“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL REGIONAL FINALS
1A
NORTH JUDSON (12-0) AT TAYLOR (7-5)
NORTH MIAMI (10-2) AT SOUTH ADAMS (7-5)
SHERIDAN (7-5) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (10-2)
MILAN (8-4) AT PROVIDENCE (11-0)
2A
ANDREAN (8-4) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (11-0)
EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (8-4) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (11-1)
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (11-1) AT LAPEL (9-3)
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (12-0) AT LINTON (10-2)
3A
KNOX (9-3) AT GARRETT (12-0)
FORT WAYNE LUERS (8-4) AT MACONAQUAH (12-0)
TRI-WEST (8-4) AT BATESVILLE (8-3)
NORTH HARRISON (9-3) AT HERITAGE HILLS (11-1)
4A
NEW PRAIRIE (9-3) AT MISHAWAKA (10-2)
HUNTINGTON NORTH (9-3) AT EAST NOBLE (11-1)
NEW PALESTINE (11-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (9-2)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
EVANSVILLE REITZ (10-2) AT MARTINSVILLE (11-1)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
5A
VALPARAISO (8-3) AT MERRILLVILLE (10-1)
LAFAYETTE JEFF (11-0) AT WARSAW (8-3)
EAST CENTRAL (8-3) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (8-2)
CASTLE (9-2) AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (7-4)
6A
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (9-2) AT CROWN POINT (11-0)
WESTFIELD (10-1) AT FISHERS (7-4)…INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
LAWRENCE NORTH (11-0) AT BROWNSBURG (10-1)
CENTER GROVE (7-4) AT WARREN CENTRAL (10-1)
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL
HOMESTEAD.COM
| ALEXANDRIA | 51 | FORT WAYNE SOUTH | 20 | |
| BATESVILLE | 53 | SOUTH DEARBORN | 12 | |
| BLOOMFIELD | 43 | SHOALS | 34 | |
| CALUMET CHRISTIAN | 62 | CALUMET | 21 | |
| CAREER ACADEMY | 58 | LAKELAND CHRISTIAN | 29 | |
| CLINTON PRAIRIE | 53 | SOUTHMONT | 43 | |
| COLUMBUS NORTH | 40 | MARTINSVILLE | 33 | |
| DECATUR CENTRAL | 47 | PERRY MERIDIAN | 46 | |
| DUGGER UNION | 63 | LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN | 24 | |
| EASTERN (PEKIN) | 52 | NORTH HARRISON | 45 | |
| EDGEWOOD | 61 | SOUTH PUTNAM | 39 | |
| EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN | 56 | VINCENNES RIVET | 50 | |
| EVANSVILLE MATER DEI | 67 | TECUMSEH | 38 | |
| FLOYD CENTRAL | 45 | CHARLESTOWN | 29 | |
| FOREST PARK | 35 | SPRINGS VALLEY | 30 | |
| FRANKLIN CENTRAL | 73 | WHITELAND | 43 | |
| GOSHEN | 33 | MISHAWAKA MARIAN | 26 | |
| HAMMOND CENTRAL | 53 | WASHINGTON TWP. | 37 | |
| HAUSER | 44 | MILAN | 39 | |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN | 58 | EASTBROOK | 19 | |
| HIGHLAND | 54 | RIVER FOREST | 36 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD | 41 | MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) | 39 | |
| JOHN GLENN | 50 | KNOX | 24 | |
| KOKOMO | 72 | PERU | 26 | |
| LAFAYETTE JEFF | 46 | FOUNTAIN CENTRAL | 38 | |
| LAKEWOOD PARK | 58 | LAKELAND | 29 | |
| LANESVILLE | 53 | PAOLI | 24 | |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC | 54 | ANDREAN | 12 | |
| MISHAWAKA | 44 | LAPORTE | 37 | |
| MOORESVILLE | 52 | INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL | 49 | |
| MORRISTOWN | 51 | SOUTH DECATUR | 47 | |
| NORTH KNOX | 51 | LINTON | 39 | |
| NORTH MONTGOMERY | 51 | FRONTIER | 36 | |
| NORTH PUTNAM | 67 | COVINGTON | 16 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 56 | YORKTOWN | 37 | |
| PRINCETON | 57 | EVANSVILLE BOSSE | 25 | |
| RENSSELAER CENTRAL | 57 | TRI-COUNTY | 44 | |
| SHAKAMAK | 58 | CLOVERDALE | 16 | |
| SHAWE MEMORIAL | 42 | OLDENBURG ACADEMY | 40 | |
| SOUTH BEND RILEY | 55 | TRINITY GREENLAWN | 17 | |
| SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON | 77 | VALPARAISO | 70 | |
| SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH) | 42 | WEST WASHINGTON | 36 | |
| SOUTH RIPLEY | 63 | WALDRON | 37 | |
| SOUTH SPENCER | 68 | EVANSVILLE HARRISON | 48 | |
| TELL CITY | 47 | MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) | 19 | |
| TRI-CENTRAL | 60 | TIPTON | 27 | |
| TRI-TOWNSHIP | 55 | MICHIGAN CITY | 51 | |
| TRI-WEST | 58 | CRAWFORDSVILLE | 31 | |
| VINCENNES LINCOLN | 57 | TERRE HAUTE SOUTH | 29 | |
| WABASH | 55 | MISSISSINEWA | 40 | |
| WARSAW | 74 | FORT WAYNE SNIDER | 45 | |
| WHITE RIVER VALLEY | 58 | WEST VIGO | 30 | |
| BANKS OF WABASH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| PARKE HERITAGE | 69 | SOUTH VERMILLION | 7 | R1 |
| NORTH VERMILLION | 50 | RIVERTON PARKE | 31 | R1 |
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE WEEK 12
THURSDAY, NOV. 14
EAST CAROLINA 38 TULSA 31
FRIDAY, NOV. 15
COLORADO STATE VS. WYOMING, 8 P.M. | CBSSN
UTSA VS. NORTH TEXAS, 8 P.M. | ESPN2
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS. HOWARD, 8 P.M. | ESPNU
WASHINGTON VS. UCLA, 9 P.M. | FOX
ARIZONA VS. HOUSTON, 10:15 P.M. | FS1
SATURDAY, NOV. 16
NO. 2 OHIO STATE VS. NORTHWESTERN, 12 P.M. | BTN
NO. 5 TEXAS VS. ARKANSAS, 12 P.M. | ABC/ESPN+
NO. 18 PITTSBURGH VS. NO. 23 CLEMSON, 12 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 20 COLORADO VS. UTAH, 12 P.M. | FOX
MASSACHUSETTS VS. LIBERTY, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. LOUISIANA TECH, 12 P.M. | CBSSN
NAVY VS. TULANE, 12 P.M. | ESPN2
HAMPTON VS. RICHMOND, 12 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
MONMOUTH VS. VILLANOVA, 12 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
TOWSON VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T, 12 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
EAST TENNESSEE STATE VS. FURMAN, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
YOUNGSTOWN STATE VS. NORTHERN IOWA, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
MARIST VS. PRESBYTERIAN, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
DAYTON VS. VALPARAISO, 12 P.M. | TBA
YALE VS. PRINCETON, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
BROWN VS. COLUMBIA, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
NORFOLK STATE VS. DELAWARE STATE, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT VS. ROBERT MORRIS, 12 P.M. | TBA
DUQUESNE VS. WAGNER, 12 P.M. | TBA
LONG ISLAND VS. ST. FRANCIS (PA), 12 P.M. | TBA
MERRIMACK VS. SACRED HEART, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LEHIGH VS. COLGATE, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
HOLY CROSS VS. BUCKNELL, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LAFAYETTE VS. STONEHILL, 12 P.M. | ESPN+
AUBURN VS. UL MONROE, 12:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
MARSHALL VS. COASTAL CAROLINA, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
RHODE ISLAND VS. UALBANY, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
WILLIAM & MARY VS. BRYANT, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
DELAWARE VS. CAMPBELL, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
NEW HAMPSHIRE VS. STONY BROOK, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
EASTERN ILLINOIS VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
INDIANA STATE VS. ILLINOIS STATE, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH DAKOTA VS. SOUTH DAKOTA, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA A&M VS. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE, 1 P.M. | TBA
WESTERN CAROLINA VS. VMI, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
DRAKE VS. MOREHEAD STATE, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
BUTLER VS. ST. THOMAS-MINNESOTA, 1 P.M. | TBA
PENNSYLVANIA VS. HARVARD, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
CORNELL VS. DARTMOUTH, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGETOWN VS. FORDHAM, 1 P.M. | ESPN+
KENTUCKY VS. MURRAY STATE, 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+/SEC NETWORK+
CHATTANOOGA VS. SAMFORD, 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
GARDNER-WEBB VS. TENNESSEE STATE, 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
WOFFORD VS. THE CITADEL, 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
NO. 11 ALABAMA VS. MERCER, 2:00 P.M. | ESPN+/SEC NETWORK+
JACKSONVILLE STATE VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TEMPLE VS. FLORIDA ATLANTIC, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
ELON VS. MAINE, 2 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
AUSTIN PEAY VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
EAST TEXAS A&M VS. HOUSTON CHRISTIAN, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHWESTERN STATE VS. MCNEESE, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN COLORADO VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA, 2 P.M. | ESPN+
ILLINOIS VS. MICHIGAN STATE, 2:30 P.M. | FS1
CALIFORNIA VS. SYRACUSE, 3 P.M. | THE CW NETWORK
KENNESAW STATE VS. SAM HOUSTON, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
UTAH STATE VS. HAWAI’I, 3 P.M. | TBA
UT MARTIN VS. TENNESSEE TECH, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
MONTANA VS. PORTLAND STATE, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA STATE VS. JACKSON STATE, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF, 3 P.M. | TBA
TEXAS SOUTHERN VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN, 3 P.M. | TBA
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M VS. ALCORN STATE, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN VS. INCARNATE WOOD, 3 P.M. | ESPN+
NO. 6 PENN STATE VS. PURDUE, 3:30 P.M. | CBS
NO. 10 NOTRE DAME VS. VIRGINIA, 3:30 P.M. | NBC
NO. 13 SMU VS. BOSTON COLLEGE, 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 15 LSU VS. FLORIDA, 3:30 P.M. | ABC/ESPN+
NO. 22 LOUISVILLE VS. STANFORD, 3:30 P.M. | ACCN
AIR FORCE VS. OREGON STATE, 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
CHARLOTTE VS. SOUTH FLORIDA, 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. MISSOURI STATE, 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VS. NEBRASKA, 4 P.M. | FOX
WEST VIRGINIA VS. BAYLOR, 4 P.M. | ESPN 2
GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. TROY, 4 P.M | ESPN+
OLD DOMINION VS. JAMES MADISON, 4 P.M. | ESPNU
UTAH TECH VS. WEST GEORGIA, 4 P.M. | ESPN+
LAMAR VS. NICHOLLS, 4 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN WASHINGTON VS. IDAHO STATE, 4 P.M. | ESPN+
SAN DIEGO VS. STETSON, 4 P.M. | ESPN+
MORGAN STATE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE, 4 P.M. | ESPN+
NO. 24 MISSOURI VS. SOUTH CAROLINA, 4:15 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
GEORGIA STATE VS. ARKANSAS STATE, 5 P.M. | ESPN+
CAL POLY VS. SACRAMENTO STATE, 5 P.M. | ESPN+
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VS. SOUTHERN UTAH, 5 P.M. | ESPN+
MARYLAND VS. RUTGERS, 6 P.M. | FS1
NO. 12 BOISE STATE VS. SAN JOSÉ STATE, 7 P.M. | CBSSN
NO. 19 KANSAS STATE VS. ARIZONA STATE, 7 P.M. | ESPN
LOUISIANA VS. SOUTH ALABAMA, 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS STATE VS. SOUTHERN MISS, 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TARLETON STATE VS. ABILENE CHRISTIAN, 7 P.M. | ESPN+
NO. 1 OREGON VS. WISCONSIN, 7:30 P.M. | NBC
NO. 3 GEORGIA VS. NO. 7 TENNESSEE, 7:30 P.M. | ABC/ESPN+
NO. 14 TEXAS A&M VS. NEW MEXICO STATE, 7:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NO. 17 IOWA STATE VS. CINCINNATI, 8 P.M. | FOX
NORTH CAROLINA VS. WAKE FOREST, 8 P.M. | ACCN
MEMPHIS VS. UAB, 8 P.M. | ESPN 2
IDAHO VS. WEBER STATE, 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UC DAVIS VS. MONTANA STATE, 8 P.M. | ESPN+
NO. 21 WASHINGTON STATE VS. NEW MEXICO, 9:30 P.M. | FS1
NO. 9 BYU VS. KANSAS, 10:15 P.M. | ESPN
UNLV VS. SAN DIEGO STATE, 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
NFL
WEEK 11
THURSDAY, NOV. 14
PHILADELPHIA 26 WASHINGTON 18
SUNDAY, NOV. 17
GREEN BAY AT CHICAGO – 1PM, FOX
JACKSONVILLE AT DETROIT – 1PM, CBS
MINNESOTA AT TENNESSEE – 1PM, CBS
LAS VEGAS AT MIAMI – 1PM, CBS
LA RAMS AT NEW ENGLAND – 1PM, FOX
CLEVELAND AT NEW ORLEANS – 1PM, FOX
INDIANAPOLIS AT NY JETS – 1PM, CBS
BALTIMORE AT PITTSBURGH – 1PM, CBS
ATLANTA AT DENVER – 4:05PM, FOX
SEATTLE AT SAN FRANCISCO – 4:05PM, FOX
KANSAS CITY AT BUFFALO – 4:25PM, CBS
CINCINNATI AT LA CHARGERS – 8:20PM, NBC/PEACOCK
MONDAY, NOV. 18
HOUSTON AT DALLAS – 8:15PM, ESPN/ABC
WEEK 11 BYES: ARIZONA, CAROLINA, NEW YORK GIANTS, TAMPA BAY
WEEK 12
THURSDAY, NOV. 21
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)
SUNDAY, NOV. 24
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1:00P CBS)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS (1:00P FOX)
TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (1:00P CBS)
DETROIT LIONS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1:00P FOX)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1:00P CBS)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00P CBS)
DALLAS COWBOYS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P FOX)
DENVER BRONCOS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4:05P CBS)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (4:25P FOX)
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4:25P FOX)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (8:20P NBC)
MONDAY, NOV. 25
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (8:15P ESPN)
WEEK 13
THURSDAY, NOV. 28 (THANKSGIVING)
CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS (12:30P CBS)
NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4:30P FOX)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (8:20P NBC)
FRIDAY, NOV. 29
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3:00P PRIME VIDEO)
SUNDAY, DEC. 1
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1:00P CBS)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1:00P CBS)
HOUSTON TEXANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1:00P FOX)
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P FOX)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1:00P CBS)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT NEW YORK JETS (1:00P FOX)
TENNESSEE TITANS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P CBS)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (4:05P FOX)
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4:05P FOX)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4:25P CBS)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT BUFFALO BILLS (8:20P NBC)
MONDAY, DEC. 2
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT DENVER BRONCOS (8:15P ESPN)
WEEK 14
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1:00P CBS)
ATLANTA FALCONS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P FOX)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00P FOX)
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1:00P FOX)
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1:00P CBS)
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1:00P CBS)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1:00P CBS)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4:05P CBS)
BUFFALO BILLS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (4:25P FOX)
CHICAGO BEARS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4:25P FOX)
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8:20P NBC)
MONDAY, DEC. 9
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (8:15P ESPN/ABC)
NBA SCORES
UTAH 115 DALLAS 113
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25
#19 MISSISSIPPI 80 DELAWARE STATE 42
#10 KANSAS STATE 86 CREIGHTON 68
#23 ILLINOIS 84 EASTERN ILLINOIS 37
#13 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 79 KENT STATE 51
#1 SOUTH CAROLINA 92 COPPIN STATE 60
#22 ALABAMA 88 ALCORN STATE 59
#16 DUKE 84 DAYTON 49
#8 IOWA STATE 80 ST. THOMAS MINNESOTA 47
#17 BAYLOR 104 TEXAS A&M CC 55
ELSEWHERE
PENN STATE 101 NIAGARA 45
MICHIGAN STATE 96 EASTERN KENTUCKY 54
MILWAUKEE 90 VALPARAISO 79
EVANSVILLE 70 SE. MISSOURI STATE 55
NORTHWESTERN 71 UTAH 69
MICHIGAN 99 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 62
PURDUE 83 IU INDY 64
WASHINGTON 83 EASTERN WASHINGTON 59
NHL SCORES
PHILADELPHIA 5 OTTAWA 40T
TAMPA BAY 4 WINNIPEG 1
NY RANGERS 3 SAN JOSÉ 2
NEW JERSEY 6 FLORIDA 2
BUFFALO 4 ST. LOUIS 3 OT
MINNESOTA 3 MONTRÉAL 0
DALLAS 7 BOSTON 2
EDMONTON 3 NASHVILLE 2 OT
NY ISLANDERS 5 VANCOUVER 2
SEATTLE 3 CHICAGO 1
MLS PLAYOFFS
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL SPORTS HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
DEION SANDERS AND NO. 18 COLORADO TRY TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARD BIG 12 TITLE GAME AGAINST UTAH
Utah (4-5, 1-5, Big 12) at No. 18 Colorado (7-2, 5-1, No. 17 CFP), Saturday, 12 p.m. EST (Fox)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Colorado by 11 1/2.
Series record: Utah leads 35-32-3.
What’s at stake?
Should 18th-ranked Colorado Buffaloes win out, a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff are waiting for them. Their longtime rival, though, has had their number in recent seasons. Utah has won 11 of the last 12 games against Colorado, including three in a row at Folsom Field. But this is a banged-up Utes team that’s coming off an emotional — and controversial — 22-21 loss to No. 7 BYU.
Key matchup
Utah’s offensive line vs. Colorado’s defensive front led by B.J. Green. The Buffaloes lead the Big 12 with 29 sacks this season. They have nine different players with two or more sacks, the most for the program since 1983. Green leads the way with five. Utah’s O-line has a combined 297 games played. Junior center Jaren Kump has started at every position along the offensive line over his time at Utah. He’s one of two FBS players to accomplish the feat.
Players to watch
Utah: DB Smith Snowden, who has six pass breakups and an interception this season. He and his fellow defensive backs will be kept busy as quarterback Shedeur Sanders likes to spread the ball around the field.
Colorado: Defensive lineman Arden Walker is coming off a two-sack performance in a 41-27 win at Texas Tech. Walker is a legacy Colorado player, with his father, Arthur, a standout defensive lineman for the program in the 1980s.
Facts & figures
Utah has turned in a winning record over 10 straight seasons. The Utes have finished with a winning mark in 17 of coach Kyle Whittingham’s 19 years in charge. … Opponents are converting third-down attempts at a 23.8% rate, which is tops in the FBS. … The Utes lead the Big 12 in time of possession (33:07). … Of Utah’s 23 offensive TDs, 14 have been on drives that were 60 yards or longer. … Colorado has outscored opponents 76-24 in the third quarter. … Sanders and two-way standout Travis Hunter were both named Maxwell and Walter Camp Award Semifinalists. … Hunter played in 161 scrimmage snaps against Texas Tech, the most in school history. … Colorado is tied for third in combined appearances on “College GameDay” and “Big Noon Kickoff” over the past two seasons, trailing only Michigan and Ohio State.
NO. 23 SOUTH CAROLINA LOOKING FOR 4TH STRAIGHT SEC WIN WHEN IT FACES NO. 24 MISSOURI ON SATURDAY
No. 24 Missouri (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) at No. 23 South Carolina (6-3, 4-3), Saturday, 4:15 p.m. EST (SEC Network)
BetMGM College Football Odds: South Carolina by 12 1/2.
Series record: Missouri leads 9-5.
What’s at stake?
South Carolina’s continued rise in the SEC against Missouri’s last-ditch effort to make the College Football Playoff. Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said flatly this week that any 10-2 SEC team should earn a spot in the 12-team playoff field. But the Gamecocks are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and can have just their second winning SEC record in the past 11 seasons with a victory.
Key matchup
Missouri QB Drew Pyne vs. South Carolina’s defensive front. It looks like Pyne will start for the Tigers with Brady Cook’s status in limbo due to hand injury much of the week. Pyne has played in six games with three TDs and three interceptions. The Gamecocks are second in the SEC with 33 sacks.
Players to watch
Missouri: WR Luther Burden III is the Tigers leading receiver with 45 catches for 505 yards. But he has not had a touchdown catch since Week 4 against Vanderbilt.
South Carolina: DE Kyle Kennard is tied for the SEC lead with 9.5 sacks and tops the league with 13.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season. The Georgia Tech transfer has fueled a defense that’s fourth in fewest points allowed in the SEC this season.
Facts & figures
Missouri has won the past five games in the series. … South Carolina has won two straight over opponents ranked in the Top 25 after losing eight in a row against those teams. … The Tigers have lost starting center and high-round NFL prospect Connor Tollison for the rest of the season with a leg injury. … Gamecocks running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders had his second straight game with 100-or-more yards and third this season. Sanders has had half his 10 rushing TDs in South Carolina’s past three victories. … Drew Pyne bounced back from three interceptions thrown in a loss to Alabama with three TDs in the win over Oklahoma last week. … Missouri and South Carolina are both located in Columbia in their respective states. So the teams play for the Mayor’s Cup each time they meet.
