Month: November 2024

Nov 30, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (8) attempts to plant the flag on the Ohio State Buckeyes logo as Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rips the flag down after the game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Ohio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A melee broke out at midfield of Ohio Stadium after Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday.

After the Wolverines’ fourth straight win in the series, players converged at the block “O” to plant its flag. The Ohio State players were in the south end zone singing their alma mater in front of the student section.

When the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines’ flag, they rushed toward the 50-yard line. Social media posts showed Michigan offensive lineman Raheem Anderson carrying the flag on a long pole to midfield, where the Wolverines were met by dozens of Ohio State players and fights broke out.

Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the flag off the pole and taking the flag as he scuffled with several people trying to recover the flag.

A statement from the Ohio State Police Department read:

“Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games and will continue to investigate.”

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings on FOX said:

“For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It’s bad for the sport, bad for college football. At the end of the day, some people got to learn how to lose, man.

“You can’t be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. Now people want to talk and fight. That’s wrong. It’s bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better.”

Once order was restored, officers cordoned the 50-yard line, using bicycles as barriers.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his postgame press conference said he wasn’t sure what happened.

“I don’t know all the details of it. But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen,” he said.

“I’ll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field and certainly we’re embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there’s some prideful guys on our team that weren’t just going to let that happen.”

The Big Ten has not yet released a statement on the incident.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn arrives before the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Report: UCF HC Gus Malzahn to become Florida State OC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Gus Malzahn is leaving his post as UCF’s head coach to reunite with Florida State coach Mike Norvell as the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator, ESPN reported on Saturday.

Norvell, who served as a graduate assistant under Malzahn at Tulsa in 2007-08, relinquished his role as FSU’s primary playcaller amid a staff shakeup this season.

Florida State, 1-7 in the Athletic Coast Conference this season, entered Saturday’s season finale against Florida at 2-9 and ranked No. 131 in the nation in total offense.

UCF also endured a tough 2024 season, going 4-8 after losing eight of its last nine games. During Malzahn’s four-year tenure, the Knights went 28-24, including 5-13 in the Big 12 Conference the last two seasons.

Malzahn, 59, is 105-62 in 13 seasons as a college head coach, highlighted by a 68-35 mark in eight seasons at Auburn — which included a BCS title game appearance in 2013. He served as offensive coordinator and playcaller when the Tigers won the national title in 2010.

Malzahn will be tasked with revitalizing a Florida State offense that helped produce a 13-1 campaign in 2023, when the Seminoles were denied a spot in the College Football Playoff. Over the last three seasons at UCF, his rushing attack has been in the Top 10 in the nation.

In his 19 seasons as a college head coach or offensive coordinator, Malzahn’s teams have averaged 447.7 yards per game, and three of his teams eclipsed 7,000 yards in a season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) passes the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Down 14 early, No. 8 Tennessee rallies past Vanderbilt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nico Iamaleava threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns as No. 8 Tennessee stormed back from an early deficit to beat host Vanderbilt 36-23 in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday.

Two of those scoring strikes went to Dont’e Thornton (three catches, 118 yards) while Dylan Sampson added 178 rushing yards on 25 carries.

Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) held Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to 8-of-17 passing for 104 yards and outsnapped (73-49) and outgained (538-232) the Commodores (6-6, 3-5).

The Vols won’t play in the SEC title game, but likely clinched a College Football Playoff berth and possibly a first-round home game.

Vanderbilt got 17 first-quarter points against the Vols, who’d given up just over 13 points a game. Tennessee scored 29 unanswered points starting with the second quarter until Pavia found Richie Hoskins with a 31-yard touchdown with 5:53 to play.

The Vols picked up where they left off in the first half as Iamaleava found Mike Matthews for a 14-yard TD pass with 8:43 left in the third for a 31-17 lead.

Tennessee’s Jackson Ross, punting for the first time all day, pinned the Commodores at their 4. Two plays later, the Vols tackled Sedrick Alexander for a safety.

Max Gilbert hit a 22-yard field goal on the Vols’ ensuing drive for a 19-point lead.

Tennessee averaged 10.3 yards per play and didn’t punt in the first half, but led just 24-17 thanks to turnovers (a 2-1 deficit), penalties (seven for 55 yards) and a Vanderbilt special teams touchdown.

Vanderbilt’s Junior Sherrill opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and after CJ Taylor forced a Sampson fumble that Nick Rinaldi pounced on at Tennessee’s 26, Alexander scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Commodores up 14-0 just 4:38 in.

Iamaleava found Thornton for touchdown throws of 28 and 86 yards, and then hit Miles Kitselman with 22 seconds left in the first half, giving Tennessee its first lead.

