Brevard College at Sewanee (University of The South); Week 3

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Sewanee, TN – Brevard at Sewanee, you ask? Who? What? Why? I reach back into my Division-3 roots as a graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA to start this weekend. Like these two schools, Juniata possesses credible marks in the history of American and college football. Brevard and Sewanee celebrate their particular points of history or interest as well. At Juniata for instance, we take pride having played in the 1956 Tangerine Bowl, later Citrus Bowl (tied Missouri Valley, 6-6). In 1973, the Juniata Indians played in the first Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the D-3 championship. Lost to Wittenberg of Ohio badly, 41-0. However, JC won the first playoff game ever when the Indians defeated the University of Bridgeport (CT) in the first D-3 final four playoff ever, 35-14. My father took me to see the game my junior year in high school. As far as alumni, we featured one of the best NFL coaches of all time. Chuck Knox graduated in 1954. He coached the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angelas Rams for a career record of 186-147. Juniata’s football stadium bears his name.

The Juniata College Eagles enter their home field in Knox Stadium in 2013. The facility is named for former late Juniata Indian and NFL Head Coach Chuck Knox. He donated one million dollars to refurbish the facility when he was with the LA Rams.
The Juniata College Eagles enter their home field in Knox Stadium in 2013. The facility is named for former late Juniata Indian and NFL Head Coach Chuck Knox. He donated one million dollars to refurbish the facility when he was with the LA Rams.

Cash flow strategy

Like the previous week, made a decision to keep costs down early for more enticing trips to big games later in the season. No game tickets on sale, but a $20 parking fee provides a tailgate spot and a seat at Hardee-McGee Field. For Collegefootballfan.com, this looks like a good opportunity to consolidate two local games into one weekend. In addition, my Guest Game Analyst (GGA) that week actually played for Sewanee in the late 60’s. My friend from the local gym, the “Commissioner” of our Gym Plus Friends Fantasy Football League, David Oakley, convinced me to join. Because of my inability to focus much on pro games, I invited him to revisit his struggling alma mater. His first time back on campus in a while, hopefully the atmosphere that day will conjure up some of his football memories. Maybe his mind will clear. Playing halfback, he supposedly doesn’t remember wearing a face mask.

David played for the late Sewanee Hall of Fame HC Shirley Majors. At Sewanee, he achieved a record of 93–74–5. Among Major’s five football-playing sons, he was the father of the late Johnny Majors (185-137-10) who coached the University of Tennessee to three SEC titles and the Pitt Panthers to the National Championship in 1976. I got to see him coach Pitt in 1974 when I attended the US Naval Academy. Pitt defeated the Midshipman that day with Tony Dorsett, the eventual 1976 Heisman Trophy winner, at running back, 13-11. The entire Majors Football Family enshrined into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame together in 1966.

Sewanee: 1899 University of the South “Iron Men”

The Sewanee Tigers of 1899 were one of the greatest college football teams ever. In their 12-0 season, they won five of those games in six days. They outscored their opponents that season, 322-10. The teams they defeated dwell in this year’s Top 25: Geogia, Texas, Texas A&M, Auburn, Tennessee LSU, and Ole Miss. Get this: they won all five games in six days on the road. They hosted only three games at home on Hardee Field. Who schedules like this today? In their final win of the season, Auburn, under HC John Heisman, scored the only points of the season against Sewanee in their 11-10 struggle.

After winning six D-3 National Championship games at Wisconsin-Whitewater, we saw HV Lance Leipold mkove on to coach Buffalo at Penn State and vs Army. Now he is HC at Kansas where he's making a bigger impact in the FBS.
After winning six D-3 National Championship games at Wisconsin-Whitewater, we saw HC Lance Leipold move on to coach Buffalo at Penn State and vs Army. Now he is HC at Kansas where he’s making a bigger impact in the FBS.

From 1934-1939, Sewanee played as a charter member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). During those seasons, they won only 16 games. None came against any SEC programs of today. The University of the South bounced around among several conferences after. And even at the D-3 level, they still clamor for success. The Tigers enjoyed their last winning season in 2000 with a record of 6-4.

Sewanee: committed to turn football around

Fed up with losing, to get back on track, in 2022, The University of the South hired Andy McCollum as its new HC. McCollum coached Middle Tennesse in nearby Murfreesboro from 1999-2005 leading the Blue Raiders in their step up into Division 1A football (now the FBS). We happened to add MTSU as our 64th major football program in 2000 when they visited the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. McCollum’s team blasted the Huskies, our 65th team added that day, 66-10. After that 6-5 season, MTSU joined the Sun Belt and won the title with an 8-3 record overall in 2001. The momentum died after that season though. McCollum left behind a record of 34-45. Subsequently, he became a defensive assistant including nine seasons at Georgia Tech under successful HC Paul Johnson who we saw many times coaching Navy into a much-improved program running the triple option.

McCollum took over a Sewanee Tiger team that won two games during the previous four seasons before he arrived. He now holds a record of 5-15 after his first two. So, progress has been made. Last season, the offense averaged 20.7 ppg while the defense allowed 30 ppg. They finished 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the Southern Athletic Association. The good news indicates that his passing and rushing leader, QB Alcorin Thomas returns for his junior season. Second leading rusher, Dawson White, returns as a sophomore. Also, his leading wide receiver, Dyer Barnes and his leading TE Cooper Alford both return as juniors. McCollum looks like he started rebuilding his offense last season. Most of his leading tacklers on defense have graduated. Maybe this will be his season that he starts filling in positions with newcomers he’s recruited. We look forward to seeing if that unit steps up somewhat in this game.

Meet the Brevard College Tornados

HC Bill Khayat took over the Brevard program in 2017 that had only one winning season ever prior to his hire. Since then, the Tornados have mounted a record of 42-32. In his third season, his team finished 8-2 including a Bowl win over Carnegie-Mellon. Since then, his teams have challenged for first place in the USA South Atlantic Conference annually. Amazingly for a school of 713 students in Brevard about 35 miles south of Ashville, at least 113 players make up the football roster (15% of all students). Reportedly, more make up a JV roster. Last season, the Tornados finished 6-3 and 5-2 in conference play.

On offense, QB Ethan Beamish returns with 2,093 passing yards and 25 TDs for an offense that averaged 36 ppg. Leading rushers and receivers have moved on. USA Southern Division recognized Beamish as their second team QB last season. At LB, Baylee Ramey returns after earning Honorable Mention and leading the Tornados in tackles. Again, seniors and graduate students led many stats on both sides of the football for Brevard last season. Looks like many starters from last year will need to be replaced. Certainly, there will be a lot of competition for open spots in this year’s starting lineup in Brevard.

Family Day at Sewanee’s Hardee-McGee Field

Both teams will come in with games under their belts. Sewanee’s Tigers open at Bethany (WV) who finished 0-10 last season. The Tornados host Kentucky Christian (NAIA) who they defeated in their last game in 2024, 41-25. Both teams should come into this contest with adjustments made in their openers. This could be an interesting game as the Tigers return skill positions on offense, and neither team has a wealth of experienced starters on defense. Throw out last year’s records. Seems like this could be a fun and competitive football game to watch between these D-3 programs in a non-conference battle for both. Development of new players and strategies by both coaching staffs will weigh heavily in this game. McCollum and Khayat both look to get their teams on a winning track early in 2025.

Collegefootballfan.com looks forward to attending this game with no TV time-outs and instant replay delays – just flat-out football. Players play to win, and they don’t even get scholarship money at this level. Sure, not the best, the biggest nor the fastest. NIL offers for any? Probably not. We look forward to a game fought between actual college students. We figure this game gets over in time to put us on the road to our second game in Chattanooga when the UTC Moccasins host the Stetson Hatters in an FCS game an hour away. Hopefully, our GGA will entertain us with some stories about his “glory days” at Sewanee as well.

Unlike Sewanee and Brevard, the Purple Raiders of Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, shown here in the 2017 title game, tend to always go deep into the D-3 playoffs annually. The talent level may differ, but the desire to win here is just as intense as in the higher NCAA divisions.
Unlike Sewanee and Brevard, the Purple Raiders of Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, shown here in the 2017 title game, tend to always go deep into the D-3 playoffs annually. The talent level may differ, but the desire to win here is just as intense as in the higher NCAA divisions.

And once again, don’t forget…

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

North Dakota State at Tennessee State, Week 2

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Nashville, TN – We attribute seeing North Dakota State at Tennessee somewhat to “budget.” Collegefootballfan.com cannot afford travel, stayovers and high-cost tickets (nice to no longer pay for those outrageous Ticket Master fees!) every college football weekend. So, this week we stay close to home – Nissan Stadium. Half-hour drive, no hotel, home for dinner, catch some games on TV in the evening.

On the other hand, once again we get to see perennial FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) powerhouse, North Dakota State, in action. In case your football focus fixates only on the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) or only on the NFL, NDSU has won the FCS championship ten times since 2011. Last season under first-year HC Tim Polasek, the Bison (14-2) defeated Montana State, 35-32, for its latest championship. They may win Number 11 in 2025.

Perennial FCS contender North Dakota State comes to Nashville early this season on our 2025 college football schedule when they play Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium. The Bison can come back to play for at the 2025 title when the championship game will be played at Vanderbilt Stadium on January 5.
Perennial FCS contender North Dakota State comes to Nashville early this season on our 2025 college football schedule when they play Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium. The Bison can come back to play for at the 2025 title when the championship game will be played at Vanderbilt Stadium on January 5.

Tennessee State Tigers on the prowl

Lass season under HC and former Heisman Trophy Winner Eddie George, the Tigers enjoyed their best record in years. They finished 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference. TSU won their first conference title since 1999. They made the FCS playoffs, but they fell in the first round to Montana, 41-27. Success turned out to be somewhat detrimental for the Tigers. HC Eddie George gained national attention. With it, he took a new job to lead the program at Bowling Green State in the Mid-American Conference. He also took key assistants from his Tennessee State staff and some starting defenders.

