The All State

» By TRENT SINGER
tsinger@my.apsu.edu

With the AFC Championship on the horizon, the conference’s two most dominant teams, the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, are reaping the benefits of home field advantage.

Throughout this year’s playoffs, AFC home teams are 4-0 entering this week’s matchup. The early line has the Patriots favored by seven points and with good reason. Including the playoffs, New England is 8-1 at home this year, while the Ravens have struggled on the road all season.

There are still several key issues that New England must address in order to make their fifth Super Bowl appearance in ten years. Among those issues are improving the league’s 31st ranked defense and Tom Brady’s ability to score against the Ravens consistently stingy defense, led by future hall-of-famer Ray Lewis.

For the Ravens, they must simply defeat the odds. Their offense has found the most consistency with star running back Ray Rice. However, the Ravens’ best chance for victory may come down to the arm of quarterback Joe Flacco, who needs to show more consistency.

Both teams showed their respective strengths with home victories this past weekend.

The Ravens stifled the Texans on defense, forcing four turnovers and using ball control to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

On the other hand, the Patriots defeated the visiting Denver Broncos in dominant fashion with six touchdown passes from Tom Brady and a defense that showed tremendous improvement from the regular season. TAS

» By TRENT SINGER
tsinger@my.apsu.edu

At the beginning of the season, only a handful of people would have predicted the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, but in a season that was affected by a summer-long lockout, why not?

The 49ers enter this matchup as the favorite by 2.5 points, and on paper, these two teams compare equally.

Defensively, the 49ers ended the regular season ranked first in rush defense. The secondary has shown the least amount of consistency, but has benefited greatly by a stout pass-rush, led by veteran Justin Smith and rookie Aldon Smith.

On the other hand, the Giants are healthy and have proven to be dominant in recent weeks. The play of Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck, along with the return of Osi Umenyiora, has given New York an enormous spark on defense.

New York’s road to the playoffs began in the final week of the regular season, with a defeat against the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East title. The Giants won their Wild Card Game by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 24-2 at home. New York shocked many this past weekend by trampling the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers 37-20 at Lambeau Field.

The 49ers ended the regular season as one of the NFL’s biggest surprise teams, finishing with a 13-3 record and the NFC’s second seed in the playoffs. The team’s first playoff action came this past weekend when Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints came into Candlestick Park. With only nine seconds left on the clock, Alex Smith threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, sealing the 36-32 victory over the Saints and sending the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. TAS

» By Marlon Scott – mscott@my.apsu.edu

With a win in their final game against Tennessee Tech, the Govs would have earned the Sgt. York Trophy for the first time since the series began in 2007. However, since they lost, the Govs remain the only team in the series yet to earn the trophy. Tennessee State won the Sgt. York Trophy for the third time. They were tied with Tennessee Tech, but won the tiebreaker because they defeated Tennessee Tech head-to-head.

2010 Stat Leaders

Passing:
Jake Ryan: completed 107-212 for 1120 yards; 11 interceptions; seven touchdowns; 101.8 Avg/G

Rushing:
Terrence Holt: 146 for 793 yards; eight touchdowns; 50 longest; 72.1 Avg/G

Ryan White: 156 for 769 yards; four touchdowns; 63 longest; 69.9 Avg/G

Receiving:
Devin Stark : 19 for 253 yards; two touchdowns

Scott Thomas: 18 for 223 yards

Defense:
Antwaun Majors: 84 tackles; one FF

Derrick Dillard: 84 tackles; 1.5 S; one FF

2011 Stat Leaders

Passing:
Jake Ryan: completed136-256 for 1,478 yards; 15 interceptions; 12 touchdowns; 164.2 Avg/G

Rushing:
Ryan White: 236 for 1,100 yards; six touchdowns; 31 longest; 100 Avg/G

Wesley Kitts: 84 for 495 yards; two touchdowns; 37 longest; 45 Avg/G

Receiving:
Devin Stark : 53 for 627 yards; seven touchdowns

Scott Thomas: 28 for 299 yards; two touchdowns

Defense:
Antwaun Majors: 88 tackles; two Int; 2 FF; one FR

Amius Smith: 80 tackles; 0.5 S; two FR; onew Saf

» By ANTHONY SHINGLER – ashingler@my.apsu.edu

The Murray State Racers raced to a 56-24 victory over the Govs Saturday, Nov. 12. The Govs dropped to 3-7 overall, and 2-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference standing. Murray State improved to 6-4 overall, and 4-3 in the OVC.

It did not take long for Murray State to establish an early 26-0 lead. They scored on their first offensive drive. Junior quarterback Jake Ryan found senior wide receiver Scott Thomas for a 10-yard touchdown pass that cut the Murray State lead to 26-7.

Murray State pushed their lead to 42-10 on a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter. Racer kicker Kienan Cullen made five field goals in the game.

