Tag: College football

Bye Week Check-In with Coach Mullen

by Maddie SchmidtLeave a Comment on Bye Week Check-In with Coach Mullen
Bye Week Check-In with Coach Mullen

The Florida football team entered their bye week coming off a win against the Missouri Tigers. They’ll face in-state rival Florida State for their final game of the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 30.

Facing an Interim Head Coach

Florida State fired Willie Taggart, former head football coach, on Sunday, Nov. 3. This was following a 27-10 loss to Miami the previous day. Defensive line coach Odell Haggins took over as interim head coach. This is not Haggins’ first time serving as interim head coach for the Seminoles. He took over coaching duties after Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M.

Since Haggins became interim head coach, the Seminoles are 2-0 with wins against Boston College and Alabama State. Like the Gators, FSU has a bye before their matchup.

According to Florida head coach Dan Mullen, facing an interim head coach can come with some challenges. Coaching power allows for some personality to be thrown in the game.

Florida vs. Florida State kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. next Saturday in the Swamp.

Nick Sproles

Yesterday news broke that Florida third-string, walk-on quarterback Nick Sproles has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Mullen confirmed this yesterday in his midweek teleconference. Sproles comes with high praise from the Florida program and will likely get some interest from smaller schools.

Sproles will remain with the Florida football program for the rest of the season and will graduate in the spring.

“He’s why they put the transfer portal in. He really would like the opportunity to go play next season, said Mullen.”

Players Leaving Early for the NFL

Mullen addressed the topic of players forgoing their senior seasons and leaving for the NFL. The bye week has given Florida’s coaching staff some time to sit down and talk with players about their futures.

About eight Gators are thinking about leaving early for the NFL and two to three could be serious about it, according to Mullen.

Story can also be found via ESPN Gainesville at wruf.com. 

LSU’s Explosive Offense Gets Bye Week

by Maddie SchmidtLeave a Comment on LSU’s Explosive Offense Gets Bye Week

The LSU Tigers are currently undefeated and sitting at No. 4 in the AP Poll. They are coming off an explosive offensive performance against Vanderbilt and are now enjoying a bye week.

Joe Burrow and the Offense

The Tigers beat the Commodores 66-38 this past weekend. All eyes were on senior quarterback Joe Burrow. He threw for 398 yards and six touchdowns. Burrow is now tied with Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama’s quarterback, for second-most touchdown passes this season. In 2018, LSU threw 17 touchdowns total. It is safe to say they have stepped up their passing game. The Tigers are known for their elite defensive play, but not this year. Currently, LSU is the nation’s highest-scoring team. They have scored a total of 231 points in four games.
Burrow has caught the attention of many. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season following Saturday’s win.

LSU’s top scoring receiver went down Saturday against Vanderbilt. Sophomore wide receiver Terrace Marshall suffered a broken right foot. He is expected to be out for up to a month after undergoing surgery Sunday morning. Marshall currently has six touchdown receptions this season and is tied for second most at the FBS level.

On Deck for the Tigers

LSU’s next game is against the Utah State Aggies (2-1). According to head coach Ed Orgeron, the Tigers aren’t overlooking the Aggies or junior quarterback Jordan Love. Despite Utah State’s week one loss to Wake Forest, Love threw for over 400 yards in the game. He’s a proven quarterback.
Utah State and LSU will meet on Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. on the SEC Network. After that, they’ll face the No. 9 Gators, travel to Starkville to take on Mississippi State and then will host the No. 7 Auburn Tigers in week nine.

 

Story can also be found at wruf.com for ESPN Gainesville. 

 

Is this Michigan’s Year?

by Maddie SchmidtLeave a Comment on Is this Michigan’s Year?

Jim Harbaugh arrived in Ann Arbor nearly 4 years ago and ever since then the expectations have been high. The University of Michigan expects its football team to beat Ohio State, appear in Big Ten Championships, and make it to the College Football Playoffs. There is a certain standard for Wolverine football. Jim Harbaugh was thought to be the guy that would bring it back.

