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Rutgers @ Virginia Tech, From Our Eyes

By
Arnav Sarkar
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Photo Cred: Abs Samanta

On Saturday, September 21st, Sports Radio America’s Arnav Sarkar traveled 7 hours down to Blacksburg, VA to watch his Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. He was accompanied by our Assistant Sports Editor, Abs Samanta, who lives close by. They had a wonderful experience at Lane Stadium and are going to be sharing their thoughts in this joint article. Expect some game coverage and interesting elements that they witnessed!

Gameday Experience

Hey, it’s Abs here. There was a sellout VT crowd in what was their White Effect game of the season. A sizable Rutgers contingent managed to make the trip as well, and we got to see them at the northeast section of Lane Stadium’s East Stand. Meanwhile, we were surrounded by Hokie fans in the South Stand but were lucky to be joined by an older couple supporting RU in front of us. This was the first time I watched a game at Lane Stadium, and I was happy to have Arnav by my side for his time here as well.

Photo Cred: Arnav Sarkar

Arnav’s here now. Being able to witness Enter Sandman live was amazing! There was such an electric atmosphere in the stadium, which felt like a gigantic, well-built castle to me. Now I know that SHI Stadium is a tough place to play in its own right, but it felt like Lane Stadium just trapped all the energy inside. It could’ve been a hostile environment, if not for how well-behaved the fans were. They seemed to never give up, cheering on their team and managing to disrupt Rutgers when it mattered most. I’m not going to lie, the crowd noise did get annoying at one point. Even on first and second downs, all the Hokie fans just banded together to raise the volume as much as possible. The VT marching band kept us entertained between plays, which I relished as a former RU band member myself.

Photo Cred: Abs Samanta

One thing that we really appreciated was how nice the VT fans were. After the game was over, walking with my red Rutgers shirt on, a lot of RU fans got to dap us up on the way. What surprised me was how hospitable the Hokie fans were. A lot of them wanted to make sure we had a good time and complimented the Scarlet Knights for a hard-fought match. The only reason for my surprise is I wouldn’t expect any of this in Piscataway, haha. You’d be lucky to even get a “good game” message from our fans against our opponents, but here we were instead in full-blown conversations with VT fans of different ages. In fact, one of them even stopped his car in the middle of the street to roll down his window to talk about the game with us! So many Blacksburgians and Hokies wanted to make sure that I enjoyed my stay.

A Game of Miscues

Football is a game where any mistakes can greatly influence the outcome. Even then, it just seemed like a lot of strange things happened in this matchup. Early in the first quarter, Virginia Tech’s punt returner Jaylin Lane fumbled a punt which Rutgers recovered. The Scarlet Knights used the short field to capitalize with the game’s first touchdown. The Hokies turned the ball over on downs on the next drive and allowed RU to go up 14-0 with a minute left in the quarter. Rutgers kicker Jai Patel missed a 36-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter, his first of two misses on the day.

Near the end of the first half, VT stopped Rutgers a yard short of a first down deep in their territory, and Rutgers appeared to be forced to kick a field goal. However, after each team took timeouts to debate their strategy, Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles inexplicably jumped offsides to give the Scarlet Knights a first down. Not to be outdone, RU’s Kenny Fletcher fumbled a short pass to give the ball back to the Hokies at the VT 3-yard line. This bizarre sequence ended with Tech QB Kyron Drones tripping over one of his offensive linemen on third down and throwing the football out of the back of the end zone as he fell backward. The play resulted in a safety and now Rutgers had a 16-7 lead.

@SportsCenter's video Tweet

Photo Cred: X.com

After RU scored to open the second half, Drones fumbled the ball on VT’s first play of the half to give the Scarlet Knights excellent field position. However, despite getting all the way to the 1-yard line, Rutgers could not convert on fourth down and left points on the board. Later in the third quarter, another RU drive stalled at the Virginia Tech 35-yard line. The normally accurate Patel proceeded to miss a long 53-yard field goal attempt… Though the Hokies turned the ball over on downs once again, their defense stood strong to force a punt that Lane returned to the RU 39-yard line. Rutgers allowed VT to get back in the game and force a 23-23 tie, as the Hokies scored two TDs and converted both their two-point conversions.

The game’s final miscue was a Robert Longerbeam interception of Drones to essentially ice the game. Though, it could be argued that the Scarlet Knights should’ve ideally scored a TD after getting to the Hokies’ red zone. The momentum was going their way after a 63-yard completion from QB Athan Kaliakmanis to WR Ian Strong. Instead, Patel shook his nerves off to hit a 24-yard FG, and that was the final lead change of the game. RU won the game 26-23.

Rutgers Should Have Put This Game Away

Abs is back again. As Arnav mentioned in the last paragraph, the Scarlet Knights made it deep into VT territory but had to only resort to a field goal attempt. This was one of several Rutgers missed chances that should’ve ended this game earlier, even if the Hokies scored their remaining points. Early in the second quarter, RU’s drive stalled at the Hokies’ 18-yard line. A TD here would’ve given them a two-score cushion again, and even a FG would’ve put Rutgers up by 10. To us in the stands, it just seemed like Jai Patel didn’t put enough power into the kick and it sailed right. 

The next big mistake was the Kenny Fletcher fumble just three yards away from the end zone. Hokie corner Mansoor Delane did a good job of punching the ball out on a first-and-goal at their 8-yard line. This would’ve had the Scarlet Knights up 21-7, but at least they got a safety in VT’s next drive to have a 16-7 lead. With 15 seconds left before halftime, Rutgers DB Eric Rogers forced a fumble on Hokies RB Bhayshul Tuten at midfield, but the ball went out of bounds. It was a 31-yard run on a drive that started at VT’s own 19-yard line, and a successful recovery might’ve prompted HC Greg Schiano to go for a FG before the end of the half. Fletcher and Kaliakmanis had a chance at redemption on fourth-and-goal at the VT 1-yard line in the third quarter. Instead, the play resulted in an incomplete pass and more points left on the board by RU…

Reviewing Betting Line, Spread, & Total for Rutgers at Nebraska - On the Banks

Photo Cred: On the Banks

Honestly, I feel like they should’ve just run it in with RB Kyle Monangai, a noted strong north-south runner. Even a field goal would’ve put Rutgers up 26-7. On their following drive, Patel missed his second kick of the day at the VT 35-yard line. This would’ve been his new career long, as his previous longest kick was 51 yards. While he is usually an accurate kicker, Patel was notably 2-for-4 on kicks of 50+ yards in 2023. For Virginia Tech to tie the game, they needed to score two touchdowns AND two two-point conversions. If RU stopped even one of them, the pressure would be on the Hokies to keep scoring, but VT didn’t have to worry about that. Before VT’s game-tying TD and 2PT, Rutgers had the ball on fourth-and-1 at the VT 44-yard line. However, back-to-back penalties pushed them back further, forcing a punt.

