Wolf Pack Rolls San José State to Assert Conference Dominance

College

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January 26, 2026

The Wolf Pack delivered an emphatic 87–54 victory over the San José State Spartans extending their conference momentum and asserting themselves as a force in league play. From the opening tip, Nevada controlled the pace and tempo, building an early advantage that never wavered. Led by sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive defense, the Wolf Pack overwhelmed a San José State team that has endured a difficult season, using balanced offense and airtight rotations on both ends of the floor.

Photo Cred: Reno Gazette Journal

Senior guard Corey Camper Jr. served as the catalyst for Nevada’s success, coming out firing and knocking down early triples to energize the home crowd. Camper finished with a team-high 19 points, pacing an offense that featured multiple contributors in double figures. His confident shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 start from beyond the arc, set the tone for what quickly became a one-sided contest. Nevada’s scoring depth was on full display, as Tayshawn Comer, Payton White, and Kaleb Lowery each added 12 points to provide consistent production throughout the night.

The Wolf Pack shot a blistering 57% from three-point range and 51% from the field overall, numbers that reflected both their offensive efficiency and unselfish ball movement. Defensively, Nevada was just as dominant, limiting the Spartans to 33% shooting from the field and a dismal 17% from three-point range. The Wolf Pack forced turnovers, contested shots relentlessly, and controlled the boards, creating a significant rebounding edge that led to easy transition opportunities.

San José State struggled to find offensive answers, hampered by injuries and a roster lacking size and depth. Jermaine Washington scored 14 points and Melvin Bell Jr. added 15, but their efforts were not enough to slow a Nevada team firing on all cylinders. By halftime, the Wolf Pack had built a 39–26 lead and never relinquished control. The second half saw Nevada extend its margin through timely shooting runs and sustained defensive pressure, allowing the Pack to push the pace and convert possessions into points.

Photo Cred: This is Reno

The lopsided victory improved Nevada’s record to 14–5 overall and 6–2 in Mountain West play, further solidifying its position near the top of the conference standings. For San José State, the loss marked another challenging outing in a season defined by inconsistent offense and defensive struggles. For Nevada, the decisive win provided a confidence boost heading into a crucial stretch of conference games. As the Wolf Pack continue their Mountain West journey, performances like this—defined by balanced scoring, efficient shooting, and tenacious defense—will be key to their pursuit of a strong finish and postseason momentum.

NFL to Host Annual Play Football Family Festival

By

Stephen Patrick

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January 26, 2026

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NEW YORK — Jan. 26, 2026 — The NFL will host its annual Play Football Family Festival in San Jose, California at MacDonald High School on Saturday, Feb. 7 – a free, interactive football experience for the entire family.

Held in the heart of Super Bowl weekend, the NFL Play Football Family Festival brings to life the excitement of the game through an interactive experience for youth and high school football communities, fans and coaches. Everything at the event is football-focused, where local youth can meet current NFL players and Legends, learn skills and drills, try on equipment with Riddell, and experience football in a way they never have before.

“The Play Football Family Festival is a free event offered to communities in and around the Super Bowl host city,” said Roman Oben, NFL vice president of football development. “This year marks our ninth year presenting the event, and over that time it has become a meaningful tradition that has positively impacted thousands of families across Super Bowl communities nationwide. The festival will give San Jose area families the opportunity to experience the excitement of Super Bowl week while engaging directly with the game of football in a fun, inclusive environment.”

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT. Local youth and families will be able to interact with the San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl team cheerleaders and mascots, and obstacle courses, food trucks, giveaways and more.

For more information and to register for the event, please click here.

About The NFL Play Football Program:

The NFL celebrates youth and high school football year-round. Through camps, activities, NFL FLAG and tackle leagues, the Play Football initiative provides a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages and skill levels, equipping young people with key life skills that are building blocks to success on and off the field.

