COLLEGE FOOTBALL - 2001 SEASON
01/09/01 - San Jose State (10) @ (21) USC - USC coach Pete Carroll's 1st game in charge ended in an easy victory as the running game, led by Sultan McCullough (25-167-3), dominated the under-manned Spartans. McCullough also had help from QB Carson Palmer (21-28-213-0). San Jose State were led by 65 yards from RB Deonce Whittaker (9, JIP 11:52 1st Quarter, no scoring missed, 2 Discs, FOX - Kelly/Fertig, NTSC)
02/09/01 - Oregon State (24) @ (44) Fresno State - #12 ranked Oregon State was soundly beaten by a fired up Fresno State team, led by QB David Carr (21-34-340-4). But it was the defense that won the game, shutting down Heisman-hopeful RB Ken Simonton (15-42-1) and forcing the Beavers into 19 penalties for 129 yards (9, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Waltz/Norrie, PAL)
08/09/01 - Boston College (22) @ (38) Stanford - In the season opener for the Cardinal they upset a strong Boston College team. Stanford QB Randy Fasani (15-29-232-4 + 6-18-0) had a big game, leading the Cardinal to a 21-7 lead at the half. A brief BC fightback in the 2nd half by the Eagles was ended by a 69 yard TD pass from Fasani to WR Ryan Wells (6-138-2) and the Cardinal cruised home for their 1st win of the season. Boston College were led by QB Brian St.Pierre (15-38-189-3) and RB William Green (25-103-0) (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Tompkins/Moon/Watson, PAL)
22/09/01 - Florida State (9) @ (41) North Carolina - The winless Tarheels stunned the # 6 ranked Seminoles, handing them only their 3rd ever ACC loss. Florida State were starting Freshman QB Chris Rix (8-21-112-1) and he had a miserable game but was not helped by a running game that only amassed 88 yards. The Seminoles actually led 9-6 at the half but the Tarheels defense shut-down the Noles in the 2nd half and exploded for 34 unanswered points on offense. The leader on offense were QB Darian Durant (9-16-115-2) but the real stars were the defense that forced 5 turnovers, led by DE Julius Peppers (7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 safety). Florida State also featured WR Javon Walker (2-51-0) and QB Adrian McPherson (1-4-24-0) (9, LIP 4:14 remaining in the 4th quarter - No scoring missed, 2 Discs, ABC - Nessler/Griese/Swann, PAL)
22/09/01 - USC (22) @ (24) Oregon - #7 ranked Oregon continued their 23 game home win streak, but needed a last minute drive to the game winning FG to do it. Oregon QB Joey Harrington (22-35-188-1) came through in the clutch, moving the Ducks 61 yards to the 32 yard game winning FG with 12 seconds left, to overcome a big game from USC QB Carson Palmer (25-40-411-2). Palmer threw TD passes of 75 yards to Sultan McCullough (20-31-0 + 3-84-1) and 93 yards to WR Kareem Kelly (4-165-1). Oregon also featured RB Maurice Morris (15-86-0), TE Justin Peelle (6-95-2). USC also featured on Offense WR Keary Colbert (6-67-0) and on Defense DB Troy Polomalu (7 tackles) (9, Missing last 3:09 of 1st quarter due to satellite problems - 1 Oregon TD missed, 2 Discs, FOX - Physioc/Ramsey/Johnson, PAL)
29/09/01 - Michigan State (26) @ (27) Northwestern - A slow burning game suddenly sprung to life in the final 5 minutes as both teams combined for 22 points, with the decisive points coming from Northwestern on a last play 47 yard FG for the win. Northwestern led 17-14 with 5 minutes remaining before the final points flurry. Northwestern were led by QB Zak Kustok (23-40-231-2 + 15-105-1), RB Damien Anderson (28-75-0) and WR John Schweighardt (6-101-0). Michigan State were led by QB Ryan Van Dyke (19-31-233-0), RB TJ.Duckett (22-104-1) and WR Charles Rogers (5-68-0 + 64 yard punt return TD) (8, Slightly bright picture, 2 Discs, ESPN - Gannon/Hermann, PAL)
06/10/01 - Georgia (26) @ (24) Tennessee - In new Georgia Coach Mark Richt's 1st road game, he watched Bulldog Freshman QB David Greene throw a 6 yard TD pass with 5 seconds left to stun #7 ranked Tennessee. Greene (21-34-303-2), in his 1st collegiate road start, upstaged his opposite number, Vols QB Casey Clausen (24-40-295-3) (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Bolerjack/Ware, PAL)
