Seen 'em all – 136 FBS teams of 138 in action! Up to 747 games since 1979. Week 5 – Game 748: Maryland (2-2, 0-1) at Nebraska (4-0, 1-0) for our first game there. Capture our unique, fun, life-long adventure in my book on Amazon.com: "Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly." Click on our 2026 Schedule below. Follow us to exciting games, fun travels, frank insights, and stars of tomorrow in games we'll attend this season!
Both head Coaches sat on hot seats before season started. One is cooled off; the other is hotter. Matt Rhule of Nebraska is 4-0. Despite three wins over teams the Huskers were supposed to defeat, his latest 31-13 win over Michigan State has cooled things off for the time being.
After a 56-3 smackdown from UCLA last week, the seat under Maryland HC Mike Locksley seems ablaze. With wins over FCS Hampton (62-0) and G6 UConn (38-14), the Terps loss to VA Tech and now at home to UCLA, the Terrapin faithful began fanning the flames once again. His 37-49 record before this season wore thin on Terrapin fans; 16-43 against the Big Ten. Surprised he lasted so long in College Park.
Two programs heading in different directions
Nebraska looks to have things under control going into this before hosting Indiana and then visiting Oregon on consecutive weeks. Led by QB Anthony Colandrea with 904 yards, ten TDs, and one INT. RB Jamal Rule has rushed for 333 yards and five TDs. They run a balanced offense averaging 482 yards per game. Nebraska has probably faced tougher defenses already than Maryland’s. The Terps allow 25.8 ppg. Take away the Hampton (1-4) win and against inferior, non-FCS competition, that’s 31.3 ppg allowed. At least Nebraska’s FCS win came over North Dakota (4-1).
And UCLA exposed touted sophomore QB Malik Washington last weekend. He totaled only 142 yards passing, completing 18 of 38 for no TDs, and four INTs – a far cry from devastating Hampton. Take away the 62 points against Hampton and their offensive output averages 22. 3 against FBS programs. The Huskers have allowed an average of 13.7 points thus far against the same.
Low expectations for excitement in this one
We look forward to finally getting to Lincoln after all these years. Unusual for us, we will spend Friday checking out pregame festivities downtown. But to be honest, Saturday does not look to offer a very competitive game that we usually seek. Hopefully, we’ll at least see a Nebraska team on the rise. We’ve always admired Matt Rhule’s head-coaching capabilities. We watched him turn Temple into a respectable program over the years he coached there. He coached his players to be better. He didn’t get the blue chippers, but he won with players recruited from lower levels of high school talent that he and his staff brought the best out of.
In 2015, we witnessed him defeat Penn State and lose a close one to Notre Dame, 24-20. Attended wins against UConn and USF in 2016. Later that season, Temple defeated Navy in the AAC championship but saw him fall after to Wake Forest in the Military Bowl. Has a good turnaround going on there for the Owls
Impressed by his eventual turnaround of struggling Baylor in three years before moving up to NU. Maybe he will turn few surprises with the Huskers in tougher Big Ten games going forward. Now in his fourth season in Lincoln, his team seems due to move up another notch within the conference. Not an easy slate ahead, but we look forward to seeing his team play this week to give us a better indication of its future as he continues to improve this program looking to regain its past prominence.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 746 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Ten years ago, we traveled to the Music City Bowl in Nashville to see Nebraska the last time we saw them in action. Tennessee defeated the Huskers, 38-24. For the first time, we travel to Lincoln from Nashville to see the Huskers host a game at Memorial Stadium on October 3rd when they play Maryland.
New Orleans, LA – Exploding to an exciting finish, RB Maurice Turner burst 74 yards with 5:26 left to play to defeat Southern Miss, 24-21, last Saturday. In a game played by two teams with 1-2 records depleted in talent through the transfer portal, we couldn’t have selected a more competitive game. Turner totaled 200 yards on the day. Southern Miss, more impacted by the portal with most of last year’s defense following Charlier Huff to Memphis, actually led after three quarters.
We give Eagle HC Blake Anderson credit in making this team play hard to win despite the exodus of many key players and its former staff. On the other hand, our impression of being at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium for the first time gave us more respect for head coaches who recently came through Tulane. They left behind opportunities to allow this program to continue to thrive after much success in recent years.
Good first half action
A sack of QB Landry Lyddy by DE Ed Smith forced a punt to start Tulane from their 30. Green Wave QB Kadin Semonza hit WR Anthony Brown-Stephens on the run for a 47-yard TD. In the second period, Lyddy displayed his accuracy on a 61-yard drive culminating with a 32-yard catch by WR Davis Dalton to tie it, 7-7. Dalton displayed good hands and effort on several catches. He led the Eagles with 75 yards on four snags this evening.
On its next possession, Tulane went to its ground game starting from its 25. At the Southern Miss 47, Maurice Turner shed a tackle at the line of scrimmage before heading all the way to the end zone. It put the Green Wave back on top. In response, Southern Miss mixed passes and runs well to get down to the Tulane 14. From there, Lyddy connected with WR Mario Sanderson (5 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TDs) on a down-an-out in the end zone to even the score at 14-all. Neither team could move to score again in the first half. Southern Miss could attribute some to that to their punter, Dusty Zimmer.
Tulane RB Maurice Turner breaks through Southern Miss line on his way for 47-yard TD in second period.
Appropriate award in the future?
He averaged 41.9 yards per boot overall, but four of these in the first half sailed for at least 50 yards. He also placed punts effectively inside the 20 on other attempts. And think of this, the trophy awarded annually award to the best college punter each year is the Ray Guy Award. It honors the skills of former Southern Miss punter Ray Guy who went on to continue a great pro career. The Oakland Raiders drafted Guy in 1972. Maybe Zimmer, only a freshman, can follow in his fellow Eagle punter’s footsteps.
Southern Miss challenges Tulane
To start the third, the Eagle defense allowed only three yards before forcing a Green Wave punt. Lyddy (18 for 29 yards, 243 yards, 3TDs) went right to the airwaves. A 41-yard toss to AJ little and a 16-yard completion to Dalton brought Southern Miss to the Tulane 22. Lyddy fired a pass to Sanderson who turned completely around in the end zone to make the grab falling down. The Eagles took their first lead, 21-14. On its next series, Tulane drove to the 32 where Kadin Semonza got stopped on fourth down. Southern Miss eventually punted back.
The Green Wave rolled all the way down to the nine of the Eagles for a first down. Semonza (12 for 24, 129 yards, 1 TD/ 1 INT) attempted a pass to the far-left corner of the end zone. However, SS Landon Sylvie picked it for the Eagles. They could get nothing going and punted away. Tulane got rolling again, making it down to the USM eight. On fourth and seven, HC Will Hall elected to go for three. Cooper Helmke converted successfully from 24 to trail Southern Miss now, 21-17, with 8:35 remaining to play.
Tulane QB Kadin Semonza follows blocks by Jaylin Lucas and Maurice Turner in early action.
Tulane Green Wave looking to roll
The Eagles went back on the move. At the Green Wave 26, Creight Wilbanks came in to extend the USM lead, but his kick from 43 was no good. The Wave took over. On its second play, Turner took the hand-off, slithered through the line, and broke a tackle. Near midfield, two defenders collided on him at the same time falling off and allowing him to continue on a 74-yard touchdown jaunt for a 24-21 lead.
Not giving up, Southern Miss drove 72 yards to the Tulane three for its only third down of the drive. Lyddy’s next pass to Walton came up short. Wilbanks came in for the chippy of 20 yards. Freshman DE Josh Lewis came up big though for Tulane. He blocked it! It sent the Eagles 110 miles back to Hattiesburg from the Battle for the Bell, 24-21. The intense game played by two teams coming in with 1-2 records ended in exciting fashion for the home team. Great fight here to the finish, generally what we always look for in the matchups we select!
USM coverage tightened up on WR Anthony Brown-Stephens after his first quarter 47-yard TD. He finished with 85 yards on five receptions.
What comes next for Tulane, Southern Miss and collegefootballfan.com in Week Five
Tulane recovers with a bye next week and preps for trip to play Army (2-1, 1-1) at West Point, NY on October 10 for an American Athletic clash. Southern Miss (1-3) starts televised, Sun Belt weeknight play on Tuesday, October 6 at Troy State (2-2, 1-0). This Saturday, we at Collegefootballfan.com take our first trip ever to see Nebraska play home at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers (4-0, 1-0) host Maryland (2-2, 0-1) in a Big Ten contest. Read our preview below.
Disappointing Observation at this Point of the Season
As pointed out in this review, we noted inferior tackling of Maurice Turner on his long TD run. Other misses too place throughout as well. In our Friday night report, we noted a lack of blocking by both offensive lines in passing situations resulting in numerous sacks. On Saturday afternoon, No. 1 Texas played No. 9 Tennessee on television watched at Spectator’s Bar in Slidell, LA close to where we stayed. Got to say, for two highly ranked college football teams in a big game, blocking and tackling on both sides of the football were inept throughout the game, to say the least. A friend and die-hard Vol fan who attended the game confirmed the same observation in person.
Both fundamentals of football seem to be lost arts. The scoring and the excitement, seem at times, to be the results of the poor quality in both blocking and tackling. Back in my high school and college playing days 50 years ago, our football coaches emphasized these were the two basics of football. Maybe overemphasized in retrospect, but their point today becomes clearer than ever. This is where the games begin and more and more, one sees that this is why and how games are won or lost.
