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

Welcome to Paws UP.. We we talk FIU Panther Football.. The Panthers are back at it headed to their 6th straight Semi Finals of the College Football Playoffs. A win would secure FIU's 4th trip to the Natty and give them a chance at the schools 3rd National Championship but 1st without Coach Matt Miller at the helm. Today we are joined by OC Clayton Dees who helped FIU win their first National Championship as the Panthers QB.. Can he win his 2nd as a Panther Coach..

CD-Thanks for having me Jake. I am excited to be here.

JG-Coach it's been a interesting season.. For a 2nd straight year the Hurricanes have been a "Thorn in the Paw" ending FIU's run at a perfect season and now for a 2nd year in a row, the Panthers must square off against a ACC opponent in the Semi Finals facing a team we didn't play this season.. How much game film have you watched this week on UNC..

CD- Alot.. Obviously we both played alot of the same teams so we watched how other ACC teams attacked their Defense and where they found success as well as watched what schemes and formations worked best against their offense. They have a really solid game plan. JR QB Tobias Keke (2780 yds 27 TD 8 INT, 324 yds rushing) is one of the best dual threat QB's in the nation and this backup SO Dion Tolbert (670 yds 9 TD 1 INT) can sling it too.. They have a great Trio at WR (JR J. Vernon-78 rec 1073 yds 10 TD), (SR E. Orakpo-50 rec 746 yds 12) and (SR K. Potts-46 rec 719 yds 6 TD). If they have a weakness on Offense it's their rushing attack.. On Defense they have a great rush attack with almost 50 sacks on the season so our O-Line is going to need to step up and give KP time to throw the ball.

JG-Speaking of KP.. His coming off a 298 yds 4 TD 1 INT performance against BSU and on the season he has thrown for 4527 yds with 37 TD and 14 INT.. He has also shown his ability to make some huge plays with his feet with 598 yds rushing and 5 TD's.. His rushing yards are the most by any Panther QB in the past 8 years.. Do you think he should run even more?

CD- To be completely honest. Probably yes.. I mean don't get me wrong he has a great arm. He is less then a hundred yards from setting a new ACC record held by Clemson's Cade Klubnik (4606) and is 393 yds away from beating Keyone Jenkins FIU season record for yards and just 4 TD's away from breaking Hawks 40 TD record set last year, so I mean he is just a generational talent that can honestly beat you both ways.

JG-How good is it to know that you have him coming back next year.. Especially with Cantwell graduating as well as Kerry Newkirk and Dom Meeks.

CD-It feels really good.. Obviously losing T.C. will be huge to our run game, but just like when Tavon Logan left, Shawn Boyce stepped up. Then Boyce left and T.C. stepped up. We like Marvin Ware alot but if you have noticed these past 2 games we have worked Tim Trinidad into the game plan more and he has responded with some big runs.. We might now 1 guy next year that carries the ball 250 times because we really believe that Ware and Trinidad could work best as a duo.. We also still believe that Anfernee Rasmussen can also play a bigger role in the offense as a receiver as well as a runner and even doing some Wildcat and having him throw the ball.

JG-You mentioned Newkirk and Meek. But let's talk about Emari Boenzi.. Boenzi a former 5* Recruit who was ranked #10 Overall in his class and the #1 WR came to FIU as somewhat of a disappointment after the Spring game. He then redshirted 2 years ago and then last year had just 38 rec for 634 yds with 4 TD in a very crowded WR unit.. This year however in that same unit He has put up huge #'s (92 rec 1284 yds and 15 TD's). His 92 receptions are already a new school record and he is just 3 TD's away from breaking Dom Meeks record of 17 set last year.. How surprised are you with the season he is having.

CD-To be honest I am not shocked because he is super talented.. But you are right. We still have a very crowded WR unit and to be honest even with Newkirk-34 rec 598 yds 4 TD and Meeks-54 rec 749 yds 4 TD leaving as well as SR TE Earl Godwin-31 rec 436 yds 2 TD. We still have a great group of guys returning with Boz.. Walter Abiamiri has 40 rec for 732 yds and 6 TD this year after posting 33 rec or 814 yds and 7 TD last year and Carlos Badet, Montrel Muamba, Steve Trapasso, and Ian Kamalu all are coming back plus we got 5* Recruits Devin Kennedy and Edward Marshall currently Redshirting.

JG-Coach I want to talk about coaching offers.. With the season you have had as a 1st year OC, we have heard reports that you were already offered 3 pretty high profile HC offers including Charlotte who finished with 10 wins including the CUSA Championship..

CD-Yeah I had 3 offers. Charlotte, James Madison and Georgia State. Obviously I am very familiar with the both Charlotte and James Madison from my days as a player in the CUSA and Coach Valdez coach in the CUSA last year well at Kentucky.. What's funny though despite the fact that Charlotte and James Madison are both coming off great seasons (James Madison was 8-5) the school I actually took a 2nd interview with was Georgia State.

JG-Georgia State is also called the Panthers.. I have heard you say a couple times "Panther for Life" as your motto.. Does that mean you are headed to Atlanta?

CD-Not at all.. Like I said I had a 2nd interview I met with several of their players including RS FR QB Clifton Penny (78) and RS FR RB Brenton Wells (77) but at the end of the day, I want to come back and at least see how KP finishes his career.. I don't know if our season ends with a Natty this year or not but it's my goal to get 1 more here at FIU before I start my own career somewhere else.. Other schools will always be looking. Last year we saw 31 HC changes and this year we have already seen 30.. I am not afraid to wait and see what might come.

JG-Coach 1 last question.. How do you feel about the potential matchup in the National Championship.. On 1 side of the coin you have a possible rematch with Miami and on the other side you have a possible matchup against your former Coach in Matt Miller and the Ohio State Buckeyes..

