Nevada was not about to prove a challenge for Huntington in first round play. Northwestern had LSU dead-to-rights but fell short. Purdue's stunning streak of scoreless quarters continued in blanking Snead and Ole Miss. Russell Wilson's interception-less streak continued in a win over Texas A&M. In the semi-finals, Brandon barely beat his old squad LSU with a blocked field goal by Battaglia returned all the way for a TD as time expired, turning the tables on the Tigers' game winning attempt. Purdue's defense only gave up 7 garbage time points to NC State, but two Joey Elliot INT-TDs sealed their fate. In the championship game, NC State hung around the entire game and finally had a chance to win it at the end, driving inside the 20, when WIlson was, at long last, picked off and Huntington won its second straight contest in dramatic fashion, capping an epic two and a half month journey to the title.
FIESTA BOWL: Texas (Chirs) vs. Cincinatti (JR, Corey)
The Cincy/JR defense bent but didn't break, giving up two field goals in the first half. Corey took over in the 2nd. and used Tony Pike to march straight down the field for a quick score to the star wide receiver, making it 7-6. McCoy and Chris began to drive down the field before McCoy lost the ball with his arm already forward in a throwing motion. Despite this fact, the play was ruled a fumble and even a booth review failed to overturn the call. Cincinatti's RB cut up through the defense on the ensuing play for a 45 yard run to make it 14-6 Cincinatti. With only 30 seconds to go, McCoy threw a pick on a desperate throw deep.
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Florida International vs. Miami, OH
FIU utilized a diverse playbook for a solid 13-0 win.
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(Zach Georgia) 0 Flordia State 7 (JR)
Zach was in town and Johnathon had some time to play. so it was decided to play one of his teams since he was here. Jr stoped him on the first possesion and then went to score a td. next drive the bulldogs are stopped again. at half Zach decided to quit because JR would get the ball to start the half and figured what JR would do the rest of the game.
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Duke vs. Northwestern
The Wildcats and their offense got rolling from the get go in an entertaining game from Detroit.
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OUTBACK BOWL: Wisconsin vs. Auburn
That SEC speed.
EA claimed this 99 yard scamper was a 100 yard TD run by Ben Tate, seemingly putting it away for Auburn
After a trade of punts, Wisconsin’s Dustin Sherer hit Gilbreth for a 65 yard TD to make it 10-7 with 1:03 to go.
Sherer hits Gilbreth again deep, but simply fails to hustle to the line of scrimmage and run another play.
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Utah State vs. Western Kentucky
For once, the Aggies faced an opponent they could dominate.
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INDEPENDENCE BOWL: Texas Tech vs. Arkansas
Everything in deed did go wrong for Tech as Ryan Mallet got the Razorbacks offense clicking.
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SECOND ROUND
FIU (Harnish) vs. Cincy (Corey)
FIU got a three-and out to start. Cincinatti started out with a pick. FIU then drove a little bit before finally getting stuffed.Cincy QB Tony Pike drove down the field from there, getting a nice throw for a TD to his star WR to make it 7-0 Cincy. Another interception for Cincy set up a long TD drive for FIU. Then, a quick Cincy interception set up a game winning field goal in a huge upset for Florida International.
There were two trades of TDS in the first half including a ridiculous 3 player needle thread by FIU to tie it at 14 at the break. A Key drop on Northwestern’s opening drive fourth-and-ten set it up for another FIU drive.A quick Harnish throw to the slot man and FIU led 21-14. NW stormed right back with a throw to the TE for a TD to tie it at 21. An end zone interception gave Northwestern the ball back. Chris looked to power the football and run down the clock from there. A key 4th. And 9 tiptoe completion kept the drive alive. A loft to the WR made it 28-21 with :42. A drop, then a tipped pick involving his star receiver ended up getting Northwestern the win.
Holes like this were common as the Arkansas run game set up Mallet and the play action pass and Arkansas ran away with it 17-0, giving them an unexpected sweet 16 birth.
