1 BLACK D15 DAILY 09-09-07 MD M1 D15 BLACK

The Washington Post x M1 Sunday, September 9, 2007 D15

Down&Distance By Eric Prisbell and News Services

FIRST DOWN » HOW THE TOP 25 FARED THIRD DOWN » TWO-MINUTE DRILL 1. SOUTHERN CAL (1-0) WAS IDLE SECOND DOWN » LOSERS Next week’s game will be the Trojans’ second trip to Lincoln, the other coming in 1969. Southern Cal leads the series against the Cornhuskers QUOTABLE 2-0-1, with the last meeting a 28-10 victory last season. Next: Saturday at No. 16 Nebraska. “I punted more than I 2. LOUISIANA STATE (1-0) VS. NO. 9 , LATE did my entire senior The Tigers scored 45 points in their season-opening victory over BIG TROUBLE IN THE season of high school. Mississippi State, but much of that was due to the Bulldogs’ seven turnovers. threw for just 168 yards. I think I punted 10 Next: Saturday vs. Middle Tennessee. times that season.”

3. WEST VIRGINIA (2-0) DEF. MARSHALL, 48-23 Akron’s John Stec, after setting a Held to three first downs in the first half, the Mountaineers scored on school record with 14 punts against their first three possessions of the second and handed Marshall its Ohio State worst home loss since Joan C. Edwards Stadium opened in 1991. Next: Thursday at Maryland. BY THE NUMBERS 4. FLORIDA (2-0) DEF. TROY, 59-31 Tim Tebow threw three passes, ran for two more scores and 0-4 the Gators scored on all seven possessions in the first half, before Michigan’s record since the allowing Troy to rack up most of its 336 yards in the second half. death of former coach Bo Next: Saturday vs. No. 24 Tennessee. Schembechler 5. OKLAHOMA (2-0) DEF. MIAMI, 51-13 tied a school record with five touchdown passes in the 49 schools’ first meeting since the Hurricanes swept three in the 1980s. The Points in the first quarter by loss was Miami’s worst since a 66-13 defeat to Syracuse on Nov. 28, 1998. Western Kentucky in an 87-0 Next: Saturday vs. Utah State. win over West Virginia Tech, tying the division I-A record 5. WISCONSIN (1-0) AT UNLV, LATE shared by three others. The Former walk-on Luke Swan had a career-high 8 catches, 170 yards and all-division record is 52, set by 2 in the Badgers’ 42-21 opening win against Washington Mount Union last week State. Next: Saturday vs. The Citadel. BG0 7. TEXAS (2-0) DEF. NO. 19 TEXAS CHRISTIAN, 34-13 Third-down conversions, in 13 Colt McCoy, who threw two first-half , including one that tries, for Utah State in a 32-18 was returned for a touchdown, finished 25 of 38 for 239 yards. Jamaal loss to Wyoming Charles finished with 134 yards, most coming in the second half. Next: Saturday at Central Florida. 124-0 8. LOUISVILLE (2-0) DEF. MID. TENNESSEE, 58-42, THURS. Margin by which Southeastern threw for a career-high 401 yards and five touchdowns Louisiana has been outscored and Anthony Allen added a school-record 275 rushing yards in a game against two Big 12 teams that featured 1,284 yards from scrimmage. (Kansas and Texas Tech) since Next: Saturday at Kentucky. resuming its program in 2003

