Sports

11

Nov

By Dorothy Brand

Sports

Saints’ Darren Rizzi Credits Dennis Allen for Helping Him Transition to Interim Coach

Darren Rizzi picked up his first win as an NFL head coach Sunday as the New Orleans Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 20–17, and tasted victory for the first time since September. It was Rizzi's first game in the interim head coaching role for the Saints, who fired Dennis Allen amid the team's seven-game losing streak. That streak was snapped Sunday, in part thanks to the level of help Allen offered Rizzi after his ousting from the organization. Rizzi told SI's Albert Breer that Allen provided plenty of assistance in his transition from special teams coach to interim head coach.…

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27

Oct

By Dorothy Brand

Football

FAMU stays perfect at home, bounces back against rival

Florida A&M (FAMU) bounced back in a big way, securing a 24-6 victory over Southern University at Bragg Memorial Stadium, marking its 22nd consecutive home win. In front of an energized home crowd, FAMU showcased dominance on both offense and defense, controlling the game from start to finish. The game began with Southern striking first. Kicker Joshua Griffin nailed a 50-yard field goal, putting the visitors on the board early. However, FAMU quickly retaliated with a dynamic punt return from Jamari Gassett, who sprinted 43 yards to the end zone, shifting momentum in the Rattlers’ favor. Gassett’s impact continued into…

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27

Oct

By Dorothy Brand

Football

HBCU Football: Norfolk State wins in front of huge crowd

Norfolk State secured a thrilling 21-20 Homecoming win over Howard in front of a sold-out crowd at William “Dick” Price Stadium, showcasing the strength and excitement of HBCU football. This victory, Norfolk State’s (3-6, 1-1 MEAC) first Homecoming win since 2021, came despite Howard’s (3-5, 0-1 MEAC) statistical advantage, with the Bison outgaining Norfolk 371 to 287 in total yards. Howard struck first, as quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins broke free for a 48-yard touchdown, giving the Bison an early edge. Norfolk answered immediately with Jaylen White’s electrifying 97-yard kickoff return touchdown, bringing the crowd to its feet and re-energizing the Spartans.…

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25

Oct

By Dorothy Brand

Sports

COLUMN: Ohio State transfer Carrico brings tough, physical game to Morgantown

MORGANTOWN — There has been so much going on through this first half of West Virginia’s football season that transfer Reid Carrico slipped through a crack with a media that was tied up writing about Penn State and Pitt, about Garrett Greene and Jahiem White and Wyatt Milum, about lost opportunities and lost games and the status of head coach Neal Brown. And that says nothing of a redshirt freshman with the pedigree of a thoroughbred named Josiah Trotter. Under normal circumstances more would have been made of Carrico’s arrival for he came — like Trotter — from football royalty.…

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09

Oct

By Dorothy Brand

Football

Contrasting offenses clash for No. 18 Kansas State, Colorado

No. 18 Kansas State and Colorado square off for the first time since 2010 on Saturday night in Boulder, Colo., in a rivalry that dates back to the Big Eight. The Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) run a high-octane ground attack on offense while the Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0) do their damage through the air. Both teams are coming off a bye week. Colorado is one of five teams with an undefeated Big 12 record and is on a three-game winning streak. Kansas State beat then-No. 20 Oklahoma State 42-20 on Sep. 28. The Buffaloes pulled off a 48-21 upset win…

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03

Oct

By Dorothy Brand

Sports

Princeton, Graham and River View remain in the ranks of unbeatens

This week, the River View football team is the second-rated Class A football team in the WVSSAC and one of three unbeaten high school football teams remaining among the local West Virginia and Virginia schools we keep on our radar. Kudos to head football coach Gary Roach. This kind of altitude in the polls is a program first for the Raiders (4-0) who boast an 8.5 rating behind front-running Tug Valley (11.0 rating), which travels to Tolsia (3-1) this week Unbeaten Princeton Senior High is, of course, the highest-rated of all our area programs, ranked No. 3 in the Class…

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27

Sep

By Dorothy Brand

Sports

WVU players recount glory days in Old Mountaineer Field

EDITOR’S NOTE: This week marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Old Mountaineer Field down on the Mon and we celebrate it with a look back at its history from the beginnings to the players who played there, those who worked there, the games that were played there. TODAY: Playing in Old Mountaineer Field. MORGANTOWN — Many players — from West Virginia’s Mountaineers to such opponents as Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, and others — have left their mark on Old Mountaineer Field since it opened on Sept. 27, 1924, but perhaps the biggest legacy belongs…

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24

Sep

By Dorothy Brand

FootballCollege Football

Kansas football linebacker Cornell Wheeler didn’t practice Monday after Saturday injury

LAWRENCE — Cornell Wheeler has been a critical piece of Kansas football’s defense this fall. Wheeler, a redshirt senior linebacker, is the Jayhawks’ starting MIKE linebacker. He leads the team in tackles. He’s close to being the leader in tackles for loss and pass breakups. But ahead of Kansas’ first Big 12 Conference home game on Saturday against TCU, it’s unclear if Wheeler will be available. During the Jayhawks’ loss on the road against West Virginia this past weekend, he suffered an injury. Should Kansas (1-3, 0-1 in Big 12) win against the Horned Frogs (2-2, 0-1), it might have…

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23

Sep

By Dorothy Brand

Sports

Xavier Brown leads way with 171 yards, Virginia runs over Coastal Carolina in 43-24 win

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) – Virginia’s Xavier Brown ran for 171 yards on nine carries as the Cavaliers ran all over Coastal Carolina for a 43-24 win on Saturday in a rare road game at a Group of Five school. The Cavaliers (3-1) ran for 384 yards, the first time they have gained more than 300 yards in a game since 2018. The three wins match the Cavaliers win total in each of coach Tony Elliott’s first two seasons at Virginia. The Cavaliers haven’t been to a bowl since their 2019 Orange Bowl loss to Florida. “It’s a sign things are…

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20

Sep

By Dorothy Brand

Football

Kansas football vs West Virginia: Scouting report, prediction for Jayhawks’ road game

LAWRENCE — Kansas football will attempt to end a two-game losing streak Saturday on the road against West Virginia. The Jayhawks (1-2) are coming off of a 23-20 loss at home against UNLV. The Mountaineers (1-2) are coming off of a 38-34 loss on the road against Pittsburgh. It’s the first time these two sides have matched up since Kansas won in overtime at West Virginia in 2022. What’s on the mind of Kansas’ coaches ahead of this Big 12 Conference opener? What’s on the mind of the Jayhawks’ players? Ahead of the 11 a.m. (CT) scheduled kickoff, take a…

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