Author: Matt Fargo - Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Inside the Boxscores is a weekly feature from Matt Fargo that has been widely recognized as the best summation in college football. He takes an in-depth look at each game and pulls out the most pertinent information that will help you handicap games in the future. College football is filled with quirky plays, misleading scores and surprise endings. Fargo takes you inside the action.

Boston College 31 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 24

Boston College pulled away to a comfortable 31-10 lead before the Chippewas tried to make a ferocious comeback. Central Michigan stiffened its defense and capitalized with two long touchdown drives that pulled it within a touchdown late. The Chippewas forced another punt and drove down past midfield before an interception ended the game. Boston College finished with just 85 yards rushing on 32 carries (2.7 ypg) but it was still able to win the time of possession by over 10 minutes.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 7 Florida International 6

Defense ruled in this game as no points were scored in the second half. Florida International actually outgained the Blue Raiders 247-175 but after scoring its touchdown on it opening drive, the Golden Panthers were unable to put together a drive longer than 31 yards the rest of the way. Florida International missed an extra point and a field goal which ended up being the difference.

BUFFALO 9 Temple 3

Buffalo outyarded Temple 356-183 but could manage just one field goal in regulation. The Bulls were inside the redzone on three different occasions but missed two short field goals and also fumbled once at the Owls 18-yard line. Temple had a first and goal from the Buffalo two-yard line but couldn't punch it in and had to settle for the game-tying field goal. The Owls were intercepted in overtime on the first possession.

BALL STATE 38 Eastern Michigan 20

Eastern Michigan outgained the Cardinals 435-389 but it turned the ball over on downs twice and had to settle for two short field goals. In total, 256 yards from those four drives resulted in just six points. The Eagles rushed for 226 yards on 38 carries (5.9 ypc) but it was the defense in the second half that could not contain the Cardinals who scored touchdowns in three of four drives to pull away.

Minnesota 44 KENT STATE 0

Minnesota ran all over Kent St. for 322 yards on 55 carries (5.9 ypc) while the defense forced six Golden Flashes turnovers. Kent St. fumbled at the Gophers goal line and missed a 20-yard field goal in successive possessions which could have cut into a 17-0 Minnesota lead. The Gophers were a perfect 6-6 inside the redzone and finished the game 8-11 on third and fourth down.

Northwestern 21 MIAMI-OHIO 3

Northwestern broke a scoreless tie in the third quarter with a blocked punt return for a touchdown which was the first of three straight scoring drives. Miami could only muster one field goal as the Wildcats shutdown the RedHawks rushing offense, allowing just 72 yards on 29 carries (2.5 ypc). Northwestern finished with five sacks and the Miami offense was just 2-14 on third and fourth down.

IOWA STATE 45 Toledo 43

A failed two-point conversion by Toledo in the third overtime was the difference. Iowa St. could have put the game away in regulation but turned the ball over on downs and the Rockets capitalized by driving 79 yards for the tying score. Toledo put up 367 yards through the air but the ground game was held in check, gaining just 45 yards on 27 carries (1.7 ypc). Both teams finished a perfect 5-5 inside the redzone.

South Carolina 15 MISSISSIPPI STATE 0

South Carolina held the Bulldogs to just 161 total yards and 10 first downs to record the shutout. Mississippi St. intercepted the Gamecocks on the first play of the game but missed a field goal on the ensuing drive and then never got closer than the South Carolina 38-yard line the rest of the way. Both rushing games never got going as the Gamecocks ran for just 81 yards while the Bulldogs gained just 79 yards.

Texas-El Paso 34 SAN DIEGO ST 27

The Miners overcame four interceptions and had to hold on after building a 24-point third quarter lead. The Aztecs pulled to within three points and had the ball midway through the fourth quarter with a chance to tie or take the lead but an interception led to a short UTEP touchdown. After a field goal, the Miners were able to run out the clock and preserve the win. The Aztecs outgained the Miners 384-243.

FRESNO STATE 28 Nevada 19

Nevada outgained Fresno St. by 15 yards but after cutting the Bulldogs lead to just two points early in the fourth quarter, it was unable to stop Fresno St. on a long touchdown drive. The Bulldogs rushed for 212 yards on 38 carries (5.6 ypc) and the defense came up with a big 4th down stop late in the final quarter to hang on for the win. Both teams finished 9-15 on third down conversions.

(14) MICHIGAN 27 Vanderbilt 7

Vanderbilt finished with only nine first downs and 171 total yards but still trailed by only six points late in the third quarter before Michigan pulled away. The Wolverines opened the game with an 81-yard touchdown drive but the offense managed only 300 yards the rest of the game. Michigan rushed for 246 yards on 51 carries (4.8 ypc) but the passing game accounted for only 135 yards.

