Penn State Football

Former Foes Week 6

Former Foes focuses on the teams Penn State has already played, keeping track of the of the Akrons of college football.

By Galen Oct 7, 2014, 10:32am EDT

UCF (2-2)

Beat Houston (2-3): 17-12

UCF scored 10 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter and then held off Houston by only allowing 2 field goals in the final quarter. It wasn't easy, though; Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was driving for the game-winner late, but as he dove for the endzone, Brandon Alexander hit his arm, forcing a game-ending fumble. Houston had 3 turnovers, including 2 interceptions by John O'Korn, which is still one of the best names for a quarterback.

UCF QB Justin Holman threw only 18 passes, but 2 of them went for touchdowns. He was 6 of 18 for only 101 yards, but he threw no interceptions. Other than that, there were no big stories when it comes to stats. Houston WR Demarcus Ayers caught 7 passes for 90 yards but that was about the biggest numbers for the night.

Up Next: at BYU (4-1)

Akron (3-2)

Beat E Michigan (1-4): 31-6

Eastern Michigan scored the game's first touchdown but would not change the scoreboard the rest of the game, getting destroyed by Akron 31-6. The Zips had 552 yards of total offense, easily beating EMU's 279. Akron QB Kyle Pohl completed 27 of his 40 passes for 326 yards, tossing 2 touchdowns with no picks. Zips WR L.T. Smith caught 10 of those passes for 117 yards and a TD.

Just for fun, senior Eagles QB Rob Bolden went 17 for 30 for 185 yards with 1 TD and 2 picks.

Akron is now back on the right side of .500 after two consecutive wins and they get struggling Miami next.

Up Next: Up Next: Miami (of the Ohio variety) (1-5)

BTPR (5-1)

Beat Michigan (2-4): 26-24

We may have to give Gary Nova some credit here, guys. I know Michigan is slumping, but they came into this contest withe the nation's 9th best defense only giving up 283.4 yards of total defense per contest. Nova went Super on Michigan completing 22 of his 39 passes for 404 yards, 3 touchdowns, and most importantly, no interceptions.

Michigan's Devin Gardner, starting in the place of concussed Shane Morris, played decent completing 13 of his 22 passes for 178 yards and ran the ball 10 times for 40 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Rutgers held a slim 2-point lead with just over 3 minutes to play when Gardner hit Amara Darboh at the Rutgers 30 on 3rd down but Darboh dropped it setting up a long 56-yard field goal attempt. BTPR blocked the attempt, their 40th since 2009, and ran out the clock. The sellout crowd of 52,327 (LOL) stormed the field and sang their alma mater with the team. Aren't they cute at that age?

Next up they get a well-deserved bye before traveling to Columbus to take on Ohio State.

Up Next: Bye

Massachusetts(0-6)

Lost to Miami (of the Ohio variety) (1-5): 42-41

UMass scored 41 points in the first half to take a 41-21 lead at halftime. Then they came out in the second half, didn't score a point and blew the 20-point lead. QB Blake Frohnapfel passed for 255 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first half, then threw a pick in the second as UMass gave up 4 critical turnovers. Miami QB Andrew Hendrix completed 32 of his 48 pass attempts for 437 yards and 4 touchdowns as the two teams combined for 118 pass attempts. Hendrix was also the team's leading rusher gaining 91 yards and the critical go-ahead touchdown with just under 3 minutes to play. UMass drove to the Miami 6, but Frohnapfel completed a 4-yard pass when he needed 6 yards as time expired. UMass has its best chance for victory next week as they take on another team that has yet to win.

Up Next: Kent State (0-5)

Northwestern(3-2)

Beat #17 Wisconsin (3-2): 20-14

Northwestern did just enough to win and Wisconsin shot themselves in the foot enough for the Wildcats to win their 3rd straight game. LSU exposed Wisconsin's horrible passing game in the first game of the season and Northwestern took advantage of it. Badger running back Melvin Gordon had a career-high 259 yards rushing but Northwestern only allowed 1 TD on the ground. Wisconsin QBs Tanner McEvoy and Joel Stave combined for just 138 yards on 12-of-29 passing and threw 4 interceptions.

Northwestern running back Justin Jackson paced the offense for the Wildcats carrying the ball 33 times for 162 yards and QB Trevor Siemian did enough (182 yards, 1 TD) but thew no picks. Northwestern also had a nice day on special teams especially punter Chris Gradone who regularly swapped field position with long punts. Only 4 penalties, no turnovers and solid special teams play? Sounds like a win.