 
The Wolverines have reached 10 wins in three out of four seasons with Harbaugh. Most would call this successful. Michigan fans, however, are not satisfied. They have gone 0-4 against rival Ohio State and have yet to make a playoff appearance. Will this finally be the year that Michigan has a breakthrough season? The time is now. Here’s why it could be Michigan’s year…

The Offense

The Wolverines have a returning quarterback for the first time in all of Harbaugh’s tenure at Michigan. Senior Shea Patterson is expected to thrive in a new, fully implemented spread offense. Josh Gattis, the Wolverine’s new offensive coordinator from Alabama, has completely abandoned the traditional pro-style offense. Patterson has experience with the spread offense and with Gattis’s knowledge it is likely that Patterson will reach his full potential this season. Michigan also has four starters returning on the offensive line. Two of which have played since they were just freshman. Cesar Ruiz and Ben Bredeson will be the leaders on this offensive line.

Schedule

Michigan, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index Projections, has the fourth-best odds of reaching bowl season undefeated. Although the Wolverines will face six teams that are in the preseason AP Top 20, their schedule is definitely winnable. As usual Ohio State will likely be the Wolverine’s toughest matchup of the season. The Wolverines do have the Buckeyes at home and with the departure of Urban Meyer this is the year to end their losing streak. Harbaugh’s team also has two tough road games on tap. On September 21st they’ll travel to Wisconsin to face the Badgers and on October 19th they will be at Penn State.
Some say this is a make or break year for Harbaugh. Only time will tell. Michigan opens the 2019 season against Middle Tennessee on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Story can also be found via ESPN Gainesville at wruf.com. 

Orange and Blue Game Highlights

by Maddie SchmidtLeave a Comment on Orange and Blue Game Highlights
Orange and Blue Game Highlights

Johnny Townsend and I had the privilege of shadowing Chris Doering and Kevin Negandhi at the Gators’ Spring Game! It was great learning from some of the best in the business. We also got to meet Dawn Davenport; She was covering the sideline!

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Chris Doering and Kevin Negandhi
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Johnny Townsend- Former Gators Punter and currently with the Oakland Raiders

UCLA Signee Reflects on His Time with Buchholz

by Maddie SchmidtLeave a Comment on UCLA Signee Reflects on His Time with Buchholz
UCLA Signee Reflects on His Time with Buchholz

With his senior year quickly coming to a close, Buchholz High School’s Noah Keeter took time to reflect on what it’s meant to be a part of the Bobcats football program.

Born and raised in Gainesville, FL, Keeter’s played sports since he was a toddler. He played basketball until his freshman year of high school and baseball until his senior year. However, there was something special about the game of football that stuck with him. He’s been playing for the past eight years.

In a recent interview, Keeter voiced his gratitude towards Buchholz’s football program.

He stated, “Buchholz football has made me the person I am today”.

Not only has being a member of this team allowed Keeter to develop as a player, but it has also provided him the opportunity to grow as a person.

Head Coach Mark Whittemore has always emphasized the importance of hard work and creating a brotherhood, according to Keeter.

While playing for Buchholz Keeter has made some of his best friends, people he’ll be able to count on long after his high school days. One of which is quarterback Camden Orth. Keeter described Orth as his best friend since day one.

Keeter also mentions his best friend as a leader who is always there to support his teammates. Following the 2018 season, Orth committed to LIU Post Football.

A Life Changing Opportunity

Keeter wasn’t sure exactly what his options would be for furthering his football career. He knew it was his goal to play at the next level. The recruiting process was slow. He had some interests and offers, but it wasn’t until January when things started to fall into place.

UCLA paid Keeter a visit and then brought him out to Los Angeles shortly after. On Keeter’s official visit, Chip Kelly presented him with an offer and Keeter didn’t think twice.

“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Playing for a power five program in a big city is something I’ve always dreamed of”, stated Keeter.

He committed on the spot.

Although Keeter will soon be over 2,000 miles away from home, he says his mom will forever be his biggest motivator.

“She’s taught me that hard work always prevails. Talent means nothing unless you put forth the effort. She has done so much for me and it just makes me want to work even harder for her”, said Keeter.

At UCLA, Keeter’s goal is to get better each and every day. He hopes to work his way into a starting position and contribute to the team as soon as possible. As with all things in life, Keeter knows it’s going to take hard work.

When asked what he’ll miss the most about the past four years Keeter said his senior season, strapping up and putting on that Bobcats uniform.

“Friday night lights with my brothers are something I’ll never be able to get back”, he expressed.

Story can also be found via ESPN Gainesville at wruf.com.