Week 5 Recap: Dixieland Delight Indeed!

As predicted, Hurricane Helene threw a wrench in our plans last weekend. The Dons of Danville were supposed to fly into the Redneck Riviera on Thursday for some beach time before heading up to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama vs. Georgia showdown. Unfortunately, Panama City Beach airport shut down all incoming flights that day, leaving the crew scrambling. Only one Don, Chris DeSimone, managed to fly directly into Birmingham on Friday. So, I made the call and drove up to Birmingham for the night, where we grabbed dinner at Saw's Juke Joint and enjoyed some stellar barbecue. My prayers are with those affected by the storm especially in the North Carolina mountains and Eastern Tennessee.

Saturday started early. I needed to be on campus at the University of Alabama by 9:00 a.m. for my live interview at 9:45 a.m. on Sirius XM Radio's Jimmy Mack Show, channel 146, broadcasting from our tailgate. Afterward, we strolled over to catch a bit of ESPN College GameDay. Terry Saban, Nick's wife and a revered figure among the Crimson Tide faithful, was the guest picker.

Dan on the Jimmy Mac Show, Joe and Dan repping Tailgate Connect!

Back at the B.U.T.T. tailgate, hosted by Randy Darby, we welcomed over 100 guests through Tailgate Connect®. The food, catered by Shelly’s Kitchen, was phenomenal—baked chicken, loaded potatoes, buffalo chicken dip, green beans, and an assortment of beers and cocktails. The DJ kept the energy high, and the people-watching was top-notch as tens of thousands passed by, many stopping to dance to the tunes. The campus buzz was as electric as I've ever felt, with anticipation through the roof for both teams.

The B.U.T.T. and the Goodyear blimp in the sky

Brad showing the horse soldier bourbon, Randy Darby the Legend, Butch Ferguson, played for the Bear.

Best ESPN Gameday sign, the gate in full swing, the fellas taking in the ESPN scene.

People keep asking, "How much did I pay for my game ticket?" Well, let’s just say, knowing someone like my good friend Alabama Al helps. What would’ve cost $500-$600 on the open market, we snagged for $200 each—Row 16, 20-yard line behind the Alabama bench. And the perks didn’t stop there. We had a front-row view of Hank Williams Jr., Kid Rock, John Daly, as they were in front of us for the 2nd quarter on the Bama sideline. Even  former President Donald J. Trump was in attendance for this epic game. The security presence was intense, with Secret Service agents seemingly everywhere.

The F18 flyover, the flight crew, Hank Jr. and all his rowdy friends!

As for the game, well, what a rollercoaster! Alabama dominated the first half, jumping out to a 28-0 lead, leaving many viewers assuming it would be a blowout. Jalen Milroe was unstoppable, and his favorite target, 17-year-old phenom Ryan Williams, looked “uncoverable.” But Georgia, under Coach Kirby Smart, made all the right halftime adjustments. Carson Beck, who struggled in the first half, came alive, leading the Dawgs to three second-half touchdowns. Georgia cut the lead to 34-28 and even took a one-point lead late in the game.

Battle in the trenches, the crew, Lt. Dan and Forest reunite, the celebs.

However, Milroe and Williams had one more trick up their sleeve. Williams broke away for a stunning go-ahead touchdown, leaving Georgia with less than two minutes to mount a final drive. That drive ended with an interception in the end zone, securing Alabama’s victory in what’s already being called an instant classic. We managed to beat the traffic and headed back to our hotel in Birmingham, high on the adrenaline of such an epic day.

Around the Country
Friday night delivered two big games. Virginia Tech got robbed in the final seconds of their game against Miami, with a controversial reversal of a Hail Mary touchdown that many believe was ACC interference to preserve Miami’s playoff hopes. On the same night, Rutgers knocked off Washington, going 4-0 for the first time in my lifetime. The biggest upset came when Kentucky stunned Ole Miss, thanks to a botched field goal. Arizona shocked Utah in Salt Lake City, and Oklahoma squeaked by Auburn despite lacking much offense. Meanwhile, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty continued to put up video game-like stats in their win over Washington State.

