Steveo’s Salvos – Penn State spring football preview, April 15

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In 2016, we’ve penned in nine teams that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams practice for their upcoming intrasquad spring scrimmages. It’ll give us an idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them play in the fall. As this is our last spring preview, we will be attending this year’s annual Blue-White game up at State College this Saturday. Look for me in my blue #119 jersey and stop by and say hello.

Penn State looks to head in the right direction this season.

Penn State looks to head in the right direction this season.

Penn State (2 games) – Pennsylvania’s nickname is the Keystone State, and we think that’s appropriate this year because we think this is a keystone season for the Penn State football program. There are a lot of changes going on possibly for the good, but there have also been some things that could cause them to take a step back. Of the nine teams we analyzed this spring, the Nittany Lions are our toughest to figure out.

Offensively, PSU loses Christian Hackenberg after three seasons as their starting QB. Under former HC Bill O’Brien during his frosh season, he was very impressive. Since O’Brien left for the Texans, under new HC James Franklin, things didn’t seem to go as well. Some say it’s because Franklin had adjusted his offensive style to utilize Hack’s strengths as opposed to utilizing his preferred attack having a QB who can run as well as throw. On the other hand, we saw Hackenberg struggle with accuracy. He went down to injury in last season’s Taxslayer Bowl where he left early to be replaced by RS Frosh Trace McSorley who is more akin to the offensive QB play Franklin wants to run. It was short notice and the Lions got back into the game against Georgia, but there was not enough time for the adjustment to be made as the Lions fell, 24-17.

Big things are expected from Soph RB Saquon Barkley this season.

Big things are expected from Soph RB Saquon Barkley this season.

McSorley looks to have a good shot to start this year. He has the most game experience at QB having played in seven of last year’s games basically seeing spot duty. This year Soph QB Tommy Stevens will be his greatest challenger to see some action. RB Saquon Barkley comes in ready for a big season after rushing 1,145 yards for seven TDs last season as a freshman. Soph Mark Allen is expected to step up. The Receiving Corps looks to be in good shape with Justin Godwin returning with 69 catches for 1,101 yards and five TDS a year ago. Saied Blacknall (Manalapan, NJ) is expected to become a primary target in this program along with Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton who grabbed 45 passes for 580 yards and six TDs. The coaching staff is expecting big things from Junior TE Mike Gesicki (Manahawkin, NJ) returning with 13 snags in eight starts a season ago. Of course, none of these playmakers can expect to do much without the horses up front to give them that big push. It’s been a group where improvement must come from as they Lions have struggled, though with slight improvement last year. Brian Gaia could move from guard to center while experienced players like G Brendan Mahon and T Andrew Nelson will be looked to for needed improvements. G Ryan Bates, SR JC transfer Paris Palmer, Soph Sterling Jenkins, and Soph Noah Beh can all be looked at as possible replacements to shore up what has been an area of concern for the Nittany Loins during the past three years. The key to this unit’s success will fall into the hands of new offensive line coach Matt Limegrover with 25 years of coaching experience. His last few were under HC Jerry Kill at Minnesota where we saw the Gophers face Mizzou in the 2015 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. They came in with a vaunted rushing attack spearheaded by Limegrover’s front five. We look for him to bring renewed toughness and physicality to the PSU offensive line. In addition to Limegrover, to improve upon this offensive attack overall, James Franklin hired Joe Moorhead, formerly the Head Coach at Fordham the last four years as his new offensive coordinator. We’ve seen Moorhead’s Rams play the last two of three years and we’re very excited about this move. We watched Frosh RB Chase Edmonds there two years ago develop quickly into one of the top FCS RBs in the nation. With Moorhead’s game planning and player developmental skills, we’re anxious to see what he can do with more elite athletes at this level.

We won't be there, but eh Lions will be looking to avenge their first loss in 74 years to Temple in Game 3 on September 17.

We won’t be there, but the Lions will be looking to avenge their first loss in 74 years to Temple in Game 3 on September 17.

Defensively, the Lions will build up front around Curtis Cothran and Antoine White to replace three stalwarts – DE Carl Nassib, DT Anthony Zettlel, and DT Austin Johnson who all graduated. DE Garrett Sickles (Red Bank, NJ) returns and the Lions look to senior letterman Eric Schwan to step up from the other side. The LB corps looks good with returning starters Jason Cabinda (Hunterdon Central, Flemington, NJ), Nyeem Wartman, and Brandon Bell with experience from a year ago. A strong, experienced secondary returns with Juniors Marcus Allen and Grant Haley returning at the corners. John Reid, Christian Campbell, and Amani Oruwariye return for time to play in the secondary. Sorting out and developing that talent will be left with new secondary coach Tim Banks, formerly of Illinois.

Click on our book cover to preview, buy, and write a review. Thanks for your support!

Click on our book cover to preview, buy, and write a review. Thanks for your support!

