Game 581: PSU Nittany Lions dominate Maryland Terps on Senior day, 38-3

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PSU Nittany Lions dominate Maryland Terps on Senior day, 38-3

State College – On Senior Day in Happy (Icy, Cold, Wet) Valley, Senior QB Trace McSorely scored two first quarter TDs to take an early lead while the Lion defense dominated the Terps for the second year in a row for a 38-3 victory.  Last season in the season finale at College Park, PSU triumphed, 66-3. After losing in OT last week to Ohio State, 52-51, the Terp offense displayed no such effectiveness against the improving Lion defense.

Cold, rainy weather and the long Thanksgiving weekend cut back on attendance for this Penn State Senior Day.

Honoring the past and hopes for the future

On a cold, rainy day with an icy mix thrown down early in the day, the Penn State crowd in half full Beaver Stadium celebrated the final performances of 21 seniors.  However, the crowd watched the Lions not only outperform the Terps with outgoing seniors, but they also watched promising underclassmen boding well for the future of Penn State football.  First-time Guest Game Analyst Kevin Rogers (Manhattan College Jasper), a long-time PSU football fan who had not seen a game at Beaver Stadium since it was half the size of what it is today, enjoyed what he saw despite the elements he drove through and sat in.  He plans to definitely return to Beaver Stadium again in the near future.

LB Micah Parsons (11) puts hit on Terps Anthony McFarland. Parsons saw a lot of playing time at LB during his Frosh year for the Lions.

Bing, bing, bing!

The No. 12 Nittany Lions (9-3, 6-3) followed the opening kickoff with just three plays that put them into the end zone.  McSorely (12 for 22 passing, 230 yards, 1 TD; 11 carries for 64 yards, 2 TDS) completed his first pass on the first play to Frosh KJ Hamler for 34 yards.  Miles Sanders (14 carries for 128 yards) advanced the next play 35 yards on his first run before McSorely ran it in for a 10-yard TD.

Later in the period, Terp PK Joe Petrino put Maryland on the scoreboard with his 26-yard FG already matching the total point his team scored against PSU the previous season.  The Lions came right back as McSorely carried the ball over again for his second score in the first from the 20-yard line.  The Lions led 14-3 at the end of the first and never looked back as the Terp offense could not break through the tough Nittany Lion defense who stopped UMD 15 times this day behind the line of scrimmage. DE Yetur Gross Matos led with 3.5 TFLs. Keith Givens added two sacks.

McSorely (9) rushes against Maryland Terrapins during Q2 drive.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Only Jake Pinegar’s 25-yard FG added three points in the second to increase the Penn State lead.  Kevin noted a particular PSU weakness, however, along the way.  Punt returner DeAndre Thompkins avoided fielding any punts even if evidently catchable. By not fielding any by signaling fair catch, he constantly put the Lions in worse field position than they could have had giving up five to ten yards at least each time.  PSU started drives from the 14, 6, and 15 yard-line because of this in the second period.  Later in the game, KJ Hamler fielded a punt with a fair catch to start the Lions from their 28 that later resulted in a score.  On the final Terp punt, Thompkins set up to receive the punt and it bounced out at the PSU eight.  Thompkins graduates this year.  Hamler will be returning for his second season in 2019.

Lion defenders Kevin Givens (30) and Shareef Miller (48) pressure Terp QB Tyrell Pigrome.

 

Records not made to be broken

Fourteen inches of snow the past week and the wettest summer on record in State College and the second wettest fall on record cut down on the typical, stirring pre-game activities prior to the game on Senior Day.  Prohibited parking in grass lots, icy Central Pennsylvania roads, a wet, rainy forecast and the holiday weekend cut down the prepaid crowd of 98,000.  Many decided to remain in the comforts of their homes to watch on TV.  Pregame traditions were relegated to the sidelines and stands to preserve the playing field even after tarps were removed.  The Penn State Blue Band did get to perform at halftime despite the on-again and off-again precipitation.  The decimated but dedicated crowd in Beaver Stadium still vociferously cheered their team and honored their outgoing Seniors despite the setbacks of the elements.

Breakfast   Lion RG Connor McGovern (323 lbs) “pancakes” Terp DT Keiron Howard (290 Lbs) after Miles Sanders moves past line.

Lions roar!

After forcing a punt to start the third, PSU put some younger talent on display.  Frosh RB Ricky Slade (11 carries for 64 yards, two TDs) ran the ball five times during the next series for 34 yards finishing the drive with an eight-yard TD run.  The score stood 24-3 to end the third.

Frosh RB Ricky Slade (4) bounces off Terrapin  tackler to get to goal line.

Terp PK Joe Petrino failed to add the Terp score when he missed a 31-yard FG to start the fourth period.  The Lion defensed continued to dominate Maryland (5-7, 3-6) on offense holding them to 259 yards of total offense, only 74 on the ground. On PSU’s next series, McSorely finished off a scoring drive with a five-yard TD pass to Frosh TE Pat Freiermuth. Hamler’s fair catch on the 28 started another TD drive, but not before Head Coach James Franklin installed back-up QB Tommy Stevens for McSorely after the first play.

Miles Sanders (24) bursts through Terp line for gain in third period.

He received a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd. Most had been on hand the past four years to see McSorely and his classmates put together a 25-3 recorded at Beaver Stadium while they played here for PSU.  Stevens, entering his fifth and final year of eligibility, looms as next year’s stating QB for the Nittany Lions.  On this series, he ran for some yardage, handed off to Slade for more gains on the ground, and passed to Hamler to set up Slade’s final run of the series for a one-yard TD to finalize the score, 38-3.  The Lions and their fellow students and fans celebrated in the South end zone and sang the Penn State alma mater.  Many others of us including Kevin and me left the confines of Beaver Stadium looking for buses back to parking lots to start our journeys home in the cold and the dark to celebrate.

McSorely (9) leaves Maryland Terps in his wake. After this game, he also leaves with a career completion mark of 703 to lead all PSU QBs.

Regular season ends for some, not all

For the Terps, their season is over. Chances are slim with a 5-7 record to get to a bowl game.  The Lions wait to see what happens after the Big Ten Championship game between Ohio State and Northwestern next Saturday. Generally, the feeling is that with their strong, loyal fan following, they’ll most likely get into a New Year’s Day Bowl against an SEC team in Florida.

CFF.com still looks forward to five more games this season. Our next venture takes us up north to another, expectedly cold venue to attend a second round FCS playoff game in Hamilton, NY where No. 8 seed Colgate hosts 2017 FCS runner up James Madison University.  We look forward to seeing how the Red Raider defense with five shutouts (seven games in which they allowed no TDs) in 2018 against mostly Patriot League foes stand up against a Colonial Athletic team from a tougher conference that averaged 35 ppg this season.  Should be fun as we catch up with friends we made in Hamilton last season when we saw Colgate defeat Fordham at our first game ever at Colgate’s Stadium.

 

 

Game 580: Abey, Smith lead Mids rushing attack through Golden Hurricanes, 37-29

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Abey, Smith lead Mids rushing attack through Golden Hurricane, 37-29

Our last tailgate of the year in Annapolis. Feasting and fun with good food and good friends as usual.

Annapolis – Senior QB Zach Abey rushed for 128 yards and both he and FB Nelson Smith scored two rushing TDs to lead the Mids of Navy to their third victory of 2018 to defeat Tulsa, 37-29. In typical Navy fashion, Abey attempted only two passes and completed one for 15 yards.  Both teams entered the game with identical records of 2-8, 1-5 in the American Athletic West.

With Abey at QB for the third game in a row, the Mids looked more like Navy teams of recent years effectively running the triple option.  They accumulated 389 yards on the ground.  For Collegefootballfan.com, we witnessed Tulsa lose its third game of a 2-9, 1-6 season.  On the other hand, we watched Navy win for the third time this season at home against one loss.  We will see them play again in three weeks against arch-rival Army on December 8 in Philadelphia.

Tulsa RB Corey Taylor races around the left side for one of his three TDs versus Navy.

Early scores

Tulsa scored first on a two-yard run capping a 49-yard drive with a two-yard run by Corey Taylor (15 carries, 45 yards, three TDs).  Navy retaliated with a 79-yard drive finished off by Smith (5 carries for 48 yards, 2 TDs) with a 10-yard TD run.

Navy’s Nelson Smith (43) on his way for his ten-yard TD run against Tulsa in the first quarter.

