College Football Insiders Radio - Week 11

The voice of college football is here as CFI Founder Daniel Mogollon brings you coast-to-coast coverage of all the football action from across the nation, every Thursday at 5:00pm ET. 60 min.

Special Guests:

* HC Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern - Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is one of the best young head coach in the country. He is 25-22 overall and 6-4 this season coming off an impressive 17-10 upset over BCS #4 Iowa last Saturday in Iowa City. With the win, the Wildcats are now bowl eligible for a third straight season under Coach Fitzgerald.

* CB Kareem Jackson, Alabama - A key player to the number two team in the BCS, Jackson talks about Alabama's big win over LSU, in addition to opening up about himself off the field. He loves shopping and is the class clown of the 'Bama locker room. Even Coach Saban isn't off limits!!

* RB Noel Devine, West Virginia - West Virginia's junior tailback has already topped 1,000 yards and reached 10 touchdowns as he leads the #25 BCS ranked Mountaineers. Devine talks about his big runs, maturing as player and a leader, as well as penchant for having big games under the lights.

* RB John Clay, Wisconsin - This bruising runner joins College Football Insiders radio to talk about the long line of Wisconsin running backs, his running style and why he wears number 32. Hint...it's for a running back, but not from Wisconsin.

* Those topics and more in this week's edition of College Football Insiders Radio.

CLICK TO LISTEN

Call-in Number: (347) 945-6275

Photo Courtesy of Alabama Media Relations

College Football Insiders Newsletter 3.10

Inside College Football Insiders 3.10:

* Inside the Nation: Welcome to the "House of Spears" & Week 10 Opportunities Lost

* Between the Hashes: Roll Tide Roll (Plus Bayou Bengals Bite)

* On Location: From the Big House

* One On One with Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald

* Player Spotlight on John Clay of Wisconsin

* Game of the Week: Iowa @ Ohio State in the Battle for the Big Ten Title

* Conference Focus on the Big East - Mardy Gilyard, Noel Devine & USF DBs

* Plus...the Top 25, BCS Busters, Fans Weekend Guide & Football Fans Four-Pack

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD (PDF) FOR FREE

Photo Courtesy of Northwestern: Stephen J. Carrera

Big Ten - Week 2 Preview

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

USC @ Ohio St. -
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Notre Dame @ Michigan - Click to Read Preview

Central Michigan at Michigan State: Quarterback Dan LeFevour (18-for-31, 108 yards, one interception) was abysmal as the Chippewas lost to Arizona, 19-6. Watch him try to get back to potential while he squares off against the Spartans’ quarterbacking duo, Keith Nichol and Kirk Cousins. This will be a better barometer of the Spartans’ defense as well.
MSU 31, CMU 9

Syracuse at Penn State: Constant disrupter defensive tackle Jared Odrick was certainly the standout last week for Penn State, with the silver going to Daryll Clark (29-for-40, 355 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) and the bronze to Derick Moye, who stepped up big in the receiving corps (6 catches, 138 yards, touchdown). Look for much-improved run blocking this week (they better!) and the front seven forcing Syracuse’s Greg Paulus to make bounce passes through his earhole.
Penn State 37, Syracuse 9

Iowa at Iowa State: Which is worse: last week against FCS Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes 1) were outgained 354 to 329 in total yards, 2) gave up 270 yards passing, 3) managed only 87 yards rushing, or 4) needed two blocked field goals to steal the win at home? That defense better more inspired, and the Hawkeyes must find a patchwork solution to their vacant rushing attack.
(Only because Iowa can’t start with an almost loss and then a loss)
Iowa 20, Iowa State 17

Purdue at Oregon: Do I dare set-up for the upset of the week? Disarray in Eugene, the loss of their starting running back for the season, and Purdue looking very strong out of the gate (52-31 over Toledo)? No. Purdue will not have an answer for quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in front of the Duck faithful.
Oregon 27, Purdue 14

