1945 NFL Semifinal-Cleveland Rams-28, Detroit Lions-0

December 16, 1945

Weather-22 degrees, wind 14 mph W, light snow

Cleveland took control of the line of scrimmage in the second quarter, smothering the Lions offense and eventually shutting them out, 28-0. Detroit would finish with only 165 yards, 93 of those coming in the last three quarters. Cleveland was also struggling to mount anything offensively in the first 20 minutes of the game, as Bob Waterfield was intercepted 3 times on the Rams first 4 positions. The Rams changed the game once they committed to the run for an entire possession, finishing with a 1-yard Tom Colella plunge and a 7-0 lead.

The Rams would finish with 218 yards on the ground, led by Fred Gehrke's 96 yards on 13 carries. Don Greenwood ran for 55 yards and 2 TD. Bob Waterfield finished with 134 yards passing, 54 of them to Jim Benton. The Rams will host the Eagles for the NFL Championship.

Detroit Lions.....(7-4)-0-0-0-0-0
Cleveland Rams.(10-1)-0-7-7-14-28

Cle-Colella 1 run (Waterfield Kick)
Cle-Greenwood 23 run (Waterfield Kick)
Cle-Benton 15 pass from Waterfield (Waterfield Kick)
Cle-Greenwood 2 run (Waterfield Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Det-Farkas-6-46-0 (37-183-0), Callihan-5-32-0 (32-117-0), Fenenbock-7-17-0 (79-160-1), Westfall-14-13-0 (96-247-6), Booth-1-1-0 (5-21-0)
Cle-Gehrke-13-96-0 (87-563-7), Greenwood-17-55-2 (118-431-6), Gillette-11-38-0 (74-428-1), Colella-8-32-1 (54-256-3), Waterfield-3-(-3)-0 (21-15-5)

Passing
Det-Fenenbock-19-5-63-0-0 (129-50-817-7-11), Ryan-3-1-6-0-0 (47-14-337-3-10)
Cle-Waterfield-12-8-134-1-3 (183-97-1743-15-20)

Receiving
Det-Greene-3-44-0 (29-594-5), Farkas-1-14-0 (10-146-2), Matheson-1-6-0 (20-247-1), Westfall-1-5-0 (13-214-3)
Cle-Benton-4-54-1 (49-1,121-9), Pritko-3-65-0 (22-320-4), Hamilton-1-15-0 (5-65-0)

1945 NFL Semifinal-Philadelphia Eagles-28, Washington Redskins-21

December 16, 1945

Weather-35 degrees, wind 20 mph NW

Philadelphia QB Roy Zimmerman threw 2 TD and intercepted a pass, and Steve Van Buren ran for 103 yards and 2 TD as the Eagles advanced to the NFL Championship Game for the second consecutive season, 28-21. Philadelphia had taken a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter on a Van Buren 1-yard TD plunge when Washington QB Sammy Baugh threw an interception to Zimmerman. Five plays later, Zimmerman found Jack Ferrante for Ferrante's eighth TD of the season and a 28-14 lead. Washington was able to cut the deficit to 28-21, but would never cross the 50-yard line for the rest of the game.

Frank Akins ran for 136 yards for the Redskins in a losing effort. Washington finished their season at 8-3.

Philadelphia Eagles.(8-3)-7-0-7-14-28
Washington Redskins..(8-3)-0-7-7-7-21

Phi-Karnofsky 1 pass from Zimmerman (Zimmerman Kick)
Was-Moore 1 run (Aguirre Kick)
Was-Akins 43 run (Aguirre Kick)
Phi-Van Buren 27 run (Zimmerman Kick)
Phi-Van Buren 1 run (Zimmerman Kick)
Phi-Ferrante 3 pass from Zimmerman (Zimmerman Kick)
Was-Bagarus 38 run (Aguirre Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Phi-Van Buren-20-103-2 (163-935-17), Bleeker-10-24-0 (60-191-2), Steele-6-17-0 (26-229-2), Karnofsky-9-6-0 (50-140-2), Zimmerman-1-2-0 (30-(-9)-1)
Was-Akins-16-136-1 (163-933-7), Bagarus-6-34-1 (45-188-2), Moore-6-12-1 (35-218-2), Seymour-2-1-0 (32-103-2), Baugh-1-0-0 (20-(-71)-0)

