On Monday,  December 1, UCLA announced the hiring of Bob Chesney to be the next Head Coach of the UCLA football program.

Chesney is currently coaching James Madison University, leading the Dukes to a phenomenal 11-1 record this season. He has a reputation for quickly turning the program around in a hurry.

After a disastrous 3-9 mark, firing former Head Coach DeShaun Foster early in the season and uncertainty surrounding their future at the Rose Bowl- the Bruins are banking on Chesney revamping the team and inspiring hope.

Since 2018, UCLA has only had three winning seasons, and it hasn’t won 10 games since 2014. The Bruins also haven’t won a conference title in the 21st century.

Once Chesney’s hiring is finalized, UCLA gets a coach with a consistent track record of winning, as athletic director Martin Jarmond and the UCLA search committee quickly began the arduous process.

Chesney, a Pennsylvania native, brings a background as an assistant coach on both defense and special teams. He has also developed a reputation as a turnaround artist, as he has resuscitated struggling programs at Division III Salve, and turned FCS Holy Cross into a high-level winner.

Along with being 20-5 at JMU, he’s 131-51 overall as a college head coach over 16 seasons.

“He had an appreciation for UCLA, the academics and the Big Ten,” said a source familiar with the process. “He also had a detailed plan on how to turn the program around.”

Searching for the Bruins next head coach involved a special comitee looking to find the leader to spearhead this iconic school.

The committee viewed Chesney’s background through small college football and his knack of turning around programs as positives. Since arriving in the Big Ten, UCLA is 8-16 overall, bringing about a wake-up call that more investment is needed.

Welcome to UCLA coach Chesney.

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Herbert threw touchdown passes to Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, and Kimani Vidal made a 59-yard scoring run during a 31-14 victory over the spiraling Las Vegas Raiders.

Kimani Vidal rushed for a career-high 126 yards for the Chargers (8-4), who snapped back from an embarrassing loss at Jacksonville and won for their fourth win in five games to keep pressure on the Denver Broncos atop the AFC West. Los Angeles improved to 4-0 in the division.

Herbert underwent surgery on  Monday for the unspecified broken bone on the back of his left hand, but he is optimistic he won’t miss any playing time down the stretch.

Herbert is a warrior who despises missing any time on the field. “I did my best to go out there and take care of business, and I thought we ran the ball really well, so it was really cool to see,” Herbert said. “I’m treating it as if I’m playing (next) Monday.”

Although Herbert remains positive he won’t miss any time, it still is a broken left hand. Every athlete always wants to suit up regardless of the injury, which is admirable.

The question Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh will have to answer is who is going to start? Chargers backup Quarterback Trey Lance has found a home with the Bolts, after not living up to expectations as the Forty Niners QB.

Lance has matured annd improved,  he possesses the  ability to be a reliable backup.

Next week, the Los Angeles Chargers host the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Philadelphia Eagles at Sofi Stadium on Monday Night Football.

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UCLA held a 10-7 lead at the end of the first half, behind a stout Bruins defense, while controlling the second half, blanking the Bruins 22-0 in the final half of the season.

USC Jayden Maiava finished with 257 passing yards and two touchdowns.  Quarterback Nico Iamaleava had 200 passing yards and a touchdown pass.

The win is USC’s second consecutive against its rival, the first time it has won back-to-back contests in the series since 2019-20. USC finishes the regular season 9-3.

Wheras UCLA finishes with an opposite 3-9 record, a disappointing end to a terrible season. It’s the second straight losing season for the   Bruins,  who now turn their attention to hiring a new coach for 2026.

“That was a fun night in the Coliseum right there. Another phenomenal atmosphere,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said.

“One of the things we talked about earlier in the season with this team was protecting our home, and there’s two parts of that. It’s one, that us as a program, playing well at home. And then the flip side of that is the Coliseum lit up like it was tonight.”

Unfortunately for the Trojans, they will not be appearing in the College Football Playoff this season. The game against Oregon was in essence a playoff contest, where USC  lost two weeks ago.

USC Running back King Miller rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for the Trojans.

The second half is really where things started to break down. With momentum fully on their side- Nico Iamaleava and  the Bruins squandered , their opening drives in the second half

Compounding matters, Lamaleava took a sack on a critical third down. This knocked the Bruins out of field goal range in the third quarter.

A UCLA potential comeback was derailed by a series of penalties, primarily false starts that cost UCLA dearly.

It is rumored that USC will be playing in the Alamo Bowl, while UCLA begins it search for their next head coach.

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Family,  friends and football, it doesn’t get any more American than that. This year’s slate of holiday football offered intriguing matchups.

