Tag: Week 3

WATCH: Alabama draws first blood with opening drive TD vs. Florida

Alabama is first to read the end zone in this SEC showdown!

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide received the opening kickoff in the Week3 matchup against fellow ranked SEC opponent, the Florida Gators.

An eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive was evenly split between runs and passes. Bryce Young shows thatches’ still as cool as can be in the pocket with a strong opposing defense and a loud, packed SEC stadium.

A delay of game penalty on third down pushed Alabama back to a third-and-long situation, but they managed to get themselves out of a jam and set up a seven-yard touchdown pass from Young to Jase McClellan.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

WATCH: The Longhorns are trying to bounce back and turn the page

Texas is hoping to redeem themselves against a lesser opponent in Rice this week.

Plain and simple, the Longhorns were outplayed by Arkansas in Week 2. However, that does not mean the season is over or that goals are out of reach.

Far from it.

Texas is still learning under this new coaching staff, and continuing to figure out what works for them and what doesn’t. Steve Sarkisian has made an adjustment at quarterback, and given junior Casey Thompson a chance to lead the team. For anyone that thought Texas was going to go undefeated in their first season under Sarkisian was delusional, because the team is full of inexperienced players getting their first crack at being key contributors.

The Arkansas loss was an embarrassment, and a game that the Longhorns very well could have won if there were better in-game adjustments made. The offensive line was atrocious, and at times made it seem like the defense had 16 people because of their poor play.

The defensive front seven may as well have just let Arkansas run past them every play, and just attempt to chase them, because they were getting abused up front. However, this Rice game could not have come at a better time, as Texas should have no problems dismantling an overmatched Owls team.

Sarkisian mentioned that his team took the Arkansas loss hard, as they should, but it also adds extra fuel to the fire moving forward. The Texas social media department put together a great video of the team’s mindset of moving past adversity ahead of the Rice matchup.

I fully expect them to have that page turned, and unfortunately for Rice, they will likely be on the receiving end of a Texas sized beatdown.

FREE TO PLAY: College Football Week 3 Daily Ticket Pick’em

Test your knowledge and make your college football picks with our free-to-play Daily Ticket pick’em contest for the Week 3 schedule.

The college football season rolls into Week 3 and USA TODAY’s Daily Ticket gives you the chance to show off your skills and knowledge. Make your picks below, sign up and follow the action for your chance to win. Visit SportsbookWire.com for help with your college football picks and predictions.

Here’s how to get a piece of the action:

  • Select: NCAA Challenge in the game lobby
  • Answer 10 questions correctly (plus tie-breaker) for your shot to win*

Each slate has an entirely new set of questions giving you a weekly chance for victory. Need some help on which picks to make? Check out our NCAAF odds, picks and predictions.

[chalkline game=”ncaaf-2021″]

Play at Dailyticket.USATODAY.com

*Must be 21 and up. Terms and conditions apply.

PLAY: Our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media on Thursday ahead of Rice matchup

The Longhorns had a lot to address this week in practice.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the media on Thursday to discuss the upcoming matchup against Rice.

After announcing at the beginning of the week that he was making a change at the quarterback position, giving Casey Thompson the nod over Hudson Card, Sarkisian is hoping the rest of the team will perform as well as he expects.

Many concerns emerged after the loss or Arkansas, primarily the offensive line struggles. In the case of the defense, they gave up over 300 yards rushing, and looked like the Texas of old that could not tackle anyone.

The offensive line had troubles blocking, which resulted in the quarterbacks being under pressure every play. It was almost as if the defense for Arkansas was starting in the backfield every play.

There were no bright spots from the game except for Thompson leading the offense to a couple touchdowns when the game was out of reach, and B.J. Foster’s great interception in the third quarter.

Sarkisian was being peppered with many questions about personnel changes, and what his plans are moving forward. Let’s take a look at everything the first-year head coach had to say ahead of the Week 3 matchup against Rice.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Chiefs snap counts: Final impressions ahead of 53-man roster cuts

What can we learn from the #Chiefs’ preseason Week 3 snap counts?

The Kansas City Chiefs have completed all three of their preseason exhibition games and now can turn their focus to the regular season.

We can’t learn quite as much from the Chiefs’ preseason snaps counts as we can learn from the snap counts during the regular season. It’s still worth taking a gander at the snaps and seeing what we can ascertain.

