TORONTO, On. - Ray Rice had a record-setting day to lead the heavily-favored Rutgers Scarlet Knights to a 52-30 victory over the Ball State Cardinals in the second annual International Bowl.

Rice scored four touchdowns, set a school record with 280 rushing yards and became just the fifth player to reach 2,000 rushing yards for a season in college football history, propelling Rutgers (8-5) to its second bowl victory in as many years.

Continue reading "Rice steals the show in Rutgers victory" »

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 05:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - It's officially a blowout.

Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel just threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt to put the Scarlet Knights ahead 52-23 against Ball State with 4:21 left in the International Bowl. Teel has three touchdown passes today.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 03:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are not simply a one-man team.

While running back Ray Rice has been unstoppable today, Rutgers just scored a touchdown in another way as Mike Teel connected with Tiquan Underwood to put the Scarlet Knights on top 45-23 against Ball State with 9:55 left in the International Bowl.

It was a nice response to a Ball State touchdown on the previous drive as Nate Davis threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Darius Hill.

The ensuing onside kick attempt failed and Rutgers was in perfect position to take advantage of a reeling Ball State defense.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Ray Rice has just hit the 2,000-yard rushing mark for the season with a 12-yard run to end the third quarter. He becomes the fifth player in NCAA history to accomplish that feat.

Rice's Rutgers Scarlet Knights lead the Ball State Cardinals 38-16. Ball State quarterback Nate Davis fumbled in Rutgers territory on the previous play, giving the ball back to the Scarlet Knights.

The attendance has been announced as 31,455, almost 4,000 more than the crowd at last year's game. Bowl organizers will be happy with the figure.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - This is getting predictable.

Ray Rice has scored his fourth touchdown of the game, on a one-yard carry, to put Rutgers up 38-16 against Ball State with 2:42 left in the third quarter.

Rice has a whopping 260 rushing yards today, already a school record with more than a quarter to play. He is eight yards away from becoming the fifth player to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a season in college football history.

He set the stage for his latest plunge into the end zone with a 24-yard carry. It's highlight-reel stuff here at the Rogers Centre.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - With a chance to cut further into Rutgers' lead, Ball State quarterback Nate Davis just missed hooking up with Dante Love, overthrowing the star receiver on a deep pass.

Love had a step on the defender and could have put the ball deep in Rutgers territory, but the pass fell incomplete and the Cardinals were forced to punt.

They still trail 31-16 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Just when it looked like Rutgers was going to run away with the International Bowl, the Ball State Cardinals have fought back to narrow the Scarlet Knights' lead to 31-16.

Reeling after a dynamic 90-yard touchdown run by Ray Rice, the Cardinals responded with their own touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard pass from Nate Davis to Dante Love. It marked the first touchdown of the game for Ball State, which remains alive with almost 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Ray Rice can't be stopped here at the International Bowl.

The dynamic running back from Rutgers just scored his third touchdown of the game on a spectacular 90-yard rush, putting his Scarlet Knights up 31-9 against Ball State early in the third quarter.

Rice got outside and stayed on his feet and inbounds after he was bumped by free safety Eddie Burk. He just crossed the goal line after he was tackled at the feet by B.J. Hill.

The 90-yard dash allowed Rice to tie the record for longest rush in school history.

Rice now has 208 yards on 24 carries. If this is his last game with Rutgers, Rice is going out in style.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 02:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Despite being outplayed by a significant margin, the Ball State Cardinals aren't out of the International Bowl just yet.

The Cardinals added their third field goal of the game, a 32-yarder by Ian McGarvey, on the final play of the first half to cut Rutgers' lead to 24-9 at halftime. The Cardinals had just 40 seconds to get into field goal range after Ray Rice put the Scarlet Knights up 24-6 with his second touchdown rush of the game.

Continue reading "Rutgers in control at halftime, but Cardinals hanging tough" »

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Toronto, On. - To the surprise of no one, Rutgers star running back Ray Rice has been dominating force in the first half of the International Bowl.

Rice added his second one-yard touchdown run of the half with 40 seconds left in the second quarter to put Rutgers up 24-6 against Ball State. Rice has 110 rushing yards, marking the eighth game in a row he has reached that mark.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 01:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Toronto, On. - For the first time at the International Bowl, Ball State has forced Rutgers into a punting situation.

