Arizona State star Cam Skattebo could not have been more confident heading into the Peach Bowl against Texas, but he did not look like the Heisman Trophy finalist we are used to seeing early on in the game.
Skattebo, who rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns heading into Wednesday’s game, told reporters earlier this week that he was not concerned about facing Texas’ No. 1-ranked defense. The senior confidently declared that there is “nobody out there that can stop me.”
“They continue to keep saying that people are going to try to stop me,” Skattebo said, via ESPN’s Andrea Adelson. “There’s nobody out there that can stop me. We played in 13 games, and I’ve been the target on each one, so I’m not too worried. We’re going to play our game and play ball and see what happens there.”
Texas held Skattebo to just 45 yards on 13 carries in the first half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. That led to everyone pointing out that it looked like the Longhorns could, in fact, stop him.
Skattebo has been a monster all season, so he had every right to be bursting with confidence heading into the Peach Bowl. He has averaged an insane 6.0 yards per carry and routinely rips off huge run plays even when defenses know he is getting the ball.
Of course, Texas has the best defense that Arizona State has faced all season. The Longhorns clearly did their homework on Skattebo, and it helped them take a 17-3 lead into halftime on Wednesday.
Jun 23, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Campbell Hall player Bryce James (4) during the Section 7 high school boys tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James’ son Bryce announced his college decision on Wednesday.
Bryce James will play for Arizona, he announced Wednesday on Instagram. The 2025 guard prospect also received interest from Duquesne and Ohio State, but chose the Wildcats instead.
According to Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority, James was drawn to Arizona by coach Tommy Lloyd and his ability to develop players, as well as the overall campus environment. James had taken a visit to the school in November.
Bryce James is not regarded as a top prospect, though he has risen in the rankings in the last year. He is seen as a bit of a project, but is fundamentally sound and has the potential to develop into a solid shooter. It says something that a program of Arizona’s stature would consider him worth pursuing, after all.
James is playing his senior season as Sierra Canyon (California), having also spent time at Campbell Hall and Notre Dame High during his high school career.
Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Richardson sat out in Week 17 in part because of a back injury, and the Indianapolis Colts quarterback has shared some troubling details about the ailment.
Richardson told reporters on Wednesday that he was barely able to walk last week. The former first-round pick said he has been dealing with back issues since he was in 8th grade but that his pain has never been as significant as it was recently.
“It’s just dealing with my back, just lower back stuff. Last week was tough. I couldn’t even stand up on Tuesday,” Richardson said. “I could barely even walk, you know, crawling around the house, but I’m standing now. If I can do everything in my power to get on the field, I’m gonna do so. That was my mindset last week as well, but I could barely move.”
Richardson said tests have revealed that he has an issue with a disc in his back. He admitted the problems “might be chronic” but does not think he will have to undergo surgery.
While the Colts have not made any official decision, the hope is that Richardson will be able to play in Sunday’s season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Richardson has had a tough second NFL season with 1,814 passing yards, 8 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has also rushed for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns. The 22-year-old was benched earlier in the season for Joe Flacco but eventually got his job back.
Richardson’s style of play has already resulted in multiple significant injuries since the Colts drafted him. The back issue is apparently something he has dealt with for quite some time, however.
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view of the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game logo before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Sugar Bowl has been postponed in the wake of the attack that took place during a New Year’s celebration on Bourbon Street.
Jason Williams, the District Attorney of Orleans Parish, has confirmed to ABC News that Notre Dame and Georgia are now scheduled to play in the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Super Bowl in New Orleans on Thursday night. The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday night at 8:45 p.m. EST.
At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people who were celebrating on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, La., early Wednesday morning. The driver then got out of the vehicle and began shooting at police before being killed, according to reports.
The suspect, who has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, reportedly had an Isis flag tied to his truck. Authorities are investigating the incident as a terrorist attack.
ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported around midday on Wednesday that law enforcement was sweeping Caesars Superdome for explosives or other potential threats, but that the stadium was believed to be safe. There was a shelter-in-place order in effect for Bourbon Street and the surrounding area as of Wednesday afternoon.
Notre Dame defeated Indiana in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. Georgia had a bye and an automatic bid into the quarterfinal.
Sep 5, 2024; Sao Paolo, Brazil; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley at press conference at the Neo Química Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Eagles have made their decision on running back Saquon Barkley’s status for their Week 18 finale against the New York Giants.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Wednesday that the team plans to rest key players with their playoff situation already set in stone. Barkley will “probably be someone who rests,” Sirianni added, citing the team’s early Week 5 bye as one key reason for the decision.
The decision means Barkley will likely fall short of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.
“Obviously, it’s a very special record that’s that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player. It’s a team record that everybody’s involved in. So you weigh in all those things, but at the end of the day, you just try to do what’s best for the team,” Sirianni said of Barkley’s pursuit of the record. “It’s not easy. It wasn’t the easiest decision to go through. But we have great people in this building, and had a lot of input from a lot of different people — players included. Howie (Roseman, Eagles GM) and I discussed a bunch. Position coaches and coordinators, and I discussed a bunch. Discussed with players, and we have just selfless guys that want to do what’s best for the football team. Get some guys some rest.”
