Tag: Troy

Nov 25, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (5) celebrates a play during the second half of the game against Pittsburgh Panthers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Enter the interim: Duke, Troy seek bowl win for coaching fill-ins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Unique is a fair description for the Birmingham Bowl matchup of teams linked by their current coaching circumstances.

Interim coaches direct Duke and Troy for Saturday’s game at Birmingham, Ala., and insist their clubs have plenty to play for even if changes at the top are a predominant theme.

“We’re going to prepare like any other game,” Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson said.

Trooper Taylor, Blue Devils running backs coach, was placed in charge at Duke after Mike Elko left for Texas A&M. For Troy, defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato is the interim coach after Jon Sumrall’s departure to Tulane.

Troy (11-2) has a 10-game winning streak with hopes of landing a national ranking to end the 2023 season. Duke (7-5) spent time in the Top 25 before a midseason slump.

“I think does (provide) us a little edge to try to get ranked,” Watson said. “I think it’s a good opportunity.”

Manny Diaz, most recently Penn State’s defensive coordinator and former Miami Hurricanes head coach, is Duke’s head coach for next season.

Gerad Parker, who was Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator this season, was named as the next Troy head coach earlier this week. Parker was a member of Duke’s staff in 2017-18 under coach David Cutcliffe.

But before those men take full control of the respective programs, the teams are attempting to put a bow on the current season. In short, there’s a bowl game to be played.

“Despite the adversity, the turmoil, the locker room stuck together,” Duke quarterback Grayson Loftis said. “Like Coach Troop says, ‘The standard is the standard.’ It doesn’t change.”

Troy has won five straight bowl appearances. Duke has a four-game bowl winning streak.

The Trojans are Sun Belt Conference champions and co-defensive coordinator Tayler Polk will handle defensive play-calling. Troy entered the bowl season sixth nationally in sacks and 15th in total defense.

Watson has thrown for 3,339 yards and 27 touchdowns this year.

“We know we have a challenge and have to step up and prepare like we’re playing a great team,” Duke linebacker Tre Freeman said.

Loftis, a freshman who had been the third-stringer, became Duke’s starting quarterback for the final four games of the regular season after injuries to Riley Leonard and Henry Belin IV. The Blue Devils went 2-2 in those games.

Senior receiver Jalon Calhoun of Duke will try to add to his lofty receiving totals. He eclipsed 3,000 career yards in the regular-season finale vs. Pitt.

“It just speaks volumes about my hard work,” Calhoun said. “My teammates really helped me in pushing me every day, so I really appreciate that.”

Duke entered the bowl season ranked 14th nationally in red-zone defense. However, defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection who had a team-leading 8.5 sacks, and defensive end RJ Oben entered the transfer portal and won’t play in the bowl. On offense, running back Jordan Waters also has left the Blue Devils.

This is the first time a Sun Belt Conference team will face a team from a Power 5 conference in a bowl.

“That’s going to be exciting,” Watson said. “Like everybody has been saying, it’s a chance for us to showcase our football program.

Taylor spent 2009-12 on Auburn’s staff along with earlier stints at Southeastern Conference member Tennessee.

“I am very familiar with the City of Birmingham, so I know our players and fans will have a great experience,” Taylor said.

Duke won the only two previous meetings with Troy. This time, the Trojans are hoping for a home state boost.

“Being in Birmingham and in the state of Alabama, I think Troy fans will really show up and show out,” Watson said.

–Field Level Media

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Indiana.

Report: Troy picks Notre Dame OC Gerad Parker as coach

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Troy is expected to announce the hire of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker as head coach on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Parker is replacing his former Kentucky football teammate Jon Sumrall, who left to become the head coach at Tulane earlier this month. Sumrall posted a 23-4 record in two seasons with the Trojans.

Parker has coached tight ends for the last two seasons at Notre Dame and added coordinator duties this season. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish (9-3) ranked eighth in FBS with 39.1 points per game.

The move leaves Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman looking for a third offensive coordinator in three seasons. Parker was the play-caller for Notre Dame in 2023.

Parker, 42, was the interim head coach at Purdue for the second half of the 2016 season after Darrell Hazell was fired, losing all six games.

A former wide receiver at Kentucky (2000-04), Parker has also worked as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia (2020-21) and as a receivers coach at Penn State, Duke, Purdue and Marshall.

