Tag Archives: interceptions

Polarizing Transfer Portal QB TJ Finley Signs with Seventh College Program

Lane Kiffin is not the final boss of the transfer portal. Nor is it Curt Cignetti, who turned Indiana from cannon fodder to possibly one of the most dominant teams in college football history. There is only one true final boss of the transfer portal, and his name is TJ Finley.

If you are a newer college football fan or don’t have the best memory, it is easy not to recognize that name right off the bat. Do I mean Steve Finley, the former San Francisco Giants baseball player? Or did I mean Michael Finley? You know, the Dallas Mavericks basketball player?

Finley will play for the FCS school Incarnate Word in the 2026 season, as he will turn 24 during spring practice. How did we get here?

Well, it started all the way back in 2018 when Finley was one of the premier quarterback prospects in the high school circuit and signed with the LSU Tigers in 2019. This was when Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase were all in school, blowing out every team by 50 points.

In 2020, Finley was named a starter but lost the job to Max Johnson midway through the season. He then jumped into the transfer portal for the first time that offseason, transferring to SEC rival Auburn.

At Auburn, he was the backup to Bo Nix — yes, Denver Broncos starting QB Bo Nix — in 2021, then became the starter in 2022 before suffering a severe injury that ended his career as a Tiger.

Then came 2023 and his year with Texas State. There, Finley threw for a program record 24 touchdowns and skyrocketed his stock again with 3,439 yards through the air.

In 2024, Western Kentucky became his new home after entering the transfer portal once more. Like at Auburn, this stint was cut short due to injury when he hurt his leg in the third week of the season, requiring surgery.

After recouping, Finley decided to jump back into the transfer portal. This most recent season, he transferred to Tulane, which would have been his best chance to prove himself in years under the now-Florida coach Jon Sumrall. Unfortunately, he was effectively kicked off the team after being found in possession of a stolen car.

Finley did a U-turn and jumped right back into the safety of the transfer portal, where he landed at Georgia State and then started six games. He ended the season with a disappointing six touchdowns to seven interceptions.

And now, finally, he is part of the Incarnate Word Cardinal football team as their quarterback — a journey across the country and six trips through the transfer portal. Not confusing at all.

**More News:**

– Oregon Loses QB Amid Dylan Raiola Transfer Portal Buzz
– LSU’s Lane Kiffin Makes Last-Minute Trip for Top-Rated Transfer Portal QB
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/polarizing-transfer-portal-qb-tj-finley-signs-with-seventh-college-program-11355639

Miami Offers Ty Simpson Record-Breaking Deal After Missing on Sam Leavitt

Many believed the Miami Hurricanes were in a strong position to land former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt after hosting him on a transfer portal visit over the weekend. However, by Monday, Leavitt announced where he’ll be playing college football in 2026—and it wasn’t in Coral Gables.

Despite a last-ditch effort from Tennessee, Leavitt ultimately chose to play for Lane Kiffin at LSU. This decision leaves the Hurricanes without a clear successor to Carson Beck for the 2026 season.

While the Hurricanes may have missed out on Leavitt, speculation has been swirling around another potential quarterback target.

According to Gay, “The Hurricanes’ official NIL offer to Simpson started at $4 million and quickly ballooned to $5 million within minutes before reaching the current offer.”

Rumors suggest that a move to Miami for Simpson had been in the works for several days. The 23-year-old junior threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions this past year. He recently declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after receiving feedback indicating he would be a first-round pick.

However, a $6.5 million NIL offer may be too enticing for Simpson to pass up—especially considering that he would need to be drafted within the first seven picks to earn as much or more playing professionally (the salary slot for the No. 8 pick in the 2026 draft is $5.6 million).

Two years ago, the Hurricanes convinced Cam Ward to skip the draft and play for them another year. That decision paid off, as Ward went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 draft. They also persuaded Carson Beck to forgo the draft and play another year of college football, and he’s since led Miami to the College Football Playoff national championship game.

“Simpson has already stated his intention to turn pro, but so did Cam Ward, right?” On3 reported. “With Sorsby and Leavitt—top options that aren’t heading Miami’s way—the team could make a big offer to try and get Simpson to reconsider and stay in college.”

