Heisman winner Williams watches decisive score in USC loss
Caleb Williams said he wasn't limited by a hamstring injury that plenty of people thought would keep the Heisman Trophy winner out of the Cotton Bowl. The pick gave Tulane an early spark in the Green Wave's 46-45 victory Monday. A late safety from an offense that didn't punt gave No. 14 Tulane the opening to finish a frantic rally, and the same defense that gave up an 87-yard touchdown pass right after Williams' pick couldn't get the final stop.
news.yahoo.comSaban: Current state of college football not 'sustainable'
Nick Saban's willingness to adapt and often be a catalyst for change in college football, both on the field and off, has propelled Alabama to six national championships in 13 seasons. The 70-year-old coach is confident his program will continue to thrive during this new era of college athletics, with players having more opportunities to earn money than ever before and more power to determine where they play. โI donโt think what weโre doing right now is a sustainable model,โ Saban told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
news.yahoo.comAfter abrupt OU exit, Grinch focused on fixing USC's defense
If Alex Grinchโs Oklahoma defense had been able to make a few more stops, he might not be the new coordinator at Southern California under ex-Sooners coach Lincoln Riley. The irony of the situation isnโt lost on Grinch, who went from lamenting a rivalry loss he is โstill not overโ to expressing his delight at teaming up with Riley once again.
news.yahoo.comUSC's Riley details recruiting coups, reunion with Williams
Lincoln Riley says he didn't โ and couldn't โ talk to Caleb Williams between the day the coach left Oklahoma and the day his once-and-future star quarterback entered the transfer portal five weeks later. โThere's a long period of time where there's zero communication,โ Riley said Wednesday while announcing his February signing period class.
news.yahoo.comCal's defense rises up, hands USC fourth straight loss
Trey Paster scored on a 55-yard fumble return in the second quarter, Californiaโs defense made a clutch stop near the goal line, and the Golden Bears held off Southern California 24-14 in the season finale for both teams. Christopher Brooks added a pair of short scoring runs on a day when Calโs offense struggled reaching the end zone to help the Golden Bears (5-7, 4-5 Pac-12) to their first home win against the Trojans since 2003. โIt means a lot to end the season with a victory,โ said Cal quarterback Chase Garbers, who was 18 of 21 for 177 yards.
news.yahoo.comLSU hires Kelly away from Notre Dame to be Tigers next coach
LSU is hiring Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, a stunning move by one of the most accomplished coaches in college football jumping from the sport's most storied program to an Southeastern Conference powerhouse. A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday night that Kelly was leaving Notre Dame for LSU. It was the second bombshell in college football in as many days, coming a little more than 24 hours after Southern California lured Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma.
news.yahoo.comGators rattled: No. 8 Oklahoma routs Florida in Cotton Bowl
6 CFP), who won the Cotton Bowl in the same NFL stadium where 11 days earlier they claimed their latest Big 12 title. They led 17-0 in the first seven minutes on way to the most points and yards (684) they have ever had in a bowl game. They averaged 10.52 yards per play overall, the most ever against a Power 5 opponent in a bowl game, according to STATS. Their 0-2 start in Big 12 play effectively knocked them out of playoff contention by mid-October. 1 Alabama in the SEC title game, and had averaged nearly 42 points a game.
Cotton Bowl: Big 12 champ Oklahoma vs SEC runner-up Florida
ARLINGTON, Texas โ Oklahoma is going right back to the stadium where the Sooners just won their sixth Big 12 championship in a row to play SEC runner-up Florida in the Cotton Bowl. During a Gators team meeting on Zoom to discuss their bowl destination, one of the first questions players asked Mullen was where the Cotton Bowl was played. Oklahoma is in the Cotton Bowl for only the third time, its first since a 41-13 loss to Texas A&M on Jan. 4, 2013. The Cotton Bowl will be played two days before Alabama faces No. Pitts announced is turning pro and won't play in the Cotton Bowl.
