don't know who Susie's team is??? I'll get Ruellit to put hers up also.
Colt is the Devil...
Don't feel too bad, Sarah. I've had to put up with some terrible Cowboy's teams lately. 3 seasons of 5-11 is no fun. I am glad to see that Parcells is turning that around so far. The season still has a lot of games left and anything can happen.
Colt
Ruellit, your Chiefs are Kicking Butt this year. Super Bowl doesn't seem that far fetched for you guys. Priest is headed for All Pro for sure. Both my Texas Longhorn backs, Priest Holmes and Ricky Williams of Miami are looking awesome this season. Sure wish we could use them on the next two Saturday's against Kansas State and Oklahoma.
Colt
Carolyn,
I wouldn't mind having one. I just don't know if there are many NFL fans that post on iHub. This is a busy time of the year for me but, I'll see what I can come up with in the next couple of days. Maybe we could get Ruellit to do a Lap Dance in a TuTu over at your Corner Bar for the Winner! I'd pay good money to see that. LOL On second thought, I'd pay good money to KEEP FROM seeing that.
Colt
USA Today/ESPN
1. Oklahoma (49)
2. Miami (FL) (8)
3. Ohio State (6)
4. Virginia Tech
5. Florida State
6. LSU
7. Tennessee
8. Nebraska
9. Arkansas
10. USC
11. Michigan
12. Georgia
13. Texas
14. Kansas State
15. Washington State
16. Minnesota
17. Washington
18. Pittsburgh
19. Iowa
20. Northern Illinois
21. TCU
22. Oregon
23. Purdue
24. Florida
25. Air Force
AP Top 25
1. Oklahoma (57)
2. Miami (FL) (3)
3. Ohio State (5)
4. Virginia Tech
5. Florida State
6. LSU
7. Tennessee
8. Arkansas
9. Michigan
10. USC
11. Georgia
12. Nebraska
13. Texas
14. Washington State
15. Pittsburgh
16. Kansas State
17. Northern Illinois
18. Washington
19. Oregon
20. TCU
21. Minnesota
22. Purdue
23. Iowa
24. Florida
25. Michigan State
Michigan offense struggles in laid back win
By Naweed Sikora
Michigan Daily
(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It was sloppy. It was dominating. It was careless. It was efficient. It was lackadaisical. It was resilient.
The Michigan offense. The Michigan defense.
The two played like polar opposites Saturday. Still, together they were able to pull out an uninspiring 31-17 win over Indiana.
"Emotionally, we were not at a peak," coach Lloyd Carr said. "What you have to learn how to do is play when you are not at a peak. We have played two weeks of very emotionally draining football games."
In all fairness, after coming off a thrashing of Notre Dame followed by a heartbreaker in Oregon, it would be difficult for anyone to get up for a game against the bottom-feeding Hoosiers (1-4 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) -- even if it was the Big Ten opener.
But it wasn't just Michigan's lack of energy that was disappointing. It was the offensive mistakes.
The Wolverines committed four turnovers in the first half. On the opening drive of the game, Michigan's John Navarre threw an interception at the Indiana 3-yard line after Michigan had driven 65 yards down the field. The pick was thrown right after a 41-yard run by Chris Perry and killed the Wolverines' offensive momentum.
Michigan's second drive ended with another interception, although this time Navarre's pass ricocheted off Perry and into the hands of a Indiana safety Luke Stone at the Hoosiers' 19.
"I threw pretty well," Navarre said. "It was hard to get into a rhythm early in the game. I felt like we found that rhythm, though, and when we did, things began to work better."
Perry also didn't seem like himself, as he fumbled twice in the game and had difficulty finding holes early on. Still, he finished the game with 112 rushing yards. The Wolverines were able to escape, though, as Indiana failed to capitalize on these early errors.
At the end of the second quarter, Navarre finally connected with Steve Breaston for a 20-yard touchdown catch to make it 24-0. The only problem was that it had been the Wolverines' special teams and defense that had accounted for the first 17 points.
After a dreadful performance against Oregon, Michigan's special teams came out strong. Punt returner Steve Breaston opened the scoring with a 69-yard punt return in the first quarter to give Michigan a 7-0 lead.
"The first rule as a punt returner is to make the first guy miss," Breaston said. "I felt like the guys up front did a great job keeping their guys off me and all I needed to do was finish the play."
Breaston's punt return for a touchdown was the first since Charles Woodson's return against Ohio State in 1997.
The kicking game was also back on track, as freshman Garrett Rivas knocked through a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter. The field goal kicking job has been up in the air thus far, as Adam Finley and Rivas have both been called upon at times to handle the kicking.
The defense was unwavering as usual. Even though Indiana won the time of possession battle and ran more offensive plays than the Wolverines, the defense was up to the challenge. It only allowed just 209 total yards of offense and scored a 61-yard touchdown on an interception by Jeremy LeSueur.
"I think we have been much better this year at not giving up the big plays," Carr said. "Those were the things that really hurt us last year and I think we have done a great job with it so far this year."
But it was clear that the emotional highs and lows of the past few weeks set the tone for the Wolverines' play.
"This week was tough to get through," Navarre said. "But now we have this monkey off our backs and we can concentrate on Iowa next Saturday."
Backup Longhorn QB getting rave reviews
By Clint Hale
Daily Texan
(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas -- Vince Young has excelled in relief of starting quarterback Chance Mock thus far in 2003, but standout performances against New Mexico State and Rice weren't going to silence detractors who said the redshirt freshman couldn't run an offense against a legitimate college football program.
Young finally got his first shot at true stardom in Saturday's 63-18 win over Tulane, a team that typically finds itself in a postseason bowl game. It was an opportunity the Houston-native relished, and one he utilized to its fullest potential.
