Bleacher Report - Articles by Emily Thompson

Heisman Watch: Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, or Epic Failure

Emily Thompson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:23:03 -0500

Tomorrow night, America will find out if Tim Tebow joins Archie Griffin for winning two Heisman trophies, but if he does receive it, will it be earned? Here are some stats, you decide for yourself.

Tim Tebow: Passing - 174/268, 2515 yds, 28 tds, 2 int
Rushing - 564 yds 12 tds

Sam Bradford: Passing - 302/442, 4468 yds, 48 tds, 6 int
Rushing - 58 yds, 5 tds

Colt McCoy: Passing - 291/375, 3445 yds, 32 tds, 7 int <--My Pick
Rushing - 576 yds, 10 tds

Graham Harrell: Passing - 406/568, 4747 yds, 41 tds, 7 int
Rushing - 58 yds, 6 tds

Other Quarterbacks with more passing yards than Tebow:

Maryland QB: 2318 yds
Clemson QB: 2395 yds
Missouri QB: 4135 yds
Ball State QB: 3446 yds
Nebraska QB: 3332 yds
Kansas QB: 3575 yds
Iowa QB: 2792 yds
Oklahoma State QB: 2735 yds
Texas A&M QB: 2435 yds
Rutgers QB: 3099 yds
South Florida QB: 2486 yds
Louisville QB: 2493 yds
Penn State QB: 2319 yds
Minnesota QB: 2585 yds
Illinois QB 3173 yds
Purdue QB: 2400 yds
Southern Miss QB: 2852 yds
UAB QB: 2367 yds
Tulsa QB: 3671 yds
Rice QB: 3812 yds
Houston: 4768 yds
UTEP QB: 3274 yds
Southern Methodist QB: 2865 yds
Notre Dame QB: 2771 yds
Buffalo QB: 3091 yds
Bowling Green QB: 2610 yds
Ohio QB: 2355 yds
Akron QB: 2748 yds
Central Michigan QB: 2531 yds
Western Michigan QB: 3527 yds
Eastern Michigan QB: 2644 yds
Utah QB: 2636 yds
Brigham Young QB: 3629 yds
Colorado State QB: 2677 yds
San Diego State QB: 2653 yds
USC QB: 2525 yds
Oregon State QB: 2341 yds
Arizona QB: 2479 yds
Arizona State QB: 2369 yds
Georgia QB: 3209 yds
Ole Miss QB: 2470 yds
Arkansas QB: 2586 yds
Florida Atlantic QB: 2918 yds
Middle Tennessee State QB: 2677 yds
North Texas QB: 2752 yds
Boise State QB: 3264 yds
Nevada QB: 2479 yds
Fresno State QB: 2478 yds
New Mexico State QB: 3361 yds

Tears For Ohio State

Emily Thompson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:07:46 -0400

The Buckeyes are my team. From birth, my daddy dressed me up in Ohio State cheerleader outfits, and taught me how to yell, "Go Bucks." I quickly realized when I should scream at the TV, and that I'll never like the refs.

Eventually, I actually learned about the game, and dad was coming to biddy football games to watch me be a real cheerleader. Then the progression went on to Junior High and High School cheering, but my love for the Buckeyes only grew—as did my knowledge of the game.

When it came time to choose going to a D-II school to cheer or to Ohio State, I chose Ohio State. It's where my heart is. Even after tonight, it's where my heart is.

I always have an excuse for losing. Against Florida in '06, it was Ted Ginn Jr. getting hurt, and against LSU last year, it was the 56-day layoff between games. Tonight, I could probably think of one, but there's no use.

Beanie playing would have not changed the game, maybe would have made it less embarrassing, but wouldn't have made it enough to win.

The Pac-10 officiating crew was a joke, but Boeckman handed USC 14 points on a silver platter, so that excuse is gone.

Boeckman played horribly. It was sad to watch, but what ever happened tonight, it doesn't really matter. All I'm feeling right now is like pit in my stomach-lump in my throat-holding back tears kinda thing.

