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

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

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

Well-prepared

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

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

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

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

A Throwback game

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

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

Nasty game conditions

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

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

Second half much like the first

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

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

We’d do it again

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

Next!

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

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

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

Extra point:

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

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

 

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

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

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

Pre-game surprise

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

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

Let’s get this Friday night party really started

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

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

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

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

BC’s Red Bandana

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

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

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

Bringing back Memories

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

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

Cane RB DeeJay Dallas enroute to TD run in Q2.

Turnovers equal points

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

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

Final Countdown

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

Where’s Doug Flutie now?

Next!

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

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

Passing Winds

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

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

Extra Points

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

BC Pom-poms during pre-game performance.

 

 

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

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King leads Houston over Navy, 49-36

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

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

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

Talk about wide-open 

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

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

 Navy starts out strong

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

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

Here come the Cougars

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

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

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

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

Next week

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

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

Two more coming up, but where?

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

Friday night fandom

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

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

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

Let the game begin

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

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

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

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

The Voice of the (Penn) Fan

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

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

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

More Dave

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

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

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

Getting off on the wrong foot

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

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

Quakers show their Oats

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

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

Comeback- not!

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

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

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

Next!

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

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

Game 571: Blue Hens suppress rise of the Phoenix with a 28-16 upset

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Blue Hens suppress rise of the Phoenix with a 28-16 upset

Newark, DE – The Fighting Blue Hens (4-2,2-1 CAA) came back from deficits in both halves to take a big win over the Elon Phoenix for contention to an FCS playoff bid, 28-16.  Despite losing starting QB Davis Cheek early in the game, sub QB Jalen Greene filled in to give Elon an early lead. The tough Delaware defense led by the CAA’s leading tackler LB Troy Reeder’s 15 tackles held Elon to one TD.  Reeder accumulated eight solos, and the D shut the Phoenix down in the final period to regain the lead for the victory.  This outcome impacts the Colonial Athletic Association’s standings since Elon defeated this year’s leader and defending champion, James Madison, the Saturday before.

LB Colby Reeder (4) , not brother Troy, makes the stop for the Fighting Blue Hens.

Early Phoenix QB change

Cheek left the game to an injury on Elon’s second possession.  Later in the first, Greene completed a 52-yard pass to Cole Taylor at the UD ten.  RB Taylor Thomas took it in for the score from the nine-yard line for the first score of the game.  Elon led going into Q2, 7-0.

Elon QB Jalen Greene on the move ran for 36 yards and threw for 140 in his back-up role. 

A fumble by UD QB Pat Kehoe early in the second period turned the ball over to the Phoenix at the Delaware 23.  The Delaware defense buttoned down the Elon offense to settle for Skyler Davis’s 25-yard FG for a 10-0 lead.  Guest Game Analyst Dave Headden (Ohio Wesleyan) enjoyed the early lead as his son Christopher, a freshman, and his money now go to Elon.  Dave realized though that the Phoenix fans were outnumbered significantly among an enthusiastic crowd of 19,209 mostly looking for the Blue Hen program to figuratively rise from the ashes.  UD hired HC Danny Rocco  to bring their program back from there and to get back into a perennial playoff mode.

UD QB Pat Kehoe slides as he is caught from behind for a short gain. He totaled 33 yards rushing and 140 passing for three TDs.

Great time management

Elon started a late first half drive with 1:26 remaining from its own three.  Two tackles by Reeder and three UD time-outs later, the Blue Hens snapped the ball at their 47 with 1:02 left.  On Kehoe’s fifth pass attempt of the drive, TE Charles Scarff gathered in a seven-yard TD pass to close the score to 10-7 before going into half time.

Ascent of the Blue Hens

The Fighting Blue Hen Marching Band put on a great performance for their fans who came hoping to see a resurrection of its great and proud football program under its second year HC.  In his 12th season as an FCS Head Coach, according to today’s game program, Rocco remains the only HC with 12 years or more experience to never have suffered a losing season.  Last week, the UD win over Richmond marked his 100th career victory.  Prior to Delaware, he coached Richmond and before that, Liberty.  Rocco hales from Huntingdon, PA – home of the alma mater, Juniata College. He’s a Wake Forest grad.  His father coached at Penn State as an assistant during the Paterno years.

Fighting Blue Hen sideline.

Back to game action

Delaware’s D forced a Phoenix punt to start the third.  From the 31, the Hens started their drive. Kehoe’s 37-yard pass to Gene Coleman II (Montclair, NJ) put them on the 20.  Scarff (5 catches for 43 yards, 2 TDS) caught a six-yarder for a 14-10 Blue Hen lead.  Elon moved the ball again, but eventually settled for a 25-yard FG by Davis.  Elon drove into FG position again on its next possession, and with Davis converting from 38, the Phoenix regained a 16-14 advantage at the end of the third.

Fighting Blue Hen DE Frank Burton stops De’Sean McNair for a loss in early action.

Blue Hen comeback

With the ball in their possession starting the final period, Delaware didn’t respond on its next series.  Reeder continued to lead the Blue Hen defensive charge with his eight solos, four Tackles for losses, and a game-sealing sack.  After forcing an Elon punt, the UD offense started to drive from its 32.  This series culminated in a 23-yard TD to WR Vince Papale (four catches, 58 yards, one TD) to regain the lead 21-16 for the Blue Hens.  The defense held Elon to no yards during the next Elon possession that forced a punt from the 18.  Starting from its 47, the Fighting Blue Hens sustained a 53-yard touchdown drive as RB Kani Kane (19 carries for 124 yards, one TD) ran it over from the three to extend the lead, 28-16.  4:02 remained to play.

