On Location: QB Notes From Indy - II

QB Drew Willy, Buffalo:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: Bengals, Steelers, Bears, Bucs, Bills, Lions

QB Mike Reilly, Central Washington:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.

QB Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Teams Met With: About 20-25 teams

QB Stepen McGee, Texas A & M:
Workout: Working out at School

QB Pat White, West Virginia:
Workout: Will be doing all drills at the combine.
Miscellaneous: Willing to play quarterback and wide receiver

QB Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State:
Workout: Will work out.
Training: CES
Pro Day: March 24.

QB Cullen Harper, Clemson:
Workout: Will work out
Training: Athletes Performance
Teams Met With: Texans, Niners, Redskins.

QB Jason Boltus, Hartwick:
Workout: Will work out
Teams Met With: Vikings, Browns, Jags, Lions and Rams

QB Hunter Caldwell, Louisville
Workout: Will work out

QB Chase Daniels, Missouri
Workout: Will work out.

As reported by Justin VanFulpen

Gator Bowl: Clemson vs. Nebraska

By JOSH BUCHANAN
January 1, 2009 * 1:00 PM * CBS

Clemson and Nebraska enter the Gator Bowl in an unexpected match-up as most felt Clemson would be in a BCS bowl before the season started. Clemson finished 7-5 overall and 4-4 in league play while Nebraska comes in 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12. After rollercoaster regular seasons, both schools need strong finishes to boost their programs heading into next season. Clemson enters this game unranked in both polls but is 19th in the Sagarin Rankings, while Nebraska is unranked and ranked 29th in the Sagarin.

When the Cornhuskers Have the Ball

The Cornhusker offense has been solid, led by senior QB Joe Ganz (3,332 yards, 23-10 ratio) and HM All-Big 12 RB Roy Helu (804 yards, seven touchdowns). While the offense has been fairly well-balanced, they are still a run first team anchored by 2nd team All-Big 12 RG Matt Slauson (6-5, 320) and HM All-Big 12 C Jacob Hickman (6-4, 290). Perhaps the biggest playmaker is senior WR Nate Swift (909 yards, nine touchdowns) who led the team in receiving. Senior WR Todd Peterson (690 yards, three touchdowns) was the #2 receiver and gave Ganz another solid target. Don’t be surprised to see Ganz, Slauson, Swift, Peterson, and backup RB Marlon Lucky (550 yards, seven touchdowns) in NFL training camps next fall. The Tiger defense has been a strong point giving up just 16.6 points, and less than 295 total yards per game. With two safeties likely to get drafted and two junior corners who have inquired about their draft status, it is no wonder that they have given up just 167.2 ypg passing this season. 1st team All-ACC SS Michael Hamlin (91 tackles, 6 INT, 7 PBU) brings great leadership and ball skills to the secondary. He is joined by FS Chris Clemons (2 INT, 3 PBU) and a pair of shutdown junior cover corners in Chris Chancellor (32 tackles, 4 INT, 3 PBU) and Crezdon Butler (40 tackles, 3 INT, 3 PBU). The defensive front has been a disappointment due to injuries to DE Ricky Sapp (25 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) who is out for the bowl game, DT Rashaad Jackson (8 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks), and Jamie Cumbie. Their linebackers are young but could have a couple of potential stars in junior WLB Kavell Conner (91 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and freshman MLB Brandon Maye (66 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks). Conner led the team in tackles and Maye has been mentioned as one of the top freshmen in the nation.

When Clemson Has the Ball

Clemson’s rushing attack is led by thunder and lightning. Second team All-ACC running back C.J. Spiller finished with 612 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 11 games and James Davis (725 yards, 11 touchdowns) enters the postseason with a solid, but somewhat disappointing season compared to pre-season projections. Quarterback Cullen Harper has been bothered by injuries all season and finished with just 2,395 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His top target, 2nd team All-ACC wide out Aaron Kelly (61 catches, 648 yards, three touchdowns), didn’t quite live up to his preseason billing, but still had a solid season for the Tigers. Speedy slot wideout Jacoby Ford (50 catches, 598 yards, three scores) provides Harper with a secondary threat as he is able to take it to the house at any time. The offensive line is anchored by 2nd team All-ACC center Thomas Austin who, like Ford and Spiller, has sent his name to the NFL Advisory Board to inquire about his draft prospects. For the Nebraska defense, the strength is on the line where the Huskers boast three All-Big 12 performers in NT Ndamukong Suh (68 tackles, 15 TFL, 5.5 sacks), DE Zach Potter (43 tackles, 14 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 6 hurries), and DT Ty Steinkuhler (6 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 3 hurries). One of the underrated performers is sophomore DE Pierre Allen (50 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks), who played just 10 games. The linebackers are considered the weak link on paper and must step up in order to help keep Spiller and Davis in check. Honorable Mention All-Big 12 SS Larry Asante (64 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PBU) headlines a secondary that finished #2 in the Big 12 (235.7) in pass defense in a year where the Cornhuskers finished in the middle of the pack in almost every other category.

