Fresno State players celebrate their 31 to 24 victory over UTEP in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Albuquerque, NM – Fresno St Bulldogs showed that team leadership is enough to win it’s 10th win of the season in the New Mexico Bowl defeating UTEP Miners 31-24.
“For any program, getting 10 wins, it’s a big deal,” said Lee Marks, the Bulldogs’ interim coach, “It hasn’t happened a whole lot in our program, to be honest with you. But it happened today. Again, that’s huge for our program moving forward.
Fresno State running back Jordan Mims (7) is chased down by UTEP cornerback Torey Richardson (8) in third quarter of the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Jordan Mims leads Fresno State with 165 yards & 2 touchdowns while also hauling in 5 catches for 71 yards. Mims lined up in wildcat to score and at running back being a nightmare for UTEP defense to keep track of.
Fresno St defense stopped UTEP 4th quarter surge forcing a fumble with 4:00 left in the game. This stop kept the score that would become the final 31-24.
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener (9) throws in second quarter against UTEP in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
The Bulldogs quarterback Jake Haener was 26 of 41 passes for 286 yards and surpassed the 4,000-yard mark for the season. Haener is only the third quarterback in school history to hit that mark.
UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison kept the Miners in the game throwing for 252 yards with a touchdown, an interception and costly fumble. Hardison was 12/27 on the day.
Tight end Trent Thompson was a key target scoring 2 touchdowns with 52 yards receiving for the Miners.
UTEP tight end Trent Thompson runs for a touchdown in fourth quarter against Fresno State in the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Haener hit 8 different receivers spreading the ball around to keep things fresh.
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind for the Bulldogs, losing their coach to Washington Huskies. That also had quarterback position in limbo until Athletic Director Terry Tummy hired Jeff Tedford to replace DeBoer.
UTEP running back Ronald Awatt (22) is tackled by Fresno State defensive backs Emari Pait (25) and L.J. Early (27) in third quarter of the PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday December 18, 2021. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Now the Bulldogs will build off this season and get to work under Tedford to keep this current success going.
The Portland Timbers host the MLS Cup vs NYFC on December 11,2021 at Providence Park. (Photo by Evan Luecke/Fi360News)
PORTLAND, OR – After five consecutive playoff appearances, New York City FC finally got over the hump and took home their first MLS Cup trophy Saturday. Despite an electric-charged Portland crowd, New York FC defeated the Timbers 1-1 (4-2) on penalty kicks at a rainy Providence Park.
Both sides came out aggressive, committing 17 penalties in the first period, but struggled to get good looks offensively. Portland committed a foul in the 40th minute that set up a free kick for Maximiliano Morales, which was found by 2021 Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos for NYCFC’s first goal of the day.
After a slow first period, Portland attacked NYCFC and their goalie Sean Johnson more in the second but didn’t find success there either. It looked like NYCFC would defeat the Timbers in regulation as they led 1-0 heading into the 90th minute, but 4 minutes of stoppage time proved to be all Portland needed to keep their hopes alive. With 3:53 of stoppage time played, Felipe Mora scored on a rebound tying the match at 1 and sending them to overtime. Mora’s goal is the latest-recorded regulation goal in MLS Cup final history.
Looking for their second star and first championship in front of a home crowd, Portland was hoping for their storybook ending in extra time. That moment of magic almost came to light as fan favorite and all-time Timbers’ great Diego Valeri got an open look early in extended time but missed high.
The Portland Timbers host the MLS Cup vs NYFC on December 11,2021 at Providence Park. (Photo by Evan Luecke/Fi360News)
Neither team was able to score in extended time, so the match was decided with penalty kicks where an impressive performance by Sean Johnson gave NYCFC the edge. Valentin Castillanos stepped up big again for New York City, scoring on the first penalty kick. Johnson then gave New York City Football Club the advantage by saving Portland’s first two penalty kicks from Felipe Mora and Diego Valeri and would defeat the Timbers in the penalty kick shootout 4-2.
The Portland Timbers host the MLS Cup vs NYFC on December 11,2021 at Providence Park. (Photo by Evan Luecke/Fi360News)
Seattle, WA – The Kraken losing streak would extend to three games following their December 11th contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Seattle would go into the third period down 4-1, roaring back to send the game into an overtime period. Columbus would not allow Seattle to complete their quest for a comeback, as Jake Bean would net the winner just 55 seconds into that overtime period.
Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News
There are two sides to look at in this game, and it really comes down to the good and the bad. To start with the bad, the second period as a whole was an absolute nightmare for Seattle. The first goal from Columbus was a nice shot that Grubauer could have gotten a glove on, but the three that followed were all defensive lapses. A turnover that the Blue Jackets take advantage of and catch the Kraken sleeping, getting in one on one and two on one situations. Continued errors that the Kraken are making remain evident, and they come in a group of three all in that second period. The overtime goal was no different, as Marcus Johansson would screen his own goaltender, leaving Jake Bean with an even easier shot after you factor in that he was wide open.
The positives to take away from this game would be Seattle’s start, and their resiliency. The first period saw the Kraken apply heavy pressure to Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, but none of the shots would make it into the net. Even in the beginning of the second period, Seattle was the one starting off hot. They did not finish that quarter well, and head coach Dave Hakstol had some thoughts about the way the period played out.
“In the second period we gave up some goals that were just too easy. We have to make Columbus fight harder for those, and we didn’t do that… I liked the way that we started in the first period, and even starting off that second period,” Hakstol recalled. “We came out in the third period and played an outstanding period.”
Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News
The Kraken did not bow their heads and give this game away, starting the third period off with a power play goal, an improvement over their power play struggles as of recent. Morgan Geekie would beat Merzlikins in a one-on-one situation, and Vince Dunn would beat the Columbus goaltender as well with a missile from the right faceoff circle to tie the game up and bring the fans inside Climate pledge arena to a roaring applause. Staying in the game and battling back is something that Morgan Geekie spoke about, and what it says about the team.