Troy (11-2), champions of the Sun Belt Conference, is scheduled to face Duke (7-5) on Saturday in the Birmingham Bowl. Defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato is the Trojans’ interim coach.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Troy Trojans head coach Jon Sumrall on the sidelines against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Tulane hires Troy’s Jon Sumrall as head coach

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Tulane hired Troy’s Jon Sumrall to be its next head football coach on Friday.

Sumrall was an assistant coach for the Green Wave from 2012-14, and he guided Troy to a 23-4 record in his two seasons as the Trojans’ head coach.

Tulane needed a replacement for Willie Fritz, now the head coach at Houston after going 54-47 in eight seasons — including 11-2 in 2023.

Sumrall was the Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2022 and won his second straight conference championship this season. The Trojans (11-2) will play Duke in the Birmingham Bowl Dec. 23.

Sumrall, 41, was a linebacker at Kentucky from 2002-04 before working as an assistant coach at San Diego, Tulane, Troy, Ole Miss and his alma mater. He was Kentucky’s co-defensive coordinator in 2021 before taking the job at Troy.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans running back Kimani Vidal (28) runs with the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Troy tramples Appalachian St. behind Kimani Vidal’s 5 TDs

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Kimani Vidal scored five touchdowns and Troy pulled away with a pair of scores in a 6-second span of the fourth quarter to win the Sun Belt Championship Game, defeating visiting Appalachian State 49-23 on Saturday at Troy, Ala.

Vidal rushed for 233 yards on 26 carries.

The Trojans (11-2), who scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns, racked up their 10th win in a row. Troy has won eight Sun Belt Conference titles.

Vidal scored on TD runs of 6 and 49 yards in the final 4 1/2 minutes. Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson was 16-for-24 for 192 yards and a touchdown.

Kanye Roberts scored on two touchdown runs for Appalachian State (8-5), which had a five-game winning streak snapped. Joey Aguilar completed 28 of 39 passes for 275 yards.

Troy led 21-17 entering the fourth quarter, but Appalachian State had the ball.

Following a punt, the Trojans went 81 yards in 10 plays with Vidal carrying the ball on the final six snaps. He scored on a 2-yard run.

Appalachian State fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Don Callis returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, it was 35-17.

The Mountaineers scored when Eli Wilson recovered Aguilar’s fumble in the end zone with 5:34 remaining, but they failed on a two-point conversion, cutting the lead to 35-23.

Earlier in the second half, Troy took the lead on a four-play, 75-yard drive midway through the third quarter. Watson threw 51 yards to Chris Lewis for the touchdown.

Appalachian State failed to move after recovering a fumble by Troy punt returner Jabre Barber. The Mountaineers settled for Michael Hughes’ 41-yard field goal, pulling within 21-17.

Troy led 14-0 after Vidal’s touchdown runs of 7 and 36 yards within a 2 1/2 -minute span in the second quarter.

Appalachian State responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive with Roberts scoring on a 1-yard run with 39 seconds left in the first half.

Then it was tied as the Mountaineers used 11 plays on the opening possession of the second half, marching 82 yards with Roberts scoring on a 6-yard run.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans quarterback Gunnar Watson (18) looks to pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Peaking Troy, Appalachian State collide for Sun Belt championship

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Sun Belt Conference
Appalachian State at Troy
Saturday, 4 p.m.
ESPN
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy, Alabama

Five consecutive wins sparked by a defensive scheme change helped Appalachian State get off the ropes and reach the Sun Belt Conference title game, but the obstacles in the Mountaineers’ path are significant.

They’ll need to take down defending conference champions Troy (10-2), which has the luxury of home-field advantage and a fancy winning streak of its own.

The Trojans haven’t lost since James Madison nipped Troy, 16-14, on Sept. 16. Nine consecutive wins include seven with a margin of at least 18 points.

Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark studied Troy’s scheme and raved about a group currently ranked 12th in the nation in total defense with 20 sacks in the past three games.

“There aren’t any holes in it,” Clark said of the Trojans. “They are not going to get beat, they’re not going to beat themselves.”

Star quarterbacks at the center of their team’s success are in for stern tests.

Appalachian State’s engine on offense, junior Joey Aguilar, has 33 touchdown passes – 10 to junior wide receiver Kaedin Robinson.

