Regular readers here know your OCD scribe is a tried and true bronconagurskian.

We (Royal) pray at the altar of that former pigskin great. At least until his image is replaced in my prayer corner with James Naismith’s. But, hey, the calendar’s just turned autumnal, humiditure notwithstanding,  so I’m still locked in on all matters gridiron.

Speaking of said deity — Mr. Nagurski —  did you know he threw a TD pass in what is generally regarded as the progenitor of the NFL’s first title game. That said score came in the hands of the Galloping Ghost? (Another deity for sure, with a top shelf nickname.) And that said score came in a game played indoors on a shortened, narrowed field because of a massive snow storm?

Well, frankly, neither did yours truly.

Until I read of same in what is a must read for anybody with even the slightest obsession with football.

Sportswriter emeritus Joe Posnanski’s just released “Why We Love Football: A History in 100 Moments.”

Posnanski is surely my current favorite national sports scribe. He’s got a blog on Substack. Which is mainly baseball, truth be told, but he loves football and interestingly tennis.

He’s a great writer. A marvelous storyteller. An incisive investigator. A teller who fills context with fantastic peripheral stories.

Actually that info about Nagurski and Red Grange and the Bears encounter with the New York Football Giants is not even the main focus of Moment #93 in the book. Which is football’s first trick play.

Which I have no intention of ruining for you.

This book is a treasure for those of us who love America’s favorite sport.

Plus, it’s full of short paragraphs. Ten minute reads. Perfect for, you know, the Throne Room. Or less indelicately, to cherish during a quick lunch stop for a sub at Danny DeVito’s favorite place.

 * * * * *

Fascinating article last week at theathletic.com about how Harrisonburg Va’s James Madison University has morphed in the last half century from being an all female school — as it was when I matriculated down the road in the early 60s — to a school with 20,000+ enrollment and a rising power in college sports.

(Remember where you read it first. Should somehow Clemson and Florida State get their wish and are able to jump the ACC ship, the Dukes will be a future member.)

As for now, at least Saturday, there’s this.

James Madison 70, North Carolina 50.

In football.

In Chapel Hill.

I happen to surf over for a look see. The Dukes were up 32-21. With 10:20 still to play in the 2d Q.

So it went. Every time I checked in there were more tallies on the board. The victors had grilled a fiftyburger by haltime.

Not a lot o’ D bein’ played either way.

After the game, He Who Has Skyrocketed to the Top of the Dead Man Walking List, Tar Heel coach Mack Brown told his locker room he would “walk away and step down if he was the problem.”

As of 48 hours later, Brown does not appear to be a man of his words.

When he should be singing “It’s all over now, Baby Blue.”

Oh yeah, for context, two weeks ago, the Dukes steamrolled Gardner Webb to the sonata of 13-6.

What should also be remembered about James Madison: At least a dozen or so of the stars from last season’s 11-2 Dukes have traded in their purple jerseys for the crimson ones in Bloomington.

 * * * * *

JM Atherton High School Rebels 49, Holy Cross HS Cougars 26.

 * * * * *

We love creative names, right?

Used to see All Name Teams, but it’s been awhile.

Anyway, there’s a DB at Fresno State, who is pretty good. Got a pick on Saturday.

Al’zillion Hamilton.

Actually there was a dude on Georgia Tech’s DL who registered 3 takedowns.

Trenilyas Tatum.

 * * * * *

Rare do I pass up the opportunity to diss that Colorado situation. Yes, I appreciate a fella who can turn his self aggrandizing personality into a thing. But enough spotlight on Sanders, OK? I’m primed out.

That said, did you see the Hail Mary with zeros on the clock to send the battle with Baylor to OT?

Pretty cool.

As for the only player in the land who would be a legit Heisman winner: Travis Hunter had 7 catches, made three tackles with a few breakups. And forced the game winning fumble in OT.

 * * * * *

Speaking of announcers in the booth, is there some reason the likes of Devin Gardner, Orlando Franklin and Dan Mullen feel the need to scream into their microphones?

Just pass along your deep wisdom and observations with a modicum of calm. Please.

— c d kaplan