Week Six of Steveo’s Salvos: Rutgers HC Greg “What comes around, goes around”; Guru Finebaum – Not!; SMU Quitters; Our game: South Carolina at No. 13 Kentucky; Week Five and six; Lesson learned, Scotty?;  Upside down Big Twelve; Saban’s surprises ahead

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Heading into our Week Six, SEC East skirmish

   Week Six, this will be a somewhat abbreviated Salvo as we are in the midst of a transfer to a new location in Tennessee.   Our Saturday priorities don’t change, of course.  We venture to Lexington, Kentucky to watch South Carolina (3-2, 0-2) take on No. 13 Kentucky.  The Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) dropped their first game of the season to Ole Miss last weekend, 22-19.  South Carolina did typical FBS damage to an HBCU FCS squad South Carolina State, 50-10.   Look for QB Will Levis and RB Chris Rodriguez keep the Cats moving on offense.  In the two SEC losses by the Gamecocks, Georgia and Arkansas scored 48 and 44 points respectively.  Don’t expect the Wildcats to be any different especially after falling to Ole Miss. In their conference win, they conquered the Florida Gators.

Week six 2022: South Carolina at Kentucky
We’ll see SC Gamecocks clash with UK Wildcats at Kroger Field for the second time in three years.

Greg Schiano:  What goes around, comes around

     We laughed watching Rutgers HC Greg Schiano pointing his finger and yelling at No. 3 Ohio State HC Ryan Day.  The reaction came after Schiano’s team was penalized for a late hit out of bounds.  RU WR Aron Cruikshank laid an illegal hit on OSU punter Jesse Mirco who ran 22 yards for a first down.  OSU led, 49-10, with 9:24 remaining in the game.  Schiano – what a hypocrite!

     In 2007, he had his team call timeouts on a final touchdown drive to go up 52-0 over FCS Norfolk State – before the first half ended! RU won, 59-0. What a sport!  The week before, we saw him try something similar at home against Navy. He took a 41-17 lead with one-minute left to play in a game where RU fans booed the Navy team running on to the field with American flags at the height of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. With under a minute to play, Navy scored a TD to look more respectable in defeat, 41-24. 

     Of course, in the pros, rookie HC Schiano coached Tampa Bay against the Giants coached by Tom Coughlan.  In the victory formation with the final score no doubt a loss for the Buccaneers, Giant QB Eli Manning took a knee as the Tampa D-line submarined the Giants’ o-line risking serious injuries. The old-school, pro, Coughlin, blew up!    Schiano defended his actions stating, “We play to the end.”  What goes around comes around. He will continue to eat those words.  He thinks 49-0 against OSU embarrassed him this year?  Wait until next year even though the Ohio State game will be in Piscataway!

 “Mr. Obvious” Finebaum proves no college football guru

   He’s so bald and blind, we know where his head’s been all season! Suddenly, approaching Week Six, a “Spun” headline announces, “Paul Finebaum Is Expecting Prominent Head Coach to Leave”.  The Kansas Jayhawks have not enjoyed a winning season since 2008 (8-5).  Now 5-0 and ranked No. 19, Finebaum recognizes KU HC Lance Leipold now as “prominent”.  If Finebaum wasn’t so focused on one program and its HC, he’d recognize Leipold as a prominent HC before he even got to Kansas.  In Week Six Leipold meets his toughest challenge of 2022 when No. 17 TCU Horned Frogs (4-0,1-0) come to Lawrence.  

   Previously, Leipold turned under-the-radar Buffalo into a winning program in five years winning the MAC, winning two bowl games, and developing a few good pro players such as DT Khalil Mack.  Before Buffalo, Leipold coached D-3 Wisconsin-Whitewater to a 109-6 record winning six Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowls in eight years. He can flat-out coach!  In every aspect – recruiting, player development, and game planning.  

      Leipold took over the Jayhawks in 2021 after spring practice.  With no time to do much recruiting or developing his inherited talent before summer practice, his team improved during 2021.  After a record of 12-60 record since 2015 at KU, he wound up 2-10 including a 57-56 upset over Texas, and two close losses to TCU and WVU to end last season. Until now, Finebaum never recognized any HC except for Nick Saban and a few SEC coaches.  If you want to hear about our pre-season selection for Coach of the Year, check out our podcast with Stephen Hiegel of Just CollegeFootball.com. We, like Mr. Finebaum, are folically-challenged, but we’re not as blind.  No brag, just fact.

Week Six, Lanc Leipilds Kansas Jayhawks are ranked at No. 19 at 5-0
We predicted that six wins for Kansas this season that Lance Leipold would be Coach of the Year. He’s already 5-0 and got his team ranked at No. 19. Could be better with a win over No. 21 TCU Saturday. He’s already C of Y!

SMU Quitters, nothing more or less

    This week, the Dallas Morning News reporter Joseph Hoyt wrote an article that several SMU players decided to sit out the rest of the 2022 season. Their reason centers on using the transfer portal to go elsewhere to leave after this season. Starters SR S Chace Cromartie, soph WR Roderick Daniels, JR., and Soph S Isaiah Nwokobia leave behind their teammates with a 2-2 record.  Selfish, for sure.  If a player plays more than four games in a season, he cannot red-shirt.  Great timing! They avoid losing a season of eligibility when transferring elsewhere.

    Tonight, as we publish, the Mustangs lost to 3-1 UCF, 41-19.  Players like these look for the easy way.  A better opportunity?  They just started conference play.  Challenges lie ahead to win. Perhaps, no one will want them.  Think about the cliché about choosing “somebody you’d want in your foxhole”.  Would anyone want these Quitters in that situation?  Hopefully, SMU rescinds their scholarships immediately to let them fend for financing their educations further themselves. Give them to players who will show up to play and win for SMU instead.

Following idol’s footsteps? Vice versa?

  We admire the passion and energy the Austin Peay HC Scotty Walden leads his Governor footfall team with. He’s building up a program that has struggled more often than not.   On the other hand, we see him emulating what Nick Saban does for Alabama.  We figure there’s some connection here as FCS APSU went for the big payout offered by Bama to entice the Governors to make a lot of money while getting pounded for memory’s sake when they visit Bryan-Denny Stadium on November 19. 

  Walden’s schedule emulates Saban’s to a great extent.  Beat up on feeble programs like Presbyterian, Mississippi Valley State, and Alabama A&M who tally a combined record of 2-13 thus far in 2022.  APU gets three dominant, non-conference wins.  Combined score – 132-3. Then, they defeat a tough conference foe Eastern Kentucky at home, 31-20.  Looking good at 4-1, Austin Peay jumps to No. 19 in the FCS polls.  With confidence heading out to 1-3, Central Arkansas, however, APSU gets shockingly exposed, 49-20.  

   Bama uses basically the same scheduling tactics, though they defeated Texas, 20-19, when Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers went down to injury. The Crimson Tide (5-0) went on the road versus Arkansas after hosting several pay-for play teams and SEC doormat Vandy. They got off to a quick start Saturday. Bama QB Bryce Young left with an injury early Jalen Milroe filled in adequately.  However, the Razorback climbed back in by the end of three to get within, 28-23. Tide RB Jahmyr Gibbs tore off two long TDs in Q4 to put Arkansas away though, 49-26.   This could be Bama’s similarity to APSU‘s win over EKU.  Could A&M in Week Six be Bama’s Central Arkansas?  Probably not since the game is home.  The real question is if Saban can cover the 24-point spread?  He might be under pressure this week to do so.

Week Six: Alabama Cheers for A&M to come to Bryant-Denny this weekend!
Alabama cheerleaders will always look forward to the slaughters at Bryant-Denny. Austin Peay on November 19 will be one, at least.

The Big 12 turned upside down in Week Six

   Not sure when this, if ever, last happened. Even in the Big Eight.  Kansas and Kansas State are both on top at 2-0 entering Week Six. Oklahoma rests on the bottom at 0-2. Kansas State already defeated Oklahoma, 41-34.  The Jayhawks visit the Sooners in Norman on October 15. Kansas secured wins already over WVU and Iowa State last week, 14-11.

Saban surprises ahead?

   Before the season started, Week Six seemed to be Bama’s biggest challenge with Texas A&M coming in with a talented group of freshmen that raised the ire of Nick Saban.  With so much focus on this one, he may be more concerned in the weeks beyond.  A couple of SEC surprises loom which he may not have envisioned as bonafide threats before this season started. Things could change beforehand, of course.

   One week after facing their prime nemesis of 2022, the Tide travels to play No. 8 Tennessee (4-0,1-0). The following week, surprising Mississippi State (4-1, 1-0) under Mike Leach goes to Tuscaloosa ranked currently at No. 23.  After a bye week, two SEC West road games put Bama at No.  25 LSU (4-1, 2-0) and at No. 9 Ole Miss (5-0,1-0).  Then following the Bama scrimmage against FCS Austin Peay, the big upset looms when archrival Auburn (3-2, 1-1). If the SEC is a tough as it claims to be, there’s a Bama loss or two in there somewhere.  If not, when you hear any “SEC, SEC” chants, it stands for Saban’s Eastern Conference!

Other teams on our 2022 schedule from Week Five to Week Six

     Georgia (5-0, 2-0) unimpressed pollsters with a 26-22 win over Missouri dropping them to No.  2 behind Alabama again. They host Auburn (3-2, 1-1) in the most played rivalry in the South.  The Tigers fell to LSU last week, 21-17. No. 3 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) faces disappointing Michigan State (2-3, 0-2).  No. 5 Clemson downed No. 15 NC State, 30-20, and heads north this week to face Boston College. Wake Forest moved back to No. 15 with a 31-21 win over 4-1 Florida State. In Week Six, they host struggling 1-3 Army who fellto Georgia State, 31-14.  Navy stands with the same record as the Cadets at 1-3, 1-0 after dropping the first round of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy to Air Force, 13-10.  The Mids try to get their running game operating again this week when Tulsa (2-3, 0-1) visits Annapolis.

     No. 10 Penn State (5-0, 2-0) struggled with fumbles in the rain at Happy Valley to get by Northwestern, 17-7. They head into a bye week before going to Ann Arbor the week after to battle No. 4 Michigan.  Aforementioned Boston College defeated Louisville (2-3,0-3) last week, 34-33. LU meets UVA (2-3, 0-2) next.  On November 5, we’ll see the Cardinals host undefeated James Madison (4-0, 2-0) who is starting to garner some votes.  The Dukes thrashed Texas State (2-3, 0-1) last week in a Sun Belt contest.

Louisiana (2-3,0-2) is not looking good after the departure of HC Billy Napier to Florida.  They fell to South Alabama in Week Five, 21-17. The Ragin Cajuns will tangle with the TSU Bobcats in late November.  Texas (3-2, 1-1) and Oklahoma (3-2, 0-2) meet the Saturday in their Red River Shoot-out. We plan to see the Longhorns host Baylor (3-2, 1-1) also in late November. Doesn’t look like the key game in the Big 12 we hoped it would be.  The Bears lost a key game in Big 12 play to Oklahoma State, 36-25.

Our other 2022 teams in action Week Six

    The No. Purdue (3-2, 1-1) got past Minnesota (4-1, 1-1) in Big Ten West play. BYU (4-1) pasted struggling Utah State, 38-26. BYU heads to Vegas Saturday to play the Fighting Irish in as struggle between Independents for probably the last time as BYU moves into the Big 12 next season.   Houston (2-3,0-1) fell to Tulane (4-1, 1-0), 27-24. The Cougars, not the Green Wave, are supposed to challenge No. 19 Cincinnati this year for the AAC title this season.

Other games of interest to us  

Here’s a surprise: UConn (2-3) defeated Fresno State. In the Ivies, Penn beat Dartmouth 23-17.  Monmouth clobbered Lehigh, 35-7, in a big win for the first-time member of the Patriot league. Cornell beat Colgate in their upset New York rivalry, 34-21. Among FCS teams we could see come playoff time: Jacksonville State 35 Kennesaw 28; Tennessee-Martin 45 Tennessee Tech 28: UT Chattanooga 24, ETSU  16.

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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: from the fan who’s seen ‘em all!  Please link on the Title or picture of our cover on the top right sidebar on this or any other page you may peruse to buy your copy and submit a review.  Thanks!

WKU dance team at the half in Week Five
The Western Kentucky Dance Team performed to the music of Michael Jackson at halftime last Saturday!

Game 642: “Prodigal son” returns with Troy Trojans to level WKU Hilltoppers

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Bowling Green, Kentucky – This game between the Trojans and Hilltoppers started out “smash-mouth” more than any game attended in quite a while.  In the end, the 34-27 win by the Trojans turned out to be a story book memory.  However, unlike the Bible lesson about forgiveness in the Book of Luke, this story about a “prodigal” son was clearly about REVENGE!  It made for a tense, hard-hitting, abusive, exciting football game.  

