Seattle 27 Tennessee 17

By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
August 12, 2012

Well, training camp has come and gone. The first round battle between quarterbacks went to Matt Hasselbeck. The running game was looking sharp with Chris Johnson looking like the C.J. of old. Kenny Britt was out and Kendal Wright signed late. Wright looked good in the time he put in and appeared to catch on fast. The offensive and defensive lines saw some changes by addition and subtraction. All in all, it was a good camp that had much needed energy and effort.

Last night Hasselbeck was back in Seattle where he made some good memories and played for a title. On this day, I am thinking he would have stayed in Tennessee if he knew he was going to stink up the place. He was an ineffective 5-9 for just 45 yards passing. His first pass was to Nate Washington. The problem was that the ball did not land in his hands. Instead, it deflected off his hands and into the hands of Brandon Browner, who then ran 23 yards for a touchdown. A bit later, Hasselbeck went long to Damian Williams, only to get picked off again.

In came Jake Locker for his turn at bat. He directed a nice drive that went for 80 yards on 11 plays. That drive stalled and ended in a field goal. He had some nice throws and showed his mobility and the advantages if it. He built a little chemistry connecting with Wright a few times too. In round two of the battle for the QB spot, I would say Locker just moved ahead.

The running game is supposed to get drastically better than last year. Chris Johnson has been looking sharp and focused all offseason. He has been decisive in hitting his holes and put in a lot of work in camp. His night was about the same as his starting quarterback. He dropped two passes and finished with 8 yards rushing. One of his carries was a nice nine-yarder. That was sandwiched around four more runs that netted him minus one yard. So it is safe to say that it was not a stellar opening act for C.J. The actual star of the backfield was little known Darius Reynaud. He turned the third quarter into his own show when he took a handoff and ran off from 21 yards out for a touchdown. About three minutes later he took a punt at the 15-yard line and took it back to the house. It was an electric run from a young kid trying to make the team. Guess his chances of that have just improved.

Wright did have a nice game to start things off. He caught those three passes, for 47 yards, from Locker and showed some moves. He was also lost at times as he continues to learn the system. Marc Mariani is trying to make sure he keeps a spot in the rotation and made the most of his chance. He had a nice 39-yard catch and finished with two catches for 52 yards. I like his grit and toughness. He hustles every play and plays like it’s the last game of his career.

The defense had its moments, like getting two picks, with one coming in the end zone. Still, they allowed the Seahawks to move the ball as their quarterbacks had great days. Matt Flynn got the start and went 11-13 for 71 yards and his backup Russell Wilson was better. Wilson would finish 12-16 for 80 yards and a touchdown, but he played like he been there for years. He was in control of the offense and chipped in three carries for 59 yards. In the fourth quarter, with the game still close, he took off from 32 yards out and ran all the way for a touchdown to seal the game.

It was just the first preseason game where you are evaluating talent. We don’t want to make too much of this guy or that guy. Some players only play for a minute and others trying to get a spot play more. It is still a work in progress but there were a few stars on this night. Linebacker Colin McCarthy had an interception, five tackles and manned his position well. Reynaud, of course, had a big game. Karl Klug and Zach Clayton each recorded a sack too.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
November 24, 2011

Tennessee 27 Vanderbilt 21

Each year these two teams play a game that, for the most part doesn’t mean much. It’s not like they play for the SEC East or for national championship implications. Still, this game means something around these parts every year. If you are a Vandy fan, you must beat the Vols. Same goes for the other side as swell. So this one had a little flavor to it. Call it mildly spicy if you want. The Commodores have a new head coach that has put new life into this team and into the fan base. In Knoxville the story is not so bright. A season they hoped would be an improvement to last year has not turned out that way. For now, we had this game between two rivals and something had to give.

The game was a big one for both teams. A Vanderbilt win would make them bowl eligible and a UT win put them one game from that same goal.

The UT running game has not been that good all year. They have struggled to complement the passing game. In this game Sr. Tauren Poole ran like he has not all year. He was faster than he was expected to be. He managed 107 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown to open the scoring. Da’Rick Rogers made a great catch and looked like the receiver he was expected to be. He finished with 10 catches for 116 yards and two 17-yard touchdown catches.

