SBNation.com - Opening night college football coverage: UNC-South Carolina, Ole Miss-Vandy and morehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2013-08-31T17:41:31-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/44364232013-08-31T17:41:31-04:002013-08-31T17:41:31-04:00Tide immediately rolling
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<p>The worst part: Virginia Tech's offense now has to face Alabama's defense again.</p> <p>As far as we know, Alabama will score every time it touches the ball this season. This was a 72-yard punt return touchdown by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136280/christion-jones">Christion Jones</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3135617/rolltide.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3135617/rolltide_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Rolltide_medium"></a> <br id="1377985192532"></p>
<p>I'm just concerned about that Tide offense, Pawl, seeing as it's having to be bailed out by its special teams like this. Y'all think AJ's being hampered by that walking boot and that ingrown toenail this badly? This ain't no way to run the clock down, to be certain. Lot to get corrected for next week.</p>
<h4>More from SB Nation:</h4>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/27/4624800/college-football-preview-teams-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The prettiest, smartest college football preview collection anywhere</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4672382/live-college-football-schedule-coverage-south-carolina-unc?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Catch up on college football’s opening night</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4676630/live-college-football-coverage-texas-tech-michigan-state?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">And Friday, too</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/28/4648518/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-football-gameplan?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">How to stop Jadeveon Clowney: actual coaches build a game plan</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/27/4652132/why-we-love-college-football?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Why we love college football: a beautiful SB Nation longread</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4670122/johnny-manziel-ncaa-investigation-suspension?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Why we’re happy Johnny Manziel is playing</a></p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=31889" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="31889-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/31/4680692/beamerball-alabama-scores-touchdown-on-very-first-touch-of-2013Jason Kirk2013-08-30T13:32:03-04:002013-08-30T13:32:03-04:00'Jadeveon Clowney' is hard to spell
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<figcaption>Jadeveon Clowney | Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>Jahdeveon Clowney that's all I have to say</p>
— Jeloni Hudson (@Jrock_Jrealz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jrock_Jrealz/statuses/373073188051103744">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/cottovic">@cottovic</a> jardeveon Clowney to the rescue in 2014?</p>
— Alexander (@OctobersOwn24) <a href="https://twitter.com/OctobersOwn24/statuses/368760395747454976">August 17, 2013</a>
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<p>JaDavyon Clowney has not won my Heisman vote on this drive at least</p>
— Dan Matthews (@lowellsdad) <a href="https://twitter.com/lowellsdad/statuses/373235255496687616">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadevian clowny is very overrated. Still the best college athlete, but people are comparing him to nfl players</p>
— Zach Turner (@ZachTurner1998) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachTurner1998/statuses/373477495372148736">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Its pretty cool watching jadevian clowny play</p>
— Ethan Whitaker (@EthanWhitaker_) <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanWhitaker_/statuses/373226479955750912">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadevon Crowney & Kenny bell kinda look alike.</p>
— riekaa . (@xoxo_rieka) <a href="https://twitter.com/xoxo_rieka/statuses/372180620631605249">August 27, 2013</a>
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<p>Crowney is tired af, he ain't doin shit against the double team</p>
— blaze (@jusBLAZEp) <a href="https://twitter.com/jusBLAZEp/statuses/373218512514584576">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout">@nfldraftscout</a> We need to have you on the show soon. You can help <a href="https://twitter.com/YourboyQ254">@YourboyQ254</a> With his Jadeveon Cowney countdown.</p>
— Zach Burke (@ZacharyBurke) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacharyBurke/statuses/372538648832405504">August 28, 2013</a>
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<p>Clouney is EXHAUSTED.</p>
— Rasta (@SooSwaaavey) <a href="https://twitter.com/SooSwaaavey/statuses/373227022807756800">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>Who's best college player? Clooney south Carolina? Manziel?</p>
— reality (@jeterfan5128) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeterfan5128/statuses/372482169605599232">August 27, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2013/7/16/4529988/jadeveon-clooney">Jadeveon Clooney</a>.</p>
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<p>Chuck Norris wears J. Clonwey pajamas.<a href="https://twitter.com/choradioshow">@choradioshow</a></p>
— Ben Summerford (@msnole63) <a href="https://twitter.com/msnole63/statuses/371983498099572736">August 26, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/HowardCrackRock">@HowardCrackRock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sc_cowboy">@sc_cowboy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TaterSpeak">@TaterSpeak</a> damn coots think they are funny. Clownye overated as hell</p>
— Purple Bubba (@PurpleBubba81) <a href="https://twitter.com/PurpleBubba81/statuses/372074318882017280">August 26, 2013</a>
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<p>Every second while South Carolina has been on defense they have mentioned cloney.</p>
— Sam Hanna (@hanna_sam) <a href="https://twitter.com/hanna_sam/statuses/373206258968301569">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>Things I'd rather be doing than loading pigs right now-take a hit from J'Daveon Clowney</p>
— jacob lehnhoff (@Jachoff20) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jachoff20/statuses/373371586398527488">August 30, 2013</a>
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<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4674624/jadeveon-clowney-conditioning-south-carolina-football">Should we be worried about Clowney?</a> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/28/4648518/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-football-gameplan">How to stop Clowney</a>
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<p>For next week, can someone get Jedaveon Clowney a 5-hour energy drink during pre-game?</p>
— Heather (@AboveYourRaisin) <a href="https://twitter.com/AboveYourRaisin/statuses/373461686310551552">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadevein Clowney finna have an asthma attack</p>
— #UGLYGANG SHAQ (@track_royalty) <a href="https://twitter.com/track_royalty/statuses/373236048396296192">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Dood tried to injure Jadavaon Clowney</p>
— Devon D'Aurora (@Devvvvvvv) <a href="https://twitter.com/Devvvvvvv/statuses/373278700273291265">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Jaydaveon Clowney would have to literally reinvent football in order to win the Heisman. It's not happening.</p>
