Andrew – Page 8 – COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOUR

October 23, 2021October 25, 2021

Game 309: West Virginia @ TCU

The Horned Frog faithful that filled Amon G. Carter Stadium hardly had a chance to get their seats warm before they were hopping out of them in response to a Derius Davis 100-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown. As 120 decibels blasted from the Frog Horn, it began to feel like a turn around moment for TCU’s season. A win over West Virginia would set the wheels back on track that were derailed by Texas and Oklahoma. However, the Mountaineers had plans on U-turning their season, as well.

October 16, 2021October 20, 2021

Game 308: Army @ Wisconsin

Two one-dimensional offenses clashed for a laborious slogfest. Both teams relied on their run games and stubborn defenses. Occasionally, a forward-pass page in the playbook would be dusted off. But, these teams knew their strengths and had no intent on entertaining the packed house in Madison. Every play had fans seeking a recline function on their seat backs.

October 9, 2021October 12, 2021

UAB – PROTECTIVE STADIUM

The shift from decaying Legion Field to the newly built Protective Stadium has reenergized a program that completely dropped football after 2014, only to have it reinstated two years later after a flurry of protests. The next four seasons saw a program notch two conference titles and build an impressive new stadium in the bustling Uptown district of Birmingham. Gamedays here are building new traditions while integrating everything that makes a college gameday special.

October 9, 2021September 21, 2022

Game 307: FAU @ UAB

Second time is a charm?
Certainly for UAB, this can be applied accurately.
Last week’s first game in the newly minted Protective Stadium resulted in a Blazer meltdown at the hands of Liberty. This week, the FAU Owls were much more accommodating house guests. UAB notched their first victory at their new home and posted their fourth victory on what looks to be a successful season ahead.

September 25, 2021October 1, 2021

Game 306: #18 Wisconsin vs. #12 Notre Dame

Meeting in the middle in Chicago, Notre Dame battled Wisconsin for the first time since 1964. The headlines leading up to this matchup circulated around the quarterback matchup. Senior Jack Coan, Notre Dame’s signal caller, just had transferred from Wisconsin where current freshman quarterback, Graham Mertz, had just nudged him out of the starting position. The drama surged with discussions of which quarterback would prove himself more worthy. In the end, inexperience would be the difference as Wisconsin literally threw the game away.

September 18, 2021September 20, 2021

TEMPLE – LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD

Temple’s campus rests on the north side of Philadelphia. They’ve been playing their home games in professional stadiums on the south end of town since 1978. Lincoln Financial Field is their current home, and a flurry of cherry and white descends upon “The Linc” on Temple gameday Saturdays converting the outskirts of the arena into a collegiate tailgating oasis.

September 18, 2021October 1, 2021

Game 305: Boston College @ Temple

The first home game of the season brought a nice crowd to Lincoln Financial Field for an anticipated duel against Boston College. Most of the fans were shuttled down students from the north campus and they brought the noise. Many other Temple faithful showed a more disgruntled side as they didn’t have to wait long for their Owls to crumble against the Eagles.

September 11, 2021September 15, 2021

Game 304: Eastern Michigan @ #18 Wisconsin

Finish.
The word was ringing through Badger ears all week.
A frustrating game last Saturday against Penn State had Wisconsin dominating the time of possession battle 42:51 – 17:09, but repeatedly failing to cross the goal line when reaching the red zone. Wisconsin lost 16-10. The packed Camp Randall that had bubbled over with “jump around” energy ended up quietly deflating.
This week’s game against Eastern Michigan was the opportunity to remedy those offensive stutters.

September 4, 2021September 9, 2021

BOSTON COLLEGE – ALUMNI STADIUM

Boston College football Saturdays weave together a quaint New England atmosphere with a charged fan base of Eagle fanatics. Alumni Stadium rests in Chestnut Hill, just west of the Boston fray. A flurry of gameday activities are wedged in just outside the on-campus stadium. This is an often overlooked venue that deserves much more recognition.

September 4, 2021September 9, 2021

Game 303: Colgate @ Boston College

A slowly emerging post-pandemic world provided the backdrop for Boston College’s season opener. Vaccination screening offered a new wrinkle in the pregame routine. But, it didn’t slow down the fan support inside Alumni Stadium. A sizable crowd was ready to add notable noise to this arena for the first time since 2019. There would be plenty to cheer for, as well, as a painfully mediocre Colgate team that only played two games last season played the role of opponent.