Texas Wins! The Longhorns defeat Florida in the Championship Game of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament

Texas 21, Florida 13 -Final

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In two of the three games Florida’s played in the American Heartland Bar and Grill National Championship tournament, Tim Tebow has had to rally the Gators from a double-digit deficit at the half. Against Texas, Florida found themselves down 8.

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But the magic ran out for Florida as the Texas defense, maligned along with the rest of the Big 12 defenses all year long, came up with big play after big play in the fourth quarter to preserve a 21-13 victory at the Orange Bowl last night.

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UPDATES:
Inside a sold out Orange Bowl, the Championship Game between Florida and Texas got underway about 20 minutes ago. Here's our first update of the night.

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Texas strikes first on a Colt McCoy 14 yard touchdown pass to Quan Cosby 5 minutes into the game. So far, Texas has held the vaunted Florida attack at bay forcing two punts on the Gator's two possessions.

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Texas 7, Florida 0 1:20 1st QTR

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9:40 PM UPDATE:

Jonathon Phillips gets Florida on the board in the second quarter by nailing a 44 yard field goal. But Texas takes the ensuing kickoff and drives 74 yards for their second score of the night. Colt McCoy scampered 11 yards after being flushed from the pocket and dived at the pylon to give Texas a 14-3 lead.

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Texas 14, Florida 3 5:31 2nd QTR

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10:05 UPDATE:
Tim Tebow gets the Gators back into the game by bulling his way in from 2 yards out and bringing Florida back with 4 points at 14-10.

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Texas would answer with 1:24 to go in the half with a Cody Johnson 2 yard run to go back up 11 at 21-10.

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Florida was able to drive down to allow Jonathon Phillips to kick his second field goal of the night.

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Halftime- Texas 21, Florida 13.

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10:50 UPDATE:
Florida gets the ball first to start the second half. Percy Harvin took the kickoff and ran it up to the Florida 35. On Florida's first play from scrimmage, Tim Tebow hit Louis Murphy for a 8 yard gain.

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11:15 UPDATE:
No further scoring up to this point. Both teams have exchange two punts each in the third quarter. Florida has the ball on their 32 yard line.

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Texas 21, Florida 13- 4:35 3rd QTR

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TEX- Cosby 14 yard pass from McCoy (Lawrence kick) TEX 7-0
FLA- Phillips 44 yard field goal TEX 7-3
TEX- McCoy 11 yard run (Lawrence kick) TEX 14-3
FLA- Tebow 2 yard run (Phillips kick) TEX 14-10
TEX- Johnson 2 yard run (Lawrence kick) TEX 21-10
FLA- Phillips 32 yard field goal TEX 21-13

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National Semi-Final #2- Allstate Sugar Bowl: Utah vs. Florida

Florida exploded for 24 points in the final quarter to pull out a 40-24 win over previously unbeaten Utah.

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Utah held a precarious 21-16 lead going into the fourth quarter. Tim Tebow threw his second touchdown pass of the night finding Louis Murphy wide open for a 21 yard pass play to give Florida their first lead of the night at 23-21.
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Utah came back and retook the lead on a 43 yard Louie Sakoda field goal. But Florida scored right away on a Jeffrey Demps 5 yard run to take the lead for good at 30-24.

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Utah's Brian Johnson, who had been absolutely nails up to this point, made his first huge mistake of the tournament when he airmailed a pass to Brent Casteel and Brandon Spikes took 33 yards down the sidelines to give Florida a 37-24 lead. Jonathon Phillips rounded out the scoring with a 25 yard field goal for the final margin of victory.

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Next week at the Orange Bowl, it'll be Texas vs. Florida for the American Heartland Bar and Grill National Championship.

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10:55 UPDATE

This one's probably going down to the wire. Florida's defense made adjustments at halftime and has slowed down Utah's offense considerably. Utah's defense continues to bend but not break. Florida manages two Jonathon Phillips field goals in the third quarter to pull within 21-16. Stay tuned.

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10:10 UPDATE

Tim Tebow led a last minute march to get more points before the end of the half. Tebow hit Louis Murphy for 15 yards to move the Gators out to the 43 yard line. Tebow then found Aaron Hernandez for 21 more yards. Florida at the Utah 35. Tebow quarterback draw for 8 yards. :22 to go in the half. Tebow quick strike to Murphy for 6 to the 21. Coach Urban Meyer calls time out with :03 to go and sends out Jonathon Phillips to kick a field goal. Phillips nailed a 38 yard field goal to end the half.

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Tebow finished 17-27, 185 yards and a touchdown for Florida.
Brian Johnson went 15 for 26, 167 yards and two touchdowns for Utah.

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10:00 PM UPDATEIn a crazy three minute stretch, Utah and Florida put up 21 quick points. Matt Asiata started things of by taking a direct snap from center and rambling in from 3 yards out to put Utah up 14-0.

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On Florida's ensuing possession, Tim Tebow struck back on the second play with a 60 yard bomb to Percy Harvin to get the Gators on the board.

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Utah then responded with a 9 play 72 yard drive. Johnson tossed his second touchdown pass of the game- this one to Freddie Brown from 17 yards out to put the Utes back up by 14.
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Under two minutes to go in the half.
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9:45 PM UPDATE

Bradon Godfrey hauled in a Brian Johnson pass and dived into the endzone to give Utah a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game.
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Florida's Percy Harvin fumbled deep in Utah territory to spike a Gator's scoring drive.
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Brian Johnson is 5 for 8 so far for Utah, 66 yards passing and a touchdown. Tim Tebow is 6 for 9 passing for Florida, 55 yards passing. Right now, Florida ball at their own 34.
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UTH- Godfrey 9 yard pass from Johnson (Sakoda kick) Utah 7-0
UTH- Asiata 3 yard run (Sakoda kick) Utah 14-0
FLA- Harvin 60 yard pass from Tebow (Phillips kick) Utah 14-7
UTH- Brown 17 yard pass from Johnson (Sakoda kick) Utah 21-7
FLA- Phillips 38 yard field goal Utah 21-10
FLA- Phillips 42 yard field goal Utah 21-13
FLA- Phillips 32 yard field goal Utah 21-16
FLA- Murphy 21 yard pass from Tebow (Phillips kick) Fla 23-21
UTH- Sakoda 43 yard field goal Utah 24-23
FLA- Demps 5 yard run (Phillips kick) Fla 30-24
FLA- Spikes 33 yard interception return Fla 37-24
FLA- Phllips 25 yard field goal Fla 40-24

National Semi-Final #1- Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Texas vs. Ohio State

Texas closes out the Buckeyes and advances to the National Championship game with a 38-7 victory.

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Texas Quarterback Colt McCoy went 25 for 36, 260 yards passing and 3 touchdowns- all to wide receiver Jordan Shipley. The Longhorn defense strangled the Ohio State attack causing four turnovers in the game.
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Chris Wells rushed 19 times for 66 yards for the Buckeyes who finish the year 13-3.
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8:20 PM UPDATE

Ohio State finally gets on the board. Todd Boeckman hits Dane Sanzenbacher for a 53 yard touchdown pass play.

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Texas is then force to punt and OSU takes over deep in their territory. Boeckman's pass is intercepted by Earl Thomas and Cody Johnson rumbles in from 7 yards out a few plays later to make it 38-7, Texas.

