Cincinnati’s Cotton Is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

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October 7, 2025

download (60) — Photo Cred: The money before the game

DALLAS (FWAA) – Cincinnati left tackle Joe Cotton protected the country’s top-rated quarterback and led the push from one of the nation’s top offenses last week in a 38-30 win over No. 14 Iowa State. For his efforts up front with the surging Bearcats, Cotton earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 4, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

This is the third season for the FWAA to select an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week as part of the NCFAA’s weekly national honors from 12 awards. The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 21, 2026.

The weekly winners, including Cotton this week, are added to the Outland Trophy watch list going forward. Cincinnati has not had an Outland Trophy finalist in its history.

Cotton wears #74 as a 6-6, 317-pound redshirt junior offensive tackle from Sioux Falls, S.D. A transfer from South Dakota where he logged 27 starts and two all-conference nods at left tackle and now in his first season with the Bearcats, Cotton was an FCS All-American last season and was regarded as the spring transfer portal’s No. 1 offensive lineman. He has been a welcome addition to a Cincinnati line that has the Bearcats at or near the top of multiple national offensive categories.

As Cincinnati handed Iowa State its first loss last Saturday, Cotton had the best grade on the offensive line by Pro Football Focus College at 76.2 and was on the Big 12 PFF Team for the Week. The Bearcats posted a season-high 260 yards rushing, with 216 yards coming in the first half as they jumped out to a 31-7 lead. Cincinnati scored on its first five possessions and the offensive line did not allow sack in the game for the fourth time this season. Cincinnati had 12 explosive runs totaling 191 yards on 12 carries, and earned the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week for the third time this season.

As a group, Cincinnati’s line has allowed just one sack, tied for the national lead. Its offense is second nationally in yards per play (8.05) and yards per rush (6.58). The Bearcats are second in the Big 12 in scoring (39.2) and third in total offense (478.4).

Cotton’s protection, plus that of the entire line, has allowed quarterback Brendan Sorsby to perform as the nation’s highest-rated quarterback per PFF (91.1). He has 17 total touchdowns (12 passing, five rushing) against just one turnover, is fifth nationally and leads the Big 12 in Total QBR (87.6) and has been the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Week twice. Running back Evan Pryor is fourth in the country in yards per carry (9.1).

The line’s play Saturday – buoyed by fourth-year starter and three-time team captain Gavin Gerhardt’s 40 career starts at center – ushered in Cincinnati’s win against the highest-ranked opponent at Nippert Stadium since No. 7 Rutgers fell 30-11 there in 2006 in Big East Conference play.

Beyond Cotton and Gerhardt, the Bearcats added transfer right guard Taran Tyo in the offseason, redshirt sophomore Evan Tengesdahl won the opening day left guard job after a strong camp and redshirt senior Deondre Buford (25 career starts) and redshirt junior Ethan Green have both started games at right tackle.

Riding a four-game win streak and receiving votes in both national polls, Cincinnati hosts UCF on Saturday with a Noon ET kickoff on FS1.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.

The Outland Trophy, celebrating 80 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA, visit ncfaa.org.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. delivers superior truckload transportation and logistics services to customers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 2022 revenues of $3.3 billion, an industry-leading modern truck and trailer fleet, more than 14,000 talented associates and our innovative Werner EDGE technology, we are an essential solutions provider for customers who value the integrity of their supply chain and require safe and exceptional on time service. Werner provides Dedicated and One-Way Truckload services as well as Logistics services that include 1truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal and final mile. As an industry leader, Werner is deeply committed to promoting sustainability and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Werner Enterprises common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WERN.” For further information about Werner, visit the company’s website at werner.com.

