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Penn State’s dominant 44–7 victory over Maryland on Saturday wasn’t without controversy. The game’s final seconds saw a late touchdown pass from Nittany Lions backup quarterback Beau Pribula to wide receiver Tyseer Denmark, capping a one-sided rivalry game at Beaver Stadium. The decision didn’t sit well with Maryland head coach Mike Locksley, leading to a tense postgame handshake with Penn State’s James Franklin.
Maryland's Mike Locksley was not happy with Penn State's James Franklin after taking a 44-7 loss at Beaver Stadium. pic.twitter.com/NGl8TrO43k
— Mark Brennan (@MarkXBrennan) December 1, 2024
Locksley didn’t hold back when addressing the situation after the game, calling the decision to score as time expired unnecessary. “It’s [expletive] is what it was,” Locksley said, via Happy Valley Insider. “I respect the game. I got a lot of respect for James (Franklin), his program. I think it was bullsh*t.”
Franklin, however, stood firm in his postgame defense of the decision, pointing to both the players’ opportunities and the broader implications for Penn State’s College Football Playoff hopes. “My job is to put threes and fours in the game, but when the threes and fours get to go in the game, they get to play football. Those guys deserve to play football,” Franklin explained. “On top of that, there’s also a change in college football. We are trying to play as long as we can, make the playoffs, and be seeded as high as possible. Scoring as many points and point differential matters. All of that matters.”
Penn State looks to the Big 10 Championship game
The late touchdown came on a fourth-and-12 play from the Maryland 15-yard line, with Maryland playing an aggressive defensive scheme. Franklin also pointed out that Maryland’s decision to play cover zero defense was a factor. “Your ones are in the game. You were trying to score. We’re trying to score. On top of that, you’re playing cover zero. If you don’t want [us to score]—play cover 2,” Franklin said.
The win secured Penn State’s place in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 1 Oregon, setting the stage for a critical matchup that could heavily influence the College Football Playoff seedings. Meanwhile, Maryland ended its season at 4-8, marking its lowest win percentage since 2019 and halting a streak of three consecutive bowl appearances.
Locksley’s frustrations reflected the tough season for the Terrapins, while Franklin emphasized the competitive stakes of modern college football. “W. 1-0. I’m good with it,” Franklin concluded. “Anybody that’s not, that’s their problem.” As Penn State prepares for the Big Ten title game, this fiery exchange underscores the stakes and emotions that come with the playoff push in college football’s new era.
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Steve Spurrier has two endorsements for next Florida HC
Steve Spurrier is a legend for the Florida Gators. Known as "the head ball coach" down in SEC-land, Spurrier was a star both as a player and as a coach for Florida. Heck, the dang field in Gainesville is named after him. That means what he says about the Florida program carries a lot of weight, and he recently revealed that he believes there are only two people who would live up to the expectations and be a great fit for the Gators as they look to replace fired head coach Billy Napier sooner rather than later. “I know Lane Kiffin and I know Eli Drinkwitz,” Spurrier recently said, according to Daniel Hager of On3. “Obviously, either one of those guys would be super if it works out. But, it’s a long way from whoever we’re going to get as our coach right now.” The Gators are currently making a full-court press for Lane Kiffin, but they're not alone in their pursuit in the Ole Miss head coach. While the Gators reportedly flew members of Kiffin's family down to Gainesville to check things out recently, the LSU Tigers also pulled the same trick — hoping to get Kiffin to ultimatly come down to Baton Rouge. LSU is probably Florida's biggest competitor for Kiffin right now, but there's also Ole Miss to consider. It's not like the Rebels are going to let a coach who has led them to a 54-19 record over the past six seasons go without a fight. Kiffin would absolutely be a home-run hire for the Gators, though. He's a high-level recruiter and a high-level offensive mind in the SEC. Those are two things that the Gators desperately need in the wake of the middling Napier era. Not only that, but Kiffin has ties to the state. He was the head coach at Florida Atlantic from 2017-19. Eli Drinkwitz an interesting option for Florida if it can't land Lane Kiffin Drinkwitz is another interesting option, though. You'll also notice that there's a trend here for Florida, and that's going after established SEC head coaches. Napier had come from the Sun Belt conference. Drinkwitz has made Missouri a tough out in the SEC and he's won a ton of football games. His overall record at Mizzou is 45-27, though his record in big games does leave a little to be desired. He's 7-14 against ranked opponents and 0-7 against top-10 teams. Still, Drinkwitz is a young coach at just 42, so the upside is there. He's a big personality who does well on the recruiting trail, and he could do a lot of good things with the firepower of the Florida Gators behind him. There are other options out there for Florida. Washington head coach Jedd Fisch is a Florida alumnus, for instance. If Spurrier has narrowed it down to Kiffin and Drinkwitz in his mind, though, you can bet those in power at Florida are likely thinking the same thing.
