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  • Penn names former New Hampshire coach and star QB Rick Santos as its next head coach

    Penn names former New Hampshire coach and star QB Rick Santos as its next head coach

    Former New Hampshire head coach and standout quarterback Rick Santos will serve as the next head coach of Penn football, the university’s athletic department said Saturday in a release.

    Santos will be introduced to the Penn community during a news conference at Franklin field on Tuesday — marking the start of a new era for Quakers football.

    “I am incredibly excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead the football program at the University of Pennsylvania,” Santos said in a statement. “Penn represents excellence at the highest level — academically, athletically, and institutionally — and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to steward such a proud and prestigious program. … I cannot wait to begin this next chapter and fully embrace the Penn football community.”

    Santos takes over for Ray Priore, who announced last month that he would be stepping down after 39 years with the program. Priore led the Quakers for over a decade as head coach, and was an associate head coach for a decade prior. He originally joined the staff in 1987 as the team’s assistant linebacker coach and was a part of 12 Ivy League championships, including two as head coach (2015, 2016).

    In five seasons as head coach at New Hampshire, Santos led the team to a 37-24 overall record, going 28-12 in the Coastal Athletic Association en route to three FCS playoff bids.

    In his first year as a full-time head coach in 2022, the Norwood, Mass., native earned the program a share of the CAA conference title while taking the team to the second round of the FCS playoffs — and earning the CAA Coach of the Year award after finishing the season ranked No. 15 in the nation.

    “We are thrilled to welcome a high-energy, dynamic leader in Rick Santos as the next head coach of Penn Football,” said Alanna Wren, Penn’s Director of Athletics and Recreation. “He is a proven winner, taking New Hampshire to multiple NCAA FCS playoff appearances, and is considered one of the best players in FCS history as a former Walter Payton Award winner. I am confident Rick will have Penn competing for Ivy League championships and postseason appearances in the near future.”

    Penn has hired former New Hampshire coach Rick Santos as the next leader of the Quakers.

    Santos spent the majority of his coaching career at UNH, with the team rising to No. 1 in national rankings when Santos was the wide receivers coach from 2013-2015. From 2016-2018, he had a brief stint with Columbia under former Penn head coach Al Bagnoli before returning to UNH as an associate head coach in 2019.

    “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the University of New Hampshire, a place that has truly been home to me in every sense of the word,” Santos said. “From my time as a student-athlete, to serving as an assistant coach, and ultimately having the honor of leading the program as head coach, UNH has shaped me both professionally and personally.”

    As a player, Santos is “widely regarded as one of the greatest players in FCS history,” according to Penn’s announcement. A four-year starter from 2004-2007, Santos became a three-time all-American, two-time Atlantic 10 offensive player of the year, a CAA co-offensive player of the year, as well as a Walter Payton Award winner in 2006.

    Former New Hampshire quarterback Rick Santos is the new head coach at Penn.

    The former Wildcat led his team to four straight FCS playoff appearances with a 37-14 career record, winning an Atlantic 10 championship and finishing ranked No. 1 nationally in 2005. In 2007, Santos became the fourth ever Wildcat to see his jersey retired, finishing his career leading the program in passing yards (12,189), completions (1,024), and passing attempts (1,498).

    He went undrafted in 2008 and had a short stint with the Kansas City Chiefs before playing in the Canadian Football League.

    “I will forever be grateful to the Wildcat family — our players, staff, alumni, and supporters — for the unwavering support, trust, and belief they showed in me and my family,” Santos added. “The relationships built and the memories created in Durham will always hold a special place in my heart.”

  • Villanova is playing its best complementary football at the right time: ‘We have a good nucleus’

    Villanova is playing its best complementary football at the right time: ‘We have a good nucleus’

    Throughout the season, coach Mark Ferrante has aimed for Villanova to play “complementary football.”

    He saw that concept come to fruition in the final three minutes of Villanova’s 14-7 victory over host Lehigh last Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

    It started with Lehigh going three-and-out late in the fourth quarter. On the next drive, Villanova freshman wide receiver Braden Reed scored a 28-yard touchdown. The energy transferred back to Villanova’s defense, as graduate defensive lineman Obinna Nwobodo forced a fumble in the red zone during Lehigh’s final possession.

    “[Lehigh] shut us down for a good portion of the game, but our defense showed up,” said graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide. “Our defense picked us up when we were down and gave us short fields. We were fortunate that both our touchdowns came off of huge stops and turnovers. Those guys have been incredible all year.”