New coaching talent was hired at key positions on the offense to pump new blood into a struggling offense. The big questions to us still remain with the man at the top. Known for his stellar recruiting capabilities, has he been able to keep up with the Joneses (Meyer and Harbaugh) at the talent level. Granted he has some work cut out for him after facing recruiting sanctions from the Sandusky scandal, but on the other hand his game day preparations seemed to be lacking. Was it due to running an offense he was incapable of, players who were a bit short on the talents side especially on the offensive line, or just gamed day coaching incompetency? He seems to have made some good moves from what we’ve seen in Limegrover and Moorhead, but will he keep tight reins on the game plan or let them do their jobs. It may be the final year of the transition as the team takes on more of what he needs to rebuild this program into a perennial national contender. If these Lions can win eight or nine games with an offense that protects its QB and can open some holes, the future looks bright again in Happy Valley. If we see the same struggling offense as in the past few years, James Franklin may be looking for employment elsewhere where his selling acumen can be better utilized. We’re hoping for the former. We hope to come back with a glint of optimism after this Saturday.

Penn State games we will see this season: Oct 22 vs. Ohio State; November 26 vs, Michigan State

Spring game: April 16

Spring has sprung! We're back.

Spring has sprung! We’re back.

 

 

 

 

Keenan Reynolds named co-winner of prestigious Sullivan Award

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Navy QB Keenan Reynolds (19) scores one of his record setting TDs versus South Florida.

Navy QB Keenan Reynolds (19) scores one of his record setting TDs versus South Florida.

Former Navy QB Keenan Reynolds and UConn women’s basketball standout Breanna Stewart were named co-winners of the Amateur Athletic Union’s 2016 James E. Sullivan Award during a ceremony held at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.

The Sullivan Award is presented to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States whose athletic accomplishments are complemented by qualities of leadership, character and sportsmanship. Reynolds is the first Naval Academy athlete to win the award. He finished fifth in this year’s Heisman balloting. QB Roger Staubach and RB Joe Bellino of the Naval Academy were both past recipients of the Heisman.

Reynolds thanked  his family, the Navy coaching staff, his teammates, the Naval Academy Athletic Association, the Naval Academy administration, the Brigade of Midshipman and the entire Naval Academy family for all their support during his football career at Annapolis. He will be commissioned in the Navy after graduation this spring  as an Ensign assigned as an Officer in Information Warfare.

Keenan Reynolds (19) scores against army on a 1-yard run this past season. He is the first navy QB to start in four wins over arch-rival Army.

Keenan Reynolds (19) scores against Army on a 1-yard run this past season. He is the first Navy QB to start in four wins over arch-rival Army.

 

Steveo’s Salvos – UConn Spring Football preview, April 10, 2016

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In 2016, we’ve penned in nine teams that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams practice for their upcoming intrasquad spring scrimmages. It’ll give us an idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them play in the fall.

Connecticut (2 games) – The last time we attended UCONN games up at Pratt-Whitney Stadium up at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, it was in 2010. A lot has changed for the UConn Husky football program since back then. They were still in the Big East and we saw them defeat West Virginia in OT ,16-13, and Pitt on a muddy field, 30-28, under then HC Randy Edsall. Now a member of the American Athletic Conference East, the Huskies have been trying to rebuild under third-year HC Bob Diaco. Prior to UCONN , Diaco was the defensive coordinator under Brian Kelly at Notre Dame, and our history goes way back seeing the Cedar Grove, NJ native play linebacker for Iowa against NC State in the Kick-off Classic in Giants Stadium back in 1992.  Time flies as we’re still having fun with this college football obsession. With an 8-17 record in his first two years at the Storrs campus, Diaco improved his team with four more wins last season and went on to the St. Petersburg Bowl ( who doesn’t go to a bowl nowadays?) where the Huskies dropped a close one to Marshall, 16-10.

Looking forward to a Friday night game in November back at "The Rent" for one of our double-header weekends.

Looking forward to a Friday night game in November back at “The Rent” for one of our double-header weekends.

 

The Huskies saw some promise last season with a defense that yielded only 19.4 points per game and pulled off a 20-17 upset at home over eventual AAC champ and No. 8 Houston though the Cougars played without the services of QB Greg Ward. But Diaco has something to build on to try to achieve some more wins in 2016. Despite a low-scoring offense, averaging 17.1 points a season ago, ten starters return from a young offense. With a season played together under their belts and the return of starting QB Bryant Shirreffs who had transferred from NC State two years ago, the Huskies will focus on improving on that side of the ball as the former Fighting Irish DC and linebacker seems to be pulling things together on the defensive side of the ball.

In 2015, the Huskies hosted Navy. We'll see UConn visit the Midshipmen this season on September 10.

In 2015, the Huskies hosted Navy. We’ll see UConn visit the Midshipmen this season on September 10.

