Game 610: LSU humbles Oklahoma on way to CFP championship, 63-28

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Game 610: LSU humbles Oklahoma on way to CFP championship, 63-28

Atlanta – 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow led No. 1 LSU over No. 4 Oklahoma, 63-28, throwing for 493 yards and seven TDs all in the first half.  The Tigers led at intermission, 49-14.  Burrow tied the all-time bowl record for TD passes in a game, and WR Justin Jefferson (14 catches for 227 yards) tied the all-time bowl record with his four touchdown receptions, again all in the first half.  Burrow ran for another TD in the second half to punctuate his performance.

Joe Burrow looks to pick apart Sooner secondary in first period.

Take what we can get

     We at Collegefootballfan.com achieved what we had hoped for despite not seeing a close, well-fought game that we always prefer to see.  First, we sought to see the potential national champ although LSU still has tough, experienced Clemson ahead. It will be a great game, and the Bayou Bengals certainly have a shot against their fellow feline Tigers.  Secondly, among 20 performances by Heisman Trophy winners seen over the past 40 years, we just witnessed the best and probably most memorable performance among all winners in games we’ve seen them play in since 1974.

What a play!

     Despite the extraordinary stats achieved this evening by Burrow, one play stands out more than any other.  On a third and two from his 22, under heavy pressure, Burrow rolled right.  Nearing the sideline, in one motion he dove falling out of bounds, but he showed his accuracy to submarine a pass down field 24 yards to Terrace Marshall for a first down.  The drive resulted in his second of four TD passes to Jefferson for a 28-7 lead.  Jefferson caught this one from 35 yards out to add to his previous score from 19 and soon to be followed by two more from 45 and 30 respectively before the half. 

LSU had lots to cheer about in Atlanta from beginning to end in the CFP at the Peach Bowl!

Thanks for the memory

     The last scoring pass for Burrow came in a connection for 62 yards on a nice, over the shoulder catch by his TE Thaddeus Moss.  No disrespect to Thaddeus, but in 1997, we watched his Daddy, Randy, torch Army twice on short passes for an electrifying 80-yard score and another 90-yarder in one game (LOL! as we say nowadays) for Marshall in a 35-25 regular season win.  Both plays appeared in highlight films shown of him on draft day into the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings.

Thaddeus Moss (81) follows in his old man Randy’s footsteps.

Live and learn

    CFF.com came away with two new take-aways from this game.  Last year, we decided not to attend any more CFP semi-finals if Alabama or Clemson played unless Penn State turned out to be the competition.  The same now goes for Oklahoma, but for the totally opposite reason.  The two formers dominated (guess against who).  OU doesn’t show up.

     This bowl featured our fourth with Sooner Schooner on the field.  Our first, the 2011 Fiesta Bowl, was a farce resulting on a dominant Sooner win over an out-matched 8-4 Big East champ Connecticut, 48-20.  Don’t count this one.  In 2015, Clemson defeated the Sooners in the CFP Orange Bowl, 37-17, on the way to their first championship match against Alabama where they fell, 45-40.  Last year, we watched Alabama take a big lead on the Sooners before taking the CFP Orange Bowl, 45-34.  Bama went on to fall to Clemson, 44-16.  Here we are this year seeing Jalen Hurts, former QB of Alabama, now with Oklahoma getting held to two rushing TDs among 43 yards rushing and to only 15 of 31 for 217 passing yards and no TD passes.  No more Oklahoma CFP games for us.

LSU put the hurts on Jalen Hurts all night.

Our other take-away

     Coincidentally, in all four bowl games involving OU, CFF.com saw four Heisman Trophy winners perform at quarterback – the Sooners’ Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield (before he won it), and Kyler Murray.  Now we’ve seen Burrow from LSU pick them apart.  The other take-away from this game for us, we can see why Saban made the transition from Hurts to Tua Tagovailoa long term.  We watched Tua against OU last year and he impressed us with his very strong and accurate arm.  Hurts has skills to lead and run and pass effectively, but as a pure passer, Tua is definitely head and shoulders above.

First play last Orange Bowl – Tua (13) to Smith for 50 yards vs Sooners.

Sad note

    Before the game, we met up with our friend and LSU fan Joe Rogers, formerly of the Bleacher Report, who drove to Atlanta from Pennsylvania to see his beloved Tigers play.  Meeting for a few beers before the game at the Atlanta Braves All-Star Bar and Grill on Peach Tree Street, Joe remorsely noted a small plane with six passengers on board had left Louisiana that morning but crashed moments later, killing all aboard.  Little did anyone know then that among those that perished included local sports reporter Carley McCord, daughter-in-law of LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger.  Subsequent reports came out that Steve learned of this from HC Ed Orgeron before the game and coached his offense from the press box above the field with a heavy heart, to say the least.  The team found out after the game.  Our condolences to Carley McCord’s family and friends.

What a season!

     The 2019 season over for us.  We’re relegated for TV for the championship game on January 13 between LSU and Clemson.  Despite our two blow-out bowl games to finish this year, we attended a lot of exciting college football games this year including six straight determined in the final minute – five of them on the very last play!  And in the 150th anniversary season of college football, we got to celebrate our 600th game ever at The Birthplace of College football, New Brunswick, NJ, home of Rutgers, with about 100 friends and fans including 26 who came out from the University of Minnesota for a great tailgate party during their great season.   

Our Game 600 tailgate party’s “before” picture.

     On top of all this, we got close to seeing all four NCAA national champs play in the 150th anniversary season of college football.  We attended games featuring Slippery Rock (D-2) and Muhlenberg (D-3) who both remained undefeated until losing in their respective national semi-finals.  We saw North Dakota State (FCS) play and of course LSU (FBS) who both remain undefeated and will play for national championships against James Madison and Clemson on January 12 and 13th respectively.   We’ll settle for two of four champs and call it a fantastic season.

 Team and Individual honors

    We have to give notice to a great season of Navy football we followed closely.  Finishing 11-2 and heading to the Liberty Bowl ranked No. 21, we watched the Mids win exciting last-minute victories against No. 24 Air Force, Tulane, and previously ranked SMU.  In their finale against arch-rival Army, they triumphed 31-7 ending their three-game losing streak against the Cadets.  Their record setting QB Malcolm Perry ended a fantastic career with 304 rushing yards in the win, and with over 200 in six games inclining their 20-17 win over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl.  Fantastic season!

SB CJ Williams trails QB Malcolm Perry on the option in a win over Tulane.

    In addition to seeing the Heisman Trophy winner of 2019 in Joe Burrow, we also had the opportunity to see this year’s Harlon Hill Award winner – D-2’s version of The Heisman.  QB Roland Rivers III of Slippery Rock set records including responsibility for 370 points and 52 touchdown passes for fourth best in D-2 history. He led the nation in passing yards and total offense while he ranked second in passing efficiency.  He became only the fourth to put up total offense of 5,000 yards in a season in D-2 history.

Harlon Hill winner Roland Rivers III (14) gets great blocking up front on this pass attempt in PSAC championship game against Kutztown.

     More post season analysis to come from our great season!  Already planning for next year.  Check us out to find out more during the off-season.

Next!

   LSU plays Clemson for all the marbles on January 13 against Clemson, of course.  Oklahoma opens next season on September 5 at home hosting Missouri State.  Collegefooballfan.com is already planning our vacation in Ireland in August of 2020 to attend the game in Dublin between Navy and Notre Dame to begin our season on August 29.  Counting down the days now!  Thanks for following us and Happy New Year!

Happy times these days in Baton Rouge!

Game 609: Carolina Tar Heels trample Temple Owls in Military Bowl, 55-13

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Game 609:  Carolina Tar Heels trample Temple Owls in Military Bowl, 55-13

Annapolis, MD- Under Head Coach Mack Brown, starting in his second stint at North Carolina since leaving in 1997, the Tar Heels came to Annapolis looking to build for the future clobbering lackluster Temple in the 12th annual Military Bowl, 55-13.  Attended by 24,242 with the sky blue stands of Carolina outnumbering the Cherry and White clan, our contingent of traditional tailgaters attending this one together shared surprise at the smaller than usual crowd at this game, but the action left us all totally disappointed by the lack of effort usually given by the competitive Owls (8-5).  The lopsided blow-out ended the season for most of us in attendance with a whimper, instead of a bang.

Head Coach Mack Brown (between Nos. 33 and 90) and his staff focus on their young teams development for the future. Their one-point loss to Clemson got them here with a 6-6 record.

True Freshman leads Tar Heels

    UNC Frosh QB Sam Howell earned game MVP honors throwing for 294 yards and three TD passes while also being on the receiving end on a well-executed reverse option play.  He led the Tar Heels (7-6) to a 20-6 lead by halftime with a first quarter 39-yard TD pass to Dyami Brown and on a 16-yarder to Dazz Newsome in the second.  Noah Ruggles added six booting FGs from 26 and 36 yards in the second period.  In the mix, the Owls cut the score 10-6 with a 75-yard TD drive capped by Re’Mahn Davis’s four-yard TD run for the Owls set up by a 60-yard pass to Jadan Blue following Ruggles first three.

UNC’s Dyami Brown leaps for Sam Howell’s first TD pass of the day.

