This past weekend marked the start of the 2008-2009 College Football season and it saw mixed results for area programs

Coastal Carolina vs. Penn State University

Penn State University routed Coastal Carolina 66-10 as Evan Royster ran for three touchdowns and Derrick Williams had an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The victory tied coach Joe Paterno with Bobby Bowden atop the career wins list for major college coaches with 373 victories. Paterno is in his record 43rd season as coach of the Nitany Lions.

“I haven’t even thought about it, and I’m not going to,” Paterno said about the milestone. “I can only say it so many times, it’s not a big deal to me.”

It was an easy opening win in what could be Paterno’s last season, something that has been said several times in the past. PSU is ranked #19 in the most recent AP and USA Today rankings.

The Nitany Lions play Saturday against Oregon State on ABC at 3:30 PM EST.

Fresno State vs. Rutgers University

The Scarlet Knights came into Monday’s game against Fresno State with high expectations for this year’s offense despite losing Ray Rice to the NFL this past offseason. Returning this year are veteran leader quarterback Mike Teel and the two leading Big East receivers. Everyone expected the game to be an offensive shootout, but they apparently forgot to tell the teams involved.

The score at half-time was 0-0 and the Scarlet Knights managed just one touchdown in the second half, while the Bulldogs scored 24 points, including three touchdowns by running back Ryan Matthews.

A major problem for Rutgers was the play of the offensive line and the quarterback. Teel was rushed often and forced to throw an inordinate amount of dump passes. He ended the game with 263 yards and two interceptions.

“We just couldn’t establish any rhythm in the passing game,” Teel said. “We were all out of whack.”

The scoreless first half was the result of several missed opportunities by the Scarlet Knights and an inability to move the ball by the Bulldogs. Fresno State went three and out on three of their six first half possessions and had just 69 yards of total offense in the first half.

After three strong quarters by the Rutgers defense, they appeared to run out of gas in the fourth quarter, giving up 14 points and crushing any hopes of an opening day win.

“We found ways not to get it done today,” Rutgers’ head coach Greg Schiano said. “We didn’t come out and play the way we were capable of playing today. We lost ugly and will learn our lesson.”

Rutgers faces off against the University of North Carolina on Thursday September 11 in Piscataway. The game is on ESPN at 7:30 PM EST.

Army vs. Temple University

Temple opened their season with a 35-7 victory over Army on Friday night. Adam DiMichele threw two touchdown passes and capitalized on two Army mistakes to take a 21-0 lead within the first fifteen minutes of the game. Jamal Schulters made it 28-0 when he returned the second half kickoff 98 yards.

DiMichele finished 15-for-22 for 159 yards and had one interception.

After their last meeting, when Army beat Temple 37-21, the teams have seen a reversal of fortune. Army went on to lose six of their next seven games, while Temple mustered a record of 4-3 to end the season.

The Owls face UConn Saturday at noon at Lincoln Financial Field on ESPNU.

Villanova vs. West Virginia

West Virginia beat Villanova 48-21 in head coach Bill Stewart’s Mountaineer debut. The Mountaineers built a 34-7 lead midway through the third quarter while the Wildcats never made a serious threat to take the game. They needed little help from their vaunted rushing attack, which averaged just under 300 yards a game last year.

West Virginia quarterback Pat White set careers highs by going 25-of-33, finished with 208 passing yards and broke Marc Bulger’s school career record for total offense.

West Virginia scored on six straight possessions with half of the drives lasting five or fewer plays.
Alric Arnett and Jock Sanders each caught two of White’s scoring passes and the other went to Will Johnson.

Villanova scored on short TD runs by Antwon Young in the second quarter and Aaron Ball and Christopher Whitney in the fourth.

The Wildcats take on Lehigh University on September 13 at 1:00 PM EST in Villanova Stadium.

University of Delaware vs. University of Maryland

It took three quarterbacks but the Maryland Terrapins were able to edge out the Blue Hens 14-7 Saturday. Da’Rel Scott was the key to Maryland’s victory, rushing for 197 yards in his first college start. He carried 26 times and had runs of 40, 37 and 26 yards.

“We came in with the game plan that we were going to load up and run the ball, so I was pretty prepared for it,” Scott said. “I just wanted to let people know what I can do — and help my teammates out.”

Maryland finished with 271 yards rushing and only 126 yards through the air. They also missed three field goals.

This was a surprising loss for the Blue Hens, who have 14 starters returning this year from a team that went to the Football Championship Subdivision title game last season.

The Blue Hens take on West Chester on September 13 at 6:00 PM EST at home.