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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN releases bowl schedule for 33 games at the end of the 2025 college football season
The 2025 college football bowl season begins on December 13. ESPN released its schedule for the postseason on Thursday as the network will televise 33 bowl games outside of the 12-team College Football Playoff. The only non-playoff bowl games the network doesn't have the rights to are the Holiday Bowl, Sun Bowl and the Arizona Bowl. Advertisement Bowl season will unofficially begin with the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 13, and the first FBS bowl game of the season kicks off at 9 p.m. ET that night with the LA Bowl. The biggest day of bowl season is on Dec. 27. Seven games will be featured on that Saturday along with multiple Week 17 NFL games. There is a game missing from this year's bowl slate, however. ESPN announced that the Bahamas Bowl would not take place at the end of the season and that 'league commitments will fulfilled through other ESPN owned-and-operated games.' The network owns 17 bowl games and the Bahamas Bowl has annually featured teams from Conference USA and the MAC. The entire ESPN FBS bowl schedule is listed below and all times are Eastern. The dates for the College Football Playoff were previously announced in April. Advertisement Saturday, Dec. 13 LA Bowl (9 p.m., ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 16 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl (9 p.m. ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 17 Cure Bowl (5 p.m. ESPN) 68 Ventures Bowl (8:30 p.m., ESPN) Friday, Dec. 19 Myrtle Beach Bowl (Noon, ESPN) Gasparilla Bowl (3:30 p.m., ESPN) Monday, Dec. 22 Potato Bowl (2 p.m., ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 23 Boca Raton Bowl (2 p.m., ESPN) New Orleans Bowl (5:30 p.m., ESPN) Frisco Bowl (9 p.m., ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl (8 or 9 p.m., ESPN) Friday, Dec. 26 GameAbove Sports Bowl (1 p.m., ESPN) Rate Bowl (4:30 p.m., ESPN) First Responder Bowl (8 p.m., ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 27 Military Bowl (11 a.m., ESPN) Advertisement Pinstripe Bowl (Noon, ABC) Fenway Bowl (2:30 p.m., ESPN) Pop-Tarts Bowl (3:30 p.m., ABC) New Mexico Bowl (5:45 p.m., ESPN) Gator Bowl (7:30 p.m., ABC) Texas Bowl (9:15 p.m., ESPN) Monday, Dec. 29 Birmingham Bowl (2 p.m., ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 30 Independence Bowl (2 p.m., ESPN) Music City Bowl (5:30 p.m., ESPN) Alamo Bowl (9 p.m., ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl (Noon, ESPN) Citrus Bowl (3 p.m., ABC) Las Vegas Bowl (3:30 p.m., ESPN) Friday, Jan. 2 Armed Forces Bowl (1 p.m., ESPN) Liberty Bowl (4:30 p.m., ESPN) Duke's Mayo Bowl (8 p.m., ESPN)
New York Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Which of the Raiders' undrafted free agents have a shot at making the team?
