Top-25 College Football Game Capsules |
Gainesville, FL (Sports Network) - Tim Tebow ran for a touchdown and threw for a pair of scores, as top-ranked Florida extended the nation's longest winning streak to 21 straight games with a 62-3 rout of Florida International at the Swamp. Tebow ran for 102 yards, including a career-long 55-yard score, on just seven carries and completed 17-of-25 passes for 215 yards in just 2 1/2 quarters of action for Florida (11-0), which will host Florida State next week in the annual grudge match before heading to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. Chris Rainey ran for a touchdown and caught a scoring pass in the victory, as Florida completely dominated with 584 yards to just 189 for FIU. Paul McCall threw for 134 yards with an interception for FIU (3-8), which was coming off a victory against North Texas last week. The Golden Panthers also played Alabama back in September and suffered a 40-14 setback in Tuscaloosa.
Final Score: (2) Alabama 45, Chattanooga 0
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) - Mark Ingram had 102 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in two quarters of action, as second-ranked Alabama thumped FCS foe Chattanooga, 45-0, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Greg McElroy played only the first half, completing 6-of-11 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown for the Crimson Tide (11-0), who rested many first-stringers on the offensive side after building a 35-0 lead at the break. Julio Jones had a touchdown reception in the win, and Javier Arenas set an SEC record with his seventh punt return for a touchdown, breaking the mark previously established by Kentucky's Derek Abney. B.J. Coleman struggled immensely for an overmatched Chattanooga (6-5) squad, throwing for just 36 yards and two interceptions on 7-of-25 passing. The Mocs, who totaled 84 yards of offense, ended the regular season by dropping four of their last six games.
Final Score: (3) Texas 51, Kansas 20
Austin, TX (Sports Network) - Colt McCoy threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns on senior day in his final home game to lead third-ranked Texas to a Big 12 South title and 51-20 victory over Kansas. Senior wideout Jordan Shipley caught 10 passes for 108 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown. James Kirkendoll hauled in a pair of scores during an eight-catch, 86-yard outing while Malcolm Williams totaled 103 yards and a score on six grabs. McCoy ended an efficient 32-for-41 and helped engineer eight scoring drives for the Longhorns (11-0, 7-0 Big 12), who own back-to-back 11-win campaigns for just the third time in school history. McCoy also set the NCAA record for most career wins with 43, having tied Georgia's David Greene in last week's blowout of Baylor. Texas, which concludes its regular-season schedule Thanksgiving night at Texas A&M, will square off with Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship by way of the 'Huskers 17-3 victory over Kansas State Saturday.
Final Score: (4) TCU 45, Wyoming 10
Laramie, WY (Sports Network) - Matthew Tucker ran for 134 yards and a pair of scores, as fourth-ranked TCU remained unbeaten with a 45-10 rout of Wyoming at War Memorial Stadium. Andy Dalton completed 10-of-19 passes for 168 yards and a score, with one interception. He also rushed for 88 yards for TCU (11-0, 7-0 MWC), which kept its BCS bowl hopes alive and moved to 11-0 for the first time since 1938, when the school won the national championship. The Horned Frogs, who have won 13 consecutive games dating back to last year, also clinched at least a share of the conference title. BYU, which plays Air Force, entered the day a game behind TCU in the Mountain West standings. TCU will close its 2009 regular season next weekend at home against New Mexico. Joseph Turner ran for 66 yards and two scores on nine carries, while Jeremy Kerley had a touchdown reception in the thorough victory, in which TCU totaled 507 yards and limited Wyoming to 178. Austyn Carta-Samuels completed just 4-of-10 passes for 83 yards and was intercepted once, as the Cowboys (5-6, 3-4) lost for the fourth time in five contests. Chris Prosinski returned a fumble 98 yards for a score to record Wyoming's lone touchdown.
Final Score: (9) Ohio State 21, Michigan 10
Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - Daniel Herron ran for 96 yards and caught a touchdown pass, while Brandon Saine added 84 yards rushing with a score, as ninth-ranked Ohio State captured the outright Big Ten title with a 21-10 victory over arch-rival Michigan. Terrelle Pryor threw a touchdown pass and contributed 74 yards rushing, as the Buckeyes racked up 251 yards on the ground in their sixth straight win over Michigan. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) won its final five games of the season to claim the outright conference title for the third time in the past four years. The Buckeyes, who have at least shared the last five Big Ten crowns, will head to the Rose Bowl on January 1. Michigan (5-7, 1-7), meanwhile, ended its season with five straight losses and will sit home during bowl season for a second consecutive year after its second losing record in as many seasons under Rich Rodriguez. Following last year's 3-9 debacle, the Wolverines have lost at least seven games in consecutive seasons for the first time in the storied program's history. Tate Forcier completed 23-of-38 passes for 226 yards with a touchdown, but was also picked off four times in defeat, and his fumble on the Wolverines' opening drive was recovered in the end zone by Ohio State for a touchdown.
