Week 4 Roundup: Independents

 

Sept. 20 BYU 41, Virginia 33 
And You Care Because … BYU remained unbeaten, but not without getting all it could handle from Virginia. The Cougars and the Cavaliers went toe-to-toe for most of the game, but BYU never relinquished a lead it grabbed on a Taysom Hill touchdown run early in the third quarter. Every time the Cavs drew within a score, the Cougars had an answer, capped by a 99-yard Adam Hine kickoff return to finally put the game out of reach with 7:50 left in the fourth. 
What Else? No, it wasn’t prolific, but Hill continued to make his Heisman case by accounting for 259 yards and three touchdowns. And he did it against a Virginia D that’s been shutting people down all season. 
– Oddly enough, Virginia lost the game, but dominated the offensive statistics. The Cavaliers outgained the Cougars, 519-332, dominated time of possession and scored 27 points on five red-zone trips. 
– Considering how poorly the defense played, BYU was fortunate to have won this game. Hine’s special teams heroics and the continued leadership of Hill helped keep the dream of a perfect season alive. 
– Can Virginia build off this offensive effort? The usually feeble Cavalier attack was potent, balanced and consistent. And the Cavs did it all at a tough road venue and against a physical defensive unit. 
Game Rating: B+ 

Sept. 20 Rutgers 31, at Navy 24 
And You Care Because … After nearly letting a double-digit lead slip away, Rutgers used a goal-line stand in the waning moments to hold off Navy in Annapolis. The Scarlet Knights overcame an injury to leading rusher Paul James by getting 186 combined rushing yards from Justin Goodwin and Desmon Peoples. The Midshipmen twice pulled to within a touchdown in the second half, but a couple of key sacks of Keenan Reynolds preserved the win for Rutgers. 
What Else? Goodwin ran for a workmanlike 104 yards and a score on 26 carries. Even more impressive, though, was the fact that he was one of the Rutgers’ starting cornerbacks in the opener. 
– In a rarity, Navy QB Keenan Reynolds was more effective as a passer than a runner. He was 12-of-22 for an uncharacteristic 231 yards and a touchdown to Brendan Dudeck. 
– It’s not often that an opponent outgains Navy on the ground, but that’s what Rutgers accomplished Saturday. The Knights outgained the Mids, 284-171, while keeping Reynolds in check. 
– Rutgers got a huge day from its defense, including nine tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles. DE David Milewski got in on two of those sacks and one of the forced fumbles. 
Game Rating: B 

Sept. 20 Wake Forest 24, Army 21 
And You Care Because …Wake Forest rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to upend Army in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons scored the game’s final 10 points, including a game-winning John Wolford to E.J. Scott touchdown pass with 6:45 remaining. It was a building-block first FBS victory for rookie Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson and his rebuilding roster of young players. 
What Else? Wolford enjoyed the best day of his brief college career, hitting on 25-of-35 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His touchdown passes went to Scott and fellow rookie TE Cam Serigne. 
– Army rushed for 341 yards, its usual production on the ground, but it wasn’t enough. QB Angel Santiago led the way with 123 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. 
– Redshirt freshman DE Wendell Dunn has a bright future with Clawson’s team. He not only had eight stops, but 2.5 tackles were behind the line, and he forced a fumble. 
– LB Jeremy Timpf was the defensive standout for the Black Knights in Winston-Salem. He had a team-high eight tackles, two stops for loss, a pick and a pass breakup. 
Game Rating: B