Dave Wilson
@dwil.bsky.social
Reporter, ESPN.com, college football, East Texas
On Friday, Mick Fleetwood surprised fans by playing “Tusk” with the Trojan Marching Band. But Dr. Bartner, the 85-year-old band director who helped bring it to life and earned USC two platinum, albums also surprised Mick. Inside the very L.A. story of the iconic “Tusk.”
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
'It's our tune': How Fleetwood Mac worked with the USC Marching Band to create 'Tusk'
The idea initially sounded so far-fetched band directors thought it was a prank. But the collaboration became a sensation.
www.espn.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 PM
On Friday, Mick Fleetwood surprised fans by playing “Tusk” with the Trojan Marching Band. But Dr. Bartner, the 85-year-old band director who helped bring it to life and earned USC two platinum, albums also surprised Mick. Inside the very L.A. story of the iconic “Tusk.”
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Y’all ever had that famous Waco Chinese Chicken?
November 10, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Y’all ever had that famous Waco Chinese Chicken?
They say it takes a village to raise a child. But it took this neighborhood in Baton Rouge to raise 66-year-old Tiger Tuba Kent, the LSU band sensation who has been a shining beacon of positivity in a turbulent LSU season.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
'Are you serious?': How the LSU band got a 66 year-old tuba player
This season hasn't gone according to plan for LSU, but one member of the school's band is living his dream.
www.espn.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
They say it takes a village to raise a child. But it took this neighborhood in Baton Rouge to raise 66-year-old Tiger Tuba Kent, the LSU band sensation who has been a shining beacon of positivity in a turbulent LSU season.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
This is kinda terrifying
October 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This is kinda terrifying
One reason Gunner Stockton wants to beat Florida? His grandfather Lawrence died of a heart attack in the parking lot after the Dawgs lost to the Gators in 2010.
"He said something about Todd Grantham and collapsed," said Suzanne Frederickson, Lawrence Stockton's widow.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
"He said something about Todd Grantham and collapsed," said Suzanne Frederickson, Lawrence Stockton's widow.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Week 10 preview: Why Georgia's matchup with Florida just means more, plus key matchups
Key matchups and the story behind why Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton really wants a win against Florida.
www.espn.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
One reason Gunner Stockton wants to beat Florida? His grandfather Lawrence died of a heart attack in the parking lot after the Dawgs lost to the Gators in 2010.
"He said something about Todd Grantham and collapsed," said Suzanne Frederickson, Lawrence Stockton's widow.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
"He said something about Todd Grantham and collapsed," said Suzanne Frederickson, Lawrence Stockton's widow.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Reposted by Dave Wilson
"You could stick a knife through the guy, and he'd say, 'I feel good, Coach.'"
From me and @dwil.bsky.social ... How the legend of Haynes King was forged... www.espn.com/college-foot...
From me and @dwil.bsky.social ... How the legend of Haynes King was forged... www.espn.com/college-foot...
'Toughest player I've ever seen': The Legend of Haynes King
Stories about how the quarterback became one of the quirkiest, toughest and most insatiable players in college football.
www.espn.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"You could stick a knife through the guy, and he'd say, 'I feel good, Coach.'"
From me and @dwil.bsky.social ... How the legend of Haynes King was forged... www.espn.com/college-foot...
From me and @dwil.bsky.social ... How the legend of Haynes King was forged... www.espn.com/college-foot...
Son of an old-school East Texas ball coach who was raised the Lobo Way, the tall tales of Haynes King explain his rise to being the toughest sumbitch out there. Story with the great @adavidhalejoint.bsky.social
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
'Toughest player I've ever seen': The Legend of Haynes King
Stories about how the quarterback became one of the quirkiest, toughest and most insatiable players in college football.
www.espn.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Son of an old-school East Texas ball coach who was raised the Lobo Way, the tall tales of Haynes King explain his rise to being the toughest sumbitch out there. Story with the great @adavidhalejoint.bsky.social
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson said when TCU’s Sonny Dykes was recruiting him, he used to bring up how he hit a home run off his dad, one of Dykes’ old friends and a former MLB first-round pick. Sawyer has vowed to avenge the honor of Stan Robertson this week.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Week 8 preview: Heisman contenders, Big 12 title race, key conference matchups and more
Our college football experts provide insight on the Baylor-TCU rivalry, Heisman contenders and more ahead of Week 8.
www.espn.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson said when TCU’s Sonny Dykes was recruiting him, he used to bring up how he hit a home run off his dad, one of Dykes’ old friends and a former MLB first-round pick. Sawyer has vowed to avenge the honor of Stan Robertson this week.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Look at this frickin’ nerd.