Final Score: Ole Miss 25, (10) LSU 23
Oxford, MS (Sports Network) - Dexter McCluster ran all over a stout LSU defense and also threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Shay Hodge early in the fourth quarter, as Ole Miss thwarted a late rally to upend the 10th-ranked Tigers, 25-23, in a wild finish at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels went ahead, 25-17, on Joshua Shene's fourth field goal of the game with 3:42 remaining. Jordan Jefferson quickly led the Tigers down the field and hit an open Rueben Randle with a 25-yard scoring strike with 1:17 left. A jump ball to Terrance Toliver for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, but LSU recovered the ensuing onside kick to stay alive. Brandon LaFell caught a 26- yard screen pass to move the ball to the Ole Miss 32-yard line, but a sack and a seven-yard loss on another screen on second and third down, respectively, moved the ball back to the 48 and wasted LSU's final two timeouts, the last coming with nine seconds showing. A long delay in getting the final timeout called proved costly, as Toliver caught a 42-yard bomb at the Ole Miss six. Toliver came down with the ball with one second on the clock, but an unorganized Tigers offense failed to get a final snap off. McCluster finished with 148 yards on 24 carries, Jevan Snead was an efficient 14-of-21 for 206 yards, and Hodge had seven catches for 117 yards for the Rebels (8-3, 4-3 SEC), who outgained the Tigers, 426-290, for their third straight win. Jefferson, who missed last week's win over Louisiana Tech due to a right ankle sprain, connected on 19-of-37 tosses for 250 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for LSU (8-3, 4-3), which lost for the second time in three weeks.
Final Score: (11) Oregon 44, Arizona 41 (2-OT)
Tucson, AZ (Sports Network) - Jeremiah Masoli accounted for six total touchdowns -- three throwing and three rushing -- and his one-yard run on third down in the second overtime lifted 11th-ranked Oregon to a critical 44-41 win over Arizona to remain in control of the Pac-10. Masoli completed 26-of-47 passes for 284 yards with an interception and added 61 rushing yards on 16 carries for Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac-10), which can secure a bid to the Rose Bowl with a win over Oregon State on December 3. The Oregon-Oregon State game is a de facto conference championship game by virtue of Oregon's win on Saturday coupled with Stanford's loss to California. LaMichael James added 117 yards on the ground on 19 carries, and Jeff Maehl had 12 receptions for 114 yards and two scores. Ed Dickson had five catches for 63 yards and a game-tying touchdown with six seconds remaining in regulation. Nick Foles threw for 314 yards with four touchdowns and a pick on 30-of-46 passing for Arizona (6-4, 4-3), which would have been in the driver's seat in the conference had it won the game. Instead, the Wildcats lost their chance to advance to the first Rose Bowl in school history.
Final Score: (13) Penn State 42, Michigan State 14
East Lansing, MI (Sports Network) - Daryll Clark threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns, as 13th-ranked Penn State used an explosive third quarter on the way to a 42-14 win over Michigan State in both teams' regular-season finale. Three of Clark's touchdown throws came during the third quarter, in which the Nittany Lions (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) outscored the Spartans 28-0. Clark completed 19-of-27 passes, while Evan Royster ran for 114 yards on 13 carries for Penn State, which closed the 2009 campaign with two consecutive wins. The Lions now await a bowl selection, though they won't be making a return trip to the Rose Bowl, as Ohio State claimed the conference title and had already claimed the Big Ten's spot in that bowl. Graham Zug and Andrew Quarless each caught two touchdown passes in the victory. Kirk Cousins completed 16-of-28 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. He was also picked off twice as the Spartans (6-6, 4-4) had a two-game win streak broken, but are likely headed for a third consecutive bowl appearance.
