Hypocrite or competitor?

The rivalry between USC and UCLA has always been one of the best in college football. From Gary Beban and O.J. Simpson, to John Robinson and Terry Donahue, the rivalry has had big names and big games. After USC's 28-7 win Saturday night, you can be sure that Trojans coach Pete Carroll is no longer on the Christmas card list of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. Here's the setup: With USC lead 21-7 and less than a minute to play, the Trojans take a knee on first down. UCLA calls its first timeout. When plays resumes ...



You might recall that it was only two weeks earlier that Carroll complained - some might say whined - that Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh had his team go for a two-point conversion with a 27-point lead over USC with 6:47 remaining. Is this move by Carroll equally as bush league as Harbaugh's? The Carroll-backers will say UCLA got what it deserved by calling a timeout when it could have let USC take two knees and end the game.

After the game, Carroll said it was "just the heart of a competitor, just battling,"

Neuheisel too the high road, saying on that "they have every right to throw the ball deep. It's our job to cover it."

So what do you think? Classless act? Hypocritical? Just part of the game?

College pregame notes

California

California got a second-chance to the season by being included in the NCAA Division II playoffs. But the Vulcans, coming off a 42-35 loss to Shippensburg in the PSAC State Game, did not look anything like the team that has made back-to-back trips to the national semifinals.

The defense was dazed and confused trying to stop the Wing-T offense of Shippensburg and trailed at one point, 42-14, before rallying in the fourth quarter. Fayetteville State does not run the Wing-T so Cal's defense, led by linebackers Dontey Brown and Brett Diamond, won't have to worry about it.

Fayetteville State has speed in the backfield and size along the offensive line. But the quarterback position has been a problem. Head coach Ken Phillips made a quarterback switch in the second half of last week's CIAA title game against Bowie State.

Still, Cal's success depends on whether it can continue to throw the ball well, and Josh Portis has done that most of the season, and whether the defense contains the Fayetteville State running game.

Opponent: Fayetteville State
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Adamson Stadium in California
Records: Cal is 8-3. Fayetteville State is 8-3.
On the air: WCAL-FM 91.9
Television: None
Games remaining: Possible playoff game at Shippensburg

Washington & Jefferson
Waynesburg University

Here are three reasons why W&J should win this game.

1. The Presidents are 24-1 against Waynesburg in home games.
2. The running game should be able to control the football against a young, inexperienced Waynesburg defense.
3. They need this game to have any hope of making the playoffs.

Here are three ways in which Waynesburg can win.

1. Ride the passing arm of quarterback Brad Dawson.
2. Force turnovers from what has become a shaky quarterback position for W&J.
3. Dominate the return game with Scott Cree producing a couple scores early.


Opponent: Waynesburg
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Cameron Stadium in Washington
Records: W&J is 8-1, 4-1 in the PAC. Waynesburg is 5-4, 2-3 in PAC.
On the air: WJPA-AM 1450, WCYJ-FM 88.7
Television: None
Games remaining: Possible playoff game

Hope, Rich Rod and cheap shots

We're thinking Purdue coach Danny Hope won't be invited to Rich Rodriguez's house for Thanksgiving dinner this year.

After Purdue rallied to defeat Michigan 38-36 Saturday - the Boilermakers' first win in Ann Arbor since 1996 - Hope and Rodriguez were meeting on the field when the Purdue coach made sure to bring over offensive lineman Zack Reckman. It was Reckman who was suspended for a game earlier this season after delivering a late hit against Northern Illinois. It seems that Hope and the Boilermakers believe Rodriguez is to blame.

So Hope wanted Rodriguez to know that he didn't appreciate him ratting out his player. After Michigan’s Jonas Mouton was suspended for a game early in the season for punching Notre Dame’s Eric Olsen, Rodriguez made sure to let everyone know he’d be turning in anybody he saw playing dirty.

So Hope brought Reckman over today to tell Rodriguez “Thanks, coach. We appreciate what you did.”

