Are You Ready To Rumble

Former cougar Jan Jorgensen will make his MMA debut against former UCLA defensive lineman Jerzy Siewierski in orem on friday. At 6.2 and 296 Jerzy is by no means a slouch. The former bruin from Sparks Nevada was a history major and likely is looking for some historical payback of his own. Last time a bunch of bruins were in happy valley it wasn't a pleasant outcome when considering 59-0. The Janimal back in high school won the 3A state championship as a senior in only his first year of competitive wrestling and eventually found his way to the cougs DL graduating in social studies education. He started all 52 games in his outstanding collegiate career finishing off as the conference all time leader in 44 tackles for loss. Jorgensen is also tied with former TCU defensive specialist Jerry Hughes for the MWC all time sack leader with 28.5. Rushing quarterbacks and stopping the run might be one thing but this is the MMA. Welcome to the bigtime. Tickets on sale at smithtix.com for those interested.

Wolfpack At A Glance

Things don't any easier saturday with the Wolfpack coming to town. Nevada comes into the game 3-0 averaging over 50 a game. USATODAY does have the pack as a 3.5 favorite as well as the cougs playing the 5th toughest schedule in the country. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick could very well be among some of the better signal callers in the nation this year directing an offense. Colin has thrown 81 times connecting on 57 for 728 yards and 5 TDs with no INTs. The senior quarterback from Turlock California is also one of their leading rushers with 39 carries eating up 369 yards and 7 TDs. In the backfield is Vai Taua a bruiser who has piled up some impressive numbers as well. Vai has accumulated 320 yards and 4 TDs on the season. Nevada is ranked first in the nation currently averging nearly 345 yards of rushing offense. Definately scary offense. By comparison the cougs have only averaged 147 yards on the ground and 155 in the air. Oh, how times have changed. The jerseys in blue has taken some lumps and that learning curve must happen soon.

Tallahassee Tutorial

Saturday's matchup was frankly a tutorial in a 34-10 smackdown. The seminoles attack dominated the Cougs up and down the field with Christian Ponder throwing for 149 yards and the Seminoles grinding out 278 yards on the ground. Its definately not a positive sign and is rather concerning seeing so many missed tackles when Chris Thompson hauls off for 123 yards while Ty Jones scampers for another 95 yards. Often in games as such I do believe that those are more about our personnel, our matchup and our instruction. Yes, essentially learning experiences and teaching moments. Losing as much experience as the Cougs did the jerseys in blue will be expected to go through some growing pains.

Were the keys finally and officially handed over to Heaps? That remains to be seen and lies in the hands of the coaching staff. On the other hand, it is clearly a step in the right direction. Only with a leader firmly in place can a team begin to find its chemistry and rhythm giving it a better sense of direction. Heaps finished 15 of 31 for 114 yards while posting his first offical touchdown connection to Cody Hoffman who had 5 catches for the day. The OL must begin providing much better time and protection for whoever is calling the shots behind center. Pretty much any team that allows 8 sacks will lose a game at this level and clearly must be improved upon. It was rather enjoyable seeing DiLuigi step up yet again posting 18 carries for 93 yards. The learning curve will happen. Those jerseys in blue will come together. Yes, the future is bright with the pieces in place. Although, that learning curve must happen and quickly considering the dangerous wolfpack rolls into town saturday. The schedule might not get any easier this upcoming week but its always nice to be at home.

Bush's Fumble

Named after the former Brown University and Georgia Tech football player John Heisman the trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding football player in college football. In 2005 Reggie Bush was awarded the trophy. However, on September 14th , Bush who had apparently received payments from outsiders revealed that he would return his trophy. The Heisman Trust also announced that the award for that season would remain vacant for the first time in the trophy's history.

