College Football Week 7 – Les Miles fires his OC

You live by a freshman,

you die by a freshman 

Saturday, Auburn died by a freshman. He was killed by Florida’s defense. 

Freshman-sensation quarterback Bo Nix threw three interceptions and only completed 40% of his passes (11-for-27), as Florida upset 7^th-ranked Auburn, 24-13. 

In all, Auburn had four turnovers in the game – three interceptions and one fumble. Florida was just as bad in the turnover category. The Gators were plagued with four fumbles. The teams were even in turnovers – no advantage to one or the other. 

Florida’s advantage in the game was its defense. The Gators defense was the hero of the game. I don’t know if he did or not, but Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham should have received the game ball. Grantham plotted and coached an awesome defensive game. 

The Florida defense was responsible for Nix’s three interceptions. Coming into the game, Nix only had thrown two interceptions in Auburn’s first five games. It was the Gators defense that was responsible for Nix’s low completion percentage – 40%. Coming into the game, Nix was completing 60% of his tosses. 

Coming into the game, Auburn was averaging 38 points a game. The Gators held them to 13 points. Coming into the game, Auburn was averaging more than 440 total yards a game. The Gators held them to 269 total yards. 

Coming into the game, Auburn was averaging more than 240 rushing yards a game. The Gators held them to 124 rushing yards. And coming into the game, Auburn was averaging more than 200 passing yards a game. Florida’s defense held them to 145 passing yards. 

Need I say more. 

You just can’t say enough about the Florida defense in the win over Auburn. 

You can’t say enough about the Florida fans either. It was loud. I think it was the loudest I have ever experienced in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. At times, I thought my ear drums were going to pop. At times I thought I was going to lose my hearing. At times, I thought, “I really need ear plugs right now.” 

And at times, I really needed Dr. Scholl’s. I was on my feet almost the entire game, along with the other 90,583 fans. Everyone was on their feet from the start to the finish – even the Auburn fans. Well, when Nix threw his third interception with 2:30 remaining in the game, instead of standing and cheering on their feet, the Auburn fans were standing and walking on their feet – exiting the stadium. They couldn’t get out of there fast enough. 

Yes, I was at the game. I was one of the 90,584 fans. I should say we were at the game – Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and me. We were four of the 90,584 fans. 

The four of us made our way to Ocala, Florida, on Friday, where we checked into the Residence Inn. That evening, we made the short trip up the road to Gainesville for dinner with friends. 

We met Monta and Peggy Burt for dinner at Amelia’s Restaurant in old-downtown Gainesville. Monta and Peggy were the owners of the Laurel Oak Inn in Gainesville, where Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I stayed for football games from 2007 to 2018. Monta and Peggy sold the Inn last year. They are retied like us now. 

Monta and Peggy are originally from Pennsylvania. He graduated from Penn State and she graduated from Bucknell. Around 2000 or so, they adopted Gainesville. Or Gainesville adopted them. They opened the Laurel Oak Inn in 2001. 

ESPN’s College GameDay was in Gainesville Saturday morning for the Auburn-Florida game. Rather than join the crowd, we watched GameDay on the television from our hotel. The game had a 3:30 kickoff. We were in Gainesville by 12:30. 

At the Florida Alumni House, I had burnt-ends for lunch, catered by Mojo’s BBQ of Gainesville. I smothered them with chipotle sauce. Outside the stadium, prior to the game, Swamp Mama ran into a high-school classmate – Sam Jenkins. She had not seen Sam in many years. 

Following the game, the four of us drove back to our hotel in Ocala. I made Irish Mules and we ordered a 24-inch pizza. We also watched some football on television – Georgia-Tennessee, Michigan State-Ohio State, California-Oregon and Washington-Stanford. And we slept very well Saturday night – very well. 

The weekend got off to an early start on Thursday and Friday nights with two AAC games. Thursday night, Temple improved to 4-1, beating East Carolina, 27-17. Friday night Cincinnati also improved to 4-1, beating UCF, 27-24. The Bearcats handed UCF its first conference loss in 18 games and its second loss this season. 

