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February 3, 2010
Blinn College Football Player Commitments
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February 3, 2010
Blinn Football Signees
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January 13, 2010
Blinn lands another Division 1 transfer quarterback
 Blinn College Head Coach Brad Franchione announced today that the Buccaneers have secured another Division I transfer who is expected to start as quarterback for the defending national champions. Justin Tuggle (6-4, 225) is transferring from Boston College and will start classes at Blinn next week. He will have one year of junior college eligibility.
“The fact that I could go somewhere for a year and then get back to a Division I school appealed to me, but also that I could excel on and off the field. Blinn has a good track record, and the coaching staff really sold me on the school,” Tuggle said.
Tuggle, a dual threat quarterback from Alpharetta, GA, was also influenced by Cameron Newton who came to Blinn from the University of Florida and led the Bucs to the 2009 NJCAA championship. Tuggle and Newton are both from the Atlanta area and have known each other since attending football camps as teenagers. Newton is now enrolled at Auburn University where he is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position.
After redshirting his freshman year, Tuggle started three games for the Eagles in 2009 where he threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior at Northview High, he earned Greater Atlanta All-Area honors throwing for 1,310 yards and 12 touchdowns setting school career records in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He also ran for 563 yards and six touchdowns.
Justin is the son of Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle, a former linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons (1987-2000) who played in Super Bowl XXXIII as well as five Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
January 12, 2010
Franchione accepts Coach of the Year award; Buccaneers honored as Team of the Year
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Dec 31, 2009
Blinn quarterback returns to the SEC; commits to Auburn
 Blinn College quarterback Cameron Newton on New Year’s Eve committed to Auburn University marking his return to the Southeastern Conference where he began his college career. Newton led the Buccaneers to the NJCAA championship in early December and was considered the top junior college recruit in the country.
“I feel that I can come in and be a main contributor for the Tigers on their road next season to the SEC title,” Newton said.
The dual threat quarterback passed for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns and also rushed for 655 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2009. Newton graduated from Blinn in the fall and will begin spring semester classes at Auburn.
Newton, a native of Atlanta, served as Tim Tebow’s backup at the University of Florida as a freshman and chose to leave the Gator program after redshirting his sophomore year.
Blinn College’s Brad Franchione selected as National Coach of the Year
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Bryan, Brenham proclaim Blinn Buccaneer National Championship Day
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Four Blinn Buccaneers named NJCAA All-Americans
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Video Highlights of the game
Punt return with seconds remaining to win national title
Bowl Game Celebration Video
Pregame- 1st Quarter Video
Bowl Game Banquet
Autograph Session
Dec. 7, 2009
NJCAA poll crowns Blinn national champion
The NJCAA poll released today crowned Blinn College the national champion for 2009. It is Blinn’s fourth national championship and the second in four years.
Blinn went into the Citizens State Bowl in Pittsburg, KS, on Sunday ranked second and knocked off top-ranked Fort Scott (KS) Community College 31-26. The Buccaneers led early and then came from behind to score the winning touchdown on a punt return by Chad Froechnicht with 15 seconds left.
It is the second national title for Brad Franchione who also coached the 2006 championship team. Blinn also earned national championships in 1995 and 1996 under Willie Fritz.
The 2009 Bucs went 11-1 with their only loss being in the final regular season game to Navarro College, which finished 3rd in the poll. Blinn defeated Navarro and Tyler Junior College in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference playoffs. Tyler was ranked 16th in the final poll. The Navarro Bulldogs earned a berth in the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl where they beat Mississippi Gulf Coast College 37-26 on Saturday in Corsicana.
Final NJCAA Football Poll
Dec. 6, 20009
Blinn wins fourth national championship in dramatic fashion 31-26 over Fort Scott
PHOTO GALLERY 1
PHOTO GALLERY 2
Blinn College won the NJCAA national championship scoring on an 84-yard Chad Froechenicht punt return with 15 seconds left to defeat Fort Scott (KS) Community College 31-26. It was the Buccaneers’ fourth national title and the second under head coach Brad Franchione who is a native of Pittsburg, KS, which hosted the Citizens Bank Bowl.
 “He started running right at me on the sidelines. He stuck his right foot in the ground and turned up and I said ‘Oh, my gosh, he’s going to score,’” Franchione said.
“The first two punt returns, I ran to the right. So I thought they were going to over pursue. I hugged the ball. Ran to the right a little and saw them all pursuing so I cut back. I think I got one or two blocks and I told myself ‘you’re not stopping until you get in the end zone,’” Froechenicht said.
The Buccaneers rallied in the second half after Fort Scott put up 26 unanswered points. Sophomore running back Mike Hayes brought the Bucs within one score on a 14-yard run and a two-point conversion set up by a Gadrian Muse interception of Dominique Davis. Then in the fourth quarter, Hayes bulled his way in from the nine yard line. The Greyhounds sacked Cam Newton on the two-point conversion attempt to leave the Bucs short of the tie.
It looked as though the Greyhounds had secured the win when Fort Scott stopped Newton on fourth and five. But there was too much time left for Fort Scott to run out the clock. The Bucs forced one final punt that proved to be the game changer.
Blinn got on the scoreboard first when Newton rolled right and found a 19-yard opening. The Buc offense came up with a turnover and Billy Greer tacked on a 32-yard field goal to put Blinn up 10-0 early.
