65.5 F
Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Home Blog Page 45

NOTRE DAME’S WATTS IS BRONKO NAGURSKI NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

By
Press Release
-

DALLAS (FWAA) – Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts’ two interceptions off USC quarterback Caleb Williams would have been notable enough in the No. 21 Irish’s 48-20 domination over the No. 10 Trojans. But in addition to scoring those picks off the reigning Heisman Trophy winner that set up Irish touchdowns, Watts also scored one himself on a fumble return that sealed Saturday’s primetime affair. For playing a key role on three of Notre Dame’s six touchdowns, Watts earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Oct. 14, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Players may be added or removed from the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list during the course of the season. If not already on the watch list each week’s honored player, including Watts this week, will be added at that time. Already on the preseason watch list from Notre Dame are linebacker JD Bertrand and cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

Watts, a 5-11, 200-pound senior safety but with junior eligibility from Omaha, Neb., stood out among all defenders Saturday. Watts made seven tackles to go with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. His fumble-return touchdown went 15 yards, and he took his interception returns back 61 yards.

His impact was notable in the transitions on the play-by-play ledger. Both of Watts’ interceptions resulted in Notre Dame touchdowns. The first came on USC’s game-opening drive, and the 38-yard return to the USC 12 led to the Irish’s first touchdown and set the tone for Notre Dame’s commanding defensive play. The next pick came in the second quarter, which he returned 23 yards to the USC 2. Notre Dame scored on the next play. Later in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame forced a USC fumble that Watts scooped up and returned 15 yards for the Irish’s final score. On USC’s final drive, Watts forced a fumble to allow Notre Dame to close the game in victory formation.

Watts and the Irish defense held a USC team that came into the game leading the nation in scoring offense (51.8 ppg) to just 20 points, and USC’s passing offense that was third in the nation (355.2 ypg) gained only 199 yards through the air. On the season, Notre Dame’s defense now ranks third nationally in passing yards allowed (153.1), fourth in team passing efficiency defense (97.49), fourth in red zone defense (0.640), sixth in passes intercepted (9) and seventh in defensive touchdowns (2).

Worth noting for future trivia reference – Watts is the only player to individually intercept Caleb Williams twice in one game in Williams’ college career.

Watts, who began his Notre Dame career as a wide receiver, has been a playmaker and score-maker all season. All four of his interceptions that currently tie for third in the FBS have set Notre Dame up in the red zone and directly led to 24 points. And he now has Saturday’s fumble return touchdown on his ledger as well.

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2012 and is the Irish’s lone winner. Fellow linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was a finalist for the award in 2020, as was cornerback Shane Walton in 2002. The Fighting Irish have had a defensive back earn FWAA All-America status in three of the past five seasons – two-time first-team All-America safety Kyle Hamilton did it in 2020 and 2021, and cornerback Julian Love earned it in 2018, also on the first team.

The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the redesigned NCFAA.org or follow on Twitter at @NCFAA.

Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. For 120 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers, and communities we serve and are passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. We make, sell, and distribute beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 60 million consumers. We are based in the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic portion of the United States. Behind every new flavor and timeless classic is something bigger. Our 17,000 teammates pour their hearts into their work every day. Some say you can’t bottle this kind of passion, but we do it every day for you. At Coca-Cola Consolidated, we strive to fulfill our Purpose – to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence, and to grow profitably. At the core of our culture is a focus on service. Our teammates have a passion for serving each other along with our consumers, our customers, and our communities. We offer a range of nonalcoholic beverage products and flavors, including both sparkling and still beverages, designed to meet the demands of our consumers. Our sparkling, or carbonated, beverages include the trademark Coca-Cola brand and our still beverages include energy products and non-carbonated beverages such as bottled water, tea, ready to drink coffee, enhanced water, juices, and sports drinks.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, North Carolina region. Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a sponsor team of more than 80 companies. The Club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding Citizenship, Scholarship, Sportsmanship, and Leadership of area athletes and coaches. Through individual and corporate support, nearly $3,000,000 has been raised and donated to benefit the Touchdown Club’s scholarship efforts.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

The streak continues in South Bend

By
Jevone Moore
-
Photo by Full Image 360

South Bend, IN- The fans stormed the field after Norte Dame quarterback Sam Hartman (10) took the last knee in victory formation to secure the Fighting Irish a 48-20 victory. This victory makes  5 straight  in row in South Bend. The USC Trojans haven’t won here since October 22, 2011.

