Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs Wake Forest on December 22, 2018. Photo by Austyn McFadden / fi360 News
Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs Wake Forest on December 22, 2018. Photo by Austyn McFadden / fi360 News
Birmingham, AL – It was a hard fought battle in Birmingham that ended with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons winning 37-34 over the Memphis Tigers, making them the 2018 Jared Birmingham Bowl Champions.
This was anything but an easy win for Wake Forest. After a 97 yard kickoff return by Tiger’s Tony Pollard to put Memphis up 28-10. Wake Forest answered back with quarterback Jamie Newman scoring a touchdown with 7:09 remaining in the half. With 5:33 remaining, Newman once again rushed for 17 yards to put up 7 more points for the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest made sure Memphis knew the fight was not over, going into the half only trailing 4 points.
Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs Wake Forest on December 22, 2018. Photo by Austyn McFadden / fi360 News
Wake Forest Cameron Glenn stated “we’ve been down before during the year. We don’t let the other team making plays effect us. Nobody got down on themselves.”
Both teams came out fighting in the third quarter and while neither team was able to get in the end zone, Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba sealed two field goals for the Demon Deacons, putting them ahead of the Tigers 30-28.
The motivation from both teams continued to show in the fourth quarter. With just 1:15 remaining in the game, Memphis took the lead 34-30 with a touchdown by Patrick Taylor. It would have appeared that the game was over as Newman was sacked in Wake Forest’s own territory. Newman answered back with a 49 yard pass to Alex Bachman, putting Wake Forest in scoring territory. After another 20 yard pass to Bachman, Newman dove into the end zone, scoring and putting Wake Forest in the lead, 37-34. Memphis was determined to win, but ultimately came up short after a missed field goal attempt by kicker Riley Patterson.
Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs Wake Forest on December 22, 2018. Photo by Austyn McFadden / fi360 News
Jamie Newman, MVP of the game, was a powerhouse for the Demon Deacons. While it was only his fourth start of the season, Newman rushed for 91 yards and passed for 328 yards and came up big for his team.
“Our offensive line did a great job of blocking today. I give all the credit to my offensive line and my teammates” said Newman of his new MVP status.
“We really have amazing guys here and it’s awesome to coach them” said head coach Dave Clawson. This win was the third bowl victory in a row by the Demon Deacons, making history for the university.
Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs Wake Forest on December 22, 2018. Photo by Austyn McFadden / fi360 News
Southern Utah vs USC men's basketball at Galen Center on December 21, 2018. Photo by Rick Guerra / fi360 News
Southern Utah vs USC men’s basketball at Galen Center on December 21, 2018. Photo by Rick Guerra / fi360 News
Los Angeles, CA – USC basketball coach Andy Enfield earned his 100th victory with the Trojans as they dominated Southern Utah, 91-49, Friday night at the Galen Center. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for USC.
The 49 points allowed tonight were a season low and USC had a season-high 24 assists. The Trojans improved to 6-6 with one more non-conference game left on the schedule.
“It feels great,” Enfield said. “We played well tonight. We’ve been on the road and it’s been a tough stretch. It’s nice to play well on both sides of the ball tonight.”
Southern Utah vs USC men’s basketball at Galen Center on December 21, 2018. Photo by Rick Guerra / fi360 News
Junior forward Nick Rakocevic led USC with 21 points while Bennie Boatwright scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
“I was being aggressive, imposed my will and scored,” Boatwright said. “I like seeing the ball go up to the rim. When we get stops, we play better on offense because we get out on transition.”
USC utilized a 13-2 run to open a big lead against Southern Utah and scored 11-straight points to take a 30-12 lead with five minutes left in the first half.
Southern Utah vs USC men’s basketball at Galen Center on December 21, 2018. Photo by Rick Guerra / fi360 News
Southern Utah trailed by 19 points in the first half before coming back to make it a 39-25 game at the half.
“Southern Utah is a very dangerous team,” Enfield said. “We played well on defense and held them down. They’ll have a good season, they can score.”
USC outscored SUU 52-22 on points in the paint and recorded a season high 11 steals which led to a 33-12 advantage on points off of turnovers. Southern Utah had an opponent-high 24 turnovers.
