Two More Bowls With 40-Plussers In Memphis and El Paso

((HT: ESPN))

Logan be Logan and questions, the HQ is sure, will arise about Bud Foster now after what happened in El Paso as UCLA took Virginia Tech from one end of the field to the other in the Sun Bowl.

Brett Hundley ran for 86 yards on one score- good enough to be the longest in Bruin history...and his 387 yards of total offense is the best in school history as well...

Here's Ralph with your wrap
((HT UCLA Athletics))


In Memphis, it was confirmed that Miss State head coach Dan Mullen still has plenty to learn about coaching decorum and the code in the Liberty Bowl- winning 44-7. With the game in hand, Mullen decided to run a trick play to try and get more points on the board.

Thankfully, for karma's sake, it didn't work up 34 at the time...

Here's the game for you to judge


Dak Prescott, pretty much, had his way with the Rice defense- who learned that Conference USA football and Ess-E-Cee football are completely and totally different despite a tremendous year...

Here's Prescott completing a 65-yarder late in the second quarter as Rice's defense over-pursues Jameon Lewis

So, Wait... Who's Bowl-Eligible...???

The short answer is Minnesota, Duke, Tulane, and Rice...

And, no, this is not some kind of pre-Halloween joke or something...

The HQ has always enjoyed Coach Cut's work at Duke... he gets it... and, thankfully, the Athletic Department has had the patience they're supposed to with a program that is a square peg-round hole when it comes to the sport and the kids you can bring in to the program on a yearly basis...

Everyone likes to talk about "signature wins" and all that stuff... a supposed win where your program moves forward past a point of success and a glass ceiling- on to bigger things...

If you believe in those things, then the win over Virginia Tech yesterday in Blacksburg may have been it. There were entirely too many interceptions thrown by Logan Thomas. The Hokies defense kept the football Devils in check (and downright ineffective) in the second half, but the visitors held on.
((HT: ACCDN))


In the B1G, Minnesota either showed everyone how they're progressing as a team- putting the concerns around head coach Jerry Kill aside for another few days- or they exposed Nebraska for the charade they are as a ranked team...

Probably, the latter if you as the HQ (and Tommie Frazier- who went on another Twitter "toldyaso" rant after the game)...
Here's the Tracy Claeys special...
((HT: BTN))


Tulane knocked off Tulsa 14-7 in C-USA play to improve to 6-2 and stay undefeated in division play. The Green Wave are now bowl eligible for the first time since 2002...

It led to song...as it should have...
((HT: Stephen Segari))


And Rice is also 6-2 after taking care of UTEP 45-7. Taylor McHargue threw 4 TD passes and the Miners are now 1-6 on their own. But the cool moment was when 4'9" walk-on Jayson Carter got his first in-game reps...
Evidence below...
((HT: Rice SID))

DEVELOPING: Manziel Suspended For First Half Vs. Rice (UPDATED w/NCAA Response)

((HT: ESPN/McMurphy))

Well, is this the beginning or just the beginning of the end...???

Brett McMurphy is reporting that JFF is suspended for the first half of the Rice matchup...

In an agreement between the NCAA and Texas A&M, the NCAA has acknowledged Manziel did not receive money for signing autographs.

However, after not discussing the matter Tuesday, In the Ess-E-Cee teleconference Wednesday, TAMU head coach Kevin Sumlin ungagged the school-mandated gag order and talked about how his QB has dealt with everything in the off-season...

"Johnny's handled it very well," Sumlin said. "Everything around football, he's been extremely sharp and focused."

The HQ would like to remind everyone of the following 2 words: "Plausible deniability..."

Here's your flashback involving Jack Ford talking with Tim Brando about JFF...
((HT: CBS Sports))


More when we know more...

From the NCAA their own selves...

Texas A&M University and the NCAA confirmed today that there is no evidence that quarterback Johnny Manziel received money in exchange for autographs, based on currently available information and statements by Manziel. Due to an inadvertent violation regarding the signing of certain autographs, Texas A&M declared Manziel ineligible and submitted the following conditions for reinstatement to the NCAA:

A one-half game suspension for Manziel

Manziel will address the team regarding the situation and lessons learned

Texas A&M will revise its future education concerning student-athlete autographs for individuals with multiple items

Based on the information submitted by the university, the NCAA accepted the conditions as put forward by Texas A&M. If additional information comes to light, the NCAA will review and consider if further action is appropriate.

NCAA rules are clear that student-athletes may not accept money for items they sign and based on information provided by Manziel, that did not happen in this case.

TWTW: The Ones Where We Don't Know What To Think- Iowa State, South Florida, Rice

((HT: WHO-TV Des Moines))

The Cy-Hawk game, itself, was astronomically painful- a 9-6 final...
The HQ doesn't know if this is an upset, or just bad football...


The South Florida game was an interesting match-up with Nevada in Reno...
Cody Fajardo was 27-for-38 for 271 yards, but it took a last-second TD pass by the Bulls to steal the win at Chris Ault Field...

Are both teams good and just needed the full 60 minutes to figure out a winner, or are we just fooling ourselves...???
((HT: MyNews4.com Reno))


This next one, the HQ just likes to get a good belly laugh about it...
Rice kicked a last-second field goal to beat Kansas in Lawrence...
Here's the highlights...
((HT: FoxSports))


And here's Charlie Weis talking about it... more laughter...
((HT: TheScotsmanable))

Case Keenum Tosses 9 Touchdown Passes Vs Rice, Cougars Win The "Bayou Bucket"

The game didn't start off so good for the Houston Cougars. UH quarterback Case Keenum threw an interception and had a fumble returned for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Rice Owls built a 17-7 lead.

After spotting the Owls 17 points the Cougars were warmed up. What followed was a offensive pounding of the Rick Krypies and Case Keenum lead the way.

Houston outscored Rice 45-3 well into the third quarter and put up 73 points on Rice. Houston easily won the Battle of the Bayou Bucket 73-34.

Case Keenum's numbers for the game, 24-37 passing for 534 yards and 9 touchdowns. Oh by the way Keenum's fifth touchdown on the night set an Football Bowl Subdivision record for career touchdown passes.

"That was probably the most fun I've ever had playing football" Keenum said in a post-game press conference.

That statement can be filed under "no kidding"

Keenum added, "I told the guys before the game, I kind of like playing in the game. I told the guys to keep playing hard and no matter what, rain, sleet, snow, hail, we got to roll with it"

Here's the highlights of Keenum's record setting performance. (Thanks Fox Sports Houston)