Nov 19, 2006, 7:25 GMT
Columbus, OH - Troy Smith threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns as top-ranked Ohio State held off No. 2 Michigan, 42-39, to win the Big Ten title and earn a spot in the Bowl Championship Series national title game on January 8. Smith completed 29-of-41 passes for the undefeated Buckeyes (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten), who have won 19 straight games, 14 consecutive Big Ten contests and 12 straight at Ohio Stadium. Ted Ginn Jr. caught eight balls for 104 yards and a TD while Roy Hall, Anthony Gonzalez and Brian Robiskie also had touchdown receptions. Antonio Pittman ran for 139 yards and a TD on 18 carries for Ohio State and highly-touted freshman Chris Wells also ran for a score. Mike Hart had 142 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the Wolverines (11-1, 7-1), who will now likely be headed for a spot in the Rose Bowl. Chad Henne connected on 21-of-35 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns while Adrian Arrington caught five balls for 90 yards and a score.
Final Score: (3) Florida 62, Western Carolina 0
Gainesville, FL - Freshman wideout Riley Cooper enjoyed a career day as he hauled in three passes, all for touchdowns, in Florida's 62-0 drubbing of Western Carolina at The Swamp. Tim Tebow completed 10-of-12 passes for 200 yards with two touchdowns, and rushed six times for 47 yards with two more scores for the Gators (10-1), who have won their last four games following a defeat against Auburn. Mon Williams carried nine times for 95 yards while DeShawn Wynn scored two touchdowns on just four carries in the opening quarter. Florida limited the playing time for many of its regulars, including starting quarterback Chris Leak, who completed 9-of-12 passes for 100 yards. Andy Horn threw for just 35 yards on 5-of-12 passing and Darius Fudge could only muster 44 yards on 23 carries for the I-AA Catamounts (2-9), who wrapped up their season with nine straight losses after a 2-0 start.
Final Score: (4) Southern California 23, (17) California 9
Los Angeles, CA - John David Booty completed 18-of-31 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, to lead fourth-ranked Southern California past 17th-ranked California, 23-9, to win its league record fifth straight Pac-10 title and at least a berth in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans still hope to play for the national championship against No. 1 Ohio State. Steve Smith hauled in six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown while Dwayne Jarrett finished with five catches for 66 yards and a score for the Trojans (9-1, 7-1 Pac-10), who have won three straight. C.J. Gable added 91 rushing yards in the victory for USC, which outscored Cal, 17-0 in the second half. Next up for USC is a matchup with Notre Dame next Saturday. The Trojans will also play UCLA on the road on December 2. Nate Longshore threw for 176 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Golden Bears (8-3, 6-2), who were looking to earn their first Rose Bowl berth since 1958. Marshawn Lynch ran for 88 yards on 20 attempts and had five catches for 21 yards in the loss, the second straight for California after winning eight in a row.
Final Score: (5) Arkansas 28, Mississippi State 14
Starkville, MS - Casey Dick threw a pair of touchdown passes to lift fifth-ranked Arkansas over Mississippi State, 28-14, and clinch a spot in the SEC championship game as the West Division champion. Chris Houston added an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown and Darren McFadden returned a kickoff 92 yards for a score for the Razorbacks (10-1, 7-0 SEC), who will play Florida in the championship game on December 2 at the Georgia Dome. McFadden added 84 yards on 26 carries for Arkansas, which has won 10 straight and finishes its regular-season schedule next weekend against LSU. If the Razorbacks win out, they could have a chance to play for the BCS national championship. Arkansas came into the weekend as the seventh-ranked team in the BCS. Anthony Dixon ran for 89 yards and a touchdown for the Bulldogs (3-8, 1-6), who failed to follow up their win against Alabama last time out with another victory. Mississippi State has not won consecutive games this season and finishes its season next week at Ole Miss.
