COLLEGE FOOTBALL - 2000 SEASON
26/08/00 - New Mexico (3) @ (24) Texas Tech - In Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach's 1st game in charge, he sent the home fans away happy with a big win. Tech dominated on both sides of the ball, with QB Kliff Kingsbury (21-47-186-2) and RB Ricky Williams (15-78-0) leading the Offense and DB Antwan Alexander (1 fumble reovery, 1 interception) and DL Aaron Hunt (63 yard fumble return TD) leading the Defense. Tech held a 7-3 lead at the half. New Mexico were led by QB Jeremy Denson (6-18-52-0) and RB Carlos Wiggins (24-114-0) but also had 3 turnovers that Tech converted into 10 points (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Land/Reasons, NTSC)
02/09/00 - Tulane (20) @ (49) Mississippi - In the season opener, Ole Miss huffed and puffed early in the game but scored 35 points in the final 22:03 to secure the win. Ole Miss RB Deuce McAllister (9-29-2 + 47 yard TD catch) and QB Romario Miller (18-26-302-3) had steady games. The Tulane QB's Patrick Ramsey and JP Losman combined for 204 yards passing. The game also marked the appearance of QB Eli Manning for his 1st collegiate pass and completion (8, 2 Discs, JP Sports - Neal/Rowe/Davis, NTSC)
09/09/00 - North Carolina State (41) @ (38) Indiana - In his 1st career road game, NCSt QB Philip Rivers (31-52-401-5) had an awesome game, leading his team back from a 15 point deficit in the 4th quarter and winning the game on a 47 yard TD pass to WR Koren Robinson. Indiana QB Antwaan Randle-El (14-27-240-2 + 14-81-0) had a great game in reply including TD passes of 57 and 70 yards (9, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Waltz/McPherson/Rowe, PAL)
09/09/00 - Nebraska (27) @ (24) Notre Dame - #1 ranked Nebraska survived an upset bid by #25 ranked Notre Dame, winning the game in overtime. Despite a lack of Offensive firepower, the Irish used a 100 yard Kick-Off return for a TD by RB Julius Jones and an 83 yard punt return for a TD by WR Joey Getherall to stay in touch. Nebraska were led by Heisman-hopeful QB Eric Crouch (7-15-103-0 + 16-80-3) and he didn't disappoint, scoring on a 62 yard TD run and secured the victory with the winning 1 yard TD run in overtime. Notre Dame were led by QB Arnaz Battle (3-15-40-0 + 14-107-0). Nebraska also featured RB Dan Alexander (24-112-1) and LB Carlos Polk (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Minervini/Haden, PAL)
09/09/00 - Georgia (10) @ (21) South Carolina - South Carolina beat a top 10 team for the first time in 12 years with a big win in their SEC opener. The Gamecocks, led by 2nd year coach Lou Holtz, used a strong running game from RB Derek Watson (20-93-3) and a big defensive effort to upset #10 ranked Georgia. Bulldogs QB Quincy Carter (10-24-108-0) had a bad day, throwing 5 interceptions, while leading the Bulldogs to only 202 yards of total offense. The Gamecocks also featured QB Phil Petty (18-28-154-0). The Bulldogs also featured RB Jasper Sanks (15-65-0) (8, JIP 2:22 1st Quarter-USC 14-7, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Barnett/Curry/Golic, PAL)
09/09/00 - Miami (29) @ (34) Washington - #15 ranked Washington upset #4 Miami, building a big lead at the half then holding on. Washington jumped out to a 21-3 lead at the break as QB Marques Tuiasosopo (18-31-223-1 + 15-45-1) cooly guided the Offense while the defense held Sophomore Miami QB Ken Dorsey (15-34-215-1), in his 1st career road start, in check. But the 2nd half saw a Miami comeback led by RB's Clinton Portis (6-91-0), Najeh Davenport (8-55-1) and James Jackson (11-34-2) that saw them pull within 5 points. Washington held on at the death though and recorded a big win for coach Rick Neuheisel (8, Missing last 52 seconds - No scoring missed, 2 Discs, ABC - Nessler/Griese, PAL)
