The Southeastern Conference will discuss player availability reports during meetings this week in Florida, according to multiple reports. According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said to a group in Destin that the conference “will hold conversations this week” upon the meetings’ start on Tuesday about the use of availability reports.

READ: Lou Groza Award will be included in EA Sports College Football 25

Availability reports are common within sports and reveal which players may be questionable or not going to play in that week’s game. The Big Ten Conference started requiring its teams to send the list of players’ names to the conference office no more than two hours before kickoff last season.

Before the Big Ten, no other Power 5 conference had an availability report required to be distributed during the season.

READ: Charlie Baker believes antitrust settlement will ‘reshape the future of college sports’ in memo sent to members of NCAA

According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, the SEC “does not expect a decision this week” regarding availability reports.

College football’s 2024 season will kick off in August with Week 0, and among the first games to be played include Florida State at Georgia Tech on Aug. 24 at noon EST which will broadcast on ESPN.

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Set to launch worldwide on July 19, a full reveal of the modes and features of EA Sports College Football 25 was announced on Friday.

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes will be available in College Football 25, according to a release. Those two modes will allow players “to construct their own powerhouse program as a created coach or vie for the Heisman as a player” in what the video game introduces as CampusIQ, which will be “a suite of features that brings to life the true depth of college football through wide open, fast-paced gameplay across all 134 FBS schools in all areas of the game.”

READ: ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery introduce Venu Sports streaming service

Over 10,000 players have opted into College Football 25, it was announced in March. Any student-athlete who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the video game.

College Football 25 will also offer “the all-new Road to the College Football Playoff and College Football Ultimate Team” that will “bring fresh online experiences and ways to play.”

“EA SPORTS College Football is BACK! We’ve felt the passion and anticipation of college football fans every step of the way since we first announced this game, and we’re ecstatic to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been building,” EA Sports SVP and Group GM Daryl Holt stated in a release. “College Football 25 is built with authenticity at its core, inspired by experiences our fans have loved from our games, and fully evolved to reflect modern college football – all of which will immerse them in the sights, sounds, and true-to-life gameplay of the sport they love.”

READ: Northwestern announces 2024 schedule, will play 2 games at Wrigley Field

READ: ABC, ESPN unveil Weeks 0-1 broadcast schedule

EA Sports unveiled the cover of College Football 25 on Thursday, showcasing Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They will star on the covers of the Standard and Deluxe editions.

“Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who impressed and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season and are poised to do so again this year,” Holt stated in a release. “We’re proud to be able to incorporate thousands of current athletes in College Football 25, and featuring this trio of playmakers and their iconic college programs on the cover is a perfect fit as we usher in a new era for EA SPORTS and college football. I can’t wait for the world to learn more about the game tomorrow.”

ESPN broadcasters such as Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will “call marquee matchups,” along with other broadcast teams such as Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack will comprise the virtual booth and “take the mic for all other games.”

Among the gameplay features include Homefield Advantage, which will allow players to “through distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons, and moving play art.” Additional features consist of Pre-Snap Recognition and the Wear & Tear System, which means virtual player stamina is affected by more play so it will be important to “manage your players’ health, limit fatigue, assess risk of injury, and avoid on-field mistakes by using strategic substitutions to ensure your players are at their best when it counts the most.”

The traditions within college football that make it one of a kind will be immersed in College Football 25. Along with team mascots and fight songs, the video game will include “unique team run-outs, rivalry rituals, synchronized crowd-chants, loudness meters as well as real game-day audio.”

READ: Colorado-Nebraska primetime kickoff announced for Week 2 matchup on NBC

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes are also offered in the video game alongside Road to the College Football Playoff, where players will “experience a new way to play competitively across consoles” and “earn rank by upsetting the toughest opponents and securing the votes you need to progress and level up divisions,” as well as College Football Ultimate Team.

College Football Ultimate Team will allow players to “build your dream team of college football stars and legends” in Solo Challenges or H2H seasons, and they can test their skill across consoles “in more competitive formats like College Football Ultimate Team Champs and Champs Gauntlet.”

EA Sports College Football 25 is available for pre-order now. According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, the video game will not be available for PC at launch. EA Sports is also offering an MVP bundle on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S that will include deluxe editions of College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25 “with 3-day early access and unlocks a multitude of benefits across both titles.”

