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USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Are the Oklahoma Sooners under the most pressure to win in 2025?
The Oklahoma Sooners have a lot riding on the 2025 college football season as a program. It's year four of the Brent Venables era. Two of his three seasons have finished with 6-7 records, and he's gone 0-3 in bowl games. Though there are certainly extenuating circumstances surrounding both years, that's not the standard at Oklahoma. And that makes 2025 a pivotal season for the Sooners' head coach and the program as a whole. Another losing season, or even an average one at that, and the Oklahoma leadership may have some difficult decisions to make next December. Although there's always pressure to win at Oklahoma, this season might be the most pressure-packed year for the proud program. Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick included the Sooners among his college football teams under the most pressure in 2025. A very lackluster offense that was hampered by injuries was the biggest culprit, as Oklahoma had the lowest PFF offensive grade in the Power Four last season (60.2). The Sooners' defense is what ultimately got the program bowl-eligible, placing 12th in college football with a 91.4 PFF grade as a unit. Oklahoma's defense remains strong entering 2025, and the team will look for transfers, such as quarterback John Mateer and running back Jaydn Ott, to jump-start the offense, though there are still serious concerns on that side of the ball. -Chadwick, PFF Other teams facing a lot this season were USC, Florida State, Auburn, and Florida. Interestingly enough, the Sooners are tied to a number of these programs in one way or another. Oklahoma and USC were a part of the biggest offseason coaching carousel in the last 25 years that saw Lincoln Riley go to USC, Venables arrive at OU, Brian Kelly leave Notre Dame for LSU, and Mario Cristobal leave Oregon for Miami. Oklahoma lost to Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl in Venables first season. Despite a pair of 100-yard rushing performances by Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes, the Sooners fell in the one-score game. Oklahoma went on to have a 10-2 regular season in 2023 while the Seminoles went undefeated and were left out of the College Football Playoff. Both programs disappointed in 2024 and Mike Norvell and Florida State went after former Oklahoma quarterback commits Kevin Sperry and Jaden O'Neal. The Sooners and Auburn will be tied to the bit of trivia surrounding Oklahoma's first win in the SEC. But also, Auburn will be led by Oklahoma's former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold. Finally, the last team the Sooners are tied to, the Florida Gators, are simply battling a schedule as tough or tougher than Oklahoma's. Billy Napier has disappointed in his first few seasons in Gainesville but managed to coach himself off the hotseat last year. Though the Gators and Sooners are facing incredibly difficult schedules in 2025, Venables is hoping for at least as much success as Florida had in 2024. Brent Venables spent this offseason aggressively attacking the needs they had on the offensive side of the ball to return Oklahoma to expectations. And if the offense is good, the Sooners could be flirting with playing in the College Football Playoff. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Fox Sports
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot among 35 mascots to be added for 'College Football 26'
Real-life coaches aren't the only thing that will be debuting in EA Sports' "College Football 26." The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot will also make its video game debut in "College Football 26," EA Sports announced Monday. The inclusion of the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot in "College Football 26" was part of an announcement that the video game will have more unique game atmospheres, band covers and drumlines, new mascots, new touchdown celebrations and custom chants and celebrations. The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot was the only bowl game mascot included in Monday's announcement, while Iowa, Iowa State and Texas Tech's mascots were among the 35 new mascots that will be added to the game. After Kellogg's gave Pop-Tarts naming rights to the bowl game formerly known as the Cheez-It Bowl in 2023, the Pop-Tarts Bowl has become one of the more popular non-College Football Playoff bowl games. One of the reasons for that is the postgame celebration, in which the MVP of the game gets to pick which mascot flavor will go into a toaster. Once the mascot goes through the toaster, players on the winning team get to eat the mascot. This past year, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht sent the Cinnamon Roll Pop-Tarts mascot to the toaster following its win over Miami (Fla.). Kansas State also picked the Cinnamon Roll Pop-Tarts mascot to put in the toaster a year prior. It's unclear if the postgame celebration will be included in "College Football 26." Beyond the mascots, EA Sports unveiled images and videos of how different runouts for each team will look in "College Football 26." For Ohio State, the pregame drone show is included. Several teams will also have light shows included for their runouts in primetime games in "College Football 26," including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Boston College and Notre Dame. For Tennessee, a "light-up T" will shine brightly and for Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium will light up in red. Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner runout is also among one of the iconic runouts that will be included in "College Football 26." South Carolina's Cockaboose will be in the game, too. "College Football 26" will be available for purchase on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 10. The game can also be preordered now through the EA Sports MVP bundle, which includes the deluxe versions of "College Football 26" and "Madden 26," granting three-day early access to both games. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, 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 in this topic