“I think it speaks to how much our group is growing as a team… I think we did a good job of pushing back. I think it’s a step in the right direction,” the young center stated.
These sorts of steps are ones that will probably include growing pains, but they are crucial to this team reaching sustained success sooner rather than later. Outside of the mental lapses defensively, Seattle dominates this game and we don’t have to worry about overtime. Similar to those big wins against top teams, this should be a building block game for the Kraken going forward. Resiliency and early offensive attack are two things that this team should keep as the season progresses.
Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News
The Seattle Kraken look to rebound in their next game on Tuesday, December 14th against the San Jose Sharks on the road with a 7:30PM PST puck drop.
Seattle, WA – The Winnipeg Jets would be the newest team to take advantage of the version of Kraken hockey that we have seen the most this season: A defense that is sloppy with the puck, allows goals early, and can’t take advantage on the power play. The past two losses have encapsulated the majority of Seattle’s season, and it remains to be seen if Seattle can get over its own mistakes.
The first period woes continued when Carson Soucy would turn the puck over behind the Kraken net, and Winnipeg’s Paul Stastny would find a streaking Dominic Toninato to give the Jets the lead just over five minutes into the game. After the early goal, Seattle seemed to settle down and start to put some pressure on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The game from there would be a goaltender battle, as Grubauer and Hellebuyck would trade great save after great save.
The second period provided no scores, just a period full of the Kraken putting pressure on but not able to convert, even with numerous power play opportunities. Just 47 seconds into the final period, Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele would draw in three puck watching Kraken skaters and fire a pass to a wide-open Kyle Connor to extend the Jets lead to 2-0. Despite being down two goals, Philipp Grubauer made several saves to keep Seattle within striking distance. And as the rest of the game had gone, Hellebuyck held Seattle out of the goal. With a little over five minutes left Kyle Connor would take the puck past the Kraken defense, who looked like they were asleep, and put the third and final goal into the net for the nail in the coffin.
For a team that had its defense talked up heading into the season, Seattle has not lived up to it. As has been seen and said by those who have followed the Kraken this year, turnovers in their own zone, puck watching, and not being in position have all doomed this team this year. Perhaps, if the Seattle offense was putting up three to four goals a night, then it would not be such a glaring issue. That has also not been the case, with the power play lingering near dead last in the league for the majority of the year. In tonight’s case, Seattle came away with nothing on five power play attempts, and really never got a solid attempt off on any of them.
The team needs to find a way to get better consistently on the defensive end, and just stay more consistent as a whole. The talent is there, and that was shown when the team beat Edmonton, Florida, Carolina, and Washington in a seven-game span. Head coach Dave Hakstol, goaltender Philipp Grubauer, and captain Mark Giordano all shared their insight on what they think needs to get better moving forward.
“One of our standards is competing… we have competition (at the defenseman lines), it’s not just young guys that are competing for spots and opportunities. You want that competition but you don’t want guys to be jittery when they’re in the lineup and worried about that. We just hope that the six guys in the lineup are feeling good about their preparation and that their confident to do the job on that given night,” Hakstol remarked prior to this game. With players like Lauzon and Fleury being scratched from this game, changes on the defensive lines could be coming.
“I think every night it’s about execution, it’s not just one game. Adapting and learning how to take what the other team gives you and what’s not there for us… Just gotta execute plays and be on top. Reading the situation and being smart about what we do,” is what goaltender Philipp Grubauer had to say about what he saw wrong with the past two games.
Captain Mark Giordano was asked about the Kraken not being able to score on the league’s second worst power play kill, and said this “They were aggressive and they were blocking shots. When they didn’t, their goalie made some big saves. We just have to sharpen up, we were a little guilty of not being quick enough on the power play… we gotta learn how to win those ones and play in those games.”
The Kraken will look to snap their losing streak on Saturday, December 11th against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Climate Pledge arena. Puck drop is at 7PM PST
Coach Whittingham on the sideline. Photo by Jevone Moore
DALLAS (FWAA) – The Football Writers Association of America, in conjunction with the Allstate Sugar Bowl, announced a record 13 finalists for the 2021 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday. Among the finalists are one former winner, three returning finalists from 2020, all four coaches competing in this season’s College Football Playoff, as well as four other coaches with teams playing in New Year’s Six Bowl games. Ten of the finalists led their teams to conference championships.
In alphabetical order the finalists are: Blake Anderson, Utah State; Dave Aranda, Baylor; Luke Fickell, Cincinnati; Thomas Hammock, NIU; Jim Harbaugh, Michigan; Billy Napier, Louisiana; Pat Narduzzi, Pitt; Nick Saban, Alabama; Kalani Sitake, BYU; Kirby Smart, Georgia; Jeff Traylor, UTSA; Mel Tucker, Michigan State; and Kyle Whittingham, Utah.
Saban is the dean of the 13 finalists as a two-time winner and now eight-time finalist. Fickell, who faces Saban in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl in a College Football Playoff semifinal, and Sitake were finalists last season. Harbaugh faces Smart in the other national semifinal, at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31. Narduzzi takes on Tucker in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Hammock faces last year’s Eddie Robinson Award winner, Jamey Chadwell of Coastal Carolina, in the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl. Aranda will lead his Baylor team into New Orleans to face Ole Miss in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
“The Allstate Sugar Bowl is honored to remember a Louisiana legend by sponsoring the FWAA Coach of the Year Award named after Coach Robinson,” said Ralph Capitelli, Sugar Bowl Committee President. “In addition, we have the opportunity to give recognition to the best college coaches in the nation each year. We look forward to presenting the trophy to the winner in Indianapolis next month.”
The 13 finalists have been placed on a ballot which has been sent to the entire FWAA membership today. The 2021 recipient will be announced on Mon., Dec. 20. The official presentation will be at a reception Sat., Jan. 8, in Indianapolis prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
“We have a well-balanced group of finalists, geographically positioned across the country and coaches from all sizes of schools,” said FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson. “Congratulations to all of the finalists for the great seasons they have had during the 2021 season.”