While these don’t really fall under mistakes, Ian Strong was only 12 yards away from the end zone during his 63-yard reception. He could’ve made it harder on VT with a touchdown. Monangai got stuffed on first and second down at the VT red zone and the Scarlet Knights didn’t convert on third down either. A little more luck would have produced seven points and more time off the clock instead of a Patel FG and a Robert Longerbeam INT to end VT’s drive. With 1:24 remaining and the ball in VT territory, RU did have another chance for a score. Instead, they rightfully decided to run the clock out.

Unexpected Parts of the Game

  • The VT fans, at least the diehards, just never gave up on their team. Even on first and second downs, we could hear chants of “Let’s Go” followed by “Hokies!” There was so much crowd noise and, as Arnav mentioned earlier, it was getting annoying after a while. With a stadium that seemed to capture the energy around it, that could’ve been a reason why Patel missed his earlier two chances. It was a new atmosphere that he may not have been used to.
    • Related to the crowd noise, obviously the Hokie fans were trying to keep RU from gaining rhythm and momentum. However, when things were not going in VT’s direction, the whole crowd was silent and you almost wouldn’t realize that something was going on. That’s what happened to us when Jaylin Lane fumbled a punt return in the first quarter. Until the jumbotron was showing us replays of the play and the refs were reviewing it, neither of us knew that a fumble had occurred because of the silence.
  • Virginia Tech knew that Rutgers was a run-first offense led by star running back Kyle Monanagai, so they countered by running run-pass option play (RPOs). QB Athan Kaliakmanis opted to keep the ball on many occasions and dump it off for short completions for sizable gains and first downs.
  • Arnav was especially surprised by the passing game, which usually has taken a back seat for RU. Monangai, by himself, had more rushing yards (165) than Rutgers receiving yards (147) against Howard this year. RU running backs had 285 yards to Kaliakmanis’ 230 against Akron, including a career-high 208 rushing yards by Monangai. Against VT, the Scarlet Knights had 269 passing yards to 153 rushing yards. Though only three players caught the ball for 16 total receptions, they made the most with their catches.
  • One thing that a lot of fans might not realize while watching a football game on TV is the direction of play. Arnav and I were faked out on many occasions, mostly on Rutgers plays. It may be more that both of us were expecting runs down the middle by Monangai and so the RPOs shifted our attention away from the actual play going on on another side of the field. Thank goodness the jumbotron was there for us to instantly catch a replay of what we missed!
  • Rutgers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca called a screen pass with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter, and the risk paid off mightily. Despite a similar pass being intercepted and returned for a touchdown against the 2023 champions Michigan, the same play went for 63 yards this year. Arnav was impressed with the offensive creativity in this game after VT stuffed the run offense on many occasions.
  • The usually stout RU offensive line gave up three sacks in this game, which is uncharacteristic of them. Considering that Rutgers only has four sacks on the season so far, they’re going to hope that this game was an anomaly.

Photo Cred: Abs Samanta

Final Thoughts

Arnav will finish it off for us. Although the win wasn’t pretty for the Scarlet Knights, it allowed Rutgers to improve to a 3-0 record and extend their non-conference win streak to ten games. This was their first win ever at Lane Stadium. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech dropped to 2-2 on the season, with this just being the Hokies’ fifth loss all-time against RU. Abs’ friend and notable VT fan, Michael Woolwine, had this to say about his team’s performance: “We’ve started three of our games slowly, allowing the opponent to score first twice now. We always come out in the second half and play lights out. We scored 2 TDs and 2 2-point conversions with ease. Why didn’t we do that earlier?” Indeed, Virginia Tech only had 34 first-half points in their first four games compared to 84 in the second!

The Hokies excelled in running the football, both with Drones scampering downfield for big gains and with Tuten breaking free by making defenders miss. Tuten was VT’s impact player, finishing with 122 yards, three touchdowns, and an average of 8.1 yards per carry. Drones and the passing game could not get going, so he assisted his team on the ground with nine rushes for 60 yards (6.7 average). On the flip side, Virginia Tech’s defense had a solid showing with three sacks, four TFLs (tackles-for-loss), and four PDs (passes defended). Lastly, Abs and I have this LinkedIn post and picture of me doing the Rutgers “chop” to cap off this close win by my Scarlet Knights.

Photo Cred: Arnav Sarkar (L- Arnav, R- Abs)

Division 3 National Champion Cortland State defeats Susquehanna 40-38

By
Terrance Biggs
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0

In the sleepy city of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, a 10-year-old girl sits at a supersized rectangular table. Surrounded by the chatter of her parents, brothers, and friends, she retreats into the serenity of football. While other patrons focus on the television tuned to baseball, she eagerly awaits her personal pepperoni pizza, stealing glances at her father’s phone. Between bites of pizza and prosciutto from her dad’s plate, she becomes engrossed in a football game happening a thousand miles away, featuring teams she’s never heard of.

To her, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, might as well be on the moon. Yet something about the game captivates her—the physicality, the crisp execution. In an instant classic, the defending Division III National Champion Cortland State defeated Susquehanna 40-38, avenging their only loss of the 2023 season. On a warm September afternoon, 1,724 spectators braved the heat for a noon kickoff.