9. VIRGINIA TECH (1-0) AT NO. 2 LOUISIANA STATE, LATE The Hokies, who managed just 33 rushing yards last week against East 3 The Big Ten Network struck out much of its lackluster 20-2 Call It the Big MAC Touchdowns, on his first four Carolina, have been held to less than 100 yards rushing in five of their a deal last week with Dish Net- victory against Akron. The past six games. Remaining out-of-conference carries, for Pittsburgh freshman Next: Saturday vs. Ohio. work,TEN which meant the number Buckeyes committed five turn- LeSean McCoy in a 34-10 win of households nationwide with overs and lineman Kirk Barton schedules for the Big Ten. Of over Grambling 10. CALIFORNIA (2-0) DEF. COLORADO STATE, 34-28 the conference’s network told reporters afterward, “It note: 11 games against the DeSean Jackson collected 141 all-purpose yards: 78 on two carries, 39 would initially increase from 17 seems we’re either flat-lining or MAC, none against teams million to 28.5 million. getting worse.” 36 on five receptions and 24 on two punt returns. The Rams scored two currently in the top 25. Consecutive losses for TDs 53 seconds apart to turn a 34-14 deficit into a 34-28 nail-biter. That could be unfortunate, Teams near the bottom of the Next: Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech. because if ever there was a sea- conference were fortunate to ILLINOIS NORTHWESTERN Heidelberg before yesterday’s son to tune out the Big Ten, this win Saturday against middling at Syracuse Duke 37-26 victory over Oberlin 11. GEORGIA (1-1) LOST TO SOUTH CAROLINA, 16-12 could be it. Ten months after competition. Minnesota need- Ball State at Eastern Ryan Succop kicked three field goals, Cory Boyd ran for the game’s only NOTABLE claiming the nation’s top two ed three overtimes to beat Mi- IOWA Michigan touchdown and South Carolina held the Bulldogs without a touchdown teams, Ohio State and Michi- ami (Ohio). Northwestern Encore Performance: Trey at Iowa State OHIO STATE for the first time since a 14-9 loss to South Carolina in 2001. gan, the conference looks like it needed 16 fourth-quarter Elder threw four touchdown Next: Saturday vs. Western Carolina. Western Michigan at Washington will compete with the ACC for points to earn a comeback vic- passes and ran for another in INDIANA Kent State Appalachian State’s 48-7 win 12. OHIO STATE (2-0) DEF. AKRON, 20-2 the title of the nation’s weakest tory against Nevada, which is power conference. expected to finish only third in Akron PURDUE over Lenoir-Rhyne in front of a The Buckeyes held the Zips to three first downs and 69 yards, three of Ball State record crowd still delirious over them on the ground; Akron had two first downs on its first possession, The 2-5 record of Big Ten the Western Athletic Confer- Central Michigan then didn’t pick up another until five minutes remained. teams in bowl games last sea- ence. MICHIGAN Notre Dame the school’s historic defeat of Next: Saturday at Washington. son was a harbinger of the Wisconsin and Penn State Notre Dame Michigan. Kidd Brewer Stadium PENN STATE struggles early in this season. could prove to be the Big Ten’s Eastern Michigan seats only 16,650, but another Buffalo 10,000 filled a grassy hill behind 13. UCLA (2-0) DEF. BRIGHAM YOUNG, 27-17 The most stunning story line only teams of national conse- MICHIGAN ST. at Temple one end zone. The crowd was Chris Markey ran for a late touchdown, Trey Brown returned an continues to be the sudden and quence this season, but there Pitt 56 yards for a score and the Bruins ended BYU’s 11-game announced at 28,802 in the complete demise of Michigan, remains little opportunity to re- at Notre Dame WISCONSIN winning streak despite 380 passing yards and two TDs by . whose 39-7 loss to Oregon on gain respect: Big Ten teams will The Citadel school’s 28th straight home win. MINNESOTA Next: Saturday at Utah. Saturday was the Wolverines’ play 22 more games against Northern Illinois at Florida Atlantic worst setback since 1968, the nonconference opponents, but 14. PENN STATE (2-0) DEF. NOTRE DAME, 31-10 North Dakota St. The Nittany Lions held Notre Dame without an offensive touchdown for year before Bo Schembechler 11 of those are against Mid- the second straight game before a crowd of 