Rodriguez did not take too kindly to Hope’s antics and mentioned it after the game.

"I was a little disappointed that, after the game, their coach seemed to bring the lineman over like I was the reason that his lineman got suspended for that one game," Rodriguez said. "I don’t know where that came from. I talked to him on the phone and told him that wasn’t me – that this is way back when. I didn’t have anything to do with that young man getting suspended for that one game."

You can view the Purdue player's shot shot here:

Click here.

He's outta here!

There are things you see at small college football games that just never occur at the higher levels of the sport. Saturday afternoon's PSAC State Game between California and Shippensburg provided one of those moments.
Gorden Blain, who was doing the color for the SPORTSFEVER Television Network's production, walked out of the telecast area during the game, apparently upset because one of the local television stations failed to pick up the feed. Blain, who is normally a sidelines reporter during the games, left the play-by-play announcer, Jason Bristol, by himself for most of the third quarter and part of the fourth before returning to finish the game. Blain spent part of his absence standing outside the door to the telecast area.
SPORTSfever was producing the game for affiliates throughout the state, including channels in Pittsburgh (PCNC), Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre and Harrisburg.

College pregame notes

California

No one, outside of the most ardent fan and teammate, thought California would be in this position after the first two weeks of the season. The Vulcans will play a team in Shippensburg that appears to have destiny on its side. The Red Raiders have won three game by a combined 10 points, knocking off then-No. 3 Bloomsburg, 28-27, to wrap up the spot in the State Game.

The great debate this week is whether the State Game is necessary, considering the loser might not receive a playoff bid because of three losses. But that doesn't seem likely, considering the PSAC has a strong reputation. Cal could probably most afford a loss because the Vulcans have made it to the national semifinals the past two seasons.

Cal will be playing on a grass field at Shippensburg but that should not be a factor because the weather is expected to be sunny and clear. That's good news for tailback Windell Brown, who has run the ball effective since returning midseason from an ankle injury in the opener.

Opponent: Shippensburg
When: 1 p.m., Saturday
Where: Seth Grove Stadium in Shippensburg
Records: Cal is 8-2, 7-0 in the PSAC. Shippensburg is 8-2, 6-1 in the PSAC.
On the air: WCAL-FM 91.9
Television: PCNC (live)
Games remaining: Possible playoff berth


Washington & Jefferson

The pain from last week's loss to Thomas More is still there but the Presidents need to win their next two games if they expect to have any chance at receiving a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Presidents struggled on offense in the second half of last week's game and the quarterback combo of Steven Shumaker and Gino Rometo looked rattled and, at times, confused. They have to play well for W&J to win.

The defense has steadily improved this season and end Jacob Bloomhuff is having an outstanding season. Bloomhuff ranks second in sacks (1.44 per game) in NCAA Division III. Wittenberg defensive lineman Eddie Vallery leads the nation with an average of 1.75 sacks per game.

Opponent: Bethany
When: 1 p.m., Saturday
Where: Bison Stadium
Records: W&J is 7-1, 3-1 in the PAC. Bethany is 2-6, 1-4 in the PAC.
On the air: WJPA-AM 1450
Television: None
Games remaining: Waynesburg

Waynesburg

After last week's loss to Grove City, the Yellow Jackets need a win this week to assure a fourth straight season of finishing with a .500 or better record. Waynesburg quarterback Brad Dawson has passed for 2,175 yards this season, making him the fourth in school history to surpass 2,000 yards. The others are John Huntley (2004 in 1968), Darren Elvey (2,044 in 1997), and Jeff Dumm, who did it three times from 2002-2004).

Jamelle Bowers leads the stable of running backs with an average of 8.3 yards per carry, 408 on 49 carries. Scott Cree leads the team with 774 all-purpose yards and Ray Hightower has 33 receptions for 487 yards and five touchdowns.


