Stoops passes Switzer for all-time Oklahoma coaching wins

0 Comments

Bob Stoops has now won more games than any coach in Oklahoma’s football history. With Oklahoma pulling away from Kansas State on the road Saturday afternoon, winning 41-27, Stoops passed Barry Switzer on Oklahoma’s all-time wins list.

After a back-and-forth first half, No. 21 Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) pulled away from Kansas State (6-5, 4-4 Big 12) using big plays early in the fourth quarter. A short touchdown by Brennan Clay was set-up by a punt return to the three-yard line and three plays later Oklahoma’s Zack Sanchez intercepted a Jake Waters pass and took it 74 yards back for a touchdown. Just like that Oklahoma had turned a three-point game in to a 17-point advantage at 41-24.

Clay rushed for a career high 200 yards and added two touchdowns t lead the running game.  The Sooners stuck with Trevor Knight under center in this game and he did not disappoint. Knight completed 14 of 21 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown.

 

If not for a couple of mistakes, Kansas State would have had a chance to pick up the win at home. Waters threw three touchdowns and 348 yards but it was his pick-six throw that proved to be a killer. Waters found plenty of success with receiver Tyler Lockett. Lockett torched Oklahoma’s secondary for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Lockett recorded nearly 100 more receiving yards than Oklahoma has allowed passing yards per game all season long.

Oklahoma has one more game to play and while Oklahoma State still must focus on Baylor tonight, the blue print to beat Oklahoma was once again put on display by Kansas State. If the Cowboys can take advantage against Oklahoma’s secondary the way Kansas State was, then the Sooners could be in a tough situation against an offense that has the potential to do the same kind of damage Texas and Baylor did to them earlier this season.

Former Navy coach Niumatalolo joins UCLA staff

ken niumatalolo
Getty Images
0 Comments

LOS ANGELES – Former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is joining UCLA’s coaching staff as director of leadership.

The school said in an announcement Friday that Niumatalolo will serve as an advisor to the Bruins’ football staff and players.

Niumatalolo led Navy for 15 years and was the winningest coach in school history at 109-83. The Midshipmen, however, finished with losing records the past three seasons, including 4-8 the past two.

Navy played in 10 bowl games under Niumatalolo. He also was the only coach to win his first eight games in the storied Army-Navy rivalry.

Troy, Jon Sumrall agree to new 4-year contract through 2026

troy football
Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports
0 Comments

TROY, Ala. ⁠— Jon Sumrall agreed to a new four-year contract as Troy’s coach after leading the Trojans to a Sun Belt Conference championship and national ranking in his debut season.

The school announced the deal, which runs through 2026, but didn’t release details.

The Trojans went 12-2 and won their final 11 games, second only to national champion Georgia, including the league championship game and the Cure Bowl against UTSA. For the first time, they finished a season ranked, ending up 19th in The Associated Press Top 25.

“When we appointed Coach Sumrall in December 2021, we challenged him to return Troy football to the top of the Sun Belt Conference,” Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said. “It didn’t take long, as the 2022 season was the best in our FBS history.”

Troy held all 14 of its opponents to under their season average in scoring, beating UTSA 18-12. The Trojans beat Coastal Carolina 45-26 in the Sun Belt title game.

“Last year was an amazing accomplishment for everyone associated with Troy football and was the product of relentless effort from our players and staff, athletic administration and university leaders,” Sumrall said.