Catching up

     At halftime, I went back in time.  On the way in on the blue side of Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, I recognized a former Boonton (NJ) Bomber High School teammate of mine, Tom Strother, working security at the entrance.  Tom retired from the Navy 20 years ago and settled in the Annapolis area. We shared stories of high school football memories playing for our late Head Coach Joe Molitoris, a Marine Reserve Colonel for many years while teaching and coaching at Boonton.  Jim Kiick of Miami Dolphin Super Bowl fame played for him ten years prior to Tom and me.

     Ever read Meat on the Hoof about HC Darrel Royal at Texas, or The Junction Boys about Paul “Bear” Bryant and his first season at Texas A&M?  Our memories with Joe “Mol” could be entitled something like “Paris Island, Jr.”  We reminisced about early, hot September double sessions; no water during practices, and in my two years after Tom, maybe at least a squirt on your face; salt tablets; tackling and blocking drills basically every day; fumble drills on rocks and glass; Bull-in-the ring; Oklahoma drills; and “gut-buster’s” after every practice.  It was more like boot camp then football practice.  Only the strong survived to say the least.  We focused on hitting and conditioning significantly more than game execution.  Our game results reflected that focus for sure.  And games on Saturdays came as a relief.

Box-sledding: a long time tradition at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Another book?

     We Boonton Bombers always played tough defense and were known as hard-hitters.  Our offensive strategy around the area was always diagnosed by local followers as, “sweep left, sweep right, up the middle, punt.” Fond memories.  As tough as it was, I think Joe’s intention was to prepare us for life beyond football. Our games were generally close.  We never really got blown out even when our school population got cut in half as one sending district pulled out to open its own school and we continued to play much bigger schools.  We always ended up generally around .500.  Each year had its ups and downs. 

Joe’s best year was a 6-0-3 record. No play-offs in those days. Tom reflected, if only Joe could have turned the offense over to somebody else.   At the end of our conversation, he suggested that we could write a book about the stories we could collect from among the many players that played for good old BHS in those days.  We should think about it.  In 2022, BHS will celebrate its 100th anniversary of Bomber football.

Re’Mahn Davis (20) scores for Temple early to cut Tar Heel lead, 10-6.

 Back to the future!

    In the second half, UNC finished off an 83-yard drive with Antonio Williams’ one-yard run.  The Heels scored again twelve seconds later on Storm Duck’s (great name and another freshman) 20-yard INT return.  Later Howell snuck into the end zone wide open for a two-yard pass reception on a reverse option pass from WR Rontavius Groves.  Davis scored his second TD on a 45-yard pass from Todd Centeio to trail heading into the fourth, 41-13.  I told my fellow tailgaters, Brian, Jay, Jason, Geoff, Pat, and Dan, all celebrating the end of the season here at the Military Bowl that UNC was due two more TDs in the final period.

Game MVP Sam Howell (7) looks down field on a touchdown drive.

Called it

     Newsome caught a 29-yard pass from Howell, and Williams scored again following a drive from the two to finalize the score, 55-13. We continued our tailgating at nearby Germantown Elementary School afterward.  Basically, the only ones hanging after the game, a group of Temple fans dropped by with two young ladies telling us that the guy they were with scored the only two TDs for Temple that day.  We met Re’Mahn (Ray) Davis.  Showered and looking dapper in a nice suit, he seemed like a nice kid.  I noted that he played prep ball not far from me at Blair Academy though his hometown is listed as San Francisco.  He said he was only there one season.  The thing that struck me later though, that I never recovered that quickly from a loss.  It would sit with me for days.  Used to bug the hell out of my Mother.  I always wrestled with what I should have / could have done better to get the win.  Didn’t matter if I played well or not.  I guess that’s another difference between playing back then and now, too.

Next!

    Both of these squads travel to Florida to open season in 2020.  The Heels go to the Land of Disney to play Central Florida. Should be interesting.  Temple goes to Miami. Two competitive openers.  As for collegefootballfan.com, we travel south as well but not as far and not next season.  Leaving next morning for Atlanta to see No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma in the CFP Peach Bowl with much anticipation to get to see No. 1 and hopefully a more competitive game than this one.

Carolina sky blue dominated the stands at Navy-Marine Corps.

Game 608: Navy blasts Army, 31-7, in traditional regular season finale as Perry runs for 304 yards

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Game 608:  Navy blasts Army, 31-7, in traditional regular season finale as Perry runs for 304 yards

Philadelphia – In traditional fashion, Army and Navy battled in the final game of college football’s regular season as Navy Senior QB Malcolm Perry rushed for 304 yards and two TDs to top arch-rival Army, 31-7.  Perry carried 29 times and never threw a pass.  The Mids passed only once and for one yard and a touchdown at that.  For Perry and his classmates, the victory came in their senior season to snap a three-game losing streak to Army and to avoid going winless against the Cadets during their four years at USNA.  For Collegefootballfan.com, this twelfth meeting we’ve seen between these two traditional marked our final regular season game as we now plan to attend two good bowl games right after Christmas.

Greatest rivalry in college football!

Army breaks the ice

    Army scored first late in the first quarter as sub-QB Christian Anderson finished a 78-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run.  Navy came right back with Perry’s 55-yard TD run to start the second period.  With six ticks left in the half, Navy threw its only pass as Perry pitched the ball to SB Chance Warren on a reverse and he lofted a pass in the right corner to Soph FB Jamale Carothers for a one-yard score.  The Mids went into halftime with a 14-7 lead.

QB Malcolm Perry (10) crosses the goal line on his 55-yard TD run.

Mr. President

     President Donald Trump presided over the coin flip which Navy deferred to start the game.   His presence raised cheers from throughout the packed stadium of 68,075. The President changed seats at halftime crossing the Lincoln Financial turf from the Army side to the Navy side.

    Trump continues to press for the opportunity to allow Cadets and Midshipmen that play football to start pro football careers right after graduation and to defer and shorten their military service afterward.  He believes that it would be a great public relations ploy for the academies.  Collegefootballfan.com thinks the service academies should continue what they do to graduate military officers first.  

Mission Statement

Besides, what better way is there than to promote the academies than to recruit true student-athletes to compete among other programs and win at a high level as Navy does today?  In addition, with the very liberal transfer rules now in place, what would stop other programs from trying to pry away top players the academies may get?  Temptations would be too great to lure away disgruntled student-athletes in a high-pressured environment to say the least to a less-demanding focus primarily on football.  Sending players to go on to pro football should not be an academy’s primary mission.

President Trump, in his red “Keep America Great” cap, crosses the field at halftime.

Navy dominates

     Carothers scored on a five-yard run after the Mids started at the Army 45 in the third.  The Navy defense which knows the triple option well but can struggle against a top passing attack, held the Cadets averaging 331.7 rushing yards per game to only 123.  The Mids (10-2), who lead the nation in rushing average finishing at 363.7 ypg, corralled 395 against their similarly familiar foe coached by former Navy assistant, Jeff Monken. 

     In the final period, Navy PK Bijan Nichols booted a 37-yard FG and Perry capped the scoring with a 15-yard run with 1:42 remining to settle the score, 31-7.  The Mids captured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for Academy football supremacy in 2019 with wins over Army (5-8) and over No. 24 Air Force (10-2) who we watched the Mids defeat on October 5 in an exciting last-minute victory, 34-25. 

Broken records

   USNA HC Ken Niumatalolo became the winningest HC in Army-Navy history with his ninth win exceeding eight wins by Army’s Earl “Red” Blaik.  Perry, the game MVP, became only the fourth QB in FBS history to run for over 300 yards in a single game.  He set the individual mark for the most rushing yards in this greatest of rivalries that was played for the 120th time this afternoon. 

Perry on his way to 304 rushing yards.

Next!

     Army who had high expectations entering the season stumbled at 5-8 losing surprisingly to some lightly regarded competition.  Their season is over.  Perry and company head to the Liberty Bowl to face Kansas State (8-4), a team we saw fall to Texas on November 9, 27-24, on a last play, game-winning FG.  We saw Navy defeat three bowl teams this season in the final minute of play in each game at home versus Air Force, Tulane, and SMU. Navy will be seeking its 11th win of the season and a chance to finish in the Top 25 for only the third time in the last 56 years.  Their game in Memphis will be on December 31 at 3:45 EST.

Follow us

     For Cff.com, we’ll be back in Annapolis with some of our usual tailgate suspects on December 27 to see North Carolina (6-6) play Temple (8-4) in the Military Bowl under respective first year but experienced Head Coaches in Mack Brown and Rod Carey.  The next day, we’ll be in Atlanta for our final game of the season in the CFP semi-final game at the Peach Bowl between No. 1 LSU (13-0) and No.  4 Oklahoma (12-1).  In our CFP history, we saw the Sooners come up short against Clemson in 2015 and against ‘Bama last season.  Sooner QB Jalen Hurts will make it interesting here, but we’ll look for a stalwart performance by Heisman winner Joe Burrows of LSU in this one.

Temple’s Re’Mahn Davis (20) fights for few yards in Temple’s win over Georgia Tech earlier this season.

Oh well…

 We had a short-term goal this past week to eventually have seen all four NCAA football champs play this season, but we’re now down to only two possibilities, LSU being one of them.  No. 1 North Dakota State (14-0) of the FCS defeated Illinois State last week 9-3 and hosts Montana State (11-3) this weekend in the semi-finals.  Winner plays the winner of James Madison and Weber State.  We saw the Bison defeat Delaware early this season. 