The Cardinals stuffed Rutgers star running back Ray Rice on a third-and-three rush. It's a good sign for the Cardinals, who remain within striking distance as they trail 17-6 with four minutes left in the first half.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Toronto, On. - The Ball State Cardinals' best drive of the game so far did not result in a touchdown.

However, Ball State did score three points on a 24-yard field goal by Ian McGarvey, cutting Rutgers' lead to 17-6 midway through the second quarter here at the International Bowl. Ball State drove 73 yards on 15 plays, but was stopped at the Rutgers seven on an incomplete pass on third-and-four.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Toronto, On. - Jeremy Ito has nailed a 53-yard field goal to put Rutgers up 17-3 against Ball State early in the second quarter.

Ito tied for his career-longest field goal with the 53-yard boot. It's also an International Bowl record.

Cardinals linebacker Mike Dorulla almost prevented Ito from stepping on the field, but he just missed intercepting a tipped pass from Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel on the previous play.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - The Ball State Cardinals have cut Rutgers' lead to 14-3 with a 47-yard field goal by Ian McGarvey.

Ball State got a much-needed jolt of momentum on a big kickoff return by B.J. Hill, who took a lateral from Dante Love and raced down to the Rutgers 39.

We're done one quarter here at the Rogers Centre.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Toronto, On - After a disappointing turnover, Rutgers has responded with an impressive touchdown drive.

Starting at their own 30-yard line, the Scarlet Knights worked their way down the field and took a 14-0 lead over Ball State on a one-yard touchdown run by star running back Ray Rice.

Rice, who carried the ball for double-digit gains on the previous two plays, heard chants of "One more year" from the pro-Rutgers crowd after scoring. Clearly, Scarlet Knights fans figure Rice can wait another year before becoming rich.

Ball State, meanwhile, has done next to nothing with the ball. The Cardinals desperately need a big drive.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Rutgers has squandered a glorious opportunity to add to its 7-0 lead.

Quarterback Mike Teel tried to force the ball into the end zone, but was picked off on the one-yard line by Ball State's Trey Lewis. The Scarlet Knights had moved the ball to the Ball State 29.

Ball State was in a bit of trouble after the interception, positioned just outside the end zone, but the Cardinals managed to notch a first down on a third-down pass.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Well, that didn't take long.

Rutgers showcased its high-powered offense on its opening drive, capping it with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel to a wide-open Tim Brown to give the Scarlet Knights a 7-0 lead over Ball State in the International Bowl. The six-play march started with a 21-yard by Ray Rice.

This one could become one-sided in a hurry.

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TORONTO, On. - Greetings from Toronto’s Rogers Centre, site of the second annual International Bowl.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights, representing the Big East, are heavy favorites against the Mid-American Conference’s Ball State Cardinals.

Continue reading "International Bowl preview" »

Posted by CSTV.com Reporter at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - What a game. What more can be said?

Both teams had great showings. Purdue showed remarkable resiliance in coming back after it looked like Central Michigan had completely regained all momentum when the Chippewas tied the game, and Central Michigan did the same in making its initial comeback.

Purdue had the weight of the Big Ten on its shoulders. It was one of the few conference teams favored to win in the bowl season, and it would have really set a negative tone for the rest of the Big Ten had it dropped the conference's first bowl game to a MAC team.

Continue reading "Motor City Bowl wrap up" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Chris Summers knocked through a 40-yard field goal with no time remaining to give Purdue a win in one of the most thrilling bowl games I've ever witnessed. Purdue holds off a pesky and talented Central Michigan team, 51-48.

In between starting the drive and taking a knee at the 23-yardline to set up for a potential 40-yard game-winning yard attempt, Painter set Purdue's all-time record for passing yardage in a game. That's pretty impressive considering the two quarterbacks whose record he broke both started last Sunday in the NFL.

Posted by Scott Bell at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - What else did you expect?

The first play out of the timeout, LeFevour found Bryan Anderson on a fade to the left part of the endzone for the game-tying score.

Six plays, 66 yards, 1:06 off the clock. Simple enough, eh?

It's Anderson's third touchdown catch of the night.

