College Football Week 19 - Still the Rain Kept Pourin'

College Football Week 19 – Tigers vs. Tigers on January 13

‘Still the rain kept pourin’ 

So on the Sunday before Christmas, Swamp Mama and I hit the road for the panhandle to spend the Holidays with Princess Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe. It was forecast to be a terrible day across the state of Florida – rain, rain and more rain, non-stop. Twenty-four hours of rain.

We left in the morning before 7 a.m. The skies were gray – dark gray. With the weather forecast as it was, I decided to alter my normal route to the panhandle. Instead of going inland on 192 to the Florida Turnpike and I-75 North, I took I-95 North.

The forecast was correct. The rain was non-stop – sometimes light and sometimes heavy, but mostly in-between. It was a Sunday morning, coming down.

To my surprise, I had I-95 to myself. It was an open road – hardly any traffic. In 43 years, I had never seen I-95 so scarce of traffic. It must have been because of the rain. And because it was a Sunday morning – an early Sunday morning.

At Jacksonville, we merged onto I-10 West. The rain was still coming down. Who’ll stop the rain? The traffic had gotten heavier around the Jacksonville area. It thinned out as we drove West from Jacksonville. After a long stretch on I-95, it was another long stretch on I-10 – all the way from Jacksonville to Chipley.

Early afternoon, we arrived at our destination. Although we had stopped driving, the rain hadn’t stopped falling. And I wonder, still I wonder. It ended at 9:00 that night.

After two days of bowl games, the Sunday before Christmas provided a break in the bowl activity. But news from one of Saturday’s bowl teams came raining down.

Less than 24 hours after Washington beat Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl, two changes in the Huskies’ coaching staff were announced. We already knew that Washington coach Chris Petersen was stepping down after the game. We already knew that Washington’s defensive coordinator – Jimmy Lake – was replacing Petersen. However, the day after the Huskies’ bowl win, Lake took his first action as the new head coach. He fired Washington’s offensive coordinator Bush Hamden and tight ends coach Jordan Paopao.

Doesn’t it rain a lot in Seattle? Just saying.

Happy Hanukkah!

Monday, the sun made an appearance in the panhandle.

But not in Tampa where UCF (10-3) toppled Marshall (8-5) in the Gasparilla Bowl. The rain was fallin’ on their ears. UCF completed its third-straight season, winning 10 or more games. The Knights have won 35 games the past three years.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman hired Kendal Briles as his offensive coordinator. This past season, Briles was the offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Late Monday afternoon, the five of us were joined by Swamp Mama’s cousin Donna Snyder and her husband Marc, their son Erich and his wife Erin and their son Ethan. They drove down from Dothan, Alabama, where Marc and Donna live. Erich, Erin and Ethan live in Dallas. It was a festive family gathering.

The Hawaiians like their football on Christmas Eve. There was no exception this year, as Hawaii (10-5) beat BYU (7-6), 38-34, in the Hawaii Bowl. The game was a thriller. Trailing BYU, 34-31, Hawaii scored the winning touchdown with 1:17 remaining on a 24-yard pass play from Cole McDonald to Nick Mardner. McDonald passed for 493 yards.

The five of us had a winning Christmas Eve too – dinner at the home of another relative, followed by a candlelight church service and back to the relative’s house for dessert. Then the five of us returned home to open a few presents. Finally, we were nestled all snug in our beds, while visions of sugar plumbs danced in our heads. Sugar plumbs? Really?      

Merry Christmas!

And with Christmas came a day of rest from the bowls.

The day after Christmas, Minnesota offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca was named the new offensive coordinator at Penn State. The Nittany Lions lost their offensive coordinator when Ricky Rahne left to become the head coach at Old Dominion.

In the first post-Christmas bowl game, Louisiana Tech (10-3) knocked off Miami (Florida) (6-7), 14-0, in the Independence Bowl. After the game, Miami coach Manny Diaz fired his offensive coordinator Dan Enos. Actually, the decision to fire Enos had been made before the game. Diaz made it official after the game.

Under first-year coach Diaz, the Miami program is in disarray. Temple fans must be breathing a sigh of relief. Diaz, you will remember, first accepted the Temple job last year and then 24 hours later left Temple for Miami.

Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead announced that due to an injury from an altercation with a fellow teammate, Bulldogs quarterback Garrett Shrader is out for the Music City Bowl. Apparently Shrader and the teammate got into a fight following a Mississippi State practice session. The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Louisville in the bowl game. As a result, Tommy Stevens, who lost his starting job during the season, will start the game for Mississippi State.

In the second game on Thursday, Pitt (8-5) edged Eastern Michigan (6-7), 34-30, in the Quick Lane Bowl. Near the end of the game, EMU quarterback Mike Glass punched two Pitt players. His second punch caught one of the referees on the chin, knocking the ref to the ground. Glass was ejected, but at the time of the punches, the game was all but over – less than 20 seconds left.

Friday morning, Swamp Mama and I bid farewell to Princess Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe. We packed all our belongings in the SUV and left for home. The skies were partly sunny to mostly sunny as we made our way East on I-10 and South on I-95. But around New Smyrna Beach, the rain started pourin’. The rain was still coming down as we pulled into the driveway.

It was raining when we left and it was raining when we returned. And I wonder, still I wonder.

Driving home, I listened to the Military Bowl on ESPN Radio. North Carolina (7-6) slammed Temple (8-5), 55-13. North Carolina came to play football. Temple came to play. Someone said all but one of North Carolina’s starters return next year. Watch out Coastal Division.

Then, before arriving home, I listened to the first quarter of the Pinstripe Bowl. Wake Forest scored first, but at the end of one, Michigan State led, 10-7. I caught the final three quarters at home on television. Michigan State (7-6) beat Wake Forest (8-5), 27-21.

The rain stopped a few minutes after we got home. But the football didn’t.

I read where the Navy football team flew to Memphis on the New England Patriots’ plane. The Midshipmen play Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl on Tuesday. The connection: Bill Belichick’s father was once an assistant coach and scout at Navy.

In the first of the three night games Friday night, Texas A&M (8-5) rallied in the second half to beat Oklahoma State (8-5), 24-21, in the Texas Bowl. The Cowboys got off to a 14-0 first quarter lead over the Aggies. But A&M quarterback Kellen Mond led the Aggies back.

Like Miami (Florida) is the USC program in disarray? It looked like it Friday night when Iowa (10-3) demolished USC (8-5), 49-24, in the Holiday Bowl. Holding a 28-24 lead over the Trojans late in the third quarter, the Hawkeyes scored 21 unanswered points.

In the nightcap, Air Force (11-2) kept the ball away from Washington State (6-7) in the Cheez-It Bowl. The Falcons beat the Cougars, 31-21. More amazingly, Air Force had possession of the ball for more than 43 minutes. How frustrated the Washington State offense must have been.

I need some luck on Saturday. Going into the final four bowl games of the week, I was 7-10 with my picks.

Saturday began with two warmup games prior to the two playoff games. In the first warmup game, Iowa State was no match for Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl. Iowa State was a disappointing team this season. That’s because the Cyclones were overrated at preseason.

Notre Dame (11-2) scored 10 points in each of the first three quarters and then added three points in the fourth quarter for good measure. The Irish beat Iowa State (7-6), 33-9, in the Camping World Bowl.

In the other warmup game it appeared for a while that the Penn State and Memphis basketball teams showed up to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Penn State (11-2) outshot Memphis (12-2), 53-39. At the end of three quarters, the score was 45-36. Both teams cooled their heels in the fourth quarter.

A day after USC’s 49-24 loss to Iowa in the Holiday Bowl, Trojans coach Clay Helton fired his defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and his special teams coordinator John Baxter.

Note to the CFP selection committee: In the future, do not select Oklahoma as a playoff team, even if the Sooners are undefeated. After Saturday’s Peach Bowl, Oklahoma is now 0-4 in playoff games, giving up 50 points a game to its opponents. LSU (14-0) slaughtered Oklahoma (12-2), 63-28, in the Peach Bowl – a semifinal Playoff game.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was nothing short of sensational. Burrow was 29-for-39, passing for 493 yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for an eighth touchdown. Burrow had a hand in eight of LSU’s nine touchdowns. And he only played three quarters. Burrow and LSU broke 14 records in the game. Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts was ineffective passing and running.

Sports Illustrated writer Ross Dellenger reported that coming into the Playoff semifinal game, the LSU coaching staff thought that Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Georgia were all better than Oklahoma. Interesting.