Ryan instrumented another Govs scoring drive in the third quarter. He tossed a 38-yard bomb to Devin Starks for the touchdown. Ryan completed 10-of-18 passes for 101 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was his first game back after sitting out due to a knee injury.

Ryan White, who was suspended for the first quarter, finished with 20 carries for 92 yards. The Govs rushed for 125 yards. Starks made seven catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Murray State’s Casey Brockman finished 25-of-39 for 277 yards and one touchdown. Murray State out gained the Govs offensively 525 to 295.

The Govs return to action for the season finale at Tennessee Tech Saturday, Nov. 19, in the final game of the Sgt. York Trophy Series and
OVC schedule. TAS

By MARLON SCOTT – mscott5@my.apsu.edu
It is senior day at Governors stadium as the Govs take on the Central State Marauders in their last home game of the season. They are trying to end a four-game losing streak and improve on their 2-4 OVC record (2-6 Overall).

Update: Final Govs 40 Marauders 0
Govs defense shuts down the Marauders. Govs win 40-0 on senior night, end 4-game losing streak.

Update: Govs 40 Marauders 0; 9:22 Fourth quarter
Ean Pemberton dashes into the end zone to extend the Govs lead.

Update Govs 33 Marauders 0; 11:46 fourth quarter
Govs score on 12 play drive. Scott Thomas dives in one yard on a Quarterback sneak.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0; 1:15 third quarter
Marauders quarterback fumbles while scrambling. Govs recover, 1 and 10 on the 47.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0; 3:16 Third Quarter
Govs punt, Marauders take over 1 and 10 on their 20.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0; Third Quarter
Govs Steven Ragin intercepts Marauders pass. Govs take over 1 and 10 on the Marauders 39.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0, 6:01 Third quarter
Ryan White rushes six yards for his second touchdown of the game.

Update: Govs 20 Marauders 0, 11:55 third quarter
Govs Tee Howell returns a punt 65 yards for a touchdown.

Update: Govs 13 Marauders 0 Third Quarter
Govs offense stalls on their first drive of the second half. Forced to punt. Marauders take over at the 23-yard line.

Update: Halftime Govs 13 Marauders 0
Ryan White and Wesley Kitts have combined for 186 yards rushing in the first half. Stephen Stansell has made 2-of-3 field goals. Govs produced 249 yards of offense. Marauders held to only 72.

Update: 13-0 Govs, End of first half
Instead of a score, Govs end the first half by throwing an interception in the red zone.

Update: 13-0 Govs, 1:53 Second Quarter
Govs have first and 10 on their 36 yard line, driving for last score of the half.

Update: 13-0 Govs, 5:33 Second Quarter
A penalty pushes Govs back. They settle for another field goal. Govs lead 13-0

Update: 10-0 Govs, 6:44 Second Quarter
Wesley Kitts breaks a 21-yard run. Have another first and goal.

Update: 10-0 Govs, 12:31 Second quarter
After Ryan White breaks a 31-yard run to set up the Govs with first and goal. Govs forced to settle for field goal. Govs take 10-0 lead.

Update: 7-0 Govs end of first quarter
Govs lead 7-0. offense driving, 1 and 10 on Marauders 41-yard line.

Update: 7-0, 2:47 First Quarter
Govs offense get to the red zone for first time, but a penalty makes it 1 and 15. White takes hand off and scrambles 26 yards for the touchdown. Drive was four plays, 65 yards.

Update:0-0, 9:26 First Quarter
Govs defense stop Marauders second offensive drive. Govs take over, but go three and out.

Update: 13:50 First Quarter
Penalty slows down Govs offense. They attempt a 51-yard field goal. It goes wide left. Marauders take over.

Govs start the game on defense. Marauders go 1 and 10 on their own 20. First pass of the game is intercepted by Govs safety Antwaun Majors. Govs take over on the Marauders 25 yard line.

» By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu

For the first 15 minutes, everything went the Govs way.

They won the coin toss. They marched down the field and scored on their first two offensive possessions. They dominated the time of possession, controlling the ball for 12:41 of the first 15 minutes and did not commit any turnovers.

However, the game continued after the first 15 minutes and instead of a happy homecoming, the EIU Panthers’ dealt the Govs their fourth loss in a row, 19-10.

The loss drops the Govs (2-6, 2-4 OVC) to seventh in the OVC. It was the Panthers (2-7, 1-6 OVC) first conference win of the season.

Freshman quarterback Landon Curtis got his first start of the season in front of more than 5,000 people. He didn’t turn the ball over, but did not throw any touchdowns either. Curtis completed 14-of-30 passes for 111 yards.

“I thought I played pretty good, took what the defense gave me,” Curtis said. “Other than that we just didn’t make the big plays when we needed to.”

Curtis was assisted by a solid running game. The Govs’ out-rushed the Panthers 215 to 181 yards. Senior running back Ryan White led the way with 23 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Wesley Kitts added 86 yards on 11 carries.