Final Score: California 34, (14) Stanford 28
Palo Alto, CA (Sports Network) - Shane Vereen, playing in place of the injured Jahvid Best, ran 42 times for a career-high 193 yards with three touchdowns, leading the California Golden Bears to a crucial 34-28 win over 14th-ranked Stanford in the annual "Big Game" to shake up the Pac-10 standings. Kevin Riley completed 17-of-31 passes for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Oregon (8-3, 5-3 Pac-10), which trailed, 14-0, early in the game but still won for the fifth time in six games. Riley added 27 yards rushing, and Marvin Jones had four catches for 45 yards and a score in the win. Toby Gerhart ran for 136 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries for Stanford (7-4, 6-3), which was coming off a dominant 55-21 win at USC last weekend. Andrew Luck was not very efficient behind center, throwing for only 157 yards on 10-of-30 passing while throwing a game-ending interception inside the red zone with under two minutes to play. The loss eliminated the Cardinal from Rose Bowl contention, as it is a certainty that the conference winner -- either Oregon, Arizona or Oregon State -- will have two or fewer losses in the Pac-10.
Final Score: (15) Iowa 12, Minnesota 0
Iowa City, IA (Sports Network) - Brandon Wegher scored the lone touchdown of the game, as 15th-ranked Iowa blanked the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the second straight season, 12-0, at Kinnick Stadium. Redshirt freshman James Vandenberg, making his second start in place of injured starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi, completed 11-of-24 passes for 117 yards with one interception for the Hawkeyes (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten), who snapped a two-game skid and retained Floyd of Rosedale, a statue of a bronzed pig. Adam Robinson had 72 yards on 12 carries for Iowa, which posted a 55-0 drubbing last year at Minnesota and has taken eight of the last nine meetings overall. Adam Weber was 14-of-40 for 153 yards and fumbled twice for the Golden Gophers (6-6, 3-5), who lost two of three to end the regular season.
Final Score: (16) Virginia Tech 38, North Carolina State 10
Blacksburg, VA (Sports Network) - Ryan Williams powered his way to 120 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries as 16th-ranked Virginia Tech downed North Carolina State, 38-10, at Lane Stadium. Tyrod Taylor finished 9-of-17 for 197 yards and threw for a score for the Hokies (8-3, 5-2 ACC), who have won three in a row and conclude their season at Virginia next Saturday. Russell Wilson was 15-of-26 for 234 yards, one score and one interception for the Wolfpack (4-7, 1-6), losers in six of their last seven. Owen Spencer notched 74 yards and NC State's lone touchdown on three receptions.
Final Score: Northwestern 33, (17) Wisconsin 31
Evanston, IL (Sports Network) - Mike Kafka threw a pair of touchdown passes to Andrew Brewer, as Northwestern held on to upend 17th-ranked Wisconsin, 33-31, at Ryan Field. Kafka finished with 326 yards on 26-of-40 efficiency for the Wildcats (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten), who ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak. Brewer made six grabs for 102 yards, while Sidney Stewart had 94 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Scott Tolzien completed 19- of-30 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns to Garrett Graham and an interception that sealed Wisconsin's fate. John Clay had 100 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries for the Badgers (8-3, 5-3), but his fumble in late in the fourth quarter proved to be very costly.
Final Score: (18) Clemson 34, Virginia 21
Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Kyle Parker completed 19-of-26 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns, as 18th-ranked Clemson secured the ACC Atlantic Division title after defeating Virginia, 34-21, in a conference matchup. C.J. Spiller totaled 97 yards from scrimmage, including a rushing score for Clemson (8-3, 6-2 ACC), which clinched the top spot in the Atlantic even before stepping onto the field, as Boston College lost to North Carolina earlier on Saturday. The Tigers, who have won six straight, will play Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game on December 5. Jacoby Ford had a huge game, catching six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, while Andre Ellington carried the ball five times for 29 yards and a TD. Jameel Sewell completed 11-of-17 throws for 160 yards and a TD, and also ran for a score for Virginia (3-8, 2-5), which has dropped five straight after a three- game winning streak. Vic Hall tossed a touchdown pass and Mikell Simpson added a scoring grab.
Final Score: (19) BYU 38, Air Force 21
Provo, UT (Sports Network) - Max Hall tossed five touchdowns as 19th-ranked BYU easily handled Air Force, 38-21, in a Mountain West Conference battle at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Hall went 33-for-45 with 377 yards and two interceptions to win his 30th game at BYU and surpass former Heisman Trophy-winner Ty Detmer for most wins in school history. Harvey Unga also set two school records as he passed Curtis Brown for most carries and most yards in school history thanks to an 11-carry, 67-yard performance for the Cougars (9-2, 6-1 MAC), who have won their past three games. Dennis Pitta caught two scores while O'Neill Chambers, Andrew George and Luke Ashworth each had a touchdown catch in the win. Ben Cochran went just 5- for-18 with 88 yards, one touchdown and one interceptions while Savier Stephens and Jonathan Warzeka each had a rushing touchdown for the Falcons (7-5, 5-3), who had a three-game winning streak coming into the game, their last of the regular season.
