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Fox Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things to watch for in UFL conference championship weekend
Unable to land a roster spot for a full season last year, Rodrigo Blankenship decided to pursue a blueprint to get back his NFL dream job that former UFL kickers Brandon Aubrey and Jake Bates successfully took advantage of in spring football. "There's definitely been a precedence established where if you can kick at a really high level in a spring league, it can definitely provide opportunities for you," Blankenship told FOX Sports. "Jake Bates last year had some really big kicks. Branden Aubrey, when he was with the Stallions, was just automatic for them for a couple [of] years, and then he got his opportunity and is crushing it as well. "That definitely gave me a lot of hope and a lot of inspiration to see that if you can execute and do your job, then hopefully the opportunities are going to be there for you when it's all said and done." Blankenship signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks in January after attending a UFL showcase in San Diego hosted by former NFL kicker John Karney the month prior. His plan has so far worked to perfection. The Georgia product went 21-for-22 on field goals during the regular season with a long of 56 yards. The only kicker close to achieving those results in the UFL was the Birmingham Stallions' Harrison Mevis, who made 20 of 21 field goals with a long of 54 yards. The lone miss for Mevis was from 63 yards, while Blankenship had a 58-yard field goal bounce short off the crossbar. Blankenship won the Lou Groza Award as the best kicker in college football in his final season at Georgia in 2019. He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Indianapolis Colts, eventually earning the starting job. However, Blankenship suffered a hip injury during his second season that landed him on IR. He was waived after the season opener of his third season with the Colts, missing a 42-yarder that would have won the game in overtime. Blankenship appeared in a game with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and lost a kicking competition to Chase McLoughlin with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during training camp 2023. He finished 47-for-56 (83.9%) on field goals with a long of 53 yards during his three seasons in the NFL. Blankenship is fully healthy after having surgery to fix his hip injury in January 2023. He and his wife relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, where his longtime kicking coach, Mike McCabe, resides. The year away offered a time to work on his craft and reflect on his career. Blankenship posted weekly updates of his workouts last year on social media. "It was different," he said. "It was a little frustrating, to not get a phone call throughout the entire season, but it was a time for me to have to grow mentally and emotionally — to have to persevere and have to stay the course. Just to trust that whatever plans are in store for me are unfolding the way they are supposed to." Blankenship has been one of the main reasons the Battlehawks are a league-best 8-2 heading into the postseason. St. Louis hosts the DC Defenders (6-4) in the XFL Conference title game on Sunday (6 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX Sports app), followed by the defending champion Stallions (7-3) will host the Michigan Panthers (6-4) in the USFL Conference title game (3 p.m. ET). Here's a closer look at what else to watch for during conference championship weekend. XFL Conference title game: Battlehawks vs. Defenders The two teams split during the regular season, as the Defenders defeated the Battlehawks by double digits, 27-15, in St. Louis in Week 3 when Manny Wilkins was still the starting quarterback. However, the Battlehawks took care of the Defenders in the final game of the regular season, 13-8, with both teams resting key players for the playoffs. St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht is 15-6 (including the postseason) in two years in the UFL and finished with a 7-3 record during his one season in the legacy XFL. Defenders interim head coach Shannon Harris is 6-4 in his one season at the helm. The Defenders hold a 4-3 all-time record against the Battlehawks. Key matchup: Battlehawks defense vs. Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu A strength for St. Louis this season has been the team's potent pass rush, led by UFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Pita Taumoepenu (7.5 sacks). The Battlehawks have held teams to a league-low 16.3 points per game and finished tied for a league-high nine interceptions on the year. However, St. Louis faces the best playmaking quarterback in the UFL this season with league MVP frontrunner Ta'amu. The Ole Miss product finished first in the league in passing touchdowns (17) and second in the UFL in passing yards (2,153). Keeping Ta'amu from creating explosive plays will be a top priority for St. Louis' defense. Key stats: Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors finished second in the UFL in rushing yards with 499, leading a St. Louis offense that topped the league in rushing, averaging 144 rushing yards a contest. St. Louis receiver Jahcour Pearson led the league in punt return yards with 294. St. Louis QB Max Duggan leads all signal-callers with 300 rushing yards and totaled five rushing touchdowns during the regular season. Defenders receiver Chris Rowland led the UFL in all-purpose yards (1,100) during the regular season. Rowland's teammate Cornell Powell topped the league in receiving touchdowns with seven. Derick Roberson and Andre Mintze finished with a team-high 5.5 sacks each, while All-UFL linebacker Anthony Hines III led the Defenders with 53 combined tackles. UFL Conference title game: Stallions vs. Panthers The Stallions are seeking their fourth consecutive spring football championship, having won back-to-back USFL titles and the first UFL championship last season. "With the 2025 team, I'm only trying to win one championship with this team," Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz said. The Stallions are 39-7 under Holtz. On the other side, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan has led the Panthers to the playoffs for a second straight