BC Eagles “clock” No. 15 Florida State, 28-13

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Tallahassee, FL – The BC Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead over No. 15 Florida State (0-2) in the second period. Had not Treshaun Ward dropped a pass when wide open for a first down on a third on BC’s first series, the lead could have been, 21-0. Didn’t matter!  However, what did matter occurred when FSU went three-and-out in its first three possessions. The Boston College defense held the Florida State offense to 21 yards on the ground on 16 carries. In the end, the BC dominated the game clock, aka “time of possession.”  They held the football for 39:01 compared to the Seminoles’ 20:59. That’s big!

In the first quarter, though DJ Uiagalelei's receivers look to get open here, the Seminoles went three and out on their first three offensive series. This pass was beautifully broken up by a BC Eagle defender.
In the first quarter, though DJ Uiagalelei’s receivers look to get open here, the Seminoles went three and out on their first three offensive series. This pass was beautifully broken up by a BC Eagle defender.

The game ended more one-sided than the final score indicates. The BC Eagles refrained from another score at the end by holding back from scoring easily on its final drive. Once they took a knee and, on several occasions, fell to the ground just to keep the clock running. By the way, we hate the two-minute warnings.  All these do are add six more minutes for advertisements. Enough! This isn’t the pro game, yet.

Read all about the BC Eagles!

As stated in preseason reports regarding this game, we envisioned new BC Eagle HC Bill O’Brien and QB Thomas Castellanos as reasons the Eagles could challenge this highly-rated Florida State team. Also noted was a comment by a friend close to the program saying O’Brien’s camp methodologies had the Boston College players mentally prepped for their opener.

BC Eagle QB Thomas Castellanos gets good blocking up front by his offensive line loaded with potential pro talent. Behind them, the team ran for 263 yards and two TDs. Castellanos completed 10 of 16 for 106 yards and two scores. He ran for 73 yards.
BC Eagle QB Thomas Castellanos gets good blocking up front by his offensive line loaded with potential pro talent. Behind them, the team ran for 263 yards and two TDs. Castellanos completed 10 of 16 for 106 yards and two scores. He ran for 73 yards.

Despite Ward’s early drop, he, who played for the Seminoles from 2019-2022, rushed for 77 yards, caught passes for 101, and crossed the goal line once.  The BC Eagles also feature a very strong offensive line.  As reported in Phil Steele’s College ’24 Football Preview, they have three potential pro draft picks up front – C Dave Kendall, LG Logan Taylor and RT Ozzy Trapilo.  There may be some more potential Sunday prospects among other current BC Eagle linemen. 

And more…

Our further preseason analysis of Florida State also rang true.  We mentioned that their QB DJ Uiagalelei did not impress us when we saw him play for Clemson in 2022.  This evening’s performance did not impress us once again.  He misfired many times, completing 21 of 42 pass attempts.  His 272 yards and one TD could have improved had TE Kyle Morlock not have muffed several very catchable passes.  Bad night for him. 

Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku recorded two of three sacks of Uiagalelei in this ACC contest.
Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku recorded two of three sacks of Uiagalelei in this ACC contest.

At 0-2 already in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Seminoles look done as prospects for the brand new 12-team playoff format.  Despite only one game thus far, Boston College could be considered for contention.  They’ll face No. 9 Missouri in two weeks.  In conference play, Louisville and SMU look like their two most formidable obstacles for a shot at the ACC title game.

Eagles start second quarter scoring

After a scoreless first quarter, two consecutive BC Eagle drives of 71 and 68 yards resulted respectively in a five-yard scoring run by Castellanos and his 18-yard scoring strike to Ward.  A shanked BC punt by Sam Candotti granted great field position to FSU at the Eagle 35. From there, they netted only eight yards, however. They settled for Ryan Fitzgerald’s conversion from 31 yards out.  He then closed the first half scoring with a 24-yarder with 25 ticks left it the first half to trail, 14-6.

Castellanos (1) breaks the ice with the first score of the game on his four-yard run early in the second quarter.
Castellanos (1) breaks the ice with the first score of the game on his four-yard run early in the second quarter.

BC Eagles finish third quarter scoring

The second half started with an errant pass by Uiagalelei.  Boston College CB Max Tucker picked it off and raced 58 yards to the FSU seven.  RB Kyle Robichaux took it over from there.  Florida State finally put six points on the board with three consecutive pass completions.   The last two went to Kentron Poitier for 29 yards each, the second for the score.

BC came right back.  They ran the ball for all 60 yards following a 15-yard unsportsmanlike added to the touchback.  Robichaux took it over again from five yards for his second score among 85 rushing yards.  The score stood, 28-13, at the end of three.  The BC Eagle defense held the FSU Seminoles deep in their territory with a turnover on downs and forcing two punts after being held to short drives.  Though considered an upset with FSU as a heavy favorite (-16.5) the BC Eagles demonstrated they were the better team early in 2024.  We believe it’s a credit to Bill O’Brien. He’s learned much as an assistant under Nick Saban as his offensive coordinator.

Another great college football tradition witnessed by Collegefootballfan.com this weekend: Florida State's Chief Osceola on his horse, Renegade.
Another great college football tradition witnessed by Collegefootballfan.com this weekend: Florida State’s Chief Osceola on his horse, Renegade.

Week Two Action coming up

FSU has a bye next week. They’ll host Mike Norvell’s previous program, Memphis.  With QB Seth Henigan returning for his senior year after a 10-3 season in Craig Silverfield’s fifth year there as head coach, they will challenge to be a top program among this year’s Group of Five.  Over-rated FSU could be 0-3 after this one.  The BC Eagles host FCS Duquesne before their big meeting at SEC contender Missouri.

Collegefootballfan.com finished its fourth game in five days!  Next Saturday seems so far away now.  We’ll see Tulsa (1-0) of the American Athletic Conference at a much-improved Sun Belt Squad, Arkansas State (1-0).  Both defeated FCS schools in their openers, but the ASU Red Wolves only bested Central Arkansas by a score of 31-28.  This will be our first game in Jonesboro and only our second witnessing the Red Wolves. Also, it will be our first game in the state of Arkansas.  We look forward to the 6PM (CDT) kickoff. 

Extra Points

We just attended our first game ever at Doak Campbell Stadium on the FSU campus as well.  Once inside the brick façade, the infrastructure underneath and the floor layout look exactly the same as Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

Comfortable bleacher seats with individual taut, but flexible, netting over aluminum seats was a nice touch for fans.  Never experienced these before.  Colder climates in the north may not be able to accommodate the same.  

Milestone updates

Doak Campbell brings us up to a total of 90 FBS stadiums attended to date.  That number is among 182 overall that we’ve attended including D2, DIII, FCS and neutral site venues.  With two more schools joining the FBS next season, we have 45 more to visit.  One of the two new FBS upstarts will be Delaware.  We’ve been at UD Stadium many times, but now we’ll have to see an FBS contest to add it to our “official” count.  Will we ever be able to attend every FBS venue? Only the Good Lord knows for sure.

Good questions

It was mostly a game of futility played by the Seminoles against the BC Eagles. Seminole fans are already disappointed and frustrated.
It was mostly a game of futility played by the Seminoles against the BC Eagles. Seminole fans are already disappointed and frustrated.

Met a few fans at the game sitting who took note of my long-time adventure.  One asked if I thought of all the games I attended (685), was this possibly the worst performance I’d seen by a ranked team at home.  At first, I said that I couldn’t remember any others similar to this, but it could be in the top five.  There might be a Penn State game in there, but there are so many. I may have to give this more thought, but the more I think about it, this was pretty bad.  As the home team, Florida State came out playing poorly right from the start for a highly ranked preseason favorite.  I still want to review history and see if anything else jumps out. Now, I doubt it.

A woman amongst them, a self-proclaimed great sports fan, asked me who was the greatest play I’d ever seen.  Well, there are so many, and one jumped into my head that no one would have recognized. Besides, my mind went blank remembering only the player had a very unique name. And it was about 20 years ago, but the general story was there, but I couldn’t come up with details.  Now at home on the computer, I knew right where to look.  That stood out.  It’s remembered only because it was just the most outstanding performance by an individual that always stuck out. My young son Eric at the time (9 years old) and his cousins and my brothers-in-law joined me for one of my Thanksgiving Saturday games after we enjoyed our Thanksgiving feast in Rhode Island.

Over from the Rough, then Ready

DB Diamond Ferri of Syracuse made tackle after tackle against this same Boston College program in the first period in November 2004.  Later in the first half, after two starting RBs sidelined due to injuries, he went out on offense and had a big day replacing them. He ran 28 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Ferri also continued to play defense. He intercepted Freshman QB Matt Ryan’s pass in the fourth quarter. He returned it for a 44-yard touchdown. Definitely the best overall performance I’d seen by one player in a game. SU defeated BC, 43-17, in a big upset that Thanksgiving weekend and knocked the BC Eagles out of Fiesta Bowl contention.

Putting that memory in perspective, I gave her a different answer based on a player she would know.  Based on his Heisman performance blasting Oklahoma in the CFP Peach Bowl of 2019, 63-28, I told her Joe Burrow.  Maybe these two aren’t the GOAT’s (yet in Burrow’s case), but they were both outstanding individual performances I will never forget.

Pregame Seminole cheer at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Pregame Seminole cheer at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Back to the future

We will see both teams again later this season. As a matter of fact, on two consecutive nights. On Thursday October 17, we head to Blacksburg, Virginia for see the BC Eagles take flight against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The following night, we head back down to Duke University in Durham to see FSU take on Duke. And to keep the Navy-Notre Dame on target the following weekend as Game # 700, we will attend a Division 2 game on the afternoon of October 19 for Game # 699 – Tusculum at Mars Hill in North Carolina. Definitely two first timers on our slate.

Ed. by Steve Koreivo -Member of Football Writers Association of America

Check out my book getting rave reviews, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly! Please get it for a unique, entertaining experience. And please submit a review for me. Thanks!

Middle Tennessee tops Tennessee Tech with 16 ticks remaining

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Murfreesboro, TN – For the sake of time, this finished in thrilling fashion and Middle Tennessee won, 32-25. The game started just before 9 pm. The 3-hour delay came after much rain and thunder boomers. I woke up to leave Durham NC at 5:15 am that morning. Plane left late, of course. Got back to HQs after 9:30 am. Worked on reports for our two previous games.

Headed out to a pregame meal in Murfreesboro with St. Laurie to catch up on action at Sam’s Sports Grill. Got to Red Floyd Stadium on the MTSU campus in time to find people already waiting under cover for inclement weather. Teams came out at 6 pm to stretch. Emergency alerts announced went right back in. Everybody sought cover. We sat in the MTSU Coliseum until after 7:30. The band entertainment turned out to be pretty boring.

