| INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Jan. 27, 2025 — NFL Network provides exclusive coverage of collegiate all-star games, beginning with the 100th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. ET, and continuing with the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET and the HBCU Legacy Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. ET.
For the East-West Shrine Bowl live from AT&T Stadium, play-by-play announcer Mike Yam is joined in the broadcast booth by analysts Bucky Brooks and Isaiah Stanback, while Jane Slater provides reports from the field. Leading up to the East-West Shrine Bowl, ‘NFL GameDay Kickoff’ airs at 7 p.m. ET with Patrick Claybon. For the Reese’s Senior Bowl live from Hancock Whitney Stadium, play-by-play announcer Rhett Lewis is joined in the broadcast booth by analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis, while Tom Pelissero provides reports from the sidelines. Leading up to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, ‘NFL GameDay Kickoff’ airs at 2 p.m. ET with Mike Yam and David Carr. Following the game, ‘NFL GameDay Final’ airs at 5:30 p.m. ET with Yam and Carr. Leading up to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, one-hour “2025 Senior Bowl Practice” recap shows air Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. ET, and Thursday, Jan. 30 at 11 p.m. ET on NFL Network with Pelissero, Lewis, Jeremiah and Davis. Additionally, “The Insiders” will broadcast live from Mobile, Ala. Monday, Jan. 27 through Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. ET with Pelissero, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. For the HBCU Legacy Bowl live from Yulman Stadium, play-by-play announcer Steve Wyche is joined in the broadcast booth by analysts Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis, while Mike Yam reports from the sidelines. All NFL Network programming is available across multiple devices (smartphone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) across NFL+, the NFL Channel, NFL.com, the NFL App and YouTube. Visit NFL.com/watch for more information on how to watch. For additional information on all the collegiate all-star games, please visit: · East-West Shrine Bowl: https://shrinebowl.com/ · Reese’s Senior Bowl: https://www.seniorbowl.com/ · HBCU Legacy Bowl: https://www.hbculegacybowl. NFL Network’s broadcast schedule for the collegiate all-star games: · Thursday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. ET – East-West Shrine Bowl · Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET – Reese’s Senior Bowl · Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. ET – HBCU Legacy Bowl
### Media Contact: Jaden Hall, Jaden.Hall@NFL.com |
| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
NFL Network’s Exclusive Coverage of Collegiate All-Star Games
Jim Knowles Shocks Big Ten, Leaves Ohio State for Penn State
In a shocking turn of events, Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s Defensive Coordinator, has accepted the same position at Big Ten rival Penn State. The Pennsylvania native, who has been at Ohio State for the past three seasons, leaves after helping craft one of the best defenses in school history. Knowles’ defensive units have shown marked improvement throughout his career.
Photo Cred: Cleveland
Before joining Ohio State, he served as the Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State for four seasons. In his final year there, Oklahoma State boasted a top ten defense nationally, leading the country in sacks, which ultimately led to his hiring by Ohio State. At the time, the Buckeyes’ defense ranked outside the top 35. In his first season with Ohio State, Knowles made an immediate impact, turning the defense into the 24th-best unit in the country. By the 2023 season, Ohio State’s defense ranked 2nd nationally in scoring, and in 2024, they finished as the No. 1 defense in the nation.
That year, they also claimed the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship. Over a four-game stretch in the playoffs, the Buckeyes’ defense dominated: they recorded 18 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, and allowed just over 18 points per game against the 7th, 1st, 3rd, and 5th-ranked teams in the country. Remarkably, Ohio State trailed for only 6 minutes of game time during this stretch. Knowles’ success has made him one of the most sought-after defensive minds in college football.
Despite already being a top-ten paid assistant coach, Ohio State was willing to make him the highest-paid coordinator in the country in hopes of keeping him after his contract expired following the 2024 season. But with eight defensive starters, including the entire defensive line, set to leave for the NFL, Knowles’ departure became inevitable. Penn State, on the other hand, returns several key players and sees Knowles as a major upgrade.
