Month: November 2023

Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback MJ Morris (7) throws a pass during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

NC State QB MJ Morris entering transfer portal

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Quarterback MJ Morris became the latest NC State player to announce plans to enter the transfer portal Thursday.

The 19th-ranked Wolfpack (9-3, 6-2 ACC) have already had 12 players enter or announce plans to enter the portal, including starting defensive tackle C.J. Clark.

Morris began the year as the backup to Brennan Armstrong and planned to redshirt. However, coach Dave Doeren called his number due to Armstrong’s struggles.

Morris told the coaching staff he would give up his redshirt season and started the next four games. But he then changed his mind and opted out to preserve his redshirt, giving him three years of remaining eligibility.

In 2022, Morris filled in as a true freshman after Devin Leary suffered a season-ending injury in November.

In nine games over two seasons, Morris completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,367 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium.

TE Zach Ertz granted request for release by Cardinals

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The Arizona Cardinals released tight end Zach Ertz on Thursday.

The decision to part ways was said to be mutual, per Ertz’s former teammate, J.J. Watt.

The Cardinals will move on with tight end Trey McBride while Ertz will head to waivers.

Ertz, 33, was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24 due to a quad strain. He sustained the injury two days earlier in Arizona’s 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz has 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in seven games this season.

This is the second straight season that Ertz has landed on IR. Last season, he tore his ACL and MCL in a Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

A Super Bowl champion with Philadelphia, Ertz has caught 709 passes for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns in 151 career games with the Eagles (2013-21) and Cardinals.

McBride, 24, trails only wideout Marquise Brown for the team lead in catches (48) and receiving yards (521). He also has one touchdown reception. Brown has 51 receptions and 574 receiving yards to go along with four scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado’s Deion Sanders named SI’s Sportsperson of Year

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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated, the magazine announced Thursday.

The selection of Sanders is a curious one given the Buffaloes followed up a 3-0 start to the season with losses in eight of their final nine games.

Sanders, however, took over a Colorado club that limped to a 1-11 record in 2022 and promptly welcomed players to “go ahead and jump in the portal,” an obvious sign that a roster overhaul was on the way. Accompanying the Pro Football Hall of Famer were others from Jackson State, including his son Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.

Colorado’s games became appointment-viewing given his star power and over-the-top style. So much so that the team sold out its home games for the season for the first time in history.

“Deion Sanders dominated the sports conversation in 2023 as a transformative figure not just in Colorado, but for the entire realm of college sports,” Stephen Cannella, editor in chief of Sports Illustrated, said in a statement. “On and off the field, he represents a new model for the modern college coach.”

Sanders, 56, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and six-time All-Pro during his NFL career. He won two Super Bowl titles and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; A general view of an end zone pylon prior to the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Miami flips 5-star DT Justin Scott from Ohio State

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Five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott has flipped his commitment to Miami from Ohio State in a move with significant implications for both programs.

Scott, who plays for St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, is the No. 3-ranked defensive lineman and 12th overall recruit in the country by 247Sports Composite rankings for 2024. He committed to the Buckeyes in July, but said that South Florida had remained on his mind.

“From the first time they offered me to now, they have never changed. Even when I committed they still recruited me and emphasized the need for my position there,” Scott told On3. “I’ve built so many strong relationships there as well with everybody on the staff.”

Ohio State and Miami were among Scott’s initial finalists along with Michigan, while he was also receiving interested from the likes of Alabama and Georgia. Scott committed to the Buckeyes, but said South Florida remained on his mind due to strong connections with Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal and defensive line coach Joe Salave’a.

It also helps that Scott’s close friend, Marquise Lightfoot, has also committed to Miami. The pair are now part of one of the nation’s top-rated recruiting classes.

“I have been down there three times and I always loved it,” he said. “It always felt like family, and it is a place I wanted to stay each time I visited because of how I felt around the staff. And they have shown that young guys have great opportunities to make big impacts. Coach Mario Cristobal plays young players, and that stands out to me because I will go in and have a chance to make an early impact.”

Meanwhile, Scott’s departure serves a significant blow to Ohio State’s recruiting class, which had been rated as high as No. 2 in the nation. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day still has commitments from three other five-star prospects, including wide receiver Jeremiah Smith out of Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla.