In the first half alone, Young carried three times for a team-high 69 yards, and completed three of his five pass attempts for 42 yards and a touchdown. Included in the effort was a 60-yard run, the longest by a freshman quarterback in school history.
"I didn't know that was a record, but I'll take it," he joked. "It just felt really good to get out there and do well for the second straight week."
Mock is the unquestioned starter at the quarterback spot, an assertion echoed wholeheartedly by Texas players and coaches. But Young's play in the victory over Tulane isn't likely to hurt his chances at playing time in the near future.
"Me and Chance both bring something to the game, and defensive coordinators have to develop two game plans for us," Young said. "I'm just trying to get the tweaks worked out in my game now that conference play is starting."
The Green Wave (3-2), may be a solid ballclub, but their defense is not of the caliber of Texas' next two opponents -- Kansas State and top-ranked Oklahoma.
Brown has a history of not playing his prized recruits against tougher ballclubs, as evidenced by Young's absence from a 38-28 loss to Arkansas two weeks ago. It was a move Brown later said he regretted and a move the coaching staff doesn't intend to make in the future against other ranked foes.
"We started the season with the intent of having Vince ready to go in conference play in case we needed him," offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. "We'll sit down Thursday and decide when we want to put him in the game next week against Kansas State."
Entering every series to a chorus of cheers is nothing new for Young, who nearly led Houston Madison High School to a state championship during his senior year. But running onto the field at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is a different experience altogether for the star in the making.
"The crowds weren't quite as big when I played in high school, but I love hearing the fans when I come in," he said.
After dealing with a quarterback controversy involving Chris Simms and Major Applewhite, Brown said earlier in the season that the most popular player on the roster is the backup quarterback.
And while some will argue that it's not Young's position on the depth chart, but rather his unlimited potential that has people drawing a comparison to Atlanta Falcons' star quarterback Michael Vick, the redshirt freshman said it's a bit early to be stacking him up against an NFL Pro Bowl player.
"It's an honor to be compared to Michael Vick, but he's done things I've never done," Young said. "I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and helping us win ballgames."
Longhorns answer questions
By Natalie England
Daily Texan
(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas' preseason officially ended with its 63-18 win over Tulane Saturday night.
And it seems when Kansas State rolls into Austin, Texas, this weekend, all of the questions raised following the early-season loss to Arkansas have answers.
Yes, the Longhorns will throw the ball to the tight ends over the middle.
Yes, the Longhorns have a running game -- perhaps even a pretty big one.
Yes, Vince Young can come into the heat of a game and turn a defense upside down.
Yes, Chance Mock is as good, even better, than his flawless stats project.
And most important -- yes, the Texas defense can stop the ball.
It looked that way against Rice, when Texas kept the Owls from hooting anywhere near the goal line on all but one possession, but there were still questions. Was Texas' "D" really that good, or was Rice really that bad -- the Owls did lose to Duke, after all.
Against Tulane, the Longhorns proved the former.
Tulane's J.P. Losman came into Austin a passing stud -- the overflow of NFL scouts in the Texas press box attested to that -- but in his presence the entire Texas defensive crew turned studly.
Losman did have 186 passing yards, but when 186 yards through the air only translates into 18 points, something is going wrong. It was a simple cause-and-effect battle at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Saturday, with the Longhorn defenders causing trouble and the Tulane offense affecting absolutely nothing except the game clock -- it stopped for every incomplete pass.
Losman stopped the clock 16 times alone.
It was a defensive strategy that worked. Marcus Tubbs and Rodrique Wright spent as much time in the pocket as Losman it seemed, and when Losman did find some time to drop back and examine the field, he found nothing. Of his 16 incompletions, many ended up on the sidelines. Even with all the time he had in the pocket, he couldn't find an open pair of hands to throw to.
Credit Nathan Vasher and Cedric Griffin for getting touchy-feely with the Tulane receiver corps. And it wasn't third date touchy-feely either, for every step Tulane's leading receiver Roydell Williams took there was a bump or a shove.
On just the second Tulane play from scrimmage, Losman planted the ball in his waiting receiver's palms for what appeared to be an easy first down. Then came Griffin, who unloaded a nasty, mouthguard-swallowing tackle, causing the ball to pop out. Tulane punted two plays later.
Turnovers were key to Arkansas' win over Texas, and since then, they've been just as key to the Longhorns' blowout victories. Texas had three against Rice and four against the Green Wave.
Those are numbers linebacker Derrick Johnson likes to see.
"His goal was to get two interceptions a game," Texas defensive coordinator Carl Reese said of Johnson. "And he's come up short in some other games."
Of course, as he was saying it Reese had a wicked grin on his face, giving Johnson's knee a friendly frogging. After all, Johnson did have his first fumble recovery since 2001 against Rice and returned another Saturday 3 yards against Tulane, setting up Mock's 13-yard touchdown pass to Roy Williams.
And, oh yeah, he had two interceptions, too.
That makes three picks for Johnson this year -- just one shy of the UT record he set in 2002 for season interceptions for a linebacker.
Johnson hits just as hard as he plays, and the Texas defense is taking notice -- and the offense is too.
The Longhorns are going to need to -- the Big 12 road begins with Kansas State and won't get any easier. But it looks like the Longhorns have their bags packed and are ready to travel.
Was Oregon overrated? Was Washington State underrated?
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2003
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- While Oregon was basking in a little national recognition, Washington State was trying to generate some of its own.
The combination made for an upset Saturday as the Cougars pounced on the Ducks early and kept them stunned the rest of the way for a 55-16 victory.