His track record, which includes guiding Ohio State to a National Championship, makes him an ideal fit for a program that reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinals for the first time last season. Under the terms of his new contract, Knowles will earn an average of $3.1 million per year, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football. Now, Ohio State finds itself searching for a new defensive coordinator, with the challenge of replacing eight starters.
Photo Cred: USA Today
While the Buckeyes have a wealth of talent ready to step into starting roles, the timing is not ideal, as Ohio State’s season just ended while other programs have already been making changes. Additionally, rumors have surfaced that Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly may be considering an NFL job. If both coordinators depart, Ohio State will have a lot of work ahead as they look to repeat as National Champions next season.
WNBA Blockbuster: Aces Acquire Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum Joins Sparks
In a stunning move to shake up the WNBA landscape, the Las Vegas Aces have traded for star guard Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm in a trade. Three time All Star Kelsey Plum goes to the Los Angeles Sparks. The deal marks a significant shift for both teams. This brings major interest during the off season.
Photo Cred: New York Times
Jewell Loyd, 31, has spent her 10-season with the Seattle Storm. She’s one of the league’s superstar players. A former Rookie of the Year, Loyd has shown consistent play in Seattle. She’s earned All-Star honors the last four seasons and six times overall. With dynamic scoring skills, Loyd is one of the most electrifying guards.
Her leadership and scoring will add another layer a loaded Aces team. Loyd joins the Aces after a disappointing end to the 2023 season. They were eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual champions New York Liberty. The Aces won back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. Loyd joins MVP candidates A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray. Loyd’s arrival strengthens the Aces dominant offensive lineup. Loyd averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season.
The other big part of the trade Kelsey Plum was an important part of the Aces success. Plum helped lead the Aces to their back-to-back titles is one of the most versatile players in the WNBA. Her scoring and playmaking ability, along with her leadership on both ends of the court, will be a huge addition to the Sparks’ roster. The move also gives Plum a fresh start with a new franchise, where she will play alongside other talented players looking to contend for a championship in the coming years.
For the Sparks, acquiring Plum represents a bold move as they continue to reshape their roster with championship aspirations in mind. While they are still building their team, Plum’s experience and skill set make her an ideal cornerstone for Los Angeles’ future. The trade also involves multiple other players and assets, but the key pieces—Loyd and Plum—are expected to make an immediate impact on their new teams. She averaged 17.8 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds last season.
Photo Cred: Just Women’s Sports
With this deal, the WNBA offseason has become even more exciting as teams continue to build for the 2024 season. The Aces, now even more stacked with talent, will be the team to beat once again, while the Sparks look to build around Plum and push for a deep playoff run. As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Aces, the Sparks, and the Storm as they adjust to their new rosters and chase championship glory.
With Loyd joining the Aces and Plum heading to the Sparks, the WNBA has never been more exciting. To finish the trade, the Storm are acquiring the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and forward Li Yueru from the Sparks, as well as Las Vegas’ 2026 first-round pick. Los Angeles receives the 2025 No. 9 pick and a 2026 second-round pick from Seattle. The Aces will get the 2025 No. 13 overall pick from the Sparks.
Oakland Completes Series Sweep with 6-1 Victory Over Adrian
The Golden Grizzlies wrapped up a dominant series sweep, defeating the Bulldogs 6-1 in a hard-fought contest. Adrian did its best to keep the game competitive, especially through the first two periods, which were both low-scoring affairs. Oakland struck first in the opening period, with Jules Sainte-Marie deflecting a shot from Kyle Giza into the back of the net. Adrian responded in the second period when Devin Bennett found a gap behind the defense and capitalized to even the score.
Photo Cred: Noah
However, Oakland quickly regained the lead, as star forward Brandon Danou answered right back with a goal of his own, giving the Golden Grizzlies a 2-1 advantage. When the third period began, Oakland turned up the pressure, scoring four unanswered goals to pull away and seal the 6-1 victory, completing the series sweep of Adrian. The Bulldogs’ struggles were compounded by discipline issues, as they were sent to the penalty box 10 times throughout the game, compared to just one penalty for Oakland. This disparity in penalties proved costly for Adrian, as they couldn’t generate enough momentum to mount a comeback.
