12 In A Row? 9 In A Row? What's The Difference?

The talk about Texas coach Mack Brown's fate continued to swirl, until finally late Saturday he announced he was stepping down after sixteen years at the helm of the UT football program.  He did so with class, thanking everyone associated with the program, university, and community for the opportunity.  Brown referred to the role he, his family, and his players had in the Longhorns' success.  "We set a standard at this place. You've got to win all of them. That's the expectation and I understand that. I'm a big boy. I understand you don't win all the games here, people are unhappy. Other people love eight wins — not here."  Of his inaugural season, Brown went on to quip, "We won nine and they threw us a parade."

7 million reasons to lose interest in the Texas job

As predicted, Nick Saban isn't going anywhere, instead signing a long-term extension that will reportedly pay him $7-7.5 million a year until he decides to let his agent Jimmy Sexton shop him around for some other opportunity about which he knows nothing.  Because he doesn't read the newspaper.  Or watch TV.  All he cares about is what's going to happen at practice.  Or the next game.

Runaway Heisman winner, FSU's Jameis Winston

Oh yeah, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to Florida State's Jameis Winston.  Even though 119 voters neglected to include him on their ballot, the result was the most lopsided in Heisman history.  If you couldn't tell that Winston was going to take the trophy within the first five minutes of the broadcast, you must've spent it in either the kitchen or the bathroom.  (I myself was in the shower.)



Amidst it all, the 114th renewal of the Army-Navy rivalry and assorted FCS, Division II, and Division III games were played around the country.  Here's how things went down during Week #16 in college football:

Navy's Keenan Reynolds breaks a long one

Navy 34, Army 7.  On a day where everyone looks like they'd rather be somewhere else, Navy doesn't wait for the 2nd half, wasting no time in jumping out to a 17-0 advantage.  After Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel changes sides, Army is able to move the ball quickly and QB Angel Santiago runs for six on a play designed as a pass.  But that's all the Cadets have, and all the Middies will allow.  Once again Navy QB Keenan Reynolds is the star of the show, rushing for 136 yds. and three TDs, bringing his season's total to a record-setting 29.  Aside from the atrocious weather, the story is the Navy defense which holds the Black Knights to just 157 yds. of total offense in making it twelve straights wins in the series.  Once again Army gets to sing first, while Navy gets the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and a taxpayer-subsidized trip to the White House.

BREAKING NEWS:  Army coach Rich Ellerson was fired today, following the completion of a 3-9 season in which the Black Knights lost their twelfth straight game to archrival Navy.  As usual, a hard-working "tremendous role model" for players and "great mentor" for other members of the athletic department loses out to wins and losses.  Rumored successors include:  Lane Kiffin, George O'Leary, Lou Holtz, Rick Neuheisel, and Mack Brown.  When reached for comment, Nick Saban insisted that he hadn't heard of the opening and wasn't interested in the job..

Division III Update

Can you imagine anything quite as exciting as a championship tournament where the semifinal games are both decided by one point?  That's what happened in Division III as defending national champs Mount Union Purple Raiders and their perennial championship opponent Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks will play for the championship for the 8th time in nine years.

WR Mike Collichio hauls in the winning TD pass

Mount Union 41, North Central 40.  The Cardinals succeed in holding Mount Union to ten fewer points than their season's first half average, and even manage to take the lead with only 1:38 to play.  But in the end the Purple Raiders will not be denied, as QB Kevin Burke throws a TD pass with just over a minute left on the clock, and Mount Union escapes to ensure a birth in its ninth consecutive Stagg Bowl.  Burke also runs for a game-high 131 yds. and two TDs, making him the school's single-season rushing record-holder.  There are eight lead changes in the game, four in the final quarter alone.  Special teams have a dramatic impact on the outcome, as North Central fails to score twice on 2-point conversions and has two extra-point kicks blocked.  The Mount Union defense also intercepts a Cardinal QB Spencer Stanek pass, only his second pick of the season.

Wisconsin-Whitewater 16, Mary Hardin-Baylor 15.  As predicted, the Warhawks don't make mistakes:  no penalties and only one turnover.  While the Cru's defense manages to hold UW-W scoreless in the first quarter, they allow all 16 points unanswered points right in the middle of the game, then can't muster quite enough of a rally to win at home.  Whitewater's own defense limits UMHB to just 241 yds., including 106 from RB Elijah Hudson.  QB Matt Behrendt dials up 197 yds. on 21-of-29 passing for the 'Hawks, while RB Jordan Ratliffe adds 100 yds. and both touchdowns on the ground.

Coaching Carousel

 

Chris Petersen (formerly of Boise State) ---> Washington (replacing Steve Sarkesian)

Brian Harsin (formerly of Arkansas State) ---> Boise State (replacing Petersen)

Poor Arkansas State...lost their fourth head coach in five years.  (P. S.  Remember kids...you can't transfer unless you sit out a year.)

WHO WILL BE NEXT??