TEAM
Oklahoma:
Big players make big plays on big days. That's what the whole
Oklahoma defense did on Saturday in the big Red River Shootout
against rival Texas. The Sooners trounced the Longhorns 65-13.
Oklahoma's defense almost scored as much as Texas did altogether.
Texas had 13 points and OU's 'D' had 7. Oklahoma shut out
the Longhorns in the second half, which closed out the game
for the boys of Norman. The stellar Sooner defense had six
TOs, ending many of Texas' successful drives. For the seniors
of OU, they had a sweep over Texas. As for the great senior
class of Texas, they inversely never beat OU.
Florida:
One week after the Gators lost at home to Ole Miss, they came
into Baton Rouge 3-3. Now they go back to Gainesville 4-3.
All thanks to a defense that stepped up. The Florida Gator's
defense shutout LSU's offense (the seven points came on a
punt return). LSU couldn't get a rushing game started, going
with 24 rushes for 56 yards. QB Matt Mauck never could make
that big play to get LSU into the end zone, though he had
a great game going 19-for-33 for 231 yards, but had 0 touchdown
passes and two interceptions.
Miami:
After a week's absence from this weekly article Miami came
back strong in a big game against Florida State. They wouldn't
let this game come down to a kick; they would get the job
done early and often. Miami forced five turnovers and that
basically did the job on the soggy, muddy, afternoon in Tallahassee.
Florida State, in the first half, had a tough time getting
into Miami territory, let alone the end zone. Seven of the
14 points allowed by Miami didn't even matter as the Seminoles
scored as time expired. Miami also shut down FSU on the Nole's
37 carries, allowing only 61 yards.
Wisconsin:
Yes, finally it happened. Ohio State lost a game for the first
time since New Year's Day of 2002. There was no luck or lucky
bounce to be had this time for the Buckeyes. The Badgers,
and their defense, came ready to play as they allowed just
10 points. The Buckeye run had but 68 yards on 26 carries.
OSU QB Craig Krenzel, coming back from injury, had just 195
yards passing. Wisconsin made the big plays when they had
to for the big win. The Wisconsin defense must now face the
offense of the surprising Purdue Boilermakers next.
Georgia:
Oh baby, the Bulldogs came ready to play in Knoxville on Saturday
night. They basically had their own little party against the
Vols. Georgia crushed Tennessee at Neyland Stadium 41-14.
The defense of Georgia's might have made the biggest play
of the ball game, when, just before half, the Vols were about
to take the lead on Georgia as they were on the Bulldogs one-yard
line. But Tennessee fumbled and Georgia picked it up and ran
back it back for a touchdown. Casey Clausen had rough going
as he never got to beat Georgia while at Tennessee, as this
time he went 11-for-23 for 165 yards, one touchdown pass and
two interceptions.
Individual:
Sean
Taylor, S, Miami: The man had the performance of his career
against Florida State, flying all over the field, making tackles,
knocking passes down, and getting two interceptions - one
of which was returned for a touchdown on an amazing run. Once
again, big players make big plays on big days. This guy is
a big player.
Sean
Jones, Georgia: Sean Jones was the man who turned the
Georgia-Tennessee game around by making that fumble return
for a touchdown before the half ended. That play gave the
Bulldogs all the momentum against the overpowered Tennessee
Volunteers.
Freddie
Aughtry-Lindsay, LB, North Carolina State: Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay,
scored not just once for North Carolina State against Connecticut,
but twice. The first touchdown came on a 48-yard fumble recovery
in the third quarter to give North Carolina State a 17-10
lead. Then his second touchdown proved the game winner. With
the score all tied up at 21 and about 10 seconds left, UConn
tried to set themselves up for a field goal and the win. But
Aughtry-Lindsay had a 56-yard interception return to lead
NC State to the big win.
Derrick
Strait, CB, Oklahoma: The Austin native dominated Texas
Saturday. Strait was basically always in the picture making
some kind of play. On the first drive of the game Strait had
an interception and returned it for 29 yards, which set the
tone for the game. He also recovered a fumble when Texas was
driving late. He broke up many passes, too.
Rodney
Leisle, DL, UCLA: The big fella, Rodney Leisle had his
second touchdown in as many weeks. This time it was a 55-yard
interception return in the early parts of the fourth quarter
against Arizona that resulted in the game winner. No other
points were scored after Leile's touchdown. proof of his impact.
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