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USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oregon Ducks among ESPN's top-tier teams going into 2025
With the help of the transfer portal and an expanded College Football Playoff format, there is now more parity than ever before. Gone are the days where the same few teams dominate the field and everyone else is vying for a measly Bowl Game win. One of the many teams these rule changes have helped is the Oregon Ducks, who made the playoffs for the first time in a decade last season en route to the Rose Bowl. Now, after one of the most successful years in program history, the Ducks are hungry for more. David Hale of ESPN recently ranked every FBS program by tiers and Oregon was placed in the 1b tier with three other teams, which is named the best of the rest. There are only two teams in a tier above the Ducks and that is the Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs. Although Oregon has some teams placed above them, Hale mentioned that when an elite SEC coach was questioned about how many true championship contenders there are, he responded with, 'Four. Maybe five.' Conveniently, the Ducks were ranked among the five best teams in the nation, so realistically, they have a great shot at winning the National Championship. After losing so much talent this offseason, they will need to dig deep if they want to win it all. But one thing we've learned since head coach Dan Lanning took over three seasons ago is to never count out these Ducks. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the 25 best Oregon Ducks since 2000: No. 20 — Patrick Chung
Over the last 25 years, the Oregon Ducks have been one of the single best teams in all of college football, sitting near the top of the sport for the better part of a quarter-century. Since 2000, Oregon has compiled an overall record of 239-83 (.742), with just two losing seasons during that span. They've been to 24 bowl games, won three Rose Bowls, been to a pair of College Football Playoffs, and appeared in two National Championships. They've seen a Heisman Trophy winner in Marcus Mariota and had 99 players selected in the NFL Draft. It's safe to say that when looking at the nation's best in this millennium, Oregon belongs in the conversation. But who are the players who helped get Nike University into that conversation? That's a different question entirely. To celebrate the quarter-century mark, we're going to dive into that question over the next month as we approach the start of the 2025 season. The Ducks have had hundreds of memorable and beloved players over the years, many of whom will live on forever in some way. But who is the best of the best? That answer, of course, is subjective. When reviewing the numbers and conducting our research, we took several factors into account: career statistics, overall impact and success, legacy, fan adoration, and NFL success. Boiling 25 years of Oregon football down to 25 players is no easy task, and not one that we took lightly. Dozens of players were left on the cutting room floor who deserve a spot in the top 25, and at some point, subtracting names off the list started to feel like pulling teeth. But in the end, we were left with 25 players, whom we will honor over the next few weeks. If you want to catch up, let's take a look at how we've gotten to where we're at in the rankings: Today, let's continue with No. 20 — the hard-hitting Patrick Chung. Player Overview Patrick Chung was not given a star ranking coming out of high school, but he didn't let that determine his value as a player, making an immediate impact at Oregon. He joined the program right after the turn of the century, when they were still on the upswing and became one of the catalysts of their ascension towards the top of college football. Chung helped take the Ducks to four straight bowl games, winning the final two and cementing themselves as a college powerhouse. They still had not become the consistently elite team they are today, but Chung helped lay the foundation for the future of the program. Patrick Chung Career Stats 51 Games — 384 tackles, 21 TFL, 9 INT Patrick Chung Single Best Season 2007: 13 games — 117 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FF Chung received several honors throughout his career, but it was the 2007 season that graced him with a Second-team All-American selection. His inspired play on the field earned him the recognition from the media and assisted the Ducks in winning their first Bowl Game in six years. This season solidified Chung's status as a top prospect, and Oregon's place as one of the nation's upper echelon programs. Patrick Chung Historical Records Despite playing in the defensive backfield, Chung managed to accumulate the fourth-most tackles in school history with 384. This toughness was also on display in the durability department, where the star safety set a school record by logging 51 starts, the most by a defensive player in team history. Patrick Chung NFL Draft Chung was able to cash