Dream League Playoffs: Justin Jefferson is automatic

Justin Jefferson shows UP in big games. In LSU’s dominant two-game College Football Playoff romp, Jefferson collected 23 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns. And, apparently, virtual Justin Jefferson also performs in big games, as in an elimination playoff game, Jefferson caught three touchdown passes from Trevor Lawrence to help Cal eliminate Andrew, 37-27. Andrew’s miserable Dream League campaign ended with a dismal 1 win and 8 losses. Cal improves to 5-4 and will have a chance to take down Nathaniel’s 7-1 squad in a best-of-three championship series held this weekend. 

Cal 37 Andrew 27

Jefferson’s dominance allowed Cal to jump out to a 34-14 halftime advantage. Lawrence scrambled for another touchdown, and Jonathan Taylor, who pounded his way to 106 rushing yards, ran in Cal’s fifth and final touchdown of the half. Andrew’s ground-and-pound approach kept him close for a while, but despite 105 rushing yards from Travis Etienne, and 86 from J.K. Dobbins, he simply could not keep up with Cal’s red-hot offense. Late in the fourth quarter, Jalen Hurts hit Jamar Chase for a 25-yard touchdown pass to pull Andrew within ten points, but the two-point conversion failed. Cal ran most of the remaining four minutes off the clock, extinguishing any potential rally. 

Cal will visit NDL in the championship series opener on Friday night – stay tuned for updates.

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Dream League Day 1: J.K. Dobbins dominates

The lack of live sports has dragged on, and the nearest end in sight is a May 17 NASCAR race. I’m so desperate, I might just watch it. But until then, we have restarted our Dream League Series. It’s the second part after If you read the preview, you know about the teams, and maybe you picked a favorite. There’s plenty of trash talk to go around, but for now let’s get to the results of Day 1. You can read how the game went down, or you can just scroll to the bottom for the result and standings.

The match-up featured the league favorite, Cal, traveling to Andrew’s 2-peaters, Andrew plays his home games at the real Death Valley, in Clemson, so beating him on the road will be a tough task. In this league, the home team also gets to set the weather for the simulation, allowing for adjustments to fit their play style. How did this one play out? Find out below.

The Game

Andrew’s offense was led by Jalen Hurts and the running back tandem of JK Dobbins and Travis Etienne. He used LSU’s championship defense to counter Cal’s offense, led by the Chuba Hubbard and Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, with Trevor Lawrence calling the shots under center. Ohio State was Cal’s defense of choice.

After Cal jumped out to a 14-3 lead on the strength of a punt return and Taylor touchdown run, Degeorge ended the half on a 23-0 run in the final 1:40. Etienne punched one in, then Andrew’s squad sacked Lawrence for a safety, then Hurts launched two long touchdown passes to cap off quick drives sandwiched around Cal’s 3-and-out to take a 26-14 lead into halftime.

Cal closed within 26-21, but two long touchdown runs by JK Dobbins iced the game for Andrew, who thumped the league favorites 40-21 to start the season off strong. Dobbins killed the game

Player of the Game: J.K. Dobbins – 22 carries, 143 yards

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Andrew Degeorge 1-0

Nathaniel Lapoint 0-0

Cal Christoforo 0-1