The Greater Omaha Sports Committee, founded in 1977, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, consisting of more than 1,300 men and women from the City of Omaha, the State of Nebraska, and others. The Committee serves to communicate, develop, initiate and promote sports activities in the Greater Omaha sports area. In addition to the Outland Trophy Award Events and Dinner, the Greater Omaha Sports Committee promotes high school, college, and professional sports in the Greater Omaha area and the Midwest. For more information contact Bob Mancuso Jr., Chairman at bmancuso@showofficeonline.com or see showofficeonline.com.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week

College

By

Stephen Patrick

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October 7, 2025

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Each week during the 2025 season the Maxwell Football Club will recognize an outstanding performance by a college freshman with the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week award. The Shaun Alexander Player of the Week will be recognized for overall performance on offense, defense or special teams and players selected do not have to be represented on the Shaun Alexander Award preseason watch list.

Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award- Player of the Week

QB – Mason Heintschel

Pitt

Freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has been named the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week after leading Pittsburgh to a win over Boston College. The 18-year-old, true freshman, made his first career start in place of redshirt sophomore Eli Holstein. Heintschel delivered an efficient game against the Eagles, completing 73.2% of his passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

Heintschel kept the offense in rhythm and consistently found open targets, helping Pittsburgh control the game from start to finish. With that kind of confidence and execution, Heintschel might just be the spark Pittsburgh’s offense has been missing, which makes his nomination no surprise.

The Maxwell Football Club and the Shaun Alexander Award have once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts are members of our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.

Questions concerning the 2025 Shaun Alexander Award Player of the Week can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org or MFC Vice President of College Awards Rich Cirminiello rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership.

ABOUT THE SHAUN ALEXANDER FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD – The Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award is an honor given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander a former standout at the University of Alabama and 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The Alexander Award is all about championing future legends and evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador and Legend.

Past winners include; Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) – 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)-2019 and Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) – 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) 2022, Caleb Downs (Alabama) 2023 and 2024 Colin Simmons (Texas).

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Louisville City FC Continues to Make a Lasting Impact On and Off the Pitch

By

Stephen Patrick

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October 7, 2025

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Louisville City FC has grown into much more than one of the most successful clubs in the USL Championship. Since its founding, the organization has become a major economic driver and a pillar of the Louisville community, creating opportunities that extend well beyond the soccer field. Playing its home matches at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville’s Butchertown neighborhood, LouCity consistently attracts thousands of supporters throughout the season.

Photo Cred: Mindel Scott

The club’s strong fan attendance helps generate significant revenue for local restaurants, hotels, retailers, and other businesses, while also promoting tourism and contributing to the continued growth and revitalization of the surrounding area. While the club has earned national recognition for its success on the field, its commitment to giving back has made an equally meaningful impact throughout the city. Leading many of those efforts is the LouCity & Racing Foundation, the organization’s official nonprofit arm.

The foundation works to expand access to the game by building safe places for children to play, providing soccer equipment, hosting youth camps, and distributing thousands of complimentary game tickets to local youth organizations and community partners. These initiatives help ensure that more children and families have the opportunity to experience soccer regardless of their financial circumstances.

The club has also become a leader in promoting inclusion through its partnership with Special Olympics Kentucky. Together, they launched the region’s first Unified Soccer Team, bringing athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together to compete while fostering teamwork, friendship, and acceptance. Community service remains a cornerstone of the organization’s identity.

Photo Cred: Courier Journal

LouCity players and front-office staff regularly volunteer with local organizations throughout the year, including Dare to Care Food Bank during Hunger Action Month and the Kentucky Humane Society through the club’s annual “Pups at the Pitch” event. These partnerships reflect the club’s ongoing commitment to supporting important causes across the Louisville community. In addition to volunteering, Louisville City FC actively contributes to nonprofit fundraising efforts throughout the region.

Each year, the organization donates more than $50,000 in gift bags and game ticket vouchers to charitable organizations, helping local groups raise funds and expand their community outreach. The club also continues to invest in the future of soccer through its comprehensive youth development pathway. From the USL Academy to its USL League Two team, LouCity provides aspiring players with opportunities to develop their skills, compete at a high level, and prepare for collegiate and professional careers.

