“Bowled Over is an impressive and realist assessment of college football’s recent history. . . . Oriard is always a thorough researcher, an insightful scholar, and a powerful writer.”—American Studies
“Oriard writes with considerable grace and offers a realistic interpretation of the evolution of college football over the last half-century. . . . Original and effective. . . . An immensely interesting and important study of college football.”—Journal of the Review of Politics
“The most thorough, balanced, and eviscerating examination of contemporary big-time college athletics to date. . . . Oriard has cemented his position as the definitive interpreter of football in American culture.”—Register of the Kentucky Historical Society
Oriard offers a unique perspective on big-time college football . . . should appeal to the general reader . . . [A] well-written book."—Enterprise and Society
“A solid resource for those interested in the culture of sport. . . . Highly recommended.”—CHOICE
“A gripping and insightful exploration of many of the issues that have affected big-time football programs in the sixties, seventies, and beyond.”—Nebraska History
“Oriard provides an overwhelmingly positive contribution to the growing field of sport history with this work… leav[ing] the reader pondering whether or not college football will survive its current crises or if major changes may be on the horizon.”—Northwest Ohio History
“A solid work that will certainly contribute to the dialogue of sports history and the management of college football. It is well-written, persuasively argued, and, above all, deeply insightful. . . . [The] book can effectively contribute to two audiences: scholars and general readers.”—Florida Historical Quarterly
“Sprightly, well researched, and unusually insightful, Bowled Over makes a wonderful addition to football history.” — Benjamin G. Rader, University of Nebraska