WKU pre-game tailgate for Parent and family weekend for Trojan game
Outside Houchens-LT Smith Stadium at WKU, tailgaters celebrated Parents and Family weekend. In the Bible, the father of the prodigal son celebrated his return with a “fatted calf”. There was no such welcome here for the return of WKU’s ex-QB Jarrett Doege!

QB Jarret Doege left WKU on short notice

      For those unaware of the situation, before this season started, QB Jarret Doege left West Virginia through the transfer portal to become a graduate transfer at WKU.  About ten days before this season started, he left WKU to take to the portal again to join the Trojans of Troy. It evidently and rightfully left a bad taste among Toppers in Bowling Green.  Selfishly, no matter how one looks at it, Doege took advantage of his teammates. He possibly put their season at risk. He abused the uncontrolled portal system at the last days of summer practices before their first game.

     We saw this as an incentive to attend this game even though we planned to see it any way.  To our disappointment and to that of the Hilltopper team, Doege did not become the starter at Troy since he left WKU.  However, with an injury to Trojan starting QB Gunnar Watson late in the third, jersey No. 9 with “Doege”, much to the “delight “of the Hilltopper team, stepped in to take his place. More than we anticipated, the ears of the Toppers pinned-back to take it out more physically on their prodigal brother.  With the score tied at 20-20 at the time, how would the incentives on both teams affect the outcome of this game?  How would the Trojans react on their side of the stadium?

Toppers and Trojans played Smash-mouth football
Even before Doege entered the game, the Toppers and Trojans were already embroiled in a game of “smash-mouth” football.

To quote good ol’ Lindsey Nelson, “With the score tied, we move on to further action…”

     To start, late in the third with less than two minutes remaining, Watson took a hard shove along the WKU sideline. He laid face down in a twisted mess before being escorted off the field.  From this view point, the one-handed shove was intentional, but didn’t look that hard.  On third and nine at the WKU 33, enter Doege.  The already tense atmosphere on the field seemed to pick up right away.  Doege’s first pass went incomplete. 

Trojan HC Jon Sumrall decided to go for the first.  Doege obliged with an 18-yard completion for a first down. Two plays later under pressure, Doege lofted a long pass far beyond his receiver in the end zone.  The refs flagged him for intentional grounding, but they also flagged WKU for roughing the passer. Replaying the down, his next pass went for a three-yard loss. However, third pass proved the charm as he connected WR Jabre Barber for a 16-yard TD pass.  While doing so, he absorbed another roughing the passer penalty, to the chagrin of Topper fans.  We could agree from their perspective. Questionable call.

Doege completes his first pass for a Trojan first down, f
QB Jarret Doege (9) completes his first pass for a first down to WR Tez Johnson (15). After this throw, he was rarely seen standing as shown here!

 Mixed, but understood, emotions

   As the Trojans lined up to kickoff from the 50, Doege was jostled, back-slapped, and supported by many teammates along the sideline. They anticipated the greeting he was getting from his former, angry, revenge-driven “ex-teammates”.  On the ensuing drive, the Hilltoppers converted a fourth and one at their 49 for a first down.  With a fourth and two at the Trojan 39, Troy stopped them and took over on downs.  Doege and his offense returned. With 7:14 left to play, his ten-yard TD pass to Tez Johnson (six receptions for 105 yards, one TD, and threw for another on an option play to Watson) not only widened the lead, 34-20, but Doege incurred another roughing the passer call to kick again from the 50.

Tez Johnosn Scores for Trojans to go up, 34-20.
Tez Johnson falls out of bounds after catching fade pass from Doege to put Trojans up, 34-20.

A play for the records

   The ensuing Hilltopper drive becomes an asterisk in this tale.  Had WKU won, this play would be legendary.  On fourth and eleven from their 24 with time running out, Austin Reed’s pass intended for his receiver glanced off his hands. Suddenly, it was caught behind the line of scrimmage by RT Gunner Britton. The big lineman grabbed it, and unflinchingly ran 12 yards until tackled for a first down to keep the drive alive.  He certainly looked like he knew what he was doing. A Hilltopper fan turned and shouted as we both laughed, “I’ve never seen that before!”  I didn’t have time to explain, but in 642 games, neither had I!

No quit from the Hilltoppers

     Two plays later, Reed connected with his longest pass of the day to WR Michael Mathison to put the Toppers at the six.  On third and goal, he fired a pass to Daewood Davis (12 receptions, 122 yards, one TD) at the back of the end zone for six points.  The PAT was good. The Toppers trailed the hated Trojans and their prodigal “brother”, 34-27, with 4:20 left to play.  Doege and company started from the 25 with two time-outs in their pocket to the Toppers’ three.  Over the next five plays, the Toppers ate two while the Trojans used one before punting away on fourth and two from their 44.  The home team started from their ten with 1:56 left on the clock to tie or win. 

     A 26-yard pass to Malachi Corley put the Hilltoppers on the 50.  Two short completions and a 12-yard run by Reed (39 for 56, 406 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) got the Toppers to the 32 with a second and eight.  Next play, he dropped back under pressure, looked down field, and as he drew his arm back to throw, a hand came out from LB Richard Jibunor in on the sack to knock the ball loose.  The Trojans recovered and ran out the clock with 1:01 remaining for the win.

Malachi Corley gets Toppers to the 50 on final attempted comeback by WKU
WR Malachi Corley takes a pass from Austin Reed to the 50 in a last minute WKU comeback attempt to tie or win.

It’s about time!

     We never agreed with Doege’s short exit to Troy through the transfer portal.  We had hoped the result of this game would have been different because of it. However, the drama witnessed added a lot of emotion to a very hard-fought game brought on by Doege’s selfish move. Thankfully, the NCAA announced it’s incurring time limits as to when players can exit a program in the future.  It’s unfair to teams and coaching staffs for players to leave on such short -term notice.  It’s also shameful if another program entices a player to do that. 

Trojans RB DK Billingsley (2*) rushed 22 times for 122 yards and a TD on the day.
Though a lot of focus was on the passing game here, Trojan RB DK Billingsley (28) rushed 22 times for 122 yards and a TD on the day.

Coming up in Week Six

     Troy (3-2,0-1) returns home to host Sun Belt newcomer Southern Mississippi in a conference game.  WKU (3-2,1-0) travels back to conference play in Conference USA against UTSA (3-2,1-0). We just saw UTSA at Middle Tennessee the night before. In Week Seven, we look forward to seeing WKU at MTSU in a Saturday afternoon, rivalry game.  Should be good!  Collegefootballfan.com goes SEC this weekend with South Carolina (3-2,0-1) at No. 13 Kentucky (4-1, 1-1) in Lexington.

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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all!  If you like this story, read our tales from when we saw all 120 FBS teams (at the time of publication) play for the first time.  We also encourage you to submit a review when you do. Please click on the title or copy of  the cover on our right sidebar to go to our Amazon page to buy and review.  Thanks!

Thank Heaven for half time and the Hilltopper Dance Team
Thank Heaven for half time performances and the Hilltopper Dance Team!

Game 641: UTSA overcomes late Middle Tennessee threat to win ConferenceUSA openers for both teams

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Murfreesboro, TN – UTSA QB Frank Harris dazzled until three picks killed the Road Runner momentum, and Middle Tennessee threatened to come back trailing 38-30 late in the game.  However, it took a defensive stand and a 45-yard scoring drive with 1:32 left to seal a 45-30 victory for UTSA (3-2, 1-0), 45-30. For Collegefootballfan.com, we saw MTSU play for the fourth time, but first time at home. Regarding UTSA, we witnessed them for only the second time. We saw them visit South Alabama in 2012 when both met in their first FBS clash when they opened against each other. UTSA, then coached by Larry Coker, triumphed, 33-31.

UTSA can’t be stopped

     The UTSA offense scored early and often.  With QB Frank Harris’s prolific day running and scoring (27 for 36 passing, 414 yards, two TD passes, two rushing TDs, three INTs), the Road Runners scored on five of their first six possessions.  All came on very long drives to run out to a 31-20 lead at halftime.   The scoring drives went for 75, 74, 75, 73, and 79 yards respectively.   In the first period, Harris connected with WR Zakhari Franklin for a 43-yard score.  Next, Jarret Sackett booted a 28-yard FG for a 10-0 lead at the end of one.

WR Zakhari TD catch for UTSA started scoring
UTSA WR Zakhari Franklin makes catch on his way to a 43-yard TD to start the day’s scoring.

     Middle Tennessee closed the gap on Chase Cunningham’ 38-yard toss to Yusuf Ali early in the second.  Of course, UTSA retaliated when Franklin came back with a 28-yard TD strike once again to Franklin.  Still, MTSU made a game of it on Darius Bracy’s 53-yard touchdown burst off right tackle.  UTSA put together another long drive capped by Trelon Smith’s two-yard run.  The Blue Raiders rebounded with Zeke Rankin’s 3-yard FG to stay within seven, 24-17. 

It looked like the MTSU defense finally came around forcing UTSA to punt. However, a running into the kicker penalty gave the Road Runners life with a fourth and six at the MTSU 39.  Road Runner HC Jeff Traylor decided to go for it. Harris connected with De’Corian Clark with a pass to the 25 for a first down.  Harris eventually took in in from the five to go up, 31-17.   UTSA’s next possession resulted in its first punt.   The Blue Raiders obliged with a 41-yard drive resulting in Rankins’ 33-yard FG with 0:03 left for a 31-20 halftime score. 

Darius Bracy's 53-yard TD run for MTSU
MTSU RB Darius Bracy jukes a Road Runner on his way for 53-yard TD run in Q2.

Halftime Honors and Hall of Fame Hospitality

     The halftime festivities at MTSU’s Red Floyd Stadium featured the retirement of jersey #20 in honor of alum S Kevin Byard. Today, collegefootballfan.com added MTSU’s home field as the 77th FBS venue we’ve attended.  Drafted by the Titans in 2016, Byard has twice been named All-Pro. In 2020, he won the Walter Payton Award for community services he proudly led.    John Robinson, GM of the Tennessee Titans, made the presentation.  Kevin enters the MTSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

MTSU Alum Kevin Bayard's name and retired number will live on at Red Floyd Stadium
MTSU Football Alum Kevin Byard’s name and retired number will live on at Red Floyd Stadium.

    Speaking of which, I was invited to the MTSU Athletic Hall of Fame Museum before the game to meet with Duane Hinckley of the Blue Raider Sports Network pre-game show.  Meeting with him and his partner of many years, Dick Palmer, on the air, we discussed my football adventure in my book Tales from the Tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all! Duane kindly touted our website.   Our conversation also focused on best game atmospheres and on games I look forward to on the upcoming schedule.  It was a great interview!  We had a good time meeting Duane and Dick.  Thanks to Chip Walters , play-by-play man of the MTSU broadcasting team on WGNS 1450 AM /100.5 FM for arranging this!

 I visited the MTSU Athletic Hall of Fame with my Guest Game Analyst, Dave Hickman (Fighting Illini alum whose team knocked off Wisconsin Saturday). We reviewed the history of Blue Raider greats in all sports.  MTSU fans have a Hall of Fame to be proud of adjacent to their sports facilities on their beautiful campus.

Collegefootballfan.com's Steve Koreivo interviews with Duane Hickley on Blue Raider Network pregame show.
Collegefootballfan.com’s Steve Koreivo interviews with Duane Hinckley on Blue Raider Network pregame show. Of course, our Wake Forest friend Jim “Bugalug” Harton commented that this is truly “a face for radio”. Wait until they hear me sing!

Second Half: same start, surprise ending

    UTSA received the second half kickoff.  The second half started as if it would be a continuation of the first. Following a touchback, the Road Runners put together a 75-yard TD drive with Harris scoring from the one.  MTSU took their ensuing touchback and punted from their 44.  UTSA proceeded to move efficiently once again, but a funny thing happened on the way to the end zone. DB Decorian Patterson intercepted Frank Harris’s pass on the two-yard line to halt the first UTSA drive of the game. From there, quick-footed, strong-armed Blue Raider QB Chase Cunningham (35 of 56, 368 yards, one TD) put on a show of his own. The drive resulted in Rankin’s 25-yard FG early in the fourth to trail, 38-23.

UTSA QB Frank Harris takes it over for TD.
UTSA QB Frank Harris (0) takes it over from the five in the first half for a 31-17 lead.

Lightning strikes

   The Road Runners started to drive once again getting the ball out to their 40.  On first and ten, Harris zipped the ball over the middle.  DT Jordan Palmer snagged it into his chest and motored like lightning down the right sideline the length of the field for about a 42-yard TD return.  MTSU swooped within striking distance, 38-30, with 10:32 left to play. UTSA started typically from the 25 on its next possession and drove deep into Blue Raider territory once again. And for the third straight series, Harris got picked again, and for the second time by Patterson.  MTSU started from their 13.   