Our D-2 and D-3 possibilities both lost badly at home in respective semi-final games on Saturday.  Slippery Rock (13-1) defeated Kutztown in the PSAC championship game we attended a few weeks ago, but they were no match for Minnesota State in their semi losing, 58-15.  State plays West Florida in the championship this Saturday.   In D-3, Muhlenberg (13-1) who we saw a week ago triumph impressively over Salisbury, fell handily to North Central of Illinois, 45-14.  NC plays UW-Whitewater for the D-3 title this Friday night.

The North Dakota State Bison prepare to defend their title of FCS champs once again.

Merry Christmas and

Happy Bowl Season!

Game 607: Muhlenberg shuts down high-flying Salisbury to gain D-3 semi-final, 24-8

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Game 607:  Muhlenberg shuts down high-flying Salisbury to gain D-3 semi-final, 24-8

Salisbury, MD – In a game between two undefeated playoff teams, the Muhlenberg Mules (13-0) of the Centennial Conference raced out to a quick start. They shut down a potent Salisbury Sea Gull offense to move on to the D-3 national semi-finals with a 24-8 victory.  In a classic matchup between a leading defensive unit against a formidable offense, the Mules’ defensive strategy shut down the Gulls triple-option offense averaging 343 rushing yards per game to just 127. 

Sizing them up before the game, the Sea Gulls looked like they had bigger players across their lines who we thought may dominate, but the Mules proved quicker up front.

The Sea Gulls of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, second nationally in passing efficiency, completed only four of 17 pass attempts.  The quick, stifling, well-coached Muhlenberg defense held Salisbury (12-1) to only eight points after averaging 51.1 points per game coming into Saturday’s game at their home field.  They scored 61 the previous week in their win over Union College of New York and 84 in the play-off opener against SUNY-Maritime.

 A college footfall first for anyone?

   For Collegefootballfan.com, the Mule’s win offers us a very unique opportunity.  Previously this season, we watched No. 1 North Dakota State of the FCS knock off Delaware, 47-22.  Three weeks ago, we attended the PSAC championship game where undefeated Slippery Rock got by Kutztown, 37-35. They entered the D-2 playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Super East Region.  Muhlenberg hosts North Central of Illinois in their semi-final game next to get a crack at the D-3 national championship a week later.   Today, we just booked a trip to the Peach Bowl to see No. 1 LSU (13-0) play No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) to play the winner of Clemson and Ohio State for the FBS championship on January 13 in New Orleans.   

 If all these teams seen continue to win their remaining games until the very end of the 2019 season, we at Collegefootballfan.com could say that we attended games played by all four NCAA football champions this season.  If LSU wins it all, all four champs seen will be undefeated.  What a fantastic season it’s been for us during the 150th season of college football in which we also attended our 600th game since 1979! 

Early action

    After recovering a fumbled pitch by Salisbury ending their opening drive at the Muhlenberg 11. The Mule offense drove the length of the field for a 22-yard TD pass from QB Michael Hnatkowsky to Max Kirin (6 catches, 88 yards, two TDs) for a quick 7-0 lead.  The stifling, quick Muhlenberg defense forced a Salisbury punt after the next possession ending in a three and out.  Kirin caught a 28-yard pass to keep their possession alive on a third and two, and then caught a nine-yard TD pass to build a sudden 14-0 lead for Muhlenberg.

Well-prepared Mule “D”

    Through the second and third periods, the tough Mule defense moved well laterally on run plays either side the offense veered to to quickly plug holes for dive plays. The adequately covered the ends tightly on pitch-outs to keep the Sea Gull running game in check.  Guest Game Analyst Brian Donnelly (Towson) who has Navy season tickets with us, did not see the strategy nor the execution skills of the triple option run by the Gulls as effective as do the Midshipmen. 

The Mules stop Salisbury QB John Lanham for a short gain.

As Brian stated, we’ve been spoiled by watching the likes of Keenan Reynolds and Malcolm Perry run the triple option the last eight years.  On the other hand, Muhlenberg came in with a defensive scheme that was working, and Salisbury never adapted.  The Sea Gulls also seemed to quickly abandon the offense that got them this far.  They never developed a rhythm nor ran the QB on the fake option to the outside. It seemed way too early for a team whose success was built on this run-first offense to go to the air as quickly as they did. 

     On pass attempts, the Mules sacked QB Jack Lanham five times.  CB John Washington broke up four Sea Gull pass attempts including a fourth down attempt into the end zone to stop a drive in the second.  The takeover on downs resulted with Todd Spirit launching a 34-yard FG to take a 17-0 lead by halftime. By the end of the third period, the Mule defense had not allowed a point through eleven quarters in the D-3 playoffs.

 Record-breaker 

   In the third period, Muhlenberg drove 80 yards in 14 plays to extend their lead 24-0 on Hnatkowsky’s third TD pass, this time from 22 yards to Mitch Daniel (6 catches, 64 yards, one TD).  The left-handed, Junior QB completed 24 of 38 passes for 264 yards.  His three TDs boosted his career school record to 96 passes for touchdowns with another full season ahead of him. 

Threat quashed

     An interception by Salisbury in the fourth put the Sea Gulls at the MU 34.  Six plays later, Salisbury got on the scoreboard.  With Lanham’s six-yard run and his subsequent run for the two-point conversion, they trailed 24-8 with 6:49 left.  The onsides kick attempt failed as WR Ryan Curtiss (Franklin Lakes, NJ) recovered.   RB Mark Riggio (Verona, NJ) ran the ball 43 yards before sliding down at the Salisbury two.  With 2:46 remaining, the two teams exchanged handshakes before Hnatkowsky took a knee four times as the game clock wound down.

 Playoff action heating up

   Next Saturday, the Mules return home to Scotty Wood Stadium in Allentown, Pennsylvania to host North Central of Illinois (12-1) in the D-3 semi-final.  The Cardinals defeated the Delaware Valley Aggies at home on Saturday, 31-14.  The week prior, the Cardinals pulled of the biggest upset of the tournament by defeating ten-time D-3 champ and top-seeded Mount Union, 59-52.  The only North Central loss this year was to their conference foe, Wheaton, who fell for the first time on Saturday to St. John’s of Minnesota, 34-33. The Johnnies will play Wisconsin-Whitewater on the other side of next week’s D-3 playoff bracket.   

     North Central averages 53.2 ppg. Delaware Valley of Doylestown, PA, held them to their lowest score of the season. This could be a good signal for the Mules whose defense prepared well for a style of offense they had never play against last week and yet held the Sea Gulls to only eight points.   There should be some great action the next two weeks in the final games of Division III football.

 Next!

   We at collegefootballfan.com would love to attend the Muhlenberg-North Central game a short hour and fifteen-minute drive away.  However, CFF.com looks forward to attending the traditional end of the 2019 regular college football season in Philadelphia. We will attend our 12th Army-Navy game, the 120th meeting in this great, storied rivalry.  The Midshipmen of Navy (9-2) ranked No. 21 in the nation will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak to the Cadets of Army (5-7). Throw out the records.  GO NAVY!

And then

Besides the addition of the Peach Bowl on December 28 between LSU and Oklahoma, we will be attending the Military Bowl the day before in Annapolis. At noon, North Carolina of the ACC will be duking it out with Temple of the American Athletic. We’ll be up to 610 games at end of this season.

Game 606: College of Notre Dame advances in D-2 with 20-17 victory over Kutztown as time expires

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Game 606: College of Notre Dame advances in D-2 with 20-17 victory over Kutztown as time expires

Kutztown, PA – Tanner Harding’s 30-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired in the second round of D-2 play, and his Notre Dame College Falcons (Ohio) defeated the Kutztown Golden Bears to advance to the quarter finals, 20-17.  The Falcons meet No. 1 seed Slippery Rock next Saturday for the Super East Regional final.  Needless to say, for Collegefootballfan.com, we attended our sixth straight game decided in the final minute of play in which five of those final scores were determined on the last play of each game. 

     Though the Falcons trailed throughout this game until the very last play, their defense came up big with four INTs and a fumble recovery lost by Bear QB Collin DiGalbo in the end zone to stay within striking distance throughout.  The Golden Bear offense moved at will in the first quarter, but they scored to no avail while the defense stymied the Falcon offense.  However, a missed FG attempt by struggling PK Dean Krcic and a pick at the goal line by Falcon DB Davionn Johnson keyed a scoreless first quarter for both teams that averaged over 35 points per game during the season.

QB Collin DiGalbo (17) of KU goes down in third quarter action. The Notre Dame Falcons shut him down this game.

Breaking the ice

    Kutztown got the scoring started on its first drive in the second on a double reverse pass from WR Jake Novak to fellow wide-out Jerry Kapp from 15 yards out.  The Falcon offense came to life on its ensuing possession when RB DJ Greene (16 carries for 130 yards, one TD) burst through the middle for a 52-yard touchdown jaunt.  Likewise, KU wasted no time responding. On its next play from scrimmage, DiGalbo (19 of 43, 266 yards, one TD, four INTs) hit WR Diego Torres in stride for an over-the-shoulder 80-yard scoring play for a 14-7 lead.  It looked like the offenses got warmed up now to start up a back and forth shoot-out.

DJ Greene (5) picks up tough yards for the Falcons in the second quarter after he broke free on his 52-yard run later earlier.

Something, not right?

