Ohio State quarterback Will Howard had always wanted the opportunity to show what he could do, and on Monday night, that chance came.
Howard built on an impressive first half, finishing the game by completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. His performance helped the Buckeyes secure a 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta.
The turning point came with just 2:38 left in the game, when Howard made a 56-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith. At that moment, reality seemed to set in for Howard, who took a moment to celebrate by throwing his arms up as he ran down the field. Ohio State coach Ryan Day jumped in excitement on the sideline, while Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated from the box seats.
This kind of moment was always Howard’s dream. A transfer from Kansas State, he had always hoped for a chance to perform on college football’s biggest stage.
Will Howard holds a rose in his mouth as he poses with the trophy after the win
“If you were to ask a 19-year-old or 18-year-old Will Howard if he’d be at Ohio State playing in the national championship, I think he’d probably say, ‘You’re crazy, man,’” Howard said earlier this week.
Now, Howard is a champion, and his teammates believe this is just the start for the 23-year-old quarterback.
“Just the type of quarterback he is, in my eyes he’s a first-round draft pick,” Smith said. “Will’s just a great leader — on and off the field.”
Howard made history in the championship game by completing his first 13 passes. By halftime, he had completed 14 of 15 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State scored a touchdown on all three of its first-half drives, leading 21-7 at the break.
Notre Dame fought back but couldn’t find a way to get past Howard and the Buckeyes. After the game, Howard was named Offensive MVP.
“They’ve changed my life in more ways than I can say, man,” Howard told ESPN, talking about the impact of Coach Day and his teammates. “Coach Day and these guys here have completely, completely changed my life. … I can’t believe God gave me the chance to be a Buckeye.”
Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman feels more at ease discussing the national championship opportunity his team has on Monday night, rather than focusing on the historical significance of the event if they win.
However, it is hard to ignore the importance of Freeman’s potential achievement. He is attempting to become the first African American coach to win a college football title at the highest level of the sport, and this moment coincides with some powerful events in the U.S.
Monday, January 20, is not only the day of the national championship game but also Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the day Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second presidential term. King dedicated his life to advocating for inclusion and equality, and today diversity initiatives on college campuses are under scrutiny.
“The timing of Marcus Freeman and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a powerful symbol that should be viewed with cautious optimism,” said Joseph Cooper, director of the Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport at UMass.
“And with the incoming administration and their professed commitment to undo DEI policies, it reflects the peril and the long journey we still have to go, beyond just breaking barriers with pioneers.”
Notre Dame players in the 1st half
Freeman’s potential achievement, coming more than 40 years after a Black basketball coach first reached a similar milestone, highlights how much progress is still needed in college sports. The hiring of minority coaches has been a significant challenge in this area for many years.
Rod Broadway, a coach at historically Black universities Grambling State and North Carolina A&T, compared today’s Black football coach to the Black quarterback of the 1970s — once a rare sight but now more common.
Recent trends have made the path for Black coaches uncertain. There has been significant backlash against affirmative action and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, especially after the Black Lives Matter movement grew in response to George Floyd’s death in 2020.
Since then, the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in college admissions, Florida removed funding for DEI programs in public universities, and states have introduced laws regulating transgender athletes in sports.
Against this backdrop, questions arise about whether college football mirrors society, serves as a change agent, or is neither.
Heading into this year’s postseason, Black men held 11.9% of head coaching positions at the highest level of college football. This is nearly 7% lower than in the NFL, where the Rooney Rule was put in place in 2003 to require teams to interview minority candidates for open coaching positions.
There is no such rule in college football, except for a policy in the West Coast Conference, which does not have a football program.
Freeman, who is of African American and South Korean descent, was thoughtful when asked about the historical importance of his victory in the semifinals, where he coached against Penn State’s James Franklin, who is also Black. Freeman expressed his hope that all great coaches, regardless of race, would continue to be given opportunities to lead young men.
“It is an honor, and I hope all coaches, minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this,” Freeman said.
As the college football regular season came to an end, one team received more criticism than any other: Indiana.
“They played nobody!”
“Their strength of schedule is awful!”
“They shouldn’t even be in the playoff discussion!”
But, as it turns out, the Hoosiers weren’t as bad as some had believed. Their only two losses came against the two teams playing in the national championship game.
