New Mexico State defeats Middle Tennessee: Bye week to make plans for championship games

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Murfreesboro, TN – “The best-laid plans of Mice and Men” did not pan out for us the weekend to see New Mexico State defeat MTSU in our final game in nearby Murfreesboro this season, 36-21. Just as well. We watched games on TV and started making plans for upcoming championship games. NMSU (3-8, 2-5) and MTSU (3-8, 2-5) met basically for no more than pride.

FCS ready to go!

Montana State, seen here after their opening day victory at New Mexico, finished No. 1 in the nation at the Football Championships Subdivision (FCS) level. Now we look to sort these things out at the Football Bowl Subdivision level (FBS).

Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM's University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory. They landed at No. 1 in the FCS with a 12-0 record. They get a bye next Saturday on Week One of the championship playoffs.
Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM’s University Stadium after their last-minute 35-31 victory. They landed at No. 1 in the FCS with a 12-0 record. They get a bye next Saturday on Week One of the championship playoffs.

Between spider bites and exposure to some recent colder weather, the doctor prescribed some medicines better for hanging around the house this weekend and watching games on TV. Everything is fine otherwise, and we’re ready to get back on the road in action again next Friday. Besides, we got to see a lot of significant games on the tube Saturday to see how our plans for post season championship games may shake out. Also, we’ve basically decided to get Western Kentucky tickets next season instead of Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders just don’t generate much excitement in these parts.

For the third year in a row, we attended the MTSU Blue Raiders meet the WKU Hilltoppers. The Hilltoppppers have won all three. We skipped this year as we mad other plans. WKy defientlty has a better coolege game day atmosphere. Going to more games there next season.
For the three years in a row, we attended the MTSU Blue Raiders meet the WKU Hilltoppers. The Hilltoppers have won all three. We skipped this year as we made other plans. WKU definitely has a better college game day atmosphere. Going to more games there next season.

Sorry SEC, you’re just another conference

The media can say all they want to about SEC dominance. However, here’s our observation. SEC teams this season have lost more games against Power Fours than they’ve won. They also lost to some Group of Fives, and then the real joke is that they all play an FCS team for a guaranteed blow-out. Even in the next to last game before heading into a rivalry game. Like some kind of glorified practice for a so-called eleventh game of the year. Check out all 2024 FBS schedules and results by clicking right here. To find twelve teams to play in the new championship games format, we see only three SEC teams among 15 in total with only two losses or less. And one is guaranteed another loss in the SEC championship game.

Notre Dame, USC, Miami (F.), Arizona State, California, Oklahoma State, Toledo, and Georgia State all defeated SEC schools this year. The best SEC win in 2024 thus far was Georgia over Clemson in the season opener. No other team that SEC teams have defeated from beyond are no better than a mediocre 6-5 record. Most have losing records. SEC non-conference games still remain to be played against Clemson (hot South Carolina looks to be a wild card with only 3 losses to make it); Georgia Tech visits Georgia; Louisville at Kentucky; and Florida State hosting hot Florida. Most all can imagine what FSU will do no matter what FBS team they would play this weekend. Matter of fact, funny thing, their only FBS win came against aforementioned California who defeated Auburn.

QB LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina picks up a first down in their win over Vanderbilt. We attended Georgia's win over Auburn a few weeks before. The Gamecocks impressed us more on both sides of the football this day in their 24-7 win.
QB LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina picks up a first down in their win over Vanderbilt. We attended Georgia’s win over Auburn a few weeks before. The Gamecocks impressed us more on both sides of the football this day in their 24-7 win.

So, these look like championship schedules?

If you look at two of Bama’s SEC losses, these came against two 6-5 teams in Vanderbilt and Oklahoma – 3-4 and 2-5 in SEC play, respectively. Tennesse wins came over FCS UT Chattanooga (7-5), winless Kent State and 2-9 UTEP. Their one P4 foe, NC State (5-6), still has to qualify for a bowl bid this weekend against rival UNC. We can continue to dissect the reasons here, but in the final analysis, the SEC is no different than any other conference. They have strong teams at the top, mediocre teams in the middle and bad ones at the bottom. When they play against conference foes, one team wins and the other loses. Just like every other conference.

Consideration should only encompass looking at comparable, non-conference competition across conferences to consider relative strengths of schedules. There are far too many, but the SEC teams insist on playing four non-conference games. Traditionally, most play only one other Power Four. Recruiting analyses nor previous season histories can be considered, especially with many the players now in transfer portal modes. These should not be used to determine teams to play for national championship games in a current year. In this summary, no dominance is displayed by the SEC as opposed to the other college football conferences. In reality, it’s probably more equal than it’s ever been at most amongst the Power Four. The SEC deserves four teams in the CFP this season, and no more.

Regarding Notre Dame

The Irish get lambasted for their all-non-conference schedules even when they have good ones. At least they are guaranteed five P4’s when it comes to playing contracted ACC schools every year. Generally, they play two to three Big Ten teams, and for the first time only in 2023, they played an FCS school, Tennessee State. USC and Stanford play them annually. Until this year, no SEC teams appeared on their regular season slate since Georgia in 2019 until Texas A &M stepped up. The Fighting Irish won in College Station, and they will play again next year in South Bend. They’ll play at Arkansas two weeks after that. It’s about time. What will be said about their strength of schedule then? After that, the Irish have open dates looking to be filled. Will other SEC teams inquire?

Note that this past week’s game playing Army came about because Tennessee cancelled a date to play Army at home. Also, note that Tennesse hosted 2-9 UTEP instead. Was there a fear that the Vols wouldn’t have enough time to prepare to play against Army’s triple -option? An offense that they rarely see? Oklahoma may have warned them about this as a new fellow SEC member. In 2018, the eventual 12-2 Sooners just got by Army in Norman that season with a 28-21 win. The Cadets might have put Tennessee at risk for their potential championship season in 2024.

Fighting Irish RB Jeriymiah Love evades Navy MLB Kyle Jacobs (43) for ND's 7-0 lead in first quarter.
Fighting Irish RB Jeriymiah Love evades Navy MLB Kyle Jacobs (43) for ND’s 7-0 lead in first quarter. The Irish had their game on against both Army and Navy this season.

The rest of our season

This Friday, our regular season ends with a whimper and not a bang. Our family Thanksgiving feast in Orlando this year has only one contest at any level within striking distance to attend. For our 707th game, we’ll settle in to see two 2024 teams going nowhere in the post season. On Friday, two Big XII teams, Central Florida and Utah, come in with 4-7 records. Many expected better from both. We watched Utah battle Iowa State Saturday night on TV hoping to see a fifth win to give them an incentive for this Friday’s game, but it didn’t happen. The Utes continued on their disappointing, seven-game losing streak. We’ll go for the experience and enjoy a warmer game than we have over the past few weeks. And digest our Thanksgiving dinner.

Things are falling into place for Championship weekends

We kept our options open to see the Amercian Athletic or Conference USA championship available for Friday, December 6. For the AAC, things went as expected this weekend. Notre Dame clobbered Army, 49-14. The loss didn’t impact Army’s stature atop the AAC with their 7-0 record intact. They and Tulane (9-2, 7-0) are both in first. On Thursday, Tulane hosts Memphis (9-2, 5-2). On Saturday, UT-San Antonio (6-5, 4-3) visits West Point. Even if both Army and Tulane lose, they will meet for the AAC championship on December 6. Right now, the Green Wave ranks No. 18. Army fell to No. 25. Whichever ranks higher after next week even with 8-0 records will host this championship game. We hope they play at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. We haven’t been there yet!

Decisions, decisions

Our second championship option as mentioned above rests with the Conference USA. Jacksonville State sits by itself in first (8-3, 7-0). From there, the championship game they would host at Burgess-Snow Field would be against one of two with 5-2 conference records. Next Saturday, JSU visits Western Kentucky (7-4, 5-2). Liberty (8-2, 5-2) visits Sam Houston State (8-3, 5-2). The Championship Games schedule reports that the winner of Sam Houston and Liberty will go to face Jacksonville even if WKU defeats JSU this Saturday. It’s been determined evidently that the winner between SHSU and Liberty will have the best overall record (nine wins), to qualify to play in the championship. Sam Houston remains an FBS team to be added to our history. In addition, their Head Coach, K.C. Keeler played Linebacker for Delaware in Game #1 starting our overall history in 1979! So, there is a tinge of nostalgia here to be considered. We’ll decide once all the results are in next week.

The Jacksonville State backfield tandem of QB Tyler Huff (6) and RB Tre Stewart shown here, combined for eight TD runs against Kennesaw in our 693rd game since 1979.
The Jacksonville State backfield tandem of QB Tyler Huff (6) and RB Tre Stewart shown here, combined for eight TD runs against Kennesaw this season. They’ll be ready for whomever then meet in the CUSA Championship Game.

Oh, and by the way, on that Saturday, somewhere between Lafayette, Louisiana and Savannah, Georgia, the Sun Belt Championship will be played. We always like these two-fer trips. We may have to take these into consideration as well. Maybe even better, No. 7 Mercer (10-2) of the FCS and champion of the Southern Conference will host the winner of Rhode Island (10-2) and Central Connecticut (7-5) in a second-round game. We always enjoy attending FCS playoff games. We haven’t been to one in a while. Fun games!

CFP Football Playoff Announcements: Blowing a lot of Smoke

It makes no sense to us as to why they present these shows weeks in advance of the only announcement that counts – after all games are finalized on December 8. Finally with all their data, bias and back-door negotiations, The Selection Committe has locked up its final bracket. Then, let the articulating games begin then. Up until then, it’s much ado about nothing. Teams play games every week subsequent to these shows. Like Yogi Berra said more than half a century ago, “It ain’t over till it’s over.“

Some teams will lose, and some others will win. The only thing these shows provide is more revenue for the network. Each week, what is discussed is of no value. Until December 8, unless you want to listen to a bunch of adults argue about their wishful thoughts and questionable assumptions, tune in and watch commercials to determine what insurance you need to buy, what cars you want for Christmas or what beer to run out and buy.

