“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA SRN WEEK ONE FOOTBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL AT JASPER
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL AT BEECH GROVE
BATESVILLE AT TRITON CENTRAL
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK ONE
ADAMS CENTRAL (0-0) AT GARRETT (0-0)
ALEXANDRIA (0-0) AT WES-DEL (0-0)
ANDREAN (0-0) AT MERRILLVILLE (0-0)
ATTICA (0-0) AT CULVER (0-0)
AVON (0-0) AT LAFAYETTE JEFF (0-0)
BATESVILLE (0-0) AT TRITON CENTRAL (0-0)
BELLMONT (0-0) AT HERITAGE (0-0)
BLOOMINGTON NORTH (0-0) AT MOORESVILLE (0-0)
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (0-0) AT COLUMBUS EAST (0-0)
BOONVILLE (0-0) AT PAOLI (0-0)
BOWMAN ACADEMY (0-0) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (0-0)
BREMEN (0-0) AT EAST NOBLE (0-0)
BROWN COUNTY (0-0) AT OWEN VALLEY (0-0)
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (0-0) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (0-0)
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (0-0) AT CENTERVILLE (0-0)
CASCADE (0-0) AT INDIAN CREEK (0-0)
CASTLE (0-0) AT EVANSVILLE NORTH (0-0)
CASTON (0-0) AT CARROLL (FLORA) (0-0)
CENTRAL NOBLE (0-0) AT WEST NOBLE (0-0)
CHRISTEL HOUSE (0-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (0-0)
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (TENN.) AT PROVIDENCE (0-0)
CHURUBUSCO (0-0) AT COLUMBIA CITY (0-0)
CLARKSVILLE (0-0) AT PIKE CENTRAL (0-0)
CLINTON CENTRAL (0-0) AT FRANKFORT (0-0)
CLINTON PRAIRIE (0-0) AT FRONTIER (0-0)
COLUMBUS NORTH (0-0) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (0-0)
COVINGTON (0-0) AT TRI-COUNTY (0-0)
CRAWFORDSVILLE (0-0) AT PARKE HERITAGE (0-0)
DEKALB (0-0) AT ANGOLA (0-0)
DELPHI (0-0) AT BENTON CENTRAL (0-0)
DELTA (0-0) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (0-0)
EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (0-0) AT OAK HILL (0-0)
EASTERN (PEKIN) (0-0) AT WEST WASHINGTON (0-0)
EDGEWOOD (0-0) AT MITCHELL (0-0)
ELKHART (0-0) AT CONCORD (0-0)
ELWOOD (0-0) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (0-0)
EVANSVILLE HARRISON (0-0) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (0-0)
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (0-0) AT EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-0)
**EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (0-0) AT JASPER (0-0)
FAIRFIELD (0-0) AT GOSHEN (0-0)
FISHERS (0-0) AT NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (0-0)
FOREST PARK (0-0) AT PRINCETON (0-0)
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (0-0) AT BLUFFTON (0-0)
FORT WAYNE DWENGER (0-0) AT BROWNSBURG (0-0)
FORT WAYNE NORTH (0-0) AT NORTHRIDGE (0-0)
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (0-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (0-0)
FRANKLIN (0-0) AT NEW ALBANY (0-0)
FRANKTON (0-0) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (0-0)
GARY WEST (0-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (0-0)
GIBSON SOUTHERN (0-0) AT DANVILLE (0-0)
GREENCASTLE (0-0) AT MONROVIA (0-0)
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (0-0) AT BEECH GROVE (0-0)
GREENSBURG (0-0) AT SHELBYVILLE (0-0)
HAGERSTOWN (0-0) AT KNIGHTSTOWN (0-0)
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (0-0) AT LAPEL (0-0)
**HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (0-0) AT CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (0-0)
HAMMOND CENTRAL (0-0) AT SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (0-0)
HAMMOND MORTON (0-0) AT PORTAGE (0-0)
HAMMOND NOLL (0-0) AT SOUTH BEND RILEY (0-0)
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (0-0) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (0-0)
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (0-0) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (0-0)
HERITAGE HILLS (0-0) AT SOUTHRIDGE (0-0)
HIGHLAND (0-0) AT GRIFFITH (0-0)
HOBART (0-0) AT CHESTERTON (0-0)
HOMESTEAD (0-0) AT CARMEL (0-0)
HUNTINGTON NORTH (0-0) AT EASTBROOK (0-0)
**INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (0-0) AT BEN DAVIS (0-0)
**INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (0-0) AT BREBEUF JESUIT (0-0)
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (0-0) AT SOUTHPORT (0-0)
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (0-0) AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-0)
INDIANAPOLIS TECH (0-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (0-0)
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (0-0) AT EDINBURGH (0-0)
IRVINGTON PREP (0-0) AT FAITH CHRISTIAN (0-0)
JAY COUNTY (0-0) AT BLACKFORD (0-0)
JEFFERSONVILLE (0-0) AT WHITELAND (0-0)
JENNINGS COUNTY (0-0) AT SOUTH DEARBORN (0-0)
JOHN GLENN (0-0) AT BOONE GROVE (0-0)
KNOX (0-0) AT NORTH JUDSON (0-0)
**KOKOMO (0-0) AT NEW PALESTINE (0-0)
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (0-0) AT SEEGER (0-0)
LAPORTE (0-0) AT NEW PRAIRIE (0-0)
LAVILLE (0-0) AT TRITON (0-0)
LAWRENCE NORTH (0-0) AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL (0-0)
**LAWRENCEBURG (0-0) AT EAST CENTRAL (0-0)
LEO (0-0) AT FORT WAYNE LUERS (0-0)
LOGANSPORT (0-0) AT PERU (0-0)
LOUISVILLE ST. XAVIER (KY.) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (0-0)
LOWELL (0-0) AT CROWN POINT (0-0)
MARION (0-0) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (0-0)
MARION LOCAL (OHIO) AT LINTON (0-0)
MARTINSVILLE (0-0) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (0-0)
MCCUTCHEON (0-0) AT GUERIN CATHOLIC (0-0)
MICHIGAN CITY (0-0) AT WARSAW (0-0)
MILAN (0-0) AT RUSHVILLE (0-0)
MISHAWAKA (0-0) AT MISHAWAKA MARIAN (0-0)
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (0-0) AT NOBLESVILLE (0-0)
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (0-0) AT NORTH POSEY (0-0)
MUNSTER (0-0) AT LAKE CENTRAL (0-0)
NEW CASTLE (0-0) AT FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-0)
NEW HAVEN (0-0) AT FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (0-0)
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (0-0) AT NORTH VERMILLION (0-0)
NORTH DAVIESS (0-0) AT WASHINGTON (0-0)
NORTH DECATUR (0-0) AT SOUTH DECATUR (0-0)
NORTH HARRISON (0-0) AT SALEM (0-0)
NORTH MONTGOMERY (0-0) AT NORTH PUTNAM (0-0)
NORTH NEWTON (0-0) AT WHITING (0-0)
NORTH WHITE (0-0) AT TAYLOR (0-0)
NORTHFIELD (0-0) AT NORTH MIAMI (0-0)
NORTHWESTERN (0-0) AT MANCHESTER (0-0)
NORTHWOOD (0-0) AT JIMTOWN (0-0)
NORWELL (0-0) AT MISSISSINEWA (0-0)
OSCEOLA GRACE AT CALUMET (0-0)
PARK TUDOR (0-0) AT GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (0-0)
PENDLETON HEIGHTS (0-0) AT LEBANON (0-0)
PERRY MERIDIAN (0-0) AT FRANKLIN CENTRAL (0-0)
PIONEER (0-0) AT LEWIS CASS (0-0)
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-0) AT WHITKO (0-0)
PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD (0-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (0-0)
RENSSELAER CENTRAL (0-0) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (0-0)
RICHMOND (0-0) AT CONNERSVILLE (0-0)
RIVER FOREST (0-0) AT EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (0-0)
RIVERTON PARKE (0-0) AT CLOVERDALE (0-0)
SCOTTSBURG (0-0) AT MADISON (0-0)
SEYMOUR (0-0) AT GREENWOOD (0-0)
SHENANDOAH (0-0) AT FREMONT (0-0)
SILVER CREEK (0-0) AT CHARLESTOWN (0-0)
SOUTH BEND ADAMS (0-0) AT CULVER ACADEMY (0-0)
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (0-0) AT LAKELAND (0-0)
SOUTH NEWTON (0-0) AT LAKE STATION (0-0)
SOUTH SPENCER (0-0) AT TECUMSEH (0-0)
SOUTHMONT (0-0) AT FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (0-0)
SOUTHWOOD (0-0) AT MACONAQUAH (0-0)
SPEEDWAY (0-0) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (0-0)
SPRINGS VALLEY (0-0) AT EASTERN GREENE (0-0)
SULLIVAN (0-0) AT NORTH KNOX (0-0)
SWITZERLAND COUNTY (0-0) AT CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-0)
TELL CITY (0-0) AT PERRY CENTRAL (0-0)
TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-0) AT NORTHVIEW (0-0)
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (0-0) AT PLAINFIELD (0-0)
TIPTON (0-0) VS. SOUTH ADAMS (0-0)
TRI-CENTRAL (0-0) AT MADISON-GRANT (0-0)
TRI-WEST (0-0) AT WESTERN (0-0)
TWIN LAKES (0-0) AT PLYMOUTH (0-0)
UNION CITY (0-0) AT TRI (0-0)
UNION COUNTY (0-0) AT NORTHEASTERN (0-0)
**VALPARAISO (0-0) AT PENN (0-0)
VINCENNES LINCOLN (0-0) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (0-0)
WABASH (0-0) AT ROCHESTER (0-0)
**WARREN CENTRAL (0-0) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (0-0)
WAWASEE (0-0) AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY (0-0)
WEST CENTRAL (0-0) AT WINAMAC (0-0)
WEST VIGO (0-0) AT SOUTH VERMILLION (0-0)
WESTERN BOONE (0-0) AT SHERIDAN (0-0)
**WESTFIELD (0-0) AT CENTER GROVE (0-0)
WHEELER (0-0) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (0-0)
WINCHESTER (0-0) AT MONROE CENTRAL (0-0)
WOODLAN (0-0) AT EASTSIDE (0-0)
YORKTOWN (0-0) AT ANDERSON (0-0)
ZIONSVILLE (0-0) AT PIKE (0-0)
**GAMES OF THE WEEK
ORDER THE 2024 INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST: https://indianafootballdigest.com/
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
SOUTHRIDGE 3 HORIZON CHRISTIAN 0
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 3 GUERIN CATHOLIC 0
MONROE CENTRAL 3 UNION CITY 1
IRVINGTON PREP 3 IMSAN 0
SCOTTSBURG 3 W. WASHINGTON 1
MUNCIE CENTRAL 3 ALEXANDRIA MONROE 2
COVINGTON 3 N. MONTGOMERY 0
SOUTHWOOD 3 EASTERN 0
DALEVILLE 3 WES DEL 0
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 3 MITCHELL 0
MANCHESTER 3 PERU 0
SOUTH NEWTON 3 KANKAKEE VALLEY 1
NEW PALESTINE 3 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 0
WESTERN BOONE 3 MONROVIA 0
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 3 MOUNT VERNON 1
HANOVER CENTRAL 3 N. NEWTON 0
HOMESTEAD 3 FORT WAYNE LUERS 0
GARRETT 3 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 2
TECUMSEH 3 EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 0
PROVIDENCE 3 HOLY CROSS 0
NORTH DAVIESS 3 SHOALS 2
SHERIDAN 3 CLINTON CENTRAL 0
FORT WAYNE DWENGER 3 BELLMONT 1
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 3 HENRYVILLE 0
PERRY MERIDIAN 3 DECATUR CENTRAL 0
GOSHEN HOMESCHOOL 3 ARGOS 0
WOODLAN 3 NEW HAVEN 2
BROWNSBURG 3 BEN DAVIS 0
PENN 3 NORTHWOOD 0
ELKHART CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 3 LOBEL 0
JIMTOWN 3 BETHANY CHRISTIAN 0
WAPAHANI 3 DELTA 2
PLYMOUTH 3 LAPORTE 0
FRANKLIN 3 GREENWOOD 0
MISHAWAKA 3 MISHAWAKA MARIAN 0
HAGERSTOWN 3 FRANKLIN COUNTY 0
FRANKFORT 3 ROSSVILLE 1
INDY GENESIS 3 COLONIAL CHRISTIAN 0
SEYMOUR 3 COLUMBUS NORTH 1
TAYLOR 3 TRI-CENTRAL 0
NORTHRIDGE 3 LAKELAND 1
RIVERTON PARKE 3 N. CENTRAL 0
SOUTHWESTERN 3 SHELBYVILLE 2
LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN 3 CENTRAL NOBLE 1
VINCENNES LINCOLN 3 PIKE CENTRAL 0
JASPER 3 EVANSVILLE REITZ 0
LAWRENCEBURG 3 CONNERSVILLE 0
INDIANA BOYS SOCCER SCORES
COVENANT CHRISTIAN 4 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 2
MORGAN TWP. 3 VICTORY CHRISTIAN 0
TELL CITY 9 PIKE CENTRAL 2
SULLIVAN 4 VINCENNES RIVET 1
WHITE RIVER 4 LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 0
MANCHESTER 7 N. MIAMI 0
INTERNATIONAL 2 PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY 1
RITTER 6 TRITON CENTRAL 0
SHOALS 3 WASHINGTON CATHOLIC 1
BENTON CENTRAL 4 TWIN LAKES 0
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 2 ELKHART CHRISTIAN 0
SOUTHWESTERN 6 SHAW MEMORIAL 2
GLENN 12 WINAMAC 0
BARR REEVE 9 EASTERN GREENE 1
WESTERN 5 CARROLL 2
CRAWFORDSVILLE 9 WESTERN BOONE 0
SOUTHMONT 0 LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 0
NORTH HARRISON 8 AUSTIN 0
MISSISSINEWA 4 PERU 2
MARTINSVILLE 9 EDGEWOOD 0
CASCADE 9 W. VIGO 0
ANDERSON 9 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 0
PRINCETON 8 S. SPENCER 0
WESTVIEW 4 WAWASEE 0
JEFFERSONVILLE 9 CORYDON CENTRAL 0
SOUTH KNOX 4 EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 2
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 6 EVANSVILLE REITZ 0
FORT WAYNE CARROLL 5 W. NOBLE 1
PENN 3 NORTHRIDGE 2
CONCORD 5 NORTHWOOD 0
NORTH CENTRAL 2 WARREN CENTRAL 0
LOGANSPORT 2 FRANKFORT 1
CENTERVILLE 7 RUSHVILLE 0
HERITAGE HILLS 5 BOONVILLE 0
FORT WAYNE LUERS 9 BELLMONT 0
BROWNSBURG 3 PLAINFIELD 1
NEW ALBANY 5 SILVER CREEK 1
CATHEDRAL 0 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 0
LEO 1 FORT WAYNE NORTH 1
WHITELAND 1 SPEEDWAY 1
DELTA 11 DALEVILLE 1
GUERIN CATHOLIC 4 PARK TUDOR 0
CONNERSVILLE 2 NEW CASTLE 0
HUNTINGTON NORTH 2 FORT WAYNE SNIDER 0
WESTFIELD 2 FISHERS 1
MOUNT VERNON 2 RICHMOND 1
PERRY MERIDIAN 1 NOBLESVILLE 1
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 5 GIBSON SOUTHERN 1
TRI-WEST 4 AVON 3
FRANKLIN CENTRAL 2 RONCALLI 0
CENTER GROVE 4 BREBEUF 0
TIPTON 2 OAK HILL 2
ARCHBISHOP MOELLER OH 3 E. CENTRAL 1
MACONAQUAH 3 KOKOMO 2
INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER SCORES
GOSHEN 5 MISHAWAKA 0
FRANKLIN COUNTY 10 UNION COUNTY 1
HERITAGE HILLS 11 BOONVILLE 0
LAKE CENTRAL 9 MERRILLVILLE 0
CROWN POINT 10 MICHIGAN CITY 0
NORTHWOOD 10 BETHANY CHRISTIAN 0
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 9 INDY GENESIS 0
BENTON CENTRAL 9 TWIN LAKES 0
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 4 FOREST PARK 3
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 3 EVANSVILLE REITZ 2
TRINITY 4 ARGOS 1
RITTER 2 SHORTRIDGE 1
TERRE HAUTE NORTH 4 NORTHVIEW 1
FAITH CHRISTIAN 4 CRAWFORDSVILLE 1
TIPTON 4 ROSSVILLE 3
COVINGTON 2 W. VIGO 0
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 11 N. MONTGOMERY 2
FORT WAYNE LUERS 5 SOUTH ADAMS 0
ELKHART CHRISTIAN 2 LAKEWOOD PARK 1
CENTRAL NOBLE 4 HERITAGE 3
EDGEWOOD 7 INDIAN CREEK 0
GREENSBURG 5 RISING SUN 0
YORKTOWN 1 BLACKFORD 0
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 5 TRINITY LUTHERAN 1
HIGHLAND 3 ANDREAN 2
SOUTH DEARBORN 6 JENNINGS COUNTY 0
NORTHRIDGE 10 GLENN 1
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK 4 WOODLAN 0
KOUTS 5 E. CHICAGO CENTRAL 0
CHESTERTON 9 LAPORTE 0
MUNSTER 2 HOBART 0
VINCENNES RIVET 4 SULLIVAN 0
SOUTH BEND ADAMS 8 SOUTH BEND RILEY 0
FORT WAYNE SNIDER 6 HUNTINGTON NORTH 0
CARMEL 4 SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 1
FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA 4 FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY 2
WESTVIEW 6 PLYMOUTH 0
LAWRENCEBURG 5 OLDENBURG ACADEMY 1
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 3 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 0
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF
TRI-WEST 190 MONROVIA 192 SOUTHMONT 240
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS
ALEXANDRIA 5 JAY COUNTY 0
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
ARIZONA 3 MIAMI 1
COLORADO 3 WASHINGTON 1
CLEVELAND 9 NY YANKEES 5 (12)
TORONTO 10 CINCINNATI 3
BALTIMORE 9 NY METS 5
ATLANTA 3 PHILADELPHIA 1
MILWAUKEE 3 ST. LOUIS 2
PITTSBURGH 4 TEXAS 0
CHICAGO CUBS 3 DETROIT 1
LA ANGELS 9 KANSAS CITY 5
BOSTON 6 HOUSTON 5
TAMPA BAY 1 OAKLAND 0
SAN DIEGO 7 MINNESOTA 5
SAN FRANCISCO 4 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1
LA DODGERS 6 SEATTLE 3
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
COLUMBUS 2 INDIANAPOLIS 1
SOUTH BEND 3 BELOIT 2
PEORIA 2 FORT WAYNE 1
WNBA SCORES
CONNECTICUT 69 LOS ANGELES 61
NEW YORK 94 DALLAS 74
SEATTLE 83 WASHINGTON 77
EARLY COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, AUG. 24 IN WEEK ZERO:
AER LINGUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CLASSIC: FLORIDA STATE VS. GEORGIA TECH (IN DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 12 P.M. ET | ESPN
MCNEESE AT TARLETON STATE | 2:30 P.M. ET| ESPN2
MONTANA STATE AT NEW MEXICO | 4 P.M. ET | FS1
FCS KICKOFF: NORTH ALABAMA VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE (CRAMTON BOWL IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) | 7 P.M. ET | ESPN
MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE: NORFOLK STATE VS. FLORIDA A&M (CENTER PARC STADIUM IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
SMU AT NEVADA | 8 P.M. ET |CBS SPORTS NETWORK
DELAWARE STATE AT HAWAII
THURSDAY, AUG. 29
NORTH CAROLINA AT MINNESOTA | 8 P.M. ET | FOX
NORTH DAKOTA STATE AT COLORADO | 8 P.M. ET | ESPN
SACRAMENTO STATE AT SAN JOSE STATE | 10 P.M. ET | TRUTV AND MAX
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
TCU AT STANFORD | 10:30 P.M. ET | ESPN
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
AFLAC KICKOFF GAME: CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 12 P.M. ET | ABC
PENN STATE AT WEST VIRGINIA | 12 P.M. | FOX
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT OKLAHOMA STATE | 2 P.M. ET | ESPN+
MIAMI (FL) AT FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. ET | ABC
NOTRE DAME AT TEXAS A&M | 7:30 P.M. ET | ABC
GEORGIA STATE AT GEORGIA TECH | 8 P.M. ET | ACC NETWORK
TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE AT SAN DIEGO STATE | 8 P.M. ET | TRUTV AND MAX
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1
ORANGE BLOSSOM CLASSIC: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS. ALABAMA STATE (HARD ROCK STADIUM IN MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA) | 3 P.M. ET | ESPN
VEGAS KICKOFF CLASSIC: LSU VS. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (ALLEGIANT STADIUM IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA) | 7:30 P.M. ON ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 2
BOSTON COLLEGE AT FLORIDA STATE | 7:30 P.M. ET | ESPN
INDIANA HOOSIERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 3:30
SEPTEMBER 6 VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS 7:00
SEPTEMBER 14 AT UCLA 7:30
SEPTEMBER 21 VS. CHARLOTTE TBA
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. MARYLAND TBA
OCTOBER 5 AT NORTHWESTERN TBA
OCTOBER 19 VS. NEBRASKA TBA
OCTOBER 26 VS. WASHINGTON TBA
NOVEMBER 2 AT MICHIGAN STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 9 VS. MICHIGAN TBA
NOVEMBER 23 AT OHIO STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 30 VS. PURDUE TBA
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 VS. INDIANA STATE 12:00
SEPTEMBER 14 VS. NOTRE DAME 3:30
SEPTEMBER 21 AT OREGON STATE 8:30
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. NEBRASKA 12:00
OCTOBER 5 AT WISCONSIN TBA
OCTOBER 12 AT ILLINOIS TBA
OCTOBER 18 VS. OREGON 8:00
NOVEMBER 2 VS. NORTHWESTERN TBA
NOVEMBER 9 AT OHIO STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 16 VS. PENN STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 22 AT MICHIGAN STATE 8:00
NOVEMBER 30 AT INDIANA TBA
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 21 AT TEXAS A&M 7:30
SEPTEMBER 7 VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS 3:30
SEPTEMBER 14 AT PURDUE 3:30
SEPTEMBER 21 VS. MIAMI (OH) 3:30
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. LOUISVILLE 3:30
OCTOBER 12 VS. STANFORD 3:30
OCTOBER 19 AT GEORGIA TECH TBA
OCTOBER 26 AT NAVY 12:00
NOVEMBER 9 VS. FLORIDA STATE 7:30
NOVEMBER 16 VS. VIRGINIA 3:30
NOVEMBER 23 AT ARMY 7:00 (YANKEE STADIUM)
NOVEMBER 30 AT USC TBA
BUTLER BULLDOGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 VS. UPPER IOWA 1:00
SEPTEMBER 7 AT MURRAY STATE 6:00 CT
SEPTEMBER 14 VS. HANOVER 6:00
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY-LYNCHBURG 1:00
OCTOBER 5 VS. MOREHEAD STATE 1:00
OCTOBER 12 AT DRAKE 1:00 CT
OCTOBER 19 VS. DAYTON 1:00
OCTOBER 26 AT DAVIDSON 1:00
NOVEMBER 2 VS. STETSON 1:00
NOVEMBER 9 AT VALPO 1:00 CT
NOVEMBER 16 VS. ST. THOMAS 1:00
NOVEMBER 23 AT PRESBYTERIAN 1:00
BALL STATE CARDINALS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 7 VS. MISSOURI STATE 2:00
SEPTEMBER 14 AT MIAMI FL 3:30
SEPTEMBER 21 AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN TBA
SEPTEMBER 28 AT JAMES MADISON TBA
OCTOBER 5 VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN TBA
OCTOBER 12 AT KENT STATE TBA
OCTOBER 19 AT VANDERBILT TBA
OCTOBER 26 VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS TBA
NOVEMBER 5 VS. MIAMI OH TBA
NOVEMBER 12 AT BUFFALO 7:00
NOVEMBER 23 VS. BOWLING GREEN TBA
NOVEMBER 29 AT OHIO TBA
INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 AT PURDUE 12:00
SEPTEMBER 7 AT EASTERN ILLINOIS 7:00
SEPTEMBER 14 VS. DAYTON 6:00
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 1:00
OCTOBER 5 AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE 2:00
OCTOBER 12 VS. MURRAY STATE 1:00
OCTOBER 19 AT MISSOURI STATE 3:00
OCTOBER 26 VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 1:00
NOVEMBER 2 VS. NORTH DAKOTA 1:00
NOVEMBER 9 AT SOUTH DAKOTA 2:00
NFL PRE-SEASON
WEEK THREE:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22:
INDIANAPOLIS AT CINCINNATI, 8:00 PM
CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY, 8:20 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23:
JACKSONVILLE AT ATLANTA, 7:00 PM
MIAMI AT TAMPA BAY, 7:30 PM
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 10:00 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24:
CAROLINA AT BUFFALO, 1:00 PM
PITTSBURGH AT DETROIT, 1:00 PM
BALTIMORE AT GREEN BAY, 1:00 PM
L.A. RAMS AT HOUSTON, 1:00 PM
MINNESOTA AT PHILADELPHIA, 1:00 PM
L.A. CHARGERS AT DALLAS, 4:00 PM
N.Y. GIANTS AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30 PM
CLEVELAND AT SEATTLE, 10:00 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25:
TENNESSEE AT NEW ORLEANS, 2:00 PM
ARIZONA AT DENVER, 4:30 PM
NEW ENGLAND AT WASHINGTON (NBC), 8:00 PM
NFL WEEK ONE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
- BALTIMORE RAVENS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 8:20 P.M. ET (NBC)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
- GREEN BAY PACKERS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL), 8:15 P.M. ET (PEACOCK)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- ARIZONA CARDINALS AT BUFFALO BILLS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, 4:05 P.M. ET (CBS)
- DENVER BRONCOS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, 4:05 P.M. ET (CBS)
- DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS, 4:25 P.M. ET (CBS)
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 4:25 P.M. ET (FOX)
- LOS ANGELES RAMS AT DETROIT LIONS, 8:20 P.M. ET (NBC)
MONDAY, SEPT. 9
- NEW YORK JETS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, 8:15 P.M. ET (ESPN/ABC)
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MISSISSIPPI STATE RESETS WITH ROOKIE COACH JEFF LEBBY OVERHAULING BULLDOGS IN EVERY PHASE
Mississippi State hopes its third coach in as many seasons settles one of the program’s most tumultuous stretches in recent memory.