year, posting a 17-15 record overall in two seasons. This is the eighth meeting between the two teams, and Birmingham owns a 7-0 all-time record. The Panthers enter this weekend's contest on a two-game losing streak. However, All-UFL QB Bryce Perkins had missed the last three games with an ankle injury but is expected to play Sunday. The Stallions swept the season series this year and defeated the Panthers in the USFL Championship Game last season, 31-18. Key matchup: Stallions defensive line vs. Panthers rushing offense Michigan's best chance at stunning the Stallions is controlling the line of scrimmage by establishing the running game, playing keep away from a Birmingham offense that has averaged 33 points a contest over the past four games. The Panthers are second in the UFL in rushing, averaging 128 rushing yards a contest. Michigan has the best short yardage running back in the league in Toa Taua, who led the league with six rushing touchdowns. And the return of Perkins gives the Panthers a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his feet and his arm in space. Key stats: Panthers receiver Siaosi Mariner led the UFL in receiving yards with 528. All-UFL cornerback Kedrick Whitehead Jr. led Michigan with 66 combined tackles. The Panthers committed 12 turnovers with seven lost fumbles and five interceptions during the regular season. The Stallions have forced 16 turnovers this season, tied for third in the UFL. Birmingham sack leader Bradlee Anae (4.0 sacks) is expected to return to the lineup after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. Linebacker Kyahva Tezino led the Stallions with 57 tackles, including five tackles for loss. Tezino also finished with one sack, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. QB J'Mar Smith helped lead the Stallions to a USFL title in 2022 and has been the savior of Birmingham's offense since his midseason return, going 52-for-80 for 758 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in four games played. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . 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 ! 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Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Patriots rookie Andres Borregales putting best foot forward early in kicking competition with veteran John Parker Romo
Advertisement It's no surprise to University of Miami special teams coordinator Danny Kalter, who predicts Patriots fans will 'fall in love' with the 5-foot-11-inch, 199-pound Borregales, who has a penchant for big kicks while earning the nickname 'Automatic Andy.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'He'll be talking [expletive] as a kicker and making big kicks and getting the crowd involved,' Kalter said of Borregales, who made 75 percent of his field goal chances from 50-plus over the last two seasons with the Hurricanes. 'He'll be as fun a kicker as you can root for. And his teammates will love him. He won't be hanging out over by the kicking net during the games. He's going to be in there, cheering on the offense and defense. 'I think from a fan perspective, they'll fall in love with his personality and his swagger. He doesn't carry himself as a prototypical kicker. And it's easy to fall for a guy like that when he's putting the ball between the uprights at the rate he does.' Advertisement Borregales has a résumé that suggests he could Andres Borregales connected on 86 percent of his field goal attempts at the University of Miami, including a career-high 94.7 percent as a senior. Adrian Kraus/Associated Press The 22-year-old Borregales, who acknowledged the history of New England's 'legendary kickers' when he spoke with reporters shortly after he was drafted, was the first kicker taken this year, 182nd overall. 'We decided to jump in there with Andres when we did, and feel pretty comfortable with that,' executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said shortly after the pick was made. 'We felt like Andres was good value there, and he was a player that was ranked high on our board.' Kicking runs in the Borregales family. Andres is the younger brother of Jose Borregales, a fellow Miami alum and winner of the 2020 Lou Groza Award, given to the best college kicker in the country. Kalter said that's one reason Andres Borregales he has the mental and physical makeup to succeed in the NFL. 'The Patriots got a kid who is a great competitor,' Kalter said. 'Personality-wise, he's not your typical kicker. Andy proved himself that when he started playing, he was a football player first, and that propelled him to be the best kicker in the country last year. He's a fierce competitor with a great mind-set when it comes to letting missing go, and self-evaluation and all of it. Advertisement 'That comes from his family. His brother Jose was a great kicker, and Andy came right up in the same footsteps. That's the mind-set he brings to the job every day.' Related : Kalter said that if Borregales trusts the form he worked to craft the last few seasons, the Patriots' choice will pay dividends. 'He's the most complete kicker I've ever been around,' said Kalter. 'He just needs to trust in his leg and his incredible technique that he's honed the last few years. Just trust in himself. 'The Patriots don't just have a kicker. They have a true football player.' Christopher Price can be reached at
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
3 Raiders legends among nominees for College Football Hall of Fame class of 2026
