Football 2015 - Week 5

Here we are already at the midpoint of the high school football regular season. Bishop Kenny continued their winning ways with a come from behind victory 14-13 over Baker County at home. It was their third straight victory. The Crusaders scored first and last in this defensive battle. Kenny trailed the Wildcats 13-7 at halftime and after three quarters. The winning score was an 11 yard pass in the fourth quarter. This win brings BK to a 3-2, 1-0. Next is a home non-district game against the Yulee Hornets.


As expected, Bell lost their opening district game to Coppell 42-10. The Raiders scored their 10 points in the first half then were shutout the rest of the game. It was 28-10 at the half. The Cowboys had almost 200 more total yards. Bell punted six times, Coppell once. Seems to be a slight third down conversion problem. The Blue Raiders are now a perfect 0-5, 0-1 for the season. They now have an away district game against the Richland Rebels. Don't get your hopes up. 

Saturday proved to be a pretty exciting day. South Florida had the week off, that was not the exciting part.

In an SEC game, Florida hosted Tennessee at The Swamp. To be honest, I didn't have a lot of confidence in the Gators. They have been erratic and lucky in their past games this season and the Vols were supposed to be improved this year. These are two SEC East teams that have been less than stellar the past few years. Tennessee much longer than Florida. At one time when Spurrier and Fulmer were the head coaches, this was the SEC rivalry. With this game, Florida has won the last 11 meetings between the schools. On to this years game.  The Gators scored first with a TD but then Tennessee scored the next 20 points to lead 20-7. Florida pulled to within six at 20-14 before the Volunteers scored another TD with about 10 minutes remaining to lead 27-14. It didn't look good for the home team. The Gators scored with four minutes to go to pull to within 27-21 and then a miracle 63 yard pass play with 1:46 on the clock put Florida ahead 28-27. It wasn't over yet. Tennessee got to the Florida 37 yard line with 00:03 remaining in the game. They badly missed a 55 yard field goal attempt but McElwain had called timeout before the kick. The next FG attempt was so close that Tennessee coach Butch Jones thought they made it. Thankfully they didn't. The game wound up statistically even. Tennessee won the rushing game and Florida won the passing game. Amazingly Florida is 4-0, 1-0 but it gets even tougher now. They next host  #3 Mississippi at The Swamp. 

In many ways the #3 TCU at Texas Tech game was even more exciting. Even though TCU is ranked #3 by the AP, they have had some struggles in their previous three games and have suffered some key injuries as well as some disciplinary suspensions.This was also an instate Big 12 (which has only 10 teams) conference game. This post is not big enough to detail all the scores. There were 107 points scored, including a safety. TCU had 750 yards of offense, 503 thru the air. Tech had over 600 yards total, almost 400 passing. Amazingly there were no turnovers. Frogs QB, Trevon Boykin, accounted for 527 yards plus a pass reception (yes, reception) on a two point conversion. Great numbers but actually a rather uneven performance. TCU led 33-28 after the first 30 minutes. It was Frogs by two, remember that safety, 40-38 at the ¾  point. Then it got really interesting. Tech took the lead 45-40 early in the fourth quarter. TCU regained the lead, then the Red Raiders, then the Frogs for one final time. The game ended 55-52 in TCUs favor. Their last TD was a miracle. It was a four yard pass from Boykin to Green but Green was not the intended receiver. The pass bounced off intended receiver Doctson's hands and Green saved it at the very back of the endzone. The clock was at 00:23. The victory was still not sealed. In the 23 remaining seconds, Tech got to the Frogs 10 yard line on one of those pass plays that with three laterals after the catch. Once again TCU escaped with a victory. They are now 4-0, 1-0. Next game is back in Fort Worth against 1-3, 0-1 Texas in a conference game.

Besides the Florida-Tennessee thriller, the SEC had an OT win in the Texas A&M vs Arkansas game at AT&T Stadium (Jerry's World). The Aggies scored a TD with under three minutes in regulation, scored a two point conversion for the tie, missed a last second FG for the win but then won it in OT 28-21. SEC teams were 4-0 in non-conference games. In the latest AP Top 25 poll, there are three SEC teams in the top 10, five in the top 15 and seven in the top 25. The big surprise is that the Florida Gators are at number 25. 

After last week's 3-0 record in the pros, it got back to normal. The Jaguars had the unenviable task of traveling to Foxborough to play the Patriots. I had a feeling this might get ugly and the Jags didn't disappoint. Jacksonville was never in the game and lost 51-17. New England had 471 total yards, 346 passing. Brady threw for two TD as did Bortles who also had an interception. Jax was held to 57 ground yards, their longest run was eight yards.The Jaguars also had over 100 yards of penalties, not good for an offensively challenged team. The loss moves Jax to 1-2. Next up is at Indianapolis. That should be a little easier game.

Tampa Bay kept the score closer but it was the same result. They lost at Houston 19-9, The Bucs led at halftime 9-7 but like last year, folded in the second half. Jameis Winston had a mediocre game going 17/36 with one TD and one interception. The Bucs rushed for only 57 yards. The Texans had the ball over 12 minutes longer than TB. That's no way to keep a defensive unit fresh. The Buccaneers fall to 1-2 and now are back home to host the 3-0 Panthers.

It was looking like I would go 0-3 in NFL games. Atlanta fell behind Dallas 28-17 at the half but then just dominated the second half for a 39-28 victory. The Cowboys were without starting QB tony Romo and top receiver Dez Bryant so the Falcons win isn't a total surprise but it still counts. Atlanta QB, Matt Ryan, had a good game going 24/36 for 285 yards and two TDs. Running back Devonta Freeman rushed for 141 yards and three TDs. The Falcons are undefeated at 3-0. They continue the Texas connection with a home game against Houston.

Overall my teams were 4-3 with one bye. Not bad and about what I expect. I am still amazed that the Gators cracked the AP Top 25. This may be a one week situation.

wjh