Different Processing, Same Love

Bailey, the 10-year-old, is an autistic girl who, despite being nonverbal, possesses a deep understanding of football. Born in an era when Khalil Mack became her all-time favorite player, the sport has always mesmerized her. She communicates through sign language and evolving speech, and while she may never fully vocalize, her intelligence shines through to her teachers, family, and friends.

Autism is a neurological difference that influences how she processes and learns, but it doesn’t diminish her abilities. In fact, she has a remarkable knack for recognizing formations and schemes. Football has always been a source of comfort for Bailey. As a baby, she spent hours watching games with her father, who was starting his writing career. Now, ten years later, she can immerse herself in games on her own. In that restaurant, the Cortland/Susquehanna matchup captivated her as it did many viewers.

2 Cortland Prevails over #11 Susquehanna in Heavyweight Battle - Susquehanna University Athletics

Photo Cred: http://www.suriverhawks.com

The Push

True champions possess the ability to close gaps without panicking. When Christian Colasurdo connected on a 36-yard field goal, Cortland found themselves down by seventeen points to the River Hawks. Yet, no one on the Cortland sideline, from coaches to players, showed any sign of distress. With calm determination, they went to work. Just before halftime, Cortland quarterback Zac Boyes capped a seven-play, 83-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 24-20 and sending the defending champions into the locker room with renewed momentum.

Refill

As the top-ranked teams clashed on the field, Bailey’s root beer glass desperately needed a refill—Wisconsinites take their root beer seriously. In that moment, Susquehanna recaptured the lead, thrilling the crowd at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium. Unfazed, Cortland responded with a decisive 71-yard drive in eight plays to secure the lead for good. A team led by Tom Perkovich wouldn’t back down easily; the River Hawks kept fighting, scoring again to cut the lead to two before falling short in their attempt to recover an onside kick.

Calm

Curt Fitzpatrick, despite the thrilling victory, remained humble in discussing his team’s performance. “Our team showed a lot of mental toughness, togetherness, and grit today. I’m proud of the way we responded after falling behind early. We maintained our poise, which allowed us to settle into our game plan and execute effectively. This win is huge for us because it wasn’t easy, and we had to battle on the road against a terrific opponent. We learned a lot today, and we’ll grow from this game. Learning lessons in wins is a lot better than learning them in losses.”

2 Cortland Rallies for 40-38 Victory at #11 Susquehanna - SUNY Cortland Athletics

Photo Cred: InformNINY.com

Meaning to Both Teams

For Susquehanna, Coach Perkovich will gather his team to analyze what happened and prepare for their upcoming trip to face Western New England University before starting their Landmark Conference schedule. Meanwhile, the Red Dragons look ahead to hosting Empire 8 Conference rival Morrisville at Grady Field. The Cortland/Susquehanna rivalry should become an annual fixture, as these heart-stopping games epitomize what Division III football is all about.

Finished Slices, New Fandom

After Cortland’s victory, Bailey left the restaurant, her appetite satisfied by pizza and prosciutto, and her passion for football reignited by yet another phenomenal game between two top-tier programs. For most of her life, football has drawn her in and allowed her to engage deeply. Bailey isn’t just any 10-year-old fan—she’s my daughter. The power of great football unites people, regardless of age, gender, or neurodiversity. That, and extraordinary piz

Davey O’Brien Foundation Selects Great 8 Quarterbacks for Week 4

By
Stephen Patrick
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FORT WORTH, Texas (Sept. 23, 2024) —The Davey O’Brien Foundation’s Great 8 committee has chosen its top quarterbacks for week four of the college football season. As a group, the eight quarterbacks were responsible for 38 total touchdowns. The Great 8 quarterbacks list consists of: Luke Altmyer of Illinois, James Madison’s Alonza Barnett III, Bryson Daily of Army West Point, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Blake Horvath of Navy, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, John Mateer of Washington State and Miami’s Cam Ward.

Altmyer, Barnett and Daily are now officially added to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Midseason Watch List. With the three additions, that list now stands at 55 members. The other players honored in week four were either named to the Preseason Watch List or had achieved Great 8 recognition earlier this season. The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week, selected from the Great 8 list, will be announced 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 4

Luke Altmyer, Illinois, Jr., 6-2, 205, Starkville, Miss.

·      Led Illinois to a thrilling 31-24 win at No. 22 Nebraska by completing 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, and adding 21 rushing yards.

Alonza Barnett III, James Madison, So., 6-0, 207, Whitsett, N.C.

·      Set a school record with seven total touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) and amassed 487 total yards (388 passing, 99 rushing) in a 70-50 victory at North Carolina.

Bryson Daily, Army, Sr., 6-0, 221, Abernathy, Texas

·      Rushed 23 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns and was 6-for-9 through the air for 107 yards and two scores during a 37-14 win over Rice.

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, Sr., 6-2, 225, Kaysville, Utah

·      Completed 22 of 31 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns and rushed five times for 36 yards as Ole Miss downed Georgia Southern, 52-13.

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

·      Carried 12 times for 211 yards (17.6 yards per rush) and four touchdowns and was 9-for-12 passing for 192 yards (21.3 yards per completion) and two scores during a 56-44 win over Memphis.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson, Jr., 6-2, 210, Austin, Texas

·      Was 16-for-24 passing for 209 yards and three touchdowns and rushed four times for 70 yards and a score in 2 ½ quarters of a 59-35 win over NC State.

John Mateer, Washington State, So., 6-1, 219, Little Elm, Texas

·      Accumulated 501 yards of total offense (390 passing, 111 rushing) and five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) as the Cougars outlasted San Jose State, 54-52, in double overtime.

Cam Ward, Miami, Sr., 6-2, 223, West Columbia, Texas

·      Connected on 24 of 34 pass attempts for 404 yards and three touchdowns and added five carries for 43 yards in the Hurricanes’ 50-15 win over South Florida.

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.