    When graduate linebacker Shane Hartzell recovered the fumble, the Wildcats’ sideline erupted. It was ultimately the game-winning moment for Villanova as it escaped Lehigh.

    What to know about Tarleton State, Villanova’s next matchup in the FCS playoffs

    “It’s not just the defense getting excited, the whole sideline is getting excited,” Ferrante said. “I think the team is doing a great job of playing together, playing for each other, and playing complementary football. That’s what needs to continue.”

    No. 12 seed Villanova (11-2) looks to carry its momentum of a 10-game winning streak into its Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal against fourth-seeded Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas, on Saturday (noon, ESPN).

    ‘Let’s do this together’

    Graduate players like Nwobodo and Hartzell form the backbone of Villanova’s defense, guiding the team through one of its most successful seasons in recent history.

    Ferrante credited the team’s level-headed leadership with generating a thrilling finish against Lehigh.

    “When we went into the locker room at halftime in past years, sometimes the defensive guys would complain about how we haven’t scored. But there was none of that,” Ferrante said. “There was no blame. There was no finger-pointing. It was all, ‘Let’s do this together and play a better second half collectively.’ Fortunately, we were able to do that.”

    Villanova and Lehigh faced off in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Dec. 6.

    Villanova’s defense relied on its veteran players early in the season, but the secondary is made up of primarily underclassmen. Heading deeper into the playoffs, Ferrante no longer sees the youth of the unit as a potential weakness.

    “[The secondary] is where we’ve made some of the biggest growth this year, because that was what everyone was worried about,” Ferrante said. “They don’t lack confidence; they just lacked experience.”

    College Football Playoff controversy, Villanova’s tough task in FCS quarterfinals, and more

    Some of the graduate players spearheading the offense are newcomers this season.

    McQuaide took over the starting position as a transfer from Nicholls State, and wide receiver Luke Colella, a Princeton transfer, is averaging a team-high 72.5 receiving yards a game.

    “We have a good nucleus of guys who have been here for five or six years,” Ferrante said. “But [McQuaide and Colella] just add a different level of maturity. Even though they’re first-year guys with our program, they bring different perspectives because they’ve been somewhere else.”

    Underdog mentality

    The Wildcats enter their third game of the playoffs as the underdog.

    In the first round, Villanova trounced Harvard, 52-7, despite some predictions saying the Crimson would win. The victory over Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa., gave Villanova a further confidence boost.

    “We’ve been an underdog every week so far,” McQuaide said. “So we kind of embrace it. It doesn’t really matter. Once the ball is kicked off on Saturday, it’s a four-quarter fight, and we’ll be ready to go.”

    Villanova quarterback Pat McQuaide (7) celebrates with wide receiver Luke Colella (1) after scoring a touchdown against Albany on Oct. 25.

    Villanova is up against its toughest challenge yet in Tarleton State (12-1), which has the most productive scoring offense in the nation, averaging 44.1 points per game.

    “I don’t really see too many weaknesses in [Tarleton],” Ferrante said. “They score a lot of points, they play great defense, and they’re very opportunistic. They create a lot of turnovers.

    “So I think what the keys to the game comes down to is who’s going to make the fewest mistakes, who’s going to hang on to the football, and not give the other team extra possessions.”

  • Despite its rebounding efforts, St. Joe’s shooting woes prove costly in loss to Syracuse

    Despite its rebounding efforts, St. Joe’s shooting woes prove costly in loss to Syracuse

    SYRACUSE, N.Y. — On a cold, snowy Thursday night, St. Joseph’s battled till the final minutes, but fell to Syracuse, 71-63.

    “I think [Syracuse] is physical,” said St. Joe’s coach Steve Donahue. “They do a good job of making the game a grind. It takes a lot of energy to guard them for 30 seconds, and then it kind of takes the wind out of your sails to push it.”

    Thursday marked the Hawks’ second game against an Atlantic Coast Conference team. They fell to Virginia Tech on Nov. 12.

    Next up, St. Joe’s (6-4) will host Delaware State on Thursday in its first of three final non-conference games.

    A tale of two first halves

    A fastbreak layup from Deuce Jones II, who scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the first half, extended the Hawks’ run to 7-0 and gave them a 14-7 lead at the 13:58 mark in the first half.

    During those opening minutes, St. Joe’s made 6 of 9 shots from the field. Getting out in transition played a large part in the Hawks’ early success, but the final thirteen minutes of the half were a different story.