It’s Jeff Lebby’s turn to lead the Bulldogs, and this season will require patience as the rookie head coach handles the growing pains of starting virtually from scratch with an overhauled roster that returns no starters on offense.
“It’s going to be incredibly hard doing what we do. We understand that,” Lebby said. “They know it’s going to be incredibly hard, it’s going to be incredibly tough, it’s going to be difficult to do what we’re going to do. But having fun in the doing to me and for us as a culture is incredibly important.”
The former Oklahoma offensive coordinator succeeds Zach Arnett, who was fired last November after a 4-6 start to his only full season since succeeding the late Mike Leach in December 2022 following his death from a heart-related issue. (Greg Knox went 1-1 as interim coach with a 17-7 Egg Bowl loss to rival Mississippi.)
MSU’s 1-7 Southeastern Conference finish matched its worst since 2008 and the Bulldogs lost by an average margin of 20.4 points per game. The Bulldogs now must climb from the cellar of an expanded SEC with Oklahoma and Texas moving from the Big 12. Those Longhorns are among six ranked foes MSU will face this fall.
At first glance, Lebby couldn’t have walked into a tougher situation. On the other hand, he brings in a sparkling resume of crafting high-octane offenses at Oklahoma, UCF and rival Mississippi. The Sooners had the nation’s third-best offense last season under Lebby (507 yards per game), a unit that was sixth in passing (325.8) and fourth in scoring (41.7 points).
MSU’s new spread offense has the chance to light up the scoreboard more often after ranking near the SEC bottom last fall. Record-setting quarterback Will Rogers — who thrived in Leach’s pass-happy Air Raid scheme but struggled with injuries and in a pro-set system — has transferred to Washington. Senior Baylor transfer Blake Shapen is projected to inherit the job.
Like Lebby, Shapen is eager to exceed expectations.
“There are not a lot of expectations at the end of the day for us,” the QB said. “So, I feel like that fuels us in a way that makes us want to go out there and prove a lot of people wrong. And I’m excited.”
Case for the defense
Coleman Hutzler begins as defensive coordinator, tasked with lifting MSU from mid-pack of the SEC in yardage allowed (350.6 per game) while replacing eight starters including standout tackling tandem Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson. Hutzler will build around safety Corey Ellington (66 stops, 30 solo, two sacks), linebacker JP Purvis, and linemen Deonte Anderson and De’Monte Russell. Purvis and Anderson posted 39 and 38 tackles, respectively.
Offensive building blocks
Running backs Seth Davis (356 yards) and Jeffery Pittman (268) are back. Antonio Harmon, Jordan Mosely and Creed Whittemore top the receiver corps, with Malik Ellis, Albert Reese IV, Grant Jackson providing protection up front.
Lebby will call the plays in hopes of improving an offense that averaged just 328.6 yards per game and ranked 12th in the SEC.
The take on Blake
Shapen brings Big 12 experience after throwing for 4,978 yards and 31 touchdowns as a two-year starter at Baylor. He also started the Bears’ final two games as a freshman in 2021 and earned MVP honors in the conference championship game with 17 consecutive completions and 23 of 28 attempts for 180 yards and three TDs.
Staff retention
Lebby retained defensive line coach David Turner, who enters his second season with the Bulldogs and eighth total in three stints. Wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis is back for a second season.
Brutal schedule
The Bulldogs open against Eastern Kentucky on Aug. 31. They start SEC play at Florida on Sept. 21 before starting a league gauntlet the following week at No. 4 Texas and top-ranked Georgia (Oct. 12) and hosting No. 20 Texas A&M on Oct. 19. MSU closes with another stretch of ranked foes, with No. 15 Tennessee (Nov. 9) and No. 11 Missouri (Nov. 23) before visiting No. 6 rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl finale the following week.
SEAT WARMS FOR ARKANSAS COACH SAM PITTMAN, WITH HOPES OF FIXES ON DEFENSE AND NEW FACES ON OFFENSE
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Sam Pittman acknowledges what he faces heading into the 2024 season, his fifth as Arkansas football coach. Another year like the last and he likely will no longer carry that title in December.
The Razorbacks are coming off a 4-8 season with a 1-7 record in the Southeastern Conference. It was the team’s fourth season in the last seven in which they won just one SEC game. A big reason Pittman is getting another shot is that he led Arkansas to 9-4 and 7-6 records the previous two years. Those two seasons, combined with the good vibes created shortly after Chad Morris’ two 2-10 seasons, bought some good will.
Those two quality seasons now feel like forever ago, partly because the Razorbacks lost five one-score games last season.
Pittman believes that can change.
“I really like this team, and I think with the culture and the tightness of the team, I think you can win those games a little bit easier than if it’s the other way,” he said.
Petrino’s back
Former head coach Bobby Petrino has returned to Fayetteville. His stint as head coach ended ignominiously in 2011 after a motorcycle wreck and subsequent scandal involving a female staffer. His public-image rehabilitation tour started in 2013 at Western Kentucky and has seen him make stops at Louisville, Missouri State, UNLV, Texas A&M and now back where things went awry, this time as offensive coordinator.
“Not only do I think he’s a wonderful offensive coordinator, he also was a very successful head coach,” Pittman said. “So there is a lot of times where I’m able to run things by him and we decide collectively at times what is best for the University of Arkansas football team.”
Fix-it list
Arkansas will be better if its offensive line doesn’t exhibit the same sieve-like tendencies it did last year. Razorbacks quarterbacks were sacked 47 times, the sixth-most allowed in the Bowl Subdivision. Run blocking was little better as Arkansas’ 139 yards per game ranked 89th.
Three new likely starters have come via the transfer portal, and five of the 10 players on the depth chart across the five spots on the line are new to the team this season. In fact, new faces are a theme across nearly the whole roster.
Two new faces to know
Former Boise State quarterback Taylen Green will replace KJ Jefferson, who transferred to UCF. Green spent most of the last two seasons as the Broncos starter, though he threw for fewer than 2,000 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. Still, Pittman decided last spring the newcomer will be Arkansas’ starter.
When he isn’t passing, Green will likely be handing the ball most often to Ja’Quinden Jackson, a transfer from Utah. Jackson led the Utes with 797 yards rushing last year while splitting duties with Jaylon Glover.
Low expectations?
Even with Petrino’s return and some personnel changes, the Razorbacks were picked 14th in the expanded 16-team Southeastern Conference. Pittman is embracing the pressure.
“Our expectations are as high as they’ve ever been for this season coming up,” he said.
The schedule
The Razorbacks don’t have to SEC juggernauts Alabama or Georgia on the schedule but still face seven teams ranked in preseason AP Top 25. That includes away games against No. 17 Oklahoma State (Sept. 7), No. 20 Texas A&M (Sept. 28) and No. 11 Missouri (Nov. 30) but the rest are at home: Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas. Arkansas opens the season in Little Rock against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Aug. 29.
COUNTING TO 11 IS ONE GOAL FOR EMBATTLED FLORIDA COACH BILLY NAPIER. A WINNING SEASON IS ANOTHER
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Billy Napier jokes about it now. The Florida coach routinely makes light of his team’s inability to consistently get 11 men on the field.
When asked about potential position battles in training camp last week, Napier quipped: “The reality is you only get to put 11 out there at once. We’re going to get 11 every play this year.”
The line drew cackles from the room. It was no laughing matter in 2023.
The Gators looked so disorganized at times last year — mostly on special teams and reaching a low point during a home loss to Arkansas — that Napier and his job status became popular punchlines.
Napier initially pushed back on questions regarding simple math. But he’s embraced it as a priority in 2024, and everyone realizes that Florida’s basic operations need to improve for Napier to regain the fanbase’s trust and guarantee himself a fourth season in Gainesville.
Napier is 11-14 through two years, becoming the first Gators coach since Raymond Wolf in 1946-47 with back-to-back losing seasons.
“Every year you’ve got a set of problems, whether you lack momentum or you have momentum, whether you’ve had a great offseason and you’re coming off of a fantastic year, or maybe you struggled and didn’t quite perform the way you’d like,” Napier said. “You’ve got to view each team as its own entity, and you’ve got to try and be objective about how you make decisions.”
Napier responded to last year’s 5-7 campaign, which included five straight losses and countless organizational issues, by layering nearly every aspect of his program. He hired a new defensive coordinator (Ron Roberts), a new special teams coordinator (Joe Houston), a new strength and conditioning coach (Tyler Miles) and even replaced the team nutritionist. He promoted Russ Callaway to co-offensive coordinator, although Napier is maintaining his play-calling role.
The Gators are counting on immediate results, even though BetMGM oddsmakers placed their over/under win total at 4 ½ and Southeastern Conference media members picked them to finish 12th in the 16-team league.
“That’s personal, man,” defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp said. “I feel like everybody that had something to say, everybody that (predicted) our failure and had a doubt in their mind about us … they are going to have live with that real soon.
“May God have mercy on a lot of teams’ souls, because I won’t. I promise you I won’t.”
Mertz returns
Napier calls quarterback Graham Mertz’s decision to stay in college “a huge deal” for the program. The former Wisconsin transfer completed nearly 73% of his passes last season for 2,903 yards, with 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. He missed the season finale against Florida State with a broken collarbone but now he’s back for a second season with Napier.
The Gators expect Mertz to have better protection in front of him and more playmakers, including transfer receivers Chimere Dike and Elijhah Badger.
Defensive overhaul
Defense was the biggest issue in 2023, with the Gators allowing more than 38 points a game over the second half of the season. Napier fired two assistants and essentially demoted 30-year-old coordinator Austin Armstrong.
He also turned to the transfer portal for help, signing five potential starters on that side of the ball: defensive tackle Joey Slackman (Penn), linebacker Grayson Howard (South Carolina), defensive back DJ Douglas (Tulane), safety Asa Turner (Washington) and pass rusher George Gumbs Jr. (Northern Illinois).
Game-changer?
To help curb special teams miscues, Houston will use a “launch pad” on the sideline. The mat has circles for each special teams player to stand in, improving the chances of getting exactly 11 on the field.
“It’s good to get organized in that scenario,” kicker Trey Smack said.
The gauntlet
The most daunting schedule in school history awaits, hardly ideal considering Napier is likely coaching for his job. The gauntlet begins against No. 19 Miami in the Swamp on Aug. 31 and includes a half-dozen more teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 college football poll. Three of those games are on the road (Tennessee, Texas, Florida State) in addition to the annual neutral side showdown with No. 1 Georgia in Jacksonville.
COACH MIKE ELKO LOOKS TO GET NO. 20 TEXAS A&M BACK ON TRACK AFTER JIMBO FISHER’S FIRING
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Mike Elko turned around Duke’s program in his first head coaching job.
He is embarking on a much greater challenge at No. 20 Texas A&M, where he will try to take the Aggies to the next level after replacing the underperforming Jimbo Fisher.
Elko spent four years as defensive coordinator with the Aggies before taking the Blue Devils job after the 2021 season. He led Duke to a 16-9 record in two seasons after the team had combined to win just 10 games in the previous three years.
The Aggies are coming off a disappointing 7-6 campaign where Fisher was fired near the end of his sixth season. His departure led to a major turnover in the roster. Elko said that almost half the team left after last season and the Aggies have 41 new scholarship players this year.
Despite that, Elko has been encouraged by what he has seen from the Aggies since his arrival.
“It’s been awesome to watch them intentionally go out of their way to come together and bond and be ready to put together a tremendous product for Aggie fans to be proud of this fall,” he said. “Make no mistake, there’s a lot of work still to be done to become the best version of ourselves but we’re meeting that challenge head on. I’m excited about our progress.”
One of Texas A&M’s most important returning players is quarterback Conner Weigman. The former five-star recruit is healthy after a season-ending foot injury in the fourth game last season.
“This year I wanted to be a better leader, be the voice on the offensive side and just step up and be that guy in the locker room,” he said. “And I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of that.”
Better pass rush
Texas A&M’s pass rush got a huge boost with the addition of defensive end Nic Scourton, who spent the last two seasons at Purdue. Scourton, who was named a second team preseason AP All American, led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the nation with 10 sacks in 2023.
Scourton, who went to high school five miles from Kyle Field, was not recruited by the Aggies before signing with Purdue. He is thrilled to be back home.
“No hard feelings at all,” he said. “I think that just pushes me to go harder … it just makes me want to go out there and prove it more.”
Scourton, who some see as a top 10 pick in early NFL draft projections, spent time this summer working with Texas A&M greats Von Miller and Myles Garrett.
“I built a lot of confidence out there just seeing that I could fit in with those guys,” he said.
Owens out
The Aggies will be without Rueben Owens this season after the running back suffered a serious foot injury during a recent scrimmage. Elko said he could return if the Aggies advance to the postseason.
Owens had 101 carries for 385 yards in 13 games last season. Without him, the Aggies will look to Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss to carry the running game. Daniels led the team last season with 532 yards rushing and six touchdowns and Moss added 484 yards.
The schedule
Texas A&M will be tested early with an Aug. 31 visit from seventh-ranked Notre Dame. Elko was asked if he likes facing a high-caliber team to start the season so he can see how his squad stacks up.
“I’m a football coach,” he said. “I’d like to play no teams of that caliber, but I guess we have to … I think our program is very much aware that we have to be firing on all cylinders the first time we run out of the tunnel.”
No. 11 Missouri (Oct. 5) and No. 13 LSU (Oct. 26) both visit College Station. The most highly anticipated game of the season is the return of the rivalry with SEC newcomer and bitter foe Texas when the fourth-ranked Longhorns visit Nov. 30.
KIFFIN AND NO. 6 OLE MISS ARE TRYING TO AVOID THE ‘RAT POISON’ OF HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Lane Kiffin is no stranger to being part of a highly ranked team high on talent and with expectations to match.
It’s less familiar territory at Mississippi, where rampant preseason hype hasn’t typically been an issue.
It certainly is now.
The Rebels are coming off their first 11-win season and are No. 6 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, their highest initial ranking since Archie Manning’s days in 1970. Kiffin doesn’t want his players getting caught up in all that hoopla, following the “rat poison” approach of his former boss Nick Saban at Alabama.
“Even players who have had previous success here or other places, that doesn’t mean anything either,” he said. “Just making sure that they understand … how that means nothing and those can always be exact opposite a lot of times from what happens at the end of the year.”
There is reason for excitement for a program coming off its second New Year’s Six bowl appearance in three years. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is back for his third year as starter and has a group of wide receivers led by Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins and South Carolina transfer Antwane Wells.
Kiffin and the Rebels also got a huge boost with 23 Division I transfers, including Southeastern Conference defensive linemen Walter Nolen (Texas A&M) and Princely Umanmielen (Florida) and former Washington offensive linemen Nate Kalepo and Julius Buelow.
Replacing Judkins
The biggest offseason blow for the Rebels came when star tailback Quinshon Judkins left for Ohio State. Judkins was already third on the program’s career rushing charts after just two seasons. Ulysses Bentley IV was the No. 2 rusher last season with 540 yards. Henry Parrish Jr. returns for his second stint at Ole MIss after leading Miami in rushing each of the past two seasons and other transfers could play significant roles, too.
Receivers galore
Dart may just have the best collection of targets in the SEC. Harris is the big star after racking up 985 yards and eight touchdowns. Watkins had 741 receiving yards last season while tight end Caden Prieskorn caught 30 passes. Wells missed most of his final season at South Carolina with a foot injury but had 68 catches for 928 yards and six touchdowns in 2022.
Golding’s second season
Defensive coordinator Pete Golding got some big reinforcements for his second season after arriving from Alabama. The defense did make strides last season.
Key players like linebacker Suntarine Perkins, defensive end Jared Ivey and safety John Saunders Jr. return. Golding’s group gets big boosts from portal pickups like former prized recruit Nolen, pass rusher Umanmielen, linebacker Chris Paul Jr. from Arkansas and cornerback Trey Amos from Alabama.
Have the Rebels caught up to traditional powers?
For all their success under Kiffin, the Rebels haven’t been able to match SEC powers like Georgia and Alabama (and now Texas) with their hauls of five-star recruits. Kiffin is hoping those portal pickups have helped close the talent gap.
“I think we’ve answered a lot of those questions,” he said. “When you go out there and watch us, we look more like what Alabama and Georgia look like over the last four years when we go warm up against them. That doesn’t mean we’re going to win.”
The schedule
Ole Miss appears to have a manageable path into October, with the top opponent figuring to be Kentucky (Sept. 28). But road games include LSU (Oct. 12) and Florida (Nov. 23). Alabama isn’t on the schedule with divisions gone by the wayside, but Georgia visits on Nov. 9.
DEBOER ERA SET TO BEGIN AT ALABAMA AMID TYPICALLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR DEFENDING SEC CHAMPS
Much has changed at Alabama since Jalen Milroe ran smack into a wall of Michigan defenders in the Rose Bowl. Just not the expectations.
Nick Saban won’t be stalking the sidelines anymore. That job belongs to Kalen DeBoer, who led Washington to a national runner-up finish last year.
Milroe is back at quarterback where he thrived after a slow start but will be relying on a largely different group of playmakers. The defending Southeastern Conference champion Crimson Tide will still enter the season ranked No. 5 and expected to once again make the newly expanded College Football Playoff.
What else is new? A lot, actually, but not the general air of confidence around the football building for a program that won six national championships in Saban’s 17 seasons. If DeBoer’s description of his first staff in Tuscaloosa fits the players, too, it bodes well for the season.
“They’re beyond motivated,” DeBoer said. “They’re driving to be great, driven to uphold the standard of Alabama football.”
The team should be plenty motivated by how last season ended. Alabama was knocked out of the playoff when Milroe was stopped well short of the end zone in overtime.
“I think about the Michigan game almost every day,” Tide safety Malachi Moore said. “Even fresh off of wake-up, 6:30, it’s the first thing on my mind coming to work every day. I think that’s one of our main driving factors. Everybody that was here has that bad taste in our mouth that we didn’t finish and we were right there.”
DeBoer also saw his season end against Michigan. He led his Huskies to the national championship game, but they fell 34-13.
Who are Milroe’s top playmakers?
The Tide must replace their top three receivers and two leading rushers thanks to transfers and the pros. There are plenty of candidates for the roles.
At wide receiver, DeBoer brought Germie Bernard with him from Washington to provide much-needed experience. His splashiest recruiting win was getting five-star receiver Ryan Williams back into the fold after the two-time Alabama Mr. Football decommitted following Saban’s retirement. Williams reclassified from the 2025 class and won’t turn 18 until after the season.
Jam Miller and Justice Haynes are the most experienced returnees in a backfield that has loaded up on highly rated prospects.
Secondary makeover
Moore is the only returning starter in the secondary, but Alabama got experienced transfers in Domani Jackson (USC), Keon Sabb (Michigan) and DaShawn Jones (Wake Forest). The Tide also landed three defensive backs rated as five-star prospects in the 247Sports composite rankings: Jaylen Mbakwe, Zavier Mincey and Zabien Brown.
However, Alabama lost rising star safety Caleb Downs to Ohio State via the transfer portal along with NFL draft picks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Key portal pickups
The offensive line got big boosts from the return of left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who had briefly transferred to Iowa, and the arrival of former Washington center Parker Brailsford. Another likely starter is Miami (Ohio) transfer Graham Nicholson, who won the Lou Groza Award last season as the nation’s top placekicker. Defensive lineman LT Overton arrives from Texas A&M.
New defensive boss
One big change for the Tide is a move from the defensive pedigree of Saban to DeBoer, whose specialty lies more on offense. DeBoer put former South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack in charge of the defense. Wommack takes over a group led by Moore and linebacker Deontae Lawson.
The defensive backs, who Saban frequently worked with in practice, will be coached by ex-Buffalo head coach Maurice Linguist.
The schedule
Alabama opens Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky before hosting South Florida and visiting Wisconsin. The biggest game at Bryant-Denny Stadium comes Sept. 28 against preseason No. 1 Georgia. The Tide also host No. 11 Missouri (Oct. 12) and have trips to No. 15 Tennessee (Oct. 19), No. 13 LSU (Nov. 9) and No. 16 Oklahoma (Nov. 23), a week before hosting rival Auburn.
SEC READY: THE TEXAS LONGHORNS JOIN NEW LEAGUE ‘OBSESSED’ WITH WINNING FROM THE START
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The new conference logo is on the field. The campus party over the summer was a hit. New chants of “S-E-C, S-E-C!” are perfected and a historic rival is back on the schedule.
Now it’s time for No. 4 Texas to play some ball.
The Longhorns are now officially members of the Southeastern Conference, and roll into new territory with the swagger of the new kid at school who thinks he’s got the talent to be the big man on campus from the start.
And why not?
Texas won the Big 12 last season, played in its first College Football Playoff and returns a load of talent from a 12-2 squad that finished the year ranked No. 3.
Year No. 4 under coach Steve Sarkisian has Texas not just dreaming about winning, but “obsessed” with it after last year’s near miss at playing for the national championship. It starts with an offense that could prove to be as explosive as any unit Sarkisian has had, with quarterback Quinn Ewers, a veteran offensive line and a receiving corps rebuilt with talented transfers.
“They got a taste of what it can taste like, of being a Big 12 champion, playing in a College Football Playoff, and we fell short,” Sarkisian said. “They couldn’t wait to get back to work. They couldn’t wait to get back in the weight room.
“When I took the job, I don’t know if I could have said that. It was almost like kind of prodding cattle to make sure that what they were doing day in and day out to get them to that point. Now we’ve got a team full of hungry players,” Sarkisian said.
Quarterback experience
Ewers took a big step in 2023 with 3,479 yards passing with 22 touchdowns and chose to return for his junior season rather than head for the NFL.
Sarkisian believes Ewers could prove to be one of the college game’s elite passers this season, though he has had durability issues. Ewers has missed at least two games each of the last two seasons with injuries.
Waiting behind him is Arch Manning, the former 5-star recruit who might be the most anticipated backup QB at Texas since Vince Young in 2003.
Transfer time
Texas landed a load of transfer talent, with a pair of pass catchers from Alabama in receiver Isaiah Bond and tight end Amari Niblack. Edge rusher Trey Moore (UTSA) and safety Andrew Mukuba (Clemson) were big gets as well.
Bond carries the load of the biggest expectations. Texas lost its top five receivers from 2023 and Bond led the Crimson Tide with 48 catches for 668 yards and four touchdowns. He’s the one who caught the 4th-and-31 touchdown in the final minute to beat Auburn.
Injury watch
The Longhorns are already shorthanded at running back.
Projected starter C.J. Baxter was lost for the season with a knee injury in camp. A week later, freshman Christian Clark tore an Achilles tendon in practice and will require season-ending surgery.
Next up is fast but seldom used junior Jaydon Blue, who has 80 carries for 431 yards and three touchdowns in 23 career games. Blue is a former high school sprinter who once clocked a 10.7-second 100 meters in high school.
Hill to climb
Sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. looks primed for a breakout year for a defense that lost last year’s dominant line duo of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy to the NFL. He ranked second on the team in tackles last season when he played on the edge and was turned loose to chase the ball.
Hill will move to the middle this season, which defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski called his natural position.
The schedule
Texas opens the season Aug. 31 at home against Colorado State. The next week, it’s a trip the Big House at defending national champion Michigan. The annual rivalry with Oklahoma on Oct. 12 is now an SEC game and the following weekend Texas hosts preseason No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 19. The bow on the regular season is Nov. 30 at Texas A&M, a renewal of a rivalry that dates to 1894. The Longhorns won the last meeting on a last-second field goal in 2011.
KENTUCKY, STOOPS HOPE DEFENSIVE DEPTH, FASTER OFFENSE KEEPS WILDCATS COMPETITIVE IN EXPANDED SEC
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has work ahead if it hopes to climb out of the middle of an expanded Southeastern Conference strengthened by the addition of two college football powerhouses.
Coach Mark Stoops hopes a deep defensive corps and quicker offensive pace under another new coordinator keeps the Wildcats competitive against one of their most challenging schedules in recent memory.
Kentucky went 7-6 a year ago and just 3-5 in the SEC and now gets a season schedule that includes AP Top 25 preseason No. 1 Georgia and No. 6 Mississippi. Fourth-ranked Texas has now joined the SEC along with No. 16 Oklahoma, though the Wildcats will only face the Longhorns on a slate that leaves no room for error.
“We’ve got to get better,” Stoops said. “We’ve got to find a way to make those plays in critical moments to push us over the top. We’re not interested in just existing. … We want to find a way to improve, use these rules, whatever it is, to make changes, to make that jump to get to the next level. It’s extremely challenging.”
The Wildcats are helped by the return of SEC interceptions co-leader Maxwell Hairston among 10 defensive starters and 21 overall from a squad coming off its school-record eighth consecutive bowl appearance. Return specialist Barion Brown was one of the league’s top all-purpose players and is expected to thrive in a faster-paced offense under new coordinator Bush Hamdan.
Dane Key (636 yards receiving, six touchdowns) and Brown (539, four TDs) lead a receiving corps that spent last spring getting used to former Georgia backup quarterback Brock Vandagriff. The latest new signal caller is among 26 transfers signed to bolster depth throughout the roster, including a rushing defense (113.1 yards per game) that was second in the league to Georgia.
“I feel like we have the pieces in place,” said Stoops, who enters his 12th season in Lexington as the SEC’s longest-tenured coach following January’s retirement of Nick Saban. “We feel like we have the staff in place and we’re motivated. We’re excited and we’re ready to roll.”
Disciplinary aftermath
Fall camp opened with the NCAA placing the program on two years’ probation and vacating victories in a negotiated settlement of penalties for several Kentucky players being paid for work they did not perform in 2021 and ‘22. The sanctions included a fine and the vacation of their 10-win 2021 season and Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa. Stoops remains Kentucky’s winningest coach, though his record drops to 63-65.
Coaching seniority
Stoops was mentioned as a candidate to replace the fired Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and seemed destined for the Aggies before the school hired Mike Elko from Duke. He acknowledged this summer that school officials pursued him “aggressively” but didn’t elaborate. Stoops is now among just 19 SEC coaches with 12 years at their schools.
Said Stoops, “I’ve been grinding at Kentucky for a long time, very proud of that and want to continue to do that.”