Although, the star running back gave up the presitigious award voluntarily it is rather obvious that he would have not given it up if those allegations wouldn't have become public. Bush knew he had agreed not to make money nor to accept it, yet he chose to do so anyway. Taking money for one's labor and or services itself is not wrong. Being paid for the use of one's name or public persona is not wrong in itself either when those opportunities arise. However, it is wrong to say one thing and the other when a promise has been made in principle regardless of what level from a handshake, verbal or written agreement.

This incident as well as other numerous examples bring up a slew of unanswered questions. Should Reggie and other athletes as well as coaches be punished for their actions? Is stripping the Heisman from Bush an appropriate coarse of action? Should college athletes get paid? Would it give new meaning to a "full ride" scholarship? Could it be said that college athletes are actually getting paid with a free education? Who do we celebrate and choose as our heroes? The answers to these questions remain yet to be found but all have compelling arguments and likely won't be found till as a society we take a hard look ourselves at what those core values are. Thoughts?

Sunshine State Square Off

This week the Cougs travel across country to Doak Campbell Stadium (seats 82,300 and is the 14th largest stadium in the NCAA) to square off with the Seminoles who are looking to bounce back from a thrashing at the hands of Oklahoma on saturday 3:30pm ET on ESPNU with the call from Pam Ward (play by play) and Danny Kanell's analysis. Last meeting between the two wasn't exactly pretty 54-28 for the jerseys in blue. Presently, Sheridan's odds at USATODAY has FSU favored by 10. Gone from the Seminole equation is longtime coach Bobby Bowden after 34 years. "The traditions and values of things aren't going to change. But the approach we take is going to change some" as quoted by new headcoach Jimbo Fisher.

On offense the Seminoles seem to be stacked and return what many teams across the country would truly desire. At the helm is a three year starter and NFL prospect in senior Christian Ponder with his entire OL returning. With only 12 carries junior RB Ty Jones spots a 10.3 avg for 124 yards and 1 TD. At the other slot fellow junior RB Jermaine Thomas has 19 touches for 89 yards and 2 TDs this season. The receiving corps both juniors include Bert Reed with 8 receptions for 81 yards while Taiwan Easterling from Hattiesburg MS isn't shabby either with 7 catches for 120 yards and 2 TDs. By comparison, on the season the Cougs two returning starters Chambers has 3 catches for 21 yards while Jacobsen also only has 3 for 33 yards. No question both coug receivers needs more touches and whoever is behind center for the blue jerseys must make that happen.

As the new head coach of the Seminole's one of Jimbo's first moves was luring Mark Stoops from Arizona who has since setup a new defensive scheme of zone coverages and blitzes. Unfortunately, one of those individual's involved who FSU was hoping to be a shutdown corner was sophomore Greg Reid who has seem to have struggled. Last week sooner QB Landry Jones spotted 30 of 40 for 380 yards on the Seminoles. It will be interesting to see if the Cougs can take advantage of that. The jerseys in blue definately need to somehow begin to find some offensive and defensive rhythm. Despite a possible cougar rebuilding year it will be interesting to watch to see how things play out.

Two Road Identity

There comes a time when an individual cannot contain their silence any longer. Cougar nation just witnessed a game where the jerseys in blue were systematically dismantled. Yes, losing might be one thing if it is to a team you really shouldn't be on the field with or to another team where it was a close loss. Here's the problem. That was a game that the Cougs should not have lost in a manner which they did. Why then? Well lets look at its history briefly. The jerseys in blue have such an amazing rich tradition and identity. Names like McMahon, Young, Detmer, Shiede, Bosco, Nielsen, Wilson, Sarkisian, Feterik, Doman, Walsh, Beck and Max have helped tremendously in giving the Cougs such an identity as a quarterback factory. Cougar fans would love to know who's next. I'm among those. Currently the program is at a crossroads. Which path does it take? Nelson Street? Or Heaps way? When an entity goes into battle it clearly must have a leader. As the situation stands the tough decision has not been made of choosing one over the other. That choice needs to be made soon. In fact, should have been made long ago. Long before the first gametime snap. What is clear to the cougs that this is a rebuilding year. I'm fine with that. Every team across the nation will have its lumps here and there.