The Tennessee State Tigers start their new season under first-year HC Reggie Barlow on August 30 in Nashville versus North Carolian A&T. He’s proven himself as a winning HC with the UFL’s D.C Defenders, at D-2 Virginia State and at his alma mater, Alabama State. In 1996, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft. During his career as wide receiver and punt returner, he played for the Jaguars, the Raiders, and the Buccaneers. He led the league in punt return yardage in 1998 and played with the Buccaneers in the 2002 Super Bowl. Barlow leads a coaching staff with an array of great experience. They came with him from the UFL and from other successful college and pro coaching staffs.

Bison and Tigers both 1-1 in our history

In 2019, we got our first glance ever at the North Dakota State program. With Freshman Trey Lance at QB and OT Dillon Radunz, now of the Titans, among the Bison, they defeated the Fighting Blue Hens of Delaware on the road, 47-22. Former NDSU QB Cason Wentz, then of the Philadelphia Eagles, who led the Bison to two consecutive FCS titles, roamed the North Dakota State sideline that day.

Carson Wentz (in yellow) played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 when we saw the Bison play at Delaware. QB Trey Lynch who played for NDSU day was drafted too early and never made in big with the 49ers who drafted him. Last year's Bison QM Cam Miller is now in the LV raiders training camp.
Carson Wentz (in yellow) played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 when we saw the Bison play at Delaware. QB Trey Lynch who played for NDSU day was drafted too early and never made it big with the 49ers who drafted him. Last year’s Bison QB Cam Miller is now in the LV Raiders training camp.

Strategic move on our part

After moving to Tennessee, we scheduled the Tennessee Tigers to see what first-year HC Eddie George was doing with that program. The former Ohio State and Tennessee Titan RB took over a program with nine wins during the previous three seasons. With a record of 1-3, we saw hm take his Tigers to Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN. There, we watched his team win a tight one, 24-22.

In that inaugural season, the Tigers won five games. They followed the next three seasons with four, six and nine victories proving George could truly build a football program. And so, George’s move to Bowling Green ensues. With his move up to the FBS and with the hire of Reggie Barlow by TSU, both BGSU and Tennessee State look like they both hired good program builders for their futures.

Tennessee State HC Eddie George (in black) keeps a watchful eye on his teams on their way to their second victory against Austin Peay in his first season.
Tennessee State HC Eddie George (in black wearing white visor) keeps a watchful eye on his team on their way to their second victory against Austin Peay in his first season.

North Dakota State loaded for Tigers and other FCS beasts in 2025

With the exception of their quarterback returning in 2025, the Bison load up. Nineteen players who accumulated 200 plays each under their collegiate belts return. Another championship looms for the team in Fargo, ND. Last year’s QB, Cam Miller, now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders who selected him as the 215th pick. He led the Bison to two FCS championships as did Carson Wentz. The program in Fargo seems ready to do the same for whoever replaces Miller. Cole Payton, last year’s back-up ran for 1,100 yards and 18 TDs. How well he can pass consistently remains to be seen. Among 58 passing attempts, he accumulated 469 yards, five TDs and two INTs. Nathan Hayes looms as his back-up. With talent around him, Payton has plenty of support to improve his numbers.

Among the experienced talent, WR Bryce Lance (brother of Trey) returns with All-Conference status. Last year, he caught 17 TD passes. Three other receivers remain on board with over 250 plays each from a season ago. The transfer portal took their best RB from last season to Miami. They supposedly pay very well there. Stepping up comes Barika Kpeenu who rushed for 725 yards and seven TD. Not bad for a number two rusher in any program. Others line up behind him looking to improve with more experience.

North Dakota State OL Dillon Banusz (75) seen here against Delaware in 2019, now plays for the Tennessee Titans.
North Dakota State OL Dillon Radunz (75) seen here against Delaware in 2019, now plays for the Tennessee Titans.

Bison defense fills few holes

The North Dakota State defensive front returns DT Jaxon Duttenheffer and Keenan Wilson at DE who will see much more action in 2025. The Bison welcome Jack Iuliano who starred at UAlbany the last three seasons. LB Logan Kopp earned an All-Missouri Valley Conference honor for the second consecutive season. 2024 non-starters Austin Altepeter and Donovan Wollen figure to play bigger roles alongside him. Their secondary remains solid. CBs Jailen Duffie and Anthony Chedime-Alfaro return after starting as freshman. JMU transfer Antoine Booth II and Jaquise Alexander (All MVFC Newcomer Team) will challenge for more playing time. Safeties Darius Givance excelled, and Jaylin Crumby earned MVFC All-Newcomer Honors as a freshman. The Bison defense should be formidable with much more experience.

Tennessee State Tigers rebuild

HC Reggie Barlow’s team has talent, but it seems he will be redeveloping depth lost after the program’s 2024 success. In a pre-season poll of the OVC-Big South Football Association Head Coaches, they selected the Tigers to place eighth in the nine-team conference. Six players made the Association’s Preseason Watch List. As noted in their stats, they indicate great anticipated potential among these returnees.

WR Delanie “Juice” Majors totaled 15 catches for 149 yards and a TD last year. TE Jason Hoath, Jr. earned a reputation as an effective blocker and caught nine passes for 86 yards. OL Anthony Smith brings leadership with his physical style of play to lead the offense. LB Sammy Taylor returns with 15 solo tackles to his credit. DB Camani Cobbs made the Watch List for great coverage capability and physical defensive play. Punter Mark Shenouda places kicks inside the 20 often enough to make an impression on the selection committee. Positions of QB, RB and defensive line require some development.

North Dakota State looks for repeat

Though Collegefootballfan.com prefers to attend very competitive games, this one looks not to be one of them. Last season in Fargo, despite an improved Tiger Team, the Bison trampled them, 56-3. We hope the Tigers will give them some battle. However, the Bison roster reloaded with experience looks like an overwhelming favorite once again. We look forward to staying close to home to save some money. However, we look forward to seeing the Bison play their typical style of great football. We envision this being our preview of a team that will return to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on January 6. NDSU may come back to defend the 2024 national title from the second-best team in the FCS, whoever that may be.

Regarding Tennessee State, it’ll be a tough game during a rebuilding season. For us, according to our friend, Al Tatum, who will be joining us once again, the TSU Tigers have a great marching band. We look forward to watching their performance! Hopefully, before we see them play at half time, we’ll see some fight put up by the Tiger football team. Tough game ahead though, no doubt.

And don’t forget…

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

In 2025, it looks like the North Dakota State will win in a runaway once again!
In 2025, it looks like the North Dakota State Bison will win in a runaway once again!

California at Oregon State: 2025 Week 1, 2nd of 2

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Corvalis, Oregon – When we catch California at Oregon State, we’ll attend our second of two FBS games in one day. Last time we did this came back in 2021. On that Saturday, we recorded our first two games in the state of Utah. At our early afternoon game in Logan, Utah State defeated Hawaii in a Mountain West contest, 51-31. The Aggies of USU finished their season ranked No. 24. Afterward, we trekked down I-15 to Provo. There, we attended a game determined to be Virginia Coach Bronco Mendenhall’s final season. As an appropriate farewell, he brought his Virginia Cavaliers to Provo to face his former charges, the Cougars of BYU.

The Cougars and Cavs went at it hard with the home team winning, 66-49. BYU finished the season at No. 19. Funny though. It did not turn out to be Mendenhall’s’ final season as a collegiate HC after all. Matter of fact, we saw him start up again in his return debut in 2024 as new HC for the University of New Mexico. After a 5-7 improvement at UNM last season, Mendenhall left for – of all schools – Utah State! Oh, what a tangled web we weave! And we seem to get entangled without even trying.

Bronco Mendenhall bade farewell to college coaching when we saw him lead his Virginia Cavaliers against his former team, Brigham Young. in 2021. Three years later, we saw him making his coaching debut leading New Mexico in its opener in 2024.
Bronco Mendenhall bade farewell to college coaching when we saw him lead his Virginia Cavaliers against his former team, Brigham Young. in 2021. Three years later, we saw him making his coaching debut leading New Mexico in its opener in 2024.

We plan to get back to Provo eventually to see a day game there to enjoy the impressive scenery surrounding Lavelle Edwards Stadium. Of course, we plan to pull it off by attending a Utah Ute home game in Salt Lake City afterward! Timing is everything.

Four games with Cal and OSU in all; almost five

Combined, we’ve seen these two programs play four times. The Golden Bears participated in three. Our first came in late 2001, as the game was postponed until the final week of that season due to the horrific attacks on the World Tade Center on September 11. Read about my personal experiences regarding trips before and after 9-11 from Atlanta and to the West Coast for a game a few weeks later in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

In that final game of 2011, Cal avoided a winless season defeating Rutgers, 20-10. In 2007, my 12-year-old son Eric and I saw them defeat Air Force in a thrilling game at the Military Bowl, 42-36. It was one of four bowl games we attended in Texas in five days. Finally in 2016, I attended a game at Berkeley compliments of a Stanford friend who refuses to step foot on her rival’s campus ever. In the Big Game, the No. 12 Cardinal defeated the Golden Bears, 45-31.

We last watched California play in "The Big Game" at home against Stanford in the ???th edition of their rivalry.
We last watched California Golden Bears splay in “The Big Game” at home against Stanford in the 119th edition of their rivalry.

Cross Country challenges from and to Oregon football games

Regarding Oregon State, in September 2002, they came all the way out to Philadelphia to meet Temple at historic Franklin Field, home venue of the University of Pennsylvania. With Juniata friend and former trainer for our football team, Ned Ehrlich, we watched 6′-5″ Beaver QB Derek Anderson and team crush the Owls, 35-3. Anderson went to the NFL for a few years. Ned stayed around the NFL much longer, as a Lawyer. In 2008, I was on my way to see Oregon State at Penn State. While crossing the Delaware River into PA from New Jersey, a bolt in the wheel well of my recently purchased, pre-certified Malibu let loose and locked up my front wheels. With my then 13-year-old son, got towed, gave the dealership “hell” and missed the game. Never had another problem with the car after repairs, thankfully.