CD- Honestly it feels like one of those double sided head coins where I am calling tails and losing no matter what side it lands on.. I honestly can't say who I would want to face.. I think probably 99% of me wants a shot at the Canes and a chance to end their season, cause honestly they can have the King's Crown and the ACC Championship, but if we are the National Champs that's the true trophy that everyone actually really cares about.. But there is that 1% of me that thinks it would be pretty cool to face Coach Miller and the Buckeyes. When he left we talked about a potential non-conference game against each other in the future but I don't think anyone thought it could come in Year 1.

JG-Well Coach good luck.. You guy's played a great came against BSU and I hope you do the same with the Tar Heels..

[Deuce2223]

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

Good luck against Miami, Deuce. Question for you. Who do you like running the offense better with, Pounds, or Brieda?

Sent from my SM-S928U using Operation Sports mobile app

Thanks. Man that is a tough question.. Both are great QB's. Breida has some things he does better and obviously as a JR he is higher rated (94 vs 86) and has better Awareness (87 vs 82) but KP is probably the best QB I have played with as a RS FR since my Coach Scott Dynasty with GNK or Vildor.. Both were pretty amazing QB's as Freshman leading TTU to Natty's so if KP can do that he will join a pretty elite group.

[Deuce2223]

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

PANTHRES PUNCH THEIR TICKET!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at North Carolina Tar Heels
Jan 4, 2023	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#6 Florida International Golden Panthers ((13-2))	7	21	7	27	62
#5 North Carolina Tar Heels ((12-2))	7	13	6	13	39

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	UNC
Total Offense	573	375
Rushing Yards	198	3
Passing Yards	375	346
First Downs	33	21
Punt Return Yards	10	28
Kick Return Yards	108	67
Total Yards	691	470
Turnovers	5	2
3rd Down Conversion	6/11	5/15
4th Down Conversion	2/3	2/2
2-Point Conversion	0/1	0/2
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	6-0-66%	3-0-50%
Penalties	4-50	0-0
Possession Time	23:44	16:16

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		FIU	UNC
6:59	(FIU) A. Wooleyhand 66 yd fumble return (PAT)	7	0
5:41	(UNC) J. Vernon 37 yd pass from T. Keke (PAT)	7	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		FIU	UNC
9:56	(FIU) T. Cantwell 5 yd run (PAT)	14	7
7:59	(UNC) L. D'Imperio 37 yd INT return (PAT)	14	14
4:54	(FIU) E. Boenzi 12 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	21	14
2:17	(UNC) A. Araiza 43 yd FG	21	17
1:13	(FIU) K. Newkirk 47 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	28	17
0:06	(UNC) A. Araiza 43 yd FG	28	20
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		FIU	UNC
5:01	(UNC) L. Korn 1 yd pass from T. Keke (2pt Conversion Fail)	28	26
1:28	(FIU) K. Newkirk 18 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	35	26
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		FIU	UNC
9:55	(FIU) D. Meeks 19 yd pass from K. Pounds (2pt Fail)	41	26
8:06	(FIU) D. Meeks 33 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	48	26
5:21	(FIU) T. Trinidad 13 yd run (PAT)	55	26
3:08	(UNC) J. Vernon 11 yd pass from T. Keke (PAT)	55	33
1:22	(UNC) E. Orakpo 8 yd pass from T. Keke (2pt Fail)	55	39
0:10	(FIU) C. Badet 7 yd pass from K. Angerer (PAT)	62	39

GAME RECAP

It wasn't pretty but at the end of the day FIU got it done. The Panthers opened up with the ball, but a Pound INT would kill the drive. UNC however would have to try and settle for a FG, but for the FIU Special teams would come up with a huge play as they block the kick (First time I have done this since getting the game in either of my 2 Dynasties), as OLB Alex Wooleyhand scoops up the fumble and returns it 66 yds for the touchdown to give FIU the (7-0) lead.

It was a rough day for QB Kevin Pounds. The Redshirt Freshman would turn the ball over 3 more times throwing 2 more INT's including a "Pick 6" return that allowed UNC to tie the game (14-14) and he would also fumble a option handoff to Cantwell that led to another Tarheel FG with 6 seconds to play in the half as UNC makes it (28-20) going into the locker rooms.

UNC opened up the 2nd half scoring on on a 1 yd TD pass from Tobias Keke (78) to SR TE Landry Korn (78) to make it (28-26). The Tarheels would leave the offense on the field trying for the 2pt play to tie the game but the FIU Defense was ready and stopped them short.

Pound would rebound from his 4 turnover 1st half to play a very nice 2nd half as he throws 4 touchdowns including a 18 yd strike to Newkirk to give FIU the (35-26) lead going into the 4th and then with a pair of scoring strikes to Dom Meeks (19 yds and 33 yds) FIU extends their lead to (48-26) with still over 8 minutes to play in the game.

FIU would extend the lead to (55-26) with just over 5 minutes to play in the game as Tim Trinidad runs it in from 13 yds out, but UNC wasn't going down quitely.

Keke would connect on a pair of touchdown throws in the final 5 minutes to cut the lead to (55-39).. After throwing a 11 yd strike to JR Jaren Vernon, the UNC Defense would come up with their 4th INT of the day picking off backup QB Kenyon Angerer on his first career pass attempt, and then it was Keke to Orakpo for score #2.

UNC would attempt to kick a onside kick but failed to convert as the FIU Hands team does it's job.

It looked like FIU would probably just run out the clock in the final minute but facing a 3rd and 8, Angerer would drop back and hit Carlos Badet for the 1st down setting up a 1st and goal.. Well most assumed FIU would just punch it in with the ground game it was Angerer going to the air again hitting Badet for a 7 yd touchdown to close out the came.

