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

PERFECT PANTHERS!!!

GAME RECAP

FIU has done it.. The Panthers have completed a perfect 16-0 season winning their 3rd National Championship in the past 6 years..

FIU got on the scoreboard early as Pounds connects with Emari Boenzi on a 75 yd bomb.. It would be the first of 3 touchdowns on the day for the dynamic duo that finished 1 and 2 in the Heisman and Maxwell.

The FIU Defense then stepped up picking off Coffee on the Hurricanes opening drive adding a Trevor Costanzo FG to extend the lead to (10-0)..

Miami would cut the lead to (10-7) as Ray Flowers caps off a 9 play drive with a 9yd TD run, but FIU answers back with another Pounds to E.B. touchdown to make it (17-7) at the end of the 1st..

After a forced punt FIU would extend the lead again as Pounds and E.B. hook up for the Hat trick with TD #3 to make it (24-7) and then it was the Panther D coming up big as they pick off Coffee for a 2nd time as JR CB Gerald Sykes comes up with the INT setting up another Costanzo 44 yd FG as FIU takes a commanding (27-7) lead into the half.

Miami opens up the 2nd half with the ball, and Coffee delivers with a 6 play drive capped by a 25 yd touchdown strike to SO WR Eric Costa.. The Hurricanes would lead the Offense on the field and convert the 2pt play to make it (27-15).

Miami would continue to do a pretty go job with stopping a normally very potent Panther ground attack as FIU settles for a 3rd FG by Costanzo to extend their lead to (30-15)..

Still (30-15) as we head to the 4th, FIU again forces a Miami punt and quickly adds 3 more to the scoreboard as Costanzo makes it 4/4 drilling a season long 50 yd FG to make it (33-15)..

Trailing by 18 with just under 8 minutes to play, Miami knew time wasn't on their side yet they didn't really play with any urgency as the Hurricanes go 80 yds over 3 minutes capping the 9 play drive with another Flower 14 yd touchdown run making it (33-22) with 4:48 to play in the game.

Despite still trailing by 11, the Hurricanes would kickoff as FIU lets the ball bounce into the endzone for the touchback..

Pounds would run the 4 minute offense almost to perfection as the Panthers run off over 3 minutes off the clock capping the drive with a Pounds 6 yd TD run making it (40-22) with 1:30 to play in the game.

For SR QB Legend Coffee it wasn't really how he wanted his career to come to a end.. Coffee would add a 40 yd run to on 4th down to extend Miami's final drive but time would run out as the Hurricanes fail to put the ball in the endzone..

Coffee would finish the game 19/39 (48%) for 233 yds with the 1 TD and 2 INT, well adding 60 yds on the ground.

Coffee leaves Miami as the Hurricanes Single Season Passing Leader in both Yards (4661) and TD's (48) well also finishing his career as the leader for both Miami and the entire ACC Conference with 17,338 yds and 174 TD's.

He also finished his career with just 31 TD's over 4 seasons.

OC Clayton Dees

"I know losing a 3rd time to us wasn't how Legend expected his Senior season to be especially with this one being in the Natty, but he really did have a great career and was a tremendous competitor."

KEY PANTHERS

QB K. Pounds-23/33 (69%) 313 yds 3 TD 1 INT, 30 yds rushing 1 TD
RB T. Coxie-9 carries 30 yds 3 rec 12 yds
RB A. Rasmussen-2 carries 10 yds
WR E. Boenzi-9 rec 150 yds 3 TD
WR D. Kennedy-5 rec 78 yds
WR W. Abiamiri-1 rec 27 yds
WR E. Marshall-2 rec 23 yds
TE A. Vilain-3 rec 23 yds

[redsox907]

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

Would have been very upsetting if Miami ended both Ohio State and FIU's season. Currently Miami has surpassed Oregon as my most hated EACFB team lol

Congrats on winning another Natty, even if it wasn't coach miller exactly. Strange how FIU has still maintained the level of success after Coach Miller's departure, while in mine Ball State has struggle in the postseason sans Savage

Excited to see what shakes out at QB for tOSU next season!

[Deuce2223]

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

END OF YEAR RECAP

DEES STAYING PUT

Despite getting multiple offers once again including a offer from both USC and Minnesota, OC Clayton Dees will return to FIU for his 3rd year as the Panthers OC..

Coach Dees

"I made a commitment to Kevin that I would stay as long as he stay's.. At this point we are sorta a package deal.."

*Even if I take a new job with Dees I will still retain a connection with FIU taking over as DC Jose Phenix..*

END OF YEAR STATS

(*=Senior)

QB-K. Pounds 333/509 (65%) 4904 yds 48 TD's (new single season record) 17 INT. 128 carries 581 yds 11 TD's.
QB B. Ingram 2/2 38 yds

RB-* T. Coxie-253 carries 1523 yds 10 TD, 32 rec 249 yds 3 TD
RB- T. Trinidad-61 carries 361 yds 10 TD
RB- A. Rasmussen-37 carries 215 yds 3 TD, 1 rec 10 yds
RB- M. Ware-24 carries 169 yds 3 TD, 1 rec 14 yds
FB- A. Higgins-13 carries 58 yds 1 TD

WR-E. Boenzi- 14 carries 131 yds 3 TD, 89 rec 1342 yds 20 TD
WR- W. Abiamiri-64 rec 1095 yds 8 TD
WR D. Kennedy- 69 rec 1084 yds 5 TD
WR I. Kamula- 24 rec 512 yds 7 TD
WR E. Marshall-13 rec 194 yds 1 TD
WR M. Muamba-3 rec 56 yds
TE-*A Vilain-37 rec 364 yds TD
TE C. Coxie-2 rec 22 yds 1 TD

MLB-* C. Faulk- 80 Tackles 5 TFL 4 Sacks 3 INT
SS- T. Harmon-79 Tackles 2 TFL .5 sacks, 4 INT
FS- B. Guiterrez-69 Tackles 1 TFL 1 INT
CB-* C. Ryder-65 Tackles 1 sack 5 INT
DE- *I. Owusu-47 Tackles 11 TFL 17.0 Sacks
FS- D. Boggs-47 Tackles
OLB C. Provo-40 Tackles 5 TFL 1 Sack
OLB D. Brown-38 Tackles 4 TFL 12.0 Sacks
DE K. St Pierre-33 Tackles 11 TFL, 13.0 Sacks
CB M. Mentor-32 Tackles 2 INT
CB G. Sykes-28 Tackles 6 INT
OLB/MLB T. Swope-26 Tackles, 2 TFL 2.5 sacks
CB B. Maddox- 23 Tackles
DE M. Clifton-21 Tackles 2 TFL 3.0 Sacks
DT M. Boyette-19 Tackles 3 TFL 4.0 Sacks.