If you were about to fall asleep around the time Saturday’s fourth game began, I’m sure you were wide awake and alert before it was over – long before it was over. The Clemson and Ohio State game had us on the edge of our seats. There were moments when we almost fell off the edge. It was a nail biter. At times we didn’t have enough nails to bite.

In the second semifinal Playoff game, Clemson (14-0) trimmed Ohio State (13-1), 29-23, in the Fiesta Bowl. Until late in the second quarter, this contest looked like it would become another blowout like the LSU-Oklahoma game. Ohio State had a 16-0 lead on Clemson midway through the second quarter. The Tigers offense was flat. The Tigers defense was lacking.

But late in the second quarter, the fireworks began. Clemson’s offense and defense snapped out of it. The Tigers scored two touchdowns in the final 2:45 of the first half. Ohio State’s lead was cut to two points. At the break, the Buckeyes led, 16-14. We had a ballgame.

Halfway through the third quarter, Clemson took its first lead in the game. The Tigers scored a touchdown to go up 21-16. Not to be outdone, early in the fourth quarter, Ohio State scored and retook the lead at 23-21. The battle was on. Finally, with just 1:49 left in the game, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with running back Travis Etienne on a 34-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers were back on top, 29-23.

However, in the closing 1:49, Ohio State was driving. The Buckeyes were deep into Clemson territory on the Tigers’ 23. But it all came to an end for Ohio State when Clemson’s Nolan Turner intercepted a Justin Fields pass in the end zone.

When the game was over, you had to feel that Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence should have come in second to LSU’s Joe Burrow for the Heisman Trophy. After a slow start, Lawrence ended up with 259 yards passing (no interceptions) and perhaps more impressively with 107 yards rushing. Lawrence had a hand in three of Clemson’s four touchdowns – two touchdown passes and an impressive 67-yard touchdown run.

Trevor Lawrence is now 26-0 as a starting quarterback at Clemson.

Clemson running back Travis Etienne only had 36 yards rushing, but he starred as a receiver. Etienne scored three of Clemson’s four touchdowns – one on an 8-yard run and two on pass receptions of 53 and 34 yards. In all, Etienne had three receptions for 98 yards.

So it will be Clemson vs. LSU for the national championship on January 13. The Tigers vs. the Tigers. With the title contest in New Orleans, it will be like a home game for LSU.

Twenty-one bowl games down and 18 to go, I’m 10-11 with my picks.

It was a bad weekend to be a Buckeye. Sunday, in basketball, No. 22 West Virginia (11-1) beat No. 2 Ohio State (11-2), 67-59, in the Cleveland Classic.

Texas coach Tom Herman hired Ohio State passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Yurcich to be the Longhorns’ new offensive coordinator.

After a day of rest on Sunday, we needed it following that Clemson-Ohio State game, the bowls will resume, with four games on Monday, December 30, including the Orange Bowl with Virginia against Florida. Tell me again how Virginia got selected for the Orange Bowl. And I wonder, still I wonder. 

Happy New Year!

Touchdown Tom
December 30, 2019
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

(Note: College Football Week 20 will be posted on Tuesday morning, January 7.)



Review of the Bowls 

The rain’s been comin’ down (in the Gasparilla Bowl) – UCF 48, Marshall 25 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 36, Marshall 24). UCF racked up 587 total yards, with a balanced passing and running attack. Marshall was plagued with five turnovers. Marshall suffered its first bowl loss under 10-year coach Doc Holliday, who entered the game with a 6-0 bowl record at MU. Attendance in Tampa: 28,987 

Mele Kalikimaka (in the Hawaii Bowl) – Hawaii 38, BYU 34 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 35, Hawaii 34). Hawaii scored 31 of its 38 points in the first half. And BYU scored 24 of its 34 points in the first half. The Rainbow Warriors led the Cougars 31-24 at halftime. Hawaii took an early 7-0 lead and held onto it until early in the third quarter. That’s when BYU tied the score at 31-31. One minute into the fourth quarter, the Cougars took their first and only lead of the game, 34-31. Hawaii scored a touchdown with 1:17 to go and held on to win. Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald was 28-for-46, passing for 493 yards and four touchdowns. The teams combined for 1,000 yards of offense. Ironically, Hawaii only had two yards rushing. BYU was evenly balanced between rushing and passing, but the Cougars had three turnovers. Hawaii had none.  Attendance in Honolulu: 21,582 

Windless (in the Independence Bowl) – Louisiana Tech 14, Miami (Florida) 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 30, Louisiana Tech 15). In the defensive battle, Louisiana Tech got seven points in the second quarter and seven more in the fourth quarter. Miami got nothing. Neither team played all that well on offense, but least of all Miami. The Canes only had 74 yards rushing and only completed 44% of their passes. Attendance in Shreveport: 33,129 

It was Punchy (in the Quick Lane Bowl) – Pitt 34, Eastern Michigan 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 29, Eastern Michigan 24). Although the game was tied four times, Pitt never led until 0:47 to go in the fourth quarter. That’s when the Panthers went up 34-30 on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett to Taysir Mack. Pitt quarterback Pickett was 27-for-39, passing for 361 yards and three touchdowns. But the Panthers only had 96 yards rushing. EMU controlled time of possession for more than 34 minutes. In the closing seconds of the game EMU quarterback Mike Glass threw two punches one of which caught a referee on the chin. In the Attendance in Detroit: 34,765 

The Mack is back (in the Military Bowl) – North Carolina 55, Temple 13 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 30, Temple 25). Temple was basically a no show. North Carolina outscored the Owls in all four quarters. The Tar Heels had 574 total yards to 272 for Temple. UNC quarterback Sam Howell was 25-for-34, passing for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Temple only had 78 yards rushing. Attendance in Annapolis: 24,242 

The Spartans purged the Demons (in the Pinstripe Bowl) – Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Wake Forest 17, Michigan State 14). All but seven of the points were scored in the first half. Wake Forest led 21-20 at the break. The second half was like a typical Michigan State game – all defense. The Spartans totally dominated the stats. Michigan State also dominated time of possession for more than 35 minutes. MSU quarterback Brain Lewerke was 26-for-37, passing for 320 yards and one touchdown. Attendance in The Bronx: 36,895 

Kellen was killin’ the Cowboys (in the Texas Bowl) – Texas A&M 24, Oklahoma State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 31, Oklahoma State 30). Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond only passed for 95 yards, but he rushed for 117 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. Mond passed for one touchdown and rushed for another. Trailing Oklahoma State 14-0, Texas A&M scored 24 unanswered points to take a 10-point lead with 2:52 left in the game. The Aggies maintained ball possession for more than 34 minutes. Okie State’s Chuba Hubbard rushed for 158 yards. Attendance in Houston: 68,415 

Troy sacked (in the Holiday Bowl) – Iowa 49, USC 24 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 23, Iowa 17). Iowa controlled ball possession for more than 33 minutes, had zero turnovers comparted to three for USC and held the Trojans to 22 yards rushing. USC quarterback Kedon Slovis left the game in the third quarter due to an arm injury. At that point, Slovis was 22-for-30, passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance in San Diego: 50,123 

Ball control! (in the Cheez-It Bowl) – Air Force 31, Washington State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington State 32, Air Force 30). Air Force scored in the first minute of the game and never trailed after that – although the score was briefly tied at 7-7. In spite of the Falcons’ dominance, Air Force never led by more than 10 points. With 9:59 to go in the fourth quarter, the Air Force lead was just 24-21. The Falcons iced it with a touchdown with 3:50 on the clock. As expected, Air Force only passed for 30 yards but rushed for 371 yards, while Washington State only rushed for 15 yards but passed for 351 yards. Two Air Force running backs each had more than 100 yards rushing. Kadin Remsberg rushed for 178 yards and Taven Birdow rushed for 108 yards. Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon was 28-for-42, passing for 351 yards and three touchdowns. Air Force held onto the ball for more than 43 minutes. Attendance in Phoenix: 34,105 

Leaping Leprechauns (in the Camping world Bowl) – Notre Dame 33, Iowa State 9 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, Iowa State 27). Notre Dame had 455 total yards. Iowa State had 272 total yards and only 45 yards rushing. Irish quarterback Ian Book was 20-for-28, passing for 247 yards and one touchdown. ND running back Tony Jones rushed for 135 yards. Attendance in Orlando: 46,948 

Jump ball (in the Cotton Bowl) – Penn State 53, Memphis 39 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 34, Memphis 26). The two teams combined for 1,071 total yards. Penn State was the rushing team – 396 yards. Memphis was the passing team – 479 yards. The Lions’ defense held Memphis to 63 rushing yards. Late in the third quarter, Penn State only led by two points – 38-36. Memphis’ last three scores in the game were all field goals. Penn State running back Journey Brown rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Memphis quarterback Brady White passed for 454 yards. Attendance in Arlington: 54,828 

