Saturday 9-9-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[New York Knight]

Preview: Savannah State at Appalachian State
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, North Carolina
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are ranked 106 on offense, averaging 284.0 yards per game. The Mountaineers are averaging 136.0 yards rushing and 148.0 yards passing so far this season.
Savannah State Tigers offensive statistics will be available following the first regular season game.

Home and Away

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are 0-0 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Mountaineers are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
The Savannah State Tigers have not played any road games yet this season

[New York Knight]

Preview: Austin Peay at Miami (Ohio)
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Fred Yager Stadium, Oxford, Ohio
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks are ranked 67 on offense, averaging 429.0 yards per game. The Redhawks are averaging 131.0 yards rushing and 298.0 yards passing so far this season.
The Austin Peay Governors are ranked 0 on offense, averaging yards per game. The Governors are averaging yards rushing and yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks are 0-0 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Redhawks are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
The Austin Peay Governors are 0-1 while on the road this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Governors are averaging 14.0 scoring, and holding teams to 26.0 points scored on defense.

[New York Knight]

Preview: Eastern Illinois at Northern Illinois
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Huskie Stadium, DeKalb, Illinois
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Northern Illinois Huskies are ranked 87 on offense, averaging 367.0 yards per game. The Huskies are averaging 164.0 yards rushing and 203.0 yards passing so far this season.
The Eastern Illinois Panthers are ranked 0 on offense, averaging yards per game. The Panthers are averaging yards rushing and yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 0-1 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Huskies are averaging 20.0 scoring, and holding teams to 23.0 points scored on defense.
The Eastern Illinois Panthers are 1-0 while on the road this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 1-0 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Panthers are averaging 22.0 scoring, and holding teams to 20.0 points scored on defense.

[New York Knight]

Preview: Howard at Kent State
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Dix Stadium, Kent, Ohio
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Kent State Golden Flashes are ranked 127 on offense, averaging 120.0 yards per game. The Golden Flashes are averaging 119.0 yards rushing and 1.0 yards passing so far this season.
The Howard Bison are ranked 0 on offense, averaging yards per game. The Bison are averaging yards rushing and yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 0-0 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Golden Flashes are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
The Howard Bison are 1-0 while on the road this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 1-0 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Bison are averaging 43.0 scoring, and holding teams to 40.0 points scored on defense.

[New York Knight]

Preview: Abilene Christian at Colorado State
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Sonny Lubrick Field at Colorado State Stadium, Fort Collins, Colorado
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Colorado State Rams are ranked 57 on offense, averaging 461.0 yards per game. The Rams are averaging 139.5 yards rushing and 321.5 yards passing so far this season.
The Abilene Christian Wildcats are ranked 0 on offense, averaging yards per game. The Wildcats are averaging yards rushing and yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Colorado State Rams are 1-0 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 1-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Rams are averaging 58.0 scoring, and holding teams to 27.0 points scored on defense.
The Abilene Christian Wildcats are 0-1 while on the road this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Wildcats are averaging 14.0 scoring, and holding teams to 38.0 points scored on defense.

[New York Knight]

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland

Preview: Tulane at Navy
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

Quarterbacks Zach Abey of Navy and Jonathan Banks of Tulane look to build on their season-opening successes when the Midshipmen host the Green Wave on Saturday in Annapolis, Md., in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Abey, a junior, proved he's capable of orchestrating one of the most potent rushing attacks while Jonathan Banks made a smooth transition from junior college in his first career FBS start.


Abey put his name in the school record books in the 42-19 opening victory at Florida Atlantic, becoming the first quarterback in program history to rush for more than 200 yards (235) and pass for at least 100 yards (110) in a game. Abey, who started the final two games of last season, was named AAC co-offensive player of the week after rushing for two touchdowns and passing for another. Banks, a junior college transfer from Kansas, made a big impact for the Green Wave. Banks threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns on 10-for-15 passing while adding another touchdown and 69 yards on the ground in a 43-14 victory against Grambling State. "I thought our quarterback showed a lot of poise for his first Division I game,'' Tulane coach Willie Fritz told reporters. "He threw the ball well and did a good job of reading the option - when to give, when to pitch, when to run it himself. He had an outstanding game.''