16/09/00 - Texas (24) @ (27) Stanford - Stanford exacted revenge for their 69-17 beating by Texas in 1999 by upsetting the #6 ranked Longhorns with a TD pass in the last 2 minutes. Both teams were evenly matched in the 1st half with Stanford holding a slim 13-9 lead at the half, but Stanford lost their starting QB Randy Fasani to inury in the 1st quarter. Back-up QB Chris Lewis (12-33-214-3) found his rhythm in the 2nd half and put the Cardinal ahead for good with 1:12 remaining with a 15 yard TD pass to WR DeRonnie Pitts (3-62-2). The final Texas drive ended in an incompletition and Stanford celebrated their revenge. Texas were led by QB's Major Applewhite (18-40-274-2) and Chris Simms (3-6-56-1), WR's Roy Williams (2-38-1) and BJ Johnson (1-71-1). Stanford also featured RB Kerry Carter (17-71-0) (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Physioc/Ramsey, PAL)
16/09/00 - Boise State (31) @ (38) Arkansas - Boise State fought back from a 31-14 deficit to almost win the game when a failed 4th down attempt at the Arkansas 9 stopped the comeback. Boise State QB Bart Hendricks (23-48-304-2) had a good game as did Arkansas RB Cedric Cobbs (34-174-1) (7, Slight audio crackle + slight jumpy picture in 1st quarter, 2 Discs, BSTV - Dzubak/Polowski/Caves, NTSC)
30/09/00 - Florida (35) @ (47) Mississippi State - #3 ranked Florida lost to an unranked team for the 1st time in 72 games as the Bulldogs ground game rushed for 351 yards. RB's Dicenzo Miller (19-172-1) and Dontae Walker (25-156-1) were the main threats. Florida used 3 different QB's in the game ; Jesse Palmer (7-20-106-0), Brock Berlin (13-19-148-2) and Rex Grossman (13-16-231-2) (9, 2 Discs, CBS - Bolerjack/Blevins, PAL)
30/09/00 - Tennessee (31) @ (38) LSU - In a shootout in Baton Rouge, the Tigers upset #11 ranked Tennessee in overtime. LSU jumped out to a 24-6 lead at the half but Tennessee stormed back to tie the game with a TD pass and 2 point conversion with 1:30 left. LSU had one last chance to win but a 46 yard FG on the last play of the game was blocked. Then in overtime, LSU finished off the Vols with a quick TD and a big defenive stand. The stars for LSU were QB Rohan Davey (23-35-318-4) and WR Josh Reed (7-146-3). Tennessee were led by QB AJ Suggs (37-59-319-3), RB Travis Henry (20-89-0) and WR Donte Stallworth (4-81-0). The LSU win was their 1st against Tennessee since 1988 and their 1st against Tennessee in Baton Rouge since 1974, prompting a pitch invasion after the game (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Franklin/Gottfried/Karsten, PAL)
07/10/00 - Michigan (31) @ (32) Purdue - Purdue fought back from an 18 point deficit at the half to win the game on a 34 yard FG with 4 seconds left. Purdue QB Drew Brees (32-44-286-2) had a big game, leading the Boilermakers to 2 late scoring drives. Michigan QB Drew Henson (26-35-256-3) had a big game in defeat. Purdue also featured WR Vinny Sutherland and DL Akin Ayodele. Michigan also featured RB Anthony Thomas and WR David Terrell (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, PAL)