October 9, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Look at this frickin’ nerd.
Reposted by Dave Wilson
neurodiversity is Good Actually. just want to say that
September 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
neurodiversity is Good Actually. just want to say that
I wrote this week that TCU discovered the Iron Skillet trophy was broken shortly before the 2018 game and hustled to the local Ace Hardware and replaced it with a $49.99 Lodge skillet. Yesterday, I got to see the handoff on the sideline from an SMU staffer to TCU. 😂
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
September 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
I wrote this week that TCU discovered the Iron Skillet trophy was broken shortly before the 2018 game and hustled to the local Ace Hardware and replaced it with a $49.99 Lodge skillet. Yesterday, I got to see the handoff on the sideline from an SMU staffer to TCU. 😂
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
An ode to the last Iron Skillet, which gave us real spite, a Game of the Century, Dan Jenkins, suffered through lean years and was just getting good! (And whose trophy secretly broke and was replaced by a Lodge skillet from a hardware store right before the 2018 game.)
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
'Bragging rights for all eternity': An ode to the Iron Skillet rivalry
Looking back at the history of the SMU-TCU grudge match before its 104th, and potentially final, edition.
www.espn.com
September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
An ode to the last Iron Skillet, which gave us real spite, a Game of the Century, Dan Jenkins, suffered through lean years and was just getting good! (And whose trophy secretly broke and was replaced by a Lodge skillet from a hardware store right before the 2018 game.)
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
The story behind Pudge the cat is more than just about a viral locker-room mascot at Bowling Green: He was a gift from a mom with Stage 4 cancer for her son and helped her son rediscover joy after her death. Even Eddie George, allergic to cats, has been smitten.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Bowling Green's unofficial mascot, Pudge the cat, is more than just a smushy face
Bowling Green may have a former Heisman Trophy winner for a coach, but the biggest star on this team is a cat.
www.espn.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The story behind Pudge the cat is more than just about a viral locker-room mascot at Bowling Green: He was a gift from a mom with Stage 4 cancer for her son and helped her son rediscover joy after her death. Even Eddie George, allergic to cats, has been smitten.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
What we saw following Lee Corso around on his last gameday: Cookies, a giant Brutus cake, mascots, tears, joy and the celebration of the end of an era that changed American television with the people who love him.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
August 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM
What we saw following Lee Corso around on his last gameday: Cookies, a giant Brutus cake, mascots, tears, joy and the celebration of the end of an era that changed American television with the people who love him.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Appreciation thread: 15 years ago tomorrow I walked into ESPN for the first time, miraculously from the Beaumont Enterprise. On Day 1, the boss said “there’s a guy in that office, go talk to him for 15 mins and write a blog post.” This was the “car wash” days when celebs showed up to do shows.
August 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Appreciation thread: 15 years ago tomorrow I walked into ESPN for the first time, miraculously from the Beaumont Enterprise. On Day 1, the boss said “there’s a guy in that office, go talk to him for 15 mins and write a blog post.” This was the “car wash” days when celebs showed up to do shows.
This 1990 split Colorado-Georgia Tech title story by @andrea-adelson.bsky.social has it all: Swilling, Bieniemy, turf fires, Mizzou conspiracies/fifth down, punters counting diamonds for rings, Tom Osborne slander. Two teams with a shared grudge before tonight’s game.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
August 29, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This 1990 split Colorado-Georgia Tech title story by @andrea-adelson.bsky.social has it all: Swilling, Bieniemy, turf fires, Mizzou conspiracies/fifth down, punters counting diamonds for rings, Tom Osborne slander. Two teams with a shared grudge before tonight’s game.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Reposted by Dave Wilson
With the AJC dropping its print edition, I feel compelled to share one of the greatest moments in print design history
August 28, 2025 at 4:56 PM
With the AJC dropping its print edition, I feel compelled to share one of the greatest moments in print design history
Reposted by Dave Wilson
Nobody knows whether or not Arch Manning will live up to the hype this season.
"He ain't even pissed a drop yet," Grandpa Archie told @dwil.bsky.social.
But: people are still stealing his photo off the wall of an Austin burger joint. Everybody's already watching.
"He ain't even pissed a drop yet," Grandpa Archie told @dwil.bsky.social.
But: people are still stealing his photo off the wall of an Austin burger joint. Everybody's already watching.
The five stories that explain why Arch Manning was built for this moment
How did the Texas quarterback learn to handle the pressure he's facing as the most famous college football player in the country?
www.espn.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Nobody knows whether or not Arch Manning will live up to the hype this season.