Passing
Phi-Zimmerman-17-8-70-2-0 (144-75-1,061-11-8)
Was-Baugh-22-10-73-0-2 (204-138-1,742-11-6)

Receiving
Phi-Meyer-2-24-0 (13-159-1), Ferrante-2-19-1 (23-483-8), Van Buren-1-12-0 (11-135-2), Cabrelli-1-11-0 (16-151-0), Humbert-1-3-0 (7-56-0), Karnofsky-1-1-1 (6-114-1)
Was-Aguirre-3-19-0 (19-208-0), Millner-2-17-0 (15-147-2), Bagarus-2-16-0 (36-633-5), Moore-1-10-0 (14-125-1), Dye-1-8-0 (9-92-2), Miller-1-3-0 (12-87-0)

The 1945 Season

Playoff seeds for 1945...

#4 seed-Detroit Lions (7-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-FB Bob Westfall, RG Bill Radovich

The Lions are in the postseason for the first time, thanks to a 5-game winning streak in midseason. Detroit was able to win a few close games which helped them edge out the Packers for the last seed. The Lions were outgained and nearly outscored by their opponents in 1945.

#3 seed-Philadelphia Eagles (7-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1944, NFL Champions
Playoff Record-2-0, 1944 NFL Champions
All-Pro-RT Al Wistert, RB Steve Van Buren

Philadelphia had the best point differential in the league, as they attempt to go back-to-back. The Eagles had a 5-game winning streak of their own, using a stout run defense to control the clock and grind down their opponents. Steve Van Buren scored 18 touchdowns in his first full season as the feature back.

#2 seed-Washington Redskins (8-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...1943, NFL Champions
Playoff Record-4-0, 2-time NFL Champions (1942, 1943)
All-Pro-PR Steve Bagarus

The Redskins have never lost a playoff game, and they are trying for a third NFL title led by QB Sammy Baugh. Baugh set an NFL record by completing 70.3% of his passes. Washington lost the opener before ripping off 6 straight victories to secure a playoff position.

#1 seed-Cleveland Rams (9-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-QB Bob Waterfield, LE Jim Benton, LG Riley Matheson

Cleveland used a balanced offense and a solid defense on their way to securing home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The Rams were led by league MVP Bob Waterfield, who threw for 14 TD and picked off 6 passes. His primary target was Jim Benton, who went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season.

1945 Playoffs

December 16, 1945

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins, 3 pm
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Rams, 6:30 pm

December 23, 1945

NFL Championship Game

2011 NCAA National Championship-Alabama-38, Stanford-22

Tuscaloosa, AL-Alabama got an MVP performance from QB A.J. McCarron, who completed 22 of 26 passes for 367 yards and 3 TD, on their way to another national title, 38-22. Alabama struggled more in this game than in any other postseasons game, as Stanford's defense did an excellent job of keeping the Alabama running game in check. Trent Richardson was limited to 83 yards, although his 2 fourth quarter touchdowns helped put the Cardinal away. Where Stanford failed was in trying to stop McCarron, who spread the ball to 7 different receivers, each of which had at least 3 catches.

Stanford RB Stepfan Taylor had enjoyed an excellent postseason, but Alabama's defense did a great job of limiting him, holding Taylor 30 yards on 20 carries. Andrew Luck was able to throw for 347 yards to help keep Stanford in the game, but Alabama was able to secure their second national title in 3 years.

Stanford Cardinal......(14-2)-7-6-3-6-22
Alabama Crimson Tide.(15-1)-7-17-0-14-38

SU-Taylor 15 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
Ala-Lacy 42 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Bell 15 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Shelley 49 FG
SU-Taylor 2 run (Kick Missed)
Ala-Smelley 70 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
SU-Williamson 49 FG
Ala-Richardson 4 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Richardson 16 run (Shelley Kick)
SU-Taylor 21 pass from Luck (Pass Failed)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
SU-Gaffney-7-106-0 (103-668-8), Taylor-20-30-1 (291-1,587-15), Luck-8-(-15)-0 (75-148-3)
Ala-Richardson-27-83-2 (379-2,132-29), Fowler-5-28-0 (66-426-5), Lacy-8-27-0 (110-713-8), McCarron-9-(-7)-0 (61-(-53)-3)