    The Hawks made 5 of 18 attempts throughout the rest of the first, while Syracuse put together a 12-4 run.

    St. Joe’s finished the half shooting 11 of 27 from the field, making 3 of 16 three-pointers. Still, the Hawks entered halftime down 34-30.

    Shooting woes

    The Hawks entered Thursday tied for first in the NCAA in free-throw percentage (at 81.28%), while the Orange were shooting 56.8%.

    Syracuse had yet another poor shooting night at the line (15 of 28), but St. Joe’s was right there with them. The Hawks made 18 of 27 free-throws (66.7%), which tied their season-low against Penn.

    “If we shot fouls like we’ve been shooting, we may have won this game,” Donahue said.

    Villanova’s careless ballhandling, offensive struggles, and other takeaways from blowout loss to Michigan

    Meanwhile, three-point shooting has been an ongoing issue for St. Joe’s, who’s shooting 27.3%, which ranks last in the Atlantic 10.

    The Hawks made just 5 of 26 attempts from deep on Thursday.

    “I don’t think [our] strength is ever going to be our three-point shooting,” Donahue said. “However, I do think if we make good decisions around the basket and kick out, and we get more in rhythm and catch and shoot threes, I think we’ll hit a good share of ours.”

    Clutch rebounding not enough

    St. Joe’s dominated the glass.

    The Hawks gave up just six offensive rebounds, which tied their lowest allowed this season. They also had 14 offensive rebounds, leading to 13 second-chance points, and grabbed 44 rebounds total.

    But it wouldn’t be enough.

    Despite being within reach to reclaim the lead, the Hawks could not get over the hump.

    Syracuse went on a 6-0 run twice in the second half, which looked to be the difference maker, and with under three-minutes remaining, the Orange opened their lead to 10 points.

  • The Big Picture: Flyers show fight, Villanova women’s Big 5 title, and the week’s best sports photos

    The Big Picture: Flyers show fight, Villanova women’s Big 5 title, and the week’s best sports photos

    Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best Philly sports images from the last seven days. This week, the Flyers played the team with the NHL’s best record, Colorado, and came away with a narrow defeat. Two nights later, they manhandled the San Jose Sharks.

    Villanova proved to be the top team on the women’s basketball scene by beating St. Joseph’s for the Big 5 championship.

    And in Inglewood, Calif., the Eagles dropped their third straight game in a 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

    Our photographers were on hand for it all.

    Flyers give the NHL’s best team a fight in a 3-2 loss to the Avalanche
    Flyers players celebrate a goal against Colorado by right wing Travis Konecny on Sunday.
    Travis Konecny reaches career milestone in Flyers’ 4-1 win over San Jose Sharks
    Villanova’s Denae Carter (25) and Kelsey Joens guard St. Joseph’s Aleah Snead during the Big 5 championship at Finneran Pavilion on Sunday. Villanova won, 76-70.
    A year later than planned, Villanova wins its latest women’s Big 5 title
    Villanova guard Kennedy Henry blocks a shot by St. Joe’s Gabby Casey.
    Jordan Davis was lights-out for the Eagles defense on Monday night. He also believes in the struggling offense.
    Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson intercepts a pass in front of Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert on Monday night.
    Why Jalen Hurts plans to ‘stay the course’ after turnovers stalled the Eagles offense
    Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown can’t pull in a pass in overtime as Donte Jackson of the Chargers defends him.
    Eagles running back Saquon Barkley tosses the football to a fan after scoring on a 52-yard run against the Chargers.
    Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis (top) and linebacker Zack Baun sack Justin Herbert in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium.
    Dressed for the holidays, an Eagles fan watches the loss to the Chargers in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium.
    Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith pulls in a catch as Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman tackles him.
    Embattled Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo talks into his play chart during the Monday night loss in Inglewood, Calif.
    An Eagles fan makes his feelings known with a sign during the team’s loss to the Chargers.
    Eagles coach Nick Sirianni absorbing the defeat at SoFi Stadium.
  • Jalen Brunson gifts Villanova men’s and women’s basketball teams his new Kobe shoe

    Jalen Brunson gifts Villanova men’s and women’s basketball teams his new Kobe shoe

    On Thursday, current New York Knicks star and former Villanova guard Jalen Brunson and Nike officially released his first retail player edition shoe, the Kobe 6 PE “Statue of Liberty.”