As the 2026 season approaches, the Hurricanes continue to explore opportunities to secure a quarterback who can carry the program forward. Fans will be watching closely to see if Miami can pull off a surprise signing or rely on internal development to fill the void left by Beck’s eventual departure.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/miami-offers-ty-simpson-record-breaking-deal-after-missing-on-sam-leavitt-11348844

Studs and Duds: The next-man-up 49ers beat the Eagles with depth early, stars late

Postseason football is defined by grit and narrow margins. The San Francisco 49ers looked right at home in that environment, beating the Eagles 23-19 at a raucous Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Entering Sunday as the No. 6 seed in the NFC, Kyle Shanahan’s squad ignored the oddsmakers, the hostile environment, and, most critically, the difficult-to-stomach Achilles tendon injury to George Kittle to advance to a second-round matchup, a rematch with the Seattle Seahawks. Here were the studs and duds from a game that won’t be forgotten anytime soon:

STUDS 💪

Demarcus Robinson WR

Because it’s the San Francisco 49ers and nothing about them makes a lick of sense, Robinson—one of the worst man-to-man receivers in the NFL this season per routes per yard run—sparked the 49ers’ first touchdown (which he scored) by beating arguably the best cornerback in the NFC, Quinyon Mitchell, man-to-man for 63 yards on the second play of the game. Of course, the touchdown he followed with was also in man-to-man defense.

Robinson didn’t stop there. He was the Niners’ No. 1 target on the day, catching six passes for 111 yards.

Brock Purdy QB

Purdy delivered some sweet layered passes in this game and gave the Niners a fighting chance in a game where they couldn’t effectively run the ball until late. Yes, Purdy had two interceptions in this game, but he was far and away the better quarterback, and it’s the reason the Niners won.

He ended the game with 262 yards passing, two touchdowns, and 24 key rushing yards.

Jauan Jennings WR

Jennings stepped in as the de facto tight end in the run game after Kittle’s injury. He caught a pass for 45 yards and also threw a beautiful 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey to give the 49ers a 17-16 fourth-quarter lead.

He’s a hell of a football player.

Christian McCaffrey RB

It took a while, but McCaffrey saved his best for last, showing some serious burst in the run game late, making an all-world catch on the touchdown pass (fighting the wind) on Jennings’ throw, and then catching the game-winning touchdown with five minutes to play.

Upton Stout NB

The Niners’ best defender over the last month-plus, Stout continued his strong play Sunday, reaching the point where the Eagles stopped testing him.

Marquese Sigle FS

The biggest mystery of the 2025 San Francisco 49ers has been why Sigle was not able to see the field in the second half of the year. Because when he was forced into action Sunday with Ji’Ayir Brown’s injury, he was exceptional in both the pass and run game.

Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow LBs

The Niners went with two linebackers who were signed to the roster in recent weeks as starters in a playoff game, and they looked really good! Kendricks, in particular, was fantastic and made the game-winning pass breakup.

DUDS 📉

Kendrick Bourne WR

It’s Week 19 of the season. Why does Bourne not know the plays yet? Every week, something like this shows up, but this week it proved critical: the Niners had to take their third timeout of the first half after he lined up incorrectly in a two-minute drill.

Had the Niners been able to hold onto that timeout, they likely would have been able to kick a field goal before halftime.

Deommodore Lenoir CB

The Niners put Lenoir on the boundary (short) side of the field for this game, breaking with their standard practice of playing him solely on the right side (offensive perspective). Yeah, that didn’t work.

The Eagles attacked Lenoir relentlessly, and he conceded early and often.

Colton McKivitz RT

The Niners’ most steady and reliable offensive lineman this season was worked over by Jaelen Phillips in this contest. Purdy did a good job avoiding pressure from the right side, but it was constant.

All 49ers’ defensive tackles not named C. J. West

The Eagles have a one-read quarterback with a noodle arm. It didn’t matter for most of the game because the Eagles could run double teams and wham blocks against the Niners’ defensive tackles.

https://www.orovillemr.com/2026/01/11/studs-and-duds-the-next-man-up-49ers-beat-the-eagles-with-depth-early-stars-late/