The FWAA has presented a coaching award since the 1957 season when Ohio State’s Woody Hayes was named the first recipient. The FWAA coaching award was named after the late Robinson, a coaching legend at Grambling State University for 55 seasons, in 1997.
A closer look at the 2021 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year finalists:
Blake Anderson, Utah State: Anderson, a first-time finalist, guided Utah State (10-3) to one of the best turnarounds in the nation in 2021 (plus-nine wins thus far) with the Mountain West Conference title in tow following a 1-5 record in 2020. Utah State faces Oregon State in the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl presented by Stifel on Dec. 18. Picked to finish fifth in the Mountain Division in the preseason, the Aggies recorded 10 wins for just the fourth time in school history and became the first FBS team since 2013 to post a 7-0 road record. Anderson is the only first-year head coach out of 19 in the FBS to win 10 games. He is Utah State’s second all-time finalist and first since Gary Andersen in 2012.
Dave Aranda, Baylor: In Aranda’s second year the Bears (11-2) patiently pushed their way to the Big 12 title, tying for the country’s second-best turnaround with nine more wins following a 2-7 season in 2020 and will now face Ole Miss in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2022. Picked eighth by media in the preseason, Baylor relied on Aranda’s strength – defense – as the Bears held opponents 11.6 points below their averages. A year after being last in rushing, the Big 12 rushing leaders are one of six teams with three wins over ranked teams this season. Aranda is the second finalist in the last three seasons for Baylor (Matt Rhule, 2019). Grant Teaff is the school’s only previous winner from 1974.
Luke Fickell, Cincinnati: Fickell returns as a finalist from 2020 after leading the Bearcats (13-0) to an historic College Football Playoff bid, a first for a so-called Group of 5 school. The American Athletic Conference champions are the No. 4 playoff seed and one of two teams to rank in the top 10 nationally in both scoring offense (8th, 39.2 ppg) and scoring defense (t-4th, 16.1). Cincinnati, 22-1 the past two seasons, has set school records for points (510) and touchdowns (70) and faces Alabama in the CFP semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. Cincinnati, which had Brian Kelly as a finalist in 2009, has never had an Eddie Robinson Award winner.
Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois: Hammock and the Huskies (9-4) won the Mid-American Conference with a ‘worst-to-first’ season with another nine-game improvement following an 0-6 record in 2020. NIU won seven games by one score or less – four of them by two points or less – before easing past Kent State 41-23 last week for their fifth MAC title of the last 11 seasons. The nine wins are NIU’s most since 2014 as they head into the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl to face Coastal Carolina. Hammock is NIU’s second all-time finalist, joining Dave Doeren in 2012.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: Harbaugh guided the Wolverines (12-1) to their first Big Ten Championship Game with a resounding 42-27 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State, then earned Michigan its 43rd Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff with a runaway 42-3 win over Iowa in the title game. Michigan has the nation’s top turnaround thus far with 10 additional wins heading into the Capital One Orange Bowl CFP semifinal following a 2-4 record in 2020. The Wolverines returned to the top 10 in the national polls for the first time since late 2019 at midseason and have remained in the top 10 for 10 consecutive weeks. Harbaugh is Michigan’s first finalist since 2011. Bo Schembechler won Michigan’s only FWAA Coach of the Year award in 1969.
Billy Napier, Louisiana: Napier, a first-time finalist and the first in Louisiana’s history, guided the Ragin’ Cajuns (12-1) to a school-record 12th straight win and a Sun Belt Conference championship last week only days after accepting the head coaching position at Florida. Napier was named SBC Coach of the Year as Louisiana broke its 54-year-old win-streak record and won the SBC’s West Division for a fourth consecutive season behind a defense that gives up only 18.7 points per game (13th in FBS). Louisiana faces Marshall in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 18.
Pat Narduzzi, Pitt: Narduzzi led the Panthers (11-2) to their first 10-win season since 1981 and their first Atlantic Coast Conference title since joining the league in 2013 with a 45-21 win over Wake Forest in last week’s ACC title game. Narduzzi sparked one of the country’s top passing combos with All-America candidates Kenny Pickett (ACC and school-record 42 touchdown passes) throwing to Jordan Addison (national-best 17 touchdown receptions). Pitt faces Michigan State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30. Narduzzi is Pitt’s first finalist since the award began naming finalists in 2010. Johnny Majors won the FWAA Coach of the Year Award at Pitt in 1976 and 1973.
Nick Saban, Alabama: The achievements run long on Saban’s ledger with the Eddie Robinson Award as the top-seeded Crimson Tide (12-1) prepare to face Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl in the CFP semifinals Dec. 31. Alabama won the SEC Championship Game last week, blowing past the nation’s top defense and formerly top-ranked team, 41-24 over Georgia. Saban is a two-time winner (at Alabama in 2008, at LSU in 2003) and is one of Alabama’s two previous winners along with Gene Stallings in 1992. He is now an eight-time finalist, earning the designation in five of the last eight seasons.
Kalani Sitake, BYU: Sitake is a repeat finalist from 2020 following a season in which the Cougars (10-2) posted five wins over Pac-12 schools, including a 26-17 win over Pac-12 champion Utah, as well as wins over Mountain West Conference champion Utah State and Virginia. BYU running back Tyler Allgeier is tied for the national lead with 20 rushing touchdowns and the Cougars’ offense is ranked in the top 30 in 12 different categories. Sitake, also a finalist for entry into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame this year, is a former player under Lavell Edwards, who is BYU’s only previous Eddie Robinson winner from 1984.