SAYING GOODBYE

FIU says Goodbye to 10 Seniors

Center Q. Stokes (90 Ovr)-3 year starter
DE I. Owusu (86 Ovr)-Lombardi Winner with 17 Sacks.
MLB C. Faulk (94 Ovr)- 4 year starter.. 313 Tackles in career
CB C. Ryder (87 Ovr)- 3 year starter led team with 5 INT, 10 INT in his career
TE A. Vilain (83 Ovr)-Starter. 44 rec 516 yds 5 TD in career
RB T. Coxie (88 Ovr)- RB1 had over 1500 yds and 10 TD this season as a SR transfer from Oklahoma.
WR S. Trapasso (78 Ovr)- 41 rec 539 yds 8 TD in career
WR C. Badet (82 Ovr)- 66 rec 1295 yds 10 TD in career
C M. Post (82 Ovr)
LG D. Shakir (88 Ovr)- 2 year starter

NFL BOUND

Stokes is projected as a 2nd Round pick
Faulk is projected as a 1st Round pick
Coxie is projected as a 6th Round pick
Ryder is projected as a 7th Round pick

JR WR E. Boenzi was projected as a 4th round but was presuaded to stay
JR RT T. Vizcanio was projected as a 4th as well and also is staying.

RECRUITING

FIU goes into the off-season with 19 players signed (2-5*,10-4*,7-3*) ranked # 7 in the nation and #2 in the ACC behind Miami (#2 Overall)

Coach Valdez currently has 5 players left on the Big Board and plans on adding 3 Transfers from the portal.

4* JR LT Koren Wimbley (San Jose State)
4* SO C Laron Lipton (W. Kentucky)
3* SO DE Paul Coutee (South Carolina)

[Deuce2223]

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

Would have been very upsetting if Miami ended both Ohio State and FIU's season. Currently Miami has surpassed Oregon as my most hated EACFB team lol

Congrats on winning another Natty, even if it wasn't coach miller exactly. Strange how FIU has still maintained the level of success after Coach Miller's departure, while in mine Ball State has struggle in the postseason sans Savage

Excited to see what shakes out at QB for tOSU next season!

For sure.. I would say in this Dynasty, Miami is for sure #1 on the most hated list for both FIU as a school and Coach Miller as a coach.. I havn't been in the Big Ten long enough to find a team I hate..

Oregon and Nebraska in my Coach Scott Dynasty were my most hated..


FIU's Overall is just too good right now for them to have any fall off.. I feel like Valdez (Fickell) also is a very good coach, so that helps too.. He gives quite a few players a nice Overall boost.. I think the drop off we will see if who takes over at QB after Pounds leaves..

Right now I am leaning toward handing the reigns over to De La Rosa.. When I simmed ahead to look he came in as a 80 Overall.. One of the 4* guy's I am redshirting J. Nece) improved from a 74 to a 82 Overall and Diabute the RS FR I used in some games (12/20 188 yds 4 TD) this year went from a 76 to a 78. If that is what happens again, I would say going into the season those 3 guy's are the 3 I will see who wins the starting role and the other 2 along probably with D. Killings (1 of the other 4* guy's) will compete for the backup job.

At this point I think I will let Ledford find a new team for his Senior season, and Redziniak and Sampson along with Jacques (the other 4* redshirting) will all be encouraged transfers. Ledford was bad.. He did have 3588 yds with 31 TD but also threw 17 INT and only completed 62%. Redziniak finished with 1495 yds with 9 TD and 4 INT but completed just 56% of his pass's

[Deuce2223]

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

END OF THE YEAR RECAP

MILLER TURNS DOWN LSU AND TEXAS

Despite finishing up just his 2nd year in Columbus, the Ohio State Buckeyes are back in the national spotlight with back to back Big Ten Titles, a National Championship and Rose Bowl Victory this season, Coach Miller has gone 27-4 catching the attention of 2 SEC programs looking to get their programs back in the national picture as well as both LSU and Texas came calling but at the end of the day, Miller has turned down both..

Miller

"I know when I when I was at FIU, many thought I would leave for a SEC program, but we got some brewing here in Columbus (Potentially back to back #1 Recruiting Class's) and I want to be apart of it."

2033 STATS

*Senior*

QB D. Ledford-223/356 (62%) 3588 yds 31 TD 17 INT, 53 carries 66 yds 5 TD
QB V. Redziniak 94/167 (56%) 1495 yds 9 TD 4 INT
QB A. Diabate 12/20 (60%) 188 yds 4 TD 0 INT, 5 carries 15 yds 2 TD
QB M. Sampson 8/13 (61%) 97 yds 0 TD 2 INT

RB D. Jones-262 carries 1518 yds (5.8 avg) 14 TD
RB F. Tam-118 carries 586 yds (5.0 avg) 17 TD
RB C. McCracken-62 carries 377 yds (6.1 avg) 3 TD
RB J. Britton-1 carry 43 yds 1 TD
FB T. Copper-16 carries 63 yds 2 TD
WR J. Gayton-4 carries 56 yds 1 TD

*WR G. Alexander-69 rec 1453 yds 13 TD
*WR T. Pappoe-86 rec 1227 yds 13 TD
WR N. Tull-53 rec 1012 yds 5 TD
WR J. Gayton-70 rec 985 yds 5 TD
WR J. Abott-15 rec 253 yds 3 TD
RB D. Jones-19 rec 136 yds 1 TD
TE D. Bourgeois-10 rec 133 yds 3 TD
WR J. Cantrell-5 rec 68 yds 1 TD
RB C. McCracken-6 rec 55 yds
TE K. Poole-1 rec 21 yds

ROLB R. Hendricks 66 Tackles 4 TFL 5 INT
*FS B. Gunn-53 Tackles 1 INT
CB F. Nauta-53 Tackles 4 TFL 7 INT
OLB J. Perez-49 Tackles 11 TFL, 10.0 Sacks
CB N. Costanzo-45 Tackles 1 INT
*MLB W. Tryon-45 Tackles 1 TFL
MLB J. Giguere 40 Tackles 2 TFL
CB F. Pounds-39 Tackles 3 INT
DE M. Vakapuan-33 Tackles 6 TFL 6.0 Sacks
SS P. Schofield-32 Tackles 3 TFL 2 INT
DE J. Ezukanma-24 Tackles 6 TRL 9.5 sacks
*DT R. Stromberg-23 Tackles 5 TFL 6.0 Sacks
SS G. Robinson-23 Tackles
SS P. Barnhardt-17 Tackles
FS R Darilek-15 Tackes 2 INT
OLB B. DeLuca-15 Tackles

*PK M. Carty-19/26 (73%) 87/87 XPT

SAYING GOODBYE

The Buckeyes say goodbye to 11 Seniors including just 3 Defensive players (all-starters) plus 7 Seniors on Offene.(including 5 O-Lineman/2 starters). The 2 biggest loss's come at WR as Coach Miller will replace (2)-2 year starters.