Turnovers were a big part of Norte Dame success tonight with three interceptions and two fumbles that all resulted into points on the scoreboard. Safety Xavier Watts (0) intercepted USC quarterback Caleb Williams twice. Watts first one set the tone for the night giving them great field positions to take 7-0 lead and never looked back.

Photo by Full Image 360

Williams was under pressure most of the night which forced him to try and do too much to will his team to points. He threw for 199 yards on 23/37 three interception and one touchdown. The offense just couldn’t get things going in the air or the ground.

“There wasn’t one positive group offensively that was good enough tonight,” said coach USC Lincoln Riley, “We gotta play cleaner, we gotta coach better, we gotta play better, all three sides.”

The Irish defense kept finding a way to get off the field. There defensive front held USC to 103 yards rushing. They sacked quarterback 6 times and countless number of hurries. There leading tackler was JD Bertrand (27) with 6 solo and 2 assist. The game MVP was Watts (0) hands down who also had 6 tackles to go with two interceptions.

Photo by Full Image 360

“Be aggressive,” Freeman said of the defensive front’s approach. “Roll guys, we want to roll guys. I told [defensive line coach Al] Washington, when you see [USC] sub, we need to roll our guys, get some fresh guys in there. We have to have relentless rushers against Caleb Williams, and we were able to do that, and it was a whole group of guys that were able to really get pressure on him.”

Just when USC managed to have a good drive in the 4th quarter and pull within 11 points, Norte Dame answered with a Jadarian Price 99 yards kickoff return. That put all USC hopes to rest.

Photo by Full Image 360

The Irish were ready to play in all phases of the game.  

“In careers when you play for a while and want to play for a while, plays happen like that. Like coach said, you gotta get through, you gotta keep fighting, you gotta be a leader. It starts with the head of the snake and I’ll be better.”

USC now moves to a 6-1 record and will host Utah back at the Coliseum on Saturday Oct 21 at 5pm. Norte Dame  now 6-2 will host Pittsburgh on Saturday Oct 28 after enjoying a bye week to rest up.

Safety Xavier Watts (0) Photo by Full Image 360

Pittsburgh Panthers upset No 14 Louisville for the win

By
Edward Thompson
-

Pittsburgh, PA- The Pitt Panthers upset No. 14 Louisville Cardinals despite a halftime deficit, they scored 24 unanswered points to earn its first ACC win on the season 38-21.

The Panthers defense showed up late but just in time with an 86-yard pick six by M.J. Devonshire to kick start his team. It was a complete turnaround keeping Cardinals scoreless in the second half. Four turnovers on downs swung the momentum.

Photo by Ed Thompson / fi360 News

“The defense was outstanding,” Narduzzi said. “They bent but didn’t break. Three turnovers plus four fourth-down stops, that’s like seven turnovers in my opinion. The fourth-down stops were big time against an explosive offense.”

Now starter Christian Veilleux threw two touchdowns for 200 yards on 12/26 passes having a solid game under center for the Panthers. His 31-yard strike to Konata Mumpfield secured the victory with 3:03 left on the clock in the 4th quarter.

Photo by Ed Thompson / fi360 News

“He just made plays when he needed to,” Pitt coach Narduzzi said. “Our receivers made plays. Our offensive line did a great job. I think we gave up one sack on the day, so they did a good job protecting against that defensive line.”

Cardinals Jack Plummer threw for 350 yards on 29/52 attempts with a touchdown but two costly interceptions that were capitalized on. The running game being held under 100 yards with only 94 yards due to the strong Panthers defense.