06/10/01 - Oklahoma (14) v (3) Texas - In a big defensive battle, #3 Oklahoma defeated #5 Texas with Sooner DB Roy Williams having a huge game. He was part of a Defense that forced Texas QB Chris Simms (24-42-198-0) into 4 interceptions. Oklahoma were forced to use their back-up QB Jason White (16-23-108-0 + 12-38-0) when starter Nate Hybl went off injured but the game was effectively won by the defense and sealed when Roy Williams dived over a cut-block on a blitz to cause Simms to fumble into the arms of LB Teddy Lehman who rumbled into the end-zone for the clinching score with 2:01 left. The Sooners also featured RB Quentin Griffin (16-27-1) and WR Mark Clayton (6-65-0). Texas also featured WR Roy Williams (5-64-0) (9, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, NTSC)
13/10/01 - Washington State (45) @ (39) Stanford - The Cougars finally ended their losing streak at Stanford Stadium, upsetting the #23 ranked Cardinal to move to 6-0. The Cougars hadn't won in Palo Alto since 1988 but QB Jason Gesser (15-28-178-2) guided his team to 2 long drives in the 4th quarter to salt away the win. Both teams were involved in a shootout in the 1st half and Washington State ended up leading 35-24 at the half. Stanford were led by QB Randy Fasani (16-31-202-2) and RB Brian Allen (20-133-3), who became the 1st player in 2001 to top 100 yards rushing against the Cougars (8, Re-broadcast, 2 Discs, FOX - Nameck/Casper, NTSC)
13/10/01 - Akron (27) @ (30) Miami (OH) - In a shootout in Oxford, Redhawks QB Ben Roethlisberger (23-40-399-3) thew a last play 70 yard TD pass to take the win away from Akron. The Zips had taken the lead with 9 seconds left on a 27 yard FG, but Roethlisberger only needed 2 plays to take back the lead as WR Eddie Tillitz broke free in the secondary to score. Akron was led by Freshman QB Charlie Frye (21-31-309-2) (10, 1 Disc, Colour game film with crowd noise - no commentary, NTSC)
13/10/01 - Alabama (24) @ (27) Mississippi - Ole Miss QB Eli Manning (22-41-325-1) led the Rebels to 13 points in the 4th quarter, including the winning TD pass with 46 seconds left, to end a 10 game losing streak to the Tide. Alabama QB Tyler Watts (7-24-136-2 + 13-110-0) had a big game in defeat (9, 2 Discs, JP Sports - Neal/Rowe/Davis, PAL)
20/10/01 - Texas Tech (31) @ (41) Nebraska - Texas Tech finally came of age, playing the #3 ranked Cornhuskers close. Tech got great games from QB Kliff Kingsbury (33-63-353-1) and WR Wes Welker (85 yard punt return TD) but both were upstaged by Heisman-hopeful QB Eric Crouch (10-22-196-3 + 21-105-1) (9, 2 Discs, FOX - Meyers/Lofton/Clemons, PAL)
20/10/01 - Stanford (49) @ (42) Oregon - Stanford upset #5 Oregon in Autzen stadium and ended the Ducks 4 year and 23 game game home unbeaten streak. The Cardinal had to rely on 2 QB's as they lost starter Randy Fasani (7-11-141-0) in the 2nd quarter to injury, but back-up Chris Lewis (12-26-189-2) steadied the ship. Oregon led 42-28 at the start of the 4th quarter thanks to QB Joey Harrington (22-41-270-3) and 2 special teams kick return TD's. But Stanford scored 21 unanswered points including the game-winner from RB Kerry Carter (26-64-4) to seal the win (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Brant/Harris, PAL)
27/10/01 - UCLA (28) @ (38) Stanford - #22 ranked Stanford upset a #5 ranked team for the second straight week with a big win against UCLA. Stanford raced out to a 28-7 lead at the half thanks to back-up QB Chris Lewis (20-29-250-3). But the Bruins got their act togther in the 2nd half and pulled back Stanford to 31-28 with back-up QB Scott McEwan (15-24-1-221-2) and RB Deshaun Foster (21-77-1) leading the way. Stanford didn't crumble though and salted away the win with a TD run from RB Kerry Carter (29-102-2). Stanford also featured WR Ryan Wells (6-103-0) (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Brant/Harris, PAL)
27/10/01 - Syracuse (22) @ (14) Virginia Tech - Syracuse upset # 4 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for the first time in 14 years, building a big lead then using great defense to seal the win. Syracuse opened an early 14-0 lead with a 51 yard punt return TD and a 1 yard TD run from RB James Mungro (23-102-1). The defense then thwarted any Tech comeback, forcing 2 fumbles and sacking Tech QB Grant Noel (15-32-162-1) in the end-zone for a safety. The Syracuse defense was led by DE Dwight Freeney who had 3 tackles, 1 sack and a safety (9, 2 Discs, ESPN+ - Sims/Bostic/Sanders, PAL)
