Latest news with #ConferenceUSA
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado football to bring two quarterbacks to Big 12 Media Days next week
The Big 12 released its complete list of player representatives for the 2025 Media Days in Frisco, Texas, and Colorado will be well-represented. The two-day event kicks off July 8, with the Buffaloes set to appear on Wednesday, July 9. Head coach Deion Sanders, if he is recovered from his recent health issue, will be joined by five key Buffaloes: quarterbacks Julian Lewis and Kaidon Salter, offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, cornerback DJ McKinney and kicker Alejandro Mata. The inclusion of Both Lewis and Salter is especially telling. It hints that the starting job is still very much up for grabs, or a two-QB system could be in play heading into the fall. Lewis, a five-star recruit, arrives as one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in the 2025 class, while Salter, a former Conference USA MVP at Liberty, transferred to Boulder this offseason and brings an experienced, dual-threat skill set to the table. Colorado doesn't shy from the spotlight, and bringing both quarterbacks to media days amid a QB battle makes that statement loud and clear. Seaton, a former five-star himself, is coming off an All-American freshman season and is an anchor on the offensive line. McKinney is taking over for Travis Hunter and projects as a top 2026 NFL draft prospect. The Buffs will face immediate tests to open their 2025 season, starting with the season opener against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29, as well as other early-season contests against BYU, TCU and Iowa State. Expect Colorado to be one of the most talked-about programs once again when Big 12 Media Days begin July 8. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
EA Sports releases top offenses for College Football 26
EA Sports has given gamers plenty of content this week in the lead up to College Football 26's July 10 release. The video game developer released the toughest places to play in the soon-to-be-released game, as well as the top 25 overall teams. With the top overall teams already known, EA Sports also released the top offenses in the game, and Colorado is not among them. Arizona State leads the way for the conference with a 91 rating, tied for the best in the game alongside national powers such as Texas, Penn State and Ohio State. The Sun Devils are led by quarterback Sam Leavitt and talented wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, so their high ranking is not surprising. BYU (87), Baylor (87), Texas Tech (87) and Iowa State (85) also cracked the list. Despite featuring a dynamic wide receiver corps and former Conference USA MVP Kaidon Salter at quarterback, Colorado was notably absent from the rankings. With the game set to launch in just a few weeks, the Buffaloes could land just outside the rankings with an offensive rating in the low 80s — a respectable starting point, but one that leaves room to improve. There are question marks surrounding Colorado's offense, most notably at running back and tight end, while several projected starters are also unproven at the Power Four level. To improve their standing in the game, Colorado will have to develop at least a mediocre running game and a passing game that at least somewhat resembles last year's talented group. The run game will benefit from a revamped offensive line led by All-American Jordan Seaton and Power Four transfers Zy Crisler (Illinois), Larry Johnson III (Tennessee) and Mana Taimani (Ole Miss). A lackluster offensive line over the past year, plus a bunch of unproven players, likely contributed to EA Sports' ranking of Colorado's offense. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Who is Pacers' pick Taelon Peter? 'This is why the NBA draft is beautiful because you hear guys like Taelon Peter hearing their name'
With their first pick of the second round — No. 38 acquired in a trade Wednesday night — the Indiana Pacers selected Marquette's Kam Jones. At their original No. 54 pick, the Pacers added Liberty guard Taelon Peter. Peter began his college career at Tennessee Tech before playing at Arkansas Tech and eventually Liberty. "Just a word on Taelon Peter who the Indiana Pacers just drafted, wasn't in my Top 100, wasn't invited to Portsmouth, wasn't invited to the G League camp, wasn't invited to the NBA combine, but hears his name called at 54," Jonathan Givony, ESPN's draft expert said on Thursday night's broadcast. "Led the NCAA in true shooting percentage, 33 dunks, tremendous athlete. This is why the NBA draft is beautiful because you hear guys like Taelon Peter hearing their name in the draft also." Peter was named third-team All-Conference USA and the Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year. Here's what to know about the sharpshooter, who shot 45% from behind the arc this past season for the Flames. Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Peter averaged 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game last season for Liberty, shooting 57.8% from the field, including 45.3% from behind the arc. At Arkansas Tech, Peter averaged 15.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg in those three years and scored 1,321 points.
Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Missouri State Football Preview 2025: The Bears Are Ready Right Away For the FBS
It's not like Missouri State has a deep, rich history of success, but it's been good enough over the last few years to be ready to hit the FBS ground Missouri State started playing football in 1909, but didn't move up into the real world until 1986. In all that time, it made a little bit of noise and got to the D-IAA/FCS playoffs four times. From 2011 to 2023, the Bears enjoyed just one winning season, but the eight wins last season were the most since 1990. Head coach Ryan Beard has his team ready for Conference USA. This won't be some new program that's all happy to be called up to The Show. There's enough talent here to do some real damage right away. - The Missouri State offense is dangerous. It was third in the nation last season in passing efficiency, third down conversions weren't a problem, and overall, it averaged 425 yards and 35 points per game. It should all keep going because …- Jacob Clark is back. The 6-5, 220-pound former Minnesota transfer bombed away for over 3,600 yards with 26 touchdowns and six picks. If he gets time, he's deadly. The Bears got a nice backup option in Drew Viotto from Eastern Michigan, and … - The receiving corps brought in a few terrific new options. Isaiah McMorris (Nebraska) is a quick prospect who should quickly step into a role, and Dillon Hipp (Ole Miss) should take over at tight end with Lance Mason off to receiver Hunter Wood is gone, but Jmariyae Robinson and James BlackStrain are big play options who know what they're doing. Now … - The offensive line has to do more to give the passing game time to work. It struggled in pass protection and didn't do enough for the ground game, but it was a young bunch, and almost everyone is back around all-star center Cash Hudson.- The Bears lost their top rushers - Jacardia Wright and Jayden Becks (gone to North Texas) - combined for close to 1,400 yards with 21 touchdowns, but Shomari Lawrence (FIU) brings experience, and Josh Joyner (Washington State) is a smallish, quick option who'll be used in a variety of ways. - The defense pulled off a few shocking moments in 2024, and it was fantastic at getting to the quarterback, but it got ripped apart by North Dakota State and South Dakota State - no shame there - to close ugly. It's not nearly as experienced as the offensive side, and it'll be a struggle at times, starting with …- The linebacking corps will need fall camp to come together. Dallas Winner-Johnson (gone to Tulane) and Michael Teason (gone to TCU) would've been the stars of the defense after finishing second and third in tackles, Brooks (Campbell) was fantastic last year for the Camels, and Kanye Young started late in the season in the middle, finishing with 46 tackles with two sacks. - The ends are strong, and the interior could use some more options to go with 310-pound Gilles Techie and 275-pound Mitchell Toney. The Bears are solid on the outside as long as transfer DJ Wesolak (Oregon State) is ready for a starting role right away. Davon Townley showed a few flashes last season, and Caleb Dietlin was third on the team with 3.5 sacks, with four quarterback hurries in a limited role. - The secondary took a hit at corner thanks to the portal, but Antonio Smith (Florida Atlantic) should be an instant fix at one spot, and Jordan Dunbar (Bowling Green) should help. Safety Christian Ford (Arkansas) is good enough to have given a Power Four program a shot. Dylan Dixson is a good freelancing playmaker who should do more, and JJ O'Neal was a decent starter, making 43 tackles with six broken up passes at strong safety. Missouri State Bears Key to the Season Give Jacob Clark as much time as possible to star quarterback has the running backs to take the heat off, the receiving corps is good, and the line is loaded with veterans who should be Bears gave up over three sacks per game and too much pressure, and now, considering the defense won't be anything great, Clark needs to get all the time he can to be fantastic in shootouts. Missouri State Bears Key Player Stewart McDonald, P might not seem like a punter should be the most important player, but the defense could use as much field position help as it can get in its first year in the Bears have a star kicker in Yousef Obeid, but they lost Grant Burkett, who had a monster year, averaging 44 yards per kick, putting 15 inside the 20. McDonald might not do that, but he has to be solid. Missouri State Bears Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Jalen Brooks, LB least, it's the hope that he turns into one of the top transfers for a linebacking corps that needs the help. The former North Carolina Tar Heel moved over to Campbell, where he tackled everything last season, making 118 tackles with four sacks and 8.5 tackles for Transfer Out: Lance Mason, TE Bears brought in a few nice tight end prospects to help pick up the slack, but Mason was a star who'll be missed after averaging 17.4 yards per catch on 34 grabs with six scores. Now he'll be a key part of the Wisconsin attack. Missouri State Bears Key Game WKU, Sept. 27Where, exactly, does Missouri State stand in its first season at the higher level? It might be able to battle at Marshall, and it should beat UT Martin, but it'll lose to USC and SMU. WKU has the talent to win the Conference USA title, but the Bears need to pull off something big with the next two games on the road. Also, this is the last home game for a month.