Connecticut Huskies

Oct. 22
Rutgers 26 ... Connecticut 24---College Football---
Rutgers ripped off 23 points in the second half helped by three Ryan Hart touchdown passes and the running of Ray Rice. UConn got a 51-yard touchdown run from Cornell Brockington and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jason Williams, but the Scarlet Knights were able to control the game with the ground attack that outgained UConn 238 yards to 97. The Huskies had the ball with a chance to go on a game-winning drive, but Ron Girault picked off Dennis Brown to seal the win. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Rutgers RB Ray Rice ran 27 times for 217 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 10-22, 176 yds, 2 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Ray Rice, 27-217. Receiving: Clark Harris, 4-95---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: Dennis Brown, 18-35, 196 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Cornell Brockington, 3-56, 1 TD. Receiving: Jason Williams, 5-51, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Uh, running game? Dennis Brown handled himself well thrown into the starting quarterback role against Rutgers, but he could've used some help from Cornell Brockington, Terry Caulley and the running attack, but the two star runners only carried the ball 13 times. The offensive line had a rough game with problems opening up holes and not protecting Brown well enough. The season could completely slip away with road trips to West Virginia and Pitt unless all the parts are working to help out the quarterback situation, and the penalties have to stop after committing 12 against the Scarlet Knights.---College Football---
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Oct. 15---College Football---
Cincinnati 28 ... Connecticut 17---College Football---
Bradley Glatthaar helped give Cincinnati its first Big East win with two touchdown runs including a 72-yard sash in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Dustin Grutza threw a seven-yard scoring pass to Connor Barwin and Butler Benton added a 27-yard scoring run for the Bearcats. UConn struggled with new quarterback D.J. Hernandez going without a touchdown until late in the third quarter. Hernandez threw two touchdowns passes, but couldn't get the ball back after a 13-yard scoring pass to Seth Fogarty with 2:40 to play. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Cincinnati RB Bradley Glatthaar ran 15 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Dustin Grutza, 9-21, 125 yds, 1 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Bradley Glatthaar, 14-123, 2 TD. Receiving: Earnest Jackson, 3-38---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: D.J. Hernandez, 19-43, 191 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Terry Caulley, 21-87. Receiving: Dan Murray, 6-70---College Football---
What to take away from this game: The big question going into the Cincinnati game was how D.J. Hernandez would respond as the starting quarterback now that Matt Bonislawki is out for the year. The answer against the Bearcats? Not good. He's a great runner showing off his mobility with 70 yards, but his accuracy wasn't there and his decision making was a bit off taking way too many sacks. On the plus side, the defense continues to be unbelievable on third downs only allowing Cincinnati to convert one of ten chances. ---College Football---
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Oct. 7---College Football---
Connecticut 26 ... Syracuse 7---College Football---
Terry Caulley ran for two touchdowns, Matt Nuzie connected on field goals of 59 and 35 yards, and and D.J .Hernandez, in for injured starting quarterback Matt Bonislawski, ran for a one-yard score. Syracuse only gained 273 yards of total offense and wasn't able to get into the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Nick Chestnut. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Connecticut RB Terry Caulley ran 23 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Syracuse - Passing: Perry Patterson, 10-28, 125 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Damien Rhodes, 20-82. Receiving: Damien Rhodes, 2-25---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: D.J. Hernandez, 4-8, 31 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Terry Caulley, 23-86, 2 TD. Receiving: Jason Williams, 2-20---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Can D.J. Hernandez lead the Husky offense? With Matt Bonislawski out for at least several weeks with a broken collarbone, Hernandez has to grow into a better passer. He has the running skills, and he'll eventually be a playmaker, but he'll have to be able push the ball deeper than he did against Syracuse. Fortunately, Terry Caulley is running as well as he did before his knee problems, and the defense is playing phenomenally well. This really is a team good enough to be in the mix for the Big East title as long as Hernandez becomes a steady player.---College Football---
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Oct. 1---College Football---
Connecticut 47 ... Army 13 ---College Football---
Darius Butler picked off three passes returning one 86 yards for a touchdown, Terry Caulley ran for two scores, and Matt Bonislawski threw two touchdown passes in the easy win. Army threw four interceptions with two returned for scores, but got in the end zone twice on two Scott Wesley runs.
Player of the game: Connecticut CB Darius Butler had three interceptions for 122 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Army - Passing: Zac Dahman, 13-30, 122 yds, 3 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Scott Wesley, 14-64, 2 TD. Receiving: Jeremy Trimble, 6-63---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: Matt Bonislawski, 18-26, 180 yds, 2 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Terry Caulley, 22-87, 2 TD. Receiving: Terry Caulley, 6-46---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Yes, UConn hasn't beaten anyone of note with wins over Buffalo, Liberty, and now, Army, but the defense has done a good job and is starting to become more ball-hawkish. Matt Bonislawski looks settled in at quarterback taking what the Army defense game him after a disastrous game against Georgia Tech, and Terry Caulley looks as strong as ever. As Big East play kicks in starting next week, the offense could use more from Cornell Brockington working along with Caulley.---College Football---
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Sept. 17---College Football---
Georgia Tech 28 ... Connecticut 13 ---College Football---
