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| Lincoln Riley, USC embrace Alamo Bowl opportunity |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Transitional uncertainty has become an annual part of the college football calendar since the dawning of the transfer portal era and the evolution of the college football playoff. The 12 teams who earned golden tickets to the tournament set to determine the national champion have a somewhat insulated month of prep for the biggest games and bowls in the sport.
for the rest of college football, decembers postseason can be a bit of a quagmire in which participation for winning teams is no longer a constant. Notre dame took its ball and decided to go home after exclusion from the cfp. The fighting irish will not play a 13th game in 2025 despite finishing as the no. 11 cfp team but losing out because of automatic bids that went to james madison and tulane.
usc finished its regular season 9-3 and no. 16 in the cfp rankings. The trojans ended up just on the outside of the cfp but elected to play in the valero alamo bowl against tcu on december 30 (6:00 p.M. Pst; espn).
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the trojans have embraced the positives of a full month of practice even with a roster that ends up a bit of a one-off because of the transfer portal and individual player decisions on participation. Usc also stepped happily into an event known for producing some of the best bowl games each year.
an honor to our team to be able to represent the big ten in the valero alamo bowl, lincoln riley said. Its a game thats very near and dear to a lot of us. Some great history through the years and then over the last few years, seeing all the different matchups, the exciting games, it feels like its been every single year watching this game. So, thankful for this bowl, thankful to valero, all that you guys do in the community.
itll be great to see my good friend sonny dykes on the other sideline. Somebody ive obviously had a long history with, been a great friend. Hes a tremendous coach. Obviously, his track record speaks for itself, and hes done an awesome job at tcu, so i know itll be a great matchup. Our team will look forward to preparing and then getting down to san antonio after the holidays and looking forward to a great game.
riley didnt have much news to break on roster availability. There are trojans returning from injury incentivized to keep pushing by one last shot to get out on a gameday field. There are also others with business decisions to make. Running back waymond jordan is among the former while star wide receivers makai lemon and jakobi lane are among the latter.
a little too early to say right now, riley said. Waymonds definitely progressing. As we get a little bit closer, we would collectively make that decision. And weve got some guys, obviously, that are looking to make decisions on this bowl and if theyre turning pro, or how thats going to play out. Thatll clarify here in the next few weeks, but i dont have any announcements as of right now.
former trojan wide receiver tahj washington was headed to the nfl after the 2023 season but chose to play in the holiday bowl regardless, and was able to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in the game. Last season, usc watched three of hits top five receivers (zachariah branch, kyron hudson and duce robinson) move on before the trojans played in the las vegas bowl. Usc retained lemon and lanes services, and the duo starred against texas a&m before returning to troy for this past season.
riley and usc are coming off the inking of the no. 1 high school recruiting class. The head ball coach endorsed the chance to play on a nationally-televised slate in one of the countrys top recruiting hotbeds as well.
anytime you get a chance to play in a big bowl game, national tv, against another really good program, thats a great opportunity to showcase what your program is about, riley said. Well certainly take that opportunity and do our very best with it. Weve obviously been able to come into texas and sign some great players over the last few years.
to get an opportunity to play there, which doesnt happen every year for us, is a great opportunity as well. Recruiting has gone well, but thats a continual thing that never ends. And whether its somebody right now, or its guys down the line, a lot of people watch these games, and its a chance for both programs to really put their best foot forward.
finally, the bowl matchup is now more of a bridge to the next season than in previous eras. In many ways, the tone for uscs next season was set by the preceding bowl game. One-off or no, riley and the trojans acknowledged this month will be both the final chapter of 2025 and at the very least a prologue to 2026.
the way these games have evolved, it does feel like, in some ways, the end of this year, in a lot of ways, the beginning of the following year as your roster evolves, riley said. Probably the most valuable part of the entire experience is the practice time with the guys. Its critical. And theres so many guys we could point to that maybe they didnt have a big impact during the season on saturdays, and they developed it at bowl time. Maybe went in there and had a good bowl game, and then their career really seemed to take off from there. So were looking forward to taking advantage of the time and the opportunity as much as we can. |
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| Lane Kiffin sends clear message after Nick Sabans comments on career move |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Lane kiffin sends clear message after nick saban’s comments on career move
in this story:
lane kiffins opening week in baton rouge sparked a wave of recruiting flips in lsus favor and ignited a high-profile back-and-forth among college footballs biggest names.