Then the Greyhounds scored 26 unanswered points aided by Blinn mistakes. Davis scored two touchdowns on one-yard quarterback keepers in the first half while Blinn gave up 85 yards on nine penalties. As the drizzle started to fall, another Buccaneer mishap - a high snap on a punt added a safety to the Fort Scott total. Kyle Ericson hit a 35-yard field goal so that the Greyhounds’ posted a 19-10 lead going into the locker room.
Fort Scott opened the scoring in the second half with a fake up the middle and Davis trotting in untouched for a 12-yard touchdown.
“I said ‘Here’s reality guys: You played a great first quarter. Now all of a sudden you’re shooting yourselves in the foot… so play your game and let’s quit hurting ourselves,” Franchione said. “We didn’t come out early in the third and do that real well, but we got a shot and a timely situation when Gadrian Muse intercepts that ball.”
That is when the second-ranked Bucs started believing they could pull off the upset of No. 1 Fort Scott. Franchione’s father, former Pittsburg State University and Texas A&M University head coach Dennis Franchione, watching from a skybox was asked at halftime if his son’s team could recover. He said “If Brad told you he was going to win it, he will.” For Brad to be able to win his second title with his relatives and longtime friends was extra special.
“For me to have the opportunity to come to the Citizens Bank Bowl in Pittsburg, KS, in front of my hometown crowd, it will forever be a special moment in my life,” Franchione said.
The Bucs finish the season 11-1 with their only loss coming in the final game of the regular season. Prior to that, they had held the top spot in the NJCAA poll for eight straight weeks. When the poll comes out on Monday, Blinn will again be No. 1. The Buccaneers won the national championship in 1995, 1996 and 2006 with perfect 12-0 records.
Nov. 30, 2009
Nov. 23, 2009
Citizens Bank Bowl on Dec. 6 Will Officially Crown This Year’s NJCAA Football Champion
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Junior College Athletic Association is pleased to announce that this year’s national champion in football will be decided on the field and not via a final poll. The committee of the Citizens Bank Bowl has successfully negotiated with the NJCAA for the right to have the contest declared the 2009 NJCAA Football Championship Game per NJCAA by-laws.
The contest will matchup No. 1 Fort Scott Community College (Kan.) against No. 2 Blinn College (Texas) on Dec. 6 at Pittsburg State University’s Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburgh, Kan.
Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. (Central) and fans will be able to watch the action LIVE via video stream on NJCAA TV (www.njcaa.org/tv). Live audio will also be available on ESPN Radio 1340 AM in Pittsburgh.
For more information on the Citizens Bank Bowl visit www.citizensbankbowl.com.
Nov. 17, 2009
Blinn Buccaneers to play Fort Scott for national championship
The No. 2 Blinn Buccaneers accepted an invitation from the Citizens Bank Bowl to play No. 1 Fort Scott Community College (KS) for the national junior college championship. The game in Pittsburg, KS, will be played on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. at Carnie Smith Stadium at Pittsburg State University.
Blinn (10-1) won the Southwest Junior College Football Conference title by defeating previous No. 1 Navarro College 45-34. Fort Scott (11-0) beat defending national champion Butler Community College 13-12 to win the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference championship.
“To play for a national championship is the perfect cap to a great year. Our players and coaches have worked so hard and are excited about this opportunity,” Blinn head coach Brad Franchione said. “No. 1 versus No. 2 is the way the bowl system should work.”
A win in Kansas would give Blinn its second national championship in three years. The Bucs beat Pearl River Community College for the title in 2006. Blinn also won the national championship in 1995 and 1996.
Blinn and Fort Scott are familiar foes. They met in the 2008 CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl with the Greyhounds winning 30-14.
This season, Blinn held the top position in the NJCAA poll for eight weeks before losing the final game of the regular season to Navarro 23-20. The Bucs earned a rematch with Navarro in the conference playoffs and for the second consecutive year, Blinn beat the Bulldogs for the conference championship.
More information on the Citizens Bank Bowl including driving directions is available at www.citizensbankbowl.com.
Nov. 16, 2009
Blinn climbs to No. 2 in NJCAA poll; awaits bowl bid
The Blinn Buccaneers moved up to No. 2 in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com after knocking off top-ranked Navarro College 45-34 on Sunday to capture the Southwest Junior College Football Conference title. Fort Scott (KS) takes over the top position after its 13-12 win over defending national champion Butler. Fort Scott and No. 3 Grand Rapids are the only two undefeated teams in the poll. Navarro dropped to fourth.
By winning the SWJCFC championship, Blinn secured the automatic bid to the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove on Dec. 5. However, the conference champion can forego that automatic bid if it is playing for a national championship. Bowl bids cannot be announced until tomorrow.
Fort Scott earned the automatic bid to the inaugural Citizens Bank Bowl on Dec. 6 in Pittsburg, KS. Blinn and Fort Scott met last year in the Heart of Texas Bowl with the Greyhounds winning 30-14. Fort Scott finished 2008 ranked sixth and Blinn finished eleventh.
2009 SWJCFC All-Conference Team
First Team
Cameron Newton, QB
Dexter Ransom, WR
Anthony Gonzales, DL
Dextrell Simmons, LB
Jarod Jaroszewski, P
Billy Greer, K
Second Team
Darrin Moore, WR
Shawn Wyatt, OL
Justin Goodman, DB
Justin Sorrell, DB
Nov. 15, 2009
Blinn wins SWJCFC title beating No. 1 Navarro 45-34
History repeated itself in Corsicana with the Blinn Buccaneers defeating Navarro 45-34 after having lost the No. 1 ranking and the regular season game to the Bulldogs just like in 2008. With the win, the third-ranked Bucs remain in contention for a national championship. The conference champion earns a bid to the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl, which is on Dec. 5 in Copperas Cove. However, the conference champion may forego that automatic bid if it is playing for a national championship. If Fort Scott Community College, which beat Butler Community College 13-12, and Blinn are No. 1 and 2 in the final poll on Monday, they could potentially play each other in the Citizen's Bank Bowl in Pittsburg, KS, on Dec. 6 for the national championship.