About the National College Football Awards Association

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

James Madison is Cheez-It National Team

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

DALLAS (FWAA) – The James Madison Dukes stunned the college football world with a 70-point explosion in Chapel Hill on Saturday, as JMU defeated an ACC team on the road for the second straight season with its 70-50 win over North Carolina. As a result, JMU is the Cheez-It National Team of the Week for games played the weekend of Sept. 21, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Since the 2002 season, the FWAA has named a National Team of the Week. Each honored team receives a custom Cheez-It “care package” along with a hand-crafted game ball made in America by Dallas-based Big Game USA, the nation’s leading manufacturer of custom footballs. This is the first time for James Madison (3-0) to earn the honor.

“We never stopped believing in our players, they never stopped believing in themselves, and we knew we could win,” head coach Bob Chesney said. “We played harder, we played more disciplined, and we played together and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Quarterback Alonza Barnett III couldn’t be stopped Saturday as he set a single-game school record with seven touchdowns. It was a career afternoon for the redshirt sophomore, who passed for a career-high five while rushing for two more. He finished the game 22-of-34 through the air for 388 yards with no interceptions, while rushing for a career-best 99 yards on 13 carries.

Barnett’s 487 total yards are the third-most in JMU’s single-game history. Barnett mixed his passes to eight different receivers, and two JMU players went over 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. Cam Ross caught seven passes for 107 yards and a touchdown while Omarion Dollison had three grabs for a career-high 125 yards and a score.  JMU also out-rushed UNC 223-141 and averaged 8.4 yards per play.

The scoreboard operator was especially busy in the first two quarters, as JMU set a school record with a 53-point first-half tally that sent them into the break with a 32-point lead. The teams combined for more than 1,200 total yards, and the 70 total points allowed tied a UNC single-game record. The Dukes also set team records for most points in a game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

Defensively, the Dukes forced five turnovers with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, recorded eight tackles for loss and came up with three sacks.

JMU closes its non-conference schedule Saturday hosting Ball State with a 1:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN+

The other National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Sept. 21 was:

  • Tennessee (4-0): The No. 6 Volunteers showcased their defensive prowess in a 25-15 SEC-opening win at No. 15 Oklahoma. Tennessee limited the Sooners to 222 total yards – the Vols have now held their last five opponents under 250 total yards – and went 19 quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown until Oklahoma scored with 8:25 left in the game, the second-longest such streak in program history. The Vols topped 300 yards of total offense (345) for the 41st time in 43 games in the Josh Heupel era.

ABOUT KELLANOVA
AKellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg’s ® Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, Special K®, Coco Pops®, and more, Kellanova’s vision is to become the world’s best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our net sales for 2023 were $13 billion. At Kellanova, our purpose is to create better days and ensure everyone has a seat at the table through our trusted food brands. We are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable food access by tackling the crossroads of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing, and equity, diversity & inclusion. Our goal is to create Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from a 2015 baseline). For more detailed information about our commitments, our approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit our website at kellanova.com.

ABOUT FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS
Florida Citrus Sports is a not-for-profit event management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events, including the Camping World Kickoff, the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic and the Florida Cup & FC Series. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,100 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.

For more information, follow @CheezIt and @CitrusBowl on your favorite social media platform, and stay tuned to see what absurdly satisfying antics Cheez-It has in store this season.

2024 FWAA All-America Committee
Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle (Chair)
Frank Bonner, Daily Memphian
Travis Brown, KBTX.com
Ken Capps, Freelance
Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News
Brett Ciancia, Pick Six Previews
Scott Dochterman, The Athletic
Bryan Fischer, FOX Sports
John Hoover, All Sooners
Mike Huguenin, Freelance
Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports
Emily Leiker, Syracuse.com
Ben Portnoy, Sports Business Journal
Sean Reider, Albuquerque Journal
Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football
Phil Steele, Phil Steele Magazine
Dusty Thibodeaux, Rivals: Warhawk Report
John Wagner, Country News Review (Minn.)
Jon Wilner, Bay Area News Group

Derwin James Jr. Suspended One Game

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
NEW YORK — Sept. 23, 2024 — Derwin James Jr. of the Los Angeles Chargers has been suspended without pay for one game for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during this Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 10 (a) which states that “it is a foul if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.”

In a letter to James, Runyan, who noted that James has had multiple offenses for personal fouls in recent seasons, wrote:

“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules. The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.”

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

Chargers' Derwin James Jr. suspended 1 game for player safety violations - ESPN

Photo Cred: ESPN

James will be eligible to return to the Chargers’ active roster on Monday, Sept. 30, following the team’s Sept. 29 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, James may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

Seven From Sunday – Week 3

By
Stephen Patrick
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Photo Cred: NFL
NEW YORK –– Sept. 22, 2024 –– A look at seven statistical highlights from games played during the 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET windows on Sunday, September 22, the third week of the 2024 season.

  • Six teams – the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants – earned their first win of the season in Week 3. With three games remaining in Week 3, 29 teams have at least one win, with Jacksonville (at Buffalo) and Cincinnati (vs. Washington) looking for their first win of the season on Monday night.

    Three teams – the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks – improved to 3-0. The Kansas City Chiefs (on Sunday Night Football at Atlanta) and Buffalo Bills (on Monday against Jacksonville) can also begin the season 3-0.

    Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald became the fifth head coach under the age of 40 since 2000 to win each of his first three career games, joining Mike McDaniel (2022), Matt LaFleur (2019), Josh McDaniels (2009) and Mike Tomlin (2007).

  • The Minnesota Vikings improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2016 with a 34-7 win over Houston, as the team registered five sacks and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor each recorded a touchdown reception.

    The Vikings – who had five sacks in Week 1, six sacks in Week 2 and five sacks in Week 3 – are the third team since 1990 with at least five sacks in each of their first three games of a season, joining the 2001 New Orleans Saints and 2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

    Jefferson and Nailor are the first pair of teammates to record a touchdown reception in each of their team’s first three games of a season since 2018 (Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and Chris Godwin).

  • The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 with a 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

    Pittsburgh – which allowed 10 points in Week 1, six points in Week 2 and 10 points in Week 3 – is the fifth team since 2000 to win each of their first three games and allow 10-or-fewer points in each win, joining the 2009 Denver Broncos, 2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2004 Seattle Seahawks and 2001 Green Bay Packers.

