Category: Men

Nebraska upsets No. 14 Creighton in Omaha 74-63

Nebraska will return home to face South Dakota on Wednesday night.

The Nebraska men’s basketball team visited Omaha for its first big test of the season, No. 14 Creighton. The Huskers delivered a fierce battle on the night, stunning the Blue Jays 74-63.

This is Nebraska’s second straight win on the road against Creighton, and the Huskers delivered a defensive front to halt the Blue Jays’ offense. The Huskers held Creighton to 17-of-52 from the field with 12 of the Blue Jays’ shots coming from beyond the arc.

Nebraska meanwhile shot 24-of-57 from the field and kept its lead over Creighton for nearly the entire game. Though the Blue Jays attempted to claw their way back into the fight, the Huskers never broke.

Brice Williams and Juwan Gary led the team in scoring, each dropping 16 points on the night. Williams earned half of his points from the free throw line, going a perfect 8-of-8. Gary hauled in seven rebounds along with his 16 points.

Connor Essegian finished directly behind the duo with 15 points, going 4-of-6 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free throw line. Berke Büyüktuncel scored 12 points, going 4-of-7 from the field, and hauled in a team-high nine rebounds. Rollie Worster rounded out Nebraska’s top-five scorers, landing 11 points on the night.

Nebraska improves to 4-1 on the season and will return home to face South Dakota on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. Wisconsin

Who will win on Saturday?

Another week, another attempt to get win number six. Nebraska hosts the Wisconsin Badgers with both teams sitting at 5-5 and signs point to the Huskers defeating the Badgers.

Wisconsin’s got a big disadvantage. They’re on a three-game skid, lost a low-scoring 16-13 battle with No. 1 Oregon, fired its offensive coordinator and are playing in Lincoln on Senior Day. 

But this is still Nebraska, a team whose last trip to a bowl game occurred in 2016, a team on a 10-game losing streak against Wisconsin, a team that any opponent would prefer to play in November. 

Nebraska’s issues remain the same. Outside of a Ceyair Wright’s pick-six, the Trojans sliced up the Blackshirts secondary. Though some passes found a USC receiver’s hands by luck, others fell right into an open Trojan’s hands. 

It also struggled to stop running back Woody Marks, the second running back this year Nebraska fully allowed to get the better of it. 

However, the Badgers’ struggles do allow for potential rebound by the Huskers. Along with its offense making a sudden change at play caller, Nebraska’s defense is presented with a chance to hold an opponent to 20 or fewer points for the first time since the first week of October. 

Indiana and Ohio State are some of the toughest teams in the nation. UCLA was building momentum, and USC’s quarterback fit more into Lincoln Riley’s system. All played a part in Nebraska’s already struggling defense being pressured further. 

Braedyn Locke has been inconsistent this season. His main strength is hitting the deep shot receiver or the quick slant, both of which Nebraska needs to prioritize. However, the run game is just as important, with Tawee Walker averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season. 

Locke’s inconsistency lately gives the Blackshirts an opportunity to bounce back properly compared to their previous four quarterbacks. However, Wisconsin’s change in offensive coordinator makes it more unpredictable than ever, which in turn acts more as a disadvantage for the Blackshirts until proven otherwise. 

As for Wisconsin’s defense just held No. 1 Oregon to 16 points, its fewest in a game all season. But in Oregon’s defense, it played in Madison under the lights and looked to control the game offensively instead of dominating it. 

Holgorsen now has a game under his belt as offensive coordinator for the Huskers and knows more of the offense’s strengths and weaknesses during a game. 

But it’s likely going to be another one-score game, and once again, recent history shows a win by Nebraska in November by one-score is more surprising than anything else.  

Unfortunately, despite the look, history is most likely going to continue. 

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 21

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.c

Expert score predictions: Nebraska vs. USC

Who will win between the Huskers and the Trojans?

Nebraska travels to California for a clash with the USC Trojans in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Both teams announced big changes to their offenses ahead of this matchup, making the outcome more unpredictable. 

The Huskers changed offensive coordinators and play-callers, bringing in Dana Holgorsen to jump-start Nebraska’s offense. However, USC also made a change during the bye week, benching quarterback Miller Moss and starting sophomore UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava. 

Maiava played in all 14 games for the Rebels in 2023, leading the team to the Mountain West Championship, where they fell to Boise State. UNLV then played Kansas in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl but lost 49-36 after throwing 24 completions off 35 throws for 291 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions

He finished his freshman year completing 224 of 353 passes, averaging just over 220 passing yards, throwing 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions, and suffering only ten sacks across 14 games. 

However, he also had run support at UNLV, with the Rebels racking up 2,429 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns. Maiava is a dual threat, breaking seven double-digit yard runs during the 14-game span.

UCLA’s Ethan Garbers showed that quarterback runs are another critical factor in getting by Nebraska’s defense. However, Maiava only has one season of play under his belt, which primarily consisted of facing Mountain West teams. 

Now, he earns his first start as a Trojan against a Big Ten defense that, despite its struggles, still poses a threat to inexperienced quarterbacks. The Blackshirts stand with 25 sacks and nine interceptions while holding opponents to just over 19 points per game.