Shirreffs completed 168 passes for 2078 yards and nine TDs a year ago, but he’s going to have to work on his accuracy as he threw eight INTs to improve a poor TD/INT ratio. The QB was also the second leading rusher for the Huskies gaining 503 yards and scoring three TDS. Top WR Noel Thomas returns with 54 catches for 719 yards and three TDS. This combo will look to improve upon the passing game. RB Akeel Newsome averaged 4.3 yards per carry tallying 792 yards and six TDs while making 45 catches for 465 yards.   Ron Johnson took the ball into the end zones five times and ran for 224. Four of five interior starting linemen return to take control the line of scrimmage and two TEs, Alec Bloom and Tommy Myers, combined for 38 receptions for 546 yards. The game experience is prevalent on offense and there seems to be good development going on here, but now it’s time for UCONN to take it the offense to the next level. Offensive coordinator Frank Verducci, a Seton Hall grad (they have no football program) with 31 years of coaching experience in college and in the pros, will be the man responsible for pulling the strings to make this revved up offense into high gear.

HC Bob Diaco will most likely be putting some more emphasis on offense this spring to prepare for the 2016 season.

HC Bob Diaco will most likely be putting some more emphasis on offense this spring to prepare for the 2016 season.

Defensively, MLB Junior Joseph returns as the second leading tackler for a year ago with 93 tackles. Safety Obi Melifonwu was among the top defenders and Junior CB Jamar Summers (Orange, NJ) picked off eight INTs last season. PK Bobby Puyol converted 16 of 18 FG attempts last year including 52-yarder in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Justin Wain returns to take care of the punting duties for UCONN.

The Huskies will play their first of seven home games opening against FCS and former Yankee Conference foe Maine on Thursday, September 1. We will see the Huskies on the road and at home this season against two formidable foes in what should be some challenging games.

Bring on the 2016 season!

Bring on the 2016 season!

UCONN games we will see this season: Sept. 10 at Navy; Nov. 4, Friday night vs. Temple.

Spring game: April 16

Last up: Penn State

Steveo’s Salvos – South Florida spring football preview, April 9, 2016

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In 2016, we’ve penned in nine teams that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams practice for their upcoming intrasquad spring scrimmages. It’ll give us an idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them play in the fall.

South Florida (2 games) – HC Willie Taggart’s Bulls won seven of their last eight games last season before falling to Western Kentucky in the Miami Beach Bowl, 45-35, but with a young offense that averaged 37.9 points down that stretch, look for his stable of returnees to improve over last season’s 8-5 record and challenge for the American Athletic Conference East Division title. They started their turnaround after 1-3 start with a 45-24 victory over Syracuse, and that is who we plan to see them play on September 17 up at the Carrier Dome for what could be an offensive explosion for both programs. The one foible among those final eight games of 2015 was their game at Annapolis where we saw the Mids roll to a 29-17 victory.

Among the Bull’s key returnees is Junior QB Quinton Flowers who passed for 2,296 yards, 22 TDs, and eight INTs. He was also the second leading ground gainer on the team with 991 yards and twelve TDs. Leading the rushing attack was RB Marlon Mack who ran 210 times for 1,381 yards and eight TDs. Mack was not alone in the attack and the backfield looks well stocked with Darius Tice who ran for 460 yards and D’Ernest Johnson who ran for 307. He also snagged 26 passes out of the backfield for 356 yards and four TDs. Experience also returns at WR with Rodney Adams returning as last season’s leader with 45 grabs for 822 yards and nine TDs. Ryshene Bronson can also add more to this year’s game plan than his 17 receptions for 258 yards. Three offensive lineman moved on after their senior season of a year ago, so that’s where the offensive focus will be on development before next season’s opener at home against Towson. The experience of Taggart’s team may be enhanced with former NFL QB Shaun King hired this offseason as a new member of the coaching staff. We saw Hill play QB for Tulane against Army back in 1995.

QB Quinton Flowers will need some new pass blockers this season to help the Bulls tack on a few more wins to last season's eight-win total.

QB Quinton Flowers will need some new pass blockers this season to help the Bulls tack on a few more wins to last season’s eight-win total.

Defensively, five of the Bulls’ six leading tacklers return led by LB Augie Sanchez who tallied 117 with 8.5 tackles for loss. DT Deadrin Senat is the only returning starter from among the front four. The returning secondary is very good. S Nate Godwin was third in tackles with 63. CB Deartick Nichols made 62 stops with 8.5 TFLs and recorded four INTs. Safety Devin Abraham was among the top tacklers and picked off three foe passes. Junior Emilio Nadelman returns to do the kicking chores converting on 15 of 23 last year with six from beyond 40. He may take over the punting duties this season as well.

Augie Sanchez returns at MLB for the Bulls after posting 117 tackles last season.

Augie Sanchez returns at MLB for the Bulls after posting 117 tackles last season.