     On the contrary, no more scoring took place in the first half.  Before the second expired, Notre Dame College intercepted DiGalbo on two consecutive drives. DiGalbo, who displayed a strong arm and a penchant to run the first two times we watched the Bears play this season, definitely lacked zip on any of his passes and tended to hang long passes up in the air, many for overthrows, and some just off target to get tipped into the air for NDC picks. Watching him warm-up at one point along the sideline, he seemed to intentionally keep elbow lower than his shoulder when he threw.  I anticipated that HC Jim Clement might remove him for strong-armed back-up Junior Eric Nickel we’d seen play before to enter the game.   

DiGalbo attempts a long pass under pressure in the first half.

    Guest Game Analyst Tim Potopa (Kutztown alum and today’s official game clock operator) who I met many years ago through our mutual Altoona friend John Massimilla, met with me briefly at half time and again after the game.  Tim mentioned he was also surprised that DiGalbo, who usually ran as much as he passed, didn’t seem to call his own number as he usually does.  Coming into this game, team stats indicated he totaled 690 yards on 131 carries.  He totaled only 23 yards on 10 carries, but most weren’t results of plays called.  The Falcons defense held him in check.

Falcon defender puts hit on Golden Bear receiver after reception.

Third period coming up three’s

     Expecting to see some offensive adjustments in the second half, KU’s first possession ended with DiGalbo’s fourth INT snagged by DB Jeffrey Thomas.  The NDC Falcons drove 58 yards to set up Harding’s 30-yard FG to close within four.  Later in the period, Bear DL Earl Volz recovered QB Chris Brimm’s fumble at the Kutztown 47. Things took a step in the right direction for the Golden Bears when Krcic booted a 24-yard FG to put the home team into Q4 with a 17-10 lead.

Sound strategy

     The visitors drove heading into the final period from their 25 to the KU four.  There, on fourth and one, Notre Dame HC Mike Jacobs opted to at least get a first down if not a touchdown, or if not, hopefully hold the Bears to get the ball back with decent field position.  The Bears Volz stopped RB Jaleel McLaughlin for a one-yard loss where the Bears took over on their five.  Jacobs’ strategy paid off probably better than he expected.  On third down from the seven, DiGalbo dropped back into the end zone looking for a receiver and took a hit from his right jarring to ball loose only to get recovered by Falcon DL Saivon Davis to tie the score at 17-all with 10:11 left to play.

     Following an exchange of punts and a turnover on downs by Kutztown at the Notre Dame College 40, a Harding FG attempt from 44 yards sailed wide right and KU took over with 1:27 left in the game.  It looked like overtime for sure. I wondered how my seat would be based on which end of the field each team would select in a bleacher-seat stadium inhabited by only 1,638 fans, about 90% of them wearing Kutztown maroon and gold.  However, after a KU first down, DiGalbo threw three straight incompletions stopping the clock each time before punting to start NDC from its 40 with only 41 seconds remaining on the clock.

Work horse

     Jaleel McLaughlin (32 carries for 163 yards) went to work for the Falcons.  On the first play, he rambled for 20 yards. On his next, he picked up seven.  After calling time-out, he rambled around KU tacklers for 26 yards to the KU seven.  Following a delay of game and a one-yard loss, Harding’s kick sailed through the uprights from 30 for the Notre Dame College victory.  Their band played the fight song which is not as stirring as the other ND’s we all know.  Their hundred or so fans celebrated with a muffled roar across the field as the home side of Andre Reed Stadium sat in silence.  Season finished, they stay home now.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin (20) was called on to carry the heavy load to put the Falcons in field goal position to win the game on the final play of their playoff win.

Moving on and up?

    The Notre Dame College Falcons move on to the next round to face No. 1 seed Slippery Rock in the Super East Regional finale.   We last saw the Rock defeat KU here two weeks ago 37-35 among the games of our final-play, winning streak. We still say the Bears had a better chance of scoring on a “Hail Mary” instead of a long field goal kick into the strong wind that day.  Last Saturday, SRU defeated Shepherd, 51-30.  I see the Falcons and The Rock playing one another close into the final period with The Rock finding a way to win to move on to the semi-finals for the D-2 National Championship.  Kutztown finished a fantastic season with a 11-2 record. They fell short of still being undefeated by only five points with both losses coming at home in games Collegefootballfan.com attended. Sorry, Golden Bears.

Slippery Rock QB Roland Rivers III gets great blocking up front on this pass attempt against Kutztown. The Rock awaits to do battle next Saturday against Notre Dame.

Next – D-3 fun!

    Collegefooballfan.com looks to go a D-3 quarterfinal next Saturday when we will see the No.1 seed Salisbury Sea Gulls (11-0) host the No.  2 seed Muhlenberg Mule (12-0) in Maryland. In the final D3Football.com poll published prior to the parings; Muhlenberg finished No. 4 nationally ahead of Salisbury at No. 6. There’s extra incentive for both squads in this game.   The host Gulls of the New Jersey Athletic Conference come in off of a 62-41 win over Union College (NY) while the Mules of the Centennial Conference dominated Brockport State of the Empire Eight, 42-0.  They have outscored both opponents thus far (MIT the other), 80-0.  On the other hand, the Gulls opened up the first-round trouncing SUNY Maritime, 84-0.  We predict a fight to the finish, but we think it will be low scoring as defenses will step up in this one. We’ll give the edge to the Mules.   

     Good news to the winner, Mount Union will not make it to the championship game.   Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wisconsin -Whitewater, perennial contenders, still loom.  Looking forward to seeing two undefeated teams meet this time of year no matter what level of NCAA football we see!

In 2017, Mt. Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor (in Yellow) played for the D-3 title in Salem, VA. In 2019, the D-3 Championship will be played in Shenandoah, Texas. Mount Union fell to North Central Saturday, 59-52. UMH-B might make it there, but Mt. Union definitely will not.

Game 605: Navy tops SMU, 35-28, for a shot at American Athletic West crown

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Game 605: Navy tops SMU, 35-28, for a shot at American Athletic West crown

Annapolis, MD – In another close, hard-fought game to the end for the fifth week in a row for Collegefootballfan.com, Navy QB Malcolm Perry broke loose for a 70-yard TD sprint with six minutes left to play, and the Mid defense shut down the high-powered Mustang passing game late to win 35-28 over No. 25 SMU.  Perry led the Mids with 195 yards rushing and two TDs while completing nine of 15 passes for 162 yards and a TD with the help of some great catches by a team not known much for their receiving prowess.

    The win puts Navy in a position to win the AAC West if they can defeat Houston next week and if No. 18 Cincinnati, leaders in the East, can defeat No. 17 Memphis (10-1,6-1) tied with Navy in the West.  The Bearcats would host the Mids for the championship with a win at Memphis next week.

Navy ball control is key

     The Mids (8-2,6-1) controlled the ball early recovering a Mustang fumble, missing a FG, and forcing a punt before Chance Warren’s 22-yrd TD run.  However, it got quickly wiped out by CJ Sanders 100-yard kickoff return for a Mustang TD. Until midway through the second, the Mids controlled the clock and the football keeping the Mustangs off the field with prolonged drives.  By the end of the game., Navy controlled the clock 39:40 to 20:20 by avoiding turnovers.

     On the other hand, special teams play, a few sacks of Perry, and a quick score gave SMU a 21-10 halftime lead. Shane Buechele (16 of 28, 251 yards, two TDS) hit James Proche for an eight-yard TD pass and his 33-yard pass to Sanders set up a nine-yard TD run by Xavier Jones.

Navy fights back

    In the third, Navy cut the margin to one with Perry capping a 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge, and Bijan Nichols converted a 25-yard FG on their second possession of the period.  The Blue and Gold defense held SMU to two three-and outs during the third. Navy’s 378 rushing yards on the day outgained the SMU passing attack totaling of 251 yards to effectively keep their offense off the field. 

     Early in the last quarter, the Mids took a 28-21 lead with a 13-yard scoring pass to WR Ryan Mitchell (three receptions, 48 yards, one TD). Leading only by five, HC Ken Niumatalolo called for the two-point conversion and Slotback CJ Williams made an outstanding, leaping, horizontal catch falling flat on his back into the end zone to put USNA up by seven.  The Mustangs came right back as Buechele connected with Rashee Rice for a 61-yard scoring pass to even the score.  That was followed by Perry’s long burst up the middle for the 35-28 lead. The outcome still remained in question with SMU’ s passing attack averaging 328.1 yard per game and totaling 28 TD pass for the season.

Down to the wire once again

    Starting from their 25 following a touchback, Buechele engineered a drive for a third and four at the Midshipman 12. His first attempt to Proche fell incomplete and on fourth down, his pass to Proche was nicely broken up by DB Cameron Kinley.  The Ponies still had two time-outs remaining with 2:35 left in the game.  Navy converted one first down, but on fourth and two from the 31, SMU spent their final time-out and Ken Niumatatolo left his offense on the field to go for it.  With cheers echoing throughout Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, SMU jumped offsides and a flag flew at the protest from the SMU sideline.  Game over with another Navy first down to run out the clock.

Next!

   SMU now out of contention for the West title faces Tulane (6-5) Both seek bowl bids.  Navy saddles up for Houston for a title shot If Cincy offs Memphis, otherwise they will face off for the championship again the following week.  We at CFF.com weighed a few playoff options for next week among the FCS, D-2, and D-3.  Most likely we are favoring our D-2 option again based on having seen No. 2 seed Kutztown (11-1) play twice this season.  They defeated Tiffin of Ohio, 33-31, this past Saturday, and they will host Notre Dame College of Ohio (11-1), champions of the Mountain East Conference.  The Falcons defeated another PSAC team, West Chester, in game decided into the last minute of play, 31-24. Unlike the opening round of D-3 play, most of the D-2 openers resulted in close, competitive scores. We look forward to the same next Saturday in Game 606!