Kirby Smart, Georgia: The Bulldogs (12-1) owned the No. 1 spot in the polls and the College Football Playoff rankings for most of the season prior to the SEC Championship Game. Smart still guides the nation’s top scoring defense giving up only 9.5 points per game as the No. 3-seed Bulldogs head into the CFP semifinals to face Michigan in Miami Gardens, Fla. Georgia, averaging 39.4 points (seventh nationally), is 4-1 against ranked teams including a pair of top-10 wins, and is only the fourth team in school history to finish the regular season undefeated. Smart was also a finalist in 2017 and Georgia’s third overall. Vince Dooley won the FWAA Coach of the Year Award in 1980.
Jeff Traylor, UTSA: Traylor took the Roadrunners (12-1) to new heights – their first C-USA West Division title, a win in their first Conference USA Championship Game (49-41 over WKU). UTSA had an 11-game win streak to start the season and has its winningest season yet heading into its Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl berth to face San Diego State. The Roadrunners also made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff and both national polls, topping out at 15th in the AP poll. Running back Sincere McCormick is having another All-America caliber season, rushing for 1,479 yards with 15 touchdowns. Traylor is a first-time finalist and the first in UTSA’s history.
Mel Tucker, Michigan State: The Spartans (10-2) were darlings of the Big Ten heading into November, posting an 8-0 start (following 2-5 in 2020) and competing for the Big Ten East Division title. Tucker rode the legs of Kenneth Walker III, the Big Ten Running Back of the Year with 1,636 yards to date and MSU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2014, into the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl to face Pitt on Dec. 30. Tucker is MSU’s first finalist since 2015. Duffy Daugherty won the Spartans’ only FWAA Coach of the Year Award in 1965.
Kyle Whittingham, Utah: Whittingham, a finalist from the 2008 season, became Utah’s (10-3) all-time wins leader (143) while earning the Utes’ first Pac-12 Championship since joining the league in 2011 with its runaway win over Oregon. After a 1-2 start, Utah has won 9 of 10 games going into its first Rose Bowl appearance where it will take on Ohio State. Utah’s defense ranks fourth in the FBS in tackles for loss per game (7.6) and is 12th in team sacks (3.17). Whittingham, Utah’s only previous finalist, is preceded by Urban Meyer, the Utes’ only previous winner, from 2004.
The Eddie Robinson Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 28 national champions, 99 Hall of Fame players, 51 Hall of Fame coaches and 19 Heisman Trophy winners in its 87-year history. The 88th Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic is scheduled to be played on Jan. 1, 2022 between Baylor and Ole Miss. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1.6 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards and clinics. Through these efforts, the organization supports and honors thousands of student-athletes each year, while injecting over $2.7 billion into the local economy in the last decade. For more information, visit AllstateSugarBowl.org.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Oregon State Beavers against the USC Trojans on September 25, 2021, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)
Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Drake London, USC Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year: Devin Lloyd, Utah Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Jayden de Laura, Washington State Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Junior Tafuna, Utah Coach of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Kyle Whittingham, Utah
SAN FRANCISCO – The Pac-12 has announced the 2021 Football Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva, as well as its All-Conference honors and yearly recognitions as voted by the league’s 12 coaches. First team honors were nearly even across the Pac-12 North (15) and Pac-12 South (14), as South Division Champion UTAH led the way with six honorees, followed by North Division Champion OREGON with five. In total, across both first and second team selections, Utah led the way with 10 honorees, followed by UCLA (nine), Oregon (seven), and ARIZONA STATE (six) with all 12 schools represented.
Offensive Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Drake London, WR, USC London, a pre-season All-American, finished tops in the conference in both receptions (88) and receiving yards (1,084) despite being limited to just eight games after suffering a broken ankle against Arizona. He is the first Trojan to win this award since fellow WR Marqise Lee in 2012. A 2021 Biletnikoff and Maxwell Award semifinalist, London was on pace for breaking Lee’s USC single-season records in both receptions (118) and receiving yards (1,721)
88 receptions are tied for ninth on USC’s season catches list. London had at least 10 receptions in five of the eight games this season and is the first Trojan to twice haul in at least 15 catches in a game. Joins Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree (2007) as the only Power 5 players to have 88 catches through 8 games.
Had six games this season with 100 or more receiving yards including five in a row. The streak was ended by his injury, as the junior had already tallied 81 yards in the second quarter when he suffered the season-ending injury. First Trojan with five straight games with 100 or more yards receiving since Lee in 2012. Only Pac-12 player to reach 1,000 receiving yards this season and did it in the first seven games.
Ranks in the top 20 in Trojans history in receptions (160, 17th) and receiving yards (2,783, 11th).
Named 2021 Midseason All-American first team by the Associated Press, ESPN.com, The Athletic, CBSSports.com, On3.com and the Sporting News. London’s 135.5 receiving yards per game and 11.0 receptions per game would both rank tops in FBS.
Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah Llloyd, a two-time Butkus Award Finalist, leads the Utes with a career-high 106 tackles during the regular season including 22.0 tackles for loss, which was second most in the country. The junior becomes the first Utah player to win this award and just the third Ute to win a Pac-12 annual award after Zack Moss won 2019 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and Ty Jordan won 2020 Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.
Named MVP of the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game, leading the Utes to their first ever Pac-12 championship. Had seven tackles and an interception he returned 34 yards for a touchdown to give the Utes a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. It was Lloyd’s second Pick 6 of the season and third of his career.
Named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, presented by Nextiva, three times this season, the most of any player this season and first to win it three times in a season since Arizona’s Scooby Wright in 2014.
Five games with multiple tackles for loss this season had at least 0.5 TFL in 11 of 13 games this season.
Led Pac-12 linebackers with 8.0 sacks in the regular season after having 8.5 sacks in his first three seasons combined. Career-high 3.0 sacks in win over Arizona State.
Second straight season named first team All-Pac-12, a semifinalist for the 2021 Bednarik Award and a finalist for the 2021 Lott IMPACT trophy
Offensive Freshman Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Jayden de Laura, QB, Washington State de Laura becomes the first Cougar to win this award after finishing the regular season atop the conference in passing yards (2,757) and pass TD (23).