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Beginning this season, the “SEC on ABC franchise” will debut with the Miami–Florida matchup Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m., according to a release. The SEC on ABC brand will include “a new graphics package, theme music and more.”

According to a release, all special date games and ESPN’s broadcast schedule for the first three weeks of the season will be revealed May 30. The network’s Bowl Season schedule will also be unveiled June 6.

READ: Colorado-Nebraska primetime kickoff announced for Week 2 matchup on NBC

READ: Joe Alt cherishes Notre Dame career, hopes to put ‘best foot forward’ with Los Angeles after No. 5 overall NFL Draft selection

ESPN’s College GameDay, which will welcome former Alabama head coach Nick Saban on set this fall, will begin the season in Dublin, Ireland, at noon on Aug. 24 when Florida State matches up in Week 0 with Georgia Tech. It will be the first time the show originates from outside the United States.

Saban and College GameDay will return stateside Aug. 31 from College Station where new Aggies head coach Mike Elko and Texas A&M will face Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m.

ESPN will also broadcast the Southeastern Conference debuts for Oklahoma and Texas. The Sooners will open at home Aug. 30 against Temple at 7 p.m., and Texas will host Colorado State on Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m.

Deion Sanders and Colorado will also make their debut in the Big 12 Conference Aug. 29 when the Buffaloes host North Dakota State at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

READ: Former Penn State SAF King Mack transfers to Alabama

ESPN’s run of teams in new conferences continues in the Atlantic Coast Conference on Aug. 30 when Stanford, departing the Pac-12 Conference, plays TCU at 10:30 p.m.

ESPN will also carry Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama debut against Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31.

ABC will begin its Week 1 coverage in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium where Dabo Swinney and Clemson will take on Kirby Smart and Georgia at noon.

Here is ABC and ESPN’s Weeks 0-1 schedule.

Week 0

Florida State at Georgia Tech — Aug. 24 at noon on ESPN

Florida A&M at Norfolk State — Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC

Week 1

North Dakota State at Colorado — Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. on ESPN

Temple at Oklahoma — Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. on ESPN

TCU at Stanford — Aug. 30 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN

Clemson at Georgia — Aug. 31 at noon on ABC

Miami at Florida — Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC

Colorado State at Texas — Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN

Western Kentucky at Alabama — Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. on ESPN

Notre Dame at Texas A&M — Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC

USC at LSU — Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC

Boston College at Florida State — Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

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According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Boston College will hire Doug Marrone “as the program’s new Senior Analyst for Football Strategy/Research.”

READ: Top 100 Offensive Tackle Micah DeBose Releases Top 10 Schools

Marrone has a long track record coaching football, much like his colleague O’Brien. Marrone was head coach in the NFL for a combined six years with two different franchises: the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Marrone was most recently head coach with the Jaguars from 2017-20.

READ: Reports: CFP reconsiders automatic byes amid possible 14-team Playoff

He transitioned back to college football upon his hiring to Nick Saban’s staff in 2021 to be Alabama’s offensive line coach.

Marrone then returned to the NFL as O-line coach with the New Orleans Saints from 2022-23.

The New York native also has previous college coaching stops at Georgia Tech, Georgia, Tennessee and Syracuse, while Marrone also spent time with the New York Jets from 2002-05.

O’Brien’s hire of Marrone gives Boston College three former NFL head coaches on staff joining senior offensive analyst Rob Chudzinski.

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EA Sports announced Monday on social media that “10,000+” student-athletes “are in the game.” It was announced in February that any player who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used in the game will receive at least $600 and a copy of “College Football 25.”

READ: 5 takeaways from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine 

“10k and counting… pretty pretttyyy good,” @EASPORTSCollege posted on X.

All 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools will be available to play in the new video game.

READ: Texas WR Xavier Worthy breaks 40-yard dash record with 4.21 time at NFL Combine

ESPN broadcasters such as Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit will make up “the voices” of “College Football 25.”

If a player doesn’t opt into the “College Football 25” video game, then “a generic avatar based on the traditional strength or weakness of a position over the past decade for that school” will be created by EA Sports, according to ESPN.

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College football players around the country shared on social media Thursday their participation in the upcoming EA Sports video game “College Football 25.”

EA Sports confirmed Thursday that all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams will be available to play in the new game.