Troy senior Gunnar Watson has 26 touchdown passes and a powerful ground game carried by running back Kimani Vidal’s 1,349 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

The last meeting between these teams in September 2022 was decided on a last-second Hail Mary tipped into the hands of Mountaineers wide receiver Christan Horn, who made the grab to deal Troy a stunning 32-28 loss. Horn has 10 TD catches the past two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

No. 15 K-State not overlooking Kimani Vidal, streaking Troy

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Kansas State may be ranked No. 15 in the country. It may be the defending Big 12 Conference champion. But the Wildcats say they will not look past Troy when the Trojans come to Manhattan, Kan. on Saturday.

The Wildcats (1-0) and Trojans (1-0) square off for just the second time in history after K-State beat Troy 41-5 in 2003. Recent history has Kansas State on alert for a letdown.

Twice in the past three years, K-State has lost to a non-Power Five opponent in Manhattan. In 2020, the Wildcats lost to Arkansas State 35-31 in the season opener. In 2022, after two convincing wins over South Dakota and Missouri to open the season, the Wildcats hosted Tulane and lost to the Green Wave 17-10.

“It’s the same thing we talk about every week: You’ve got to prepare Monday through Friday to give yourself a chance to be successful on Saturday,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said about preparing his team to not let it happen again. “Any team can beat you — I don’t care what level they’re at — if you don’t have your A-game. That’s not just physically, that’s mentally, that’s emotionally.

“Troy is a really good team, a veteran team that has won an awful lot of ballgames and will be a great challenge for us.”

Both teams are coming off impressive offensive showings against FCS foes in their first games, though K-State also shined on defense. The Wildcats defeated Southeast Missouri State 45-0, while Troy outlasted Stephen F. Austin 48-30.

Wildcats senior quarterback Will Howard was 18-of-26 for a career-high 297 yards and two touchdowns. He also became the sixth player in Big 12 history to throw, rush and catch a touchdown pass in the same game, and he did it all in the first half. Howard moved into 10th place in school history for career passing touchdowns with 26.

K-State used a balanced attack, with three players reaching the 100-yard plateau. Receiver RJ Garcia II (119 yards) and tight end Ben Sinnott (100) were the leading receivers, while DJ Giddens had 128 yards on the ground.

The defense was exceptional too, holding SEMO to 6 rushing yards on 26 carries.

But Troy will present much tougher competition. The Trojans have the second-longest active winning streak (12 games) in all of FBS, behind only Georgia (18).

Running back Kimani Vidal totaled 302 yards (248 rushing, 54 receiving) on 27 touches against Stephen F. Austin in the Trojans’ Week 1 win. He is coming off an impressive 2022 season where he rushed 231 times for 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Whether he will be able to do that against Kansas State will go a long way toward determining whether Troy will have a chance against the Wildcats.

“It’s a tremendous road environment,” Troy head coach John Sumrall said. “They bring the crowd noise. The student section is right behind you. Our guys have to be ready to play in a hostile environment.

“I told our guys, ‘If you can’t get excited for this, then I can’t help you get excited.’”

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris (0) is tackled by Troy Trojans linebacker KJ Robertson (7) during the second quarter at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Defense rallies No. 24 Troy past No. 25 UTSA to win Cure Bowl

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KJ Robertson made a game-changing interception and Gunnar Watson threw the go-ahead touchdown pass as No. 24 Troy rallied for an 18-12 victory over No. 25 UTSA in the Cure Bowl on Friday at Orlando, Fla.

Robertson’s interception was one of six takeaways by the Trojans (12-2), who ran their winning streak to 11, third-best nationally behind Georgia (15) and Michigan (13). Kimani Vidal rushed for 73 yards and a score and RaJae’ Johnson caught a touchdown pass as Troy won its fifth straight bowl game despite gaining just 169 yards.

Frank Harris passed for 198 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for UTSA (11-3), which had a 10-game winning streak halted. Kevorian Barnes rushed for 132 yards and Zakhari Franklin caught a touchdown pass for the Roadrunners.

UTSA fell to 0-4 all-time in bowl appearances.

Troy linebacker Carlton Martial made 14 tackles to increase his all-time FBS record count to 577. Richard Jibunor had an interception, sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery while Watson passed for 113 yards and was intercepted twice.