NO. 14 SMU IS THE ACC LEADER WITH CFP HOPES WHILE BOSTON COLLEGE IS TRYING TO GET BOWL ELIGIBLE
Boston College (5-4, 2-3 ACC) at No. 14 SMU (8-1, 5-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: SMU by 18 1/2.
Series record: Tied 1-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
SMU is alone atop the Atlantic Coast Conference standings and would get in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff by making and winning the conference championship game in its first season after moving up from the Group of Five. The Mustangs have won six in a row since their only loss, to No. 7 BYU, the Big 12 leader that is still undefeated. Boston College is playing its final road game and trying to get bowl eligible in coach Bill O’Brien’s first season. This is a rematch of the Fenway Bowl last December that the Eagles won 23-14 to snap the American Athletic Conference champion’s nine-game winning streak.
KEY MATCHUP
Kye Robichaux and Boston College’s rushing game against the SMU defense that leads the ACC and is fifth nationally allowing 90 yards rushing a game, and 2.77 yards per carry. Robichaux ran for 198 yards and Jordan McDonald had 133 when the Eagles piled up a season-high 313 yards rushing in a win over Syracuse last week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Boston College: FIU transfer Grayson James is taking over as BC’s starting quarterback, replacing Thomas Castellanos. James got his only start Sept. 28, a comeback victory over Western Kentucky when Castellanos was injured. James replaced Castellanos in the third quarter last week against Syracuse, and completed 5 of 6 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
SMU: RB Brashard Smith is the only FBS player with at least 700 yards rushing, 150 yards receiving and 200 yards on kickoff returns. He ran for 161 yards with two touchdowns, and had a tiptoe catch for another score, in the Mustangs’ 48-25 win over Pittsburgh before their open date last week.
FACTS & FIGURES
SMU has won 14 consecutive regular-season conference games, including its last nine in the American dating to 2022. … BC defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku is second in the ACC and fourth nationally with 1.22 sacks per game. … The Mustangs have averaged 50.4 points a game over their last 13 home games, including the 18-15 loss to BYU when all their points came on five field goals.
NO. 15 TEXAS A&M LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK FROM LOSS IN NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUP WITH NEW MEXICO STATE
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M coach Mike Elko is reminding his 15th-ranked team of what is in front of it this week as it prepares to return to the field against New Mexico State on Saturday following a week off to move on from a disappointing loss.
“Everybody in our building understands these opportunities don’t come along all the time,” he said. “We have a special chance where we’re at this point in the season and we control everything. You certainly want to take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves.”
The Aggies were the last remaining undefeated team in Southeastern Conference play before unranked South Carolina held them scoreless in the second half to get a 44-20 victory. Despite the setback, Texas A&M (7-2) is tied with Tennessee for the best record in league play (5-1) and remains in contention for a spot in the SEC championship game and the expanded College Football Playoff.
“So, I think business as usual, but with maybe a little bit of a heightened sense of urgency that we don’t have any margin,” Elko said. “And we’ve got to go. It’s time to go.”
They’ll try to do that this week against New Mexico State (2-7), which has lost two straight and seven of the last eight. Texas A&M is a heavy favorite against the team, which is last in the C-USA with a 1-5 record.
“They’re fighting to get into the playoffs. It’s a big deal for them,” New Mexico State coach Tony Sanchez said. “We know it’s a challenge, but at the same time, we’re not afraid of the challenge. Our guys are ready to go. We’re ready to go scrap and we’ll see what happens on Saturday.”
It is Texas A&M’s last non-conference game of the regular season before a trip to Auburn next week followed by a visit from No. 5 Texas on Thanksgiving weekend.
“I think if the kids can understand, OK I’ve got to elevate within this process and push it to the limit within this process, I think that’s what you’re looking for,” Elko said.
Quarterback carousel
New Mexico State has used four different quarterbacks this season with none of them finding much success. Parker Awad and Santino Marucci have gotten the most snaps at the position, but the pair have combined for more interceptions (8) than touchdown passes (7). Awad has thrown for 518 yards and Marucci has 439 yards passing.
Replacing Moss
Texas A&M will play its first game without leading rusher Le’Veon Moss after he sustained a season-ending knee injury against South Carolina.
Moss leads the team with 765 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. His performance is a big reason why Texas A&M ranks 14th in the country by averaging 212.9 yards rushing a game.
Now they’ll have to look to backup Amari Daniels to carry more of the load. He’s second on the team with 466 yards rushing. Texas A&M could also look to EJ Smith, a seldom-used senior who has just 107 yards rushing this year.
“A lot of things are on the table,” Elko said. “Obviously, losing Le’Veon is a big loss. That’s a lot of touches. We’re going to have to figure out the right way to handle that.”
Another threat in A&M’s running game is quarterback Marcel Reed, who is third on the team with 334 yards rushing and five scores. He is expected to make a second straight start after taking over in the second half against LSU and leading the comeback win.
Turnover trouble
New Mexico State has struggled with turnovers and has turned the ball over 12 times while forcing just two turnovers combined in its last four games. The team got two interceptions last week for its first turnovers in four games but committed a season-high five turnovers in the 41-28 loss to Western Kentucky.
NEBRASKA, USC BOTH MAKING BIG CHANGES ON OFFENSE IN EFFORT TO TURN AROUND DISAPPOINTING SEASONS
Nebraska (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) at Southern California (4-5, 2-5), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (FOX)
BetMGM College Football Odds: USC by 8 1/2.
Series record: USC leads 4-0-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Cornhuskers and Trojans are two of college football’s traditional powers, but their first meeting as conference foes is about trying to make a bowl game, not national title contention. Nebraska has not made the postseason each of the past two seasons under Matt Rhule and will try to reach a bowl for the first time since 2016 and end a three-game losing streak. Rhule this week replaced offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield with former West Virginia and Houston coach Dana Holgorsen. USC isn’t faring much better in Lincoln Riley’s third season, switching quarterbacks during an open week. With rivalry games against UCLA and Notre Dame on deck, it would be difficult to see the Trojans reaching the postseason if they can’t win this week.
KEY MATCHUP
USC QB Jayden Maiava vs. Nebraska’s defense. Maiava replaces Miller Moss as starter and is the type of quarterback the Cornhuskers struggle to control. Maiava will be the fourth of the dual-threat quarterbacks Nebraska has faced. The Cornhuskers have given up six quarterback runs of at least 10 yards, including a 57-yarder by UCLA’s Ethan Garbers in their last game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nebraska: QB Dylan Raiola or Heinrich Haarberg. Raiola, the program’s highest-rated recruit, has had a rough introduction to the Big Ten. He went into this week still recovering from the hard hit to his lower back that knocked him out of the UCLA game Nov. 2. Haarberg, the starter most of last season, would play if Raiola can’t. Either way, it’s not an ideal situation for an offense transitioning to a new play-caller in Holgorsen.
USC: Maiava started 14 games last season as a redshirt freshman at UNLV, throwing for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. The Palolo, Hawaii native is more mobile than Moss, and the Trojans are hoping Maiava’s athleticism can make up for a shaky offensive line.
FACTS & FIGURES
USC and Nebraska have combined for 16 national championships, including 11 by the Trojans. Each school has twice won back-to-back national championships, Nebraska in 1970-71 and 1994-95 and USC in 1931-32 and 2003-04. … The Trojans won the most recent meeting of the teams, 45-42 in the 2014 Holiday Bowl. … USC is the only opponent Nebraska has played more than once and not defeated. … The Trojans will wear throwback jerseys inspired by the 1972 undefeated national title team.
AUBURN TRIES TO KEEP BOWL HOPES ALIVE WITH VISIT FROM LOUISIANA-MONROE WITH AILING QB PAYTON THORNE
Louisiana-Monroe (5-4) at Auburn (3-6), Saturday, 12:45 p.m. EST (SEC)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Auburn by 24-1/2.
Series record: Auburn leads 11-0.
What’s at stake?
The Tigers have to win out to become bowl eligible and they’ll finish against No. 15 Texas A&M and No. 9 Alabama. A loss here would be another embarrassment in Hugh Freeze’s second season and a fourth straight losing record for the program. The Warhawks are trying to stop a three-game losing streak after a promising start under first-year coach Bryant Vincent. Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne’s status is uncertain with a right, throwing shoulder injury.
Key matchup
Auburn’s defense against a ULM offense that has struggled. The Tigers rank 17th nationally in defending the run, allowing just 109 yards a game on the ground. The Warhawks rank 12th in the Sun Belt Conference in points per game (21.6) and 13th in total offense (300.8 yards per game). Keldric Faulk is leading the Tigers with seven sacks and Jalen McLeod has five.
Players to watch
Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith has 34 catches for 657 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 19.3 yards per catch.
ULM: RB Ahmad Hardy leads the Sun Belt with 915 rushing yards and has run for nine touchdowns. He is averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Facts & figures
Auburn has dominated the previous meetings by an average score of 45.1-9.3. The closest game was a 31-28 overtime win in 2012. The Tigers’ 73-7 victory in 2003 remains tied for the largest margin of victory in Jordan-Hare Stadium. … Auburn is 41-5 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt Conference. … Auburn tight end Luke Deal could break a tie with John Samuel Shenker’s school record of games played, with No. 63.
NO. 11 GEORGIA FACES MUST-WIN AGAINST NO. 6 TENNESSEE BETWEEN THE HEDGES
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
Hardly what anyone expected from one of college football’s powerhouse programs, a team that has been a perennial national championship contender during the Kirby Smart coaching era.
No. 11 Georgia (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference, No. 12 CFP) is facing what amounts to an elimination game in mid-November when it hosts No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
The Bulldogs put themselves in this predicament with an ugly 28-10 loss at Mississippi last weekend, leaving no room for error the rest of the regular season.
As things stand now, they are outside of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Of course, an impressive win over Tennessee (8-1, 5-1, No. 7 CFP) would surely push the Bulldogs right back into the mix.
“Coming into this week we had a choice to make, whether to dwell on this past weekend or look ahead and bounce back,” tight end Lawson Luckie said. “I think we’ve done a great job of that.”
While Smart insists he’s not looking at the big picture, he did concede that his top players are conveying an even greater sense of urgency to the rest of the team.
“The leaders are doing the right things,” the coach said. “They’re also owning up to mistakes they’ve made or how they’ve played. If it hasn’t been to their standard, they want to improve.”
The Volunteers haven’t beaten Georgia since 2016. They can take a major step toward the first playoff appearance in school history with a signature victory on the road.
“You earn the right to play in big football games by what you do during the course of the season,” coach Josh Heupel said. “In these games, you have to do ordinary things at a really high level consistently. For us, that means you have to prepare at an elite level.”
Georgia, which hasn’t played at home since Oct. 12, closes the regular season with three straight games between the hedges.
The Bulldogs have a 28-game home winning streak that dates to 2019 — a school record and the longest active run in FBS.
“Thank goodness it’s at our place,” Smart said. “We get to come home and play.”
Nico’s health
The biggest issue hanging over this game is the health of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He was injured in a victory over Mississippi State and reportedly began the week in concussion protocol.
While coach Josh Heupel expressed confidence that Iamaleava would be able to go against the Bulldogs, the redshirt freshman was listed as questionable on the Vols’ initial injury report.
Iamaleava has played a big role in Tennessee’s four-game winning streak. Going back to the second half of an Oct. 19 victory over Alabama, he has completed 65% of his passes for 1,879 yards, 11 TDs and four interceptions.
If Iamaleava is unable to play Saturday, it’s a big step down to fifth-year senior Gaston Moore.
Beck’s woes
Georgia has its own quarterback issues, but not because of an injury. Carson Beck has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10) over the last six games, hardly looking like a guy who came into his final college season hyped as a Heisman Trophy contender and possible first pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Bulldogs desperately need Beck to turn things around if they’re going to have any shot at winning their third national championship in four years. The offensive line isn’t doing him any favors. A week ago, Beck was sacked five time by Ole Miss.
Orange crush
Beck will have his hands full against a Tennessee defense that has allowed just 12.6 points per game, ranking fifth nationally. The Vols have yet to give up as many as 20 points in a game and they are one of the SEC’s top teams in pass efficiency defense, having surrendered only six touchdowns through the air.
“They play hard, and they have bought into the culture,” defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. “We talk about being tough and playing for each other and with great respect for the game. I just think we’ve got a great group.”
Series dominance
Tennessee’s quest to become one of the SEC’s elite programs has been stymied time and time again by the Bulldogs. Georgia has a seven-game winning streak in the series, and none of those games have been closer than two touchdowns.
A year ago, the Bulldogs romped to a 38-10 victory in Knoxville. Their average margin of victory during the current run is a whopping 26.4 points per game.
Tennessee’s most recent success against Georgia was an improbable 34-31 triumph in 2016, when the Vols completed a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown on the final play.
Run, Sampson, run
Running back Dylan Sampson has been a scoring machine for the Volunteers.
The junior already has a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns and leads the SEC with 1,129 yards on the ground. After sharing the load with Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small over the last two seasons, Sampson has the spotlight all to himself — and he’s sure taken a shine to it.
“When he gets hot, the whole team rises up,” running backs coach De’Rail Sims said. “When he makes a big run, the whole entire sideline becomes energized. He’s a spark plug for the whole entire unit on offense.”
NO. 17 CLEMSON LOOKS TO KEEP ACC TITLE GAME HOPES ALIVE AGAINST SUDDENLY STRUGGLING PITT
No. 17 Clemson (7-2, 6-1 ACC), at Pittsburgh (7-2, 3-2), Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Clemson by 10.
Series record: Pitt leads 3-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Tigers can keep its hopes of reaching the ACC title game alive with a victory over the suddenly struggling Panthers, who have dropped two straight following a 7-0 start. Pitt is still technically in the mix for the conference championship game but the Panthers have more pressing needs, like fixing an offense that has taken significant steps backward over the last month.
KEY MATCHUP
Pitt’s offensive line vs. Clemson’s defensive front. The Panthers have struggled to protect redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein, who left last week’s loss to Virginia after taking a shot to the head while sliding. While Clemson’s pass rush isn’t quite as fierce as it has been during its decade-plus run among the ACC’s and nation’s elite, the Tigers might not have to be to make things difficult against a line that looked disjointed against the Cavaliers.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clemson: QB Cade Klubnik. The junior’s numbers have dipped in recent weeks. He’s completing just 54% of his passes in November and absorbed a season-high four sacks against Virginia Tech last Saturday. Pitt figures to bring pressure regularly, meaning there will be chances to make plays downfield if Klubnik can hang in there.
Pittsburgh: LB Kyle Louis. The sophomore’s four interceptions rank fifth nationally and is tops among linebackers. Louis is also tied for the team lead with five sacks. The speedy Louis plays with an edge that Pitt desperately needs as it tries to figure its way out of a funk that has taken some of the shine off the program’s best start in over 40 years.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is the first meeting between the schools since the Panthers beat Clemson 27-17 at Acrisure Stadium 2021 on their way to an ACC title. … Clemson needs a win and at least one loss by No. 12 Miami or two losses by No. 14 SMU to make it to the ACC title game for the seventh time in the last 10 years. … Holstein’s status could be uncertain. The Alabama transfer took a shot to the head at the end of a scramble in the third quarter against the Cavaliers. If he can’t go, Nate Yarnell will get the start. … Pitt’s offense has cooled off considerably in conference play. The Panthers are averaging 351 yards in ACC games (13th) after averaging 522 yards during its nonconference schedule. … Panther RB Desmond Reid has been one of the few offensive bright spots during Pitt’s recent dip. The transfer from Western Carolina is fifth in the country in all-purpose yards (155.63). … Pitt’s pressure has picked up in recent weeks. The Panthers are fifth in the FBS in sacks per game (3.33).
ARKANSAS GETS A SHOT AT BOWL ELIGIBILITY AGAINST OLD FOE AND NO. 3 TEXAS
No. 3 Texas (8-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 3 CFP) at Arkansas (5-4, 3-3 SEC), Saturday, noon ET (ABC)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Texas by 13 1/2.
Series record: Texas leads 56-23.
What’s atsStake
This matchup between Texas and Arkansas is the renewal of their old rivalry from their Southwest Conference days. No. 3 Texas is positioned well for a College Football Playoff berth. A loss might not knock the Longhorns out, but they would rather not tempt fate. Their only loss, against Georgia, isn’t the resume-builder it could have been since the Bulldogs lost to Ole Miss last week. Arkansas failed to clinch bowl eligibility two weeks ago against Ole Miss. An upset over Texas would keep coach Sam Pittman’s seat from added heat.
Key matchup
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers vs. Arkansas pass defense. Ewers is a Heisman contender who improved his case last week by throwing five touchdown passes against Florida. Arkansas allowed six touchdowns and 562 yards through the air against Ole Miss in its previous game two weeks ago. Arkansas is last in the SEC in passing defense and 125th in the FBS, allowing 266 yards per game.
Players to watch
Texas: WR Isaiah Bond, who reignited a sluggish Texas offense last week against Florida after an ankle injury kept him out of the previous game. His speed challenges defense and he’s often the first passing option for Ewers.
Arkansas: Starting quarterback Taylen Green should be healthy (knee) after exiting against Ole Miss for the second half. He averages 246 yards passing per game and is third among SEC quarterbacks in yards rushing.
Facts and figures
Ewers has the eighth-best odds to win the Heisman, according to BetMGM. … Texas has won nine in a row on an opponent’s home field. The two road games Texas has lost the last two seasons have been on neutral fields … The Longhorns defense has forced multiple turnovers in four consecutive games … Texas ranks No. 2 nationally in total defense, No. 1 in fewest passing yards allowed … Texas joins Miami as the only teams in the country to have seven players with at least two touchdown receptions this season.
NO. 1 OREGON, WISCONSIN HAVE GONE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS SINCE THEIR LAST MATCHUP
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — When Oregon and Wisconsin last faced off in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day of 2020, the two programs legitimately could have considered themselves on equal footing.
They’ve gone in different directions ever since as they prepare to meet again Saturday night as conference rivals. No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten, No. 1 College Football Playoff ) seems headed toward a playoff berth, while Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3) is merely attempting to have a winning season.
A victory at Camp Randall Stadium would make Oregon 11-0 for the first time since 2010, when the Ducks went on to lose to Cam Newton and Auburn in the BCS championship game. In its first year as a Big Ten member, Oregon already has gotten the hang of these Midwest trips with a 35-0 victory at Purdue and a 38-17 triumph at Michigan.
“Our guys are enjoying the work,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “We’re still having a lot of fun coming up here every single day to get better and find ways to improve. And the challenge of this new conference and the travel and some of the teams we have to play has been a lot of fun for us, but we got more work to do.”
Much has changed since Oregon capped that 2019 season with a 28-27 Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin.
Oregon went a combined 21-6 and Wisconsin was 18-9 from 2018-19. Wisconsin earned double-digit wins five times in a six-year stretch from 2014-19.
But in the five seasons since that Rose Bowl game, Oregon has gone 46-12 while Wisconsin is just 32-23. Oregon has won its 10 games this season by an average margin of 19.7 points, while Wisconsin has lost it last two games by a combined 47 points.
Wisconsin is a 14-point underdog Saturday, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Badgers have gone 2-14 in their last 16 games against Top 25 teams, including an 0-5 mark under second-year coach Luke Fickell.
“We have nothing to lose,” Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler said. “Really no one expects us to win this game or have a chance. So why not just go out there and play? We have no pressure on us. At this point in the season, we’ve got three games left to just go out and do whatever we can to win.”
Record-setting QB
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been responsible for an NCAA-record 180 touchdowns (147 passing, 32 rushing, 1 receiving) during a career that also included stops at UCF (2019-21) and Oklahoma (2022-23). Gabriel broke the record by throwing three touchdown passes Saturday in a 39-18 victory over Maryland.
The record previously was held by Case Keenum, who was responsible for 178 touchdowns (155 passing, 23 rushing) while playing at Houston from 2007-11.
Gabriel has completed 74.1% of his passes this season to lead all Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks. He has thrown 22 touchdown passes with five interceptions.
Another top-five opponent
Saturday will mark the third time this season that Wisconsin has hosted a team ranked in the top five. The Badgers lost to then-No. 4 Alabama 42-10 on Sept. 14 and fell to then-No. 3 Penn State 28-13 on Oct. 26.
Struggling Locke
Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke has thrown three interceptions with only one touchdown pass during the Badgers’ two-game skid. He has completed 56.8% of his passes with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions since taking over for Tyler Van Dyke, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Alabama.
Balanced Ducks
Oregon is ranked ninth among all FBS teams in total defense and 11th in total offense. The only other teams to be ranked in the top 15 in both categories are No. 2 Ohio State (15th in total offense, 1st in total defense, 2nd in CFP), No. 3 Texas (9th in total offense, 2nd in total defense, 3rd in CFP) and No. 6 Tennessee (8th in total offense, 5th in total defense, 7th in CFP).
Wisconsin’s bowl streak
Wisconsin is one win away from becoming bowl eligible and two victories away from clinching a winning season. The Badgers have gone to a bowl game and have posted a winning record each of the last 22 seasons.
Wisconsin has the longest active streak of winning seasons for any Power Four program. The Badgers have the third-longest active bowl streak of any FBS team. Georgia will make its 27th straight bowl appearance this year. Oklahoma has played in a bowl game each of the last 24 seasons.
The Badgers follow up the Oregon game by visiting Nebraska (5-4, 2-4) and hosting Minnesota (6-4, 4-3).
NFL NEWS
FOURTH-QUARTER SURGE SENDS EAGLES PAST COMMANDERS
Saquon Barkley scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in 20 seconds and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame a slow start for a 26-18 win against the visiting Washington Commanders on Thursday night.