“Our two losses were to the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, on the road, in their own stadiums, and in tough environments,” said Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. “Everyone thought we were a great story until the College Football Playoff rankings came out, and then it became political.”
Cignetti, speaking in downtown Atlanta, just a mile from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where Monday night’s title game between Notre Dame and Ohio State would be held, perhaps offers the best insight into both teams. He has faced both teams, played them, and lost to them.
In Columbus, Indiana led Ohio State 7-0, before a blocked punt and a return touchdown helped Ohio State pull away, winning 38-15. Against Notre Dame in the first round of the playoff, Indiana was never ahead, trailing 20-3 at one point, before losing 27-17.
Cignetti admits both teams deserved their wins. Indiana struggled on special teams against Ohio State and lacked aggressiveness in South Bend against Notre Dame.
When discussing the matchup, Cignetti points to the statistics, as he is a data-focused coach.
“Great matchup. Two great coaches. No. 1 vs. No. 2-ranked defenses in the country,” he said. “Notre Dame actually scores more points per game than Ohio State, which would surprise 95% of people, but they do. They are No. 1 in the country for defensive touchdowns, No. 1 in blocked kicks with six, and they are +17 in turnover ratio, which leads to points. Notre Dame will need to generate points beyond their offense.”
But Cignetti believes the key to the game lies in Ohio State’s passing game versus Notre Dame’s strong man-to-man defense.
Notre Dame players in the 1st half
“I’m curious to see how Ohio State handles the passing game against Notre Dame,” Cignetti said.
Notre Dame boasts one of the best pass defenses in the nation. Ohio State, on the other hand, has more offensive weapons than almost any other team, which will create a strong battle between the two.
Opponents have thrown for 12 touchdowns against Notre Dame but also thrown 19 interceptions. The opponent QB rating against Notre Dame is 99.5, the best for any pass defense, along with a 50.7% completion rate, which is also the best in the country.
It’s tough to get through against Notre Dame, which plays man-to-man defense better than almost anyone.
However, Northern Illinois, coached by Thomas Hammock, managed to figure out Notre Dame just enough to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season, winning 16-14.
How did they do it?
“It was early in the season for them. They were trying to work in a new QB and new coordinator,” said Hammock. “They were figuring out how to build their offense, and they thought it was a great time to focus on their passing game, but we have a great defense.”
Hammock has watched Notre Dame improve throughout the season and sees a different team than the one that played his squad in early September.
“It starts with the leadership of their head coach,” Hammock said of Notre Dame’s coach, Marcus Freeman. “He has managed to get his players locked in and focused. They play complementary football. It’s been exciting to watch.”
When asked who Hammock was rooting for in the championship game, he didn’t hesitate:
“I definitely hope Notre Dame wins. I’m a Marcus Freeman fan,” he said.
As for Cignetti, who knows both teams so well, he refuses to make predictions. “I don’t make predictions,” he said.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches from the sideline during the first half of the Cotton Bowl CFP semi-final game
Ohio State will face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night.
On Wednesday, BetMGM Sportsbook listed Ohio State as an 8.5-point favorite, which is a point lower than the original line.
The eighth-seeded Buckeyes (13-2) have beaten Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas on their way to the championship game, where they will aim for their sixth national title since the poll era started in 1936. Their most recent championship came in 2014.
The seventh-seeded Irish (14-1) have defeated Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State and are playing for their 12th national title, their first since 1988.
Why Ohio State will win
The Buckeyes are considered more talented and healthier at the moment, which is a strong advantage.
In the 28-14 semifinal win over Texas, Ohio State had a rough offensive performance, which might have caused some concern among fans. Credit goes to Texas, which has one of the best defenses in the country and managed to shut down star receiver Jeremiah Smith. However, Ohio State has many other offensive threats.
Ohio State’s defense is ranked first and has already beaten three offenses in the CFP that, on paper, are stronger than Notre Dame’s offense.
Ohio State and Notre Dame set for a closer clash in the National Championship
Why Notre Dame will win
The Irish have a top-tier defense that is known for forcing turnovers at one of the highest rates in the country. For Notre Dame to win, they will likely need to make a few turnovers in their favor.
On offense, Notre Dame will need to perform well on third downs. They have converted 22 of 44 third-down attempts in three CFP games, including 11 of 17 in their 27-24 semifinal win over Penn State.