Saturday, another AAC team improved to 4-1. Tulane downed Army, 42-33, in West Point. Meanwhile, another AAC team – SMU – remained undefeated. The Mustangs survived Tulsa, 43-37 (3OT). SMU is 6-0 for the first time since 1982. 

In the Big Ten, Michigan held Iowa to a field goal, as the Wolverines beat the Hawkeyes, 10-3. Jim Harbaugh has some breathing room. The udder….I mean….other Michigan school – Michigan State – didn’t fare so well. Ohio State downed the Spartans, 34-10, in Columbus. Meanwhile, Nebraska bounced back, beating Northwestern 13-10. 

The Big 12, as usual, had some high-scoring games. Texas Tech, with backup quarterback Jett Duffey passing for 424 yards, beat Oklahoma State, 45-35. Baylor remained undefeated – 5-0 – beating Kansas State, 31-12. In Morgantown, it wasn’t Horns Down for Homecoming after all. Texas took advantage of four West Virginia interceptions, in beating the Mountaineers, 42-31. 

In addition to Florida beating Auburn in the SEC, Georgia got off to a slow start but ended up clobbering Tennessee, 43-14. 

In the ACC, it was Oh Manny, Oh Manny, Manny Blue, Oh Manny Blue. Virginia Tech surprised Miami, 42-35. Manny Diaz is off to a 2-3 start with the Hurricanes. 

The Pac-12 was as wild as ever. Arizona scored a touchdown with 6:51 remaining to beat Colorado, 35-30. Oregon State handed Chip Kelly another loss. The Beavers thumped UCLA, 48-31. Oregon held off California, 17-7. And Stanford upset Washington, 23-13. 

Among the service academies, Navy beat Air Force, 34-25. 

Looking at my superpower teams, Alabama was off. Georgia and Ohio State, as mentioned, beat Tennessee and Michigan State respectively. Oklahoma punished Kansas, 45-20. This week Alabama (5-0) plays at Texas A&M. It could be interesting – for a while. Georgia (5-0) hosts South Carolina and Oklahoma (5-0) has a big one. The Sooners meet Texas in Dallas. Ohio State (6-0) is off. 

Auburn falls off my list of potential superpowers. Among the other three potential superpowers, Clemson, demoted last week, was off. LSU plastered Utah State, 42-6, Wisconsin punched Kent State, 48-0. This week, Clemson (5-0) entertains Florida State. That could be interesting – for a while. LSU (5-0) hosts Florida in the Game of the Week and Wisconsin (5-0) is home to Michigan State. 

The other undefeated Power Five teams are Wake Forest (5-0), Baylor (5-0), Penn State (5-0), Minnesota (5-0) and Florida (6-0). The undefeated Group of Five teams are SMU (6-0), Memphis (5-0), Boise State (5-0) and Appalachian State (4-0). 

Outstanding quarterbacks Saturday were Texas Tech’s Jett Duffey, 26-44-0, passing for 424 yards and four touchdowns, and San Jose State’s Josh Love, 24-36-0, passing for 405 yards and two touchdowns. LSU’s Joe Burrow was 27-48-1, passing for 344 yards and five touchdowns. 

Among the runners, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor rushed for 186 yards and four touchdowns, while Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins had 172 yards rushing, with one touchdown. 

Trouble in Lawrence – Six games into the season and Les Miles appears to be losing his patience already. Sunday, Miles fired his offensive coordinator Les Koenning. 

After the loss to Duke and before the game against Miami Saturday, apparently a number of Virginia Tech fans indicated they would like to get rid of Justin Fuente. The problem is, Tech owes Fuente about $16 million if they ditch him now. If they wait until after December 15, they only owe him about $13 million. Last week, Virginia Tech lost to Duke, 45-10. Saturday, the Hokies beat Miami, 42-35. 