Final Score: (6) Notre Dame 41, Army 9
South Bend, IN - Brady Quinn threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns and Darius Walker rushed for 162 yards on 24 carries and two scores as sixth-ranked Notre Dame defeated Army, 41-9, at Notre Dame Stadium. Quinn was 22-of-30 passing with an interception and Jeff Samardzija pulled in nine passes for 87 yards with a touchdown. Rhema McKnight grabbed three balls for 50 yards with a pair of touchdowns for the Fighting Irish (10-1), who will travel to Los Angeles to play the USC Trojans next Saturday. Army starting quarterback Carson Williams was only 1-of-8 passing for 16 yards with an interception. Backup quarterback David Pevoto finished 7-of-13 for 76 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Black Knights (3-8), who have lost five straight games, will play rival Navy at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on December 2.
Final Score: Cincinnati 30, (7) Rutgers 11
Cincinnati, OH - Last Thursday, the Rutgers football team posted its biggest win in school history. Nine days later, it was Cincinnati's turn, as the Bearcats upset the seventh-ranked Scarlet Knights, 30-11, ending Rutgers' slim chance for a shot at the national title. DeAngelo Smith returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown and the Bearcats (6-5, 3-3 Big East) picked off Mike Teel four times, on the way to ending Rutgers' perfect season. Senior Nick Davila, making his first career start, threw for a touchdown and ran for another score for Cincinnati, which became bowl-eligible for the fifth time in seven years and did it by beating its highest-ranked opponent in school history. Davila completed 11-of-15 passes for 277 yards, which included an 83-yard TD strike to Brent Celek in the third quarter that accentuated the rout. The Scarlet Knights (9-1, 4-1) were coming off the biggest victory in its annals, a 28-25 comeback home win over Louisville last Thursday, sending the fans pouring onto the field in a sea of red. However, at the final gun on Saturday, it was the Cincinnati fans celebrating. The loss not only left Rutgers out of the national title picture, but also meant a three-way tie atop the Big East standings with West Virginia and Louisville.
Final Score: (9) LSU 23, Ole Miss 20 (OT)
Baton Rouge, LA - After an Ole Miss fumble in overtime, Colt David kicked a 26-yard field goal as ninth-ranked LSU avoided an upset with a 23-20 win over the Rebels. JaMarcus Russell completed 19-of-35 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers (9-2, 5-2 SEC), who were officially eliminated from SEC title contention with Arkansas' win over Mississippi State on Saturday. The Razorbacks, who clinched the SEC western division, will meet Florida for the conference championship. Dwayne Bowe caught seven passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns while Early Doucet also had a score for LSU, which has won five in a row. Brent Schaeffer completed just 6-of-14 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown for the Rebels (3-8, 1-6), who will finish their season next week against Mississippi State.
Final Score: (10) Louisville 31, South Florida 8
Louisville, KY - Brian Brohm completed 19-of-33 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns, leading the 10th-ranked Louisville Cardinals to a 31-8 win over the South Florida Bulls at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Gary Barnidge recorded five receptions for 112 yards, and Harry Douglas caught seven balls for 86 yards and two scores. Anthony Allen rushed for only 34 yards on 12 carries, but scored twice for the Cardinals (9-1, 4-1 Big East), who rebounded from their loss last week at Rutgers. Matt Grothe threw for 237 yards on 15-of-31 completions with one touchdown and one interception. Ricky Ponton rushed 11 times for 52 yards and Amp Hill caught a TD pass for the Bulls (7-4, 3-3 Big East), who had a two-game winning streak halted. Coupled with Rutgers' loss at Cincinnati on Saturday and West Virginia's victory at Pitt on Thursday, Louisville finds itself in a three-way tie for first place in the conference with the Mountaineers and Scarlet Knights -- who all have identical 4-1 conference records.