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

Marquette’s Road Woes Continue as Butler Pulls Away Late

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Charles Burgess

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January 26, 2026

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The Marquette Golden Eagles are still searching for their first road victory of the season after falling 87–76 to the Butler Bulldogs. Marquette now sits at the bottom of the Big East at 2–8 in conference play and 7–14 overall. While it never felt like the Golden Eagles were truly out of tonight’s game, a late 13–4 run by the Bulldogs put any comeback hopes to rest. Led by star junior guard Finley Bizjak’s 28-point explosion, Butler took the lead just two minutes in and never looked back.

Photo Cred: Butler University

What We Liked

While tonight’s offense often felt dictated by the three-ball, Marquette was still able to get into the paint and score at will. The Golden Eagles finished the night shooting 25-for-35 on shots inside the paint, continuing an encouraging trend for the offense. Though Marquette endured a night to forget from beyond the arc, their consistent paint penetration generated open looks from deep throughout the game.

After yet another outing of double-digit minutes, sophomore forward Demarius Owens appears to have carved out a real identity within Marquette’s rotation. The former top-100 prospect continues to showcase his athleticism on a nightly basis on both ends of the floor. Owens’ off-ball cuts and half-court athleticism have added a new wrinkle to a Marquette offense that desperately needs movement away from the ball.

Photo Cred: Marquette

Areas for Improvement

The Golden Eagles chose to live—and ultimately die—by the three tonight, shooting a pedestrian 5-for-27 from deep, their worst mark of the season. The three-point shot has come in ebbs and flows for Marquette all year. Prior to tonight’s contest, the Golden Eagles were shooting 37% from deep as a team over their last four games. Nobody had the touch from beyond the arc in this one, as Chase Ross and Royce Parham both went 0-for-5, while freshman Adrian Stevens finished 1-for-7. Marquette’s overreliance on the three limited the offense throughout the night, evidenced by just 14 free-throw attempts—their second-lowest total of the season.

With continued absences from Zaide Lowrey and Sean Jones paving the way for young players such as Nigel James Jr. and Adrian Stevens, the roster has never been thinner. Only six players logged double-digit minutes for the Golden Eagles, with four eclipsing the 30-minute mark. Marquette’s lack of depth in both the frontcourt and backcourt forced players like Ben Gold, Royce Parham, and Nigel James Jr. to play nearly the entire game. While it appears Shaka Smart still has yet to fully trust developmental pieces such as Joshua Clark or Michael Phillips, the sustainability of a six-man rotation remains to be seen.

USC Survives Late Push from Northwestern in Tight Finish

By

Emily Nichols

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January 25, 2026

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260121_009_northwestern_at_usc-544x306 — Photo Cred: CBS

USC and Northwestern delivered a hard-fought battle that stayed tense from opening tip to the final whistle, with the Trojans ultimately edging out a narrow victory. Physical play, late-game fouls, and momentum swings defined the matchup, keeping both teams locked in a back-and-forth struggle throughout. In the end, USC’s resilience and late execution proved just enough to withstand Northwestern’s relentless push.

Photo Cred: winchesterstar.com

First Half

USC came out aggressive early, setting the tone behind strong leadership from Ezra, who continued to establish himself as a cornerstone for the Trojans. A powerful dunk by Ezra energized USC and helped them build momentum as the first half unfolded. While USC showed improvement at the free-throw line compared to their previous outing—where missed foul shots proved costly—consistency remained an issue.

Cofie managed to knock down one of his attempts, a positive sign after the team’s struggles in their last game, though free throws continued to loom as a concern. Jerry Easter and Ezra paced the offense, helping USC maintain control despite Northwestern’s pressure. By halftime, the Trojans held a slim but important 31–28 lead, positioning themselves for a competitive second half.

Photo Cred: The Star Democrat

Second Half

USC opened the second half with renewed intensity, but the momentum didn’t last long. Northwestern capitalized on a slow stretch by the Trojans, briefly taking the lead as USC struggled to protect the ball and find offensive rhythm. A moment of concern arose when USC’s #4 went down during play, though he appeared to be okay. Northwestern leaned heavily on drawing fouls, frequently heading to the free-throw line, while USC worked to close the gap.

