Presenting Sponsorship of Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Remains Central Component of Partnership
NEW YORK and COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dec. 1, 2025 — Nationwide and the National Football League have announced the multiyear extension of their partnership that continues to position Nationwide as an official sponsor across key insurance and financial service categories, including auto, home, life, business, agribusiness, pet insurance and retirement planning. The centerpiece of the renewed agreement is Nationwide’s continued role as presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, an honor that recognizes NFL players for outstanding community service and excellence on the field. This year’s 32 club winners will be announced by the NFL on Thursday, Dec. 4. Since aligning with the league in 2014, Nationwide has worked with the NFL to elevate the platform that honors the legacy of Walter Payton and amplifies the charitable efforts of NFL players whose work is inspired by Walter’s enduring example. “Nationwide’s partnership with the NFL enables us to elevate our brand and drive business growth by promoting our insurance and financial services products with the league’s hyper- engaged and passionate fan base,” said Nationwide Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ann Bair. “We’re also looking forward to continuing our presenting sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and shining a spotlight on the impact the players are making off the field. This endeavor aligns with Nationwide’s deep commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work.” Over the course of the partnership, Nationwide has contributed more than $2.3M to charities supported by nominees and winners. Initiatives like the Charity Challenge and other campaigns have expanded fundraising opportunities and awareness for these causes, but sharing the personal stories of the nominees also remains a priority. A new, annual component of the partnership that will begin during the 2026 season is presenting sponsorship of a one-hour broadcast special that will highlight Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees and how they are uniquely impacting their communities. “We’re thrilled to further our relationship with Nationwide—a storied, impactful partner of the NFL for more than a decade,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Global Sponsorship Tracie Rodburg. “Together, we drive a significant tradition that celebrates our players making an inspiring difference across their communities, and we look forward to continuing this with Nationwide in the seasons ahead.” The 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year national winner will be announced during the NFL Honors broadcast, airing nationally on Thursday, Feb. 5 ahead of Super Bowl LX. Nominees will also participate in special Super Bowl week events, including local community event in the San Francisco Bay Area, attendance at NFL Honors, and on-field recognition during the championship game. A moment to recognize the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is also integrated into the NFL Draft. In addition to the partnership at the league level, Nationwide also currently has partnerships with 16 NFL clubs. Media Contacts: Karen Davis, Nationwide, davik53@nationwide.com Tim Schlittner, NFL, tim.schlittner@nfl.com |
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Nationwide, National Football League Extend Partnership with Multiyear Renewal
Unexpected Contenders: Phoenix’s Early-Season Revival
In the midst of a brutal Western Conference slate running through Christmas, the Phoenix Suns have unexpectedly become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NBA this season. Their early success has caught many off guard, as Phoenix entered the year with modest expectations in the opening stage of its rebuild. After moving on from two major pieces in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, owner and general manager Mat Ishbia committed to reconstructing the roster around star guard Devin Booker.
Photo Cred: The Sporting News
That plan is unfolding more smoothly than anticipated. The Suns currently sit at No. 7 in the West with a 12–9 record. This marks the first season Booker has fully taken the reins since the end of the 2022–23 campaign. Kevin Durant lightened his load, and the subsequent move involving Chris Paul for Bradley Beal shifted it again. Now back as the unquestioned leader of the offense, Booker has delivered, but the new additions have exceeded expectations as well.
Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks have redefined their roles, emerging as underrated secondary options on this young roster. Williams has been an excellent pickup, fitting seamlessly alongside Booker’s style of play. Brooks, meanwhile, is having a breakout season, filling the void left by Jalen Green, who remains out with a hamstring injury. He is averaging 21.5 points per game on nearly 40% shooting from three—well above the solid 14 points he provided last season.
Beyond the numbers, Brooks’ unmatched energy has sparked the Suns in ways the franchise hasn’t seen since the Mikal Bridges era. Unsung hero Collin Gillespie has also emerged as an unexpected standout with an expanded role this year. Last season’s ball-dominant trio created limited opportunities for him to see meaningful minutes, but the reshaped roster opened the door for Gillespie to prove he could be a reliable contributor. His importance skyrocketed when Green went down early in training camp.
Photo Cred: MSN
It forced new head coach Jordan Ott to redistribute scoring responsibilities throughout the rotation. Despite the off-court financial allegations surrounding Mat Ishbia, he has remained assertive and candid about the franchise’s recent struggles, laying out a clear vision for reshaping Phoenix’s culture. Ishbia has been upfront in saying this season would be a “work in progress,” yet through 21 games, the Suns have already surpassed expectations.