Final Score: (12) Wisconsin 35, Buffalo 3
Madison, WI - Tyler Donovan made his second straight start in place of the injured Jim Stocco and passed for 308 yards and two touchdowns, leading 12th-ranked Wisconsin to a 35-3 rout of Buffalo at Camp Randall Stadium. Donovan was 16-of-26 with an interception, as the Badgers (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) completed their season with eight straight wins and locked up a chance to play in a BCS bowl game. Stocco, a fifth-year senior, missed his second straight start after suffering a shoulder injury versus Penn State on November 4. P.J. Hill ran for 86 yards and a touchdown and Travis Beckum ended with 135 yards on five catches for Wisconsin. Luke Swan had 73 yards and a TD and Paul Hubbard added 47 yards and a score on three catches in the win. Wisconsin, which is No. 9 in the BCS standings, finished 7-0 at home this season and is 18-1 in its last 19 games at Camp Randall Stadium since the start of the 2004 season. Tony Paoli passed for 107 yards and an interception for the Bulls (2-9, 1-6 MAC), who lost every game on the road this season (0-7). Buffalo will conclude its 2006 season at home against MAC foe Central Michigan next Friday.
Final Score: (13) Boise State 49, Utah State 10
Boise, ID - Jared Zabransky threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns while Brett Denton carried the load for the injured Ian Johnson, rushing for 125 yards and two scores as 13th-ranked Boise State demolished Utah State, 49-10 at Bronco Stadium. Denton carried the ball 17 times for an average of 7.4 yards per carry in place of Johnson, who leads the nation with 21 touchdowns. The standout running back is recovering from a partially collapsed left lung he sustained last week. Zabransky finished 21-of-23 passing with no interceptions, while Taylor Tharp went 3-for-3 for 17 yards and a score in relief for the Broncos (11-0, 7-0 WAC), who have won 11 straight and join Ohio State as the only undefeated teams in the nation. Riley Nelson completed just 6 of his 15 passes for 40 yards with an interception and rushed for 45 yards for the Aggies (1-10, 1-6), who have dropped five in a row.
Final Score: (19) Virginia Tech 27, (14) Wake Forest 6
Winston-Salem, NC - Sean Glennon threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns as 19th-ranked Virginia Tech upended No. 14 Wake Forest, 27-6, in an ACC matchup at Groves Stadium. Glennon finished 14-of-21 passing while Xavier Adibi returned a fumble 35 yards for a score for the Hokies (9-2, 5-2 ACC), who have won five straight. Branden Ore, the ACC's leading rusher, left the game in the first quarter after injuring his ankle while being tackled. He did not return and finished with one carry for five yards. Riley Skinner completed 17 of his 30 passes for 195 yards and Nate Morton finished with five receptions for 94 yards for the Demon Deacons (9-2, 5-2), who had a four-game winning streak snapped but can still clinch the ACC title and an appearance in the championship game against Georgia Tech with a win at Maryland next Saturday.
Final Score: (15) Auburn 22, Alabama 15
Tuscaloosa, AL - Brandon Cox hit Prechae Rodriguez with a 22- yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score late in the third quarter, as 15th- ranked Auburn held off Alabama, 22-15, in the annual Iron Bowl. Kenny Irons ended with 85 yards and a touchdown rushing and Cox finished 6- of-14 for 137 yards for the Tigers (10-2, 6-2 SEC), who rebounded from their disappointing setback to Georgia last weekend to end their regular-season with 10 wins. John Parker Wilson completed 18-of-33 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Crimson Tide (6-6, 2-6), who ended their regular season with three straight setbacks. Nikita Stover ended with five catches for 101 yards and a score for 'Bama, which has lost five straight to Auburn.
Final Score: (16) Oklahoma 36, Baylor 10
Waco, TX - Paul Thompson threw two touchdown passes and Chris Brown ran for 169 yards and a score to lead 16th-ranked Oklahoma to a 36-10 rout of Baylor at Floyd Casey Stadium. Malcolm Kelly added 115 yards and a touchdown on five receptions for the Sooners (9-2, 6-1 Big 12), who have won six in a row. Thompson finished 12- of-19 for 178 yards with an interception for Oklahoma, which used a 23-point third quarter to beat Baylor for the 16th straight time. Reggie Smith had a pair of interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, to lead a Sooners defense that recorded five sacks and held the Bears to just 140 yards of offense. Blake Szymanski ended 22-of-45 for 188 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions for Baylor (4-8, 3-5), which ended its season with four straight losses. Braelon Davis' 55-yard fumble return for a score was the only touchdown by the Bears, who have never beaten the Sooners in school history.