In FCS action, Montana beat Eastern Washington in a thriller on the “red inferno,” and in D2 action, Frostburg State improved to 4-0.

Bieber Award
Plenty of candidates for this week’s Bieber Award—Hurricane Helene, the ACC’s bad call, or even me for forgetting to mention Mrs. Tailgate during my Sirius/XM interview—but none come close to what former UNLV QB1 Matthew Sluka did. After leading UNLV to a 3-0 start, Sluka demanded $100,000 in NIL money, allegedly promised to him. When UNLV refused, Sluka quit on his team midseason. The slippery slope in the world of NIL that Sluka possibly has created will have effects that are far-reaching for a long time unless guardrails are put in place ASAP. Poetic justice was served when UNLV’s backup led them to victory on Saturday. Congratulations, Sluka—you’ve earned this week’s Bieber Award. Enjoy your new Bieber hardware, because it’s probably the last trophy you’ll see in your college career.

Ginger Award
This week’s Ginger Award goes to The Final Mile, a charity that supports truck drivers and their families during times of need, especially when a driver passes away far from home. Two gentlemen from the organization, Randy Dye and Brad Bentley, were part of the 25-person group from the truck driving industry attending the B.U.T.T. tailgate. We ran a raffle Saturday to help raise money for The Final Mile. Please consider visiting their website and making a donation: The Final Mile. This is one badass organization.

Next Up
After six straight weekends of games, I’m seriously considering taking a breather. October is going to be packed with travel, and I might need to recharge. That said, if I can be persuaded, I could be tempted to drive to Gainesville, Florida, for Saturday night’s Gators vs. UCF showdown. What do you think? Should I take the weekend off, or keep the streak alive?

Happy tailgating!

 We Coming… Part Two: Back to Boulder

And so back to Boulder I went! This time, for my final Dad’s weekend to hang out with my beautiful #3 and her crew of Buffs. Sko Buffs! I’ve written so much about Colorado over the years that it’s tough to add anything new, other than to say that the stadium, campus, and flatiron mountain backdrop are perhaps the most beautiful in all of college football. This Saturday was no different, with another great late-summer day in the high altitude of Boulder, CO.

Beautiful setting with my beautiful daughter!

True to form, I played my usual waiting game on tickets (which is a strong strategy, by the way). I snagged two tickets for me and my stepbrother, Brennan Huff, at just $83 each—before fees. No one else got their tickets for that price! Stick with me on game day, kids. I know what I’m doing.

Pregame Festivities

The pregame was hosted at  the house known as “The Chateau” on the Hill just off campus. The spread featured three types of homemade dips, chips, crackers,chocolate chip cookies with a football in the middle,  cold beer, seltzers, and gold Jell-O shots. Plenty of collegiate activities took place, including beer pong and cornhole—played by both the kids and the overgrown kids. Many people I have met over the three plus years # 3 has attended CU Boulder popped in and out throughout the day making it a very special event. After four solid hours of pre-gaming, we made the ¾-mile walk to Folsom Field to watch the Buffs take on the Baylor Bears. With Colorado now back in the Big 12, this renewed rivalry had some extra spice to it.

Clockwise top L-R - Don't challenge a pro, blurred vision, elder abuse, Pual Newman and his G-daughter and  me and #3

The Core Four and their dads! 

On the Gridiron

The first half was a back-and-forth affair in a light drizzle. Buffs QB1, Shedeur Sanders, was running for his life as the Colorado O-line resembled the French defense in WWII. On both sides of the ball, Travis Hunter played like an All-World talent, boosting his case for a Heisman invite. Despite Hunter’s heroics, Baylor went into halftime with a 24-17 lead and plenty of momentum.

In the third quarter, Colorado tied the game, only to surrender another Baylor touchdown. With the Bears up 31-24 and only two seconds left in the game,  Shedeur unleashed a 43-yard Hail Mary to LaJohntay Wester, sending the game into OT. It felt like a flashback to Doug Flutie’s famous 1984 Hail Mary against Miami.