— Jesse Epps (@Its_Gooch) <a href="https://twitter.com/Its_Gooch/statuses/372869217089232896">August 28, 2013</a>
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<p>jdaveon clowney is human people</p>
— Dustin Edwards (@Cock_deezyy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cock_deezyy/statuses/373243520032993280">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadaven clowney is about to go off</p>
— David Opare-Addo (@Davidddflocka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Davidddflocka/statuses/373203953225179137">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>About to watch the future Heisman Memorial Trophy winner play, JaDaven Clowny.</p>
— JJUUSSTTIINN (@JustinWard_7) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWard_7/statuses/373201310923120641">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadevveon be the new Pope yall RT <a href="https://twitter.com/RickMuscles">@RickMuscles</a>: I'm on board with this - <a href="http://t.co/t5nMFWap">http://t.co/t5nMFWap</a></p>
— Gamecocks Anonymous (@GamecockColonel) <a href="https://twitter.com/GamecockColonel/statuses/301187447558131712">February 12, 2013</a>
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<p>Ja'deveon Clowney takes himself out of the game for being "too tired" more like too soft <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23lostmyrespect&src=hash">#lostmyrespect</a></p>
— Zak Brennan (@zaky133) <a href="https://twitter.com/zaky133/statuses/373238261155905536">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>aaaww shyt...i forgot jadayveon clown play tonight</p>
— Debo (@DeboTARANTINO_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeboTARANTINO_/statuses/373173534446866432">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>Mattingly would take care of Jadavean Clowney taking plays off.</p>
— Jimmy Bramlett (@JimmyBramlett) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimmyBramlett/statuses/373302827264638976">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Bc it happened to Jadevean Clowney the "dirty play" gets national exposure. Here's alittle newsflash: that type of shit happens all the time</p>
— Zachary Olsen (@_Zo2) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Zo2/statuses/373286792486612994">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/jimrome">@jimrome</a> whats the big deal about Clownie?</p>
— Glenn Mitchell (@gmitch9) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmitch9/statuses/373495031455162369">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Je'Deveon Clowney and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116171/marcus-lattimore">Marcus Lattimore</a> should get more publicity. Two top players in the country at their position</p>
— Max Smith (@maxsmith81) <a href="https://twitter.com/maxsmith81/statuses/241309529126604801">August 30, 2012</a>
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<p>1 decent rush for NC and Klowny's back in.</p>
— Joe #sports in TN. (@JoeJtb5w) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeJtb5w/statuses/373216937599184896">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>I love how Clwoney makes one big tackle in a Bowl Game and becomes the best player in the nation.</p>
— C-Money (@cullen_martell) <a href="https://twitter.com/cullen_martell/statuses/373091714397143040">August 29, 2013</a>
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<p>If clowne was coming at me and i was a QB in the ncaa i would act dead</p>
— killer_crossover_1 (@chase_erganian) <a href="https://twitter.com/chase_erganian/statuses/373258274428440576">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadaveon Clowney was horrible last night! He's still the best but last night was piss poor</p>
— Big Z (@The_Falcon96) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Falcon96/statuses/373466050635268096">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Jedavon Clowney....not impressed</p>
— Jacob (@TweetRose13) <a href="https://twitter.com/TweetRose13/statuses/373247169056083970">August 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Here's an idea. Put Judeveon Clowney at Running Back.</p>
— Dylan Connolly (@DCONN24) <a href="https://twitter.com/DCONN24/statuses/371702585020792832">August 25, 2013</a>
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<p>Jadevion Clowney however you spell his name he's overrated</p>
— DEAF GREG HEADPHONES (@Mynameis_DEON) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mynameis_DEON/statuses/373270245642739713">August 30, 2013</a>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4676420/jadeveon-clowneys-name-is-hard-to-spell-based-on-twitterSpencer HallJason Kirk2013-08-30T12:00:08-04:002013-08-30T12:00:08-04:00USC looks hilarious and awful
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<figcaption>Harry How</figcaption>
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<p>Playing against one of the worst offenses in the FBS, USC routinely struggled to move the ball with either of its battling quarterbacks. It's all going according to plan, Lane?</p> <p>In the record book, the Trojans did their job this week. They beat Hawaii, and did so with room to spare, winning 30-13.</p>
<p>But the final score tells little about what happened on the islands on the first night of the college football season, a game in which Lane Kiffin's squad looked positively inept on offense, incapable of exploiting a Warriors defense that finished in the bottom 25 in the country in virtually every category.</p>
<p>For a more indicative score, we should look to the middle of the second quarter, when this was the tally:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Hawaii leads USC 5-3. GAME OVER.</p>
— edsbs (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/statuses/373293901278220288">August 30, 2013</a>
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Last year, USC was ranked No. 1 to open the season, and took Hawaii behind the shed in the opener, reeling off 35 unanswered points in the first half -- and only that few because of Kiffin's Kiffin-esque decision to go for three two-point conversions and fail all three. Of course, that team would finish 7-6.</p>
<p>This year, with no star quarterback but an elite wide receiver, they are inexplicably ranked 24th, and at one point in the second quarter, they trailed 5-3, having given up a safety and allowed a field goal.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>A CURSE UPON US ALL RT <a href="https://twitter.com/chuckycrater">@chuckycrater</a>: Shame on all of us for not using "HAWAII FIVE-3" while it was sitting there on the table.</p>
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonKirkSBN/statuses/373301627379146752">August 30, 2013</a>
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DAMMIT.</p>
<p>This raises the question: if a USC team ranked No. 1 that blew the doors of Hawaii ended up 7-6, where does a team ranked No. 24 that was losing 5-3 to Hawaii end up? A 5-8 record? In the very bowels of hell?</p>
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<p>We should give credit to USC's defense, which absolutely dominated the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii started Ohio State transfer Taylor Graham, who ended up going a brutal 16-for-41 with four interceptions. Some of this was Graham's fault: he perpetually missed targets, overthrowing and hitting behind them on easy interceptions. (Isn't Norm Chow a QB guru?) But the Trojans deserve some credit for capitalizing and running one back for a score. Graham had virtually no time behind a strong USC pass rush, and was sacked seven times, and when those sacks are included the Warriors had just 22 yards on 31 rushing attempts. The Trojans' defense did its job.</p>
<p>The Trojans' offense? Well, not so much.</p>