0ffensive makeover
Kentucky will introduce its fourth offensive coordinator in as many seasons in Hamdan, who joins Kentucky after building Boise State into one of college football’s most prolific outfits. The Broncos were sixth in rushing (215 yards per game) and 26th overall (436.1) last season, and one priority will be replacing 1,000-yard rusher Ray Davis. Meanwhile, Vandagriff will face his most extensive game action after throwing just 21 passes in three seasons backing up Stetson Bennett during Georgia’s two-year national championship run and Carson Beck last fall.
Defensive stars
Junior lineman Deone Walker (7.5 sacks) has been mentioned as a possible early-round NFL draft pick, while linebacker J.J. Weaver (seven sacks) passed on the draft last spring to return for a fifth season. That duo anchors a front seven including Octavious Oxendine (5.5 tackles for loss). Hairston had 68 tackles (55 solo) and five interceptions, returning two for TDs to lead the SEC.
The schedule
Kentucky is home for five of its first six games, starting Aug. 31 against Southern Miss. The Wildcats open SEC play against South Carolina the next week with No. 1 Georgia visiting on Sept. 14. Florida, Vanderbilt and No. 15 Tennessee (Nov. 2) remain, but the conference slate includes visits to Ole Miss on Sept. 28 and Texas on Nov. 23. Kentucky hosts archrival Louisville in the Nov. 30 finale, seeking a sixth consecutive Governor’s Cup.
NO. 16 OKLAHOMA LOOKING FORWARD TO FIRST SEASON IN SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
So much has changed for Oklahoma this season.
The Sooners finally are joining the Southeastern Conference after years of dominating the Big 12. They have a new defensive coordinator in Zac Alley and new co-offensive coordinators in Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley. And they finally are making the full leap into the Jackson Arnold era at quarterback.
All those factors are critical as No. 16 Oklahoma adjusts to the SEC. It’s expected to be a tough road — the media picked the Sooners to finish eighth out of 16 schools, a big change from years of being picked at or near the top in the Big 12.
“We’re excited for the challenge,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “As competitors, as a football program, Oklahoma isn’t intimidated as a football program. We’re running towards the SEC. I think that goes without saying. We’ve looked forward for the last several years for this partnership, to be a part of an amazing conference, the best conference in college football.”
Arnold was one of the nation’s top prospects coming out of high school, having been named 2022-23 National Gatorade Player of the Year. He ascended to the starting position at the end of last season after Dillon Gabriel chose to transfer to Oregon.
Arnold passed for 361 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona. He said he’s learned a lot since then.
“There was a lot of maturing and a lot of growing up that I had to do,” he said. “Stepping into that QB1 role, I had to be a real leader for us, for our team, and just stepping into that role, I know I need to mature as a person. As a player too. And the person that I am now and the player that I am now has improved drastically from where I was in that bowl game.”
Defensive stars
Linebacker Danny Stutsman and defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. were selected to the All-SEC preseason first-team. Stutsman could be one of the nation’s best linebackers this season. The preseason first-team All-SEC pick led the Sooners last season with 104 tackles and 16 tackles for loss.
Bowman ranked second nationally last season with six interceptions and led the nation with three interception returns for touchdowns. They anchor a defense that returns seven starters.
Receiver room
Talented receiver Jayden Gibson is out for the season with a knee injury, but Oklahoma has depth at that position.
The top returnee is Nic Anderson, who caught 38 passes for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Deion Burks, a transfer from Purdue, is a preseason third-team All-SEC selection. He had five catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the first half of the spring game. Jalil Farooq is back after catching 45 passes last season. And Andrel Anthony is working his way back after missing much of last season with a knee injury.
Warm seat?
Venables finished 6-7 in his first season at Oklahoma, then improved to 10-3 last season. But the Sooners haven’t reached one of the top tier bowls on his watch, and with the team entering the SEC and the playoff being expanded, restless fans will want to see some results.
Sooners vs. SEC
The Sooners have had success against the SEC over the past decade or so. They beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl after the 2013 season, beat Auburn in the Sugar Bowl after the 2017 season in then-coach Bob Stoops’ final game and blew out Florida in the Cotton Bowl in 2020.
Oklahoma had regular-season wins over Tennessee in 2014 and 2015 and took Georgia to overtime in the College Football Playoff after the 2017 season. The Sooners also had College Football Playoff losses to Alabama in 2018 and LSU in 2019.
The schedule
Oklahoma has a rugged schedule. The Sooners open at home Aug. 30 against Temple. The Sooners play Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry game on Oct. 12. The Sooners host Alabama on Nov. 23 in a game that could have playoff implications and close the regular season at LSU on Nov. 30.
AUBURN HOPING FOR OFFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT WITH HELP OF NEW PLAYMAKERS, SAME QB
Hugh Freeze has upgraded Auburn’s offensive talent on the recruiting trail and reclaimed play calling duties.
A head coach known for his offensive acumen is hoping that translates into far more production after a debut season when the offense sputtered, especially the passing game.
Freeze thinks the culture and chemistry of his team has also improved going into year 2.
“I think we’re on the right track,” said Freeze, whose 6-7 debut was only the second losing season of his 11-year head coaching career. “But what does that mean in win-loss total this fall? I’m not sure yet.”
Quarterback Payton Thorne, leading rusher Jarquez Hunter and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather return. But the receiving corps is almost all new, led by Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith and prized freshman recruit Cam Coleman.
The Tigers are trying to rebound from a third straight losing season, though this one did include competitive losses against Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama.
Auburn ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring, averaging 26.2 points per game, and last in passing offense (162.2 ypg). Freeze fired offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery and replaced him with longtime Mississippi assistant Derrick Nix.
But he’s the primary playcaller now and has more weapons at his disposal.
Thorne’s encore
The Tigers are banking on more production from Thorne and the league’s worst passing offense of 2023. Thorne passed for 1,755 yard and 16 touchdowns but was intercepted 10 times. It was his first season after transferring from Michigan State following spring practice, so he has much more experience in Freeze’s offense now and probably better talent to work with.
“He’s got better receivers,” Hunter said. “He’s got dudes that can go out there and get it, so he’s gotten better with his reads and doing the right targets and throwing the routes where they need to be and on time.”
Receiver renovation
The Tigers are hoping an influx of highly rated receivers helps kick-start the lackluster passing game. The five-star recruit Coleman shined during the spring and headlines a group of four freshman receivers. He was rated the nation’s No. 3 prospect in to the 247Sports composite rankings.
Freeze also added three transfers at the position, including Lambert-Smith.
Much of that group could be heavily relied upon since the Tigers don’t return a wide receiver who had more than 10 catches last season. Fairweather returns after leading the team in receiving.
New coordinators
Freeze turned to new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Nix arrives for his first coordinator job after a longtime stint as a Mississippi assistant. Former Maryland head coach DJ Durkin and co-coordinator Charles Kelly take over the defense.
About that defense
The Tigers must replace five late-round NFL draft picks on defense. But leading tackler Eugene Asante returns at linebacker, along with players like defensive end Keldric Faulk, pass rusher Jalen McLeod and safety Keionte Scott. Former Texas defensive back Jerrin Thompson is among the incoming defensive transfers.
The schedule
The Tigers open with five home games, ending with a visit from new SEC member Oklahoma. That game on Sep. 28 starts a run that includes visits to Georgia and Missouri. The regular season finale against rival Alabama is also on the road.
NATIONAL TITLE OR BUST: NO. 1 GEORGIA BEGINS THE SEASON IN A FAMILIAR SPOT
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia begins the season in a familiar spot — No. 1 — and facing the burden that anything less than a third national title in four seasons will be a disappointment.
Pressure? Not at all.
Coach Kirby Smart has built a program that lives very much in the moment, letting others ponder big-picture issues like championships and legacies. It’s a lesson he learned very well from his mentor, longtime Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“I’ve honestly never paid any attention to it, and we don’t talk about it as a team,” said Smart, the highest-paid coach in college football after agreeing to an extension that pays him $13 million a year. “The expectation is we’re going to develop and worry about today’s day.”
The Bulldogs won consecutive national titles during the 2021 and ‘22 seasons, and came up just shy a year ago when a loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship snapped a 29-game winning streak and left them out of the four-team playoff.
Taking their frustration out on undermanned Florida State, Georgia romped to a 63-3 rout in the Orange Bowl, setting up the Bulldogs as the clear No. 1 heading into 2024.
The playoff expands to 12 teams this season. Even with a daunting schedule, there seems little doubt that Georgia will be back in the postseason mix.
With Saban having retired at Alabama, there is certainly no question about the top dog in college football. Smart has built a program between the hedges that is essentially Crimson Tide 2.0.
Of course, that’s for others to talk about.
“We still have the same standards that we’ve had here at Georgia for a long time,” senior defensive back Dan Jackson said. “We’re focused on this year, and right now.”
Cool Carson
Georgia’s championship hopes start at quarterback, where Carson Beck emerged as one of the nation’s top players in his first season as the starter after three years of waiting.
Beck completed more than 72% of his passes for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns, with just six interceptions. He gave the Bulldogs a huge boost when he decided to return for another season, putting off the NFL draft to 2025.
Beck is not a fiery leader by any means, letting his play on the field do the talking.
“Assertive is not necessarily something that he is,” Smart said. “He’s assertive in his checks, and he’s assertive in his decision-making. That’s certainly much more important than just what he says to the group as a whole.”
Off the field
Smart continues to deal with the perception that he doesn’t have a good handle on his players away from the gridiron.
The Bulldogs dealt with another round of off-the-field issues, most notably the arrest of receiver Rara Thomas on cruelty to children and battery charges. He was kicked off the team by Smart just before the start of fall camp.
Smart’s players have been involved in a reported two dozen driving-related violations such as DUI or speeding, including a crash that killed a player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023.
“Disappointing, I guess, is the best word,” the coach said.
On the defensive
Suffocating defenses have been a hallmark of the Smart era, and it should be more of the same in 2024 with returning stalwarts such as end Mykel Williams, linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., safety Malaki Starks and nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse.
“The guys have embraced what it means to play defense at Georgia,” said coordinator Glenn Schumann, who will be joined by Travaris Robinson after he left Alabama to become co-defensive coordinator with the Bulldogs.
New Dawgs
Smart landed the nation’s top recruiting class, which is nothing new, and also plugged some holes via the transfer portal.
Trevor Etienne arrived from Florida to take over as the lead running back, Stanford transfer Ben Yurosek should help fill the void at tight end after Brock Bowers moved on to the NFL, and receiver Colbie Young gives Beck another target in the passing game after leaving Miami.
The stellar group of freshmen includes cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, safety KJ Bolden and linebacker Justin Williams.
The schedule
If the Bulldogs claim a spot in the playoff, no one will be able to say they didn’t earn it.
Georgia opens the season Aug. 31 against No. 14 Clemson in Atlanta and has a murderer’s row of road games against three SEC teams ranked in The Associated Press top 10: No. 5 Alabama (Sept. 28), No. 4 Texas (Oct. 19) and No. 6 Ole Miss (Nov. 9).
Throw in home games against No. 15 Tennessee (No. 16) and rivals Auburn (Oct. 5) and Georgia Tech (Nov. 29), plus the Cocktail Party game in Jacksonville against Florida (Nov. 2), and there’s not question Georgia is facing one of the toughest slates in the nation.
“When you step into the shoes of a University of Georgia football player, you accept that challenge is going to be there,” Smart said. “We kind of embrace that and we love it.”
SOUTH CAROLINA COACH SHANE BEAMER IS DIFFERENT THAN MOST OTHERS: HE LIKES HIS GAMECOCKS
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Shane Beamer likes his team, even if few others do.
The Gamecocks’ fourth-year coach had been on a rising trajectory with a pair of winning seasons to start his tenure and lots of signs of a breakthrough year led by returning quarterback Spencer Rattler and future first-round NFL pick in receiver Xavier Legette.
But everything went wrong, from execution at key times to six season-ending injuries on a struggling offensive line and even Beamer needing a boot for a broken foot bone when he kicked a trash can in frustration after his team blew a fourth-quarter lead in a critical loss to Florida in a 5-7 season.
The Gamecocks are picked to finish 13th in the super-sized, 16-team Southeastern Conference this fall. Bring it on, Beamer said.
“I really, really, really like our football team going into 2024. Most of you don’t. That’s OK,” he said.
If you listen to Beamer, there’s a lot to love.
He’s got 20 fifth-year players, the most of his short tenure. Yes, Rattler and Legette are off to the NFL after stellar seasons. But redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers is capable of leading the team while the receivers room is filled with talent.
South Carolina’s defense will have nine upperclassmen as starters, led by tackles Alex Huntley and Tonka Hemingway.
The backward steps of last year will lead to better things this season, Beamer said.
“You’ve got to be uncomfortable in order to grow. We certainly had some uncomfortable moments last year as a team, but we also showed throughout the season how strong our culture is,” he said.
Strong enough, Beamer believes, to bounce back from a disappointing year and move forward in the SEC.
New quarterback
Rattler’s two seasons as starter were productive and filled with highlights. Now, it’s Sellers’ turn to take control with Rattler off to the NFL. Sellers, a highly touted, 6-foot-3 prospect, has a strong arm and quick feet. He’s also had a year of learning how to run the show from the steady, talented Rattler.
Rocket man
South Carolina has struggled to make a dent with its running game under Beamer, finishing in the back of the SEC pack the past three years. That could change with the addition of speedster Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who transferred in this past offseason from Arkansas.
Sanders was one of the SEC’s best runners in 2022 with 1,433 yards and 10 touchdowns. But a shoulder injury limited him to just six games and 209 yards last season.
Sanders said he’s worked hard this offseason and will be “full go” for fall camp.
Finding wideouts
Legette was South Carolina’s go-to receiver and the offense’s breakout star last fall. But with Legette a first-round pick of the Panthers and injured Antwane Wells off to Ole Miss, South Carolina does not have many well-known threats on the outside.
Freshman Nyck Harbor returns after an uneven freshman season. The Gamecocks have added five from the transfer portal in Coastal Carolina’s Jared Brown, Nevada’s Dalevon Campbell, Louisville’s Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, Florida State’s Vandrevius Jacobs and Gage Larvadain from Miami (Ohio).
First-year receiver coach Mike Furrey thinks the group is talented and competitive, just unknown.
“That’s what we’re going to find out, who’s ready to play,” he said.
Call the firemen
Defensive coordinator Clayton White expects his veteran group to take on whatever job is necessary against South Carolina’s brutal schedule this fall.
White knows his players will have to shut down plenty of talented offenses this season, including typical high-scoring groups like Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss.
“I want our defense to be guys that are dependable, put any fire out,” White said. “And our guys are poised enough to do it.”
The schedule
When is an SEC schedule not brutal? After opening against Old Dominion on Aug. 31, the Gamecocks face Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama and Oklahoma over a six-game span in September and October. South Carolina also faces Texas A&M, Missouri and state rival Clemson.
NO. 15 TENNESSEE READY TO BUILD ON COACH JOSH HEUPEL’S SUCCESS IN HIS 4TH SEASON
It’s time for coach Josh Heupel and No. 15 Tennessee to prove they can keep up.
Not just the bigger and even more powerful Southeastern Conference. Heupel and his Vols have to measure up to the other programs on campus.
The Vols won the SEC men’s basketball title under coach Rick Barnes, and Tony Vitello led the baseball program to Tennessee’s first national title in any sport since 2009.
In Knoxville, no program faces more pressure or attention than football, where Heupel has revived a program that was struggling to fill seats inside Neyland Stadium into one with a lengthy waiting list for season tickets. He knows better than anyone that it’s his turn to prove just how good his program can be.
“I’m not sure that there’s ever been a better time to be a Vol,” Heupel said.
Heupel goes into his fourth season coming off a 9-4 record and a No. 17 ranking in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. He has guided the Vols to 20 wins over the past two years, the program’s best two-year stretch since 2003-04.
That’s not what Vols’ fans and supporters want, not with millions being spent renovating Neyland and the SEC now bigger with the additions of Texas and Heupel’s alma mater, Oklahoma.
Heupel won quite a few games with Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton III, both now in the NFL.
Star recruit Nico Iamaleava now gets his turn to run Heupel’s fast-paced offense, and he will have both Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle in his ear with college coaches now able to talk directly to quarterbacks via helmet electronics.
Heupel thinks Iamaleava has a better understanding of his offense too.
“I think we are going to see his play go to an even higher level, which is a scary thing to think about because just his natural ability to step on a football field and go play well is elite,” Heupel said.
New quarterback
Heupel tweaked his offensive approach from Hooker to Milton, and now he has a quarterback who got to watch and learn before winning his first start with a 35-0 rout of Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.
Iamaleava can run but his arm is his biggest strength. He also believes he has a better feel and understanding of why Heupel goes so fast on offense after spring practice.
“Why we do certain things, why we motion and why tempo is important,” Iamaleava said. “Just things like that. I think that’s definitely somewhere where I grew this past offseason.”
Offensive help
The Vols had the SEC’s best rushing offense in 2023, averaging 202.6 yards per game led by All-SEC running back Jaylen Wright who led all of FBS averaging 7.39 yards per carry. Dylan Sampson is poised to replace him in the backfield.
Wide receiver Bru McCoy also is back after a season-ending injury. Squirrel White led the Vols with 67 catches for 803 yards, and Chas Nimrod also is back having added strength and size through the offseason.
Did someone say pressure?
Tennessee ranked 10th nationally with 36 sacks and sixth with 93 tackles for loss led by All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce. He led the league with 10 sacks himself and already is considered a top pick for the 2025 NFL draft if not No. 1 selection overall.
He has defensive lineman Omari Thomas back for a sixth year to help anchor that line. Thomas had 4 1/2 tackles for loss himself.
The schedule
The Vols open the season Aug. 31 hosting Chattanooga, then play No. 24 North Carolina State in Charlotte. They have a Sept. 21 visit to No. 16 Oklahoma, where Heupel led the Sooners to a national title in 2000.
Tennessee’s first SEC road game comes Oct. 5 at Arkansas, then the Vols start a four-game home stretch with Florida on Oct. 12 and No. 5 Alabama on Oct. 19. The late regular-season schedule includes a Nov. 16 trip to top-ranked Georgia and a Nov. 30 closer at Vanderbilt.
DELAWARE STATE SCRAMBLES AFTER MISSED FLIGHT TO HAWAII
Delaware State football’s long trip to face Hawaii in the team’s season opener just got longer.
The Star-Advertiser in Honolulu reported Tuesday that the Hornets missed their scheduled 10.5-hour flight to the city because of what was termed “a bus snafu” as the team attempted to reach John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. A spokeswoman for Delaware State told the outlet that officials were “working on a plan” to get the team to Hawaii.
The game is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. local time. The Rainbow Warriors haven’t played an HBCU team since they met Prairie View A&M in 1979, and it will be their first-ever meeting against Delaware State.
Hawaii has a 20-game winning streak against FCS teams dating back to 2011, with an average win margin of 25.9 points per game.
Hawaii finished the 2023 season with a 5-8 record (3-5 Mountain West Conference). Delaware State was 1-10 (0-5 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).
–Field Level Media
SOUTH CAROLINA QB LANORRIS SELLERS TO START SEASON OPENER
LaNorris Sellers has been named South Carolina’s starting quarterback for its 2024 season opener.
Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer announced Tuesday that Sellers beat out Auburn transfer Robby Ashford for the honor. South Carolina opens its season against Old Dominion on Aug. 31 in Columbia, S.C.
“LaNorris has been consistent,” Beamer said. “He continues to get better each week. His poise, his consistency, his understanding of what we’re trying to do. He’s done what we’ve asked him to do coming out of spring practice.”
Sellers completed all four of his pass attempts for 86 yards and two touchdowns last season while serving as the backup to Spencer Rattler, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. Sellers also rushed five times for 51 yards and a score.
“The guy that gives us the best chance to be successful is gonna be the guy that’s out there week in and week out,” Beamer said Tuesday. “That’s not to say we’re gonna be rotating quarterbacks every play. We’re not doing that. But LaNorris has got to continue to progress like he has been, and Robby has to continue to progress like he has been. That’s only going to make it better.”
South Carolina won three of its last four games last season to finish with a 5-7 record overall (3-5 Southeastern Conference).
–Field Level Media
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: KANSAS
PICK SIX
I opened the Kansas preview in last year’s book with a list of program achievements they hit during Lance Leipold’s second season of the Great Rebuild. I wasn’t planning on a repeat opener, but after his team knocked off #3 Oklahoma – and the fans stormed the field and threw the torn-down goal posts into Potter Lake – Leipold said “it’s time to start talking about how far we’ve come.” Another top-rated, explosive offense led Kansas to another surge up the college football ladder, and they knocked off more of the checklist: – Bowl win: 1st since 2008 – Win over #3: highest since 2008 Orange Bowl – 9+ win season: 3rd time in past 50 years – Ranked at end of season: 1st since 2007 – Consecutive bowl seasons: 2nd time ever – Consecutive 4-0 starts: 1st time since 1914-15 That run 110 years ago included wins over William Jewell, College of Emporia, and Drake. It’s been that long. But inch by inch, win by win, Leipold is pushing Kansas to new heights, and faster than even he could have imagined. After setting the foundation in 2021, Leipold’s second team got to bowl season, and his third one got to nine wins and has a bowl trophy to show for it. The 9-4 record becomes even more impressive when you consider they went almost all season without their Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year quarterback, and that the final two losses came with a walk-on freshman under center. Three losses were by one-score, and the fourth was against eventual league champion and Playoff selection Texas. Aside from the incredible rebuilding storylines, my numbers loved Kansas even more, as they earned their first-ever Top 20 finish in Game Grader, my opponent-adjusted measure of statistical dominance. Leipold’s fourth year could be even stronger. Kansas returns almost the entire offense and added its best recruiting class in the modern era. This class includes more four-star prospects than their past eight cycles combined, and five signees are in the school’s Top 15 of the entire internet recruiting era.
OFFENSE The only wrinkle to the plan on offense came in December when coordinator Andy Kotelnicki accepted the same role at Penn State. Kotelnicki won the 247Sports’ Coordinator of the Year Award and it was well-deserved. His offense was complete with wishbone concepts, some triple option, plenty of different formations and pre-snap motions, and there may not be a single better scheme designer out there. The X’s and O’s converted to yardage and points, and Kansas again placed in the Top 10 of my opponent adjusted offensive rankings – just one of five teams to do so in both 2022 and 2023. Kotelnicki had been aside Leipold for the past decade, and after his departure Leipold promoted another long-time ally, Jim Zebrowski, to co-coordinator. For the other “co” spot they added in an experienced Big 12 coordinator in Baylor’s Jeff Grimes who led Top 40 offenses in 2021 and 2022 before an offensive collapse in 2023. Grimes is at his best with a strong offensive line, primarily uses outside zone rushing concepts, and uses pre-snap motion to his advantage. Sounds a lot like Kansas. Jalon Daniels earned top preseason accolades, played near-perfect football for three games, but was lost for the bulk of the season again. And like last year, backup Jason Bean came to the rescue, and helped lead a top-ranked offense. Bean led the entire Big 12 in QB Rating and finished second nationally with his 10.7 yards per attempt – only behind the Heisman winner. Bean is out of eligibility, but Daniels is back again and if he can stay healthy, he still has the All-Big 12 ceiling. Daniels can make every throw, and every read in this complex offense. He runs the option to perfection and his pocket elusiveness is so strong, the receivers’ main area of emphasis this spring was working on “scramble rules” on extended plays. Cole Ballard was called on as a freshman when both Daniels and Bean were out of the lineup, and he returns as the backup. Devin Neal has a shot at becoming the program’s all-time leading rusher after turning down an NFL bid to return for a final season at Kansas. He has already eclipsed the 3,000-yard career mark, and will again be the workhorse back with Daniel Hishaw and Sevion Morrison next in the rotation. Neal and Hishaw were actually the nation-leading duo through the end of October last year before Hishaw’s per-carry average cooled off. One of the nation’s most experienced receiver trios is back again for another year. Lawrence Arnold, Luke Grimm, and Quentin Skinner were the top three in 2022 and 2023 and will be again this fall. Top tight end Mason Fairchild is gone but the next two return: Jared Casey and Trevor Kardell. Leipold added another dynamic piece to the offense with DeShawn Hanika (Iowa State) who picked Kansas over 20+ other offers. He was rated as a Top 20 transfer tight end and had a breakout season in 2022 at a program known for developing the position. The only losses to the starting lineup are along the offensive line. Multi-year All-Big 12 center Mike Novitsky graduated and starting left tackle Dominick Puni was selected in the third round. The right side features a strong duo in Bryce Cabeldue and Kobe Baynes, Michael Ford has starting experience, and Logan Brown is a former five-star at left tackle. Three-year Texas A&M starter Bryce Foster joined after spring ball and will start at center. Kansas ranked 13th OL Run Push, 37th in Pass Protection, but loses proven star power.
DEFENSE The 2023 Kansas defense was the program’s best since I began tracking in 2009. In my opponent adjusted metrics, they jumped up to 41st of 70 Power 5 teams, up from their annual spot in the bottom five. In my national stat categories, they surged up from the bottom 10 to middle-of-the-pack across the board. Kansas will rely on its star power in the secondary while it rebuilds the front seven. Cobee Bryant earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and some projections have him set to break the school’s 15-year first-round draft pick drought next April. Mello Dotson earned honorable mention, and together they form a top corner duo. Damarius McGhee is the third corner and is back from injury. Kenny Logan led the team in tackles for four straight seasons – 370 total – but his long career is finally done. The other two safeties form a strong pair themselves: OJ Burroughs and Marvin Grant. Five guys from the defensive line two-deep are gone, including starters Austin Booker and Hayden Hatcher. Jereme Robinson earned honorable mention and is the only proven piece up front. Linebackers Rich Miller and Craig Young are gone, but JB Brown is a returning starter, Taiwan Berryhill has game experience, and middle backer Cornell Wheeler built some momentum towards the end of the season.
