STORY LINES
1. KOed » It was the punch seen round the world. That’s largely why Oregon RB LaGarrette Blount was grounded for the rest of the season after his straight right to the chin of Boise State DE Byron Hout. Sure it was an inexcusable act, but without ESPN cameras and the attendant sports talk radio uproar, the penalty wouldn’t have been nearly as harsh. If Blount threw the same punch in a dorm dust up, he’s in the lineup this week. But now his college career is over after rushing for 1,002 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns in 2008.
Recommended Stories
2. Bradford down, OU out? » For Oklahoma, perhaps as disheartening as the loss of 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (shoulder) in a 14-13 defeat to Brigham Young was the play of the Sooners’ inexperienced offensive line. With four new starters, not only did the line let BYU’s Coleby Clawson get to Bradford, resulting in his injury, it committed nine penalties, including five by RT Cory Brandon. The line gave freshman Landry Jones little chance to thrive in the second half. Until Bradford returns, coach Bob Stoops’ best strategy is to go conservative and depend on 1,000-yard backs Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray.
3. ACC spells PU » No league is leaking oil faster than the Atlantic Coast Conference, which went 5-7 in the opening week. The most embarrassing performances came from Duke and Virginia, losers at home to teams from the FCS Colonial Athletic Association. In addition, Baylor, without a winning record since 1995, won at Wake Forest and Maryland was humbled at No. 10 Cal, 52-13. There was no shame in Virginia Tech’s 34-24 loss to No. 4 Alabama, although it dropped the Hokies’ mark to 1-17 against top-5 teams in the Beamer Era (1987).
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB
Missouri fans fearing the future without two-time Heisman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel can breathe easy after the sensational debut of Gabbert. The sophomore completed 24 of 33 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 54 yards and another score as Missouri overwhelmed Illinois, 37-9, in the Arch Rivalry. Playing in his hometown, St. Louis, Gabbert directed the Tigers’ up-tempo spread without committing a turnover. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder has a stronger arm and better legs than Daniel. Missouri should be undefeated when it faces No. 9 Oklahoma State on Oct. 17.
HEISMAN WATCH
Max Hall, BYU QB
Hall’s Brigham Young teammate, senior linebacker Coleby Clawson, took care of 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, knocking him from Saturday’s game late in the first half. That cleared the way for Hall to announce his candidacy and lead BYU, a 22-point underdog, to a stunning victory, 14-13. The 23-year-old senior completed 26 of 38 passes for 329 yards and threw the winning touchdown pass with 3:03 left. A BYU quarterback competing for the Heisman used to be commonplace. Marc Wilson (1979), Jim McMahon (’81), Steve Young (’83), and Robbie Bosco (’84, ’85) all finished in the top three before Ty Detmer broke through and won the award in 1990.
LOCAL CAPSULES
Maryland
Coming off its worst loss in five years, 52-13 at No. 10 Cal, Maryland plays its next four games at home, including Saturday’s matchup with FCS power James Madison. The Terps seek a cure for their offensive line, which surrendered six sacks, and a defense that yielded 542 yards to Jahvid Best and Cal.
Navy
Junior QB Ricky Dobbs was spectacular in the Mids opener, a near upset of No. 6 Ohio State, 31-27. He leads Navy against visiting Louisiana Tech Saturday. Tech lost at Auburn, 37-13, Saturday, but is on the rise after finishing 2008 with its first bowl victory (Independence over Northern Illinois) in 31 years.
Virginia
The Cavaliers’ new spread offense produced four lost fumbles and three interceptions in a dreadful 26-14 home defeat to William & Mary. It was Virginia’s first loss to a FCS (formerly I-AA) team since 1986, when the Tribe again did the honors. Now comes a difficult test at home against No. 15 TCU.
Virginia Tech
The positive in Tech’s 34-24 loss to Alabama was the play of redshirt freshman Ryan Williams (Stonewall Jackson), who carried 13 times for 71 yards and two TDs, and set up another score with a 42-yard catch. Tech next hosts Marshall, a 31-28 opening-game winner over Southern Illinois Saturday.
James Madison
FCS power JMU opens Saturday at Maryland. Coach Mickey Matthews likely will rotate quarterbacks Drew Dudzik (Centreville) and Justin Thorpe, a redshirt freshman. The Colonial Athletic Association went 2-0 last week against the ACC. Can the Dukes (12-2 last season) make it three-for-three?