Louisville will have a bye to regroup and host Duke Blue Devils on Saturday October 28th. The Pittsburgh will travel to Wake Forest Saturday October 21st at 12:30pm.

The Colorado Buffaloes choke on 29-0 lead to lose in double-overtime

By
Devon Martinez
-
Stanford's Elic Ayomaner makes a touchdown reception over Colorado's Travis Hunter (12) in the first overtime at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Friday October 13, 2023. Stanford won 46 to 43 in double overtime. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).

The Colorado Buffaloes choked on a 29-0 lead and lost in overtime to the Stanford Cardinals for a 46-43 double overtime loss, dropping Colorado to 4-3 on the season.

This is not the first game this season where the team failed to play well in all four quarters. In the past couple of weeks, the team trailed Arizona State heading into the fourth quarter, pulling together a game winning drive with a field goal 12 seconds left. The week before that Colorado lost 48-41 to USC, after falling behind by more than 21 points they cut the gap to seven points with 1:43 left in the match but ran out of time to rally a comeback.  

Even the Buffalo over-time win against Colorado State was plagued by terrible gameplay during key moments during the game.

But this game started different since Colorado played on a high level on all cylinders for the first half. The defense forced the Cardinals to punt on every single drive in the first half, and the Colorado offense scored touchdowns on four of their first half drives.

The team was then outscored in the second 36-10 in the second. To put it in perspective, the Colorado Buffaloes offense scored 29 unanswered points in the first half and only 10 in the second; while the defense allowed nothing in the first half and 36 points in second half, and another 10 points in overtime.

Coach Prime talks to Willie Gaines (20) just prior to kickoff of Stanford at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Friday October 13, 2023. Stanford won 46 to 43 in double overtime. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).

“I am truly upset, I am truly upset, I am truly disturbed… we started off the game wonderfully… 29-0 I believe the score was,” coach Deion Sanders said in the post-game press-conference. “Then we surrender three touchdowns unanswered, which I can’t fathom right now.”

Colorado also committed 17 penalties for 127 yards. Colorado’s defense also allowed Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor to score 294 yards and 3 touchdowns, a record for the most receiving yards against the Buffs with one receiver.

Sanders said he felt like complacency creep into his locker room and the second half is proof of it.

“We come back out and here comes the complacency,” Sanders said. “Here comes that team that I can’t stand, that you you can’t understand how in the world that happens to us, but it did.”

Shader Sanders had another breakout game with 400 yards and 5 touchdowns; however, he was responsible for the game’s lone turnover in double overtime, giving the ball back to Stanford for the game winning field goal.

Stanford’s Tiger Bachmeier (24) is wrapped up by Colorado’s Shilo Sanders (21) in the first quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Friday October 13, 2023. Stanford won 46 to 43 in double overtime. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).

Cornerback and receiver Travis Hunter also had a breakout game offensively with 13 receptions, 140 yard and two touchdowns. But defensively, he allowed several touchdowns and contributed to Ayomanor’s record breaking receiving yards.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (2) scrambles in the first quarte against Stanford at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Friday October 13, 2023. Stanford won 46 to 43 in double overtime. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).

Colorado is heading into a bye week, and after will be on the road against 18 UCLA on Saturday Oct. 28.

Eagles soar to victory above the Rams

By
Christopher Floch
-

INGLEWOOD, CA– The Philadelphia Eagles flew into Sofi Staduum on Sunday, October 8, as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to a 23-14 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. For the Rams, it marked the return of All-Pro wide Receiver Cooper Kupp to the Rams offense, although the Rams were shut out in the second half falling to (2-3) on the season. 

The Eagles are 5-0 for the second consecutive year, the first Super Bowl runner-up to win their first five games of the season since the 1991 Buffalo Bills.  Philly WR A.J. Brown was stellar on this warm, sunny afternoon. 

Brown was the catalyst toward the Eagles taking the lead for good. Getting the ball down, 14-10, with 32 second left in the first half, Brown made a one-handed catch for a 36-yard gain — combined with a 15-yard penalty by the Rams — to get the Eagles to the Rams’ 15. A pass interference penalty got the Eagles to the 1-yard line (on a pass intended for Brown). 