Can’t start soon enough after Selection Sunday

On December 8, the real crying and screaming starts! Did anyone think this would end with expansion from four teams to twelve? No way! Look at what happens after 68 teams enter the NCAA basketball tournament. The good thing with b-ball is that the games start several days later, and we get to see what actually happens quickly. The problem with football is that we’ll have to listen to the grumbling for an entire week. Let the games begin! Please!!!

In other Championship Game news

With Penn State’s 26-25 win over Minnesota on Saturday, they remain at No. 4 in the nation. They still have one game remaining this weekend in State College against Maryland (4-7, 1-7). With Oregon and Ohio State currently ahead of the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten standings, it looks likely one of them will get the first-round bye in the 12-team CFP format. The four top conference winners will await the four winners of first round games to be held on campuses of the next four highest seeds. If Michigan, however, surprises Ohio State at The Horseshoe this weekend, PSU could play Oregon for the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis. If this doesn’t happen, it appears Penn State gets an opening round home game the weekend of December 20-21 at Beaver Stadium (we hope it’s not the Friday night slot!). We hope to be there. And on January 9, we’re headed to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Lakes for the CFP semi-finals. We’re getting into the championship spirit already! Keep coming back to enjoy our ride!

Edited by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Please click on to the title to purchase this book about our wonderful, fun, unique story and about the changes that are currently taking place impacting our great game of college football. Read it and submit a review for us. Thanks!

Buckeyes and Nittany Lions could meet again in the 2024 CFP for the Championship.
Buckeyes and Nittany Lions could meet again in the 2024 CFP for the Championship.

Ohio U. Bobcats down Toledo Rockets, 24-7, hunting MAC championship

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Toledo, OH – A delayed, elusive running game led by QB Parker Novarro who rushed or 104 yards and two TDs and Anthony Tyus III who rambled for 110 yards and a score, put away the Toledo Rockets, 24-7. Trailing into the second half, 7-0, the Ohio U. Bobcats eventually responded. Focus finally fell on capturing a bid for the Mid American Championship game in Detroit on December 7.

For collegefootballfan.com, this game secured several records for us in this well-traveled season of 2024. This continues as our 45th since starting on this adventure in 1979. This evening, we set our single-season record for most new college football stadiums attended in one season – 12. The Glass Bowl of Toledo became our 98th FBS venue we attended to watch a game. With this as our 25th game attended this year, we look ahead to the balance of this season to shatter our record of 27 games attended in one season (2017).

Ohio U Bobcat QB sweeps left against Toldeo to lead his team to a 6-1 MAC record this night.
Ohio U. Bobcats QB Parker Novarro (13) sweeps left against Toldeo to lead his team to a 6-1 MAC record on this night.

Punts galore before first score

Our third of three MACtion games attended during the last three weeks, neither team scored until five minutes into the second period. The Rockets (7-4, 4-3) ended seven consecutive series resulting in punts between both. In the second quarter, Toledo QB Tucker Gleason keyed the drive with a ten-yard run on a third and four to the Ohio U. Bobcats 34. At the 23, he connected with TE Anthony Torrez on a slant out for a 23-yard score. The punt-fest continued until the Rockets ran the clock out leading at the half, 7-0. The Ohio U. Bobcats did not appear ready at this point to charge into the MAC Championship game.

Turnovers turn the tide

Twice this evening, Toledo QB Tucker Gleason threw for big yards only to have then result in turnovers back to Ohio U.
Twice this evening, Toledo QB Tucker Gleason threw for big yards only to have then result in turnovers back to Ohio U.

Both teams started the second half with turnovers. Ohio’s threat to score with a drive to Toledo’s five failed with Maxen Hook’s INT to give the Rockets possession on their five. One play later turned the tide of this game. Gleason connected with TE Eric Holley III who coughed up the ball recovered by CB Roman Parodie at Toledo’s 45. On third and two, Anthony Tyus III ran 33 yards to the Rocket six. Novarro took it in on a third-and-goal at the one. At 7-7, the stalemate did not last long.

Toledo fumbled again as S Adonis Wiliams recovered at his team’s 47. As the third period ended, the Ohio U. Bobcats drove to the Toledo Rockets two for a fourth and goal. HC Tom Albin called to go for six. Novarro complied with a run over right tackle to take a 14-7 lead for the Cats. A sack of Gleason on the next Rocket series forced a punt. The Ohio U. Bobcats started their next drive on their 40. On third and four at the Ohio 46, Novarro broke off a 45-yard run to the Bobcats’ one. Tyus took it in to extend the Ohio U. Bobcat lead, 21-7.

Ohio U Bobcats RB Anthony Tyus leads QB Parker Novarro for big gain tin the third period.
Ohio U Bobcats RB Anthony Tyus leads QB Parker Novarro for big gain in the second period.

Ohio U. Bobcats hinder Rockets’ red glare

Rocket HC Jason Candle brought in QB John Richter for some potential spark. Didn’t get much. The Rockets moved the ball to their 36 before surrendering the ball over on downs. Ohio focused mostly now on running out the clock. Gianni Spetic banged a 24-yard FG though the uprights for a 24-7 Ohio U. Bobcat lead. Another Rocket fumble resulted in the Bobcats running out the clock. They ran their record to 8-3, 6-1 in the Mid-American Conference.

OU QB Parker Novarro crosses goal line from the one to tie the game 7-7 in the third.
OU QB Parker Novarro crosses goal line from the one to tie the game 7-7 in the third.

Ohio U. Bobcats on the hunt for MACtion title

Toledo visits feeble Akron in its MAC finale next Saturday (3-8, 2-5). The Ohio U. Bobcats host Ball State (3-7, 2-4) next Friday after Thanksgiving. A win for the Bobcats clinches a berth in the MAC title game in Detroit on December 7. Before that game, however, the Cardinals of BSU host Bowling Green this Saturday. BGSU (6-4, 5-1) needs a win here before facing Miami (O.) in the season MAC finale. If they defeat Ball State, with 6-1 conference records, the winner between the Red Hawks and the BGSU Falcons will determine who will play against the Bobcats in Detroit.

Far-fetched, however, stranger things have happened. If Ball State can pull off two surprise wins in their last two games against Ohio and BGSU; if Buffalo defeats winless Kent State (0-11, 0-7) as expected; and if Bowling Green defeats Miami on the final weekend, four teams in the MAC will finish with 5-2 conference records. All tie for first. Which two play in Detroit. Tiebreaker? We’ll let the MAC powers that be figure that one out.

Live and learn

Don’t know if it was my move to warmer climes down south or just my age starting to act up. I felt downright cold at this game. I guess it was in the 30s. Had a little dusting of snow on the car the next morning. Toledo is at the same latitude as Cleveland. I was luckily a day earlier from that big storm in Cleveland seen last evening in the game between the Browns and Steelers. No guarantees here, but future weeknight MACtion games may only make sense during the first two weeks of November. Only Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Akron and Kent remain as MACtion venues to visit. No hurry, but weather and convenience in seeing two of these play within the same week will be the basic strategy here.

Novarro goes 3-0 in our books

We saw Parker Novarro quarterback the Ohio U. Bobcats to three MAC victories this season. With him under center, they defeated Central Michigan, 27-25; Eastern Michigan, 35-10; and Toledo, 24-7. In the three contests we watched him compete in, he completed 46 of 74 passes, threw for 553 yards, threw one TD and two INTs. Rushing, he ran 45 times for 391 yards and seven TDs. He’s a junior this season. WE figure he’ll return to Athens to challenge for anther MAC title.

Holiday shopping idea – quick and easy

Edited by Steve Koreivo Member of College Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to buy your copy today and submit a review on Amazon.com. Thanks!

Some Toledo Rocket Cheerleaders cheered for their team and for themselves for the last time at UT's Senior night.
Some Toledo Rocket Cheerleaders cheered for their team and for themselves for the last time at UT’s Senior night.

Oregon Ducks comeback in final period avoid Wisconsin upset, 16-13

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Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s tough defensive effort and inconsistent offensive performance led them to a 13-6 lead over the No. 1 Oregon Ducks heading into the final period.  The 76,298 in attendance bounced with great fervor as they traditionally do “Jump Around” to fire up for the fourth, but it was the Oregon Ducks who responded with 10 more points to none for the hosting Badgers to take home a 16-13 victory.

Even after Oregon took back the lead, Wisconsin went on offense twice but couldn’t capitalize.  If there was a Fifth Quarter “Celebration,” many disgruntled Badger fans had left before the end.  We followed them after into the rain for a long shuttle bus ride back to the parking lot. That turned out to be a good move on Collegefootballfan.com’s first trip to Camp Randall, the 97th Football Bowl Subdivision venue attended to date.

Slow start for Oregon Ducks, but…

The Oregon Ducks took an early 3-0 lead on Atticus Sappington’s 35-yard field goal.  Things looked futile early for the Badgers. On each team’s first three possessions, Oregon outgained them 152 to -3.  Badger DB Nyzier Fourqurean halted an early Oregon Ducks threat with an interception of a tipped pass at the UW 11. Before the first ended, however, Sappington nailed a 42-yard score for a 6-0 Duck lead.

Oregon Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel on the move against Wisconsin pressure in first quarter.
Oregon Ducks RB Jordan James on the move against Wisconsin pressure in first quarter.

To finish the Badger drive heading into the second quarter, they cut the lead in half with a 31-yard FG by Nikolas Vakos, 6-3. During the period, Fourqurean continued to impress with his good defensive coverage. Hunter Wohler returned an Oregon Duck punt 13 yards to his 25. Next, QB Braedyn Locke completed a 43-yard pass to Vinny Anthony II to the Oregon 16 highlighting the next Badger drive. 

Surprising Badger lead

With a second and goal at the two with 25 seconds left in the half, Luke Fickell called a play that James Franklin of Penn State should take note of. With two receivers and a back between both wide left, Locke found RB Will Spalding for a touchdown basically wide open.  The Wisconsin Badgers took a surprising lead after a slow start in halftime, 10-6, over the No. 1 Oregon Ducks.

Wisconsin RB Tawee Walker drives for first down yardage in second period.
Wisconsin RB Tawee Walker drives for first down yardage in second period.