HENDERSON, Nev. — Every year, there's a new crop of undrafted free agents who go under the radar but ultimately break through to make 53-man rosters across the NFL. Last year, the Las Vegas Raiders had two make their team: receiver Ramel Keyton and linebacker Amari Gainer. This year, the Raiders signed 15 UDFAs who'll have an opportunity to follow in their footsteps. Advertisement The Raiders were a 4-13 team last year and did little in free agency, so there are plenty of roles up in the air for 2025. Coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek are all about competition, and the UDFAs won't get left out. 'Guys that'll be competitive to make our team and make our practice squad,' Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargen said Saturday when asked what he's hoping for from this crop of UDFAs. 'Ultimately, we think they're going to make our roster better. They're going to be competitive to be here and make our team or — at worst — make our practice squad. That's the intention.' Here's a list of the undrafted free agents the Raiders have added. After spending his first five college seasons at FCS program Campbell, Williams transferred to UNLV for 2024. He lost a position battle with Matthew Sluka, but he became the starter after Sluka entered the transfer portal over an NIL deal dispute. Across 13 games, he completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 1,941 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 851 yards and nine touchdowns. He helped UNLV finish 11-3 and ended the season with a victory in the LA Bowl. The 6-foot, 205-pound quarterback participated in the Raiders' local pro day in Las Vegas before the draft. While he went undrafted, his performance there helped him land a free-agent deal. Realistically, he'll be vying for a spot on the practice squad. UNLV QB Hajj-Malik Williams is signing with the #Raiders as a UDFA and staying in Vegas. At 25, the former 0-star prospect fits Carroll's comPETE culture– In 2024, took over as starter after Matthew Sluka NIL controversy– Led Rebels to program's first bowl win since 2000-… — Nick Walters (@nickwalt) April 28, 2025 Conroy's primary position in college was tight end, but he also lined up frequently as a fullback. He's 6-2, 240 pounds and performed well as a lead blocker. The Raiders didn't roster a fullback last season, but that could change under Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. To secure a roster spot, Conroy must show he can be a difference maker at fullback. Advertisement Runyon, on the other hand, is a true tight end. He's a 6-5, 243-pound receiving specialist. The Raiders already have Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, though, so Runyon feels like another practice-squad hopeful at best. Hufford started games at left tackle, left guard, center and right guard during his six-year college career. That versatility and experience will give him a chance to stick around with a strong offseason. Clements is a giant at 6-7 but weighs just 295 pounds. That's light for an offensive lineman, and he'll need to bulk up to hang at the NFL level. He spent most of his time at right tackle in college, so he'll also need to develop his skills at left tackle to have a shot. Joyner probably has the best chance of these UDFAs to make the roster. He's a 6-4, 262-pound speed rusher with impressive length and athleticism. He burst onto the draft scene with 7.5 sacks in 2023 before taking a step back and finishing with just 4.5 sacks last year. To be more consistent, he needs to develop a more nuanced pass rush plan. The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler gave Joyner a fifth-round grade and noted, 'he has the upside of an NFL starter.' The Raiders' depth at defensive end is just OK, so it's conceivable that he'll compete for a roster spot if he performs well. .@Jahjoyner2 ✍️ @Raiders #pROWGophers | #RTB — Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) April 26, 2025 Ma'ae has a tweener build at 6-3, 277 pounds, and spent time at defensive end and defensive tackle in college. After spending his first four seasons as a backup, he had the best season of his career last year with 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He could compete for a practice-squad spot. Advertisement Booker is a large man at 6-3, 347 pounds, but his production was underwhelming during his six years in college. He'll have to show he's capable of making more splash plays both in the run game and as a pass rusher to get into the mix. Jones steadily improved over his six-year college career and had his best season — with 113 tackles, 10 TFL, four sacks and six pass deflections — in 2024. He has old school linebacker size at 6-3, 236 pounds, and made plays as a run defender, pass defender and pass rusher. The Raiders' linebacker room is weak, so making the practice squad could be realistic. Unlike Jones, Walker is small for a linebacker at 6-foot, 219 pounds. He began his college career at James Madison before transferring to Indiana last year. He showed he could be productive with the uptick in competition, but he'll need to bulk