OC Clayton Dees

"I didn't want Kenyon's first game experience to be a INT on his first throw and then nothing. I wanted him to finish the game on a positive note.. We have been blessed all year to keep KP healthy but if something happens to him Kenyon is going to be our guy and we need him to feel ready especially in a big game situation."

UNC QB Tobias Keke would finish the game 27/44 (61%) for 346 yds with 4 TD and 1 INT

KEY PANTHERS

QB K. Pounds-21/34 (61%) 343 yds 5 TD 3 INT, 4 carries 5 yds 1 Fumble
QB K. Angerer-2/4 (50%) 32 yds 1 TD 1 INT
RB T. Cantwell-23 carries 164 yds 1 TD
RB M. Ware-5 carries 6 yds
RB T. Trinidad-1 carry 13 yds 1 TD
WR D. Meeks-4 rec 86 yds 2 TD
WR M. Muamba-4 rec 77 yds
WR K. Newkirk-3 rec 74 yds 2 TD
WR E. Boenzi-5 rec 53 yds 1 TD
WR I. Kamaula-1 rec 25 yds
WR C. Badet-2 rec 32 yds 1 TD
TE E. Godwin-3 rec 34 yds


UP NEXT

The Panthers will Advance to the National Championship for a chance at Title #3.. The Question is who will they face.. Their Nemesis or their former Coach?

[redsox907]

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

got a feeling turnovers are going to play a huge role in the Natty, no matter who they end up facing. Although we're all hoping for OSU, a redemption game against the Canes would be a storybook ending for the Panthers even without Coach Miller.

[Deuce2223]

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

got a feeling turnovers are going to play a huge role in the Natty, no matter who they end up facing. Although we're all hoping for OSU, a redemption game against the Canes would be a storybook ending for the Panthers even without Coach Miller.

So i went and looked and UNC actually was like 4 in the nation in INT's this season. There #1 CB had 6 and the #2 had 5. So that along with the fact I changed up FiU's playbook and was trying some new plays i am sure factored into .my struggles.

To be completely honest I am torn. Part of me would love to still see the Panthers win the Natty and beat Miiami doing it. But at the same time, I am not liking my chances to.presuade Breida to.stay and not.even sure I should try. I am pretty sure he is the highest rated QB projected in the draft and if we had the ability to see, I bet he would be the #1 Overall pick.

So part of me what's to make sure I send him out as a winner cause we'll I have some talented 4* guys to play QB i am not sure with losing 22 Seniors including like 7 starters on Defense that we will be contenders next year

[Deuce2223]

b

MIAMI PERFECT NO MORE!!!

Ohio State Buckeyes at Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Jan 4, 2032	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes ((12-2))	7	14	3	14	38
#1 Miami (FL) Hurricanes ((14-0))	14	3	7	0	24

Team Stats Comparison
	OSU	MIA
Total Offense	494	307
Rushing Yards	191	73
Passing Yards	303	218
First Downs	31	14
Punt Return Yards	22	0
Kick Return Yards	88	117
Total Yards	604	424
Turnovers	3	1
3rd Down Conversion	6/12	2/9
4th Down Conversion	2/2	0/1
2-Point Conversion	1/1
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	5-0-83%	1-1-50%
Penalties	2-20	2-15
Possession Time	22:50	17:10

GAME RECAP

For a 2nd year in a row, Coach Miller has ended the Hurricanes playoff run and it feels good...

Miami jumps out to a early (14-7) lead in the 1st Quarter as QB AJ Breida throws 2 INT's but the Buckeyes battle back in the 2nd Quarter behind a pair of rushing touchdowns by former QB Anfernee Johnson as Ohio State goes into the half with a (21-17) lead.

Ohio State opened up the 2nd half with the ball but QB AJ Breida fumbles the ball well attempting a pass and FR DE Tony Padrino (82) scoops it up and runs 42 yds for the touchdown to give Miami the (24-21) lead. The Buckeyes would later tie the game (24-24) which is where it stayed as we head to the 4th.

OSU would open up the 4th with a nice 9 play drive that stalls out at the 2 yd line.. Facing a 4th and goal with the game still tied, Coach Miller goes for it called for a FB dive as SR Eric Tyron takes it up the middle for the touchdown giving OSU the (31-24) lead.

Heisman winner Legend Coffee doesn't typically make mistakes but he made a big one tonight throwing into double coverage on a 3rd and 17 and RS FR CB Nick Costanzo made him pay picking of the pass and returning it 24 yds.. OSU not taking any chances stuck with the ground game and with 1:47 to play in the game AJ Johnson would punch in his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game to give the Buckeyes the 2 score lead. (38-24)..

Miami down to just 1 timeout, completed their first 2 pass attempts to move the ball to the 40 yd line but Coffee running out of time would force up back to back deep throws for incompletions to set up a 3rd and 10. With only 1 sack on the day, the OSU Defense picked a great time to pick up #2 as FR OLB John Perez comes in for the 7 yd loss setting up a 4th and 17.. Coffee would do his best to scramble looking for a WR down field but in the end dumps it off to FR TE Matt Haack who is tackled short of the first down as the Buckeyes take over with 47 seconds to play.