Barkley would need 101 rushing yards against the Giants to break Dickerson’s 1984 record of 2,105 yards. Dickerson has been hoping Barkley does not break the record, so he should be pleased with this decision.
The Eagles have locked up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, so they have no reason to go all-out against the Giants in the regular season finale. Keeping Barkley healthy and giving him a rest is more important to their team ambitions than the single-season rushing record would be. While disappointing from a fan standpoint, Sirianni is making the right call for the benefit of his team here.
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view of the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game logo before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Sugar Bowl Committee has issued a statement addressing the tragedy that took place in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve.
At least 10 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people who were celebrating on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, La., early Wednesday morning. The driver then got out of the vehicle and began shooting at police before being killed, according to reports.
Notre Dame and Georgia are scheduled to play in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on Wednesday night, with kickoff at 8:45 EST. The Sugar Bowl Committee issued a statement saying they have been in contact with authorities and will communicate any information about the status of the game when it is available.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” the statement read. “We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”
The FBI is investigating the Bourbon Street attack as an act of terrorism. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported around midday on Wednesday that law enforcement was sweeping Caesars Superdome for explosives or other potential threats, but that the stadium was believed to be safe.
A shelter-in-place order was in effect for anyone in the Bourbon Street area as of Wednesday morning, according to the University of Georgia.
New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said earlier Wednesday that the Sugar Bowl would be played as scheduled. The Associated Press also reported that a person familiar with the situation said there was no indication the Notre Dame-Georgia game would be delayed or postponed, pending any further developments from authorities.
Aug 6, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) talks to reporters after a joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons at Baptist Health Training Complex. Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill has once again sent fans into a frenzy with his social media activity, but there seems to be a reasonable explanation this time.
Hill took to X shortly after midnight on Tuesday to wish his followers a Happy New Year. The All-Pro wide receiver gave a specific shoutout to his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Happy new year especially to the chiefs,” Hill wrote.
Many people interpreted the post as some sort of hint that Hill misses the Chiefs and wants to return to Kansas City. Hill was traded to Miami ahead of the 2022 season, and he has since essentially admitted that he would have preferred to sign an extension with his former team.
However, you need only look at the AFC playoff picture to make an educated guess about why Hill mentioned the Chiefs. In order to reach the postseason, the Dolphins need to beat the New York Jets on Sunday and have Kansas City beat the Denver Broncos. Anyone who roots for the Dolphins is just as big of a Chiefs fan in Week 18.
The odds are somewhat stacked against Miami. With the Chiefs having the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up, they have no reason to play Patrick Mahomes or any of their other starters against Denver. There is also a chance that Tua Tagovailoa could miss his second consecutive game due to a new injury.
Hill also had some posts on social media a couple of weeks ago that created a huge buzz.
Nov 7, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith warms up before action against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
DeVonta Smith had his best game of the season on Sunday, and it appears things are going just as well for the Philadelphia Eagles star off the field.
Smith and his longtime girlfriend Mya Danielle announced on New Year’s Eve that they are engaged. The two went public with their relationship at some point around June 2023. They then welcomed their first child, daughter Kyse, later in the year.
Danielle revealed via social media on Christmas Day last week that she and Smith are expecting their second child. Then came the big engagement news on Tuesday, when Danielle shared photos from the proposal:
Smith caught 6 passes for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Eagles’ 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Eagles improved to 13-3 with the victory and have looked like a legitimate Super Bowl contender following their late-season collapse last year.
After giving his girlfriend a ring, Smith is now hoping to win one of his own.
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes video producer Deion Sanders Jr. during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado put forth a disappointing effort in their final game of the season on Saturday, and Deion Sanders Jr. is not hiding from that.
The Valero Alamo Bowl announced on Tuesday that 8 million viewers tuned in to watch BYU beat Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. BYU jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first half and never looked back en route to a 36-14 victory.
Colorado had just 2 rushing yards in the game. The Cougars held Shedeur Sanders, the likely No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, to 16/23 passing for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Sanders Jr. had a sobering response to the news of the Alamo Bowl setting a ratings record.
“Damn … 8 million people saw us get clapped,” Sanders Jr. wrote on X.
The Sanders family does a lot of things well. One of them is accountability. Deion, Shedeur, Shilo and Deion Jr. rarely make excuses when things don’t go their way. Sanders Jr.’s post was another example of that.
Deion also handled the bowl loss with class, as he had a great message about BYU coach Kalani Sitake after the game.
Dani Dennis-Sutton had a nice game for Penn State in their 31-14 College Football Playoff quarterfinals win over Boise State on Tuesday night. But he also received notoriety for his dirty play.
After Penn State’s defense got an interception in the fourth quarter, Dennis-Sutton was caught taking a cheap shot on Ashton Jeanty. Dennis-Sutton nailed the Boise State star running back with a dirty, blindside hit that occurred after the play was over.
Dennis-Sutton was clearly targeting the Broncos’ best offensive player with that unnecessary hit. Dennis-Sutton was penalized twice in the game for personal fouls. He also had six tackles, including 2.5 for a loss. He had a good game, but also a dirty one.
