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Kent State’s Hilarious Mix-Up on Punt Return Reminds Us of Everything Great, Terrible About College Football (Video)

Football is back. College football, at least.

And while that might mean different things to different
parts of the country, any kind of football is generally regarded as a good
thing — even when the product on the field is not.

That was on full display Thursday night in the Kent State-Towson game, when just before halftime one of the strangest and ridiculous plays in the history of the sport took place. With Kent State punting to Towson, the ball was tipped by a receiving player and then recovered by Kent's Andre Parker. Parker then followed his instincts and bolted for the end zone. The wrong end zone.

Parker took off in the wrong direction, and only the bone-headedness of two Towson players would prevent him from gifting two points to the opposition. Yes, Parker was
tackled by the opposing team while running in the wrong direction.

It's plays like these that sum up everything wrong with –
and everything great about — college football, and why it evokes so much
emotion from its supporters.

The best word to describe college football will always be "raw," and it's that unpolished aspect that makes it so attractive in its best and worst moments. Andre Parker will, in all likelihood, never crack an NFL roster. The thing is, that doesn't matter.

He had his moment on Thursday night, his spark of (absurd) genius that sets the collegiate version of football apart from its pro counterpart.

The college game isn't always pretty, because it doesn't have to be. But it is back, so buckle up — there's plenty more where this came from.

Check out the play for yourself in the video below.

Photo of the Night

That awkward moment when you realize you just dropped a pass…

Quote of the Night

"I have one really good one they can memorize."
–West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen, when asked about a rumor that Marshall memorizes opposing team's hand signals 

Tweet of the Night

He should find the rest of the tree that bat came from.

MASN's @fightinhydrant says Bryce Harper has been using new bat last few days. Just missed his 2nd HR tonight by few feet. #Natitude

— Steve Berthiaume (@SBerthiaumeESPN) August 31, 2012

Video of the Night

This video is almost bad enough to earn USC another bowl ban.