Setting up a first and goal at the Rams 1-yard line with two seconds remaining in the first half.

A quarterback sneak run by Hurts was bold, executed with precision.   Scoring a critical TD to take a 17-14 lead at the half. It was the most important play of the game, setting the tone for Eagles second half.

Including the “Tush Push,” Hurts finished 25 of 38 for 303 yards with a touchdown and an interception, along with 13 carries for 70 yards and a score. Dallas Goedert, who caught a touchdown on the opening possession, finished with eight catches for 117 yards. 

Dallas Goedert was effectively used in Eagles offense for the first time this season. Los Angeles had a difficult time all afternoon covering Philadelphia’s wide receivers.

The Rams  took the lead for the only time in the second quarter, as Cooper Kupp got the Rams deep into Philly territory with a 39-yard catch. That play set up Puka Nacua to give the Rams the lead with a 22-yard catch to put Los Angeles up, 14-10, with 32 seconds left in the first half. 

Los Angeles got eight catches for 118 yards from Kupp in his return and seven catches for 71 yards and a score from Nacua. The Rams were held to just 81 yards in the second, punting the ball three times and having a turnover on downs. Jalen Carter and Haason Reddick each had two sacks for the Eagles, with Reddick having consecutive sacks in the fourth quarter to seal the win. 

LA’s Ahkello Witherspoon made an impressive end-zone interception in the third quarter to keep the Eagles from pulling away, but the Rams’ offense couldn’t capitalize on any opportunity.

On the Rams’ next-to-last possession, Stafford was sacked on consecutive snaps by Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick to annihilate any hope of a Rams comeback. Out of timeouts, the Rams got the ball back with just over a minute left, but couldn’t move the ball.

Stafford competed 21 of 37 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns — one caught by Tutu Atwell, the other by rookie Puka Nacua.

The most glaring stat explaining the loss would be the Eagles held the Rams scoreless through the final 30 minutes after giving up all 14 points in the first half. 

The Rams will look to get back to  .500 next week, as they host the Arizona Cardinals and the NFC West showdown. Kickoff is slated for 1:25 PM.

USC survives an Arizona scare

By
Eric Ramos
-
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 07: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball for a gain during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats against the USC Trojans on October 07, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA – USC’s undefeated season hanged in the balance as Caleb Williams scored on the two-point conversion in the third overtime. The defense secured the victory when Mason Cobb stopped D.J. Williams behind the line of scrimmage.

Williams rushed for three touchdowns to help the Trojans in a 43-41 triple overtime win over Arizona on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“Lanes kept opening up,” Williams said. They kept dropping off. They left me with big lanes. I know I haven’t ran this year much. Don’t really like to run to be honest with you. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 07: Arizona Wildcats running back Jonah Coleman (3) runs the ball for a gain during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats against the USC Trojans on October 07, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw two touchdowns in the first quarter and a 23-yard field goal gave the Wildcats a 17-0 lead. USC went three-and-out on its first three drives and was held scoreless in the first quarter.

“Anytime you go down 17-0, you’ve got a mountain to climb,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “We certainly had a lot of moments where we didn’t play very well in the beginning of the game.”

Williams scored on a 4-yard run and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyron Hudson to cut the deficit 17-14 in the second quarter.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 07: USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) catches the ball for a gain during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats against the USC Trojans on October 07, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

After Arizona extended the lead 20-14 on a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter, USC took its first lead of the game when MarShawn Lloyd scored with a 9-yard run.

USC took a 28-20 lead on a 1-yard run from Williams in the fourth quarter. Fifita threw a 3-yard touchdown pass and Arizona converted the two-point conversion to tie it 28-28.

The Trojans had a chance to win the game at the end. They had a first and goal with 24 seconds left but they couldn’t get into the end zone. A high snap on fourth down forced the holder to get up and USC botched the game-winning field goal, sending the game to overtime.