Outside, too went to take notes. Didn’t come prepared for foul, wet weather. Stayed, watched, we saw. No time to report the details. Got home past midnight. Need to do other things on Sunday. Packed and planned for 7-hour drive on Monday To Tallahassee.. Taking a rain-check on writing about this one.

Middle Tennessee cheerleaders of previous seasons.
Middle Tennessee cheerleaders of previous seasons.

On to Tallahassee. MTSU plays four more games on our slate this season. We will write more then. Looking forward to Boston College at Florida State on Monday night. Hopefully, we’ll be back on the ball Tuesday night!

Please buy a copy of my very insightful book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly! Thanks. I think you will enjoy it. And please, submit a review for me on Amazon.com.

-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of College Football Writers Association of America

Duke Blue Devils struggle past Elon Phoenix, 26-3; Defense dominates

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Durham, NC – The Duke Blue Devils recorded eight sacks, and its first team defense held the FCS Elon Phoenix to merely 86 total yards and no points. Duke’s second team defense allowed 54 yards and a field goal in the final two minutes of play. Until then, the Blue Devil defense dominated under New HC Manny Diaz to win, 26-3. The new HC served as former Defensive Coordinator at Penn State the last two seasons.

The "Manny" of the Hour (in white shirt): the Duke Blue Devils introduce their new Head Coach, Manny Diaz to his first Game Day at Wallace Wade Stadium. Our first game here, too!
The “Manny” of the Hour (in white shirt): the Duke Blue Devils introduce their new Head Coach, Manny Diaz to his first Game Day at Wallace Wade Stadium. Our first game here, too!

Offensively, the Blue Devils struggled behind their vaunted, Texas transfer Maalik Murphy at quarterback.  He missed many open targets and threw one interception despite completing 26 of 40 for 291 yards and two TDs. Many passes sailed over or past open targets.  To Elon’s credit, their defense hit hard and kept the Blue Devil offense in check for most to the game. 

Blue Devils score first, but start slowly

Murphy’s first drive as a starting college QB began from the 25.  It resulted in a 32-yard FG by Tom Pelino, his first of two this evening.  Pressure against Elon came early and often from Duke’s defensive front.  Multiple sacks of Phoenix QB Matthew Downing came from their entire front seven, but DE Vincent Anthony downed him for key losses twice. They held Downing to 11 completions for only 72 yards.  The entire unit reordered 16 tackles for losses while holding the Phoenix to 30 rushing yards.  Guest Game Analyst Joe Massimilla and I noted the Phoenix averaged 1.7 yards per play before the second teams scrimmaged at the end.

Elon punter Jeff Yurk punted magnificently to keep the Blue Devils out of better-than-expected position. On seven kicks, he averaged 51.9 yards.  Three fell inside the 20, and he boomed one for 60 yards.  Midway through the second period, Joe stated, “This doesn’t seem like a 3-0 game. Duke should be winning by much more.”  Despite their backs to the wall and no offense generated to overcome the Duke D, they allowed yards but no Blue Devils’ TDs. Combined with Murphy’s errant passes, they held Duke to 59 rushing yards.

A familiar scene at Wallace Wade this evening: a Blue Devil tackle for loss and pressure on Downing (12).
A familiar scene at Wallace Wade this evening: a Blue Devil tackle for loss and pressure on Downing (12).

Devils’ details

In the second quarter, it even looked like the Blue Devils caught a break on a bad snap to Yurk.  They took over at the Elon 45. However, stingy Elon held.  They took the ball back over on downs at their own 28. The Phoenix offense failed to deliver, however, as PK Jack Berkowitz’s 49-yard FG attempt bounced back off the crossbar.  With 1:44 left in the first half, the Elon scoring failure seemed to spark a flame under the Blue Devil offense.  Murphy finally connected on a long pass play for 55 yards to Eli Pancol to the EU seven.  From there, Jacquez Moore swept around the left end for a score to put Duke up, 10-0 at the half.

RB Jacquez Moore sweeps left for seven-yard TD near the end of the first half for a 10-0 Duke lead.
RB Jacquez Moore sweeps left for seven-yard TD near the end of the first half for a 10-0 Duke lead.

To begin the second half, the home team started the second half same as the first.  Pelino converted from 42 for three more and a 13-0 lead.  After exchanging three punts, and Elon losing four yards on consecutive drives, the Blue Devils took over at their 49.   A 47-yard pass from Murphy to Jordan Moore put the Devils on the Elon one. There, he connected with TE Jeremiah Hasley for the score.  A two-point conversion pass failed. 

Duke QB Maalik Murphy lofts a long pass to Jordan Moore to sets up a third quarter score.
Duke QB Maalik Murphy lofts a long pass to Jordan Moore that sets up a third quarter score.

Fight to the finish

Behind 19-0, Elon lost four yards once again before punting. Defensively, they still held Duke in check. They forced a turnover on downs and DB Caleb Curtain picked a Murphy pass at the Duke 45.  Of course, the Blue Devil defense allowed the Phoenix to go nowhere and forced a turnover on downs as well.  They took over from their 37. They drove to the EU seven where Murphy connected with Eli Pancol for the score to make it, 26-0.  Thereafter, clean uniforms came in to play and with fourteen seconds left, Elon avoided the shutout, 26-3.

Blue Devil cheerleaders had a lotto smile about this evening. We plan to see them and their team two more times this season - once more here and another on the road.
Blue Devil cheerleaders had a lot to smile about this evening. We plan to see them and their team two more times this season – once more here and another time on the road.

Nobody asked, but…

I’m not a coach but a great fan, and student, of college football.  Joe and I had ongoing conversations about what we saw. Granted, Elon football at the FCS level does not have the funds to compete with Group of Four teams regularly.  Talent recruited is not equal.  However, as a coaching staff, you need to give your players tools to challenge as best they can.  The Phoenix defense stepped up to the challenge in our view.  Offensively, the play calling was unimaginative.  Basic running plays and short passes – sometimes successful if thrown quickly.  QB Downing was constantly under pressure.  Sometimes staying on the ground seemed more effective, but eventually fizzled. They never used the runs to set up passes.

 Maybe I oversimplify things.  It just seemed no strategy came to light to use “play-action.”  I would think that some of these plays would already be in a team’s portfolio.  Fake the hand-off, make the line hesitate, relieve the pressure and find open receivers.  Nothing like that ever happened.  There seemed to be a solution, but there was not strategy for this situation at all. I couldn’t understand that.

Not only did Rushawn Baker pick up positive yards on this play for the Phoenix, but a first down as well. More of this with some play action would have been nice to see from an offensive perspective for Elon.
Not only did Rushawn Baker pick up positive yards on this play for the Phoenix, but a first down as well. More of this with some play action would have been nice to see from an offensive perspective for Elon.

Extra points

Duke travels to play Northwestern (1-0) at their temporary home stadium somewhere near Evanston, Illinois next Saturday.  Last season, Duke whipped them, 38-14.  Elon (0-1) returns to Durham on the road to face the North Carolina Central Eagles at nearby O’Kelly Riddick Stadium.  Yesterday’s attendance, our first game ever at Wallace Wade Stadium on the Duke campus, totaled 18,466.  We will return there again to see Duke play Florida State on October 18. However, we see the Blue Devils play again before that on September 21.  They make an unusual Power Four visit to Murfreesboro against Middle Tennessee State where we have a season ticket package. Speaking of which, that is where we head next.  MTSU opens there Saturday against Tennessee Tech.

Luck with Blue Devils

First, our trek to Durham met with clouds, rain and thunder.  When I met GGA Joe Massimilla at his home, he spouted, “Where’d this coming from?”  It hadn’t had rain in the area in weeks.  The showers arrived unexpectedly. Nothing reported on our cell phones prior.   On our way over to Wallace Wade together, the rain subsided.  On the beautiful Duke campus, we found to our astonishment, actual “free” general parking.  We took the shuttle bus from there closer to the stadium.  We had yet to come upon the greatest “luck” of all.

Not the best of pictures, but it shows one aspect of Wallace Wade that Joe noted did not change since he'd been there: the distance of the visitor locker rooms from the stadium. It probably gives the Blue Devils a five-minute advantage during halftime meetings.
Not the best of pictures, but it shows one aspect of Wallace Wade that Joe noted did not change since he’d been here: the distance of the visitor locker rooms from the stadium. It probably gives the Blue Devils a five-minute advantage during halftime meetings.

We had to ask directions to find the main ticket office.  Joe hadn’t been to a game there in 20 years when his kids were in grade school.  Much had been changed and upgraded.  Joe was even shocked to find that paper tickets were no longer available.  I was shocked at that.  One reason I decided not to buy in advance for this one was to avoid those overpriced fees.  I was even ready to pay cash, but I never found out if that was an option.

Thanks Josh!

As we joined a very short line for tickets, Joe and I were approached by a Blue Devils fan who asked if we needed tickets.  In this day of advanced technology wiping out paper tickets, I never experienced being approach by someone with tickets available.  It turned out that Josh Toman had several tickets he couldn’t use because some friends and family members weren’t available because they attended a high school game.  He asked for no money and was happy if someone would use them. I’ve had that happen a few times.  I’ve felt the same way – somebody can use these.  I hate to see extras go to waste.  I provided him my email, and Joe and I had two tickets thanks to Josh for this game.

Of course, he made sure we were rooting for his Blue Devils.  Of course, I turned my Wake Forest hat on backwards and smiled, “Sure.”  I didn’t explain that I wore that this evening in case it rained.  My “collegefootballfan.com” hat has been battered through the last five-six years and it’s time to be replaced.  I have to update the “130” count any way. Also, my WFU buddy Bug had recently told me, referring to his Deacs, “Nobody hates us!” Probably because of all those lean years of Wake Forest football.  This evening, I figured the WFU hat wouldn’t offend the denizens of Wallace Wade Stadium.

Go Duke Blue Devils, this evening

Funny thing, my cell battery was low, so I told Joe let’s just go right in.  We toured around a little and headed into the stadium to check our seats.  We entered our gate and kept going down and down to the tenth row – on the 50-yard-line!  I fumbled around with my light jacket in case of rain and transferred camera, pencils, notepad and phone etc. between it and all my pockets for recording this adventure.  As doing that at my new-found seat, I heard someone behind me at field level yell, “Steve!” Who the heck from Duke here knew me?  There, walking behind the bench was Josh.  At first, I didn’t recognize him. He had this big smile on his face and we exchanged waves.  As you can see from the photos here, we had great seats!  Unbelievable.

Another benefit of the seats Josh gave us - we got to meet Duke's Hard Hat Guys. Matt, in the foreground here, told us they'd been to every Blue devil game, home and away, except for two since 2014. Nice guys, maybe we will catch up at a future game as well.
Another benefit of the seats Josh gave us – we got to meet Duke’s “Hard Hat Guys.” Matt, in the foreground here, told us they’d been to every Blue Devil game, home and away, except for two since 2014. Nice guys, maybe we will catch up at a future game as well.

