Alabama Football: Texas A&M Downs Crimson Tide 29-24

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s hopes for a repeat performance in the BCS national championship game were snatched out of the air by a Texas A&M defender as the Aggies came into Tuscaloosa and defeated the defending champions by a final of 29-24.

Braxton Miller Sick and hospitalized in Ohio State's win over Purdue

Miller was tackled by cornerback Josh Johnson at the tail end of a 37-yard run, falling on his left, non-throwing shoulder before slamming his head on the turf.

He remained on the field for a few minutes before being helped to the sidelines, where he underwent a lengthy examination by Ohio State's medical personnel. He was then put onto a cart and brought into OSU's locker room.

During the fourth quarter, an ambulance brought Miller to Ohio State's on-campus medical facility.

Ohio State would overcome a 12-point

Notre Dame Football: Irish Escape with 20-13 OT Win vs. Stanford

There isn't any way to win a game closer than the way the Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Stanford Cardinal at a rain-soaked Notre Dame Stadium Saturday.

Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor was stopped by the narrowest margin on the game's final play, twisting on top of the pile before stretching for the goal line as Notre Dame began to celebrate.

The whistle blew as his forward progress was stopped, but it was unclear whether Taylor's body ever touched the ground. The ball did eventually break the plane, but it was determined by replay that the play had already been blown dead.

The Irish defense stood tall all afternoon, but the four-play goal-line stand in overtime that secured the victory may be a defining moment for the team this season.

All day, as they have done all season, the Notre Dame defense kept the Irish alive.

Manti Te'o and Stephon Tuitt were each in on seemingly every play, and once again the much-maligned Irish secondary made plays all day.

For the fourth consecutive game the opponent was held out of the end zone; Stanford was held under 300 total yards and managed only 125 yards passing.

Stanford quarterback Josh Nunes helped the Irish cause by corkscrewing several balls into the dirt rather than into the arms of open receivers—in addition to throwing a pair of huge interceptions.


In the first quarter following a Notre Dame fumble, Nunes underthrew a corner route that was open, allowing Bennett Jackson to intercept the pass at the Notre Dame goal line.

Later in the quarter, Nunes set up the only first-half points for Notre Dame by throwing short into coverage to avoid up-the-middle pressure by Louis Nix. He found Irish safety Matthias Farley, who returned the ball 49 yards to the Cardinal 16.

Taylor ran the ball hard for Stanford, pounding out 102 yards on 28 carries. The Irish defense bent, but never broke and never allowed the very talented back to break free.

There is no mistake that this win belongs to the defense.

Because the Irish offense was absent most of the day.

Quarterback Everett Golson again struggled with a high-pressure defense, hitting half of his 24 attempts for 124 yards. Golson often danced around in the pocket, staring down the Stanford pass rush rather than looking for receivers.

Golson is also responsible for the first touchdown allowed in a month as well as the first opponent lead of the season.

In a strangely conceived series of plays with the Irish beginning a possession inside their own 5-yard line, head coach Brian Kelly called three straight pass plays.

On the first, Golson scrambled around and chose to run out of bounds at the three rather than throw the ball away.

On second down, Golson showed his athleticism, escaping what looked like a sure sack to throw the ball into the Stanford sideline.


On 3rd-and-13 from the three, Golson finally decided to stay in the pocket and took a blindside hit by Stanford's right defensive end Ben Gardner which dislodged the football. Cardinal linebacker Chase Thomas recovered in the end zone for the only Stanford touchdown.

Golson remained inconsistent throwing the ball, which allowed Stanford to continue to stack the box and prevent large Irish runs.

It seemed that it would not be Notre Dame's day when the Irish offense mounted their best drive of the first three quarters and netted no points.

Trailing 10-3 late in the third, the Irish offense seemed to spring to life. Beginning deep in their own territory Notre Dame began to march.

Golson found Robby Toma and Tyler Eifert for sizable gains. Cierre Wood carried twice for 20 yards; George Atkinson III ran twice for 16 yards.

Then Golson broke free of the Stanford pressure and ran 20 yards down the left sideline but was crushed by Stanford's free safety and fumbled, ending the Irish threat.

In a sign that the young Golson may still put it all together, on the next possession he shook off the three fumbles on the day and marched the Irish 52 yards in eight plays, tying the game with a 24-yard strike to Tyler Eifert.After Stanford answered with a 16-play, 68-yard drive of their own reclaiming the lead by way of a Jordan Williamson field goal, Everett Golson was denied his opportunity to lead the comeback.

Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, Arian Foster Too Much For New York Jets

Foster’s production: Look at the final numbers: 29 carries, 152-yards and a TD. In the Texans’ playbook you will see the Counter OF, Power O and Lead out of their 2-Back looks with the Stretch and Stretch “GT” (pull the front side Guard and Tackle) when Foster is aligned in the “dot.”  And off this run action, the boot (and “Swap” boot) come into play for QB Matt Schaub. The Texans didn’t generate the big plays down the field to WR Andre Johnson when he was matched up vs. CB Antonio Cromartie and they scaled back the call sheet in the fourth quarter. However, when you have a back with Foster’s vision and power vs. a D-Line you can move off the ball, its easy to lean on the run game.

JJ Watt: 'That's what you dream about;' Texans, Arian Foster smash Jets

October 9, 2012 (EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.) -- After Arian Foster ran over the New York Jets all night, it was time for the defense to seal things for the Houston Texans.
A six-point lead. Three minutes left. Mark Sanchez and the Jets 84 yards away from sending the Texans to their first loss with a crowd-pleasing comeback.
Not on this night.
Kareem Jackson intercepted Sanchez with 1:51 remaining as the Texans held on for a 23-17 victory Monday night and a 5-0 start.