Latest news with #GatorBowl
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UNC football to face SEC program in CBS Sports' first 2025 bowl projections
Which SEC team is UNC projected to face in a bowl game? Can you believe the start of college football is almost here? We'll get underway with Week 0 next weekend, then UNC will host TCU to cap off Week 1 on Labor Day. Bowl games won't be played until December, but it's never too early to start making projections. Due to North Carolina's somewhat favorable schedule, North Carolina is slated to play in a bowl game. In CBS Sports' first bowl projections ahead of the 2025 CFB season, the Tar Heels are projected to face Florida in the Gator Bowl. This would essentially be a road game for UNC, as the Gator Bowl is always played in Jacksonville's Everbank Stadium, which is just 90 minutes from UF. North Carolina has six-consecutive bowl appearances, but a horrible track record in those postseason contests, last winning a bowl game in 2019 against Temple. Bill Belichick is a much-better head coach than Mack Brown, though, so the hope is he'll have his players prepared. Given their young roster, the Tar Heels also shouldn't have many opt-outs after their regular-season concludes. If UNC ends up playing in the Gator Bowl, it'd be UNC's second trip to the Sunshine State this season. North Carolina travels to UCF on September 20. Florida is in a similar spot to that of the Tar Heels. 2024 was the Gators' first winning season since 2020, which ended in the rankings and a Cotton Bowl loss. Last year, Florida went 8-5 and beat Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl, its first bowl victory since 2019. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which bowl game will Florida football play in? CBS Sports casts its preseason predictions
The 2025 college football campaign is just around the corner as the nation's gridiron warriors prepare for battle this fall. The US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 have both been released — as well as a tidal wave of other rankings and projections — giving everyone a decent idea of what is in store for the next few months. While a single snap has yet to be played, many are already looking ahead to the postseason, which is headlined by the College Football Playoffs as well as the traditional lineup of bowl games. The goal of each program is to crack the 12-team CFP field, but if they cannot, then the next best thing is to earn an invitation to a prestigious bowl matchup. Coming into the season, the Florida Gators are seen as an outsider with a chance of making the playoffs — but a lot of things must go right for the Orange and Blue. Most importantly, sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway must stay healthy if Billy Napier's job as head coach is going to remain secure — but there are plenty of other issues too. So, where do the preseason prognostications have Florida playing this coming December? CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford offered up his outlook on the postseason field, leaving the Gators out of the playoffs but competing in a familiar venue. Crawford predicts that Napier and Co. will battle Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Gator Bowl held in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 27. Florida football's history in the Gator Bowl The Gators have won seven of their nine all-time appearances in the Gator Bowl dating back to Jan. 1, 1953, when they beat the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 14-13. The only two losses came against the Ole Miss Rebels (7-3, Dec. 27, 1958) and the Maryland Terrapins (13-0, Dec. 29, 1975), while the most recent appearance ended in a 24-17 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 2, 2012. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-08-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Jordan Watkins has been balling from day one': Why 49ers rookie WR is turning heads
Moments after Jordan Watkins fulfilled his lifelong dream of being drafted into the NFL, his celebratory mood hit a speed bump. The fourth-round pick realized even a 4.37-second 40-yard dash would not help him escape the wringer specially made for San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receivers. From former college wideout Kyle Shanahan, with tough love. 'It's going to be hard to be able to work my way up onto the field as a rookie,' Watkins said less than a minute into his introductory Zoom. He was briefed by his uncle, a longtime 49ers fan all too aware that most first-year pass catchers fall short of the Shanahan standard. The way Watkins carried himself at Ole Miss practices assured his college receivers coach George McDonald he would be more than OK. Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin would occasionally call out plays during the week from multiple seasons prior, so much so that McDonald deferred to Watkins, then in his third year with Kiffin: 'I would be looking at him like, 'What is this play?' and he'll be able to regurgitate it and get everybody lined up like we had just installed it.' 49ers' Jake Moody finds himself in uncharted territory. Can he find his range? Will 49ers' Dee Winters be able to fill Dre Greenlaw's shoes at linebacker? In a storybook ending to his college career, Watkins hauled in seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-20 Gator Bowl blowout against Duke. McDonald said one of Watkins' touchdowns came on an in-game adjustment made thanks to feedback Watkins offered on cornerback leverage for a play call; he ran to the sideline between snaps to communicate it. Watkins was in for six the next time they ran the same play. 'He was probably one of the more cerebral players I've coached over the course of my career,' McDonald said. 'I always told guys he could go play any position on the field and know how to do it. So I was always impressed with his football IQ and then his understanding of how everything fit in the big picture.' Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are the only wideouts who played more than 700 snaps as 49ers rookies since Shanahan took over in 2017. But for every Aiyuk, there is a Dante Pettis. For every Deebo, a Danny Gray. Jalen Hurd. Ronnie Bell. The list of forgettable names goes on. Drawing on 24 years of college and NFL coaching experience, McDonald said Watkins has the mental makeup to overcome the steep learning curve. McDonald coached the now 23-year-old only for his final season at Mississippi, but that was enough for him to glean how Watkins, despite an early-season hamstring injury, managed to lead the Rebels with a career-high nine receiving touchdowns — and five in the span of one Saturday afternoon. En route to a 63-31 road win over Arkansas, Watkins set school records with 254 yards and five touchdowns on just eight catches. 'He (tied) the SEC record for touchdowns in a game just based off of the detail that he knew of the opponent he was going against,' McDonald said. It was a breakthrough that seemed far off when Watkins missed the season opener and then came off the bench to combine for just five catches across four Saturdays. He did not make his first start of the season until game six, but he finished with 906 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 18.5 yards per catch, all career highs. Watkins had built a strong rapport with Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, whom the Giants selected 25th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. According to Pro Football Focus, Watkins sported the highest NFL passer rating when targeted (calculated slightly different from the equivalent college metric) among FBS receivers with a minimum of 50 targets: 153.8. A perfect NFL passer rating (or RTG), is 158.3. Watkins was the only qualifying wideout with an RTG at or above 150. And as 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has quickly discovered firsthand, Watkins was also one of the most productive deep threats in college football (per PFF), with 544 receiving yards on targets thrown 20 or more yards past the line of scrimmage. Only three receivers recorded more yards at that depth. 'Jordan Watkins has been balling from Day 1, really,' Purdy said in minicamp. 'He's come in and has done everything pretty right.' Readiness is arguably as important as opportunity. Second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) remains on a steady ramp-up schedule. Question marks are attached to wide receivers Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring). And so Watkins has primarily played with the first-team unit this week, along with veteran Demarcus Robinson (himself awaiting a potential DUI-related league suspension). Purdy did not hesitate Tuesday to heave Watkins a home-run ball on a deep post route more than 40 yards downfield. Watkins ran underneath it with ease, having beaten the cornerback in coverage and the safety help over the top. The occasional practice highlight won't be enough to win over Shanahan, a play-calling head coach who wore a subtle grin Sunday as he detailed the offense's first 'call-it' period of training camp. His young wideouts were not allowed to reference a script of plays, and each call would be relayed in between snaps. Shanahan seemed slightly amused by their struggles, if only to suggest the inexperienced young men in that room had much to learn. 'I mean, they're spinning right now,' Shanahan said. 'Once you think you got it, it gets a lot worse the next day. … So they had no idea what's coming, and I think that showed a little bit of rust. They're in their playbooks, but they definitely can't be content with it.' Watkins knew what he signed up for. By the time Aiyuk returns, the rookie may be hard-pressed to find the field. But as the 49ers deal with their stack of receiver injuries, there may be no wider window of opportunity than the one Watkins has right now. 'Rookies might not play a lot,' Watkins said, 'but I'm different. That's my mindset.'
