North Carolina Tar Heels

Oct. 29---College Football---
Miami 34 ... North Carolina 16---College Football---
Miami overcame a sluggish first half to score 27 unanswered points in the second half on three Tyrone Moss touchdowns and a blocked kick for a touchdown. North Carolina dominated the first half with two Ronnie McGill touchdown runs, but missed a chance to go up 23-7 when a pass just missed a wide open Jarwarski Pollack. Miami, thanks to Moss, outgained the Tar Heels 210 rushing yards to 102. The two teams combined for seven turnovers.---College Football---
Player of the game: Miami RB Tyrone Moss ran 24 times for 195 yards and four touchdowns. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 10-18, 74 yds
Rushing: Ronnie McGill, 13-66, 2 TD. Receiving: Jesse Holley, 6-48---College Football---
Miami - Passing: Kyle Wright, 11-16, 111 yds, 3 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Tyrone Moss, 24-195, 4 TD. Receiving: Darnell Jenkins, 3-38---College Football---
What to take away from this game: When you have a chance to stick a big nail into a team like Miami, you have to do it. The offensive line dominated the Canes in the first half and the offense moved the ball well, but just missing on the sure touchdown pass to Jawarski Pollack at the end of the first half turned the tide. The Canes turned the momentum around in the second half and the Tar Heel defense couldn't recover. QB Matt Baker has had two sub-100-yard passing games in a row; it had better not be three against Boston College next week. ---College Football---
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Oct. 22---College Football---
North Carolina 7 ... Virginia 5---College Football---
North Carolina got a two-yard touchdown pass to Rikki Cook in the first quarter for all the points it would need, and the defense took care of the rest only allowing a Connor Highs field goal in the fourth quarter. Virginia had a great chance to get in field goal range getting to the Tar Heel 36, but Marques Hagans was picked off. UNC was able to run down the clock to :06 and got the punt off, but had to run one more play after getting penalized after the ball was kicked by a celebrating Mike Mason. ---College Football---
Player of the game: North Carolina LBs Tommy Richardson and Larry Edwards combined for 21 tackles. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 13-24, 98 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Ronnie McGill, 23-118. Receiving: Jesse Holley, 4-46---College Football---
Virginia - Passing: Marques Hagans, 14-28, 109 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Wali Lundy, 18-60. Receiving: Deyon Williams, 5-42---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The defense did a fantastic job of rebounding from the blowout loss to Louisville holding Virginia to a mere 199 yards of total offense and coming through clutch late with the interception it needed to stop the final Cavalier drive. The return of Ronnie McGill to the running game give the attack more life and more pop taking the pressure off QB Matt Baker. ---College Football---
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Oct. 8---College Football---
Louisville 69 ... North Carolina 14---College Football---
North Carolina tied the score at seven on a two-yard Ronnie McGill touchdown run in the middle of the first quarter, and then Louisville rolled for 41 straight points highlighted by a 73-yard touchdown pass to Mario Urrutia. Brian Brohm finished with four touchdown passes, while the defense got a three-sack day from Elvis Dumervil and touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard defensive return from Earl Heyman and a 42-yard return for a score from Deon Palmer.---College Football---
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 17 of 22 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 19-27, 224 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: James Arnold, 11-64. Receiving: Mike Mason, 3-66---College Football---
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 17-22, 304, 4 TD---College Football---
Rushing: George Stripling, 13-74, 1 TD. Receiving: Montrell Jones, 5-86, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The defense didn't give up a ton of yards to Louisville, but it was horrible when it had any chance to tighten up when the Cardinals were in any sort of scoring position. The offense didn't help the cause unable to keep QB Matt Baker clean, and not getting enough long drives to keep the Cardinal offense off the field. This was a non-conference game, so the Tar Heels have to forget about this one in a hurry and find its pass defense again. ---College Football---
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Oct. 1---College Football---
North Carolina 31 ... Utah 17---College Football---
Helped by five Utah turnovers and a 96-yard kickoff return for a score on the opening kickoff by Brandon Tate, the Tar Heels avenged last year's loss to the Utes. The Tar Heels got two Matt Baker touchdown passes including a 43-yard strike to Jesse Holley with just over five minutes to play. Utah stayed alive on a two-yard Brian Johnson touchdown run and a 15-yard scoring pass to Travis LaTendresse, but was plagued by turnovers, including two fumbles in the fourth quarter. ---College Football---
Player of the game: North Carolina RB Barrington Edwards ran 25 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. NC State LB Stephen Tulloch made 19 tackles, one sack and six tackles for loss in a losing effort.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 16-31, 267 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Barrington Edwards, 23-44, 1 TD. Receiving: Mike Mason, 4-82---College Football---
Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 22-34, 211 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Johnson, 22-98, 1 TD. Receiving: John Madsen, 8-97---College Football---
What to take away from this game: It wasn't the prettiest performance, but North Carolina didn't make as many mistakes as Utah, and capitalized when needed on turnovers and good momentum. Matt Baker had a nice game despite throwing two interceptions, but it was the play of the special teams and defense on third downs that made the difference. It would've been nice to have gotten more out of the running game with only 85 yards on the ground, but it's hard to nitpick over a win over a team as good as Utah.---College Football---
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Sept. 24---College Football---
North Carolina 31 ... NC State 24---College Football---
Matt Baker overcame a lousy first half finishing with two touchdown passes including a ten-yards to Jon Hamlett late in the third quarter to take the lead for good. The Tar Heels got up 10-0 helped by a NC State bad snap on a punt for a Quinton Person touchdown. Tony Baker ran for two touchdowns and T.J. Williams caught a 39-yard touchdown pass for a 24-14 lead, but the defense couldn't hold as Barrington Edwards ran for a two-yard score kicking off 17 unanswered Tar Heel points. ---College Football---
Player of the game: North Carolina RB Barrington Edwards ran 25 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. NC State LB Stephen Tulloch made 19 tackles, one sack and six tackles for loss in a losing effort.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 13-23, 177 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Barrington Edwards, 25-129, 1 TD. Receiving: Jawarski Pollock, 5-44, 1TD
NC State - Passing: Jay Davis, 21-35, 257 yds, 1 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Tony Baker, 15-58, 2 TD. Receiving: T.J. Williams, 6-77, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: North Carolina's defense toughened up and made some tremendous adjustments after getting steamrolled by Wisconsin last week. The Tar Heels only allowed 13 yards of rushing against NC State and held tough over the final 20 minutes of the game allowing the offense chances to get on the field. QB Matt Baker proved he was physically tough last week, and he proved to be mentally tough this week overcoming a lousy first half to make the plays needed to get the win. The emergence of Barrington Edwards and the running game certainly helped. ---College Football---
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Sept. 17---College Football---
Wisconsin 16 ... North Carolina 5---College Football---
Brian Calhoun ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns and the Wisconsin defense held North Carolina out of the end zone on the way to a tough win. The Tar Heels were able to manage a 43-yard Connor Barth field goal, but poor field position proved costly all game long. Calhoun ran for an eighty-yard score in the first quarter and a four-yard touchdown in the fourth.
Player of the game: Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun ran 38 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 26 yards.---College Football---
Stat Leaders: UNC - Passing: Matt Baker, 16-37, 281 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Barrington Edwards, 11-37. Receiving: Jesse Holley, 5-90---College Football---
Wisconsin - Passing: John Stocco,14-23, 138 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Brian Calhoun, 38-171, 2 TD, Receiving: Brandon Williams, 5-62
What to take away from this game: The Tar Heels couldn't get the one big play against Wisconsin to turn the game around. Despite being beaten up, they hung in there on both sides of the ball. Poor field position was a problem for an offense that couldn't go on any long drives, and 12 penalties for 115 yards didn't help. QB Matt Baker has to be better protected; he was knocked around a little too much.---College Football---

