Primetime College Football: Allstate Sugar Bowl
TALENT
In the 76th annual Sugar Bowl the Florida Gators will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in a game full of story lines down in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Cincinnati is making its second straight New Years Day appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game. The Bearcats have won back-to-back Big East Conference titles and wrapped up a perfect regular season and then watched as its head coach Brain Kelly left for the head coaching position vacant at Notre Dame and now will not be on the sidelines for this game. Kelly’s assistant, Jeff Quinn, was named the interim head coach for this Sugar Bowl, but before this game could be played he was selected to be the next head coach at Buffalo, Quinn will honor his commitment though and lead the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.
The story becomes even more complicated in that Cincinnati has already hired a new permanent head coach in Butch Jones, who led Central Michigan to a pair of Mid-American Conference titles. Jones replaced Brian Kelly at CMU after he left the Chippewas to lead the Bearcats.
Cincinnati leads the nation in passing efficiency 166.19, and ranks sixth in scoring offense 39.8, passing offense 320.3, and total offense 464.3. The team has the good fortune of having two outstanding quarterbacks in Tony Pike and Zach Collaros. Pike, the senior, missed three games due to injury, but he has still thrown for 2,350 yards with 26 touchdowns against 6 interceptions this year. Collaros, a sophomore, has connected on 75 percent of his attempts for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns against a mere 2 interceptions. As a runner, he has posted 344 yards and 4 touchdowns. Pike will get the start under center in this bowl game, and he will benefit from the presence of receivers Mardy Gilyard and Armon Binns as usual. Gilyard has recorded 80 catches for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Binns adds 56 grabs for 859 yards and 10 scores. Gilyard has also scored a touchdown as a runner, one as a punt returner and two as a kick returner. Isaiah Pead leads the UC ground attack with 758 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cincinnati is yielding 20 ppg and 350.2 total ypg, and while the defensive unit isn’t dominant, it has been strong in most games this season. The Bearcats are only allowing 3.5 yards per rushing attempt, and they have recorded 16 interceptions as well. Aaron Webster has intercepted four passes to pace the team, and Andre Revels is tops with 103 total tackles.
As for Florida, it is making a bowl appearance for the 19th consecutive year, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Sugar Bowl marks the program’s sixth appearance in a BCS game, and the team knocked off Oklahoma by a 24-14 final in last season’s national title contest. The Gators are 12-1 and have its own unique story lines surface before the Sugar Bowl could be played as Urban Meyer made a recent announcement that he was going to take an indefinite leave of absence following the Sugar Bowl for health-related reasons. Meyer had originally stepped down from his coaching position, stating his desire to concentrate on his health and focus more on his family. But a day later, changed his mind and will take leave instead.
Florida is led by quarterback Tim Tebow has thrown for 2,413 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 65.2 percent of his passes this season. As a runner, the versatile signal caller has posted 13 touchdowns and 859 yards. Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey have combined for nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while tight end Aaron Hernandez and Riley Cooper have more than 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns between them.
Florida has allowed just 15 touchdowns this season, tied for the fewest in the nation with Penn State, which has played one fewer game than the Gators. The 11.5 points per game that UF is allowing ranks third nationally, and the team has given up seven or fewer points in six games. Foes are gaining a mere 101.6 yards per game on the ground against the Gators, who are yielding just 3.1 yards per rushing attempt. The pass defense is lead by ALL-SGE-NCAA Football Team member Joe Haden who has recorded 57 tackles and 4 interceptions while deflecting 8 passes.
In the only previous meeting between Florida and Cincinnati on the gridiron, the Gators cruised to a 48-17 victory back in 1984.
PICK: University of Florida Gators
University Of Buffalo Hires Cincinnati’s Jeff Quinn
Finalists For 2009 Broyles Award
The University of Buffalo has hired University of Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn as the 24th next Bulls head football coach. Quinn, who will still serve as the Bearcats interim head coach in the Allstate Sugar Bowl matchup against Florida on New Year’s Day. Quin replaces Turner Gill who accepted the head coaching position at Kansas on December 14.
Quinn, was in his third year at Cincinnati and his 26th season in college football, was recently named one of five finalists for the 2009 Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach. He has helped guide Cincinnati to a 33-6 record over the past three seasons along with back-to-back Big East Conference Championships and two-straight BCS bowl game berths. Quinn had desires to stay on as coach at Cincinnati after coach Brian Kelly left for Notre Dame but the Bearcats hired Central Michigan’s Butch Jones.