  • The Green Bay Packers defeated Tennessee, 30-14, as quarterback Malik Willis totaled 275 yards (202 passing, 73 rushing) and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) with a 120.9 rating and safety Xavier McKinney recorded his third-consecutive game with an interception to begin the season.

    The Packers have 612 rushing yards this season and are the fifth team with at least 600 rushing yards in their first three games of a season since 1990, joining the 2006 Atlanta Falcons (675 rushing yards), 2019 Baltimore Ravens (650), 2013 Philadelphia Eagles (627) and 2008 Atlanta Falcons (609).

    Willis, who had a 126.8 rating in Week 2 and 120.9 rating in Week 3, is the fifth player since 1970 with a passer rating of 120-or-higher in his first two starts with a team, joining Brad Johnson (1999 with Washington), Jeff George (1994 with Atlanta), Jim Plunkett (1980 with the Oakland Raiders) and John Hadl (1973 with the Los Angeles Rams).

    McKinney is the first player to record an interception in each of his first three games with a team since 2012 (Cortland Finnegan with the St. Louis Rams).

  • Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley totaled 156 scrimmage yards (147 rushing, nine receiving) and two rushing touchdowns while tight end Dallas Goedert had 10 receptions for 170 yards in the Eagles’ 15-12 win at New Orleans.

    With Barkley and Goedert, it marks the fifth time since 1970 that a running back and tight end duo each had at least 150 scrimmage yards in the same game as teammates, joining Denver’s Pro Football Hall of Fame duo of Shannon Sharpe and Terrell Davis (Oct. 20, 1997), Cincinnati’s Rodney Holman and James Brooks (Oct. 7, 1990), the New York Jets’ Mickey Shuler and Freeman McNeil (Oct. 2, 1988) and the New York Jets’ Rich Caster and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Riggins (Sept. 24, 1972).

    Barkley, who also had 132 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns in Week 1, is the third player in the past 20 seasons with at least 125 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns in two of his team’s first three games of a season, joining Chris Johnson (2010 with Tennessee) and Raheem Mostert (2023 with Miami).

    Goedert is the fifth tight end with at least 10 receptions and 170 receiving yards in a game in the past 20 seasons, joining Jimmy Graham (Sept. 15, 2013), Travis Kelce (Oct. 22, 2023 and Dec. 16, 2021), George Kittle (Oct. 4, 2020) and Darren Waller (Dec. 6, 2020).

  • New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers recorded eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s 21-15 win at Cleveland.

    The Giants became the fourth team to have nine different players record at least half a sack in the same game since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, joining the Buffalo Bills (Oct. 30, 2011), Dallas Cowboys (Sept. 29, 1985) and Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 8, 1985).

    Nabers, who has 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns this season, is the first player in NFL history with at least 20 receptions and three touchdown catches in his first three career games.

    Nabers’ 23 receptions are tied with Anquan Boldin (23 receptions in 2003) for the second-most receptions by a player in his first three career games in NFL history. Only Puka Nacua (30 receptions in 2023) had more.

    Nabers, at 21 years and 56 days old, is the youngest wide receiver in NFL history with two touchdown receptions in a game, surpassing Mike Evans (21 years and 73 days old on Nov. 2, 2014).

  • Baltimore running back Derrick Henry totaled 174 scrimmage yards (151 rushing, 23 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns in the Ravens’ 28-25 win over Dallas.

    Henry has 12 career games with at least 150 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (12 games) for the second-most such games in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown (13 games) has more.

    Henry has 19 career games with at least 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, tied with Shaun Alexander (19 games) for the fourth-most such games by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown (25 games), LaDainian Tomlinson (25) and Emmitt Smith (21) have more.

  • Additional notes from Sunday include:
    • San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy passed for 292 yards with three touchdowns and a 137.1 rating in Week 3.

      Purdy has nine career games with a passer rating of 130-or-higher, surpassing Lamar Jackson (eight) for the most such games by a quarterback in his first three seasons in NFL history.

      Purdy, in 24 career regular-season starts, has 16 career games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner (16 games) for the second-most such games by a player in his first 25 career regular-season starts in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (18 games) has more.

    • Carolina wide receiver Adam Thielen recorded his 60th career touchdown reception and became the third undrafted player in the common-draft era with at least 60 career touchdown receptions, joining Antonio Gates (116) and Rod Smith (68).
    • Denver linebacker Dondrea Tillman recorded two sacks in his first career game in the team’s Week 3 win and became the fourth undrafted player since 1990 with at least two sacks in his first career game, joining Ryan Delaire (Oct. 4, 2015), Howard Jones (Oct. 11, 2015) and Kendrick Office (Nov. 11, 2001)
    • Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey converted a 65-yard field goal in the first quarter, surpassing Matt Prater (64-yard field goal on Dec. 8, 2013) for the second-longest made field goal in NFL history. Only Justin Tucker (66-yard field goal on Sept. 26, 2021) has a longer made field goal.

      Aubrey, who converted a 60-yard field goal on Dec. 10, 2023, is the eighth kicker in NFL history with multiple made field goals of at least 60 yards, joining Brett Maher (four made field goals of at least 60 yards), Matt Prater (three), Greg Zuerlein (three), Harrison Butker (two), Jake Elliott (two), Sebastian Janikowski (two) and Justin Tucker (two).
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

2024 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl – Week 4

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

 

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI WINS THE WAR FOR THE WHEEL TROPHY

 

WACO, TEX.– Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois are only 48 miles apart, so it wasn’t too far of a drive for the Redhawks to face their rival. The No. 7 Salukis had a 21-16 lead late in the third quarter, but Paxton DeLaurent threw two touchdown passes and Payton Brown ran another score in during the final stages of the game allowing Southeast Missouri State to run away with the War for the Wheel Trophy, 38-21. The wins moves SEMO up to No. 14 in this week’s AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl. Southern Illinois drops 10 places to No. 17.

