Alrighty. Two seasons in the books here, and I'm mid-way through season six as it stands as I'm hurrying to get that season done before the drop of '11.
Alrighty. Two seasons in the books here, and I'm mid-way through season six as it stands as I'm hurrying to get that season done before the drop of '11.
2010 FINAL STATS
SENIORS = BOLD
PASSING
Kevin Moore (Player of the Year): 221-for-345, 2859 yards, 28 TD, 9 INT, 64% comp. pct (started 12 of Tulane's 14 games (missed two due to injury), started season with 1 TD, 7 INT)
>> Moore put up great numbers after a horrid start to the 2010 season.. missed two games due to injury .. finished season with 27 TD, 2 INT .. led Tulane to a 9-3 record as a starter this year.
Joe Kemp: 41-for-59, 490 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT, 69% comp. pct (started 2 of Tulane's 14 games)
D.J. Ponder: 3-for-3, 32 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 100% comp. pct (played in two games)
>> Kemp started two games .. won both games .. rallied Tulane in second half after Moore's injury at UTEP .. Ponder played vs Rice and at Tulsa in limited action
RUSHING
Stephen Barnett: 313 carries, 1698 yards, 5.4 average, 14 TD, 32 broken tackles, 11 runs of 20 yards or more
>> Barnett started 13 games .. left a couple games with injuries which lingered here and there .. great runner .. YPC went down from 5.6 as a backup last year. Hopes to return as a much improved 3rd-year player next year
J.T. McDonald: 71 carries, 441 yards, 6.2 average, 3 TD
Antoine Duplessis: 40 carries, 200 yards, 5.0 average, 2 TD
Donny Richardson: 28 carries, 151 yards, 5.3 average, 2 TD
Nathan Austin: 33 carries, 124 yards, 3.7 average, 2 TD
D.J. Ponder: 14 carries, 55 yards, 3.9 average, TD
Kevin Moore: 57 carries, -124 yards, -2.1 average, TD, long of 14
>> McDonald played well when needed, Duplessis was the power fullback who was an easy five yards each time, scored a TD in the Liberty Bowl .. Richardson missed half the season with an injury, hopefully will be 100% as a sophomore .. Austin was our second halfback in a few games when Barnett went down or McDonald went down .. saw alot of playing time against Tulsa.
RECEIVING
Casey Robottom: 51 catches, 849 yards, 16.6 average, 11 TD
Alan Mitchell: 48 catches, 551 yards, 11.4 average, 4 TD
Stephen Barnett: 40 catches, 328 yards, 8.2 average, TD
D.J. Banks: 38 catches, 522 yards, 13.7 average, 6 TD
George Harrison: 31 catches, 372 yards, 12.0 average, 3 TD
Devin Figaro: 25 catches, 347 yards, 13.8 average, 2 TD
Antoine Duplessis: 14 catches, 114 yards, 8.1 average, TD
>> Robottom became the go-to guy after the graduating of Jeremy Williams. Stepped it up majorly in the final three games of the year surpassing double-digit TD grabs .. Mitchell was our possession guy who had 28 catches and 0 TD's last year and 48 catches and 4 TD's this year, including one in the Liberty Bowl and 2 against Houston .. Barnett was a viable option out of the backfield or motioned into a WR spot .. Banks turned into our no. 2 guy later in the year, should be really promising fighting for the no. 1 spot next year .. Harrison put up great numbers for a TE as a true freshman .. Figaro's numbers should improve as a junior next year, and Duplessis was another backfield dump-off pass guy.
Also with TD catches: J.T. McDonald, Brock Sanders, Donny Richardson
Longest pass of the year: Joe Kemp to Wilson Van Hooser, 67 yards
BLOCKING
Lawrence Abrams: 25 'cakes, 8 SA
Harris Howard: 18 'cakes, 4 SA
Joey Ray: 13 'cakes, 6 SA
Pete Hendrickson: 9 'cakes, 9 SA
Andrew Neirman: 7 'cakes, 1 SA
George Harrison: 7 'cakes, 1 SA
>> Abrams had one heck of a freshman season .. Howard and Ray are seniors next year, and the lesser of the 'cakers are leaving. Hendrickson's SA went up majorly as a senior, and his 'cakes went down, Neirman's pancakes went down as a senior.
DEFENSIVE
Darryl Farley (Defensive Player of the Year): 100 tackles, 8 TFL, Sack, 3 INT, FF
Cody Leford: 76 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 INT
Gregory Hallinsworth: 65 tackles, 2 TFL, INT, FF, 2 FR
Samuel Brooks: 64 tackles, 3 TFL, INT, Def TD
Devin Williams: 63 tackles, 21 TFL, 12 Sacks, FF
Kristifer Rhymes: 51 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 Sacks, 2 INT
Alex Wacha: 48 tackles, TFL, INT, FF, FR
Dezmen Moses: 46 tackles, 13 TFL, Sack, FF, FR, Def TD
Sammy Boudreaux: 43 tackles, TFL, FF, FR
Tony Bryant: 42 tackles, 19 TFL, 9 Sacks
JJ Black: 41 tackles, 1 TFL, INT, Def TD
Oscar Ponce De Leon: 32 tackles, 17 TFL, 7 sacks, FF
Jordan Garrett: 23 tackles (mainly 90% special teams)
David Phillips: 17 tackles
Justin Adams: 15 tackles
>> Farley hits 100 tackles, our 2nd and 3rd leading sackers depart, Wacha was a solid secondary man, Moses was a great d-lineman, along with Bryant. Phillips and Adams were good tacklers. Hallinsworth, Black and Bourdeaux all have great freshman seasons.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Tinzen Ubekista: 15/23 FG, 58/58 XP, long of 52
Darren deRochement: 2/4 FG, long of 56, 40 punts, 1746 yards, 43.6 average, 10 inside 20, 7 touchbacks, long of 56 punting, too
>> Ubekista, the walk-on, was an excellent kicker. deRochement had quite the leg.
Devin Figaro: 21 KR, 492 yards, long of 30, 14 PR, 85 yards, long of 14
Jordan Sullen: 16 KR, 325 yards, long of 30, 15 PR, 124 yards, long of 19
Wilson Van Hooser: 13 KR, 212 yards, long of 32, 12 PR, 48 yards, long of 13
D.J. Banks: 12 KR, 263 yards, long of 29
>> We couldn't find a return man this year.
UP NEXT: Senior Sendoff, Transfer news, who's going pro..
SENIOR SENDOFF
Justin Adams
#6, OLB
OVR: 67
Stats: 15 tackles, TFL
Notes: Moved positions as a senior and provided depth to the linebacking crew and played alot of special teams and also played in the 4-4 and goal line formations.
Helm in 2009 versus Army
Tyler Helm
#88, TE
OVR: 70
Stats: 2010; Drop, 2 tackles 2009; 28 rec, 275 yards, 3 TD
Notes: As a senior, Helm fell from starting TE to #3 TE after George Harrison came and Brock Sanders shined over Helm in the spring. Helm's lone stats from 2010 is a drop and two tackles, but in 2009 he was a good TE.