The South Florida Bulls come back with lots of young talent at the skill positions. Some new linemen on both sides of the ball need to gain experience quickly. After Towson, the Bulls host Northern Illinois before they head up to Syracuse for their only non-conference game on the road that we will attend. They will return home to host Florida State before getting into the thick of the AAC competition for which they should be well prepared. We will see them come up to Philly on October 21 to meet Temple at the Linc in a key AAC East matchup. The Bulls surprised the Owls last season with a 44-23 win on their season-ending hot streak. Will it be a reversed situation this year with the Owls at home? The Bulls should be an exciting team to watch this season. We look forward to the two games we will see them compete in.

South Florida games we will see this season: Sept. 17 at Syracuse; Oct. 21, Friday night at Temple.

Spring game: April 16

Next up: UCONN

RB Marlon Mack looks for running room last season against Navy who held him to a season low of 29 yards.

RB Marlon Mack looks for running room last season against Navy who held him to a season low of 29 yards.

Steveo’s Salvos – Temple spring football preview, April 3, 2016

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In 2016, we’ve penned in nine teams that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams practice for their upcoming intrasquad spring scrimmages. It’ll give us an idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them play in the fall.

The Owls swarmed the Lions defensively in last season's opener when they defeated PSU for the first time in 74 years.

The Owls swarmed the Lions defensively in last season’s opener when they defeated PSU for the first time in 74 years.

Temple (3 games) – Under third-year HC Matt Rhule, the Temple Owl football program saw vast improvement in 2016. Finishing 10-4 with a 7-1 record in the Eastern Division of the American Athletic Eastern Division, the Owls surprisingly won the division title before falling to 8th-ranked Houston in the conference championship before going to the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl where they fell to Toledo. It was the third bowl game in the past seven years for Temple. Prior to 2009, their previous bowl trip was in 1979. Things seem to be looking up for the revitalized program under Rhule who improved the record from 2-10 to 6-6 to 10-4 in his first three years as a Head Coach. A former Penn State linebacker, last season he coached his team to its first win over his alma mater last since 1941, 27-10, in their season opener. Collegefootballfan.com was there to witness it in front of a packed house at Lincoln Financial Field. We returned later in the season to see the Owls give eventual No. 11 Notre Dame all it could handle before suffering its first loss of the season, 24-20. With a solid corps of seniors returning to Temple last season, Rhule, a skilled organizer and program builder, knows he has his work cut out for him this year as he stated before spring drills that he and his staff would have to “do a lot of teaching”.   He remains optimistic during his subsequent interviews seen on the Temple football website. His team has a solid core of experience, senior leadership, and hungry underclassmen ready to step in to have a team that will still compete at a top level this upcoming season. We will get to see them in their opener for the second straight season when we see them play at the Linc again to host Army on Friday, September 2.

The Irish got by the Owls, 24-20, in a game moved to prime tome based on the Owls 8-0 start.

The Irish got by the Owls last season, 24-20, in a game moved to prime time based on the Owls 7-0 start.

Most of his experience returns on offense. QB P.J. Walker (Elizabeth, NJ) returns after a stellar season throwing for 2,973 yards and 19 TDs/ 8 INTs. His back-up Frank Nutile (Don Bosco Prep, Wayne, NJ) is ready to step in again if called upon. WR Ventell Bryant will be the top returning receiver from a year ago with 39 grabs for 579 yards and three TDs, but a lot of young talent will be joining him on a squad with solid senior leadership on offense. WR Romond DeLoatch and TE Kip Patton will be bringing back some stats and experience to build on on the receiving end. Senior RB Jahad Thomas, last year’s leading rusher and a high school teammate of Walker’s, tallied 1,262 yards and 17 scores on the ground. Being the fastidious teacher he is, Rhule has his top back “working on his reads” this spring to be a more effective runner to pick up more yardage than he did a year ago. Soph Ryquell Anderson returns with 51 carries a season ago after seeing action in all 12 games. FB duties could fall to a combination of RS-Junior Nick Sharqua who saw action at FB and LB last season and RS-Soph Rob Ritrovato who saw action in the Penn State game last year before suffering an injury that shelved him for the season. Rhule feels good now with his depth at FB and his team’s overall “backfield flexibility “. The O-line will be looking for Senior Center Brendan McGowan, a first-year starter, to unify the horses up front including returning starters Leon Johnson (Bound Brook HS, NJ) and Dion Dawkins (Rahway, NJ). Also, Jordan Jones steps up after a red-shirt year following his transfer from East Stroudsburg U.