For much of the game, two RBs featured the offense for each team.  For the Oregon Ducks, Jordan James keyed the offense with 25 carries for 121 yards. Heisman Candidate Dillon Gabriel completed 22 of 31 for 218 yards, but he came up empty with no TDs and an INT. RB Tawee Walker performed as the mainstay for the Badgers with 97 rushing yards on 20 carries. At quarterback, Locke struggled with accuracy completing 12 of 28 for 96 passing yards. The Badger crowd gets into emulating the PA announcers call “First and ten Wisconsin!” following each first down.  It was addictive.

Oregon Ducks dance to the music

On the Wisconsin first possession in the third, such a cheer went up with Walker’s three-yard run at fourth and one at the Oregon Duck 25.  The crowd tried to will in a touchdown with another chant on Walker’s run to the seven. However, a sack and a penalty pushed them back from there. The Badgers had to settle for a Vakos 35-yard FG and 13-6 lead. Oregon started its next drive from the 19 and headed into the final period.  The Camp Randall crowd got into singing along to the classic pop song “Buttercup!” as a prelude to the Jump Around. Things still looked good for the Badgers leading No. 1 at home.

Oregon Duck QB Dillon Gabriel (9) tries to elude Badger defenders in second half trailing, 13-6.
Oregon Duck QB Dillon Gabriel (9) tries to elude Badger defenders in second half trailing, 13-6.

That feeling didn’t last long.  A sign could have been seeing Oregon Ducks also jumping to Wisconsin’s favorite tradition.  From 13 yards out, James ran a sweep left to tie the score, 13-13, with 13:14 left to play.  Later, Wisconsin’s punt from its 11 gave the Oregon Ducks good field position at the UW 43.  With 2:36 to play, Sappington gave Oregon the lead with a 24-yard FG. The Badgers started from their 25, following a touchback.

Badgers battle for life

Gaining only one yard, on fourth and nine, Locke’s pass fell incomplete and Oregon took over on downs.  Unable to get a first down, at the 20, the Oregon Ducks set up for a field goal.  However, the fake was on and Ross James got stopped a yard short. Wisconsin took over from its 17.  Locke ran for seven.  With no time-outs left, with 1:38 DB Matayo Uiagalelei intercepted. The Oregon Ducks ran out the clock. 

No Fifth Quarter celebration tonight at Camp Randall.  The Ducks (11-0,8-0) would remain No. 1. On Monday morning, Luke Fickell fired his offensive coordinator, Phil Longo.  For the third time this season, Wisconsin (5-5,3-4) led a ranked team at halftime, but lost the game in the second half. Overall, among the three they got outscored 49-3 each time. In college, you can’t fire a quarterback during a season, so you might as well start searching for a better assistant.

We looked forward to partying with the Badger marching Band iin the traditio of it Fifth Quarter. We'll have to come back for a victory at a day game in the future now.
We looked forward to partying with the Badger marching Band in the tradition of its Fifth Quarter. We’ll have to come back again for a victory at a day game in the future now.

2024 continues

No. 1 Oregon will remain there for at least two weeks when it hosts also-new Big Ten member Washington as its new annual, season-ending rival.  Wisconsin travels to Nebraska (5-5, 2-5).  Winner becomes bowl eligible.  For collegefootballfan.com, we keep things a little more interesting with our final MACtion game on Wednesday night.  We’ll see Ohio (7-3,5-1) sitting atop the Mid-American visit Toledo (7-3, 2-4).  Ou needs the win here for a shot at playing the winner of the season finale between Miami and Bowling Green. Both also currently have 5-1 MAC records. OU will still have to defeat Buffalo and the other schools each have another game left. If Toledo wins, several teams with two losses will have to be considered for the title game in Detroit on December 7.

On Saturday, we go to Murfreesboro to see Middle Tennessee (3-7, 2-4) in their last home game this year against New Mexico State (2-8,1-7).  Whatever the result, for better local entertainment next season, I may consider attending more Western Kentucky games.

Holiday Shopping Reminder

-edited by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Please click on the title to purchase from Amazon.com. Then, please submit a review.  Thanks.

Ohio Bobcats defeat Eastern Michigan, 35-10; Novarro scores four TDs

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Athens, Ohio – QB Parker Novarro threw for a career-high record of 277 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns to defeat the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 35-10.  The Ohio Bobcats preserved their lead in the Mid-American Conference tied with Miami and Bowling Green State at 5-1 each in conference play.  For Collegefootballfan.com, we attended our first game ever on Frank Solich Field at OU’s Peden Stadium.  We’ve now attended games at 96 different Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) venues. 

Also, the first time we attended a Bobcat game in 2005, they played at Buffalo. We recorded Ohio U as our 100th team that day.  Frank Solich was their first-year Head Coach.  We designated the Buffalo Bulls as our 101st team that day.  In a penalty-plagued game, Ohio U. triumphed, 34-20.

Bobcats and Eagles slug it out to start

This game got off to a rugged start as neither team could score in the first period.  The Eagles blocked Gianni Spetic’s only scoring threat with his 31-yard FG attempt.  In the second, EMU broke the deadlock scoring on QB Cole Snyder’s shovel pass to Delbert Mimms for an 18-yard jaunt.  Novarro started to connect with his receiving corps on his record-setting night. Most were to short range targets who gained more after catches for both squads.  Coleman Owen led the Ohio Bobcats with eight catches for 139 yards.  Completing passes for 21, 34 and 31 yards on this drive, Novarro set up his first TD from three yards out to tie, 7-7.

RB Eamonn Mimms takes shovel pass for 18-yard score to lead the Bobcats, 7-0.
Eagle RB Delbert Mimms takes shovel pass for 18-yard score to lead the Bobcats, 7-0.

With 2:30 left in the first half, Bobcat DE Ben McNaboe made a sensational, leaping snag of a Snyder pass high over his head to haul it down. It put the Cats with the ball on the Eagle 20.  Anthony Tyus took it over from the one for the Ohio Bobcats lead at halftime, 14-7.

The Ohio U Marching Bobcats put on an exhilarating performance at halftime.
The Ohio U Marching Bobcats put on an exhilarating performance at halftime.

Defense gets Bobcats field position in the third quarter

The second half started out with both defenses halting opening drives with INTs. Quentavius Scarlett picked for the EMU Eagles and Tank Pearson hauled in a long attempt for the Bobcats while falling backwards.  Two possessions later, Pearson picked his second to set up OU at EMU ‘s 25.  Novarro wasted no time.  He found a seam off tackle and ran untouched to give the Ohio Bobcats a 21-7 lead going into the fourth.

Eastern Michigan put together a 16-play scoring drive that stalled at the Ohio U. 11.  There, Jesus Gomez converted a 29-yard FG to cut the Bobcats lead to 11.  Ohio followed with an 85-yard drive as Novarro’s 16-yard pass to Eamonn Dennis took them to the one.  Novarro scored from there to build the Ohio Bobcats lead, 28-10.

Novarro's pass here to Coleman Owen put the Bobcats at the Eagle 40 on their closing scoring drive in the second period.
Novarro’s pass here to Coleman Owen put the Bobcats at the Eagle 40 on their closing scoring drive in the second period.

A sack of Snyder stalled EMU’s next series resulting in Kaci Seegars’ recovery at the Eagle 19.  Novarro punctuated this possession with a four-yard score.  He finalized the score, 35-10, improving the hometown Ohio Bobcats record in front of 14,133 in attendance to 7-3.  More importantly, however, the MACtion victory maintained their conference tie for first with this win to go 5-1.

Fun MAC Finish as the season winds down

OU will travel next Wednesday to Toledo to take on the Rockets (6-4,4-2).  We plan to be in attendance once again.  We’re really loving these MACtion weekday night opportunities.  Toledo already defeated Miami, 30-20, but lost to BGSU, 41-26.  So, the Bobcats have a challenge ahead of them next week. OU’s lone MAC loss came at the hands of Miami, 30-20. Miami and Bowling Green will meet each other in their season finales. These battles should determine which two will meet for the MAC title game in Detroit on December 7 at high noon.  Eastern Michigan (5-5, 2-4) hosts Buffalo (6-4, 4-2) next week.  The Eagles seek a sixth win to salvage a bowl bid.

North to Wisconsin for Collegefootballfan.com

We head further north to Madison, Wisconsin for another first-venue experience.  Not only do we go to see the U of W Badgers defend their venerable Camp Randall for our first time, but No. 1 Oregon with Heisman Candidate QB Dillon Gabriel comes to town.  We haven’t seen the Ducks (10-0, 7-0) play since their 1995 Rose Bowl loss to Penn State.  However, in 2020 during watered-down game opportunities due to Covid-19, we watched Gabriel quarterback Central Florida in a tough 36-33 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats in Orlando.  This turned out to be one of only three contests we were able to attend during that out-of-the-ordinary season.  Looking forward to our first football visit in Wisconsin.  We hope to see the Badgers at least make it interesting. 

On Sunday, we already plan a visit to Lambeau Field to see the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.  Nearby, we’ll find a Packer bar to watch them play the Chicago Bears on TV with their die-hard fans while drinking beer and eating Brats and Cheese curds like all of them.

Despite the goal line efforts of teh Eagle defense here, Novarro got over for the final score of this game to seal the win for the Bobcats, 35-10.
Despite the goal line efforts of the Eagle defense here, Novarro got over for the final score of this game to seal the win for the Ohio Bobcats, 35-10.

Special Thanks!

On my first trip to Peden Stadium, in the dark I found a remote parking lot with shuttle service.  Aboard were just me and two Ohio U. fans, Melanie and Greg Pugh.  About to leave, the driver got a call to come pick up a large group of high school kids.  On a bus with only 14 seats, she wasn’t sure how she was going to fit 20-30.  When we arrived to make the pick-up, a manager there offered we three adults on board if we would prefer to ride over in a separate SUV available.  The three of us looked at each other and agreed to go.  What service!