Sept. 10---College Football---
Georgia Tech 27 ... North Carolina 21 ---College Football---
Reggie Ball threw two touchdown passes and ran for a another as Georgia Tech squeaked out a win. North Carolina had its chances, but Matt Baker, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, threw three interceptions including one with less than two minutes to play to snuff out a final shot. Tech WR Damarius Bilbo caught a career-high eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Georgia Tech QB Reggie Ball completed 24 of 47 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns and ran seven times for 20 yards and a score. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Georgia Tech - Passing: Reggie Ball, 24-47, 320 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: P.J. Daniels, 21-113. Receiving: Pat Clark, 6-36---College Football---
North Carolina - Passing: Matt Baker, 18-39, 280 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT---College Football---
Rushing: James Arnold, 9-28. Receiving: Jawarski Pollock, 4-65, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Even though the defense had problems and QB Matt Baker threw three interceptions, the Tar Heels still had a shot to beat Georgia Tech late. Baker had his moments and held up relatively well considering the pressure and speed of the Yellow Jacket defense. Unfortunately, the running game will likely be an issue all season long putting more and more pressure on Baker to not make mistakes. At the very least, he did a good job of spreading the ball around. ---College Football---
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2005 Schedule---College Football---
Sept. 10 – at Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3 in ACC) – Offense: The offense's job will be to simply hold serve so the fantastic defense can win games. That could be a problem. QB Reggie Ball has been too erratic over his first two years throwing 18 interceptions last season. But unlike the talented backup quarterbacks, Ball is mobile making him more valuable playing behind an infant line that needs a ton of work. The running backs are among the best in the country if P.J. Daniels can stay healthy. Sophomore WR Calvin Johnson has future first-round draft pick written all over him, but there isn't a proven number two man to take the heat off.
Defense: It'll be a shock if this isn't one of the nation's best defenses. Nine starters (11 if you include DT Mansfield Wright who moved to offensive guard and CB Dennis Davis who returns from shoulder problems) come back from a defense that was a brick wall against the run and only allowed 18.9 points per game. The defensive front is tremendous with four starters who can do it all and four reserves ready to step into the rotation. Gerris Wilkinson leads a good linebacking corps that's missing experienced depth. The secondary will be better than ever with Chris Reis moving from linebacker to safety and Davis returning to man the corner spot opposite of Reuben Houston.---College Football---
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Sept. 17 - Wisconsin (7-5, 3-5 in Big Ten) – Offense: Paul Chryst comes over from Oregon State to take on the co-offensive coordinator job along with Brian White, and he should do more for the passing game. John Stocco showed flashes of being a reliable quarterback last year, but he didn't do it often enough. The running game needs the backs to stay healthy, and the receiving corps has to make more big plays. While the line loses some key parts, it'll still be a strong group with a few big-time dominators.---College Football---
Defense: Bret Bielema's defense was one of the big stories of the 2004 Big Ten season finishing ninth in the nation and sixth in scoring defense. Now the entire front four needs to be replaced as does most of the secondary with several All-Big Ten talents graduating. However, there's hope with great looking young defensive linemen ready to take over and a good linebacking corps to steady things early on. There's no way to reproduce the same numbers as last year, but don't look for the roof to cave in like many will predict.---College Football---
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Sept. 24 – at NC State (6-5, 3-5 in ACC) - Offense: All the offense had to do was be competent and not screw up so the defense could win games. It didn't happen with little consistent run production and 16 interceptions thrown from the quarterbacks. Things should be better as the line returned experienced and potentially much, much better after injuries struck just about everyone last year. The running game should shine with speedsters Darrell Blackman and Bobby Washington complementing power running Reggie Davis. The concern is the passing attack as QB Jay Davis has to be more consistent and a number one wide receiver has to emerge to take the place of Richard Washington.---College Football---