You never know who you’ll meet at these games.  Like Josh, we’ve met so many other great people randomly at college games over the years.  It’s what really makes this adventure going to all these games for so many years an incredible journey!  It’s really been worth all the time, money and effort spent to do this.  Enjoy these tales in my book, Fifty years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly!  Warning: It’s mostly about the Good and the Fun.

-ed. by Steve Koreivo  Member of Football Writers Association of America

Bachmeier, Morin pace Wake Forest past NC A&T, 45-13

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Winston-Salem, NC – After sitting out his team’s first offensive series, QB Hank Bachmeier earned his place as starter for the Demon Deacons.  Michael Kern preceded him with a three-and-out. Thereafter, Bachmeier passed for 263 yards and three touchdowns to put the Deacons past the Aggies in openers for both teams, 45-13. WR Taylor Morin performed as his top receiver with six receptions for 100 yards. 

However, Morin turned Wake Forest’s momentum early in the third period with his exciting 73-yard punt return to lead, 24-10. He cut all the way across the field from the right sideline and set sail along the left to cross the goal line.  On the next Deacon possession, Bachmeier connected with Morin for 51-yard pass to the Aggie 22.  With that, Bachmeier’s five-yard TD pass to diving Horatio Fields built the Wake lead, 31-10.

Taylor Morin (2) electrifies Demon Deacon fans as he finished 73-yard punt return for a 24-10 lead early in the third.
Taylor Morin (2) electrifies Demon Deacon fans as he finished 73-yard punt return for a 24-10 lead early in the third.

Bachmeier leads Deacs to the end

Later in the third, the Demon Deacs capped a 90-yard drive with Bachmeier’s four-yard scoring pass to Horatio Fields.  NC A&T broke the Wake scoring string with Andrew Brown’s 51-yard FG for the Aggies to get 13 on the scoreboard.  Bachmeier played to the end.  RB Tate Carney closed out the final score to 45-13 with a two-yard TD run. Demond Claibourne led the Deac running attack with 17 carries for 135 yards. He scored the game’s first TD on a seven-yard run to finish Bachmeier’s first drive under center. 

Kenji Christian and Wesley Graves tallied 121 and 70 rushing yards respectively for A&T.  Christian’s 21-yard score in the first and Brown’s 38-yard FG early in the second gave the Aggies an early 10-7 lead.   Once Bachmeier found his rhythm on offense, the Deacs started to control.  They led at the half, 17-10, before Morin’s explosion.  Junior S Nick Anderson led the Demon Deac defense in tackles with 14, nine solo.  Guest Game Analysts Jim “Bug” (Wake Forest) and Courtenay Harton noted that Anderson made their team as a walk-on.  He played soccer in high school.  Never played football prior to playing for the Deacs.

QB Hank Bachmeier leaves the pocket for one of his few rushing attempts in Friday night's game.
QB Hank Bachmeier leaves the pocket for one of his few rushing attempts in Friday night’s game.

Extra points

Wake hosts ACC foe Virginia next week in another night game at Truist Field.  NC A&T hosts the Winston-Salem Rams in nearby Greensboro before their first Colonial Atlantic game against Delaware.  Collegefootballfan.com would continue its first weekend ACC road trip to see Duke host Elon on Friday night.

Before Taylor Morin’s big punt return, “Bug” insisted he is “fearless.” Every time he fields a punt, he’s ready to catch it and go! Exciting punt returns ahead this season for Wake Forest fans.

 Regarding QB Hank Bachmeier, we saw him perform last season for Louisiana Tech in a loss, 31-23.  Wake Forest gives him more weapons to work with than LT. Friday night, we saw him run the Wake Run-pass option more like Sam Hartmann did two years ago than the QBs we saw face Florida State last year.

North Carolina A&T Marching Machine and Dance line perform at halftime at Truist Field.
North Carolina A&T Marching Machine and Dance Line perform at halftime at Truist Field.

The NC A&T “Marching Machine” and Wake Forest’s Old Gold and Black performed together at halftime.  The Machine impressed on its won and seemed to be the crowd favorite – loud and entertaining with their danced moves.

“Oh, here’s to Wake Forest!”

As their fight song starts… Their Deacons won their 12th game of 14 I’ve attended.  Granted, A&T did not give them the challenges that many other squads witnessed did.  However, I found that my dedication to the Wake Forest program paid off nicely. Bug’s buddy and fellow Wake alum “Goober” provided his ticket for me since he had hip surgery ten days ago.  Hope he’s recovering well.  At our pregame tailgate in the shadow of Truist Field, Earl Beasley (with 47 WFU nicknames) introduced Bug, his wife Courtenay and me to Mike Brown.  Mike just happened to have tickets available for each of us in the Tower.  Seats on the 50-yard line in the Flow Lexus Club atop the stadium.  Great seats as guests of Wake Forest fandom! Can’t thank all involved enough.

Wake Forest HC Dave Clawson (in white shirt) returns to his sideline after meeting with his team. We first waw him coach Fordham in the 2022 FCS playoffs against Northeastern in 2022.
Wake Forest HC Dave Clawson (in white shirt) returns to his sideline after meeting with his team. We first saw him coach Fordham in the FCS playoffs against Northeastern in 2002.

It talking with Mike near the end of the game, he noted that RB Tate Carney who scored is his neighbor.  Tate’s brother Cade also played FB for the Deacons during the past few years.  Mike mentions that their father pays HC Dave Clawson with the highest compliment a coach could ever have.  He said he was told if there is any coach a parent wants their son playing college football for, Dave Clawson is your man!

For collegefootballfan.com, on to Duke Friday, Middle Tennessee on Saturday, and Florida State on Monday night.  Isn’t college football grand!

-ed, by Steve Koreivo  Member of College Football Writers Association of America

Demon Deac defense takes down Aggie RB Wesley Graves in second period action.
Demon Deac defense takes down Aggie RB Wesley Graves in second period action.

Just returned to HQ and working on updates

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Attended Wake Forest 45-13 win over NC A&T on Friday and Duke’s 26-3 victory over Elon last night. Updating both game reviews. Please check back soon for some fun reports. We will be at Middle Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech this evening. All should be published by late Sunday afternoon. Come back and check us out. Added bonus: attending Boston College at Florida State on Monday night. Hope to have that entry in on Tuesday evening. Enjoy your Saturday of college football, and come and let us tell you about our fun game experiences!

And of course, please check out our book by clicking on the cover on right to read about this unique, life-long adventure!

-ed. by Steve Koreivo, Member of College Football Writes of America Association

Despite just two minutes of a strong gusting wind, it was a beautiful day to attend a game in Albuquerque for our first time.
Despite just two minutes of a strong gusting wind, it was a beautiful day to attend a game in Albuquerque for our first time last week for our Week 0 opener of 2024.

Montana State edges New Mexico, 35-31; wins with :04 left

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Alburquerque, New Mexico –   Bronco Mendenhall’s New Mexico head coaching debut started out with a dominant lead.  However, Montana State scored three TDs in the last period to prevail, 35-31.  His Lobos led early in the second half, 31-14, thanks to two defensive scores.  In the end, the same defense could not come up with the big stops when needed.  Total yards by both teams tell this story.  The Football Bowl Subdivision (FCS) Bobcats outgained the FBS Lobos, 567 yards to 324.

Despite just two minutes of a strong gusting wind, it was a beautiful day to attend a game in Albuquerque for our first time.
Despite just two minutes of a strong gusting wind, it was a beautiful day to attend a game in Albuquerque for our first time.

Exciting Bobcat comeback

Montana State took advantage of a misfired New Mexico 36-yard FG somewhat affected by a sudden, brief swirling windstorm that may have affected Luke Drzewicki’s attempt that went wind left. He connected on an earlier boot in the first period from 45 yards.  The winds knocked over a video camera with tripod off the roof of the home side press box.  It dangled by its wires for several minutes after the winds came through. With 13:59 remaining in the fourth, Bobcat QB Tommy Mellot raced 15 yards to finish the 80-yard drive to cut the lead, 31-21.

RB Adam Jones races ahead of New Mexico defenders on way to 93-yard TD run.
RB Adam Jones races ahead of New Mexico defenders on way to 93-yard TD run.

Once again New Mexico’s next drive resulted with Drzewicki’s boot from 42 going wide.  The Lobo defense kept the pressure on the Bobcats, and they exchanged punts.  A well-executed Lobo punt caught by their coverage team put Montana State back on their seven with 5:12 left to play. Montana State RB Adam Jones (17 carries for 167 yards, TD) issued an immediate response to that. On a sweep around left end, he raced 93 yards for a score to trail suddenly, 31-28.  Only 4:35 remained.

Bitter ending for New Mexico

In front of 17,314 avid, hungry New Mexico fans, the home team moved the ball out to their 42. On third and eight they went for the first down to run out the clock. Devon Dampier’s pass glanced off the shoulder pad of his receiver who had covered the needed yardage.  As a result of course, New Mexico punted.  A holding call on the return put Montana State back on their 32 with 1:59 left on the game clock.

Montana State WR Lonyatta Alexander Jr. (2) takes a Mellot pass to the New Mexico 32 in the final drive.
Montana State WR Lonyatta Alexander Jr. (2) takes a Mellot pass to the New Mexico 32 in the final drive.

Mellot connected with WR Lonyatta Alexander for a 37-yard pass play to the Lobo 32.  Alexander caught another for five more. Next, he hooked up with Jones who stepped out at the 20 to stop the clock. He followed with another strike to Ty McCullouch to the four. RB Scottre Humphrey (19 carries, 140 yards, TD) took it in for the first and only lead for the Bobcats with ten seconds left. The visiting Montana State contingent across the way celebrated a great come back victory on the road with their team.   With hopes running high early in this one, dejected UNM fans could only look for better things to come under their new head coach later this season.

Extra points

New Mexico (0-1) travels to play Arizona, a new member of the Big XII.  Montana State returns to FCS play at Utah Tech.  They aim to play for this year’s Big Sky championship.

Two halves of two defenses

New Mexico started off to a 17-0 lead looking dominant in their first game under Mendenhall. The first score came on defense. LB Jayden Hall sacked Mellot and forced a fumble. S Christian Ellis returned it for a 41-yard score.  After Drzewicki’s 45-yarder rang true to end the first quarter score, the Lobo offense kept things going.  A 68-yard drive ended with Dempier (18 of 26, 171 yards, TD pass) connecting with TE Trace Bruckler for a 17-yard TD.

New Mexico TE Trace Buckler hauls in five-yard TD pass from Devon Dempier for early 17-0 Lobo lead.
New Mexico TE Trace Bruckler hauls in five-yard TD pass from Devon Dempier for early 17-0 Lobo lead.