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Steelers receive massive Aaron Rodgers injury update ahead of Bears game
On Monday, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Matt Hasselbeck insisted that Pittsburgh Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers could play with a small fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist as long as Rodgers wouldn't need surgery to repair the issue. It seems Rodgers and the Steelers received a positive update regarding his health. Is Aaron Rodgers on track to start for Steelers at Bears? Late Tuesday morning, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that Rodgers "will not need to undergo surgery to repair his fractured left wrist." Pelissero and Rapoport added that Rodgers "currently is pushing to" start for the 6-4 Steelers at the 7-3 Chicago Bears this coming Sunday but "will need clearance from doctors to be able to play." Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports shared that whether or not Rodgers will play against the Bears "will depend on [his] ability to take snaps under center and grip ability." "Really, it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said about Rodgers' wrist while speaking with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "And then it’s about how functional he is." Rodgers suffered his latest injury during Pittsburgh's 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday. Backup Mason Rudolph completed 12-of-16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in the relief appearance. "I can’t say enough about Mason Rudolph," Tomlin said during his media availability on Tuesday. "Although we’re used to it, it’s appreciated. He’s proven over his time here, he’s capable of coming in and playing winning football for us." Why Aaron Rodgers may be hyped to face Bears Rodgers famously featured for the Green Bay Packers from 2005 through the 2022 season and has a long history of tormenting Chicago fans. Per NBC Chicago, he has accumulated a career 24-5 record against the Bears. He passed for 64 touchdowns with 10 interceptions against Chicago as a member of the Packers. During the 2021 season, Rodgers trolled Chicago fans regarding his dominance of their beloved team. Shortly after the latest Rodgers update surfaced, ESPN BET had the Steelers as three-point road underdogs against the Bears.
Steve Kerr 'very concerned' about worrisome trend plaguing NBA
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is sounding the alarm on a troubling trend affecting the league that could potentially worsen down the line. The NBA has faced some huge crises over the past few months. The Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration issue in the offseason raised concerns about the Los Angeles Clippers potentially circumventing the salary cap. The arrests of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier highlighted the growing threat of sports gambling on the integrity of the game. Steve Kerr highlights an under-the-radar concern While those fiascos have understandably grabbed headlines, Kerr recently expressed unease about a different issue that’s flying under the radar. The Warriors coach admitted to ESPN’s Anthony Slater that he is “very concerned” that the heightened pace of play in the modern game over an 82-game schedule may finally be taking its toll on the Association, with a growing number of soft tissue injuries impacting players of late. Eight different players have suffered soft tissue injuries over the past couple of weeks, headlined by stars like Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama and, most recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kerr stated that the Warriors’ medical staff believes “wear and tear, the speed, the pace, the mileage” are increasing the risk of today’s players suffering such injuries. “Across the league, everyone understands that it’s easier to score if you beat the opponent down the floor, get out in transition,” Kerr said. “But when everybody’s doing that, the games are much higher-paced. Everyone has to cover out to 25 feet because everybody can shoot 3s. We have all the data. Players are running faster and further [than] before. We’re trying to do the best we can, but we basically have a game every other night. It’s not an easy thing to do.” Kerr, who has been an advocate for shortening the regular season, also lamented the struggles teams face with the league schedule, which makes it difficult for teams to get adequate recovery and practice time. With the Steph Curry-era Warriors being a huge part of the NBA’s pace and space movement, Kerr knows just how physically demanding the modern game has become. But with the financial implications that come with potentially shortening the season, Kerr understands that such a drastic change to the NBA schedule is “not happening” anytime soon.
Steelers' Darnell Washington Makes History After Brutal Run Against Bengals: 'You Have Infamy'
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no stranger to Kyle Brandt's Angry Run award, but it usually goes to a running back, typically Jaylen Warren, or previously, when he was on the roster, Najee Harris. In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, someone made history, and it was not a running back. It was the 6'7", probably 300-pound tight end, Darnell Washington. During the game, Washington delivered a 31-yard catch and run and bulldozed through the Bengals’ defense. He was a one-man wrecking crew as he overpowered any defender brave enough to try and tackle him. His domination quickly became the talk of the game and left fans in awe of his size, strength, and determination. For the first time ever, Brandt did not have any other finalists for the award. Washington was finalist 1, 2, and 3. His historic performance against the Bengals will live on in football fans’ memories forever, a moment that changed the way people view the Angry Run award. For Steeler Nation, the 2025 season has finally been the year of Washington. "That is Darnell doing Darnell things, way too big of a dude to be running like that," Brandt said. "So I have got Darnell Washington from the Steelers and there it is again. That is the third finalist as Darnell Washington runs over a dude... This was the Godfather trilogy of runs, except he stuck the landing on part three." Not only was it crazy that a tight end was being nominated for the award, he completely stole any running back's chance of even being considered for the Angry Run award. That just shows how dominant Washington’s run truly was on Sunday. Every defender in his path was left in awe. His performance will be remembered as one of the most unstoppable plays of the 2025 season. "A play of three acts," Brandt said. "A play of violence, a tragedy, but also a comedy at the same time. This thing's going to the Steel City. Darnell Washington, you have made history. You have infamy, and you have the scepter. It's going back to where it belongs after an all-time Angry Run. New York, an all-time Angry Run. Boom. See you next week." Steelers fans have been waiting to see this kind of performance from Washington ever since he was drafted 93rd overall by Pittsburgh in the 2023 NFL Draft. Steelers' Darnell Washington Is Tight End 1 Coming out of Georgia, he was known as an elite blocking tight end, but Sunday showed the full extent of his rare combination of speed, size, and sheer strength. When used properly, Washington can be one of the most unique and dominant tight ends in the league. His historic run against the Bengals was a glimpse of his true potential and a reminder of why Steelers fans are so excited about his future. It seems that Washington has now clearly passed tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith to become the current number one tight end for the Steelers. The Steelers have three elite tight ends on their roster. Now it's up to Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith to continue to find out how to use them properly. Steelers fans, when you saw Darnell Washington bulldozing through Bengals defenders and making those jaw-dropping plays, what was going through your mind in that moment? How did it feel to see him dominate like that on the field?
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