Game 604: Slippery Rock lead in final minute overcomes Kutztown, 37-35, to take PSAC title and No. 1 seed in D-2 Super Eastern Regionals starting next week

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Game 604: Slippery Rock lead in final minute overcomes Kutztown, 37-35, to take PSAC title and No. 1 seed in D-2 Super Eastern Regionals starting next week

Kutztown, PA – In the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship game between two undefeated Division II ranked teams, No. 8 Slippery Rock bested No. 15 Kutztown University with 26 seconds left to win the conference title, 37-35.  With seconds left, Kutztown HC Jim Clement opted for a 51-yard FG attempt into the wind with his struggling kicker instead of attempting a long pass as time expired. KU had taken a two-touchdown lead into the final period and also opted out of a FG attempt to extend their lead while The Rock (11-0) scored 17 unanswered points to take the title and gain a bye week in the opening round of the upcoming playoffs.  For Collegefootballfan.com, it was our fourth straight game with the final score unsettled until the last play of the game.

    Kutztown got on the board first with an eight-yard TD pass from Collin DiGalbo to TE Jack Pilkerton to cap an 8-yard drive.  On its next possession, The Rock countered with a 22-yard TD pass from Roland Rivers III (28 for 41, 302 yards, four TDs, one INT) to Henry Litwin to even up the first quarter score.

Kutztown TE Jack Pilkerton demonstrates good hands with this catch early in the game.

Punch, counter-punch 

      A 34-yard pass to Pilkerton got the Golden Bears to the seven and Abdul Hassan Nesblett (15 carries, 141 yards, two TDs) scored from the two.  Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley noted that Pilkerton, listed at 6-3, 245 lbs. had great hands and along with a few others on the field may spawn some interest at the professional level.  Once again Slippery Rock countered on a 75-yard scoring drive finishing with another Rivers TD pass to Litwin from 14 yards out.  A see-saw battled brewed.  Nesblett gave the Golden Bears the lead once again, 21-14 with his 12-yard run.  With the wind at KU’s back during the second period, their kickoffs sailed through the end zone.  SRU’s next 75-yard drive culminated on Rivers seven-yard TD pass to Jermaine Wynn (9 catches, 85 yards, one TD) to knot the score at 21.

SRU WR Henry Litwin (11) fights for yards after a catch.

Getting their kicks

    A 40-yard Golden Bear kickoff return put KU on the fifty.  The Bears went to work through the air and on a third and eight at The Rock’s 13, DiGalbo connected with Pilkerton (10 catches, 129 yards, two TDs) for a 28-21 lead into halftime.  The Kutztown Marching Band entertained the raucous, SRO crowd of 5,817 at Andre Reed Stadium who were all into this game.  A text out to Bob “Slippery Rock” Jones who followed his Alma Mater online since he couldn’t be at the game texted, “First team to punt loses.” It seemed that way on this cold, clear, sunny, windy day perfect for a football game.

Kutztown QB Collin DiGablo tries to shake The Rock’s Jeff Marx looking downfield.

But not from Kutztown

     SRU punted to end their first possession of the second half. I texted Bob back, “Uh oh!” A short punt held up by the wind started KU on their 20.  A Nesblett burst for 45 yard put the Bears at the Slippery Rock Pride 25.  DiGalbo (21 of 32 passing, 227 yards two TDs; 9 for 92 yards rushing, one TD) faked a handoff to Nesblett around right end and dove over from the three to put the Bears up, 35-21.  The Bears took more control stopping the next Rock drive with Nyiem Nevarez’s INT to gain possession at their 14.  Their drive to the SRU 22 indicated a lack of confidence in their kicking game which had been rarely called on during their dominant 10-0 season with no game margin less than a touchdown and extra point.  Paul noted in the game program that PK Dean Krcic converted only one of three field goals all season, the good one from 35.  Forgoing a field goal on fourth and ten at the 22, KU completed a pass to the six, but a holding call pushed them back for a fourth and twenty.  With a strong steady wind at their backs where the kicker had plenty of distance on kickoffs, why not go for three and go up by 17? Instead a pass fell incomplete a and KU turned the ball over on downs up by 14.

RB Abdul-Hassan Nesblett picks his way through the Rock Defenses for some of his 141 rushing yards.

Slippery Rock get theirs

     The Rock drove down to the seven for a fourth and goal, but an interference call in the end zone gave them a fresh set of downs.  Rivers connected with DeSean Dinkins for a two-yard TD pass to close to within seven early in Q4.  Later in the period, Slippery Rock drove into Kutztown’s red zone, but Rivers fumbled and Nevarez recovered at the 18.  An unsportsmanlike against The Rock put KU at the 33.  The possession eventually resulted in a punt by Krcic. Jermaine Wynn, returning the punt for SRU, raised his arm quickly up and quickly down before catching the punt.  Two KU defenders seemed to hesitate before both collided with Wynn not wrapping their arms.  He then found a seam and raced 59 yards to KU’s 11. No penalty called. The Bear defense held, and The Rock settled for Jake Chapla’s 31-yard FG.

DeSean Dinkins looks to pick up yardage after taking a hand-off from QB Roland Rivers III.

TV or not TV

    Slippery Rock held the Bears to a three-and-out.  Like the previous punt fielded by Wynn, he raised his left arm even more blatantly this time before pulling it down before the catch and he started running up field with the ball again.  He got a few yards down field before the refs seemed to notice, but this was the second time he tried to get away with this.  The refs spotted the ball where he caught it announcing that there was no call on the subsequent tackle because the whistle never blew. The point that they missed was that he tried this again because he got away with it the first time.  It’s enjoyable watching a game without any media stoppage, but in this case, both returns should have been reviewed and disallowed or penalized.  The refs missed the previous return that should not have been allowed.

Here we go again!

     Slippery Rock started from their 35 with 2:06 remaining.  Rivers got to work running and passing.  On a third and ten he completed a pass to Wynn at the 17 followed by an eight-yard pass to Qaadri Dixon.   From there Charles Snorweah took it over to gain SRU the 37-35 lead.  Chapla’s conversion failed to retain the lead by only two.

   KU with three time-outs still in their pockets had the ball again with 25 seconds left.  Pilkerton caught a pass for 21 yards at The Rock 42.  He gathered in another at the 34 with two second left.  Kutztown lined up looking like they were going to attempt a “Hail Mary”. Clement called a second time-out with Krcic now preparing for a 51-yard attempt into the 14-mph wind.  Fans in the home stands were astonished and lacked confidence.  Clement voided a shorter attempt earlier with the wind at his kicker’s back. The Dartmouth “Hail Mary” two weeks ago appeared fresh in my mind.  I should tell the Head Coach that I was there. Throw the pass!  It’ll work. Keep my streak of games won on the final play intact! SRU HC Shawn Lutz called for a time-out because he had one left to burn to “ice” Krcic.   No one on the Kutztown side seemed to believe he had a chance.  His kick went short, low, and not even close, rolling on the ground.  I’d seen better attempts at halftime from students from the stands trying to win prize money from the school bookstore to pay for books.

Reese gets great blocking up front on this pass attempt.

Until we meet again?

  SRU celebrated its big championship victory. These two could be back on a collision course to meet again for the Super East Region title game on December 7 to get into the Semi-final Round of D-2 football.  If they do, surely Kutztown HC Jim Clement will insist before the game that the officials keep their eyes open for Slippery Rock fair catch signals before they start advancing down the field.

Next!

   On Sunday, the parings front the NCAA Division II championship were announced.  Slippery Rock finished with the No. 1 seed in the East as expected.  After a bye next week, they host the winner between their arch-rival Indiana University of Pennsylvania (10-1) and Shepherd (9-2), a perennial D-2 power who joined the PSAC from the Mountain East Conference this season. In the regular season, The Rock edged IUP, 45-42. They did not play Shepherd.   Kutztown, seeded No. 2, will host Tiffin (9-1) of Ohio, champions of the Great Midwest Conference.  If the Golden Bears win, we may go see them on November 30 play the winner between West Chester (9-2) who they defeated,30-17, and Notre Dame of Ohio (10-1).  We’ll consider this game among other FCS and D-3 playoff options that weekend.

    For CFF.com, we’ll attend a key American Athletic Conference West division game this Saturday when Navy (7-2, 5-1) hosts No. 21 SMU (9-1, 5-1).  Both squads lost to No. 18 Memphis (9-1, 5-1).  Should be another high-scoring event between Navy’s triple option and SMU’s passing game.

Final home game for the Mids this season, but we see them in Philadelphia against Army for the big on on December 14.

Game 603: Texas Longhorn FG defeats No. 20 Kansas State as time expires, 27-24

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Game 603: Texas Longhorn FG defeats No. 20 Kansas State as time expires, 27-24

Austin, Texas – Cameron Dicker launched a successful 26-yard FG as time expired and the Texas Longhorns (6-3,4-2) upended No. 20 Big 12 rival Kansas State (6-3,3-3) for 27-24 victory to keep their slim hopes alive for a Big 12 championship showdown. For the third week in a row, Collegefootballfan.com attended a game where the final play of the game resulted in the winning score. We also attended a tailgate party for the first time put on by Tailgate Connect which allowed us to meet a lot of other college fans from around the country for an energetic, festive pregame experience.

