This Date in College Football History

Dec. 30, 1991: No. 23 Tulsa beats San Diego State 28-17 at the Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, Calif. The Golden Hurricane turns to back up tailback Ron Jackson, who out shines Aztec's tailback Marshall Faulk, rushing 46 times for 211 yards and a Freedom bowl record four touchdowns. It was the first time in almost 30 years that Tulsa won a bowl game.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

BCS Buster Players of the Week - Week Eight

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

RB Dennis Kennedy, Akron
Kennedy’s 277 yards on 25 carries were the most by a Zip since Akron joined the FBS (formerly I-A) and the second highest in school history. Kennedy had three touchdowns on the day, including a career best 73-yard scoring scamper and the game-winning touchdown with 14 seconds left in Akron’s 42-35 win at EMU.

Honorable Mention: Brennan Marion, WR, Tulsa: six catches, 233 yards, three touchdowns

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DE Jerry Hughes, TCU
The Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week spearheaded the Horned Frogs upset over previously undefeated BYU. Hughes recorded four sacks of the Cougars’ Max Hall, including three in the first half as TCU built a 23-0 lead.

Honorable Mention: Brandyn Thompson, CB, Boise St.: three interceptions, five tackles

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

KR Damaris Johnson, Tulsa
The C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week set a school record with 211 yards on six returns. His biggest blow came after UTEP took a 28-21 lead—the freshman took the ensuing kickoff 94 yards to tie the game and Tulsa never looked back.

Honorable Mention: Kyle Brotzman, K/P, Boise St.: 2-for-2 on FGs, 60 yards per punt (three)

Photo Credit: TCU Athletics Media Relations

BCS Buster Watch - Week Seven

1. Utah Utes (1)
Record: 7-0 (3-0)
Coaches Poll: 13
Associated Press: 14
Last Week: Won @ Wyoming 40-7
The Utes defense forced five turnovers with junior defensive back Sean Smith picking off two passes, including one he returned to pay-dirt four minutes into the game to set the tone.
Up Next: 10/18: vs. Colorado St.; 10/25: BYE

2. BYU Cougars (2)
Record: 6-0 (2-0)
Coaches Poll: 8
Associated Press: 9
Last Week: Won vs. New Mexico 21-3
It will be a quick turnaround this week for the Cougars as they travel to Fort Worth, Texas to face their toughest opponent to date.
Up Next: 10/16: @ TCU; 10/25: vs. UNLV

3. Boise St. Broncos (3)
Record: 5-0 (1-0)
Coaches Poll: 16
Associated Press: 15
Last Week: Won @ Southern Miss 24-7
Boise St. plays host to WAC rival Hawaii, as the Warriors visit the mainland. Hawaii has won two in a row, including an upset at Fresno St.
Next: 10/17: vs. Hawaii; 10/24: @ San Jose St.

4. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4)
Record: 6-0 (3-0)
Coaches Poll: 26
Associated Press: 26
Last Week: Won @ SMU 37-31
Trailing for the first time in the second half all season, Tulsa entered the fourth quarter down 31-24 and they responded to remain undefeated.
Next: 10/18: vs. UTEP; 10/26: vs. UCF

5. Ball St. Cardinals (5)
Record: 6-0 (3-0)
Coaches Poll: 25
Associated Press: 24
Last Week: Won @ Western Kentucky 24-7
While Nate Davis failed to throw for 200 yards for the first time in almost a year, the defense held the Hilltoppers scoreless for three quarters.
Next: 10/18: BYE; 10/25: vs. Eastern Michigan

CFI Players of the Week

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

QB Chase Holbrook, New Mexico St.
The senior signal caller completed 28-of-47 passes for 409 yards and three scoring strikes. Holbrook also crossed the goal line on the ground. The Aggies needed every bit of Holbrook’s heroics in their thrilling 48-45 victory over Nevada.

