Latest news with #FriscoBowl
Calgary Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Roughrider training camp: Another Super Mario, and he's on the cutting edge
Article content Running back Mario Anderson looks to be on the cutting edge when it comes to his first training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Article content Not only does Anderson have an opportunity to make the Riders roster, he could become one of the team's unofficial barbers. Article content The hair clippers are on standby, though. Article content 'First, I've got to make the team,' stresses Anderson, a 5-foot-9, 209-pound dynamo from Summerville, S.C., who finished his college football career with some impressive numbers for the University of Memphis Tigers. Article content Article content 'I've got to get it (barber kit) shipped up here. It's on stand-by.' Article content Article content A sensational 2024 college season saw him rush for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns with 100-plus yards in eight of his 13 games. Anderson also caught 52 passes for 312 yards and three TDs. As well, he scored two touchdowns (one on a run and one on a reception) to help Memphis defeat West Virginia 42-37 in the Frisco Bowl. Article content Anderson was nominated for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom. Article content Anderson describes himself as an 'old-school' back. Article content 'I think I bring that passionate grit, that old-school back that the game is kind of missing a little bit,' he says when asked what he brings to the Riders. 'I feel like I can produce any way you need me to; special teams, offence, whatever the case may be. I just want to be able to make the team successful any way I can.' Article content Article content Article content He's a small-town kid from South Carolina who was raised, along with three brothers, by a single mom, Sequoia. Article content 'She raised four boys, kept us in sports, kept us healthy, kept us in school and everything,' Anderson points out. 'I really take pride in that.' Article content 'I'm just taking it day by day right now, seeing where it gets me,' Anderson says. 'I'm putting one foot in front of the other, and going on and doing what's important, and having the chips fall. We'll see during the season.' Article content 'Besides that, I did my own research, of course. I know last year the guys were one game away from the Grey Cup. What the coaches have built here is phenomenal, all the work ethic that all the guys have, the love for everybody that they have. It's a great feeling.
Ottawa Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Roughrider training camp: Another Super Mario, and he's on the cutting edge
Article content Running back Mario Anderson looks to be on the cutting edge when it comes to his first training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Article content Not only does Anderson have an opportunity to make the Riders roster, he could become one of the team's unofficial barbers. Article content The hair clippers are on standby, though. Article content 'First, I've got to make the team,' stresses Anderson, a 5-foot-9, 209-pound dynamo from Summerville, S.C., who finished his college football career with some impressive numbers for the University of Memphis Tigers. Article content Article content 'I've got to get it (barber kit) shipped up here. It's on stand-by.' Article content Article content A sensational 2024 college season saw him rush for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns with 100-plus yards in eight of his 13 games. Anderson also caught 52 passes for 312 yards and three TDs. As well, he scored two touchdowns (one on a run and one on a reception) to help Memphis defeat West Virginia 42-37 in the Frisco Bowl. Article content Anderson was nominated for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom. Article content Anderson describes himself as an 'old-school' back. Article content 'I think I bring that passionate grit, that old-school back that the game is kind of missing a little bit,' he says when asked what he brings to the Riders. 'I feel like I can produce any way you need me to; special teams, offence, whatever the case may be. I just want to be able to make the team successful any way I can.' Article content Article content Article content He's a small-town kid from South Carolina who was raised, along with three brothers, by a single mom, Sequoia. Article content 'She raised four boys, kept us in sports, kept us healthy, kept us in school and everything,' Anderson points out. 'I really take pride in that.' Article content 'I'm just taking it day by day right now, seeing where it gets me,' Anderson says. 'I'm putting one foot in front of the other, and going on and doing what's important, and having the chips fall. We'll see during the season.' Article content 'Besides that, I did my own research, of course. I know last year the guys were one game away from the Grey Cup. What the coaches have built here is phenomenal, all the work ethic that all the guys have, the love for everybody that they have. It's a great feeling.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Kent State Football Preview 2025: Another Reboot for the Golden Flashes