<p>After not revealing his starter for weeks and weeks and weeks before <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4673980/usc-cody-kessler-starting-quarterback-max-wittek">naming Cody Kessler in the hours before the game</a>, it sorta became clear why. Kessler routinely struggled with throwing simple passes like screens, lofting one in between three Warriors defenders for a pick and tossing another practically into the arms of a Hawaii lineman who couldn't hold on to the floater. He finished an uninspiring 10-for-19 with 95 yards with a touchdown and a pick.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136352/max-wittek" class="sbn-auto-link">Max Wittek</a>, who entered the game at random intervals, moved the ball better, with 77 yards on 10 attempts, but had to burn a few time outs to avoid delay of game penalties. He was in charge as the Trojans offense stalled in a goal-to-go situation, missing a receiver for what should've been a touchdown before the team settled for a field goal.</p>
<p>The Trojans put 30 points on the board, which is more than a few. But that doesn't mean this was a good effort. Hawaii allowed 35.7 points per game on average last season, and those stats are skewed by a 54-2 win over Lamar and a 23-7 win over transitioning FBS school South Alabama. In 10 games against FBS teams, they allowed under 40 points three times: against a brutal UNLV team, against Air Force, and against an equally brutal New Mexico team that put up 35 points anyway.</p>
<p>And with four turnovers, you'd expect USC to do even better than that. They started four drives in enemy territory, and scored seven points off of a pick-six. But given prime field position against an awful defense, the offense only managed two touchdown drives: one of 30 yards and one ending in the game's final minute with the result well in hand.</p>
<p>I guess I could've also showed you this screengrab:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Seriously, look at this from USC: <a href="http://t.co/4SC3hCOCiu">pic.twitter.com/4SC3hCOCiu</a></p>
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulMyerberg/statuses/373320508118278144">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Considering <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/2/19/4005764/lane-kiffin-hot-seat-usc-football">Lane Kiffin's precipitously toasty seat</a> -- yup, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/28/4626396/college-football-coaches-hot-seat-2013">he's on our hot seat watch </a>--<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/28/4626396/college-football-coaches-hot-seat-2013"> this game was fun to watch</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Lane Kiffin not content to let Paul Pasqualoni have the inept offense spotlight all to himself.</p>
— Mark Ennis (@Mengus22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mengus22/statuses/373292399013138432">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Lane Kiffin could take a really great thing that's almost impossible to screw up and screw it up.</p>
— Farmer Jones (@thefarmerjones) <a href="https://twitter.com/thefarmerjones/statuses/373299499797463040">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>What is the record for illegal substitution penalties in a game? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USC&src=hash">#USC</a></p>
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) <a href="https://twitter.com/insidetroy/statuses/373328893094027265">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>If you are keeping score, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USC&src=hash">#USC</a> used all of its timeouts already. All called because of confusion on offense.</p>
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) <a href="https://twitter.com/insidetroy/statuses/373328724470403074">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The way Lane Kiffin's career is going, he might only get six or seven more chances.</p>
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/jon_greenberg/statuses/373296931608735744">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Reminder: USC had to steal Lane Kiffin. Like, a lot of effort went into it. And money.</p>
— sir broosk (@celebrityhottub) <a href="https://twitter.com/celebrityhottub/statuses/373292719415652352">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Does Lane Kiffin have any other dads he can fire?</p>
— Doug Keegan (@doug_keegan) <a href="https://twitter.com/doug_keegan/statuses/373292941290135552">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>if lane kiffin stays on the island i am sure there is an extra spot for him on hawaii five-o america's number one drama</p>
— Martin Rickman (@martinrickman) <a href="https://twitter.com/martinrickman/statuses/373293371152146432">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Oh, and Hawaii's touchdown with 30 seconds left got them the cover, because college football.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4675220/usc-vs-hawaii-2013-recapRodger Sherman2013-08-30T10:00:11-04:002013-08-30T10:00:11-04:00A night in the margins
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8vXhdgrIY36N9-IsqiBcGDL6Mk8=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18681201/178544890.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Frederick Breedon</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Vanderbilt's football program lost an exciting game to Ole Miss and its talented freshmen Thursday night, but it's the looming scandal that casts the real shadow over Nashville.</p> <p>1. After some nasty conjecture from both the coach and his constituency these last two weeks, James Franklin got his home sellout of 40,000. And Vanderbilt took the loss for a second consecutive Thursday night ESPN opener. In the process, the narrative around the university, city, and region clouded a bit more, shifting between Franklin's success, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/6/29/4477130/vanderbilt-football-dismissal-sex-crimes-invesigation">the looming sexual assault trial</a> of four former players and the apparently irreversible fan ennui.</p>
<p>"The losses hurt bad. I hate the losses. More than you can possibly imagine," Franklin said after the game.</p>
<p>"The wins I enjoy. We try to enjoy them as much as possible, because I don't want to become one of those coaches that, the wins are OK and the losses kill you. I have an extreme personality, and that's who I am, so the wins are going to be the best thing in the world, and the losses are going to rip my heart out."</p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116267/jordan-matthews" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Matthews</a> showed a dig route, turned upfield, and managed to break past the bracket coverage Ole Miss had tried on him all night. He converted on a 4th and 18, down by five in the fourth quarter. He momentarily saved the game.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128395/matthews.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128395/matthews_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Matthews_medium"></a> <br id="1377867442130"></p>
<p>At that point, among those on the Vanderbilt sideline, even that 42-yard feat felt very much inevitable. Granted, that makes no sense, but that's the kind of busted logic that's born while watching a 10-catch, 178-yard night from a man delivering such a performance while systematically breaking down from physical exhaustion and a series of heavy blows.</p>
<p>You just keep expecting more, and you can't explain why it makes sense when it does.</p>
<div>3. On the next play, new Vanderbilt quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, once the loser of a QB competition at Wyoming, capped a 300-yard starting debut in the SEC with a 34-yard pass to wide-open tight end Steven Scheu. Carta-Samuels saw two high safeties and a blitzing corner, so he checked to Scheu.