MICHIGAN STATE 27 Idaho 17

Michigan St. put up 400 total yards of offense but it was unable to put away the Vandals until late in the final quarter. Idaho pulled to within a touchdown and stopped the Spartans on 4th down but was unable to capitalize. The Vandals ran more offensive plays and controlled the time of possession but averaged just four yards per play. The Spartans finished just 4-11 on third down conversions.

(3) TEXAS 56 North Texas 7

The Longhorns held North Texas to just six first downs and 95 total yards. The Mean Green were able to score a touchdown in their first drive of the second half but failed to have any other drive more than 20 yards. They finished with just 18 yards in the first half. Texas was very balanced with 212 yards rushing and 198 yards passing and finished a perfect 5-5 in the redzone. North Texas was also hurt by 11 penalties.

(18) CLEMSON 54 Florida Atlantic 6

Clemson outgained the Owls by only 109 total yards but benefited from four turnovers that led to 21 points. The Tigers also returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown. Clemson held Florida Atlantic to just 47 yards rushing on 34 carries (1.4 ypc) and allowed just six points despite four trips in the redzone by the Owls. The Tigers also had four turnovers but Florida Atlantic was unable to take advantage.

(20) NEBRASKA 49 Louisiana Tech 10

The Huskers racked up 584 total yards and six of its seven touchdown drives were 64 yards or more. Louisiana Tech was fortunate to be down by just 11 points at halftime but two turnovers in the third quarter inside Huskers territory killed any chances of a comeback. Nebraska finished with 252 yards rushing on 48 carries (5.2 ypc) while the Bulldogs finished with just 67 yards on 21 carries (3.2 ypc)

Rutgers 21 NORTH CAROLINA 16

North Carolina outgained the Scarlet Knights 403-362 but three turnovers inside the Rutgers 32-yard line killed three scoring chances. The Tar Heels were down by 11 points and driving early in the fourth quarter but fumbled at the Rutgers one-yard line stopping their longest possession of the day. The Scarlet Knights used ball control as they won the TOP battle and had five drives that lasted more than 4:11.

(1) OHIO STATE 35 Northern Illinois 12

Ohio St. jumped out to a 28-0 lead and never looked back. 10 of the 11 Buckeyes possessions crossed midfield but two missed field goals and two fumbles inside the Huskies seven-yard line made the score more respectable than it really was. Northern Illinois finished just 1-13 on third down conversions and its best drive of the game didn't come until the fourth quarter when the game was already decided.

(21) OREGON 48 Stanford 10

The Ducks tallied 534 yards of offense and broke open a close game by scoring the final 31 points. Stanford had plenty of opportunities as it finished only 1-4 inside the redzone and that turned out to be just a field goal. The Cardinals missed two short field goals and turned it over on downs at the Oregon 21-yard line. The Ducks crossed midfield on every possession as it racked up 298 yards rushing on 41 carries (7.3 ypc).

(19) PENN STATE 34 Akron 16

Akron played very tough and trailed by just eight points midway through the third quarter until Penn St. was able to pull away. The Zips finished with more first downs and held the Nittany Lions to 76 yards rushing on 27 carries (2.8 ypc). Akron finished with only 33 rushing yards on 34 carries (1.0 ypc) despite controlling the clock for nearly 16 minutes more. Penn St.'s average starting field position was its own 49-yard line.

WASHINGTON 35 San Jose St 29

San Jose St. nearly pulled off the upset but after pulling to within six points late in the fourth quarter, the Huskies busted off a 68-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach. Washington finished with 300 yards rushing on 41 carries (7.3 ypc) while holding the Spartans to just 50 yards on 29 carries (1.7 ypc). Three Washington turnovers all led to points for San Jose St. but all three were just field goals.

(5) WEST VIRGINIA 42 Marshall 10

West Virginia outgained the Thundering Herd 485-322 thanks to 312 yards rushing on 52 carries (6.0 ypc). Marshall punted in its first four possessions but it was able to cross midfield in seven of its last nine drives but came away with only two scores from it. All of the Mountaineers touchdown drives were at least seven plays long and they were a perfect 6-6 inside the redzone.

WYOMING 38 Utah State 7

Wyoming outyarded Utah St. 460-129 and it held the Aggies to just five first downs. Utah St. scored its only touchdown on an interception return but it was still down by just three points very late in the third quarter. The Cowboys then pulled away with three touchdown drives along with an interception return for a score. Wyoming forced 10 punts while the Aggies finished 1-13 on third and fourth down.

Related Articles:
- Fargo's Look At College Football Results
- Inside College Football Boxscores For Week 4
- College Football Recap - Fargo's Week 3 Review
- College Football - Inside The Boxscores For Week 2
- College Football Preview - East Carolina Pirates
- College Football Handicapping Preview - Mississippi State Bulldogs
- College Football Betting Preview - Miami Ohio Redhawks
- College Football Preview - Illinois Illini

FAVORITE SPORTSBOOKS

BODOG

SPORTSINTERACTION