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8:00 PM UPDATE

Colt McCoy throws his third touchdown pass of the game- again to Jordan Shipley. Texas up 31-0.
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7:48 PM UPDATE

Ohio State strung together a couple of first downs before the drive stalled short of mid-field.
Texas has driven from their 20 down to the Ohio State 26 and are driving again.
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7:28 PM UPDATE

Disaster strikes. Texas' Ryan Palmer picks off a Todd Boeckman pass and runs in 49 yards back for a touchdown. Lawrence extra point makes it now 24-0 Texas.
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7:20 PM UPDATEColt McCoy just hit Jordan Shipley for his second touchdown pass of the night. Hunter Lawrence adds the PAT and Texas now goes up 17-0.
Again, Ohio State can not move the ball against the Longhorn defense. Jim Tressel just put Todd Boeckman in the game.
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6:45 PM UPDATE.As the third quarter is about to begin, a quick recap of the first half. Ohio State has struggled mightily to sustain drives. Terrelle Pryor threw an early interception that led to a Texas touchdown. The Buckeye defense fights to keep Ohio State in the game.
Colt McCoy has been efficient for Texas. Jordan Shipley caught a 14 yard touchdown pass from McCoy for the Longhorn's touchdown. Hunter Lawrence kicked a 33 yard field goal in the second quarter.

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Just one turnover- the Pryor interception.

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TEX- Shipley 14 yard pass from McCoy (Lawrence kick) Tex 7-0
TEX- Lawrence 33 yard field goal Tex 10-0
TEX- Shipley 3 yard pass from McCoy (Lawrence kick) Tex 17-0
TEX- Palmer 49 yard interception return (Lawrence kick) Tex 24-0
TEX- Shipley 5 yard pass from McCoy (Lawrence kick) Tex 31-0
OSU- Sanzenbacher 53 yard pass from Boeckman (Pretorius kick) Tex 31-7
TEX- Johnson 7 yard run (Lawrence kick) Tex 38-7

Round 3- American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament

AT&T Cotton Bowl- #9 Texas 31, #1 Oklahoma 28: Game 20 of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament
Texas withstood a furious fourth quarter rally to hold off the Oklahoma Sooners 31-28 at the AT&T Cotton Bowl.

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The Longhorns built up a 31-6 lead after three quarters and held on as Oklahoma’s offense suddenly came to life in the fourth. Sam Bradford threw three touchdown passes, two to Orlando Inglesias, but the Longhorns recovered a final onsides kick with :55 seconds to go to seal the win.

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Colt McCoy was 31 for 44 passing, 299 yards and 2 touchdowns for Texas. Cody Johnson ran 22 times for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns.

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For Oklahoma, Sam Bradford threw 2 costly interceptions but rallied in the fourth to finish 32 for 52, 423 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chris Brown was the Sooners leading rusher with 58 yards on the ground in 15 carries.

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Texas now faces Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl next week.

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10:30 UPDATE- Texas also dominates the 3rd quarter. Johnson scores again for the Longhorns and they tack on another field goal. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford throws his second interception of them game. After three, Texas 31, Oklahoma 6.

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10:00 UPDATE- Texas thoroughly dominated the 2nd quarter. Colt McCoy throws another touchdown pass to Quin Cosby and Cody Johnson runs one in to give Texas a 21-3 halftime lead.
Sam Bradford has not had a very good half. He’s only 6 for 14 and 76 yards with one interception. It is all Texas right now.

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Oklahoma with the ball to start the second half. They have it 2nd and 5 at their 38 yard line.

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9:00 UPDATE- After an initial exchange of punts, Texas gets on the board on the arm of Colt McCoy. McCoy hit Quin Cosby for a 31 yard touchdown pass to put the Longhorns up on arch-rival Oklahoma 7-0. Oklahoma responded with a long 11 play drive that stalled at the Texas 8 and had to settle for a field goal.

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The game is now in the second quarter. Texas has the ball and the lead 7-3.

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8:15 UPDATE- Game just underway. Texas took the opening kickoff and move the ball up to their own 41 before having to punt. Oklahoma ball right now at their 22.
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TEX- Cosby 31 yard pass from McCoy (Bailey kick) TEX 7-0
OKL- Stevens 25 yard field goal TEX 7-3
TEX- Johnson 4 yard run (Bailey kick) TEX 14-3
TEX- Cosby 22 yard pass from McCoy (Bailey kick) TEX 21-3
OKL- Stevens 34 yard field goal TEX 21-6
TEX- Johnson 3 yard run (Bailey kick) TEX 28-6
TEX- Bailey 40 yard field goal TEX 31-6
OKL- Inglesias 32 yard pass from Bradford (Stevens kick) TEX 31-13
OKL- Gresham 9 yard pass from Bradford (Stevens kick) TEX 31-20
OKL- Brown 15 yard pass from Bradford (Inglesias pass from Bradford) TEX 31-28
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Konica Minolta Gator Bowl- #2 Florida 41, #10 Texas Tech 23: Game 19 of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament
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7:27 PM UPDATE: This one is just about in the bag. Texas Tech lost quarterback Graham Harrell early in the second quarter due to an injury to his surgically repaired non-throwing hand. After Harrell went out, Florida grabbed control of the game.

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The game started promising for Texas Tech. On their first drive, Harrell had no problem moving the Red Raiders and Tech went up 7-0 on a 25 yard touchdown strike to Michael Crabtree.

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But Florida would strike back. Percy Harvin torched the Texas Tech secondary and Tim Tebow made them pay with a 52 yard strike to tie the game at 7.

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Disaster struck Texas Tech in the early part of the second quarter. Harrell was sacked by Brandon Spikes of Florida and reinjured his surgically repaired hand. With Harrell out of the game, Texas Tech’s offense ground to a halt. Florida picked up the momentum and a load of first downs.

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The onslaught continued in the 3rd quarter. Tebow hit Harvin for their second touchdown connection of the day to push the Florida lead to 27-10. Tech managed a field goal in the quarter and that’s been the extent of their offensive output. Tebow scored again in the fourth quarter to push the Florida lead to 41-13.

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7:48 PM UPDATE: Game’s gone final. Florida advances to the Orange Bowl to meet unbeaten Utah. Texas Tech scored 10 points in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the Gators. Final- Florida 41, Texas Tech 23
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TT- Crabtree 25 yard pass from Harrell (Carona kick) TT 7-0
UF- Harvin 52 yard pass from Tebow (Phillps kick) T 7-7
UF- Phillips 29 yard field goal UF 10-7
UF- Rainey 6 yard run (Phillips kick) UF 17-7
TT- Carona 33 yard field goal UF 17-10
UF- Phillips 31 yard field goal UF 20-10
UF- Harvin 12 yard pass from Tebow (Phillips kick) UF 27-10
TT- Carona kick 24 yard field goal UF 27-13
UF- Tebow 1 yard run (Phillips kick) UF 34-13
UF- Tebow 3 yard run (Phillips kick UF 41-13
TT- Woods 20 yard run (Carona kick) UF 41-20
TT- Carona 26 yard field goal UF 41-23
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Pacific Life Holiday Bowl- #3 Utah 17, #6 Penn State 14: Game 18 of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament
The Utah contingent who made the trip to San Diego rushed the field as the final seconds ticked off the clock in the Utes heartstopping 17-14 win over Penn State.

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The Utes controlled the time of possession throughout the game and Quarterback Brian Johnson’s steady hand converted key third down plays late in the game to allow Utah to run out the clock.

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Utah now goes to the Sugar Bowl to face the winner of Florida-Texas Tech tomorrow.

