Memphis, 23 at Mississippi State, 49

Rogers throws for 5 TDs, Mississippi St. knocks off Memphis
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Sep 4, 2022

AP

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- — An electric atmosphere and hyped-up Mississippi State team was diminished a bit in game one of the 2022 season — to no fault of the Bulldogs.

After lightning struck offensively and defensively from MSU's units in the first few minutes of the game, literal lightning would halt play for nearly three hours. The Bulldogs regrouped and made a late night memorable in a 49-23 victory over the Tigers.

"I was kind of impressed with the way we played for an opener. The biggest thing is we have to play a complete game. I was proud of the way that we came out and played after the delay," Mike Leach said. "I thought we handled (the lightning delay) better than expected."

Led by Bulldog quarterback Will Rogers, MSU outgained the Tigers 542-294 with the bulk of the Tigers' yards coming in the second half. Rogers was 38-of-49 in the game for 450 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. It was the 14th time in his three-year career that he's notched over 300 yards and his sixth 400-yard game.

The 450 yards was Rogers' most as a Bulldog and Leach was impressed with the composure that he had in the pocket.

"I thought (Rogers) played really well," Leach said. "I thought he really did a good job holding things together and seeing the field. Probably one of the best performances he's had as far as seeing the field."

MSU's defense dominated for two and a half quarters. MSU gave up two first downs in the first seven possessions and had allowed just 40 yards midway through the third quarter. It wasn't until running back Jevyon Ducker broke off a 50-yard run later in the third quarter that the Tigers broke 100 yards of total offense.

Memphis scored on each of its final three drives to cut into Mississippi State's 35-3 lead and cut it to 19. Sophomore quarterback Seth Henigan threw for 165 yards on 19-of-30 with a touchdown pass.

Rogers completed passes to 12 receivers and four receivers caught five or more passes each. His five TD passes all went to different receivers.

Rara Thomas was one of those who got a chance to show what he could do at receiver. The sophomore had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, including a touchdown on the first drive.k He had three catches in the series and MSU took a 7-0 lead.

Midway through the first quarter, lightning struck about eight miles from the stadium and sent the two teams into the locker rooms. The Bulldogs came out and would lead 28-3 in the first half and extended it to 35-3 before the Tigers were able to close the gap a bit.

What might have been one of the bigger surprises in the game was the Bulldogs' willingness to run the football. MSU threw for 450 yards on those 49 attempts but also ran it 34 times for 97 yards. The two starting backs, Jo'Quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson, ran 28 times for 103 yards with Marks running in two touchdowns.

Memphis gave up 32 first downs to the Bulldogs and had just 13 of its own. The Tigers were also 3-of-12 on 3rd downs while MSU went 11-of-13.

THE TAKEAWAY

Things got sloppy down the stretch for Mississippi State but the Bulldogs were impressive in the first three quarters. It was a chance for MSU to get a measure of revenge after dropping a game in Memphis a season ago, but it wasn't a full four quarters for the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT

Mississippi State travels to Arizona for a matchup with the Wildcats next Saturday

Memphis has an AAC game at Navy next Saturday

Georgia State, 14 at South Carolina, 35

Special teams give South Carolina big boost in opening win
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Sep 3, 2022

AP

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- — South Carolina's special teams led the way toward a season-opening 35-14 victory over Georgia State on Saturday night.

Special teams have always been an emphasis for Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer, who watched his father, Frank, win game after game with "Beamer Ball," and its big special teams play.

The approach worked as the Gamecocks pulled away from Georgia State with 23 unanswered points in the second half.

The Gamecocks returned two blocked punts for touchdowns, new placekicker Mitch Jeter debuted by knocking two field goals of 50-plus yards and long snapper Hunter Rogers carried a fake field goal 5 yards for a first down that led to the Gamecocks' only first-half touchdown.

New quarterback Spencer Rattler took in a key two-point conversion in the third quarter to restore South Carolina's lead and it was just enough to squeak past a determined Panthers' squad that held a brief third-quarter advantage, 14-12.

The back-breaker also came in the third, when Rashad Amos blocked a Georgia State punt and DQ Smith retrieved the carom and ran it in for a touchdown.

Rattler, the former Heisman Trophy contender at Oklahoma, showed off his dynamic playmaking ability. He finished 23 of 37 passing for 226 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Following a scoreless first quarter, South Carolina sent out Jeter to attempt a 25-yard field goal. But special teams coordinator Pete Lembo's gang took over.