up to be anything more than a special teams player in the NFL. Dotson is a thin corner at 6-1, 183 pounds, but he was a consistent performer as a four-year starter at Kansas. He had five interceptions and 12 pass deflections in 2024 and four interceptions and 15 pass deflections in 2023. He was an outside-only player in college, which remains a questionable position group for the Raiders, and could compete for a roster spot or stick around on the practice squad. Humphrey spent five years at UCLA and overlapped with Kelly for four of them, so he has familiarity with the Raiders coaching staff. His college production was just OK, and his speed is nothing special, but he's a bigger corner at 6-2, 193 pounds and is a good athlete. Like Dotson, he'll be aiming to compete at outside corner. Vance played both cornerback and nickelback in college, but he'll be lining up primarily at nickelback for the Raiders, according to a team source. He's only 5-10, 182 pounds, and didn't make much of an impact as a tackler in college. The Raiders badly need an answer at nickelback — Darnay Holmes would likely be the current starter — so the opportunity is there. Taylor is only 5-10, 174 pounds, and will also give it a go at nickelback. He started his college career at Tusculum before transferring to James Madison last year and starting 10 games. Much like Vance, Taylor will need to show he can make an impact in the run game to have a chance. Advertisement Clark was a three-year starter in college who bounced between outside cornerback and safety. He doesn't have the speed to hang at corner in the NFL, so he'll likely focus on safety with the Raiders. If he can show some special teams value, perhaps he could earn a practice-squad spot. (Photo of Hajj-Malik Williams: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
San Francisco Chronicle
21-04-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Cal football GM Ron Rivera says the program has a 'plan' following transfer portal losses
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California football general manager Ron Rivera sought to ease the concerns of a worried fan base after star running back Jaydn Ott and several other key players entered the transfer portal this spring. 'We're not the only team in the NCAA that is going through this portal situation right now,' Rivera said Monday. 'You can't name a team right now that doesn't have a player that they wish didn't go in. We understand all it and we all understand fan favorites. There will be other favorites.' Cal has been hit hard this spring after losing starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana earlier this year. The biggest loss was Ott, who left for Oklahoma earlier this month after three stellar years at Cal. Ott led the Pac-12 with 1,315 yards rushing in 2023 and was expected to be a key part of the offense in 2025 after being hampered by injuries last season. 'Did we give Jaydn Ott a great shot? I believe we did," Rivera said. "Sometimes an athlete just thinks I've accomplished all I can here and it's time to move on. ... The hard part about him leaving early is here's a young man that had an opportunity to really create the type of legacy that you could be proud of. But again, it was his decision that he felt was best for himself.' The Golden Bears also saw leading rusher Jaivian Thomas enter the portal last week and reportedly three other scholarship running backs went into the portal. Cal also lost star tight end Jack Endries to Texas in the portal, leading to several big holes on offense. 'It was something that was anticipated," Rivera said. "If there is one guy that we wished didn't go in, yeah, there was at least one that we wish didn't go in. But for the most part when you look at what we're doing, we have a plan. We went out and we've identified a number of guys that we like and a number of guys that if we can get these guys we're pretty much where we were a month ago. Are we concerned? Yes. We have to get those guys in.' Rivera made clear that he will have his 'hands in every facet of Cal football' and answer directly to Chancellor Rich Lyons instead of athletic director Jim Knowlton. Rivera said he consults with Lyons on every major decision and is working closely with coach Justin Wilcox and his staff with the major goal of making Cal football 'relevant again.' Wilcox is entering his ninth season in charge of the Golden Bears and has a 42-50 career record. Cal went 6-7 last season in its first year in the ACC, losing to UNLV in the LA Bowl. The Bears haven't finished with a winning record since 2019, haven't finished a season ranked in the AP poll since 2006 and haven't played in a top-tier bowl game since the 1959 Rose Bowl. Rivera said it has been 'cool' to work with Wilcox through spring practice and the two are intent on sparking the program. 'What I have with Justin is a working relationship,' Rivera said. 'It's an opportunity for he and I to get together, discuss, collaborate and talk about the things we need to do as a university to help this football program become a very successful program that thrives for excellence.'