Number 7 stepped up by calmly converting his free throws, providing much-needed stability during a chaotic stretch. With five minutes remaining, the game tightened to a near standstill at 57–55, keeping the crowd on edge. A great play by Marsh shifted momentum, followed by a highlight-defining sequence from #0 that stood out as the play of the game. In the final two minutes, USC finally pulled things together defensively and offensively, but Northwestern refused to go quietly.

A buzzer-beating three-pointer with 2:12 left kept the contest razor-close, and more late fouls sent Northwestern back to the line, where they continued to convert. Through it all, Ezra carried USC down the stretch, putting the team on his back in the closing moments. Northwestern earned two final free throws, but USC held firm to secure the 74-68 win in a dramatic finish.

ChatGPT’s Way-Too-Early 2026 College Football Top 25

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Stephen Patrick

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January 23, 2026

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Rank	Team
1. Ohio State	Buckeyes are the composite #1 across early lists.
2. Texas	Loaded with talent and returning key players.
3. Georgia	SEC powerhouse with strong returning core.
4. Indiana	Defending national champs — still ranked high despite losses.
5. Oregon	Consistently high finishes boost expectations.
6. Notre Dame	Strong returning offense & defense projected.
7. Texas Tech	Rising Big 12 contender in many lists.
8. Texas A&M	Good balance of talent and coaching.
9. Miami	Coming off CFP run, expected to stay in top tier.
10. Oklahoma	Projected rebound back to Top 10 range.
11. BYU	Strong returning core and offensive talent.
12. LSU	SEC team with upside.
13. USC	Loaded recruiting class + portal help.
14. Michigan	Often in mid-teens in early rankings.
15. Ole Miss	Returning playmakers and offense.
16. Alabama	Still nationally relevant despite recent struggles.
17. SMU	Popular sleeper in composite lists.
18. Utah	Showing up in some rankings just inside top 20.
19. Louisville	Rising ACC presence in early rankings.
20. Penn State	Returns core players, stays in top-25 conversation.
21. Iowa	Gradual climb back into Top 25 mix.
22. Washington	Scattered around mid-20s in early lists.
23. Houston	Strong program building into relevance.
24. Missouri	Appears on composite just inside cutoff.
25. Tennessee	Often rounding out the lower end of Top 25.

Rams vs. Seahawks: Two Paths, One Super Bowl Berth

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James McCaffrey

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January 23, 2026

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The Los Angeles Rams will travel to Seattle on Sunday to take on the Seahawks for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. These two have been the best teams in either conference. While both teams have arrived at the same destination, they have taken very different paths to get there. The Rams are coming off a nail-biting overtime thriller against the Bears in the snow, while the Seahawks eviscerated the 49ers 41–6.

Photo Cred: Everett Herald

The Seahawks dominated from the opening kickoff, which they returned for a touchdown. Seattle will look to continue riding its dominant defense to the Super Bowl, though that unit did show vulnerability against this Rams offense just a few weeks ago in Week 16. In that matchup, Matthew Stafford threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams scored 37 points in Seattle in a one-point loss.

Los Angeles did that without its No. 2 wide receiver, Davante Adams, who caught the most touchdown passes in the league this season despite missing three games due to injury. While the Seahawks’ offense cannot be relied upon to match the Rams in a shootout, it is unlikely they will need to. Their defense has been elite and Stafford’s recent stretch of less-than-elite play. Although the Rams still possess the better combination of offense, defense, coaching, and overall roster talent, they have consistently played up or down to their competition.