Fight breaks out after 49ers-Panthers ‘Monday Night Football’ game

The San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers played one of the ugliest games of the season on Monday Night Football and the only real fireworks came as the game was over between Jauan Jennings and Tre’von Moehrig. After the final whistle sounded and players began shaking hands at midfield, ESPN’s cameras caught Jennings, the 49ers wide receiver, having to be forcibly held back by his teammates. He was even taken to the ground at one point before he could finally be subdued. When looking at a replay, it was revealed that Jennings approached Panthers defender Moehrig and clocked him with multiple shoves to the face. Much like what we saw earlier in the season between Daron Payne and Amon-Ra St. Brown during a dust up in a Lions-Commanders game, there was definitely a reason why Jauan Jennings was so upset and the punch didn’t come from nowhere. With a tip of the cap to the MNF production crew, ESPN was able to pull up a play from earlier in the game where Moehrig certainly appears to hit Jennings with a low blow after the whistle in what would be a fairly egregious act of unsportsmanlike conduct. You would have to imagine that both players will be hearing from the league office for that one. Certainly Moehrig’s low blow will have to be met with a stiff penalty. But Jennings going at him with a punch after the game was over isn’t going to be looked upon too kindly by the NFL, either. It was a fitting conclusion to what was one of the poorest primetime games the NFL has seen in some time. The 49ers easily defeated the Panthers by a 20-9 scoreline as Brock Purdy and Bryce Young combined for five interceptions on the night in a game that truly only became interesting after the final whistle sounded.
https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/fight-49ers-panthers-monday-night-football-jennings-moehrig.html

49ers Studs and Duds: The Niners dominate while Brock Purdy implodes

The good news about ugly wins is that they count just the same in the standings. There is no column for style points in the NFL, which is fortunate, because the San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t have earned any in their Monday night victory over the Carolina Panthers. But with the 20-9 win, the Niners are sitting at 8-4. In a muddled NFC, they likely need just two more victories to punch a ticket to the postseason. That’s the math. But here is the bad news about ugly wins: They force you to stare into the abyss. They make you wonder if this team should even bother chasing those two wins, let alone book travel arrangements for January. Monday was a survival test, and I suppose the Niners did what they needed to do. It was messy. It was confusing. It was a win. Here is who kept the ship afloat, and the man who nearly sank it: 💪 STUDS Christian McCaffrey • RB Lost in the interceptfest was the fact that McCaffrey remains the most reliable bailout plan in football. His nine touches on the opening drive were so brutally effective that there wasn’t time to stop and consider that giving him that much volume that early is borderline coaching malpractice. But once Kyle Shanahan finally decided to stop flirting with disaster in the passing game and just run outside zone, the Niners put the game on ice. McCaffrey is currently on pace to become the only player in NFL history to register 1, 000 yards rushing and 1, 000 yards receiving in a single season twice. We are watching greatness mask a whole lot of mediocrity. Jauan Jennings • WR You cannot break what is already broken. On his game-opening touchdown, three Panthers defenders converged on Jennings. They hit him from the left. They hit him from the right. They hit him from behind. Most receivers fold. Jennings? He simply shrugged them off like a man brushing crumbs off jacket and walked into the end zone. It doesn’t matter what else happens on the stat sheet. A play that boss lands you on the Studs list immediately. Bryce Huff • DE Simple analysis here: Huff had the juice. He drew two penalties rushing off the edge simply because the tackles couldn’t handle his get-off. When the offense stalled, Huff made sure the Panthers couldn’t take advantage. Bryce Young will see Huff in his nightmares on Monday. Ji’Ayir Brown • S This was the finest game of Brown’s career. He didn’t just snag two massive interceptions; he was a menace all over the field. He was erasing receivers in the flat. He was stuffing the run in the C-gap like a linebacker. In the modern NFL, safety play is destiny. If Brown has leveled up alongside the equally violent Malik Mustapha, the Niners suddenly have a duo that can wreck game plans. If San Francisco makes a run, it starts with these two. George Kittle • TE Another week, another superlative performance. Catching tough passes? Check. Mauling defenders in the run game? Check. What more is there to say? He is the gold standard. 📉 DUDS Brock Purdy • 3INTQB The three interceptions were inexcusable and the single reason this game wasn’t a blowout by halftime. If you want to be charitable, you could say the third interception was a great play by Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. But even that was only possible because Purdy lacked the field vision to see the danger before letting it fly. The first two? Those were woeful. Underthrown. Late. It looked like a guy who hadn’t taken a snap in years, not a franchise quarterback. This was Purdy’s worst outing since the Christmas Day debacle in 2023. This is untenable. You can get away with this against Carolina. You cannot make the playoffs with play like this. You cannot get away with this nonsense in the playoffs. If San Francisco wants to be more than a Wild Card exit, Purdy has to find his game. The good news? We just saw it last week.
https://www.orovillemr.com/2025/11/24/49ers-studs-and-duds-the-niners-dominate-while-brock-purdy-implodes/

Panthers cut 49ers lead to 7-3 after Brock Purdy’s third interception of the first half