Long snapper Rogers took the snap and ran for just enough room for the first down. The Gamecocks lined up versatile tight end Jaheim Bell as a fullback at the goal line, then pitched to MarShawn Lloyd on the end-around for a touchdown.

A Rattler interception on the second play of the third quarter set up the Panthers' second score, a Grainger 4-yard rush to take a 14-12 lead. The Gamecocks immediately responded as Rattler hit Marshawn Lloyd for a 16-yard scoring pass to take the lead for good, 20-14.

Just over two minutes later, Rashad Amos blocked the punt and DQ Smith ran it back 26 yards for a 28-14 lead.

Later, Gamecocks' Traevon Kenion blocked a fourth-quarter punt and Ahmarean Brown took it 10 yards for the final score.

THE TAKEAWAY

Georgia State: The Panthers will cause a lot of trouble in the Sun Belt with their rushing attack. The Gamecocks' defense mostly held them in check, but GSU won't be playing the SEC anymore.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks' offense had some creative play-calls and greatly benefited from having a talent like Rattler behind center. He escaped trouble with his legs to keep numerous plays alive. Yet its offensive line struggled to protect Rattler and the Gamecocks' runners finished with 79 yards.

THE RETURN

Lloyd was the Gamecocks' most hyped running back recruit in a decade but tore an ACL in the first week of preseason camp two years ago and missed the season. He played in 2021 but was still very much not back to full strength.

On Saturday, he rushed for 30 yards, caught two passes for 31 yards and scored two touchdowns.

CLOWNEY COMES HOME

South Carolina held a halftime ceremony to honor former All-American and No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney's jersey No. 7 was added alongside the Gamecocks' four retired numbers, although his number will continue to be worn as per a 2007 university policy.

UP NEXT

Georgia State gets another shot at a Power Five team when it opens its home season against North Carolina next Saturday.

South Carolina starts SEC play at No. 19 Arkansas.

(23) Cincinnati, 24 at (19) Arkansas, 31

Jefferson generates 4 TDs to power Arkansas past Cincinnati
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Sep 3, 2022

AP

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- — Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson felt disrespected when he wasn't named to any preseason all-Southeastern Conference team.

Jefferson's opening week performance could earn more attention for the player who had the SEC's second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio last year and was the leading returning rusher at the position in the conference..

Jefferson threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 62 yards and a score to lead No. 19 Arkansas to a 31-24 win over No. 23 Cincinnati on Saturday.

"Seems to me like when the game gets a little tighter, a little closer, when he's really got to take over the game, he's got the knack to do it," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. "Seemed to me like most every time we need him to win the game, he makes some kind of play.

Jefferson established himself as escape-artist of sorts last year, his 240-pound frame proving difficult to take down. Little changed there as most of his yards on the ground came after contact against Cincinnati. Through the air, he built a rapport with tight end Trey Knox who caught two of the three touchdown tosses, including one that was quite literally a toss: a jump-pass from five yards to give Arkansas a 14-0 lead at halftime.

Cincinnati's Ben Bryant, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, ultimately threw for more yards passing (325) and just one fewer touchdown, but an interception at the Arkansas 20 turned into a Razorbacks score on the next possession.

The pick was one of several mistakes the Bearcats made. Four of Cincinnati's first-half drives ended in Arkansas territory, but the interception halted one and Ryan Coe missed two field goals, including one from 25 yards, as well.

Cincinnati had pulled within a touchdown on Bryant's throw to Nick Mardner halfway through the third quarter and then recovered a Jefferson fumble inside his own 10 on the ensuing play. The Bearcats started three yards from the end zone, but four penalties later, including two for delay of game, they managed just a 25-yard field goal.

Arkansas followed with a 32-yard field three minutes later and Jefferson threw his third touchdown on the possession that followed, a 32-yarder to Knox, to rebuild the lead to 14 points.

Knox, a senior, was a starting wide receiver his freshman year and had 28 catches and three touchdowns, but had just seven catches his sophomore season in Pittman's debut 2020 season. He moved to tight end and caught 20 balls as a junior last season. Saturday he had six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

"He's worked hard at tight end and he believes he's a tight end. He is. He's a good one," Pittman said. "Coming off the field on his second TD and went down their side and I said ‘You happy you moved to tight end?' Those are special moments because you never know if it's going to work out."