A truly crazy game ended a wild Zach/Chris A bracket. Northwestern started out with a shaky 3 and out drive. Arkansas threw a pick over the middle on their next drive, and ended up giving up a TD to Mike Kafka and Northwestern, but scored just before half, making it 7-7 at break. After a long drive, Harnish missed field goal with just 1:33 remaining. Corey stormed up the field before being held to a 45 yard field goal with :38 remianing. Harnish beat the safety and man deep on a throw to his wideout to get an improbable 70 yard throw and make it 14-10. Trying desperately to comeback, star Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet was picked deep, putting a second unsung Big Ten squad into the Elite 8.
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL: Georgia Tech [Tim] vs. Michigan State [Chris]
Tech led 14-6 at the break with two solid drives. The red zone woes for MSU continued as they trailed 21-9 before finally falling to the running chugging offense of Georgia Tech.
---------------------------------------------- Eastern Michigan vs. Middle Tennessee State
A crucial interception in the red zone enabled Middle Tennessee, down all game, to stage a succesful comeback. ---------------------------------------------
Harnish's Army RB looks in anguish at the ball he just dropped for the win on a 2 point conversion attempt vs. Baylor
----------------------------------------------------- Mississippi State vs. Marshall
The THundering Herd forced 3 turnovers in getting SEC lowly MSU to play down to their level, succeeding in stealing a win. ------------------------------------------------
CJ Spiller was all Clemson had, but it was good enough against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl
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TOILET BOWL: Virginia vs. Colorado
Leave it to the Toilet Bowl to feature no scoring except a foolish pitch attempt that runs smack into a blocker's ass and is picked up and returned for 6.
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Harnish makes a one-handed user pick during he and Tim's 35-0, emotionally cleansing victory in poor Dave's introductory game to the PS3, as A&M gets the win over Minnesota.
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Vanderbilt vs. Memphis
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SECOND ROUND
Middle Tennessee State (Tim) @ Georgia Tech (Zach)
Zach took over his team to go up against a hardy Blue Raiders squad.
Tim had a dominant first drive that resulted in a score.
Despite struggling to learn how to pass, when Zach finally gave it to the powerful Johnathan Dwyer, good things happened as he tied the score at the break.
Tim cemented his position as kick return king by taking this one back for the inferior MTSU squad in the 3rd. quater.
Early in the fourth Zach caught fire again as his fast QB got loose for a 58 yard run.
Zach elected to go for two and the lead, but Dwyer found no room as Tim/MTSU led 14-13.
This 15 yard completion from Dasher to Honeycutt sealed an upset victory for Middle Tennessee State.
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Marshall @ Baylor
Baylor advanced even without star QB Robert Griffin
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Virginia @ Clemson
A Virginia D lineman clasps a tipped ball from Clemsons QB (right, flattened), which he would return to the end zone for Viginina's stunning road win against thier conference foe. In the first round, a similar turnover enabled the Cavaliers to beat Colorado in the Toilet Bowl, also known as ACC No.12 vs. Big 12 No.12.
Texas A&M had the 12th. Man (their invented term) behind them as they streamrolled Memphis.
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THIRD ROUND
Baylor @ Middle Tennessee State (Tim)
After stuffing a long Baylor drive made it 7-0, Tim again marched right down the field for the opening score, tying it at 7.
Getting the ball in the third quarter, another impressive MTSU drive ended on this throw to Honeycutt.
An big interception on the ensuing possession gave it back to MTSU.
It was another decisive throw for Tim to ice the game.
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Texas A&M @ Virginia
This big interception by the safety on an overthrow helped A&M on their way to throttling Virginia to advance to the round of 16 under Mike Sherman.
------------------------------------------------------------- Middle Tennessee State (Tim) @ Texas A&M (Chris)
Chris proved this game would be different, taking the opening kick back to the house.
After a Tim drive for a score, this INT-TD made it 14-7 Tim. Chris would tie it at the break and again at 21. H
Chris had a chance to win it in regulation, but missed this 23 yard field goal.
Taking the reigns first in overtime, Tim MTSU marched right down the field to go up 28-21.
Charles Gray came up with an immediate, rumbling answer to send it to a second overtime. In the first possession of the next OT, Tim held Chris to a short field goal inside the 10, giving him a chance to put the game away.