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11:30 PM UPDATE. After a outright knock down drag out first half, the Utah Utes of the Mountain West Conference hold a slim 3-0 lead over Penn State from the Big Ten.
Utah kicker Louie Sakoda has accounted for the only score of the game, a 33 yard field goal in the first quarter. Otherwise, both offenses have found rough sledding. Utah holds a substantial advantage in time of possession over Penn State but an interception and fumble short circuited drives in Penn State territory.

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Penn State only netted 64 total yards in the first half.

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12:14 AM UPDATE. Both teams exchange touchdowns in the third quarter. Darrell Mack scores from 5 yards out to extend Utah’s lead to 10-0. But Penn State would answer. Daryll Clark hit Deon Butler from 22 yards out to bring the Nittany Lions back to within a field goal.
Going into the fourth- it’s Utah 10, Penn State 7
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UTH- Sakoda 33 yard field goal UTH 3-0
UTH- Mack 5 yard run (Sakoda kick) UTH 10-0
PSU- Butler 22 yard pass from Clark (Kelly kick) UTH 10-7
UTH- Casteel 25 yard pass from Johnsn (Sakoda kick) UTH 17-7
PSU- Butler 30 yard pass from Clark (Kelly kick) UTH 17-14

Autozone Liberty Bowl- #12 Ohio State 38, #20 Georgia Tech 37: Game 17 of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament
7:30 PM UPDATE Georgia Tech holds a 27-24 lead over Ohio State in the first quarterfinal game of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament.
Both teams are moving the ball against each other at will. Ohio State took the early lead. Georgia Tech controlled most of the second quarter. The Buckeyes got a gift touchdown with under 30 seconds to go in the half when Georgia Tech blew coverage on Ray Small and Terrelle Pryor put it right on the money for a 54 yard touchdown pass to bring the Buckeyes back to 27-24.

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11:10 PM UPDATE: Terrelle Pryor scored from 7 yards out with less than 2 minutes to go to give the Big Ten’s Ohio State Buckeyes a come from behind 38-37 win over Georgia Tech from the ACC.

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Earlier in the fourth quarter, Roddy Jones put Georgia Tech out in front 37-31 on a 2 yard run.
After a wild first half which saw both teams move up and down the field against each other at will, the defense finally showed up in the second half as Ohio State and Georgia Tech struggled to mount any sustained drives.

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Ohio State’s Beanie Wells led all rushers with 142 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor added 94 yards on 17 rushes. James Laurinatis was huge in the second half for the Buckeyes by harassing Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt and containing running back Roddy Jones. Tech had over 300 yards of total offense in the first half. They finished with 424.
Jones ran for 114 yards on the ground on 30 tries. Jonathon Dwyer rushed for 78 and Nesbitt for 67.

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Ohio State will play the winner of tomorrow night’s titanic struggle (thank you Marty Brenneman) between Texas and Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.
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OSU- Wells 4 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 7-0
GT- Jones 17 yard run (Blair kick) T 7-7
GT- Nesbitt 2 yard run (Blair kick) GT 14-7
OSU- Hartline 21 yard pass from Pryor (Pretorius kick) T14-14
OSU- Pretorius 33 yard field goal OSU 17-14
GT- Blair 28 yard field goal T 17-17
GT- Dwyer 1 yard run (Blair kick) GT 24-17
GT- Blair 42 yard field goal GT 27-17
OSU- Small 54 yard pass from Pryor (Pretorius kick) GT 27-24
OSU- Herron 11 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 31-27
GT- Blair 36 yard field goal OSU 31-30
GT- Jones 2 yard run (Blair kick) GT 37-31
OSU- Pryor 7 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 38-37

Round 2- American Heartland 24 Team College Football Tournament

#3 Florida 38, #18 Oklahoma State 35

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The second round of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament got underway this afternoon. Oklahoma State, coming off a thrilling come from behind win against Ball State, traveled down to the Swamp in Gainesville, Florida to take on Urban Meyer’s third seeded Gators.

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For the second game in a row, Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson put up huge numbers as the Cowboys jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. Kendall Hunter put Oklahoma State on the board with a four yard run to give the Cowboys a 7-0 lead.
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After a Florida field goal, Robinson hit Damian Davis for 17 yards and then Dez Bryant torched the Gator secondary for a 34 yard touchdown reception to stretch the lead to 14-3. Florida’s offense, sputtering throughout the 1st quarter, coughed up the ball inside the Oklahoma State 10 yard line just as it appeared they would close the gap. Instead, Robinson ran a quarterback draw to move out to the 28. Then he found Bryant wide open again for a 72 yard pass play and Oklahoma State went up 21-3.
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Florida finally got its offense on track behind Percy Harvin. Harvin, playing for the first time since being injured, took a Tim Tebow pitch for 25 yards and a pass for 23 more. Tebow bulled his way into the endzone from a yard out and Florida cut the Oklahoma State lead to 11 at 21-10. Oklahoma State closed out the first half scoring when Robinson threw his third touchdown pass of the half to Davis and the Cowboys took a 28-10 lead into the half.
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Florida took the 2nd half kickoff and marched right down the field. Tebow ran for 16 yards on a third and eleven play to give Florida a first down inside the Cowboy 25. Tebow found Murphy again for 11 yards and then Chris Rainey scored two yards later from 8 yards out to bring Florida to 28-17.
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Oklahoma State went three and out on its next possession and Florida took over on their 29. Florida opened up the playbook and Harvin took a reverse for 33 yards. Tebow struck again with 26 yard pass play to Aaron Hernandez and then ran the ball in from the 2 to bring Florida within 4 points.
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Robinson made his first real mistake of the night when Florida’s Brandon Spike picked off his pass and brought the ball back to the Cowboy 22. On the next play, Tebow struck quickly hitting Murphy for a touchdown and Florida took its first lead of the game. Robinson marched Oklahoma State right back, taking the Cowboys down the field in a methodical 12 yard 75 yard drive. Dez Bryant caught his third touchdown pass of the night and Oklahoma State went back in front 35-31.
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But Tebow wasn’t done yet. After two quick strikes to Hernandez, he hit Harvin in stride down the sideline for a 53 yard touchdown and the lead again- 38-35.
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Spikes picked off his second pass of the night to preserve Florida’s win and they move on in the college football tournament.
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Tebow went 22 for 37, 275 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 9 times for 67 yards. Percy Harvin caught 5 balls for 156 yards. Chris Rainey ran 15 times for 65 yards.
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For Oklahoma State, Zac Robinson passed for 396 yards on 31 for 51 passing, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions. Kendall Hunter ran for 50 yards on the ground and Dez Bryant caught 7 passes for 153 yards.
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Florida will now play the winner of the East Carolina- Penn State game next week.

OSU- Hunter 4 yard run (Bailey kick) OSU 7-0
FLA- Phillips 39 yard field goal OSU 7-3
OSU- Bryant 34 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) OSU 14-3
OSU- Bryant 72 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) OSU 21-3
FLA- Tebow 1 yard run (Phillips kick) OSU 21-10
OSU- Davis 14 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) OSU 28-10
FLA- Rainey 8 yard run (Phillips kick) OSU 28-17
FLA- Tebow 2 yard run (Phillips kick) OSU 28-24
FLA- Murphy 22 yard pass from Tebow (Phillips kick) FLA 31-28
OSU- Bryant 31 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) OSU 35-31
FLA- Harvin 53 yard pass from Tebow (Phillips kick) FLA 38-35

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#10 Texas Tech 44, #7 Cincinnati 30

Texas Tech rode a huge performance by quarterback Graham Harrell to propel the Red Raiders past the Cincinnati Bearcats 44-30 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Harrell passed for 311 yards in the first half on 22 for 26 passing. Michael Crabtree caught 9 balls for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

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Cincinnati was led by quarterback Dustin Grutza coming off the bench to go 25 for 35 passing, 293 yards and a rushing touchdown. Marshwan Gilyard caught 8 of those balls for 99 yards and a touchdown.
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Texas Tech now faces Florida in the quarterfinals.