The Salukis don’t have long to lick their wounds as they travel to No. 5 South Dakota in one of four top 25 matchups in the final weekend of September. The other matchups feature No. 2 North Dakota State traveling to No. 15 Illinois State and No. 4 Idaho facing their third straight ranked opponent in No. 11 UC Davis. The final matchup has newly ranked and No. 25 Lamar traveling to No. 7 Central Arkansas. This is the first time Lamar has been ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll since the AFCA took over in 2018.

 

AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl – September 23, 2024

                                                

Rank School (1st votes) Rec. Pts. Prev. Week 4 Next Game
1 South Dakota St. (22) 3-1 644 1 D. Southeastern Louisiana, 41-0 Oct. 5 at No. 19 Northern Iowa
2 North Dakota St. (1) 3-1 612 2 D. Towson, 41-24 Sept. 28 at No. 15 Illinois St.
3 Montana St. (2) 4-0 598 3 D. Mercyhurst, 52-13 Sept. 28 at Idaho St.
4 Idaho (1) 3-1 578 4 D. No. 23 ACU, 27-24 Sept. 28 at No. 11 UC Davis
5 South Dakota 2-1 515 6 D. Drake, 42-3 Sept. 28 vs. No. 17 Southern Illinois
6 Villanova 3-1 475 5 Lost to Maryland, 38-20 Sept. 28 vs. LIU
7 Central Arkansas 3-1 467 8 D. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 56-17 Sept. 28 vs. No. 25 Lamar
8 North Dakota 3-1 457 9 D. San Diego, 41-24 Sept. 28 vs. Murray St.
9 Montana 3-1 453 10 D. Western Carolina, 46-35 Sept. 28 at Eastern Washington
10 Sacramento St. 2-2 408 11 D. Texas A&M-Commerce, 34-0 Sept. 28 at Northern Arizona
11 UC Davis 3-1 366 12 D. Utah Tech, 32-14 Sept. 28 vs. No. 4 Idaho
12 William & Mary 3-1 355 13 D. Furman, 34-24 Sept. 28 vs. Hampton
13 Mercer 4-0 286 16 D. The Citadel, 38-21 Sept. 28 at Wofford
14 Southeast Missouri St. 3-1 277 21 D. No. 7 Southern Illinois, 38-21 Sept. 28 vs. Northwestern St.
15 Illinois St. 3-1 276 15 D. Eastern Illinois, 31-7 Sept. 28 vs. No. 2 North Dakota St.
16 Tarleton St. 3-1 263 17 D. North Alabama, 28-14 Sept. 28 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
17 Southern Illinois 2-2 248 7 Lost to No. 21 Southeast Missouri St., 38-21 Sept. 28 at No. 5 South Dakota
18 UIW 2-2 194 18 D. Northern Arizona, 38-14 Oct. 5 vs. Prairie View A&M
19 Northern Iowa 2-2 105 19 Lost to Hawaii, 36-7 Oct. 5 vs. No. 1 South Dakota St.
20 New Hampshire 3-1 98 NR D. Bryant, 38-17 Oct. 4 at Harvard
21 Florida A&M 2-2 85 20 Lost to Troy, 34-12 Sept. 28 vs. Alabama A&M
22 ACU 2-2 78 23 Lost to No. 4 Idaho, 27-24 Sept. 28 at Utah Tech
23t. UAlbany 1-2 73 22 Idle Sept. 28 vs. Maine
23t. Richmond 2-2 73 NR D. Delaware St., 38-24 Sept. 28 at Elon
25 Lamar 3-1 68 NR D. Texas Southern, 20-17 Sept. 28 at No. 7 Central Arkansas

 

Dropped Out: Lafayette (14), Chattanooga (24), Youngstown St. (25)

 

Others Receiving Votes: Rhode Island, 54; Lafayette, 49; Chattanooga, 46; Weber St., 28; McNeese, 23; Eastern Illinois, 20; Missouri St., 20; Harvard, 19; Lehigh, 19; Stony Brook, 16; Wofford, 14; Monmouth (N.J.), 10; Youngstown St., 10; Duquesne, 9; North Carolina Central, 9; Stephen F. Austin, 9; Nicholls, 7; Butler, 6; East Tennessee St., 6; Indiana St., 5; Northern Arizona, 4; Southern, 4; Dartmouth, 3; Yale, 3; Central Connecticut St., 2; Jackson St., 1; Murray St., 1; Western Carolina, 1.

 

For more information on the AFCA and its programs, visit www.afca.com or follow us on social media @WeAreAFCA.

-(AFCA)-

 

NFL Smart Heart Sports Coalition Launches “AEDs for Youth” Program

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

 

New York, New York – September 23, 2024 – The Smart Heart Sports Coalition today announced the launch of the “AEDs for Youth” program, offering automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to schools and youth sports organizations at substantial discounts. In collaboration with leading AED companies Coro Medical and Avive Solutions, the program makes AEDs more accessible as students, teachers, and athletes begin the new school year.

Studies show that access to an AED within minutes of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can triple survival chances. Through this program, FDA-approved AEDs are available at significantly discounted prices, with Avive Solutions offering its AED and Coro Medical providing all other AED brands and models. Both companies are offering AED bundles that include essential accessories such as rescue kits, signage, wall cabinets, and device management support, tailored for different settings: ‘AED school bundles’ for indoor settings, such as classrooms and cafeterias, and ‘AED athletic bundles’ for outdoor settings, such as outdoor tracks and athletic fields. Coro Medical and Avive also have replacement and trade-in options for schools and youth sports organizations looking to upgrade their current AEDs with new models and add more AEDs to their facilities.

Additionally, as part of the bundles, schools and youth sports organizations can access discounts on AED and CPR training from third-party expert instructors from the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. This training is vital for school administrators, teachers, and coaches to effectively respond to cardiac emergencies.

“We’re proud to build on the progress of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition and launch this first-of-its-kind program to make AEDs widely available in schools and athletic facilities around the country,” said Jeff Miller, the NFL Executive Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs, and Policy. “AEDs are indispensable, and this program reduces the cost, ensuring AEDs are accessible where students learn, play, and compete.”

