Bryson DeChambeau arrived at the Penn State vs. SMU game a little late.
@RossDellenger / X
Bryson DeChambeau’s SMU Mustangs played in the first game of the College Football Playoff Saturday afternoon against Penn State. Unfortunately for the defending US Open champion, he didn’t get to see much of it before returning in a burst.
Fresh a loss earlier this week at ShowdownDeChambeau – and a professional golfer Harry Higgs — was among thousands of SMU alumni and donors who traveled to State College for the game. So much so, in fact, that State College Regional Airport was shut down shortly before the game and had to divert several private jets.
According to Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger, DeChambeau was among a group of SMU donors whose plane was diverted to Williamsport, Penn., about 65 miles from Beaver Stadium.
Dellenger posted a photo of several SMU high rollers, notably former SMU and NFL running back Craig James, taking a shuttle from Williamsport to the game. DeCheambeau can be seen at bottom left, just behind SMU Board of Trustees member Bill Armstrong, who took the photo.
The bus, ostensibly well-served passengers, was supposed to arrive about an hour after the 12 noon start, but — as this Penn State grad knows from sitting in brutal State College traffic for many a noon stroke — it’s likely that the group missed a lot of the first half.
This summer’s US Open winner and his SMU teammates are probably glad they didn’t have to go all that half as temperatures in Happy Valley were in the 20s with wind chills in the low-teens. Not to mention, Penn State jumped out to a 28-0 lead after halftime, thanks in large part to three interceptions by SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings.
However, despite the unfavorable outcome for DeChambeau, this author suggests that he stick around State College after the game to take advantage of the incredible Happy Valley bar scene. If he needs notes, the author can be contacted at jack.hirsh@golf.com.