The pathway also offers college athletes a competitive summer environment while strengthening the local soccer landscape. As Louisville City FC continues to grow, its influence reaches far beyond wins and championships. Through economic investment, youth development, charitable giving, and community partnerships, the club has established itself as one of Louisville’s most impactful sports organizations, demonstrating that success is measured not only by trophies but also by the positive difference made in the community it proudly represents.

Davey O’Brien Foundation Selects the Week 6 Great 8

College

By

Stephen Patrick

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October 7, 2025

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Davey O’Brien Foundation Selects the Week 6 Great 8

FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 6, 2025) — The Davey O’Brien Foundation has chosen the Week 6 Davey O’Brien Great 8, a list comprised of Carson Beck (Miami), Blake Horvath (Navy), Nico Iamaleava (UCLA), DJ Lagway (Florida), Jaylen Raynor (Arkansas State), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati).

As a result of his selection, Raynor has been added to the Davey O’Brien Midseason Watch List. The other seven quarterbacks were already on the list by virtue of either being members of the Preseason Watch List or by being named to a Great 8 earlier this season.

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week, selected from the Great 8 list, will be revealed Tuesday at 11 a.m. (CT).

The Davey O’Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.

In 1938, O’Brien, who wore No. 8 as a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

—www.DaveyOBrienAward.com—

Davey O’Brien Great 8: Week 6

Carson Beck, Miami, Sr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.

· Accounted for all four touchdowns in Miami’s 28-22 victory over No. 18 Florida State, finishing 20-for-27 through the air for 241 yards and four touchdowns.

Blake Horvath, Navy, Sr., 6-2, 195, Hilliard, Ohio

· Set a Navy record for total yards (469), completing 20 of 26 passes for 339 yards and three TDs and rushing 17 times for 130 yards and a score in a 34-31 win over Air Force.

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA, So., 6-6, 215, Long Beach, Calif.

· Led UCLA to a 42-37 upset win over No. 7 Penn State by accounting for five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and 294 yards of offense (166 passing, 128 rushing).

DJ Lagway, Florida, So., 6-3, 247, Willis, Texas

· Guided the Gators to an upset of No. 9 Texas (29-21) after going 21-for-28 (.750) for 298 yards with a pair of touchdown strikes.

Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State, Jr., 6-0, 202, Winston-Salem, N.C.

· Was 27-for-35 for 248 yards and two touchdowns and carried 19 times for 92 yards and two more scores as Arkansas State downed Texas State, 31-30.

Julian Sayin, Ohio State, So., 6-1, 208, Carlsbad, Calif.

· Had nearly as many touchdown passes (3) as incompletions (23-for-27, .852), and surpassed the 300-yard passing mark (326) in a 42-3 win over Minnesota.

Ty Simpson, Alabama, Jr., 6-2, 208, Martin, Tenn.

· Led the Crimson Tide to a 30-14 victory over No. 16 Vanderbilt by completing 23 of 31 passes (74.2 percent) for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati, Jr., 6-3, 235, Denton, Texas

· Passed for 214 yards and two TDs and carried the ball nine times for 64 yards (7.1 per carry) and another score as Cincinnati beat No. 14 Iowa State, 38-30.

About the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrienAward.com.

2025 AFCA Division III Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl – Week 6

College

By

Stephen Patrick

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October 7, 2025

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Bethel Beats St. John’s For First Time Since 2022

WACO, TEX.– It has been a little over three years since Bethel (Minn.) has beaten conference rival St. John’s (Minn.), but that all changed this past Saturday. In a close game that was knotted up at 10 apiece after three quarters, Bethel’s Taye Manns broke loose for a 23-yard touchdown run with six minutes left to go in the game to give the Royals a 17-10 win. The win vaulted Bethel into the top 10 to No. 8 in this week’s AFCA Division III Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, while the Johnnies dropped seven spots to No. 11.