Nevada Rediscovers Its Identity in Win Over San Francisco
For a team searching for a spark, sometimes all it takes is one game where everything finally falls back into place. On Friday afternoon under the soft desert lights of the Acrisure Holiday Classic, Nevada looked like a team rediscovering itself, pulling away in the second half to beat San Francisco 81–65. From the opening tip, the Wolf Pack played like a group tired of close calls and missed chances.
Photo Cred: Reno Gazette Journal
But the Dons weren’t about to make anything easy. The first ten minutes felt like two boxers trading jabs — Corey Camper Jr. slicing through the lane for floaters, San Francisco responding with quick transition threes, neither side willing to blink. When freshman Kaleb Lowery buried a corner three to tie the game at 14, the bench erupted, and for the first time in several outings, Nevada looked energized.
Still, the Dons stayed within striking distance. Every time Nevada built a bit of momentum, San Francisco slowed the pace, attacked the rim, or forced the Pack into long, deliberate possessions. At halftime, Nevada held a slim 38–37 lead — a calm but restless mood, the kind of locker room where everyone knows they’re capable of more.
Nevada opened the second half with a defensive edge that instantly shifted the tone. Suddenly passing lanes felt tighter, rotations sharper. The Pack forced turnovers, secured long rebounds, and pushed the ball ahead before the Dons could get set. Camper Jr. orchestrated everything — calling out switches, feeding shooters, and carving up defenders with a patience that made the offense click.
Photo Cred: Nevada
When the lead finally stretched into double digits, the change in energy was unmistakable. What had been a grind turned into a rhythm. Ethan Croley delivered the exclamation point — an offensive rebound, a spin, a soft finish, and the foul. His and-one pushed the lead to 20 and sent the Nevada section into a full roar. Croley kept going, ripping down loose balls as if each one were personal, fueling the Pack’s most confident stretch of basketball in weeks.
The final minutes carried as much relief as celebration. Shots kept falling, the defensive pressure stayed steady, and Nevada controlled the tempo until the buzzer sounded. The players met at midcourt smiling — not arrogantly, but with the quiet satisfaction that comes from playing the way they always believed they could. Nevada didn’t just win. They found a version of themselves they’ve been chasing: a team that defends with urgency, moves the ball with purpose, and trusts its depth.
Super Bowl LX Pregame Entertainment Lineup Revealed
Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones to Perform Ahead of KickoffNEW YORK – Nov. 30, 2025 – The NFL announced the pregame entertainment for Super Bowl LX, which will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, and air live on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock. The star-studded lineup features multi-award winning, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Charlie Puth, 11x Grammy-winning artist Brandi Carlile and Grammy-winning R&B breakout artist Coco Jones. “Super Bowl Sunday is the world’s biggest entertainment stage, and we’re proud to spotlight artists who embody the very best of music and culture,” said Jon Barker, senior vice president of global event production for the NFL. “Beyond the game itself, the Super Bowl is a global celebration. These artists bring a distinct voice to the moment, helping set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world.” “Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them – alongside our extraordinary deaf performers – on Super Bowl LX’s world stage,” stated Desiree Perez, CEO, Roc Nation. “This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day.” Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum singer, songwriter and producer Charlie Puth will perform the National Anthem. With more than 35 billion streams, multiple platinum singles, including “Attention” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” and global hits like “See You Again,” Puth has established himself as one of music’s most consistent hitmakers and sought-after collaborators across multiple genres. His performance comes ahead of the release of his highly anticipated fourth studio album, “Whatever’s Clever!”, set for March 6, 2026. One of music’s most respected voices, Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful.” Carlile is an Oscar-nominee, 11x Grammy-winner, 2x Emmy-winner and #1 New York Times Bestselling author and activist whose new solo album, “Returning To Myself,” has been praised as “one of the best albums of the year” (Variety). The record follows her celebrated collaboration with Elton John, “Who Believes in Angels?,” which recently earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be performed by R&B breakout star Coco Jones. Jones has quickly become one of R&B’s leading voices, earning eight Grammy nominations, including a 2026 Best R&B Album nomination for her debut project Why Not More?, and winning the 2024 Grammy for Best R&B Performance for her platinum-certified hit “ICU.” A multifaceted entertainer and actress, Jones currently