Final Score: (20) Oregon State 42, Washington State 10
Pullman, WA (Sports Network) - Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, as the No. 20 Oregon State Beavers pounded lowly Washington State, 42-10, to keep their Pac-10 title hopes alive. Sean Canfield connected on 22-of-29 passes for 231 yards with an interception and touchdown passes to Damola Adeniji and Joe Halahuni for the Beavers (8-3, 6-2 Pac-10), who will next play a de facto conference championship game on December 3 against rival Oregon. The Ducks beat Arizona, 44-41, in double overtime on Saturday to add extra fuel to the annual Civil War slugfest. Jovan Stevenson and Markus Wheaton each scored once and added 61 and 38 rushing yards, respectively, for a ground game that outrushed WSU, 283-59. Dwight Tardy rushed for 37 yards and the Cougars' lone score on 10 carries. Kevin Lopina connected on 15-of-32 passes for 133 yards for Washington State (1-10, 0-8), which has lost eight straight since its lone win against SMU.
Final Score: (21) Miami-Florida 34, Duke 16
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Jacory Harris threw for 348 yards with two touchdowns, as 21st-ranked Miami-Florida used a big fourth quarter to claim a 34-16 win over Duke in an ACC clash at Land Shark Stadium. Harris finished 25- of-43 with an interception, and Leonard Hankerson had eight catches for a career-high 143 yards and a score for Miami-Florida (8-3, 5-3 ACC), which suffered a 33-24 setback at North Carolina last Saturday. The Hurricanes have won three of their last four. Damien Berry rushed for 76 yards on 16 touches with a touchdown. Jimmy Graham had five catches for 73 yards. Thaddeus Lewis completed 20-of-37 throws for 303 yards with a TD and a pick for Duke (5-6, 3-4), which was hammered 49-10 by Georgia Tech last weekend.
Final Score: (23) Utah 38, San Diego State 7
Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - Eddie Wide had two touchdowns on the ground as 23rd-ranked Utah crushed San Diego State, 38-7, in a Mountain West Conference matchup. Wide finished the game with 16 carries for 84 yards while Jordan Wynn was 14-for-28 with 195 yards and a score for the Utes (9-2, 6-1 MWC), who bounced back from last week's 55-28 loss at TCU to win their 17th straight home game. Ryan Lindley was 17-for-37 with 207 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Dominique Sandifer had seven catches for 74 yards and a score for the Aztecs (4-7, 2-5), who have dropped their past three games.
Final Score: (24) Houston 55, Memphis 14
Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Case Keenum threw for 405 yards with five touchdowns, as 24th-ranked Houston routed Memphis, 55-14, in Conference USA play at Robertson Stadium. Keenum finished 29-of-39 passing before Cotton Turner came in for mop up duty and completed 13-of-16 tosses for 173 yards and a score for Houston (9-2, 5-2 C-USA), which regrouped after suffering a 37-32 loss to UCF in Orlando last weekend. Charles Sims rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries with a pair of scores, while L.J. Castile pulled in two TD catches for the Cougars, who have won six of their last seven overall. Chaz Rodriguez had six grabs for 98 yards and a score, while Tim Monroe almost equaled those totals with seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. Patrick Edwards also got in on the action, catching four balls for 81 yards and a score. Curtis Steele supplied the bulk of the offense, rushing for 160 yards on 28 touches with two scores for Memphis (2-9, 1-6), which has now dropped five in a row, including last weekend's 31-21 setback to UAB.
Final Score: Syracuse 31, (25) Rutgers 13
Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - Antwon Bailey, Averin Collier and Delone Carter each ran for a touchdown, as Syracuse upended 25th-ranked Rutgers, 31-13, to pick up its first Big East victory of the season. The Orange (4-7, 1-5 Big East) racked up 213 yards on the ground in a balanced attack that also saw Greg Paulus throw for 142 yards and a score on 13-of-16 completions. Ryan Nassib completed four passes for 69 yards, as Syracuse snapped a three-game slide. Syracuse linebacker Doug Hogue had a huge game, breaking the school record for tackles for loss in a game (6 1/2). Hogue also notched 3 1/2 sacks. The Orange had nine total sacks of Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage and held the Scarlet Knights (7-3, 2-3) to 130 total yards. Savage completed just 7-of-17 passes for 66 yards and was intercepted twice. Wideout Mohamed Sanu threw the only touchdown pass for Rutgers, which had won its last three contests.
