Maiocco’s 49ers Report Card: Team grades in MNF loss to Lions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — There was no opportunity to play spoiler on Monday, but the 49ers were up against a Detroit Lions team that sits atop the NFC. Coach Kyle Shanahan said nothing about the team’s approach changed with the 49ers already eliminated …

NEW ORLEANS — Set to face its highest-ranked opponent since falling at home to Ohio State 15 months ago, Notre Dame football clearly has recovered from the “Ten Men” fiasco that allowed the sixth-ranked Buckeyes to escape with a stunning 17-14 win in the game’s final second. Marcus Freeman’s Irish have gone 18-3 since that point. Wednesday’s foe in the …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Spencer Danielson was a young assistant coach when he attended a coaches convention where James Franklin was a speaker. “I listened to Coach Franklin and was just blown away by him,” Danielson said Monday. “Seeing his journey and the success that he has had everywhere he goes, I just have so much respect for him.” Franklin and …

Brock Purdy was nearly perfect Monday night until he wasn’t. Kerby Joseph intercepted Purdy on two passes in a row. The first one didn’t count, with Brian Branch negating it with a 17-yard defensive pass interference penalty. On the next play, Kerby picked Purdy on an overthrow of Ricky Pearsall, with Joseph returning it 26 yards to the San Francisco …

The Illinois Fighting Illini wrap up one of their best seasons in a generation today against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Coach Bret Bielema and the No. 21 Illini (9-3) are looking for the program’s first 10-win season since 2001. No. 14 South Carolina (9-3) is seeking its only 10-win season outside the …

The Lions stopped the 49ers only when Jake Moody missed a field goal or Kerby Joseph intercepted Brock Purdy. That was enough for Detroit to escape with a 40-34 win over the 49ers. The game was meaningless for both teams with the 49ers already eliminated from playoff contention and the Lions set for a showdown against the Vikings on Sunday …

Illinois football meets South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl today in Orlando, Florida. Each team will be without some top playmakers via opt-out or injury. We will update when the official availability reports are released for the game. How to watch Illinois vs So. Carolina: Time, TV schedule for Citrus Bowl Illinois injuries for Citrus Bowl The Fighting Illini have …

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was injured on a sack by Lions defensive back Brian Branch with 1:36 left in Monday Night Football. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said his starting quarterback injured his right elbow. “We think it’s some nerve stuff,” Shanahan said, via Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. Purdy will undergo an MRI on his elbow Tuesday to …

TAMPA, Fla. — Alabama football’s 2024 season is about to come to a close. The Crimson Tide will face Michigan in the 2024 ReilaQuest Bowl in the final game of the Kalen DeBoer era, the team that beat Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl in 2023 before beating DeBoer’s Washington Huskies in the CFP National Championship. …

Maiocco’s observations: Purdy, Pearsall shine in 49ers’ loss to Lions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — Unlike the last time these teams met, there essentially was nothing at stake Monday night at Levi’s Stadium. But the 49ers and Detroit Lions put on a show worthy of, well, an NFC Championship Game. Brock Purdy, who made all …

Getty Images The first round of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is in the books, and a slew of highly anticipated quarterfinal matchups are on deck over the course of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. While there wasn’t much drama during the first-round slate, the hope is that business picks up as we move to bowl sites …

An elbow injury sidelined San Francisco’s Brock Purdy late in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night after the quarterback took a sack in the final minutes. Purdy is now dealing with a nerve issue in his throwing elbow, head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game at Levi’s Stadium. His status for …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Former Wyomissing star J’ven Williams remains optimistic and patient as he continues trying to crack the starting lineup in Penn State’s offensive line. “This season has been really good for me,” Williams said at the Fiesta Bowl Media Day. “It’s been a learning opportunity. There’s been a whole bunch of learning.” The 6-5, 310-pound Williams was the …

The NFC playoff picture is starting to become clearer as Week 17 nears its end. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will play for the No. 1 seed next week, while the Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up the NFC East and the No. 2 seed with their win on Sunday.  The Los Angeles Rams clinched the NFC West. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – As he jogged onto the field to take his first college snap, Ethan Grunkemeyer surveyed Beaver Stadium and the 106,013 fans, almost all wearing white. The scene was something he will never forget. “It was surreal,” Grunkemeyer said at the Fiesta Bowl during his first media availability at Penn State. “I was kind of looking around, taking …