Held to three points in the first half, the Eagles (8-2) rallied to win their sixth straight game and strengthened their NFC East lead over the Commanders (7-4).
Jalen Hurts passed for 221 yards and rushed for 39. His 1-yard TD run with 12 minutes left gave Philadelphia its first lead at 12-10, but Jake Elliott missed the extra point after missing two first-half field-goal attempts.
Barkley rushed for 146 yards and went over the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth time in his career. His 23-yard TD run stretched the lead to 19-10 with 4:58 remaining.
Washington’s ensuing possession ended on the first play as Reed Blankenship intercepted Jayden Daniels, just the third pick thrown by the rookie in 11 starts.
Philadelphia capitalized on the game’s only turnover as Barkley broke free for a 39-yard TD run with 4:38 to play.
Daniels finished with 191 yards on 22-of-32 passing plus a late touchdown. Brian Robinson Jr. ran for 63 yards and a TD, and Austin Ekeler caught eight passes for 89 yards.
Zach Ertz, who played for the Eagles from 2013-21, caught a 5-yard TD from Daniels and added a toe-tapping two-point conversion with 28 seconds left in his return to Lincoln Financial Field. That got Washington within eight points, but Philadelphia recovered the onside kick to seal the win.
The teams meet again in Week 16 at Landover, Md.
Washington scored on its second possession, taking a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard run by Robinson with 3:26 left in the first quarter.
Philadelphia came up empty on its first five drives, including Elliott’s misses of 44 yards in the first quarter and 51 in the second. It was his first game with multiple misses since Week 16 of 2019.
Elliott converted his third try from 21 yards to make it 7-3 with 19 seconds before halftime.
Zane Gonzalez’s 45-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half put the Commanders up 10-3.
Elliott’s 31-yard field goal made it 10-6 with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA CRUISES PAST COPPIN ST.
MiLaysia Fulwiley put up 23 points and Chloe Kitts scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 1 South Carolina routed Coppin State 92-60 on Thursday in Columbia, S.C.
Te-Hina Paopao added 13 points and five assists for the Gamecocks (3-0). Joyce Edwards and Maryam Dauda each contributed 10 points for South Carolina, which shot 51.5 percent from the floor and compiled a 51-23 rebounding edge.
Laila Lawrence scored 20 points and Angel Jones notched 17 for the Eagles (2-2).
No. 8 Iowa State 80, St. Thomas (Minn.) 47
Audi Crooks shot 12-for-17 en route to 26 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds as the Cyclones topped the Tommies in Ames, Iowa.
Sydney Harris registered 13 points while Addy Brown had 10 for Iowa State (4-0).
Amber Scalia’s 11 points paced St. Thomas (3-1).
No. 10 Kansas State 86, Creighton 68
Ayoka Lee powered for 28 points in 16 minutes as the Wildcats topped the Bluejays in Manhattan, Kan.
Kansas State (3-0) jumped out to a 22-9 lead after one quarter and rolled to the win. Temira Poindexter and Serena Sundell each had 12 points for the Wildcats, with Sundell adding eight assists and seven rebounds.
Kennedy Townsend scored 16 points, Morgan Maly added 15 and Kiani Lockett had 11 for Creighton (1-2).
No. 13 North Carolina State 79, Kent State 51
After leading by just five points at halftime, the Wolfpack expanded the lead in the third quarter and then cruised in the fourth to beat the Golden Flashes in Raleigh, N.C.
Aziaha James paced NC State (2-1) with 20 points and nine rebounds, and Zamareya Jones scored 16 points.
Kent State (1-2) got 17 points and eight rebounds from Bridget Dunn, plus 15 points from Jenna Batsch.
No. 16 Duke 84, Dayton 49
Six players logged double-figure point totals for the Blue Devils in the one-sided victory over the Flyers at Durham, N.C.
Ten players hit the scoresheet overall for Duke (3-1), which got a team-high 17 points from Jordan Wood. Toby Fournier added 15 points.
Ivy Wolf had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Ajok Madol contributed 12 points for Dayton (2-1), which shot 32.1 percent from the floor and committed 24 turnovers.
No. 17 Baylor 104, East Texas A&M 55
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Bears nearly doubled up the Lions in Waco, Texas.
Aaronette Vonleh (18 points, 11 rebounds) also had a double-double for Baylor (2-1).
Cora Horvath was the top offensive threat for East Texas A&M (2-2) with 22 points.
No. 19 Ole Miss 80, Delaware State 42
Starr Jacobs hit 8 of 10 shots from the floor and scored 18 points as the Rebels pulled away from the Hornets in Dover, Del.
Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Sira Thienou each put up 13 points for Ole Miss (2-1), which outscored Delaware State 43-21 in the second half.
The Hornets (1-3) were led by Kiarra Mcelrath with 13 points and Mahogany Cottingham with 10.
No. 22 Alabama 88, Alcorn State 59
Essence Cody amassed 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as the Crimson Tide thrashed the Lady Braves in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Aaliyah Nye scored 17 points, Eris Lester had 15 and seven rebounds, and Sarah Ashlee Barker chipped in with 14 points and three steals for the Crimson Tide (5-0).
Destiny Brown was the only player in double figures for Alcorn State (1-3), scoring 12 points.
No. 23 Illinois 84, Eastern Illinois 37
Reserve Jasmine Brown-Hagger hit 10 of 15 shots scored 23 points to lead the Fighting Illini to a laugher against the Panthers in Champaign, Ill.
Gretchen Dolan added 13 points, Kendall Bostic produced 11 points and 12 rebounds and Adalia McKenzie also had 11 points for Illinois (3-0).
Jayda Johnston finished with eight points for Eastern Illinois (0-3).
BASEBALL NEWS
SHOHEI OHTANI, CHRIS SALE AMONG HONOREES AT MLB AWARDS SHOW
Shohei Ohtani and Chris Sale, who are expected to receive bigger prizes next week, were among the honorees Thursday at the MLB Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani, the likely National League Most Valuable Player, received the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.
Sale, the Atlanta Braves left-hander who is the expected NL Cy Young Award winner, was chosen the NL Comeback Player of the Year.
The AL Comeback Player of the Year award went to Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet.
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Emmanuel Clase and St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Ryan Helsley were chosen as the AL and NL Reliever of the Year, respectively.
Ohtani, who didn’t pitch in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery, still made plenty of impact from the DH position. He became the first player in major league history to hit 50-plus homers and steal 50-plus bases in the same season, finishing with an NL-leading 54 long balls and 59 thefts.
Ohtani also led the league with 130 RBIs, 134 runs, a .390 on-base percentage and a .646 slugging percentage.
Sale won the Triple Crown by leading the NL with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts after being limited to a total of 31 starts over the prior four seasons due to injuries.
Crochet missed all of the 2022 season and much of 2023 following Tommy John surgery. He rebounded to go 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts over 146 innings in 32 starts this year.
Clase topped the AL with 47 saves (in 50 chances) and had a spectacular 0.61 ERA and a 4-2 record in 74 games.
Helsley had a major-league-best 49 saves (in 53 opportunities) to go with a 7-4 mark and a 2.04 ERA in 65 appearances.
REPORT: RED SOX SIGNING RELIEVER JUSTIN WILSON
The Boston Red Sox reached an agreement with free agent reliever Justin Wilson, FanSided reported Thursday.
The 37-year-old left-hander was 1-5 with a 5.59 ERA and two saves in 60 games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2024.
Wilson, who missed the entire 2023 season after Tommy John surgery, struck out 51 batters in 46 2/3 innings.
He is 34-29 with a 3.61 ERA and 20 saves in 587 relief appearances with six major league teams since 2012.
RAYS TO PLAY HOME GAMES AT YANKEES’ STEINBRENNER FIELD IN 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays will play their home games for the 2025 season at nearby George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the American League East rival New York Yankees.
The need for the interim home in Tampa, Fla., comes on the heels of the extensive damage incurred at Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9.
“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as Hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild.”
“The Trop” is not expected to be playable for MLB games until the 2026 season, according to a report released Tuesday by the city of St. Petersburg, Fla.
“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a major league-quality facility for them to utilize this season,” said Hal Steinbrenner, chairman and managing general partner of Yankee Global Enterprises, which owns the Yankees.
“Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field.
“In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community, which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
Per the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays opted for Steinbrenner Field — which features a capacity of 11,026 — over BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. The latter park is the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Given the significant challenges caused by Hurricane Milton, I appreciate the hard work and collaboration between the two teams that allowed the Rays to make the best decision for next season,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “This outcome meets Major League Baseball’s goals that Rays’ fans will see their team play next season in their home market and that their players can remain home without disruption to their families.”
It is not immediately known what plans are in place for the Yankees’ Class-A Tarpons, who play at Steinbrenner Field in the summer.
Tropicana Field opened in 1990 and has hosted the Rays since their inaugural season in 1998.
NHL NEWS
NHL ROUNDUP: CONNOR MCDAVID BECOMES 4TH FASTEST TO 1,000 POINTS
Connor McDavid accomplished what the home fans wanted to see on Thursday, and then he allowed them to go home happy as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime.
After collecting his 1,000th career NHL point in the second period, McDavid fed Darnell Nurse in the three-on-three extra period with a no-look, behind-the-back pass. Nurse’s one-timer flew past Nashville goalie Scott Wedgewood to extend the Oilers’ winning streak to three games.
Nurse finished with two goals and an assist, while McDavid had a goal and an assist as he became the fourth fastest and fourth youngest to reach 1,000 points. Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl had a pair of assists, including the secondary helper on the winning goal. Calvin Pickard made 21 saves for the victory.
The Predators got goals from Michael McCarron and Cole Smith, the latter tying the game with 2:48 remaining in regulation. Wedgewood stopped 31 shots.
Flyers 5, Senators 4 (OT)
Matvei Michkov scored with 55 seconds left in overtime as Philadelphia rallied for a road victory over Ottawa.
Michkov’s game-winner came from a sharp angle, as he banked the puck off Linus Ullmark’s pad and into the net. His sixth goal of the campaign — and first career overtime tally — capped an impressive comeback by the Flyers, who trailed 4-2 with under 10 minutes left in regulation.
Ullmark finished with 14 saves and Josh Norris had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who had won their previous two games.
Lightning 4, Jets 1
Andrei Vasilevskiy became the fastest goaltender to notch his 300th career win, and host Tampa Bay stalled streaking Winnipeg.
Vasilevskiy stopped 23 shots for the Lightning to secure the landmark victory in his 490th career game, breaking the 61-year-old record held by Hall of Famer Jacques Plante (528 games). Vasilevskiy, 30, became the 40th netminder to eclipse 300 career wins.
Owning the NHL’s best record ever to start a season at 15-1-0, the Jets got a goal from Adam Lowry, while Eric Comrie made 25 saves.
Devils 6, Panthers 2
Jesper Bratt recorded his second career hat trick and Stefan Noesen scored two goals, lifting New Jersey to a victory in Sunrise, Fla.
Dawson Mercer also scored, and Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier had three assists apiece for New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Panthers for the second time in three days and have won seven of their past nine games overall.
Jake Allen turned aside 25 shots for the Devils to outduel Sergei Bobrovsky (23 saves) and send the Panthers to their second loss following a seven-game winning streak. Florida’s Sam Reinhart and Jesper Boqvist scored.
Sabres 4, Blues 3 (OT)
Rasmus Dahlin scored an overtime power-play goal to lift host Buffalo past St. Louis.
Ryan McLeod and Alex Tuch each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who won for the fourth time in five games. Zach Benson also scored for Buffalo, and Devon Levi made 24 saves.
Brandon Saad scored twice for the Blues, who lost for the seventh time in nine games (2-6-1). Pavel Buchnevich also scored and Brayden Schenn earned two assists for St. Louis. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves.
Stars 7, Bruins 2
Dallas never trailed and used three goals in a 5:34 span late in the second period to blow past the visiting Boston, sweeping the teams’ two-game season series.
Evgenii Dadonov posted his first multi-goal game of the season, scoring on a first-period penalty shot before closing the Stars’ quick-fire stretch in the second with only 10.6 seconds remaining in the period.
Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak scored goals, and Jeremy Swayman (31 saves) allowed a career-high seven goals for the Bruins, who were on a three-game point streak (2-0-1).
Kraken 3, Blackhawks 1
Jaden Schwartz scored his 200th career goal as Seattle defeated visiting Chicago.
Matty Beniers and Brandon Tanev also tallied for the Kraken, who improved to 3-0-0 on their six-game homestand. Goaltender Joey Daccord made 18 saves.
Ryan Donato scored for the Blackhawks, and Petr Mrazek stopped 23 of 25 shots. Chicago took its third loss in four games.
Wild 3, Canadiens 0
Filip Gustavsson stopped all 19 shots he faced as Minnesota pulled away to beat Montreal in Saint Paul, Minn.
Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Kirill Kaprizov scored for the Wild, who have won three of their past four games.
Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault took a hard-luck loss despite turning aside 25 of 27 shots. He dropped to 4-8-1 this season.
Rangers 3, Sharks 2
Mika Zibanejad and Jimmy Vesey scored 94 seconds apart in the second period and host New York rallied to beat San Jose for the ninth time in 11 games (9-0-2).
Vincent Trocheck netted New York’s third goal of the middle period. Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves after allowing five goals apiece in his previous two starts.
Timothy Liljegren tallied 2:51 into the contest and Fabian Zetterlund scored a power-play goal with the extra attacker with 27 seconds left in the game for the Sharks, who are 5-3-1 since opening with a nine-game skid (0-7-2). Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves.
Islanders 5, Canucks 2
Scott Mayfield and Pierre Engvall scored early in the second period for New York, which extended its point streak by beating host Vancouver.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored late in the first period before Anders Lee and Noah Dobson added goals in the third for the Islanders, who are 3-0-2 in their past five games. Bo Horvat and Grant Hutton each had two assists, and Lee also finished with two points.
New York goalie Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves, and counterpart Kevin Lankinen stopped 27 shots. Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored his first NHL goal 2:40 into the game and Tyler Myers scored late in the third period for the Canucks, who have lost two of three.
TOP INDIANA SPORTS HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES
INDIANA PACERS
GAME PREVIEW: PACERS VS HEAT
The road back to the Emirates NBA Cup Championship commences Friday night for the Indiana Pacers, and the Blue & Gold intend to take the title after falling just short last season.
Indiana (5-6) will host the Miami Heat (4-6) on Friday and Sunday, but the first matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will have more on the line since it’s the Blue & Gold’s first Group Play game of 2024.
If last year’s competition was any indication, fans can again expect a playoff-like atmosphere during NBA Cup (formerly called the In-Season Tournament) games, as all 30 NBA teams compete for the title and prize money. The Pacers were runners-up in the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final after beating out the rest of the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers’ other East Group B games will take place at the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 22, versus the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 29, and at the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 3.
Once Group Play is completed, the top teams from each group (and two wild cards) will then play single-elimination games, with the semifinals and championship games held in Las Vegas on Dec. 14 and Dec. 17.
The Pacers, 3-2 over their last five games, return home Friday after losing to the Orlando Magic 94-90 on Wednesday in the Sunshine State.
Against the Magic, the Pacers led by four points after three quarters before the Magic scored 13 unanswered points to begin the final frame. While the Pacers pulled within two points with 43 seconds left, the Blue & Gold couldn’t complete the comeback as the Magic made free throws and played tough defense in the final seconds.
Pascal Siakam topped the Pacers with 25 points in the loss, and Bennedict Mathurin logged 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Heading into the NBA Cup, Siakam and Mathurin have consistently played at a high level for the Blue & Gold.
Siakam is posting All-Star-like numbers 11 games into the season, averaging 20.5 points on 55.7 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while Mathurin has played the best stretch of his career over the last seven games by putting up 24 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists on average.
Indiana is continuing to deal with key injuries, as both Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard will sit out against the Heat due to ankle and knee injuries, respectively.
Miami has last four of its last five games heading into Friday’s matchup.
The Heat, who didn’t make any major moves in the offseason, are averaging just 110.2 points per game.
The Heat will be without star Jimmy Butler on Friday, who is recovering from a sprained ankle that has sidelined him the last two games. Butler is averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season.
Through 10 games, Tyler Herro is leading the Heat on offense, putting up 24.9 points and 5.3 assists per game, while big man Bam Adebayo is having another solid season, averaging 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Miami is 0-1 in East Group B play, losing to the Detroit Pistons 123-121 in overtime on Tuesday.
In an exciting finish, the Heat led by two points with 1.8 seconds left before the Pistons scored on an alley-oop inbounds pass from Cade Cunnigham to Jalen Duren. The Heat then called an illegal timeout after the made basket, and Pistons guard Malik Beasley hit the technical foul free throw for the win.
Herro scored a game-high 40 points against the Pistons, while Adebayo posted 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Heat shot 46.5 percent as a team, including going 17-for-45 from 3-point range.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Ben Sheppard, F – Bennedict Mathuin, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner
Heat: G – Terry Rozier, G – Tyler Herro, F – Haywood Highsmith, F – Kevin Love, C – Bam Adebayo
Injury Report
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson – out (torn right Achilles tendon), Andrew Nembhard – out (left knee patellofemoral inflammation), Aaron Nesmith – out (left ankle sprain), James Wiseman – out (torn left Achilles tendon)
Heat: Jimmy Butler – out (right ankle sprain)
Last Meeting
April 7, 2024: With major playoff implications on the line, the Pacers put together a 22-point lead early and held off a late Heat rally in a 117-115 win over the Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
By beating Miami, the Pacers won their regular season series with the Heat 2-1. Going into the game, the Pacers were sixth in the East, and the Heat sat seventh.
The Heat made it a one-point game after Tyler Herro drained a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left, but free throws by Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith helped seal the game.
Both teams had seven players score in double figures.
Turner topped the Pacers with 22 points and 13 rebounds and fellow veteran T.J. McConnell supplied 22 points off the bench, while Jimmy Butler led Miami with 27 points, Bam Adebayo registered 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Herro supplied 21 points with the Heat’s second unit.
Noteworthy
The Pacers will debut a new, special court on Friday that will be used during their NBA Cup games. The court pays tribute to legendary Pacers coach and broadcaster Bobby “Slick” Leonard, as his signature slogan “Boom Baby!” is printed the length of the court. See a sneak peek here.
Indiana went 2-1 against Miami last season. This season, the teams will meet four times: in Indianapolis on Friday and Sunday, and at Miami on Jan. 2 and Feb. 28.
Myles Turner needs 12 points to pass Paul George (8,090 career points) for eighth place in Pacers NBA franchise history.
Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton and Heat center Bam Adebayo won gold together for Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The next time Haliburton records 10+ assists in a game, it will be the 100th time he’s accomplished the feat while wearing the Blue & Gold. He only trails Mark Jackson (130) for the most games with 10+ assists in Pacers NBA franchise history.
Heat backup center Thomas Bryant played at Indiana University from 2015 to 2017.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
FanDuel Sports Network – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat on Friday, Nov. 15th to open NBA Cup play at 7:00 PM ET.
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA BASKETBALL GAME NOTES – GAME 3 VS. SOUTH CAROLINA
Opening Tip
• Indiana University continues its 125th season of competition in men’s basketball against South Carolina at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The game will be streamed on Peacock with Paul Burmeister (pxp) and Robbie Hummel (analyst) on the call.
• The Gamecocks enter the contest with a record of 2-1 behind 21.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game from sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles. Senior guard Jacobi Wright adds 16.0 points per game on 46.7% shooting from the 3-point line, while senior guard Jamarii Thomas averages 10.7 points and 3.3 assists.
Game Information
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 • 3 p.m. ET
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind.
TV: Peacock (Paul Burmeister, Robbie Hummel)
Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)
Series History: Indiana leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: IU 76, SC 55 on Nov. 8, 1998, in Indianapolis
Series History
• No. 17/18 Indiana (2-0) used a dominate second half to defeat Eastern Illinois by a score of 90-55 on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
• IU outpaced EIU 54-18 in the second half. The Panthers shot 5-of-30 (16.7%) from the floor, 2-of-10 (20.0%) from the 3-point line, and committed nine turnovers in the second half. The Hoosiers collected 32 points in the paint, 20 fastbreak points, and shot 22-of-34 (64.7%) from the floor over the final 20 minutes of the contest.
• Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako (18 points, 7 rebounds) paced a balanced Hoosier attack. Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo (17, 9), junior forward Malik Reneau (17, 6), and freshman wing Bryson Tucker (12) all hit double figures in the scoring column.
Second-Year Leap for Mgbako
• Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako scored a career-high 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the floor and 4-of-5 shots from behind the arc in Indiana’s victory over SIUE on Nov. 6 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
• Mgbako joined Marquette guard Kam Jones as the only high-major players to score 30 points on less than two free throw attempts in a game in the opening week of the season.
• The 31 points scored marked the most in a season debut for a Hoosier since 17-year NBA veteran Eric Gordon dropped 33 points in his collegiate debut against Chattanooga on Nov. 12, 2007. Former All-American Jimmy Rayl holds the program record for points in a season opener when he scored 35 against Virginia on Dec. 1, 1962.
• His two-game total of 49 points (24.5 points per game) are the most by an IU player in the first two games of a campaign since James Blackmon Jr. scored 49 (26 vs. Kansas, 23 vs. UMASS Lowell) at the beginning of the 2016-17 season.
Big Fella Ballo
• Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, who has secured 34 career double-doubles, is second among active college basketball players with 114 career wins.
