The Long Snapper – Week 1
The goal of The Long Snapper is to confuse you. Bewilder you to new heights of head scratching. It has had many formats. Many incantations over the years (when it’s only been two, can you really call it “years?”) and never has one been settled on. Except for now. Although, full disclosure, it’s very likely to change at a moment’s notice. That’s just how it goes.
Your countless requests have been fulfilled. Like an ECU Hail Mary, you’re surprised, but relieved (relieved because if you watched that game, it was worth it). The Long Snapper has returned and become the column it was always intended to be. A recap of the weekend’s events Tuesday Morning Quarterback-style. Where rambling is present and the word count is high enough to make you wish you had every Monday off. (Editor’s Note: High word count not guaranteed, promised, or delivered on most accounts. Sanity and desire to spend Sundays doing nothing directly relates to word count. And “high” is relative.)
Here’s your week one recap minus a couple of games that have yet to occur because of a holiday weekend in which we got three straight days of matchups.
This week’s TLS (abbreviate, it saves time) is brought to you by Florida true freshman defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Big Mike’s Sunglasses for the Large Man, and acid-wash jeans.
• As Florida stumbled to a game one victory over the Redhawks of Miami (OH), the Gators got a chance to see what a number of the true freshman from their vaunted 2010 recruiting class could do. We learned that Matt Elam will be Lawrence Wright, Reggie Nelson, Major Wright good. We saw that big doesn’t mean slow in the form of Ronald Powell. And we realized Sharrif Floyd may be ready to go much sooner than we all thought. Floyd doesn’t look like a college freshman. He looks like a 15-year NFL veteran. Or as Emmanuel Moody would say, like someone who just got out of jail. With the play of Jaye Howard and Omar Hunter also being top-notch, it’ll be hard for Floyd to crack the starting lineup, but he’ll play. Oh he’ll play. Say hello to a freshman All-American.
• Running quarterbacks continue to be all the rage and we enjoy the flash. Denard Robinson looked like the best all-around quarterback in the nation to that point that some said he will rush for close to 2,000 yards. He won’t. Robinson is the fit for Michigan’s offense. We all know that now, but more importantly, Rich Rodriguez knows it. Enjoy your last year with the Wolverines Tate Forcier. Robinson rushed for 197 yards and not to be outdone by his feet, his arm completed 19 passes on 22 attempts. Former Florida QB Cameron Newton had quite the debut for Auburn in their opening win. Newton accounted for five touchdowns and racked up 171 yards on the ground. And the quarterback we expect to rush, a lot, did. Georgia Tech’s Josh Nesbitt opened the new season with 130 rushing yards and scored three times on the ground. For good measure, the nation’s top QB prospect – Gator commit Jeff Driskel – ran for 248 yards while leading Hagerty (Oviedo, FL) to a victory.
• Florida fans weren’t the only ones that woke up on Sunday morning feeling like they brought home a good friend of the opposite sex following a grab-a-date: confused and surprisingly unsatisfied. Texas fans are in the same boat. While the Gators turned a 36-point spread into a 22-point win, the Longhorns also ended up on the low side. Texas defeated Rice by 17 after being favored by 31. Neither top-five team is in trouble, but both have some work to do before their next game. Fans of both schools are glad their programs started the schedule against the opponents they did. It could have been much worse. They could be cheering for Ole Miss or Kansas.
• The Rebels were up on Jacksonville State 31-13 entering the fourth quarter. They would lose 49-48 in double overtime. The Jayhawks – on the other side of the scoring spectrum – were leading North Dakota State by three after one. They would lose 6-3. Jacksonville State did their damage on two-point conversions. After scoring with 18 seconds left in regulation, they converted a two-pointer to tie it. Then, in double overtime, they went for two and converted to get the win. It was a nothing-to-lose gamble for Jacksonville State and they didn’t lose. Houston Nutt, you better hope that was a one-game (not even, one-half-plus-overtime) stumble. Turner Gill, you play in the Big 12 now. You need to put the ball in the end zone. Kansas outgained North Dakota State 293-168. North Dakota State outmuscled Kansas in the area that ended up counting. Field goals: 2-1.
• If there’s a fan base that did wake up Sunday morning with smiles on their faces, it’s Oregon’s. The Ducks took care of business, two-fold. Oregon was heavily favored over Mike Locksley’s Punch Out…er…New Mexico to the tune of 36 points. 72 points and a shut out later and the Ducks celebrated. Oregon scored the first and only 72 points of the game. The loss of LaMichael James affected nothing as both Kenjon Barner and Remene Alston Jr. went over 100 yards on the ground. Barner had five touchdowns in the first half. Four rushing and one on a 60-yard reception. Think he’s earned playing time despite James’ status when he returns?
Long version of video shown in honor of hockey mask wearing ECU fan.
• Did you miss Sunday’s ECU/Tulsa game because you were enjoying the long weekend a little too much and you thought “oh, it’s just Conference USA football?” For shame. You missed a good one. At the very least an exciting one. When you’re down late and need a long touchdown to win the game, your plan should be simple: throw it to your 6’8” receiver and hope. That’s what the Pirates did and their prayers were answered. In Justin Jones’ first collegiate game (he redshirted in 2009) he was the hero. ECU got the win and Jones got an experience he’ll surely share with anyone who will listen the rest of his life. Not a bad way to kick start your career.