Times have changed, no doubt
Today, players at all levels of football, high school to pro, are no doubt bigger, stronger and faster than in years past. However, their skills in the basics are waning. Maybe because their improved physical attributes create more injuries than in the past. We understand tackling is no longer practiced as we did “in the olden days.” Maybe it’s to the point now where it isn’t part of practice at all during the regular season. Too much risk for injuries. And if tackling is not practiced, how is blocking taught? Not sure if a safer way to practice both has been developed, but the decline of these skills certainly makes for games not played as well as they used to be – at all levels.
Fearing for the future of football
On the other hand, when it comes to college play-for-pay now, are players less focused on developing these skills? Is the risk of learning them and improving on them cause for concerns over injuries cutting short their newly offered incomes right after high school? Playing careers are completed in high school, and now they have monetary opportunities to play in college. Teenagers no longer have to wait four years for a “professional contract.” They get paid to play, why risk getting hurt?
I believe both factors addressed here cause the declines of these basic skills observed. These waning skills impact the biggest negative change I see in the college games that I attend today compared to what I watched and played in over the last 50 years. I’m afraid it will destroy our great game. I foresee futuristic games being played by individual computer operators sitting with controls operating a digital player rather than by human beings competing on a football field. Professional football will be scouting IT departments instead of football teams for talent. Why not? Artificial Intelligence looms. Robotics are improving. TV controls this sport more than ever. Combine all of these, what will people do? What’s next? Think this is crazy? Laugh about it now or at me! This world is changing so fast, I believe it’ll be hard to recognize it quicker than we can imagine.
First Tulane visit
Passed right by the Super Dome on the way to Yulman only a short ride away. Immensely bigger! Can’t believe the Green Wave played there for so long. A paid crowd of 22,984 justifies why the Wave now plays on campus (capacity of 30,000). At least the change in density surely gives Yulman a sense of more intensity for Group of Six games than the nearby dome holding up to 76,000 if necessary.
Finding too many shortcomings and deceiving ads for prepaid parking for many venues online lately, I avoided prepaid parking for this game. Worked out well. Made a U-turn approaching heaver traffic near Yulman, and I found a school parking lot with shuttle buses not too far away for $25. Worth the money to avoid vehicular congestion aggravation on neighborhood streets, but it gave me a sense how programs like Tulane’s are necessary to develop players and coaches. The smaller stadiums, the lower budgets than the Power Fives, the smaller facilitates provide an appreciation of what coaches especially go through to achieve success and make it to the next level.
Great example at Tulane
In the case of Jon Sumrall moving up to Florida this season from Tulane and previously at Troy who we saw him coach successfully three and four years ago. Winning at both the programs to a record of 43-12 over four years proved his worth to move on to Florida. In an earlier article, among first-year coaches this season, we deemed him as the best coaching selection among the many made this year. He’s already proven that at Florida with a record of 4-0 with wins already over Auburn and No. 6 Mississippi.
What makes Sumrall even more reputable though is that he didn’t leave the Tulane program in a shambles. First, he took only two players from Tulane through the portal, his punter and his kicker. Not to say other former TU players didn’t go elsewhere, notably QB Darian Mensah to Miami. In addition, he made a substantial donation to Tulane upon exiting to the Power Four program he took over to support the school’s NIL Funding. I understand the previous HC Willie Fritz who preceded Sumrall before leaving for Houston may have done something similar. Nice to see coaches donating to a school that gave them chanced to prove themselves to move up to the next level.
Semonza lets one fly with adequate protection on this play. He seemed familiar. We watched him play for Ball State starting as a freshman in 2024 in a 27-21 loss versus Miami O. Our first visit to a game in Muncie, Indiana.
Preview: Maryland at Nebraska
Both head Coaches sat on hot seats before season started. One is cooled off; the other is hotter. Matt Rhule of Nebraska is 4-0. Despite three wins over teams the Huskers were supposed to defeat, his latest 31-13 win over Michigan State has cooled things off for the time being.
After a 56-3 smackdown from UCLA last week, the seat under Maryland HC Mike Locksley seems ablaze. With wins over FCS Hampton (62-0) and G6 UConn (38-14), the Terps loss to VA Tech and now at home to UCLA, the Terrapin faithful began fanning the flames once again. His 37-49 record before this season wore thin on Terrapin fans; 16-43 against the Big Ten. Surprised he lasted so long in College Park.
Two programs heading in different directions
Nebraska looks to have things under control going into this before hosting Indiana and then visiting Oregon on consecutive weeks. Led by QB Anthony Colandrea with 904 yards, ten TDs, and one INT. RB Jamal Rule has rushed for 333 yards and five TDs. They run a balanced offense averaging 482 yards per game. Nebraska has probably faced tougher defenses already than Maryland’s. The Terps allow 25.8 ppg. Take away the Hampton (1-4) win and against inferior, non-FCS competition, that’s 31.3 ppg allowed. At least Nebraska’s FCS win came over North Dakota (4-1).
And UCLA exposed touted sophomore QB Malik Washington last weekend. He totaled only 142 yards passing, completing 18 of 38 for no TDs, and four INTs – a far cry from devastating Hampton. Take away the 62 points against Hampton and their offensive output averages 22. 3 against FBS programs. The Huskers have allowed an average of 13.7 points thus far against the same.
Low expectations for excitement in this one
We look forward to finally getting to Lincoln after all these years. Unusual for us, we will spend Friday checking out pregame festivities downtown. But to be honest, Saturday does not look to offer a very competitive game that we usually seek. Hopefully, we’ll at least see a Nebraska team on the rise. We’ve always admired Matt Rhule’s head-coaching capabilities. We watched him turn Temple into a respectable program over the years he coached there. He coached his players to be better. He didn’t get the blue chippers, but he won with players recruited from lower levels of high school talent that he and his staff brought the best out of.
In 2015, we witnessed him defeat Penn State and lose a close one to Notre Dame, 24-20. Attended wins against UConn and USF in 2016. Later that season, Temple defeated Navy in the AAC championship but saw him fall after to Wake Forest in the Military Bowl. Has a good turnaround going on there for the Owls
Impressed by his eventual turnaround of struggling Baylor in three years before moving up to NU. Maybe he will turn few surprises with the Huskers in tougher Big Ten games going forward. Now in his fourth season in Lincoln, his team seems due to move up another notch within the conference. Not an easy slate ahead, but we look forward to seeing his team play this week to give us a better indication of its future as he continues to improve this program looking to regain its past prominence.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 746 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Yulman Stadium before 22,00+ fans found seats at the Battle for the Bell. Had no time for great, New Orleans cuisine on this trip. Have to find a game with more time to spend there in the future!
Birmingham, AL – The UAB Blazers (2-2, 1-0) pressured Navy’s passing offense throughout the game, and Bam McReynolds scored on runs of ten and 48 yards including the game-winner in their American Athletic opener. The Blazer defense recorded six sacks, 10 tackles for losses and recovered two fumbles despite the Midshipmen outgaining them in total offense 353 to 290 yards. In situations on third and long, the Mids could not stop the Blazer pass rush that resulted in punts.
Punting got Navy (1-2, 0-2) started on the proverbial “wrong foot.” P Jacob Carlson’s first punt only went for 29 yards, but 15 more yards were tacked on a roughing call against UAB. Carlson’s next punt only netted 13 yards to put UAB at Navy’s 40-yard line. The first period expired, 0-0.
UAB WR CJ Smith makes catch late in first period leading to an early second period TD by Bam McReynolds.
UAB explodes in frantic second quarter
Four seconds into the second, Bam McReynolds swept right for a ten-yard touchdown to put UAB on the board. On Navy’s ensuing possession, QB Jackson Gutierrez, subbing for injured Braxton Woodson, raced 48 yards to the Birmingham ten. On a run-pass option, he took it in from the four to tie the game, 7-7. Relying on McReynolds with speed to the outside, the UAB offense mixed in runs with their big, powerful FB Rod Robinson, a transfer from Georgia. The combination set up Jonah Delange for a 36-yard FG to retake the lead, 10-7.
Navy came up with a big play on its next possession. Gutierrez connected with Freshman WR Truman Brasfield on a 39-yard completion at the UAB 24. Nolan Bartely, another Navy Freshman (plebe), booted a 34-yard FG right before the two-minute time-out.
FB Rod Robinson plows through Navy defense for a first down on a second period scoring drive for UAB.
Two two-minute drills
Tied 10-10, Blazer first-year HC Alex Mortensen (son of late NFL analyst Chris) decided his team needed another score before Navy took the second half kick-off. With 1:11 to play in the half, UAB QB Ryder Burton (13 for 20, 174 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) connected with WR Ty Mims for a 56-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
Navy, who rarely succeeds in long drives with a minute left to play, started from their 25. Gutierrez gains on the ground and two timeouts put them at the UAB 46. On the next play, Gutierrez hit RB Vic Lisorti out to the left for a short pass. He took it to the UAB seven. On the next play Blazer CB Jotavian Pierce streaked in to drop the QB for a seven-yard loss. CB Darrel Sweeting broke up a pass in the end zone. Navy settled for another Bartley FG from 31 out to trail at the half, 17-13.
Navy QB Jackson Gutierrez sacked in first half for one of six times during this game by the Blazers.
Fast third period
Both defenses forced punts on the first two possessions. On the second, Navy’s return team came up with a 23-yard return by Charles Robinson to get started on the UAB 47. Navy overcame its inability to convert on third downs. On third and eleven, Gutirrez connected with RB Isaiah Robinson for a 14-yard pick-up to the UAB 23. Lisorti finished off the drive with a seven-yard TD run up the middle. Navy led for the first time with 4:24 left in the third, 20-17.
