Monday, September 24, 2012

MAS NFL Regional Rankings - Week 3

The Eagles lost to Arizona last week eliminating all MAS regional teams from the unbeaten ranks.  Five of the seven teams sport 2-1 records.  The only regional head-to-head match-up this week includes the New York Giants traveling to Philadelphia.



This Week
Last Week
Baltimore Ravens
2-1
Cleveland (0-3)
W –  New England 31-30
Buffalo Bills
2-1
New England (1-2)
W –  Cleveland 24-14
New York Giants
2-1
@Philadelphia (2-1)
W –  Carolina 36-7
New York Jets
2-1
San Francisco (2-1)
W –  Miami 23-20 OT
Philadelphia Eagles
2-1
New York Giants (2-1)
L –  Arizona 27-6
Pittsburgh Steelers
1-2
Bye
L –  Oakland 34-31
Washington Redskins
1-2
@Tampa Bay (1-2)
L –  Cincinnati 38-31

MAS NCAA Football Regional Rankings - Week 4

This week the top ranked team from the region, West Virginia, plays host to undefeated Baylor in their first ever Big 12 conference game.  The only MAS region head-to-head match-up pits #5 Connecticut against #13 Buffalo.  Five local teams are idle, including #2 Rutgers.



LW
Ranking
This Week
Last Week
1. West Virginia
3-0
1
Baylor (3-0)
W – Maryland 31-21
2. Rutgers
4-0
2
Idle
W – Arkansas 35-26
3. Virginia Tech
3-1
4
Cincinnati (DC) 2-0
W –  Bowling Green 37-0
4. Penn State
2-2
6
@Illinois (2-2)
W – Temple 24-13
5. UConn
2-2
3
Buffalo 1-2
L –  W Michigan 30-24
6. Virginia
2-2
5
La Tech 3-0        
L – TCU 27-2
7. Pitt
2-2
7
Idle
W – Gardner-Webb 55-10
8. Maryland
2-2
8
Idle
L – West Virginia 31-21
9. Marshall
2-2
9
@ Purdue 2-1
W – Rice 54-51 2OT
10. Temple
1-2
10
Idle
L – Penn State 24-13       
11. Syracuse
1-3
11
Idle
L – Minnesota 17-10
12. Navy
1-2
13
San Jose St. (3-1)
W – VMI 41-3
13. Buffalo
1-2
12
@ UConn 2-2
L – Kent State 23-7
14. Army
0-3
14
Stony Brook 3-1
L – Wake Forest 49-37

Thursday, September 20, 2012

MAS NFL Regional Rankings - Week 2

The Philadelphia Eagles are the only remaining undefeated NFL team in the Mid-Atlantic Sports region after beating the Ravens 24-23.



This Week
Last Week
Philadelphia Eagles
2-0
@Arizona (2-0)
W – Baltimore 24-23
Baltimore Ravens
1-1
New England (1-1)
L – Philadelphia 24-23
Buffalo Bills
1-1
@Cleveland (0-2)
W – Kansas City 35-17
New York Giants
1-1
@Carolina (1-1) 9/20
W – Tampa Bay 41-34
New York Jets
1-1
@Miami (1-1)
L – Pittsburgh 27-10
Pittsburgh Steelers
1-1
@Oakland (0-2)
W – NY Jets 27-10
Washington Redskins
1-1
Cincinnati (1-1)
L – St. Louis 31-28

Sunday, September 16, 2012

MAS NCAA Football Regional Rankings - Week 3

Our first Mid-Atlantic Sports regional rankings have West Virginia at the top of the charts.  Rutgers, UConn, Virginia Tech, and Virginia round out the top five.  There are two MAS head-to-head match-ups this week. West Virginia hosts Maryland and Temple travels to Penn State.




This Week
Last Week
1. West Virginia
2-0
Maryland (2-1)
W – James Madison 42-14
2. Rutgers
3-0
@Arkansas (1-2)
W – USF 23-13
3. UConn 
2-1
@W Michigan (1-2)
W – Maryland 24-21
4. Virginia Tech 
2-1
Bowling Green (1-2)
L – Pitt 35-17
5. Virginia 
2-1
@TCU (2-0)
L – Georgia Tech 56-20
6. Penn State 
1-2
Temple (1-1)
W – Navy 34-7
7. Pitt 
1-2
Gardner-Webb (0-3)
W – Virginia Tech 35-17
8. Maryland 
2-1
@WVU (2-0)
L – UConn 24-21
9. Marshall 
1-2
@Rice (1-2)
L – Ohio 27-24
10. Temple 
1-1
@Penn State (1-2)
Idle
11. Syracuse
1-2
@Minnesota (3-0)
W – Stony Brook 28-17
12. Buffalo
1-1
Kent State (1-1) 9/20
Idle
13. Navy
0-2
VMI (1-2)
L – Penn State 34-7
14. Army
0-2
@Wake Forest (2-1)
L – N Illinois 41-40

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Navy at Penn State - 4th Quarter

Mike Hull recovered a Navy fumble and ran it back 74 yards for a Penn State touchdown to start the fourth quarter.  The last time a Penn State player returned a fumble for a TD was NaVorro Bowman in 2009.

Gee Gee Greene capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a with a 12-yard TD run for Navy to cut the lead to 34-7.

Penn State was forced to punt on their next drive.