Led the Cougars to their first Apple Cup win since 2012, completing an Apple Cup record 84.3% (27-32) of his passes for the fourth-best completion percentage in WSU single-game history. Had 245 yards passing and another 31 on the ground as de Laura was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Week.
Multiple touchdown passes in eight games this season including a career-high four scores against Arizona.
Named Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week in win over Oregon State when he passed for career-high 399 yards with 3 passing touchdowns.
Defensive Freshman Player of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Junior Tafuna, DT, Utah Tafuna emerged as a force on at defensive tackle, starting the final 10 games of the season. First Utah player to win this award.
Registered 4.5 sacks this season, second most among Pac-12 freshmen.
Named Pac-12 Defensive Line Player of the Week after Utah’s win over Oregon in Salt Lake City.
Had career-high nine tackles at Arizona, the most by a Utes defensive lineman since 2018.
Coach of the Year, presented by Nextiva: Kyle Whittingham, Utah Whittingham takes home his second Pac-12 Coach of the Year award in the last three years after leading Utah to its first ever Pac-12 Championship. He also won the award in 2019 and has been Utah’s only head coach since the school joined the conference.
Became Utah’s all-time wins leader, passing Ike Armstrong, in their Nov. 20 win over then No. 3 Oregon. 144-69 in his tenure with Utes.
Named one of the 13 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award as national coach of the year.
10 or more wins in a season for the sixth time in his career and his third Pac-12 South title in the last 4 years.
One of four active Pac-12 coaches to have won this award multiple times (David Shaw, Chip Kelly, Karl Dorrell).
Has won 19 of his last 22 conference games.
11-3 all-time in bowl games including 2-0 in New Year’s Six bowls (2005 Fiesta, 2009 Sugar).
2021 ALL-PAC-12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL TEAM
First Team Offense
Second Team Offense
QB
Cameron Rising, So., Utah
QB
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Sr., UCLA
RB
B.J. Baylor, R-Jr., Oregon State
RB
Zach Charbonnet, Jr., UCLA
RB
Tavion Thomas, So., Utah
RB
Rachaad White, R-Sr., Arizona State
WR
Drake London, Jr., USC
WR
Calvin Jackson Jr., Gr., Washington State
WR
Kyle Philips, R-Jr., UCLA
WR
Travell Harris, R-Sr., Washington State
TE
Greg Dulcich, R-Jr., UCLA
TE
Brant Kuithe, Jr., Utah
OL
Abraham Lucas, R-Sr., Washington State
OL
Bamidele Olaseni, Sr., Utah
OL
Nick Ford, Jr., Utah*
OL
Braeden Daniels, So., Utah
OL
Sean Rhyan, Jr., UCLA
OL
Kellen Diesch, Gr., Arizona State
OL
Nathan Eldridge, R-Sr., Oregon State*
OL
Alex Forsyth, Jr., Oregon
OL
Jaxson Kirkland, Jr., Washington*
OL
Dohnovan West, Jr., Arizona State
OL
T.J. Bass, Jr., Oregon
First Team Defense
Second Team Defense
DL
Kayvon Thibodeaux, So., Oregon*
DL
Kyon Barrs, So., Arizona
DL
Mika Tafua, Jr., Utah
DL
Thomas Booker, Sr., Stanford
DL
Tuli Tuipulotu, So., USC
DL
Mitchell Agude, Sr., UCLA
DL
Brandon Dorlus, So., Oregon
DL
D.J. Davidson, Gr., Arizona State
DL
Ron Stone Jr., R-Jr., Washington State
DL
Tyler Johnson, Gr., Arizona State
LB
Devin Lloyd, Jr., Utah*
LB
Darien Butler, Sr., Arizona State
LB
Noah Sewell, Fr., Oregon
LB
Drake Jackson, Jr., USC
LB
Avery Roberts, R-Jr., Oregon State*
LB
Nate Landman, Sr., Colorado
DB
Trent McDuffie, So., Washington
DB
Clark Phillips, Fr., Utah
DB
Verone McKinley III, So., Oregon
DB
Kyu Blu Kelly, Jr., Stanford
DB
Kyler Gordon, So., Washington
DB
Quentin Lake, Sr., UCLA
DB
Elijah Hicks, Sr., California
DB
Qwuantrezz Knight, R-Sr., UCLA
First Team Specialists
Second Team Specialists
PK
Dean Janikowski, R-So., Washington State
PK
Camden Lewis, So., Oregon
PK
Parker Lewis, So., USC
P
Kyle Ostendorp, So., Arizona
P
Race Porter, Sr., Washington
RS
Britain Covey, Jr., Utah**
RS
Kyle Philips, R-Jr., UCLA
AP/ST
Stanley Berryhill III, R-Jr., Arizona
AP/ST
Jack Colletto, R-Jr., Oregon State
RS = Return Specialist AP/ST = All-Purpose/Special Teams Player (not a kicker or returner) (*) Two-time first team selection, (**) Three-time first team selection No Tiebreaker: There was a tie for the fifth offensive lineman for first team, so that team is represented with six offensive linemen. There was a tie for the fourth defensive lineman for first team, so that team is represented with six defensive linemen. There was a tie for the second team kicker, so that team is represented with two kickers.