<p> </p>
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<p>"I kept waiting for someone to come over into coverage. No one did, so it was very nice to watch that freight train [Scheu] roll all the way," Carta-Samuels said after the game.</p>
<p>"I never thought we had the game won. The way we play here at Vanderbilt, there's so much more going on play to play that you're not thinking that way."</p>
<p>Carta-Samuels has a California accent that makes him sound like Steve-O and looks like a boxer from the 1920s. He delivers all the mandatory pro-team rhetoric his coaches demand but without losing his default arrogance. He wasn't born to be a SEC quarterback, but all the measurements of the jacket just happen to fit perfectly.</p>
<p>4. As Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze would note after the game, Scheu's touchdown was<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiCiaJUf9sw"> the exact same play</a> that Vanderbilt used to cap a comeback win against the Rebels last season.The difference between the two touchdown passes is personnel.</p>
<p>Instead of suspended receiver <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116266/chris-boyd" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Boyd</a>, it was Scheu, a senior tight end who wasn't expected to start after Vandy's most recent signing class brought in the nation's highest-rated junior college tight end, Brandon Vanderburg. Instead of Boyd on Thursday night, Matthews was left with replacement <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116244/jonathan-krause" class="sbn-auto-link">Jonathan Krause</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.anchorofgold.com/2013/8/30/4674410/ole-miss-wins-a-heartbreaker-over-vanderbilt-39-35">Anchor of Gold reacts to "heartbreaking" loss</a>
</div>
<p>5. Vandenburg is sitting in jail right now.</p>
<p>He signed in February, arrived to Nashville on June 2, and needed only 21 days to nearly topple a football program. He's the key figure in a sexual assault investigation that caused the Commodores to dismiss him and three other players, as well as suspend Boyd, their second-best wide receiver. Carta-Samuels "couldn't be prouder" of Krause, who filled Boyd's role of spelling Matthews and capitalizing from that single coverage. Krause wasn't available to the media after the game. The players that were, led by Carta-Samuels, gave a memorized singsong about team loyalty and expectations.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"They're dead to us. They did this to us, and we're ashamed." <span></span>
</div>
<p>6. Win or lose, that's all that can be expected. In fact, had they won, Vanderbilt's teamspeak mantras would've probably felt more disingenuous in the face of this still-burgeoning scandal. Privately, the coaches and active players have flushed any trace of association with the four players accused of sexual assault.</p>
<p>"They're dead to us. They did this to us, and we're ashamed," one person inside the football program said before Thursday's game.</p>
<p>Boyd, however, is a different story, embroiled in a gray-looking felony charge of obstructing justice. Publicly he's suspended, because Vanderbilt the brand -- the health care behemoth and massive employer in the state of Tennessee -- won't allow anyone charged with a felony in connection to a sexual assault investigation to wear the name on national television. Privately, many are pulling for Boyd to be cleared and rejoin the team. It is an inarguable distraction, no matter how pervasive the culture of "team" is.</p>
<p>7. Ole Miss has elected for the counterintuitive media policy of restricting interviews with freshmen. That means that the litany of names that salvaged the Rebels' 39-35 win -- among them defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207935/robert-nkemdiche" class="sbn-auto-link">Robert Nkemdiche</a> (two tackles and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4674406/robert-nkemdiche-fake-punt">a fourth-down rushing conversion on a fake punt</a>) and receiver Laquon Treadwell (nine catches, 82 yards) -- were off limits. The real freshman narrative was on the offensive line. The Rebels were brutalized inside by Vanderbilt in the first half, allowing four sacks and countless pressures.</p>
<p>In the third quarter Freeze's staff made a shift, relying on two blue-chip true freshmen (tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207989/laremy-tunsil" class="sbn-auto-link">Laremy Tunsil</a> and guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207985/austin-golson" class="sbn-auto-link">Austin Golson</a>) to spark any semblance of a running game. Both freshmen helped hold contain against a Vanderbilt blitz when senior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116044/jeff-scott" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeff Scott</a> made his 75-yard touchdown run with 23 seconds remaining.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128491/olemissholyshit.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128491/olemissholyshit_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Olemissholyshit_medium"></a> <br id="1377868056484"></p>
<p>8. Wallace said afterward he nearly kept the ball on the zone read, and Scott initially thought about staying on course to head out of bounds. Wallace didn't, and Scott risked the fact Ole Miss had one timeout left and cut inside. That was really it, the difference between the winner and loser Thursday night. Even though a Carta-Samuels pass to Matthews was deflected into an interception to end the game, it felt like Vanderbilt could've easily gone on to take the lead again.</p>
<p>9. At some point this season, patching holes of depth with simple raw talent will combust on top of Ole Miss. By the third quarter Treadwell looked indispensable to Wallace, so much so that the idea of this team winning six games while he was playing high school ball in Illinois makes no sense. With Donte Moncrief covered, the pair connected four times in five plays to key a touchdown drive that revived that offense in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Along with the true freshmen who anchor a freshly patched line, Hugh Freeze's dilemma is now apparent: he'll gain cache with future recruits thanks to playing his true freshmen stars so often, but that's still a move of absolute, manic necessity.</p>
<p>10. If allowed to respond to the subject, Franklin would argue that his team's performance proved that the circumstances of the outside scandal have nothing to do with what Vanderbilt's built on the field. He's right in that there was no apparent distraction. His starting quarterback, refuse from the Mountain West, is listed as a potential witness for the prosecution and produced more passing yards in a single game than any Vandy QB since 2006. Vanderbilt will now have to create a bowl-eligible season without a win against Ole Miss for the first time, meaning that ever-elusive big upset for Franklin is mandatory.</p>
<p>Nevermind the depth the four dismissed players could've provided, or what a top tight end could've added to formation versatility. Whatever Boyd alone might've added is worth mentioning the reason for his absence. Like the Rebel team that barely beat them, Vanderbilt lives fighting in the margins of the SEC.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4674964/ole-miss-vanderbilt-2013-game-recapSteven Godfrey2013-08-30T10:00:10-04:002013-08-30T10:00:10-04:00How worried should we be about Clowney?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k1STEqWEEDa9rQhl46Oh6aq0KQc=/110x0:3890x2520/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18669037/178350670.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Did we overhype Jadeveon Clowney? Is he out of shape? Is he already a bust? Is football a lie? Is life worth living?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks">South Carolina Gamecocks</a> won their opening game Thursday night, defeating border rival North Carolina, 27-10. While the comfortable win keeps No. 6 South Carolina in national title contention, the story of the night was not nearly as positive for the Gamecocks: what was wrong with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138017/jadeveon-clowney">Jadeveon Clowney</a>?</p>