nick saban, sitting on espn’s college gameday on saturday, argued that the states talent density makes lsu a uniquely attractive job for a recruiter, and that this likely influenced kiffins decision.
where do these players in the nfl come from? Per capita, louisiana has more players playing in the nfl than any other state, saban said. That was one of the reasons i was interested in that job when i went from michigan state there, was because the players in the state give you an opportunity to be successful, and thats probably something that lane took into consideration.
kiffin, who left an 11-win ole miss staff and an expected playoff appearance after lsu’s offer, answered in a one-line social post on x: #stayintheboot.”
louisiana has produced a long line of nfl greats, including peyton and eli manning, reggie wayne, marshall faulk, ed reed, odell beckham jr., And dak prescott.
within his first week on the job, kiffin put action behind the “keep louisiana talent home” mantra, securing several marquee recruits, including five-star defensive tackle lamar brown, edna karr standout richard anderson, and four-star ot brysten martinez.
louisiana’s high nfl-player-per-capita numbers help explain lsu’s long domestic recruiting advantage and why a coach focused on accessing local elite prospects might view lsu as a faster path to roster renewal.
the early signing wins show kiffin’s staff is already translating that argument into commitments.
prior to lsu unveiling him as its next head coach, ole miss officials refused to let kiffin remain on for the postseason, elevated pete golding, and criticized the way the move unfolded, a decision that sparked frustration among rebels players and fans.
reporting also noted kiffin consulted former mentors, including saban and nfl coach pete carroll, while deciding.
saban later confirmed he had counseled kiffin but pushed back against suggestions he steered the decision.
the interplay between the two, coupled with saban’s lsu history and the recruiting implications, added a fresh subplot to an already turbulent coaching carousel.
read more at college football hq
rowan fisher shotton
rowan fisher-shotton is a versatile journalist known for sharp analysis, player-driven storytelling, and quick-turn coverage across cfb, cbb, the nba, wnba, and nfl. A wilfrid laurier alum and lifelong athlete, he’s written for fansided, pro football network, athlon sports, and newsweek, tackling every beat with both a reporter’s edge and a player’s eye. |
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| Matt Campbell embraces journey, challenges at Penn State |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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(photo credit: jerome miron-imagn images)
matt campbell pledged penn state would wake up every single day with a mission to build a unified program determined to turn adversity into greatness.
campbell, 46, became a head coach at 31 and went from toledo to iowa state. He had a 72-55 record at iowa state and is 107-70 overall as a head coach.
campbell bit on the penn state vacancy after turning down prominent offers and overtures from college football and the nfl, which he said was all about priorities in your life.
the perspective came from being home with his wife and four children during the covid pandemic. A few days on the scene with his family during the day prompted campbell to ask this is whats happening at home?
if were going to leave, it better be about your family, campbell said of his decision last week. Were (now) two-and-a-half hours away from home (at penn state). If were going to leave, we want to leave to be with the best.
campbell said he felt the connection with penn state after just one conversation with athletic director dr. Patrick kraft.
i knew what their demand is, campbell said. They wanted to be the best for the right reasons. I think the last thing is, what do you want to stand for? The hard thing for me ever wanting to leave and getting close. I never wanted to be that coach that jumped from job to job. If i were ever to leave iowa state, i wanted it to go somewhere and finish my career. And stand for something bigger than matt campbell. Its not about me. Its about the players, represent something bigger than myself. I felt that.
kraft said he operated without a timeline and declined to discuss particulars around the search or confirm details reported about the search. According to reports, indianas curt cignetti, byus kalani sitake, louisvilles jeff brohm and vanderbilts clark lea were targets of kraft and penn state but passed on state college.
itll probably be a netflix documentary at some point, kraft said.
the way matt and i got to each other through some twists and turns. I needed a partner. As things went around, it was a late-night phone call between the two of us. I was banging my head against the wall: why did it take so long for us to find each other. I woke my wife up, i woke betsy up, and said this is the guy. We got the guy. We got the guy we wanted who is going to lead us to a national championship.
campbell said he had never been to state college and admitted there was apprehension when he decided it was time to leave iowa state to take over a vacancy created when james franklin was fired midseason.
im here because those players (at iowa state) believe in me, campbell said.
