No. 1 Ohio State defeated archrival Michigan 42-39 with QB Troy Smith's outstanding play

Master Football Coaches Award MCS Nike Game Balls
No. 1 Ohio State Quarterback Troy Smith named Offensive Player of the Week

By MCS Staff

ATLANTA (November 20, 2006) – The Ohio State Buckeyes solidified their No. 1 ranking in the Master Coaches Poll after defeating their archrival Michigan, 42-39.  Senior quarterback Troy Smith continued his phenomenal year, leading the top-ranked Buckeyes to a perfect 12-0 (8-0 in Big Ten) season.   Smith completed 29-of-41 passes for 316 yards and had 4 touchdowns strikes of 1, 39, 8 and 13 yards, as the Buckeyes defeated Michigan for the third straight year.  The victory gives Ohio State their first outright Big Ten title since 1984 and assures them a berth in the BCS Championship Game on January 8.  For his outstanding performance, Troy Smith is awarded the “MCS Nike Game Ball” (www.mcspoll.com) for the Offensive Player of the Week.

Smith is the third member of Ohio State football to receive an MCS Nike Game Ball this season.  Linebacker James Laurinaitis was named Defensive Player of the Week for his play against Texas and Coach Jim Heacock was named Defensive Coordinator of the Week following their win over Penn State. 

Each week during the 2006 college football season, the Master Football Coaches will award an MCS Nike Game Ball to the respective schools of a National Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week. The Master Coaches will also present a game ball to the offensive and defensive coordinator whose game plans made the biggest impact in their respective teams' victory.

In addition to Troy Smith, the Master Football Coaches will also award MCS Nike Game Balls to Cincinnati cornerback DeAngelo Smith, Pittsburgh punt returner Darrelle Revis, West Virginia offensive coordinator Calvin Magee and Southern California defensive coordinator Nick Holt.

Defense
DeAngelo Smith, CB Cincinnati

Cincinnati cornerback DeAngelo Smith made the first start of his career against an undefeated Rutgers team that was ranked No. 11 in the Master Coaches Poll.  Smith took full advantage of his opportunity, as he intercepted a Mike Teel pass and returned it 84 yards up the sideline for a touchdown.  The score gave Cincinnati a 17-0 lead midway through the 2nd quarter, and the Bearcats went on to defeat the Scarlet Knights 30-11.  Smith also had 6 tackles, five of which were solo, and a pass break up in the win.

Special Teams
Darrelle Revis, PR Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh punt returner Darrelle Revis made one of the most spectacular plays of the year in the Panthers tough, 45-27 loss to No. 8 West Virginia.  Revis fielded a punt and returned it 73 yards up the sideline for the score, picking up a huge block from wide receiver Derek Kinder that took out two potential Mountaineer tacklers.  Revis used two incredible spin-moves to elude three more would-be tacklers and found the end zone for Pitt’s first punt return this season.

Offensive Coordinator
Calvin Magee, West Virginia

Seventh-ranked West Virginia continued to roll offensively this week in a 45-27 victory over Pitt.  Offensive coordinator Calvin Magee’s rushing attack was showcased in the game, totaling 437 yards on the ground.  Quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton rushed for over 220 yards and 2 touchdowns each.  Magee’s offense also gained 204 yards through the air, 130 of which were gained by Slaton as he added two more scores.  The Mountaineers averaged over 10 yards per play and converted 9-of-14 third down conversions, and they improve to 9-1 (4-1 in Big East) on the year.

Defensive Coordinator
Nick Holt, Southern California

USC returned to the No. 2 spot in the Master Coaches Poll this week following their 23-9 win over No. 17 California.  Trojan defensive coordinator Nick Holt orchestrated a masterful plan to stop Cal’s heralded offense.  They held the Golden Bears to just 7 offensive points, while only allowing 275 total yards.  Highly touted California running back Marshawn Lynch gained 91 yards on the ground but was held out of the end zone by the stingy USC defense.  Holt’s squad forced three fumbles, recovering one, and intercepted two Nate Longshore passes as Southern Cal earned their fifth-straight Pac-10 championship.