03/11/01 - Arkansas (58) @ (56) Mississippi - Both teams set an NCAA record with 7 overtime periods and it was the Razorbacks who won the game, denying a tieing 2 point play. Ole Miss QB Eli Manning (27-42-312-6) and Arkansas RB's Fred Talley (23-113-0) and Cedric Cobbs (22-100-2) all had big games. Regulation ended 17-17 (9, 3 discs, ESPN 2 - Barnett/Curry/Golic, PAL)
03/11/01 - LSU (35) @ (21) Alabama - LSU QB Rohan Davey set the game alight with 528 yards passing, only the 4th SEC QB to achieve that feat. His main target was WR Josh Reed who set SEC records for receptions (19) and receiving yards (238) (7, 2 Discs, CBS - Lundquist/Blackledge/Arrington, NTSC)
03/11/01 - Texas A&M (0) @ (12) Texas Tech - Texas Tech upset #17 ranked Texas A&M with a big defensive effort and a solid game from Kicker Robert Treece, who nailed 2 FG's. Tech QB Kliff Kingsbury (38-46-303-0) had a good game and while RB Ricky Williams iced the game in the 4th quarter with a 6 yard run. Tech also featured WR Wes Welker (9, Colour Game Film with Texas A&M radio audio, 1 Disc, 12th Man Foundation - South/Elmendorf/Miller, NTSC)
03/11/01 - Michigan (24) @ (26) Michigan State - Michigan State used a controversial last play 2 yard TD pass from QB Jeff Smoker to RB TJ.Duckett to upset #6 Michigan. The score was made possible by a clock operator who left 1 second on the clock after Smoker had spiked the ball on the previous play. Both teams traded shots throughout the game with Michigan WR Marquise Walker (9-150-2) involved in a duel with Michigan Sate RB TJ.Duckett (27-211-1). Duckett's 211 yards were a record for a Spartan back against Michigan. MSU QB Jeff Smoker (15-35-183-2) was given a torrid time by the Michigan defense as he was sacked 12 times while Michigan QB John Navarre (14-27-195-3) had a better time of it (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, PAL)
10/11/01 - North Carolina State (34) @ (28) Florida State - In a shootout in Tallahassee, the Wolfpack ended the #10 ranked Seminoles 39 game home win streak against ACC teams. Both teams traded momentum swings and scores throughout the game with the Wolfpack securing a 24-14 lead at the half. The Seminoles closed the lead to within 6 and had 2 chances to win the game in the final moments but the Wolfpack defense held on and coach Chuck Amato celebrated a big win. NC State were led by QB Philip Rivers (26-33-245-0) and RB Ray Robinson (21-106-2 + 8-39-0). Florida State were led by QB Chris Rix (20-35-302-3), RB Greg Jones (12-70-0) and WR Javon Walker (8-121-1) (8, 2 Discs, ABC, PAL)
10/11/01 - Texas Tech (49) @ (30) Oklahoma State - Led by star QB Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech out-lasted the Cowboys to move to 6-3 on the season. Kingsbury (44-56-440-4) had a big game, leading the Red Raiders to a 21-10 lead at the half that they never relinquished. Tech also featured RB Ricky Williams (19-75-2) and WR's Mickey Peters (10-100-0), Carlos Francis (7-82-1) and Wes Welker (3-40-0). Oklahoma State were led by QB's Aso Pogi (25-38-245-3) and Josh Fields (1-3-7-0) and also by RB Tatum Bell (14-83-1) and WR Rashaun Woods (10-109-3). Coverage is from the Les Miles Coaches Show and includes all scoring (8, 13 minutes hi-lites downloaded from the internet, 1 Disc, NTSC)
17/11/01 - Miami (Ohio) (51) @ (52) Hawaii - In a shootout in Honolulu, Hawaii used a last play FG to beat a strong Miami of Ohio team. Both teams put on an aerial show, with Hawaii QB Nick Rolovich (30-53-500-7) and Miami QB Ben Roethlisberger (40-53-452-3 + 1 TD run) both having big games. And with Miami leading 51-49 with 1:08 left, Rolovich guided his team into FG range where kicker Justin Ayat kicked a 24 yard FG as time expired. Ayat won the game with his 2nd try after his 1st kick missed but was negated by a penalty against the Redhawks. Hawaii also featured WR's Ashley Lelie (6-211-3 including 60 and 78 yard TD catches) and Justin Colbert (10-151-1). Miami also featured RB Steve Little (26-122-3), WR Eddie Tillitz (12-130-0) and DB Matt Pusateri (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Leahey/Tomey/Yamanoha, NTSC)