Funny thing, with my son Eric once again, another road trip to see a team from Oregon got waylaid by a car problem. With Eric strapped into a back seat at the age of 5, we hopped on to the Jersey Turnpike in November 2000 on our way to see Portland State at Delaware in an 1AA playoff game. After the Ford Escort stalled in a toll booth, we got it pushed off to the side and towed back home for service. UD won the game we missed, 49-14. Hope we don’t run into any car problems on our Oregon Trail this season.

California Golden Bears face mass exodus

Last season, the Golden Bears won six games for the second year in a row. They played their best with Fernando Mendoza at QB. After a season with 3,004 yards and 16 TDs starting the first ten games, he jumped ship for a better opportunity supposedly. We will see him play in another game this season for Indiana. Enter Devin Smith, a QB from an overloaded but talented Ohio State Buckeye QB contingency. He performed primarily as a running QB at Columbus the last two years. The question is, how good will the new players around him be? Certainly, HC Justin Wilcox in his ninth season here starts from scratch to build an offense in 2025.

Since last season, Wilcox’s roster basically fled from Berkeley. Only WR Trond Grizzell returns among the top 12 receivers from a season ago. As for their top ten rushers, none also no longer play for the Bears. Three experienced offensive linemen replace open spots upfront. Several transfers look to step in, but will they mesh in time to play as one unit early this season? In addition, Cal hired Bryan Harsin to take over as OC. Previouslyly, he coached at Boise before getting booted from Auburn as HC. A lot of meshing needs to occur in summer camp to have this offense ready for this game. Last season, the Golden Bears had the Beavers number evidently, as indicated by their 44-7 thrashing at Berkeley.

Bear question marks in secondary

Defensively, eight experienced staters return. Several transfers among them will need to step up. MLB Cade Uluave returns from last season as the second leading tackler with 71 stops. DE Aidan Keenaaina and DT Nate Burrell contributed upfront for the Bears last season. The secondary will be looking for good coordination among transfers from Florida International, James Madison and Montana. Should be interesting to see how well this team full of players who have never worked together before will perform in their first game together.

QB Maalik Murphy, Oregon State – Deja vu

Last year, we witnessed the improvement of Duke football under new HC Many Diaz, his defense, and QB Maalik Murphy – transfer from Texas. We head 2,400 miles west early this year, and once again, Maalik Murphy shows up at QB. With a reputation as a strong-armed quarterback, we never witnessed that in the three wins we watched Murphy perform in last season. He threw for 2,933 yards, 16 TDs and 13 INTs for the Blue Devils. However, his penchant seemed relegated to a very short passing game. “Big arm” to us means one has the arm to go long effectively. We never saw that. Will this change at Oregon State under HC Trent Bray and OC Ryan Gunderson?

They will be depending on Murphy to turn around a passing game. Last season, OSU totaled only seven TD passes and 11 INTs. Should be attainable, but will they show that Murphy has the capability to put up the long ball more often? WRs Trent Walker and Darrius Clemons return as primary targets gaining 901 and 292 yards respectively. Both led the team in TD receptions recording only two each.

Duke QB Maalik Murphy lofts a long pass to set up a third quarter score against Elon last season. We also saw him in wins at middle Tennessee and in Duke's first win over Florida State in 19 years.
Murphy lofts a long pass to set up a third quarter score against Elon last season. We also saw him in wins at middle Tennessee and in Duke’s first win over Florida State in 22 years.

Oregon State seeks defensive strength upfront

The Beavers (5-7 in 2024) welcome back RB Anthnony Hankerson who ran for 1,113 tough yards and 15 scores. Upfront, only C Van Wells returns, and the transfers coming in alongside him possess little experience. Defensively, leading tackler Skyler Thomas returns at SS. LBs Nikko Taylor and Dexter Foster finished third and fifth overall. Some newcomers need to step up. Others transferring in need to make stops before their secondary gets called on to lead in making tackles.

Down to the final minute or the final mistake

Both teams seem to bring back comparable experience in the numbers of returnees and transfers. The defenses will be ahead of the offenses in this game. Both O-Lines undergo major personnel changes, and this determines how the game will be won. Whoever blocks better upfront will have the advantage. However, with experience at the skill positions surrounding Murphy, we see the Beavers possessing the edge at home.

The vocal OSU fans have a solid reputation for filling 35,000-seat Reser Stadium to the hilt. Against a former PAC-12 rival they meet for the 78th time, they seek revenge following last season’s 44-7 loss at Memorial Stadium. Key Golden Bear players from last season moved on during the off-season. Devin Brown and company will have lot of on-the-job-training to figure out how the Bears can work together offensively. Brown will not have the skill sets surrounding him he had at Ohio State. It should be a fun and competitive meeting. However, we expect it to be filled with mistakes by both squads in the opener for both.

Please purchase, read and review

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Montana State at Oregon: 2025 Week 1, 1st of 2

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Eugene, Oregon – On Saturday, August 30, we hit the Oregon Trial for our first time starting with Montana State Bobcats at Oregon Ducks. The TV scheduling couldn’t have worked out better for us than this! Following this game kicking off at 1 pm Pacific Time, we venture 48 miles north from OU’s Autzen Stadium to Oregon State’s Reser Stadium in Corvalis. In our 7:30 pm nightcap, the OSU Beavers host their former PAC-12 rival, the California Golden Bears, now in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Universities lead now in confusing our sense of geographic reality through conference realignments.

A first for collegefootballfan.com in our 714th game

For Collegefootballfan.com, this marks our first adventure ever of any kind in “The Beaver State.” We add the state of Oregon as our 42nd to ever attend a game in. The two stadiums that day will become our 99th and 100th FBS stadiums among the 136 venues playing in this level today. Montana State (15-1 in 2024) will be visiting Eugene as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) runner-up from a year ago. Like last year, we will be seeing the Bobcats open their season on the road against an FBS program. Last season, MSU pulled a late, 35-31, upset over New Mexico. The No. 3 Ducks (13-1 a year ago), seek to again win The Big Ten and grab a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the national title.

Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM's University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory to open our 2024 season. They will play in front of us again at Oregon and maybe later at home in our 2025 Schedule.
Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM’s University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory to open our 2024 season. They will play in front of us again at Oregon and maybe later at home in our 2025 Schedule.

Our Montana State and Oregon Histories

Both are short and sweet. The Bobcats won the only game as mentioned when we saw them last season at New Mexico. One personal note regarding an MSU connection. Former Bobcat HC Rob Ash coached the program there from 2007-2018 to a record of 70-38. He won three Big Sky championships in Bozeman and led them into four FCS playoffs. Twice, his team made it as far as the quarterfinals. Prior to this, from 1980-88, a year after I graduated from D3 Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, he coached them to 56-31-3 record before moving on to Drake. In 1980, I watched him coach my Juniata buddies in a game at CW Post in Greenvale, NY. CW Post prevailed, 28-10. Since then, CW Post upgraded to the FCS now known as the LIU Post Sharks of the Northeast Conference.

Compliments of Kermit the Frog. I saw the Oregon Ducks play Penn State in the 1995 Rose Bowl. You can read this story in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. The Ducks stand 1-1 in the annals of Collegefootballfan.com history as we didn’t see them play again until last season. At Wisconsin, they held off the Badgers to a 16-13 win. They finished the regular season at 12-0 before defeating Penn State in the Big Ten Championship, 45-37. Like the other three CFP teams with byes in the first round, they fell in the next round. Eventual champion Ohio State dominated them, 41-21.

Bobcats’ huge hole to fill

Montana State returns some key talent after their great season a year ago. However, the biggest void to fill comes at quarterback. Last year’s starter, Tommy Mellott, moved on to the next level selected by the Las Vegas Raiders. Under HC Brent Vigen the last four years, MSU with Mellott at QB, went 33-8. He completed 63.7% of his passes. He threw for 6,016 yards and ran for 3,517. Fifty-five passes and 43 runs resulted in touchdowns. He threw only eight INTs. Pretty big shoes to fill for sure. As of this writing, JR Chance Wilson probably has an early start as his replacement. Among others, Grant Vigen, son of Brent, joins the roster as a freshman.

Bobcat RB Adam Jones looks for room here for short gain. He would follow this up on the left side for a 93-yard touchdown jaunt against New Mexico.
Bobcat RB Adam Jones looks for room here for short gain. He would follow this up on the left side for a 93-yard touchdown jaunt against New Mexico.

Despite the graduation of Mellot, the Bobcats loom as favorites once again to win the Big Sky championship in 2025. RB Adam Jones returns with 1,172 rushing yards and 14 TDS from a year ago. WR and punt returned Taco Dowler caught 38 passes for 597 yards and 11 TDS. OL Tilan Fleischman and DL Kenneth Eiden IV return as preseason All-Big Sky first team selections.

Oregon up for the FBS hunt once again

HC Dan Lanning’s team also lost well-travelled, Heisman candidate QB Dillon Gabriel (3,857 passing yards, 30 TDs and 6 INTs) from last season. To replace him, Dante Moore, a UCLA transfer who joined OU last season steps in. He’ll reap the benefit of having eight returning starters around him. Defensively, the Ducks return six starters. At RB, Noah Whittingham replaces Jordan James who went to the SF 49ers last year as the number four draft pick overall. Whittingham trudged for 540 yards and six TDs and looks to be the key cog for OU in the rushing department. WR Evan Stewart and TE Kenyon Sadiq return as leading receivers as key targets for Moore. Four starters from their OL moved on including two first round picks. Transfers from reputable programs step in, but they will be learning to work together for the first time.

Defensively, Oregon returns Key EDGE rushers in Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. ILB Bryce Boettcher returns as leading tackler, and Ole Miss transfer Jadon Canady reinforces the BUs. However, they lost four starting DBS, although two transfers join in from other Big Ten schools. It’s hard to bet against all that Nike money financing all that talent in Eugene.

