DENARD "SHOELACE" ROBINSON IS RACKING UP YARDS AND W's FOR THE WOLVERINES

Michigan's Denard Robinson is off to one amazing start this year. In only two games the Deerfield Beach, Florida native has racked up an amazing set of stats. He's becoming very familiar with the endzone and he's already no stranger to pressure situations. This past week on the road at Notre Dame, Denard led the Wolverines down the field on an amazing game winning drive that spanned 72 yards in 12 plays.

For the year so far, Shoelace has been the definition of "On Fire":

Rushing
57 Carries for 455 yards (3 TDs)

Passing
43 of 62 for 430 yards (2 TDs)

That's 885 yards in 2 games. If he keeps this up, they'll have to rewrite the record books at Michigan for All-Time Single Season Rushing Yards. Tim Biankabatuka had 1818 yards in 1995, and that's some pretty rocking company.

(Photo courtesy of Tony Ding)

If you have not been watching, do yourself a favor, keep an eye on "Shoelace" from here on out. He's been leaving his cleets untied since little league football, and he's running untied ever since. I see no reason for him stop any time soon. And I seriously doubt Coach Rodriguez will be getting his QB to lace them up either.

So far he's 2-0. He's led the Wolverines to victories of UConn and Notre Dame.

Up next for Michigan is UMASS, where Denard looks to rack up some more big time yardage. But just peeking ahead at the schedule, it looks like, by my count, Michigan will be 5-0 when they will host Michigan State on October 9th at the Big House. Should be a nice rivalry game for all to enjoy.

GAMECOCKS DEFEAT THE DAWGS IN CONVINCING FASHION

With all eyes on Columbia yesterday at high noon, it was apparent early on that this this year's team is one of Spurrier's best at USC.

 

Carolina got the ball first and drove straight down the field putting up a TD off a 16 play drive. They set the tone early with the capabilities of this Carolina squad. They let everyone know they can grind it out -- something Carolina fans have wanted for years. With Lattimore in, it is very apparent that these Gamecocks have balance, prowess, and innate ability to get a first down. Lattimore changes everything in Columbia, and it is an exciting time for the Gamecock Nation.

 

(Photo courtesy of Mike Zarrilli of Getty Images)

 

 

A lot of credit has to go to Shawn Elliott. He had the Offensive Line looking amazing. He comes from Appalachian State, where he helped guide steer the Mountaineers to 3 straight National Championships (2005, 2006, & 2007). While there he coached up 3 consecutive SoCon Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipients. In his first year at USC Coach Elliott has Lattimore is running behind one well coached line.

 

Combine that with a senior QB in Garcia and you have one excellent foundation for an Offensive explosion.

 

The Defense was no joke either. USC controlled both lines of scrimmage all day, and while Washaun Ealey got the ball for 19 carries for UGA, he never broke one big, never saw paydirt and found the ball stripped from him by #21 DeVonte Holloman inside the 5 yard line late in the game. It was a huge blow to UGA, and an amazing lift for the Gamecocks. It was the play of the day as the score at the time was 14-6 (Gamecocks).

 

Garcia finished the day 12-17, 165 yards and no TDs in the air. It was all Lattimore. He got the ball 37 times, racked up a whopping 187 yards and 2 TDs. He will always be considered the crown jewel of the most recent recruiting class for USC, and yesterday's performance was ample evidence why he was so highly regarded. He makes everyone look better.

 

In a losing effort, Justin Houston made is presence felt on the Georgia Defense. He was one of the bright spots on the Georgia defense, as he brought in 3 sacks on the day. He will continue to terrorize opponents all year. Grantham's defense is still a work in progress, and they had a tall order yesterday trying to slow down the Carolina offense. Georgia seemed to be a bit timid and seriously lacking in fundamental tackling -- very reminiscent of last year's squad. Arm tackles were prevalent, but things should get better for UGA if they can focus on wrapping up and swarming to the ball.

 

Game Stats:

 

3rd Down Efficiency

• UGA: 3-11
• USC: 9-14

 

Rushing Yards:

• UGA: 61
• USC: 189

 

Passing Yards:

• UGA: 192
• USC: 165

 

Carolina has Furman then a big test with a road trip to Auburn, then a week off, then Alabama.

 

Georgia has a huge home test with Arkansas coming to town, then they travel to Miss. State.

 

Expectations in Columbia could not be higher, and for good reason. If they Gamecocks can stay humble and hungry and focus on 1 week at a time, then they could be booking tickets to ATL. But that's another story for another day.

DAWGS BEAT THE CAJUNS AS THE TODD GRANTHAM ERA BEGINS

First off the Georgia Defense looked solid. Yeah they were playing against UL Lafayette, but they sill had to be in position and make the plays, which they did. They held the Cajuns to just to just 128 Total Yards (with 60 yards of the coming on the lone bad play for the day as Bacarri Rambo got caught looking). In the end Georgia rolls 55-7.

The Cajuns were just 3-16 on 3rd down conversions and 0-1 on 4th down conversions, so its pretty safe to say that The Grantham Era is off to a really good start.