Out of timeouts, all Miami could do is watch OSU lineup in the victory formation as Coach Miller takes a Gatorade Bath..FINA SCORE OHIO STATE-38 MIAMI-24

KEY PLAYERS

QB AJ Breida-22/40 (55%) 303 yds 0 TD 2 INT, sacked twice, 5 carries 23 yds 1 Fumble
RB M. Grubbs-21 carries 105 yds 1 TD
RB AJ Johnson-8 carries 47 yds 3 TD, 2 rec 9 yds
RB D. Jones-2 carries 9 yds
FB E. Tryon-2 carries 7 yds 1 TD
WR T. Pappoe-8 rec 109 yds
WR G. Alexander-4 rec 47 yds
WR J. Abbott-2 rec 44 yds
WR K. Kosier-2 rec 35 yds
WR J. Gayton 1 rec 27 yds
TE R. Pierre-2 rec 27 yds

QB L. Coffee-18/30 (60%0 218 yds 2 TD 1 INT, sacked twice, 4 carries 20 yds
RB T. Lamur-5 carries 37 yds, 3 rec 22 yds 1 TD
RB R. Flowers-9 carries 31 yds, 1 rec 12 yds
TE M. Haak-4 rec 76 yds 1 TD
WR A. Draft-5 rec 43 yds
WR G. Finneran-2 rec 38 yds
WR D. Yancey-2 rec 18 yds

INJURY REPORT

It was a rough day on the injury front for the Buckeyes.. FR WR/KR/PR Ezekeil Tandy went down in the 2nd Quarter with a Achilles Tear.. He is expected to be out 49 weeks.

OSU also lost SR RB Mike Grubbs. Grubbs left the game midway through the 2nd Quarter as well but returned in the 3rd Quarter only to leave again midway through the 4th.. He has a Foot Fracture that will keep him out for at least 4 weeks.

Already playing without a Trio of SR DT's (A. Bequette, M. Stewart and R. Stromberg) as well as starting SS Ramon Martinez, the Defense took 2 more hits as backup SS Paul Barnhardt is out for 7 weeks with a Broken Fibula and FR DE Joel Ezukanma is out for the next 3 weeks with a Dislocated Ankle.

With Grubbs out of action, OSU currently only has 2 active RB's and will most likely insert FR Fredrick Tam who is currently redshirting as well as DE Mafu Vakapuna.. Both players are eligible without losing their redshirt status as neither has played in a game this season.

Coach Miller

"It always sucks to lose a player but it's even worse when it's the week before playing for a National Championship. What's worse is 5 of them are Seniors and will never get another chance. I can tell you right know without Mike Grubbs we wouldn't be playing next week. its pretty tough to replace a guy who has 1449 yds rushing and 16 TD's."

[redsox907]

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

Here we go. You knew that with the success FIU was having they'd eventually play Ohio State in the CFP, just didn't think it would be year one. You built their defense, so no one knows it better than you. Time to exploit it. Like Jon Gruden playing the Raiders in the SB lol

[Deuce2223]

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

MUCH STILL TO LEARN!!!

Florida International Golden Panthers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Jan 14, 2032	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#6 Florida International Golden Panthers ((14-2))	14	14	0	14	42
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes ((14-2))	7	21	7	17	52

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	OSU
Total Offense	462	603
Rushing Yards	73	264
Passing Yards	383	339
First Downs	15	34
Punt Return Yards	0	37
Kick Return Yards	148	112
Total Yards	610	752
Turnovers	1	2
3rd Down Conversion	4/9	7/13
4th Down Conversion		3/3
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	4-0-66%	6-1-77%
Penalties	4-41	1-15
Possession Time	13:08	26:52

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		FIU	OSU
7:19	(FIU) E. Boenzi 4 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	7	0
4:05	(FIU) E. Boenzi 87 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	14	0
1:05	(OSU) F. Tam 2 yd run (PAT)	14	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		FIU	OSU
7:22	(OSU) A. Johnson 7 yd run (PAT)	14	14
2:05	(OSU) T. Pappoe 3 yd pass from AJ Breida (PAT)	14	21
1:15	(FIU) E. Boenzi 13 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	21	21
0:49	(FIU) K. Pounds 9 yd run (PAT)	28	21
0:13	(OSU) G. Alexander 57 yd pass from AJ Breida (PAT)	28	28
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		FIU	OSU
6:31	(OSU) J. Gayton 16 yd pass from AJ Breida (PAT)	28	35
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		FIU	OSU
9:55	(OSU) F. Tam 16 yd run (PAT)	28	42
6:25	(OSU) A. Johnson 14 yd pass (PAT)	28	49
5:14	(FIU) E. Boenzi 17 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	35	49
1:41	(OSU) M. Carty 26 yd FG	35	52
0:55	(FIU) E. Boenzi 18 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	42	52

Florida International Golden Panthers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT K. Pounds 15/23 383 5 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD K. Pounds 14 56 4.0 1 T. Cantwell 9 23 2.5 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD E. Boenzi 7 231 33.0 5 W. Abiamiri 3 44 14.6 E. Godwin 2 26 13.0 M. Muamba 1 19 19.0 D. Meeks 1 28 28.0 K. Newkirk 1 35 35.0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK D. Shakir 2 0 D. Judge 1 1 O. Stokes 1 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD A. Cookus 13 1 C. Faulk 18 T. Pinner 9 R. Cheridor 7 G. Sykes 1 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Taj Dozier 6/6 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 R. Nava 4 172 43.0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD E. Attotey 2 60 30.0 A. Moe 4 88 22.0

Ohio State Buckeyes PASSING C/A YDS TD INT AJ Breida 21/39 339 3 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD A. Johnson 20 167 8.3 2 F. Tam 10 56 5.6 2 D. Jones 5 9 1.8 E. Tryon 3 15 5.0 AJ Breida 3 17 5.6 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD T, Pappoe 8 78 9.7 1 G. Alexander 4 113 28.2 1 K. Kosier 3 58 19.3 J. Gayton 2 48 24.0 1 J. Abbott 2 20 10.0 R. Pierre 1 20 20.0 A Johnson 1 2 2.0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK W. Schooley 9 0 J. Peters 4 0 E. Whitehurst 3 0 P. Norwell 2 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Q. Fox 5 J. Keenan 9 G.Zematis 3 1 R. Hendricks 4 1 F. Nauta 1 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG M. Carty 1/1 7/7 27 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 C Bullitt 1 36 36.0 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD J Gayton 5 97 19.4 K Wenstein 1 14 14.0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD J. Gayton 3 37 12.3

GAME RECAP

Both teams came into the game with a (14-2) record, but their could be only 1 winner tonight.. Coach Miller had a hand on recruiting pretty much every player on the opposite sideline.. He gave hugs and handshakes to those who wanted them and respected those who didn't.. Kevin Pounds was one who didn't..