• Against Eastern Illinois (Nov. 10), Ballo recorded 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in 27 minutes. He shot 8-of-10 from the field in the Indiana victory. He is one of three players (Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton; Danny Wolf, Michigan) this season to post a line of 17-9-3 or better while shooting at least 80.0% from the floor.
Gallo Dropping Dimes
• Fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway posted nine assists in 17 minutes off the bench in Indiana’s 80-61 season-opening win over SIUE in Bloomington.
• In the last 25 seasons of major conference basketball, Gallo is the 10th player to have at least nine assists in 17 minutes or less. He is the first player to achieve the feat since Vanderbilt guard Carter Josephs on Feb. 22, 2014.
• Galloway finished the 2023-24 B1G season with 105 total assists, tied for the second most in program history in conference play. His also had multiple 12-assist games last season to become the first Hoosier to achieve that feat since Naismith Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas (1980-81).
• The Culver, Ind., native is averaging 19.2 assists per 40 minutes this season and leads the NCAA in assists per game (8.5) off the bench. He has handed out 17 helpers in 35 minutes.
Reneau for Two
• Junior forward Malik Reneau is averaging 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game through the first week of the college basketball season.
• The Miami, Fla., native is shooting 61.9% (13-of-21) from the floor and 85.7% (6-of-7) from the free throw line in 26.5 minutes per game.
• Reneau has tallied 15-plus points 21 times in his career, including both games this season, and topped the 20-point threshold seven times.
Inside Indiana BASKETBALL WITH MIKE WOODSON
Inside Indiana Basketball Radio Show with Mike Woodson Presented By CommunityCars.com will air at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 18. The show can be heard statewide on the CareSource Radio Network from Learfield and will be broadcast live from Hoosier Hanks East in Bloomington.
Inside Indiana Basketball Broadcast Dates
November 18
December 2, 16
January 6, 27
February 17, 24
March 10
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
INDIANA SWEPT IN IOWA
CORALVILLE, Iowa – Nothing went right on Thursday (Nov. 14) evening at Xtream Arena as the Indiana Volleyball team (12-13, 5-10 B1G) was swept in convincing fashion by Iowa (18-25, 22-25, 21-25). Iowa broke a nine-game losing streak overall with the victory. The Hoosiers’ losing streak in Coralville extends out to three-consecutive matches with the defeat.
The Hoosiers couldn’t stop anything from the Hawkeyes, allowing the hosts to hit .371 (47-11-97) in the match. IU had just three blocks and only dug 34 balls in the three-set defeat. Freshman outside hitter Malu Garcia had 13 kills to lead Iowa’s offensive effort. All five primary attackers had at least seven kills.
After junior opposite Avry Tatum was pulled in the first set, struggling her way through a nagging injury, IU was unable to find any offensive rhythm. IU had 36 kills but made 10 unforced attacking errors and hit .218 on the evening. Senior outside hitter Mady Saris came off the bench to provide 13 kills. IU’s starting five attackers had just 19 kills in three games.
Normally stout in serve receive, IU struggled to pass with efficiency on the evening. Iowa racked up seven aces in three games. The Hoosiers’ middles had just 15 combined swings as a result. IU was able to pick up eight aces from the end line, led by three from graduate student defensive specialist Delaynie Maple.
Senior setter Camryn Haworth had 28 assists, breaking the program’s rally-era assist record along the way. No setter under the current scoring format (since 2001) has tallied more career assists than Haworth’s 3,727. She also racked up eight digs and three kills on the night.
The Hoosiers will finish off the road trip at No. 2 Nebraska on Saturday (Nov. 16) evening. The match will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network at 8:30 PM ET/7:30 PM CT.
Set Breakdown
Set 1: Iowa 25, Indiana 18
After a promising start to the match, IU quickly fell victim to a number of unnecessary attacking errors. The Hoosiers hit just .061 (9-7-33) in the first set with star junior Avry Tatum pulled halfway through due to a nagging injury. Iowa hit a blistering .433 (16-3-30) and added three blocks to take a commanding lead. IU managed to dig just eight balls over 43 points, led by four from sophomore Ramsey Gary.
• IU got off to a great start, opening up a 7-5 lead on a service ace from junior Madi Sell. After a pair of attacking errors from Tatum and junior Candela Alonso-Corcelles, Iowa took the lead back at 9-8. Alonso-Corcelles tried to go sharp into the crosscourt and missed wide to hand the hosts the advantage.
• In a back-and-forth affair, the Hoosiers handed Iowa a series of points. Three-straight attacking errors from Alonso-Corcelles, Sell and Tatum send Iowa into the media timeout with a 15-13 lead. Before the first break in the match, IU had already made five attacking errors.
• The Hoosiers took timeouts down 14-17 and 17-22 with Iowa getting whatever they wanted offensively. With graduate student Delaynie Maple playing an undersized front row and Tatum working through injury, IU brought seniors Mady Saris and Morgan Geddes off the bench to spell the runs.
• Iowa closed the opening frame on a 4-1 run. A kill from middle blocker Gracie Gibson proceeded an ace from outside hitter Alyssa Worden. The Hawkeyes closed the set out on a double block that was sent back on IU’s side. After being tied at 13-all, Iowa finished with a 12-5 advantage.
Set 2: Iowa 25, Indiana 22
IU was much better offensively with the addition of Saris into the lineup but still couldn’t get anything going defensively. Saris had six kills on 14 swings (one error) to keep the Hoosiers in the match but no one else had more than two in the set. IU blocked just one ball in game two and allowed Iowa to hit .419 (two errors). Iowa turned up the pressure with five aces – three of those on Geddes – and pulled away late to take a commanding lead in the match.
• IU was forced to change its lineup again early in set two after Geddes was aced a pair of times and Haworth bump set a ball out of bounds. Iowa was up 6-2 in game two before things started to click into gear. IU answered on a 9-3 run with a kill from Saris sending the Hoosiers up 11-9.
• Saris and Maple started to take big swings to get the Hoosiers back into the match. Maple took a big rip through the block, terminating a long rally and leveling things at 14-all in set two.
• IU got a late jolt in the set after going down three (19-22). Saris converted on a fantastic shot in the back row before sophomore Luca Fickell placed a perfect serve in front of the defender for an ace. Iowa called timeout. From there, it was a 3-1 run to finish off game two. Iowa won 25-22 and took a commanding lead in the match.
Set 3: Iowa 25, Indiana 21
With the match – and its season – on the line, IU never quite showed up in set three. IU played better defense but still had just one block in game three. Saris terminated on seven kills to continue her outstanding night off the bench. Iowa got a balanced effort however, led by five kills from outside hitter Michelle Urquhart. IU gave away four service errors, including two from Haworth, and never quite found its footing in serve receive. Iowa finished off the match with little fight at the end from the Hoosiers.
• Iowa quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead, failing to side out against libero Joy Galles from the service line. After Alonso-Corcelles was aced, head coach Steve Aird had to burn his first timeout. After the break, Saris helped spell a 5-0 run to level things at 5-all. Saris had her eight kill of the match to help close the gap.
• The Hawkeyes got an important challenge reversal to take the lead to 11-8. The ball was initially ruled out off the Iowa block but the officials deemed it touched Alonso-Corcelles on the way down. The Hoosiers briefly led at 16-15 after a block from Saris and sophomore Ava Vickers.
• From there, it was a 10-5 run for the home team to finish off the sweep. After a kill from Vickers to make it 18-all, Iowa responded with a 4-0 run from a host of IU mistakes. Haworth sent a serve long out of the timeout and Iowa quickly finished off the final two points and the match.
Top Hoosier Performers
#10 Haworth, Camryn
28 assists, 8 digs, 3 kills
#4 Saris, Mady
13 kills, 2 blocks, .345 hitting percentage
Notes to Know
• Senior setter Camryn Haworth set the school’s all-time rally-era assists record with 28 helpers in Thursday (Nov. 14)’s match. She stands along among assists (3,727) under Hoosiers during the current scoring format (since 2001). Among IU setters in the rally-era, she is first in assists, kills (353), digs (891), aces (206) and second in blocks (168).
• Senior outside hitter Mady Saris provided a team high 13 kills on the evening, hitting .345 with just three errors. It was the 56th time in her career – and sixth time this season – she’s reached double figures in kills. She’s now got 1,057 kills in her IU career.
• Sophomore libero Ramsey Gary had 11 digs in Thursday’s match, moving past 900 in her career. Her 906 digs are the most by any IU player across her first two years of college volleyball. Caitlin Cox – who holds IU’s all-time digs record – had 890 through her first two years of college volleyball. Gary has five matches to try and keep her on pace to break that record in two years’ time.
INDIANA WRESTLING
INDIANA TO COMPETE IN INAUGURAL BIG TEN TAKEDOWN DUAL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– The Big Ten Conference, home to the last 17 straight NCAA Wrestling Champions, will continue to raise the bar as the premier wrestling conference in the country when it hosts the inaugural Big Ten Takedown: Indiana vs. Illinois Wrestling Dual on Friday, Dec. 6, in Indianapolis, the conference office announced on Thursday morning.
The Hoosiers will take on The Fighting Illini at 5 p.m. ET in the center of Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper at the Indiana Convention Center in conjunction with the 2024 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game. The contest will be broadcast by Big Ten Network with doors set to open to fans at 4 p.m. ET.
It will be the first time that Indiana has competed in the state’s capital since 2010.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com for $25 each. Every Big Ten Takedown ticket will allow complimentary admission into the Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper at the Indiana Convention Center Friday, Dec. 6, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. ET and Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. ET.
More than 200,000 square feet in the Indiana Convention Center will be dedicated to interactive games, entertainment – including special guest appearances and mascots – performances by participating team bands, Big Ten merchandise sales, giveaways, food and beverages, and much more. Fans are encouraged to complete the Fan Fest waiver in advance to expedite entry into Fan Fest.
Pending availability, Big Ten Takedown tickets may be purchased on-site at the Georgia Street Ticket Office located outside of Hall J in the Indiana Convention Center starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Tickets are $25, while individuals with a valid Military ID will be eligible to purchase a ticket for $13.
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
#13 PURDUE HOSTS #2 ALABAMA IN FRIDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN
GAMEDAY INFORMATION — GAME 04
[13] Purdue (3-0) vs. [2] Alabama (3-0)
7 p.m. ET | West Lafayette, Indiana
Mackey Arena (14,876 – SOLD OUT)
TELEVISION: Peacock (Paul Burmeister, Robbie Hummel, Caroline Pineda)
RADIO: Purdue Global Radio Network (Rob Blackman, Bobby Riddell)
THE NOTES TO KNOW
• The No. 13-ranked Purdue men’s basketball team wraps up its season-long, four-game homestand with its toughest opponent to date, when No. 2-ranked Alabama visits Mackey Arena for a Friday night showdown. It marks the first year of a home-and-home with the Crimson Tide as the Boilermakers will return to Tuscaloosa next season. It also marks the second straight year the two teams will face off, as Purdue defeated Alabama 92-86 in a classic contest in Toronto last season (box score found later in packet).
• There will be 21 teams and 23 NBA scouts in attendance for Friday’s contest. It’s believed to be the most NBA teams at a game in 30 years.
• The two teams comprised two of the four squads that made the Final Four a year ago. Both teams’ seasons were unfortunately ended by National Champion Connecticut. The Huskies topped Alabama in the semifinals, before defeating Purdue in the title game. Purdue will play two of the three other teams in the 2024 Final Four, when it faces North Carolina State in San Diego on Thanksgiving Day.
• Alabama’s No. 2 national ranking marks the highest-ranked visitor into Mackey Arena in almost 13 years. The last team ranked in the top two that played in Mackey Arena was No. 2 Ohio State on Feb. 20, 2011, a 76-63 Purdue victory. The Crimson Tide will be the highest-ranked non-conference team to play in Mackey Arena since Mackey Arena’s very first game, a 73-71 loss to No. 1 UCLA on Dec. 6, 1967.
• Purdue owns a 6-15 record all-time against teams ranked No. 2 in the AP poll. However, the Boilermakers are 5-6 in their last 11 games against teams ranked No. 2, spanning almost 35 years. Purdue is 3-1 at Mackey Arena against teams ranked No. 2.
• Purdue is looking for its 25th straight victory in November and its 21st straight home victory overall. The Boilermakers have won 29 straight home games against non-conference foes and is 59-2 since the start of the 2015-16 season vs. non-conference teams at home.
• The Boilermakers haven’t lost a non-conference regular-season game since Dec. 8, 2020, at Miami, Florida — a span of 1,439 days and 38 games. The streak is tied for the fifth-longest streak in NCAA history. Purdue has defeated seven teams ranked in the AP top 11.
• The Boilermakers are looking to start 4-0 for the fourth straight season. The last time Purdue didn’t start 4-0 was in 2020-21, starting the season with a 3-1 record. The Boilermakers have started 8-0 (2021-22), 13-0 (2022-23) and 7-0 (2023-24) in its last three seasons.
• Matt Painter won his 450th game at Purdue (in his 20th season) on Friday night, becoming the fourth Big Ten coach to reach that mark.
• Purdue has been ranked in 40 straight AP Top 25 polls, the sixth-longest active streak in the country and the third longest in school history.
• Purdue is looking to become the first team to win three straight outright Big Ten titles since the Boilermakers did it in 1994-96. Ohio State also accomplished the feat in 1960-62 as the only programs to record an outright “threepeat”.
• Purdue’s 113 wins over the last four seasons are the third-most nationally behind Houston (126) and Gonzaga (119). The Boilermakers’ 113 wins during that span are the most for a four-year span in Purdue history. The record for most wins in a five-year stretch is 130 (2015-19).
• Purdue, Duke, Gonzaga and Houston are the only programs in America to have made at least a Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final Four in the last five NCAA Tournaments. Purdue reached the Sweet 16 in 2022, the Elite 8 in 2019 and the Final Four in 2024.
• Matt Painter ranks fourth on the Big Ten’s list for career wins with 450, trailing only Tom Izzo (709), Bob Knight (662) and Gene Keady (512) in Big Ten history. On the Big Ten games-only chart, Painter is fifth (226 wins), needing two wins to tie Hall of Famer, Ward “Piggy” Lambert of Purdue with 228 victories.
• Braden Smith (473) needs nine assists to move into third place on Purdue’s career assists list. Tony Jones (1987-90) and Everette Stephens (1985-88) are tied for third with 481 career helpers.
PURDUE FOOTBALL
PURDUE HOPING TO PULL BIG SURPRISE IN HOME FINALE AGAINST NO. 4 PENN STATE
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It’s been a rugged season for coach Ryan Walters and the Purdue Boilermakers.
They endured the most lopsided loss in school history, 66-7, haven’t won a game since August and still don’t have a victory over an FBS team. Half of their eight losses have come by 35 or more points and it’s not getting any easier in West Lafayette, Indiana.
They’ve already faced No. 1 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State and now Purdue will close out its home schedule Saturday against No. 4 Penn State before finishing the regular season at No. 5 Indiana in two weeks.
“That’s what you get when you play in this conference,” Walters said this week when asked about the difficult schedule. “You want opportunities to see where you stack and go compete against the best. Nobody is complaining about playing good teams and elite teams. If the goal is to be an elite program, that’s how you get there.”
Purdue (1-8, 0-6 Big Ten) has tried everything to change directions — firing the offensive coordinator, changing the play-caller and quarterbacks, even playing aggressively for the win in two overtime losses.
Nothing has worked. The Boilermakers enter Week 12 as one of eight FBS schools winless in league play and in the group of three with six or more conference losses. The eight-game losing streak is Purdue’s longest since finishing the 2013 season with 10 straight. And with the Nittany Lions coming to town, the obstacles only get tougher.
Penn State (8-1, 5-1, No. 4 CFP) begins the weekend in solid playoff position and with an outside shot of making the Dec. 4 Big Ten title game in Indianapolis — if it continues winning.
So Nittany Lions coach James Franklin has cautioned his team against looking ahead against a team and a coach looking to prove the doubters wrong in their home finale.
“Coach (Walters) is calling the offense, and as a defensive guy, I think that’s impressive as well as challenging,” Franklin said. “Defensively, this is a team that is going to match your personnel probably as much as anybody we have played. Where they’re different than a lot of teams they’ll go four down and five down. Usually you see four down and three down. They’ll go five down.”
On deck?
When Walters was hired in December 2022, one of the first players he chased in the transfer portal was quarterback Hudson Card, a two-year starter at Purdue.
He left Texas, in part, because he wanted to add his name to the cherished list the school dubbed “Cradle of Quarterbacks.” Now, after two mediocre seasons and with promising Ryan Browne backing him up, this could be Card’s final home game despite having one year of eligibility remaining.
Card and Browne have both played the last couple of weeks and it could happen again.
“We’ll keep those decisions in house, but yeah, if I was Penn State, I would be preparing for both,” Walters said.
Comfortable QB
Critics have contended in previous seasons that the Nittany Lions fell short because of their play at quarterback.
But Franklin has no complaints with Drew Allar’s performance this season. In fact, he’s seen Allar take his game to a different level.
“I think Drew looks consistently comfortable and in control in the games,” Franklin said. “I think probably the biggest thing for him I’ve noticed is his mobility. I think it’s been a huge factor for him and for our offense, especially vertical scrambles up in the pocket. Stepping up and climbing the pocket has been big.”
Special trouble
Each week, something seems to backfire on Purdue and last week it was the special teams units. Purdue’s first punt was blocked deep in its territory and Ohio State quickly converted that miscue into a score, and later in the first quarter the Boilermakers missed a 21-yard field goal.
That prompted Walters to acknowledge this week, he will hold a kicking competition before deciding whether to use Spencer Porath or Ben Freehill this week.
“Snaps and holds looked good to me,” Walters said after watching the Buckeyes game tape before addressing when he’d make a decision. “After Thursday’s practice.”
PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BOILERS BOUNCE BACK VS. IU INDY
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team shot 50% from the field and 61.5% from behind the arc to knock off IU Indy 83-64 on Thursday night in Mackey Arena.
The Boilermakers shook off a slow start offensively to score over 20 points in each of the final three quarters. A trio of Boilermakers finished in double figures, led by Reagan Bass with a season-high 22 points.
TOP STATS
Bass nearly recorded her first double-double as a Boilermaker on Thursday, grabbing nine rebounds. The senior scored at all three levels going 7-of-13 from the field, 1-of-1 behind the arc and 7-of-8 at the line. Bass added a pair of blocks and a steal.
Sophie Swanson gave the Boilermakers a boost from the outside with a season-high 17 points on 7-of-11 with a trio of 3-pointers. Destini Lombard finished in double figures for the third straight game with an efficient night from the floor – 6-of-7 shooting and 3-of-4 from distance. Lombard added four assists.
Purdue connected on eight 3-pointers coming from four different players. The 61.5% clip marked just the second time the Boilermakers drained eight or more 3-pointers while shooting 60% or better from distance, matching the program-record performance of 15 triples (65.2%) at Illinois in 2021-22.
KEY MOMENTS
• After IU Indy opened the game with a 7-4 advantage, the Boilermakers rolled off eight straight points all from different players. Lana McCarthy and Kendall Puryear combined for eight of the Boilermakers’ 14 rebounds in the frame.
• 12-2 run to end the first. Regan caps it with a runner with six seconds left.
• Swanson connected on a long-range 3-pointer to start the second with five straight points to force an IU Indy timeout.
• Swanson and Bass combined for nine points as the Boilermakers opened a 30-14 lead with 6:18 to play in the second.
• Purdue carried a 39-29 lead into the break after shooting an even 50% from the field in the first half with 24 points in the paint.
• Swanson scored the Boilermakers’ first five points of the third to keep Purdue’s advantage at 10 points.
• Following a five-point run by IU Indy midway through the frame, Purdue connected on three straight 3-pointers to start a 18-5 run over the final 6:09 of the period.
• The Boilermakers went 8-of-8 at the line in the fourth quarter to close out the game.
NOTES
• Purdue leads the all-time series 6-1.
• The Boilermakers outscored the Jaguars 34-18 in the paint.
• Purdue flipped 17 IU Indy turnovers into 17 points.
• Rashunda Jones came off the bench for the first time this season and tallied eight points. She finished with a plus-minus of 25, including a plus-16 in 12 first half minutes.
• The Boilermakers won the rebounding battle 39-28 and flipped 10 offensive rebounds into 13 points.
• Lana McCarthy finished with six rebounds in 14 minutes on the floor.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will play their fourth straight home game to start the year on Monday with a 7 p.m. tipoff against Bellarmine at Mackey Arena on B1G+.
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL
CHICOINE LEADS #8 PURDUE TO 3-0 SWEEP VS. RUTGERS
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 8 Purdue volleyball downed Rutgers in sweeping fashion, 25-14, 25-14, 25-16 in front of a sold-out crowd in Holloway Gymnasium. The effort was led by Chloe Chicoine’s 16 kills and .542 hitting % in the one-hour-16-minute match.
The Boilermakers are 9-1 over their last 10 matches as they improve to 21-5 (12-3 Big Ten) while the Scarlet Knights fall to 5-21 (0-15 Big Ten).
Raven Colvin amassed her 600th career block in the match on her way to four total blocks (1-3). The senior ranks second all-time in Purdue’s annals in both career blocks and block assists behind All-American Stephanie Lynch (2005-08).
Meanwhile, setter Taylor Anderson dished out 35 assists in the victory. With the performance, she reached her 1,000th assist of the season in Set 3 to bring her career total to 2,111. She finished the night with four kills, marking the third consecutive match she’s posted as many.