My Buckeyes, my No. 1, failed. Boeckman will be booed on returning to Columbus, no doubt in my mind. If he does anything less than 300 yards and four touchdowns next week, he will be booed in the stadium. Truthfully, I'm jumping on the Terrelle Pryor bandwagon.

This Buckeye is upset. I can't believe what happened tonight, and I don't want to talk about it. All I want to do is get pumped for next week. I'll be there, in Block O, waiting for my boys to bounce back.

I'm down, and I'm broken, but I'm bleeding Scarlet and Gray. This week is gone from my memory—if for at all, but tonight.

The AP Got It Wrong: Top Five in the Wrong Order!

Emily Thompson — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:16:28 -0400

On Saturday, Sep. 6, this Buckeye was stuck at a 12-hour shift at the ever-failing Steve & Barry's—effectively ruining this glorious day. So I've decided to give my opinions on the Top Five (AP). I have to get some football into my system—I'm having withdrawal.

1. USC

As a Buckeye, I'm still uninspired, and I felt like a traitor for typing the letters U-S-C, but still. No game this week. How they stay No. 1 without proving anything, I don't know. Sure, they dominated a very down Virginia last week, but other teams dominated both weeks. I'm not saying they are a bad team—I'm just saying they are a No. 2 team.

2. Georgia

After being snubbed via AP/Coaches/any poll in the world last week, the Bulldogs did just fine. I'm still shocked they are below USC (again with the letters). In my opinion, they started out No. 1, they played like No. 1, and they deserve to be No. 1. They have done nothing to even hint that they shouldn't be, yet USC sits perched in their place.

Now let's all grow a pair, stand up to USC and its expected win against a horrible Virginia team, and give Georgia the ranking it deserves. Hell, just ask Knowshon Moreno. He likes leaping over people—maybe he should leap over USC too.

3. Oklahoma

Good performance all in all against Cincy, but let's get real: Cincinnati's starters are Ohio State's sixth string. Hell, I even picked OSU over UC—it's just the nature of Ohio.

Now back to Oklahoma. We finally get to see Ryan Broyles, and what a force this boy turns out to be—breaking records by day, climbing rankings by night. It's a happy time for the Sooners.

The only negative about the week: They let Cincinnati run back a 97-yard kickoff return. Now you are saying, "Okay, well that happens quite a bit, and it didn't hurt Florida when Ohio State did it." Well the reason it's a negative is that the good ol' Bearcats haven't had a kickoff returned for a touchdown in—get this—145 games!

4. Florida

(I want to apologize right now for anything said to offend anyone in this whole paragraph. Being a die-hard Buckeye, the team in orange and blue kinda sits as low as Michigan in the hate factor as of now.)

OK, so I'm downright not impressed. The Gators played Miami, who they haven't beaten since '85. Not winning in such and such a time doesn't make the other team good.

1. The win was not spectacular. Yes, there were some spectacular plays, but not a spectacular game.

2. Florida did not "handle" Miami until the fourth quarter.

3. Ohio State (you know that team that everyone says can't win real games, remember?) beat Miami at its best, in 2002! Not much to look forward to in Hurricane country since.

4. This "no wins since '85" means nothing to me. The fact is, in that gap of time they've played six times. That's like saying Michigan beats Ohio State after six years, and they are suddenly good. Give me a break.

Given this, I hereby name Miami cupcake game No. 2 for Florida.

Now for the opinion on Tim Tebow. Up to this point, he has given me no motivation whatsoever to think he will be holding the Heisman again. Rushing yards v. cupcake No. 2: 55 and zero TDs. Terrelle Pryor's rushing yards v. OSU's cupcake No. 1: 52 and one TD. Tebow game time: whole game; Pryor game time: three drives.

Now you're saying, "Well, Tebow isn't a running back." Now I say, "That's why he won the Heisman last year. He has lower numbers this year, which equals no Heisman No. 2."

5. Ohio State

Ha ha, I'm sure you are all just dying to hear my spin on this, aren't you? Now while being at work on my college football day, what I had for football was text message via a friend from OU. Yes, you heard it right—I was getting my Ohio State updates from an Ohio student. Ironic, right?