WR G. Alexander (86 Ovr)-171 rec 3177 yds 33 TD
WR T. Pappoe(85 Ovr) -159 rec 2443 yds 23 TD

C P. Norwell (79 Ovr) Backup Center
LG R. Neufeld (78 Ovr) Backup Guard
RG G. Poole (82 Ovr) Starting RG
RG E. McCray (81 Ovr) Backup Guard
RT J. Peters (87 Ovr)- Starting RT

MLB W. Tryon (86 Ovr)-1 year starter *Was a transfer*
FS B. Gunn (82 Ovr)-1 year starter
DT R. Stromberg (86 Ovr)-2 year starter

NFL BOUND

G. Alexander ended up as a 6th round pick and RT J. Peters was taken in the 7th.. The rest of the guy's went undrafted

RECRUITING

Ohio State starts the Off-Season with 17 players already signed (9-5*, 5-4*, 3-3*) with the current class Ranked #1 in the nation..

With 10 open scholarships, plus the 11 departing Seniors, there is still room to try and add a few more guys via the portal.

Right now OSU has set it's sights on

4* WR Ceasar Condo (San Jose State, Ranked #2 Overall)
4* CB Lamar Goda (Cal, Ranked #5 Overall)
4* CB Ben Duff (Rutgers, Ranked #17 Overall)
4* SS Leati Huang (West Virginia # 35 Overall)
3* RG Louis Trimble (Miss State, #37 Overall)
3* DE Tony Berger (West Virginia, #40 Overall)

[Deuce2223]

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

2033 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

BUCKEYES KEEP #1

Ohio State struck out on several Transfer Portal targets like 4* WR C. Condo (Signed with TCU) and 4* CB L. Goda (signed with Boise State), but they did manage to land 4 players giving them a class of 21 players. (9/6/6)

4* B. Duff (Rutgers), and 3* DE's J. Rico (Bayor), L. Abram (Buffalo) and T. Berger (West Virginia).

Coach Miller

"Last year injuries really hurt us at the DE position, as we didn't really have much depth.. For a 2nd year in a row OLB John Perez led the team in sacks as well and so I knew I wanted to try and find some guy's who could help put pressure on the QB. Hopefully 1 of these 3 guy's will be that guy"

FIU CLIMBS TO #3

Like Ohio State, FIU didn't go crazy in the off-season signing period or bring in any transfers, but Coach Valdez did manage to land 5 more recruits giving FIU a class of 24 players (2/11/11) giving the Panthers the #3 Overall Class in the nation and the #1 Class in the ACC.

The most note worthy late signing was 4* Athlete David Burgess (#414 Ovr/#19 OH/#41 ATH). Listed at 6'4 191lbs from Lakewood Ohio, Burgess played both QB/WR/CB in high school . Scouts love his speed (90) as well as he arm (95 THP)..

OC Clayton Dees

"To be completely honest right now we are probably going to give Burgess a year to redshirt and then sorta see who we bring in next year at QB.. Right now we sorta expect 2034 to be K.P's last year and current #2/#3 Byron Ingram and Kenyon Angerer are both Seniors leaving RS SO Jose Lambo and RS FR Faitele Lutui are future at QB. We like Jose alot, so much that we could encouage Kenyon or Byron or both to explore the fall spring portal and look for a starting job elsehwere for their Senior season.."

OTHER TOP-25 AND NOTREWORTY CLASS'S

(5*/4*/3*/2*)


#2 Notre Dame 33 players (3/21/9)
#4 Oregon 28 players (1/16/11)
#5 Miami 35 players (3/22/10)
#6 Florida 31 players (1/14/16)
#7 Tennessee 31 players (1/14/16)
#8 Nebraska 30 players (1/14/15)
#9 Texas A&M 32 players (1/21/10)
#10 Alabama 30 players (1/19/10)
#11 Virginia Tech 32 players (0/17/15)
#12 USC 28 players (0/13/15)
#13 Syracuse 34 players (1/9/13/11)
#14 UCLA 32 players (2/9/17/4)
#15 Boise State 27 players (0/11/16)
#16 Georgia 27 players (0/15/12)
#17 Texas 32 players (0/12/20)
#18 TCU 26 players (0/13/13)
#19 Wisconsin 32 players (0/9/20/3)
#20 Kansas State 24 players (0/9/15)
#21 LSU 23 players (0/8/15)
#22 Michigan 19 players (1/6/12)
#23 Penn State 26 players (1/6/19)
#24 Florida State 26 players (0/6/20)
#25 Western Kentucky 23 players (0/6/14/3)
#26 Michigan State 31 players (0/7/11/13)
#29 Purdue 32 players (1/4/14/13)

#94 FAU 24 players (0/0/7/17)
#106 Colorado 12 players (0/0/10/2)
#120 Buffalo 10 players (0/1/4/5)
#122 Ball State 9 players (0/0/6/3)
#130 New Mexico 27 players (24 of them 1*)
#133 Virginia 4 players (0/1/2/1)
#134 Navy 6 players (0/0/2/1/3)

**Colorado finished #12 at the end of the season and almost made the playoffs.. Buffalo finished #21 and has been a top contender for the American Conference Championship**

[Deuce2223]

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

FIU finished up Spring Ball with 89 players on the roster..

QB RS SR K. Angerer (79 Ovr) HE Signed with Buffalo
RB RS FR J. Marmarosa (76 Ovr)
MLB RS FR M. Carter (70 Ovr)
FS SO L. Mahi'ai (72 Ovr)

were encourage to find new teams.

Ohio State finished up the Spring with 85 players meeting the max # allowed with cut's but after Coach Miller surveyed each room with a very crowded 8 man QB room and 11 WR's decided it was best to encourage those not competing for the starting job to look for potential P.T. elsewhere. well opening scholarships back up for need positions.

Coach Miller "We appreciate each and everyone of these guy's. But we felt as a staff that it was best to move invest in the guy's we felt were going to best help us win for the next 3-4 years and not just next year. David Ledford is a good QB who could be a leader and a starter for probably half the teams in the country"

SR David Ledford (83 Ovr) despite throwing for almost 3600 yds and 31 TD's after transfering in from West Virginia last year is off to find a new home. Despite the fact he has a higher overall then probably 20 teams in the nation including Michigan State and Miami (there starter is a 77 Overall) He decides to retire because he is not on anyone' roster.