First, a division showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. Packers Quarterback Jordan Love threw four touchdown passes,  leading Green Bay to a crucial 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay went 3 of 3 on fourth down — scoring twice to seal the win — and the Lions turned it over on downs two times when they went for it.

The Packers (8-3-1) swept the season series to earn a potential tiebreaker in the NFC North and are in second place in the division behind Chicago (8-3), which plays at Philadelphia on Friday.

The two-time defending division champion Lions (7-5) entered the game fighting for s playoff spot , then fell further back in the hunt with a third loss in five games.

Up next, it was the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Dallas Cowboys.  This was certainly the most highly anticipated game of the day.  With both teams clinging to slim playoff hopes, a loss would basically eliminate the loser from playoff contention.

Unfortunately,  that team would be the Kansas City Chiefs, as the Dallas Cowboys won their third game in a row, 31-28.

Each respective Quarterback,  the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott  were sensational on the afternoon.

And fans of, “America’s Team” rejoiced.

The primetime game featured the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Baltimore Ravens. Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow returned after a lengthy absence.He certainly did not disappoint, as he led the Bengals to a lopsided, upset victory, 32-14. The final score was not indicative of how much the Bengals dominated this game.

After each game the post game included the famous “Turducken”, made famous by the legendary coach and announcer John Madden. It consists of basically a chicken stuffed into a duck then stuffed inside a turkey.

After the Bengal game it was an amusing site watching the victors eat their massive Thanksgiving dinner. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day of Thanksgiving football.

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At a mark of (9-2), Los Angeles sheer domination has them standing alone atop the NFC as the NO. 1 Seed, as well as a favorite to reach Super Bowl LX. Stafford has emerged as the MVP front runner, he completed 25 of his 35 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

In what was supposed to be a potential playoff preview between two NFC division leaders,  it proved to be a blowout from the kickoff.

After forcing Tampa Bay to punt on its opening possession, the Rams proceeded to march 80 yards down the field and cap off a 10-play drive with a Stafford touchdown pass to Davante Adams.

That was the first of two touchdowns for the duo in the opening half, while Stafford piled up three scores through the air overall.

Not to be overshadowed, the defense also got in on the fun. In the first quarter, corner Cobie Durant ripped the football away from tight end Cade Otton and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.

Rams- Super Bowl bound? After the 34-7 mauling of Baker Mayfield and the Bucs-this team has the look. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles blowing a 21-point lead to the Dallas Cowboys earlier on Sunday, has boosted Los Angeles to the top spot in the NFC coming out of Week 12.

Bucs Quarterback Baker Mayfield was knocked out of the game after he suffered a left shoulder injury in the first half, and would not return  in the deflating loss. Dropping their third loss in a row,  the Bucs record is (6-5) while there playoff prospects are in jeopardy in a congested NFC.

Stafford is the betting favorite to win NFL MVP, and it’s easy to see why. The Rams quarterback began the night completing his first 12 pass attempts, which allowed Los Angeles to easily build up a lead over the Bucs.

Incluiding a brilliant no-look TD pass to Tight End Colby Parkinson.  The “MVP!” chants were loud and present at SoFi Stadium as Matthew Stafford was putting on the full display of what has turned his 17th NFL season into his best yet.

Hands down the play  of the night belongs to Rams Defensive Back Cobie Durant.

Durant ripped the ball away from Otton. As Otton bobbled the ball when trying to make the catch, the Rams corner was able to get his hands in there and rip it away. Durant then had a relatively easy lane to the end zone for a 50-yard pick six, which was more like a rip six.

This was Durant’s second career interception return for a touchdown. A relentless defense is what the Rams have displayed all season.

It seems as if we have finally found our kicker. Harrison Mevis is now 13-for-13 on extra points, and he got to try his first two field goal attempts and knocked those through from 40 and 52 yards.

The Rams run of winning six games in a row will be tested, heading to Carolina to face the Panthers in Week 13.

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The Bruins (3-8, 3-5) lost their fourth in a row, tying their season-worst skid, while playing what could have been their final regular-season game at the historic Rose Bowl because of an ugly battle  between the university and the City of Pasadena involving UCLA’s lease.

The Huskies (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) won their second game in a row for the first time since early October. It was their second win at the Rose Bowl in 30 years, having gone 1-9 in their previous 10 games.

The Huskies had red roses on their pillows Friday night.

“We made the game big,” coach Jedd Fisch said. “We let them know we’re going to the Rose Bowl, we’re going to go win this thing. These guys didn’t think it was too big for them. They’re just getting better and better and better.”

UCLA will be moving to SoFi Stadium,  its not a matter of if, but when.  It was a highly  disappointing, and an  uninspired effort by the Bruins once again.