The game was Arkansas' first Top 25 matchup at home since 2016.

The Razorbacks were 9-4 last season, their best finish since 2011 .

"When Cincinnati was put on the schedule I was saying ‘why?' to be honest with you," Pittman said. "Am I tickled to death that we're 1-0 and we beat Cincinnati? Yes. I don't want to play them. We've already played them once. That's plenty."

THE PORTAL GIVETH

Most of Arkansas' big plays not involving Knox and Jefferson came from players picked up via the transfer portal. Domineck (Georgia Tech) and Drew Sanders (Alabama) had sacks. Dwight McGlothern (LSU) had Arkansas' interception. Matt Landers (Toledo) started and caught three passes for 43 yards while Haselwood (Oklahoma) had three grabs for 42 yards and the score.

BEAT UP

Cincinnati's rally came in large part because of the passing game. Bryant took advantage of Arkansas losing starting nickel Myles Slusher and starting safety Jalen Catalon late in the second quarter and early in the second half.

The Bearcats' first touchdown came immediately after Catalon, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection and former freshman All-American, left the game.

Pittman said Slusher should be OK going forward, but he was less sure about Catalon. He did not disclose either injury.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas' offense, with Jefferson at quarterback, is SEC worthy. The defense struggled in the second half after losing two starters from the secondary.

Cincinnati had the talent to win the game, but its mistakes were too plentiful against a quality opponent.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Arkansas should find itself comfortably still ranked ahead of its SEC opener next week.

Cincinnati is likely to fall out of the Top 25 despite a fair showing.

UP NEXT

Arkansas opens SEC play against South Carolina at home in Week 2. The game will be South Carolina's first in Fayetteville since 2013.

Cincinnati will host FCS opponent Kennesaw State at Nippert Stadium.

Miami (OH) 13 vs (20) Kentucky 37.

No. 20 Kentucky routs Miami (Ohio), Stoops ties wins record
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Sep 3, 2022

AP

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- — Ahead but inconsistent after 30 minutes of play, No. 20 Kentucky needed just 62 seconds to right things and earn a significant win for coach Mark Stoops.

Barion Brown returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, Keidron Smith's fumble return less than a minute later set up another score and the Wildcats pulled away to beat Miami (Ohio) 37-13 on Saturday night in the opener for both teams.

Stoops' 60th victory tied him with Paul "Bear" Bryant as the Wildcats' winningest coach after 10 seasons with the program. Kentucky's longest-tenured coach was happy to win but downplayed the milestone afterward, as he had all week.

"You can't put my name in the same (sentence) as Bear Bryant's," Stoops said. "Let's compete for six national championships, talk about that. But I am grateful to win that many games, to be here this long."

Kentucky certainly needed those game-changing plays to make this win possible for Stoops after leading only 13-10 at halftime behind several missed opportunities deep in Miami territory.

The Wildcats quickly snatched momentum after the break as Brown dashed left, found a seam and turned the corner down the sideline for the big score just 13 seconds in. That TD included replay drama as the freshman appeared to let go of the football as he crossed the goal line. It was confirmed, putting Kentucky up by 10.

"I wasn't nervous, but was down on myself for doing that," Brown said of his return. "It felt great knowing I made a big play to help the offense and defense."

Tyrell Ajian then came up big on Miami's ensuing possession to force Jaylon Bester's fumble that Smith returned 23 yards to the 8. Will Levis hit Chauncey Magwood with an 8-yard scoring pass two later for a 27-10 cushion. Matt Ruffalo added a 50-yard field goal and Levis tossed a 1-yard scoring pass to Dane Key and finished with 303 yards passing and three TDs and an interception.

"We did some good things at times," Stoops added. "Had some drives and didn't capitalize. A lot of things to improve on."

Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson supplied Kentucky's other chunk plays, catching six passes for a career-high 136 yards in his Wildcats debut. His first touch went for 45 yards to set up Levis' 6-yard TD pass to Brenden Bates on the Wildcats' first possession to tie it at 7.

Miami managed to tie the game at 10 and stifled Kentucky at times in the first half but only managed Graham Nicholson's 27-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. Tyre Shelton scored the Redhawks' lone TD with a 22-yard run on their opening drive. Brett Gabbert completed 20 of 28 passes for 166 yards before leaving the game late with what coach Chuck Martin said was a non-throwing arm injury.