The Irish also need to continue improving their downfield passing game. Jaden Greathouse had his first 100-yard receiving game in the semifinal, and quarterback Riley Leonard, who has struggled with passes over 10 yards, completed passes of 32, 36, and 54 yards.
Ohio State players celebrates after a touchdown in the 2nd half
Notre Dame and Ohio State fans have faced challenging travel demands during the first 12-team college football playoff, especially as they made their way to the national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.
Given the extended postseason, many fans were worried that the cost of attending the championship might be too high after the previous travel expenses. However, the demand for tickets for this year’s game has driven prices even higher. Resale platforms show that ticket prices start around $1,800, with the average price reaching up to $2,500 for the championship.
“We definitely expected demand to rise,” said Joseph Bocanegra, a spokesperson for StubHub. “But I don’t think we expected it to be as big as it has been.”
According to Bocanegra, the average ticket price for this year’s game is $2,500, which is higher than last year’s $1,800 average for the game between Michigan and Washington in Houston. “It’s on track to be our best-selling CFP national championship game in StubHub history,” he added.
Vivid Seats, another ticket marketplace, has called the game the “hottest college football ticket” since 2009, with an average price of $2,269 and the cheapest tickets available for around $1,452.
Ohio Leads in Sales
Ohio has been the top contributor to sales, accounting for around 17% of tickets sold on StubHub. Illinois follows with 6%, while Indiana accounts for 4%. Despite this, it’s not a guarantee that Ohio State will have the largest fan presence at the game.
Brett Daniels, senior director of communications for the College Football Playoff, explained that both teams have exhausted their 20,000-ticket allotment, aiming to create a “neutral site atmosphere” for the game.
Ohio State and Notre Dame set for a closer clash in the National Championship
Notre Dame, known for its large national fan base, makes it harder to predict turnout by state. Vivid Seats anticipates that Notre Dame fans will make up 55% of the crowd as the Fighting Irish aim for their first national title since 1988.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard expressed his pride in representing the school and leading them to the national championship. “It’s truly an honor and something I don’t take for granted,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in wearing the blue and gold. Our fans have been loyal for a very long time, and it would be an honor to deliver them another one.”
Long Drives Ahead
For fans driving to Atlanta, the trip can be lengthy. From South Bend, Indiana, to Atlanta, it’s about a 675-mile drive that takes around 11 hours. Ohio State fans from Columbus have a shorter trip of about 567 miles, which takes around 8 and a half hours.
Still Not Super Bowl Prices
While ticket prices for the national championship game are high, they’re still lower than those for the Super Bowl. “I don’t think I’ve seen a championship game like this in terms of demand and price for tickets,” Bocanegra said. However, he pointed out that “it’s certainly still lower than the Super Bowl,” where the lowest ticket price is around $4,000 to $5,000.
Ohio State is favored in the game, opening as a 9 and a half-point favorite, with the spread shrinking to 8 and a half points by Thursday. Meanwhile, a betting site called BetOnline.ag found that fans in almost every state were rooting for Notre Dame.
A review of more than 230,000 posts on X showed that Ohio and West Virginia were the only states where a majority of fans supported Ohio State. Fans from other states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky, showed slight support for Notre Dame.
Quinn Ewers “wanted to leave Texas in good standing,” according to his high school coach, Riley Dodge, speaking to Horns247.
Ewers, who had one more year of eligibility, reportedly turned down an $8 million NIL deal from an unnamed school to enter the NFL Draft. While some might see this as a poor financial move, others view it as a sign of Ewers’ loyalty to Texas, the school he always wanted to play for.
“Texas was the only place he wanted to play college football,” Dodge shared with Horns247’s Chip Brown.
Over his three years at Texas, Ewers earned approximately $6 million through NIL deals. These years marked a significant turnaround for the program, as Ewers led the team to back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinals. Along the way, he became a highly discussed figure among college football fans, both positively and negatively.
“I don’t really pay attention to it,” Ewers said before playing Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, according to Horns247. “When I was younger, maybe a little bit more. But as I’ve grown up, I’ve come to fully understand that relying on what other people think of me won’t get me anywhere, and that’s just not a healthy way to go about life.”