“It’s a big-time venue,” UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper said. “The main thing is just the aura of being in here and the field and all that good stuff.

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava returned after missing last week’s blowout loss at No. 1 Ohio State while in concussion protocol only to get hurt in the third quarter. He was sacked for a 15-yard loss by Bryce Butler with the Bruins trailing 27-0.

Lamaleava was knocked out of the game with a concussion. His status remains uncertain for USC next week.

UCLA’s Cash Peterman ran for a 3-yard loss and fumbled at the Washington 41. A botched fake field goal attempt by the Bruins led to McLaughlin recovering the ball and returning it for a TD, extending the Huskies’ lead to 20-0 in the second quarter.

In the second half, thousands of dissatisfied Bruins fans headed towards the aisles, leaving around 1,000 Washington fans to celabrate.

Where do the Bruins go from here?

The university is searching for a new head coach and is mired in legal action over the Bruins potentially leaving the Rose Bowl after 43 years to play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood next season. Skipper will likely not be hired permanently.

UCLA visits No. 16 USC in their rivalry game to end the season.

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The Rams just love facing Sam Darnold. Last season, the Rams defense smothered him as a member of the Minnesota Vikings in last year’s NFC  divisional playoff game.

Darnold threw a whopping four interceptions to the Rams defense, which carried the team on this particular Sunday.

The victory moved the Rams (8-2) into first place in the NFC West and extended their win streak to five games.

Leading 21-19 with 2:23 remaining after Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III’s 1-yard rushing touchdown, the Rams got the Seahawks down to one timeout with 1:51 remaining, but couldn’t convert the 3rd and 10 from their own 49.

However, punter Ethan Evans’ ensuing kick traveled 50 yards and landed out of bounds at the Seahawks’ own 1-yard line.

Seattle moved into position at the end of the ensuing series for a 61-yard try by kicker Jason Myers with one second left, but Myers missed short.

Running back Kyren Williams rushed 12 times for 91 yards and one touchdown in the win, cracking the Top 10 in franchise history in rushing yards with his performance. He had carries of 30 and 34 yards in the game, the latter marking Williams’ longest of the season.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes as his remarkable season continues.  Stafford is a MVP candidate at this point of the season.

Davante Adams had his 10th touchdown of 2025, his present has been key  to the Rams success.

Starting with Kinchens’ interception on Seattle’s third snap, Darnold had another nightmare afternoon against the Rams’ defense.

The USC product and Orange County native struggled against LA twice last season with the Minnesota Vikings, getting sacked nine times in the Rams’ playoff win.

Adams scored on his 1,000th career reception and former Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson caught a 6-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter for the Rams, who didn’t have a drive longer than 25 net yards in the final three quarters.

It does get any easier from here on out, the Rams host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. The pivotal match up of these two NFC heavyweights is a potential Playoff preview. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 PM, the game will air on NBC.

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SoFi was a mixture of Bolts faithful alongside Steeler fans wearing black and yellow, were well represented throughout the stadium. Their ‘Terrible Towels’ turned out to be, well, terrible.

Their defense smothered the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, having a season low 50.8 completion percentage. A ravenous defense sacked Rodgers in the end zone for an early safety.

For a while the score was 5-3 in favor of the Chargers, not your typical NFL score.

With Ladd McConkey going for a 15-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to help extend the Chargers lead to 12-3 in the final seconds of the first half.

McConkey caught four passes for 107 yards in the tremendous win.

Improving to a 7-3 record, Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, extending the Chargers’ winning streak to three despite a battered offensive line.

“It’s a huge win for us,” Herbert said. The defense has given up 221 yards or less in their last three games.

Maybe in the signature moment of the game, with 2:56 remaining, Los Angeles Charger Keenan Allen broke the All-Time team Reception record; previously held by Antonio Gates.

Herbert shoveled the ball to Allen, who sprinted for a 7-yard gain, and the 956th catch of his career. When Allen stood up, teammates and coaches swarmed him in celebration.

Allen thanked former quarterback Phillip Rivers, Herbert and Gates for their help in reaching the milestone. Allen and Herbert have played five seasons together, since Herbert’s rookie year in 2020.

“Just very fortunate to have him,” Herbert said. “He’s a true pro and he’s taught me so much about the game.”

Cameron Dicker, the Chargers Kicker nailed a 59-yard field goal to boot in the blowout victory.

Trailing the 8-2 Denver Broncos, the Chargers remain second in the AFC West. The Chargers next opponent is the Jacksonville Jaguars. This morning at 10:00 a.m. on the road.

While later in the day, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Broncos tomorrow in Denver.

It was a raucous night at SoFi in the Charger win.