OUTLOOK Kansas remains a super-veteran roster and they scored high in my stats and Game Grader metrics in 2023. This is also unquestionably one of the top coaching performances in college football during the Pick Six Previews era. Three reasons are holding me back from placing Kansas up in the Big 12’s top tier: the rebuild in the defensive front seven, the loss of ace coordinator Kotelnicki, and Daniels’ lingering injury questions into fall. This time around, they don’t have backup Jason Bean to bail them out
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: WEST VIRGINIA
PICK SIX
The Neal Brown era entered its fifth season with the lowest expectations West Virginia has seen since the 1970s. Three losing seasons, a combined record under .500, and the roster getting its best players poached by the big-money programs – West Virginia was the consensus pick to finish last in the expanded Big 12. A 4-1 September start was soured by a last-second loss to former head coach Dana Holgorsen’s Houston team — via Hail Mary pass – and then again the following week as Oklahoma State and the nation’s leading rusher scored at-will with 282 rushing yards. Another 6-6 season seemed destined. And with it, the annual speculation of Brown’s future, and another roster fire-sale to the highest bidders. Instead of Groundhog Day in Morgantown, they found a spark at quarterback, and the momentum took a complete turn for the positive. Garrett Greene’s dual-threat ability and uncanny pocket elusiveness changed the whole complexion of the offense. Nine wins, a bowl win, decisive wins over three Big 12 newcomers, a goal line stand to beat Texas Tech, two blocked field goals to beat TCU, and a last-minute drive to beat Baylor. And it all started with sweet revenge in the Backyard Brawl. Out of thin air, a program that was stuck in the .500 zone now finds itself as a potential preseason Top 25 team and a serious player in the new 16-team, wide-open Big 12. Instead of contract speculation, buy-out and “hot-seat” discussions, the attitude has shifted back on the field. Instead of seeing their best players swayed away, the Country Roads Trust launched and stabilized the two deep for what looks like a very veteran starting lineup in 2024.
OFFENSE The NCAA Football video game series returns this summer, and those that played back in the mid 2000s will remember the unstoppable trio of Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine. West Virginia was the team to use, and their high-speed option attack was basically a cheat code. It was also unstoppable in real-life, and now 15 years later West Virginia has found another backfield trifecta. Coming into the season, the proven commodities were the stout offensive line and the big 240-pound back CJ Donaldson. They both lived up to their high billing, but Brown unlocked two new weapons in the backfield with Greene under center and freshman Jahiem White adding top-end speed and explosiveness. Greene’s 772 rushing yards placed fourth among all Power 5 quarterbacks and his 13 touchdowns tied the national lead. He was potent running the zone read, but even more effective extending plays, evading rushers, and scrambling when needed. He led the nation with the best “escape” ratio – the fewest sacks taken compared to QB pressures faced. The dual-threat ability and shiftiness are his best attributes, but he also took care of the ball passing-wise. He placed sixth in the Big 12 in QB Rating, but his avoidance of turnovers was even better with a second-best TD-INT ratio: 16-4. White was another breakout star. He actually led the team in rushing yards despite getting 62 less carries than Donaldson. The 5’7 White is dangerous in the open-field, has home-run ability, and posted the nation’s highest per-carry average of all running backs (7.7). Donaldson continued to add physicality between the tackles and punch in scores at the goal-line. “Thunder and Lightning” is overused, but this the best example you’ll find in 2024. In total, the offense posted a Top 10 finish in my opponent-adjusted rushing metric and was also able to boost the passing efficiency stats by 40+ spots in each category. That was all possible thanks to a strong offensive line that featured three former Freshman All-Americans, and two eventual NFL Draft picks – Zach Frazier and Doug Nester. West Virginia was one of just five lines to place in the Top 20 in both my OL Run Push and Pass Protection numbers (Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, Oregon). The left side remains elite with another future pro Wyatt Milum at tackle and Tomas Rimac at guard. Brandon Yates will move into Frazier’s center spot after starting at guard all season, and the staff signed WV-native Xavier Bausley (Jacksonville State) over Kentucky and Pitt. The receiver room had held back this offense for most of the Brown era. High rates of dropped passes, followed by an all-out transfer exodus. Devin Carter helped stabilize the room but was injured halfway through. Instead, two home-grown talents emerged in Hudson Clement (Martinsburg) and Preston Fox (Morgantown). Walk-on Clement, who famously scored eight touchdowns in the WV high school championship, scored three more in the Duquesne game and Brown honored him with a full scholarship in the post-game locker room. Carter graduated, but Clement and Fox return along with Traylon Ray and incoming Jaden Bray who has been in Oklahoma State’s rotation for two seasons. Tight end Kole Taylor was also very involved in the pass game, hauling in 35 balls for 444 yards. Brown also added a pair of highly-touted high school prospects in four-star UCF-flip DayDay Farmer and speedster Dominick Collins.
DEFENSE The defense lost its top star player Dante Stills to the NFL, and another round of transfer losses, but still managed statistical gains across the board in 2023. They improved from rankings outside the national Top 100 up to middle-of-the-pack in most categories. Allowing a touchdown less per game may not sound significant, but in the tight-margin Big 12, that made the difference and flipped several games. A scheme shift played to their roster strengths. They moved away from their usual 4-2-5 base scheme to a 3-4 and the addition of hybrid roles like the in-the-box LB/Safety “Spear” and strong-side edge “Bandit.” This side of the ball had less success retaining starters as three starters transferred to other Power 5 programs. Added to the three other starters heading pro, there is significant roster turnover here. Nose tackle Mike Lockhart (SMU) and end Tomiwa Durojaiye (Florida State) transferred out, and the staff back-filled the end spot with a two-time All-Sun Belt pass rusher TJ Jackson (Troy) to compete with incumbent Sean Martin. Edward Vesterinen is a returning starter at tackle, while Fatorma Mulbah has the 305-pound frame to take over Lockhart’s space-eater role. Lee Kpogba was the vocal leader of the defense, led in tackles the past two years, and leaves a major void in the middle. Another longtime starter Jared Bartlett transferred out to Cincinnati, James Heard went to Syracuse, and former five-star Lance Dixon went to Toledo — the linebacker room is now wide-open. The candidates are redshirt freshman Josiah Trotter and incoming transfers Ty French (Gardner-Webb) and Reid Carrico (Ohio State). French was the #3 FCS edge transfer this cycle and Carrico is a former four-star buried on a dynasty-tier roster. Both corner stars graduated and Beanie Bishop is a major loss. He became the program’s 13th consensus All-American and was always around the ball with a nation-leading 24 pass breakups. The staff added Northwestern starter Garnett Hollis, All-NEC Ayden Garnes (Duquesne) and TJ Crandall (Colorado State). Yet another starter transferred out – spear Hershey McLaurin to Houston – but a pair of returning starters Anthony Wilson and Aubrey Burks are joined by another Northwestern starter Jaheem Joseph.
OUTLOOK West Virginia has constructed an elite rushing attack – now complete with a shifty quarterback, a thunder & lightning pair, and another top offensive line. That alone will be enough to grind out some conference wins. Their losses on the defensive side of the ball keep them out of title contention. Three went pro and another six transferred out to Power 4 rosters, and they backfilled those spots with non-AQ and FCS transfers. It’s a tough schedule draw too, with six of the Big 12’s top seven and just one bottom four opponent.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: TEXAS TECH
PICK SIX
For the first time in 15 seasons, Texas Tech entered the season with a preseason Top 25 ranking. After a strong finish to Joey McGuire’s debut season – and the school’s first ever sweep of Oklahoma & Texas – preseason expectations were finally back at Mike Leach levels. The big breakout season failed to launch. Texas Tech stumbled out of the gate by losing the opener at Wyoming, lost again to Oregon, and were 1-3 and 3-5 at the ends of September and October. Yet again, their quarterback room was wrecked with injuries. The starter made it through just three games, the back-up started and finished seven games, and the true freshman third-stringer lost both games while tossing six interceptions. Still, despite missing on the lofty preseason hype, Tech rallied to post a bittersweet season by going 4-1 in the final five, clinching back-to-back winning seasons for the first time here since 2008-09, and beating Cal 34 14 in the Independence Bowl. That November finish featured three one-score wins – a shootout against TCU, a ranked win over Kansas, and blocked extra point to beat UCF – that helped shift the momentum back in the positive direction heading into 2024. There is even more excitement off the field, as McGuire continues to excel in the talent acquisition game. With super-recruiters Oklahoma and Texas gone, Texas Tech signed the #1 high school recruiting class in the new-look Big 12. That makes two consecutive Top 25 signing classes which is far ahead of Texas Tech’s average recruiting profile over the past decade. McGuire and the staff completed entire overhauls of two offensive positions – the offensive line and wide receiver room – via the transfer portal, and rallied enough NIL support to retain their all conference running back for a final season.
OFFENSE Texas Tech hasn’t had a quarterback start and finish a full regular season injury-free since Patrick Mahomes in 2016. It’s been an unprecedented injury run at this position, and 2023 continued the trend. Starter Tyler Shough was knocked out for the season in the fourth game, making it three straight injury-shortened seasons for him. Behren Morton fought a nagging shoulder sprain all season and in the six quarters he was sidelined, true freshman Jake Strong threw six interceptions and they lost both games. Morton is back as the full-time starter and the hope is that the shoulder is 100% healed. It limited the vertical passing and velocity on the ball and Tech finished just 114th nationally in explosive long-yardage passing. Strong will battle incoming Division II transfer Cameran Brown (West Georgia) who brings a big frame and footspeed for quarterback run packages. From 2022 to 2023, the offense scored a touchdown less per game, dropping out of the Top 40 and well below the national average. Part of that was caused by quarterback injuries, but the offensive line and receiver groups were underwhelming. This is an example of the offensive line stats seeming to paint a different picture to what we watched on the field. Tech graded in the Top 40 in both my OL Run Push (38th) and Pass Protection (36th) stats, but without peeking at the metrics I’d have called this unit a liability. In either case, the entire room was blown up and reconstructed in the past few months. Four starters are gone — three transferred out to other Power 5 programs — and the fifth starter Caleb Rogers is moving from right tackle to center. The new line will be packed with incoming transfers, with guards Vinny Sciury (Toledo) and Davion Carter (Memphis), tackles Sterling Porcher (Middle Tennessee) and Maurice Rodriques (JUCO). Ty Buchanan started the bowl game and is projected to retain that spot at left tackle. There was even a change at the coach spot, with former Clay McGuire (no relation) taking over after building successful lines at other pass-heavy and Air Raid offenses like USC and Washington State. The staff calls this group more athletic than the 2023 front, which could lead to more outside zone runs. The wide receiver room is also a complete rebuild. Six receivers transferred out of Lubbock, including two starters Jerand Bradley (Boston College) and Myles Price (Indiana). Tech added four pass-catchers and all four are graded higher than the departing transfers, per 247Sports rankings. Josh Kelly led Washington State with 923 yards, eight touchdowns, and a high per-catch average (15.1) and was a Top25 transfer receiver this cycle. Caleb Douglas started the first few games for Florida before his season-ending injury. Jalin Conyers (Arizona State) is another headliner and was ranked the #5 transfer tight end this cycle. 2023 receiving leader Xavier White graduated, but the transfer trio of Kelly, Douglas, and Conyers is considered a year-over-year upgrade. On top of that, McGuire signed a five-star Micah Hudson (Lake Belton, TX) and this room is now a strength. At one point in December, it appeared that both top running backs were leaving, but instead both guys are back for 2024. Tahj Brooks stacked 100-yard games all season, and drew praise from opposing head coach Neal Brown who called him the “best player that nobody talks about in this league.” 1,500+ yards later, the media caught on and awarded Brooks first-team All-Big 12 honors. With 3,052 career yards, Brooks is 1,200 off of the all-time school record. Backup Cam’Ron Valdez returns but look for Brooks to get the heavy workload again.
DEFENSE Texas Tech allowed 26 points per game – good for 63rd nationally. That may sound underwhelming but this has been the most offense-heavy program for a generation, and it’s actually the best scoring defense here since 2009. The stats were even better when you adjust for opponent strength. My metrics ranked Texas Tech as the 20th best defense in Power 5, with a pass defense especially strong at 12th. McGuire aced his defensive coordinator hire with Tim DeRuyter and he is back for a third year in 2024. There is staff continuity, however the starting lineup is almost a complete rebuild. All four starting defensive linemen and four more starting defensive backs are all are gone. The two best features were the defensive line duo – Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford – and the secondary play of NFL Draft picks Malik Dunlap and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson. Both units are starting over from scratch. In the interior, Dooda Banks and Quincy Ledet are promoted to starting roles, and two non-AQ transfers James Hansen (Nevada) and De’Braylon Carroll (Rice) will compete. End Amier Washington posted three sacks in the bowl game in his starting debut, and full-time starter Joseph Adedire returns. Bralyn Lux and Julien Baskerville replace Dunlap and Taylor-Demerson, while AJ McCarty adds three years of Big 12 experience (Baylor) but had to sit out for a transfer year in 2023. With the loss of star power and experience, as well as the complementary pass rush up front, look for a statistical slide in pass defense. The only proven part of the defense is the linebacker pair of Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez. Roberts had a breakout season starting 12 games, posting 105 tackles, and earning co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Rodriguez was only healthy enough to start and finish four games, but his impact was undeniable as they went 4-0 in those games. This is a Big 12 top unit.
OUTLOOK The best parts of the defense are gone as they face huge star power turnover at defensive line and in the secondary. The offensive line and receiver rooms are complete rebuilds. Instead of proven, returning production, questions abound. With McGuire at the helm, Texas Tech has a chance to emerge as the Big 12’s premier recruiting program. That hasn’t converted onto the field yet and this program still seems a year away from truly contending for the league title.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: COLORADO
PICK SIX
I’ve covered college football for 15 seasons now, and I’ve never seen anything like it. A Power 5 program on virtual life-support, off a 1-11 year and just two winning years in 16, went outside the box and hired the one guy that could push them back into national relevance: Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. Sanders flipped the roster faster than ever before, pumping in 72 signees, the #1 ranked transfer class, and just 10 scholarship players stayed on from the year prior. In the season-opener against the defending national runner-ups, Sanders’ son broke the school’s passing record with 510 yards, their two-way five-star played 129 snaps, and they upset #17 TCU in Fort Worth. The media attention was already big – ESPN awarded Colorado with the only nationally televised spring game – but the TCU win sent this into a media and off-field circus never seen before. After a rivalry win over Nebraska, both mega-networks sent their pregame shows to Boulder for the upcoming Rocky Mountain Showdown with Colorado State. Both ESPN’s “College Gameday” and FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” were on campus. Michael Strahan’s suit company gave the team custom “I Believe” suits, the team’s sunglasses business was booming, and some national media members packed their weekly Heisman ballot with Buffs in all three top spots. The sidelines were packed with celebrities: The Rock, Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, Kevin Garnett, CC Sabathia, and Paul Pierce. Lil Wayne did a pre-game concert in the endzone, and rapper “DaBaby” did the motivational speech and led them onto the field. The game itself didn’t disappoint, in fact the double-overtime thriller was arguably the game of the year. Shedeur Sanders led a 98-yard drive in the final minute to force overtime, and fans rushed the field after the win. Even at 2:30am ET, the nation was plugged in. Colorado finished the year as the #3 most-watched team in America behind only dynasty giants Alabama and Ohio State. After the 3-0 start, reality started to set in and their porous offensive line and struggling defense sent them on a spiral down to another losing season. Their blown 29-0 lead against Stanford was the worst in school history and was the symbolic start of the downfall. Colorado finished 4-8 overall and dead last in the Pac-12, again. The Great Deion Experiment is just getting started. As he stated, “Year One is for hope, Year Two is for expectations.” Maybe the off-field frenzy sent the transition year expectations too high. Maybe that was by design. But we’ll learn much more about the legitimacy of Sanders’ transfer-heavy approach in the second season.
OFFENSE 45 of those 72 new players are already gone, with most transferring out within 12 months. The NCAA lost a court case preventing them from enforcing the multi-transfer rule, meaning another round of transfer “musical chairs” is underway. It’s basically free agency, and Colorado would rather import new players than hold onto depth guys – they are cycled out transfer window to transfer window. For the second straight season, the entire offensive line is gone. Of the ten spots in the offensive line two-deep, only two are returners from the 2023 line, and both are projected as backups in 2024. This group may be a welcomed change, since the line was a major liability last year allowing 52 sacks – the most in the nation. Sanders was bruised and battered all season. The OL Run Push wasn’t much better and was still below average (85th) with the dead last 133rd of 133 rank in yards/carry. The new starting lineup features multi-year Power 5 starters on the right side in tackle Kahlil Benson (Indiana) and guard Tyler Johnson (Houston), and the nation’s #1 rated offensive lineman in the entire 2024 recruiting class Jordan Seaton at left tackle. Center Yakiri Walker (UConn) and left guard Tyler Brown (FCS Jackson State) also bring starting experience. After eight games, Sanders made a switch at offensive coordinator, pulling back the role of Sean Lewis in favor of analyst Pat Shurmur. Lewis’ so-called “Flash Fast” tempo/RPO offense wasn’t meshing with Shedeur’s skillset and pre-snap strengths. Deion made the move permanent this offseason, as they welcome a new offensive line coach and receiver coach along with Shurmur in the full play-caller role. There’s more change in the backfield as the top four rushers have all departed. Dylan Edwards (Kansas State) and Anthony Hankerson (Oregon State) were the stars while Alton McCaskill (Arizona State) had untapped all-league potential. Sanders landed one of Ohio State’s rotational backs in Dallan Hayden, plus a 1,000+ yard back from the MAC in Rashad Amos (Miami, OH). The passing game should remain elite regardless of whether the offensive line reconstruction is successful. Shedeur gives Colorado a shot to score on every play, and thus, a puncher’s chance in any game. His pocket elusiveness is uncanny, the raw athleticism burns defenses on the ground, and he has pinpoint accuracy. In addition to his single-game record in the opener, he set the Colorado record for passing yards in a season with 3,230 and took care of the ball with just three interceptions compared to 27 touchdowns. In QB Rating, he placed 5th in the quarterback-heavy Pac-12 – good for 17th in Power 5. Colorado will continue to operate out of 10 personnel – four receivers, one back, no tight ends – for the majority of snaps. Might as well maximize this deep receiver stable which brings back two top targets and added another round of impact players. Two-way dynamo Travis Hunter became the school’s first All-American since 2010 and on offense he caught 57 balls for 721 yards and five touchdowns. Jimmy Horn added 567 yards and a team-high six touchdowns, and Omarion Miller flashed his big potential in one game, a 200-yard output against USC. Three-year Vanderbilt starter Will Sheppard is an instant game-changer after amassing 2,000+ yards and 21 touchdowns in the SEC. FAU all-time receiving leader LaJohntay Wester joined, and Sanders signed two blue-chippers from the high school ranks in Kamron Mikell and Top100 Drelon Miller.
DEFENSE Coordinator Charles Kelly went back to his alma mater Auburn and Sanders hired Robert Livingston as his second defensive coordinator. He is tasked with fixing one of the nation’s worst defenses, and doing so with another transfer infusion and just one returning starter in the front seven. Colorado completed another massive transfer haul this cycle, ranking 8th overall with the second-most four-stars. Half of those blue-chippers are pumped into the defensive line with two of Pittsburgh’s starters Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlola, a top Big 12 pass rusher BJ Green (Arizona State) and three-year starting nose tackle Chidozie Nwankwo (Houston). They join returning starter Shane Cokes who earned the “L” patch on his jersey – Sanders has Leaders and Dawgs instead of captains. They will miss disruptive end Jordan Domineck but the incoming firepower is impressive. Another transfer will lead the linebacker room as third-team All-AAC Nikhai Hill-Green (Charlotte) is an instant starter. Trevor Woods made the selfless move down to linebacker from his safety spot and he thrived as a smaller Dime or hybrid player. Woods had two clutch interceptions in the endzone to seal the wins over TCU and Colorado State. Three starters return to the secondary with both safeties – Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Shilo Sanders – plus do-it-all Hunter. Sanders became the ninth Colorado defensive back ever to lead in tackles, took back a Pick Six against Colorado State, and forced four fumbles. Hunter won the Paul Hornung Award for the sport’s most versatile weapon, and will be used one-on-one to neutralize the opponent’s top receiver threat. Super-recruit Cormani McClain shocked with his departure after spring ball.
OUTLOOK There may not be a more fascinating program in America right now. Usually coaching transitions see a “second-year bonus” but with so much change and turnover, Colorado may not benefit. Or, do they accelerate their rebuild thanks to another round of top transfers? They certainly bolstered their defensive line and receiver room, and Shedeur Sanders proved himself on the Power 5 stage. Still, the offensive line and pass defense remain questionable and they drew the #1 hardest Big 12 schedule: the top six teams and only one of the bottom four. They will improve as a team but the schedule hurdle keeps them in the middle-tier.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: BAYLOR
PICK SIX
In 2021 Dave Aranda led Baylor to a Big 12 championship, a Sugar Bowl win, and the school’s first-ever 12-win season. They are just 9-16 in the two seasons since. In two short years, the program looks completely different from that 2021 peak. They won the Big 12 behind elite offensive line play, a stout front seven, and a do-it-all secondary. Once dominant in the trenches, Baylor placed 67th of 70 Power 5 teams in the “Run the Ball, Stop the Run” metric which combines rushing offense and rushing defense. They were pushed around all season, but their offense posted its worst rushing attack since 2009 – before RGIII’s breakout season, the Art Briles #1 offenses, and the Matt Rhule era. Already off of a four-game losing streak to close the 2022 season, Baylor lost to non-AQ Texas State in the opener and needed an FCS win over Long Island and a miracle 28-point comeback over UCF to get into the win column. The wheels fell off as they lost four games by 25+ points, went a nation-worst 1-7 at home, and closed the season with another long losing streak. Normally coaches in the state of Texas wouldn’t survive a two-year run like that. But the 2021 Big 12 title has earned Aranda more goodwill than usual. On a 3-13 skid over the past 16 games, Aranda made the final step before the so-called “hot seat” heats up: a double coordinator switch and coaching staff shake-up. He fired offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and hired Jake Spavital, signaling a major schematic change. On defense, he is taking over more control and re-claimed the play-calling duties. Six new assistants joined the staff – plus Aranda added longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson who recently helped Texas rebuild its defense as an analyst. While Baylor placed 66th of 70 Power 5 in my opponent-adjusted Game Grader – their lowest since I began tracking in 2010 – they did also play the most freshmen of any Big 12 school. While not a full mulligan, the youth movement could help explain some of the struggle. Their freshmen played over 4,500 snaps – 1,000+ more than the league’s next highest. Ahead-of-schedule reps means some of the highest levels of returning production in America for 2024. And that tends to correlate to year-over-year progress.
OFFENSE Grimes and his wide-zone rushing offense are gone. Aranda hired Spavital to completely change the offensive identity and implement his up-tempo, spread passing attack. His “Bear Raid” will be packed with experienced starters, but a quarterback battle is raging on into fall camp. Two-year starter Blake Shapen departs and leaves a competition between backup Sawyer Robertson and Toledo transfer Dequan Finn. Robertson was a Texas high school football gunslinger at Coronado and passed his way onto the state leaderboards before playing two seasons in Mike Leach’s Air Raid. He made four starts here last year with Shapen out of the lineup, but averaged just 216 yards/game while tossing four picks and just two touchdowns. Finn was named the MAC MVP last year as a dual-threat with 2,657 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns combined with 563 yards and seven scores on the ground. Finn said he specifically picked Baylor because of the Spavital offensive scheme. The top three running backs and top five wide receivers are all back in Waco. Dominic Richardson was the lead back last year, and Richard Reese earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2022 after posting Baylor’s best freshman rushing season. Reese still has that game-changing ability and he returned consecutive kickoffs for touchdowns against West Virginia in the season finale. A third option, Dawson Pendergrass flashed as a newcomer last year and earned Big 12 honorable mention. In this offensive scheme there will be more targets and receptions to go around, and the room is packed with experience. Monaray Baldwin led with 623 yards last year, Ketron Jackson was third but also brings SEC experience from Arkansas. The next pair is Josh Cameron and Hal Presley who combined for 38 catches and 446 yards. The staff added two more with All-Mountain West Jamaal Bell (Nevada) and Ashtyn Hawkins who caught seven touchdowns in Spavital’s offense at Texas State. At tight end it was a transfer swap. Starter Drake Dabney went to TCU, but they added Michael Trigg from Ole Miss. Baylor’s offensive struggles can be traced both to Grimes’ scheme and their play in the trenches. They had to replaced four starters from 2022, and had to do so with younger players than expected. By the end of the season, Baylor had five freshmen in the offensive line two-deep – the most nationally – and three freshmen started 17 games which was the 3rd highest. The ineffectiveness showed on tape and in the stat column, as they ranked 90th in my OL Run Push and 91st in Pass Protection. For 2024, two changes hope to flip this liability to an asset: scheme and starting experience. In the run game, they are shifting away from the wide zone to inside zone. The increased tempo is also a change, but Spavital’s track record speaks for itself. Aiding in the scheme transition is their raised experience level from this time a year ago. Instead of losing four starters, they now return four: left tackle Alvin Ebosele, center Coleton Price, right guard Campbell Barrington, and right tackle Gavin Byers.
