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football season cause for giving thanks
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As a fan of college football I have a great deal to be thankful for this season.
And while a bit belated, this would seem an ideal time to explain why.
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</TD><TD width=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>I am decidedly not a Buckeye fan, but I have had two opportunities to experience Ohio Stadium, and another to witness firsthand the Ohio State-Michigan ambience. The 'Shoe is absolutely electric and The Game certainly lived up to its billing.
I have seen in person the Buckeyes' two most thrilling contests of the season thus far -- although most of you reading this were a bit more displeased with the Texas game.
I saw my choice for the Heisman -- Vince Young -- will his team to a victory over an absolutely special defense in Columbus.
I saw Troy Smith and Ted Ginn put it together when it counted to beat a game Wolverine squad on the road. And just in case the thought crossed through the minds of any of you who know I am from Michigan and a former Spartan -- I am also decidedly not a Wolverine fan. Or a Michigan State football supporter for that matter.
Which transitions nicely to what I am most thankful for this season -- Charlie Weis.
As complimentary of the 'Shoe as I am comfortable being nothing compares to the campus scene in South Bend. Charlie has restored the luster to the Golden Dome in a fashion Urban Meyer could only dream of.
But we'll save the best for last and return to Mr. Young for a minute. You might think I'm crazy to suggest the Longhorns' quarterback is most deserving of honors at the Downtown Athletic Club -- especially those who saw Reggie Bush's scintillating performance against Fresno State.
But the Heisman should not be awarded simply to the best player in the nation.
There has to be some consideration of whether a player serves as his team's Most Valuable Player. How can Vince Young not mean more to his Texas squad than Bush means to the Trojans with Matt Leinart as a teammate? Leinart compiled better numbers at this point than he did in his own Heisman-winning campaign last year.
Further, I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that the winner of the award ought to come from the winner of the national championship game, if the primary candidates are also players in this game. I know the distinction will have been made long before the bowl games, but won't voters feel silly when the Longhorns beat USC?
As for Charlie, I find it most interesting that he is playing with Ty Willingham's guys -- he obviously has no recruits on the roster. Prior to the arrival of the man who designed the New England Patriots' winning offense, nobody truly associated Jeff Samardzija with Touchdown Jesus.
Samardzija has 1,215 receiving yards (110.5 yards per game) and 15 touchdowns -- both records. Maurice Stovall has 1,023 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, Brady Quinn has 3,633 passing yards and 32 scoring strikes, and Darius Walker has rushed for 1,106 yards. Tom Zbikowski has two punt return touchdowns and two interception returns for scores.
Notre Dame has scored 50 touchdowns with 489.1 yards per game, including 334.3 through the air. The Fighting Irish have allowed 31 touchdowns and 376.9 yards per game, including 119.4 on the ground. Last year, Ty's troops became the first Irish squad ever to allow a quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in one game in Pitt's Tyler Palko. The feat was duplicated later in the season by Leinart.
And I have a feeling that Charlie will do a lot better with his Bowl Championship Series invite -- remember Oregon State in 2000. This is not the smoke and mirrors of Vontez Duff and Shane Walton.
As for the Heisman debate, I find it quite interesting that Bush pushed Leinart across the goal line to defeat the Irish earlier this year -- it's a joint effort.
One cancels the other out -- even if Bush did compile a Pac-10 record 513 all-purpose yards in a win over Fresno State. One game does not a Heisman win and for my money the 61-yard fourth-down pass from Leinart to Dwayne Jarrett was just as significant in the Trojans' quest for an unprecedented third consecutive title.
Leinart has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,217 yards this season. He has 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Bush -- to his credit -- has 1,398 rushing yards (127.1 yards per game, 8.6 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns, and 383 receiving yards with two scores. He also has 22 kickoff returns for a 17.2 yard average and 17 punt returns with one touchdown at 10.5 yards per.
Further, the Trojans were tested by Arizona State 38-28 this year and while Bush did have two touchdowns, running mate LenDale White added 197 yards and two scores of his own. Young has no such help.
He has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 2,576 yards -- not bad for a quarterback who was supposed to get things done with his feet. Young has 23 touchdown passes and nine interceptions while adding 793 yards (6.2 average per carry) and eight touchdowns with his aforementioned legs.
Texas' biggest test of the year was undoubtedly OSU and he led a 67-yard drive with 5 minutes to play that culminated in a 24-yard scoring pass with 2:37 remaining. He was 18-for-29 in the game and rushed for 76 yards.
The Longhorns have rarely been challenged since leaving Columbus but Young is the primary reason his team is one of two unbeatens. Young is not the best football player in the land this season -- although there is an argument there -- but he is the most valuable.
Take Bush away from USC and somehow I'm thinking they're still pretty good. Take Young away from Texas and there's no way they can even consider a trip from College Station to Pasadena.
Either way, this has been a college football campaign to remember. And if any of you know someone who knows someone in the know for Notre Dame's bowl game, which may be against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, don't hesitate to let me know the particulars.
I wouldn't complain if it got better.
------ Matthew Horn can be reached at mhorn@fremont. gannett.com.