Oregon, which was ranked No. 10, had been undefeated and coming off a stunning 31-27 upset of then-No. 3 Michigan.
``We were watching SportsCenter and the talk was all about them. They were on the cover of Sports Illustrated and they got a lot of the attention before the game,'' Washington State defensive lineman Jeremy Williams said. ``We wanted to come in and prove ourselves.''
Oregon (4-1, 1-1 Pacific-10) dropped to No. 19 with the loss. Defending conference champion Washington State (4-1, 1-0) rose from No. 21 to No. 14.
``We were still thinking about the Michigan game, and I really don't think we were really fired up,'' Oregon receiver Samie Parker said. ``Everyone is usually fired up in the locker room, but we were really quiet today. We were just kind of waltzing around, and I don't think we were ready to play.''
Washington State was ready.
Matt Kegel completed 13 of 33 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns for the Cougars, who also got a pair of scoring runs from Jermaine Green. Drew Dunning kicked a pair of field goals.
But most of all, Washington forced Oregon to make some costly mistakes. The Ducks had nine turnovers and had two punts blocked.
``I am proud of the team that I am part of. They showed tremendous leadership,'' Kegel said. ``The defense just dominated.''
Oregon's quarterback tandem of Kellen Clemens and Jason Fife, who went into the game with no interceptions between them, were intercepted seven times.
``It was a nightmare,'' Clemens said. ``We got some bad breaks. We didn't execute like we should have. It was a nightmare.''
A blocked Oregon punt that Jeremy Bohannon ran back 4 yards made it 38-2 for Washington State at halftime.
Oregon didn't find any offensive success until early in the second half with Terrence Whitehead's 4-yard scoring run. The Ducks, who had a safety in the first quarter, also scored on Clemens' 26-yard TD pass to Demetrius Williams.
Clemens, who started, was 16-of-34 for 232 yards and four interceptions, while Fife was 8-of-24 for 123 yards and three interceptions.
``Teams come in and think they are going to walk all over us,'' Cougars free safety Jeremy Bohannon said. ``But we always play tough.
``We like to be underrated.''
Washington State beat Oregon 32-21 last season in Pullman en route to the conference title. The Cougars' only loss this season came on Sept. 6, when they blew a 19-0 lead and lost 29-26 in overtime at Notre Dame.
Washington State goes on to host Arizona next Saturday.
Oregon travels to Utah for a game Friday night. The Ducks will be coming off their worst defeat since a 63-0 loss to Nebraska in 1985.
``I told them after the game that we were going to toss this one where it belongs -- and that's in the garbage,'' coach Mike Bellotti said. ``We probably won't watch it. We'll flush it, and we'll move on.''
Texas rolls to easy win, Kansas State and Big 12 next
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Lump the easy wins against overmatched opponents and the loss to Arkansas together. In many ways they no longer matter for No. 13 Texas.
The next two games against No. 16 Kansas State and No. 1 Oklahoma will determine what happens to the Longhorns' dreams for their first Big 12 title since 1996.
``It's going to be here whether we're ready or not,'' coach Mack Brown said after Texas' 63-18 romp over Tulane. ``The last two weeks were what we needed to get back on track. We dominated like we're supposed to.
``We realize next week we're not playing against Tulane's defense.''
Kansas State is one of the favorites to win the Big 12 North and Oklahoma is, well, Oklahoma. The Sooners have won three straight over the Longhorns, a streak made that much worse for Texas by Oklahoma's national championship in 2000.
For now, all attention is focused on the Wildcats.
``We have Kansas State coming ahead,'' running back Cedric Benson said. ``We know the road goes forward from here.''
The Longhorns (3-1) are cruising in the fast lane.
For two straight weeks, Texas has dominated overmatched opponents as it worked to fix problems exposed in the 38-28 loss to No. 8 Arkansas back on Sept. 13.
As they did in a 48-7 win over Rice, the Longhorns used the Chance Mock-Vince Young quarterback combination to near perfection against Tulane (3-2).
Texas led 49-6 at halftime as Mock ran for one touchdown and passed for three more. Young added two scores on a run and pass. The Longhorns also ran for a season-high 302 yards as Benson scored three times.
``(Arkansas) was a wakeup call for us,'' said receiver Roy Williams, who caught two TDs against the Green Wave. ``We can't lose no more.''
The gaudy numbers of the last two games should give Kansas State -- which had its own problems exposed in a home loss to Marshall -- plenty to think about.
For starters, Mock and Young are a difficult combination to defend.
While Mock starts and is considered the more polished passer, Young is the one likely to throw deep on one play and use the next one to break off a long run like his 60-yarder against Tulane.
``It's a change of pace because we have two completely different styles,'' said Mock, who has thrown for 10 touchdown passes this season. ``It's like throwing a curveball in there.''
The Longhorns scored on seven of eight first-half possessions against Tulane. The only drive that didn't earn a touchdown ended on a fumble inside the Tulane 15.
Brown cautions that the days of easy wins are likely over. The Big 12 is a whole different ballgame.
``We're ready,'' Benson said.
After 4-0 start at home, Hokies prep for the road
By HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2003
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- The beginning of the season has become downright predictable for Virginia Tech. Play at home, and win big.
For seven straight seasons, the Hokies have won four straight to start the season. They reached 4-0 Saturday with a 47-13 victory against Connecticut, their fourth consecutive home game, and now go on the road.
Just last season, Virginia Tech won eight straight to start the year, building expectations to huge levels in the Hokie Nation. Then one loss became three in a row, and those expectations were put off for a year.
This year, the Hokies say they have learned.