Fresno State at Wisconsin: The home-and-home series returns to Camp Randall, where Northern Illinois almost stole one late from the Badgers. Call this one the Battle of the Bulge as Fresno State pounded the ball for 310 yards rushing and a 7.9 average versus the Zach Brown/John Clay tank brigade. If Clay healed this week, the Badgers will out-bruise in a close one.
Wisconsin 21, Fresno State 16

Air Force at Minnesota: The good–Adam Weber to Eric Decker looks like the passer-receiver combo of the conference. The bad–besides dedicating themselves to a physical rushing attack, the Gophers mustered only 112 yards rushing. The ugly–they almost lost to a team (Syracuse) with a point guard starting at quarterback and face an Air Force squad that put up 474 yards rushing last week. Home/Stadium-opening delight as Minnesota plays host outdoors to Air Force and squeaks by.
Minnesota 21, Air Force 20

Western Michigan at Indiana: Will the real Tim Hiller please stand up? Hopefully for the Hoosiers, he won’t do so this week. Will the real Ben Chappell please stand up? The Indiana quarterback threw for 326 yards on 27-for-36 passing and one touchdown. If that’s for real, then Indiana might be OK in the pistol.
Indiana 24, Western Michigan 21

Eastern Michigan at Northwestern: Coach Pat Fitzgerald has his team off to a good start as they easily handled Towson last week, 47-14. Eastern Michigan brings former Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English back to the conference. English’s debut wasn’t pretty, as his squad dropped a 27-14 decision to Army. Pssst–Coach Fitz…run-the-football. Central Michigan’s defense gave away real estate in fire-sale fashion, giving up 300 yards to the Black Knights.
Northwestern 33, Eastern Michigan 10

Illinois St at Illinois: As I picked Illinois as a potential contender for the Big Ten title (which of course is still in hand notwithstanding the drubbing handed out by Missouri last week in St. Louis), I now stand on shaky ground in understanding what to expect this week. It’s against Illinois State, who gave up almost 400 yards to Eastern Illinois last week and managed 20 yards rushing? Oh…
Illinois 56, Illinois State 3

Photos Courtesy of Robert Barclay/Central Michigan, University of Minnesota Athletic Communications

LISTEN NOW! CFI Radio - Alamo Bowl

MONDAY - DECEMBER 29, 2008
12:30 PM EASTERN * Bowl Preview Special
30 Minutes

*** Click to Listen ***

CFI Co-Founder DANIEL MOGOLLON & Big Ten Insider JOHN SEARS preview the Alamo Bowl, which pits the surprising Northwestern Wildcats against the Missouri Tigers and their explosive attack. Special guests: Wildcats' HC PAT FITZGERALD. Find out which players to watch and who will win.

Players to Watch - Missouri:

1. WR Jeremy Maclin, Sophomore – No. 9
2. FS William Moore, Senior – No. 1
3. TE Chase Coffman, Senior – No. 45
4. LB Sean Weatherspoon, Junior – No. 12
5. QB Chase Daniel, Senior – No. 10

Players to Watch - Northwestern:

1. QB C.J. Bacher, Senior – No. 18
2. RB Tyrell Sutton, Senior – No. 19
3. DE Corey Wootton, Junior – No. 96
4. DT John Gill, Senior – No. 70
5. S Brendan Smith, Junior – No. 4

Photo Credit: Mizzou Media Relations

NFF Delivers Another Night of Magical Football Memories

By NFF Correspondent Bo Carter

The 51st National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Annual Awards Dinner celebrated many milestones in the collegiate game at the Waldorf=Astoria Tuesday night.

Besides the induction of 13 all-time collegiate stalwarts and head coaches John Cooper and Lou Holtz, the NFF audience of just under 1,600 received rousing renditions of the national anthem and "God Bless America" by "America's Beloved Tenor" Daniel Rodriguez.