Two quick touchdowns and two interceptions in the fourth quarter sealed the Blinn win over Navarro. Sophomore running back Mike Hayes topped 1,000 yards on the season with 210 yards and three touchdowns. Cam Newton, recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the previous Navarro game, completed 21 of 29 passes for 237 yards plus three rushing touchdowns.
Playing on its home field, undefeated Navarro awed the crowd when on the second play of the game, Derrick Hall dashed 82 yards to the end zone. Blinn responded with a methodical drive that tied the game on a one-yard quarterback keeper.
After the Bulldogs had a 64-yard Hall touchdown called back, the Bucs took the lead on another one-yard Newton keeper. But in under two minutes, Navarro scored again. Roddy Green hit Marcus Jackson for 33 yards to even the score.
Blinn’s only razzle-dazzle of the first half came when Jared Jaroszewski faked a punt and threw to Darrin Moore for an 18-yard gain and a first down. That led to a 34-yard Billy Greer field goal and a 17-14 Blinn lead.
Again, it was Navarro with big plays to take back the advantage. When the Bucs left wide receiver Chase Harper wide open, Greer hit him for a 57-yard touchdown. Then the Bulldogs extended their lead to 28-17 when Greer scored on a 39-yard bootleg play.
Blinn opened the second half with Hayes scoring a three-yard touchdown. On the oddest play of the game, Greer topped the ball sending his kickoff only five yards allowing Navarro to start from the Blinn 36 yard line. The Bucs defense held the Bulldogs to a field goal.
On the next possession, the Bucs failed on fourth down and gave the Bulldogs the ball again on the Blinn 36. But in the first turnover of the game, Hall fumbled and the Bucs marched 66 yards. In an acrobatic effort Hayes scored from the six yard line to tie the game at 31 early in the fourth quarter.
Navarro regained the lead on a 25-yard field goal. On the kickoff, Hayes returned the ball to the Bulldog 49 yard line. On fourth and two from the 41, the Bulldogs stopped Hayes short, but an off-sides penalty on Navarro kept the Blinn drive alive. On the next play, Newton lobbed the ball to redshirt freshman fullback Marcus Wilkins who ran 39 yards setting up Newton’s third one-yard touchdown and putting the Bucs up 38-34 with 5:29 left.
The high-powered Navarro offense stalled. In trouble on third down, Green threw into triple coverage. Dextrell Simmons intercepted and ran it back to the Navarro 14 yard line. One play is all the Bucs needed for Hayes to log his third touchdown giving Blinn an 11-point lead.
With 3:36 left and down by two scores, the Bulldogs struggled just to get into Blinn territory. Feeling the pressure on third down and 25, Green threw a desperation pass that was picked off by Justin Sorrell ending the Bulldogs’ hopes of a national championship.
Nov. 10, 2009
Blinn climbs to No. 3 ahead of rematch with No. 1 Navarro
The Blinn Buccaneers could contend for a national championship if they upset Navarro College on Sunday in the SWJCFC playoffs. The latest NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll has Blinn moving up one spot to No. 3 after the Bucs win over Tyler Junior College in the conference semifinals.
Undefeated Navarro and Fort Scott Community College remain No. 1 and 2. Fort Scott and No. 7 Butler Community College, which Blinn beat to open the season, will play for the Kansas Jayhawk Conference title on Sunday. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College dropped from third to ninth after losing in its conference championship game.
The Blinn-Navarro game is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. at Tiger Stadium in Corsicana and will be broadcast live on KWHI-AM 1280, www.kwhi.com.
Navarro defeated Blinn two weeks ago knocking the Bucs from the No. 1 position, which it had held for eight weeks. The rematch is a replay of 2008 when Blinn lost to Navarro in the regular season and the two teams met again in the playoffs. Blinn won that conference title game and went on to play Fort Scott in the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl.
NJCAA poll
Nov 9, 2009
Blinn Bucs defeat Tyler
It will be a Blinn-Navarro rematch in the final game of the SWJCFC playoffs. With a 24-10 win over Kilgore today, No. 1 Navarro earned home-field advantage. No. 4 Blinn defeated No. 14 Tyler 21-15, and will travel to Corsicana for a 3 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, Nov. 15. The Bulldogs defeated the Buccaneers 23-20 in the final game of the regular season to bump the Bucs from the top spot in the NJCAA poll, a position they had held for eight weeks.
Nov. 3, 2009
Blinn relinquishes top ranking to Navarro
For the first time since preseason, the Blinn Buccaneers are not No. 1 in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll. Blinn relinquished the top spot to Southwest Junior College Football Conference foe Navarro College after losing to the Bulldogs 23-20 in Corsicana in the final game of the regular season. Fort Scott (KS) Community College moved into the No. 2 position after defeating Butler Community College to earn its first Jayhawk Conference regular season title in 35 years. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College moved up to No. 3, bumping Blinn to No. 4.
Blinn will host the SWJCFC semifinal game against third seed Tyler Junior College on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Spencer Stadium. Tyler is ranked 14th with a 7-2 record having lost to Blinn, 60-31, and Navarro, 61-28. Undefeated Navarro will host fourth seed Kilgore College (4-5). The winners of this weekend’s games will play on Nov. 14th or Nov. 15th.