LB Avery Williams looks to be a leader on defense among some experienced players from a squad that had ten seniors start the season a year ago. NT Averee Robinson will return to effectively plug up the middle. DE Avery Ellis and LB Stephaun Marshall (Montclair, NJ ) will be counted on for their experience and their time to step up. Rhule expects Soph Chappelle Russell to make an effective switch from RB to LB to shore up his corps of backers. RS Frosh LB Dishaun Grimes is expected to step up to see some playing time as well this season. The coaching staff expects to see a carry-over from a season ago saying that the defense “better be physical.” They are building depth with the young players who have been waiting in the wings. There are a lot of battles to be fought for spots at number two and three on their depth chart. A lot of players in the secondary can switch between corner s and safety positons. The young talent will be seeing a lot of reps during the spring and early fall sessions S Khiry Lucas returns after sitting out last season with an ACL injury. Among those expected to vie for more action in the secondary this season include CBs Artrel Foster, Cequan Jefferson, and Nate Hairston. Delvon Randall and Jyquis Thomas are expected to see action at Safety. PK Austin Jones returns after putting 113 points on the board in 2016. He converted 19 of 24 FGs from 30 yards and beyond.

Hopefully we can get some better seats for some of the sideline action when we see the Owls play at the Linc this season.

Hopefully we can get some better seats for some of the sideline action when we see the Owls play at the Linc this season.

What we like about Temple is how this coaching staff develops the players it has and develops them to play better. He sees the value of more teaching and sees his senior leadership more “focused” than in the past. Rhule is always aware that he needs to develop his younger players for both current depth and his program’s future. He’s building to get his team to “want to compete at a higher level” despite the losses of experienced players. He looks to improve and build by not only trying to recruit better players, but to teach them how to be better football players by enhancing their skills. This is a program worth watching to see how it continues to grow and improve under its HC and we look forward to seeing them compete against some interesting competitors also ramping up under relatively new coaching staffs three times this season. These should all be fun to attend.

Temple games we plan to attend this year: vs. Army in its season opener at the Linc, Friday, September 2; vs. AAC East foe South Florida, who they lost to last season, 44-23, on Friday, October 21 at the Linc ; and at Connecticut, an AAC East foe they defeated, 27-3, on Friday, November 4. The Owls will be our Friday night team of the year.

Spring game: April 16 at Chodoff Field at Edberg-Olson Hall, 1 pm. (footnote: Dr. Chodoff was Temple’s team physician who passed away this past March 21)

Next up: South Florida

Jahad Thomas (5) will be expected to increase his rushing output by working on his read capability before the 2016 season starts.

Jahad Thomas (5) will be expected to increase his rushing output by working on his read capability before the 2016 season starts.

 

 

Steveo’s Salvos – Stanford spring football preview, March 29, 2016

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In 2016, we’ve penned in nine teams that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams prepare for their upcoming spring practice sessions. It’ll give us an idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them play in the fall.

Stanford (2 games) – In our entire history, we’ve only seen the Cardinal play one football game when we watched them lose a tight game, 34-27, at Boston College’s Alumni Stadium back in 2002. Not only do we get to see them play twice this season against two of their biggest rivals on the road, but we get to see RB Christian McCaffrey, a top Heisman Trophy candidate, perform two times. Coming off a 12-2 season, 8-1 in the PAC-12, and ranked No. 3 in the final 2015 polls, HC David Shaw and his staff will be looking to replace 11 starters from that highly successful team. But give credit where credit is due. Entering his sixth season at the Palo Alto school, Shaw has recorded a career record of 54-14 as HC for the Cardinal since replacing Jim Harbaugh when he left for the pros. Entering this season, he’s only lost one staff member, DL coach Randy Hart, and replaced him with Oklahoma’s Diron Reynolds. David Shaw has built a strong foundation for a program that recruits, develops, and retains great talent. He brings in a top 20 recruiting class this year (13th by some standards) which may help him short term but should definitely keep the Cardinal in the national championship hunt in the near future.

We look forward to seeing RB Christian McCaffrey play in person following his sophomore season when he was named AP National Player of the Year. He ran for 2,019 yards and eight TYDs while gaining 645 yards on the receiving end with five TDs on 45 receptions. We expect to see him build on those numbers. However, the question will be who is going to be handing off and throwing to him with the graduation of last year’s QB Kevin Hogan, the winningest signal –caller in Stanford history. Hogan leaves behind three PAC 12 titles and two trips to the Rose Bowl where he and McCaffrey shone in the devastating 45-16 win over Iowa last season.   The two leading QB candidates match in size at 6’5”, 230 lbs., but not in style as RS Soph Keller Chryst is adept in the pro-style offense and RS Junior Ryan Burns’ skills are best at running the triple option. The diversity gives Shaw some opportunities to mix in two different style formations against any particular defense where he sees an advantage. It also gives him the opportunity to change styles during a particular game if the defense is adept at stopping one or the other.  And he can run McCaffrey in either and throw to him in the other. It will give him great opportunities to keep defenses off balance which we’ll get to see when the Cardinal visit Notre Dame in mid-October and Cal-Berkeley in The Big Game on November 19 in their traditional PAC-12 season ending rivalry. Looking forward to both! C Graham Shuler returns up front as a starter, but three new O-line talents will have to pick up where others moved on. Shaw may have to develop some of that talent quickly from his incoming list of freshmen.