With the win, Oakland improves to a stellar 19-2-1-1 on the season, while Adrian falls to 7-9. The Golden Grizzlies will return to action next week, hosting the Michigan Wolverines from Ann Arbor on Friday, January 31st, at the Buffalo Wild Wings Arena. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will travel to Crystal Fieldhouse Ice Arena to face off against the Michigan Wolverines of Flint in their next matchup.
NFL and Goldbelly Announce Launch of Officially Licensed Super Bowl LIX Tailgate Kits
New York — Jan. 22, 2025 —The National Football League and Goldbelly, the popular marketplace known for shipping America’s most iconic foods across the US and Canada, announced today the launch of the officially licensed Super Bowl LIX Tailgate Kits. The tailgate kits are an at-home football food experience, with epic gameday foods curated by Goldbelly from famous restaurants in this year’s Super Bowl host city and one of the top food cities in America – New Orleans. The Super Bowl LIX Tailgate Kits also include officially licensed party supplies with Super Bowl LIX-branded plates, souvenir cups, napkins and tablecloths.
“Goldbelly’s culinary expertise and connections to some of the most famous and diverse restaurants and chefs have enabled the NFL to encapsulate the essence of New Orleans tailgating, and bring it to fans across the country,” said Ryan Samuelson, vice president of consumer products at the NFL. “Through this collaboration, we hope to bring fans closer to the excitement of Super Bowl LIX.”
The Classics Kit will serve six to eight people and arrive with the below components for the ultimate taste of New Orleans ($99 with free shipping):
- Haydel’s Bakery King Cake
- Central Grocery’s Muffuletta Olive Salad
- Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Mix
- Café Du Monde’s Beignet Mix
- Loretta’s & New Orleans Praline Co. Pralines
- Super Bowl LIX Branded Party Supplies
Fans can also upgrade to Premium Kits that serve six to eight people, and include the starter kit plus a choice of an iconic dish from some of New Orleans’ most legendary restaurants:
- Dooky Chase’s Jambalaya Kit ($199 with free shipping)
- Cochon’s Muffuletta Kit ($279 with free shipping)
- Louisiana Crawfish’s Crawfish Boil Party Kit ($219 with free shipping)
- Chef Kelly Fields’ Cajun Brunch Kit ($199 with free shipping)
- Willie Mae’s Fried Chicken & Sides Kit ($249 with free shipping)
- All-Madden Turducken Kit ($299 with free shipping)
“We’re excited to work with the NFL to create an entirely new way for fans to interact with their favorite sporting events, from anywhere around the country. We’ve hand-curated these exclusive tailgate kits featuring the most legendary restaurants in New Orleans to bring people a one-of-a-kind, at-home football party experience,” said Joe Ariel, founder and CEO of Goldbelly. “The Super Bowl is one of the most iconic food days of the year, so if you can’t make it to the game this year, we’re going to bring a taste of New Orleans and Super LIX straight to your couch.”
The restaurants and foods featured in the tailgate kits represent the vibrant culinary scene in New Orleans and are celebrated for their contributions to the city’s history and culture. The tailgate kits are available to pre-order now exclusively on Goldbelly.com in limited quantities through Feb. 5. Orders will ship the week of Feb. 3 to be delivered by game day. To shop the kits, visit https://www.goldbelly.com/
Hi-res images are available to download here.