Early in the second, the Mids took the lead with Smith’s 26-yard TD run.  With the PAT blocked by Tulsa CB Reggie Robinson, he picked up the ball and returned it the length of the field for two points.  Navy led, 13-9.  Tulsa got pinned at the three on the ensuing kickoff.  Punting from their five, the Mids took over at the TU 31.  USNA drove to the one and Abey took it over from there to extend USNA’s lead, 20-9.

QB Zach Abey (9) cuts behind FB Anthony Gargiulo’s (38)  block for a Navy score .

Review this rule

Tulsa started its next drive from its 39 benefiting from a controversial targeting call in our estimation.  Guest Game Analyst Vince Gallo and I agreed that the hit by LB Austin Talbert-Loving was unavoidable and unintentional.  The ball carrier lowered his head and momentum of the tackler caused the head-on hit by the defender. Despite what we saw, the officials ejected him from the game.  That rule needs to be re-analyzed.

The scoring continues

The ensuing Hurricane possession resulted in a 19-yard TD run by Keylon Stokes to cut Navy’s lead.  However, the Mids got back on track full speed ahead.  They drove the ball on the ground 70 yards finished off by Abey’s two-yard TD with 1:28 left in Q2.  The Mids led going into the locker rooms up at halftime, 27-16.

Tulsa WR Keylon Stokes finds a big hole in the Navy secondary on a Hurricane touchdown drive.

An Annapolis first

Halftime highlights featured a very colorful Cheerleader of America performance and the Naval Academy Silent Drill team consisting of 14 Mids.  Very well done.  One tribute paid between quarters honored the officers and crew of the Navy’s newest ship, the USS Sioux City, LCS 11.  Our nation’s sixth Littoral combat ship, the commissioning took place on Saturday in Annapolis, the first time such an event took place there. The ship’s hull is comprised of aluminum skin. It features high-tech capabilities and can cruise up to 40 knots (46 mph).  The Navy designed it for coastal combat support. Named in honor of Sioux City, Iowa, news reports stated many of the 4,000 in attendance came out from that area to attend the ceremony.  Crew members and families toured the town while we were there for breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s and for Bloody Mary’s at Fran O’Brien’s Anthony House, CFF.com traditions.  Congrats to Sioux City, Iowa, and the US Navy.  Smooth sailing!

Go Navy!

Only three in Q3

To start the third period, Tulsa threatened to score on a sustained drive until DT Jackson Pittman forced a fumble by Corey Taylor near the goal line.  Marcus Edwards recovered for the Mids on the three.  Navy’s O drove down to the ten on two long runs.  Malcolm Perry booked for 52 yards to the Golden Hurricane 45. Tre Walker followed with a 35-yard jaunt to the TU ten.  Despite the momentum, Navy instead settled for Bennet Moehring’s 21-yard FG.

As he does at every Navy game, except sans his No. 72 jersey at this game, “First Down Freddie” leads a cheer to celebrate another for the Mids!

 Turnover time

GGA Mike Pitch noted that despite Tulsa QB Seth Boomer’s passing stats (19 for 28, 206 yards, 1 INT), he had all day to throw as the Mids applied little pressure all day.  Tulsa still had a chance to win.  I noted as I have all season, the lack of speed in the Midshipman’s secondary.  Though under no hard rush by the Navy line, an interception return of 54 yards by S Micah Farrar for the Mids to the Tulsa 23 went for naught.  FB Mike Martin fumbled and Tulsa recovered taking possession on their 23.  With only a field goal to show for a score in the third quarter, Navy’s 30-16 lead still seemed shaky entering Q4.

Hurricane QB Seth Boomer (12) had plenty of time most of the day to throw against the Mids, but only tallied 206 passing yards.

Corey Taylor hit pay dirt at the end of a 76-yard drive with a three-yard TD run.  DE Jarvis Polu added some relief to the threat though blocking the point after to maintain their lead by eight, 30-22, with 11:54 left.  USNA advanced on their following 10-play drive starting from the 26 when Tre Walker sped around the end for a 33-yard touchdown burst.  Tulsa responded with a return out to the 45. Taylor capped the drive with his third score at the one to close the gap, 37-29.

Navy S Sean Williams breaks up a pass on a Hurricane drive in Q3.

Decisions, decisions

With 4:46 left to play and three time-outs, Tulsa kicked deep instead of going for an onsides kick surprising all the GGAs including Bob Brauer, joining us at a Navy game for the second year in a row and bringing Kielbasa for our post game tailgate in the dark.  Navy foiled the Tulsa plan converting two first downs.  The Mids caused the Hurricanes to burn all three timeouts until 1:09 remained.  At that point, the Mids went into the victory formation.  Game 580 went into the annals of CFF.com history with Navy’s 37-29 victory.

Navy Al’s granddaughter Sophia joined our pregame tailgate this weekend and demonstrated a new concept of “tailgating” here.  It worked well for her though as the fifth-grader lasted through the entire game even as it got colder and darker. She really enjoyed her day she told us before she nodded off and Grandpa whisked her away.

Turkey time

Next Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Mids travel to New Orleans to face the improved Tulane Green Wave (5-6,4-2). Tulane has impressive wins over Memphis and South Florida.  They lead Navy by two wins in the West Division. Tulsa returns home to host SMU (5-6, 4-3 AAC west).  Collegefootballfan.com goes back to State College to see struggling No. 14 Penn State (8-3, 5-3) host Maryland (5-6, 3-5) in a Big Ten East clash.  Last Saturday, they fell at home to Ohio State, 52-51, in OT. After a 66-3 loss to PSU last season and a hobbled Trace McSorely playing QB for the Lions, the Terps could be primed to pull the upset. We expect a hard-fought, close game in cold (and possible wet) Happy Valley.  Rain and snow gear at the ready -what the 2018 season will be remembered for!

Remember those serving our country this weekend as we give thanks and celebrate Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our fans, friends, and family!!!

 

 

Game 579: Sanders and McSorely lead Penn State past Wisconsin, 22-10

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Sanders and McSorely lead Penn State past Wisconsin, 22-10

State College- Still showing lingering signs of a sore right knee, Trace McSorely handed the ball off to Miles Sanders 23 times and Sanders revitalized the Penn State running game with 159 yards and a TD run to lead the Nittany Lions to a 22-19 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.  Though McSorely played hobbled and sat out some plays escorted off by the medical staff.  A red-shirt junior, Tommy Stevens filled in for him.  John and I expect to see Stevens get a lot of action in the 2019 spring game.   Wisconsin played again without their QB Alex Hornibrook.  Their med staff has sidelined him with a concussion.

On a sore right knee, Wisconsin held PSU QB Trace McSorely to only nine yards on 11 carries.

Leading rushers, banged up QBs

While Penn State relied on the legs of Sanders, the Badgers tried to do the same with Jonathan Taylor, the leading rusher in the FBS.  Without the services of Hornibrook, however, backup QB Jack Coan could not effectively put together an effective passing game (9 of 20 for 60 yard and two INTs).  The Nittany Lion defense led by DE Shareef Miller and DT Robert Windsor applied the primary pressure on Coan this afternoon as both registered two sacks each.

DTs Robert Windsor (54) and Kevin Givens (30) “badger” Wisconsin QB Jack Coan (17).

Time and Weather

For Collegefootballfan.com and many other fans, the day started out bitterly cold and very early.  Temperatures in Happy Valley dropped into the 30s and gusting winds brought the wind chill down into the teens.  The cold, crazy, wet weather over the past few weeks forced us to come over-prepared with lots of rain and cold weather gear to withstand the icy blasts.  Luckily, the noon time kickoff started under clear, sunny skies despite the cold temperatures.

Clear, but chilling winds prevailed at noon for kick off in Happy Valley at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

As for the early part, the school had announced early this week that all grass parking areas (most of PSU’s parking facility) would be closed due to the very wet weather that has prevailed in Happy Valley over the past few weeks.  Satellite parking arrangements in paved offsite areas compensated throughout the area so most fans could board buses to get over to Beaver Stadium.  Our regular Penn State Guest Game Analyst John Massimilla and friends were able to get a parking pass from other friends which literally put us in the shadows of Beaver Stadium in the north lot.  My arrival at 9 AM in the parking lot of the Nittany Mall after a three-hour haul still gave us time to enjoy some libations and sandwiches before heading in.  I even had a ride after the game back to the Nittany Mall to beat the long bus lines back.

BANG!

Wisconsin started off with a bang as Jonathan Taylor (20 for 185, 1 TD) broke through the right side of the scrimmage line for a 71-yard TD.  Penn State responded with a 75-yard scoring drive of its own when McSorely (19 of 25, 160 yards, 1 TD) connected with DeAndre Thompkins on a 14-yard scoring pass.  A botched snap on the Badgers next possession put PSU back on offense.  The Lions took the lead on Jake Pinegar’s 49-yard FG to put Penn State up 10-7 at the end of the first.