Final Analysis

Something has to give in this game as Nebraska enters averaging 36.2 ppg while Clemson leads the ACC in scoring defense (16.6). Nebraska also boasts a solid run defense (125.8) and while you would think Clemson would expose it on paper, the Tigers only put up 120.5 ypg this year. Since the firing of Tommy Bowden, Dabo Swinney has led the Tigers to a 4-2 record, including three straight wins and a romping of rival South Carolina. Nebraska won their last three games after a loss to Oklahoma on November 1st. With two hot teams, this is an intriguing Gator Bowl that you just shouldn’t miss.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-4, 5-3)
Pass: Joe Ganz – 3,332 yards, 23 TDs
Run: Roy Helu Jr. – 804 yards, 7 TDs
Catch: Nate Swift – 909 yards, 9 TDs

Clemson Tigers (7-5, 4-4)
Pass: Cullen Harper – 2,395 yards, 11 TDs
Run: James Davis – 725 yards, 11 TDs
Catch: Aaron Kelly – 648 yards, 3 TDs

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

O'Brien Quarterback Award Marquee Match-up for Week Seven

FORT WORTH, Texas (October 8, 2008) - The 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Match-ups for week seven feature six O'Brien Watch List candidates. The O'Brien continues to highlight weekly match-ups featuring O'Brien candidates as they compete for the prestigious award honoring the nation's best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Fans can show their support by visiting www.VoteOBrien.org and casting their vote. The top three candidates in the Fan Vote will automatically be added to the Semifinalist List announced October 27.

Marquee Match-up: Texas vs. Oklahoma
Saturday, October 11 at 11 a.m. (CST) on ABC
Saturday more than 90,000 fans plus ESPN's College GameDay will fill the Cotton Bowl Stadium to watch Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns take on Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma Sooners. Both quarterbacks will put their undefeated records (5-0) on the line as they enter the 2008 Red River Rivalry. McCoy, a junior, has accounted for 20 touchdowns this season. In addition to completing more than 79 percent of his passes, McCoy leads the Longhorns in rushing yards with 317. The 5th ranked Longhorns enter this game after defeating the Colorado Buffaloes on the road last week.

"We'll have everybody in America talking about the game next week, and that's what we all want," said Texas Head Coach Mack Brown after last Saturday's game. "It's fun. It's what Texas and OU have wanted forever, and we have got it back."

Bradford, a sophomore, has also accounted for 20 touchdowns this season. With 1,665 passing yards, his quarterback rating of 204.97 ranks second in the nation. The No. 1 Sooners will fight to keep their top ranking in this much-anticipated game.

"It's the same with a lot of the big rivalries; it's the tradition and the history," said Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops during his weekly press conference. "It's more than just bragging rights now. It's an inside track, or one up on the other guy, on your way to a championship, hopefully."

These two quarterbacks have both been highlighted previously as O'Brien Quarterbacks of the Week due to their high level of performance. Both lead powerful offensive units with hopes of a Big 12 Title and will duel for conference supremacy Saturday in Dallas, Texas.

Head-to-Head O'Brien Match-ups (based on start times)
These O'Brien Watch List quarterbacks will clash in this week's games.

* Clemson (Cullen Harper) at Wake Forest (Riley Skinner)
Thursday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN

* Arizona State (Rudy Carpenter*) at USC (Mark Sanchez*)
Saturday, October 11 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on ABC

* Pending Injury

About The O'Brien Fan Vote
Fans can now register and vote for The O'Brien Fan Vote online at www.VoteOBrien.org to show their support for their favorite college quarterback. Fans will be able to choose from any of the 119 FBS quarterbacks beginning on Tuesday, September 2, leaving room for the possibility of a quarterback who is not on the Watch List to win the award. The top three quarterbacks who garner the most votes will be added to The O'Brien Semifinalist List, and the Fan Vote will then count as 5% in determining the Finalists and Winner. The 2008 Winner will be announced during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11 on ESPN. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

O'Brien Quarterback Award Marquee Match-up for Week One

FORT WORTH, Texas (August 27, 2008) - The 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Marquee Match-up for week one features two O'Brien Watch List candidates in their season opener. Throughout the season, The O'Brien will highlight weekly match-ups featuring O'Brien candidates as they compete for the prestigious award honoring the nation's best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Marquee Match-up: Illinois at Missouri
Saturday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN
Juice Williams takes the Fighting Illini into Tiger territory to take on 2007 O'Brien Finalist, Chase Daniel, in a Big Ten/Big XII showdown. Both teams enter the season with a top 25 ranking and have an O'Brien Watch List quarterback at the helm of their offense. Each quarterback is looking to lead their team to a season opening win while beginning their bid for The O'Brien.