For Vandy, it was it was a bit harder. QB Jordan Rodgers struggled, going 17-32 for 193 yards and three picks. Zac Stacy was held to 61 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown.

It was an even game throughout, but the highlights were just about to come. In the third quarter the Vols were up 14-7 and ready to go up 21-7 when they made a mistake. Tyler Bray returned at quarterback and dropped back for the go ahead score. LB Archie Barnes picked him off at the goal line and ran it back to the house to tie the score. WR Chris Boyd caught a 20-yard pass to tie it at 21 and the game went into overtime.

UT did not want to lose to Vandy, especially at home. They needed this win badly and two mid-state stars would decide it. Rodgers dropped back to pass on third down and his pass was intended for Wesley Tate. Eric Gordon beat him to the ball and ran it back 90 yards for the winning touchdown. Before anyone could celebrate a whistle was blown. The play was dead for a minute but after further review the refs said the play was under review. Now the last time I checked, you cannot review a play that has been blown dead by the refs. Well, turns out they said that a whistle was not blown and the play stood as called. Touchdown Tennessee and the win. Later, the Vols would celebrate in a way that was deemed a bit far by Vandy coach James Franklin. Instead of harping about it, he said he will save it for next year.

It was a great game by two teams desperate for a win. All each has to do is win next week and they are bowl eligible. In a conference full of heavyweights, it’s nice to have to lightweights give us a good show.

In a preview to the end of the regular season we have Arkansas vs. LSU tomorrow in one of the biggest games to end a season in recent memory. The Razorbacks are number three in the BCS poll and LSU is number one. An Arkansas win could put them in the top spot and set them up for the BCS title. An LSU wins all but guarantees a trip to the big game. It will not be easy as they will have to get past Georgia in the SEC title game. Alabama, ranked number two, still had to go to Auburn for the Iron Bowl. That game is never a gimme no matter who has the better record. The tie breaker situation is more confusing than an insurance policy. The odds favor LSU to play in the SEC title game and probably for the national title. Georgia might pull off the miracle against LSU but they won’t be playing in the big one.

It will all be decided in the next two weeks of games. There are outside shots like Oklahoma St. or Virginia Tech at four and five. They will need all kinds of chaos to get to the title game. No matter how it ends up an SEC team will probably claim their sixth straight BCS title. Like I always say at the start of the year, they play Sunday football on Saturdays in the SEC.

Other Scores:

S. Carolina 41 The Citadel 20
Georgia 19 Kentucky 10
Alabama 45 Ga. Southern 21
Auburn 35 Samford 14
Florida 54 Furman 32
Arkansas 44 Miss St. 17
LSU 52 Ole Miss 3

ACC Bowls-

A look at how the ACC has fared in bowl games thus far

By Rafael Garcia

Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online

Southeast Region

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Pittsburgh 19 North Carolina 17

All year long the Tar Heels have been sound on defense. They came in ranked sixth in the nation overall and in the top ten against the rush. On this day neither would matter as they watched Pitt back Dion Lewis get 159 yards on 28 carries, gave up a huge fourth down conversion and could not stop Pitt when it counted most. Lewis in the meantime climbed the Pittsburgh rushing charts with his 10th 100-yard game of the year. He also broke Tony Dorsett’s freshman rushing mark that has stood since 1973 and finished the year with 1,799 yards. The worst for the Carolina defense came when they failed to stop Pittsburgh on their game winning drive. The Panthers drive lasted 8:47 on 17 plays that culminated in the winning field goal. By the time the Heels got the ball back there was less than a minute to go and they turned it over on downs. The offense tried to do its part, as quarterback T.J. Yates was 19-32 for 183 yards and two touchdowns passes to Greg Little. The running game was not as effective with Ryan Houston accounting for all the yards (83). Little had the two scores while catching seven passes for 87 yards. So the season ends up at 8-5 with back to back winning bowl seasons. There has been progress but coach Butch Davis knows that he needs more skill players on offense to compete for the ACC crown. The mistakes they made like a fumble here and a pick there sealed their fate. These are the things teams have to overcome when players are taken out of their normal environment. They go to these cities, face the hoopla and media, and can get distracted. We won’t know this for sure but it is something to think about when your strength loses you the game.