Tickets for the Blinn-Tyler game are $5, $3 for children. Blinn students get in free with an ID.
Nov. 2, 2009
Blinn playoff game time set for 1:30 p.m.
The Blinn Buccaneers will host Tyler Junior College at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the round one of the SWJCFC playoffs. Blinn is the second seed in the playoffs after losing 23-20 to Navarro College in Corsicana in the final regular season game.
Tyler is 7-2 with losses to Blinn and Navarro. Navarro will host Kilgore College. The winners of this weekend’s games will play on Nov. 14th or Nov. 15th to determine the conference championship and potentially earn the opportunity to play for a national championship.
Tickets are $5, $3 for children. Blinn students get in free with an ID.
The Bucs will also host a BBQ fundraiser this weekend in conjunction with the game. The Buccaneer Football BBQ Drive-Thru will be Friday 4:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the 5th Street entrance to Spencer Stadium. Plates are $7 and include ribs, brisket, sausage, beans, and potato salad. Proceeds benefit post-season awards.
For tickets, contact the football office at 979-830-6704.
Oct. 31, 2009
First loss of season to haunt Blinn going into playoffs; Bucs lose at Navarro 23-20
CORSICANA – The long awaited matchup between the top two teams in the country turned out to truly be a battle with No. 2 Navarro College coming away with a hard-fought 23-20 victory over No. 1 Blinn College.
Navarro got off to an impressive start scoring on a 51-yard Derrick Hall run on its first possession and then capitalizing on a Cam Newton fumble to go up 14-0 on a 24-yard pass from Roddy Green to Jahmai Coleman. Blinn’s defense though was able to hold the Bulldogs to just three more points in the half.
The Buccaneers’ only scoring drive in the first half concluded with a one-yard burst up the middle by Mike Hayes. Following a Navarro field goal, Newton went down with a minor injury and the half ended 17-7.
After a scoreless third, the fourth quarter turned ugly on this Halloween with personal fouls mounting on both sides. The Bulldogs scored on a 23-yard strike from Green to Jefferson Hayes to go up 23-7 and Blinn blocked the extra point. The Bucs responded with a Newton-to-Darrin Moore connection for 25 yards. The two-point conversion failed.
A rejuvenated Buccaneer team sliced the lead even more with 5:39 left in the game when Newton hit Jared Jaroszewski from 25 yards out to make it 23-20. The Buc defense rose to the occasion forcing Navarro to punt with 3:56 left. Then it got even crazier with the Bulldogs’ Reggie Dunigan intercepting Newton only to have his team turn it right back to the Bucs on a fumble that Blinn’s Jonathon Mathis recovered on his own seven yard line. Four downs proved fruitless and Navarro took over in the red zone satisfied to run out the clock and stay undefeated.
The Bucs suffered their first loss of the season and will host Tyler Junior College at 2 p.m. next Saturday in round one of the SWJCFC playoffs with the possibility of a rematch with Navarro in two weeks for the conference title.
Oct. 27, 2009
Bucs rank No. 1 for eighth week; set for showdown with No. 2 Navarro
It will be No. 1 versus No. 2 when Blinn College travels to Corsicana to play Navarro College this week in the final game of the regular season. The Buccaneers again received all 140 poll points including all seven first place votes in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll.
Blinn dominated Cisco College 84-13 to improve to 8-0 on the season and 5-0 in the SWJCFC. The win secured home field advantage for the Bucs in the first round of the conference playoffs on Nov. 7.
NJCAA poll
Oct 26, 2009
No. 1 Blinn dominates Cisco 84-13 for Homecoming
Even with no time on the clock the top-ranked Blinn Buccaneers scored points in their homecoming game against Cisco College to log their eighth win of the season and set up a showdown with No. 2 Navarro next Saturday in Corsicana. The Bucs scored seven touchdowns in the first half and five in the second half to win 84-13 at Spencer Stadium.
Blinn opened with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Dexter Ransom who later left the game with a knee injury. Then the Bucs went up 14-0 on a Mike Hayes 10-yard run.
The second quarter scoring began with a 30-yard quarterback keeper by Newton. Then Alex Elkins recovered a Wrangler fumble on the Cisco 25 that led to a one-yard Newton score. Hayes tacked on another touchdown from 24 yard line to put the Bucs up 35-0 with 5:26 left in the half.
Cisco’s only score in the first half came on the ensuing kickoff when Gary Edwards returned the ball 101 yards. With three seconds remaining in the half, Newton pitched four yards to Sean Rutherford and it appeared the halftime score would be 42-7. But the Wranglers ran the kickoff back to the Blinn 20 and with the Bucs penalized for a personal foul and no time on the clock, Cisco attempted a field goal. The Bucs blocked the kick and Cassius Bradley scooped it up and took it the length of the field to up the score to 49-7 at the half.
Cisco’s woes continued early in the third quarter when Duke Bohall intercepted Ivan Delgado giving Blinn the ball at midfield and leading to a one-yard touchdown by Hayes. On the Bucs’ next possession, Newton connected with Bola Ominsanya for a 17-yard touchdown that made the score 63-7.
The Wranglers picked up a second touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Delgado to Antwone Moore, but failed to score the extra point.
With Newton resting safely on the sidelines, Rutherford took over the quarterbacking duties and promptly hit Ominsanya who took it 51 yards into the end zone. Leading 70-13, the Bucs scored twice in the fourth quarter on a seven-yard run by Ziggy Foster and a three-yard strike to Don Brooks to finish the three-and-a-half hour game at 84-13.