Jason McQueen denied Dasher and Tim at the last possible instant, on first and goal from the 9, preserving A&M's victory and ending MTSU hot run.
COTTON BOWL: LSU [BH] 21, Kansas [Tony] 0 Brandon throttled Tony in the Cotton Bowl, as LSU whipped all over Kansas. Tony seems comitted to the tournament, but his enthusiasm is very low at the moment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ San Jose State vs. Bowling Green
SJSU's rushing attack was just good enough to win a game of two of the worst teams in the tournament ----------------------------------------------------- PAPAJOHNS.COM: West Virginia [JR] vs. Tennesee [Thad] UT lead most of the way, before a Johnathan Crompton pick with Thad helped West Virginia to the win. ---------------------------------------------------- MOTOR CITY BOWL: Indiana [Dave,reserved] (20), Central Michigan [Brandon] 13
Seeking to get revenge on one of Dave's reserved teams, Harnish started the game with a steady drive ending in a FB dive to lead it 6-0. After a Dave pick over the middle, Harnish fumbled it right back to him. Dave's Chappel for IU threw a 73 yard TD pass to #7 to tie it at 6. Harnish used the Dangerous Dan LeFevour to connect on a long TD before half to go up 13-6. Dave began the second half with a methodical drive ending in a TD late in the third. Harnish went four-and-out in a drive that featured 3 drops casued by crushing IU hits. From there, Dave powered it on in, with #22 hitting paydirt to give Dave another W. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLIDAY BOWL: Oklahoma State [Corey] vs. California [JR]
JR took over Cal and started to play some solid PS3 football. OSU went up 7-0 on the opening drive .
OSU went up 14-0 at half. JR put together a nice drive and cut it to 14-7 before falling.
UCF's TE is pummeled over the middle. UCF would go on to destroy North Texas in their opening round game.
--------------------------------------- Louisville (Thad) vs. Kansas State (Josh)
Thad couldn't get L'ville's offense going as Kansas State rolled to a 10-7 victory. --------------------------------------------- RALEIGH, NC: Iowa [Tim] 14, Toledo [Corey] 7
The Rockets stayed in the game until late, but just couldn't move the ball on the final drive. ------------------------- SECOND ROUND
A ridiculous catch in between four defenders for LSU/Brandon in the second round romp over San Jose State.
Dave and John were both down to their last teams in this dogfight, which Johnathon won with some solid, steady play. Dave didn't score until clean up time in throwing three red zone interceptions in a dissapointing 13-7 loss.
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UCF (Harnish) @ Oklahoma State (Corey)
We closed the night with my OSU Cowboys on the line against Harnish controlled UCF. He drained most of the first quarter before this TD pass.
With just :09 to play in the half on third and goal from the two, the FB dive proved effective in tying the game.
The conrtoversial play of the game. Kendall Hunter helped Oklahoma State/Corey drain the entire third quarter and :30 of the fourth before this strip, with the score still tied at 7.
This fourth down play fell incomplete as OSU held UCF to a four and out.
A nice throw in between the safeties sets up the game winning field goal with just :02 to play.
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Iowa [Tim] @ Kansas State [Josh]
Iowa's large offensive line was completely outplayed by KSU's, making it tough going for Tim's offense in falling to K-State.
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THIRD ROUND
West Virginia (JR) @ LSU (Brandon)
Keeping a conservative playbook and letting their speed take over, LSU raced to a 24-7 victory over the wide open West Virginia offense.
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Kansas State [Josh] @ Oklahoma State [Corey]
The first team to go down for Josh didn't go down easily, as the teams traded long drives in the first half. Then, Corey/OSU went on an impressive drive to start the second half to go up 14-7. KSU drove all the way down the field only to be stuffed on four plays from inside the 5, this last one of which essentially sealed Oklahoma State's win, putting them in the Sweet 16 in the All Players B bracket.
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SWEET 16
Oklahoma State (Corey) @ LSU (Brandon)
LSU rolled onward
LSU's playmakers on the outside were too much for the OSU defense. Even when they were covered...they weren't.