Badger RB Jonathan Taylor  (23) breezes downfield for his 71-yard TD romp.

Lions score and shut down Badgers

In the second period, Sanders picked up a key first down on third and seven to get to the UW 17.  Four plays later, he took it over from the one. Pinegar missed the mark on the PAT for a 16-7 PSU lead. CB Amano Oruwariye picked off a Coan pass to set the Lions up for another score before the half.  Badger DE Isaiahh Loudermilk foiled that opportunity as he blocked Pinegar’s 44-yard attempt to keep the score intact at halftime.

Miles Sander (24) picks up yards during this Penn State scoring drive in the first period.

Win sets record

Wisconsin started off the scoring in the second half as it had done in the first.  PK Rafael Gagalianone’s 28-yard field goal put the Badgers to win six.  The Lions offset that margin as Pinegar booted a 44-yarder to reclaim the difference later in the period.  In the final quarter, he finished the scoring for the day from 23 to finalize the score, 22-10, the put the Penn State record at 7-3, 3-3 in the Big Ten with two games remaining.  With the win, McSorely, who rushed for only nine yards on 11 carries on a sore leg, tied the Penn State record for wins as a QB tying Todd Blackledge and Tony Sacca with his 29th.  Three more games should help put him on top if he stays healthy.

McSorely (9) gets rid of ball under pressure for a completion.

Sanders eclipsed the 1000-yard rushing mark for the season.  Leading the FBS, Jonathan Taylor (Salem, NJ) has racked up 1,548 rushing yards this season.

Next:

Penn State travels to the Birthplace of College Football next week to take on Rutgers (1-9,0-7). Since its start back in 1869, RU is again trying to master the art of the forward pass.  Wisconsin (6-4, 5-3) travels to Purdue.  The Boilermakers have beaten the likes of Boston College and Ohio state, but the struggle with lesser teams.  CFF.com heads back down to Annapolis for a Boys weekend to see if the Midshipman of Navy (2-8, 1-5) can salvage a win at home against Tulsa.  The Golden Hurricanes match both of Navy’s records.

DeAndre Thompkins (3) scored a touchdown reception in first quarter and returned punts for the Lions as well.

Extra Points:  

PSU alum and 91-year old football player wally Triplett was remembered after his passing last week.  He was one of the first two African-Americans to play football at Penn State and the first African American drafted by the NFL where he played for the Detroit Lions.

Word has it that the loser of this game today would most likely get invited to play in the Pin Stripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium against an ACC opponent.

James Franklin’s college coach at East Stroudsburg University, Denny Douds, announced his retirement from that school recently at the end of this season. Two weeks ago at a game against Ohio Dominican when he called a time-out, he made his official announcement.  We saw him coach several times including back in 1994 in a game won against Southern Connecticut State when Franklin started at QB for the Warriors.  Douds will leave the school where he has been Head Coach since 1975.  Including his last victory this past week over Clarion State, he retires with 265 wins.  He’ll remain at the school in an administrative position, and he will continue to teach in its sports management program.  Another former QB who won the Harland Hill Award for best player in D-2, Jimmy Terwilliger, will take over the head coaching position at ESU.  We wish Denny Douds the best of everything!

S Nick Scott (4) picks off Coan’s pass near the goal line to halt a scoring drive.

 

 

 

Game 578: NIU Huskies defuse Toledo Rockets one step closer to MAC West title, 38-16

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NIU Huskies defuse Toledo Rockets one step closer to MAC West title, 38-16

Dekalb, ILL – The Toledo Rockets taunted and challenged the Mid-American Conference leading the NIU Huskies (now 7-3, 6-0) early on Wednesday evening. However, NIU DE Sutton Smith blocked a punt late in Q2 for a special team’s score to catapult his team to a 38-16 victory.   Two touchdown drives in the third period capped by QB Marcus Childers runs extended the Huskies’ lead until both teams scored again late in the fourth.

NIU QB Marcus Childers passed for 131 yards and a TD, but he also scored twice rushing for 58 yards.

MAC “firsts”

The MAC game between these two teams set the stage for our first MAC conference game in 13 years, our first regular season Wednesday night game, and our first game ever in Dekalb, Illinois, heartland of the American farmland.  The 30-degree temperatures seemed fitting for real Huskies instead of humans – as indicated by the 5,887 of us in attendance.  Most of us showed up on a work/school night to see the home team advance another win closer to the MAC Championship.  The big MAC game is scheduled for Friday, November 30 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Talk is cheap

Before kickoff, the Rocket players “invaded” the NIU sideline taunting the Huskies. Game officials and coaches turned them back to their side of the field.  “Bush league” if you ask us!  Head Coach Jason Candle evidently lacks discipline on what usually exemplifies a class Toledo program. The Rockets must have carried some of their emotions on their first drive resulting in a 25-yard FG by Jameson Vest to take an early lead.  Would the emotions carry the Rockets throughout this game?  They certainly didn’t after a fumble recovery by LB Jordan Fisher at the Husky 47.  Vest missed a chance to score again on a 36-yard attempt. Late in the first, NIU got on the board with TE Corey Lesch catching a short pass to the left side and breaking a tackle immediately to ramble 33 yards into the end zone to take the lead for the Huskies, 7-3.

Hey Toledo! Shut up and go back to your sideline. It’s time to play football!

Early in the second, the Huskies first drive started from the seven leading to Andrew Gantz’s 49-yard FG.  Starting the Rockets’ next possession from the 25, QB Eli Peters (26 for 47, 264 yards, 1 TD) hooked up with WR Jon’Vea Johnson for a 23-yard TD play.  The extra point was missed, and NIU held on to a 10-9 lead.  The Rockets looked poised to make a game out of this though their kicking game seemed suspect.

Toledo’s Eli Peters fires pass downfield in the first.

Game Changer

NIU forced the Rockets to punt later on fourth and two from their 38.  P Bailey Flint took the snap and rolled right looking to possibly pass for the first.  Last second, he attempted a rugby-style punt and Smith smacked it down to the ground, chased it down to catch it on the bounce, and continued to weave around several would-be tacklers to dive in over the goal line for a 27-yard touchdown. It turned out to be the momentum breaker for the Rockets.  On a fourth and four at the NIU 40 on the next TU possession, their drive died with an incomplete pass.  NIU fans looked for HC Rod Carey to take out the dagger after one play with twenty seconds remaining in the half,  However to their chagrin, he let time run out with the lead at 17-9.

NIU TE Corey Lesch stopped for a sort gain.

After forcing a Rocket punt on their first possession of the third, the Huskies put together an 82-yard TD drive. Childers faked a handoff on a dive to TB Marcus Jones who carried three consecutive plays prior for 29 yards to the one.  Childers put six more on the scoreboard from there.  Leading 24-9, the Husky defense held the Rockets in check.  Starting a subsequent drive from their 31, Childers finished off the scoring again breaking tackles on a 23-yard TD run.

Desperate measures

Toledo had no choice in the fourth but to keep any drive alive, trailing now by 22 points.  On fourth and three at the NIU 49, Smith’s speed rush caused Peters to hurry for an incompletion to turn it back over on downs.  However, the Rockets pulled it all together next time with an 80-yard scoring drive.  Frosh RB Bryant Koback carried over from the one.  The two-point conversion failed. The Huskies went back on the trail to victory after recovering an onsides kick at the Rocket 44.  On the first play from scrimmage, Marcus Jones bolted the length of the field to put the game away for the Huskies. NIU stands undefeated atop the MAC West at 6-0, 38-15.  The Rocket record stands now at 5-5, 3-3 in the MAC.

The worst thing about college football in 30 degree temps – cheerleader uniforms.

Up Next

Next week, the Huskies host another Wednesday night game against Miami (O.), 4-4, 4-2 and in second place in the MAC East.  With a win, NIU clinches the Western Division to go to Detroit.  The following week, they play Western Michigan (6-4, 4-2) who trails them second in the West.  If NIU wins the West, they will most likely play Buffalo (9-1, 6-0) of the East. The Bulls play under HC Lance Leipold in his fourth season.  He led Wisconsin-Whitewater to six D-3 national titles during his tenure there.

DE Sutton Smith (15) in pursuit of Eli Peters here, had a sack, a big hurry, a blocked punt, and a touchdown this evening.

For CFF.com

On Saturday, CFF.com heads out to watch Penn State (6-3, 3-3) host Wisconsin (6-3,4-2) in an evenly matched but disappointing game as neither will be challenging for the CFP as originally hoped for this season.  The No. 20 Lions can play spoilers by beating the Badgers looking to gain on first place Northwestern in the Big Ten West.

