Month: December 2024

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) dives after the catch for the touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

No. 20 Illinois holds off No. 15 South Carolina for rare 10th win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Josh McCray rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 7:29 left, to lead No. 20 Illinois to a 21-17 Citrus Bowl victory over No. 15 South Carolina Tuesday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

Luke Altmyer completed 13 of 22 passes for 174 yards with one score and one interception, while Gabe Jacas racked up three tackles for loss as Illinois (10-3) earned its first 10-win season since 2001.

LaNorris Sellers hit on 24 of 34 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown for South Carolina (9-4), which had its six-game winning streak snapped. Oscar Adaway rushed for 69 yards and one touchdown and caught seven passes for 37 yards.

After Illinois went backward on the game’s first possession, South Carolina used favorable field position to set up Alex Herrera’s 29-yard field goal at 7:24 of the first quarter.

Illinois responded with a 59-yard crossing pattern from Altmyer to Hank Beatty that got the Illini inside South Carolina’s 1-yard line, but Debo Williams was credited with a forced fumble on the next snap – a McCray plunge – that Dylan Stewart recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

On the final play of the first quarter, Illinois capped a 76-yard drive with its first score. Altmyer scrambled and found Zakhari Franklin for a 15-yard touchdown and a 7-3 lead.

South Carolina squandered a scoring chance midway through the second quarter when it ran an unsuccessful trick play on fourth-and-7 from Illinois’ 13. The Gamecocks came up empty again on the half’s final play when Herrera doinked a 41-yard attempt off the upright.

South Carolina seized a 10-7 lead in the third quarter when Adaway broke through the middle on fourth-and-1 and sprinted 36 yards down the right sideline for a score. Illinois regained a 14-10 lead with 2:23 to go in the third on McCray’s 3-yard blast up the middle.

The Gamecocks forged the third lead change of the second half on the first snap of the fourth quarter. Sellers faked a handoff and lobbed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Simon for a 17-14 edge.

Illinois answered with McCray’s 7-yard touchdown run on a misdirection pitch to the left. South Carolina had a chance to retake the lead, but Sellers threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-4 inside Illinois’ 10 with 3:08 left.

McCray’s 60-yard rush on the ensuing drive allowed the Illini to run out the clock.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell (47) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Cowboys release veteran RB Ezekiel Elliott

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With one game left in their season, the Dallas Cowboys waived veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday afternoon.

The team said it made the move to allow Elliott a chance to latch on with a playoff team should he clear waivers.

The Cowboys (7-9) aren’t part of the playoff picture and conclude their season against the visiting Washington Commanders on Sunday.

“Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible, we are releasing him from the Cowboys roster today,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement. “As I have said many times previously, Zeke’s impact as one of the greatest to ever play with the Star on their helmet will never change and is etched in our record books and history forever. We thank him, love him and wish him the absolute best.”

Elliott ranks third in Cowboys history with 8,488 career rushing yards, behind only Tony Dorsett (12,036) and the NFL all-time leading rusher in Emmitt Smith, who had 17,162 of his 18,355 yards in a Dallas uniform.

“Even though nothing is imminent, Zeke is excited about the possibilities and is grateful,” Rocky Arceneaux, Elliott’s agent, said in a statement. “He’s got a lot of good football left in him, and will remain a Dallas Cowboy for life.”

Elliott, 29, has rushed for just 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries this season while also catching 12 passes for 69 yards. The nine-year pro gained at least 979 yards in each of his first six seasons before his yardage began to spiral downward.

Elliott had 876 rushing yards in 2022 before the Cowboys released him following the season. He played for the New England Patriots in 2023 and rushed for 642 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Elliott returned to Dallas. He rushed for 40 yards in the season-opening victory against the Cleveland Browns but has reached 30 just twice more all season.

Rico Dowdle leads Dallas with 1,007 rushing yards this season.

–Field Level Media

Washington player Jonah Coleman (1) runs for yardage against Louisville during the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game on Dec. 31, 2024.

Louisville holds off Washington’s rally to win Sun Bowl

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Harrison Bailey threw for three touchdowns Tuesday and Louisville held off Washington 35-34 to win the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

Bailey was more efficient than spectacular, completing 16 of 25 passes for 164 yards, but also directed a turnover-free offense that boasted good balance. The Cardinals (9-4) rushed for 207 yards, getting 99 yards from freshman Isaac Brown and 83 from another freshman, Duke Watson.

The Huskies (6-7) got a big game from quarterback Demond Williams, who shrugged off an early pick-six to hit 26 of 32 attempts for 374 yards and four scores. Giles Jackson shredded the Louisville secondary for 11 catches, 161 yards and all four touchdowns.