- 2025 Missouri State Schedule Breakdown Missouri State Bears Top 10 Players 1. Jacob Clark, QB Sr.2. Cash Hudson, C Jr.3. Jmariyae Robinson, WR Jr.4. Jalen Brooks, LB Sr.5. Shomari Lawrence, RB Sr.6. Kanye Young, LB Sr.7. JJ O'Neal, S Sr.8. James BlackStrain, WR Sr.9. Yousef Obeid, PK Soph.10. Josh Joyner, RB RFr. Missouri State Bears 2024 Fun Stats - Sacks: Opponents 40 for 247 yards, Missouri State 31 for 194 yards- Kickoff Returns: Missouri State 23.6 yards, Opponents 15.7 yards- Interception Return Yards: Missouri State 134 (on 12 picks), Opponents 7 (on 6 picks) Missouri State Bears 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen It's possible to be solid right away in Conference USA - Jacksonville State did it, and Sam Houston stepped up last year - but it'll be an uneven will do whatever it wants in the season opener, and SMU will go off, but other than a date at Liberty, there's nothing else that would seem totally shocking if the new guys pulled it off. UT Martin needs to be a win, and there should be a few victories out of home games against FIU, Louisiana Tech, and UTEP to come up with a decent showing in the debut The Missouri State Win Total At … 4Likely Wins: UT Martin50/50 Games: FIU, at Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech, at Marshall, at Middle Tennessee, at New Mexico State, UTEP, WKULikely Losses: at Liberty, SMU, at USC © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Miami Herald
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida Atlantic Football Preview 2025: Owls Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players
Florida Atlantic Owls Key to the Season The offensive line has to give everyone time to going to be hard to do with a totally patchwork front five, but it can't be too much worse. It allowed close to three sacks and seven tackles for loss per game, the running game wasn't good, and the solid skill parts now in place need more time to operate.2025 Florida Atlantic Preview Florida Atlantic Owls Key Player Vincent Forney, OT 6-5, 275-pound sophomore isn't massive, but he moves well. Brought in to take over one of the tackle jobs, the faster he can grow into the gig, the stronger the pieces of the puzzle will be put together in fall camp. Florida Atlantic Owls Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Caden Veltkamp, QB other key players are coming in, but Veltkamp needs to be the star of the show. The Conference USA Player of the Year threw for over 3,100 yards with 25 touchdowns and ten picks at Western Kentucky last Transfer Out: Phillip Dunnam, S Cam Fancher leaving for UCF is actually the biggest transfer loss, but the Owls might have upgraded the position with was one of the team's better defenders, making 109 tackles with six picks and ten broken up passes over the last two years, but he's moving up the road with Fancher to UCF. Florida Atlantic Owls Key Game at Rice, Oct. 4Rice is another AAC program undergoing a coaching overhaul, and it also needs to deal with huge personnel changes. By this point, Florida Atlantic should be 2-2 with losses to Maryland and Memphis, and wins over Florida A&M and FIU. Win this, and with UAB next, a 4-2 start is possible.- 2025 Florida Atlantic Schedule Breakdown Florida Atlantic Owls Top 10 Players 1. Caden Veltkamp, QB Jr.2. Easton Messer, WR Jr.3. Daughtry Richardson, OT Jr.4. Wendol Philord, S Sr.5. Jabari Smith, WR Soph.6. Logan Lupo, P Sr.7. Jayden Williams, S Sr.8. Germari Sands, RB Soph.9. JR Wilson, WR Jr.10. Garrison Smith, PK Sr. Florida Atlantic Owls 2024 Fun Stats - 4th Quarter Scoring: Opponents 104, Florida Atlantic 46- Sacks: Opponents 30 for 196 yards, Florida Atlantic 13 for 66 yards- Passing Touchdowns: Opponents 23, Florida Atlantic 9 Florida Atlantic Owls 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen The Owls will be the very least, the new coaching staff will get a whole lot more than the 311 points last year's attack came up weren't that many close calls last year - Michigan State was oddly tight late, but North Texas and Temple were gettable losses - but a few more of those could've swung the other time around, Florida A&M should be a win. Tulsa and UAB are winnable home games, FIU and Rice are winnable road dates, and there should be one shocker in a good way, and one in a bad way. After several twists and turns, the Owls will stay in the mix to be bowl eligible through The Florida Atlantic Win Total At … 4.5 Likely Wins: Florida A&M50/50 Games: East Carolina, at FIU, at Navy, at Rice, Tulsa, UAB, UConnLikely Losses: at Maryland, Memphis, at USF, at Tulane2025 Florida Atlantic Preview © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