Defense: The defense was number one last year in the nation in total defense, number two in pass defense and number nine is pass defense. Even though most of the starting back seven is gone, this will still be an ultra-productive group thanks to the outstanding front four. Mario Williams and Manny Lawson form the nation's best defensive end pair, while tackles John McCargo and Tank Tyler are solid veterans. There's speed and athleticism in the back seven, but there has to be proven production early. This will be a much better defense in October than it will be in September.---College Football---
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Oct. 1 - Utah (10-1, 7-1 in Mountain West) – Offense: Andy Ludwig comes over from Oregon to handle the offense trying to keep the train rolling after gaining 5,997 yards and scoring 45.3 points per game. QB Alex Smith is off earning millions as the number one pick in the draft, leading rusher Marty Johnson and top two receivers Paris Warren and Steve Savoy are also gone. Even so, this is a good attack with RB Quinton Ganther leading a good rushing attack and Brian Johnson appearing ready to be the team's new star quarterback. The line will be more than solid, especially on the left side and at center. Former walk-on receivers John Madesn and Travis LaTendresse need to become big-time producers in the starring roles.---College Football---
Defense: The defense should remain solid despite some major losses. New defensive coordinator Gary Anderson will keep the 4-3 and has three fantastic players to build around in tackle Steve Fifita, linebacker Spencer Toone and strong safety Eric Weddle. The line should be fantastic with several great options to revolve around Fifita. The secondary will turn out to be fine in time if a corner emerges on the other side of Ryan Smith. The concern is at linebacker with little experience around Toone.---College Football---
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Oct. 8 – at Louisville (10-1, 6-1 in Big East) – Offense: Talk about reloading. Louisville loses all-star quarterback Stefan LeFors, NFL-caliber, 20-touchdown running back Eric Shelton, and 73-catch receiver J.R. Russell, but should be just as strong as the offense that was the nation's best last year. There's plenty of talent returning and several great options among the reserves to keep the party rolling. QB Brian Brohm will instantly become one of the nation's top quarterbacks now that he's the full-time starter. The Cards are loaded with talented running backs and receivers and blessed with one of the nation's deepest and most athletic lines. However, the party could crash if Brohm gets hurt with no experience behind him.
Defense: The Louisville defense was overlooked last year due to the brilliance of the offense. The Cardinal D ranked number one in Conference USA in almost every category and finished second in pass defense. It won't be quite as strong this year replacing three starters in the secondary, some stars on the line and leader and top tackler Robert McCune. Even so, it's a very fast, very athletic defense that should rank near the top of most Big East categories. ---College Football---
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Oct. 22 - Virginia (7-4, 4-4 in ACC) – Offense: The Cavaliers had one of the nation's best offenses ... against average teams. Lack of a deep threat receiver and inconsistency in the backfield led to problems against teams like Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech. That should change now that quarterback Marques Hagans has a year of starting experience. The big, fast receivers should be better with more of a focus on the passing attack. The ground game will still be outstanding with Wali Lundy and Michael Johnson working behind a line that'll have to find a way to overcome the loss of Elton Brown and Zac Yarbrough.
Defense: The defense won't be quite the killer it was last year, but it'll be strong led by future millionaires Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham on the inside. Even though there aren't the stars of recent Cavalier defenses, there are plenty of great athletes and plenty of good, steady playmakers like Brennan Schmidt on the end and Tony Franklin at corner. There's decent depth everywhere.---College Football---
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Oct. 29 – at Miami (10-1, 7-1 in ACC) – Offense: The Cane offense is long on great prospects, but short on proven production. Unlike last year when the attack relied on experience over potential, players like QB Kyle Wright, RB Tyrone Moss and WR Lance Leggett have more excitement around them and have more NFL potential. Moss and Leggett have given a glimpse of what they can do, but Wright, or Kirby Freeman, has to show the maturity and poise to handle one of college football's most glamorous and highly scrutinized positions. The offensive line will be more than solid, but it needs Eric Winston and Tyler McMeans to return to pre-injury form.---College Football---
Defense: This will be one of the best defenses in the country, if not the best. The only concern is with a run defense that was surprisingly soft last year allowing 155 yards per game. If that's tightened up, this will be a killer with 11 players returning who started six or more games last year. That doesn't include superstar Devin Hester taking over the full-time job at one of the corners. The linebacking corps has the potential to be one of Miami's best ever.---College Football---