Here’s how the snaps shook out in preseason Week 3:

*Snap counts via NFL Game Statistics and Information System

Observations

  • Shane Buechele played the majority of the game at quarterback, with Nick Allegretti, Yasir Durant and Prince Tega Wanogho matching his 77% snap share.
  • Darwin Thompson saw the second-most offensive snaps at the running back position on Friday with 25 total snaps. It didn’t feel like much of an exhibition performance for the former sixth-round draft pick. It’s unclear if Kansas City would be able to get anything in trade.
  • Demarcus Robinson played 11 snaps with the starters and only the starters. I’d find it hard to believe that he’s anywhere near the roster bubble given his performance. It is notable that he didn’t play a single snap on special teams after Dave Toub’s comments the week prior to the game.
  • Cornell Powell saw 15 offensive snaps, mostly with the third-team offense. He caught one of the two passes that came his way for an eight-yard gain. It certainly doesn’t feel like the Chiefs are planning to keep the rookie on the 53-man roster.
  • Derrick Nnadi and Mike Hughes both played very few snaps on defense, with a 5% snap share on the day. Darius Harris played the most snaps on defense, earning time with the second- and third-team defense.
  • The Chiefs got an extended look at rookie DE Joshua Kaindoh, playing him for 73% of the defensive snaps on Friday. He had some impressive flashes and definitely has a physical tool kit that the team can build on.
  • Daurice Fountain played 6 snaps on special teams during this game. He made the final one count with an onside kick recovery to put the game on ice. That could be huge for his chances of making the 53-man roster after flashing on offense throughout the preseason.
  • Jody Fortson, Noah Gray, Michael Burton and Gehrig Dieter each got 10 snaps on special teams. Outside of Dieter, all should make the 53-man roster given their contributions on both offense and special teams. Dieter played the fewest offensive snaps of any player on Friday.
  • Chris Lammons and Darius Harris led the Chiefs in special teams snaps. They played mostly with the second- and third-team units, though.
  • Derrick Gore has been mightily impressive on offense, but he hasn’t played a single snap of special teams in the past two preseason appearances. He played just five snaps in preseason Week 1. That’s going to hurt his chances of being a surprise addition to the 53-man roster.

[listicle id=97354]

Chiefs injury updates following preseason Week 3 vs. Vikings

The #Chiefs seem to have escaped the final game of the preseason without sustaining any new injuries.

The Kansas City Chiefs completed their Week 3 preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings with their third and final victory of the preseason.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke with the media following the game, delivering the news that he had no new injuries to report. It’s the best news that you can possibly receive after any preseason game. It’s important too as the team looks to be full strength heading into their Week 1 tilt against the Cleveland Browns.

“I don’t really have any injuries to give you for tonight,” Reid said. “The guys that were supposed to play, played. Helaire, Williams, Blythe, Clark, LDT and Fenton did not play. Everyone else played, I thought they did a nice job — a heck of a job. I thought both sides of the ball and special teams did well.”

Adding to Reid’s list, Chiefs DE Chris Jones did not play in the game. He wasn’t in attendance for the game as he recovers from a sinus infection. The refs would have you believe that Jones did play, mistaking Khalen Saunders for Jones on a penalty.

The Chiefs did have one injury scare during the game. RB Darwin Thompson landed funny and was shaken up during the game. After getting examined on the sideline, he eventually came back into the game.

Getting out of the preseason without sustaining any significant injuries, while playing starters at one of the highest rates in the league, is a massive win. Kudos to the Chiefs’ training staff for putting these guys in the position to stay healthy throughout the preseason.

[listicle id=97282]

Week 6 college football winners and losers, per USA TODAY

The loss to Texas A&M on Saturday dropped the Gators to the bottom of the top-10, severely crippling their College Football Playoff hopes.

[jwplayer kyuJhM3C-er0jUifI]

A wild Week 6 of college football is in the books, and the Gators find themselves with a tick in the loss column for the first time in the 2020 season after falling to Texas A&M on the road.

The loss dropped UF from No. 3 to No. 9 in the Amway Coaches Poll, and though it was able to remain in the top 10, it’s not surprising that in USA TODAY’s “winners and losers” recap of the week, Florida finds itself in the “loser” category.

Florida

The loss to A&M chews up the Gators’ wiggle room but doesn’t necessarily change the path to the playoff: Florida still needs to beat Georgia, win the East and then claim the SEC championship to ensure a place in the semifinals. Not that any team with these issues on defense has a real shot at the national title. While the offense is humming behind quarterback Kyle Trask, the Gators have allowed at least 35 points twice through three games.