Montana State whittled the UNM lead to three.  Mellot threw TD passes on the next two Bobcat drives.  He connected with TE Ryan Schlepp for a five-yard TD pass and with McCullouch for 17. Dempier extended the first half advantage to 24-14 punctuating a 75-yard drive with a 24-yard TD run.

The Lobo defense opened the second half scoring as well.  CB Noah Avinger scooped up another Mellot fumble and returned if for a 13-yard score. After that though, the Montana defense stepped in to shut down the New Mexico offense. Linebackers McCade O’Reilly and Danny Uluilakepa led with 10 and nine tackles respectively for the Bobcats.

New Mexico CB Noah Avinger (1) races to scoop fumble to return for a 35-14 Lobo lead with over 13 minutes left in third quarter.
New Mexico CB Noah Avinger (1) races to scoop fumble to return for a 35-14 Lobo lead with over 13 minutes left in third quarter.

Collegefootballfan.com numbers climb

Our trip to Albuquerque marked our first to UNM’s University Stadium and our first game in the state of New Mexico. Though only our 82 FBS stadium, we’ve attended college football games in 180 overall.  New Mexico became the 38th state we’ve attended a game in.  For a small crowd, the New Mexico stands were fired up for the win.  Bronco Mendenhall looks to start this program on a winning track as he’s done at BYU and Virginia in the past.

St. Laurie attended the game with me this weekend. We enjoyed visiting the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center and Museum. For dinner we enjoyed the Flock of Moons Microbrewery in downtown. They had some great beers and some a nice variety of foods to order from restaurants right on the same block. On Sunday, we visited Santa Fe to eat and tour the International Folk Art Museum. I liked it. I was basically a very colorful toy collection.

Pueblo Indians performed their traditional Eagle Dance at halftime. Maybe it will bring the New Mexico Lobos good luck in a few weeks when they play Auburn. War Eagle!
Pueblo Indians performed their traditional Eagle Dance at halftime. Maybe it will bring the New Mexico Lobos good luck in a few weeks when they play Auburn. War Eagle!

Three FCS teams* and two new FBS venues for us

Four games with three more FCS squads on our docket starting this Thursday: NC A&T* at Wake Forest; Elon* at Duke on Friday will be our first game at Wallace Wade Stadium; and Saturday night we return to Tennessee to see FCS Tennessee Tech* at Middle Tennessee’s Red Foley Stadium. None of the three FCS teams play at the level of Montana State.  However, one of these three could possibly be an upset. 

Our big game for Week One comes on Monday night.  For the first time, we go to Doak Campbell Stadium to see Florida State (0-1) at home.  Off their opening 24-21 last second loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin, we were looking for just as tough a game coming up against Boston College.  They start this season under new HC Bill O’Brien and with experienced starting QB Thomas Castellanos, a run/pass threat. One BC source tells us that Eagle players are already griping about O’Brien’s preseason camp! A good sign they are ready to play against somebody else.

-ed. by Steve Koreivo   Member of Football Writers Association of America

Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM's University Stadium after the last-minute victory.
Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM’s University Stadium after the last-minute victory.

CFP contenders among our best: Wake, Appy State, Texas State, Liberty and Coastal Carolina

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Lebanon, TN – Here we report on the five “best among the rest” of the remaining FBS programs on our slate this year including CFP contenders.  With some new, recent information we’ve received, some impending developments may bump a team or two from our current schedule.  Significant opportunities to see a few more Top 25 teams may come to light to replace these contests. However, we will do our best to hold on to spots to attend games with current CFP contenders already slated if possible.

For now, these stand as the best of the rest of the teams we plan to see play in 2024.  Some actually threaten to compete for College Football Playoff (CFP) contention.  Several can pursue the opportunity for the fifth of conference championships eligible for an automatic playoff position among the top five conferences.  A Group of Five champ mixes in with the Power Four champs for now. We strongly believe some of the best we will see can lay claim as CFP contenders for that fifth playoff spot.  Read below to find out who these legitimate contenders are.

August 29 – Wake Forest vs. North Carolina A&T: getting back on track with the Deacs!

As one of our traditional favorites to visit annually with our good friend Jim “Bugaluga” Harton, we squeezed their opener in here against lowly FCS NC A&T, 1-10 a year ago.  The Demon Deacs look to right themselves from last year’s tumble to 4-8.  Prior to that, HC Dave Clawson led WFU to seven straight bowl games.  In addition, we saw them lose to Florida State last season, 41-16.  This ruined my Wake Forest nickname of “11 and almost oh Koreivo” among my extended Wake Forest, tailgate friends.

Florida State was on cruise control when we saw them with QB Jordan Travis. He started the Seminoles on a 75-yard scoring drive on their first series.
Florida State was on cruise control when we saw them with QB Jordan Travis last season. He started the Seminoles on a 75-yard scoring drive on their first series against Wake Forest.

Since 1979, the Deacs traipsed to an undefeated record of 9-0 under my watch until they lost to Louisville in OT, 62-59, in 2019.  Deac fans exclaimed that no one had ever seen the Deacs play nine times and never seen them lose!  After that blemish on my record, my name was adjusted to “almost oh.”   Since, they defeated NC State, 45-42, when I attended in ’21.  Next year, Bugaluga and Courtenay came to Nashville.  We watched The Deacs beat Vandy, 45-25, to update my WFU monicker. However, FSU laid a heavy loss on my unbelievable mark last year.

We have our priorities in store for 2024

Of course, Wake Forest will not be among CFP contenders for Group of Five (G5) CFP bid. We prefer to see them play comparable Atlantic Coast Conference teams. Though we looked for a better opponent this season to get back on a Deacon roll again, our schedule left us with little flexibility but to attend the Wake opener.  I needed to assure that October 26 would “officially” be recognized as collegefootballfan.com’s 700th game!  For this “special” season, I had to schedule 18 NCAA football games during the first eight weeks of this season. That’s the plan now. I pray it stays intact!

Last season, Hank Bachmeier didn't impress when he and his Louisiana Bulldogs fell to MTSU. however, he may have a better opportunity this year with the Demon Deacons.
Last season, QB Hank Bachmeier didn’t impress when he and his Louisiana Tech Bulldogs fell to MTSU. However, he may have a better opportunity this year under center with the Demon Deacons.

Determined Deacons

The Deacs look to get better at QB since the loss of Sam Hartman to Notre Dame.  Last year, they could not come up with an effective signal caller to replace him.  For 2024, it looks like transfer Hank Bachmeier from Louisiana Tech steps for the task.  Can’t say he impressed us much in Tech’s loss to Middle Tennessee last year when we saw the Bulldogs fall, 31-23.  Under Clawson, maybe he will come around with some better weapons for Bachmeier from his arsenal.  WR Donovan Greene returns from injury and second leading receiver Taylor Morin returns.  Desmond Claibourne and Tate Carney return at RB.  Adept TE Cameron Hite comes back, and three return to start on the O-line.

Eight defensive starters including DE Jasheen Davis with seven sacks return.  With veterans and some experienced transfers, they could improve at linebacker and in the secondary. 

Demon Deacon Season Ahead

FCS North Carolina A&T won’t be much of a test to open 2024.  They struggled as a new member of the Colonial Athletic Association in 2023.  Wake will also pick up their next three contests at home against Virgina, Ole Miss and Louisiana.  Clemson visiting Truist Field on October 12 will be a true barrier again having lost 15-straight to these Tigers.  Late in the season, with Miami and North Carolina slated back-to-back on the road, they’ll pose typical challenges to the Demon Deacons.  We don’t forecast their 2024 record as being best among our rest, but we do see them rebounding to a winning record.  Most likely, they will need to win one of these later games to get back to a bowl again.  We will try to catch them against a better team in 2025 to get our history headed back in the right direction.

September 19 – Appalachian State vs. South Alabama: Big Sun Belt Battle in Boone

Appalachian State has become a great favorite of ours.  We return to Boone, NC on this Thursday night to see them take on Sun Belt foe South Alabama.  Known for their famous 34-32 upset over Michigan at the Big House in 2007, we admire them most for their toughness and grittiness.  With them, our history goes back to 2001 in their 38-24 loss at Georgia Southern in the FCS playoffs. 

Appalachian State, among the best of our rest in 2024, plays stingy defense in night games at Kidd Brewer. Shown here in 30-27 upsets agaonst Coastal Carolina in 2021. Looking for same tough d this year against South Alabama.
Appalachian State plays stingy defense in night games at Kidd Brewer to earn the right among teams we’ll see to play as CFP contenders. Shown here in 30-27 upset against Coastal Carolina in 2021, expecting same tough D this year against South Alabama.

At Kidd Brewer Stadium on a cold, snowy day in early November 2014, we welcomed them as a first-year FBS member.  They won with a 41-0 trouncing of Georgia State, another inaugural FBS member that season.  In a subsequent night game in 2021, we watched them stun undefeated Coast Carolina, 30-27.  Last season, we watched them hang with Troy, but they eventually fell, 49-23, in the Sun Belt championship game. This season, they definitely appear among the best of our rest to challenge for a bid as CFP contenders with a possible SBC title.

Key components return for Mountaineers

HC Shawn Clark, a former Appy lineman from ’94-’96, brings them into his fifth season with a 35-18 record.  QB Joey Aguilar returns with 3,757 passing yards, 33 TDs and ten INTs. Four RBs come into this season with over 300 yards gained in 2024. Six WRs and TE Eli Wilson all gained at least 350 yards through the air last season.  Among plenty of targets for the Mountaineers, Kaeden Robinson led all with 905 yards and ten scores.  One starter returns to the OLine in Junior Thorton Gentry.  He’ll be joined by experienced transfers from Virginia Tech, Georgia and USC as well with some other Mountaineer linemen looking to crack the starting lineup in front.

The defense returns six starters including Junior DE Shawn Collins and DT Markus Clark.  OLB Nate Johnson brought pressure from outside last year. S Jordan Favors snagged four enemy passes. 

Definitely among CFP contenders on our slate this year

We will see them face South Alabama under their new HC Major Applewhite.  The Mountaineer defense should be ready. The ASU fans at Kidd Brewer Stadium will be pumped for this one creating a fun atmosphere this evening.  The Mountaineer crowd gets rowdy for night games as we witnessed in their 2021 upset over Coastal Carolina.

Clemson hosts Appy on September 7.  Liberty, 13-1 from a year ago, comes to Kidd Brewer the week after our visit.  At Marshall, at Louisiana, and at Coastal this season present formidable SBC matchups.  However, the Mountaineers have always stepped up against challenges as seen in the past.  This year should be no different.