• Since it happened way back on Thursday, you may have already forgotten about it. Try to remember. USC gave up 588 yards of offense to Hawaii. This is something we must dwell on. Monte Kiffin’s defense that led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to glory for many years was shredded. Shredded by a team that finished 6-7 the previous year. Three Warrior quarterbacks combined for 459 yards through the air and the Hawaii running game averaged a commendable 4.4 yards per carry. The Trojans have some time to work on it, but October could be a nightmare for the defense. In three games over five weeks, USC faces Jake Locker, Andrew Luck, and Oregon.
• No defending Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. No problem. Trent Richardson was as good as expected even though he wasn’t needed in Alabama’s opener against San Jose State. Richardson totaled 112 yards from scrimmage and scored twice on the ground. The surprise was another running back – Eddie Lacy. Lacy averaged 8.5 yards on 13 carries and scored twice. The Crimson Tide are more than set at running back for the foreseeable future. And that Julio Jones guy played pretty well catching the ball too. Some people need two hands, Jones needs one. Keep that level of play up against better opponents and he’ll shed that overrated label.
• Added to the “what just happened” file is Oklahoma. The Sooners beat a Utah State team that went 4-8 in 2009 by only one score. The Oklahoma stars – Ryan Broyles and Demarco Murray – had great days, but the Sooners let the Aggies stay in the game in part due to allowing big pass plays all night. Six different Utah State pass catchers had receptions of at least 25 yards in length. Oklahoma faces Christian Ponder and FSU in their second game. Just saying.
• Nice first half by LSU. Bad second half by LSU. If UNC wasn’t playing with its junior varsity squad, Les Miles would have the Tigers at 0-1 right now. The Tar Heels have a passing game apparently and they may have exposed one of LSU’s weaknesses. The Tigers – Patrick Peterson and all – gave up 412 yards through the air, including a 97-yarder. If only UNC had gotten going earlier, we could have seen half a thousand. Those SEC teams with capable passers have circled LSU on the schedule.
• Charlie Strong’s debut with Louisville was rocky, but it wasn’t horrible. The Cardinals calmed down in the second half and nearly made a game out of it before falling to Kentucky 23-16. The defense will struggle. You don’t want to start the season giving up 412 total yards, but to only allow 23 while doing so may be a win. You know, one of those moral victories people talk about. I’ve never been completely sure what they are. Give Strong and Louisville time. He’s got a rough road ahead, but it’ll be hard to bet against him. Don’t expect the Cardinals to do anything too miraculous this season, but Strong has time to build his program.
Now for the numbers:
• 298.15 – Dan Mullen has a quarterback. Mississippi State freshman Tyler Russell had a great debut connecting on 13 of his 16 attempts for 256 and four touchdowns. His efficiency rating, as you can see, was outstanding.
• 4 – Miami (OH) quarterback Zac Dysert threw four interceptions in the loss to Florida. Good thing for the Gators, who needed the defense to make up for a lethargic offense.
• 8 – Cincinnati lost to Fresno State as Bearcat quarterback Zach Collaros was sacked eight times. Not a great first week for QBs with that first name.
• 4.5 – John Brantley’s 4.5 yards per attempt is the 11th-lowest in the nation. That’s not good.
• 214 – Four individuals started the season with 200-yard rushing games, including UAB quarterback David Isabelle who put up 214.
• 221 – Only one pass catcher went over 200 receiving yards. UNC’s Jheranie Boyd had 221 and was a key part of the close-but-not-quite Tar Heel comeback.
• 2 for 2 – Oregon’s Cliff Harris returned two punts, both for touchdowns.
• 0 – Punt return yards against Florida meaning Chas Henry and the coverage team are at it again. The problem? Henry’s one punt only covered 27 yards.
• 13 – Not including Monday’s games, there have already been 13 pick sixes in week one. Florida and USF each had one.
• 72 and 720 – Oregon scored 72 points and the Ducks offense totaled 720 yards. No real meaning there. Just an interesting coincidence.
• 4 – The number of rushing yards the Gators allowed to the Redhawks. Tops in the nation.
• 81 – Cal was the only team to allow less than 100 total yards of offense.
• 2 – Nine teams posted shutouts, but Arizona did the impressive by only allowing two – a safety obviously.
Looking ahead:
• While technically still a week one game, there’s a ranked matchup on tonight. You may have heard a lot about it. Boise State. Virginia Tech. The hopes of the Broncos could be shattered in one game. It would be quite laughable when you think about it. The team that everyone thinks could finally crash the BCS Championship party faces a very good program right off the bat. Fans of the little guy will be cheering on the Broncos, but a large number will be hoping for a Hokies win to end the Boise State in the title game talk.
• Auburn travels to Mississippi State for the Thursday night game. Two of week one’s star quarterbacks go head-to-head.
• Stephen Garcia hasn’t been the model of consistency in the past. After a solid outing in South Carolina’s first game, he takes on Georgia in week two.
• Two of Florida’s big three travel out-of-state to take on top-10 teams. FSU travels to Oklahoma and Miami visits Ohio State. Have two televisions ready. The first starts at 3:30. The second at 3:40.
• Alabama hosts Penn State in the primetime game on Saturday. Should be a win for the Tide, but also a good gauge for the Nittany Lions to see if they can compete with the nation’s top teams.
• And oh yeah…12:21, USF at Florida.