Williams scored on an 18-yard run in the first overtime. Arizona answered with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Fifita.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 07: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball for a gain during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats against the USC Trojans on October 07, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

In the second overtime, Fifita threw an 8-yard touchdown to Jacob Cowing. USC tied it with an Austin Jones 11-yard touchdown run.

Williams gave the Trojans the lead on a 2-yard run to convert the 2-point play.

“What a college football game,” Riley said. “I give Arizona a lot of credit. I’m not going to make a lot of excuses in any way. They played well, played better than us.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 07: Arizona Wildcats linebacker Justin Flowe (10) hits USC Trojans player and helmet comes off during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats against the USC Trojans on October 07, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

Up next for USC is a rivalry game against No 10 Notre Dame in South Bend.

UCLA Gets past Washington State for the win

By
Gabriel Duarte
-
Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image360

Pasadena, CA – UCLA running back Keegan Jones’ two touchdowns helps the Bruins complete their second half comeback as they drop the 13th ranked Washington State at home 25-17. 

A strong second half performance by the offense helps the Bruins move to 4-1. After dropping the game against Utah last week, this was a good bounce back win in front of a home crowd. 

Jones only touched the ball three times in the game, but he made the most of his two touches down in the red zone. Finding the endzone twice after only touching the ball about once in the previous four games. 

UCLA QB Dante Moore (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image360)


“He’s versatile, He can do a couple of different things,” UCLA head coach Chip Kelly said of Jones.

Defensively, the Bruins were flying all over the field. Washington State quarterback Cam Ward came into the game with zero interceptions thrown, but finished with two on the night as the Cougar offense looked out of sync the whole game. 

Washington State’s offense has been hot to start the season They were averaging around 45 points a game before the game. However, they met a brick wall in the form of the Bruin defense. The front seven of UCLA’s defense in particular really shined as Carl Jones Jr, Laiatu Latu, and the Murphy twins were in the backfield consistently. 

Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image360

Ward never really got comfortable in this one as the pass protection for the Cougars broke down a lot in the second half, which forced Ward to scramble out the pocket more often that not. 

Jones Jr was honest when talking about the team’s performance defensively “For the most part, we did our job. He got frustrated a lot, and we came out with the victory.”

UCLA quarterback Dante Moore struggled in the first half of the game. He threw two  interceptions, including a pick-six to end the second half. He settled down a bit more in the second half, but the Bruins relied heavily on the run game. 

Prior to the game, the Bruins’ were trotting out a running back committee of TJ Harden, Carson Steele and a mix of Anthony Adkins and Colson Yankoff but tonight it was all Steele. He took the ball 30 times, which is a season high, and rushed for 142 yards. Although not scoring at all tonight, Steele was at his best when UCLA needed him. 

Ward back to pass. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image360)

Coach Kelly had nothing but positive things to say about Steele today.

“That kid is as beast…if I’m a defense coach, I don’t know what to do because we schemed it up and we have an unblocked guy that should make the tackle for a gain of three, and then he runs through the guy,” Kelly said of Steele

UCLA moves onto Oregon State next week in Corvallis and looks to put their season back on track with another win. It will be interesting to see if the Bruins hop back into the Top 25 poll after falling out after last week’s loss at Utah.


Inglewood High Clint Stephens (14), Taariq Buddah Al-Ugdah (18), TJ Harden (25), Orion Peters (20), and Justyn Martin. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image360)

Meanwhile, for Washington State, they will look to bounce back with a date with Arizona at home next week. 

Make no mistake: the Colorado Buffaloes are still the most exciting college football team

By
Devon Martinez
-
Colorado's Omarion Millar (14) celebrates his third quarter touchdown against Southern California at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 30, 2023. USC won by a score of 48 to 41. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

Boulder, CO – The Colorado Buffaloes are still the most exciting team in college football despite two straight losses against ranked competitive teams as coach Sanders pushes his athletes while never being happy with the results post-game. The team, despite the losses, is having an impressive season especially after going 1-11 last year.

