The Defensive Coordinator: Review of October 4
  By Matt Priesmeyer
NationalChamps.net Writer
Broomfield, CO
NationalChamps.net is proud to now have our very own defensive analyst for each week's hindsights. Matt Priesmeyer is a savvy young man who, at just 14, is deeply entrenched in our favorite sport. His breakdowns and understanding of the game are worthy and true, so we feel strongly about this future journalist and his writing. As the site's editor, I know I wasn't even close to this level of football analysis at that age. So follow the rise and writings of our fledging expert.

 

Team

Oklahoma: No overlooking Iowa State for the Sooners. With the Red River Shootout coming up this week, Oklahoma got business done against a struggling Iowa State team. Oklahoma pounded the Cyclones 53-7 at Iowa State's Jack Trice Stadium. Actually, the Oklahoma defense pitched a shutout as Iowa State's only points were through an interception return. The injured Iowa State team was no match for Oklahoma. Austin Flynn, Iowa State's quarterback is no Seneca Wallace as he went 6-of-17 for 88 yards, 0 touchdowns and two INTs. Flynn was also the leading Iowa State rusher, going for 19 carries and a measly 49 yards. Iowa State's leading rusher Hiwatha Rutland is out for the year.

Utah: Wow, how about rookie coach Urban Meyer and his Utah Utes? They are now an impressive 4-1 after taking down Oregon, 17-13. The Ducks could only muster 80 yards running against the tough Utah defense. Oregon used their two-QB rotation against Utah. Kellen Clemens was 12-of-24 for 246 yards, but the big number here is 0 touchdowns thrown. Jason Fife, the other quarterback went 3-9 for 22 yards 0 touchdowns and one INT. Utah's "D" stood on their head down the stretch as Oregon only got to the Utah 36-yard line in the second half.

Michigan State: Face it, Michigan State is for real and John L. Smith is one of the best coaches in America. Indiana was the Spartans' latest victim on Saturday as the Hoosiers got crushed 31-3. Matt LoVecchio, the transfer from Notre Dame who's now the starting quarterback for Indiana, went 14-for-31 for 168 yards 0 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions. The running game combined for a decent 117 yards but could never bust out any big plays as the Spartan defense kept it contained. Indiana had just one turnover for the game and that was a fumble.

Ole Miss: These Rebels just have Florida and Ron Zook's number. For the second year in a row, Ole Miss upset Florida, this time 20-17. Just allowing 17 points to a powerful Florida offense is a job well done. Florida's 226-week streak of being in the AP poll is done. Ran Carthon had a great day rushing for Florida with 15 carries for 108 yards. DeShawn Wynn followed with 11 carries for 40 yards. Chris Leak didn't have a bad day throwing either, as he went 14-for-27 for 234 yards and two TDs. But the interceptions are what killed, he had three of them, including one at the end of the game that clinched the win for the Runnin' Rebels. Even tight end Ben Troupe had a good day with 4 catches for 63 yards and one TD. The thing was, Ole Miss shut out Florida in the second half for the second straight year.

Colorado State: OK, know I am a Colorado Buffaloes fan, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Colorado State, after a disappointing start to their season, came back to crush a good Fresno State team, 34-10. The Fresno State passing game could never get it going against the CSU secondary as Jeff Grady went 11-of-19 for 111 yards, 0 touchdowns and two INTs. Jeff Grady came in to the game but just went 6-of-12 for 47 yards. Something that the Colorado State defense did have trouble stopping was the Fresno State running game as they allowed 179 yards. But the overall effort is noteworthy here.

 

Individual

Eric Oliver, DB, Ole Miss: Oliver was the guy who made a fantastic interception on Chris Leak that secured the big upset win against Florida. Leak sent a long bomb down the middle from his own 33 with about 30 seconds left. Oliver made a great play to get it at the Ole Miss 25. It was Chris Leak's third and final INT of the game.

JaMaine Billups, DB, Iowa State: Hats off to Billups, he scored the only Iowa State points against Oklahoma. He did it with a nice long 77-yard INT return off Paul Thompson and gave something for the few fans left at Jack Trice Stadium to cheer about.

Jarrad Page and Rodney Leslie, UCLA: UCLA was down 16-14 at half. Then UCLA won the second half 39-0. These two guys supplied much of the help. On the first play from scrimmage in the third, Leslie recovered a fumble in the end zone for UCLA. It was Leslie's first play of the game as he had to sit out the first half due to throwing a punch in the San Diego State game. Jarrad Page started to blow the game open with a 24-yard INT return for a touchdown in the early parts of the fourth.

Carlos Rogers, DB, Auburn: Rogers saved the day for Auburn against Tennessee. Tennessee went on a furious rally, going from being down 28-7 to making it good at 28-21. With 1:54 left, Tennessee started a drive from their own 29. As they drove up the field they had a 1st-and-10 on Auburn's 30. As Clausen was throwing to one of his wide receivers, Rogers made a dive and intercepted the ball to clinch the year's biggest win for Auburn.

Jamaal Harper, Baylor: Harper took a 7-yard fumble return to the house in Baylor's big win over Colorado. The play made it 28-23 Baylor, and from that point on, they never relinquished the lead. Baylor won their Big 12 opener 42-30.