Grass parking lots are closed at PSU and the weather could be a low as 13 degrees with the wind chill factor. Traffic will be horrendous for a 12-noon kickoff as everyone converges on State College within a few hours. Looking forward to fun in Happy Valley despite some negative factors.  Speaking of negative factors, it looks like this will be our last two-game week of the regular season as we plan to attend only one game on each of the next four or five Saturdays before bowl season rolls around. We’ve been on a good roll with multiple games the last four weeks. This sped us up to Game # 600 next season.

Toledo WR Desmond Phillips stopped short of a first down by NIU Safety Mykelti Williams.

 Extra points

In our history, Toledo is now 2-1 with wins in the past over the Navy and the Air Force (Eagle Bank Bowl) .  NIU is 1-1 with its previous loss in a competitive game at Maryland in 2004, losing 23-20.

NIU’s three losses this season were early at Iowa, home against Utah, and at Florida State.  They went to BYU and beat them, 7-6.  This shows Rod Carey is not opposed to putting his team against top-notch non-conference FBS teams.  Most of the names featured here are underclassmen returning next season. Look for NIU to make some moves up. Next season, they go on the road against Utah, Nebraska, and Vanderbilt.  Keep an eye on them as a MAC upset candidate for a couple of these contests.

The NIU drum line, part of a solid and entertaining Husky Marching Band, hopes to perform in Detroit at Ford Field on November 30.

Game 577: With INT and FG in third OT, UMass finally extinguishes Liberty Flame in game of Independents, 62-59

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With INT and FG in third OT, UMass finally extinguishes Liberty Flame in game of Independents, 62-59

Amherst, MASS – UMass overcame a 14-point deficit in Q4 and tied Liberty with 25 seconds left before playing three overtimes to win with our record-setting score, 62-59.  LB Jarell Addo picked off Stephen Calvert’s pass in the end zone to kill the Flames scoring threat in the third OT.  Cooper Garcia then kicked a 22-yard FG for the Minutemen’s fourth victory of the 2018 season.  The total of 121 points scored eclipsed our Collegefootballfan.com record of 111 total point. That final score came in a two OT game back in 1998 won by Army over Louisville at West Point, 59-52.

The UMass game started out sunny and cold, but temps fell as did the sun later in the game.

Setting the records straight

On a blustery day that got colder as the sun went down after a 3:30 pm kickoff, the two offenses heated up the first half.  UMass (4-6) did it mostly through the air as QB Ross Comis lit up the airwaves with 540 passing yards and four TDS.  He also rushed for two scores.  UMass WR Andy Isabella broke Victor Cruz’s school record (262 yards versus James Madison in 2008) with nine receptions for 305 yards and two touchdowns.   Marquis Young led the UMass ground attack with 148 yards, two TDs, and a costly fumble on 23 carries.

Liberty QB Stephen Calvert (16 for 35, 272 yards, two TDS, four INTs) used 6’4” WR Antonio Gandy-Golden’s height advantage on numerous occasions (9 catches for 205 yards, two TDs) to beat shorter DBs on sideline passing routes.  The Flame’s (4-4) running game was well balanced with Frankie Hickson and Frank Boyd compiling 135 yards and two TDs and 83 yards and three TDs respectively. We expected a high-scoring game, and we got our highest ever!

Hot start!

UMass QB Ross Comis lets fly from the eleven…

The first half went down to the wire to end in a tie, 24-24. Comis threw two bombs that went to Isabella for 89 and 61 yards.  Comis ran one in from the seven.  Calvert threw a 15-yard score to Gandy-Golden for the first score by Liberty.  Hickson scored on an 11-yard run in the second period followed by WR Khaleb Coleman’s fumble recovery of CB Lee Moses’ interception.  That marked the second time on two consecutive Saturdays that we saw this happen. Along with Alex Roberts’s 21-yard FG, Liberty led, 24-21.  As time expired in the first half, Garcia converted a 28-yard three pointer to complete a seven-play, 58-yard drive to end the half all even at 24-24.

…and Andy Isabella catches it for an 89-yard touchdown!

Minutemen and Minutewomen Homecoming

The 10,388 in attendance at the UMass Homecoming at McGuirk Stadium could probably not envision what was to follow a great halftime show.  The always great-sounding UMass Marching band that the University takes great pride in paid a tribute to the memory of the late Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul.  They finished with a 40-year tradition of ending their performance leading the stands with Jersey boy Frank Sinatra’s popular song, “I did it my way.”

Happy Homecoming, UMass!

Whose way?

Things did not seem to go either team’s way early in the third after the high-scoring first half. Threatening to end a possession with a long bomb of his own for a score, Calvert went deep to the end zone.  DB Isaiah Rodgers at 5’9” who got taken advantage of on several plays by Gandy-Golden made a nice over the shoulder running catch and raced to the opposite side of the end zone.  He brought it out to his 35 to put the ball back on offense for UMass.  They finally jumped ahead with 3:00 left in the third when Marquis Young completed a 65-yard scoring drive with a four-yard TD run for a brief Minuteman lead.

Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden makes one of his sideline catches here against Isaiah Rodgers.

To start the fourth, the game definitely did not go UMass’s way when Liberty scored three touchdowns within 3:14.  Gandy-Golden caught a 14-yard pass for a TD.  Hickson set up a one-yard TD by Boyd with his 38-yard run before getting tackled a yard short of the goal-line.    Young fumbled on UMass’s next possession. LB Solomon Ajayi returned it to the Minutemen four.  Boyd took it in again for the 45-31 Flame lead.

Liberty’s Frankie Hickson (23) carries for a gain early in the first period.

The sun had set, the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and 11:01 remained on the clock. Liberty had momentum. Most UMass fans could not bear to watch any longer.  They began slowly abandoning McGuirk.  One longtime, die-hard sitting to my left the entire game, wrapped himself in blanket, passed me on the way out, looked me in the eye, and said, “I’ve had enough.”

And then there is Collegefootballfan.com

I, of course, persevered to stay. However, like many others who showed up on a sunny, but windy afternoon, I did not come prepared with heavy clothing for the cold, bone-chilling evening. It was! However, I also didn’t drive three and a half hours to Amherst to miss the last 11 minutes of any game with a 14-point margin.  The scores of previous games played by both these teams indicated both could score lot of points and give up a lot of points, depending on who they played.  Too much time remained for both not to score against the other one’s defense.  I knew that this could not be the final score. Two touchdown-margin? Overtime? I wondered.

Some defense was played in this game by evidence of this nice pass break-up near the end zone.

Liberty kicked for a touchback. Seventy-five yards later with 6:42 left, Comis finished the UMass drive with a six-yard TD after faking a dive hand-off and taking it in himself.  Isabella gimped around.  On third and two, a bad snap by the Liberty center sent the Flames back on their 34 with a fourth and 11.  Isabella fielded the punt, and UMass had possession at their 25 again with 2:57 left.  After losing four yards on a sack and five-yards on an illegal motion call, UMass got back to the 31 with a fourth and four.  Comis hooked up with Sadiq Palmer for a 15-yard gain and a new set of downs.  Young carried the ball four times on the next five plays.  On the final carry, he ran it in from the nine with 25 seconds left.  Garcia connected on the PAT to knot it, 45-45.  We have Overtime!

PK Cooper Garcia (37) had a great day for the Minutemen. He converted all eight PATs, he kicked the game-winner in OT, and he booted this FG to tie as time expired in the first half.

Home?

First OT – Liberty scored a TD on Boyd’s five-yard run.  Comis responded with a seven-yard TD pass to Samuel Emilus. PATs both good, 52-52.

Second OT – For UMass first, Comis connected quickly this time with Emilus for a 23-yard TD pass.  PAT good.  Liberty ran the ball seven straight times with Hickson going in from the two. PAT good, 59-59.

Third OT – “I wanna go home!!!” yelled a 20-something UMass stalwart a few rows down. He got his happy wish.  Addo intercepted Calvert in the end zone, and Garcia kicked the winning score, 62-59, for a new CFF.com single game scoring record. The weather turned cold for people with sweatshirts and/or light windbreakers.  I gladly got out of windy, cold McGuirk to get in my car, turned on the heat, and headed, not home, but to my sister Mary Kay’s house less than two hours away in Cumberland, RI.

Marquis Young picks up tough yards for UMass.

New England nostalgia

I got to see three pretty good games in New England these past two weekends. For CFF.com, our history started with her and her now husband Gunther when we started all this while they were students at URI. On that game back in 1979, Delaware defeated Rhody, 49-14 on their way to the D-2 national championship. Who knew, here we are, 577 games later.