<p>Clowney, arguably the best player in the country and the presumptive top pick in next April's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, looked slow-footed and lethargic throughout the night. He was frequently removed from the game by South Carolina coaches to catch his breath and fought cramps from start to finish. Why was Clowney struggling so much with conditioning, and how worried should South Carolina fans be?</p>
<h3>The weather</h3>
<p>The weather on Thursday night was oppressive, even by South Carolina standards. On-field temperatures were in the mid-90s through most of the first half, with 70 percent humidity. Only the thunderstorm that rolled through Columbia midway through the fourth quarter could break the heat's stranglehold on the game. Clowney fought cramps throughout the game:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Jadeveon Clowney as he's walking away from interview: "Man, I'm cramping up now."</p>
— GamecocksP&C (@GamecocksPandC) <a href="https://twitter.com/GamecocksPandC/statuses/373287172482146304">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>He was also frequently seen rehydrating on the sideline:</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3127561/20130829194116.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="20130829194116_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3127561/20130829194116_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1377835340416"></p>
<p>Clowney was not the only player feeling its effects: North Carolina quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner">Bryn Renner</a> battled with cramps throughout, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116169/connor-shaw">Connor Shaw</a> missed an early play to rehydrate.</p>
<p><b>How worried should we be? </b>While it's unlikely that the South Carolina summer will extend into November, South Carolina could face some more hot weather before it breaks for good. That could potentially include next week's game against Georgia. Fortunately, the Gamecocks don't have to go to The Swamp.</p>
<p><i>Worry factor (scale of 1 to 5): 2.5.</i></p>
<p></p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/8/30/4674674/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-vs-north-carolina-2014-nfl-draft">Draft analyst: Clowney's fine</a> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/28/4648518/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-football-gameplan">Coaches on how to stop Clowney</a>
</div>
<h3>Stomach virus</h3>
<p>Perhaps unbeknownst to ESPN's Jesse Palmer -- who was killing Clowney for his conditioning all night -- Clowney says he spent the last 24 hours fighting a stomach bug:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Clowney says he had a stomach virus last night that lasted until this morning. Says he was exhausted when he came out to the stadium.</p>
— Garnet Report (@GarnetReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/GarnetReport/statuses/373286135629615104">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>Steve Spurrier should look for a plastic virus-proof bubble in which he can store Clowney between games. Short of that, players are going to be occasionally sick. It doesn't usually happen twice.</p>
<p><b>How worried should we be?</b> It depends on where the bug was acquired. Either find a new restaurant for the pregame meal or trade Clowney's football face mask for a medical face mask. He should be fine.</p>
<p><i>Worry factor: 1.</i></p>
<h3>Hurry-up offense</h3>
<p>The weather and virus certainly didn't help, but North Carolina's hyperdrive offense took its toll on the entire South Carolina defensive line. The Tar Heels' strategy: force the Gamecocks into a defensive line rotation and wear them all out by making them chase the line of scrimmage between plays. It worked magnificently for a moment in the third quarter, when North Carolina was moving the ball and South Carolina's defense appeared on the verge of collapse.</p>
<p>North Carolina's defense cracked first, though, giving up a 75-yard touchdown run that blew the game open. The two-hour lightning delay gave the Gamecocks time to catch their breath for the stretch run, as well. When they returned to the field, the Gamecocks looked as good as they had early in the first quarter.</p>
<p><b>How worried should we be? </b>This one is trickier. The SEC is methodical in its pace, but some of the high priests of hurry-up -- Kevin Sumlin, Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn -- have joined. Fortunately for South Carolina, the only true hurry-up offense on the conference slate is Kentucky, and Kentucky remains Kentucky.</p>
<p><i>Worry factor: 3.</i></p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Spurrier is clearly miffed about Clowney's fatigue. Seemed eager for JC to answer questions from media.</p>
— Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshatTheState/statuses/373282287397240832">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<h3>Cheap shots</h3>
<p>When all else fails, cheat:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128041/clowney.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128041/clowney_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Clowney_medium"></a></p>
<p>The blatant cheap shot by UNC offensive tackle Kiaro Holts came in the second half, after the game was out of reach and the teams had gone through a two-hour weather delay. It is still dangerous and, given a tackle's blind dedication to protecting his quarterback, not as rare as one might think.</p>
<p><b>How worried should we be? </b>A pileup at the line of scrimmage provides ample opportunity for similar knee shots hidden away from the prying eyes of referees or cameras. This will not be the last time Clowney gets clipped; the worry is that the next guy will know what he's doing.</p>
<p><i>Worry factor: 4.</i></p>
<p>If your concern is for South Carolina's defense, it is misplaced. The Gamecocks' best player was fighting a stomach virus and cramps in 90-degree temps and high humidity in the first game of the season, all while having to sprint to the line of scrimmage between plays and watching for 300-pound human-shaped tree trunks rolling at his legs, and his unit still managed to shut down a North Carolina team that scored 40.6 points per game last year:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Clowney flips over a stat sheet on the table. Wiggles his eyebrows. "You see the total yards they had?" <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23magical&src=hash">#magical</a></p>
— Holly Anderson (@HollyAnderson) <a href="https://twitter.com/HollyAnderson/statuses/373285282696552448">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Only 293.</p>
<p>Your concern for Clowney is probably misplaced, as well. The weather will cool, the sickness will go away, and the offenses will slow down. More importantly, South Carolina will keep practicing, and practices include sprints, and sprints build conditioning that even Clowney would likely admit he needs to improve.</p>
<p>He finished with three tackles, a handful of hurries, and no sacks. He's had games with three or fewer tackles before, and he's had games without sacks before.</p>
<p>Clowney -- and South Carolina -- should be fine.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Vic Hampton: "I think next week we will be a little more conditioned. I don’t think Georgia moves the ball as fast as they do."</p>
— Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshatTheState/statuses/373282790327873536">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/27/4624800/college-football-preview-teams-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The prettiest, smartest college football preview collection anywhere</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4672382/live-college-football-schedule-coverage-south-carolina-unc?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Catch up on college football’s opening night</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/28/4648518/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-football-gameplan?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">How to stop Jadeveon Clowney: actual coaches build a game plan</a></p>