Passing
SU-Luck-37-20-347-2-0 (496-342-4,413-45-10)
Ala-McCarron-26-22-367-3-0 (426-288-3,776-26-6)

Receiving
SU-Owusu-5-101-0 (51-605-3), Whalen-4-55-0 (64-867-5), Taylor-4-54-2 (36-368-5), Fleener-3-55-0 (47-888-13), Montgomery-2-53-0 (22-367-1), Toilolo-1-24-0 (31-448-7), Terrell-1-5-0 (10-105-1)
Ala-Hanks-4-49-0 (38-549-1), Smelley-3-110-1 (39-526-5), Lacy-3-64-1 (17-239-1), Maze-3-45-0 (43-883-3), White-3-38-0 (21-229-5), Bell-3-35-1 (28-424-3), Richardson-3-26-0 (42-526-5)

2011 NCAA National Championship

Here is the matchup for the 2011 National Championship, to be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

2011 NCAA National Championship

Monday, January 9, 2012
8 pm EST-#4 Stanford (14-1) at #2 Alabama (14-1)

2011 NCAA Semifinal-Stanford-44, Wisconsin-31

Stanford, CA-Stanford and Wisconsin looked like the marquee matchup for the semifinals, and the game was even for 30 minutes as the two teams battled to a 17-17 first half, but Stanford used a 20-point third quarter to blow open the game and earn the Stanford Cardinal a spot in the NCAA National Championship game against Alabama, 44-31. Stepfan Taylor was a difference maker for Stanford, running for 136 yards and catching passes for 66 more while scoring 3 touchdowns.

Montee Ball ran for 168 yards in a losing cause for the Badgers, who finish the 2011 season at 13-3.

Wisconsin Badgers.(13-3)-7-10-0-14-31
Stanford Cardinal.(14-1)-10-7-20-7-44

Wis-Ball 34 pass from Wilson (French Kick)
SU-Taylor 51 run (Williamson Kick)
SU-Williamson 29 FG
SU-Fleener 11 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
Wis-French 29 FG
Wis-Toon 5 pass from Wilson (French Kick)
SU-Williamson 40 FG
SU-Williamson 31 FG
SU-Taylor 49 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
SU-Whalen 6 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
Wis-White 7 run (French Kick)
SU-Taylor 26 run (Williamson Kick)
Wis-Byrne 6 pass from Wilson (French Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Wis-Ball-31-168-0 (358-2,071-33), White-14-37-1 (176-882-8), Wilson-8-2-0 (100-347-5)
SU-Taylor-20-136-2 (271-1,557-14), Gaffney-8-29-0 (96-562-8), Hewitt-1-0-0 (13-34-0), Luck-10-(-18)-0 (67-163-3)

Passing
Wis-Wilson-34-21-271-3-0 (369-267-3,632-39-3)
SU-Luck-26-19-295-3-0 (459-322-4,066-43-10)

Receiving
Wis-Toon-5-53-1 (68-993-12), Pedersen-4-47-0 (41-449-9), Ball-3-68-1 (28-368-7), Abbrederis-3-32-0 (60-926-7), White-3-30-0 (22-224-1), Duckworth-2-35-0 (21-317-1), Byrne-1-6-1 (3-31-2)
SU-Whalen-4-26-1 (60-812-5), Taylor-3-66-1 (32-314-3), Fleener-3-46-1 (44-833-13), Owusu-3-40-0 (46-504-3), Montgomery-2-60-0 (20-314-1), Toilolo-2-47-0 (30-424-7), Gaffney-2-10-0 (16-108-2)

2011 NCAA Semifinal-Alabama-59, Baylor-7

Tuscaloosa, AL-Baylor's offense had carried them to the Semifinals, but they ran into a buzzsaw in the Crimson Tide, who blew them out, 59-7. The Alabama defense kept Baylor out of the end zone until there were less than 2 minutes to play. Meanwhile, the Alabama offense gained 590 yards and moved the Baylor defense off of the ball all day long. Crimson Tide QB A.J. McCarron completed 25 of 29 passes for 399 yards and 3 scores, including 116 yards to Darius Hanks and 103 yards to Marquis Maze.

Trent Richardson continued to dominate in the postseason, carrying 32 times for 176 yards and catching 4 passes for 41 more. Richardson finished the day with 5 TD (3 rushing, 2 receiving). Alabama will host the National Championship Game on January 9.