Fox Sports
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Cal football GM Ron Rivera says the program has a 'plan' following transfer portal losses
Associated Press BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California football general manager Ron Rivera sought to ease the concerns of a worried fan base after star running back Jaydn Ott and several other key players entered the transfer portal this spring. 'We're not the only team in the NCAA that is going through this portal situation right now,' Rivera said Monday. 'You can't name a team right now that doesn't have a player that they wish didn't go in. We understand all it and we all understand fan favorites. There will be other favorites.' Cal has been hit hard this spring after losing starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana earlier this year. The biggest loss was Ott, who left for Oklahoma earlier this month after three stellar years at Cal. Ott led the Pac-12 with 1,315 yards rushing in 2023 and was expected to be a key part of the offense in 2025 after being hampered by injuries last season. 'Did we give Jaydn Ott a great shot? I believe we did," Rivera said. "Sometimes an athlete just thinks I've accomplished all I can here and it's time to move on. ... The hard part about him leaving early is here's a young man that had an opportunity to really create the type of legacy that you could be proud of. But again, it was his decision that he felt was best for himself.' The Golden Bears also saw leading rusher Jaivian Thomas enter the portal last week and reportedly three other scholarship running backs went into the portal. Cal also lost star tight end Jack Endries to Texas in the portal, leading to several big holes on offense. 'It was something that was anticipated," Rivera said. "If there is one guy that we wished didn't go in, yeah, there was at least one that we wish didn't go in. But for the most part when you look at what we're doing, we have a plan. We went out and we've identified a number of guys that we like and a number of guys that if we can get these guys we're pretty much where we were a month ago. Are we concerned? Yes. We have to get those guys in.' Rivera made clear that he will have his 'hands in every facet of Cal football' and answer directly to Chancellor Rich Lyons instead of athletic director Jim Knowlton. Rivera said he consults with Lyons on every major decision and is working closely with coach Justin Wilcox and his staff with the major goal of making Cal football 'relevant again.' Wilcox is entering his ninth season in charge of the Golden Bears and has a 42-50 career record. Cal went 6-7 last season in its first year in the ACC, losing to UNLV in the LA Bowl. The Bears haven't finished with a winning record since 2019, haven't finished a season ranked in the AP poll since 2006 and haven't played in a top-tier bowl game since the 1959 Rose Bowl. Rivera said it has been 'cool' to work with Wilcox through spring practice and the two are intent on sparking the program. 'What I have with Justin is a working relationship,' Rivera said. 'It's an opportunity for he and I to get together, discuss, collaborate and talk about the things we need to do as a university to help this football program become a very successful program that thrives for excellence.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and recommended
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cal football GM Ron Rivera says the program has a 'plan' following transfer portal losses
FILE - California running back Jaydn Ott (1) runs against Miami during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn,File) BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California football general manager Ron Rivera sought to ease the concerns of a worried fan base after star running back Jaydn Ott and several other key players entered the transfer portal this spring. 'We're not the only team in the NCAA that is going through this portal situation right now,' Rivera said Monday. 'You can't name a team right now that doesn't have a player that they wish didn't go in. We understand all it and we all understand fan favorites. There will be other favorites.' Advertisement Cal has been hit hard this spring after losing starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana earlier this year. The biggest loss was Ott, who left for Oklahoma earlier this month after three stellar years at Cal. Ott led the Pac-12 with 1,315 yards rushing in 2023 and was expected to be a key part of the offense in 2025 after being hampered by injuries last season. 'Did we give Jaydn Ott a great shot? I believe we did," Rivera said. "Sometimes an athlete just thinks I've accomplished all I can here and it's time to move on. ... The hard part about him leaving early is here's a young man that had an opportunity to really create the type of legacy that you could be proud of. But again, it was his decision that he felt was best for himself.' The Golden Bears also saw leading rusher Jaivian Thomas enter the portal last week and reportedly three other scholarship running backs went into the portal. Advertisement Cal also lost star tight end Jack Endries to Texas in the portal, leading to several big holes on offense. 'It was something that was anticipated," Rivera said. "If there is one guy that we wished didn't go in, yeah, there was at least one that we wish didn't go in. But for the most part when you look at what we're doing, we have a plan. We went out and we've identified a number of guys that we like and a number of guys that if we can get these guys we're pretty much where we were a month ago. Are we concerned? Yes. We have to get those guys in.' Rivera made clear that he will have his 'hands in every facet of Cal football' and answer directly to Chancellor Rich Lyons instead of athletic director Jim Knowlton. Rivera said he consults with Lyons on every major decision and is working closely with coach Justin Wilcox and his staff with the major goal of making Cal football 'relevant again.' Wilcox is entering his ninth season in charge of the Golden Bears and has a 42-50 career record. Cal went 6-7 last season in its first year in the ACC, losing to UNLV in the LA Bowl. Advertisement The Bears haven't finished with a winning record since 2019, haven't finished a season ranked in the AP poll since 2006 and haven't played in a top-tier bowl game since the 1959 Rose Bowl. Rivera said it has been 'cool' to work with Wilcox through spring practice and the two are intent on sparking the program. 'What I have with Justin is a working relationship,' Rivera said. 'It's an opportunity for he and I to get together, discuss, collaborate and talk about the things we need to do as a university to help this football program become a very successful program that thrives for excellence.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