No. 12 Sooners win 6th B12 title in row, 27-21 over Iowa St
12 Sooners won their sixth consecutive Big 12 championship. The Sooners got a bit of revenge Saturday when winning another Big 12 title game, with Spencer Rattler throwing a 45-yard touchdown to fellow freshman Marvin Mims and running for another score in a 27-21 victory over the No. Oklahoma still has its 14th Big 12 title overall in the league's 25-season history, and the 50th conference championship in school history. Iowa State played in a conference championship game for the first time in school history, though fifth-year coach Matt Campbell was incensed at times. Clemson also won its sixth conference championship in a row, with a 34-10 win over Notre Dame in the ACC title game later Saturday..
South Carolina names Oklahomaโs Beamer its football coach
COLUMBIA, S.C. โ South Carolina has made it official, hiring ex-assistant Shane Beamer as its head football coach. The son of longtime Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer takes over for Will Muschamp, who was fired last month with three games left in the season. Beamer spent four seasons as a South Carolina assistant under Steve Spurrier from 2007-10. Beamer also worked for his father at Virginia Tech, Kirby Smart at Georgia and, for the past three seasons, Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma. With the Sooners, Beamer worked with teams that have made the past three College Football Playoffs.
No. 13 Oklahoma tops Baylor, earns trip to Big 12 title game
Rattler threw two touchdown passes, and the 13th-ranked Sooners defeated Baylor 27-14 on Saturday night to earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. โItโs a really good accomplishment coming back from what this team has the entire year,โ Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. With the coaching staff short-handed, former Sooners coach Bob Stoops was permitted to help with practice as OU prepared for Baylor. Brewer scored a short rushing touchdown with 59 seconds remaining to close out the scoring. UP NEXTBaylor hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Rattler TD pass in 4th OT sends OU past No. 22 Texas 53-45
The Oklahoma freshman threw a 25-yard scoring pass to Drake Stoops in the fourth overtime and the Sooners survived a late rally from No. It was just the second four-OT game in 25 seasons of the Big 12, joining Kansas State's 53-50 victory over Texas A&M in 2011. The Longhorns (2-2, 1-2) also left themselves little hope of playing for a Big 12 title, much less being part of the College Football Playoff conversation. โI was kind of surprised when I came out at first,โ said Rattler, who was tied for the Big 12 lead with four interceptions coming in. POLL IMPLICATIONSConsecutive Big 12 losses, the first for Oklahoma since 1998, sent the Sooners tumbling from No.
Kansas State stuns No. 3 Oklahoma 38-35
NORMAN, Okla. โ A Kansas State squad that lost its opener to Arkansas State two weeks ago, had its roster depleted by COVID-19, and entered Saturday's game against No. Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said he didn't know until Friday if he'd have enough players available at all position groups to play the game. Kansas State upset Oklahoma 48-41 in Manhattan, Kansas, last year, making the loss especially disappointing for the Sooners. Oklahoma outgained the Wildcats 517 yards to 400 but had four turnovers to none for Kansas State. STAT LINESIn the fourth quarter, Kansas State outscored Oklahoma 17-0.
No. 5 Oklahoma still Big 12 favorite with inexperienced QB
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley talks with players during an NCAA college football game between Iowa State and Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. As usual, Riley is taking his time naming a starting quarterback. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
No. 5 Oklahoma still Big 12 favorite with inexperienced QB
The Sooners are still considered the overwhelming favorite to win their sixth consecutive Big 12 crown overall because nobody has dethroned them with Riley there. Purdy last year set school records with 3,982 yards and 27 TDs passing, leading the Big 12 with 306.3 yards per game. Conference play begins Sept. 26, the start of an 11-week stretch for nine league games before the Big 12 title game Dec. 12 or Dec. 19, if an extra week is needed. Since this is only TCU's ninth season in the league, Patterson technically isn't the longest-tenured Big 12 coach. Former Oklahoma State quarterback Mike Gundy is in his 16th season as head coach for his alma mater.
College athletes add voices to those protesting injustice
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)NORMAN, Okla. College athletes across the country added their voices to those calling for an end to racial injustice riday with football players and others marching on campus or stepping away from practices to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. The problems out there are real, said Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, who led the march and spoke at the event. This shouldnt be a troubling time for college-age persons.Members of the Baylor football team marched around campus Friday. The Ole Miss football team decided not to take to the practice field Friday after a similar demonstration a day earlier at Mississippi State. Football coach Jeremy Pruitt moved practice so his players could attend.