Southern Utah vs USC men’s basketball at Galen Center on December 21, 2018. Photo by Rick Guerra / fi360 News
The Trojans next game will be against UC Davis at the Galen Center on Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
Karrisa Mclaughlin driving to the basket for 2 of her 23 during the Bradley Braves vs Purdue Boilermakers game at Mackey Arena on December 21 , 2018. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Bradley Braves vs Purdue Boilermakers game at Mackey Arena on December 21 , 2018. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue’s women handed Bradley’s basketball team its first loss of the season with a 74-61 win at Mackey Arena.
The Lady Boilermakers (9-4) dominated the first half of the game, finishing the first quarter 29-10 and the half at 52-29. Karissa McLaughlin, Purdue’s starting guard, landed 3-3 outside the circle and 5-9 for two-point field goals to end the second period. The second half saw Bradley cut a 26 point deficit down to 11, but would never catch the home team.
“I thought our first half was really solid,” Purdue’s Sharon Versyp said after the win. “The second half, we got into foul trouble and that allowed them to make those runs when we weren’t moving on offense like we did.”
Lady Brave Gabi Haack only netted nine points in the first two periods, but her performance in the latter half drastically improved for Bradley. She would finish the game with 22 points, just one behind McLaughlin’s 23.
Bradley Braves vs Purdue Boilermakers game at Mackey Arena on December 21 , 2018. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
“We needed to be in attack mode, especially in the third quarter,” Versyp stated. Bradley outscored Purdue 20-10 in the third, but still trailed by thirteen points. Purdue missed all six of the 3s taken here. As both teams put up 12 in the final period, the Boilers could end their three game week off with a win.
On the shooting side, percentages varied but baskets did not. Both teams shot 26 for two and six for three, but Bradley’s shooters were 3/6 from the foul line while Purdue went 16-19.
Versyp said that her team had recovered from the 73-82 2OT loss against South Carolina and could now enjoy the holidays. “Everybody needs to take a good break, take a chance to home. We’ll be back on the 26th and we need a good break. These kids have had a tough stretch and I’m really proud of them.”
Bradley Braves vs Purdue Boilermakers game at Mackey Arena on December 21 , 2018. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Purdue starts conference play next Friday as Ohio State brings its women’s team to West Lafayette.
Buffaloes standing tall during the Colorado vs Colorado State football game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CU on August 31, 2018. (Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News)
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mel Tucker speaking at a press conference. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
MEL TUCKER NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT COLORADO
Adding his Staff fast
Boulder, CU – Mel Tucker, who has spent the last three years as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the University of Georgia, has been named the 26th full-time head football coach at the University of Colorado, athletic director Rick George announced on Wednesday 5th.
Tucker will begin work immediately and will not coach Georgia in the Sugar Bowl against Texas on New Year’s Day.
“Colorado has always been a place that I thought should be relevant in the national championship conversation year-in and year-out, because of its tradition and a seemingly endless list of what the school has to offer,” Tucker said. “What we have to offer are some of the best facilities in the country, strong academics, and an amazing environment as a whole. Colorado should be a ‘no excuse’ program. There’s absolutely no reason we can’t achieve success at an extremely high level.
“I can remember when Colorado was dominant with players like Kordell Stewart, Rashaan Salaam, Chris Hudson, Darian Hagan, Alfred Williams and others,” Tucker continued. “Colorado always had difference makers and was very dynamic on both sides of the ball. That’s the imprint instilled in my mind when it came to CU. My plan is to continue to restore that tradition and make sure that Colorado once again becomes an elite national program. There’s not a better place in America to live, to coach and go to school.”
Tucker enjoyed a tremendous run at Georgia, where he was instrumental in the Bulldogs compiling a 32-9 record along with winning the school’s first Southeastern Conference championship in 12 years when UGA defeated Auburn in the league’s 2017 title game. One of the staff’s top recruiters, 247Sports.com ranked him as the No. 14 recruiter in the nation based off the class he helped UGA sign ahead of the 2018 season.
Tucker’s contract is a five-year agreement. It provides for an annual base salary of $500,000 and supplemental salary of $1.9 million. The contract provides Coach Tucker an opportunity to earn incentives for the student-athletes’ academic and on-field performance.
