SouthernCollegeSports.com

SCS.com Freshman defensive back Dale Lloyd had a long life ahead of him. The 19-year-old Lloyd collapsed during a light workout on September 24th and was pronounced dead the following day at 8:49 AM. Lloyd's family and Rice University were stricken with grief. As to whether winless Rice was going to travel to Army, the verdict was initially undecided. The team and family of Dale Lloyd made the decision to play the game, with the number 39 stickers on every Owl helmet and Lloyd's jersey was hung in the locker room before the game.

This was not the Rice team that was blown out by Texas and Florida State the previous two weeks. Quarterback Chase Clement threw for 5 touchdowns in a 48-14 route of Army. I hope everyone can get behind this team and keep Lloyd's family in your thoughts.

DATE BOWL MATCHUP

Dec. 19 Poinsettia Colorado State vs. Navy

Dec. 21 Las Vegas UCLA vs. Air Force

Dec. 22 New Orleans UTEP vs. Middle Tennessee

Dec. 23 New Mexico TCU vs. San Jose State

Dec. 23 Birmingham SMU vs. Pittsburgh

Dec. 23 Armed Forces Utah vs. Tulsa

Dec. 24 Hawaii Hawaii vs. Washington State

Dec. 26 Motor City Northern Illinois vs. Minnesota

Dec. 27 Emerald Washington vs. Maryland

Dec. 27 Independence Texas A&M vs. Kentucky

Dec. 28 Holiday Oklahoma vs. Oregon

Dec. 28 Texas Kansas vs. BYU

Dec. 28 MPC Computers Fresno State vs. Miami (FL)

Dec. 29 Champs Sports Boston College vs. Wisconsin

Dec. 29 Music City Arkansas vs. Florida State

Dec. 29 Sun Cal vs. Texas Tech

Dec. 29 Insight Michigan State vs. Iowa State

Dec. 30 Alamo Purdue vs. Nebraska

Dec. 30 Liberty Houston vs. South Carolina

Dec. 30 Meineke Car Care Rutgers vs. Wake Forest

Dec. 30 Chick-fil-A Alabama vs. Clemson

Jan. 1 Gator Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame

Jan. 1 Cotton Missouri vs. Georgia

Jan. 1 Outback Penn State vs. Tennessee

Jan. 1 Capital One LSU vs. Iowa

Jan. 1 Rose [BCS] Michigan vs. USC

Jan. 1 Fiesta [BCS] Boise State vs. Texas

Jan. 2 Orange [BCS] Florida vs. Georgia Tech

Jan. 3 Sugar [BCS] Auburn vs. Louisville

Jan. 6 International Western Michigan vs. South Florida

Jan. 7 GMAC Southern Miss vs. Kent State

Jan. 8 *BCS TITLE* Ohio State vs. West Virginia

WHO'S HOT

Rice - No team should feel more accomplished than Rice. They won their first game of the season, with former teammate Dale Lloyd in the back of their minds. We can pray that Ricky Lay, a senior for Army, is recovering quickly after being taken to a hospital when he was tackled on a kick-off return in the 4th quarter.

Ohio State - The undefeated Buckeyes have gotten through the toughest part of their schedule. If they can avoid an upset, going into the Michigan game 11-0 is very likely. My Butkus Award dark horse is linebacker James Laurinaitis, who has 4 interceptions on the year.

Garrett Wolfe - Wolfe has more rushing yards in five games than anyone in the history of Division 1-A history. He is on pace to break the single season rushing record after a 353 yard rushing performance versus Ball State.

Auburn ball control - Auburn beat South Carolina in a hard fought football game. I do not remember when one team dominated a quarter like Auburn dominated the 3rd quarter. The Tigers managed to take every snap in that period, crushing South Carolina's hopes slowly and methodically.

California - After a disappointing season opener, Cal has won four games in a row, scoring at least 41 points in each win. Following huge victories over Arizona State and Oregon State, Cal faces Pac-10 frontrunner Oregon in an enormous game this weekend.

WHO'S NOT

Michigan State - Blowing a huge lead in the 4th quarter against rival Notre Dame was tough to swallow. Losing to Illinois at home during homecoming may make most Spartan fans choke. John L. Smith seems lost on the sideline. His antics during the press conference, such as slapping himself, makes his job security look very low.

Memphis - Life without DeAngelo Williams has not been easy for Memphis. With their two top running backs suspended for the first half, Tennessee took the Tigers behind the woodshed in a 41-7 beat down. Their only win to date came against Division 1-AA opponent Chattanooga. A game against UAB will make or break their season next week.

Toledo - With Iowa State, Kansas, and Pittsburgh on the non-conference schedule, Toledo did not do much to help its confidence. The Rockets are 2-3, and they are already 0-1 in conference play. Getting blown out 45-3 by Pittsburgh does not boost confidence in the locker room.

Iowa State - The Iowa State Cyclones may contend in the Big 12 North, but beating Division 1-AA Northern Iowa by one point is not promising. It took a touchdown with less then two minutes left to beat the upset-minded Panthers. This week they play Nebraska, who is a little better then Northern Iowa. Sorry Panthers.

Virginia Tech - Maybe I was expecting too much out of Virginia Tech this year. The Hokies managed to get whooped by an impressive Georgia Tech squad, after allowing GT to score three unanswered touchdowns to open the game. VT needs to pick up the pieces and prepare for Boston College if they want to stay in the ACC hunt.

SCS.com STORE

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Write for SCS.com

In the Media

Player Testimonials

Audio Clip Archive

Team Addresses

Free Audio Links

D-I FB Location Map