    This is not the first time Brunson has created a player edition Kobe shoe, but it is the first to go to retail. The shoe went on sale Thursday morning at 10 a.m. on the Nike SNKRS app through the draw drop and in-store drops at the Nike Store and Foot Locker. It was first debuted by Brunson during the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers.

    Brunson designed the shoes through Nike’s player edition collaborations. While it does not specifically mention the Statue of Liberty, it clearly draws on his New York ties, and is the same turquoise color as the Statue of Liberty and features bronze accents.

    Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart pick up $10,000 tab for Villanova students at Kelly’s Taproom

    Instead of getting a signature shoe, NBA players like Brunson get to choose one from Nike’s current lineup and design the colorway of it. Brunson is a longtime wearer of the late Kobe Bryant’s shoes. The Kobe 6 was originally designed and created specifically for Bryant in late 2010. Bryant, of course, was born in Philadelphia and went on to star for Lower Merion High School and later the Los Angeles Lakers.

    Brunson’s Kobe shoes are already sold out on the retail market and can now only be attained through third-party sellers. A pair currently runs for around $460 on popular third-party shoe reseller StockX.

    But Brunson was nice enough to save a few for his alma mater, gifting every Villanova men’s and women’s player a pair of the sneakers. Both basketball programs posted player reactions to the shoes on their social media.

    In February 2025, Brunson unveiled a pair of Kobe 4 Protro PE “The Natty’s” he designed that were inspired by Villanova’s championships from 2016 and 2018.

    In 2014, Brunson met Bryant in Chicago when the Los Angeles Lakers traveled to play the Chicago Bulls. While Bryant did not play, he ended up gifting Brunson a pair of red Kobe 9s that he was supposed to wear in the game. Brunson went on to wear them for his high school, Stevenson, during the team’s holiday tournament. The team won the tournament.

    Jalen Brunson says his Kobe shoes were inspired by his Villanova journey. They’re called ‘The Nattys.’

    Since then, Brunson has continued to wear Bryant’s shoes, and this collaboration with Nike marks the start of what possibly could be a long line of Brunson player edition Kobe’s.

  • What to know about Tarleton State, Villanova’s next matchup in the FCS playoffs

    What to know about Tarleton State, Villanova’s next matchup in the FCS playoffs

    Villanova football is riding a 10-game winning streak — its longest since the 1997 season — and will travel to Stephenville, Texas to take on fourth-seeded Tarleton State in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN).

    Villanova (11-2), the No. 12 seed in the bracket, is coming off a 14-7 upset against then-undefeated Lehigh (the No. 5 seed) on the road. The Wildcats scored 14 points in the second half, including a 28-yard Braden Reed touchdown reception with just over three minutes remaining, to pull off the victory.

    Pat McQuaide led Villanova’s passing attack, throwing for 208 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The touchdown pass was the 50th of McQuaide’s career and 23rd as a Wildcat, meaning he has thrown almost half of his career touchdowns in his single season in blue and white.

    College Football Playoff controversy, Villanova’s tough task in FCS quarterfinals, and more

    It was also his eighth game of the season with 200 or more passing yards. McQuaide isaveraging 211.1 yards per game, which is 29th in the FCS.

    Tarelton (12-1) had a first-round bye and is coming off a dominant 31-13 win over North Dakota in the second round last weekend.

    Who is Tarleton State?

    Some schools in the FCS playoffs are not the most recognizable.

    Tarleton State is located in Stephenville, about a two-hour drive from Dallas.

    The Texans are part of the United Athletic Conference. They were formerly in the Western Athletic Conference since 2021, before it merged with the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2022.

    It became an FCS football program in 2020, when the program switched from Division II to Division I.

    Tarleton State has made it to the FCS playoffs in consecutive seasons, just five years after becoming a Division I program. Last season, the Texans won their first FCS playoff game against Drake, but fell to No. 4 South Dakota in the second round. Eagles rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper starred for Tarleton State from 2020-24.

    Limit the turnovers

    Villanova has prided itself on winning the turnover battle, and it has done so consistently this season. Its five total turnovers are currently an FCS low.

    McQuaide has thrown just two interceptions, and only one in FCS play, this season. He has thrown 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions over his last five games.

    Villanova has only lost three fumbles. Over the course of its 10-game win streak, Villanova has won the turnover battle, 16-2.

    Defense needs to be near perfect

    Villanova’s defense has shut down efficient offensive teams of late. The unit held Lehigh to one touchdown and its second-lowest offensive output this season (339 total yards).