FIU opened with the ball and Pounds went to work as he completes 3/4 pass's on the opening drive including a 4 yd pass to RS SO Emari Boenzi to give the Panthers the early (7-0) lead.

For Boenzi it would be a record setting day as the former 5* Recruit woudl haul in a team high 7 receptions for a career high 231 yds well catching all 5 of the Panthers TD's.

His 5 TD's would give him the new FIU Game Record as well as tie NC State's Tory Holt for the ACC Game record.. His 5 TD's gave him 21 on the season as he sets a new single season FIU record and his 7 receptions gave him 104 on the year another FIU single season record., well his 231 yds left him just 33 yds shy of beating Dominick Naanee single season record of 1600 yds and 37 yds shy of Tory Holt's 1998 ACC record of 1604.

FIU would manage a late score in the 1st Quarter as True Freshman Fredrick Tam plays his first game of the season and scores his first career TD with a 2 yd run to make it (14-7) as we head to the 2nd Quarter.


The 2nd Quarter was a offensive showcase by both teams. OSU got things going scoring back to back touchdowns to take the lead (21-14) with 2:05 to play in the half but FIU answers back as Boenzi catches his 3rd TD of the day with 1:15 to play to tie the game (21-21). Then after a AJ Breida INT (Cookus) Kevin Pounds keeps the ball himself and give the Panther the lead with a 9 yd run making it (28-21)..

Ohio State almost gave the ball right back as the Buckeyes were facing a 4th and 1 with 21 seconds to play but Coach Miller called for a FB dive as Eric Tryon delivers the 1st down.. Rather then just run out the clock, Miller called for 5 WR's with trips to the right side of the field and JR Gill Alexander broke free down the sideline as Breida hits him in strike for the 57 yd touchdown as the Buckeyes tie the game (28-28) at the half.

OSU would open up the 2nd half with the ball but Breida would throw his 2nd INT of the game to give FIU a chance to strike first in the 2nd half. Pounds 3rd down throw is dropped though forcing the Panthers to punt.. Miller knew he needed to maintain confidence in his QB as he calls 4 straight pass plays and AJ Breida delivers including a 16 yd scoring strike to Jabu Gayton to give FIU the lead. The touchdown would become the turning point in the game..

FIU had pretty much abandoned their run game in the 1st half, a Terrance Cantwell had just 9 carries on the day.. QB Kevin Pounds was doing a pretty good job of tucking the ball and running when he couldn't find a open man but he would make a key mistake as the 3rd Quarter comes to a end by throwing a INT to SO CB Faitele Nauta.. For Nauta it was his first INT of the season and his career and it would be a big one because OSU would open up the 4th Quarter with a 16 yd TD run by Tam to give them the 2 score lead (42-28).

A quick 3 and out forced another Panther punt and FIU with the 2 score lead would go to work with the ground game as Anfernee Johnson filling in for Mike Grubbs delivers.. For Johnson it was the perfect ending to his career.. He would later lean at the end of the game he was named MVP and teammate Mike Grubbs was the man to hand him the award...

Johnson came to OSU as a 4* QB and started the 2030 season throwing for 2974 yds with 27 TD and 8 INT well adding 364 yds and 2 TD on the ground. The arrival of 5* AJ Breida the #1 player in the country however sent him to the sidelines as OSU was looking for something to get them out of their 6 year playoff drought. After spending 2031 as QB2, Johnson considered the transfer portal but Coach Miller had a different role for Johnson and convinced him to stay. Johnson made the move to RB this season and today he got his chance to showcase those skills with as he scores on a 14 yd run his 2nd TD of the day to give OSU the (49-28) lead with just over 6 minutes to play..

Johnson would end the day with a career high 20 carries for 167 yds and the 2 scores as he goes over 1000 yds All-Purpose (finishing his season with 99 carries for 570 yds 9 TD and 55 rec for 621 yds and 6 TD).

Despite trailing by 3 scores, FIU never gave up. Pounds with connect with Boenzi on a 17 yd score with just over 5 minutes to play trying to keep some hope alive (49-35). The Panthers would then hold Ohio State to a FG (52-35) but the Buckeyes had already accomplished what they wanted taking almost 4 minutes off the clock on the drive leaving FIU just under 2 minutes to play and just 2 timeouts.

Pounds and Boenzi were not done though as the duo hook's up for TD #5 with 55 seconds to play. FIU would attempt the onside kick but OSU would recover and kneel off the remainder of the clock.FINAL SCORE OSU-52
FIU-42

After shaking Coach Valdez's hand and giving OC Clayton Dee's and a DC Jose Phenix a quick embrace, Miller made his way to Panther QB Kevin Pounds.. The conversation was quick, as Miller told the young QB his time will come..

He then made his way back to the Ohio State sidelines were he celebrated with his team.. As most of the team made the move to the locker room to continue to celebrate, Coach Miller walked to the center of the field where he stood with his JR QB AJ Breida... They talked for a few minutes and Miller gave the QB one last embrace... His QB was headed to the NFL....