“Coro Medical is deeply committed to advancing the mission of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition,” said Travis Harris, the Chief Executive Officer of Coro Medical. “It is both an honor and a responsibility to be part of this critical initiative, which is dedicated to protecting young athletes and students nationwide from the life-threatening dangers of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. By providing AEDs to schools and youth sports groups across the country, we are not only delivering life-saving tools but also championing the Smart Heart Sports Coalition’s commitment to creating safer environments for students and student athletes of all ages.”

“Avive Solutions is excited to partner with the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to bring lifesaving Avive Connect AEDs to schools and youth sports programs throughout the country,” said Sameer Jafri, the Chief Executive Officer of Avive Solutions, Inc. “Our mission to empower everyone to save a life from Sudden Cardiac Arrest aligns seamlessly with the Coalition’s dedication to enhancing lifesaving measures in schools and sports. By joining forces, we aim to elevate standards of emergency preparedness and ensure that effective and reliable AEDs are accessible nationwide and that every individual has access to cutting-edge AED technology when and where it is needed most. We are eager to collaborate on initiatives that promote awareness, training, and the deployment of AEDs, fostering a safer environment for all students, staff, athletes, and the broader community.”

According to the American Heart Association, 70% of children survive cardiac arrest in schools with properly placed AEDs – seven times the overall survival rate. However, only about half of all states require AEDs in schools, and these laws vary widely, often lacking comprehensive guidelines on placement, access, and training. Even fewer states mandate AEDs at school athletic facilities and events, despite the fact that sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes and four in ten sudden cardiac arrest events among young people occur during sports or other vigorous physical activities.

Coalition members shared their support for the program and the difference it can make in schools and communities:

“On January 2, 2023, I went into cardiac arrest and was fortunate to have professionals around me who used an AED and performed CPR to save my life,” said Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety and founder of the Chasing M’s Foundation. “It was a tough experience, but I’m proud it inspired so many across our country to learn CPR and how to use an AED. Not long after, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, and I was honored to be part of that effort and work with great partners to push for laws to protect kids. The AEDs for Youth program is a perfect example of what we can accomplish together to help save lives. School by school and state by state, the AEDs for Youth program will make sure that more schools have access to the same care I received – because every kid deserves a chance.”

“The American Heart Association is a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which is working in each state to improve survival from cardiac arrest,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Thanks to the work of this coalition, 13 states have already passed policies requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools and/or school athletic facilities and events and the ‘AEDs for Youth’ program will support schools as they implement these plans that include training in CPR and AEDs, ultimately leading to more lives saved.”

“As an organization dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest and death in children and young adults, we understand the importance of having access to AEDs in safeguarding lives,” added Martha Lopez-Anderson, Executive Director of Parent Heart Watch. “By providing discounted pricing on AEDs, accessories and AED program management, we are removing barriers and enabling schools and youth sports organizations to fully prioritize cardiac emergency preparedness. This program is a proactive step toward preventing tragedies and creating safer environments for our youth.”

Nicole Ward, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Make Them Know York Name Foundation and mother of Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns defensive back shared, “My family and I live with the enduring feeling of disbelief and heartache from losing a loved one due to sudden cardiac arrest. The mission of our foundation is to help prevent families around the country from a similar, avoidable tragedy. This program certainly advances that goal by giving school communities across the country the life-saving devices, awareness, and skills to help protect students, teachers and families from preventable fatalities.”

The “AEDs for Youth” program is available through December 31, 2025, and is open to both public and private schools from kindergarten to 12th grade and youth sports organizations. Discounts on AED bundles range from 20% to 60%, depending on the brand, model, and quantity (in the case of the Avive Connect AED) selected. There is no minimum or maximum purchase requirement for schools, school districts or youth sports organizations must purchase in order to participate in the program.

To learn more about the program and to purchase an AED bundle, visit the coalition’s website at www.smartheartsports.com.

About the Smart Heart Sports Coalition

Founded in March 2023 in response to the life-saving emergency response provided to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, the Smart Heart Sports Coalition seeks to drive the adoption in all 50 states of three evidence-based policies proven to prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) among high school students. These are:

(1) Clearly-marked AEDs at or within minutes of each high school athletic venue where games, practices, or other events are held;

(2) An athletic Emergency Action Plan (EAP) that is specific to each athletic venue, and posted, widely distributed, regularly rehearsed, and updated annually, if needed; and

(3) Education in CPR, including AED use, for coaches and other key personnel.

The coalition comprises nearly 40 organizations, including major sports leagues and organizations, as well as leading patient and health advocacy groups across the country. Learn more at www.smartheartsports.com.

About Coro Medical

Established in 2017, Coro Medical has rapidly become one of the largest U.S. distributors of both new and refurbished AEDs, manual defibrillators, as well as related training and program management services. Coro Medical, also home to AED.US, has customers in all 50 U.S. states and multiple business segments, including EMS/Fire, Schools, Athletics, Transportation, Law Enforcement and many other Public Access locations. Our mission, passion, and duty revolve around placing life-impacting AEDs where they are most needed, thereby strengthening the chain of survival.

About Avive Solutions, Inc.

Avive Solutions is a new kind of AED company, revolutionizing Sudden Cardiac Arrest response with an innovative platform that brings together a 21st-century AED device and first-of-its-kind software solutions. With the award-winning Avive Connect AED, Avive is the first new company to bring an AED to market in the U.S. in over 20 years. Focused on portability, accessibility, and connectivity, the Avive Connect AED is one of the most advanced products in the industry. Additionally, Avive’s software solutions not only make owning and managing AEDs simple, they also deliver a comprehensive cardiac arrest response solution to everyone from individuals to entire communities, with the goal of increasing bystander intervention, decreasing time-to-defibrillation, and getting valuable data to the people who need it, when they need it. Founded in 2017, Avive is on a mission to empower bystanders, first responders, and 911 telecommunicators to provide lifesaving care as quickly and easily as possible. Learn more at avive.life.