The Mids defense seemed to have control. LB Coleman Cauley sacked Burton for a seven-yard loss. On the last play of the third, UAB completed a 12-yard pass for a first down.
With the help of RB Evan Blouir (15), Navy’s Vic Lisorti crosses the goal line for a seven-yard TD to take the 20-17 lead for Navy in the third.
Momentum swings big to UAB in the Fourth
Navy sacked Burton once again for seven yards again to start the final period. Two plays later, SS Giuseppe Sessi intercepted Burton’s pass to set Navy up from its 23. Navy in command now? In four plays, Navy drove to the UAB 37. Navy attempted to deceive with a pass on first down. However, Gutierrez dropped back in the pocket and got slammed by DE Marlin Dean. The ball came loose and DL Chris Spencer recovered at the Navy 48.
One play later, boom! McReynolds shimmied toward the middle of the line, read his blocking and broke left around the line to go all the way and put UAB in the lead, 24-20. Mike and I observed McReynolds has the great speed and Robinson adds the power in an improving one-two combination for UAB. 10:36 remained. Plenty of time and all time-outs remained to put more points on the board for both teams.
As Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend.”
Navy started from its 25 once again and started to drive past midfield. A handoff between Gutierrez and RB Micheal Barrow didn’t mesh well, mishandled the ball, and Dean recovered for the Blazers. A sack by Navy LB MarcAnthony Parker, who had three on the day among his ten stops, forced a Blazer punt from their 45. Navy started from its nine and still possessed three time-outs with 2:56 to play. The Mids drove out to the 37. On fourth and ten, Gutierrez threw an incomplete pass. Mike and I wondered why HC Brian Newberry had not called any time-outs to settle his team and analyze some plays for the series.
Instead, Newberry used all three as UAB drove far enough to attempt a 47-yard FG. It sailed wide. Navy had the ball with 42 seconds left from their 29 with no time-outs. Three plays for -10 yards. UAB celebrated its second win of the season against the American Athletic‘s pre-season favorite. Mike and I agree that first year HC Mortensen has his Blazers heading in a good direction. As for Navy HC Brian Newberry, he has to be perplexed. Seven sacks and ten tackles for losses do not stand well with his team whose primary strength comes supposedly from its offensive line.
Gutierrezz misfired on third and fourth down to turn the ball over on downs here before UAB’s missed FG attempt. Only 42 seconds with no time-outs remained when Navy got the ball back to no avail.
Next up for UAB and Navy in Week Five; still a Saturday evening clash ahead for us
On October 3, UAB stays at home to host FCS Samford whose home is a short drive from Brimingham in Homewood, Alabama. The Bulldogs of the Southern Conference stand at 1-3. They won their first game of the season last week over winless VMI, 45-7. The Keydets probably sit at the bottom of the FCS barrel. After that, the Blazers head to meet AAC foe Memphis, currently 3-1, with the lone loss at Boise State.
No time to relax for Navy. They travel to Colorado Springs to play archrival Air Force (2-1). The Falcons return home after last week’s 36-33 (2 OT) win at Nevada. And surely after last year’s 34-31 loss at Navy during their 4-8 season a year ago, the Falcons will be primed for this one.
Before Week Five begins, we make another stop the day after this one. We head to New Orleans to see our first Tulane home game in which we will see them in their current home venue, Yulman Stadium. Yulman becomes our 103rd FBS campus stadium we will attend, 204th college venue overall. Tulane (1-2) hosts their neighbor to the north, Southern Mississippi (1-2) in their Battle for the Bell.
UAB Head Coach Alex Mortensen with headphones communicating with his coaching staff. He took over from Trent Dilfer last season and UAB won two of its last six games. He now stands 2-2 this season.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 746 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Navy always hope to sing second after a victory especially when they defeat Army. This evening, Navy fans, team and cheerleaders basically sang alone after falling to UAB in this one.
Greeneville, Tennessee – After attending a very raucous Miami-Wake Forest contest the night before, we ambled in to a very sedate, plain vanilla-like atmosphere at Tusculum University’s Pioneer Field where the visiting Anderson U. Trojans defeated the home team Pioneers, 14-4. Granted, we did not expect anything similar to the game the previous evening. On the other hand, we’ve been to other D-2 contests where the teams cared and played more intensely. Last year for instance in New Hampshire, we witnessed that. We watched St. Anslem’s and Franklin Pierce go at each other in a good game despite a 21-0 win by SAC. FPC lost their starting QB early to injury.
Hot weather, but no flame from either team
Maybe it had to do with the sun-drenched, 90-degree temperatures on the playing field. However, there just seemed to be no fire coming off either sideline. Much of the sparse crowd of 1,148 patrons sat under umbrellas at tables or held them in the stands. After the game, I found out that I wasn’t the only one who felt such a lack of intensity for a football game. During the post-game radio show, an interview with HC Billy Taylor of Tusculum confirmed my observation. He said that before the games he asked his assistants if they thought the players lacked energy. If the HC has to ask that, I don’t know what else tell you about what I witnessed.
Umbrellas shade the Anderson bleacher fans for the 2 pm start at Tusculum’s Pioneer Field in Greeneville, Tennessee.
Low cost, family entertainment
Got to say this: I parked for free, $10 ticket to sit anywhere, $7 for a hot dog and soda, clean stadium, clean bathrooms and a free four-page color program with rosters and stats. I think the bigger venues should offer the same regarding the latter instead of scanning a monogram on the video board to download a program. I don’t do that. I guess college students do.
Anderson and Tusculum evenly matched
Before kickoff, a chorus from The Sons of Davy Crockett organization performed a great rendition the National Anthem. Beyond that, the action on the field followed our initial impression. Both teams were primarily run-oriented. Tusculum ran a version of the triple option, but it was nowhere near the quick, deceptive, coordinated attacks of teams like Army and Navy we’ve seen in action over the years. In the end, the stats were comparable as indicated by the final score. Anderson totaled 221 yards of offense to 253 by Tusculum. Fifteen first downs to 14 first downs respectively. Two lost fumbles each. Critical losses for both teams.
RB Darren Lloyd (6) led the Trojans in rushing with 65 yards.
Second period: wake-up call
After a scoreless first period that consisted of only three possessions, the Anderson Trojans started the second at the Pioneer 16-yard line. Over a minute later, QB Wilson Edwards (19 of 26, 142 yards, 2 TDs) threw a four-yard TD pass to Zay Williams (5 catches for 39 yards, 2 TDs) for a 7-0 Anderson lead. Tusculum’s next series ended with a lost fumble on a pitch-out recovered by DT Luke Rankin. Anderson fumbled the ball away on its next possession recovered by DL Nathan Thomas.
Anderson WR Zay Flowers gains a first down of a 14-yard pass to the TU 5. He would score his second TD of the day from here as time expired in the first half.
Tusculum turnover turns into Anderson touchdown
Later in the period, a complete pass from TU QB Tedros Gleaton to Javon Richardson went for big yards, but again the ball was fumbled. Anderson took over from its 23 with 1:27 left in the half. The Trojans put together a drive to the TU five. As time expired, Edward tossed a short pass ahead of him to Williams who took it over again for the score. Anderson led 14-0 into halftime.
Third quarter – Tusculum time
The Pioneers started the second half ready to roll with the ball on its 25. They entered Trojan territory on a 39-yard pass from QB Tedros Gleaton to WR Cam Ferguson to the 45. On fourth and seven, at the 31, Gleaton connected with WR Ashton Hagans for a first down at the 20. Things did not get easy at that point. A sack by Anderson LB Aaron Bryant (10 tackles) dropped Gleaton for a 10-yard loss back to the 30. However, on fourth and twenty, Gleaton raced to the 10 for a first and goal. On an option right, he took it over from the six to finally get Tusculum on the board, but down, 14-7. The drive lasted 10 minutes and 37 seconds of the third period. Before it ended, Anderson fumbled the ball away again at Tusculum’s’ 39. Were the Pioneers ready to piece together another long drove?
WR Ashton Hagans completes diving catch for a Tusculum first down at the 20 for the Pioneers’ scoring drive.
Defenses control final period
No, neither team could mount a drive. Anderson took the ball away for a turnover on downs from their 39. Generally, D-2 teams don’t possess the long-distance kicking talent found in the FBS. The teams exchanged punts. With under a minute to play, Tusculum threw an incompletion with 39 seconds to play on fourth down. Anderson went into Victory formation. After that, the Trojans traveled back to Anderson, South Carolina with a 3-1, 2-0 record. They stay atop The South Atlantic Conference tied with Carson-Neuman and Mars Hill.
As LB Aaron Bryant led the Anderson defense, Tusculum had their stalwarts as well. LB Greg Williams wrangled in 12 stops and DB Kevin Jordan pitched in with 11. On offense for Tusculum, QB Tedros Gleaton completed 12 of 16 passes for 149 yards. He led the running game as well with 90 yards on 20 carries and the TD.
Anderson LB Aaron Bryant (44) makes contact against Ja’Von McMahan (28) for one of his ten tackles.
Post-season possibility?
Slight chance that we will capture any playoff action with teams for the SAC later this year. It may only happen if we don’t find a better option on our two open dates of December 5 or December 19. We will wait and weigh our options with travel time and best opportunities to be determined. We never know. Glad we got to find out what a D-2 experience is like here in the South. Just have to say that we saw much better action over the years among teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic D2 Conference over the years.
Next: Week Four straight ahead
In the South Atlantic, Anderson hosts Lenoir Rhyne at 2 pm and Tusculum remains at home for a 6 pm kickoff against Catawba. We hope the Fall brings in cooler temperatures for football in the South this week.