Before dropping us off at Peden, I asked where to find the return shuttle and where the ticket office was.  Melanie interjected, “We have an extra you can have.” Their son, WR Eian Pugh, is on the team.  His brother couldn’t make it this evening, so they offered it to me.  Very nice of them!  As we spoke further, I mentioned I’d seen the Bobcats play at Central Michigan previously this season.  Greg told me Eian had been injured and was still recovering. He didn’t suit up this evening.  Too bad, maybe he’ll suit up at Toledo next week. That would be great! As a sophomore, maybe we’ll have a chance to see him play for OU in another MACtion game in the future, if not the one next week.  Thanks to Melanie, Greg and Eian for a ticket to see the game last night!  Go Bobcats!

Great Christmas Gift: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales

Ed. by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writes Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to link to Amazon.com the purchase a copy and submit a review.  Thanks!

A sign that November is stepping in as the Ohio Bobcats Dance Team has to perform in sweats. At least they're not baggy by any means!
A sign that November is stepping in as the Ohio Bobcats Dance Team has to perform in sweats. At least they’re not baggy by any means!

South Carolina defense dominates; Sanders runs lead to 28-7 win over Vanderbilt

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Nashville, TN – The South Carolina Gamecocks proved to have Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia’s number in this game to defeat the Commodores for their 16th meeting in a row, 28-7. Their defense impressively held him to 166 passing yards and only 65 rushing yards.  The Gamecocks provided tight pass coverage throughout.  They recorded eight defended passes and allowed only 5.4 yards per pass attempt.  Two sacks and six tackles for losses (TFLs) netted the Commodores only 108 yards on the ground.  They bottled up the No. 1 Transfer Player of the Year.

The South Carolina secondary displayed tight coverage on Vanderbilt receivers throughout this game allowing only 166 yards.
The South Carolina secondary displayed tight coverage on Vanderbilt receivers throughout this game allowing only 166 yards.

On offense, Raheim Sanders rushed for 126 yards on 15 carries and scored two TDs.  His two pass receptions resulted in 52 yards and another TD.  QB LaNorris Sellers threw for 238 yards and two scores.  The Gamecocks balanced out their offensive scheme very effectively.

South Carolina and Vandy start scoring after first period

A missed South Carolina field goal and offensive exchange of fumbles by both QBs on consecutive series parlayed into no first quarter scores.  The Gamecocks broke the stalemate early in the second.  Sellers connected with WR Josua Simon for a 17-yard pass over the middle for a 7-0 lead.  Neither team scored again before halftime.

QB LaNorris Sellers picks up a first down on South Carolina's touchdown drive in the first half.
QB LaNorris Sellers picks up a first down on South Carolina’s touchdown drive in the first half.

As good as Nostalgia gets at Vanderbilt

At halftime, Vanderbilt introduced its 1974 Peach Bowl team.  They finished 7-3-2 with a 6-6 tie against Texas Tech. Funny, their SEC record came in at 2-3-1.  Only six of 11 regular season games played within the conference even back then. Things haven’t changed much since.  The SEC still loads up on three or four non-conference foes among 12 games to assure they achieve bowl eligibility.  That bowl team became Vandy’s last until 1982 when they lost to Air Force in the Hall of Fame Classic.

Finally, the Dores won their next bowl game achieved in 2008. We attended that one – our first Music City Bowl.  With a 6-6 record, they defeated Boston College (9-4), 16-14. Coincidentally, that year marks the last time they defeated South Carolina. From 2011 under James Franklin until 2018, they qualified for five bowls going 2-3.  With a 6-4 record this season, they became bowl eligible to already.  Back to the Music City? More on that later.

Construction continues at Vanderbilt's First Bank Stadium. Not much progress since last year and the entry into the stadium is still confusing.
Construction continues at Vanderbilt’s First Bank Stadium. Not much progress since last year and the entry into the stadium is still confusing.

Adjustments made by South Carolina evident after halftime

The Gamecocks started the scoring early in the third period.  Sellers connected with WR Jarrett Branch for 51 yards to the Commodore 33.  Sanders burst through the line from there to give the Gamecocks a 14-0 margin.  Vanderbilt woke up.  They drove 75 yards capped by Pavia’s 17-yard TD run.  Could the Dore’s overcome the tight defense the Cocks demonstrated since the beginning of this game? They now trailed, 14-7.

Sanders (5) bursts through this seam on his way for a 33-yard touchdown.
Sanders (5) bursts through this seam on his way for a 33-yard touchdown.

The Gamecock offense continued to generate more scoring on its next series.  Converting four first downs on an errorless drive, Sanders took it over at the one.  Leading, 21-7, the South Carolina defense didn’t let up.  They forced the Commodores to turn the ball over on downs on their next two possessions.  Vandy gave up the football at the Gamecock 36 and 39 respectively.  Following the latter, with 7:55 to play, Sellers rifled a pass to Sanders over the middle to streak for a 43-yard TD.  South Carolina led, 28-7.

South Carolina defense outstanding!

VU could not respond.  They punted from their 17 after losing nine yards on three plays.  USC ran 5:46 off the clock to take a 28-7 win back to Columbia, SC.  Their aggressive, defensive performance turned out to be the best we’d seen all season.  Their win earned them to jump into the Associated Press poll ranked No. 23.  The Commodores loss to 6-4 dropped them from the Top 25.

USC DT Tonka Hemingway knocks down a Diego Pavia pass at the line of scrimmage.
USC Gamecock DT Tonka Hemingway knocks down a Diego Pavia pass at the line of scrimmage.

Our 2024 Season starts to wind down

Vanderbilt visits No. 21 LSU (6-3) after their 42-13 shellacking from Alabama on November 23rd. After that, the Dores will finish up at home in front of a packed house against cross-state rival, No. 6 Tennessee (8-1). Sounds like a Music City Bowl bid to us unless Pavia returns to form.  He left the game in the final period with about six minutes to play. He suffered a lower extremity injury seen limping into the medical tent. As of Monday, no update on his injury has been released. 

USC hosts No. 24 Mizzou (7-2) next.   After that, they’ll traditionally pad their record and stats hosting FCS Wofford.  Looks like Mizzou and their season finale against their cross-state rival at No. 17 Clemson will determine Carolina’s final bowl destination and ranking. Despite these challenges, HC Shane Beamer seems to have his Gamecocks playing well on both sides of the football. They look ready for anybody.

Collegefootballfan.com games heat up

We return to MACtion this Wednesday evening when Eastern Michigan (5-4, 2-3) appears on our slate for only the second time ever. They visit the Ohio Bobcats (6-3, 4-1) who are in a four-way tie for first in the Mid-American.  This marks our first trip to OU’s Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.

We will see Ohio U (in white) for the second of three times this season when the host Eastern Michigan at Peden Stadium.
We will see Ohio U (in white) for the second of three times this season when the host Eastern Michigan at Peden Stadium.

On Saturday our adventure brings us to our 705th game at Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin for our first game there.  It just so happens that the Badgers (5-4, 3-3) will be hosting the No. 1 Oregon Ducks (10-0, 7-0).  Wisconsin got crushed by Iowa two weeks ago.  Oregon comes away from a 39-18 win at Maryland.  Upset in the making?  Can’t imagine, but we will be there for the Saturday night match-up for our first experiences with the Camp Randall “Jump Around” and hopefully a fun Fifth Quarter after the game!  To compliment these traditional collegiate experiences, we also booked a tour on Sunday at Lambeau Field while the Green Bay Packers play at Chicago.

Ed. by Steve Koreivo   Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to get your copy from Amazon.com and submit a book review for us.  Thanks!

Miami Red Hawks Down Ball State Cardinals in Tuesday night MACtion, 27-21

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Muncie, IN – On a rainy Tuesday evening visiting Ball State’s Schuemann Stadum for our first time, the Miami Red Hawks fought off the Ball State Cardinals into the final period to a 27-21 victory. They stay atop the Mid-American Conference (MAC as in weekday night MACtion). Miami QB Brett Gabbert tossed three TD passes in the first half. Red Hawk RB Keyon Mozee rushed for 105 yards, 45 yards more than all other running backs in this game. BSU freshman QB Kadin Semonza completed 23 of 36 attempts for 280 yards and a TD.  However, two Red Hawk INTs terminated two Cardinal drives. The Red Hawks allowed only 51 rushing yards.   Overall, it was a well-played, competitive game.

Miami Red Hawk RB Keyon Mozee led all rushers in his game with 105 yards.
Miami Red Hawk RB Keyon Mozee led all rushers in his game with 105 yards.

Blast from the Past!

Ball State’s defense started the scoring with a play right out of the Miami Dolphin’s Garo Yepremian Playbook (dating myself here- Super Bowl VII: PK who tossed an unwarranted pass for an INT in the Dolphin victory.  You can look it up.). LB Brendan Berger made a solid hit to stop Dylan Dowling’s two-yard gain to force Miami to punt. Next, punter Alec Bevelhimer dropped the direct snap, rushed to pick it up, stood and attempted a pass that looked more like a basketball, jump-shot!  Berger picked the fluttering ball off on the way down and then rambled 46 yards for a 7-0 Ball State lead.  As rain intensified, Gabbert led the Miami Red Hawks to tie on a 75-yard touchdown drive finished off with a 34-yard pass to WR Roger Virgil.

Miami QB Brett Gabbert fired for three TD passes and 219 yards against Ball State this evening.
Miami Red Hawks QB Brett Gabbert fired for three TD passes and 219 yards against Ball State this evening.

Cardinals “chirp” while Red Hawks screech

The BSU Cardinals responded with a drive starting from their 15 and ending with Jackson Courville’s 21-yard field goal early in the second for a 10-7 lead.  Immediately, the Red Hawks mounted a 68-yard drive to go up, 14-10. Gabbert threw a 12-yard scoring strike to WR Kevin Davis. Both offenses focused on their passing attacks.  On the next BSU series, Semonza connected on four of five passes. However, his last came up short of a first down at the Red Hawk four. Ball State settled for Courville’s 21-yard kick.

With BSU now trailing, 14-13, Gabbert moved the Red Hawks with four completions.  Javon Tracy gathered in three – the final for ten yards to lead, 21-13.  With 0:36 left in the half, Semonza continue to air the ball out. “The chirping” halted at the Miami Red Hawks 39 with Corban Hondru’s INT.