Taylor Bennett, playing in place of Reggie Ball, threw a touchdown pass on his first throw connecting with Calvin Johnson from 42 yards out, but Connecticut was able to bounce back to take a 13-7 lead on a five-yard scoring run from Matt Bonislawski before Kenny Scott put the Yellow Jackets up for good on a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown with just :45 left in the first half. The Tech defense took care of the rest and Tashard Choice ran for two short touchdown runs to put the game away. UConn was held to six first downs and 196 yards of total offense losing four turnovers. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Georgia Tech RB P.J. Daniels ran 25 times for 114 yards. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Georgia Tech - Passing: Taylor Bennett, 11-30, 142 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: P.J. Daniels, 25-114. Receiving: Calvin Johnson, 3-75, 1 TD---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: Matt Bonislawski, 7-25, 67 yds, 3 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Terry Caulley, 14-83. Receiving: Brandon Young, 2-34---College Football---
What to take away from this game: To beat a team like Georgia Tech, UConn can't make the mistakes it made with four turnovers and only six first downs. Matt Bonislawski finally looked like a green starter seemingly unable to handle the speed of the Yellow Jacket defense. The defense didn't do a poor job, but it couldn't come up with the big play needed to turn the momentum in the second half. With two weeks off until Army, the Huskies will have a lot of time to work out the passing game to get it back up and running like it was over the first two weeks.
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Sept. 10---College Football---
Connecticut 59 ... Liberty 0---College Football---
UConn rolled up 600 yards of offense while the defense threw its second straight shutout. Cornell Brockington ran for three touchdowns and Matt Bonislawski threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. Liberty only managed 132 yards and nine first downs. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Connecticut QB Cornell Brockington ran 20 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Liberty - Passing: Brock Farrel, 6-11 100 yds, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Rajive Otah, 4-24. Receiving: Brandon Turner, 3-33---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: Matt Bonislawski, 18-25, 217 yds, 2 TD---College Football---
Rushing: Cornell Brockington, 20-115, 3 TD. Receiving: Brandon Young, 4-61, 1 TD---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Yeah, UConn might have only played Buffalo and Liberty over the last two weeks, but it's never a bad thing to start the season 2-0 winning by a combined score of 77-0. The running game, as expected, has been tremendous, but UConn fans have to be most excited about the steady play of QB Matt Bonislawski. He'll have a real test next week at Georgia Tech, but at least he has two warm up games under his belt. ---College Football---
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Sept. 1---College Football---
Connecticut 38 ... Buffalo 0---College Football---
Matt Bonislawki threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as UConn had few problems with the Bulls. The Husky ground game ripped off 290 yards led by the return of Terry Caulley who ran for 100 yards and a score. Buffalo was only able to manage 122 total yards of offense. ---College Football---
Player of the game: Connecticut QB Matt Bonislawski completed 11 of 18 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He also ran 12 times for 72 yards and a score. ---College Football---
Stat Leaders: Buffalo - Passing: Stewart Sampsel, 6-17, 52 yds---College Football---
Rushing: Steven King, 11-54. Receiving: Steven King, 4-41---College Football---
Connecticut - Passing: Matt Bonislawski, 11-18, 121 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT---College Football---
Rushing: Terry Caulley, 14-100, 1 TD. Receiving: Brandon McLean, 3-28---College Football---
What to take away from this game: Considering all the new faces, UConn played a near-perfect game against Buffalo with the defensive line controlling the Bull offense and the ground game rolling at will. Larry Taylor is a true weapon as a kick returner as well as a playmaking receiver, and he's going to grow into one of the Big East's top players. It's great to see RB Terry Caulley come up with a big 100-yard game after all of his injury problems.---College Football---
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2005 Schedule ---College Football---
Sept. 1 – Buffalo (3-8, 3-5 in MAC) – Offense: The passing attack was one of the worst in the nation, but there's hope for improvement with a decent receiving corps and rising star tight end Chad Upshaw. The key will be for the quarterback situation to work itself out needing one of four prospects to give the attack some desperately needed consistency. The running game has the potential to be good with a veteran line paving the way for three good backs.---College Football---
Defense: Could this be the best defense in the MAC? There are so many veterans that it can't help but be better. The defensive line is big, experienced and very deep at each spot. The 4-2-5 has four good linebackers to rotate while the secondary has as much athleticism as the program has ever seen. Pass rushing won't be a problem from the good ends, while lightning fast CB Gemara Williams will be among the best covermen in the MAC.---College Football---
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Sept. 10 - Liberty---College Football---
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Sept. 17 – 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.---College Football---
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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Oct. 1 – at Army (predicted finish: 3-8) – Offense: Army has two major problems to deal with from an offense coming off a surprisingly strong season. First, the offensive line has to deal with four new starters without any experience and even less depth to rely on. However, the starting five is relatively big and should be decent in time. Second, no one has stepped up to take the starting quarterback job away from Zac Dahman, who has been average at generous best for the last two seasons. The attack will revolve around multi-talented RB Carlton Jones and a decent, deep receiving corps. A reliable number two running back would be a luxury.---College Football---
Defense: The defense was the worst in America allowing 491 yards per game with the nation's 115th ranked run defense and 91st pass defense. Of course, changes were made in the off-season going from a 4-2-5 to a 4-3 alignment. There's a little bit of hope for improvement with some decent young linebackers and a secondary with some decent experience. It's not going to be a brick wall of a D, but it's not going to be in college football's basement.---College Football---