Well, let's just say all I got in the first, second, and third quarters was, "HAHAHA Ohio State's gonna lose." Fourth quarter, I got nothing. End of game, I got, "OK so you won, I'm going to drink now." Ahh, the love of college football.

Back to how they actually did. There need to be riots in Columbus with the remnants of "START TERRELLE PRYOR." Boeckman needs to show up and show up fast if he thinks he's going to hold the starting job. The man in the vest has to be thinking the same thing, and Ohio State fans are pretty much calling for Boeck's head.

As for their No. 5 ranking, I say switch Florida & Ohio State.

My Top Five

1. Georgia

2. USC

3. Oklahoma

4. Ohio State

5. Florida

So that's my football for the day! Oh, and just to leave you a little link to ESPN's USC-OSU Prediction. Note Ohio being a different color than EVERY other state. See you Saturday. =)

Roddick Learns Nothing From Olympics, Loses At Open

Emily Thompson — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:10:57 -0400

Have we learned nothing from the Olympics people?

Alain Bernard said the French would "smash the Americans like guitars." They lost.

Cavic said "Phelps losing would be good for him, and good for the sport." He lost.

Have we not learned that trash talk does no good?

Now Andy Roddick didn't say he would smash Novak Djokovic like guitars, nor did he say anything along the lines of beating him.

In Djokovic's prior match he called for a trainer not once, not even twice, but several times—for his hip, ankle, stomach, and even breathing issues.

After the match asked about Djokovic's problems, Roddick "kidding around" was checking whether or not the list of problems included anthrax, bird flu, SARS, and the common cold and said, "He's either quick to call a trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time."

Sure that upset Djokovic, but what really set him off is when Roddick said in an on court interview, "I've got to feel good. He's [Djokovic] got about 16 injuries right now."

Djokovic beat Roddick in 4 sets: 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. Afterwards Djokovic said, "That’s not nice, anyhow, to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and that I’m faking." This response brought boos from the crowd. He then said, "They’re already against me [the crowd], because they think I’m faking everything."

For what it's worth, Roddick swears he was just joking, and he and Djokovic had a private "meeting." After this meeting Djokovic said, "He made a joke, and it was a misunderstanding, so I don’t blame it on him. Maybe I exaggerated and reacted bad in that moment. I apologize."

Djokovic moves on to the semi-finals to face Roger Federer.

Everything Goes Well Except Chris Wells' Injury As Ohio State Rolls in Opener

Emily Thompson — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:34:59 -0400

It was the day Ohio State fans have been waiting for since November, the opener against Youngstown State Saturday, and fans got everything they asked for in a 43-0 victory—almost everything, at least.

When Ohio State's opening drive came down to a 4th-and-1, coach Jim Tressel decided to go for it, and what a good idea that was. On the very next play, Chris Wells broke away for a 43-yard touchdown.

Todd Boeckman got the Buckeyes into the red zone on the next offense drive, and Ryan Pretorius put points on the board by kicking a 28-yard field goal.

In the third offensive series, Buckeye nation saw the first of Terrelle Pryor. On his first play, Pryor rifled a quick pass to Lamar Thomas in the right flat. He drove the Buckeyes down to the Youngstown State 5-yard line, and was then sacked for an eight-yard loss by Jaimie Frasure. Pretorius again was called upon, and made a 31-yard field goal.

The next offense drive Ohio State saw a third quarterback in Joe Bauserman. Bauserman also led the Bucks into the red zone only to be stopped yet again. Petorius trotted back out onto the field to make a 27-yard kick, making it 16-0.

Boeckman came back onto the field on the next series to be seemingly stopped, but good old Petorius saved them. He came on and kicked a 51-yard field goal effortlessly.

In the last Buckeye drive before the half, Boeckman hooked up with Brian Robiskie for a 31-yard touchdown pass.

Youngstown was virtually helpless offensively as its only first down before halftime came via penalty. Ohio State led by a 26-0 margin at the break.

