#1 Georgia vs. Georgia Southern: The Bulldogs cruised past the Eagles in their opener, winning 45-21. As expected, they went in a took care of business early, running out to a 24-0 lead at halftime and never looking back. Two stats stood out to me from this game: Knowshon Moreno scored three touchdowns on only eight carries for 59 yards, and this win by Georgia snapped a three-game losing streak by AP #1 ranked teams. Moreno has an excellent shot to win the Heisman this year, and Georgia is going to be very good. Also, let's not forget that Uga VII was introduced during the game.#3 USC vs. Virginia: In the Trojans first visit to the state of Virginia, Mark Sanchez definitely 
solidified his spot as starting quarterback on this team. In their 52-7 win over the Cavaliers, Sanchez went 25-for-35, threw for 338 yards and tossed three touchdowns. Sanchez said that it "felt good," adding "I moved when I needed to and was really happy out there." Obviously this game was a warm-up before they face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 2. Or maybe Virginia lost because Tiki Barber was in attendance?#4 Oklahoma vs. Chattanooga: Not much to say on this game rather than Oklahoma totally dominated their opponent, 57-2. Chattanooga's numbers back that statement up: 20 total passing yards, 16 total rushing yards (36 total yards of offense), and out of three quarterbacks Chattanooga used, they could only complete three passes. Wow.#6 Missouri vs. #20 Illinois: Everyone has been talking a lot about Missouri's QB Chase Daniel, but practically unnoticed is Jeremy Maclin. Until now (I hope). Maclin had 206 all-purpose yards, which included a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown. And just like last years game, the Tigers held to win 52-42. This one was a thriller, as both teams combined for 92 points 1,081 yards. Illinois QB Juice Williams could have played the best game depending on how you look at it. Juice threw for 452 yards on 27-for-41 passing and had five touchdown passes. Maclin went down in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle, but the team has said everything looks OK. Let me say that Missouri definitely looks like a national title contender and it should be a great battle between them and Oklahoma for the Big 12 title. Illinois also looks like they could pull something off like last year and upset the Buckeyes, but I don't see that happening with this years team.
#7 LSU vs. Appalachian State: Right now, LSU is laughing in the film room about people thinking App. State could upset them. And in defense of my Wolverines, I won't make any mention of you-know-what. LSU rolled out to a 31-0 halftime lead which ended all hopes of an upset right then and there, and eventually won 41-13. Charles Scott was the player of the game, rushing for 160 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers. Another stat I found interesting: this was the first time the defending FBS and FCS champions have played against each other. #9 Clemson vs. #24 Alabama: Zero rushing yards for Clemson. That looks like this, "0." The dynamic duo (er...Thunder and Lightning) of C.J. Spiller and James Davis did not do anything to help the Tigers win this game. Alabama's defense was amazing and they held the ACC favorites to 10 points, winning 34-10. The Tide also controlled the ball possession, having it for 41:13 opposed to Clemson's 18:47. Clemson was horrible on third-downs, converting one of nine tries. I think that this is an Alabama team that can be dangerous if they continue to play like this. John Parker Wilson knows how to run the offense and Nick Saban has a little more experience with this team under his belt.Michigan vs. Utah: Oh boy. Here we go again. The first thing I have to question is Rich Rodriguez's decision to start Nick Sheridan at QB over Steven Threet. Yes, Sheridan threw for 29 more yards on the same number of attempts as Threet, but Threet looks better suited to engineer the spread offense. He led the Wolverines to two scores in the fourth quarter, which is something I don't think Sheridan could have done. The second thing is WHERE WAS THE DEFENSE IN THE FIRST HALF?! We let Utah get to a 22-10 lead in the first half, giving up 16 points in the second quarter, which killed us. Then all of the sudden you're threatened during coach's speech at half time and go out and play like you were supposed to play all game. The third thing is with four seconds left in the game and you obviously go to the hail mary play, you don't throw a seven-yard pass and hope to lateral it 300 times like the Trinity play last year. The Wolverines are going to have to make some adjustments for next weeks game against Miami (Ohio), a game they should win.
I think Chad Johnson is great for the NFL. I have always thought that his crazy antics and touchdown celebrations have brought some fun into the "No Fun League." I even think Roger Goodell knows, but won't admit it. This story has been beat to death, but oh well. As you probably know, Chad Johnson legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco.
The Cincinnati Bengal receiver has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week. Johnson, who lives in Miami, didn't return a message left on his cell phone Friday night.
Part of me wants to say that I think that this is absolutely crazy, while another part wants to say that this is marketing genius and a good laugh. What happens if he gets traded and can't wear #85? Is he screwed? Can he change his name back? (I'm assuming you can, I have never legally changed my name before.) But you also have to say that he could make a lot of money off of the new merchandise and brings some fun to the NFL on Sunday's. Because watching the Bengals play football certainly isn't fun.
I would also like to point out that 85 in Spanish is Ochenta y Cinco, but I think that is irrelevant here because no one cares how it is spelled/said.
Tomorrow I'll have a recap of yesterday's College Football and MLB action.
Michigan-Utah: Michigan is up 10-6 at the end of the first quarter over the Utes at Michigan Stadium. As a Michigan fan all around there is nothing like watching the team run out, jump, and touch the GO BLUE banner at The Big House. Nick Sheridan was named the starter for today and actually hasn't done half bad, tossing an 8-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game. Michigan blocked Utah's extra point on their touchdown then nailed a 50-yard field goal to get the score to where it is at right now. It is definitely fun watching the new spread offense Rich Rod has installed, and the defense is looking good. Penalties are killing Utah right now.
Ohio State-Youngstown State: Heisman candidate Chris "Beanie" Wells went down with a foot injury in the third quarter of OSU's blowout, 43-0. The Buckeyes can't afford to lose Wells (I need to mention that I hate his nickname) if they want to beat USC. As of right now it looks like the injury isn't serious, but you never know what could happen. Terrelle Pryor played in this game and was marvelous for the Buckeyes, going 4-6 on his passes and running for a touchdown.
For the other games on the schedule, there will be no upset for Appalachian State, as they got shellacked by LSU in their opener. I will also mention that I hope everyone in the Bayou area and the entire southeast portion of the United States can evacuate easily and stay safe, because Hurricane Gustav is now a Category 4.
The first upset of the year comes at the expense of #17 Virginia Tech, as unranked East Carolina defeated the Hokies, 27-22. Bowling Green also upset #25 Pittsburgh, 27-17.
On slate for tonight: Illinois-Missouri, Alabama-Clemson, and Washington-Oregon.
If the time comes and Nick On Sports is in the media, all links/clips/findings will be posted right here.
Interviews
Gery Kiss, Hungarian water polo player (September 9, 2008 but posted September 10, 2008)
Paula Creamer, LPGA golfer (September 10, 2008)
Hey, welcome to the blog. The name of this blog (original, huh?) basically explains what will be found here. Nick (that's me) writing on sports. Let me tell you a little about myself...My name is Nick Barnowski. I am 14-years-old and reside in Southeastern Michigan. Now, you are probably asking yourself why would some one 14 years of age write a blog?I want to go into the journalism business when I get older. That's probably not the answer you would get when you ask most teenagers what they want to be, but writing about sports and writing in general is something I have grown to love doing and I have always wanted to read the headline then underneath it find "By Nick Barnowski."This blog will be mainly a hobby of mine but at the same time I want to gain experience by giving my thoughts on sports. I will also try to get some interviews with either athletes, coaches, or members of the media.
The above sentence pretty much explains what you will find in this blog.
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