     With time running down, on a fourth and two from their 37, Cunningham completed a pass to Franklin at the 49 to sustain hope once again.  On fourth and nine at the Road Runner 45, the result was not the same. The pass attempt fell incomplete.  GGA Dave Hickman advised, “They got to stop the run.  At three yards a carry, UTSA will continue to run it out as the have all day.”  At that, we watched UTSA do just as Dave said. HC Rick Stockstill used his remaining time-out to get the ball back.

Chase Cunningham looks down field on a comeback drive attempt against UTSA.
MTSU QB Chase Cunningham showed quick feet and a strong arm in his team’s comeback attempt.

    Brenden Brady ran for four yards and then another four.  Harris got a first down on his three-yard run. Smith picked up eight. Brady (19 carries, 98 yards, one TD) gained one more before exploding off left tackle for a 25-yard TD to extend the lead to 45-30 with 1:32 left. The Raiders made a great effort getting to the UTSA 14 on a 24-yard completion to Izaiah Gathings with 41 ticks left. However, after three incompletes and a nine-yard completion followed by an unsportsmanlike call against the Road Runners, time expired at the five.   Our game No. 641 was a hard-fought, offensive, interesting battle down to the end despite the final margin of UTSA’s 45-30 victory.  Both QBs impressed us during this game.

Next two weekends should be fun for all involved

   The Blue Raiders travel to Birmingham, Alabama next Saturday to play UAB in another Conference USA clash.  UTSA will host Western Kentucky next Saturday in a similar conference clash, but tomorrow night (October 1), this being a Friday night game, we will see those same Hilltoppers (4-1) host the Troy Trojans (2-2) in another anticipated, hard-fought battle.  In Week Six, collegefootballfan.com will attend the SEC contest when South Carolina visits Kentucky in Lexington. In two weeks, we’ll be back here at Red Floyd Stadium to see the Blue Raiders take on their arch rival, those same Hilltoppers from WKU!

Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all!  Just as Duane Hickey mentioned on the Blue Raider Sports Network.  Click on the book title or cover copied on the upper right hand side bar on this page.  Thanks!   It’s all about our adventures of attending games just like this one played by all 120 FBS teams over time including MTSU at UConn!

Treats at REd Floyd Stadium are big and sweet!
The treats served at Red Floyd Stadium are big and sweet!

Collegefootballfan.com Interview on MTSU pregame Friday night – Live!

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Stream us on live to listen to our brief interview before the Middle Tennessee State – UTSA game tomorrow with Duane Hickey and Dick Palmer on the Blue Raider Football Network. Tune in at 6:15 pm EST/ 5:15 pm CT by clicking right here to hear our preview . Listen before our 641st college football game since 1979, but only our first ever at MTSU’s Red Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This game should be fun! The Blue Raiders (3-1) come off their 45-31 victory over No. 25 Miami last week. The Road Runners (2-2) come off a 12-2 record a year ago and are the favorite to win the Conference USA title. The winner will get an early lead in what should be a very competitive race for the championship!

Go Blue Raiders!

Most importantly though, tune in for our interview before the Middle Tennessee – UTSA game!

Week Five of Steveo’s Salvos: PSU QB strategy; Alabama challenged by Vandy,55-3; Two-game Friday/Saturday weekend – Miami-beater Middle Tennessee hosts UTSA in Conference USA clash; Western Kentucky goes for fourth win against Troy; FCS Austin Peay jumps to No. 16; Week Four-Five notes; Navy wins; What’s going on at Alma Mater dear?

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  This Friday night we venture to our first game ever at our new adopted FBS Tennessee team for the first of two games for Week Five.  At Red Floyd Stadium in nearby Murfreesboro, The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3-1) host UT San Antonio (2-2), a pre-season favorite to win ConferenceUSA.  Fresh off their 45-31 victory over No. 25 Miami last week, the Blue Raiders seem to be recovering from their opening day decimation at James Madison.  HC Rick Stockstill’s team seems ready to challenge UTSA for this year’s conference title.  The UTSA Road Runners played Texas tight through three quarters in Austin before a Longhorn pick-six turned things around to lose, 41-20.

Reflections of one another on offense

    Looking at both teams’ starts, this looks to be another very competitive game on our slate. The two teams mirror one another regarding their stats in four games heading into Week Five. MTSU QB Chase Cunningham returned from a season-ending injury in 2021, and has started all four games passing for 1,000 yards, seven TDs, and three INTs.  Between his two favorite targets, WR Jaylin Hall leads in yardage with 231 on 11 catches, but Isaiah Gathings has 24 snags for 175 yards. With only one TD between the two, RB Frank Peasant leads all Raiders in scoring on 292 rushing yards for six TDs.  The Blue Raiders average 33.8 ppg. 

 On defense, S Teldrick Ross leads all tacklers with 34 in total, but DT Marley Cook and DE Jordan Ferguson lead in sacks with 3.5 and 3.0 respectively. MTSU amassed sixteen sacks and tallied six INTs heading into Week Five.

Week five we will see Cahse Cunningham at QB for MTSU
Last season when we saw MTSU play Western Kentucky, QB Chase Cunningham did not play due to an injury the week before. Nick Vittiato (18) stepped in along with Mike Dielleo, now with Austin Peay. We look forward to seeing Cunningham in action on Friday night.

   As for UTSA, QB Frank Harris returned this season to complete 140 passes for 1,310 yards, ten TDs, and only two INTS. Against FCS Texas Southern, he completed 20 passing for 392 yards and four TDs.  With that, he set the record for UTSA with 52 career TD passes. De’Corean Clark, his favorite receiver gathered in a school record of 217 yards in a game and three TDs.  His numbers put him in the team lead for the season with 27 receptions, 417 yards and six TDs. WR Joshua Cephus is pretty effective too with 412 yards and two TDs.   RB Brendan Brady leads the Road Runners with 206 yards and three TDs. Harris runs when necessary to the tune of 162 and two TDs thus far. On offense, they average 37.0 ppg. 

Where we see the edge

   Heading into Week Five, S Cliff Chattam and LB Jamal Ligon both lead UTSA in tackles with 28 each.  However, the Road Runner defense does not matchup to the pressure and coverage the Blue Raiders bring.  Regarding sacks and INTs, their numbers fall short of the Blue Raiders at six and two respectively.  Both teams shellacked their FCS competitors this season. MTSU defeated Eddie George’s Tennessee State Tigers, 49-6.   We look for the Blue Raiders defense at home to keep the pressure up against HC Jeff Traylor’s Road Runners to win by more than a touchdown.  Of course, we expect to see the final score decided as we like to in all our games, in the final period!  

“Saturday night’s the night for fighting”

   In the second of our two games for Week Five, we expected to see a bit of grudge match in this one.  With less than two weeks before Western Kentucky’s opener versus Austin Peay, first-year transfer, grad student, QB Jarret Doege decided to transfer again. Having started at West Virginia the last two years after leaving Bowling Green, we’re not sure where he stood within WKU’s QB pecking order.  QB Austin Reed, a former D-2 QB for national champ West Florida seems to be in control there with 1,263 passing yards and 14 TDs for the 3-1 Hilltoppers. 

We anticipated Doege went to Troy because there might have been a better opportunity to start awaiting him.  So, we figured the Hilltopper defense would be going after him with their ears pinned back this Saturday.  Well unless Junior QB Gunnar Watson goes down for the Trojans, Doege will spend most of his time on the bench as he’s only thrown 12 passes going into Week Five for Troy. 

Brand new world for coaching decisions

     Maybe Doege’s not as good as he thinks he is.  Watson has completed 95 of 143 passes for 1,249 yards and five TDs and five INTs.  Or, maybe first-year HC Jon Sumrail decided to bank on developing his younger QB in hopes he’ll have him at Troy for two years.  Coaches have to think like this now with the transfer portal always looming.  If Sumrail started Doege this year, Watson could decide the heck with Troy, I’ll transfer and take my two years’ someplace else.  It’s the reality of the college football world now, especially with QBs.  QBs may want to realize what a coach’s dilemma might be before they decide to flip teams again.

WKU (4-1) heading into Week Five against Troy (2-2)

      Hilltopper QB Austin Reed looks for Daewood Davis on the receiving end most of the time with 24 receptions for 324 yards and three TDs. Reed spreads the ball around to four other receivers on his team, all with over 100 yards of catches.  Among them, Malachi Corley captured five for scores.  RB Kye Robichaux leads in rushing with 265 yards and a TD.  The offense plays formidably averaging 508.8 ypg. and 47.5 ppg. LB JaQues Evans leads the defense with 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks. DBs Kaleb Oliver and Upton Stout each recorded two picks each heading into Week Five.  WKU whipped Florida International (1-2) in their Conference USA debut last week, 73-0. Ho-hum, FIU finished 1-11 last year.

Week Five - WKU QB Austin Reed leads his team on Saturday night
Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed will come out firing on Saturday night against the Trojans of Troy. This will be only the second time Troy appears on our slate. The last time was in November 2001 at Maryland.

       For Troy of the Sun Belt, Watson targets WR Jabre Barber and TE Tez Johnson as his prime receivers.  RBs DK Billingsley and Kuman Vidal share rushing duties with 162 and 149 yards respectively.  LB Carlton Marshall leads the Trojans with 33 stops. The Trojans only average 23 ppg.  With their 16-7 win over Marshall last week, their only TD came as a result of a 23-yard fumble return by Buddha Jones along with Brooks Buce’s three field goals. The Trojans average only 66 rushing yards per game.

        Despite the Trojans allowing only 21 ppg, the more formidable teams Ole Miss and Appy State with their last-second score upped that average.  We look for the Hilltoppers to negate the Troy running game and apply the pressure on Watson.  With superior offensive firepower and their only loss on the road to Indiana, 33-31, we look for Western Kentucky to add win number four by more than two TDs.  This game at Houchens Industries-LT Smith Stadium will be decided in the third period as Reed should have a big day.

Penn State long-term QB strategy

     Penn State fans clamor to see more playing time for five-star frosh QB Drew Allar.  The thinking at State College right now is that Sean Clifford’s experience in his sixth year continues to help the Nittany Lions.  However, some plan has to go into the future when Clifford’s gone after graduation, or even if he unexpectedly goes down again to injury this season.  Allar has played in all four games this season, and a fifth game negates any red-shirting.  However, HC James Franklin needs to weigh his options figuring Allar is his QB of the future.

    Playing the 1-3 Northwestern Wildcats this weekend may offer Franklin the opportunity he needs.  If the Nittany Lions can gain a substantial lead at Beaver Stadium, it may be timely to keep Clifford healthy and get Allar some considerable playing time. Again, with the transfer portals, a coach has to be sensitive to players’ options.  Consider Will Levis leaving PSU for Kentucky a couple of years ago when Clifford won the job.  Levis will be one of the top QBs in next year’s NFL draft. 

You never know.  It’s a tough call for many coaches now-a-days.  You need to keep your options open.  You want to win now, but you have to have a QB ready to step in for the unexpected as well as for the longer-term success of your program.  Check out Allar’s stats Sunday if he gets to play more than he usually does this Saturday.  The 6’5” QB possesses a strong arm.

Week Five for PSE Lions from Tigers to Wildcats
These PSU cheerleaders should get lot of loud noise at Beaver Stadium if QB Drew Allar steps in to play early and often this Saturday against Northwestern.

Nick Saban’s definition of a challenge

    With the annihilation Alabama delivered to Vanderbilt last Saturday, 55-3, at Bryant-Denny Stadium, here’s what Christopher Walsh of Bama Central on FanNation reported.  With Bama’s roster of five-star recruits from throughout the US outgaining Vanderbilt (a misleading 3-2) who has totaled four winning seasons in the last 40 years, 628 yards to 123, this is what the “greatest coach of all-time” had to say: “The challenges are greater, as we go, so we have to continue to focus on moving forward and improving.”  Give college football a break!  He calls any game Bama played this year besides the Texas game a “challenge”?  Nick Saban evidently lives in a different world.

     He doesn’t know a challenge until he laments losing in a national championship to a team that can recruit as well as he does.  When rosters play similar levels of talent (like when he coached in the pros), success comes down to coaching capabilities. Losses to Clemson twice (Swinney), Georgia (Smart), LSU (Orgeron), Ohio State (Meyer), Oklahoma (Stoops), and Utah (Meyer) in key games have proven that.  He builds his records beating “challenges” he schedules like Mercer, Southern Miss, New Mexico State, Utah State, and ULM the last two years. 