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is having a nightmare of a first half, but his team still leads the Panthers. Purdy has thrown interceptions on three straight drives, including a pair of passes that cornerback Jaycee Horn has picked off. Horn’s second one set the Panthers up at the 49ers’ 33-yard line and Carolina picked up two first downs before a pass to running back Chuba Hubbard lost three yards on a third down from the 4-yard line. Ryan Fitzgerald came in for a field goal and the Panthers cut the 49ers’ lead to 7-3 with 2: 28 left in the first half. Horn’s first interception set the Panthers up in the red zone and they drove the ball to the 1-yard line before quarterback Bryce Young’s ill-advised throw to tight end Mitchell Evans was picked off by 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/panthers-cut-49ers-lead-to-7-3-after-brock-purdys-third-interception-of-the-first-half

San Jose State loses quarterback Walter Eget in 25-3 loss to first-place San Diego State

San Jose State’s 25-3 loss to San Diego State on Saturday night was mostly caused by the Spartans’ self-inflicted wounds that created too big of a deficit to battle back from at Snapdragon stadium. On top of two turnovers and a pair of missed field goals, it didn’t help that the Spartans also lost starting quarterback Walker Eget in the first quarter. “It was kind of indicative of this year. The kicking game hurt us and we had big turnovers,” said Spartans coach Ken Niumatalolo, whose team has a minus-9 turnover margin and has made just 58 percent of its field goal attempts (11-for-19). Eget suffered an apparent leg injury and was later seen on the sideline using crutches after going 4-for-8 for 32 yards and an interception. While not revealing many details, Niumatalolo struck an ominous tone when asked about Eget’s injury. “I’ll just say it didn’t look good,” Niumatalolo said. “Haven’t got anything official but we’ll find out in a little bit.” Eget’s injury forced freshman quarterback Tama Amisone to take over the offense. Amisone, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound product of Hawaii’s Kapolei High, utilized his duel-threat abilities to give the Aztecs a different look. He rushed for a team-high 75 yards on 13 runs while completing 15 of 27 passes for 104 yards and an interception. The San Diego State defense, which is ranked first in the Mountain West while allowing just 12. 5 points per game, held the Spartans to 268 yards of offense and out of the end zone. The Aztecs had seven tackles for loss, including four sacks. After electing to receive the ball at the outset, the Spartans quickly put themselves in trouble when Eget was intercepted by ex-McClymonds High of Oakland standout Dwayne McDougle on the third play of the game. The first of McDougle’s two interceptions set up the Aztecs at the Spartans’ 20-yard line. They scored six plays later on Lucky Sutton’s 1-yard touchdown run. San Jose State moved into field goal range on its next offensive drive, but kicker Denis Lynch slipped while attempting a 43-yard field goal that had no chance of success. Fellow Spartans kicker Mathias Brown, kicking from the left hash, then went 1-for-2 on his field goal attempts in the first half, making a 37-yarder and missing a 39-yarder. Despite their offensive woes, the Spartans’ defense looked much-improved in interim defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu’s first game since taking over for longtime coach Derrick Odum, who was fired on Monday. San Jose State’s defense limited the Aztecs offense to just 248 yards total yards and 5-for-13 on third downs. But the SJSU offense was never able to capitalize. “If we could have just mustered up something on offense, I feel like our defense could have kept their juice,” Niumatalolo said. “I thought the defense rallied and that was a testament to Bojay.” San Jose State (3-8, 2-5 MWC) has now lost three games in a row, its longest losing streak since 2023. Meanwhile, San Diego State (9-2, 6-1 MWC) put itself in position to clinch the conference’s regular-season title with a victory next Friday night against New Mexico. With Amisone in the game and without Eget, the nation’s second-leading passer with 3, 015 yards, the Spartans emphasized the run game heavily. The Spartans’ offensive philosophy change Saturday night was by necessity, though. “We got beat up front,” Niumatalolo said. “It’s hard to throw the football when the quarterback is running for his life.” SJSU running backs Steve Chavez-Soto (51 yards, 14 carries) and Viliami Teu (23 yards, five carries) combined for 74 yards on 19 attempts for a combined 133 rushing yards for SJSU. Like Eget, Amisone had to leave the game due to an undisclosed injury. While he received medical attention on the sideline, Spartans freshman quarterback Robert McDaniel, a UCLA transfer, took over for their final drive of the game. McDaniel finished the game 1-for-3 passing for minus-1 yard. San Diego State’s offense was missing its top two wide receivers as both Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick were ruled out of the game with injuries. The Aztecs offense struggled to get the passing game going without them as quarterback Jayden Denegal went just 4-for-8 for 16 yards until the two-minute warning. But Denegal completed a 52-yard bomb to Donovan Brown to move the ball to the SJSU 4. This set up a 1-yard TD sneak by Denegal, giving SDSU an 18-3 lead. Senegal finished 8-of-16 for 81 yards passing.. SJSU finishes the season 0-6 on the road and will close its season at home next Saturday at 7: 30 p. m. against Fresno State in the annual battle for the Valley.
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/23/san-jose-state-loses-quarterback-walter-eget-in-25-3-loss-to-first-place-san-diego-state/

