Nellie Gonzalez

NBC Season Premiere - A time of uncertainty: Brian "Smash" Williams (Gaius Charles) has graduated and the start of the new school year has Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) uncertain about the strength of his team. Matt Saracen's (Zach Gilford) position as QB1 is in danger when a new freshman star player J.D. McCoy (guest star Jeremy Sumpter) arrives on the scene. Smash continues to deal with his own demons after a season-ending injury causes him to lose his college scholarship. Meanwhile, Tami (Connie Britton) faces stressful challenges as the new principal of Dillon High School. Elsewhere, Tyra (Adrianne Palicki) is encouraged to make a run for student body president. Taylor Kitsch, Minka Kelly, Jesse Plemons and Aimee Teegarden also star.

Still a wanted man, Ethan continues to live in hiding with Sutton, leaving Emma to worry if justice and love will prevail. Discouraged by Dan'’s (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER) inability to crack the case, Emma takes it upon herself to find a way to vindicate Ethan. With the help of Mads and Thayer (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER), they search for any lead that may help prove Ethan'’s innocence. Meanwhile, Ethan and Sutton'’s time alone in hiding together has lowered Ethan'’s guard. Sutton uses the opportunity to encourage Ethan to bond with his estranged father, Ben Whitehorse (recurring guest star GIL BIRMINGHAM), looking to heal her relationship with him at the same time. And Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) questions Rebecca'’s (recurring guest star CHARISMA CARPENTER) motives after she agitates Ted and Kristin by offering Laurel the opportunity to produce a music demo.