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<p>•The conference megapreview series begins: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/28/4646912/acc-football-preview-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">ACC</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/26/4641456/big-ten-football-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Big Ten</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4642076/pac-12-football-preview-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Pac-12</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/27/4640810/sec-football-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">SEC</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4674624/jadeveon-clowney-conditioning-south-carolina-footballPatrick Vint2013-08-30T09:47:46-04:002013-08-30T09:47:46-04:00Wait, who is Towson?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5j_9KP321mMqrubWxDDzszpMx-0=/0x30:2539x1723/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18679425/20130829_ajw_aa6_158.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A moment of appreciation for the Towson Tigers, who generally prefer lax to football, but reminded us for the eight millionth time that UConn and Paul Pasqualoni are a match made in comedy heaven. </p> <p>Less than 24 hours into the college football season, two teams from the top-flight FBS, where schools are allowed 85 scholarships, pulled the impressive feat of losing to teams from the second-tier FCS, where teams are allowed just 63.</p>
<p>One of these was South Alabama, which is technically in its first year as a full FBS team. The newly promoted Jaguars fought hard, but fell to Southern Utah -- the southern parts of all states will rise again -- on a last-second field goal.</p>
<p>The other was UConn, a firmly established FBS program that recently expressed disappointment that it was passed over during the conference realignment process as other Big East teams like Louisville and Rutgers got paydays. The Huskies faced Towson, and they didn't just lose: they were taken to the house.</p>
<p>The Tigers won, 33-18, a two-score win on UConn's home turf. They ran for 201 yards, with Terrance West going for 156 and two touchdowns, while sacking UConn's Chandler Whitmer five times.</p>
<p>The obvious reaction here is to point and laugh at UConn, and for good reason. Paul Pasqualoni is an unmitigated tire fire of a head coach. He has lost games like this in the past for the Huskies -- his squads are now 10-15, with a loss to three-win South Florida last year and back-to-back losses to middling MAC squad Western Michigan in his first two years -- and he will lose them again.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.theuconnblog.com/2013/8/30/4674348/towson-33-uconn-18-an-unmitigated-disaster">We still feel bad for these UConn fans, of course</a>
</div>
<p>But we have an entire year to laugh at UConn's misfortune. This team will lose some games by funny scores. The defense was actually pretty solid last year, but with four players drafted into the NFL, three in the first three rounds, there will be a dropoff, and the offense remains abysmal.</p>
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<h2>Get ready for kickoff</h2>
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</div>
<p>Meanwhile, Towson will slink away into the FCS, to play out the season in a CAA conference that's generally one of the strongest and most popular in the subdivision. But regardless, it is in the FCS and therefore in relative anonymity.</p>
<p>Let us take a moment to celebrate the Tigers, for bringing us college football's best medicine: laughter, peals of unbridled laughter, directed at somebody sucking furiously.</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Towson is actually a very, very solid FCS team. It is currently ranked No. 11 in the subdivision, something that will surely change after this week. The Tigers went 7-4 last year, but two of those losses were against stout FBS teams. They lost to LSU, scoring 22 points against a Les Miles defense that only allowed 17.2 per game and lost to MAC runners-up Kent State. They ended the year ranked No. 17, but missed out on the 20-team FCS playoffs.</span></li>
<li><span>Towson is in Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. Michael Phelps is from there, and Wikipedia claims Elaine from Seinfeld is too, but, honestly, when is that ever brought up? You can tell Towson is in Maryland because its most prominent team is its lacrosse team. Starting quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Peter Athens</a> played on the lax team this past year. "Crabcakes and football" is such an incredibly inaccurate assessment of the things Maryland does, although it does a perfectly good job with crabcakes.</span></li>
<li><span>Like many FCS teams, a portion of their contributors used to be FBS. Telvion Clark, who had 13 tackles and a sack, played at Virginia Tech. Sterlin Phifer, who ran for one touchdown and caught another, played at Boston College. And to add insult to UConn's injury, Leon Kinnard, who had a team-high 61 receiving yards, played at UConn.</span></li>
<li><span>Towson was known for a long time as Towson State. Since 1997, it is just Towson. Get it straight. They were also known as the Knights for a long time, but John Schuerholz, former Braves GM and 1962 alum, pushed for a name change. If only Schuerholz could convince the Braves to ditch the Native American thing and go with an ATL-appropriate name. Also, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/towson-drops-baseball-players-drop-school-name-jerseys-163707292--mlb.html">Towson just dropped Schuerholz's sport</a>. [Edit: <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-05-30/sports/bs-sp-towson-baseball-leadership-20130530_1_ncaa-tournament-colonial-athletic-association-tournament-mike-gottlieb">But not for long</a>!]</span></li>
<li><span>Kinnard is not the only UConn snipe: there's Rob Ambrose, the Tigers' coach. He's a Towson grad, playing wide receiver for them in the early '90s, but took a gig as the Huskies' quarterbacks coach and eventually the offensive coordinator. When he was their OC, they actually had an offense, featuring Donald Brown and Dan Orlovsky. But he left in 2009 to take over his alma mater.</span></li>
<li>Notable Towson alumni: Stacy Keibler of WWE fame (according to the internet, she either didn't graduate or <a href="http://www.hercampus.com/school/towson/stacy-keibler-our-hero-and-not-just-because-she-s-dating-george-clooney">had a terrific GPA</a>); Mike Rowe, the guy from <i>Dirty Jobs</i> who has been on your TV trying to sell you cars and/or jeans that he claims make his butt look good even though you have no idea who he is (he has not been on your TV on the show <i>Dirty Jobs</i>, since you have never watched <i>Dirty Jobs</i>); and comedian Amy Schumer, whose Comedy Central show I had good intentions for but dear goodness there's no way it hasn't been cancelled yet. </li>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2></h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/photo_images/732316/GYI0060582656.jpg"><p><em></em></p>
<span>Stacy Keibler, probably reading about her Tigers.</span>
</div>
<li><span>Ambrose has led Towson on a meteoric rise. The team didn't win more than three games from 2007-10, bottoming out with a 1-10 season in 2010. Its only win was in quintuple overtime against Coastal Carolina. Now, Towson has had two straight winning seasons and is now off the schneid against the FBS after losing on its first six tries. </span></li>
<li><span>Towson NFL-ers: One. Chicago's Jermon Bushrod, actually a very good left tackle. In the past the school has had three-time All-Pro running back Dave Meggett and six-time All-Pro punter Sean Landeta, who is probably still punting somewhere at the ripe young age of 51.</span></li>
