EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Shakedowns all around

Four of BCS Top 10 go down on eventful Saturday

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Sunday November 14, 1999 03:01 PM

Arial bombardment: Clint Stoerner threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns vs. Tennessee. AP

By Stewart Mandel, CNN/SI

After a week of fretting about the BCS, Virginia Tech took care of business on the field -- and got some help from some Hogs.

The Hokies absolutely manhandled Miami in their supposed toughest test of the season, securing a No. 2 BCS ranking this week thanks to Arkansas' revenge-filled upset of Tenenssee.

The big story of the day was Ron Dayne breaking Ricky Williams' all-time rushing record on a 31-yard gain, helping the Badgers to a second straight Rose Bowl berth thanks to Michigan's defeat of Penn State earlier in the day.

Elsewhere, Nebraska and Alabama ended perfect seasons by conference rivals Kansas State and Mississippi State, respectively. UCLA put a dent in Washington's Rose Bowl hopes by winning in overtime. And Auburn topped Georgia with surprising ease.

Week 12 Recaps
(1) Florida State 49, Maryland 10
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	7: Turnovers and blocked punts caused by the 'Noles
Player of the Game
Chris Weinke, QB, Florida State. Threw a whopping six TD passes and 304 yards before leaving early.
Breakdown
Offensively, Florida State was on the top of its game, with Weinke completing three of his TD passes to the shifty Peter Warrick, (nine catches, 134 yards) and nine other players catching passes. But Maryland RB LaMont Jordan ran for 169 yards on one of the nation's top rush defenses. Turnovers negated anything the Terps accomplished on offense.
(2) Virginia Tech 43, (19) Miami 10
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	29-0: Margin by which Virginia Tech outscored Miami in the second half.
Player of the Game
Anthony Widget, CB, Virginia Tech. The Hokie cornerback intercepted three passes to account for half of the six turnovers forced by the Virginia Tech defense.
Breakdown
Virginia Tech's defense took over in the second half to help the Hokies make a resounding answer to the question of whether they belong near the top of the BCS standings. Ricky Hall returned a punt 64 yards and a 51-yard fumble return by Ike Charlton 24 seconds later helped Virginia Tech turn a 10-0 deficit into a 14-10 lead. Miami was limited once Kenny Kelly was roughed up and later knocked out of the game.
Arkansas 28, (3) Tennessee 24
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	28-24: The final score, eerily the exact same as Arkansas' heartbreaking loss a year earlier.
Player of the Game
Clint Stoerner, QB, Arkansas. A Hollywood screenwriter couldn't have scripted it better, as the senior threw two second-half TDs to gain revenge.
Breakdown
Tennessee blew plenty of chances to put this one away, running twice as many first-half plays but taking only a three-point lead to halftime. The Razorbacks got decent pressure on Tee Martin all day, and freshman Cedric Cobbs (107 yards) led a rushing attack that penetrated a previously unbreakable Volunteers rush defense.
(4) Florida 20, South Carolina 3
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	32:46 Time of possession, in Gamecocks' favor.
Player of the Game
Earnest Graham. RB, Florida. Gators' only offensive weapon for second straight week finished with 105 yards.
Breakdown
Different quarterback, same result. For the second straight week, Florida struggled to move the ball on an inferior opponent, this time with Jesse Palmer (5-of-19 in first half) at the helm. Unable to connect on the deep ball even against the lowly Gamecocks, Steve Spurrier stuck with a more conservative recipe of runs and dump passes. The Gators' defense, predictably, mauled South Carolina.
(7) Nebraska 41, (5) Kansas State 15
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	253: Nebraska offense by halftime, 21 more than K-State surrenders a game, on average.
Player of the Game
Eric Crouch, QB, Nebraska. Set school record for a quarterback with 27 carries, netting 158 yards and two TDs.
Breakdown