Oregon EDGE Teitum Tuioti (44) in pursuit versus Wisconsin in 2024.
Oregon EDGE Teitum Tuioti (44) in pursuit versus Wisconsin in 2024.

Banking on Oregon

Despite losses at key positions for the Ducks, this program just seems to have too much momentum in this new NIL / transfer portal age to step down too much. A great FCS program, but with a totally new QB filling in for a lot of Tommy Mellot’s production over the past four years, it seems like too big a learning curve for the Bobcats. Both teams will have the same issue.

However, under these circumstances, we’ll look for this game to get off to a slow start for both teams. A home game for OU itching to get back into the CFP should give them the advantage here. We look for them to gain momentum in the second half. Both teams will face lesser non-conference foes and stiffer competition against conference foes thereafter. Development during the early learning curves should right both of them to challenge for titles in their respective conferences after this one.

The other Oregon Duck EDGE, Matayo Uiagalelei (10) mixes it up against the Wisconsin Badgers in OU's 16-13 win.
The other Oregon Duck EDGE, Matayo Uiagalelei (10) mixes it up against the Wisconsin Badgers in OU’s 16-13 win.

On the Oregon Trail

As we head out to Eugene and on to Corvalis for the night cap, we won’t have much time for any stops along the way. We’ll have to study some more about opportunities to find out what’s going on before and between these games. Looking for an adventurous day during our first visit to Oregon. This game should get off to a slow start but big finish for the Ducks over the Bobcats.

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Adam Jones caught this pass at the UNM 20 to stop teh clock on the winning drive to pull off the upset with four seconds left to play. Tilan Fleischmann (66), a 2025 preseason All-Big Sky OL for MSU, looks on.
Adam Jones caught this pass at the UNM 20 to stop the clock on the winning drive to pull off the upset with four seconds left to play. Tilan Fleischmann (66), a 2025 preseason All-Big Sky OL for MSU, looks on.

Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky: 2025 – Week 0

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Bowling Green, Kentucky – With thirty+ games “tentatively” scheduled for our 46th season attending as many college games as possible each season, we start with Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky. Rather than give a preseason review of every team we plan to see in action, today we present our analysis of our first game this season in our opener on Week 0. Thereafter, updates will continue. We will present our analysis of key games we plan to attend this season up until our first game on August 23.

Our analyses will include not only game factors to include for predicting contest outcomes, we’ll also provide the detail regarding why we selected to attend each particular game, plans to get there, personalities we may be attending with, tailgate plans, side-bar interests, our personal historical memoirs of each program, and what we look forward to in regarding these games as we add them to this unique, life-long adventure. On August 23. we start the 2025 season with our 713th game ever – Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky.

Our 2025 season starts when Sam Houston State Bearkats visit the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky!
Our 2025 season starts when Sam Houston State Bearkats visit the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky!

Sam Houston State: adding our 134th FBS program to be seen in action

In our 713th game, we not only add the Bearkats as the 134th Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program on our slate, but it’s also the first time we see SHSU compete at any level of college football. 2025 marks their third year of competition in the FBS as a member of Conference USA. They finished their second season at this level with a 10-3 record, 6-2 in conference play. Their 31-14 loss to Western Kentucky gave the Hilltoppers the head-to head advantage to play against Jacksonville State (9-5, 7-1) for the CUSA championship. Sam Houston earned a bowl bid to play another FBS newcomer, James Madison, in the Boca Raton Bowl. There, they fell, 27-17.

A disappointment from this perspective regarding this opening match-up is that Sam Houston State HC K.C. Keeler left the program after last season to take over at Temple. He left behind an FCS national championship with the Bearkats in the Spring of 2021. Our remorse is totally nostalgic more than anything else regarding Keeler’s departure. We watched him coach Rowan University four times at the D-3 level. A long-time admirer of the Delaware football program, we watched several of his Delaware teams play including his debut win against Georgia Southern in 2002 and two FCS playoff victories in 2010. Delaware, his alma mater, fired him after a 5-6 season in 2012. In 2014, he took over at Sam Houston State.

A page “torn” from our history dated September 8, 1979: current Temple HC K. C. keeler started at LB for Delaware in Game 1 to start this unbelievable adventure. We must both be getting old!
A page “torn” from our history dated September 8, 1979: current Temple HC K. C. keeler started at LB for Delaware in Game 1 to start this unbelievable adventure. We must both be getting old!

A tie to our first game ever!

Most memorable of all, in our very first game recorded in this life-long history, the former Sam Houston State HC started at LB for UD in the first game we attended on September 8, 1979. The Blue Hens defeated Rhode Island, 49-14. Under his legendary HC and Hall of Fame predecessor, Harold “Tubby” Raymond, Delaware went on to win the D-2 National Championship that year. Seeing him coach at least one more time will provide a benchmark going all the way back to the that first game ever attended on this great adventure – at least 713 games later!

Sam Houston State 2025: a season of transition

Phil Longo takes over for Keeler this season. A former OC at SHSU under Keeler between 2014-16, he moved on as the same at several other P5 programs to land at Wisconsin the last two seasons. We attended Oregon vs. Wisconsin last season. We came away very disappointed in UW’s offensive performance. So was Badger HC Luke Fickell.  On Monday morning after this loss, Luke Fickell fired his offensive coordinator, Phil Longo. 

Our assessment reported that day: “For the third time this season, Wisconsin led a ranked team at halftime but lost each game in the second half. Overall, among the three, they got outscored 49-3 in the second half of each. In college ball, you can’t fire a quarterback, so you might as well start searching for a better assistant.” Longo lucked out. He not only found another opportunity to continue running an offense after his exit from Wisconsin. He also landed a promotion as the Bearkat’s HC.

SHSU offense may need new skill sets for pending changes

Sam Houston State returns five starters on offense and three on defense. What’s more, returning QB Hunter Watson possesses better skills as a runner than as a passer. Longo probably desires to take this offense through the air more. He may struggle this first year in transition on offense. The learning curve will be under way in this opener. Transfers may be needed, but that’s no guaranteed solution for any program needing a quick fix. Watson returns as the team’s leading rusher. Two returning WRs combined for only 35 reception’s last year. They retain some offensive line prowess, but skills may need to develop from run-blocking to more pass blocking.

Last season, we watched Wisconsin’s offense under their then OC Phil Longo struggle against Oregon in their 16-13 loss in Madison. He got fired the following Monday. Now he’s Sam Houston’s Head Coach.
Last season, we watched Wisconsin’s offense under their then OC Phil Longo struggle against Oregon in their 16-13 loss in Madison. He got fired the following Monday. Now he’s Sam Houston’s Head Coach.

Bearkats return only three defenders; DL needs to be rebuilt

Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, former nickel back coach at NC State steps in as new DC. The transfer portal and graduation depleted last season’s entire starting defensive unit in its entirety. Aughtry-Lindsay will need to build a new unit from scratch. The transfers coming in lack major experience according to reports from several publications. They better bring tackling skills. The three leading tacklers returning enter 2025 with 16. 14, and 12 tackles respectively. A lot of learning on the job looms for this unit against Western Kentucky for this conference opener for both on Week 0.

Western Kentucky football – a welcome addition to our recent game history

Unlike Sam Houston State, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have become an annual staple on this slate since we relocated to Middle Tennessee four years ago. Our first WKU adventure though dates back to September 2009. They played against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. For the Hilltoppers, the Tennessee Volunteers welcomed them to their inaugural FBS contest that day. Because of this predicted, one-sided match-up, I was able to buy a ticket in the parking lot for $25 from two grandparents escorting their grandson. With the extra ticket, they basically took both me and their 8-year-old grandson, David, to our first Tennessee home game. As UT dominated into the third quarter, David’s grandma quietly leaned over and asked, “Are you sick of hearing ‘Rocky Top’ yet?” To the tune of 63-7. I certainly was! (Read this story in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.)

Western Kentucky dominates its nearby rival

Seeing the Hilltoppers play eight games since, their record with us stands at 4-5. In three of the wins, they defeated Middle Tennesse in the rivalry nicknamed “100 Miles of Hate.” Their loss to Troy in 2022 featured a classic lesson regarding the revenge factor when it comes to the transfer portal. Read all about it by clicking here! Last season, we saw Western Kentucky humbled by Jacksonville State in the CUSA championship game, 52-12.

The nice thing about attending Hilltopper games, their Houchens Industries – LT Smith Stadium lies a little over an hour away from us. This makes it convenient to attend pretty competitive Conference USA games during weekday evenings as well as Saturday afternoons. In our first game there, we saw them fall 33-31 against Indiana, quarterbacked by Michael Penix in 2021. The great view of the playing field in the upper deck on the visitors’ side offers perfect sight lines.

Looking back, Western Kentucky’s 2022 game hosting Troy was a hard-hitting back and forth game played with a lot of animosity between the two. Especially since the Toppers incumbent starting QB transferred to Troy 10 days before the season started.
Looking back, Western Kentucky’s 2022 game hosting Troy was a hard-hitting back and forth game played with a lot of animosity between the two. Especially since the Toppers incumbent starting QB transferred to Troy 10 days before the season started.

Transfer Portal extraordinaire, or HC Tyson Helton’s juggling act

Tyson Helton enters his seventh season as the Hilltopper HC with a record of 48-32. Among those seasons, we watched QB Bailey Zappe set an FBS season passing record in 2021 with 5,967 passing yards before the New England Patriots drafted him. In 2022, QB Austin Reed threw for 4,744 yards and followed with 3,340 the next season. No doubt Helton loves to throw the football. Both QBs transferred to Western Kentucky from FCS Houston Baptist and from D2 West Florida respectively. This season, losing most of his team to the transfer portal (seven to P4 programs) and DB Upton Stout through the draft to San Francisco, Helton has to compensate by going deep himself into the transfer portal. He started by replacing last year’s Frosh QB sensation Tyler Veltkamp (3,108 yards and 25 TDs) who bolted for more NIL money at Florida Atlantic.

Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe led the nation in passing yards and got drafted to challenge New England QB Mack Jones in 2023.

Back to the drawing board

Helton started by enticing FCS Abilene Christian QB Maverick McIvor (3,820 yards, 30 TDs) along with ACU’s OC Rick Bowie to Bowling Green. Together, they combined for 470 yards of offense and 33.79 points per game. They posted a 9-5 record and lost to eventual FCS Champ North Dakota State in the playoffs to end their 2024 season. Two pretty good pick-ups to start by Helton. With only two starters returning on offense and four on defense, his Western Kentucky 2025 roster looks like a smorgasbord of talent from schools at all levels throughout the country.

His top RB played last season for FCS Austin Peay. Wide receivers come from Old Dominion, Wisconsin and FCS Western Illinois. TEs picked up experiences at Florida State and Kansas State. The O-line hales from Kent State, Georgia State and FCS Merrimack. Some have already made multiple transfers, but few have the experience of starting throughout an entire season.

SHSU vs WKU: An early battle of transfer students

With the introduction of so many new players on both rosters, we give a big edge to Western Kentucky. With the stability of Tyler Helton at the helm for WKU, plus his ability to bring in lower-level yet good QB experience into his program on a routinely successful basis, he possesses a distinct advantage. Phil Longo struggled at Wisconsin with questionable QB talent. Here, it seems he has to overcome a huge adjustment converting his run-oriented, offensive leadership with inexperience abound among starters. His own capability to transfix a new offensive strategy in his first game at Sam Houston will be tested. It will be a tough opener, no less a conference opener, for the Bearkats on the road. Western Kentucky has beaten better Sam Houston squads the last two seasons.

Key to Western Kentucky victory

Under Helton, the Hilltoppers are 24-12 at home. Most losses came against more formidable programs than the depleted, inexperienced Bearkats. They look to build some cohesion early in the season under their first-year HC. Western Kentucky should take advantage in front of a supportive home crowd to open their 2025 season. We look forward to finding a good spot to tailgate a few hours before Opening kickoff at 6 pm. In the past, we only found spaces in the multi-level parking lot. My Guest Game Analyst (GGA), Al Tatum, Air Force vet and retired law enforcement officer for the State of Tennessee, and I plan to hang out before. We will discuss some other plans we have later during this season. Hopefully, we’ll be basking in the sun with temperatures starting to drop a little. Firehouse Subs, snacks and beers for this one.

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Having led college football in passing this season, WKU's QB Austin Reed has the Toppers headed in he right direction despite the departure of OC Ben Arbuckle.
Following Bailey Zappe’s departure, Austin Reed followed him at QB to repeat a 9-win season in 2022. HC Ty Helton looks to get as many wins this season with Maverick McIvor transferring in from Abilene Christian.

Collegefootballfan.com 2025 Cheerleader Edition

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Lebanon, TN – Sports Illustrated publishes an annual Swimsuit edition every Spring, so we offer sports fans our 2025 Spring Cheerleader Edition? SI anticipates long awaited summer months to celebrate glorified sunshine to admire women enjoying warm beaches in the latest fashions. With college football pre-season analysis fast approaching, we figure we’d conjure up some pictorials of our favorite college cheerleaders. They’e all clad in their cherished school colors. We’ll be admiring them along sidelines when late summer turns from simmering heat to the cooler climes of fall followed by the pending wintery late season rivalries, playoff games and bowl season. These women don’t go into hibernation after summer ends. We can still enjoy their presence before and during the games at any college football stadium. Bring on college football! It starts for us on August 23, 2025: Sam Houston State visits Western Kentucky!

Let’s get our 2025 Cheerleader edition started!

Last season, New Mexico cheerleaders entertained us in our season opener when their Lobos met the Montana State Bobcats. Once again, we'll see these FCS Bobcats early when they visit the Oregon Ducks for our first game ever at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
Last season, New Mexico cheerleaders entertained us in our season opener when their Lobos hosted the Montana State Bobcats.
Baylor cheerleaders should have much to cheer about in 2025 as their Bears look to challenge in the Big XII.
Baylor cheerleaders should have much to cheer about in 2025 as their Bears look to challenge in the Big XII.
Boomer Sooner! Expectations run high in Norman tostart showing improvement in the SEC after their 6-7 record in 2024.
Boomer Sooner! Expectations run high in Norman to start showing improvement in the SEC after their 6-7 record in 2024. Maybe we’ll see them when they visit Knoxville. Otherwise, we may make a MACtion Run!
We include twirlers in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We hope to get to Neyland in 2025. However, tickets are difficult to attain. You can understand why we'd be disappointed.
We include Twirlers in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We hope to get to Neyland in 2025 as mentioned previously to see the Tennessee Vols in action. However, tickets are difficult to attain. You can understand why we’d be disappointed.
Among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we've seen the Delaware State Hornets perform at home and on the road. This season, we will see Tennessee State and their halftime performance in Nissan Stadium when they play FCS power North Dakota State.
Among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we’ve seen the Delaware State Hornets perform at home and on the road. This season, we will see Tennessee State bring on their halftime performance in Nissan Stadium. The TSU Tigers host FCS power North Dakota State.

Much to cheer about again this season!

We always feel welcome when we return to State College. We'll be wathching teh Nittany Lions host teh oregon Ducks on September 27 in a critical Big Ten showdown for both teams. In addition, we'll be seeing the Ducks in Autzen Stadium for our first time hosting Montana State in early August.
We always feel welcome when we return to State College. We’ll be watching the Nittany Lions host the Oregon Ducks on September 27. A crucial Big Ten showdown comes for both teams. In addition, we’ll be seeing the Ducks in Autzen Stadium for our first time hosting Montana State in early August.
We don't miss going to Rutgers games in dear old NJ, but we do miss Jersey Girls. Our best opportunity this season to see them is if they the Scarlet Knights eek out a 7-5 record and come down to see us in The Music City Bowl as the Big Ten rep against an SEC squad.
We don’t miss going to Rutgers games in dear old NJ, but we do miss our Jersey Girls. Our best opportunity this season to see them is if the Scarlet Knights eek out a 7-5 record and come down to play in The Music City Bowl as the Big Ten rep against an SEC opponent.
Though we haven't seen Syracuse compete recently, we include their girls in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We may fly to Syracuse this year enroute to a D3 game in Vermont to add the Pine Tree State as a state we will notch into our travel history.
Though we haven’t seen Syracuse compete recently, we include the Orange Girls in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We may fly to Syracuse this year enroute to a D3 game in Vermont to add the Pine Tree State as a state we will notch as a first into our travel history.
I vowed not to go to another game in South Bend after the seating fiasco we had there, but with tickets in the Navy section for this year's game, it's the only way for me to return. Maybe we'll get to mete this year's ND Dance team again as well.
I vowed not to go to another game in South Bend after the seating fiasco we had there in 2016. However, with tickets in the Navy section for this year’s game, it’s the only way to return. Maybe we’ll also get to meet this year’s ND Dance team again as well.
South Florida remains one of our top cheerleading squads, so we have to include them in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. If Navy can get to the AAC championship, maybe we can see them play USF for the title on December 6 - in Annapolis or in Tampa. Or wherever!
South Florida remains one of our favorite cheerleading squads ever, so we have to include them in our 2025 Cheerleader Edition. If Navy can get to the AAC championship, maybe we can see them play USF for the title on December 6 – in Annapolis or in Tampa. Or wherever!

More Fond memories to share in our 2025 Cheerleader edition

Pitt Panthers at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl brightened up a cold, cloudy December day in Yankee Stadium.
Pitt Panthers at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl brightened up a cold, cloudy December day at Yankee Stadium.
The Nebraska Cornhusker cheerleaders also brightened up the Music City Bowl in their loss that day to Tennessee.
The Nebraska Cornhusker cheerleaders also brightened up the Music City Bowl in their loss that day to Tennessee. There’s one in every photo – pom-poms down please!
One of many beautiful weekends once again enjoyed in Happy Valley to see the Nittany Lions play!
One of many beautiful weekends once again enjoyed in Happy Valley to see the Nittany Lions play!

2025 Cheerleader Edition Tribute to the late Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys who recently passed. Always appreciated his songs.

"Well East Coast Girls (Temple Cheerleaders) are "hip,," we really dig those styles they wear."
“Well East Coast Girls (Temple Owl Cheerleaders) are ‘hip,’ we really dig the styles they wear.”
"And the Southern Girls (Texas State Strutters) with the way they talk, they knock me out when I'm down there."
“And the Southern Girls (Texas State Strutters) with the way they talk, they knock me out when I’m down there.”
The Midwest Farmers' daughters (Purdue cheerleaders) make you feel so right."
“The Midwest Farmers’ daughters (Purdue cheerleaders) really make you feel alright.”
"And the Northern Girls (Maine Black Bears) with the way the kiss, the keep their boyfriends warm at night."
“And the Northern Girls (Maine Black Bears) with the way the kiss, the keep their boyfriends warm at night.”
"I wish they all could be California (UCLA) Girls. The West Coast has the sunshine and the Girls all get so tan."
“I wish they all could be California (UCLA) Girls. The West Coast has the sunshine, and the Girls all get so tan.”
"But I couldn't wait to get back to the cutest Girls in the World. I wish they all could be California Girls." But from we've seen, we're glad they're All-American Girls!
“But I couldn’t wait to get back to the states , back to the cutest Girls in the World… I wish they all could be California Girls.” But from we’ve seen, we’re thankful they are all American Girls!