Burrow Bowl (in the Peach Bowl) – LSU 63, Oklahoma 28 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 33, Oklahoma 25). LSU built up a 49-14 halftime lead over Oklahoma. The teams played tit-for-tat in the second half. The game was over at the break. The Tigers had 693 total yards to 322 for the Sooners, and 31 first downs to 16 for OU. The LSU defense held OU to 97 yards rushing. Attendance in Atlanta: 78,347 

The Trevor and Travis Show (in the Fiesta Bowl) – Clemson 29, Ohio State 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 28, Clemson 24). Clemson never led in the game until 7:54 to go in the third quarter. Ohio State dominated the stats – total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, first downs and time of possession. The Buckeyes even had more penalties. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was 30-for-46, passing for 320 yards and one touchdown. But he also threw two interceptions. Buckeyes running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for 174 yards and one touchdown. In the game, Dobbins broke Eddie George’s Ohio State school record for most rushing yards in a season. But in the end, Ohio State couldn’t stop Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Attendance in Glendale: 71,330 

Last Week’s Bowl Game Picks:    7 winners, 6 fumbles (53.8 percent)
Total Bowl Game Picks To Date: 10 winners, 11 fumbles (47.6 percent)



Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

LSU’s Joe Burrow – 29-39-0 for 493 yards (7TDs); Hawaii’s Cole McDonald – 28-46-0-493 (4TDs); Memphis’ Brady White – 32-51-2-454; Pitt’s Kenny Pickett – 27-39-0-361 (3TDs); Washington State’s Anthony Gordon – 28-42-0-351 (3TDs); Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke – 26-37-1-320 (1TD), and Ohio State’s Justin Fields – 30-46-2-320 (1TD).

Impressive Rushers:

Penn State’s Journey Brown – 202 yards (2TDs); Air Force’s Kadin Remsberg – 178 yards; Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins – 174 yards, and Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard – 158 yards.



Quotes of the Week 

“I’ve really enjoyed working alongside Bush and Jordan and appreciate their contributions to Husky football. These decisions are extremely difficult, but I believe it’s in the best interest of our program to make these changes to align with the vision we have for our team moving forward. I wish them both nothing but the best,” new Washington coach Jimmy Lake, on the firing of offensive coordinator Bush Hamden and tight ends coach Jordan Paopao. 

“It’s obviously designed for a football team. The spacing was awesome. I was kind of sad when they said it was only a two-hour flight. You know, usually you want a quick flight, but this time I was a little sad,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, on flying to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl on the New England Patriot’s plane. 

“We played hard, we played bold, but certainly there were a lot of plays in that game that didn’t go our way and are very hard to swallow right now. Gonna have to really take a look at the film and figure out what really happened on some of those plays. Because in a game like this, where the margin of error is so tiny, one play can alter the game, and it didn’t seem like we got any of those plays,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day, after the Clemson game. 

“When the outcome of the game is determined by reversals by the refs, there is something wrong with that picture,” CFW reader Sally Kirk Adkins. 

“I really thought it would be LSU/OSU. No matter, LSU will knock the snot out of either team,” CFW reader Kris Hansen. 

Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but there were two passings of note last week – Don Imus and Sue Lyon.

Don Imus, who tested the limits of shock radio with his irreverent attacks on celebrities, politicians, racial and ethnic groups, women, gay people and practically everyone else, died last week in College Station, Texas. He was 79. For nearly a half a century – from his start on local stations in the West, through a succession of New York regional and national radio stations and cable networks until his retirement in 2018 – Imus entertained and offended countless millions. The outpouring of sympathy after his disclosure about his prostate cancer reflected not only his wide following as a radio personality but also his admiration for his private charity work, raising millions for the rehabilitation of wounded veterans of the Iraq war and for children with cancer, who had spent summers since 1999 on his ranch near Ribera, New Mexico. To Imus, Dick Cheney was “a war criminal,” Hillary Rodham Clinton was “Satan,” Oprah Winfrey “a fat phony,” Newt Gingrich “a man who would eat roadkill,” Ted Kennedy “a fat slob,” Steve Forbes “a meanspirited creep,” Dan Rather “a loony,” Rush Limbaugh “a drug-addled gas bag,” among others. John Donald Imus Jr. was born on July 23, 1940, in Riverside, California, and raised on ranches near Kingman and Prescott, Arizona. He quit high school and joined the Marine Corps. He got his first radio job in 1968 at KUTY in Palmdale, California, but switched to KJOY in Stockton. He then went to KXOA in Sacramento. Billboard Magazine named him disc jockey of the year for medium-sized markets. By 1970, he was with WGAR in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1971, Imus moved to WNBC in New York and launched “Imus in the Morning.” It was an overnight sensation. In 1994, he had a best seller – “God’s Other Son.” Imus was fired by WNBC in a format change in 1977. He returned to Cleveland, but by 1979 he was back with WNBC. “Imus in the Morning” became nationally syndicated in 1993 and in 1996 MSNBC began simulcasting it. His contract with MSNBC was cancelled in 2007 after his outrageous comment on the hair of the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Imus was picked up by RFD-TV for two years. In 2009 “Imus in the Morning” was simulcast on the Fox Business Network. The Fox relationship ended in 2015 and Imus relocated his radio program to Brenham, Texas. On March 29, 1918, “Imus in the Morning” ended its long run.

Sue Lyon, who was cast in Stanley Kubrick’s “Lolita” at the age of 14, died last week in Los Angeles. She was 73. Lyon’s acting career lasted from 1959 to 1980, with her most significant role as the title character in the 1962 Kubrick film. Lyon earned the part over 800 girls who auditioned. Sue Lyon was born in Davenport, Iowa. Her mother moved the family to Dallas before relocating them to Los Angeles. Lyon landed the role of Laurie in “The Loretta Young Show” and a small part in the 1960 series “Dennis the Menace” before she obtained the defining role of her career. She won the 1963 Golden Globe for most promising female newcomer for “Lolita.” After “Lolita,” Lyon went on again to play a seductive teenager in John Huston’s “The Night of the Iguana,” and in John Ford’s “7 Women” and Gordon Douglas’ “Tony Rome,” staring Frank Sinatra. She appeared on several TV series, including “Love American Style,” “Fantasy Island,” “Police Story” and “Night Gallery.” Her final role was in the 1980 horror film “Alligator.”   

College Football Week 18 - Eight Bowl Down, 31 To Go

College Football Week 18 – Eight bowls down, 31 to go

Who hit a home run and who struck out?

Or who was successful and who wasn’t? 

It’s a coaching thing. 

With the regular season over, the holidays upon us and the bowl games barely begun, this is a good time to sit back and ponder the coaches – the first year coaches. How did they perform in their premier seasons at their respective schools? Some hit a homerun. Others struck out. Most batted around 500 – just above or just below. Some were successful. Some weren’t. Let’s take a look.                                                                                                           

Of the first-year coaches, I have categorized their performances into most successful, successful, barely successful, barely unsuccessful, unsuccessful, most unsuccessful. 

Most Successful Coaches (A+): Ohio State’s Ryan Day (13-0) and Appalachian State’s Eli Drinkwitz (12-1). 

At Ohio State, Ryan Day picked up where Urban Meyer left off. Day was even better as he didn’t stub his toe to a Virginia Tech, Iowa or Purdue along the way. He was a focused coach. 

After a great first season at Appalachian State, Eli Drinkwitz gets to be a first-year coach all over again next year. With only one year at App State, he was hired by Missouri to lead the Tigers out of their doldrums. He may have wished he stayed in Boone. 

Successful Coaches (B+): Kansas State’s Chris Klieman (8-4), Temple’s Rod Carey (8-4), Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton (8-4) and Central Michigan’s Jim McElwain (8-5). 

Chris Klieman took over a 5-7 Kansas State team and led the Wildcats to an 8-4 record, including a win over Oklahoma – the Sooners only loss. Watch out for Klieman. He knows how to win. 

Rod Carey maintained a steady keel at Temple that included a win over Memphis – the Tigers only loss. If Carey keeps winning, he won’t be at Temple for long. 

Tyson Helton took over a 3-9 Western Kentucky team and led them to an 8-4 record. And he doesn’t have to add his brother, Clay, to his staff after all. 

Jim McElwain took over a 1-11 Central Michigan team and coached the Chippewas to an 8-5 record. Picked to finish last in the MAC’s West Division, CMU won the Division and played for the MAC championship. 