The 48-41 loss against USC turned heads and the Buffs received a lot of praise for their performance since the team was in 41-14 hole in the third quarter. After 21 unanswered points the team ran out of time as USC went on offence with a minute and 40 seconds left and selected to knee it since Colorado had no timeouts.

Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) is brought down by Southern California’s Bryson Shaw (27) in the second quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 30, 2023. USC won by a score of 48 to 41. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

This was an exciting and fun college football game, but this was not ideal for Sanders and his team. They want to win all four quarters and dominate on all sides of the ball week in and week out.

“You don’t want to do that,” Sanders said, in response to the comeback. “We’re too vulnerable.”

He’s right. The team lost three starters in the secondary including cornerback Travis Hunter, who got injured a couple weeks ago from a late hit in the double overtime CSU match and will more than likely miss the next two games and Shilo Sanders was also out with an injury against USC.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (2) is pursued by Southern California’s Jamil Muhammad (10) in the second quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 30, 2023. USC won by a score of 48 to 41. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

Sanders assured the media that still there are no excuses.

However, the teams’ weaknesses in these losses come from some things the Buffs can’t control right now. The talent that USC and Oregon have at their disposal takes years of recruiting and time to develop. This is not an excuse, Coach Sanders might see it as one, but the 3-2 record already has surpassed what many thought Colorado would accomplish.

USC is ranked #9 in the nation and is undefeated with quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm; the previous Heisman Trophy winner, who finished last season with 52 total touchdowns. He threw for six touchdowns against the Buffs and one interception.

Colorado’s Amari McNeill (88) rushes Southern California’s Caleb Williams (13) in the third quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 30, 2023. USC won by a score of 48 to 41. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

The Buffs defense, despite allowing 48 points, held USC to 0 points in the fourth whenever it mattered most, which was also when they forced the only turnover of the game. A team that can and will always be in the game is a dangerous team.

The offense also scored 41 points in the match including 14 in the final quarter, outscoring USC 14-0. Shedeur Sanders threw for 371 yards and 4tds and he also had rushing touchdown as well.

Southern California’s Michael Jackson III (9) dives for ball just out of his reach in the third quarter against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 30, 2023. USC won by a score of 48 to 41. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

Colorado had 66 more total yards than the Trojans and more rushing yards in the match than any game before. The team also had a higher 3rd down efficiency percentage and more first downs. A missed field goal and an interception killed two drives that would have led to a Buffs victory, so they were only two mistakes away from a win against a strong opponent.

Overall, the Buffs and Buff fans have nothing to worry about with the back-to-back losses. The teams going to win more this season and has already surpassed last year. And with Sanders at the helm, things can only improve with time with years to come.

Da Baby watches pregame activities before Southern California at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 30, 2023. Southern California won by a score of 48 to 41. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

Rams Win Overtime Thriller Against  Colts 

By
Christopher Floch
-

INDIANAPOLIS– Matthew Stafford found Rookie phenom Puka Nacua on the game-winning, 22-yard touchdown pass to Nacua for a 29-23 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, October 1. It’s hard to celebrate the win considering the Rams nearly squandered a 23-0 lead before allowing the Colts to claw their way back into the contest.

With 1:56 remaining, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson connected with tight end Andrew Ogletree from 5 yards out to cut the Rams’ lead to 23-21. Richardson then connected with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for the game-tying 2-point conversion.

In the first half, the Rams were unstoppable. Moving to (2-2) on the season, Los Angeles outscored Indianapolis 20-0 in the first half and led 23-0 midway through the third quarter, then Indianapolis rallied and scored 23 unanswered points.

Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 27 of 40 pass attempts for 319 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Wide receiver Puka Nacua finished with nine catches for 163 yards and one touchdown.

With the final catch of the afternoon, Nacua made the biggest play of his young career. In overtime, a 20-yard completion from Stafford to Nacua quickly moved the Rams near midfield. At the end of the drive, Stafford completed a 22-yard pass to Nacua for the game-winner.

“It was sweet,” said Nacua, of his first NFL touchdown. “I already called my mom and all my siblings, just constant screaming. I think I screamed for maybe 10 minutes straight.”