Also, adding Phil Snow as a defensive consultant could give Tony White support and help turn the defense around. 

USC relies on the passing game but can produce on the ground when needed. Nebraska’s defense primarily shuts down running backs, excluding Indiana. So, the Huskers need to get to Maiava if they want to stop the pass. Bring the pressure, take away the first read, and force the Trojans to run. 

With a shake-up finally occurring for Nebraska, USC can’t rely on the predictability aspect, as it’s hard to say what Dana Holgorsen will call from the playbook or even cook up. 

He’s only been in Nebraska for less than two weeks, so it’s more than likely that Satterfield’s playbook is still present. But Holgorsen is calling the shots and could even rework a few of the plays to his liking. 

However, unlike the Husker’s last three opponents, USC can’t foresee what Nebraska will do, which doesn’t help its defense. The Trojans allowed an average of around 22 points per game this season. 

However, with Nebraska’s recent history of seeking the sixth win, it’s hard to give the Huskers the win here. USC has struggled in the fourth as of late, but it couldn’t have asked for a better team to get out of that stretch than Nebraska.

Score Prediction: USC 28, Nebraska 24

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Two teams are No. 1 for the first time ever in the Bushnell/Golfweek Div. I Coaches Polls

These polls are for the week of Nov. 1, 2024.

The Ole Miss men’s golf team is No. 1 for the first time ever in the Bushnell/Golfweek Div. I Coaches Poll.

The Rebels have won two fall tournaments and finished no worse than second in two others. They received 15 first-place votes and 489 total points and have vaulted from No. 6 to the top spot.

Oklahoma, with four first-place votes, slides back from No. 1 to No. 2. Auburn (one first-place vote), Arizona State and Texas round out the top five.

Pos. University Points Previous
1 Ole Miss (15) 489 6
2 Oklahoma (4) 478 1
3 Auburn (1) 457 2
4 Arizona State 449 3
5 Texas 392 7
6 LSU 384 15
7 Virginia 382 4
8 North Carolina 364 10
9 Oklahoma State 331 19
10 Arizona 291 14
11 Illinois 286 13
12 Georgia Tech 280 11
13 UCLA 235 RV
14 Florida 230 9
15 Utah 217 20
16 Vanderbilt 203 5
17 SMU 158 RV
18 South Carolina 118 RV
19 Mississippi State 108 RV
20 Texas Tech 100 17
21 Duke 92 T-23
22 Pepperdine 83 T-23
23 Tennessee 76 8
24 Alabama 65 16
25 Notre Dame 63 T-23

Others receiving votes: USF (35), Florida State (32), Texas A&M (25), Georgia (19), BYU (12), Pacific (11), Colorado (9), Charlotte (8), Oregon (6), Northwestern (4), Ohio State (4), Long Beach State (2), North Alabama (1), Stanford (1).

Bushnell/Golfweek Div. II Coaches Poll

Colorado Christian is No. 1 for a fourth consecutive Bushnell/Golfweek Div. II Coaches Poll. The Cougars received 18 first-place votes and 519 points on November 1. They have won six tournaments in a row dating back to last season’s national championship.

Pos. University Points Previous
1 Colorado Christian (18) 519 1
2 North Georgia (3) 500 2
3 Oklahoma Christian 472 3
4 West Florida 444 4
5 Grand Valley State 443 7
6 Lincoln Memorial 401 6
7 Lee 385 9
8 Central Oklahoma 377 8
9 Georgia Southwestern 347 5
10 Cal State East Bay 280 RV
11 Columbus State 261 20
12 USCA 233 14
13 Gannon 176 NR
14 UMSL 165 23
15 Missouri S&T 159 24
16 Nova Southeastern 150 11
17 Colorado Mesa 146 22
18 Wayne State (MI) 137 NR
19 USCB 129 RV
20 CSU Monterey Bay 125 RV
21 Lander 117 15
22 Sonoma State 110 NR
23 Florida Southern 89 10
24 Henderson State 89 13
25 Chico State 81 RV

Others receiving votes: Saint Leo (68), Wingate (40), Coker (36), Palm Beach Atlantic (31), Dallas Baptist (28), Barry (27), Rollins (25), Harding (19), Barton (18), West Texas A&M (18), Midwestern State (14), Flagler (13), Colorado School of Mines (10), Findlay (10), Texas Tyler (9), Ferris State (8), Texas Permian Basin (7), Simon Fraser (6), Colorado State Pueblo (5), Washburn (5), Western New Mexico (5), Lynn (4), Embry-Riddle (Florida) (3), Tampa (2), Virginia Union (1).

Washington & Lee men's golf
Washington & Lee men’s golf

Bushnell/Golfweek Div. III Coaches Poll

Washington & Lee is No. 1 for the first time ever in the Bushnell/Golfweek Div. III Coaches Poll. The Generals broke multiple team records while winning the Golfweek October Classic and received 10 first-place votes and 274 points in the process. Their rise to the top ends an 11-poll run by Methodist, which got one first-place vote and now sits in the No. 2 spot.