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Makai Lemon made 10 catches for 153 yards and a second-half touchdown, and No. 17 USC Football scored 19 unanswered points to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Jayden Maiava passed for 254 yards and Bryan Jackson rushed for two touchdowns for the Trojans (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten), who faced their largest deficit of the season when they trailed 21-7.

USC mounted five consecutive scoring drives, capped by Jackson’s go-ahead TD run with 13:36 to play.

Mark Gronowski threw a touchdown pass, made a TD run and caught a scoring pass during the first half, but his Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3) got shut out in the second half of another heartbreaking loss to a ranked team.

Iowa had one final drive, advancing to the USC 29 with 1:59 to play. The Trojans were able to run out the clock after an Iowa assistant coach was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct with 1:25 left.

At the rain-soaked Coliseum, it was the wettest game in decades. USC keeps their College Football Playoff hopes alive in this critical victory.

The Hawkeyes appeared to handle it better early on, with receiver Reece Vander Zee’s 5-yard TD pass to Gronowski on a picture-perfect version of the Philly Special highlighting a strong first half.

All season; Lemon had made the big plays whenever the Trojans’ offense needed him. But no performance from its top wideout was bigger than Saturday, as Lemon came alive in the second half.

Lemon had 10 catches for 153 yards, none bigger than the touchdown he scored in the third quarter to finally turn the tide in a game that seemed to be headed in the other direction before that.

Next week, USC travels to Eugene, Oregon to face the Oregon Ducks.

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The city of Pasadena on October 30, announced they are  suing  UCLA for allegedly trying to move its college football games from one of the sport’s most iconic stadiums in the Rose Bowl, to the bucolic and futuristic SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The 1,500 pound bear in the stadium is the empty seats. UCLA’s current lease runs through 2044.

The Rose Bowl is 26 miles from campus, and the Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten) have struggled with attendance in recent years. This season, UCLA’s average attendance for its four home games is roughly 35,000.

Many universities have their football stadium on campus, or within close proximity.  In addition,  UCLA joined the BIG 10 Conference in 2024.

Everything about the Conference is in the name: BIG. Meaning big crowds, big expectations etc…

Being at the Rose Bowl on gameday sometimes feel lifeless. The passion, tradition and school spirit is nowhere in sight. How can UCLA blame their lack of success  on a stadium?

The Rose Bowl is a scapegoat for the football program struggling. Our issues on the field  have nothing to do with playing at the Rose Bowl.

SoFi Stadium opened in September 2020, is about 12 miles from UCLA’s campus and has a capacity of 70,240.

“This lawsuit arises in an era when money too often eclipses meaning and the pursuit of profit threatens to erase the very traditions that breathe life into institutions,” the suit claims. “Some commitments are too fundamental to be traded away.”

It’s sad to watch a Bruins game, in  particular, the Goodyear blimp cam showing the fraction of a  crowd in an empty stadium. This is unacceptable for such a legendary school as UCLA.

Earlier this season, the Bruins fired second-year coach DeShaun Foster and replaced him with interim coach Tim Skipper. They’ve also changed offensive and defensive coordinators this season.

With the optics looking this daunting for UCLA, some have suggested a  change of scenery might rejuvinate the football team.

“The Grandaddy Of Them All, ” is still breathtaking and inspiring, and on New Year’s Day it remains  the most prominent, and historic bowl in college football.

Yet at the same time, “The Grandaddy Of Them All ” has lost a bit of its luster due to the College Football Playoff,  and the ever changing landscape of college football.

As a lifelong UCLA fan, playing their schedule anywhere else  other than the Rose Bowl would be heartbreaking.

Pasadena officials and stadium representatives claim a potential move could cost Pasadena and its residents more than $1 billion in damages.

City officials said in the suit that taxpayers have funded more than $150 million in renovations with an additional $130 million in bonds that were recently refinanced for additional upgrades.

Whether its the Rose Bowl; a stadium that is rich with pride and tradition, or the new shiny state of the art one, its all about winning.

On Saturday night, UCLA welcomes Nebraska to the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is slated at 6:00 PM.

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Only die-hard Rams fans caught this one-it began at 6:30 a.m. and aired exclusively on the NFL Network. Puka Nacua sat out with an injured ankle, Stafford relied on other receivers.

On Sunday, he had little trouble with Jacksonville’s defense by connecting with Davante Adams for three scores at the iconic home of English soccer.

Stafford completed 21 of 33 passes for 182 yards. Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished 23 of 48 for 296 yards and the touchdown pass to Hunter.

It was the Rams best defensive effort this season. The Jaguars allowed seven sacks and committed 13 penalties for 119 yards.

Despite arriving in London on Saturday morning, the Rams looked plenty fresh by scoring three first-half touchdowns.