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Oct. 7 - Syracuse (5-6, 4-3 in Big East) – Offense: The offense struggled way too much failing to get anything going in the passing game and finishing 100th in the nation in passing. Quarterbacks Perry Patterson and Joe Fields have to be more consistent, but they also need help with a young receiving corps that could struggle early on. The attack is being changed up a bit to throw it more in a West Coast attack, so the opportunities will be there. The offensive line is decent, but non-descript.
Defense: The hiring of Greg Robinson as head coach should do nothing but help a defense that slipped into the abyss finishing 101st in the nation. There was little production against the run, nothing happening against the pass, and few clutch stops. There should be an improvement with a ton of returning experience led by a good-looking front seven. The corner is in the secondary where the corners have to make more plays after getting repeatedly torched last season.---College Football---
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Oct. 15 – at Cincinnati (3-8, 1-6 in Big East) – Offense: Last year's experienced offense averaged 406 yards and 29 points per game, and now just about everyone needs to be replaced. The backfield will be solid with redshirt freshman QB Dustin Grutza looking ready to be a more-than-capable fill-in for Gino Guidugli. There are enough running backs to come up with a steady rotation, but they're going to have a hard time early on behind a developing line. The receiving corps has potential if a number one target emerges.---College Football---
Defense: Outside of the 70-7 loss to Louisville, the defense was solid last season allowing 341 yards and 27 points per game. Eight starters need to be replaced with some major holes on the front seven. Fortunately, the Bearcats have a solid defensive coaching staff. The linebacking corps has no experience whatsoever and a pass rush has to develop. The secondary will be good if John Bowie grows into a steady corner.---College Football---
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Oct. 22 - Rutgers (5-6, 2-5 in Big East) – Offense: QB Ryan Hart will once again lead one of the nation's most productive passing attacks with a loaded receiving corps highlighted by Tres Moses and tight end Clark Harris. Can the attack actually produce points on a regular basis? It struggled wildly with consistency and turnovers while getting nothing from a ground game that averaged 2.5 yards per carry and 83 yards per game. There's way too much experience in the backfield to have a repeat disaster.
Defense: It's an interesting mix of talents and strengths with a great group of ends led by Ryan Neill and an experience linebacking corps, but there has been little in the way of overall results. With many newcomers to the mix last year in key spots, things got rocky finishing 104th in the nation in total defense and 88th in scoring D. The biggest area of improvement should be the secondary where Derrick Roberson and Joe Porter are good looking corners who should be over most of their struggles.
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Nov. 2 – at West Virginia (7-4, 5-2 in Big East) – Offense: Expect a major step back from Big East's number two offense of last year with almost all the skill positions going through a major overhaul hurt by a woeful lack of experience at quarterback and receiver. The running game will be up to the normally high Mountaineer standards with three good backs (Jason Colson, Pernell Williams and Erick Phillips) operating behind a good, veteran line. The winner of the three-man quarterback derby will have to be razor-sharp until the receiving corps comes around.---College Football---
Defense: The defense had a strong year, but it has to replace some major players including all-everything corner Adam "Pac Man" Jones. Even so, the secondary is the strength of the defense with three solid All-Big East candidates in FS Jahmile Addae, S Mike Lorello and CB Anthony Mims. The front three will be a rock with 295-pound veterans ready to hold the line. The question mark is at linebacker where tough backups have to become reliable starters. There's solid depth everywhere.
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Nov. 12 – at Pittsburgh (9-2, 6-1 in Big East) – Offense: There will be a slight shift in the offense from Walt Harris West Coast offense to more of a balanced, running style under offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh. Even so, there are more than enough weapons to have an explosive air attack with QB Tyler Palko, WRs Greg Lee and Joe DelSardo, and a fantastic tight end pair of Erik Gill and Steve Buches to keep the nation's 24th best passing offense going. The ground game won't be 105th in the nation again with a loaded backfield soon to be led by freshman sensation Rashad Jennings. The line is experienced, but it needs to be more consistent.---College Football---
Defense: Inconsistent throughout last year and average against the pass, there's hope for improvement with the return of seven starters and a truckload of depth. The strength is the back seven led by a linebacking corps that has several talented options to work with. The secondary has good corners in Josh Lay and Darrelle Revis, but they have to be better at not giving up the deep ball. The front four will be a concern if a reliable pass rusher doesn't develop.---College Football---
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Nov. 26 - South Florida (3-8, 1-6 in Big East) – Offense: The potential is there for a big improvement after struggling to be consistent. Andre Hall is Big East's best running back working behind a rebuilding, but decent line. The receiving corps is deep and experienced led by tall, speedy Johnny Peyton. The problem is at quarterback where Pat Julmiste couldn't hit water last year if he was standing in the ocean, and Auburn transfer Courtney Denson is a former defensive back. If a steady passer emerges, this should be the Big East's surprise offense.---College Football---
Defense: The normally good Bull defense struggled last year with no pass defense and little success against the run with a line that was too small. Things should be better with a strong linebacking corps and the return of DT Tim Jones and SS Johnnie Jones after missing all of last year. The key will be the improvement in the corners after struggling to stop anyone, but they could use more of a steady pass rush.---College Football---