With the win, Blinn secured home field advantage for the first round of the SWJCFC playoffs on Nov. 7. But first, the Buccaneers must travel to Corsicana on Saturday for a 3 p.m. kickoff against the second-ranked Bulldogs to conclude the regular season.
Oct 20, 2009
Blinn holds No. 1 spot in NJCAA poll for seventh week
The undefeated Blinn Buccaneers (7-0) continued to earn all the first place votes to hold the top spot in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll. Blinn’s longest road trip of the season resulted in a 55-42 victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Again this week the Bucs received 140 total poll points with SWJCFC rival Navarro College hanging on to the No. 2 spot with 132 votes.
Blinn hosts Cisco College (1-6) for homecoming at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and will finish the regular season in Corsicana against Navarro on Oct. 31. A win over Cisco would secure home field advantage for the Bucs in the first round of the conference playoffs on Nov. 7.
NJCAA poll
Oct 19, 2009
No. 1 Blinn notches 7th win
The top-ranked Blinn Buccaneers took their longest road trip of the season and came away with a 55-42 victory over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. The two teams combined for more than 1,000 total yards on a brown Robertson Field in Miami.
NEO went up 14-0 early with touchdowns of two and 10 yards. Blinn cut that lead in half with Sean Rutherford hitting Dexter Ransom for a 57-yard touchdown.
In the second quarter, Cameron Newton took charge of the Blinn offense taking the Bucs 73 yards and scoring on a one-yard dive to tie the score. The Golden Norsemen responded with a 91-yard drive resulting in a 23-yard touchdown pass. Blinn quickly responded with Newton hitting Ransom for a five-yard touchdown and a tied game at the half.
The Bucs took their first lead 28-21 with a 10-yard Newton run early in the third quarter. An interception by Blinn free safety Justin Sorrell on NEO’s next possession led to 4-yard scoring run by Mike Hayes to extend the margin. The Bucs recovered their on-sides kick and drove to the one yard line before Newton fumbled the snap giving the ball back to NEO. The Norse took the ball the length of the field and scored on a 22-yard pass play pull within a touchdown.
At the end of the third quarter, the Bucs nearly lost the ball again near the goal line. Hayes fumbled, but Rutherford (now playing wide out) recovered for a touchdown. The back-and-forth continued with NEO then scoring on a one-yard run.
Blinn had an 86-yard touchdown run by Newton erased by a penalty, but the Bucs continued the drive and scored on a 36-yard pass to Bola Ominsanya. The two-point conversion attempt failed and the Bucs led 47-35 with 8:11 left in the game.
Blinn’s last score came when cornerback Terrance Henry stripped the ball and raced 47 yards for a touchdown. Ransom caught the two-point conversion pass. The Golden Norse mustered one more score - a one-yard touchdown run.
The Buccaneers (7-0) return to Spencer Stadium on Saturday for a homecoming game at 3 p.m. against Cisco College (1-6).
Oct. 13, 2009
Blinn again unanimous No. 1 in NJCAA poll
For the sixth consecutive week, the Blinn Buccaneers (6-0) held the top spot in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll. Blinn was the unanimous No. 1 getting all seven first place votes for the second week after a 63-29 victory over Trinity Valley Community College, which dropped out of the poll today. The Bucs garnered 140 total poll points. Holding on to second place with 132 points was SWJCFC rival Navarro College, which beat Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 59-14. Blinn travels to Miami, OK, to play NEO on Saturday.
NJCAA poll
Oct. 10, 2009
No.1 Blinn rolls over No. 18 Trinity Valley 63-29
Blinn College’s Cameron Newton completed nine of 11 passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns in the first quarter to set the stage for a 63-29 victory over No. 18 Trinity Valley Community College. The top ranked Bucs scored on every possession of the first quarter with Newton first hitting Grant Merritt for 37 yards. The Cardinals tied the game with an eight-yard pass from Garrett Beal to Darnell Williams. And Blinn quickly responded with Newton throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass to Dexter Ransom.
A blocked punt by Jerry Singleton led to a Sean Rutherford 31-yard reception to put the Bucs up 21-7. On the first play after the kickoff, the TVCC quarterback fumbled. Blinn’s Alex Elkins recovered and two plays later, Chad Froechtenicht caught a 24-yard touchdown pass as the quarter ended.
The Bucs and the Cards swapped turnovers in the second quarter with the advantage again going to Blinn. Ransom caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 35-7. A holding penalty in the end zone gave the Cardinals a safety.
Blinn opened the second half with Newton throwing his sixth touchdown - a 54-yard strike to Merritt. The Cardinals promptly fumbled, setting up the Bucs’ first rushing touchdown with Mike Hayes carrying it in from the 11 yard line to push the score to 49-9 less than four minutes into the third quarter.
Trinity Valley mounted a rally with Beal connecting again with Williams for a 29-yard touchdown. With the failed two point conversion the third quarter ended with Blinn leading 49-15.
The Cardinals trimmed the lead to 49-29 with two explosive drives in the fourth quarter resulting in a 76-yard touchdown pass to Chris Young and a 74-yard touchdown pass to Damien Washington.
The Bucs regained the momentum after putting in sophomore Sean Rutherford at quarterback and getting a first and goal from the two yard line when the Cardinals were flagged for interference. Rutherford rolled out on the option, changed directions, and scored. On the next possession, Don Brooks barreled in from the one yard line with 4:29 left to finish the scoring and advance the Bucs to 6-0 on the season, 3-0 in the SWJCFC.