Brandon Turner from Navy was the recipient of a tipped pass, a 28 yard catch from John Hendrick.  Navy converted another fourth down with a 21-yard pass to Bo Snelson to the Penn State 14.  Navy turned the ball over on downs at the Penn State 6-yard line while trying to convert yet another fourth down.

Penn State punted and time ran out on Navy.

Today's final - Penn State 34 - Navy 7

Navy at Penn State - 3rd Quarter

Navy started off the second half with some trickery.  Trey Miller pitched the ball to Casey Bolena who then threw a 33-yard pass to Shawn Lynch to the Penn State 42.  Navy's drive stalled on a fourth down fumble by Miller.

Penn State was forced to punt for the first time on their first drive of the second half.

Navy picked up a big fourth down conversion when John Howell ran for 18 yards to the Penn State 39 yard line.  Fullback Prentice Christian picked up another fourth down conversion with a 5-yard run to the Penn State 29.  The drive stalled with 4:07 left on the clock.  Navy was attempting their third fourth down conversion of the drive when Miller was called for intentional grounding on the Navy 44.

Penn State handed off three straight times to Michael Zordich and drove to the Navy 25.  On the next play, Matt McGloin's pass was tipped into the arms of Alan Robinson who caught his third TD of the game.

Keenan Reynolds took over the reigns at QB for Navy on their next drive.  The fourth down conversion attempts continued on their next drive.  Reynolds converted a fourth and one on the Navy 31.  Reynolds then broke off a 30 yard run and the quarter ended with Penn State leading 27-0.

Navy at Penn State - 2nd Quarter

Penn State started the second quarter with a 90 yard drive.  The Nittany Lions capped off the drive with a 2-yard pass from Matt McGloin to Alan Robinson, his second of the afternoon.  Sam Ficken missed the PAT and Penn State led 20-0.

Trey Miller fumbled to end Navy's next drive.

Penn State drove inside Navy's 10-yard line on their next possession, but turned the ball over on downs.

The half ended, putting a halt to Navy's final possession of the first half.

Navy at Penn State - 1st Quarter

Penn State jumped out to an early lead behind Matt McGloin and Alan Robinson.  On their first drive, McGloin connected with Robinson for 45 yards after a Navy defender fell down.  Two plays later, McGloin connected with Jesse James for a 2-yard TD pass.

Following a Navy punt, McGloin connected with Robinson again, this time for a 45-yard touchdown.

Navy threatened on their second possession, driving to the Penn State 11.  On third down, Trey Miller was picked off by Gerald Hodges.

The quarter ended with Penn State in possession deep in their own territory.

Navy at Penn State Pregame

It's a beautiful sunny day in State College.  It's Military Appreciation Day in Happy Valley.

The Mids that made the trip from Annapolis are wearing their dress whites.  They probably feel a little like Air Force as high as they're sitting in Beaver Stadium.

Penn State kicker Sam Ficken received a standing ovation each time he made a kick in warm-ups.

Penn State won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

Five Key Match Ups for Penn State and Navy

Navy and Penn State go head-to-head in a must win game for both programs.  Five match-ups will be instrumental in deciding the outcome of the game.

1.  Trey Miller (Navy QB) vs. Deion Barnes and Sean Stanley (Penn State DEs)

The Navy offense will play as well as Trey Miller plays.  Miller's reads on Barnes and Stanley will be key to keeping the Navy running game successful and keeping the chains moving.  Miller carried the ball 20 times against Notre Dame but gained only 46 yards.  Barnes and Stanley must play disciplined football and contain Miller or Navy could be off to the races.

2.  Noah Copeland (Navy FB) vs. Jordan Hill (Penn State DT)

Navy's offense begins with the fullback Noah Copeland.  Copeland is a powerful runner with deceptive speed.  Against Notre Dame two weeks ago, the Irish contained Copeland and held him to 29 yards on six carries.  Jordan Hill's focus will be to use his 292 pound frame to keep Copeland from reaching the linebackers and allowing them to focus on running backs Gee Gee Greene and John Howell.

3.  Sam Ficken (Penn State K) vs. Sam Ficken's Head

This game could be a close one and Penn State must be able to rely on kicker Sam Ficken.  Last week at Virginia Ficken missed four field goals and had an extra point blocked.  After a week of outrageous comments and posts in numerous social networking sites, Ficken has the chance to redeem himself in they eyes of the Penn State faithful by giving Penn State scoring options other than touchdowns.

4.  Shawn Lynch and Casey Bolena (Navy WRs) vs.  Malcolm Willis and Stephen Obeng-Agayapong (Penn State DBs)

Everyone knows that Navy wants to run the football - and Navy WILL run the football.  They are perennial NCAA rushing leaders and have played entire games without attempting a pass.  With such a XXX to run the football, when they decide to pass the defense is often caught off guard.  With Lynch and Bolena's main job as run blockers, they are both capable of making big plays through the air.  Penn State's DBs can't be caught off guard just because the pair has only 11 career receptions.

5.  Matt McGloin (Penn State QB) vs. Tra'ves Bush (Navy DB)

Matt McGloin has become Penn State's fiery leader on offense and will be a challenge for the Navy defense.  With the loss of Silas Redd at running back, McGloin has assumed a larger role in the Nittany Lions' offense.  He has thrown 83 passes already this year and Tra'ves Bush will have his hands full.  Bush comes into the game with 156 career tackles and three interceptions.  Navy does not play well from behind and Navy must keep the game close and not give up big plays through the air.