Liz Mikel

Through faith and courage, tragedy turns to healing - In the wake of star quarterback Jason Street's serious injury, the town of Dillon turns to prayer. Pressure mounts for Coach Taylor and the team as second-string quarterback Matt Saracen is unwittingly thrust into the spotlight, while tensions build between Riggins and "Smash" Williams. Fearing not only for his players, but also his job, Coach Taylor pulls the team together and works one-on-one with the nervous rookie quarterback. Lyla faithfully stands by her man in the hospital, providing him with the courage he needs to recover. The team appears united as game day approaches -- pledging to win it for their fallen comrade. Connie Britton, Adrianne Palicki, Jesse Plemons and Aimee Teegarden also star.

The attention is focused off the football team for once and onto their biggest supporters -- the cheerleaders. As the cheer team prepares for the Championship Classic, word of Lyla (Minka Kelly) and Riggins' (Taylor Kitsch) affair causes Lyla to become the victim of brutal high school harassment. Matt (Zach Gilford) and Julie (Aimee Teegarden) also have problems of their own as Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) tries to keep the two of them apart in order to "protect" his daughter. Meanwhile, Jason (Scott Porter) adjusts to life back home after being released from rehab and Smash (Gaius Charles) falls for the preacher's daughter.

While Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) and the team celebrate their victory, a frustrated Brian 'Smash' Williams (Gaius Charles) takes drastic measures to improve his performance on the field. Coach Taylor's (Kyle Chandler) daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden) considers going on a date with rookie quarterback Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford), meanwhile Saracen trains 'Smash' at his new job at the Alamo Freeze. After dinner with Coach Taylor and his wife Tami (Connie Britton), Riggins and his brother clash in a heated fight. Riggins and Lyla (Minka Kelly) watch from the stands as Jason (Scott Porter) takes part in his first quad rugby game, one that will end with a vicious confrontation between him, the woman he loves, and his best friend in the world.

Growing pains -- Emotions intensify as the game against the intimidating Gatling High nears. Lyla and Tim become alienated from their friends as rumors about their relationship spread all over town. Smash continues to buckle to the pressure and puts his own health at risk in his attempt to improve his performance on the field. Meanwhile, Julie and Matt have their first date, but everything that can go wrong does. The pressure builds as Friday approaches, and the Dillon Panthers have to get a victory without falling apart.

For love of the game -- Coach Taylor feels the players are losing their grasp on the beauty of the game of football as distractions such as envelopes full of cash begin to mysteriously show up in the players' lockers. An unexpected accident suddenly poses a problem and the team's home field advantage in the final game before the state championships is threatened. Coach Taylor takes it upon himself to not only find a new home field, but also to remind the players of their love for the game. With the pressure of the game building and the off-field distractions escalating, Coach Taylor and the Panthers have to get priorities in order to come out with a victory.