North Central, Mount Union and Johns Hopkins all won big and remain in the top three spots. They are now followed by UW-La Crosse at No. 4, who had to use two overtimes to beat then-No. 10 UW-Whitewater, 23-20. The loss only dropped Whitewater two spots to No. 12. Salisbury moves up one to No. 5 after beating TCNJ, 55-10.

The AFCA poll might get another shakeup next week because of three top 25 matchups this coming weekend. First is No. 3 Johns Hopkins hosting No. 15 Carnegie Mellon while No. 6 UW-Platteville will travel to No. 17 UW-River Falls. The third and final matchup is a big one in the American Southwest Conference as No. 6 Hardin-Simmons plays host to No. 22 Mary Hardin-Baylor.

2025 AFCA Division III Coaches’ Poll – October 6, 2025

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Week 5	Next Game
1	North Central (51)	4-0	1275	1	D. No. 15 Wheaton, 35-0	Oct. 11 vs. Millikin
2	Mount Union	4-0	1224	2	D. Otterbein, 62-7	Oct. 11 at Wilmington
3	Johns Hopkins	4-0	1160	3	D. Dickinson, 55-10	Oct. 11 vs. No. 15 Carnegie Mellon
4	UW-La Crosse	3-0	1109	5	D. No. 10 UW-Whitewater, 23-20 2OT	Oct. 11 vs. UW-Eau Claire
5	Salisbury	4-0	1021	6	D. TCNJ, 55-10	Oct. 11 vs. Kean
6	Hardin-Simmons	4-0	973	7	D. Howard Payne, 69-14	Oct. 11 vs. No. 22 Mary Hardin-Baylor
7	UW-Platteville	4-0	970	8	D. UW-Stevens Point, 52-0	Oct. 11 at No. 17 UW-River Falls
8	Bethel (Minn.)	4-0	950	11	D. No. 4 St. John’s (Minn.), 17-10	Oct. 11 at Augsburg
9	Wartburg	5-0	880	9	D. Luther, 36-3	Oct. 11 vs. Dubuque
10	DePauw	5-0	754	13	D. Oberlin, 75-0	Oct. 18 vs. No. 18 John Carroll
11	St. John’s (Minn.)	3-1	686	4	Lost to No. 11 Bethel (Minn.), 17-10	Oct. 11 vs. Macalester
12	UW-Whitewater	3-1	685	10	Lost to No. 5 UW-La Crosse, 23-20 2OT	Oct. 11 at UW-Stevens Point
13	Trinity (Tex.)	4-0	655	14	D. Southwestern (Tex.), 65-14	Oct. 11 at Berry
14	UW-Oshkosh	3-1	643	17	D. No. 12 UW-River Falls, 21-17	Oct. 11 at UW-Stout
15	Carnegie Mellon	3-1	523	16	D. McDaniel, 56-7	Oct. 11 at No. 3 Johns Hopkins
16	Central (Iowa)	5-0	497	18	D. Loras, 45-27	Oct. 18 vs. Nebraska Wesleyan
17	UW-River Falls	3-1	448	12	Lost to No. 17 UW-Oshkosh, 21-17	Oct. 11 vs. No. 7 UW-Platteville
18	John Carroll	4-1	446	19	D. No. 25 Wabash, 31-28	Oct. 11 at Wittenberg
19	Cortland	4-1	318	20	D. Utica, 28-13	Oct. 18 vs. Alfred
20	Hope	4-1	242	23	D. Trine, 55-35	Oct. 18 vs. Kalamazoo
21	Christopher Newport	4-0	230	24	D. Rowan, 49-41 2OT	Oct. 11 at Castleton
22	Mary Hardin-Baylor	2-2	207	22	D. East Texas Baptist, 42-28	Oct. 11 at No. 6 Hardin-Simmons
23	Muhlenberg	4-0	157	NR	D. Ursinus, 39-36	Oct. 11 at Franklin & Marshall
24	Wheaton	2-2	143	15	Lost to No. 1 North Central, 35-0	Oct. 11 at Illinois Wesleyan
25	Randolph-Macon	4-1	69	NR	D. Roanoke, 35-17	Oct. 11 vs. Averett