Vanderbilt’s Brock Taylor hit a 32-yard field goal with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter, but the Vols scored the half’s final 17 points, starting with Gilbert’s 50-yard field goal, which hit the crossbar and bounced over.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) scrambles against the Wofford Terriers in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

QB LaNorris Sellers runs No. 15 South Carolina past No. 12 Clemson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LaNorris Sellers ran for two touchdowns and amassed a combined 330 yards rushing and passing to lead South Carolina to a 17-14 comeback victory over Clemson on Saturday afternoon in Clemson, S.C.

Sellers led the 15th-ranked Gamecocks (9-3) on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that he capped with a 20-yard touchdown run to put them ahead by the eventual winning margin with 1:08 left in the fourth quarter.

No. 12 Clemson (9-3) had one last chance and drove toward the red zone. But Demetrius Knight Jr. made a diving interception with 12 seconds remaining to seal the Gamecocks’ second win in three seasons in the Palmetto Bowl series and second in a row at Clemson.

Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards and ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns. On the interception, he threw the ball a bit behind intended receiver Phil Mafah. The ball bounced off Mafah’s outstretched hand and Knight took advantage.

It was the fifth combined turnover of the game and the second for Clemson.

South Carolina bolstered its case to make the College Football Playoff as a potential at-large selection in capturing its sixth consecutive victory. It’s the Gamecocks’ longest winning streak since 2013.

South Carolina had chances to tie the game earlier, but three turnovers continued to impede its progress.

One that could have proven costly came with 10:39 left in the fourth quarter after Sellers drove the Gamecocks from their 14 to the Clemson 14. But after a personal foul on South Carolina’s Torricelli Simpkins moved the ball back to the 26, Sellers was picked off inside the 10-yard line by Khalil Barnes, preserving a 14-7 Clemson lead at the time.

The Gamecocks cut their deficit to 14-10 with 6:48 to go on Alex Herrera’s 42-yard field goal. South Carolina attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but the Tigers recovered. The Gamecocks forced a punt on the ensuing drive, leading to Sellers’ dramatic score for the victory.

Sellers completed 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards and one interception, and rushed 16 times for 166 yards and two TDs, including a 25-yard run in the second quarter.

Klubnik accounted for both Clemson touchdowns, first on a quarterback keeper from 13 yards to open the scoring with 12:07 left in the second quarter after an early scoreless stalemate.

Klubnik then put the Tigers ahead with a run-pass-option keeper from 18 yards out with 9:57 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire looks on against Colorado in a Big 12 game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Tahj Brooks caps season of 100-yard games as Texas Tech clubs West Virginia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tahj Brooks set a school season record with his 11th 100-yard rushing game to lead Texas Tech to a 52-15 victory Saturday over West Virginia in Lubbock, Texas, to conclude the regular season.

The Red Raiders (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) reached eight wins in the regular season for the first time since 2009.

Brooks finished with 188 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Behren Morton completed 28 of 41 pass attempts for 359 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

West Virginia (6-6, 5-4) failed in its bid to finish unbeaten in Big 12 road games this season. The Mountaineers won their first three conference road games.

Garrett Greene was 29 of 39 for 265 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Jahiem White gained 124 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Brooks rushed for 93 yards on 10 carries, including three touchdowns, in the first half as Texas Tech built a 35-3 lead.

Morton passed for 242 yards and a touchdown while completing 20 of 28 pass attempts in the half.

West Virginia was limited to 125 yards of total offense in the first half while Texas Tech amassed 339.

The Mountaineers had only 27 yards on the ground, mostly because Garrett Greene was sacked four times, twice by linebacker Terrell Tilmon.

The Red Raiders scored on all six of their six possessions in the first half, two field goals followed by four touchdowns.

Brooks’ touchdown runs occurred on quick possessions of 2:11, 1:05 and 38 seconds.

The last two occurred after turnovers.

After CJ Baskerville intercepted a pass from Greene at the West Virginia 32, Brooks scored on a 37-yard run with 1:35 left in the half.

Greene was then sacked Tilmon, who forced a fumble that was recovered by Brenden Jordan at the Mountaineers’ 35.

A 30-yard pass from Morton to Brooks set up Brooks’ 2-yard touchdown run with nine seconds left before halftime.

Texas Tech continued the scoring barrage in the second half, going 75 yards on nine plays in the first possession.

Morton’s 31-yard pass to Caleb Douglas capped the drive, increasing the lead to 42-3.

The Red Raiders’ streak of scoring possessions ended at seven when Anthony Wilson Jr. intercepted a pass from Morton with 8:07 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs for a touchdown against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Aidan Laughery’s career day helps No. 23 Illinois run over Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aidan Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-highs, to propel No. 23 Illinois past Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The sophomore running back needed just 12 carries to orchestrate his career day and ripped off three runs of 30 or more yards, including a 64-yard touchdown scamper that put the Fighting Illini (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) ahead 21-10 early in the second half.