The Bucs had a total of 576 yards with Newton completing 21 of 31 passes for 370 yards and six touchdowns.
Next Saturday, the Buccaneers travel to Miami, OK, to play Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
Oct. 6, 2009
Blinn voted unanimous No. 1; tops poll for fifth week
The Blinn Buccaneers (5-0) received all seven first place votes in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll holding the top position for the fifth consecutive week. The Bucs earned 140 poll points following a 60-31 win over Tyler Junior College. Conference foe Navarro College remains No. 2 although with fewer points this week since the Bulldogs lost their starting quarterback to injury. Navarro defeated Trinity Valley Community College 42-32. Trinity Valley dropped to No. 18 and is Blinn’s next opponent on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Spencer Stadium.
NJCAA Poll
Oct. 3, 2009
No. 1 Bucs start slowly, finish strong beatingTyler 60-31
TYLER – The No. 1 Blinn Buccaneers notched their fifth win with a 60-31 defeat of Tyler Junior College. The Bucs had been down by two touchdowns twice in the first half, but starting the third quarter, scored on fourth and goal from the two to take their first lead and turn the tide.
The Apaches scored on their first four possessions starting with a 49-yard pass play from Vincent McNeil to Jabroski Smiley. After quarterback Cameron Newton fumbled in TJC territory on Blinn’s first possession, the Apaches capitalized with McNeil tossing 24 yards to Jamaal Johnson to go up 14-0.
Blinn cut the lead in half with a Mike Hayes four-yard run. Tyler quickly responded as McNeil and Smiley hooked up on a 51-yard play. Three minutes later Newton kept the ball on the option and scored from the 12. Tyler extended its lead to 24-14 with a 40-yard field goal by Jorge Martinez.
The Bucs pulled within three on a 14-yard pass from Newton to Darrin Moore, and Billy Greer tied the game 24-24 with a 34-yard field goal right before halftime.
The second half saw Newton score his sixth (2 yards) and seventh (15 yards) rushing touchdowns of the year. Greer tacked on two more field goals of 35 and 33 yards. After overcoming cramps earlier in the game, Dextrell Simmons intercepted McNeil to score a defensive touchdown and put Blinn up by 20.
A safety on a botched punt moved the score to 53-31. And Jared Jaroszewski caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Newton to finish out the scoring. Tyler got down to the Blinn one yard line and the Bucs’ defense held as the clock expired.
Sept. 29, 2009
Bucs maintain top ranking for fourth week
The Blinn Buccaneers (4-0) stayed atop the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll for the fourth consecutive week after a 31-21 win over Kilgore College. Blinn received five of the seven first place votes and 138 total poll points, just seven points ahead of arch rival No. 2 Navarro College.
This Saturday, Blinn will play Tyler Junior College at the Apache’s Rose Stadium at 3 p.m. Tyler, which had been ranked No. 17, dropped from the poll after losing to Navarro 68-21. The game will be broadcast live on KWHI-AM 1280 and www.kwhi.com.
Trinity Valley Community College, the other member of the SWJCFC to be ranked last week, dropped from seventh to fifteenth after being upset by Cisco Junior College 27-24.
NJCAA poll
Sept. 26, 2009
Bucs open conference play with win over Kilgore
BRYAN - The No. 1 Blinn Buccaneers won their conference opener holding off Kilgore College 31-21 to remain undefeated. In what was a home game played in Bryan instead of Brenham due to lighting issues, the Bucs appeared right at home.
“It was a great atmosphere. The band was here. The cheerleaders were here. I felt like there was a definite home field advantage,” Blinn head coach Brad Franchione said. Bryan is home to Blinn’s largest campus.
The Bucs scored first with a 43-yard field goal by Billy Greer but 27 seconds later found themselves behind when Kilgore’s Zavor Jones scored from the 41. It was late in the first quarter before Blinn regained the lead when quarterback Cameron Newton rolled right and found the seam for a four-yard touchdown. Chad Froechtenicht’s 60-yard punt return put the Bucs up 17-7 at the half.
“Special teams put us in some good situations and we knew going into the game that we were going to have to do that,” Franchione said. “We also had a good counterpunching offense.”
An uneventful, scoreless third quarter led to a frenetic fourth quarter with the Rangers’ 34-yard touchdown quickly being answered by Blinn with a four-yard burst from Don Brooks. Kilgore scored one more time on a Dominque Wilkins three-yard run before Blinn sealed the deal with a two play, 66-yard drive. Newton tossed out to quarterback-turned-receiver Sean Rutherford who then launched the ball 46 yards to Darrin Moore. Newton confidently ran it in from the 20 to put the Bucs up by ten with 7:42 left.
Blinn (4-0) travels to Tyler on Oct. 3 to play the No. 17 Apaches. Tyler is 3-1 with its first loss coming on Thursday to No. 2 Navarro College 61-28.
Sept 22, 2009
Blinn remains No. 1 after idle week; Navarro creeps up to No. 2
After a bye week, the Blinn Buccaneers retained their No. 1 position in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll, and the new No. 2 team is Southwest Junior College Football Conference foe Navarro College. The previous second-ranked team, East Mississippi Community College lost and with Navarro beating Kilgore College, the Bulldogs are now nipping at the heels of the Bucs. Navarro will host Blinn on Oct. 31 in the last game before the conference playoffs.
This Saturday, Blinn will host Kilgore at 7 p.m. at Bryan High’s Merrill Green Stadium. It will be the first time in more than a decade that the Bucs have played in Bryan, which is home to the college’s largest campus.