READ: Reports: CFP discusses 14-team Playoff possibilities

More information about the game will be available in May, according to a release.

Players such as Michigan’s Will Johnson and Ohio State transfer Quinshon Judkins posted on X a graphic designed in their team’s colors promoting the video game.

ESPN broadcasters such as Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit shared posts confirming they’ll also appear as “one of the voices” of the game. Herbstreit posted “I’m so excited to FINALLY announce that I’m part of @EASPORTSCollege. I’m proud to be a partner and one of the voices of the game once again – my 14th year in that role.”

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN, any player who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used in the game will receive at least $600 and a copy of “College Football 25.”

Additional opportunities such as advertisements, promotion, social media posts and other avenues will be available for players to have a chance to make more, according to ESPN.

READ: Alabama announces JaMarcus Shephard, Nick Sheridan join offensive coaching staff

No Football Championship Subdivision school will be available to play when the game launches, according to ESPN.

If a player doesn’t opt into the “College Football 25” video game, then “a generic avatar based on the traditional strength or weakness of a position over the past decade for that school” will be created by EA Sports, according to ESPN.

According to Ryan Kryska of The Associated Press, users who could create and add players of real-life college football players who did not opt into the “College Football 25” video game will be blocked from doing so.

The post ‘I’m in the game’: CFB players share their participation in upcoming EA Sports ‘College Football 25’ appeared first on Saturday Glory.

There are some that can lead to the Super Bowl, the grandest stage of them all where the two best teams in football meet one another for the top prize in football: the Lombardi Trophy.

Oklahoma leads the way with six former players who will appear in the Super Bowl. Georgia is close behind with five, and other programs, such as Florida and Michigan, have four each.

Here is the full list of players and their alma maters ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Arizona

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (49ers)

Arizona State

Brandon Aiyuk (49ers)

Arkansas

Brandon Allen (49ers)

Dre Greenlaw (49ers)

Army

Cole Christiansen (Chiefs)

Ball State

Nic Jones (Chiefs)

Brigham Young

Fred Warner (49ers)

Central Arkansas

George Odom (49ers)

Cincinnati

Travis Kelce (Chiefs)

Clemson

Ray-Ray McCloud III (49ers)

Justyn Ross (Chiefs)

Colorado

Isaiah Oliver (49ers)

Duke

Noah Gray (Chiefs)

Fayetteville State

Joshua Williams (Chiefs)

Florida

La’Michal Perine (Chiefs)

Jawaan Taylor (Chiefs)

Kadarius Toney (Chiefs)

Tommy Townsend (Chiefs)

Georgia

Robert Beal Jr. (49ers)

Chris Conley (49ers)

Mecole Hardman (Chiefs)

Malik Herring (Chiefs)

Charlie Woerner (49ers)

Georgia Tech

Harrison Butker (Chiefs)

Jordan Mason (49ers)

Harvard

Kyle Juszczyk (49ers)

Illinois

Nick Allegretti (Chiefs)

Iowa

George Kittle (49ers)

Iowa State

Brock Purdy (49ers)

Kansas State

Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Chiefs)

Ekow Boye-Doe (Chiefs)

Kentucky

Mike Edwards (Chiefs)

Louisiana

Elijah Mitchell (49ers)

Louisiana Tech

L’Jaruis Sneed (Chiefs)

LSU

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs)

Neil Farrell (Chiefs)

Miami

Deon Bush (Chiefs)

Jon Feliciano (49ers)

Michigan

Ronnie Bell (49ers)

Mike Danna (Chiefs)

Jake Moody (49ers)

Ambry Thomas (49ers)

Michigan State

Taybor Pepper (49ers)

Middle Tennessee State

Darius Harris (Chiefs) 

Richie James (Chiefs)

Charvarius Ward (49ers)

Mississippi State

Willie Gay (Chiefs)

Chris Jones (Chiefs)

Missouri

Nick Bolton (Chiefs)

Blaine Gabbert (Chiefs)

Missouri S&T

Tershawn Wharton (Chiefs)

Nebraska

Randy Gregory (49ers)

North Carolina State

Joe Thuney (Chiefs)

Notre Dame

Aaron Banks (49ers)

Drue Tranquill (Chiefs)

Ohio State

Nick Bosa (49ers)

Chase Young (49ers)

Oklahoma

Blake Bell (Chiefs)

Creed Humphrey (Chiefs)