The LSU defense put the brakes on a hot OSU offense. Here, FS #44 makes a tough INT as he rips the ball away from the OSU WR. Yesterday at 3:40pm · Delete
OSU played tight man coverage, but the LSU QB slung the ball into tight windows all game long.
This crushing hit by LSU defender #4 knocked the ball loose and prevented the would-be 4th down TD.
LSU's TE breaks the plane for an important early go-ahead TD against OSU.
Corey/USC went with gambling for big plays strategy wise. Though coming close to a couple big turnovers and long offensive plays, USC never could break through in the first half, and an error with clock management using the ClockDrain feature meant that SC didn't get a field goal attempt at the end of the half from the OSU 13, despite having a chance to run in a touchdown two plays earlier. OSU got their offense going in the second half, as the teams traded TDs then saw Ohio State score with just :58 remaining to go up 14-7. USC drove to the OSU 28 before two Hail Mary plays fell short of the end zone, giving Ohio State the upset win.
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Appalacian State [Corey/Tim] vs. Youngstown State [Dave]
Dave continud a roll of good fortune on his opening night in forcing two turnovers en route to victory with Youngstown State.
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EMERALD BOWL: NC State [Tim] vs. Oregon [Dave]
This was quite the clash as two claimed teams were on the line. Dave first drive was a 3 and out. Tim and NC State drove all the way down the field, then stahled and missed a fake punt. On this play, Dave elected to run a play with :06 seconds, a risk that didn't pan out well as he was sacked and missed a chance at a FG.
Tim/NCSU opened the second half with a nice drive and a slant TD to go up 7-0. Re-instated LaGarrete Blounte would soon even the odds.
On the ensuing kickoff, Tim's returner raced it up the sidelines to go up 14-7, still in the 3rd.
Having driven to Tim's 30 or so with just 1:03 remaining, Dave, on 4th. and 20, pulled off this brilliant fake punt, nearly being stopped right at the first down marker, to tie the game at 14.
After Tim drove for a field goal, Dave had only 3 or 4 plays to move down the field for the tying score. Having to take a risk, he threw a pick. Dave was very compettive throughout the night but ended up only having Alabama, with a win over Lousiana-Laffayette, advance. He still has Indiana, which awaits the winner of West Virginia [JR] and Tennessee
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GMAC BOWL: Wake Forest [Dave] 6, Western Michigan [Brandon, reserved team] 0
In an impressive drive, Dave started the game cold and perfomred his usual magic switching between the goal line and spread sets, finishign it off on 3rd. and 2 from the 7 with a powerful FB dive. WMU drove back down the field only to miss a 37 yard FG wide right. In the second half, WMU/Harnish/Hiller threw a pick deep in Wake territory, and Dave was able to grind out the clock to run his tourney record to 3-1 and knock out Harnish's first team of the tourney.
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LAS VEGAS BOWL: TCU (Thad) [11] vs. Oregon State (Brandon) [21]
Thad put together a nice opening drive but the Harnish safety stripped his TE. Harnish converted. Scoring on a fourth-and-six OSU went up early in the 2nd. Thad took the field goal in his territory to make it 7-3 at the break. Harnish’s HB retunred the opening kickoff for 6. Thad drove back down the field and scored on a plunge with his HB to cut the score to 14-11. A deep play to the WR gave Harnish a 21-11 advantage with just 1:40 to play. A one-on-one pick sealed the deal for Oregon State.
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Buffalo gets a TD en route to blowing out New Mexico St
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ALAMO BOWL: Nebraska [Tony, Harnish] vs. Illinois [Josh]
Josh reluctantly accepted the Illini as his fourth team, but soon came to like it as he shot to a 14-0 lead with the athletcisim of Juice Williams, breaking the will of Tony and forcing his tournament exit. Harnish did a nice job of getting a Nebraska passing offense going and getting as close as 21-14, but was in too big a hole to come back.