[redsox907]

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

Like the detail about Miller addressing his old players. Definitely an emotional game for sure. Pounds balled out, but came up just short. He'll definitely have the opportunity to avenge the defeat with how good the Panthers squad is.

Congrats on Coach Miller being the 4th ever to win a National Championship with two separate programs. Now with Brieda leaving, the question is who leads the charge for the repeat next year?

[Deuce2223]

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

Like the detail about Miller addressing his old players. Definitely an emotional game for sure. Pounds balled out, but came up just short. He'll definitely have the opportunity to avenge the defeat with how good the Panthers squad is.

Congrats on Coach Miller being the 4th ever to win a National Championship with two separate programs. Now with Brieda leaving, the question is who leads the charge for the repeat next year?

Yeah I was trying to think about how a coach and players would interact with each other. I feel like some would have hurt feelings but I think others would still keep a relationship with the guy who recruited them and coached them for 3-4 years. I feel like KP's and Miller relationship is a little different because Hawk was his giy.. I think CD and KP are the ones who have a relationship and a big reason why I didn't take the Georgia Stare job ( I was tempted) and thought about taking over a DC Phenix to keep my ties to FiU.

Pounds and Boenzi were in a zone. Boenzi is the #3 WR and the slot guy vs Newkirk and Meeks are the outside 1/2. They graduate but I think the plan is to keep Boenzi as the slot guy. OSU'S slot CB was a RS FR.. He was struggling all day getting beat.


As far as replacing Breida I have.my #3 Redznick who is probably the favorite cause he will get the a training increase. I also like the 3* I recruited last year as well but his Awareness is like a 58. So he would need a big boost in training to become my highest rated Overall.

I got Killings already signed as well as another 4* that signed after the Big Ten Championship. There is also 1 more 4* unsigned who i am like #5 on his interest. He only has 1 scholarship offer so there is a chance i could land him. I also have a 3* Green gem who could develop if I offer a scholarship and there is also the Portal. There is like 3 3* guys who have interest in OSU, so I will probably scout them and potentially try and add 1 to the mix.

I am still trying to land maybe transfer RB to compete with Jones. If not Tam is going to see alot of carries next year and could turn into a Tavon Logan type back, but I think his ceiling is more likely a Kwabena Strong type RB/FB. I have the 5* McCracken who at this point probably plays as a true Freshman taking on Anfernee Johnsons role as a #2 RB/WR.

Right now my biggest need going into the off'-season transfer Portal is DE and maybe another SS. But my #5CB could just change to SS and his rating is pretty much the same.

As far as which team will have a better chance of making a return trip, FiU obviously with Poumds and the receiving core have should be as good or better next year anf they have the depth on Defense to be as good or better maybe

Replacing Breida, Grubby and Johnson are big pieces on Offense and we lose 8 starters on Defense. (DE both DT, MLB CB2, FS, SS and my Nickle/Dime Safety. We also have a new DC. Right now.i am leanimg.toward a 3-3-5 but I CB is my strongest position so.we might try and 4-2-5 or even a 3-2-6. I would love to figure out a way to have the CPU run the ball more. I felt.lile Cantwell was basically forgotten about in the Natty.which sucks cause normally he is.a huge part of.the Offense

[redsox907]

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

I think if you edit the coaching aggressiveness it adjusts the tendencies during sims. So more towards 50/50 or 40/60 then they should run the ball more. But I'm not 100% on that.

[Deuce2223]

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

END OF THE YEAR RECAP

With a (14-2) finish Ohio State finished with more wins then the last 2 years combined.. and matched the schools highest win total since Urban Myer won 14 games in 2014, the same year that the Buckeyes last won a National title.

The Buckeyes Big Ten Championship was the Ohio State's first since 2020 and it just so happens with Coach Miller winning a title in his first year he matches Ryan Day's feat who also did it in 2019 his first year on the job. Day would follow it up with another in 2020.. Can Miler do the same.

SAYING GOODBYE

Miller quest for another Big Ten Title and National Championship will start with 22 less players on this year's Championship squad including several key members of the Offense and 8 starters on the Defense.

QB1 AJ Breida (4549 yds 43 TD 17 INT,330 yds rushing 4 TD)
QB 2 Ryan Russo (585 yds 6 TD 4 INT, 27 yds rushing 1 TD)

RB1 Mike Grubbs (258 carries 1449 yds 16 TD, 135 yds receiving)
RB2 Anfernee Johnson (99 carries 570 yds 9 TD, 55 rec 621 yds 6 TD)
FB E. Tryon (14 carries 67 yds 2 TD)

TE R. Pierre (32 rec 478 yds 4 TD)
TE T. Ferrell (1 rec 5 yds)
WR K. Kosier (24 rec 416 yds 4 TD)

RG N. Sumner (138 DP/15 games)
LG W. Schooley (1165 DP/16 games)

MLB Q. Fox (97 Tackles, 3 TFL 1.5 Sacks)
SS J. Keenan (71 Tackles, 1 Sack 2 INT)
OLB J. Apple (66 Tackles, 2 TFL 2 Sacks, 1 INT)
CB C. Ballantyne (64 Tackles, 4 INT)
FS R. Bean (61 Tackles, 2 INT)
DT M. Stewart (22 Tackles, 4 Sacks)
DT G. Zematias (18 Tackles, 1 Sack)
SS R. Martinez (14 Tackles, 2 TFL)
DT A. Bequette (10 Tackles 1.5 Sacks)
MLB G. Ames (9 Tackles)
DE J. Smyth (2 Tackles 1 Sack)

P C. Bullitt-35 punts 1450 yds 41.4 Avg

THE DRAFT

Breida was indeed a 1st Round pick, well Grubbs was taken in the 2nd Round and SS J. Keenan was selected in the 7th.