Wanya Morris (Chiefs)

Trent Williams (49ers)

Brayden Willis (49ers)

James Winchester (Chiefs)

Oregon

Arik Armstead (49ers)

Deommodore Lenoir (49ers)

Pennsylvania

Justin Watson (Chiefs)

Penn State

Ji’Ayir Brown (49ers)

Kevin Givens (49ers)

Donovan Smith (Chiefs)

Purdue

Jalen Graham (49ers)

George Karlaftis (Chiefs)

Rutgers

Sebastian Joseph-Day (49ers)

Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs)

Logan Ryan (49ers)

SMU

Rashee Rice (Chiefs)

Stephen F. Austin

BJ Thompson (Chiefs)

South Alabama

Darrell Luter Jr. (49ers)

South Carolina

Javon Kinlaw (49ers)

Deebo Samuel (49ers)

South Carolina State

Javon Hargrave (49ers)

South Dakota

Jack Cochrane (Chiefs)

South Florida

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs)

Southern California

Sam Darnold (49ers)

Stanford

Christian McCaffrey (49ers)

Justin Reid (Chiefs)

St. John’s (Minnesota)

Ben Bartch (49ers)

TCU

Lucas Niang (Chiefs)

Matt Pryor (49ers)

Dee Winters (49ers)

Tennessee

Jauan Jennings (49ers)

Trey Smith (Chiefs)

Texas

Charles Omenihu (Chiefs)

Texas Tech

Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)

Toledo

Samuel Womack III (49ers)

UCLA

Jake Brendel (49ers)

Utah

Mitch Wishnowsky (49ers)

UTSA

Spencer Burford (49ers)

Vanderbilt

Oren Burks (49ers)

Virginia Tech

Chamarri Conner (Chiefs)

Washington

Trent McDuffie (Chiefs)

Washington State

Jaylen Watson (Chiefs)

West Virginia

Colton McKivitz (49ers)

Western Michigan

Mike Caliendo (Chiefs)

Jaylon Moore (49ers)

Wisconsin

Leo Chenal (Chiefs)

Wyoming

Tashaun Gipson Sr. (49ers)

The post Full List: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers college football alumni in Super Bowl LVIII appeared first on Saturday Glory.

O’Brien will succeed Jeff Hafley, who became the defensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers.

READ: Michigan’s Warde Manuel becomes Chair of CFP Selection Committee; 6 named new members

“I am thrilled to welcome Bill O’Brien, his wife Colleen, and his sons Jack and Michael to Boston College,” Boston College athletics director Blake James stated in a release.  “When we embarked on this search, we prioritized finding a coach who believes in our mission and vision, who has a plan for greatness on and off the field, and who will work tirelessly to elevate BC Football. Bill is a gifted leader who has had a tremendous amount of success as a head coach and coordinator at both the collegiate and NFL levels. His passion for teaching football and developing young men make him a great fit to lead Boston College to greater heights.”

O’Brien ventures to his native Boston area after a brief stint at Ohio State. He was hired by the Buckeyes in January to be their offensive coordinator, but now he opts to take the head coaching position with the Eagles.

O’Brien will take over as a head coach for the first time since he led the Houston Texans for six years from 2014-20. It’s his third head coaching job overall, as he also guided Penn state from 2012-13.

READ: Reports: Colorado hires Cincinnati Bengals’ Robert Livingston as DC

O’Brien’s track record is lengthy. He’s spent six years with the New England Patriots most recently as their offensive coordinator during the 2023 season.

O’Brien’s most recent college job was as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama from 2021-22.

A coaching veteran of 32 years, O’Brien also has prior college stops at Duke from 2005-06, Maryland from 2003-04, Georgia Tech from 1995-2002 and Brown from 1993-94.

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O’Brien brings over 34 years of coaching experience to Ohio State, notably among the college and professional football ranks.

READ: South Alabama names Major Applewhite next head coach

“I am extremely pleased to be able to add Bill O’Brien to our coaching staff,” Day stated in a release. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge – and a tremendous amount of success – at both the NFL and collegiate levels. He is an excellent and experienced offensive coach who has run NFL and Power 5 programs and developed some truly elite players throughout his career. He’ll be an excellent teacher and recruiter for us, and he absolutely strengthens our staff.”

