Each week, we’ll look back on what our expert analysts thought each team needed to do to secure victory in our NCAA Football broadcasts, brought to you by Pennzoil.
September 22nd: Halftime score: Clemson 21, Florida State 14
(Listen to Rocky Boiman’s Keys to the Second Half from our broadcast)
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Florida State: Rocky’s plan for the Seminoles was to clean up mistakes on special teams, after two missed first-half field goals cost Florida State six points and a muffed punt set Clemson up with a short field to score a TD.
Florida State Verdict: Who needs field goals when you score five second-half touchdowns? The kicking game wasn’t a factor in the second half, but the return game certainly was. Lamarcus Joyner’s huge 90-yard return got the ‘Noles right back on track after Clemson took a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter. After scoring a touchdown on two plays, Florida State never looked back, reeling off 28 unanswered points and putting the Tigers away for good.
Clemson: Rocky asked the Tigers to keep the foot on the gas and to avoid getting conservative.
Clemson Verdict: A 52-yard touchdown pass from a receiver to a running back on the first possession of the second half certainly wouldn’t be called conservative in terms of play-calling. But sadly for Clemson fans, that moment of brilliance from Sammy Watkins to Andre Ellington was about the last moment to cheer in the second half.
Final Score: Florida State 49 – Clemson 37
September 22nd: Halftime score: Oregon 13, Arizona 0
(Listen to Terry Donahue’s Keys to the Second Half from our broadcast)
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Arizona: Terry wanted the Wildcats to run the ball better and convert in the red zone.
Arizona Verdict: After rushing for just 13 yards on 9 carries in the first half, Arizona star Ka’Deem Carey got it going better in the second half to the tune of 66 yards on 12 carries. But it was a matter of too little, too late as the Ducks blew out the Wildcats after the intermission. As for the red zone, well, you’ll be able to tell by the final score that Arizona never managed to convert, from anywhere on the field.
Oregon: Oregon’s key was to keep stopping the run and keep holding the ‘Cats at bay.
Oregon Verdict: While Arizona moved the ball, the Ducks kept them under 100 yards on the ground in the game and capitalized time and again on Arizona turnovers – five in all, including two interceptions that went all the way to the house for touchdowns.
