The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

The Deuce, with the Deuce.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

It's what we do.. Miller was Deuces at Boise State so he knows the drill

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

ROUND 2 PREVIEW

#5 NOTRE DAME VS #4 OREGON

This one could be a good one. After a 6-6 finish last season, the Irish exploded this season with big wins over Top-25 ranked Virginia Tech, Michigan State and USC before closing out their season with a bunch of cupcake wins. But their 52 point performance against Boise State in Round 1 makes me think the Irish could be legit contenders.

Oregon lost 2 games at home this season to USC and Washington but managed to pull off a Big Ten Championship over Michigan State to earn the 1st Round "Bye".. The Ducks however will be without Star RB Mohammed Okpokowurk (90 Overall and his 968 yds and 9 TD's, leaving (T) SO Taylor Castro (80 carries 271 yds 3.4 avg 2 TD's) to shoulder the load.

#11 TAMU vs #3 Cincinnati


Everyone knows how good TAMU is and if you don't just go rewatch their win over Clemson in Round 1.. The Aggies replaced Doak Walker Winner Ruben Owens with SO Ben Bautista (84 Ovr) and all B.B. has done is rush for 1200 yds with 14 TD's including 224 yds on 10 carries (22.4 avg) including a 50 yd TD in Round 1.

Cincinnati comes into the game undefeated, led by talanted SR QB Brady Drogosh (84) who has already thrown for 3746 yds with 49 TD and 5 INT this season. But he will be without his #1 WR JR Barry Jackson Jr (49 rec 941 yds 16 TD) leaving some big shoes to fill.

Honestly I feel like TAMU has the ability to hand the Bearcats their first loss and move on.

#7 LSU vs #2 Georgia

Georgia was last year's runner up and I am sure they are ready to add another title to their history books. JR QB Jaden Rashada has had a down year this year (3704 29/9) compared to 2026 (4321 40/4) and even 2025 (4131 yds 43/6).. Maybe SR RB Nate Frazier (94) with his 1004 yds and 13 TD, but not sure.

LSU led by SR QB Rickie Collins (85 Ovr, 3686 yds 35 TD 5 INT) would love to get the Tigers back to the promise land. LSU hasn't sniffed a Natty since 2019..

If I had to guess, I think Georgia moves on as we see a rematch with TAMU in the Semi's yet again.


#8 FIU VS #1 MARYLAND

QB Clayton Dees is playing some pretty good football, but good isn't going to beat the the Terps. Dees will need to be great. If FIU has any chance to pull off this upset it will be with probably zero turnovers and a big day from RB Cole Tabb (1390 yds 20 TD's) as well as some big plays from the WR's Brian Cheek and Eric Cortez.

Maryland's SR QB Champ Long (82 Overall) has had a pretty solid year passing for 3933 yds with 39 TD's but he has thrown 11 INT's. If the FIU Defense can create a turnover or 2 that would go along way in helping the Panthers advance to the Semi's.

Like FIU's previous opponent (ECU), Maryland will go into the game without their #1 rusher SR Nolan Ray (85 Ovr, 755 yds 12 TD's) leaving fellow SR Dejuan Williams (84 Ovr, 379 yds 6 TD's) to carry the load. Williams has been the team's primary Kick and Punt Returner this season boosting an avg of 30.7 on KR (15 for 461) and 12.4 avg on PR (38 for 473)

Like FIU, the Terps have a balanced receiving core with 4 players recording over 600 yds and 40 receptions on the season. JR WR Ryan Manning is closing in on 1000 yds (49 rec 955 yds 8 TD) well SO WR Leati Siavii leads the team with 59 rec for 849 yds and 5 TD. SR TE Dylan Wade had 52 rec for 670 yds and 7 TD.

Maryland also has FR Bobby Winovich (80) who has just 32 rec for 414 yds but leads the team in TD's with (11).

On Defense the Terps have one of the best pass rushers in the country in SR OLB Dylan Gooden (80) who has 13.5 Sacks. One thing to note, well the Terps have some talent in the secondary, they have struggled to come up with INT's, as their Top-2 CB's have a combined 7 INT's (4 and 3) compared to FIU's Mr Clark who has 7 by himself. Also as a team the Terps only have 10 INT's all year.