    The week before, the Wildcats held Harvard to a season-low 213 total yards.

    Tarleton State is averaging an FCS-high 44.1 points. The Texans recorded a 61-0 blowout win against North Alabama on Nov. 15 and have scored 30 or more points in each win this season.

    Wildcats linebacker Shane Hartzell has a team-high eight sacks for a loss of 49 yards this season.

    The Texans scored a season-low 28 points in their only loss against then- No. 24 Abilene Christian in early November.

    Villanova has held opponents to an average of eight points in its last three games.

    Graduate linebacker Shane Hartzell leads the Wildcats’ defense by a wide margin, with 87 total tackles (50 solo). Hartzell scooped up his first fumble recovery of the season against Lehigh and recorded six total tackles (five solo). This season, Hartzell has a team-high eight sacks.

    Villanova needs to run the football

    Villanova has some of the best running back depth in the FCS. Even with standout David Avit missing the last four games, Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland have stepped up.

    Mace and Ragland have rushed for career-high games during Avit’s absence due to a knee injury. Mace even broke Brian Westbrook’s 21-year-old single-game rushing record on Nov. 8 with 291 yards against Towson.

    Tarelton currently allows 163.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 69th in the FCS.

    Villanova has leaned on its rushing game all season. It averages 177.8 rushing yards per contest, which is 32nd nationally. Despite rushing for a season-low 27 rushing yards last weekend, Villanova has averaged 194.4 rushing yards over the last three. Ragland rushed for a career-high 152 rushing yards against Harvard two weeks ago, when Villanova finished with a season-high 48 carries.

  • Penn State adds Iowa State offensive coordinator and two assistants to Matt Campbell’s staff

    Penn State adds Iowa State offensive coordinator and two assistants to Matt Campbell’s staff

    STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State introduced Matt Campbell on Monday as its head football coach, ending a 54-day search, and he has begun to build his staff, which includes several colleagues from Iowa State.

    Campbell, 46, spent the last 10 seasons at Iowa State, where he built the Cyclones into a perennial Big 12 contender and left as the program’s winningest coach.

    Here’s a look at who intends to join the Massillon, Ohio, native in Happy Valley.

    Taylor Mouser, offensive coordinator

    On Thursday, Mouser was added to the Penn State directory. He is listed as the offensive coordinator.

    In 2015, Mouser joined Campbell’s staff at Toledo as a graduate assistant before following him to Iowa State, where he served on his staff for the last 10 years. The 34-year-old had served as the Cyclones’ offensive coordinator since 2024 and tight ends coach since 2021.

    Reports: Penn State not retaining Jim Knowles, who’ll join Tennessee as defensive coordinator

    Under Mouser’s leadership, the Cyclones offense ranked No. 61 among Football Bowl Subdivision teams with 396.1 yards per game this season, 26 spots above the Nittany Lions’ 359.1.

    Mouser’s listing as offensive coordinator in the university’s directory means Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State’s current offensive coordinator, will likely move on in the coming weeks.

    Jon Heacock, defensive coordinator

    According to On3.com, Heacock will join Campbell’s staff at Penn State, although it is unclear whether he will retain his defensive coordinator title.

    Heacock brings 40 years of coaching experience to the Nittany Lions. He joined Campbell’s staff at Toledo as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2015 before following the head coach to Iowa State the following year.

    The 65-year-old served as the Cyclones’ defensive coordinator for the entirety of Campbell’s 10-year run in Ames, Iowa. Heacock is a four-time nominee and one-time finalist for the Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

    In each of the last nine seasons under Heacock’s leadership, Iowa State has ranked in the top five in the Big 12 in scoring defense. In 2025, the Cyclones ranked No. 26 in scoring defense (20.17 points allowed per game).

    Deon Broomfield, secondary defensive coordinator

    Broomfield was added on Thursday to the Penn State directory. He is listed as secondary defensive coordinator.

    The 34-year-old started 18 games at defensive back for Iowa State from 2010-13. He joined Campbell’s staff in 2021 and has served as the Cyclones’ safeties coach since. He added the role of the team’s passing game coordinator in 2023.

    College Football Playoff controversy, Villanova’s tough task in FCS quarterfinals, and more

    Under Broomfield’s leadership in 2024, three of Iowa State’s safeties earned Big 12 recognition, with Malik Verdon, who now plays for the Falcons, named an All-Big 12 second-team performer.