A couple weeks ago, I reported on the rumors of USC, Florida State and Tennessee possibly being interested in Urban Meyer. Well, ole Urban may have a tough time finding a home next year. Recently inaugurated USC president Carol Folt said last week that she doesn’t want Urban Meyer. A Florida State fan who reads my blog responded, “If Urban Meyer were to become the coach of Florida State that would be enough to make me a Gator fan.” And a Tennessee fan who reads my blog responded, “I would never accept that slime ball at Tennessee.” 

Rockledge Gator came across and old Lewis Grizzard quote and passed it along to me. Grizzard was talking about Texas A&M and he said, “The Aggies have found a new use for sheep…..Wool.” 

By the way, I’m still working on that 24-inch pizza we ordered Saturday night. You know me and cold pizza. 

Touchdown Tom
October 7, 2019
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Bo doesn’t know football – Florida 24, Auburn 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 27, Florida 24). Once Florida took a 7-0 lead, barely two minutes into the first quarter, the Gators never trailed for the rest of the game. Auburn just had 12 first downs in the game. Thirty of the teams’ combined 37 points were scored in the first half. Florida running back Lamical Perine rushed for 130 yards. Attendance in Gainesville: 90,584

RUNNER UP:  Two mules fighting over a turnip – Michigan 10, Iowa 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 27, Michigan 24). Both teams had less than 275 total yards. Iowa only had one yard rushing. The Hawkeyes were plagued with four turnovers. All 13 points were scored in the first half. Attendance in Ann Arbor: 111,519

REST OF THE BEST:  Dantonio blues – Ohio State 34, Michigan State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 31, Michigan State 17). Ohio State held Michigan State to 69 yards rushing. Thirty-seven of the teams combined 44 points were scored in the first half. Ohio State running Back J.K. Dobbins rushed for 172 yards. Attendance in Columbus: 104,797

Looking Ducky – Oregon 17, California 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 30, California 21). Cal scored a touchdown in the first quarter. But the Bears never scored again after that. Cal did lead 7-0 at halftime. Oregon scored all 17 of its points in the second half. The Ducks held Cal to only 66 yards rushing and only 12 first downs. Attendance in Eugene: 54,766

The Horns were up – Texas 42, West Virginia 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 30, West Virginia 17). West Virginia had 463 total yards – 28 yards more than Texas. But the Mountaineers were plagued with four interceptions. Texas controlled time of possession – 36 minutes. WVU only had 96 yards rushing. Mountaineer quarterback Austin Kendall passed for 367 yards, but also threw the four interceptions. Texas running back Roschon Johnson rushed for 121 yards. Attendance in Morgantown: 62,069

The Cats were Bears – Cincinnati 27, UCF 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 36, UCF 32). UCF’s streak of 18 straight conference wins is over. The Bearcats and turnovers ended that. UCF had four turnovers. Three were interceptions thrown by Dillon Gabriel. Cincinnati’s Michael Warren rushed for 133 yards. Attendance in Cincinnati: 40,121

Ralphie roamed – Arizona 35, Colorado 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Colorado 26, Arizona 24). Colorado controlled the clock and had more total yards and first downs. But Arizona had more points. Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate passed for 404 yards. Attendance in Boulder: 52,569

Overbearing – Baylor 31, Kansas State 12 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 23, Baylor 20). Kansas State led 3-0 at the end of first quarter. But it was all Baylor after that. The Bears outscored the Wildcats 31-9. K-State controlled the ball for 36 minutes. But the Wildcats couldn’t score. Attendance in Manhattan: 50,448

Wavy – Tulane 42, Army 33 (Touchdown Tom said: Tulane 24, Army 22). Tulane racked up 525 total yards. Army quarterback Kelvin Hopkins passed for 170 yards and rushed for 132 yards. Attendance in West Point: 38,019