Quinn Ewers throws a pass in the 1st half
Before transferring from Ohio State to Texas, Ewers faced criticism for accepting NIL money from Ohio State instead of finishing his senior year in high school. He explained that the decision was made with his family’s best interests in mind.
“Me and my family had a pretty big opportunity in front of us,” Ewers said in the same Cotton Bowl press conference. “We felt that it was a good decision for me to go on and forgo my senior year and enroll early at Ohio State and have the opportunity to have some good money in our pockets as a family.”
Now, instead of choosing the more financially rewarding option, Ewers has set his sights on an NFL future. Scouts predict he could be drafted anywhere from the bottom of the first round to the top of the third. The relatively weak quarterback class for this draft season could benefit his stock.
Even though Ewers had the chance to make more money through NIL deals, if he performs well in the NFL, it’s likely that an even more lucrative contract will be offered to him in the future.
As confetti fell around him, Jack Sawyer raised his arms, closed his eyes, and took in the moment. Growing up in a suburb of Columbus, playing catch in the backyard with his dad while wearing a scarlet and gray jersey, Sawyer had always dreamed of having a big moment for Ohio State.
On Friday night, that dream came true during the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas.
With just over two minutes left and Texas needing a touchdown to tie the game, Sawyer made a play that ended the Longhorns’ season and sent the Buckeyes to the National Championship game. On fourth-and-goal, Sawyer broke past Texas’ right tackle and rushed toward quarterback Quinn Ewers, his former roommate at Ohio State.
Sawyer hit Ewers from behind, causing the ball to pop loose. Sawyer scooped up the fumble and ran 83 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Buckeyes’ 28-14 victory.
“I almost blacked out when I saw nothing but green grass ahead of me,” Sawyer said.
That play secured Ohio State’s spot in the National Championship game against Notre Dame. It also solidified Sawyer’s place in Ohio State history.
“To make a play like that in that moment… You want to leave a legacy behind? You become a legend. He just became a legend at Ohio State,” coach Ryan Day said after the game.
Sawyer’s journey to this moment was driven by a deep desire to make an impact at Ohio State. After three losses to Michigan and without a Big Ten championship or national title, Sawyer, along with other seniors, chose to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL Draft.
“I wanted to go to the NFL and chase my dream more than the next guy,” Sawyer said. “But I haven’t won a championship. And you walk around the Woody [Hayes Athletic Center] and all you see is championships and championship posters and banners. Having not helped our team win any of those, it’s something that wears on me and it’s something that motivates me every day.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, center left, talks with a referee, center right, during an NCAA college football game against Ohio State
Sawyer had a chance for a big moment earlier in the season but faced a tough setback. In a game against Michigan, Sawyer intercepted a pass at the goal line, but Ohio State couldn’t capitalize on the turnover, and Michigan won with a game-winning field goal. Sawyer’s frustration was clear as Michigan’s players planted their flag at midfield, leading to a confrontation.
However, with the expansion of the College Football Playoff, Sawyer and the Ohio State seniors were given one more chance to end their careers on a high note. Sawyer’s fumble recovery for a touchdown put Ohio State one win away from their first national title since 2014.
“The resiliency of this team from a month ago has been incredible,” said Sawyer, who became the first FBS player in a decade to record multiple pass breakups and a sack in three consecutive games during Ohio State’s playoff run. “We sat up here last year with a sore taste in our mouth and heard a lot of things. We come back and heard the same things a month ago. But we kept swinging.”
Texas kept fighting back. After Ohio State took a 21-14 lead, Ewers drove Texas down to the Ohio State 1-yard line. But safety Lathan Ransom stopped Texas’ running back on a risky play, forcing a 7-yard loss.
“We had a plan to try to get the ball on the edge,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “It’s one of those plays, if you block it all right, you get in the end zone — and we didn’t.”
With time running out, Texas faced a crucial fourth-and-goal. Ewers thought he had enough time to pass but was sacked by Sawyer, who forced the fumble. Ewers spoke highly of Sawyer after the game, saying, “Obviously, it’s not like I tried to give him the game. He is a great player, great individual, great person. … It sucks, but Jack’s a good player and he made a great play.”
Sawyer’s fumble recovery became the longest in both CFP and Cotton Bowl history. As Ohio State quarterback Will Howard took a knee to run out the clock, coach Day jumped into Sawyer’s arms.