Pos. University Points Previous
1 Washington & Lee (10) 274 6
2 Methodist (1) 262 1
3 Illinois Wesleyan 237 4
4 Emory 232 2
5 Sewanee 231 T-21
6 Oglethorpe 217 5
7 Carnegie Mellon 200 3
8 LeTourneau 199 13
9 Lynchburg 184 10
10 Huntingdon 172 7
11 Aurora 159 T-11
12 Southwestern (TX) 152 RV
13 Guilford 141 RV
14 Hampden-Sydney 120 17
15 Wisconsin-Eau Claire 114 20
16 Carleton 83 23
17 Rochester 81 25
18 Berry 79 19
19 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 78 8
20 Bethel (MN) 70 15
21 Kenyon 66 T-11
22 Gustavus Adolphus 55 RV
23 Gettysburg 48 RV
24 Babson 22 16
25 Redlands 21 9

Others receiving votes: Averett (19), Saint John’s (18), Nebraska Wesleyan (14), Wittenberg (13), Trinity (6), Rhodes (4), Pomona-Pitzer (3), John Carroll (1).

Bushnell/Golfweek NAIA Coaches Poll

Dalton State is No. 1 for the sixth consecutive Bushnell/Golfweek NAIA Coaches Poll. The defending national champion Roadrunners received seven first-place votes and 247 points.

Pos. University Points Previous
1 Dalton State (7) 247 1
2 Oklahoma City (1) 233 9
3 Keiser 231 2
4 Lindsey Wilson (2) 227 6
5 Coastal Georgia 196 8
6 Marian 190 NR
7 Texas Wesleyan 188 3
T-8 British Columbia 184 T-4
T-8 Wayland Baptist 184 7
10 Ottawa Arizona 162 T-4
11 MidAmerica Nazarene 158 T-13
12 Campbellsville 134 T-13
13 Indiana Wesleyan 124 NR
14 Houston-Victoria 110 T-10
15 Mount Mercy 100 RV
16 William Carey 91 16
17 Hastings 75 NR
18 Northwestern Ohio 70 T-19
19 Northwestern 59 24
20 USAO 52 RV
21 SCAD Atlanta 41 RV
22 Bellevue 40 25
23 Taylor 33 23
24 Tennessee Wesleyan 32 22
25 Cumberland (TN) 24 15

Others receiving votes: Blue Mountain College (21), Columbia (MO) (12), Reinhardt (11), Victoria-B.C. (6), Point (5), Ave Maria (4), St. Ambrose (2), Webber International (2), Lawrence Tech (1), Truett McConnell (1).

Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. I Coaches Poll

Midland is No. 1 for the third straight poll. The Chaparrals received five first-place votes and 77 overall points, four more than Hutchinson (three first-place votes and 73 points).

Pos. University Points Previous
1 Midland (5) 77 1
2 Hutchinson (3) 73 2
3 Odessa 51 3
T-4 McLennan 48 8
T-4 Western Texas 48 7
6 Central Alabama 41 6
7 Indian Hills 35 4
8 New Mexico JC 27 5
9 Dodge City 14 RV
10 Garden City 11 NR

Others receiving votes: Weatherford (8), Tyler (3), Blinn (1), Eastern Florida State (1).

Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. II Coaches Poll

There’s a tie atop this poll between Mississippi Gulf Coast and Parkland. Each program won three tournaments during the fall season and they share the top spot for a second consecutive poll.

Pos. University Points Previous
T-1 Mississippi Gulf Coast (2) 37 T-1
T-1 Parkland (2) 37 T-1
3 Murray State (Oklahoma) 32 3
4 South Mountain (Arizona) 30 4
5 Kirkwood 21 5
6 Heartland 15 7
7 Meridian 13 8
8 Walters State 12 NR
9 Roane State 10 6
10 Iowa Central 6 9

Others receiving votes: East Central (5), Jones (1), Northeast (NE) (1).

UCLA men run away with Preserve Golf Club Collegiate title to wrap up fall season

The Bruins are trending as they wrap up their fall season.

CARMEL, Calif. – The UCLA men’s golf team set its season on a new track Tuesday at the Preserve Golf Club Collegiate, surging in the final of three rounds to a 10-shot win over San Diego State and 11 other squads at Preserve Golf Club.

The Bruins entered the final round trailing San Diego State by a shot after the opening 36-hole day Monday. UCLA combined to shoot 11 under in the final round, good for a 23-under 841 total at the hilly Tom Fazio-designed layout at the expansive Santa Lucia Preserve on the Monterey Peninsula. Cal Poly was the host team.

The victory followed on the heels of a second-place finish at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate Invitational last week. That result followed fifth-place and seventh-place finishes to start the season. UCLA coach Armen Kirakossian said Tuesday that his squad had played well enough in each event, except for struggles to finish.

“Honestly, I think it was just a learning thing,” Kirakossian said. “In Georgia, we actually played a great final round and just got beat by a great Duke team that day.