Kentucky outgained the Mid-American Conference school 353-290.

"We came in ready to play, ready to win," Martin said. "But those first couple of minutes (of the second half), you can't afford to do that against an SEC team."

The Wildcats played without leading rusher Chris Rodriguez, who Stoops said was unavailable along with linebacker Jordan Wright without being specific. The coach added that Rodriguez and other players could face multi-game suspensions next week for undisclosed reasons.

IMPRESSIVE DEBUTS

Newcomers factored big for Kentucky, which used at least a dozen freshmen along with several transfers. Brown and Keidron Smith provided the turning points, but Tayvion Robinson set the scene with two 40-yard receptions and 103 yards after the catch.

"I came here to be a playmaker," Robinson said. "Felt good to let people see what I could do (on the first play). Barion said he was going to get one. I told him to hang on to the ball a bit longer."

THE TAKEAWAY

Miami: Brett Gabbert's short out passes initially caught Kentucky off guard to set up the first TD, and for a while the Redhawks kept pace physically and statistically. Everything changed on two plays within 62 seconds in the third quarter, digging a hole they couldn't climb out of. Outgaining Kentucky 111-50 on the ground and sacking Levis four times were bright spots.

Kentucky: The Wildcats left points on the field in the first half with Levis' high pass off Izayah Cummings' fingertips and the QB's goal-line interception before special teams and defense restored focus and swagger. Robinson lived up to billing as the big-play threat, but the Wildcats have work to do if they hope to win in the Swamp next week.

UP NEXT

Miami hosts Robert Morris on Saturday.

Kentucky visits Florida on Saturday in its SEC opener, seeking a second consecutive victory over the Gators.

Alabama (1) 55 vs Utah State, 0

Young gets 6 TDs, No. 1 Alabama routs Utah State 55-0

By JOHN ZENOR

September 3, 2022 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Bryce Young’s five touchdown passes were nothing all that new for Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winner.

That 63-yard sprint down the left sideline and other big runs presented a seldom seen side of his game.

Young didn’t just throw for those touchdowns — all in the first half — he even ran for 100 yards and a score in No. 1 Alabama’s 55-0 opening victory over Utah State on Saturday night.

It was, he said, a “cool” and “interesting” experience.

“I just try to do whatever is best for this team, whatever the defense gives us,” Young said. “That’s definitely interesting. It definitely wasn’t something I was planning. For me, it’s just taking whatever the defense gives us.

“Today that was just what was available. It’s cool.”

The Crimson Tide began their quest for national title redemption with a not unexpected start-to-finish domination of the six-touchdown underdog Aggies (1-1). Less anticipated: Young’s runs.

Known primarily as a passer with a penchant for scrambling and buying time, Young flashed his running ability more than he ever did last season, including a 63-yarder down the left sideline.

He also spread the ball around to Alabama’s new set of playmakers, with two touchdown passes to both Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton and Traeshon Holden and some handoffs to Jahmyr Gibbs.

Young ran five times after netting zero yards thanks to sacks last season with a previous long run of 16 yards. He also completed 18 of 28 passes for 195 yards before exiting one drive into the second half following his TD run.

“I see Bryce do that on the regular, so it wasn’t really new to me,” Alabama safety Brian Branch said. “Just watching him be himself out there is truly amazing. Playing with a Heisman winner, I can’t describe it.”

Gibbs, a much talked about transfer from Georgia Tech, flashed his speed with a 58-yard run on the first play after the half. He finished with 93 yards on nine rushes.

His backup, Jase McClellan, caught a pair of TD passes.

Alabama outgained the Aggies 559-136 in total yards.

“It is what it is, and I’ve seen people in the SEC come here and get treated exactly the same way,” Utah State coach Blake Anderson said. “We’re not built that way. We’re a long ways from being able to play that game physically and match up. Maybe we’ll never be able to.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Utah State, which finished last season ranked, had won two straight games against Power 5 teams and started off strong with a 23-yard gain. Then the offense stalled and the defense was overwhelmed by Young & Co. The Aggies couldn’t turn a late blocked punt into points.