Texas fans gave their “Hook ’em Horns” tributes as “The Eyes of Texas” blasted from the loudspeakers at Tailgate Connect’s pregame tailgate party a few blocks from Darrel K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.

Like Lightning

Kansas State struck quickly before many of us watching Minnesota defeat Penn State together until the bitter end at the Tailgate Connect pregame party made it into our seats in Darrel K. Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium.  On the Wildcats first possession, QB Skylar Thompson connected with Malik Knowles for a 70-yard touchdown pass to take the very quick lead.  By the time most sat down in our seats, the Longhorns’ failed 55-yard field goal attempt started the next KSU drive from their 37.  Thompson (17 of 27, 253 yards, two TDs) struck again on a pass to Wyken Gill covering 19 yards for the Cats’ second score for a 14-0 lead that lasted until the end of the first.

K-State’s WR Phillip Brooks (88) picks up yards after a completion in the second period.

Texas round-up

     After an exchange of punts, Texas started a drive 80 yards from the end zone heading into the second.  Their possession culminated with Collin Johnson grabbing a 21-yard TD pass from Sam Ehrlinger (22 of 29, 263 yards, one TD/one INT).  KSU tried to respond, but a pass reception was fumbled away to end the opportunity.  Neither team neared the end zones for the balance of the half.  The Texas defense started to tighten up on the K-State receivers.

UT’s Collin Johnson nears end zone for TD on a 19-yard reception.

Back in the saddle

     UT rolled to start the third.  RB Keaontay Ingram (16 rushes, 139 yards, two TDs) took the ball and ran 34 yards to tie the score at 14 for each.  Ehrlinger and Ingram keyed most of the yardage on the next Longhorn drive to set Dicker up for a 36-yard FG to finally put the home team ahead, 17-14.  Now dominating the Cat offense that only tallied 52 rushing yards by the end of the game, the Horns put together another drive down to the KSU 28.  However, Ehrlinger’s pass near the end zone got swiped by DB Walter Neil, Jr. to give K-State the ball at their 13.

Ingram outraces Kansas State defense for 12-yard TD run in third period.

 Hold your horses!

   Once again to force State to punt early in the final period, the Texas defense smothered.  Punt returner Brandon Jones raced back 53 yards with the ball to K-State’s 21.  Ingram finished off the short drive with a 12-yard TD run to boost UT’s margin, 24-14.  However, a few seconds later, the Wildcats closed the gap with Joshua Youngblood’s 98-yard kickoff return down the right side for a sudden score.

In your face! Wildcats’ Youngblood crosses goal line with his 98-yard TD jaunt.

     State’s defense held the Longhorns to a three-and-out to regain possession from their 28.  With his 45-yard FG for the Wildcats, Blake Lynch knotted the score at 24-all.  The Longhorns started from their 25 after the ensuing touchback with 6:45 left to play.  With key passes to Devin Duvernay (nine receptions for 110 yards) and runs by Ingram and Ehrlinger, they used up time moving downfield.

 Final showdown

    On third and goal at the KSU three, Longhorn fans celebrated as Ehrlinger carried it over the right side for a supposed score, but officials called the play back for an illegal formation.  Ehrlinger centered the ball on the eight on the next play and let the clock run down until HC Tim Herman called for a time-out with three seconds left. Dicker converted to give UT the 27-24 victory with his 26-yard FG to win and put the Horns in third place in the Big 12 trailing Oklahoma by a game and undefeated Baylor by two games. Texas celebrated!

QB Sam Ehrlinger’s (11) TD run was nullified, but UT settled for Dicker’s kick to win on the very next play.

More than just Bedlam

    Next week OU visits Baylor.  A Baylor win could be beneficial to UT.  However, the Horns would have to run the table at Iowa State, at Baylor, and at home against Texas Tech if they want to do some more celebrating at the end of the regular season.  Baylor would have only Kansas remaining while OU has challenges left in TCU and “Bedlam” against Oklahoma State in their season finale. Things will be exciting among Big 12 opponents these next few weeks to determine the regular season champion.

Hook ’em Horns!

For championships, our time is now!

     As for collegefootballfan.com, a great opportunity fell into our laps.  We initially scheduled Princeton vs Yale this upcoming weekend with the notion that PU could be undefeated and facing 7-1 Yale to play to clinch the Ivy League against a traditional rival. However, Dartmouth put a damper on that scenario with a 27-10 win over the Tigers last Saturday at Yankee Stadium. That game commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first official college football game between Rutgers and Princeton on November 6, 1869.  One hundred-fifty years later,  Princeton repeated history. They lost that game, too – six goals to four.

    We wanted a game with some fight as we near the end of our regular season and we came up with one.  The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in D-2 determines its top two teams among the 16-team conference on the final week of the season.  They change the format of the final weekend’s schedule pitting the two top teams to play in a championship game.  Their respective opponents originally scheduled for the final week will play one another to play up their final game of the season as well (Edinboro State vs. Bloomsburg this year).  

    At 12:05 on Saturday in Kutztown we will see two top D-2 teams square off for a championship and a for a better seed in the D-2 playoffs when the Golden Bears host Slippery Rock for all the conference marbles. While teams in the FBS and FCS will still by vying for positions to get into a bowl game or a playoff over the next few weeks, here’s a game already that determines a conference championship.  We’ve always wanted to attend this game. For us, it’s conveniently located less than two hours away at Andre Reed Stadium, and both teams are undefeated. We’ll take this any time. You may think, “But it’s only D-2!” We don’t care. This is what college football is all about – winning!

We return to Andre Reed Stadium at Kutztown University on Saturday to attend the PSAC Championship game between the host Golden Bears (in maroon) and The Rock of Slippery Rock.

Back at the ranch

    Our friend and fellow football college football reveler and traveler, Dan Donnelly, came up with a great idea for fellow passionate college football fans.  Like us, you may have a hankering to get out to some game and you may not want to do all the planning and packing or have the time for all your tailgating needs or plans. Or, you may want to get out of town and see a game where you may not have any connections, and like his brother Brian ( and sometimes yours truly) you may decide to go and maybe  catch up with some local friendlies to party with, or maybe you won’t, and like Brian, sit by yourself and pout in a red pick-up truck with six Navy Goat flags sticking our your windows until the game is about ready to start.

    Dan came up with his idea called Tailgate Connect. Heading out to Austin for the first time to see a game and take my daughter Alex who recently moved into that area, Dan had told me about his “Hornball Tailgate” arrangement he set up out there.  We took him up on it rather than wing it on our own.  Both of us have to say that it is a pretty damn, good deal.

UT’s beloved Bevo XV with two of his personal Handlers.

     Alex and I met up with other fans from all over coming to this game. There were a few bachelor parties (one from the Philly area) among the estimated 250-300 or so people under canopies with us enjoying alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and BBQ all covered by a reasonable fee.  She and I both preferred the blonde ales provided by the Firestone Walker Brewing Company there from Paso Robles, California. 

Appropriately-clad women known as “Twin Peaks” dee-jayed from the big speakers.  Hornball set up big screens spread out with other featured games on prior to the one we were attending.  We met fans from around the country with various affiliations including Georgia, Michigan State, Tennessee, and even The Alma Mater Juniata’s big rival, Susquehanna!  A few Kansas State fans joined, and of course more Longhorn fans.  Everybody just had a good time together. Check out Dan’s website here for more information and to keep this option in mind when you want to plan your next out of town tailgate adventure!  It was worth it.

My daughter Alex and I enjoyed our day together at K-State vs. Texas and got it off to a great start at the Hornball Tailgate party!

Game 602: Dartmouth’s 9-6 “Hail Mary” win over Harvard keeps Ivy title hopes alive

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Game 602: Dartmouth’s 9-6 “Hail Mary” win over Harvard keeps Ivy title hopes alive

Cambridge, Mass – The media reports thus far do not give this thriller of a game the recognition it deserves.  Now, you’ve come to the right place.  The game finished unbelievably on the very last play in regulation time, no doubt! After 602 games we’ve attended including last week’s when Navy’s 48-yard field goal beat Tulane as time expired to win by three, this ending outdid that one.  When we said our first game of our next 600 got us off to a great start, we had no idea that the second of our next 600 could conceivably exceed the excitement of the first.  TV sport reports highlight only that one unbelievable play, but they just don’t build up the excitement experienced showing all that happened leading up to that climax of a 9-6 win by Dartmouth (7-0,4-0) over Harvard (4-3,2-2).  I guess they’re too busy pumping their upcoming bowl selection program which doesn’t mean diddly until December after all the remaining games have been played.

For Harvard, the good old days – National Champs!

 Setting the stage

    Harvard came in to this game after a devastating 30-24 loss to 7-0 No. 12 FCS, rival Princeton. In the 10-game only Ivy League season, Dartmouth, undefeated and ranked No. 14 in the FCS, loomed as a must-win for The Crimson if they wanted to get at least a share of the Ivy League title.  It’s a matter of pride at Harvard among the Ivy League foes. They’ve won or tied for the League title nine times in the last 22 seasons.  Dartmouth showed up at Harvard Stadium knowing that Harvard came in hungry.  A loss for the Big Green would drop them into second behind Princeton and put them in a hole to climb out of the following week knowing Princeton stood at 7-0 with a 21-7 win over Cornell on Friday evening.