``It's going to be a time for us to tighten up,'' quarterback Bryan Randall said, beginning this week at Rutgers. ``There's no more home-field advantage. It's time to get on the road and take care of business.''
The Hokies sold out all four games at home, including a Thursday night game against Texas A&M played as Hurricane Isabel was battering the state, and can always rely on 65,115 screaming supporters in Lane Stadium.
But they also took big leads against Central Florida and the Huskies before loosening on defense, incurring the ire of coach Frank Beamer.
The bonds a road trip helps form will be needed soon if the No. 4 Hokies are to contend for the national title. After Rutgers, Virginia Tech plays Syracuse, at West Virginia, No. 2 Miami and at No. 15 Pittsburgh.
``We're still looking for that four-quarter game,'' said defensive end Nathaniel Adibi, whose blocked punt led to one of three non-offensive touchdowns Saturday. ``We still haven't put in a full four quarters.''
Beamer was particularly concerned with his defensive reserves, who again allowed an opponent to dominate the late stages of a rout. UCF turned a 28-0 blowout into a 7-point game before the Hokies rallied again, and Connecticut got most of its yardage after falling behind 40-0.
``We don't put our second group in there to get scored on,'' Beamer said. ``We put them in there to perform and get off the field.
``We need to learn from it. There's no question about our ability back there. That's one place where you mess up and a lot of people know about it. You've got to be good and there were a couple times we weren't.''
Connecticut quarterback Dan Orlovsky turned garbage time into a big day statistically, finishing with 316 passing yards and two touchdowns, running his streak of games with at least one scoring pass to 17.
On one hand, Orlovsky said he thought the Huskies could have given the Hokies a game had they not been burned for an 84-yard interception return, a 91-yard kickoff return and a 16-yard blocked punt return.
On the other?
``I don't think there's a better team in the country,'' he said.
College Football Today
September 28, 2003
^STARS
-- B.J. Symons, Texas Tech, threw for 661 yards -- a school and Big 12 record -- and six touchdowns, in the Red Raiders' 49-45 win over Mississippi. Symons, 44-for-64 with one interception, threw for 586 yards in a loss to North Carolina State last week. His sixth TD pass came with 1:04 left.
-- Cedric Cobbs, Arkansas, ran for 198 yards and a touchdown as the No. 9 Razorbacks beat Alabama 34-31 in double overtime.
-- Rod Rutherford, Pittsburgh, threw five touchdown passes in the No. 17 Panthers' 37-26 win over Texas A&M.
-- A.J. Hawk, Ohio State, made 13 tackles as the fourth-ranked Buckeyes blanked Northwestern 20-0.
-- Philip Rivers, N.C. State, threw for 423 yards and a touchdown and added two rushing TDs as the Wolf Pack beat North Carolina 47-34.
-- Mike Hilliard, Duquesne, ran for a school-record 323 yards and five touchdowns in Duquesne's 62-14 win over La Salle.
BITING BACK
No. 25 Florida scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally from an 18-point deficit and beat Kentucky 24-21, the biggest road comeback in school history. Florida's largest previous road rally was from 17 points behind in a 1993 win at South Carolina.
SMOKE STACK
Jeff Smoker broke three Michigan State career passing records in the Spartans' 20-10 victory over No. 13 Iowa. Smoker, 28-of-44 for 218 yards and two touchdowns, set school marks for completions (478), attempts (818) and TD passes (48).
PERFECT
No. 20 Northern Illinois is 3-0 against teams from BCS conferences, following a 24-16 win over Iowa State. The Huskies, ranked for the first time ever, beat Maryland in overtime to open the season, and Alabama on the road last Saturday.
GOLDEN
California's 34-31 triple overtime win over No. 3 Southern California was the Golden Bears' first home victory over a Top 5 team since upsetting No. 4 USC 28-14 in 1975.
LAYING EGGS
Oregon quarterbacks combined for seven interceptions, five in the first half alone, in the No. 10 Ducks' 55-16 loss to No. 21 Washington State. Starter Kellen Clemens was 16-of-34 with four interceptions, while Jason Fife was 8-of-24 with three picks. Fife and Clemens went into the game leading the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.
SHUTOUTS
Ohio State's 20-0 win over Northwestern was the Buckeyes' first shutout in 62 games, dating to a 41-0 victory at Illinois in 1998. ... South Florida beat Army 28-0 in the Bulls' first Conference USA game.
STREAKING
Ohio State won its 19th straight game, 20-0 over Northwestern. ... No. 18 Washington improved to 20-2 against Stanford since 1976 with a 28-17 win. Stanford hasn't won in Seattle since 1975, an 11-game streak. ... No. 5 Virginia Tech extended its winning streak in games played before October to 28 with a 47-13 victory over UConn. ... No. 11 Michigan won its 22nd consecutive Big Ten opener with a 31-17 win over Indiana. The Wolverines have beaten the Hoosiers in 12 straight and 27 of 28 meetings. ... Florida beat Kentucky for the 17th straight time, rallying for a 24-21 victory. ... No. 6 Florida State improved to 12-0 against Duke with a 56-7 win. ... Carson-Newman won its 18 straight regular season game, beating Florida International 55-33.
SNAPPED
California snapped Southern California's 11-game winning streak with a 34-31 triple-overtime victory. ... Air Force beat BYU 24-10 for its first win in Provo since 1982. The Falcons were 0-7 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. ... No. 22 Purdue had lost three straight to Notre Dame before a 23-10 win. It was just the Boilermakers' third victory in 18 years against the Irish. ... Auburn ended defending I-AA champion Western Kentucky's 13-game winning streak with a 48-3 victory.
