Empty the Call Sheet (Sept. 22)
Empty the Call Sheet (Sept. 22)
Yogi's weekly Sunday newsletter written each week on the plane home from his game
Hello from the air late on a Saturday night!
I always wondered what it would feel like to call a game in the Big Noon Kickoff window and this past weekend that became a reality, as our crew was in Indiana to call a 9am PST game. Head Coach Curt Cignetti’s team dominated their opponent for the 4th straight week as they rolled the Charlotte 49ers out of the AAC 52-14, behind Kurtis Rourke’s 16-20 passing with 1 TD in the air and another score with his legs.
Waking up at 3am PST was a first for me on a game day, but walking out of the broadcast booth with an entire day of football in front of me was an experience I’ll always remember, and likely get again this fall. Furthermore, it’s been such a blast to see other areas in the nation when it comes to college football and fortunately, we had the ultimate guide in Bloomington with Rhett Lewis, our sideline analyst and former IU wideout.
It was also a Pitt reunion, as Coach Cignetti has Pittsburgh roots while the braintrust of the Hoosiers offense, Co-OC/QB Coach Tino Sunseri and OC/WR coach Mike Shanahan, also doubled as Pitt’s QB and WR in 2008-12. I absolutely love watching their success and will always be pulling for Pitt guys. In addition, the Panthers are seeking a new athletic director. My vote goes to Chris LaSala, a longtime associate AD at Pitt and someone who truly bleeds blue and gold.
As I hopped on my flight back home, I was gifted with American Airlines having Live TV so was able to catch the final quarter of USC and Michigan, along with LSU’s gritty win over UCLA and Utah’s defensive dominance in their Big-12 debut with a freshman QB subbing in for 7th-year senior Cam Rising for the 2nd straight week.
Flight number two back to LA allowed for me to watch the rest of the West Coast games in real time and I’m thankful to my seatmate for also leaning into the multiple screens we had going and being ok with my caffeinated cheering and analysis from 30,000 feet.
With that said, here are my thoughts as we complete Week 4 in college football from Indianapolis to Dallas to Los Angeles.
It all began Friday night, or shall I say into Saturday morning on the east coast. I’ve always loved Friday night games but when on the east coast I was easily rooting for both Stanford and WSU to have multiple score leads in the second half so I could get to bed, but no such luck this weekend. Fortunately for Troy Taylor and Jake Dickert their teams won, albeit in different styles, but had the similar theme of ‘grit.’
The relative founder of that word, Angela Duckworth, has described grit as “passion and perseverance” and I’ve learned from legendary coach Pete Carroll that grit is something that can be taught and learned. After a 3-win performance last season, this Cardinal team has grown tremendously when it comes to grit. Elic Ayomanor continues to prove that his growth at wideout will have NFL scouts drooling this coming off-season. His body type, natural strength and body control were on full display late in the game as the Cardinal called on him when they needed a play. His 4th & 9 conversion down the left sideline from QB Ashton Daniels allowed Stanford to set up the game-winning field goal on the road, or shall I say on the opposite coast. It was noticeable that their sideline was full of passion that fueled this team when their backs were against the wall. Keep an eye on Stanford’s offense as this year progresses. They visit Clemson this weekend in a game that makes zero sense as a ‘conference’ game.
The Cougs returned home with the Apple Cup in hand and a ton of hype. Jim Thornby and I previewed their game against San Jose State on our most recent podcast and highlighted the former WSU QB Emmett Brown, as well as the offense led by Craig Stutzmann. Ken Niumatalolo’s team gave the Cougs everything they could handle in a 54-52 double OT thriller. The Cougs could have folded, down 2 scores in the 4th quarter but they persevered in so many ways. 3 things stood out: 1. After the final play where Brown was sacked numerous Cougs raced to console him in a way I’d never seen in the transfer portal era. Worth a watch. 2. Washington State is going to get everyone’s best the rest of the way – get used to it. 3. J.B. Long continues to thrive as a play-by-play broadcaster, meeting the moment numerous times in a back and forth game.
If you’re curious about your own GRIT score, check out this test our by Angela Duckworth.
The B1G era kicked off for Lincoln Riley’s USC team and while I was talking ‘relatively’ loud on the plane during the 4th down play that won the game for Sherrone Moore’s team, I’m reminded that for the USC Trojans, this is still a foundational year and this foundation is solid. Even in a loss, it’s clear that the Trojans have improved in so many ways on defense, but the difference between championship football and contending football is razor thin. I think this loss is a great lesson for the Trojans moving forward and still believe they are a threat in the top 1/3 of the Big Ten. My areas of concern are the offensive tackles, as USC struggled protecting Miller Moss and when you imagine USC playing the top teams in the nation you have to ask yourself, ‘can they protect all game long?’
Miller Moss under pressure all game in a loss to Michigan in the Big House (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Image) The Wolverines needed this win at home, but need to find some semblance of a passing game if they want to return to the CFP. 32 passing yards are not going to do it, but everyone knows that and that is what makes this game so unique – each week a new storyline will emerge, as well as a new challenge. To fans who want to make a final judgement on the USC offensive line or the Michigan QB room, I’d just remind everyone that we are only a month into the season, the longest season in college football history, and teams evolve. These two will only improve.
Speaking of judgement, the Utah Utes confirmed the media’s thoughts that they are the team to beat in the Big-12. Behind their freshman quarterback Issac Wilson and a career-high 182 yards on the ground from Micah Bernard, the Utes beat Oklahoma State 22-19 in Stillwater. Wilson made plays when he needed to but it was the defense that made Stillwater feel like Sack Lake City. They held Mike Gundy’s offense to 48 yards rushing and proved that the Utes are as real as we all anticipated. Kyle Whittingham’s squad has Arizona, who is coming off a bye week, coming to town next and will have to rise up again on defense against Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan.