O’Brien was the offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick at the New England Patriots this season.

Before coaching in New England, O’Brien was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2021-22.

He’s also had a stint in the NFL with the Houston Texans, who he served as head coach from 2014-20.

READ: Reports: ACC files lawsuit against Florida State alleging breach of contract

Prior to his time with the Texans, O’Brien was a head coach in the Big Ten Conference. He led Penn State in 2012-13 when he was named 2012 Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year.

O’Brien also has coaching stops at Duke, Maryland, Georgia Tech and Brown.

The post Ohio State hires Bill O’Brien as next offensive coordinator appeared first on Saturday Glory.

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Buffalo will hire Dave Patenaude as its next offensive coordinator. Patenaude will replace DJ Mangas, who took an offensive aide position with the Buffalo Bills.

READ: No. 25 Kansas State wins wire to wire 28-19 over No. 18 NC State in Pop-Tarts Bowl

Patenaude spent last season at Virginia as an analyst. Prior to his stint with the Cavaliers, Patenaude had multiple stops at programs to be the offensive coordinator.

Patenaude was offensive coordinator at Old Dominion in 2022 and filled the same role at Georgia Tech from 2019-21.

READ: Miller Moss’ 6 TDs powers USC past No. 15 Louisville in Holiday Bowl 

He also was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Temple from 2017-18.

Patenaude spent most of his time as offensive coordinator at Coastal Carolina from 2012-16.

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The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its final rankings of the season on Sunday, and they delivered a Playoff feature No. 1 Michigan battling No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl and No. 2 Washington taking on No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl. 

READ: Stat Pack: Week 14

As non-Playoff teams were selected into other bowl games, matchups began to take shape all across the Power 5 conferences. 

Each of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences will take part in bowl season. The ACC leads the way with 11 bowl games. 

The Big 12 is close behind at 10 bowl games, while the Big Ten has nine and the Pac-12 and SEC both have eight. 

Here is the full list of Power 5 bowl games this season. 

Atlantic Coast Conference (11) 

76 Birmingham Bowl: Duke versus Troy  

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Miami versus Rutgers  

Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 5 Florida State versus No. 6 Georgia 

DIRECTV Holiday Bowl: No. 15 Louisville versus USC  

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: North Carolina at West Virginia  

Military Bowl Presented by GoBowling.com: Virginia Tech versus Tulane 

Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 18 NC State versus No. 25 Kansas State 

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl: Syracuse versus South Florida 

TaxSlayer Bowl: No. 22 Clemson versus Kentucky 

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Georgia Tech versus UCF 

Wasabi Fenway Bowl: Boston College versus No. 24 SMU 

Big 12 Conference (10) 

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Iowa State versus Memphis 

CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Texas versus No. 2 Washington 

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: West Virginia versus North Carolina 

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas versus UNLV  

Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 25 Kansas State versus No. 18 NC State 

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Texas Tech versus Cal 

Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Texas versus No. 2 Washington 

TaxAct Texas Bowl: No. 20 Oklahoma State versus Texas A&M 

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: UCF versus Georgia Tech 

Valero Alamo Bowl: No. 12 Oklahoma versus No. 14 Arizona 

Big Ten Conference (9) 

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers versus Miami  

CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game Pres. By Prudential: No. 1 Michigan versus No. 4 Alabama  

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: No. 17 Iowa versus No. 21 Tennessee 

Chick Fil A Peach Bowl: No. 11 Penn State versus No. 10 Ole Miss  

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 7 Ohio State versus No. 9 Missouri 

Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota versus Bowling Green 

ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin versus No. 13 LSU 

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Northwestern versus Utah 

TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Maryland versus Auburn 

Pac-12 Conference (8) 

CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington versus No. 3 Texas 

DIRECTV Holiday Bowl: USC versus No. 15 Louisville 

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Cal versus Texas Tech 

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Utah versus Northwestern 

Starco Brands LA Bowl: UCLA versus Boise State 

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: No. 19 Oregon State versus No. 16 Notre Dame 

Valero Alamo Bowl: No. 14 Arizona versus No. 12 Oklahoma 

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: No. 8 Oregon versus No. 23 Liberty 

Southeastern Conference (8) 

Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 6 Georgia versus No. 5 Florida State 

CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game Pres. by Prudential: No. 4 Alabama versus No. 1 Michigan 

Chick Fil A Peach Bowl: No. 10 Ole Miss versus No. 11 Penn State  

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 9 Missouri versus No. 7 Ohio State 

ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 13 LSU versus Wisconsin 

TaxAct Texas Bowl: Texas A&M versus No. 20 Oklahoma State  

TaxSlayer Bowl: Kentucky versus No. 22 Clemson 

TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Auburn versus Maryland 

The post Full list of Power 5 bowl games  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Whether it was Ohio State making the stop on third down or Virginia’s James Jackson intercepting North Carolina in the final minutes, there were a number of plays that defined Week 8. 