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Dec. 3 - 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---

Alabama-Florida State to Play in 2007
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The University of Alabama and Florida State will meet in a football game on Sept. 29, 2007 in Jacksonville, Fla., Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore confirmed today.
“We are thrilled that the game will take place,” Moore said. ---college football---
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“All the details have not been finalized, but with the cooperation of the Southeastern Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference and television partners CBS and ESPN/ABC, we will play the game.---college football---
“We expect this game to produce a great deal of excitement within our respective fan bases and on a national level as well,” Moore said. ---college football---
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The one-time meeting will be played at 82,000-seat Alltel Stadium, home of the Gator Bowl, in Jacksonville, Fla.---college football---
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The game will be televised by either CBS or ESPN, a decision that will be reached two weeks prior to the game.---college football---
“We will soon complete the final contractual agreements, in conjunction with the City of Jacksonville,” Moore added.---college football---
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The last time the teams met was in 1974, a game the Tide won, 8-7. Alabama has a 2-0-1 edge in the series.

College football: St. Norbert focuses on present

By Paul Adamski
Press-Gazette correspondent

DE PERE — With his St. Norbert College football team starting to play up to expectations, coach Jim Purtill said his team can’t worry about what might have been.

“I’m a day-to-day guy,” Purtill said. “I’m not worried about anything but playing a good game (today).” - College Football -

SNC (3-2 overall, 3-1 in the Midwest Conference) takes the short ride to Appleton today for a battle with conference foe Lawrence University (1-3, 1-3 MWC) at the historic Banta Bowl.

With a loss to conference-leading Monmouth College (4-0, 4-0) on the books, Purtill’s squad most likely needs to win the rest of its games and get some help if it hopes to win a record seventh consecutive conference championship. Purtill, however, is concerned only about his team.

“Monmouth has got the lead, but if I was really worried about it, I’d know who it was playing,” Purtill said. “I don’t know who they are playing this week and I don’t care. It’s going to be an emotional game against Lawrence, and that is what we are worried about.” - College Football -

Purtill knows his team can’t afford to let its guard down, and not just because of the conference standings. - College Football -

While the Vikings are far from being a MWC power, they generally are competitive at the Banta Bowl. Moreover, SNC has struggled there. Two years ago, SNC’s eked out a 28-24 win.

