11-28-2011, 01:42 PM
ESPN Non-AQ Rewind
Going bowling. Marshall became bowl eligible for the first time under coach Doc Holliday, after a 34-27 win over East Carolina in overtime. The Pirates sent the game into the extra period when Dominique Davis threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jones with 14 seconds left in regulation. But Davis threw an interception in overtime, after Tron Martinez scored on a 1-yard run for the Herd. East Carolina will not be in a bowl game for the first time in six years. As for the Herd, they are one of several non-AQ teams to become bowl eligible after losing seasons in 2010:
•Ball State improved from 4-8 to 6-6.
•Western Kentucky improved from 2-10 to 7-5.
•Wyoming improved from 3-9 to 7-4, with one game remaining at Colorado State.
•Louisiana Tech improved from 5-7 to 8-4 and WAC champs.
•Utah State improved from 4-8 to 6-5 with one game remaining at New Mexico State.
•Arkansas State improved from 4-8 to 9-2.
•Louisiana-Lafayette improved from 3-9 to 8-4.
As you can see, three Sun Belt teams made five-game improvements, and the league has four bowl-eligible teams this season.
And my personal favorite.
Game of the week. FAU 38, UAB 35.
Howard Schnellenberger announced his retirement before the season, began but his final season was not exactly going according to plan. The Owls were the only winless team in FBS heading into Week 13. But alas, the football gods conspired to make sure the legendary program builder would not go out without a win. The Owls played inspired football Saturday against UAB, beating the Blazers 38-35 as Schnellenberger avoided his first winless season. Alfred Morris had a career-high four touchdowns, with a career-high 198 yards on 38 carries to notch his fifth straight 100-yard game. "I got the biggest and best kiss from [wife] Beverlee in a long time on the sideline," Schnellenberger said afterward. "And I'm expecting more when I get home."
Going bowling. Marshall became bowl eligible for the first time under coach Doc Holliday, after a 34-27 win over East Carolina in overtime. The Pirates sent the game into the extra period when Dominique Davis threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jones with 14 seconds left in regulation. But Davis threw an interception in overtime, after Tron Martinez scored on a 1-yard run for the Herd. East Carolina will not be in a bowl game for the first time in six years. As for the Herd, they are one of several non-AQ teams to become bowl eligible after losing seasons in 2010:
•Ball State improved from 4-8 to 6-6.
•Western Kentucky improved from 2-10 to 7-5.
•Wyoming improved from 3-9 to 7-4, with one game remaining at Colorado State.
•Louisiana Tech improved from 5-7 to 8-4 and WAC champs.
•Utah State improved from 4-8 to 6-5 with one game remaining at New Mexico State.
•Arkansas State improved from 4-8 to 9-2.
•Louisiana-Lafayette improved from 3-9 to 8-4.
As you can see, three Sun Belt teams made five-game improvements, and the league has four bowl-eligible teams this season.
And my personal favorite.
Game of the week. FAU 38, UAB 35.
Howard Schnellenberger announced his retirement before the season, began but his final season was not exactly going according to plan. The Owls were the only winless team in FBS heading into Week 13. But alas, the football gods conspired to make sure the legendary program builder would not go out without a win. The Owls played inspired football Saturday against UAB, beating the Blazers 38-35 as Schnellenberger avoided his first winless season. Alfred Morris had a career-high four touchdowns, with a career-high 198 yards on 38 carries to notch his fifth straight 100-yard game. "I got the biggest and best kiss from [wife] Beverlee in a long time on the sideline," Schnellenberger said afterward. "And I'm expecting more when I get home."