Opponent: Thiel
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Wiley Stadium in Waynesburg
Records: Waynesburg is 4-4, 1-3 in the PAC. Thiel is 3-5, 1-3 in the PAC.
On the air: WCYJ-FM 88.7
Television: None
Games remaining: at W&J

Why W&J lost

It won't take hours of pouring over stats, watching game films or discussing strategy foul-ups to figure out why Washington & Jefferson College's football team lost 14-7 to Thomas More Saturday at Cameron Stadium.
The reason is simple.
The one guy who could have saved the team from a defeat that cost a Presidents' Athletic Conference title spent nearly all the game on the W&J sidelines.
That's where Bobby Swallow watched most of the game, in street clothes.
Swallow ran out of eligibility after a record-setting career as quarterback of this team for the past three seasons.
W&J does not have anyone who can replace Swallow, at least not on a skill level to match the left-handed quarterback. In last season's 35-29 loss to Thomas More, Swallow kept W&J in the game with one of his best efforts of his career. He completed 40 of 58 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns. He was the only offense W&J had in that game.
W&J's uses a quarterback-driven spread offense and it's served the Presidents well. Over the past decade, they have had above-average running backs but no one who could carry a team through a season.
That's what head coach Mike Sirianni expects his quarterbacks to do. This past Saturday, Gino Rometo and Steven Shumaker did not provide the spark, especially in a second half when the Presidents mustered just 18 passing yards and two first downs. It was so bad that even the basic snaps from center were an adventure. Rometo mishandled two for losses of 22 yards.
The Presidents have enjoyed a string of great quarterbacks. Swallow followed Chris Edwards, who followed Brian Dawson, and the wins and playoff appearances were a given in most of those seasons.
Rometo and Shumaker are not at that level yet, and their struggles were evident against a strong Thomas More defense. Those types of problems are easily hidden in a weak PAC conference schedule but not against the Saints.
Until W&J gets better play from the quarterbacks in these types of games, wins will be difficult to come by.

College pregame notes

Washington & Jefferson

Ah, isn't it nice to go into a weekend when the outcome of a W&J football game is not in question. Face it, the PAC is weak this year, well, nearly every year. But the two best teams in the conference meet Saturday at Cameron Stadium. There should be more weekends like this for the Presidents. It's a testament to the talented players on this team that their average margin of victory hovers around three touchdowns . . . for the decade.

Thomas More is tough, physical, quick and athletic. W&J shares those qualities. These games tend to bring out the best in players. Last season, quarterback Bobby Swallow nearly single-handedly rallied W&J to a victory. But the 35-29 loss to the Saints made W&J forfeit possession of the PAC title.

The winner of this game will no doubt make the playoffs. The loser should also get in, but it's better not to leave that to someone else to decide. This game probably comes down to how well the Jacob Bloomhuff-led defense of W&J does in stopping the Cordario Collier-led offense of Thomas More.

This is one game you don't want to miss.

Opponent: Thomas More
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Cameron Stadium
Records: W&J is 7-0, 3-0 in the PAC. Thomas More is 7-0, 5-0 in the PAC.
On the air: WJPA-AM 1450
Television: None
Games remaining: at Bethany, Waynesburg

California

How things have turned for California Unviversity's football team. Many left the Vulcans for dead after a Week 2 loss to Bloomsburg. Just eight weeks later, Cal can make it to the State Game for the second straight season against an unexpected opponent in Shippensburg.

Much of it has to do with the development of quarterback Josh Portis, who has been sensational over the last seven games, all victories. He has thrown 21 touchdowns, tops in the conference, and has been intercepted just once in the last 27 quarters. Windell Brown's return to health has sparked the running game.

Even the defense is better, allowing just five touchdowns in the past three games. Trinity graduate Ben Jennings will try to dent that defense as a starting running back for the Lakers.

A win in this game and Cal will sew up the PSAC West Division title for the fifth straight season. The Vulcans will travel to Shippensburg for the State Game and most probably will enter the NCAA Division II playoffs after that.