David Phillips
#13, CB
OVR: 75
Stats: (2009): 25 tackles, INT (2010) 17 tackles
Notes: Phillips is known for the game-winning tackle in 2OT against Memphis but was a sure tackler at the CB position.
Dezmen Moses
#51, DE
OVR: 76
Stats: (2009) 26 tackles, Sack, FR (2010) 46 tackles, 13 TFL, Sack, FF, FR, TD
Notes: Defiently a workhorse on the D-line.. top play was 2010 at Hawai'i with a forced fumble, then the recovery and then a defensive TD. Moses never really got to the QB, but he sure put pressure on him.
Alex Wacha
#8, CB
OVR: 78
Stats: (2009): 51 tackles, INT (2010) 48 tackles, INT, 11 PD, FF, FR
Notes: Became the master of the deflection going from 1 in '09 to 11 in '10. Shared some time with FR Sammy Bourdeaux at CB, but started 27 straight games. INTs came against LSU in 2009 and Hawaii in 2010.
Tony Bryant
#96, DT
OVR: 79
Stats: 2009: 52 tackles, 21 TFL, 6 sacks, 2010: 42 tackles, 19 TFL, 9 sacks
Notes: Was another workhouse on the D-line.. played in the middle of the line and broke through for 15 sacks in the last two years. Defiently had the strength to get through anyone.
Oscar Ponce De Leon
#62, DT
OVR: 79
Stats: 2009: 36 tackles, 14 TFL, 5 sacks, 2010: 32 tackles, 17 TFL, 7 sacks, FR
Notes: P.D.L is known for having a long last name and like Bryant, was a strong and quick lineman who brought out the sacks from the DT position.
Kevin Leary
#63, C
OVR: 81
Stats: Nothing
Notes: Who? Sat behind Andrew Neirman.. which he wasn't previously redshirted.
Alan Mitchell
#87, WR
OVR: 82
Stats: 2009: 28 rec, 385 yards 2010: 48 rec, 551 yards, 4 TD
Notes: Possession WR, played a bit of #2 and #3 reciever throughout the 2010 season. Had a pair of TD catches against Houston and one in the Liberty Bowl after having none in '09.
Darren deRochemont
#40, P/long FG K
OVR: 82
Stats: 44.4 avg punt (2009+ 2010), 20 career inside 20, 2/4 FG, all from 53+
Notes: Had a huge leg. He made the kick against Hawai'i which started our run of 11 wins in 2010.
Pete Hendrickson
RT, #58
OVR: 84
Stats: 2009: 18 cakes, 3 SA / 2010: 9 cakes, 9 SA
Notes: Not sure what happened to him in 2010 but the wrong stats went up and down for him. Was a good blocker.
Kevin Moore
#2, QB
OVR: 84
Stats: 2009: 178/317, 2453yds, 25 TD, 11 INT / 2010: 221/345, 2859yds, 28 TD, 9 INT
Notes: Led Tulane to 18 wins as a starter, had a great senior season after a dismal start (finished year with 26 TD, 2 INT).. was a leader and a game winner. First proved himself in 2009 against SMU as those things said before with a rushing TD that won the game.
Casey Robottom
#19, WR
OVR: 87
Stats: 2009: 31 rec, 537 yards, 5 TD / 2010: 51 rec, 849 yards, 11 TD
Notes: He caught everything. High. Low. Short. Long. One-handed. Two-handed. One foot in bounds, two feet in bounds. Robottom was a playmaker and a gamechanger. His best catch was the game winner against USM at home on Senior Sunday. He had a great career and was Moore's favorite target and his no. 2 target in '09.
Andrew Neirman
#68, C
OVR: 91
Stats: 18 career 'cakes, 2 career SA
Notes: Didn't allow sacks often, but didn't really pancake anyone, but he pushed and pushed and didn't let them through. Dynasty's first player to reach 90 (or more) OVR and was the O-line leader.
___________________________________
TRANSFERS OUT: NOBODY / TRANSFERS IN: NOBODY
NOTABLE TRANSFERS
Zach Mettenberger, QB, UGA, 85 OVR to Eastern Kentucky
Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida, 85 OVR to Mid Tenn State
Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor, 84 OVR to Mississippi
Austin Fuller, WR, VT, 85 OVR to BC
Andrew Sweat, LB, Ohio State, 88 OVR to BC
Kody Spano, QB, Nebraska, 84 OVR to BYU
(there were many others)
NOTABLE PLAYERS GOING PRO
Jeff Demps, RB, Florida, 99 OVR
Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State, 98
Julio Jones, WR, Bama, 98
'Quizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State, 97
Caleb King, RB, UGA, 97
Jeremy Brown, CB, Florida, 97
Malcolm Williams, WR, Texas, 96
Earl Thomas, FS, Texas, 96
Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma, 95
-----
DC Jefferson, QB, Rutgers, 89
Brynn Harvey, RB, UCF, 90
Daniel Herron, RB, Ohio State, 94
Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas, 86
Iron Dragon's second annual WTF why did you go pro award goes too...
Nick Saenz, SS, Houston, 82 OVR
And with that.. goodbye to the seniors, and to some sophomores and juniors.. here we come off-season..
UP NEXT: Recruiting!
Recruiting a success for Tulane
Tulane's 11-3 season pulled them to a surprising 38th best class in the nation, rated better than national champion TCU's class, and the best class in the C-USA.
Florida reloaded with a record class: 9 5-stars, 11 4-stars, and 5 3-stars including the #1 and #2 players in the nation. Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma and Miami FL rounded out the top 5.
4-8 Michigan had the 10th best class. 2-10 UCLA had the 16th best class. Fresno State had the best class of the mid-majors at #29, with 5 four-stars. #2 Boise State struggled with recruiting, missing out on the #1 recruit and had the 50th best class. Southern Miss was 64th, Marshall 68th, UCF 70th, ECU 73rd, Memphis 80th, UTEP 84th, Rice 92nd, and stunningly Houston 105th .. the Cougars had a recruiting disaster despite their top 15 ranking. Tulsa had 111th best class, SMU 117th rounding out the C-USA.