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Navy -13.5


ABOUT NAVY (1-0): The Midshipmen finished with 526 yards of total offense, which included 416 yards on the ground -- only the 42nd-most in program history. Abey put his best foot forward to show he's ready to run the offense full time, though some areas need to be polished. "Zach did a lot of good things,'' Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo told the Capital Gazette. "But he knows he has a lot of room for improvement.''

ABOUT TULANE (1-0): After finishing third in the conference and tied for 34th nationally in total defense in 2016, Tulane opened the 2017 campaign by limiting Grambling State to 225 yards of total offense. Junior corner back Donnie Lewis, Jr., set the tone with his third career interception in the first half. Dontrell Hilliard, Terren Encalade and Darius Bradwell provide Banks with plenty of options as each caught a touchdown pass.



EXTRA POINTS

1. Navy is 8-1 in home openers under Niumatalolo with the only loss coming in 2014 to Rutgers.

2. After finishing last season with a 28 percent success rate on third-down conversions, Tulane went 7-for-11 against Grambling State.
3. Navy is 14-2 in AAC regular-season games since joining the conference in 2015.

PREDICTION: Navy 28, Tulane 24

[New York Knight]

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee

Preview: Indiana State at Tennessee
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

Tennessee needed two overtimes and a lot of luck to escape with a win in its season opener against an unconventional opponent. The 21st-ranked Volunteers will try to put together a more complete effort on both sides of the ball when they host Indiana State on Saturday.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones won't spend much time looking at the tape after facing the only triple-option team his squad will see this season and escaping with a 42-41 triumph over Georgia Tech on Monday. The Volunteers got used to playing tight games in a series of close finishes early last season and are hoping the momentum lasts a little longer than in 2016, when the team faded in October with three straight losses. "We never had doubt," Tennessee defensive lineman Paul Bain told reporters after Monday's win. "We're just cut from a different cloth than a lot of teams. We were made for this and pressure-filled situations. We were made for the grind and we never had doubt, even though we were down." The FSC Sycamores played their own tight game in Week 1 but came away with a 22-20 loss to Eastern Illinois.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: None

ABOUT INDIANA STATE (0-1): Sycamores running back Lemonte Booker carried the load in Week 1, logging 154 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. Indiana State first-year head coach Curt Mallory had his defense sharp against the run in the opener, holding Eastern Illinois to 76 yards on 33 carries. Mallory started Isaac Harker at quarterback but replaced him with freshman Cade Sparks in the second half, and Sparks completed 3-of-9 passes for 95 yards in relief.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (1-0): Junior quarterback Quinten Dormady won the right to replace Joshua Dobbs in camp and threw for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns on Monday. Dormady is not as effective a rusher as Dobbs, who led the team in rushing yards last season, but junior running back John Kelly had little trouble stepping into the featured role and ran for 128 yards and four touchdowns - one shy of his 2016 total - against Georgia Tech. The star of Monday's comeback was wide receiver Marquez Callaway, who racked up 115 yards on just four catches and scored twice.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tennessee LB Cortez McDowell recorded a career-high 13 tackles on Monday.

2. The Sycamores last beat an FBS opponent with a 27-20 victory at Ball State in 2014 and are 0-3 all-time against SEC teams.

3. Volunteers WR Jauan Jennings suffered a dislocated wrist on Monday and is out indefinitely.

PREDICTION: Tennessee 38, Indiana State 14

[New York Knight]

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Preview: Alabama A&M at Vanderbilt
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

Vanderbilt won its season opener last week for the first time since 2011, and enters Saturday’s home opener against Alabama A&M with plenty of momentum thanks to a strong start by quarterback Kyle Shurmur. The Commodores, who feature one of the better running backs in the nation in Ralph Webb, rode Shurmur’s three touchdowns and 296 yards passing to a convincing 28-6 victory over Middle Tennessee State in the opener.

