Monday, December 26, 2005

DCS National Championship Tournament Semifinal Results
The semifinals of my college football tournament are in the books. Here are the recaps of two great football games. If you missed them here are the first round and the quarterfinals

Oregon vs. USC
The Ducks had revenge on their minds heading into this game. In September the Trojans handed the Ducks their only defeat of the season 45-13 in Eugene. Today's game was a spectacular back and forth affair highlighted by the outstanding play of the two quarterbacks, Oregon's Dennis Dixon and Matt Leinhart of USC. Dixon had a career day completing 29 of 39 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Leinhart finished 23 of 34 for 319 and three touchdowns. Going into the fourth quarter the Ducks held a 31-28 lead, however a 76 yard drive capped by a Reggie Bush touchdown gave USC a 35-31 lead with nine minutes left to play. Oregon responded with a 68 yard drive capped by an eight yard pass from Dixon to James Finley with 5:30 left in the game. Reggie Bush returned the ensuing kickoff the USC 45 yard line. USC relied on it's ground and the tired Oregon defense could not stop USC. With 2:30 left in the game Lendale White scored the go ahead touchdown. The Ducks mishandled the ensuing kickoff and were forced to start at their own 5 yard line. Dixon played with the poise of a fifth year senior driving them all the way to the one yard line with three seconds left. Trailing 42-38 they needed a touchdown, Dixon kept the ball and went off the left tackle and was stood up at about the two inch line, freshman running back Jonathan Stewart tried his very best to push Dixon across the goal line but it wasn't enough. Final score USC 42 Oregon 38.

Penn State vs. Georgia
While the first game was highlighted by two high octane offenses, defense was the story of this game. With three minutes left and Penn State clinging to a 14-10 lead Georgia began their last drive from their own 27. Georgia took the ball all the way to the Penn State nine yard line. On third and goal with thirty second left Georgia Quarterback DJ Shockley threw towards the corner of the end zone only to be picked off by Penn State senior corner Adam Zamaitis. Final Score Penn State 14 Georgia 10.


The Championship game is set. Stay tuned for the first ever DCS National Championship game sponsored by whatever type of beer I have in my fridge, to be played January 2, 2006 in my living room on my X-Box.

2 comments:

Aaron Geist said...

Sorry that the ducks lost.

Chris Steele said...

Go Trojans.