In OT, the Buffs scored on their first possession. Baylor had a chance to answer, but on the 2-yard line, the Bears' runner fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone. Game over! The students rushed the field before security could stop them.The play was under review which temporarily stymied the celebration. Once confirmed, the security team in yellow was trampled! The heavy drizzle felt refreshing in one of the most thrilling finishes I’ve seen live.

Clockwise top L-R- The gang, the first field storming, Dale Doback and Brennan Huff, best jacket ever!

Around the Country

• ESPN College GameDay was in Norman, OK, for Oklahoma’s first SEC game against Tennessee. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was QB1 for the Sooners back in 2000 when they won their last National championship. He also was their offensive coordinator a decade ago and was fired and replaced by the traitorous Lincoln Riley. I am sure internally he felt like he had a lot to prove coming back to Norman for the first time since then. The Sooners looked awful on offense, and QB1 Jackson Arnold was benched midway through. Tennessee walked away with a 25-15 win that didn’t even feel that close.

• The aforementioned Lincoln Riley’s Big Ten debut with the USC Trojans was knocked down a peg, losing to Michigan in the Big House. This matchup used to only happen in an occasional Rose Bowl.

• In a heavyweight Big 12 matchup, Utah impressed on the road with a big win over Oklahoma State in Stillwater, OK.

• In Baton Rouge, the Tigers did the mauling on the Bruins, winning by two touchdowns.

• Clemson and Miami dominated NC State and USF in the ACC in respective beatdowns.

• Navy shocked the Group of Five darlings Memphis with a drubbing in Annapolis.

• In the wildest scoreline of the week, James Madison beat UNC 70-50 in what looked more like a basketball game.

• Don't look now, but both Florida and Florida state scored wins this weekend cooling down those red hot seats for both of their coaches for the time being.

• FCS powerhouse North Dakota State handled Towson with a 41-20 victory.

Bieber of the Week

Last week’s Bieber Award went to the guy who ran out of gas. This week, we have a new awardee. During the third quarter of the Colorado-Baylor game, I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye, as a very intoxicated young lady shot down the steps near our seats like a cannon clown at a circus.. She failed to navigate the stairs, careening down them like a cannonball, before bouncing off the metal bleachers with a nasty thud. As people rushed to help, all she could say was, “Where’s my cell phone?” No doubt, she was trying to text while walking down steep, wet steps. Congratulations, unknown drunk girl, you may have incurred a concussion but at least you’ve earned this week’s Bieber Award!

Ginger of the Week

After last week’s Bieber fiasco, I’m redeeming myself with the Ginger Award for my ticket-buying prowess. Through six games this year, I’ve paid a grand total of $120! Prior to this Colorado game, I had 5 games for $37. My secret is playing the waiting game and scoring deals. Anytime I have pulled the trigger too early, I have been burned. If you recall, last year, Mrs. Tailgate earned the Bieber Award for buying tickets way too early! Now I am going to be in the doghouse again.

Next Week

The Dons of Danville, along with our token Scotsman, are headed to the Shack near 30A for some pre-gaming before making the trek to Tuscaloosa for the Georgia vs. Alabama showdown. Hangover cure has been shipped in bulk to my house as a preventative measure. There’s also  Hurricane Helene brewing in the Gulf that may impact our plans, so stay tuned for updates.

Happy Tailgating!

Week 3: Purple Haze

 41 years ago, I embarked on an infamous road trip from Frostburg State University in Maryland to East Carolina University in Greenville, NC for a long weekend. During that trip, my college roommate and I somehow managed to convince everyone we met that we were Dan Marino and Todd Blackledge. At the time, Marino and Blackledge were graduating seniors from the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, respectively, and were gearing up for the NFL draft. We told people we were in Greenville for an NFL scouting workout. It worked like a charm! 

This past weekend, after a few days in Charleston, South Carolina, Mrs. Tailgate and I drove up to Greenville, NC for my return visit after 41 years to meet up with my siblings and other family members. I failed to heed Mrs. Tailgate’s advice to stop for gas, and five miles from Greenville, my car decided to side with her, running out of gas on the highway. That’s how the weekend began, but fortunately, it wasn’t a bad omen for the rest of the trip. Friday night was filled with a hotel happy hour, followed by pizza and beer in town. Greenville, as I had been told, rolls out the purple carpet for football weekends.