Blinn received six of the seven first place votes and 139 total poll points, seven points ahead of Navarro. Two other SWJCFC teams are ranked: No. 7 Trinity Valley Community College, and Tyler Junior College enters the poll at No. 17.
NJCAA poll:
Sept 21, 2009
Blinn Bucs to play in Bryan
For the first time in more than a decade, the Blinn Buccaneers will play a football game in Bryan. The top-ranked Bucs will host Kilgore College at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Bryan High’s Merrill Green Stadium.
“We look forward to opening conference play at place we call home.” said head coach Brad Franchione. “I look forward to showing our Blinn-Bryan campus a great game against a quality opponent.
The Bucs won the NJCAA championship in 2006 with a perfect 12-0 record. This year, Blinn is 3-0 including having beaten preseason No. 1 and defending national champion Butler County Community College (KS) in the season opener. The Bucs have outscored their opponents 137-23 defeating Butler 24-17, Southeast Prep 65-6, and Arkansas Baptist College 48-0.
Blinn sports programs are housed on the main campus in Brenham, yet with 12,000 on the Brazos County campus, Franchione thought it important to bring his top-ranked team to the Bryan.
“The students at Blinn-Bryan campus need to know we have one of the best athletic programs in the country. We want all of our students to take pride in Blinn College athletics. This will give them the opportunity to show their support and learn more about the Bucs,” Franchione said.
The Buccaneers are led by University of Florida transfer Cameron Newton, a 6-6, 244 pound, dual threat quarterback who backed up Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow before redshirting his sophomore year. In Blinn’s three games, Newton has scored eight passing touchdowns and rushed for three catching the eye of numerous Division I coaches.
Admission to the Blinn-Kilgore game is $5 for adults, $3 for students. Blinn students, faculty and staff get in for free tickets with a Blinn ID.
Contact: Head coach Brad Franchione, (979) 337-6704, brad.franchione@blinn.edu
Oct. 10 |
Trinity Valley Community College |
3 p.m. |
Spencer Stadium, Brenham |
Oct. 17 |
Northeastern Oklahoma |
3 p.m. |
Miami, OK |
Oct. 24 |
Cisco Junior College (Homecoming) |
3 p.m. |
Spencer Stadium, Brenham |
Oct. 31 |
Navarro Community College |
3 p.m. |
Corsicana, TX |
Nov. 7 |
SWJCFC Playoffs |
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Nov. 14 |
SWJCFC Championship |
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Sept. 15, 2009
Blinn shutout of Arkansas Baptist keeps Bucs atop poll
The Blinn Buccaneers remained atop the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll for the second consecutive week following a 48-0 victory over Arkansas Baptist College. The Bucs improved to 3-0 and have a week off before opening conference play. Blinn will host Kilgore College on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at Bryan High’s Merrill Green Stadium.
Blinn received six of the seven first place votes and 139 total poll points, six points ahead of East Mississippi Community College, and 12 points ahead of Southwest Junior College Football Conference foe Navarro College. The only other member of the SWJCFC to be ranked was Trinity Valley Community College at No. 7.
NJCAA poll
Sept 12, 2009
No. 1 Bucs shut out Arkansas Baptist for third victory
The top-ranked Blinn Buccaneers improved to 3-0 by scoring six touchdowns and two field goals while not allowing a point by Arkansas Baptist College. The Bucs scored on the opening drive with quarterback Cameron Newton rolling left, faking the option, and running it in from the 24 yard line. The second score came on a Newton pass to quarterback-turned-receiver Sean Rutherford for 28 yards.
Jonathon Mathis recovered a fumble on the Buffalo 14 that quickly led to a one-yard touchdown by Mike Hayes. Newton’s second passing touchdown went for two yards to Chad Froechtenicht to put the Bucs up 31-0 at the half.
Hayes scored on a six-yard run in the third quarter. And in the fourth, Ziggy Foster carried it into the end zone from eight yards out to extend the lead to 45-0. Arkansas Baptist had three turnovers, the last a fumbled punt return that led to the final score of the game – a 35-yard field goal by Vincent Foster. Foster was two of three on the day.
Blinn has next weekend off and will open conference play on Sept. 26 against Kilgore College at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan.
Sept 8, 2009
Blinn Bucs take over top spot in NJCAA poll
The Blinn Buccaneers topped the first regular season NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll after upsetting defending national champion Butler County Community College (KS) 24-17 on Aug. 29 and dominating SE Prep 65-6 on Sept. 3. Both games were at Blinn’s Spencer Stadium.
Blinn received six of the seven first place votes and 139 total poll points, nine points ahead of East Mississippi Community College, and ten points ahead of Southwest Junior College Football Conference foe Navarro College, which moved up from seventh to third. Butler fell from first to fourth.
Next up for the Bucs is Arkansas Baptist College on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Royse City.
Sept 4, 2009
Blinn-Arkansas Baptist game moved to Royse City
The Blinn Buccaneers’ game with Arkansas Baptist College on Sept. 12 has been moved to the high school stadium in Royse City due to contract issues. The game was originally to be played in Rockwall, the site of previous Blinn-Arkansas Baptist games. Kickoff remains at 3 p.m.
The Royse City ISD Stadium is located at on FM 2642 at I-30 E. Coming from the west, take exit #79 off I-30 and turn right onto FM 2642. The high school stadium is on the left half a mile down.