DEFENSE The collapse on this side of the ball was much more shocking, given Aranda’s career of success: out of six seasons with LSU and Wisconsin, five placed in the national Top 12 in scoring. He kept Matt Powledge as the coordinator, but has taken over more control of the defense and will call plays for the first time since the 2019 LSU national title season. It can’t get any worse. Last year Baylor ranked second-worst, 69th of 70 Power 5, in my opponent-adjusted defense metric — dead last 70th in passing. Their two best defenders are gone as longtime starting linemen TJ Franklin and Gabe Hall head to the pros. Steve Linton (Texas Tech) and Treven Ma’ae (Oregon last cycle) are two Power 5 additions to the line, and starting nose tackle Cooper Lanz is back. Two more linebackers depart for the pros, starters Byron Vaughns and Mike Smith. Matt Jones led the team in tackles and provides leadership as one of the only fifth-year seniors here since the start of the Aranda era. Look for newcomer Keaton Thomas to break into the lineup after earning JUCO All-America honors last fall. The best example of Baylor’s freshman movement was corner Caden Jenkins, a breakout star who was named a Freshman All-American. The top four corners return, Carl Williams returns to the nickel spot, and they welcome back a potential starter in Lorando Johnson – he played here in 2022, went to Arkansas in 2023, and returned to Waco this offseason. The starting safety pair of Devyn Bobby and Devin Lemear also returns, however the entire secondary needs vast improvement after getting torched in the pass game. OUTLOOK Baylor was dead last in the Big 12 last year but there are reasons for optimism in 2024. All of those freshmen reps pay dividends with some of the highest returning production in the nation. The offensive coordinator hire is an upgrade – Spavital’s Bear Raid will create a spark. Schedule-wise they get a boost by avoiding four of the league’s top five. Baylor will climb out of last place and should be in contention for a bowl game. If Aranda’s 2023 youth movement doesn’t convert to wins and a significant statistical boost by his defense, the pressure may be insurmountable.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: CINCINNATI
PICK SIX
“Hey Rookie, welcome to the Power 5!” Cincinnati – along with non-AQ peers BYU, Houston, and UCF – made the jump up to the Power 5 level last year. Two years removed from an undefeated regular season and glass ceiling-breaking run into the four team College Football Playoff, Cincinnati was awarded with the most exclusive and lucrative prize in collegiate athletics: a Power 5 membership. The Rookies had a harsh welcome, and together the four new programs went a combined 4-24 against legacy Big 12 teams. Cincinnati was the only one to go winless (0-6) against the original members, and they lost those six by an average of 21 points per game. It was a bad year for a coaching change. Luke Fickell built Cincinnati into a national player, but took the Wisconsin head coach opening just as his program was set to move up to the big leagues. Scott Satterfield brought his defensive coordinator with him from Louisville, cobbled together a transfer-packed starting lineup, and inherited one of the most consistent player-developing programs in America. Nothing worked in 2023. The offense became too one dimensional, their depth was overpowered by Power 5 lineups, and their defense saw the worst one year regression from 2022 to 2023. Cincinnati won their FCS opener, beat old Big East rival Pittsburgh, and newcomer Houston. They lost everything else. Both the 3-9 record and the seven-game losing streak were program low points since 1998-99. The optimist spin for 2024? The best parts of the 2023 team are back, Satterfield addressed the weaknesses with full transfer transfusions, and he hired a guy with the proven formula to stop Big 12 offenses.
OFFENSE Satterfield built dynamic offenses and bowl teams at Louisville. They were explosive, but also well rounded with a run/pass balance. His transition offense here got half of it right, as they posted a Top 20 rushing offense per my opponent-adjusted metric. Their 217 rushing yards per game placed 6th nationally, and feature back Corey Kiner went for 100+ yards six times on his way to a 1,000-yard season. Kiner returns for 2024, and the program got a huge boost when the entire offensive line announced they were returning for another season. From left to right — John Williams, Dartanyan Tinsley, Gavin Gerhardt, Luke Kandra, and Deondre Buford – this line ranked #17 in my Offensive Line Run Push metric and should remain a strength on the ground this fall. Kandra earned second-team All-Big 12 and Gerhardt and Williams are third-year starters. Xzavier Henderson returns after leading the team in receptions and yards. He got the vast majority of targets, especially down the stretch, and the pass game became a one-man game. With Kiner, Henderson, and the entire starting offensive line back, the best parts of the offense were retained for another year. The areas of weakness were quickly addressed by Satterfield, none more important than under center. Former Florida and Arizona State starter Emory Jones transferred in, won the job, but placed just 10th on the Big 12’s QB Rating leaderboard, and 10th in yards/attempt. With Jones gone, Satterfield landed another Power 5 starting quarterback in Indiana’s Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby took over a broken Indiana offense and led upset wins over Wisconsin and Illinois, and then almost knocked off a Top 10 Penn State squad. He showed the full range of throws in his arsenal and is not shy about squaring up his shoulders as a runner. In the final three games, Sorsby led 10 drives to the red zone and Indiana cashed in for touchdowns on all ten. Red zone efficiency cost Cincinnati in the Miami Ohio loss, and a missed two-pointer sealed the UCF loss. On the season they scored touchdowns on just 51% of red zone trips – 115th nationally – and better execution is needed. Pass protection is a shared stat between the offensive line and the quarterback. While the run push was elite, the pass pro was below average (86th) but I expect Sorsby to help alleviate that. Satterfield also hit the portal to find more skill players behind the proven stars of Kiner and Henderson. Evan Pryor (Ohio State) and Chance Williams (Grambling State) bring speed and elusiveness to the running back room to balance out the physicality of Kiner. A pair of productive non-AQ receivers – Tony Johnson (Florida Atlantic) and Tyrin Smith (UTEP) – attempt to backfill the loss of starters Braden Smith and Dee Wiggins. Barry Jackson flashed high potential in his four freshman games last year, and Evan Prater is due for a second-year bonus after making the position switch last offseason. It’s a new-look tight end room with the departures of Payten Singletary (USF) and Chamon Metayer (Colorado) offset by the additions of Joe Royer (Ohio State) and Joey Beljan (Western Kentucky).
DEFENSE Two years ago, Cincinnati’s defense was a top national unit that paved the way to the first ever non-AQ Playoff selection. They packed the NFL Draft the following April, and then their head coach and coordinator left. 2023 was a total meltdown. They fell from 6th in 2021 to 70th (dead last of 70 Power 5) in my opponent adjusted formula. Like the offense, the good parts of the defense were retained, but aside from that they are starting over completely from scratch. It starts at the top, as coordinator Bryan Brown left to join Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss program. Satterfield made a wise move to hire a coach that has the secret formula. Tyson Veidt comes from an Iowa State defense that has puzzled and slowed down the high-octane Big 12 offenses for almost a decade. They run a 3-3-5, but with a twist. The so-called Dime Stack brings that fifth defensive back away from the strongside of the field and puts him as a third, center safety. The defensive line, linebackers, and three high safeties are all stacked. The goal is to confuse quarterbacks by disguising coverages and assignments. The results at Iowa State are hard to argue. Former All-American Dontay Corleone was expected back as the anchor at defensive tackle, but in early July the program released a statement that he was out indefinitely with a medical issue. They added a trio of experienced transfers to flank him at end: Jared Bartlett (West Virginia), Darian Varner (Wisconsin) and Mikah Coleman (Eastern Michigan). Varner earned first-team All-AAC honors at Temple, and Bartlett actually shifted to middle backer – a testament to his versatility. Linebacker leader Jack Dingle returns, co-starter Dorian Jones left for Virginia, but this position is Veidt’s area of expertise, and his Iowa State program churned out all-leaguers like a conveyor belt. The pass defense and secondary were completely broken and Satterfield opted for the complete roster transfusion via the transfer portal. Both starting safeties out, six transfers in. Derrick Canteen (Virginia Tech) is the headliner and should start at one corner, along with returning starter Jordan Young. Kye Stokes (Ohio State) is also a likely starter at safety, with three experienced transfers battling for other spots: Mehki Miller (New Mexico State), Josh Minkins (Louisville) and Logan Wilson (North Texas).
OUTLOOK 2023 was the unfortunate trifecta of a coaching change, a roster turnover, and a conference upgrade. The strengths of the team return for 2024, Satterfield addressed the weaknesses with transfer additions, and he hired a coordinator with the Big 12 defensive formula. They only face two of the Big 12’s top six, a schedule boost that places them ahead of Arizona State and 2023 transition peers BYU and Houston.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: ARIZONA STATE
PICK SIX
ASU alum Kenny Dillingham inherited a mess in Tempe. The NCAA was investigating the athletic department, the prior regime’s infractions led to a self-imposed bowl ban, and a wave of transfers left after the coaching change. The youngest head coach in Division 1 had some growing pains along with his new-look program. Severe injury runs at quarterback and offensive line, paired with a botched offensive coordinator hire, set the offense back to the 1940s with Wildcat formations and even the ancient Swinging Gate. In total his transition season saw 78 newcomers to the roster, but there would be no overnight fix with a rebuilding project this large, in the Pac 12’s most competitive season in decades. Arizona State posted another 3-9 record which rounds out the worst two year stretch here since WWII. They barely scraped by FCS Southern Utah and then the 1-6 start was the worst since 1942. The 55-3 blowout loss to Utah was the program’s worst Pac-12 loss ever. Just three years removed from destroying Arizona 70-7 – and subsequently putting up I-10 billboards “No Pity for the Kitty” – the tables turned as the Wildcats dropped 59 points in the Territorial Cup. So yes, Dillingham took on quite the rebuilding project and had some expected stumbles along the way. But there were more than enough positives to take from his debut season. His other coordinator hire was a home run as Brian Ward improved the defense 15 spots in my opponent-adjusted metric — the Pac-12’s second-best jump. They nearly upset Pac-12 champs Washington and slowed down Heisman finalist Michael Penix better than anyone else. The upset win over UCLA impressed me even more. Not just the win itself, but the way Dillingham was able to think outside the box with old-fashion packages and that he was able to garner the buy in from his players.
OFFENSE Cam Skattebo was probably my favorite player in college football last year. He was a physical hammer running the ball between the tackles, displayed balance and always fell forward. Then he took on the Wildcat role, ran some Swinging Gate, and threw a 40-yard dart for a touchdown in the UCLA win. He also punted. Arizona State will benefit from a healthy offensive line and quarterback room in 2024 after severe depth chart hits stifled the 2023 offense. There were troubles before the injury bug, and against Fresno State they were shutout for the first time at home since 1988. Dillingham acted quickly by demoting coordinator Beau Baldwin and taking over as the playcaller. After the season, he fired Baldwin and hired Marcus Arroyo who had success coordinating at Oregon and his three offenses 2017-2019 averaged 35+ points per game. He helped develop Justin Herbert and then as head coach he steadily improved the UNLV program from zero to five wins. Quarterback development will go a long way here. Five-star super-recruit Jaden Rashada joined 2023 Heisman Winner Jayden Daniels as the only true freshmen Sun Devil quarterbacks to start the opener. Unfortunately he was knocked out for most of the season with injury, and his eight passing touchdowns ended up leading the team despite playing just four games. Drew Pyne and Trenton Bourguet were also injured at times, which led to the Skattebo Show. This ended up as the second-worst passing offense in Power 5 per my opponent-adjusted metrics – only in front of national punchline Iowa. With Rashada missing some time in the spring, the starter reps were shared by Bourguet and Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt who was the third-stringer there as a true freshman. Leavitt impressed enough for Dillingham to name him the starter, and shockingly sent Rashada to the transfer portal (Georgia). The offensive line was wrecked by injuries and they ended up starting 11 different line combinations in the 12-game season. Right away two starters were lost – right tackle Emmit Bohle and Isaia Glass (transfer) – and eventually as many as six linemen in the two-deep were sidelined. Leif Fautanu returns as the headliner, and Dillingham noted the offensive line had the clear advantage throughout spring: “we ran the damn ball.” Skattebo returns after taking three times the carries as backup DeCarlos Brooks. They are strong runners between the tackles and grind every inch, but they lacked breakaway speed as evidenced by a bottom five mark in Explosive Rushing (126th nationally). They boosted their explosiveness with two impact transfers in former five-star Raleek Brown (USC) and Alton McCaskill who was originally the feature back at Houston. School-record holder Jalin Conyers transferred out to Texas Tech and his co-star Bryce Pierre went to UCLA, completely clearing out the tight end room. Markeston Douglas is in from Florida State and brings a boost to in-line run blocking, and Jayden Fortier was the top-rated high school prospect from the state of Oregon. Elijhah Badger was supposed to be the headliner of a deep receiver room but he shockingly transferred to Florida after spring ball. Jordyn Tyson was a star at Colorado, while Jake Smith was a former five-star and played at Texas and USC. Outside receivers Xavier Guillory and Troy Omeire return along with slot Melquan Stovall. The room is still packed, even with Badger’s departure.
DEFENSE Defensive coordinator Brian Ward led the Pac-12’s second-best improvement from 2022 to 2023, but they are barely scraping the full potential of his defensive scheme. The main goal of his 4-2-5 scheme is takeaways, they gamble more than most, and are expectedly burnt more often on long-yardage explosive plays. But to make the formula worth it, the defense must succeed in takeaways. Arizona State only forced nine turnovers all season which was the second-worst in all of Power 5. His second defense in Tempe will have to reload its top performers from each position group. Their top two were poached by other Power 5 programs, with All-Pac 12 BJ Green (Colorado) and safety Jordan Clark (Notre Dame) transferring out. The defensive line was especially hit hard with Green leaving and Dashaun Mallory and Michael Matus both exhausting their eligibility. Ward added five defensive line transfers – all from the Power 5 level – along with four high school signees to boost the room and create instant competition. Ends Prince Dorbah and Clayton Smith return and combined for 10.5 sacks last year, plus they get original starting defensive tackle Anthonie Cooper back from injury. Like the offensive line and quarterbacks, the linebackers got crushed with injuries which forced younger players into action ahead of schedule. Freshman Tate Romney hopped into a starting role, Caleb McCullough got increased time, and the duo are projected as the 2024 starters now that leader Tre Brown is out of eligibility. San Diego State MVP Zyrus Fiaseu transferred in and will push for a spot. Leading tackler Shamari Simmons is back at free safety, Xavion Alford was finally granted eligibility and should start at strong safety, but they lost four starting-caliber corners: Clark, Ro Torrence, Dee Ford, and Ed Woods.
OUTLOOK Thanks to Skattebo, the running back position is the only one where Arizona State rates in the upper-half of the Big 12. The roster was raided by other Power 4 teams but Dillingham’s incoming talent acquisition has not elevated the program yet. They are not in contention for a league title in the transition season, and in the battle for 12th place, Baylor brings the high returning production and Cincinnati boosted their roster from the portal. Arizona State has neither, and draws the six best teams in the league – Baylor and Cincinnati face just two.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: BYU
PICK SIX
After 101 years, BYU finally got the invite to a Power 5 conference. It was well-deserved given their championship history, quarterback lineage, and passionate nationwide fan base. As expected, there were growing pains. BYU faced its toughest schedule in school history – 10 straight Power 5 opponents – and after a promising 5-2 start, the weekly physical toll wore them down. They weren’t alone in their transition-year struggles, as the four newcomers went a combined 4 24 against legacy Big 12 teams. BYU started out with wins over Arkansas and Cincinnati, knocked out Texas Tech with five defensive takeaways, and even the Kansas game was winnable if not for giving away two defensive scores. With five chances to notch a bowl-clinching sixth win, BYU went 0-5 down the stretch including a three-game span of blowouts — 117-26 combined. They rallied in the final two games giving Oklahoma and Oklahoma State 60-minute fights but came up a touchdown short in both. The 5-7 record marked their first losing regular season since 2017, and just the second since 2004. Two of their fellow newcomers – Houston and UCF – benefit geographically and are located right in the top high school football recruiting hubs. BYU doesn’t have the recruiting advantages of their Big 12 peers as evidenced by their dead last recruiting trend among the 70 Power 5 programs. They will need to excel in other areas, like they have in the past: player development, veteran starting lineups, and well-designed coaching schemes.
OFFENSE BYU will also need to have a higher hit rate in the transfer portal, especially at quarterback. Their transfer addition last year did not live up to the high expectations or his performances from earlier in his career. Kedon Slovis came to Provo after starting at USC and Pittsburgh, but finished dead last in the Big 12 in the all-encompassing QB Rating. He completed 58% of passes but the yards/attempt of 6.5 was a bottom ten number nationally. After eight games, he was sidelined with an injury and former JUCO star Jake Retzlaff was handed the keys to the offense. The results were even worse. Retzlaff went 0-4 in his starts, completed just 50% of balls, threw the same number of interceptions as touchdowns, and only gained 5.2 yards/attempt. The pass game took a decisive hit, but he did at least bring a little mobility to the position. Slovis graduated, Retzlaff returns, and the staff added former Baylor starter Gerry Bohanon. Way back in 2021, Bohanon led Baylor to a Big 12 title – 18 passing touchdowns, 12 rushing touchdowns, 63% completion – but was injured in the title game and never got back his starting role. He transferred to USF but was injured again halfway through the 2022 season and has rehabbed since. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said they will not be entertaining any additional post-spring transfer quarterbacks, so it will be BYU’s first fall camp battle since 2021. Retzlaff is the slight leader with hopes of a second-year bonus, but it will go until kickoff. While the quarterback spot seemed like a mess in 2023, it was arguably the least to blame for an overall offensive collapse. BYU fell all the way to #69 of 70 Power 5 teams in my opponent-adjusted metric – a far cry from their #1 finish in 2020. The offensive line was the top culprit, which was a surprise given their recent track record and their preseason projections. The pass protection was fine — #32 nationally – but their run push failed to create anything. BYU placed in the bottom ten (#123) in my OL Run Push, which is down 100 spots from their Top 25 finish there in 2021. Sitake made a coaching change, bringing in TJ Woods as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Woods was part of the great Wisconsin rushing attacks in the 2010s, and then coached four All-Pac 12 linemen in three years at Oregon State. Starting center Connor Pay noted the hire as a key reason why he decided to return to BYU for a bonus year. Pay, along with former Oklahoma State starter Caleb Etienne and All-Big 12 candidate Weylin Lapuaho lead the way as experienced starters. Left tackle Brayden Keim missed spring but is expected back for the fall while the right guard spot remains open. Kingsley Suamataia is a huge loss and was drafted in the second round in the NFL draft. Aidan Robbins was a 1,000-yard back at UNLV but had less success here with just one touchdown in eight games. Instead, the surprise was true freshman LJ Martin who led the team with 518 rushing yards, four scores, and emerged as the feature back for 2024. Receivers coach Fesi Sitake calls this his deepest room yet as they return their top five from 2023. Experienced depth is certainly there, but BYU needs a true star to emerge from the pack. Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter are the best bets to do so. Roberts led with 42 catches and 573 yards last year, while Lassiter was their top deep-ball threat. Kody Epps and Parker Kingston return, and veteran Keanu Hill made the position switch to tight end. Hill will create mismatches over the middle of the field and forms a one-two punch with Ryner Swanson, a young freshman who has already impressed with physicality. They have to replace a multi-year starter Isaac Rex.
DEFENSE Over the past few years, BYU has played a safe defensive scheme and often dropped eight guys back into coverage – a bend-don’t-break style. When that collapsed with a coordinator firing in the middle of the 2022 season, Sitake’s next hire was of the opposite mindset. Jay Hill had success at the FCS level with his attacking, aggressive, blitz-heavy defense, and the idea was to bring a version of that here to BYU. It simply didn’t happen in the transition year. BYU remained in the bottom five of my Negative Play Rate tracking disruption and plays made behind the line of scrimmage. 130th in 2022 … 129th in 2023. Hill did bring more blitzes, they just didn’t hit home enough, which exposed them more to explosive long yardage plays. BYU fell 84 spots (#35 to #119) in defending against explosive rushing. BYU returns its top defender, second-team All-Big 12 defensive end Tyler Batty but loses its next best three: linebackers Max Tooley and AJ Vongphachanh and corner Eddie Heckard. Batty and defensive tackle John Nelson are a good one-two punch, but there are depth concerns behind them. They lost 6’3 355-pounder Danny Saili (Arkansas) who was drawing Khyiris Tonga comparisons by BYU expert Jeff Hansen. Those familiar with BYU remember Tonga’s impact as a space-eater, and the line has struggled since. Tooley and Vongphachanh combined for 177 tackles and are a major loss to the linebacking level. BYU does get star Ben Bywater back after he missed eight games last year. Two former transfers should push for starting roles with former four-star Harrison Taggart (Oregon) and Jack Kelly (Weber State) who was rated the #12 edge in the transfer portal. Kelly led the Big Sky in sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries and picked BYU over Oregon State, Houston, and Wisconsin. The two Weber State corners are gone. Heckard was a highlight reel and Kamden Garrett was also a consistent starter in a secondary that ranked #37 of 70 Power 5 in my opponent-adjusted passing numbers. BYU still has two leaders back with safety Micah Harper and corner Jakob Robinson. Talan Alfrey has made an impact at both safety roles, Raider Damuni is a projected starter, and even with a few starting spots up for grabs, the secondary will be in good shape.
OUTLOOK BYU placed second-worst in the Big 12 in my Game Grader formula and I see them staying there again for 2024. A few years ago they were dominant in the trenches but both lines of scrimmage struggled in their new conference with a 68th of 70 (third-worst) rank in my Run The Ball, Stop The Run metric. They need to bolster both lines with Power 4 size and depth.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW-BIG 12: HOUSTON
PICK SIX
27 years after the collapse of the Southwest Conference, Houston worked its way back to the premier tier of college football with its Big 12 invitation. Growing pains were expected, and they were not alone. The four non-AQ programs moving up to the Power 5 level – Houston, BYU, Cincinnati, and UCF – combined to go just 4-24 against the legacy Big 12 members in the transition season. But the 2023 season got off the rails even before conference play, as they narrowly escaped UTSA, and then lost the Bayou Bucket game against Rice for the first time since 2010. Then the Big 12 blowout losses began. Dana Holgorsen posted his third losing season in five years, and they lost seven Big 12 games by an average of 18 points per game. At 4-8, they were really two plays away from 2-10, but a tipped Hail Mary touchdown and a converted two-pointer in overtime helped beat West Virginia and Baylor on the final plays. The on-field record was bad enough, but Houston president Renu Khator said she made up her mind to fire Holgorsen based off his recruiting comment in late October. On his weekly radio show, when asked about his Power 5-worst 2024 recruiting class, Holgorsen claimed “if you’re still trying to recruit ‘24s right now from a high school perspective, you’re late.” Given Houston’s proximity to blue-chip talent in one of the best high school football states – and now with a Big 12 logo – there is no excuse for a recruiting breakdown like that. They were ranked 101st in America at that moment, which was behind every Power 5 program as well as 30 non-AQ programs. Khator hired Willie Fritz away from Tulane, where he turned the Green Wave into a New Year’s Six team in 2022 and won 11 games in 2023. With Fritz, Houston is getting a proven program-builder who has done it consistently at every level. At the Junior College ranks, he turned Blinn College around from 5-24-1 into 39-5-1. At the Division II level he brought Central Missouri to its first-ever Playoff berth and posted winning seasons in 11 of 13 years. At the FCS level, Sam Houston State had consecutive losing seasons before his arrival but he led them to consecutive national title appearances in 2011-12. He guided Georgia Southern through its FBS transition season by winning the Sun Belt, and then turned around a perennial loser Tulane into a contender. Fritz now has Power 5 resources, a prime recruiting location, and a state-of-the-art $140M football facility. The rebuild may not be immediate, but his resume speaks for itself.
OFFENSE Donovan Smith transferred in from Texas Tech and started all 12 games in the pass-heavy offense, ranking second in the league in pass attempts, third in completion percentage, and fourth in touchdowns. The more telling stats are the all-encompassing QB Rating – 8th place in the Big 12 – and 13 interceptions. This spring Smith was recovering from a torn labrum and was limited to mental reps, while Zeon Chriss got all the first-team reps. Chriss started six games at Louisiana-Lafayette last year and at least brings FBS experience to the backup spot. As part of Fritz’s 39-part “Plan to Win” manifesto, there is a heavy emphasis on running the ball, ball security, and controlling the run game. Look for more balance here, as Houston shifts from pass-heavy to more of a mix. They found a program star in Parker Jenkins who had a breakout freshman season and continued with explosive runs in the spring game. Jenkins calls Fritz’s offense a “running back’s dream” and he will be the featured back again in 2024. Stacy Sneed and Tony Mathis return as the complementary backs, and Houston added three backs with gaudy high school stats: Re’Shaun Sanford (Killeen Harker Heights), J’Marion Burnette (Andalusia, AL) and DJ Butler (Mobile, AL). Two of their top three receivers are gone as Matthew Golden (Texas) and Sam Brown (Miami) take their 1,219 yards with them. Joseph Manjack is the returning leader after posting 577 and six touchdowns, and Stephon Johnson is back after his famous Hail Mary tipped touchdown. Former four-star Jonah Wilson is a projected starter after missing his freshman year with an injury. The staff added versatile Mekhi Mews (Georgia) and he’ll be used in a variety of ways on end-arounds, quick screens, etc. It’s a complete rebuild in the trenches. First-team All-Big 12 Patrick Paul was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft, and in total four starters are gone. Right guard Tank Jenkins won a waiver for a seventh college season, former four-star center Demetrius Hunter is a lock, but the other three spots are up for grabs in fall camp. Fritz added three experienced starting linemen from the portal in Jake Wiley (Colorado, UCLA), Dakota White (Louisiana Tech), and Cedric Melton (Ole Miss). He retained offensive line coach Eman Naghavi after the line posted above-average marks in both my OL Run Push and Pass Protection metrics in 2023.
DEFENSE This side of the ball will look completely different: scheme, formation, and personnel. It’s all brand new on defense. New defensive coordinator Shiel Wood is installing a 3-4 base scheme, marking Houston’s first shift away from a four-man front since 2016. 13 of their top 17 defenders are gone, and a wave of incoming transfers will compete for all the new spots. All four defensive line starters are gone, meaning the Sack Avenue era is officially retired. Jamaree Caldwell landed at Oregon, Chidozie Nwankwo went to Colorado and team sack-leader Nelson Ceaser graduated. Taleeq Robbins and Anthony Holmes have seven career starts between them, and they’ll be challenged by experienced linemen from the non-AQ level. Keith Cooper was a starter for Fritz at Tulane, Everitt Rogers started at Tulsa, Quindario Lee was a disruptive pass rusher at Central Michigan, and Xavier Stillman is a 6’3 310-pounder from the JUCO ranks. Will it translate to the Big 12? It’s more of the same at the linebacker level. Four of their top five are gone, including three-time captain Hasaan Hypolite and tackle-machine Malik Robinson. Jamal Morris is a returning starter, and the other spots will be battles from non-AQ transfers like Michal Batton (UL-Monroe), Kendre Gant (UL-Lafayette) and another former Tulane starter Corey Platt. Free safety AJ Haulcy led the team in tackles and was especially strong in the open field. He and corner Isaiah Hamilton are returning starters but otherwise it’s another rebuild in the secondary. Statistically it was a meltdown here in 2023, as Houston ranked near the nation-worst in most passing categories, and was 67th of 70 Power 5 teams in my opponent adjusted passing metric. In fall camp a bunch of transfers will push for starting roles: Latrell McCutchin (USC), Kentrell Webb (Tulane), Teagan Wilk (East Carolina) and Hershey McLaurin (West Virginia).
OUTLOOK Fritz is a proven program-builder and Houston has untapped recruiting potential that should be unlocked in the next few cycles. This is not an overnight fix though. Houston finished in the bottom ten of Power 5 last year, the offensive line and front seven must be rebuilt, and it’s a coaching transition season. They are projected in last place of the Big 12 for 2024 before improvements are made in 2025 and beyond.