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Nov. 5 - Boston College (8-3, 5-3 in ACC) – Offense: The Eagle offense will be tough to stop in every phase if the receiving corps comes around. Larry Lester has to go from being a nice secondary target to a go-to receiver, while star corner Will Blackmon has to be a big-time threat. Quarterback Quinton Porter is back and ready to roar after redshirting last year using his experience and decision making ability to be a strong leader of the veteran attack. L.V Whitworth and Andre Callender form a strong 1-2 rushing punch behind the ACC's best line that returns all five starters.---College Football---
Defense: The Eagles will once again have a stingy defense after allowing a mere 333 yards and 17 points per game. The linebacking corps is terrific with all three starters returning led by weakside star Brian Toal. The line has tremendous potential working around All-American and future NFL millionaire Mathias Kiwanuka. Size is the only concern in a very productive secondary.---College Football---
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Nov. 12 - Maryland (6-5, 3-5 in ACC) - Offense: The Terp offense was non-existent for most of last year averaging a mere 298 yards and 17.7 points per game. Take out the 45-point explosion against woeful Temple and the 55-point destruction of Duke and Maryland would've averaged a mere 10.6 points per outing. Things won't be much better unless there's more production at quarterback. Sam Hollenbach will get the first look, but mobile Jordan Steffy and last year's starter, Joel Statham, will be in the hunt. There's little proven production from the rest of the skills spots, but there's a world of speed and athleticism. The line should be far better; the coaching staff raves about this group.---College Football---
Defense: Despite some huge losses (Shawne Merriman, Chris Kelley, Dominique Foxworth), last year's 21st best defense should turn out to be fine thanks to D'Qwell Jackson and a sensational linebacking corps. The back seven can move, and there might not be a faster cornerback pair in America than Gerrick McPhearson (4.28 40) and Josh Wilson (4.35). Pass rush is a concern without a true dominator to rely on, so the D will have to manufacture pressure early until young prospects like Trey Covington and Omar Savage can come through.---College Football---
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Nov. 19 - Duke (3-8, 0-8 in ACC) – Offense: The Blue Devils can go nowhere but up after finishing dead-last in total offense averaging 266 yards per game and averaging 16.6 points per outing. There's experience returning among the skill players with quarterback Mike Schneider returning for his third year as a starter getting two fantastic tight ends, Andy Roland and Ben Patrick, to work with. The backfield will be a strength as long as Cedric Dargan can stay healthy, but they won't produce much behind a rebuilding offensive line that returns one starter.---College Football---
Defense: The defense couldn't stop anyone's running game finishing 113th in the nation and allowed 426 yards per game of total offense. Expect that to change as the line has gone from a weakness to a strength with star tackle recruit Vince Oghobaase taking over in the middle along with the hopeful return of end Phillip Alexander from a broken leg. The secondary will be fine led by corner John Talley, but the linebackers will be a concern early until two new starters get their feet wet.---College Football---
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Nov. 26 – at Virginia Tech (9-2, 6-2 in ACC) – Offense: The offense was efficient last year, but it didn't move the ball much averaging almost 31 points per game despite only averaging 366 yards. Now this should be a devastating attack as long as Marcus Vick plays like he's supposed to. There are two great quarterback prospects (Sean Glennon and Cory Holt) also in the mix, but Vick is the type of player who can make this loaded attack special. There's too much talent at running back and receiver for one football, and the line is big and will be fine in time. Expect big, explosive numbers, but the question is whether or not someone can pick up the leadership slack left by Bryan Randall.---College Football---
Defense: While this probably won't be the killer defense it was last year when it finished fourth in the nation and second in scoring defense, it'll still be impressive with a tremendous front four, an experienced linebacking corps, and All-America corner Jimmy Williams leading the secondary. Depth is a bit of a problem in the back seven with decent, but mostly inexperienced prospects being shuffled around to find the right fit. Like always with the Hokies, expect plenty of great athletes, lots of big plays, and another good year.---College Football------College Football---