Colorado Buffaloes assistant coach Jay Johnson offensive coordinator at a press conference. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
Colorado Buffaloes assistant coach Tyson Summers defensive coordinator at a press conference. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
Tucker is bringing two of his colleagues from the University of Georgia in naming Jay Johnson offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and Tyson Summers as defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Johnson spent the last two seasons handling Georgia’s quality control for offense, while Summers did the same this past fall for the defense. But between the two, they have a combined 34 years of coaching experience (14 as coordinators).
Tucker also announced that three coaches off Mike MacIntyre’s previous staff will be retained, Darrin Chiaverini, Ross Els and Darian Hagan. All three will continue to coach the same positions they did under previous head coach Mike MacIntyre: Chiaverini the receivers, Els the inside linebackers and Hagan the running backs.
Colorado Buffaloes assistant coach Chris Kapilovic o-line at a press conference. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
Colorado Buffaloes assistant coach Jimmy Brumbaugh d-line at a press conference. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
Chris Kapilovic will coach the offensive line and also serve as the run game coordinator, while Jimmy Brumbaugh will tutor the defensive linemen.
Tucker has now filled seven of the 10 assistant coaching positions, as he has hired four coaches new to Colorado while retaining three from Mike MacIntyre’s staff. He plans to fill the other three vacancies over the holidays and have a full staff intact by early January.
DXL Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs Ohio on Wednesday December 19, 2018. Photo by Michael Lark / fi360 News
DXL Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs Ohio on Wednesday December 19, 2018. Photo by Michael Lark / fi360 News
Frisco, TX – The Ohio Bobcats defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 27-0 in the third ever Frisco Bowl. Offensive MVP A.J Ouellett rushed for 164 yards on 29 carries. Nathan Rourke would add in 44 yards and two touchdowns rushing and one touchdown pass as the Bobcats rolled past the Aztecs.
Coach Rocky long said after the game that there were a handful of players sent home earlier this week. “I don’t know if that had anything to do with the outcome of this game but we had to send some kids home because they didn’t want to follow the rules.”
The Aztecs finished the 2018 season 7-6 after losing their last four games and five of their last six after starting the season 6-1. “We lost a lot of our best players. We played 23 freshmen in one game,” Long said on the team struggles down the stretch.
DXL Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs Ohio on Wednesday December 19, 2018. Photo by Michael Lark / fi360 News
It was an uncharacteristic defensive performance for the Aztecs. Since 2015, they ranked third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (111.3) and second in rushing yards per attempt (3.2). In this game, they gave up 215 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per rush.
The Bobcats have won back to back bowl games for the second time in school history. They defeated UAB 41-6 last year in the Bahamas Bowl. This was also the fourth bowl win in Ohio school history.
Bobcats coach Frank Solich became the oldest coach in college football after Bill Synder retired from Kansas State. “I’m not feeling like the oldest coach,” Solich said after the win.
DXL Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs Ohio on Wednesday December 19, 2018. Photo by Michael Lark / fi360 News
The lone bright spot offensively for San Diego state was junior running back Juwan Washington. He rushed for 129 yards but he did fall one yard short of 1,000 yards rushing for the season. “I’m sure a lot of guys wanted me to get it but it doesn’t matter,” Washington said on not reaching 1000 yards rushing.
The Bobcats have won at least nine games in back to back seasons and have six nine win seasons under 14 year head coach Frank Solich.
DXL Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs Ohio on Wednesday December 19, 2018. Photo by Michael Lark / fi360 News
The Bobcats finished off 2018 winning six of their last seven games, outscoring their opponents by 199 points during that stretch. Only Clemson had a better point differential after October 20th (246).
This was the largest margin of defeat (27) for the Aztecs. The previous high came week one against Stanford when they lost 31-10.
DB at USC Trojans PAC-12 football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday October 13, 2018 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
–GREG BURNS, PART OF USC FOOTBALL’S 2003 AND 2004 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STAFFS, RETURNS AS SECONDARY COACH
LOS ANGELES–Greg Burns, the secondary coach on USC’s 2003 and 2004 national championship football teams whose subsequent stops included the NFL and three other Pac-12 schools, is returning to the Trojan staff as the secondary coach, USC head coach Clay Helton announced today (Dec. 17).
