KENNESAW, Ga. – Western Michigan senior setter Logan Case recorded the 4,000th assist of her collegiate career in the third set of WMU’s five-set loss (25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 20-25, 15-12) to Mississippi State on Friday at the Kennesaw State Invitational.
FINAL SCORE: Mississippi State 3, Western Michigan 2 LOCATION: KSU Convocation Center (Kennesaw, Ga.) RECORDS: Western Michigan (7-1) | Mississippi State (5-1) Case handed out a season-high 56 assists to become the third Bronco in program history to surpass the 4,000-assist mark, joining Mary Murphy (4,501) and Kris Penza (4,082). The senior also recorded 13 digs for her second double-double of the year. Keona Salesman was the top beneficiary of Case’s assists, as she put down a career-high 23 kills on a .262 hitting percentage. Salesman was joined in double-figures by Anna Calcagno (15 kills) and Maggie King (12). Calcagno added 14 digs to register her team-leading third double-double of the campaign. Defensively, WMU recorded double-digit blocks for the third time this season, notching 10. Mary Clare Brusek led the Broncos up front with a career-high seven rejections (1 solo, 6 assists), while Calcagno chipped in with five block assists. Andelyn Simkins (29) and Mairead Boyle (16) each established new season highs for digs. Western Michigan tallied the first three points of the contest, but Mississippi State responded with 14 of the next 17 points to move ahead, 14-6. MSU kept its advantage at six or more for the remainder of the frame on its way to a 1-0 match lead. The Bulldogs started the second set strong as well, jumping out to a 10-3 edge in the early going. Western Michigan responded with a 9-2 surge to get even at 13-13. MSU countered with the next five points to regain the lead, 18-13. WMU got back to within three a couple of times, but Mississippi State closed out the set with four in a row to go up 2-0 heading into the break. Holding a 12-11 edge in the third set, Western Michigan used a 6-1 stretch to get some breathing room at 18-12. Five consecutive points brought the Bulldogs back to within one, 21-20. At 22-21, the Broncos got back-to-back kills from Salesman, and after MSU got one point back, Calcagno hammered down a kill to give WMU the set and extend the match to a fourth frame. A 6-1 run helped the Broncos turn a one-point deficit into a 13-9 advantage in the fourth set. Mississippi State eventually worked its way back into a tie at 16-16. Western Michigan broke a 17-17 deadlock with four in a row to open up a 21-17 edge. MSU closed the gap to one, 21-20, but the final four points went to WMU, sending the contest into a decisive fifth frame. Leading 6-5 in the fifth set, Mississippi State used a 5-1 run to climb into an 11-6 advantage. Western Michigan struck back with four in a row to shrink the gap to one, 11-10. WMU got to within one again at 12-11 and 13-12, but the Bulldogs notched the final two points of the match to pick up the five-set victory and hand the Broncos their first loss of 2023. Western Michigan continues play at the Kennesaw State Invitational on Saturday afternoon as it takes on Wake Forest. First serve between the Broncos and Demon Deacons is slated for 3 pm. Women’s tennis has three athletes earn ITA preseason rankings MADISON, Wis. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its Division I women's national preseason rankings on Tuesday, as Wisconsin had three Badgers represented on the list.
Maria Sholokhova was the highest-ranked Badger, ranked No. 57 in the singles rankings. She finished 14-8 individually during the 2023 spring season, with a 6-2 record in Big Ten play. All of her matches were played at the No. 2 singles spot, where she claimed three wins against ranked opponents. The UW doubles pairing of Xinyu Cai and Alina Mukhortova was ranked No. 40 in the nation. The Duo went 16-3 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten this past spring. They were 2-1 against ranked opponents. Individually, Cai was ranked 89th in the singles rankings. She had an immaculate record of 17-2 with her only two losses coming in conference play. The majority of her season was played in the fifth spot, ending the year on a three-match win streak. Mukhortova also earned a spot on the singles list, coming in at No. 118. She was 11-8 during the spring season after playing the majority of her matches in the third spot. 
2023 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: VETERAN TOLEDO SQUAD READY FOR CHALLENGESTOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo's 2023 football season will begin with the Rockets carrying a pair of trophies in their arms and a hefty chip on their shoulder.