He must be quaking in his boots anticipating FCS Austin Peay coming to town in November.    Feel bad for him. He’s got to focus on the Govs before Auburn comes to town.  Of all the SEC teams, the Tigers offer him his toughest “challenge” as he’s 10-5 against them.  APSU could be a distraction for Saban this year. Hopefully, he’ll be up for that challenge.

Alabama All American LB Will Leonard
Bama’s Heisman candidate on defense this year, Will Anderson Jr (31), seen here in action taking on the challenge of Utah State in Bama’s 55-0 onslaught arranged by Nick Saban with a lot of money to entice the Aggies to play his team of five-star recruits.

Austin Peay jumps up in FCS, but a major obstacle lies ahead

    With last week’s win we witnessed over No. 20 Eastern Kentucky, the APSU Governors jumped up in the FCS poll from No. 23 to No. 16. Aside from finishing their season at Alabama for a monetary donation on November 19, the Govs most difficult challenge shows up at Fortera Stadium on October 29 when Jacksonville State (4-1) comes calling.  These Gamecocks will be stepping up to Conference USA next season along with Liberty, Sam Houston State (also FCS), and New Mexico State.  Because of their pending move to the FBS, FCS schools such as Jacksonville State and Sam Houston aren’t ranked in the 2022 poll.  However, the Gamecocks can play for the ASUN championship. The best way for APSU to figure into the FCS championship will be to win on October 29. 

APSU's Fortera Stadium hosted EKU for avictory to vault to No. 16 in Week Five. EKU
Austin Peay’s victory over No. 20 Eastern Kentucky vaulted them to FCS No. 16 in Week Five. The scenery will be quite different when they visit Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 19.

Juniata, Alma Mater Dear

     In 1973, Juniata played in the first D-3 national championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, but regretfully lost badly to Wittenberg.  Still, our team defeated Bridgeport University in the semi-final and set a standard for future teams to exceed.  The team’s late, great Head Coach Walt Nadzak eventually became Head Coach at UConn and AD at The Citadel.  Our football legacy goes back to having the late, great NFL Coach Chuck Knox graduating from JC. The college’s football stadium now bears his name.  In 1956, the then once-proud Juniata Indians (now Eagles) played in the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl) to a 6-6 tie with Missouri Valley in front of 10,000 fans.  In the 70’s through about 2005, the program competed successfully in the Middle Atlantic Conference.  The Indians even knocked off a couple of D-2 schools, California State of Pennsylvania and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, back in the 70s.

Adapting to standards

       The admin decided around 2005 with academics becoming more competitive, they joined the Centennial Conference to play teams with similar standards. New competitors included Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, and powerhouse John Hopkins.  Some also came over from the former MAC who Juniata always competed well with: Gettysburg, Moravian, Ursinus, and archrival Susquehanna.  Don’t know if their academic standards changed more than Juniata’s, but it doesn’t make sense that JC cannot compete on the football field with these schools that it used to.

      Despite the hiring of a good assistant coach from a great D-3 program, Josh Carter of Muhlenberg, it seems that the college has de-emphasized the game of football.  They don’t seem to provide the support and enthusiasm needed in finding players that can qualify academically, but who can also play football as well.  As bad as team records have fallen in recent years, the Eagles are really being demolished this season.  Classmates text the final score.  Frankly, it’s become embarrassing. 

Why such a decline?

     JC has a tremendous pre-med program. So does Johns Hopkins. They probably may have much greater financial support than any other Centennial team, but a 70-0 loss to another bunch of pre-med students?  Grove City, a non-conference game, 63-6 in the opener?  Gettysburg floundered to 0-3 into Week Four until they bested (or busted?) Alma Mater, 40-14.  Ahead lies Moravian in Week Five who only beat G-burg so far. Ursinus awaits at 3-1 with its loss to Johns Hopkins by only seven.  Rival Susquehanna rolls along at 4-0.  These were teams the old Juniata never took a back-seat to, but evidently times have changed on College Hill in Huntingdon, PA.

Common business practice: Review models of success 

   Hopefully, the current administration wakes up to the fact that to the general public, having success being competitive on the football field, reflects on how well the rest of the school is performing. It may not be true, but perceptions as a winner against other schools on the playing field with equivalent academic standards bodes well for the overall image of the institution.  For a school population of 1,269 in the 70s, probably about twenty percent of the male students (about 60% of the student M/W ratio) recruited played football for at least one year. It would be nice to see the college look at that model again, but JC should also expand the recruiting footprint now well beyond Pennsylvania.  Check recruiting models of the other successful schools in the conference to start.

Juniata, The Alma Mater, comes down the street from the Kennedy Center on campus in 2014 to take the field at Chuck Knox Stadium. The Eagles finished 5-5 that season, their last non-losing season to date.

Other teams on our 2022 schedule from Week four to Week Five

     The other “Alma Mater” posted its first win as Navy defeated East Carolina in OT, 23-20. Mids vie for Commander-in-Chief Trophy Saturday at 3-1 Air Force.  Army still possesses Trophy having defeated both Navy and Air Force in 2020 before three-way tie last season. No. 1 UGA struggled with Nick Saban’s Alma Mater Kent State 39-22 with the Golden Flashes taking home $1.9M to add to its coffers.  No. 2 Bama didn’t have to spend that much hosting Vandy for a 55-3 win since the “challenge” came from a fellow SEC institution.  However, they bought lop-sided wins from Utah State and ULM for about the same price Georgia shelled out to Kent. Nick Saban will find Bama in a real challenge this week when they visit the wounded, No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1).  Arkansas returns from Texas A&M defeated, 23-21. Nothing meaner than a wounded wart hog, we hear.  

Other Top 25s plus

   Ohio State at No. 3 conquered Wisconsin, 52-21.  OSU entertains Rutgers Saturday, and we do mean “entertain”.   No. 5 Clemson needed two OTs to put away No. 22 Wake Forest on the road, 51-45.  The Tigers luck might run out when No. 10 NC State comes calling on Saturday.  Wake visits No.  23 Florida State (4-0) this weekend for a battle to determine who stays in the Top 25.  No. 7 Kentucky did in Northern Illinois, 31-23.  They’re visiting No. 13 Ole Miss next to The Grove this weekend, a tailgate venue with fond memories for many college football fans.

 No. 11 Penn State hosts Northwestern (1-3) as already mentioned after defeating Central Michigan, 33-10.  Miami (O) edged NW last week, 17-14.  Baylor ranked No. 16 defeated Iowa State in Des Moines last week, 31-24.  Oklahoma State (3-0) travels to Waco for their first road game to threaten the Bears Big 12 2022 aspirations.  Kansas (4-0,1-0) lies at No. 26 with 125 votes waiting for 3-1 Iowa State to show up in Lawrence.

Our other 2022 teams in action

      Auburn (3-1, 1-0) fans will at least plan to attend the LSU (3-1, 1-0) game this weekend after getting by Mizzou, 17-14.  James Madison (3-0) continues its winning ways from the FCS as it defeated tough Appalachian State, 32-28, in a Sun Belt East Game. The Dukes host SB West team Texas State (2-2) next who they should handle in their first meeting ever.  The Bobcats come off a 34-0 win over FCS Houston Christian. We see JMU meet Louisville on November 5.  The Cardinals stand at 2-2 entering Week Five heading to 1-3 Boston College. HC Jeff Hafley is not making BC Eagle fans too happy. Just so happens that we see Louisville play on consecutive weekends. After we see them play JMU as an FBS member for the first time, we follow them to Clemson the following week for our first visit ever to Clemson Memorial Stadium. 

   In other action among our 2022 slate of teams, Ohio U. beat FCS Fordham in a high-scoring affair, 59-52. Texas Tech knocked off Texas, 37-34.  Houston (2-2) beat Rice, 34-27. Georgia Southern defeated Ball State, 34-23. Purdue evened out its record to 2-2 with a close win over Florida Atlantic, 28-26, and South Carolina who we will see at Kentucky on October 8, defeated Charlotte, 56-20. 

Other game of interest to us   

    No. 4 Michigan finally played a team they didn’t have to pay to visit Ann Arbor and only defeated Big Ten East foe Maryland, 34-27. Golly! At Iowa this week. Uh oh! The 3-1 Hawkeyes have only allowed 23 points in four games. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame got some offense going and beat the UNC Tar Heels, 45-32. Now 2-2, they have bye week before clashing with BYU in Vegas.  Central Florida did Georgia Tech a favor defeating them 27-10 to get Geoff Collins fired. With a 10-28 record at Tech after putting Temple into a tailspin, he never should have been a HC. 

New Mexico State jumped from 131 to 122 with a win over 0-4 Hawaii. However, the Rainbow Warriors didn’t take over the lowest rank. With its loss to FCS Sacramento State, the honor fell to 0-4 Colorado State. Kansas State upended former No. 6 Oklahoma, 41-34, to climb in at No. 25. The Sooners fell to No. 18.  Does that ever make any sense? Same records.  Anyway, with Kansas at 4-0, the state of Kansas in the FBS is 7-1.   The Wildcats and Jayhawks will meet appropriately for their season finales on November 26.  That game may actually have some meaning this year.  We hope so!

Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: from the fan who’s seen ‘em all!  Please link on the Title or picture of our cover on the top right sidebar on this or any other page you may peruse to buy your copy and submit a review.  Many purchases may help to turn around Alma Mater’s declining football program.  Please help.  Thanks!

Austin Peay looks happy to be heading to Central Alrkansa this weekend fo face the 1-3 Bears, another Atlantic Sun foe.
Austin Peay is all smiles to be heading to Central Arkansas for Week Five to face the 1-3 Bears, another Atlantic Sun foe.

Game 640: Diliello and Defense lead Austin Peay in comeback over Eastern Kentucky

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Clarksville, TN – FCS No.  23 Austin Peay spotted No. 20 Eastern Kentucky a 20-3 lead at halftime. However in the second half, a tough Governor defense shut out the Colonels. In addition, QB Mike Diliello finished the day with 181 yards rushing and three TDs to win, 31-20.  Despite the first half score, the Governor defense led by LB Josh Rudolph and CB Kory Chapman held EKU in check.  Twice they held the Colonels to two FGs, one after a turnover of downs and another in the red zone.  EKU’s first TD came on a pick-six.  Their one offensive TD came after a Colonel INT put them at the APSU 36 for a short TD drive.  The Govs allowed only 116 yards on the ground and held the EKU scoring well below their 38 ppg average.

DE Kelton Dawson makes stop on fourth down.
Eastern Kentucky DE Kelton Dawson (9) stops Peay’s RB Josh Samuels on fourth down to terminate the Governors initial drive of the game.

Colonels threaten often, but Govs don’t always break

     By the end of the first half, Eastern Kentucky (2-2, 0-1) dominated the scoring. However, their lead could have been larger.  They halted the first APSU drive at their 30 on a fourth and one.  Patrick Nations booted a 46-yard FG to lead, 3-0. On the subsequent Austin Peay possession, DB Joseph Sayles swooped in front of the intended receiver and raced 40 yards. With nothing ahead of him but green, EKU bolted ahead for a quick 10-0 lead.  Austin Peay (4-1, 1-0) finally got on the board with Maddux Trujillo’s 27-yard FG on a bad snap.  The ball basically laid flat on the ground.  An INT by Austin Peay DB Ethan Casselberry turned back another Colonel drive before the second period.

Joseph Sayles INT return against Austin Peay
It’s clear sailing for EKU DB Joseph Sayles to return an INT 40 yards for the Colonels early 10-point lead.

    This Austin Peay turnover went nowhere.  Later in the period, an Eastern Kentucky FG for 39 yards sailed wide left.  A subsequent INT by EKU DB Matthew Ballentine started the Colonels from their 49.  The drive resulted in a 17-yard TD catch and run to WR Jaden Smith for a 17-3 lead.  Austin Peay’s next punt was returned to the 49. However, a 15-yard face-mask penalty tacked on 15 yards to start the Colonels at the 36 of the Govs.  A pass to Smith got EKU to the four, but they got no farther and settled for Nation’s 17-yard FG.  The Govs defensive stop kept the lead to 20-3 at half. Turnovers and key stops in the red zone prevented EKU from scoring more points.

EKU WR Jayden Smith scores only offensive TD against Austin Peay
Colonels WR Jayden Smith (3) scores only offensive TD against Austin Peay in the second period.

