CJ Stroud has led the Texans to a 4-1 record this season.Photograph: Eric Christian Smith/AP Trending up Passing pyrotechnics This has been a season defined by defensive minds and bodies keeping quarterbacks quiet. The paltry passing numbers have been so alarming that veteran analyst Mel Kiper delivered the hot take of the year by calling for a ban on two-high …

The SEC is a line of scrimmage league. Florida football demonstrated improvement on both lines of scrimmage in back-to-back wins over Mississippi State and UCF. But a truer test will come Saturday, when the Florida Gators (3-2, 1-1 SEC) play Saturday at No. 9 Tennessee (7 p.m., ESPN). The Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC), led by preseason All-SEC edge rusher James …

Running back Myles Gaskin has been shuttling back and forth from the Vikings’ practice squad to their active roster, but he’ll be staying with the big club for a bit. The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that they have signed Gaskin to their 53-man roster. Tight end Robert Tonyan was released in a corresponding move. Gaskin has appeared in every …

WEYMOUTH — With leading rusher Cam Aieta nursing an injury, the Weymouth High football team turned to alternate power sources for Friday’s statement win over Milton. There was plenty of Michael Farrow, with the senior tight end-turned running back taking many direct shotgun snaps out of a Wildcat formation en route to 105 yards on the ground. There was a …

The Cowboys have injuries at receiver and defensive end that entailed bringing in some outside reinforcements. Dallas worked out receivers Denzel Mims, Dante Pettis, Seth Williams and Chad Cota. The Cowboys had quarterback Max Duggan throw to them. They also worked out defensive ends Luiji Vilain and Shaka Toney. The Cowboys have agreed to terms with Williams and Vilain, Todd …

Oct. 8—MANCHESTER — Scott Dolan admits he probably should have done it sooner. Midway through last season, though, the defensive coordinator for the Manchester West football team changed his scheme just for free safety Rayvon Nelson. “Last year, he wasn’t on the field for the first half of the year, if you can believe it,” Dolan said after West’s 47-0 …

Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins underwent surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports. Wilkins is out indefinitely, and the Raiders will place him on injured reserve. He played 22 snaps on Sunday, totaling five tackles and a sack before leaving before halftime and not returning. Wilkins, a first-round pick of the Dolphins …

PISCATAWAY – Not too long ago, the idea that Rutgers football could have multiple true freshmen stepping up and making big plays would’ve seemed hard to believe. But that’s changing quickly. Just take a look at who’s seen considerable playing time through the Scarlet Knights’ first five games. True freshman wide receivers Ben Black and KJ Duff have touchdown catches …

The Cowboys have taken some hard hits on defense, but one of their injured stars could return this week. Cornerback DaRon Bland, who missed the first five games with a stress fracture in his foot, could have at least a limited role against the Lions. “I think DaRon Bland has a real chance,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, …

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A pair of former NFL quarterbacks are now working together to coach high school football. They just so happen to be brothers, as well. These days, the Hasselbecks focus their football on Friday nights. “It’s awesome, it’s a dream come true,” said Matt Hasselbeck. “I got laid off at ESPN, so that’s kind of what afforded me …

Robert Saleh parlayed his time as 49ers defensive coordinator into the head-coaching job with the Jets. After he was fired on Tuesday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was asked for his reaction to the news. “I sent him a text, but I haven’t gotten to talk to him,” Shanahan told reporters. “And yeah, I was pretty shocked. That stuff throws you …

Former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions joined the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast on Tuesday to discuss his role in the Michigan sign-stealing scandal. Stalions, speaking to show hosts with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, was also asked about his Michigan Manifesto and how he got into deciphering signals as a student coach for Navy football. He also talked about Ohio …

The Seahawks had another walkthrough Tuesday, but three players were estimated as full participants after being limited Monday. While safety Julian Love (hamstring) remained limited, tight end Pharaoh Brown (groin), linebacker Boye Mafe (knee) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (hand) had full participation. Those were the only changes to the Seahawks’ practice report. Cornerback Tariq Woolen (ankle), outside linebacker Derick Hall …

Oct. 8—LEIPSIC — With a little less than four minutes left in the first half of Friday’s key Blanchard Valley Conference football game, McComb led Leipsic 21-0. McComb seemed to be in complete control. However, Leipsic (5-2, 4-1 BVC) battled back from its huge first-half deficit and eventually slipped out with a thrilling 30-27 victory over McComb (4-3, 2-3 BVC) …

Hours before Georgia football practiced Tuesday afternoon for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State, wide receiver Colbie Young was released on bond from the Clarke County jail after his early morning arrest. The Miami transfer was charged with assault on an unborn child and battery, both misdemeanors, after police spoke to a woman who identified herself as Young’s ex-girlfriend. “It’s a …