Mumpfield scored the first and Adams the next two. The Rams are at a mark of (5-2).

Five different players caught passes on the Rams’ opening drive.

We spread the ball around a bunch today,” Stafford said.

Rams’ linebacker Byron Young extended his sack streak to nine regular-season games.

The Rams have a bye next week, before hosting the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 at SoFi.

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USC made several errors that unfortunately cost them not only a victory over one of their archrivals, but it also seems that the Trojans we’re probably knocked out of consideration for the highly coveted College Football Playoff.

A few of these highlights in this track meet: Jadarian Price running back a 100-yard kickoff after USC briefly took the lead.

Trailing 24-21 in the third quarter, Notre Dame (5-2) scored 13 unanswered points.

USC (5-2) took a 24-21 lead on a 59-yard TD pass from Jordan Maiava to Ja’Kobi Lane. Maiava also connected with Lane for the 2-point conversion.

Maiava went 22 of 42 passing for 328 yards and two touchdowns

After the kickoff return, USC regrouped and were driving down the field. Then a disaster occurred, one the Trojans could not overcome.

After Maiava connected with the phenomenal Makai Lemon for a 54-yards reception, the unthinkable happened. USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley reached into his big bag of tricks, searching for a play to put USC on top.

Running a double reverse from the Notre Dame 37-yard line, Lemon fumbled the rain-soaked football, to be recovered by the Fighting Irish.

It was the play of the game. Why did Riley take such a gamble on first down? Really, a reverse in the rain in a hostile environment on the road?

Coach Riley takes these risks, sometimes they pay off, and sometimes they don’t. It was just a disappointing defeat.

Notre Dame also stopped USC on a fourth-and-1 with 6:02 left in the game, and Luke Talich intercepted Maiava with 1:06 to play.

USC was missing the services of Running Backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders.

USC will most likely fall out of the Top 25 with the loss. Up next is a much-needed bye week, followed by a match up with the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Coliseum on November 1.

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Mateen Bhaghani kicked a 23-yard field goal with two seconds to play, and UCLA beat Maryland, 20-17 to extend its improbable season turnaround with a third consecutive victory.

UCLA scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to keep the wonderful, and frankly, baffling winning streak alive. Nico was astounding in the victory, sustaining what initially appeared to be a season ending knee injury, only to hop back on the field for their final possession in regulation leading them to victory.

It was reminiscent of a vintage John Elway performance.

Nico Iamaleava passed for 221 yards and led three scoring drives in the final six minutes despite going down with an apparent knee injury during that wild stretch for the Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten), who managed to stay on the upswing in their roller coaster of a season.

“I think it’s all about belief, (and) the guys believe,” UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper said.

“There’s nothing that happened throughout the game that’s going to take our confidence away, and you don’t really know that until you get in a tight game like that. I found out today that these guys believe.”

It was heart pounding action down the stretch, each team answering in the clutch with dazzling plays and points.

Iamaleava threw a go-ahead, 14-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Matthews with 3:33 to play, and Bhaghani’s first field goal put the Bruins up 17-10 with 2:09 to play shortly after Scooter Jackson intercepted Malik Washington’s pass deep in Maryland territory.

Maryland quickly responded. QB Malik Washington refused to give in. Leading the Terrapins (4-3, 1-3) on a dramatic drive, hitting Jalil Farooq for an 8-yard TD with 40 seconds left.

Iamaleava completed two passes for 33 yards before Anthony Frias — who made an early 55-yard touchdown run for UCLA — made a 35-yard run to the Maryland 5 to set up Bhaghani’s tiebreaking field goal.

After an 0-4 start that included the firing of head coach DeShaun Foster and the departure of both coordinators, UCLA has dramatically reversed course over the past two weeks with stunning victories over Penn State and Michigan State under Skipper.

The Bruins are still showing remarkable pride and poise under Skipper. Which is inspiring and motivating for this program.

Next week UCLA travels to face the No. 3 Indiana Hoosiers. Should the Bruins pull off that Herculean upset, they will be one of the best teams in the BIG 10 Conference.

It’s amazing witnessing the UCLA faithful so jubilant walking back to their cars. Time to believe in the Bruins.

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The play set up Cameron Dicker’s fifth field goal of the game, sealing the Chargers’ 29-27 win at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, October 12.

The Bolts are 4-2, while holding a narrow lead in the AFC West.

This exciting game ratcheted up, as the Chargers blew a 10-point lead prior to the Dicker field goal. Another close win that in prior years, may very well have resulted in a loss.

So long nasty two game losing streak. Hello, a new winning streak. “He’s able to just mighty-man it and shake it off and hit Ladd McConkey,” said Harbaugh.