The Roadrunners led by five and reached the Troy 9-yard line in the third quarter before Robertson intercepted Harris at the 2 and raced 61 yards. A 15-yard personal-foul penalty was tacked on to move the ball to the UTSA 22 with 5:11 left.

Five plays later, the Trojans took their first lead when Watson connected with Johnson on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Watson then tossed a two-point conversion pass to Clayton Ollendieck to give Troy a 15-12 lead with 2:43 left in the quarter.

Brooks Buce added a 27-yard field goal to give the Trojans an 18-12 edge with 9:18 remaining in the game.

On the next drive, a 53-yard scamper by Barnes gave UTSA the ball at the Troy 5. Barnes ran 2 yards on first down and Harris threw three incompletions — one was dropped in the end zone by Chris Carpenter — as the Roadrunners came up empty with 7:01 to play.

UTSA later got one first down before eventually giving the ball up on downs with 1:32 to go, and the Trojans ran out the clock.

UTSA led 12-7 at halftime after holding Troy to 66 yards in the first half.

The Roadrunners’ first two points came courtesy of the Trojans. On a third-down play from the Troy 7, center Jake Andrews hiked a shotgun snap past Watson while he wasn’t looking, and it rolled out of the end zone for a safety with 3:58 left in the first quarter.

UTSA increased the lead to 9-0 when Harris hit Franklin on a 2-yard scoring pass with 12:30 remaining in the half. Jared Sackett tacked on a 42-yard field goal with 6:21 left.

The Trojans struck with 50 seconds remaining when Vidal rushed 2 yards for a score.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris (0) runs the ball in the first half against the North Texas Mean Green at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Cure Bowl: Bettors behind Troy over UTSA

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More than 90 percent of bettors are taking the over, and 77 percent of the money wagered on the Cure Bowl at BetRivers is behind the Troy Trojans.

UTSA is a consensus three-point favorite and WynnBet and BetRivers set the point total at 56.5. It opened at 54.5 at FanDuel and has been lifted by majority bets being placed on the bigger total.

Almost 80 percent of the money on the game at BetMGM is on the Trojans.

If there’s a prop to consider, peek at UTSA quarterback Frank Harris’ passing yardage. Troy’s defense is its calling card, but Harris put up more than 550 yards and three TDs against Houston, the top team on the Roadrunners’ schedule this season. He added more than 100 yards rushing and a TD.

That game was a 37-35 loss, but note the over is 3-0 in non-conference games for UTSA.

Most books opened Harris’ passing yardage total prop at 273.5 and FanDuel set at 280 on Thursday night.

The early game helps kick off bowl season Friday and the attractive matchup of the No. 25 Roadrunners and No. 24 Troy at Orlando, Fla., pairs programs with 10-game winning streaks, tied for third nationally behind Georgia (15) and Michigan (13).

The Roadrunners (11-2) control games with their offense while the Trojans (11-2) are sturdy on defense.

Harris was named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2022. He passed for 3,865 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He thought about his future and decided returning to the school in San Antonio was his best option. He’s hoping to provide the program’s first bowl win this week.

He’s the prime reason why UTSA ranks 12th nationally in scoring offense (38.7 points per game) and ninth in total offense (486.1 yards per game) entering the program’s fourth-ever bowl contest.

The Trojans will look to slow the Roadrunners with a defense that ranks eighth in scoring defense (17.5) and is tied for 19th in total defense (325.3). Troy has 39 sacks as it seeks to notch its fifth consecutive bowl win.

The defense features linebacker Carlton Martial, who has 121 tackles and was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and also earned first-team all-conference honors for the fourth time. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Martial holds the FBS all-time record of 563 tackles and also has 10 1/2 sacks, eight forced fumbles and six interceptions in his career.

Offensively, Gunnar Watson has passed for 2,705 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Kimani Vidal is the leading rusher with 1,059 yards and nine scores.

The Trojans’ losses were to Ole Miss (28-10 on Sept. 3) and Appalachian State (32-28 on Sept. 17).

“We’re going to Orlando with the intention of winning a football game, but we’re also going to make sure that our players have a great time and are rewarded for a championship season,” Troy coach Jon Sumrall said.

UTSA’s losses were to Houston (37-35 in triple overtime on Sept. 3) and Texas (41-20) on Sept. 17).