FIVE-STAR RB COMMITS TO ALABAMA, COMPLETING FLIP FROM OLE MISS
Alabama got a commitment Tuesday from five-star recruit Akylin Dear, the No. 2 running back in the Class of 2025.
Dear, from Quitman, Miss., had verbally committed to Ole Miss on March 30, only to decommit and open up his recruitment on June 28. He pledged for the Crimson Tide over the Rebels and Mississippi State.
The 247Sports composite rankings put him No. 31 in the country, No. 2 at his position and No. 3 in the state of Mississippi in his senior class.
“I’m excited to be a part of an elite organization that is going to compete every year and strive to win a national championship,” Dear told ESPN. “I’m going to be able to say I play for Alabama Crimson Tide, which is probably one of the greatest programs ever in the history of college football. Being able to follow in the footsteps of so many greats and accepting the challenge to be elite above all other things has always been my overall goal.”
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Dear rushed for 800 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore, and 2,016 yards and 27 TDs in 2023.
“It felt like home,” Dear said of Alabama, which he officially visited on the June 14 weekend. “The coaching staff, the environment, the pursuit of greatness as an organization, the vibe of all the players, the number of running backs that they have produced and put in the NFL. Most of all, (running backs coach Robert Gillespie) has been absolutely great to me, and genuinely believes in me and my ability to contribute to his room.”
Alabama earlier got a commitment from four-star running back Anthony Rogers, a senior at Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala. Rogers, listed at 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, is No. 116 nationally, No. 6 at running back and No. 8 in his home state in the 247Sports composite rankings.
–Field Level Media
NFL NEWS
BRADY: ‘TRAGEDY’ THAT YOUNG QBS AREN’T DEVELOPED LIKE THEY USED TO BE
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady is unhappy with how young quarterbacks are being developed in modern football.
“There used to be college programs. Now there are college teams,” Brady said, according to Liam McKeone of Sports Illustrated. “You’re no longer learning a program, you’re learning a playbook.”
Brady added: “It’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early. … We’ve dumbed the game down, which has allowed them to play (early). It used to be thought of at a higher level.”
Plenty of rookie signal-callers are expected to earn playing time in 2024. The Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams and the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels have already been named Week 1 starters. Meanwhile, New England Patriots passer Drake Maye is competing with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting role, while Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is expected to be named the club’s starter sooner than later.
The Atlanta Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. and the Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy, who will miss the year with a meniscus injury, are the only first-round quarterbacks who aren’t expected to play as rookies.
Brady didn’t start until he was thrust into action in his second season. He earned Pro Bowl honors as he led New England to an 11-3 record in 14 starts. The Michigan product credited his college experience for helping him acclimate to the pro game.
“For five years, I got to learn how to drop-back pass, to read defenses, to read coverages, to be coached. … That was development,” he said. “Then I went to New England, and I was developed by Coach (Bill) Belichick and the offensive staff there.”
Recent quarterbacks who have excelled after sitting for the bulk of their rookie seasons include two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
COWBOYS SAFE AFTER FIRE BREAKS OUT AT TEAM HOTEL
No one was injured in a fire that broke out on Tuesday at the Dallas Cowboys’ hotel in Oxnard, Calif., the site of the team’s training camp.
Emergency personnel had to respond to the River Ridge Residence Inn after a fire started in one of the guest rooms, which was unoccupied. Cowboys players and coaches were not on scene when the blaze began, as they were getting ready for a walk-through after a practice session that lasted nearly two hours.
“There was a fire emergency in one of the guest rooms this afternoon at the team’s hotel in Oxnard, Calif.,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “The emergency was contained to one room, that was empty at the time, and there were no injuries.
“The Dallas Cowboys thank the Oxnard Fire Department and Oxnard Police Department for their quick response and reaction to the situation.”
When the team is in California for training camp, only Cowboys players, coaches, members of the front office and additional personnel get to stay at the hotel. It is not open to the general public.
Dallas will have one last padded practice in Oxnard on Wednesday before heading home on Thursday. The Cowboys close their preseason against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
COWBOYS WR BRANDIN COOKS (PERSONAL) LEAVES CAMP
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks left training camp for personal reasons on Tuesday.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Cooks won’t return to Oxnard, Calif., and will rejoin the team in Texas.
“Everything is good,” McCarthy said. “It’s a good thing. But he won’t practice today or tomorrow.”
Dallas hosts the Los Angeles Chargers in the preseason finale on Saturday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.
Cooks, 30, caught 54 passes for 657 yards and eight TDs in 16 games (15 starts) with the Cowboys in 2023.
He has 684 catches for 9,273 yards and 57 scores in 148 games (135 starts) with five teams since 2014.
–Field Level Media
COWBOYS SENSE ‘PROMISING’ TALKS WITH WR CEEDEE LAMB
A new deal for CeeDee Lamb suddenly looks more promising from the vantage point of the man writing the check, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Jones said Tuesday there is marked progress is the delta between Dallas and its star receiver. Lamb was a no-show for training camp, refusing to play as negotiations proved to be largely unfruitful.
But Jones said there are positive signs in contract negotiations with Lamb and his quarterback. Jones said he likes the chances of Lamb being ready for the start of the regular season Sept. 8 at Cleveland.
“Well, I think I am and when I say that, it doesn’t sound too promising. The facts are that I believe we’ll come together. I don’t want to speak for him. That’s what I’m trying not to do. But we wouldn’t have offered him what we’ve offered him if we didn’t want him to be here,” Jones said.
Neither said has shed significant light on the dollar value behind Lamb’s ask or whether he’ll approach the $35 million annually the Vikings are paying All-Pro Justin Jefferson.
On the same side of the ball, Dak Prescott is in the final year of his $140 million contract and can’t be retained with the franchise tag if the Cowboys don’t come up with the cash to keep him in 2025 and beyond.
Jones said the Cowboys continue to hold contract talks with Prescott.
“One of the things that I’d like for the fans to really understand is that nine times out of 10, these are existing (deals) you have in place,” Jones said. “And you should be able to operate under those but we’ve gotten it now in the NFL, other teams are dealing with it too, where with time left on the contract you still might have a contract discussion. … None of us, players or teams, want it to hurt the preparation or the likelihood of playing at your best opening day.”
Jones ruffled feathers when he said the team feels no urgency to sign Lamb, but later clarified he intended to say the Cowboys “know what he can do” and the push to finalize any new contract was minimized by a limited desire to play the wideout in preseason games.
Lamb would have just over two weeks to prepare for Week 1, but first-year offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer implied that’s plenty of work for the 25-year-old.
“CeeDee’s going to be ready. Again, if the system was different, that always adds different challenges. He knows what we do. He and Dak have what I would say are 1,000 or 10,000 banked reps together. And one thing I know about him is he’s staying ready,” Schottenheimer said last week. “A younger player, (there would be worry) because the system is new or different. … There’s wrinkles that he’ll have to pick up on, but his (football intelligence) is unbelievable.”
Lamb set team records last season with 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
CARDINALS’ GANNON: MURRAY ‘LEAPS AND BOUNDS AHEAD’ OF WHERE HE WAS IN 2023
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes quarterback Kyler Murray is in for a big season.
“I think from a mental and physical standpoint, right now where he’s at, to even when he got back last year or even where he finished last year, I think he’s leaps and bounds ahead,” Gannon told Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio.
Gannon added: “I love the guy because he’s done everything that I’ve asked of him and more. He’s been a phenomenal leader on and off the field – not just with the offense, but with the entire team.”
Murray returned to the starting lineup in Week 10 last season after tearing his ACL in 2022. Arizona’s offense struggled without him to start the year but took a step in the right direction when he returned, ranking ninth in EPA/play from Weeks 10-18 and second in EPA per rush during that stretch.
The 27-year-old hasn’t played a full season since 2020 when he set career highs in passing yards (3,971) and touchdowns (26). Murray will have a new weapon to work with in Marvin Harrison Jr., who the club selected No. 4 overall this year.
Gannon believes he and Murray are on the same page heading into this campaign.
“What I know about the guy, my relationship with him when I got this job: His will to win is extremely high,” Gannon added. “And if you detail out and lay out for him what is needed from him to improve himself, the offense, and the team, he is 1,000% willing to do that.”
Arizona kicks off its season Sept. 8 against the Buffalo Bills.
DOLPHINS WR TYREEK HILL WEARING BRACE ON RIGHT HAND
Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was spotted wearing a protective brace on his right hand during Tuesday’s practice.
Per the Miami Herald, Hill participated in some on-field work during individual drills but did not catch a pass during the session.
It was unclear when Hill sustained the apparent injury. Head coach Mike McDaniel is expected to address the media on Wednesday.
Hill, 30, posted a career-high, NFL-leading and franchise-record 1,799 receiving yards in 2023. He became the first player in league history to record 1,700-plus receiving yards in multiple seasons.
Hill also matched a career high with 119 catches to go along with 13 touchdowns last season.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Hill has 717 catches for 10,139 yards with 76 touchdowns in 124 career games with the Kansas City Chiefs (2016-21) and Dolphins.
–Field Level Media
REPORT: WITH QBS APLENTY, BROWNS TO LISTEN TO TRADE OFFERS
The Cleveland Browns have a full quarterback room and have talked with “multiple teams” about a possible trade for second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, The Athletic reported Tuesday.
Deshaun Watson is the incumbent starter with Jameis Winston his expected backup. That leaves veteran Tyler Huntley to vie with Thompson-Robinson for the No. 3 spot.
The Browns signed Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, to a one-year, $4 million deal in March. That same month, they added Huntley, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, on a one-year, $1.29 million contract.
Thompson-Robinson signed a four-year, $4.18 million pact after the Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft.
Per The Athletic, the Browns could trade to try to fill holes left by injuries elsewhere on the roster, such as along the offensive line and in the secondary.
Thompson-Robinson ended the 2023 season with a hip injury but has fully participated in summer practices.
As a rookie, Thompson-Robinson appeared in eight games (three starts) and completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.
–Field Level Media
BASEBALL NEWS
MLB ROUNDUP: GUARDIANS OUTLAST YANKEES IN 12 INNINGS
Pinch hitter Lane Thomas hit a tiebreaking double to start a six-run 12th inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who earned a marathon 9-5 victory over the host New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Thomas helped the Guardians avoid a fourth straight loss and win for the sixth time in 16 games on a night when they drew 14 walks, stranded 20 and went 7-for-24 with runners in scoring position.
Jose Ramirez padded the lead with an RBI single, David Fry blew it open with a bases-clearing triple, and Jhonkensy Noel capped the big inning with an RBI infield single. Tim Herrin (5-0) stranded two in the 11th before Cleveland’s big frame.
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto hit back-to-back first-inning homers for the Yankees. Judge added a two-run double off Scott Barlow in the bottom of the 12th before Alex Verdugo made the final out of the 4-hour, 5-minute marathon. Tim Mayza (0-2) took the loss.
Red Sox 6, Astros 5
Jarren Duran capped a four-hit effort with a two-out, tiebreaking solo home run in the eighth inning, carrying visiting Boston over Houston.
Duran hit his 17th homer, scored three runs, drove in two runs and drew a walk. Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta gave up five runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. Four relievers shut out the Astros over the final four frames, capped by closer Kenley Jansen, who recorded his 24th save with a perfect ninth.
The Astros matched a three-spot by Boston in the top of the first with three runs in the bottom of that frame, capped with a two-run homer from Jon Singleton. Yainer Diaz homered for a second consecutive game.
Braves 3, Phillies 1
Marcell Ozuna led off the sixth inning with a tiebreaking home run, lifting Atlanta over visiting Philadelphia in the opener of a three-game series.
Atlanta has won five of seven against Philadelphia this year. Atlanta starter Reynaldo Lopez returned from spending three weeks on the injured list and threw five innings. The right-hander, who had been sidelined due to a forearm injury, allowed one run on five hits and one walk with a season-high 10 strikeouts.
Wheeler (12-6) pitched six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. He was shooting for his 100th career win.
Rockies 3, Nationals 1
Austin Gomber tossed seven strong innings and visiting Colorado opened a three-game series against Washington.
Brenton Doyle, Ryan McMahon and Ezequiel Tovar each had two hits for Colorado, which has won three of its last four games. Gomber (4-8) allowed one run on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
CJ Abrams homered for Washington, which was outhit 10-5 and lost for the fifth time in its last six games.
Diamondbacks 3, Marlins 1
Corbin Carroll homered, scored twice and made a sliding catch in right field that likely saved two runs as Arizona defeated host Miami.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also went deep for the Diamondbacks, who will try for a three-game sweep on Wednesday. Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0) allowed six hits and one run in 5 1/3 innings.
Marlins starter Edward Cabrera (2-5) gave up four hits, three walks and three runs in six innings. He fanned three.
Blue Jays 10, Reds 3
George Springer hit two of Toronto’s five home runs as the home team routed Cincinnati.
Leo Jimenez, Alejandro Kirk and Spencer Horwitz also went deep to help the Blue Jays gain a split of the first two games of the three-game series. Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios (12-9) pitched seven innings and allowed two runs, six hits and two walks while striking out seven.
Reds righty Carson Spiers (4-5) was tagged for all 10 runs (nine earned), 13 hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. Cincinnati catcher Luke Maile took the mound in the seventh and eighth innings and retired all six batters he faced.
Orioles 9, Mets 5
Dean Kremer tossed six solid innings and Baltimore held on for the win over host New York in the middle game of a three-game interleague series.
Former Mets catcher James McCann went 1-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs for the Orioles. Anthony Santander hit a two-run homer in the first and Eloy Jimenez added an RBI double in the fifth as Baltimore improved to 9-9 this month.
Kremer (6-9) allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven. Cionel Perez threw a perfect seventh before the Mets scored four times in the eighth against Burch Smith, who gave up an RBI double to Brandon Nimmo and a three-run homer to J.D. Martinez.
Cubs 3, Tigers 1
Cody Bellinger ripped a two-run double and Javier Assad allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings, fueling host Chicago to a win over Detroit.
Dansby Swanson added a solo homer to help the Cubs record their third win in four games and spoil the return of Javier Baez to Wrigley Field. Baez, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, spent parts of his first eight major league seasons with Chicago.
Spencer Torkelson totaled four hits and Dillon Dingler had an RBI single in the second inning for the Tigers, who lost for just the second time in their last eight games.
Pirates 4, Rangers 0
Mitch Keller threw seven-plus shutout innings to help Pittsburgh to a win against Texas in the second game of their three-game series in Arlington, Texas.
Keller (11-7) allowed three hits, struck out nine and didn’t walk a batter. Oneil Cruz had two hits and an RBI and Bryan De La Cruz had two RBIs for the Pirates, who had lost two in a row.
Texas starter Cody Bradford (4-1) allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings. The left-hander matched his career high with eight strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter.
Angels 9, Royals 5
Zach Neto’s tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning led Los Angeles to a victory in Kansas City, ending the Royals’ five-game winning streak.
Neto led off the sixth with his team-leading 19th homer, snapping a 2-2 tie. Logan O’Hoppe and Anthony Rendon added run-scoring singles in the inning for a 5-2 lead. The Angels collected eight hits and four walks against four Royals relievers.
Highlighted by Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI double and Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single, Kansas City chased Angels starter Tyler Anderson with four straight hits opening the seventh inning. Witt finished with three hits and Pasquantino had three RBIs.
Brewers 3, Cardinals 2
Frankie Montas blanked St. Louis on one hit in seven innings as visiting Milwaukee won to extend its winning streak to six games.
Montas (6-8) struck out three batters and walked one as the Brewers improved to 7-1 against the Cardinals this season. Brewers closer Devin Williams escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning to earn his fifth save, while William Contreras went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Sal Frelick drove in one run and scored another.
Matt Carpenter hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals, who lost for the seventh time in eight games. St. Louis starting pitcher Erick Fedde (8-7) allowed two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Rays 1, A’s 0
Shane Baz scattered three hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings and Jose Siri homered to lead Tampa Bay over host Oakland.
It was the first win since July 3, 2022, for Baz (1-2), who missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2022. He walked three and struck out four in a game that lasted just 1 hour, 54 minutes.
Edwin Uceta retired all four batters he faced in relief of Baz to pick up the first save of his career. Joey Estes (5-6) was the hard-luck loser, allowing just one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
WNBA NEWS
LYNX ACQUIRE F MYISHA HINES-ALLEN FROM MYSTICS
The Minnesota Lynx acquired forward Myisha Hines-Allen from the Washington Mystics on Tuesday in exchange for guard Olivia Epoupa, forward Sika Kone and a second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
The Mystics promptly waived Epoupa and guard DiDi Richards following the trade.
Hines-Allen, 28, is averaging 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and a career-high 2.7 assists in 27 games (10 starts) this season. She has contributed 7.9 points, 4.9 boards and 1.9 assists in 187 career games (83 starts) since being selected by Washington in the second round of the 2018 WNBA Draft.
Epoupa, 30, signed with Minnesota on March 4. She averaged 0.9 points, 1.5 assists and 6.6 minutes in 16 games off the bench this season.
Kone, 22, has averaged 1.2 points in 17 games off the bench this season with the Lynx. She was acquired from the Chicago Sky on April 14.
–Field Level Media
NNEKA OGWUMIKE, EZI MAGBEGOR HELP STORM HOLD OFF MYSTICS
Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points and Ezi Magbegor had a double-double as the visiting Seattle Storm topped the Washington Mystics 83-77 on Tuesday.
Magbegor bundled 13 points and 14 rebounds for Seattle, which led 44-30 at halftime before allowing Washington to close within a possession multiple times in the second half. Jewell Loyd tallied 18 points and Skylar Diggins-Smith added 17 as the Storm (18-10) snapped a two-game skid.
Ariel Atkins led the Mystics (6-22) with 25 points, including 14 during the third quarter to help pull Washington within 61-57 entering the fourth. Shakira Austin supplied a career-high 24 points and nine rebounds as the Mystics lost their fifth straight game.
Washington trailed 75-74 late in the fourth before committing back-to-back turnovers that Seattle converted into four points.
The first miscue came when Brittney Sykes threw the ball away to Loyd, who raced ahead for a layup that made it 77-74 with 1:10 left. Austin lost the ball out of bounds on the Mystics’ ensuing possession, and Ogwumike capitalized with a layup to give the Storm a 79-74 cushion with 48 seconds to go.
Washington closed within 80-77 on Sykes’ 3-pointer with 11 seconds left before Seattle hit three more free throws to close it out.
The Storm made 26 of 30 free throws compared to the Mystics’ 13-for-19 clip and converted 22 Washington turnovers into 29 points. Ogwumike hit all six of her free throw attempts, Magbegor went 4-for-4, Diggins-Smith converted seven of nine and Loyd made eight of nine.
Atkins made all five of her field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers, during her explosive third quarter that pulled the Mystics within four.
She fueled a 7-0 run to begin the second half with a pair of threes that trimmed Washington’s deficit to 44-37, then hit two more triples just over a minute apart to make it 55-51 at the 3:44 mark.
The Mystics twice closed within two before Ogwumike scored four points over the final 1:22 to leave the Storm ahead 61-57.
Ogwumike had 14 first-quarter points for Seattle, which converted 15 Washington first-half turnovers into 19 points.
–Field Level Media
LIBERTY GET 3 DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN BLOWOUT OF WINGS
Breanna Stewart supplied 26 points and 12 rebounds to record one of the three double-doubles by a Liberty player on Tuesday night as New York rolled to a 94-74 victory over the visiting Dallas Wings.
New York (24-4), which has already clinched a playoff spot, cruised to its seventh straight win despite playing without guard Sabrina Ionescu (neck).
Ionescu’s absence didn’t seem to phase the Liberty, though, as Stewart got plenty of help from Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot. Jones finished with 23 points and 12 boards, while Vandersloot collected 15 points and 11 assists. Reserve Kennedy Burke chipped in 13 points for New York.
Satou Sabally led Dallas (6-21) with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including a 5-of-8 showing from 3-point range. She was playing in her second game of the season after missing time due to a shoulder injury.
Arike Ogunbowale added 17 points and six rebounds for the Wings, who also got 13 points and nine boards from Natasha Howard.
The game was tied at 10 midway through the first quarter, but the Liberty then went on a 16-6 run over the remainder of the frame to grab a lead that they would never relinquish. Stewart scored 10 points in the first quarter and added 12 more in the third.
Dallas pulled within 41-37 on a Jacy Sheldon jumper with 2:24 left in the first half. But a 16-4 New York spurt bridged the second and third quarters to give the Liberty some breathing room.
A Vandersloot jumper extended New York’s lead to 57-41 with 7:21 to go in the third. The Liberty went on to lead by as many as 22 in the fourth.
New York outshot the Wings 45.9 percent to 37.9 percent from the field for the game.
The teams will face each other again on Thursday night in New York.
–Field Level Media
SUN OVERTAKE SPARKS IN FRONT OF 19,125 IN BOSTON
DiJonai Carrington scored 19 points Tuesday night in the WNBA’s first game in Boston as the Connecticut Sun used a late 14-0 run to rally past the Los Angeles Sparks 69-61.
Brionna Jones added 15 for Connecticut (20-7), which overcame a poor shooting performance to stay within 3 1/2 games of the league-leading New York Liberty. Tyasha Harris chipped in 14 points, while Alyssa Thomas stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Azura Stevens and Rickea Jackson each scored 14 points for Los Angeles (6-22), which started the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run and led 59-55 with 4:15 left after a three-point play by Dearica Hamby.
Hamby’s points were the last for the Sparks until Jackson made two meaningless foul shots with 12.4 seconds remaining to set the final score. Thomas put the Sun ahead to stay with a three-point play at the 3:21 mark, and that was followed by a layup from Carrington and a pullup jumper from Marina Mabrey.
Connecticut won despite canning only 38.4 percent of its field-goal attempts and getting beat 42-36 on the boards. Los Angeles committed 22 turnovers that led to 20 points for the Sun.
With a sellout crowd of 19,125 watching, Los Angeles scored the game’s first five points before Connecticut went on a 15-4 run, going up by six on a layup from Carrington midway through the first quarter. The Sparks ended the period with an 11-2 burst for a 20-17 edge on Li Yueru’s layup as time expired.
The Sun tightened up on defense in the second quarter and also found some rhythm on offense, Jones contributing a couple of layups and feeding Carrington for another layup. After Harris drilled a 3-pointer just before the horn, Connecticut led 41-35 at the break.
Neither team did much on offense in the third quarter, combining for only 23 points. Turnovers hurt the Sparks and poor shooting kept the Sun from pulling away. DeWanna Bonner’s two foul shots with 52.7 seconds left made it 53-46 Connecticut going to the fourth period.
–Field Level Media
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
UCONN TO HEADLINE 40TH MAUI INVITATIONAL
The Maui Invitational, displaced last year because of devastating fires on the island, is returning to Maui this fall with back-to-back national champion UConn in the field.
The prominent tournament will mark its 40th anniversary when it is held Nov. 25-27 at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui.
Joining the Huskies in the eight-team field are Memphis, Colorado, Michigan State, Auburn, Iowa State, Dayton and North Carolina.
Three of those teams — UConn, Iowa State and North Carolina — reached the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In all, seven of them were selected to the tournament.
“This year’s Maui Invitational is one of the strongest fields in tournament history,” said Dave Odom, tournament chairman. “The field is packed with teams looking to make a run in the NCAA Tournament along with UConn who is making their fifth appearance in the Maui Invitational and looking to defend their back-to-back national championships.”
The tournament was played in Honolulu in 2023.
–Field Level Media
GOLF NEWS
ANALYSIS: THE FEDEX CUP PLAYOFFS DELIVER. JUST NOT ALWAYS THE BEST PLAYER WITH THE TITLE
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) — The “silly” notion that Scottie Scheffler could have won two playoff events and still not capture the FedEx Cup after a dominant season is nothing new.
Go back 15 years to find Tiger Woods deciding to play the postseason opener for the first time, a big boost in the third edition of the FedEx Cup playoffs. It was only during the pro-am at Liberty National when he realized he could win every playoff event and still lose out on the season title if he didn’t have a good week at East Lake.
Woods was more diplomatic about the points system in his press conference — “It is different, there’s no doubt,” he said — than he was when talking about it away from microphones on the course.
But it had a happy ending for him. Woods won the BMW Championship, finished second to Phil Mickelson (the No. 14 seed) at the Tour Championship and won the FedEx Cup.
The system has been tweaked since then, but the philosophy is the same.
It’s a case of pick your poison.
The PGA Tour could keep score for the entire season and run the risk of no drama at the final event, even with greater emphasis on the playoff events. Or it could have it come down to the last week with any number of possibilities.
Scheffler, much like Woods in 2009, would fit into that first category. He not only has six victories — the Masters, The Players Championship and four signature events — he has finished out of the top 10 just twice this year.
All that, and it still comes down to East Lake.
“I think it’s silly. You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament,” Scheffler said last week.
This wasn’t a new revelation, from Scheffler or anyone else. Jon Rahm and Patrick Cantlay in recent years have expressed the same, followed by the standard, “It is what it is.”
Scheffler’s choice of the word “silly” made for easy headlines. But he also acknowledged that under a different format, someone could have the FedEx Cup all wrapped up before the Tour Championship.
“That’s not good, either,” he said. “It would be great for me, but those aren’t the rules.”
The rules allow for a big finish. That would be someone like Billy Horschel, who didn’t contend at a single tournament in 2014, got hot when the calendar turned to August, won the last two events and won the FedEx Cup.
Dramatic stuff, sure. But the best year belonged to Rory McIlroy.
It’s not about the new strokes differential system in place since 2019. The top seed starts the Tour Championship at 10-under par with a two-shot lead, while the players who barely make it to East Lake start 10 shots behind. That’s not different from when the points were reset; the odds are roughly the same.
It still comes down to one week.
What gets lost is understanding what the FedEx Cup is and has always been — a bonus competition at the end of the year that delivers the best fields and great tournaments. It also pays handsomely, a prize now up to $25 million.
It’s important to players. It’s meaningful. But it doesn’t define a great season. Scheffler’s year will not be looked upon any worse if he’s watching someone else — Viktor Hovland last year, McIlroy the year before — cashing in at East Lake.
The tour tried to make amends with the “Comcast Business Top 10” to reward the regular season. Scheffler won in a landslide and earned an $8 million bonus. But no one ever talks about who won that title.