<li><span>Towson's most important non-football athlete is Gary Neal, who played several years in Europe before the Spurs picked him up and everybody was like, "yo Gregg Popovich, is this 27-year-old from Towson on your roster?" and he scoffed at everybody, because everything he does always works, and then Gary Neal became great at defense and hit six threes in an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a> game this year, and everybody was like, "ohhhhh." The school's second most important non-football athlete is Tamir Goodman, dubbed "the Jewish Jordan," who chose Towson over the University of Maryland because the Terps would have made him play on Shabbat. He left school after two years, though, and played professionally in Israel.</span></li>
<li><span>My relationship with Towson stems from <a href="http://sippinonpurple.com">my Northwestern sports blog</a>. I started it in 2009, and our first game that year was against the Tigers. Northwestern won, 47-14. A reminder that they just walloped UConn. Northwestern and Towson also cross because Towson's Johnny Unitas Stadium was three-time host to the women's lacrosse national championship, which Northwestern has won seven times in the past nine years. REMINDER: Maryland.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Now you know about Towson. UConn fans, I hope you read this. These are the people you just lost to, and they did it without the help of any tallit-wearing basketball players or WWE divas. Towson, we thank you. UConn, now that you're done reading, return to the corner where you can think about a) what you've done and b) Pasqualoni's severance package.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>After sleeping on it, I wonder: what's so shameful about UConn losing to the best team in Maryland?</p>
— sir broosk (@celebrityhottub) <a href="https://twitter.com/celebrityhottub/statuses/373406859043946497">August 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/27/4624800/college-football-preview-teams-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The prettiest, smartest college football preview collection anywhere</a></p>
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<p><iframe src="https://www.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=31889" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="31889-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4675274/towson-university-tigers-football-uconnRodger Sherman2013-08-30T09:15:28-04:002013-08-30T09:15:28-04:00Jadeveon Clowney watch: Analyzing his debut
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HsHdTcpiVCjnxBXdDjHrkjYiNbA=/0x15:4000x2682/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18680909/178350671.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Clowney made a huge impact against North Carolina, despite his lack of statistical production. </p> <p>Everybody knew where <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138017/jadeveon-clowney">Jadeveon Clowney</a> was when stepped onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium on Thursday night for South Carolina's 27-10 win over North Carolina.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="likebox-float-right"><iframe src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FsbnationNFL&colorscheme=light&show_faces=true&header=true&stream=false&show_border=true" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:292px; height:290px;" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div>
<p>The ESPN cameras were zoomed in on his every move, Twitter was moving a mile a minute trying to keep up with each move he made in the pass-rush and the announcers were seemingly spending as much time discussing Clowney as they were the actual game taking place around the nation's best player. Most importantly, though, the entire North Carolina offense knew where Clowney was before each and every snap -- even when he was sitting out for extended stretches of the game.</p>
<p>That absence may have been due to a conditioning issue or it may have had something to do with a cut block that left him limping a bit. Clowney insisted it was due to a stomach virus,however, <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshatTheState/status/373286020596260864" target="_blank">according to Josh Kendall of the State newspaper in South Carolina</a>.</p>
<p>The nitpicking of Clowney was out of control from the outset of the season, however, because the phenom didn't collect a sack and finished with <i>only</i> three tackles Then came the questions. What's wrong with Clowney? Is he out of shape? Will he even last the season as the No. 1 NFL Draft prospect in the country?</p>
<p>Well, it's already time to pump the brakes on the Clowney panic.</p>
<p>It was disappointing to see him miss some snaps, regardless of the reason. Those who are just looking at the stat sheet or waiting for an animated .gif of a massive Clowney hit, however, are missing what makes him such a valuable NFL Draft prospect.</p>
<p>From North Carolina's opening drive, Clowney's impact on the game was evident: the Tar Heels were running away from the massive defensive end on just about every play. When they did drop back to pass, though, the ball was out of Bryn Renner's hands before Clowney had a chance to get into the backfield.</p>
<p>Clowney doesn't get credit for pressure or sacks on those plays but, without him, North Carolina's game plan would have likely been drastically different. The defensive players that are worth planning around are few and far between, but Clowney is one of those players.</p>
<p>A closer look at the opening game of the college football season can reveal how much a player's <i>presence</i> alone can impact a football game.</p>
<h3>More Preseson 2014 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> content</h3>
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<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/6/12/4423736/2014-nfl-draft-jadeveon-clowney-and-the-top-25-sec-prospects" target="_blank">2014 NFL Draft: Jadeveon Clowney and the top 25 SEC prospects</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/7/24/4545782/2014-nfl-draft-anthony-barr-marqise-lee-pac-12-prospects" target="_blank">Anthony Barr, Marquise Lee tops Pac-12 prospects list</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/8/13/4616116/jason-verrett-big-12-prospects-2014-nfl-draft-lache-seastrunk" target="_blank">Jason Verrett headlines the top 20 Big 12 prospects</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/8/7/4596008/2014-nfl-draft-khalil-mack-and-dri-archer-at-the-top-of-the-mac" target="_blank">No Eric Fisher, but top draft prospects remain in the MAC</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/7/31/4574932/2014-nfl-draft-taylor-lewan-bradley-roby-braxton-miller-big-ten-prospects" target="_blank">Ohio State, Michigan players lead Big Ten NFL Draft prospects</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/8/14/4622560/2014-nfl-draft-acc-sammy-watkins-tajh-boyd-christian-jones-kareem-martin" target="_blank">Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins of Clemson pace ACC draft hopefuls</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/8/29/4626930/david-fales-derek-carr-2014-nfl-draft-mountain-west-prospects" target="_blank">David Fales and the top 10 Mountain West prospects</a></li>
</ul>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/8/30/4674674/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-vs-north-carolina-2014-nfl-draftMatthew Fairburn2013-08-30T09:11:44-04:002013-08-30T09:11:44-04:00Results and recaps of Thursday's games
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VBSYGqDLFSM8ztCvzpmQ6bBJ3vM=/58x0:3941x2589/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18680149/178544889.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Frederick Breedon</figcaption>
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<p>Two ranked teams were in action Thursday night, and two FBS schools fell to lower division opponents. Find out the who, the what and the how in our recap of the night's action.</p> <p>The college football season kicked off in a big way Thursday night. That big way included lightning, last-second finishes and upsets to start the 2013 season.</p>