Sept. 3, 2009
Bucs get runaway victory; May top next NJCAA poll
BRENHAM - The fifth-ranked Buccaneers easily handled Southeast Prep in Blinn’s second game in five days. They beat the Spartans 65-6 at Spencer Stadium and now await the first regular season NJCAA poll on Sept. 8. The Bucs should be ranked at or near the top considering their 24-17 win over defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Butler County Community College (KS) and losses by the second- and third-ranked teams last weekend.
With a storm looming, the Bucs put up 51 points in the first half of the Thursday night game including a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown by Chance Imhoff and a safety. Weather delayed the start of the second half, and then the skies cleared enough for Blinn to score two more touchdowns with the referees letting the clock run and SE Prep only managing to score near the end.
Southeast Prep is a post-high school program for players who need additional academic work to be accepted into college.
The next game for the Bucs is Sept. 12 against Arkansas Baptist College at 3 p.m. in Rockwall, TX, followed by an open date, and the Sept. 26 game against Kilgore College that will be played at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan.
Bucs upset #1 Grizzlies for second consecutive year
For the second year in a row, Blinn upset the defending national champion Butler Grizzlies and now the Bucs anxiously await the next NJCAA poll to see if they will assume the top spot just like last year. No. 1 Butler came to the Bucs’ home field and looked to have the game in hand early due to Blinn mistakes. But despite cramps and injuries, the Bucs came back in the fourth quarter to tie it and then go ahead by a touchdown with 1:39 left on the clock. Transfer quarterback Cam Newton carried it in from six yards out on an option to the left to win the game 24-17.
“We overcame, overcame, overcame,” Newton said. “Every kid has a dream of leading his team to a victory like this.”
Blinn turned the ball over on the opening kickoff. Two more turnovers in the first half left the Bucs struggling to regain their composure. Add to that the excessive late afternoon heat and the Bucs’ home field advantage could have easily faded away.
“We had a lot of players step up and play well in the fourth quarter,” head coach Brad Franchione said. “That shows great character, great leadership.”
The Bucs held Butler to a 24-yard field goal on the Grizzlies’ first drive after the Blinn fumble on the kickoff. The teams swapped punts before Blinn tied it with a 29-yard field goal by Tyler Vincent. A promising 47-yard drive in the second quarter ended with a bobbled snap leading to Butler’s first touchdown. Ross Dausin hit Marcus Kennard for a 38-yard score to make it 3-10.
Another strong drive came to an abrupt end when Darron Edwards picked off the ball right from reaching arms of Dexter Ransom. As abruptly as the Bucs’ drive ended, the Grizzlies turned down field for a 70-yard strike to Dontel Watkins.
As the half wound down, the Bucs found themselves down 17-3 to the defending national champions. With renewed determination, Blinn drove to the 3-yard line. Newton handed off to workhorse Mike Hayes who fought his way across the line.
It was a Butler miscue in the fourth quarter that afforded the Bucs an opportunity. Newton hit Grant Merritt for a 23-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 17. The Blinn defense rose to the occasion sacking Dausin twice and forcing the Grizzlies to punt and giving the Bucs the chance they needed for the game-winning drive.
Next up for Blinn is Southeast Prep on Thursday at Spencer Stadium.
Florida Gator QB transfers to Blinn College
Blinn College head football coach Brad Franchione announced that University of Florida backup quarterback Cameron Newton transferred to Blinn College intending to play for the Buccaneers after being granted redshirt status as a sophomore for the 2008 season.
Newton, a 6’6”, 234 lb., dual-threat quarterback from Atlanta Westlake, was a five-star recruit in 2006 as ranked by rivals.com. As a freshman at Florida, Newton played in five games backing up eventual Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. This past season, Newton played in Florida’s season opener with Hawaii before injuring his ankle. He also sustained a neck injury in an automobile accident last fall.
Newton will vie for the Bucs’ starting quarterback position being vacated by All-American Terrance Cain who has transferred to the University of Utah.
“This tremendously talented young man sincerely wants a chance to do well,” Franchione said. “We are excited about his future at Blinn and intend to give him every opportunity to succeed in school, athletics, and life.”
Florida coach Urban Meyer suspended Newton in late November after he was found to be in possession of a stolen laptop computer, a case that is still pending. Newton did not participate in the Gators’ national championship game on Jan. 8.
Newton is enrolling for spring classes at Blinn’s Brenham campus. He could play for the Bucs this fall and then be eligible to transfer to an NCAA Division I program in 2010.
The Buccaneers won the Southwest Junior College Football Conference posting a 9-3 record in 2008. Blinn won national titles in 1995, 1996, and 2006.
Bucs are National Champions!
photo gallery video clips
Blinn College (Texas) finished its 2006 football campaign with a 19-6 victory over previously second-ranked Pearl River Community College (Miss.) in the Pilgrims Pride Bowl Classic on Dec. 9. The Buccaneers closed out the season with a perfect 12-0 record and was awarded with the No. 1 ranking in the final NJCAA Football Poll of the 2006 season.
The Buccaneers of Blinn College were led this season by First-Team NJCAA All-American running back Bernard Scott, who led the NJCAA with 1,892 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. He averaged 154.4 yards per game and rushed for 193 yards on 22 caries and a touchdown in their bowl victory over Pearl River.
Blinn also boasted the best defense in the nation this year. The Buc's gave up just 129 yards of offense a game. They were monsters against the run, allowing a mere 39 rushing yards a game from their opponents. Three Blinn defenders were named NJCAA All-Americans this season: Ryan Moutan (DB, First-Team), Walner Leandre (DB, Second-Team) and Alex Cook (DE, Second-Team).
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