WR Vinnie Papale runs under Kehoe’s pass to take 21-16 Blue Hen lead

Sealing the victory

Elon (4-2, 2-1) started from its 33 and got to the Blue Hen 47.  On fourth and ten, Reeder sacked Greene for a seven-yard loss to end any hope for the Phoenix.  UD went into the victory formation and ran off the clock. The win marked UD’s first win over a Top 5 opponent since 2010.  Things are starting to look up for the Hens, now 5-2, 2-1 in the CAA.

Up next!

Ahead now for FCS, No.25 Delaware looms a struggling New Hampshire Wildcat team (1-5) next Saturday up in Durham before they return home against FCS No. 14 Towson.  Elon, now ranked at No. 11, hosts Richmond next week followed by No. 23 Rhode Island and No. 14 Towson respectively both at home.  Big games come up for both squads to position themselves in the FCS play-off picture.

UD cheerleaders may have to dress a little warmer up in New Hampshire next weekend. Darn! Hey, is that our pal Navy Al in the baseball cap?

We at CFF.com venture into another two-game weekend (possibly followed by two more) as we travel to Franklin Field in Philly on Friday night to see the Penn Quakers (4-1, 1-1) welcome the Yale Bulldogs (3-2, 2-1) in and Ivy League clash.  On Saturday, struggling Navy (2-4, 1-2) hosts American Athletic West rival Houston (5-1, 2-0).  Houston DT Ed Oliver and company will be looking to stymie Navy’s triple option.

Extra Points:

Speaking of Navy, the University of Delaware welcomed the crew of the Submarine USS Delaware who sat near beleaguered GGA Dave and ecstatic me in the east stands of Delaware Stadium.  The boat, still under construction, will be the first US Navy vessel in 100 years to be named after the First State.  The young enlisted crew and some of if officers were honored on Tubby Raymond field.  Go Navy!

CFF.com suffered an injury this past Saturday as our canopy got swept up by a strong gust of wind and hurdled over two vehicles bending a leg.  It has to be looked at still for repair so the leg will hopefully fit back into it carrying bag for transport to games.  Otherwise it may have t retire for duty on the home front only.

St. Laurie made the trek down for the game, but once our niece Kassie and her friend McKenzie showed up to tailgate, the temptation set in for all of them to stay in the parking lot to tailgate during the game.  No problems on this end. She had packed up our tailgate gear to head out after Dave and I returned after the end of the game.  We met up for brunch with Kassie the next morning at the Oyster House in Wilmington – Bloody Mary’s and a steak and egg bowl among their house specialties.

Disappointingly, RB Thomas Jefferson of Delaware whom we met last season has been relegated to the kickoff and kickoff return teams his senior year.  We did get to see him return the kickoff for 22 yards after Elon took a 10-0 lead.  He got a big cheer from the UD fans after his name was announced. He had some big game his first two years with the program.   We went over to the locker room to see if we if we could catch up, but we didn’t find him there.  Hopefully the Blue Hens can go far into the playoffs and we will try to catch up with him again, but it will probably be difficult for everything to work out right.

Click here to see our 2018 schedule for recent updates.

Blue Hen Marching Band performs during halftime.

 

Game 570: Wilkes Colonels race past FDU-Florham Red Devils, 31-16

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Wilkes Colonels race past FDU-Florham Red Devils, 31-16

Madison, NJ – Wilkes Colonels QB Jose Tabora passed for 313 yards and four TDs to score 31 first-half points to take an early, overwhelming lead to defeat the FDU-Florham Red Devils, 31-16, this past Friday night in a D-3 Middle Atlantic Conference clash.  Tabora threw for most of his yards and all four of his TDs in the first half.  He connected for three TDs with WR Jeff Steeber (nine catches, 127 yards).

Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley noted how well FDU shut down the Colonels’ running game during the first half.  Yet Tabora completed passes accurately to wide open receivers with ease.  Paul called for more d-backs to bring in more coverage against Tabora. That’s exactly what the Devils’ coaching staff did eventually, but not until the second half trailing by 24 points.  The FDU defense stepped up, but the offense averaging 38.6 point per game coming in struggled most of the night.

Colonels off to a fast start

Wilkes College (4-3, 3-2 MAC) took a 7-0 lead on Tabora’s first TD pass to Juan Salas-Negron for 49 yards.  DB Zac Weber intercepted Jagger Green’s pass to take over from his team’s 38.  Tabora fired his next scoring strike 20 yards to WR Jeff Steeber (MAC Offensive player of the Week).  The Red Devils cut the lead in half responding with 57-yard drive on a fourth down and six.  Green (20 for 32, 169 yards, one TD, two INTs) lofted a 19-yard pass in that situation to Khyrstan Camilo to trail, 14-7.

Jeff Steeber (18) races along sideline for 20-yard Wilkes Colonels TD in the first quarter.

In the second period, the Wilkes Colonels continued to dominate through the air.   On consecutive possessions, Tabora connected with Steeber for a 24-yard TD and for a 49-yard TD to race out to a 28-7 advantage.  Following Nahir Wood’s pick of Green, Wilkes drove starting from their 35 to set up David Kutteroff’s 31-yard FG.  As time expired, the Colonels led at halftime, 31-7.  The fans on the home side started to leave on the first cool, Friday night of the football season.