For added intrigue, Lawrence coach Chris Howard coordinated St. Norbert’s defense the previous three seasons, and four of his assistants were players or coaches for the Green Knights.

“(Lawrence) plays well at home,” Purtill said. “They are historically bad on the road, but good at home. They are 1-0 at home this year and 0-3 on the road, but have played well in those games — a seven-point loss to Knox and a one-point loss to Beloit. They are trying to build a program there and are doing well.” - College Football -

SNC is coming off its longest road game of the year, an 850-mile round trip to Jacksonville, Ill., to face Illinois College, so today’s short trek to Appleton will be appreciated.

“It’s a home schedule for us,” Purtill said. “We’ll have a normal pregame, eat here ... it works out nice.” - College Football -

What would be especially nice, in Purtill’s eyes, would be another strong performance after the Green Knights won their last two games by a cumulative 76-13. - College Football -

“We’re not worried (about the conference) right now,” Purtill said. “I’m pleased with the direction of the squad ... we’ve won two straight and hopefully we’ll get a third (today).”

Green Bay Press Gazette Copyright © 2004

College football's most unique traditions

Pete Fiutak /
CollegeFootballNews.com

College football is known for its pageantry, rivalries, and traditions more than any other American sport. From coast to coast, college football programs have their own quirky ways of celebrating the game with unique rituals that can only come from decades of games, along with a deeply rooted passion from the alumni and fans.

So which traditions are the most unique in college football? Which ones are the most identifiable, and which ones inspire the most excitement and stir the deepest feelings? Compiled by the staff of CollegeFootballNews.com, here are the 10 most unique traditions based on what they mean to the game, what they mean to each school, and above all else, how cool they are. From the awe-inspiring sights of a 1,300-pound buffalo and 20,000 students jumping around, to the drama of a flaming spear plunged into the ground, to the parties and social gatherings that bring fans together, here's our very debatable list of the 10 most unique traditions.

1. Texas A&M 12th Man

No tradition in college football embodies the spirit of the sport more than the Texas A&M 12th Man. Going against No. 1 Centre College in 1922, the Aggies were scrapping for players in a tough game that took its toll on both sides. A&M head coach Dana X. Bible, in need of more bodies, called up to the press box for E. King Gill, a basketball player who had seen a little bit of time on the football team in previous seasons, to put on a uniform and be prepared to play. The Aggies pulled off the 22-14 upset without needing Gill's services, but he stood ready on the sidelines earning the moniker of the 12th Man.

Now, A&M's 12th Man is a student section that stands the entire game prepared in case they're needed. Former Aggie head coach Jackie Sherrill took it one step further by allowing A&M students to form the kickoff coverage unit. It eventually evolved into an honor belonging to one student who gets to play on special teams.

2. Army-Navy game procession

The most endearing and emotional tradition in college football, the procession, also known as the "March-On" of the Army Corps of Cadets and Brigade of Midshipmen, is seen by many as more exciting than the actual game between Army and Navy. The pageantry of the procession is the perfect prelude to one of college football's most heated, yet most sane, rivalries. It's as good-natured as a rivalry can possibly be, with everyone in the stadium on the same team when all is said and done.

3. Florida State's Chief Osceola and Renegade

For pure intensity and excitement, nothing beats the electrifying few moments in Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium when a student, dressed up Seminole Tribe leader Chief Osceola, rides on the field on an Appaloosa horse named Renegade and fires a flaming spear in the middle of the field. FSU graduate Bill Durham created the idea, and then got the approval of the Seminole Tribe, and then got the approval of head coach Bobby Bowden who allowed it to start in 1977. Now, it's done before every Florida State home game, cranking up the intensity level for both sides.

4. Ohio State dotting of the "i"

What would college football Saturdays be without the soundtrack coming from the bands? Every school has a version of a marching band, but Ohio State's "Script Ohio" is the most impressive and famous with the band forming the word "Ohio" in the middle of the field.

Just before the end of "Le Regiment," the drum major leads a senior sousaphone player out to the top of the "I," points to the spot where the dot is needed, and the honored band member becomes the dot before bowing to the crowd. It's the highest honor Ohio State bestows, and has allowed a few select non-band members, like Woody Hayes, to take part.

5. The Grove at Ole Miss

What's college football without a good tailgate party? The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party before the annual Florida-Georgia game might be the biggest, but the shindigs thrown before Ole Miss home games at the Grove are the best. An oasis in the normally uncivilized world of college football, the Grove is known for dressing up, drinking down, good food, and cream of the crop, Miss America-caliber women.