Bears bold predictions for huge Week 12 game against Steelers

The Chicago Bears are in first place by themselves in the NFC North. They take a 7-3 record into their Week 12 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) in a game that gives them a new chance to earn respect around the NFL. The Bears have reeled off three consecutive wins with the rapidly improving Caleb Williams at quarterback. There is still quite a bit of room for Williams to improve his game, but he has become an elite QB1 when it comes to evading the opponent’s pass rush and turning an attempted sack into a positive running play. Williams was the most sacked quarterback in the league a year ago when he was trapped 68 times. He has been sacked just 16 times this season. Williams’ usual move is to spin away from a potential sacker’s arms and run to the outside before turning it upfield for a significant gain. There are other areas of improvement for the Bears this season, but those are the signature plays that have stood out in recent victories over the Bengals, Giants and Vikings. Williams has been a major difference maker for Bears head coach Ben Johnson. There are two significant question marks that this improving team takes into this game. None of the victories the Bears have had this season have come over winning teams. They can only play the teams on their schedule, but that is a fact that the team will have to overcome this week against the Steelers and in upcoming games against the Packers (2), 49ers and Lions. The other factor working against the Bears is Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Williams will throw for 250-plus yards and 2 TDs The Bears will go as far as Williams can take them this season, and he has been a leader who can come through when the game is on the line. That brings comfort to Johnson and Williams’ teammates. While much of it has to do with his ability to run with the ball, he also has one of the strongest arms in the league. Williams has completed 194 of 325 passes for 2, 329 yards with 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. While his completion percentage of 59. 7 percent is not where the quarterback would like it to be, he has shown improvement in Year 2. He can make enough big plays with his arm that the Bears’ offense has become a dangerous commodity. Second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze has been a solid target with 39 receptions for 600 yards and 6 touchdowns and he has produced 12 plays of 20 yards or more. Veteran DJ Moore is also dependable even though he has not been as productive as he has been in the past. Moore has caught 31-421-1 through the first 10 games. The X-factor could be rookie tight end Colston Loveland. He caught the game-winning TD pass against the Bengals in Week 9 and he has the hands and the route-running ability to cause big problems for the Steelers’ brutal pass defense. Pittsburgh ranks 32nd as Mike Tomlin’s team allows 261. 7 yards per game through the air. Bears will punish Rodgers or backup QB Mason Rudolph with 2 interceptions The former Packers quarterback has dominated the Bears with a 24-5 career record against them. Rodgers has bragged about owning the city of Chicago after one of his last victories with Green Bay. There is no guarantee that the 41-year-old quarterback will be in the lineup because of a fractured left (non-throwing) wrist, but the Bears have to find a way to defeat their long-time rival if he is under center.. The Bears defense has the ability to punish either Rodgers or Steelers backup Mason Rudolph. The defense is not like to dominate with the pass rush, but the Bears excel at taking the ball away from their opponents. Safety Kevin Byard leads the league with 5 interceptions and he excels at bating quarterbacks into thinking their receiver is open and ruining those plans with his quickness and decisive play. Nahshon Wright has been an upgrade at cornerback and he has 4 interceptions and 8 passes defensed. Wright has returned an interception for a touchdown. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has 4 interceptions in addition to leading the team with 89 tackles. Bears have significant momentum and will earn victory The Steelers got off to an excellent start and built a solid lead in the AFC North when they won 4 of their first 5 games. They have struggled in the ensuing 5 games with a 2-3 record. The defense has been vulnerable all year and they are particularly bad at stopping the passing game. The Bears are improving and know how to make key plays when the game is on the line in the 4th quarter. This has been their signature this season and it will come into play against Pittsburgh in a 24-20 triumph.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/chicago-bears/bears-bold-predictions-for-huge-week-12-game-against-steelers