Nahir Woods (far right) picks off Green pass to set up Wilkes FG to finish first-half scoring.

Second half adjustments work

As GGA Paul Fraley suggested, the Devils came out in the second half changing to a three-man rush with five defenders behind them and three-deep.  The strategy paid off as the front three started to mount pressure up front.  Weakside backs would rush in to create havoc and sack the QB.  Tabora’s accuracy changed drastically.

Momentum shift

Forcing Wilkes to punt from the 13, the ball went through the punter’s fingers and he recovered in the end zone for an FDU safety.  Following the ensuing kick from the 20, the Devils drove to the Wilkes Colonel five.  With WR Mike Panzarino at QB in the Wildcat formation, he charged the line from the shotgun and dumped a pass over the middle to 290-lb. Jose Caceros who made sliding catch on a tackle eligible play.  With 7:49 remaining in the third and trailing by two scores, it looked like FDU could change this early runaway into a last-minute nail-biter.

FDU’s Khrystan Camilo (13) picks up a short gain on this reception

Finish with a whimper, not a bang 

Early in the fourth, a short punt out of bounds put the Red Devils at the Colonels’ 35. Green flipped the ball to WR Josh Rainey on an end around for an option pass. He went for the wrong option.  Rainey lofted a misguided pass toward the far-right pylon.  There, S Devin Fink intercepted and brought it out to the 26.  This play killed what was left of the momentum FDU carried into the last period.  Despite a fumble recovery on the next Wilkes possession, FDU ‘s offense failed to initiate any spark.  Game over, 31-16, Wilkes.

Wilkes S Devin Fink fields errant option pass to kill FDU momentum in fourth quarter.

Up next

The Red Devils next play 5-1,4-0 Misericordia in Dallas, PA next Saturday. Wilkes heads to Stevenson (5-2,4-1). Key MAC clashes during the last four weeks of the D-3 season will decide who will head on to the playoffs. Delaware Valley (5-1,4-0) ranked No. 23 and who won the MAC last year, still seems to have the inside track.   CFF.com traveled to Newark, DE the next morning to see Delaware battle No. 5 Elon in a key Colonial Athletic Conference FCS game. Our game review for that one is coming up next. Upset?

Extra Points:

FDU QB Jagger Green came into this game averaging 340 passing yards per game. His 169 today were results of deep drop backs thrown for what seemed like mid-range passes that generally found wide receivers near the line of scrimmage.  He had few effective long passes other than a few early in the game.

The last time we attended a Wilkes game, it was in the 2006 D-3 play-offs when they hosted Rowan University.  The Colonels fell that day, 21-14, finishing No. 14 in the nation that year.  GGA Paul Fraley also happened to be in attendance that day.  His nephew played for Wilkes that season.

Paid attendance was announced at 757, but it looked bigger to us. Maybe students and FDU athletes get in for free.  FDU seemed to be drawing more interest locally with an atypical 4-1 record.  Two wins were against NJAC teams, TCNJ and William Paterson.  The Jersey teams in that conference seem to be on a decline.

Five teams from among Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia joined the NJAC a few years ago, and the teams from NJ are getting beat up on.  It’s a sign of high school football in the state on the decline and the effects on these programs. Schools populations are getting smaller, demographics are changing, people are moving out, parents are starting to nix football for their kids, and there is a general drop in interest for other athletic pursuits in the Garden State.

FDU hosts Widener on Friday night, November 2.  We may add that to our schedule.  We’ll see how the Red Devils perform next week and against 0-5 Lebanon Valley the next.  The last time FDU won four games in a season was in 2005.  The last time it won five was back in 1999.  They could be going for a school record that evening.

Game 569: Late game turnovers blow Houston Cougars past Tulsa’s Golden Hurricane, 41-26

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Late game turnovers blow Houston Cougars past Tulsa’s Golden Hurricane, 41-26

Houston – A fitting ending to a sloppy but entertaining game seemed appropriate as the Houston Cougars scored three times, twice off turnovers, within 1:31 in the final period to topple the stubborn Golden Hurricane of Tulsa, 41-26.  In a game marred by 17 penalties, rapid-fire turnovers, easy catches dropped, fourth down failures, fourth down fantasies, boos directed at the home team, and some confusing penalties, the final result came about as much about one team’s mistakes more than the other team’s vast superiority.  For Collegefootballfan.com, the Cougars’ venue built in 2014 became our 61st FBS Stadium, 149th overall.  On the U of H campus, it will be remembered for some of its unique plays.

The statue of former Houston HC and veer offense creator Bill Yeoman guards the TDECU Stadium.  The Hall of Famer referred to me as “coach” once.  Quite an honor! 

Frantic First

Making his debut replacing Luke Skipper who started their last game we attended in their loss to Temple, Tulsa drew first blood with frosh QB Seth Boomer .  On fourth and four at the Houston 33, he targeted wide open WR Keenan Johnson on his way into the end zone for the game’s first score.  LB Cooper Edminston intercepted his third pass of the season including two we saw against Temple to put the Golden Hurricane back at the Houston 13.  However, Tulsa settled for Nate Walker’s 28-yard FG instead of six.

Freshman QB Seth Boomer rushes out of the pocket in his debut for a Tulsa gain.