The third quarter brought silence to the Ohio Stadium. On a 1st-and-goal at the YSU 2-yard line, Todd Boeckman handed off to Chris Wells, who immediately slammed to the ground, dropping the ball and grabbing his foot. Medical personnel immediately ran to Wells' side. He was then carried off the field and attended to behind the Ohio State bench. A hushed Ohio Stadium then witnessed Wells being carted into the locker room.

Back on the field Youngstown State had recovered the Wells' "fumble." The defense stepped step, and stopped them in their tracks.

Still waiting for word on Wells, Pryor came back onto the field. Pryor reignited the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium as he rushed for an 18-yard score.

Later in the game, backup kicker Aaron Pettrey kicked a 54-yard field goal, the fourth-longest at Ohio Stadium. Boeckman also hooked up with DeVier Posey for a 25-yard touchdown.

The final score was 43-0.

The Buckeye defense held Youngstown State to 74 total yards and minus-12 rushing yards. Marcus Freeman and Tyler Moeller led the defense with six tackles apiece. James Laurinaitis had five. Seven different players made a tackle for a loss.

On the offensive side, Boeckman was 14-of-19 for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Pryor was 4-of-6 for 35 yards, and rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown. Despite the injury, Wells led the running backs with 111 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Leading the wide receivers, DeVier Posey made four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Brian Robiskie had three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Altogether, the Buckeyes gained 495 yards and 24 first downs.

At the end of the game, Tressel gave Buckeye nation the most positive note of the day saying of Well's injury, "X-rays were negative."

Five Superstitions for Thee Ohio State University Game Day

Emily Thompson — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:18:44 -0400

It's here. It's finally here. Saturday is the beginning of what Buckeye fans have been waiting for since January.

Did you go to your old high school's opening game last Friday as a warm-up? I bet you did, because you can't help it. None of us can. August to January is what we all live for.

So what are your game day superstitions? Here are mine.

5. Carmen Ohio

Fact: You are not a Buckeye fan if you don't know the words to Carmen Ohio. So in getting ready for the big game, bust out a few bars. It feels good.

4. Colors

Doesn't it just irk you when you see someone all dressed in Scarlet and Gray, and then notice their socks are blue? Or that cute girl in the jean shorts and Laurinaitis jersey has on yellow flip-flops and a bright yellow hair tie in her hair?

And don't lie, you know you can see half the underwear of anyone under 30 sticking out of their jeans—and when you see on game day that it's a cute blue and yellow pattern? Got to match the colors everyone. No matter if it is just a hair tie.

3. Wings

For the first Buckeye game I ever watched, my daddy made wings. So I have to at least eat one wing before the game. It's as simple as that. You can't break tradition.

2. O-H

OK, so if someone yells O-H, you best be yelling I-O. If you don't, you're not a Buckeye fan. Oh, and you have to do it at least once on game day. It's just un-American if you don't.

1. Game Day Jersey

Now who would want to wear the wrong jersey? Who wears a white jersey at a home game? Yeah, that'd be no one. Todd Boeckman isn't in the 'Shoe wearing white, so you don't need to be either. It's red at home, white when away.

All right, so maybe I'm crazy, or maybe I'm just a Nut. These are my superstitions. Share your own.

Shawn Johnson Goes Out On A Gold Note

Emily Thompson — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:24:26 -0400

Shawn Johnson has spent all week finding the silver lining. She won silver in the team competition, silver in the all-around, and silver in the floor. After all that, the American gymnast had one event left—balance beam.

Johnson is a fan favorite and not the gymnastic robot most others are. She goes to a public school and only trains four hours a day, about half as much as everyone else.

In other words, she's normal—as normal anyone can be for a world class athlete. She is America's sweetheart, the closest thing to Mary Lou Retton a generation ago.

She lost gold in the team competition with China getting 188.900, and U.S.A. getting 186.525.

She missed out on gold in the all-around to teammate/roommate/best friend Nastia Liukin. Liukin score of 63.325 narrowly beat Johnson's total of 62.725.

She lost gold in the floor competition to the last routine, as Sandra Izbasa scored to 15.650 to Johnson's 15.500.