SLUMPING
Iowa State has lost 25 in a row on the road against ranked opponents, a winless stretch that covers 13 years, after a 24-16 loss to Northern Illinois. ... Hofstra (0-5) is off to its worst start since going 0-10 in 1969, after a 24-14 loss to Delaware. ... Duke lost a record 27th straight ACC game, 56-7 to Florida State. ... Buffalo dropped its 15th straight game, 38-21 to Akron, extending the nation's longest losing streak. ... South Carolina fell to 0-12 at Neyland Stadium and has dropped 11 straight to No. 8 Tennessee after a 23-20 overtime loss.
SAFETY DANCE
North Texas tied an NCAA Division I-A record by scoring three safeties in a 44-23 win over Louisiana-Lafayette. In the first quarter, running back Travis Smothers was tackled in the end zone. On consecutive possessions in the second half, Eric Rekieta was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, and the ball was snapped over punter Grant Autrey's head out of the end zone.
DENZEL'S SON
John David Washington, son of actor Denzel Washington, ran for a school-record 242 yards and a touchdown as Morehouse beat Johnson C. Smith 39-21.
SPEAKING
``I knew we had a real good football team. But in my wildest dreams, I didn't think we'd be 4-0 at this point.'' -- Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak, after the No. 20 Huskies beat Iowa State 24-16.
``We felt like it would be more classy if we just let our fans take care of that.'' -- Kansas quarterback Bill Whittemore, on Jayhawks fans tearing down the goalposts after a 35-14 win over No. 23 Missouri. Last year, after the Tigers beat Kansas 36-12 at home, Missouri players helped their fans rip down the goalposts.
(14) Texas 63, Tulane 18
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
September 27, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Texas has refused to call the Chance Mock-Vince Young quarterback combination a ``rotation'' this season.
Whatever it is, it works.
The duo provided plenty of offense Saturday night in the first half of a 63-18 romp over Tulane. Mock threw three touchdown passes and ran for another and Young ran and passed for two scores as the No. 14 Longhorns cruised in their final tuneup before Big 12 play.
Texas (3-1) plays its first conference game next Saturday against No. 16 Kansas State.
``When you want to win you got to put points on the board,'' said receiver Roy Williams, who caught two touchdown passes as Texas topped 60 points for the second time this season.
``That's all we're trying to do.''
Texas simply swamped the Green Wave with a quarterback rotation that Longhorns coach Mack Brown has said -- until this week at least -- didn't exist.
Although Young had seen playing time this season, Brown and his staff had refused to call the shuffling QBs a ``rotation'' and said only that they would play Young when they could. He didn't get any snaps in Texas' loss to Arkansas
Mock is the starter and scored Texas' first touchdown against Tulane on a 1-yard run. Texas led 14-0 after the second drive when Williams took a short pass and shook three defenders with one spin move and a stiff arm for a 13-yard TD.
Then came Young, who rotated in every third series of the first half.
A super-talented redshirt freshman who can run and pass, Young faked a handoff and ran 60 yards on his second snap, a play that set up a 2-yard TD toss to David Thomas, his first scoring pass of the season.
``It's a change of pace because we have two completely different styles,'' said Mock, considered for now to be the better passer. ``It's like throwing a curveball in there.''
``The defense has to change it's whole game plan,'' Young said. ``They'll be trying to defend Chance when I pop in.''
Mock was 10-of-16 for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Young had 137 total yards with a rushing and passing TD. Cedric Benson ran for three scores.
Tulane (3-2) came into the game with one of the nation's best passing attacks but never got started as Texas piled on the points.
Green Wave quarterback J.P. Losman, the nation's leading passer in yardage and touchdowns coming in, had 114 yards in the first half but it paled in comparison to the 387 total yards Texas rolled up before halftime.
Losman ran for his life under a heavy Texas pass rush to finish with 186 yards passing with two interceptions and one touchdown.
Mock and Young, meanwhile, ran the Texas offense to near perfection. Tulane coach Chris Scelfo compared it to gambler who won on every roll of the dice.
``They rolled sevens every way they could,'' Scelfo said. ``They overwhelmed us.''
Mock threw scoring passes of 11 and 26 yards to Bo Scaife and Williams in the second quarter. Young shook two tackles in a 13-yard scramble up the middle for a TD that made it 35-6.
Tulane came in giving up an average of 204 yards on the ground. Texas had 211 by halftime. The only Texas drive of the half that didn't score was stopped on the Tulane 14 on a fumble.
Williams, who shunned a chance to be a top 10 pick in the NFL draft after last season, has five touchdowns this season and has seven career multiple-TD games. He already is Texas' career receiving yardage leader with 3,161.
Tulane running back Mewelde Moore had 114 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The question for Texas will be whether the Longhorns have shaken the 38-28 home loss to then-unranked Arkansas on Sept. 13.
That game helped catapult the Razorbacks into the top 10 and raised doubts about Texas' chances of competing for a Big 12 or national title.
But the Longhorns have regrouped from that loss to outscore Rice and Tulane 111-25 over the last two games.
``That loss was a wake up call for us,'' Williams said. ``We can't lose no more.''
(11) Michigan 31, Indiana 17
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
September 27, 2003
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan was lifeless after its deflating loss at Oregon. Playing against Indiana, it didn't matter for the Wolverines.
Steve Breaston scored touchdowns on a punt return and a reception as 11th-ranked Michigan beat the Hoosiers 31-17 Saturday.
``I don't think we were entirely focused on the game,'' said Chris Perry, whose 112 yards rushing were tainted by two fumbles. ``I don't think it was a hangover from the loss, but I don't know what it was.''