The game is all tied up with 1:09 remaining.

Posted by Scott Bell at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - After getting sacked and gaining minimal yards on a scramble, it looked like it was all over for Dan LeFevour and the Chippewas.

But come on, this game couldn't end that easily, could it? Facing a 3rd-and-16, LeFevour found Duane Brooks for a 34-yard connection to get the Chippewas to midfield. A 13-yard pass and 16-yard scramble followed, and Purdue called a timeout with 1:14 remaining. Central Michigan has the ball on the Purdue's 20.

Posted by Scott Bell at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - With 2:22 left, Purdue will be punting to Central Michigan after the Chippewas stopped the Boilermakers at Purdue's 30-yardline. Central Michigan exhausted all of its timeouts in the process, though.

This should be a good one.

Posted by Scott Bell at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Facing 3rd-and-7, Curtis Painter found Jake Standeford down the left for just enough for a first down.

Dustin Keller, Greg Orton, Standeford are all over 100 yards receiving on the night.

Curtis Painter has thrown for more than 500 yards, too. He has 501 yards right now (Kyle Orton and Drew Brees are tied for the team's all-time record with 522 yards apiece.).

The final three minutes should be interesting. Does Purdue, who has just 26 yards on 21 carries this game, try running the clock on the ground, or does it stick to its strengths, pass the ball, and risk turnover/clock stoppage?

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - It looked like Purdue dug itself out of its own endzone, but a convenient time out keeps them inside its own two-yardline.

Facing a 2nd-and-10, Curtis Painter appeared to find a teammate for a 15-yard pass. But before the play was snapped, Central Michigan called a timeout, enfuriating the Purdue faithful and a handful of players on the field.

With five minutes left, Purdue leads 48-41.

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - The Chippewas' chance to take back the momentum came up short.

Central Michigan got a gift when it looked like its drive was over. Purdue was called for offsides on a third-and-long where LeFevour's screen pass to Ontario Sneed was off the mark.

But on the team's second shot, Central Michigan still couldn't convert. LeFevour's quarterback keeper was three yards short of the first down marker.

Tony Mikulec's soccer style punt traveled 53 yards and was downed inside the two, pinning Purdue very deep into its own territory.

Continue reading "Central stalls, but Purdue is pinned deep" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Purdue just capped off a 12-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by backup running back Jaycen Taylor.

The Boilermakers converted on two third-and-long situations, both laser-sharp passes from Painter. The second third-down connection put Painter at 464 passing yards, a Motor City Bowl record (he now has 473).

More importantly, though, the long drive silented the crowd and gave the momentum back to Purdue after it looked like the Chippewas could do no wrong and the Boilermakers had lost all hope.

But now, with just eight minutes left, the Boilermakers are once again in control, leading the underdog Chippewas 48-41.

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - After Central Michigan tripped up on its chance to tie the game on offense, its defense stepped up again, causing its third turnover of the night.

Central Michigan's Casey Droscha emt Korey Sheets in the backfield, stuffing him for a loss and then knocking the ball loose. Teammate Nick Bellore picked up the ball and returned it all the way to Purdue's six-yard line.

Two plays and another LeFevour touchdown scamper later, and this game is improbably tied up, 41-41.

Continue reading "Fit to be tied" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Both the Central Michigan defense and the now-raucous Central Michigan fans have had new life breathed into them.

The Chippewa defense - which allowed more than a point per minute in the first half - has calmed down in the second half. It has stopped the Boilermakers three straight drives on defense.

And that has led to the crowd - 60,624 strong - to being louder than any Detroit Lions one has likely been this season. The fans are very pro-Central Michigan, and the defenses resurgance has really brought out the best in the crowd.

Central Michigan now has the ball with a chance to tie the game.

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Wow.

The game many had hoped for is happening after all. Central Michigan is now within seven after a ridiculous touchdown run by Dan LeFevour. The mobile quarterback scrambled for a touchdown, throwing some Reggie Bush-like jukes in for good measure.

That rush was LeFevour's 21st of the night, and put him two yards away from the 100-yard mark. He also has 202 yards through the air.

Purdue leads 41-34 with 5:02 left ... in the third quarter.

Posted by Scott Bell at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - After both teams traded punts, Purdue started its next drive near midfield.