Another weekend “twofer” for us
Collegefootballfan.com heads out to two more FBS games this weekend. On Friday night, Navy (1-1, 0-1) visits Alabama-Birmingham (1-2) under the lights at Protective Stadium for an American Athletic contest. The big question mark for Navy in this game. Who will start at quarterback? Starter Braxton Woodson left last week’s 38-30 loss to Florida Atlantic with an injured ankle late in the third period. Junior Jackson Guitteirez replaced him and led Navy to score 23 points after trailing, 31-7. Woodson’s injury will be monitored from week to week according to latest reports.
Bells will be ringing in New Orleans
On Saturday, we head to New Orleans for our first time at Yulman Stadium to watch Tulane (1-2) host Southern Mississippi (1-2). Located 110 miles from one another, this will their 35th meeting in the Battle for the Bell. Started in 1979 as an annual rivalry, Southern Miss leads the series, 24-10. Once both foes changed their conferences, they no longer met regularly. Three years ago, the rivalry resumed as part of a four-game series. Tulane has won three of the last four meetings. The first came at the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. Tulane triumphed, 30-13. In our long history, Tulane stands 1-2 and Southern Miss at 1-1.
Both teams start this season under first-year head coaches. At Southern Miss, HC Blake Anderson lost most of last year’s players who left with former HC Charles Huff to Memphis. His defense was totally depleted. Tulane was not bankrupted in talent by Jon Sumrall as much. He took only a punter and kicker to Florida. Reportedly, he also donated $2 million to the program. However, new HC Neal Brown did lose others from the CFP roster. Players were picked up by other programs in the transfer portal. Interesting dynamics here. Both Anderson and Brown have former head coaching experiences. I also hope to enjoy a little New Orleans cuisine while back near Bayou Country.
Navy DE Landon Robinson (No. 90 behind No. 70) sacks UAB Blazer QB Jacob Zeno on fourth down to take ball over on downs in 2024. Robinson now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 745 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Winston-Salem, NC -Tough and talented No. 5 Miami (3-0) dominated the second quarter into the early third to defeat Wake Forest, 33-20. They amassed 31 points before the Demon Deacons sparked to life late. Wake Forest threatened with a comeback marred by critical penalties and one very evident non-call. QB Darian Mensah propelled the Hurricanes quickly. He completed his first 24 passes. Most of his 220 passing yards (30 for 34, 3 TDs) came on short passes to elusive All-American WR Malachi Toney (12 catches for 114 yards, 1 TD). He connected with eight Cane receivers in all. No interceptions. The most yards on any one play went for 28 yards.
To start the game with a 92-yard drive, he capped it with WR Joshua Moore on a nine-yard toss. The Demon Deacons (2-1) equaled the feat with a 75-yard drive. QB Gio Lopez connected with WR Kamrean Johnson on a diving, backward 10-yard TD reception in the back, right corner of the end zone.
Miami WR Joshua Moore (3) takes catch in from QB Darian Mensah nine yards out for first score.
Miami owns second quarter
Play continued into the second period knotted, 7-7. From there, the Canes dominated on both sides of the ball. They polished off their next possession when Mensah found Elijah Lofton wide-open down the left sideline for a 21-yard score. The defense held Wake to punt after three-and out. The Canes began from their 21. CharMar Brown ran 32 yards to the Deacon one. Taken off the field, he later left the sideline on a cart. Postgame reports described his injury as “gruesome.” TV would not show the replay. Mark Fletcher, who runs tough and hard, carried it in from there (16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD) to lead, 21-7.
Through the second period, Miami halted the Demon Deacon offense to three three-and outs. Following the two-minute time-out. Mensah fired a short pass left to Toney who sped 27 yards to the Wake Forest 32. The Hurricanes took it down to the 10-yard line. As time expired, Jake Weinberg converted for the 24-7 halftime lead with a 27-yard FG. What’s more from a defensive perspective, the Miami defense shut down Wakes’ key WR Carlos Henandez to no receptions. He played a key role last season in the win we attended over North Carolina.
The Miami defense held the Wake Forest running attack to just 22 yards. Here, they stop RB Ty Clark for a one-yard gain.
Third period starts like the second
Though Hernandez finally caught a pass for one yard, the Demon Deacons netted -10 yards on its first possession and punted. Miami went back to business from its 44. The Canes mixed rushes and Mensah continued completing all his passes. The last on this drive he fired to Toney in the end zone for a two-yard TD. In my notes, I recorded a possible byline: “Tough and talented Miami blasts Wake Forest…”
All of a sudden, a 13-yard run by Deuce Johnson, a completion to Hernandez and two consecutive completions to WR Drayden Dickman finally broke the Deacons three-and-out trend. A sack followed by a roughing call on Lopez kept the Deacs moving to the 23. There, Lopez fired a pass to WR Jack Foley for a 23-yard catch and run down the right side for a touchdown. A two-point conversion attempt called by HC Jake Dickert failed. The Demon Deacs trailed, 31-13, with 4:00 left in the third.
Hurricane WR Malachi Toney (top right) snags one-yard TD for 31-7 lead in third period.
Hurricane winds to tropical storm
On the ensuing kickoff, a holding call and unsportsmanlike against Miami pushed them back on their 12-yard line. Mensah finally threw an incomplete pass. The Deacon fans among the 32,147 in Allegacy FCU Stadium began to feed off some of the emotion emanating from their team on the field. The defense finally forced Miami to punt from their 20. Lopez called signals from the 37.
He went on a tear completing five straight passes ending the third period at the Miami 17 with a first and ten. He brought back memories of seeing QB Diego Pavia play last season at Vanderbilt. Lopez had a similar knack for rolling the opposite direction away from rushing defenders. Like him, he escaped to connect accurately with targets down field. Wake Forest die-hard and alumnus Earl Beasly told me before the game that Gio definitely brought improvement to the passing attack this season. His reunion with OC Rob Ezell seemed to be working out as intended.
Demon Deacons find a groove, but flags galore!
Four seconds into the fourth, Lopez hit Hernandez with a scoring strike in the right corner. The refs flagged Hernandez for unsportsmanlike, negating another two-point conversion. Connor Calvert put up the long extra point to trail now, 31-20. The Demon Deacon defense rose to the occasion once more. The gaps closed quicker now against the Miami running game. CB DaVaughn Patterson broke quickly to break up a Mensah pass. Again, they forced a Cane punt. Hernandez returned it 27 yards to the Wake 47. Flag on the play. Holding set the Deacs back on their ten.
On third and ten under pressure, Lopez launched a pass from the end zone, and a flag flew. Holding! Team safety extended Miami’s lead, 33-20, and gave them the ball back. Starting from their 37, the Demon Deacs defense fought back once again. A tackle for loss, a one-yard pass, and a hurry for an incompletion demonstrated the increased intensity by Wake Forest. Miami punted. Once again Hernandez fielded the ball to set Wake up on their 22.
Deacon drive thwarted with no flag
On a second and six, Lopez connected with Jack Foley (6 receptions, 118 yards, 1TD) with a 49-yard pass to take his team to the Miami 19. Another five-yard completion put the Deacs at the Miami 14. The next play killed the Deacon momentum of the possible comeback. On second and five, Lopez targeted Foley on the right side of the end zone. With his back to the pass and grabbing Foley’s arms, S Bryce Fitgerald definitely interfered, but no flag flew. Looked evident on the video replay. No review, of course. The Canes held there, taking the ball back on downs on an incomplete pass to Hernandez with 8:51 left. An accurate call by the refs here could eventually have gotten the Deacs to within one score with plenty of time left.
Demon Deacon WR Jack Foley sprints down right sideline for gain to 19-yard line.
Another shot to close on Miami, but a flag flew
From the 14, Miami only gained a yard before its ensuing punt. The short passes by Mensah that turned into big yards in the first half came to a halt. The Deacons held Toney to a one-yard gain and Cooper Barkate’s catch to no yards at all, followed by a hurried incompletion. The Canes punted again. This time, Hernandez fielded the ball back on about his 30. He raced forward, dodged, and evaded Miami tacklers all the way to the Miami 10-yard line where he got forced out. Flag! Holding!
The play came back all the way to the Wake Forest 35. In the end, Wake Forest picked up 13 penalties for 122 yards. Miami incurred seven for 75. Of course, the Deacons could only gain 22 yards on the ground. Miami rushed for 158. Despite Lopez’s late start, Wake out gunned Miami through the air, 312 yards to 220.
Demon Deacon LB Vincent Firenze (23) halts Mensah for a short gain in second period action.
With 7:15 left to play
Wake started from its 35. Weinberg returned to attempt a 54-yard FG. The Deac defense would have none of it. DT Zach Lohavichan blocked in right up the middle. Wake started from its 23. Lopez continued to move his offense all the way down to the Miami 22. On third and ten, Cane CB Ethan O’Connor recorded the only turnover of the game with an INT to halt the drive. Six plays later, Miami went into the Victory formation after a hard-fought game that could have been lost to the feisty Wake Forest team that offered several late challenges.
Two lessons learned in this battle
Wake grad, our host, and die-hard fan Jim “Bug” Harton offered two perspectives after the game. He thought Miami may come away a “little embarrassed” by the way they won. He also thought they’d be little more concerned that they found his Deacs may signal more ACC challenges lying ahead than anticipated. On the other hand, he came away feeling better about his Deacs stepping up and not giving in to a very good Miami team. He believes this game provided some confidence for this Deacons going forward for the rest of the 2026 season.