After the Wildcats (4-8, 2-7) pulled within 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, Laughery broke off a 31-yard run to replenish Illinois’ two-score lead.

Fighting Illini receiver Pat Bryant tied a program record with his 10th touchdown reception this season, which came after Laughery’s long scoring run in the third quarter.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 10 of 17 passes for 170 with a touchdown and two interceptions. He had an injury scare in the third quarter after taking a big hit and landing on his throwing arm. After receiving medical attention, Altmyer walked off the field and returned on the next drive.

The Wildcats used two quarterbacks in the loss, their third straight to end the season.

Jack Lausch played most snaps and threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on 25-of-48 passing. Before the game, head coach David Braun said freshman quarterback Ryan Boe would take snaps with the Wildcats out of bowl contention. Boe completed 4 of 13 throws for 42 yards with an interception.

Northwestern’s defense created both Illinois interceptions with outstanding individual efforts.

In the first quarter, Brendan Flakes tipped an Altmyer pass that Devin Turner caught and ran 13 yards for a touchdown that put the Wildcats ahead 10-7. The second pick also came from Turner, who sprinted across the field and timed a dive perfectly to grab an Altmyer pass in the second quarter.

Bryce Kirtz caught two passes on Northwestern’s first drive but was injured on his second reception. He exited the game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The Wildcats’ leading receiver this season finished with the two receptions for 25 yards.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) is updended by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Quinten Johnson (28) and Michigan Wolverines defensive back Brandyn Hillman (6) during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.

Michigan shocks No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on late FG

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left as Michigan shocked No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 in Columbus on Saturday.

The Wolverines (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) were a three-touchdown underdog but were helped by the mistake-prone Buckeyes (10-2, 7-2), who committed two turnovers and missed two field goals as Michigan won its fourth straight in the series.

The loss likely prevented the Buckeyes from playing Oregon in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 7. To play in the Big Ten championship, Ohio State needs No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana to lose on Saturday.

Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer intercepted Davis Warren at the goal line and returned it 12 yards with 7:48 left in regulation, but the Buckeyes had to punt. Michigan used 11 plays to go 57 yards and exhausted 5:28 off the clock on the winning drive.

Kalel Mulling had 116 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries for the Wolverines.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was intercepted by Makari Paige at the Michigan 9 with 4:51 left in the third. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs three plays later intercepted a Warren pass at the Wolverines 16 but the drive stalled. Jayden Fielding missed for a second time, this one from 34 yards.

The Buckeyes took a 3-0 lead on a 29-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding but the momentum and score changed, surprisingly after an Ohio State goal-line stand.

Mullings was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Ohio State 3, but on the Buckeyes’ possession, Aamir Hall intercepted Will Howard at the 13 and returned it to the 2. Mullings scored from the 1 to make it 7-3.

Later in the second quarter, Howard on a keeper was leveled by Makari Paige at the Michigan 33 and had to leave the game for a play. Fielding missed a 38-yard field goal try and Dominic Zvada made a 54-yarder for the Wolverines to make it 10-3.

Ohio State got the tying score with 30 seconds left in the first half on a 10-yard catch by Jeremiah Smith.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) runs for yardage pursued by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Jamare Glasker (25) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Touchdown pass on final play lifts Duke over Wake Forest

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jordan Moore caught a 39-yard pass from Maalik Murphy on the game’s final play as Duke rallied to beat host Wake Forest 23-17 in Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale at Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Blue Devils went 76 yards in seven plays in a hurry-up approach after forcing a Demon Deacons fumble.

Moore broke free for the deep pass from Murphy, who hadn’t allowed enough time for a last-second field goal, but it didn’t matter.

Duke (9-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) holds a three-game winning streak going into a bowl after coming back from a 14-point deficit in the second half.

Murphy threw for 235 yards with one interception. Moore, who was briefly injured early in the second half, made five catches for a team-high 98 yards.

Wake Forest (4-8, 2-6) has back-to-back losing seasons, this one ending with four straight losses. Hank Bachmeier threw for 207 yards and a touchdown.

A Duke fumble gave the Demon Deacons the ball at the Blue Devils’ 14 early in the third quarter. Three plays later, Bachmeier threw to Horatio Fields for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

The Blue Devils, trailing 17-3, finally got going after an exchange of punts. They went 42 yards in four plays with Star Thomas running 3 yards for a touchdown.

Then Wake Forest fumbled the ensuing kickoff, with the Blue Devils recovering at the Demon Deacons’ 45. Duke was back in the end zone in seven plays on Murphy’s 2-yard keeper.