Curtis Painter threaded a nice pass up the middle to Dorien Bryant, who tipped the ball right into the hands of Central Michigan's E.J. McLaughlin. The freshman defensive back returned it into Purdue territory.

The Chippewas now have a shot to get back into the game for the first time since the early stages of tonight's contest.

Posted by Scott Bell at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - more touchdowns.

(OK, sorry, I had to get the Saturday Night Live name pun joke in there somewhere).

After a shaky first half, sophomore Dan LeFevour has really picked it up in the second half. He just tossed his third touchdown of the night (his second in the four-minute long second half) and again closed the gap to two scores.

This drive ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Bryan Anderson.

LeFevour has now thrown for 181 yards and rushed for 78 more.

Posted by Scott Bell at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - It didn't take long for Purdue to answer.

Less than a minute and a half after the Chippewas' emphatic start to the second half, the Boilermakers found themselves in a familiar location - the Ford Field endzone.

This drive ended with a 19-yard pass to Jake Standeford.

Continue reading "Painter can't be stopped" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Central Michigan coach Butch Davis kept his team in the locker room until less than one minute was left in halftime. Whatever he told his team must have clicked.

Seconds into the second half, Dan LeFevour found teammate Antonio Brown down the left for a 76-yard touchdown pass. The Ford Field crowd erupted to the loudest cheers heard yet at tonight's game.

Posted by Scott Bell at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - There have been 47 points at halftime, and I'm not the least bit surprised. The surprise has come on the distribution of those points. Purdue was favored to win, but I really thought Central Michigan would put up a good fight and could potentially win this one.

Instead, Purdue, the team many thought wouldn't appreciate this bowl game as much as a smaller-conference team like Central Michigan would, has been the team that has played the inspired ball.

Unless Central Michigan comes out on fire in the second half, this looks like Purdue will cruise to victory here. So what does Central Michigan have to do if it wants to get back into the game?

Continue reading "Motor City Bowl halftime thoughts" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Kory Sheets appeared to have scored on second-and-goal, but was ruled an inch short of breaking the goalline. After Curtis Painter fumbled the third-and-goal snap, it looked like the ref's spotting of Sheets' run could cost the Boilermakers some points.

But with just 16 seconds left in the half, Purdue coach Joe Tiller opted to go for the touchdown up 14 on the one-yard line. His risky call paid off, and Sheets found the endzone on his second chance, extending Purdue's lead to 34-13 heading into halftime.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Dan LeFevour just found wide receiver Bryan Anderson down the left sideline for a 49-yard touchdown. The pass just barely found its way into Anderson's fingertips as the sophomore stretched out his arms after getting past a Purdue defender to make himself open for the deep ball. After the extra point, Purdue's lead is cut to 14 points, 27-13.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Chris Summers made another chip shot to extend Purdue's lead to 21.

Purdue fans are livid that what pass interference wasn't called on a third-and-goal fade pass from Painter. Still, the Boilermakers are completely in the driver's seat, and will continue to be unless Central Michigan makes some big adjustments.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Trailing by 18 and needing a spark, Central michigan fans were hoping coach Butch Davis would allow the Chippewas to go for it on fourth-and-1 near midfield. But Davis sent on the punting team, and Chippewa fans sent out a reactionary chorus of boos.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - After what looked like Curtis Painter's third touchdown pass of the night, the once-silent maroon-clad fans had something to cheer for. Painter connected with senior Jake Standeford on third and goal, but the touchdown was negated by a holding call.

Chris Summers knocked in a 30-yard field goal to bump the Boilermakers' lead to 24-6, but the Chippewas might have gotten something to build on if they want to get back into this game.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - My hands hurt.

Just seconds after Central Michigan's field goal, Purdue answered quickly - and emphatically.

Curtis Painter connected with Dustin Keller for a 62-yard touchdown pass on the drive's first and only play. Keller slipped between two Central Michigan defenders trying to make the tackle and easily made his way down the right sideline and into the endzone. With 10 seconds left in the first half, Purdue leads 21-6.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Central Michigan's Andrew Aguila may not be a big-market player, but the sophomore junior college transfer is doing well against a Big Ten team on a big stage.