Defensively DL Harrison Phillips is a force who returns from injury last season to bolster the play of Soph returner Solomon Thomas. Luke Kaumatule, 6-7 295 lbs., moves from TE to shore things up along the defensive front.  MLB Blake Martinez leaves behind some big shoes to fill. Experience abounds in the secondary which was the Cardinal rebuilding project in 2015. CBs Alijah Holder and Quenton Meeks return with great experience from a year ago. Safeties Kodi Whitfield and Dallas Lloyd in his fifth season will play tightly in deep coverage.

The Cardinal will be rebuilding in some key areas, but with a great coaching staff and underclassmen that have been itching for a chance to play and opportunities to allow McCaffrey to be their key playmaker, we think Stanford will be a force to be reckoned with in the PAC 12 and will challenge on the national scene. The Notre Dame game will be a key for both teams when we see them clash. The schedule starts off with some true tests with Kansas State and USC in the first two games to be played in Palo Alto, but then they head to play UCLA at the Rose Bowl and will have other key contests like ND on the road; Arizona, Oregon, and rival Cal among them. There will be challenges for the Cardinal, but we think they will rise to the occasion again this season. It will be a great year for collegefootballfan.com to see Stanford play not once but twice this season.

Stanford games we plan to attend this year: at Notre Dame on October 15; at California on November 19

Spring game: April 9

Next up: Temple

Steveo’s Salvos – Navy QB Keenan Reynolds for the 2016 Sullivan Award

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  • Keenan Reynolds
  • Sport: College Football (Navy Midshipmen)
  • Hometown: Antioch, Tenn.
  • Biography: Keenan Reynolds is the finest Navy football player since Roger Staubach in 1963. He led Navy to a school record 11 wins against just two losses and a national ranking of No. 18, which is Navy highest final ranking in the AP poll in more than 50 years. Reynolds finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was named third-team All-American. He is the all-time leader in touchdowns scored (88) and rushing yards by a quarterback (4,559), and led the Navy senior class to a school-record 36 wins. Well-respected by his peers, Reynolds was made a unanimous captain for the 2016 East-West Shrine Game and went on to win the Pat Tillman Award, which is presented to a player who best exemplifies character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service.

We at collegefootballfan.com enjoyed watching Keenan Reynolds lead the Navy football program for the past four years and witnessed his tremendous athletic skills and leadership capabilities to lead a great Navy football program as he humbly and deservedly attributed all his success to his teammates.  He finished fifth in the Heisman balloting and was in absentia for the ceremony in New York City leading the Mids to their fourth straight win over Army in all four years he started as Navy’s QB.  After graduation from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis this spring, he will be serving as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy – truly deserving the 86th Annual Sullivan Award for the nation’s outstanding  amateur athlete in 2016.  Click on the link below to cast you ballot for this great honor recognizing his achievements as a great college football player.

http://www.aausullivan.org/

Steveo’s Salvos – Notre Dame Spring Game March 17, 2016

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In 2016, we’ve penned in eight teams (possibly nine) that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams prepare for their upcoming spring practice sessions. It’ll give us and idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them in the fall.

Irish ready to spring into Spring!

Irish ready to spring into Spring!

Appropriately, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame lose a slew of talent to graduation after 2015 from a team that finished 10-3 and ranked No. 11 in the final CFP rankings. Ten former players are currently working out at the NFL combine, and HC Brian Kelly will have a lot of competition going on among talented but inexperienced college players in South Bend this spring. The credentials among the talent waiting to step up and the talent waiting to start school in the fall are top notch. One position that is well-stocked for the Fighting Irish is at QB. Junior DeShone Kizer returns after filling in for the injured Malik Zaire after the returning starter went down in the second game last season. Kizer displayed his talents rushing for 520 yards and ten TDS. He completed 211 of 335 passes for 2,884 yards and 21 TDs. We saw his star shine in the 24-20 win over Temple at The Linc last season. Kizer passed for 299 yards and a TD and put on his best rushing performance with 143 yards and two scores on 17 carries. Malik Zaire and he could share duties as the senior returns healthy and ready to go. A third option for Kelly is sophomore Brandon Wimbush, a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. During the pre-spring press conference, his HC noted that he has the best arm among the three. Red-shirting could be an option later in the season if the first two can remain healthy. The line in front of them needs to fill in for some prime losses. Among RBs, Soph Josh Adams returns with the most experience a year ago rushing for 835 yards and six TDs. In addition, Tarean Folston returns after sitting out last season. In 2014, he set the Irish rushing record for a sophomore with 889 yards and six TDs. We saw him run for 73 yards and a TD in the Irish win over LSU in the Music City Bowl that season. WR Torii Hunter, Jr., a senior, returns as the most experienced wide-out with 363 yards and two TDs. He’ll be playing baseball for the Irish during the spring while also focusing on spring football practice.   He leads a fast bunch of speedy, young receivers including Junior Corey Holmes who was clocked at 4.39 in the 40. The Fighting Irish will have a lot of competition this spring at the wide receiver positions. We look forward to seeing the passing attack they will bring to The Meadowlands next October.   Defensively is where Kelly has a lot of developing and evaluating to do to get the Irish up to speed to maintain or improve the 24.1 points per game his D allowed last season.   The leading returning tackler is Safety Max Redfield who racked up 64 hits and one INT in 2015. DL Isaac Rochell followed him with 63 stops. Frosh LB Daelin Hayes may see some action this season as he and four other early signees will be at the Notre Dame’s spring camp. There will be a lot of competition to replace stalwart LBs Jaylon Smith and steady Joe Schmidt. Some freshman may have opportunities to step in at LB positons and in the secondary where a lot of talent needs to be replaced. ND specialists return to provide a solid kicking game. Junior Tyler Newsome returns with his 44.5 yard punting average and kickoff experience. Soph Justin Yoon will continue on track having converted 15 of 17 FG attempts and 52 of 54 PATs a year ago.