TULANE RECRUITING CLASS OF 2011
(by position)
:r3star: QB Marcus Minor from Arkansas .. 6'3, 208lbs.. 73 OVR, 82 SPD, 84 THP, 73 THA
:r2star: JUCO FB Eric Jones from Church Point, LA .. 6'0, 208lbs.. 72 OVR, 79 SPD, 81 ACC
:r2star: TE Chad Flowers from Florida .. 6'4", 243lbs ... 72 OVR, 73 SPD, 81 CTH, 76 CIT
:r2star: G Reggie Ross from Arkansas .. 6'6", 296lbs ... 71 OVR, 86 IMP, 83 RBS
:r4star: G Michael Landry from California .. 6'4", 280lbs ... 77 OVR, 89 RBS
:r2star: C Ron Daniels from California .. 6'3", 316lbs ... 71 OVR
:r2star: C Rashaad Harris from Texas .. 6'2", 278lbs ... 69 OVR
:r2star: JUCO C Bo Mason from Montana .. 6'4", 291lbs ... 69 OVR
:r2star: T John Williams from Mississippi .. 6'2", 330lbs ... 72 OVR, 79 STR
:r2star: DE Dustin Peterson from Georgia .. 6'5", 209lbs ... 66 OVR
:r2star: DT Melvin Dickson from Mississippi .. 6'1", 270lbs ... 72 OVR, 81 BS, 79 STR
:r2star: DT Joe Childs from Louisiana .. 6'4", 266lbs ... 69 OVR, 50 SPD, 81 STR
:r2star: DT Jared Fields from Texas .. 6'6", 298lbs ... 67 OVR
:r2star: OLB Jason Nolen from Florida .. 6'1", 194lbs ... 72 OVR, 81 SPD, 86 ACC
:r2star: OLB Jason Thornton from Tennessee .. 6'1", 210lbs ... 71 OVR, 80 SPD, 77 ACC
:r2star: MLB Ralph Hall from Iowa ... 6'4", 246lbs ... 73 OVR, 85 HPW
:r2star: MLB Derek Larson from Louisiana ... 6'2", 254 ... 72 OVR, 79 STR
:r2star: OLB Lamont Coleman from Texas ... 5'11", 220 ... 70 OVR, 82 SPD
:r2star: OLB Mark Jackson from Louisiana ... 6'0", 203 ... 68 OVR, 77 PLY
:r4star: CB Erik Madison from Louisiana ... 6'4", 208 ... 78 OVR, 81 SPD, 86 ZCV, 89 PUR
:r3star: CB Keenan Tate from Louisiana ... 5'10, 180lbs ... 74 OVR, 83 SPD, 83 MCV, 82 ZCV
:r2star: P Jason Fountain from Oklahoma ... 6'3", 213lbs ... 68 OVR, 71 SPD, 73 KPW, 65 KAC
POSITION CHANGES
D.J. Ponder: WR to QB
Anthony Patterson: LT to C
Harry CiGar: LE to RE
Emanuel Eluko: MLB to DT (back to DT, that is)
CUTS
OLB Peter Morreale
OLB Sule Osagiede
QB Mike Bell
FB Kasey Stelly
LG Byron Herrell
C Bo Mason
DT Jared Fields
CB Joe Howard
UP NEXT: Onto the 2011 Preseason..
Tulane will visit the Buckeyes on week 3
2011 SCHEDULE
Tulane has no "tune-up game" again this year as another ranked team visits on week 1, this time Rutgers. Rutgers is not the same team we saw last year.. they look very different and they are weaker. Navy's triple option attack is now led by SR Kameron Smith, they only have one player over 85 OVR. Ohio State is Ohio State. They are good. If we can win, it'd be huge. The C-USA luckily is weak this year, and a win over Houston could easily sail us to a 8-0 C-USA record. LSU ends the season on the road, this year could be the year we get 'em if LSU is beat up like they were last year on week 14.
I hope we beat at least one of those ranked teams, if not two or maybe all three. We'll see. We could also lose a game we shouldn't. You never know.
2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Fear the 'stache! Landry Jones has to fill Sam Bradford's shoes this year.
PRESEASON TOP 25 & OTHERS
1. Oklahoma(40)
2. Florida(21)
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Nebraska
6. West Virginia (B+ OVR)
7. Georgia Tech
8. Texas
9. Notre Dame
10. Iowa (B OVR)
11. Wisconsin
12. North Carolina
13. Boise State (B OVR)
14. USC
15. Oregon State (B+ OVR)
16. LSU
17. Florida State
18. Georgia
19. Washington (B+ OVR)
20. Virginia Tech
21. Texas A&M
22. TCU (B OVR)
23. Miami (FL)
24. Rutgers (B OVR)
25. California
26. Utah
27. Houston
42. UCF (A- OFF, oh crap!)
47. TULANE
62. Memphis
65. Marshall
74. Southern Miss
84. SMU (New head coach)
89. ECU
97. UTEP
107. Tulsa
108. UAB
112. Rice
HEISMAN WATCH
QB Kellen Moore, r-SR, Boise State (38 TD, 11 INT last year)
WR Andre Debose, JR, Florida (15 rec TD last year)
WR Tyrone Carrier, r-SR, Houston (14 rec TD last year)
QB Aaron Corp, r-SR, USC (23 TD, 12 INT, 7 rush TD last year)
WR Sean Fitzgerald, JR, Utah (13 Rec TD last year)
TULANE ALL-AMERICANS & ALL-CUSA
1st-team AA: Stephen Barnett (RB)
2nd-team AA: None
1st-team C-USA: Stephen Barnett, Devin Williams (LE)
2nd-team C-USA: George Harrison (TE), Darryl Farley (MLB)
UP NEXT: 2011 Conference USA preview
2011 C-USA PREVIEW
EA'S OUTLOOK
RICE OWLS - Probable finish: 10th-12th
Key Games: 8-27 at #8 Texas, 9-10 at Baylor, 11-19 at Houston
>> Rice will probably struggle this year with 7 of 12 games on the road, including at Texas, Baylor and Northwestern OOC. Nick Fanuzzi will start for his third straight year and needs to improve on his 18 TD, 17 INT season from a year ago. Shane Turner and Sam McGuffie can carry the running game, but Rice's defense does not have a player over 78 OVR. Not a good thing.
UAB BLAZERS - Probable finish: 10th-12th
Key Games: 9-3 at #2 Florida, 9-10 at Marshall, 10-22 Western Michigan, 11-12 Houston
>> UAB has an interesting schedule. They start out in the Swamp, then they play at Marshall and Tulsa, then they have a 6 of their next 7 at home, before finishing out with two road games. Like Rice, UAB does not have a defense. They have an 85 OVR MLB in JR Danny White, but then it's a dropoff into the 70s. They have two QBs over 82 OVR, two RBs over 81, but no recievers over 76 OVR. Their offensive line is bad, with an all-CUSA performer in 90 OVR in Greg Calhoun, but then they have 3 true freshman under 67 OVR starting. Not good.
TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE - Probable finish: 6th-9th
Key Games: 8-27 at #1 Oklahoma, 9-10 Okie State, 11-19 #20 V-Tech
>> Tulsa's OOC schedule is hard. They maybe can beat Troy, so don't be surprised to see Tulsa 0-3 when they play UAB. Tulsa is not a 10th place team, but they aren't a top 5 team. GJ Kinne no longer has to deal with Bower, while Shavodrick Beaver waits now. If Kinne and 94 OVR DeMaris Johnson can hook up, Tulsa can score. However, they start two freshman on the o-line, and their linebackers are weak. Get around these issues and Tulsa could get four wins in conference play.
UTEP MINERS - Probable finish: 10th-12th
Key Games: 8-27 at Kansas (then two BYEs), 9-17 Houston, 9-23 UCF, 10-08 at Tulane
>> UTEP has to play the "big three" in four weeks, but get Houston and UCF at home. However, UTEP doesn't look like a ninth-place team. UTEP's best player is a kicker. Mike Scott, at 83 OVR. They have an 80 OVR QB in Tim Curry, an 80 OVR RB in Vernon Frazier, three WRs at 82 OVR. Oh did I mention that their o-line is 4 freshman and a sophomore? UTEP isn't bad, they just aren't good.