Dropped Out: Hampden-Sydney (21), Wabash (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Linfield, 48; Maryville, 43; Berry, 40; Hampden-Sydney, 22; Wabash, 22; Baldwin Wallace, 19; Alma, 17; Stevenson, 13; Lewis & Clark, 12; Adrian, 9; Washington (Mo.), 9; Western Connecticut, 9; Plymouth St., 8; U.S. Merchant Marine, 6; Cal Lutheran, 4; Ursinus, 4; UW-Stout, 4; Coe, 3; Southern Virginia, 3; Calvin, 2; Endicott, 2; Rensselaer, 2; Springfield, 2; Susquehanna, 2; UW-Eau Claire, 2; Ithaca, 1; UW-Stevens Point, 1; Wesleyan, 1.

-(AFCA)-

Crimson Redemption: Alabama Atones for Last Year’s Upset with 30–14 Win Over Vanderbilt

By

Tobias Sanders

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October 7, 2025

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Vanderbilt v Alabama — TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 04: Germie Bernard #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second quarter of the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

Alabama fans went into this year’s matchup against Vanderbilt remembering all too well what happened last season. It was a shocking 35–40 upset loss to the Commodores. The lost derailed the then–No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide and sent shockwaves across college football. That defeat served as a humbling reminder that no game in the SEC can be taken lightly.

Photo Cred: ESPN

The sting of that loss lingered throughout the offseason. When the schedule was released, this game was immediately circled — a chance for redemption, payback, and a statement win to prove Alabama had learned from its mistakes. This time around, the Crimson Tide made sure history didn’t repeat itself, controlling the game from the second quarter onward and defeating Vanderbilt 30–14 in front of a roaring Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd for their second conference victory of the season.

Leading up to kickoff, the tension between the two programs was palpable. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia didn’t shy away from adding fuel to the fire, boldly declaring, “If we play our game, it won’t be close.”

He didn’t stop there — taking a swipe at Alabama’s freshman phenom receiver Ryan Williams by saying, “Kid wouldn’t even be starting at Vanderbilt.” The comments went viral on social media, instantly catching the attention of Tide fans and players alike. During pregame warmups, Pavia doubled down, taunting Alabama’s student section and pretending to take victory kneels near midfield — an act that visibly fired up the Crimson Tide sideline.

Once the game began, it briefly looked like Vanderbilt might back up their quarterback’s words. On Alabama’s opening drive, quarterback Ty Simpson threw his first interception of the season, setting the Commodores up in excellent field position. Moments later, Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run, silencing the home crowd and putting the visitors ahead 7–0. Alabama’s next drive showed promise, but it ended with a missed field goal that drew groans from the stands. The Tide defense, however, wasted no time making a stand — linebacker Justin Jefferson forced a red-zone fumble on Vanderbilt’s ensuing possession, flipping momentum back to the home team.

Photo Cred: Alabama

Capitalizing on the turnover, Alabama methodically drove downfield, and Simpson connected with Ryan Williams on a 14-yard touchdown strike to tie the game at 7–7 early in the second quarter. The play was a statement — the same player Pavia had dismissed earlier in the week found the end zone first for Alabama. From there, both teams settled into a rhythm. After a series of defensive stops, Vanderbilt regained the lead on a short touchdown pass to Alexander, his second score of the night.

But Alabama quickly answered with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Germie Bernard, evening things up at 14–14 going into halftime and giving the Tide momentum heading into the locker room. Coming out of the break, Alabama’s defense began to assert its dominance. The Tide forced two quick punts and turned both possessions into field goals, taking a 20–14 lead midway through the third quarter. Vanderbilt mounted one more serious threat late in the quarter, driving deep into Alabama territory before Diego Pavia’s pass was intercepted by safety Keon Sabb in the red zone.

