Category: College Football

Dec 31, 2019; El Paso, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Herm Edwards is doused by Frosted Flakes by his players moments after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 20-14 in the Sun Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sun Bowl canceled amid COVID-19 concerns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the first time in 86 years, the Sun Bowl is going dark.

Sun Bowl officials confirmed Monday the game will not take place this December because of COVID-19 concerns. The cancellation was first reported by Stadium.

With the Orange and Sugar bowls, the Sun Bowl is tied for second-longest running bowl game — behind only the Rose Bowl. The game in El Paso, Texas, had been played for the past 85 years dating back to 1935, and this year was scheduled to feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12.

The Rose Bowl has been played every year since 1916, and this season is scheduled to host a CFB national semifinal, as is the Sugar Bowl, with the National Championship Game in Miami.

The decision makes the Sun Bowl the ninth bowl game to be canceled this season. Others that have been scrapped include the Pinstripe Bowl, Fenway Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Bahamas Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, Redbox Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl and Celebration Bowl.

Last season, Arizona State rallied for a 20-14 win over Florida State in the Sun Bowl. The Sun Devils had six takeaways in the victory.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2019; El Paso, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Herm Edwards is doused by Frosted Flakes by his players moments after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 20-14 in the Sun Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sun Bowl canceled amid COVID-19 concerns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the first time in 86 years, the Sun Bowl is going dark.

Sun Bowl officials confirmed Monday the game will not take place this December because of COVID-19 concerns. The cancellation was first reported by Stadium.

With the Orange and Sugar bowls, the Sun Bowl is tied for second-longest running bowl game — behind only the Rose Bowl. The game in El Paso, Texas, had been played for the past 85 years dating back to 1935, and this year was scheduled to feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12.

The Rose Bowl has been played every year since 1916, and this season is scheduled to host a CFB national semifinal, as is the Sugar Bowl, with the National Championship Game in Miami.

The decision makes the Sun Bowl the ninth bowl game to be canceled this season. Others that have been scrapped include the Pinstripe Bowl, Fenway Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Bahamas Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, Redbox Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl and Celebration Bowl.

Last season, Arizona State rallied for a 20-14 win over Florida State in the Sun Bowl. The Sun Devils had six takeaways in the victory.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2019; El Paso, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Herm Edwards is doused by Frosted Flakes by his players moments after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 20-14 in the Sun Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sun Bowl canceled amid COVID-19 concerns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the first time in 86 years, the Sun Bowl is going dark.

Sun Bowl officials confirmed Monday the game will not take place this December because of COVID-19 concerns. The cancellation was first reported by Stadium.

With the Orange and Sugar bowls, the Sun Bowl is tied for second-longest running bowl game — behind only the Rose Bowl. The game in El Paso, Texas, had been played for the past 85 years dating back to 1935, and this year was scheduled to feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12.

The Rose Bowl has been played every year since 1916, and this season is scheduled to host a CFB national semifinal, as is the Sugar Bowl, with the National Championship Game in Miami.

The decision makes the Sun Bowl the ninth bowl game to be canceled this season. Others that have been scrapped include the Pinstripe Bowl, Fenway Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Bahamas Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, Redbox Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl and Celebration Bowl.

Last season, Arizona State rallied for a 20-14 win over Florida State in the Sun Bowl. The Sun Devils had six takeaways in the victory.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2019; El Paso, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Herm Edwards is doused by Frosted Flakes by his players moments after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 20-14 in the Sun Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sun Bowl canceled amid COVID-19 concerns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the first time in 86 years, the Sun Bowl is going dark.

Sun Bowl officials confirmed Monday the game will not take place this December because of COVID-19 concerns. The cancellation was first reported by Stadium.

With the Orange and Sugar bowls, the Sun Bowl is tied for second-longest running bowl game — behind only the Rose Bowl. The game in El Paso, Texas, had been played for the past 85 years dating back to 1935, and this year was scheduled to feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12.