stars in Peacock’s “Bel-Air” and continues to rise as one of the most compelling new talents in music and culture. The Super Bowl pregame entertainment will spotlight powerful American Sign Language (ASL) performances. Renowned Deaf music artist Fred Beam will perform the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Deaf music performer Julian Ortiz will deliver “America the Beautiful.” In a historic first, the signed rendition of the Apple Music Halftime Show will feature a multilingual signing program incorporating Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by Deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme. All signed performances for the Super Bowl pregame and the Apple Music Halftime Show are collaborations with Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality. The NFL previously announced that global music sensation Bad Bunny will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, produced by DPS with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers. For updates on Super Bowl LX festivities, fans can visit SuperBowl.com. About Brandi Carlile One of music’s most respected voices, Brandi Carlile is an Oscar-nominee, 11x Grammy-winner, 2x Emmy-winner and #1 New York Times Bestselling author. After pouring herself into projects with musical icons, Carlile is looking inward on her new album, Returning To Myself (Interscope Records/Lost Highway), produced by Carlile, Andrew Watt, Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon. The album debuted at #7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and landed at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Rock & Alternative Albums charts, and has been praised as “one of the best albums of the year” (Variety).The record follows Who Believes in Angels?, the universally praised collaborative album with her childhood hero Elton John, which debuted at #1 in the U.K. and top 10 in the U.S., and is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the upcoming 68th annual Grammy Awards. Carlile is also nominated for Best Song Written For Visual Media at next year’s awards for “Never Too Late,” a track written alongside Elton John, Bernie Taupin and Andrew Watt for the Disney+ documentary of the same name. In celebration of the new music, Carlile will return to the road next year with “The Human Tour,” including arena shows across North America, the U.K. and Europe. Upcoming stops include New York’s Madison Square Garden (two nights), Inglewood’s Kia Forum, Boston’s TD Garden and Minneapolis’ Target Center, among many others. Beloved by her peers, Carlile has worked with artists such as The Highwomen, Soundgarden, Sam Smith, Alicia Keys, Hozier, Noah Kahan, P!nk and Dolly Parton, was named OUT Magazine’s Icon of the Year, awarded Billboard’s Women In Music Trailblazer Award and NMPA’s Songwriter Icon Award as well as multiple awards from the Americana Music Association. Carlile is also a founder of the Looking Out Foundation, which has raised over $8M for grassroots causes to date and lives in rural Washington state with her wife and two daughters. About Charlie Puth Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth has proven to be one of the industry’s most consistent hitmakers and sought-after collaborators across multiple genres. To date, he has amassed over 35 billion career streams, nine multi-platinum singles (including “Attention,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “See You Again” & more), four Grammy nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award, and a Golden Globe nomination. Puth’s latest single “Changes” marks the first release from his highly anticipated fourth studio album “Whatever’s Clever!”, the follow-up to 2022’s CHARLIE which featured platinum-certified hit singles “Light Switch” and “Left and Right” featuring Jung Kook of BTS. Meanwhile, his 2021 co-penned/produced single “Stay” for The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber reigned #1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart for eleven weeks, and his collaboration with Gabby Barrett on their “I Hope (Remix)” earned him his fourth top 10 charting track on the Billboard Hot 100. Charlie Puth’s fourth studio album “Whatever’s Clever!” is out March 6, 2026. About Coco Jones Coco Jones has captivated the world with her timeless artistry, sensual voice, and emotive songs to become R&B’s breakout artist. She signed with High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings in 2022 and released the EP What I Didn’t Tell You with the lead single “ICU,” which has been certified Platinum. She’s been nominated for an impressive eight Grammy Awards—including the coveted Best New Artist accolade and won in 2024 for Best R&B Performance “ICU.” The song was lauded by fans and critics alike and peaked at #1 on the Billboard R&B Airplay chart, leading to Best New Artist wins at the BET Awards, The Soul Train Awards and NAACP Image Awards. With the release of 2x Grammy-nominated song “Here We Go (Uh Oh),” off her Grammy nominated debut album Why Not More? this next chapter finds the multihyphenate singer/songwriter and actress stepping into an era of empowerment and connection. Coco Jones was raised in Nashville, TN by a mother who