Baylor Bears..............(11-4)-0-0-0-7-7
Alabama Crimson Tide.(14-1)-14-17-14-14-59

Ala-Maze 9 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Richardson 2 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Shelley 33 FG
Ala-Richardson 1 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Lacy 6 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Richardson 17 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Richardson 21 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Richardson 4 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Fowler 1 run (Shelley Kick)
BU-Griffin 9 run (Jones Kick)

Rushing (seasons totals in parentheses)
BU-Ganaway-21-89-0 (306-2,044-24), Martin-5-31-0 (60-377-3), Griffin-22-8-1 (219-773-10)
Ala-Richardson-32-176-3 (352-2,049-27), Lacy-6-10-1 (102-686-8), Fowler-2-6-1 (61-398-5), McCarron-8-(-1)-0 (52-(-46)-3)

Passing
BU-Griffin-20-12-156-0-1 (438-315-4,729-42-8)
Ala-McCarron-29-25-399-3-0 (400-266-3,409-23-6)

Receiving
BU-Wright-7-90-0 (123-1,913-15), Williams-4-31-0 (66-1,070-12), Reese-1-35-0 (53-982-7)
Ala-Hanks-5-116-0 (34-500-1), Maze-5-103-1 (70-838-3), Richardson-4-41-2 (39-500-5), Bell-3-53-0 (25-389-2), Smelley-3-32-0 (36-416-4), Gibson-2-27-0 (16-167-1), Lacy-1-12-0 (14-175-0), Williams-1-9-0 (18-206-2), White-1-6-0 (18-191-5)

2011 NCAA Semifinals

Here are our semifinal matchups for the tournament.

2011 NCAA Semifinals

Saturday, December 31, 2011
4:30 EST-#12 Baylor (11-3) at #2 Alabama (13-1)
8:00 EST-#10 Wisconsin (13-2) at #4 Stanford (13-1)

Big 12, SEC, Big 10, Pac 12...each conference with one team, as the SEC had a bit of a rough time in the quarterfinals.

2011 NCAA Quarterfinal-Stanford-45, Oklahoma-38 in OT

Stanford, CA-Oklahoma came back from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to eventually take the lead against Stanford, 38-35, but Andrew Luck brought the Cardinal back for a tying FG to force overtime. Luck would throw his third TD of the game in overtime, and, when the Stanford defense held on the next possession, the Cardinal escaped with a 45-38 victory and a spot in the NCAA Semifinals. Luck finished with 359 yards passing, completing 22 of 32.

Oklahoma QB Landry Jones threw for 403 yards in a losing cause, including 11 to Ryan Broyles for 144. The two teams combined for 1,117 yards, with a slight 560-557 edge to the Sooners.

Stanford will host Wisconsin with a spot in the national title game at stake.


Oklahoma Sooners..........(10-4)-14-3-7-14-0-38
Stanford Cardinal.........(13-1)-14-7-14-3-7-45

OU-Whaley 10 run (Hunnicutt Kick)
SU-Taylor 32 run (Williamson Kick)
OU-Stills 10 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
SU-Owusu 18 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
OU-Hunnicutt 22 FG
SU-Taylor 2 run (Williamson Kick)
SU-Gaffney 13 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
OU-Whaley 34 run (Hunnicutt Kick)
SU-Gaffney 57 run (Williamson Kick)
OU-Stills 32 pass from Jones (Finch Run)
OU-Hunnicutt 36 FG
OU-Hunnicutt 26 FG
SU-Williamson 40 FG
SU-Fleener 7 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
OU-Finch-23-104-0 (150-878-4), Whaley-11-79-2 (134-760-12), Jones-7-(-26)-0 (40-(-36)-2
SU-Taylor-23-96-2 (251-1,421-12), Gaffney-9-73-1 (88-533-8), Luck-6-30-0 (57-181-3), Hewitt-1-(-1)-0 (12-34-0)

Passing
OU-Jones-42-30-403-2-1 (627-401-5,164-36-20)
SU-Luck-32-22-359-3-0 (433-303-3,771-40-10)