QB DeShone Kizer led the Irish over improved Temple last season, 24-20.

QB DeShone Kizer (14) led the Irish over improved Temple last season, 24-20.

The Irish will have leadership under center to pull things together on offense. Their speed at WR and in the backfield will be looking for protection from a new set of linemen. Their defense will have to be ready with new talent at most positions. The Irish will open at Texas building under HC Charlie Strong in his third season at Austin. Michigan State, Stanford, and USC are key matchup’s this season intermingled with five contracted ACC foes and traditional rivals Army and Navy.

Notre Dame games we plan to see this season: October 1, vs. Syracuse at MetLife Stadium; October 15 vs. Stanford in South Bend.

Spring game: April 16

Next up: Stanford

The Irish have to replace a lot of defensive talent from their 2015 squad this season.

The Irish have to replace a lot of defensive talent from their 2015 squad this season.

Steve’s Salvos – Syracuse Spring Preview, March 8, 2016

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In 2016, we’ve penned in eight teams that will appear on our schedule more than one time. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams prepare for their upcoming spring practice sessions. It’ll give us an idea of what the teams will be focusing on before we get to see them in the fall.

The Orange will be seen at possibly three different venues by Collegefootballfan.com this year including the Carrier Dome.

The Orange will be seen at possibly three different venues by Collegefootballfan.com this year including the Carrier Dome once again.

Syracuse (2, or possibly 3 games) – The Syracuse Orange enter the 2016 season under the new leadership of HC Dino Babers. Babers has not only been a successful HC in his first four years in his first two programs, he’s also proven to be a quick turnaround artist which would be a boost for the Orange coming off a 4-8 season, 2-6 in the ACC. A graduate of Hawaii, like Navy HC Ken Niumatatolo, he has a four-year record of 37-16 including post-season play all four seasons.

At Eastern Illinois, he took the Panthers from last place to first place in the Ohio Valley Conference in his first season. An offensive-minded coach, his second year QB Jimmy Garoppollo won the 2013 Walter Payton Award as the top player in the FCS. He went on to be drafted by the New England Patriots to become Tom Brady’s back-up. After leaving EIU, Babers took over at Bowling Green State University in the Mid-American Conference. The Falcons won the Eastern division of the MAC both seasons under him. BGSU fell to Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game at the end of his first season, but rebounded to defeat South Alabama for the school’s first bowl win since 2004 in the Camellia Bowl. In 2015, the Falcons went on to a 10-4 record including a MAC championship win over NIU before a loss to Georgia Southern in the GoDaddy.com bowl. In his two seasons at Bowling Green, the Falcons posted three wins over Big Ten schools. His offense put up impressive numbers during the 2015 season to be a leader among FBS teams in several significant categories. They finished fourth in total offense with 546.8 yards per game, fifth in passing with 366.8 yards per game, and sixth in scoring averaging 42.2 points per game. His QB Matt Johnson was named the MAC offensive player of the year.

Syracuse should have a lot more to cheer for this year as HC Dino Babers offense should be lighting up the scoreboard more often this year

Syracuse should have a lot more to cheer for this year as HC Dino Babers’ offense should be lighting up the scoreboard more often.

How will all this translate to success for the Orange in year one? SU returns two young, experienced QBs from a year ago who will compete to start this season. Soph Eric Dungey threw for 1,298 yards, 11 TDs, and five INTs in eight games. Junior Zack Mahoney threw for 535 yards, seven TDs, and two INTs. Both had to step in for injured senior QB Terrell Hunt. Whoever starts at QB will have a lot of experienced targets to throw to at WR, TE, and RB as the six top receivers return including WR Steve Ishmael who had 570 receiving yards and five TDs. Top RB Jordan Fredericks returns with 607 rushing yards as does another top RB, George Morris. It seems like Babers has some young experience to build with in addition to what many determine was a very good recruiting class in 2016. He focused on recruiting areas where he needs more size – offensive line, defensive line and linebackers. Of his 20 recruits six come from the state of Florida including the 7th ranked HS QB from that state in Rex Culpepper.

