By guest writer Phil Oscarson
This early in the football season, it’s still difficult to get a clear idea about the strength of any given team. Most of the major conference teams have been playing against lesser competition, making it precarious to pinpoint exactly where the team sits as far as talent is concerned. It’s kind of like doing a 5 Dimes review without ever visiting the website.
The Colorado Buffaloes
After last year’s 4-8 debacle, the Colorado Buffaloes have looked extraordinary so far this year. With a record of 2-0, they have absolutely destroyed the competition, beating Colorado State 44-7 and Idaho St. 56-7. In the process, they have averaged 587.5 YPG to rank #9 in the nation in total offense. With that said, one has to wonder whether or not the Buffaloes really have one of the best offenses in the country. Continue reading
BY A GNAT’S EYELASH – The COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS CORSAIRS took it on the road against the REEDLEY COLLEGE TIGERS. A game for the ages unfolded as the Corsairs trailed the Tigers 7-6 to end the 1st Quarter. That score was unchanged at Halftime but College of the Redwoods went on top 19-7 in the 3rd Quarter, then had to hold on against a furious Reedley College rally for a 26-22 win. 
ALL-NAME GAME – This game pitted the SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE OLYMPIANS against the visiting COMPTON COLLEGE TARTARS. The team names were the best part in this lopsided affair as the Olympians parlayed a 30-0 score at the break into a FIFTY-FOUR to NINE blowout victory. San Diego Mesa College QB Jeremiah Henderson threw for 3 TD’s on just 188 yds passing. 
REIVERS BEAT DOWN BUTLER – In a meeting of two power-packed teams the IOWA WESTERN COLLEGE REIVERS thoroughly dismantled the traditional bullies on the block of the Jayhawk Conference – the BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES. After a scoreless 1st Quarter the Reivers went up 14-0 by Halftime and never looked back. Iowa Western won by a final tally of FORTY-NINE to SEVEN! 
DAVENPORT CONQUERS THE WORLD – Every week in college football season NAIA teams topple teams from higher divisions. Yesterday the DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS absolutely hammered NCAA Division TWO’s KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE PANTHERS. Davenport U sent KWC back home reeling from a 41-7 head-slam. (As always a win over a higher division counts as 2 wins in the NAIA/NCAA rivalry.) 
TUSKEGEE TOPPLES FAMU – Meanwhile NCAA Division Two’s TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS hosted Division ONE’s FLORIDA A&M RATTLERS. The Golden Tigers and Rattlers played 4 bone-crushing Quarters of football and when all of the dust had settled Tuskegee University was the team left standing. The final tally in this game was Golden Tigers 20 FAMU 17. 
PRIVATEERS OVER THE MARINERS – The game of the night on Friday was the clash between the MARITIME COLLEGE PRIVATEERS and the visiting MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY MARINERS. The Privateers trailed the Mariners 7-0 after 1 Quarter of play but pulled to within 7-6 by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with the score knotted up at 13-13 with Maritime College pulling out a 20-16 victory in the 4th. QB Thomas Wright threw for 2 TD’s for the Privateers.
SHUTOUTS – The ROWAN UNIVERSITY PROFS did battle with their guests the WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY PIONEERS and converted a 7-0 edge at the break into a 31-0 masterpiece of defensive play. ### And the traveling FRAMINGHAM STATE RAMS took on the FITCHBURG STATE FALCONS, shutting them out in a much closer 14-0 affair. 
FAIRMONT STATE ON TOP – The FAIRMONT STATE FIGHTING FALCONS traveled to take on the WEST LIBERTY STATE HILLTOPPERS in what turned out to be the game of the night. The Fighting Falcons trailed the Hilltoppers 3-0 in the 1st Quarter, 17-7 at Halftime and 20-7 to end the 3rd. In the 4th Quarter Fairmont State surged from behind for a 21-20 triumph. The Fighting Falcons are now 3-0 for 2016. 
Some first impressions and second takes about the Patriots in the first week reveal a lot about where they may go in the second week. Cincinnati and Seattle came out on top, delivering last-minute defeats to the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, which was not so surprising as to affect the 
ONE POINT WONDER – The ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE MARAUDERS welcomed the SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE OLYMPIANS on Saturday in a clash of cool-named teams. The 1st Half ended in a 14-14 tie and the 2nd Half was just as tight. In the end the Marauders emerged with a 28-27 victory over the Olympians. QB Blake Shepherd notched a Touchdown through the air and another on the ground for Antelope Valley College. 
SADDLEBACK PREVAILS – The SADDLEBACK COLLEGE GAUCHOS took the field against the visiting LONG BEACH COLLEGE VIKINGS. The Gauchos trailed the Vikings 24-7 to end the 1st Quarter and 27-10 at Halftime. After the break Saddleback College poured it on, making it a 30-24 game in the 3rd enroute to a 37-33 comeback win. Gauchos QB Jacob Gibson had 2 TD’s on 320 yds passing. 
USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) – 1. NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS ### 2. DEAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS ### 3. WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF THE TRADES MECHANICS (Defending Champions) ### 4. ALFRED STATE PIONEERS ### 
MARIAN UNIVERSITY RULES THE WORLD – Every week multiple NAIA teams upset teams from higher divisions. Starting us off this week are the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS from the NAIA, who traveled to face the NCAA Division Two team the UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS GREYHOUNDS. The Knights showed the Greyhounds how it’s done, spanking them 38-16. 
DOANE COLLEGE PLAYED GIANT-SLAYER, TOO – The NAIA’s DOANE COLLEGE TIGERS were on the road against the NCAA Division Two team the WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE CARDINALS. The Tigers nearly doubled-up on their higher division opponent in a 23-12 upset. These wins over higher division foes count as 2 wins in the rivalry so this made it NAIA-4, D3-0 so far this week. 
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