penn state moved quickly to retain interim head coach terry smith. Kraft said the decision was easy because terry is penn state. Campbell said he will talk to all coaches on the existing coaching staff, meet with players and then begin building the rest of his coaching staff. He said there are assistants from the cyclones staff he plans to engage about joining him at penn state.
it was a no-brainer. Thats a testament to terry, kraft said.
campbell said it was critically important to make smith the linchpin of his first penn state coaching staff because of their relationship dating to his high school coaching days.
his meetings with players will be individual and campbell plans to sit down with each of them individually to share his goals and vision for the program.
i know gamedays here at beaver stadium with 107,000-plus is one of the greatest venues in all of football. I cant wait to make you proud of what were all about, campbell said, describing his walk through the hallways to see names synonymous with the game, from jack ham and franco harris to saquon barkley.
you could almost feel goosebumps going down the side of my arms. Some of the best ever to play the game of football, campbell said. I know this: its my responsibility to each and every one of you, every single step of the way to lock arms with you.
penn state is preparing for the pinstripe bowl with practice monday. Campbell said he would work with smith and figure out the best way to be involved with the team without becoming a hindrance.
campbell and eagles head coach nick sirianni won three national championships together as players and another as assistant coaches at division iii mount union. Sirianni described the coaching education as a doctorate. He coached offensive linemen and campbell was offensive coordinator.
nicks been there for us, campbell said.
campbell is a massillon, ohio, native and former college defensive lineman who spent a season at pittsburgh before moving on to mount union from 1999-2002. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at bowling green in 2003 before taking the mount union job.
--field level media |
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| Texas Tech news: Jacob Rodriguez claims Bronco Nagurski award |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Texas tech football linebacker jacob rodriguez missed the final heisman cut monday. But he snatched one prominent college football award: the bronco nagurski.
brett mcmurphy of on3/rivals posted the accolade the lb won, which annually is handed to the nations top defensive player.
rodriguez now accomplishes this first in lubbock: hes the first red raiders defender to win the coveted award.
legendary lb zach thomas came close to winning the nod, but fell short of claiming it in 1995. Thomas went on to deliver a stellar nfl career with the miami dolphins.
jacob rodriguez delivered season to remember for texas tech
the defender became the most popular athlete on the campus since a young patrick mahomes.
texas tech helped launch the linebackers heisman campaign on nov. 15 after grabbing his fourth interception. But he especially won over ttu fans in handing the regular season beatdown of byu. And that came with espn college gameday on the campus to hype up the contest.
both teams met again saturday with a conference title, plus college football playoff appearance, on the line. The versatile defender led the way with nine tackles in the dominating 34-7 rout at arlingtons at&t stadium.
rodriguez beats out a stacked group of nationally known defenders for the nagurski: safety caleb downs of ohio state, defensive end cashius howell of texas a&m, and notre dame cornerback leonard moore.
downs took second in the voting for the nagurski. His buckeyes endured a gut-wrenching 13-10 loss to indiana for the big ten championship. Both osu and rodriquezs red raiders, however, help comprise the 12-team playoff bracket. Both teams also have first round byes in the postseason. |
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| Matt Campbell Makes James Franklin Feelings Public in Honest Terry Smith Stateme |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Essentials inside the story
- matt campbell showers praise on iconic james franklin
- campbell gives due credit to terry smith for his work
- the ambitious road ahead for campbell
penn state nittany lions fans might be riding a wave of mixed emotions after the school named matt campbell over beloved interim terry smith. But campbell didn’t waste a second winning them over. He scored major points right away with an introductory speech that paid respect to his predecessor, james franklin, and smith, the man he edged out for the job.
watch what’s trending now!
“for coach (james) franklin and what he built here at penn state, i have the utmost respect for him,” campbell said on december 8 during his introductory speech.
campbell inked an eight-year deal that runs through 2033, worth a total of $70.5 million. He will start at $8 million in year one, with his salary bumping up by $250k in 2027, 2028, 2029, and again in 2031. As penn state puts such a hefty amount at stake, the expectations from campbell are enormous.
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notably, franklin led penn state to a college football playoff semifinal and concluded the 2024 season with a 13-3 record (8-1 in the big ten). Along with a cfp first round and fiesta bowl win, he took the nittany lions to nine other bowl games, winning four, and delivered the 2016 big ten title.
across his entire tenure, franklin had just one season without a winning record. Yet, he was shown the exit door.