Shurmur, who passed for 1,162 yards combined in his final four games a season ago, was sharp in his 2017 debut – completing 13 of his first 14 pass attempts and directed three scoring drives of 75 yards or longer. “I don’t think we’re satisfied where we’re at, but it’s definitely a good start,” Shurmur told reporters afterward. The Commodores were solid offensively, converting 8-of-16 third-down attempts while defensively, Vanderbilt limited Middle Tennessee State to only 215 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs trailed UAB 10-7 at halftime in their season opener last week, before allowing 28 unanswered points in the second half of a 38-7 defeat.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network (alternative). LINE: None

ABOUT ALABAMA A&M (0-1): The Bulldogs’ defense struggled against the run, allowing 259 yards on the ground in last week’s loss. Two quarterbacks saw action – freshman Aqeel Glass threw a touchdown pass in completing 7-of-17 passes for 101 yards, and Damion May finished 6-for-12 for 37 yards. Senior linebacker Kenneth Davis earned Southwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week honors after recording 10 tackles and two sacks last week.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (1-0): Webb, who rushed for 1,283 yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago, was held to 49 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, but caught a touchdown pass and finished with 104 receiving yards. Shurmur completed 20-of-28 passes in the victory as receiver Kalija Lipscomb hauled in two touchdown passes. The Commodores did not give up a first down on 12 third-down attempts, holding Middle Tennessee State to 0-for-14 total on third- and fourth-down attempts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Vanderbilt, which recorded only 15 sacks last season, finished with five in the opener.

2. Webb, Vanderbilt’s all-time leading rusher, moved into 19th place on the SEC’s all-time rushing list (3,391).

3. The Commodores’ 7-minute, 43-second scoring drive in the second quarter Saturday surpassed their longest scoring drive from last season.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 49, Alabama A&M 13

[New York Knight]

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas

Preview: Central Michigan at Kansas
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

After one of the better quarterback debuts in the history of Kansas football, Peyton Bender knows there is a lot he can do better during Saturday's game against visiting Central Michigan. Bender led a quick-strike offense as the Jayhawks toppled Southeast Missouri State, giving his team a chance to start 2-0 for the first time since 2011 with a win over the Chippewas, who survived a triple-overtime battle with Rhode Island to take their opener.

Bender, a junior college transfer, became the first Kansas quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a game since Todd Reesing did so in 2009, but also gave away a pair of interceptions. Bender needed only 5:17 to lead five touchdown drives, including strikes of 77 and 16 yards to Steven Sims, Jr., and three of the Jayhawks' six scoring drives lasted less than a minute. "It was nice to see us clicking as an offense out of the gate," Bender told the media. "We have a lot to improve on and left a lot out there to be honest." Devon Spalding provided the difference with a 4-yard touchdown run in the third overtime and Central Michigan tied a team record with six interceptions against the Rams.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Kansas -6

ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-0): Needing three overtimes to beat an FCS team that has won a combined four games over the last three seasons won't sit well with the Chippewas, who ran the ball well despite up-and-down quarterback play. Shane Morris got the bulk of the time under center and struggled to complete half his passes while coughing up a critical fumble in the fourth quarter. The Jayhawks will have their hands full stopping the duo of Spalding and Jonathan Ward, who together rushed 39 times for 217 yards and two scores.