Hawaii (2-4) at San Jose State (1-5), 6 pm ET GamePlan
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Why to watch: Hawaii needs all the wins it can get over lousy teams to get in the mix for a bowl game. With Fresno State, Nevada and Wisconsin still ahead, getting to a post-season game might be next to impossible, but that doesn’t mean the Warriors can’t come close if they can somehow find some semblance of a defense. San Jose State is on a five-game losing streak, but isn’t playing all that poorly even though it doesn’t have much to hang its hat on. There are signs, albeit small ones, that the team is improving with a little of offense, an improving passing game, and a wee bit of defense.---college football---
Why Hawaii might win: San Jose State doesn’t have much of a pass defense allowing 266.5 yards per game, and has even more problems against dink and dunk passing games. Helloooo Hawaii. The Warriors are quickly finding their stride with Colt Brennan coming off a 515-yard, seven touchdown day against New Mexico State. He’s averaging 332 yards per game with 18 touchdown passes in six games, but … ---college football---
Why San Jose State might win: … Hawaii tends to go bye-bye on the road. Yeah, there was the win over Idaho, but the 24-0 win was a rare occurrence. This is a team that needs to be home to win, and even though San Jose State doesn’t have much of a home field advantage, it got its one win in Spartan Stadium and played a far superior Nevada team tough. If the offense can be a little better on third downs and can keep the defense off the field, it’ll have a chance. ---college football---
Who to watch: And the San Jose State starting quarterback will be … ? J.P. Greco got the call last week and did absolutely nothing against Boise State after John Broussard took a short pass 90 yards for a score. Outside of that, Greco completed seven of 17 passes for 32 yards. Adam Tafralis, who stepped in and completed nine of 16 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns, might be the better option, but the coaching staff is looking for anyone who can provide a spark. ---college football---
What will happen: If San Jose State can get any sort of consistent play from the quarterbacks, it’ll win. Dick Tomey’s group is due to get a few breaks, and it’ll finally get them against a Hawaii defense that’ll make the San Jose State offense look like Texas Tech.---college football---
CFN Prediction: San Jose State 30 … Hawaii 27 ... Line: Hawaii -7 | Make your pick and compete against others
Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Tyra Banks Show) ... 2---college football---
Final Score: ---college football---