Governor’s coaching staff plans while “Governor’s Own” performs

    Very impressive today was the coaching by 32-year-old HC Scotty Walden and his staff.  As usual, they maintain a lot of energetic enthusiasm along their side line.  However, in this game, they also demonstrated a well-planned strategy.  Their defense held on to keep the score within range during the first half.  Their offense sputtered in the meantime.  By the middle of the third, they seemed to have worn down the tough EKU defense.  To do that, they implemented a churning, deceptive run offense using fresh backs, CJ Evans, Jr. (17 carries for 75 yards) and Jevon Jackson (13 carries for 51) to work for the short, tough gains through the middle.  Their half-time adjustments paid off immensely late in this game. The win here will probably weigh heavily for a bid to the FCS playoffs.

Austin Peay Marching band: The Governor's own
Austin Peay’s Marching Band: The Governors’ Own performed at halftime while the Governors’ coaching staff made halftime adjustments to focus on their running game.

Slugging it out to start the second

    The two Atlantic Sun teams played to a defensive standstill until late into the third period. Austin Peay started a drive from their 20.  Faking a hand-off over tackle, Diliello ran around left end and raced past defenders for a 39-yard TD scamper.  The touchdown cut the lead in half, 20-10.  The Colonels countered with a 44-yard run by QB Parker McKinney (21 for 36, 213 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD, 116 rushing yards) to the Governor 19.  Once again, the APSU defense came up with a big stop to hold and force a 27-yard FG by Nations.  However, no good! Austin Peay took over from its 20. They drove to the Eastern Kentucky 41 for a first and ten as the third period came to a close.

Austin Peay QB Mike Dilielleo runs option left for 39-yard TD.
A fake hand-off up the middle left the left side wide open for QB Mike Diellio’s 39-yard TD run or his first of three scores in the second half.

Offensive explosion

     On the first play of the final period, Diliello (17 for 33 passing, 172 yards, two INTs, one TD; 15 carries, 181 yards, three TDs rushing) dropped back. He burst through a hole for 34 yards to the seven. On the next play he slanted left, barreled over a would-be tackler, and dove into the end zone to cut EKU’s lead, 20-17.  The home crowd chanted, “Let’s go Peay!” The players started pushing and shoving more between plays.  The atmosphere became “chippy” on the field. 

Austin Peay forced EKU to punt from their 40 on its next possession.  Kam Thomas returned the punt 46 yards to the Colonel 35.  Like a replay of the previous Governor series, in one play, Diliello ran it down to the EKU 8. Next play, he high-tailed it right through the middle for another seven and a 24-20 Austin Peay lead. Chants of “Let’s go Peay!” continued.

DiLiello's second TD for Austin Peay was more physical than the first.
QB Mike Diliello’s second TD for Austin Peay was quite a bit more physical than his first.

Governors in control

     APSU forced another EKU punt from the 42 and took over on its ten.  Jevon Jackson carried the ball on most downs getting the Govs to the Colonels 30.  This time, Diliello struck from there through the air. He connected with WR Drae McCray in the end zone for the 31-20 lead.  APSU took control.  HC Scotty Walden performed jumping jacks excitedly along the sideline. His team jumped in unison and twirled towels as the kickoff team lined up.  EKU’s drive started from their 18. A completion of 10 yards to Jayden Higgins eventually put EKU at the APSU 33.  A sack set them back before a 4th and three at the 33 once again.  McKinney tried to fire a pass to WR Cornelius Ford near the left pylon. Beautifully, it was knocked down by a diving Demetrius Ford to end the scoring threat.

Drae McCray's TD catch brings Ausin Peay fans to their feet to incread the lead 31-20 in the final period.
WR Drae McCray’s TD catch brings Austin Peay fans to their feet to increase their lead, 31-20, in the final period.

     Three minutes remained.  Diliello ran for 15 yards for a first. With 1:52 left, HC Walt Wells of EKU had exhausted all his time-outs.  Walden’s team ran the clock out in a well-coached come-from-behind victory.  The win looms well for a bid in the six-team ASUN conference. The Austin Peay Governors could be heading for the post-season in the FCS play-offs. We would definitely plan to see them if they play again in Clarksville.  Their major obstacle before them stands a date with Alabama in Tuscaloosa on November 19. Of course, that won’t have any bearing on their FCS playoff potential.  As for their HC Scotty Walden, success here could propel him to the next level of FBS play eventually.  That would be fun to witness.

Austin Peay HC Scotty Walden
Austin Peay HC Scotty Walden’s team stands at 4-1, sits in first in the new ASUN, seeks an FCS playoff bid, and looks to propel him to a bright coaching career in his future.

Next up in Week Five

   The 4-1, 1-0 Governors travel next week to play the Central Arkansas Bears (1-3) for their next ASUN clash. EKU (2-2,0-1) returns home to Roy Kidd Stadium in Richmond, KY to take on non-conference Southern Utah Thunderbirds (3-1).

   Collegefootballfan.com looks forward to a Friday/Saturday doubleheader next weekend with what looks like two, very competitive games.  On Friday night, we go to our first game at Middle Tennessee State’s Red Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro.  The Blue Raiders of ConferenceUSA (3-1) come off a major upset over No. 25 Miami on the road, 45-31. They will host UTSA (2-2) in the opening conference battle for both squads. On Saturday, we traipse back to Bowling Green, KY to see MTSU’s archrival, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-1), take on the Trojans of Troy (2-2). Troy fell to Appy State in Week Three on a last-play Hail Mary for a TD.  On Saturday, they defeated Marshall, 16-7.  So good games coming up.  On October 15, we will be back at Red Floyd to see the Blue Raiders host the Hilltoppers. Their rivalry known as “100 miles of hate.”  Sounds like fun!  Can’t wait.

Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: from the Fan who’s seen ‘em all!  Check out our first book about our unique adventure to see every FBS team up until Western Kentucky joined play in person.  Stories about travels, great games, fun stories, and historical perspectives tell our story over 30 years of how we did this. Our hobby to follow our favorite sport, college football.  Click on the title or book cover at the top of the right sidebar on this page to purchase our book on Amazon .  Please review it as well. Thanks!

Austin Peay Gov mascot leads Dance team victory dance
The Austin Peay Governors’ mascot led their dance team in what turned out to be a victory dance.

Week Four of Steveo’s Salvos: FCS showdown, “Tales…” update, Week Three-Four notes, Cornhusker Cravings, Ivy League Power, Hail Michigan?

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    For Week Four, collegefootballfan.com heads to Clarksville, TN to attend an early FCS showdown for Atlantic Sun (ASUN) superiority.  At Fortera Stadium, home of the FCS No. 23 Austin Peay Governors (3-1), the FCS No. 20 Eastern Kentucky Colonels (2-1) come calling for the conference opener for both.  Expect a hard-hitting game as both teams already aspire to this newly organized conference’s championship bid for the Football Championship Subdivision playoff.

    In Week Zero, we watched Austin Peay lose at FBS Western Kentucky, 38-22.  Since then, HC Scotty Walden’s team has reeled of three straight wins with two shutouts by a total score of 128-3.  The competition beaten holds a combined record of 1-8.  Against Mississippi Valley State, the Governors raced off to a 41-0 lead at the half, and never scored again.  On the other hand, the Colonels score an average 44.3 ppg and opponents challenged their defense totaling 38.7 ppg.  Don’t let the stats fool you. EKU enters Week Four with two contests against FBS foes under its belt.  In week one, they fell by eight points at Eastern Michigan and won in Week Two at Bowling Green, 59-57, in seven OTs. Last Saturday they defeated 0-3 Charleston Southern, an FCS team their own size, 40-17.

Austin Peay opened against WKU
Austin Peay (in white) scored 24 points in their loss to WKU in our season opener. The points scored fall far short of the 44-point average they enjoyed over their next three games.

Confident Austin Peay vs. tested Eastern Kentucky

    The Governors offense thrives under guidance of QB Mike DiLilleo.  He’s thrown for 860 yards and 13 TDs while rushing for 228 yards and three TDs. His favorite target falls in the hands of WR Drae McCray with 25 snags for 362 yards and four TDs.  RB Jevon Jackson leads the Gov running game with 300 yards on 43 carries and one TD.  A fairly well-balanced offensive attack, but hardly tested these past three weeks. Defensively, the Governors LB Corps of Antoine Williams and Josh Rudolph combined for 65 tackles in four games thus far.  They’ve allowed only 88.5 yards rushing per game, only five TDs (all by WKU), and only 10.5 points per game. Again, all against very suspect competition.

     On the other hand, EKU shows better offensive balance against much better competition averaging 44.3 ppg.  Against better competition as well, they allowed 38.7 ppg on defense, but defeated fellow FCS foe CSU, 40-17.   QB Mark McKinney has passed for 1,027 yards and 10 TDs/three INTs, and has rushed for 129 yards.  TE Dakota Allen looms has his favorite target with 18 catches for 245 yards and three TDs. Jayden Higgins converted 15 grabs for 229 yards and three TDs.  RBs Braedan Sloan and Kyeandre Magloire combined for 288 yards and four TDs in their three games. 

Driving force vs. overconfidence

     EKU HC Walt Wells played his college ball at APU.  Recovering from a seizure in August, please read his story here.  He’s back on the sideline already and drives to bring the Colonels to heights of the past.  EKU played in four consecutive FCS (then 1-AA) championships from 1979-1982 winning the titles in ’79 and ’82.   Desiring to go to the FBS level, the Colonels are on hold until invited by a particular conference.  They are driven.  The results of their current start indicates that.  This desire will propel them past the Governors by at least two TDs.  We predict more.  The feeble challenges the last three weeks leave HC Scotty Walden’s team in a false sense of overconfidence.  For our Week Four FCS Game of the Year, even though its APU’s homecoming, the Colonels will prevail.

New News from our book, Tales from the Tailgate…

     Please note the upper right-hand corner of each of our pages at the top of our sidebar. On either the title or on the copy of our book cover, all can now easily have access by clicking on one or the other.   Several fans have inquired about buying our book to read (and hopefully submit a review), but found it difficult to identify our links to Amazon.com.  We hope you enjoy our unique, fun adventure. An idea for another college football book is in the works for after this season.  We plan to continue with fascinating tales over the years that make college football the greatest sport season of all!

Cornhusker cravings

    Bidding adios to Scott Frost as the underperforming HC at Nebraska. The rumor mill abounds.  Latest word conjures up three names we find very interesting.  Matt Campbell, HC at Iowa State, played collegiately at D-3 Mount Union playing DL for HC Matt Kehres from 1999-2002.  We attended Campbell’s Head coaching debut at Toledo in 2011 in the Military Bowl replacing departed HC Tim Beckman. In an exciting game, his Toledo Rockets defeated Air Force, 42-41.  He coached the Rockets to a 35-15 record before taking over at Iowa State, where he’s now 45-34.  Many pro teams offered him opportunities to join, but he’s stayed with the college game.

      Kansas’ second year HC Lance Leipold’s name is being bandied about for the opening in Lincoln.  At 3-0 already this season, he looks to become Coach of the Year in 2022 as we predicted.  Like Campbell, Leipold’s roots start at D-3.  He coached Wisconsin-Whitewater to six national championships defeating Mount Union if the final in six of eight D-3 title games from 2005-2014.  He turned the Buffalo Bulls program around leading them to a record of 37-33 including two MAC championships in six years. A proven winner, his Warhawks of UW-Whitewater achieved 109 wins in 115 contests. 

We saw him beat Wesley (DE) in a national D-3 semi-final and watched his Bulls beat Army and lose to Penn State.  Entering Week Four, his Jayhawks host Duke and have a good shot at defeating Duke before entering Big Twelve play.  We’d love to see him stay at KU to see what he can do with that beleaguered program.

From UW-Whitewater to Buffalo to Kansas and eventually beyond, Head Coach Lance Leipold will win wherever he coaches.

     The third prospect comes in Bill O’Brien, OC at Alabama.  Having brought Penn State back after the devastation of the Sandusky scandal for two years, he went back into the pros where he worked prior as Tom Brady’s QB coach to become HC of the Houston Texas.  At Alabama now for his second season, we believe he’s itching to go take over a program someplace else.  Having worked and learning more under Nick Saban, the time at Bama served him well.  We think he’s the most apt of these three to take over the struggling Husker program.

Other teams on our 2022 schedule from Week Three to Week Four

     No. 1 Georgia had no problem wasting South Carolina in their SEC opener for both, 48-7. On October 8, we’ll see the Gamecocks wander into Lexington, KY to see them face No. 8 Kentucky (3-0). We’re doubting that they will fare much better.  In review of future schedules, we feel we’re on track to see two 10-0 SEC East teams collide on November 19. Then, the Bulldogs visit the Wildcats for the right to go the SEC championship.  

In Week Four, the Bulldogs smash the Golden Flashes of Kent State while Kentucky mushes the NIU Huskies.  No. 2 Alabama wasted another weekend practicing against UL Monroe last week to the tune of 63-7. Still? Why bother? And the SEC throws a ferry boat of Commodores from Vanderbilt for The Tide to roll over at Bryant-Denny.  Why bother?  Bama 1-0 in the SEC, Vandy 0-1. Here’s why: Saban covers the points whatever they are (-41) so the denizens of B-D can collect. 