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penn state is clearly all-in on making the campbell era thrive. According to the inside zone’s matt fortuna, the school has committed around $30 million in nil backing for him. Athletic director pat kraft even said he wants the new coach “to maximize elite-level resources.”
campbell also faces the challenge of proving he is an upgrade over the fan-favorite candidate. Yet during his introduction, he spoke highly of smith and showed full respect.
“i got to meet coach smith during my time when he was the head football coach at gateway,” said campbell. “We love to go recruit his players because you know you’ve got a great player from terry. It’s been so awesome to watch his commitment to penn state, how he’s led this football program.”
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alongside campbell’s praise, penn state made waves with smith. According to insider jordan schultz, terry smith is set to become “the highest-paid non-coordinator” in program history. Will the nittany lions players now be pleased?
his leadership made an immediate impact in the locker room. During the 37-10 rout of the nebraska cornhuskers, players held up signs reading “hire terry smith,” and alumni like michael robinson voiced their support publicly. With campbell’s immense respect for smith, kraft tried to melt the ice.
amid the head coaching shuffle, his leaked audio went viral. In it, he hinted that smith would not keep the job, even after a three-game winning streak. Yet, once campbell arrived, kraft spoke highly of smith.
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“i want to express my deepest gratitude to coach terry smith for stepping up when we needed him the most,” said kraft.
now, how do things look for campbell at penn state?
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third time’s the charm for matt campbell and penn state
for the first 51 days of penn state’s search, campbell wasn’t even considered. He admitted that he nearly left iowa state, his winningest program to date, twice. But ultimately declined after sleeping on both offers.
campbell hails from massillon, ohio, roughly 230 miles from penn state, and spent summers with his grandparents in carmichaels, a southwestern pennsylvania coal-mining town. With his wife, erica’s, family in ohio, all of this made him seriously consider the penn state job back in october.
over the past five years, campbell consistently appeared on nearly every power 4 coaching hot list. He also drew serious nfl attention from teams like the detroit lions and chicago bears. However, he kept the two specific near-miss jobs under wraps.
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campbell landing the penn state job earned the trust of ohio state buckeyes alum kirk herbstreit.
“of all the hires during this coaching carousel, this is the best fit! Congrats to penn state on this hire,” the espn college gameday host shared on x.
to make the campbell era a winning one at penn state, he will be leaning on his iowa state staff. Terry smith is confirmed, but several other spots remain empty. Multiple reports indicate campbell has already made his initial hire.
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derek hoodjer, iowa state’s assistant athletic director for player personnel, is set to follow campbell to penn state, according to matt zenitz. Now the spotlight turns to who else will join the team.
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| FAMU Fires Head Coach James Colzie After Two Seasons |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Leadership change at florida a&m
florida a&m university has officially parted ways with head football coach james colzie iii after two seasons leading the rattlers. Confirming reports that famu fires head coach james colzie, the move reflects concerns over consistency, performance, and long-term program direction. Initial news from hbcu gameday indicated that discussions around coaching expectations had been ongoing throughout the season. The decision signals a pivotal moment for famu athletics, especially as fan engagement and alumni investment remain high within the southwestern athletic conference.
during his time at florida a&m, colzie showed flashes of potential but struggled to produce sustained progress. According to reporting from clutchpoints, issues around offensive execution, recruiting momentum, and game management contributed to the decision. Leadership expectations at the university include not only winning records but also visible growth in team identity and recruiting stability. The announcement that famu fires head coach james colzie highlights the challenges that come with coaching a historically successful hbcu program where expectations are deeply rooted in tradition, alumni passion, and competitive standards.
colzie had previously discussed broader resource questions within the football program. Administrative considerations often extend beyond the field, including staffing needs, training facilities, player development, and institutional support. The firing opens the door for renewed evaluation of long-term goals at florida a&m as the school looks to restore confidence around its football vision and year-to-year trajectory.
following confirmation that famu fires head coach james colzie, focus immediately shifted toward leadership continuity. According to 3downnation, former cfl quarterback henry burris will serve as acting head coach. The appointment brings familiarity, experience, and credibility to a program entering a transitional phase. Burris’s background as an alum means he understands the cultural expectations around famu football while also offering a fresh perspective on development and preparation.
interim periods in college athletics often come with heightened pressure around recruiting commitments and roster stability. Burris will face the immediate task of maintaining player confidence, communicating with potential recruits, and stabilizing coaching staff roles during the search for a permanent hire. His professional experience could influence structural decisions in offensive schemes, player development, and game strategy.