Toledo went 9-5 in 2022 and won the MAC Championship and the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, the first time a Rocket team has won a league title and a bowl game in the same season in 21 years. However, four of Toledo's five losses in 2022 were by a touchdown or less, leaving the Rockets feeling as though they did not reach their full potential. "We're a long way away from a finished product," said Head Coach Jason Candle, who enters his eighth season as head coach with a 54-32 record. "Everybody starts the season 0-0. We've got to turn the page away from 2022 and continue to create the identity of team 2023. We've got a lot of work to be done between now and when camp opens up on August 2. But we're excited where we're at right now." Toledo returns 16 starters this fall, including seven All-MAC selections. Leading the offense is junior quarterback Dequan Finn, who threw for 23 touchdowns and ran for 631 yards on his way to second-team All-MAC honors. Other All-MAC returners on offense include junior offensive lineman Nick Rosi (first-team) and junior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton (second team). The defense is keyed by a strong secondary that includes junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, a first-team All-MAC selection who also was a second-team All-America pick by Walter Camp in 2022. Senior linebacker Dallas Gant and junior safety Maxen Hook were first-team All-MAC selections in 2022, while senior safety Nate Bauer made the second team. "We have some guys who received some accolades last year, and rightfully so," said Candle. "We had great players on a great team. We'll certainly be leaning on those guys this year. But we've also got some guys we have to replace, like Desjuan Johnson, Dyontae Johnson, Jamal Hines, Jamal Turner. Somebody's got to step up and fill those voids." The Rockets open their 2023 season with a non-conference game at Illinois on Sept. 2, one of seven opponents who played in bowl games in 2022. Toledo returns to the Glass Bowl to play Texas Southern in its home opener on Sept. 9 that is being billed as "The Biggest Party in Toledo." The MAC season opens on Sept. 23 vs. Western Michigan and finishes on the road at Central Michigan on Nov. 24. Candle expects his team to be challenged each and every week. "Our league has been ultra-competitive for decades," said Candle. "So we know what lies ahead. We're looking forward to the challenges that are coming our way." The following is a brief overview of the 2023 Rockets: Offense Toledo returns the bulk of the offense that finished second in the MAC in scoring (31.3), as well as third in rushing yards (177.1) and fourth in passing efficiency (132.97). Leading the way is junior quarterback Dequan Finn, who completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,260 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2022. He was just as dangerous with his legs, rushing for 631 yards and nine scores. Candle thinks that the best is yet to come for Finn. "I think Dequan's development over the last 24 to 30 months here has been really impressive to see," said Candle. "He's always been a guy that his teammates gravitate toward. He has the consistency piece of handling adversity and dealing with some of the issues that come up throughout the season." Behind Finn is sophomore Tucker Gleason, who proved his mettle when Finn was injured. Gleason started in two games, leading the Rockets to a key 27-24 victory over Eastern Michigan by completing 15-of-27 passes for 238 yards and three TDs vs. the Eagles. Redshirt freshman John Alan Richter made major strides in his first season in Midnight Blue and Gold. Freshmen RJ Johnson III and Jacob DeHaan joined the quarterback room this spring, giving the Rockets solid arms in four different classes. Protecting the quarterbacks is an offensive line that came into its own toward the end of the 2022 season despite a number of early-season injuries. Nick Rosi, a junior and a two-time All-MAC pick who is in his sixth season in the program, is the veteran of a line that includes four other returning starters: senior center Devan Rogers, a converted defensive lineman; junior Vinny Sciurry, who started every game at left guard last season; senior Kendall Major, a junior college transfer who saw starting action at center and right guard in 2022; and junior Tyler Long, a starter at center in 2021 who missed all of last season due to injury. Other returnees include junior Justin Stephens, and sophomores Garrett Schwiebert and