Receiving
OU-Broyles-11-144-0 (105-1,481-12), Stills-4-73-2 (68-973-11), Hanna-4-69-0 (33-468-3), Reynolds-4-62-0 (49-878-7), Miller-3-41-0 (27-305-1), Whaley-2-11-0 (18-171-0), Ratterree-1-3-0 (10-101-1), Finch-1-0-0 (39-330-0)
SU-Fleener-5-73-1 (41-787-12), Whalen-4-85-0 (56-786-4), Owusu-4-54-1 (43-464-3), Taylor-3-56-0 (29-248-2), Gaffney-2-26-1 (14-98-2), Montgomery-1-24-0 (18-254-1), Terrell-1-19-0 (9-100-1), Toilolo-1-12-0 (28-377-7), Patterson-1-10-0 (4-48-0)

2011 NCAA Quarterfinal-Alabama-37, Georgia-3

Tuscaloosa, AL-The Crimson Tide steamrolled their second consecutive postseason opponent by smashing Georgia, 37-3. In their first 2 playoff games, Alabama has outscored their opponents by a combined score of 78-9. The Alabama defense was on point all afternoon, limiting Aaron Murray to 16 of 36 passing and picking off 3 of his passes. The Georgia running game could never get going; although they finished the game with 113 yards on the ground, they could only manage 2.8 yards per carry.

The Alabama offense managed nearly 500 yards, led by All-American RB Trent Richardson. Richardson was all over the field for the Crimson Tide, running for 167 yards and 2 TD while adding 5 receptions for 82 more. Alabama QB A.J. McCarron threw for 296 yards, spreading the ball around to 8 different receivers.

Alabama (13-1) will host one of the NCAA Semifinal games next week against either Baylor or Oklahoma.

Georgia Bulldogs..........(11-4)-0-0-0-3-3
Alabama Crimson Tide...(13-1)-7-13-7-10-37

Ala-McCarron 13 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Richardson 53 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Shelley 50 FG
Ala-Shelley 23 FG
Ala-White 10 pass from McCarron (Shelley Kick)
UGA-Walsh 25 FG
Ala-Richardson 59 run (Shelley Kick)
Ala-Shelley 32 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
UGA-Thomas-9-52-0 (87-444-2), Crowell-22-47-0 (233-1,005-5), Murray-9-14-0 (103-125-2)
Ala-Richardson-27-167-2 (320-1,873-24), Lacy-6-29-0 (96-676-7), McCarron-10-4-1 (44-(-45)-3), Fowler-2-2-0 (59-392-4)

Passing
UGA-Murray-36-16-219-0-3 (450-258-3,432-35-17)
Ala-McCarron-38-22-296-1-1 (371-241-3,010-20-6)

Receiving
UGA-Charles-4-71-0 (52-702-6), King-4-39-0 (48-565-7), Conley-3-48-0 (22-378-2), Mitchell-3-46-0 (45-715-5), Thomas-1-8-0 (6-34-0), Bennett-1-7-0 (36-391-5)
Ala-Richardson-5-82-0 (35-459-3), Hanks-4-55-0 (29-384-1), Maze-4-49-0 (65-735-2), Bell-3-50-0 (22-336-2), Lacy-2-32-0 (13-163-0), Smelley-2-19-0 (33-384-4), White-1-10-1 (17-185-5), Williams-1-(-1)-0 (17-197-2)

2011 NCAA Quarterfinal-Baylor-69, Arkansas-48

Fayetteville, AR-Terrance Ganaway came within 7 yards of breaking the NCAA FBS record for rushing yards in a game as Baylor earned a spot in the NCAA Semifinals with a 69-48 win over Arkansas. The Bears gained 744 yards against the Razorbacks, led by Ganaway's 399 on the ground. Ganaway scored 6 TD, including 5 on the ground, 4 of them longer than 50 yards. Robert Griffin III threw for 237 yards and 4 TD as Baylor went up and down the field. Arkansas managed to keep pace for the first half, but the relentless ground game from Baylor proved to be too much.

Tyler Wilson threw for 403 yards and 4 TD for Arkansas in a losing effort. The Razorbacks finish the 2011 season at 11-3.

