Better Late Than Never

 The week begins in upsetting fashion, with Stanford winning against Oregon at home (scroll way down). Why, I was soooo upset that I forgot to pick the game involving my own alma mater!  The rest goes pretty much according to Doyle.  (Press Herald readers--at least those of a certain age--will understand that reference.)  Here's what happened while I was motoring to St. George, UT to see the new grandaughter...OOO-rah!!

Union 27, Merchant Marine 14.  Inspired by the news of superb golf coming out of St. Augustine the weekend before, the Dutchmen end a three-game losing skid by sinking USMMA in Kings Point.  QB Nick Becker throws for a lifetime-best 308 yds. and two TDs but is picked off twice.  The defense returns to mid-season form, keeping the Mariners off the scoreboard until just under 4:00 left in the first half, and allowing only one score in the second.  RB Matthew McDaniels punishes the Garnet with 177 yds. and two TDs of his own.  However two missed field goals and a fumble recovered in the end zone spell defeat for Merchant Marine.

Retiring Brian Urlacher's jersey in "The Querque"

New Mexico 45, Air Force 37.  BREAKING NEWS:  New Mexico throws three passes in win over Air Force!  Even bigger news is that Falcon QB Nate Romine throws 23 times, completing 15, three of which are touchdowns.  I'm just a bit off with the over/under, but game turns out to be a high-scoring win for the Lobos as predicted.  Once again RB Anthony LaCoste leads the rushing charge for Air Force with 21 carries and 177 yds.  UNM running backs chew up the Falcon defense for 451 yds.

 
Western Kentucky 21, Army 17.  Black Knights make this difficult for Hilltoppers, and in fact lead this game most of the way.  Army squanders two scoring opportunities, one on a 2nd quarter clipping penalty and another on a botched hook-and-ladder at the end of the game.  Western QB Brandon Doughty makes life miserable for Army, throwing two touchdown passes and racking up 199 yds. through the air.  Cadets manage 277 yds. rushing, divided amongst Terry Baggett, Tony Giovannelli, and Angel Santiago.

Navy 42, Hawaii 28.  As Denzel Washington asked in Remember the Titans, "Who's your daddy?"  Answer:  Keenan Freaking Reynolds, that's who.  The Navy QB rolls up 226 yds. in rushing, adds 59 via air, and accounts for five Middie touchdowns.  Unfortunately for Hawaii, this completely negates a fine effort on the part of QB Sean Shroeder, who is 29-of-33 for 246 yds. and three scores.  Kudos to the 'Bows for keeping it close for most of the game.

#22 Wisconsin 27, BYU 17.  Badgers turn this into an old-fashioned smashmouth struggle, with RB James White accounting for three TDs and 194 total yds. from scrimmage.  The Wisconsin defense limits Cougar's QB Taysom Hill to just 19 completions and only 53 rushing yards.  Not the exciting kind of game I hope for, but a good, solid, clean contest where the better team wins.

Wipe that smile off, George (left)

USC 62, California 28.  Time for another favorite movie quote, this one from Hoosiers:  "I told you, once we got rid o' him!"  Yes, Virginia, life has been a bowl of roses for USC since the departure of Lane Kiffin.  Of course, this win is against the hapless Cal Golden Bears, but hanging 62 points on anyone is good news for the Trojans.  Headlines come from an unusual place, as Nelson Agholor runs back two punts for scores.  QB Cody Kessler has only to throw 17 times to notch two TDs.  RB Javorious Allen only touches the ball a total of six times yet still piles up 135 yds. and two scores.  Bright spot for da Bears is QB Jared Goff, who is 34-of-48 for 255 yds. and three TDs.

The Village People called...

Boston College 48, New Mexico State 34.  Aggies, looking nothing like the 1-9 team they are, keep this close until the fourth quarter mostly on the strength of QB Andrew McDonald.  McDonald is 41-of-55, 384 yds. and three TDs, but is outdone by Eagle RB Andre Williams, who breaks the BC record by running for 295 yds. on 30 carries, resulting in two scores of his own.  Williams' two back-to-back scores late in the 4th quarter put the game out of reach for NMSU.

Fast-closing hole in Cardinal D-line

#5/6 Stanford 26, #2/3 Oregon 20.  The Cardinal do it again, this time by striking early and holding on against a furious Oregon rally.  RB Tyler Gaffney sets a Stanford record with 45 carries.  Often an over-used statistic, Stanford's ability to maintain possession (over 42 minutes) keeps Duck offense off the field where it can do little to erase the growing deficit through three quarters.  Defense forces four Oregon fumbles, two of which are lost.  Ducks also shoot themselves in the foot with 10 flags worth 81 lost yards.

NOTE TO FOLLOWERS:  I'm envious that one of you had a backstage pass to see Joe Satriani.  How 'bout weighing in on Joe Bonamassa?  P. S.  The wife and I are seeing Graham Nash on Monday.