“I don’t know if there’s a guy … who loves being a Buckeye more,” Day said. “This is somebody … who has always wanted to be a Buckeye, who has always wanted for a moment like this. So to see him get the moment that he had today — I mean, he’s become like family to me.”
Both Day and Sawyer made it clear that their journey isn’t over. With a national title still up for grabs, Sawyer is focused on finishing his Ohio State career in the best possible way.
“I love Columbus, I love the state of Ohio, I love Ohio State football,” Sawyer said. “And I’m so fortunate to be playing in the national championship my last year here.”
Marcus Freeman tosses his headset to the sidelines
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has made history. After leading his team to a victory in the Orange Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Freeman became the first Black and first Asian American coach to compete in the national championship game.
Freeman, who is Korean American, reflected on this milestone following the win. “It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this,” Freeman told ESPN. “But this ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special.”
Notre Dame won the game 27-24 against Penn State, thanks to a 41-yard field goal by kicker Mitch Jeter with just eight seconds left. The Fighting Irish are now set to face the winner of the Friday semifinal between Ohio State and Texas in the national championship game on January 20.
While Freeman briefly acknowledged his background after the nail-biting victory, he has discussed his heritage more in-depth in the past. In an essay featured on the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights’ personal narrative archive on race, Freeman shared that his father, who served in the Air Force, met his mother while stationed in South Korea.
When he was younger, Freeman didn’t fully realize his mother’s identity as an Asian immigrant, but as he grew older, he began to appreciate his heritage.
“I embraced my Korean background. I did Taekwondo, which is a Korean martial art, growing up,” Freeman said. “But also, you know, I did sports and embraced my African American side.”
Marcus Freeman reacts in the 1st half
In a 2021 essay for the Players’ Tribune, Freeman mentioned that his father’s military service taught him discipline, while his mother’s experience as an immigrant showed him the value of selflessness. “She’s a Korean woman who fell in love with this American guy that was stationed over in Korea,” Freeman wrote.
“And she left all of her comfort, back home, in order to start a family with my dad in the United States. She’s taught me so much about sacrifice, how it can be its own reward.”
Freeman, who turned 39 on Friday, is in his third year as head coach of Notre Dame and has a record of 34-9. Before taking over as head coach, he served as the team’s defensive coordinator.
North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller runs with the ball against Montana State during the first half
Cam Miller led North Dakota State to a 35-32 victory over Montana State on Monday night, securing their 10th Football Championship Subdivision title. This win marks the Bison’s record-breaking achievement as they defeated the top-seeded and previously undefeated Bobcats.
The victory took place in Frisco, and North Dakota State made the trip there for the 11th time in 14 seasons. Their last title in Frisco was three years ago, where Miller and Montana State’s Tommy Mellott were also the starting quarterbacks.
Miller, who has started in 54 consecutive games for North Dakota State, had an outstanding performance. He completed 19 of 22 passes for 199 yards, and he also ran for 121 yards on 18 carries. Miller scored two touchdowns on the ground and threw for two more. This victory marked his 45th career win, and it was his second national title.
Tommy Mellott, a native of Montana, had a strong showing for Montana State. He ran for 135 yards on 14 carries and passed for 195 yards, including two touchdown passes. One of his key plays was a 44-yard touchdown run that brought Montana State within 28-25 early in the fourth quarter.
Mellott had also been named the Walter Payton Award winner this season, which is given to the FCS’ top offensive player, narrowly beating Miller for the honor.
In the final moments of the game, Mellott threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler with 1:09 left, but Montana State’s attempt at an onside kick failed. Despite this, North Dakota State never trailed in the game. The Bison took control early when Miller capped the opening drive, which lasted over seven minutes, with a 2-yard touchdown run. On their second possession, Miller ran 64 yards untouched for another touchdown.
Cam Miller in the 1st half
Before halftime, Miller threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Lance, extending their lead to 21-3. Lance’s touchdown was his FCS-leading 17th of the season, coming after a replay review had overturned an earlier call and ruled him out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Lance also had a diving 38-yard catch in the third quarter, which set up another 1-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Joe Stoffel.
Lance is the younger brother of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance, who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Bryce Lance finished the game with nine receptions for 107 yards.