October 3 – Texas State at Troy: Bobcats going for broke this year

Under new HC G.J. Kinne, the TXST Bobcats improved to 8-5 last season for its first 8-win season since 2008.  Under Kinne, who took FCS Incarnate Word to the FCS Semifinals where they lost to North Dakota State in 2022, the Bobcats will definitely contend for the Sun Belt title this season.  Texas State and fellow SBC foe Appalachian State do not meet in regular season play in 2024.  The top two Sun Belt teams we will see may meet for the title at the higher seed’s stadium.  Texas State returns nine starters on offense and eight on D.  We watched them defeat South Alabama in their final regular season game a year ago, 52-44.  They continued on to defeat Rice in the First Responder Bowl, 45-21.

Kinne builds to make TXST best of our rest for 2024 and for his future

A big switch looms for the Bobcats this season. Starting QB TJ Finley transferred to Western Kentucky.  We saw him play for both Auburn and TXST in recent years.  In his place steps Sun Belt Player of the Year, Jordan McCloud of James Madison.  Like it or not, welcome to NIL/transfer heaven in 2024.  For the Dukes, in 2023 with 68% accuracy, he threw for 3,657 yards and 35 TDs.  Kinne, who played QB at Tulsa and for several NFL teams, also attracted QB talent from Baylor in RJ Martinez and a highly touted Texas high-schooler, Brad Jackson.  If Kinne moves somewhere else after this season, look for Jackson to transfer with him.  He didn’t look to recruit adequate back-up just for 2024.

RB Ismail Mahdi returns with 1,331 rushing yards along with ten TDs. Leading WR Joey Hobert (895 yards, eight TDs) and Cole Wilson (747 yards, eight) come back as mainstays of a loaded receiving corps.  Kinne’s offense throws the ball to everybody.  Three starters return for the Oline, and Kinne loaded up on more blocking protection through the portal.

Bobcat RB Jahmyl Jeter take the ball over from the one for a 21-0 first quarter lead. However, South Alabama got back into reach later to fall short, 52-44. HC GJ Kinne hopes he brought on more defensive talent to prevent slips like this in 2024.
Bobcat RB Jahmyl Jeter takes the ball over from the one for a 21-0 first quarter lead over Soth Alabama in 2023. However, USA got back into reach later to fall short, 52-44. HC GJ Kinne hopes he brought on more defensive talent to prevent slips like this in 2024.

Can’t let Arkansas State put up 77 on them again

With eight defensive starters from last season who finished No. 2 in the nation in tackles for losses with 108, they return DE Ben Bell who recorded six.  LB Alonzo Edwards gets help supposedly from key transfers from UTEP, Louisiana-Monroe and Florida.  The secondary loaded up as well.  Despite their returning experience on D, they allowed 33 ppg last season. We saw USA tally 44 only to lose last season, but Arkansas State routed TXST, 77-31. Now, Kinne looks not only to avoid losses, but even close, high-scoring games.  He needs a defense that will give him some significant margins to display to pollsters some dominance.  His Bobcats will go all out to capture the Sun Belt title this year to become not only the best of our rest, but they will probably be our best CFP contenders among all teams in the G5.

Texas State seems raring to go.  We plan to attend their sixth game slated at Troy this season and possibly their season finale at South Alabama.  Both are night games on the road.  They will definitely be in the mix for the Sun Belt.  Appy State and JMU are not on this year’s slate. 

Optimism for a CFP contender in San Marcos

UTSA will be an early season non-conference toughie and possibly one of several American Athletic Conference CFP contenders.  Also, a win over Power Four Arizona State could be a feather in TXST’s caps for CFP consideration it they win the conference.  A home game on October 29 against Louisiana who they’ve fallen to in their previous 11 meetings, looks to be their greatest SBC challenge among all conference games.  It should be an exciting season for the hungry Bobcat fans in San Marcos!

November 9 – Liberty at Middle Tennessee: Flames may have already flickered out

Liberty finished 13-0 last season until they met Power Four Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl and got slammed, 45-6.  We watched them fight off Western Kentucky on the road last season with a powerful rushing performance, 45-29.  This year, we will see them visit Middle Tennessee (4-8) following a close 42-35 win against them at home last season.

HC Jamey Chadwell gets the benefit of Junior Kaiden Salter returning at quarterback.  He pitched for 2,876 yards last season and 32 TDs.  Tossed only eight INTs.  Ignore the six points Oregon allowed them in the bowl. They averaged 40.9 ppg until then.  Repeat of last year?  They led the nation in rushing last season with 4,106 yards averaging 6.1 yards per carry.  Leading rusher Quinton Cooley returns.  He netted 1,401 yards and carried the ball in for 16 scores.  Salter netted 1,186 yards and 12 rushing TDs. Four of their top five receivers from last year have to be compensated for.  Two team C-USA linemen return on offense, C Gordon White and RT Xavior Gray.  They reload at other positions as necessary that should have them up to par against similar competition they met last season.

Liberty rambled for 323 yards on 54 carries a year ago to defeat Western Kentucky. Their rushing attack will be just a potent in 2024.
Liberty rambled for 323 yards on 54 carries a year ago to defeat Western Kentucky. Their rushing attack will be just a potent in 2024.

LU could benefit from a schedule adjustment

Eight starters return for a defense that allowed 22.3 ppg until Oregon basically doubled that at the Fiesta.  This team looks to be possibly stronger than last season.  On the flip side, its schedule looks no stronger.  Again, no Power Fours appear on their slate.  The toughest non-conference they face will be at Appalachian State at night in Week 6.  No other foes on their slate seem to approach as CFP contenders this season. That will be a great challenge for them to overcome. Jacksonville State on October 30 and WKU on November 23 look to be their biggest obstacles to repeat for the C-USA championship. 

However, if Liberty runs the regular season table once again, surely this schedule will be scrutinized closely if another Group of Five (G5) finishes with as good a mark against comparable or even better G5 competition to make the FBS playoff in 2024 (read Texas State and about some of the MAC teams on our slate who are legitimate CFP contenders). The head-to-head clash with Appalachian State will determine both teams’ CFP consideration that evening.  Other squads from other G5 conferences may have more favorable credentials this season as opposed to an undefeated C-USA winner.

November 30 – Coast Carolina at Georgia State: Too far out to call it at this point

This Coastal Carolina Chanticleers’ game appears on the final week of college football’s regular season.  We considered this game primarily for proximity to the TXST at South Alabama contest we will attend the Friday after Thanksgiving. It offered us a link to also visit the USS Alabama in Mobile before heading to Atlanta. The GSU home at Center Parc Stadium offered a chance to add another FBS venue to our goal to add more such stadiums to our current number. Not sure, at this point, if there will be any implications regarding the Sun Belt championship.   This may not even happen for us, however, as we may have a better opportunity on what’s known as “rivalry weekend.”

Transfer portal mayhem

HC Tim Beck brings in 66 new players this season.  That’s a lot of transfers.  Is this truly a key to success as written earlier? By the time we watch the Chants play, a lot of projected starters may not have that same status by then. They finished 8-5 in 2023.  Projected starting QB Noah King from Michigan State started five games for the Spartans last year for a 2-3 record before he roamed the sideline thereafter.  Wide receivers arrive in Conway, SC with little experience.  Three starters return for the Oline which could be their biggest plus.  Defensively, they welcome back six starters, but they lost most of their key stoppers.  This looks like a trial-and-error team-building strategy.

A night game against Appy State on November 7 tihs season could be another loss for Coastal as it turned out to be in 2021.
A night game against Appy State on November 7 this season could be another loss for Coastal as it turned out to be for highly-touted QB Grayson McCall and company in 2021.

The schedule doesn’t look overwhelming which will be to their benefit.  Most likely, their success will rely on the performances of many transfers. Deciding games to success: a tough non-conference game ahead finds Jacksonville State on the road in their opener; a trip to SBC foe James Madison on a Thursday night; a visit from Louisiana the week after; and Appy at home for a tough SBC battle on November 7. CCU looms as a best of our rest, but it most likely falls short of a CFP contender bid this season.

Collegefootballfan.com priorities at play here

We will determine if we still have interest in our current season finale at Georgia State to add that new venue.  If we come up with a game much better between some bigger FBS rivals, we will find chances to visit Center Parc Stadium for a more competitive game during a subsequent season.  Too many questions here for us to put Coastal among the top CFP contenders this season.  Lots of time to contemplate between now and November 30.

Ed. by Steve Koreivo   Member of Football Writers Association of America

Please buy and review my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Tales are about just about every Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team when I saw them play for the first time as well as at least one significant game that I attended for each FBS program over the past 50 years. It’s a unique story. Enjoy!

Four probably “too early game predictions”

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Lebanon, TN – Eight teams on this year’s slate will meet head-to-head in games we will attend in what we’ll call our “probably too early game predictions.”  Thus far, collegefootallfan.com has presented previews of 26 teams we’ll see play in 2024. Among these, we reported on 11 playing under new Head Coaches; seven among preseason Top 25 contenders; and eight others meeting in MACtion games. With these four clashes occurring early in the season, we’ll have covered 34 of the 41 teams we plan to see in action this year. 

Three of these too early game predictions look to be fairly competitive games.  All these teams look to improve in 2024. Regarding the fourth of these, we’ll just chalk it up to: “Welcome them to the FBS!”

September 7 – Tulsa at Arkansas State: Red Wolves bring experience, but can they stay focused?

For our first trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas, we see Butch Jones in his fourth season with the Red Wolves as Head Coach.  At 6-7 last season, they’ll welcome Tulsa from the American Athletic (AAC). The Golden Hurricane under HC Ken Wilson, in his second year after Indiana, comes in after a 4-8 mark in 2023.

Jones’s fourth year should display a positive impact from recruiting efforts.  His Red Wolves return 10 starters on offense and six on D.  Soph Jaylon Raynor returns as a QB with experience and solid skills at ASU.  He and two top RBs return with combined rushing yards of 1,671 yards and 18 TDs.  Corey Rucker and Courtney Jackson come back as their leading pass catchers from a year ago.  Key returnees on the Oline and several transfers give the Red Wolves a massive front.  Experience abounds up front on defense and in their linebacking corps.  S Trevian Thomas led the team in tackles with 91 and posted two INTs.

In 2018, Tulsa became our ultimate Road Waariors though teh wendt 0-3. We saw them play at Temple, here at Houston and eventually at Navy that year. Probably the most we ever saw one team line up as visitors in one season.
In 2018, Tulsa became our ultimate Road Warriors though they went 0-3. We saw them play at Temple, here at Houston and eventually at Navy that year. Probably the most we ever saw one team line up as visitors in one season.

Tulsa time

Tulsa’s Wilson hasn’t been able to load up as quickly in his shorter recruiting process.  However, the Golden Hurricane shows progress at QB with redshirt freshman Kirk Franics returning.  He improved the Tulsa passing game last year.  Top two RBs Anthony Watkins and Bill Jackson return as does leading receiver, Kamdyn Benjamin.  He and TE Ethan Hall become primary targets.  The O-line returns only one experienced player.  Newcomers will have to step up quickly in their second game against the experienced ASU defense.