Head-to-Head O'Brien Match-ups (based on start times)
These O'Brien Watch List quarterbacks will clash in their season openers.

* Florida Atlantic (Rusty Smith) at Texas (Colt McCoy)
Saturday, August 30 at 6 p.m. (CST)

* Alabama (John Parker Wilson) at Clemson (Cullen Harper)
Saturday, August 30 at 7 p.m. (CST) on ABC

CFI RANKINGS: #12 CLEMSON TIGERS

2007 RECORD: 9-4; ACC: 5-3
Won Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Auburn 23-20 (OT)
LOCATION: Clemson, South Carolina
STADIUM: Clemson Memorial Stadium (93,553)
HEAD COACH: Tommy Bowden
OVERALL: 87-46 (11 seasons)
AT CLEMSON: 69-42 (9 seasons)

This is the year…the Tigers will win the ACC championship, their first since Florida St. joined the conference…some even believe they can make a run at the national championship. Have you heard this before? Yes, the Tigers have been an underachieving bunch, but this is their best team in the Bowden era, make no mistake about that. This season is all about winning a conference title—nothing less will satisfy the rabid Clemson fans.

WHEN THE TIGERS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Rob Spence (11th Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Barry Richardson, Chris McDuffie, Christian Capote

Clemson has skill position players galore. With Darren McFadden and Felix Jones now playing on Sundays, the best running back tandem on Saturdays can be found in the state of South Carolina, at least when Clemson is at home. James Davis is an effective runner who has a nose for the end zone and C.J. Spiller could be the most explosive back in the nation, capable of scoring any time he touches the football. When they decide the opposition has had enough of “Thunder and Lightning”, the Tigers can turn to senior QB Cullen Harper, an accurate passer who makes good decisions and can stretch the field. At his disposal, he has a number one target in Aaron Kelly, a solid possession receiver in Tyler Grisham and a big play guy in Jacoby Ford. The one potential pitfall, and it’s a biggie—they must replace four of starters along the offensive line.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) RB C.J. Spiller (JR), 2) RB James Davis (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Vic Koenning (4th Season)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Phillip Merling, Nick Watkins, Tramaine Billie, Courtney Vincent

The strength of the Tigers defense is their secondary, where there are high expectations for senior SS Michael Hamlin and junior CB Chris Chancellor, a pair of top caliber athletes. They are also solid up front with Ricky Sapp, who is set to follow in the footsteps of Gaines Adams and Phillip Merling as an All-ACC end. Dorrell Scott is a solid defensive tackle, but they will miss Rashaad Jackson who recently had knee surgery and will be out until mid-season at least. The wild card is true freshman DE Da’Quan Bowers, who many believe could be the best defensive newcomer in the nation. Another youngster with a chance to play early and often is LB Stanley Hunter, who could break the starting rotation at the MIKE position. Linebacker is a position where they need several players to step up. They should be able to get to the quarterback and stop the pass, but must prove they can stop the run if they are going to be an elite squad.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) SS Michael Hamlin (SR), 2) DE Ricky Sapp (JR)

THE SCHEDULE

Are they for real? We may find out very soon, as they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a neutral site game in week one. That game could be a precursor for the season to come—either fulfilling potential, or potential disappointment. They could be favored in all of their conference games, but none of their road trips in ACC country is a gimmie. They visit Wake Forest, Boston College, Florida St. and Virginia—all four went bowling in 2007. They should be extra wary of their trip to Winston Salem as the Deacs are dangerous and a possible ACC Atlantic spoiler.

PIVOTAL POINT

The Offensive Line: It appears that (LG) Jamarcus Grant, (RG) Barry Humphries, (LT) Corey Lambert and (RT) Chris Hairston will join returning (C) Thomas Austin along the offensive line. How they go…the Tigers will go. No matter what, with Harper at the helm throwing to Kelly and Ford and handing off to Davis and Spiller, these Tigers will put up points. However, to reach their full potential, the offensive line will have to open holes for their explosive backs and protect their pocket passing quarterback. If they win the battle on the line of scrimmage, they will win the ACC.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

There is too much talent for the Tigers not to be the team to beat in the Atlantic Coast Conference. There is no reason why this isn’t Tommy Bowden’s year—they will have the most talent on the field in every game they play this season leading up to the bowl game, including a potential trip to the ACC Championship. Exhale Clemson fans, put your worries and trepidations aside and enjoy the ride all the way to BCS land.

Photo Credit: Collegiate Images