USC Trojans at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 2, 2017. (Photo by William Johnson / fi360 News)
Burns, 46, has been a defensive backs coach all 21 years of his career, including in 2018 at Oregon State.
He coached 10 future NFL players at USC: Troy Polamalu, Terrell Thomas, Darnell Bing, Will Poole, Eric Wright, Kevin Thomas, Cary Harris, Kevin Ellison, John Walker and William Buchanon.
Before coaching this past season at Oregon State, Burns spent 3 years (2014-16) at California. The Golden Bears played in the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl.
He was at Massachusetts in 2013 and also served that season as a co-defensive coordinator in the Senior Bowl. He spent 2012 at Purdue, which played in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Burns was at Arizona State for 4 seasons (2008-11). The Sun Devils led the Pac-10 in pass defense in 2009. ASU played in the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl. Before that, he spent 2007 at Kansas State.
He was with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006, as Ronde Barber was a Pro Bowl selection.
Burns spent 4 years at USC (2002-05), as the Trojans finished atop the Pac-10 each season, went to 2 Rose Bowls and 2 Orange Bowls and won national titles in 2003 and 2004. Polamalu and Bing were All-American first teamers and NFL draft picks, while Poole was an All-Pac-10 first teamer and NFL draftee. USC was ninth nationally in pass efficiency defense in 2004.
Burns handled the cornerbacks at Louisville the previous 4 years (1998-2001). The Cardinals were 18th nationally in pass efficiency defense and had 20 interceptions in 2001 (the team went 11-2 and won the Liberty Bowl). In 2000, Louisville led the nation in interceptions (27) and was 20th in pass efficiency defense. Anthony Floyd (2000-01) and Antonio Roundtree (1998) earned All-Conference USA first team honors. Louisville also played in the 1998 Motor City Bowl, 1999 Humanitarian Bowl and 2000 Liberty Bowl.
He was the cornerbacks coach at Idaho in 1997, as the Vandals intercepted 13 passes.
In 1996, he was an academic counselor at Washington State.
Burns was a 4-year letterman (1991-93, 1995) and 2-year starter as a defensive back at Washington State, earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors in 1992 when the Cougars won the Copper Bowl. He had 9 career interceptions, with 5 coming in 1992 (including 2 against USC). He missed the 1994 season with torn knee ligaments and his 1995 season was cut short by a shoulder injury.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1995 and a master’s degree in counseling psychology in 1997, both from Washington State.
He was on the football and track teams at Dorsey High in Los Angeles, Calif.
He was born on Nov. 9, 1972. He and his wife, Crystal, have 3 sons: Cristopher, 15, Carter, 11, and Cooper, 8. His brother, Dexter, was a defensive back at San Jose State in the mid-1990s.
(All hirings are contingent upon completion of USC employment policies and procedures.)
UCS Trojans vs Oklahoma Sooners basketball game on December 15, 2018. Photo by Shane Cossey / fi360 News
UCS Trojans vs Oklahoma Sooners basketball game on December 15, 2018. Photo by Shane Cossey / fi360 News
Tulsa, OK – The USC Trojans (5-5), were unable to put up the points needed as OU’s consistently stout defense held them to 34.8% from the floor with 23 out of 66 attempts, while the OU trio of Christian James, Miles Reynolds and Brady Manek each scored well into the double digits.
The Oklahoma Sooners (9-1) were 49.2% (30 of 61) from the floor. Lead by a season best by Reynolds of 20 points. The first time this season that anyone scored that many in a game that was not Christian James.
“I just credit my teammates finding me and getting me some good looks,” said Reynolds after the game, attributing his performance to the help of his teammates.
UCS Trojans vs Oklahoma Sooners basketball game on December 15, 2018. Photo by Shane Cossey / fi360 News
James had a strong game of his own, contributing to the stifling defense with 15 rebounds. Thirteen of which being defensive. This added to Oklahoma’s strong defensive showing of 44 rebounds, forcing 18 turnovers with 7 steals.
James also contributed 16 points to make this his 3rd double double in a row.
Forward Brady Manek would make the third Oklahoma player in double digits with 15 points.
USC Forward Nick Rakocevic put up a double double of his own with 17 points and 15 rebounds with Jonah Mathews and Jordan Usher adding 11 and 10 points respectively.