This tendency has left them with far less margin for error than they should have and has magnified one or two critical mistakes in games that should have been decided in blowout fashion. As has been the case all season, if the Rams continue to play with fire instead of reaching their full potential, those small mistakes could cost them a trip to the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Photo Cred: KIRO 7

With the Denver Broncos forced to play backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix broke his ankle last week against the Bills, and the Patriots failing to impress against the Chargers and Texans, the NFC Championship Game could function as the de facto Super Bowl this year. Both the Rams and Seahawks would likely be heavy favorites against either AFC opponent, a dynamic that mirrors a thirteen-year stretch from 1984 to 1996 when the NFC won every Super Bowl, many in historically dominant fashion.

AP Award Finalists Announced for 2025 NFL Season

By

Stephen Patrick

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January 22, 2026

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AP Award Finalists Announced for 2025 NFL Season

Winners to Be Revealed During NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign on Thursday, Feb. 5

NEW YORK — Jan. 22, 2026 — The NFL and The Associated Press have announced the finalists for their annual accolades for the 2025 NFL season. Award winners will be announced at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. NFL Honors, the league’s primetime awards special, will air at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+.

Prior to the award presentations, the NFL Honors Red Carpet Show presented by Invisalign will air at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network leading up to NFL Honors. Local blackout restrictions may apply. The NFL Honors program will not air live in all time zones.

The full list of awards and finalists include:


AP Most Valuable Player presented by Invisalign	Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
AP Coach of the Year	Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
AP Assistant Coach of the Year	Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots
AP Comeback Player of the Year	Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
AP Defensive Player of the Year presented by TCL	Will Anderson Jr., DE, Houston Texans Nik Bonitto, LB, Denver Broncos Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions Micah Parsons, DL, Green Bay Packers
AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Microsoft Copilot	Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year presented by EA SPORTS Madden NFL	Abdul Carter, LB, New York Giants Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks James Pearce Jr., DE, Atlanta Falcons Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year presented by EA SPORTS Madden NFL	Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints

NFL Honors, hosted by Jon Hamm, will also feature the announcement of the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide, the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Announcement presented by Novartis and the new Protector of the Year Award to honor the league’s best offensive lineman in 2025.

As the Official Timepiece Partner of the NFL, Breitling will unveil custom NFL Honors watches for the eight AP Award recipients, as well as the Protector of the Year and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide, with a special timepiece created exclusively for the MVP presented by Invisalign. Crafted for moments that define careers and designed to carry legacy forward, each watch stands as a lasting mark of achievement.

NFL Honors is an NFL Network production in association with Rock Garden Media. For more information about NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, fans may visit www.nfl.com/honors and follow the #NFLHonors conversation on X.

NBC, Peacock, Telemundo and Universo will present Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.

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The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day. Online: http://www.ap.org

Media Contacts:

Paula Ngon, NFL, paula.ngon@nfl.com

Liz McCollum, BZA PR on behalf of the NFL, elizabethm@bzapr.com

Patrick Maks, AP, PMaks@ap.org

Dan Masonson, NBC, Dan.Masonson@nbcuni.co

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

Flag Football Takes Center Stage During Super Bowl LX Week

By

Stephen Patrick

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January 22, 2026

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Flag Football Highlighted Through Events and Activations Across San Francisco Bay Area

New Global Flag Ambassadors Unveiled, Led by Hall of Fame QB Steve Young

NEW YORK – Jan. 22, 2026 – Flag football will take center stage during Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area, celebrating the sport’s explosive growth and global reach ahead of its Olympic debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Super Bowl week flag football events will highlight the fast-paced and inclusive sport through a variety of events and activations, including a showdown between the sport’s top athletes, youth clinics, fan events, and much more.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and the NFL are also proud to announce the newest cohort of Global Flag Ambassadors, led by Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young. Global Flag Ambassadors play a critical role in inspiring the next generation of athletes and expanding flag football globally, and members from this year’s class will take part in flag football activations around Super Bowl LX.

Flag Football Events During Super Bowl LX Week

Throughout Super Bowl LX week, the Bay Area will host a variety of flag football activations designed to engage fans and communities.