Alabama: Spent the offseason stewing over a loss to Georgia in the national championship game and came in as the favorite to win the national title, according to FanDuel sportsbook. Then Alabama did pretty much what it wanted to against a mismatched opponent. The Tide put some new playmakers on display after losing receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie III and tailback Brian Robinson Jr.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Alabama didn’t do anything to diminish its status as the team to beat, but No. 3 Georgia and No. 2 Ohio State got the chance to make much bigger statements. The Bulldogs beat 11th-ranked Oregon 49-3. The Buckeyes topped No. 5 Notre Dame, 21-10.

SIDELINED Louisville transfer wide receiver Tyler Harrell had a walking boot on his right foot and didn’t dress for the game. Tight end Cameron Latu also missed the game with a knee injury.

CHANNELING SABAN

Saban emphasized it wasn’t a perfect performance and there’s plenty of room for improvement. His players echoed that sentiment.

“It was good, but we still have stuff to work on,” Branch said. “It’s not like we played a perfect game.”

Added Saban: “No disrespect to Utah State — their players played hard, they’ve got a good little team. But we’re going to play teams that are much more physical and aggressive and talented than what they are, so we’re going to have to do things correctly.”

UP NEXT

Utah State hosts Weber State on Sept. 10.

Alabama visits a Texas team led by former Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

Louisiana Tech, 24 at Missouri, 52

Burden shines as Mizzou rolls past Louisiana Tech, 52-24

Sep 1, 2022
AP

https://youtu.be/Qqgk2Ub-b7M

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- — When things went awry for Missouri last year, the defense was usually the culprit.

It was that side of the ball that gave the Tigers a lift in their opener against Louisiana Tech on Thursday night.

With their offense off to a slow start, the new-look bunch of coordinator Blake Baker came up with a trio of first-half interceptions, including one that Joseph Charleston returned for a score. And that was all the spark needed for the Missouri offense, who got on a roll behind heralded recruit Luther Burden III in a 52-24 victory over the Bulldogs.

"We struggled early to find a rhythm. We were not in sync," Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz acknowledged, "but we were able to capitalize on the momentum the defense created."

Brady Cook, who won the starting job in fall camp, threw for 196 yards with an interception and a touchdown run. And the trio of Cody Schrader, Nathaniel Peat and BJ Harris in the backfield each reached the end zone.

Yet it was Burden, the five-star prospect from St. Louis, who delivered on the hype. He caught a swing pass from Cook before making one defender miss and splitting two more for his first score, then he took a direct snap and ran for another.

Burden's only real gaffe came on a sharp throw that bounced off his hands for an interception.

"I see it every day, to be honest with you," Drinkwitz said of his freshman star. "I just didn't want to build it up too much."

Louisiana Tech's Matthew Downing threw for 184 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in new coach Sonny Cumbie's version of the Air Raid offense. Downing didn't get much help from the Bulldogs' ground game, though, which ran 22 times for 11 yards against what was one of the worst rush defenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season.

"That's got to be better," Cumbie acknowledged. "I have to be more patient with the run."

Indeed, most of the focus around Missouri has been on the defense, which was rebuilt for new coordinator Baker around a slew of Division I transfers. And they got into the act right away: Florida arrival Ty'Ron Hopper and Charleston, a newcomer from Clemson, had two of the Tigers' three first-half interceptions.

It was the first time Missouri picked three passes in a first half since Sept. 4, 1982, against Colorado State.

"When you turn the football over three times on the road against a good team," Cumbie said, "and your margin for error is very small, and you give them seven points, the momentum builds against you."

Charleston's pick-six early in the second quarter came two plays after Schrader, who transferred in after leading Division II in rushing last season for Truman State, had catapulted into the end zone to give Missouri an early 7-3 lead.

It wasn't a perfect performance by any means for the Tigers, who nonetheless led 24-10 at the break.

They were on the move after Charleston's score when tight end Tyler Stephens fumbled the ball away inside the Louisiana Tech 10. The Tigers also blew coverage on a simple slant that Griffin Herbert turned into a 75-yard TD reception, and twice spanning halftime the Tigers were stuffed on fourth-and-short conversions.

Burden's short TD run and Cook's 20-yard scoring scamper late in the third quarter put the game away.

"The thing that is kind of good for me, the mistakes are all correctable, all really correctable — lack of execution, turnovers, the penalties," Drinkwitz said. "There's a bright future ahead of us but we have to get out of our own way."