One solution might be a computer formula that determines the size of the lead going into the Tour Championship that reflects a player’s performance. Scheffler could start the Tour Championship with a four-shot lead, for example, after a season like this one.
Then again, Scheffler had a six-shot lead going into the final round in 2022 and still couldn’t win. McIlroy captured his third FedEx Cup title that year. McIlroy has never won a FedEx Cup from the pole position.
As one can imagine, he has no gripes with the system. McIlroy is not being entirely selfish.
“I think it makes the Tour Championship more exciting from a consumer standpoint,” he said. “Is it the fairest reflection of who’s been the best player of the year? Probably not. But I think at this point, we’re not in for totally fair, we’re in for entertainment and for trying to put on the best product we possibly can.”
If there’s anything that needs a closer look, it’s the schedule.
McIlroy, the No. 3 seed to start the postseason, finished second-to-last at the FedEx St. Jude Invitational last week. The heat was stifling, and McIlroy was playing tennis after his first round. So much for conserving energy during the playoffs.
His tie for 68th against a 70-man field sent him to No. 5 in the standings. Don’t be surprised if McIlroy or another top seed skips the first playoff event next year because it has so little bearing on them in the big picture.
It would help to rotate the opening event. Of course, there’s the issue of that big building next to the fifth hole at the TPC Southwind — FedEx headquarters. It’s a big bill FedEx is paying. The tour is no longer in New York or Boston. That should be considered.
There was talk a few years ago about rotating the Tour Championship, using East Lake as an anchor site every other year. But with the FedEx Cup in its 18th year, players now say “East Lake” as where they want to be at the end of the year.
In the meantime, no system is perfect. And no practical solutions have been presented. The only thing “silly” about the FedEx Cup is the amount of cash on the line.
AUTO RACING NEWS
COMPETITION CLOSE AT BOTH ENDS OF NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF STANDINGS
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A dramatic race at Michigan International Speedway over the weekend has meant that for the second consecutive week, the NASCAR Cup Series playoff outlook has undergone a major change — both atop the standings and on the all-important cutoff line as the series heads to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick earned his second trophy of the year. His dogged work in the No. 45 Toyota — along with a rare “off” day for a couple of his closest regular-season championship contenders — has thrust the 28-year-old Californian atop the standings for the first time in his young career.
Only two races remain to decide the regular-season champion and which 16 drivers will qualify for the playoffs. Reddick now holds a 10-point advantage over Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott (804) in the standings. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (786) moved up to third place — 28 points back — thanks to an inspired ninth-place drive at Michigan despite an early race spin.
Hendrick’s Kyle Larson — who has led the championship a series-best 14 weeks on the season, including the last two weeks and boasts a series-best four wins — dropped to fourth place (782), 32 points behind Reddick after triggering a seven-car crash mid-race that parked him with a 34th-place finish on Sunday.
It all sets up a tight, competitive bid for that 15-point bonus paid to the regular- season champion — a huge incentive that goes with that driver for each playoff round he advances.
“We are going to go to Daytona and, hopefully, don’t crash,” Reddick said. “Last time we were there, we won the Duels (in February), so hoping to walk away from Daytona with the points lead. If we can do that, it will set us up really good to close it out in Darlington (on Sept. 1).”
Hamlin by far boasts the best Daytona record of the four drivers atop the standings. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, he is the only one among Reddick, Elliott and Larson to hoist a NASCAR Cup Series trophy at the sport’s most iconic speedway.
Reddick has both a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win (2015) and a NASCAR Xfinity Series (2018-1) victory at Daytona. Elliott (2016, one) and Larson (2018, two) have Xfinity Series wins at the big track, but none among this threesome has won a NASCAR Cup Series race there.
Reddick’s best work is a runner-up in the summer race in 2022. Elliott has a pair of runner-up finishes in the 2020 summer 400-miler, then the following season-opening Daytona 500. Larson has never had a top-five finish at Daytona. His best showing is sixth place in the 2016 summer race.
The tight competition also is very evident at the other end of the playoff standings, with three drivers — Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Chris Buescher, Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace — all safely inside the top 16 at various times during Monday’s rain-delayed Michigan race.
Ultimately, Buescher — who is the defending winner of Saturday night’s Daytona race — fared best with a sixth-place finish that not only moved him up a position to 15th in the standings but gave him a greater points cushion (16 above the line).
Despite bringing out the final caution of the race during the first overtime, Chastain rallied back to a 25th-place finish which was just good enough to secure a tenuous single-point advantage over Wallace, whose No. 23 Toyota was dinged in two separate incidents not of his doing and finished 26th.
Of these three fighting for that last playoff position — only Buescher has a previous NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona. Wallace has been very close to a victory with back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2021 summer race and the 2022 Daytona 500. He has five top-five results in 14 series starts. Chastain has never had a top five in 12 races, but he did win a summer Xfinity Series race in 2019.
Busch Light Pole Qualifying for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is Friday evening at 5:05 p.m. ET (USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Chastain won the pole position for last year’s race.
–By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.
TOP INDIANA SPORTS/NEWS RELEASES
COLTS FOOTBALL
COLTS RELEASE
CINCINNATI – Colts head coach Shane Steichen will play his starters for about a quarter and a half in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The extended opportunity for the Colts’ first-team offense and defense comes after a lengthy joint practice on Tuesday with the Bengals. The Colts and Bengals worked through plenty of situational drills – red zone, third down, two-minute, etc. – and then will use Thursday night as one final tune-up ahead of opening the regular season Sept. 8 against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Some guys might play less, some guys might play more, but want to get those guys out there and run around on Thursday night,” Steichen said. “… Obviously you want to be smart with these guys in the preseason because we got a long season ahead of us, but we’re excited to get those guys out there on Thursday.”
When the clock hits zero at Paycor Stadium Thursday night, the Colts will have 17 days separating them from that massive season-opening AFC South showdown. Steichen’s decision to play his starters against the Bengals – as he did in last year’s preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles – comes with one eye on being as ready as possible for the Texans in Week 1.
“After this Thursday night we got 17 days until we kick off against Houston, so this is a big day,” Steichen said. “We gotta get the players ready to roll and go out there and play and get that game-like experience before Week 1 gets here.”
Raekwon Davis makes his preseason debut
Davis spent the first three and a half weeks of the preseason on the active/non-football illness list after his pre-camp physical turned up high blood pressure. The hulking defensive tackle was removed from the NFI list on Monday and participated in his first preseason practice Tuesday in Cincinnati.
“We’re going to work him back in slowly,” Steichen said. “We have a plan for him, we’re going to monitor him, but we’re excited to have him back for sure.”
For Davis, missing time during training camp was frustrating, but he’s appreciative of the Colts’ athletic training staff for identifying and addressing what could’ve been a serious issue.
“I’m so grateful for EB (Erin Barill), (Dave) Hammer and Kyle (Davis) just to catch that type of problem,” Davis said. “We’ve been saying so much with high blood pressure, with heart attacks and things like that, so it’s a great thing they caught that. It was a hassle just to get back. But I’m back, trying to work my way up, trying to work my way back in shape, stay in the playbook, just do everything I could do.”
The Colts signed Davis as a free agent in March with the expectation he could rotate with DeForest Buckner or Grover Stewart on the interior of their defensive line, keeping those top-line guys fresh while playing at a high level himself. While the Colts will ease him back into things, Davis feels ready to do whatever he needs to get ready for the season – including playing Thursday night against the Bengals.
“Hell yeah,” Davis smiled, “I’m ready to go.”
News & Notes
Tight end Jelani Woods will be out for a while with a toe injury he sustained in Saturday’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. Steichen didn’t have an exact timetable for the third-year tight end’s return.
Center Tanor Bortolini (toe) and cornerback JuJu Brents (nose) did not participate in Thursday’s practice, but Steichen indicated neither player will miss extended time.
Wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring) returned to practice.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson threw touchdowns to tight end Kylen Granson and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell during seven-on-seven.
Quarterback Joe Flacco floated a completion to tight end Will Mallory early in 11-on-11. Later in practice, Flacco scrambled twice on a move-the-ball drive: The first was a significant gain, and the second was for a touchdown.
Richardson completed passes to wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce during a move-the-ball 11-on-11 period.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin blew up a play with quick pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during 11-on-11.
Defensive end Kwity Paye had a drive-ending “sack” of Burrow later in 11-on-11.
Safety Nick Cross broke up a Burrow pass in 11-on-11.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
JONES CARVES THROUGH CLIPPERS, BUT INDIANS FALL IN 11 TO SNAP STREAK, 2-1
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite rehabbing right-hander Jared Jones’ 10 strikeouts across 5.0 shutout innings, the Indianapolis Indians mustered just one run in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Clippers in 11 innings on Tuesday night at Huntington Park, halting their winning streak at six games.
After Columbus reliever Erik Sabrowki (W, 8-1) recorded all six outs via strikeout in 2.0 scoreless extra innings, the Clippers (30-15, 62-57) walked it off with an RBI single to the left-center field gap from Christian Cairo against Indianapolis southpaw Geronimo Franzua (L, 4-6). Cairo was making his first plate appearance of the game after coming on as a pinch-runner earlier in the contest.
The Indians (24-20, 57-60) opened scoring in the top of the fifth thanks to an opposite field single from Nick Yorke, plating Jack Suwinski. The 1-0 advantage held until the bottom of the seventh, when Clippers designated hitter Kyle Manzardo took rehabbing right-hander Colin Holderman deep to straight-away right field to even the score.
The 23-year-old Jones was masterful in the third outing of his Major League rehab assignment, allowing just one base hit – an infield single to Guardians No. 2 prospect Chase DeLauter in his first Triple-A plate appearance. Jones racked up 15 swings and misses across his 5.0 innings, nine of which against his fastball that topped out at 99.5 miles per hour. Jones faced 16 Clippers hitters, and just one hit a ball to the outfield against him. A trio of rehabbing relievers followed Jones for the Indians. Ryan Borucki and Carmen Mlodzinski each fired scoreless frames, while Holderman allowed the only run for Columbus in the nine scheduled innings.
The Indians and Clippers play the second game in their six-game series on Wednesday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 PM ET. Right-hander Mike Burrows (0-1, 4.50) gets the ball for the Indians, opposing southpaw Logan Allen (3-1, 5.13) for Columbus.
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
EARLY GOALS LEAD HOOSIERS PAST CARDINALS, 2-1
MUNCIE, Ind. – Indiana women’s soccer scored two goals in the first seven minutes of play to defeat Ball State (1-1-0) in their first visit to the Briner Sports Complex.
KEY MOMENTS
• Indiana (2-0-0) got on the board early in the match with a goal from sophomore midfielder Kennedy Neighbors. Freshman forward Layla Sirdah saw an opening between the defender as she threaded a nice pass to Neighbors as she dribbled in before firing the ball to the left side of the net.
• Sirdah took a corner kick for the Hoosiers in the seventh minute. Her cross that went high inside the box connected with freshman defender Haden Vlcek as her header bounced in off the cross bar, 2-0.
• The Cardinals cut the deficit in the 29th minute with a shot off the left post that crept into the goal.
• Sophomore Elle Britt got the last opportunity in the 42nd minute as she fired one low to the center of the goal. IU would take a 2-1 lead headed into the second half.
• Sirdah saw IU’s first opportunity in the second half with a shot on goal in the 61st minute. She had a solid strike on goal, but the Cards goalie jumped in for the save.
• IU has continued to put on the pressure as IU saw their last couple of chances in the 70th minute. Junior midfielder Olivia Smith fired one at the top right of the goal making the keeper jump for the save. The Hoosiers earned another corner as Sirdah looked to connect with Vlcek again, but her shot was high.
HOOSIER POINTS
GOALS: Kennedy Neighbors (4′), Haden Vlcek (7′)
ASSISTS: Layla Sirdah (2)
NOTABLES
• IU is now 2-0 to start the season.
• The Hoosiers are now 2-1-2 against Ball State after winning the first match-up in Muncie.
• Vlcek earned her first career start and scored her first career goal against the Cardinals.
• Neighbors scored her second career goal in back-to-back games for the Hoosiers.
• The Hoosiers out shot the cards 11-9 and 6-3 on goal.
• Senior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg picked up two saves this evening, as she earned her 24th career victory. The senior keeper is now tied third in career victories.
UP NEXT
IUWS will host Wright State on Aug. 29th. The match is set to air on B1G+ at 4:30 p.m. ET.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
MATCH 1 PREVIEW: AKRON
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – No. 2 Notre Dame opens the 2024 season against Akron as it welcomes the Zips to Alumni Stadium. The match is slated to start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 22 and will air on ACCNX.
No. 2 NOTRE DAME vs. AKRON
Location: South Bend, Indiana | Alumni Stadium
Live Stream: ACCNX
Live Stats: Click Here
Twitter Updates: @NDMenSoccer
Game Notes: vs. Akron
THE AKRON SERIES
• The Irish and Zips will meet on the pitch for the 16th time on Thursday evening.
• The Irish trail in the series with a mark of 3-8-4.
• Since the turn of the century the Irish are 3-2-2 against Akron.
• The two sides played to a scoreless standstill last season in Akron.
2023 SEASON REWIND
• Notre Dame had one of its most successful seasons in program history last year, finishing with an appearance in the College Cup Final.
• The Irish were dominant in the ACC, claiming the Coastal Division crown and earning the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament after going undefeated in regular season conference play with a record of 6-0-2.
• Notre Dame finished the season with a record of 13-3-6 but two of the draws resulted in the Irish advancing in the NCAA Tournament in shootouts.
• The Fighting Irish defeated Kentucky (2-0) in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament before moving past Western Michigan (0-0) and Indiana (1-1) to make the College Cup.
• Notre Dame then defeated Oregon State (1-0) in the semifinal before falling to Clemson (1-2) in the final.
2024 CAPTAIN
• Bryce Boneau will serve as the captain for this year’s Fighting Irish team.
• Boneau is a senior midfielder from Texas and was selected to the 2024 ACC Preseason Watch List.
• Boneau scored four goals and added seven assists last season as a center midfielder and has four goals and 10 assists in his Notre Dame career.
• Boneau was selected by Nashville SC in the third round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft with the 75th overall pick.
OWNING THE OPENERS
• Notre Dame has historically gotten off to a good start to its seasons, posting a record of 27-11-9 in its season openers.
• The Irish have lost just twice in their last 13 openers to a season, going 6-2-5.
• Notre Dame has outscored the opposition by a combined score of 19-12 over that stretch.
• Notre Dame has been even better in home openers, recording a mark of 32-10-5.
• The Irish are 2-2-2 under Chad Riley in both home openers and season openers.
DOMINATING DEFENSE
• The Fighting Irish return three of the four members from their starting back line from 2023 to this year’s squad, as Josh Ramsey, Kyle Genenbacher and Mitch Ferguson are back.
• Notre Dame ranked fifth in the country last season in goals against average, allowing just 0.668 goals per match.
• The Irish finished the season with 12 shutouts, ranking sixth in the nation for shutout percentage with a mark of .545.
BALANCED ATTACK
• Fourteen returning Irish players registered at least one point in their Notre Dame career, as the team returns 85 points from last year.
• Ten players that scored a goal during the 2023 campaign are back on this year’s team.
• Senior Matthew Roou is the top returning goal scorer on the 2024 squad after firing in a career-high 10 goals during his junior campaign.
HERE TO ASSIST
• The Irish dished out 48 assists last season, ranking sixth in the country for total assists.
• The 48 assists were the most an Irish team has produced in a season since the turn of the century.
• KK Baffour and Bryce Boneau led the squad in assists with seven each. Both return to the 2024 roster for the Irish.
FRESH FACES
• Notre Dame’s incoming freshman class is ranked No. 3 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.
• The Irish welcome six freshman to the 2024 squad, totaling a 30-man roster.
• The six freshman are Jacob Bartlett (M), Stevie Dunphy (F), Brady Hilden (M), Blake Kelly (GK), Will Schroeder (M) and Ian Shaul (M).
• Also joining the team is goalkeeper Collin Travasos, who is a grad transfer. Travasos spent last season at UNC and prior to that completed his undergrad at Cal.
BUTLER FOOTBALL
BUTLER FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: SUPERBACKS
INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs superback position includes 18 student-athletes.
Joey Suchy, Ershod Jasey II, Cameron Heald and William Enneking are the top returners in this unit. Suchy is a seasoned vet on the roster that, in 2023, rushed for 152 yards on 41 carries. He averaged 3.7 yards per rush over nine games and added 11 receptions for 63 yards.
“The four core values in our room are commitment, consistency, toughness and skill,” running backs coach Clint Hostler explained. “Those core values are on display every single day by how each person goes about handling their business.”
Jasey II is another talented returner to the 2024 team. He played in seven games last year, rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns. The Jacksonville, Fla. native had a breakout performance vs. Wabash with 63 rushing yards and a score against the Little Giants. In his next game, Jasey took seven carries 52 yards while scoring a TD.
“We have a great group of guys that all are hungry and work hard,” Hostler added. “I stress daily improvement. There is always something to learn and get better at on and off the field.”
Enneking appeared in 10 games last season, making eight catches for 72 yards. Heald was involved in 10 games, making five receptions for 25 yards. Grant Edwards played in eight games, registering three tackles on special teams.
“We define our culture as the standard we set every day on and off the field,” run game coordinator Sean Chase stated. “We establish this by identifying what we are willing to accept from ourselves and our teammates. Being 100% assignment sound and finishing every play with intent is the standard we have set and hold ourselves to.”
Mike Uremovich and his staff also brought in five transfers to create competition within this position group. Drew Cassens and Billy Dozier are graduates from Northern Illinois, Penn Stoller is a graduate from Wabash, Barrett Schmidlkofer is a redshirt-freshman from Mercer and Zac Willingham-Davis is a transfer from Southern Illinois that heads into his first season on campus after being tabbed First Team All-State coming out of Liberty North H.S. in Missouri.
While playing for the Huskies, Dozier was a standout on special teams and played wide receiver. Cassens played in 11 games for NIU last year and was also a valuable member for the Huskies on special teams. Stoller caught 34 passes in 2023 to gain 460 yards for Wabash. The year prior, he was a D3football.com Second Team All-American.
“We touch every aspect of the offense,” Hostler added. “We are in pass protection, run routes, catch passes, and run the ball. We are also active in run blocking when other players have the ball.”
The depth at this position continues with Griffin Caldwell, TJ Winston, Brady Preston, Ethan Malafa and Beck Vermilion. Caldwell played in five games during the 2023 campaign. Winston didn’t see action in 2023, but appeared in eight games in 2022. Preston did not appear in any games for the Bulldogs last season, Malafa played in two and Vermilion in one.
“The superbacks are the connecting piece of our offense and are involved in every phase of the gameplan,” Chase added. “They are asked to run block, pass protect, run routes, and carry the football. Our performance greatly impacts the success of our teammates and our ability to be multiple on offense.”
A trio of freshmen are also looking to carve out a role for Butler in 2024. Jerel Rhodes II was a First Team All-State selection at North Cross High School that also earned accolades as a kick returner. Gage Goralski is an All-Conference talent from Penn High School and Keith Long Jr. helped Cathedral win two State Championships before coming to campus.
“How you play without the ball in your hands shows how much you care about your teammates,” Chase said. “If we focus on this, everything else takes care of itself.”
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL PICKED FIFTH IN BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
The 2024 BIG EAST Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Tuesday afternoon with the Bulldogs coming in at fifth with 58 points. Creighton received 10 first-place votes to top the poll. Marquette and St. John’s rounded out the top three.
The Bulldogs landed in fifth place this year after appearing at eighth in the 2023 poll. DePaul took the fourth spot while Xavier, Seton Hall and Villanova followed Butler. The final three teams included UConn, Georgetown and Providence.
For the third consecutive season, Creighton’s Norah Sis was elected as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year. She was one of three Bluejays to appear on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Marquette placed four student-athletes on the team, DePaul and St. John’s each had two and Villanova had one. Sis, Kendra Wait, Jill Pressly, Aubrey Hamilton, and Erin Jones were unanimous selections.
Second-year head coach Kyle Shondell returns 12 players from last year’s group that notched 13 wins. They also added six talented freshmen to the program during the off-season.
Highlighting the group of returners is Mariah Grunze, Elise Ward and Cora Taylor. Every member of this trio played in all 29 matches in 2023. Grunze and Ward finished first and second on the team in kills with Taylor setting up the attack with a team-high 1,144 assists.
The 2024 BIG EAST Volleyball Championship will take place November 27-30 at D.J. Sokol Arena on the campus of Creighton University. Six teams will compete for a BIG EAST title, with the top-two seeds earning a first-round bye. First round action will begin Wednesday, Nov. 27 with the No. 3 seed and No. 6 seed squaring off, along with the No. 4 seed taking on the No. 5 seed. The pair of winners will advance to the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 29. The championship game will then air on FS2 on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Preseason Coaches Poll (First place votes)
1. Creighton (10) 100*
2. Marquette 91
3. St. John’s 80
4. DePaul 74
5. Butler 58
6. Xavier 49
7. Seton Hall 40
8. Villanova 39
9. UConn 33
10. Georgetown 27
11. Providence 14
Preseason Player of the Year
Norah Sis, Creighton
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Ava Martin, Creighton
Norah Sis, Creighton*
Kendra Wait, Creighton*
Rachel Krasowski, DePaul
Jill Pressly, DePaul*
Yadhira Anchante, Marquette
Hattie Bray, Marquette
Aubrey Hamilton, Marquette*
Carsen Murray, Marquette
Erin Jones, St. John’s*
Lucrezia Lodi, St. John’s
Abby Harrell, Villanova
*Denotes unanimous selection
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
MACKEY NAMED MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.- Indiana State senior Alexa Mackey claimed the first weekly Missouri Valley Women’s Soccer Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
Alexa Mackey recorded only the second-ever hat trick in program history, scoring all three goals inside the 52-minute mark in the 10-0 win over Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Thursday evening. Mackey was successful on all three of her shots throughout the match when she scored in the 24th, 28th, and 52nd minutes of the game.
Mackey is the first to accomplish the feat since Sydney Lovelace scored three against Chicago State in 2014. This also marks the first multi-goal game since Sasha Thompson scored two in 2021 at Northern Iowa.
The Brunswick, Ohio native helped Indiana State to their first victory of the 2024 season. Thursday’s win is the first time the Sycamores won the season opener since the 2016 season when ISU defeated Western Illinois 3-0 inside Memorial Stadium.
The Sycamores continue their home stand on Thursday, August 22 against Miami University (Ohio). This game will serve as ISU’s “Blue Out” game for the 2024 season where fans are encouraged to wear blue and come out to Memorial Stadium and support the Sycamores!
VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER CONTINUES EARLY ACTION AT EIU, OPENS AT HOME SUNDAY
Valparaiso (1-0-0, 0-0-0 MVC)
Thursday, Aug. 22 – at Eastern Illinois (0-1-1) – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 25 – Milwaukee (0-1-0) – 1 p.m.
Next Up in Valpo Soccer: After a winning start to the season last weekend, the Valpo soccer team looks to carry the momentum into its pair of matches this week. The Beacons head to Eastern Illinois for a Thursday matinee before returning home to make their season debut on Brown Field Sunday afternoon versus Milwaukee.
Previously: Valpo opened the 2024 campaign on the right foot last Sunday, making the short trip to Chicago and coming away with a 3-1 victory over Chicago State. Addy Joiner, Sam Gountounas and Ashley Trippeer found the back of the net for the Beacons.
Looking Ahead: Nonconference play rolls on with a single match next week, as the Beacons will be idle until playing at Ohio next Sunday, Sept 1.
Following the Beacons: Both matches this week will feature live ESPN+ broadcasts, while live stats for both matches will be available as well. All home matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+ as part of The Valley on ESPN, while some road fixtures will have live video available as well.
Head Coach John Marovich: Entering his 17th season at the helm of the Valpo program, John Marovich holds a 133-118-48 (.525) record both overall and at Valpo as a head coach. The 2014 Horizon League Coach of the Year and the head of the 2022 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year, Marovich holds Valpo’s all-time records for both victories and winning percentage.
Series Notes: Eastern Illinois – The all-time series between the two programs is even at 7-7-3, but it’s been a tale of two eras of dominance. The Panthers went 7-0-1 in eight matchups between 1995 and 2002, but since then, Valpo owns a 7-0-2 advantage. That record includes a 2-1 victory for the Beacons on Brown Field last year to open the regular season – Sam Gountounas and Allie Anderson netting goals in the win.
Milwaukee – Milwaukee holds a 16-2-0 advantage in the all-time series, but Valpo’s two victories came within the last three matchups between the two sides as Horizon League counterparts. The last meeting between the two programs came on Brown Field Sept. 28, 2016, a 2-1 Valpo win courtesy of a Cory Griffith goal in extra time. Morgan Manzke also scored for Valpo in the victory, while Drew Moulton made three saves in goal.
Scouting the Opposition: Eastern Illinois – EIU is 0-1-1 to start the season, falling at Loyola by a 4-0 final and drawing Akron, 1-1. The Panthers posted a 4-9-4 record in 2023 and went 3-4-2 in OVC play. Abby Reinl and Alex Tetteh lead the EIU returnees, as each netted three goals last year to tie for team-high honors.
Milwaukee – The Panthers opened the regular season with a 4-2 loss at Xavier last Thursday and play at Ohio State this Thursday before arriving at Brown Field. Milwaukee won the Horizon League regular season and tournament titles last season, claiming its eighth regular season crown in the last nine years and 22 out of the last 24 years (notably, Valpo in 2014 was one of the two sides to deny the Panthers the title in that stretch). Kayla Rollins returns after earning First Team All-Region honors last year following a campaign where she netted 12 goals and tallied a pair of assists.
Valpo Picked Fifth in Preseason Poll: The Beacons were chosen to finish in fifth place in preseason polling of the MVC head coaches. Valpo tallied 83 points in the poll, coming in just behind UIC (87) and UNI (85). Missouri State was picked to win the conference and garnered seven first-place votes, while Drake was chosen second and picked up three first-place nods. Notably, the program has matched or surpassed its preseason projection in six of its first seven seasons in the Valley, and the only season it didn’t was 2023, when Valpo eventually claimed the MVC Tournament title.