“We felt like we kind of got over the hump of, you know, of getting a lead and then actually performing. Then today, I think the guys probably felt very comfortable. And they just went on and had a great final round.”

Senior Pablo Ereno (68-74-66–208) led the Bruins on the individual leaderboard, finishing one shot behind Colorado State’s Jay Pabin (69-69-69–207). UCLA senior Omar Morales (68-73-70–211) finished tied for sixth individually, and Baylor Larrabee (70-70-72–212) finished ninth.

The high finishes have added meaning for Morales and Ereno, who are in position on the PGA Tour University standings to earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Morales was in fifth place before the Preserve tournament, meaning he was in position to earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the remainder of that tour’s 2025 season after the NCAA Championship in May, and also the right to skip to the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School for the next season, among other benefits. The PGA Tour U standings will be updated Wednesday.

Ereno was in 12th place on those standings heading into the Preserve tournament, which would give him status in May for the remainder of the North America Swing of PGA Tour Americas and an exemption into second stage of PGA Tour Q-School. If the strong finish Tuesday moves him into the top 10, he would be in position to earn conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the remainder of the 2025 season after May, exempt status for the 2025 North America Swing of PGA Tour Americas and an exemption into second stage of PGA Tour Q-School.

Kirakossian said his players embrace such opportunities, but for now his squad is thrilled with its first win of the fall season.

“I always remind the guys that you just have got to stay hungry, that where you want to be needs to continue to be in in the future, that you’re pushing every single day to improve,” the Bruins coach said. “That doesn’t mean that we won’t celebrate this one on the way home. It’s a cool way to finish the fall, for sure.

“The unique part is that everyone’s contributing, yet everyone still has stuff that they probably want to work on for the spring.”

Where is the Texas A&M men’s basketball team ranked in the new AP Top 25 Poll?

See where the AP has coach Buzz Williams and the Texas A&M Aggies landed in the top 25

Fall is in full swing. We are in the middle of an exciting college football season, fans are getting their first looks at their 2025 teams that will be on the diamond over the next month for fall games.

However, today is all about the AP Top 25 Poll for college basketball and where the Texas A&M basketball team is ranked. After one of Buzz Williams’ better post-season runs while with the Aggies and the majority of his core of the experienced team returning The AP has placed them in the No. 13 spot in the nation.

The SEC is well-represented with nine teams in the top 25 and the Alabama Crimson Tide with the highest-ranking team sitting in the No. 2 spot. Texas A&M being in the middle of the pack to start the season puts just the right amount of pressure on this team to make better in the post-season this season.

Below are where all of the SEC teams are ranked in this preseason AP Top 25 Poll:

No. 2 Alabama

No. 11 Auburn

No. 12 Tennessee

No. 13 Texas A&M

No. 16 Arkansas

No. 19 Texas

No. 21 Florida

No. 23 Kentucky

No. 24 Ole Miss

As you can see there will not be a lot of room for error this season with most of the teams occupying the middle of the rankings. On paper this appears to be a competitive season, and it will be interesting to look back at the rankings after the season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Oklahoma, Colorado Christian, Methodist are No. 1 in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek Div. I Coaches Polls

These polls are for the week of Oct. 11, 2024.

With consecutive wins at the Valero Texas Collegiate on Sep. 23 and Ben Hogan Collegiate on Oct. 1, Oklahoma has been elevated into the top spot in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek Div. I Coaches Poll for Oct. 11, 2024.

The Sooners received seven first-place votes and 388 points, five more than previous No. 1 Auburn (eight first-place votes and 383 points).

Arizona State, Virginia (one first-place vote) and Vanderbilt rounded out the top five.

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division I Coaches Poll

Rank University Points Previous
1 Oklahoma (7) 388 8
2 Auburn (8) 383 1
3 Arizona State 378 2
4 Virginia (1) 345 3
5 Vanderbilt 317 4
6 Ole Miss (1) 291 12
7 Texas 290 11
8 Tennessee 256 6
9 Florida 247 9
10 North Carolina 244 16
11 Georgia Tech 243 17
12 Florida State 234 10
13 Illinois 226 5
14 Arizona 214 13
15 LSU 203 15
16 Alabama 200 7
17 Texas Tech 171 14
18 Texas A&M 143 19
19 Oklahoma State 120 18
20 Utah 87 24
21 Georgia 78 21
22 Stanford 73 22
T-23 Duke 42 20
T-23 Notre Dame 42 RV
T-23 Pepperdine 42 25

Others receiving votes: UCLA (31), Arkansas (29), South Carolina (28), Ohio State (22), BYU (21), Wake Forest (19), SMU (16), Gonzaga (15), USF (14), Colorado State (13), UNLV (12), Purdue (8), Arkansas State (5), Colorado (4), Marquette (4), North Alabama (2), Pacific (2), Louisville (1), Mississippi State (1), Troy (1), Washington (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division II Coaches Poll

After a fourth straight tournament victory at the WWU Invitational, Colorado Christian maintained its No. 1 ranking for the third consecutive Bushnell/Golfweek Div. II Coaches Poll. The defending national champion Cougars received nine first-place votes and 249 points.