EAST CAROLINA PIRATES - Probable finish: 6th-9th
Key Games: 9-10 #12 UNC, 10-08 at Houston, 10-22 UCF, 10-28 Tulane
>> ECU has a challenging OOC game with North Carolina and have the "big three" to play. QB Rio Johnson will start for his second year, and look to find Joe Womack, Jacobi Jenkins and Michael Bowman through the air. He can also give it off to Marquan Brown who returns from injury. ECU's linebackers are pretty weak, but they have speed.
SMU MUSTANGS - Probable finish: 6th-9th
Key Games: 9-03 Baylor, 9-17 Tulane, 10-08 at #22 TCU, 11-05 at Houston
>> SMU booted June Jones after a 0-10 start to 2010 and now Tommy Bowden comes in and takes the helm after leading SMU to a 2-0 finish including a stunner at Tennessee. SMU will start to lean away from the pass, dropping to 60 percent pass this year. Braden Smith still has targets in Terrance Wilkerson, Cole Beasley and Bradley Haynes. But Bryce Lunday should improve majorly on his two sub-400 yard rushing seasons and sub-90 carries seasons. JJ Di Luigi should see carries too. SMU's d-line is the stronghold of their defense. Their offensive line has no starters worse than 80 OVR, and they have a few backups at 80 or 81 OVR.
SOUTHERN MISS MUSTANGS - Probable finish: Bottom of the top 5 **SLEEPER TEAM**
Key Games: 9-10 at UVA, 10-08 at UCF, 10-22 at Miss State
>> Southern Miss has an easy schedule. Two road games OOC at Virginia and Miss State, but they don't play Tulane or Houston. Austin Davis is back, and is now at 91 OVR, and DeAndre Brown is back, now at 98 OVR. Brown, how would you say, is an absolute beast. He has 95 SPD and 98 ACC and 88 CTH and 94 SPC and 92 CIT. If he stays healthy, he could put up some huge numbers. USM's weakness is a couple spots on the o-line and at safety. Another thing is that they start two true freshman at K and P. Neither with a huge leg. That is a weakness.
MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD - Probable finish: Bottom of top 5
Key Games: 9-17 at UCF, 10-08 at #6 WVU, 10-15 at #17 FSU, 10-22 at Houston
>> Marshall has four tough road games, two OOC and two in-conference. Darius Marshall is gone. So what? Martin Ward, Terrell Edwards and Demetrius Thomas are all 83+ OVR RBs for Marshall. Marshall has a new QB in Chris Smith, and has a good WR in EJ Wynn to find. Marshall's o-line is good. Marshall's defense isn't great, but it doesn't lack anywhere. They do start a freshman kicker who doesn't have a huge leg.
MEMPHIS TIGERS - Probable finish: 6th-9th
Key Games: 9-10 #4 Bama, 10-1 at UCF, 10-22 at Tulane, 11-12 at USM
>> Memphis doesn't have to play Houston and I could be wrong about Memphis but I don't think they are a fourth place team. Tyler Bass is gone, their RB is gone, but Cam Baker is back. However, they are missing a defense. They have no starters over 78 OVR and in a league with big offenses and if they are projected to be fourth, that won't help them.
TULANE GREEN WAVE - Probable finish: Top three
Key Games: 8-27 #24 Rutgers, 9-10 at #3 Ohio State, 10-01 Houston, 11-26 at #16 LSU
>> Tulane has an interesting schedule. They don't play UCF, but they have three tough OOC games and get Houston at home, who as underdogs in 2009 and 2010 are 1-1 against. The question is.. who is Tulane's starting QB? Joe Kemp, D.J. Ponder or "out of nowhere in the spring" Ryan Griffin? Stephen Barnett is back, so is J.T. McDonald and Donny Richardson is now a sophomore. Whoever the QB is, Jarmon Fortson is here, and he's a 92 OVR. D.J. Banks is back, too. Tulane's O-line is good, and all their starters are 81+, their d-line improved well in the spring, and the three starters at linebacker who were freshman in 2009 are still starting in 2011. Tulane's true freshman secondary was a success last year, and now they are now sophomores with the addition of 6'4" Erik Madison to take Alex Wacha's spot. Tinzen Ubekista will handle K and P duties this year, and this team does not have a weak spot. They are locked and loaded and depth-filled. If their schedule was easier, they could go 12-0, since it's hard, they could go as bad as 8-4.
CENTRAL FLORIDA - Probable finish: Top three
Key Games: 9-03 at #8 Texas, 9-10 at FIU, 10-08 at USM
>> UCF is going to go at least 11-1. That's right. They don't have to play Houston or Tulane and they are loaded. This offense is better than some teams in the top 10. They can beat Texas. Joe Weatherford knocks Rob Clabrese off the starting job at QB, and he's 91 OVR. Brynn Harvey is gone but Chris Rainey is here.. and he has 98 SPD, 99 AGI and 99 ACC. Oh shit. Even better, 99 ELU and 99 SPM and 99 JKM. If I know anything, when you have 99s in a non-BCS conference, you are going to dominate. Thearon Collier is elligible to play too, and he's 97 OVR. 93 SPD, 87 CTH, 90 SPD, 88 CIT, 80 AWR and 90 BTK. Oh shit. UCF's O-line is amazing. 88+ starters. Needless to say, we're screwed. And their defense is good. Oh boy. UCF could bust the BCS.
HOUSTON COUGARS - Probable finish: Top three
Key Games: 8-27 UCLA, 9-03 at #16 LSU, 10-01 at Tulane, 11-26 at #24 Rutgers
>> And then you have Houston's offense. They have three tough OOC games and don't play UCF. If they did, the over/under would be 100 points. Maybe a 62-59 game or something. Houston starts a new QB, Drew Hollingshead, a 78 OVR QB. Around him he can give it off to Bryce Beall at 93, or throw it too Heisman candidate Tyrone Carrier is a 97, Patrick Edwards is a 93, and James Cleveland is a 90. Houston's O-line is good. Their defense is probably the best or second best in the C-USA, led by 95 OVR Marcus McGraw, he has 89 SPD. Basically he's got 85+ everything and he's dangerous. He's quick enough to return kicks basically. Speaking of quick, Tyrone Carrier is another player with 99 ACC. Not good for everyone else. If Hollingshead can find his groove quickly, Houston will be a top 25 team again.
KEY QUESTION FOR THE CONFERENCE: Can we have three teams ranked at once? Last year, Houston and Tulane were ranked at the same time.
Three teams have a good shot to go undefeated this year.. Tulane, Houston and UCF. I think UCF has the best shot. Can they get past Texas? If so, watch out! What if Tulane gets past Rutgers and Ohio State? How much momentum will they have? We'll just have to wait and see.
UP NEXT: Tulane 2011 roster
WR/RET Van Hooser out for season; granted medical redshirt
NEW ORLEANS --- Today in preseason camp, JR wide receiver Wilson Van Hooser who is competing for the no. 3 spot has had a "lingering injury" since the end of last season and has not gotten better through spring and will undergo foot surgery later in August and will has been declared out for the season and has been granted a medical redshirt.
Van Hooser accounted for 260 return yards throughout about five games last year and in his lone catch last year of 67 yards scored a touchdown from Joe Kemp.