That takeaway deflated the Commodores’ offense and energized the home crowd. With the game beginning to tilt in their favor, the Tide leaned on their ground game and clock management. Alabama orchestrated an eight-minute drive capped off by another field goal to stretch the lead to two scores. The Commodores’ final drive stalled on downs, and with just over two minutes remaining, running back Jam Miller slammed the door shut on Vanderbilt’s hopes with a 20-yard touchdown run to seal the 30–14 victory.

After the game, head coach Kalen DeBoer praised his team’s maturity and focus following last year’s disappointment. “I’m really proud of the way the guys responded,” DeBoer said. “That goes back to doing your job and staying locked in on what we can control. Our guys came to practice every day with intent and focus, and it showed tonight.”

The win not only exorcised the ghosts of last season’s stunning loss but also gave Alabama momentum heading into a pivotal stretch of conference play. The Crimson Tide now turn their attention to a high-stakes road matchup against the undefeated Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium — a game that could have major implications for the SEC title race.

Arizona Dominates Oklahoma State: Wildcats Roll to First Big 12 Victory

By

Keegan Rathje

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October 6, 2025

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The Arizona Wildcats returned home to Tucson eager to bounce back against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Both teams entered the matchup coming off conference losses of 15-plus points, each seeking their first Big 12 win and a chance to reset their seasons. Oklahoma State came in desperate to prove they could compete in the new-look Big 12, hoping to pull off a major upset as 20.5-point underdogs. But from the opening kick, Arizona made sure that dream never came close to reality.

Photo Cred: Arizona Daily Star

The Wildcats opened with confidence and aggression, setting a tempo the Cowboys couldn’t keep up with. From the first series, Arizona’s defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage, creating chaos that Oklahoma State could not overcome. The Cowboys’ offense never found any sort of rhythm, lacking both creativity and consistency. Quarterback Zane Flores struggled to find open receivers and faced pressure on nearly every dropback, completing just 9 of 20 passes for 47 yards and an interception. Oklahoma State finished with only seven first downs for the game, averaging fewer than three yards per play both on the ground and through the air. Their only offensive points came from two first-half field goals, a clear sign of Arizona’s defensive control.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ offense wasted no time establishing its rhythm. Quarterback Noah Fifita led a commanding 72-yard drive in under five minutes to open the game, capping it with a touchdown that immediately energized the home crowd. Fifita was sharp and decisive all night, carving up Oklahoma State’s secondary with precision. He finished 28-for-38 for 347 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, spreading the ball efficiently among multiple receivers. Arizona’s offensive line gave him plenty of time to operate, allowing the Wildcats to dictate every phase of the game. By halftime, Arizona had built a 24–6 lead and outgained the Cowboys 313–100 in total yards, looking every bit like a contender.

The second half picked up right where the first left off. On the very first play from scrimmage, Oklahoma State threw an interception, effectively sealing their fate. From that point forward, Arizona’s defense tightened its grip, allowing just 14 passing yards and 58 total yards for the remainder of the game. The Wildcats’ defensive unit displayed elite communication and discipline, showcasing its ability to dominate without relying on offensive production. Fifita’s five-touchdown performance through three quarters gave Arizona all the cushion it needed, and he was pulled early in the fourth as the backups took over. The Cowboys’ lone highlight of the half came from their defense, when backup quarterback Braedyn Locke threw a 55-yard pick-six. Still, by the final whistle, Arizona had cruised to a commanding 41–13 victory.

The win improved Arizona to 4–1 overall and 1–1 in conference play, a reflection of just how far they’ve come under second-year head coach Brent Brennan. After losing star receiver Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL Draft and finishing 4–8 last season, expectations for this year were modest. Preseason media polls projected Arizona to finish near the bottom of the Big 12, questioning the team’s depth and overall talent. But Brennan’s leadership and the players’ buy-in have quickly changed that perception. His emphasis on discipline, physicality, and accountability has reshaped the program’s culture and built a foundation for sustained success.