Purdue led for the entirety of the match vs. Rutgers, ending the night with a .370 attack % and eight blocks while holding its foe to .073 clip and four blocks. It was the fifth match this season the Boilermakers have hit above .350% as a team.
Purdue opened the match with a .351 hitting %, led by Chloe Chicoine’s .571 clip. The sophomore went on to post five kills in Set 2 and six in Set 3 all the while not committing more than one attack error in each frame. Her efficiency rated as the second-highest of her career, a mark that was set at Rutgers just two weeks ago. Additionally, her 16 kills were the third-most this season.
Eva Hudson, who was named earlier today as an AVCA Player of the Year semifinalist, posted 15 kills and 10 digs for her ninth double-double of the season, 26th of her career.
Lizzie Carr set a career-high hitting % with five kills on seven swings for a .714 clip and added one block assist.
Ali Hornung anchored the back row, digging 15 balls. The senior closes in on her 1,000th career dig, ending the night with 981. She served up half of the team’s aces (two of four).
No. 8 Purdue will be back in action on Sunday vs. Illinois at 5 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. The fighting Illini are 4-1 over their last five matches, picking up wins last week vs. #20 USC in five sets and a sweep vs. Ohio State. They will take on No. 4 Penn State in University Park tomorrow night before heading to West Lafayette.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
NO. 8 NOTRE DAME HAS PLAYOFF MENTALITY HEADING INTO MATCHUP AGAINST VIRGINIA
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman expects his team to bring a playoff mentality to Saturday’s showdown against Virginia.
The eighth-ranked Fighting Irish have no choice.
After winning steven straight to move back into playoff position, Notre Dame has three games left to prove they belong — and should earn a chance to host a playoff game. One stumble along the way, Freeman knows, could ruin everything.
“This game is the Super Bowl,” Freeman said. “No matter if we are in the playoff hunt or not, it’s the same mindset. You get 12 of these guaranteed opportunities.”
The Irish (8-1, No. 8 CFP) have already assured themselves of a 13th game, but in South Bend earning a bowl bid is the bare minimum. Success is measured in national championships and the 36-year title drought is the longest since Notre Dame won its first crown in 1924. So if the Irish want to change direction, they must first earn a bid to the expanded 12-team playoff — and that quest continues against Virginia (5-4), a team looking to become bowl eligible.
“To think about anything other than (Saturday), you’re doing this game a disservice,” Freeman said. “To make a game mean less than another game because you’re going to make the playoffs or not, you don’t love this game of football, man. That’s the mindset we have. Every week is the Super Bowl.”
The Cavaliers (5-4) have plenty to prove, too, after rebounding from a three-game losing streak with a 24-19 upset at then-No. 23 Pittsburgh. That victory gave Virginia a much needed momentum boost that coach Tony Elliott believes could help the Cavaliers post their first win in five tries against Notre Dame.
“Hopefully the guys have confidence after last week that they know what they need to do to prepare, but (are) just excited about the opportunity,” Elliott said.
It certainly won’t be easy against Notre Dame’s balanced attack. The Irish are one of seven FBS teams ranked among the top 15 in both scoring offense and scoring defense despite a series of injuries to some top defensive player. Yet in last week’s 52-3 rout over Florida State, Notre Dame finished with eight sacks and returned an interception for a TD while piling up 453 total yards of offense.
Virginia’s defense, meanwhile, limited Pitt to 292 total yards, 127 on the ground while picking off two passes and rallying from a 13-7 halftime deficit.
Notre Dame took notice.
“They had a huge win last week versus Pitt, they’re a talented bunch and they’re playing that way with confidence and physicality,” Freeman said.
Familiar face
Elliott is familiar with game-planning for Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. But this isn’t the same quarterback the Cavaliers played multiple times when Leonard was at Duke.
Leonard transferred to Notre Dame during the offseason.
“He looks like a different guy,” Elliott said. “Just watching him, he’s very efficient throwing the ball, very decisive when he pulls it down to run. I don’t know if past experience really (matters) because he’s got a different supporting cast, different offensive line in front of him, but (we’re) just excited for the match-up and the challenge.”
Tyree returns
The Irish also will be facing a familiar foe — Chris Tyree, who started his career at Notre Dame. Tyree led the Irish in yards receiving (484) and yards per catch (14.6) last season.
This year, Tyree has 124 yards, but Freeman isn’t worried he’ll be giving Virginia any inside information.
“That’s not a concern at all,” Freeman said. “There’s a new offensive coordinator, new signals, new terminology. But I really respect Chris as a person, as a football player. Just glad he’s got his Notre Dame degree, and he’s a talented football player we’ll have to account for.”
Bright lights
Freeman said he loves the electricity produced at Saturday night games, such as last week’s Florida State contest. Yet he worries about how the changing game times can impact players.
“The atmosphere and environment is better for night games. We know that,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the lights, crowd or what it is, but there’s also a back end of it, and the back end of it is the lack of rest. You lose the valuable sleep and recovery you need postgame on Saturdays, especially a night away game.”
NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
MATTHEW ROOU NAMED ACC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Matthew Roou earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors on Wednesday, as voted on by the ACC head coaches. Roou becomes the fourth player in program history to earn ACC Offensive Player of the year honors and the first since 2017.
The senior joins elite company, as Jon Gallagher (2016), Patrick Hodan (2014) and Harry Shipp (2013) also achieved the honor.
Along with the ACC Offensive Player of the Year accolade, Roou was also named First Team All-ACC. Joining Roou on All-ACC teams was teammate Bryce Boneau, who picked up third team status as a senior midfielder.
Roou currently leads the ACC in points (32), points per game (1.88), goals (14) and goals per game (0.82). The talisman’s 14 goals are the most in a season by an Irish player since Jon Gallagher scored 14 during the 2016 campaign.
The prolific forward is tied for 10th on the ND all-time goal scoring list with Sami Kahale at 34 goals. Roou now has 84 career points off 35 goals and 14 assists.
Boneau was selected as the team captain this season and dished out a career-high eight assists during the 2024 campaign. The skipper ranks in the top five in the ACC in both assists and assists per game. In his Fighting Irish career, Boneau has 28 points off five goals and 18 assists over three seasons of play.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
19. NCAA TOURNAMENT TIME IN SOUTH BEND
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – It’s becoming a tradition at Alumni Stadium — opening the NCAA Tournament in South Bend. On Friday, Nov. 15, the Notre Dame women’s soccer team will do just that, kicking off against Milwaukee at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Fighting Irish (11-3-4), who drew a No. 4 seed will start their postseason journey with the Horizon League champs in the Panthers (12-6-2), who are unbeaten in their last 13 matches.
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
For the 30th time over the last 32 years, Notre Dame women’s soccer qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Notre Dame’s overall postseason record sits at 74-25-4. Their 74 victories are tied for third-most with UCLA (74-22-6) and rank only behind Florida State (77-19-4) and UNC (145-18-4).
Irish are an impressive 51-4-1 at home in the NCAA Tournament
They also have recorded 50 all-time clean sheets in the NCAA Tournament.
Notre Dame will be a seeded team for the fourth consecutive year, earning the four-seed in the bottom-right quadrant.
The past four seasons under Doug & Lisa Jones Head Coach Nate Norman: Sweet 16 in 2021, Elite Eight in 2022, 2nd Round in 2023.
IRISH HOST HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPS
It will likely be the last time the Irish take the field of Alumni Stadium for the 2024 season, so it’s time to go off on a high note.
What’s at stake — simple, survive and advance, but also a little redemption along the way. The last time the Panthers visited South Bend, they escaped with a 2-2 draw after a buzzer-beating desperation shot from near midfield.
The winner of Friday’s matchup will most likely head to Starkville and will play the winner of West Virginia/No. 5 seed Kentucky.
Notre Dame is 7-1-1 all-time against Milwaukee. The Panthers are 12-6-2 on the season and are making their 18th NCAA Tournament appearance.
NOTRE DAME’S RESUME
RPI of 12. They are 3-2-1 against the RPI Top-25.
Irish competed in the No. 1 RPI league that is the ACC and went 5-2-4. Before the ACC Tournament, Notre Dame was the only ACC school to earn a point against the Duke Blue Devils.
The Irish are 4-3-1 against ranked opposition this season. They have defeated No. 6 Stanford, No. 25 Cal, No. 13 TCU and No. 14 Virginia, while tying at No. 1 Duke.
All 3 of ND’s losses were to ranked teams. They dropped the season opener against then No. 13 Michigan State and then later against then No. 19 Virginia Tech at No. 6 Florida State.
Notre Dame against top seeds in the field: Tied 3-3 vs. No. 1 Duke, Lost 1-2 at No. 1 FSU, Won 3-0 over No. 3 Stanford, Won 1-0 over No. 4 Virginia, Won 4-0 over No. 5 TCU, Lost 1-2 vs. No. 5 Michigan St.
FRESHMEN CLEAN UP ACC AWARDS
Kudos to Coach Norman for the talent he’s been developing in South Bend. For it was the third straight year in which the program took an ACC ‘of the year’ award. And get this, it’s been three different players as well. Korbin Albert in 2022 (ACC Midfielder of the Year), Eva Gaetino in 2023 (ACC Defender of the Year) and now Izzy Engle in 2024 (ACC Freshman of the Year).
Engle’s awards didn’t stop there. The Minnesota native was also named First Team All-ACC alongside junior defender Leah Klenke. Third-Team All-ACC honors went to freshmen Annabelle Chukwu and Lily Joseph.
Klenke, who missed a portion of the early season because she was busy winning a bronze medal with Team USA at the U20 World Cup. Klenke came back and solidified the back-three while also securing a goal and an assist. This marks the second straight year for Klenke taking home an All-ACC award, improving upon her Second-Team status in 2023.
The Irish dominated the ACC All-Freshman Team list with four of the 11 spots, the most of any school. Izzy Engle, Lily Jospeh, Ellie Hodsden and Annabelle Chukwu were all named to the All-Freshman Team. The foursome rank first, second, third and fifth, respectively, on the team in total points. They also equated for 37 of the team’s 45 goals.
TRENDING
Notre Dame’s highest national rankings: ninth in both scoring offense (2.5) and shots per game (19.0). Irish average 8.5 SOG/game which ranks 15th nationally.
ND’s +29 goal differential ranks 15th in the country and third in the ACC.
Irish are 11-0 when scoring first this season. ND is 10-0-1 when leading at the half. They are 9-0-2 when allowing just one goal or less.
37 of the team’s 45 goals have been scored by freshmen.
Right now the top-five point getters on the team are freshmen: Izzy Engle (33 points), Lily Joseph (17 points), Ellie Hodsden (16 points), Grace Restovich (16 points) and Annabelle Chukwu (8 points).
ENGLE HEATING UP AGAIN
Izzy Engle scored 10 goals during the non-con portion of the schedule and was the nation’s leader in Goals Per Game entering ACC play. The freshman hit a little dry spy but finally got the monkey off her back against No. 6 Stanford. Since then, she’s been back on a tear and at the perfect time heading into NCAA Tournament play.
She’s recorded six goals over the last five games with braces at No. 1 Duke and against Pitt. Her 16 goals now rank seventh in the country, and first in the ACC. Her 0.89 goals per game rank fifth nationally and lead the ACC.
Engle’s 16 goals rank tie her for the eighth most by a Notre Dame freshman all-time. Irish great Kerri Hanks holds the record with 28.
Engle leads the Irish with 33 points, which rank second in the league (13th nationally). She’s also one of only two players in the ACC with 30 or more points on the year.
ELLIE HODSDEN – SUPER SUB
Then there’s super-sub Ellie Hodsden. The forward from Dripping Springs, Texas, recorded the second-most goals on the team with eight, despite playing in six fewer games. In fact, Hodsden averages a goal every 45.8 minutes. Hodsden’s eight goals ranked eighth among ACC players and was a notable miss on the All-ACC Team.
Hodsden missed the first several games due to working herself back into game shape, wrapping up a year-long ACL injury return.
Hodsden earned the ACC Offensive Player of the Week after an amazing four-goal week in wins over No. 25 Cal and No. 6 Stanford. Hodsden started with her first career hat trick against Cal – scoring by three different means: chest, head and foot. She then followed that up with a second half goal against Stanford.
Hodsden also played hero at Boston College, recording a brace to rally the Irish down 2-0 for the 2-2 tie. Her game-tying goal came via header in the 88th minute.
FRESHMEN RICHES
We’ve talked about Izzy Engle, Annabelle Chukwu and Ellie Hodsden, and yet there are a couple more prolific playmakers in Lily Joseph and Grace Restovich.
Joseph brings flashy play and swag to the Irish. In the game against No. 25 Cal, Joseph scored an unreal bender from distance to get the scoring going in the 5-2 win. A few days later against No. 6 Stanford, Joseph completely broke down her defender in a counterattack to set up her assist.
At Syracuse, she recorded her first career brace with two first-half goals (within 90 seconds of each other).
A dynamic force in the midfield all season long, Joseph boasts the second most points on the team with 17 – six goals and five assists. She has recorded two games with a season-best four points – against Marquette and Syracuse.
Next, there’s Grace Restovich, who leads the Irish in assists with 10. In fact, Restovich ranks 11th in the country in total assists and 10th in assists per game (0.56). Restovich ranks third in the ACC in both categories.
NOTRE DAME VOLLEYBALL
IRISH SET TO HOST NORTH CAROLINA AND DUKE
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are back in Purcell Pavilion for their last full weekend of matches as they host North Carolina on Friday, Nov. 15 and Duke on Sunday, Nov. 17. The Irish will have one last match at home in Purcell on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
The Irish will honor Hattie Monson, Sydney Palazzolo, Ella Sandt, Phyona Schrader, and Lauren Tarnoff in their Senior Night celebration on Friday evening against UNC.
NOTRE DAME vs. NORTH CAROLINA – Friday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 PM
Location: South Bend, IN | Purcell Pavilion
ACCNX | LIVE STATS | SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES
NOTRE DAME vs. DUKE – Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1 PM
Location: South Bend, IN | Purcell Pavilion
ACCNX | LIVE STATS | SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES
HISTORY VS. NORTH CAROLINA
This will be the 19th match up between the Irish and the Tar Heels with Notre Dame leading the overall series 10-8.
The last matchup between the two squads was Oct. 8, 2023 on the road where the Irish were able to complete the reverse sweep in five sets (17-25,20-25,25-12,25-16,15-10)
Sydney Palazzolo led all players with 19 kills and also rounded out the double-double with 10 digs.
HISTORY VS. DUKE
This will be the 23rd match up between the Irish and the Blue Devils with the Irish trailing 10-12 in the overall series.
Notre Dame has fallen in the last three matches against Duke, but had won three straight prior from 2019-2021. The last match was on the road on Oct. 6, 2023 as the Irish fell in a close four-set battle (25-21,20-25,28-30,20-25).
The Irish were led by Sydney Palazzolo, who recorded 17 kills and three blocks and was followed by Avery Ross with nine kills.
PHYONA SCHRADER
Phyona Schrader was named ACC Setter of the Week on Monday, Sept. 16 after guiding the Irish to a perfect 3-0 week, with two wins over Northwestern and the program’s first-ever win over Colorado State.
She is now second in the nation for triple-doubles this season (9).
KEY RETURNERS
The Irish return five rising sophomores, six rising juniors, a pair of rising seniors, and a pair of graduate students.
Notre Dame’s two graduate students, Hattie Monson and Lauren Tarnoff, are each using their fifth and final seasons to finish their careers at ND. Monson led the Irish with 397 digs last season, while Tarnoff was second on the team last season in blocks (84).
Senior Phyona Schrader is also back for another season with the Irish. Schrader led the conference last season with the only triple double recorded in the ACC. She tallied 14 kills, 22 assists, and 13 digs in the win over Wake Forest at home on November 17, 2023.
Outside hitter Lucy Trump returns for her junior season as she tallied 135 kills and was second on the team with 22 aces. She led the Irish offensively her freshman year with 252 kills.
SALIMA ROCKWELL
Salima Rockwell heads into her third year at the helm of the program after finishing her first two seasons with a record of 21-33
Rockwell spent this past summer prepping for the 2024 Olympic games as she was selected to be an analyst for NBC for both the men’s and women’s matches.
Rockwell, a four-time national champion coach and three-time All-American, is the seventh head coach in Notre Dame volleyball history.
For the past three years, Rockwell has served as a color commentator for ESPN, Fox Sports, Big Ten Network and CBS Sports.
Rockwell spent nine years coaching at her alma mater, Penn State University, holding titles of associate head coach, assistant coach and director of operations over two different stints in Happy Valley (2006-2009 and 2015-17).
As a student-athlete, Rockwell was a three-time All-American setter, was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament team, helped guide the Nittany Lions to an NCAA Championship runner-up finish, was four-time All-Big Ten honoree, and led Penn State to Big Ten championships in 1992 and 1993.
Rockwell’s name is peppered throughout the legendary Penn State record books – ranking sixth all-time on the program’s career assists list (5,455) and eighth on the career digs chart (1,278). She is an inductee into the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Between her two coaching tours at Penn State, Rockwell also spent five seasons (2009-2013) at the University of Texas. While in Austin, she helped lead the Longhorns to the 2012 National Championship title, its first in almost 25 years.
YEAR THREE WITH THE STAFF
Sara Matthews and Craig Dyer return as associate head coaches for the Irish for their third year with the program.
Matthews, a standout player at James Madison and Kansas, came to South Bend after spending the past five seasons as the head coach at the University of Delaware.
Dyer joined the program after spending the past four seasons at Creighton, with previous stops at Penn State, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Seton Hall and Rutgers. He’s worked with several All-Americans during his time at Creighton and was part of the 2019 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.
Paul Koncir joined as a video and data analytics technical coordinator for his first season with the Irish in 2022 and was promoted to assistant coach ahead of the 2023 season.
Koncir joins the Notre Dame Volleyball family after spending the past two seasons with the Michigan State Spartans as an associate head coach. Prior to MSU, Koncir had spent eight seasons with Indiana.
Mackenzie Keenan is in her third year as the operations specialist for the Irish. Keenan joined the program after spending nearly the past seven seasons at Texas Christian University. She worked as the TCU volleyball director of volleyball operations after having spent time as the volleyball graduate assistant.
BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL
SMU VISITS HINKLE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR BIG EAST-ACC TIP WITH THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs continue an early-season homestand, welcoming SMU to Hinkle Fieldhouse for a Friday night tip. The Mustangs are in their first season as a member of the ACC.
THE SPECIFICS:
Butler (2-1) vs. SMU (3-0)
Friday, Nov. 15; 7PM
Hinkle Fieldhouse; Indianapolis, Ind.
FOLLOW ALONG:
TV: FS2 – Cory Provus & Shelvin Mack
Audio: Varsity Network App, SXM 385, SXM App 975, TuneIn
@MarkMinner & Nick Gardner (@n_gardner)
THE SERIES:
Butler Leads, 1-0
Streak: Butler, W1
At Hinkle: Butler Leads, 1-0
First Meeting: Butler, 42-37 (1939-40 Season)
TEXT TO SCROLL THROUGH AT YOUR LEISURE:
• Butler enters the game off an 85-65 win over Western Michigan Monday night. The Bulldogs out-scored WMU, 46-28, in the second half to pull away.
• Pierre Brooks II scored a game-high 20 points and handed out a career-best six assists against Western Michigan. It marked Brooks’s first 20-point game of the season and the eighth of his career. Brooks made four his five attempts from three-point range.
• Augusto Cassia made the first start of his Butler career against Western Michigan and responded with career-highs of 16 points and three blocks. He went 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
• Finley Bizjack set a career-high with nine rebounds against Western Michigan; he added 10 points and was one shy of his career-best with five assists.
• Butler went 10-for-21 from three-point range against Western Michigan; the Bulldogs are shooting 39.4 percent from behind the arc on the season.
• The Bulldogs made 19 of their 24 free throw attempts against Western Michigan; Butler’s 80.3-percent mark from the free throw line is 30th nationally this season.
• Butler ranked seventh nationally in free throw shooting at 79.1 percent during the 2023-24 season. Butler shot 70 percent or better from the line in all but one game.
• Butler shot 56 percent from the field against Western Michigan, which was a season-best.
• After committed an uncharacteristic 35 turnovers through their first two games, Butler had only 11 miscues against Western Michigan. The Bulldogs averaged only 10.9 turnovers per game during the 2023-24 season.
• Butler has three players averaging 15 or more points per game at this point in the season: Patrick McCaffery (16.3), Brooks (15.3) and Jahmyl Telfort (15.3).
• McCaffery led the Bulldogs with 23 points in the Nov. 8 loss to Austin Peay; it was one shy of his career-high 24 points that came during his time at Iowa (against Wisconsin, Dec. 11, 2022).
• McCaffery went 5-for-8 from three-point range against Austin Peay, just one shy of his career-best six three-pointers against Nebraska March 5, 2023.
• McCaffery is fourth in the BIG EAST, averaging 3.3 made three-pointers per game.
• Telfort led Butler with 29 points in the Nov. 4 win over Missouri State to open the 2024-25 season.
• The 29 points were a Butler-high for Telfort (who scored a career-high 31 during his time at Northeastern); he set a career-high with 16 free throw attempts in the contest.
• The 29 points by Telfort were the most by a Butler player since Chuck Harris scored 32 against Tennessee Tech on Dec. 3, 2022.
• Harris returns to Hinkle as part of the SMU roster after spending three seasons with the Bulldogs (2020-23).