Van Hooser was competing with Chandler Davis, Devin Figaro and Jordan Sullen for the team's no. 3 WR spot. Hooser will have two years of eligibility remaining starting in 2012.
2011 ROSTER
New faces, new starters, old faces in new places can sum up any roster.
We are redshirting 13 freshman and Wilson Van Hooser gets a medical redshirt.
2011 REDSHIRTS
ACTIVE ROSTER
QUARTERBACKS
We still don't have a starter named yet, but Ponder is the current front-runner and is penciled in as our starter in practice right now. He's not in sharpie yet.
Ponder Positive: Great speed, dual-threat. Negative: <80 THA, only three passes (all complete) thrown in career in mop-up duty
Kemp Positive: Starting experience, equal THP and THA. Negative: Low speed, hardly any ability to keep the play alive
Griffin Positive: Good arm, 73 ACC. Negative: No career passes, only playing time is against McNeese State in 2009.
RUNNINGBACKS
Barnett ran for 1698 yards and had 328 receiving, at a smooth 5.4 yards a carry. Barnett is quick on his feet to make moves and that's why he still has his starting job. J.T. McDonald is still Barnett's backup as more of the "up the gut" kind of guy, who had 6.2 yards a carry last year. Donny Richardson is 100 percent again and should improve on a 151 yard season last year, we're still looking for some awareness improvements from him though. Jason, Austin and Thomas are just all there. Austin did run for 2 TD's last year.
Duplessis who is our powerback is a whopping 268 pounds and had 5 yards a carry last year, but has still not run for more than 11 yards on a carry. He's pretty consistent and he's a pretty good short yardage receiver too.
RECEIVERS
No Casey Robottom? No problem. Jarmon Fortson has sat out his year and is now here and ready to play for us after leaving Florida State. Fortson has two years of eligibility unless he has some amazing numbers and goes pro after this year. D.J. Banks is now the lone no. 2 man and there is no splitting time with anyone at that spot (last year it was Alan Mitchell). Figaro slips into the no. 3 spot, Davis into the no. 4 spot, Jordan Sullen who looked to be the 7th WR is actually in the 5th spot and is basically here if an injury occurs. Echols sits 6th but I believe takes our no. 3 TE spot.
Harrison is back at TE along with Brock Sanders. Harrison will probably sit around his same numbers from last year: 31 rec, 372 yards, 3 TD's. Brock Sanders disappointingly only has 8 catches in two years but has three TD's in those eight catches. Hopefully he sees double-digits this year.
O-LINE
Patterson and Jones are the new starters on the line this year, replacing Andrew Neirman and Pete Hendrickson. Our O-line is big and strong and great at blocking. This line averages about 315lbs and everyone is over 6'2". We have quality backups too, Michael Landry and Rio Mares are movable around the linem both are solid backups, along with Eric Hall.
D-LINE
Our D-line has three new starters with the only one returning is Devin Williams who had 12 sacks including a 4-sack game last year. Eluko moves back from LB where he was just not fast enough to be, Wilson has great speed for a DT. Harry CiGar doesn't have any strengths or weaknesses, which is good. We lose 3 active players at the end of this year on this line, but we have capable redshirts, too.
LINEBACKERS
Rhymes, Farley and Leford will all make their 28th consecutive start against Rutgers. These three have lined up beside each other since they were freshman. Farley is now in the role of defensive leader, after a 100-tackle season last year, his 95 block shredding defiently helps. We're planning to switch to a 3-4 after this year, and our lot of freshman (active or redshirting) will fight over the 4th spot next year. Jeremy Minor is the lone senior of this bunch and has the no. 4 LB spot.
SECONDARY
Our true freshman secondary are now sophomores and Alex Wacha is gone but Erik Madison, the 6'4" true freshman is here. Our secondary is young and highly experienced. Brooks' man coverage is one of the top 10 in the nation at safety. We expect good things from our Utopian secondary this year. Erik Madison and Jordan Garrett should also see time, along with Shakiel Smith. The other guys are special teams.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P/KOS: #12 Tinzen Ubekista, SO, 84 OVR, 87 KPW, 87 KAC
Returners (as of now): (KR) Figaro, Shakiel Smith (PR) Jordan Sullen
UP NEXT: Offical starting QB announcement and Rutgers preview
Notes from the practice field: "Wild Wave" could make appearance this year
NEW ORLEANS --- The Wildcat could get a New Orleans twist with the "Wild Wave".
The formation would feature Jarmon Fortson, who yes, can has throwing power and accuracy, and it would put D.J. Ponder in Forston's spot as Ponder, a WR/QB the last two years on the roster is now a full-time QB looking at the starting job.
The formation would feature Jarmon at the QB position and D.J. Ponder out in Jarmon's spot out wide. "It's more like a double QB formation in a way. We're just working on it, I don't think we'd run it more than one or two times a game, if at all."
The plays could be considered a "Fortson Option", where Fortson could throw it to any of the recievers - possibly even D.J. Ponder (or maybe most likely). There might be a way for him to hand it off in a sweep or run a QB draw.
"There's not many plays we have ready right now. Or maybe that's what we want you to think.", Draggo said.
2011, Game 1
#24 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-0, Big East)
Date: August 27th
Time: 8:00PM
Stadium: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Line: Tulane by 2
Picks: Kirk: Tulane | Lee: Tulane
Coverage: ABC Regional
NEWS & NOTES:
D.J. Ponder has been announced as Tulane's starting QB for the Rutgers game.
Rutgers Starting Lineup
SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: #24 Rutgers at Tulane
New Orleans, Louisiana -- Primetime, on national television. There aren't any "great" matchups this opening week, but Tulane's game is in the night and it features two top 50 teams. Last year, Rutgers cruised to a victory in the second half thanks to the offense's struggles in New Jersey. This year, Tulane comes to the big easy, N.O. Rutgers is ranked 24th, we're ranked 47th. A win could put us with votes next week. We have to make sure Ponder makes good decisions.
Brent Musburger cued off the night, "You are looking live... at the Superdome in New Orleans.."
1ST QUARTER
Rutgers lost the toss and we deferred to half no. 2. The start of the season would feature a wobbly kick by Ubekista, only to the Rutgers 24 and Martinek ran it to the 42. Savage then hits Wright for 20 (2 plays), Brooks falls back to make it third and seven, and then Rutgers runs it again and they get two back. They bring on Te and he tries a 56 yard field goal.. and he misses it wide right.
Ponder's first throw of the season would be a 17 yarder to Figaro. Barnett got 7, and Ponder ran for 9. Another pass..
.. and Abreu picks it off, intended for Jarmon Fortson.
Rutgers would indeed answer, on an third and 13 in our territory, they got fourteen. Third and ten, a 13 yard gain. Next play..
.. and we leave Harrison open. 7-0 Rutgers, 24 yard strike.
Barnett picked up 16 on three carries, then Ponder throws to Duplessis who makes some good moves and gets the first down but fumbles the ball and Rutgers recovers. Rutgers would stall and Te misses another field goal, from 48 yards, wide left.
Final two plays of quarter 1: Ponder hits Fortson for a 28 yard gain and Barnett runs for 9.
