In week eight of Season X, Mississippi State improved to 5-2 on the year with a 30-23 win over the University of Memphis Tigers. This was the ninth straight victory for the Bulldogs over the Tigers. QB Kevin Fant passed for 237 yards in the win, while defensive tackle Tommy Kelly added two sacks to his league leading total, giving him eight on the year. Ole Miss was slapped back into reality this weekend with an 18-14 loss to Alabama. Not only did the Rebels lose, but QB Eli Manning ended his streak of consecutive touchdown passes. Eddie Strong recovered a fumble in the end zone for one of the rebel touchdowns, while Manning ran the other in himself.
In the Upset of the Week, the South Carolina Gamecocks knocked off 19th ranked LSU, 34-17. The Gamecock defense virtually shut down the Tigers one-two tandem of Dominique Davis and LeBrandon Toefield, holding them to a combined 110 yards and a touchdown. The win improves Lou Holtz’ team to 6-2.
In the Game of the Week, the Iowa State Cyclones’ magical season ran into a brick wall named Boomer Sooner. Before a huge home crowd, the Sooners hammered Iowa State 27-13. The win moves Oklahoma back into the top ten, despite their two losses.
The National Offensive Player of the Week was Sean Dillard, a Wide Receiver for the Temple Owls. Sean had 271 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
Caleb Miller, an outside linebacker for the Arkansas Razorbacks, was the National Defensive Player of the Week. Caleb had 10 tackles, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
In week nine of Season X, there were several crucial games. We start in the Big 12, where seventh ranked Nebraska lost 34-20 to 14th ranked Texas A&M. The Aggies held the Huskers to only 82 yards rushing, and also caused three turnovers. The loss moves Nebraska to 11th, with a record of 7-2
In the Big Ten, the Ohio State Buckeyes took a major step towards a championship season this week by beating the 12th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 36-3.
In the SEC, Tennessee hammered rival Alabama in the annual “Third Saturday in October Game,” 41-3. Alabama was led by stout running back Santonio Beard, but Tennessee’s defensive line dominated, allowing only 130 yards rushing to go with the Tide’s 76 passing yards. In the upset of the week, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat second ranked Florida State 35-28. The Irish won the game on rock solid defense, with LB Justin Thomas leading the way with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The National Offensive Player of the Week was Sean Waller, HB for Middle Tennessee State University. Sean had 30 carries for 230 yards and four touchdowns.
Ronny Delusme, a SS for Clemson, was the National Defensive Player of the Week. Ronny had four tackles, a sack and two interceptions–one for a touchdown, and a fumble recovery against North Carolina State.
Defensive MVP
1. Dontarrious Thomas, Auburn
2. Derrick Johnson, Texas
3. Angelo Crowell, Virginia
4. Daryl Smith, Georgia Tech
5. Jeremy Muyres, Georgia Tech
Coach of the Year
1. Ron Turner, Illinois
2. Rick Neuheisel, Washington 3. Al Groh, Virginia
4. Ron McBride, Utah
5. John Robinson, UNLV
Heisman Trophy
1. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
2. Cedric Benson, Texas
3. Anton Paige, Texas Tech
4. Thunder Collins, Nebraska
5. Cody Pickett, Washington.