White’s touchdown was the Govs’ only touchdown of the game. The 8-yard power run to the end zone came at the end of the Govs’ first offensive-drive. The Govs’ only other score was a 21-yard field goal kicked by kicker Stephen Stansell.

“Landon Curtis played a good football game. He had four or five drops. If those are caught, he has a couple of TDs and goes around 18-of-30 with no fumbles or interceptions,” head coach Rick Christophel said. “Ryan White and Wes Kitts rushed the ball well. This game came down to field position. With a freshman quarterback throwing the ball 30 times, we ran into trouble. He had a good football game, but we didn’t help him out enough.”

The Panthers’ produced only nine yards of offense in the first quarter, but they pounced in the second.

Panther’s sophomore quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo launched a 52-yard bomb to junior receiver Chris Wright for their first score at 11:11 in the
second quarter.

Garoppolo threw another 34-yard missile to freshman tight end Sam Hendricks that set up a two-yard touchdown run by running back Jake Walker.

“We’ve got to start getting the wins,” Curtis said. “When we keep it close like that, we’ve got to get wins because it’s heartbreaking to go out there and work so hard every week, then come out here and lose like this, especially during a homecoming game.”

The Govs’ next opportunity to win will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in their last home game against Central State. TAS

By MARLON SCOTT – mscott5@my.apsu.edu
After two straight losses, the Govs (2-5, 2-3 OVC) are looking to bounce back with a homecoming win against the EIU Panthers. The Panthers (1-7, 0-6 OVC) come to Governors stadium after losing six OVC games.

14:31 Foruth Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 16
Govs defense stops a Panthers fourth down conversion attempt. Govs offense starts on their own 30.

2:30 Third Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 16
Govs can’t capitalize on second turnover. Stansell 44-yard field goal attempt blocked by the Panthers. They take over on their own 37 yard line.

6:02 Third Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 16
Govs Wesley Kitts scrambles 37 yards for a first down. Govs 1 and 10 on the Panthers 48 yard line.

7:30 Third quarter Govs 10 Panthers 16
Govs defense keeping Panthers from running away. Get second interception of the game. Govs start on their own 9-yard line.

9:51 third quarter Govs 10 Panthers 16
Panthers kick a field goal at the end of the their opening drive of the second half. Increase their lead 16-10

third Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 13
Panthers start second half 1 and 10 on the 48.

Haftime Govs 10 Panthers 13
Govs produce 177 yards of offense and make first two scores.
Ryan White rushes for 80 yards and a touchdown
Curtis completed 6 of 13 with no turnovers.
Stansell made 21-yard field goal

Panthers produced 234 yards of offense
Garoppolo completed 7-of-10 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown

Halftime Govs 10 Panthers 13
Stansell attempts a 60-yard field goal and misses.

0:42 Second Qaurter Govs 10 Panthers 13
Govs Sheldon Wade intercepts Garoppolo pass. Govs take over at their own 20 yard line.

1:42 Second Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 13
Panthers Walker rushes 21 yards. Panthers 1 and 10 on Govs 29.

1:57 Second Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 13
Govs forced to punt. Panthers take over 1 and 10 on 33.

4:14 Second Quarter Govs 10 Panthers 13
Panthers Garoppolo completes pass to Hendricks to set up first and goal. Panthers score. With extra point, they take a 13-10 lead.

8:36 Second quarter Govs 10 Panthers 6
Govs offense stalls for first time, forced to punt. Panthers take over with 1 and 10 on 20-yard line.

11:11 second quarter Govs 10 Panthers 6
Panthers Krol completes 52-yard pass to Wright for a touchdown. Panthers fail to convert 2-point play.

13:25 Second Quarter
Panthers offense start on their own 5-yard line. Get first down drown and driving.

Second Quarter
Stansell kicks a 21-yard field goal. Govs take a 10-0 lead.

End of the first quarter
Govs offense controlling the game. Govs lead 7-0 and face 4 and goal.

1:01 First Quarter
Govs convert second fourth down of the game. First and goal. Govs have produced 101 yards on the ground so far this quarter.

4:00 First Quarter
Govs offense driving on second series. Earn seventh first down of the game so far. 1 an 10 at Panthers 29.

7:12 First Quarter
Govs defense force Panthers to go three and out. After the punt Govs offense take over with 1 and 10 at their 36.

9:31 First Quarter
White rushes to the end zone. Extra point is good and Govs take 7-0 lead.

10:41 First Quarter
Curtis completes an 11-yard pass to convert on fourth down. Next, throws a short pass to Stark for 7 yards. A penalty puts Govs 1 and 10 on the Panthers 7-yard line.

11:51 First Quarter
Govs face 3 and 13 on Panthers 41. After Ryan White 8 yard rush. Govs line up to go for first down, but call a timeout.

Govs win the toss and choose to receive. Start 1 and 10 at 29-yard line. Govs QB Landon Curtis scrambles for first down.