Miami RB Mark Fletcher ran harder and tougher than when we saw him against Indiana last year. Here he breaks a tackle for a gain early in the first period.
Preview to Week Four
Hopefully for Jim, he’ll hope his team’s confidence will carry them well into next Saturday’s game. The Demon Deacons head up to Louisville (2-1) where the Cardinals, now ranked No. 16 come off a big 41-31 win over previous No. 16 SMU in a key ACC clash. The Deacons other key ACC games this season are home against Virginia (2-1) on October 31 and at SMU on November 14.
Miami hosts Central Michigan (2-1) of the MAC next week. They return to ACC play at Clemson on Oct. 3 and play their toughest challenge at No. 3 Notre Dame on November 7. They play neither Louisville nor SMU this season, to Bug’s chagrin, until possibly at the ACC championship in Charlotte on December 5. Biggest ACC challenges for the Canes may come at home against Pitt and Duke at best. In this week’s AP Poll, they fell from No. 5 to No. 6.
Collegefootballfan.com – Game 455 tomorrow before two Week Four meetings
On Saturday on the way home, we stopped in Greenville, Tennessee to see two D2 teams go at it. In a South Atlantic Conference game, Anderson of South Carolina (2-1) visits the Tusculum Pioneers (2-1). Never been there nor seen these two teams. They just conveniently fell into our schedule to see them compete on our way home. Look for a short review on this one by Tuesday.
Next week, we again plan to attend two games. On Friday night, we’ll see an American Athletic contest when Navy (1-1) visits Alabama-Birmingham (1-2). The following day, we’ll travel to New Orleans from UAB to see Tulane (1-2), also of the American Athletic, host Southern Mississippi (1-2) of the Sun Belt. They’ll play in their traditional Bell Ringer rivalry. Should we bring ear plugs? The 6:30 pm CT matchup will be our first ever at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium or any other home venue they played in before.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 745 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
The Wake Forest Dance Team routine to “Le Freak” by Chic brought back vivid memories of our 1978 Christmas Pary at Juniata College. We only seemed to play Christmas Carols, this song, and “Funky Town” for dancing all night long. After that, my roommate David Headley played his trombone to lead the guys in a march around the dorms in our underwear!
Lebanon, Tennessee – This Friday, CollegefootballFan.com ventures on to carry out our toughest task this season, and that is to continue our “tradition” of attending a Wake Forest Victory! You ask, “Against No. 5 Miami? Are you crazy?” Of course! Attending our 744th and 745th college games this weekend doesn’t already prove that? Yes, I’m crazy, but we always feel inclined to make a commitment each year to our Wake Forest host, Jim “Bugaluga” Harton and his dedicated Demon Deacon friends and fellow Alum.
For when I first met “Bugaluga” daily in the wee hours of morning work-outs at our company gym in Cranbury, New Jersey, we didn’t talk much business. Instead, we focused more on fun stuff like sports. That turned to college football discussions, of course. Easy lead-in. Jim mentioned he proudly graduated from Wake Forest in 1974.
Proud Wake Forest Alum
There, he had his “smart friends” (those who helped him prepare for a very successful career in the chemical industry). They nicknamed him “Bug.” Had to do with him quietly hanging around them sucking up a lot of gainful knowledge. Still though, he remains closer to his “fun friends.” Basically, his fraternity brothers who love to golf, party and get-together for football tailgates for many years since graduation. With them, he sucked down a lot of Jack Daniels.
Demon Deac alumni generally earn more than one nickname
The fun group friends tagged Jim with the name “Bugaluga.” That from a cast of friends who all still go by their college nicknames – “One Iron,” “Goober,” Bugaluga’s Army General roommate, “Large Wally,” and the one female member of the group, “Wheels.” Then, there is “Earl,” the primary organizer. He goes by his real name because he’s got 42 about different nicknames among the Wake Forest community.
Rare statistic among Demon Deacon fans
Well, when we met, I hit Jim with an amazing stat of my own pertaining to Wake Forest. As of 2014, I told him that I had seen his Deacons play five games, and they had won all five! Amazed, Jim responded, “Nobody has ever attended five Wake Forest games and seen them win all five!” Later that season, we tailgated in Annapolis when the Deacs defeated Temple in the Military Bowl, 34-26.
In 2017, Jim and his wife Courtenay retired to Winston-Salem, closer to family and Jim’s alma mater. They invited me and fellow company “gym-rat,” George “Iron Man” Lazarides to tailgate with his “fun friends.” Wake defeated Louisville in an exciting game, 42-32. Afterwards, Jim’s fun friends bestowed a nickname on me. Due to my history with Wake Forest football, my moniker marked me as “Seven and oh Koreivo!” Well later that season, the Deacs defeated Texas A&M, 55-52, at the Belk Bowl I attended with Jim and Deacon friends. Upgraded me to “Eight and oh.” In 2019, the Deacons disappointingly lost in my presence to Louisville. Hard-fought scrape, however, 62-59! Stalwart Deacon fans and alum insisted to adjust my moniker only slightly – “Eight and almost oh.”
We’ve got a good reputation to uphold with our Wake Forest friends. Demon Deacons, 13-2, when we see them in action! Pictured: Iron Man Lazarides, Bugaluga, One- Iron, Goober, and 13-and-almost-Oh!
Deacon fans persist
Got up to “11 and almost oh.” Disaster struck though in 2023. Florida State drubbed the Deacs, 41-16. But the faithful fans held tight. They held me at ”11 and almost oh.” Wins against NC A&T the next year and then vs. UNC last season put me up to “13 and almost oh.” Wake Forest – 13-2? Not bad. Still an honorable record! I told them I’m up to a big challenge in 2026. I decided I want to give the Hurricanes my best shot this year.
Unknown Edge at play here
With a backfield of Tulane portal transfer Darian Mensah at QB, outstanding WR Malachi Toney returning, and RB Mark Fletcher back from the CFP runner-up last year, the Canes are formidable and ranked No. 5 in the AP poll. The Deacs have some talented returnees from a pretty good defense under HC Jake Dickert last season. They rely on new QB Gio Lopez with his former OC Bob Ezell who guided him successfully at South Alabama to direct the offense two years ago.
Thus far, the Demon Deacons defeated Akron and Purdue in their first two games. Miami defeated Stanford and FCS Florida A&M (77-7) last week. So, what? They haven’t been challenged yet. If the Deacons can pull out the win against the Hurricanes, remember it might have happened because the future “14 and almost oh Koreivo” made the effort to attend to bring the Deacs an upset Victory!
Louisville QB Lamar Jackson dives for extra yardage on a LU touchdown drive in the third period against Wake Forest in 2017. Deacs triumphed, 42-32.
“Oh, here’s to Wake Forest!”
D-2 side trip on return home on Saturday
When scheduling this Friday night ACC brawl, I sought a Saturday game not too far from Winston-Salem. It had to preferably be on my way back to HQ to post games on my website by Monday. It could be at any level of NCAA football, but it had to be competitive, and it had to be within budget. A few ideas got kicked around. It looked like West Georgia, a new FCS program, would visit East Tennessee State in Johnson City. WGU started 0-3. Outscored 125-17 to date. Doesn’t look very competitive now.
Our research resulted with a better choice finding a D-2 game between two teams with 2-1 records. We will add both to our history for the first time. In a South Atlantic Conference clash, the Anderson Trojans from South Carolina meet the Pioneers of Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee. We get to attend a game near the birthplace of Davey Crockett. We know of him, but nothing else about either team. We look forward to this new experience and sharing it online.
Mark your calendars for around October 3
For the second time this season, an interview with Pete Spadora on Sports will be broadcast on the I-Hart radio network during the weekend of October 3. Pete delves into topics with me regarding the impact of the new “Protect College Sports Act,” pending changes, Power Five teams that can possibly faulter, and a surprise or two to make this year’s CFP in my humble opinion. All in about 12 minutes. Look for updated announcement here to link on here before then!
Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt HC Clark Lea started Sr QB Blaze Berlowitz for the Commodores’ first two possessions. Deadlocked 0-0 with Delaware halfway through the first, he inserted his top recruit, freshman Jared Curtis at quarterback. Curtis is a local Nashville resident that Lea recruited, steered away from Georgia. On his first play at the UD 41, RB Makhilyn Young bolted 20 yards up the middle. Two plays later, Cutis zipped the ball for a 31 completion to Jayvontay Connor at the Blue Hen eight. Guest Game Analyst (GGA) Greg Kopnaza (former New Haven U. OT) and I looked at each other. Curtis impressed us with a very strong arm. He completed the drive with a one-yard run to put Vanderbilt up, 7-0.
Delaware QB Nick Minicucci struggled in his first two series. Both times, he attempted to pass on third and long. Vandy’s defense brought everybody at him to force punts. In addition to many hurries, the Commodores recorded six sacks and 11 tackles for losses on the day.
All day long, Delaware QB Nick Minicucci faced relentless third down pressure from Vanderbilt’s front seven.
Curtis: Vanderbilt QB of the future
To start the very next series, his pass got tipped high into the air. Vandy DE Michael Capers intercepted. Curtis entered again. With the ball at the Delaware 26, he fired a 17-yard pass down the middle again to Connor. From the nine, Sedrick Alexander took it over as the first quarter ended. Vanderbilt in command, 14-0.
Vanderbilt RB Sedrick Alexander breaks through for nine-yard touchdown tun to cap first quarter score.