UC- Rogers 28 yard field UC 3-0
TT- Crabtree 15 yard pass from Harrell (Carona kick) TT 7-3
TT- Carona 35 yard field goal TT 10-3
TT- Morris 28 yard pass form Harrell (Carona kick) TT 17-3
TT- Woods 4 yard run (Carona kick) TT 24-3
UC- Goebel 2 yard run (Rogers kick) TT 24-10
TT- Crabtree 9 yard pass from Harrell (Carona kick) TT 31-10
UC- Pike 1 yard run (kick failed) TT 31-16
TT- Carona 28 yard field goal TT 34-16
TT- Carona 31 yard field goal TT 37-16
UC- Gilyard 32 yard pass from Grutza (Rogers kick) TT 37-23
UC- Grutza 1 yard run (Rogers kick) TT 37-30
TT- Woods 5 yard run (Carona kick) TT 44-30

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#12 Ohio State 24, #5 USC 21

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Ohio State’s defense proved to be the difference as the Buckeyes avenge an earlier defeat to USC 24-21.

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The Buckeyes went up 7-0 early in the first quarter when Beanie Wells scored from 3 yards out. USC would respond with a Stefon Johnson touchdown run midway through the quarter to tie the game. Ryan Pretorius put Ohio State back on top with a 33 yard field goal.

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Both defenses excelled early on as both Ohio State and USC found little room or success in running their offenses. USC’s Mark Sanchez struggled in the first half only going 6 for 15, 66 yards as the Buckeyes mixed up blitzs and other packages to keep the Trojans off balance. Ohio State went nearly exclusively with the running attack behind Beanie Wells, Daniel Herron adn Terrelle Pryor. The score remained 10-7 Buckeyes at the half.

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Ohio State picked up another score in the third quarter when Pryor broke through on a keeper and rambled in from 10 yards to give the Buckeyes a 17-7 lead. Again, USC’s offense couldn’t get out of its own way turning the ball over twice in the third quarter to snuff out drives.

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One of those turnovers, a Joe McKnight fumble, led to a Beanie Wells 21 yard run very early in the fourth quarter and Ohio State led 24-7. USC responded with a 12 play 81 yard drive sparked by McKnight’s running and two huge third down conversions by the Trojans. The first, Sanchez ducked an oncoming James Laurinaitis and threw a rope to Patrick Turner for 15 yards and a first down. The second, Sanchez again maneuvered out of trouble and dumped the ball to McKnight who scampered down the sidelines for 22 yards. Sanchez found Turner in the end zone for a USC touchdown and the Trojans were back within 10 of Ohio State at 24-14.

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The Buckeyes went three and out on their next possession as USC’s defense rose to the challenge and put the Trojans back in business on their 30. Again, Sanchez managed to elude the heavy rushes and dinked and dunked down the field leading to a 27 yard touchdown strike to Damian Williams to bring USC within 3.

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Again, Ohio State couldn’t muster any offense and USC took over with 1:36 to go in the game from their own 22. Sanchez hit McKnight for 10 yards to move the sticks. After two incompletions, Sanchez found Turner on a seam route and he took it down to the OSU 48. 43 seconds to go, Sanchez was leveled by Laurinaitis but got the pass off just in time before taking a sack. On second down, Malcolm Jenkins came on a corner blitz and Sanchez found Turner again for 11 yards and another USC first down. 28 seconds to go at the OSU 37, Sanchez rolled out of trouble and hit Williams for 17 yards. USC quickly set after the clock briefly stopped to reset the chains and Sanchez dumped it off to Johnson and he was finally brought down inside the OSU 10. 11 seconds on the OSU 8. Sanchez had to throw the ball away after the interior OSU line blew by the USC blockers. 6 seconds. Second down and goal. USC coach Pete Carroll sent out kicker David Buehler to tie the game.

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Paul Keels and Jim Lachey on The Ohio State University Radio Network:

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Keels: “Buehler set. Snap is good. Hold is good. Kick is…BLOCKED!
Lachey: “MALCOLM JENKINS! JENKINS GOT IT!
Keels: “BUCKEYES RECOVER THE BLOCKED KICK IN THE END ZONE FOR A TOUCHBACK. BUCKEYES WILL NOW GO ON TO FACE THE WINNER OF GEORGIA TECH-BOISE STATE GAME TONIGHT IN BOISE…WOW!”

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Beanie Wells led the Buckeyes with 110 yards on the ground on 29 carries. Terrelle Pryor added 71 yards rushing and 90 yards on 9 for 17 passing.

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For USC, Mark Sanchez went 30 for 53 and 304 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joe McKnight chipped in 47 yards on the ground.

OSU- Wells 3 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 7-0
USC- Johnson 5 yard run (Buehler kick T 7-7
OSU- Pretorius 33 yard field goal OSU 10-7
OSU- Pryor 10 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 17-7
OSU- Wells 21 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 24-7
USC- Turner 12 yard pass from Sanchez (Buehler kick) OSU 24-14
USC- Williams 27 yard pass from Sanchez (Buehler kick) OSU 24-21

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#20 Georgia Tech 38, #4 Boise State 21

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In another upset, Georgia Tech rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit with 17 third quarter points to defeat Boise State 38-21.

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The game started off well enough for Boise State. Freshman quarterback Kellen Moore was pinpoint accurate early on and led the Broncos down the field on their initial drive of the game. Ian Johnson picked up 36 yards on the ground on the drive and capped it off with a 2 yard touchdown plunge to give Boise State an early 7-0 lead.

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Georgia Tech would answer late in the quarter when Roddy Jones took a pitch from Josh Nesbitt and beat the defense to the corner to walk in from 2 yards out. But Boise State responded early in the second behind the arm of Moore who found Vinny Peretta in the end zone from 10 yards out and the Broncos went back up 14-7.

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That’s the way the scored stayed for the rest of the half. Georgia Tech slowly began to get their running attack going late in the quarter but Scott Blair missed a 41 yard field goal with time running out.

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In the third quarter, Tech’s rushing attack worked on all cylinders. Nesbitt, Jones, and Dwyer chewed up yardage on the ground and led to the Yellow Jackets first score of the half- a Dwyer 31 yard run to tie the game at 14. Boise State suddenly seemed out of sync and after a Moore pass to Peretta went incomplete, they punted the ball back to Georgia Tech. Tech again drove down the field and this time, Scott Blair’s kick was true from 40 yards out to give Georgia Tech its first lead at 17-14.

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Again, Boise couldn’t do anything on their next drive and Georgia Tech took over again at their 36. Nesbitt got loose on a 23 yard run. Jones ran untouched until Justin Wilson saved a touchdown with a great tackle on the Boise State 2. However, Dwyer pounded it in on the next play and Tech was up 10- 24-14.

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After a forgettable third quarter, Boise State roared back to life early in the fourth. Moore found his touch again and spread the ball around to four different receivers. Johnson and Jeremy Avery knifed through the Georgia Tech defense. Moore rolled out and found Tommy Gallarda for a 22 yard touchdown pass and the Broncos were back within three.