110,078, the second arrived in Ann Arbor. Speaking American Conference teams largest in stadium history. More, D13 of offensive futility, Ohio State and none is against teams cur- FOURTH DOWN » Next: Saturday vs. Buffalo. struggled offensively through- rently ranked in the top 25. HEISMAN WATCH 15. RUTGERS (2-0) DEF. NAVY, 41-24, FRIDAY BRIAN BROHM The Scarlet Knights won their ninth straight game at home despite 11 WINNERS LOOKING AHEAD Louisville, QB penalties for 100 yards. Ray Rice surpassed Terrell Willis’s career Leads high-powered offense that rushing record of 3,114 yards with a 19-yard run on his second carry. blew past Murray St. (73 points) Next: Saturday vs. Norfolk State. Bears’ Jackson Gamecocks and Middle Tennessee (58). 16. NEBRASKA (2-0) DEF. WAKE FOREST, 20-17 Has Been Golden Of the Walk Thurs. 2007 Sam Keller threw for 258 yards and a touchdown in his first road start for the Cornhuskers. After rushing for 413 yards in a rout of Nevada, Pass 25-39 41-60 Nebraska managed just 117 against the defending ACC champions. California’s DeSean Jackson With a 16-12 victory yes- Yds 401 776 Next: Saturday vs. No. 1 Southern Cal. could be moving from Heisman terday, South Carolina Trophy dark horse to legiti- avenged its 18-0 loss against TD 5 9 17. AUBURN (1-0) VS. SOUTH FLORIDA, LATE mate contender because of a Georgia last season and, Auburn needed two touchdowns in the final 2:01, one of them handful of electrifying plays. more importantly, the STEVE SLATON defensive, to pull away from Kansas State 23-13 last week, but South The junior followed his all- Gamecocks put themselves West Virginia, RB Florida entered last night 0-4 against SEC teams. around stellar performance in position to challenge for Needed one half to get warmed Next: Saturday vs. Mississippi State. against Tennessee, which in- the SEC East title. Coach up for the second straight week; cluded a 77-yard punt return for Steve Spurrier said before 18. ARKANSAS (1-0) WAS IDLE visits College Park this week. a touchdown, by adding to his the season that it was time Fresh off a pair of 1,000-yard seasons, Darren McFadden and Felix Yest. 2007 Jones picked up where they off last week with 151 and 129 rushing highlight reel in Saturday’s 34- to raise the expectations, yards, respectively, in last week’s win over Troy. 28 victory against Colorado and his players are now fol- Rush 24 40 Next: Saturday at Alabama. State. Jackson scored on a 73- lowing his lead. Spurrier Yds 146 255 yard reverse and amassed 141 dominated Georgia during 19. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (1-1) LOST TO NO. 7 TEXAS, 34-13 all-purpose yards despite nurs- his career at Florida, win- TD 2 5 After leading 10-0 at halftime, the Horned Frogs had just 17 yards and ing a bruised thumb. In two ning 11 of 12 meetings, but no first downs in the third quarter when Texas started surging. TCU’s weeks, Jackson has displayed yesterday marked his first RAY RICE five-game winning streak over Big 12 teams ended. the dazzling moves and swag- victory over the Bulldogs Next: Thursday at Air Force. Rutgers, RB ger necessary to give his Heis- while at South Carolina. Also caught a touchdown pass man campaign a boost. He be- The Gamecocks will play against Midshipmen. 20. HAWAII (1-0) AT LOUISIANA TECH, LATE lieves he is a dangerous player Tennessee on the road and Among the most absurd statistics from ’s performance in BY JACK DEMPSEY — ASSOCIATED PRESS Fri. 2007 last week’s win over Northern Colorado: He threw as many touchdown even when he does not get the Florida at home. “It means passes (six) as incompletions in going 34 for 40. ball. “When they try to punt it California’s all-around threat DeSean we’re 1-0 in the SEC,” he Rush 37 62 Next: Saturday at UNLV. away from me,” Jackson said, Jackson, top, added a 73-yard touchdown said in an ESPN interview. “it messes up their mind.” run to his list of spectacular plays. “That is all it means.” Yds 175 359 21. GEORGIA TECH (2-0) DEF. SAMFORD, 69-14 TD 2 5 Tashard Choice rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter, and the Yellow Jackets led 45-0 at halftime, their most points in any half since its 222-0 win over Cumberland on Oct. 7, 1916. Next: Saturday vs. Boston College.