was also a singer, and a father who played in the NFL. Early on, she learned the importance of following her dreams. She began recording at the age of 9 and was called to acting—first as a recurring guest on Disney’s musical sketch comedy, So Random!, and in 2012, as the golden-voiced love interest in the network’s TV movie, Let It Shine. Since then, she’s showcased her formidable acting skills playing Hilary Banks in Peacock’s Fresh Prince reboot, Bel-Air and Netflix’s Vampires vs. the Bronx. About Celimar Rivera Cosme Celimar Rivera Cosme, a Hard of Hearing native of Naranjito, Puerto Rico, will be performing the Bad Bunny Halftime Show in Puerto Rican Sign Language (LSPR). Celimar is a second-generation member of a Deaf family, and she works with Deaf children at the Colegio San Gabriel for Deaf children as well as with the community as an interpreter in Puerto Rico. She competed in a televised Puerto Rican dance contest reality show, “Claro que Baila.” Celimar has performed LSPR renditions for Bad Bunny during his residency in Puerto Rico and is looking forward to performing for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime show. About Fred Michael Beam Fred Michael Beam, performing the ASL rendition of the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a celebrated performer, dancer, director, and arts advocate known for his dynamic presence in Deaf theatre and performance. He previously served as the outreach coordinator for NTID Sunshine 2.0, bringing accessible arts and educational programming to audiences nationwide. A versatile artist, Beam has an extensive dance background and has performed with several Deaf dance companies, including the acclaimed Wild Zappers, where he showcased his signature precision, rhythm, and expressive movement. His stage credits include Mister in The Color Purple (Washington, D.C.), Deaf Duck in Holy Grail of Memphis at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia, and featured roles in Deaf Broadway’s productions of Once on This Island and Sweeney Todd. Beyond the stage, Beam has been a powerful voice for the community, serving as President of the National Black Deaf Advocates. His ongoing commitment to cultural advocacy, representation, and the arts has earned him numerous awards and recognition nationwide. About Julian Ortiz Julian Ortiz, delivering the ASL version of “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LX, is a proud Puerto Rican performer who embraces his Deaf identity with strength, confidence, and cultural pride. He celebrates the richness of both Deaf and Puerto Rican cultures through the power of music, bringing visibility, authenticity, and empowerment to every stage he enters. His work includes music performing at nationally featured Amazon livestream performances and at major festivals, where he works to elevate music artistry in sign language. |
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FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL Week 14
The FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll for Week 14 has been released, with panelist Ayokunle Spencer submitting his latest ballot. This week’s rankings highlight Oregon’s strong road performance, while Alabama falls. Meanwhile, Utah and USC make their return to the Super 16.
FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL (Week 14 – Nov. 28)
Ayokunle Spencer (Panel)
WEEKLY SUPER 16
POLL
1 Ohio State
2 Indiana
3 Georgia
4 Oregon
5 Ole Miss
6 Texas A&M
7 Texas Tech
8 Texas
9 Oklahoma
1 0 Alabama
1 1 Vanderbilt
1 2 Miami (FL)
1 3 Notre Dame
1 4 BYU
1 5 Utah
1 6 Virginia
Packers Push Lions to the Brink in Crucial NFC Showdown
On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers traveled to Detroit and defeated the Lions 31-24 in a pivotal matchup for both divisional and conference standings. Detroit dropped to 7-5 and is now unlikely to make the playoffs, especially with the Chicago Bears improving to 9-3 after their win over the Eagles on Friday. Despite the Lions still looking strong statistically this season—with the No. 5 offense and No. 14 defense—their decline in overall play has become obvious on film.
Photo Cred: MLive
The losses of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who both left for head coaching opportunities after last season, have been felt deeply. Head coach Dan Campbell recently took over offensive play-calling duties after Johnson’s replacement struggled to maximize the unit. The Lions are even bringing center Frank Ragnow out of retirement for the stretch run to help stabilize the offensive line. “Fired up to get him back. He wants to play, he wants to be a part of it, he misses the game, he misses his teammates,” Campbell said.
However, these adjustments appear to be too little, too late, as Detroit currently sits as the 8th seed in the NFC—on the outside looking in if the playoffs started today. Green Bay’s offense finally found its rhythm after quarterback Jordan Love had struggled for most of the season. Love has avoided significant criticism from many fans, who believe head coach Matt LaFleur is the real problem due to his supposedly conservative play calling. This narrative does not hold up, as Love ranks 10th in average depth of target this season.
