CFI Top 25 Week in Review 3rd & Ten | Rutgers Failed to Make A Statement

Scouting the Nation

<img class="caption" src="http://www.nfldraftbible.com/images/stories/CFI/ayers2_crop.jpg" border="0" title="UCLA's Akeem Ayers can do it all for the Bruins." width="356" height="427" align="right" When You Think of Linebackers, Think of Akeem (Ayers): The junior flashed his versatility against Texas in the Bruins’ upset victory, making plays from both his regular position of outside linebacker, as well as defensive end.

Regardless of where he lines up, Akeem Ayers is a playmaker. He recorded six tackles against the ‘Horns, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Ayers forced a fumble on his sack and intercepted another pass, jumping in front of Garrett Gilbert’s throw while

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CFI Top 25 Week in Review 3rd & Ten | Rutgers Failed to Make A Statement

Draft News, Notes & Quotes

Mallett’s Meltdown

A week after Ryan Mallett’s magic led to a swarm of texts to my cell phone, the number increased during the first half this past week, as the strong-armed signal caller led his Razorbacks into the locker room with a 17-7 lead over the defending champs. However, my phone was close to silent during Mallett’s meltdown and that’s where we’ll begin in this tale of two halves.

It was the worst of times. Should

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CFI Top 25 Week in Review 3rd & Ten | Rutgers Failed to Make A Statement

Draft News, Notes & Quotes

Mallett’s Meltdown

A week after Ryan Mallett’s magic led to a swarm of texts to my cell phone, the number increased during the first half this past week, as the strong-armed signal caller led his Razorbacks into the locker room with a 17-7 lead over the defending champs. However, my phone was close to silent during Mallett’s meltdown and that’s where we’ll begin in this tale of two halves.

It was the worst of times. Should

Read more…

CFI Top 25 Week in Review 3rd & Ten

PISCATAWAY, NJ – An opportunity to make a statement after playing weaker competition in the first two games and facing a team that had several players suspended sounded enticing.

Unfortunately, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-1, 0-0) were unable to capitalize when it counted most and ended the day losing 17-13 to a North Carolina (1-2, 0-1) team that was there for the taking.

The inability to capitalize at the most opportune times—two late drives in the fourth quarter—and mental mistakes—two interceptions, a lost fumble and 11 penalties—allowed a vulnerable Tar Heel team to leave New Jersey victorious.

“It’s tough. You turn the ball over…we turned it over twice in the red zone, we miss a

Read more…

CFI Top 25 Week in Review 3rd & Ten

PISCATAWAY, NJ – An opportunity to make a statement after playing weaker competition in the first two games and facing a team that had several players suspended sounded enticing.

Unfortunately, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-1, 0-0) were unable to capitalize when it counted most and ended the day losing 17-13 to a North Carolina (1-2, 0-1) team that was there for the taking.

The inability to capitalize at the most opportune times—two late drives in the fourth quarter—and mental mistakes—two interceptions, a lost fumble and 11 penalties—allowed a vulnerable Tar Heel team to leave New Jersey victorious.

“It’s tough. You turn the ball over…we turned it over twice in the red zone, we miss a

Read more…

CFI Top 25 Week in Review

Ten thoughts from around the College Football Landscape…

1) Will Muschamp must be wondering how much more he can do to assure a “W” for his Longhorns. The coach-in-waiting’s defense held UCLA to 27 passing yards and was still defeated. This was UCLA’s first road win since 1998. Rick Neuheisel should schedule teams from the state of Texas more often, as the Bruins have beaten Houston and Texas in consecutive weeks.

2) First it was Jacory Harris, then Jake Locker. This week it was Ryan Mallet who decided to throw his Heisman hopes away. Despite playing well for most of the game, Mallet threw a career high three interceptions including

Read more…

CFI Top 25 Week in Review

Ten thoughts from around the College Football Landscape…

1) Will Muschamp must be wondering how much more he can do to assure a “W” for his Longhorns. The coach-in-waiting’s defense held UCLA to 27 passing yards and was still defeated. This was UCLA’s first road win since 1998. Rick Neuheisel should schedule teams from the state of Texas more often, as the Bruins have beaten Houston and Texas in consecutive weeks.

2) First it was Jacory Harris, then Jake Locker. This week it was Ryan Mallet who decided to throw his Heisman hopes away. Despite playing well for most of the game, Mallet threw a career high three interceptions including

Read more…

Q.  Joe, why has Iowa been so successful, especially lately?  And are there similarities between the way you run your program and Kirk runs his?

COACH PATERNO: Well, I don’t know about the similarities.  I can tell you, Iowa has been a good, solid football team that’s played extremely well against us.  And I think Kirk’s done a great job.  They’re recruiting well.

He’s been able to keep his coaching staff together.  That defensive coordinator (Norm Parker) does a great job for them.  He’s been with them a long time.  And I think when he (Kirk Ferentz) plays Penn State there’s a little bit something there because he is a Pennsylvania kid and his father‑in‑law and I were high school teammates together Gerry Hart.

But, they just do a good job.  They recruit well.  Their kids play hard.  They’re disciplined.  You’ve got to beat them. 

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Q.  Joe, why has Iowa been so successful, especially lately?  And are there similarities between the way you run your program and Kirk runs his?

COACH PATERNO: Well, I don’t know about the similarities.  I can tell you, Iowa has been a good, solid football team that’s played extremely well against us.  And I think Kirk’s done a great job.  They’re recruiting well.

He’s been able to keep his coaching staff together.  That defensive coordinator (Norm Parker) does a great job for them.  He’s been with them a long time.  And I think when he (Kirk Ferentz) plays Penn State there’s a little bit something there because he is a Pennsylvania kid and his father‑in‑law and I were high school teammates together Gerry Hart.

But, they just do a good job.  They recruit well.  Their kids play hard.  They’re disciplined.  You’ve got to beat them. 

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Q.  Did you see Denard yesterday and what was his condition?

COACH RODRIGUEZ: Talked with the trainers.  He clearly has a bruise on his knee.  Limited him today.  Hopefully he’ll be able to do practice tomorrow.

We don’t do much on Mondays anyway.  He’s been getting treatments to help with the bruise.  Just take a couple days.  But hopefully he’ll be able to do everything tomorrow.  We’ll wait and see.

Q.  You expect him to play?

COACH RODRIGUEZ: Yes.

Q.  Not a game‑time decision or anything?

COACH RODRIGUEZ: Right.

Q.  Any other injured guys?

COACH RODRIGUEZ: Fitz Toussaint did something to his shoulder.  We’re still trying to figure that out.  Going to do some tests on that.  He was only in for a couple of carries.  I don’t know if he landed on it funny.

We’re hoping

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