With only four starters coming back on defense, the Hurricane will have its hands full with an ASU offense looking to peak going into a game the week after at Michigan.  Experience and depth from new transfers on the Red Wolves defensive line should give them the dominance they need over the Golden Hurricane offense to win this one.  In our first of too early game predictions, the Red Wolves get the edge. If they focus too much though on their trip to Ann Arbor the following week, a possibility looms that Tulsa can remain in this game. Hopefully the home crowd gives ASU an edge to offset that attitude.

September 14 – BYU at Wyoming; Cowboys on the rise

This too early game prediction sets up as a non-conference between the two former Mountain West (MWC) rivals.  Now in the Big XII, the Cougars look to ramp up into full conference play after meeting the Cowboys in Laramie.  BYU HC Kalani Sitake looks for improvements at QB where former Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon battles Jake Retzlaff to start.  A stable of RBs will need to improve over last year.  Six major receiving targets return from last year’s 5-7 squad. Unlike BYU teams of the past, however, last year the Cougars averaged only 205 yard per game through the air. Chase Roberts led all receivers last season with 573 yards and five TDs.  C Connor Pay leads the offensive blocking up front with more experience around him than last year with several newcomers. 

Six starters come back on defense; three in the secondary.  They remain among the six leading tacklers in 2024.  Sitake seeks improvement on the defensive front.  LB Ben Bywater returns from an injury and Jack Kelly, Jr. transferred from Weber State to strengthen the linebacker positions.

QB Gerry Bohanon (11), listed as Junior at Baylor in 2021, started against Texas State. We could see him again play QB for BYU in 2024.
QB Gerry Bohanon (11), listed as Junior at Baylor in 2021, started against Texas State. We could see him again play QB for BYU in 2024.

Best of our early game predictions

We missed out on recognizing Wyoming Head Coach Jay Sawvel as a first-year HC with the Cowboys.  He served as their DC from 2019-22. Junior QB Evan Svoboda starred in brief appearances in the past.  RB Harrison Waylee netted 947 rushing yards and five TDs last season.  To get the offense clicking in the early part of 2024, depth and experience return up front to help accelerate the upcoming learning curve in the Cowboy back field.

Wyoming’s defensive line will be among the strongest in the Mountain West. Seven returnees on defense return under Sawvel who was their DC last season to provide consistency. Safety’s Wyett Ekeler and Issac White return from strong Junior seasons.

Wyoming’s experience with two games under their belts by this time will have them focused on a run at the MWC title with a game against Boise late in the season. They’ll have some impetus here having lost to the Cougars in their previous nine meetings.  Craig Bohl retired from Wyoming with this program on the rise and leaving his son Aaron, the previous LB Coach, as Sawvel’s new DC.  In this too early game prediction, this should be a close, hard-fought game.  We’ll give the Cowboys the edge with their defense against an offense still seeking early season cohesion.  It also seems that Craig Bohl put the Cowboys in the right direction, and Sawvell aims to continue his legacy.

September 28 – Navy at Alabama-Birmingham: Navy ball control and pressure will decide this one

In our first conference clash that’s not a season opener, the Mids of Navy travel to meet the UAB Blazers in an American Athletic (AAC) game.  Both seek to improve back to winning ways. Last year, Navy defeated UAB, 31-6, finishing 5-7.  The Blazers, under first-year HC Trent Dilfer of NFL fame, went 4-8. 

The Mids plan to revert back to developing a more run-oriented game.   New OC Drew Cronic teaches a hybrid Wing-T attack with triple option and run-pass options.  A too early game prediction here: Navy can only be better at QB this season.  Junior Blake Horvath steps in to start and Soph Braxton Woodson, who we witnessed lead Navy to a 14-0 win over Charlotte, backs him up.  FB Alex Tecza returns as leading rusher.  Slot back Eli Heidenreich led in rushing and receiving from that position.  He will be called upon often in this new offensive scheme.  In Navy’s favor, five starters return on the offensive line.

Navy defensive keys

Defensively, LB Colin Ramos returns with 110 tackles posted a year ago.  Rayuan Lane and DeShaun Peele each picked four passes in the secondary.  The Mids come off a critical AAC home game against contender Memphis the week before.  Air Force, who they normally got a bye before in previous years, will be a road game in Colorado Springs the week after. Trap game impact for Navy here.

In this year's too early game predictions, we saw two of these teams meet at the end of 2021. In a close one, UAB defeated BYU in the Independence Bowl at Shreveport, LA, 31-28.
In this year’s too early game predictions, we saw two of these teams meet at the end of 2021. In a close one on a cold, windy December day, UAB defeated BYU in the Independence Bowl at Shreveport, LA, 31-28.

Question marks for both teams to be answered

UAB enters 2024 with HC Trent Dilfer looking to improve upon his first 4-8 season in the FBS.  QB Jacob Zeno passed for 3,126 yards and 20 TDs.  Isaiah Jacobs and redshirt-Freshman Lee Beebe will be called upon to fill in for rushing yards gained by top performers in 2024.  A WR among several has to step up.  Bryce Damous returns as a solid TE.  UAB considers themselves deeper on the line, but it’s still too early to tell for early game predictions here.

Defensively, only four starters return on defense.  Transfers supposedly add strength. However, when one reads “transfers,” does that rely imply improvement?  When players transfer from Indiana, Georgia Tech and Purdue with a handful of tackles in only a few games played, does that indicate you’ve strengthened a team?  Again, in all preseason analysis, success is too questionable in early game predictions.

Navy’s defense held the Blazers to six points last season.  We always question the Navy secondary regarding speed.  The academies have to maintain possession generally and need to prevent opponent offenses from quick-strike scoring.  With three games under their belts, will Navy have good rhythm by now with their new offense?

“If’s” to be answered

Dilfer’s team will also play with three games behind them including at Arkansas two weeks prior.  Can Navy bring pressure to the UAB passing game?  If they can, the secondary will take on the UAB receivers. If not, they will be challenged.  Will Horvath master the new offense effectively as Navy did in previous years, they will keep UAB’s offense off the field and will hold their own.  A lot of “ifs” in this one.  Either way, a close game looms in the end.  We will also see USNA play once again four weeks later.  In our 700th game, they will face top-five Notre Dame in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

Navy LB Phil Ramos (44) and DB Mbiti Williams (7) return to bolster the Navy defense in 2024. Shown here in their 14-0 win over Charlotte last season, the aptly dress man on the sideline fo r post-game practice is Charlotte HC Bill Poggi.
Navy LB Phil Ramos (44) and DB Mbiti Williams (7) return to bolster the Navy defense in 2024. Shown here in their 14-0 win over Charlotte last season, the aptly dressed man on the sideline for post-game practice is Charlotte HC Bill Poggi.

October 4 – Jacksonville State at Kennesaw State – JSU welcomes KSU to FBS

Our fourth game to complete our too early game predictions looks too easy to forecast. Jacksonville State returns from its initial season of FBS/C-USA season competition with a mark of 9-4 (6-2 in C-USA play). They held their own against mid-level and lower competition. HC Rich Rodriguez, following a successful career at West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona, leads the Gamecocks into Year 3.  With skillful recruiting in the transfer portal and QB Logan Smothers, one of two starters from 2024 returning from injury, Jacksonville expects to challenge for Conference-USA supremacy.

Jacksonville State HC Rich Rodriguez confers with QB Zion Webb in last year's opening win at home against UTEP.
Jacksonville State HC Rich Rodriguez confers with QB Zion Webb in last year’s opening 17-14 win at home against UTEP.

Owls take a flying leap

Kennesaw enters its first season in FBS/C-USA play.  We attend this Friday night game conveniently scheduled between two other games to attend to add Fifth Third Bank Stadium to our FBS Stadium objective.  HC Brian Bohanon leads the Owls into his tenth season with a 71-23 record.  Inexperienced at QB, three players including his son vie to start with only 11 pass attempts among them.  In the meantime, the offense adapts in a second year running the pistol option offense.  Nine starters return on defense, but last season’s opposition in a 3-6 year posted wins again three D-2 programs.  Big adjustments lie ahead to the FBS and C-USA level this season every week. The question is, will “Rich Rod” and team show any mercy against a program that defeated them three of four times as FCS teams?

-ed. by Steve Koreivo Member of the Football Writers Association of America

Please buy and review my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Tales are about just about every Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team when I saw them play for the first time as well as at least one significant game that I attended for each team program over the past 50 years. It’s a unique story. Enjoy!

2024 Collegefootballfan.com Cheerleading Edition

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Lebanon, TN – Sports Illustrated releases its “Swimsuit” edition annually during the freezing doldrums of cold winter months. SI warms things up for the anticipated beach season. So, we’ve decided to fire fans up anticipating the cooling effects of Autumn with our end of summer College Football Cheerleading Edition. These photos we’ve taken have graced our Game Reviews primarily in 2016-2017. They look as good now as they did then. We feature some of our favorite cheerleader memories here!

We look forward to capturing more school spirit along the sidelines at games this upcoming season. Many venues on our slate this year we’ll attend for the very first time. Enjoy our Cheerleading Edition as we approach two weeks from our “Week 0” kickoff of 2024. We look forward to seeing who’s along the sidelines as well as who’s playing on the gridiron. With that in mind, look for a few more season previews here before the start of our 2024 season.

Twirlers and Dance Teams make our Cheerleading Edition 2024 as well

Baylor Cheerleader Uniforms of Green and Gold appeared at a lively win for the Bears in a win over North Carolina in the Bowl in 2014!
Baylor Cheerleader Uniforms of Green and Gold appeared at a lively 49-38 win for the Bears over North Carolina in the Russel Athletic Bowl played in Orlando, Florida in 2014!
Tennessee twirlers performed during halftime in the TaxSlayer Bowl of 2015 when the Vols trounced the Northsester Wildcats, xx-xx. We've seen many such perfomances as we;ve attend seven UT bowl games over this fantastic voyage.
Tennessee twirlers performed during halftime in the Outback Bowl a few days later in Tampa. Their Vols trounced the Northwestern Wildcats, 45-6. We’ve attended seven UT bowl games over the course of this fantastic voyage.
The Delaware State Hornets Dance Team helped start up a new rivalry with in-state foe Delaware for the opener for both FCS schools in 2016.
The Delaware State Hornets Dance Team performed before the new First State rivalry. They kicked off against in-state foe Delaware for the opener for both Football Championship Subdivision schools in 2016. The Delaware Fighting Blue Hens dominated this one, 56-14. In 2025, they will join the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Conference-USA.

East Coast Cheerleading squads are hip. Check out their styles!