Not as cold as could be expected on a November night in Muncie, Indiana, but the Red Hawk cheerleaders came prepared with plastic covers for a rainy, windy evening.
Not as cold as could be expected on a November night in Muncie, Indiana, but the Miami Red Hawks cheerleaders came prepared with plastic covers for a rainy, windy evening.

Rain subsides briefly, but Lightning strikes.

Both defenses forced punts to start the second half.  However, as the steady rain started to slow, Ball State provided a lightning strike as Semonza connected with WR Justin Bowick (eight catches, 171 yards, one TD) down the left sideline for a 55-yard catch and run. They now trailed, 21-19.  BSU HC Mike Neu called for the two-point conversion, and Cam Pickett took it over for the tie, 21-21.

Cam Pickett (7) of Ball State races around the left side for a successful two-point conversion to knot the score, 21-21.
Cam Pickett (7) of Ball State races around the left side for a successful two-point conversion to knot the score, 21-21.

Driving with the ball into the final period, the Red Hawks got down to the five-yard-line with a 12-yard pass to TE Jack Coldiron.  A loss of five followed. Miami brought in Dom Dzioban – constantly on an exercise bike on the sideline most of the game – for a 28-yard field goal.  The Miami Red Hawks led, 24-21.  Both defenses tightened.  Miami sandwiched two three-and -outs around a Ball State three-and-out. The Miami Red Hawks started their next series at the Cardinal 45.  Dzioban added three in his next attempt from 39 yards away.

Last “chirp” for Cardinals

With 1:48 left in the fourth, Ball State started from its 25.  At their 35, Miami LB Matt Salopek sacked Semonza for a seven-yard loss.  The next pass on fourth down fell incomplete.  Ball State’s Cardinals turned the ball over on downs.  Miami ran the last 53 seconds off the clock to take home the win, 27-21.

Red Hawk LBs Adam Trick (20) and Matt Salopek (15) apply the rush agaisnt Kadin SEmonza. ASalopek led Miami ain tackeles thise evening with nine. Possible draft pick in 2025?
Red Hawk LBs Adam Trick (20) and Matt Salopek (15) apply the rush against Kadin Semonza. Salopek led Miami in tackles this evening with nine. Possible draft pick in 2025?

Coming up: More MACtion games for all involved and SEC Barn-burner for us

Ball State (3-6, 2-3) heads to Buffalo (3-2, 5-4) next Tuesday.  The Miami Red Hawks (5-4, 4-1) won to tie three other teams for the Mid-American Conference lead.   They return to Oxford to entertain Kent State (0-5, 0-9). The Red Hawks currently share the MAC lead with Ohio U., Bowling Green, and Western Michigan.  All hold 4-1 MAC records. We plan to attend two more MACtion games in November. We’ll see Ohio U. host Eastern Michigan next Wednesday. And then we follow the Bobcats to Toledo the following Wednesday. Both venues in Athens and Toledo will be our first games at both. Plus, we’ll have our finger on the pulse to see who among these will play or the MAC title.

This Saturday, we don’t have to travel too far to see a good SEC confrontation.  We go to nearby First Bank Stadium to see the improved, No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores (6-3, 3-2) host South Carolina (5-3, 3-3). The Gamecocks visit fresh off their 44-20 win over Texas A&M last week.  This looks to be a great game. Vandy has not defeated the Cocks since 2008.  In 1995, we saw Carolina blast VU in Columbia, 52-14. In September 2018, we saw the Gamecocks knock off Vanderbilt in Nashville, 37-14. As Alabama can attest, with Diego Pavia at QB, these are not the SEC’s typical Doormat Commodores.

MACtion Musings

After attending Ohio State’s 20-13 win over Penn State in front of 111,030 fans on last sunny Saturday, this Tuesday night game in Muncie brought us back to earth. We attended this rainy, weekday night game among 6,412 true Ball State and Miami (O.) fans.  I mostly noted that my walk from the Muncie Days Inn Hotel where I stayed, turned out to be a shorter stroll than we did on Saturday from out tailgate to the other side of Beaver Stadium.

Ball State's Schuemann Stadium only within a short walk from our hotel in Muncie this day.
Ball State’s Schuemann Stadium only within a short walk from our hotel in Muncie this day.

In addition, a one-night stay at the hotel costs a little more than a parking space at State College.  It gives you a stunning perspective among the “elites” of the Power Four programs and teams among the Group of Five.  All categorized as Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) members.  Good, competitive game this evening.  That’s what we always enjoy most.  Short, convenient walks to the hotel, but very saturated on the return trek. What a bargain to see FBS football!  We look forward to visiting Athens and Toledo the next two weeks.

-ed. by Steve Koreivo  Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.  Click on the title to purchase a copy and submit a review.  Thanks.

Ohio QB Parker Novarro ran for 176 yards on 14 carries and a TD. He also passed for 147 yards and a TD completing on 13 of 22 targets.
Ohio QB Parker Novarro ran for 176 yards on 14 carries and a TD when we saw Ohio U defeat Central Michigan earlier this season. He also passed for 147 yards and a TD completing on 13 of 22 targets. We will see the Bobcats play in two more MACtion games this year.

No. 4 Ohio State jumped No. 3 Penn State as usual, 20-13; Fans chant, “Fire Franklin!”

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State College, PA – Our 701st college football game began presumably well for Penn State against Big Ten foe Ohio State. The Buckeyes held a 9-1 advantage over the Nittany Lions since HC James Franklin rode into State College.  They opened the Big Ten battle with an opening drive for a 3-0 lead on Ryan Baker’s 29-yard field goal.  They followed to extend the lead with Zion Tracy’s 31-yard pick-six on OSU’s first series to mount a 10-0 lead.  Things went PSU’s way until then.  However, turnovers, careless penalties and questionable play calling and time management by the Lions helped the Buckeyes to a 20-13 victory.

The Buckeyes responded before the first period ended with Will Howards’ 25-yard TD pass to Emeke Egbuka to close the gap, 10-7.   Heading into the second, PSU LB Abdul Carter jumped offsides to give Ohio State a first down on a third and two from the 27.  Guest Game Analyst (GGA) Joe Massimilla stated that was expected. Carter does that every game according to his weekly observations. 

Ohio State benefits from PSU penalties

Later on a third and 11, the Lions appeared to stop the Buckeye drive halting Carnell Tate for a seven-yard gain.   However, with no flag thrown and no official announcement, the refs walked off a 15-yard penalty to keep the Ohio State drive alive.  Later, we found out the PSU tackler stepped over Tate.  That translated into an unsportsmanlike penalty.  Taunting?  We could not tell from section NA 48 rows up.  Replays seemed questionable about any direct unsportsmanlike behavior to draw a flag.  Instead of an expected punt, Ohio State finished the drive with a 21-yard pass from Howard to slotback Brandon Innis to go on top, 14-10.

Following a Penn State punt, Ohio State began their subsequent drive on their 42.  They threatened to score with a first and ten at the PSU 13.  Howard took it around left end, dove toward the near pylon, but a Lion DB forced him to fumble out of bounds through the end zone for a touchback.  The Nittany Lions took the ball over on their 20.

A lot of Ohio State Scarlet in attendance during Penn State's "Stripe-out" seen across the way. A lot of season ticket holders must cover the cost of their season ticket packages by selling tix for this one.
A lot of Ohio State Scarlet in attendance during Penn State’s “Stripe-out” seen across the way. A lot of season ticket holders must cover the cost of their season ticket packages by selling tix for this one.

Timely and surprising

Late in the second period, PSU marched to the OSU three-yard line for a first and goal.  QB Drew Allar lofted a fade pass to receiver Harrison Wallace III who seemed to make a great catch with both feet inbounds before going out.  However, the review to determine if he scored or not resulted in an Ohio State interception by CB Davison Igbinosun. PSU score thwarted. End of half – Ohio State 14 Penn State 10.

Ohio State maintains lead

To start the third, the Buckeyes threatened at the Lions 25.  Kobe King’s sack pushed Ohio State back to the 28.  Jayden Fielding made good from the 46 to widen the visitors lead, 17-10.  Penn State retaliated driving to the Ohio State 27.  Barker converted a 44-yard FG.  The teams exchanged punts their next two possessions.  Next, the Buckeyes moved the ball 64 yards on 12 plays consuming 5:02 into the third.  Fielding booted a 39-yard attempt this time to lead, 20-13, with 10:13 remaining in the contest.

Buckeyes make early stop to hold Nittany Lions to a field goal on their first series.
Buckeyes make early stop to hold Nittany Lions to a field goal on their first series.

The Nittany Lion offense needed a touchdown with time off the clock. They finally came up with their best chance.   Allars converted with TE Tyler Warren for a 33-yard catch and run all the way to the Ohio State three with 7:35 left to play.  It was time for HC James Franklin to coordinate with his first-year OC Andy Kotelnicki get six and then decide to go for the tie or for the win with two.

Hard to understand James Franklin

As in critical situations witnessed during crucial games in years past, I observed Franklin’s interactions, or lack thereof, with his players and coaches along the sideline. As in the past, he stood far from the team huddled together with arms folded, headphones on, and his attached microphone on his headset sticking straight up in the air. He seemed to be listening to some conversation, but did not communicate on the mic nor with anyone standing along the sideline. He remained this way during the following sequence of events.

First play – Kaytron Allen up the middle for no gain. Second play – Allen up the middle for one. Penn State still had all three time-outs left. Time to assess play options?  Motivate players? Get everyone one on the same page? No. Third play – Allen up the middle to the one. Fourth down – no time out. Incomplete pass to Khalil Dinkins on a crossing pattern along the end line. Through it all, no time-outs, no interaction between head coach with assistants or players. No imagination. No strategy. No deception. Most importantly, no touchdown.

Penn State clock management – not!

Ohio State took over from their one with 5:13 to play. Buckeyes – four yards on first play; nine more for first down; six yards; 15 more for first down; six more yards; all on the ground and then the two-minute media time-out! Still, Franklin still has three time-outs left in his pocket. Why? No strategy, no motivation, no defensive adjustments, nothing from the head coach, the supposed leader of this program, to manipulate the clock and provide his team a game plan to get the ball back. This is leadership? This is coaching? This is what he gets paid for? Franklin has a multi-year contract and a $56M buy-out? Must be nice – coaching tenure.