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Georgia Tech responded right back when Jones broke loose and sprinted down the sidelines for a 66 yard touchdown run. Tech back up to 31-21 with 11:43 to go. Boise State went three and out deep in their territory but a terrific punt drove Georgia Tech back to the 19 yard line. From there, the Yellow Jackets embarked on a 15 play, 81 yard drive that ate up over 8 minutes from the clock. Nesbitt ran it in from 2 yards out and Georgia Tech held a commanding 38-21 lead with under four minutes to go.

*
Moore tried to bring Boise State back one more time. But his fourth down pass fell harmlessly to the ground and the Broncos turned the ball over to Georgia Tech. Tech ran out the clock from there.

*
Roddy Jones led all rushers for Georgia Tech with 153 yards on 32 attempts. Jonathon Dwyer chipped in with 96 yards on the ground on 23 carries.

*
Boise State was led by Kellen Moore who went 35 for 60, 385 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. Johnson picked up another 53 yards on the ground for Boise State.

*
Georgia Tech now faces the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals.

BSU- Johnson 2 yard run (Jamarillo kick) BSU 7-0

*
GT- Jones 4 yard run (Blair kick) T 7-7
BSU- Peretta 10 yard pass from Moore (Jamarillo kick) BSU 14-7
GT- Dwyer 31 yard run (Blair kick) T 14-14
GT- Blair 40 yard field goal GT 17-14
GT- Dwyer 2 yard run (Blair kick) GT 24-14
BSU- Gallarda 22 yard pass from Moore (Jamarillo kick) GT 24-21
GT- Jones 66 yard run (Blair kick) GT 31-21
GT- Nesbitt 1 yard run (Blair kick) GT 38-21

____________________

*

#6 Penn State 42, #22 East Carolina 35 OT

*

The clock struck twelve for Cinderella East Carolina but Penn State had to go to overtime to close the deal in their 42-35 win.

*
ECU started off the scoring with a Norman Whitley 2 yard run four minutes into the first quarter. Kevin Kelly put the Nittany Lions on the board with a 27 yard field goal. East Carolina looked composed early on as their Pirate defense gave Penn State fits.

*
In the second quarter, Penn State’s quarterback Daryll Clark hit Deon Butler for a 24 yard touchdown pass to put the Nittany Lions in front 10-7. ECU then embarked on a 15 play, 88 yard drive capped off by a Brandon Simmons 7 yard run to put the Pirates back up 14-10. Kelly added another field goal with 7 seconds to go in the half to cut the East Carolina lead to 1.

*
Overall, ECU continued to hang in there while Penn State showed signs of getting on track. The third quarter started off with a bad pass by Clark that ECU intercepted and brought back to the Penn State 11. Two plays later, Whitley collected his second touchdown run of the game and ECU went up 8, 21-13. Deon Butler brought the ensuing kickoff 72 yards back to the ECU 19. Evan Royster finished the drive with a 2 yard plunge and Penn State was back within 1 at 21-20.

*
Again, East Carolina answered with another long drive. Whitley and Simmons did big damage on the ground and Pinkney hit key passes to Devan Drew, Joe Womack, and fullback Kevin Gidrey to set up a 12 yard touchdown pass from Pinkney to Drew. Butler took the kickoff and this time went 99 yards for a touchdown. Penn State down 28-26. Joe Paterno decided it was time to go for two. Clark rolled out and found Butler in the back corner and the game was tied up at 28.

*
Penn State recovered a Whitley fumble at the ECU 31 and quickly took advantage. Royster ran for 5 and 9 yards. Clark quarterback drawed down to the 3. Clark then called his own number again and raced to the corner to give Penn State a 35-28 lead.

*
Both teams traded punts throughout the fourth quarter as neither team could generate much offense. ECU took over late in the quarter on their 33 with less than 2 minutes to go. Pinkney hit Drew for 8 yards to start. Whitley on a draw play picked up the first down and pushed the Pirates out to their 47 yard line. Pinkney’s next two passes were incomplete setting up a huge 3rd and 10. Pinkney evaded the Penn State rush and found Drew in the middle of the field.

*

Drew turned and scooted down the seam for 28 yards and ECU had 1st and 10 at the Penn State 25. Under a minute to go, Pinkney dumped the ball off to Whitley who pushed forward to the Penn State 20. 48 seconds. Pinkney again avoids a heavy rush and steps up in the pocket. Drew again came open and Pinkney hit him in stride on the Penn State 9. 1st and goal with 30 seconds and counting. Pinkney hit Gidrey out of the backfield and he rumbled down to the 1. 17 seconds. ECU burns its final timeout. When played resumed, Pinkney bulled his way into the end zone and Ben Hartman’s PAT tied the game at 35.

*
ECU won the toss and deferred to start overtime. Penn State took it 1st and 10 at the 25. Royster drove straight up the middle for 4 yards to start. Royster then went around the end for 4 more yards. 3rd and 2, Clark rolled right and found Jordan Norwood open for a touchdown. On its possession, ECU found themselves with a 3rd and 11 on the 26. Pinkney found Gidrey again and he took it to the 18. 4th down. Pinkney again found himself under heavy pressure and this time overshot Drew to end the game.

*
For Penn State, Daryll Clark went 32 for 54, 334 yards and two touchdowns. Evan Royster ran for 75 yards and a touchdown. Deon Butler had a huge day catching 8 passes for 173 yards on top of his 99 yard kickoff return.

*
ECU was lead by Norman Whitley on the ground with 89 yards on 27 carries. Pat Pinkney threw for 166 yards on 13 for 26 passing.

*
Penn State faces the winner of TCU and Utah later tonight.

ECU- Whitley 2 yard run (Hartman kick) ECU 7-0
PSU- Kelly 27 yard field goal ECU 7-3
PSU- Butler 24 yard pass from Clark (Kelly kick) PSU 10-7
ECU- Simmons 7 yard run (Hartman kick) ECU 14-10
PSU- Kelly 39 yard field goal ECU 14-13
ECU- Whitley 5 yard run (Hartman kick) ECU 21-13
PSU- Royster 2 yard run (Kelly kick) ECU 21-20
ECU- Drew 12 yard pass from Pinkney (Hartman kick) ECU 28-20
PSU- Butler 99 yard kickoff return (Butler pass from Clark) T 28-28
PSU- Clark 3 yard run (Kelly kick) PSU 35-28
ECU- Pinkney 1 yard run (Hartman kick) T 35-35
PSU- Norwood 17 yard pass from Clark (Kelly kick) PSU 42-35

______________-

*

#1 Oklahoma 41, #17 Michigan State 20

*
#1 Oklahoma sailed through their first game against Michigan State 41-20. The Spartans hung tough for the first three quarters before Oklahoma blew it open in the fourth.

*
Up 24-13 in the fourth, Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford threw a 36 yard touchdown pass to Orlando Inglesias to put the Sooners up 18. Michigan State’s Javon Ringer fumbled on the next drive and Bradford hooked up with Jermaine Gresham from 17 yards out to effectively put the game away- 38-13. Michigan State fought back and scored one last touchdown on a Brian Hoyer toss to Blair White. Jimmy Stevens tacked on a late field goal for the final margin of victory for Oklahoma 41-20.

*
Sam Bradford threw for 362 yards on 31 for 43 passing and three touchdowns. Chris Brown ran for 93 yards on the ground and Orlando Inglesias caught 7 passes for 174 yards.