Barely Successful Coaches (C+): Louisville’s Scott Satterfield (7-5), Utah State’s Gary Andersen (7-5), Charlotte’s Will Healy (7-5), Liberty’s Hugh Freeze (7-5), North Carolina’s Mack Brown (6-6) and Miami of Florida’s Manny Diaz (6-6). 

Scott Satterfield took over a 2-10 Louisville team and guided the Cardinals to a 7-5 record. Picked to finish last in the ACC’s Atlantic Division, Louisville finished second in the Division behind Clemson. 

The best you can say about Gary Andersen is that he was barely successful at Utah State. After all, the Aggies were 11-2 last year. Andersen’s team did have an outstanding win over a 9-3 San Diego State team. 

Will Healy took over a 5-7 Charlotte team and flipped them to 7-5. Healy also coached the 49ers to their first ever bowl game. 

Hugh Freeze had some success at Liberty, taking the Flames from 6-6 to 7-5. Freeze also led Liberty to its first bowl game. 

Mack Brown took over a 2-9 North Carolina team and led the Tar Heels to a 6-6 record, that included a win over Miami (Florida) and wins over both rivals – Duke and NC State. The Mack is back. 

At best, Manny Diaz can be considered barely successful at Miami, but just barely. The Canes did have an outstanding win over Virginia and good wins over Louisville and Pitt. 

Barely Unsuccessful Coaches (C-): West Virginia’s Neal Brown (5-7), Colorado’s Mel Tucker (5-7), Northern Illinois’ Thomas Hammock (5-7), Troy’s Chip Lindsey (5-7) and Coastal Carolina’s Jamey Chadwell (5-7). 

Neal Brown took over a West Virginia team who’s cupboard was bare. Sitting at 3-6, the Mountaineers won two of their last three games, including a win on the road over an 8-4 Kansas State. WVU fans trust the climb. 

Mel Tucker maintained status quo in Boulder. The Buffs were 5-7 last year and likewise this year. Colorado started out hot at 3-1 that included a win over Arizona State. Then the Buffs lost six of their last eight games. They did manage a good late season win over Washington. 

Thomas Hammock took Northern Illinois down. The Huskies were 8-6 last year, 5-7 this year. Hammock did mange two good wins over Ohio and Western Michigan. 

Troy went from 10-3 under Neal Brown to 5-7 under Chip Lindsey. 

Jamey Chadwell’s Coastal Carolina team finished in last place in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. But the Chanticleers weren’t any worse than last year’s 5-7 team. 

Unsuccessful Coaches (D): Texas Tech’s Matt Wells (4-8), Houston’s Dana Holgorsen (4-8), East Carolina’s Mike Houston (4-8), Maryland’s Mike Locksley (3-9), Kansas’ Les Miles (3-9), Georgia Tech’s Geoff Collins (3-9), Bowling Green’s Scott Loeffler (3-9) and Texas State’s Jake Spavital (3-9). 

The only good thing you can say about Matt Wells’ debut year at Texas Tech is that the Red Raiders did beat an 8-4 Oklahoma State. 

You can’t even say that much about Dana Holgorsen. Houston didn’t beat anybody. This a Houston team that was supposed to contend with Memphis for the AAC West Division. Heck, Houston was so bad that after four games, Holgorsen had about half the team redshirt so they could play next year. You get what you ask for, Houston. 

There was some improvement at East Carolina – minor though it was. Mike Houston improved the Pirates from 3-9 to 4-8. I guess that’s encouraging. 

At 2-0 and a 63-20 win over Syracuse at the beginning of the season, Maryland’s Mike Locksley was a hot commodity. Then it all fell apart for the Terrapins. They were 1-9 in their last 10 games. 

At 3-9, Kansas’ Les Miles didn’t have the success that Mack Brown did at North Carolina. The Mad Hatter will try again next year. Don’t count him out just yet. 

It was a tough season for Geoff Collins at Georgia Tech as he was converting the Yellow Jackets from the triple option to an NFL-style, spread-based offense. It was so tough that Georgia Tech lost to The Citadel. But, before the season was over, the Jackets did manage to beat Miami (Florida). 

Somebody needs to tell Scott Loeffler that Bowling Green fired Mike Jinks for going 3-9. 

What else can I say about Texas State going 3-9. Is there any surprise here? Jake Spavital is buds with Dana Holgorsen. Get the picture? You’ll learn, Texas State. 

Most Unsuccessful Coaches (F): Akron’s Tom Arth (0-13) and Massachusetts’ Walt Bell (1-11). 

The only way for Tom Arth to go is up. You can’t get any worse than 0-13. 

And at Massachusetts, they are saying, “Thank goodness for Akron.” That’s the only team Walt Bell’s Minutemen beat. 

Of the 27 first-year coaches in 2019, 12 had successful seasons, while 17 left something to be desired. What will 2020 bring for those coaches? 

There is hope for the unsuccessful. During his first year at South Carolina, Lou Holtz was 0-11. The next year he was 8-4, including an Outback Bowl win over Ohio State. 

Speaking of coaches, the coaching carousel came to an end last week when the last four schools – UNLV, Appalachian State, Fresno State and New Mexico – still looking for a coach announced the search was over. 

Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo is the new head coach at UNLV. Arroyo replaces Tony Sanchez who was fired a few weeks ago. Appalachian State offensive line coach Shawn Clark was elevated to the head coaching job in Boone. Clark replaces Eli Drinkwitz who left App State to become Missouri’s new head coach 

Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer was named the new head coach at Fresno State. DeBoer replaces Jeff Tedford who stepped down for health reasons. And finally, Arizona State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales is the new head coach of New Mexico. Gonzales replaces the fired Bob Davie. 

Fired Rutgers coach Chris Ash is Tom Herman’s new defensive coordinator at Texas. Kevin Sumlin has hired former Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads as his new defensive coordinator at Arizona. Sumlin fired his defensive coordinator during the season. Willie Taggart hired Jim Leavitt as his defensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic. 

Yes, the coaching carousel came to an end, assuming no coaches leave for the NFL. It is estimated that eight NFL teams will fire their coaches come January. A couple of those teams could reach into the college ranks for their new coaches. Stay tuned! 

The 39-game bowl season got underway Friday afternoon in Nassau – the Bahamas of all places. Buffalo (8-5) took care of Charlotte (7-6), 31-9. The Bulls Jaret Patterson rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Charlotte was playing in its first bowl game, and Buffalo got its first bowl win. 

I’m convinced there were more football players on the field than there were spectators in the stands at the Bahamas Bowl. Interestingly, there was no attendance reported for the game. I guess that’s because there wasn’t any. 

In the next game on Friday, Kent State (7-6) surprised Utah State (7-6), 51-41. The coaches of Kent State and Utah State should give their offensive coordinators a bonus and fire their defensive coordinators. Like Buffalo above, the Golden Flashes won their first ever bowl game. And the mighty MAC is 2-0 after the first day of bowl games. I’m 0-2. 

It has been an amazing season for Kent State and its coach Sean Lewis. Last year, in his first season at Kent, Lewis was 2-10. At one point this season the Golden Flashes were 3-6. They won their final three games to finish 6-6. And now they have won their first bowl game.  

North Carolina A&T (9-3) beat Alcorn State (9-4), 64-44, in the Celebration Bowl. Yes, it was football, not basketball. 

In the New Mexico Bowl, San Diego State (10-3) shattered Central Michigan (8-6), 48-11. It was a tough finish to a good season for CMU coach Jim McElwain. After an 8-4 season, the Chippewas lost their last two games (MAC championship and New Mexico Bowl) to finish 8-6. 

Playing under an interim coach, Florida Atlantic (11-3) beat SMU (10-3), 52-28, in the Boca Raton Bowl. FAU quarterback Chris Robinson put on a show, going 27-for-37, passing for 305 yards and two touchdowns. The Owls were coached in the game by outgoing defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer. 

In the first of three bowl games in Orlando, between December 21 and January 1, Liberty (8-5) downed Georgia Southern (7-6), 23-16, in the Cure Bowl. Liberty grabbed the victory in its first ever bowl game. The Flames never trailed in the game. 

In the rain in Montgomery, Arkansas State (8-5) held off FIU (6-7), 34-26, in the Camellia Bowl. The Red Wolves quarterback Lane Hatcher was amazing, going 27-for-51, passing for 393 yards and four touchdowns. 

They called it the Petersen Bowl. Actually, it was the Las Vegas Bowl. Washington (8-5) beat Boise State (12-2), 38-7.   It was called the Petersen Bowl because Washington coach Chris Petersen was coaching against his old team – Boise State. Petersen coached the Broncos before becoming the Huskies coach. Stepping down at the end of the year, Petersen goes out a winner at both schools. 