    Ryan Clanton, offensive line

    Clanton joined Broomfield and Mouser in Penn State’s directory. He is listed as the team’s offensive line coach.

    Clanton, who played left tackle at Oregon from 2010-13, had served as Iowa State’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator since 2023. He coached Jalen Travis, who became the program’s first offensive lineman drafted into the NFL since 2013.

    In 2025, the Cyclones ranked No. 51 in rushing yards per game (174.7), a 19-spot improvement from Clanton’s first season in 2024.

    Clanton’s addition likely meant the departure of Phil Trautwein, Penn State’s longtime offensive line coach. Trautwein is intended to join Florida’s staff in the same position, according to ESPN.

    Trautwein won two national championships with the Gators (2006 and 2008) during his four-year career as a left tackle from 2004-08.

    Derek Hoodjer, general manager

    Campbell confirmed Monday the addition of Hoodjer, who had served as Iowa State’s associate athletic director for football personnel since 2023. He is listed as general manager in the Penn State directory.

    Hoodjer served as the Cyclones’ director of player personnel from 2018-22 before his promotion to associate AD for football personnel.

    Matt Campbell has one job: Rebuild Penn State’s national title hopes

    During Monday’s introductory news conference, Campbell called Hoodjer “an unbelievable general manager.” Now he will hold that same role in Happy Valley, where he will have a reported $30 million in name, image, and likeness funding, according to The Inside Zone, to build a championship roster.

    Other additions

    Reid Kagy, Iowa State’s director of football strength and conditioning, is following Campbell to Happy Valley. He is listed as head strength and conditioning coach in the Penn State directory.

    Kagy spent six seasons on the Cyclones’ staff, his most recent stint beginning in 2023.

    Jack Griffith was added Thursday to the Penn State directory as a recruiting assistant. He will serve as the program’s assistant general manager, according to CBS Sports.

    Griffith spent the previous three years as Cincinnati’s director of player personnel.

  • College Football Playoff controversy, Villanova’s tough task in FCS quarterfinals, and more

    College Football Playoff controversy, Villanova’s tough task in FCS quarterfinals, and more

    What has happened since Sunday’s College Football Playoff selection show could begin to shape the future of the sport this year and beyond.

    Miami and Notre Dame, both 10-2 and ranked 12th and 10th, respectively, ahead of conference championship weekend, were essentially vying for one spot in a 12-team playoff that was mostly set with the top eight teams seeing little movement.

    After No. 9 Alabama lost to third-ranked Georgia by three touchdowns and No. 11 Brigham Young lost by 27 to No. 4 Texas Tech and No. 17 Virginia dropped the ACC title game to Duke, the debate then shifted to whether the Crimson Tide deserved to be in the field.

    Reports: Penn State not retaining Jim Knowles, who’ll join Tennessee as defensive coordinator

    In the end, though, BYU dropped out of the top 12, Alabama remained at No. 9, and Miami jumped two spots to knock Notre Dame out of the playoff field, creating a firestorm in the process with Tulane and James Madison getting the final two spots.

    The committee pointed to Miami’s head-to-head victory over Notre Dame in Week 1 of the season as the ultimate deciding factor.

    In response to getting left out of the playoff field, the Irish decided to turn down a potential bowl game matchup against BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, ending the season.

    The outrage is all too familiar. An undefeated Florida State team in 2023, ranked No. 4 in a four-team playoff format at the time, was dropped because of an injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis in favor of No. 8 Alabama, which had defeated Georgia in the SEC title game that year.

    That 2023 decision to leave the ACC champion out of the playoff has continued a negative trend for the selection committee: distrust. Distrust in the committee’s criteria. Distrust in what it values in playoff-caliber teams vs. what it does not. Distrust in how the panel measures the resumés of each team. Distrust in measuring programs by a different set of standards.

    Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman reacts on the sideline against Stanford on Nov. 29.

    To be clear, every conference should have a fair shot at winning the national championship.

    Tulane, which beat three Power Four schools, plays in the toughest Group of Six conference in the American, and its coach, Jon Sumrall, was hired to be Florida’s next head coach.

    James Madison, although it lost its lone game against a Power Four opponent, had Bob Chesney poached to be UCLA’s next head coach. Both Sumrall and Chesney are sticking with their teams through the playoffs.

    Notre Dame’s decision to sit out a bowl game could set a precedent. With Name, Image, and Likeness reshaping college sports, more programs built specifically with playoff aspirations may do the same if their seasons don’t go as planned.