East Carolina University (ECU) is part of the American Athletic Conference and plays its games in the 50,000-seat Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. This was my first visit to the stadium, another one off the list! ECU is known as the Purple Pirates, and the game day swag—pirate flags, costumes, and more—adds to the school’s strong spirit. Their opponent this past Saturday was their cross-state rival, the Appalachian State Mountaineers. While Appalachian State represents the mountain region of North Carolina, ECU represents the coastal region, and their rivalry has been building over the last decade.

Pano shot of Dowdy Ficklen Stadium

Notable former players from ECU include former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake and Super Bowl-winning linebacker Robert Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. One of my old Army buddies, Trey Johnson, was also a wide receiver for ECU back in the early ’80s. In classic fashion, I decided to wait for ticket prices to drop instead of accepting my brother’s offer of an $80 ticket. Luck was on my side, and I scored three free tickets for myself, Mrs. Tailgate, and one of my sisters. By game time, had my brother waited, tickets were down to $9 on StubHub.

The chefs grilling protein

On game day, we set up our tailgate near the baseball stadium. Family members, including my siblings, in-laws, and second cousins, joined in. Unfortunately, my brother Brian was back at the hotel nursing a man-cold and missed the fun. With four vehicles parked together, we pitched our tent, blared the music, fired up the grills, set up corn hole and got the party started. The menu included Old Bay chicken wings, Sis’s beer brats, cheeseburgers, skewered anchovies, chips, brownies, and much more. Ice-cold Natty Boh and margaritas were the drinks of choice. The weather couldn’t have been better—overcast skies and a light breeze made for a perfect early fall/late summer tailgating atmosphere.

Revving up the tailgate

My long lost son mini me, sister in law Judy and my sibs.

The walk from the tailgate to the stadium allowed us to soak in ECU’s game day energy. The excitement, passion, and pageantry rivaled that of any Power Five school. I was impressed with the dedication ECU puts into their game day experience.

The game day crew!

 In the stadium, we settled into our free seats just in time for the Purple Pirates' entrance, set to Jimi Hendrix’s "Purple Haze" with purple mist billowing across the field. There was even a flyover of two F/A-18 jets. Allegedly, Vice Presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance was in attendance, with sniper teams stationed in high perches for security.

Clockwise from top left: The flyover, the Williams clan, Real Housewives from Greenville and Mrs. TG and Sis.

The game kicked off with a resounding roar—or should I say “Arrrrgggg!”—from the Purple Pirates, who quickly jumped out to a 16-0 lead over a stunned Appalachian State. But from the second quarter onward, Appalachian State dominated both through the air and on the ground, while also holding ECU’s offense in check. App State managed to score 14 points in the second quarter, only trailing 16-14 at halftime. They took the lead in the third quarter, going up by five points, but a field goal in the fourth quarter narrowed the margin to two. Appalachian State ultimately emerged victorious, 21-19. Despite the loss, it was an exciting game, and we stayed until the very end.

Scenes from Dowdy -Ficklen

Around The Country:
ESPN College GameDay was in Columbia, South Carolina, where the Gamecocks hosted the LSU Tigers. In a close contest, LSU came from behind to win 36-33. The ABC game of the week saw Georgia narrowly escape Lexington, Kentucky, with a 13-12 win over the Wildcats, led by former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff. In Fort Collins, Colorado, Deion Sanders took receipts again as the Buffaloes defeated in-state rival Colorado State for the second consecutive year. 

The upset of the day took place in Seattle, where Washington State took down big brother Washington in the Apple Cup. Mississippi State followed Notre Dame’s lead by inviting a “guaranteed win” opponent, Toledo, to Starkville, only to lose in stunning fashion. Boston College gave Missouri a scare in Columbia, but fell six points short. Notre Dame rebounded from last week’s disaster by steamrolling Purdue, 67-6. Florida State’s season officially became a dumpster fire, as they were throttled by Memphis, dropping them to 0-3 on the season. 