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich signs with the Denver Broncos, per reports
Former Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich signs with the Denver Broncos, per reports Former Clemson standout Mario Goodrich is getting another opportunity in the NFL. The Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League released Goodrich on Monday so he could sign with an NFL team, and according to PFN's James Larsen, the veteran cornerback is now joining the Denver Broncos. Goodrich signed with the Stallions in February after being waived by the New York Giants ahead of the 2024 NFL season. He went on to appear in seven games this year—six during the regular season and one in the postseason—while battling through injury. The 6-foot, 191-pound defensive back finished his UFL stint with 17 total tackles (one for loss), six pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Before his time in the UFL, Goodrich spent time with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Giants. He initially signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft and remained on their practice squad for two seasons. Goodrich saw game action with the Eagles in 2023, playing in four games (one start) and recording five tackles, including three solo stops. At Clemson, Goodrich appeared in 47 games with 16 starts from 2018 to 2021. He totaled 84 tackles, 15 pass breakups, five interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He earned first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors as a senior and was named MVP of the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Oklahoma RB transfers to Florida State
Former Oklahoma RB transfers to Florida State Former Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk found a new home via the transfer portal. After three seasons in Norman, Sawchuk will spend the 2025 season in Tallahassee playing for Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles. Sawchuk entered the spring transfer portal window along with fellow RB Sam Franklin (who has committed to USF) after the pair were the odd men out of a deep rotation for DeMarco Murray. In addition to newcomer Jaydn Ott, OU also returns Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson, and Taylor Tatum. Sawchuk was Oklahoma's leading rusher in 2023, but failed to make an impact in 2024. He was a member of the 2022 recruiting class for Brent Venables and enjoyed his breakout game in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl against the 'Noles. New FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn landed Sawchuk after flipping former Oklahoma QB commit Kevin Sperry in the 2025 class. He's also been pursuing Jaden O'Neal, OU's 2026 QB commit, heavily as well. Unfortunately, Sawchuk was never able to build on a huge final five games of the '23 season, but he's proven that he can be a real difference-maker when the situation is right. He'll now take his talents to the ACC to try and prove that with the Seminoles. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Oklahoma RB predicted to transfer to Florida State
Former Oklahoma Sooners running back Gavin Sawchuk entered the NCAA spring transfer portal window ahead of the April 25th deadline last week. And while he hasn't found his new home yet, one industry insider believes Sawchuk will be heading to the ACC. Sawchuk was the odd man out in a crowded Oklahoma running back room ahead of the 2025 season. He and Sam Franklin (who has signed with USF) entered the spring portal as the Sooners looked to free up carries. The portal addition of Jaydn Ott, coupled with the returns of Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson, and Taylor Tatum, left Sawchuk and Franklin looking for carries elsewhere. On3 Sports' transfer portal reporter Pete Nakos logged an expert prediction that Sawchuk will sign with the Florida State Seminoles. After leading the Sooners in rushing yards in 2023, Sawchuk didn't enjoy nearly the same kind of production in 2024. Advertisement Sawchuk visited Florida State on Friday, and head coach Mike Norvell has seen what the class of 2022 running back is capable of. When the Sooners and the Seminoles faced off in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl, Sawchuk ran for over 100 yards in his first real extended action of the season. In 2023, Sawchuk had five straight games of 100 yards rushing to close the season, providing optimism that 2024 would be an even bigger year. But injuries to the offensive line kept the Sooners run game from getting going for much of the season. It was hard for any running back to find success. Former Auburn and UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is the new offensive coordinator for Florida State. Sawchuk also had a big day against the Knights back in 2023 when Malzahn was still in Orlando. The 'Noles have had plenty of dealings with OU players recently. They flipped former QB commit Kevin Sperry ahead of national signing day last winter, and they're also heavily pursuing OU's class of 2026 QB commit Jaden O'Neal. Now Sawchuk, who's proven he can be a lead back at the Power Four level when everything's right, could be joining the Seminoles after leaving Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Former Sooners ballcarrier picked to transfer to Seminoles