As for Georgia, all eyes were on Aaron Murray, and he did a pretty good job on the day. Getting his first start at Samford Stadium probably had him with some butterflies, but he came out looking solid. He's got a good fastball, mid range shot across the middle, and his deep ball has great touch and accuracy. Georgia has really not seen a good deep ball since the Georgia Vanderbilt game when Matthew Stafford was back in Athens. Murray converted some good 3rd Downs (Georgia was 8-17 on day). Murray on the day was 17 of 26 for 160 yards. He accounted for 4 TDs on the day (3 in the air and 1 on the ground).

(Photo courtesy of Phillip Faulkner)

Defensive Players of the Game:
Brandon Boykin - 1st Interception of the Todd Grantham Era (a very nice snag)
Akeem Dent - Great pressure, 6 tackles, and a very good sack on the day.
Justin Houston - Set the tone early with a couple sacks in the first half
Jakar Hamilton - Providing great pressure on 3rd down early in the 2nd Quarter, Hamilton setup Akeem Dent on a key sack. It was a "1-2 punch" that resulted in the Cajuns calling on the punt team. The Hitman also had a Pick6 in the second half.

(Photo courtesy of Phillip Faulkner)

Offensive Players of the Game:
Kris Durham - Welcome back, Kris! After missing last year, it was good to see Durham back in. A sure handed snag in the end zone got Murray his 1st TD. 5 catches on the day for 83 yards. Durham was #31 in honor of Quintin Banks, who retired from football due to ongoing knee injuries.

(Photo courtesy Jason Vorhees)

Aaron Murray - He threw 3 TDs on the day and pick up another on the ground as time ran out on the 1st Half. Not a bad opening day performance. 1 Pick was his only blemish, but there was a potentials for 2 pics as 1 was flat out dropped by a Cajun.
Shaun Chapas - He picked up right where he left off against A&M in bowl game, great run blocking, good hands out of the backfield, and a TD on the day.

Also, it need to be said that Georgia's special teams in particular the return unit looked phenomenal. They were laying people out with crack blocks. If they keep that up, they will pick up where they left off last year with a number of kickoffs and punts going to the house.

As mentioned above there was just one bright spot for the Cajuns. Late in the 2nd Quarter, Kris Durham got hit right in the numbers, as Murray zipped one right to him on a 3rd down play. The ball was bobbled and ended up a interception for the Cajuns. The very next play was the bomb to Ladarius Green (WR) #89, who is on the John Mackey Watch List (Nation's Best Tight End). I'm sure Grantham will have Rambo running this one off in practice this week. You know Coach was looking for the shutout,

I think most Georgia fans would have like to see a bit more domination up front from the running game. With Ealey out they utilized Caleb King and Carlton Thomas, who combined for 108 yards on 23 carries with 1 TD. But it was very important for Murray to get his legs under him, get comfortable moving the offense, and passing the ball down field. Mission accomplished. Georgia could still using some tuning up on the penalties, as Georgia midway through the second quarter fell victim again to their old ways. They killed a drive with some false start penalties.

Georgia will certainly need Ealey and Green back on the scene as they travel to Columbia next week to face off against the Gamecocks.

UTAH SURVIVES PITT IN OVERTIME AS FRESHMAN BLECHEN STEALS THE SHOW

Going in this game was regarded as "The Best Match Up of the Night", and Pitt @ Utah last night did not disappoint. Utah at home in Salt Lake City is a force to be reckoned with, and Dave Wanndstedt and Pitt found that out first hand last night.

The home crowd was amped and the play was a bit sloppy at times, as the officials really worked it out last night calling 33 penalties. After a scoreless 1st Quarter Dion Lewis opened the second quarter with a TD run, and Pitt was letting the home crowd know about it.

(Photo courtesy of AP/Steve C.)

Overall though, the Utah Defense which ranked very close to the top of Mountain West Conference last year was on point again last night. Utah held Pitt to a lousy 5-14 on 3rd Down Efficiency, and Dion Lewis was effectively done for night

While Jordan Wynn did have one interception in the end zone last night, he still had a very effective outing for Utah. He threw for 283 yards and 3 TDs on the night. While he will need to bring up the completion percentage as he had just 58.3% last night, but I credit the Pitt D on making things difficult for Wynn, who in the end really made things look easy last night.

The Red Zone was a very tough place to be last night for Pitt, and one can not go far in describing last night's Defensive effort without mentioning the true freshman, Brian Blechen. He came up big last night in overtime, as Tino Sunseri rolled right on the first play in OT and stared down his receiver. Blechen made a move on the ball and set his team up for the win by picking off the pass. It was over right there. Utah took possession and muscled it down the field setting up the game winning field goal by Joe Phillips.

(Photo courtesy of AP/Steve C.)

In a losing effort, Pitt's #22 Antwuan Reed (CB & Special Teams) played big. He blocked a punt late in the 3rd Quarter and recovered a fumble. He did get toasted on a big play, but his effort on the night helped keep Pitt in the game. Dion Lewis put up some decent numbers. He got 25 touches and produced 75 yards and 1 TD.


It was truly a wild finish, and it lived up to the hype. Make no mistake, nobody wants to play Utah this year, especially at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT where the Utes have won 18 in a row.

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but it is going to be bigtime when TCU comes to Salt Lake November 6th.