We expect to see the ball in the air much more than on the ground this season under the new head coach.

We expect to see the ball in the air much more than on the ground this season under the new head coach.

This looks to be a very interesting season for Syracuse against a solid ACC schedule (Louisville, at Clemson, and Florida State) and some good non-conference completion including South Florida, UConn, and Notre Dame. Babers has had winning records all four years as head coach and has made some quick turnarounds. He’s had great success in making his quarterbacks successful, and he’s got some young players who have some good experience in their first two years at Syracuse. Under Baber’s tutelage, it seems like his young players have gotten a coach who can teach and get them to the next level quickly. This will be a fun story to track in 2016.

The season can't get here quick enough. maybe we'll go to the SU spring game this year.

The season can’t get here quick enough. We may have to go to the SU spring game to check out what’s going on.

Syracuse games we plan to see this season: Sept. 17 vs. South Florida; October 1, Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium; possibly at Clemson on November 5.

Spring game: April 2 at 1 pm in The Carrier Dome

Next up: Notre Dame

Baber is right! The Orange need to "beef up".

Babers is right! The Orange need to “beef up”.

Steveo’s Salvos – Army Spring preview March 5, 2016

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For 2016, we’ve penned in eight teams on our schedule that we will see play more than one game. Here we review some of the advantages and disadvantages we’re hearing about as these teams prepare for their upcoming spring practice sessions. It’ll give us an idea of what these teams will be focusing on before we get to see them play games in the fall.

Though we plan to see the Cadets play three times in 2016 none of the games will regretfully be played up at historic West point.

Though we plan to see the Cadets play three times in 2016, none of the games will regretfully be played up at historic West Point.

 

Army (3 games) – HC Jeff Moncken will be starting his third year at West Point. Despite a 2-10 season a year ago, he seems to be pulling the Cadets up from the doldrums of losing football. Of the 10 losses a year ago, seven deficits were within a touchdown giving West Pointer signs of hope for the future. The former successful HC of Georgia Southern and an assistant at the Naval Academy, where he developed and learned the triple option from among college football’s best coaching staffs, seemed to find his QB of the future in Chris Carter who kept Army in the game we attended against Navy last season, falling 21-17. Army football is truly in a rebuilding mode. With 14 straight losses to the Naval Academy, there is a lot of impetus to get things turned around for the Black Knights of the Hudson.

We saw Army's worst loss of he season in 2015 in a 44-3 loss at home to Duke. Seven other losses were within seven points.

We saw Army’s worst loss of the season in 2015 in a 44-3 loss at home to Duke. Seven other losses were within seven points.

RBs Aaron Kempf, Joe Walker, and John Trainor each  return with a year of experience behind them to make Army’s triple option work even better. Senior WR Edgar Poe had six TD snags among his 16 receptions and will become more effective in the mix if Army QBs Carter and Ahmad Bradshaw can get the ball to him with some good passing schemes mixed into the play calling. Leading tacklers (92 each) on defense return as senior LBs Jeremy Timpf and Andrew King return as the keys to leading the Black Knight defense. They were effective in stopping the run throughout most of the season, but will have to develop some pressure up front to stop opponents’ passing attacks.  A key to turning the corner his season will be seeing how many sophomores will step up in key rolls from Moncken’s first effort at recruiting an entire class at West Point. Some got the call up last year like Carter.

Army's defense will have to get into the opponents' backfield' more often next season like it did on this play against Navy.

Army’s defense will have to get into the opponents’ backfield’ more often next season like it did on this play against Navy.

With experience and more confidence, the Cadets could get four or five wins this season. Their three weeks of preparation prior to December 10 may help them again against Navy this year who will be without the services of QB Keenan Reynolds. We also look forward to two of their September road games against two intriguing teams. The first will be their opener at Temple on Friday night September 2 at The Linc in Philly. The Owls will have to revamp their entire defense.  The other team we will see them play will be up at the University of Buffalo where second-year HC Lance Leipold will be mentoring the Bulls in his second season after coming from D3 Wisconsin-Whitewater where he led the Warhawks to six D-3 national championships. His first edition at UB finished 5-7 with little chance to bring much new talent to the roster.  These two games in September will indicate how much progress Moncken has made with the Cadet football program in his third year at a program that has had one winning season (2010) during the last twenty years.

Army games on our tentative schedule: Sept. 2 (Friday) at Temple; September 24 at Buffalo; December 10 vs. Navy in Baltimore.

Spring game: April 30

Next up: Syracuse

It was a beautiful day at West Point to watch a football game.

The Corps hopes to be smiling a lot more after games in 2016.