LA’s second-year coach. “I’m going to remember that play until they throw dirt over top of me. That’s how great I feel about that.”

Despite the Chargers having a comfortable lead, Miami and Tua Tagovailoa came swimming back with two 4th quarter touchdowns, briefly taking the lead at 27-26.

Tua Tagovailoa threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Darren Waller with 46 seconds remaining.

Herbert and Tagovailoa were highly touted, top 10 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. With the fifth pick, the Dolphins made a bold choice, selecting Tua over Herbert.

Thank God, because the Los Angeles Chargers made the right decision drafting Justin at six out of Oregon. Regardless of if either player feels they are rivals, it is inevitable the comparisons will never cease.

Nyheim Hines set the Chargers up at their 41 with a 40-yard return of the ensuing kickoff. On second-and-10, Herbert stepped up in the pocket, got free from the grasp of Jaelan Phillips and threw a short pass to McConkey, who broke a tackle and ran out of bounds at the Miami 17. Dicker’s 33-yard kick won it for Los Angeles 4-2.

Herbert completed 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Kimani Vidal, getting the bulk of the carries for Los Angeles’ banged-up backfield, finished with 18 rushes for 124 yards and had a 7-yard touchdown catch. McConkey had seven catches for 100 yards and a TD.

The thing that was going through my mind was no sacks,” Herbert said. “A race against time. I felt like I could stay up and get the ball off. I saw Ladd. He did a great job running across the middle and extending the play.”

Both of Herbert’s TD throws came in the second half as the Chargers turned a four-point third-quarter deficit into a 10-point lead in minutes.

Next up for the Bolts, another surprising AFC team, the Chargers, host Indianapolis next Sunday. Every Charger fan needs to make their best effort getting out to SoFi to help out your team. Kickoff is slated for 1:05 pm.

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Improving to 5-1 and 3-1 in the Big Ten, led by quarterback Jayden Maiava is emerging as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate and running back King Miller, USC’s offense gashed Michigan (4-2, 2-1) for 489 yards while the USC defense bottled up Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood.

What was far more encouraging is the Trojans defense; the biggest liability had its signature performance. Michigan was kept in check.

Michigan Quarterback Bryce Underwood threw for just 207 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Running back Justice Haynes, who entered the game as the No. 3 rusher in the FBS, left it with an abdominal injury after rushing for 51 yards in the first half.

Michigan’s offense struggled to break through until the fourth quarter, when Underwood hit freshman Andrew Marsh for a 69-yard touchdown that pulled the Wolverines within 24-13.

“Several years ago, (this is) kind of what we all dreamed this would be,” Riley said. “Coliseum lit up — two iconic programs going at it. Trojans coming off the field with the victory and the place totally on fire.”

Maiava completed 25 of 32 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns. Miller, filling in for injured starter Waymond Jordan, ran for 158 yards on an 8.8-yard average. Staying steady while displaying poise guiding the Trojans to victory.

USC also got a big game from wide receiver Makai Lemon, who caught nine passes for 93 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown late in the first half.

The Trojans just notched their best conference win since joining the Big Ten. They were the more physical team against one of the conference’s better programs.

The road doesn’t get any easier. For instance, next week USC travels to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. Come to think of it, is there any team with as many fierce rivals as the USC Trojans?

It comes with the territory when a team has decades of success and championships behind them.

On Saturday October 18, USC at Notre Dame is the game of the year. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 pm.

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The biggest upset of the college football season landed in Pasadena on Saturday, with the winless Bruins not just defeating a top 10 opponent but persistently overwhelming them on offense in the improbable win.

UCLA outgained the Nittany Lions 446-357, with 280 of their yards on the ground. The loss also snaps a streak of 34 straight wins over unranked opponents for Penn State.

Nico Iamaleava finally showed us what he is capable of. He was magnificent with his arm and his legs. Ultimately finishing with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-24 passing plus 128 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Nico accounted for five touchdowns.

It’s difficult proving just how miraculous this win is for the beleaguered Bruins. Per the broadcast, it was the first time since 1985 that a top 10 team lost to an 0-4 team or worse.

The Bruins weren’t just winless, they entered Saturday as the second-worst team in the Power Four by Sagarin ratings, ahead of only Oklahoma State.

Penn State held the Bruins scoreless on the subsequent drive, though, and began a comeback that felt inevitable after a blocked punt narrowed the deficit to six points with a quarter and a half to play.

“You’d think it was Mardi Gras,” interim coach Tim Skipper said, describing the locker room atmosphere. “There was water flying everywhere, there’s music, there’s guys that can’t dance that are dancing, there’s coaches trying to be dancers. It was exciting.”