*
Javon Ringer ran for 121 yards for Michigan State. Brian Hoyer went 19 for 32, 211 yards and a touchdown.

*
Oklahoma is on course to face the winner of Texas and Virginia Tech.

OU- Brown 12 yard run (Stevens kick) OU 7-0
OU- Iglesias 26 yard pass from Bradford (Stevens kick) OU 14-0
MSU- Swenson 33 yard field goal OU 14-3
OU- Stevens 24 yard field goal OU 17-3
MSU- Ringer 5 yard run (Swenson kick) OU 17-10
OU- Madu 3 yard run (Stevens kick) OU 24-10
MSU- Swenson 40 yard field goal OU 24-13
OU- Iglesias 36 yard pass from Bradford (Stevens kick) OU 31-13
OU- Gresham 17 yard pass from Bradford (Stevens kick) OU 38-13
MSU- White 14 yard pass from Hoyer (Swenson kick) OU 38-20
OU- Stevens 35 yard field goal OU 41-20

_________________

*

#9 Texas 35, #8 Virginia Tech 14

*
Texas punched their ticket for a second shot at Oklahoma with a decisive 35-14 win at Virginia Tech.

*
Colt McCoy threw for 292 yards on 25 for 34 passing and three touchdowns for Texas. Quan Cosby caught 7 balls for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

*
Darren Evans rushed for 88 yards for Virginia Tech and Tyrod Taylor came off the bench to throw for 129 yards.

*
Texas and Oklahoma will meet next week.

UT- Collins 15 yard pass from McCoy (Bailey kick) UT 7-0
UT- Johnson 4 yard run (Bailey kick) UT 14-0
VT- Evans 6 yard run (Keys kick) UT 14-7
UT- McCoy 1 yard run (Bailey kick) UT 21-7
VT- Evans 2 yard run (Keys kick) UT 21-14
UT- Cosby 11 yard pass from McCoy (Bailey kick) UT 28-14
UT- Cosby 43 yard pass from McCoy (Bailey kick) UT 35-14

___________________

*

#3 Utah 14, #14 TCU 13

*

Utah’s Brian Johnson scores the go ahead touchdown with 9:02 left to go and the Ute defense makes it stick. Utah advances with a hard fought 14-13 win over Mountain West rival TCU.
Utah now faces #6 Penn State next weekend.

TCU- Dalton 7 yard run (Evans kick) TCU 10-0
TCU- Evans 32 yard field goal TCU 10-0
Utah- Mack 2 yard run (Sakoda kick) TCU 10-7
TCU- Evans 25 yard field goal TCU 13-7
Utah- Johnson 5 yard run (Sakoda kick) Utah 14-13

_______________________

Round One of the American Heartland 24 Team College Football Tournament

24 teams. 11 conferences. All vying for the national championship that's actually decided on the field.

Games played Friday 12/12:

#18 Oklahoma State 28, #15 Ball State 20
Oklahoma State rallies from 20-7 fourth quarter deficit to defeat Ball State.

2nd Quarter

Ball- Lewis 5 yard run (McGarvey kick) Ball State 7-0

Ball- McGarvey 42 yard field goal Ball State 10-0

3rd Quarter

Ball- Davis 4 yard run (McGarvey kick) Ball State 17-0

OkS- Bryant 43 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) Ball State 17-7

Ball- McGarvey 25 yard field goal Ball State 20-7

4th Quarter

OkS- Davis 3 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) Ball State 20-14

OkS- Bryant 2 yard pass from Robinson (Bailey kick) Oklahoma State 21-20

OkS- Levine 29 yard interception return (Bailey kick) Oklahoma State

*

Oklahoma State rallied from a 20-7 fourth quarter deficit to stun the Ball State Cardinals 28-20 in the opening game of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament.

*

Ball State jumped on the board first in the second quarter when MiQuale Lewis scored on a five yard run. Ian McGarvey would add a field goal later in the quarter to give the Cardinals a 10-0 halftime lead.

*

Oklahoma State couldn't do anything right. Kendell Hunter fumbled inside the Ball State 10 in the first quarter and quarterback Zac Robinson had trouble connecting with his receivers. Ball State's star quarterback Nate Davis used a precision short passing game to pick apart the Cowboy secondary and Lewis' hard running kept the ball away from Oklahoma State.

*

The trend continued in the third quarter as Davis scored on a four yard run and gave the Cardinals a 17-0 lead. Robinson finally connected big with Oklahoma State star receiver Dez Bryant on a 43 yard pass play to get the Cowboys on the board and cut the Ball State lead to 17-7. McGarvey added another field goal after Oklahoma State went for it on fourth and one from their own 43 yard line and Robinson was tackled for a one yard loss. Ball State led 20-7 going into the final quarter.

*

Oklahoma State answered with a 9 play 74 yard drive cumulating with Zac Robinson's second touchdown pass of the game to bring the Cowboys with 6 at 20-14. Ball State took the ball and drove into Oklahoma State territory. But Davis was sacked and a third down pass came up short of the first down.

*

The key moment of the game took place with about 5:40 to go in the game. Todd Fodge had just shanked a punt 25 yards and gave Ball State outstanding field position at their 43. The Cowboy defense stopped the Cardinals for a three and out and Oklahoma State took over on their 29.

*

A completion to Bryant and a 36 yard Brandon Pettigrew catch and run put Oklahoma State in business at the Ball State 35. The Cardinals sacked Robinson on the next play. Two incompletions later and the Cowboys were faced with a 4th and 14. Robinson rolled out and found Bryant wide open for a 21 yard pass play down to the Cardinal 18.

*

The Cowboys ground it out down to the 2 before Robinson hit Bryant for the game winning touchdown with 41 seconds to go. Patrick Levane picked off Davis' pass in the flat and took it 29 yards to seal the Oklahoma State win 28-20.

*

After a slow first half, Zac Robinson heated up throwing 3 touchdown passes and going 27-44 for 306 yards. Dez Bryant was simply unstoppable as he torched the Cardinals for 10 catches for 168 yards.

*

Nate Davis went 23 for 36 and 215 yards. Davis also threw 3 interceptions. MiQuale Lewis rushed for 114 yards on 22 carries.

*

Oklahoma State now travels to the Swamp to face the #2 seeded Florida Gators next weekend.

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#10 Texas Tech 38, #23 Buffalo 10

1st Quarter

Buf- Principe 31 yard field goal Buf 3-0

TT- Crabtree 25 yard pass from Harrell (Carona kick) TT 7-3

2nd Quarter

TT- Crabtree 8 yard pass from Harrell (Carona kick) TT 14-3

TT- Carona 30 yard field goal TT 17-3

Buf- Roosevelt 55 yard pass from Willy (Principe kick) TT 17-10

3rd Quarter

TT- Morris 19 yard pass from Potts (Carona kick) TT 24-10

TT- Morris 33 yard pass from Potts (Carona kick) TT 31-10

4th Quarter

TT- Woods 2 yard run (Carona kick) TT 38-10

Texas Tech:

Graham Harrell 9-11 145 yards, 2 TD

Taylor Potts 23-29 245 2 TD, 2 INT

Michael Crabtree 10 rec, 121 yards, 2 TD

Buffalo:

Drew Willy 27-52 266 yards 1 TD, 2 INT

Naimann Roosevelt 5 rec, 93 yards, 1 TD

James Starks 22 att., 65 yards

Notes:

Buffalo is the MAC champion

Texas Tech's QB Graham Harrell only played a quarter and a half to protect his left (non-throwing) hand. The hand had been operated on last week to fix nine broken bones in Harrell's left pinkie and ring finger.