Tanner Wigand. Transfers Rod Orr (Florida State) and David Nwaogwugwu (Rutgers) are looking to make an immediate impact in 2023. Candle feels like the flexibility of the offensive line could help the Rockets survive any possible injury bug. "The best combination of the best five will ultimately be who we settle in on at the end of preseason camp," said Candle. "I think we will try to cross-train some guys at both guard and tackle to develop as many skills as we can on the offensive front. We want to create depth and have options if adversity does strike again." The receiving corps is deep and talented, led by junior Jerjuan Newton, a second-team All-MAC selection who led the team with 53 receptions, 830 yards receiving and nine TD catches. Another talented target is senior Devin Maddox, who has 108 receptions in his career, including 39 last season. Sophomore Thomas Zsiros (10 receptions) was a part of the regular rotation in 2022 and will battle for a larger role this year. Other returning veterans are senior Adam Beale and sophomore Junior Vandeross. Looking to make an impact after at least a full year in the system are sophomores Dalen Stovall and Elijah Wesley, and redshirt freshman Eric Holley. Sophomore Don Munnerlyn, a 6-5, 220-pound transfer from Rutgers, has the size that could make him a factor this fall. Toledo returns two experienced tight ends, junior Anthony Torres and sophomore Lenny Kühl. Junior Dalton Andrews and freshman CC Ezirim are also in the battle for playing time. At running back, the Rockets return three significant contributors from 2022, as well as some up-and-coming youngsters. Junior Jacquez Stuart, a starter in nine games in 2022, led the team with 770 rushing yards in 2022 and was fourth in the MAC in yards per carry (5.7). Another junior, Peny Boone, was a tough runner in short-yardage situations, gaining 443 yards. Junior Micah Kelly added 398 yards, starting in five games. "Jacquez Stuart played his best football in the last couple of games last season," said Candle. "Peny Boone did a really good job in the spots that we used him in. He has to find ways to continue to be consistent in his play. Micah Kelly has played a lot of football for us. Those are three guys who should be very confident in their ability to go out and play well." Other running backs in the mix are sophomore Willie Shaw and freshman Connor Walendzak, who joined the team in the spring. Defense For the second straight year, the Rockets had one of the best defenses in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo led the league in total defense (326.1), passing yards allowed (183.0) and defensive passing efficiency (112.19) in 2022. The Rockets have four All-MAC honorees among their seven returning starters on defense from last year. "Last year, we did a really good job of shutting down the other teams' passing attacks," said Candle. "Part of that is a good solid pass rush but, for the most part, a great pass defense doesn't make mistakes and doesn't have communication errors." The deepest area on the Rockets' defense is the secondary. Junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had a breakout season in 2022, leading the nation with 25 passes defended (five interceptions, 20 pass breakups) and making the Walter Camp (second team) and Associated Press (third team) All-America teams. Mitchell gained national prominence when he intercepted four passes, including two pick-sixes, against Northern Illinois on Oct. 8. Joining Mitchell at cornerback is senior Chris McDonald, a two-year starter who has three interceptions and 24 pass breakups in his career. Juniors RJ Delancy III (23 tackles, three breakups) and Andre Fuller (18 tackles, three breakups), as well as sophomore Nasir Bowers (10 tackles), all saw regular action at the corner in 2022. Toledo is blessed with three veteran safeties, including two who have earned All-MAC honors twice in their careers, senior Nate Bauer and junior Maxen Hook. Hook, a first-team all-league pick in 2022, totaled 81 tackles and four pass breakups in 2022, while Bauer had 61 tackles and broke up four passes on his way to second-team accolades. Senior Zachary Ford (58 tackles, six breakups) has been a regular in the secondary for the past three seasons. Florida A & M Coach Willie Powell suspends program over unauthorized rap video- Tweet and story below |
