In the cathedral of college football, there is a hierarchy that usually remains unshakable. On one side, you have the winningest program in history, playing in a stadium of over 100,000 people. On the other, a small school from the Blue Ridge Mountains that was paid $400,000 just to show up and lose gracefully.

In this episode of Empty the Bench: Small Market Edition, Callan McClurg takes you back to September 1, 2007, for a deep dive into "The Day the Mountain Moved." This is the definitive account of Appalachian State’s 34-32 upset over the #5 ranked Michigan Wolverines—the game that shattered the glass ceiling of college football forever. We break down the technical brilliance of Jerry Moore’s spread offense, a system that exploited the speed gap in Michigan’s legendary defense and forced the "Big House" into a stunned, deafening silence.

The episode goes beyond the blocked field goal at the buzzer to analyze the seismic shift this game caused in the sports landscape. We examine the birth of the "FCS over FBS" era and how this single afternoon in Ann Arbor changed the way we value strength of schedule and mid-major legitimacy. From Armanti Edwards' clinical performance to the "Small Market" resilience of a program that refused to be a footnote, we explore how App State turned a "guarantee game" into a permanent seat at the table. It is a story about what happens when the scouting report meets reality, and the mountain decides it’s time to move.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Empty the Bench: Small Market Edition, Callan McClurg celebrates the life and legacy of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the chaplain of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers who became a global icon. Following her passing this past year at the age of 106, we look back at a century of purpose—from her birth in 1919 to her "ministry of presence" in the dorms of Chicago. We move past the "mascot" narrative to reveal the technical reality: Sister Jean was a tactical advantage who sent detailed scouting reports to players and coaches, dissecting opponents with the precision of a veteran film coordinator.

The episode tracks the 2018 miracle run to the Final Four and analyzes the "Sister Jean Economy," which saw her bobblehead become a record-breaking fundraiser for both her religious order and the Loyola athletic department. We also explore her lasting impact through the S.M.I.L.E. program and the Worship, Work, Win Fund, proving that her influence is baked into the very bricks of the university.

McClurg concludes with a personal reflection on how a small school in a big city can own the national conversation through humility, excellence, and a clear sense of mission. It is a tribute to a woman who taught us that the biggest impact often happens far away from the brightest lights.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Empty the Bench Small Market Edition, Callan McClurg explores the permanent tectonic shifts that happen after the final buzzer of a tournament upset. We move beyond the mythical fairytale language of Cinderellas and bracket busters to analyze the Flutie Effect—the billion-dollar impact a single winning basket can have on a university’s applications, endowment, and national identity. This isn't just a discussion about basketball; it is a deep dive into economic development and institutional growth disguised as a zone defense.

The narrative traces a legacy of resilience, beginning with the 1983 NC State "Survive and Advance" miracle and the 2008 University of San Diego upset over UConn that redefined Alcala Park. We also revisit the 2013 "Dunk City" revolution at Florida Gulf Coast and the historic 2018 UMBC victory that shattered the mathematical laws of the 16-seed. Finally, the show brings it home to the local surge, reflecting on San Diego State’s heart-stopping 2023 title run and the 2025 arrival of the UC San Diego Tritons on the national stage.

McClurg concludes by reflecting on why these runs matter more than just the final score, serving as proof that the small market is where the biggest and most enduring stories are born. It is an episode dedicated to the architects of the future who prove that you don't need a private jet to be elite—you just need a singular moment where the world is watching.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.