Media Contacts: Liana Bailey, liana.bailey@nfl.com, Goldbelly, press@goldbelly.com,
About Goldbelly: Goldbelly is America’s first platform for national food e-commerce. The company’s mission is to connect people with their most loved foods, restaurants and experiences, no matter where they are. Goldbelly seeks out the most unique, creative and legendary foods and makers – from the county’s top chefs & most iconic restaurants, to the most renowned bakeries, pizzerias, pitmasters and artisan shops. With an ever-expanding, curated selection of over 10,000 of the nation’s best regional, small-batch foods, Goldbelly empowers restaurants and food makers by offering a platform for small local businesses to reach new customers outside of their local area. Learn more about us on goldbelly.com and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Syracuse Season in Jeopardy
The Orange fell short to the Panthers, 77-73, after leading by one at halftime in the JMA Wireless Dome. Pitt was aiming to snap their four-game losing streak, marking their first win since January 4th and bringing their ACC record back to even. For Syracuse, this was their 11th loss of the season and their 6th in conference play.
Photo Cred: Bryan Bannett/Getty Images
Syracuse jumped out to an early 13-4 lead in the first four minutes, with J.J. Starling, Jyáre Davis, and Elijah Moore knocking down threes. The Panthers responded after the first timeout, with Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett igniting Pitt’s offense.
Pittsburgh continued to battle throughout the first half, eventually pulling ahead 23-21 with ten minutes remaining. Coach Adrian Autry was forced to substitute Starling, who had picked up two fouls. The Orange later tied the game at 43-43 with a triple from Elijah Moore, but Pitt reclaimed the lead when Lowe answered with a floater. Starling returned to the game for Jaquan Carlos and quickly responded with a game-tying layup, setting up a showdown between Starling and Lowe. In the second half alone, Lowe scored 17 points, becoming the X-factor the Panthers needed to secure the tough road win.
Photo Cred: Syracuse.com
Fast forward to crunch time: Syracuse trailed by two with 16 seconds left and was forced to foul multiple times. Zack Austin stepped to the free throw line as a 90% shooter and calmly knocked down both free throws to give Pitt a four-point lead. That proved to be the knockout punch, as Syracuse couldn’t claw their way back into the game. J.J. Starling finished with 16 points, shooting 5-for-13 from the field. Eddie Lampkin Jr. had a career-high 23 rebounds, helping the Orange secure 48 boards in total.
As for Pitt, they played disciplined basketball, committing only three turnovers. Jaland Lowe led the Panthers with 22 points. As Syracuse fights for a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, games like these against teams with similar records will play a crucial role in March seeding. Syracuse will need to target teams slightly ahead in the standings to improve their position.
Looking ahead, Coach Adrian Autry’s management of his bench will be key, particularly with players like Elijah Moore and Donnie Freeman, both of whom were highly sought-after recruits coming into the season. With an exciting future on the horizon, including top 50 recruits Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony heading to Syracuse, the Orange’s prospects remain bright.
A Year End Review of the College Football Playoffs
The college football season has sadly come to an end, and it wrapped up with Ohio State defeating Notre Dame in the National Championship of the inaugural twelve-team playoff. This matchup would have never happened without the expanded playoff, as both teams were ranked outside of the top four—an outcome that wouldn’t have been possible in the past ten seasons, which featured a four-team playoff. Fans got what they wanted with the expansion of the playoffs, as the 5th and 6th ranked teams in previous years often made a strong case for why they should have been included.
Photo Cred: SI
However, with more teams now eligible, there are even more squads arguing they deserved a spot. When the twelve-team playoff format was announced, it seemed simple: The five highest-ranked conference champions automatically qualify, with the four highest-ranked teams receiving a bye. The remaining spots are filled by the next best teams—seven at-large teams, and the fifth highest-ranked conference champion, which was assumed to be a Group of 5 team. More teams in the field, plus home games hosted on campuses in December, seemed like a win for fans.
However, once the season began and the playoff rankings were revealed, flaws in the seeding became apparent. Fans expected the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, and Big 12 champions to earn the byes, but as the season progressed, weaker teams in the Big 12 and ACC began to look like potential bye recipients. Even a Group of 5 team, Boise State, was in the running. Meanwhile, blue-blood programs like Notre Dame and Texas—both ranked in the top 5—did not secure a bye. They were still in the playoffs, but the seeding completely reshaped the bracket, with weaker teams being ranked higher than some of the top teams in the Big Ten and SEC.