Vandy' Re'Mahn Davis scores agaisnt Wake Forest in Week Two.
Vandy’s Re’Mahn Davis scores against Wake Forest in their only loss this season. Their win over Northern Illinois last week (38-28) puts them at 3-1 in non-conference games going into Alabama for Week Four.

  

Among collegefootballfan.com ranked teams in Week Four

     No. 3 Ohio State who bashed Toledo 77-21 Week Three, hosts unranked Wisconsin (2-1).  Neither has beaten anyone of note. UW took their previous loss out on No. 131 New Mexico State, 66-7, to “flex their muscle”. The No. 5 Clemson Tigers finally have a challenge when they meet No. 21 Wake Forest in Week Four.  The Tigers have dominated the Deacons for many years.  Could this be the Deacs’ year?  They just edged Liberty last week at home, 38-37. Back in Winston-Salem again this week, maybe the Deacs’ focus anticipated the Tigers’ visit.  QB Sam Hartman is healthy.  Clemson has beaten nobody of note.  Wake’s offense is potent and may be able to outscore this year’s Tiger team with some improvement on the defensive side. So, if anybody near the top gets beat this week, it could be the Tigers.   

     No. 14 Penn State as we witnessed over Auburn last week, hosts Central Michigan before heading into Big Ten play.  No. 17 Baylor (2-1) off a 42-7 win over struggling Texas State (1-2), heads north to take on Iowa State (3-0). ISU’s defense looks good and the Bears fell at BYU, 26-20, so there could be an upset alert on this one here.  In late November, we see Baylor face No. 22 Texas.  The Longhorns (2-1) open their Big 12 season, after overcoming an early challenge from UTSA (41-20) last Saturday, at Texas Tech (2-1).  This looks to be a tight one. The Red Raiders fell on the road to No. 16 NC State, 27-16.  Hudson Card remains at QB for the Horns and Heisman candidate RB Bijan Robinson came around with 183 rushing yards and three TD vs the Road Runners.

PSU Tailgaters
Penn State Nittany Lion fans here had a blast attending this tailgate at Auburn last week. They hope to continue winning to challenge No. 3 Ohio State on October 29 at No. 5 Michigan looming On October 15.

Week Four Under the Top 25

    Aforementioned UTSA (1-2) appears on our slate after this week on Friday night at nearby Middle Tennessee. The Road Runners look to take their frustrations out at home against Texas Southern in Week Four.  Western Kentucky (2-1) fell in a close one to Indiana last week in similar fashion to a year ago, 33-31.  We will see them host Troy the day after UTSA at MTSU next week. Of course, mostly everyone has seen the Trojans’ last second “Hail Mary” loss to Appalachian State, 32-28.  Troy hosts Marshall (2-1) Saturday. 

Not to leave the SunBelt yet, Louisiana (2-1) suffered its first loss a week ago to Rice, 33-21.  Texas State hosts FCS Houston Baptist (1-1). Bobcats lose, and that’s probably all for HC Jake Spavital.  In a big Sun Belt matchup, 2-0 newcomer James Madison visits the “team of destiny”, Appy State (2-1).  High-scoring, close one again! Georgia Southern (2-1) hosts Ball State (1-2) whom we hope to see host Ohio later this season.

In more WEEK Four action   

    South Carolina (1-2) meets Charlotte (1-3) at home. So much for a Spencer Rattler’s Heisman attempt.  Another Conference USA team, FAU (2-2), visits Purdue who fell to a surprisingly improved Syracuse team at 3-0.  Boilermaker QB Aidan O’Connell still threw for 424 yards and three TDs in a loss with seven second left.  Auburn (2-1) hosts Missouri (2-1). If the Tigers fall here, a lot of Auburn fans we met after last week’s game said they’d be selling remaining tickets for the rest of the season.

 Navy (0-2) gets back in action against 2-1 East Carolina. The Pirates look to be starting to turn the corner under Mike Houston who came over from JMU four years ago.  Hopefully during their bye week, HC Ken Niumatalolo worked on getting that triple option improved, or it’s going to be a very long season in Annapolis.  We plan to see them play the “In-fighting” Cougars of Houston (1-2) on October 22.  Check out this video of Cougar on Cougar.  Of course, we will see the Mids play archrival Army (1-2) in December.  The Cadets righted their own ship on the banks of the Hudson besting FCS No. 5 Villanova, 49-10, before their bye in Week Four.

Aidan O'Connell got good protection most of the game against Penn State
Purdue’s QB Aidan O’Connell keeps firing away despite he Boilermakers’ 1-2 record. They face 2-1 Florida Atlantic this weekend.

Desert Heat, and another one gone.

    The heat in the Desert turned on full blast as HC Herman Edwards was fired by the Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2). The loss to Eastern Michigan in Tempe Saturday and brewing scandal accusations burned too much even for them.  We’ll see who’s interested in heading a team whose conference, the PAC-12, seems to be heading into turmoil…

    Another one bites the dust. Not a coach, but another rivalry. Bedlam Bowl between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State – done!  The move to the SEC by the Sooners and the Longhorns supposedly puts an end to 118 years of tradition because of ensuing non-conference contracts.  Maybe many years from now they’ll find a way.

Not the rivalry we grew up loving

    In the case of Oklahoma and Nebraska, remember back over the Big Eight years when this was a not-miss rivalry back in the 70’s and 80’s?  They finally got back together last week where the Sooners stomped the Huskers, 49-14.  What TV exec in their right mind put this game on as a network noon time game? This isn’t the 70’s.  They make these TV decisions two weeks before the games are played. Scott Frost sat on the hottest seat in college football. OU looks to prime its program to join the SEC in two years.  We don’t know where you hide potential blow-outs on Saturdays any more, but noon time on a major network couldn’t find a matchup more interesting?  Not totally TV’s fault though as every school looks for “automatic wins” during non-conference play.  Beating a dead horse here.  

Who says the Ivy League isn’t competitive?

     Last week, six of eight teams among the Ancient Eight won their opening games against other FCS schools from across the nation.  If all the FBS teams do this, why not the Ivy League members?  Oh, well they play and rank among schools in the FCS. Funny thing though, the epitome of the Ivies, Harvard and Yale, both lost.  Smart thing in addition, to start their ten game seasons, the Ivy League rarely plays an FBS program. Maybe one of the military academies at best.   Princeton was tempted a few years ago to play Rutgers for the 150th anniversary of the first college game ever.  Smartly, they didn’t bite. Why ruin a good thing? Plus, like other tempted FCS schools, they don’t need the money from FBS “donors”.

    Among the openers: Brown beat Bryant of the NEC about 15 miles from their campus in Rhode Island, 44-38.  Revived Columbia traveled to upstate New York to clobber Marist of the Pioneer League, 38-3. Cornell socked VMI of the mighty SoCon, 28-22.  Perennial leader Dartmouth hosted Valparaiso of Indiana for a 35-13 win.  Princeton ventured to Florida to top the Stetson Hatters, 39-14.  Valpo and Stetson both belong to the Pioneer League.  The Penn Quakers defeated Colgate of the Patriot League, 25-14.  All the Ivies play at least one other Patriot team every season. Harvard, the highest among Ivies in preseason polls, suffered a 13-7 upset to Merrimack not far from Cambridge. Yale fell to No. 13 FCS Holy Cross (3-0), 38-14.

Princeton romped over Butler, 49-7, when we saw them open up in 2019 against another Pioneer league opponent.

Ivy barometers

     Colgate fell to Stanford this season and visits Army on October 15. Bucknell lost to Central Michigan, 41-0, last week. Saturday, the Chippewas travel 45 miles west of Bucknell to play Penn State! A few CCA teams dot Ivy schedules such as New Hampshire and Rhode Island, but that’s about as close as they get to comparing to the FBS.  Harvard, Princeton, and Dartmouth all have Top 25 votes among the FCS after just one week of play.  In a few more weeks, the Ivy cream will show up among the ranked teams.  Fun to watch for teams relegated to play only ten games every season before final exams start.

Hail Michigan? Dominator of Bottom Ten needs a message from pollsters

    Got to get this in.  Weekly, ESPN does an analysis of the Bottom Team FCS teams.  Why is Michigan, aside from their history and fight song, “Hail to the Victors”, ranked No. 4? Their 3-0 record, out of 131 FBS teams, includes No. 130 Hawaii, No. 129 UConn, and No. 123 Colorado State. By the way, 0-4 New Mexico State ranks last at No. 131.  It proves that Alabama’s benevolence beating them at Bryant-Denny the last two seasons for donations to lose games 59-3 and 62-10 didn’t help improve their football fortunes.  Nick Saban must be disappointed in his efforts. Lance Leipold’s former Buffalo Bulls (0-3) rank No. 122.  Underscores the success he achieved there.

Hawaii’s DJuan Matthews stops Utah State’s Elelyon Noa for a short gain at Maverik Stadium last season in a 51-31 loss. They finished 6-7 on the season. They’ve really fallen on hard times under first-year HC, alum, and record-setting QB Timmy Chang this season.

    Well, Jim Harbaugh’s team should be penalized in the rankings for this alone.  Pollsters prove it doesn’t matter who these team play among 131 who can’t all recruit the same way.  Like Saban, Harbaugh’s ballyhooed for his recruiting prowess, and then he schedules teams not even mentioned anywhere near the top in recruiting.  Like Saban, he couldn’t win at the pro level where teams compete on a more level playing field. So, he’s back coaching in college picking top players and lowly opponents. 

Solution that will probably never happen

     At this point, it makes sense to have super conferences. Just restrict them to playing amongst themselves. This is killing college football.  They’re seeing it in attendance and in TV ratings.  A once exciting, competitive sport gives in to too many TV commercials shown during boring football games – about 50 each week. Who wants to sit and watch too many fan performances on the video boards?  It’s getting old, or we are.

Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the fan who’s seen ‘em all!  See our sidebar to upper right where you can click on our title or book cover to order from Amazon.  Thanks!

Auburn farewell!
Farewell, Auburn! Had a great time last week. Hope to see you next season to cheer along with you against anybody but Penn State!

Game 639: Nittany Lions Roar past Auburn Tigers with run game and takeaways

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Auburn, AL – The Penn State Nittany Lions displayed an improved running game at Auburn averaging 6.3 yards per carry with all five TDs of the rushing variety.  Their bend-but-not-break-defense intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles on the way to achieving a 41-12 victory over Auburn.  They held AU’s top runner Tank Bigsby to only 39 yards. He ran for 102 yards at two TDs versus the Lions last season. PSU RB Nick Singleton carried ten times for 124 yards and two TDs.  Fellow frosh Kaytron Allen picked up 52 yards and two TDs on nine carries.  In the red zone, Auburn could only convert two FGs in the first half.  Their final series of the game stalled on fourth down against the Nittany Lions second team at the nine. 

A pride of Nittany Lions prey on Tiger QB TJ Finley – S Jaylen Reed (7), S Ji’Ayir Brown (16), and CB Daequan Hardy.

First half action

    PSU’s first series of the game stalled at Auburn’s 48 on a QB sneak by Sean Clifford.  HC James Franklin has not yet realized that when it comes to running, Clifford is no Trace McSorely, his predecessor.  Auburn QB TJ Finley (11-19, 152 yards, one INT) completed short passes to open receivers in the first half, or and his receivers made several outstanding catches.   However, once near the red zone, the Nittany Lions defense held firm.   Auburn’s Anders Carlson converted his first of two FGs in the first half from 33 yards to take a 3-0 lead. 

   On the ensuing drive by the Nittany Lions, Clifford (14-19 for 178 yards) connected with WR Mitchell Tinsley for 34 yards to the seven.  Two plays later, with a wide-open hole on his right, Clifford ran through from there to put the Lions ahead for good, 7-3.  S Zakee Wheatly (R-Fr.) picked off a Finley pass to gain possession at Auburn’s 25, but to no avail.  PSU punted it away.  Once again, Auburn made it to the Lions’ five to come away with Carlson’s second FG to cut the lead, 7-6.  Penn State retaliated immediately with a 68-yard drive capped by Allen with a seven-yard run. A fumble by Tiger WR Shedrick Jackson resulted in a Lion recovery by LB Jonathan Sunderland at the 50.  Like the previous Tiger turnover, the Lions couldn’t capitalize.   At the half, PSU went into the locker-room with a 14-6 advantage.

PSU TE Benton Strange gains big yards on this first-half scoring drive.

Can’t thank our Auburn Tailgate hosts enough!