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    Keeping Notre Dame out of the playoff is fine, but don’t have the school ranked ahead of Miami for five weeks only to flip it on Selection Sunday. What about keeping Alabama at No. 9 after losing by three touchdowns, but moving down BYU and Ohio State after their losses?

    After this, the CFP committee ought to figure out a better way to determine the best 25 teams every week — because this current format is not working and could have long-term ramifications for the sport.

    Villanova’s tall task

    The star of Villanova’s two wins to open the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs has been its defense, which allowed just seven points in each win, the lowest among the remaining eight teams.

    That defense will be put to the test Saturday against fourth-ranked Tarleton State (12-1) of Texas, which has one of the best scoring offenses in the FCS (44.1 points per game) and the No. 3 total offense (472.3 yards), led by Walter Payton Award finalist Victor Gabalis, the team’s quarterback.

    The Texans also have wins over an FBS school, Army, and are a perfect 7-0 at their Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas, while averaging 41.8 points.

    Tarleton State, about 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth, also ranks in the top 10 in scoring defense (18 points) and passing yards allowed (160.5 yards) but has one glaring weakness: defending the run. On the season, Tarleton ranks 69th in rushing defense, giving up 163.6 yards per game, which should offer the Wildcats an opportunity to control the game in that aspect.

    Tarleton State’s Victor Gabalis in action against Army on Aug. 29.

    Saturday’s quarterfinal game (noon, ESPN) will ultimately come down to Villanova’s defense holding Tarleton State’s offense in check. Harvard and Lehigh each ranked inside the top 25 in total offense, but the Wildcats shut both teams down.

    The only game Tarleton State lost this season came against Abilene Christian, the only time the Texans scored less than 30 points.

    Villanova (11-2) will need big games from running backs Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland and the offensive line to clinch the program’s first semifinal appearance since 2010. The winner of this matchup will face the winner of UC Davis and Illinois State next Saturday.

    How Mark Ferrante made Villanova into a regular playoff contender

    Jackson earns an honor

    Although Delaware State’s season came to an end with a loss to South Carolina State two weeks ago that determined the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference’s representative in the Celebration Bowl, coach DeSean Jackson, the former Eagles wideout, earned some recognition after his debut season.

    On Monday, Jackson, after an 8-4 season was named the 2025 Boxtorow HBCU Coach of the Year for his efforts at Delaware State this season. The Hornets led the FCS in rushing yards per game (291.2 yards), and Jackson led his team to a win over Michael Vick’s Norfolk State on Oct. 30 at Lincoln Financial Field.

    How Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson are navigating the ‘culture shock’ of coaching at an HBCU

    Game of the week

    Army vs. Navy (Saturday at 3 p.m., CBS3)

    For the 126th time, Army and Navy will meet, this year at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on the line. Navy won last year’s matchup with a resounding 31-13 victory at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.

    Navy leads the series, 63-55-7, but Army has won six of the last nine matchups. The Midshipmen, though, have the best player in quarterback Blake Horvath and the nation’s top rushing offense (298.4).

    Navy quarterback Blake Horvath in last season’s game against Army.
  • Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is jailed, hours after he was fired due to an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staff member

    Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is jailed, hours after he was fired due to an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staff member

    ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was jailed on Wednesday, according to court records, hours after he was fired for what the university said was an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”

    According to the Washtenaw County Jail, the 39-year-old Moore had been booked into the facility as of Wednesday evening. The jail’s records did not provide any information about why Moore was detained or whether any court appearances were scheduled.

    In response to media inquires about Moore, the Pittsfield Township Police Department issued a statement that did not mention anyone by name. According to the statement, police were called to investigate an alleged assault in Pittsfield Township, a couple of miles south of Michigan Stadium, and took a person into custody.

    The incident was not random and there was no ongoing threat to public safety, police said, and the person was jailed pending a review of charges by prosecutors.

    “Given the nature of the allegations, the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation, and its current status at this time, we are prohibited from releasing additional details,” the statement said.

    Michigan said it fired Moore for cause after finding evidence of his relationship with the staffer, ending an up-and-down, two-year tenure that saw the Wolverines take a step back on the field after winning the national championship and getting punished by the NCAA.

    “This conduct constitutes a clear violation of university policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,” athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement.

    The announcement did not include details of the alleged relationship. Moore, who is married with three young daughters, did not return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

    Moore was 9-3 this year after going 8-5 in his debut season.