07/10/00 - Florida State (24) @ (27) Miami - #8 ranked Miami upset #1 ranked Florida State as a last play 49 yard FG by FSU sailed "Wide Right". The loss ended a 26 game regular season win streak. Miami used a big game from Sophomore QB Ken Dorsey (27-42-328-2) who threw the go-ahead TD to TE Jeremy Shockey with 46 seconds left. FSU QB Chris Weinke (29-58-496-3) had a huge game in defeat (9, 2 Discs, CBS - Lundquist/Blackledge/Arrington, PAL)
21/10/00 - Georgia (34) @ (30) Kentucky - In a wild offensive game, full of big plays, it was the Bulldogs that held on to win. Georgia QB Cory Phillips (20-38-400-4), in his 1st start of the season, and Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen (39-58-528-2) both had big games. Lorenzen became only the 4th QB to pass for over 500 yards in the SEC. Georgia scored on 40 and 85 yard TD passes and Kentucky scored on 75 and 86 yard TD passes (8, 2 Discs, JP Sports - Neal/Rowe/Davis, PAL)
21/10/00 - USC (30) @ (32) Stanford - In a stunning finish, Stanford back-up QB Chris Lewis (2-5-27-1) threw a 20 yard TD pass on the last play of the game to beat the Trojans. Lewis replaced injured starting QB Randy Fasani (18-36-196-0) with 55 seconds left in the game. Both teams had big days on Offense with USC QB Carson Palmer (15-30-190-0) and RB Sultan McCullough (11-130-1) dueling with Stanford RB Kerry Carter (20-123-4) whose 4 TD runs set a team record. Stanford also featured WR DeRonnie Pitts (13-176-0), DL Riall Johnson (4 tackles) + Willie Howard (2 tackles) and LB Coy Wire (6 tackles). USC also featured RB Petros Papadakis (12-22-2), LB Zeke Moreno (12 tackles) and DB Troy Polamalu (11 tackles) (9, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Brant, PAL)
28/10/00 - Washington (31) @ (28) Stanford - In a torrential downpour, #9 ranked Washington survived a 4th quarter rally by Stanford to move to 7-1 and stay in contention for the Rose Bowl. The Huskies were ahead 24-6 with 5:57 left when Stanford suddenly came alive and scored 3 TD's and converted 2 on-side kicks to take a 28-24 lead with 53 seconds left. But Huskies QB Marques Tuiasosopo (15-26-216-1 + 10-12-0) claimed the win with a 22 yard TD pass with 0:17 left. Washington also featured RB Willie Hurst (14-96-2) and WR Todd Elstrom (6-94-0). Stanford were led by QB Randy Fasani (13-30-166-1 + 13-65-2), RB Brian Allen (12-63-0) and WR DeRonnie Pitts (8-71-1) (7, Missing last 25 seconds of 1st half - No scoring missed, 2 Discs, FOX - Pickett/Sixkiller, PAL)
28/10/00 - Central Florida (40) @ (38) Alabama - Central Florida stunned Alabama with a winning 37 yard FG with 3 seconds left. Alabama QB Andrew Zow (15-30-250-2) threw 4 interceptions while UCF QB Ryan Schneider (27-48-283-1) had a solid game (8, 2 Discs, CSSE - Crane/Layton/Stewart, NTSC)
28/10/00 - Ohio State (27) @ (31) Purdue - Purdue QB Drew Brees (39-65-455-3) battled back from 4 interceptions to throw a dramatic 64 yard TD pass with 2 minutes left to edge the Boilermakers nearer to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State were led by QB Steve Bellisari (17-29-208-0) on offense and LB Joe Cooper on defense (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, PAL)
28/10/00 - Georgia Tech (31) @ (28) Clemson - Georgia Tech handed #4 ranked and unbeaten Clemson it's first loss of the season with a spectacular TD with 7 seconds remaining. Both teams were evenly matched throughout the game with Georgia Tech QB George Godsey (35-57-454-3) and WR Kelley Campbell (14-209-1) battling both Clemson QB's Woodrow Dantzler (6-9-76-1 + 11-18-1), who left the game with an inury in the 1st half, and Willie Simmons (9-18-131-1 + 8-25-0), and when Simmons threw an 18 yard TD pass to WR Rod Gardner (3-27-1) with under 2 minutes left the game seemed over. But Godsey drove the Yellow Jackets down to the Clemson 16 yard line and with 7 seconds left, threw the game winning TD pass to WR Kerry Watkins, who made an amazing 1 handed catch to really win the game (8, 2 Discs, ABC - McDonough/Cunningham, PAL)