2ND QUARTER
Ponder got the first on the ground with a 5 yard gain, then fired to Chandler Davis for a 24 yard strike putting Tulane at the three.. next play...
.. Ponder finds senior WR/TE Taylor Echols for his 1st career TD. 7-7.
We hold Rutgers next time out and they punt for a touchback. But we would punt too. And then they would again after failing to gain ten yards from their own 4 yard line. We had good field position after a return to the 42 of Rutgers. Barnett got 14, Ponder ran a draw for 12, Barnett lost three, then Barnett..
.. goes untouched for a 19 yard TD with prime blocking. 14-7 TULANE.
We'd sack Savage twice (both by Devin Williams) and Rutgers would punt and we'd run out the clock.
3RD QUARTER
We start from our own 23, Ponder hits Duplessis for 19, Barnett gets 8, Duplessis gains 16 through the air again. We're going now, just until Ponder and Barnett's option is fumbled and Rutgers recovers. Rutgers would punt for a touchback.
We would then put on a third-quarter ending drive. Barnett caught a 9 yard pass. Then ran for 3 and 1. Then Davis gets 13 through the air. Barnett runs for 2, Ponder to Fortson for 10, Barnett gets 3, Ponder gets 1, then an incomplete pass. Fourth down and we gamble and go for it. Ponder finds no one open and goes up the gut for a 14 yard gain breaking a tackle. Barnett got five and then Harrison makes a 3 yard gain on a tipped pass.
4TH QUARTER
And our drive would continue, Barnett got three. From the thirteen, Ponder steps back.. throws to the endzone..
.. caught by D.J. Banks! 13 yard strike! 21-7 TULANE. Rutgers would take less than a minute to do this..
.. throw for a 20 yard TD. 21-14 Tulane.
We would chew up the clock again. Barnett got 1, Ponder got 11, Barnett lost four, Ponder hit Banks for 6, then Davis for 27, Barnett got 3, Duplessis got three. Then an incomplete pass and Ubekista kicks a 40 yard field goal. 24-14.
But here came Rutgers again. Thanks to a PI call, they were down in our territory in no time. After gaining 51 yards from starting at our 36, they'd look to go to the endzone..
.. but Williams gets his 3rd sack of the day, Savage would get hurt and fumble it but Rutgers would recover. In comes Raymond Howard. Howard hits Brooks on a 18 yard screen pass and that'd be a first down. Brooks got two to get to our one.. then Howard..
.. would run it in himself. 24-21 Tulane. 1:45 left. They'd go for the onside and would not get it. They have all three timeouts left however.
Barnett gets the first down after two carries of 7 yards and gets three for the first. Three more runs but only for six yards. Field goal from 40 yards out is good with :08 to play. 27-21 Tulane.
Rutgers gets the ball with four seconds left at our 41. Savage was back after getting the wind knocked out of him, and it was hail mary time..
.. and JJ Black seals the game with the INT.
FINAL SCORE: 27-21 TULANE
Well, the experts knew something, we were favored to beat a ranked team at home, College GameDay was behind us and so where the fans. This team played great despite the fumbles. What if Rutgers hadn't missed those field goals in the first quarter? Ubekista's kick would have been a game tying one. But we wouldn't have been pounding the ball then anyways. But it doesn't matter, we won, we're 1-0 and we've got confidence.
PLAYER STATS
D.J. Ponder: 180.2 QB Rating, 17-for-22 passing, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT, 57 rush yards
Stephen Barnett: 30 carries, 143 yards, TD, 9 rec yards
Antoine Duplessis: 7 rush yards, 45 rec yards
D.J. Banks: 2 catches, 19 yards, TD / Taylor Echols: TD catch
Jarmon Fortson: 3 catches, 38 yards / George Harrison: 2 rec, 20 yards
Devin Williams: 9 tackles (5 TFL), 3 Sacks, FF
Darryl Farley: 9 tackles
Cedric Wilson: 6 tackles (TFL)
Emanuel Eluko: 6 tackles (3 TFL)
Harry CiGar: 4 tackles (TFL)
JJ Black: 3 tackles, INT
Sammy Boudreaux: 3 tackles
Samuel Brooks: 3 tackles
Gregory Hallinsworth: 2 tackles
Tinzen Ubekista: 2/2 FG, 3/3 XP, 1 punt, 42 yards
RUTGERS: Tom Savage 12/20 passing, 175 yards, 2 TD, INT / Brent Parker (yes, that guy, FS): 12 tackles / Manny Abreu: 12 tackles, INT / Lance Payne: 7 tackles, TFL
UP NEXT: Week One Around the NCAA
WEEK ONE AROUND THE NCAA
And welcome to the 2011 college football season. About half the NCAA doesn't play this week.
C-USA SCORES
North Texas 19, Southern Miss 9 .. DeAndre Brown was held to six yards receiving. The sleeper team is still jamming out with MC Hammer.
Memphis 41, Mid Tenn State 28 .. Beyah caught 11 passes for 163 yards and a pair of TD's.
Kansas 16, UTEP 13 ... UTEP only put up 186 offensive yards and had less than a yard a carry.
South Carolina 30, ECU 3 ... Rio Johnson threw 2 picks and fumbled it once.
UCLA 15, Houston 0 ... QB Problems: Hollingshead 9/20, 94 yds, Guidry: 6/13, 121 yards, 2 INT.
#1 Oklahoma 40, Tulsa 7 ... The 'stache attack threw for 439 yards and 3 TD'. G.J. Kinne's 3-yard TD run was Tulsa's lone score.
#8 Texas 49, Rice 23 ... Rice put up a fight in the first half, taking a 17-14 lead on the Longhorns until Cody Johnson had a 3 yard TD run to end the half and then the Longhorns ran up the score with 3 4th-quarter TD PASSES.
OTHER SCORES
Friday Night Kickoff: Buffalo 28, UConn 10
Two Ranked teams last year: Northwestern 20, USF 13
PITT 31, #10 Iowa 21
#22 TCU 34, Baylor 31
#3 Ohio State 38, Akron 7 [Buckeyes took first lead, 9-7 with 0:54 left in 2nd quarter]
BYU 25, #19 Washington 24
TOP 25 UPDATE: Tulane up to 29th with 41 votes.
UP NEXT: Navy preview and who is out for 7 weeks on Tulane that I forgot about??
From the clipboard: Safety Samuel Brooks out for seven weeks
NEW ORLEANS -- Samuel Brooks left the Rutgers game in the fourth quarter with "chest pains", all it seemed like was a bruised rib or a small chest injury, instead it's an abdominal tear. Brooks is expected to miss 7 weeks, which would possibly make his return to the football field against ECU on Friday, October 28th.
Erik Madison slides into Brooks' starting spot at FS, which moves Shakiel Smith up to no. 3 CB and moves Smith off of the return game and puts Jordan Sullen into the no. 2 kick return spot. Madison, a true freshman four-star recruit had just one tackle in his opening game, but said he's ready to fill in as a starter.
Echols finally breaks through
Taylor Echols reached the endzone for the first time in his Tulane career last Saturday against Rutgers. The fifth year 6'2" senior who has only recorded 2 catches for 41 yards previously made his first TD grab of three yards as Tulane's no. 3 TE.