Opponent: Mercyhurst
When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Adamson Stadium in California
Records: Cal is 7-2, 6-0 in the PSAC. Mercyhurst is 4-5, 3-3 in the PSAC.
On the air: WCAL-FM 91.9
Television: FSN
Games remaining: at State Game

Waynesburg

With the two most prolific quarterbacks in the conference getting together Saturday, the only thing that might stop these offenses is the end zone. Look for a shootout. Waynesburg is allowing an average of 32 points per game, Grove City 30.

Andrew DiDonato, a graduate of South Fayette, holds every oassing record worth having at Grove City. He leads the conference with an average of 280 total yards per game.

Brad Dawson is tops in passing yardage per game (275), touchdowns (19) and total passing yards (1,925).

Take the over.

Opponent: Grove City
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Thorn Field in Grove City
Records: Waynesburg is 4-3, 1-2 in the PAC. Grove City is 2-5, 1-2 in the PAC.
On the air: WCYJ-FM 88.7
Television: None
Games remaining: Thiel, at W&J

Bet on the Big East

According to a study done by Ed Gunther of The National Championship Issue, Big East Conference football teams covered the pointspread an average of 56.3% from 2000-2008. This is the best winning percentage of any conference.

Because of the 10% vigorish Las Vegas sportsbooks charge for wagering on college games, a bettor has to pick winners at a rate of 52.4% to break even. The only other conference to exceed that threshold was the Pacific 10, whose teams covered at a rate of 55.1%.

The best team against the spread was Boise State, covering 63% of the time, followed by Utah (59%), Iowa (58.9%), Oregon State (57.3%) and USC (56.8%). Connecticut was the best ofr the Big east schools, covering at a 55.8% clip.

The worst at covering the spread, among teams that were Division I-A members from 2000-08, was Indiana at only 34.7%.

College Pregame Notes

California University

Opponent: Indiana
When: 1 p.m., Sunday
Where: Miller Stadium in Indiana
Records: California is 3-2, 2-0 in the PSAC. Indiana is 3-2, 0-2 in the PSAC.
On the air: WCAL-FM 91.9
Noteworthy: California’s offense appears to have righted itself after struggling in the first two games. Quarterback Josh Portis has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last 2 1/2 games. … Tailback Freddie Bacco gave Cal its first 100-yard rusher of the season in last week’s 35-31 victory over Clarion, rushing for 114 yards. Windell Brown, who has missed nearly all season with a sprained ankle, is expected to play. The Vulcans also hope to get nose tackle Sam Fikaris back soon. … Mark Domonkos has replaced Kevin Hagerman as placekicker after Hagerman struggled in the early part of the season. … Cal head coach John Luckhardt is three wins from 200 in his career. … Indiana’s main threat is running back Tobias Robinson, who has gained 513 yards and scored three touchdowns. IUP has had trouble scoring, averaging 10 points in the last three games.

Washington & Jefferson

Opponent: Geneva
When: 2 p.m., Saturday
Where: Cameron Stadium
Records: W&J is 4-0, 2-0 in the PAC. Geneva is 3-0.
Television: None
On the air: WJPA-AM 1450
Noteworthy: W&J has defeated Geneva four consecutive times and has a 35-19-2 lead in the all-time series. Geneva has not defeated W&J since a 19-0 victory at Reeves Field in 1983. … Geneva has defeated Frostburg, Saint Vincent and Thiel but this will be the Golden Tornadoes’ strongest test of the season. … Geneva lost to W&J last season, 43-14. … W&J has played 110 games in this decade and Presidents’ quarterbacks have thrown at least one touchdown pass 103 times. Since 2004, W&J has failed to throw a touchdown pass only three times: against Allegheny in 2004 and 2006, and Millsaps in 2008. … W&J will play its first day game of the season after four night games. Since 2003, W&J is 14-0 under the lights. … The Presidents play their 1,071st game (661-369-40) in history Saturday. They have only lost three times when scoring 31 or more points. All three have come in this decade: 59-42 to Bridgewater in a 2000 NCAA playoff game; 38-35 against in a 2005 overtime game; and 35-34 against North Carolina Wesleyan in a 2007 NCAA playoff game.