*

Buffalo was unable to sustain anything offensively. Drew Willy did hit one big pass play to Naimann Roosevelt to cut the Texas Tech lead to 7 right before the half.

Texas Tech now travels to Nippert Stadium next weekend to face the #7 Cincinnati Bearcats, champions of the Big East

------------------

Games Played Saturday 12/13:

#17 Michigan State 31, #16 Pittsburgh 16

1st Quarter

MSU- Ringer 1 yard run (Swenson kick) MSU 7-0

PIT- McCoy 22 yard run (Lee kick) T 7-7

2nd Quarter

MSU- Gantt 5 yard pass from Hoyer (Swenson kick) MSU 14-7

PIT- Lee 34 yard field goal MSU 14-10

PIT- Lee 52 yard field goal MSU 14-13

PIT- Lee 21 yard field goal PIT 16-14

MSU- Ringer 11 yard run (Swenson kick) MSU 21-16

MSU- Swenson 40 yard field goal MSU 24-16

4th Quarter

MSU- Hoyer 1 yard run (Swenson kick) MSU 31-16

Behind a punishing ground game, Michigan State wore down Pittsburgh and defeated the Panthers 31-16 before a capacity crowd at Heinz Field today.

The Spartans were led by running back Javon Ringer who ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns against the runner up team from the ACC. Ringer picked up all but 41 of those yards in the second half as Michigan State totally dominated the time of possession and limited Pittsburgh to only 56 total yards after halftime.

Brian Hoyer had an efficient day for Michigan State going 11 for 18, 136 yards and a touchdown. Hoyer also ran in from a yard in the fourth quarter to give the Spartans their final score.

Pittsburgh started off strong behind the running of LeShon McCoy in the first quarter. After Michigan State took the opening kick off and drove 76 yards down the field to take a quick 7-0 lead, Pitt roared right back with 4 McCoy runs, the final being a scoring run of 22 yards to tie the game. However, after that the going progressively became harder and harder for the Panthers.

McCoy ended up with 87 yards in the first half; only 21 yards in the second.

Pittsburgh kept it close with two Conor Lee field goals countering a Brian Hoyer touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt and trailed 14-13 at the half.

In the second half, Michigan State, and Ringer, ground out yard after yard to take over the game. Lee added a 21 yard field goal to start the scoring off in the second half. Then Ringer took over. Five consecutive Ringer rushes put the Spartans at the Pittsburgh 11. Ringer took it a sixth time and easily walked into the endzone to give the Spartans the lead back for good.

Brent Swenson added a field goal and Hoyer rounded out the scoring with a quarterback sneak to give the Spartans a 31-16 win.

For Pittsburgh, LeShon McCoy finished with 27 attempts for 109 yards and a touchdown. Bill Stull had a rough day at quarterback only completing 12 out of 32 passes for 151 and three interceptions.

Michigan State now faces the #1 seed Oklahoma Sooners next week in Norman, Oklahoma.

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#12 Ohio State 23, #21 Boston College 6

1st Quarter

OSU- Pryor 2 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 7-0

BC- Aponavicius 33 yard field goal OSU 7-3

2nd Quarter

OSU- Pretorius 29 yard field goal OSU 10-3

BC- Aponavicius 37 yard field goal OSU 10-6

3rd Quarter

OSU- Pretorius 41 yard field goal OSU 13-6

OSU- Wells 54 yard run (Pretorius kick) OSU 20-6

4th Quarter

OSU- Pretorius 40 yard field goal OSU 23-6

Ohio State's defense reigned supreme at Ohio Stadium as the Buckeyes take a 23-6 win over ACC runner-up Boston College this afternoon.

The BC offense never was able to sustain any sort of drive as James Laurinaitis and the Ohio State defense swarmed, harassed, and completely stymied the Eagle attack. In the second half, BC only crossed mid-field once.

Beanie Wells led the way for Ohio State with 138 yards on the ground. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor added 77 yards of his own and a touchdown to go with his 12-19, 149 yards passing performance. Pryor did not throw an interception and made no real mistakes on the day.

Chris Crane was 25 for 50, 252 yards passing for Boston College. He was interception four times by the Ohio State defense. BC's leading rusher was Montel Harris who managed only 29 yards on 15 carries.

The key moment of the game took place late in the second quarter. BC was driving and had a 1st and 10 at the Buckeye 23. Crane was sacked by Laurinaitis for a loss of 10 yards to the 33. On the next play, Crane threw into double coverage and Malcolm Jenkins came away with the ball. Jenkins returned the interception to the Ohio State 46. Wells then took the handoff from Pryor and exploded through the line for a 54 yard touchdown run to put the Buckeyes up 14.

Ohio State now travels to Los Angeles next week for a rematch with #5 USC Trojans at the Coliseum.

---------------------------

#14 TCU 27, #19 BYU 14

1st Quarter

BYU- Collie 54 yard pass from Hall (Payne kick) BYU 7-0

BYU- Collie 62 yard pass from Hall (Payne kick) BYU 14-0

TCU- Combs 38 yard field goal BYU 14-3

2nd Quarter

TCU- Dalton 13 yard run (Combs kick) BYU 14-10

TCU- Brown 4 yard run (Combs kick) TCU 17-14

3rd Quarter

TCU- Combs 29 yard field goal TCU 20-14

4th Quarter

TCU- Brown 12 yard run (Combs kick) TCU 27-14

After a shaky first quarter, TCU's defense takes control on the way to a 27-14 victory ove fellow Mountain West rival BYU.

BYU came out on fire in the first 6 minutes of the first quarter. Max Hall hit Austin Collie twice for long touchdown passes and BYU jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead.

Andy Dalton and the TCU offense struggled to move the ball early on. But late in the first quarter, the Horned Frogs were able to take in a Drew Combs field goal to put them on the board. Dalton scored TCU's first touchdown on a 13 yard run midway through the second quarter to bring them within 4 at 14-10. Aaron Brown added a late touchdown before the half to give TCU it's first lead 17-14.

In the third quarter, BYU's offense continued to sputter. TCU tacked on 3 a Combs 29 yard field goal to make it 20-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, BYU's Harvey Unga fumbled deep in Cougar territory. Brown scored two plays later from 12 yards out to give TCU a 27-14 lead and the defense handled it from there. Brown finished with 78 yards rushing on the night. Andy Dalton chipped in with 66 yards on the ground and passed for 164 yards on 15 for 24 passing.

BYU's Max Hall went 29 for 55, 311 yards passing but struggled after the two quick touchdown passes to Collie in the first quarter. Collie also was a non-factor in the game after the first quarter. He snagged five balls for 145 yards but the majority of those yards came on two long pass plays in the first quarter. Unga was held to 30 yards rushing.

TCU now faces another Mountain West rival in #3 Utah in Salt Lake City this weekend.

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#20 Georgia Tech 27, #13 Georgia 24

1st Quarter

GA- Moreno 3 yard run (Walsh kick) GA 7-0

2nd Quarter

GT- Blair 25 yard field goal GA 7-3

GA- Mossaquai 21 yard pass from Stafford (Walsh kick) GA 14-3

3rd Quarter

GA- Moreno 5 yard run (Walsh kick) GA 21-3

GT- Jones 9 yard run (Blair kick) GA 21-10

GT- Dwyer 12 yard run (Blair kick) GA 21-17

4th Quarter

GA- Walsh 32 yard field goal GA 24-17

GT- Nesbitt 3 yard run (Blair kick) T 24-24

GT- Blair 38 yard field goal GT 27-24

*

Over two weeks ago, Georgia raced out to a 28-12 lead over Georgia Tech only to watch the lead slip away to a disappointing 45-42 loss.