North Georgia (one first-place vote), Oklahoma Christian, West Florida, and Georgia Southwestern rounded out the top five.

Rank University Points Previous
1 Colorado Christian (9) 249 1
2 North Georgia (1) 236 2
3 Oklahoma Christian 233 4
4 West Florida 210 3
5 Georgia Southwestern 198 5
6 Lincoln Memorial 188 6
7 Grand Valley State 185 8
8 Central Oklahoma 177 9
9 Lee 164 10
10 Florida Southern 161 7
11 Nova Southeastern 126 11
12 Saint Leo 109 13
13 Henderson State 99 15
14 USC Aiken 76 12
15 Lander 72 18
16 Coker 70 17
17 Barry 68 16
18 West Texas A&M 56 20
19 Dallas Baptist 46 14
20 Columbus State 43 19
21 Midwestern State 39 23
22 Colorado Mesa 35 RV
23 UMSL 33 RV
24 Missouri S&T 29 RV
25 Wingate 28 21

Others receiving votes: Colorado State Pueblo (27), Palm Beach Atlantic (27), Cal State East Bay (25), Flagler (25), Lynn (21), Anderson (SC) (20), Harding (20), Tampa (20), Colorado School of Mines (18), Ferris State (17), Western New Mexico (16), Valdosta State (12), Simon Fraser (11), Southern Arkansas (9), CSU Monterey Bay (7), Chico State (6), Embry-Riddle (FL) (6), Barton (5), Union (TN) (5), Carson-Newman (4), Central Missouri (3), St. Mary’s (TX) (3), Fort Hays State (2), USCB (1), Virginia Union (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll

After winning the Gate City Invitational on Oct. 1, Methodist is No. 1 for the 10th consecutive Bushnell/Golfweek Div. III Coaches Poll. The defending national champion Monarchs received nine first-place votes and 295 points on October 11, five more than Emory (three first-place votes and 290 points).

Rank University Points Previous
1 Methodist (9) 295 1
2 Emory (3) 290 3
3 Carnegie Mellon 261 2
4 Illinois Wesleyan 257 5
5 Oglethorpe 254 4
6 Washington & Lee 223 7
7 Huntingdon 221 6
8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 191 9
9 Redlands 161 11
10 Lynchburg 146 8
T-11 Kenyon 137 13
T-11 Aurora 137 15
13 LeTourneau 133 17
14 Wittenberg 129 12
15 Bethel (MN) 109 16
16 Babson 85 21
17 Hampden-Sydney 83 20
18 Pomona-Pitzer 72 19
19 Berry 58 RV
20 Wisconsin-Eau Claire 56 22
T-21 Sewanee 54 10
T-21 Saint John’s (MN) 54 14
23 Carleton 49 NR
24 Franklin & Marshall 48 23
25 Rochester 46 RV

 Others receiving votes: Gettysburg (45), Gustavus Adolphus (43), Trinity (TX) (43), Guilford (33), Piedmont (30), Nebraska Wesleyan (27), Mary Hardin-Baylor (14), Southwestern (TX) (13), Whitman (12), Willamette (12), Whitworth (11), Greensboro (9), Trinity (CT) (6), Rhodes (5), Averett (4), California Lutheran (4), Rose-Hulman (4), Transylvania (4), Hamilton (2).

https://twitter.com/DaltonStateGolf/status/1844736461603582426

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek NAIA Coaches Poll

After winning their sixth straight tournament at the Invite at Innisbrook on Sept. 24, Dalton State is No. 1 for the fifth consecutive Bushnell/Golfweek NAIA Coaches Poll. The defending national champion Roadrunners received all seven first-place votes and 175 points, eight more than Keiser (167 points).

Rank University Points Previous
1 Dalton State (7) 175 1
2 Keiser 167 2
3 Texas Wesleyan 151 3
T-4 British Columbia 144 T-5
T-4 OUAZ 144 8
6 Lindsey Wilson 141 4
7 Wayland Baptist 129 9
8 Coastal Georgia 103 11
9 Oklahoma City 90 T-5
T-10 Houston-Victoria 85 10
T-10 Truett McConnell 85 14
12 Columbia (MO) 81 7
T-13 Campbellsville 80 T-19
T-13 MidAmerica Nazarene 80 13
15 Cumberland (TN) 69 15
16 William Carey 65 16
17 Southeastern (FL) 61 12
18 Webber International 51 17
T-19 Northwestern Ohio 38 RV
T-19 Point 38 T-21
21 Lawrence Tech 36 24
22 Tennessee Wesleyan 35 T-21
23 Taylor 28 18
24 Northwestern (IA) 24 23
25 Bellevue 23 T-19

Others receiving votes: Victoria-B.C. (19), Ave Maria (17), Midway (15), Mount Mercy (14), Blue Mountain College (11), USAO (11), Cumberlands (KY) (9), SCAD Atlanta (8), The Master’s (8), Reinhardt (7), Grand View (5), Lewis-Clark State (5), Morningside (5), Embry-Riddle (AZ) (3), St. Ambrose (3), Faulkner (1), Southwestern Christian (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. I Coaches Poll

With three wins already under its belt this season, Midland tops its second straight Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. I Coaches Poll. The Chaparrals received three first-place votes and 64 points, eight more than Hutchinson (one first-place vote and 56 points).