Baylor Bears........(11-3)-7-28-21-13-69
Arkansas Razorbacks.(11-3)-17-17-14-0-48

Ark-Hamilton 11 pass from Wilson (Hocker Kick)
Ark-Johnson 4 run (Hocker Kick)
Bay-Ganaway 10 run (Jones Kick)
Ark-Hocker 32 FG
Bay-Sampson 6 pass from Griffin (Jones Kick)
Ark-Johnson 71 run (Hocker Kick)
Bay-Williams 11 pass from Griffin (Jones Kick)
Ark-Hocker 38 FG
Bay-Ganaway 62 run (Jones Kick)
Ark-Hamilton 5 pass from Wilson (Hocker Kick)
Bay-Ganaway 63 run (Jones Kick)
Bay-Ganaway 6 pass from Griffin (Jones Kick)
Ark-Adams 1 pass from Wilson (Hocker Kick)
Bay-Ganaway 58 run (Jones Kick)
Bay-Wright 11 pass from Griffin (Jones Kick)
Ark-Wright 35 pass from Wilson (Hocker Kick)
Bay-Jones 29 FG
Bay-Jones 22 FG
Bay-Ganaway 57 run (Jones Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Ark-Johnson-16-118-2 (132-854-7), Wingo-9-40-0 (115-539-3), Wilson-9-5-0 (74-(-35)-4)
Bay-Ganaway-28-399-5 (285-1,955-24), Griffin-18-73-0 (197-765-9), Martin-9-35-0 (55-346-3)

Passing
Ark-Wilson-50-30-403-4-2 (491-311-4,123-29-8)
Bay-Griffin-24-18-237-4-0 (418-303-4,573-42-7)

Receiving
Ark-Wright-6-128-1 (74-1,220-12), Adams-5-62-1 (58-745-4), Hamilton-5-53-2 (39-600-5), Childs-4-63-0 (24-342-1), Johnson-4-45-0 (29-318-2), Wingo-3-31-0 (23-225-2), Gragg-2-13-0 (44-515-2), Wade-1-8-0 (11-93-2)
Bay-Wright-7-98-1 (116-1,823-15), Williams-5-56-1 (62-1,039-12), Reese-3-64-0 (52-947-7), Ganaway-2-13-1 (9-72-3), Sampson-1-6-1 (40-553-4)

2011 NCAA Quarterfinal-Wisconsin-29, South Carolina-17

Columbia, SC-Wisconsin RB James White spent most of 2011 overshadowed by his superstar backfield mate, Heisman finalist Montee Ball, but in this one he was the star, running for 109 yards and scoring twice in the Badgers 29-17 victory over South Carolina. White scored on a 2-yard run to give Wisconsin a 14-3 first quarter lead, then added a 16-yard TD catch in the third quarter that put the Badgers up by 16. Russell Wilson was once again efficient for Wisconsin, completing 16 of 22 with 2 TD.

South Carolina got 97 yards on the ground from Marcus Lattimore, but struggled to play from behind all afternoon. The (13-2) Badgers advance to the NCAA Semifinals with the victory.


Wisconsin Badgers.......(13-2)-14-5-7-3-29
South Carolina Gamecocks.(11-3)-3-7-0-7-17

Wis-Pedersen 5 pass from Wilson (French Kick)
USC-Wooten 21 FG
Wis-White 2 run (French Kick)
Wis-French 38 FG
Wis-Safety, Shaw sacked by Ontko in end zone
USC-Anderson 33 pass from Shaw (Wooten Kick)
Wis-White 16 pass from Wilson (French Kick)
Wis-French 32 FG
USC-Jones 4 pass from Shaw (Wooten Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Wis-White-16-109-1 (162-845-7), Ball-27-80-0 (327-1,903-33), Wilson-10-11-0 (92-345-5)
USC-Lattimore-22-97-0 (211-1,037-13), Shaw-17-61-0 (148-566-7), Wilds-8-18-0 (128-614-3), Miles-1-0-0 (40-137-0)

Passing
Wis-Wilson-22-16-210-2-0 (335-246-3,361-36-3)
USC-Shaw-20-13-190-2-0 (207-136-1,517-15-6)

Receiving
Wis-Toon-4-78-0 (63-940-11), Pedersen-4-32-1 (37-402-9), Abbrederis-3-31-0 (57-894-7), White-2-31-1 (19-194-1), Ball-2-19-0 (25-300-6), Duckworth-1-19-0 (19-282-1)
USC-Jeffrey-3-62-0 (51-706-7), Anderson-3-48-1 (10-215-4), Lattimore-2-40-0 (22-224-1), Sanders-2-24-0 (30-390-3), Cunningham-2-12-0 (19-151-1), Jones-1-4-1 (14-162-2)

2011 NCAA Quarterfinals

Here are our quarterfinal matchups for the tournament.