Falcons sent to the brig – Navy 34, Air Force 25 (Touchdown Tom said: Air Force 29, Navy 25). Air Force led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. Navy went up 7-3 early in the second and never trailed again. Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry passed for 144 yards and rushed for 111 yards. Attendance in Annapolis: 37,957



….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

It was Purdy – Iowa State 49, TCU 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 28, TCU 23). Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy passed for 247 yards and two touchdowns and he rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He was 19-for-24 passing. Attendance in Ames: 59,553



YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Purple seeing Red – Nebraska 13, Northwestern 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Northwestern 25). Nebraska’s Lane McCallum kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired to win the game. Other than that, the game was lacking for offense. Both teams had less than 320 total yards. Attendance in Lincoln: 89,354

Pity – Pitt 33, Duke 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 29, Pitt 19). Duke trailed 26-3 early in the third quarter. Then the Dookies scored 27 unanswered points to take a 30-26 lead with 1:26 remaining. Pitt scored a touchdown with 0:38 left to win the game. It was a game of miscues – 10 turnovers between the two teams. Duke has six turnovers and Pitt had four. Pitt only had 69 yards rushing. Attendance in Durham: 22,610

As expected – Georgia 43, Tennessee 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 35, Tennessee 12). Tennessee actually led 14-10 for three minutes in the second quarter. That was the Vols only lead. Georgia amassed 526 total yards. Tennessee only had 70 yards rushing. The Dawgs maintained time of possession for more than 36 minutes. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was 24-for-29, passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance in Knoxville: 92,709

Mount Nittany erupted – Penn State 35, Purdue 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 34, Purdue 17). Penn State jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and it was all over for the Boilers. In the second quarter, the Nitts increased the lead to 28-0. Purdue only had eight first downs, only 104 total yards and minus 19 yards rushing. Attendance in University Park: 106,536

Week 6 Results:   9 winners, 6 fumbles (60 percent)
For the Season:   65 winners, 23 fumbles (73.9 percent)



ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Dayton 56, Jacksonville U. 28 – Attendance in Dayton: 2,824
Stetson 30, Butler 27 – Attendance in Deland: 1,364
Florida A&M 28, North Carolina Central 21 – Attendance in Tallahassee: 25,679 

Virginia Tech 42, Miami 35 – Attendance in Miami Gardens: 53,183
Bethune-Cookman 31, Morgan State 20 – Attendance in Daytona Beach: 5,642
West Florida 48, Delta State 3 – Attendance in Pensacola: 6,088 

Fort Valley State 33, Florida Tech 29 – Attendance in Melbourne: 2,400
South Florida 48, Connecticut 22 – Attendance in East Hartford: 18,038
FIU 44, Massachusetts 0  – Attendance in Miami: 12,746



Superlatives 

Impressive Passers: 

Texas Tech’s Jett Duffey – 26-44-0 for 424 yards (4TDs); Miami of Florida’s N’Kosi Perry – 28-47-1-422 (4TDs); San Jose State’s Josh Love – 24-36-0-405 (2TDs); Arizona’s Khalil Tate – 31-41-1-404 (3TDs); Georgia State’s Dan Ellington – 29-41-0-382 (1TD); North Carolina’s Sam Howell – 33-51-1-376 (4TDs), and LSU’s Joe Burrow – 27-38-1-344 (5TDs). 

Impressive Rushers:

Memphis’ Kenneth Gainwell – 209 yards (2TDs); UTSA’s Sincere McCormick – 189 yards (1TD); Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor – 186 yards (4TDs); Toledo’s Bryant Koback – 177 yards; Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins – 172 yards (1TD); Louisville’s Javian Hawkins – 172 yards (1TD), and Ole Miss’s John Rhys Plumlee – 165 yards (1TD).

Also, Temple’s Re’Mahn Davis – 157 yards (1TD); Ball State’s Caleb Huntley – 157 yards (2TDs); Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard – 156 yards (3TDs); Stanford’s Cameron Scarlett – 151 yards (1TD); South Florida’s Jordan Cronkrite – 148 yards, and Northern Illinois’ Tre Harbison – 146 yards (2TDs).