3 Raiders legends among nominees for College Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 The National Football Foundation has announced this year's nominees for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. Among them are several players who suited up for the Raiders. Among the notable former Raiders on the ballot include former first round pick Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland native Marshawn Lynch, and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour. Sebastian Janikowski, K, Florida State Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1998 and unanimous accolades in 1999…Only two-time recipient of the Lou Groza Award (1998, 1999)…Helped FSU to consecutive BCS Championship appearances, winning the national title at the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Was selected by the Raiders with the 17th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. His selection at 17 overall was the fourth highest ever for a kicker and the highest drafted player of the past 45 years. Marshawn Lynch, RB, California 2006 First Team All-American who led Cal to a share of the 2006 Pac-10 title…2006 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year led the league in rushing (1,356), all-purpose yards (1,785) and TDs (15) that season…Two-time bowl game MVP (2005 Las Vegas, 2006 Holiday) and Cal's all-time leader in 100-yard rushing games (17). Marshawn came out of retirement in 2017 in order to play the final two seasons for his hometown Oakland Raiders. Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia 2000 First Team All-American, helping the Bulldogs to four-straight bowl wins and top 20 final national rankings…Two-year team captain and two-time First Team All-SEC selection…1999 UGA Defensive MVP and one of only two DLs in school history to lead the team in single-season tackles (74 in 1999). In 2009, the Raiders sent a first round pick to New England to acquire the five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All Pro, and three-time Super Bowl champion. He would head to two more Pro Bowls in his four seasons in Oakland and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Competition to come? 49ers sign veteran kicker Greg Joseph to push Jake Moody
The kid has competition. The San Francisco 49ers signed kicker Greg Joseph, 30, to a one-year contract Friday to push incumbent Jake Moody, 25, a 2023 third-round pick whose struggles in his second year raised in-season questions about his job security. Joseph's agent, Brett Tessler, announced the signing on social media. The addition of a kicker wasn't surprising. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said in late March the 49ers would add a veteran after Moody ranked 32nd in the NFL in field-goal percentage (70.6%) in 2024. 'As long as we bring in a guy who's capable of taking that job, and Jake respects him — that's what puts pressure on him because you've got to respect the guy you're going against,' Shanahan said. Joseph has played for six teams since entering the NFL in 2018, and has made 116 of 141 career attempts and his career field-goal percentage (82.2%) ranked 20th among active kickers at the end of last season. In 2024, Joseph made 16 of 20 attempts while playing for three different teams: Giants (six games), Commanders (one) and Jets (one). The Jets' special teams coordinator was Brant Boyer, who was hired by the 49ers in January. Joseph has made 71 of 72 attempts (98.6%) from inside 40 yards and is 44 of 68 (64.7%) from 40 yards and beyond. Moody has 29 of 30 kicks (96.7%) from inside 40 yards and is 16 of 29 (55.2%) from longer distances. Boyer said last week that Moody's inaccuracy last year was likely tied to a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 5 that sidelined him for three games. 'He's as talented a kid as it gets,' Boyer said. 'I think the injury issue … I think that had a lot to do with it.' The numbers support that claim: Before his injury, Moody made 13 of 14 attempts, including 5 of 6 from 40-plus yards. In nine games after he returned, Moody made 11 of 20 attempts and was 5-for-14 from 40-plus yards. After he became the NFL's highest-drafted kicker since 2016, Moody made 21 of 25 attempts as a rookie. He went 6 of 8 in the playoffs and had a low extra point blocked in the fourth quarter of a 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. Before signing Joseph, the 49ers tried out undrafted rookie Kenneth Almendares, who won the Lou Groza Award given to the nation's top kicker last year at Louisiana. But they did not offer Almendares a contract after he participated in their rookie minicamp last week.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens' kicker competition is the biggest thing to watch ahead of OTAs, training camp
Ravens' kicker competition is the biggest thing to watch ahead of OTAs, training camp Baltimore is preparing for training camp, and the Ravens' kicker competition will be the biggest battle to watch Perhaps it was Rich Eisen who said it first. Kickers are people, too. Never in a million years did anyone see this coming. How did the exit by the all-time leading scorer in Baltimore Ravens history lead to a battle between placekickers becoming one of the more intriguing offseason conversations of the summer? We wouldn't have believed it had we not seen it ourselves. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen shared a congratulatory embrace to wish each other well as the Buffalo Bills moved on to the AFC Championship Game and the Ravens began their offseason protocol weeks earlier than anyone wanted them to. The NFL Draft came. Baltimore selected a kicker for the first time in franchise history, signaling the end of Justin Tucker's 13-year run with the organization. His release was announced on May 5th. Little did we know that the conversations about his replacement were about to get more interesting. Justin Tucker's replacement, Tyler Loop, earns his first taste of life in the NFL. Ravens rookie minicamp has come and gone (May 3-5). A surprise signing was announced: former Wyoming Cowboys kicker John Hoyland was one of three roster additions made by Baltimore on May 12 after impressing during a rookie minicamp tryout. Hoyland connected on 79.3% of his field-goal attempts and 99.3% of his extra-point tries during his five-year run at Wyoming. His 22 successful field goals during the 2022 Cowboys football season set a single-season school record. Three of Hoyland's four misses during his final season at the collegiate level were from 50 yards or further. Only two of 54 attempts from under 40 yards resulted in misfires. He is attempting to do what Justin Tucker did 13 years ago: make the team as an undrafted rookie free agent, but it won't be an easy endeavor. Loop is no slouch either. He enters the NFL after being named a 2024 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, an honor given annually to college football's best placekicker, so let the games begin. For the first time in forever, Baltimore's special teams unit has a real-deal kicker battle, and believe it or not, it's one that everyone would be wise to pay attention to.