The Huskers did what several K-State opponents have done this year -- get up big early. The difference was the Wildcats could not get anything going on offense to muster a comeback. Nebraska got a nice performance from backup RB Dahrran Diedrick, though the Huskers overall fumbled a whopping 10 times. K-State QB Jonathan Beasley was only 3-of-19 for 100 yards.
(16) Michigan 31, (6) Penn State 27
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	53: Combined margin of Michigan's wins over PSU the last two seasons.
Player of the Game
David Terrell, WR, Michigan. Provided the Wolverines with several big catches in accumulating 133 yards.
Breakdown
As it has the last two years, Michigan's defense mostly shut down the Lions. But PSU bailed itself out by scoring TDs on both a Bruce Branch punt return and Bhawoh Jue's interception. On the other hand, Michigan QB Tom Brady, besides three interceptions, had much success finding his receivers on the short out routes, including a key 3rd-and-10 completion to Marcus Knight to set up the winning touchdown.
(11) Alabama 19, (8) Mississippi State 7
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	24: Rushing yards, on 22 carries, for Mississippi State.
Player of the Game
Freddie Milons, WR, Alabama. Starkville native did in the home team with nine catches for 94 yards.
Breakdown
In a defensive struggle, 'Bama did manage a few big plays while the Mississippi State offense was basically silent all day. Tide QB Andrew Zow, back from injury, passed for 222 yards, the most crucial 37 coming on a fourth-quarter TD to Shamari Buchanan that gave them their first real breathing room of the game.
(9) Wisconsin 41, Iowa 3
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	6,397: The new NCAA career rushing standard.
Player of the Game
Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin Capped off career in Madison with 200-plus yards, the record, the Rose Bowl and his number retired.
Breakdown
Last August, a preview story on this site about Wisconsin was titled "Life is Beautiful." After losing to Cincinnati and falling to 2-2 to start the season, the Badgers were down in the dumps. Seven straight wins later, life in Wisconsin is beautiful, indeed, complete with a return to Pasadena and a probable Heisman Trophy winner. QB Brooks Bollinger, who has started every game in the winning streak, was super again against Iowa, accounting for four TDs.
(10) Texas 58, Texas Tech 7
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	22: Length of interception return by Lee Jackson that turned the game around.
Player of the Game
Major Applewhite, QB, Texas . Tossed three touchdown passes in the Longhorns' romp.
Breakdown
A complete domination by Texas as the Longhorns broke out to a 21-0 halftime lead and cruised from there. The turning point came late in the second quarter when the Longhorns posted two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first half.
(12) Marshall 31, Western Michigan 17
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	193: Passing yards by WMU's Tim Lester, his second-lowest total on the year.
Player of the Game
Chad Pennington, QB, Marshall. Won the battle of the QBs easily by completing 27-of-40 for 339 yards.
Breakdown
An expected fight from WMU never materialized, as Marshall went up 31-10 by the third quarter. The Herd defense was able to neutralize Lester, sacking him four times. Two rushing TDs from Doug Chapman helped lift Marshall.
(13) Georgia Tech 45, Clemson 42
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	537: Tech's total offense.
Player of the Game
Joe Hamilton, QB, Georgia Tech. Trying his best to cut into Ron Dayne's thunder, Hamilton throws for five touchdowns and ran for 88 yards.
Breakdown
Tech and Clemson did their best Pac-10 impression with an absolute shootout. The Jackets were up 21-0 barely after kickoff but Clemson came back to tie at 28 behind some gutsy play-calling and the athleticism of QB Woodrow Dantzler, who threw for 185 yards and ran for 126. Tech's defense finally made some plays at the end to hold on.
Auburn 38, (14) Georgia 21
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	1991: Last time the home team won in the Auburn-Georgia series.
Players of the Game
Ben Leard and Ronney Daniels, Auburn. Leard threw for a school-record 416 yards and tied another team mark with four touchdowns -- all in the first half. Daniels caught nine passes for 249 yards, the second-most in school history.