Best sign at ESPN Gameday

Roll Tide Rectors in Madison with friends

Bieber Award:
This week, you get to choose the Bieber Award winner:

• Candidate #1: Some guy running out of gas five miles from Greenville on Friday.

• Candidate #2: My brother Brian, for overpaying for tickets and missing the tailgate with his "man cold."

• Candidate #3: Our old friend, Kevin “OC” O’Connor, the head Sun Devil. Big OC drove through cattle country in Texas before the Arizona State vs. Texas State game, only for a longhorn to attack and damage his rental car. The damage was so bad that the rental agency didn’t believe him.

Kevin!!!!

Please vote by submitting your choice in the comment section below. One vote per person, please.

Next week:
I’m off to Boulder, CO for my final Dad’s weekend to watch the CU Buffaloes take on Baylor. It will be a bittersweet trip as #3 is in her final year, marking the end of this cherished ritual for me. I might also catch a game at Division II powerhouse Colorado School of Mines in Golden, with a stop at Coors Brewery for some pre-gaming!

Happy Tailgating!

Week 2 DFT: Double Header Death March Down South

Greetings DFT Nation! I hope everyone enjoyed another thrilling weekend of college football action. For reasons I still don't fully understand, I decided it would be a good idea to tackle not one, but two college games in a single day, both down in South Florida. The main event was my first-ever visit to Florida International University (FIU) at the newly renamed Pitbull Stadium, where FIU hosted Central Michigan. Kickoff was at 6:00 PM in Miami.

The bonus game for me was Army at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton. This was my second time at FAU in just over a year. Whoever thought it was a good idea to have a noon kickoff in South Florida in September clearly needs their head checked. Nonetheless, I was joined by my trusty game day companions, long time buddies Sparky and Ouzie. We set up a poor man’s tailgate under a giant banyan tree in the parking lot, with a simple but delicious spread of Publix subs aka “Pub Subs” and Yuengling beer. The temperature was in the low 90s outside of the stadium and over 100 inside, with off-the-charts humidity. We saw fans bailing on the game before the opening kickoff!

Los Tres Amigos

Once inside, it was clear we wouldn’t last long. After Army took a 14-7 lead at halftime, it looked like they had the game in hand. Sure enough, the Caissons went rolling along to a 24-7 victory over FAU. When Ouzie started getting woozy from the heat, we knew it was time to bail. We retreated to the hotel pool for a cool-down session and to catch some games on TV.

Even my phone camera was steamy!

After cooling off, Sparky and I (absent the aforementioned woozie Ouzie) made the 45-minute drive down to FIU’s beautiful campus. FIU is part of Conference USA, and Pitbull Stadium (recently named after the rapper) seats exactly 20,000. It’s a perfect enclosed lower-bowl stadium with room to expand. We didn’t have time for a proper tailgate, but I was impressed with the energy in the tailgating lot and the Greek houses all had tents in the common next to the stadium, where students were tailgating in full force. 

FIU’s head coach is Mike McIntyre, known for reviving struggling programs at San Jose State and Colorado. The Panthers jumped out early and often against Central Michigan, taking a commanding 28-8 lead into halftime. The marching band, though small, brought great energy, but I could have done with less piped-in music, which takes away from the college football atmosphere.

The highlight of the game came in the 3rd quarter during a video board look-alike contest. They showed a picture of Pitbull on the board, then panned the crowd to reveal the real Pitbull, wearing his signature white blazer in the stands. I thought for sure with my bald head and suave and debonair aura about me, that I would have won that look alike contest. In the second half,  FIU kept pouring it on, winning 52-16, sending the Chippewas on their own "Trail of Tears" back to Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Action from Pitbull Stadium

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Around the Country:

First, I must apologize for missing Boston College’s upset of Florida State last Monday night in last week's write-up. By the time that game was being played, I had already published last week’s recap. On Saturday, Texas steamrolled Michigan in the Big House, leaving Big Blue feeling blue. There was no luck of the Irish as Notre Dame suffered the shock of the season, falling to Northern Illinois 16-14 in South Bend. They are now known as” NIU owe me $1.5 million” for allowing me to whip your ass on your home field in a guarantee game. Iowa State edged Iowa on a game-winning field goal to secure the Cy-Hawk Trophy. Boise State pushed highly ranked Oregon to the limit but came up short in a 37-34 thriller. Oklahoma State survived a double-overtime slugfest against Arkansas, winning 39-31. The Cal Berkeley hippies upset the good ole boys from Auburn in a stunner down on the plains. Lastly, Deion and the Colorado Buffaloes got ruled by Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a rematch of last year's game. Both of his coveted sons were injured in the contest and the huskers shucked the buffs in a big way. Be careful what you say to create future bulletin board material there coach!

Navy Dog and his G daughter

Frank and Friend of Frank at Rutgers

The Eagle Tailgaters raising a toast to BC

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Bieber Award:

We had plenty of worthy contenders this week! We could nominate whoever scheduled FAU’s noon game, which was brutal in the South Florida heat. Then there were reported freeloaders at a Navy tailgate, who ate and drank without offering so much as a shekel. But the biggest Bieber goes to DirecTV and Disney. Due to their squabbling over carriage terms, millions of people have been without ESPN or ABC for nine days. I know the back-and-forth involved in these negotiations from my years in the industry, and this standoff reeks of stubbornness and arrogance on both sides. This fiasco personally affected me when I couldn’t watch the late games at my hotel because they use DirecTV. So, for being the first-ever dual Bieber Award recipients, congratulations, DirecTV and Disney! Maybe this will be the nudge you need to settle things.

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Ginger Award:

Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue against Nick Saban being the greatest college football coach of all time. He’s had success everywhere, from LSU where he won a national championship, Michigan State where he made the spartans relevant again, and of course, at Alabama winning 6 national championships. Last year, I had the privilege of seeing him coach one of his last games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and this Saturday, Alabama honored him by naming the field after him during the game against USF which they won. Coach Saban, you’re a legend, and now, you’ve earned the Ginger Award as well for being a badass in the world of college football.

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Next Week:

Mrs. Tailgate and I are heading to Greenville, North Carolina, to meet up with my siblings where East Carolina University will host Appalachian State. It’s the battle of the coastal vs. mountain regions of North Carolina, we’ll be tailgating and taking in all the game day action as I am told that Greenville rolls out the purple carpet on game weekends. Also, don’t forget if you are looking for a tailgate on your travels, be sure to check out https://www.tailgateconnect.com/ 

Happy tailgating!

DFT Week 1 recap: A New Era of College Football

With the seismic shifts in college football since last season, yesterday marked the dawn of a new era. For the first time in decades, Nick Saban was absent from the sidelines. Jim Harbaugh, too, has moved on to the NFL. Coaches have swapped teams at a dizzying rate, leaving even the most dedicated fans scratching their heads at the sight of familiar faces in unfamiliar places. The transfer portal and NIL deals have been in high gear, making it a challenge to keep track of who’s suiting up for your favorite team. We’ve also entered the brave new world of a 12-team College Football Playoff. If you’re curious about how it all works, I’ve got you covered!

Where was DFT?: A Spartan Tailgate

This year, I missed out on my annual Labor Day trifecta with my college buddy Tubby. Instead, we were stationed at our West Coast headquarters, where we managed to attend the Thursday night game at San Jose State. The tailgate was as Spartan as it gets—lifting the back gate of my friend’s car, drinking beer, eating sandwiches, and laughing, all while using red Solo cups for unorthodox purposes before heading into the game. San Jose State faced off against FCS powerhouse Sacramento State. The game started slow under new head coach and former Navy Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo, but by the second half, San Jose State’s size and speed overwhelmed the smaller Hornet squad. Wide receiver Nick Nash was the star, with 10 receptions, 2 touchdown catches, and even one touchdown pass. The Spartans cruised to a 42-24 victory.

A spartan tailgate indeed with the two Daves.

