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Belichick hype lifts UNC Football to sellout before week one
Belichick hype lifts UNC Football to sellout before week one

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Belichick hype lifts UNC Football to sellout before week one

Bill Belichick hasn't coached a single game at North Carolina yet, but the Belichick effect is already making waves. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the Tar Heels have officially sold out every ticket for the entire 2025 season. Season tickets were gone in the spring despite a 25% price hike. Now, every individual game ticket has also been snatched up. That means Kenan Memorial Stadium will be packed for each home game before Belichick's debut season even kicks off. The former New England Patriots head coach shocked the football world earlier this year when, just months after his NFL retirement, he agreed to lead the UNC program. MORE: Paul Finebaum calls Lincoln Riley a fraud After more than 20 years and six Super Bowl rings in Foxborough, few expected his next move would be to the ACC. But here he is, wearing Carolina blue and generating a buzz that UNC football hasn't felt in decades. Historically, North Carolina has been a basketball-first school. Even during Mack Brown's better years, sellouts were rare and football often played second fiddle to hoops. That's changed overnight. Belichick, already destined for the Hall of Fame and tied to legends like Tom Brady, Bill Parcells, and Nick Saban, has put UNC football squarely on the national radar. Recruiting has already seen a noticeable uptick. North Carolina's class ranked 29th for 2025, then improved to 19th for 2026. National TV slots are filling up with UNC matchups. Now, the ticket office has nothing left to offer. Whether Belichick's defensive brilliance translates to the college game remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Tar Heels are no longer flying under the radar. This is no longer just a basketball school. More College Football News: Jeremiah Smith picks Cris Carter as Ohio State's top all-time receiver Paul Finebaum calls Lincoln Riley a fraud Dave Portnoy defends Curt Cignetti after SEC scheduling jab

Jake Retzlaff officially announces his departure from BYU
Jake Retzlaff officially announces his departure from BYU

Yahoo

time21-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Jake Retzlaff officially announces his departure from BYU

Jake Retzlaff announced Friday on social media that he is withdrawing from BYU and leaving the school's football program in his first public statement since the quarterback was accused of sexual assault and battery in a civil lawsuit in May. While the civil case was dismissed on June 30, Retzlaff faced a reported seven-game suspension for violating the honor code, and the Deseret News previously reported that Retzlaff planned to transfer. 'After a lot of prayer, reflection, and conversations with those I trust, I've made the difficult decision to officially withdraw from BYU and step away from the BYU Football program,' Retzlaff wrote in a social media post on Instagram. 'We are grateful for the time Jake Retzlaff has spent at BYU. As he moves forward, BYU Athletics understands and respects Jake's decision to withdraw from BYU, and we wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his career,' BYU Athletics said in a statement shared with the media. Retzlaff's statement came shortly after ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Retzlaff would be withdrawing from BYU and still planned on transferring without utilizing the NCAA transfer portal, while planning to 'simply enroll at a new school.' What does that mean for his playing future? On 3's Pete Nakos responded to Thamel's report by adding that On 3 reported earlier this week that 'the easiest path' for Retzlaff would be to withdraw from BYU and walk on at a new program. If Retzlaff entered the transfer portal, he would need to receive a waiver to play in 2025, according to Nakos. The Deseret News' Jay Drew reported that 'several' Power Four programs have shown interest in Retzlaff. Retzlaff, who is well-known for being one of just a handful of Jewish students at BYU during his time at the school, transferred to BYU in 2023 after two seasons at the junior college level. The California native started the final four games for the Cougars at the end of the 2023 season, taking over for an injured Kedon Slovis, and won the starting quarterback job going into the 2024 season. He led BYU to an 11-2 record and a final No. 13 ranking last season, as the Cougars went 7-2 in Big 12 play and came up just short of playing for the conference championship while earning buzz as a potential College Football Playoff participant before back-to-back losses in November. 'BYU has meant more to me than just football. It's been a place of growth — spiritually, mentally and physically," Retzlaff said in his Instagram message. 'I'm grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member, and fan who's supported me along the way. The relationships and memories I've made in Provo will always be a part of me. 'That said, I'm excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter. My journey is far from over — and I'm more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals."

Jake Retzlaff reportedly commits to Tulane after withdrawing from BYU due to honor-code violation
Jake Retzlaff reportedly commits to Tulane after withdrawing from BYU due to honor-code violation

Yahoo

time21-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Jake Retzlaff reportedly commits to Tulane after withdrawing from BYU due to honor-code violation

Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has found a new home. Retzlaff reportedly committed to Tulane, and is expected to enroll as a walk-on, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. After starting with BYU last season, Retzlaff will compete for the starting job at Tulane. Retzlaff, who spent two years with the Cougars, officially withdrew from BYU in July after a violation of the honor code threatened his season. The redshirt senior, who was in trouble with the school for engaging in premarital sex, had reportedly been looking to transfer schools as a result. In a statement posted to social media, Retzlaff disclosed his decision to withdraw, calling BYU "a place of growth." "After a lot of prayer, reflection, and conversations with those I trust, I've made the difficult decision to officially withdraw from BYU and step away from the BYU Football program," Retzlaff wrote. "I'm excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter." By withdrawing from BYU directly, Retzlaff did not have to enter the transfer portal in order to land with a new program. In a lawsuit filed in May, Retzlaff was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2023. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed last month after a joint motion from the attorneys of Retzlaff and his accuser. However, Retzlaff, who said that the sex was consensual in his court filing, was still in violation of BYU's honor code, which prohibits premarital sex. As a result, Retzlaff was reportedly facing a seven-game suspension from the school — prompting his decision to transfer. Retzlaff joined BYU in 2023 after playing for two years at the community college level. He became BYU's starting quarterback in 2024, leading the team to a 11-2 season and an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, completing 57.9 percent of his passes.