Photo Cred: USA Today
Take, for example, the No. 1 seeded Oregon Ducks, who earned a bye but were set to face the winner of a game between Ohio State and Tennessee, both of whom had been ranked in the top 10 for most of the season. Meanwhile, teams like Texas and Penn State, who also finished the regular season in the top 5, didn’t earn a bye and instead faced an easier path in the bracket. Despite finishing in the top 5, they were jumped by teams like Arizona State and Boise State, who spent much of the season unranked or outside the top 10. As a result, Penn State’s road to the semifinals included matchups with SMU and Boise State, while Texas had to go through Clemson and Arizona State—both games where Penn State and Texas were heavily favored.
On the flip side, Oregon, as the No. 1 seed, found itself as an underdog in its first game against Ohio State. I’m not suggesting that playoff seeding should be based on betting markets, but it was clear that these teams had more favorable paths to the semifinals. In theory, giving the four highest-ranked conference champions a bye seemed like a good idea, especially given that, in most years under the four-team playoff, there were usually three or four conference champions. But conference realignment has changed the public perception of the value of a conference championship, with some conferences seen as much stronger than others.
Personally, I think the first year of the twelve-team playoff was a success overall. Teams played meaningful football games well into December and January, and the opt-outs that plagued New Year’s 6 Bowls in years past were no longer a concern. In prior seasons, players like Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyle McCord would have skipped out on playing in a bowl game to prepare for the draft or transfer. With the twelve-team playoff, there were no major opt-outs among starters. While some players still entered the transfer portal, it wasn’t the core players of the teams involved in the playoff, which kept the integrity of the games intact.
The issue, however, was with the seeding. Fans got the games they wanted, but they didn’t always get the competitive matchups they hoped for in the early rounds. The committee can’t control how a team plays, but many of these blowouts were easily predicted. One key change I’d suggest is to eliminate automatic byes for the top four ranked conference champions.
Photo Cred: Sporting News
Instead, the top four ranked teams—regardless of conference—should get the byes. This wouldn’t exclude teams like Boise State or Arizona State; they could still make the twelve-team field, but they would be seeded lower. The five highest-ranked conference champions should still make it, but the seeding should be based purely on the rankings of the committee’s top 12 teams. If a conference champion is outside of the top 12, they bump out the 12th ranked team, similar to how Clemson bumped Alabama out this season because they won the ACC.
This is just the first year of the twelve-team playoff, so I’m sure changes will be made to the seeding format, though it’s unclear when that might happen. There are also talks of expanding the playoff to 14 teams in 2026, which would significantly alter the bracket. If that happens, will the Big Ten and SEC receive more bids? Or could we see two Group of 5 teams make it into the field? Only time will tell, as college football fans eagerly await the next season’s kickoff in August.
Atlantic Coast Conference Seeking to Make Changes
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is considering major changes for the league championship format. The move looks to better position the regular-season champion for seeding in the College Football Playoff (CFP). ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips revealed that the conference is exploring potential adjustments. All conferences $4 million for each of the 12 teams that makes the College Football Playoff. Conferences receive payouts and are trying to get as many teams as possible they can.
Each team that advances to the College Football Playoff will receive substantial financial compensation. Teams that make it to the Quarterfinals will earn $4 million each, while those advancing to the Semifinals will receive $6 million. The two teams that reach the National Championship Game will also be awarded $6 million each. In addition to these amounts, every team participating in the playoff will receive $3 million to cover expenses for each round they play in. Conferences are now trying to figure out how position them
One of the proposals being discussed is altering the ACC Championship Game into a play-in contest for the CFP. Under this new format, the teams finishing second and third in the conference standings would face off for a College Football Playoff spot. This change could have significant implications for how the conference determines its champion. Put how would other conference react as the ACC seek to change the concept of Championship weekend.