Despite four turnovers, the Wolverines (4-1) led 31-3 late in the fourth quarter. But they gave up two touchdowns in the final 4:16 against the Hoosiers (1-4) in the Big Ten opener for both schools.
Michigan won its 22nd consecutive Big Ten opener and has beaten Indiana in 12 straight and 27 of 28 meetings.
The Hoosiers had lost their three previous games by an average of 22 points and were 35-point underdogs at Michigan Stadium.
The Wolverines dropped from third in country following a 31-27 loss at Oregon last week, one game after beating Notre Dame 38-0 at home.
``Emotionally, we were certainly not at a peak,'' Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. ``I didn't expect us to be. We're coming off two weeks that took a lot out of our football team.''
The Wolverines defied the belief that turnovers are everything in football.
They turned the ball over three times in the first quarter, but led 14-0 on Breaston's 69-yard punt return and Jeremy LeSueur's 60-yard interception return.
After Michigan's fourth turnover, Indiana failed to move the ball once again. The Wolverines then went ahead 24-0 late in the first half on John Navarre's perfect, 20-yard pass to Breaston.
``The way upsets work is you take advantage of (turnovers),'' Indiana coach Gary DiNardo said. ``The script was in front of us and obviously, we didn't follow it.''
Indiana returned a blocked punt for a touchdown with 4:16 left, and Brian Lewis scored on a 3-yard run with 20 seconds remaining for the final two scores.
Navarre was 15-of-24 for 161 yards with two TDs and two interceptions, one thrown well short of Breaston at Indiana's 3 and the other through Perry's hands.
Perry, who has 687 yards rushing this season, was benched for a series in the first half after his second fumble.
``I let the team down,'' Perry said.
Braylon Edwards caught three passes for 42 yards and a TD after not playing during Michigan's first five possessions. Earlier this season, Carr said he and Edwards ``were not on the same page,'' because of Edwards' tardiness.
``We need Braylon to be what he can be,'' Carr said Saturday.
Edwards said he didn't play for much of the first half because other receivers were playing well.
``They don't need me to make plays,'' said Edwards, whose 15-yard reception put Michigan ahead 31-3 early in the fourth.
Indiana's Matt LoVecchio completed 16 of 33 passes for 107 yards with two interceptions. Lewis had 70 yards rushing and a TD.
``The defense played well enough to win the game and the offense lost the game,'' LoVecchio said.
The Hoosiers showed signs of life on the opening drive of the second half, and in the final minutes.
Indiana went 72 yards on 19 plays over 8:40, but had to settle for Bryan Robertson's 26-yard field goal to make it 24-3. The drive was the longest, for both plays and time, in 17 games under coach DiNardo.
Michigan, which had problems on special teams against Oregon, had a punt blocked and returned for a score against the Hoosiers. Michigan then went three-and-out and Indiana drove from its 45 to score again.
Breaston returned the first punt for a touchdown -- that was not deflected or blocked -- for Michigan since Charles Woodson returned a punt for a score against Ohio State in 1997. Breaston, a redshirt freshman, caught two TDs against Oregon.
Michigan played without defensive starters Larry Stevens and Ernest Shazor. Stevens, who had a protective boot on his left foot, said he will play next week at Iowa. Carr did not say why Shazor missed the game.
I've returned NLionGuy, if only briefly. I will try to stick my head in a little more often. We're slowing down on the doves but, the other seasons will be starting soon enough.
Colt...
My only comment, Ksquared, is that the Mid-American Conference are Giant Killers. They've knocked off some really good teams so far.
Colt
Yes he is, Ksquared. e/
Sorry to see this, Ksquared. One never knows. Sometimes the lesser teams just reach down deep and come up with a win. Happens all the time. I imagine that Michigan would beat them 9 out of 10 times. Still early in the season and a lot can still happen.
Colt...
NLionGuy, that was a good story. Saw the highlights on TV that weekend. The kid has heart.
Colt
Welcome to the board, Justin. Good to see another Longhorn here. Trouble is, Ksquared and NLionGuy, are too nice to double team. LOL
All women should love college football like Ksquared does. She's on top of everything. Football news and facts that is, not the jocks themselves. LOL Oh, I couldn't resist that one, Ksquared, SORRY!!!
Colt
Go Blue! e/
Thanks, Ksquared. As i told NLionGuy, they deserved to win. They seemed to want it more than we did. It doesn't look like many teams will go undefeated this season. Ohio State keeps lucking out with close wins. Looks like you and Justin and I will get together for the national Championship game this year. Let's just hope that our schools got it out of their system and go on to win the rest of their games. Doesn't look good for us, though. Not with K-State and OU coming up next.
Colt
Thanks, NLionGuy. It turns out that Arkansas is a very good team but, the Longhorns still should have beaten them. Sure! They just outplayed us and as much as I hate to say this, they deserved to win that game. Maybe it's been a wakeup call for our young team.
Colt...
Well Ksquared, now that I'm a day late and a dollar short, maybe you should have gone to that party and given them Notre Dame'rs 'what for'! LOL, not our sweet, little Ksquared. She would never speak her mind. :>) Glad you guys whipped up on them. They've sure done that to other teams for a century.
Colt
Wow, lots of posts. May not get caught up tonight but, will start reading through. What a crazy season so far. Sure didn't think that Texas and Michigan would end up losing the games they did. Now we have to face Kansas State and Oklahoma the next couple of weeks. Well so much for National Championship hopes. We didn't get to go to the Arkansas game but, went to the tulane game. Looks like the Hogs are much better than anyone originally thought.
Colt...
Archery Deer Hunting Opens Sept 15th - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
09/15/03
This years archery deer hunting season opens Sept. 15 throughout the state and archers anxious to get back into the field are ready to go.
