Friday, October 26, 2007

Louisiana Monroe 28, OSM{Florida International} 14

More of the same for Florida International. Winless since 2005 and riding the nation's longest losing streak into Monroe, LA, to face the Warhawks, who had only one win to show for their efforts this season. FIU's offense scored their second highest total of the season, and their defense allowed their second fewest points of the season, which tied their closest margin of defeat at 14.

But, there is perhaps one thing working in the Golden Panthers' favor--the play at Arkansas tomorrow. Wait, hear me out on this. This is the season of the upset. Michigan's home loss to Appalachian State to open the season. Then there was the weekend wear half the top 12 lost. USC lost to Stanford in the biggest upset ever (according to the point spread) to start a string of three straight weeks in which the second ranked team in the country lost. The second ranked team almost lost again last night when Boston College did nothing for three and a half quarters before pulling it out at the end. While it is true that Arkansas is only 4-3, Florida International's remaining four opponents after the Razorbacks are a combined 3-12 against non-Sun Belt teams, with the wins coming against Memphis, SMU, and Minnesota. Thus, if Florida International wants to end their losing streak with shocking upset, it must come this week.

Nevada 31, GGSM{Utah State) 28

The Aggies of Utah State haven't won a game in over a year, but they still keep fighting. After Nevada scored two first quarter touchdowns, Utah State rallied with a first quarter touchdown of their own and then took the lead with two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the first half.

However, Nevada's halftime speech prove more stirring, as they scored 10 third quarter to regain the lead. But, the scrappy Aggies put together a touchdown drive to start the fourth quarter, regaining the lead 28-24 on QB/punter Leon Jackson III's second rushing touchdown of the game.

But Nevada's ground attack proved to strong. Neveda rushed for 302 yards, including 241 by Luke Lippincott on 36 carries. A fourth quarter touchdown gave the Wolf Pack the lead, and the ground game salted it away by running out the final five minutes, sending Utah State to their 13th consecutive loss.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Troy 34, OSM{Florida International} 16

It was not a terrible game two weeks ago for the Golden Panthers of Florida International. What really beat them were the big plays. Troy got a 84-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter and 88-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Take away these, and make the two-point conversion in the final minute and FIU only loses 20-18.

Next up: Tonight's battle with 1-5 Louisiana-Lafayette. Gotta love Sun Belt football.

Edit: Whoops, they actually play 1-5 Louisiana-Monroe. Louisiana-Lafayette is 1-6.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Hawai`i 52, GGSM{Utah State 37}

Being in the WAC has its perks, such as a trip to play at Hawai`i. I don't know exactly how much free time the Utah State Aggies got to sightsee or hang out at the beach on their trip to Honolulu, though. Also, with the quality football that the University of Hawai`i has been playing lately, it's anything by an easy game.

The Rainbow Warriors play an up-tempo style of offense where they throw the ball almost as often as possible. Coming into the game, Hawai`i quarterback Colt Brennan had attempted 182 passes compared to only 103 for Utah State's Leon Jackson III despite the fact that due to an injury, Brennen had played one fewer game than Jackson. Brennan's backup Tyler Graunke in that game that Brennan missed completed 22 of 36 passes for 285 yards--138 more yards than Jackson's highest game of the year. It was known beforehand that Hawai`i would score a lot of points. Could Utah State keep up?

Utah State started out well with an 11-play field goal drive. Then after Hawai`i countered with a touchdown drive, Utah State returned the following kickoff for a touchdown to regain the lead. However, Hawai`i's field goal knotted the game at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Utah State started the second quarter with a field goal, but Hawai`i returned the following kickoff for a touchdown and got two more touchdowns before halftime, and the Rainbow Warriors never looked back. Brennan was 19/25 for 219 yards with a touchdown and Graunke was 9/11 for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Utah State was able to stop third string QN Inoke Funaki did not complete either of his pass attempts. Utah State never gave up though and ended up scoring 17 more points than they had in any previous game this season.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Middle Tennessee 47, OSM{Florida International} 6

The good news for Florida International was that the won the second half 6-0, after recovering an MTSU fumble in the end zone for a touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However, since MTSU won the first half 47-0, the Blue Raiders easily took the game as a whole.

FIU had a balanced attack with 73 yards passing and 72 yards rushing, although to be fair, they lost 18 rushing yards when one of their punters mishandled the snap out of the end zone for a safety. They also had 71 yards in penalties, and they only made two first downs the entire game.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Utah 34, GGSM{Utah State} 18

Things started nicely for Utah State at their in-state rival Utah with a first quarter interception return by James Brindley for 64 yards, one yard short of a touchdown. QB/punter Leon Jackson III punched it into the end zone on the next play to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead. Utah countered by with a touchdown on their next drive, and then got a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown on the second play of the second quarter, and the Utes never looked back.

But it did not seem like a crushing defeat for the Shame Mask ladden Aggies. No stats jumped out at me as being particularly bad. They one the turnover battle. Leon Jackson completed more than twice as many passes than he had punts. They just got beat. This happens from time to time.