Big day for Endres

University of Connecticut quarterback Cody Endres, pictured, made a bid to keep the starting position Saturday by passing for a career-high 289 yards and two touchdowns as the Huskies beat Rhode Island 52-10.

Endres, a Trinity graduate, started his second game in place of the injured Zach Frazer. Endres completed nine of his first 10 passes, and 23 of 30 for the game. The sophomore threw his first career touchdown pass less than two minutes into the game when he connected with Andre Dixon out of the backfield for an 18-yard score. Endres also had a 50-yard touchdown pass to freshman 50-yard touchdown pass Mike Lang.

After the game, UConn coach Randy Edsall wouldn't fan the flames of a potential quarterback controversy. He wouldn't talk about who might start when the Huskies play again in two weeks at Pitt.

"I don't even know if (Frazer) is going to be healthy so I have no idea," Edsall said. "That's the last of my worries right now."

Endres said the win was a confidence builder for the Huskies.

“Our receivers definitely got some confidence. I got a lot of different players the ball, and I felt good out there, too," he said. "I think it's definitely a confidence booster. But we still made a lot of mistakes we have to improve on and buckle down before we head into Big East play.”

Sweat makes appearance

Ohio State sophomore Andrew Sweat, a Trinity High School graduate and the 2007 Observer-Reporter Boys Athlete of the Year, is a mainstay on Buckeyes special teams.

During Saturday's 38-0 victory over Toledo, Sweat put in some time at middle linebacker.

The second-stringer finished with two tackles and on Ohio State's final defensive play Sweat made his first collegiate interception. On the play, Sweat covered a Rockets receiver on a slant. The ball was thrown slightly behind the intended target and Sweat snatched it.

Football Pregame Notes

Washington & Jefferson

Opponent: Thiel
When: 7 p.m,, Saturday
Where: Cameron Stadium in Washington
Records: W&J is 2-0 and Thiel is 1-1. This is the PAC opener for both teams.
Television: None
On the air: WJPA-AM 1450
Noteworthy: There will be a new quarterback starting for the Presidents. Junior Gino Rometo will replace Steven Shumaker as the starter, though both are going to play. Rometo has looked sharp in the first two games this season, completing all four passes at the end of a Week 1 win over Oberlin amd going 17 of 31 for 174 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win against Frostburg. Rometo is a transfer from Clarion University, where he was the starter until the seventh game last season. … Senior wide receiver Craig Besong has caught eight receptions in each of his first two games and has 110 career catches. Besong has amassed 1,613 yards and 23 touchdowns. He will pass Tom McCafferty for fifth place on the career reception list with 18 more catches. … W&J is looking to become the 45th team in school history to start the season with three consecutive victories. Since 1989, W&J has posted a 3-0 start 15 times. … Washington & Jefferson has won 10 consecutive games during the third week of the season. The Presidents have not lost their third game of the year since falling to Hanover (30-20) during the 1998 season. … Thiel recorded its first victory of the season Saturday with an impressive home win against Albion, 20-10. The win was the first for new head coach Kurt Reiser. … Senior quarterback Willie Bova leads the Tomcats’ offense. He rushed 10 times for 75 yards against Albion. Tailback Dan Hess rushed 21 times for 68 yards. … Thiel suffered a 20-14 loss at Marietta in its opener. Bova threw two touchdown passes to tight end Dan Mackall, but the offense was only able to produce six rushing yards.