When asked about the results Johnson said, "When you do get (silver) you feel different emotions, but I looked back and appreciated that I had a medal. If it were gold, it might feel differently. I don’t know how to explain it. I definitely came to appreciate it. I wouldn’t trade my silver medals for anything in the world. Not even gold.”

Johnson decided that medals didn't matter in her last event. She just wanted to leave the Olympics not regretting anything. She wanted to do the best she could do.

The best she could do was gold.

Shawn Johnson finally won her gold medal in the last competition. Johnson's beam routine was nearly flawless.

She won with a score of 16.225, teammate Nastia Liukin won silver with a score of 16.025, and China's Fei Cheng took home the bronze with a score of 15.950.

Congrats Shawn! Your gold was well deserved, and it's about time!

Photo's from Getty Images/Yahoo! Sports

Michael Phelps Wins Gold After Serbia's Protest Was Denied

Emily Thompson — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:29:26 -0400

Michael Phelps looked like he had lost. I thought he had lost; but low and behold, the 23-year-old swimming sensation won. How he did it, I have no idea. For the love of God, Phelps was seventh at the turn!

Phelps won with a time of 50.58. The silver you ask, was won with a time of 50.59.

Serbia's Milorad Cavic, the winner of the silver, was Michael Phelps' inspiration to win. It was France all over again.

Cavic almost touched off controversy in the prelims when, after a race, he appeared to point in Phelps’ direction and make a pistol-shooting motion with his hand. He later said he wasn't trying to make a statement.

Then, low and behold, right before the race, it seems that Mr. Cavic was quoted as saying, "Beating Phelps would be good for him and good for swimming."

Well, Michael Phelps took it to heart and beat Cavic by 1/100th of a second. And his reaction is one which America will treasure forever.

Michael Phelps has tied Mark Spitz with seven gold medals in a single olympic games.

Now, Cavic's coach filed a protest saying Cavic out-touched Phelps. FINA denied the claim and holds up Phelps' victory!

Nastia Liukin Edges US Teammate Shawn Johnson for Gold

Emily Thompson — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:29:51 -0400

After a night of mishaps by the men, the women came into the all-around competition swinging.

Nastia Liukin, daughter of Soviet Union double-gold-medalist Valeri Liukin, captured gold. Nastia was born in Moscow, but at age 2 her father moved the family to the United States.

Shawn Johnson of Des Moines, Iowa came up just 0.600 points shy in taking silver, while Yilin Yang of China won the bronze.

Johnson fared well in every event but suffered in the uneven bars, earning a score 1.500 points behind Yang, who led with 16.725 points.

It all came down to the last event, floor. Yang went first out of Johnson and Liukin, and did the best she could. She had one small step after a tumbling pass, and bent knees in the air that cost her. She received a 15.000.

Liukin went next. Her routine, perfect. Her elegance and grace proved a major factor as she recorded a score of 15.525.

Now it was the World Champion in floor, Johnson's turn. During her routine, teammate Liukin was pacing, but also clapping and cheering Johnson on. Johnson also performed a perfect routine, matching Liukin's 15.525.

As the score flashed on the board, Liukin and her father/coach fought back the tears, and embraced before teammate Shawn Johnson came and gave Liukin a well deserved hug.

Vault Score:

Shawn Johnson, USA: 15.875

Yilin Yang, China: 15.175

Nastia Liukin, USA: 15.025

Uneven Bars Score:

Yilin Yang, China: 16.725

Nastia Liukin, USA: 16.650

Shawn Johnson, USA: 15.275

Balance Beam Score:

Nastia Liukin, USA: 16.125

Shawn Johnson, USA: 16.050

Yilin Yang, China: 15.750

Floor Score:

Nastia Liukin, USA: 15.525

Shawn Johnson, USA: 15.525

Yilin Yang, China: 15.000

Final Score:

Nastia Liukin, USA: 63.325

Shawn Johnson, USA: 62.725

Yilin Yang, China: 62.650

Congratulations to Liukin and Johnson, who outshined everyone. They deserved it.

Chellsie Memmel Makes Confessions After U.S.A. Wins Silver

Emily Thompson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:14:21 -0400

After a few costly mistakes, the USA took silver yet again; this time in the team gymnastics finals. Those mistakes did not come from 20-year old Chellsie Memmel.

