Army-Navy week is usually a little breather for college football fans. After non-stop, wall-to-wall action for weeks on end, even with playoffs in other divisions, the Army-Navy game itself and the Heisman Trophy presentation provided some relief. Thankfully, from Friday night until the final whistle in the Kibbie Dome, college football kept the action up. First in this week’s Five Stars is a heater of a game in the cold Montana night.
Junior Bergen’s Special Special Teams Night
No. 6 Montana beat No. 7 Furman 35-28 in an overtime classic. The Grizzlies’ MVP of the game was receiver Junior Bergen, who had himself a day. The Billings, Mt. native showed that he was the preseason All-Big Sky punt returner for a reason.
Furman did convert a late fourth-and-long touchdown at the end of regulation, but in the end Montana was the only team to score in overtime. This Grizzlies team is well-rounded and well-coached, but now they’ll have to travel outside of the cozy confines of home for their toughest game of the season (more on that later).
Jayden Daniels: Heisman Winner
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy, beating out other finalists Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Daniels was more than worthy despite his team’s record. After all, it is an individual award. Whether it was looking at stats (4,946 total yards, 50 total touchdowns in 12 games), the eye test (look up his absurd throws or his mind-boggling scrambles) or whatever other metric, the former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback had it all.
Speaking of the Sun Devils, it is worth giving a quick summary of Daniels’ journey to this point. He led Arizona State to an 8-5 record as a freshman, which included a win over No. 6 Oregon and a Sun Bowl victory where Daniels was the MVP. But then with a combination of poor coaching and a lack of surrounding talent, Daniels’ play fell off. When he transferred in 2021, his teammates trashed his locker while calling him “trash” and other words. There clearly was a divide between him and the team, so it was best for both parties that he left. At LSU, the coaches allowed him to stretch his legs and make use of his game-changing running ability while letting his arm loose.
Now, Daniels has joined the Heisman House and is in line to be a first round NFL draft pick.
Army Beats Navy
The Army Black Knights beat the Navy Midshipmen 17-11 to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. For most of the game, Army dominated, but Navy put together a drive that looked promising. After a false start halted momentum, the Black Knights seemed to seal the game:
However, the Midshipmen did not give up, scoring a quick touchdown then getting the ball back with time left. They drove into position, where the game fittingly came down to the trenches:
As the standalone FBS game, it was closely contested with big plays and an incredible atmosphere. This game always seems to give us something memorable, and this time it was a foot separating glory from heartbreak.
FCS Roundup
– No. 1 South Dakota State handled Villanova with relative ease as the Jackrabbits won 23-12. Isaiah Davis churned for 192 rushing yards and a touchdown while the special teams blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.
– North Dakota State laid the wood to No. 3 South Dakota to the tune of 45-17. The defense forced three interceptions and Jayden Price returned a punt for a touchdown.
The Bison will travel to take on Montana on Dec. 16. at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
– No. 5 UAlbany defeated No. 4 Idaho in the Kibbie Dome 30-22. Reese Poffenbarger played out of his mind for the Danes (341 yards, three passing touchdowns) as they won in one of the toughest places to be a road team.
UAlbany now heads to South Dakota State to take on the defending champion on Dec. 15. at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
No Small Potatoes
Mini Kibbie Dome? Check. “NCAA 14?” Check. Sickos Committee mentioned? Check.
Perfection.
Shoutouts
– In Division II, No. 1 Colorado School of Mines moved to 14-0 as the Orediggers beat No. 4 Kutztown 35-7. John Matocha completed 30 of 37 passes for 292 passing yards and three touchdowns with an additional rushing score. He set the new all-time college football record as he now has 161 career touchdown passes, passing Tyson Bagent.
No. 2 Harding ran all over No. 3 Lenoir in a 55-14 victory. The Bisons had 11 ball-carriers combine for 431 yards and six touchdowns on 69 rushing attempts. They have perfected the flexbone and will be a great contrast to the Orediggers’ high-flying passing attack.
The Orediggers and Bisons will play for the first national championship in each program’s history on Dec. 16.
– Division III had two contrasting games. Cortland hammered previously unbeaten Randolph-Macon 49-14. Zac Boyes dotted up the defense all day (23-of-30, 279 passing yards, three touchdowns). The Red Dragons will face the reigning champion North Central in the title game.
North Central had a back-and-forth game against Wartburg. In the end, the Cardinals prevailed in a battle of undefeated teams, 34-27, thanks to back-to-back defensive stops in the final moments of the fourth quarter. Joe Sacco rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
– NAIA was similar to DIII with a blowout and a thriller. On the lopsided end, Northwestern handled Georgetown with ease 35-10. Konner McQuillan led the charge (28 rushes, 129 rushing yards, two touchdowns).
In a game that came down to a fourth-and-goal stop, Keiser beat College of Idaho 28-21. Linebacker Tivon Sutton recorded 1.5 sacks and three total tackles for loss.
Northwestern and Keiser will play in the 68th annual NAIA title game on Dec. 18.
About the author
I’m a Washington Huskies fan who is still amazed but not surprised that we didn’t have more success under Chris Petersen (I blame Jake Browning). Sports are my life. I know nothing else. I graduated from Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in Communication. I’ve been a part of a newspaper since 8th grade, including my college’s official newspaper where I was co-copy editor.
