No. 19 Utah all tied up with Indiana at halftime in Foster Farms Bowl

0 Comments

No. 19 Utah began the Foster Farms Bowl in just about the worst way possible with a fumble on the opening kickoff and a quick touchdown for Indiana less than a minute later. The Utes rallied behind some good defense and a couple of big plays down the field however and managed to head into halftime tied at 17-all.

Tailback Joe Williams once again powered the way for the offense and finished with 53 yards and a score on the ground while adding another 56 in the passing game as the result of an excellent screen play. He took some of the heat off quarterback Troy Williams (8-of-17, 131 yards) and his backup in freshman Tyler Huntley, who saw significant action in a series of sub-packages and scored a rushing touchdown off a keeper in a different look in the red zone.

Indiana’s offense struggled for most of the half despite punching it into the end zone on that initial possession. The team punted three times after short drives and fumbled twice, including once in the red zone, to allow their opponents back into the game and managed just a field goal despite a first and goal situation following a 53 yard catch and run from Ricky Jones.

The Hoosiers did make things interesting late in the second though, getting their own backup quarterback involved as Zander Diamont came in and tossed a perfect touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook from 36 yards out to tie things up.

The Foster Farms Bowl was always one of those postseason games that was pegged as a potential wild one given how the two offenses operate and the fact that both defenses were fairly stout during the year. If both teams can hang onto the ball in the second half, things could get very interesting out in the Bay Area.

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.