While Cal Twitter thrived all week, the pass protection did not on Saturday night in Tallahassee. It felt like the Bears were running the ball down the field for another epic finish for Justin Wilcox’s squad but a lack of protecting the edge rushers from Mike Norvell’s team ended any shot of the Bears hosting Miami undefeated in two weeks. The Bears gave up 7 sacks, their most since 2019, forcing them to settle for field goal attempts all game (making 3 of 5). They need to find a way to protect the edges before Mario Cristobal and Top 10 Miami rolls into Berkeley after they bye.
UCLA was going blow for blow with LSU for the first half, but struggled to find the same consistency in the second half in the run game. The Bruins continue a brutal stretch with Oregon visiting the Rose Bowl on Saturday night and will have to play a complete game to beat the Ducks. The Bruins continue to improve in my eyes and it needs to be said that this team is in Year 1 under DeShaun Foster in a new offensive system, while playing one of the most challenging schedules on the West Coast.
Jedd Fisch’s Washington Huskies got their first ever Big Ten victory with an emphatic 24-5 win over Northwestern. Will Rogers tossed 2 first half TDs and the UW defense was dominant, holding Northwestern to 2-13 on 3rd down and only 112 total yards. They head to 3-0 Rutgers on Friday night, a winnable game against a very physical Greg Schiano team. If they can pull out a victory, they will have solid momentum into their National Championship rematch with Michigan on Montlake and Husky Stadium will rock like it during their memorable run last season. And how about a game ball for Jeff Bechtold, he worked his 300th consecutive game, a modern day Cal Ripken Jr.!
ASU lost their first game of the season, on the road at Texas Tech, in a game that was winnable for Kenny Dillingham’s team. Digging themselves a 14-0 hole in the 1st quarter but outscoring the Red Raiders the rest of the way. If we could have mic’d up former ASU TE and current Texas Tech tight end Jalin Conyers, it would have been gold.
Baylor’s Dominic Richardson fumbles on the final play in loss to Colorado (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) Speaking of mic’d up, safe to say the internet will be full of Colorado content all week after their wild win in OT over Baylor. Kudos to Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich, two friends who were on the FOX broadcast Saturday night in Boulder. Another game ball goes to their producer. He ran the replay of the Hail Mary from 1994 when the Buffaloes beat Michigan on a 64-yard TD from Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook and the very next snap the 2024 Buffs completed another Hail Mary to send the game to overtime. Do yourself a favor and watch the final minute of this one, and OT. Coach Prime’s post game interview is a must see, obviously.
And a big Happy Birthday to Josh Ishoo, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs in the Pac-12. A great father, husband and supporter of Y-Option. Hope you had a great one!
Speaking of birthdays, I turned 43 over the weekend and a few years ago my family and I began a tradition that whenever it is someone's birthday that individual has to state 3 things that were memorable from the past calendar year and 3 things they are looking forward to over the next 365 days.
From the past year 3 things that stand out when it comes to football are:
Launching Y-Option and creating this community of thoughtful football fans who seek to discuss this great game through the lens of the West Coast. So thank you, it’s been a massive undertaking but one that I’m extremely proud of.
Calling games each Saturday in new venues for the Big Ten Network. I grew up in the Big Ten country and it’s been a blast to see college football from the lens of the midwest and east coast alongside Guy Haberman and Rhett Lewis.
Coaching our oldest son's flag football team. I never thought I’d want to coach his teams but it was an absolute blast last year. The practices, the games, the prep, the play calling, the losing – all of it. But mostly it was just the time with him in this environment. So while the fall is hectic, I decided to run it back with Year 2 coaching his team. We start practice this week, so please send in your top plays and wish us luck. And Bruce Feldman, get ready for more conference calls as you are my youth flag guru!
3 things I’m looking forward to after turning 43:
Time with my family. When you read this newsletter Sunday morning, my wife Amy and our 2 sons will be on the beach in Venice surfing, a tradition each birthday that I cherish in massive ways. More time please and time, can you please also slow down?!
Growing as a parent. Our kids are always teaching us and I’m competing to make sure I’m learning how they think and trying to stay a half step ahead of them. Currently I’m reading a fascinating book titled The Anxious Generation. Any recommendations on must reads and lessons learned hit us up on social media.
Fitness and Travel: ok, that’s 2 but in this new job I’ve found myself up earlier and often up later than I’d like. To navigate that, I’m trying to work out and meditate 4-5 times per week. I’ve found that meditation has been huge amid change and natural stressors in my life. And if you know me at all, you know I love to travel, so we are currently exploring our options for the summer of 2025. The short list thus far: Japan, Austria and of course Paris. Go Musketeers!
That’s it from the air in Week 4, hope you enjoyed!
Much love,
Yogi
Wazzu had a crazy game, but each magical season tends to have games like this. Hopefully it is a good sign that SJSU gave WSU everything they could handle and Wazzu came out on top. Now on to Boise State in a big game (wow, that is weird to say). Go Cougs!
It doesn't make me happy to say this...but... USC's O-Line probably won't get much better under Coach Josh Henson. There's a reason recruits don't want to play for him.
As far as Lincoln Riley --- he's as talented as they come at putting drives together... but he needs to be working for a Head Coach who understands the ebb & flow of the game. Close losses ---Michigan, Tulane, Utah ---- are getting old.