Harvard fans came out to support The Crimson in a critical game on a beautiful afternoon in Cambridge.

All games matter

    For Ivy League football teams, there are no championship games, no FCS playoff games, no tie-breakers, nor any bowl games.  Their seasons consist of only ten games on the gridiron every year.  On seven of those Saturdays, maybe one Friday, it requires each team to win all of those games against its fellow Ivy brethren if you want to earn the title of “Champion”.  Every team faces every League foe every season.  Winning the Ivy League crown is all that matters over the course of every football season. And all of them are your “rivals” (“Ho-ho, hey-hey, you’re gonna work for us some day!”).

   It’s rare to get a second chance in the Ivy League. One loss staggers and the second loss delivers the knock out punch is basically what the Ivy League comes down to.  Harvard knew that coming in after last week’s loss.  Beat Dartmouth and Dartmouth still has a chance to beat Princeton. Throw in Yale games with Princeton and Harvard remaining to be played and it could come down to anyone of those four or a combination thereof to win it all or share it on the final day of Ivy football 2019, November 23.  The only path to the Ivy title is to beat everybody on your schedule. Three-way tie? You share the title.  Kiss two sisters, not one.  A second Ivy League loss means you’re out of contention. Harvard already suffered their first. Dartmouth rolled into town to win at all costs against a solid foe.

This Crimson cheerleader was charged up for the Big Green! What about the team?

One and done weekend for us

   For Collegefootballfan.com, this weekend was planned for only one game with the idea that this could be a great battle. I decided over the last few weeks to forgo the Friday night game in East Hartford, Connecticut where the Naval Academy (6-1) would visit the UConn Huskies (2-6).  It had all markings of a blow-out (and it was, 56-10).  A cold, dark, windy game with an 8 pm start at Pratt-Whitney air field – been there, done that. A late-night drive after that to some cold hotel room between there and Boston – never mind.

  It doesn’t get better than this

   Saturday turned out to be a bright, beautiful day without a cloud in the sky over Boston with a light wind – perfect football weather in a classic, collegiate football stadium built of concrete in 1903.  For Ivy League games of recent years, this game was well attended by fans, students, and alum of both schools. Both sides cheered for their teams all through big plays and for big stops by both squads.  The Harvard Band played everything from classical music to my favorite rock band, those bad boys from Boston, The J.Geils Band. 

Harvard’s Band performed at halftime with their Big Drum and entertained with great music throughout the game.

The sharp-dressed Harvard cheerleaders in black and red skirted outfits entertained throughout the game.  Attendees totaled 20,112 in the horseshoe-shaped stadium built for 30,323. The setting turned out to be quintessential day for college football on a Saturday afternoon in New England.  I savored the moments even before kick-off for this one.  I figured this to be a competitive game between two historically good football programs among “The Ancient Eight” as the Ivies are also known.  I like this level of college football. It doesn’t get better than this.  The surroundings are relatively simple, but festive, and the game played is only about winning.

Game on

     Harvard’s offense came ready to play finishing their first possession with Jake McIntyre’s 41-yard FG to take the early lead, 3-0.  The Crimson defense rose to the occasion later in the period with Max Jones’s interception of Jared Gerbino’s long pass down the middle to Drew Estrada (11 receptions, 97 yards). Using Hall of Fame broadcaster Lindsey Nelson’s famous line for old Sunday morning, one-hour Notre Dame football highlight shows from back in the ’60s, “With neither team scoring, we move on to further action”.

Harvard DB Max Jones wrestled this pass away from Dartmouth’s Dan Estrada to halt the Big Green’s first drive of the game.

     Not until late in the second period did either team threaten to score again.  The Crimson got into position to allow McIntyre to put up three more, but his kick missed from 34 yards out.  On the arm and legs of Gerbino (11 of 16 for 80 yards, one INT), the Big Green moved from their 20 to the Harvard 29.  However, on the next play, the tough Harvard defense knocked him out of bounds for a five-yard loss that hobbled Gerbino. He left the game and his back-up, Junior Derek Kyler, came in and ran for nine yards to set up a 42-yard FG by Connor Davis to knot the score with 50 seconds left in the first half. 

Crimson LB Jordan Hill and Safety Cole Thompson stop Big Green starting QB Jared Gerbino on a play before he left the game for good.

     The Crimson defense held the Big Green O that averaged 43.5 points per game this season to only 107 yards in the first half.  The Crimson totaled 210, but a missed FG and their final drive before time expired left them with only three points after their longest drive that started the game.  Gerbino, their senior starting QB had not recovered from his alleged leg injury in the first half.  Kyler started the third period at QB.

Harvard QB Jake Smith picks up yardage on first drive to set up Jake McIntyre’s field goal for the early 3-0 lead.

Loved Lindsey Nelson

    Following Dartmouth’s opening three-and out series, a shanked punt put Harvard with the ball at midfield.  On a fourth and thirteen, McIntyre nailed his second kick of the day from the 38 to retake the lead for the Crimson, 6-3.  Once again, we hear the voice of venerable Lindsey Nelson, “Neither team scored, so we move on to further action in the fourth quarter.” This is the story the big-time media fails to build on before the only highlight of the last second score they show. 

This is what the TV reports did not tell you

    After three plays and no yards, Dartmouth punted to Harvard to take over on its 26.  The Crimson drove to Big Green’s thirteen for a first down. RB Devin Darrington (25 carries for 102 yards) picks up five yards to the eight. Dartmouth stuffs him for no gain on the next play.  Harvard HC Tim Murphy calls for a time-out.  The subsequent pass play falls incomplete.  To the shock of many, McIntyre misfires on his 25-yard FG attempt, wide right! A father who sat suddenly next to me with his pre-school son a few plays earlier on their way out, is explaining to his little guy what happened and why this is bad for Harvard.

On McIntyre’s misfire on this kick, the snap was mishandled.

Help me understand

Crimson LB Joey Goodman made a picturesque INT here, but on fourth down, he should have knocked it down. His team would be 26 yards further up field.

     Kyler started his team from the 20 to get out to the 44.  On fourth and six, LB Joey Goodman picked off his pass with 6:48 at the 30.  Why an Ivy Leaguer can’t figure out his team gets the ball on Dartmouth’s 44 instead of his 30 when he’s basically falling out of bounds, I’ll never understand.  Don’t you think about that before the play actually happens on a fourth down?  Harvard punted back eventually where Dartmouth took over on its nine. Crimson DL mates Truman Jones and Brogan McPartland met at Kyler simultaneously in the backfield stripping out the football with McParland recovering for the Crimson at Big Green’s ten.  Only 1:31 remained in the game with Harvard still leading, 6-3.

Ball’s loose and McPartland (81) recovers in striking distance to score.

     Darrington carried twice for four yards with a Dartmouth time-out sandwiched in between. On the next play, he got pinned back for a two-yard loss.  Dartmouth HC Buddy Teevens charged his final time-out.  A field goal would only put the Crimson up by six. Either HC Tim Murphy did not want to call on McIntyre again, or he thought he would leave too much time on the clock for Dartmouth to come back for a TD and an extra point.  He decided to go for the touchdown on fourth and goal at the Harvard four. Darrington, no gain!

Dartmouth DB John Pupel (35) gets Darrington from behind to stop him on fourth down to set up Big Green’s game-winning drive.

Over on downs

     One minute remained. Kyler and his teammates used the sideline effectively with only one time-out left.  Eight-yard completion to WR Hunter Hagdorn.  Kyler ran for four and got out of bounds. Hagdorn completion again for 19. Incomplete. Kyler ducked a would-be tackler on a blitz and fired a completion 22 yards to Estrada at the Harvard 43.  Harvard called their final time-out to set up defensively for the long pass anticipated with six ticks left on the game clock.

What you’ve seen by now

Kyler, in middle and turned around, evades tacklers before turning down field to throw into the end zones with second left.

     Kyler scrambled, dodged tacklers, bounced a little left, prayed to Mary and let the ball fly toward the end zone.  I had put down the camera thinking that I would relish seeing this myself, but I got ready for in case something special happened here.  Bodies leapt, hands went up, the ball bounced, it ricocheted, I thought, but it didn’t fall to the ground.  Instead it got bear-hugged by someone in a white jersey. WR Masaki Aerts (Warren, NJ, St. Peter’s Prep) caught his only pass of the game for the game’s only TD, Dartmouth’s first lead, and a suddenly, exciting 9-6 victory over Harvard to go 7-0 and on to play Princeton at Yankee Stadium next Saturday in a clash of two undefeated teams.  

Ball gets knocked into the air before landing in the arms of Masaki Aerts, far right, for only and winning touchdown of the game to for the Big Green win, 9-6.

     The Harvard side I sat on fell silent, stunned. The Dartmouth side of the stadium exploded in astonishment, disbelief, pride, and relief! This was truly unbelievable. I had no particular rooting interest for either team, but my heart raced, my jaw dropped, a smile crossed my face. The feeling was surreal! Never saw anything like this and yet just last Saturday Navy won their game with no time left either.  This was different though. Dartmouth had one play left to score six or nothing.  Without this win, Dartmouth’s chance to win the Ivy League for the outright title remains.  There were no other options left for the Big Green.   The game is history now. Winner takes all next week with only two weeks of Ivy League weekends remaining after.  Glad we could be this one for sure!

Dartmouth team and fans roar together! They meet 7-0 Princeton in Yankee Stadium next Saturday for first place atop the Ivy League.