Last year 28 percent of the 13,951 archery permit holders took a deer.
As is usual in late summer and fall, the Game and Parks Commission has received several reports of people finding dead or dying deer, most of them victims of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) or blue tongue, and with thousands of archers heading into the field to hunt next week, reports are expected to increase.
Bruce Morrison, assistant administrator of the Commissions wildlife division, says the outward appearance of deer that have died of EHD or blue tongue is very similar to that of deer that died of chronic wasting disease (CWD), and chances are that it was EHD or blue tongue that killed the deer. The Commission is interested in keeping track of EHD or blue tongue deaths as well as those attributed to CWD. Morrison asks that people who find a dead deer report it to their nearest conservation officer or the nearest Game and Parks district office.
Deer deaths due to EHD and blue tongue are more common during dry years and 2003 has been very dry. “With the dry conditions weve had,” Morrison said, “we could very well have a pretty bad year.”
Because CWD has been found in Nebraskas panhandle, many hunters have asked where they can send samples from their deer to have it tested before they consume it. Morrison said the following veterinary laboratories will accept and test samples, but hunters must submit their own samples and must contact the lab for their procedure in submitting samples and must bear the cost of shipping and testing.
The labs that will do CWD testing are:
-- Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Fair St. and East Campus Loop, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0907, (402) 472-1434, cost $25 per sample.
-– Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, 1174 Snowy Range Rd., Laramie, WY, 82070, (307 742-6638, $25 per sample.
-– Colorado State University Diagnostic Laboratory, 300 W. Drake Rd., Room E 100, Ft. Collins, CO, 80526, (970 491-1281, $25 per sample.
Bowhunters, Avoid Becoming the Hunted - Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
09/15/03
Bowhunters are sneaky, smelly, and camouflaged to look like a bush. While that’s what it takes to get close enough for a good shot with a bow and arrow, that same hunter is making it hard for a bear to notice him.
The quiet stalking, smelling like an elk and making skilled elk calls can scramble a bear’s usual early warning systems of sight, sound and smell. The result could be an accidental, surprise encounter with a bear.
In recent years grizzly bear populations have expanded and are re-colonizing historic ranges. Grizzly bears are found throughout western Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and the Yellowstone ecosystem, and black bears range widely across the state.
With Montana's bow hunting season underway, it's is a good time to review the basics of hunting safely in bear country. Antelope archery season is Sept. 6- Oct. 11 and the deer and elk archery season is Sept. 6-Oct. 19.
Here are some guidelines on hunting in bear country.
Be prepared to see a bear. Mentally rehearse handling different scenarios with bears so you are better prepared.
Hunt with a partner. If you hunt alone, let someone know your detailed plans and have a way to periodically check in.
Always carry and know how to use bear pepper spray.
Bow hunters who harvest a deer or elk need to plan to quickly get the carcass out of the woods.
Carcasses left in the woods require special precautions. Carry a colored, lightweight tarp or space blanket. Put the guts on the tarp and drag them as far away from the carcass as possible. Then use the tarp to cover the carcass. This will reduce the scent trail from the guts to the carcass.
When you return, study the site from a safe distance for any movement or changes. When you finally approach, yell and make noises.
Do not attempt to frighten or haze a bear away from a carcass.
If, in spite of these precautions, a bear is at the site eating the carcass, or a bear has covered the carcass with debris and it is not salvageable, report the incident to FWP.
Hunters who have taken precautions and still have legitimately lost an animal to a bear should contact a local warden or the nearest FWP regional office immediately to provide a detailed description of the location and situation, so local FWP officials can follow up.
Deer Hunts Planned for Physically Challenged Hunters - West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
09/15/03
Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the Law Enforcement Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the West Virginia Division of Tourism, and the West Virginia Hunter Education Instructors Association are announcing the fourth annual special antlerless deer hunts for the physically challenged at Snowshoe Resort in Pocahontas County . It is named in honor of Wallace "Frank" Hall, Jr., one of the first participants. Separate day hunts will be conducted on December 10 & 11, 2003. Only one deer per participant may be harvested. These are day hunts, but lodging is available on a limited basis at discounted rates.
ELIGIBILITY: Persons with substantial permanent limitations in the areas of vision (blind), hearing (profound deaf), and limb impairments.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must have successfully completed an approved Hunter Education Course (show proof)
Must complete a shooting qualification done by a certified firearms instructor using Snowshoe Resort targets. (3 shots 40 yards, 6 inch group). There is no charge for this requirement.
Must provide own adaptive equipment, including clothing, firearm, ammunition, shooting rig, etc.
Hunting sites and assistants will be provided at no charge. However, each participant must pay for any meals, lodging, transportation, licenses, and any other costs.
All participants must comply with all applicable hunting laws and regulations such as but not limited to; wearing blaze orange, field tagging and checking deer and have an unfilled Pocahontas Class N license.
To receive an application, contact George Skinner, WVHEA at 304-584-4444, Randy Chapman at 304-269-7311, or e-mail wvrchapman@aol.com or Lt. Tim Coleman, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Section, State Capitol, Building 3, Room 832, Charleston WV 25305 , phone 304-558-2784 or e-mail tcoleman@dnr.state.wv.us
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IS LIMITED.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY November 1, 2003 .
Drive Against Bear Baiting Begins in Maine and Alaska - U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
09/15/03
Anti-hunting groups have taken the first step toward eliminating all hunting in Maine. After failed attempts in years past to ban bear hunting by legislative action, the anti’s are preparing a campaign to end the hunt at the ballot box.
