There is life beyond FBS.

[Redding Husky]

I attended a Division II game yesterday. #22 Henderson State University (9-1) at #4 Ouachita Baptist University (10-0) in Arkansas. This is the NCAA’s closest rivalry ... the two schools are right across the street from each other. Their all-time record was 43-43-6 before yesterday.

It was sunny and 55 degrees. The smell of barbecue was everywhere. “Cliff Harris Stadium” (named after the Ouachita alum and former Dallas Cowboy) holds 6,500. The stadium was filled to capacity and they had an extra 1,000 people on the grass hills behind both end zones.

Henderson scored with a minute and a half left, to go up 21-17. Then Ouachita scored with 30 seconds left, to win 24-21. The quality of play was very good, with the exception of a few dropped passes by the Ouachita receivers.

Very few people outside of Arkansas would care about this game. But for the players, students, alums, and administrations, it meant everything. People had fun. For one day, it was refreshing to see college football as it was meant to be.

I’m not suggesting this game has any relevance to UConn. I’m just providing you with my college football experience this weekend.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

D2 football is a huge draw in Arkansas. Somehow I’m not surprised.

 

[mike012]

Uconn +10 vs either of them.

 

[ccsuphanner]

A Life Beyond a Dream.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Traveling for work a few years ago my company had a facility in Pittsburg, Kansas. Ended up attending a Pittsburg State vs Missouri Southern State game. the place was filled. It was a great time. Found out Pittsburg State has a rich football tradition in DII. They use to play a game in Arrowhead every year. I go to a game at Coast Guard every year, its a great place to watch a game!

 

[CCSUBlue92]

I attended a Division II game yesterday. #22 Henderson State University (9-1) at #4 Ouachita Baptist University (10-0) in Arkansas. This is the NCAA’s closest rivalry ... the two schools are right across the street from each other. Their all-time record was 43-43-6 before yesterday.

It was sunny and 55 degrees. The smell of barbecue was everywhere. “Cliff Harris Stadium” (named after the Ouachita alum and former Dallas Cowboy) holds 6,500. The stadium was filled to capacity and they had an extra 1,000 people on the grass hills behind both end zones.

Henderson scored with a minute and a half left, to go up 21-17. Then Ouachita scored with 30 seconds left, to win 24-21. The quality of play was very good, with the exception of a few dropped passes by the Ouachita receivers.

Very few people outside of Arkansas would care about this game. But for the players, students, alums, and administrations, it meant everything. People had fun. For one day, it was refreshing to see college football as it was meant to be.

I’m not suggesting this game has any relevance to UConn. I’m just providing you with my college football experience this weekend.

Similar experience at the Robert Morris at Central game yesterday (except it wasn’t 55 degrees!) Music and tailgating filled the parking lot. Great raucous crowd. Parking $0, tickets $8. Had a blast. There is life outside of FBS.

 

[dvegas]

I attended a Division II game yesterday. #22 Henderson State University (9-1) at #4 Ouachita Baptist University (10-0) in Arkansas. This is the NCAA’s closest rivalry ... the two schools are right across the street from each other. Their all-time record was 43-43-6 before yesterday.

It was sunny and 55 degrees. The smell of barbecue was everywhere. “Cliff Harris Stadium” (named after the Ouachita alum and former Dallas Cowboy) holds 6,500. The stadium was filled to capacity and they had an extra 1,000 people on the grass hills behind both end zones.

Henderson scored with a minute and a half left, to go up 21-17. Then Ouachita scored with 30 seconds left, to win 24-21. The quality of play was very good, with the exception of a few dropped passes by the Ouachita receivers.

Very few people outside of Arkansas would care about this game. But for the players, students, alums, and administrations, it meant everything. People had fun. For one day, it was refreshing to see college football as it was meant to be.

I’m not suggesting this game has any relevance to UConn. I’m just providing you with my college football experience this weekend.

.

Meanwhile, across campus at Henderson State...... Chemistry professors accused of running ‘Breaking Bad’-style meth lab

 

[HuskyHawk]

Traveling for work a few years ago my company had a facility in Pittsburg, Kansas. Ended up attending a Pittsburg State vs Missouri Southern State game. the place was filled. It was a great time. Found out Pittsburg State has a rich football tradition in DII. They use to play a game in Arrowhead every year. I go to a game at Coast Guard every year, its a great place to watch a game!


View attachment 48178

My parents went to Pittsburg State. The Gorillas were a powerhouse program in D2, have four national championships and are the leader in all time wins. Chuck Broyles was a legendary coach. In a fun UConn note, their stadium is known as “The Jungle”. No plans to call it “North”.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Meth is a huge draw in Arkansas. Somehow, it’s not surprising.

 

[CL82]

I attended a Division II game yesterday. #22 Henderson State University (9-1) at #4 Ouachita Baptist University (10-0) in Arkansas. This is the NCAA’s closest rivalry ... the two schools are right across the street from each other. Their all-time record was 43-43-6 before yesterday.

It was sunny and 55 degrees. The smell of barbecue was everywhere. “Cliff Harris Stadium” (named after the Ouachita alum and former Dallas Cowboy) holds 6,500. The stadium was filled to capacity and they had an extra 1,000 people on the grass hills behind both end zones.