The Cougars retaliated with a 32-yard pass from D’Eriq King (19 of 27, three TDs, 2 INTs) to Keith Corbin to cut the early Hurricane lead to 10-7.   On Houston’s next possession, on fourth down at the TU 33, King put the ball into Corbin’s hands once again. However,  the sure six points went right through his fingertips. Tulsa drove down to the 16 and Walker added three more to Tulsa’s lead.  The first quarter was frantic throughout.

Two was for Turnovers

Turnovers dominated the second quarter.  Houston fumbled the ball away at TU’s 48.  Tulsa fumbled it back at Houston’s 37.  Just when play became sloppy but entertaining to watch, WLB Zaven Collins picked off a King pass to take back over on his team’s 46.  An incomplete pass on fourth and four at the 40 put Houston back on offense on downs.  King put an end to the offensive ineptitude with a 19-yard QB draw play for a 19-yard touchdown up the middle to give U of H a 14-13 lead.  The Cougs got on track again on offense resulting in a 46-yard FG by Dalton Witherspoon to give U of H a 17-13 lead as time expired at halftime.

U of H QB D’Eriq King (4) heads to the end zone for his 19-yard score.

Tulsa Time

The third period turned into Tulsa Time.  The Golden Hurricane put together a sustainable drive for the first five minutes with a grinding ground game before settling for another Walker FG, this time from 27.  The Canes’ D forced Houston to punt from the 19.  On offense, they stayed on the ground.  Corey Taylor (33 for 152 yards, 1 TD) converted a first down on fourth at the Cougar 20.  He followed up to get seven on the board with his nine-yard TD run to give Tulsa the lead, 23-17.  The boos came loud from the 29,823 announced in the red-clad crowd totally dissatisfied with their team’s effort against the 1-3 Canes.

Corey Taylor (24) carried the workload at RB for the Golden Hurricane this evening.

Cougars climb back

Finally, the fourth period looked like the Hurricane had its sights set on putting the Cougars away on their home turf.  They concluded another drive with Walker’s 35-yard FG to extend their lead, 26-17.  King came up big though.  On a sweep right, he sped around right end and streaked up a straight seam along the sideline outracing the Hurricane secondary for a 61-yard touchdown jaunt. He narrowed the gap down to two.   With 7:51 remaining, Houston surpassed the TU lead by one on Witherspoon’s 33-yard FG. Plenty of time remained though for both teams to score more points,  so I thought.

King connects with hisTE Romello Brooker (82) on this pass play for a gainer.

Tulsa Turnover Time

However, Tulsa turnovers turned the tide against an anticipated see-saw battle down to the wire.  Starting from his 15, Boomer (13 for 31, 227 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) fumbled to put the Cougs in easy scoring position on the nine.  On the first play, King threw to TE Romello Booker for the quick score to post a 34-26 lead.  Overtime if Tulsa scores and goes for two with 6:48 remaining to go.  No such Golden Hurricane luck.  Boomer rolled right and got picked off by Deontay Anderson (Ole Miss transfer) to put Houston with the ball at the TU 23.  With 6:20 left, King rolled right and connected with Marquez Stevenson at the six to put the game out of reach, 41-26. The Golden Hurricane morphed into a mild breeze punting away late from its 30.

Cougar CB Deontay Anderson (2) covers Sam Crawford Jr. early in tonight’s contest.

Approaching the mid-season mark

The clash entertained throughout the evening.  Tulsa looked better than it did against Temple when they last played. Both teams made mistakes and played relatively even until the last seven minutes of the game.  Later this season, we will see both teams both play Navy in Annapolis in more West Division American Athletic competition.  Both teams return to action this upcoming weekend.  Tulsa (1-4, 0-2) returns home to play No. 23 South Florida (5-0, 1-0) on Friday night.  Houston visits East Carolina (2-3, 0-2 AAC) Saturday before its hitch a week later at Navy.

Houston cheer team strikes poses based on Cougar band drum play – a lot!

A two-fer weekend again for us

CFF.com will pick up after sitting out Saturday for a family wedding with some D-3 action on Friday night when the FDU Florham Red Devils (4-1, 2-1 MAC) host the Wilkes College Colonels (3-3,2-2) in a Middle Atlantic Conference battle in Madison, NJ.  The last time the Red Devils won four games was in 2005 with a 4-6 record.  The last time they won five was in 1999.  This is a record-setting pace at FDU. Offensively the Devils average 36.8 ppg. QB Jagger Green has passed for 1,611 yards and 20 TDs. Wilkes is 3-3, 2-2 MAC. Their losses have been by two, four, and 11 points.  They average 31.7 ppg.  QB Jose Tabora has passed for 1,710 yards and 15 TDs.  This should be a wild, high-scoring affair.

On Saturday at 3:30, we will be at Newark, DE for an FCS game between the 3-2, 1-1 CAA Delaware Fighting Blue Hens and the No. 6 4-1, 2-0 CAA Elon Phoenix.     Last week, Elon knocked off No. 2 James Madison on the road, 27-24.  Elon’s lone loss is to FBS No. 23 South Florida. Last year, the Dukes fell to North Dakota State in the FCS national championship game. Earlier this season, the Blue Hens lost at No. 1 NDSU, 38-10.   The Hens will be fighting for sure to win this to earn a shot at an FCS playoff bid.  Elon edged them out of the playoffs last year.  Curt Cignetti coaches the Phoenix in his second year after leading them to an 8-4 record last season.

