Tag: homecoming

Florida football announces 2024 homecoming game date, opponent

Here’s when and who the Gators are playing their homecoming game against this year.

The University of Florida football program announced on Wednesday that it will host the Kentucky Wildcats this year inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, for the annual homecoming game.

The last time the Gators took on the ‘Cats in front of a homecoming crowd was in 2008 — a game in which the Orange and Blue throttled the visitors, 63-5. The tables have turned in recent history, however, as Kentucky has taken the last three matchups, including a 26-16 victory in Gainesville during the 2022 campaign.

The Wildcats also won in the Swamp in 2018, 27-16, in a game that snapped Florida’s epic 31-game winning streak.

Last season, Billy Napier and Co. prevailed over the Vanderbilt Commodores, 38-14, to earn their fifth-straight homecoming game victory. Florida has amassed a 72-26-2 all-time record in homecoming games, which includes a 30-5 tally since 1989.

The Gators kick off the 2024 schedule on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Swamp against the visiting Miami Hurricanes. The starting time has yet to be announced.

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Razorback football sets dates for spring practice, Homecoming

Razorbacks football program announces key dates for the spring and fall.

The Arkansas football team will kick off spring practices on March 7, and are slated to hold the annual Red-White spring game on April 13, the program announced Wednesday.

The Razorbacks will hold the NCAA-allowed 12 practices leading up to the spring finale inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. That weekend will also serve as a memorial for legendary Arkansas athletic trainer Dean Weber, who passed away on Feb. 13.

The A Club will hold its annual spring reunion the day of the Red-White game, which is held to welcome back all former Razorback student-athletes. Following the game, Weber’s celebration of life will take place inside Bud Walton Arena at 4 p.m. For more information on the A Club or the reunion, contact the Razorback Foundation at (479) 443-9000.

With Head Coach Sam Pittman entering his fifth year at the helm, the Razorbacks will open up the regular season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Little Rock on Aug. 31. The Fayetteville home-opener will be held on Sept. 14, as Alabama-Birmingham comes to town. The UAB game will also serve as part of the University’s Family Weekend, when this year’s U of A Hall of Honor inductees will also be recognized.

More details about Family Weekend will be updated at family.uark.edu as they are made available.

The Hogs will host LSU for Homecoming on Oct. 19, which will be the earliest the two schools have ever played inside the state of Arkansas. The Arkansas Alumni Association will host a number of Homecoming activities throughout the week, leading up to Saturday’s game. Additional details will be available at homecoming.uark.edu.

Arkansas will honor the United States Armed Services during the home finale on Nov. 23, against Louisiana Tech. It will also be Senior Day to honor the senior class of Hogs.

Jaguars not wearing throwback uniforms for ‘homecoming’ game vs. 49ers

No, that retro logo on the Jaguars’ scoreboards Sunday wasn’t teasing that throwback uniforms are coming in Week 10.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won’t be wearing throwback uniforms during a home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

On Sunday, the scoreboards at EverBank Stadium teased the Week 10 “homecoming” game with retro logos for the 49ers and Jaguars.

The promo had many excited about the idea that the Jaguars could be wearing uniforms or helmets from sometime before the team changed its logo to its current one in 2013. Paul Lukas of UniWatch reached out to the Jaguars to ask if that’s the case and was told it isn’t.

“Our 49ers game is also Legends Weekend, hence the retro logo,” a Jaguars spokesperson told Lukas. “We will not be wearing throwback uniforms for that game. We’ll be welcoming back alumni from the last 29 seasons.”

The Jaguars have made several uniform changes in their history, most recently dropping their two-toned helmets for their current look in 2018. With NFL teams eligible to change their uniform after five years, many fans have hoped Jacksonville would return to its uniform design from the 1990s and the majority of the 2000s.

At the very least, many fans hoped the Jaguars would take advantage of the NFL’s relaxed rules regarding alternate uniforms and helmets. But it would’ve been surprising if Jacksonville wore throwbacks during the 2023 season after not unveiling the look during the offseason like most other teams.

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PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s homecoming parade on Friday

Here is a look at a series of photos from the parade held for Florida’s 2023 homecoming, which traveled through the streets of Hogtown.

The University of Florida continued its rich tradition on Friday with the annual homecoming game parade in downtown Gainesville to kick off the weekend festivities.

This year, the Vanderbilt Commodores — who have often served as the sacrificial lamb — come to town for the Oct. 7 showdown in the Swamp. Last season, it was the Missouri Tigers who opposed the Gators and came away with a 24-17 loss. In 2021, Vandy was also the punching bag, getting throttled 42-0 inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Below is a look at a series of photos from the parade held for Florida’s 2023 homecoming, which traveled through the streets of Hogtown amidst a throng of cheering fans.