*

Earlier today, Georgia again jumped out front, this time to a 21-3 lead in the third quarter. And again, Georgia Tech charged back from behind to stun the Bulldogs 27-24 on a Scott Blair field goal with less than two minutes to go.

*

The Bulldogs started the scoring in the first quarter with Knowshown Moreno running in from three yards out to give Georgia a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, Blair got the Yellow Jackets on the board with a 25 yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. Georgia extended the lead to 14-3 when Matthew Stafford found Mohamed Mossaquai wide open in the end zone from 21 yards out. The Bulldog defense shut down the vaunted Georgia Tech rushing attack holding the Yellow Jackets to only 65 yards in the first half.

*

Georgia took the second half kickoff and marched 77 yards down the field. Moreno capped off the drive with a five yard run and Georgia took its biggest lead of the game, 21-3. Georgia Tech answered right back with its own 77 yard drive. Roddy Jones and Jonathon Dwyer tore up huge chunks of real estate for the first time in the game and Jones rumbled in from nine yards out to cut the Bulldog lead to 21-10. Tech's defense stopped Georgia three and out on their next possession and took over again on their own 35 yard line. Jones, Dwyer, and quarterback Josh Nesbitt again wreaked havoc on the Georgia defense and this time Dwyer scored to get Georgia Tech within 4 at 21-17.

*

Fourth quarter action saw Georgia put together a 7 play 62 yard drive that stalled out at the Georgia Tech 15. Blair Walsh came in and kicked a 32 yard field goal to give Georgia a 24-17 lead. Again, Georgia Tech ground up large numbers of yards on a thoroughly confused Georgia defense. Nesbitt got loose on a 21 yard run to push the Yellow Jackets to the Georgia 10. Two plays later, Nesbitt ran it in himself and Blair's extra point tied the game at 24.

*

Georgia responded behind the arm of Matthew Stafford. Passes to Massaquai and Tripp Chandler pushed the Bulldogs into Georgia Tech territory. Moreno slashed through the line for another 12 yard. Stafford found Moreno in the flat and he took the ball down to the Tech 21. But Georgia Tech's defense held its ground and forced a field goal attempt by Walsh. A high snap back disrupted the timing on the kick and Morgan Burnett burst through and blocked Walsh's kick. Burnett took the ball back down to the Georgia 47. Tech moved it down to the 21 yard line where the drive stalled. Scott Blair come on and hit a 38 yard field goal with 1:54 to go and Tech had its first lead of the night 27-24.

*

Stafford was intercepted on the next play and Tech ran out the clock from there.

*

Roddy Jones led all rushers with 107 yards on the ground for Georgia Tech. Jonathon Dwyer added 88 yards; Josh Nesbitt 61.

*

Matthew Stafford went 33 for 53, 350 yards and a touchdown. Stafford threw two interceptions in the game. Knowshown Moreno ran for 92 yards on 23 attempts. Mohamed Massaquai caught 10 balls for 178 yards and a touchdown.

*

Georgia Tech now travels to the blue 'smurf turf' of Boise, Idaho to face the #4 seeded Boise State Broncos in the second round

-------------

#23 East Carolina 13, #10 Alabama 12

1st Quarter

ALA- Tiffin 35 yard field goal ALA 3-0

2nd Quarter

ECU- Hartman 29 yard field goal T 3-3

3rd Quarter

ALA- Tiffin 40 yard field goal ALA 6-3

ALA- Tiffin 41 yard field goal ALA 9-3

ECU- Hartman 33 yard field goal ALA 9-6

4th Quarter

ALA- Tiffin 32 yard field goal ALA 12-6

ECU- Gidrey 44 yard pass from Pinckney (Hartman kick) ECU 13-12

Jeff Charles- Pirate ISP Sports Radio Network:

"...First and ten. Pirates at the Alabama 44. A minute forty-one to go. Pinkney in the shotgun. Wideouts split two to each side. Whitley in the backfield. Pinkney takes the snap. He rolls out right. Pass complete to Gidrey. McCLAIN MISSES THE TACKLE...GIDREY TO THE 25...20...HE GOES RIGHT...10...5...TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN PIRATES! TOUCHDOWN PIRATES! TOUCHDOWN PIRATES!..."

In the shocking upset of the tournament, East Carolina's Pat Pinkney threw a 44 yard strike to Kevin Gidrey with under a minute to go in the game to push the Pirates to an upset 13-12 win over Alabama.

The game was marred by turnovers. Both teams combined for nine. Alabama got on the board first via a Leigh Tiffin 35 yard field goal. Ben Hartman kicked East Carolina onto the scoring column connecting from 29 yard out to tie the game early on the second quarter. Alabama's John Parker Wilson had a rough first half throwing two interceptions, the last one into the East Carolina end zone right before the half.

East Carolina's Norman Whitley fumbled twice in the first half. Whitley's first fumble of the day led to the first Alabama field goal.

The second half didn't fare much better. Wilson was picked off the third time early on in the third quarter. East Carolina couldn't capitalize as Hartman missed a 42 yard field goal. Tiffin put Alabama back in the lead with a 40 yard field goal on the ensuing drive. Minutes later, after ECU quarterback Pat Pinkney was intercepted by Alabama's Josh Hampton, Tiffin added a 41 yard field goal to put Alabama up 9-3. Hartman connected from 33 yards out to bring ECU back to 3 at 9-6.

Alabama started the fourth quarter with great field position at the ECU 44. Glen Coffee scampered for a 17 yard gain. Coffee then swept around the end for 11 more. But the drive stalled at the 15 and Tiffin was called on again to kick. Tiffin hit the 32 yard field goal and Alabama went back up 6 at 12-6.

Both teams exchanged punts. ECU then went three and out and gave the ball back to Alabama. John Parker Wilson directed the Crimson Tide deep into ECU territory with under four minutes to go. But Coffee fumbled on the next play and East Carolina had the ball, setting up Pinkney's heroics.

Pinkney was 17-35, 200 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Whitley ran for 66 yards for East Carolina. He also had two of the four ECU turnovers, fumbling twice.

John Parker Wilson went 22-39, 265 yards, four interceptions for Alabama. Glen Coffee ran for 110 on 24 carries. Julio Jones caught 7 passes for 100 yards.

East Carolina now will travel to Happy Valley next week to face Joe Paterno's #6 seeded Penn State Nittany Lions- the champions of the Big 10.

---------------

#9 Texas 45, #24 Troy 10

After seeing what happened earlier in the day to Alabama, Texas coach Mack Brown wanted to make sure his team got the message from that game- they did.

Texas completely dismantled Troy 45-10 last night to close out the first round of the American Heartland Bar and Grill College Football Tournament. Colt McCoy was coldly efficient going 21 for 28 and 284 yards passing as the Longhorns made sure that Troy did not get any thoughts about pulling a major upset.

Texas now travels to #8 seed Virginia Tech next weekend to face Frank Beamer's Hokies.

Buckland County's Charlene Ann Beckworth Models the Official T-Shirt of the NCAA Div-1A Football Tournament