WIN IT FOR LUPER

WR Chance Luper, who was expected to start for Missouri, went to the hospital Thursday with what Drinkwitz called "an illness" that is expected to keep him out at least six weeks. Luper is the son of Tigers running backs coach Curtis Luper.

THE TAKEAWAY

Louisiana Tech kept slinging the ball, even when the game was out of reach, and backup QB Parker McNeil was rewarded with a pair of late touchdown passes. It was a positive sign for the future of an offense designed around the pass.

Missouri will need much better offensive line play beginning with next week's trip to Kansas State. Along with failing to push the pile on fourth-and-short, the Tigers' front struggled to protect Cook and committed far too many penalties.

UP NEXT

Louisiana Tech plays its home opener against Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 10.

Missouri visits the former Big 12-rival Wildcats the same day.

What did you miss? For a review of the last episode, click HERE

The Boys S3 Ep 3: Barbary Coast

from Collider: https://collider.com/the-boys-season-3-episode-3-recap-barbary-coast/

BYNICHOLAS SISTIPUBLISHED JUN 06, 2022


Season 3, Episode 3 of The Boys, “Barbary Coast,” begins with a 17-year flashback, featuring a glimpse of young Starlight (Maya Misaljevic) on the “Little Miss Hero” pageant circuit as a child. Starlight’s controlling mother (Ann Cusack) counsels her before her performance when she complains of her side hurting: “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.” Starlight performs a choreographed rendition of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” while her mother stands off to the side, at times directing her daughter’s movements. At the end of the performance, Starlight puts her right hand behind her back and makes a fist, her hand shaking with the tension of having to disguise her pain. The narrative cuts to the present day, with Starlight (Erin Moriarty) watching the footage of Homelander (Antony Starr)’s shocking speech at his Annual Birthday Celebration, in which he made the decision to finally offer a sneak peek of his true colors to the world. Homelander’s gamble ultimately pays off, as Ashley (Colby Minifie) bursts into his room to tell him that he’s up by 21 points with his base.

The return of Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso) signifies a return to form for the titular Boys. Along with a new HQ in the Flatiron building and a re-unified front to stop Homelander, Hughie (Jack Quaid) has undergone some significant character developments that might one day render him immune to Butcher’s quips. He attained a new level of confidence from his swanky job at the FBSA, yet the revelation of Victoria Neuman (Claudia Domit) being the head-exploding supe nearly washed it all away. In traversing this, a weathered yet more mature Hughie has emerged, one that gleefully accepts Butcher’s “Lifetime Achievement at the Cunt of the Year Awards” distinction.

Butcher announces the next mission: talk to Grace Mallory (Laila Robins) to get the full scoop on the potential Homelander weapon. Further proving that he’s the real deal, Hughie asks without hesitation for Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) to break his arm so that Neuman won’t be suspicious of him leaving work for the day. Kimiko proceeds to snap his arm out of its socket, in what is only one of three surreal gross-out moments in this visually softer installment of The Boys.

The Boys meet up with Mallory and Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) at a safe house. Butcher presses Mallory on her secret dealings in Nicaragua that he mined from Gunpowder (Sean Patrick Flanery). Through a 1984 flashback, Mallory recounts her time stationed in Nicaragua during “Operation Charly,” an off-the-books initiative by President Reagan to drum up cash to support the Contras in their fight against the Sandinistas. Young Mallory (Sarah Swire) oversaw a cocaine trafficking operation which used the profits to buy more weapons for the Contras. She explains another element of the operation: “The unwritten policy was to sell the cocaine strictly to minority neighborhoods. Destabilize, demoralize, while staying out of white ones.”

In '84, the government added supes into the fray in the form of Payback, Vought’s superhero team at the time. Led by Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles), the decision to bring them in is explained by a young Stan Edgar (Justin Davis), who carries the same cold tone and grace as his present-day counterpart. He explains that the addition of Payback is a trial run for the return of superheroes in the military. In a first-time reveal, a young Black Noir (Fritzy-Klevans Destine), a member of Payback, is seen without his mask, arguing with Stan Edgar about the prospect of being a maskless hero. When enemy forces attack their camp, the superheroes attempt to aid the fight of the Contra soldiers, yet end up taking down some of their own people. After the battle, Black Noir is revealed to have half of his face ripped off. Crimson Countess (Laurie Holden) comes running up to Mallory, telling her that Soldier Boy has been killed by the Russians with the alleged “supe gun.” Flashing back to the present, Mallory explains that she “lost 116 men and Vought got full immunity. That was the day I decided to make them pay.”