Houston cheering squad performs during break for some end zone entertainment.

Extra points:

Tulsa HC Scott Montgomery has to be on the hot seat now in his forth season.  His charges seem to be heading in the wrong direction. He took them to 6-7 after taking over a 2-10 squad. The next year, his team won the Miami Beach Bowl with a 10-3 record.  They dropped off to 2-10 a year ago and are off to a paltry 1-4 this season.  The seat may be on fire if he continues to struggle in the win column.

Houston All-American DT Ed Oliver (10) did no stand out as much tonight as anticipated.

The Cougars have a lot of horsepower in their backfield with two Cars, Patrick and Mulbah, both juniors. Patrick  had 91 yards on 13 carries. Mulbah gained 74 yards on 11.  King led his backfield with 117 yards on ten carries that included two TDs.

U of H RB Mulbah Car

Great ad by Plucker’s Wings, a local establishment, on the TDECU video board: “If you don’t like our wings, we’ll give you the bird.”

The other Car, Patrick (11)

Game 568: No. 4 Ohio State edges No. 9 Penn State in late comeback, 27-26

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No. 4 Ohio State edges No. 9 Penn State in late comeback, 27-26

State College, PA – On a festive, sun-shiny day in the Happy Valley, Ohio State ended the long, emotional day for 110,889 mostly clad in white-out gear in Beaver Stadium as they overcame 13-point and 12-point deficits to upend the stately Nittany Lions threat to upset them, 27-26.  As a result, the Buckeyes moved up to No. 2 in the AP poll and the Lions fell to No. 11.  Penn State had several chances to put the game away, but poor tackling late in the game and some questionable last-minute play-calling combined to seal their fate in the end.

Lions started the way they needed to

The Lions started the scoring with Jake Pinegar’s 34-yard FG.  The Lion defense looked up to the task of shutting down the Buckeyes early forcing them to punt on every series into the second period.  That is up until DB Garrett Taylor picked off a Dwayne Haskins pass to put QB Trace McSorely and company in business at the Buckeye 28.  The OSU defense rose up to the occasion as well forcing the Lions to settle for anther Pinegar field goal from 39 yards.

PSU continued to stifle the high-scoring Buckeye defense, and then halted a drive before taking a punt to start from their two.  From the seven, McSorely fired a short pass to WR KJ Hamler slanting over the middle who headed straight downfield outracing the Bucks all the way for a 93-yard score to pull up, 13-0.  The two teams continued to trade punts in the second stanza until Miles Sanders’ fumble turned the ball over to Ohio State on their 25.  Two plays later, Haskins (22 for 39, 270 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) hit RB JK Dobbins with a screen pass to the right for a 26-yard score to cut the Lion lead, 13-7, before the half.

Ohio State roars in the third period

In the second half, PSU’s defense did not look the same as it had to start the game.   The seemingly refreshed Buckeyes offense drove 75 yards to pay dirt as Dobbins (57 yards rushing, 61 receiving, 2 TDs) ran it in from the four to give Ohio State a sudden 14-13 lead.  Neither offense scored again in the period. A key decision made by PSU HC James Franklin failed when the Lions tried to convert on a fourth and one at the Buckeye 24.  Pinegar seemed on today and available to add three, but the decision was evidently a forgone conclusion by the Penn State coaching staff.

Penn State breathes new life

Penn State’s offense came back to life in the final period.  They drove 73 yards resulting from a short pass where McSorely (461 yards of total offense – 286 passing and 175 rushing) ran toward the line drawing in the defense before his pop pass to TE Pat Freiermuth gave Penn State back the lead, 20-13.  OSU’s ensuing drive was halted on a fourth and one as DE Shareef Miller’s tackle for a loss gave PSU back the ball on their 48.  Sanders, held to 43 yards on 16 carries, took it over from the one.  With a 12-point lead, Franklin decided to go for two, but the pass attempt fell incomplete.  With eight minutes to go, it didn’t seem to be a bad call if the defense would play as it had early in the game.

 Uh-Ohio

The Buckeyes came back quickly.   Haskins connected with WR Victor Binjimin on a short pass. He twisted, turned, changed directions several times, and broke poor arm tackles by the Lions to score from 47 yards out consuming only 1:18 of what was let on the clock.  OSU’s offense seemed to be picking up steam as PSU’s defense seemed to be wearing down.  It looked like the Nittanies could regain some defensive momentum as they put the Bucks back on offense after a punt starting from their four-yard line.  However, Dawkins started the drive with a completion to Dobbins for 35 yards to get the Buckeyes quickly out of the hole and also got them a surge in momentum.  Seven plays later, Haskins threw another scoring strike to HB KJ Hill for a 24-yard score.  A two-point conversion with 2:05 left failed. OSU held on to a one-point lead.

With 2:03 remaining, the PSU faithful had faith in McSorely to at least get them within field goal range.  Things looked good as he completed a 27-yard pass to Freiermuth out to the 48.  A sack by DE Chase Young set the Lions back four yards.  Next play, incomplete.  McSorely then rushed for nine.  With a fourth and five, Penn State called time-out.  OSU called time-out.  PSU called time-out again.  Surely Franklin and his staff had plenty of time to analyze and call a play to giving McSorely the option to run or pass.  They needed to get him a shot at a first down to regroup for at least a three-pointer.