More 2025 Cheerleader Action ahead of us this season

Among our 2025 Cheerleader squads to see once again, Wake Forest looms when tehy take on North Carolina under their new HC Bill Belichick.
Among our 2025 Cheerleader squads to see once again, Wake Forest looms when they take on North Carolina under their new HC Bill Belichick.
With the Vanderbilt football program on the rise with QB Diego Paiva 's return, we'll see the Commodores at home against Kentucky in November.
With the Vanderbilt football program on the rise with QB Diego Paiva’s return, we’ll see the Commodores at home against Kentucky in November.
Well, we're back in the fold with three Navy games this year: home vs. Air Force in October; at Notre Dame in November: and thankfully we'll be in Baltimore on December 13 to see the Mids battle Army!
Well, we’re back in the fold with three Navy games this year: home vs. Air Force in October; at Notre Dame in November: and thankfully, we’ll be in Baltimore on December 13 to cheer the Mids battle against Army!
Among other 2025 Cheerleader squads, we look forward to another great tailgate on 'The plain' where the Tiger's of Auburn tangle with the Tigers of Missouri.
Among other 2025 Cheerleader squads, we look forward to another great tailgate on “The Plain” where the Tigers of Auburn tangle with the Tigers of Missouri.
Well, the Houston Cougar 2025 Cheerleader squad isn't on our football slate this season, but we did see their basketball team in San Antonio for our first NCAA Final Four ever in 2025. So, we include them here!
Well, the Houston Cougar 2025 Cheerleader squad isn’t on our football slate this season, but we did see their basketball team in San Antonio at our first NCAA Final Four ever in 2025. So, we include them here! And we did see the game in a football stadium – the Alamo Dome.
And here's a long shot: the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl? It's possible. Like Chauncy here, we'll be gearing up for Christmas on December 19. If we don't find a convenient CFP game that weekend, maybe we'll hit the Beach instead! Sun Belt (CCU included) plays a MAC or CUSA team.
And here’s a long shot: the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl? It’s possible. Like Chauncy here, we’ll be gearing up for Christmas on December 19. If we don’t find a convenient CFP game that weekend, maybe we’ll hit the Beach instead! Sun Belt (CCU included) plays a MAC or a CUSA team.

Edited, photographed and captioned by Steve Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to enjoy this life-long tale of attending over 700 college football fans to date and about his inputs and solutions regarding pending changes to this great American sports tradition.

Collegefootballfan.com announces 2025 College Football Schedule

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Lebanon, TN – In our 46th straight college football season, we release our 30-game plan for our 2025 college football schedule. Our first game kicks off on August 23rd (Week “0”) when Sam Houston State visits Western Kentucky. Sam Houston, Delaware and Missouri State will all be on this year’s slate assuring that we will have seen all 136 current Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play at least once. Though most of these games are set in stone, consider this our “tentative” schedule as times, dates and better opportunities may come about as networks change TV programming for the next few months. By the way, numbers in parenthesis depict preseason rankings determined by 247Sports.

In Week 1, we make our first trip ever to see games played in the state of Oregon. Both state FBS programs play on Saturday, August 30. We await the TV network schedulers to make it convenient for us as the University of Oregon and Oregon State University are only 47 miles apart. Oregon State hosts the Cal Bears at 7:30 pm in Corvalis. The No. 5-ranked Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in Eugene that day as well. The Bobcats fell in the FCS National Championship last season, 35-32, to the North Dakota State Bison. They also opened last season for us with a 35-31 upset win at New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM's University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory to open our 2024 season. They will likely play in front of us again at Oregon and maybe later at home in our 2025 Schedule.
Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM’s University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory to open our 2024 season. They will likely play in front of us again at Oregon and maybe later at home on our 2025 College Football Schedule.

Economics set in early

We take advantage of “local games” for the first few weeks of 2025 to keep costs low to save for later. We also get to see some good, if not interesting, teams. FCS Tennessee State will host aforementioned perennial power North Dakota State at nearby Nissan Stadium. For week 3, we plan a local D-3/FCS doubleheader. At 1 pm that Saturday, we go back to our D-3 roots and hope to have a Guest Game Analyst with us who played at Sewanee University: The University of the South. He played for well-known Head Coach Shirley Majors who coached the Tigers there to a 93-74-5 record from 1957-1977. The late Shirley Majors is the father of former Tennessee and Pitt Panther Head Coach Johnny Majors.

The Sewanee program has been down for number of years, but it is starting to improve under current HC Andy McCollum, formerly HC at Middle Tennessee. A Sewanee claim to fame – Sewanee was a charter member of the SEC from 1933-1939! They never won a conference game. However, as a member of the Southern Conference prior, they recorded wins over LSU and Ole Miss. They will host Brevard of North Carolina in this game. A member of the USA South Atlantic Conference, the Tornadoes come off a 6-3 season. It will be a fun preliminary game before seeing the Stetson University at UT Chattanooga that evening in another FCS contest. Where else can a fan see the Hatters play the Moccasins?

Big Ten and SEC games on our 2025 College Football Schedule

Improved Indiana will host improving Illinois (14) on Sept 20. We never had a desire to attend a game in Bloomington until now. With the IU Hoosiers on the rise under Curt Cignetti, we decided to go and add another new stadium and hopefully see a good game against the Illini under HC Brett Bielema – always interesting. The following week features our two highest ranked teams. No. 5 Oregon visits No. 2 Penn State with our PSU buddy of these many years, John Massimilla. This one will definitely impact the College Football Playoffs (CFP) early.

SEC battles will feature Missouri at Auburn (No. 21). Possibly, we will get to Neyland to see the Tennessee Vols host Arkansas. If not, we have a couple of other non-SEC options that weekend to be considered. In November, Kentucky comes to Nashville to visit Vanderbilt who returns QB Diego Pavia. He keyed the Commodores last season with upsets over Virginia Tech, Alabama and Auburn. On Thanksgiving Saturday this year, we may get out to see Missouri at Arkansas for our first visit to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. It could be a big game by that time, but we look forward to getting out to see the Hogs at home! Still gets us to an SEC battle.

Among games on our 2025 schedule, we hope to see the Arkansas Razorbacks and their cheerleaders host a game in Fayetteville for our first time.
Among games on our 2025 College Football Schedule, we hope to see the Arkansas Razorbacks and their cheerleaders host a game in Fayetteville for our first time.

Weekday adventures on our 2025 schedule

Nice living in Conference USA territory to attend some local and even slightly distant games. We’ll add Missouri State as Team #135 when they call on Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, October 8, in Murfreesboro. The following week on Tuesday, we visit Mobile, Alabama to see Arkansas State play South Alabama in a Sun Belt clash. While in Mobile, we plan to visit the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial. Our late, great friend and San Diego State’s greatest fan of all time, Tom Ables, served aboard her during WWII. Can’t wait! The next evening, we return to C-USA play. We’ll add Delaware as FBS team #136 when they battle with Jacksonville State. Once again, after that, we can say “we’ve seen ’em all!”

MACtion, MACtion: we want weeknight action!

In addition, we plugged in one MACtion game on Tuesday, November 4. Akron hosts UMass. Why? you may ask. Well, it looks like a pretty even matchup. Both programs struggled in recent seasons. However, we look forward to seeing the progress by the head coaches at both schools. Joe Moorhead opens his fourth season at Akron. Despite an 8-28 record, he is starting to see some improvement there. We enjoyed watching him as HC at Fordham, his alma mater, where he coached them to Patriot League championships and in the FCS playoffs. After that, he was offensive coordinator under James Franklin at Penn State. (Breaking news: Akron Zips not academically eligible to qualify for a bowl game in 2025.)

New life for UMass

As for UMass, they come off a 2-10 season, but with a new HC in Joe Harasymiak. The Minutemen have rejoined the Mid-American Conference after playing as an Independent. Since 2019, Harasymiak coached as a top assistant at Minnesota and Rutgers gaining new experience and helping both programs improve. Before those stints, however, we saw him guide the University of Maine to a 10-4 season as Head Coach. We saw his team beat a very well-coached New Hampshire in 2018. We knew he would be back somewhere as head coach. A fellow Jersey boy, it looks like he’s assembled a strong, new staff in his first season with the Minutemen. We look forward to this game to see what both coaches do with these two beleaguered programs. This game looks to be more entertaining than what it appears to be on paper.

We don't think UMass can duplicate what we saw them do back in 2018 when they defeated Liberty to tie our record for the highest scoring game we ever attended. Same score as Louisville and Wake Forest previously, but no OT.
The high point of UMASS FBS football history on November 3, 2018.

Regarding Navy: Full speed ahead – four times

Always a favorite, we’ll see the Midshipmen play the most on our 2025 College Football Schedule. On October 4, we will see them take on Air Force for the first contest for the Commander-in-Chief’s-Trophy. They kept it in their trophy case currently with wins over the Air Force and Army in 2024. That weekend, I hope to catch up with old friends there from the class of ’78. On October 25, we look to continue our Annapolis, “Boys Weekend” tradition for a Big Tailgate at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy hosts Florida Atlantic, a fellow American Athletic member under former Houston and Texas HC Tom Herman.

We plan to get final word, but it looks like we will see the Mids play Notre Dame (7) in South Bend for the first time in our history. Then of course, we worked out tickets already for Army-Navy on December 13 in Baltimore. This will be the 20th time we will see the Midshipmen and Cadets battle on the gridiron. Army went 12-2 last season, but Navy shut them down, 31-13, to finish the regular season. Both won bowl games. USNA defeated Oklahoma. USMA defeated Louisiana Tech. Both have key, experienced players returning. No transfer portals beyond sophomore season for these programs.

On our 2025 schedule, we look for another fight to the finish between Army and Navy - maybe even two!
On our 2025 College Football Schedule, we look for another fight to the finish between Army and Navy – maybe we’ll even get to see them play one another twice! The American Athletic Conference title game could be another possibility.

Army-Navy always matters

It’s the final regular season game of the college football season every year. Despite even losing records by both of these teams in this game, television ratings annually draw one of the top ten biggest audiences. This game continues to be a non-conference game, though both compete in the American Athletic Conference. However, the AAC championship will be decided the week before Army-Navy in the title game played at the home of the highest ranked team. Can that game possibly be played between these two? If they do, this second game could have implications for the Group of Five CFP bid, but if not, it’s still a big game. Either way, the victor takes home pride and the Commander-in Chief’s Trophy. Go Navy!

