College Football Report : Opening Night 2010!
Utah– 27 vs. #15 Pittsburgh – 24 - Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
How it all went down…….Pitt waltzed into Rice-Eccles Stadium where they were overcome by a sea of red fans. Pittsburgh struck first blood early on a three yard run by running back Dion Lewis in the second quarter, but was unable to come up with points following two Utah fumbles. Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn carved through the Panthers defense for 283 yards and three scores. While the Ute’s swarming defense gave little room to Lewis, who managed just 75 yards with a 3.0 average. Other Pitt star, Jonathan Baldwin, was held in check to just 71 yards, 44 of which came on his fourth quarter touchdown. Pittsburgh may need to reconsider the decision to only play Tino Sunseri over Pat Bostick, as Sunseri looked unsettled and off the mark early. 
The fat lady started singing when.….Pittsburgh kicker Dan Hutches pushed his second attempt wide left to give Utah the…..wait, no. A second timeout was called by Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. The fat lady would later stand back up in overtime, clear her throat and proclaim it over when Utah freshman safety Brian Blechen intercepted Sunseri on his first attempted pass of OT.
Where do we go from here coach…...? For Pittsburgh, an embarrassing plane ride home after what could have been a great start to a season in which Pitt started with its highest preseason ranking under head coach Dave Wandstedt. For Utah, a home meeting against UNLV and one game closer to a TCU matchup late in the season.
It’s a numbers game…...1 – As in one solo tackle combined for defensive ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheared. Each had four assisted tackles but neither of the outstanding ends brought in a sack or much pressure at all against an offense that attempted 36 passes.
Player of the game….Jordan Wynn, Utah QB, 21-36 passing, 283 yards, 3 TD’s, 1 INT
Photo Credit: AP
#14 USC – 49 vs. Hawaii– 36 - Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
How it all went down…….The Lane Kiffin era kicked off with a trip to WAC opponent Hawaii in Aloha Stadium. The Trojans proved to be just as balanced a team as last season with quarterback Matt Barkley passing for 257 yards and five touchdowns. Newly named starting running back led the backfield for the Trojans with 154 yards on 17 carries and one score. A 28-13 halftime lead would embarrass USC teams of the past, especially the 2005 Trojan team which beat Hawaii 63-17 that season.
The fat lady started singing when.…Marc Tyler took a handoff 44 yards for a touchdown with 6:35 left to go in the game. It should have been over a lot earlier but a defense led by Monte Kiffin looked to be more under the direction of Monte Python.
Where do we go from here coach…...? For USC, even with a 13 point victory, it’s back to the drawing board. You can believe PAC 10 offense are licking their chops after the way the Rainbow Warriors were able to move the ball on the Trojan defense. For Hawaii, the beach sounds good. Catch a few waves.
It’s a numbers game…...588– As in 588 total yards given up by the USC defense, 459 coming through the air. With PAC 10 passers Jake Locker, Andrew Luck and Nick Foles coming in the future to the Trojan pass defense, something’s going to need to get tightened up.
Player of the game…. Ronald Johnson, USC, WR – 7 Receptions, 59 yards, 3 TD’s – 89 yard punt return TD
#2 Ohio State – 45 vs. Marshall – 7 - Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
How it all went down…..Fans were introduced to Terrell Pryor the passer and an offense which moved the ball on the Herd with ease. Marshall made things interesting in the first quarter returning a blocked field goal 61 yards for a score making it a 14-7 game. The Bucks placed a 35-7 halftime lead on Marshall and didn’t look back. Pryor attempted 25 passes completing 17 of them. The Ohio State defense looked swarming and brought in a touchdown of its own in the second quarter.
The fat lady started singing when.… When Marshall stepped off the bus and realized it was Ohio State they had been preparing for, not the Ohio Bobcats.
Where do we go from here coach…...? For OSU, it’s an intense week of practice in preparation for a Miami visit, Sept. 11. For Marshall, it’s picking up their paycheck and pride, and getting prepared for another embarrassment against West Virginia, Sept. 10.
It’s a numbers game…..11.4.– As in the number of yards averaged by both OSU running backs Brandon Saine and Jaamal Berry. Saine had nine carries for 103 while Berry had seven for 80 yards.
Player of the game…. Brandon Saine, OSU, RB – 9 carries, 103 yards, 2 TD’s
South Carolina – 41 vs. Southern Miss – 13 - William-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
How it all went down….. The ole ball coached kicked off the 2010 season with a beat down winning his 18th opener in a row. Junior Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia rushed for two scores, but looked unspectacular passing the ball against a weak Eagles defense. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore looked big and brought excitement to the SC rushing game. Lattimore added a pair of touchdowns on the ground to go with 54 yards. The entire game I was left scratching my head, however, thinking “where is Southern Miss star wideout DeAndre Brown?” Brown brought in four catches for 65 yards and a score, but the touchdown came on a 29 yarder with 1:33 to go in the game.
The fat lady started singing when.… At 4:43 to go in the third quarter, Garcia powered in his second touchdown to make it a 34-6 game.
Where do we go from here coach…...? For South Carolina, it’s questioning whether or not Garcia can lead the offense through the SEC the entire season. Garcia looked good carrying the ball, but he didn’t offer much to the passing game. Southern Miss prepares now for their first victory of the 2010 season against Prairie View A&M next week.
It’s a numbers game…..4– The Gamecocks converted on just 4-of-10 third down conversions.
Player of the game…. Marcus Lattimore, S. Carolina, RB – 14 rushes, 54 yards, 2 TD’s
#13 Miami (Fla.) – 45 vs. Florida A&M – 0 - Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
How it all went down…..The Hurricanes stormed through FAMU in a game that could have been better than Christmas for the Rattlers that turned into something scarier than Devils night. Jacory Harris kicked off his junior campaign throwing for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Miami wideout Leonard Hankerson brought in six of Harris’s passes for 115 yards and two scores. FAMU was able to move the ball sparingly for just 110 yards, getting sacked eight times.
Where do we go from here coach…...? For Miami, its nine days preparing for whatever Terrell Pryor quarterback will decide to show up against the Hurricanes in Ohio Stadium. Will it be the rusher, who throws ducks like oversized water-balloons, or the consistent accurate pocket passer displayed in the Rose Bowl? For FAMU, it’s still thinking “At least we still got our band…”
It’s a numbers game….. 0 – As in zero points allowed for Miami. The first time since the 2006 season the Canes posted a shutout.
Player of the game…. Olivier Vernon, Miami, DE – 8 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks.
Photo Credit : Doug Benc/Getty Images
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