recruiting and program identity moving forward
the news that famu fires head coach james colzie raises questions about strategy moving into the next competitive cycle. Coaching transitions often impact recruiting outcomes, especially when recruits are considering multiple programs. Florida a&m has long benefited from strong regional talent pools, alumni support systems, and national recognition in hbcu football. A new head coach will need to define priorities around keeping existing transfers, building recruiting relationships, and reestablishing competitive presence within the swac.
a broader evaluation of program identity is likely underway. Successful hbcu programs often combine coaching leadership with consistent investment in facilities, strength training, and academic support. Florida a&m’s next steps will determine how the institution approaches long-term infrastructure, talent acquisition, and on-field improvement.
a defining moment for the rattlers
the confirmation that famu fires head coach james colzie marks a turning point. Leadership change presents both challenge and opportunity, allowing florida a&m to realign its football direction with the expectations of its community. As the search for a permanent head coach begins, the focus will remain on building a program that delivers competitive performance, develops student-athletes, and supports institutional vision. Decisions made during this transition will shape the future trajectory of rattlers football. |
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| Senior Goodbyes: Alyssa Shea Mulligan |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Position(s): senior photo editor, assistant photo editor, staff photographer
section(s): photo
semesters at the daily: 7
to my beloved daily photostaff,
i have put off writing this because some part of me still refuses to believe it is real. It does not feel possible that i am already at the point where i need to say goodbye. I can still see myself as an 18-year-old freshman, walking into the newsroom for the very first time. I was nervous, shy and unbelievably hopeful, sitting across from grace beal and tess crowley during my interview and silently wishing for a place at the university of michigan where i would feel welcome. Moving completely alone from california, i wanted somewhere i could pour my creativity, my curiosity and my whole heart into something meaningful. I never imagined that the daily would become that place. I never imagined it would become the place that shaped me, steadied me, challenged me and ultimately carried me through the best chapters of my life and also the most devastating ones. When i arrived at the university, i knew i loved photography and storytelling. I knew it mattered to me in a very real, almost instinctive way, but i had no idea what i was doing or where it might lead. Working at the daily quickly became the one thing in my life that made complete sense. It became the heartbeat of my college experience. Nothing else at this university could replicate the feeling of sitting in the newsroom surrounded by people who were brilliant, driven, curious and genuinely passionate about their craft. It was the first place where i felt that my voice, my eye and my effort were not only welcomed but genuinely valued. Freshman year was full of learning and discovery. I had no idea how much growth lay ahead. I started with the minor sports and the quiet assignments that forced me to pay attention in new ways. Assignment by assignment, i slowly worked my way toward the moments that defined my michigan experience. One of the most transformative turning points was my first football assignment, the michigan versus ecu home opener, when jeremy weine brought me along. Stepping onto that field with three cameras in my hands felt surreal. That gameday fundamentally changed the way i saw sports, storytelling and the emotional power of photography. It taught me to trust myself, to see quickly, to think under pressure and to find beauty in chaos. I will carry the memory of those six hours with me forever. My newsroom memories are endless. Hours spent talking with grace lahti and lila about our careers, our fears, our ambitions and the future. Bringing lila pork dumplings just to see her laugh. Nights at the desk when we were exhausted and overstimulated, yet still fulfilled by the work we were creating together. Assistant photo nights, where i learned how to lead with patience and compassion. Portfolio reviews that pushed me to grow. Dayside emails, i tried to make them warm and inviting for new staffers. Sunday meetings that felt safe and familiar. Birthday celebrations that became dance parties. Sports road trips are filled with long conversations about everything and nothing. Frozen nights, shooting football or hockey when our fingers hurt and our faces burned, yet somehow it all felt worth it. Every moment mattered.
what i never anticipated was how deeply the daily would hold me during the most devastating time of my life. Junior year, when my dad passed away suddenly, everything in my world fell apart. I felt hollow and disoriented. I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. I left school because i needed space to breathe and to try to understand what had happened. When i returned, nothing felt familiar. Every day felt heavy and distant. I was terrified of falling behind and terrified of never feeling like myself again. But the daily became my refuge. It gave me structure on the days when grief felt impossible to endure. It gave me a reason to leave my apartment when all i wanted was to disappear. It gave me a sense of familiarity when everything else felt foreign. The newsroom became both an emotional and creative outlet for the grief that i did not know how to articulate. It grounded me. It helped me rebuild into someone stronger, more resilient and more compassionate. I will never find words powerful enough to express how deeply grateful i am for that.