The Rose Bowl has been played every year since 1916, and this season is scheduled to host a CFB national semifinal, as is the Sugar Bowl, with the National Championship Game in Miami.

The decision makes the Sun Bowl the ninth bowl game to be canceled this season. Others that have been scrapped include the Pinstripe Bowl, Fenway Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Bahamas Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, Redbox Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl and Celebration Bowl.

Last season, Arizona State rallied for a 20-14 win over Florida State in the Sun Bowl. The Sun Devils had six takeaways in the victory.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2019; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) and defensive backs Caden Sterns (7) and B.J. Foster (25) in the first half against the Utah Utes at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Longhorns lose another standout, as Sterns opts out

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Just hours after Texas Longhorns coach Tom Herman said he anticipated no more players to opt out for the final two games of the regular season, another of his starters declared he was leaving the team Monday. The school announced that junior defensive back Caden Sterns will forgo the remainder of the 2020 season to enter the NFL Draft.

One day earlier, left tackle Sam Cosmi opted out to prepare himself for the draft, and Herman said on the Monday morning Big 12 conference call that he wished Cosmi “nothing but the best.” Herman went on to say that he didn’t expect any similar announcements because “they would have happened already.”

Yet later in the day, as the 17th-ranked Longhorns (5-3, 4-3 Big 12) prepare for Saturday’s game at Kansas State, the school issued a statement from Sterns, a co-captain and three-year starter, which said in part, “it is time for me to follow my lifelong dream and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.”

In seven games this season, Sterns recorded 52 tackles, tied for second most on the team. In Saturday’s last-minute loss to Iowa State, which effectively ended the Longhorns’ Big 12 championship chances, Sterns led the team with 13 tackles.

Sterns made a splash as a highly touted freshman in 2018, being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. For his career, he started 28 games and was credited with 173 tackles and five interceptions.

Yet unlike Cosmi, Sterns is not widely projected as a first-round choice.

“I’ll always look back at my time in Austin as some of the best years of my life, especially with my teammates who have become my brothers,” Sterns’ statement said. “I want to thank Coach (Tom) Herman, Coach (Chris) Ash and all of my coaches for guiding me in taking my game to the next level and all they’ve done for me throughout my career at UT.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; A prerecorded message from Alabama head coach Nick Saban is shown on the big screen at Bryant-Denny Stadium before the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Mandatory Credit: Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports

Role Tide: Saban back to coach at LSU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama head coach Nick Saban plans to be back on the sideline when the undefeated Crimson Tide visit LSU on Saturday.

The makeup game this weekend was originally scheduled for Nov. 14, but LSU was experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak in its program.

Saban, 69, tested positive for COVID-19 the day before Thanksgiving. By rule, SEC players or coaches can return to the team 10 days after experiencing symptoms and if they have no fever. Saban said Monday he has no fever and thereby sees no hurdles to him being the team’s head coach Saturday.

“I’m feeling fine, so you don’t need to worry about me,” Saban said on Monday. “And just to make it clear, I’ll be evaluated by the medical staff later in the week and they’ll make a determination as to when I come back. But I don’t anticipate any problems in being able to coach the game this week.”

With Saban at home, Alabama beat Auburn 42-13 in the Iron Bowl last week. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian served as head coach.

Alabama is 8-0 and will learn its spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings release Tuesday. At 3-4, LSU is out of the running for a spot in the SEC championship or the playoff.

Alabama could secure its ticket to the SEC title game on Dec. 19 with a victory and a Texas A&M loss, but the Crimson Tide could still have a makeup game with Arkansas next week.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback D'Wan Mathis (2) gets ready to pass the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Georgia won the game 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia QB Mathis enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Georgia season-opening quarterback D’Wan Mathis has entered the NCAA transfer portal, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said Monday.

Mathis, a redshirt freshman, went 8-of-17 passing for 55 yards and one interception against Arkansas on Sept. 26 before being replaced during the game by junior Stetson Bennett.