Rutgers football will host Michigan State for Homecoming

Rutgers football will host Michigan State for their annual Homecoming game.

The annual Homecoming game for Rutgers football will be against Michigan State.

An announcement made on Tuesday morning by Rutgers Athletic Communications tipped Oct. 14 as the Homecoming game.

Last season’s Homecoming was a 24-17 win over Indiana. Down 14-0 after the end of the first quarter, Rutgers rattled off 24 straight points to secure their first Big Ten win of the season.

Samuel Brown, a true freshman, had a breakout game, running for 104 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

The announced attendance at SHI Stadium was 43,255.

That win lifted Rutgers’ record at the time to 4-3 and snapped a three-game losing streak in Big Ten play. Here is the complete Rutgers football home schedule for 2023:

2023 Rutgers Football Home Schedule  

  • Sept. 2 vs. Northwestern  
  • Sept. 9 vs. Temple  
  • Sept. 16 vs. Virginia Tech  
  • Sept. 30 vs. Wagner  
  • Oct. 14 vs. Michigan State (Homecoming)  
  • Nov. 4 vs. Ohio State  
  • Nov. 25 vs. Maryland  

This will be the fourth meeting between Rutgers and Michigan State since Greg Schiano returned to the Scarlet Knights three years ago.

In his first game back with Rutgers, Schiano beat Michigan State on the road, a 38-27 win. Rutgers narrowly lost 27-21 at Michigan State last season.

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Tennessee football’s 2023 homecoming game announced

Tennessee football’s 2023 homecoming game and date have been announced.

Tennessee announced its 2023 homecoming game will take place Nov. 4.

The homecoming contest will represent Tennessee’s first meeting against UConn.

The Vols will kick off its third season under head coach Josh Heupel on Sept. 2 against Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Tennessee went 11-2 (6-2 SEC) last season with its only losses coming to South Carolina and two-time defending national champion Georgia.

Tennessee ended its 2022 campaign by defeating ACC champion Clemson (11-3, 8-0 ACC), 31-14, in the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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The Vols concluded spring practices April 15 with their annual Orange & White Game.

Tennessee football: A look at 2023 way-too-early game-by-game predictions

Florida football announces 2023 Homecoming weekend

Start making your Homecoming plans, Florida fans. The game will be played on October 7, with a 2022 SEC East rematch scheduled for the annual game.

The Florida Gators football program announced Tuesday that the Vanderbilt Commodores will be the 2023 Homecoming opponent. This means that the university’s homecoming weekend will take place the weekend of Oct. 7.

First celebrated in 1916, the weekend consists of multiple activities, including the Homecoming Parade, the Gator Growl music festival, the Homecoming Pagent, Soulfest and much more. The numbers look to be in the Gators’ favor, as the football program is 71-26-2 all-time on homecoming weekend. They are an impressive 29-5 since 1989 and are coming off a 24-17 win over Missouri in last year’s homecoming game.

The weekend will culminate with the Gators’ seeking revenge after Vanderbilt beat the Orange and Blue, 31-24, in Nashville last season. If last year was any indication, the Commodores are not a team to take lightly. Since 1992, when the two programs began to play every season, the Gators have lost just twice to Vanderbilt, in 2013 and 2022. Despite that, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea believes his team has what it takes to turn the program around.

For most programs, a 5-7 record in a coach’s second season would not be cause for celebration. But for Lea’s Commodores, that record is a significant improvement from their recent history. Since posting back-to-back nine-win seasons under now-Penn State coach James Franklin in 2012 and 2013, Vanderbilt has made just two bowl games, losing them both. They went 0-9 in the 2020 shortened season and their victory over Kentucky last season snapped a 26-game SEC losing streak.

In addition to hosting Vanderbilt on October 7, the Gators have five other home games in 2023: McNeese (Sept. 9), Tennessee (Sept. 16), Charlotte (Sept. 23), Arkansas (Nov. 6), and Florida State (Nov. 25). They open the season on Thursday, August 31 in a rematch of last year’s opener against the Utah Utes, this time in Salt Lake City.

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Chiefs RG Trey Smith set to receive warm homecoming after Super Bowl LVII win

#Chiefs RG Trey Smith will be honored with a “Trey Day” homecoming in his hometown of Jackson, Tennessee on March 3rd.

Weeks after the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVI win, their players are celebrating their monumental achievement. Standout offensive lineman Trey Smith took to Twitter to announce “Trey Day” in his hometown of Jackson, Tennessee, where his part in the Chiefs’ big win will be commemorated on Friday, March 3rd.

One of several Super Bowl champions to hail from the town of nearly 70,000 in western Tennessee, Smith joins the likes of Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones, Trey Teague, and Jabari Greer, as the latest in a long line of top-tier football players to come from the Madison County seat.