"I don't think I was the go-to guy on the play, really, I beat out the guys who were on me to the corner of the endzone and Ponder through a perfect pass. It was really cool to score my first TD in my final opening game of the season as a Green Wave. It took awhile for it to happen, but I'm glad it finally did. Now to work on the second TD.", said Echols.
2011, Game 2
Navy Midshipmen (0-0, Independent)
Date: September 3rd
Time: 8:00pm
Stadium: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Line: Tulane by 15
Coverage: CBS College Sports
KEYS TO THE GAME:
NAVY - Slow down D.J. Ponder's 77% completion rating, protect the ball
TULANE - Watch the option pass, watch Alex Teich (FB), and DON'T LOOK AHEAD
Naval Academy Starting Lineup
The NCAA (Around it), week 2
Iowa and Washington lost as half the NCAA played and half didn't. Blah.
C-USA SCORES
Arkansas State 37, Memphis 27 - Arkansas state scored 17 points in the final five minutes after trailing 27-20.
#2 Florida 44, UAB 14 - The Blazers Actually held a 7-3 lead in the 1st and only trailed 21-14 at the half. Bolden ran for 124 yards and 3 TD's.
ECU 37, Southeastern School College of the Mimes 9 - Mime school led 9-6 at the half. Oh pfft, ECU. The Mimes' kicker booted FGs from 47, 42 and 48. Rio Johnson threw 3 2nd-half TD's.
Tulsa 17, Troy 10 - Singleton's 93 yard return of a Gurerrero pass led Tulsa to a narrow victory
Marshall 27, Ohio 24 - Bates had 3 TD's, all in the second half.
Baylor 17, SMU 16 - R-Griff's 33 yard TD pass in the 4th with 2:20 left led Baylor to a win.
#15 LSU 27, Houston 14 - Houston had it and lost it. They had a 14-10 4th quarter lead and Russell Shepard throws 2 TD's. Hollingshead did not throw an INT.
Purdue 28, Rice 20 - Purdue scored a TD with :36 left and then went for two for some reason and got it. Purdue trailed 17-7 early.
#8 Texas 38, UCF 21 - So close but yet, so far. Chris Rainey had a TD run, and Collier had 2 TD's but Texas outscored UCF 24-7 in the second half.
NCAA SCORES
Duke 28, #18 Virginia Tech 19 [laugh]
#3 Ohio State 35, Tennessee 24 (at UT) [Pryor: 10/17, 164 yards, 3 TD | Berry: 116 rush yards, TD]
#7 Georgia Tech 30, #11 North Carolina 3
#9 Notre Dame 27, Michigan 19 [ND outscored Michigan 21-3 in the fourth quarter.. Dayne Crist throws two TD's in final three minutes]
#12 Boise State 28, #24 Utah 10
#14 Oregon State 28, #10 Wisconsin 16
Texas Tech 38, #20 TCU 26 [TCU's 15-game winning streak snapped as 2010 national champions upset]
College GameDay headed for Columbus, Tulane at #3 Ohio State game of the week, yes seriously.
TOP 25 UPDATE: Top 9 unchanged, Oregon State up to 10th. PITT, Oregon and Colorado all join the poll. Tulane up to 27th.
UP NEXT: Ohio State game preview
2011, Game 3
at #3 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date: September 10th
Time: 3:30pm
Stadium: Ohio Stadium, "The Horseshoe", Columbus, Ohio
The Line: Ohio State by 9
Coverage: ABC
KEYS TO THE GAME:
OHIO STATE - Get going early, make Tulane turn the ball over
TULANE - Find Ohio State's weaknesses, be aggressive
Ohio State starting lineup
College GameDay
Chris: And now on to the game right here in the Horseshoe, the fiesty Green Wave from New Orleans, Tulane comes in with their 2-0 record and Ohio State has a 2-0 record as well. Tulane is upset-minded and Ohio State is a 9-point favorite and many people think that that's way too low because they don't see what everyone else sees in Tulane. The fan vote is a very high 94 percent for Ohio State. What do you think about the game, Desmond?
Desmond: Well, Chris, I think Tulane is out to prove themselves, they want to be the premier team in the state of Louisiana, and they want to break the top 25. Can they beat Ohio State? I think they can. Will they? No. But I do think they'll keep it close, closer than the 9-point spread but I like the Buckeyes.
Kirk: The key for me in this game is if Tulane can come into a hostile 105,000+ fan environment and win. They've played in Death Valley but they haven't won. This team is good, Ron Draggo is one of the most suprising coaches to come out of nowhere and he's a great one at that. However, I don't see the Green Wave coming out of here with a win, I like the Buckeyes by a touchdown.
Lee: Well, Kirk, you might be right! But first, let's get the Herbstreit kids up here! How can I pick against the Herbstreit kids? Look at them! How can I pick against these guys? But Tulane.. I can't pick them! The Buckeyes are going to flood the Green Wave right out of Columbus! Go Buckeyes! [lots of cheers]
UP NEXT: Tulane at #3 Ohio State
[#27] Tulane (2-0) at #3 Ohio State (2-0)
COLUMBUS, OHIO --- The first of this two-game series, next year, the Bucks come to New Orleans, but this year, Tulane heads to the Horseshoe. If Tulane pulls this one of, they become BCS-hopefuls and could jump well into top 25. If Ohio State wins, they take the dirt off their shoulders and get Miami (FL) next week. The Buckeyes play Tennessee, Tulane and Miami in three straight weeks. The Buckeyes out to prove something. So is Tulane. Let's go.
1ST QUARTER
Perfect weather, mid-60s, and sunny, no rain. We win the toss and defer.
The Buckeyes first drive was too easy for them. Way too easy. People in the stands thought, "HA! Tulane??" Jamaal Berry ran for a gain of 18, then broke a run of 39 and then found the endzone on the Bucks' 3rd play on a 3 yard score. Oh jeez. 7-0 Ohio State.
Tulane didn't let down though. Richardson got seven on two carries, then Ponder hits Fortson for 15, then for 13, Richardson then breaks through the Buckeyes with a 24 yard run, McDonald pounds ahead for two, Ponder hits Fortson for a third time already for 8 more, and then Richardson..
.. pounds it in for a 6 yard TD. 7-7.
The rest of the 1st quarter: Ohio State punt, Ubekista misses a 54 yard field goal off the right upright, Ohio State gets a first down, not another, Richardson runs for 22, Ponder loses 2, Richardson gets it back, then catches a pass for a 10 yard gain. First down.
2ND QUARTER
We ride the running train down the field inside the three, then a play action pass fools the Buckeyes..
.. and Jarmon Forston gets the 2 yard TD from Ponder. 14-7 TULANE. But here comes Ohio State. FB Jermil Martin gets 16 (RB/FB actually in real life), Berry gets 19, Pryor hits Posey for 21, but he goes down (Posey) and would not return. Didn't matter though..
.. as Jake Stoneburner makes this 22 yard TD grab. 14-14. But here comes Tulane. Richardson gets 7 on two carries, Duplessis gets a 14 yard gain on a pass from Ponder. Then Richardson gets 11 from Ponder. 6 more yards on the ground. Third down, to Fortson for 19. Banks for 9. Richardson gets one, to the four yard line. Endzone....
