Hometown heroes: How to watch former area football stars during Week 4
Thursday, Sept. 22
Fairmont State University at Alderson-Broaddus University, 7 p.m., ESPN3
Who’s playing: Kyle Thoma, K/P, Braden River
Thoma has yet to play for Division II Fairmont State during his first season in Fairmont, W.Va., but he’s always on call. The true freshman specialist is the Fighting Falcons’ backup kicker, kickoff specialist and punter and one injury could put him on the field. FSU’s game against D-II Alderson-Broaddus in Philippi, W.Va., will be streamed live.
No. 5 Clemson at Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Who’s playing: Jake Stickler, OL, Manatee
Stickler is still slotted as the Yellow Jackets’ backup right tackle and is back after being sidelined briefly by an injury. He’s appeared in one game this year as a redshirt freshman, and he and his teammates will have a chance to make a statement Thursday against the Tigers.
Saturday, Sept. 24
Kent State at No. 1 Alabama, noon, SEC Network
Who’s playing: Kavious Price, WR, Manatee
Price has been a factor in the slot for the Golden Flashes this season and is third on the team in rushing yards, but his primary role has been as KSU’s kick returner. The true freshman, who drew comparisons to former Kent State star Dri Archer, is already reminding people of him at the collegiate level. The top-ranked Crimson Tide will give him another massive stage to shine on Saturday.
Iowa at Rutgers, noon, ESPN2
Who’s playing: Josh Hicks, RB, Palmetto
Hicks will try to build on his solid start to the season against a Hawkeyes team that went to the Rose Bowl last year, but is coming off a loss to North Dakota State of the Football Championship Subdivision. Hicks, who is still a backup for the Scarlet Knights, has run for 120 yards this year, averaging five yards per carry.
No. 13 Florida State at South Florida, noon, ABC
Who’s playing: Demarcus Christmas, DT, Manatee; Jonathan Hernandez, P, Manatee; Michael Galati, OL, Manatee
A game filled with Manatee County ties will take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa and two could match up head-to-head. Galati is a backup center for USF and an injury could cause him to come face to face with Christmas, a starting defensive tackle for the Seminoles. The former Hurricane teammates will have a third on the field with them. Hernandez is the Bulls’ starting punter.
Duke at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC
Who’s playing: Danny Doyle, DE, Manatee
Doyle is set to start the first game of his career this weekend with typical starting defensive end Dominic McDonald sidelined by a shoulder injury, and it will come on a massive stage. His Blue Devils travel to Notre Dame, Ind., to meet the Fighting Irish. It’s a rapid rise for Doyle, who drew national attention when Duke surprised the former walk-on with a scholarship during the offseason.
Tulsa at Fresno State, 4:30 p.m., Campus Insiders
Who’s playing: Jacob Westberry, LS, Saint Stephen’s
Westberry continues to serve as the Bulldogs’ primary backup long snapper as a true freshman. If he does see the field this weekend, it will be streamed by Campus Insiders, which has a deal with the Mountain West Conference.
Nicholls at South Alabama, 7 p.m., ESPN3
Who’s playing: Andrew Zink, LS, Manatee
Like Jacob Westberry, Zink is also a true freshman long snapper and he’s already in the starting lineup for the Jaguars. His team’s meeting with the Colonels Saturday pits two schools from smaller conferences that have been pesky this season. South Alabama upset Mississippi State to open the season and Nicholls gave No. 12 Georgia trouble during Week 2.
No. 3 Louisville at Marshall, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Who’s playing: Blake Keller, DE, Marshall
Keller becomes the latest former Hurricane defensive lineman to deal with college football’s toughest test after Demarcus Christmas and then-No. 3 Florida State’s defense failed to contain then-No. 13 Cardinals’ Lamar Jackson last weekend. Keller, who is a backup defensive end for the Thundering Herd, will play a prominent role in Marshall’s desire to stop the Heisman Trophy-favorite quarterback. He was also featured prominently on the Thundering Herd’s athletic website this week.
David Wilson: 941-745-7057, @DBWilson2
This story was originally published September 22, 2016 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Hometown heroes: How to watch former area football stars during Week 4."