TOLEDO COMPILES 26-10 RECORD IN FIRST FALL TOURNAMENTBOWLIN GREEN, Ohio - The Toledo women's tennis team took the court this weekend for the first time this fall at Bowling Green's Dynamic Dual Fall Invitational. The Rockets combined for a 26-10 record in singles and doubles play, led by senior Cassie Alcala and Gaby Rondon both going undefeated in singles and doubles play.
"I am proud of the way Cassie Alcala and Gaby Rondon performed this weekend," head coach Tracy Mauntler said. "Cassie trained and competed a lot this summer and it shows. She's picking up right where she left off last year. Gaby is an incredibly mature competitor for a freshman. I've been so impressed by the way she practices, and this weekend she showed me what she's capable of this season." All four of Tracy Mauntler's newest Rockets earned their first wins on the opening day of the invitational on Friday. Rondon teamed with Alcala in doubles for a victory and posted a two-set sweep against Youngstown State's Maria Oliveria. Alcala and Rondon ended the weekend with 4-0 records in singles and doubles. Freshman Jone Ibanez registered a huge win over Miami's Cathering Denysiewicz-Slowek in a three-set super tiebreaker. Sophomore Natasha Opaciuch earned a two-set victory over Niagara's Jaida Borg. Ibanez ended the weekend with a combined 4-2 record. Sophomore Audrey Moutama teamed up with senior Julia Kuszynski for a 1-2 doubles record and posted a 2-1 singles record. Opaciuch shared a court with senior Shalini Tallamraju and earned a 2-1 doubles record and an individual 2-1 record for the weekend. Over three days, the Rockets went head-to-head with familiar foes from Miami, Bowling Green, DePaul, and Youngstown State. Niagara and the University of Northwestern Ohio were also among the teams competing at Keefe Courts. Toledo will be back in action when it sends a select group to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) on Thursday-Monday, Oct. 12-16 in East Lansing, Mich. BGSU Dynamic Dup Fall Invitational Bowling Green, Ohio | Friday-Sunday, Sept. 15-17 Keefe Courts Toledo Results Cassie Alcala/Gaby Rondon (TOL) def. Maria Oliveria/Julia Marko (YSU) 8-5 Alcala/Rondon (TOL) def. Eleanor Nobbs/Eva Goncharov (DePaul) 8-4 Alcala/Rondon (TOL) def. Gret Carbons/Hannah Smith (DePaul) 8-3 Alcala/Rondon (TOL) def. Moria Elle/Olivia Czerwonka (Valpo) 8-5 Cassie Alcala (TOL) def. Julia Marko (YSU) 7-5, 6-2 Alcala (TOL) def. Eleanor Nobbs (DePaul) 6-4, 5-7, 10-8 Alcala (TOL) def. Greta Carbons (DePaul) 6-2, 6-4 Alcala (TOL) def. Moria Elle (Valpo) 6-2, 6-1 Gaby Rondon (TOL) def. Maria Oliveria (YSU) 6-0, 6-0 Rondon (TOL) vs. Eva Gonchatov (DePaul) 6-4, 6-4 Rondon (TOL) def. Hannah Smith (DePaul) 7-5, 6-3 Rondon (TOL) def. Olivia Czerwonka (Valpo) 6-2, 6-2 Hanna Smith/Greta Carbbone (DePaul) def. Julia Kuszynski/Audrey Moutama (TOL) 8-4 Kuszynski/Moutama (TOL) def. Mercedes Velasco/Enrica Favaron (NU) 8-1 Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek/Sarah Dev (MU) def. Kuszynsk/ Moutama (TOL) 8-2 Greta Carbbone (DePaul) def. Julia Kuszynski (TOL) 6-3, 7-5 Kuszynski (TOL) def. Mercedes Velasco (NU) 6-3, 6-2 Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek (MU) def. Kuszynski (TOL) 7-6(3), 6-4 Hanna Smith (DePaul) def. Audrey Moutama (TOL) 7-5, 7-6(5) Moutama (TOL) def. Enrica Favaron (NU) 6-0, 6-3 Moutama (TOL) def. Sarah Dev (MU) 7-5, 6-2 Jone Ibanez (TOL)/Mayya Perova (DePaul) def. Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek/Lauren Joyce (MU) 8-4 Ibanez (TOL)/Perova (DeP) def. Ana Cetina/Neo Mafuyeka (UNOH) walkover Greta Carbone/Hannah Smith (DePaul) def. Ibanez (TOL)/Perova (DePaul) 8-3 Jone Ibanez (TOL) def. Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek (MU) 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 Ibanez (TOL) def. Ana Cetina (UNOH) 6-3, 6-4 Greta Carbone (DePaul) def. Ibanez (TOL) vs. 6-3, 6-3 Shalini Tallamraju/Natasha Opaciuch (TOL) def. Elena Mayet/Jaida Borg (NU) 8-6 Tallamraju/Opaciuch (TOL) def. Mia Bertino/Jolene Fernandes (Valpo) 8-2 Moria Elle/Olivia Czerwonka (Valpo) def. Tallamraju/Opaciuch (TOL) 8-2 Shalini Tallamraju (TOL) def. Maria Elena Mayet (NU) 6-3, 6-1 Tallamraju (TOL) vs. Mia Bertino (Valpo) 6-3, 6-3 Moria Elle (Valpo) def. Tallamraju (TOL) 6-3, 6-3 Natasha Opaciuch (TOL) def. Jaida Borg (NU) 6-2, 6-3 Opaciuch (TOL) def. Jolene Fernandes (Valpo) 6-0, 4-6, 10-3 Olivia Czerwonka (Valpo) def. Opaciuch (TOL) 6-1, 6-1 
TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo women's tennis team will begin the fall portion of its 2023-24 schedule, sending a select group to the Bowling Green State University Dynamic Duos Fall Invitational on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 15-17 in Bowling Green, Ohio.