.. and D.J. Banks with the TD catch. 21-14 Tulane, 1:15 left. On the Bucks second play out, Darryl Farley recovers a fumble. Uh oh, Ohio State. Ubekista kicks a 39 yard field goal to end the half..
.. but it's off the right upright, again. Damn. Halftime.
3RD QUARTER
Tulane moves down the field and punts for a touchback. Ohio State would punt. Then we would again. Ohio State returns the favor and punts. We drive down the field, stall AGAIN in Buckeye territory, touchback. Pryor then hits Duron Carter, who breaks through the Tulane defense, and speeds past everyone for a 67 yard TD. Well shitcakes. 21-21. Two incomplete passes for Tulane and a 12 yard pass to Fortson ends the quarter.
4TH QUARTER
Ponder hits Figaro for 11. Then Banks for 22. Richardson gets eight. Dan Thomas checks in and gets 8, but he left the game and would not return. Richardson gets 1. Third down. Pass to McDonald who drops the sure TD. 24 yard field goal is good. 24-21 TULANE.
Here comes Ohio State. A great return by Travis Howard puts Ohio State in Tulane territory. Berry gets two. Pryor to Jackson for 24, and then Stoneburner gets his 2nd TD of the day. 16 yards. Buckeyes lead it 28-24.
0 yards for Richardson. Incomplete pass. Third and ten from our own 27. Ponder flushed out of the pocket and takes off up the right hashmark for a 16 yard gain. Richardson gets three, Duplessis gets the first. McDonald for two. Handoff to Richardson.. AND HE'S GOT OPEN FIELD.. FOURTY, THIRTY, TWENTY-FIVE, TWENTY down inside the 15 yard line!! A 35 yard run! Incomplete pass. Richardson doesn't get a yard. Third and ten. Judgment down right here. Ponder throws and it's caught by Figaro who fights and gets the first down to the one-yard line!! Next play..
.. and Donny Richardson takes it in!! 31-28 Tulane!! 1:50 left to go!
Kick returned to the 41. Pryor steps back to throw...
Spoiler: show
Holy shit. Tulane stuns the Horseshoe and has a 10-point lead with 1:35 to go! Ballgame, right? Right? Right?
Wrong.
Terrelle Pryor comes out of nowhere and he's furious and hits Duron Carter for gains of 29 and 36. Next play..
.. Pryor hits Berry for a TD. Buckeyes keep all three of their timeouts. 38-35 Tulane. 1:11 left. Hold everything. Onside kick recovered by George Harrison. We gotta get a first down. Richardson loses 3, timeout, Richardson loses 2, timeout. Shit.
3rd and 15. 1:00 left. Now we have to pass. Ponder to Davis, well short of the first down. Timeout. 4th & 8. Draggo keeps his offense on the field. Fourth and game, fourth and miracle, fourth and risktaking, fourth and Buckeyes need a stop. Eight yards. All they need.
Ponder in the shotgun. Buckeyes bring the blitz with three guys. Ponder rolls right.. throws..
Spoiler: show
Ballgame. Upset city.
FINAL SCORE: TULANE 38-35
Oh yes. Tulane, your the best around, no one ever gonna keep you down. Let's just not lose to SMU next week. Why did we go for it at the end of the game? It was a: make the field goal, kick it to the Buckeyes great returners, b: miss the field goal, Bucks only need 3 to tie and a TD wins it with a short field, c: grow some balls and go for it and win it on fourth down.
Which option worked? C.
PLAYER STATS
D.J. Ponder: 137.5 QB rating, 25-for-38 passing, 246 yards, 2 TD, 40 rush yards
Donny Richardson: 30 carries, 158 yards, 2 TD, 20 rec yards
Jarmon Fortson: 9 rec, 88 yards, TD / D.J. Banks: 4 rec, 50 yards, TD
Devin Figaro: 3 rec, 36 yards / George Harrison: 2 rec, 17 yards, 2 drops (big hits), 3 pancakes
Erik Madison: 9 tackles
Darryl Farley: 8 tackles, 2 TFL, FF, FR
Kristifer Rhymes: 5 tackles, TFL, INT, Def TD
Devin Williams: 4 tackles, TFL
Cedric Wilson: 4 tackles, 2 TFL
Gregory Hallinsworth: 2 tackles
JJ Black: 2 tackles
Harry CiGar: Tackle
OHIO STATE: Pryor 16/21 passing, 280 yards, 4 TD, INT / Berry: 100 rush yards, TD, Rec TD / Duron Carter: 4 rec, 145 yards, TD (80 YAC) / Jake Stoneburner: 4 rec, 54 yards, 2 TD
UP NEXT: Week 3 A.t.N
AROUND THE NCAA, WEEK 3
C-USA SCORES
UCF 30, FIU 10 [Chris Rainey 174 rush yards / Collier: 10 rec, 150 yards, 2 TD]
SMU 52, I've run of names for these teams 7 [Smith 20/29, 297 yards, 4 TD, rush TD | Lunday: 100 rush yards, TD]
Marshall 28, UAB 9
#4 'Bama 38, Memphis 10 [Bama 21-0 1st q. lead]
Houston 48, FCS Crap 13 [Johnson 34 rush, 180 yards, 3 TD / Carrier: 9 rec, 132 yards, 2 TD]
ECU 21, #17 North Carolina 9 [Rio Johnson 2 TD passes]
Virginia 25, Southern Miss 10
Baylor 38, Rice 28 [R-Griff: 24/36, 300 yards, 4 TD]
Tulsa 20, Oklahoma State 14 [Singleton gets another pick six]
NCAA SCORES
#16 Wisky 26, Eastern Kentucky 16
#9 Notre Dame 30, Michigan State 23 OT [Game was 10-3 entering the fourth]
Buffalo 39, #23 PITT 27 [Buffalo off to a 3-0 start, PITT had a TD with :03 left]
USF 20, #14 Florida State 10
#21 Cal 27, #25 Colorado 14
South Carolina 24, #15 UGA 19
Washington 26, #5 Nebraska 21 [Washington's Fouch scores a 1 yard TD run with 1:13 left]
TOP 25
1. Oklahoma(39)
2. Florida(21)
3. 'Bama(1)
4. WVU
5. Georgia Tech
6. Texas
7. Notre Dame
8. Oregon State
9. Boise State
10. USC
11. Ohio State
12. LSU
13. Nebraska
14. Wisconsin
15. aTm
16. Miami (FL)
17. Iowa
18. California
19. Northwestern
20. TULANE (#14 AP)
21. Washington
22. Florida State
23. Oregon
24. NC State
25. USF
INJURY UPDATE: Samuel Brooks 5-6 weeks, Stephen Barnett 1-2 weeks
UP NEXT: SMU game preview
2011, Game 4 (C-USA opener)
SMU Mustangs (1-1, 0-0 C-USA)
Date: September 17th
Time: 3:30pm
Stadium: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
The Line: Tulane by 20
Coverage: ESPNU
Keys to the Game
Tulane: Don't be overconfident, don't overthink, don't make mistakes
SMU: Surprise Tulane, take risks, slow down the run
SMU Mustangs Starting Lineup
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