Latest news with #SouthernConference
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking all 16 Southeastern Conference football helmets heading into the 2025 campaign
Ranking all 16 Southeastern Conference football helmets heading into the 2025 campaign The Southeastern Conference is the most iconic league in college football, with a history dating back to 1932 when 13 members of the then-recently defunct Southern Conference joined together to form what is now known as the SEC. Over the 90-plus years of existence, the league has boasted some of the best teams of all time. The SEC has also carried a reputation for sporting some of most iconic helmets on the collegiate gridiron. With the additions of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners to the league last season, the conference is now truly stacked, as even the weaker offerings are still among the best the sport has to offer. Below is a look at Gators Wire's updated rankings of all 16 member schools' helmets ahead of the 2025 campaign, including the Florida Gators. No. 16: Ole Miss Rebels Even though Ole Miss's helmets are last in this ranking, their toppers are not terrible. It just lacks the oomph one looks for in a sport that is fueled by violence. The script university nickname just does not inspire much fear or excitement — it makes me want to drink a mint julep in a calm grove. No. 15: Tennessee Volunteers The shade known as Tennessee Orange is an abomination and the T logo's font just does not work for me. The design and color scheme are far outdated, making it difficult for me to take the team seriously sometimes while watching the games. No teeth at all to it. Read more at Vols Wire No. 14: Mississippi State Bulldogs There is simply nothing remarkable about Mississippi State's football helmet. The logo is dated as is the primary color; on the other hand, that vintage shade is rarely seen, giving it a bit of novelty. That said, the overall design is the epitome of mid. No. 13: Vanderbilt Commodores Commodores have a tough act to follow in the SEC, but their helmets are fairly solid. The star and capital V logo is admittedly tidy, as is the black-on-gold color theme, but it is a little bit bland. Perhaps if they were better on the field, I would have a rosier view of them. No. 12: Georgia Bulldogs Sure, the 'Dawgs have been a powerhouse program this past half decade but face it, the logo is pretty generic: Grambling State uses it as well as does the Green Bay Packers. The red, black and white color scheme is robust but just not enough to overcome the lack of originality. These helmets could be ranked lower if the program were less successful. Read more at UGA Wire No. 11: South Carolina Gamecocks Something just does not sit well with me when I look at the logo enclosed within a weirdly fonted capital C. The fighting cock does look formidable despite what appears to be a broken neck but the color scheme draws away from it a bit. It is a 3.6 Roentgen design overall: not great, not terrible. No. 10: Missouri Tigers The visage of the Tiger is an improvement over the old block M logo, but it still lacks a little oomph — not to mention there might be too many tiger mascots in the conference. The color scheme is strong and the roaring cat does get you amped, so it is nothing to be ashamed of. Alabama's signature helmet would be ranked even lower if they were not so iconic. Sure, simplicity is an important factor in getting the aesthetics correct but the player numbers on the plain red background is just too generic to land too high on this list. Read more at Roll Tide Wire No. 8: Oklahoma Sooners The Sooners also benefit from the iconic nature of their design, but like some of the previous entries, the excitement stops there. The crimson and cream color scheme works, but the block letter logo just lacks some pizazz. Still, not a bad landing spot in the grand scheme of things. Read more at Sooners Wire No. 7: Kentucky Wildcats Kentucky's overall design is clean with a blue and white palette to work with. The interlocking letters of the logo are somewhat of an overused design, but the execution is very well done, giving the Wildcats a fresher look than some of their SEC peers. Read more at UK Wildcats Wire No. 6: Auburn Tigers Auburn gets credit for its burnt orange and navy color scheme plus some iconic points as well. The logo design with the two colors used as outline and fill really pops off the white helmets and represents one of the better abbreviations seen on helmets. Read more at Auburn Wire I have to hand it to TAMU, their helmet design is one of the better ones in the SEC. The symmetry of the A and M underneath the larger T is top-notch, and while I do not particularly love the color maroon, it just works for them. Read more at Aggies Wire No. 4: LSU Tigers The highest-ranked Tigers on this list land in this spot due to a convergence of its iconic nature — particularly the old-school tiger visage — as well as its royal colors of purple and gold. These helmets look like they mean business, and while they do lack a more modern feel, they still are among the best in the SEC. Read more at LSU Wire No. 3: Arkansas Razorbacks The running razorback gets me, to be perfectly honest — anyone who knows anything about feral hogs knows that they are formidable threats when disturbed. Then add the cardinal red color which gives a feel of both anger and blood and you have a recipe for a great football helmet. No. 2: Texas Longhorns Originally, the 'Horns were the top of this list, but I had a change of heart when it came to this update. Texas and its Longhorn logo in burnt orange on a background of white is the perfect mix of clean, iconic and fearsome for a football helmet. The slight iridescence of the modern logo adds a nice final touch to an already near-perfect look. Read more at Longhorns Wire No. 1: Florida Gators Florida's strength in these rankings comes from a combination of its epic orange and blue color scheme as well as the iconic script Gators logo. Unlike Ole Miss' script-based design, these bad boys mean business, especially considering the success the program has seen since implementing it. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Baseball game descends into chaos as gloating batter sparks mass ejections for players, coaches and parents
Mayhem broke out at a college baseball game in Greenville on Saturday night after a batter's provocative celebrations resulted in ejections for players, coaches and a mom in the stands. During their Southern Conference tournament win over the Mercer Bears, Samford outfielder Michael Gupton hit a two-run homer to increase the Bulldogs' lead on the night. Yet as he made his way around the bases, Gupton sparked anger when he appeared to shout something at Mercer's players and dugout, before touching home plate and celebrating with his teammates. Bears shortstop Bradley Frye was left furious with his gloating antics, making a beeline for the Bulldogs man before being held back by umpires at Fluor Field. A member of the team's coaching staff also had to be held back by his colleagues after taking offense to Gupton's celebrations. In the end, Mercer players left the field in protest at what played out after the two-run homer. Samford hits a bomb. Dude taunts the whole stadium. Mercer takes players off the field in protest. This leagueeeeeee — 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) May 25, 2025 After video review Gupton and Frye were both ejected from the game, while coaches were also thrown out - including Samford assistant Gil Walkes and Mercer pitching coach Tanner Gordon. And incredibly, Frye's mother - who was watching on in the stands - was also ejected from the game for standing and jumping on top of the dugout moments after she learned of her son's ejection, according to Fox News. Other Mercer supporters were also thrown out of the game after making their way onto the dugout roof to protest the decision. The game was delayed for around 25 minutes by the chaos that ensued after Gupton's controversial celebration. However, it was the Bulldogs who ultimately had the last laugh when they ran out 5-1 winners on the night. The victory earned them a place in the SoCon championship game.