    He signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million last year. According to the terms of his deal, the university will not have to buy out the remaining years of Moore’s contract because he was fired for cause.

    College football’s winningest program is suddenly looking for a third coach in four years, shortly after a busy cycle that included Lane Kiffin leaving playoff-bound Mississippi for LSU.

    Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was promoted to the lead the Wolverines after they won the 2023 national title. He succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.

    The 18th-ranked Wolverines (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) are set to play No. 14 Texas on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl.

    Biff Poggi, who filled in for Moore when he was suspended earlier this season, will serve as interim coach.

    Moore, in his second season, was suspended for two games this year as part of self-imposed sanctions for NCAA violations related to a sign-stealing scandal. The NCAA added a third game to the suspension, which would have kept Moore off the sideline for next year’s opener against Western Michigan.

    Moore previously deleted an entire 52-message text thread on his personal phone with former staffer Connor Stalions, who led the team’s sign-sealing operation. The texts were later recovered and shared with the NCAA.

    Just a few years ago, Moore was Harbaugh’s top assistant and regarded as a rising star.

    Moore, who is from Derby, Kansas, didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. He played for Butler County Community College in Kansas and as an offensive lineman for coach Bob Stoops at Oklahoma during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

    His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Louisville before moving on to Central Michigan, where he caught Harbaugh’s attention. Harbaugh hired him in 2018 as tight ends coach.

    Moore was promoted to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2021, when the Wolverines bounced back from a 2-4, pandemic-shortened season and began a three-year run of excellence that culminated in the school’s first national title in 26 years.

    He worked his way up within the Wolverines’ staff and filled in as interim coach for four games during the 2023 championship season while Harbaugh served two suspensions for potential NCAA rules violations.

    Moore also served a one-game suspension during that year related to a recruiting infractions NCAA case.

    Earlier in the 2023 season, Michigan State fired coach Mel Tucker for cause after he engaged in what he described as consensual phone sex with an activist and rape survivor. In 2012, Arkansas fired coach Bobby Petrino due to a sordid scandal that involved a motorcycle crash, an affair with a woman who worked for him and being untruthful to his bosses.

  • Reports: Penn State not retaining Jim Knowles, who’ll join Tennessee as defensive coordinator

    Reports: Penn State not retaining Jim Knowles, who’ll join Tennessee as defensive coordinator

    After one season as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles will not be retained on new head coach Matt Campbell’s staff, according to several reports. The news was first reported by On3.com. But the 60-year-old defensive coordinator already has a new job lined up.

    According to CBS Sports, Knowles, a Philly native and St. Joseph’s Prep alum, will become Tennessee’s new defensive coordinator. Knowles spent three seasons at Ohio State before joining the Nittany Lions earlier this year. Now he’ll direct the defense at a third school over three seasons.

    Matt Campbell has one job: Rebuild Penn State’s national title hopes

    Penn State made Knowles the highest-paid coordinator in college football history with a three-year, $3.1 million deal on the heels of a national championship with the Buckeyes. He replaced Tom Allen, who departed for Clemson. Knowles’ unit at Ohio State was No. 1 in the country in yards allowed per game (254.6), points allowed (12.9), second in first downs allowed per game (15.1), and third in passing yards (167) and rushing yards per game (87.6).

    The longtime coordinator was viewed as the critical piece to help the Lions get over the hump this season in the College Football Playoff. That did not happen as Penn State’s defense took a significant step back compared to previous years. The Lions finished 34th nationally in total defense (334.3 yards), 37th in points allowed (21.4 points), and 72nd in rushing yards allowed per game (150.8). The defense also ranked 92nd in third down percentage (.416).

    Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles (left) and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki before the game against Nebraska on Nov. 22.

    Knowles has been a defensive coordinator at the Football Bowl Subdivision level since 2010. He spent eight seasons with Duke in that role before joining Oklahoma State in 2018. He spent four seasons in Stillwater before becoming the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator in 2022.

    Tennessee moved on Monday from defensive coordinator Tim Banks, who was Penn State’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2016-20. Banks spent five seasons as the Volunteers’ defensive coordinator, but he struggled in 2025 as the defense ranked 88th in total defense (395.5 yards) and 93rd in scoring (28.8 points).

    On3.com reported earlier this week that Campbell’s defensive coordinator at Iowa State, Jon Heacock, would join him in Happy Valley, but it’s unclear if he will be in the same role at Penn State. Heacock spent all 10 years running the Cyclones defense under Campbell.