PODCAST: The Shane Beamer Story Isn’t That Serious

Here are some of the top statistical performances from Week 7. 

Baker blows a kiss during UCF-Oklahoma 

UCF-Oklahoma was a lot closer than maybe many expected. 

Both teams tied at 17 points apiece at halftime, and one of the more eye-catching touchdowns took place in the first half. 

Trailing 14-10, UCF faced a long way to go when it began its drive with 1:43 left in the second quarter. It started at its own 14-yard line. 

After a rush for no gain, Oklahoma called a timeout and allowed UCF to regroup. 

On the next play out of the timeout, UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee wound up and found receiver Javon Baker wide open on the left side of the field. 

Baker brought in the reception, then with open space blew a kiss toward the Oklahoma sideline en route to his 86-yard touchdown. 

It flipped the score in favor of the Knights who later led by as much as 23-17 in the fourth quarter. 

Boston College brings down an acrobatic pick-six 

Boston College faced an early 7-3 deficit against Georgia Tech, a matchup between two 3-3 teams. 

Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King dropped back to pass facing a heavy blitz by the Eagles. King looked to his left for receiver Dominick Blaylock but couldn’t connect. 

Eagles cornerback Amari Jackson dropped back in coverage, then came forward to defend Blaylock. The pass came in and Jackson threw up his arms, then later came down with the interception and returned it 30 yards for the pick-six. 

It was a score among five that led to Boston College upending Georgia Tech 38-23. Jackson finished with four tackles along with the interception. 

Memphis makes the pick-six 

Deadlocked at 14 points apiece through most of the second quarter, Memphis and UAB remained tied in a back-and-forth first half. 

UAB quarterback Harrison Barker and the Blazers began their drive with 6:30 left on the clock in the first half from their own 33-yard line. 

After a 4-yard rush and an incompletion, Barker dropped back on third and six. He ranged to his left where he threw the football, which deflected off the group of players including his intended receiver. 

The ball dropped back toward the pile where Memphis defensive back Malik Feaster brought it in, and he took off 36 yards up the sideline for the pick-six. 

Feaster finished with one tackle and a pass break-up in addition to his pick-six. 

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State 

This week’s leading rusher was worthy of his own place in the Stat Pack. 

Gordon rushed for a weekly high of 282 yards across 29 carries, averaging more than nine yards each time he ran the football. 

Gordon played a large role in Oklahoma State’s 48-34 beating of West Virginia, helping the Cowboys claim a third-consecutive win. 

Gordon had runs of 53, 46, 34 and 32 yards among his longest of the day. Two of his final three carries went for long touchdowns on rushes of 46 and 53 yards. 

The Fort Worth, Texas, native scored a career-high four touchdowns in the effort against the Mountaineers. 

Rutgers blocks the punt on way to bowl eligibility 

The ground game ruled most of the day on Saturday between Rutgers and Indiana, and the two teams combined for four rushing touchdowns in the game. 

But one play that served as a sort of momentum difference-maker came early in the second quarter. 

READ: Virginia shocks No. 10 North Carolina 31-27

Indiana was about to cap a seven-play drive with a punt on fourth and 13. Hoosiers punter James Evans received the football after the snap, then disaster struck. 

Rutgers defensive back Shaquan Loyal leapt forward and blocked the punt from the right side of the line of scrimmage, and the football dangled toward defensive back Eric Rogers. 

Rogers came down with the football and raced toward the end zone where he punched in 17 yards later. 

It helped Rutgers defeat the Hoosiers 31-14 and clinch their sixth win, earning bowl eligibility for the first time since 2014. Rogers also had a pass break-up in addition to his special teams touchdown. 

The post Stat Pack: Week 8  appeared first on Saturday Glory.