Ohio State does have commitments from defensive linemen Eddrick Houston and Eric Mensah and is scheduled to host four-star D-lineman Ernest Willor Jr. in December, according to On3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans quarterback Gunnar Watson (18) looks to pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Peaking Troy, Appalachian State collide for Sun Belt championship

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Sun Belt Conference
Appalachian State at Troy
Saturday, 4 p.m.
ESPN
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy, Alabama

Five consecutive wins sparked by a defensive scheme change helped Appalachian State get off the ropes and reach the Sun Belt Conference title game, but the obstacles in the Mountaineers’ path are significant.

They’ll need to take down defending conference champions Troy (10-2), which has the luxury of home-field advantage and a fancy winning streak of its own.

The Trojans haven’t lost since James Madison nipped Troy, 16-14, on Sept. 16. Nine consecutive wins include seven with a margin of at least 18 points.

Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark studied Troy’s scheme and raved about a group currently ranked 12th in the nation in total defense with 20 sacks in the past three games.

“There aren’t any holes in it,” Clark said of the Trojans. “They are not going to get beat, they’re not going to beat themselves.”

Star quarterbacks at the center of their team’s success are in for stern tests.

Appalachian State’s engine on offense, junior Joey Aguilar, has 33 touchdown passes – 10 to junior wide receiver Kaedin Robinson.

Troy senior Gunnar Watson has 26 touchdown passes and a powerful ground game carried by running back Kimani Vidal’s 1,349 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

The last meeting between these teams in September 2022 was decided on a last-second Hail Mary tipped into the hands of Mountaineers wide receiver Christan Horn, who made the grab to deal Troy a stunning 32-28 loss. Horn has 10 TD catches the past two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Toledo running back Peny Boone, second in the nation in yards per carry, powers the Rockets into the MAC title game. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Streaking Toledo optimistic MAC title means much more

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Mid-American Conference
Toledo vs. Miami (Ohio)
Saturday, Noon ET
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan

Toledo hunts consecutive MAC titles and much more Saturday, where the Rockets’ 11-game win streak and coveted bowl game bids are on the line against 10-win Miami.

Beating the RedHawks for a second time in 42 days stands in the way of the Rockets reaching their stated season goals.

The Rockets (11-1) are unbeaten since dropping a 30-28 heartbreaker at Illinois – Toledo surrendered a 19-7 third-quarter lead — to start the 2023 season. They’re propelled by the No. 1 scoring offense in the MAC (35.3 points per game) and had 10 players on the All-MAC first team.

Toledo running back Peny Boone has 1,359 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, including eight 100-yard games this season.

The College Football Playoff committee listed Toledo as one of the teams in the running for a New Year’s Six bowl game entering the weekend. Hitting the bowl game jackpot would likely require other Group of 5 teams – No. 22 Tulane and No. 24 Liberty – to bust in their conference championship settings.

“We’ve done a lot of things here that no other team in the history of the school has done and we want to continue to add to that legacy,” Tulane coach Jason Candle said.

The RedHawks (10-2) led the conference in scoring defense (16.3 points per game) and feature linebacker Matt Salopek, the conference defensive player of the year.

Miami fell behind Toledo 21-3 at halftime in the first meeting between the teams this season.

The RedHawks lost fifth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert to a season-ending leg injury in the fourth quarter.

Miami shut out Toledo in the second half, forcing punts on five of eight drives, and narrowly lost the Oct. 21 matchup, 21-17.

A 10-win team for the first time since 2010, the RedHawks survived a rough road to reach Detroit. They are one of only two teams in the FBS (James Madison) with six road wins in the regular season. Injuries, and overcoming them, was a theme Miami coach Chuck Martin has embraced.

“You look back and say you beat a Power 5 second year in a row, beat Cincinnati, get the Victory Bell, you lose Brett … wasn’t easy,” Martin said. “Now you’ve got a chance to go play for a MAC championship. Not a lot to complain about.”

Miami lost to Toledo in the only meeting between the teams in the MAC championship game in 2004.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller on the Bleacher Report set on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Arrest warrant issued for Von Miller in domestic violence case

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Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Von Miller is facing an arrest in a domestic violence case involving his pregnant girlfriend, Dallas TV station WFAA reported on Thursday morning.

Per WFAA, the police responded to a “major disturbance call” at the couple’s home in Dallas on Wednesday morning. Miller is accused of arguing with a pregnant person and then assaulting her. The charge of assaulting a pregnant woman is a third-degree felony in Texas.

Police said Miller departed the scene before officers arrived. The alleged victim was treated for minor injuries at the scene, police said.

