The third season was the first to be aired on both NBC and DirecTV's The 101 Network. It concluded its 13-episode season on DirecTV on January 14, 2009 and began its NBC run two nights later. Season 3 introduced audiences to new characters, including the phenom QB JD McCoy while saying goodbye to four main characters, Jason Street, Brian Williams, Tyra Collette, and Lyla Garrity.
Gaius Charles (Brian Williams) and Scott Porter (Jason Street) are now credited as co stars as both of thier characters leave the show early in the season.
Season Summary[]
Cast[]
Starring
- Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor
- Connie Britton as Tami Taylor
- Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins
- Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen
- Adrianne Palicki as Tyra Collette
- Minka Kelly as Lyla Garrity
- Aimee Teegarden as Julie Taylor
- Jesse Plemons as Landry Clarke
Co Starring
Note: Costars who appeared in at least 5 episodes get listed here
- Derek Phillips as Billy Riggins
- Louanne Stephens as Lorraine Saracen
- Liz Mikel as Corrina Williams
- Jeremy Sumpter as JD McCoy
- Scott Porter as Jason Street
- Gaius Charles as Brian Williams
- Dana Wheeler-Nicholson as Angela Collette
- Stacy Oristano as Mindy Riggins
- D.W. Moffett as Joe McCoy
Guest Starring
Note: Credited guest stars are listed here, regardless of how many episodes they appear in
Episode List[]
| Episode Number Overall | Season |
Episode Information | ||||||||||
| 38 | 1 | I Knew You When October 1st 2008 Writer: Jason Katims Director: Jeffrey Reiner | ||||||||||
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Tami gets frustrated when she sees the school's lacking money when it comes to education but not the football team. Tyra is advised that because of her poor freshman grades, she shouldn't try to get into a good college. Smash wishes he was as sure as everyone else about his comeback after his shattered knee. Both Coach and Matt face pressure from the new QB recruit, JD McCoy. While Lyla and Tim differ on their relationship. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| South Pines Tigers | Win | 44-13 | 1-0 | ||||||||
| 39 | 2 | Tami Knows Best October 8th 2008 Writer: Elizabeth Heldens Director: Jeffrey Reiner | ||||||||||
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Tami defends her choice, despite the whole town hating her. Matt searches for a way to help his grandma and must find his long lost mother. Eric continues to help Smash. Tim and Lyla face a roadblock in their relationship. Tyra runs for office. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| Laribee Lions | Win | 49-6 | 2-0 | ||||||||
| 40 | 3 | How the Other Half Lives October 15th 2008 Writer: Patrick Massett & John Zinman Director: Dean White | ||||||||||
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Eric begins to wonder about his job, while Tami makes nice with Katie McCoy. Julie and Matt connect again. Riggins and Billy work on a money making scheme, which worries Lyla. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| Arnett Mead Tigers | Loss | 17-21 | 2-1 | ||||||||
| 41 | 4 | Hello, Goodbye October 22nd 2008 Writer: David Hudgins Director: Michael Waxman | ||||||||||
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Coach Taylor and Smash say goodbye. Billy focuses everyone's attention on his buddy Cash, a cowboy, who wins the bronco riding competition and Tyra over. While Julie comforts Matt during hard family times. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| No game this episode | |||||||||||
| 42 | 5 | Every Rose Has Its Thorn October 29th 2008 Writer: Kerry Ehrin Director: Jason Katims | ||||||||||
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Big ideas, big decisions--Tyra's new love, Cash, seems to be the man of her dreams but that quickly changes when his dark side comes to light. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| McNulty Mavericks | Win | 42-39 | 3-1 | ||||||||
| 43 | 6 | It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy November 5th, 2008 Writer: Bridget Carpenter Director: Patrick Norris | ||||||||||
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Coach is furious with Tim and the team for a freshman hazing. J.D. wins the respect of the town and team. A late night swim at the lake turns into more for Julie and Matt. Tyra is shocked when a woman shows up claiming Cash owes her child support. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| Westerby Chaps | Win | 31-17 | 4-1 | ||||||||
| 44 | 7 | Keeping Up Appearances November 12th, 2008 Writer: Brent Fletcher Director: Chris Eyre | ||||||||||
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Eric and Tami try to calm Jamarcus' angry parents; Billy helps Tim pursue a scholarship; and Jason, Herc and the Riggins brothers receive good news. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| Fort Hood Cougars | Win | 15-14 | 5-1 | ||||||||
| 45 | 8 | New York, New York November 19th, 2008 Writer: Kerry Ehrin Director: Jeffrey Reiner | ||||||||||
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Tim is worried when Jason talks about leaving Dillon. Money troubles cause a riff between Tami and Eric. Tyra leans on Cash when things get tough, while Julie talks to her dad about Matt's idea. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| No game this episode | |||||||||||
| 46 | 9 | Game of the Week December 3rd, 2008 Writer: David Hudgins Director: Michael Maxman | ||||||||||
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As if the stress of the playoffs wasn't enough, now the Panthers are playing a televised game, after being chosen as the high school game of the week. Tyra finds herself in a dangerous situation, after Cash shows his true self. A college coach wants to meet with Riggins, but he has to decide if he wants to go or not. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| Arnett Mead Tigers | Win | 10-7 | 6-1 | ||||||||
| 47 | 10 | The Giving Tree December 10th, 2008 Writer: Elizabeth Heldens Director: David Boyd | ||||||||||
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Buddy opens up to Lyla about their money troubles, after he has a brief run in with the law. Coach Taylor catches Julie and Matt sleeping together. J.D.'s father worries about him losing focus after meeting a new girl. Tyra gets a little tutoring help from Landry for her SAT's. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| Buckley Bisons | Win | 16-13 | 7-1 | ||||||||
| 48 | 11 | A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall December 17th, 2008 Writer: Bridget Carpenter, Patrick Massett & John Zinman Director: Michael Waxman | ||||||||||
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Tyra goes to Landry for help especially with Mindy's bridal shower coming up. The team is endangered by a new development. Matt's grandmother has an accident. Tim sees changes in Lyla. J.D. and his father, Joe, clash for the worse. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| West Cambria Mustangs | Win | 15-14 | 8-1 | ||||||||
| 49 | 12 | Underdogs January 7th 2009 Writer: Elizabeth Heldens Director: Jeffrey Reiner | ||||||||||
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Landry helps Tyra write her college essay. Matt is dealing with the various reactions his grandma will have once he tells her about his plans for college. Lyla leaves Tim's house. Eric and Tami come to a decision about the McCoys. The Panthers get ready to face one of the toughest teams. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Final Score | Record | ||||||||
| South Texas Titans | Loss | 28-30 | 8-2 | ||||||||
| 50 | 13 | Tomorrow Blues January 14th, 2009 Writer: Jason Katims Director: Jeffrey Reiner | ||||||||||
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In the third season finale, Eric and his contract are up for discussion. Lyla and Tim talk about their future together. Mindy and Billy's wedding day has finally come. Tyra waits for some hopefully happy news about her waiting list status. | ||||||||||
| Panthers Game | |||||||||||
| No game this episode | |||||||||||