This victory further cements North Dakota State’s dominance in the FCS. They remain the only team in modern college football to complete a perfect 16-0 season, which they accomplished five years ago when they also won the national title. The Bison’s only loss in a title game in Frisco was to South Dakota State two years ago.
For Montana State, the loss meant they remain without a national title for the past 40 years. Although they lead the all-time series with North Dakota State 21-18, the Bobcats have lost the last six matchups, all in the FCS playoffs since 2010. Last season, Montana State lost to the Bison 35-34 in the second round after a blocked extra point in overtime.
Looking ahead, North Dakota State will open the 2025 season with a game at The Citadel on August 30. This game will mark the first time since the middle of the 2021 season that someone other than Cam Miller will start at quarterback for the Bison. Meanwhile, Montana State will begin their 2025 campaign with a road game at Oregon, also on August 30. The only previous meeting between the two schools took place in 1947.
Washington State players celebrates after a touchdown
In what has been a very unusual season for the Pac-12, Oregon State and No. 25 Washington State will face each other this weekend for what is essentially the regular-season title for the league.
This is the reality for the once-proud Pac-12, which was left with just two teams — the Beavers and the Cougars — after last year’s realignment.
The only remaining Pac-12 game will be held Saturday in Corvallis. While Washington State and Oregon State had a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West this year, neither team is part of that conference’s standings.
After the collapse of the Pac-12, the Beavers and Cougars have worked together to rebuild the conference. In 2026, five Mountain West teams, along with Gonzaga for basketball, will join a restructured Pac-12.
However, this partnership doesn’t extend to football, at least according to Washington State head coach Jake Dickert.
“I’ve never gotten into, like, they’re our buddy. Oregon State’s not our buddy. They would have left us as fast as we would have left them. This is what it is,” Dickert said this week. “It’s one of our biggest rivals now. That’s the way I looked at it. That’s not bulletin board material. I hope they would say it the same way, let’s go compete.”
Washington State (8-2) recently suffered a tough 38-35 loss to New Mexico, which hurt their hopes of winning out and earning a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Cougars had been ranked as high as No. 18 in the CFP rankings.
“Our team will be defined in how we respond to this,” Dickert said. “That’s what we talked about after the game. That’s what we talked about this morning. We have a commitment to finish here.
That isn’t just committing to finish because we’re in the playoff hunt. It’s a commitment to finish to each other and our team. There are 50 other teams in the country that would switch places with us, and be 8-2 with where we’re at.”
Oregon State players celebrate in the 2nd half
Oregon State (4-6) has been struggling with five straight losses, including a 28-0 defeat at Air Force last weekend.
The Beavers could still make a bowl game if they win against the Cougars and then defeat No. 12 Boise State next weekend.
“When you lose like we’ve lost the last five weeks, it’s never just one thing, and it’s certainly not just the players,” Oregon State coach Trent Bray said.
Washington State’s quarterback John Mateer has been one of the top players in the country, even though he plays outside of a Power Four conference. Mateer is ranked fifth nationwide with 340.2 yards of total offense per game. He has 26 passing touchdowns (tied for fourth) and 12 rushing touchdowns, setting a new single-season record for a Washington State quarterback.
Mateer is the only quarterback in the country with over 20 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores.
His success has led to growing interest from other teams, much like his predecessor, Cam Ward, who played for Washington State last season before transferring to Miami. Ward is now a Heisman candidate and a possible first-round NFL draft pick.
The transfer portal will open on December 9.
Looking ahead, the scheduling agreement with the Mountain West was not renewed for next season, so Washington State and Oregon State had to set up their own schedules. As part of this, the two teams will play each other twice next season — once in Corvallis and once in Pullman.
In 2026, five Mountain West schools — Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Utah State — will join the reformed Pac-12. Gonzaga, which does not have a football team, will also be a part of this new conference.
To gain official NCAA recognition, the new Pac-12 still needs to add another football team.
Northwestern football hosted No. 2 Ohio State at Wrigley Field on Saturday, highlighting one of Chicago’s most famous venues.
On Monday, the Wildcats revealed designs for their new stadium, Ryan Field, set to open in 2026. According to a news release, the new stadium will be “a state-of-the-art $850 million sports and entertainment venue set to become a landmark for college football and Chicago.”