• This is the second meeting in the all-time series between Butler and SMU; the Bulldogs pulled out a 42-37 win at Hinkle during the 1939-40 season.
• Monday’s win over Western Michigan was Thad Matta’s 100th game as the head coach at Butler.
• Butler is the only team in the BIG EAST to return its top two scorers from a season ago (Brooks, Telfort).
• Brooks led the Bulldogs with a scoring average of 14.8 points per game during the 2023-24 season; he ranks fifth among scorers returning to the BIG EAST this season.
• Butler’s balanced scoring attack in 2023-24 included eight games when five players reached 10+ points in the same game.
• Butler Bulldog great Shelvin Mack will be the FS2 analyst for Friday’s game; Mack will call three of Butler’s first four games this season. In his three seasons at Butler, Mack scored 1,527 career points, leading the Bulldogs to the 2010 and 2011 Final Fours.
BUTLER FOOTBALL
#25 BUTLER TO HOST ST. THOMAS ON SENIOR DAY
The nationally-ranked Butler Bulldogs will play their final home game of the season at the Sellick Bowl on Saturday when they host St. Thomas for a 1 p.m. kick-off. Steven Siebel and Matt Sherwin will have the call on FloSports.com with Daniel Miller on the sideline.
Game Day
Date: Saturday, November 16
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. / Sellick Bowl
Live Stats: ButlerSports.com (Statbroadcast)
Watch: FloSports.com
Bulldog Bits
– Butler is ranked #25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
– Saturday is Senior Day for the Bulldogs.
– Butler is 5-1 at the Sellick Bowl this season and 14-4 at home under the direction of Head Coach Mike Uremovich.
– There is a four-way tie for second place in the PFL standings heading into Week 12.
– The Bulldogs defeated Valparaiso for the third-straight year to keep possession of the Hoosier Helmet Trophy.
– BU has now reached their highest win total in a single-season since 2013.
– Reagan Andrew passed for a career-high 232 yards in the win at Valpo.
– Andrew was one of three Bulldogs to rush for a TD in the win against the Beacons.
– Butler has rushed for 12 touchdowns over their last three games.
– Luke Wooten caught eight passes vs. the Beacons to record a season-high 138 receiving yards.
– Wooten moved to 10th-place all-time at Butler in career receptions last Saturday (122).
– Wooten and Trevon Brown each hauled in a reception over 40 yards vs. Valpo.
– Ryan Short hit a career-long 41-yard field goal at Valpo to give BU a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.
– Butler’s defense has only allowed seven first quarter points this season.
– Jack Burch has 6.5 sacks against PFL opponents this season.
– Burch, Justin Anagonye and Ashton Nawrocki all had sacks at Valpo.
– Anagonye had a career-high six tackles last Saturday including two stops for a loss.
– Danny Orgler matched Anagonye with two tackles for loss last weekend.
– Tyson Garrett recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter to help seal Butler’s win.
PFL Schedule – Week 12
Valparaiso at Dayton 11:00 A.M.
Presbyterian at Marist 12:00 P.M.
St. Thomas at Butler 1:00 P.M.
Morehead State at Drake 1:00 P.M.
Stetson at San Diego 4:00 P.M.
PFL Standings
Drake 6-0, 7-1
Butler 4-2, 8-2
Morehead State 4-2, 6-4
San Diego 4-2, 6-3
St. Thomas 4-2, 5-5
Davidson 4-3, 6-4
Dayton 3-3, 5-4
Presbyterian 2-4, 4-6
Valparaiso 1-4, 3-6
Marist 1-6, 1-9
Stetson 0-5, 2-7
SCOUTING ST. THOMAS: The Tommies are 5-5 overall after dropping their second-straight PFL game at Drake over the weekend. UST won their first four league games but that streak stopped at Morehead State on Nov. 2 with a 21-7 loss. Drake then remained undefeated by handing the Tommies a 22-19 loss.
St. Thomas has the third-best rushing attack in the league after Davidson and Butler. They average 154.4 rushing yards per game and are led in the backfield by Hope Adebayo. The senior halfback rushed for 277 yards earlier this season in a win over San Diego. Adebayo rushed for 100+ yards in four-straight games before last weekend. He was a yard-short at Drake with 99 yards and a TD.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Tommies lead the all-time series against Butler 3-0. The first-ever game between the two programs was played in 2021 with St. Thomas winning 36-0 on their home turf. Butler lost 27-13 at the Sellick Bowl the following season and the closest outcome came in the last meeting with St. Thomas winning 17-10.
St. Thomas played in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (D3) before joining the Pioneer Football League. Their first PFL game was played against Butler on Sept. 25, 2021.
LAST MEETING: The 2023 game between Butler and St. Thomas was dominated by defense. UST passed for 71 yards and was limited to just 12 first downs. Butler passed for 111 yards, but went 4-for-13 on third down and were 0-2 on fourth. The outcome was determined by the run game. St. Thomas had 229 rushing yards to go along with two touchdowns. Butler had 151 on the ground with one score.
The Bulldogs had the ball on the St. Thomas one-yard line with less than 10 seconds remaining in the contest, but a Tommie goal line stand would seal the victory for St. Thomas.
WINNING UP FRONT: Butler hasn’t allowed a sack over their last two games. The offensive line has now put together five games this season without giving up a single sack and have only allowed multiple sacks in the same game twice.
Butler leads the PFL and ranks seventh in the FCS in fewest sacks allowed (8).
‘DAWGS PLAYIN’ D: Butler leads the PFL in scoring defense (14.6) and are second in total defense (268.8).
Butler’s defense has only allowed 20+ points to three opponents this season.
TAG TEAM: Butler’s two-quarterback system has worked well for the Bulldogs in 2024. Reagan Andrew and Nick Howard have combined to record 1,101 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
This duo has also passed for 13 touchdowns and 1,805 yards helping Butler lead the PFL and rank 10th in the country in completion percentage (66.7%).
UPCOMING MILESTONES: Ethan Loss needs 26 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career.
Loss had 515 receiving yards in 2023 and is closing in on that number with 459 this year. He is averaging 19.1 yards per catch and 44.3 yards per game.
MOVE THE CHAINS: Butler leads the PFL and ranks fourth in the nation in third down conversion percentage.
Butler converts on third down 53.9 percent of the time. They went 4-for-12 on third at Valpo but went 2-for-2 on fourth.
RED ZONE RESULTS: Butler leads the PFL and ranks third in the nation in red zone offense (95.5%). The Bulldogs have scored points on 41 of their 44 trips.
Butler went 2-for-2 in the red zone at Valpo with two touchdowns.
FOCUSED ON FOOTBALL: The Bulldogs lead the PFL and rank seventh in the nation in fewest penalties (39).
Butler was only penalized two times in their win at Valpo. It was the fourth time this season they have only been flagged twice in a game.
FINISH STRONG: The Bulldogs have not finished in the top three of the PFL standings since 2013. Butler and Marist were Conference Co-Champions in 2013 and Butler shared the regular season crown with Drake in 2012.
Butler has recorded 14 league wins over the last three seasons while finishing fourth in the league standings in each of the last two seasons. BU had just 17 PFL wins from 2014-2021.
UP NEXT: The 2024 regular season will come to a close next weekend when Butler travels to Presbyterian to take on the Blue Hose. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.
Butler and Presbyterian met for the first time in program history in 2023. The Bulldogs recorded a 27-17 win at the Sellick Bowl.
IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
JAGUARS DROP A CLOSE ONE IN HARD-FOUGHT CONTEST
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team dropped a close one Thursday night (Nov. 14) in the Jungle, falling to an experienced and physical Eastern Michigan University side, 74-71. Paul Zilinskas shook off a slow start, scoring 20 points in the second half to lead the team with 25. Keenan Garner and Jarvis Walker each added 11 points while Sean Craig rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10.
Eastern Michigan (2-1) was paced by Jalen Terry, who led all scorers with 28 points, with 18 coming from beyond the arc. Terry also led his team with nine rebounds.
“I’ve never questioned this team’s fight,” exclaimed head coach Paul Corsaro after the game. “We need to do a better job not spotting that amount in the first half. [There were] a lot of self-inflicted mistakes tonight that unfortunately cost us the game. I felt that if we would have controlled the controllables we could have gotten that win, however, I think there’s a lot to grow from tonight.
“I’m proud of our guys’ fight and I felt our togetherness. I hate losing, but I know we will grow from this and get better.”
The Jaguars got off to a great start, jumping out to an early eight-point advantage, 15-7. Walker led the charge, scoring the side’s first five points and adding two free throws a few possessions later. The Jaguars, however, quickly cooled down, missing their next three shots to allow the Eagles to cut the deficit to one, forcing coach Corsaro to call a timeout.
Out of the break, Garner got the Jags back on the board, laying one in off an assist from Craig. A Nathan Dudukovich three on the very next offensive possession would increase the lead to six, 20-14.
A trio of three pointers by the visitors over the next couple minutes gave them the lead and the momentum. That momentum shifted, however, after Walker was fouled on a three-point attempt. EMU’s Da’Sean Nelson, who committed the foul, received a technical for arguing the call. Walker then made four-of-five free throw attempts to cut into the deficit. Two more made free throws on the next possession, this time by Garner, made it a one-point game with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
The Eagles looked to extend the lead before the break, reaching a double-digit advantage for the first time in the contest with just under a minute remaining. A pair of Garner free throws and a last-second layup by Zilinskas cut the deficit to six as the teams went to the locker rooms.
Eastern Michigan came out swinging to start the second stanza, going on a quick 7-0 run to reach its largest lead of the game, 52-39, causing an IU Indy timeout. Coach Corsaro’s team again would execute out of the huddle, with Zilinskas connecting from deep—his first of three treys.
The two sides battled back and forth over the next several minutes with neither side able to generate much momentum. A Craig three pointer, followed by a pair of free throws from Garner, cut the deficit to five, 67-62, with just over five minutes of play, igniting the home crowd which only got louder after Zilinskas made it just a two-point game after another two points from the charity stripe.
With just under a minute remaining, the Jags forced a tough jumper and grabbed the rebound, but a heads-up play by EMU’s Terry forced a turnover and a layup to extend the lead back to six. After the teams exchanged a pair of free throws, Zilinskas knocked down a triple as time expired to make it a three-point loss, 74-71, for the hosts.
IU Indy will now prepare for a trip to Ames, Iowa, where it will take on the No. 7 ranked Iowa State. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. CT with ESPN+ having the broadcast.
IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
PURDUE POWERS PAST JAGUARS, 83-64
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The IU Indy women’s basketball team put up a strong fight but were ultimately defeated by the Purdue Boilermakers, 83-64, on Thursday night at Mackey Arena. Despite the final score, the Jaguars showed resilience throughout the game, keeping things competitive against the Big Ten foe.
IU Indy took an early 7-4 lead, but Purdue quickly responded with an 8-0 run, taking control. The Boilermakers continued to dominate in the first half, closing the first quarter with a 16-9 advantage and extending their lead to 39-29 at the break. Purdue shot 50% from the field in the first half, including 24 points in the paint, while the Jaguars struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 35.3% in the second quarter.
The Jaguars came out strong in the third, trimming the deficit to just five points with 6:23 left to play in the third quarter. Purdue answered with a devastating stretch, hitting three consecutive three-pointers and going on an 18-5 run to finish the quarter with a commanding 62-44 lead.
The Jaguars kept battling in the final frame, nearly matching Purdue’s output in the fourth, with the Boilermakers narrowly outscoring them 21-20 to seal the 83-64 victory.
Faith Stinson led the Jaguars in scoring with 14 points, while Jada Patton added 13 and Shania Nichols-Vannett contributed 12.
The Jags will look to bounce back when they return to The Jungle on Saturday, November 16, to host Southern Illinois at 5:00 PM.
BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL CLOSES REGULAR SEASON WITH PAIR OF MATCHES VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN
THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL: The Ball State women’s volleyball team closes out the 2024 regular season with a pair of home matches versus Western Michigan this weekend … The Cardinals and Broncos will play at 6 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday in Worthen Arena.
PROMOTIONS: Friday’s match versus Western Michigan will be Greek Night and the Ball State Greek organization with the largest attendance will receive a free pizza party courtesy of Ball State Athletics … Saturday’s match will be senior night for the Cardinals, with the program’s four seniors being honored at the conclusion of the contest … Free t-shirts will be available for the first 200 fans and, with the contest being played immediately following the Ball State men’s basketball game versus Indiana State, fans attending the basketball game can stick around and watch the women’s volleyball match for FREE.
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Both matches this weekend will be broadcast live on ESPN+ … In addition, live stats will be provided courtesy of Ball State Athletics … Updates from the matches will also be provided on the team’s X feed and Instagram story: @BallStateWVB.
BALL STATE ALL-TIME: Ball State enters its weekend with a 1031-656-2 (.611) all-time record in women’s volleyball … Ball State became just the 44th program in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball history to reach 1,000 wins with a sweep of Central Michigan on Sept. 22, 2023 … All-time, the Cardinals have captured 12 MAC West Division Championships, 10 MAC Regular Season Championships and eight MAC Volleyball Championship titles … Ball State has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including three of the last five seasons … BSU has also earned two bids into the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
BALL STATE IN THE MAC: With a 12-4 start to league play this season, Ball State maintains its status as the winningest program in league play with a 458-224 (.672) all-time Mid-American Conference mark … Western Michigan is second on the list, two matches behind the Cardinals at 456-226 (.669).
THE WORTHEN FACTOR: The Cardinals boast a 323-99 (.765) all-time mark inside Worthen Arena … Looking at just opponents from the MAC, Ball State is 239-61 (.797) when battling in its current home gym … Overall, no MAC opponent owns a winning record inside Worthen Arena, as the Cardinals have at least a .630 winning percentage against all league schools on its current home floor, including a 25-7 (.781) advantage versus Western Michigan.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN: Ball State holds a 55-50 lead in the all-time series versus WMU despite the Broncos picking up a pair of wins on its home floor last season … The latest meeting was a 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 27-25) Western Michigan victory on Nov. 4, 2023 … Ball State had won five straight in the series prior to last season, and has won the last seven meetings on its home court … WMU’s last win in Muncie was a 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 25-27, 27-25) victory Oct. 3, 2015 … Overall, BSU holds a 30-15 advantage on its home court.
SCOUTING BALL STATE:
• Ball State enters Friday’s match versus Western Michigan with a 19-8 (12-4 MAC) record after sweeping Miami on Tuesday … The Cardinals are currently on a nine-match and 25-set winning streak, having won each of its last eight matches via sweeps … Both Ball State’s eight-match sweep streak and 25-set winning streak are program records … The previous record for consecutive sweeps was seven to start the 2010 campaign, while the prior record for consecutive sets won was 23 from Nov. 3 to Nov. 27, 1993 … Ball State has also won 16 consecutive sets on the road which is another program record, topping the run of 15 from Oct. 8 to Nov. 4, 1994.
• The Cardinals continue to be one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses, ranking first in the Mid-American Conference and 23rd nationally with a .267 attack percentage … The mark includes a .271 rate of success against then-No. 7 Penn State, which is the third-best hitting mark against the Nittany Lions so far this season … Ball State has hit .300-or-better in nine matches this year, including a season-high .446 rate of success versus Akron (Oct. 11).
• Along with its solid attack percentage, the Cardinals rank 57th nationally with a 2.47 blocks-per-set average … Graduate middle Aayinde Smith leads the Cardinals at the net with 114 total blocks, ranking third in the MAC and 80th nationally with a 1.19 blocks-per-set average … Sophomore middle Gwen Crull boasts a 1.15 average over 54 sets, while junior middle Madison Buckley is second on the squad with 75 total blocks.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN:
• The Broncos enter the weekend with a 16-11 (12-4 MAC) record and are also on a nine-match winning streak … WMU has won its last five matches via sweeps, including a pair of home victories over Miami last weekend.
• Western Michigan is one of the nation’s top kill producing squads, ranking first in the MAC and 31st nationally at 13.76 kills per set … Keona Salesman leads the squad and is seventh in the MAC with a 3.25 kills-per-set average, while four other Broncos average at least 2.25 kills per set.
• The WMU offense is set up by fifth-year senior Logan Case who ranks second in the nation with an 11.65 assists-per-set average … In addition, her 1,095 total assists are fifth among all NCAA Division I setters … Overall, the Broncos rank 15th nationally with a 13.07 assists-per-set average.
BALL STATE QUICK HITS:
• With her 34 assists in the five-set win at Central Michigan (Oct. 4), senior setter Megan Wielonski climbed into second on Ball State’s career assists list … She enters the weekend with 4,842 career assists which is currently third among active NCAA Division I players … Western Michigan’s Logan Case is first at 6,146 (with the benefit of an extra COVID season), while Colorado State’s Emery Herman is second at 5,166 … Wielonski has ranked in the top 15 nationally in assists in each of her first three seasons: second (1,394) in 2021, fourth (1,359) in 2022 and 13th (1,269) in 2023.
• In addition to being one of the nation’s top setters, Megan Wielonski is one of the country’s top servers with 188 career aces … The total, which includes 44 aces this season, is currently tied for 10th among active NCAA Division I players and is the most for any active student-athlete from the MAC … As a freshman, Wielonski ranked eighth among all NCAA Division I players with 58 aces, including a career-high seven vs. Ohio (Sept. 30, 2021) … Her 58 aces in 2021 also tied as the sixth most in a single season in Ball State history and were a single season record for a BSU setter, topping Amber Seaman’s total of 51 in 2018 … In 2022, she ranked 55th nationally with 46 service aces, while she had a team-leading 40 aces last season … The program record for career aces is 191 set by Stacy Jordan (1982-85).
• Megan Wielonski has also shined in the backcourt over her Ball State career, becoming just the 21st player in program history to register over 1,000 career digs in BSU’s NIVC victory at Middle Tennessee (Nov. 30, 2023) … She has 251 total digs so far this season, raising her career total to 1,272 which is 10th in program history … She needs 22 more digs to pass Natalie Risi’s (2019-22) career total of 1,293 for ninth on BSU’s all-time list … Overall, Wielonski has accumulated double-digit digs in 65 career matches which is ninth in program history and gives her 65 career assist/dig double-doubles.
• Redshirt sophomore outside Aniya Kennedy has continued to shine on offense for the Cardinals, ranking second on the squad with a 2.89 kills-per-set average so far this season … Last season, she finished the year ranked 32nd nationally with a 4.12 kills-per-set average … Kennedy has smashed double-digit kills in 37 career matches, including 11 so far this season, and led the team in kills in 29 career outings.
• Including her season-high 20 kills at Florida Atlantic (Aug. 31) and at Central Michigan (Oct. 5), Aniya Kennedy has smashed 20-or-more kills in 10 career matches … The total ranks eighth in program history … Last season, she registered a career-high 25 kills in two matches – versus Akron (Oct. 13, 2023) and at WMU (Nov. 3, 2023) – which were the most kills for a BSU player in a match since Kia Holder (2017-20) logged 27 at Eastern Michigan on March 27, 2021 … In addition, Kennedy was the first Cardinal to register multiple 20+ kill matches in the same season since Natalie Risi (2019-22) had two as a freshman in 2019.
• Freshman outside Carson Tyler has smashed a team-leading 305 kills so far this season, including 20-or-more kills in five matches … Her best effort was a career-high 25 kills to help lead Ball State to a 3-2 victory over Wright State (Sept. 20) … Tyler is one of just 14 players in program history to register 20-or-more kills in at least five career matches … She is also just the 10th different player in program history to have five-or-more such matches in a single season.
• A six-rotation player for the Cardinals, Carson Tyler is also third on the team with 168 digs for a 1.81 digs-per-set average … She recorded her first career kill/dig double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs at Central Michigan (Oct. 5), while adding her second in the five-set win at Ohio (Oct. 18) and her third in the first sweep of Eastern Michigan (Nov. 1) … Tyler also leads Ball State’s primary passers with a .959 reception percentage, successfully passing 532 of the team-high 555 serves she has faced.
• Freshman libero Sophie Ledbetter earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career for her effort in guiding the Cardinals to a pair of sweeps at Toledo … She led all league players with a 5.67 digs-per-set average for the week, registering 34 total digs … She started with 14 digs on Friday night and followed with 20 on Saturday afternoon to help limit the Rockets to a .149 attack percentage for the weekend.
• Overall, Sophie Ledbetter has shined in her first season of collegiate action, leading the squad with a with a 3.47 digs-per-set average … The effort includes a career-high 27 digs in the win over James Madison (Sept. 6), 21 digs in the sweep of Southern Indiana (Sept. 14) and 20 digs on two occasions … Ledbetter, who has recorded double digit digs in a team-high 18 matches this season, also boasts a .937 reception percentage, including perfect marks in 14 of BSU’s 27 matches.
• Aayinde Smith has been proven to be a big addition for the Ball State front line, ranking fourth on the squad with 1.84 kills per set, while adding a team-best 1.19 blocks-per-set average … She has at least one block in all 27 of BSU’s matches, including tying her career-high with 10 total blocks (two solo and eight assists) versus Buffalo (Oct. 12) … A two-time All-CAA Second Team selection over her four-year playing career at Towson, Smith enters the weekend with 400 career blocks, with 286 coming during her time with the Tigers and 114 so far this season at Ball State.
• Aayinde Smith turned in the best attacking night of her collegiate career in the three-set victory over Akron (Oct. 11), when she connected for a program record .917 (11-0-12) rate of success … The previous record for attack percentage for a player with between 10 and 14 attempts in a match was .900 (9-0-10) set by Deb Wehman in 1980 and later tied by Rhonda Gardemann in 1993 … In addition, the record for a player with at least 15 attempts is currently .833 (15-0-18) set by Marie Plitt in 2022.
