Rosenbaum's Rousers: College Football Week #1

In my opinion, nothing can match the passion, tradition, and pageantry of college football. There are always particular games, plays and players that "rouse" us for various reasons. It may be a shocking upset. You might have seen a play that you’ve never witnessed before. Or it could be that you saw an individual performance that captivated your attention. Whatever the case may be, you have to love the uncertainty and exhilarating thrill of college football. This is unless of course you’re on the losing end of one of these major upsets or great games, OR perhaps were victimized by a particular unorthodox play or outstanding individual performance, OR had a major speed bump thrown in your team’s path by a severe injury to a key player.

Each week, I will note a few of the things that "roused" me and demanded my attention from the previous weekend’s action.

Watching A Game At An Academy: Appreciation and Respect

First and foremost, the biggest thing that garnered my attention in week one was the experience of watching a game at the Naval Academy. I was fortunate enough to attend the East Carolina game, and witness one of college football’s greatest traditions. This is the Midshipmen participating in their "March On" prior to the game, during which the leaders of the various companies are recognized.

The East Carolina fans and of course the Navy fans gave standing ovations to all of these young men who so bravely defend our nation and us.

These young men and women from the Naval Academy, who pride themselves on honor and integrity, show great sportsmanship by recognizing the opposing team by facing its fans and directing a cheer to them. It was awesome to hear several thousand Midshipmen say, "E-C-U, GOOOOO PIRATES!!!"

What was more awesome though, is knowing what all of these young people are laying on the line for each and everyone of us. They may very well be fighting wars in the very near future.

I attended the ECU-Army game in 1995 in West Point, and that was an equally impressive experience. Being older this time, though, I had more of an appreciation and respect for things.

Unfortunately my Pirates lost a close ball game, but what I took out of the Navy trip is something that I will never forget. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to attend a game at one of the academies to do so. You won’t regret it.

Buffs battered in Boulder in Hawkins’ debut

It was the first time Colorado had ever faced a 1-AA opponent, but Montana State was able to come into Folsom Field and spoil Dan Hawkins’ debut as the Buffs head coach.

CU led 10-6 at halftime, but MSU would respond with 13 unanswered points in the second half. They didn’t light it up themselves offensively, but they did make the most of their opportunities. This included a field goal that made it a two possession ball game at 19-10, which came following a CU turnover at their own 28.

It seemed strange to see a Dan Hawkins coached team be held to 10 points and 216 total yards, which also included a dismal day through the air (8 of 22 for 110 yards).

I may be wrong, but expect these types of losses to be few and far between in the long run for Hawkins’ and the Buffs. The guy is a winner and I foresee him getting the Buffs back to their past glory days.

Tennessee "Cutcliffes" Cal Defense in Opener

Tennessee was atrocious on offense in 2005, and limped home to a disappointing 5-6 record. This poor performance resulted in Phillip Fulmer needing to make some shakeups in his staff. He relieved former Volunteer quarterback Randy Sanders of his offensive coordinator duties with a couple games remaining, demoting him to quarterbacks coach only. He had worn both titles before.

Desperately needing to light a spark under the offensive, Fulmer turned to a familiar face for help. David Cutcliffe, who had been the offensive coordinator at Tennessee from 1992-1998, was called on to transform the Volunteers offense into one capable of producing SEC and national titles.

During his earlier stint in Knoxville, the Vols went 63-11, winning three SEC East titles, two SEC championships, and the 1998 national title. Following that 1998 season, he bounced to Oxford to become the head coach at Ole Miss.

Cutcliffe tutored the Manning Brothers, Peyton and Eli, and if his offense’s performance versus Cal is any indication, will return the Big Orange to their glory days of the 1990s.

Is "the Roof" falling in Durham?

Don’t you love when you walk directly into a spider web and get it all over your face? Coach Ted Roof and his Blue Devils walked into Richmond’s and had the life squeezed right out of them, at least temporarily.

Ted Roof, entering his third season as head coach in Durham, may be feeling some heat after being "caught in the web" of the Richmond Spiders. The Spiders, who advanced to the I-AA quarterfinals last season and return the majority of their defensive starters, didn’t just beat Duke. They shut them out, winning 13-0 in Wallace Wade Stadium. The UR defense dominated a Duke offense that could only muster 51 yards on the ground.

The Blue Devils have had recruiting classes that have been regarded as being at least in the Top 50 nationally. However, games are obviously not won and lost on paper.

Vikings invade Albuquerque

I-AA Portland State went to New Mexico and defeated the Lobos, 17-6. Despite being severely out gained in total yards, the Vikings took advantage of UNM’s mistakes and came out with the upset. The Lobos turned the ball over three times and were penalized 11 times for 93 yards.

Prince and K-State nearly dethroned by Illinois State

The Wildcats used two special teams touchdowns to avoid an upset loss to the I-AA Redbirds. Kansas State, which had trailed by one at 17-16 with 8:31 left, took a 24-17 lead with a nine-yard return of a fumbled kickoff for a touchdown. Illinois State bounced back as they cut it to 24-23 with 3:02 to play. However, instead of playing for the tie, coach Denver Johnson opted to take the lead via a two-point conversion. The attempt failed allowing Ron Prince and K-State to escape with a win in his Manhattan debut.

Cardinals lose their thoroughbred, Michael Bush, for season

Louisville retained the bragging rights for The Bluegrass State, defeating Kentucky in the opener at Papa Johns Stadium on Sunday.

However, the Cardinals did suffer a big loss on the day. Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Bush ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, but then suffered a season-ending injury during the third quarter. Bush, who opted to return for his senior season and help his Cards compete for Big East and national titles, broke his leg and will be out for the season. He could return next season, if he chooses, following a redshirt this year.

Fortunately for the Cards, they have very good depth at running back with Kolby Smith and George Stripling ready to assume the load that Bush had carried.

Wake beats Syracuse, but loses quarterback Mauk indefinitely

The Demon Deacons defeated Syracuse, 20-10, at Groves Stadium in Winston-Salem on Saturday. However, WFU lost starting quarterback Benjamin Mauk indefinitely after he was injured attempting to recover a fumble midway through the third quarter.

With the game tied at 10 and the Deacons driving inside the Syracuse 20-yard line, Mauk dove head first after a fumble. Wake retained possession and eventually took the lead at 13-10.

Mauk, who suffered a broken arm and dislocated shoulder, thoroughly impressed Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe with the effort.

"It was the most courageous thing I have seen out of a quarterback, ever," head coach Jim Grobe said after the game.