College Football Saturday Sports Shorts

TENNESSEE 35 CALIFORNIA 18

No. 23 Tennessee embrassed ninth ranked California proving again that the PAC 10 is over hyped. Tennessee's performance was due in a large part to the return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe after a seven year absence from ole Rocky Top. Tennessee QB Erik Anige was superb scoring at a pace of a point a minute during the first 35 minutes of the game.

NOTRE DAME 14 GEORGIA TECH 10

Notre Dame, ranked No. 2 in preseason poll, beats Georgia Tech by 4 points in front of a hostile Tech crowd Saturday night. While Brady Quinn and Darius Walker of ND turn in solid performances one has to wonder if the Irish really deserve the No.2 ranking. During much of the first half of the game ND trailed the Yellow Jackets by 10 points.

LSU 45 LOUISIANA LAF 3

The eight ranked Tigers crushed the Rajin Cajuns in the season opener for both teams. The biggest mystery leading up to the game was which QB would be LSU's starter, Matt Flynn or JaMarcus Russell. Even though Tiger coach Les Miles was trying to keep everyone in the dark, followers of the game knew it would be JaMarcus Russell. No surprise. Russell was like a well oiled machine completing 11 of 15 passes for 253 yards and 3 touches for barely a halfs worth of work. During the game LSU's other two QBs Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux saw action.

OKLAHOMA 24 UAB 17

After last years 17-10 upset loss to TCU, Sooner QB Paul Thompson was moved to wide receiver and Rhett Bomar finished the season under the center. Flash forward 12 months and now Butler has been dismissed as a result of NCAA violations and Thompson is back as the Sooners offensive leader. After last nights game against UAB one has to wonder if Thompson should be the one to lead Oklahoma's offense. Adrian Peterson turned in a solid performance and promises to be a Heisman contender. One area the Sooners need to work on is the rushing defense which allowed a lesser UAB team a 135 yards rushing.

USC 50 Arkansas 14

USC routs Arkansas but not as bad as last year 70-17 win over the Hogs. I guess for the Hogs you might say that is progress but the game was never in doubt for the Trojans. USC looked solid even though Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart have departed for the NFL. John David Booty takes over as QB and left no doubt that the Trojans' new general can play. Booty(of the Port City Booty clan) finished the day with 24 0f 35 for 261 passing yards and 3 touchdown passes.

Texas 56 North Texas 7

The only question coming into Saturdays against North Texas for the Horns was could Colt McCoy fill the shoes of Vince Young. While McCoy may never be the player that Young was his performance looked promising. McCoy finished the day 9 of 17 for 127 yards and 3 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 1 touch. The Horns will have their first true test next week when they face the No 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.