If approved, the regular-season champion would receive a significant advantage with what would be a bye week. Thier regular season would automatically earn a bid to the College Football Playoff like winning your division in the NFL. This move comes with concerns among conferences an extra loss in the championship game, which could undermine a team’s playoff chances despite a strong regular-season performance. By guaranteeing a playoff spot for the regular-season champion, the ACC aims to reward consistency and shield teams from the unpredictability of championship weekend outcomes.
Photo Cred: ACC
As college football evolves, the ACC’s consideration of these changes underscores the challenges conferences face in balancing the integrity of the regular season with the growing significance of the College Football Playoff. Athletic directors are expected to meet soon to further discuss the proposed changes, with a decision potentially on the horizon. The outcome of these discussions could not only reshape the ACC’s football championship but also serve as a model for other conferences facing similar challenges in protecting the regular season while ensuring a fair path to the playoffs. With the 2025 season fast approaching, all eyes will be on the ACC to see if this proposal takes hold and how it could influence the future of college football.
From Heartbreak to Redemption: Buckeyes win CFB Playoffs
If you told an Ohio State fan they’d win the national championship after their shocking loss to 7-5 Michigan, they wouldn’t have believed you. Yet, four playoff games and less than two months later, the Buckeyes stood atop the college football world, winning their first title since 2014 and cementing their legacy as a forever team. Ohio State was on a mission, demolishing Tennessee and Oregon before outlasting Texas and Notre Dame in grueling but rewarding finishes. Here’s how the Buckeyes went from heartbreak to redemption.
After the Michigan loss, Ohio State fans, players, and personalities were stunned. Buckeyes and Wolverines players fought as Michigan planted their flag onto the “Block O” at midfield, while fans booed and called for Ryan Day’s job. Losing to Michigan for the third consecutive year was bad enough given the rivalry’s history, but this Michigan team had lost nearly all of its stars and was a three-touchdown underdog to the Buckeyes heading into the game.
Photo Cred: USA Today
What was supposed to be a coronation of a strong regular season and a formality turned into Ohio State’s worst nightmare. In previous years, that loss would have likely removed the Buckeyes from playoff contention. But in the first year of the 12-team playoff, Ohio State received the #8 seed and a home game in Columbus. The path ahead seemed daunting. With Tennessee coming off a 10-2 season and Volunteer fans flooding Ohio Stadium in their signature orange, Ohio State needed to flush the painful loss to their archrivals and come out of the gates swinging. And that’s exactly what they did.
Ohio State blew the Volunteers out of the water from the opening drive, with Will Howard finding superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 37-yard touchdown. The Bucks involved their star playmakers, with two touchdowns going to Smith and both members of their running back duo, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, getting into the end zone as well. On defense, the front smothered the Volunteers’ run game and shut down Nico Iamaleava. The Vols made the game respectable at halftime, cutting the deficit to 21-10, but OSU picked up right where they left off, staving off any comeback attempt and routing a solid Tennessee team 42-17. In front of a sellout crowd at home, Ohio State had turned the page on Michigan and was now headed toward something much bigger.
In a cinematic game at the Rose Bowl, Ohio State aimed to avenge their other regular-season loss. Oregon, coming off an undefeated season and Big Ten Championship, entered as the #1 seed in the expanded playoffs. Knocking them off was no easy feat for anyone, but Ohio State wasn’t deterred. They picked up right where they left off against Tennessee. They raced out to a 34-0 lead, with Howard connecting with Smith and Emeka Egbuka for multiple long pass plays, while Henderson ran for a long touchdown of his own.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The Ducks attempted a comeback, cutting the lead to 34-15, but were unable to get any further as Henderson scored a game-sealing touchdown. Despite a nearly perfect season, Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks’ offense were shut down by a ferocious Buckeye defense, with Cody Simon, Jack Sawyer, and J.T. Tuimoloau each collecting two sacks. For the second straight game, the Buckeyes blew out a formidable opponent, advancing to the semifinals as Rose Bowl champions.