Not what we expected

Instead, McSorely ran to the right toward the line meshing with Sanders for hand-off where FS Jordan Miller stuffed both of them dead in their tracks for a loss of yardage and the game.  For all that time to come up with a play to at least try to get the first down, it didn’t seem like a lot of thought was put into what the Lions had done successfully during this game. It came down to McSorely getting the time to decide whether to throw or run the football.  Handing off to Sanders who the Buckeyes kept in check the entire game didn’t seem the way to go,  especially approaching the line of scrimmage.

Game over.   The crowd in white quieted. The scarlet people in the upper deck of the north end zone made themselves heard.  The quieted crowd who had tailgated since early Saturday morning all left now at the same time backed up in parking lot traffic into the wee hours of Sunday morning. A long day turned into and even longer night for many including College footballfan.com as Guest Game Analyst and son Eric Koreivo, home on leave from the navy, hit our racks in our hotel room at 3:30 am before continuing home later that morning.

Up Next

OSU goes back to Columbus to take on Indiana next week.  PSU has a bye week before hosting Michigan State, the other loss PSU suffered last season, on October 13. CFF.com has a Thursday night game lined up to see Tulsa play Houston at TDECU Stadium, home of the Cougars in an AAC match-up for our first time visit there.

Bye Saturday

No Saturday game this week as our niece Maggie McGeehin gets married to her long-time boyfriend Kevin Rogers, a Penn State football fan who’s never attended a Nittany Lion game yet.  We’ll be bringing him to Beaver Stadium in November when the Lions meet Maryland.  Congratulations Kevin on your betrothal to Maggie, and for finally getting your butt up to Beaver Stadium!  With love, your new Uncle Steve.

Pictures to be added later

 

 

Game 567: Princeton Tigers tame Columbia Lions, 45-10

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Princeton Tigers tame Columbia Lions, 45-10

New York, NY – After an upstart 8-2 season and second place in the Ivy League in 2017 for Columbia, the Princeton Tigers showed the Lions who the “Big Cats” of the Ivy are in 2018 as they humbled Columbia in the Ivy opener for both programs, 45-10.  Last season, Columbia defeated Princeton, 28-24, but Princeton leads this all-time series now, 71-16-1.  PU QB John Lovett threw for two TDs and ran for two more to lead his team to its third lopsided victory in its first three games.

Tigers strike back quickly

Columbia (2-1, 0-1 Ivy) got off on a positive foot for a quick start as Will Allen returned the opening kickoff 91 yards to the Tiger seven.  However, PU stiffened and CU settled for Chris Alleyne’s 25-yard FG.  The lead was short-lived.  Lovett connected with WR Stephen Carlson (5 catches for 86 yards, 2 TDs) for a 37-yard TD pass.  On the next Tiger possession, Lovett raced through Columbia for a 22-yard TD run to take a 13-3 lead over the Lions.

Lions and Tigers ready to mix it up on Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium

In the second, Columbia QB Ty Lenhard ended a 75-yard drive with a two-yard TD run.  Lovett (12 of 22 passing, 135 yards. 2 TDs) went back to work later in the period scoring from the one on a QB draw.  After an INT by DB T.J.  Floyd putting the Tigers at the Lion 34, Lovett hooked up with Carlson again for a six-yard scoring strike. The Tigers closed the first half score with Nick Ramos’s 19-yard FG as time expired with the striped cats up, 30-10.

Tigers end the circus

The Tigers erupted to start the second half as RB Collin Eaddy (8 rushes, 102 yards, 1 TD) sped around the right side for a 67-yard touchdown jaunt.  After a Lion punt put in the Tigers play at the Columbia 49, RB Charlie Volker ran it in from the seven for a 45-10 lead with 9:05 left in the third.  PU HC Bob Surace worked in his second and third teamers as did CU HC Al Bagnoli.  Neither squad scored again, and the Tigers roared over the Lions to leave 1-0 among the Ivies.

Next week, Columbia hosts non-conference Marist (1-3) from the Pioneer League and Princeton hosts Patriot League foe Lehigh (1-3).  We at CFF.com will leave behind the big city where the game was played in front of 5,327 and head for greener pastures in State College, PA where the No. 9 Nittany Lions host the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes.  We predict the attendance will be a little bigger and a little more fired up!

When friends say they turned this game on and saw that there were only four people in the stands, well, here’s three of them: Frank, me, and Brian.

Extra Points:

Princeton QB John Lovett sat out last season with an injury. In 2016, he won the Bushnell Trophy as the MVP of the Ivy League.  He also ran 17 times in this game for 174 yards. PU has now outscored its three opponents to date, 146-26.

Columbia HC Al Bagnoli is in his fourth season here.  From 1992-2014, he had a very successful career at UPenn.  Prior to that, he was HC for D-3 Union College in upstate NY from 1982-91. Two weeks ago, his Lions topped Central Connecticut State, his Alma mater, for his 250th career win as a head coach.

The Columbia defense came into this contest against the Tigers with some impressive defensive statistics.  After two games (CCSU and Georgetown), they were No. 2 in rushing defense allowing only 35 yards per game.  They shut out seven of their last 12 opponents in the first half.   Lovett and the Tigers ended their defensive domination wiping out those stats in the first quarter.  Their total offense churned up 540 yards by end of the game.

To enhance their football pedigree, the Lions play their home games now on Robert K. Kraft Field (New England Patriots owner) at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.