Safe travels to all

Liberty stays on the road the next two weeks at Virginia and then at Auburn. Welcome Flames to your first FBS season as Independents.  The Minutemen will face the BYU Cougars next weekend at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, home of the Patriots.  A week later, they visit No. 5 Georgia down in Athens. The SEC sure knows how to pick non-conference games late in the season, don’t they?

Dekalb, Illinois welcomes CFF.com where we’ll take a little side trip while on business in Chicago.  Our first time there, we will attend our first Mid-American Conference game where Northern Illinois’ Huskies (6-3,5-0, 1st in MAC West) will host Toledo’s Rockets (5-4, 3-2, 3rd in MAC West) in a Western Division contest.  Hope it’s not too cold!

Homecoming parties at UMass before kickoff.

Extra points: 

In our fifth game seeing UMass struggle…I meant compete…at the FBS level, this is their first win in five games we’ve attended.  We saw them play at the FCS level against URI (twice), at Delaware, and against Fordham in the FCS playoffs.

Today, Liberty became the 130th FBS team we have seen play in person. In 2011, we saw them compete as an FCS program when we watched them fall to No. 5 Lehigh, 27-24. We also saw their HC Turner Gill play QB for Nebraska in the 1984 Kickoff Classic at The Meadowlands when they trounced Penn State 44-6 on their way to a national championship.

Time to update our record book. Click on Milestones.

Game 576: Rainey’s romp through rain sends FDU-Florham past Widener Pride, 21-17

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Rainey’s romp through rain sends FDU-Florham past Widener Pride, 21-17

Madison, NJ – A 59-yard TD burst a minute into the final period by Widener RB Johnny Bauer (24 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD) got bested by FDU on its next possession when WR Josh Rainey went “wildcat” and scampered 74 yards through the left side for the game-winning touchdown.  HC Brian Surace pulled QB Jagger Green (11 of 31, 142 yards, one TD) out after an ineffective play and inserted Rainey with three wide-outs to the right to open up the left side for the long jaunt.  Through the rain-soaked Friday night game, the two teams battled toe-to-toe. Most formidable for the Red Devils rose LB Isaiah Turner (Rockaway, NJ, Morris Hills HS). His 16 tackles including 10 solos, 3.5 for losses, two sacks, and an interception garnered him Middle Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week recognition.

 Records fall along with the rain

Some slips, slides, and dropped balls by for both teams paid a price in the pouring rain.  In the end, the Red Devils came up with their sixth win of the season.  In 44 years of FDU football, this mark was recorded for only the third time at Robert T. Shields Field on the Florham Park campus at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  One game still remains to complete their season (6-3, 4-3 MAC).  The victory also marked the first win by the Devils over the Pride in their 19th meeting.  WR Mike Panzarino (Fairfield, NJ West Essex HS) became FDU’s career-leader in both receptions (251) and receiving yards (2,991), as well as in his single-season receptions (92).  He tallied six receptions for 75 yards against the Pride in this game.

Pouring it on?

With ease, Widener scored on it’s first possession looking as if they could dominate through the air.  QB Mitch Vierling (13 for 25, 189 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) completed a 45-yard pass to Pat Downey at the FDU 14.  The next play resulted in a score between the same combo.  Later in the first, FDU tied it with a 31-yard pass from Jagger Green to Frank DiMattina. The two teams exchanged punts after that, but Widener PK Larry Eimer impressed Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley and me with a 52-yard FG.  On a windless but rainy night, he converted the score with ease.  He looked like a lock to sew up a Pride victory if called upon later in this game. The 10-7 Pride lead sustained through halftime.

Seesaw! Seesaw!

In the third period, Widener drove to the FDU 19 for what looked like an easy 36-yard attempt for Eimer once again.  Paul and I could not believe Surace declined a holding call to push back a possible attempt by Eimer again.  Blocked!  FDU recovered at their 42.  For that block and three tackles, DT Jose Caceres was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week.  After three downs, the Devils punted. On a very wet night, Bauer fumbled the punt away and FDU recovered at the Widener 11.  With Rainey under center (seven carries 113 yards, two TDS), he carried it across for the Devils from the one to take a 14-10 lead.

Bauer’s subsequent burst and Rainey’s long run to retake the lead ended the scoring for the evening.  Neither offense seriously threatened to score again.  Widener (4-5,4-3 MAC) took possession wit 2:25 and no time-outs left starting from their 38. Eimer’s leg was of no consequence down by four.  S Ryan Wilson, one of two Devil DBs who had dropped easy pick-offs earlier in this game, intercepted Vierling’s pass with 1:42 remaining.  FDU went into the victory formation to seal their sixth win of the season and a 3-2 home record for 2018.  The Devils prevailed, 21-17.

One week of regular season left in Division 3 football

Next Saturday, the last of the regular season for D-3, Widener travels to play No. 15 Delaware Valley (7-0, 8-1 MAC).  The Aggies lost to the Wesley Wolverines, 34-7, in their season opener.  FDU visits Stevenson seeking the program’s elusive chance at winning their seventh game in one season.  Stevenson, also a MAC member, boasts a 7-2, 6-1 MAC record.  Stevenson, a program that only started in 2011, fell to Del Val and No. 6 Frostburg State.  On Sunday, November 11, the parings for the “Mount Union Invitational” (D-3 championship) will be announced.

Next for CFF.com

CFF.com planned to travel to Amherst, Massachusetts the next morning to see the UMass Minutemen host the Liberty Flame.  Liberty joined the FBS this season as its 130th member.  Once again, we’ll have “seen ‘em all”.

 

 

 

 

Game 575: Slips, slides, and turnovers propel Rhode Island Rams in nor’easter over William and Mary, 21-10

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Slips, slides, and turnovers propel Rhode Island Rams in nor’easter over William and Mary, 21-10

Kingston, RI – On an afternoon when the rain never stopped, and the pigskin slipped out easily and cleats provided little traction, the Rhode Island Rams (5-3, 3-1 CAA) slogged victorious over the Tribe of William and Mary, 21-10.  Despite the elements including some gusty winds early, the temperature remained bearable for the few hundred fans (ATT: 1688?) who absorbed the rain for a sloppy but entertaining football game.

Well-prepared

Swaddled in decent rain gear, CFF.com left the camera, binoculars, and notepad in the car.  A decision protecting all of those that through a day of downpours required too much effort to put stuff away and take it back out.  Just grin and bear the weather, and we did.  The game turned out to be quite enjoyable and entertaining to watch.  The decision to stay local for this mud game overcame aspirations to head up to New Hampshire to watch Dartmouth host Harvard.

After the game, I went back to the car to get the camera to have some kind of confirmation I was officially at Meade Stadium on this date.

The Rams and the Tribe showed up to play a key CAA game for both on this day of heavy rains.  So even the backup plan to drive four hours to watch Syracuse play NC State in the great indoors of the Carrier Dome that evening didn’t transpire since these two didn’t’ reschedule to the following day.  The other two game options turned out to be good, competitive games, but so did this one with the weather factored in.  Glad we chose to attend!

The heavy rains and the mud dictated the quality of play which we thoroughly appreciated.  However, what made this game even better, there were no TV time-outs, no replays, no rain-soaked cheerleaders in rain gear, and no band music which we generally prefer over amped up music over the PA system.  Whoever pumped out the tunes in between plays chose a good mix that even this Baby-boomer could rock to.

A Throwback game

Basically, the two teams slugged it out in the mud and made the most of playing football in front of a few hundred people on each side of Meade Stadium as most stood, avoiding sitting on wet seats. The action on the field reminded me of years past when all games were contested on real grass or even less with small stones and the elements from above mixed in.  It reminded me of games played with friends after school in the rain at the local school field or in backyards.

It also brought back memories of one of our high school games where we played in a driving rainstorm in mud puddles ankle deep. I came up gagging with a mouth and nose full of muck after a sliding tackle.  The turf at Rhode Island held up significantly better than my old high school field used by three levels of high school football teams, a local Catholic school, and a semi-pro football team known as the Boonton (NJ) Bears.  I digress, but this game turned out to be as close as any game attended in recent decades even close to those long ago, but fond memories.

Nasty game conditions

The first score of this game indicated the very conditions throughout. William & Mary starting QB Ted Hefter had trouble gripping the ball (3 for 7, 13 yards, two INTs) on all his passes.  He pushed his passes as opposed to throwing them.  On the Tribe’s second possession, he got picked by URI S Branyan Castillo who started to race toward the end zone on the Tribe’s 30.  However, Tribe RB Nate Evans swiped the ball from him with one hand easily and raced 71 yards for a William & Mary TD to lead, 7-0.  Evans led the Tribe rushing attack this day with 41 yards. His 71-yard TD scamper was credited as a fumble return.