there are about 200 people i want to say thank you to … but here are just a few:
grace lahti, you supported me with a steadiness i will never forget. You were the first person i called. You understood what i needed without asking. Your strength and kindness held me together, and i will never forget that. Ella thompson, thank you for the late nights at the desk, for walking home with me, for the rides, the gifts and the countless small acts of care. Thank you for choosing me even when i was tired, overwhelmed or quiet. You became one of my closest friends here, and i will always appreciate the love and effort you brought into my life. Lila turner, i wish more than anything that we could work one more late-night shift together. I still hear your laugh every time i enter the newsroom. Your honesty, your support and your steady presence shaped me in ways you will never fully know. Your impact is permanent. To georgia and holly, thank you for leading with compassion and brilliance. You transformed my senior year into something unforgettable. To emily alberts, thank you for working around my impossible schedule and helping me navigate every challenge that came with shooting sports. To lucas chen, thank you for stepping in when i needed help during the northwestern game. You do not even realize it, but you really helped me during that week. To holly and johnathan wutcher, thank you for making my senior year joyful. Oklahoma, zach bryan, little caesars arena and every moment between them will stay with me forever. To madalyn, arushi, bridgette, ananya, isai and every younger staffer i had the privilege of mentoring, you gave me purpose. Watching you grow this past year reminded me of why i fell in love with this work. You inspire me every single day, and i know you will accomplish remarkable things.
every single person and alum on this staff impacted me. Every single one of you made the newsroom feel like home. The daily was never just a job. It was a family. Leaving feels impossible, but i know this is not a proper goodbye. It is a see you later. Thank you for giving me a place to grow. Thank you for giving me a place to grieve. Thank you for giving me a place to belong. I will wear and carry the daily emblem with me forever. |
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| Strength to the Stage: The LSU Tiger Girls train for UDA Nationals |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Nationals! One word. One opportunity. Two days to step onto the floor and deliver a national champion performance. Last season, the tiger girls finished sixth place in the hip-hop category, but it wasn’t the title they were looking for.
this year, they are aiming for another national championship. But how do they train for the biggest competition of their lives? It starts with strength and stamina, but repetition and memory are keys to perfecting a successful routine.
“you get one promising chance to go out there and do the two-minute routine that you’ve been working on for the last six months,” junior maya snell said. “It’s like repetition and muscle memory and also the mental training of trusting yourself to have a great performance.”
starting in august, every monday and thursday, the tiger girls are in the gym, preparing their bodies for a routine that demands full-out energy from the first beat to the last.
behind every sharp motion and every explosive hit is a training schedule most people don’t get to see. It’s a grind that tests both their mental and physical parts of their bodies, but with nationals approaching, every practice and training session matters.
a big part of that training comes down to stamina, and for many of them, running is their best bet to build that.
“running for a little bit helps clear my mind, and it’s also a great way to keep up my stamina,” junior alessandra brown said. “Stamina is half the battle for these routines, and it’s just about finding your breathing and things like that, so i would say running for me is the most helpful.”
leading their physical training is jack erickson, a strength and conditioning coach at lsu who has worked with the tiger girls for four years. Knowing his job is to prepare the girls for nationals, he focuses on developing their physicality while creating an environment that keeps the team motivated and supported.
“it’s a lot of conventional weight training,” erickson said. “Obviously, there’s a little bit of lower body focus, but we do also work with our upper body, but really a well-rounded approach to physical development.”
with balancing schoolwork, gamedays, nationals, and trying to enjoy being a college student, the tiger girls stay busy, but they manage it all by sticking together.
“these girls become your sisters, so we just lean on each other and support each other,” senior kennedy cooks said. “Understand that we are having the same experience and going through the same thing, so just really being there for one another goes a long way.”
before the girls head to nationals, fans will get a first look at their routine on jan. 9, 2026, in the pmac. |
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| NFL Star Style: From Field to Fashion Icon |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Devonta smith’s style blueprint: a deep dive
this isn’t just about flashy outfits; it’s about the foundation behind devonta smith’s consistently polished and recognizable style. Here’s a breakdown of the routines, collaborations, and decisions that make his look uniquely “smitty”:
1. Church “sunday best” was his first runway: growing up, dressing up for church normalized style for smith. It wasn’t about performance, but preparation – a mindset that translates to his intentional, never-random, looks today.