• Overall, the Ball State offense shined in the win versus Akron (Oct. 11), which was also the team’s first match in a 6-2 this season … Megan Wielonski and sophomore Lindsey Green combined to helped the Cardinals connect for a .446 (48-7-92) attack percentage which is the sixth-best team mark in program history and the best since Ball State hit .478 (49-6-90) versus Arkansas State on Sept. 9, 2022 … In addition, the .446 effort is the second-best by a Mid-American Conference squad this season, trailing only Western Michigan’s mark of .453 versus Miami this past Friday.
• Since joining the lineup in the 6-2, Lindsey Green has turned in several strong performances, including registering her first career double-double with 19 assists and 12 digs versus Buffalo (Oct. 12) … Her 19 assists versus the Bulls also marked the first time in her career Green has led the Cardinals in a match in assists … Green would collect her second career double-double in last Friday’s sweep at Toledo, dishing out 21 assists and collecting a career-high 13 digs.
• Since switching to the 6-2, Ball State’s offense has turned it up a notch, connecting for a .307 attack percentage over the last 11 matches, compared to a .243 mark in the first 16 … The Cardinals have hit .300-or-better six times during the run, with its lowest rate of success being a .200 mark versus Buffalo (Oct. 12) … Ball State’s attackers are averaging 1.35 kills-per-set more in the 6-2, while the team is averaging 1.28 more assists per set.
• Ball State turned in one of the best defensive efforts in program history versus Bryant (Aug. 30), limiting the Bulldogs to a -.020 (24-26-99) attack percentage … It was the lowest attacking mark for a Ball State opponent since the 2018 campaign when the Cardinals held Grambling to a -.061 (18-23-82) rate of success on Aug. 31 … That same season, the Ball State defense limited North Dakota State to a -.018 (23-25-114) hitting mark on Sept. 7.
INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA STATE BATTLES BALL STATE ON SATURDAY IN MUNCIE
MUNCIE, Ind. – Indiana State men’s basketball heads to in-state foe Ball State on Saturday afternoon. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
The Sycamores (1-2) fell to SIU Edwardsville at home on Tuesday, 77-72, backed by career highs by Jahni Summers (15) and Camp Wagner (12) in their young Sycamore careers. The two combined for half of Indiana State’s second-half points, while Wagner accounted for three of the six makes from behind the arc for Indiana State. Of the 10 Sycamores that played, 9-of-10 got into the scoring column.
The series history goes back to 1919 when the Sycamores and Cardinals first met, and since then Indiana State leads the series 76-63. In the last matchup last season, Indiana State defeated Ball State 83-72 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the Indy Class on December 16.
Ball State has some veterans in its lineup, led in scoring by 6-5 junior college transfer Jermahri Hill (19.7 PPG). Hill played two seasons at the junior college level, and in his sophomore season at South Plains led the team to the Elite Eight of the NJCAA Division I Tournament. Redshirt senior Mickey Pearson Jr. (6-8) has 106 games played in his career between TCU and Ball State. This season he’s averaging 13.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 2.0 APG.
In Ball State’s last time out, the Cardinals erased a first-half, 20-point deficit at Dayton to trailing by only five midway through the second half before eventually falling 77-69 on the road.
After Saturday’s contest, Indiana State returns to Hulman Center on Friday, November 22 against Chicago State with a 7 p.m. tip off.
INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL
SYCAMORES CLOSE SEASON WITH THREE-MATCH ROAD TRIP
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State embarks on a three-match road trip to round out the season, with the Sycamores set to face Valparaiso (Friday), UIC (Saturday) and Evansville (Wednesday) to finish off the 2024 slate.
All three matches are slated for a 7 p.m. first serve and will be carried on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
Indiana State closed out its home slate with a four-set loss to Belmont and a three-set loss to Murray State, with both matches taking place inside Hulman Center.
Curry Kendall led the Sycamores against Belmont with 11 kills and a career-high 19 digs, while Kira Holland tallied eight kills to lead the Trees against Murray State. Chloe Gilley registered 35 digs across the two matches, an average of five per set.
Heavy Hitter
Indiana State freshman Curry Kendall’s best numbers of the season have come against conference foes, with the first-year outside hitter averaging nearly three kills per set against MVC opposition. Kendall sits 18 kills shy of reaching 200 for the season, and has seven matches with double-digit kills this year.
In addition, Kendall also has registered 127 digs this year, most of which have come against conference foes. She is averaging more than 2.3 digs per set in MVC play and has four matches with double-digit digs.
On The Road Again
Indiana State closes out its season in a familiar spot – traveling. The Sycamores have played two-thirds of their matches this season away from home, with the 2024 campaign being the third in the last four seasons that the Sycamores end the year on the road.
Indiana State is in search of an elusive road conference win, something the Sycamores have yet to accomplish this season. The Trees’ lone win during conference play came at home against Evansville.
Aced It
Indiana State has six different players with double-digit aces this season, including four with more than 20. Emma Kaelin has a team-high 28 aces, with Ella Scott (23), Cadence Gilley (21) and Emily Weber (21) all recording more than 20 aces.
As a team, the Sycamores have 137 aces, with 13 of the 16 players on the roster recording at least one ace. The Trees average 1.43 aces per set this season.
Block Party
Indiana State has four matches with double-digit blocks this season, including a pair against conference foes. The Trees recorded a season-high 14 blocks last weekend against Belmont and also had an 11-block performance against Valparaiso.
Ella Scott ranks among the conference leaders with 92 blocks and 0.96 blocks per set, with Emily Weber (0.61) and Lily Mueller (0.54) also averaging more than 0.5 blocks per set among the Sycamores’ regular rotation players.
This Weekend’s Opponents At A Glance
Valparaiso enters at 15-12 overall and 7-8 in conference play. The Beacons are looking to secure their MVC Tournament spot during this closing stretch. Elise Swistek leads the attack with 313 kills, while Valpo features one of the top liberos in the conference in Emma Hickey, who will surpass 600 digs this season during the weekend.
UIC is 18-9 overall, including a 10-5 mark in conference play. The Flames have seven different players with more than 100 kills, with Cleo Lorenzo leading the way with 247. Zahria Woodard is among the MVC’s best middle blockers with 1.43 blocks per set.
Evansville enters the weekend at 6-21 overall and 5-10 in conference play. The Aces are fighting for an MVC Tournament spot, and are currently tied for the final spot. Giulia Cardona averages 5.60 kills per set and is responsible for nearly half of Evansville’s attacking output.
Series History vs. This Weekend’s Opponents
Indiana State is 17-18 all-time against Valparaiso, with the Beacons winning each of the last four in the series. The Sycamores’ last win came in 2021 in Terre Haute.
Indiana State is 3-7 all-time against UIC and has never won a road match against the Flames. The Sycamores last defeated UIC in 2023 in Terre Haute.
Indiana State is 48-37 against Evansville, including a three-set win over the Purple Aces this season in Terre Haute.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SYCAMORES RETURN HOME FOR NON-CONFERENCE BOUT WITH AUSTIN PEAY
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State plays its final home game of the non-conference slate Friday night when it welcomes Austin Peay to Hulman Center for a 7 p.m. tip.
Friday’s game will be carried on ESPN+ with Brendan King (play-by-play) and Adrian Madrid (analyst) on the call.
Last Time Out
Keslyn Secrist led a quartet of Indiana State players in double-figures with 18 points, as the Sycamores topped Wright State 68-51 inside the Nutter Center for their first win of the 2024-25 season.
Chloe Williams and Saige Stahl added career-highs of 16 and 14, respectively, with Stahl also adding a career-high 12 rebounds for her first career double-double. Deja Jones matched her career high of 12 points and also dished out a career-high eight assists for the Sycamores, who trailed for less than 90 seconds in the game and led by as many as 24.
Indiana State’s four double-digit scorers contributed to an early 9-0 run to put the Sycamores ahead for good midway through the first, and the Trees’ pressure held Wright State in check for the opening 20 minutes. Jones, Secrist and Williams combined for 21 points in the first half, outscoring Wright State in the process as Indiana State took a double-digit lead into the intermission. Wright State cut the Sycamores’ lead down to seven early in the third, but the Trees responded with a 19-6 run to take full control of the game, with Williams scoring eight during the run. Stahl kept the pressure up with eight points and six rebounds in the fourth, with Secrist adding six in the last 10 minutes as Indiana State picked up its first win of the season.
Spread The Wealth
Indiana State had four players in double-figures in its win over Wright State, marking the first time since its Feb. 25, 2024 win at Bradley that four Sycamores scored 10-plus points in a game.
Keslyn Secrist led all players with 18 in the win, while Chloe Williams and Saige Stahl set career-highs in scoring with 16 and 14, respectively. Deja Jones matched her career high of 12, marking her second straight game in double-figures.
Crashing Through
Indiana State pulled down double-digit offensive rebounds for the third straight game to start the 2024-25 season, with the Sycamores corralling a season-high 15 offensive boards in their win over Wright State. The Trees converted their extra opportunities into 14 second chance points, their most in a game this season.
Five different Sycamores had at least one offensive rebound, with Chloe Williams and Saige Stahl tying for the team lead with four offensive rebounds each. Stahl had a game-high 12 rebounds for her first career double-double, while Indiana State was plus-nine (44-35) in rebounds margin.
Pound The Paint
Indiana State placed an emphasis on its frontcourt in Tuesday’s game against Wright State, with the Sycamore post players delivering in a major way in their win over the Raiders. The Trees finished with a season-high 36 points in the paint in Tuesday’s win, representing a higher total than their first two games combined.
Two Sycamore post players set career-highs in scoring in Tuesday’s win over Wright State. Chloe Williams put up 16 points and hit seven field goals, while Saige Stahl scored 14 on an efficient 6-for-7 clip from the field.
Dropping Dimes
Indiana State guard Deja Jones has posted her two highest single-game assist totals of her career in the Sycamores’ first three games this season. Jones opened the season with a six-assist showing against Western Kentucky, and set a career-high with eight assists in the Trees’ road win over Wright State.
Jones is averaging 5.3 assists per game through the first three games, ranking in the top five in the MVC and in the top 60 nationally in assists per game through the first 10 days of the 2024-25 campaign.
Sharpshooter
Keslyn Secrist leads Indiana State in scoring this season with 17.0 points per game, ranking in the top 10 in the conference in scoring average and total points. Secrist has scored in double-figures in each of the first three games, including a career-high 21 in the season opener against Western Kentucky.
Secrist’s shooting performances have been efficient, as she ranks in the top 10 in the MVC in field goal percentage (10th, 52.9), 3-point percentage (fourth, 50.0) and free throw percentage (sixth, 88.9).
Austin Peay At A Glance
Austin Peay comes into Friday’s game with an 0-2 record. The Governors suffered back-to-back losses to Bethel (64-52) and Vanderbilt (93-37) to begin the season.
La’Nya Foster leads Austin Peay with 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, with Abby Cater (7.5) and Briana Rivera (6.0) both adding six-plus points per game. Five different Governors average at least five points per game, with Foster and Anovia Sheals (5.0) both averaging more than five rebounds per game. Foster also leads the team with six blocks, three assists and three steals.
Brittany Young is in her fourth season as the head coach at Austin Peay and owns a 54-43 record in her career. Young has won at least 17 games in each of her first three seasons at Austin Peay, including a 20-win campaign and a WBI appearance in the 2021-22 season.
Series History Against Austin Peay
Indiana State is 2-2 all-time against Austin Peay, including a 1-1 mark against the Governors in Terre Haute. The Sycamores and Governors last met during the 2001-02 season in Clarksville, a game which Austin Peay won 73-58.
Indiana State’s last win in the series came during the 2000-01 season in Terre Haute, an 89-85 overtime win inside Hulman Center.
Last Meeting Against Austin Peay (Nov. 21, 2001)
Austin Peay got a career-high 30 points from Paige Smith to defeat Indiana State 73-58 in Clarksville. Kourtney Mennen hit six 3-pointers for the Sycamores, but 10 3-pointers for the Governors and 22 Sycamore turnovers proved costly.
Up Next
Indiana State begins a 45-day stretch between home games following Friday’s contest, with the Sycamores’ next game set for Wednesday night at Butler.
EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL
ACES SET FOR FINAL ROAD TRIP OF THE SEASON
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the final time this season, the University of Evansville volleyball team takes to the road for weekend matches at UIC and Valparaiso. UE opens the weekend on Friday against the Flames in a 6 p.m. contest before heading to take on the Beacons at 5 p.m. on Saturday; both matches will be on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
– Angelica Gonzalez recorded her second 20-kill match in a row as UE fell to Murray State in four sets last Friday
– Josdarilee Caraballo (12) and Carlotta Pascual (11) had their top career kill totals
– Evansville took the first set by a final of 25-21 before the Racers took the final three
Back-to-back
– Angelica Gonzalez got her chance to take over the offense last weekend and delivered consecutive 20-kill performances
– She set a new career mark with 21 against Belmont before recording 20 versus the Racers
– Gonzalez now has at least 4 kills in 16 of the last 18 matches
– She has averaged 2.13 kills per set on the season and while posting 2.26 in the MVC
Top Efforts
– Josdarilee Caraballo and Carlotta Pascual are coming off their top collegiate weekends as they have seen increased floor time
– Caraballo recorded a career-best 12 kills against the Racers on Nov. 8 while accumulating 38 attempts, also her career best
– Pascual had two solid matches, beginning with 9 kills versus Belmont before following that up with 11 in the 4-set match versus the Racers
Scouting the Opposition
– UIC opens the weekend with a mark of 18-9 while sitting at 10-5 in Valley action
– With three league matches remaining, the Flames are one game up on Murray State for third place in the league
– Cleo Lorenzo leads the Flames with 2.55 kills per set
– Sitting at 15-12 overall and 7-8 in the conference, Valparaiso holds the 7th spot in the league
– The Beacons are led by Elise Swistek’s 3.01 kills/set
SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
OFFENSIVE WOES RESULT IN THREE-SET LOSS AT TENNESSEE TECH
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (8-19, OVC 3-12) fail to mount efficient attacking runs at the end of sets, falling to a talented Tennessee Tech University (20-7, OVC 9-6) squad on Thursday night in three straight sets (10-25, 21-25, 22-25).
USI’s losing streak extends to ten games as the Screaming Eagles will likely need to win out in their final three games against Tennessee Tech and Morehead State University to have a chance of advancing to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Senior Carly Sobieralski surpassed 1,000 season assists in 2024 with her 24 dimes tonight. This marks the second time in her career eclipsing the 1,000 milestone. The senior is fifth all-time in the record books with 2,795 career assists.
Set 1: USI 10, TTU 25
Tennessee Tech swatted eight early kills taking the 10-6 lead. USI struggled to manufacture a strong enough attack as the Golden Eagles mounted an 15-4 run failing to connect passes. USI tallied five kills opposed to TTU’s 15 on the set along with hitting a .069 hitting percentage.
Set 2: USI 23, TTU 25
TTU continued to have success to start set two capitalizing off two attacking errors and a set error building an early 8-3 lead. USI roared back with the help of four kills from sophomore Ashby Willis in route to tying the match at 11. Redshirt freshman Jillian Moonan tallied her first career kill on her first career start helping the Eagles gain a 14-13 lead. Junior Bianca Anderson and Willis continued to have their way with three combined kills extending the lead to 18-15. However, USI continued to struggle closing sets on Thursday afternoon as TTU closed the set on a 10-3 run. Willis totaled seven set two kills as the Eagles attacked at a .324 percentage, but failed to limit the Golden Eagles opportunities in crunch time.
Set 3: USI 22, TTU 25
An early service ace from freshman Kerigan Fehr and two kills from Anderson helped the Eagles jump out to a 7-3 lead. The Golden Eagles mounted their own run of five straight points regaining the lead. USI took advantage of six sloppy errors from TTU taking a 20-18 lead. Senior setter Sobieralski and middle hitter Paris Downing connected through the middle to give USI the 22-21 lead. However, Tennessee Tech regained the momentum sweeping the Eagles by winning the final four points.
Willis led the Eagles with 11 kills, along with also leading in digs at 14. Sobieralski racked up 24 assists and 13 digs for her 23rd double-double of the year.
As a team, USI finished with 28 kills, 27 assists, 46 digs, two aces, two blocks, and a .150 attacking percentage. The Golden Eagles earned 52 kills, 46 assists, 56 digs, seven aces, four blocks, and a .279 hitting percentage.
Next up for the Eagles
USI stays in Cookeville tomorrow night with a 6 p.m. match up with Tennessee Tech.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SOUTHERN INDIANA BEGINS HOMESTAND THIS WEEKEND AGAINST IU SOUTHEAST AND SAINT LOUIS
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball begins a three-game homestand with a pair of games this weekend at Liberty Arena, home of the Screaming Eagles. USI welcomes Indiana University Southeast Friday at 6 p.m. before hosting Saint Louis University Sunday at 2 p.m.
Both contests can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. Sunday’s game can also be heard on WREF 97.7 FM.
Friday is the Women’s Empowerment game, as Archie’s Army partners with the USI Panhellenic Council to support and inspire. USI sororities and local women’s organizations will be recognized. Plus, the first 500 students in attendance will receive a free rally towel. Fans can also get a $5 ticket by donating five (5) canned food items at the arena.
On Sunday, fans should arrive early for pregame ceremonies and banner unveilings celebrating the 2023-24 season. Additionally, USI Housing and Residence Life will host a pregame tailgate with food and activities in partnership with Archie’s Army. At halftime, USI Athletics will recognize its teams and student-athletes academic achievements in 2023-24.
Southern Indiana (2-1) will play its second game of the season against an NAIA school Friday against IU Southeast. The Screaming Eagles opened the 2024-25 campaign with a 100-49 win against Brescia University (Ky.) on November 4.
The Screaming Eagles are coming off a two-game road swing through the state of Kentucky. USI started the trip with a 75-51 setback at No. 17 University of Louisville last Friday before picking up their first road win this season in an 82-75 victory at Murray State University on Tuesday.
USI got off to a good start against the Racers Tuesday, leading 22-14 after the first quarter. After Murray State closed the gap going into halftime, the Eagles created some separation in the third quarter with an 11-0 run and holding the Racers to only seven points in the third. While Murray State made a late charge in the fourth, USI sealed the win at the free-throw line.
Sophomore guard Triniti Ralston led six Screaming Eagles in double figures at Murray State with a team-high 17 points. Ralston added seven rebounds and six assists with zero turnovers. The last time USI had six players score 10-plus was against the University of Indianapolis in January 2022. All five starters finished in double digits on Tuesday. Senior guard Vanessa Shafford dropped 14 points. Junior guard Ali Saunders and sophomore forward Amiyah Buchanan each recorded 12 points. Graduate forwards Madi Webb and Meredith Raley registered 11 points.
On the season, Saunders paces USI with 15 points, four assists, 4.7 steals, and 32 minutes per game. Raley is second on the squad at 12.7 points per outing and tied for the team lead with six rebounds per contest. Raley nearly had a double-double at Murray State with nine rebounds in addition to her 11 points.
USI and IU Southeast will meet for the 24th time on Friday. The Eagles lead the all-time series 13-10 and have won the last two matchups. However, the two sides are facing off for the first time since the 1991-92 season when USI claimed a 96-83 victory at IU Southeast. The series dates to the 1976-77 season.
The Grenadiers are 0-3 to start their season. IU Southeast most recently fell 96-89 against Simmons College of Kentucky on Wednesday. Junior guard Jesse Ledgerwood led the Grenadiers with a career-high 29 points off the bench with five assists and five steals. Junior forward Makenna Wilson also set a career mark with 26 points. Ledgerwood and Wilson lead the team with 13 and 11.3 points per game, respectively, this season.
On Sunday, USI and Saint Louis will be a battle of 2023-24 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) teams. USI advanced to the second round of last year’s WNIT, while Saint Louis went on to win the WNIT championship over the University of Minnesota.
Saint Louis leads the all-time series, 5-2, heading into the eighth meeting on Sunday. The series goes back to the 1982-83 season. The Screaming Eagles and Billikens met in St. Louis, Missouri, last December with Saint Louis winning 89-53. Shafford led the Eagles with 14 points.
The Billikens are 2-1 so far this season with an overtime win against the University of South Dakota to start the season and a victory last time out against Illinois State University, 78-71. Saint Louis came from behind to outscore Illinois State by 10 in the fourth period to get the win. Graduate forward Peyton Kennedy scored a team-high 17 points with junior guard Brooklyn Gray right behind at 16 points.
Kennedy and Gray are two of four Billikens averaging double digits scoring this season. Kennedy tops the squad with 18.7 points per outing with Gray third at 15 points per contest. Freshman guard Anumele Shun’teria and senior guard Kennedy Calhoun are averaging 15.7 and 12 points, respectively.
Tickets for all home games at Liberty Arena can be purchased online at usiscreamingeagles.com or the USI Ticket Office.
VALPO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
GOLD, RAYE-REDMOND POST CAREER HIGHS THURSDAY AT MILWAUKEE
Sophomores Layla Gold (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) and Raeven Raye-Redmond (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood Madison) each smashed their respective career bests in the scoring column Thursday evening, but the Valpo women’s basketball team was unable to overcome a 13-point deficit at the end of the first quarter as it fell 90-79 at Milwaukee.