2026 NFL Flag International Championship

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

The 2026 NFL Flag International Championship will bring together top U13 co-ed teams from 14 countries to compete in a three-day tournament, culminating in an exciting championship game on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Super Bowl Experience at Moscone Center’s North Building. This is one of the largest international NFL Flag competitions to date, with teams and athletes from Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, and Spain participating.

NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

As part of Super Bowl week celebrations, the NFL will host a showcase for the second year in a row of the nation’s top girls high school flag football athletes. Thirty-two seniors from high schools across the country, nominated by NFL clubs and selected from teams ranked in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25, will compete in a matchup of the country’s premier flag football talent – mirroring the set-up of this year’s Pro Bowl Games. This event will air live during Postseason NFL Countdown on ESPN, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET, as part of its Pro Bowl Games pregame show, and streamed on the ESPN App, Disney+, SportsCenter Next’s YouTube channel and the NFL’s YouTube channel.

Pro Bowl Games Presented by Verizon

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5:00 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

For the first time, the 2026 Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will move to Super Bowl LX Week in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event brings the league’s top players together for an AFC vs. NFC flag football showdown, which will preview the elite athleticism and competition of the sport ahead of its LA28 Olympics debut. The revamped programming gives the league’s best athletes an opportunity to compete during the NFL’s biggest week of the year, surrounded by their families, friends and select fans, and provides all fans with a must-see TV event that helps culminate the end of the season.

The televised event will air live from the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Super Bowl Experience in San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 3, which will be transformed into a dynamic flag football arena. Coverage of the Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will begin on ESPN starting at 6:30 p.m. ET with the flag game at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN, Disney XD and ESPN Deportes.

Toyota Glow Up Classic

Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

The Toyota Glow Up Classic returns at Super Bowl LX at NFL Flag Fieldhouse where the games future – Females in Flag – will be spotlighted during this first-of-it-kind glow-in-the-dark flag football showdown. The game gathers the Bay Area’s top high school female athletes in a unique competition under UV lights and in glowing jerseys and gear in a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Team Toyota athletes will serve as mentors with Eli Manning, Brock Purdy, Christian Gonzales, Puka Nacua, Michael Pittman, Kyle Hamilton, and Jordan Love currently scheduled to appear. The second annual event is open to fans with Super Bowl Experience tickets. Toyota will also leave a lasting legacy after Super Bowl LX ends by supporting the installation of lighting at the Townsend Busher Field renovation project in Santa Clara.

USA vs. Mexico Flag Football Showcase Presented by Toyota

Thursday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

Fans will get an up-close look at flag football’s fast-paced, creative, and dynamic style when North America’s top athletes face off in an exhibition match. The USA Men’s National Flag Football Team will take on Mexico’s Men’s National Team, marking their first meeting since 2023. Both programs are reigning IFAF Americas Continental Co-Champions and will showcase the sport ahead of its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. Selected, trained and led by USA Football, the USA Men’s National Flag Football team and star quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III sit atop the IFAF World Rankings, while Mexico ranks third, setting the stage for an epic clash between two of the sport’s best teams. The game will air live on the NFL’s YouTube channel.

Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game on YouTube

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C

Building on the success of the inaugural Super Bowl LIX Flag Football Game on YouTube, the league is bringing the excitement back to Super Bowl Experience with a flag football showdown at the NFL Flag Football Fieldhouse, on Saturday, Feb. 7, ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. Showcasing the NFL’s commitment to growing flag football globally and connecting with fans worldwide, the flag football game brings together top talent from across sports, music and YouTube, with the action kicking off at 7:00 p.m. PT and streaming live exclusively on YouTube.

Global Flag Ambassadors

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, IFAF and the NFL are excited to introduce its newest cohort of Global Flag Ambassadors. This diverse group of athletes will champion flag football’s growth across domestic and international markets, promoting the sport’s accessibility for all. Leading the charge is Steve Young, Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers icon, whose passion for the game and commitment to youth sports make him an ideal Global Flag Ambassador.

