Daily Archives: January 3, 2024

What we learned in Michigan football’s historic win over Alabama: Third time’s the charm

PASADENA, Calif. — Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia looks back at Michigan football’s historic 27-20 OT Rose Bowl win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal and to what’s ahead for the Wolverines in their national championship matchup with undefeated Washington next Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas: Three things we learned Defensive line dominance: When Braiden …

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Meet the Shreveport Times All-Area high school football team for the 2023 season

The 2023 Shreveport Times All-Area football team encompasses the 20 schools in Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes. The Times All-City team is just for Caddo and Bossier Parish schools. Located in north central Louisiana less than 30 miles apart, Ruston coach Jerrod Baugh and Union Parish coach Joe Spatafora brought home state titles …

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Steelers players vote T.J. Watt their team MVP for fourth time

Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been voted by his teammates as Pittsburgh’s Most Valuable Player for the fourth time. Watt also won the award in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The Steelers have had a lot of Hall of Famers in their franchise history, but none of them won the team MVP four times: Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Mel Blount, …

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Why Jaylen Wright, James Pearce shared Tennessee football MVP in 2023

Tennessee football had a good season, but its best came in the most physical parts of the game. The Vols (9-4) were among the nation’s best at running the football. That’s why Knox News chose 1,000-yard rusher Jaylen Wright as the team’s offensive MVP. And the Vols touted one of the nation’s best pass-rushing units. That’s why Knox News picked …

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Four Georgia football players ready for more prominent roles in 2024

It took less than 48 hours after Georgia football thumped Florida State 63-3 Saturday in the Orange Bowl for players closing the book on their Bulldog careers to go public with their decisions. Defensive backs Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter and Tykee Smith, offensive tackle Amarius Mims, running backs Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards and wide receiver Ladd McConkey all announced …

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Hess wins MPSSAA Defensive Player of the Year; Daniels, Michael All-State

Jan. 2—Fort Hill senior defensive lineman Carter Hess added another postseason accolade to his resume, winning the MPSSAA All-State Defensive Player of the Year award. The honor, announced Tuesday, was given by high school sportswriter Willie Sean Coughlan of Baltimore Sports and Life. Hess was not listed on Coughlan’s first-team All-MPSSAA defense list because it’s implied that award winners are …

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Bru McCoy returning to Tennessee football in 2024, not entering NFL Draft

Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy will return for the 2024 season rather than enter the NFL Draft, he announced Tuesday on Instagram. “Can’t wait Run it back next year, thank you Vol Nation for all the love and Support,” McCoy wrote. “I love this team, staff, and University & look forward to giving my all, one more time!” Embedded content: …

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Former USC QB accepts East-West Shrine Bowl invitation

BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Slovis, who spent only one year at BYU after playing for USC and Pitt, threw for nearly 12,000 yards in his five-year college career. Slovis finished the 2023 season with 1,716 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to 6 interceptions in eight starts, going 5-3. “[Kedon Slovis] …

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LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. declares for 2024 NFL draft

LSU star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is off to the NFL. After leading the nation in receiving touchdowns with 17 in 2023, Thomas declared for the 2024 NFL draft. He chose not to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl, in which he led the team in receiving yards with 98 on eight catches while adding two more touchdowns to his …

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