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff to Enter Transfer Portal, Per Reports
BYU QB Jake Retzlaff to Enter Transfer Portal, Per Reports

Yahoo

time30-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff to Enter Transfer Portal, Per Reports

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff to Enter Transfer Portal, Per Reports originally appeared on Athlon Sports. BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is planning to enter the transfer portal, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Sources say he has informed several members of Kalani Satake's coaching staff and Cougars players of his plan to leave. Advertisement This comes after Salt Lake Tribune's Kevin Reynolds reported that Retzlaff was facing a seven-game suspension for violating BYU's Honor Code tied to a civil lawsuit. An attorney representing Retzlaff denied allegations that his client sexually assaulted a woman in 2023. In response to a lawsuit in the Third Judicial District Court in Utah, Retzlaff's lawyer issued a statement via a court filing on Friday. "Mr. Retzlaff specifically and categorically denies each and every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled [the woman], which are ridiculous and bizarre allegations, all of which are false and untrue." After the lawsuit was filed, BYU issued a statement saying, "The university takes any allegation very seriously, following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX." However, they didn't get into specifics on the situation. "Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment." Advertisement Retzlaff enters his senior season after throwing for nearly 3,000 years and 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions last year. BYU was one win away from their first Big 12 championship appearance. Related: Ty Goettsche Opens Up About Five-Star QB Ryder Lyons, BYU's Surge (Exclusive) Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick must prepare to move forward without Retzlaff. McCae Hillstead might be the next QB on the depth chart. The transfer from Utah State threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns during his freshman season. Treyson Bourguet and Bear Bachmeier will also compete for the starting job. BYU opens the 2025 football season on Saturday, August 30 against Portland State. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.

Texas State Expecting Offer From PAC-12 This Week as Conference Expansion Talks Intensify
Texas State Expecting Offer From PAC-12 This Week as Conference Expansion Talks Intensify

Yahoo

time26-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Texas State Expecting Offer From PAC-12 This Week as Conference Expansion Talks Intensify

Texas State Expecting Offer From PAC-12 This Week as Conference Expansion Talks Intensify originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After months of speculation, it looks like Texas State will soon become the ninth member of the Pac-12 conference. Texas State informed its current conference, the Sun Belt, it is expecting an offer from the Pac-12 'in the near future', according to reporting from Pete Thamel of ESPN. Advertisement Thamel also reports a formal offer from the Pac-12 has yet to be delivered, but that conference officials have alerted the Sun Belt of their talks with Texas State. It's been nearly nine months since the Pac-12 reached an agreement to expand the conference, adding Gonzaga to a group that included returners Oregon State and Washington State and five newcomers from the Mountain West: San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, and Fresno State. The Pac-12 currently has eight total members but only seven who sponsor football, and the conference is required to have eight full, football-playing members to become an FBS conference. The Bobcats have long been considered the likeliest candidate to become that eighth full member, especially when talks with UNLV and Air Force in the Mountain West and Memphis, Tulane, UTSA, and other AAC programs broke down due to hefty exit fees. Advertisement The timing here makes perfect sense, as the buyout for Texas State to leave the Sun Belt doubles from $5 million to $10 million on July 1, giving both sides the motivation to knock this out in the next five days. Texas State gives the Pac-12 a footprint in Texas, a hotbed of recruiting in both football and men's basketball. The university is located in beautiful San Marcos, between Austin and San Antonio, and is considered a potential sleeping giant due to significant resources and a passionate and extensive alumni base. It's unclear at this time what percentage of the Pac-12's media rights deal the Bobcats will receive. For Gonzaga, the addition of Texas State doesn't move the needle much. The Bobcats have been D1 since 1984 but have only made the NCAA Tournament twice, as a 15 seed in 1994 and a 16 seed in 1997, losing in the first round both times. Advertisement The program won the Sun Belt regular season in both 2020-21 and 2021-22, but lost in the conference championship in 2021 and in the semifinals in 2022. KenPom has Texas State ranked No. 215 among all D1 programs dating back to 1997. The lowest ranked WCC team in that timeframe, Portland, comes in at No. 187, while SeattleU (196) and Eastern Washington (205) clear that mark as well. It's fair to assume Mark Few and Gonzaga won't be thrilled about lengthy road trips halfway across the country to play a team that has virtually no history of success on the hardwood, but it is always possible an influx of cash reinvigorates the Bobcats and the level of play improves over time. Related: Gonzaga Basketball 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule Tracker This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.

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