17/11/01 - California (28) @ (35) Stanford - #15 ranked Stanford survived an upset bid by 0-9 California, scoring just enough to keep ahead of the Bears throughout the game. Stanford QB Chris Lewis (20-38-390-4) had a good game but his 3 interceptions kept the Bears hanging around. California QB Kyle Boller (20-47-278-1) had a quiet game but used a great defensive effort from LB Scott Fujita and DB Nnamdi Asomugha (1 Interception return TD) to get good field position and score points. Stanford also featured WR's Luke Powell (5-152-2 inc. 79 yard TD catch) and Teyo Johnson (6-84-1) (9, 2 Discs, FOX - Beil/Wyatt/Shumann/Pawlawski, NTSC)
24/11/01 - Air Force (30) @ (52) Hawaii - A wild shootout showed the distinct differences in the 2 teams offensive philosophy as the Falcons rushing attack put up 545 yards + 5 TD's on the ground while Hawaii put up 505 passing and 5 TD's. The main focus for Air Force was QB Keith Boyea (18-132-1) while the Hawaii offense was directed by QB Nick Rolovich (30-46-505-3) (9, 2 Discs, KFVE-5 - Leahey/Tomey/Yamanoha, PAL)
24/11/01 - Notre Dame (13) @ (17) Stanford - On a rainy night in Palo Alto, #13 ranked Stanford scored 2 TD's in the final 8 minutes to beat the Irish. Notre Dame, led by QB Carlyle Holiday (1-16-47-1) and RB Julius Jones (14-106-0), led 13-3 entering the 4th quarter but Stanford, led by QB Randy Fasani (8-23-159-0 + 15-3-0) and RB Kenneth Tolon (18-133-1), suddenly found their rhythm and punched in 2 TD runs to take the win. Notre Dame used 3 QB's during the game (Holiday, Arnaz Battle and Matt LoVecchio) but only completed 1 pass out of 19 for just 64 yards. Notre Dame coach Bob Davie lasted 1 more game before he was fired (8, Slight atmospheric interference, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Brant/Harris, NTSC)
30/11/01 - MAC Championship - Marshall (36) @ (41) Toledo - In a shoot-out for the MAC title, Toledo stunned Marshall with a comeback win, ending the 2 year reign of Marshall as the WAC champions. Marshall started the stronger as QB Byron Leftwich (35-52-421-4) led the Herd to a 23-0 lead in the 2nd quarter, but Toledo then out-scored Marshall 35 points to 6 over the end of the 2nd and all of the 3rd quarter. Toledo RB Chester Taylor (32-188-2) led the charge and even the Special Teams chipped in with a TD off of a fake FG. Marshall's late charge to rescue the game failed and Toledo claimed their 1st MAC Championship (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Jones/Spielman/Rowe, PAL)
01/12/01 - Tennessee (34) @ (32) Florida - #4 Tennessee upset #2 Florida with a strong all-around game as the Vols beat the Gators in the Swamp for the 1st time since 1971. Despite a dominant all-around game the Vols still needed an incomplete 2 point pass play with a minute to go to escape with the win. The Vols stars on offense were RB Travis Stephens (19-226-2) and QB Casey Clausen (17-25-168-1) and, on defense, by DL John Henderson. Florida were led by QB Rex Grossman (33-51-362-2) (8, JIP 11:10 1st Quarter, 2 Discs, CBS - Lundquist/Blackledge/Arrington, PAL)
01/12/01 - Big 12 Championship - Colorado (39) v (37) Texas - Colorado used a big game from RB Chris Brown (33-182-3) to upset #3 ranked Texas and deny them a place in the National Championship game. The Colorado defense forced Texas QB Chris Simms (9-17-130-0) into 3 interceptions to build a 29-17 lead at the half then used ball control offense to keep the ball away from back-up QB Major Applewhite (15-25-240-2) and close out the game. Colorado also featured QB Bobby Pesavento and RB Bobby Purify. Texas also featured RB Cedric Benson and WR Roy Williams (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, PAL)
08/12/01 - BYU (45) @ (72) Hawaii - #8 ranked and unbeaten BYU ended the their regular season with a beat-down from the Warriors of Hawaii. The absence of RB Luke Staley put the game into QB Brandon Doman's hands and he had a big game (17-30-226-2) until leaving the game injured. The real stars of the game were Hawaii QB Nick Rolovich (29-52-543-8), who set school records for yards and TD passes, and WR Chad Owens who set NCAA records for KO return yardage (249 yards) and kick return yardage (342 yards) and had 2 TD's on kick returns (10, Complete game, 3 Discs, ESPN 2 - Ward/Blevins/Cox, NTSC)