This weekend's competition is the first of four tournaments for the 2023 Mid-American Conference regular season champion Rockets. 2023 MAC Women's Coach of the Year Tracy Mauntler returns for her 21st season along with senior Cassie Alcala and 5th-year senior Sloane Teske. Alcala is a two-time MAC Player of the Year Cassie, while Teske is a returning three-time all-MAC honoree. Toledo finished its historic 2023 season with a program-record 20-4 overall mark, an undefeated 10-0 league record, and multiple Intercollegiate Tennis Association team and individual rankings. UT ended the season ranked No. 71 in the National Poll, No. 17 in the Mid-Major team rankings, and No. 7 in the Midwest Region. In the Individual ITA Singles rankings for the Midwest Region, Alcala and Shalini Tallamraju were ranked No. 16 and No. 20, respectively. Alcala and Teske are joined by seniors Shalini Tallamraju and Julia Kuszynski, and sophomore Sanjana Tallamraju, who were also on the MAC Championship team last season. Taking the court for the first time in a Toledo uniform this fall are transfers Audrey Moutama and Natasha Opaciuch, and freshmen Jone Ibanez and Gaby Rondon. The last time the UT and Bowling Green took the court together was when the Rockets swept the Falcons 7-0 in the final match of the 2023 regular season on April 23, which clinched the outright title of regular season title for Toledo. Following this weekend, Toledo will send a select group of women to compete at the ITA Midwest Regionals in East Lansing, Mich. on Oct. 12-16. The Rockets will host their annual Rocket Indoor Invitational at Twos Athletic Club on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28. UT will close out its fall slate back in East Lansing, Mich. on Friday-Saturday, No. 3-5 at Michigan State's Hidden Dual. Big Ten Announces Football Preseason Honors
Nine returning All-Big Ten selections highlight this year’s list 
2023-24 BIG TEN HOCKEY SCHEDULE
Friday October 20 Ohio State at Michigan Saturday October 21 Ohio State at Michigan Thursday October 26 Wisconsin at Minnesota Friday October 27 Wisconsin at Minnesota Friday November 3 Michigan at Wisconsin Friday November 3 Michigan State at Ohio State Saturday November 4 Michigan at Wisconsin Saturday November 4 Michigan State at Ohio State Saturday November 4 Notre Dame at Penn State Sunday November 5 Notre Dame at Penn State Friday November 10 Minnesota at Michigan Friday November 10 Penn State at Michigan State Friday November 10 Ohio State at Notre Dame Saturday November 11 Minnesota at Michigan Saturday November 11 Penn State at Michigan State Saturday November 11 Ohio State at Notre Dame Friday November 17 Penn State at Michigan Friday November 17 Wisconsin at Michigan State Friday November 17 Notre Dame at Minnesota Saturday November 18 Penn State at Michigan Saturday November 18 Wisconsin at Michigan State Saturday November 18 Notre Dame at Minnesota Friday November 24 Michigan State at Minnesota Sunday November 26 Michigan State at Minnesota Friday December 1 Michigan at Notre Dame Friday December 1 Minnesota at Penn State Friday December 1 Ohio State at Wisconsin Saturday December 2 Michigan at Notre Dame Saturday December 2 Minnesota at Penn State Saturday December 2 Ohio State at Wisconsin Friday December 8 Notre Dame at Michigan State Friday December 8 Minnesota at Ohio State Friday December 8 Penn State at Wisconsin Saturday December 9 Notre Dame at Michigan State Saturday December 9 Minnesota at Ohio State Saturday December 9 Penn State at Wisconsin Friday January 5 Wisconsin at Notre Dame Saturday January 6 Wisconsin at Notre Dame Friday January 12 Michigan State at Penn State Friday January 12 Notre Dame at Ohio State Saturday January 13 Michigan State at Penn State Saturday January 13 Notre Dame at Ohio State Friday January 19 Michigan at Michigan State Friday January 19 Ohio State at Minnesota Friday January 19 Penn State at Notre Dame Saturday January 20 Michigan State at Michigan Saturday January 20 Ohio State at Minnesota Saturday January 20 Penn State at Notre Dame Friday January 26 Wisconsin at Michigan Friday January 26 Minnesota at Michigan State Friday January 26 Ohio State at Penn State Saturday January 27 Wisconsin at Michigan Saturday January 27 Minnesota at Michigan State Saturday January 27 Ohio State at Penn State Friday February 2 Michigan at Ohio State Friday February 2 Michigan State at Notre Dame Friday February 2 Minnesota at Wisconsin Saturday February 3 Michigan at Ohio State Saturday February 3 Michigan State at Notre Dame Saturday February 3 Minnesota at Wisconsin Friday February 9 Michigan State at Michigan Friday February 9 Penn State at Minnesota Friday February 9 Notre Dame at Wisconsin Saturday February 10 Michigan vs. Michigan State (Little Caesars Arena, Detroit) Saturday February 10 Penn State at Minnesota Saturday February 10 Notre Dame at Wisconsin Friday February 16 Michigan at Penn State Friday February 16 Minnesota at Notre Dame Friday February 16 Wisconsin at Ohio State Saturday February 17 Michigan at Penn State Saturday February 17 Minnesota at Notre Dame Saturday February 17 Wisconsin at Ohio State Friday February 23 Notre Dame at Michigan Friday February 23 Ohio State at Michigan State Friday February 23 Wisconsin at Penn State Saturday February 24 Notre Dame at Michigan Saturday February 24 Ohio State at Michigan State Saturday February 24 Wisconsin at Penn State Friday March 1 Michigan at Minnesota Friday March 1 Michigan State at Wisconsin Friday March 1 Penn State at Ohio State Saturday March 2 Michigan at Minnesota Saturday March 2 Michigan State at Wisconsin Saturday March 2 Penn State at Ohio State Friday-Sunday March 8-10 Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals (best-of-three) Saturday March 16 Big Ten Tournament Semifinals Saturday March 23 Big Ten Tournament Championship Game |
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Florida A&M University football coach Willie Simmons has suspended “all football related activities” after an unauthorized music video was shot inside the locker room, he said Friday on Twitter.