ALL-PAC-12 HONORABLE MENTION ARIZONA: WR Stanley Berryhill III, R-Jr.; K Lucas Havrisik, Sr.; DL Trevon Mason, Sr.; OL Josh McCauley, R-Sr.; LB Anthony Pandy, Sr. ARIZONA STATE: OL LaDarius Henderson, Jr.; TE Curtis Hodges, Gr.; DB Jack Jones, Gr.; DB Chase Lucas, Gr.; WR RIcky Pearsall, Jr.; DB DeAndre Pierce, Gr.; LB Merlin Robertson, Sr. CALIFORNIA: AP/ST Nick Alftin, R-Jr.; LB Marqez Bimage, Sr.; OL Matthew Cindric, R-Jr.; OL Ben Coleman, R-So.; QB Chase Garbers, R-Sr.; LB Cameron Goode, R-Sr.; DB Lu-Magia Hearns, III, Fr.; OL McKade Mettauer, Jr.; RS Nikko Remigio, Sr.; DL JH Tevis, R-Jr. COLORADO: AP/ST Daniel Arias, Jr.; DB Mekhi Blackmon, Jr.; RB Jarek Broussard, So.; DB Christian Gonzalez, Fr.; OL Kary Kutsch, Sr.; DL Jalen Sami, So.; P Josh Watts, Jr.; LB Carson Wells, Jr. OREGON: DL Popo Aumave, Jr.; QB Anthony Brown, Sr.; RB Travis Dye, Jr.; OL Ryan Walk, Jr.; DB Mykael Wright, So. OREGON STATE: DB Alex Austin, R-Fr.; WR Trevon Bradford, R-Sr.; DB Jaydon Grant, R-Jr.; OL Joshua Gray, R-Fr.; K Everett Hayes, So.; OL Nous Keobounnam, R-Sr.; OL Brandon Kipper, R-Jr.; QB Chance Nolan, R-So.; DB Kitan Oladapo, R-So.; TE Teagan Quitoriano, Jr.; DL Keonte Schad, Sr.; LB Omar Speights, So.; DB Rejzohn Wright, Jr. STANFORD: OL Branson Bragg, Jr.; QB Tanner McKee, So.; OL Drake Nugent, Jr.; TE Benjamin Yurosek, So. UCLA: RB Brittain Brown, R-Sr.; OL Paul Grattan, Jr., R-Sr. USC: P Ben Griffiths, R-Jr.; RB Keaontay Ingram, Sr.; LB Kana’i Mauga, Sr.; OL Brett Neilon, R-Sr.; DB Chris Steele, Jr.; OL Andrew Vorhees, R-Sr. UTAH: S Cole Bishop, Fr.; DB Vonte Davis, Sr.; TE Dalton Kincaid, Sr.; OL Sataoa Laumea, R-Fr.; LB Nephi Sewell, Jr. WASHINGTON: WR Terrell Bynum, Jr.; DL Tuli Letuligasenoa, So.; RB Sean McGrew, Sr.; LB Jackson Sirmon, So.; OL Luke Wattenberg, Sr. WASHINGTON STATE: RB Max Borghi, Sr.; QB Jayden de Laura, So.; DB Daniel Isom, Gr.; DL Brennan Jackson, R-Jr.; DB Armani Marsh, R-Sr., WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Fr.; AP/ST Lincoln Victor, Jr.; DB Jaylen Watson, R-Sr.; LB Jahad Woods, Gr.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FWAA) – Will Anderson Jr., a dynamic playmaking linebacker for top-ranked Alabama and a constant nemesis in every opponents’ backfield as the nation’s sack and tackles-for-loss leader, has been named as the recipient of the 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy by the Football Writers Association of America.
Anderson was selected from among two other finalists that also included Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. Anderson is only the second player at Alabama to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, joining defensive end Jonathan Allen in 2016. The Crimson Tide (12-1) have had Bronko Nagurski finalists in nine of the last 11 seasons, most recently nose guard Quinnen Williams in 2018.
The FWAA All-America Committee made the selection of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as part of the 2021 FWAA All-America Team, which will be released on Friday. The official presentation of the trophy was made tonight at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet presented by LendingTree at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The 6-4, 243-pound sophomore from Hampton, Ga., is the primary cog in an Alabama defense that is fourth nationally in rushing defense, giving up 82.9 yards per game. Anderson is versatile in “affecting the quarterback,” a non-statistical term but a favorite of head coach Nick Saban when addressing the media. A force in the backfield, he leads the nation in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (32.5) and added a sack and two TFL’s in this past Saturday’s 41-24 win over previously top-ranked Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
Anderson has had at least one sack in 10 of 13 games and his 92 tackles (53 solo) are second on the team and include and at least one TFL in 12 of 13 games. He has been credited by the Alabama coaching staff with a team-high 38 quarterback pressures this season.
To put his season in finer perspective, Anderson was the 2020 FWAA National Freshman Player of the Year following a stellar season a year ago. But this year’s totals have boosted him to be on pace to reach record territory. Only one player at Alabama – College Football Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas (1985-88) – has averaged more sacks and TFL numbers in his career. Thomas finished his Alabama career averaging 1.06 sacks per game (52 in 49 career games). Anderson, with 22.5 in 26 games, is currently at 0.87 sacks per game with at least one more to play in the College Football Playoff this season. But Anderson leads Thomas’ career TFL numbers currently averaging 1.65 per game (43 in 26 games) to Thomas’ 1.39 (or 68 in 49 games).
Anderson, with 3.5 more sacks, can tie Thomas for the No. 2 spot for single-season sacks (18) in the Alabama record book. His 32.5 TFL’s are already No. 2 behind Thomas’ 39 from the 1988 season.
Anderson was the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week on Oct. 16 following a four-sack game at Mississippi State, the most in a single game since Thomas did it in 1988. He earned the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Week honor five times in 12 weeks and was named one of the Crimson Tide’s permanent captains and one of two defensive players of the year at its team banquet Sunday.
Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama Athletics) Davis, the Georgia defensive tackle who was a fellow Bronko Nagurski finalist and a finalist for three other postseason awards including the FWAA’s Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman, gave Anderson high praise in an interview last week while preparing for the SEC Championship Game.
“He’s a game wrecker,” Davis said. “Watching his film and just seeing him, he’s explosive. He’s definitely one of those guys you have to make sure to keep contained. It’s great to see him play.”
Top-ranked Alabama claimed the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff on Sunday and faces No. 4 seed Cincinnati in the semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31 in Arlington, Texas.
