College Football Week 2: The Box Score Review

With Week 2 of the college football season wrapped up, we’re back to our box score review session. If you’re new to the segment, we highlight some of the more misleading box scores from the week, along with some inside information and stats to highlight why things may have turned out differently in another timeline. With that said, let’s dive in.

College Football Week 2: Misleading Box Scores

Arizona State 20 at Texas A&M 48

Arizona State was down 11 points inside of the Texas A&M 35-yard line after a turnover on downs before things turned sideways in a disastrous fourth quarter for the Sun Devils.

On the aforementioned possession, Arizona State threw a pick-six that was returned for a 55-yard touchdown, followed by a fumble on the first play the next series (TAM field goal), followed by another pick-six (45 yard return), finally ending on a turnover on downs on their own 35-yard line.

Arizona State’s performance fell off the rails, but it isn’t like Texas A&M played well in this game. The Aggies were outgained 369-255, had less yards per play (4.9 to 4.3), less yards per pass (7.1 to 5.7), and less yards per rush (4.0 to 2.6). Texas A&M was significantly outplayed at home, but was able to win big in the final score due to capitalizing on several Arizona State blunders late in the game. Keep an eye on Texas A&M moving forward.

Sacred Heart 10 at UMass 37

Sacred Heart was significantly outplayed in yards per play, yards per pass, and yards per rush. However, they really shouldn’t have lost as badly as the final score says. Sacred Heart was only outgained 315 to 303 in total yards and had more first downs than UMass (16 to 13), while using three quarterbacks in the game.

The lopsided final score is due to an 82-yard punt return touchdown by UMass in the first quarter, a turnover on downs by Sacred Heart in the second quarter, and a 35-yard pick-six by UMass at the start of the third. The Minutemen were everyone’s darling after a dominant Week 1 performance at Rutgers, and continued that into Week 2.

Cal 21 at Syracuse 18

The Golden Bears really had no business winning this game against Syracuse in Week 2. Cal was outplayed by Syracuse in every statistical category by a wide margin. Syracuse had an edge in first downs (28 to 16), third down conversions (7/18 to 3/12), total yards (249 to 442), total yards (249 to 442), passing yards (182 to 323), and rushing yards (67 to 119).

Both teams played a sloppy game, combining for a massive 227 yards in penalties. To begin the second half, Syracuse was up 12-7, held Cal to a turnover on downs at midfield, but then threw a costly red zone interception at the Cal 19-yard line. That led to a Golden Bears touchdown which gave them the lead. However, the fourth quarter is where things really fell off the rails for the Orange.

Syracuse missed a chip shot 31-yard field goal, then threw a pick-six at their own 11-yard line. Afterwards, they missed a 46-yard field goal before ending with a game sealing-interception at the Cal 44-yard line. If you take the pick-six off the board and give Syracuse credit for at least two field goals that probably should have been made, all of a sudden this game looks more like an easy double digit win instead of a deflating loss at home.

Northern Colorado 13 at Wyoming 21

Wyoming might be in trouble this season. Northern Colorado rolled into Laramie this past weekend with an 0-2 record versus FCS foes and had a real shot to take down the home team.

Wyoming was outgained 346 to 304, gave up 6.4 yards per pass, and only outrushed Northern Colorado by 15 yards. The Bears’ undoing comes at the hand of a turnover on downs inside of the Wyoming-25, two interceptions inside of their own 40-yard line. They were still only trailing by one before an ultimately desperation drive ended on their own 23 with yet another turnover on downs.

It isn’t like Wyoming played a clean game without blunders of their own. Yet, after getting dismantled at Colorado State and winning a tight home game versus an 0-2 FCS team, there are justifiable concerns with the Cowboys moving forward.

Jacksonville State 27 at Ohio 29 (4 OT)

This was probably the wildest game of the weekend in Week 2. Jacksonville State was the much better team overall, outgaining Ohio 447 to 262 and out-passing them 286 to 97, while both teams put up similar stats on the ground against each other. However, here are the sequence of events that took place to get us to a 29-27 final score after being tied 24-24 at the end of four quarters:

• Jax State missed 38-yard field goal to win the game.
• Jax State turnover on downs in OT1.
• Ohio blocked field goal in OT1.
• Two made field goals in OT2.
• Both teams unsuccessful in OT3 two-point attempt.
• Ohio successful two-point conversion to start OT4.
• Jax State false start to start their OT4 possession, followed by an incomplete pass to lose.

South Alabama 24 at Tulane 28

Tulane was able to squeak out a win against South Alabama over the weekend. However, the box score suggests there should have been a different result.

The Jaguars had more first downs than Tulane (25 to 12), were 10-of-16 on third down conversions, outgained them 477 to 421, had a 296 to 212 passing yard edge, and kept the rushing stats close at 181 to 209. While Tulane held a massive edge in yards per rush (7.2 to 4.5), South Alabama was better, statistically, everywhere else.

The Jaguars had a turnover on downs inside of the Tulane 35-yard line early in the second quarter, a missed 34-yard field goal in the third, and a desperation turnover on downs that ended the game after allowing Tulane to score in the last two minutes. It seems like the Green Wave rebuild may take more time than expected.

Additional Box Score Quick Hits

Colgate 10 at Central Michigan 13: CMU passed for a total of 76 yards, played three quarterbacks, and were down 10-0 at the half to FCS Colgate.

Tennessee Martin 7 at West Virginia 52: WVU’s defense is still struggling, allowing 318 yards to in drives that ended in a turnover on downs, a blocked punt, a fumble, a missed field goal, an interception, and another turnover on downs for UT Martin.

Mississippi State 38 at Minnesota 13: Minnesota ran for 13 total yards at .9 yards per carry, while Mississippi State totaled nearly 500 offensive yards at 7.0 yards per play.

Weber State 21 at Colorado 52: Both teams combined for 951 yards, with QB Julian Lewis going 17-of-23 for 366 yards and four touchdowns after struggling passing in week one at Georgia Tech.

UNLV 6 at North Texas 44: UNLV’s defense was dominated, giving up 450 total yards at 6.7 yards per play, 8.7 yards per pass, and 4.8 yards per rush.

Buffalo 20 at FIU 33: Buffalo allowed 540 total yards at 7.1 yards per play and 10.7 yards per pass.

Memphis 20 at Boise State 38: The Memphis run defense gave up 357 rushing yards at 7.6 yards per rush to Boise State and blew a 14-point lead. Memphis also passed for 384 yards on just 17 completions.

Southern Utah 24 at Colorado State 58: There were 1,137 total yards combined between both offenses, with Colorado State putting up 678 themselves, but allowing 459 on defense.

Iowa State 13 at Iowa 16: Iowa was pretty much played to dead even in the box score by Iowa State, getting outrushed by ISU 138-93.

Texas Tech 35 at Oregon State 24: Texas Tech was outgained by Oregon State 472 to 352. They also had less yards per play (6.6 to 4.8), yards per pass (6.6 to 4.8), and were even in rushing yards per attempt (3.4 to 3.3) despite Texas Tech holding a 155 to 69 yard rushing edge. Texas Tech also allowed 403 passing yards.

Montana State 20 at Nevada 7: This was pretty much a dead even game in the box score. Nevada lost due to turnover on downs (2), interceptions (3), and a fumble, with all turnovers happening past midfield and three occurring inside of the Montana State red zone.