RS JR Vince Redziniak (80 Ovr) who started 4 games for the Buckeyes last year. throwing for almost 1500 yds with 9 TD and 4 INT He signed with Eastern Michigan

RS FR Jeremiah Nece (77 Ovr), never suited up for the Buckeyes, as the Red Oak TX native is back out on the open market.He signs with Navy

RS SO Melo Sampon (78 Ovr) saw limited P.T. last year completing 8/13 pass attempts well throwing 2 INT.. At 6'4 with solid hands (74), there was thoughts of moving him to WR but instead he will be given a opportunity to play QB for another team.He signed with UNC

Also joining the QB's hitting the road are

RS SR James Cantrell (75) Buffalo transfer who never really found a spot on the depth chart, finishing with 5 receptions last year.

RS JR Ja'Darius Abbot (76).. Last year's #5 WR had 15 rec for 253 yds and 5 TD.

*Had 11 WR's these guy's were #8/#9 on the depth chart.

[Deuce2223]

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

TOP-25 2034 PRE-SEASAON RANKINGS

(Overall/Offense/Defese)


#1 LSU (90/90/91) 41 Votes
#2 Georgia (91/91/91) 3 votes
#3 Ohio State (91/91/91) 36 votes
#4 FIU (90/90/90)
#5 Miami (90/90/90)
#6 Oregon (91/90/92)
#7 Clemson (89/89/90)
#8 Oklahoma (90/91/90)
#9 Washington (88/87/89)
#10 Virginia Tech ( 87/86/89)
#11 Tennessee (88/90/87)
#12 TCU (86/87/86)
#13 Alabama (89/90/89)
#14 Kansas State (87/86/89)
#15 Nebraska (88/87/89)
#16 Purdue (82/84/82)
#17 BYU (84/84/84)
#18 Marshall (82/82/82)
#19 ECU (84/84/85)
#20 Pitt (85/84/87)
#21 Ole Miss (89/89/90)
#22 Tulsa (81/80/82)
#23 Penn State (88/87/89)
#24 Colorado (84/84/84)
#25 Michigan (86/85/87)

[Careless Whisper]

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

This Miami team has built the quite the rivalry with Coach Miller and his coaching tree - glad to see FIU avenge Ohio State's defeat and come away with another natty!

LSU and Texas are two massive schools to turn down for Coach Miller - probably the wrong time for either of those schools to reach out, honestly. I feel like he wants to chance a few more nattys in Columbus before looking towards a move to the SEC.

[Deuce2223]

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

This Miami team has built the quite the rivalry with Coach Miller and his coaching tree - glad to see FIU avenge Ohio State's defeat and come away with another natty!

LSU and Texas are two massive schools to turn down for Coach Miller - probably the wrong time for either of those schools to reach out, honestly. I feel like he wants to chance a few more nattys in Columbus before looking towards a move to the SEC.

Miami has been very good for the past 4 years with 4 year starter Legend Coffee who leaves Miami as the school record holder in both Yards and Touchdowns in a Career as well as the ACC Leader for both stats as well.. He was a Heisman winner..

Now they start over with a new 5* FR in LeMarcus Gaffney (77 OV).. They do have JR RB DJ Deluca who is a (93 OVR) and they still got a solid WR core led by SR A. Draft (92) and JR E. Costa (85) as well as a couple FR who are rated 82 and 80, so I think they will take a small step back but still be very good.

Both Texas and LSU were SEC jobs I actually wouldn't mind.. LSU did make the playoffs this year and they start #1, so I would miss out on the rebuilding stage.. I felt like it would just be leaving OSU for LSU basically ready to win a Natty.. Texas's isn't as good but they do have RS FR Courtland Coffey (83 ovr) at QB who I actually tried to get to Ohio State.

Honestly though I feel like at this point I think Miller could actually just turn into a guy who stays at Ohio State for another 4-10 years (I sorta want to at least see this last #1 class graduate).. The ACC is solid. I mean 2 years ago they had 5 teams make the playoffs, so I cant say moving FIU to the SEC would be any better in terms of competition but I just think it would be fun to play against Georgia/Alabama/Texas/TAMU/Auburn every year instead of ECU/Liberty/West Virginia/Wake Forest. So right now I am leaning toward maybe moving Arkansas and Missouri to the Big 12, Utah and BYU to the Pac-12, UCF/USF to the ACC and Miami and FIU to the SEC next year in my conference realignment just to switch things up.

Thanks for checking in.. I am really looking forward to your future in the Big Ten.

[Deuce2223]

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

2034 OHIO STATE MEDIA GUIDE

NEW OC

Well Ohio State did retain Coach Matt Miller, Miller didn't retain his entire staff at the end of the season as OC Nate Phoenix leaves for the HC job at Oklahoma.

Taking his place will be Damone Sneed.. Sneed worked as a RB Coach with Miller at FIU and followed him to Ohio State retaining the same roll well adding run game coordinator.. Sneed was also a Top recruiter for Miller in the North Florida area (Pipeline).

Coach Miller "We are excited to see Coach D transition up to OC.. He know the offense well and has been a huge asset in developing some pretty amazing RB's.. Including 4 Doak Walker Award winners and has had a 1000 yd rusher every year since taking over the run game and helping us get a National leading 38 TD's last season on the ground.

THE SCHEDULE

Week 0 "Bye"
Week 1 vs Toledo
Week 2 @ #6 Oregon
Week 3 vs Texas A&M
Week 4 @ #20 Pitt
Week 5 vs Cincinnati
Week 6 @ Indiana
Week 7 @ Notre Dame
Week 8 "Bye"
Week 9 @ Illinois "IlliBuck Trophy"
Week 10 vs #23 Penn State
Week 11 vs #15 Nebraska
Week 12 vs Wisconsin "Senior Day"
Week 13 @ Stanford

The Buckeyes will finally face Oregon, Pitt and Cincinnati as part of Big Ten play this season, well not playing Michigan State, Minnesota or Michigan as Stanford for some reason takes the place of the Wolverines in Week 13.

Coach Miller

"We are excited for our trip to Eugene in Week 2 and we are excited to hose TAMU in a non-conference game in Week 3 here in Columbus. I think both will be great matchups that will help prepare us to play our best at a very early point in the season.. I feel like the schedule offers us some nice balance 3 straight home games toward the end of the season and 2 of them against current teams in the Top-25 it should line up well with campus visits for incoming recruits. I am bummed about this being our 3rd year in a row not making a trip to Ann Arbor, but I am sure I will get a chance to play in the Big House at some point"

THE ROSTER

*Denotes starter (R) means player is redshirting

*QB FR Nick De La Rosa (80)
QB RS SO Abdul Diabate (82)
QB RS FR Alex Jacques (81)
QB RS FR Demarco Killings (78)

Outlook. The former 5* De La Rosa wins the job Day 1.. Diabate will be the #2.. Diabate did throw for 188 yds with 4 TD last year and run for 2 TD's as well so he does have some game time experience and will probably see more action this year especially in Week 1's matchup with Toledo as well as any blowouts. Both Jacques and Killings are former 4*'s that Redshirted last season.