28/10/00 - Oregon (56) @ (55) Arizona State - In a wild shootout, Oregon out-lasted the Sun Devils in 2 overtimes to record a big win. Both teams combined for 1232 yards of total offense, with Oregon led by QB Joey Harrington (26-43-434-6) and Arizona State led by QB Jeff Krohn (21-34-432-5). The game looked to be heading for a home win with the Sun Devils in possession with 27 seconds left but they fumbled allowing Oregon to tie the game with 17 secs left. In the 2nd overtime, the Sun Devils scored to pull within 1 point and went for the win on a fake FG but the pass fell incomplete and the Ducks had the win. Oregon also featured WR Marshawn Tucker (11-138-3), TE Justin Peelle (3-80-1) and RB Maurice Morris (20-91-1). Arizona State also featured RB Tom Pace (33-158-1), TE Todd Heap (6-98-0) and DL Terrell Suggs (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Brant/Harris, PAL)
04/11/00 - Michigan (51) @ (54) Northwestern - Both teams exploded offensively as they amassed a combined 1189 yards of total offense. Northwestern needed a last minute fumble recovery to set-up the winning TD. Michigan were led by QB Drew Henson (23-35-312-4), WR David Terrell (9-117-3) and RB Anthony Thomas (37-199-3). Northwestern were led by QB Zak Kustok (27-40-322-2), WR Sam Simmons (12-124-1) and RB Damien Anderson (31-268-2) (9, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, PAL)
04/11/00 - TCU (24) @ (27) San Jose State - The Spartans stunned #9 ranked TCU, ending the Frogs 12 game win streak and handing them their 1st loss of the season. Both teams were evenly matched and went in at the half tied 17-17. After a scoreless 3rd quarter the Spartans, led by QB Marcus Arroyo (11-24-237-2) and RB Deonce Whittaker (26-100-1), out-scored TCU 10-3 to take the surprise win, their 1st ever over a top 10 team. TCU were led by Heisman-hopeful RB LaDainian Tomlinson (32-155-2), who had a big game in defeat, and QB Casey Printers (12-23-194-1) (8, Grainy picture, 1 Disc, ESPN2 - Jones/Torretta/Stone, NTSC)
18/11/00 - Texas Tech (13) @ (28) Oklahoma - #1 Oklahoma clinched the Big 12 South title with a tight win over Texas Tech. Oklahoma led 21-3 at the start of the 4th quarter, led by QB Josh Heupel (24-38-248-1), before Tech QB Kliff Kingsbury (41-61-295-1) rallied the Red Raiders to within 7 points. But Heupel and the Offense salted away the win with a late TD and kept the Sooners unbeaten. Oklahoma also featured RB Quentin Griffin (14-51-1). Texas Tech also featured RB Shaud Williams (3-8-0 + 9-59-0) and WR Wes Welker (7-69-0) (8, Low Audio - No commentary upto 9:40 of 1st quarter, 2 Discs, ABC - Jones/Rivers, NTSC)
18/11/00 - Stanford (36) @ (30) California - Stanford extended their win streak over Cal to 6 years with an overtime win in Berkeley. After a quiet first 3 quarters, both teams combined for 31 points in the 4th quarter with Cal sending the game into overtime with a 9 yard TD run from RB Joe Igber (16-89-2) with 1 minute remaining. In OT, Cal missed their FG and Stanford quickly ended the game with a 25 yard TD pass from QB Randy Fasani (12-23-242-3) to RB Casey Moore. Cal were led by QB Kyle Boller (22-34-195-1) who had a good game but also threw 4 interceptions. Cal also featured on Offense WR Geoff McArthur (4-65-0) and RB Saleem Muhammad (14-99-1) and on Defense DL Andre Carter and DB Nnamdi Asomugha. Stanford also featured WR Luke Powell (3-101-1 inc. 75 yard TD catch) (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Tompkins/Pawlawski, PAL)