Toronto Sun
21-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Ole Miss football player Corey Adams killed in Tennessee shooting
Published Jul 21, 2025 • 1 minute read A video screen displays the Ole Miss team logo before a Gator Bowl NCAA college football game between Mississippi and Duke in Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 2, 2025. Photo by Gary McCullough / AP Ole Miss freshman football player Corey Adams was killed in a shooting in Tennessee, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Law enforcement officials found Adams with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle at an intersection in Cordova on the outskirts of Memphis late Saturday, the sheriff's office said in a statement. 'They provided life-saving measures until Shelby County Fire arrived,' the sheriff's office said. 'Shelby County Fire personnel later pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.' Four other men who suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in the incident arrived at nearby hospitals in personal vehicles, authorities said. Law enforcement officials have not named any suspects but said they are investigating the shooting as a homicide. Adams, an 18-year-old New Orleans native, had been one of the top defensive linemen recruits in the country. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The football program at the University of Mississippi said in a social media post it was 'devastated' to learn of Adams' death. 'While our program is trying to cope with this tragic loss, our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,' the team said. 'We ask the Ole Miss community to keep Corey in their thoughts and respect the privacy of everyone involved.' Adams' former New Orleans high school football team, the Edna Karr Cougars, said in a Facebook post that 'words can't describe this type of pain.' 'Corey Adams was more than a football player! He was a friend, brother, son, student, and all around great young man,' the team stated. 'We never question God but this is one we just don't understand.' Toronto & GTA Canada Toronto & GTA Football Relationships
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
NFL Analyst Drops Blunt Analysis of NY Giants Rookie Jaxson Dart
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Soon, Jaxson Dart will partake in his first NFL training camp with the New York Giants. Unlike most first-round rookies, Dart isn't expected to start taking reps with the first team as soon as the Giants get to work in a few weeks. The rookie is fighting with Jameis Winston for the second spot on the depth chart currently. Dart's in a tough spot. For every person who believes a redshirt rookie season learning behind a couple of seasoned veterans will be beneficial, there is a person who believes getting on the field will be the only way Dart can truly learn behind them. Read More: Russell Wilson Reportedly Faced Early Doubt While Joining NY Giants The status of Dart heading into next season is believed to come down to multiple factors. One, the Giants simply see themselves as contenders and believe Russell Wilson gives them the best shot to compete right now. Two, the Ole Miss star simply might not be ready for the QB1 spotlight at this level just yet. Recently, NFL Analyst Greg Cossell got slightly critical of Dart as he enters year one. The longtime Analyst pointed to areas that could use improvement on an episode of 'Inside the Birds.' "I think he's a good thrower—I don't think he's a great thrower," Cosell said. "I thought that at times his deep throws lost a little energy on the back end. Sometimes he works hard to throw the ball." Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) drops back to pass against the Duke Blue Devils in the second quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) drops back to pass against the Duke Blue Devils in the second quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images It's not all bad for Dart, though. While Cosell believes the rookie could use a lot of work with his throwing, the mobility factor should help him early on. "Dart's an interesting player. The mobility is a factor," Cosell added. "You do have to factor that into the equation ... He's going to run for first downs. He may not be the fastest guy on the field, but that's a part of his game that's meaningful." Before landing at Ole Miss in 2022, Dart had a six-game stretch at USC. He appeared in six games, throwing 189 passes for 1,353 yards and nine touchdowns. Read More: Chiefs' Travis Kelce Left Impressed by NY Giants Rookie Once he got to Ole Miss in 2022, Dart was a full-time starter for the next three seasons. Improvements were made each time. By his senior season, Dart had finished the year by completing 69 percent (college high) of his passes, for 4,279 yards (college high), and 29 touchdowns. He finished his college career with an 81-27 touchdown-interception ratio. Enough fans and analysts believe that Dart will eventually take over for Russell Wilson at a point next season to make the situation worth paying attention to, even though the Giants remain adamant that Dart will stay on ice. At the end of the day, only time will tell if that's truly the case or not. For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