Both teams have solid FG's if this one comes down to the kicking game. Maryland's SO Joe Maslowski has made 10/11 including a 47 yd long, well FIU's Issac Glennon is 17/20 with a 49 yd long and 2 of his 3 miss's coming from 50+

[redsox907]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

I'd take a Panther vs a Terrapin everyday

I think you nailed it in the preview, avoid mistakes and you should have this game

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

PANTHERS SHOCK EVERYONE BUT THEMSELVES!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at Maryland Terrapins
Dec 10, 2027	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#8 Florida International Golden Panthers (#8 SEED (12-2))	14	21	0	10	45
#1 Maryland Terrapins (#1 SEED (11-2))	0	7	7	7	21

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	MD
Total Offense	432	398
Rushing Yards	68	40
Passing Yards	346	327
First Downs	13	19
Punt Return Yards	33	0
Kick Return Yards	4	107
Total Yards	469	505
Turnovers		2
3rd Down Conversion	2/8	8/15
4th Down Conversion	2/2	1/2
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1-0-33%	3-0-100%
Penalties	6-58	7-41
Possession Time	28:39	31:21

For QB Clayton Dees, his journey this season has been about Redemption. The former 3* had multiple chances to join the transfer portal but he stuck it out, backing up Keyone Jenkins for 2 seasons with limited playing time and when he thought he finally earned his chance to start, he blew it in the Week 0 loss to Florida State opening up the door for Jamaal Church. But a injury to Church in Week 12 opened up the door for Dees to make his return playing in what some thought was a meaningless Week 13 win over ODU. Instead for Dees it was a chance to prove to himself, his teammates and the nation that he could be the guy to lead FIU into the history books yet again.

GAME RECAP

Maryland won the toss and elected to kick which looking back now probably wasn't the best ball, as Dees comes out firing completing 4/4 pass's on the opening drive including a 36 yd strike to Enrique Cortez to give the Panthers the early (7-0) lead. A quick 3 and out gave the Panthers solid field position and Dees went right back to work as he fires off 4 more completions including a 12 yd touchdown to SR Juju Lewis to make it (14-0).

Maryland tried to get some traction with their 2nd series but after a couple 1st downs the drive stalls as they are forced to punt yet again, as FIU gets a nice 17 yd return by Cheek. Leading by 2 scores, FIU slows things down and looked to establish the run game. The Terps however were loading the box and putting the game into Dees hands. The plan wasn't a good one, as he hits Freshman Brian Cheek on a 42 yd bomb to make it (21-0) early in the 2nd Quarter.

Again Maryland would try and establish some type of offense but the Panther D was fired up sacking Long twice on the drive forcing yet another punt before the Terps could cross the 50. FR Punter Patrick Fairchild lays down a perfect punt though as it goes 55 yds rolling out on the 1 yd line.

FIU trying to give Dees some space hand off to to TJ Snowden who gains 2 yds making it 2nd and 8 from the 3yd line. With the Terps loading 8 in the box and showing bliz, Dees calls a audible, takes the snap and fires to Cheek who has 3 steps on his defender, Cheek takes the pass in stride going 97 yds for the score.. Panthers 28 Terps 0..

For Maryland it was their worst nightmare coming true and the problem was the half wasn't over yet. Down by 4 scores, Maryland pretty much forgets they even have a running back on their team as Champ Long comes up firing, but after 2 1st downs, Champ hits SR SS Dominick Mays dead center in the chest as FIU takes over still with 3 minutes to play.

Dees already with 4 TD's on the day with his arm decides to show off his legs too, as he scrambles twice for 1st downs and with just over a minute to play FIU is in the endzone yet again as Cole Tabb breaks a 13 yd run for his 21st TD of the season to make it (35-0)..

Maryland thinking about just running out the clock gets a nice 15 yd run by RB DeJuan Williams and then another 12 yd gain by FR WR Bobby Winovich on a Jet Sweep with 48 seconds to play, Maryland calls their first timeout. Long then hits a series of 20+ yd gains including a 29 yd TD strike to JR Ryan Manning as time expires making it (35-7) as we head to the half.


The Terps would start the 2nd half with the ball, and Long goes right back to what was working completing 6/8 pass's on the series including another TD to Manning to make it (35-14).. The rest of the 3rd Quarter was a series of punts back and forth as FIU takes the 3 score lead into the 4th.

FIU finally gets back on the scoreboard midway through the 4th as Issac Glennon connects on a 51 yd FG breaking his streak of 5 miss's over 50 yds to make it (38-14). For Maryland the game couldn't get over soon enough as Champ throws his 2nd INT of the day as Jaden Williams comes up with the pick taking it 55 yds to set up a 1st and Goal and 3 plays later FR FB Isaiah Dennis dives in from 1 yd out for another Panther touchdown. (45-14).