Later in the first, Rhody punted from midfield.  The return man haphazardly ran back toward his goal line to try to catch it, but it fell through his grasp and rolled into the end zone.  URI DB Momodon Mbye recovered for the Rams to knot the score. On W&M’s next offensive series, Hefter fired the ball right into the gut of Ram DL James Makszin to put Rhody right at the Tribe’s 17.  The Rams’ Naim Jones (37 carries for 152 yards and one TD) scored on a one-yard run for a 14-7 lead.  Another Tribe fumble on the subsequent kickoff return put URI back on offense at the Tribe 29.   The Rams could only muster a CJ Carrick FG attempt as the thud of a waterlogged-sounding ball missed wide left. The score stood 14-7 with Rhode Island leading at the half.

Second half much like the first

In the third, William & Mary HC Jimmye Laycock finally decided he’d seen enough of Hefter’s inability to grip the ball and replaced him with Shon Mitchell.  The Tribe converted a 34-yard FG by Kris Hooper after the switch to cut the Ram lead, 14-10.  With 1:53 left in the third, for one play the Rams overcame the elements as Rhody QB Vito Priore (7 for 12, 94 yards, one TD) got most of his passing yardage on a strike to WR Aaron Parker who caught the wet ball in stride and kept his feet for a 67-yard touchdown.

In the final period, the teams played to a scoreless stalemate.  Hooper’s 34-yard FG attempt came up short. The teams exchanged punts.  The Rams forced five turnovers during this game from the Tribe.  The last one resulted in a fumble by Mitchell who set up to pass, brought the ball back, and I saw it fall to the ground where DL Andre Bibeault recovered for the Rams.  Maszkin got credit for a forced fumble in the box score, but I didn’t see it that way.   Starting at the Tribe 18, URI could not score.  With a first and goal at the two, William and Mary held them for a goal line stand.  Mitchell, faring not much better than Hefter (2 for 8, 51 yards, one INT), went long and was intercepted by DB Brian Campbell.  With 42 ticks left, URI ran out the clock.

We’d do it again

Game 575 did not paint a pretty picture, but it turned out to be fun, entertaining, inexpensive, and fast (about 2:53 time-wise).  What more could a real football fan want considering the weather?  Oh, by the way, no one attended the booth to sell tickets. I feel obligated to send a donation to the URI football program at least.

Next!

The Tribe (3-5, 2-3 CAA) stay on the road next Saturday at Villanova who stands at 3-5 but 0-5 in the CAA this season. Rhode Island travels to Elon (5-2, 3-1) for an important game for FCS playoff consideration.  After that, they face another stiff challenge when they face James Madison sitting atop the CAA at 6-2, 4-1.  These can make or break the improved Rams’ season.

For CFF.com, we go back for D-3 game when FDU-Florham hosts Widner in a MAC game.  FDU sits at 5-2.  Not sure if the Red Devils have ever posted more than five wins in a season, but we’re going to see if it happens this Friday night any way.  On Saturday, we head up to Amherst, MA to see UMass (3-5) host first year FCS member Liberty (4-3) in an all-Independent FBS game.  We register Liberty as our 130th FBS team to say we’ve still “seem ‘em all!” Looking at the scores of these two teams over this season, this should be a high-scoring game. This will depend on UMass QB Ford being healthy enough to play though.

The Rhode Island scoreboard was turned off when I came back, but the field definitely needed repair.

Extra point:

W&M HC Jimmye Laycock announced his retirement from his alma mater after this season.  He started as HC for the Tribe in 1980 and has a record as of now at 248-194-2.  We’ve seen his teams in action starting with the Tribe against Temple back in 1981.  We’ve seen his team mostly on the road having seen them compete against Princeton, Delaware (2X), Villanova, and now URI.  The one home game we attended in Williamsburg was the only time we ever saw VMI play (52-14 Tribe win). His record in our history is 2-5.  The most memorable game we’d seen of his resulted in a 38-28 win over Princeton at old Palmer Stadium when his team ended up at No. 16 in the nation in the 1985 1-AA poll.

He’s taken the Tribe to 10 CAA titles. His coach at W&M his senior year was none other than Lou Holtz.  Jimmye has had quite a great history and I’ve known and met some people who played for him over the years.  He’s a real tribute to the profession of college coaching. We wish him much happiness in his retirement after a stellar career coaching and mentoring student-athletes at such a great school.

 

Game 574: BC Eagles soar to No. 24 in win over Miami Hurricanes, 27-14

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BC Eagles soar to No. 24 in win over Miami Hurricanes, 27-14

Chestnut Hill, MA – Boston College RB AJ Dillon returned from an ankle injury and the Eagle defense held the Miami Hurricanes to 305 offensive yards to win their traditional Red Bandana game against their dominant foe of many years since the famous, Flutie pass, 27-14.  Dillon ran for 149 yards on 32 carries for one TD.  BC converted two interceptions by its defense in the third period into scores to “ice” the win and jump into the AP polls this past weekend.

Pre-game surprise

Our plan for Collegefootballfan.com called for a Friday/Saturday double header New England weekend.  Before the Friday night game at a brief tailgate after a five-hour drive through Providence, RI and through the burbs of Boston to take the Green Line on the “T” into Chestnut Hill, I met up with Boston College Eagle die-hards Dave and John.  Good friends with BC stalwart Bob “Pops” LeBlanc, they heat up the tailgate grills whether Pop shows up or not.  Pops could not be available this evening to watch his beloved alma mater perform on the gridiron.  However, one of his very respected fellow alumni showed up to for a brief improvisation with the band entertaining in the small grassy lot adjacent to our tailgate.  You never know who you may run into at these games.

Former BC QB and College Football Hall of Famer stepped up and played drums with the band in the space to us for a song before the game.

Let’s get this Friday night party really started

The Eagles forced the Hurricanes to punt after their first possession taking over on their 12.  BC didn’t waste time and tested Dillon’s ankle right away.  He ripped off 25 yards on the first play for a big shot of confidence for both himself and his teammates.  BC’s initial drive culminated with QB Anthony Brown firing a nine-yard scoring pass to WR Jeff Smith for the early 7-0 BC lead.  Miami’s DeeJay Dallas returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the BC 44.  Malik Rosier’s 13-yard scoring pass near the left pylon to Darrell Langham evened the score quickly.   Leading his team’s next drive starting from the 23, Brown rolled right eventually down at the Miami five, but then cut quickly to his left to outrace the Cane defenders to the left side to regain the lead for BC, 14-7.

No. 6 WR Jeff Smith makes the catch to carry the ball over for the first BC score of the game.

The Eagles (6-2, 3-1) marched into Hurricane territory advancing into the second period.  Miami stopped BC finally at the three where Colton Lichthenberg booted a 21-yarder to extend the home team lead by three. Williams started the next Hurricane possession with his return out to the 36.   This time, he finished what he started with a ten-yard TD run.  Both defenses prevented any more scoring before halftime with the Eagles enjoying a 17-14 advantage.

Miami WR Darrell Langham nears end zone on his way to a Miami score in the first period.

BC’s Red Bandana

BC celebrated its traditional Red Bandana Game several ways this evening.  Each fan received a red bandana on the way into Alumni Stadium.  BC Eagle players wore them, donned red bandana stickers on their helmets or had them sewn into other parts of their uniforms.  The celebration pays tribute to the late Boston College ’99 alum and lacrosse player Welles Crowther.

The BC Dance Team performs with their Red Bandanas in hand in honor of Welles Crowther and their No. 22 jerseys in honor of Doug Flutie.

On 9/11, working as an equities trader on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center, he reportedly saved a dozen lives at least while giving up his own.  A volunteer fire fighter since the age of 16, he appeared through smoke to injured and frightened workers trapped wearing his red bandana to protect himself from smoke and dust.  At BC, friends knew him to always carry his red bandana while playing lacrosse.  His parents, Jefferson and Alison, waved from the field on this night as the stadium crowed of 41,892 honored his memory with a standing ovation. It does so traditionally every year since 2002.  To learn more about Welles’ story, click here.