19/12/01 - GMAC Bowl - Marshall (64) v (61) East Carolina - In a wild offensive game, Marshall recovered from a 38-8 halftime deficit to win in overtime in the highest scoring bowl game ever. Marshall QB Byron Leftwich (41-70-576-4) overcame a nightmare 1st half to throw the tieing TD with 7 seconds left. Marshall missed the PAT though and went to Overtime where they sealed the win. East Carolina QB David Garrard (11-23-161-0) and RB Leonard Henry (29-195-3) had big games in defeat (9, 3 Discs, ESPN 2 - Levy/Christensen/Ryan, PAL)
28/12/01 - Holiday Bowl - Texas (47) v (43) Washington - #9 ranked Texas fought back from a 19 point deficit in the 3rd quarter and won the game with a 3 yard TD run with 38 seconds left. The star for Texas was QB Major Applewhite (37-55-473-4) playinh his last game for Texas. Texas also featured WR's Roy Williams and BJ Johnson and LB Derek Johnson. Washington were led by QB Cody Pickett (27-54-293-2) and also featured WR Reggie Williams (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Herbstreit/Corso/Punch, PAL)
31/12/01 - Sun Bowl - Washington State (33) v (27) Purdue - In Wazzu coach Mike Price's final game, his team held off a late Purdue charge to claim the win. The Cougars held a 33-17 lead late in the 4th quarter on the arm of QB Jason Gesser (15-40-281-1) but Purdue QB Kyle Orton (38-74-419-2) led his team back and nearly pulled it off but a late on-side kick was recovered by the Cougars who ran out the clock (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Lundquist/Blackledge/Ware/Arrington, PAL)
31/12/01 - Silicon Valley Bowl - Michigan State (44) v (35) Fresno State - In a wild offensive shootout, Michigan State had to overcome a career day from Fresno State QB David Carr to win the game. Carr (35-56-531-4) had TD passes of 79 and 36 yards, with his main targets WR's Rodney Wright (13-299-2) and Bernard Berrian (9-94-0), but he was overshadowed by Michigan State WR Charles Rogers (10-270-2) and RB TJ Duckett (27-184-2). Spartans QB Jeff Smoker (22-32-376-3) threw TD passes of 69 and 72 yards (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Physioc/Ramsey/Lofton, PAL)
01/01/02 - Fiesta Bowl - Oregon (38) v (16) Colorado - Both teams had a point to prove as both were overlooked for the BCS title game in favour of Nebraska. Oregon were the more focused as QB Joey Harrington (28-42-350-4) had a big game in his final college game, staking the Ducks to a 21-7 half-time lead. Colorado's rushing attack was held to 49 total yards (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Danielson/Arute, PAL)
03/01/02 - Rose Bowl - Miami (37) v (14) Nebraska - Miami completed their undefeated season and their 5th National Championship with a blow-out win against #4 ranked Nebraska. Miami QB Ken Dorsey (22-35-362-3) and WR Andre Johnson (7-199-2) both put in MVP performances as the Canes ran out to a 34-0 lead at the half and coasted home. The Canes also featured RB Clinton Portis (20-104-1). The Huskers were led by Heisman Trophy winning QB Eric Crouch (5-15-62-0 + 22-114-0) who did his best but he couldn't do it all (2 versions : 8, Full Game - British Channel 5 broadcast, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Brant/Swann/Arute, PAL / 9, ESPN Classic re-broadcast, 1 hour 32 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ABC - Jackson/Brant/Swann/Arute, PAL)
12/01/02 - Shrine Bowl - East (13) v (21) West - West RB Deonce Whitaker (10-40-2) earned Offensive MVP honours. Other players featured were Stanford QB Randy Fasani, UC Davis QB JT O'Sullivan, Clemson QB Woodrow Dantzler, Illnois QB Kurt Kittner and Indiana QB Antwaan Randle-El (8, Missing last 2:09, no scoring missed, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Davis/Gilmore/May/Rowe, PAL)
19/01/02- Senior Bowl - North (26) v (41) South - North WR Antwaan Randle-El became the 1st MVP from a losing team since 1969 as he had a spectacular game including 2 TD catches + a 40 yard ount return. The South featured QB's David Carr, Rohan Davey and Patrick Ramsey + WR Javon Walker. The North featured QB's Kurt Kittner, Josh McCown and David Garrard + DL Dwight Freeney (8, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Kiper, PAL)