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San Diego State upsets Arizona in Denver
------------------------------------------------------------- SECOND ROUND Youngstown State [Various] @ Ohio State [JR]
JR led OSU to a demolishing of hapless game FCS squad Youngstown. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Wake Forest [Corey] @ NC State [Tim]
Tim demanded Corey play as Wake, and it seemed to paying off at first with this long, effective drive to go up 7-0.
This nice looking fade tied the score. Tim would go on a nice drive to get a TD, and then a field goal would be all Corey could muster to cut the score to 14-10.
A long, time consuming drive reulted in this off tackle TD to put Wake/Corey up 17-14.
A big time ko return for TD on the ensuing ko put NCSU right back ahead.
Lacking all timeouts QB Riley Skinner hit his man with :02 to play, but couldn't get the ball spiked in time as NC State survived, keeping two teams alive for Tim.
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Buffalo @ Oregon State
The Beavers running game, led by Jaquizz Rodgers, was too much for Buffalo to handle.
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San Diego State [Brandon] @ Illinois [Josh]
Brandon came from behind to force overtime tied at 10, got it into the third overtime before a prior commitment forced him to hurry himself and look to end the game, win or lose, quickly, resulting in a pick, and survival in a scare for Josh.
------------------------------------------------------------ THIRD ROUND
Ohio State [JR] @ NC State [Tim]
A "mentally fatigued" JR couldn't counter Tim's halftime adjsutments, as a 7-7 tie became a 21-7 triumph for the short passing game of NC State after Tim adjusted to Terelle Pryor and OSU's running threat, and OSU had no strategic answer. -------------------------------------------------- Illinois [Josh] @ Oregon State [JR]
A key opening stop was all Josh needed, as Juice and the Illini offense would not be stopped against Oregon STate. -------------------------------------------------- SWEET 16 NC State [Tim] @ Illinois [Josh]
Two upstart but red hot squads met for the All Players B entry into the Elite 8.
Tim had a steady, methodical drive right down the field to take a 7-0 lead on a controversial no-call.
Illinois wans't down long as Juice Williams hit his TE for a long TD. Aurelious Benn had a huge block to spring the TD. Tim marched down the field for another score, with his backup QB hitting his TE to go up 14-7.
This first half stop by Tim's D as time expired kept him up 14-7.
Josh's opening drive of the half was quickly cut short by a great zone flat play by Tim's DE.
Coming off the interception, Tim marched right down the field for the score, leading 21-7.
Now down 21-7, a final Juice Williams pick sealed the deal for Tim, in an impressive 28-7 win.
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, PASADENA, CALIF.: Florida [Thad] vs. Josh [Oklahoma]
A Tim Tebow throw to a freshman who had the same number and bizzarely simialr attributes as Percy Harvin sealed the first round win for Thad and Florida. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nevada [Josh] vs. Akron [JR]
Akron got pistol-whipped, with the Pistol offense that is, that couldn't be stopped. This left JR with only West Virginia in a do-or-die showdown for both him and Dave with Indiana. ----------------------------------------------------------- POINSETTA BOWL: Washington [JR] vs. Utah [Josh]
Josh was able to get PS3 tricks up his sleeve while JR experimented with the option, casuing the virtual Jake Locker a lot of pain. -------------------------------------------------------------- Washington STate [JR] vs. Wyoming [Josh]
These two's first game of the tournament ended in a tight JR victory, a trend that would not continue. ------------------------------------------------------ ORANGE BOWL: Miami [Corey?] vs. Boise State [?]
The Canes took it to what was a hapless Boise defense in a game in which they had the de facto home field. ------------------------------------------------------- KENT STATE (COREY/HARNISH) vs. UTEP (JR)
Corey got a late field goal to go up 3-0 at the half. UTEP’s DE got a big pick as Harnish started the half. WR #18 caught it in traffic to go ahead 7-3. After a fumble, UTEP got the ball back. A quick pick six by the CB made it 10-7. Another pick gave the ball back to Kent. -------------------------------------------------------------
This two point conversion catch lifted Southern Miss [Corey] over Fresno State [Harnish] in OT.