Three years ago, Kent State was coming off a disappointing 5-7 years ago, it went to a bowl game, won 22 games, and took home the 2019 Frisco Bowl under Sean Lewis. And then it all fell - now the head coach at San Diego State - left to be Coach Prime's offensive coordinator at Colorado, Kenni Burs took over the Golden Flashes in an all-time do-over after losing just about everyone of note through the transfer portal, and it's been a struggle - to be nice. Kent State went 1-23 under Burns, with the lone victory coming over Central Connecticut State from the FCS ranks. Out of the 22 losses to FBS teams - there was a loss last year to Saint Francis from the FCS - 21 of them were by double was let go after reports of alleged contract violations, offensive coordinator Mark Carney stepped in as the interim head man, and now Kent State is starting from scratch once been hard stretch to find the right transfers to fill in the gaps, there's no real depth, and it all means Carney can let it State went 1-21 in 1982 and 1983, and bounced back with a four-win 1984 season. Anything close to being competitive will be good enough. Kent State Golden Flashes Preview 2025: Offense X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN- Mark Carney will serve as the offensive coordinator, for now, along with the head coaching duties. He'll have to find something, anything that works, after finishing dead last in the nation in total offense, scoring offense, and third down One is to try piecing together a line that returns one starter, Dustyn Morell, a versatile blocker who can work at right tackle but might settle in at guard. The transfer portal will take care of the rest, desperately needing 6-6, 310-pound Junior Diallo (Emory and Henry) and Jamarcus Hill (SE Missouri) to be decent at tackle. - The running game was the second-worst in college football - yay, Colorado - but it was dead last in yards per carry. Ky Thomas is done after being the only Golden Flash to run for more than 145 yards, and now it'll be up to Minnesota transfer Jordan Nubin to handle the work. He ran for 559 yards as a sophomore, but only managed 11 carries last year.- The quarterback situation will be a work in progress. CJ Montes from Fordham should be the best option, but Devin Kargman is a big option with a little experience. Neither one has top target Crishon McCray to throw to - he left for Michigan State - and with Luke Floriea also gone, just one touchdown catch from last year Jay Etheridge will work on the outside after making 14 grabs with that one score, and Dashawn Martin was fourth on the team with eight grabs. JUCO transfer Da'Realyst Clark and tight end Christian Berry from Davidson have to be factors right away. Kent State Golden Flashes Preview 2025: Defense - As bad as the offense was, the defense was even worse. Dead last in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, run defense - it was rough. For good and bad, there's more returning production to build around. It starts with the linebacking corps, where Mason Woods is back in the middle after finishing second on the team with 68 tackles, and with Canaan Williams adding 46 stops with a few plays behind the line. - The secondary also has plenty of parts back. Top tackling safety Josh Baka is gone, but CJ Young is a promising option along with third-leading tackler Tevin Tucker, who made 65 tackles with two broken up passes. No corner picked off a pass, and now it'll be a mix of transfers to go along with sophomores Joel Boaham and Jaire Rawlison to come up with anyone who can produce. But they need help from …- The pass rush. There wasn't much last year, and the ones who generated any production are gone. Backups have to turn into key starters, especially on the outside, where seniors Antoine Campbell and Mattheus Campbell have to get behind the line. Southern Illinois transfer Jamond Mathis should little size inside, but 280-pound Pitt transfer Thomas Aden will be in the mix at one tackle next to 275-pound Mason Maddux. Kent State Golden Flashes Key to the Season Find SOMETHING that worksNo one's expecting Kent State to do much of anything, but there has to be a positive identity in some way. Opposing teams have to find something to worry about. It starts with being able to run the ball a little bit. Last year's team averaged over three yards per carry in just two games; there has to be a push. So … Kent State Golden Flashes Key Player Garrett Masterson, OG isn't a big offensive line, but the interior should have a little bit of size. The ground game needs someone to reliably run behind, and the 6-6, 315-pound Materson has just enough experience to potentially be that guy. Kent State Golden Flashes Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: CJ Montes, QB Sr.A terrific passer for Fordham in 2023, he threw for 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns with just one pick. He only played in three games last year, and now he'll push for the Kent State starting Transfer Out: Kameron Olds, EDGE of the few big producers last season, Olds led the team with six sacks to go along with 42 tackles. Now. He'll be a key part of the Kentucky defensive front. Kent State Golden Flashes Key Game Buffalo, Sept. 13The 21-game losing streak should come to an end in the opener against Merrimack, but the last win over an FBS team came at the end of 2022 against Buffalo. It would be a massive shot in the arm to start the season 2-1 for the first time since 2020 and the second time since 2012.- 2025 Kent State Schedule Breakdown Kent State Golden Flashes Top 10 Players 1. Tevin Tucker, S Soph.2. Mason Woods, LB Sr.3. Jordan Nubin, RB Sr.4. Canaan Williams, LB Jr.5. Jay Jay Etheridge, WR Soph.6. Dustyn Morell, OG Jr.7. Dashawn Martin, WR/KR, Soph.8. Antoine Campbell, DE Sr.9. Semaj Cross, LB Sr.10. Devin Kargman, QB Jr. Kent State Golden Flashes 2024 Fun Stats - 1st Quarter Scoring: Opponents 142, Kent State 31 - Rushing Touchdowns: Opponents 35, Kent State 3 - 3rd Down Conversions: Opponents 72-of-146 (49%), Kent State 27-of-142 (19%) Kent State Golden Flashes 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen Kent State might have one of the roughest situations in all of college football coming into the season. It can't take anything for granted, but Merrimack has to be a win to start the campaign, and UMass is a must-get MAC home date in might be a stunner somewhere in the mix if the planets all align correctly on the right day, in this holding pattern season, getting to three wins would be a The Kent State Golden Flashes Win Total At … 2 Likely Wins: Merrimack50/50 Games: UMassLikely Losses: at Akron, at Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, at Florida State, at Northern Illinois, at Oklahoma, at Texas Tech, at Toledo © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fox News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Raiders' Ashton Jeanty says he received prank call on draft night