Delaware turns things around the second
Minicucci led his team to the Vanderbilt 20 aided by a 57-yard catch and run by Da’wain Lofton. On third and three at the 20, Minicucci’s pass fell incomplete as he took a hard shot from LB Bryan Longwell. He grasped his lower right arm as a trainer escorted him off the field. From 30 yards out, Tucker Smack converted a field goal to put UD on the board to trail, 14-3. On the ensuing series, the Blue Hens sacked Curtis for a loss that forced a punt. UD started from their 35. In place of Minicucci, soph Braden Street stepped in under center.
Later in the period, the Blue Hen defense stopped Vandy. They turned the ball over on downs at their 18. HC Ryan Carty decided to let RB Jo Silver get the Delaware running game going. Carrying the ball for several good gains, UD drove to the Vanderbilt 41. Streeter let loose a pass to Lofton for a 33-yard completion to the eight. From the one on fourth and goal, a direct snap to RB Viron Ellison resulted in a Blue Hen TD to close the score, 14-10.
Jayvontay Connor with reception on Vandy’s second period scoring drive.
So many plays in such little time
With 1:56 left in the first half, Berlowitz replaced Curtis. Over 40 seconds, he completed three passes before he fumbled the ball away. LB Gavin Moul recovered to set Delaware up from their 46. At the Vandy 44, UD punted back to start VU from their 16. Two incomplete passes and a one-yard run by Berlowitz burned off only five seconds. Vandy went back into punt formation. However, Delaware’s Bryon Graves broke through VU blockers, and leapt high for a block. The ball bounced back up into his arms, and he recovered it for a TD. Suddenly, the half ended with the Blue Hens in the lead, 17-14. Delaware fans chanted, “Let’s go Hens! Let’s go Hens,” as players headed to their locker rooms.
Delaware RB Jo Silver picks up yardage during second period TD drive.
Sideline activity before the second half
At halftime, we noticed four pairs of Delaware players throwing passes along the sidelines. Starting QB Nick Minicucci tossed among them. He seemed to be throwing gingerly. He rubbed his right forearm every once in a while. Looked like he still felt some discomfort in his throwing arm.
With UD fans sitting nearby, we discussed if Carty would bring him back in or continue with Streeter. We agreed the Blue Hens seemed to have built some confidence and momentum with Streeter ( 4 of 5, 58 yards) playing late in the first half. GGA Greg noted that Jo Silver had effectively run the ball on several simple plays that Vanderbilt didn’t stop. He ran for 109 yards on 16 carries by the end of the game.
Clark Lea made Vanderbilt’s QB decision
To start the second half, Lea brought Curtis back in. The Commodores started from their thirty. Curtis drilled one pass directly in front of us that glanced off his receiver’s hands. I turned to Greg and said, “I couldn’t see that ball at all!” He can really throw hard and on the mark. On a third and ten from the 30, he showed great touch as he connected with Junior Sherril on a beautiful, over-the-shoulder pass down the left sideline for 35 yards. He immediately commenced again with Sherril for 15 more. Next, he followed up with Conner on a 12-yarder. Calling a QB draw from the two, Curtis took it in to regain the Vanderbilt lead, 21-17.
Vanderbilt regains control
With Minicucci back in at QB for Delaware, the Blue Hen game plan reverted back to the same as in the first period. On third down, Vandy sacked him and forced a punt. With a very slow, seemingly methodical punt attempt, VU copied UD from the first half and blocked it. Austin Howard recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Vandy extended its lead, 28-17.
A 12-yard sack of Minicucci on third down by S CJ Heard once again forced a UD punt. Starting from his 40, Curtis drove the team for a score. He connected on a 19-yard TD pass to Walter Taylor to lead going into the fourth, 35-14.
Jared Curtis carries ball in for Commodores’ first score of the second half.
Delaware fought back, but squandered big chances in the Fourth
Minicucci got the Hens moving with 15 minutes left to play. Smack put up three from 40 yards out at the 11:35 mark. The Blue Hens’ defense held Vanderbilt on its next possession. They took the ball back to start from the 20. Minicucci connected with RB Kaderris Roberts for 31 yards. Two plays later, he connected with Lofton (4 catches, 142 yards, 1 TD) for a 43-yard catch and run for a TD. Now, 6:37 remained. The Blue Hens were within striking distance, trailing 35-26.
Shades of lessons learned from James Franklin
We saw some stirring along the Delaware sideline. Greg blurted out, “Go for one!” I had to agree. Twice in late game situations at Penn State, I witnessed James Franklin make this mistake. Trailing late by nine, if your team puts up the PAT, you’re still within one scoring drive. If you go for two and make it – great! However, if you fail, you take the wind right out of your team sails. With time winding down, you need two possessions to score with the time left instead of just one! JF’s team did the latter in two big games attended in State College against Michigan and Oregon. Made big differences in if he could have stayed at PSU. Of course, he’s gone now! Needless to say, UD’s two-pointer failed with an incomplete pass.
UD attempted an onsides kick. Great strategy with a high bounce down field that was almost recovered by UD. The execution just came up short. Vanderbilt took over at their 43. Curtis moved the Commodores down to the UD 21. There, Delaware took over on downs. Three misfires by Minicucci followed by pass interference gave the Hens a first down. His next pass was picked by CB Jayden Daniels. The final score stood in Vanderbilt’s favor, 35-26. Had HC Ryan Carty elected to go for one and made it, the Hens could have still been in the game with time remaining. Either way with the onsides kick, it still would have made for a much more exciting finish with the final result determined in the waning minutes.
Blue Hen WR Sean Wilson with leaping catch from QB Braden Streeter along sideline in first half scoring drive.
Week Three ahead for Vanderbilt and Delaware
The Commodores (2-0) host their third non-conference foe next weekend in NC State (1-1). The Wolf Pack got clocked by No. 25 Virginia in their opener, but romped over FCS Richmond last week, 73-0. The UR Spiders now compete in the Patriot League. Greg predicts that Vanderbilt will not win in the SEC this year. I predict that Jared Curtis will continue to excel. With him stirring a pretty skilled offense, the Dores can defeat the likes of Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi State.
Delaware hosts Coastal Carolina (1-1) of the Sun Belt. The Chanticleers fell to West Virginia, 31-24, and like NC State, they romped over a Patriot League team, Fordham. We plan to see the Blue Hens come back to our area for a Tuesday night CUSA meeting at Western Kentucky on October 27. The contest could impact the conference title game.
Week Three games # 744 and # 745 ahead for us
Collegefootballfan.com heads to Winston-Salem, NC this Friday night to see No. 5 Miami (2-0) face the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest (2-0). Neither has won a game of significance. However, the Canes come into town with offensive firepower. Transfer QB Darian Mensah from Tulane joins talent returning from last season in WR Malachi Toney and RB Mark Fletcher.
Wake relies on some outstanding returnees on defense. They will find out more about their transfer QB Gio Lopez who fell to the Deacs when we saw him last season playing for UNC. The Deacs have hopes he will succeed with their OC Rob Ezell whom excelled with two seasons ago at South Alabama.
On Saturday along our route home, we will take in an afternoon D-2 contest. The Anderson Trojans of South Carloina (2-1) will visit the Tusculum Pioneers (2-1) in Greeneville, Tennessee in a South Atlantic Conference clash. Look forward to some interesting D-2 action in a nice setting.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Lebanon, TN – Does anyone believe that the PCSA (Protect College Sports Act) will resolve FBS issues soon after Congress returns from their current break? Please don’t hold your breath. Whatever time voters put into considering these issues, they’ve surely found confounding obstacles. We see the biggest as how they satisfy constituents in each of their respective states. Does representation from Texas consider what’s good for the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Texas Longhorns, Texas Aggies, and Houston Cougars? Possibly, but how do they cast a vote which may benefit the big budget teams only?
Texas State legislators must also consider the impact regarding other lesser FBS members in the Lone Star. They have to consider North Texas, Sam Houston State, Texas State, and UTEP. Also, are there concerns they will impact the private institutions like Baylor, Rice, SMU and TCU? Oil money goes to those schools. Consider the same for other states with similar FBS membership dilemmas: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and other states which may now aspire to the highest level in the FBS. Some might be tempted to join now because of proposed media payouts in the future.
For FBS openers, we prefer attending games as we did in September 2021 and 2022 when we saw Penn State and Auburn play one another than against teams among the Group of Six or FCS.
Not every state has a big dog in this FBS fight
How will states supporting with Group of Six members only weigh in (Massachusetts, Nevada)? Some of the highest teams in some states play at the Football Championship Subdivision level (Idaho, Montana, South Dakota)? Vermont’s biggest program, Castleton State, plays D-3 Football. Alaska has no team. How do they vote? Should they?
Much debate and political considerations lie ahead. Will this ever change from where College Sports find themselves today? Again, refer to my article where I propose to divide the FBS into two separate entities. The distinction between the two is imperative to make PCSA work for the good for all current FBS programs. Until such change takes place, this mess remains for a long time.
FBS Encounters of the Worst Kind
The controversial last-second 13-12 win by Michigan over Western Michigan shows the ruthlessness of keeping Group of Six teams out of the CFP. Boise State, another CFP G6 contender gave No. 2 Oregon a run for its money falling, 34-27. However, let’s look at the bigger picture of what a waste of time Week One offers among FBS Powers: Georgia 63-Tennessee State 3, Penn State 45-Marshall 0, Tennessee 56-Furman 9, Texas 59-TX State 7, Iowa 40-NIU 0, Kansas State 71-Nicholls State 3, Texas A&M 50-Missouri State 0, Virginia Tech 73-VMI 3, Mississippi State 66-UL Monroe 13, Maryland 62-Hampton 0, BYU 63-Utah Tech 7, Arizona State 70-Morgan State 7, and the wins over cupcakes continued throughout. And what about Miami this past Thursday? 77-7 over FCS Florida A&M? Come on! Why bother? What’s the sense of matching up a highly recruited team against a program that has no chance whatsoever? Teams should only play others that at least have similar financial resources.