Unusual: we already have a post-season plan for our 2025 college football schedule

What a December and January we’re going to have! Always loved attending playoff games among the three lower divisions. Now on the first weekend of December, on Friday night, the Conference USA championship is slotted in at Jacksonville State. We’re there! The next day, depending on proximity to Jacksonville, we will try to get to the AAC or Sun Belt championship game at a site to be determined (conference champ). Army vs. Navy in Baltimore follows the next Saturday, December 13.

CFP dates

December 19, Friday, and then December 20 starts the First Round. We dread a Friday night game on a cold night in the north. The following Saturday, we get to stay home for Christmas, and the Music City Bowl is hopefully in Nashville on December 27. If not, no loss. This Big Ten vs. SEC matchup could sometimes be called the “Leftovers Bowl” in our opinion. However, with the new domed stadium being built in The Music City, we may have opportunities to see a lot of CFP action there in the future. On New Year’s Day, we’ll be at The Capital One Orange Bowl for the quarterfinal in Miami Lakes, Florida.

On January 5, the championship game! No, not for the CFP. The FCS title game will be in Nashville at First Horizon Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University. Four days later, the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl semi-final game lures us to Atlanta. If things really work out for us (based on the price of a ticket), we’ll be at the CFP championship back in Miami Lakes. Oh, what a season. Let’s Go! For our complete schedule as it stands now, Click here!

Great Read suggested before the upcoming season!

Article edited and pictures published by Stephen Koreivo – member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to purchase a copy today and to submit a review. Looking forward to the upcoming 2025 college football season? Check out our past 45 seasons of great college football adventures. Enjoy the stories and essays regarding the current changes taking place that are changing our great game! Please submit a review on our Amazon Author Page. We’d really appreciate your reviews. Thanks!

Don't sneak away until the season begins! Maybe it's time we to share some moments of cheer in the past before we start our preseason game reviews.
Don’t sneak away until the 2025 season begins! Maybe it’s time we promise to share some moments of great cheerleader memories before we start our preseason game reviews. Our version of a “Swimsuit Edition!“

Summary of Our 2025 NFL draft picks in action

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Lebanon, TN – Amazingly in the end, we cannot believe how many of the 257 college players selected in the 2025 NFL draft this past weekend. We attended 101 NCAA games since 2020. Granted, we may have missed some due to injury or other circumstances when we watched their teams compete. On the other hand, the extended eligibility due to Covid-19 in 2020 and the flexibility of players transferring (too often, in our opinion) also allowed us to see as many as we did. In our final analysis, we estimate that we saw 123 players selected in this year’s draft play during their collegiate careers.

It definitely helped that we attended games played by talent-rich programs like Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Michigan, and others play. However, we savor our strategy of seeing other teams play. Sometime we’re not sure who, if any, we see get selected to perform at the next level. Among such programs, we captured players from Montana State, Toledo, Central Michigan, Navy and Western Kentucky earn invitations to join the professional football ranks. We look forward to seeing how big they can make it at the next level.

Part of the fun of Collegefootballfan.com – sharing our experiences

Despite camera issues at certain games and not happy with the quality of cellphone pics, or not keying on certain players we should have recorded in our photo albums, we captured quite a few of the latest NFL entries on snapshots. We share them with you below. Note that we present pictures of players here not displayed in previous articles depicting our projections before the draft. Please go back to previous articles. We provide predictions regarding where these players ended up in the 2025 NFL draft. We can say that one, OT Clayton Webb of Jacksonville State, did not meet our late round expectations. Already, we know he found his opportunity as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. Round by round, we show in order where players we’ve seen in action entered the 2025 NFL draft.

Second round selection – hard to keep track without game programs any more

In the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Bengals selected South Carolina LB Demerius Knight as the 49th pick. We saw him in the Gamecock win against Vanderbilt in 2024. However, we realized we also saw him play in a Charlotte loss against Navy in 2023. Here he is (28) as a 49er.
In the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Bengals selected South Carolina LB Demerius Knight as the 49th pick. We saw him in the Gamecock win against Vanderbilt in 2024. However, we realized we also saw him play in a Charlotte loss against Navy in 2023. Here he is (28) as a 49er.

Third Round selections

WR Isaac TeSlaa of Arkansas races for a score against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl early in their 55-53 OT victory. The 6'4" D-3 transfer turned heads his junior season as the second leading pass catthcer. His seniior season performance against Texas A&M with 120 yards impressed teh Detroit Lions who selected him No. 70 overall.
WR Isaac TeSlaa of Arkansas races for a score against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl early in their 55-53 OT victory. The 6’4″ D-3 transfer turned heads his junior season as the second leading pass catcher. His senior season performance against Texas A&M with 120 yards impressed the Detroit Lions who selected him No. 70 overall.
DT Vernon Broughton of Texas (45) looking to make a stop here against Arizona State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl CFP game in Atlanta. He went 71st to the New Orlean Saints.
DT Vernon Broughton of Texas (45) looking to make a stop here against Arizona State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl CFP game in Atlanta. He went 71st to the New Orlean Saints.
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts (0) shown here in Capital One Orange Bowl CFP action in their win over Penn State this past season. The Atlanta Falcons selected him at No. 96 overall.
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts (0) shown here in Capital One Orange Bowl CFP action in their win over Penn State this past season. The Atlanta Falcons selected him at No. 96 overall.
Seen here in 2022 against Troy, Western Kentucky DB Upton Stout (21) makes the stop. He went to the 49ers as he 100th selection in the 2025 NFL draft.
Seen here in 2022 against Troy, Western Kentucky DB Upton Stout (21) makes the stop. He went to the 49ers as the 100th selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

Among some third-round selections pictured previously in draft previews: Darius Porter, Toledo DE to Giants; Harole Fannin, Jr. Bowling Green TE to Browns; Jaylon Noel, Iowa St WR to Texans: Dylan Fairchild, Georgia OL to Bengals; Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (UCF) QB to Browns. Other third round selections seen in action are not pictured. Among them: Darren Porter, Iowa State CB to Raiders; Shavon Revel, East Carolina CB to Cowboys; and Josiah Stewart, Michigan (Charlotte) DE to Rams.

Fourth Round of NFL 2025 draft

Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten runs for yardage against Boston College in their win this season. He ran for 266 yards and four TDs that evening. He'll be4 playing for the Jaguars who selected him at 104.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten runs for yardage against Boston College in their win this season. He ran for 266 yards and four TDs that evening. He’ll be playing for the Jaguars who selected him at 104.
Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo runs in for the two-point conversion to knot the score in regulation, 24-24, in the Peach Bowl vs. Texas. The New York Giants selected him at No. 105.
Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo runs in for the two-point conversion to knot the score in regulation, 24-24, in the Peach Bowl vs. Texas. The New York Giants selected him at No. 105.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Georgia RB Trevor Etienne at No. 107. After transferring from Florida, he rushed for 609 yards and nine TDs his senior year in Athens - shown here against Auburn in UGA's 31-13 win.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Georgia RB Trevor Etienne at No. 107. After transferring from Florida, he rushed for 609 yards and nine TDs his senior year in Athens – shown here against Auburn in UGA’s 31-13 win.

SEC players among the bottom of the third round

We saw RB Jarquez Hunter (27) in action here against Penn State in 2022. In the following two years, we saw him in action again against Vanderbilt and UGA respectively. The LA Rams selected him as No. 117.
We saw Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter (27) in action here against Penn State in 2022. The following two years, we saw him in action again against Vanderbilt and UGA respectively. The LA Rams selected him as No. 117.
South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway throws his 284 lb frame around in 2022 against Kentucky. The Las Vegas Raiders will look for him to do the same for them taking him 135th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway throws his 284 lb frame around in 2022 against Kentucky. The Las Vegas Raiders will look for him to do the same for them taking him 135th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

Among fourth-round selections pictured in previous draft previews are Gunnar Helm, Texas TE selected by the Titans. Jaylin Lane, Iowa State WR went to the Commanders. Other players seen selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft include Jack Kiser, Notre Dame LB to the Jaguars; Cody Simon, Ohio State LB to the Cardinals; Jack Sawyer, Ohio State DE to the Steelers; and Kyle Kennard, South Carolina DT to the Commanders.

Fifth and Sixth Rounders of the 2025 NFL draft

Maryland S Dante Trader (12) seen here in the Terps 2023 Music City Bowl win over Auburn. He landed with the Dolphins with their pick at no. 155.
Maryland S Dante Trader (12) seen here in the Terps 2023 Music City Bowl win over Auburn. He landed with the Dolphins with their pick at No. 155.
Colorado State WR snags a catch against Middle tennesse in 2023. In 2024, he earned all MWC first team honors wiht 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight scores. The Seattle Seahawks selected him at No. 166.
Colorado State WR Tory Horton (14) snags a catch against Middle Tennessee in 2023. In 2024, he earned All-MWC first team honors with 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight scores. The Seattle Seahawks selected him at No. 166.
Auburn DE Jalen McLeod (35) pursues Maryland QB in 2023 Music City Bowl, He's headed to play for the Jaguars selected as draftee No. 194.
Auburn DE Jalen McLeod (35) pursues Maryland QB in 2023 Music City Bowl. He’s headed to play for the Jaguars selected as draftee No. 194.

Players from Navy and Montana State get their shots

Navy S Rayaun Lane (18) taken No. 189 by the Jaguars. He was taken as the first Midshipman ever selected as a DB by and NFL team. Shown here in action against Charlotte in 2023.
Navy S Rayaun Lane (18) taken No. 200 by the Jaguars. He was taken as the first Midshipman ever selected as a DB by an NFL team. Shown here in action against Charlotte in 2023.
Penn State LB Kobe King (41) playing against Notre Dame in 2024 Peach Bowl in CFP Semi-final. The Minnesota Viking picked him as the 201st player in the 2025 NFL draft.
Penn State LB Kobe King (41) playing against Notre Dame in 2024 Peach Bowl in CFP Semi-final. The Minnesota Vikings picked him as the 201st player in the 2025 NFL draft.
Could be a surprise low-round developmental QB. Tommy Melltot led the Montana State Bobcats to the FCS championship game in 2024. Seen here in opening season comeback upset over FBS New Mexico. Good dual threat, but small frame and arm strength are questionable until late rounds if a team wants to consider him in special packages. NewMexico
QB Tommy Mellott led the Montana State Bobcats to the FCS championship game in 2024. Four-year starter, he’s seen here in opening season comeback upset over FBS New Mexico. The LV Raiders put him on their roster with the 213th pick.