Rank University Points Previous
1 Midland (3) 64 1
2 Hutchinson (1) 56 3
3 Odessa (3) 51 2
4 Indian Hills 48 4
5 New Mexico JC 42 5
6 Central Alabama 40 6
7 Western Texas 21 T-7
8 McLennan 19 T-7
9 Southern Union State 13 T-7
10 Weatherford 12 RV

Others receiving votes: Eastern Florida State (11), Eastern Wyoming (5), Dodge City (2), Blinn (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. II Coaches Poll

With four wins between them already this season, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Parkland, who has three of the wins, share No. 1 in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. II Coaches Poll. The Bulldogs and Cobras each received one first-place vote and 27 points on October 11, one more than Murray State (OK) (one first-place vote and 26 points).

Rank University Points Previous
T-1 Mississippi Gulf Coast (1) 27 T-1
T-1 Parkland (1) 27 5
3 Murray State (OK) (1) 26 RV
4 South Mountain 18 3
5 Kirkwood 16 T-1
6 Roane State 14 4
7 Heartland 12 T-9
8 Meridian 7 8
9 Iowa Central 6 7
T-10 East Central 4 NR
T-10 Hawkeye 4 T-9

Others receiving votes: Des Moines Area (1), Jones (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division I Coaches Polls: Auburn Tigers are still No. 1

The defending national champions received eight first-place votes.

Despite their tournament winning streak of seven – the second-longest streak in NCAA Division I history – ended after finishing second at the Inverness Intercollegiate, Auburn maintains its position at No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Div. I Coaches Poll for Sept. 20, 2024.

The defending national champion Tigers received eight first-place votes and 410 points overall.

Arizona State (four first-place votes), Virginia (three first-place votes), Vanderbilt and Illinois rounded out the top five. Tennessee, Alabama (two first-place votes), Oklahoma, Florida and Florida State completed the top 10.

New to the poll this time around: No. 15 LSU, No. 24 Utah and No. 25 Pepperdine. Dropping out: Washington, Ohio State and UCLA.

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division I Coaches Poll – Sept. 20, 2024

Rank University Points Previous
1 Auburn (8) 410 1
2 Arizona State (4) 400 2
3 Virginia (3) 379 6
4 Vanderbilt 336 4
5 Illinois 294 9
6 Tennessee 290 7
7 Alabama (2) 278 16
8 Oklahoma 267 12
9 Florida 266 10
10 Florida State 255 3
11 Texas 253 8
12 Ole Miss 238 13
13 Arizona 207 14
14 Texas Tech 192 15
15 LSU 191 RV
16 North Carolina 166 5
17 Georgia Tech 160 11
18 Oklahoma State 131 20
19 Texas A&M 113 19
20 Duke 86 24
21 Georgia 78 21
22 Stanford 76 23
23 Arkansas 67 17
24 Utah 45 NR
25 Pepperdine 41 NR

Others receiving votes: UCLA (38), Washington (37), SMU (34), South Carolina (34), Purdue (31), Notre Dame (28), Ohio State (21), Oregon (17), Missouri (13), Wake Forest (9), Iowa State (8), Louisville (8), Michigan State (8), Arkansas State (7), USC (7), San Diego State (6), Lipscomb (5), Kansas (3), Troy (3), Santa Clara (2), South Florida (2), Colorado (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division II Coaches Poll – Sept. 20, 2024

Colorado Christian started its season with the largest margin of victory – 57 strokes – in a Div. II history at The Writz at Mile High. Thus the program has maintained its No. 1-ranking in the latest coaches poll. Also the defending national champions, the Cougars received 13 first-place votes and 372 points overall.

North Georgia, which got the remaining first-place votes, is No. 2, followed by West Florida, Oklahoma Christian and Georgia Southwestern.

Rank University Points Previous
1 Colorado Christian (13) 372 1
2 North Georgia (2) 359 2
3 West Florida 320 4
4 Oklahoma Christian 301 3
5 Georgia Southwestern 301 5
6 Lincoln Memorial 279 6
7 Florida Southern 241 8
8 Grand Valley State 240 7
9 Central Oklahoma 230 10
10 Lee 220 11
11 Nova Southeastern 219 9
12 USC Aiken 195 13
13 Saint Leo 177 12
14 Dallas Baptist 144 14
15 Henderson State 134 19
16 Barry 125 17
17 Coker 107 T-15
18 Lander 104 18
19 Columbus State 91 RV
20 West Texas A&M 87 T-15
21 Wingate 71 22
22 Colorado State Pueblo 68 20
23 Midwestern State 66 21
24 Barton 51 23
25 Palm Beach Atlantic 47 NR

Others receiving votes: Lynn (44), CSU Monterey Bay (38), Central Missouri (37), Colorado Mesa (34), Harding (33), Western New Mexico (19), Anderson (SC) (16), Indianapolis (13), Valdosta State (13), Colorado School of Mines (12), Belmont Abbey (10), Missouri S&T (10), Carson-Newman (9), Tampa (9), Flagler (8), Wayne State (MI) (7), Lenoir-Rhyne (6), Drury (5), Southern Arkansas (5), Ferris State (4), Newberry (4), Shorter (4), Rollins (3), UMSL (2), USCB (2), Charleston (1), Union (TN) (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll – Sept. 20, 2024

Methodist was No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Div. III Coaches Poll in the preseason. The defending national champion Monarchs are still No. 1, after receiving eight first-place votes and 294 points overall. Carnegie Mellon got the other three first-place votes and is No. 2. The top nine remain unchanged from the preseason.