Ivy League football, in a class by itself

Only in the Ivy League, or maybe Columbia:  Guest Game analyst Frank Scarpa (Rutgers-Newark) headed to the concession stand in the third.  I wrote down some notes while our other GGA Brian Donnelly (Towson) whose Dad played at Columbia in the ’40s, stared watching the game in a daze.  The Columbia Lion cheerleaders chanted, “D-D-D, defense!  D-D-D, defense!”  until some astute young, female fan voice yelled out, “We’re on offense!” Brian and I both looked up, saw she was right, looked at each other, and laughed.  Where else would that happen?

At least the Columbia Cheerleaders’ placard reads, “Lions!”

It reminded me of the Princeton-Columbia game we attended in 1987 when CU was looking to set the NCAA record for its 35th straight loss.  Their fans showed up in pretty good numbers at old Palmer Stadium in Princeton with signs like, ”0-35. Go for it!” They were ecstatic when they did losing, 38-0.  The winning streak didn’t end until they defeated the Tigers a year later, 16-13,  right here at what was then Baker Field. The streak ended at 44 in all.

Before and after

The three of us met at the Crow’s Nest in Hackensack before the game for beer and apps to ride over together.  Only about nine miles from there.  We headed back for a few more beers after.  Since I was going out to PSU Saturday, and Frank had some BBQ responsibilities to attend to next day, Brian had kicked around the idea of going to Indiana at RU the next day.  I told him he was crazy for wasting his time.

I suggested Shippensburg at West Chester for him in a D-2 PSAC contest convenient on his way back home.  He went and watched 5-0 West Chester beat The Shipp (2-3), 28-21.  RU lost to IU, 24-17, but one die-hard RU fan at work told me it was played in front of about 35 people (The Star-Ledger reported over 35,000 paid), and IU got the lead and toyed with the Knights.  I feel sorry for them for once.  I wonder if Rutgers will extend Chris Ash’s contract another year for a close loss?   What a tough spot for him.

 

Game 566: South Carolina Gamecocks continue to dominate Vandy Commodores, 37-14

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South Carolina Gamecocks continue to dominate Vandy Commodores, 37-14

Nashville – For the 17th time in 19 years of SEC play and for the tenth straight game, the USC Gamecocks defeated Vandy, this time  by a score of 37-14,  in what was expected to be a more closely contested game.  After a five-point loss on the road at Notre Dame, Vandy trailed SC at halftime but kept it close down, 20-14.  A balanced rushing and passing attack by the Cocks along with a solid defense allowed them to increase their lead to 30-14 with 4:34 left in the third before officials suspended play due to a threatening storm system tracking over Vanderbilt Stadium.

DB Jaycee Horn (7) and SC defense held Kyle Shurmur to 180 passing yards and one TD.

For Collegefootballfan.com, this SEC East contest marked our first game ever at Vandy’s home field, and the suspended play was the first ever in our 566-game history. The game resumed about an hour later.  The Gamecocks continued to dominate defensively, but their two fumbles terminated drives at the Vandy two and at the 25 before the final TD by Tyson Williams with 2:04 remaining punctuated the 37-14 win for Carolina.

At first glance, I thought I was in Annapolis for my third weekend in a row. No! This is Vanderbilt where they say, “Anchor down!” instead of “Anchors aweigh!” 

Fast Start!

South Carolina covered 75 yards in less than one minute on the opening drive for their first score when Jake Bentley fired a 38-yard pass to Shi Smith (5 catches for 119 yards, 1 TD). The Cocks put up three more on their next possession with Parker White’s 33-yard FG.  An INT by DB Rashad Fenton halted a Vandy drive on the Carolina 18.

Gamecock QB Jake Bentley unloaded 19 completions for 261 yards and one TD to help USC beat Vandy for the tenth year in a row.

 Pick for a pick

In the second period, the Commodores’ DE Dare Odeyingbo returned the favor with a pick of his own putting the ball in play for Vandy at SC’s 23.  VU converted on a fourth and one at the 14 on Kyle Shurmur’s QB sneak.  Ke’Shawn Vaughn followed up with a TD run over right tackle at the three to cut the Gamecock lead.  Rico Dowdle returned the ensuing kick out to the 35-yard line.  Bentley’s 52-yard pass to Smith put his team at the VU two where Dowdle finished the drive he started with a two-yard run for another score.

Rico Dowdle carried 20 times for Carolina for 112 yards and a TD.

The Commodores countered with a75-yard drive ending with a diving catch near the sideline in the end zone by WR Kalija Lipscomb. The play went under review where the thought was that his butt landed out of bounds before his foot did while he had control.  The play stood to cut Carolina’s lead to three. However, on the last play of the first half, White made good on his 35-yard FG to give the Cocks a 20-14 lead.

Vandy WR Kalija Lipscomb hauled this one in for VU’s second score, and we had a better camera angle than did the people with the sideline passes.

And the thunder roared…

To start the second half, SC forced a punt and drove to the 19 where White converted a 36-yarder.  Dark clouds loomed nearby at the time and the weather system map appeared on the stadium’s big screen.  Shurmur (son of the NY Giants new HC) got sacked, fumbled, and Carolina recovered at Vandy’s six.  Mon Denson took it over from one-yard out to go up, 30-14.  Vandy started from the 24 after the subsequent kickoff.  However, the announcement came over the public address system that play needed to be suspended and that all should seek shelter.  The announcer directed everyone to get under the stadium bleachers, or to go into the adjacent gym, or head back to their vehicles for adequate cover.