The Bruins’ offense exploded early, and they led all the way after not scoring in the first quarter of their earlier losses.

The Bruins (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten) had tight ends coach Jerry Neuheisel calling UCLA’s offensive plays for the first time against Penn State’s vaunted defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

After the monumental win, Neuhheisel got a Gatorade bath, and was carried off the field. He needs to be promoted to Offensive Coordinator this week.

His game plan was highly effective on this afternoon. A strong running game, while controlling the clock.

“We had two days to practice the new game plan and all they did was believe,” said Neuheisel, a former UCLA quarterback and son of former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel, who called the nationally televised game for CBS. “It was just a special, special day.”

The Bruins ensured they won’t have the first winless season in program history after ending a 16-game skid against Top 10 teams. It’s their first win against such competition at home since 2007, when they beat No. 9 Oregon 16-0.

This is the most important win for the program in years. Celebrate Bruins Nation, you’ve earned it.

The post UCLA Defeats Penn State In Historic Upset appeared first on Canyon News.

The gamble failed as the 49ers built a wall that shut down the Rams on the critical fourth down to end the game. Turnovers and horrible special teams down the stretch cost the Rams another agonizing defeat.

Thursday night’s win has to be one of the most satisfying of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s career. It’s certainly one of the most impressive. And dramatic.

The 49ers kept the game alive in regulation with a forced fumble at the goal line with just over a minute to go, and even after the Rams got a stop and forced overtime on a field goal with two seconds left in regulation, their defense got a stop on a fourth-and-one run by Williams — a call from Sean McVay to keep going for the win and not settle for a tie — setting off a celebration.

It was a bad call in which McVay blamed himself during the postgame conference. “The play selection was very poor,” McVay said. “I’m sick right now because I put our players in a bad spot. I’ve got to live with that.”

The 49ers pulled off one of the shocking upsets of the early NFL season, ignoring multiple injuries for a 26-23 win over a Rams team that was 3-1 coming into Thursday’s game. The 49ers were without their quarterback, three starting receivers, an All-Pro tight end and one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

Stepping in for Brock Purdy at Quarterback was Mac Jones. His performance was special, going way beyond stats. Jones endured hit after jarring hit, refusing to leave the game.

San Francisco was missing Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Nick Bosa. That’s practically all of their starting skill position players and a perennial NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

The Rams scored late in the second quarter, but the 49ers came back and got a field goal. Somehow, the road team with more than a handful of stars out had a 17-7 lead at the half. They were underdogs but they didn’t act like it.

Matthew Stafford had a rough start but got hot in the second half. Puka Nacua continued his dominance with a touchdown catch, and then Williams caught a second touchdown pass, Stafford’s third of the night.

That touchdown tied it 20-20 in the fourth quarter, though the extra point was missed and the game remained tied.

In overtime, the Rams had a possession to either tie or win it. Stafford immediately got the Rams into field-goal range with a 28-yard pass. On a fourth-and-one, the Rams went for it and the Niners stuffed Williams for no gain.

What came after that stop was the type of celebration you don’t see often in the regular season.

The post The Battle For California appeared first on Canyon News.

A late 88-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Wide Receiver Tutu Atwell under two minutes proved to be the game winning score, as the fans at SoFi Stadium went wild.

Stafford passed for 375 yards and three touchdowns, including the longest TD throw of his 17-year NFL career. Los Angeles tied it on his 9-yard TD pass to Puka Nacua, who finished with 13 catches for a career-high 170 yards.

While the Rams (3-1) earned a gritty comeback win by scoring two TDs in the final 3:20, the Colts (3-1) couldn’t overcome Mitchell’s mind-boggling fumble right before the receiver crossed the goal line with what was about to be a 76-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

“It felt great,” Atwell said. “It’s something I’ve been doing my whole (football) career. I’m happy, but it’s something I’m capable of, and I’m glad we got the win.”

There was still time for Colts Quarterback Daniel Jones and the potent offense to even the score and send the game into overtime.

Stafford said Atwell was “the last thought in my head jogging out on the field” before the TD throw, but he pounced when the Colts cornerback Mekhi Blackmon fell down in coverage. Indianapolis safety Camryn Bynum also said his defense only had 10 men on the field.

Kam Curl stopped any chance of a Colts comeback with his second interception of the day with 53 seconds left, and the Rams ran out the clock on an ecstatic win featuring four lead changes.

Jones passed for 262 yards for the Colts, who also had a 53-yard rushing TD by Jonathan Taylor taken off the board by a holding call on Mitchell with 2:15 to play.

There won’t be much time for celebration, as the Rams will be hosting their arch nemesis, the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night at SoFi. Both teams are at a mark of (3-1), which means the victor will sit atop the NFC West.