Emerald Bowl

USC 24 Boston College 13

The so-called question here was would the Trojans be pumped up for this game. Well maybe they were but their play didn’t exactly show that. It was a lackluster performance that mirrored the season this team has had. For the last seven years USC has played in a BCS bowl. They are a program use to playing, or at least competing for a national championship. This year they had losses they were not use to. They got ranked in positions this university is unaccustomed to. They got off to a fast start in this one going up 14-0 but ended the half up 14-13. Without star running back Joe McKnight the ground game was adequate at best accounting for a un-USC like 88 yards. They had to rely more on the arm of Matt Barkley but he threw two key picks to keep B.C. in the game. Damian Williams was spectacular grabbing 12 passes for 189 yards but did not have a touchdown. It may have been the last game of his career as he decides if he will return for his senior year. The Eagles were able to stay close but made mistakes at key moments and could not take advantage of a sluggish USC team. Dave Shinskie was just 14-33 for 218 yards with one pick and one touchdown pass. Wide receiver Rich Gunnell had six catches for 130 yards including a 61-yarder for a score. Maybe if B.C. had the ball more they would have fared better but it was not to be. It was their second straight bowl loss and they end up 8-5. Again here is another team that just needs to plug some holes and they could also compete in this conference. They had their chances to win this one but gave it away.

Champs Sports Bowl

Wisconsin 20 Miami 14

Miami came into this game looking for a win to end a good season. They came in with the advantage in speed and athleticism. What they got was a good old fashion whipping Big 10 style. The Badgers used their power in running back John Clay (22-121 and two td’s), and tight ends Lance Hendricks (7-128) and Garrett Graham (6-77). Each ran all over the Canes especially Clay, the Big 10 player of the year. He went inside and outside and even ran over some in the process. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris has shown some flashes this year but has also shown inconsistencies too. He finished 16-29 for 188 yards and one touchdown but was sacked five times and punished often. On top of that Wisconsin held the ball for nearly 40 minutes to slow the Canes offense even more. They were held to 14 first downs, 2-11 on third down and 249 total yards.  The running game was completely shut down getting just 61 yards and when they had a chance to win it they failed on a fourth down to end it.  The Miami defense fared no better as the Badgers racked up 430 yards that included 170 on the ground. After a few years in what would be considered obscurity the Canes finished at 9-4 with hopes for next year. Now they will have to take note of this game to be prepared for bigger and stronger teams.

Gator Bowl

Florida State 33 West Virginia 21

It was a fine last day on the job for a legend. Bobby Bowden was in the Gator bowl facing his alma mater and former walk-on in WVU head coach Bill Stewart. What transpired was a huge sendoff for a man that saved football in Tallahassee and made a name for “wide right”. One had to wonder what his team would give on this emotional day. Bowden has long been the face of Seminole football. They came out flat and gave up 14 points in the first quarter to go down 14-3. RB Jermaine Thomas and K Dustin Hopkins took over from there and Florida State would outscore WVU 30-7 the rest of the way. Thomas finished with 25 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns while Hopkins kicked field goals of 26, 42, 22 and 37 yards. Quarterback E.J. Manuel also shined going 17-24 for 189 yards and no turnovers. He also added a 2-yard scoring run to make it 30-23 after the Mountaineers had pulled to within two. When the game was over the stats would show that Florida State had the ball for 37:07 and were 7-14 on third down conversions. It will show the no turnovers and 415 total yards. What they didn’t show was the heart of a team playing for a coach they love and respect. It showed that when they were down they could have mailed it in but chose to play even harder. Jimbo Fisher takes over next week and he has more than big shoes to fill. He has a mountain to climb and time will tell if he can put his own stamp on this team. Tell Fisher not worry about matching the guy before him because you will have to coach to you are 100 for the reviews.

Note: Other ACC teams in bowl games covered in SEC Bowls Review