Bringing back Memories

Also between periods, the University honored BC football teams from 1983 and 1993.  Doug Flutie, QB, broadcaster, and drummer, was introduced with the team of ’83, his junior season.  He tossed a few footballs into the cheering student sections.  CFF.com never had the opportunity to see this Flutie play for the Eagles.  We did see his brother Darren play TE for Brown against Princeton in 1982.   In 2008, we saw his nephew throw a TD pass for a score as a holder for the Eagles on a fake FG when the BC beat Maryland, 28-21. However, because of Doug Flutie’s success in 1984 – 10-2 record, Cotton Bowl win, Heisman Trophy, “Hail Mary” to Phelan against Miami – we added Boston College to our goal the following season. They opened the season against BYU in the Kickoff Classic.  Not the same without Doug as they lost that evening, 28-14.

The 1993 team introduced later featured QB Glen Foley who tossed a ball without as much fanfare being a former New York Jet among New England Patriot fans.  His BC team finished 9-3 winning a Block Buster Bowl over Virginia.  I did see this team defeat Rutgers at The Meadowlands that season, 31-21, with St. Laurie sharing our then six-month old daughter, Alex, on our laps attending her first of many college football games to come. Time flies!

Cane RB DeeJay Dallas enroute to TD run in Q2.

Turnovers equal points

In the third period, a Rosier pass got intercepted by DB Hamp Cheevers who returned it 23 yards to the Miami 14.  The Hurricane defense held tight and Lichtenberg’s number got called once again to convert a 23-yard FG.  The ensuing kickoff was mishandled by Dallas and bounced off his foot to start Miami at the three-yard line. Passing from the ten, Rosier (18 for 35, 149 yards, one TD, two INTs) fired, the ball got tipped up and batted around by several players until DB Taj-Amir Torres tucked it under his arm to put the Eagles at the Canes’ 14.  Dillon took care of business from there on the first play to extend the BC lead, 27-14.

Miami DB Romeo Finley breaks up pass intended for BC TE Tommy Sweeney.

Final Countdown

Neither team scored in the fourth period, but not due to lack of effort.  Miami drove to the BC three where Rosier misfired on a fourth down.  BC took 7:15 off the clock ending a drive where Lichtenberg missed wide on a 44-yard attempt. On the subsequent Miami possession, Rosier came up short on a fourth and ten with an eight-yard run.  BC took over on downs and punted after three plays.  Miami turned the ball over on downs again as Rosier’s pass fell incomplete.  BC ran out the clock with 1:50 to take the win.  The Eagle victory was sweet not only in honor of Red Bandana night for Welles Crowther, but for only the fourth time in their last 22 meetings did the Eagles defeat the Canes.

Where’s Doug Flutie now?

Next!

Expectations for Miami under HC Mark Richt were high before this season started. They next host Duke (5-3, 1-3 ACC). BC travels to Blacksburg, VA to take on the Hokies of VA Tech (4-3,3-1) also much less than expected at this point of the season (and an upset loss to Old Dominion no less).  The Eagles can’t afford to look beyond VT though.  When they return home the week after, they will be getting ready for now No. 2 Clemson.  Clemson’s last two regular season losses came at the hands of two other other former Big East members on the road – Pittsburgh in 2016 and Syracuse last year.  Can HC Steve Addazio and his BC Eagles provide the old Big East charm again this year at Chestnut Hill?

TE Tommy Sweeney (Ramsey, NJ, Bergen Catholic) carries reception for a BC first down.

Passing Winds

The Miami Hurricanes left behind no damages in Boston. Now with a nor’easter headed to New England on Saturday, CFF.com decided to play it by ear and considered some options for game schedule flexibility.  The original Lehigh at Holy Cross idea to attend our first game ever in historic Worcester got turned aside due to lack of interest.  The two teams with poor, losing records appear headed for nowhere.  However, several other interesting options came to light.

Harvard at Dartmouth in a key Ivy League battle? William and Mary at URI, two teams hanging in the balance from the Colonial Athletic for a playoff bid? Or, if games in the area get postponed until Sunday, we figure we’ll drive four hours out to Syracuse, NY where the Orange play 6-1 NC State in another ACC battle we can attend at 7 p.m.  We give competitive games our priority unless we are adding a new team in our Goal to “see ‘em all.” Let’s see…

Extra Points

Boston College is now 9-7 in the annals of our History.  Miami fell to 7-2 with its second straight loss in our history with them.  We hadn’t seen them since the season opener of 2011 when the fell at Maryland, 32-24.  Al Golden debuted as HC for the Canes that night and has moved on to the pros since.

BC Pom-poms during pre-game performance.

 

 

Game 573: King leads Houston over Navy, 49-36

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King leads Houston over Navy, 49-36

Annapolis – Navy outscored Houston in the first half of this American Athletic West clash, 24-21, but QB D’Eriq King led Houston to four second half touchdowns to sink Navy (2-5, 1-3), 49-36.  Navy’s secondary gave plenty of cushion to the Cougar receiving corps and showed a lack of quickness and speed in coverage to defend adequately.  Overall, the defense tackled poorly. Many times, Midshipman defenders played out of position.  Our Guest Game Analyst Jay Bechtel called it during our pre-game tailgate featuring Alex’s meat-off-the-bone /melt-in-your-mouth BBQ ribs, Frank’s Italian sausage sandwiches, and Brian’s traditionally great Old Bay chicken wings on top of assorted beers accumulated over previous tailgates this season by all of us including the son of Natty Bo, Navy Al.  Boy, was Jay right on the money when he said, “Navy will have to score 50 points to win today.”  He called it!  Houston tallied exactly 49.

U of H QB D’Eriq King rolls right at the start of a big day passing against Navy.

King led the Cougars back from a 24-14 deficit starting in the first half leading the Cougars to 35 straight unanswered points.  Houston (6-1,3-0 AAC) has scored 41 points or more in its last seven games. Yet they still haven’t cracked the Top 25.  Their lone loss came against Texas Tech, 63-49.

Talk about wide-open 

Completing 25 of 38 passes for 413 yards and three TD passes, King threw for 100 yards or more to three receivers – Marquez Stevenson, Keith Corbin, and Courtney Lack.  They are good no doubt, but the Navy secondary gave them all too much room to be open most to the game.  USNA does not get the speediest nor quickest defensive backs at this level of college football.  These players are bound for a profession beyond pro football.  However, it shows more this season in particular.

Houston WR Marquez Stevenson (5) makes catch in the wide open for a big Cougar gain.

 Navy starts out strong

Navy started scoring early and often to show Jay knew what he was talking about.  Since we last watched Navy here against Lehigh, HC Ken Niumatalolo switched Mason Perry to a slotback position from QB, and he inserted his most accurate passer, Garrett Lewis, as his starting QB.   Despite the change, Perry threw a 43-yard completion on a scoring drive on an option pass, and former starter Zach Abey came in to score a TD from the three.  However, the defense left big buffers for the Cougar receivers and just couldn’t match the speed of the Cougar RBs or WRs when they advanced beyond the front seven and into the secondary.  Houston closed the scoring in the first half on a two-play drive culminating in a 65-yard TD pass to Lark to trail, 24-21.

USNA’s Bill the Goat had a lot to celebrate during the first half. Not so much in the second.

Here come the Cougars

Houston started its comeback in the third on a 14-yard scoring pass to TE Romello Booker to take the lead, 28-24.  Marquez Stevenson extended the Cougar score with a one-yard run on a reverse.  The Cougar defense shut down the Mids thanks to some big hits among 21 by ILB Austin Robinson, the second-most in AAC history. His performance including 4 ½ tackles for loss and two sacks earned him co-Defensive Player of the Week honors in the American Athletic.  King earned the Offensive Player of the Week accolades.

AAC Defensive player of the Week LB Austin Robinson (22) and All-American candidate DT Ed Oliver (10) track down Navy ball carrier.

Houston continued to run rampant in the final quarter.  King and Corbin polished off a 54-yard drive with a two-yard TD pass.  DB Nick Watkins put up the final six with a 50-yard INT return.  Houston overwhelmed the Mids.  Up 49-24 however, Houston felt the wrath of Navy not quitting.   The Midshipman played tough and hard until the end closing with Miles Fells 14-yard TD run as 1:58 remained.  They scored again with :06 on a pass from Lewis to Taylor Jackson, but of course, it was too little, too late to get to the 50-points Jay predicted they would need.  Final score: Houston 49 Navy 36.

Navy QB Garrett Lewis pitches to SB Tazh Maloy (25) on the option.

Next week

Houston might have a chance to crack the Top 25 next week as it hosts No. 21 South Florida at TDECU Stadium.  Navy (2-5,1-3) plays No. 3 Notre Dame in San Diego where there will be large navy contingent from both Navy and Marine Corps bases in the area.  After that, Navy’s challenge to turn around their season will still be difficult.  After the Irish, they travel to 6-1 Cincinnati who just fell to Temple to drop out of the rankings.  Then the travel to Orlando to meet No. 10 and undefeated Central Florida who currently owns the nation’s longest winning streak.  The Mids’ work is cut out to say the least.

