Latest news with #BigTenMediaDay
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Drew Allar ready to overcome Big Ten hurdles in 2025
Drew Allar was most likely under the most pressure out of any Big Ten football media day representative for the Nittany Lions this week in Las Vegas. After all, when you're quarterbacking one of the most hyped up teams in your school's history, chances are you carry a heavier burden than your teammates and maybe even your coach. Thus, when questions arose surrounding how Penn State could change its narrative this season, it was Drew Allar's responsibility to address those topics. Needless to say, he did so in an honest way. "We definitely need to get over that hump," Allar said on Wednesday at Big Ten Media Day. Blunt and straight to the point. While the Nittany Lions have had quite the prolific period under James Franklin, they have only won four games in his tenure against teams ranked in the AP Top 10. Allar knows what's at stake. It's how he will play in those kinds of games that will separate him from true Penn State legends or those who were so close to the mountaintop, yet seemingly so far from reaching it. It was Allar's crucial interception against Notre Dame in the CFP semifinal that effectively cost Penn State its shot at a national title. Allar seemed to be saying the right things when it came down to those close situations late in games. "We definitely need to find different ways to come out with different results in those games," Allar said. "We haven't really been blown out of the water by any team. ... It's just about execution ... finding those areas to make one or two more plays throughout those games. ... That's going to be our focus." While Allar certainly has the expertise to execute his goals, it's Penn State's critics that he has to prove wrong. While Penn State has certainly had its support in certain media circles due to its preseason poll rankings, there are still detractors who think Penn State will be the same old, same old squad. The team that perennially never wins the big games. The team that always shoots itself in the foot. However, Allar is a year older with vital CFP experience under his belt, something that not a lot of new Big Ten QBs have the benefit of. Thus, Allar feels more confident than ever that Penn State can get over that proverbial "hump."
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Freshman All-American wide receiver Isaiah Mozee transitions to running back for Nebraska
During Tuesday's Big Ten Media Day, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule confirmed that a freshman is making a position change heading into the 2025 season. Isaiah Mozee is now running back after starting the offseason at wide receiver. Mozee committed to Nebraska after flipping from Oregon last summer. The Kansas City, Missouri native, was a high school All-American wide receiver for Lee's Summit North, becoming one of the top receivers in the country and receiving an invite to the Under Armour All-America game. The 6-foot, 210 athlete is familiar with the running back position, having played in the backfield along with wideout for Lee's Summit North. In his career, Mozee racked up 665 yards on 78 carries for 11 touchdowns. In his senior year, he finished with 420 yards and seven touchdowns on 52 carries. He also scored three punt return touchdowns. At wideout, Mozee hauled in 233 catches for 3,241 yards and 42 touchdowns in his career. As a senior, he caught 60 passes for 903 yards and 13 touchdowns. Nebraska's already stacked with wide receivers, with Jacory Barney, Kentucky's Dane Key and Cal's Nyziah Hunter forming the group. Mozee now joins Emmett Johnson, Kwinten Ives and Mekhi Nelson in the running back room. Rhule spoke about Mozee switch to running back at Big Ten Media Days, pointing out how he wants to get the freshman some action this year. 'Isaiah is a guy that is going to play as a freshman,' Rhule said. 'He loves football. We are just trying to get him on the field with meaningful touches as fast as possible.' Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith says Autzen Stadium was an unforgettable place last season
One of the questions asked when the Oregon Ducks joined the Big Ten Conference was how would the team adjust to playing on the road and the travel aspect of the new surroundings? As it turned out, the Ducks didn't have a problem with it, going undefeated in the regular season. But the bigger question was how the other teams would adjust to Autzen Stadium. One team that adjusted fairly well to the noise and the atmosphere was Ohio State, although the Buckeyes still came out with a loss. Autzen Stadium was turned up to an 11 for that game and it was noticed by the Ohio State team and on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in particular. The superstar wideout said it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of his freshman season. "It was rocking. Probably the loudest I've ever been in," Smith said at Big Ten Media Day in Las Vegas. "The fans were definitely getting hyped. Couldn't hear anything. Probably the best stadium I played in last year." The noise certainly didn't affect his game, however, as he burned the Duck secondary for nine receptions for an even 100 yards and a touchdown. Ohio State's offense had to deal with the noise much more than its defense, but safety Caleb Downs also said Autzen Stadium was electric, and it was a bit unexpected to how electric it was. "I think going into it, they told us it was probably 50,000 or 60,000 (capacity.) And somebody was like, 'oh that's not crazy.' But they were rocking there," Downs said. "They came out with the motorcycle on the field, and I was like, ooh. But, I mean, I love that type of energy. So, I mean, it was a positive for me, and I like those type of atmospheres. So, it was great." It was great for the over 60,000 Duck fans that saw Oregon win 32-31. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