LaFleur has consistently given him opportunities to push the ball downfield, but Love often makes poor decisions and fails to capitalize on the open routes LaFleur schemes up. Even with these issues, Green Bay still ranks as the 7th-best offense in the league. It’s hard to recall another instance where a fanbase has doubted an elite offensive play caller like LaFleur to the point where many want him fired.
Photo: Packers News
The Packers remain in contention for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, sitting at 8-3-1 after Thursday’s win. Still, this season has felt like an underachievement. They tied with a far inferior Cowboys team and lost to struggling Cleveland and Carolina squads. Had the Packers taken care of business, they could realistically be 11-1 and sitting atop the NFC.
Instead, they aren’t even leading their own division, as a less talented Bears roster currently holds that spot. If Green Bay fails to reach the conference championship game, new team president Ed Policy may move on from LaFleur after choosing not to extend his contract this offseason. If that happens, it’s difficult to envision who the Packers could hire that would keep them in contention next season—especially given the lack of strong coaching candidates in this cycle compared to last year.
Rutgers Women’s Basketball Defeats Northeastern, 79-56
- Rutgers got out to an early 4-0 lead with a pair of free throws and a second chance layup from Imani Lester. Northeastern added a bucket, but Nene Ndiaye kept the lead for her team with a three.
- Janae Walker added a basket with just over seven minutes to play, 9-2.
- The Huskies cashed in on their first three-pointer of the game to keep the four-point difference. Both teams recorded a jump shot before the 4:51 media timeout, 11-7.
- After the break Lester netted another contested layup while the opposition hit one free throw on the other end. Perkins contributed two shots at the line to make the score 15-8 with 3:21 to play.
- RU continued an 8-0 run with a three-point play from Faith Blackstone and a deep shot from Perkins.
- Northeastern ended the opening period with a layup to make the score 21-10.
- The opposition picked up where they left off with another layup to bring the gap down to single digits, 21-12.
- Nene Ndiaye answered with another three before each team added a layup.
- The Huskies came back with a shot from beyond the arc with just over six to play. However, Antonia Bates matched the points with a three-pointer of her own, 29-17.
- Nene Ndiaye and Blackstone continued the momentum for RU, each contributing three points before Northeastern used its first timeout at the quarter’s exact halfway point, 35-17.
- Northeastern put an end to the 9-0 stretch with back-to-back scores, and the Scarlet Knights used their first timeout with 3:24 remaining and the score 35-22.
- Coming out of the break, Nene Ndiaye recorded the last six points of the second quarter for RU.
- The opponent hit one free throw before halftime, but Rutgers still went into the locker room with the 41-25 edge.
- The Huskies struck first in the third with a layup, but Nene Ndiaye quickly matched the points to keep the gap, 43-27.
- The teams continued to go back and forth, trading points. Blackstone gave the team a spark, with her second three-point play of the night.
- Both teams netted one more layup, including Yacine Ndiaye’s first points of the night, before the 4:41 media timeout. RU remained in front, 52-33.
- Yacine Ndiaye capitalized on a second-chance layup out of the stop to kick start a big run for the Scarlet Knights, including back-to-back threes from Perkins and Bates.
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Perkins and Nene Ndiaye added more points before Northeastern cashed in the final shot of the period, but Rutgers remained in control, 65-41.
- The teams started off the final 10 minutes once again trading baskets to keep the 23-point difference. Lester strung together a 4-0 run on her own at the free throw line with just over six minutes to play.
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Bates built onto the stretch with a free throw, but Northeastern came back with consecutive jumpers before an RU timeout with 4:59 to play, 74-52.
- The Huskies kept going to put together a 5-0 run, but Perkins put an abrupt end to the drought with a contested layup, 76-53.
- The Scarlet Knight freshmen came out late in the game as Makylah Moore netted a layup off an opponent turnover and Precious Gem Wheeler added a free throw.
- Northeastern registered a three in the final moments, but Rutgers still came out on top, 79-56.
- Four Scarlet Knights reached double digit scoring for the second time this season.
- Nene Ndiaye recorded her first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
- The junior forward has reached double-digits in eight straight contests and 20+ three times. She paces RU with 17.5 points per game.
- Zachara Perkins netted 13 points and has now reached double digit points in all but one game this season, including 12+ points in the last four games.
- Imani Lester’s 16 points marks her second highest total this season.
- Kaylah Ivey dished five assists, her third time this season with five or more helpers. She has led the team in the stat four times.
- Faith Blackstone made her second start for RU, netting a season best 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.