In the fifth round, players pictured on previous draft pages display Marcus Mbow, Purdue OL to Giants; Keandre Lambert-Smith Auburn (PSU) WR to the Chargers; and Drew Kendall, Boston College OT to the Eagles. Other fifth rounders seen on our schedules include Jeff Bassa, Oregon LB headed to the Chiefs; Elijah Roberts, SMU DT moving to the Buccaneers; and Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame TE on to play for the Panthers.

The only player pictured previously in the sixth round is Riley Leonard, Notre Dame QB drafted by the Colts. Among others we saw play collegiately, we list S Jaylen Reed of Penn State going to the Texans; DL Warren Brinson of Georgia going to the Packers; DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland of Virginia Tech drafted by the Eagles; and OT Cameron Willimas of Texas also joining him with the Eagles.

Last Round selections of the 2025 NFL draft in action

No. 4 CB Donte Kent of Central Michigan closees in on an Ohio U. ball carrker in the 2024 contet we attended in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The Steelers saw him enough to take him at No. 229.
No. 4 ,CB Donte Kent of Central Michigan, closes in on an Ohio U. ball carrier in the 2024 contest we attended in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The Steelers saw him enough to take him at No. 229. He played in 53 games for the Chippewas over five seasons.
WR Kaden Prather (1) of Maryland on the end of a 57-yard pass to set up the third Maryland TD of the first quarter against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl. The Buffalo Bills took him on as No. 240.
WR Kaden Prather (1) of Maryland on the end of a 57-yard pass to set up the third Maryland TD of the first quarter against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl. The Buffalo Bills took him on as No. 240.

Also in the final round, only one of our pictured players in our previous draft reports fell into the last round. Our caption on him read, ” Projected to be drafted in Round 2. We don’t consider him a long-term investment in the pros.” So, maybe our views were more in line among more real scouting reports than the media’s opinions than we thought. Texas QB Quin Ewers became the 231st player selected in the 2025 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Among other players we witnessed on the playing fields: OT Jack Nelson of Wisconsin went to the Falcons at 218 and SMU RB Brashard Smith went to the Chiefs at No. 228. Teams saw more value in other positions than to take a chance a developing Ewers for the future.

Transferring doesn’t guarantee long-term success

Remember all the hype about him transferring to Texas from Ohio State? This demonstrates the level of talent between college and pro football. Other last rounders we witnessed taken after Ewers include Iowa OL Mason Richman to the Seahawks; Utah Ute TE Caleb Lohner to the Broncos; Long Snapper Julian Ashby of Vanderbilt to the Patriots; and Luke Lachey, Iowa TE injured in 2023 and son of All-Pro Jim Lachey selected third spot up from Mr. Irrelevant. Good luck to all the players on making it on their respective new rosters or wherever they end up. It’s got to be quite an honor to get selected at this level.

Great book to read before the upcoming season!

Edited and pictures published by Stephen Koreivo – member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to review the book and to purchase a copy today. Enjoy the stories and read his essays regarding the current changes taking place and changing this great game! Please submit a review on our Amazon Author Page as well. Thanks.!

Top defensive secondary picks for draft seen in action

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Lebanon, TN – We didn’t venture out to see Colorado in 2024. So, we missed out on seeing top defensive secondary pick Travis Hunter preform the past few years. However, we saw some of the next nine best secondary prospects and more play on our schedule. Problems came from poor photos from a broken camera; a trial with a cell phone camera; and misses of some quality prospects during games do not allow us to show photos of the following defensive secondary prospects we watched in action.

We missed out on CB Will Johnson of Michigan against Penn State in 2023; S Xavier Watts of Notre Dame against Navy nor PSU this season; surprising CB Shavon Revel of ECU against SMU in our 2023 game; nor Darien Porter of Iowa State in the 2023 Liberty Bowl. Next season, we dump the cellphone camera for a better-quality point and shoot we used in the past.

Coming Up next

We will review some of our top picks. Also, we will some surprise selections. We may fine we possibly captured some in our photo files after this weekend’s draft. After that, we will be announcing our Tentative 2025 College Football Schedule. We will have some options to be flexible. Game times, media schedules and opportunities for us will continue until opening kick-off on August 23rd. We will definitely see Sam Houston State, added as our 134th FBS team in our history, open our 2025 season. Our 713th game to be attended to begin our 46th season kicks off at Houchen Industries -LT Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There, the Bearkats take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Should be a fun Conference-USA opener!

Still captured some of the best defensive secondary picks you’ll see play on Sundays

Texas CB Jahdar Barron (7) kept close cover against Arizona Stat in this past Peach Bowl. Five INTs in 2024 earned him the Jim Thorpe Award as the best CB in the nation.
Texas CB Jahdae Barron (7) kept close cover against Arizona State in this past Peach Bowl. Five INTs in 2024 earned him the Jim Thorpe Award as the best CB in the nation.
Shown here for the South Carolina starting SC defensive secondary in 2022 as a Freshman, Nick Emmanwori (21) started all three seasons for the Gamecocks. With four pick, two returned for TDS in 2024, he earned first-team All-SEC honors.
Shown here for South Carolina starting SC defensive secondary in 2022 as a Freshman, Nick Emmanwori (21) started all three seasons for the Gamecocks. With four picks, two returned for TDS in 2024, he earned first-team All-SEC honors.
Georgia Safety Malaki Starks (24) displays his prowess to penetrate deep into the offense against Auburn. In 2024, he finished the season with 77 tackles including four Tackles for losses from his Safety position.
Georgia Safety Malaki Starks (24) displays his prowess to penetrate deep into the offense against Auburn. In 2024, he finished the season with 77 tackles including four Tackles for Losses from his Safety position.
Despite Florida State's struggles in 2024, CB Azareye'h Thomas continued to improve garnering All-Honorable Mention ACC Honors with his 52 tackles and earning team honors as a captain in three games. Considered a thiord round pick with some developmental work ahead at the pro level.
Despite Florida State’s struggles in 2024, CB Azareye’h Thomas (8) continued to improve garnering All-Honorable Mention ACC Honors with his 52 tackles and earning team honors as a captain in three games. He’s considered a third-round pick with some developmental work ahead at the pro level in the defensive secondary.

Edited with photographs taken by Steve Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to peruse his author page and to purchase the book on Amazon.

Top defensive linemen and EDGE rushers in 2025 draft in action

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Lebanon, TN – Of all positions, defensive linemen and EDGE rushers we photographed these past few years bring some of the best value into this year’s NFL draft. We will see some of the best talent witnessed get selected in the early rounds. Among others seen but not captured by us adequately in our file, we include Derrick Harmon of Oregon, Jack Sawyer of Ohio State, and DT JT Sanders of South Carolina. Before this week’s draft, we’ll present our presentation of top linebackers and secondary players over the course of our recent game history.

As the 2025 season looms to begin on August 23, after our draft summary, we will release our tentative schedule for the upcoming season. Top teams, new venues to attend and great rivalries highlight our plans for 2025. We look forward to presenting our new slate and some pre-season reporting of the teams and games we plan to see in action next fall. In addition, we already have a pretty solid schedule of post-season play in this year’s portfolio. Only four months to go!

Look for these great defenders to go early

Penn State's Abdul Carter (11) goes high for a block against Ohio State in 2022. Look for him to go very high in this year's draft. Top defensives player to be taken for sure.
Penn State’s Abdul Carter (11) goes high for a block against Ohio State in 2022. Since then, his move from LB to EDGE earned him All-American honors. Look for him to go very high in this year’s draft. Top defensives player to be taken for sure.
Michigan DT Mason Graham (55) in pursuit of an option pass against Penn State in his team's 2023 undefeated national championship season. He garnered All-American status all three seasons with the Wolverines.
Michigan DT Mason Graham (55) in pursuit of an option pass against Penn State in his team’s 2023 undefeated national championship season. He garnered All-American status all three seasons with the Wolverines.
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant (78) seen here stopping PSU RB Nick Singleton short of the goal line. His combination of power and speed at 6'4" 331 lbs. has many defensive coaches looking to add him in the early rounds of the 2025 draft. Second team All-Big Ten second team and a national champion in 2023.
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant (78) seen here stopping PSU RB Nick Singleton short of the goal line. His combination of power and speed at 6’4″ 331 lbs. has many defensive coaches looking to add him in the early rounds of the 2025 draft. Second team All-Big Ten and a national champion in 2023.

Some middle round defensive linemen ready to make their moves

Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaka (6) brings pressure against Florida State in their 2024 win in Tallahassee. He won the Ted Hendricks Award as the top DE in college football at the end of this season. He tallied 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for losses.
Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaka (6) brings pressure against Florida State in their 2024 win in Tallahassee. He won the Ted Hendricks Award as the top DE in college football at the end of this season. He tallied 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for losses.
Ohio State DE JT Tuimalolo (44) had a big game agaisnt Penn State in 2022 with a big sacck and an interception in their key win for the Big Ten title in this game.
Ohio State DE JT Tuimalolo (44) had a big game against Penn State in 2022 with a big sack and an interception in their key win for the Big Ten title.
Toledo DT Darius Alexander (9) earned second Team All-MAC honors in 2024. Shown here in 2023 against Bowling Green, he tallied 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks. Projected to go in Round 3.
Toledo DT Darius Alexander (9) earned second Team All-MAC honors in 2024. Shown here in 2023 against Bowling Green, he tallied 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks. Projected to go in Round 3.

Edited and photographed by Steve Koreivo – member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to review and buy it on his Amazon Author page.