Breakdown
Let the griping about Jim Donnan begin. The Bulldogs were embarassed at home against an unranked team, and an old rival, at that. Auburn carved up the Bulldogs' defense as Leard enjoyed a festive homecoming. Quincy Carter was not a factor as the Tigers' immense preparation paid off.
Wyoming 31, (15) BYU 17
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	297: Number of passing yards for Wyoming QB Jay Stoner.
Player of the Game
Stoner, who completed 21-of-31 passes and three touchdowns.
Breakdown
A huge win for Wyoming, which still harbors bowl hopes. In addition to the great performance by Stoner, Wendell Montgomery caught seven passes for 122 yards as the Cowboys handed BYU its first Mountain West loss of the season.
(17) Michigan State 34, Northwestern 0
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	5: Northwestern pass completions.
Player of the Game
Plaxico Burress, WR, Michigan State. Burned Northwestern for three TDs, two for 35 yards and one for 84.
Breakdown
A balanced running attack set things up for the Spartans, which then burned the Wildcats' secondary with the Bill Burke -to-Burress tandem. Northwestern's anemic offense never got anything going, throwing for only 41 yards and committing three turnovers.
(20) Minnesota 44, Indiana 20
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	12-of-30: Passing line for Indiana QB Antwaan Randle El .
Player of the Game
Thomas Hamner, RB, Minnesota. Gophers' chronically underrated back ran 34 times for 174 yards.
Breakdown
Letdown? What letdown? Minnesota followed its upset of Penn State with 456 yards of offense against the Hoosiers. QB Billy Cockerham threw for only 123 yards but ran for 111, bettering counterpart Randle El, who ran for a below-average 64 yards. The Gophers can reach eight victories for the first time since 1967 next week against Iowa.
(21) Southern Miss 48, La.-Lafayette 0
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	-26: Rushing yards for Lafayette.
Player of the Game
Todd Pinkston, WR, Southern Miss. Caught five passes for 134 yards, including three TD bombs.
Breakdown
It was a complete mismatch from the beginning, as Eagles QB Jeff Kelly hooked up with Pinkston early and let RB Derrick Nix cruise from there. Southern Miss has a defense loaded with athleticism, which means a 1-8, borderline I-A team can't muster much offense.
UCLA 23, (23) Washington 20 (OT)
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	1: Interceptions thrown by Washington QB Marques Tuiasosopo, that one coming in the end zone in overtime.
Player of the Game
Chris Griffith, K, UCLA. Hit three field goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
Breakdown
The downtrodden Bruins were boosted by the return of RB DeShaun Foster from injury, and their defense awoke from a seemingly two-year drought to slow down Tuiasosopo and Washington's backfield. The Huskies wasted the effort of K John Anderson, who booted a 56-yarder to send the game to overtime.
(23) East Carolina 48, Cincinnati 34
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	3: Cincinnati interceptions, to zero for ECU.
Player of the Game
Keith Stokes, PR, East Carolina. Had four punt returns for 133 yards and a TD.
Breakdown
The Pirates weathered Cincinnati's explosive offense, including 30 first downs, with three David Garrard touchdown passes. RB Jamie Wilson carried 16 times for 95 yards. The Bearcats put up 430yards of offense, but both QBs Deontey Kenner and David Bertucci made crucial mistakes.
Illinois 46, (25) Ohio State 20
Review	Key Stat
Game Recap Game Summary	12-of-29: Passing line of Buckeyes QBs Steve Bellisari and Austin Moherman.
Player of the Game
Kurt Kittner, QB, Illinois. Raised TD-to-interception ratio to 22:2 with four scores and no picks.
Breakdown
Kittner led the Illini to a near-flawless game offensively, racking up 386 yards, while the defense flustered the Buckeyes' QBs and forced three turnovers. It was a stunning turnaround from last year's game, which the Buckeyes won 41-0. Illinois clinched its first winning season in five years and likely doomed OSU, which plays Michigan next, to spending a rare holiday at home.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

Copyright © 2000 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.