WR Courtney Lack (9) was one of three Houston receivers to gain 100 yards in this game.

Two more coming up, but where?

Up next for CFF.com is another Friday/Saturday double header weekend.  The Miami Hurricanes (5-2, 2-1 ACC) visit the Boston College Eagles (5-2, 2-1) in Chestnut Hill on Friday evening.  RB AJ Dillon has been out with an ankle injury the last two weeks for BC.  On Saturday, we’re up in the air with two choices. Originally, our plan was to see Lehigh vs.  Holy Cross to see a Crusaders home game for the first time.  However, both teams struggle mightily this year so we’ve decided to see a game of significance in New England instead.  We’ll decide now between Harvard (3-3, 1-2) visiting No. 20 Dartmouth (6-0, 3-0), or a Colonial Athletic battle between Rhode Island (4-3, 2-2) who just fell out of the FCS Top 25 and William & Mary (3-4, 2-2).  We’ll weigh different factors and probably mull it over on the way to Boston on Friday.  Check back here next week to see what we decide.

CFF.com returns to Annapolis on Oct. 17 for the Mids’ final home game of 2019 when they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

 

 

Game 572: “Headdy” Lamar leads Yale past Penn, 23-10

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“Headdy” Lamar leads Yale past Penn, 23-10

Philadelphia – Yale RB Alan (“Headdy”, as dubbed by Guest Game Analyst Brian Donnelly) Lamar rushed for 179 yards and two TDs as the Bulldogs scored early, and their defense held Penn in check throughout the game on a comfortable, Friday night here, 23-10.  GGA Brain Donnelly and I enjoyed the historical aura attending a game again at Franklin Field built in 1895, oldest in college football.  However, it disappointed us to see so few in attendance at this game in the cavernous, historic building which provides over 58,000 seats for a sell-out crowd.

Just about all the Yale fans who made it to Franklin Field last Friday evening.

Friday night fandom

Despite Parents Weekend at Penn, a Friday night televised game keeps many of the even most dedicated fans from both schools away.  Friday night travel and the lack of any space for tailgating tends to keep even the most dedicated at home supposedly more comfortable watching their games on television.  As CFF.com always says, “Get off the couch and go to a game!”  Scheduling of games on any other days of the week except for Saturdays and the convenience of flipping among channels on the remote tends to catch the most competitive game make this effort more and more difficult.

It’s disappointing to see school spirit at college games waning because of these modern changes, especially since just about every game played is on television.  To us, the void of an interactive crowd deadens the aura of even watching a game on TV.  In the end though, it’s not all about the money.  It’s ALL about the TV money.

The Penn Band says “Hi!” to everyone watching from the home stands and at home.

Let the game begin

Lamar took the handoff on the first play from scrimmage and raced 47 yards to Penn’s 28.  QB Kurt Rawlings delivered six points with a four-yard TD run.  He hit TE Quinn Dawson with a pass for a two-point conversion and a very quick 3-0 lead.  With the aid of a beautiful, one-handed catch fall backwards by RB Karekin Brooks to keep Penn’s first drive alive, Jack Soslow converted a 23-yard FG to get the Quakers on the scoreboard trailing, 8-3.  In a tell-tale sign that this could be a romp, Lamar burst around the left side for a 47-yard touchdown.  In our experience, if a team scores TDs the first two times it has possession, it most likely will lead to a blow-out. We waited to see what would happen.

QB Kurt Rawlings (6) takes it in from the four for Yale’s early lead on their first possession.

In the second frame, neither team mounted any offense until right before halftime. Starting a drive from the 50, Rawlings handed off to Lamar on the final play of the drive for a two-yard TD with 44 seconds left.  Penn blocked the point after and Yale wasn’t blowing Penn out, but its lead at the half looked comfortable at 21-3.  Penn QB Ryan Oliver looked inefficient since the first scoring drive. The Quaker offense punted the ball four times since the FG without a first down.

RB Alan Lamar follows his blocking through the Penn Quaker defense.

The Voice of the (Penn) Fan

Brian and I met one of Penn’s most avid sports fans, Dave from Oreland, PA, as we sat in the first row in the upper deck near the 50-yard line of venerable Franklin Field.  He’s been disappointed in Quaker football (4-2, 1-2) so far this year and misses the days when his alma mater played near the top of the Ivy League standings back in the ‘80s and ‘90’s.  The Penn Quakers won ten of their 17 Ivy League football championships during those decades.  Three times during that stretch, UPenn put together three undefeated seasons overall.

In regards to the lack of attendance, he said most of those who remember those great seasons just can’t make it back any more.  He said on average, about 20,000 people would make it to the games back then.  Now maybe a game will attract about half that many.  We also noted that there are not any great spots to tailgate in the congested area where new construction shows signs of great progress, but no open space for traditional tailgate get-togethers.

The Penn Band performs in a pregame party area adjacent to Franklin Field before the game.

More Dave

I asked what he thought about Penn playing their final game of the season against nearby rival Princeton about 40 miles away to start a new tradition this season.  Penn always played Cornell in their finale while Princeton finished traditionally with Dartmouth.  He stated that they way Penn has been playing and with Princeton blowing its opponents away every week so far, he just didn’t think too many Penn fans would show much interest despite the opposition now being a more natural rivalry.  Princeton hosts this year’s “new tradition”.  He stated attendance will most likely depend on how may Tiger fans would decide to show up.

I was looking for a feel for what it meant to end the season with a better rivalry, but Dave focused more on the season at hand.   Too bad, we hope that the new rivalry finishing the ten-game season for both universities would start to stir an even bigger interest in this season finale. It interests us to see if the game will draw more school spirit to heat this rivalry up some more to the level of The Game, Harvard-Yale.

These Penn cheerleaders hope to bring some fans with them from Philly when the Quakers head to Princeton to end their season with a new tradition.

Getting off on the wrong foot

Penn started the second half with another three and out.  Yale drove near the red zone, but Rawlings (11 of 14, 137 yards) left the game on a cart with a leg injury. He never returned into action, but he returned to the sideline with a boot on his lower leg later.  Fellow Soph Jimmy Cheek took over for him.  Yale drove the ball down to the one-yard line where it faced a fourth and one.  HC Tony Reno opted to go for six, and everyone knew who would get the football.  Sure enough, Lamar attempted a leap over the left side of his line.  He got smacked by OLB Zach Evans who popped the ball out resulting in a fumble recovery by Penn on their own one.

Ball pops loose after Zach Evans’ hit to stop Alan Lamar at the one where Penn recovered.

Quakers show their Oats

The first play for Penn resulted in a reverse call of a fumble that got ruled incomplete instead.  Glover completed six of seven passes tossing the last one nine yards for a TD to WR Steve Farrell (Pascack Valley HS, NJ) with 3:37 left in the third.  Later in the third with Penn taking a punt at its nine, a bad snap from center, one of several by Penn this evening, rolled around in the end zone until recovered for a safety. Yale led at the end of three, 23-10.

WR Steve Farrell (19) advances to the nine-yard line before his score.

Comeback- not!

Cheek (5 of 8 passing, 59 yards) could not muster much offense for the Bulldogs.  In the fourth, Glover (16 of 31, 274 yards, 1 TD) hit Farrell with a short pass from the one and he rambled 87 yards to the Yale 12 to suddenly threaten to get within six.  However, Penn stalled and turned the ball over on downs again, and Yale proceeded to run out the clock.

Sub QB Jimmy Cheek (19) fires ball to wide open Lamar (5) for a Yale gain in final period.

Dave had already left to catch his train back home to the suburbs.  We could tell what he was talking about.  Penn’s offense doesn’t look like it can generate a passing game to keep up with high-flying Princeton offense under QB John Lovett when they meet in their grand finale.  Hopefully though, the fans should be there to help stir up this rivalry.

Next!

Yale heads to New York City next to take on Columbia (3-3, 0-3). Penn visits Brown (1-5, 0-3) in Providence, RI next Saturday.  We plan to be in nearby Kingston, RI then also to see William and Mary face Rhode Island in a Colonial Athletic battle for a playoff bid.  But before we do that, we left Philly that evening to head down to Annapolis to see Navy take on No. 23 Houston. We also plan to attend another Friday night game next week as well.

“Toast to Penn!” Note the slices on the ground.     A tradition since the 70’s between the third and final periods at Franklin Field.