- Two Scarlet Knights were perfect from the free throw line in Lester (6-for-6) and Blackstone (4-for-4).
- Rutgers made 26 trips to the charity stripe compared to Northeastern’s 10. RU is 5-1 when it has more free throw opportunities than the opponent.
- The Scarlet Knights caused 20 turnovers for the second consecutive contest, which turned into 22 points.
- Rutgers beat Siena off the glass, 43-28. RU is 6-0 when it owns the advantage on the boards.
- The Scarlet Knights brought down 20 offensive rebounds, their second outing with 20+ boards off the offensive glass.
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RU hit seven three-pointers for the third time this campaign to tie their season high. Nene Ndiaye, Perkins and Antonia Bates all made two each.
Elite 8 Matchup with No. 6 Florida State Next Up for Surging Buckeyes
Elite 8 Matchup with No. 6 Florida State Next Up for Surging Buckeyes
Ohio State is seeking its second trip to the College Cup
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals — Ohio State vs. #6 Florida State
Date: November 28, 2025
Time: 5p.m.
Venue: Tallahassee, Fla. – Seminole Soccer Complex
Website: NCAA Bracket
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Season Stats: Ohio State | Florida State
Rosters: Ohio State | Florida State
Prematch Interviews: Lori Walker-Hock & Molly Pritchard
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State is headed to the Elite 8 for just the third time in program history and will take on No. 6 Florida State on Friday evening. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
- The Buckeyes are looking to continue an impressive run and reach the College Cup for the second time, joining the 2010 team that played in the semifinals in Cary.
- Ohio State is the lone unseeded team remaining in the final eight as the Buckeyes wins have come at No. 19 Georgia, at No. 2 Notre Dame and vs. No. 23 Baylor.
- Friday’s match will be just the second meeting all-time between Ohio State and Florida State. The Buckeyes won the only other meeting 2-1 on Sept. 3, 2000. That game was played at a neutral site in Columbia, Mo.
- The Buckeyes are 3-7 all-time against the ACC in the NCAA Tournament, including a win at Notre Dame last weekend.
- The two wins in South Bend last week were two of the most thrilling of the season. Both games were won on goals by Buckeye sophomores in double-overtime. Jadin Bonham collected a cross in the box and slotted home the winner against Notre Dame with just :34 seconds to play in the second OT. Anika Poremba then beat the Baylor keeper from the left side of the six-yard box to send the Buckeyes on to the Elite 8.
- Bonham’s goal was the third latest goal scored in program history. Poremba’s goal was the third of her career.
- Senior goalkeeper Molly Pritchard has been the leader of one of the top defenses in the country. She is fourth nationally in goals-against average at just 0.458. She has also been part of all 11 shutouts this season, giving her a school-record 32 for her career.
- Fellow senior captain Mirann Gacioch has been the anchor on the back line. She is the only player on the team to have played every minute of every match this season and has played every minute in each of the last 40 matches. She has also been on the pitch for 835 postseason minutes in her career.
- Junior Amanda Schlueter has been a difference maker in the NCAA Tournament. She scored the game-winning goal in the win at Georgia and had a goal and an assist on the game-winning goal against Baylor. She leads the team with 10 goals and five assists this season and is now seventh in program history in career points with 76.
- Florida State is 13-2-4 on the year and has wins over Samford, Lipscomb and Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles two losses came in a five-day span in October at Notre Dame and at home to Stanford. FSU has the sixth-best scoring offense in the country at 2.68 goals per game.
#GoBucks
Nevada Rebounds with Convincing 77–64 Victory Over UCSB
Nevada needed a stabilizing performance after back-to-back frustrating losses, and Saturday night at Lawlor Events Center they delivered exactly that — a composed, energetic, and balanced effort resulting in a 77–64 win over UC Santa Barbara. The spark, unquestionably, came from Corey Camper Jr., who turned in a career-best performance with 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including four three-pointers. He attacked off the dribble, found his rhythm early, and continued to hit big shots whenever the Gauchos threatened to build momentum. Fourteen of his points came after halftime, helping Nevada keep UCSB at arm’s length.
Photo Cred:
Camper Jr. wasn’t alone. Elijah Price added 14 points and eight rebounds, anchoring Nevada inside with strong finishes and relentless work on the glass. Tayshawn Comer matched him with 14 points, capitalizing at the free-throw line and helping maintain offensive flow when UCSB tightened its defensive pressure. Defensively, Nevada played one of its most connected games of the young season. The Pack held UCSB to 40.4% shooting overall and 29.2% from three, effectively cutting off driving lanes and contesting perimeter looks.