Simmons said the video “contained graphic language that is not consistent with Florida A&M’s core values, principles and beliefs.” The video also involved the use of “licensed apparel” that might violate the Tallahassee university’s branding and licensing agreements. “It is a privilege to wear the Orange and Green and as a football program, our young men have failed to live up to the standards set before us,” Simmons said. “They will all learn from this mishap and we will continue to work hard every day to become the best version of ourselves and continue to make Rattler Nation Proud.” Simmons suspended football activity “until further notice.” He didn’t name the musician who appeared in the video. On Friday, rapper Real Boston Richey posted a music video for his song “Send a Blitz” on YouTube. sic at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida,. |
ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced its 2023 football preseason honors on Wednesday ahead of the start of Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium. A media panel selected the 10-member preseason list, with five representatives each from the East and West Divisions.
The East Division list highlighted by a pair of returning consensus All-Americans in Michigan’s Blake Corum and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. Corum and Harrison Jr. were joined on this year’s preseason East Division squad by Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, Wolverine quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Penn State offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Four different schools placed students on the West Division preseason list, led by two representatives from Minnesota in tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford and defensive back Tyler Nubin. They were joined on the list by Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean and Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen. The 2023 Big Ten preseason honors list features two recipients of conference individual awards from a season ago in Corum (Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year) and Harrison Jr. (Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year). Corum, Harrison Jr., and Newton were also 2022 first-team All-Big Ten selections, joining second-team selections Allen, DeJean, Fashanu, Nubin and Tagovailoa, as well as third-team honoree McCarthy. Nine of this year’s Big Ten preseason honorees — Allen, Corum, DeJean, Fashanu, Harrison Jr., Newton, Nubin, Spann-Ford, Tagovailoa — are scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days this week in Indianapolis. The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows: EAST Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland Blake Corum, RB, Michigan J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State WEST Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota Tyler Nubin, DB, Minnesota Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin |
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The NCAA Changes rules of transfer portal |
Story by James Parks •
The transfer portal has forever changed college football and how schools create their rosters, and now the NCAA has brought in another new change.
While players going into the portal for the first time will still be able to get immediate eligibility at their next school, the NCAA is trying to stop players from entering the transfer portal multiple times.
What's new: The NCAA Division I Council approved legislation to limit waivers for second-time transfer players. Now, any undergraduates who transfer a second time, or any other time after that, must meet specific guidelines in order to be eligible for immediate playing time starting with the 2023-24 season or risk sitting out a year between transfers.
With exceptions: Under the new rule, players can still get immediate eligibility at their next school if they are transferring due to a physical injury or mental health concern.
Exigent circumstances: And the NCAA will also consider "exigent circumstances" like abuse or sexual assault, but will not consider academic or athletic reasons, like being unsatisfied with playing time on their team.
The rule in action: As an example, this new rule would have affected the career trajectory of quarterback JT Daniels. The former 5-star played at USC (2018-19) then at Georgia (2020-21) and then West Virginia (2022) before moving to Rice. Had this rule been in place, Daniels would have needed to graduate between each of his other two transfers or sit out and use up a year of eligibility.
Undergrads only: The new rule applies only to undergraduates and not graduates, who are still eligible to play immediately should they transfer.
The transfer portal has forever changed college football and how schools create their rosters, and now the NCAA has brought in another new change.
While players going into the portal for the first time will still be able to get immediate eligibility at their next school, the NCAA is trying to stop players from entering the transfer portal multiple times.
What's new: The NCAA Division I Council approved legislation to limit waivers for second-time transfer players. Now, any undergraduates who transfer a second time, or any other time after that, must meet specific guidelines in order to be eligible for immediate playing time starting with the 2023-24 season or risk sitting out a year between transfers.
With exceptions: Under the new rule, players can still get immediate eligibility at their next school if they are transferring due to a physical injury or mental health concern.
Exigent circumstances: And the NCAA will also consider "exigent circumstances" like abuse or sexual assault, but will not consider academic or athletic reasons, like being unsatisfied with playing time on their team.
- In recent years, the NCAA has granted waivers for immediate eligibility for football, basketball, and baseball transfers, but will now recommend against that for players who have transferred once during their college careers.
The rule in action: As an example, this new rule would have affected the career trajectory of quarterback JT Daniels. The former 5-star played at USC (2018-19) then at Georgia (2020-21) and then West Virginia (2022) before moving to Rice. Had this rule been in place, Daniels would have needed to graduate between each of his other two transfers or sit out and use up a year of eligibility.