ABOUT KANSAS (1-0): Though held without a sack in the opener, Preseason All-Big 12 Defense Player of the Year Dorance Armstrong, Jr. came up with three quarterback hurries and was in on one tackle for a loss. The junior, who finished last season with 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, keyed a defensive unit that limited SE Missouri State to 253 total yards. Daniel Wise came up with the lone sack in addition to three tackles for loss last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Junior LB Joe Dineen, who missed the final nine games of last season, tied his career-high 15 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, against SE Missouri State to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

2. Kansas and Central Michigan have met twice previously with the Jayhawks winning 52-7 in 2007 and 24-10 in 2014.

3. Josh Cox and Amari Coleman had two interceptions apiece and Darwyn Kelly and Alex Briones, who also had 11 tackles, had one pick each in the opener for the Chippewas.

PREDICTION: Kansas 31, Central Michigan 23

[New York Knight]

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Preview: Louisiana at Tulsa
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

A week after getting blown out by nationally ranked Oklahoma State, Tulsa opens its home schedule against Louisiana on Saturday. Coach Philip Montgomery and the Golden Hurricane will look for a better result and will try to extend their streak of victories in home openers to six against the Ragin' Cajuns.

The biggest question for the Golden Hurricane is who will be under center at the start of the game after sophomore Chad President wasn't confirmed as the opening week starter until he took the field with the offense. President played all but two series against Oklahoma State, passing for 178 yards and rushing for 69 more, but Luke Skipper got in for those two series and Montgomery continues to say the competition is open. One big positive in the opener was the play of sophomore running back Corey Taylor II, who came into the contest with four career rushing yards but finished with 111 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Louisiana comes into the contest off a wild 51-48 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in which the two teams combined for 877 yards of total offense.

TV: 4 p.m. ET. ESPN3. LINE: Tulsa -14

ABOUT LOUISIANA (1-0): While the Ragin' Cajuns put 51 points on the board in their opener, they needed two kickoff returns for touchdowns to reach that mark. That means quarterback Jordan Davis needs to show more than he did in his first game as the team's starter under center, when he was 12-of-23 for 162 yards and one touchdown. Davis did admit to some nerves and he had one big play ruined by a dropped pass, but if the Ragin' Cajuns are going to compete consistently, Davis is going to have to be a leader and keep the team's offense moving the ball.

ABOUT TULSA (0-1): Though it came against one of the top offenses in the country, Tulsa's defensive effort against Oklahoma State in the opener left a lot to be desired. The Cowboys had 453 yards of offense in the first half alone, including a pair of touchdowns of more than 70 yards, and finished with 640 yards of total offense. Montgomery's team will certainly be better this week against Louisiana, but it must be consistently better, especially in the secondary, if the Golden Hurricane is going to compete for a bowl berth.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Louisiana RB Raymond Calais Jr. returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the opener against Southeastern Louisiana, only the 20th time in FBS history that feat has been accomplished.

2. Tulsa LB McKinley Whitfield had a career-high 10 tackles against Oklahoma State in his first game since moving from safety in the offseason.

3. The Golden Hurricane is 12-5 in home openers since the 2000 season.

PREDICTION: Tulsa 35, Louisiana 24

[New York Knight]

Preview: Gardner Webb at Wyoming
When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyoming
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Wyoming Cowboys are ranked 119 on offense, averaging 233.0 yards per game. The Cowboys are averaging 59.0 yards rushing and 174.0 yards passing so far this season.
The Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs are ranked 0 on offense, averaging yards per game. The Runnin' Bulldogs are averaging yards rushing and yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Wyoming Cowboys are 0-0 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Cowboys are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
The Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs are 0-0 while on the road this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Runnin' Bulldogs are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense

[New York Knight]

Preview: New Hampshire at Georgia Southern
When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Allen E. Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Georgia
Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Georgia Southern Eagles are ranked 128 on offense, averaging 78.0 yards per game. The Eagles are averaging 70.0 yards rushing and 8.0 yards passing so far this season.
The New Hampshire Wildcats are ranked 0 on offense, averaging yards per game. The Wildcats are averaging yards rushing and yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Georgia Southern Eagles are 0-0 at home this season, 0-0 against conference opponents and 0-1 against non-conference opponents.
At home the Eagles are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.
The New Hampshire Wildcats are 0-0 while on the road this season, 1-0 against conference opponents and 0-0 against non-conference opponents.
On the road, the Wildcats are averaging 0.0 scoring, and holding teams to 0.0 points scored on defense.