   Our tailgate atmosphere was tremendous!  Longtime Auburn friend, grad, and successful business entrepreneur Charlie Murren met us at a very convenient lot hosted by a former classmate Dave Dirk and his fellow organizers, Mike and Billy.  What a great setting! We had a beautiful day.  The sun broiled fans in Jordan-Hare Stadium.  The canopy-covered tables provided a great assortment of foods and beverage brought by many attendees, conveniently in the shade.  The die-hard Auburn fans entertained many Penn State fans as families, friends, and business associates had affiliations with either or both schools. 

    Joe Rogers, formerly of the Bleacher Report, joined me as my Guest Game Analyst (GGA).  Now living in Savannah, Georgia, he brought several friends with him from his native Danville, Pennsylvania area.  Everyone enjoyed a good time sharing “tales around the tailgates”.  Good-natured razzing went on, and primary hosts Billy and Mike gave pregame speeches welcoming and busting PSU fans.  However, they genuinely invited us all back after the game, whoever won, or any other time when we visit “the Loveliest Village on the Plains” again.

Auburn Host “King” Mike greets Tailgaters prior to end of pre-game festivities.

Mutual respect

    These guys love doing this, but they and we hope their Tigers will make it more worthwhile coming for the rest of this season.   Except for having to leave with an “L” (28-20), they all consented that they really enjoyed the time and hospitality at State College last year.  Great people! Great time! Tremendous seats for us, too.    Charlie said he’ll let me know what games he’ll be at next year.  Then, we can root for the Tigers against somebody else and hopefully celebrate a win with these great Auburn Tiger fans!

Auburn Penn State Tailgate party
Avid Auburn Tiger fan, Joe Rogers, our Auburn host Billy, Fred Reibsome (Shippensburg alum), yours truly, and Auburn alum and long-time friend Charlie Murren enjoyed a great tailgate gathering before the game.

 Third quarter – Nittany Lions roar!

     A sack of Auburn QB by S Keaton Ellis forced a punt to start the second half.  Taking over from the 42, Singleton broke off a 50-yard run to the AU two.  He took it I from the one for a quick, 21-6 lead for the Lions.  Finley fumbled the ball on the next possession, this time putting the visitors at the 30 of Auburn.  GGA Joe Rogers (LSU fan) commented Finley had transferred from LSU.  He could see it was not a significant loss for the Baton Rouge school.  With so many defectors from Auburn since last year, Harsin evidently signed who he could. A 48-yard FG by PSU’s Jake Pinegar, extended the lead further. 

Lambert-Smith Blocks for Mitchell Tinsley.
Teamwork: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1) blocks for Mitchell Tinsley (5) on drive to set up Pinegar’s FG in the third period.

Auburn HC Brian Harsin decided to replace Finley with frosh QB Robby Ashford (we wonder if Zach Calzada, the A&M transfer, will ever get a shot here).  S Ji’Ayar Brown snagged a pass out of mid air to put Penn State at AU’s 48.  Six plays later, Allen took it over from three.  Taking advantage of turnovers now, the Nittany Lions held a dominant 31-6 lead.  The orange-shirted, hometown crowd started a steady flow down steps and out of Jordan-Hare as Q3 ended.   

Orange descent
Orange lines of Auburn fans descend the steps of Jordan-Hare throughout to leave at the end of the third period. Eventually the stands looked like a “mini white-out” for fans of the Nittany Lions.

Finishing touches

     On Auburn’s next series, Ashford (10/19, 144 yards, one TD, one INT) couldn’t put the Tigers in the red zone.  He did better. He tossed a 22-yard TD to RB Jarquez Hunter.  A two-point conversion failed, but cut the Nittany Lion lead, 31-12.  On the fourth play of Penn State’s next possession, Singleton broke off a 54-yard run for a touchdown. PSU showed its improving run game. Auburn went three and out.  HC James Franklin called on frosh QB Drew Allar, a PSU fan favorite, to lead the next drive.  The result came with a Pinegar 22-yard FG to make the final score, 41-12.  The second team defense came in for State, and as the game finally came to a close, it looked as if Jordan-Hare hosted a mini–Penn State “white-out”.  With this the final game of the two-game series, the Penn State Nittany Lions will not return to “the Plains”, but Collegefootballfan.com definitely will! In our history since 1979, Penn State owns a record of 88-25. The Auburn Tigers stand at 5-7-1.

PSU Tailgaters
Here poses a contingent of Nittany Lion fans attending the tailgate at Auburn. Note C.A. Murren with the Auburn hat over my shoulder on right.

Next and Game 639!

    Penn State returns home to host Central Michigan (1-2) of the MAC. The Chippewas have put points on the scoreboard, but its win on Saturday was a 41-0 drubbing of Patriot League team, Bucknell. The Bison play home about 75 minutes east of State College. The Tigers (2-1) host SEC East foe Missouri Tigers (2-1). Auburn fans say if they lose this one, they’re not sure when they’ll be back this year.  They also wonder how much longer Brian Harsin will be around. 

    Collegefootballfan.com will attend our “FCS Game of the Year” next Saturday since it’s the only one scheduled this season.  The Eastern Kentucky Colonels (2-1) will visit Austin Peay’ Governors (3-1) in an ASUN conference clash.  EKU defeated FBS Bowling Green in seven OTs this season, 59-57.  Also gave FBS Eastern Michigan a tussle.  We watched APU fall to Western Kentucky in our opener, 38-27.  We say their three wins are suspect.  They’ve outscored these opponents with a combined record of 1-8 by a total score of 132-3.   Interesting game?  APU plays at Alabama on November 19.  Is HC Scotty Walden learning something from the Master?

-Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate:  from the fan who’s seen ‘em all!  – All of the first 120 FBS teams that is.  We’ve seen all 130 since publication and will be adding James Madison, Jacksonville State, and Sam Houston State the next few years.  Now you can go to our Amazon page by clicking on the upper right-hand corner of our sidebar above on the title name or book cover. Thanks!

Spirit of Happy Valley
Nittany Lion cheerleaders brought the spirit of Happy Valley for PSU fans.

Week Three 2022 Steveo’s Salvos: Penn State at Auburn, Week Two notes, Comfort Zone, The other Independent, On Track

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     College footballfan.com travels to Auburn in Week Three for last year’s re-match with No. 22 Penn State (2-0) at Auburn (2-0).  After a shaky start beating Purdue on the road, Penn State vanquished Ohio U. at home, 46-10.  Despite improving against a mid-major, the good news came regarding a sudden improvement in the running game.  Freshman, five-star RB Nick Singleton carried ten times for 179 yards and two TDs on rushes of 70 and 44 yards.  Ohio U.’s defense does not match the speed and quickness of Auburn’s, but adjustments by Penn State to mix the run in with a good passing attack provides more confidence this weekend.

    Last week, the Tigers pulled out a 24-16 win at home against San Jose State.  QB TJ Finley threw for 167 yards and one INT while the running game picked up 210 yards.  In passing situations, Penn State will bring more pressure and will show greater pass coverage than what Auburn has experienced so far.  State’s Linebackers continue work-in progress at Linebacker U.  They’ll look to stop RBs Robby Ashford and Tank Rigsby, who had a big game versus the Lions last year.  With Auburn HC Brian Harsin in the pressure cooker entering Week Three already, it’s a must-win for him. 

With two games under both teams’ belts, the Lions should be more prepared than the Tigers in this one. Auburn may come out in orange jerseys to fire their faithful up for this one.  However, the first Auburn game we attended in Shug-Jordan Stadium in 1978, HC Doug Barfield used the same ploy.   Exciting game, but dull finish as the Tigers tied Vince Dooley’s Georgia Bulldogs, 22-22.

Last season, TE Brendon Strange takes it over against Auburn for go ahead TD for the Nittany Lions in the second period. Strange also scored against Purdue in this year’s opener for a 67-yard touchdown pass as the first half expired.

“He goes to his Comfort Zone” to the tune of…

    Kenny Loggins’s, “I went to the Danger Zone!”  The exhilarating theme song of the original Top Gun movie video plays at opening kick-offs at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  For Nick Saban, college football discovered last week why he avoids leaving his comfort zone.  His song theme is the title above.  For the first time in 11 years, his Alabama Crimson Tide visited a non-conference Power Five School, Texas. He won 20-19, but even after Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers went down to injury, The Tide did not perform up to its standards usually displayed on their home turf. Saban kept hearing “Texas Fight!” instead of “Yeah Alabama!” in front of 105,213 Longhorn fans.

   No wonder why he prefers to play at home or only at “neutral” sites like Atlanta. Forget about home and home series as we published after attending The Tides 55-0 destruction of Utah State in his comfort zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium.  He returns to Tuscaloosa in Week Three to recover.  He scheduled UL Monroe in case things didn’t go as planned in Austin.  The SEC helped him the following week booking a prime-time game against SEC doormat Vanderbilt.  The Commodores displayed true colors after two wins last week falling to No. 19 Wake Forest, 45-25.  

Tuscaloosa
There’s no place like home for Nick Saban when his teams play comfortably in Tuscaloosa as often as possible.

Collegefootballfan.com’s version of Fantasy Football

  For Week Three, Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh of Michigan get calls from their TV “friends”.  The real people in charge say, “We’ve arranged for you two guys to play each other this weekend. We need the ratings. Your respective opponents this week, ULM and UConn, will flip a coin, and determine who will host the other Saturday. You guys do the same.  We’ll deduct a million dollars from what you make on your game and donate half a million each to these two programs who need the money.  We know you show concern for such programs.  That’s why you schedule them.”

 They continue, “Next year on September 16, whoever visits this weekend will host a rematch.  Your donations will go to the respective opponents you scheduled for that date, South Florida and Bowling Green. They’ll flip a coin where they will play.”  Of course, this won’t happen, but our “fantasy football” offers a great opportunity for fans that two coaches avoiding comparable competition refuse to consider.  Bring it on in Week Three in future seasons!

The Other Independent

    With Notre Dame (0-2) trending outside the CFP looking in with it’s 26-21 loss to Marshall, consider the other Independent that could get in the mix.  Winning their 26-20 victory over highly ranked Baylor last week, Brigham Young could challenge for the spot the Irish tend to pursue.  With Senior QB Jaren Hall back and healthy, the offense seems ready.  Transfer RB Christopher Brook from Cal gets the benefit of solid line play in front of him.  Top Receivers Gunner Romney and Puka Nacua returned.

 BYU’s defense needs to stay healthy as eight experienced starters return for HC Kalani Sitake’s squad.  Looking ahead, games at Oregon and with Notre Dame in Vegas look winnable. Wins against Arkansas, at Liberty, and at Boise could bode well for them among pollsters.  If they run the table with some impressive wins, they could gain consideration as an independent qualifier if any of the current top four teams falter.

HC Kalani Sitake of BYU
BYU HC Sitake Kalani’s Cougars return a great core of players from last season.

On track already in Week Three

    On our podcast with Steve Hiegel, (click here -note: please fast forward four minutes. This is an unedited copy with four minutes of wasted set-up time. Thanks), one question regarding considerations for the upcoming season: “Who will be Coach of the Year?”    Our response, “If he wins six games this season, Lance Leipold of Kansas.” He’s got two now with his Jayhawks’ 55-42 win over West Virginia.  

This weekend, they will take on the Houston Cougars (1-1) with Clayton Tune firing for 472 yards and four TDs against UTSA and Texas Tech (lost 33-30) combined thus far. KU’s QB Jalon Daniels has comparable numbers with 408 and four TDs with wins over FCS Tennessee Tech and WVU. Both QBs threw one INT.  Should be a close call in Houston.  KU entertains Duke the following week.  HC Leipold could be close to our prediction sooner than expected in Week Three.  He is a true developer of talent and teams.  “Rock chalk, Jayhawk!” 

Head Coach Lance Leipold turned the Buffalo Bulls into winners after winning six national championships at Wisconsin-Whitewater in D-3. now he’s taking the Kansas Jayhawks to new heights. Just watch!

Other teams on our 2022 schedule in week Two

     Bama fell to No. 2 behind Georgia this week as the Bulldogs, Buckeyes, and Clemson Tigers continued to roll over lesser competition in FCS Samford, Arkansas St, and FCS Furman respectively.  Why bother?… Utah State fell to FCS Weber State, 35-7, making Bama’s win the previous week even more unimpressive…Middle Tennessee beat Colorado State, 34-19, after their drubbing to James Madison in their opener.  The Dukes throttled HBCU Norfolk State, 63-7. Louisville rebounded from its loss to Syracuse. They beat Central Florida, 20-14…

     Kentucky with Will Levis defeated Florida in an SEC East clash, 26-16. South Carolina fell to Arkansas in an inter-division SEC game, 44-30.  We’ll see the Wildcats and Gamecocks meet on October 8… Army lost for the second time, both in close calls, this time to UTSA, 41-38. On the other hand, Navy’s (0-2) offense sputtered once again in its loss to Memphis (1-1), 37-13…HC Jake Spavital got a temporary reprieve as his Texas State Bobcats (1-1) whipped up hapless Florida International, 41-12.  They travel north to Waco Saturday to play the wounded No. 17 Baylor Bears.  Watch out!…

We’ll see SC Gamecocks clash with UK Wildcats at Kroger Field for the second time in three years.