*RB RS SR Dave Jones (90)
RB RS SO Fredrick Tam (85)
RB SO Cameron McCracken (82)
RB RS FR Ja'Quan Britton (79)
RB (R) FR Villiami Te'o (80)
RB (R) FR Lee Dubois (79)

Outlook- Jones and Tam combined for 31 TD's last year and over 2000 yds. I would expect them to do the same. McCracken is Jones primary backup well Britton is Tam's primary backup.. 5* Recruits Te'o and Dubois are the future.. Te'o will push McCracken for Jones job at RB1 next year well DuBois is a power back similar to Tam and Britton but with less speed. There is a high % that DuBois will transition to FB next season.

*FB RS FR Kalen Tabor (77)
FB RS SO Terrance Cooper (71)

Outlook Tabor is a former blocking TE who converted to FB this spring... Cooper did rush for 3 TD's last season out of the Flexbone but it appears Tabor has taken over his job

*WR SR Jabu Gayton (83)
(IR)WR RS SO Ezekiel Tandy (83)
*WR RS SO Nick Tull (81)
*WR RS FR Gabe Cobb (79)
WR RS FR Manny TrueBlood (78)
WR RS FR D'Angelo Lowe (77)
WR RS FR Greg Lanier (76)
WR (R) FR Orlando Riggs (79)
WR (R) FR Khalid Ahlers (74)

Outlook- Tandy is expected to miss the first 9 weeks of the season with a Achilles Tear after missing the entire season last year. He had 17 rec for 435 yds and 5 TD as a True Freshman. SR Jabu Gayton takes over as WR1.. Gayton has 131 rec for 1992 yds and 16 TD's the past 2 seasons. RS SO Nick Tull is the only other WR with career receptions but he was solid last year as a RS Freshman with a 1000 yd season (53 rec 1012 yds 5 TD) as the #4.. He moves to the #2 with Cobb stepping into the #3 and will play out of the slot. Lowe and Trueblood battling for the #4 well Lainer will battle the loser for the #5 role. Lowe is expected to be one of the primary Kick and Punt Returners this season.

*TE RS JR Casar Bourgeois (80)
TE SO Kaleb Poole (78)

Bourgeois returns as the starter, but had just 10 rec for 133 yds with 3 TD last year.. Poole had just 1 rec for 21 yds as the backup as the TE position became more of a blocker in the run game vs a receiver in the passing game.. Poole is the better receiver of the 2 and could actually push for more snaps on passing downs if Ohio State moves away from a 5 WR set.

*LT RS FR Dennis Howden (89)
LT RS SR Montrell Johnson (82)
LT RS FR Vince Perkins (81)
LT (R) FR Taylor Ring (80)

*LG RS JR Ethan Whitehurst (88)
LG RS JR Dominick Naanee (83)
LG RS FR Adrian Morton (80)

* C RS JR Marquis Pena (88)
C RS FR Greg Castonzo (78)
C (R) FR Jamal Cruise (76)
C (R) FR Laron Middlebrooks (74)

*RG RS SO Steven Locke (87)
RG RS FR Javonte Tipton (75)
RG (R) FR George Edmunds (77)

*RT RS FR Jamal Haden (85)
RT RS SO Villiami Bee (78)
RT RS SO Randy Kane (77)
RT (R) FR Jay Abbott (80)

Outlook-This unit is loaded with former 5*, and honestly could be the most talented 0-Line in the nation.. RS SR Montrell Johnson is a 3* transfer from La Tech who started the past 2 years for the Buckeyes but now is a key reserve as Howden takes over protecting the Blind Side.

*DE RS JR Joe Ezukanma (85)
*DE RS SO Mafu Vakapuna (85)
DE RS SR John Quinterro (85)
DE SO Cortez Summer (82)
DE RS SO Juan Rico (80)
DE RS SR Levi Abram (77)
DE (R) FR Alex Malveaux (76)
DE (R) FR Demetrious Ellington (75)
DE (R) FR Warren Colombo (70)

Outlook-After struggling with injuries and depth issues, DE is now a position of strength.. Ezukanma posted 9.5 sacks last year well Vakapuna had 6.0.. Hopefully they can improve on those #'s if not they could get pushed by other other guy's now that everyone is healthy.

*DT RS SR Tony Berger (84)
DT RS JR Ethan Sahara (83)
DT SO Cole Small (80)
DT (R) FR Clyde Talbot (78)
DT (R) FR Malcolm Shaw (75)
DT (R) FR Ed Malik (70)

Outlook- Ohio State plays a 3-3-5 Defense.. West Virginia transfer Tony Berger will get the first crack at being the man in the middle but RS JR Ethan Sahara started a handful of games before getting hurt and could push his way back into the starting lineup. Also SO Cole Small played as a True Freshman and will be active again.. The Dude is a freaking mountain (6'6 333lbs)

*OLB RS JR John Perez (90)
*OLB SR Rick Hendricks (87)
OLB RS JR Ben DeLuca (82)
OLB RS SO Stan Hoffman (82)
OLB RS FR Phil Rossi (77)
OLB RS SO Raekwon Selvia (74)

*MLB RS JR Jose Giguere (84)
MLB RS FR Eric Clemons (84)
MLB RS FR Gill Roy (74)

Outlook- Perez and Hendricks returns as 3 year starters on the outside, well Giguere beats out Clemens for the Middle (92 Awareness vs 71).. However Clemons showed great speed (91) and could force Ohio State to include some 3-4 this year.. Perez despite being listed at 6'0 217lbs, has led the Buckeyes in sacks the past 2 seasons posting 20.5 sacks.. Hendricks had 8.5 sacks in 2032 but posted just 1 last season well instead focusing more on the passing game as he picked off 5 INT's.


*CB RS JR Nick Costanzo (89)
*CB RS JR Frank Pounds (86)
*CB RS JR Jason Bulaga (87)
CB RS SR Von IBrahim (86)
CB RS SR Ben Duff (83)

*FS RS SR Faitele Nauta (87)
FS RS JR Ronnie Darliek (85)
FS RS JR Xavier Michel (79)

*SS SO Greg Robinson (88)
SS RS SO Paul Schofield (82)
SS RS JR Paul Barnhardt (81)

Outlook- Nauta moves from CB to FS .. He led the team with 7 INT's last season.. SS Greg Robinson started the year as the starter. The former 5* recorded 23 Tackles before being lost to a injury for the rest of the year. Barnhardt and Schofield also both saw time on the IR.. Duff is a transfer from Rutgers.. He started last year recording 68 Tackles and had 3 INT's. He could move up the depth chart potentially taking the starting spot away from Bulgara who is the fastest player on the team...

*PK FR Lamar Dugans (69)
*P RS JR Isaih Mangen (79)

Outlook- Dugans has a big leg (90 KPW) and will handle both PK duties and kickoffs.