Bailey snapped a 21-21 tie on a 21-yard touchdown strike to wide-open tight end Nate Kurisky with 4:46 left in the third quarter. Louisville made it 35-21 less than three minutes later on an 8-yard scoring jaunt by Caullin Lacy.

Williams found Jackson over the middle for a 31-yard touchdown pass with 3:42 left in the game to get the Huskies within a score. They got within a point with nine seconds left when Williams hit Jackson on fourth-and-goal for a 1-yard strike but the two-point pass for the win was knocked away by Antonio Watts.

After two 15-yard celebration penalties on the Cardinals, Washington tried an onside kick from their 35 but the ball was knocked out of bounds with four seconds remaining.

Tahveon Nicholson gave Louisville a 7-0 lead 2:45 into the game, picking off Williams and lugging it 21 yards for a touchdown. But Williams responded with a 40-yard strike to Jackson at the 8:09 mark.

Bailey made it 14-7 with 27 seconds left in the first quarter on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Lacy but Williams and Jackson hooked up from 49 yards out with 8:10 remaining in the half.

Bailey’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Meeks gave the Cardinals a 21-14 edge but Williams rushed for a 7-yard score with 51 seconds left, tying the game at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (8) sacks Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Michigan forces 3 turnovers, tops No. 11 Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl

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Dominic Zvada kicked four goals and Davis Warren threw a touchdown pass before leaving with a knee injury as Michigan notched a 19-13 victory over No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Tampa, Fla.

The Wolverines (8-5) took advantage of three Crimson Tide first-quarter turnovers to build a 16-point lead en route to winning their third straight contest.

Jalen Milroe completed 16 of 32 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Alabama (9-4). But Milroe had just 7 yards on 16 rushes and he was mistake-prone in the first quarter with an interception and two lost fumbles.

The Crimson Tide rushed for just 68 yards, well below their season average (182.7).

This contest was a rematch of last season’s College Football semifinals when Michigan beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime. The Wolverines went on to beat Washington in the championship game.

Warren completed 9 of 12 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a right knee injury. He was replaced by Alex Orji, who was 2-of-3 passing for 2 yards with one interception.

Warren limped off the field after being sacked early in the third quarter and soon went to the locker room for evaluation. He returned to the sideline early in the fourth quarter on crutches and sporting a bag of ice on his right knee.

Jordan Marshall rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries for Michigan after its top two backs — Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards — opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Zvada’s fourth field goal, a 37-yarder, gave the Wolverines a 19-10 lead with 7:21 remaining. Alabama trimmed its deficit back to six on Graham Nicholson’s 51-yard field goal with 4:38 left.

The Crimson Tide’s final chance ended with a pressured Milroe throwing a fourth-down incomplete pass from the Wolverines’ 15 with 49 seconds left.

Michigan cashed in three Alabama first-half turnovers into 13 points and led 16-10 at the break.

Zvada opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal before the Crimson Tide turnovers began.

Milroe’s fumble was recovered at the Alabama 19-yard line by Derrick Moore. That set up Zvada’s 30-yard field goal to make it 6-0 with 5:52 left in the quarter.

Two plays later, Milroe was intercepted by Wesley Walker, who returned the ball three yards to the Crimson Tide 16. Three plays later, Warren tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Frederick Moore for a 13-point lead.

On Alabama’s next offensive play, Aamir Hall delivered a strip-sack of Milroe. Cameron Brandt picked up the ball and returned it 5 yards to the Crimson Tide 6, setting up Zvada’s 21-yard field goal to make it 16-0 with 2:04 left in the quarter.

Alabama got on the board when Milroe threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Ouzts with 4:06 left in the half. Nicholson tacked on a 24-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce tops Pro Bowl fan voting

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce narrowly beat out Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs as the fans’ top vote-getter for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando.

Amid another strong season for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, Kelce totaled 252,200 votes when balloting ended on Dec. 23, just ahead of Gibbs (252,082).

Following Gibbs were a trio of quarterbacks — the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels (242,352), the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (239,526) and the Lions’ Jared Goff (225,858).

NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” will reveal the rosters for the AFC and NFC on Thursday.

Gibbs and Goff helped the Lions — who have a chance to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings — finish first among all NFL teams in total votes, ahead of the Vikings, Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Along with the fan votes, players and coaches also have a say in the makeup of the rosters. Players and coaches had a Dec. 27 deadline to submit their ballots.

The Pro Bowl Games, which culminate in a flag football game led by head coaches Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC), will air on Feb. 2 from 3-6 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.

A Pro Bowl Skills Show will be held on Jan. 30 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET in a made-for-TV event on ESPN. NFL stars will display their skills and competitiveness in unique competitions on and off the field.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Brock Purdy, 49ers get good news about elbow injury

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation in Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday.

Although it is unlikely Purdy will play for the 49ers (6-10) in Sunday’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, Shanahan said the news on Purdy’s elbow was positive and that no long-term injury was expected.

