2010 BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: TEXAS VS. ALABAMA
by William Queen-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online
(eds: note-William writes this piece from Texas' point of view. We will have a second piece from the "Tide's" pointof view over the weekend)

Texas caught the bad end of the BCS in 2008 and, due to a 3-team tie, was forced to sit out the Big 12 championship game which ultimately sent Oklahoma to the BCS national championship game. Though they ended their season off on a good note with a close win over the bowl-bereaving Buckeyes. Quarterback Colt McCoy entered his senior year with very high expectations, as he has yet to win a national championship. Well, needless to say, 13-0 closes the deal. Though their win over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game was all but certain, the Longhorns still came out with the W and a ticket to the big one. Perhaps their biggest question was the level of difficulty they played throughout the season. But a #1 rushing defense complimented by the #3 scoring offense, stats don’t lie.

With more than a month to build up hype for this game, the media has yet to disappoint. Predictions shoot out in every which way, so why not give it a shot? Plus, with all this extra time to think about it, it better be good.

When it’s game time, the betting lines can say whatever they want, but the real football has yet to be played and the clock has yet to start ticking. But when they do take the field in the most important college football game of the year, predictions won’t matter and the experts aren’t any smarter than the fans sitting at home. Texas, Alabama, who want’s it more?

The game started out all in favor of the Horns. Sending Bama’s offense in reverse and sniffing out a fake punt, Texas had the ball on Alabama’s side of the field with tons of momentum. However, perhaps the most important event of the game, quarterback Colt McCoy left the game due to injury. But all was sound in Texas, as they were winning after a field goal. And as if things couldn’t get any more lopsided to start off the game, the kickoff is recovered by Texas on Bama’s side of the field once again. Yet, the Tide’s defense calmly held Texas to another field goal.

At this point, though every ounce of momentum is in favor of Texas, yet they only lead by a mere six points. A lead that could easily be overshadowed by a quick Alabama touchdown. Their offense hasn’t been up to par since the loss of McCoy. But if Bama keeps it up, it doesn’t matter who’s taking the snap, Texas has this game wrapped up.

Well unfortunately for Texas, the Tide are undefeated for a reason; Ingram caps off their next drive with a touchdown run from 2 yards out. Now losing 7-6, Texas fans are simply praying that Colt McCoy will come back on the field. But he’s long gone in the locker room and wouldn’t be seen for the rest of the half. A personal foul and a few incomplete passes force the Longhorns backwards and into punt formation and after a few of those go by, it’s only a matter of time before Alabama responds. Trent Richardson, Alabama’s 2nd string running back, runs a 49-yard game-changing touchdown and puts the Tide up 14-6.

More and more drives go by and Texas begins to realize that they have virtually no shot at scoring this half. Garrett Gilbert, the backup Texas quarterback, wouldn’t be able to throw a touchdown pass to save his life.
Actually, I take that back. With less than 15 seconds left, Gilbert throws a shovel pass to the running back and his pass is intercepted for a touchdown with just three seconds left n the half.

As a Texas fan, I died a little inside when I watched this play. A true freshman quarterback is forced into a situation where he’s the starting quarterback for Texas in the national championship vs. the #1 defense in Alabama. And what does he do? Throw an interception for a touchdown.

Just as the 2nd half starts, it is announced that Colt McCoy is not going to play for the rest of the game. A legendary career, one of the best quarterbacks of the decade that quarterback sneak for no gain was Colt McCoy’s last play of his collegiate career. Now, Texas has a dilemma. How do they overcome a 24-6 halftime deficit with a true freshman quarterback with almost no confidence on the biggest stage in college sports?

Starting off the half, Gilbert looked a little more stable offensively and started to make some connections with their talented receivers. However, the scoreboard stays the same and the Tide maintain the lead.
Drive after drive went by and Texas’ time started to run out. With under six minutes left in the 3rd quarter now, Texas was attempting to sustain an actual scoring drive. But their success simply didn’t change.
Just as Texas looked like they had absolutely no hope to pull this game together, the Horns get a great stop on defense and gets great field position to start off the drive. The only thing was, could they convert?
The answer is yes.

A 44-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Gilbert to Jordan Shipley sparks the life in Texas Alabama’s lead is cut to just eleven. And hey, while we’re at it, we might as well throw an onside kick in their; Nick Saban isn’t the only coach that can make up bad trick plays. The only difference is that this one worked. Texas recovered the onside kick with great field position with only an eleven point deficit.
The next drive didn’t go quite as expected though. All three downs were passes down field to big-time receivers Jordan Shipley and Malcolm Jenkins; all three incomplete. After the punt, the 3rd quarter came to an end and the final quarter of college football was about to be underway. Perhaps the most impressive unit of the 2nd half, the Horns defense held all three of Bama’s offensive drives to 3-and-outs; a great turn around by the Texas defense.