"He ain't even pissed a drop yet," Grandpa Archie told @dwil.bsky.social.
But: people are still stealing his photo off the wall of an Austin burger joint. Everybody's already watching.
"He ain't even pissed a drop yet," Grandpa Archie told @dwil.bsky.social.
But: people are still stealing his photo off the wall of an Austin burger joint. Everybody's already watching.
Reposted by Dave Wilson
Contains: The secret of what happened to Eric Dickerson’s gold Trans Am
Great @dwil.bsky.social feature on the long-standing connection between car dealers and college football programs.
Quick thread on how we had a little fun with the art ...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Quick thread on how we had a little fun with the art ...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
'We are what we drive': How car dealers became college football's power brokers
More college football players are driving sports cars than ever before. But the connection between dealers and programs goes back decades.
www.espn.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Contains: The secret of what happened to Eric Dickerson’s gold Trans Am
Reposted by Dave Wilson
we sent the ad to Rafa, and he was able to sneak it into the background of an illustration as an Easter egg. nice surprise for Dave, fun day at work. that's it!
check out the story, it's a good one: www.espn.com/college-foot...
check out the story, it's a good one: www.espn.com/college-foot...
August 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
we sent the ad to Rafa, and he was able to sneak it into the background of an illustration as an Easter egg. nice surprise for Dave, fun day at work. that's it!
check out the story, it's a good one: www.espn.com/college-foot...
check out the story, it's a good one: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Reposted by Dave Wilson
the really fun part: @dwil.bsky.social's draft mentioned his dad, Bill Wilson, who ran a TX car dealership and loaned out modest cars to Texas A&M assistants. Bill passed away a few years ago, but Dave speaks of him often and he was a real character. Here's a classic 70s ad for Bill's dealership...
August 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
the really fun part: @dwil.bsky.social's draft mentioned his dad, Bill Wilson, who ran a TX car dealership and loaned out modest cars to Texas A&M assistants. Bill passed away a few years ago, but Dave speaks of him often and he was a real character. Here's a classic 70s ad for Bill's dealership...
Reposted by Dave Wilson
Great @dwil.bsky.social feature on the long-standing connection between car dealers and college football programs.
Quick thread on how we had a little fun with the art ...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Quick thread on how we had a little fun with the art ...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
'We are what we drive': How car dealers became college football's power brokers
More college football players are driving sports cars than ever before. But the connection between dealers and programs goes back decades.
www.espn.com
August 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Great @dwil.bsky.social feature on the long-standing connection between car dealers and college football programs.
Quick thread on how we had a little fun with the art ...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Quick thread on how we had a little fun with the art ...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Ah yes, the famous Texas government HQ in Sacramento, Texas.
August 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Ah yes, the famous Texas government HQ in Sacramento, Texas.
In an alternative world, @paolouggetti.bsky.social takes us over to Tennessee, home of Rory McIlroy.
"Johnson City is quite a bit like Ireland in just the terrain, just rolling hills and cattle," Aaron O'Callaghan said.
www.espn.com/golf/story/_...
"Johnson City is quite a bit like Ireland in just the terrain, just rolling hills and cattle," Aaron O'Callaghan said.
www.espn.com/golf/story/_...
Before he was the best golfer of his generation, Rory McIlroy was an East Tennessee State commit
Fred Warren was one of the first college coaches to recruit heavily from Europe. And he nearly snagged a young McIlroy.
www.espn.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In an alternative world, @paolouggetti.bsky.social takes us over to Tennessee, home of Rory McIlroy.
"Johnson City is quite a bit like Ireland in just the terrain, just rolling hills and cattle," Aaron O'Callaghan said.
www.espn.com/golf/story/_...
"Johnson City is quite a bit like Ireland in just the terrain, just rolling hills and cattle," Aaron O'Callaghan said.
www.espn.com/golf/story/_...
West Virginia's Edward Vesterinen, the 6-3, 285-pound defensive end from Helsinki, on if he thinks Rich Rodriguez knows much about Finland: "He thought I was vegetarian."
Asked why he thinks he thought that: "We're very sustainable."
Asked why he thinks he thought that: "We're very sustainable."
July 9, 2025 at 8:24 PM
West Virginia's Edward Vesterinen, the 6-3, 285-pound defensive end from Helsinki, on if he thinks Rich Rodriguez knows much about Finland: "He thought I was vegetarian."
Asked why he thinks he thought that: "We're very sustainable."
Asked why he thinks he thought that: "We're very sustainable."