RECRUITING

OSU has 79 scholarship athletes on the roster.. Of that 10 are Seniors (3 Offense/7 Defense) but only 4 are starters (2 on each side). There is 16 Juniors, 19 Sophomores and 34 Freshman (Combined Redshirt and Redshirting)

Because the roster is loaded with some pretty talented Juniors who could potentially leave early for the NFL (Perez, all 3 starting CB's, as well as a couple O-Line) we will probably look at filling 20 scholarships this season.. If no one leaves early that would give us 4-5 encouraged transfers at the end of the season..

[Deuce2223]

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

2034 FIU PANTHERS MEDIA GUIDE

TEAM SCHEDULE

Week 0 @ Florida
Week 1 @ Liberty
Week 2 vs Syracuse
Week 3 @ FAU "Shula Bowl"
Week 4 @ West Virginia
Week 5 @ Georgia Tech
Week 6 @ Rutgers
Week 7 vs #19 ECU
Week 8 "Bye"
Week 9 @ Wake Forest
Week 10 @ Duke
Week 11 "Bye"
Week 12 @ Virginia
Week 13 vs #5 Miami "King of the City/Keys of the City "Senior Day"

In 3 Dynasties and 22 seasons I can't say I have every seen a schedule with just 3 home games.. I have to be completely honest, had I realized how many ACC games were on the road, I would have never scheduled Florida and FAU on the road but it was FAU turn to host and I thought hey why not give me a tough road test to start the year.. Instead I get 6 of my first 7 games.. Guess that's what you get after going a perfect 16-0..

THE ROSTER

Staters in Blue Redshirting Freshman in Red


QB RS JR Kevin Pounds (91)
QB RS SR Byron Ingram (86)
QB RS FR Faitele Lutui (78)
QB RS SO Jose Lambo (76)
QB (R) FR David Burgess (78)
QB (R) FR Akeem Armah (76)

Outlook- Heisman/Maxwell/Davey O'Brien Award winner Kevin Pounds returns for his 3rd season as the Panthers starter.. With almost 11,000 yds passing in his career with 105 TD's and 37 INT's and a 65% completion percentage, Pounds could go down as the Best QB to ever have played at FIU. He is actually only 600 yds shy of surpassing Keyonne Jenkins Career Yards and has already put his name on the Career TD mark looking to increase it with another strong season. He also owns the single season record of 5253 yds set in 2032 and the TD record set last year with 48 in 2033.. Former 4* Byron Ingram will be the #2 again this season, well Lambo and Lutui will look to battle Burgess and Armah as well as any incoming recruits for the chance to replace Pounds who many think till turn to the NFL after this season.

RB RS JR Marvin Ware (92)
RB RS SR Anfernee Rasmussen (90)
RB RS JR Emari Allotey (89)
RB RS JR Tim Trinidad (87)
RB RS SO Keary Bayler (85)
RB (R) FR Cole Hitchcock (76)

Outlook- The Panthers will have to replace Doak Walker Award winner Taylor Coxie and his 1500+ yds and 15+ TD's, but they look like they got the talent to do it but it also looks like it could be running back by committee this season Ware (95 carries 496 yds 5.2 avg 8 TD), Trinidad has (82 carries 476 yds 5.8 avg, 15 TD's), Rasmussen has (50 carries 271 yds 5.4 avg 3 TD's) in their careers, well QB Kevin Pounds has 273 carries for 1321 yds with 19 TD's including 581 yds and 11 TD's last season.

OC Clayton Dees

"To be completely honest we feel like our any of the 5 RB's in our RB room could be a #1RB on most teams in the country and have the talent to be a 20+ carry type back.. However with that said our plan is to rotate them and keep them fresh all season.. Trinidad obviously has a leg up on the TD department being the big guy ( 6'3 225lbs) well every guy in this group has breakaway speed (Byler is the slowest with 90 speed)."

FB RS JR Alejandro Higgins (84)
FB RS JR Darrius Johnson (79)
FB RS SO Trent Gage (78)

Outlook-Higgin beat out Johnson last year for the starting job and had another great spring (jumped 4 points in training) well 5'10 229lb Trent Gage (90 speed) moves from RB to FB this season and could see some carries out of the Flexbone.

WR RS SR Emari Boenzi (92)
WR RS JR Ian Kamula (93)
WR RS SO Devin Kennedy (92)
WR RS SR Walter Abimiri (85)
WR RS SO Edward Marshall (87)
WR RS SR Montrell Muamba (87)
WR (R) FR James Stills (77)
WR (R) FR Dalton Blough (68)

Outlook-Pretty sure this WR room is probably the best in the country.. Boenzi was projected as a 3rd round pick after last season but decided to return and play out his Senior season with his best friend QB Kevin Pounds. With 231 rec for 3544 yds and 45 TD's he has already put his name in several FIU record books.. Fellow SR Walter Abiamiri (140 rec 2685 yds 21 TD) is sliding down the pecking order as he will start the year as the team's #4 as Kamalu (29 rec 597 yds 8 TD) and Kennedy (69 rec 1084 yds 5 TD) move into the #2/#3 role with Kennedy playing the slot.. Marshall and Muamba will split time as the team's #5 with Maumba continuing his role as the Panthers #1 KR/PR..

TE RS JR Eric Longo (83)
TE JR Creed Gay (83)
TE RS SO Cam Coxie (82)
TE (R) FR Tyler Bail (80)

Outlook-Former WR Eric Longo moved to TE this spring and beat out Gay and Coxie for the chance to replace Vilian as the Panthers #1 TE, but all 3 will see action, as Longo despite being 6'5 only weights 212 lbs. The big surprise here is 5* and #1 Overall Recruit Tyler Bail redshirting this season (his awareness is only a 70)..

LT RS SR Deon Judge (87)
LT RS FR Kierre Coffman (86)
LT RS SO Tre Lamar (82)

LG RS SR Stephon Avril (91)
LG (R) FR David Singer (79)
LG (R) FR Rahim Meredith (72)
LG (R) FR Joshua Valoaga (70)

C RS SR Kevin Liedtke (86)
C RS FR Mitchell Cash (77)
C (R) FR Darren Melton (77)
C (R) FR Artie Redwine (76)

RG RS JR Finau Manuwai (88)
RG RS SO Stephon Boren (82)
RG (R) FR Pete O'Grady (69)

RT RS SR Trey Vizcanio (92)
RT RS SO Rob Kent (86)
RT RS FR Dion Jackson (76)
RT (R) FR Ladarius Rubin (71)

Outlook-This unit might not be top to botton as talented as Ohio State's O-Line but the starting unit are all NFL draft caliber. Vizcanio was projected as a 4th round pick but returned to see if he could help the Panthers make it to 3 straight Natty's and win back to back.