California University

Opponent: Gannon
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Adamson Stadium in California
Records: Cal is 1-2 overall and Gannon is 2-1. This is the PSAC West opener for both teams.
Television: FSN
On the air: WCAl-FM 91.9
Noteworthy: If California is to have a successful season, then the offense must improve. Josh Portis has struggled throwing the ball and the Vulcans have not effectively run the ball this season. Portis has completed just 39 of 83 passes (47 percent), thrown three touchdowns and been intercepted four times. Windell Brown returned from an ankle injury but lasted just one play before apparently reinjuring his ankle. Freddie Bacco, who has gained 181 yards on 42 carries this season – will start. … Cal has won 13 straight games against PSAC West opponents. … Cal head coach John Luckhardt is just five victories away from 200 in his career. … Gannon beat Cheyney, 30-19, last week. … The Golden Knights rely on the run and Jon Richardson (63 att., 351 yds., 5.6 ave., 7 TDs) is the main threat.… Cal has not had running back or wide receiver gain more than 100 yards in a game this season.

Cheap shot of the week

Here is a clip from the Notre Dame at Michigan game last Saturday. Keep your eye on the bottom left corner of the screen. You'll see Michigan's Jonas Mouton (No. 8) punch Notre Dame center Eric Olsen. You might have to turn off the popup ad the first time you watch the replay.



Update Friday, Sept. 18:
PARK RIDGE, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference has suspended Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton for one game for punching a Notre Dame player during last week’s game.
Video of the incident during Saturday’s 38-34 Wolverines victory in Ann Arbor, Mich., spread on the Internet. Mouton appears to swing at the chin of lineman Eric Olsen as they get up from the turf following a play midway through the second quarter.
Big Ten Commissioner James Delaney called the punch “unacceptable.”
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he never saw the punch and that an official would have called any infraction. The Big Ten said the school had accepted the suspension.
No. 25 Michigan (2-0) faces Eastern Michigan (0-2) at home on Saturday.

Football Pregame Notes

Waynesburg University

Opponent: Hanover
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Wiley Stadium in Waynesburg
Records: Waynesburg is 1-0 and Hanover is 0-1.
Television: None
On the air: WCYJ-FM 88.7
Noteworthy: Waynesburg running back Justin Falcon rushed for 148 yards last week and is on pace for a 1,500-yard season. … Two of the previous three games between these two teams have been decided by three points or less. … Junior quarterback Brad Dawson needs just 80 yards to pass Ryan Mytrysak (1995-98) for eighth place on the Waynesburg’s career passing yards list (2,104). … Head coach Rick Shepas’ next victory will be his 25th, which would put him in sixth place on the school’s career victory list. … Last year, the Jackets held Hanover to negative-25 yards rushing. … Hanover rushed for only 34 yards in last week’s 34-20 loss to Centre (Kent.). … Quarterback C.J. Croft did complete 25 of 40 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

California University

Opponent: West Chester
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Farrell Stadium in West Chester
Records: California is 0-2; West Chester is 1-1
Television: None
On the air: WCAL-FM 91.9
Noteworthy: This is the fourth meeting between the two teams in the past two seasons. Cal won the last one, 47-36, in the PSAC Championship game. … West Chester’s 34-0 loss to Delaware last week was a bit misleading as the Blue hens are a Division I program. … Cal quarterback Josh Portis is completing 50 percent of his passes for 289 yards but he only has one touchdowns and three interceptions. … In two games, Cal has scored 27 points, 17 fewer than the Vulcans scored in a 44-32 victory over West Chester in last year’s season-opener. … Last week’s loss to Bloomsburg dropped Cal out of the AFCA Top 25 poll for the first time since the 2007 preseason poll. … Saginaw Valley, which beat Cal in the opener, is ranked 13th. SVS was not ranked in the preseason. … Cal expects to have tailback Windell Brown (ankle) back after missing last week.

Matthews on the mend

Former Canon-McMillan football player Jervain Matthews, pictured, was injured in Northwestern's season-opening victory over Towson State last Saturday. Matthews, a sophomore running back, carried three times for 11 yards before leaving in the second quarter with was described as a "nasty-looking" ankle injury and did not return. However, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, when asked this week about Matthews, said he'd "probably list him as probable" for the Wildcats' game against Eastern Michigan game.