Mon Denson (34) carries for a few yards for South Carolina before his TD run later on.

And the Lightning struck!

The gym was directly behind section S where I had negotiated for a seat right on the 50-yard line.  The rain began slowly.  The entry into the building was stifling and muggy. The AC had not yet been turned on throughout the building.  Attendants directed me and others to the farthest reaches of a practice gym where the AC had already powered up.  I seated myself against a padded wall when a few hundred other fans joined into the comfortable air conditioning.  We waited it out.   I checked out the latest scores on my cell and got live reports from fellow fans at games around the country.

After lightning and thunder passed through the immediate area, we were invited back into Vanderbilt Stadium where play would resume at 6:08.  I appreciated the fact that this wasn’t a long drawn out suspension similar to Penn State – Michigan State a year ago.  I didn’t think this one would be worth the wait, but I felt obligated to stay the entire game to be sure this one “officially“ counted for Collegefootballfan.com.

Vanderbilt cheerleaders help keep Commodore spirit high during the first half.

Most of the crowd dispersed since the suspension had started.  More SC fans than Vandy fans remained.  Instead of resuming a position at my seat on the visitor side of the stadium where I originally sat, I decided to roam from portal to portal checking out various vision lines while staying as dry as possible. The best view came on the end zone where I could see all the replays on the scoreboard opposite from me.  I’ve had enough rain already this early in the season.

Gamecocks stopped themselves

SC drove to the two where Dowdle fumbled the ball away.  The Commodores could not sustain any long drives against the Gamecock defense at this point.  Carolina drove again, but turned the ball over again on the ground where Vandy took over on its 25.  Late in the game with 2:04 left, Williams sealed the score with his TD to retain Gamecock dominance over Vandy with its 17th SEC victory over the home team in 19 years.

Bentley led the Cocks to a touchdown less than a minute into the game.

  

Same old Vandy, Same old SEC

Vandy played like the Vandy everybody who follows college football expects them to play.  Very unimpressed. SC looked to right itself after its big loss to Georgia two weeks ago and after its cancellation of the previous game versus Marshall.  Basically, things remain status quo in the SEC. Alabama sits at the top, Vandy dwells at the bottom, and everybody else shuffles around in between.

 Next!

USC (2-1, 1-1 SEC) takes on Kentucky in Lexington to try to end its four-game losing streak to the Wildcats (4-0, 2-0).  Vandy hosts its next-door neighbor, FCS Tennessee State (2-0) of the Ohio Valley Conference.  We at CFF.com gear up for another two-game weekend.  All four teams are undefeated.  Friday night, we cross the George Washington Bridge into upper Manhattan to see the awakened Columbia Lions (2-0) under HC Al Bagnoli host the 2-0 Princeton Tigers in their traditional Ivy League opener.  CU posted wins over Central Connecticut and Georgetown.  PU has already outscored its two non-conference opponents, Butler and Monmouth, 101-16.

On Saturday, it’s the best we got all season.  No. 9 Penn State (4-0, 1-0) hosts No. 4 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) in a White-out at Beaver stadium at 7:30 pm.  The Lions have started slowly in its last three wins and won big.  They most likely can’t do that against Ohio State. They’ll have to get off to a better start defensively to upend the Buckeyes with Urban Meyer back on the sideline.  We’ve been looking forward to this one since the beginning.  It’s finally here!

I thought the purpose of this clock was to minimize the length of commercial time-outs. Maybe it was to see how fast this ref could chug his water bottle.

Extra points:

Enjoyed Nashville as always. Some new places along with the old.  Friend of friends, Randy McCallister, introduced me to the Stillery, nice eatery right next to the good old Benchmark.  Honky-tonked around Broadway most of Friday afternoon to enjoy the sights and sounds coming from all over.

Before the game on Saturday, I parked a few blocks from the stadium for probably too much money (I made up for that with my 50-yard line seat price though). However right around the corner I found a bar called The Local.  Turned out to be a Gamecock pre-game party headquarters. Sat at the bar and watched other games, good food, and drink and a band. Being an SC Dad and thus financial out-of-state contributor, I regretted not wearing my Gamecock tailgate cap in honor of my daughter, the proud USC graduate.  I’ll plan better next time.

Heard a rumor at the Benchmark that the cancelled game South Carolina had with Marshall may be made up with West Virginia whose game with NC State also got nixed.  Both have an open date on October 20, but WVU hosts Baylor the following Thursday.  Unless the TV powers are willing to slide that one back to Saturday, I don’t see that happening. I also don’t believe South Carolina will want to take on that good a non-conference game that late in the season.  I’ll believe it when I see it.

Too bad if they don’t put this one together though.  There were a few good upsets this weekend and a few close games. However, if you check out all the scores,  the vast majority resulted in blow-outs.  Call them mismatches, creative scheduling, teams with off years, there are just too many lop-sided games this year.  They are all on TV, too.  I think and eight game playoff withe five (maybe six) automatic conference winners would entice some more games between better non-conference competition.  Wins in those kinds of game could get the winners one of the remaining at-large bids.

The result of this week’s game gave the Gamecocks a 9-3 record in the annals of our history.  Vandy fell to 1-2. I can say that though this was my first game at Vanderbilt Stadium, I’ve been to Nashville for four other football games. All of them were at Nissan Stadium, however, for four Music City Bowls.  I love Nashville! 

The Gamecocks brought a lot of fans to Nashville for a good time. and their team showed them one.