In the semifinals, Ohio State traveled to Dallas to take on Texas at the Cotton Bowl. A hungry Longhorns team awaited, and they proved to be a much stiffer challenge than Tennessee or Oregon had been. Ohio State again struck first with a Quinshon Judkins touchdown, but Texas answered right before halftime with Quinn Ewers finding Jaydon Blue through the air to tie the game. With less than 30 seconds in the half, many assumed Ohio State would be content taking the game into the locker room tied. But Will Howard found TreVeyon Henderson on a 75-yard screen pass to put the Buckeyes up 14-7 at halftime.
Several offensive penalties put Ohio State behind the sticks, preventing them from pulling away as they had previously, which allowed Texas to stay in the game—something they would take advantage of later on. After a key drive that included multiple third and fourth-down conversions, Ewers threw his second touchdown pass to Blue, knotting the game up at 14 apiece. However, Ohio State found new life on offense, going up 21-14 with about seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Texas nearly tied the game, driving down the field and setting up first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. But Ohio State’s goal-line defense was once again stifling, and a questionable play call to pitch the ball to the outside cost the Longhorns several yards.
Backed up to eight yards from the end zone, Ewers was hurried into an incompletion on third down. On fourth down, Jack Sawyer got around the Texas offensive line, knocked Ewers down, and forced a fumble, which was returned 83 yards for the game-sealing touchdown. Instead of Texas tying it up, Ohio State turned the tables with a defensive stand and scored again. On Texas’ next possession, Caleb Downs intercepted Ewers to officially ice the game. The Buckeyes were heading to the national championship.
Photo Cred: USA Today
The national championship game would feature a battle of blue bloods. Notre Dame had won a thrilling semifinal against Ohio State’s Big Ten rival Penn State, so the Fighting Irish were making their first title game appearance since 2012. Once again, the Buckeyes had the talent advantage, but their opponent would not back down so easily. Notre Dame opened the game with a lengthy drive, utilizing quarterback Riley Leonard’s legs as they picked up key third downs on the ground.
They capped the nearly 10-minute drive with Leonard scampering up the middle for an early touchdown, making a statement. From there, Ohio State took over. Jeremiah Smith got the scoring started for the Buckeyes, with Notre Dame failing to provide sufficient coverage on his side of the field. Quinshon Judkins had the game of his lifetime, scoring three touchdowns to end the second quarter and start the third. A Jayden Fielding field goal extended Ohio State’s lead to 31-7, and many believed the game was already out of reach.
But Notre Dame wasn’t done. Leonard opened it up through the air, finding Jaden Greathouse for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. The Irish defense stepped up, and the offense put themselves in a position to cut the deficit further. However, Mitch Jeter missed a field goal attempt off the left upright, giving the ball back to Ohio State. The Irish made another stop, but once again Leonard found Greathouse in the end zone, and Notre Dame converted another two-point conversion to pull within eight points.
With Marcus Freeman’s squad needing one more stop, they sold out to stop the run, leaving Jeremiah Smith in single coverage—a big mistake. Smith torched Christian Gray for a critical first down deep into Irish territory, and Fielding knocked through a field goal to seal it for Ohio State. Despite Notre Dame’s valiant comeback effort, Ohio State triumphed, vanquishing their fourth playoff opponent and claiming their ninth title in school history. This victory felt especially sweet, hard-earned, and rewarding—perhaps the best one yet—especially after the adversity the team overcame this season. In a college football season like no other, Ohio State cemented its place among the greatest teams of all time, marking the exciting debut of the 12-team playoff and ensuring they seized their second chance to ride it all the way to glory.
Eagles Moving On to Host NFC Championship: What to Expect Facing Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 on Sunday, securing the coveted home-field advantage for the NFC Championship game. The win was made even sweeter thanks to an unexpected helping hand from the Washington Commanders, who upset the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions 45-31 on Saturday night, paving the way for the Eagles to host the critical playoff matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.