6. Tennessee's Floatilla

Is there a better way to get to a college football game? In 1962, former Tennessee broadcaster George Mooney got to Neyland Stadium by floating on his boat down the Tennessee River, starting the tradition of fans forming the "Volunteer Navy" boating their way to the game. Of course, the galas are tremendous in one of college football's most unique tailgating parties.

7. Wisconsin's "Jump Around"

College football is one big party, and no school is better at letting loose than Wisconsin, ranked the No. 1 party school in the nation by The Princeton Review. Adding to the raucous excitement of game day in Madison is the relatively new tradition of making Camp Randall Stadium one big house party after the third quarter of every game.

As soon as the quarter ends, the song Jump Around by House of Pain blares over the loudspeakers, and the entire student section, along with the band and many others around the stadium and on the sidelines, jump up and down. The tradition became so wild that there were concerns about the effects on the stadium's structure. Engineers eventually determined there was no danger, and now the upper-deck shaking, human-induced earthquake goes on.

8. Colorado's Ralphie

In 1966, a rancher named Bubby Hays brought a six-month-old buffalo named Ralphie to Colorado's Folsom Field and walked him around a bit. It turned into a tradition with six sophomore students making the trip before each game to Hays' ranch to run Ralphie around for two hours to tire her out a little bit (yes, the first Ralphie was a girl), and then bring her to the stadium to come charging out of the tunnel while the fans did a "Buffalo Stomp," sending the crowd into a tizzy. It has become one of the most impressive and intimidating entries in all of college football.

9. Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner

Started in 1965 after an Oklahoma alum donated the first "Sooner Schooner," along with the horses to pull it, the covered wagon would cruise around during the game. By 1980, it became the school's official mascot and was zipped around the field after Oklahoma touchdowns as one of the most identifiable symbols in all of sports.

10. Clemson's Howard's Rock

Several schools have inspiring pregame patting rituals. Notre Dame players walk down the stairs of their locker room hitting a sign that says, "Play like a champion today." Michigan players run out of the tunnel and jump up to hit the "Go Blue" sign. But Clemson's rubbing of The Rock is the most awe-inspiring.

Before Clemson games, the team stands at the top of a hill, rubs Howard's Rock, and then runs down the hill while the crowd goes wild. It started in 1964 when Clemson alumnus S.C. Jones brought a rock back from Death Valley, Calif., and gave it to Tiger head coach Frank Howard. Howard let it sit on his office floor before telling his secretary to "do something with it, but get it out of here." The secretary ended up keeping the Rock, and it was eventually put on a pedestal on the top of the hill in the stadium in 1966. That day, Clemson rallied in the second half to beat Virginia and the Rock stayed. "If you're going to give me 110 percent, you can rub my rock," Howard barked at his players. "If you're not, keep your filthy hands off of it."

Honorable mention

Arkansas: Hog call
Razorback fans spontaneously "Call the Hogs." The fans raise both hands high into the air, fingers waving as the volume increases during the word Woooooooooo. The arms pump down on the word "Pig" and then back into the air on the word "Sooie." "Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!"

Auburn: "Rolling" Toomer's Corner
Toomer's Corner is where the university meets the town in Auburn. Originally, students unable to travel to away games would celebrate out-of-town wins symbolically by gathering at Toomer's Corner. And sometime in the '60s, students began to toilet paper the trees in Toomer's Corner.

Cal: Card stunts
The Cal rooting section is credited with establishing one of the most time-honored traditions in college football. Cal began performing card stunts for the 1910 "Big Game," a rugby match between California and Stanford. Cal students now perform as many as 10 different stunts, using more than 5,000 cards to create different images.

Georgia: Chapel bell
The chapel bell is rung after all Georgia victories and continues until midnight. The tradition began the 1890s when the football field was located only yards from the chapel. The chore used to be reserved for freshmen, but now students and alumni rush to the chapel after a football victory.

Mississippi State: Cowbells
One of the loudest traditions in college football is the Mississippi State University cowbell. Opponents and authorities have tried for years to banish the noisemakers from competition, but Bulldog fans keep bringing them anyway and ring them during the entire game.

Texas: Hook' em Horns hand signal
The Longhorns have by far the most famous hand signal in college football. The signal has been around since 1955 when cheerleader Harley Clark introduced it to the student body. The index and little fingers stick up, while the thumb held down the two interior digits, which looks like the head of a Longhorn.

