Neither the Golden Eagles or the Panthers experienced the seasons they had imagined. Southern Miss lost three quarterbacks to injury, and in their most recent game, they rotated four quarterbacks that weren’t even listed at that position on the depth chart. Florida International entered this contest with one win and disgruntled head coach, Butch Davis, coaching in his final game while carrying accusations of a complacent and non-supportive athletic department. The game certainly did not garner national interest, but the passion was palpable as each team filed in to play their final battle of the season.
Continue reading “Game 315: FIU @ Southern Miss”SOUTH ALABAMA – HANCOCK WHITNEY STADIUM
Located in Mobile, South Alabama is one of the youngest college football programs in the FBS. Established in 2009, the Jaguars were tenants of Ladd-Peebles Stadium for its first ten years of existence. Now the proud residents of the sparkling new Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama is rapidly establishing the gameday traditions that make college football so special.
Continue reading “SOUTH ALABAMA – HANCOCK WHITNEY STADIUM”Game 314: Coastal Carolina @ South Alabama
Coastal Carolina – the darlings of 2020. The Chanticleers launched their program to relevancy with an undefeated regular season and finish in the nation’s top 15. They emerged in 2021 as a favorite to win the Sun Belt and rode the 2020 wave deep into the season. Losses to Appalachian State and Georgia Southern upended their run, but a ten-win season was still on the line as they ventured into Mobile to face South Alabama. The Jaguars lay waiting, eager to upset the Chanticleers and become bowl eligible.
Continue reading “Game 314: Coastal Carolina @ South Alabama”Game 293: Marshall @ FAU
In the postgame press conference, Coach Lane Kiffin remarked that he would refrain from commenting on what he perceived as poor officiating in the game. You could tell he really wanted to. He did speak hyperbolically in mentioning that it took the refs ‘5 hours’ to discuss calls. He said he didn’t think he could get fined for that. In the end, his frustration with the loss robbed the best of him, and he tweeted a photo the next day of referees with blind canes and guide dogs. He was fined $5000.
Continue reading “Game 293: Marshall @ FAU”Game 271: Marshall @ Miami (OH)
A rare home opening homecoming game for Miami had fans buzzing with anticipation around the red bricked campus in Oxford. Marshall being the opponent added even more hype. The enthusiasm was hitting its peak during the pregame Hawk Walk when…
Game 248: Appalachian State @ Akron
Coming off their first bowl victory, Appalachian State appeared fit to be in the FBS and primed to return to bowl season. Akron was also coming off of a successful bowl victory, and a victory over the Mountaineers would certainly keep them on pace to return.
ARKANSAS STATE – CENTENNIAL BANK STADIUM
Jonesboro is one of those tiny college towns that comes alive on game day. Centennial Bank Stadium, playfully nicknamed the vault, is home to the Arkansas State red wolves.
Game 244: Toledo @ Arkansas State
The seal has been broken on the 2016 college football season, and Arkansas state is part of the jubilation that is exploding the lid. Jonesboro is one of those tiny college towns that comes alive on game day, and with Toledo in town, A-State fans were painting the town red.
GEORGIA STATE – GEORGIA DOME
Georgia State’s football program is young. Most teams date back to the early 1900s or late 1800s. Georgia State’s inaugural season was 2010.
It was Bill Curry, former Kentucky and Alabama head coach, who chose to return to the sidelines to help build the foundation for this brand-new program. Georgia State certainly endured a healthy dose of growing pains, but with Bill Curry’s guidance he was able to pass the baton onto a new head coach who has since taken them to their first ever bowl game.
UPDATE: Georgia State now plays at the new Georgia State Stadium – CFT WILL RETURN! http://stadium.gsu.edu
Continue reading “GEORGIA STATE – GEORGIA DOME”
Game 242: Troy @ Georgia State
Georgia State has a chance for a bowl game. It’s somewhat tenuous, but still quite astonishing considering that the program has only been in existence for five years. The Panthers have not only taken on the adjustment to developing a football team, but doing so at the FBS (Division 1) level. So, being 4-6 and two wins from bowl eligibility is a notable accomplishment.