He also boasts championship experience in the Mid-American Conference, having served as offensive coordinator at Central Michigan in their run to the 2006 MAC title. The following season he moved to Cincinnati to take on offensive coordinator and offensive line duties.
University of Cincinnati Hires Central Michigan’s Butch Jones
26-13 Overall
The University of Cincinnati went right back to Central Michigan University for its next coach and hired Butch Jones to replace Brian Kelly, who came from Central Michigan three years ago.
Jones familiarity with the Big East and the wide-open offense were major factors in getting him to Cincinnati. He worked under Kelly for one year at Central Michigan before going to West Virginia as offensive coordinator for two years under Rich Rodriguez. The Mountaineers had one of the nation’s top offenses while he was there in 2005-06. When Kelly left for Cincinnati, Jones went back to Central Michigan. Jones announced he added Kerry Coombs to his coaching family. Coombs will work with the secondary, just as he did this season under Brian Kelly.
The Chippewas had some of the best offenses in their history under Jones, who led them to the Mid-American Conference title this season and their first national ranking. Central Michigan is preparing to face Troy in the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6. The Bearcats are preparing to play Florida on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl with Jeff Quinn being the coach.
He’s 26-13 at Central Michigan, with Mid-American Conference championships in 2007 and 2009.
Central Michigan Dan LeFevour Set College Football Record For Touchdowns
148 Combined TD's
Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour set the major college football record for combined touchdowns passing, rushing and receiving.
LeFevour surpassed the mark set by both Hawaii’s Colt Brennan in 2007 who was matched by Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell in 2008. Florida’s Tim Tebow ranks second among active players with 140 career TDs, entering the SEC championship game against Alabama.
He threw two passes for scores giving him 148 career TDs to help the Chippewas (11-2) beat Ohio (9-4) 20-10 for the Mid-American Conference championship. LeFevour’s second passing TD against Ohio was the 101st of his career, breaking the MAC career record set a decade ago by Chad Pennington at Marshall. He has 46 rushing scores and one receiving TD.
The Chippewas and LeFevour are expected to play in GMAC Bowl.
Primetime College Football: Chippewas vs Bobcats
TALENT
Everything is on the line when the Central Michigan Chippewas battle the Ohio Bobcats in the Mid-American Conference championship game at Ford Field.
The Bobcats had an outstanding season, winning nine of their 12 games and come into this contest with a four-game winning streak. The most recent victory was the most important win to date for Ohio on the year, as the Bobcats dismantled Temple, 35-17, clinching the East Division of the MAC. This is the second time in four seasons that Ohio has participated in the MAC title game. However, the team has not claimed the conference championship since 1968.
As for the Chippewas, they were once again the class of the conference, winning all eight of their league games, while finishing the year with a 10-2 mark. The only losses for Central Michigan came against Arizona and Boston College. The Chippewas are no stranger to playing in the MAC title game, as the team will be looking to collect its third league title in the last four seasons, and seventh overall in school history.
In regard to the all-time series, the Chippewas have handled Ohio throughout the years, posting a 20-4-2 mark against the Bobcats. The biggest showdown between the two teams in recent memory happened in 2006 when CMU and Ohio battled in the that year’s MAC title game and unfortunately for Ohio the contest was not close, as Central Michigan went on to win by a 31-10 margin.
Ohio is currently averaging 26 ppg, with the majority of the success due to the passing attack which is led by Theo Scott. Scott comes into this game with 2,120 yards and 19 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. His favorite target is Taylor Price, who is leading the team with 51 receptions and 733 yards. But he isn’t the only weapon in the recieving core as the Bobcats also have LaVon Brazill, who not only is a threat on special teams, but has also collected 49 passes for 670 yards and six scores.
The Ohio defense has been the strong point to the Bobcats season, holding teams to just 21 ppg and only give up 198.9 ypg through the air. The Bobcats force its oppenets to make mistakes and have collected 19 interceptions, while recovering 16 fumbles on the year. Ohio has only allowed opponents to convert on 35 percent of their third down chances, but inside the red zone is a different story, as the Bobcats have been scored on 85 percent of the time when their backs are against the wall. Noah Keller is the clear cut leader of this defense, as the linebacker is leading the way with 122 tackles.
