College football has made its triumphant return for 2023, as have the petty moments that help define what makes the sport so fun.
This week, we got plenty of petty mayhem from our first big slate of college football games. While there were plenty of things to celebrate, there were also plenty of things to laugh at because that’s how this sport works.
Whether it was Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney getting bounced at Duke or Utah having some fun with a Florida player’s stadium insult, we’ve got plenty of pettiness to survey.
If you want stadium seating controversies and press conference tensions, check out these five petty college football moments from Week 1.
1
Duke sent Dabo on a long walk
Duke’s stunning 28-7 upset of No. 9 Clemson on Monday came with savage insult to injury for Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney.
After the Clemson coach complained about the supposed long walk it takes to get back to the visiting locker room at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium, the football team decided to put some children’s bounce houses in Clemson’s locker room path.
After Dabo mocked the long walk from the visiting locker rooms to the field here at Wallace Wade, it appears that Duke put a bunch of children’s bounce houses in Clemson’s path pic.twitter.com/nEPUQqTacW
— Shawn Krest (@ShawnKrest) September 4, 2023
Duke also clapped back at Swinney after the team completed a second-half shutout of Clemson’s offense.
Must’ve been the long walk 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/eTHmxyQhUT
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) September 5, 2023
Ouch. Swinney will probably think next time before complaining about something so simple.
2
FSU's Keon Coleman steamrolls LSU
After Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman had to clarify that his team’s win over LSU on Sunday didn’t take on any added meaning because of his recruiting process, he still had plenty of fun messing with the Tigers on the field.
The wideout scored three touchdowns on LSU’s defense, including one where he pointed to the end zone for a deep ball to call his shot and proceeded to score on the next play.
Keon Coleman is cold blooded. Called for the deep shot right in front of LSU’s bench. Said meet you in the end zone. 🥶
9-122-3 receiving line and the numbers don’t quite do it justice. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ltHuyrZIK3
— Justin Hulsey (@FF_Hulsey) September 4, 2023
Coleman also got to lay a sledgehammer to a rock with the LSU logo on it in a NSFW video.
Keon Coleman breaks the rock as #FSU destroys No. 5 LSU largely thanks to his 3 TD performancehttps://t.co/N22YXdcQEO for a TON of coverage pic.twitter.com/FsqV2FHCu2
— Zach Blostein (@ZBlostein247) September 4, 2023
While Coleman might be all good with LSU despite the misunderstanding, he sure let LSU have it in the pettiest way possible on game day.
3
Deion Sanders goes after alleged "bull junk" in postgame presser
Colorado’s statement win over then-ranked TCU on Saturday brought out the heel in coach Deion Sanders as he trolled a reporter in the post-game press conference for what Sanders alleged was “bull junk” written about his team.
While it’s certainly not a reporter’s job to hype up a program, it’s also probably smart for all reporters to remember that Sanders is playing a part in the press setting, and that part will likely inspire him to choose pettiness.
“Do you believe now? I read through that bull junk you wrote.”
Deion Sanders pulled the receipts for a reporter in his post game press conference 👀 pic.twitter.com/ueMgrXoau4
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 2, 2023
4
Alabama gets revenge on Texas
For this year’s Alabama-Texas game in Tuscaloosa, the Longhorn contingent will be shuttered to the nosebleeds.
It’s a very petty move after Texas did the same to Alabama’s band last year, which inspired the Crimson Tide outfit to stay home. Well, Alabama has taken advantage of not having to issue a set number of tickets to Texas since it’s technically not in the SEC yet.
If Texas fans want to get in on the allotted tickets, they’ll all be in the upper deck at Bryant-Denny Stadium. That includes seats for the Texas band.
Cue sad horn from The Price Is Right.
A year ago, Alabama didn't send its band to Austin for the Texas game because it would be sat in the upper deck.
This year, Alabama will be returning the favor. Upper deck tickets only for Texas fans/band. Gotta love college football: https://t.co/sPL0VXx35b
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) September 4, 2023
5
Don't mess with Lil Ah Stadium
Ahead of Florida’s Thursday bout with Utah, Gators defensive end Princely Umanmielen got a slice of humble pie from the Beehive State when he dubbed Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium as “Lil Ah Stadium.”
Well, the Utes bulldozed Florida with a 24-11 win, and Utah’s social media team poked some fun at Umanmielen’s post with their own message: “Lil Ah Dub.” Petty!
Florida's Princely Umanmielen got hit with the uno reverse after Utah beat the Gators 24-11 last night 🤭 pic.twitter.com/GP1408pKTn
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 1, 2023