Despite facing snowy and difficult conditions, the Eagles demonstrated resilience, bolstered by strong performances from their defense and star running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley was nothing short of spectacular, rushing for a franchise-record 205 yards in a playoff game, including two touchdown runs. His first-half performance included 62 yards, but it was in the final quarter that he truly took over, rushing for 78 yards and sealing the victory. The former Georgia Bulldogs teammates, Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalen Carter, also made their presence felt on the field, forcing back-to-back fumbles that led to field goals, shifting the momentum in the Eagles’ favor and allowing them to control the game’s tempo as it progressed.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
As for quarterback Jalen Hurts, he provided an explosive start, running for a 44-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Hurts finished the game with a solid passing line of 15 completions on 20 attempts for 128 yards. However, the weather conditions played a significant role in limiting the Eagles’ passing attack, which wasn’t as precise as usual. To make matters more concerning, Hurts appeared to suffer a knee injury during the second half after taking a hard sack but was able to finish the game, albeit clearly limited in his mobility and overall effectiveness.
What’s at Stake for Next Sunday?
As if the NFC Championship game weren’t already high-stakes enough, the added rivalry between the Eagles and Washington Commanders—two teams that share a heated NFC East division rivalry—only intensifies the pressure. The two teams met twice during the regular season, splitting their matchups 1-1, with each team claiming a victory on their home turf. The Commanders are led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is making history as the first rookie to lead Washington to the postseason. Daniels is aiming to become the first rookie quarterback to start in a Super Bowl, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup. The Commanders are also fighting for their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991, further motivating them to make their mark on this high-profile game.
Photo Cred: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
For the Eagles, the NFC Championship game represents an opportunity for redemption after falling short in Super Bowl LVII, where they narrowly lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35. The Eagles’ fanbase has been eager for another shot at the biggest stage, and this season has given them new hope, especially with the addition of Saquon Barkley. After leaving the New York Giants in the offseason, Barkley has been nothing short of extraordinary, becoming just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. His performance against the Rams, coupled with his playoff heroics, has made him a key asset in the Eagles’ quest for another Super Bowl appearance.
Photo Cred: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images
In order for the Commanders to pull off an upset and knock off the heavily favored Eagles, they’ll need to replicate the efficiency and execution they displayed against the Detroit Lions. Daniels has been consistent in the postseason, with a greater number of wins than negative plays, and will need to continue that upward trajectory. Washington’s defense also has to step up in a major way, particularly in defending the run. While Daniels has shown promise, the Commanders’ defense finished the regular season among the worst in the league in terms of stopping the run, which poses a significant challenge against an Eagles offense that relies heavily on Barkley’s dynamic running ability.
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This vulnerability gives the Eagles a distinct advantage, especially considering Barkley’s exceptional form and Hurts’ injury casting doubt on his mobility and effectiveness in the pocket. Although Hurts didn’t scramble as much after his knee injury, his ability to make plays with his legs—particularly in high-pressure situations—has been a hallmark of his game. With his mobility compromised, the Eagles may lean more heavily on Barkley to carry the load. Philadelphia’s passing game may also struggle in the cold, snowy weather, further tilting the balance in favor of a strong ground attack.
From a defensive standpoint, the Eagles will look to put consistent pressure on Daniels. With Washington’s offensive line weakened by the absence of starting tackle Sam Cosmi (out with a torn ACL), the Eagles have a chance to dial up their aggressive pass-rush, something they’ve done exceptionally well this season. With one of their highest blitz rates of the year against Daniels, they will look to keep the rookie quarterback uncomfortable and force mistakes. The Eagles will also focus on limiting Washington’s key offensive weapons, including running back Antonio Gibson and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, to avoid letting the Commanders establish any rhythm.
As the NFC Championship approaches, both teams will have plenty to prove, with the Eagles aiming for another Super Bowl appearance and the Commanders hoping to defy the odds with a young quarterback and a defense looking for redemption. The stage is set for a thrilling clash between two NFC East rivals, and all eyes will be on Lincoln Financial Field for what promises to be a highly anticipated showdown.