Honorable Mention: Nick Moore, WR, Toledo: MAC record 20 receptions, 162 yards

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

FS Tyrell Herbert, Toledo
The Pittsburgh native led Toledo to their upset over Michigan in the Big House. Herbert returned the first of his two interceptions 100 yards for the Rockets’ lone touchdown. His second take-away set up a field goal in Toledo’s 13-10 win.

Honorable Mention: Phillip Hunt, DE, Houston: three sacks, eight tackles

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

K/P Swayze Waters, UAB
The senior was on his game, making both of his field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder. Waters was even better as a punter averaging 50.6 yards on his eight punts, with a NET of 51.8 yards.

Honorable Mention: Alex Steigerwald, K, Toledo: game-tying and game-winning FGs

Photo Credit: NMSU Media Relations

BCS Buster Watch - Week Six

1. Utah Utes (1)
Record: 6-0 (2-0)
Coaches Poll: 13
Associated Press: 14
Last Week: Won vs. Oregon St. 31-28
Despite struggling most of the game, quarterback Brian Johnson connected on seven of eight passes for 91 yards in the final 2:11 to lead the way.
Up Next: 10/11: @ Wyoming; 10/18: vs. CSU

2. BYU Cougars (2)
Record: 5-0 (1-0)
Coaches Poll: 8
Associated Press: 9
Last Week: Won @ Utah St. 34-14
Max Hall threw for 300 yards but his two interceptions were a season high and his two touchdown passes a season low.
Up Next: 10/11: vs. New Mexico; 10/16: @ TCU

3. Boise St. Broncos (3)
Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Coaches Poll: 16
Associated Press: 15
Last Week: Won vs. Louisiana Tech 38-3
Safety Jeron Johnson and linebacker Kyle Gingg each had eight tackles to lead the Broncos. Cornerback Kyle Wilson broke up three passes.
Next: 10/11: @ Southern Miss; 10/17: vs. Hawaii

4. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5)
Record: 5-0 (2-0)
Coaches Poll: 28
Associated Press: 27
Last Week: Won vs. Rice 63-28
After starting the season by scoring 45 points, the Golden Hurricane scored 56 points in their next two contests. Over the last two games, they scored 62 and 63 points. Is 70 points reachable?
Next: 10/11: @ SMU; 10/18: UTEP

5. Ball St. Cardinals (NR)
Record: 6-0 (3-0)
Coaches Poll: 29
Associated Press: 25
Last Week: Won @ Toledo 31-0
The Cardinals’ offense has topped 30 points in each game and their defense shutout a Toledo team that put up 54 points against Fresno St.
Next: 10/11: vs. Idaho; 10/18: BYE

TULSA'S HOLLOWAY NOMINATED FOR FEDEX ORANGE BOWL COURAGE AWARD

DALLAS (FWAA) - Tulsa's Wilson Holloway is this week's nominee for the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the season. Holloway, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Oklahoma City, was diagnosed with cancer last spring, underwent chemotherapy treatment throughout the spring and summer, and is playing on special teams and in a reserve role for the Golden Hurricane.

Holloway was considered to have a bright future, but Tulsa coaches were concerned when he had trouble during offseason workouts last winter. He struggled to breathe after sprints.

"I just thought I was out of shape," Holloway told the Tulsa World.

But tests revealed a softball-sized tumor, which was diagnosed as Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Holloway had difficulty breathing because the tumor was pressing against his lungs.

Holloway began undergoing biweekly chemo treatments March 21. Though he initially lost 20 pounds, he's regained that and added 20 more, up to 275.

Holloway did not participate in spring practice, but continued with conditioning workouts. He returned to practice for preseason camp and underwent his last chemo treatment on Aug. 22, eight days before the Golden Hurricane opened the season.

"He's just so tough and courageous," Tulsa coach Todd Graham told the newspaper. "He's always had a positive mindset and a game plan. He has done a good job of whipping (cancer) so far."

For the third straight year, the Football Writers Association of America and the FedEx Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl/FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.

The Courage Award was created by ESPN The Magazine's senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, also a FWAA member. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.