[New York Knight]

When: 4:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

Preview: Nebraska at Oregon
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

The Willie Taggart era is off and running at Oregon, which is showing signs of returning to its glory years under its enthusiastic new coach. The Ducks head into Saturday’s matchup against visiting Nebraska looking to build on their season-opening 77-21 win over Southern Utah, while the Cornhuskers hope to address the defensive concerns raised in a 43-36 triumph over Arkansas State.

Royce Freeman rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns as Oregon finished with 703 total yards and a program-record nine rushing scores in the rout of Southern Utah. Sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert was 17-of-21 for 281 yards and one touchdown, and could put up similar numbers against a Nebraska defense that came under fire after allowing nearly 500 total yards and 32 first downs against Arkansas State. While the Cornhuskers’ defense is a work in progress under new coordinator Bob Diaco, the offense looked sharp with sophomore Tre Bryant rushing 31 times for a career-high 192 yards and a TD. Bryant figures to receive another heavy workload Saturday as Nebraska looks to control the clock against Oregon's explosive attack.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Oregon -14

ABOUT NEBRASKA (1-0): The offensive line performed well in the opener, allowing Tanner Lee to throw for 238 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Lee’s favorite target was fellow junior Stanley Morgan Jr., who had five receptions for 102 yards - including a 44-yard touchdown catch. The young cornerbacks struggled at times to contain Arkansas State's passing attack, but safeties Joshua Kalu and Aaron Williams combined for 12 tackles and an interception while linebacker Luke Gifford contributed a team-high nine tackles.


ABOUT OREGON (1-0): The Ducks displayed a fast-paced offense led by wide receiver Charles Nelson (99 receiving yards and a 2-yard touchdown run) and running back Kani Benoit (150 rushing yards and four touchdowns) along with Freeman, who moved to seventh on the Pac-12’s career rushing list with 4,296 yards. There are lingering questions on defense, but the Ducks opened on an encouraging note against Southern Utah with five sacks, seven tackles for loss and eight pass breakups. Linebacker Troy Dye had 10 tackles and an interception while Tony Brooks-James sparked the special-teams unit with a 100-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Nebraska has won five straight games in the series, including a 35-32 victory in Lincoln last season.

2. The Cornhuskers are 9-0 under coach Mike Riley when rushing for more than 200 yards.

3. Oregon has scored at least 20 points in 43 consecutive games, which is the longest streak in the country.

PREDICTION: Oregon 38, Nebraska 30

[New York Knight]

When: 5:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Preview: Hawaii at UCLA
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

UCLA hopes to pick up where it left off when it hosts Hawaii at the Rose Bowl on Saturday afternoon. UCLA trailed by 34 points late in the third quarter of its season opener against Texas A&M before generating five consecutive touchdown drives and taking the lead for good, 45-44, on a 10-yard pass from Josh Rosen to Jordan Lasley with 43 seconds remaining.

Rosen completed 35-of-59 passes for 491 yards and four touchdowns while leading UCLA to the biggest comeback victory in program history, and he was recognized as the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. The Bruins are hoping Rosen doesn't need to work as hard late in the game against the Rainbow Warriors, who have won five straight contests dating back to last season and are seeking their first 3-0 start since 2007. The Bruins still are searching for a consistent running game that eluded them for most of 2016 and again in the season opener, in which they were held to 63 yards on 25 carries for a 2.5 average. Western Carolina ran for 212 yards on 48 carries in the 41-18 loss to Hawaii last Saturday, so UCLA likely will pay close attention to those portions of the game film.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: UCLA -23.5

ABOUT HAWAII (2-0): The Rainbow Warriors have a proven runner in senior Diocemy Saint Juste, who rushed for 202 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries against Western Carolina. He totaled 1,006 rushing yards last season while averaging 6.1 per carry, but Hawaii would like to see more consistency from Sainte Juste, who had five games last year in which he gained fewer than 40 yards - all on the road. The Rainbow Warriors have the potential for good offensive balance, as junior quarterback Dru Brown threw for 2,488 yards and 19 TDs last season before recording 398 yards and three touchdowns in a season-opening 38-35 win against Massachusetts on Aug. 26.