Rank University Points Previous
1 Methodist (8) 294 1
2 Carnegie Mellon (3) 288 2
3 Emory 278 3
4 Oglethorpe (1) 263 4
5 Illinois Wesleyan 240 5
6 Huntingdon 230 6
7 Washington & Lee 205 7
8 Lynchburg 198 8
9 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 192 9
10 Sewanee 158 11
11 Redlands 147 10
12 Wittenberg 144 14
13 Kenyon 140 13
14 Saint John’s (MN) 126 12
15 Aurora 124 16
16 Bethel (MN) 99 15
17 LeTourneau 85 17
18 Guilford 79 20
19 Pomona-Pitzer 73 19
20 Hampden-Sydney 63 23
21 Babson 57 21
22 Wisconsin-Eau Claire 45 22
23 Franklin & Marshall 40 18
T-24 Gustavus Adolphus 37 25
T-24 Piedmont 37 NR

Others receiving votes: Mary Hardin-Baylor (28), Trinity (TX) (28), Rochester (25), Berry (24), Nebraska Wesleyan (15), Christopher Newport (14), Willamette (14), Greensboro (13), Averett (12), Whitworth (12), Gettysburg (6), McDaniel (8), Rhodes (8), Transylvania (8), Whitman (8), Rose-Hulman (6), RPI (5), Penn State Altoona (4), Hamilton (2), Skidmore (1), Ursinus (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek NAIA Coaches Poll – Sept. 20, 2024

After winning the season-opening Coastal Georgia Fall Invitational by 19 shots, Dalton State kept its spot at No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek NAIA Coaches Poll. The defending national champion Roadrunners received seven first-place votes in this latest poll.

Rank University Points Previous
1 Dalton State (7) 199 1
2 Keiser (1) 193 2
3 Texas Wesleyan 171 3
4 Lindsey Wilson 169 5
T-5 British Columbia 159 4
T-5 Oklahoma City 159 12
7 Columbia (Missouri) 135 6
8 OUAZ 132 10
9 Wayland Baptist 125 9
10 Houston-Victoria 118 7
11 Coastal Georgia 117 15
12 Southeastern (Fla.) 113 11
13 MidAmerica Nazarene 109 8
14 Truett McConnell 96 14
15 Cumberland (Tenn.) 82 13
16 William Carey 70 16
17 Webber International 60 17
18 Taylor 49 23
T-19 Bellevue 42 19
T-19 Campbellsville 42 18
T-21 Tennessee Wesleyan 39 RV
T-21 Point 39 20
23 Northwestern (Iowa) 32 24
24 Lawrence Tech 22 22
25 Ave Maria 19 21

Others receiving votes: Lewis-Clark State (17), WVU Tech (17), USAO (12), Morningside (11), The Master’s (10), Cumberlands (KY) (9), Victoria-BC (8), Northwestern Ohio (7), Mount Mercy (6), Missouri Valley College (5), Faulkner (4), Grand View (1), Midway (1), SCAD Savannah (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. 1 Coaches Poll – Sept. 20, 2024

After winning the Waco River Classic by 15 shots to begin the season, Midland is No. 1 in the latest poll. The Chaparrals received one first-place vote and 51 points, three more than previous No. 1 Odessa (two first-place votes and 48 points).

Rank University Points Previous
1 Midland (1) 51 2
2 Odessa (2) 48 1
3 Hutchinson (1) 45 T-4
4 Indian Hills (1) 38 T-4
5 New Mexico JC (1) 37 3
6 Central Alabama 27 7
T-7 McLennan 20 6
T-7 Southern Union State 20 NR
T-7 Western Texas 20 9
10 Eastern Florida State 10 T-10

Others receiving votes: Dodge City (8), Weatherford (3), Eastern Wyoming (2), Blinn (1).

2024-25 Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. 1I Coaches Poll – Sept. 20, 2024

With strong showings in powerful fields to begin their seasons, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Kirkwood share No. 1 in the Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA Div. II Coaches Poll. The last two national champions each received two first-place votes and 38 points, nine more than South Mountain (29 points).

Rank University Points Previous
T-1 Mississippi Gulf Coast (2) 38 1
T-1 Kirkwood (2) 38 2
3 South Mountain (AZ) 29 3
4 Roane State 24 4
5 Parkland 19 6
6 Des Moines 17 5
7 Iowa Central 16 T-9
8 Meridian 14 7
T-9 Hawkeye 7 NR
T-9 Heartland 7 NR

Others receiving votes: Murray State (Okla.) (6), Vincennes (2), Hesston (1).