Maryland would add on 1 more score as Long connects on a TD to FR Bobby Winovich for his 12th TD of the season.

Long would finished the day 26/44 (59%) for 327 yds with the 3 TD and 2 INT he also led the team in rushing with 7 carries for 28 yds despite being sacked 4 times.

KEY PANTHERS

QB C. Dees-19/26 (73%) 346 yds 4 TD, 23 yds rushing, sacked twice.
RB C. Tabb-14 carries 54 yds 1 TD, 2 rec 30 yds
RB TJ Snowden-2 carries 5 yds
FB I Dennis-1 carry 1 yd 1 TD
WR B. Cheek-4 rec 144 yds 2 TD
WR E. Cortez-6 rec 83 yds 1 TD
WR Juju Lewis-1 rec 12 yds 1 TD
TE D. Naanaee-4 rec 44 yds
TE J. Malik-2 rec 33 yds
CB Mr Clark-Team high 11 Tackles
SS J. Williams 9 Tackles 1 INT
DE D. Ndukwe- 4 tackles 2 Sacks
SS D. Mays-1 INT

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

THE REST OF WEEK 2 PLAYOFFS AND BOWLS RECAP

IRISH PULL OFF 4TH QUARTER VICTORY

#5 Notre Dame led (10-7) at the half and (15-14) at the end of the 3rd, but Oregon took the lead early in the 4TH with a FG to make it (17-15) before the Irish would close out the game with 21 unanswered winning (36-17)

Ducks QB SR Austin Novosad finished just 14/28 (50%) for 138 yds with 1 INT, well also leading the team with 66 yds rushing and a Fumble.

The Irish will now take on FIU in the Semi's in the Cotton Bowl..

A&M ENDS BEARCATS DREAM SEASON

Cincinnati opened up the game with a touchdown to take a (7-0) lead and kept things close as TAMU goes into the half up (10-7). Trailing (28-17) going into the 4th Cincy was still in the hunt, but Drogosh throws (2) 4th Q INT's which led to a pair of scores as Texas A&M wins (38-17).

TIGERS PULL OFF UPSET OVER BULLDOGS

LSU led the entire game going up (7-0) to start and then (21-17) at the half and (28-20) going into the 4th. Georgia actually tied the game (28-28) in the 4th after converting the 2pt play, but the Tigers would retake the lead with a FG midway through the 4th, and then Jaden Rashada throws a INT to seal the Tigers victory..

LSU will now face TAMU in the Orange Bowl. The Tigers lost to the Aggies back in Week 9 at home (30-16) so I am sure they are looking for some revenge.

OTHER WEEK 2 BOWL GAMES

Florida State ended their season like they started it with a victory beating #13 Florida (17-10) in the Gator Bowl.

Arizona State pulled off a (35-34) win over UNC in the Duke's Mayo Bowl

Miami OH defeated Baylor (31-25) in the Sun Bowl

San Jose State beat Bowling Green (34-6) in the Arizona Bowl

Penn State beat South Carolina (17-14) in the Music City Bowl.

[studbucket]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Freudian slip?

GAME RECAP

Maryland won the loss...

Nice win.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Freudian slip?



Nice win.

Fixed it. They won the coin toss. But elected to kick which maybe wasn't a great idea being how FIU came out on fire

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

COTTON BOWL OFFERS FIREWORKS AND MIRACLES!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jan 1,	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#8 Florida International Golden Panthers ((13-2))	3	14	7	14	38
#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish ((13-1))	7	10	17	3	37

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	ND
Total Offense	635	371
Rushing Yards	9	39
Passing Yards	626	322
First Downs	36	13
Punt Return Yards	17	23
Kick Return Yards	101	152
Total Yards	753	546
Turnovers	5	1
3rd Down Conversion	8/14	5/13
4th Down Conversion	1/2
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	4-1-62%	2-2-66%
Penalties	2-25	6-65
Possession Time	26:11	17:49