It's one thing to delegate to your assistants for a time-out, but does it make sense for PSU Head Coach James Franklin not to work with his players during a critical time-out as shown here in the third period of last year's 24-15 loss against Michigan? He did the same last Saturday vs. Ohio State.
It’s one thing to delegate to your assistants for a time-out, but does it make sense for PSU Head Coach James Franklin not to work with his players during a critical time-out as shown here in the third period of last year’s 24-15 loss against Michigan? He did the same last Saturday vs. Ohio State.

Ohio State continues: Quinshon Judkins – two yards; time-out PSU with 1:54 left; Howard- three yards: PSU time-out with 1:40; third and two – OSU time-out.  What is HC Ryan Day planning? Howard runs three yards for first down. OSU time-out with 1:19 left. Howard runs seven yards for first down. Back-to-back remaining time-outs by both squads with 1:11 to play.  Penn State offense has not crossed the goal line after 58 minutes and 49 seconds.  Much too late to thwart the Ohio State offense and score. Not very strategic from a PSU perspective nor any other teams’ offensive scheme for that matter. Two OSU snaps later – final score: Ohio State 20 Penn State 13.

If not now, when?

Evidently, James Franklin feels confident his team makes the 12-tean College Football Playoff (CFP) format this season. Had his team at least scored to tie this game 20-20 with some deception and more imaginative play-calling among four shots at the end zone, even a loss in overtime would have been more honorable than what we witnessed this day.  A Penn State win here and a Buckeye loss would have put the pressure on Ohio State with games remaining against undefeated Indiana and archrival Michigan.

Franklin needs to realize the road to the national championship goes through the best competition in college football. This includes Ohio State, a conference foe, in particular.  What happens next time they play against one another? Especially in the CFP. As GGAs John and Joe Massimilla pointed out, will he play conservatively again?  Is he going to “play not to lose, instead of to win, again?” Chants of “Fire Franklin” echoed in Beaver Stadium after the game attended by 111,030 – a new attendance record. In his postgame analysis, Franklin stated that 90% of the schools in college football would like to be in this position with his record.

Unclear goals

Probably great for the Vanderbilt, Duke, Northwestern and Rutgers among the FBS.  If he’s most comfortable with this attitude, maybe he should seek employment among those programs. Like Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Texas among the best in college football, the Penn State fan base hungers to win it all again like it did in 1982 and 1986. They’ve waited too long since.

Penn State hired James Franklin to get them to that next level, not remain among the other 90%. Penn State gives him the resources he didn’t have at Vanderbilt.  With a 1-10 record against Ohio State, we wonder how many more chances James Franklin will have to defeat them before Penn State’s administration figures how many such losses are too many.  Franklin needs to be challenged. If he’s confident on his team making the CFP, why not require a goal to win this year’s title?  If not accomplished, maybe Penn State needs to find new leadership for its football program.

Upcoming Battles

Ohio State (7-1, 4-1) hosts Purdue (1-7, 0-5) in the Big Noon Game on Fox. That’s the best TV can do?  Penn State (7-1, 4-1) hosts Washington in their traditional “White-out!” An 8 pm kickoff on a cold November evening isn’t looked forward to by a lot of PSU fans. That drive home in the dark into the wee hours of the morning leaving the congested parking lots after a full day of tailgating is neither fun nor safe.

 MACtion begins for us.

We at collegefootballfan.com start our first of three weeknight MACtion games the following Tuesday. These games provide opportunities to attend games at venues never visited before.  We begin with Miami (O.) (4-4,3-1) visiting Ball State (3-5, 2-2). The Cardinals’ Scheumann Stadium becomes our 95th FBS stadium attended. No problem getting a ticket. People who will be watching election results that evening can flip back to this game.  If no rain, look from me in my bright yellow Game 700 ball cap from last week’s milestone game between Notre Dame and Navy at The Meadowlands. Our adventure including interviews with my fellow tailgaters that day will be featured on an NPR Travel podcast before the Super Bowl in January. Look for more details in coming weeks.

Collegefootballfan.com October Top Ten

For fun, we had to include the No.2 FCS school in our final October poll. Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM's University Stadium after the last-minute victory.
For fun, we had to include the No.2 FCS school in our final October poll. Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM’s University Stadium after their last-minute victory.

As initiated at the end of September, here is our Top Ten based on teams we’ve seen this season or teams we’ve “etched in stone” for the balance of our season.

  1. Oregon 9-0
  2. Georgia 7-1
  3. Ohio State 7-1
  4. Penn State 7-1
  5. BYU 8-0
  6. Notre Dame 7-1
  7. Vanderbilt 6-3
  8. South Carolina 5-3
  9. Montana State (FCS) 9-0
  10. Virginia Tech 5-4

-ed. By Steve Koreivo Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to order your copy and submit a review on Amazon.com. Thanks.

Fighting Irish of Notre Dame defeat Navy in our 700th Game, 51-14

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East Rutherford, NJ – The now No.  8 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame took advantage of Navy turnovers, mental mistakes and some jitters to blast the No. 24 Mids, 51-14.  In a game that could have pointed the Navy season (6-1) in a more positive direction, the Fighting Irish (7-1) scored early and often to display their superiority.  Our party of over 40 celebrators attending www.collegefootballfan.com’s 700th game noted the Mids propensity to try to “bite off than they could chew” efforts.

The Fighting Irish, as known by many, recruit bigger, stronger and faster players than do the Mids.  However, we noted a lot of football recruits along the Navy sideline for this game. A Navy alum, John Semcken in attendance with us this weekend, reported Navy is benefiting and not being impacted negatively by the transfer portal.  As many schools prefer now to bring in transfers, more high-level quality, high school players seek playing opportunities with the Naval Academy.

Commemorative hat received today for all our tailgaters celebrating Game 700 with us in The Medowlands today for our historic occasion. Some asked about No. 1000. Let's at least get to No. 800 first!
Commemorative hat received today by all our tailgaters celebrating Game 700 with us in The Meadowlands for our historic occasion. Some asked about Game No. 1000. Let’s at least get to No. 800 first!

Great start for the Fighting Irish

Navy deferred the ball to start, and the Irish opened with a 75-yard scoring drive on nine plays.  Fighting Irish QB Riley Leonard’s pass on a third and five to Jaden Greathouse for 42 yards to the 12 demonstrated Notre Dame’s superior speed against the Navy secondary.   Leonard scored from the one.  Many fans expected to see the Navy offense display improvement on their subsequent series.  It didn’t help, however, when Navy returner Isaiah Bryant took the kick in his end zone and only got out to start from the 11. Jitters?  A touchback would have been the “smarter” decision to take it at the 25.  At the 34, FB Alex Tecza fumbled without contact. The Fighting Irish put the ball in play at Navy’s seven on Safety Adon Shuler’s return.  Leonard passed a strike to wide-open WR Kris Mitchell from the six to go up, 14-0.

Fighting Irish WR Jaden Greathouse (1) comes back to make the recption form Riley Leonard on the their first series to get to Navy's 20-yard line.
Fighting Irish WR Jaden Greathouse (1) comes back to make the reception from Riley Leonard on their first series to get to Navy’s 12-yard line.

Fighting Irish take advantage of Midshipmen miscues

Mid QB Blake Horvath fumbled this time without much contact.  Notre Dame took over at the Navy 44.  Zac Yoakam’s 36-yard FG attempt sailed wide left.  Maybe, Navy would finally settle in to make this a game.  Going into the second period, however, things looked better for USNA. Horvath weaved and dodged into the open for a 47-yard touchdown. A sign of what the Mids had done all season. However, Jeremiyah Love broke away on a 64-yard touchdown run to keep the Fighting Irish rolling.

With Notre Dame up now 21-7, the teams exchanged punts.  On fourth and seven, from our section 148, our celebratory tailgating band watched the wind push the ball to the near sideline.  Bryant made the effort to field the wind-swept, curving football. He fumbled it away instead of letting it go out of bounds.  The Fighting Irish recovered to continue their drive starting at Navy’s 40.

Fighting Irish RB Jeriymiah Love evades Navy MLB Kyle Jacobs (43) for ND's 7-0 lead in first quarter.
Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love evades Navy MLB Kyle Jacobs (43) for ND’s 7-0 lead in first quarter.

On fourth and seven at the 37, Notre Dame displayed air superiority again with 17-yard pass to Jordan Faison to get to the 20.  Five running plays later, Love (102 rushing yards, two TDs) took it over from the two for a 28-7 lead. Next, Navy misfired on a field goal attempt to cut the lead.  Instead, the Irish retaliated with Yoakam’s conversion from the 32 to take the lead at the half, 31-7.

Navy turnover woes continue

On a beautiful, sunny, cool day for football, our party stuck it out hoping to see the Mids make some second half adjustments and challenge offensively at least. They showed some semblance to come around. They drove 75 yards on 12 plays to begin the third quarter.  The drive could’ve been shorter.   On second and goal at the three on a well-executed reverse option pass, Horvath dropped an on-target pass in the end zone. Two plays later though, Eli Heidenreich carried it in on fourth and goal at the one. 

After that, it was all Irish.  Riley tossed a 37-yard touchdown pass to WR Beaux Collins.  Next, Bryant misplayed the ensuing kickoff knocking the ball out of bounds to start the Mids on their four-yard-line. It got worse. Horvath fumbled at the eight, and Fighting Irish Rover Jaylen Sneed recovered it in the end zone for a score.  The PAT failed to give the Irish a 44-14 lead, but it came quickly.   Into the third, Navy drove to the Fighting Irish 17.  Irish CB Leonard Moore intercepted in the end zone to take over on the 20.  We’d seen enough.  A second team scrimmage was about to start.

Generally, we prefer to show some pretty cheerleaders along the sidelines. Today, we settled for this bunch of mugs who joined us in section 148.
Generally, we prefer to show some pretty cheerleaders along the sidelines. Today, we settled for this bunch of mugs who joined us in section 148. Note our commemorative ball caps! They stood out, we were told.