Henderson scored with a minute and a half left, to go up 21-17. Then Ouachita scored with 30 seconds left, to win 24-21. The quality of play was very good, with the exception of a few dropped passes by the Ouachita receivers.

Very few people outside of Arkansas would care about this game. But for the players, students, alums, and administrations, it meant everything. People had fun. For one day, it was refreshing to see college football as it was meant to be.

I’m not suggesting this game has any relevance to UConn. I’m just providing you with my college football experience this weekend.

This post makes me sad. It's not a good thing to have to the BY wax poetic about DII.

 

[Redding Husky]

Meth is a huge draw in Arkansas. Somehow, it’s not surprising.

Jerk comment.

 

[Redding Husky]

.

Meanwhile, across campus at Henderson State...... Chemistry professors accused of running ‘Breaking Bad’-style meth lab

Thanks for your contribution. You’re a real asset here.

 

[Redding Husky]

The actual attendance was 8,891. Capacity: 6,500.

 

[Redding Husky]

This post makes me sad. It's not a good thing to have to the BY wax poetic about DII.

Yes, we love and support UConn. But this is a football forum. I like hearing others’ college football experiences.

I’ve seen college football all over the U.S, except for the West Coast. If someone were to post their West Coast game day experience here, it I’d love it.

 

[CL82]

Yes, we love and support UConn. But this is a football forum. I like hearing others’ college football experiences.

I’ve seen college football all over the U.S, except for the West Coast. If someone were to post their West Coast game day experience here, it I’d love it.

It wasn't a serious criticism of your post. Just giving vent to my general concern about the viability of the program at the FBS level.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Pristine fall day! Says so right in the official box score of the game.

5600 or so in a AA baseball stadium.

 

[ZooCougar]

D2 football is a huge draw in Arkansas. Somehow I’m not surprised.

Snark.

 

[LBird33]

When they tailgate on the west coast they don’t grill. They eat these special brownies. LoL

 

[Northbound]

I think there was 45k+ at Met life yesterday for Cortica - Cortland vs Ithaca

Some dope compared that one game to the average attendance for all the P5 and G5 games. Of course he somehow omitted that for every other game its 4-5k maybe in D3.

 

[Padutch5]

I attended a Division II game yesterday. #22 Henderson State University (9-1) at #4 Ouachita Baptist University (10-0) in Arkansas. This is the NCAA’s closest rivalry ... the two schools are right across the street from each other. Their all-time record was 43-43-6 before yesterday.

It was sunny and 55 degrees. The smell of barbecue was everywhere. “Cliff Harris Stadium” (named after the Ouachita alum and former Dallas Cowboy) holds 6,500. The stadium was filled to capacity and they had an extra 1,000 people on the grass hills behind both end zones.

Henderson scored with a minute and a half left, to go up 21-17. Then Ouachita scored with 30 seconds left, to win 24-21. The quality of play was very good, with the exception of a few dropped passes by the Ouachita receivers.

Very few people outside of Arkansas would care about this game. But for the players, students, alums, and administrations, it meant everything. People had fun. For one day, it was refreshing to see college football as it was meant to be.

I’m not suggesting this game has any relevance to UConn. I’m just providing you with my college football experience this weekend.

Actually D2 and D3 games can be more fun. Without the little man with the red armband interrupting the flow of the game, games are actually played at a faster pace Rather than the marathon D1 has become.

 

[Redding Husky]

D2 football is a huge draw in Arkansas. Somehow I’m not surprised.

I guess we're too good to appreciate a good D-2 game. Just like we thought we were too good for AAC football.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Yes, we love and support UConn. But this is a football forum. I like hearing others’ college football experiences.

I’ve seen college football all over the U.S, except for the West Coast. If someone were to post their West Coast game day experience here, it I’d love it.

Best place on the West Coast for me was at U of Washington, Seattle. The Stadium over looks a lake? Tailgating on boats! Maybe the best setting in college football. (Michie is up there too.)

It's been upgraded since this photo was taken.





















The best part of going to any of these places is that you can just go without any emotional ties to the outcomes. Granted you don't get the highs and lows if your team is not participating but its always seems an enjoyable experience. Humboldt State in the Redwoods area was pretty good.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Best place on the West Coast for me was at U of Washington, Seattle. The Stadium over looks a lake? Tailgating on boats! Maybe the best setting in college football. (Michie is up there too.)

View attachment 48216
It's been upgraded since this photo was taken.





















The best part of going to any of these places is that you can just go without any emotional ties to the outcomes. Granted you don't get the highs and lows if your team is not participating but its always seems an enjoyable experience. Humboldt State in the Redwoods area was pretty good.

Wouldn't mind seeing a game there at all.

 

[uconntailgater]

I attended the Williams versus Amherst football game on 9 November. It was a great experience.

 

[Jax Husky]

Wish I had more downvotes for the OP. D2 football for a major state university is embarrassing. Even moreso than 2-10.

Edit: i missed the part about this having no relevance to UConn. Yes, fun can be had at the lower levels, but I don't think that is the path the Huskies should take.