24/11/00 - BYU (34) @ (27) Utah - In his final game as coach of the Cougars, LaVell Edwards went out a winner in a sensational game in Salt Lake City. BYU had the better of the 1st half but only led 19-10 at the break. Utah went for a change of QB in the 3rd quarter and the change worked as Utah scored 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to take a 27-26 lead with 2:16 left in the game. But BYU had 1 last drive and converted a 4th-and-13 play to move downfield in 7 plays and win the game with a TD run with 23 seconds left. BYU were led by QB Brandon Doman (16-29-284-1 + 18-39-1), RB Luke Staley (17-30-0) and WR Jonathan Pittman (4-117-0). Utah featured QB's Lance Rice (9-20-137-0) and Darnell Arcenaux (7-14-115-1), WR Chris Christensen (7-147-0) and DB Andre Dyson (24 yard Interception return TD) (8, Downloaded from the internet - 1 hour 20 minute hi-lites, 1 Disc, ESPN - Barnett/Curry/Golic, PAL)
25/12/00 - Blue Gray All Star Classic - Blue (37) v (40) Gray - Players featured QB Mike McMahon (Rutgers), WR Steve Smith (Utah), DL Kris Jenkins (Maryland) and DB Jimmy Williams (Vanderbilt) (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Grande/Norrie/Gudel, PAL)
27/12/00 - GalleryFurniture.com Bowl - East Carolina (40) v (27) Texas Tech - Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach ended his 1st season in charge with a bowl game but the Red Raiders ran into a red-hot Pirates team. Led by QB David Garrard (17-27-229-1) and RB Leonard Henry (20-92-1), the Pirates put up 34 unanswered points in the 1st half to effectively end the game before half-time. But the Red Raiders didn't quit and led by QB Kliff Kingsbury (31-49-307-4) and WR Darrell Jones (6-147-1) Texas Tech scored 20 points in the 2nd half to make the score more respectable. Texas Tech also featured WR's Derek Dorris (7-53-2) and Wes Welker (3-13) + RB Ricky Williams (9-55-0) (9, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Barnett/Curry/Golic/Tafoya, NTSC)
29/12/00 - Holiday Bowl - Texas (30) v (35) Oregon - In a shootout in San Diego, #11 ranked Oregon held off #12 ranked Texas and posted their first 10-win season in the school's 105-year history. A high-scoring 1st half ended with Texas leading 21-14, but the Ducks out-scored the 'Horns 21-9 in the 2nd half to take the win. The star for Oregon was QB Joey Harrington (19-30-273-1 + 1 TD run + 1 TD catch) who had a big game. Oregon also featured RB Maurice Morris (26-82-0 + 5-104-1), WR's Keenan Howry (5-59-0) and Justin Peelle (4-48-1). Texas featured QB Chris Simms (17-33-245-0 + 1 TD run), RB Hodges Mitchell (17-41-1) who left the game in the 3rd quarter with an injury, and Victor Ike (93 yard kickoff return TD), WR's BJ Johnson (4-42-0) Roy Williams (2-44-0), LB De'Andre Lewis and DB Quentin Jammer (9, ESPN Classic re-broadcast, 1 hour 34 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ESPN - Tirico/Herbstreit/Corso/Punch, PAL)