RECRUITING

Coach Miller goes into the Off-Season Recruiting Period with 24 of 35 scholarships used up giving him access to 11 scholarships.. OSU currently ranks #1 in the nation (5-5*, 15-4* and 4-3*)..

[Deuce2223]

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

END OF THE YEAR RECAP

With a 14-3 finish, FIU finished with 14 or more wins now in 5 of the last 6 seasons making the playoffs for a 7th straight year.. However it also marks the Panthers 2nd year in a row not able to win the ACC Championship after winning 2 straight in 29/30 after joining the conference with 3 straight CUSA titles. OC Clayton Dees turned down multiple HC offers on the table to return to help guide the offense again in 2033 as QB Kevin Pounds returns, but Pounds will have a pretty new cast surrounding him as FIU graduates 23 Seniors off the roster.



SAYING GOODBYE

RB T. Cantwell-274 carries 1455 yds 17 TD, 28 rec 252 yds 1 TD (Season)
411 carries 2160 yds 23 TD's, 49 rec 379 yds 2 TD (Career)

WR D. Meeks-59 rec 863 yds 6 TD (Season), 160 rec 2577 yds 31 TD (Career)

WR K. Newkirk-38 rec 707 yds 6 TD (Season) 123 rec 2077 yds 15 TD also 33 KR for 676 yds 1 TD and 80 PR 907 yds. (Career)

WR A. Moe-14 rec 255 yds 2 TD, 81 KR 1806 yds 45 PR 430 yds (Career)

JR TE E. Godwin-36 rec 496 yds 2 TD (Season), 97 rec 1228 yds 11 TD (Career)

RT M. Townsel (75 DP, 15 games)
RG C. Brewer (1188 DP, 17 games)

OLB J. Guerrero- 73 Tackles 8 TFL 4.0 sacks (Season) 94 Tackles 11 TFL 5.0 Sacks (Career)

FS Anthony Cookus-72 Tackles 2 INT (Season) 184 Tackles 4 TFL 2 INT (Career)

SS T. Pinner- 63 Tackles 2 INT Season) 113 Tackles, 3 TFL 4 INT (Career)

CB G. Falah-56 Tackles 1 INT (Season) 234 Tackles 5 TFL 11 INT's (Career)

CB R. Dickerson-55 Tackles 3 INT (Season) 175 Tackles 3 TFL 7 INT (Career)

DE E. Cordero-49 Tackles 6 TFL 13.5 Sacks (Season) 115 Tackles 20 TFL 29.5 Sacks (Career)

DE E. Klemm-48 Tackles 6 TFL 14.0 Sacks (Season) 96 Tackles 18 TFL, 22.5 Sacks

OLB J. King-46 Tackles 5 TFL 7.5 Sacks, 1 INT (Season) 80 Tackles 6 TFL 8.5 Sacks 1 INT (Career)

MLB R. Cheridor-27 Tackles (Season/Career)

DT D. Kuhn-26 Tackles 9 TFL 5.0 Sacks (Season) 45 Tackles 13 TFL 13.5 Sacks (Career)

FS E. Jean-Pierre-20 Tackles (Season) 75 Tackles, 2 TFL 1 INT (Career)

OLB A. Wooleyhand-17 Tackles 4 TFL 1.5 sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles 1 TD (Season) 69 Tackles 7 TFL 3.0 Sacks (Career)

CB A. McPherron- 48 Tackles 2 TFL 2 INT (Career)

DRAFT

Both JR's TE Earl Godwin and LT Clifton Coxie joined the Draft and both players were picked in the 1st Round along with RB Terreance Cantwell.. Newkirk and RG C. Brewer were picked in the 2nd Round.

RECRUITING

FIU had all 35 scholarships available this season but go into the Off-Season/Transfer Portal with just 12 signings leaving them 23 available scholarships to use.

FIU's current class is ranked #30 Overall and #5 in the ACC (3-5*,2-4*,7-3*)

[Deuce2223]

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

2032 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

OHIO STATE LANDS #1 OVERALL

For the first time in his career Coach Matt Miller has secured the #1 Overall Class as Ohio State lands a class of 29 recruits (5-5*, 17-4*, 7-3*)..

Miller with just 2 QB's returning to his roster signed (3) 4* Recruits during the in-season recruiting process but that didn't stop him from landing a pair of 3* QB's out of this year's transfer portal.

Miller signed 3* (#2 QB/#57 Overall) David Ledford from West Virginia as well as 3* (#10 QB?#138 Overall) Abdul Diabate from Wisconsin..

Miller didn't just stop with with the 2 QB's from the Portal, OSU would sign 5 players all together including 4* MLB Warren Tryon (Marshall). Tryon was the #1 MLB in the portal and the #7 Overall Recruit. Also signing was 4* RT Eric McCray (Navy) the #1 OT and the #26 Overall and 3* WR James Cantrell (Buffalo) the #12 WR and #118 Overall Recruit in the Portal.

Coach Miller

"I was very clear with the QB's we offered.. The starting job is wide open but once we figure out who are Top 4 QB's are, the rest will most likely be encouraged to transfer next season. I don't intend to keep 7 roster spots full of QB's."

FIU MAKES MOVES

The FIU Panthers staff put in some O.T as FIU climbs to #16 Overall and #3 in the ACC as they sign a total of 22 players (3-5*, 3-4*,16-3*)

Coach Dees

"Well I am excited about the 10 players we signed late including 2 pretty big portal additions, I know we could do a better job.. We landed just 3-4* Recruits compared to Miami (25), V.T. (21) Oregon (21) and Notre Dame (22).."