Quotes of the Week 

“The kids know where this is going. The coaches know where this is going. We’re just not there right now. We can’t doubt for a second what we’re doing. You can run from where you are. You can’t run from who you are,” Nebraska coach Scott Frost to Husker fans after the loss to Ohio State. 

“You’ve got a great coach who needs time to build his culture. With the coach, fan support, new facilities, not if but when, Scott brings them back. I’m with you. Fans need to let him build this thing back. Just takes time to do it the right way,” ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit to Nebraska fans after the loss to Ohio State. 

“No, they are not one of the top four teams in the country,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum, on Clemson. 

“Trevor Lawrence has grown a lot of nice hair in the offseason but he hasn’t grown as a quarterback,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum, on the Clemson  quarterback. 

Sign of the Day 

Bo Nix Stole My Laptop 



Touchdown Tom’s predictions for
This Week’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Florida (6-0) at LSU (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – For the third week in a row, Florida plays the Tigers. Towson, Auburn and now LSU. The Gator defense needs to stop Joe Burrow. And Burrow isn’t a freshman like Bo Nix. LSU’s defense won’t be as strong as Auburn’s. Third time is not a charm – LSU 27, Florida 23.

RUNNER UP:  2. Oklahoma (5-0) vs. Texas (4-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Both teams can score. Both have leaky defenses. OU quarterback Jalen Hurts should be the difference in the game. The Horns won’t be able to contain him. The Sooners have a beef dinner – Oklahoma 35, Texas 27.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Penn State (5-0) at Iowa (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Iowa’s offense ran into a wall last week. It won’t be much better this week. The Hawkeyes are a different team at home. The Nittany Lion offense runs into a wall – Iowa 17, Penn State 10. 

4. Michigan State (4-2) at Wisconsin (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – This could be Mark Dantonio’s last season at Michigan State, especially if the Spartans lose to Wisconsin. Michigan State has had problems trying to find an offense. Red over Green – Wisconsin 28, Michigan State 14.

5. Nebraska (4-2) at Minnesota (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – It’s been an up and down season for Nebraska. So far, it has been all up for Minnesota. But the Gophers haven’t had the toughest competition yet. Nebraska has. This will be a close one. But the Gophers open the holes – Minnesota 33, Nebraska 28.

6. Memphis (5-0) at Temple (4-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Tough game for both teams. If it were played in Memphis, I would pick the Tigers. But it’s in Philadelphia – Temple 27, Memphis 24.

7. Hawaii (4-1) at Boise State (5-0) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 10:15 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Looking more and more like Boise State is this year’s UCF. If the Broncos get by Hawaii, the future is bright for Boise State. But Hawaii will be tough. Just not tough enough – Boise State 31, Hawaii 24.

8. Alabama (5-0) at Texas A&M (3-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Both Clemson and Auburn have defeated A&M. No reason Alabama can’t. But Jimbo Fisher will have the Aggies prepared. But the preparedness won’t last all game – Alabama 30, Texas A&M 15.

9. Florida State (3-2) at Clemson (5-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Florida State appears to be getting better. The Noles can score. But the defense won’t stop the Tigers. Clemson got a scare from North Carolina. The Tigers won’t get a scare from the Noles – Clemson 34, Florida State 23. 

10. Washington (4-2) at Arizona (4-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 11 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Washington is not the team we thought the Huskies were going to be. They are on the way down. Meanwhile, Arizona is on the way up. The Wildcats upend the Huskies – Arizona 34, Washington 30. 



….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

11. Appalachian State (4-0) at Louisiana (4-1) – (Sun belt vs. Sun Belt) – 8 pm ET, Wednesday, ESPN2 – App State is on a roll for an undefeated season. But the Cajuns will be a tough test for them, especially on the road. An upset is brewing. But the brew falls flat –  Appalachian State 26, Louisiana 21. 



YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Iowa State (3-2) at West Virginia (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – One of two things will happen to the Mounties. Either they will be fired up from their inspired play against Texas. Or the Eers will have nothing left in them after the Texas game. They will be fired up – West Virginia 30, Iowa State 27.

Georgia Tech (1-4) at Duke (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12:30 pm ET, Saturday – Georgia Tech is downright hopeless. The Dookies will be mad after the loss to Pitt last week. They take it out on the Jackets – Duke 35, Georgia Tech 17. 

South Carolina (2-3) at Georgia (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Georgia better get off to a better start than the Dawgs did against Tennessee. They should. They’re at home. Gamecock freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski won’t stand up to the pressure in Athens. Uga makes it look ugly – Georgia 30, South Carolina 18. 

Maryland (3-2) at Purdue (1-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – This game could go either way. It depends on whose team shows up. Both have been known to be no-shows. But both have pulled surprises too. The Terps do the surprising – Maryland 28, Purdue 27.



ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Virginia (4-1) at Miami (2-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Friday, ESPN…. 

Morehead State (2-3) at Jacksonville U. (2-3) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida A&M (4-1) at South Carolina State (3-1) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 2 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
BYU (2-3) at South Florida (2-3) – (Ind. vs. AAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
Middle Tennessee (2-3) at Florida Atlantic (3-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 4 pm ET, Saturday…. 

Bethune-Cookman (4-1) at North Carolina Central (2-4) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 6 pm ET, Thursday, ESPNU….
Charlotte (2-3) at FIU (2-3) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida Tech (3-2) at Mississippi College (2-3) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 8 pm ET, Saturday….

UCF (4-2), Stetson (4-1) and West Florida (4-1) are off

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but in the autumn of October as the college football season approached its halfway point, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1944 was “You Always Hurt The One You Love” by The Mills Brothers

…70 years ago this week in 1949 was “That Lucky Old Sun” by Frankie Lane

…65 years ago this week in 1954 was “Hey There” by Rosemary Clooney

…60 years ago this week in 1959 was “Mack The Knife” by Bobby Darin

…55 years ago this week in 1964 was “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison

…50 years ago this week in 1969 was “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies

…45 years ago this week in 1974 was “I Honestly Love You” by Olivia Newton-John

…40 years ago this week in 1979 was “Sad Eyes” by Robert John

…35 years ago this week in 1984 was “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince and The Revolution

…30 years ago this week in 1989 was “Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson

…25 years ago this week in 1994 was “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men



Not exactly college football related, but there were two passings of note last week – Diahann Carroll and Ginger Baker.

Diahann Carroll, who transcended racial barriers as the star of “Julia,” the first American television series to chronicle the life of a black professional woman, died last week at her home in West Hollywood. She was 84. “Julia,” a situation comedy, was broadcast on NBC from 1968 to 1971. Carroll began her professional life as a singer. She sang on television, in nightclubs and on Broadway, where she won a Tony Award. In films, she starred opposite the likes of Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, James Earl Jones and Michael Caine. On television, she played on ABC’s prime-time soap opera “Dynasty” in the 1980s. Carol Diann Johnson was born in the Bronx, New York, on July 17, 1935. She was a gifted singer as a child. She won the Tony Award in 1962 for her performance in the Broadway musical “No Strings.” Her films included “Claudine,” “Paris Blues,” “Hurry Sundown” and “The Split.” Carroll appeared in the television mini-series “Roots.”

Ginger Baker, who helped redefine the roll of drums in rock and became a superstar in the process, died last week in the Southeast of England. He was 80. In 1965, Baker teamed with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce to form the hugely successful British band Cream. He was later in the band Blind Faith with Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. Peter Edward Baker was born on August 19, 1939, in the Lewisham area of southeast London. The first band Baker joined was Blues Incorporated in 1962. Cream was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.