The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest anti-hunting organization, has begun circulating petitions and spreading anti-hunting rhetoric in an effort to ban bear hunting with bait, dogs or traps in Maine. If the anti’s acquire 50,519 signatures by February 2, 2004, the issue will appear on the November 2, 2004 election ballot.
Using the ballot box, animal rights groups have outlawed bear hunting in a number of states from coast to coast. Maine is one of the next targets.
Anti-hunters are also circulating petitions in Alaska to place a measure on the ballot in 2004 to ban bear hunting over bait. Bait would be considered any attractant or edible material that might entice a bear into an area. The anti’s must turn in 23,285 valid signatures to the Division of Elections by July 2004 for the proposal to be placed on the ballot.
Anti-hunters are not content with filching a single piece of a state’s outdoor heritage. The attempts to outlaw bear hunting in Maine and Alaska are the first steps to satisfy the antis’ ultimate goal - the elimination of all hunting. Historically, when anti’s defeat sportsmen in an issue, they return to the state to continue eroding the outdoor lifestyle and traditional way of life.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance has committed to working with sportsmen in Maine and Alaska to defeat the issue. Campaign and fundraising plans are being developed in conjunction with the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine and Alaska sportsmen are organizing their campaign committee. Sportsmen’s clubs must immediately get on board with these important campaigns to ensure hunting for generations to come. Sportsmen must unify now to create the solid grassroots activist network and raise the funds needed to defeat the issues.
Sportsmen can learn more about joining the fight to protect their outdoor heritage by contacting the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance at (614) 888-4868.
Hunting Atlas and Handbook Available - South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
09/15/03
Copies of the 2003 Hunting Atlas and 2003 Hunting Handbook are available at Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) offices and the department’s website at www.state.sd.us/gfp/.
"South Dakota’s latest hunting atlas and handbook can be picked up at most GFP offices," said Communications Manager Chuck Schlueter. "Since the initial supply of hunting atlases are limited, we are asking hunters to only pick up one and to be patient as more arrive. We should have all of the atlases prior to the start of the grouse season."
The Hunting Handbook has the general laws and regulations that hunters need to know. It also has information on license requirements, seasons, shooting hours and more.
The South Dakota Hunting Atlas is a consolidated brochure of maps that display Walk-In Areas, state Game Production Areas (GPAs), federal Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), some School Lands and some Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties.
People can also view or print these free publications via the GFP website at
http://www.state.sd.us/gfp/ Adobe Acrobat software is needed to open the files and is available for free from the GFP website.
Targeted CWD Surveillance Reveals New Area of Infection - Wyoming Game and Fish Department
09/15/03
A sick looking mule deer collected in Saratoga Aug. 14 tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
“The deer was taken in deer Hunt Area 80 outside the CWD Zone, the area where CWD was known to occur,” says Bob Lanka, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Laramie Region Wildlife Coordinator.
Saratoga Game Warden Biff Burton received a report of a deer that exhibited signs of chronic wasting disease, a rare, but fatal disease affecting the brains of mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk.
After seeing the deer, Burton collected it as part of the G&F’s ongoing CWD targeted surveillance program. The targeted surveillance program focuses on G&F personnel collecting deer that exhibit signs of CWD.
“Harvesting and testing animals that exhibit signs of CWD often shows we have CWD in an area before hunter harvest surveillance does,” says Lanka, “allowing us to better determine the extent of the disease.”
The G&F plans to collect more deer from the area to learn more about the distribution of CWD in and around Saratoga.
“Research indicates that infected animals tend to be found in localized groups or clusters,” said Lanka. “Sampling a small number of deer near where the positive was found is reasonable response to this development, and is based on the best available science. The collection will have no impact on the Platte Valley deer population,” says Lanka.
The G&F plans to use information gathered at this site, along with check station information gathered Oct. 1-5 to determine if future action will be necessary.
The World Health Organization says there is no evidence that CWD in deer and elk is transmitted to humans, but they further state no part or product of any animal with evidence of CWD or other TSEs should be fed to any species (human or any domestic or captive animal).
Report Big Game Harvests Online - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
09/15/03
Big-game hunters have a new option for reporting their harvests this year — online reporting through the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Web site. As always, hunters are required to report big-game harvests to the Commission. There are now four ways you can report your kill:
Call toll free at 1-800-I-GOT-ONE (1-800-446-8663);
Visit your local wildlife cooperator agent;
Stop by a Commission check station, dates and locations of which are listed in the 2003-2004 Regulations Digest; and,
Register online at www.ncwildlife.org (click on “Online Services”).
The Western deer season for bow and arrow began Monday, Sept. 8. By law, the Western bow-and-arrow season always starts on the Monday closest to Sept. 10, and bow-and-arrow seasons across the rest of the state always begin on the Saturday closest to Sept. 10, which this year is Sept. 13.
Deer harvest was down 17 percent last year, probably due to the high mast crop that reduced deer movement. North Carolina's deer herd also suffered its most extensive outbreak of hemorrhagic disease last year with deer in 65 counties affected, and deer in the Roanoke River corridor experiencied the highest mortality. In some localized areas, deer numbers were reduced by hemorrhagic disease, but most hunters will not notice a difference this fall.
Visit the Hunting section for information on season dates, licenses and regulations.
That is strange? Has Matt sold iHub to Raging Bull? I thought only Raging Bull did the double post thing. Bob must be out playing with some of his toys for boys.
LOL, Phil. So Cliff Claven is your mailman also, huh! Either Cliff on Cheers or Newman on Seinfeld. I sure wish that the IRS knew how to take a joke. They don't seem to buy my rendition of "The check's in the mail", bit. LOL
Yes, when it comes to paying bills or sending money, Christmas is always the one next year. LOL
Colt