The official “Trey Day” events will take place at 4:00 p.m. local time at city hall in Jackson, where Smith will be formally honored for his accomplishments with the Chiefs this season. The affair is set to be live-streamed on Facebook for fans near and far who will not be able to attend in person. It will feature the town’s mayor, Scott Conger, along with head football coach, Nick Stamper, from Smith’s alma mater at The University School of Jackson.

Clearly, Smith is seen as something of a legend among legends in his humble hometown. This well-deserved honor was earned through grit and determination that has come to define his NFL career so far in Kansas City.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes excited for Texas homecoming in Week 15

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will play his first NFL game in his home state of Texas in Week 15.

Most of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ football-playing career has occurred in the state of Texas. From playing for the Whitehouse High School Wildcats to his three seasons with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the state of Texas is where Mahomes cut his teeth and fell in love with the game of football.

A shocking revelation is that in his fifth season as a starter, Mahomes still hasn’t returned to Texas to play an NFL game in his home state. That will all change this week when the Chiefs travel to face the Houston Texans.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mahomes expressed his excitement over his Texas return. He also said that he has some extra people coming in to see him play in Week 15.

“Yeah, I have a couple of extra people coming, but it’s the first time playing in state of Texas (in the NFL),” Mahomes said. “I went to the Cowboys stadium my first year when we played down there and didn’t get to play, but to get down to Houston it’s like a three-hour trip – three-and-a-half-hour trip from Tyler, Texas. I’m sure there will be more people that I know that are coming down to watch the game. It’ll be cool to kind of see some people and they’ll get to see me play in my home state, for sure.”

The last time Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes played in the Texans’ NRG Stadium, he was a Sophomore at Texas Tech, playing in his first career bowl game. His opponent — the LSU Tigers. The game went about as you’d expect with an SEC team beating up on a lesser opponent, but Mahomes went absolutely nuclear during the game. He was running for his life on practically every play, but he completed 28 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception.

The circumstances surrounding this upcoming game are reversed from the Texas Bowl, with a successful Chiefs team coming to town to play a hapless Texans team. Rest assured after his three-interception performance in Week 14 against the Broncos, Mahomes plans to have a sharp performance in front of friends and family.

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TCI Game Day: Syracuse at Clemson

Clemson, S.C. – It is Game Day in Death Valley where the Tigers look to win an Atlantic Division showdown with Syracuse and extend the home win streak to 38 games. Clemson hopes to continue the march to the College Football Playoff. Location: …

Clemson, S.C. — It is Game Day in Death Valley where the Tigers look to win an Atlantic Division showdown with Syracuse and extend the home win streak to 38 games.

Clemson hopes to continue the march to the College Football Playoff.

Location: Memorial Stadium (Death Valley)

Kickoff: 12:00 PM

Television: ABC

Announcers:  Todd Blackledge, Sean McDonough, Molly McGrath

2022 Record: Clemson 7-0,  Syracuse 6-0

ACC Record: Clemson 5-0, Syracuse 3-0

Series History: Clemson leads the series 8-2

Last Meeting:  Clemson won 17-14 on October 15, 2021

CLEMSON, SYRACUSE PREPARE FOR BATTLE OF UNDEFEATEDS SATURDAY

For the first time in the 81-season history of Memorial Stadium, Clemson will host a matchup of two undefeated teams with records of 6-0 or better when the No. 5 Tigers (7-0) host the No. 14 Syracuse Orange (6-0) on
Saturday, Oct. 22. After three straight weeks in the ABC prime-time window, kickoff on ABC at Death Valley this Saturday is set for noon ET.

Clemson is in search of its fifth victory this season against teams that enter games with no losses, including wins against 0-0 Georgia Tech, 1-0 Furman, 3-0 Wake Forest and 4-0 NC State. The 2022 squad would join national championship squads from 2016 and 2018 as the only teams in school history to earn at least five wins against teams with no losses and no ties. Clemson
was 5-0 against undefeated teams in 2016 (0-0 Auburn, 1-0 Troy, 3-0 Georgia Tech, 4-0 Louisville and 14-0 Alabama) and 7-0 against undefeated teams in 2018 (0-0 Furman, 1-0 Texas A&M, 2-0 Georgia Southern, 4-0 Syracuse, 5-0 NC State, 12-0 Notre Dame and 14-0 Alabama).

As Clemson University welcomes its alumni home this weekend, the game will also serve as a Homecoming for the Tigers, as the team will play its first home game following back-to-back ACC road contests over the last two weeks. The game will feature a bit of a scheduling anomaly, as Clemson has already completed its road conference schedule while Saturday’s contest will
represent Syracuse’s first ACC road game this season.  Clemson’s 4-0 road record in ACC play marked its seventh perfect road record in conference play since the ACC was founded in 1953, joining the 1981, 1995, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 campaigns.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

– Clemson (13) attempting to extend the nation’s longest active winning streak.
– Clemson attempting to take sole possession of the fourth-longest winning streak in Clemson history.