31/12/00 - Independence Bowl - Mississippi State (43) v (41) Texas A&M - Shreveport was hit by a rare snow blizzard that made for a thrilling game. Each team decided to keep the ball on the ground as they both rushed for over 40 times for over 200 yards. The Bulldogs forced overtime with 90 seconds left and won it on a blocked PAT kick and a 6 yard run from QB Wayne Madkin. Texas A&M were led by RB Jamar Toombs (35-193-3) In a side plot, MSU was coached by ex-Aggie head coach Jackie Sherrill (8, Player-to-Recorder copy, 2 Discs, ESPN - Jones/Torretta/Stone, PAL)
01/01/01 - Fiesta Bowl - Oregon State (41) v (9) Notre Dame - #6 ranked Oregon State dominated #10 ranked Notre Dame and ended a 38 year bowl win drought. Despite leading only 12-3 at the half, the Beavers had held the Irish to only 33 yards in the 1st half. OSU then exploded for 29 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter and coasted home. Oregon State QB Jonathan Smith (16-24-305-3), WR's Chad Johnson (4-93-2) and TJ. Houshmandzadeh (6-74-1) + RB Ken Simonton (18-85-1) all had big games while the defense held the Irish to 155 yards of total offense. Notre Dame were led by QB Matt LoVecchio (13-33-138-0) and RB Julius Jones (13-30-0) (9, 1 hour 40 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, ABC - McDonough/Cunningham, PAL)
01/01/01 - Rose Bowl - Washington (34) v (24) Purdue - In a battle between 2 top QB's, it was the Huskies Marques Tuiasosopo that came out the winner, beating Purdue's QB Drew Brees, and leading the Huskies to an 11-1 season. Tuiasosopo (16-22-138-1 + 15-75-1) led the team on the ground and through the air, despite suffering a shoulder injury in the 2nd quarter. Purdue QB Drew Brees (23-39-275-2), in his final college game, did all he could to win the game but the Huskies ground game (268 yards) was too much to overcome (9, 1 hour 40 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, ABC - Jackson/Brant, PAL)
03/01/01 - Orange Bowl - Oklahoma (13) v (2) Florida State - #1 Oklahoma claimed it's 7th National Championship since 1950 with a dominating win over #3 ranked Florida State. The Sooners used a suffocating defense to force Heisman Trophy-winning QB Chris Weinke (25-51-274-0) into 2 interceptions and to hold the high-powered Seminole defense to only 301 yards of total offense. The main weapon on defense was MVP LB Torrance Marshall (6 tackles, i interception). The Sooner offense was led by QB Josh Heupel (25-39-214-0) and RB Quentin Griffin (11-40-1). The Seminoles also featured RB Travis Minor (13-20-0) and WR Atrews Bell (7-137-0) but were missing WR Marvin "Snoop" Minnis who was suspended (9, 1 hour 37 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ABC - Nessler/Griese/Arute/Swann, PAL)
20/01/01 - Hula Bowl - North All Stars (31) v (23) South All Stars - In a remarkable turnaround, the North staged a huge comeback to beat the South in Maui. The South owned the 1st half, forcing 4 turnovers en-route to a 23-7 lead at the half. But the North owned the 2nd half, forcing 4 turnovers of their own and scoring 24 unanswered points to take the win. The North featured QB's Drew Brees (Purdue - 12-19-129-1) and Jason McKinley (Houston - 1 TD pass), RB's RJ Bowers (Grove City) and Marcel Shipp (UMass), WR's Reggie Germany (Ohio State) and Dan O'Leary (Notre Dame) and LB Riall Johnson (Stanford). The South featured QB's Darnell Arceneaux (Utah), Jonathan Beasley (Kansas State - 7-17-125-2) and Ortege Jenkins (Arizona), RB Stephen Blaylock (SFA), WR Steve Smith (Utah), DL Kris Kocurek (Texas Tech), LB Rick Crowell (Colorado State), DB JT Thatcher (Oklahoma) and Kicker Chris Birkholz (Texas Tech - 3 FG's) (9, Slight Audio Buzz, 2 Discs, ESPN - Barnett/Curry/Herbstreit, NTSC)