Undergrads only: The new rule applies only to undergraduates and not graduates, who are still eligible to play immediately should they transfer.
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TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo sophomore Dennis Mutai was named Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week by the Mid-American Conference for his performance last Saturday at the Indiana State John McNichols Invitational.
Mutai won the men's 8K race with a time of 24:17.7, nearly 10 seconds ahead of the second-place runner from Louisville. He led the Toledo men's team to a runner-up finish in a field of 19 teams. This was Mutai's first individual win as a Rocket and his first conference weekly honor. Toledo's strong finish moved it up to a No. 9 ranking in the NCAA DI Great Lakes Region Illinois Earns Men’s Golfer of the Week Honor
Illini’s Adrien Dumont de Chassart claims weekly accolades after recording runner-up finish at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invite Golfer of the Week Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Illinois Sr. – Villers la Ville, Belgium – College Du Christ Roi
To say this week’s Big Ten Conference volleyball schedule is loaded would be a significant understatement. Big Ten teams will compete in no fewer than nine head-to-head Top 25 matches through next Tuesday, including three top-10 contests and two others involving No. 11 Stanford. The Big Ten also will participate in two conference challenges this weekend, taking on the Pac-12 at Minnesota’s Maturi Pavilion, and facing the ACC in Chapel Hill and Durham, N.C. During the next two weeks, a pair of Big Ten programs will take the floor in matches that could challenge the NCAA regular-season single-match attendance record. No. 2 Nebraska travels to Omaha on Wednesday night (6 p.m. ET on FS1) to take on No. 17 Creighton at the 17,000-seat CHI Health Center, which is not only the site of this year’s NCAA Final Four, but also where the current NCAA attendance record was set in a match between the same two schools (14,022 on Sept. 6, 2018). On Sept. 16, No. 6 Wisconsin will take a swing at the record when it plays host to No. 16 Florida at the Kohl Center (which also seats approximately 17,000). The Badgers can not only top the overall NCAA regular season single-match attendance record, but also the mark for a campus facility (13,870 - UCLA at Nebraska on Sept. 13, 2009). Two Big Ten student-athletes could reach personal milestones this weekend. Nebraska senior outside hitter Madi Kubik is 18 kills shy of becoming the fourth active Big Ten player with 1,000 career kills. Also, Northwestern fifth-year libero Megan Miller needs eight digs to be the fifth active Big Ten player with 1,000 career digs. Coincidentally, Kubik and Miller were teammates at Nebraska in 2019 (helping the Huskers reach the NCAA Elite Eight) before Miller transferred to Northwestern the following year. Ohio State etched a spot in program history last Sunday with its 3-1 victory at then-No. 3 Louisville. Not only did it snap the Cardinals’ 24-match home winning streak, but it was also the highest-ranked non-conference opponent the Buckeyes have ever defeated. OSU is in the midst of a remarkably difficult non-conference schedule that has seen the Buckeyes already play four top-15 opponents (No. 2 Texas twice, No. 3 Louisville and No. 15 San Diego), with matches against No. 10 BYU and at No. 5 Georgia Tech on tap this weekend (followed by a trip to Pittsburgh next weekend to meet Tennessee and the host/seventh-ranked Panthers). The Big Ten continues to lead the nation with a cumulative .770 non-conference winning percentage (57-17 record) this season. Michigan State and Northwestern are off to 6-0 starts, their best debuts since both opened similarly in 2012. Meanwhile, Michigan and Purdue are also 6-0 for the first time since they did likewise in 2018. Through the opening two weeks of the season, Maryland leads the nation in blocks (3.52/set), while Nebraska is tops in opponent hitting percentage (.077) and Northwestern in second nationally with a .332 hitting percentage. Individually, Michigan’s Jess Robinson is No. 1 in the land with a .568 hitting percentage, while Maryland’s Rainelle Jones is first in the nation with 2.21 blocks/set (the only player in the country averaging better than two blocks per set). Michigan State fired 17 service aces in its 3-1 win at Navy on Sept. 2. It was the most aces by a Big Ten squad since April 3, 2021, when Rutgers also recorded 17 aces on the road at MSU. For the third consecutive week, the Big Ten leads all conferences with exactly half (7) of its teams ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. Nebraska is currently ranked No. 2 (earning six first-place votes), with Minnesota up to No. 3 and Wisconsin steady at No. 6. Ohio State is holding at No. 8, with Purdue rising to No. 9, Penn State jumping to No. 20 and Illinois at No. 25. Once more, Michigan is receiving votes in the coaches’ poll. The Big Ten has announced the most robust volleyball television package in its history with a record-setting 55 matches scheduled for linear television coverage (47 on Big Ten Network, six on ESPN2/ESPNU, two on FS1), with the possibility of further broadcasts to be announced at a later date. In addition, all non-televised Big Ten volleyball home matches are scheduled to be broadcast live on B1G+, the Big Ten Network’s subscription streaming service (bigtenplus.com). On Aug. 1, the Big Ten Network announced a groundbreaking, multi-year distribution partnership with Volleyball World that will enhance the promotion and coverage of Big Ten Conference volleyball across the globe. As part of that agreement, 70+ Big Ten volleyball matches will appear worldwide on VolleyballWorld.tv. There will also be live streaming of nearly 50 televised Big Ten Network volleyball matches outside of North America and certain Caribbean islands, as well as worldwide streaming of an additional 28 matches from B1G+ inventory, with those matches airing concurrently on B1G+. For the 16th consecutive season, Big Ten volleyball honored more than 70 Academic All-Big Ten standouts in 2021, as a record-setting 153 volleyball student-athletes were recognized, including a pair of Academic All-America selections in first-team honoree Sydney Hilley (Wisconsin) and second-team choice Diana Brown (Illinois).Big Ten Announces Women’s Basketball Conference Schedule Ohio State begins its conference season on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Rutgers.COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Big Ten Conference announced the 2022-23 conference schedule for women’s basketball on Wednesday. The Buckeyes open conference play on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Rutgers. View the full 2022 schedule HERE.