The Chippewas possess the most balanced offensive attack in the MAC, and come into the title game averaging 34 ppg, behind 419.9 total ypg. Dan LeFevour leds the team on the ground and also with his arm. LeFevour has rushed for 650 yards on the season, while also throwing for 2,788 yards. The senior has thrown for 25 touchdowns against just five interceptions, and has also rushed for 14 scores.
LeFevour is currently tied for the NCAA’s record for the most touchdowns scored in a career with Colt Brennan (Hawaii 2005-07) and Graham Harrell (Texas Tech 2005-08). LeFevour has 146 touchdowns (99 passing, 46 rushing and one receiving), and that is six more that Florida’s Tim Teabow.
Antonio Brown has been the main target for LeFevour all season and comes into this game with 89 receptions, 954 yards and nine touchdowns. Bryan Anderson gives LeFevour a consistent second option, as the wideout has hauled in 50 receptions for 646 yards and five scores.
Central Michigan’s defense comes into this title game holding opponents to just 17 ppg. The Chippewas are limiting opponents to just 120.2 rushing ypg on a mere 3.6 yards per carry and while the unit is allowing 210.8 ypg through the air, teams have only scored 10 passing touchdowns against CMU. Nick Bellore is currently leading the team with 112 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.
PICK: Central Michigan University Chippewas
Primetime College Football Chippewas vs Cardinals
Please Send Pictures Of Any TALENT From Central Michigan University or Ball State
The Central Michigan Chippewas (8-2) will try to remain perfect in Mid- American Conference action when they take on the Ball State Cardinals (1-9) at Scheumann Stadium.
After suffering a 31-10 setback to Boston College on Halloween, the Chippewas rebounded in their next match-up by pounding Toledo, 56-28. With the victory the Chippewas are now 6-0 in MAC and could match their 1979 season win a win. Since taking over at Central Michigan, head coach Butch Jones has led the Chippewas to an outstanding 19-3 mark against league foes.
As for the Cardinals, it has been a nightmare of a season, as the team has dropped nine of its 10 match-ups, including two in a row. The most recent loss for Ball State was a 26-20 loss to Northern Illinois. In the all-time series the Chippewas have a slim, 23-19-1 edge over Ball State, but the Cardinals won the most recent match-up by a 31-24.
The Chippewas have one of the most dangerous offensive units in the MAC, and that is largely due to the man under center in Dan LeFevour. LeFevour has dominated league opponents for four years now, as the signal caller has completed 70.0 percent of his passes for 2,189 yards and 18 scores against 5 interceptions. What makes LeFevour more valuable is that he producing on the ground as well, rushing for 567 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Wideout Antonio Brown has even rushed 298 yards and two touchdowns while being the top option for LeFevour, and comes into this matchup with 69 receptions, 734 yards and eight touchdowns. LeFevour threw for 341 yards in the latest game with two scores, and one of those touchdowns went to Brown, who finished with 129 yards on 13 receptions.
Usually overlooked because of the success of offense has been the play of the CMU defense. Central Michigan is currently holding the opposition to just 18 ppg, and has done a tremendous job against the run, limiting teams to just 119.1 ypg on a mere 3.5 ypc. The team has been good at getting to the quarterback as the team has racked up 18 sacks. Nick Bellore racked up 10 tackles in the latest game and now has a team best 98 stops on the year.
Offense has been tough to come by for Ball State, as the team heads into this match-up averaging just 20.5 ppg behind a lackluster 308.7 total ypg. The majority of the team’s success has come from the ground game, which is churning out 165.0 ypg. MiQuale Lewis is currently pacing the team with 792 yards and four touchdowns, while Cory Sykes has rumbled for 404 yards and three touchdowns.
On top of the poor play offensively, the defense has also been a mess for Ball State, as the Cardinals head into this contest allowing 28 ppg behind 366.5 total ypg. The major problem for this unit has been its inability to stop the pass, as opponents are torching this defense for 211.4 ypg, and out of the 33 touchdowns surrendered by this unit, 21 have come via the pass.
PICK: Central Michigan University Chippewas
***If anyone has any pictures they would like to share of any TALENT from Central Michigan University or Ball State it would be appreciated.***