Anderson is the fifth player from the SEC to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, following Josh Allen (LB, Kentucky, 2018), Jonathan Allen (DE, Alabama, 2016), Glenn Dorsey (DT, LSU, 2007) and Champ Bailey (DB, Georgia, 1998).
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 (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
About the Charlotte Touchdown Club The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Since 1990, the club has raised and donated nearly $3 million to benefit area high school and collegiate athletics. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.com). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is touchdownclub.com.
About LendingTree, Inc. LendingTree is the nation’s leading online marketplace that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. LendingTree empowers consumers to shop for financial services the same way they would shop for airline tickets or hotel stays, by comparing multiple offers from a nationwide network of over 500 partners in one simple search and choosing the option that best fits their financial needs. Services include mortgage loans, mortgage refinances, auto loans, personal loans, business loans, student refinances, credit cards, insurance and more. Through the My LendingTree platform, consumers receive free credit scores, credit monitoring and recommendations to improve credit health. My LendingTree proactively compares consumers’ credit accounts against offers on their network and notifies consumers when there is an opportunity to save money. LendingTree’s purpose is to help simplify financial decisions for life’s meaningful moments through choice, education and support.
Baltimore, MD – Kenny Pickett has won the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and A. O. Smith Corporation to the nation’s top quarterback who best exemplifies character, scholastic and athletic achievement. Pickett is the first Pittsburgh Panther to win this prestigious award.
Through 13 games, Pickett has completed 67.2% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, including his five rushing scores. The New Jersey native has totaled 47 touchdowns this season and his passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs and completions are all Pitt records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes, eclipsing the prior mark of 41. Pickett is piloting the country’s No.3 unit in scoring (43.0 points per game) and No. 5 in total offense (502.9 yards per game). The redshirt Senior stands as the Panthers’ all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdown responsibility (102) and passing touchdowns (81). Pickett has 20 career rushing touchdowns, a new standard for a Pitt quarterback. His 4,319 passing yards, 42 passing touchdowns, 47 total TDs and 334 completions are Pitt single-season marks. Finally, he surpasses the school record for career touchdown passes since Dan Marino, who threw 79 during his iconic Pitt career from 1979-82, Pickett has 81 for his career.
U Mass vs Pitt on Saturday, September 4th, 2021. (Edward Thompson / fi360 News)
Pickett’s achievements will be honored on Friday, December 10th, in Baltimore, MD. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and A. O. Smith are happy to be hosting this year’s event at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. The first-ever winner of the Golden Arm Award, Don McPherson, will deliver the keynote remarks at the event. McPherson was an All-America quarterback at Syracuse University and is a veteran of the NFL and Canadian Football League. As captain of the undefeated 1987 Syracuse football team, McPherson set 22 school records, led the nation in passing and won more than 18 national “player of the year” awards, including the inaugural Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best player and was second in the Heisman voting.
Photo by Edward Thompson / fi360 News
The namesake of the Golden Arm Award has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Sharing a tradition of innovation with Johnny Unitas, who invented football’s two-minute drill, A. O. Smith has been an innovator in its industry for more than a century. A. O. Smith offers its customers an additional advantage in that the company designs, builds, distributes and supports the world’s broadest and deepest line of residential and commercial water heaters, as well as commercial boilers. This single-source concept simplifies ordering, installation and service and is backed by 80 years of research and innovation.
To watch our latest video announcing Kenny Pickett as the 2021 Golden Arm Award winner, please click here. For more information on the Golden Arm Award, please visit: Golden Arm Award. Additionally, follow the conversation throughout the college football season on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and use the hashtags #GoldenArmAward and #InnovationLeaders.
About A. O. Smith A. O. Smith Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial water heaters. A. O. Smith offers its customers an additional advantage in that the company designs, builds, distributes, and supports the world’s broadest and deepest line of residential and commercial water heaters, as well as commercial boilers. This single source concept simplifies ordering, installation and service and is backed by 80 years of research and innovation. For the most up-to-date A. O. Smith news, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit http://www.hotwater.com/.
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Kraken were dominated from the get go in their December 6th loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, by a score of 6-1. Pittsburgh kept constant pressure on whoever had the puck for Seattle, and despite some pushes that showed promise, the Kraken had no answers outside of a Jordan Eberle goal with 3:43 left to play in the second period. Coming off of a great win against the Oilers, this was an ugly loss to Pittsburgh with little to no positives to take away.
The first period was a nightmare for the Kraken, with several turnovers behind their own blue line, pucks going off their own players that would ricochet into the net, and play reminiscent of the six-game losing streak just a few weeks ago. Philipp Grubauer would be taken off just five minutes into the game, but it is tough to blame all three of the first period goals on Grubauer.
Down by three goals, Seattle was able to get one back early into the second period on a delayed penalty thanks to Jordan Eberle. Joey Daccord, brought on after Grubauer was taken off, had a good game in goal until things started to fall apart late in the second period. Jake Guentzel would score late in the second period for the Penguins, followed by a Jeff Carter goal just 23 seconds later to extend the lead to 5-1.
Seattle looked like the team from the first few weeks, or from the 7-3 loss to the Avalanche on November 19th. Getting caught puck watching against a veteran team like Pittsburgh will more than likely result in a goal. Turnovers behind your own blue line and not being in the right position defensively were traits that were tied to this team earlier in the season, before the wins against Washington, Carolina, and Florida. Making those sloppy mistakes and going down early set Seattle up for failure, as Pittsburgh plays great defense and has the league’s best penalty kill.
Jordan Eberle, Jamie Oleksiak, and head coach Dave Hakstol would all speak on the factors that made this loss unacceptable.
“I’d like to say we need to learn from that, but that just can’t happen. It’s that simple… We get sloppy on a couple breakdowns, leave our goalie out to dry, and the games over,” said Eberle. Eberle would go on to talk about how this loss could simply be looked at as something that “can’t happen. Just can’t happen.”