USC: Traveler and the Trojan
One of the most breathtaking mascots in college football is Traveler at USC. A student in full Trojan dress rides into the stadium on a white horse as the Southern Cal band plays "Conquest."

Washington: Tailgating by boat
Husky Stadium's location on the shores of Lake Washington makes it easily accessible by boat from all over the Seattle area, and encourages many fans to use the water to travel to and from games. Members of the Husky crew team ferry fans to and from the shore to catch the action, or a ride home.

College football notebook: USC sets mark for longest stay atop AP poll

The Associated Press

USC's streak at No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 reached a record-breaking level and Oklahoma, the team the Trojans replaced in the top spot almost two years ago, was unranked for the first time since 1999. - College Football -

USC has been No. 1 for 22 straight AP media polls, surpassing the record set by Miami from 2001 to 2002.

USC received 57 of 65 first-place votes in the poll released yesterday. No. 2 Texas received the other eight first-place votes. Louisiana State is No. 3, ahead of fourth-ranked Virginia Tech and No. 5 Florida.

The Trojans took over the top spot Dec. 7, 2003, after then-No. 1 Oklahoma lost the Big 12 Conference championship game to Kansas State. - College Football -

USC won the Rose Bowl to finish the season No. 1 in the AP poll, then began last season in the same spot. The Trojans improved to 2-0 Saturday night with a 70-17 rout of Arkansas at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and the Trojans have scored 133 points. - College Football -

But staying at No. 1 might get tougher, as USC hits the road for its next two games. The Trojans play No. 24 Oregon in Eugene on Saturday and visit No. 18 Arizona State on Oct. 1.

Half of the Pac-10 schools are ranked. In addition to USC, Oregon and Arizona State, California is ranked 13th and UCLA is 25th. Oregon and UCLA weren't ranked last week.

UCLA beat then-No. 21 Oklahoma 41-24 Saturday. The Sooners are out of the rankings for the first time since Bob Stoops' first season as coach. - College Football -

In the USA Today coaches poll, the top five is identical to the AP poll. The coaches have Cal 14th, Arizona State 17th and UCLA 23rd. Oregon leads the category for "others receiving votes," meaning the coaches have the Ducks 26th.

Trojans adapt to new staff

USC scored the most points an Arkansas team has allowed in nearly 87 years, and gained the most yards (736) the Razorbacks have ever allowed in a game. - College Football -

If there was any question about USC's offense without Norm Chow, it has been emphatically answered.

Chow left as USC's offensive coordinator during the offseason to take the same job with the NFL Tennessee Titans, leaving youthful assistant coaches Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian to handle his duties. - College Football -

"Everyone made a big deal about it all offseason," quarterback Leinart said. "I think we've proved in the first two weeks that it doesn't matter. He was a great coach, but coach Kiffin and Sark are two of the finest young coaches in the country."

Having Leinart and company makes their job a lot easier.

"Leinart is a coach on the field — he's a true playmaker," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "It's the best offensive team I've seen." - College Football -

The Trojans beat Hawaii 63-17 to open the season. The 133 points they have scored in their first two games are their most ever to start a season.

The 70 points against Arkansas are the most USC has scored in a game since Nov. 7, 1970, when it beat Washington State 70-33. Arkansas hadn't allowed as many as 70 points in a game since Oct. 19, 1918, when the Razorbacks lost to Oklahoma 103-0. - College Football -

Bush said, "We feel like our best competition is in practice."

Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company

Tripping out
Serious fans who have the inclination, money and tickets can catch 3 big games in 5 days.

Steve Elling
Sentinel Staff Writer

Few fans have the luxury of spare time.

Fewer still have the cash to buy the gas.
Darned near nobody has enough deodorant.

It has been years since the state's biggest football programs have opened the college football season in such ideal proximity, both in terms of the calendar and the odometer.

For the first time in memory, it's conceivable that a motivated college football fan could, over the span of five demented days, attend the three anticipated openers featuring Florida, Florida State, Miami and UCF by forking over a few bucks on gas and surviving on drive-through fast food, carbonated beverages and, eventually, antacids. - College Football -

Most college students at some point have taken a bleary, beery football road trip, which often ranks among the highlights of their, uh, academic tenures. But this jaunt, which winds 1,200 miles through Florida, Georgia and South Carolina in the span of roughly a week, is truly where pedal meets the mettle.

Sleep deprivation. Sensory overload. Sleeping at the wheel.