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		FIU	ND
6:21	(FIU) I.Glennon 41 yd FG	3	0
3:40	(ND) J. Wilcox 2 yd run	3	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		FIU	ND
7:29	(FIU) D. Naanee 18 yd pass from A. Malveaux (PAT)	10	7
5:26	(ND) J. Wilcox 11 yd pass from K. Minchey (PAT)	10	14
5:14	(FIU) B. Cheek 75 yd pass from A. Malveaux (PAT)	17	14
0:00	(ND) Jack Willard 25 yd FG	17	17
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		FIU	ND
10:51	(ND) Jordan Faison 75 yd pass from K. Minchey (PAT)	17	24
9:15	(ND) Leonard Moore 62 yd INT return (PAT)	17	31
7:18	(ND) Jack Willard 52 yd FG	17	34
4:59	(FIU) Cole Tabb 7 yd run	24	34
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		FIU	ND
9:43	(FIU) Isaiah Dennis 1 yd run	31	34
3:22	(ND) Jack Willard 35 yd FG	31	37
0:20	(FIU) Tyler Cisco 1 yd pass from Clayton Dees (PAT)	38	37

Florida International Golden Panthers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT A. Malveaux 11/15 236 2 3 C. Dees 15/28 209 1 0 T. Maijeh 13/23 181 0 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD C. Tabb 12 21 1.7 1 C. Dees 6 -27 -4.5 I. Dennis 3 -1 -0.3 1 TJ Snowden 3 -2 -.0.6 A. Ferguson 1 9 9.0 A. Malveaux 1 9 9.0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD D. Naanee 7 148 21.1 1 K. McNeal 6 88 14.6 E Cortez 6 76 12.6 B Cheek 5 151 30.2 1 C. Tabb 5 32 6.4 T Cisco 3 36 12.0 1 A Ferguson 3 21 7.0 Juju Lewis 2 44 22.0 J. Haslam 1 18 18.0 F. Okwara 1 12 12.0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK D. Michal 7 1 D Okuayinou 4 1 C Tabb 1 A. Hill 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD J. Taylor 7 1.0 T. Stewart 8 M. Clark 4 1 R .Williams 4 1.0

Notre Dame Fighting Irish PASSING C/A YDS TD INT K. Minchey 18/28 322 2 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD J. Wilcox 14 50 3.5 1 K. Minchey 8 -4 -0.5 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD J. Faison 6 178 29.6 1 E. Pitts 4 42 10.5 C. Williams 3 50 16.6 M. Gilbert 2 28 14.0 J. Wilcox 2 17 8.5 1 M. Guzman 1 7 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD B. Capra 11 K. Viliamu-Asa 11 J. Ausberry 10 0.5 L. Moore 6 3 1 Q. Rahman 6 1 J. McClain 5 1 J. Wade 6 2.5 Z. Cashman 2 1.0

GAME RECAP

Going into today's matchup most fans expected to see points scored as the #1 Offense (FIU) took on the #3 Offense (Notre Dame). However Notre Dame showed us in the 1st Round against Boise State (#4 Offense) that the Irish could play some decent Defense too. Notre Dame came into the game leading the nation in sacks (53) and they showed why as the FIU Panthers saw a stacked box and multiple blitz's early.

In fact the Irish were in the backfield so often that Panther QB Clayton Dees was sacked 3 times early in the 1st Quarter leading to a injury that forced him out of the game until late in the 4th Quarter.

With Dees out, South Carolina transfer RS SO Antwan Malveaux would make his return under center. For Malveaux it was his first action since Week 1, and well he showed off his ability to throw the ball, with a pair of 2nd Quarter touchdowns including a 75 yd bomb to Alabama transfer FR Brian Cheek, he also threw 2 INT's including 1 that led to a last second FG by the Irish to tie the game (17-17) at the half.

Notre Dame opened up the 2nd half with the ball but took just 1 play to find the endzone as JR QB K. Minchey (89) hits SR WR J. Faison (84) on a 75 yd bomb to take the lead (24-17). Then just over a minute late Malveaux's 3rd INT turns into a "Pick 6" as Leonard Moore takes it back 62 yds to extend the lead to (31-17). For Malveaux, his day was over as RS FR Tavaris Maijeh takes over.

Maijeh wouldn't fare much better though as the Freshman throws a INT that leads to a Irish FG making it (34-17).

For FIU's Cole Tabb it was a rough day, as the Irish Defense was in the backfield all day resulting in 16 Tackles for Loss as Tabb fails to average even 2 yds per carry, but late in the 3rd Tabb kept his team in the game as he takes a HB Draw up the middle for a 7 yd score to make it (34-24) as we head to the 4th.