2011 NCAA Quarterfinals

Friday, December 23, 2011
4:30 pm EST-#10 Wisconsin (12-2) at #9 South Carolina (11-2)
8 pm EST-#12 Baylor (10-3) at #6 Arkansas (11-2)

Saturday, December 24, 2011
12:30 pm EST-#16 Georgia (11-3) at #2 Alabama (12-1)
4 pm EST-#14 Oklahoma (10-3) at #4 Stanford (12-1)

The final 8 teams feature 4 teams from the mighty SEC, with only top-ranked LSU knocked out in the first round (by another SEC team, no less). Only 3 of the 8 home teams managed wins in the first round.

2011 NCAA First Round Playoff-Stanford-38, Michigan-21

Stanford, CA-Stanford jumped out to a 28-0 lead using a ground game that wore out the Michigan front, eventually cruising to a 38-21 lead. Stepfan Taylor led the way for the Cardinal by running for 172 yards and 2 TD. Andrew Luck completed his first 9 passes, finishing 20 of 28 for 242 yards. The Stanford defense spent the evening focused on Wolverines QB Denard Robinson, limiting him to 32 yards on the ground, sacking him 5 times and intercepting him twice.

Michigan was led by 122 yards on the ground from Fitzgerald Toussaint. Stanford will host Oklahoma in the quarterfinal round.






Michigan Wolverines...(10-3)-0-7-7-7-21
Stanford Cardinal...(12-1)-7-21-0-10-38

Sta-Taylor 5 run (Williamson Kick)
Sta-Fleener 12 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)
Sta-Taylor 35 run (Williamson Kick)
Sta-Luck 6 run (Williamson Kick)
Mic-Koger 52 pass from Robinson (Gibbons Kick)
Mic-Shaw 3 run (Gibbons Kick)
Sta-Williamson 24 FG
Mic-Robinson 2 run (Gibbons Kick)
Sta-Toilolo 17 pass from Luck (Williamson Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Mic-Toussaint-22-122-0 (196-1,133-9), Robinson-31-32-1 (239-1,195-17), Smith-9-31-0 (58-327-2), Shaw-4-12-1 (35-211-4)
Sta-Taylor-21-172-2 (228-1,325-10), Gaffney-9-15-0 (79-460-7), Luck-8-4-1 (51-151-3), Hewitt-1-0-0 (11-35-0)

Passing
Mic-Robinson-18-10-165-1-2 (255-143-2,221-19-16)
Sta-Luck-28-20-242-2-1 (401-281-3,412-37-10)

Receiving
Mic-Gallon-4-57-0 (34-507-3), Koger-2-71-1 (23-306-5), Roundtree-2-26-0 (20-371-2), Smith-1-11-0 (11-153-2), Toussaint-1-0-0 (6-14-1)
Sta-Fleener-4-66-1 (36-714-11), Owusu-4-34-0 (39-410-2), Taylor-4-31-0 (26-192-2), Toilolo-3-40-1 (27-365-7), Whalen-3-37-0 (52-701-4), Hewitt-1-25-0 (34-302-5), Gaffney-1-9-0 (12-72-1)

2011 Final Standings

These are the final standings for the 2011 NFL Season.

Week 17

Team...Record...Point Differential

1. Green Bay Packers..........(15-1)...(+201)
2. New Orleans Saints.........(13-3)...(+208)
3. New England Patriots.......(13-3)...(+171)
4. San Francisco 49ers........(13-3)...(+151)
5. Baltimore Ravens...........(12-4)...(+112)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers........(12-4)....(+98)
7. Houston Texans.............(10-6)...(+103)
8. Detroit Lions..............(10-6)....(+87)
9. Atlanta Falcons............(10-6)....(+52)
10. Cincinnati Bengals..........(9-7)....(+21)
11. Tennessee Titans............(9-7).....(+8)
12. New York Giants.............(9-7).....(-6)

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out Philadelphia Eagles.........(8-8)....(+68)
out San Diego Chargers..........(8-8)....(+29)

The final week's action knocked out the Cowboys and Jets, with the Giants and Titans replacing them in the postseason. Here are the postseason matchups for the Wild Card round.

New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions

It may be a few years before we get to 2011 on this blog, but, when we do, these will be the seeds for the postseason.