How It Happened
Milwaukee connected on five 3-pointers in the first quarter on its way to a 26-13 lead at the end of the opening period.
Valpo got the deficit back to single digits less than two minutes into the second quarter on the second drive and finish by Raye-Redmond while being fouled of the quarter.
Three minutes later, a 3-pointer by sophomore Nevaeh Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) got the Beacons to within six at 36-30 with 5:09 to play in the first half.
That proved to be Valpo’s last field goal of the half, however. The Beacons did hit all six of their free throw attempts in the final 2:10 of the half to prevent the Panthers from extending their lead past 47-36 at intermission.
Valpo held Milwaukee without a field goal for the first four-plus minutes of the second half, but inside baskets from juniors Maci Rhoades (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek [Radford]) and Fiona Connolly (South Burlington, Vt./Brewster Academy [La Salle]) were the only damage the Beacons could do against the Panthers in that stretch.
Milwaukee broke the streak with back-to-back 3-pointers at the halfway mark of the period, giving the Panthers their largest lead to that point at 55-40.
A mini 8-2 spurt for the Beacons, which included five points from Gold and a triple by fifth-year Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH), cut the deficit to nine points with 1:21 to play in the quarter, and after Milwaukee had the lead back into double figures, Raye-Redmond converted a layup with seconds to play in the period to bring Valpo within 65-56 with 10 minutes remaining.
Gold and Jackson hit 3-pointers on the Beacons’ first two possessions of the fourth quarter, but on the defensive end, Milwaukee scored seven points in its first three possessions to come out ahead.
Gold connected on a 3-pointer and drove inside for a layup on consecutive trips to cut the deficit to 74-67 with 6:04 to play. After a pair of Milwaukee free throws, Raye-Redmond finished at the rim yet again to cut the Panther lead back to seven with 5:06 to play, but Valpo got no closer the rest of the way.
Inside the Game
The 79 points was Valpo’s highest output in a regulation loss since falling 85-80 to Illinois State Feb. 12, 2022.
While the two teams shot at nearly identical clips from the floor, the Panthers hit 11-of-25 from deep to Valpo’s 8-of-21. Milwaukee also went 29-of-37 from the foul line versus the Beacons’ 15-of-23 effort from the stripe.
Valpo did enjoy a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint, the third consecutive game it has outscored the opposition in the paint.
The Beacons committed just 12 turnovers to Milwaukee’s 14 and scored 18 points off the Panthers’ miscues versus 10 for Milwaukee.
Gold took what she showcased in the season opener against Liberty and raised it to another level on Thursday. The sophomore obliterated her career high of 11 points set in the season opener, finishing the night with a team-high 23 points as she went 8-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the 3-point line, surpassing her previous highs of four field goals made and two 3-pointers made.
Similarly, Raye-Redmond took her performance from the Purdue Fort Wayne game last Saturday to the next level Thursday. The sophomore easily passed her previous career high of nine points, finishing with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Raye-Redmond also matched her career best with five assists, grabbed four rebounds and tallied three steals.
Playing in front of a good contingent of fans from her home state, Earnest battled for 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting and seven rebounds. She moved up another spot on Valpo’s career rebounding chart, surpassing Cheryl Wilbrandt for eighth all-time at Valpo with 669 career boards.
Jackson rounded out the quartet of Beacons in double figures in the scoring column as she finished with 13 points to go with five rebounds and a career-high four blocked shots. The sophomore has scored at least nine points in each of Valpo’s first four games.
It is the first time four Valpo players have scored in double digits in the same game since Feb. 19, 2023 at Evansville.
Next Up
Valpo (1-3) plays its second of two straight games against former conference foes next Tuesday as the Beacons make the short trip to Chicago to play at Loyola. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.
UINDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
CHIKAMBA LIFTS HOUNDS, SHARP TO FIRST WIN
HAMMOND, Ind. – The UIndy women’s basketball team got the monkey off its back on Thursday evening, securing the first win of the season with a gritty 62-61 win at in-region Purdue Northwest.
Jama Sharp picked up her first win as head coach of the Greyhounds behind Patricia Chikamba’s career-high 23 points.
Chikamba recorded her fourth career double-double, adding 14 rebounds to her point total.
UINDY FOOTBALL
REGULAR SEASON FINALE AWAITS UINDY FOOTBALL
WEEK 11
at Lincoln Blue Tigers (1-9, 0-7 GLVC)
Saturday // November 16
1 p.m. ET // Jefferson City, MO
With a playoff spot potentially on the line, the newly-crowned GLVC champs wrap up the regular season with a road trip to Lincoln University for a Saturday matinee. The contest features a meeting of extremes as far as the GLVC standings are concerned, with UIndy trying to finish the season unbeaten in conference play and Lincoln in search of its first GLVC win of the year.
Saturday marks the teams’ first meeting in six years. Lincoln was an associate member of the GLVC in football from 2014-18, then moved back to the MIAA for five years before returning as a full-time GLVC member this academic year. During their first stint in the league, the Blue Tigers lost all five game versus UIndy by an average of 32 points.
The most-recent matchup came on UIndy’s Homecoming in 2018. Greyhound-legend Toriano Clinton took the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and the Hounds were off and running. UIndy went on to rack up nearly 500 yards of total offense on the way to a 41-17 victory.
UINDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
MICHIGAN TRIP ON TAP FOR UINDY MEN’S HOOPS
vs. Lake Superior State Lakers (3-1)
Friday // November 15
11:30 a.m. ET // Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Watch | Live Stats | Listen
vs. Saginaw Valley State Cardinals (0-2)
Sunday // November 17
3 p.m. ET // University Center, MI
Watch | Listen
Fresh off a pair of comeback wins to open the season, the UIndy men’s basketball hits the road for a new test this weekend against in-region Lake Superior State and Saginaw Valley. The Greyhounds travel north to the Upper Peninsula for a Friday morning tip with the Lakers before slowly making their way back home with a Sunday battle with the Cardinals.
UIndy leads both all-time series, with a 4-3 advantage against Lake Superior State and an 8-2 lead over Saginaw Valley.
MARIAN FOOTBALL
GAMEDAY GUIDE: MARIAN FOOTBALL ENDS REGULAR SEASON AT #24 SAINT FRANCIS (ILL.)
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian football team still has their eyes on a spot in the NAIA Football Championship Series, and is entering the final week of the regular season in must-win mode, traveling to Joilet, Illinois to take on the Saint Francis Fighting Saints. Both Marian and Saint Francis enter the week with identical 7-2 records, and are fighting for their postseason lives.
LAST TIME OUT
Marian earned their seventh win of the season, sending their seniors out of Ascension St. Vincent Field with a dominating 76-6 victory over Judson University. Baron Huebler and Keagan La Belle each ran for two touchdowns, while Tristan Polk threw for three touchdown passes, finding Jake Reichard twice and Tirae Spence once. The Knights’ defense recorded five sacks and had two interceptions returned for touchdowns by Yassine Falke and Logan Carrington, and Charles Vaden earned MSFA Midwest Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his 62-yard punt return touchdown.
Saint Francis won their last matchup 38-13 over Olivet Nazarene, scoring their seventh win of the season. Quarterback Sam Tumilty ran for four touchdowns in the game, setting the Saints rushing touchdown and points record in a single season.
THE SERIES
Marian is playing Saint Francis for the first time since the 2022 season this weekend, are traveling to Joliet for the first time since the 2021 season. Marian is 8-1 all-time against the Fighting Saints, and have won the last five contests against Saint Francis. The Knights are 3-0 under head coach Ted Karras Jr against Saint Francis, with Coach K leading his team up against the Saints for the first time since 2011.
This is the first conference matchup between the two teams, and the winner of this weekend’s game will be the runner-up in the MSFA Midwest League. In the event of an Olivet Nazarene upset over Saint Francis (Ind.), the winner between the Knights and Saints will earn an MSFA Midwest Co-Championship.
HELP NEEDED
Marian not only needs a win, but will need help from around the NAIA in order to keep their postseason hopes alive. 20 teams make the NAIA playoffs, with 13 bids going to the conference championships around the NAIA. Marian would be vying for an at-large bid this season. Games that Marian fans should keep an eye on that could help with favorable results include the following:
#21 Southwestern at (RV) McPherson
#14 Southern Oregon at College of Idaho
Waldorf at #16 Dordt
#18 Saint Francis (Ind.) at Olivet Nazarene
#23 Carroll at #8 Montana Tech
WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG
Those fans unable to attend Saturday’s game can watch live through the Saint Francis Fighting Saints YouTube Channel, listed above. The Knights broadcast duo of Scott McCauley and Zach Graves will be in Joliet with the team, calling an audio-only broadcast of the game, streamed live through the ISC Sports Network channels. Fans can also find live statistics at marianstats.com. Live updates of the game will be posted on the official Marian Athletics Twitter/X page, @MUKnights, along with the team page of @MarianUFootball.
Kickoff in Saturday’s clash is set for 2:00 p.m. ET in Joliet, Illinois.
WABASH MEN’S BASKETBALL
HOT SHOOTING HANDS WABASH HOME WIN OVER MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN – Wabash shot 50 percent from the field and nearly doubled Mount Saint Joseph’s offensive output in the second half to earn an 87-59 victory in the Little Giants’ home opener at Chadwick Court.
Wabash (1-2) never trailed in the contest, jumping in front by as many as nine points in the first six minutes of the game. Mount Saint Joseph (2-1) trimmed the advantage to three points at 20-17 with 8:39 remaining in the opening period before the Little Giants 16-3 scoring run over the next five minutes to move in front 36-20. The visiting Lions scored the final ten points of the half to cut the Wabash advantage to 38-32 at the break.
The Little Giants turned up the home-court advantage in the second half, making 19-of-34 attempts from the field for 55.9 percent shooting in the period. Wabash connected on 4-of-10 three-point tries in the second half and finished the game shooting 47.1 percent from long range with an 8 of 17 effort.
Wabash used its strong shooting to take a 21-point lead midway through the period, increasing the advantage to as many as 31 points at 87-56 in the final two minutes of the contest.
Vinny Buccilla paced the Wabash offensive attack with a game-high 18 points. Josh Whack scored a career-best 15 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Nate Matelic came off the bench to tally 15 points. Rich Brooks tossed in 11 points.
Wabash got a 36-point showing from the bench in the victory. The Little Giants outscored Mount Saint Joseph 46 to 30 in the pain and scored 25 points on 13 MSJ turnovers. Wabash committed only four turnovers in the contest.
The Little Giants pulled down 39 rebounds in Thursday’s game compared to Mount Saint Joseph’s 35, led by Noah Hupmann’s eight boards.
Wabash’s defense held Mount Saint Joseph to only 35.5 percent shooting from the field, including 20.7 percent from beyond the arc. Matthew Menninger led the Lions with 17 points, and Luke Collinsworth scored 13 points and grabbed a team-best nine rebounds. Elisha Jones scored 10 points for the Lions.
Wabash returns to Chadwick Court to face in-state rival Franklin College on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m.
Game Notes
» The Little Giants shot well from three-point range, knocking down 8 of 17 long-range attempts.
» The Little Giants held the Lions to only 35.5 percent shooting from the field.
» Wabash never trailed on the way to an 87-59 victory.
» The Wabash bench made an impact by scoring 36 points to its scoring output.
» Wabash had a 39-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Wabash defense forced 13 turnovers.
» The Little Giants were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» Wabash turned the ball over four times while dishing out eight assists.
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/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
9 – 12 – 49 – 22 – 53 – 14 – 8 – 15 – 39 – 23 – 18 – 23 – 13
November 15, 1946 – Boston Red Sox legend, Number 9, Ted Williams was selected as the American League MVP
November 15, 1951 – New York Yankee Number 12, Gil McDougald wins American League Rookie of Year
November 15, 1959 – Cleveland Browns’ halfback Number 49, Bobby Mitchell set the franchise record for longest run from scrimmage (90-yards), beat Wash 31-17
November 15, 1960 – Elgin Baylor, Number 22 of the LA Lakers scored 71 points vs New York Knicks
November 15, 1961 – Roger Maris, Number 9 of the New York Yankees, was voted AL MVP
November 15, 1962 – Don Drysdale, the LA Dodgers Number 53 won the Cy Young Award
November 15, 1964 – Ajax soccer star Number 14, Johan Cruyff debuted against GVAV
November 15, 1967 – Boston’s Number 8, Carl Yastrzemski won the American League MVP
November 15, 1972 – Chicago White Sox Number 15, Dick Allen won the American League MVP
November 15, 1978 – Pirates outfielder Number 39, Dave Parker won the National League MVP
November 15, 1983 – 75th hat trick in Islander history was registered by future Hall of Famer, Number 22, Mike Bossy
November 15, 1988 – LA Dodgers outfielder Number 23, Kirk Gibson won the National League MVP
November 15, 1989 – Bret Saberhagen, Number 18 of the Kansas City Royals won the American League Cy Young Award
November 15, 2018 – LeBron James (Number 23) passed Wilt Chamberlain (Number 13) for 5th on the NBA’s all-time career scoring list with 44 points for the LA Lakers in 126-117 victory over Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center, Los Angeles
FOOTBALL HISTORY
Iron Bowl 6
November 15, 1901 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama – From Onthisday.com , the 6th Iron Bowl classic took place as the Auburn Tigers blanked the Crimson Tide of Alabama 17-0.
Football Program Suspended
November 15, 1906 – Columbia University suspends its football program due to the high number of deaths and injuries per the Library of Congress.
November 15, 1958 – Houston, Texas – Texas A&M plays Number 17 Rice University. Rice was riding high all season as they sat in first-place atop the Southwest Conference. It wasn’t an easy game at all for the Owls as the teams were deadlocked at 14 in the third quarter. But that’s when Texas A&M’s Gordon LeBoeuf got his mitts on a blocked punt by teammate Don Smith and took it 55 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The NFF’s article on the game then tells how tailback Charlie Milstead extended the Aggie lead to 28-14 shortly after with his second touchdown run of the day. Rice’s All-America end Buddy Dial, a 1993 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, scored a late touchdown on a four-yard reception from Bobby Wright, but it would not be enough for the Owls, as A&M won by a touchdown 28-21.
Bobby Mitchell Carries the Offense
November 15, 1959 – Griffith Stadium, Washington D.C. – According to barstoolsports.com , Cleveland Browns’ halfback Bobby Mitchell set a club record for longest run from scrimmage (90-yards), and put up a pretty big number with 232 yards on the ground for the day and three TDs against a porous Washington defense. Redskins back Johnny Olszewski nearly matched Mitchell’s numbers as he rushed for 190 yards himself in a losing effort. As the Cleveland Browns were victorious by the score of 31-17 over Washington.
Paul Brown’s Most Rewarding Victory?
November 15, 1970 – Paul Brown, as head coach of the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, defeats his former team the Cleveland Browns. The website cincyjungle.com has a great story on this subject. Giving a bit of a backstory to give the win some relevance because earlier in the season the Bengals took a 20-16 lead into the fourth quarter but the Browns came back and won the 1st matchup by 3 points. The rematch on November 15, 1970 resulted in a Cincinnati Bengals win by the tune of 14-7. The legendary coach/owner said in an interview after the game that it was a moment he called his “greatest victory.” In fact the full piece from the original article from the UPI’s report in 1970:
“This was my best victory,” Brown beamed in the dressing room afterwards. He was asked if he meant the best victory since he formed the Bengals in 1968.
“I’m talking about my best victory, period,” Brown answered enthusiastically. “It’s been a long, frustrating first half of the season,” the former Browns coach said, “but this made it all worthwhile. It was a tremendous battle. We happened to get that second touchdown and held on for dear life.”
November 15, 2014 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama – A narrow escape for the Alabama Crimson Tide as they overcame a Mississippi State upset bid in a 25-20 victory in a game littered with future NFL stars.. A 2014 story from sbnation.com tells the tale of the game quite well. The Bulldogs looked completely overwhelmed early. Scoring opened with a safety to put up Alabama 2-0, and Alabama would eventually open it up to 19-0 in the second quarter, with Blake Sims connecting with Amari Cooper for one score and Derrick Henry running the ball on the ground for a TD on the other.
Mississippi State would eventually creep their way back into the game to a score of 19-13 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but by then they were about spent and Bama punched in another 6 points in the fourth. They simply dug themselves too deep a hole, and you can’t do that against Alabama, even if this isn’t a vintage Crimson Tide squad. Dak Prescott threw three interceptions, including one in the end zone, and the running game never really got off the mat after a bad start.
HOF Birthdays
Get “Shorty” Miller
November 15, 1890 – The Penn State University quarterback from 1910 through 1913, Gene “Shorty “ Miller was born. The NFF’s bio on the player describes a particular game that set Shorty Miller out from the crowd. The captains of the rival squads of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State gathered at the 50 yard-line for the coin toss before the start of the 1911 game. Penn won the flip and elected to kickoff. It was a fatal mistake. Gene “Shorty” Miller, Penn State’s heralded sophomore quarterback, weaved 95 yards for a touchdown. Minutes later, Miller scored again, this time on a 32-yard run, and Penn was demoralized. The Nittany Lions went on to a 22-6 victory and the first of two undefeated seasons. College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
Otis Armstrong
November 15, 1950 – Chicago, Illinois – Otis Armstrong the Purdue product that played halfback was born. When Otis Armstrong left college he owned the All-Time Big Ten Conference rushing record. He was the Conference MVP, First Team All-Conference, winner of the Swede Nelson Award for Good Sportsmanship and was a consensus All-American according to the National Football Foundation’s bio on him. Otis registered 3,315 career rushing yards which set school and conference records and placed him sixth in NCAA history for the feat. The NFF selected Otis Armstrong to enter into its College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. After school Otis was selected as a first round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 1973 NFL Draft. Armstrong played eight seasons with Denver and led the NFL in rushing in 1974, earning First Team All-Pro honors and appearing in his first of two Pro Bowls. As a Bronco he appeared with the team in Super Bowl XII.
TV SPORTS FRIDAY
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
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| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
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| UCLA at Washington | 9:00pm | FOX |
| Houston at Arizona | 10:15pm | FS1 |
| MEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| New Orleans vs. Stonehill | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Sacred Heart vs. Holy Cross | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Virginia vs. Villanova | 5:00pm | TNT |
| William & Mary at Winthrop | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| SIUE at Western Michigan | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
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| Florida at Florida State | 6:00pm | ACCN |
| Monmouth at Rutgers | 6:30pm | BTN |
| SMU at Butler | 7:00pm | FS2 |
| Florida Atlantic at Charleston | 7:00pm | YouTube |
| Temple at Boston College | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Belmont at Air Force | 7:00pm | MWN |
| Alabama at Purdue | 7:00pm | Peacock |
| Lindenwood at Robert Morris | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Army West Point at Marist | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Tulane at Furman | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Vermont at Iona | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Nicholls at Cincinnati | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Fordham at Manhattan | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| West Georgia at South Florida | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Loyola Chicago at Princeton | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| New Hampshire at Brown | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UNCW at USC Upstate | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| John Jay at Fairfield | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Maine at Quinnipiac | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Maryland Eastern Shore at Old Dominion | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UAB at High Point | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Georgia Southern vs. North Carolina Central | 7:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Virginia Tech vs. Penn State | 7:30pm | Peacock |
| Marquette at Maryland | 8:00pm | FS1 |
| American at North Carolina | 8:00pm | ACCN |
| Saint Joseph’s at Penn | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Georgia at Georgia Tech | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| West Virginia at Pitt | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Eastern Illinois at Northwestern | 8:00pm | Peacock |
| Texas College at UTA | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Ohio at Memphis | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| St. Norbert at St. Thomas | 8:00pm | Summit |
| Washington State vs. Iowa | 8:30pm | BTN |
| Samford at North Alabama | 8:45pm | ESPN+ |
| Duquesne at DePaul | 9:00pm | FS2 |
| Ohio State at Texas A&M | 9:00pm | SECN |
| UMass Lowell at Gonzaga | 9:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Arizona at Wisconsin | 9:00pm | Peacock |
| Cal State Fullerton at Oregon State | 10:00pm | ESPN+ |
| LIU at California Baptist | 10:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lehigh at UCLA | 10:00pm | B1G+ |
| WOMEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| UConn vs. North Carolina | 6:00pm | ESPN2 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World Tour: DP World Tour Championship | 2:00am | GOLF |
| LPGA: The ANNIKA | 10:00am | GOLF |
| PGA: Butterfield Bermuda Championship | 1:00pm | GOLF |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Nations League: Cyprus vs Lithuania | 12:00pm | Fox Soccer Plus Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: Denmark vs Spain | 2:45pm | FS2 Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: Scotland vs Croatia | 2:45pm | Fox Soccer Plus Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: Luxembourg vs Bulgaria | 2:45pm | VIX Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: Portugal vs Poland | 2:45pm | VIX Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: Romania vs Kosovo | 2:45pm | VIX Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: San Marino vs Gibraltar | 2:45pm | VIX Fubo |
| UEFA Nations League: Switzerland vs Serbia | 2:45pm | VIX Fubo |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Cayman Islands vs Guadeloupe | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: St. Lucia vs Grenada | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Barbados vs Guyana | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Saint Martin vs Curaçao | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Suriname vs Canada | 6:30pm | Paramount+ |
| World Cup Qualifying: Uruguay vs Colombia | 7:00pm | Fanatiz USA |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Puerto Rico vs Aruba | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| World Cup Qualifying: Peru vs Chile | 8:30pm | Fanatiz USA |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Honduras vs Mexico | 9:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Sint Maarten vs Haiti | 9:00pm | Paramount+ |