“This morning, we were made aware of an incident involving Von Miller,” the Bills said in a statement. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comment at this point.”

The Bills are on a bye this week.

Miller, 34, previously was investigated — but not charged — for domestic violence in 2021.

An eight-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion, Miller has two tackles in eight games this season.

Miller has recorded 123.5 sacks in 169 games (161 starts) with the Denver Broncos (2011-19, 2021), Los Angeles Rams (2021) and Bills.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws passes during pregame warmups before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Love, Packers face tall task vs. Chiefs

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The Kansas City Chiefs would love to see history repeat itself when they visit Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

Love, however, is feeling much more confident these days. So, too, are the rejuvenated Packers (5-6) as they prepare to host the high-powered Chiefs (8-3).

Love’s first NFL start came against the Chiefs on Nov. 7, 2021. He posted a 69.5 passer rating as he threw for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 13-7 setback to Kansas City.

“I’ve watched that tape plenty,” Love said this week. “So I know the exact kind of looks that they gave us. I’m expecting that they’ll have a new flavor of pressure this week.”

Kansas City has put plenty of pressure on opposing teams this season. The Chiefs, who lead the AFC West by two games over the Denver Broncos, are coming off a 31-17 win on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Running back Isiah Pacheco scored twice on the ground, and Rashee Rice and Justin Watson notched one touchdown reception apiece.

Meanwhile, tight end Travis Kelce has at least six catches in eight of his last nine games.

The trip to northern Wisconsin will carry special meaning for Kansas City coach Andy Reid. He started his NFL coaching career in Green Bay, where he worked from 1992-98 as a tight ends coach, an assistant offensive line coach and eventually a quarterbacks coach.

Brett Favre and the Packers won the Super Bowl during the 1996 season with Reid on the staff.

“It’s a lot like Kansas City,” Reid said. “They’re passionate about football. It is a neat environment. We look forward to that challenge of going up there and playing. …

“I had a great time there. We won a world championship. My experience there was top notch.”

The current iteration of the Packers offense features an emerging Love, who is aiming for his third consecutive game with a 100-plus passer rating. Love completed 22 of 32 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns in his latest game, a 29-22 win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 23.

Wideout Christian Watson has caught touchdown passes in back-to-back games for Green Bay. Rookie teammate Jayden Reed has hauled in a touchdown in two of his past three contests.

The Packers could be short-handed in the backfield, where Aaron Jones has a knee injury and A.J. Dillon has a groin injury. Neither player took part in the first full practice of the week.

Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said his team faced a tough challenge against the Chiefs, particularly with regard to defensive end Chris Jones.

“He’s so massive, and he’s the total package,” LaFleur said. “He’s a big guy that can really move. They do a good job of moving him around, and you combine that with some really good players around him and the scheme in terms of a very aggressive style, … it’s a deadly combo.”

The only Chiefs player to miss Wednesday’s practice was running back Jerick McKinnon, who is dealing with a groin injury.

Green Bay is 3-2 at home this season. Kansas City is 4-1 on the road.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) rushes past Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Battered Browns bid to regroup against Rams

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Banged up but unbowed, the Cleveland Browns will try to improve their positioning in the AFC playoff picture when they visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Cleveland remained out west following its 29-12 loss at Denver last Sunday. Now the Browns hope to stay healthy after injuries forced defensive end Myles Garrett (left shoulder), quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion), wide receiver Amari Cooper (rib) and defensive end Jordan Elliott (ankle) from the game.

In addition, cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder), safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and running back Kareem Hunt (groin) were among those who didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed this week that Garrett, whose 13 sacks are tied for second in the NFL, did not sustain structural damage to his shoulder and is day-to-day.

“We have high hopes for this season and what we want to do,” Garrett said. “Nothing like this is going to hold us back or me back.”

The Browns (7-4) hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC, one game clear of the seventh-seeded Indianapolis Colts.

While the likely return of Garrett provides a boost to the defense, things are less settled on the other side of the ball. Thompson-Robinson, a rookie who stepped in when Deshaun Watson underwent season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, left against the Broncos following a hard hit by Baron Browning.

Denver collected four sacks against Browns backup PJ Walker, including one for a safety. Thompson-Robinson did not practice Wednesday as he progresses through the concussion protocol. Given Walker’s ineffectiveness (6-for-13, 56 yards), the team is pondering the possibility of giving veteran Joe Flacco the reins of the attack. Flacco took first-team reps Wednesday.