Last year’s growing pains — learning a new system, adjusting to Big 12 competition, and finding offensive balance — have evolved into this season’s strength. Fifita has emerged as a true leader under center, while Arizona’s defense looks faster, tougher, and more cohesive than it has in years. The Wildcats’ early-season surge has flipped the Big 12 narrative, showing that Arizona isn’t just a basketball school but a football program on the rise.

Now sitting firmly in the middle of the conference standings, the Wildcats have a chance to make an even bigger statement next week when they host BYU. A win there could earn Arizona its first AP Poll appearance since 2023 and cement their growing reputation as a legitimate contender in the Big 12. With a balanced offense, a revitalized defense, and newfound confidence, Arizona is beginning to look like a team capable of disrupting the established order — and perhaps even chasing the conference crown.

Belichick on the Brink? Clemson Stuns UNC in Chapel Hill

By

Will Siegel

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October 6, 2025

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From Promise to Failure

When Bill Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract to come out of retirement and coach the University of North Carolina Tar Heels football team, it felt like hope wasn’t lost for the program. Coach Mack Brown had guided the Tar Heels to five straight bowl games, but with a 1–4 record in those appearances and no postseason berth in 2024, his tenure had clearly hit a wall. After Brown’s retirement, UNC was stuck in mediocrity and desperate for a new direction — a new culture, and a new identity.

Photo Cred: SB Nation

After two years away from coaching, North Carolina appeared to offer Belichick one last chance to revive both his legacy and a proud but stagnant program. Early on, optimism was high. Belichick assembled a respectable recruiting and transfer class (ranked 29th and 9th nationally, respectively), headlined by four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, the No. 155 overall prospect in the 2025 class.

But it didn’t take long for that optimism to fade. From the start, it’s been clear that North Carolina under Belichick isn’t what many fans envisioned. A humiliating blowout loss to TCU opened the season on a sour note. Two wins over inferior opponents steadied things briefly, but a lopsided defeat to UCF quickly reignited frustration within the fan base.

UNC vs. Clemson

Heading into a home matchup with Clemson, Tar Heel fans hoped the team could finally turn a corner. Clemson, struggling through one of its worst starts in modern history at 1–3, appeared vulnerable. UNC announced that quarterback Max Johnson would return as the starter after Gio Lopez threw two costly interceptions against UCF. However, the tone was set from the opening snap.

Photo Cred: The Daily Tar Heal

The Tar Heels did manage to respond early, driving 67 yards to the Clemson 16-yard line before stalling and settling for a field goal to cut the deficit to 7–3. From there, things unraveled quickly. Clemson’s offense caught fire, scoring three touchdowns in a ten-minute span to close the first quarter up 28–3. Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik came out locked in, throwing three first-half touchdown passes and looking every bit the part of a leader trying to reclaim his team’s pride.

Meanwhile, UNC’s offense sputtered. Series after series ended in punts, and the home crowd began filing out well before halftime. By the break, Clemson led 35–3. Johnson had thrown for fewer than 75 yards, and the Tar Heel faithful sat in silence, watching the game slip away. Still, there were brief flickers of life in the second half. A 14-yard completion to Benjamin Hall moved the Heels near Clemson territory early in the third quarter, offering a glimmer of hope — but a missed field goal ended the drive.

North Carolina’s lone touchdown came late in the game, when Johnson led a sharp 54-yard drive capped by a short score to make it 35–10. But by then, the outcome was long decided. Clemson remained in control throughout, adding a late field goal to seal the 38–10 win. Klubnik finished with another efficient performance, while Belichick’s squad once again looked uninspired and unprepared.

Photo Cred: chapelboro.com

For a program that had hoped Belichick’s arrival would signal a new era, this latest loss only deepens the uncertainty. What once seemed like a bold revival now looks more like a misstep. It leaves North Carolina searching for answers and Belichick fighting to prove that his time in college football isn’t already a failure.

