11.   And the freshman earned a starting spot in the Matadors linebacking corps for the season opener against Air Force on Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo.

12.   And the season opener is just three weeks away.

13.   And yet, there were moments when it seemed the Jets might take over this game the way they did their season opener.

14.   And, indeed, the Matadors are pleased with their transformation heading into their season opener against nonconference opponent Washington State on Thursday in Northridge.

15.   And, with the season opener on tap Monday night in Denver, does the defense have to guard against being overconfident?

16.   And this is without maybe the best Packer defender, cornerback Craig Newsome, who was injured in the season opener and lost for the year.

17.   And with two games to go before the season opener against the Cardinals, one wonders how much improvement they can make.

18.   Anyway, Perry played Sunday night for the first time since suffering a broken right forearm in the season opener.

19.   Anyway, Ryan never has forgiven Proehl for dropping that touchdown pass in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

20.   Arizona meets North Carolina, a rematch of a season opener, in one Final Four semifinal, and Kentucky and Minnesota collide in the other.