I recently finished playing the 2009 football season on NCAA Football 08. This was the PS3 version. Why don't I have the newer version? well, #1: I am a poor, unemployed blogger, and #2 The 08 version is the last with the Orange Bowl, hence its appeal to Mrs. T-Mill. Since this is the '08 version, the 2009 season is the third year of my dynasty, but I did still use as many returning players as possible such as Joey Elliott. Also, since Jaycen Taylor never got hurt before the 2008 season he is gone by now. Also, if a player is named and you don't recognize him it is because I recruited him during the first two years of the dynasty.
For the record, I guided Purdue to 12-1 campaigns each year. In 2007 we lost at Penn State, but won the Capitol One Bowl over Tennessee. In 2008 we won the Big Ten with a 12-0 record, but I lost the national title game in overtime against Clemson 38-37. I went for two at the end of the first overtime to win since my defense wasn't stopping anyone, but the pass was batted down. This strategy worked in a thrilling 39-38 overtime win over Ohio State at Ross-Ade. Let's check out the 2009 results:
Game 1 at #22 Oregon W 26-16- In order to get the right non-conference opponents I had to move them around a bit. This meant I had to switch the Oregon and Toledo games, sending Purdue on the road for game one. In the opener, Elliott was 18 of 22 for 204 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. True freshman cornerback Benny King had a 57 yard pick six and Purdue connected on four field goals in the win. Chris Summers connected on three, while punter Jason Matthews hit a 49 yarder. Matthews does my long kicks since Summers' distance rating isn't very strong in the game. Oregon finished 10-3 and won the Holiday Bowl over Oklahoma State
Game 2 vs. Toledo W 27-19 - The Rockets played the Boilers surprisingly close in the home opener. Elliott only threw for 133 yards, but had three TD's. Senior running back #22 (no idea who it is supposed to be) had 83 yards rushing as well. Toledo finished 9-5 and won the Motor City Bowl over Arkansas State
Game 3 vs. Northern Illinois W 31-14 - Elliott threw two picks, but #22 ran for 112 yards and a score as the defense dominated. Tyrone Miller had a 42 yard interception return for a TD with 21 seconds left to seal it. Northern Illinois finishes 4-8
Game 4 vs. #10 Notre Dame W 38-0 - The previously undefeated Irish come into Ross-Ade and get smacked around (Everyone's dream scenario) 38-0. Elliott struggles in throwing two picks and for just 125 yards, but Jeff Lindsay (still at linebacker) has a key 86 yard TD return of an interception to make it 14-0 in the second quarter. Brandon Irwin and free safety #20 also have pick sixes in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame finishes 10-3, losing the Sugar Bowl to LSU 49-28
Game 5 at Minnesota W 45-13 - In another divergence since the game locks the conference schedule Purdue cruises in the Big ten opener (still at the Metrodome too). Elliott throws four touchdown passes, two to WR #82 (a senior) while #22 runs for 105 yards and a score. Minnesota comes in 4-0, but goes winless in the Big Ten.
Game 6 vs. Iowa W 35-27 - This was another game won by the defense. Iowa jumped out to a 10-0 lead at Ross-Ade, but Miller returned a fumble 48 yards for a score. Freshman Brandon Burns then had a 50 yard TD catch to give Purdue a 14-10 lead . Free Safety #20 added a 29 yard interception return for a TD just before hafltime, but Iowa connected on a Hail Mary to trail 21-17 at the half. Short TD runs from Elliott and #22 kept Iowa at bay. The Hawkeyes would finish 8-5 losing the Alamo Bowl to Nevada.
Game 7 at Michigan W 38-27 - In another game against a previously unbeaten team Purdue finally wins in Ann Arbor thanks to a change at running back. JuCo transfer Maurice Grier goes for 129 yards and score while Elliott throws three TD's. After opening a 14-0 lead Michigan scores 24 unanswered points before Matthews hits a 47 yard field goal just before halftime. Frank Halliburton gives Purdue a 31-27 lead on a short pass from Elliott with 2:43 to go. Less than a minute later the freshman King seals it with a 59 yard interception return for a TD. Michigan becomes demoralized, finishing 7-6 and goes on to lose the Champs Sports Bowl to Duke.
Game 8 vs. Northwestern W 41-17 - Elliott throws for four more TD's and 215 yards in an easy home win. Three of those TD's go to Gerald Barry, Kyle Adams, and Halliburton in the first quarter. Royce Adams also has a pick six in the game. Northwestern finishes 7-6 by beating Boise State in the Insight Bowl.
Game 9 vs. Illinois W 35-25 - This was a very sloppy game. Elliott started the scoring with a 56 yard option run and helped build a 28-3 lead by halftime. Grier adds a 42 yard TD run as well, but Elliott throws two second half INT's. one is returned 76 yards for a score as time expires. Illinois just misses a bowl at 5-7.
Game 10 at #2 Ohio State W 28-18 - After a close overtime game at Ross-Ade the year before Purdue dominates the Buckeyes in the 'shoe. Barry and Burns each catch touchdown passes in the first quarter while Elliott gives Purdue a 21-3 lead on an option keeper early in the third quarter. Adams' 81 yard interception TD makes it 28-3 with 2:16 left, but the defense gives up two TD's in the last minute thanks to a successful onside kick. It is Ohio State's only loss as the Buckeyes finish #3 in the nation with a 24-21 win over Miami in the Orange Bowl.
Game 11 vs. Michigan State W 45-3 - The Boilers are never challenged in the best defensive effort of the year. Grier runs for 121 yards and two scores while Benny Kings racks up 202 yards on interception returns. His first is a 103 yard pick six to start the score. His second is a 99 yard return where he is tackled at the six. Michigan State finishes 2-9.
Game 12 at Indiana W 56-31 - Purdue clinches a national title berth with a dominating offensive show. Elliott throws five touchdown passes and #22 runs for 141 yards and a score in his senior start for the Bucket. He also catches two more touchdown passes from Elliott. King sets the school record for interceptions in a season with eight.
Regular season awards: I win the National Coach of the Year Award while Brandon Erwin wins the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. Erwin and King make the All-America team as defensive backs. Keyon Brown is also named and All-American as a defensive end.
BCS Championship game vs. #2 West Virginia
It is never a contest as Purdue wins the national title 55-14. Grier breaks an 80 yard run to start things off and Purdue never looks back in building a 55-0 lead after three quarters. Grier finishes the day with three touchdowns, two of them rushing, and 250+ yards of total offense. After the game I am offered the head coaching position at Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Florida State, which I decline.
So see, it can happen. I think I will bring my wireless controller this fall just to be sure.