In the final game of the day on Saturday, Appalachian State (13-1) capped off an outstanding season, beating UAB (9-5), 31-17, in the New Orleans Bowl. App State’s Darrynton Evans rushed for 161 yards and one touchdown. 

Eight games down and I am 3-5 with my bowl picks. At this rate, Virginia is going to beat Florida in the Orange Bowl. 

Next up: Marshall vs. UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl – Monday, December 23. 

Speaking of bowls, someone said that Virginia got in the Orange Bowl because the Russians influenced the selection process. Regardless, somebody must have bribed somebody because the Orange Bowl couldn’t have selected a worse team than Virginia for the New Year’s Six bowl. Excluding UT Martin and Towson, Virginia will be the worst team the Gators have faced this season. Florida has nothing to gain with a win, and everything to lose with a loss. 

In other news, CBS will no longer be the primary broadcaster of SEC games after the 2023 season. The CBS-SEC contract comes to an end after the 2023 season and CBS is not going to bid on a new contract. Currently CBS pays the SEC $55 million a year. A new contract between the SEC and one of the networks which will commence in 2024 is expected to go for around $300 million a year. ABC/ESPN will bid for the contract and so will FOX Sports. The odds favor ABC/ESPN. 

Rockledge Gator and I had lunch with Judy Hansen last week. We lunched on the deck of Bonefish Willy’s, overlooking the Indian River. The three of us all worked together for many, many years – all good times. While the three of us were having lunch, Bootsie and Swamp Mama were lunching at another location. Tis the season! 

Happy Hanukkah..…Seasons Greetings..…Merry Christmas..…Happy Holidays 

Touchdown Tom
December 22, 2019
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



Review of the First Eight Bowls 

It’s better in the Bahamas (in the Bahamas Bowl) – Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9 (Touchdown Tom said: Charlotte 24, Buffalo 22). For Buffalo that is. The Bulls jumped out to a 24-0 lead and never looked back. Buffalo led 17-0 at halftime and 24-0 with 5:22 to go in the third quarter. Buffalo was the running team – 205 yards, and Charlotte was the passing team – 198 yards. Attendance in Nassau: 0 

Crum was a Flash (in the Frisco Bowl) – Kent State 51, Utah State 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah State 32, Kent State 17). If you like offense, this was your bowl. The teams combined for 1,056 yards of offense. Kent State was the running team. Utah State was the passing team. Kent State 51, Utah State 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah State 32, Kent State 27). Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum was 22-for-27, passing for 289 yards and two touchdowns and he rushed for 147 yards and one touchdown. Utah State quarterback Jordan Love was 30-for-39, passing for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Attendance in Frisco: 12,120 

Aztecs rule (in the New Mexico Bowl) – San Diego State 48, Central Michigan 11 (Touchdown Tom said: San Diego State 18, Central Michigan 13). San Diego State took a quick 7-0 lead and never looked back. The Aztecs had 510 total yards to 277 for CMU and 24 first downs to 8 for the Chippewas. San Diego State quarterback Ryan Agnew was 18-for-31, passing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Aztec running back Jordan Byrd rushed for 139 yards and one touchdown. Attendance in Albuquerque: 18,823 

The Eagles couldn’t put out the Flames (in the Cure Bowl) – Liberty 23, Georgia Southern 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Southern 30, Liberty 27). Liberty never trailed in the game and at one point in the third quarter, the Flames led Georgia Southern by 16 points – 23-7. Georgia Southern only had 95 yards passing. Attendance in Orlando: 18,158 

We don’t need no Lane Kiffin (in the Boca Raton Bowl) – Florida Atlantic 52, SMU 28 (Touchdown Tom said: SMU 34, Florida A&M 26). SMU’s defense was a no show and the Mustangs’ offense had no running game. FAU took advantage. Attendance in Boca Raton: 23,187 

The Panthers were seeing Red (in the Camellia Bowl) – Arkansas State 34, FIU 26 (Touchdown Tom said: FIU 29, Arkansas State 26). As in Wolves. Arkansas State led 27-13 in the third quarter. Then FIU rallied to trail by one point – 27-26 – with 11:52 to go in the game. But that’s where the rally ended. The teams combined for 970 total yards – 705 of the total yards were from passing. Attendance in  Montgomery: 16,209 

All mush – (in the Las Vegas Bowl) – Washington 38, Boise State 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 30, Boise State 21). Washington not only outplayed Boise State, but also the Huskies took advantage of three Broncos turnovers. Washington’s defense held Boise State to 78 yards rushing. It was a fitting end for Washington coach Chris Petersen. Attendance in Las Vegas: 34,197 

Late start (in the New Orleans Bowl) – Appalachian State 31, UAB 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Appalachian State 30, UAB 17). Appalachian State was down 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Then the Little Mountaineers went to work and outscored UAB, 31-3. The App State defense held UAB to only 40 yards rushing. Attendance in New Orleans: 21,202 

Last Week’s Bowl Game Picks:  3 winners, 5 fumbles (37.5 percent)



Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Arkansas State’s Lane Hatcher – 27-51-1-393 (4TDs) and Utah State’s Jordan Love – 30-39-1-317 (3TDs).

Impressive Rushers:

Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson – 173 yards (2TDs); Appalachian State’s Darrynton Evans – 161 yards (1TD) and Kent State’s Dustin Crum – 147 yards (1TD).



Weekend Recap

FCS (Division I-AA) Semifinals

North Dakota State 42, Montana State 14
James Madison 30, Weber State 14



Celebration Bowl

North Carolina A&T 64, Alcorn State 44



Division II Championship

West Florida 48, Minnesota State 40



Division III Championship

North Central 41, UW-Whitewater 14



Quotes of the Week 

“ I think it is ridiculous that Virginia is in a New Year’s Six bowl. That’s absurd,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum. 

“Virginia has no business playing in the Orange Bowl,” college football commentator Tim Brando. 

“This is what Urban Meyer has done at a lot of places. He’s gone in, won, scandal, left. I don’t know if you can do that in the NFL,” ESPN college football commentator Pat McAfee, on Urban Meyer coaching in the NFL. 

“If you do what you always do, you’re gonna get what you always get,” Doug from South Carolina, talking about Will Muschamp on The Paul Finebaum Show. 

“I’m gonna wear this hat. He doesn’t have to,” former Florida running back Emmitt Smith, putting on a Gators hat after his son E.J. signed his commitment to Stanford, instead of Florida, on early signing day. 

Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but there were three passings of note last week – Peter Snell, Hayden Fry and Junior Johnson.

Peter Snell, a three-time Olympic champion who twice held the world record for the mile, died last week in Dallas. He was 80. A native New Zealander, Snell was considered the best miler of his generation in an age when the event was the premier contest in sport. He would eventually serve as a research fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, later directing the university’s Human Performance Center. Snell won the 800 meters at the 1960 Rome Olympics and the 800 and 1500 double at the 1964 Tokyo Games, the first man since 1920 to win the double at the same Olympics. No man has accomplished that feat since. He retired in 1965 to pursue schooling in the United States, earning degrees from the University of California-Davis and Washington State University.

Hayden Fry, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Iowa for 20 seasons and produced one of the sport’s most important coaching trees died last week near Dallas. He was 90. Fry went 143-89-6 at Iowa, including a 96-61-5 mark in the Big Ten. He coached the Hawkeyes to three Big Ten championships, three Rose Bowl appearances and 10 AP Top-25 finishes. Before Iowa, Fry coached North Texas for six seasons and SMU for 11 seasons. He won coach of the year honors in three leagues – the Southwest Conference, the Missouri Valley Conference and the Big Ten Conference. Fry also was Sporting News’ national coach of the year in 1981. His biggest impact on the sport may be the number of coaches who played for and/or coached under him. His coaching tree includes former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, former Kansas State coach Bill Snyder, former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, former Iowa State and North Texas coach Dan McCarney and current college coaches Mark Stoops of Kentucky, Bo Pelini of Youngstown State and Jay Norvell of Nevada. Hayden Fry was born on February 28, 1929, in Eastland, Texas. He played quarterback at Baylor and began his coaching career at Odessa High School in Texas before entering the college ranks.

Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson, the moonshine runner turned NASCAR driver described as “The Last American Hero” by author Tom Wolfe in a 1965 article for Esquire, died last week. He was 88. From North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Johnson was named one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers in 1998 after a 14-year career that ended in 1966 and included a win in the 1960 Daytona 500. He honed his driving skills running moonshine through the North Carolina mountains, a crime for which he received a federal conviction in 1956 and a full presidential pardon in 1986 from President Ronald Reagan. He later became a car owner for drivers. His last race win as an owner was in the 1994 Southern 500 with Bill Elliott. At age 24, Johnson turned his moonshine running to racing and became a superstar in NASCAR in the 1950s and 1960s. He walked away from the sport in 1996 to pursue other interests.

College Football Extra - And Then Suddenly, Last Summer

College Football Extra – Touchdown Tom’s Holiday Bonus

‘And then suddenly, last summer’ 

What year was it? 

The Internet began and the 3D printer was invented. The first mobile cellular telephone call was made, the Swatch was introduced, and compact discs went on sale for the first time in the United States. 

It was the year when three iconic television shows said farewell, airing their final episodes. America West Airlines began operation. And it was a year of firsts: the first Hooters opened, and the first American woman and the first African-American flew in space. But it was a sad year for Madrid. 

“It happened one summer
It happened one time
It happened forever
For a short time” 

The year began on a Saturday and on that day, the migration of ARPANET to TCP/IP was officially completed, marking the beginning of the Internet. 

A good two weeks later, the International Olympic Committee restored Jim Thorpe’s Olympic medals. The medals were presented to Thorpe’s family. A day later, high-ranking NAZI war criminal Klaus Barbie was caught and arrested in Bolivia. 

Near the end of January, Lotus 1-2-3 was released for IBM compatible computers, while on the same day, former Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant died. 

On the last day of the month, in the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California, the Washington Redskins beat the Miami Dolphins, 27-17, in the Super Bowl. Redskins running back John Riggins was named the most valuable player. 

Late in February, a special commission of the United States Congress released a report critical of America’s internment of the Japanese during World War II. 

On the last day of February, the final episode of “M*A*S*H” aired, setting a record for the most-watched television episode. The show reached a total audience estimated at 125 million, a record that remains unsurpassed. 

March began and the first collection of Swatch watches were introduced in Zurich, Switzerland. The next day, compact discs went on sale for the first time in the United States. A week later, the 3D printer was invented by Chuck Hull. 

Late in March, “Little House on the Prairie” aired for the last time, while Motown celebrated its 25^th anniversary with the television special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.” During the show, Michael Jackson performed “Billie Jean” and introduced the moonwalk. 

During the first week in April, the Space Shuttle Challenger was launched on its maiden voyage – the STS-6 mission. On the same day, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, NC State, coached by Jim Valvano, beat Houston, coached by Guy Lewis, 54-52, to win the NCAA basketball championship. 

Just a week later, in Augusta, Georgia, Spain’s Seve Ballesteros won the 47^th Masters Tournament. It was his second Masters win. Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite finished in a second-place tie, four strokes behind Ballesteros. 

That night, in Los Angeles, California, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, “Gandhi” was named the Best Picture at the 55^th Academy Awards ceremonies. Ben Kingsley was named Best Actor for “Gandhi,” and Meryl Streep was named Best Actress for “Sophie’s Choice.” 

Before April would come to an end, Target Corporation, Minnesota’s largest retailer, expanded into California, opening 11 stores. David Bowie’s 15^th album, “Let’s Dance,” was released. It became Bowie’s biggest selling album of all time. And the United States embassy in Beirut was bombed, killing 63 people. 

“A place for a moment
An end to a dream
Forever I loved you
Forever it seemed” 

On the 7^th of May, Sunny’s Halo, ridden by jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, won the 109^th running of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky. Three days later, the final episode of “Laverne & Shirley” aired on television. 

On May 11^th, Aberdeen beat Real Madrid, 2-1, to win the European Cup. Aberdeen became only the third Scottish team to win a European trophy. Three days later, Dundee United was crowned the champions of Scotland for the first time in the team’s history. Dundee United won the Scottish Premier Division on the final day of the league season at Dens Park, the home of their city rivals Dundee. 

In mid-May, the New York Islanders beat the Edmonton Oilers, four games to none, to win the Stanley Cup. Three days later, two separate research groups independently declared that a novel retrovirus may have been infecting people with HIVAIDS. 

Late in the month, “Return of the Jedi” opened in theaters. Manchester United won the FA Cup, beating Brighton & Hove Albion, 4-0, at London’s Wembley Stadium. And an explosion at an unlicensed  fireworks operation near Benton, Tennessee, killed 11 people and injured one. The blast could be heard 20 miles away. 

On the last day of May, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA championship in a four-game sweep. The 76ers Moses Malone was named the most valuable player. 

During the first week of June, at the French Open Tennis Tournament in Paris, America’s Chris Evert won the women’s singles title, beating Yugoslavia’s Mimi Jausovec. The next day, France’s Yannick Noah won the men’s title, beating Sweden’s Mats Wilander. 

Summer was underway and while not yet able to listen to the games on the radio, college football fans were listening to “I Won’t Hold You Back” by Toto; “Photograph” by Def Leppard; “Always Something There To Remind Me” by Naked Eyes; “Solitaire” by Laura Branigan; “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie; “Rio” by Duran Duran; “Flashdance – What  Feeling” by Irene Cara; “My Love” by Lionel Richie; “Overkill” by Men At Work; “She’s A Beauty” by The Tubes, and “Faithfully by Journey. 

A few days later in June, Britain’s Conservative government, led by Margaret Thatcher, was reelected by a landslide majority. In mid-June, Pioneer 10 passed the orbit of Neptune, becoming the first man-made object to leave the vicinity of the major planets of the solar system. 

Meanwhile, the radio stations were playing “Affair Of The Heart” by Rick Springfield; “Time (Clock Of The Heart)” by Culture Club; “Never Gonna Let You Go” by Sergio Mendes; “All This Love” by DeBarge; “Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo; “That’s Love” by Jim Capaldi; “Don’t Let It End” by Styx; “Family Man” by Daryl Hall & John Oates; “The Closer You Get” by Alabama; “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John, and “Come Dancing” by The Kinks. 

Later in June, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission. Two days later, Larry Nelson won the 83^rd U.S. Open golf tournament at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Nelson beat Tom Watson by one stroke. 

Just two days into July, Martina Navratilova defeated Andrea Jaeger to win the women’s singles title at the 97^th Wimbledon Championship in England. The next day, John McEnroe beat New Zealand’s Chris Lewis to take the men’s singles title. 

“One summer never ends
One summer never began
It keeps me standing still
It takes all my will” 

Two weeks later, Nintendo’s Family Computer, also known as Famicom, went on sale in Japan. 

As the summer air grew warmer and thicker, the DJs were playing and college football fans were listening to “Slipping Away” by Dave Edmunds; “Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)” by A Flock Of Seagulls; “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Eurythmics; “Saved By Zero” by The Fixx; “Baby Jane” by Rod Stewart; “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” by Michael Jackson; “(Keep Feeling) Fascination” by Human League, and “She Works Hard For The Money” by Donna Summer. 

In mid-July, at the 112^th Open Championship at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, Tom Watson won his fifth Open Championship. Watson finished one stroke ahead of runners-up Andy Bean and Hale Irwin. 

Two days later, Simon and Garfunkel began their North American summer tour in Akron, Ohio. 

The summer airwaves continued to be filled with music, including “China Girl” by David Bowie; “Is There Something I Should Know” by Duran Duran; “Stand Back” by Stevie Nicks; “Maniac” by Michael Sembello; “Every Breath You Take” by The Police; “Rock Of Ages” by Def Leppard; “Cuts Likes A Knife” by Bryan Adams, and “Hot Girls In Love” by Loverboy. 

On July 23^rd, Air Canada Flight 143 glided to a landing in Gimli, Manitoba, after running out of fuel in mid-flight. That night, Diana Ross’s concert in New York City’s Central Park, attended by 800,000 fans, was cut short by a massive thunderstorm. 

On the first day of August, American West Airlines began operation out of Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Six days later, at the 65^th PGA Championship, at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Hal Sutton won the tournament, beating Jack Nicklaus by one stroke. 

“And then suddenly
Last summer” 

As summer was coming to an end, college football fans couldn’t wait for the season to begin. Nebraska was the No. 1 team in the preseason polls. The top songs on the radio were “The Border” by America; “Take Me To Heart” by Quarterflash; “Rock ‘N’ Roll Is King” by Electric Light Orchestra; “Dead Giveaway” by Shalamar; “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” by Laura Branigan; “All Time High” by Rita Coolidge, and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” by Culture Club. 

In mid-August, singer Paul Simon married actress Carrie Fisher, and Hurricane Alicia hit the Texas coast, killing 22 people and causing $3.8 billion in damage. 