2008 inductees included Troy Aikman of UCLA, Dr. Billy Cannon of LSU, Jim Dombrowski of Virginia, Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern, Wilber Marshall of Florida, Rueben Mayes of Washington State, Randall McDaniel of Arizona State, Don McPherson of Syracuse, Jay Novacek of Wyoming, Dave Parks of Texas Tech, Ron Simmons of Florida State, Thurman Thomas of Oklahoma State; Arnold Tucker of Army, and coaches John Cooper (Tulsa, Arizona State and Ohio State) and Lou Holtz (William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, and South Carolina).

Major award winners included U.S. Senator John Glenn, accepting the NFF Gold Medal as an outstanding American who has demonstrated integrity and honesty, achieved significant career success; T. Boone Pickens, who claimed the NFF Distinguished American Award, which is presented on special occasions when a truly deserving individual emerges; Collegiate Licensing Co. and former Tennessee football coach Bill Battle, earned recognition as the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award; and Ohio State's Gene Smith who took home the The John L. Toner Award given annually to a director of athletics who has demonstrated superior administrative abilities. The Outstanding College Football Official Award for 2008 was presented to Thomas Robinson of the Western Athletic and Mountain West Conferences, and Bob Curtis of Idaho and the late Dick Galiette of Yale were recognized as the co-recipients of the NFF Chris Schenkel Broadcaster of the Year Award.

Longtime National Football Foundation allies and retiring commissioners Tom Hansen of the Pacific-10 Conference, Jeffrey Orleans of the Ivy League and Mike Tranghese of the Big East Conference were honored with NFF Legacy Awards for their service to college athletics, especially football.

California center Alex Mack received the coveted 19th Draddy Award, known as the "academic" Heisman for college seniors, among a sterling 15-person field of National Scholar-Athletes. The All-Pacific-10 Conference center and starter for the Emerald Bowl- destined Golden Bears became the first Pac-10 scholar to claim the trophy. He already has graduated with a bachelor's degree and is working towards a Master's degree in business.

"I'm just very thankful to the National Football Foundation for this honor," Mack said, "and I am grateful for schools such as California for allowing us to excel. The university gave me the opportunity to excel on the field and in the classroom as well as offering time for community service."

CBS College Sports Network and several national media outlets offered extensive coverage of the day's events. Some 37 returning NFF College Hall of Fame, seven NFF Gold Medal recipients, six NFF Distinguished American awardees, and six Heisman Trophy Winners returned for the event, which has been a staple of the college football season since the first NFF Awards Dinner at the Astor Hotel on Oct. 25, 1958. Responders for the honorees expressed delight in being able to represent a sport that has given them so much.

"I worked for one of the best directors of athletics in the world in Gene Corrigan at Notre Dame, and it is ADs like this who give you the best chance to perform leadership in football. Rev. (Theodore) Hesburgh once told me that titles come from above, and players determine the leadership abilities of any coach. You have to care for one another and set values and standards."

"Everyone in the audience should look at the 15 people (National Scholar-Athletes) behind me when something negative happens to an individual in college athletics and remember the accomplishments of these young men," added Syracuse quarterback and 2008 Hall of Fame inductees' spokesman Don McPherson. "You leave your own legacy and tradition in football, and you learn what it takes to make a team a team."

"You always recall the people who have the most impact on your lives," said NFF National Scholar- Athlete responder Casey Gerald, who was reared by relatives other than his birth mother and father. "I'm eternally grateful to the game of football. I have lived that game at Yale, and it gives the chance to live your dreams,"

The Foundation's 2008 Gold Medal recipient and famed astronaut/Senator John Glenn noted the benefits of the game.

"Football gives young people the chance to get in shape, be fit and work as a team - tenets that have helped to strengthen America for many years." The national group also acknowledged 20 years of board of directors' service by retiring member John L. Toner and was gearing up for board meetings in New York later this week.

"We want to express out thanks to John Toner for 20 great years of service on the National Football Foundation board," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "I also want to commend Bob Mulcahy (Rutgers director of athletics) and the awards committee for some very extensive research and an outstanding group of finalists and honorees for the 2008 Awards Dinner."