Media Contacts
Julie Gouss, Smart Heart Sports Coalition, Julie.gouss@fgsglobal.com
Nick Iverson, Coro Medical, nciverson@outlook.com
Kyle Noble, Avive Solutions, Inc., kyle@avive.life
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

Buffs Show Resilience in Overtime Thriller

By
Jordan DeBusk
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0

Building on the momentum from the Hail Mary, the Buffs quickly capitalized in overtime as Micah Welch found the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game. The atmosphere was electric, but when Baylor took possession, it seemed the night could become even longer for Boulder as the Bears advanced to the 1-yard line. Just as Baylor running back Dominic Richardson closed in on the score, Travis Hunter made a game-changing play, knocking the ball loose and sealing a thrilling overtime victory for the Buffs.

Travis Hunter clinches CU Buffs overtime win over Baylor

Photo Cred: Denver Post

As jubilant fans stormed the field amid pouring rain, it became clear that this Colorado team embodies remarkable resilience and heart, overcoming substantial odds. At one point in the game, ESPN analytics had given Baylor a staggering 99.3% chance of winning, but the Buffs refused to be defined by those expectations. Overall, it was a strong performance from the Buffs, highlighted by standout contributions from familiar stars like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Sanders finished the night with an impressive 341 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and a rushing touchdown.

Hunter also made a significant impact, hauling in seven receptions for 130 yards, but his most crucial moment came with the forced fumble that clinched the game. Freshman Micah Welch had a noteworthy outing as well, contributing two rushing touchdowns and 41 yards, solidifying his growing role in the offense. While the offense shined brightly, an underrated aspect of the game was Colorado’s defensive adjustment in the second half. After being gashed by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson in the first half—allowing 24 points—the Buffs flipped the script dramatically.

Colorado Buffaloes beat Baylor in overtime thriller after Hail Mary touchdown in final seconds | CNN

Photo Cred: CNN

They surrendered only seven points in the second half, making crucial stops and forcing the fumble that ultimately decided the game.  Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig led the team with 13 tackles, showcasing his leadership and tenacity. With this victory, the Buffs are making a bold statement as they re-enter the Big 12, now sitting at 3-1.

Next week, they will face a formidable test against UCF, led by Arkansas transfer quarterback K.J. Jefferson. The Knights’ run game poses a significant threat; senior running back R.J. Harvey has already amassed eight rushing touchdowns and 448 yards, averaging an impressive 7.6 yards per carry through three games. This matchup will undoubtedly challenge a Buffs defense that has struggled against the run thus far.

Recap of Colorado football's overtime win over Baylor

Photo Cred: USA Today

However, if the second half of Saturday night’s game is any indication, Colorado may emerge with a revitalized run defense, ready to take on the challenge. Meanwhile, Baylor drops to 2-2 on the season and will return home to face BYU next Saturday in Waco, eager to rebound from this hard-fought defeat. As both teams prepare for their next challenges, the thrilling nature of this matchup will be remembered as a testament to the spirit and determination of the Buffaloes.

Ohio State Showcases Explosive Offense in 49-14 Win Over Marshall

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

Earlier this week, Marshall’s head coach humorously extended an “all-you-can-eat” NIL deal from Tudor’s Biscuits to any Ohio State players considering a transfer to Marshall, highlighting the need for speed on his team. Following a long early bye week, Ohio State proved they possess that speed, showcasing multiple explosive plays en route to a dominant victory and a 3-0 start to the season. Marshall received the opening kickoff and methodically marched down the field, scoring a rushing touchdown to take an unexpected 7-0 lead.

Quick-strike offense helps Ohio State football pull away from Marshall

Photo Cred: Columbus Dispatch

This shocked many, as it marked the first touchdown the Buckeye defense had surrendered all year. Remarkably, Ohio State had yet to touch the ball when they quickly responded. On the third play of their opening drive, Emeka Egbuka caught a 68-yard bubble screen, tying the game at 7-7. From that point on, Ohio State never looked back, maintaining the lead for the rest of the game. Egbuka’s touchdown was just the first of four explosive scores for the Buckeyes.

Jerimiah Smith caught a slant for a 53-yard touchdown, while Quinshon Judkins broke off an impressive 86-yard run for another score. TreVeyon Henderson also contributed with a 40-yard touchdown run. Ohio State once again demonstrated that they are one of the most dynamic offenses in the country, with big-play potential spread across their roster. The running game continued to shine, as Judkins and Henderson combined for 20 carries, racking up 249 yards and four touchdowns.

The Buckeyes’ running backs have started the season strong, proving they are among the most dynamic backfields in the nation. Both Judkins and Henderson displayed their ability to run powerfully, stiff-arming defenders and breaking tackles, while also showcasing their speed with several long runs. Quarterback Will Howard maintained his efficient start to the season, completing 16 of 20 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak from one yard out.

Postgame Notes vs. Marshall - Ohio State

Photo Cred: Ohio State

Howard effectively spread the ball around, with three Buckeye receivers each exceeding 60 yards in receiving. Marshall’s offense showed promise in the first half, putting up 14 points. Quarterback Stone Earle effectively moved the ball against the stout Buckeye defense, leading Marshall to an opening drive touchdown and a quick score before halftime, closing the gap to 28-14. However, Earle went down in the third quarter, and without him, the Thundering Herd lost any momentum they had built.

Despite the many positives for Ohio State, the game wasn’t without its struggles, particularly on special teams. The Buckeyes kicked the ball out of bounds on three consecutive kickoffs, giving Marshall advantageous field position. They also muffed a punt that would have given Marshall the ball inside the red zone, though it was called back for an illegal formation. While such mistakes can be overlooked against a team like Marshall, they will need to be addressed as the Buckeyes prepare for Big Ten play.

Ohio State Remains At No. 3 In Latest AP Poll Behind No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Georgia – Buckeye Sports Bulletin

Photo Cred: Buckeye Sports

As Ohio State looks back on their strong start to the season, they are aware that these victories were largely expected. However, tougher challenges await as Big Ten play begins. The Buckeyes will travel to East Lansing next week for their first road test against the Spartans, where they’ll need to build on their early successes and refine their game in preparation for stiffer competition.

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