Todd Pelino’s 45-yard field goal provided the game’s first points in the second quarter after Wake Forest’s Matthew Dennis missed earlier on a 43-yarder with the ball bouncing off the left upright.

Tate Carney’s 8-yard run and Dennis’ 37-yard field goal gave Wake Forest a 10-3 lead by halftime.

Duke’s defense recorded five sacks.

In the first half, Wake Forest fifth-year player Taylor Morin became the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He ended the game with 47 yards on eight catches, putting his career total at 2,974 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Isaac Brown (25) runs the ball against Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Alex Afari Jr. (3) during the first quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Louisville ends losing streak to Kentucky in blowout fashion

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Louisville’s Issac Brown ran for a season-high 178 yards and also scored twice, and Duke Watson added 104 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries to lead the visiting Cardinals to a 41-14 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington on Saturday.

Thanks to the freshmen running back tandem and a defense that forced five turnovers, the Cardinals (8-4) scored their first triumph in the Governor’s Cup rivalry since 2017.

Louisville jumped out to a 20-0 lead and outgained the Wildcats 241-61 through the first 25 minutes.

In all, the Cardinals racked up 486 yards on offense, including a season-high 358 yards on the ground behind the explosiveness of Watson, whose scores went for 58 and 24 yards, and Brown, who ran 26 times and capped off the scoring a with a 67-yard jaunt with 9:01 left in the game.

Brown, who also added a 1-yard score, became the first Louisville freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, breaking Lamar Jackson’s record of 960 in 2015.

The Wildcats (4-8) finished with 328 yards on offense, but they failed to convert any of their nine third downs. The defense gave up a season-high in yards to Louisville’s rushing attack.

Freshman Cutter Boley struggled in his first start at quarterback for the Wildcats. He completed just one of his first seven passes for just 9 yards and an interception, which led to Brock Travelstead’s 20-yard field goal. The lone Wildcats’ drive that reached the red zone with Boley at quarterback ended in his second pick of the game.

Boley left the game in the third quarter after receiving a hit to the helmet. Gavin Wimsett replaced him and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Mori Macklin to cut the deficit to 20-7 with 9:22 left in the quarter.

Kentucky’s defense then held Louisville on the ensuing drive, but Jamarion Wilcox fumbled on the Wildcats’ next offensive play. Defensive lineman Ramon Puryear scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a 20-yard touchdown to make it 27-7 with 4:59 left in the third quarter.

Boley finished completing just 6-of-15 passes for 48 yards. Wimsatt went 4-of-9 for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Macklin finished with 121 yards and both scores on three catches.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Josh Cameron (34) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Baylor tallies 603 yards, pounds Kansas for sixth straight win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sawyer Robinson passed for 310 yards and four touchdowns and Bryson Washington rumbled for 192 yards and two scores as Baylor rolled to a 45-17 win over Kansas on Saturday afternoon in Big 12 Conference play in Waco, Texas.

The Bears (8-4, 6-3) racked up 603 yards of offense and forced three Kansas turnovers in winning their sixth straight game. Robertson finished 23-of-31 passing, connecting on his first nine throws. Dawson Pendergrass added 104 yards rushing on 11 carries and Josh Cameron had eight catches for 102 yards and a score.

For Kansas (5-7, 4-5), Jalen Daniels passed for 280 yards but was intercepted twice. Devin Neal rushed for 133 yards and a TD on 20 carries as the Jayhawks had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Until Saturday, Kansas’s six losses were by an average of five points and none were by more than 11.

The Jayhawks dominated the game’s first 10 minutes, driving to a missed field goal on their opening possession and then lighting the scoreboard on their second via a 19-yard TD run by Neal.

Baylor tied it at 7-7 on a 36-yard scoring pass from Robertson to Monaray Baldwin (seven catches, 119 yards, two TDs) with 2:51 left in the first quarter. Robertson and Baldwin connected again, this time on a 39-yard TD pass 56 seconds into the second quarter for a 14-7 lead.

Kansas responded with a 26-yard field goal by Tabor Allen with 9:16 to play in the half. But the Bears struck back when Robertson found Cameron for a 14-yard TD three minutes later.

Baylor added to its lead on the opening possession of the third on a Washington 10-yard touchdown run. The Bears then expanded their advantage, going 62 yards in seven plays, capped by Robertson’s 20-yard scoring pass to Pendergrass to make it 35-10 with 6:25 left in the third.

Lawrence Arnold countered for Kansas with a 14-yard TD run two plays after a 48-yard pass from Daniels to Luke Grimm, cutting its deficit to 35-17 with five minutes left in the third.

Washington crashed over from the 1 to boost the lead to 42-17 with seven seconds to play in the third, two snaps after his 50-yard run put Baylor on the doorstep.

–Field Level Media