Las Vegas Raiders draft pick Ashton Jeanty was also among those affected by the prank call epidemic that struck NFL prospects. The Heisman Trophy finalist revealed in a recent podcast interview that his call came in after he was already selected. He said the prank-caller told him he was being traded to the Dallas Cowboys. "Some dude called me who was like, 'Yeah... we just traded with the Raiders, and you're coming to the Cowboys," he said on the "Stacking the Box" podcast. "I just hung up, bro. I was like, 'Come on, bro.'" Jeanty said before the draft it would have been a dream to play for the Cowboys since he grew up in Frisco, Texas, before he committed to Boise State for college. "I would love to play for the Cowboys," he told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth back in January. "It'd be like a dream come true. Obviously, I used to play in their practice stadium, and all our home games in high school, even my freshman year when we came down here for the Frisco Bowl, we practiced there again. "So, it would just feel like I'm at home, honestly. I ain't going to say too much, but Dallas, they've always had a good running back, and when they've got a good running back, they play a lot better." The Raiders were the next best option. Jeanty was far from the only player to get pranked. The most infamous call was placed to Shedeur Sanders as he slid to the fifth round. The culprit was revealed to be the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. The Falcons were fined $250,000 and the coach was hit with a $100,000 fine. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Epoch Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
NFL's Latest Mr. Irrelevant: ‘Just Fuel to My Fire'
Thanks to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, the title of Mr. Irrelevant has taken on more relevancy as the unheralded yet heralded final pick of the NFL Draft. Purdy, the final pick in 2022, became a Super Bowl quarterback for the 49ers in just two seasons. This year's Mr. Irrelevant, cornerback Kobee Minor, joins the team that has reached more Super Bowls than any franchise. The New England Patriots selected the former Memphis standout with the 275th and final selection of the draft on Saturday in Green Bay. Minor played for three different programs between 2020 and 2024 as he tallied 80 tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks, and 12 pass deflections. Yes, a cornerback without a collegiate interception is an NFL draft pick. The rarity of that is arguably on par with Purdy going from Mr. Irrelevant to Super Bowl starter. For Minor, he fully embraces the Mr. Irrelevant title already. He also admitted he hasn't ever been 'a highly recruited guy' before. 'I love it, actually. It's just fuel to my fire,' Minor Related Stories 4/26/2025 4/26/2025 Minor became a three-star recruit at Lake Dallas High School in Texas, and he joined Texas Tech in 2020 where he mostly played special teams for three seasons. Looking for more playing time, he entered the transfer portal in 2023 and joined Indiana when Tom Allen coached the Hoosiers that year. 'When I came into college, I was a safety, and then my defensive coordinator at Texas Tech asked if I ever played corner,' Minor said. 'I've always played anywhere in the back end, so I'm familiar with a lot of the spots, and I know how to play each and every one of the spots. I feel like back there, that's what makes me versatile. For the most part, I played corner in college.' Minor tallied 20 tackles and four pass deflections in 11 games that season when the Hooisers went 3–9 that year. Since Indiana didn't keep Allen and his staff, Minor opted to transfer again and joined Memphis. With the Tigers, Minor garnered two sacks, six pass deflections, and 29 tackles, which included seven for losses. Minor also got to play in the Frisco Bowl for the Tigers, which finished 11–2. 'At Memphis, we had a package for me to come in at nickel, but we never got to run it,' Minor said. 'So, I'm familiar with nickel too. Wherever you need me in the back end, I fill that spot.' While Minor's numbers don't jump off the page, believes his versatility will make a difference for the Patriots. That's notably the only team he visited during the pre-draft process. 'I would say I tackle very well. I'll come up and run support. I feel like I'm a technician,' Minor said. 'I can play man coverage. I feel like I'm versatile in the back end. I can play whatever defensive back position or help out on special teams, whatever I need to do to get the win, or do whatever I can to help the team out.' Minor said he talked with Patriots scouts at the Memphis Pro Day and later visited the organization in Foxboro, Massachusetts. He said it had 'that family feel,' and he said he's ready to 'put my head down and grind' for the Patriots. New England executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf likes what he sees in Minor. The Patriots notably traded the No. 228 pick with the Kansas City Chiefs for No. 251 and No. 257. 'The movement skills at practice, the ability to play the football in the air, his competitiveness, we brought him in for a pre-draft visit, a 30 visit, and he did a really nice job on that,' Wolf