ABOUT UCLA (1-0): The biggest surprise for the Bruins in Week 1 was the play of sophomore tight end Caleb Wilson, a former walk-on who finished with a school-record 15 catches for 208 yards - which was one catch and 12 yards fewer than he totaled last season. He was especially active during the comeback, catching 11 passes for 162 yards on the final five TD drives, and Rosen likely will look his way much earlier against Hawaii. Wilson also should continue to open up the field for wide receivers Darren Andrews and Lasley, who combined for 16 catches, 242 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns against Texas A&M.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rosen needs one more 300-yard passing game to give him 12 in his UCLA career and move past Cade McNown for most in school history.

2. UCLA DL Jaelan Phillips and DB Darnay Holmes became the first true freshmen to start a season opener on defense.

3. Hawaii never has played at the Rose Bowl.

PREDICTION: UCLA 42, Hawaii 17

[New York Knight]

When: 5:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California

Preview: Weber State at California
Gracenote
Sep 6, 2017

After opening the Justin Wilcox era with an impressive road victory, California looks to avoid a letdown Saturday against visiting Weber State of the Big Sky Conference. Cal looked sharp on both sides of the ball in Wilcox’s head-coaching debut last Saturday at North Carolina, forcing three turnovers and recording a 35-30 victory behind a strong effort from sophomore quarterback Ross Bowers.

Cal trailed by 10 points late in the second quarter against the Tar Heels before Bowers engineered the comeback effort, finishing 24-of-38 for 363 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start. After going 5-7 last season and ranking 125th nationally in total defense, the Bears held North Carolina to 221 passing yards and looked like a team that could surprise in the Pac-12 North Division. “The coaches have established a new culture at Cal, and it’s the players’ jobs to keep upholding it, take it as far as we can and police ourselves,” Bowers told reporters. “If you buy in, it’s a fun process.” The Bears’ new-look defense will be tested by Weber State, which broke the school record for points in a game and finished with 485 yards of total offense in last Saturday’s 76-0 win over Montana Western.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: No Line

ABOUT WEBER STATE (1-0): The Wildcats moved up to No. 20 in the FCS coaches poll after forcing five turnovers and rushing for eight touchdowns against Montana Western, including two by Bay Area native Kevin Smith. Senior quarterback Stefan Cantwell threw one of his two touchdown passes to Preseason All-American tight end Andrew Vollert, who caught 62 passes for 840 yards and seven scores last season. The Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky under fourth-year coach Jay Hill and boast a veteran defense led by safety Jordan Preator, who had two interceptions in the opener.


ABOUT CAL (1-1): Bowers completed passes to 10 different teammates against North Carolina - including junior Vic Wharton III, who had five catches for 156 yards and a 67-yard touchdown. Wilcox, who made a name for himself as a defensive coordinator over the past 16 seasons, had an immediate impact in the opener as senior inside linebacker Devante Downs was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after recording a team-high 13 tackles. Quentin Tartabull, Camryn Bynum and Cameron Goode combined for 22 tackles as the defense displayed some new-found toughness under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cal owns a perfect 20-0 record against opponents from the Big Sky Conference.

2. Weber State’s last win over an FBS opponent came in 1993, when it beat Nevada 47-30 in Reno.

3. Cal had five plays from scrimmage of 20 or more yards in its season opener, including three for touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Cal 41, Weber State 17