“Being named a Global Flag Ambassador is an honor, especially as the world’s attention turns to the Bay Area during Super Bowl LX,” said NFL Hall of Famer and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young. “Flag football represents the future expansion of our sport – fast, inclusive, and accessible, creating unprecedented opportunities for ALL athletes around the world, a game where women and girls are claiming their space. Coaching my daughters’ high school flag football team has shown me how powerful this game can be in shaping confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. I’m committed to using my voice to help expand flag football globally and ensure the next generation of competitors see a place for themselves in this game.”

Global Flag Ambassadors will play a key role in promoting the game throughout Super Bowl week. Global Flag Ambassador activations include Vanita Krouch, a member of the United States women’s national flag football team, who will serve as a team captain at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase and also participated in the Showcase’s selection committee. Global Flag Ambassadors from international markets, such as Diana Flores, Phoebe Schecter, Gabi Bankhardt and Kodie Fuller, will also participate in various league events throughout the week, including Super Bowl Opening Night and the Pro Bowl Games.

This year’s Global Flag Ambassador cohort includes:

Ashlea Klam, USA Women’s National Team – Ashlea Klam is an international flag football player and member of the United States Women’s National Flag Team, where she was a key member of the 2024 IFAF Women’s Flag Football World Championship team. Ashlea is also a member of the Keiser University flag football team and played on the Texas Fury NFL Flag team. Ashlea will serve as a team captain at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase. Ashlea has played flag football since elementary school and serves as an inspiration to young girls who strive to represent their country playing the sport they love.
Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans – Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is a major advocate and ambassador for flag football, actively promoting girls flag football participation in Houston and his hometown in Georgia.
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts – Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin is a passionate supporter of flag football, helping to expand access to the game in his hometown of Philadelphia and beyond. Last year, Franklin hosted a “Girls’ Flag Football Jamboree” at his alma mater and consistently participates in NFL Flag-in-School events throughout Indianapolis.

Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with 20 million players worldwide, and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to support financially the development and launch of a professional flag football league. In addition, the NCAA recently approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, an important step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA. Flag football is now offered for girls at the high school level in 38 states, and over 100 colleges and universities have women’s flag football programs.

Media Contact:

Ian Martin, Ian.Martin@nfl.com

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

Green Day to Kick Off Super Bowl LX with Opening Ceremony Celebrating 60 Years of Super Bowl History

By

Stephen Patrick

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January 21, 2026

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Hometown Grammy Award-Winning Global Superstar Rock Band Will Honor Generations of Super Bowl MVPs While Welcoming Fans Worldwide to Bay Area

NEW YORK — Jan. 18, 2026 — The NFL announced that global superstar rock band Green Day will open Super Bowl LX with a high-energy opening ceremony celebrating Super Bowl’s 60th anniversary at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.

As part of the NFL milestone, East Bay-native Grammy Award-winning rock band Green Day, featuring Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool, will open Super Bowl LX by ushering generations of Super Bowl MVPs onto the field with a dynamic performance of their most iconic rock anthems.

The Super Bowl LX opening ceremony will air live at 3:00pm PT on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo, transforming the stadium, blending music, football and Bay Area culture into a kickoff celebration for fans.

“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard!” said Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. “We are honored to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!”

“Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honoring the NFL Legends who’ve helped define this sport is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX.” said Tim Tubito, NFL senior director, event and game presentation. “As we work alongside NBC Sports for this opening ceremony, we look forward to creating a collective celebration for fans in the stadium and around the world.”