Purdy, who tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in the NFC Championship Game two years ago, described the feeling in his elbow after the game.

“I got hit on the backside and basically just my arm was on fire kind of thing,” Purdy, 25, said. “I tried throwing a couple on the sideline and I couldn’t at that point.”

Early indications Monday night were that Purdy had a nerve issue rather than ligament problem.

Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen are the backup QBs in San Francisco.

If Purdy sits Sunday against Arizona (7-9), he will finish his third NFL season with a 65.9 completion percentage (300 of 455) for 3,864 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Purdy has gone from “Mr. Irrelevant” — denoting the final pick of the draft — in 2022 to the starting quarterback on a team that made back-to-back appearances in the NFC title game.

He is entering the final season of a four-year, $3.73 million contract he signed in June 2022. San Francisco will need to discuss Purdy’s long-term future with the club in the offseason.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns undecided about QB heading into finale vs. Ravens

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The revolving door at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns could continue Sunday, with coach Kevin Stefanski saying both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe are preparing to play against the Baltimore Ravens in the season finale.

Stefanski told reporters Tuesday that he was undecided as to who would start.

“There’s certainly a chance that I could play Bailey and Dorian in this game,” Stefanski said. “Jameis [Winston] is still working through that shoulder injury. So, I envision him being the emergency quarterback in this game. And then there’s potential to play both guys.”

The Browns (3-13) started the campaign with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, turning to Winston after Watson’s season-ending Achilles tear in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20. Winston then started seven games and Thompson-Robinson the past two, both losses.

In six appearances this season, the 25-year-old Thompson-Robinson is 59-of-115 passing (51.3 percent) for 427 yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s been sacked seven times.

Zappe, 25, was signed off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad after the Watson injury. He appeared in 14 career games with the New England Patriots over the past two seasons, going 4-4 as a starter. In his career, he is a 63.2 percent passer, throwing for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Browns have used 39 different starting quarterbacks since 1999.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik to return: ‘Story isn’t over’

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Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is bypassing the 2025 NFL Draft to play another season with the Tigers.

“The story isn’t over,” the junior posted Monday night on X. “See y’all in 2025.”

Klubnik passed for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 14 games this season, adding 463 rushing yards and seven scores. His 43 total TDs trailed only Miami’s Cam Ward (44) and Washington State’s John Mater (44).

The Tigers (10-4) defeated SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game before falling to No. 4 Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Klubnik is 19-9 as the starter at Clemson and was the Most Valuable Player of the ACC title game in 2022 and 2024. Over three seasons, he has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 7,180 yards, 57 TDs and 18 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) cuts through the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors defense for a touchdown during the first quarter at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

Fiesta Bowl: Penn State-Boise State Preview, Props, Prediction

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — The College Football Playoff quarterfinals kick off with a lone game on Tuesday, with No. 6 seed Penn State taking on No. 3 seed Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium.

ODDS AND TRENDS
Despite being the higher seed, Penn State was a consensus 11.0-point favorite as of Tuesday morning. That includes at DraftKings and BetMGM, where the Nittany Lions have been backed by 62 percent of the spread-line money. Meanwhile, the line had moved to 12.0 at some sportsbooks such at BetRivers.

Penn State’s moneyline to win the game outright opened at -375 at BetMGM, but has moved to -450 with the public backing the Nittany Lions with 70 percent of the money.

“The Penn State faithful are backing the Nittany Lions heavily in the first quarterfinal game,” trading manager Seamus Magee said. “Boise State and Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty covering would be great for the book.”

PROP PICKS
–Ashton Jeanty Under 131.5 Rushing Yards (-115 at BetMGM): This has been the most popular player prop at the book, with the public wagering heavily on Boise State playing from behind and being forced out of a Jeanty-dominated game plan. The Heisman runner-up enters the game with 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground this season.

–Over 53.5 Total Points: The line opened at 54.5 points — the second fewest among the four quarterfinal games — but has shifted down a full point despite the public backing the Over with 79 percent of the total bets and 74 percent of the money.

FIESTA BOWL HISTORY ON LINE
The Broncos, who earned a bye into the matchup in Glendale by winning the Mountain West title, are 3-0 in the Fiesta Bowl.

Penn State (12-2), which advanced to the quarterfinals after beating visiting SMU 38-10 last week in the opening round, is 7-0 in the Fiesta Bowl.

“Our guys are very aware of our history here at Penn State,” coach James Franklin said after a practice this week in Phoenix. “We spend a lot of time in the offseason talking about those things, or former players come back and talk to our guys.”

Boise State (12-1) won its three Fiesta Bowls between 2007 and 2014, including a 43-42 classic in overtime over Adrian Peterson and Oklahoma in 2007.

