SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Weekly Notes (11/1)
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Notes
BIG TEN: With just four weekends remaining in the regular season, 13 teams will take the field this week. The action opens on Saturday and features six conference games and four divisional matchups. Big Ten Standings here.
C-USA: The final month of the regular season will begin a day early, with a Friday night rivalry game ahead of four C-USA games and two non-conference contests on Saturday. C-USA Standings here.
BIG WEEK FOR LEAKE: Maryland’s Javon Leake became the first individual to earn both Big Ten Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the same week. Leake rushed five times for 140 yards and three touchdowns, and added three kickoff returns for 134 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown.
A TORREY PACE: North Texas RB DeAndre Torrey had four total touchdowns in the Mean Green’s 41-17 win over Rice. He carried 15 times for a career-best 130 yards and three scores; his third game this season with three rushing TDs. Torrey has 12 TDs this season, second in C-USA and tied for 16th nationally.
FRESHMAN FANCY: Two freshmen QBs made their first career starts in record fashion last week. Michigan State’s Rocky Lombardi completed 26 of 46 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue, recording the second-most passing yards by a Spartan quarterback in his first career start. Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns, the fourth-most passing yards by a Minnesota freshman QB since 1980.
ODU DYNAMIC DUO: Old Dominion senior WR Travis Fulgham and senior WR Jonathan Duhart each rank in the top four of the C-USA rankings in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. Fulgham has 47 receptions for 806 yards and six TD catches, while Duhart has 58 grabs for 847 yards and seven scores. Fulgham has caught a touchdown in six consecutive games, while Duhart has five 100-yard receiving games on the season.
IN THE NEWS
Randy Johnson (@RJstrib) of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune explains how Minnesota’s depth at running back has helped the Golphers get through a rash of injuries. Mohamed Ibrahim is the next man up. Read more here.
Tyler Cleveland (@TylerCleveland) of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger writes that key mistakes at inopportune times have Southern Miss this season in close losses that shoulda been wins. More of the coulda, shoulda, woulda here.
Louie Vaccher (@WildcatReport) of Wildcat Report (Rivals) writes that Northwester has nothing to lose going into Saturday’s game against No. 3 Notre Dame. The Irish are the first top 5 team to visit Ryan Field sinice 2006. Get the story here.
Chuck King (@FAUOwlAccess) of FAUOwlAccess.com clues us in on what’s been missing from Florida Atlantic’s offense this season from last when the Owls were rolling. Find out more here.
TICKETS ON SALE: Tickets for the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl are now on sale at www.firstresponderbowl.com. Tickets range from $25 for a general admission seat, to $75 for a reserved lower bowl seat and $150 for a mid-field chair back seat.
Fans will again be able to help thank first responders by “Sponsoring a Responder.” Fans can choose to purchase “additional” tickets for $15 that will be distributed to first responder members and their families. These generous ticket sponsors will be recognized during the game on Dec. 26.
PROJECTING THE MATCHUP
ESPN (Bonagura): Minnesota vs. North Texas
ESPN (Sherman): North Texas vs. Coastal Carolina
SBNation: Cal vs. North Texas
USA Today: Indiana vs. LA Tech
SI.com: BYU vs. North Texas
CBS Sports: Nevada vs. BYU