in his collegiate excellence and was rewarded with a high draft slot, being selected 34th overall in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Patrick Chung NFL Success Of all the "Pro Ducks" to pass through Eugene, Chung will go down as one of the most successful, as he remained an elite tackler throughout his career and became quite the ball hawk. In 11 seasons, all with the New England Patriots, Chung racked up 778 tackles, 57 passes defensed, and 11 interceptions, winning three Super Bowls and being named to their All-2010s and All-Dynasty teams. Patrick Chung's Lasting Legacy Chung may not have the gaudiest numbers, but at a time when Oregon was still just scratching the surface of the program they would become, Chung was one of the hands molding it. He left the Ducks as one of the most accomplished players to ever pass through Eugene, and that still holds true nearly 20 years later. The legendary defensive back will forever be remembered as one of the founding fathers of Oregon's 21st-century excellence. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mizzou Football's Top 25 Games Since 2000: No. 20-16
Mizzou Football's Top 25 Games Since 2000: No. 20-16 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We're here for the second part of our five-part series highlighting the top Missouri Tigers football games of the 21st century. Today we'll dive into numbers 20 through 16. Advertisement The matchups all make the list for different reasons; some helped shape the program's modern identity while others broke records. But there's one thing that all the games have in common: a Tigers' victory. #20 - November 20, 2021: vs Florida OT Thriller ends in Mizzou victory to secure bowl game eligibility – Mizzou 24, Florida 23 The Tigers hosted unranked Florida with only two shots left at bowl game eligibility. Their last contest was an away game against No. 25 Arkansas, so this was Mizzou's best chance. The teams found themselves in OT at Faurot Field and following a Gators touchdown, the Tigers needed to score. Mizzou RB Tyler Badie found a seam and rushed into the endzone for a 13-yard run. Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz wasn't ready for another round of overtime; he elected to attempt a two-point conversion. Tigers' QB Connor Bazelak found Daniel Parker Jr. in the endzone to win it for Mizzou and secure bowl game eligibility. Florida defensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton (56) chases down Missouri running back Larry Rountree III (34)© Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun via Imagn Content Services, LLC #19 - September 13, 2008: vs Nevada Chase Daniel sets program passing record in blowout victory – No. 6 Mizzou 69, Nevada 17 Advertisement Missouri QB Chase Daniel outclassed Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick en route to a blowout victory during the Tigers' 2008 season. The victory pushed the Tigers to a 3-0 record, and it also helped Mizzou to a Top 5 ranking the following week. Daniel threw for 405 yards and set the program record for passing yards, passing his former teammate Brad Smith who sat at 8,799 career yards. Daniel went on to finish his career with 12,515 career passing yards and still holds the record for the Tigers. #18 - November 12, 2011: vs #21 Texas Gary Pinkel gets revenge on Longhorns in final Big 12 matchup – Mizzou 17, No. 21 Texas 5 In Mizzou's final season in the Big 12 before heading to the SEC, head coach Gary Pinkel finally defeated Texas after losing six consecutive matches against the Longhorns. Mizzou QB James Franklin scored his 11th rushing touchdown of the season to put Missouri ahead in the victory. The Tigers were unranked at the time and although the victory felt nice; Mizzou lost one of the conference's top rushers in Henry Josey. Shockingly, Josey tore his ACL, MCL and ruptured his patellar tendon all in the same knee at the same time. Crazy right? He wouldn't return in black-and-gold until the 2013 season where he went on to rush for 1,166 yards and 17 total touchdowns. Josey capped off his time as a Tiger with a three-touchdown performance in the Cotton Bowl against No. 13 Oklahoma State. #17 - December 5, 2020: vs Arkansas Tigers rally back to defeat Razorbacks on game-winning field goal – Mizzou 50, Arkansas 48 Advertisement Down by 14 in the fourth quarter, Mizzou pulled off its largest fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Arkansas on a game-winning Harrison Mevis 32-yard field goal. The Tigers scored all five of their touchdowns on the ground to go along with 273 rushing yards. Larrry Rountree III did the bulk of the work, rushing 27 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Badie was extremely productive as RB2, rushing six times for 79 yards and two touchdowns. The victory turned out to be the Tigers last of the season as back-to-back losses against Georgia and Mississippi State would wrap up the 2020 season. Tigers kicker Harrison Mevis (92) kicks the game winning field goal as Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jalen Catalon (1) defends as time expires in the fourth quarter at Faurot Field© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images #16 - December 29, 2023: vs #7 Ohio State Eliah Drinkwitz secures first bowl win with Mizzou – No. 9 Mizzou 14, No. 7 Ohio State 3 The Tigers ended their successful 2023 season with a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State at AT&T Stadium. The game was slow; 16 punts, 17 points. But one thing worked for the Tigers: RB Cody Schrader. The All-American running back rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown to help Missouri secure the win. The Buckeyes held the lead during the entirety of the second and third quarter, but a two-touchdown fourth quarter gave the Tigers all they needed to walk out of Texas with a trophy. Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) pretends to take a photo of running back Cody Schrader (7) after he scored a touchdown© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK Related: Mizzou Football's Top 25 Games Since 2000: No. 21-25 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Florida State QB Tommy Castellanos 'Doesn't See' Alabama Stopping Him
Despite being two months out from opening the 2025 college football season against Alabama, Florida State's quarterback, Tommy Castellanos, has already called out the Crimson Tide. "I'm excited, man," Castellanos said in an interview with On3. "People, I don't know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me." It's a bold statement from a player who hasn't had the most decorated college football career to this point and has yet to play a snap for his new team. But, there's no questioning Castellanos's confidence. He transferred to Florida State ahead of his senior season. It's his third ACC school after spending two years at Boston College and one at Central Florida, and Castellanos is trying to make a name for himself off the field to drum up the anticipation for the game on the field. In 2023, he completed 57.3% of his pass attempts for 2,248 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a sophomore. He then took a step up in his junior season, improving his accuracy to 61.5%, while throwing 18 touchdowns and five interceptions through the first eight games of the season. But, midway through the season, Boston College lost three consecutive games, and then Castellanos got hurt against Syracuse, and his backup, Grayson James, replaced him and helped the Eagles break their losing streak. James' performance pushed him ahead of Castellanos on the depth chart and, to deal with that decision to change quarterbacks, Castellanos took some time away from the team, while James finished out the season as the starter and led the Eagles to a Bowl Game. That Syracuse game ended up being Castellanos' last for Boston College. Now, he's got a fresh start at Florida State, where he's trying to make some waves, and introduce himself to the Seminoles' biggest opponent well before the season even starts. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Florida State QB Tommy Castellanos 'Doesn't See' Alabama Stopping Him
Despite being two months out from opening the 2025 college football season against Alabama, Florida State's quarterback, Tommy Castellanos, has already called out the Crimson Tide. "I'm excited, man," Castellanos said in an interview with On3. "People, I don't know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me." It's a bold statement from a player who hasn't had the most decorated college football career to this point and has yet to play a snap for his new team. But, there's no questioning Castellanos's confidence. He transferred to Florida State ahead of his senior season. It's his third ACC school after spending two years at Boston College and one at Central Florida, and Castellanos is trying to make a name for himself off the field to drum up the anticipation for the game on the field. In 2023, he completed 57.3% of his pass attempts for 2,248 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a sophomore. He then took a step up in his junior season, improving his accuracy to 61.5%, while throwing 18 touchdowns and five interceptions through the first eight games of the season. But, midway through the season, Boston College lost three consecutive games, and then Castellanos got hurt against Syracuse, and his backup, Grayson James, replaced him and helped the Eagles break their losing streak. James' performance pushed him ahead of Castellanos on the depth chart and, to deal with that decision to change quarterbacks, Castellanos took some time away from the team, while James finished out the season as the starter and led the Eagles to a Bowl Game. That Syracuse game ended up being Castellanos' last for Boston College. Now, he's got a fresh start at Florida State, where he's trying to make some waves, and introduce himself to the Seminoles' biggest opponent well before the season even starts. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