Fighting Irish finish it off

Notre Dame’s second team offense punted. Navy fumbled on the return. The Fighting Irish second team went up, 51-14 ending with a 16-yard drive.  By that time, most of our 700 Game partiers returned to the parking lot to savor food and drink once again at our great tailgate feast!  The Fighting Irish marked their stamp on this, our historical milestone, 51-14.  Many had hoped for a more competitive game than witnessed. The Mids fell out of the rankings, for now, falling into the “Also Receiving Votes” category with 23.  Late in the season, key games including AAC foe Tulane loom to possibly face undefeated No. 21 Army (7-0, 5-0) for the American Athletic title. This may occur one week before playing in their traditional season-ending rivalry in Washington, D. C. this year. As two AAC members now, these two greatest of college football rival will play annually in a non-conference game.

Tailgaters from throughout the years were able to join up today for a festive and fun occasion in the parking lot this day. Some inquired already about Game No. 1000. Maybe another ten years from now?
Tailgaters from throughout the years were able to join up for a festive and fun occasion in the parking lot this day. Some inquired already about Game No. 1000. Maybe another ten years from now?

Future battles lie ahead for all today

The Fighting Irish take a bye next Saturday before hosting decimated Florida State (1-7) in South Bend. The Mids take it on the road to Houston to face American Athletic foe Rice, (2-6, 1-3). Rice comes off a 20-17 loss to UConn. For collegefootballfan.com though, it doesn’t get better than next week.

Our 701st game starts us off at State College, PA where No. 3 Penn State (7-0, 4-0) hosts arch-nemesis and No. 3 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1).  PSU defeated Wisconsin last week 28-13, and the Buckeyes got by Nebraska, 21-17.  Were both looking ahead to this one now with the Buckeyes trailing the Nittany Lions in both national and Big Ten standings?  Will PSU HC James Franklin have his players ready for a team he’s still not beaten since he’s been at State College?  OSU’s only loss has been to No. 1 Oregon this season. 

Can’t plan much better than this

How’s this for our scheduling? Two weeks after this one, we’ll see No. 1 Oregon visit Wisconsin for our first game ever at Camp Randall.  On October 5 this year, we attended No. 4 Georgia’s win over Auburn.  At this point, we’ll see the current top four teams in the nation play by end of November.  In addition, we’ve seen the No. 8 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the No. 9 BYU Cougars (8-0), leading the BIG XII Conference.  On January 9, we already have the Capital One Orange Bowl CFP semi-final meeting penned in. We have a good shot at seeing two of these teams meet in that one! 

Get ready for us on NPR Travel podcast in January

Recently Michael Olcott of National Public Radio (NPR) Travel contact us for an upcoming podcast about Tailgating.  We did an online interview a few weeks ago, and Michael came to visit our pregame tailgate in The Meadowlands this past Saturday.  Besides myself, he spoke with others attending about our experiences and the great, ongoing, unique adventure I’ve continued to march on with.  Once we know more information about the release of this podcast, look for it here on www.collegefootballfan.com!

Some upcoming schedule changes

In two weeks, we had undefeated Liberty visiting Middle Tennessee on our slate. Liberty took it on the chin this past week to winless Kennesaw who we saw lose twice this year. Amazing! Congratulations to the Owls for their first FBS win ever. Since the aspect of not seeing the undefeated Flames play against hapless MTSU doesn’t thrill us anymore, we decided to stick even closer to home. We haven’t seen the surprising Vanderbilt Commodores (5-3, 2-3 SEC) play yet. So instead on November 9, we wait to see them host South Carolina (4-3, 1-3) where our daughter Alex and some of our money went while she was part of Gamecock nation for four years. A few other changes and additions look to be worthwhile in the future – to be determined.

By the way, St. Laurie and I have a full Nashville slate that weekend now. Out with our friends Dave and Kalani hopefully around on that Friday night if they’re in town. On Sunday, we utilize my birthday present from our kids for a hop-on/hop-off microbrewery tour. On Monday, we go see Bonnie Raitt at the Ryman Theatre. Retirement is grand. I love it! And we like it here – near Nashville!

-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of Football Writers Association of America and author of the book Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.  Click on the title to buy it and review it on Amazon.com!

OK, we can't let y'all down. Here's a favorite from a few years ago.
OK, we can’t let y’all down. Here’s a favorite from a few years ago.

Davidson Wildcats Crush Stetson Hatters, 70-48, in Pioneer League game before Game 700!

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Davidson, NC – One week after losing to Pioneer leader Dayton, 16-14, Davidson College (5-2, 3-1) let it all hang out against Stetson (2-4, 0-2).  They shot out to a 21-0 lead in the first period.  The third TD was set up with an onsides kick.  Wasn’t sure if HC Scott Abell was sending some kind of message to Stetson. Maybe he lacked confidence in his team holding a lead.  As the game went on, maybe it was the latter. When Stetson got close, the Wildcats scored at will.

Usually not well run, but Davidson did it

Davidson College used a two QB system.  Andrew Frazier completed six of six passe for 108 yards.  Luke Durkin hit six out of eight for 146 yards and two TDs.   On the Stetson side, HC Brian Young utilized two QBs as well.  With only 54 rushing yards, the Hatters took to the air often.  Brady Meitz connected on 16 of 30 passes for 280 yards, three TDs and one INT.  Trip Maxwell hit on seven of fourteen for 156 yards, three TDs and one INT.  The action was heavy throughout the game. 

The total score of 118 points blew out our non-FBS scoring record. FDU Madsion and alma mater Juniata recorded 92 back in 2005 (51-41, FDU). It still trails the combined scores of two FBS game that totaled 121.  Louisville defeated Wake Forest and UMass defeated Liberty by identical scores of 62-59.  However, the first game was settled in regulation.  The latter hit the mark with three OTs.

Davidson QB Luke Durkin (9) runs option to the right ready to pitch out.
Davidson College QB Luke Durkin (9) runs option to the right ready to pitch out to Aaron Maione (21).

Hatters catch up, but…

Davidson put up 411 yards on the ground and scored seven rushing touchdowns. Mari Adams, the Pioneer league’s top rusher ran for 135 on 13 carries with touchdown runs of 16, 20 and 54 yards. Stetson started to challenge in the second period closing the score to 35-21. Meitz connected with Fabian Baez to cut the score to 35-28 early in the second half.  However, the Wildcats responded with five consecutive scores including an interception return by LB John Tessmann for 21 yards.

Calling this one early

Up 70-35 at the end of three, with a six-hour drive home, I decided to call it a game. The final period would be more of a scrimmage between players that hadn’t played yet, and Davidson College had already proven to be the superior team.  I recorded this within a crowd of among 2,366 other attendees to be the finish of my 699th game.  Time to get ready and prepare for Game 700 in The Meadowlands.  I’d be flying out on Thursday and had much to do. First thing needed – report on the last three games attended before going to Game 700 to show, 699 officially appears in our history books. Check it out right here for verification.

Davidson defender stops Stetson RB for a short gain.
Davidson College defender stops Stetson RB with a form tackle for a short gain.

Who’d have “thunk” it?

I can’t believe I’ve done this now for 45 straight years.  And I’m not finished. I may slow down a little.  This year challenged me to select a 700th game of significance that could be attended by many friends I’ve attended game with over all these years.  To do so, I had to cram a schedule of 18 games in eight weeks before October 26 to get make this happen.  If you read my latest book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly, you’ll note my Bucket List at the very end.  I have other goals.

Like seeing as many more FBS Stadiums (up to 94 today) as possible and attending at least one college football game in every state (nine more to go; Alaska doesn’t have a team, but I’ve been there also; also attended games in Washington, DC).  This year, I’ve already added New Mexico, Wyoming, and Arkansas among my travels.  Wisconsin will be added on November 16.  The added bonus regarding that one is that the Badgers host the current No. 1 Oregon Ducks!  Looking forward to the Jump Around and the Fifth Quarter besides! Also, as of today, the top four teams in the country are on our slate this season. We watched Georgia defeat Auburn on October 3. Ohio State visits Penn State for our game 701, and Oregon meets Wisconsin for our game on November 16!

Like Badger RB Jonathan Taylor shown eluding Penn State with an early TD jaunt in 2018, we will finally catch up to see Wisconsin play a game at Camp Randall this season.
Like Wisconsin Badger RB Jonathan Taylor shown eluding Penn State with an early TD jaunt in 2018, we will finally catch up to see Wisconsin play a game at Camp Randall this season.

Game of significance?

Well, no one expected Navy (6-0) to be undefeated and ranked 24th heading to the Meadowlands next weekend. The Fighting Irish come in in at No. 12.  A few things of significance regarding this one.  I’ve attended seven of these rivalry games already, considered the first true intersectional rivalry in the country.  I saw the Mids win for only the second time since Roger Staubach played for Navy in the early 60’s.  I watched them defeat ND at the Meadowlands, 35-17, in 2010.  They did it against the ND Head Coach who was an assistant at my high school Boonton (NJ) a few years after I graduated – Charlie Weis.  This Saturday night after Game 700, I’m driving about 10 miles away for my 50th BHS reunion.

For more than a few reasons

However, there’s a greater point of significance for me in this one.  In 1974, I attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.  I didn’t graduate from there. I left in 1976 as the Navy and I figured out I’m not the engineering type.  But on November 2 that season, I went to see my favorite team, Notre Dame, play growing up as a kid in New Jersey. 

However, wearing my Navy uniform with a lot of my good fellow plebe friends there, I cheered wholeheartedly for our fellow Mids against the Irish at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.  We led the defending National Champions going into final period, 6-0.  We cheered ecstatically.  In the end we fell to Notre Dame, 14-6.  ND’s great Head Coach Ara Parseghian admitted later that that game made him decide it was time to retire.  I always admired Ara greatly since his early years at South Bend. 

With me in brown jacket, i attended the 2022 Army navy game with my USNA calss mates of Second comapany Class of 1978. Still great taht I can call these guys my friends!
With me in brown jacket third from right, I attended the 2022 ArmyNavy game with my USNA classmates of Second Company, Class of 1978. Still great that I can call these guys my friends!