Rutgers Cheerleaders shake pom-poms at 2016 game at High Point Solutions Stadium in win against New Mexico in 2016. This year, the Lobos will open our season for us in Albuquerque on August 24 against strong FCS Montana State Bobcats.
Rutgers Cheerleaders shake pom-poms at 2016 game at High Point Solutions Stadium in 37-28 win against New Mexico in 2016. This year, the UNM Lobos will open our season for us in Albuquerque. On August 24, they play the strong FCS Montana State Bobcats.
South Florida lost to Temple at The Linc in Philly in 2016, but a couple of their pictures won them a few spots in our 2024 College Cheerleader Edition.
South Florida lost to Temple, 46-30, at The Linc in Philly in 2016. However, a couple of their pictures won them a few spots in our 2024 College Cheerleader Edition. They could smile after this season as their USF Bulls finished the season ranked No. 19 in the country.
Speaking of Temple Cheerleaders, we always enjoy their performances with the band during halftime shows at The Linc. Here they cheer on their Owls against the Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Stadioum in 2016.
Speaking of Temple Cheerleading, we always enjoy their performances with the band during halftime shows at The Linc. Here, all smiles for their Owls against the Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in a 34-10 victory. Here, they cheered them on to the American Athletic Championship in 2016.
In their standard Cheerleader Uniforms, these Pitt girls withstood a freezing-cold day in late December when their Panther lost to the Northwestern Wildcats in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
In their standard Cheerleader Uniforms, these Pitt girls withstood a freezing-cold day in late December. Their Panthers fell, 31-24, to the Northwestern Wildcats in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Tough Ladies!

The Midwest Farmers’ Daughters look better than just alright!

In 2016, collegefootballfan.com attended the Notre Dame-Stanford game in South Bend when we had a chance to meet Irish Cheerleaders on a tour the day before. Good thing! If you read my book, you'll see we had an obstructed view from where we sat during ND's loss to Stanford that Saturday.
In 2016, collegefootballfan.com attended the Notre Dame-Stanford game in South Bend. We had a chance to meet Irish Cheerleaders on a tour the day before. Good thing! If you read my book, you’ll see we had an obstructed view from where we sat during ND’s loss to Stanford that Saturday (photo taken by William T. Serafin).
Two days later, we made it to the Music City Bowl to see the Nebraska Cornhusker squad display their Cheerleader Uniforms at The Music city Bowl in Nashville against Tennessee where it was not as cold. Their Huskers fell to the Vols,
We made it to the Music City Bowl in 2016 to see the Nebraska Cornhusker Cheerleading squad lead their fans to root against the Tennessee Volunteers. Their Huskers fell to the Vols, 38-24.

And the Northern Cheerleading teams warm their stadiums up all night

Penn Staters showed up with Blue and White pride in the opener against in-state rival Pitt to start their Nittany Lions off with a victory, .
Penn Staters showed up with Blue and White pride in the 2017 opener against in-state rival Pitt to revive the discontinued rivalry. They cheered their Nittany Lions on to a victory, 33-14.
Navy Cheerleaders lead the Gold side of Nay-Marine Corps Stadium against the Cincinatti Bearcats in 2017.
You don’t see it on these girls’ faces, but this game was played on a scorching hot day. Navy Cheerleaders led the Gold side of Navy-Marine Corps Stadium to cheer against the Cincinatti Bearcats for a 42-32 win in 2017.
In the same game to our left on the Gold side in Annapolis, Bearcat fans follow their girls in cheer against the Mids in a tough loss, .
In the same game to our left on the Gold side in Annapolis, Cincinnati Bearcat fans followed their Cheerleaders against the Mids in the tough loss under first-year Head Coach Luke Fickell. In 2024, we’ll see him coach his Wisconsin Badgers against the highly-ranked Oregon Ducks. Looking to our first “Fifth Quarter” celebration there!

And the Southern Cheerleading with the way they talk…

At a pregame rally in 2018 adjacent to Wake Forest's Truist Stadium, The Demon Deacons Cheerleaders amp their fans up prior to a 41-31 victory over Lamar Jackson and Louisville.
At a pregame rally in 2018 adjacent to Wake Forest’s Truist Stadium, The Demon Deacons Cheerleaders amped their fans up prior to a 42-32 victory over Heisman winner Lamar Jackson of the Louisville Cardinals.
On the road at Virginia's Scott Stadium in 2017, Georgia Tech's squad roused their Yellow Jackets to an exciting 33-30 win over the Cavaliers in the rain.
On the road at Virginia’s Scott Stadium in 2017, Georgia Tech’s squad roused their Yellow Jacket fans to no avail, but we saw an exciting 40-36 win by the Cavaliers in a driving rainstorm.
We returned to the Atlantic coast the following weekend to see the Coastal Carolina Chanticleer squad cheer their team in a losing cause against Georgia Southern on their home turf in Brooks Stadium located in Conway, SC.
On a dreary day, we saw the Coastal Carolina Chanticleer squad cheer their team in a losing cause against Georgia Southern on their home turf in Brooks Stadium located in Conway, SC. You can see they did, however, brighten things up.

Do “we wish they all could be California girls?” We prefer to enjoy the Cheerleading talent wherever we go!

At our first big rivalry game at the LA Coliseum between USC and UCLA, the Bruin Cheerleaders gave us plenty to cheer about most of the game as they performed directly below us. To their disappointment, their team didn't give them much to get excited about as they fell to the hated Trojans that evening, 23-17?
At our first big rivalry game at the Las Angeles Coliseum between USC and UCLA in 2017, the Bruin Cheerleaders gave us plenty to cheer about most of the game as they performed directly below us. To their disappointment, their team didn’t give them much to get excited about as they fell to the hated, crosstown, rival Trojans that evening, 28-23.
We have to throw out one more shot of the California girls of UCLA since we have so many of them for some reason.
We have to throw out one more shot of the California girls of UCLA since we took so many of them for some reason.
We'll wrap this edition up as these South Florida Bull girls snuck away under the TV camera crew, but they couldn't escape our keen eyes!
We’ll wrap this edition up as these South Florida Bull Cheerleaders snuck away under the TV camera crew, but they couldn’t escape our keen eyes from our seats among us real fans!

ed. by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America

Unless noted otherwise, all photos here have been taken by Steve Koreivo

Lots of MACtion in store for 2024

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Lebanon, TN – Having invested well for retirement and moving to Tennessee gives us plenty of time and puts us in proximity to seeing good MACtion clashes this season.  With games televised over November weekday evenings, we can combine multiple games within two evenings to travel and build our resume’ attending competitive games and visiting new venues – in sync with our already great adventure.  We look forward to some close, hard-fought battles.

MACtion competitively balanced?

In his College Football ’24 Preview, Phil Steele quotes Ball State HC Mike Neu. “He told me there is not so much difference from top to middle of the MAC (Mid-American Conference).” Well, we plan to find out.  It gives us first-hand looks to see some teams that will eventually be playing in early December bowls – good for evaluating teams in those bowl pools we enter after the regular season! Through MACtion in person, we hope to have our finger on the pulse of this conference.

Below, we present our slate of MACtion games in chronological order.   As a conference, with fewer games we’ve attended than most others, we will also report on our vivid memories of the Mid-Americans whose membership has basically remained intact over the years.

The Mid-American Conference remains as the conference that looms with the most stadiums left for us to visit. Last season, we visited the tribute to "The Cradle of Coaches" at Miami in Oxford, Ohio for our first week attending two MACtion games.
The Mid-American Conference remains as the conference that looms with the most stadiums left for us to visit. Last season, we visited the tribute to “The Cradle of Coaches” at Miami in Oxford, Ohio for our first week attending two MACtion games.

October 12: Ohio U at Central Michigan; Big Chippewa Tailgate Party

We begin with a Saturday game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, home of the Chippewas.  We’ll enjoy our first game there with a good friend and former work colleague Mike Meyer and his family.  Mike, his wife, Mother, kids and friends all attended CMU. Annually, they plan a big tailgate party there once every season.  Mike invited St. Laurie and I to attend this game with about 40 die-hard Chippewa fans.  We look forward to this!

Heading into the sixth game of their season following games at Illinois and home against San Diego State, we see the Chips play in their second MACtion game of the year hosting Ohio U. The Bobcats finished 10-3 a year ago. They defeated Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and defeated CMU 34-20. The Chips will actually have chips on their shoulders for this one after the Bobcats upset them last season.

Central Michigan hopes to see some improvement at QB with Iowa transfer Joey Labas.  Hard to imagine a QB from Iowa over the last few years being a solid selection to turn a program around.  Soph Bert Emanuel will have to be ready to step in after two starts last season.  Maybe both will improve under HC Jim McElwain, formerly at Colorado State and Floria.  Top RBs from 2023 in Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey return. They were also among the top five receivers following Tyson Davis and Jesse Prewitt with 30 and 31 snags respectively.  The OLine brings back three starters.  The team needs to ramp up their 23.3 points per game (ppg).  Defense returns six starters from their 5–7-mark last season led by three LBs – Donte Kent, Justin Whiteside and Dokata Cochran.

Bobcat momentum?

Ohio U. HC Tim Albin rebuilds with only two returning starters on offense and four on “D.” Junior Parker Novarro probably starts at QB. He led the Bobcats to a 41-25 victory over Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.  Only RB Ricky Hunt returns in the backfield, and Anthony Tyus of Northwestern transferred in.  On defense, they build around two starting safeties in Austin Brawley and Adonis Williams.  Albin has led OU to 10-win seasons the past two years after an initial record of 3-9.  This season will attest to his recruiting and developmental program with a lot of new players stepping up.

In over 45 years, we have seen both teams play only once.  We saw CMU toppled by Syracuse, 41-17, in the Carrier Dome in 1999.  In 2005, we welcomed Ohio as our 100th team with a 34-20 win over our 101st team Buffalo in Amsterdam, NY. The Bobcats played then under their first-year HC Frank Solich.

Over the years there were opportunities to see Toledo and Bowling Green play against some top-rated FBS teams. Instead. we waited to see them play one another for some great MACtion! Patience paid off with a hard-fought 32-31 win by the Toledo Rockets.
Over the years there were opportunities to see Toledo and Bowling Green play against some top-rated FBS teams. Instead, we waited to see them play one another for some great MACtion! Patience paid off with a hard-fought 32-31 win by the Toledo Rockets.

November 5 (Election Day) – Miami (O.) at Ball State kicks off our weeknight MACtion

We descend upon Ball State’s Scheumann Stadium in Muncy Indiana for the first time.  However, we’ll be seeing the Miami Redhawks, defending MAC champs, for the second year in a row. We witnessed their win over Buffalo, 23-10, on our first trip to Oxford for their ninth win last season.  They went on to win the MAC title game over Toledo before falling to Appy State in the Cure Bowl, 13-9, to finish 11-3.