Just days before the first games of the season, college football fans were grillin’ and chillin’ to “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats; “It’s A Mistake” by Men At Work; “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” by Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack; “After The Fall” by Journey; “Human Touch” by Rick Springfield, and “Lawyers In Love” by Jackson Browne. 

In the waning days of August, Guion Bluford became the first African-American in space, aboard Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-8 mission.

As September began, Korean Airlines Flight 007 was shot down by a Soviet Air Force plane when it entered Russian air space near Moneron Island. All 269 on board were killed, including U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald.

A week or so later, at the 103^rd U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, Martina Navratilova beat Chris Evert for the women’s singles title. The next day, Jimmy Connors defeated Ivan Lendl for the men’s singles title.

Meanwhile, the college football season was underway and fans were tailgating to “Don’t You Get So Mad” by Jeffrey Osborne; “Promises, Promises” by Naked Eyes; “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Bonnie Tyler; “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson; “Don’t Cry” by Asia, and “Far From Over” by Frank Stallone.

During mid-September, Huey Lewis and the News’s album “Sports” was released, while the Global Positioning System (GPS) was made available for civilian use.

Also, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Vanessa Williams became the first African-American to be crowned Miss America, and the heavy metal band KISS appeared in public without makeup for the first time.

“Sometimes I never leave
But sometimes I would
Sometimes I stay too long
Sometimes I would”

College football fans were celebrating their wins and mourning their losses to “Burning Down The Home” by Talking Heads; “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel; “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” by Air Supply; “Big Log” by Robert Plant; “True” by Spandau Ballet; “(She’s) Sexy + 17” by Stray Cats, and “Tell Her No” by Juice Newton.

Near the end of September, the Australian yacht, Australia II, won the America’s Cup, becoming the first successful challenge to the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year defense of the sailing trophy.

During the first week of October, Neil Kinnock was elected leader of the British Labor Party, and the first Hooters restaurant opened in Clearwater, Florida.

A few days later, Mark Bachrodt kicked a 47-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Iowa State a 38-35 win over Kansas.

In mid-October, the Baltimore Orioles beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4 games to 1, to win the World Series. Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey was named the most valuable player.

A week later, simultaneous suicide truck-bombings destroyed both the U.S. Marine Corps barracks and the French Army barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The bombings killed 241 U.S. servicemen, 58 French paratroopers and six Lebanese civilians.

Still in October, word processor software Multi-Tool Word, soon to become Microsoft Word, was released in the United States.

With Halloween approaching, college football fans were carving their pumpkins to “Everyday I Write The Book” by Elvis Costello; “Don’t Forget To Dance” by The Kinks; “Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)” by Sheena Easton; “One Thing Leads To Another” by The Fixx; “King Of Pain” by The Police; “Islands In The Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton; “Foolin’” by Def Leppard; “Sitting At The Wheel” by The Moody Blues; “Suddenly Last Summer” by The Motels; “Delirious” by Prince; “Just Got Lucky” by JoBoxers; “This Time” by Bryan Adams, and “If Anyone Falls” by Stevie Nicks.

“Sometimes it frightens me
Sometimes it would
Sometimes I’m all alone
And wish that I could”

As October came to a close, Stan Hunter caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Brian McClure on the final play of the game to give Bowling Green a 15-14 win over Central Michigan. And after seven years of military rule, the first democratic elections were held in Argentina.

The price of a first-class stamp was 20 cents, and the price of a gallon of gas was $1.24. A loaf of bread costs 50 cents, a gallon of milk was $2.24, while a dozen eggs cost 86 cents. The annual inflation rate was 3.22%.

On the 2^nd of November, Chrysler introduced the Dodge Caravan, the first minivan. Three days later, Marty Jimmerson kicked a 24-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Baylor a 24-21 win over Arkansas.

As the college football season was nearing an end, college football fans were singing to “Love Is A Stranger” by Eurythmics; “Modern Love” by David Bowie; “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder; “All Night Long (All Night) by Lionel Richie; “Tender Is The Night” by Jackson Browne, and “Send Her My Love” by Journey.

The following week, Ron Woods caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Mike Pitz on the final play of the game to give Pacific a 30-26 win over San Jose State. On the same day, Jeff Davis kicked a 19-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Miami (Florida) a 17-16 win over Florida State.

In mid-November the movie “A Christmas Story” was released.

At Thanksgiving, college football fans were stuffing themselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, while listening to “Major Tom (Coming Home)” by Peter Schilling; “Love Is A Battlefield” by Pat Benatar; “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel; “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus and Chaka Khan; “How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye” by Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross, and P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson.

On November 26, Max Zendejas kicked a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Arizona a 17-15 win over Arizona State. The following day, Avianca Flight 11 crashed while landing near Madrid, Spain, killing 181 of the 192 people on board.

“One summer never ends
One summer never began
It keeps me standing still
It takes all my will”

The consensus All-American first team offense consisted of wide receiver Irving Fryar – Nebraska (6-0, 200) Mount Holly, NJ; tight end Gordon Hudson – BYU (6-4, 231) Salt Lake City, UT; lineman Bill Fralic – Pitt (6-5, 270) Penn Hills, PA; lineman Terry Long – East Carolina (6-0, 280) Columbia, SC; lineman Dean Steinkuhler – Nebraska (6-3, 270) Burr, Nebraska; lineman Doug Dawson – Texas (6-3, 263) Houston, TX; center Tony Slaton – USC (6-4, 260) Merced, CA; quarterback Steve Young – BYU (6-1, 198) Greenwich, CT; running back Mike Rozier – Nebraska (5-11, 210) Camden, NJ; running back Bo Jackson – Auburn (6-1, 222) Bessemer, AL; running back Greg Allen – Florida State (6-0, 200) Milton, FL; running back Napoleon McCallum – Navy (6-2, 208) Milford, OH, and placekicker Luis Zendejas – Arizona State (5-9, 186) Chino, CA.

Just two days into December, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video was aired on MTV for the first time. A few days later, the polls were out and Nebraska, who began the season at No. 1, finished the regular season ranked No. 1. Nebraska (12-0) and Texas (11-0) were the only two Division I teams to finish the season undefeated.

Nebraska running back Mike Rozier won the Heisman Trophy. Rozier was followed in the voting by (2) BYU quarterback Steve Young, (3) Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie and (4) Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill.

Rozier also won both the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award presented to college football’s most outstanding player.

Both the Outland Trophy (most outstanding interior lineman) and the Vince Lombardi Award (most outstanding lineman or linebacker) were won by Nebraska guard Dean Steinkuhler.

Still early in December, two Spanish passenger planes collided on a foggy runway at a Madrid, Spain, airport, killing 90 people. And in the first bowl game of the season, Air Force beat Ole Miss, 9-3, in the Independence Bowl.

Some of the best albums of the year were “Flick of the Switch” by AC/DC; “The Closer You Get” by Alabama; “Alpha” by Asia; “Confrontation” by Bob Marley & The Wailers;” “Cuts Like A Knife” by Bryan Adams; “Speeding Time” by Carole King;” “Nest Position Please” by Cheap Trick; “She’s So Unusual” by Cyndi Lauper; “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie; “Pyromania” by Def Leppard; “Burlap & Satin” by Dolly Parton.

Also, “Let Me Drink From Your Well” by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show; “Secret Messages” by Electric Light Orchestra; “White Shoes” by Emmylou Harris; “Genesis” by Genesis; “Right Or Wrong” by George Strait; “Salute” by Gordon Lightfoot; “Fierce Heart” by Jim Capaldi; “Legendary Hearts” by Lou Reed; “Madonna” by Madonna; “Hearts And Bones” by Paul Simon; “Synchronicity” by The Police; “Murmur” by R.E.M.

Also, “Living In Oz” by Rick Springfield; “Never Let You Go” by Rita Coolidge; “Body Wishes” by Rod Stewart; “Speaking In Tongues” by Talking Heads; “Little Robbers” by The Motels; “Undercover” by The Rolling Stones; “Under A Blood Red Sky” by U2; “War” by U2; “Labour Of Love” by UB40; “Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart” by Van Morrison, and “Eliminator” by ZZ Top.

“And then suddenly
Last summer
And then suddenly
Last summer”

On the 17^th of December, a discotheque fire in Madrid, Spain, killed 80 people and injured 47. While on the same day, a Provisional IRA car bomb killed six people and injured 90 outside Harrod’s Department Store in London.