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football season cause for giving thanks
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- ARTICLE BODYTEXT --><!--ARTICLE TEXT-->
As a fan of college football I have a great deal to be thankful for this season.
And while a bit belated, this would seem an ideal time to explain why.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ad align=middle>
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1'); </SCRIPT>
</TD><TD width=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>I am decidedly not a Buckeye fan, but I have had two opportunities to experience Ohio Stadium, and another to witness firsthand the Ohio State-Michigan ambience. The 'Shoe is absolutely electric and The Game certainly lived up to its billing. I have seen in person the Buckeyes' two most thrilling contests of the season thus far -- although most of you reading this were a bit more displeased with the Texas game.
I saw my choice for the Heisman -- Vince Young -- will his team to a victory over an absolutely special defense in Columbus.
I saw Troy Smith and Ted Ginn put it together when it counted to beat a game Wolverine squad on the road. And just in case the thought crossed through the minds of any of you who know I am from Michigan and a former Spartan -- I am also decidedly not a Wolverine fan. Or a Michigan State football supporter for that matter.
Which transitions nicely to what I am most thankful for this season -- Charlie Weis.
As complimentary of the 'Shoe as I am comfortable being nothing compares to the campus scene in South Bend. Charlie has restored the luster to the Golden Dome in a fashion Urban Meyer could only dream of.
But we'll save the best for last and return to Mr. Young for a minute. You might think I'm crazy to suggest the Longhorns' quarterback is most deserving of honors at the Downtown Athletic Club -- especially those who saw Reggie Bush's scintillating performance against Fresno State.
But the Heisman should not be awarded simply to the best player in the nation.
There has to be some consideration of whether a player serves as his team's Most Valuable Player. How can Vince Young not mean more to his Texas squad than Bush means to the Trojans with Matt Leinart as a teammate? Leinart compiled better numbers at this point than he did in his own Heisman-winning campaign last year.
Further, I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that the winner of the award ought to come from the winner of the national championship game, if the primary candidates are also players in this game. I know the distinction will have been made long before the bowl games, but won't voters feel silly when the Longhorns beat USC?
As for Charlie, I find it most interesting that he is playing with Ty Willingham's guys -- he obviously has no recruits on the roster. Prior to the arrival of the man who designed the New England Patriots' winning offense, nobody truly associated Jeff Samardzija with Touchdown Jesus.
Samardzija has 1,215 receiving yards (110.5 yards per game) and 15 touchdowns -- both records. Maurice Stovall has 1,023 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, Brady Quinn has 3,633 passing yards and 32 scoring strikes, and Darius Walker has rushed for 1,106 yards. Tom Zbikowski has two punt return touchdowns and two interception returns for scores.
Notre Dame has scored 50 touchdowns with 489.1 yards per game, including 334.3 through the air. The Fighting Irish have allowed 31 touchdowns and 376.9 yards per game, including 119.4 on the ground. Last year, Ty's troops became the first Irish squad ever to allow a quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in one game in Pitt's Tyler Palko. The feat was duplicated later in the season by Leinart.
And I have a feeling that Charlie will do a lot better with his Bowl Championship Series invite -- remember Oregon State in 2000. This is not the smoke and mirrors of Vontez Duff and Shane Walton.
As for the Heisman debate, I find it quite interesting that Bush pushed Leinart across the goal line to defeat the Irish earlier this year -- it's a joint effort.
One cancels the other out -- even if Bush did compile a Pac-10 record 513 all-purpose yards in a win over Fresno State. One game does not a Heisman win and for my money the 61-yard fourth-down pass from Leinart to Dwayne Jarrett was just as significant in the Trojans' quest for an unprecedented third consecutive title.
Leinart has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,217 yards this season. He has 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Bush -- to his credit -- has 1,398 rushing yards (127.1 yards per game, 8.6 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns, and 383 receiving yards with two scores. He also has 22 kickoff returns for a 17.2 yard average and 17 punt returns with one touchdown at 10.5 yards per.
Further, the Trojans were tested by Arizona State 38-28 this year and while Bush did have two touchdowns, running mate LenDale White added 197 yards and two scores of his own. Young has no such help.
He has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 2,576 yards -- not bad for a quarterback who was supposed to get things done with his feet. Young has 23 touchdown passes and nine interceptions while adding 793 yards (6.2 average per carry) and eight touchdowns with his aforementioned legs.
Texas' biggest test of the year was undoubtedly OSU and he led a 67-yard drive with 5 minutes to play that culminated in a 24-yard scoring pass with 2:37 remaining. He was 18-for-29 in the game and rushed for 76 yards.
The Longhorns have rarely been challenged since leaving Columbus but Young is the primary reason his team is one of two unbeatens. Young is not the best football player in the land this season -- although there is an argument there -- but he is the most valuable.
Take Bush away from USC and somehow I'm thinking they're still pretty good. Take Young away from Texas and there's no way they can even consider a trip from College Station to Pasadena.
Either way, this has been a college football campaign to remember. And if any of you know someone who knows someone in the know for Notre Dame's bowl game, which may be against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, don't hesitate to let me know the particulars.
I wouldn't complain if it got better.
------ Matthew Horn can be reached at mhorn@fremont. gannett.com.
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