Fox News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
NCAA baseball tournament descends into mayhem as players, coaches, parents ejected
Tensions flared during Saturday's NCAA baseball game between Samford and Mercer. Samford outfielder Michael Gupton hit a two-run homer to increase the Bulldogs' lead over the Mercer Bears. Gupton appeared to shout something at Mercer players during his spirited jog around the bases. Gupton's words seemed to target at least one player on the baseball diamond as well as the Mercer dugout. Gupton eventually touched home plate and celebrated with his Samford teammates. A visibly frustrated Mercer shortstop, Bradley Frye, attempted to follow Gupton and had to be held back by umpires. Mercer coaches also voiced their frustrations to the umpires. Mercer players then began leave the playing field in apparent protest. Several Mercer players had to be held back in the dugout. Southern Conference commissioner Michael Cross was in attendance for the game and was eventually seen talking with the umpires. Gupton and Frye were ejected from the game after a video review. Coaches were also thrown out, with Samford assistant Gil Walkes and Mercer pitching coach Tanner Gordon receiving ejections. Frye's mother was also shown the door after she was seen standing and jumping on top of the dugout moments after she learned of her son's ejection. Other Mercer fans were tossed out after they went onto the dugout roof. The game was delayed for approximately 25 minutes. Samford ultimately celebrated a 5-1 victory on Saturday. The win punched Samford's ticket to the SoCon championship game. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Samford-Mercer college baseball game descends into chaos with mom ejected, team pulled after home run
Who needs Yankees-Red Sox when you've got Samford vs. Mercer? Fireworks erupted Saturday during a Southern Conference tournament game between the two schools after Samford's Michael Gupton hit a two-run homer to give the Bulldogs a 5-1 lead in the sixth inning. As he showboated his way around the bases, Gupton could be seen yelling at Mercer shortstop Bradley Frye and the Mercer dugout as Gupton made his way from third to home. 3 Michael Gupton reacts after hitting a home run during Samford's game against Mercer. Screengrab via X/@11point7 Gupton continued to celebrate, which angered Frye and the rest of the Mercer team. Frye attempted to follow Gupton before the umpires stopped him. That led to Mercer's coaching staff arguing with the umpire crew, and Mercer began taking players off the field to protest Gupton's actions. Southeast Conference commissioner Michael Cross eventually talked to the umpires on the field, and Gupton and Frye were both tossed from the game. 3 Michael Gupton celebrates after hitting a home run during Samford's game against Mercer. Screengrab via X/@11point7 Mercer pitching coach Tanner Gordon and Samford assistant coach Gil Walker were also ejected. The penalties extended to the stands, as Frye's mother was also ejected from the stadium after she made her way onto the top of the dugout when her son was tossed. All of it led to a delay in the game of almost 25 minutes before play resumed. 3 Mercer's game against Samford turned chaotic after a home run. Screengrab via X/@11point7 Later, Mercer third baseman Brant Baughcum was tossed after he shoved a Samford player who was thrown out in a rundown. Samford went on to win, 5-1, to advance to the championship game against East Tennessee State.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mercer walk off field and player's mother ejected after home-run taunt
Mercer were so incensed by an opposing player's home run celebration that they walked off the field during their Southern Conference tournament defeat on Saturday. After he smoked a homer to give Samford a 5-1 lead they would not relinquish, Michael Gupton leapt and skipped while rounding the bases, breaking with the baseball custom in which players usually keep their celebrations in check immediately after hitting a home run. He also appeared to yell at Mercer shortstop Bradley Frye and the opposing dugout. The Mercer coaches voiced their displeasure with the umpires while Frye had to be held back as he approached Gupton. Advertisement Mercer started to leave the field, while Frye, Gupton and two coaches were ejected. Frye's mother then jumped on the dugout roof and was told to leave the stadium. The game was paused for nearly 30 minutes during the disturbance and Southern Conference commissioner Michael Cross was forced to enter the field to attempt to calm matters down. Samford's victory means they will play East Tennessee State for the Southern Conference championship on Sunday.
