Broadside Sports

Ryan Dempsey. Staff Writer

NCAA Football Top 25
This past weekend featured some major games in college football. Some could determine a team’s placement in bowl games, while others could cost some teams a bowl game appearance. One of the most exciting games was when 11th-ranked Ohio State University (9-2, 6-1) upset tenth ranked University of Iowa (9-2, 5-2), 27-24. Another exciting game came as the University of Stanford (7-3, 6-2) went on the road to defeat ninth-ranked University of Southern California (7-3, 4-3) 55 to 21.

Notably, the University of Southern Florida (6-4, 4-2) defeated 15th-ranked Houston University 37-32, while the University of North Carolina (7-3, 3-3) defeated 14th-ranked University of Miami (FL) (7-3, 4-3) by a score of 33-24.

NFL
This past weekend in the NFL, there were games that were exciting, boring and just plain expected. We all knew that the Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) game was going to be one of tough defense and sure will, but I do not think anyone expected the Steelers’ to lack a touchdown the whole game. It was apparent that the Bengals were a better team as they defeated the Steelers 18-12 and remained unbeaten in conference play.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) also had a close game against the New York Jets (4-5), winning by a game-ending field goal for a final score of 24-22. Jacksonville’s running back, Maurice Jones-Drew saw a clear path to the end zone but fought the urge to cross the goal line. Jones-Drew took a knee at the one-yard line to keep the clock running and allowed kicker Josh Scobee to kick the game-winning field goal.

“Sorry to my fantasy owners,” Jones-Drew stated. “I apologize. I had myself today. It was a tough call, but whatever it takes to get the victory, that’s what counts.” Jones-Drew’s restraint showed his devotion to his team over his personal statistics, exemplifying the caliber of his game.

“Smartest play of the game,” said Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. “That’s an MVP play right there.” The Jets have continued to struggle, losing their last three home games, and losing five of their last six.

The play of the week came during the Washington Redskins (3-6) win over the Denver Broncos (6-3) with a final score of 27-17. In the second quarter of the game, the Redskins faced fourth-and-20 at the 35, and the Redskins had already showed a fake by splitting tight end Todd Yoder wide as a receiver in a field-goal formation. Even though the Broncos were aware of the fake, and despite needing 20 yards, the Redskins still decided to run the ball in motion. Kicker Hunter Smith took the snap, rolled right and lobbed the ball deep across the field to fullback Mike Sellers for the touchdown to tie the score at 14.

The importance of the win came later yesterday afternoon, as the two other division teams playing, the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, lost their respective games. The Cowboys’ loss sets up a showdown as the Redskins go to Dallas to play their biggest rivals.

Other notable games were the New Orleans Saints narrowly defeating the Saint Louis Rams, and the Miami Dolphins kicking a last second field goal to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Due to production constraints, later Sunday games are not able to be included.