Alabama started off the 4th quarter with the ball and decides to put an end to all this Texas madness. A drive aided by two Texas personal fouls, one a pass interference and the other illegal touching, the Tide simply wasted time and helped secure their lead while they had the ball in their possession. Texas would’ve had em’ stopped twice before, but, as I mentioned before, two personal fouls put Alabama in decent position to make a scoring drive. On a 52-yard field goal, Alabama missed wide left and gave Texas another chance with just under 11 minutes left in the 4th.

At this point, you can see the game coming to a close. The time has almost winded down to a point of desperation for the Horns. Though it’s only an 11-point game, if Texas doesn’t score here then it’s not looking good.
Tic, Toc; the clock is running and the Horns offense isn’t exactly running along with it. Though the ball is moving down the field, the time is slipping away right before out eyes. Just over 6 minutes left in the game, in the season.
But memories of the 2005 national championship between Texas and USC start to flow back into the minds of Texas fans as Garrett Gilbert connects to Jordan Shipley in the end zone to cut the lead to three! Images of Vince Young running into the corner of the end zone, the confetti and all, seeping into the minds of Texas fans.

Mark Ingram won’t put up with it though, as he carries Alabama’s offense on his back to a few first downs. But once Alabama turned to passing, the drive stalled and were forced to punt with 3:21 left in the game. As if it could be any more nerve racking. Losing 21-24 with 3:21 left to go… in the national championship. The whole season is on the line and in the hands of a true freshman quarterback. The #3 scoring offense in the nation vs. the #1 defense in the nation, Texas-Alabama; this is college football.

The last hope for Texas, the game winning drive. First and ten on their own 17. And they fumble it. Gilbert got hit from behind and fumbled the ball and was recovered by Alabama with just 3:02 left in the game.
A season-breaking play for the Texas Longhorns, all Alabama has to do is waste time and score a touchdown from four yards out and they will have sealed the deal.

First and second down go by, both handoffs to Ingram, and still no touchdown. But the Heisman winner prevails and scores from a yard out on 3rd down to wrap up the national championship game with just over two minutes to go.
Texas started off fast, but when Colt McCoy went Sam Bradford on everybody and got hurt, the game plan for both teams were completely changed. The offense for Texas was forced to be conservative and helped Alabama go on a 24-0 run in the 2nd quarter. Though the Horns scored a touchdown in both the 3rd and 4th quarter, Bama’s lead was too strong to overcome and Heisman winner Mark Ingram was just not gonna let it happen. 22 carries for 126 yards, a 5.3 average, and 2 touchdowns, Ingram did not disappoint. Only a sophomore, this guy is a player.

The last time Greg McElroy lost a football game as a starter was in the 8th grade, an impressive streak for anyone who’s ever played football. Also, this is not only a win for Alabama, but a win for the SEC. This marks the first time in college football history that a team from the same conference has won 4 straight national championships. Quite a statement for both Alabama and the SEC.

Now, when it’s all said and done, the final score stands at Alabama - 37 Texas - 21. Not many people thought it would be Alabama by 16, but sometimes football is unpredictable; just ask Colt McCoy. Defiantly the biggest changing variable to the game, McCoy changed college football history forever.

International Bowl 2010-A Recap
By David Macbeath of Macbeath Sports Media-Special Contributor to Football Reporters Online

This past Sunday January 2nd The 4th annual International Bowl took place at The Rogers Centre (formerly the Skydome) in Toronto Ontario.  This years edition of the game featured The University of South Florida Bulls representing the Big East and The MAC Champion Northern Illinois Huskies.  Now USF who came into the game with an 8-5 record were taking part in their 5th Bowl game in a row (2-2 in previous 4 and having won The St Petersburg Bowl in 2009) would be going for their 2nd Bowl victory in a row as they took on 7-6 NIU for the International Bowl trophy.

Now the first half of the game was a defensive battle as USF were held to a total of -3 yards rushing and 98 yards passing for a total of 95 yards total offense while NIU faired a little better with 40 yards rushing and 101 yards through the air for a total of 141 yards total offense.  The entire scoring for the half came from a 39 yd field goal by Eric Schwartz following a 6 play 27 yd drive which ate 2:36 and a 21 yd field goal by Mike Salerno following a 3:55 minute drive to tie the score at the half 3-3. 

The second half was a different story as JR Running Back Mike Ford rushed for 189 yds. and 1 Touchdown on 19 carries for a game total of 20 carries for 207 yds. on the ground becoming only the third RB to rush for 200+ yds. in a game along with Ray Rice of Rutgers (Now with Baltimore) who rushed for 280 yds. in 2008 and Donald Brown of Connecticut (now with Indianapolis) who rushed for 261 yds. in his final NCAA game last year.  Ford also set an International Bowl record for rushing average with a 10.7 yd per carry avereage and was named game MVP.

Also major contributors were QB B.J. Daniels who had a good day going 14 of 22 for 217 and 2 TDs with 0 INTs and was sacked 5 times and WR A>J> Love a 6'3" JR who caught 3 balls for 56 yds and 2 TDs as USF won 27-3.  Now USF wasn't just strong on offense they were good on defense as well with SR CB Jerome Murphy picking up one fumble for 13 yds. and also added an INT return of 23 yds. along with 6 tackles (2 solo and 4 assists) leading the way as The Bulls held NIU to 108 yds. rushing and 130 yds. passing for 238 total yds. and only 3 points in the game. 