Photo Credit: National Football Foundation, Gene Boyars

LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE AND ARCHIE MANNING ANNOUNCE 2008 LIBERTY MUTUAL COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS

College Football Fans Invited to Vote for Winners at www.CoachoftheYear.com Dec. 12 - Dec. 22

NEW YORK (December 9, 2008) - Today Liberty Mutual Insurance and Archie Manning, chair of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, announced the 25 finalists for the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. The finalists represent standout college football coaches across the four NCAA divisions who best exemplify excellence in coaching - on and off the field - as determined by a combination of hundreds of thousands of fan votes at www.CoachoftheYear.com and an objective scoring model endorsed by the College Football Hall of Fame.

Each Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year finalist will have an opportunity to receive recognition in the permanent College Football Hall of Fame display in South Bend, Ind., $50,000 to support personal civic and charitable activities, and a $20,000 scholarship donation for his alumni association. After this season, the total Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year charitable and scholarship contributions will reach $680,000. The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award was introduced in 2006.

"I've had the opportunity to observe these coaches and their teams throughout the season and this lineup of finalists tells me that fans embraced what is unique about this award by voting for their favorite coach," said Manning who helped Liberty Mutual announce the finalists at the National Football Foundation Annual Awards press conference in New York City. "Being a successful college football coach is a balancing act that requires the ability to inspire a team to win on the field while developing responsible student-athletes off the field."

2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award Finalists The 25 award finalists represent 10 coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) and five coaches each from the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), Division II and Division III. To qualify as a finalist, a coach had to be among the top 25 fan vote getters in his division at www.CoachoftheYear.com and then be scored by an objective model that considers, among other criteria: wins, team penalties, on-field comportment, academic achievement by the student-athletes, and civic and philanthropic commitments.

The Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) finalists are, in alphabetical order: Mack Brown, University of Texas; Brady Hoke, Ball State University; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern University; Urban Meyer, University of Florida; Joe Paterno, Pennsylvania State University; Chris Petersen, Boise State University; Nick Saban, University of Alabama; Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma; Jim Tressel, Ohio State University; and Kyle Whittingham, University of Utah.

The Football Championship Subdivision (Division I- AA) finalists are, in alphabetical order: Mike Ayers, Wofford College; Henry Frazier III, Prairie View A&M University; Mickey Matthews, James Madison University, Jerry Moore, Appalachian State University; and Danny Rocco, Liberty University.

The Division II finalists are, in alphabetical order: Chuck Broyles, Pittsburg State University; David Dean, Valdosta State University; Danny Hale, Bloomsburg University; Chuck Martin, Grand Valley State University; and Bill O'Boyle, Chadron State College.

The Division III finalists are, in alphabetical order: Greg Debeljak, Case Western Reserve University; John Gagliardi, St. John's University; Larry Kehres, Mount Union College; Dan MacNeill; SUNY Cortland; and Mark Speckman, Willamette University.

"These finalists represent what is great about college football," said Greg Gordon, Liberty Mutual senior vice president of Consumer Marketing. "Today we recognize 25 coaches who understand that how you win is every bit as important as winning itself, and who are revered by their fans for exhibiting characteristics of sportsmanship, integrity and responsibility."

2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Winner Selection Between Dec.12 and Dec. 22 college football fans are once again invited back to www.CoachoftheYear.com to cast their vote for the winner. On the site, fans have the opportunity to review bios and fan testimonials supporting each finalist before they make their selection and enjoy episodes of "Coach's Corner" which offer Archie Manning and Kirk Herbstreit's perspectives on the latest topics in college football.