Texans Announce Devastating CJ Stroud Decision Before Bills Game

The Houston Texans host the Buffalo Bills on “Thursday Night Football” in a short-week matchup that’s starting to feel like a must-win. With the Indianapolis Colts leading the AFC South at 8-2 and the Texans sitting in third at 5-5, the odds are heavily stacked against them winning the division, meaning a Wild Card berth might be the only way to sneak into the playoffs. Unfortunately, that means they’d have to beat out teams like the Bills (7-3), Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4), Kansas City Chiefs (5-5), or Baltimore Ravens (5-5), a tall task for a team that again won’t have its franchise QB. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that C. J. Stroud has been ruled out for Thursday’s contest against Buffalo, handing the reins over to fifth-year veteran Davis Mills for the third straight week. An unfortunate development, given that many had presumed Stroud would have cleared concussion protocol by now. Read More: Raiders’ Pete Carroll Sends Strong Message to Geno Smith After Cowboys Loss Drafted No. 2 overall in 2023 out of Ohio State, Stroud won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, throwing for 4, 108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions with a 100. 8 passer rating. Since then, his numbers have dipped: just 3, 727 yards, 20 TDs, and 12 INTs in 2024 (87. 0 passer rating), and now 1, 702 passing yards, 11 TDs, and five INTs across eight games this season (93. 4 passer rating). Nevertheless, he remains a franchise cornerstone for a team that just two years ago made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Read More: Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer Addresses CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens Decision Stroud suffered a concussion in Week 9 after a hard hit against the Denver Broncos; he entered and has remained in the NFL concussion protocol ever since. Mills has started in Stroud’s absence and produced steady performances: in four appearances, he has 726 passing yards, three TDs, one INT, and an 82. 2 passer rating, including back-to-back 270‑yard‑plus games that resulted in Texans wins. While Mills has proven he can step in when needed, Stroud raises the Texans’ offensive ceiling significantly, which makes Thursday’s game against a top-ranked offense like Buffalo (averaging 387. 4 total yards per game) all the more worrisome. Sportsbooks currently list the Bills as 3. 5-point favorites with a 43. 5-point over/under on the road in NRG Stadium.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/texans-announce-devastating-cj-stroud-decision-before-bills-game-11069169

Hurricanes standout Keionte Scott has ‘heart-wrenching’ injury

**Miami Hurricanes May Be Without Star Defensive Back Keionte Scott for Some Time**

Miami Gardens – Transfer defensive back Keionte Scott has been a revelation for Miami’s defense this season, but the Hurricanes may have to play without him for an extended period. The senior nickelback suffered a “serious” injury, UM coach Mario Cristobal revealed after the Hurricanes’ blowout win over N.C. State on Saturday.

Scott was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot before the game, underscoring the severity of the injury. “You miss him,” Cristobal said. “It’s a serious injury and it’s one that’s heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, really.”

Scott, who joined Miami in the summer after last playing at Auburn, quickly became a star in the Hurricanes’ strong defense. This season, he has recorded 29 tackles, three sacks, and an interception — a pick-six against Syracuse last week. Pro Football Focus has also given Scott high marks, awarding him a 90.3 defensive grade, the best in the ACC among defensive backs entering this week’s games.

“He means so much to this team, and as good of a player as he is, he wants to win,” Cristobal said. “That’s all he cares about. He’s up for so many awards. And he’s a big part of the heart and soul of our team.”

In Scott’s absence, freshman Bryce Fitzgerald started at nickelback. Fitzgerald contributed two tackles and one pass breakup.

“I think having him on the sideline as a coach, as a leader, his enthusiasm, his voice was very impactful and powerful, and the guys that stepped in did a really good job,” Cristobal added.

Other players in the secondary also stepped up, including safety Jakobe Thomas, who notched two interceptions in the win.

“That’s a true teammate,” Thomas said of Scott. “A guy that you can lean on, on and off the field. Keionte is one of my best friends and I’ll say it every day — he’s probably the greatest teammate I’ve ever had in my life. He takes care of all those young guys. Bryce had to step in at nickel this week, and Keionte made sure that he knew every call, helped with everything. He was the most juiced on the sideline on every play. So he’s a great guy.”

As Miami looks ahead, the team will rely on the leadership and growth of players like Fitzgerald and Thomas to continue its defensive dominance while hoping for a strong recovery from Scott.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/15/hurricanes-scott-injury/