UCS Trojans vs Oklahoma Sooners basketball game on December 15, 2018. Photo by Shane Cossey / fi360 News
After Oklahoma jumped out to early 10-2 lead, Southern Cal mounted it’s only lead of the game, with a Jordan Usher jumper and a Rakocevic free throw to make it 12-14 at the 9:58 minute mark of the first half.
The Sooners answered quickly with a 9-0 run and pushed the lead to 40-28 at the half.
USC came out of the half with a stronger showing to pull within 4 to make it 51-47 with 13:51 left. That resurgence came to an end with a nearly 7 minute Sooners’ run were they outscored the Trojans 22 to 7 to make it 73-54 with 6:48 left . The Trojans were unable to mount another threat the rest of the game.
“Oklahoma is a very good team, but we beat ourselves in this one,” said USC coach Andy Enfield of the tough going at the neutral, but still in Oklahoma, site. “We missed too many easy shots, particularly in the post.”
This is USC’s third loss in a row to teams that are off to strong starts to the season. The records of the last three opponents adding up to 24-2. USC travels next to Santa Clara to face the SCU Broncos (5-6) Tuesday Dec 18 at 7PM PST.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 15: Fresno State Bulldogs running back Ronnie Rivers (20) runs for a gain during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 15: Fresno State Bulldogs running back Ronnie Rivers (20) after getting player of the game in the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
Las Vegas, NV – Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers carries home the winning trophy. He racked up the MVP honor after scoring 2 touchdowns and rushing for 214 yards in the Fresno State 31-20 victory of Arizona State.
The Fresno State Bulldogs (11-2) faced off against the Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5) in the Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl on the opening Saturday to kickoff the 2018 Bowl season.
Fresno State opened the game with its Run pass option (RPO) offense. The quarterback has the option to run or pass depending on the defensive scheme. Fresno State Marcus McMaryion mixed the run and pass, eventually connecting on a 26 yard play to wide receiver KeeSean Johnson. That set up the their first points with a 39 yard field goal.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 15: Fresno State Bulldogs running back Dejonte O’Neal (11) runs for a gain during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
Arizona State star receiver N’Keal Harry elected to forego the game to focus on the NFL Draft. Running back Eno Benjamin came to play an entered the contest with 1,524 rushing yards, only needing 42 more yards to set the school single-season record.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 15: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs the ball during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
This Bulldogs top 15 defensive unit only allowed 3.6 yards per carry and seven rushing touchdowns, tied for the fewest in the FBS.
Benjamin rushed for 118 yards in the game and completed a drive with an elusive 17 yard run for a touchdown in first half.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 15: Arizona State Sun Devils running back Eno Benjamin (3) runs the ball for a gain during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
Fresno State defensive back Tank Kelly intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown, the 3rd longest in Las Vegas Bowl history. This slowed to Arizona State offense with another turnover.
Fresno State running back Rivers sparked his team with two consecutive rushes totaling 34 yards. That ignited a 9 play 75 yard scoring drive, capped off McMaryion scramble for 9 yards as he vaulted into the endzone and 17-14 lead.
The postgame celebration was filled with the fanfare and speeches that you would expect from a victor. Fresno’s Head Coach Tedford praised his team for overcoming their 3 turnovers. He stated, “I’m most proud of the team that was able to produce two consecutive double digit winning seasons after being 1-11.” The Mountain West needs to prepare for the Bulldogs because they have yet to hit their full stride.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 15: Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Tedford receive the trophy after the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
This standoff was led by two legendary coaches, both of whom had tenure with the NFL.
Two years ago, Fresno State Head Coach Jeff Tedford took over a 1-11 program. Tedford quickly turned around the program, producing two consecutive double digit winning seasons and being crowned the 2018 Mountain West Champion.
Arizona State first year Head Coach Herm Edwards, formerly with the New York Jet’s, led the Sun Devils to second in the Pac 12, with three upset wins against Michigan State, USC and Utah.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 15: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs the ball during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs on December 15, 2018 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
Fresno State offense was too potent to be denied the trophy. The Bulldogs had 436 total yards offense, compared to the Sun Devils 293 yards.