Leading the way for NIU was JR RB Chad Spann who rushed for 96 yds. while adding another 30 yds. through the air for 126 yds. on the day.  Husky QB Chandler Harnish went 12 of 25 for130 yds. and no TDs with one INT.  Rounding out the scoring  was Eric Schwartz who hit on field goals of 39 and 19 yds. plus added 3 PATs for a total of 9 points as The USF Bulls defeated The NIU Huskies 27-3 in front of over 22,000 fans.

So I wrap this up by saying if you want to see great live NCAA Bowl action be sure and come to the 2011 International Bowl game to be played in January 2011.  I guarantee that the committee headed by Ken Hoffman and Don Loding will once again give you an event that all can enjoy from young to young at heart.  Check out my blog later today to see another story from the game on the teams that took part and the events around the game.  In the mean time follow and support your local teams be they youth or adult, Pro or amateur.  You'll be glad you did.

SEC Bowls Part 2
A look at how the SEC has fared in bowl games thus far
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
 
Outback Bowl
Auburn 38 Northwestern 35
This was one of those games you had to be at to enjoy to the fullest. There was offense all day and some crazy plays and in the end Auburn and first year coach Gene Chizik had their bowl win. There was over 1,000 yards of offense that included a 47-78 for 532-yard performance by Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka. He had four touchdown passes but was picked five times. Two of those were in the end zone with one returned 100 yards for an Auburn score. The win would not come easy as the Tigers gave up over 600 yards on defense with two Wildcat receivers getting over 200 each. They committed 12 penalties for 140 yards and had only 18 first downs. They won the turnover battle forcing six. Ben Tate ran strong and finished with 108 yards on 20 carries with a pair of scores. At one point it was 35-21 but Northwestern came storming back. They almost won the game on an Auburn mistake but the Tigers held on and finished the year at 8-5. They will look to see what their younger players bring to the table for next year. Chizik won the most games for a first year coach
At Auburn since Tommy Bowden went undefeated in 1993. We will see if he can take them one step further as they have a chance to compete in the West of the SEC in 2010.
 
Cotton Bowl
Mississippi 21 Oklahoma State 7
Once again it was the Dexter McCluster show on display. He was named offensive MVP after his 34 carry 184-yard performance. It started in the second quarter when he took a handoff and went 86 yards for the score. On the play his breakaway speed was clearly evident. Jevon Snead however had a tough night going 13-23 for just 168 yards and three interceptions. The story of this game was the Ole Miss defense and the game they had. They forced six of the Cowboys seven turnovers in the fourth quarter. They gave up only nine first downs and 259 total yards. They also held the Cowboys to 2-13 on third down conversions and held the ball for almost 10 minutes more. Still it was all about McCluster and the show he put on. It was an ugly game with a lot of mistakes by both teams. Two teams that were supposed to be amongst the best in the nation just didn’t pan out. What transpired for both was the truth that they were playing just a bit out of their leagues.
 
Papajohns.com Bowl
Connecticut 20 South Carolina 7
This was one of those games where the offenses decided not to show up. South Carolina was such a disappointment that coach Steve Spurrier called it embarrassing. Quarterback Stephen Garcia called it disappointing and one would hope he meant himself. Garcia was a miserable 16-38 for only 129 yards and an interception. He also had a fumble and led his team in rushing with 56 yards. Both teams combined for less than 500 yards of offense and 29 first downs. The Gamecocks were just 3-15 on third downs and could not run the ball or get their offense on track. It was as if the desire to play had left them before they ever showed up. Andre Dixon ran all over them for 126 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown. Still the theme here was not offense and it did not fall well with the Ole ball coach. He knows that he needed and wanted a strong finish to get off on the right foot for next year.
 
Liberty Bowl
Arkansas 20 East Carolina 17
This one can be billed the Great Escape for the Hogs as they got away with a win over the Pirates. They were pushed around and basically dominated by East Carolina. They had only 10 first downs and 81 yards rushing. They had the ball for just 22 minutes and did not make the most of that. The worst stat of all was the fact that they were 0-13 on third downs. What helped them more than anything was opposing kicker Ben Hartman. He had chance after chance to be a hero but instead missed field goals in regulation and overtime that would have won the game for the Pirates. Yet when the Razorback had a chance to win the game they found a way t give the ball right back and then Hartman missed again. It was a sloppy performance but in the end it added up to a win. Ryan Mallett had been looking sharp recently but was ineffective though he was named MVP. Dominique Lindsay was the show for the Pirates running for 151 yards on 33 carries and some of those were of the smash and crunch kind. The one bright spot for the Hogs was kicker Alex Tejada and his game winning kick. He had been struggling on occasion this season and the kick helped end his season on a positive note