After competing on the Uneven Bars, Chellsie received a score of 15.050, helping her team win the silver.

After the competition had completed, Chellsie admitted that she competed with a broken ankle.

What talent and determination she must have had to fight through that pain. This is one girl who is a real team player and looked out for the interests of that team.

Now I just hope she gets healthy and can show the world her domination without an injury.

Men's Gymnastics All-Around Competition Clouded by Bizarre Errors

Emily Thompson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:11:26 -0400

The Men's All-Around competition was held tonight, and many strange things happened.

First, Japan's Kohei Uchimura fell off the pommel horse, not once, but twice.

Then Japan's other gymnast, Hiroyuki Tomita, fell off still rings during his dismount, which did not look pleasant. He fell hard and awkwardly to the ground, barely escaping injury.

U.S.A.'s Jonathan Horton made a mistake on the dreaded pommel horse.

Then South Korea's Kim Daeeun took a huge step out of bounds on vault.

South Korea's other gymnast, Yang Taeyoung, sat on the pommel horse during his routine costing him a medal.

Then Germany's Fabian Hambuechen missed the bar on a release during his high bar routine.

All in all it was just messy gymnastics. China's Yang Wei won a deserving Gold Medal, while Japan's Kohei Uchimura battled back to win Silver, and Frances Benoit Caranube won the bronze.

All I can say is, I hope the girls' competition goes smoother.

James Laurinaitis: The Best of the Best on Defense

Emily Thompson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:14:54 -0400

James Laurinaitis is arguably the best defensive player Ohio State has ever seen. He's led the Ohio State defense to two straight National Championship appearances, and three straight Big 10 Championships.

Let's breakdown what this powerhouse did last season.

James was an All American linebacker, and Butkus Award winner. Also won the Bill Willis Award for Defensive MVP.

He was also the Big 10 defensive player of the year. He was a finalist for Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik, Lott, and Walter Camp player of the year.

Voted first team All-America by Walter Camp, FWAA, AFCA, Sporting News, AP, and Rivals. He was also first team All-Big 10.

He led the team with 121 tackles, and was voted Team Captain.

Laurinaitis had two interceptions at Washington, 14 tackles at Minnesota, 12 tackles against Michigan State, 19 tackles against Wisconsin along with two for loss and a fumble recovery. He had 12 tackles at Illinois, and a BCS game record 18 tackles vs. LSU.

He was the defensive player of the week vs. Youngstown State and Akron.

He received the Attack Force Award vs. Washington, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Lauirinaitis received the Special Teams Dog Tags vs. Wisconsin.

He was the Big 10 player of the week vs. Washington and Wisconsin.

The Ohio State Buckeyes Preview Part III: Special Teams

Emily Thompson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:35:20 -0400

So I hope everyone has enjoyed my previews thus far. Now here is my breakdown of Special Teams.

Kicking Game:

Ohio State returns kicker SR Ryan Pretorius. Pretorius was 48-49 on PAT for the season and 18-23 on field goals. His career best was a 50-yard field goal last season vs. Penn State.

JR Aaron Pettrey handled the kickoffs for the Buckeyes last season, and was hampered by a hip flexor strain during first half of season.

On kick returns SR Maurice Wells and JR Ray Small with most likely get the start. Wells is most known as a running back behind Beanie Wells. He has breakaway speed and can turn the corner in the blink of an eye.

Small contributed as a true freshman last year and was constantly singled out by his teammates as being the next great Ohio State wide receiver.

Punting Game:

SR A.J. Trepasso averaged 41.5 yards on 53 kicks and had 21 downed inside the 20. He was a Ray Guy Award semi-finalist.

JR Brian Hartline averaged 11.4 yards on 20 punt returns last season. Had a 90-yard punt return for TD against Kent State. The punt return broke an Ohio State record set in 1950.

Maurice Wells and Ray Small could also be called to return here as well.

So there's my preview. Ohio State is strong at all levels. Look for them to make a run to the National Championship.