In recent weeks, Southern California transfer JT Daniels has emerged as the starter with Mathis falling to fourth on the depth chart.

Mathis didn’t travel for Georgia’s 45-16 rout of South Carolina last Saturday, leading to heavy speculation that his time with the team was ending.

“As far as D’Wan goes, he’s handled everything first class. He didn’t want to be a distraction for the team,” Smart said. “He was hurt and disappointed things came out before the game. He wanted to handle it the right way and have it come out (Monday) when he entered the portal. I’m excited about his future.”

Smart said he tried to persuade Mathis to stay with the Bulldogs.

Mathis redshirted last season after undergoing emergency surgery for a brain cyst in May 2019.

Mathis saw action in three games this season and completed 12 of 30 passes for 89 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

The No. 9 Bulldogs (6-2, 6-2 SEC) host Vanderbilt on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2020; Columbia, MO, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores kicker Sarah Fuller (32) before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hunter Dyke/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

SEC names Fuller a special teams player of the week

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Sarah Fuller made history over the weekend.

She received some league-wide recognition for her achievement on Monday.

Vanderbilt’s Fuller, who became the first woman to play during a regular-season game in one of college football’s Power 5 conferences when she took the opening kickoff in the second half against Missouri on Saturday, was named one of the SEC’s special teams players of the week.

Fuller, the starting goalkeeper for the Commodores’ women’s soccer team, executed a squib kick that traveled 30 yards and was downed at the Missouri 35-yard line during the Tigers’ 41-0 win. Her opportunity came because several of Vanderbilt’s specialists were unavailable due to COVID-19 protocol.

Fuller became the third woman to play in a Division I college football game, following in the path of kickers Katie Hnida (New Mexico, 2003) and April Goss (Kent State, 2015).

Florida punt returner Kadarius Toney shared the special teams player of the week honor with Fuller.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers head coach Will Healy during the first quarter of the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday’s Western Kentucky-Charlotte game canceled

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A rare Tuesday morning college football game has fallen victim to a not-so-rare 2020 problem.

Western Kentucky’s game at Charlotte was canceled as a result of COVID-19 testing within the 49ers’ program.

It was originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28, before being postponed to Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET.

“We had high hopes that we would be able to play,” Charlotte athletic director Mike Hill said in a statement released Monday. “We are disappointed for both teams and appreciate WKU and Conference USA for having worked with us to accommodate the unusual game date and time.

“We’ll continue to follow the advice of our medical professionals as they guide us to the safest outcomes for our student-athletes, coaches and staff. We also recognize that having not played a game since Oct. 31 creates uncertainty for everyone involved. We will continue to make decisions with our student-athletes’ desires and best interests at heart.”

The schedule for Charlotte (2-3, 2-1 C-USA) has been in constant flux this season. Games against North Carolina, Georgia State, Florida International, Middle Tennessee, Gardner-Webb and Marshall were either canceled or postponed. The 49ers have not played since a 53-19 loss at Duke on Oct. 31.

Tuesday’s game was the last one on the schedule for the Hilltoppers (4-6, 3-3).

Hill said the status of Charlotte’s game this Saturday against Florida International will be determined following the results of upcoming tests at both schools.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (73) blocks Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) during the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Texas won 41-34. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma State OL Jenkins declares for NFL draft

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Oklahoma State right tackle Teven Jenkins declared for the 2021 NFL Draft on Monday and will skip the rest of the season.

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound redshirt senior is projected to be the Cowboys’ first offensive lineman taken in the first round since Russell Okung (No. 6 overall) by the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.

Jenkins did not play Saturday when No. 23 Oklahoma State (6-2, 5-2 Big 12) defeated visiting Texas Tech, 50-44.

“This past week has left me with a lot of decisions to make for my future and family,” Jenkins posted on social media. “With this being said, I have decided to forgo the rest of the season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.”

Jenkins started the first seven games this season and appeared in 44 games (35 starts) since 2017. He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors from the league’s coaches in 2018 and 2019.

–Field Level Media