2011 NCAA First Round Playoff-Oklahoma-66, Oklahoma State-63

Stillwater, OK-When I first played this game, I thought the result was so ridiculous that it seemed too implausible. Then, the bowl season happened, and this game seems quite appropriate. Oklahoma battled back from a 35-7 deficit in the second quarter and overcame 5 Landry Jones interceptions and 649 yards of offense from the Cowboys in posting a wild 66-63 road win in the postseason. The Sooners rolled up 699 yards of their own, scoring 45 points in the second half. Jones threw for 459 yards and 6 TD, 180 of those yards to Ryan Broyles on 11 receptions. Roy Finch added 173 yards on the ground for the Sooners.

Brandon Weeden threw for 488 yards and 6 TD in a losing cause. Justin Blackmon had 11 receptions and 3 TD for Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma Sooners.......(10-3)-7-14-21-24-66
Oklahoma State Cowboys.(11-2)-14-28-7-14-63

OSU-Blackmon 6 pass from Weeden (Sharp Kick)
OSU-Randle 4 run (Sharp Kick)
OU-Reynolds 19 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
OSU-Anyiam 11 pass from Weeden (Sharp Kick)
OSU-Randle 2 run (Sharp Kick)
OSU-Anyiam 18 pass from Weeden (Sharp Kick)
OU-Hanna 3 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
OSU-Blackmon 3 pass from Weeden (Sharp Kick)
OU-Reynolds 37 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
OU-Clay 7 run (Hunnicutt Kick)
OU-Stills 7 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)
OU-Whaley 1 run (Hunnicutt Kick)
OSU-Horton 12 pass from Weeden (Sharp Kick)
OU-Hunnicutt 39 FG
OSU-Blackmon 6 pass from Weeden (Sharp Kick)
OU-Broyles 43 pass from Jones (Pass Failed)
OU-Finch 2 run (Jones to Stills)
OSU-Randle 35 run (Sharp Kick)
OU-Broyles 1 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
OU-Finch-22-173-1 (127-774-4), Whaley-10-54-1 (123-681-10), Clay-1-7-1 (67-237-2), Jones-5-6-0 (33-(-10)-2)
OSU-Randle-19-98-3 (217-1,291-26), Smith-5-61-0 (95-706-9), Sims-2-2-0 (33-244-2)

Passing
OU-Jones-48-32-459-6-5 (585-371-4,761-34-19)
OSU-Weeden-55-37-488-6-3 (577-416-4,816-40-15)

Receiving
OU-Broyles-11-180-2 (94-1,337-12), Stills-6-82-1 (64-900-9), Reynolds-4-101-2 (45-816-7), Hanna-4-36-1 (29-399-3), Finch-4-34-0 (38-330-0), Miller-2-19-0 (24-264-1), Whaley-1-7-0 (16-160-0)
OSU-Blackmon-11-117-3 (124-1,453-18), Cooper-7-74-0 (71-734-3), Moore-5-64-0 (50-736-4), Anyiam-4-63-2 (31-433-5), Randle-4-39-0 (42-277-2), Anderson-3-72-0 (29-377-4), Horton-2-41-1 (6-142-1), Chelf-1-18-0 (17-212-0)

2011 After Week 16

2011 Playoff seeds after Week 16's action.

Week 16

Team...Record...Point Differential

1. Green Bay Packers.........(14-1)...(+197)
2. New Orleans Saints........(12-3)...(+180)
3. San Francisco 49ers.......(12-3)...(+144)
4. New England Patriots......(12-3)...(+143)
5. Baltimore Ravens..........(11-4)...(+104)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers.......(11-4)....(+94)
7. Houston Texans............(10-5)...(+104)
8. Detroit Lions.............(10-5)....(+91)
9. Atlanta Falcons............(9-6)....(+31)
10. Cincinnati Bengals.........(9-6)....(+29)
11. Dallas Cowboys.............(8-7)....(+39)
12. New York Jets..............(8-7)....(+16)

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out Tennessee Titans...........(8-7).....(+7)
out New York Giants............(8-7)....(-23)

All 12 teams who were in last week are still in this week. There are six different 8-7 teams fighting for 2 spots. There are two games involving ranked opponents; #8 Detroit traveling to #1 Green Bay, and #5 Baltimore visiting #10 Cincinnati.