He now has 39 receptions for 501 yards through four weeks of the 2023 season — both records for an NFL player through his first four career games.It was very encouraging for the Rams to finally find success on the ground. 

Running Back Kyren Williams  finished with 25 carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns for his first 100-yard rushing game of his career, while kicker Brett Maher  accounted for the rest of the Rams’ points going 3 for 5 on field goal attempts and making all of his extra point attempts.

Matthew Stafford overcame a hip injury that left him limping at times Sunday to throw a 22-yard touchdown pass. Stafford was 27 of 40 with 319 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But it was his grit that won this one.

He was injured while being driven into the ground in the third quarter. Following an interception on the next play, he wore a heating wrap around his waist and when he returned to the game was limping noticeably. Twice, he slipped with nobody near him.

And yet, Stafford mustered enough to help the Rams avoid an embarrassing collapse. Nacua had nine receptions for 163 yards.

Up next, the Rams begin a three-game homestand against defending NFC champion Philadelphia next Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Sofi Stadium.

Chargers Defense Saves The Day Over Raiders

By
Christopher Floch
-

INGLEWOOD, CA – The Los Angeles Chargers displayed resilience against their arch rival, the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 1 at Sofi Stadium. Knocking off the Raiders 24 to 17- the Silver and Black made a late comeback but an interception by Asante Samuel Jr. has the Bolts at a mark of (2-2).

Khalil Mack has tallied a Chargers single-game record six sacks against the Raiders. The veteran linebacker’s latest one ended what started as a promising-looking drive for the Raiders coming off an interception.

Mack is only the fifth player in NFL history to have six sacks in a game. It must have been Sweet Revenge from the former Raider to dish out punishment against his former team.

It got personal in the second quarter as a cheap blow to Justin Herbert nearly caused a brawl.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery was disqualified from Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers after he delivered a hit on quarterback Justin Herbert out-of-bounds.

Herbert took the snap in the second quarter and was looking down the field. He shook defensive end Maxx Crosby and got around him. Herbert decided to tuck the ball and run, and Tillery was headed right for him.

Tillery shoved Herbert to the ground and tempers flared. The veteran defensive lineman was swarmed by Herbert’s teammates on the sideline and had to be pulled out of there by his own teammates.

Expect a suspension for Tillery. The Chargers and Raiders have always had a fierce rivalry. They have been in the same division for 63 years.

Similar to last week’s victory over the Vikings, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley’s fourth down gamble failed. In both cases, the Bolts defense saved the day with crucial interceptions.

On the other side of the ball, Justin Herbert finished 13-of-24 passing for 167 yards and one score, as the Chargers hung on to improve to .500.

The Chargers scored on four of their first five drives to build a 24-7 halftime lead before the Raiders rallied to make it close. Las Vegas was driving for the tying touchdown when Asante Samuel Jr. picked off Aidan O’Connell’s pass at the Chargers 2-yard line with 2:33 remaining.

Herbert completed a 51-yard pass up the left sideline to Joshua Palmer on third-and-10 from the Chargers 11 to ice the game.

The Chargers won their second straight despite playing without three defensive starters — safeties Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman and linebacker Joey Bosa.

Not to mention All-Pro Running Back Austin Ekeler, who hasn’t suited up since week one.

After all these setbacks, it’s inspiring to see the team still go out and earn a hard victory and not make excuses.

Daniel Carlson’s 22-yard field goal got Las Vegas within two touchdowns late in the third quarter. Jacobs went up the middle on fourth-and-goal from the 1 to get the Raiders within 24-17.

Anytime the Chargers and Raiders face off, it inevitably comes down to the final possession.

Next week, the charger have a well-deserved bye week. Next up is America’s Team the Dallas Cowboys. Los Angeles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football on Monday, October 16.

1...444546...204Page 45 of 204

Recent Stories

Full Image 360

Full Image 360

Follow us on Instagram @fullimage360/

fi360 News
Contact us: editor@fi360news.com

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© @fi360News powered by Full Image 360