Final Score: (18) Georgia Tech 49, Duke 21
Atlanta, GA - Reggie Ball played only the first half, but it didn't stop him from throwing three touchdown passes as 18th-ranked Georgia Tech trounced Duke 49-21 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Tashard Choice ran for 118 yards and a score for the Yellow Jackets (9-2, 7-1 ACC), who have won four in a row. Ball ended 7-of-13 for 122 yards, as Tech heads to Georgia for its annual meeting against the Bulldogs next weekend before playing in the ACC championship game December 2. Calvin Johnson and Greg Smith each had two touchdowns receiving and reserve QB Taylor Bennett threw two touchdown passes for Tech, which scored 21 second- quarter points to put this game away. Thaddeus Lewis went 19-of-32 for 237 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Blue Devils (0-11, 0-7), who have one more chance to get into the win column this season when they host North Carolina next weekend.
Final Score: (20) Boston College 38, (21) Maryland 16
Chestnut Hill, MA - Jolonn Dunbar returned a pair of fumbles for touchdowns on the first two possessions of the game and Matt Ryan added a pair of second-quarter scoring passes, as 20th-ranked Boston College rolled to a 38-16 victory over No. 21 Maryland in an important ACC matchup at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles (9-2, 5-2 ACC), who also scored a touchdown on an interception return, won their second straight game and kept alive their slim hopes for an ACC title game appearance. A win at Miami-Florida on Thanksgiving coupled with a Wake Forest loss to Maryland next weekend gets them in the championship against Georgia Tech. Maryland (8-3, 5-2) had a five-game winning streak stopped and lost for the first time since October 7 at Georgia Tech. The Terrapins can still win the Atlantic Division and gain a rematch against the Yellow Jackets in the ACC title game if BC loses to Miami and they beat Wake Forest next Saturday.
Final Score: (22) Tennessee 39, Vanderbilt 10
Nashville, TN - LaMarcus Coker ran for 126 yards with two touchdowns and Erik Ainge threw for 266 yards with a pair of scores, leading 22nd-ranked Tennessee to a 39-10 victory over Vanderbilt. Coker, who carried the ball only 10 times, scored on runs of eight and 87 yards for the Volunteers (8-3, 4-3 SEC). Tennessee bounced back from losses to LSU and Arkansas and also avenged last year's setback to Vandy at Neyland Stadium. The Commodores (4-8, 1-7) pulled off a 28-24 stunner at Tennessee last season to halt a 22-game series losing streak, but still haven't beaten their state rivals at home since 1982. Ainge completed 21-of-26 passes without an interception for Tennessee in its 12th straight win at Vanderbilt Stadium. Robert Meachem caught seven passes for 95 yards with a score and Jayson Swain added six catches for 76 yards with a touchdown. Vanderbilt was outgained 429-218 and closed its season with three straight losses.
Final Score: (23) BYU 42, New Mexico 17
Provo, UT - John Beck's 464 yards on 28-of-42 completions, four touchdown passes and one rushing score helped the 23rd-ranked BYU Cougars cruise to a 42-17 win over the New Mexico Lobos at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Curtis Brown rushed for 124 yards on 13 carries and one TD, also catching five balls for 44 yards and one score. Nathan Meikle chipped in six catches for 111 yards for and McKay Jacobson, Jonny Harline and Matt Allen also recorded touchdown catches for BYU (9-2, 7-0 MWC), which has reeled off eight consecutive wins. Chris Nelson completed 22-of-38 passes for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Rodney Ferguson rushed 20 times for 138 yards, while Travis Brown had six receptions for 116 yards and one score. Quincy Brown returned a pick for another score for New Mexico (5-6, 3-4 MWC), which has dropped two straight games. The victory means BYU wins the Mountain West Conference title outright, and that they have been invited to the Las Vegas Bowl.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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