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris (0) runs the ball in the second half against the North Texas Mean Green at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

No. 25 UTSA, No. 24 Troy tangle in Orlando

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UTSA quarterback Frank Harris will return for a seventh season at the school, but his immediate focus is on achieving a program first.

The No. 25 Roadrunners will face No. 24 Troy on Friday in the Cure Bowl at Orlando, Fla., in a matchup of programs with 10-game winning streaks, tied for third nationally behind Georgia (15) and Michigan (13).

The Roadrunners (11-2) control games with their offense while the Trojans (11-2) are sturdy on defense.

Harris was named Conference USA Player of the Year this season by passing for 3,865 yards, 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He thought about his future and decided returning to the school in San Antonio was his best option. He’s hoping to provide the program’s first bowl win this week.

“I’m not going to lie. At first I had no desire to come back,” Harris said. “I’ve been here for a very long time, but I thought about it and prayed about it. It was best for me to play one more season and see how it plays out.”

Harris has passed for 9,158 yards, 73 touchdowns and 21 interceptions during his career. He also has 1,808 yards and 24 scores on the ground.

He’s the prime reason why UTSA ranks 12th nationally in scoring offense (38.7 points per game) and ninth in total offense (486.1 yards per game) entering the program’s fourth-ever bowl contest.

The Trojans will look to slow the Roadrunners with a defense that ranks eighth in scoring defense (17.5) and is tied for 19th in total defense (325.3). Troy has 39 sacks as it seeks to notch its fifth consecutive bowl win.

The defense features linebacker Carlton Martial, who has 121 tackles and was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and also earned first-team all-conference honors for the fourth time. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Martial holds the FBS all-time record of 563 tackles and also has 10 1/2 sacks, eight forced fumbles and six interceptions in his career.

Offensively, Gunnar Watson has passed for 2,705 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Kimani Vidal is the leading rusher with 1,059 yards and nine scores.

The Trojans’ losses were to Ole Miss (28-10 score) and Appalachian State (32-28).

“We’re going to Orlando with the intention of winning a football game, but we’re also going to make sure that our players have a great time and are rewarded for a championship season,” said Troy coach Jon Sumrall.

UTSA’s losses were to Houston (37-35 in triple overtime) and Texas (41-20).

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs the ball during the first half against the Troy Trojans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

No. 21 Ole Miss grounds out win over Troy

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Three Ole Miss players rushed for touchdowns and Zach Evans had 130 yards on the ground as the No. 21 Rebels defeated Troy 28-10 in the season opener for both teams Saturday at Oxford, Miss.

Evans, a transfer from TCU, didn’t find the end zone on any of his 20 carries, but Ulysses Bentley IV, Jonathan Mingo and Quinshon Judkins each had a 2-yard touchdown run and the Rebels defense shut down the Trojans.

USC transfer Jaxson Dart started at quarterback for the Rebels after a preseason battle with Luke Altmyer, though the identity of the starter wasn’t publicly known until Dart took the field. He completed 18 of 27 for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception and ran for 40 yards before Altmyer replaced him in the fourth quarter.

Redshirt junior Gunnar Watson, who was named the Trojans’ starter by first-year coach Jon Sumrall earlier this week, completed 34 of 47 for 275 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Sumrall, a former assistant at Troy and Kentucky, replaced Chip Lindsey, who was fired after three consecutive losing seasons, which included a 5-7 mark last season.

Ole Miss out-rushed Troy 266-60, though the Trojans possessed the ball for nearly 37 minutes.

Dart threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Mississippi State transfer Malik Heath to complete the first possession of the third quarter and give Ole Miss a 28-3 lead.

That lead held up through the end of the period after the Trojans reached the Rebels’ 26-yard line, but Watson lost a fumble when sacked on fourth and 6.

Watson came back to throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to RaJae’ Johnson on fourth and goal midway through the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

Evans’ 46-yard run led to Bentley rushing 2 yards for a touchdown that gave Ole Miss a 7-0 lead with 2:25 left in the first quarter.

Mingo’s touchdown run came early in the second quarter and Judkins’ score gave the Rebels a 21-0 lead midway through the period.

Brooks Buce’s 31-yard field goal as time expired trimmed the lead to 21-3 at halftime.

–Field Level Media