To ensure candidates are evaluated fairly and measured against the specific values of responsibility and integrity, a Selection Committee composed of College Football Hall of Fame players and coaches and the national media will also cast votes for the winners. Fan votes account for 20 percent of each coach's final score while the College Football Hall of Famers and national college football media account for 55 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winners will be announced on ESPN during halftime of the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

On Location: Fitzgerald Made Proud By Seniors

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

EVANSTON, Illinois – The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk has been retired for good to the Northwestern trophy case in a 27-10 victory over Illinois. The symbol exchange started over 60 years ago, and Wildcats’ head coach Pat Fitzgerald reminded us of its first and final resting place, “In 1945, 13-7 Northwestern won, [it’s] very special to our football program to have it here now permanen-tly. We couldn’t be more proud to win one on our last oppor-tunity.”

And win they did. The Wildcats took the lead on their second possession, driving 77 yards with crisp passing by C.J. Bacher (22-of-33, 230 yards, two touchdowns, one interception), capped by a one-yard run by Stephen Simmons (22 carries, 69 yards, one touchdown). The defense ensured they would never look back and Illinois’ ensuing possession was a microcosm of their afternoon: sack, quarterback sneak by Juice Williams, sack, punt. The official tally of sacks was five by the Wildcats (lead by 2.5 from defensive end Kevin Mims) and zero for the Illini.

Ready to take control, North-western scored again, this time on a throw by Bacher, who rolled right and threw left to senior receiver Ross Lane (six receptions, 57 yards, one touchdown). The offense kept an athletic Illini defense off balance with great run-pass play-calling (34 rush, 33 pass for the game) and crisp execution by Bacher. “We usually take what the defense gives us. We took them head on. C.J. played an outstanding football game,” Coach Fitzgerald said.

Illinois looked to turn around a first half owned by the home team (213 yards to 86), deter-mined to get Williams more mobile, either with the option or rolling him out of the pocket to evade the pass rush by the Cat’s front four. They were successful taking the ball 80 yards on 11 plays into the end zone on a Jason Ford (six carries, 12 yards, one touchdown) dive over the goal line to put the game back in reach at 13-7. But Fitzgerald’s defense reinvented themselves in preparation for how Illinois would come out the second half. “Being up 13-0, we knew they were going to make some adjustments, Fitzgerald said. “They actually went to the option where we thought they were going to go. The key is to keep them out of the end zone. You have to rise up in the red zone and that’s what they [defense] did today.”

Williams (20-of-36, 212 yards, one interception) was contained, while still out-gaining Northwestern’s ground game (113 total yards) on his own with 135 yards.

After trading field goals to make it 16-10, the game swung quickly back in Northwestern’s favor as Brendan Smith took a punt 51 yards down to the Illinois 20. This set up the short field and within two plays, Bacher found senior Eric Peterman (eight receptions, 111 yards, one touchdown) in the end zone on an 18-yard strike. Along with a successful two-point conversion, the Wildcats were back in control at 24-10. “All three of our receivers played well. Looks like Ross, Eric, and Rasheed played their best game collectively. To see those 23 young men and those three receivers before the game, they have really stepped up. I couldn’t be more proud of those guys.” Fitzgerald remarked about his veteran receivers and senior squad.

As the game drew toward its conclusion, it was only fitting that Northwestern’s defense stepped up one last time, forcing a fumble. Senior tackle John Gill burst through the Illinois’ front line and sacked Williams. He forced the ball out, which was recovered by linebacker Quentin Davie. The home team tacked on a field goal to make it 27-10.

“They are mentally exhausted, physically exhausted, we’ve been that way nine times, that’s what it takes to win a Big Ten football game. You need to lay it all on the line and not be afraid to trust yourself. And what I’m most proud of was to see those seniors have stayed the course and when you do that you have the opportunity to get better and I think collectively as a team this was our best performance of the year,” Fitzgerald concluded.

National Football Foundation Announces 2008 On-Campus Salute Schedule

On-field presentations...an NFF tradition for more than six decades

DALLAS, August 19, 2008 - Archie Manning, chairman of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Inc. (NFF), recently announced the On-Campus Salute schedule for the NFF's 2008 Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) College Football Hall of Fame Class.

PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL YEARS ON-CAMPUS SALUTE DATE
TROY AIKMAN QB UCLA 1987-88 TBA
BILLY CANNON HB LSU 1957-59 Nov. 22 vs. Ole Miss
JIM DOMBROWSKI OT Virginia 1982-85 Aug. 30 vs. USC
PAT FITZGERALD LB Northwestern 1993-96 Oct. 18 vs. Purdue
WILBER MARSHALL LB Florida 1980-83 Sept. 6 vs. Miami (Fla.)
RUEBEN MAYES RB Washington State 1982-85 Sept. 27 vs. Oregon
RANDALL McDANIEL OG Arizona State 1984-87 Sept. 20 vs. Georgia
DON McPHERSON QB Syracuse 1984-87 Nov. 1 vs. Louisville
JAY NOVACEK TE Wyoming 1982-84 Sept. 13 vs. North Dakota State
DAVE PARKS SE Texas Tech 1961-63 Sept. 13 vs. SMU
RON SIMMONS NG Florida St.1977-80 Nov. 15 vs. Boston College
THURMAN THOMAS RB Oklahoma State 1984-87 Nov. 29 vs. Oklahoma (tent.)
ARNOLD TUCKER QB Army 1944-46 Sept. 20 vs. Akron (tent.)

COACHES

JOHN COOPER
Career Record: 192-84-6
Tulsa 1977- 84
Arizona St. 1985-87;
On Campus Salute: ASU-Sept. 20 vs. Georgia
Ohio State 1988-2000;
On Campus Salute: OSU-Oct. 25 vs. Penn State

LOU HOLTZ
Career Record: 249-132- 7
William & Mary 1969-71
N.C. State 1972-75
Arkansas 1977- 83
Minnesota 1984-85
Notre Dame 1986-96;
On Campus Salute: ND- Sept. 13 vs. Michigan
South Carolina 1999-2004

"The On-Campus Salute is not only a unique tradition that allows our Hall of Famers to be honored in front of their home crowds again," said Manning, a 1989 College Football Hall of Fame inductee. "It is also a great opportunity for fans to see some of the most storied players and coaches in the history of their school's football program."

Throughout the football season, each Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) Hall of Fame inductee returns to his school for the special on-field event, where a commemorative plaque is presented to the university for permanent display. Beginning with the Foundation's inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1951, the On-Campus Salute has served as the first of numerous highlights in the Hall of Fame experience, giving each inductee one more chance to take the field.

"I was humbled to tears as I shared my halftime salute with many of my teammates, family and friends," said Rex Kern, a 2007 College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Ohio State. "To hear the thunderous roar of the fans while standing on the fifty-yard line took me all the way back almost 40 years ago when our teams went 27-2. ... The excitement in the air just reminded me again as to why college football and [my] university are so special to me."

NFF representatives, including staff from the national office and board members like 1986 College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin, who took part in Kern's salute, present the plaque during the ceremony.

"Incorporating our many nationwide constituents, especially our board members, in the On-Campus Salutes allows us to continually build on our efforts to be border-to-border and coast-to-coast," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "The salutes are an important platform for us to expose fans and the media to the NFF's mission and our many initiatives."

The 2008 Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted at the NFF's Annual Awards Dinner, held at New York City's historic Waldorf=Astoria Hotel on Tuesday, December 9. The National Hall of Fame Salute at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl follows on January 5, giving the class recognition on a national stage, and events culminate with the College Football Hall of Fame's Enshrinement Festival in South Bend, Ind., July 17- 18.

This year's On-Campus Salute schedule is filled with exciting match-ups, including intrastate rivalries between Florida and Miami on Sept. 6 and Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on Nov. 29; Arizona State hosts preseason No.1 Georgia on Sept. 20; a potential Big Ten title showdown between Ohio State and Penn State on Oct. 25; and the 50th anniversary of Billy Cannon's historic Halloween-night run as LSU takes on Ole Miss on Nov. 22.