“He just loves football. You hear some of the stories he’s been a part of,” Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio said. “Obviously, we played against him a bunch when he was in Baltimore and last year with the Jets, but it’s good to have a veteran presence.”

The Rams (5-6) can attest to the importance of seasoning under center. Healthy after spraining a right thumb ligament in a Week 8 loss at Dallas, quarterback Matthew Stafford has steered Los Angeles to consecutive victories for the first time this season.

In last Sunday’s 37-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford passed for 229 yards and a season-best four touchdowns — two each to Kyren Williams and tight end Tyler Higbee.

Williams, who had missed the previous four games with an ankle injury, earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for 143 yards to go with his 61 receiving yards.

Los Angeles has regrouped from a three-game losing streak to move a half-game behind the Minnesota Vikings for the final NFC playoff spot.

“The consistent approach has been, if you take care of your business, then that (postseason) conversation continues on,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “And so there’s still a lot of football left to be played, there’s still a lot of things that we have to do to continue to take steps in the right direction. … We know it’s going to be a great challenge against a team that has done an excellent job.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) hands off to running back Christian McCaffrey (23) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

49ers, Eagles brace for rematch of NFC title game

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The San Francisco 49ers return to the scene of last season’s NFC Championship Game, and Sunday’s rematch with the host Philadelphia Eagles should include many fireworks.

Last year’s matchup was marred by an elbow injury to 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy as the Eagles cruised to the 31-7 win that elevated them into the Super Bowl.

Come Sunday, Purdy is healthy and teammate Christian McCaffrey is flourishing, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is once again enjoying a solid season.

Philadelphia (10-1) owns the best record in the NFL after posting four straight comeback wins and recording five consecutive overall wins. San Francisco (8-3) leads the NFC West after winning its last three games.

The 49ers would like to deliver some payback but star tight end George Kittle said he isn’t holding a grudge.

“It’s a fantastic football team, a team who doesn’t lose,” Kittle said of the Eagles. “They find every single way to win. Whether it’s overtime, whether it’s grimy weather, their players are making plays, and this is going to be our toughest challenge, in my opinion, so far this season, and also probably one of the most hostile environments.”

Last season, Purdy injured his passing elbow eight minutes into the contest. When fill-in Josh Johnson sustained a concussion later in the contest, Purdy re-entered in the third quarter but could not throw the ball more than a few yards.

Philadelphia’s Haason Reddick had a field day with two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery and also delivered the blow on Purdy’s right arm.

Ten months later, Reddick is tired of San Francisco players claiming the club would have won if not for Purdy’s injury.

“It was a lot of boo hoos last year, a lot of crying, a lot of what if, a lot of this, a lot of that,” Reddick said. “They get a chance to come back in here, line that (bleep) up and prove it again.”

The biggest surprise to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was hearing his team is favored to win the clash in Philadelphia.

“I mean, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but I don’t really know how that stuff works,” Shanahan said. “So, I don’t really know why. It is random.”

Hurts is coming off a performance in which he accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) while rallying the Eagles to Sunday’s 37-34 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Hurts has passed for 2,697 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while also rushing for 410 yards and 11 scores. He is the first NFL quarterback to rush for 10 or more touchdowns in three straight seasons.

Meanwhile, Purdy is showing his strong second half of last season is not a fluke.

The second-year pro has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 2,871 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai is impressed with Purdy’s effectiveness.

“Brock’s playing at a high level. Really efficient with the ball,” Desai told NFL Network. “Getting the ball out with rhythm and timing to his receivers. I think they do a good job mixing the run and pass. And Brock runs that offense really well.”

McCaffrey is having a banner season for the 49ers with an NFL-best 939 rushing yards. He is tied for second with 11 rushing scores.

Also of note is the presence of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (six sacks) on the San Francisco defensive line. He spent the previous three seasons with the Eagles.

“They know me like I know them,” Hargrave said of the Eagles’ offensive line. “We went at it for three years. I know what to do against them, and they know what to do against me.”

San Francisco defensive end Arik Armstead (foot), running back Jordan Mason (hamstring) and receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (rib) all sat out Wednesday’s practice.

The Eagles held a walkthrough and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (groin) and linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring) were among the non-participants. The list of limited participants includes receivers A.J. Brown (thigh) and DeVonta Smith (knee), running back D’Andre Swift (ankle) and offensive tackle Lane Johnson (groin).

–Field Level Media