The game will air on Fox, as well as Amazon Prime. Kickoff is slated for 5:15 pm.

The post Rams Rally To Beat Colts At SoFi Stadium appeared first on Canyon News.

Since every opponent has been a division rival.

Cameron Dicker’s game-ending 43-yard field goal as the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 23-20 for their first 3-0 start since 2002.

This trend continued on Sunday, September 21. It was surprisingly late for a home opener, but the rivals standing across the field were all too familiar: the Denver Broncos. The QB battle of Herbert vs. Nix took center stage. Herbert led a late rally for the crucial victory.

Herbert was 28 of 47 for 300 yards with the TD and one interception. At 27 years, 195 days, he became the youngest NFL player to reach 2,000 career completions, surpassing Drew Bledsoe. Herbert did so in his 82nd career game, making him the second-fastest player to reach the mark.

Trailing in the 4th quarter, Herbert eluded the Broncos’ pass rush by rolling left and connecting with Allen — who fought off Riley Morris in the end zone for the 20-yard score — Bo Nix and the Broncos 0-2 went three-and-out. That set up Herbert and the Chargers on their 32, and he went 4 of 4 on the final drive.

“He’s a guy that can make any throw any way possible,” said Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl selection who reunited with Herbert and the Chargers after playing for Chicago last season. “Hats off to Herbo. He’s the guy.”

Even more impressive, all of the Chargers victories have come against division foes. The Broncos, Raiders, and the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.

Something feels different about this team, and it is the leadership and discipline Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has instilled into the Chargers.

Coming up this weekend, the Bolts continue to rack up those frequent flier miles. It will be an early East Coast matchup against the New York Giants at 10:00 am.

The biggest storyline heading into the week four matchup is the “G-Men.” The New York Giants are starting rookie Quarterback Jaxson, who will be making his first start replacing Russell Wilson.

Dart hopes to invigorate the winless Giants. Although that we’ll be a challenge as he is facing one of the best defenses in the NFL.

The game is Sunday Morning at MetLife Stadium. Hopefully the Chargers will continue their winning ways.

The post Los Angeles Chargers Are Electrifying The NFL appeared first on Canyon News.

It was dreadful watching the Rams implode with another devastating loss. Where to begin? Rams kicker Joshua Karty was lined up for a 44-yard field goal attempt to win the game with three seconds remaining in the game and the team down one point.

Instead of giving Los Angeles the win, Karty’s attempt was blocked, and the bouncing ball was picked up by Eagles defensive lineman Jordan Davis. He returned it for a touchdown as time expired.

NFL’s Next Gen Stats noted that Davis reached a top speed of 18.59 mph on his way to the score. It was the fastest speed by an NFL player over 330 pounds since 2017. Davis is listed at 336 pounds.

Across the NFL in Week 3, blocked field goals were everywhere. In fact, the Eagles blocked two field goals in the final frame.

The Rams were up 26-7 early in the third quarter when Matthew Stafford found running back Kyren Williams for a 10-yard score. It appeared nothing was going to stop Los Angeles in the game. But it was Hurts who responded with authority.

Hurts started hurling the pigskin, chipping away at the lead with three TD passes. Setting up one final drive pinned inside the 10-yard line.

With just minutes left in the game, the Eagles needed a touchdown for the win. A 17-play drive marching 91 yards down the field. Culminating in a 4-yard TD pass to DeVonta Smith on fourth down.

It was a sickening sight to behold. This might sound like sour grapes, but this, ‘Tush Push’ debacle has run its course.

The ‘Tush Push’ is ostensibly a quarterback sneak. Not only does it diminish the beautiful game of football, but it also becomes a messy rugby scrum. Even worse, video evidence showed nearly half of the Eagles offensive line moved prior to the snap.

Rather than be called for false start, Hurts always finds a way to get into the end zone. Yet, the Rams only have themselves to blame.

Stafford was 19-for-33 with 196 passing yards; two touchdown passes and an interception. His other touchdown pass went to Davante Adams.

Puka Nacua led the Rams with 11 catches for 112 yards. The painful loss leaves the Rams at 2-1, while the Eagles remain flawless at 3-0.

The Rams went just one for four on converting their red zone trips into touchdowns, and their reliance on field goals ended up being their demise in what ended up being a one-score loss.

Los Angeles’ defense held Philadelphia to just 33 total net yards of offense in the first half, including minus one passing yards. Neither team had a third-down conversion until midway through the third quarter.

The second half was a different story for the Eagles, who had 255 total yards across the third and fourth quarter. The Eagles outscored the Rams 26-7 in the second half.

Next Sunday, the Rams host Daniel Jones, and the surprising 3-0 Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium.

The Rams snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

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