Ex-Oklahoma QB Rattler commits to South Carolina, Beamer

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COLUMBIA, S.C.- Highly touted quarterback Spencer Rattler will try to restart his college career with South Carolina in a major acquisition for Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer.

Rattler, who threw for 28 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman for Oklahoma in 2020 before losing his starting job with the Sooners this season, tweeted Monday night that he had committed to the Gamecocks. The post showed Rattler in a South Carolina uniform with the Gamecocks’ logo in the background with the words, “COMMITTED.”

“Excited for the next chapter,” Rattler’s post said.

South Carolina went 6-6 this year, its first season under Beamer, who spent three years at Oklahoma under former coach Lincoln Riley as assistant head coach for offense.

The 6-foot-1 Rattler was considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy before the 2021 season began. But Caleb Williams supplanted him as the starter, and Rattler said he was leaving the program when the year ended.

Riley left the Sooners, too, taking the coaching job at Southern California.

Rattler played in nine games this season, completing 140 of 187 passes for 1,483 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He threw for 3,031 yards in 2020 as the Sooners finished 9-2.

One of Rattler’s targets at Oklahoma, tight end Austin Stogner, also tweeted he was heading to South Carolina. Stogner’s post looked similar to Rattler’s, and added, “Let’s roll.”

Stogner is 6-foot-6 junior from Plano, Texas, who had 14 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns. His best season with the Sooners was in 2020 when he had 26 receptions for 422 yards and three TDs.

Former Navy coach Niumatalolo joins UCLA staff

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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

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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.