-------------------------------------------------------- Temple [Corey] vs. LA Monroe [Harnish]
A close game that a late pick by Temple/Corey threw away. ----------------------------------------------------------- SECOND ROUND
Nevada (Harnish) [14] @ Florida (Thad) [7]
Harnish with Nevada drove into Florida territory and went four-and-out. A quick Tebow pick gave it right back to the Wolfpack. A screen play to a deceptively fast WR resulted in Nevada’s first score of the evening. On a fourth and one from the 14 of Nevada, Thad advertised the fact he was going to sneak it, and got 5 yards anyway. He then tried this again and fialed. Controversial option call with 9 yards to go, Tebow fake pitches and bulls his way to a score. Tebow tried to fit it into space and the CB #29 came away with a big pick. Nevada threw the ball deep on the ensuing possession and was beaten by Floird’a CB in a one-on-one play. On the next play, Tebow tried to fit it into a tiny space and was picked off again. After a three-and-out, an amazing punt stuffed the Gators on their own 4. Tebow, backed up in his own end zone, threw into double coverage to put Nevada up 14-7. Getting pressure on Tebow, Nevada’s D forced Florida into a 3rd and 28 where his receiver got a big catch. A pick was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty, keeping the drive alive. A deep pass to #9 put Florida at the 12. Trying to fit it into a corner, Tebow was intercepted yet again.
---------------------------------------------------- Washington STate [Jr] @ Utah [Josh]
This big play was the key to Josh's W over JR -------------------------------------------------------------- Kent State @ Miami
Cries of conspiracy were loud afterward as Miami pummeled Kent State, who was hated by JR for their very existence. Josh wanted Miami to win to pose a threat to Florida down the line. Just sayin. ;) -----------------------------------------------------------------
In their rubber match for the evening, Harnish's UL Monroe came this close to beating Corey's Southern Miss squad, which 4 deep players on this particular play. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIRD ROUND
Utah (Tim, Corey) @ Nevada (Brandon)
Nevada's improbable road to the Elite 8 required power running. (7-0 Nevada).
Utah opened the second half with a big touchdown pass to chip away at Nevada's lead and make it a 7-14 game.
Utah's OLB makes a pick-6 to tie the game at 14-14.
Who will stop Nevada? Triple coverage doesn't seem to matter to #85.
Nevada needed All-Star play from its defense to upset a strong Utah squad. It got it with this unbelievable interception. (led to drive making it 17-14 Nevada).
Utah's 4th QTR would-be game winning drive comes up short with a throw-away attempt gone wrong.
--------------------------------------------- Southern Miss @ Miami
The Canes just had too much firepower in outlasing Southern Miss 28-14. ---------------------------------------------- Miami (Tim, Corey) @ Nevada (Brandon)
Nevada tied it at 7 on this 44 yard pass over two defenders.
Miami HB #2 displays a host of finesse and physicality on his way to a huge TD. (14-0 Miami, 1st. Quarter).
This amazing catch led to Nevada getting on the board at 14-7.
Nevada QB makes his case for *QB of the Tournament* with an unbelievable twist-and-throw TD. (14-14 early 2nd. quarter)
The ability to turn short plays into big gains has helped Nevada continue its Cinderella run through the NCAA Tournament. This 50+ yard TD pass came on a big 4th down.21-14 Nevada, 2nd. quarter).
This 25 yard catch set up one more play for Nevada.
This crucial 40 yard TD reception with 0:00 left in the first half made it 28-21 Nevada heading into the break.
The Nevada coach trusted his QB over his kicker, and it paid big dividends. In what may have been the most important play of the game, Nevada QB #10 connects with his WR for a miracle TD pass with 0:00 left in the first half.
Turnovers proved to be the difference in the shootout between Nevada and Miami. This pick-6 kept the back and forth scoring fest on an even pace. (35-21 Nevada)
Turnovers were key in Nevada's 38-35 Sweet 16 upset of Miami.
A Miami defender capitalizes on a bad read from the Nevada QB, giving the ball right back to Miami late in the third. A TD drive to get within 35-28 would be answered by a field goal drive. After another Miami TD drive, Nevada made the plays to keep the ball away from Miami in sealing it 38-35.