The Broncos were underdogs in that game and in wins over TCU in 2010 and Arizona in 2014.

“We might not have what everybody else has, but we definitely have enough,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “We’re going to continue to push forward.”

THE NEWS
Boise State is the last non-Power 4 conference team to win the Fiesta Bowl.

“Boise State has been built on earning our right to play against one of the top football teams in the country like Penn State,” Danielson said. “I believe in our team … please count us out. People, media, count us out. I know how we are going to work, and I know we are going to work to play our absolute best.”

Franklin, an assistant coach at Washington State and Idaho State in 1998 and 1999, respectively, appreciates the Boise State program after coaching in the area.

“Boise State has the ingredients to succeed,” Franklin said. “It’s in the university. It’s in the community. It’s embedded there. And that’s why you’ve seen so many people be able to go there and have success.”

Franklin also praised Jeanty for what he means to Boise State being in the playoffs.

“I think it starts and ends with Jeanty,” Franklin said. “He can run away from you and score from a distance. Breaks a ton of tackles — 1,300 yards of his rushing yards are after contact, which is like a ridiculous stat.”

Jeanty, who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, has 344 carries for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. He took home the Maxwell Award as the most outstanding player in the sport and was a unanimous All-American selection.

Jeanty is 132 yards from breaking the NCAA single-season rushing record set by Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988.

Danielson is similarly in awe of Penn State senior tight end Tyler Warren.

Warren, who has a team-best six TD receptions, leads the Nittany Lions in receptions (92) and receiving yards (1,095). Both of those marks are single-season Big Ten records for tight ends. He won the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end and finished seventh in the Heisman voting.

“Tyler Warren is elite,” Danielson said. “That’s not just my opinion; I’m very positive he’s going to be the first tight end taken off the board in the NFL draft because of that.

“He can do it all. He is extremely violent at the point of attack. He can catch every ball. He’s one of their top targets on all downs. And he can play wildcat and throw the ball. You talk about just an extremely gifted athlete, we’ve got to know where (Warren) is at all times.”

PREDICTION
Boise State’s lone loss this season came back on Sept. 7 by three points at top-ranked Oregon. The Broncos have reeled off 11 consecutive wins since, but only one against a ranked opponent — a 21-7 victory over then-No. 20 UNLV in the Mountain West championship. Penn State, a power team from a Power 4 conference, presents an obstacle Boise State has yet to encounter this season. The Nittany Lions should control the line of scrimmage on both sides, and how deep the Broncos remain competitive in the game depends on how long they can prevent falling behind by double digits. –Penn State 38, Boise State 20

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) walks from the tunnel for a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles undecided on Saquon Barkley’s record pursuit

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The status of Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of the NFL single-season rushing record remains up in the air.

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said during his weekly radio show with 94WIP on Tuesday that he will meet with players and team brass before deciding whether Barkley will play in Sunday’s regular season finale against his old team, the New York Giants, at Lincoln Financial Field.

The NFC East champion Eagles (13-3) are locked into the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC, turning the contest against the Giants (3-13) into an ideal opportunity to rest their starters for the postseason.

Barkley, 27, needs 101 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s hallowed mark of 2,105 yards set during a 16-game season in 1984. Barkley has rushed for at least 101 yards in 11 games this season, including Sunday’s 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys when his 167 yards made him the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000.

“I’ll talk to our staff, I’ll talk to the players, I’ll talk to (general manager) Howie (Roseman), I’ll talk to (owner) Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie. I’ll talk to everybody to try and make sure that I’m making the best decision for the football team,” Sirianni said Tuesday.

Sirianni’s next media availability is Wednesday, when he is expected to announce the playing status for Barkley as well as quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion protocol) and other starters.

There is a precedent for playing Barkley. In the Eagles’ 2021 season finale against Dallas, Sirianni rested several key players but gave wideout DeVonta Smith a chance to break the franchise’s rookie receiving record held by DeSean Jackson. Smith had 41 yards to finish with 916, topping Jackson’s 2018 total of 912.

“If you think back a couple of years ago to 2021, Smitty was going for the rookie receiver record. Everybody else was resting, but we wanted for everyone else — whatever it was — we didn’t play some other guys in that game, but we went and got him that record,” Sirianni said. “Every situation is a little different. Not saying one way or the other or how that’s going to play out or even that I made a decision yet.”

Barkley told reporters on Sunday that he will respect Sirianni’s wishes.

“Whatever his decision is, I’m all for it,” Barkley said. “If his mindset is, we’ll go out there and try it, I’ll go out there and try it. If his mindset is, let’s rest and get ready for this run, I’m all for that, too … I came here to do something special. Breaking a record is special, but I want a banner up there. I think we all do.”

In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing attempts (345), rushing yards (2,005) and yards from scrimmage (2,283).

–Field Level Media