Our identity has been even inscribed and etched into our own scoreboard. The answer is not far. Tradition, spirit and honor. McMahon. Detmer. Bosco. etc. Its not that hard to figure out our tradition. You don't change an identity of an entire program of over 25 years for one player. The cougs hauled in an expectional recruiting class to get an education and play some football. If some of those student athletes are really that good by all means get them some playing time. If you have some Ferrari's or BMW's sitting in garage you don't drive the VW Bug. By not making those choices you don't give that team a leader and can certainly hurt your recruiting in the future. I'm sorry Coug nation but two quarterbacks equals no quarterbacks and typically incurs terrible results. The choice is yours in a two road identity.

I Want You

...to get to work now. That's what many collegiate football coaches across the country now are telling their recent recruits. Many of you are well aware that this past wednesday was the national letter of intent day. Young impressional student athletes across the nation placed their name on the dotted line announcing their commitment. The Cougs snagged 21 of these fine young athletes. With the jerseys in blue coming off their third consecutive ten win (or more) season there is much optimism for the Cougs bright future. Yes, they may have "whiffed" on some of the big names (Manti, Xavier, Filiaga, etc) but overall this committed Cougar class fills some needs, adds some depth and may be one of the strongest in recent years. Besides what are stars? Bryan Kehl (now with the New York Giants) was only 2 stars. One of the Cougs finest running back Curtis Brown was listed as only 1 star. Current starter Harvey Unga was scratched down with 2 stars when he signed. On the other side of the coin Ben Olsen, Ofa Mohetau and no show Walt Williams were all listed as 5 stars as examples. We all know how those turned out. Never played a down for the Cougs (don't forget 4 star Magnum Mauga).

This years addition to the Cougar den includes...

Lee Aguirre 5-9/200DB Fullerton Junior College
Terry Alletto 6-4/280OL Parker CO
Jordan Atkinson 6-3/225LB Diablo Valley JC
Trevor Bateman 5-111/185DB Palm Desert CA
Craig Bills 6-2/200DB Provo UT (Timpview HS)
Thomas Bryson 6-5/230DE Layton UT
Tui Crichton 6-4/290OL Provo UT (Timpview HS)
Jray Galea'i 6-0/185DB Kahuku HS
Anthony Heimuli 5-11/225RB Orem UT (Mountain View HS)
Adam Hine 6-1/175RB Santa Clara (Snow Canyon HS)
Cody Hoffman 6-4/200WR Crescent City CA
Brian Logan 5-9/185DB Football Junior College
Peni Maka'afi 5-10/215RB Layton UT
Mitch Matthews6-5/195WR Beaverton OR
Ryan Mulitalo 6-4/290OL West Valley (Hunter HS)
Remington Peck 6-5/222TE South Jordan (Bingham HS)
Brett Thompson 6-3/210WR El Dorado Hills CA
Fono Vakalahi 6-4/320OL Bryan TX
Kyle Van Noy 6-4/210LB Reno NV
Brad Wilcox 6-7/265OL Edmond OK
Richard Wilson 6-3/222TE Spanish Fork

Definately a great group of kids overall with some wonderful future potential. One can't forget that some of this year's incoming also includes (whether via transfers, missions, requalified, etc)...

Robbie Buckner 5-10/165DB Ashdown AR
Romney Fuga 6-2/280DL Huntington Beach CA
McKay Jacobsen 6-0/185WR Southlake TX
Aveni Leung-Wai 6-1/220LB Grossmont JC
Devin Mahina 6-6/225TE Upland CA
Marcus Matthews 6-4/200WR Beaverton OR
Riley Nelson 6-1/195QB Logan UT
Brandon Ogletree 6-0/215 McKinney TX
Riley Stephenson 6-0/175PK St George UT
Houston Reynolds 6-3/295OL Provo (Timpview HS)
Malosi Teo 5-11/195RB Kahuku HI
Manase Tonga 6-1/230RB San Mateo CA