FIU still trailing by 10, gets the ball back early in the 4th as Mister Clark picks up his 8th INT of the season as he helps set up a short field and the Panthers deliver as RS FR FB Isaiah Dennis caps of the drive with a 1 yd TD run to make it (34-31).

The FIU Defense came up big again holding the Irish to a FG making it (37-31) with 3:22 to play. Needing a score to potentially win the game, Coach Matt Miller put JR QB Clayton Dees back into the game after guiding the Panthers inside the 20 yd, Dees would throw 2 more incomplete pass's before taking his 4th sack of the day setting up a 4th and 18. The Irish Defense holds as FIU turns the ball over on downs. Still armed with all 3 timeouts though, it was now the Panther Defense who comes up big as SR FS Preston Thompson comes through on a blitz to hit Wilcox in the backfield setting up a 4th and 3 as the Irish Punt.

Dees now had a 2nd chance. Out of timeouts, FIU goes to a 5 WR formation as both JR WR Faitele Okwara (redshirting for the season) comes in and makes a huge 12 yd 1st down grab and seldom used backup RB Jalen Haslam makes his first reception of the season picking up 18 yds as he is called out at the 1 yd line setting up 1st and goal with 42 seconds to play. After 2 incomplete pass's Dees would scramble right before throwing back to his left hitting RS FR Tyler Cisco to tie the game (37-37). Issac Glennon would come in and knock down his 198th straight PAT to give FIU the 1 point lead...

The Panthers are headed to the Natty in Coach Millers 3rd season at the helm, but do the Panthers have another Miracle win left in them or will their dream season fall short?

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

AGGIES ADVANCE SETTING UP REMATCH

#11 Texas A&M got the monkey off it's back as they defeat #6 LSU in the Orange Bowl to advance for a chance at the Natty in a rematch of last year's 2nd Round matchup with FIU.

The Aggies led (3-0 in the 1st Quarter and took a (17-7) lead into the half. LSU opened up the 2nd half with a score to make it (17-14) but TAMU answers back as SR QB Marcel Reed (86) throws his 3rd TD of the day to make it (24-14) going into the 4th.. Again LSU scores to make it (24-21) but Reed answers back again with his 4th TD of the day hitting JR WR Aston Bethel-Roman (90) on a 59 yd bomb to make it (31-21). LSU running out of time sees their season end as SR RB Rickie Collins throws a INT as TAMU tacks on a FG for the final points of the game.. FINAL SCORE TAMU-34 LSU-21

Reed finished 19/24 (79%) for 283 yds with 4 TD, well Collins completed 25/37 (67%) for 345 yds with 1 TD and 1 INT.

[studbucket]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Wow, what a game. I bet that was a fun one to play.

[redsox907]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

What. A. Comeback.

Great work grinding back into it despite the 5 ints. A&M looks great, but I feel like it's FIU's year

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Wow, what a game. I bet that was a fun one to play.

Yes and no.. i am old and my.heart can't take it. It was a crazy game for sure. Their pass rush was insane. I couldn't get off anything play action and all my usual runs plays had someone in the backfield on every snap.

When I failed to score when I got the ball back with 3 minutes I thought the game was over. But I got the stop and then when they called Haslam out at the 1 yd line I was man this CPU just doesnt want me to win. Cisco though was wide open on that last play and I was if he drops this I know the CPU hates me.

Thanks for the comment/follow

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

What. A. Comeback.

Great work grinding back into it despite the 5 ints. A&M looks great, but I feel like it's FIU's year

It was a true grind for sure. I definitely am looking forward to some redemption against TAMU, all those picks killed me. I honestly thought it was happening again with this game against the Irish too.

I honestly had no plans of even making the playoffs this early. Doing a Dynasty even with a 2* i honestly was thinking it would take 4-5 years just to make and win a playoff game. I was planning in being content just with challenging for CUSA titles and playing in Bowl games.

I have coach progression on slowest because in my last Dynasty Coach Scott maxed out by Year 13. So far Coach Miller is only Level 12 and the only offers I got was a OC job at UCLA and HC at UMass.

Minnesota fired their Coach and I would've been tempted to go there and play in the Big Ten but sadly no offer

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

That Notre Dame game was 1 for the books. Great W, Deuce.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

Thanks.

I have had some close games in both this Dynasty and my Boise State/TTU one and this one is a Top-10 for sure, probably Top-5 being how it was a playoff game..