New Mexico Bowl 2018: North Texas Mean Green vs Utah State Aggies on Saturday December 15, 2018. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
New Mexico Bowl 2018: North Texas Mean Green vs Utah State Aggies on Saturday December 15, 2018. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
Albuquerque, NM- The Utah State Aggies winning the New Mexico Bowl in style along with tying a school record 11 wins. North Texas Mean Green had no real answer to put points on the board in 52-13 loss on opening bowl season Saturday.
Utah State quarterback Jordan Love took control right from the start to set the tone for a team in coaching turmoil. Love threw for 359 yards 4 touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown and an interception.
Aaron Vaughns kicked game open scoring his second touchdown of the game with 37 yard curl route, to follow up his opening drive 72 yard touchdown catch.
New Mexico Bowl 2018: North Texas Mean Green vs Utah State Aggies on Saturday December 15, 2018. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
With one coach leaving Utah State to a new school, an Interim coaching the game while new head coach watches from afar.
“So happy for all of these players – especially the seniors,” said director of athletics Utah State John Hartwell, “The chemistry with this group was something special.”
The Aggies jumped out to 28-7 led in second quarter.
New Mexico Bowl 2018: North Texas Mean Green vs Utah State Aggies on Saturday December 15, 2018. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
USC graduate transfer Jalen Green joins the party with 67 yard touchdown catch making the score 35-7 with over 8 minutes left in the half.
“We all we got!,” said defensive MVP Utah State DJ Williams
Utah State gave up their first points of the game in 1st quarter after keeping North Texas offense on the field with two personal foul penalties. The Aggies made a great third down when quarterback Mason Fine tweaked his hamstring running after the pocket broke down. Next came the roughing punter penalty and new life. Few plays later a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive again.
New Mexico Bowl 2018: North Texas Mean Green vs Utah State Aggies on Saturday December 15, 2018. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
North Texas used three different quarterbacks in first half after Fine injury trying to create a spark for his offense. Fine didn’t return to action in the second half.
Utah State ground game had Gerold Bright rush 103 yards, 2 touchdowns and Darwin Thompson rushed for 93 yards.
Gary Anderson will return as the new Aggies coach in time for earlier signing period. This will be Anderson second stint with Utah State. He first arrived in 2009 coaching for three seasons before being plucked away.
New Mexico Bowl 2018: North Texas Mean Green vs Utah State Aggies on Saturday December 15, 2018. Photo by Laura Domingue / fi360 News
The Utah State Aggies are the 2018 New Mexico Bowl Champions.
“11 wins and a ton of great memories,” said Hartwell, “Thanks Men!”
Led by 2018 Player of the Year Tua Tagovailoa, top-ranked Alabama has six players on the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Teams, the 129th honored by the organization. The nation’s oldest All-America squad was announced on The Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Show.
In all, 29 different schools from 10 conferences (including independents) were represented on the All-America First and Second Teams (a total of 50 players selected). Alabama has four First Team honorees, and two on the Second Team. LSU has four All-Americans (3 First Team, 1 Second Team), while three Clemson players were named to the First Team. Overall, the Southeastern Conference had the most honorees (15), followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference (9) and Big Ten (8).
The Walter Camp All-America teams are selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision schools and certified by Marcum LLP, a New Haven-based accounting firm. Walter Camp Football Foundation President Michael Madera was pleased with the voting participation.
“Once again, we had more than 80 percent of the FBS schools participate in this year’s voting,” Madera said. “We are very appreciative of the continuing cooperation of the head coaches and sports information directors in our annual effort to honor the nation’s most outstanding college players.”
Leading the First Team offensive unit is Tagovailoa, a sophomore quarterback who was also selected the 2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year. Second in the nation in passing efficiency (202.3), Tagovailoa has passed for 37 touchdowns and 3,353 yards to lead a high-scoring Crimson Tide offensive unit, one that averages 47.9 points per game.
Joining Tagovailoa in the backfield are the junior Darrell Henderson (Memphis) and sophomore Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin). Henderson has rushed for 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Taylor has rushed for a nation’s leading 1,989 yards and has scored 15 touchdowns.