Meanwhile, the Aggies were the biggest movers in the Coaches Poll this week, rising nine spots from No. 20 to No. 11. After earning its first win over a top-five team since coach Jimbo Fisher took over in 2018, TAMU is a winner this week.

Texas A&M

Coming one week after a humbling loss to Alabama, Texas A&M’s 41-38 win against Florida restores faith in third-year coach Jimbo Fisher and breathes life back into the Aggies’ season. The nature of the win might tell you something about this team: A&M was down 28-17 and seemed in danger of seeing the Gators pull away before pulling even and then ahead with a field goal as time expired. Senior quarterback Kellen Mond had one of the best games of his career with 338 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

Georgia, who is now in the driver’s seat of the SEC East after beating Tennessee on Saturday, is also in the “winner” category.

Georgia

Tennessee went into halftime with momentum after a late stand near its goal line preserved a 21-17 lead. But Georgia pulverized the Volunteers in the second half to win 44-21 and remain unbeaten heading into next weekend’s game against Alabama. There’s nothing particularly pretty about the Bulldogs’ style of play, which leans more toward the SEC style of the early 2010s than the more wide-open approach in vogue throughout the conference. It works: Georgia steadily forced Tennessee into mistakes while dominating the line of scrimmage. Is this style good enough to beat the Crimson Tide? We’re going to find out.

Florida has the chance to right the ship this week with a win over 1-2 LSU, who is coming off a loss at Missouri in a game that was moved from Louisiana due to Hurricane Delta. If the Gators have any hope of taking back control of the division and keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive, they have to win on Saturday.

[lawrence-related id=25547,25538,25493,25508,25498,25491]

[vertical-gallery id=25433]

Falcons expected to name Raheem Morris interim head coach

The Falcons have a head-coaching vacancy after firing Dan Quinn on Sunday night. With 11 games remaining in the 2020 season, it appears that defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the year, according …

The Falcons have a head-coaching vacancy after firing Dan Quinn on Sunday night.

With 11 games remaining in the 2020 season, it appears that defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the year, according to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

McClure served as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011 and was promoted to Falcons defensive coordinator at midseason in 2019. After a 6-2 run to finish the year, Morris kept the job entering 2020.

[lawrence-related id=59171,59164,58549,58982]

[vertical-gallery id=59142]

Chris Carson has choice words regarding Trysten Hill’s tackle

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson called Dallas Cowboy Trysten Hill’s tackle Week 3 a “bull****-ass play” that left him injured.

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson got lucky two Sundays ago when he only sustained a minor knee injury after Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill rolled up on his leg after a play during the Week-3 matchup.

Carson was able to bounce back quickly, however, and even returned in time to face the Dolphins a week later, when he managed his first two rushing touchdowns of the year.

Still, Carson was not impressed with the antics that could very well have cost him the season. He told reporters exactly what he thought of the gator roll on Thursday afternoon.

“Kind of like what everybody thought of it – I thought it was kind of a bull****-ass play,” Carson said during his video press conference. “But it is what it is.”

Hill was not suspended for the play in question but was fined $6,522. He messaged Carson after the game with an apology.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”kGiC9hYtE2-986080-7498″]

[lawrence-related id=67938]

Florida Gators vs Texas A&M Aggies football set for noon next Saturday

The official time for next weekend’s game between Florida and Texas A&M was announced on Twitter Sunday morning with game time set for noon.

The official time for next weekend’s matchup between the Florida Gators and the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, Tex., was announced on Twitter Sunday morning. Game time is set for noon EDT and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Florida enters the game with a 2-0 record and carrying quite a bit of clout with its high-powered offense after dropping 89 points on their first two opponents of the season — 51 at the Ole Miss Rebels and 38 at home against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Unlikely to move in the updated rankings this weekend, Florida will likely arrive in College Station ranked third in the nation in both the Amway Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Poll.

Texas A&M took a tough loss against the Alabama Crimson Tide last Saturday to even their record at 1-1 after a 17-12 Week 1 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Aggies quarterback Kellen Monde comes in highly touted but his team has not looked quite as sharp as expected so far.

[lawrence-related id=25074,25070,25044,25010,25005,24990]

[vertical-gallery id=25052]