Next!

   Harvard goes to Philly to play the Quakers of Penn.  The following week, we have Yale at Princeton inked in to see a key Ivy League game in the Tigers’ quest to go undefeated and add to their 17-game winning streak if they’ve defeated Dartmouth next week.

  As for Collegefootballfan.com, we already planned our longest road trip of the season next week to attend a game at Darrel K. Royal Stadium to watch the Texas Longhorns (5-3,3-2) host the No. 20 Kansas State Wildcats (6-2, 3-2). Last time we saw the Longhorns, they defeated Penn State, 17-13, in State College in 1990.  Prior to that, we saw them defeat the Nittany Lions at the Meadowlands, 28-3, in 1984. Aside from BYU, the Longhorns have the longest stint among all FBS schools since we last saw them play.  This is also our first trip to attend a game in Austin.  As for K State, the only time we watched them play they fell to Auburn in 2007. WR Jordy Nelson scored a touchdown in their 23-13 loss.  Looking forward to another late season battle!

What’s not to love about college football in the Ivy League?

Game 601: Navy subdues Tulane Green Wave, 41-38, on field goal as time expires

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Game 601: Navy subdues Tulane Green Wave, 41-38, on field goal as time expires

Annapolis, MD – The Midshipmen of Navy (6-1, 4-1) relinquished a 24-0 second period lead to Tulane who tied the score at 31-all with 1:01 remaining in the game.  A drive of 44 yards to the Green Wave 31 resulted in a 48-yard FG by Navy Frosh PK Bijan Nichols to win the game with no time remaining, 41-38.  As Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley surmised, he felt like he had watched three different games in one afternoon.  For Collegefootballfan.com, the first game of our next 600 got us off to an explosive start!

Winning the early two-front war

    The Mids controlled the line of scrimmage from both sides until a few minutes into the second period.  Navy literally raced off to a 21-0 lead in the first period on the legs of FB Jamale Carouthers (14 carries for 154 yards, three TDs; one catch, 31 yards, one TD).  Carouthers burst up the middle through the line of scrimmage on dives for 52 yards and from 35 yards out untouched on consecutive drives for the Mids’ first two scores.  The subsequent drive finished with Carouthers catching a short pass over the middle from QB Malcolm Perry (two for seven passing, 69 yards, one TD) for a 31-yard score.  Tulane’s first three possessions netted only 12 yards on nine plays.

Navy FB Jamale Carouthers gathers in pass over the middle for 31-yard TD.

The Green Wave tide turns 

  Nichols added three more to start the second period with a 31-yard FG to widen the margin for the Mids, 24-0.  The Mids looked primed to enjoy a shocking romp over their American Athletic foes from New Orleans.  Suddenly, the Green Wave (5-3,2-2) looked like they figured how to take advantage of some Navy defensive weaknesses, like the lack of speed in their secondary.  QB Justin McMillan (20 for 29, 290 yards, three TDs, two INTs) finalized a 79-yard drive with a one-yard TD run. 

Some very satisfactory smiles showed up along the Tulane sideline. On their next possession, McMillan found WR Darnell Mooney near the left goal line pylon for a 22-yard score.  Grins grew wider as our tailgate cohorts “Navy Al” and his friend Wayne who sit in the first row behind the visitors’ bench confirmed they could see the confidence take over on the Green Wave sideline right before them. Green Wave offensive players coming off the field picked up newly found energy to get back into this game that had started out as an onslaught.

Tulane’s Darnell Mooney (white jersey) looks up to receive McMillan’s pass on a second period drive.

     Tulane’s defensive team fed off that energy as well.  The Navy offense that looked unstoppable on their first four possessions, punted the ball away twice in the second.  Taking the second to start from their 13, McMillan’s pass got tipped into the air by his intended receiver, and Navy LB Diego Fagot snatched it away and rumbled 17 yards to give Navy a 31-14 lead before the half.  It felt like that should have broken Tulane’s spirit, and Navy would once again take control.  The Wave would receive the opening kick off to start the third.  Which way would the momentum swing?

LB Diego Fagot (54) turns McMillan to the inside.

Ebb and flow

     Big Mo seemed to swing to Tulane until their initial possession came up short of a score when Navy DB Michael Morris intercepted McMillan to take over from the Navy two.  The turnover only delayed Tulane’s next score until after USNA’s ensuing punt.  The Green Wave drove 46 yards to set up a five-yard TD pass from McMillan to Jaetavian Toles to cut Navy’s lead, 31-21.  Tulane’s defense continued to knock Navy off track when PJ Hall picked off Perry’s lob of a pass and returned it to the Mids’ 39.  The Green Wave converted the take-away into six points when McMillan sprinted left to complete a TD pass to a diving Ygenio Booker for a two-yard score to trail only by 31-28 early heading into the final period.

SB CJ Williams (20) trails QB Malcolm Perry on the option.

Game “three”

   Early in the fourth, Tulane forced Navy into a three-and out once again, and then converted it into Merek Glover’s 39-yard FG to even the score. This is when the third game that Paul mentioned began.  The TU comeback sparked Navy’s offense back into action.  On the next Mid drive, Perry (22 rushes for 142 yards) converted two fourth and ones from his team’s 34 and 45 into first downs on two two-yard dives.  On the very next play after the second conversion, he broke tackles in the backfield and picked up 38 yards to the Tulane 15.  The ball went back to Carouthers who rumbled on the next play for his fourth score to give the Naval Academy back the lead with 5:35 remaining.

Carouthers (34) takes pitch from Perry around right end.

     Tulane fought right back starting from its 23.  On a third and two at the Midshipmen’s 20, McMillan completed a pass to Mooney (five catches for 112 yards, one TD) at the one-yard line.  McMillan took it for the score to get within one.  HC Willie Fritz called for the kicking unit to enter the field to tie.  The score was locked at 38-38 with 1:01 left.

    The ensuing kick went through the end zone to put Navy on their 25.  Completing only two of seven passes on the day, HC Ken Niumatatolo decided to rely on Perry’s legs rather than his arm to move the team towards a last-minute score.  Perry dropped back to look down field on several plays, but he tucked it and carried the ball for 44 yards on five carries to the Tulane 31.  Fritz called a final time-out to “ice” Nichols with :02 left, but it didn’t work. The first-year kicker put it up like a seasoned vet from 48 yards to not only give Navy a hard-fought, exciting win, but to give them their sixth victory to make them bowl eligible after missing that mark a season ago.  Serious celebrating took place on the field before the traditional playing of “Navy Blue and Gold!” 

Next!

    Navy heads north this Friday night to meet UConn (2-6,0-4). We at CFF.com had planned to go, but a family matter came up and we opted to skip this one.  Also, we’ve seen too many one-sided games this season and would prefer not to drive three hours, watch a weak team play a strong one, and then beat traffic out late in the evening to stay at a hotel (maybe I am getting old).  We will root for Navy from afar to win this one and hope they stand up to Notre Dame two weeks later.  On October 23, we will be back in Annapolis again to see them play currently undefeated No. 15 SMU in a game that could have American Athletic West implications. 

     Tulane hangs in to face Tulsa at home next week.  There’s a possibility we may see the Green Wave visit Temple on November 16 if it works out with a second game we want to attend nearby that day. 

Temple may see us again when they host Tulane on November 16.

     As for CFF.com, this Saturday we head to Cambridge, Massachusetts to witness a key Ivy League contest between undefeated and FCS No. 14 Dartmouth (6-0, 3-0) play Harvard (4-2,2-1).  Harvard returns off a 30-24 loss to No. 12 Princeton who will meet Dartmouth at Yankee Stadium the following week.  This game celebrates the 150th anniversary of college football though Princeton played Rutgers in that first-ever college football game. If Dartmouth wins this week and Princeton defeats Cornell this Friday, that celebratory game will be for the Ivy League championship.  The Princeton Tigers defeated Dartmouth last season 14-9 to finish 10-0 while the Big Green suffered its only loss in a 9-1 season.

The Princeton Tigers romped over Butler 49-7 when we saw them open up this season, and they continue on a 16-game winning streak.

Ranked and Undefeated

    Despite attending some one-sided games as previously mentioned, we at collegefootballfan.com have seen some of the best of the best play this season.  We have seen six undefeated teams play thus far, and as mentioned have two more coming up on our schedule – Dartmouth and SMU.  In addition, at the FBS level among nine undefeated teams, we’ve seen both No. 5 Penn State and No. 13 Minnesota.  Of course, that will change in two weeks. Both have bye weeks this weekend before the Nittany Lions head to Minneapolis to play the Golden Gophers.  Only three undefeateds remain in the FCS – Princeton, Dartmouth, and North Dakota State.  We’ve already seen Princeton beat Butler and NDSU defeat Delaware. If Princeton gets by Dartmouth, we plan to see them again when they host Yale.

     At the D2 level, the No. 18 Kutztown Golden Bears (8-0, 7-0) of the PSAC remain undefeated knocking off some top competition already.  They face another test this Saturday visiting the West Chester Golden Rams (7-1,6-1) ranked in D2 as No. 22 after suffering their first loss last week to Shepherd.  Kutztown already defeated Shepherd (6-2,6-1), 34-27.  Some big games are coming up for eight undefeated teams remaining that are on our schedule this season.  Maybe we’ll add one or two more if we attend a CFP game later this year.

Kutztown has run over all “8” of its opponents so far this season.