The Super Bowl LX opening ceremony will take place ahead of the previously announced pregame entertainment lineup, featuring Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones. Puth will perform the national anthem, Carlile will sing “America the Beautiful,” and Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

ABOUT GREEN DAY

Formed in 1986 in Berkeley, Calif., Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool) is one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time, with 14 studio albums released, more than 75 million records sold worldwide, and 20 billion cumulative streams. The five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees released their breakout album Dookie in 1994, which sold over 10 million and achieved 10x Platinum Diamond status, and is widely credited with popularizing and reviving mainstream interest in punk rock, catapulting a career-long run of #1 hit singles. In 2004, Green Day released the rock opera American Idiot which captured the nation’s attention, selling more than 8 million copies in the U.S. alone and taking home the GRAMMY® Award for Best Rock Album. In 2010, a stage adaptation of American Idiot debuted on Broadway to critical and commercial acclaim. On Jan. 19, 2024, the band released their GRAMMY®-nominated 14th studio album, Saviors, which includes hit singles, “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” which reached #1 on Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay, and “Dilemma.” The album debuted at #1 on seven different Billboard charts and marked their fifth #1 in the UK. In September 2025, after two years, 106 shows, 88 cities, 33 countries and over 2.5 million tickets sold, Green Day wrapped their monumental, sold-out world tour—the biggest of their career—in support of their GRAMMY®-nominated 14th studio album Saviors, proving that 35 years in, the band is still at the top of their game.

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

Signs of Progress: Marquette Rallies Past Providence

By

Charles Burgess

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January 21, 2026

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After an electric 105–104 overtime win against the Providence Friars, the Marquette Golden Eagles improved to 7–13 on the season and 2–7 in Big East play. The victory marks Marquette’s first non–Quad 4 win of the year. The 2025–26 season has clearly not unfolded as Shaka Smart envisioned, but as the year progresses, it’s becoming harder to ignore the steady improvement of this young Marquette team. As fans have grown accustomed to, Marquette’s offense came out swinging once again, scoring 29 points in the first 10 minutes of action.

While the offense was explosive throughout the night, the Golden Eagles were never able to fully pull away. Providence’s talented guard duo of senior Jaylin Sellers and freshman Stefan Vaaks scored at will, combining for 53 points. Although his scoring output was limited, Providence sophomore forward Oswin Erhunmwunse dominated the paint, hauling in 15 total rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.

Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

Unlike previous contests this season, Marquette kept its foot firmly on the gas pedal. Led by freshman phenom Nigel James Jr.’s career-high 38 points and eight assists, the Golden Eagles delivered their best offensive performance of the season. While there is still obvious room for improvement, clear momentum is beginning to build—not only for the remainder of this year, but heading into next season as well.

What We Liked

It goes without saying that tonight’s offensive fireworks provide real reason for optimism moving forward. Marquette consistently penetrated the interior of Providence’s defense, while Nigel James knocked down timely three-pointers to help space the floor. The Golden Eagles had six players score in double figures, including Demarius Owens, who recorded his third straight double-digit scoring performance off the bench. The continued absence of redshirt junior guard Sean Jones and junior guard Zaide Lowrey opened the door for young players like Owens and Michael Phillips to earn extended minutes.

Photo Cred: Reuters

They are now carving out their identities on the court. Marquette also lived up to its trademark standard of disrupting passing lanes throughout the game. The Golden Eagles forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 27 points—their second-highest total of the season. On the offensive end, Marquette took care of the basketball, committing just six turnovers. Big East steals leader Chase Ross recorded a career-high seven steals and now ranks sixth all-time in career steals at Marquette.

Areas for Improvement

While it’s difficult to complain after scoring 105 points, season-long offensive issues continue to surface. Outside of Nigel James’ 4-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc, Marquette struggled to convert from three-point range. Without James’ scorching performance, the Golden Eagles would have shot a pedestrian 4-for-17 from deep.

As has been the case for several seasons, free throws remain a serious concern for Marquette. In a game that came down to the final seconds, the Golden Eagles left points on the board throughout the night. Although Nigel James Jr. calmly knocked down three straight free throws to force overtime, Marquette finished the game shooting just 63% from the charity stripe. Rebounding also remains an issue, as Marquette was outrebounded 42–30 and surrendered 14 offensive rebounds.

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