Ohio State’s home opener for Big Ten play is against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 11. Other December Big Ten games include at Northwestern (Dec. 28) and home against Michigan on New Year’s Eve. The Buckeyes open 2023 at Minnesota on Thursday, Jan. 5. Other road games include Nebraska (Jan. 14), Indiana (Jan. 26), Wisconsin (Feb. 1), Maryland (Feb. 5), Penn State (Feb. 16) and Michigan (Feb. 20). Ohio State hosts Illinois (Jan. 8), Northwestern (Jan. 19), Iowa (Jan. 23), Purdue (Jan. 29), Minnesota (Feb. 8), Indiana (Feb. 13) and Maryland in the regular-season finale on Saturday, Feb. 25. Tip times and the television schedule will be announced by the Big Ten Conference on a later date. Illinois and Northwestern Earn First Weekly Honors of the Season
Illini’s Brown, along with Wildcats’ Akers, Hilinski and Mitchell garner accolades Co-Offensive Players of the Week
Chase Brown, Illinois RB – Jr. – London, Ontario – St. Stephens Episcopal (Fla.)
QB – Jr. – Orange, Calif. – Orange Lutheran
Defensive Player of the Week Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern CB – Jr. – Bolingbrook, Ill. – Bolingbrook
Luke Akers, Northwestern P – Jr. – Nashville, Tenn. – Ravenwood
MAC Media Interviews
Toledo Head Coach Jason Candle on Offensive football
MAC:BSU Cardinals QB Drew Plitt looks to repeat in 2021 |
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Toledo women's soccer team closed out its non-conference schedule with a 5-0 loss to Arizona State Sunday evening. The Rockets are now 1-4-2 heading into conference play this week.
Arizona State struck early with a goal at the 10th-minute of play and added one more just before halftime to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room. The Sun Devils added three more goals and the Rockets could not overcome the deficit. Goals and Key Moments
Toledo will open Mid-American Conference play at I-75 rival Bowling Green on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Anders Named to the Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University inside linebacker Darren Anders been named to the 2022 Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, announced the Maxwell Club on Monday (Aug. 1). He is one of five players from the MAC on the list of 90 college football players. The Maxwell Club presents the award annually to the nation's best defensive player.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense. Anders (North Olmsted, Ohio), who has also been named on the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy Watch Lists, was a 2021 first-team All-MAC linebacker, finishing last season No. 1 in the MAC and No. 8 in the nation with 10.3 tackles per game. Anders was one of three players in all of FBS over the last two seasons to rank in the top-15 nationally in tackles and is the only one who returns to CFB in 2022. He was also one of three FBS players in 2021 with 120+ tackles, 3.0+ sacks, 1+ fumbles recovered and 1+ interceptions (one of two through the regular season) and the only one returning to CFB in 2022. Anders has been named a preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. Anders is the first Falcon since Austin Valdez in 2016 to be named to the Bednarik Watch List. CJ Brown (NIU), Jamal Hines (Toledo), James Patterson (Buffalo) and Jose Ramirez (Eastern Michigan) are the other MAC players that join Anders on the preseason watch list. Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 1, 2022, while the three finalists for the award will be unveiled Nov. 22, 2022. The winners of the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 8, 2022. The formal presentation of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards live from Atlantic City, N.J. on March 10, 2023. MAC Commissioner DR. JON STEINBRECHER
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