DE RS JR Kerry St Pierre (94)
DE RS JR Malachi Clifton (87)
DE RS SO Ramon Ortiz (85)
DE RS FR Stephen Ezeike (85)
DE RS SR Treyvon Sharpe (81)
DE RS FR Trayvon Leo (78)
DE (R) FR Clark Dobson (74)
DE (R) FR Cedric Lowell (68)

Outlook- The Panthers will have to replace Lombardi winner and 17 sacks in Ify Owusu and Kerry St. Pierre proved he is capable with 33 Tackles, 11 TFL and 13.0 Sacks last year. Clifton will take over the starting spot but will probably rotate with Ortiz, Ezeike and even Sharpe..

DT RS JR Jason Peters (88)
DT RS SR Montrell Boyett (85)
DT RS SO Brian Small (83)
DT (R) FR Jason Avant (79)
DT (R) FR Greg Neilon (72)

Outlook-Last year FIU played mostly a 4-2-5 Defense but reports are DC Jose Phenix could look to switch things up and get his talented LB room on the field more going to a 3-3-5 against certain opponents.

OLB RS SO Chester Provo (92)
OLB RS JR Dillon Brown (93)
OLB RS SO Tremaine Swope (87)
OLB RS FR Phil McKissic (80)
OLB RS SO John Cushing (80)
OLB RS FR Richard Cleveland (76)
OLB (R) FR Conner McAddley (72)
OLB (R) FR Tyler Stai (70)

MLB RS SO Avery Grubbs (89)
MLB SR Alex Murphy (85)
MLB (R) FR Isaiah Stroud (79)
MBL (R) FR Josh Okorafor (77)

Outlook-Provo was hurt half the season last year but still managed to record 41 Tackles and Grubbs was the backup to W. Tryon making Dillon Brown (38 tackles 12 Sacks) the only fulltime starter from last season, but this squad ranks among the nations best I think, especially when you add in Swope and Murphy as the backups.

CB RS SR Gerlad Sykes (89)
CB SO Barry Maddox (84)
CB SO Major Mentor (82)
CB RS FR Josh Morales (80)
CB (R) FR Jimmy Newton (71)

FS RS SO Brian Gutierrez (89)
FS RS SO Dylan Boggs (87)
FS RS FR Parke Huber (76)
FS (R) FR John Poujade (76)

SS RS SR Tyreke Harmon (87)
SS RS FR Mac Bhargava (79)
SS RS FR DeMarcus Figueroa (73)
SS (R) FR Mitch Finger (80)

Outlook-Honestly I love this unit.. Sykes (8 career INT) and Harmon (5 INT's) are both former ATH/WR recruits who have become Defensive leaders.. Maddux and Mentor along with Gutierrezz/Boggs/Finger give his secondary talent for the next 3-4 years.

PK-SO Trevor Costanzo (81)
P-SO Anfernee Awe (72)

Outlook- Costanzo was rock solid last year connecting on 21/23 FG's including a perfect 10/10 from 30-39 yds and 6-7 from 40-49. He also made 83/83 XPT . Awe punted 43 times last year for 1853 yds (43.1 Avg with a Net Avg of 38.0) and a long of 62 yds.

RECRUITING

FIU goes into the season with a full 85 player roster with 13 Seniors, 15 Juniors, 20 Soph's and 37 Freshman (Redshirted and Redshirting).

With many of the Juniors super high rated and potentially test NFL Draft waters, Coach Valdez and the Staff will most likely look to recruit 15-18 players well leaving maybe 1 or 2 spots for the transfer portal.

After landing the #3 Overall Class last year, FIU once again look to finish in the Top-10 but it will have to be with quality..

[Deuce2223]

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

PANTHERS MAKE IT 17 STRAIGHT

Florida International Golden Panthers at Florida Gators
Sep 1,	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#4 Florida International Golden Panthers (0-0)	7	14	3	14	38
Florida Gators (0-0)	0	3	0	0	3

Team Stats Comparison
	FIU	FLA
Total Offense	521	150
Rushing Yards	240	-20
Passing Yards	281	160
First Downs	30	8
Punt Return Yards	33	0
Kick Return Yards	18	46
Total Yards	572	196
Turnovers	4	0
3rd Down Conversion	9/12	4/14
4th Down Conversion	1/1	0/2
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals
Penalties	3-25
Possession Time	25:48	14:12

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		FIU	FLA
3:15	(FIU) D. Kennedy 3 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	7	0
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		FIU	FLA
9:24	(FIU) T. Trinidad 2 yd run (PAT)	14	0
6:25	(FLA) T. Stephen 21 yd FG	14	3
3:54	(FIU) M. Ware 7 yd run (PAT)	21	3
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		FIU	FLA
3:35	(FIU) T. Costanzo 21 yd FG	24	3
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		FIU	FLA
5:41	(FIU) D. Kennedy 20 yd pass from K. Pounds (PAT)	31	3
0:20	(FIU) M. Ware 2 yd run (PAT)	38	3

GAME RECAP


Despite 4 INT's by QB Kevin Pounds, the FIU Panthers cruised in their Week 1 win over the Florida behind a solid ground attack and a punishing defense that held the Gators to just 140 yds of Total Offense on the day.

The FIU Defense sacked FLorida JR QB Trae Duckett (80 ovr) 8 times on the day as he completes just 12/25 (48%) for 160 yds.

7 different Panthers ended the day with a sack led by RS FR DE Stephen Ezeike who had 2.

No Taylor Coxie at RB, no problem. RS JR Marvin Ware making his first start showed he is capable of being the RB1 who tries to give FIU 7 straight Doak Walker Award winners.. Ware finished the game with a career high 21 carries for a career high 121 yds well scoring 2 touchdowns.

Former QB Anfernee Rasmussen looked solid as the #2 finishing with 6 carries for 47 yds (7.8 avg) well QB Kevin Pounds added 45 yds on 3 carries and Tim Trinidad added 22 yds on 10 carries well scoring his first TD of the season.

Pounds will have to hope his 4 INT day is not the norm.. The RS Junior did manage to complete 20/34 (58%) for 281 yds and threw a pair of TD's to Devin Kennedy who finished with 6 rec for 73 yds and the 2 scores.

SR Emari Boenzi started where he left off leading the team with 8 rec for 96 yds on the day but it should be noted 3 of Pounds INT's were pass's directed in Boenzi's direction.

RS JR Ian Kamalu continues to show big play potential as well finishing with 4 rec for 53 yds but the biggest play of the day went to converted TE Eric Longo who broke past the defense for a 54 yd snag on his only catch of the day.

UP NEXT

FIU will stay on the road for a Week 1 matchup in Lynchburg as the Panthers take on the Liberty Flame.