For some, feeling like road kill would be well worth the price to watch UCF face South Carolina and new Coach Steve Spurrier, to eyeball first-hand the wide-open offense of Florida under Urban Meyer or to bear witness as Miami tries to top mega-rival Florida State for the seventh consecutive time. - College Football -

Don't believe it?

"I am so jealous of that road trip," said ESPN's Mike Tirico, who will broadcast the season opener between UCF and South Carolina on Thursday. "Those are three games that all have a little sizzle.

"If you were a college football fan sitting on your couch in Texas, California or even here up north, you'd definitely be interested in how all those games play out. I almost wish I could do it myself." - College Football -

His "almost" is our assignment. Meyer might be the center of attention Saturday night when he unveils his newfangled spread offense in Gainesville, but his Urban Sprawl sets have nothing on our Rural Crawl maps.

It was a challenge too juicy to resist: Start in Orlando, cruise north through Georgia to Columbia, S.C., flip a U-turn and head south to Gainesville, then west to Tallahassee. All the boss wanted was for those in the vehicle to tailgate vigorously, mix with the true believers, take copious notes and avoid the ire of state troopers along the way. - College Football -

This being the Southeast, there might have been a stampede if the sports editor had asked for civilian volunteers. Simply put, college football is ingrained in the geographic culture, especially in Florida. Thanks to the successes of FSU, Miami and Florida -- which have combined to win eight national titles in the past 22 years -- the region stands as perhaps the last outpost in America wherecollege ball ignites more water-cooler discussion than the NFL.

In an attempt to soak it all in, we're going all-out by sending a trio of staffers on the road to all three key openers in succession to plot the beginning byways of the 2005 BCS season. No question, if it's August, the anticipation hereabouts always builds asfootball nears. This fall, there are extra plot lines and back stories at every stop.

In coaching circles alone, there are some old faces in new places, starting with the season's first game Thursday night. In a nationally televised game, UCF will hit the road to face South Carolina and Spurrier, whose reputation as a player and innovator at Florida will be hard to imitate, but whose NFL experiences are best forgotten. - College Football -

Enter Meyer two days later when he coaches his first game Saturday as the Gators' new boss, against Wyoming. Finally, in the most compelling pairing of all, Miami plays at Florida State on Monday night in a game that has implications well beyond any Atlantic Coast Conference hallways or state borders.

Florida State hasn't beaten Miami since its undefeated national-title season of 1999. As is the case when driving on winding road trips tofootball games, too many wide rights and an occasional wide left can be hazardous to your bodywork. - College Football -

As if the beginning of college football season isn't reason enough for fans to get atwitter, the multiple elements of reclamation and rejuvenation give the three games an old-time revival feel. Praise the Lord and pass thefootball, as Spurrier's dad, a Presbyterian minister, might have said.
Spurrier will be trying to jump-start his reputation -- he hasn't coached a college game in 31/2 years since he left Gainesville and flopped with the Washington Redskins of the NFL. In his final game at UF, the Gators beat Maryland in the 2002 Orange Bowl. Across the field, second-year UCF Coach George O'Leary will be attempting to recapture his standing, too. He hasn't won acollege game since he was at Georgia Tech in 2001. That came in the Seattle Bowl Dec. 27.

Copyright © 2005, Orlando Sentinel

Texas A & M Aggies at Clemson Tigers
Brian Covert

Line: Clemson is a 1 ½-point underdog at home.
Total: The total is set at 51-points

The Clemson Tigers were a disappointment a year ago. Preseason expectations were met with a 6-5 season that triggered a shuffle in the coach’s office with new offensive coordinator Rob Spence and defensive coordinator Vic Kroening joining head coach Terry Bowden in leading the Tigers.

Spence may have the biggest task, needing to revamp an offense that finished 110th in the country last season.

“There are some different thoughts and ideas,” said Spence who was the offensive coordinator at the University of Toledo the last four years. “Obviously, you`re going to see some things we`ve done in the past. There`s no question about that. But it`s not about schematics. It`s about effort and attitude and people playing together and coaching as one.”

The Tigers will unveil their new offense when they host Texas A & M Saturday. The Aggies will hope to avoid a season starting loss like last year’s 41-21 loss at Utah as 8 ½-point underdogs.

The Aggies are led by dual-threat quarterback Reggie McNeal and running back Courtney Lewis. McNeal had over 3,500 total yards last year while Lewis ran for 742 yards and nine touchdowns despite battling injuries all season.

A & M is 3-0 all-time versus Clemson including a 27-6 win as a 1 1/2-point underdog last season in Texas.

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