College Football Squad Schedules Doubleheader

ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- Doubleheaders are commonplace in baseball -- but football? Players at Northwestern College in suburban St. Paul, Minn., will be playing two games this Saturday and both count.The first will be a home game. - College Football -

Then, after a brief break, the Eagles will pile onto a bus and drive a little more than six miles to Macalester College for a nonconference evening game.Northwestern's director of athletics Matt Hill says he called the NCAA to make sure the double-up games wouldn't violate any rules. He says no one can remember any college team playing two in a day before. The school is also getting a good bit of publicity. - College Football -

Both Sports Illustrated and ESPN are planning coverage.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

College Football Notebook: Apology saves Feinstein's job

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER NEWS SERVICES

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Commentator John Feinstein will be back on the air for Saturday's Navy-Air Force game despite uttering an obscenity during the radio broadcast of last week's Navy game. - - College Football - -

"No one feels worse about this than John. He made a mistake," Navy spokesman Scott Strasemeier said Tuesday.

Feinstein is a noted author of books about sports, including basketball, golf and the football rivalry between Army and Navy titled, "A Civil War: Army vs. Navy." - - College Football - -

During the broadcast Saturday, Feinstein directed a profanity at the referees after a Duke receiver appeared to push a Navy defender so he could catch a 2-point conversion pass and tie the score 21-21 with 3 minutes, 20 seconds remaining. Navy still won, 28-21.

Feinstein pulled himself from the rest of the broadcast and offered an on-air apology at the end of the game. He also immediately offered his resignation, but it was rejected. - - College Football - -

"It was an inexcusable mistake," Feinstein said Tuesday. "I regretted it probably some kind of nanosecond after it was out of my mouth. I apologize to everybody who was listening and to the people at the academy who have been great to me and to my partners in the booth." - - College Football - -

©1996-2005 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Roby: NFL just horsing around on rules change

By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer

The NFL said it planned to crack down on the horse-collar tackle this fall.

Titans receiver Courtney Roby isn't so sure he believes it.

After reviewing Ravens kicker Matt Stover's tackle of Roby in last Sunday's game at the Coliseum, the NFL has decided not to fine Stover.

Earlier this week, Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he expected Stover to be fined since the tackle was exactly what the NFL's competition committee decided to outlaw.

Fisher is co-chairman of the committee, which guides the league through rules changes.