One player who FIU didn't sign that should be noted is 5*WR Marvin Blount (#2 Overall/#1 FL/#1 WR). The Florida Gatorade POY had the Panthers #1 on his Top-3 board all season but at the end of the day picks Nebraska over the FIU ..

Well FIU struck out on Blount 1 player they didn't strike out on was 4* RB Taylor Coxie the #2 Overall player from the Portal. Coxie a transfer JR played originally from Tulsa Oklahoma played for the Sooners the past 3 seasons

OTHER TOP-25 AND NOTEWORTHY TEAMS

# of players (5*/4*/3*/2*)

#2 Nebraska 34 (3/15/16)
#3 Alabama 34 (4/16/14)
#4 Texas 27 (1/17/9)
#5 V.T. 31 (0/21/10)
#6 Notre Dame 29 (1/22/6)
#7 TCU 31 (0/17/14)
#8 Kansas State 25 (1/10/14)
#9 Miami 33 (0/25/8)
#10 Arkansas 25 (0/12/13)
#11 USC 30 (1/17/12)
#12 Oregon 28 (0/21/7)
#13 Penn State 28 (1/10/17)
#14 Washington 28 (1/7/20)
#15 Oklahoma 25 (1/7/17)
#17 Oklahoma State 34 (0/10/15/9)
#18 Boise State 28 (2/4/22)
#19 Texas A&M 31 (0/15/16)
#20 Florida 28 (0/12/15/1)
#21 LSU 21 (0/8/13)
#22 Michigan State 27 (0/13/11/3)
#23 Wisconsin 30 (0/12/17/1)
#24 Southern Miss 33 (1/6/9/17)
#25 Ole Miss 25 (0/7/17/1)
#26 Michigan 23 (0/6/17)
#27 Georgia 25 (0/12/13)
#28 Tennessee 33 (0/7/23/3)
#29 UCLA 32 (0/7/15/10)
#31 Kentucky 19 (0/6/13)
#33 Illinois 18 (1/4/12/1)
#38 Syracuse 32 (0/3/20/9)
#49 Coastal Carolina 35 (0/1/14/19/1)
#57 Georgia State 34 (0/0/16/11/7)

#134 Georgia Southern 8 (0/0/0/6/2)
#129 Fresno State 8 (0/0/7/1)
#123 Charlotte 9 (0/0/7/2)
#105 FAU 26 (0/0/4/21/1)
#88 ECU 31 (0/0/21/10)
#76 Ball State 17 (0/1/9/7)

FUTURE STARS

5* QB (#1 Overall) Bobby Boon signed with K-State
5* WR (#2 Overall) Marvin Blount signed with Nebraska
5* DT (#3 Overall) Stephen Ezeike signed with FIU
5* RB Avery Gallimore (#4 Overall) signed with Duke
5* QB Courtland Coffey (#5 Overall) signed with Texas
5* WR Gene Cummins (#7 Overall) signed with Alabama
5* QB Danny Rudolph (#8 Overall) signed with Utah
5* ATH/RB Cameron McCracken (#10 Overall) signed with Ohio State
5* WR Alex Akbar (#16 OVR) signed with Boise State
5* WR Kristian Edwards (#25 OVR) signed with Boise State

KEY PORTAL SIGNINGS

The Portal didn't have a single 4* QB but it did have 4 4* RB

Coxie (#1 RB/#2 Overall) who signed with FIU
N. Liggins (#2 RB/#6 OVR) from Michigan State who signed with Wisconsin
R. Prude (#3 RB/#10 OVR) from Florida State signed with Miami
A. Dingle (#4 RB/#13 OVR) from Wisconsin signed with Notre Dame.

**Former FIU Panther Jesse Agasiva left Arizona State and signed with USC He was the #8 RB and #70 Overall

Both FIU and OSU went hard after 4* WR J. Farrior (#1 WR/#22 OVR) from Buffalo but he signed with Notre Dame and they also went after 4* Shane Tobias (#2 WR/#24 OVR) from Alabama but he signed with Miami.

Both team also went hard after 4* DE Benji Briggs (#1 DE/#4 OVR) from Jacksonsville State but he signed with Notre Dame.. Briggs was originally from Ohio.

[Deuce2223]

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

TOP-25 2033 PRE-SEASON RANKINGS

(Overall/Offense/Defense)


**The Coaches Poll and Media Poll slight vary at the Top.. This is the Media Poll.. The Coaches actually have #1/#2 flip flopped**


#1 Ohio State (90/89/91)
#2 FIU (89/91/89)
#3 Oregon (91/90/92)
#4 Notre Dame (92/92/92)
#5 Miami (89/89/89)
#6 Georgia (92/92/92)
#7 UNC (84/85/84)
#8 Clemson (89/89/90)
#9 Kansas State (87/86/89)
#10 Virginia Tech (87/86/89)
#11 Mississippi State (84/84/84)
#12 TCU (86/86/87)
#13 Virginia (80/81/80)
#14 Kentucky (86/86/86)
#15 Arkansas (80/82/80)
#16 Purdue (82/84/82)
#17 Boise State (86/85/87)
#18 Florida State (85/84/86)
#19 Ole Miss (89/89/90)
#20 Tulsa (81/80/82)
#21 Tennessee (88/90/87)
#22 Tulane (84/85/84)
#23 Georgia Tech (85/86/85)
#24 Florida (88/86/90)
#25 Charlotte (83/82/84)

The Top-25 doesn't surprise me a ton as most to the Top-15 are teams that either made the playoffs last year or were close.. I think the biggest shock is not seeing schools like Alabama, Texas, Penn State, Texas A&M is strange.

TAMU is a 90 Overall, Alabama is a 89, Texas is a 91, Penn State is a 90, so not sure how they don't start in the Top-25 let alone why they are not Top-10