Jerry Seinfeld once said that with free agency and trades in pro sports fans are really rooting for laundry nowadays. College football fans have a laundry list of colors to get excited about this fall... and it's not just Notre Dame's "wearing the green jersey to psyche themselves up for USC" look. Week one gave Oregon fans the green highlighter look (par for the course, honestly-- the NikeDucks are going to have to do something really crazy to register on the meter)... as well as the first ever meeting between the Mercury State (Georgia) and the University of Hoth (Boise State). Maryland got into the act Monday night with the state flag on its helmet and white unis (with the flag helmet that looks like it belongs to Biggs or Wedge, the uniform combinations now number 75 in College Park). All splashing and exciting, to be sure. Now I'm not the 15-18 year old being recruited by Division I programs-- so the massive uniform explosion is obviously not geared towards me. What's interesting about today's world of alternate jerseys, helmets, pants, shoes, and I'm sure supportive cups-- today's "uniform" is anything but uniform.
Maryland (1-0) kicked off the Randy Edsall era in the rain by topping Miami 32-24. Danny O'Brien took ACC offensive back of the week honors by throwing for 348 yards and a touchdown... while Cameron Chism and Joe Vellano were honored after returning turnovers for touchdowns. Terrapin Triumphs-- one turnover and four penalties... a nice mistake free opening night. Davin Meggett turned in a workhorse performance with 92 yards rushing plus 4 catches. An opportunistic defense generated three takeaways and two touchdowns-- with defensive tackle Joe Vellano providing a big boost heading into halftime with his return for a score. Terrapin Troubles-- seven trips into the red zone with just one touchdown for the offense... the defense allowed 172 yards rushing and a few big gains on land and in the air. Next up-- September 16th against West Virginia.
Virginia (1-0) avoided upset on Labor Day weekend by blasting William & Mary 40-3 in front of the usual festive Charlottesville crowd (Kippy and Buffy's tailgate brought to you by Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay with a healthy dose of pepperjack for those Ritz Crackers)... as UVa gained momentum as the game progressed. Cavalier Congrats--Kevin Parks ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns... the offense went turnover free and controlled the ball for over 37 minutes... the defense held the Tribe to 2 of 14 on third down. Cavalier Concerns-- Michael Rocco did complete 21 of 29 passes... but for under ten yards per completion. That might work against the CAA, but not against the ACC longterm. Eight penalties isn't ideal, either. Next up--at Indiana Saturday (one week before facing North Carolina; was hoping they'd play LSU later this month to complete the 30-year reunion of the 1981 basketball Final Four).
Virginia Tech (1-0) won on opening day for the first time since 2007... smacking Appalachian State into submission 66-13. The biggest issue was how one pronounced "Appalachian"-- is it "ay" or "ae"? I went with how the Hokie Network said the school's name, and although WTOP reporter Hank Silverberg correctly reminded me the proper way to pronounce the mountain rage, I'm going with Bill Roth on the is one. Although Hank knows how to "Do The Freddie" (60's pop group Freddie and the Dreamers-- you tube it and you'll be amused as well as scared). Hokie Highlights-- BEAMER BALL! Fumble recoveries, interceptions and punt returns set up short fields for touchdowns-- and the exclamation point came in teh form of a blocked punt for a score... BEAMER BALL! David Wilson ran for 162 yards and three touchdowns-- averaging ten yards a carry. And unlike the 2010 team, the defense didn't suffer a first quarter hiccup. Hokie Humblings-- what negatives can be drawn from a 53 point victory where you led by 38 at the half? Did the Smoked Turkey Legs have too much taragon? Next up-- Saturday at East Carolina.
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