After knocking through a 27-yard field goal to start the game's scoring, Aguila just made a 47 yarder with ease to close in on Purdue's 11-point lead. The Boilermakers now lead 14-6.

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - For those of you watching on television seeing the West Virginia-esque spread option attack the Chippewas are using, it shouldn't come as much of a suprise.

Central Michigan's first-year coach Butch Davis came to Mount Pleasant from Morgantown last season to take over for Cincinnati-bound Brian Kelly.

Davis has been succesful in his first year as Central Michigan's coach - maybe too succesful for Chippewa fans who are afraid they may lose their second coach in as many years.

Continue reading "Is that West Virginia?" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Dorien Bryant returned a kick 35 yards to give Purdue great starting field position, and it didn't take long for Purdue coach and offensive mastermind Joe Tiller to take advantage of it.

Continue reading "Shootout? Yes. Dual? Not so much." »

Posted by Scott Bell at 08:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - What a play.

Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter completed his third straight pass of more than 10 yards, this time it was to his favorite target and fellow senior Dorien Bryant.

Bryant looked poised to make the end zone after catching it near the 15. He juked inside and outside a trio of Chippewa defenders before finally trying to give into the end zone from about the three.

Continue reading "Boilermakers take control" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 07:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Pop quiz. Who is the only quarterback in NCAA history not named Vince Young to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 in the same season?

Give up?

It's Central Michigan's sophomore signal caller Dan LeFevour

Continue reading "Trivia Time" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - Just a little more than a minute into the game, Central Michigan is almost on the board thanks to its ... defense?

That's right, on Purdue's first third down of the game, Boilermaker quarterback Curtis Painter's pass was deflected right into the hands of Central Michigan's Nick Bellore. The linebacker brought it back to the Purdue 10.

Continue reading "The best offense is a good defense" »

Posted by Scott Bell at 07:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT - We're here live in the Motor City where Central Michigan returns to its home away from home for its second straight Motor City Bowl appearance. Instead of preying on lowly Middle Tennessee State like it did last year, the MAC Champions face formidable Big Ten foe Purdue this time around.

The Boilermakers are more than a touchdown favorite according to the oddsmakers, but this has all the makings of being a down-to-the-wire shootout. Both teams have high-flying offenses, and the game could come to to whichever defense steps up first.

Purdue will be receiving the ball to begin - I'll be shocked if this is scoreless ten minutes from now.

Posted by Scott Bell at 07:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Three minutes ago, Boston College looked like it would be the sixth team this season to hang a lopsided loss on Notre Dame. But with 8:52 left, an interception returned for a touchdown has the Irish right back in it.

Continue reading "No. 4 in Trouble" »

Posted by Tom Wiedeman at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With a first-time starter under center against the pick-happy Hokie defense, it would appear that Skip Holtz is looking to limit the opportunities to Virginia Tech to add to its best-in-the-nation interception total since 2000.1

Continue reading "Well Grounded" »

Posted by Elliot Olshansky at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers was all about business Thursday, taking care of it in fine fashion as they sent the Bulls back to Buffalo licking their wounds.

Continue reading "Red Rout" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Ray Rice just ran for another score to put Rutgers up by 32 after Buffalo finally broke through the drive earlier and notched a field goal. So as the third quarter quickly turns blends into the fourth quarter, Rutgers is up 35-3 and this one is essentially over.

Continue reading "Yet Another For Ray" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers enters halftime with a comfortable 28 point lead and the Scarlet Knights have looked every bit the superior team against the blatantly over-matched and out-classed Bulls.

Continue reading "Bulls Out-Classed At Halftime" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - If you didn't know who Tiquan Underwood is, he certainly has made his presence felt in a big way with roughly five minutes remaining in the first half.

Continue reading "Introducing Tiquan Underwood" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 08:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - We've got 1:24 remaining in the first quarter and it's now 21-0 Rutgers after Mike Teel connected with Tiquan Underwood for a 65 yard touchdown reception that had to have demoralized the Buffalo defense.

Continue reading "Game Over?" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Buffalo is overmatched trying to stop Ray Rice as the diminutive back scampers, stutters and struts his way into the endzone. Rutgers is now up 14-0 after another Rice touchdown run and the Bulls clearly have shown they have no answer for stopping Rice.