Senior QB Brett Gabbert (1,635 passing yards, 14 TDs, five INTs) keys their drive to win a second MAC title. He suffered an injury ending his season against Toledo in the title game.  Kenny Tracy returns as their top back who will be relied on to replace Rashod Amos’s 1075 yards and 13 TDs. The Top D among MACtion teams a year ago held opponents to 15.9 points per game. Returning Senior LBs Matt Sapolek and Ty Wise return with 144 and 122 tackles respectively.  This year, the Redhawks start off at Northwestern, vs. Cincinnati and at Notre Dame.  They will have four MAC games under their belt against teams we will see play before they meet Ball State who they defeated at home last season, 17-15. Like BSU HC Mike Neu stated, there’s not much different from top to middle among MACtion teams.

Where does Neu see his Cardinals?

Question is, does Neu see his team among the upper echelon here?  Ball State finished 4-8 a year ago with close losses against Toledo and Bowling Green as well as Miami. However, with six starters returning on offense and only one returning on defense, Neu definitely has his work cut out for him going into his ninth season at Ball State. 

QB Kadin Semonza returns as a redshirt freshman after only three starts. Four returning OL starters will be a strength for these Cardinals.  The top RB looks to be Indiana transfer Charles Spegal (71 rushing yards in ’23).  Top receiver Qian Magwood comes back to lead a passing attack that averaged only 18.3 ppg in 2023.  LB Kente Newson who led in tackles with 81 returns.  This year’s Cardinal crew of transfers includes several D-III players vying for starting positions on defense.  Will much defensive improvement be derived with one starter returning that allowed 24 ppg last year? 

Miami of Ohio stands at 2-1 in our history with last year’s win and a 14-13 win over Army at West Point in 1998.  They fell to Temple, 24-21, in a Thursday night game at The Linc in 2011.  Ball State fell hard on a blistering, hot day at Boston College in 2003, 53-29.   However, we also saw them under HC Pete Lembo defeat the Cadets of West Point at Michie Stadium, 30-22, in 2012.

The Redhawks leading tackler from last season, Matt Salopek, returns for his Senior season to lead this tough Miami defense once again.
The Redhawks leading tackler from last season, Matt Salopek, returns for his Senior season to lead this tough Miami defense once again.

November 6: Northern Illinois at Western Michigan; Broncos have some making up to do in Kalamazoo

Our November MACtion action continues the very next night at Western Michigan’s Waldo Stadium to check off another FBS stadium toward this crazy goal.   We were wondering where Waldo was.   Northern Illinois returns 30 seniors under their HC Thomas Hammock.  Games at Notre Dame and NC State precede our visit.  One of three QBs could be starting for the Huskies by the time we hopefully see them.  However, three top RBs from last season’s 7-6 team return including 1st Team MACtion RB Antario Brown.  He rushed for 1,296 yards and ten TDs.  Two leading pass catchers, Trayvon Rudolph and Grayson Barnes, come back with 951 yards and seven TDs between them.  Four experienced linemen return up front for this O to take the pressure off the new Husky QB.  Eight starters return on defense. DE Rashein Thomas and LB Jaden Dolphin tallied 72 and 61 tackles respectively. 

Northern Illinois – Their future and our past

NIU could challenge for the MAC title this season.  Toledo, Miami and CMU appear on their slate after this meeting against WMU.  In our first NIU game in 2004, we watched the Huskies lose to a good Ralph Friedgen-coached Maryland team on the road, 23-20, despite the Huskies losing their starting QB in that game.  They went on to a 9-3 record.  We actually got to attend a game at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb in 2018 for a night game on a business trip out that way.  They defeated Toledo, 38-15, on a cold night in front of a sparse crowd. We’ll prepare for MACtion weather traveling by car this season with all our winter gear packed!

In 2018, we attended our first weekday night MACtion at NIU. DE Sutton Smith (15) in pursuit of Toledo's Eli Peters, recorded a sack, a big hurry, a blocked punt, and a touchdown this evening.
In 2018, we attended our first weekday night MACtion at NIU. DE Sutton Smith (15) in pursuit of Toledo’s Eli Peters, recorded a sack, a big hurry, a blocked punt, and a touchdown this evening.

Woe to Western Michigan

The Broncos not only lost the only game we ever saw them play in, but they hold our record for the biggest trouncing we ever witnessed.  They fell to Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, 63-0, in 2004 on their first of ten straight losses that season. In addition, I actually got dumped on as well. We don’t anticipate a repeat of that happening this fall at Waldo in Kalamazoo. HC Lance Taylor’s Broncos come off their second season together with a 4-8 record.

NIU blanked them last season, 24-0, holding WMU to 206 yards of total offense.  Bronco returning experience includes four starters on offense and eight on defense. QB Hayden Wolff improved their offense last season after starting halfway through the season adding 211 more yards per game on average.  Soph Jalen Buckley returns at RB with 1003 yards and ten TDs a year ago.  WR Kenneth Womack led WMU with 76 receptions, but WR Anthony Sambucci found the end zone more times with five scores.

Two keys for Bronco success in 2024

Four top tacklers return with each garnering between 65-75 stops. Among them, returning senior LB Damari Roberson broke up six passes and picked a pass.  S Tate Hollock broke up five and intercepted twice.  The defense is key for any Bronco challenge to claim the MACtion title.  It seems wide open. The Broncos could be ready to make a move. After opening at Wisconsin and Ohio State, their slate looks very favorable to get to the title game.  After they face NIU, their biggest MACtion challenges come in games at Bowling Green and at Central Michigan the next two weeks.   Their biggest factor could be for Wolff to stay healthy at QB and to demonstrate continuous improvement over the course of the season. We will get a whiff of their direction against the NIU Huskies this evening.

November 12: CMU at Toledo; Two games in Ohio in two nights

We will see the Chippewas play for the second time in 2024 MACtion.  This time, they’ll visit Toledo at the Glass Bowl for our first visit there.  We’ve seen the Rockets (and Buffalo Bulls) play the most games among all Mid-American Conference teams thus far –four each. However, TU comes away with the most wins. In 2000, we saw them defeat Navy in Annapolis on a wind-swept day, 35-14.  In 2011, they defeated Air Force in Washington DC at the Military Bowl in an exciting game to the wire, 42-41.  Last season, we saw them defeat archrival Bowling Green in a 32-31 comeback victory. Only loss came at NIU mentioned previously.

At this stage of the 2024 MAC season, whoever remains healthiest and demonstrates good QB play among all these contenders will probably decide the outcome.  Will the Chippewas still be relying on Joey Labas at QB, or will they have replaced him by now based on his effectiveness?  How well does his replacement perform?

Toledo 2024

Rocket HC Jason Candle welcomes eight starters back. He’ll rely on QB Tucker Gleason to step in full-time to compensate for the transfer of last season’s QB surprise, Dequann Finn. RB Jacquez Stuart returns with 604 rushing yards and six TDs. Four top receivers return with 18 TD catches among them, but four new transfers come in to block upfront with little experience.  Big learning curve, but in November, they may have jelled quite a bit as a unit.  The Rocket defense is considered its strength with MLB Daniel Bolden, S Maxon Hook, DT Darius Hook and S Emmanuel McNeil Warren solidifying this unit right up the middle. 

A game against Mississippi State will be a barometer early in Week 3.  Their MACtion opener at home versus Miami and later at home against archrival BGSU, will be their biggest tests before we see them play. They can get a leg up for a title shot early in a very wide-open conference this season.

One thing for sure when it comes to MACtion on November evenings, dress warm!
One thing for sure when it comes to MACtion on November evenings, dress warm!

November 13: Eastern Michigan at Ohio U – November MACtion in the other FBS Athens

We’ll add Ohio U’s Peden Stadium in Athens as our fifth Mid-American venue attended this year.  Among the MAC, that will bring us up to nine of twelve stadiums attended.  Only Akron, Eastern Michigan and Kent visits remain.  Overall, this season, we will add 11 or 12 new FBS campus stadiums in the end.  With possibly 99 in total at season’s end, about 36 remain on our Bucket List. Plenty of travels still ahead. It’s a moving target though.  How many other programs are going to join the FBS with all the money being thrown at these schools?  The bubble has to burst at some point.

The Ohio Bobcat’s experience should be bolstered by the time we see them again with ten games under their belts. The EMU Eagles will only be on our slate for the second time. In 2002, we watched EMU get blasted by Maryland in Byrd Stadium, 45-3.  And it wasn’t even that close. At our upcoming game against OU, we look forward to seeing this team in action under their venerable HC Chris Creighton.

Fly Eagles! Fly!

Despite his 52-68 recorded over ten seasons in Ypsilanti, he’s brought respect to a very beleaguered program. In eight seasons prior to his arrival, the Eagles won only 20 games. Their only bowl appearance ever was in the 1987 California Bowl.  Despite the expansion of post season college football games, Creighton has gotten the Eagles into six bowls in the past eight seasons.  In most seasons prior, Eagle teams were well below the .500 mark.  He’s done great things for this program.  They generally hold their own now against the lower half of the MAC. However, they’ve pulled some stunning upsets under Creighton over the years.  He can always do more.

Like Ohio, EMU looks to find improvements under new QBs from elsewhere.  Creighton brought in Cole Snyder who played for three seasons at Buffalo and Drew Viotto from Minnesota to compete with him.  At RB, Delbert Mimms from NC State and Dontae McMillian from FCS Weber State with 1,683 yards over four years should jump-start the Eagle running attack.  Creighton also relies on five new transfers to add depth to his receiving corps.  Transfers shore up the two returning OL starters in 2024.  Lots of question marks and team-building ahead for this EMU offense.

Creighton is Key

Seven starters return on defense led by NT Peyton Price and DE Justin Jefferson. JT Killen from Coastal Carolina steps in to replace a big void where the best players on defense a year ago played at Linebacker.  S Quentavius Scandrett and Daquan White who totaled 9 pass break-ups will lead a good secondary.  The key to the success of this team though will once again fall on its HC Chris Creighton.  His capabilities to pull talent together quickly and effectively will most likely keep this team around the bowl eligible mark.

Tough sledding out of conference begins at Washington followed by Jacksonville State the following week.  Miami and the week before the Ohio game, Toledo visits Ypsilanti to be the greatest MAC challenges Eastern will face.  Our final MACtion game of the season will leave a few games left for each squad to determine the two top teams that will play for the conference title.  Most likely we will see one, but possibly to both of these teams during the month of November.  It’s something we really look forward to attending these games to witness great competition among teams close in talent to one another.

Though we won't see them in MACtion this season, look for Bowling Green to be right in the thick of this year's MAC title race as well.
Though we won’t see them in MACtion this season, look for Bowling Green to be right in the thick of this year’s MAC title race as well.

-by Steve Koreivo, ed.  Member of Football Writers Association of America