Defenseman, and former Penguin, Jamie Oleksiak talked about how crucial it is to play your best game against Pittsburgh, saying “I think it comes down to a matter of details. I don’t think we were ready to go off the hop, the team we were playing against is going to get their chances, and they took advantage of that. I, personally, think I could have had a better start there.”
The game started out rough right from opening puck drop, and head coach Dave Hakstol dove into how that happened, saying “We gave up three on the first four shots. That’s indicative on the start of our team.” Hakstol was asked about Grubauer’s play, and had this to say “I’m not going to speak on any one individual performance… We weren’t sharp to start the hockey game. It is disappointing to come off of arguably our most complete performance a couple of nights ago, it’s disappointing to come out with that type of a start tonight.”
The Kraken will look to wipe this game from their memory and get back on the winning track against the Winnipeg Jets, who come into town on Thursday, November 9th with a 7PM PST puck drop.
NEW YORK (December 6, 2021) – Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young were named finalists for the 87th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy on Monday night (Dec. 6) live on ESPN, announced by 2011 Heisman winner Robert Griffin III. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced during the televised Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan that will air Saturday (Dec. 11) at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Top 10 finishers will be featured on The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Finalists Show Presented by Nissan on Thursday (Dec. 9) at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. This is the third year in a row there have been four Heisman finalists. The Heisman Trophy Trust announced recently it will now officially invite four finalists annually to New York City for the Heisman Trophy weekend. The Heisman Trophy Trust began officially inviting finalists to New York City in 1982. Hutchinson is Michigan’s sixth finalist and the first since fellow Wolverine defensive standout Jabrill Peppers in 2016. He is the second Heisman finalist to play on the defensive side in three years, following Ohio State’s Chase Young in 2019. Pickett is Pittsburgh’s third finalist and its first since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. The other was Craig Heyward in 1987. Stroud is Ohio State’s eighth Heisman finalist and its first since Justin Fields and Young were co-finalists in 2019. Including Dwayne Haskins in 2018, Stroud is the third consecutive Buckeye starting quarterback to become a Heisman finalist. Young is Alabama’s 11th Heisman finalist (and the ninth since 2009), tying Oklahoma for the most of any school. Young’s former Crimson Tide teammates DeVonta Smith (the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner) and Mac Jones were finalists last year. Hutchinson, a senior defensive end and two-time Michigan team captain, was named the 2021 Woodson-Nagurski Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year while earning consensus Big Ten first-team honors. He set Michigan’s single-season sack record with 14, including three against Ohio State in the regular-season finale, while also posting 15 quarterback hurries in that game (as measured by Pro Football Focus College), the most in a single game since the stat has been measured. His 14 sacks are third-most nationally and he has 15.5 tackles for loss. Pickett, a redshirt senior and fourth-year starter, is the ACC’s Overall and Offensive Player of the Year and led the Panthers to the 2021 ACC Championship (its first in school history) and a berth in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. His 4,319 passing yards, 334 completions and 42 touchdown passes are school records while he threw just seven interceptions with a completion percentage of 67.2, leading Pitt to an 11-2 season. He also scored four touchdowns on the ground. Pickett passed for over 400 yards three times, including 419 yards in a win over Miami (Fla.). His 42 TD passes are third-most nationally, his 4,319 passing yards and 350.8 yards per game of total offense are fifth-best and his 333.2 yards per game passing are seventh-best. Pickett stands as the Panthers’ all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112 yards) and career touchdown passes (81). His 20 rushing TDs are the most of any Pitt quarterback. Stroud, a redshirt freshman quarterback and first-year starter, completed 280 of 395 passes for 3,862 yards with 38 touchdowns and just five interceptions, leading the Buckeyes to a 10-2 record. His 182.2 quarterback rating is second-best nationally, his 351.1 passing yards per game are fourth-best, his 38 TDs are fifth-best and his 70.9 completion percentage is sixth-best. The Buckeye offense he directs was No. 1 nationally in total offense (551.4 yards per game) and scoring offense (45.5) and No. 5 in passing offense (364.9). His current quarterback rating (182.2), completion percentage (70.9) and passing yards per game (351.1) are first in Ohio State’s season rankings while his 3,862 passing yards rank second in school history and his 38 touchdown passes rank third. Young, a sophomore and first-year starter, threw for 4,322 yards on 314-of-462 passing (68.0%) with 43 touchdowns and just four interceptions, leading Alabama to a 12-1 record, an 2021 SEC championship and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. His touchdowns are second-most nationally, his passing yards are fourth-most and his quarterback rating of 175.53 is fifth-best. His passing yards per game (332.5) and completions (314) are sixth-most. Young, who also ran for three touchdowns, threw for five TDs in a game three times, including against Arkansas when he also set the Alabama school record with 559 passing yards, breaking a mark that stood for 52 years. He also set SEC Championship records with 421 passing yards and 461 yards of total offense, earning game MVP honors. If Hutchinson were to win the Heisman, he would be Michigan’s fourth winner following Charles Woodson (1997), Desmond Howard (1991) and Tom Harmon (1940). Pickett would be Pittsburgh’s second winner following Tony Dorsett in 1976. If Stroud were to win, he would be Ohio State’s eighth Heisman winner and its first since Troy Smith in 2006. If Young were to win the award, he would give Alabama back-to-back Heisman winners following Smith in 2020. It would also mark the second time in five years a school produced back-to-back winners, following Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018). There have now been 167 players invited to New York as Heisman finalists since the practice was first instituted in 1982 (including the four last year that appeared virtually). The 2021 Heisman Trophy ballots went out to 928 electors, which includes 870 members of the media, our 57 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote presented by Nissan, premier partner of the Heisman Trophy. All ballots were submitted electronically to the independent accountants at Deloitte. A limited number of tickets to the 87th Annual Heisman Dinner Gala are available on www.Heisman.com. # # #
About The Heisman Trophy Trust: The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player in the United States. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission to support amateur athletes and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for The Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or with special needs.
