The Chargers’ Derius Davis (12) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Jets last season. (Seth Wenig / Associated Press) Most people look at the player who initiates the new NFL kickoffs as the kicker. Not Derius Davis. “That guy looks like a steak dinner to me,” said Davis, slated to return kicks for the Chargers. That’s because if …

STILLWATER — After Oklahoma State’s 44-20 win over South Dakota State on Saturday, coach Mike Gundy regularly pointed to two bothersome factors of his team’s performance. Mediocre rushing production and big plays allowed by the defense. The first concern makes sense — the Cowboys averaged 3.8 yards per carry — but it seems likely that reigning Doak Walker Award winner …

This is the first story in Sportico’s Turf Wars series, examining the business decisions behind choosing natural grass or artificial turf for an NFL stadium. The NFL built the world’s most valuable sports league largely via forced uniformity. Teams share most revenue evenly, they sell all their media rights as a single entity, and every franchise adheres to the same …

For the second week in a row, Florida State football’s defense is its own worst enemy. FSU’s defense continues to hustle backward, and the biggest reason is that the Seminoles cannot stop the run. Because of this, FSU remains winless after falling to Boston College on Labor Day, 28-13. While the Seminoles’ defensive front played better physically and set the edge, …

Kentucky football, after beginning its season with a 31-0 win over Southern Miss in a game cut short following multiple weather delays, will return to Kroger Field this Saturday to begin SEC play against South Carolina. Kentucky is 7-4 against the Gamecocks under head coach Mark Stoops. South Carolina leads the series, 20-14-1. Here’s how much it will cost you …

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson only signed with the Giants late last week, but he may find himself playing a substantial role against the Vikings in this week’s season opener. The Giants brought Jackson in after watching the likes of Deonte Banks, Nick McCloud, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, and Tre Hawkins take snaps at cornerback this summer. The veteran likely wouldn’t be …

Louisville football will face Jacksonville State on Saturday at L&N Stadium. The Cardinals are coming off a 62-0 win over Austin Peay. They recorded more than 500 yards of total offense, forced two interceptions and sacked Austin Peay’s quarterback seven times in the victory. Jacksonville State is coming off a 55-27 loss to Coastal Carolina, in which it allowed the …

The Lions had a handful of players dealing with injuries in August, but they’re heading into Week One without a lot of issues on the health front. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Monday that safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is the only question mark they have on the active roster as they get ready to face the Rams. “Iffy’d be …

The Rutgers football team will host Akron on Saturday at SHI Stadium for its second game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 44-7 win over Howard, while the Zips on Saturday fell to No. 2 Ohio State 52-6 in Columbus. Here’s how you can get tickets to see Rutgers and Akron …

The Buccaneers got a key piece of their defense back on the practice field Monday. Edge rusher Yaya Diaby missed more than a month of work after injuring his ankle in an August 1 practice, but he is in uniform and working with the team as they prepare to face the Commanders in their season opener. Diaby led the Bucs …

WEST LAFAYETTE — Leland Smith was on Purdue football’s radar but ended up a late addition to the 2024 signing class. Head coach Ryan Walters was impressed by receiver’s 6-foot-4 frame and blazing speed. “He is one of probably the top-five fastest guys on the team,” Walters said. Smith, who had 655 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in nine games …

San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital on Sunday after suffering a bullet wound to the chest. The first-round draft pick out of Florida was shot during an alleged attempted robbery at San Francisco’s Union Square on Saturday. Pearsall’s mother posted an update on social media that said her son was shot through the chest, but …

BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill talks with offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick after BYU held their first fall football practice in Provo on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill has some new hardware in the arteries surrounding his heart, but the same duties he had before going into cardiac arrest last Thursday …

The Dolphins have not won a playoff game since acquiring wide receiver Tyreek Hill in a 2022 trade with the Chiefs, but they made it clear this offseason that they like the trajectory the team is on. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and head coach Mike McDaniel all signed contract extensions while Hill’s deal was tweaked to add …

Clock violation… on the clock? That’s the scenario as Boston College football takes on Florida State on Monday night. The clock was malfunctioning, so the time was being kept on the field. ESPN’s scorebug did not include the time. The back judge will hold both of his hands to indicate that there are 15 seconds left on the play clock …