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll for Week 5

By

Memphis Spence

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October 5, 2025

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ead25b51-6252-4b8a-b307-6b7f7474e9d3 — Photo Cred: FWAA

FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll for Week 6 has been released. Panelist Ayokunle Spencer submitted his ballot. Here is this week’s Super 16 ranking.

WEEKLY SUPER 16
POLL
1 Ohio State
2 Oregon
3 Miami (FL)
4 Oklahoma
5 Texas A&M
6 Indiana
7 Ole Miss
8 Alabama
9 Georgia
1 0 LSU
1 1 Tennessee
1 2 Georgia Tech
1 3 Texas Tech
1 4 Michigan
1 5 Virginia
1 6 Missouri

WNBA Finals Overshadowed by Cathy Engelbert Conservatory

By

Raven Nichols

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October 5, 2025

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Zz0xNzU3YTIzMjIwNjkxMWYwYjllYWJhZmVkNDA5NDhkOQ== — Photo Cred: Direct TV

Aces Take Commanding Lead as Off-Court Drama Clouds WNBA Finals

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 91–78 in Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Finals on Sunday. Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson combined for 60 points as Las Vegas comfortably handled Phoenix at home. The Mercury opened the game strong, but Young’s hot shooting made sure they could never close the gap.

Photo Cred: USA Today

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 23 points, Satou Sabally added 22, and Alyssa Thomas contributed 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. After a dominant showing by the defending champions, the series now shifts to Phoenix for Game 3 on Wednesday. For the first time in league history, the WNBA Finals is a best-of-seven series. As the higher seed, Las Vegas will host Games 5 and 7 if necessary.

Leadership Issues Overshadow the Finals

The excitement surrounding the Finals has been overshadowed by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier’s recent criticism of commissioner Cathy Engelbert. On Sept. 30, Collier addressed the media with a prepared statement revealing details from private conversations that, in her view, paint Engelbert as a leader who lacks accountability.

Photo Cred: Andscape

Collier spoke for more than four minutes, touching on topics ranging from Caitlin Clark’s emergence to inconsistent officiating — issues she feels the league’s leadership has ignored.

“We have the best league in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But we have the worst leadership in the world,” the MVP runner-up said. “Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is the lack of accountability from our leaders.”

Collier claimed that in one private conversation, Engelbert told her WNBA star Caitlin Clark should be grateful for the platform the league provides.

“Her response was, ‘[Clark] should be grateful. She makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.’ And in that same conversation, she told me, ‘Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.’”

Tensions between Engelbert and the players have been building all season amid ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Engelbert and WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson met this past week to discuss a new CBA. With the October 31 deadline looming, Engelbert has not ruled out the possibility of an extension.

In a press conference on Oct. 3, Engelbert said she was “disheartened” by Collier’s comments but promised to “do better.” She stated that she had already exchanged text messages with Collier and intended to meet with her after the start of the Finals to discuss concerns directly.

“We want to significantly — and I mean significantly — increase player salaries and benefits, while also supporting the long-term growth and viability of the WNBA,” Engelbert said. “I’m confident that we can repair any loss of trust. We want what the players want — significant increases in salaries and benefits — while ensuring the league continues to thrive.”

However, following the press conference, Collier reportedly canceled her planned meeting with Engelbert. According to ESPN, Engelbert’s comments “pretty much pushed the relationship beyond repair.”

Photo Cred: Bleacher Report

As one of the league’s most respected veterans, Collier’s words carry substantial weight. At 29, she’s not only a face of the Lynx franchise but also a co-founder of Unrivaled — a growing 3-on-3 women’s basketball league featuring several WNBA players. Since its debut last year, Unrivaled has positioned itself as an alternative to overseas play during the WNBA offseason — and at times, has been at odds with the league’s leadership. With the Finals heating up on the court and tensions rising off it, the WNBA faces a pivotal stretch — one that could shape both its champion and its future direction.

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