Group of Six squads hammered FCS teams. FCS clobbered D-2’s. Admittedly, some teams lost badly to comparably valued competition at their own level (i.e. LSU 51-Clemson 10). That’s just a fate of good vs. poor chemistry: recruiting, development, coaching, investments, confidence, etc.
Last season, we began with FCS Montana State at Oregon. Eventual FBS No. 4 Oregon defeated eventual FCS No. 1 Montana State. The final score of 59-13 demonstrates the disparity of big budgets over much smaller budgets.
Too much about the money
We know why these lop-sided games exist. Winners get a victory that gets them to a bowl if they go 5-6 the rest of the season. Losers get “big bucks.” However, that’s a relative term. Big bucks don’t help the lesser climb up to the next level in the long term. Even a one-million-dollar payout probably helps them survive another season. The winners noted above all earn revenues well over $100 million annually. As for the losers, most of them earn half of that and lower every year. Another reason could be that it allows bettors to take big risks on wagering on huge spreads. How else would these games offer any actual entertainment?
CollegeFootballFan.com offers Solutions
Rather than allowing teams to intentionally water down schedules, particularly early in the season before conference play, consider realignment plans published previously here to avoid such blow-outs. Our proposal gives all teams schedules against comparable competition in their 12-game schedules. Start by basically dividing the FBS into two separate entities based on annual revenues. Next, considering geography and traditions, organize eight divisions of eight teams each at the highest level. These are comprised basically from the current Power Four conferences.
The second level consists primarily of eight divisions of nine teams each from the Groups of Six. This level plays eight other division members while the first plays seven. All non-division foes slated come only from other divisions at the same level. A few crossovers may be considered for the continuation of traditional rivalries, such as Oregon vs. Oregon State and Washington vs. Washington State to name two. In the end, both divisions resume the CFP within their two respective alignments.
With our proposed FBS realignment into eight divisions of eight teams each, the rivalry between Illinois and Indiana, for instance, would continue annually based on geography and tradition.
Giving schools and fans more of the best from the existing FBS
Would you rather see Western Michigan play in a lesser bowl as we could under today’s scenario? And seeing Boise get knocked out in round one or two by some Power Four earning a lot more revenue? Are these worth watching? Or, would you rather see WMU and Boise seeded in a CFP along with other teams from the American, CUSA, MWC, and Sun Belt as well as their current respective conferences, the MAC and PAC-12? More significant games to be played and better competition among them. Fewer players would opt-out, too. CFP games offer more meaning for championships at two competitive levels now. For more details, click here!
Week Two: Delaware at Vanderbilt
Our 743rd game since 1979 this week features SEC Vanderbilt hosting CUSA Delaware. Vandy (1-0) defeated FCS Austin Peay last week, 28-9. HC Clark Lea moves forward with a two-quarterback system. He continues with returner Blaze Berlowitz who backed up Diego Pavia the last two seasons lifting the Commodores up from the lower depths of the SEC. They finished 10-3 last season. Frosh Jared Curtis who Vandy recruited from under the power of Georgia will see playing time for his future development. The Dores return two key targets for both signal-callers in WR Junior Sherrill and TE Cole Spence. Seven key defenders return. Their strength lies in the middle as a formidable run defense. Questions remain about their pass game defense improving from last season.
Commodore football success and excitement started right here with No. 2, quarterback Diego Pavia. Will Vanderbilt football continue to win this year without him?
The Fighting Blue Hens ready for a shoot-out
In their second season as an FBS member, the Blue Hens (1-0) return QB Nick Minicucci who led the attack leading CUSA in total offense and passing yards. They came in second with total points scored. Seven starters return on offense with three on the O-line and TE Elijah Sessoms. WR Sean Wilson, their top pass catcher returns as do their top four rushers with Jo Silver leading the way.
On the defensive side, last season UD ranked among the lowest of CUSA defenses. HC Ryan Carty will rely on experienced sophomores from last season and LB Gavin Moul who finished third in CUSA in tackles up front. Defensive leader S KT Seay returns with a reinforced secondary built through the transfer portal. Last week, UD manhandled FCS Merrimack, 44-7.
Our prediction
Delaware, with a long, proud winning tradition from D-3 years through the FCS, seeks a benchmark win at the FBS level. We think this is it. As a 20-point underdog, they will take offense to that against the Commodores. With a returning, starting QB and key playmakers returning, they have an advantage. In a shoot-out, we envision the Blue Hens in the right place at the right time to win this game that will be decided late in the game. Both offenses can put up large points on the scoreboard, but whoever steps up on defense will determine the winner. Blue Hens have a bigger incentive here.
In Delaware’s first season in the FBS, we watched them fall to Jacksonville State, 38-25. QB Nick Minicucci returns to play against Vanderbilt in Week Two.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Nashville, TN – As time expired in regulation, Lucas Carneiro booted a 48-yard FG for Ole Miss to defeat the Louisville Cardinals in the Music City Classic, 41-38. Despite an exciting game late in the third until final whistle, both teams struggled greatly in the opener for both. Errant snaps, overthrown passes, costly penalties (142 yards on 17 flags in total), questionable play calling, poor clock management, wasted time-outs, and costly turnovers marked most of this eventual, down-to-the wire game. Chalk it up to some pre-game jitters? Maybe, but mental mistakes by players and coaches continued throughout this game.
Action heats up late
The excitement at Nissan Stadium ratcheted up in the final 2:22 of the third period. Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz finally moved his team on a 41-yard breakaway run to the Ole Miss 32. Carson Hilbert nailed a 45-yard FG to then trail, 17-16. Ole Miss countered on its next possession. Heisman QB candidate Trinidad Chambliss connected with WR Deuce Alexander on an over-the-shoulder spiral for a 62-yard touchdown. Earlier in the period, the two connected from the same distance to gain a 17-13 advantage.
Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz (3) bolts 41 yards in third to get things going against Ole Miss.
Ole Miss penalties and belated LU strategy
To note some sloppiness of this game though, officials penalized Ole Miss on the PAT for delay of game and a false start. It resulted in a rare, 30-yard extra point. Louisville retaliated on its very next drive. Kienholz connected with a wide-open Tre Richardson, also for a 62-yard score. Sixteen seconds remained in the period. Following the score, HC Jeff Brohm called his second time-out of the half to call for a two-point conversion. Aren’t two-point plays part of the pre-determined strategy before one becomes necessary? It paid off with a slant left pass to LaWayne McCoy to tie, 24-24. However, wasted time-outs would cost LU opportunities later in this game.
Ole Miss Momentum while Lacy sits
Ole Miss maintained their offensive momentum to start the fourth. Chambliss connected with TE Caleb Odom for a 35-yard score. A sack of Kienholz by DE Kam Franklin forced Louisville to punt from its ten. Mahki Frazier took over the running duties of Lacy at this point. Lacy applied ice to his knee while sitting of the sideline after gaining 61 rushing yards and 19 passing. Carneiro attempted a 61-yard FG that missed. A blatant roughing the kicker call ensued to the chagrin of the Cardinal faithful among the 57,390 in attendance.
Ole Miss resumed their drive at the LU 25. At the five, Chambliss (21 for 36 passing, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; rushing 9 for 60, 1 TD) took the snap in the shotgun and ran it right up the middle to extend the lead, 38-24. Officials assessed two penalties against Louisville on the play. One for unsportsmanlike and another for roughing the kicker.
Mississippi DE Kam Hamilton sacks Keinholz for a loss. The Cardinal punt from the ten led to another Rebel scoring drive to lead, 24-16, in the third quarter.
Louisville comes back
With only one time-out remaining, the Cardinals scored at 4:42 mark on Kienholz’s 54-yard pass to McCoy to get back into it, 38-31. McCoy made a beautiful spin move along the sideline to avoid a tackle and stay in bounds to race into the end zone. Of note in this game, numerous passing plays called for the right-handed Kienholz to roll left and throw against his body. Passes did not connect at all. Finally, he got to display his accuracy rolling to his right.
Cardinal WR LaWayne McCoy (7) spins to his right for a 54-yard TD to cut the Rebels’ lead, 38-31.
Louisville forced Ole Miss to punt after a three-and out from its 31. The Cardinals started from their 23. Kienholz (18 for 29, 307 yards, 2 TDs) connected with TE Jaleel Skinner to the 48. Next, he connected with Richardson short of the first but followed up with four-yard rush. He connected with RB Issac Brown out of the backfield for a 32-yard gain to the seven. Two plays later, he ran it in from there. Brohm called for the one-point conversion. They knotted to score, 38-38, with 1:28 left on the clock.
Heisman moments for Ole Miss quarterback?
Following the touchback, Chambliss went right back to work. He picked up 15 yards on a pass to Alexander. Next, he ran for four. Then, he connected with Odom for an 18-yard pickup. Chambliss stopped the clock with a spike, rushed for three, and handed off to Frazier to put Ole Miss at the Louisville 35. From there, Carneiro put the game away with his 48-yarder as time expired.
Exciting finish to a game where both teams shot themselves in the foot way too many times. The game was exciting, but not very pretty. Hard to imagine either team moving up or down in the upcoming poll, but eleven more contests follow to allow them to improve.
Ole Miss PK Lucas Carneiro nails a 48-yard field goal as time expires to win, 41-38.