Senior Andy Isabella (Massachusetts) and sophomore Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) are the wide receivers. Isabella, who leads the nation with 141.5 receiving yards per game, has 102 catches for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Jeudy has 59 catches for 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The tight end is Jace Sternberger (Texas A&M). Sternberger has 47 receptions for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Aggies this season.
On the offensive line, junior Jonah Williams (Alabama) is joined by a trio of seniors – Ben Powers (Oklahoma), Beau Benzschawel (Wisconsin) and Mitch Hyatt (Clemson). Hyatt was a Second Team All-America honoree last season. Senior Garrett Bradbury (North Carolina State) is the offensive center.
Placekicker Andre Szmyt (Syracuse) earns First Team honors after converting 28-of-32 field goals and all 57 of his point-after-kicks this season for the Orange.
Leading the defensive unit is senior Christian Wilkins (Clemson), who was a Second Team All-American last season. Wilkins has 45 tackles and five quarterback sacks from his defensive tackle position. Wilkins is joined in the defensive interior by his Clemson teammate Clelin Ferrell, a junior defensive end, sophomore Quinnen Williams (Alabama) and junior Ed Oliver (Houston). Oliver is a repeat First Team All-America honoree.
Senior Josh Allen (Kentucky), who has 84 tackles and 14 quarterback sacks for the Wildcats, leads the linebacker corps. Allen is joined by juniors Devin White (LSU) and Devin Bush (Michigan). Bush was a Second Team All-American in 2017.
In the defensive secondary, senior DeAndre Baker (Georgia) is joined by junior Julian Love (Notre Dame) and sophomore teammates from LSU, Greedy Williams and Grant Delpitt.
The punter is junior Braden Mann (Texas A&M), who averages a nation’s leading 51.1 yards-per-punt. The kick returner is sophomore Savon Scarver (Utah State), who averages 34.1 yards per kickoff returns and has returned two for touchdowns.
Second Team Notables
Receiver David Sills V with a catch during the Kansas vs West Virginia game in Morgantown, WV on September 8, 2018. (Photo by Ed Thompson / fi360 News)
Leading the Second Team is junior quarterback Kyler Murray (Oklahoma). Murray has passed for 4,053 yards and 40 touchdowns for the fourth-ranked Sooners. Wide receiver David Sills (West Virginia) is a repeat Second Team honoree. Sills has caught 61 passes for 896 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Mountaineers.
Junior defensive end Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) is honored again after earning First Team accolades a year ago. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky (Utah) is a Walter Camp All-American for the third straight year. Wishnowsky earned Second Team honors a year ago and was a First Team selection in 2016.
Members of the 2018 Walter Camp All-America team and other major award winners (Distinguished American-Archie Manning, Man of the Year-Mike Golic, and Perseverance Award-Jake Olson of USC), will be honored at the organization’s national awards banquet, presented by David McDermott Lexus of New Haven, on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Yale University’s Lanman Center.
Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients.
2018 Walter Camp All-America Teams
First Team Offense
Pos. Name, School Hgt Wgt Class Hometown
WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama 6-1 192 Soph. Deerfield Beach, FL
WR Andy Isabella, UMass 5-10 190 Senior Mayfield, OH
TE Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M 6-4 250 Junior Kingfisher, OK
OL Jonah Williams, Alabama 6-5 301 Junior Folsom, CA
OL Mitch Hyatt, Clemson # 6-5 310 Senior Suwanee, GA
OL Ben Powers, Oklahoma 6-4 313 Senior Wichita, KS
OL Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin 6-6 315 Senior Grafton, WI
C Garrett Bradbury, N. Carolina State 6-3 300 Grad Charlotte, NC
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama 6-1 218 Soph. Ewa Beach, HI
RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin # 5-11 221 Soph. Salem, NJ
RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis 5-9 200 Junior Batesville, MS
PK Andre Szymt, Syracuse 6-1 195 Fresh. Vernon Hill, IL
First Team Defense
Pos. Name, School Hgt Wgt Class Hometown
DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson & 6-4 315 Grad Springfield, MA
DL Quinnen Williams, Alabama 6-4 295 Soph. Birmingham, AL
DL Ed Oliver, Houston * 6-3 292 Junior Houston, TX
DL Clelin Ferrell, Clemson 6-4 265 Junior Richmond, VA