Preseason Honoree: Senior forward Addy Joiner was recognized by the Valley as a preseason First Team All-MVC honoree when the preseason poll was released. Joiner has twice earned postseason recognition, as she was a First Team All-MVC selection in 2022 and picked up Third Team All-MVC accolades in 2023. Joiner netted eight goals last season, tying her for third in the MVC and moving into a tie for ninth on the program’s single-season goals chart. She enters her final campaign tied for sixth in program history with 18 career goals, tied for seventh with 40 points and tied for eighth with six match-winning goals.
Looking Back at Last Season: Valpo claimed its first MVC Tournament championship since joining the Valley in dramatic fashion in 2023, winning four consecutive tournament matches by 1-0 finals to earn the crown and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, where it battled #9 Notre Dame to a scoreless first half before eventually falling 2-0. The Beacons finished the season 11-6-6 overall and went 3-3-4 in MVC regular season play, finishing sixth in the regular season standings. Nicole Norfolk was a First Team All-MVC selection, highlighting six Beacons who earned postseason recognition from the Valley, and also picked up Second Team All-Region honors.
Who’s Back: In a rarity in the transfer portal era we live in, all 20 players from the 2023 team who did not graduate are back and on the 2024 roster. That includes five regular starters and 13 of the team’s 27 goals from last season.
Who’s Gone: But the Beacons did graduate a decorated class of nine players who closed their time at Valpo with championships in back-to-back seasons, a group which accounted for 54.2% of the team minutes played in 2023. The four-year seniors who graduated put together maybe the best four-year stretch in program history, posting a 19-7-10 record in MVC play and advancing to four consecutive MVC Tournament semifinals. That group of seniors combined for nine All-MVC selections, 12 MVC weekly awards, 28 goals, 27 assists and 28 shutouts over their four years.
Who’s New: Chomping at the bit to be the next group of Beacons to help keep Valpo among the MVC’s best are 10 newcomers to the roster in 2024. That group includes nine true freshmen and grad transfer Ella Schad, who is utilizing her COVID year of eligibility after playing four seasons at Coastal Carolina.
Winning the Opener: Valpo improved to 12-19-1 in program history in season openers with its win Sunday over Chicago State. It was just the fourth time in program history Valpo had won a season opener away from home (2006, 2010, 2018), while the three goals the Beacons put home on Sunday matched their highest output in a season opener (2010, 2017).
Moving On Up: It took senior forward Addy Joiner less than seven minutes to open her 2024 account on Sunday from the penalty spot, the 19th goal of her career. Joiner now sits alone in sixth place in program history with her 19 tallies, one shy of fifth and two shy of fourth. She also now sits alone in seventh place with 42 points, three out of sixth.
Quick Start to the Second Half: Whatever message head coach John Marovich had in his halftime team talk on Sunday, he might want to bottle up and save for a big game. Just 34 seconds into the second half, senior Sam Gountounas delivered the eventual match-winning goal. It was the fastest goal to start a second half in program history, surpassing Lori Moore’s strike against IUPUI 42 seconds into the half on Sept. 29, 2002.
Productive Debuts: Two Valpo rookies had goal involvements in their collegiate debut on Sunday. Landyn Wessels picked up the assist on Sam Gountounas’ goal early in the second half, while Ashley Trippeer closed out the scoring with the late insurance goal.
More Debutants: Wessels and Trippeer were two of a whopping 10 players to make their Valpo debuts on Sunday. Trippeer was joined in the starting lineup by redshirts Kate Sheridan and Carly Stewart, as well as true freshman Maya Tyburowski – all making their collegiate debuts. Transfer Ella Schad came off the bench, as did redshirt Emma Paraskos and true freshmen Alexis Suptela, Kaleigh Shafer and Ashlyn Cohen in addition to Wessels.
Mixing and Matching: Head coach John Marovich has plenty of options at his disposal this year and experimented with a number of them in the season opener. Marovich ended up giving run to 21 players in all, including 20 field players. Notably, goalkeeper Kate Sheridan and right back Ashley Trippeer were the only Beacons to play the full 90 minutes – the first time in program history in a season opener that only one field player has gone the full 90.
Looking for More: The Beacons will take aim at starting 2-0-0 for a second straight season Thursday afternoon when they step on the field at Eastern Illinois. Last year’s team took down Eastern Illinois and Northern Illinois in their first two matches of the season. In all, Valpo has started 2-0-0 four times in program history (2010, 2012, 2017, 2023). Beyond that, the program has never started 3-0-0 and has been unbeaten through at least the first three matches just twice, opening 3-0-2 in 2010 and 2-0-1 in 2012.
Back on Brown: Valpo makes its home debut on Sunday when it hosts Milwaukee, trying to win its home opener for a third straight season. The Beacons are coming off one of their best home seasons in program history last year, as they posted a 4-1-3 record on Brown Field.
We Know You! And You!: This week’s slate presents Valpo with a pair of opportunities to renew acquaintances with former conference mates. Eastern Illinois and Valpo both competed as affiliate members of the MVC for the Valley’s first three seasons of women’s soccer (1996-98). More recently, Valpo and Milwaukee spent 10 years (2007-16) battling as foes in the Horizon League.
Joiner Leads the Line: Senior forward Addy Joiner enters her final year looking for one more standout campaign to cap her prolific career in the Brown and Gold. Joiner earned First Team All-MVC recognition as a sophomore as she led the team and ranked second in the Valley with seven goals scored. Last year, she was a Third Team All-MVC selection, pacing the Beacons and ranking third in the MVC with eight goals while also chipping in a pair of assists. Joiner entered the 2024 campaign tied for sixth in program history with 18 career goals.
From Newbie to Veteran: It’s not often you’d call a sophomore a veteran presence, but that is exactly what sophomore center back Anna Cup brings to the Beacons’ back line. As a rookie last season, Cup slotted in immediately to the team’s defense, starting in each of her 22 appearances and missing only one match due to injury. Of her 22 starts, she went the distance in 21 of them, while Valpo surrendered one goal or fewer in 18 of her 22 starts. For her defensive efforts, Cup earned a spot on the MVC All-Freshman Team.
Scooter Shines: Senior left back Abby White has been a steady sight running up and down the left side since she stepped on campus in 2021. White, who has accumulated over 4,500 minutes of playing time through her first three seasons, was an MVC All-Freshman Team choice in 2021 and earned Third Team All-MVC honors in 2022. Last season, White came up big in one of the biggest moments, as she scored the match-winning goal in extra time of the Beacons’ MVC Tournament semifinal victory over Missouri State, bending in a corner kick for an Olimpico in the 97th minute. White played all 380 minutes of the tournament run, part of a back line which posted four consecutive clean sheets, and was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team.
Big Shoes to Fill: While the Valpo program graduated a decorated class of seniors following last season, perhaps none was more decorated than Nikki Coryell, the three-time MVC Goalkeeper of the Year and four-time All-MVC honoree. With Coryell’s departure, the Beacons entered this season with a grand total of 0 collegiate regular season minutes at goalkeeper on their roster. A trio of netminders will look to step in and try to take their place in the legacy of strong Valpo goalkeepers: redshirt sophomore Kate Sheridan, redshirt freshman Helen Stegner and true freshman Hailey Wade.
The English Influence: Last season marked the first time in program history Valpo’s roster featured a player from England, as Daisy Boardman arrived on campus from Warrington, Cheshire. This season, the number of players from across the pond doubles, as Kate Jeffery joins the Beacons from Southampton, Hampshire. In addition, Louis Owens – a native of Basingstoke, Hampshire – will work with the goalkeepers as the coaching staff’s graduate assistant this year.
That Tourney Run: It was a magical 11 days in late October and early November last fall, as Valpo embarked on its dramatic run to claiming the MVC Tournament championship. The Beacons won all four of their tournament fixtures by 1-0 finals – the first time in program history Valpo has won four matches in a single postseason, and the first time in program history the team has strung together 1-0 wins in four straight matches. The final three of those four victories came over the top three teams in the regular season standings, including the title match win over host and regular season champion Drake. In three of those four matches, it took the Beacons until after halftime to find their lone goal, including one match that went to extra time scoreless. As the sixth seed in the MVC Tournament, Valpo became the lowest seed ever to win the Valley title and was the first team outside the top-two to claim the championship since 2007.
Conference Success: Valpo has enjoyed consistent success within conference play over the last few seasons. Since the start of the spring 2021 campaign, the Beacons are 19-7-10 within regular season MVC matches – a mark which improves to 19-5-10 with the removal of two matches versus departed conference foe Loyola.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEBSITES
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 14 – 21 – 18 – 6 – 34 – 5 – 10 – 7
August 21, 1901 – Baltimore Orioles pitcher Joe McGinnity is suspended from NL for punching & spitting on umpire Tom Connolly in previous day’s 5-2 loss to Detroit Tigers; lifetime suspension reduced to 12 days
August 21, 1926 – Chicago White Sox pitcher Ted Lyons no hits Boston Red Sox, 6-0 in just 67 minutes at Fenway Park
August 21, 1931 – New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth, Number 3 became the first MLB player to hit 600 career home runs as NY defeats St. Louis Browns, 11-7 at Sportsman’s Park
August 21, 1932 – Wes Ferrell, Number 14 of the Cleveland Indians became the first MLB pitcher to win 20 games in each of his 1st 4 seasons
August 21, 1948 – Cleveland Indians 47-inning scoreless streak is broken as future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon wearing Number 21 gave up a home run to Number 18, Aaron Robinson in a 3-2 loss to Chicago White Sox
August 21, 1967 – Kansas City utility player Number 6, Ken Harrelson became baseball’s first free agent when he is abruptly released by the Athletics. He took his parting shots too as he called team owner Charlie Finley “a menace to baseball.” Harrelson would end up siging on with the Washington Senators soon after this release and later play for the Cleveland Indians.
August 21, 1982 – American League MLB Milwaukee Brewers’ relief pitcher Rollie Fingers in his familiar Number 34 jersey became the first MLB pitcher to get save number 300. Fingers was aptly named as he had some wicked pitches that confounded many batters, and oh he sported probably the most famous moustaches in all of baseball history.
August 21, 1986 – Red Sox Spike Owen, Number 5 scored 6 runs in a 24-5 rout of Cleveland Indians
August 21, 2008 – US Olympic Women’s Soccer Striker Carli Lloyd, Number 10 scored in extra time as the United States beat Brazil 1-0 to take the women’s Football Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics
August 21, 2016 – Hoops great Kevin Durant , wearing Number 7 scored 30 points as the US retained the Olympic men’s basketball title with a comfortable 96-66 win over Serbia at the Rio de Janeiro Games
FOOTBALL HISTORY
On this football day
August 21, 1929 – The Chicago Cardinals become the very first professional American Football team to train outside the confines of their hometown. The team decided to have camp in Waterworks Park in Coldwater, Michigan. For the details, we will summon the words of our great SHN historian Joe Ziemba from his book, When Football was Football: The Chicago Cardinals and the Birth of the NFL. Joe tells us that after a debacle of a season in 1928 where the team had only a 1-5 League record, former owner Chris O’Brien sold the franchise to Chicago physician, Dr, David Jones in July 1929. Jones had some grand ideas on how to make the club better, profitable even. Hence, he signed some of the now dormant Duluth Eskimos including owner Ole Hausgrud, Coach Dewey Scanlon, and star player and attraction Ernie Nevers to the Cardinals payroll. These changes also centered on a promotion of “the Fighting Cards from Back of the Yards” campaign and sent the team out of state to Coldwater for an intense training camp. To learn more of the Chicago Cardinals football team listen to Joe Ziemba on his When Football Was Football Podcast on the Sports History Network.
August 21, 2019 – Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson for the 2nd consecutive year is the world’s highest paid actor as his earnings reached $89.4 million. Johnson was a former University of Miami Hurricane that played on the 1991 National Championship team as a defensive tackle.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for August 21
August 21, 1928 – Rankin, Texas – Bud McFadin was an offensive lineman from the University of Texas who entered into the College Football Hall of Fame in the induction class of 1983. According to the National Football Foundation as a freshman this talented youngster almost left school to return home because he missed his horse. The attachment to the animal was so great that Texas officials saved the day by having the equine shipped to a nearby farm close to the University to keep the bond healthy between their player and his ride. It turned out to be a great move too because a happy Bud McFadin played both offense and defense and was the Texas boxing and wrestling champion. In 1949, the 6-3, 225-pound lineman won All-America honors from the International News Service for his defensive skills. In 1950, the All-America Board, the Associated Press, United Press, INS and Look named him first team All-America, with emphasis on his offensive skillset. In the Chicago Tribune All-Star game, Bud was voted Most Valuable Player of the game for the All-Stars.
August 21, 1945 – Clover, Virginia – Willie Lanier the a linebacker from Morgan State University from 1963 to 1966 was born. After college “Honey Bear” played pro ball for the Kansas City Chiefs where he was a five-time all-pro middle linebacker. Years later, in 1986, Willie Lanier was elected into the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
August 21, 1954 – Archie Griffin was the two time Heisman Trophy Winner from Ohio State University. He is forever enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame since 2000.
August 21, 1959 – Jim McMahon the former BYU quarterback was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. McMahon was a two time All-American QB for the Cougars. In the NFL he famously guided the 1985 Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX. Later he played for San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Arizona, Cleveland and Green Bay. Some of his most interesting plays were off the field as he squabbled with the NFL Commissioner over branding on apparel worn in games. This culminated humorously when he wore a sweatband on his forehead with the name of the Commish inked on it. For more on Jim McMahon please check out this podcast from our friend Arnie Chapman, the Football History Dude, Jim McMahon Interview Podcast.
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Aug. 21
1926 — Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 6-0 victory was achieved in 1 hour, 7 minutes.
1930 — Chick Hafey of the St. Louis Cardinals hit for the cycle and drove in five runs in a 16-6 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies.
1931 — Babe Ruth hit his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1947 — The first Little League World Series was at Williamsport, Pa. The Maynard Midgets of Williamsport won the series.
1972 — Steve Carlton of Philadelphia had his 15-game winning streak snapped when Phil Niekro and the Atlanta Braves beat the Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings.
1975 — Pitching brothers Rick and Paul Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs combined to throw a 7-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rick went 6 1-3 innings and Paul finished the shutout for the first ever by two brothers.
1982 — Milwaukee pitcher Rollie Fingers became the first player to achieve 300 career saves as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2.
1986 — Spike Owens had four hits and became the first major league player in 40 years to score six runs in a game as the Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Indians 24-5 with a 24-hit attack.
2007 — Garret Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels drove in a team-record 10 runs in an 18-9 rout of the New York Yankees. Anderson hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run double and an RBI double to become the 12th player in major league history to have 10 RBIs in a game.
2007 — Arizona’s Mark Reynolds tied the major league record for consecutive strikeouts by a non-pitcher when he fanned in his ninth straight plate appearance in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee. Reynolds struck out in his first two at-bats against Dave Bush to match the record. Bush hit Reynolds with a pitch in the sixth, ending the streak.
2011 — Johnny Damon lost a grand slam to a video review in the seventh inning, then hit a game-ending home run in the ninth that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays over the Seattle Mariners 8-7. Damon connected for a leadoff shot in the ninth on the first pitch from Dan Cortes. The Rays trailed 5-4 in the seventh when Damon launched a drive to right-center field. First ruled a home run, the umpires changed the call to a three-run double after a video review.
2015 — Mike Fiers pitched the second no-hitter in the major leagues in nine days, leading the Houston Astros to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Having never thrown a complete game in his five-year career, Fiers was dominant. He struck out 10 and walked three, retiring the final 21 batters. Fiers struck out Justin Turner on his 134th pitch to end it.
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Aug. 22
1917 — Pittsburgh’s Carson Bigbee set a major league record — since tied — with 11 at-bats in a 22-inning game against Brooklyn. Pirate Elmer Jacobs pitched 16 2-3 innings in relief. The game was also the fourth consecutive extra-inning game by the Pirates for a total of 59 innings, a National League record.
1934 — Pitcher Wes Ferrell hit two home runs to give the Boston Red Sox a 3-2 triumph over the Chicago White Sox in 12 innings. Trailing 2-1, Ferrell hit a home run in the eighth inning to tie the score and with two out in the 12th, Ferrell connected again for the game-winner.
1961 — Roger Maris, en route to his 61-home run season, became the first player to hit his 50th homer in August. He connected off California pitcher Ken McBride in a 4-3 loss to the Angels.
1965 — In the third inning of a game against Los Angeles, pitcher Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants hit catcher John Roseboro of the Dodgers in the head with his bat. A 14-minute brawl ensued and Roseboro suffered cuts on the head. Marichal thought Roseboro threw too close to his head when returning the ball to Sandy Koufax.
1971 — The Oakland Athletics opened and closed the game with solo homers to beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1. Boston pitcher Sonny Siebert gave up both, Bert Campaneris lead off the game and Reggie Jackson ended it with two out in the ninth inning.
1984 — New York Mets right-hander Dwight Gooden, at 19, fanned nine San Diego Padres to become the 11th rookie to strike out 200 batters in one season.
1989 — Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers became the first pitcher to strike out 5,000 batters. Ryan struck out 13, walked two and allowed only five hits in a 2-0 loss to Oakland. Ryan began the night needing six strikeouts and fanned Rickey Henderson swinging, leading off the fifth inning, for the record.
1999 — Mark McGwire became the first player to hit 50 homers in each of four consecutive seasons, hitting Nos. 49 and 50 in the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets.
2007 — The Texas Rangers became the first team in 110 years to score 30 runs in a game, setting an American League record in a 30-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a doubleheader. It was the ninth time a major league team scored 30 runs, the first since the Chicago Colts set the major league mark in a 36-7 rout of Louisville in a National League game on June 28, 1897.
2012 — Oakland A’s P Bartolo Colon is suspended for 50 games for testing positive for testosterone, eight days after Giants OF Melky Cabrera was also suspended for using the same performance-enhancing substance.
2016 — Adrian Gonzalez hit three of the Dodgers’ seven homers — driving in a career-high eight runs — to lead Los Angeles to an 18-9 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
2021 — Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers becomes the 28th player to hit 500 home runs with a solo home run off of Steven Matz of the Blue Jays.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
Aug. 21
1901 — William Larned wins the first of seven men’s singles titles in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship.
1914 — Walter Hagen captures the U.S. Open golf title by edging Chick Evans.
1920 — Jock Hutchinson wins the PGA golf tournament with a 1-up victory over J. Douglass Edgar.
1931 — Babe Ruth of New York hits his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1932 — Helen Hull Jacobs beats Carolyn Babcock to win the women’s singles title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association.
1982 — Mystic Park becomes the first 3-year-old trotter to win the American Trotting Championship.
1985 — Mary Decker sets the world record in the mile run with a time of 4:16.71 in Zurich.
1990 — Kelly Craig becomes the first female starting pitcher in Little League World Series history, opening for Trail, British Columbia. She fails to retire any of the three batters she faces but the Canadian champions rally for an 8-3 victory over Matamoros, Mexico.
2003 — Paul Hamm puts together a near-perfect routine on the high bar to become the first American man to win the all-around gold medal at World Gymnastics Championships. Needing a 9.712 or better to beat China’s Yang Wei, Hamm strings together four straight release moves during his 60-second routine — one of the toughest feats in gymnastics — for a 9.975 and the gold.
2004 — American super-swimmer Michael Phelps wins his 6th gold medal of the Athens Olympics even though he doesn’t swim the final of men’s 4 x 100m medley relay; US wins in world record 3:30.68.
2008 — At the Summer Olympics in Beijing, Yukiko Ueno pitches 28 innings in two days, including seven to shut down the U.S. softball team, 3-1, and give Japan the gold medal. It was the first loss for the Americans since Sept. 21, 2000 — 22 straight games. LaShawn Merritt upsets defending champion Jeremy Wariner to lead a U.S. sweep of the 400 meters track event. David Neville gets the bronze. The U.S. men and women both drop the baton in the Olympic 400-meter relays and fail to advance out of the first round. Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown easily wins the 200 meters to cap the first sweep of all four men’s and women’s Olympic sprints in 20 years.
2010 — Kyle Busch makes NASCAR history with an unprecedented sweep of three national races in one week, completing the trifecta with a victory in the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch, winner of the Nationwide race a day earlier and the Trucks race on Aug. 18, becomes the first driver to complete the sweep since NASCAR expanded to three national series in 1995.
2011 — The Los Angeles Sparks run off 16 straight points to overcome a 15-point, second-half deficit and hand the Tulsa Shock their WNBA-record 18th consecutive loss with a 73-67 victory. The Atlanta Dream lost 17 in a row in their inaugural season of 2008.
2016 — Kevin Durant scores 30 points and helps the Americans rout Serbia 96-66 for their third straight gold medal. That caps an Olympics in which the U.S. dominated the medal tables, both the gold (46) and overall totals (121). The 51-total-medal margin over second-place China the largest in a non-boycotted Olympics in nearly a century.
2018 — Liu Xiang of China sets a world record time of 26.98 seconds to win the women’s 50-meter backstroke gold medal at the Asian Games. Liu becomes the first woman to swim under 27 seconds in the event, breaking the mark of 27.06 set by fellow Chinese swimmer Zhao Jing at the 2009 world championships in Rome.
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Aug. 22
1851 — The United States wins the first international yacht race. The schooner named “America” beats 14 British yachts.
1885 — Richard Sears beats Godfrey M. Brinley, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 to win the U.S. men’s national tennis championship held at the Newport (R.I.) Casino.
1898 — Malcolm Whitman beats Dwight F. Davis, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 to win the U.S. men’s national tennis championship held at the Newport (R.I.) Casino.
1948 — The Chicago Cardinals beat the College All-Stars 28-0 in front 101,220 fans at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
1949 — The Philadelphia Eagles beat the College All-Stars 38-0 at Chicago’s Soldier Field. It’s the largest shutout in the series, later matched by Green Bay in 1966.
1950 — Althea Gibson becomes the first black tennis player to be accepted in competition for the national championship.
1957 — Floyd Patterson knocks out Pete Rademacher in the sixth round to retain his world heavyweight title at Sicks Stadium in Seattle.
1965 — In the third inning of a game against Los Angeles, pitcher Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants hits catcher John Roseboro of the Dodgers in the head with his bat. A 14-minute brawl ensues and Roseboro suffers cuts on the head. Marichal thought Roseboro threw too close to his head when returning the ball to Sandy Koufax.
1984 — Evelyn Ashford sets the world record in the 100-meter dash with a clocking of 10.76 seconds in a meet at Zurich, Switzerland.
1987 — Brazil snaps the 34-game winning streak of the U.S. men’s basketball team with a 120-115 victory in the Pan Am Games. Oscar Schmidt scores 46 points to lead Brazil. Cuba wins a record 10 of 12 gold medals in boxing and beats the U.S. 13-9 in the baseball final.
1989 — Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers becomes the first pitcher to strike out 5,000 batters in a 2-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Ryan fans Rickey Henderson swinging on a 3-2, 96 mph fastball for No. 5,000.
1994 — DNA testing links O.J. Simpson to murder of Nicole Simpson & Ron Goldman.
1999 — Jenny Thompson breaks Mary T. Meagher’s 18-year-old 100-meter butterfly record at the Pan Pacific swim championships. Thompson with a time of 57.88 seconds lowers the mark of 57.93 set by Meagher.
2004 — American sprinter Justin Gatlin wins the coveted Olympic 100m gold medal in Athens in 9.85 ahead of Francis Obikwelu of Portugal & American Maurice Greene.
2007 — The Texas Rangers becomes the first team in 110 years to score 30 runs in a game, setting an American League record in a 30-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a doubleheader.
2008 — Usain Bolt helps Jamaica win the 400-meter relay final in 37.10 seconds for his third gold medal and third world record of the Beijing Games. Bolt becomes only the fourth man, and the first since Carl Lewis in 1984, to win all three Olympic sprint events. Bryan Clay wins the decathlon, the first American to win the 10-discipline event at the Olympics since Dan O’Brien at Atlanta in 1996.
2018 — Ohio State suspends football coach Urban Meyer three games for mishandling repeated professional and behavioral problems of an assistant coach, with investigators finding Meyer protected his protege for years through domestic violence allegations, a drug problem and poor job performance.
2018 — The NCAA ditches the RPI for its own evaluation tool to select teams for the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Evaluation Tool will rely on game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin, net offensive and defensive efficiency and quality of wins and losses. NET will be used for the 2018-19 season by the committee that selects schools and seeds the tournament.
TV SPORTS WEDNESDAY
| MLB REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Baltimore at NY Mets | 1:10pm | MLBN MASN SNY |
| Boston at Houston | 2:10pm | MLBN NESN SCHN |
| Pittsburgh at Texas | 2:35pm | ATTSN-PIT Bally Sports Southwest |
| Chi. White Sox at San Francisco | 3:45pm | MLBN NBC Sports Chicago NBC Sports Bay |
| Arizona at Miami | 6:40pm | YurView Bally Sports Florida |
| Minnesota at San Diego | 6:40pm | Bally Sports North Padres.TV |
| Colorado at Washington | 6:45pm | Rockies.TV MASN |
| Cleveland at NY Yankees | 7:05pm | Bally Sports Great Lakes YES |
| Cincinnati at Toronto | 7:07pm | Bally Sports Ohio Sportsnet |
| Philadelphia at Atlanta | 7:20pm | NBC Sports Philadelphia Bally Sports South |
| Milwaukee at St. Louis | 7:45pm | FS1 Bally Sports Wisconsin Bally Sports Midwest |
| Detroit at Chi. Cubs | 8:05pm | MARQ Bally Sports Detroit |
| LA Angels at Kansas City | 8:10pm | Bally Sports West Bally SPorts Kansas City |
| Tampa Bay at Oakland | 9:40pm | MLBN Bally Sports Sun NBC Sports California |
| Seattle at LA Dodgers | 10:10pm | MLBN ROOT SNLA |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Champions League: Young Boys vs Galatasaray | 3:00pm | VIX |
| Copa Libertadores: The Strongest vs Peñarol | 6:00pm | Fanatiz USA beIN Sports |
| Copa Libertadores: Palmeiras vs Botafogo | 8:30pm | Fanatiz USA beIN Sports |
| Copa Libertadores: River Plate vs Talleres Córdoba | 8:30pm | Fanatiz USA beIN Sports |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Phoenix at Atlanta | 7:30pm | PeachtreeTV AFSN |
| Minnesota at Las Vegas | 9:30pm | ESPN |
| TENNIS | TIME ET | TV |
| US Open Qualifying | 11:00am | ESPN2 |