Coming up in Week Two
Louisville (0-1) will host the FCS Villanova Wildcats (1-1), now a member of The Patriot League. Ole Miss (1-0) hosts Charlotte (0-1) of the American Athletic. They fell in their opener against FCS The Citadel last Saturday, 43-41, in three OTs.
We at Collegefootballfan.com stay in Nashville for our next game. This time, we head to Vanderbilt’s First Bank Stadium to see the Commodores who defeated FCS Austin Peay, 28-9, last Saturday. In that game, QB Blaze Berlowitz started for Vandy, and new Frosh QB Jared Curtis saw some on action completing 7 of 9 passes for 60 yards. Both take over for Diego Pavia who had a good two-year stint for the Commodores, 11-2, a year ago.
Another close battle in the making
The Dores will host the Fighting Blue Hens of Delaware (1-0) in their second year of play in the FBS as a member of Conference USA. They defeated FCS Merrimack in their home opener, 42-7, on August 27. QB Nick Minicucci led UD with 330 passing yards, two TDs, and one INT while completing 20 of 36 passes. The Blue Hens went 7-6 in their inaugural FBS season. We envision another exciting finish in this one between two hungry FBS programs looking for greater respect.
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss (6) pitches out to RB JT Lindsey in place of Kewan Lacy who had to sit out. Chambliss’s stats in this one keep him in the mix for the Heisman.
Tallahassee, Florida – RBs Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton, Jr. returned to play for the Florida State Seminoles this season. They led the way for their team to win their season opener over New Mexico State. In this case, so much for FSU transfers. QB Ashton Daniels transferred from Auburn. He had a decent game, but flaws in his game cause concerns against tougher foes the Seminoles will face in upcoming weeks. Texas transfer RB Tres Wisner carried four times for 34 yards late in the game. Seems like Head Coach Mike Norvell wants to see how to work with his three backs together to start the season.
Kromah, a sophomore, rushed for 115 yards on 14 carries and scored a TD. Singleton, a junior, rushed for 42 yards and a score. He also caught four passes for 54 yards and another score. His kick returns for 68 total yards included one for 46. It launched FSU’s score to seal the victory.
New Mexico State finds success through the air
The Aggies, with Furman transfer Trey Hedden at QB, put together a long drive to start the game. Despite controlling the ball for 6:47 into the game, this series ended in an INT in the end zone by CB Quindarrius Jones. Hedden would expose more of the Florida State defense during subsequent series. The Seminoles ensuing drive resulted in Gabe Panikowski’s 34-yard FG to head into the second quarter leading, 3-0. However, a long Florida State drive had placed the Noles at the NMSU four as the period ended.
Daniels completed the drive with a four-yard run to increase the FSU lead, 10-0. New Mexico State, a 31-point underdog coming in, went right to work. On three consecutive series, Hedden completed long passes on third and long situations. The first went to WR Brodie Malone-Bradford (6 catches, 96 yards, TD) and the second to WR TK King. The final one sailed for a 33-yard, diving touchdown catch to wide-open Malone-Bradford. It put the Aggies back within three.
Aggie WR Brodie Malone-Bradford (6) completes diving TD catch against Florida State in second quarter.
Defenses step up before next score
NMSU stopped a Florida State drive with an INT by S Nick Sessions. The Nole defense forced a punt two plays after a ten-yard sack by LB Mikai Gbayor. Starting from their 42, Florida State drove to the four. With 36 seconds remaining in the half, Daniels rolled right to connect with Singleton directly in front of him with a short pass for a TD. The Noles led going int to the locker rooms, 17-7.
Aggies battle back, but Noles maintain distance
Led by LB Sone Aupiu with eight tackles including two for losses, New Mexico State forced a Florida State punt. Starting from the eleven, Hedden (26 for 42, 272 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) mixed up passes and runs well to get to the Nole 21. There, Ilya Uvaydov converted from 38 yards to trail, 17-10.
Once again, a score awoke the FSU offense. Singleton got things started with a 46-yard kickoff return to the 49. Daniels completed a pass to his key receiver Duce Robinson (3 catches for 50 yards). After that, Singleton and Kromah ran the ball on each snap. Singleton took it over from two the lead, 24-10.
Florida State O-line plows through New Mexico State to put RB Nick Singleton in tor two-yards to lead, 24-10, at the end of three.
Florida State finishes with highs and lows
The Aggies started the fourth on third a nine from their 3. Jones made a great pass break-up to force a punt. FSU started from its 13. Immediately, Kromah broke through for a 52-yard jaunt to the Aggie 35. The Aggies tightened up. They forced the Noles into a Pankowski field goal from 40 yards. With 10:41 remaining, the outcome wasn’t in doubt.
However, the Aggies used the time left to show the 65,915 in attendance at Florida State’s Doak Campbell Stadium to cast some doubt about success in upcoming games. Next Monday, ACC power No. 19 SMU comes calling with QB Kevin Jennings. In seven plays, the Aggies covered 75 yards.
Hedden completed five passes to three receivers. The last went 34 yards to wide-open, once again, King (7 catches, 78 yards, TD) to narrow the margin, 27-17. The Noles had trouble with a New Mexico State offense led by a former FCS QB under little pressure. They left many wide-open receivers for easy receptions. What adjustments will be made before SMU’s visit followed by a trip to No. 13 Alabama?
WR TK King speeds past FSU defenders on his way to the end zone exposing the secondary play that the Seminoles need to correct before next Monday’s game against SMU back here in Doak Campbell Stadium.
Final analysis for Florida State in 2026
Florida State scored on their final possession of the game. Wisner went on display with four runs and a reception to get the Noles to the 26. Daniels completed a pass to WR Jayvon Boggs to the one. Kromah came back in to score to put the icing on the cake this evening, 34-17. Florida State will savor the win for now, but it needs to learn from some mistakes in pass coverage to stop two top teams during the next two weeks.
The Seminole pass rush has to improve. Despite the performances by Singleton and Kromah, blocking up front has to improve. Daniels looks slow on his pass release, though a nice double pump helped Boggs get clear on his catch. With two extra days to practice this week and already under intense pressure, Head Coach Mike Norvell needs to accelerate on improvements. Evidently, his hot seat is in flames when dedicated Nole fans met at tailgates adjacent to Doak Campbell, in the Club Lounge, and in the stadium club seating area already refer to “our next coach” – without even using a name. They just know that they expect somebody “special.”
What we expect to see in 2023
As noted, Florida State faces early key games for their season success and Coach Norvell’s job during the next two weeks. Beyond another winnable game at home versus Central Arkansas, the schedule challenges the Seminoles, no doubt. Get this road on the “hot seat”: Virginia, at Louisville, at Miami and two weeks later, Clemson. Sorry for Mike Norvell, he may be cooked by then.
Hoping that these Florida State cheerleaders will have more to be happy about than what we anticipate for the rest or their team’s season. Hopefully there will be some unexpected surprises.
As for the New Mexico State Aggies
They should look good at home in Las Cruces next week against D-2 Mercyhurst out of Erie, Pennsylvania. Next, they travel to Hawaii followed by a visit at home from archrival New Mexico. As a ConferenceUSA member, tough games loom ahead with Western Kentucky, Jacksonville State, and Delaware all at home. Other games look winnable. With Hedden at QB and a few other additions like RB James Jones from Delaware State melding together behind a decent offensive line, they can possibly help HC Tony Sanchez to a winning record and a shot at the CUSA title.
We’ll skip next Saturday for a game on Sunday!
A plan for D-3 game Saturday fell through and we have several key games on the tube we want to scout for future references. Penn State hosts Marshall, Auburn vs. Baylor, and Tulane at Duke among others, we will see play. Other teams on our 2026 schedule such as Texas State and Western Michigan take in top contenders Texas and Michigan. We will see how they hold up.
Associated Press No. 9 vs. No. 24
On Sunday, we drive over to Nissan Stadium to see No. 9 Ole miss play No. 24 Louisville. Both squads bring top QBs and top RBs to what should be an exciting game. The Rebels start under Lane Kiffin replacement Pete Golding, winner of two CFP games a year ago. His offense features QB Trinidad Chambliss, 297.6 yards per game last year in total offense. RB Kewan Lacy returns with 1,567 rushing yards and 24 TDs.
Louisville HC Jeff Brohm returns in his fourth year with high hopes on QB Lincoln Kienholz. After waiting in line to play at Ohio State behind Julian Saylin, he transferred to pitch now for the Cardinals. Sophomore RB Issac Brown returns with 1,173 yards and seven TDs. Both offenses will be primed to go against defenses filling in a lot of lots with transfers. We expect to see a high-scoring battle in this Music City Classic!
Read more fun history of many games attended our first 42 Seasons!
If you haven’t already, please click on the title about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Uglyon Amazon.com. Among 740 college games attended to date now, we’ve seen all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams play in person. In 2026, in case you aren’t aware, North Dakota State and Sacramento State join the FBS this season. “Fifty Years” tells our story of how we got to attend our first 652 games!
Read the reviews on the book page and order your copy today. If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll understand how much we love this sport and what we propose for it to survive successfully. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.
Capture some memories
Please buy your copy today and read about the many great memories captured. Maybe some will bring back some of the same memories you encountered when we did. And to us this isn’t a job. It’s our lifelong adventure!
In a fitting ceremony, former Seminole place kicker, Sebastian Janikowski (1997-99) had his jersey number retired. He is the only college PK to win the Lou Groza Award twice. He will be inducted into the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame. We saw him as a member of 1998 FSU team that defeated Texas A&M, 23-14, in the annual Kick-off Classic.