Continue reading "Rice Running Easy" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The first kickoff of the new season, using the new rules change that moved the football back to the 30-yard line, certainly benefited Rutgers as Kordell Young returned it 56 yards to put the Scarlet Knights in excellent field position.

Continue reading "Rice Off and Running" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 07:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - College football officially kicksoff the 2007 regular season - in the place it all began in 1869 - just after 7 pm here as Rutgers gets set to take on Buffalo.

Continue reading "College Football's Kickoff" »

Posted by Adam Caparell at 05:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- When there is only one day, Media Days go real fast. It seems like when there are multiple days to sit around and talk, things don't happen so quickly. Anyway, we're done here from Detroit, basically only a couple of hours after we started. So here are some final thoughts from the Motor City.

Continue reading "MAC: Wrapping Things" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich- Nobody had Ohio in the MAC Championship game last season. So when the Bobcats got wiped out by Central Michigan at Ford Field, it wasn't that big of a deal. But to RB Kalvin McRae and defensive tackle Landon Cohen, it was.

Continue reading "MAC: Solich To The Rescue" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- You know the guys who have donned the Miami University jersey over the last few years, so let's talk about the guys that wear it now. Coming off one of their worst seasons they have had in a long time, the RedHawks hope to bring back the winning tradition that they had when they won the conference in 2004.

Continue reading "MAC: Bringing Miami Back" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- Central Michigan won the MAC last year, with a resounding win over Ohio right here at Ford Field. Then they beat Middle Tennessee State in the Motor City Bowl, again, right here at Ford Field. So don't think that CMU doesn't like Detroit, because, they do.

Continue reading "MAC: Chipping Away" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- You know it's only July when the head coach of one of the worst football teams in college football history is able to pump up his team to the point where I even started to think they have a chance. That's the Temple Owls of course, and second year head coach Al Golden.

Continue reading "MAC: Finally Home" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- Who would have thought that Western Michigan would be picked to win a conference a few years ago? Well, they have. After making their first appearance in a bowl game in 18 years in 2006 (the International Bowl), the Broncos have been picked to win the West Division of the MAC and to win the MAC Championship.

Continue reading "MAC: What A Zoo" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- Losing running back Garrett Wolfe may be an even bigger problem than head coach Joe Novak thought. The third round Chicago Bears draft pick is gone, leaving a huge hole at RB. Wolfe scored all but two of NIU's rushing touchdowns in 2006.

Continue reading "MAC: No Wolfe, Big Problem?" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DETROIT, Mich.- The votes have been tallied and we have our league favorites decided by the media. Here's the list.

East Division:

1. Ohio 216 points 15 first place votes
2. Kent State 203 points 13 first place votes
3. Akron 171 points 6 first place votes
4. Miami 163 points 1 first place vote
5. Bowling Green 130 points 0 fisrt place votes
6. Temple 64 points 1 first place vote
7. Buffalo 61 points 0 first place votes

West Division

1. Western Michigan 175 points 15 first place votes
2. Central Michigan 173 points 10 first place votes
3. Toledo 138 points 6 first place votes
4. Ball State 134 points 4 first place votes
5. Northern Illinois 90 points 1 first place vote
6. Eastern Michigan 46 points 0 first place votes

MAC Championship Game Winner:
Western Michigan 11
Central Michigan 10
Ohio 6
Toledo 5
Kent State 2
Akron 1
Temple 1

I'm not sure if someone was horsing around putting Temple as the MAC Champion and winning the East, but they may be thinking some beginner's luck for the newest member of the conference.

The strength of the West at the top I think is the biggest thing to come out of this, and again, as every coach said, it's only paper. But WMU and CMU are the two favorites to win the conference, and they are both in the same division. That will be a battle.

Posted by Doug Kroll at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Detroit, Mich.- I have to say, that I'm pleasantly surprised by the City of Detroit. I was here many years ago and staying at the biggest hotel I've ever been in, the Marriott Rennaisance rises 73 stories high here, it's basically like being in a Las Vegas hotel without the casino downstairs. Instead, one has to go about a mile down the road for that.

Continue reading "MAC: Welcome To Detroit" »

Posted by Doug Kroll at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)