Their pressure translated into 15 forced turnovers, which Nevada turned into transition opportunities and 24 points — a crucial separator in a game that was competitive early. UCSB hung around behind 13 points from Miro Little and 12 from Hosana Kitenge, but the Gauchos lacked the consistency to keep pace once Nevada’s shooters found rhythm. Whenever Santa Barbara made a push, Nevada answered — usually through Camper Jr., whose confidence seemed to elevate the entire lineup.
The turning point came early in the second half. With the score still close, Nevada put together a decisive 13–4 run, tightening up defensively and moving the ball purposefully on offense. That burst stretched the lead into double digits, and the Pack never allowed UCSB back within striking distance. Late free throws from Price sealed the win, but by then Nevada had already established control. From the defensive intensity to the balanced scoring, it was one of the Wolf Pack’s most complete performances of the season.
Photo Cred: Reno Gazette Journal
Head coach Steve Alford praised his team’s composure afterward, highlighting the improved defensive focus and the value of forcing UCSB into uncomfortable shots. After a rough week, Nevada looked more like a group settling into its identity. The win moves the Wolf Pack to 4–2 on the season, and they now turn their attention to the Acrisure Series, where they’ll face Washington — a step up in competition and another opportunity to show they’re trending in the right direction.
Shedeur Sanders: Why the Stats Don’t Tell the Truth
The Perfect Situation
The Cleveland Browns entered the season caught in no-man’s-land. Expectations were higher than mediocrity, yet the team lacked a true identity. They drafted two quarterbacks in the offseason—Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—hoping to spark something new, but still had an aging Joe Flacco on the roster. Flacco was ultimately named the Week 1 starter, with Gabriel backing him up.
However, Flacco struggled early. He started the season 1–3, throwing for only 615 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Something needed to change, and before the Browns traveled to London for Week 5, it was announced that Flacco would be benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel to provide much-needed energy. Flacco was traded to the Bengals shortly afterward. But Gabriel didn’t provide the boost the Browns were hoping for, going 1–5 as the starter before leaving Week 11 with a concussion.
Photo Cred: NFL
He finished his run with just 818 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. When Gabriel exited against the Ravens, Shedeur finally got his chance to take the field. Unfortunately, Sanders did not fare well against Baltimore’s defense. He completed only four of sixteen passes for 47 yards and an interception.
To give the quarterbacks some benefit of the doubt, Cleveland’s offense has offered very little help—no player has reached 700 rushing yards, and no receiver has eclipsed 500 receiving yards this season. With Gabriel still in concussion protocol entering Week 12, Sanders got the opportunity he had been waiting for. And this time, the Browns delivered, defeating the Raiders 24–10 for their third win of the season.
Stats Don’t Tell the Story
Shedeur Sanders ended the night 11-of-20 for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. On paper, that’s a solid performance for a first career start—he even became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut since 1995. But digging deeper, and especially if you watched the game, the picture becomes clearer.
It wasn’t that Sanders lacked confidence in big downfield throws—it felt more like head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t trust him to make them. The offense was built almost entirely on short checkdowns and underneath routes. Even his lone touchdown came on a 66-yard screen pass that almost any quarterback in the league could have completed.
Photo Cred: AP
That leads to the next point: Sanders’ stats were heavily inflated. In addition to the long touchdown screen, he had one more explosive play—finding fellow rookie Isaiah Bond on a broken play for 52 yards. While these plays count, the context matters: without those two “lucky” gains, Sanders would have been 9-of-18 for just 93 yards for the entire game. In fact, 146 of his 209 passing yards came after the catch, leaving only 63 air yards—an alarming total in today’s NFL.
Even though Sanders was understandably happy with the win, the Browns still have a long way to go before they can fully believe in him as the answer. The win also came against the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that entered the game with the same 2–8 record. If Sanders can deliver consistently against better competition, fans may slowly start to believe in the young quarterback.
With Gabriel cleared from concussion protocol heading into Week 13, Stefanski announced that Sanders will start again, this time against the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are a much stronger opponent and present a far greater challenge. If Sanders performs well and leads the Browns to an upset, the league will take notice. Until then, Sanders looks to prove that last week’s showing was only the beginning.