OTHER WEEK 1 SCORES

#13 Alabama beat Boston College (38-10)
Louisiana beat Wake Forest (38-14)
Hawaii beat Georgia State (29-10)
Ohio beat FCS South (27-3)
New Mexico State beat FCS Southeast (24-0)
South Alabama beat FCS Midwest (51-17)
Western Michigan beat FCS Southwest (49-0)
Maryland beat FCS Northeast (45-3).

[Deuce2223]

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

BUCKEYES WIN SEASON OPENER!!

Toledo Rockets at Ohio State Buckeyes
Sep 4, 2034	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Toledo Rockets (0-0)	3	7	3	0	13
#3 Ohio State Buckeyes (0-0)	7	14	7	21	49

Team Stats Comparison
	TOL	OSU
Total Offense	321	429
Rushing Yards	110	137
Passing Yards	199	292
First Downs	12	25
Punt Return Yards	0	3
Kick Return Yards	28	46
Total Yards	349	478
Turnovers	4	1
3rd Down Conversion	5/11	7/15
4th Down Conversion	0/1	4/5
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals
Penalties		3-25
Possession Time	15:09	24:51

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		TOL	OSU
7:57	(OSU) D. Lowe 52 yd pass from N. De La Rosa (PAT)	0	7
5:27	(TOL) L. Dora 44 yd FG	3	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		TOL	OSU
7:21	(OSU) F. Tam 12 yd run (PAT)	3	14
4:10	(OSU) F. Tam 3 yd run (PAT)	3	21
2:43	(TOL) L. DiNapoli 31 yd run (PAT)	10	21
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		TOL	OSU
6:23	(TOL) L. Dora 31 yd FG	13	21
2:45	(OSU) D. Lowe 34 yd pass from N. De La Rosa (PAT)	13	28
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		TOL	OSU
4:41	(OSU) F. Pound 26 yd INT return	13	35
3:;17	(OSU) G. Cobb 4 yd pass from A. Diabate (PAT)	13	42
0:46	(OSU) G. Cobb 5 yd pass from A. Diabate (PAT)	13	49

GAME RECAP

Ohio State kicked off their 2034 season with a home victory over the Toledo Rockets.

The Rockets played a decent 1st half using a ground attack that finished with over 100 yds on the day to keep things close.. Trailing (21-10) starting the 2nd half, Toledo would settle for a FG to make it (21-13) with just over 6 minutes to play in the 3rd Quarter.. That would be a close as they would get though as the Rockets are forced to turn to backup QB SO Tyrone Trapp (77 ovr) after starter RS SR Theo Glymph (78) is forced from the game..

Trapp would throw 4 INT's in the final 16 minutes of the game including a "Pick 6" to Frank Pounds that would be 1 of 3 touchdowns scored by the Buckeyes in the 4th Quarter.

5* All-American Nick De La Rosa had a pretty solid debut.. The True Freshman would complete 18/24 (75%) for 275 yds and throw 2 TD's well also adding a 23 yd run as well.. D.L.R.'s only mistake of the day was a 4th Quarter fumble which led to him getting the rest of the day off.

Abdul Diabate continues to look like another solid option at QB as the RS SO completes 3/5 (60%) of his pass's including a pair of touchdowns to RS FR Gabe Cobb.

It was a tough day for SR RB Dave Jones (2.1 avg) but the Buckeyes ground attack still combined for 137 yds and 2 scores on the day.

KEY BUCKS

QB N. De La Rosa-18/24 (75%) 275 yds 2 TD
QB A. Diabate-3/5 17 yds 2 TD

RB D. Jones-21 carries 45 yds
RB C. McCracken-5 carries 33 yds (6.6 avg)
RB J. Britton-2 carries 24 yds
RB F. Tam-5 carries 16 yds 2 TD
FB K. Tablor-2 carries 14 yds

WR D. Lowe-2 rec 86 yds 2 TD
WR G. Cobb-8 rec 64 yds 2 TD
WR J. Gayton-5 rec 52 yds
WR M. Trueblood-2 rec 35ds
WR N. Trull-2 rec 31 yds
TE C. Bourgeois-1 rec 24 yds

CB F. Pounds INT 1 TD
SS G. Robinson-1 INT
CB V. Ibrahim-1 INT
CB N. Costanzo- 1 INT

UP NEXT

Ohio State will now hit the road for a Top-5 Big Ten Showdown with #5 Oregon.

The Ducks beat Miss State (24-21) in their Week 1 matchup.

[Deuce2223]

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

WEEK 1 AROUND THE NATION UPDATE

FIU

The Panthers won their 18th straight game moving to 2-0 on the season picking up a ACC win over Liberty on the road (42-7).

FIU dominated the first have scoring 6 times to ake a (42-0) lead. Kevin Pounds bounced back from a a 4 INT day @ Florida, completing 18/23 (78%) for 320 yds with 4 TD and 1 INT well also adding 52 yds rushing and a TD.

Marvin Ware led the team with 15 carries for 56 yds and had 4 rec for 32 yds well Tim Trinidad punched in a short TD run for the final score.

Devin Kennedy led all receivers with 5 rec for 111 yds and a 65 yd TD.

Emari Boenzi had 4 rec for 84 yds and a 57 yd TD

Ian Kamula had 2 rec for 68 yds including a 41 yd TD

Walter Abiamiri added the final TD with a 8 yd score.

On Defense RS FR Stephen Ezeike appears to be the guy stepping up to replace Iffy Owusu's Team high 17 sacks from last season as he finished the day with 3.5 sacks giving him 5 sacks in 2 games.

TOP-25 NEWS

#1 LSU cruised to a (38-23) win over Tulsa in Week 1 but the Tigers will face a bigger challenge in Week 2 as they kick off SEC play with #8 Tennessee

#2 Georgia opened up Week 1 with a SEC win beating Arkansas (35-32).. The Bulldogs now travel to Austin to take on Texas in Week 2.

#5 Miami falls in Week 1 in a ACC matchup against NC State (42-21). With the loss the Hurricanes drop to #16 in the rankings.

#7 Clemson faced off against #21 Ole Miss in a Week 1 SEC Top-25 showdown and the Rebels came away with the (20-17) win as the Tigers drop to #13 and Ole Miss jumps to #11.

#8 Oklahoma battled #18 ECU in a Top-25 showdown and the Pirates spoiled former Ohio State Buckeyes debut as the Sooners coach with a (21-20) victory.. With the win ECU moves up to #9 in the rankings well the Sooners drop to #14

#9 Washington jumps up 2 spots to #7 with a (37-34) win over UTSA

#11 Tennessee jumps 3 spots to #8 with a (19-17) win over UNC

#13 Alabama beat #10 Virginia Tech (52-20) in a Top-25 SEC/ACC showdown. With the win the Tide roll to #6 well the Hokies drop to #18

#12 TCU moves to #10 with a win over FCS West Texas (35-9)

#14 Kansas State falls (38-35) to UCLA and drops to #23 in the rankings.