Also on the 17^th, two more bowl games were played. Tennessee beat Maryland, 30-23, in the Citrus Bowl, while it was Northern Illinois 20, Fullerton State 13, in the California Bowl.

With Christmas near and bowl games in the air, college football fans were doing their Holiday shopping to “Baby I Lied” by Deborah Allen; “Souls” by Rick Springfield; “Time Will Reveal” by DeBarge; “Crumblin’ Down” by John Cougar Mellencamp; “Say, Say, Say” by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson; “Church Of The Poison Mind” by Culture Club; “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” by Elton John; “Say It Ain’t So” by Daryl Hall & John Oates; “Holiday” by Madonna; “Synchronicity II” by The Police; “Twist Of Fate” by Olivia Newton-John; “Union Of The Snake” by Duran Duran; “Joanna” by Kool & The Gang; “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” by Yes; “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” by Elmo & Patsy, and “Christmas In Dixie” by Alabama.

Within a few days of Christmas, West Virginia beat Kentucky, 20-16, in the Hall of Fame Bowl, and BYU won the Holiday Bowl, beating Missouri, 21-17. The day before Christmas, Alabama beat SMU in the Sun bowl, 28-7.

Two days after Christmas, Penn State beat Washington, 13-10, in the Aloha Bowl. Three days later, in the Liberty Bowl, Notre Dame downed Boston College, 19-18.

“One summer never ends
One summer never began
It keeps me standing still
It takes all my will”

Some of the popular movies of the year were “The Outsiders;” “A Christmas Story;” “National Lampoon’s Vacation;” “War Games;” “Trading Places;” “Terms of Endearment;” “Sophie’s Choice;” “The Big Chill,” and “Eddie and the Cruisers.”

Also; “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi;” “Risky Business;” “The Winds of War;” “Mr. Mom;” “Spring Break,” “Staying Alive;” “The Right Stuff;” “Yentl;” “Scarface;” “Sudden Impact;” “Silkwood;” “Octopussy,” and  “The Year of Living Dangerously.”

Some of the better reads during the year included “Space” by James Michener; “Mistral’s Daughter” by Judith Krantz; “The Valley of the Horse” by Jean Auel; “The Parsifal Mosaic” by Robert Ludlum; “Max” by Howard Fast; “Master of the Game” by Sydney Sheldon; “Ellis Island” by Fred Mustard Stewart; “The Little Drummer Girl” by John le Carre; “The Lonesome Gods” by Louis L’Amour, and “The Delta Star” by Joseph Wambaugh.

Also, “Banker” by Dick Francis; “Voice of the Heart” by Barbara Taylor Bradford; “Ancient Evenings” by Norman Mailer; “The Summer of Katya” by Trevanian; “Ascent Into Hell” by Andrew Greeley; “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco; “August” by Judith Rossner; “Po;and” by James Michener; “Exocet” by Jack Higgins; “Winter’s Tale” by Mark Helprin; “The Auerbach Will” by Stephen Birmingham, and “Pet Sematary” by Stephen King.

December 30 saw Florida beat Iowa, 14-6, in the Gator Bowl, and on the same day Florida State won the Peach Bowl, beating North Carolina, 28-3.

Well-known people who were born during the year included Justin Verlander; Emily Blunt; Carrie Underwood; Matt Leinart; Vince Young; Kim Klijsters; Edward Snowden; Miranda Lambert; Aaron Rodgers; Amy Winehouse, Katy Tur; Chris Hemsworth; Adam Driver, and Jay Cutler.

The consensus All-American first team defense consisted of lineman Rick Bryan –  Oklahoma (6-4, 260) Coweta, OK; lineman Reggie White – Tennessee (6-5, 264) Chattanooga, TN; lineman William Perry – Clemson (6-3, 320) Aiken, SC; lineman William Fuller – North Carolina (6-4, 250) Chesapeake, VA; linebacker Ricky Hunley – Arizona (6-2, 230) Petersburg, VA; linebacker Wilber Marshall – Florida (6-1, 230) Titusville, FL; linebacker Ron Rivera – California (6-3, 225) Monterey, CA; linebacker Jeff Leiding – Texas (6-4, 240) Tulsa, OK; linebacker Russell Carter – SMU (6-3, 193) Ardmore; PA; defensive back Jerry Gray – Texas (6-1, 183) Lubbock, TX; defensive back Terry Hoage – Georgia (6-3, 196) Huntsville, TX; defensive back Don Rogers – UCLA (6-2, 208) Sacramento, CA, and punter Jack Well – Wyoming (5-11, 171) Northglenn, CO.

“And then suddenly
Last summer
And then suddenly
Last summer
Until suddenly
Last summer”

Famous people who passed away during the year included Dick Emery; Meyer Lansky; George Cukor; Paul “Bear” Bryant; Karen Carpenter; Tennessee Williams; Arthur Godfrey; Bob Waterfield; Gloria Swanson; Dolores del Rio; Walter Slezak; Buster Crabbe; George Balanchine; Muddy Waters and Norm Van Brocklin.

Also, Jack Dempsey; Buckminster Fuller; Harry James; David Niven; Lynn Fontanne; Carolyn Jones; Ira Gershwin; Henry “Scoop” Jackson; Joan Hackett; Ralph Richardson; Pat O’Brien; Jessica Savitch; Slim Pickens; Rod Cameron; William Demarest, and Dennis Wilson.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the year at 1,258.

The most popular TV shows of the year were “Falcon Crest;” Dallas;” “Dynasty;” “The A-Team;” “Simon & Simon;” “Magnum, P.I.;” “Kate & Allie;” “Hotel;” “Cagney & Lacey;” “Knots Landing;” “The Love Boat;” “The Jeffersons;” “Newhart;” “Scarecrow & Mrs. King,” and “Alice.”

During the last few days of the year and on New Year’s Eve, college football fans were partying, drinking, celebrating and singing to “If I’d Been The One” by 38 Special; “I Still Can’t Get Over Loving You” by Ray Parker Jr.; “Undercover Of The Night” by The Rolling Stones; “Let The Music Play” by Shannon; “Gold” by Spandau Ballet; “Read ’Em And Weep” by Barry Manilow; “The Sign Of The Fire” by The Fixx; “The Politics Of Dancing” by Re-Flex; “Running With The Night” by Lionel Richie; “That’s All” by Genesis; “Remember The Nights” by The Motels; “The Curly Shuffle” by Jump ’N The Saddle, and “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club.

On New Year’s Eve, Oklahoma State beat Baylor, 24-14, in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

At the 12^th annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special, aired on ABC TV, Culture Club, Rick James, Laura Branigan, Barry Manilow, David Frizzell and the Mary Jane Girls were featured.

“And then suddenly
Last summer
Until suddenly
Last summer”

New Year’s Day, Auburn won the Sugar Bowl, beating Michigan, 9-7, and UCLA beat Illinois, 45-9, in the Rose Bowl.

Also on January 1, Georgia handed Texas its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs beat the Longhorns, 10-9, in the Cotton Bowl. Then, Miami (Florida) gave Nebraska its first loss of the season. In the Orange Bowl, the Hurricanes beat the Cornhuskers, 31-30.

In the last bowl game of the season, played on January 2, Ohio State beat Pitt, 28-23, in the Fiesta Bowl.

Miami (Florida), under coach Howard Schnellenberger, finished its season at 11-1. The Hurricanes were crowned the national champions in the Associated Press, UPI and USA Today/CNN Polls. Miami’s only loss occurred in Gainesville, Florida, on the opening weekend of the season. Florida beat the Canes, 28-3. Miami then won 11-straight games, but the Canes had close calls in their final three games of the season. Miami beat East Carolina (12-7), Florida State (17-16) and Nebraska, in the bowl game, (31-30).

“Suddenly Last Summer” was a hit song by the new wave band The Motels. It was written by the band’s lead singer, Martha Davis. “Suddenly Last Summer” debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart on September 3 – the beginning of football season. It remained on the chart for 20 weeks, throughout the remainder of the football season and beyond. “Suddenly Last Summer” peaked at No. 9 on November 19. The song fell off the chart on January 21. Martha Davis said in an interview, “The song is a reflection on those moments in life when things are changing. Like when it’s a beautiful sunny day and a cold wind blows and you know the end of summer is coming. Summer is ending when you hear the ice cream truck go by for the last time and you know he won’t be back for a while. The song touches upon themes such as the loss of virginity and innocence.” 

The year and football season was 1983. 

Happy Hanukkah..…Seasons Greetings..…Merry Christmas..…Happy Holidays 

Touchdown Tom
December 19, 2019
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

(Note: College Football Week 18 will be posted on Sunday, December 22.)