New pecking order since

However, from that time on, I still root for the Mids along with Penn State now, for other reasons, as my two favorite teams.  The Irish are basically behind these two for me now, but I really look forward to a Navy upset this weekend.  Many of the guys I attended USNA with in Second Company class of 1978, I still call friends.  Many can’t make this game, but I will be attending with many more who have not only gone to other various games during the many seasons, but many of them have joined me over the last ten years for Navy games down in Annapolis.  This will be fun!  Go Navy!

-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of Football Writers Association of America and author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.  Click on the title to get your copy today and please submit a review.  Thanks!

And this "crew" of assorted characters had a great time getting together for last year's annual get-together in Annapolis. This year - Navy vs. Notre Dame in The Meadowlands.
And this “crew” of assorted characters had a great time getting together for last year’s annual get-together in Annapolis. This year – Navy vs. Notre Dame in The Meadowlands.

Duke ends Florida State winning streak at 22, 23-16, Game of Futility

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Durham, NC – In a sloppy but intense meeting between long-time ACC foes, Duke (6-1, 2-1) ended Florida State’s dominance over them at Wallace Wade Stadium, 23-16.  Duke’s defense dominated the FSU offense on University Family Night.  Blue Devil fans I met on the shuttle from the H Lot before the game raised concerns over the performance of their former QB transfer from Texas, Maalik Murphy. We wondered if he’d shown improvement since the Duke opener against Elon.  Evidently, not to their fan-base satisfaction. However, despite his preference to only throw short passes and not long ones, the Duke defense proved to be thriving under new HC Manny Diaz and his staff.

Florida State starts new QB

The Blue Devils defense kept the Seminoles offense out of the end zone this evening no matter who quarterbacked. QB Brock Glenn started in place of ailing starter DJ Uiagalelei sitting out with an injury.  The FSU Faithful didn’t seem to be in a hurry to see the former Clemson Tiger return any time soon.

Glenn started the ‘Noles with a 46-yard drive to get a 23-yard FG from Ryan Fitzgerald.  Duke’s offense ran only 13 plays for 22 yards on its first four possessions.  At the 1:38 mark before the first quarter expired, the Blue Devils put seven on the scoreboard with Chandler Rivers’ pick for a 36-yard TD return and a 7-3 lead.

Duke DB Chandler Rivers picks off FSU pass to return 36 yards for a 7-3 Blue Devil lead in first quarter.
Duke DB Chandler Rivers picks off FSU pass to return 36 yards for a 7-3 Blue Devil lead in first quarter.

Mirror images of offenses

The Seminole and Blue Devil offensive play calling seemed to mimic each other in futility from one series to the next.  Duke fan and James Madison U. grad, Aaron, and I sitting next to one another among 30,375, noted the eerily, similar play-calling strategies and silly mistakes for both teams throughout the game.  Maalik Murphy couldn’t throw long passes. FSU couldn’t sustain drives whether Glenn or Luke Kromenhoek played QB.   Duke’s defense kept the Blue Devils in the game.  We joked that both defenses would have to lead their respective teams in scoring. On cue, FSU turned the ball over again with Glenn’s fumble on their 36 recovered by Devil DE Ryan Smith.

Duke drove to the two, and Star Thomas took it in for a 14-3 Duke lead.  The Blue Devils had already met their defensive TD allotment evidently. Florida State’s next series ended with LB Ossie Nicholas’s INT to put the Devils at the Seminole 11.  However, the Duke offense could gain only one yard.  As expected, they settled for Todd Pelino’s 27-yard FG.  FSU HC Mike Norvell saw enough of Glenn and brought in Freshman Kromenhoek much to the satisfaction of Seminole Nation in the visitors’ stands.  During his second series under center, a hand to the face penalty gave his unit some yardage, but a sack by Duke put the Noles at their 35.  Ryan Fitzgerald answered his calling once again, good for three with 1:46 remaining in the first half.  That’s the way the half ended before the visitors took their long trek back to the detached locker room far from Wallace Wade Stadium.

The Duke University visitors' Locker room kills at least five minutes of oponents time during halftime. It's a long walk. FSU players dould be seen running in the distance as well.
The Duke University visitors’ Locker room kills at least five minutes of opponents time during halftime. It’s a long walk. FSU players could be seen running in the distance as well.

Still not an offensive score for the Seminoles

As Duke fan Aaron and I agreed to earlier, both defenses needed to score in this contest.  We forgot about special teams, however.  To start the second half, Samuel Singleton fielded the Duke kickoff and returned it 95 yards for a TD to close the scoring gap, 17-13.  Despite sloppiness and offensive ineptitude on display tonight, we still witnessed an entertaining, competitive game.

Duke started its next series from their 27.  Murphy (12 for 24, 70 yards, no TDS, no INTs) continued his out passes and incompletions.  One just can’t picture him competing with Quin Ewers nor Arch Manning to play QB at Texas. He got the Blue Devils into FG range, however, and Pelino converted from 44 yards out to regain their seven-point margin. Duke added to its defensive repertoire with a new weapon against Florida State, the squib kick. No way Singleton would fly downfield once again.  Plus, they directed it away from his side of the field.  Punts rained on the field at Wallace Wade going into the final period.

Pulling out the FSU stops?

Glenn surprisingly returned under center for Florida State.  On a third and 27, he motored 14 yards to the Duke 19.  Again, the Noles settled for Fitgerald adding only three points once again from 38 to climb closer, 20-16.  11:33 remained in this game.  Could either team score a touchdown again?  On Duke’s next series, Star Thomas (21 carries for 88 yards, one TD already) raced 44 yards to the FSU 21. The Blue Devil drive stalled there.  Pelino drilled it once again from 39 to go up by seven once again.  It was as if Duke tempted Florida State to score a touchdown to see if they could make two.  Aaron and I agreed the field goal would be good enough as long as State got only one more possession. Couldn’t imagine them getting into the end zone for six today.  Maybe another three, but that was about it.

F
FSU QB Brock Glenn throws an early pass on the Noles way to set up a field goal.

Duke Football celebrates Good Time

Duke squibbed the ball strategically down field again.  A Roughness penalty by the Noles helped even more, spotting the ball on their 17.  We turned out to be right.  Duke punched the ball out of Kam Davis’s hands.  DT Preston Watson recovered at the Duke 31.  Of course, Duke eventually punted the ball away on a fourth and 18 back on its 23.  FSU started from their 41.  Eight plays later, they turned to ball over on downs at their 48.  The Florida State offense is so inept. They totaled 281 yards in total offense, 95 yards on a kickoff return.  Duke totaled only 180 yards of offense, but one offensive TD.  It only took their defense 36 yards to score on an interception return.  Duke fans still had significant reason to celebrate – overcoming 22 seasons of FSU Seminole domination. It marked our Game 698 as a historical milestone in the history of Collegefootballfan.com.

Back to a Bowl. Back to Reality?

Not only that, but Duke officially became bowl eligible at 6-1.  They still won’t make the Top 25.  If they want it bad enough, they have their work cut out for them over the rest of their season, especially the next tow weeks. FSU falls to 1-6 and calls now stir to terminate HC Mike Norvell.  In his defense, we’ll say that the disrespect for his 13-0 run last season was a cold shot. Players left because the selection committee decided they couldn’t compete with their injured star QB Jordan Travis.  On top of that, ten players he recruited for the Noles got drafted by NFL teams last season.

RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida Stat here against Wake Forest in 2023.
RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida State here against Wake Forest in 2023. Like many Seminoles from that team, he moved on, but he went on to get drafted by the NFL Cardinals.

The transfer portal isn’t what it’s all cracked up to be.  People tend to think only the best players bidding for movement to other schools.  Basically, most players that don’t start do now seeking “greener” pastures. Realistically, most of them show up as unproven entities. Teams still need to be built from within, not by hiring a bunch of wandering mercenaries.  This isn’t Fantasy football.  FSU fans probably don’t want to hear this, but Norvell did his job to get the Seminoles to the top in 2023.  The problem was that other folks in the NCAA refused to recognize this last season.  Hate to say it, but it’s back to the drawing board for Florida State University if they allow him to.

Next up for the Blue Devils and Noles!

Here’s the work the Blue Devils have immediately in front of them: No. 22 SMU comes calling at Wallace Wade next week. They average 40 points per game.  Their only loss is to No. 11 BYU, 18-15.  Things get tougher the following week. They head to Miami to face No. 6 Hurricanes averaging 48 point per game! Duke’s defense has led the way, but until now, they’ve only faced UConn (4-3) and Georgia Tech (5-3) with winning records.  Tech defeated them, 24-14. The Blue Devil defense will be looking to pitch shutouts in both.  Hard to imagine.  Maybe the Duke offense has been holding back?  Shoot-out? Doubt it, but what do I know?

We hope the Duke cheerleading squad will still have things to cheer about next week when SMU invades Wallace Wade
We hope the Duke cheerleading squad will still have things to cheer about next week when SMU invades Wallace Wade.

As for FSU, they have to win all five remaining games to meet bowl eligibility.  No. 6 Miami meets on their slate next, and two weeks later, they visit No.  12 Notre Dame.  Of course, the Florida Gators await them to meet in their traditional season finale.

Game 699 next for Collegefootballfan.com

One more game before our Big 700 milestone celebration on October 26!  Tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 19) we step down to attend a conveniently located FCS game.  For the first time, we will attend a game at Davidson College in North Carolina. We don’t know what to expect from these two members of The Pioneer Football Leage spread out across the country from New York State to San Diego, California.  At this game, we will add two new teams for the first time.  The Davidson Wildcats (4-2, 3-2) will host the Hatters of Stetson (3-3, 2-3) located in Florida.  Then, on to surprising No. 24 Navy (6-0, 4-0) vs. No. 12 Notre Dame (6-1) at MetLife Stadium back in the NJ Meadowlands.  If Northern Illinois could beat the Irish, why not the Mids? They combine an offense that is clicking and a defense that is hitting.  Go Navy! Can’t wait.

-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of Football Writers Association of America and author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.  Click on the title to get your copy today and please submit a review.  Thanks!