"Are you serious? I am very surprised,'' Roby said yesterday when he learned Stover would not be fined. "I guess I really can't comment too much, but I thought he would be fined. I thought that was a clear horse-collar. It is definitely a dangerous tackle.''

Roby injured his left big toe on the play. He remained in a walking boot yesterday and isn't expected to play tomorrow at St. Louis.

Fisher said he talked to an NFL official this week, but didn't reveal specifics of the conversation.

"To me what we want to do is eliminate the technique from the game. It has become a dangerous tackling technique which results in injuries,'' Fisher said. "Just because (Stover) wasn't fined doesn't mean they are not going to fine another incident.

"I think the issue they had there was the rule states it was the inside collar of the shoulder pad and they couldn't be certain that he didn't get part of the jersey. That is why they didn't levy the fine, I'm sure.''

Kassell's football: Linebacker Brad Kassell got his football back and Pioneer Christian senior Kyle Smith got an impressive souvenir.

Smith was at the Coliseum last Sunday and caught the ball linebacker Keith Bulluck kicked into the stands after Kassell's 21-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Ravens. Kassell lost track of the ball in the celebration.

After the game, Kassell's father got Smith's phone number. Kassell and Smith spoke this week and yesterday they met to swap footballs — Kassell got his first career touchdown ball back, while Smith received a newfootball autographed by many Titans.

"I am going to give him some money, too. He is a good guy. I appreciate what he's doing," Kassell said. "I'm not sure what I'll end up doing with the ball. I'll probably put it a closet and maybe pull it out some day when someone calls me a liar.''

Bulluck won't be fined for kicking the ball into the stands, an NFL official said yesterday.

Injuries: Linebacker Peter Sirmon (knee) practiced yesterday for the first time this week.

Sirmon, who was injured against the Ravens, took part in individual drills and also split reps in team drills. His status for tomorrow's game against the Rams is still in doubt, however.

"You saw practice,'' Sirmon said. "I am feeling better. We'll see.''

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) did not practice for the third straight day. Safety Justin Sandy (foot) was wearing a protective boot.

Getting his kicks: With Roby injured, first-round pick Pacman Jones is expected to get a chance to return kickoffs.

Roby will be a tough act to follow. He's averaging 26.6 yards a return and looked comfortable during the first two games.

"Hopefully I'll do OK,'' Jones said.

At some point Jones could work his way back as a punt returner, but that job is Andrae Thurman's for now.

As for how Jones will do returning kickoffs, Fisher said: "He is fine back there. The run skills are run skills. He has got the run skills. We had some difficulty during the preseason fielding punts. The kickoff, generally speaking, is easier to handle.''

Good fit: Before free agent defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch signed with the Titans this past offseason, he also considered the Rams.

Vanden Bosch played under Rams defensive coordinator Larry Marmie, a former UT assistant, while at Arizona. When decision time rolled around, however, Vanden Bosch also considered his knees.

"At the time they still had the turf and just because I've had the injuries I have had … my agent said it was probably better to stay away from it,'' Vanden Bosch said. - NFL Football -

The Rams tore up their old turf and now have the softer Field Turf.

Vanden Bosch, who had ACL surgery on both knees earlier in his career, has had no knee trouble with the Titans. He had three sacks last week against Baltimore. - NFL Football -

"We are familiar with Kyle. He is a high motor guy. He comes off the edge,'' Rams Coach Mike Martz said. "He is a good player. We would have liked to have him here.''

Could've been: The Rams tried to lure Sirmon to St. Louis in 2002.

Sirmon, a restricted free agent at the time, visited the Rams. But the Titans stepped in and signed Sirmon to a long-term deal. - NFL Football -

"You are never going to fool Peter," Martz said. "There is nobody in the league that does his homework better than Peter does. He will know everything about you. Whether you sneeze, whether you wheeze, whatever you do. He is going to know everything. Probably as good of film guy as there is in the league on defense.

"Obviously he plays like that. He just doesn't make any mistakes.''

Copyright © 2005, tennessean.com. All rights reserved.