Louisiana handled Eastern Michigan, 49-21, to move to 2-0…Our two upcoming FCS teams in the ASUN meeting on September 24 notched wins.  Austin Peay (2-1) raced out to a 41-0 halftime lead over the SWAC’s Mississippi Valley State, and allowed that score to stand.  Eastern Kentucky (1-1) defeated FBS Bowling Green, 59-57, in OT.  The Governors and Colonels meet Alabama A&M and Charleston Southern respectively in Week Three before their clash.  

 Notes of other games in Week Two

    Last week, we said we thought Appalachian State had a good shot to beat Texas A&M, and they did, 17-14!  Too bad Appy lost to UNC the week before, 63-61.  Had they won, they could have been a strong contender for this year’s Group of Five in the CFP. If they run the Sunbelt table the rest of the way, that means wins over Coastal, Marshall, and Georgia Southern. The second two defeated Power Fives Notre Dame and Nebraska last week.  The Mountaineers also have a date with JMU who we will see play Louisville on November 5. Appy collides with Troy (1-1) in Week Three. The SunBelt is rising!

   Washington State defeated Wisconsin, 17-14, in Madison.  That’s probably the PAC-12’s best win of the season…UConn (1-1) and UMass (0-2) run on a collision course to see again who will avoid finishing at No. 131 when it’s all over. They’ll meet in East Hartford on November 5.   Syracuse whipped the Huskies, 48-10, and Toledo zoomed past the Minutemen, 55-10, in Week Two.  Until their fatal date, UConn’s best chances for victory come against FIU and Ball State on the road on October 8 and 15. UMass may catch up with a win this weekend when the host FCS Stony Brook (0-1). After that, New Mexico State at home could be a possibility on October 29.  These two need to go back to the FCS Colonial Athletic where at least they’d have some natural rivalries again – Maine, UNH, URI.

Other 2022 teams on Collegefootballfan.com’s slate in Week Three

    Western Kentucky (2-0) returns from its win in Hawaii two weeks ago to play 11 straight weeks.  Saturday, they will visit Indiana (2-0) for a rematch we attended in Bowling Green last season when the Hoosiers won, 33-31.  As U of I did last year, Vanderbilt visits another Group of Five school, Northern Illinois (1-1) on the road. Expect this one to be a close game in the 30’s. We’ll find out if Clark Lea starts Mike Wright or AJ Swann at QB this week. If the starter doesn’t drive the ‘Dores early, Lea will be quick to make a change…Among other teams we’ve seen play heading into Week Three, Purdue travels to 2-0 Syracuse.

   South Carolina’s mettle gets tested this week at home against No.  1 Georgia.  FCS No. 5 Villanova (2-0) heads up the Hudson to face Army’s triple option.  Toledo leaps from lowly UMass to No. 3 Ohio State (2-0).  Eddie George’s Tennessee State team (0-2) buses over to Murfreesboro to tangle with MTSU. Louisiana Tech (1-1) charges into Death Valley against No. 5 Clemson.  The state of Kentucky feasts on Florida State at Louisville and FCS Youngtown at No. 9 UK in Lexington. No. 19 Wake Forest hosts Liberty.

 

Wake QB Sam Hartman on the run
Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman picks up yards on a run against Vanderbilt.

Games we’ll keep an eye on

    2-0 California visits 0-2 Notre Dame.  Losing Tyler Buchner at QB and replacing him with Tyler Pyne with limited experience adds to the Irish woes.  Shades of Gerry Faust becoming the savior for Notre Dame when he had little experience?  At least Faust won his first game for ND vs LSU.  It went downhill after that to finish 5-6 in his first season…Another FCS win over the FBS seems most likely when perennial national champ and No.1 North Dakota State (2-0) takes on Arizona (1-1) in the desert… How fast can A&M recover when they host 2-0 Miami under new head coach Mario Cristobal?  A telling indicator for both programs early in 2022.

Ed. by – Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the fan who’s seen ‘em all!  Read our unique adventure attending games played by all Football Bowl Subdivision Teams over 30 seasons.  It wasn’t easy, but definitely fun and rewarding. That’s why we keep doing this.

Another reason we keep going back. Going Coastal! Carolina in this case.

Game 638:  Demon Deacons take wind out of Commodores’ sails, 45-25

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Nashville, TN – Attempting to build on their unusual, quick, 2-0 start, the Vanderbilt Commodores took a turn for the normal when the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest (2-0) derailed their early season momentum with a 45-25 win in newly-named First Bank Stadium.   To the delight of Deacon fans, QB Sam Hartman returned to start his first game of 2022.   Out of action in Week One, due to a blood clot, the medical staff at WFU cleared the red-shirt Junior to resume play.  He followed up last year’s stats in style completing 18 of 27 passes for 300 yards and four TDs. 

Guest Game Analyst (GGA) Jim “Bug-a-lug” Harton (Wake Forest grad and fan) commented that the Deacons played much better with Hartman back this weekend.  Bug-a-lug attended the Deacon opener against VMI.  Though backup QB Mitch Griffis performed well, he reported the O-line performed inadequately, called for too many holding calls.  HC Dave Clawson most likely addressed this at practice since, and Hartman’s leadership on the field probably affected this as well.

QB Sam Hartman return for demon deacons
Demon Deacon QB Sam Hartman returned after sitting out Week One. Started a little rusty before firing away like he did last year for 4,228 yards and 39 TDs.

    Neither offense got off to a fast start exchanging punts, but the Commodores started the scoring with Joe Bulova’s 35-yard FG to take the lead.  Wake drove to the Vandy seven, but three consecutive rush attempts by RB Justice Ellison at the goal line forced the Deacons to turn the ball over on downs.  This prompted first-time GGA Dave Hickman (Illinois/NIU alum, 82nd Airbourne vet) to wonder aloud.  “Why go with the same play a third time if the first two didn’t work?”  The only benefit noted came as the result of Vanderbilt starting from their one. That paid off.

Vanderbilt makes a stand
Vanderbilt Commodores make an early goal line stand.

Deacon Defense

    Sprinting right under pressure, Commodore QB Mike Wright (8 for 15, 35 yards, one INT, 17 yards rushing) lofted a pass that got tipped and then picked by DB Colby Davis.  Davis sprinted back across the field and toward the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown.  The defensive score seemed to spark the offense on this rainy day from then on.  Coming into this game, Wright had passed for six TDs and ran for four compiling over 700 yards of offense against Hawaii and Elon.  The Deacon defense played much tougher than those two opponents.

New DC Brad Lambert from Purdue may already be making some improvements to make this unit stronger in 2022.  Last year, the Deacon defense allowed over 30 points seven times relying on the offense that scored 41 ppg. Lambert’s Boilermakers held competition to 30 points or less nine times in 12 games for a 22.4 ppg average.

    The Wake defense allowed no yards on the next Commodore possession.  The offense took over from their 32.  Hartman went to work right way throwing the ball down the middle to WR AT Perry (five catches, 142 yards, one TD). In stride, Perry made the over-the-shoulder catch and raced 68 yards for Wake’s 14-3 lead.  Forcing a Wright fumble, the Deacon offense started this time at Vanderbilt’s 32 going into the second quarter.

WR AT Perry pulls in one of five passes from Hartman on the day.

Playing in the rain

    A thirty-yard pass to Donovan Green set up Hartman’s next TD pass to RB Christian Turner from the two.  Later in the period, another punt by Vandy resulted in a turnover as Wakes’ returner mishandled the punt to set the Dore’s at WFU’s 24.  RB RE’Mahn Davis carried five times for his eventual score on a two-yard run to cut the lead down, 21-10.   We’d seen Davis perform in 2019 for Temple in a Military Bowl loss to North Carolina.  The half came to an end.  Our GGA’s and cohorts went below the stands for halftime to dry off some while the intermittent ran continued. 

Christian Turner TD catch
Demon Deacon RB Christian Turner snags two-yard TD pass from Hartman.

Deacons pour it on

    To start the third, Hartman ran his run-pass option skillfully delaying hand-offs to backs while looking for open receivers.  He connected with Perry once again for a 49-yard pickup to the 25.  A nine-yard pass to TE Taylor Morin who snagged a low pass by his ankles resulted in a 28-10 lead for the Deacons.  Davis fumbled the ball away for the Commodores, and Wake looked to capitalize again at the VU 18-yard line.  Hartman’s pass to Cameron Hite from 17 yards out increased the growing margin for the visitors, 35-10.  Vanderbilt HC Clark Lea had experienced enough frustration on offense.  AJ Swann (8 of 11, 146 yards, two TDs) replaced Mike Wright.

 The Wright move?

    Swann made a difference right away.  His 50-yard completion to Jayden McGowan put the Dore’s at the WFU 24.  On a fourth and 18, his pass to Will Sheppard put them at the six.  From there, they connected again for a score.  Swann ran for two points on the conversion to trail heading into the final period, 35-18.

VU WR Will Sheppard TD catch
Vanderbilt got on the board again late in Q4 on this TD catch from AJ Swann to Will Sheppard.

     With the ensuing kickoff, the Deacons didn’t let up.   The offense traveled 75 yards for a score. RB Quinton Cooley (9 carries, 57 yards, one TD) raced it into the end zone from the 24.   The Deacon defense forced another punt.  Using clock, Clawson’s offense ran 14 plays to get into FG position for Matthew Dennis’s 21-yard FG for a commanding lead of 45-18 with 4:48 left to play.  With a Wake Forest second team defense taking over to get some needed reps, Vandy started from their 25.  Swann led another drive culminating in a seven-yard TD pass to TE Gavin Schoenwald.  The Deacons can chalk that drive up to experience under their new defensive coordinator.  Final score:  Wake Forest Demon Deacons 45 – Vanderbilt Commodores 25.

Wake's Quinton Cooley burst for 24 yard TD run
Wake RB Quinton Cooley bursts through Vandy defense on a big offensive line push for a 24-yard TD jaunt.

“Oh, here’s to Wake Forest!”

    Bug-a-lug and his wife Courtenay topped off their enjoyable vacation week in Tennessee with the WFU victory.  He confirmed the update of my Wake Forest moniker with me having personally seen his Deacons win 11 of 12 games collegefootballfan.com has attended. With the one blemish on the 11-1 record coming in a 62-59 OT loss to Louisville in 2019, in Wake Forest circles they call me, “11 and almost 0 Koreivo!”  The previous week, having attended Alabama’s 55-0 win over Utah State, Deacon Blue (11-1) leads The Crimson Tide (10-1) with the best winning percentage of all FBS teams we’ve seen in action.  Deacon Blue is the name of a winner in our world.

Next up!

     No. 19 Wake (2-0) heads back to Winston-Salem to host Liberty (2-0), winner over Alabama-Birmingham Saturday, 21-14.  The Commodores (2-1) head to De Kalb, IL to take on Dave Hickman’s alma mater, Northern Illinois (1-1). Give Vanderbilt some credit here. It’s an unusual move for Power Five teams to visit a Group of Five campus.  We’d like to see more of that.  Surely the SEC advised Vanderbilt against this.

     Speaking of the SEC, Collegefootballfan.com travels “the Plains” of Auburn (2-0) in a rematch there for its home-and-home series with No. 22 Penn State (2-0).  Last season, the Nittany Lions defeated the Tigers in State College, 28-20. We’ll be meeting up with our long-time Auburn friend and alum, Charlie Murren, for that one.

– ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of “Tales from the Tailgate:  From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all!”  Click on the title to read about the first of 11 Demon Deacon wins when they visited the University of Richmond in 1981.  Our first encounter with Vanderbilt football didn’t occur until 1995 at South Carolina.  Warning: It isn’t pretty. However, we note that we later attended a bowl victory by the Commodores in 2008.  These are only two of the 120 teams in the FBS we saw play in person for our first time.  Lots of other college football adventures tell when “we saw ‘em all”.

Wake Forest Guest Game Analysts
WFU-VU Guest Game Analysts, Bottom L-R: Yours truly, Courtenay Harton, and husband, Bug-a-lug, as he’s known on Wake Forest football weekends. Back Row: Dave Hickman, Kalani Hickman, and “St. Laurie”. Kalani, a Chicago Bears fan, attended her first college game today. St. Laurie has now attended two games already this year, ahead of her normal pace!