Butcher is livid that Mallory has concealed this information for so long. He believes that if she had told him about it sooner, then Homelander might already be dead, Ryan wouldn’t have to live his life in fear, and Becca might still be alive. At this moment, Butcher reverts to his persona from Season 1: lamenting Becca’s death and focusing on destroying Homelander at all costs. Mallory offers up an indictment of Butcher, claiming that his hellbent endeavor is a selfish one and that he is just like his father. On Butcher’s way out, he tells Ryan “…maybe I don’t want to look at you after what you done to my Becca. Did you ever think about that?” Ryan storms off and tells Butcher that he hates him.

After meeting with Starlight and Homelander to supposedly reaffirm his place in the Seven, The Deep (Chace Crawford) and his wife Cassandra (Katy Breier) return to his room to have sex. In what would otherwise be considered an uncharacteristically normal sex scene in the grander context of The Boys, The Deep starts dirty talking the octopus stuck to the wall of his fish tank rather than Cassandra. However, Homelander later holds a celebratory dinner for The Deep, later revealed to be seafood-based. The Deep reluctantly eats lobster yet is unprepared for the final course: The Deep’s octopus friend Timothy. Homelander eggs on The Deep to “eat fucking Timothy,” while Cassandra texts him from across the table to eat the octopus. The Deep gives in, tragically inhaling his octopus pal who begs for his life as he is consumed by one of his own. The Deep passes his final test to return to the Seven with flying colors.

After going full supe with a Temp V injection in the previous episode, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) begins to suffer some deleterious after-effects. He takes regular bathroom pit stops throughout the day, doubling over the sink with residual eye laser activation. The hangover reaches its apex when, in the middle of an honest heart-to-heart with Hughie after Butcher’s comments to Ryan, Butcher barfs up the Temp V all over Hughie’s face.

Before the Boys embark on the first step of their mission to attain the “supe gun,” Frenchie (Tomer Kapon) claims that he cannot go because he has a “matter of great importance.” He meets up with Cherie (Jordana Lajoie) who reveals that she has gone back to work for Little Nina (Katia Winter). She explains that she was moving product for her and had it stolen. Frenchie is then kidnapped by Nina’s henchmen and taken to her. Nina claims that Cherie stole the heroin from her, and unsuccessfully tries to convince Frenchie to kill Cherie. Their sexual history is alluded to, as Frenchie previously worked for Nina.

Before the season finale of American Hero, Starlight pulls aside Supersonic (Miles Gaston Villanueva) and explains to him the truth: that Homelander is a murderous psychopath. She attempts to convince him to let her choose someone else as the winner of the show, but he says that he needs some time to process. Homelander later approaches Starlight with a new angle for the show, touting it as the “the craziest twist”: The Deep’s return to The Seven. The Deep presents a “peace offering” diamond dolphin necklace to Starlight, which she rebukes as she kicks him out. Starlight holds the Flight 37 video over Homelander’s head. In a significant moment, Homelander highlights a stunningly valid paradox: if he loses everything, then he will have nothing to lose. He describes a nightmare scenario of pure destruction, wiping out entire cities and critical infrastructure. He declares that “I am the Homelander. And I really can do whatever the fuck I want.”

Moments before the broadcast of American Hero, Supersonic reveals to Starlight that despite her warning, he’s going through with joining the Seven. He feels a responsibility to be there for her after she refused to bail on him. Later on, at the taping, Starlight announces Supersonic as one of two winners of the series. Homelander announces The Deep as the second winner, as the two remaining contestants look on in disgust. Starlight plays her part, accepting The Deep’s apology. Homelander’s final twist manages to test Starlight’s tragically strong resolve that was established in the opening sequence. Homelander announces that he and Starlight are in love. Starlight endures a stoic state of shock as the producers rave about this plot development. They ask for a reshoot of the scene, with Starlight acting “less shocked.” This time around, Starlight leans into her role, smiling and kissing Homelander. Young Starlight’s rendition of “…Baby One More Time” plays as she reaches her right-hand back, closes her fist, and digs her fingernails into her palm.