Flavorful Fanatics

Football followers in small towns proudly display allegiance to their teams.
Tania Deluzuriaga and Steve Elling
Sentinel Staff Writers

EN ROUTE TO GAINESVILLE -- After six days touring three states and putting exactly 999.9 miles on the odometer, a trend is starting to emerge.

Yeah, football in the southeastern states is often a matter of culture, geography and environment. It's also biological.
How else to explain the chromosomal, inherent, multi-generational attraction that some folks have for their favorite college football team? Kim Wells, for instance, has a 3-year-old son named Luke who was born to be a Georgia fan.

"One of his first sentences, honest to God, was 'Go Dawgs, woof, woof, woof,' " said Wells, 27, who lives in tiny Ludowici, Ga., a one stop-light town on U.S. 301.

"One flashing red," she said.

At least it's the school color. Her daughter Leah, who is all of 4 months old, will be wearing the garb of a UGa cheerleader at Halloween. Her father, Glenn "Pig" Jones, is a longtime Georgia fan, athlete and game official who is running for mayor of Port Wentworth.

"How can you live in Georgia and not be a Georgia fan?" she said.

For those with certain DNA, there's not much choice. In terms of football fanaticism, U.S. 301 serves as football's character-defining strand. - College Football -

Crossing three states in one day Friday en route to the University of Florida's season opener tonight against Wyoming, the regional flavors of football changed almost as often as the preferred style of barbecue.

At P&M Barbecue in Folkston, Ga., just four miles north of the Florida border, Boston pork butts roast on a roadside smoker four days a week. Cooked until it falls off the bone and then slathered with a tomato-based sauce, the meat is typical south Georgia barbecue; folks further up 301 in South Carolina prefer a mustard or vinegar base. - College Football -

Everybody has their favorite, just like in football, said Randall Steedley, whose wife owns the barbecue stand. Except with the latter the lines of allegiance are mostly drawn on a map.

"That's the magic line right there," Steedley said, nodding toward the state line.

That's roughly where the game-day procession will begin as thousands of Florida fans file into Gainesville to see Urban Meyer's debut as coach of the Gators.

Outside Alexander's Gift Shop in Starke, southbound traffic was already starting to back up late Friday afternoon. - College Football -

"Highway 301 during games, all you see is Gator flags going by," said Lucille Palazzi, whose family owns the shop. "A lot of people that go to the games come from Jacksonville and this is the road."

Camped along that route in Lawtey was politically correct Cindy Dowdy, selling three types of boiled peanuts and fresh South Carolina peaches.

"I'm a Gator, but I like Florida State, too," she said. "Don't get me wrong, when it comes to Florida/Florida State, I hate to tell you, I'm a Gator." - College Football -

That doesn't make much sense, but it surely will appease all of Dowdy's customers.

Highway 301 zigs and zags its way from the north, away from Columbia, S.C., where the morning drive began following South Carolina's 24-15 victory over UCF on Thursday night.

The one constant along the way was that it didn't take long to find a football fan, eager to talk about the game as the season kicked off over the past few days. - College Football -

Copyright © 2005, Orlando Sentinel

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Pittsburgh Panthers
Brian Covert

Line: Pittsburgh is a 3-point favorite for their season opener
Total: Oddsmakers have the total set at 52 ½-points

Charlie Weis’ job will be to inject new life into an offense that has not ranked higher in the nation than 76th over the last five years. The former New England offensive coordinator will start by simply trying to make the game more fun.

“Football, as tough as it is, as much work as it is, you`re supposed to have some fun,” Weis said.

The first place to start will be with the running game which set a school record for futility by averaging only 127.4 yards per game last season. However Weis does have a potential stud running back in Darius Walker to work with. Walker set a Notre Dame freshman record with 786 rushing yards last season. The entire receiving corps returns along with a five-man starting offensive line that combined for 59 starts last season.

They travel to Pittsburgh to take on NFL-refugee Dave Wannstedt and the Pittsburgh Panthers. Pittsburgh returns 16 starters including dynamic quarterback Tyler Palko who led the Panthers to an 8-4 record and a share of the Big East title last season.

Palko threw for five touchdowns and 334 yards in Pittsburgh’s 41-38 win as an 11-point favorite last November.

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