Around the Country: Week 1 Recap

Week 1 brought some surprising matchups amid the expected cupcake beatdowns. In Atlanta, Georgia, the Bulldogs proved too much for Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers. Swinney’s refusal to engage with the transfer portal was evident as his team couldn’t keep up with Georgia’s talent. In College Station, Texas, Notre Dame scraped out an ugly win over Texas A&M, 23-13, behind new quarterback and Duke transfer Riley Leonard. He faced off against his former coach, Mike Elko, now leading Texas A&M.

Down in Gainesville, the Florida Gators and Coach Billy Napier were embarrassed by the Miami Hurricanes, led by QB1 Cam Ward, a transfer from Washington State. Rumors are swirling about Napier’s tenure at Florida. In Statesboro, Georgia, the Boise State Broncos outlasted the Georgia Southern Eagles in an offensive shootout, winning 56-45, thanks to All-American running back Ashton Jeanty’s 267 yards and six touchdowns. Penn State traveled to Morgantown, where they dispatched a feisty West Virginia team 34-12 after a lengthy weather delay.

Reigning FCS champion South Dakota State was knocked off by Big 12 power Oklahoma State, 44-20, in Stillwater. Finally, LSU and USC squared off Sunday evening in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium. I consider this the Benedict Arnld or Traitor Bowl as both coaches left my two favorite teams for roles at LSU and USC. 🙂USC led by a stellar QB and WR combo of MIller Moss to Kyron Hudson piled up yards on the Tiger defense and pulled out a win with less than 10 seconds to go.

My view on Saturday

Mrs. Tailgate's famous wings

The Bieber Award: A Stadium “Renovation” Gone Wrong

We had several worthy contenders this week, starting with our old friend Drubaca, who pulled a Chaz from Wedding Crashers by crashing a celebration of life tailgate at the San Jose State game. Drubaca was spotted in the wild, eating their food and drinking their beer—classic!

You idiot!

Another strong candidate goes to the University of Minnesota. In an epic blunder, they shot off fireworks after their kicker missed the potential game-winning field goal, resulting in a loss during their home opener. Talk about adding insult to injury!

However, the top honors go to San Jose State and anyone involved in the design of their stadium renovation. The San Jose State game on Thursday gave me a firsthand look at the end result of a five-year so-called stadium renovation. I have been to several dozen games at San Jose State during my years in the Bay Area. I saw several of the construction phases live going back ro 2019. It’s almost impossible to describe what they’ve done—or to understand who approved this design. They replaced the east side of the stadium, once lined with thousands of seats, with what looks like a Soviet-era, gray, monolithic warehouse. The top of this eyesore features a set of suites, while the area below is nothing but grass, leading down to the field. The entire side of the field is devoid of seating, creating an odd and ugly visual that’s more fitting for an end zone—if it should exist at all. I’m pretty sure the design company behind this is either known for making Lego toys for kids or imprisoning dissenters behind the Iron Curtain. Regardless, San Jose State may now have one of the most unusual and unattractive stadium designs in the country, earning them this week’s Bieber Award.

Soviet style gulag renovation

The Ginger Award: A New Tradition at Oklahoma

The late, great Toby Keith, who passed away in February, was born just 15 miles from the University of Oklahoma campus. He was a frequent presence on the OU sidelines and a massive fan of the Sooners. To honor him, Oklahoma has started a new tradition between the third and fourth quarters of home games, playing Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” as fans sing along with phone flashlights in the air. I’ve heard from those who were there that the experience was chilling, with goosebumps all around. Toby was one of a kind—a great humanitarian and a genuinely good person who will be missed. This new tradition is a badass way to keep his legacy alive.

https://youtu.be/sLQeqfG5jMc

Click here for the tribute

Next Up: A Doubleheader in South Florida

Next Saturday, I’m off to South Florida for a doubleheader. The day starts with a breakfast tailgate at Florida Atlantic University, where they’ll host the Army Black Knights for a noon game. Afterward, I’ll head one hour south to Florida International University as they take on Central Michigan University in a 6:00 PM evening game. FIU will be a new stadium for me, and I’m looking forward to the experience.

Happy tailgating!