– Clemson attempting to open a season 8-0 for the ninth time in program history (1948, 1981, 2000, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019). Five of Clemson’s last seven teams to start 8-0 went on to play for the national
championship (1981, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019).
– Clemson attempting to improve to 9-2 all-time against Syracuse.
– Clemson attempting to win a fifth straight game against Syracuse to surpass the longest streak by either team in series history (four by Clemson from 2013-16).
– Clemson attempting to remain undefeated at home against Syracuse all-time. A win would improve Clemson to 5-0 all-time against Syracuse at Memorial Stadium.
– Clemson entering the game having been ranked in the Top 25 of at least one major poll in every all-time contest against Syracuse, including a Top 5 ranking in eight of the teams’ 10 all-time matchups (including Saturday).
– Clemson facing a ranked Syracuse squad for the first time in series history.
– Death Valley hosting its first matchup of two undefeated teams 6-0 or better in the facility’s 81-year history.
– Clemson attempting to improve to 6-1 at Death Valley all-time in games between teams with perfect records of 4-0 or better. Clemson earned one such win earlier in the year against NC State. The last time Clemson won two
such games in a season was in 2018, when Clemson defeated undefeated Syracuse and NC State teams at home.
– Clemson attempting to beat a team with no losses for the fifth time this season. The 2022 squad would join Clemson national championship squads from 2016 (five) and 2018 (seven) as the only teams in school history to
earn at least five wins against teams with no losses and no ties.
– Clemson hosting the 15th matchup of AP Top 15 teams in Death Valley history. A win would improve Clemson to 10-5 in those matchups and would be the Tigers seventh straight win in AP Top 15 games at home dating to Clemson’s 2015 win against Notre Dame.
– Clemson attempting to improve to 27-7 against AP Top 25 teams since 2015. Clemson’s current 26 wins against AP Top 25 teams are the fourth-most in the country in that span.

SERIES HISTORY VS. SYRACUSE

Saturday will represent the 11th meeting between Clemson and Syracuse all-time and the 10th in regular season play.

The Orange won the first meeting at the 1996 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville following the 1995 season by a 41-0 score. Clemson was ranked 23rd entering the game and was coming off a five-game winning streak to close the season. Syracuse was unranked going into the game but jumped to 17th in the final USA Today poll with the win quarterbacked by Donovan McNabb.

Clemson has won eight of nine meetings since Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013. The Tigers had won four in a row by at least double digits before Syracuse ended the streak with a 27-24 Friday night win over the Tigers at Syracuse in 2017.

The teams’ meeting in 2021 marked the first contest between the two programs all-time in which Clemson was not ranked in the AP Top 25. However, Clemson was No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll ranking that game
to continue its streak of ranking in the Top 25 of at least one major poll in every game of its all-time series with the Orange.

WELCOME TO HOMECOMING

Saturday will be Clemson’s Homecoming, an event that has historically included a Clemson victory 78 percent of the time since the first celebration in 1922.  Clemson has an overall record of 74-20-3 in its previous 97 Homecoming games. That includes a 44-4-2 record (.900) in Homecoming games since the 1971 season.

The first Homecoming game at Clemson was in 1922, a 21-0 loss to Centre that kicked off an 0-4-1 stretch through Clemson’s first five Homecoming games. Clemson defeated Auburn in 1927 by a 3-0 score for its
first Homecoming victory.

There is no record of a Homecoming game in 1930 or 1938, but the event was held in conjunction with a football game in 81 straight seasons from 1939-2019, even through the war years. That streak concluded in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic precluded Clemson from formally hosting the annual event.

Clemson has just four losses on Homecoming since 1971. Georgia Tech upset 14th-ranked Clemson, 30-14, in Danny Ford’s final year as Clemson head coach in 1989. That was the last loss for Ford as Clemson’s head coach and the only time he lost a Homecoming game in 11 years as the head coach. Georgia Tech went on to a 7-4 season in 1989, then won a share of the National Championship the following year.

Clemson’s other three losses on Homecoming since 1971 took place in 1997 to Virginia, in 2001 to North Carolina and in 2010 to Miami. Clemson enters this year on a 10-game Homecoming winning streak.

Dabo Swinney is 12-1 on Homecoming in his head coaching career. That includes the 2008 season when Clemson defeated Duke on Homecoming during his interim head coaching stint.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 49, Syracuse 10

Davis – Clemson 27, Syracuse 17