2.Dress codes trained him for the tunnel: from high school shirt-and-tie rules to alabama’s gameday suit standards under nick saban, smith embraced structure. This experience made suiting up feel like a natural extension of the job by the time he reached the nfl.
3. He lives in two lanes: suit or sweatsuit: smith’s wardrobe is streamlined. He primarily chooses between a sharp suit or a comfortable sweatsuit. This simplicity creates a consistent and easily identifiable style. He even avoids jeans,keeping his tunnel looks focused.
4. Fit is the real flex (and he’ll send it back): while open to different styles, smith is uncompromising on fit. Anything that doesn’t meet his standards gets tailored untill it’s perfect. “Good” isn’t enough – it must fit flawlessly, frequently enough meaning custom tailoring.
5. The hidden zipper trick is pure tunnel-engineering: his preference for incredibly slim-fitting suits requires practical solutions. Zippers are added to the bottom of his pants, allowing him to easily slip them on without compromising the desired tight cut. This exemplifies his style being built,not simply bought.
6. His longtime stylist link-up started in college: [the article continues, detailing his relationship with his stylist – data is cut off in the provided text].
this blueprint reveals that devonta smith’s style isn’t accidental. It’s a carefully constructed aesthetic built on a foundation of early experiences, a commitment to fit, and a collaborative approach to execution. It’s a style that’s both polished and personal, making it unmistakably his own. |
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| Sean McDermott mentions possibility four injured starters make Week 15 return |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 09 @ 00:00:56 PST (2 reads) | |
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Sean mcdermott mentions possibility four injured starters make week 15 return
in this story:
the buffalo bills were short-handed during their week 14 win over the cincinnati bengals with four starters on the gameday inactives list due to injuries.
on offense, starting right tackle spencer brown and wide receiver joshua palmer were unavailable in the 39-34 victory. Meanwhile, the defense was without linebacker terrel bernard and defensive end joey bosa.
theres the potential, however, that all four injured players could return to game action on december 14 against the new england patriots.
all these players are improving, and then, well see how they get through the week here - joey bosa, terrel bernard, joshua palmer and spencer brown, said bills head coach sean mcdermott on late monday afternoon in orchard park.
of the possible scenarios that could unfold on the injury front, multiple include bosa returning from the november 30 hamstring injury he suffered against the pittsburgh steelers.
i believe there is [chance for bosa to play in week 15], said mcdermott. Wednesday will probably be a walkthrough so thatll be hard to tell for sure, but at least hell be able to get out there and do the walkthrough at least at this point.
next, mcdermott classified the three others similarly.
theyll all be in about the same boat, said mcdermott.
brown likely closest
based upon his week 14 questionable status, brown probably couldve pushed the envelope and played against the bengals at less than full strength. Tight end dalton kincaid was the only other player with a questionable tag last week, and he wound up seeing 22 offensive snaps.
more: bills update on difference maker dalton kincaid after first appearance in month
ruled out for the game on friday, bosa and bernard seemed to be a bit further away from returning as compared to brown. Like bernards elbow issue, browns right shoulder injury dates back to the november 20 loss to the houston texans.
uncertainty surrounding palmer
the wide receiver did not practice in any capacity last week, earning a doubtful designation for the december 7 home game. It was palmers second straight week on the inactives list.
initially injuring his ankle/knee early in the second quarter against the atlanta falcons on october 13, palmer missed three straight contests before returning on november 16 against the tampa bay buccaneers. He also logged 33 snaps against the texans in week 12 with his injury issues resurfacing in the aftermath of the thursday night football loss.
more: wasted season continues for buffalo bills star free-agent wr
i dont know if its been a setback as much as just overall, hes not in the best place right now, just in terms of his body and his injuries, said head coach sean mcdermott on december 3.
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ralph ventre
ralph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20+ years of media experience to buffalo bills on si. Prior to focusing on the bills, he spent two years covering the new york jets. Ventre initially joined the on si family in 2021, providing ncaa football championship subdivision for nfl draft bible on fannation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the stats perform fcs top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The fordham university graduate is a member of the pro football writers of america. |
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