22. BOISE STATE (1-1) LOST TO WASHINGTON, 24-10 EXTRA POINTS » AROUND THE NATION Washington’s 24-7 lead midway through the second quarter was Boise K K State’s largest deficit since its last loss, Dec. 28, 2005, to Boston BOSTON COLLEGE 37, N.C. STATE 17: The Ea- FLORIDA STATE 34, UAB 24: Drew Weatherford holding the Commodores to 101 yards through College in the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise. More, D13 gles ruined Tom O’Brien’s return to the school threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns as three quarters. Next: Saturday vs. Wyoming. he coached for 10 seasons by forcing seven turn- the Seminoles rallied from an early two-touch- K NORTHWESTERN 36 NEVADA 31: In Evanston, overs and keeping his new team winless. Harri- down deficit to win at home. Florida State fell Ill., C.J. Bacher threw a 13-yard touchdown 23. TEXAS A&M (2-0) DEF. FRESNO STATE, 47-45 (3 OT) son Beck threw five interceptions, and he and out of the top 25 after losing Monday at Clem- pass to a diving Ross Lane with 21 seconds left Jorvorskie Lane rushed for two of his four touchdowns in the second Wolfpack punter Nate Franklin each lost a fum- son and found themselves in a hole to the Blaz- to cap a frenzied six-play, 80-yard drive. and third overtimes and scored the winning two-point conversion for ble as BC scored 23 points following turnovers. ers, who had lost eight straight but were up 17-3 K PURDUE 52, EASTERN ILLINOIS 6: In West Lafa- the Aggies, who hung on after wasting a 19-point lead. The Eagles scored 30 straight points after trail- in the first half. yette, Ind., Curtis Painter completed 38 of 49 Next: Saturday vs. Louisiana-Monroe. ing 10-7. K MINNESOTA 41, MIAMI (OHIO) 35: Amir Pinnix passes for 348 yards and six touchdowns, tying K ARMY 14, RHODE ISLAND 7: Carson Williams rushed for 126 yards, including a two-yard 24. TENNESSEE (1-1) DEF. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, 39-19 a school record set by Drew Brees in 1998 and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Justin Lar- touchdown in the third overtime for the host matched by in 2004. Erik Ainge completed 23 of 36 for 276 yards and two touchdown son on the first play of overtime, and the host Golden Gophers. Minnesota led 28-12 with 8 passes, and ran for two scores. Austin Rogers caught seven K AIR FORCE 20, UTAH 12: Shaun Carney ran for passes for 112 yards and Lucas Taylor caught five for 118. Black Knights ended a seven-game losing minutes 35 seconds left, but the Red Hawks ral- 113 yards and the Falcons stopped the Utes Next: Saturday at No. 4 Florida. streak. Williams entered in the second quarter lied with 17 points in the final 6:35 of reg- twice at the 1-yard line in the final 1:25 for vis- for David Pevoto, who sprained his left ankle ulation. iting Air Force’s first win over Utah in five years. 25. CLEMSON (2-0) DEF. LOUISIANA-MONROE, 49-26 and did not return. K ALABAMA 24, VANDERBILT 10: Terry Grant ran K EAST CAROLINA 34, NORTH CAROLINA 31: The Cullen Harper threw a school-record five touchdown passes and the K MICHIGAN STATE 28, BOWLING GREEN 17: Bri- 24 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns, Pirates’ Patrick Pinkney threw for 406 yards Tigers started 2-0 for the second time in three seasons. Harper broke an Hoyer completed 17 of 29 passes for 250 and the visiting Crimson Tide won its 20th and three touchdowns and Ben Hartman shook

the mark set by Bobby Gage in 1947 and matched by four others. yards for the host Spartans, who rattled the Fal- straight in a series it now leads 60-19-4. The de- off three earlier misses to kick the winning field

Next: Saturday vs. Furman. cons’ offense with seven sacks. fense came up with two sacks and a turnover in goal on the final play in Greenville, N.C. 1 BLACK D15