Inaugural Put Me In Coach Invitational brings a vibe and an opportunity to the back of college lineups

Sometimes all it takes is an opportunity. The aptly named Put Me In Coach Invitational is exactly that – with a soundtrack to match.

Sometimes all it takes is an opportunity. The aptly named Put Me In Coach Invitational is exactly that – with a soundtrack to match.

The tournament name just makes sense, said Ball State head coach Mike Fleck, when you look at what a new early-fall event for individuals is offering. Individual events – or the expansion of full-field events to allow for extra individuals on the tee sheet – is a trend right now in college golf.

“It’s an individual event for guys that are trying to find their way into the lineup that are maybe in a different position than maybe your top players and it’s just a cool, catchy, ‘Hey, Coach, pay attention to me and put me in. If I play well, put me in coach.’”

In the tournament’s first iteration on Sept. 15-16 at Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Indiana, the catch-phrase made popular in the 1980s John Fogerty song “Centerfield” was on a loop pre-tournament, mixed into the playlist as players warmed up on the practice facilities. Sure there was a vibe, but there was also business to do.

Scores: Put Me In Coach Invitational

Michael Weber of Miami University (Ohio) and Virgilio Paz of Missouri tied for first in the 54-hole, both finishing at 1 under before Paz won in a playoff. It’s the first college title for Paz, a junior who transferred from New Mexico last year.

While Paz and three other Missouri teammates were competing in Muncie, the Tigers also took a team to the Canadian Collegiate in Ontario.

https://twitter.com/GolfweekRingler/status/1835747126694781214

“Before the tournament started we had a team meeting making sure everyone acknowledged that we are representing University of Missouri and the SEC just as much as the other guys are,” assistant coach Paola Cortes-Ortiz said. “The course required a lot of patience, smart decisions and commitment and that’s exactly what the guys competed with.”

Delaware Country Club, an old-style club, didn’t give up much with only 12 players logging a round under par. Fleck called it an easy golf course for spectators to get around and one that’s always in pristine condition.

Next year, as the Put Me In Coach Invitational returns to Delaware CC, the tournament will also expand to include a women’s division. That will come on the heels of Delaware Country Club hosting both the Indiana Open and Indiana Women’s Open in 2025.

“I think it’s hugely important,” Fleck said of the Put Me In Coach concept. “These kids are getting on campuses and we’re getting qualifying rounds going. There’s just a little bit different vibe obviously when you’re playing in a tournament environment in a setting versus when you’re qualifying though an intersquad match.”

Golf is unique among college sports in its lack of a bench. The whole roster doesn’t travel and that can leave as many as three to five players at home missing out on the experience of tournament golf.

Among the 30-player field, 21 players were true freshmen. Fleck, who started four players and two of them freshmen, noted the tournament was a particularly good way for those players to get their feet wet in college golf.

The Put Me In Coach Invitational expands on Golfweek’s long-running college tournament series which spans Divisions I through III and includes both fall and spring events.

“I’m really excited about this event – it adds to our lineup of college events and trying to provide more opportunities for college golf,” said tournament director Lance Ringler of Golfweek.

Expert score prediction: Nebraska v. Northern Iowa

Who will win on Saturday evening?!

The No. 24 Huskers conclude their non-conference portion of their season Saturday night against FCS foe Northern Iowa. 

From a glance, this should be a similar outcome to UTEP. However, numerous non-Power 4 teams showed last week that anything is possible. 

The Panthers come into Lincoln with a heavy-running offense, eclipsing its passing game almost three times over with 614 yards on the ground. Quarterback Aidan Dunne, meanwhile, stands with 23 completions off 42 throws for 215 yards and three touchdowns for Northern Iowa.

The Panthers’ heavy run game faces the toughest challenge this week: Nebraska’s defense. This challenge comes after escaping St. Thomas 17-10. Northern Iowa won off a rushing touchdown from a recovery by their running back, who lost the football but still managed to score. The Panthers got in position after a fourth-down stop on Thomas’ 25-yard line.

Northern Iowa held the Tommies to 168 passing yards and 129 rushing yards. In its win over Valparaiso, the Panthers kept the Beacons to just 108 passing yards and 16 rushing yards. 

This is similar to Nebraska’s defense, which also allowed just 17 points while surrendering 72 total rushing yards and 393 passing yards through the first two games. But Colorado scored all 10 points late in the second half when Nebraska started easing its foot off the gas. Even the touchdown allowed against UTEP was due to a slip-up on one drive. 

Nebraska’s offense is well-balanced, with quarterback Dylan Raiola throwing 423 yards and three touchdowns, while the run game has 372 yards and five touchdowns. 

However, while Northern Iowa has faced two FCS schools, Nebraska is a different animal for the Panthers. With it being another Saturday night under the lights for the Huskers, this should be another big outing. 

Score Prediction: Nebraska 45, Northern Iowa 6