<p>Sixth-ranked South Carolina began the festivities with a weather-delayed 27-10 win over North Carolina. Even with a hampered <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138017/jadeveon-clowney" class="sbn-auto-link">Jadeveon Clowney</a>, who seemed to still be fighting the effects of a stomach virus suffered earlier in the week, the Gamecocks strolled to a 17-point first quarter lead and never looked back. Mike Davis's 12 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown seemed to suggest Steve Spurrier's squad will adjust to the post-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116171/marcus-lattimore" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcus Lattimore</a> era just fine.</p>
<p>In a big in-state showdown, Utah defeated Utah State 30-26, avenging last year's shocking early season loss. Even in defeat, Aggie quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/137583/chuckie-keeton" class="sbn-auto-link">Chuckie Keeton</a> was the star of the show, completing 31 of his 40 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns while running 15 times for 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Trailing 23-14 in the third, Utah scored 16 of the next 19 points, including three Andy Phillips field goals, on their way to a big season-opening win.</p>
<p>Here's a small example of Sir Chuckie's brilliance - every member of the Utah defense will bite on this pump fake in nightmares for years to come.</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3127601/chuckie.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Chuckie_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3127601/chuckie.gif"></a> <br id="1377867687448"></p>
<p>In perhaps the game of the night, Ole Miss ended up outlasting Vanderbilt 39-35 in a topsy-turvy game that ended in heartbreak for the Commodores. Trailing 32-28 with under two minutes left to play, Vandy received a huge 34-yard touchdown pass from Austyn Carta-Samuels to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138396/steven-scheu" class="sbn-auto-link">Steven Scheu</a>. A touchdown and an incomplete pass later, and suddenly the Commodores were watching Rebel running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116044/jeff-scott" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeff Scott</a> go 75 yards for the big conference win.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128491/olemissholyshit.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128491/olemissholyshit_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Olemissholyshit_medium"></a></p>
<p>Here are full highlights of the game, because it was worth it and so are you.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F7Y_ZortOek" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>USC joined South Carolina as the only ranked teams to play on the day, and the Trojans emerged victorious in Hawaii, 30-13, after a slow start. USC trailed the Warriors 5-3 after giving up a safety and a field goal to start the second quarter, but responded with two touchdowns and a field goal of their own to end the half strong. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136355/marqise-lee" class="sbn-auto-link">Marqise Lee</a> caught eight passes for 104 yards, and neither <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136350/cody-kessler" class="sbn-auto-link">Cody Kessler</a> (10-of-19, 95 yards, one touchdown and one interception) nor <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136352/max-wittek" class="sbn-auto-link">Max Wittek</a> (5-of-10 for 77 yards) were able to separate themselves in the Trojans' quarterback competition. Hawaii's quarterback <i>did </i>manage to get this hit in, however:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128253/hawaiiUSC.gif" style="background-color: #ffffff;"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/3128253/hawaiiUSC_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Hawaiiusc_medium"></a></p>
<p>In an exciting night game, Fresno State beat Rutgers in overtime, 52-51, after the Scarlet Knights were unable to complete a risky two-point conversion attempt. Both Gary Nova and Derek Carr threw for five touchdowns in the game.</p>
<p>
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<span>Kent State needed a late touchdown to beat Liberty, 17-10, after dark-horse Heisman candidate </span><a style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84434/dri-archer" class="sbn-auto-link">Dri Archer</a><span> suffered an early leg injury.</span>
</li>
<li><span>After falling into a 7-0 deficit early, Wake Forest beat Presbyterian comfortably, 31-7.</span></li>
<li><span>Indiana crushed in-state rivals Indiana State 73-35, bringing out an endless slew of "basketball score" jokes.</span></li>
<li><span>Minnesota beat UNLV 51-23, despite putting up 99 less total yards than the Rebels.</span></li>
<li><span>Bowling Green blew out Tulsa, 34-7, on the strength of three William Houston one-yard-runs.</span></li>
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<span>Ball State beat Illinois State 51-28, with five total touchdowns from quarterback </span><a style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112975/keith-wenning" class="sbn-auto-link">Keith Wenning</a><span>.</span>
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<a style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bortles</a><span> threw for three touchdown passes in a 38-7 UCF win over Akron.</span>
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<li><span>Two FCS teams defeated FBS teams on Thursday - Southern Utah edging out South Alabama 22-21, and Towson destroying UConn in East Hartford, 33-18.</span></li>
<li><span>Middle Tennessee State ran for 270 yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground in a 45-24 win over Western Carolina.</span></li>
<li><span>Tulane easily handled Jackson State, winning 34-7.</span></li>
<li><span>San Jose State shut out Sacramento State, as Chandler Jones caught eight passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 24-0 rout.</span></li>
</ul>
<h4>More from SB Nation:</h4>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationCFB" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @SBNationCFB </a><a href="https://twitter.com/SBNRecruiting" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @SBNRecruiting </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/27/4624800/college-football-preview-teams-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The prettiest, smartest college football preview collection anywhere</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4672382/live-college-football-schedule-coverage-south-carolina-unc?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Catch up on college football’s opening night</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/28/4648518/jadeveon-clowney-south-carolina-football-gameplan?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">How to stop Jadeveon Clowney: actual coaches build a game plan</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/8/27/4652132/why-we-love-college-football?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Why we love college football: a beautiful SB Nation longread</a></p>
<p>•<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4670122/johnny-manziel-ncaa-investigation-suspension?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Why we’re happy Johnny Manziel is playing</a></p>
<p>•The conference megapreview series begins: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/28/4646912/acc-football-preview-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">ACC</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/26/4641456/big-ten-football-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Big Ten</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/29/4642076/pac-12-football-preview-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Pac-12</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/27/4640810/sec-football-2013?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">SEC</a></p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/8/30/4675300/2013-college-football-results-week-1-thursdayPete Volk