This new Ryan Field project will be the “largest stadium project in college football history,” according to ESPN.
The new stadium will be fully funded by the Ryan family with no public investment. The Ryan family is a minority owner of the Chicago Bears and has a stake in the English Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.
“With the new Ryan Field, we are introducing a bold new vision for the future of college sports,” said Pat Ryan Jr. “This stadium is not just a world-class football stadium; it’s for our students, student-athletes, fans, alumni, and the Northwestern and Evanston communities.
We’re committed to creating spaces that embody the best of the modern fan experience, while building a legacy of economic empowerment and cultural benefits for our community.”
“The Ryan Family is proud to be partnered with Northwestern in creating this transformational project.” The majority of the funding for the new Ryan Field will come from the Ryan Foundation, and the Ryan Family’s sports development team is working on the design and development of the stadium on a pro bono basis, in collaboration with Northwestern Athletics.
The new Ryan Field is expected to serve as a venue for not only Northwestern football games but also youth sports, holiday festivals, and other student activities in Evanston, Illinois, and the surrounding Northwestern community.
Northwestern University Stadium
The 35,000-seat stadium, which will have the smallest capacity in the Big Ten, is projected to have a $1.3 billion impact on the Chicago area, with $659 million of that impact in Evanston.
The project is also expected to provide $208 million in contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses, and the Ryan Foundation is contributing $10 million to fund workforce development programs for Evanston residents.
Key features of the new Ryan Field include:
Every one of the 35,000 seats will have better-than-TV sightlines, optimized to be as close to the field as possible. All seats will have comfortable seat backs and be protected from the weather by a canopy.
The seating canopy will also be designed to amplify homefield sound, giving Northwestern a strong home advantage during games.
With 194% of the required ADA seating, the stadium will be the most accessible stadium ever built, ensuring that every fan, regardless of physical ability, can experience the games equally.
More than 200,000 square feet of parks and plazas will surround the stadium, offering spaces for pregame activities like pop-up restaurants, live music, and community tailgating zones.
The stadium’s main concourses will be open to the stadium bowl, allowing fans to enjoy the game without missing any moments.
Four premium clubs will cater to all types of fans, from the most dedicated Wildcat supporters to those looking for corporate entertainment opportunities at Chicago’s Big Ten Stadium. These clubs will be available year-round for events, meetings, and private gatherings.
The project involves partners like Turner Walsh, who is leading the construction, and architecture firms Perkins & Will and HNTB.
Penn State junior running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton announced on Monday that they will not enter the NFL draft and will return for the 2025 season.
“We still have goals we want to reach as a team, and I want to be alongside my teammates as we reach those goals,” Singleton shared in his announcement.
This is big news for the Nittany Lions, as both Allen and Singleton are two of the top running backs in college football.
Meanwhile, junior quarterback Drew Allar also plans to return next season for his senior year. He had previously stated he would keep an “open mind” after receiving feedback from the NFL, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
On the other hand, star tight end Tyler Warren announced that he will enter the NFL draft. Warren is considered the No. 14 overall player by Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department. In 2024, he had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
Even with Warren leaving, Penn State will have plenty of talent coming back, especially with the return of the two talented running backs.
Drew Allar throws in the 1st half
“Going to work with coach Seider and the Lawnboyz every day is something I will cherish forever,” Allen wrote. “Penn State has been an extraordinary experience for me… it’s clear that we still have a lot more to accomplish.”
Both Allen and Singleton were part of one of the best rushing duos in college football this season. Allen rushed for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns on 220 carries, while Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns on 172 carries. Singleton also ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 6.4 yards per carry.
Together, they combined for 166 rushing yards in the 27-24 Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame, with Singleton scoring three touchdowns.
Singleton’s return is particularly surprising because he was projected as the No. 50 player in the 2025 NFL Draft and the No. 5 running back, according to Bleacher Report.
Although quarterback Drew Allar had already committed to returning to Penn State before the Orange Bowl, some NFL general managers believed he might have reconsidered entering the draft if he had performed well in the game, per Brugler. However, Allar’s final game was a letdown, as he threw for just 135 yards with zero touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble, completing only 52 percent of his passes.
Despite this, the Nittany Lions will head into next season with a talented and experienced backfield, with Allen, Singleton, and Allar returning.
