Tyler Buchner Has CFB Twitter Abuzz as Notre Dame Beats South Carolina in Gator Bowl
Dec 31, 2022
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) throws a pass during the second quarter of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
It wasn't always pretty. Going nearly four months between games will cause some rust. But when Notre Dame needed quarterback Tyler Buchner to step up, he did just that.
The sophomore quarterback threw for 274 yards and three scores and added 61 rushing yards for another two touchdowns in Notre Dame's 45-38 shootout win over South Carolina in Friday's TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field.
But no, Buchner didn't make it easy. He threw three interceptions, and two of them were returned for touchdowns. He only completed 18 of 33 passes. He dug Notre Dame a hole in the first quarter, as his first pick-six gave the Gamecocks a 21-7 lead.
And with Notre Dame driving down the field in the fourth quarter, in the red zone with a chance to go up two touchdowns, Buchner threw his second pick-six, tying the game.
What about a tip of the hat to Tyler Buchner of @NDFootball as he hasn’t played in months but he has shown so much courage . Has taken numerous hits but bounces right backup . Just tied up game at 31 with 44 yard strike . Defense in 4th will decide game btw ND @GamecockFB
For those trashing tf out of Buchner. He was a first time starter that hasn't played since he was injured in week 2. He ain't going to be junior year Clausen. Maybe chill out or take this game off.
Funky play. Didn't look right from the start. Tyler Buchner throws this second pick-six of the game and South Carolina ties it up. Irish could have put it away.
Tyler Buchner just never saw the linebacker. Throwing over the middle was a bad idea there too. South Carolina was gassed and couldn’t stop the run at all.
Again, context is key. Buchner hadn't played since Sept. 10 after suffering a shoulder strain. He was only making the third start of his career. It's just as fair to question some of the play-calling on his interceptions—given how well the Fighting Irish ran the ball—as it's fair to call out his own decision-making.
Oh, and he did still throw the game-winning touchdown.
And luckily for Buchner, he wasn't on an island. The running back duo of Audric Estime (95 rushing yards) and Logan Diggs (170 yards from scrimmage, two scores) gashed the Gamecocks (8-5) all night long.
That, in turn, kept the ball out of Spencer Rattler's hands (29-of-46 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and an interception) for long stretches, a key factor for a Notre Dame defense that struggled to slow him down.
Buchner will want some throws back, no doubt. But he still got the win in the end, he accounted for five total touchdowns. And Notre Dame (9-4) finished an otherwise disappointing season on a high note.
UCLA, Pitt's Sun Bowl Finish Thrills Twitter After Dorian Thompson-Robinson's Injury
Dec 30, 2022
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins scrambles with the ball against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Friday's Sun Bowl between the No. 18 UCLA Bruins and Pittsburgh Panthers left social media buzzing, as Pitt overcame a late deficit and hit a game-winning field goal with just four seconds remaining, giving the Panthers a 37-35 victory in El Paso, Texas.
UCLA led by as much as 14 in the second half, but Pittsburgh scored 20 unanswered points to take a six-point lead into the latter stages of the fourth quarter.
The Bruins seemed like they were out of it after senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited the final collegiate game of his career in the fourth quarter with an apparent back injury, but backup Ethan Garbers led a touchdown drive that put UCLA back up 35-34 with 34 seconds remaining:
Pitt quarterback Nick Patti came through in the clutch, though, completing 18- and 17-yard passes to Jared Wayne and Bub Means, respectively, before scrambling for 11 yards to set up kicker Ben Sauls' fifth successful field goal of the game:
The No. 18 Bruins were in search of their first 10-win season since 2014 and seemed to be well on their way to getting there, but their offense largely stalled in the second half.
It was a tale of two halves for DTR, who put up big numbers and had UCLA ahead 21-14 at the break before a second-half collapse.
While Thompson-Robinson did throw three interceptions, he also tossed two touchdowns and rushed for another.
The senior signal-caller was on pace for over 500 passing yards, but he couldn't get anything going in the second half and went just 1-of-5 for seven yards with no touchdowns and one pick after the break.
UCLA extended its lead to 28-14 in the third quarter on a pick-six, but Pitt tied it up with two touchdowns, including one off Thompson-Robinson's third interception. DTR did not return after that pick, and while no official injury was announced, it was noted on the broadcast that he appeared to be getting his back worked on.
Even without Thompson-Robinson, the Bruins were in position to win the game, but their defense simply couldn't hold up.
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly will undoubtedly be second-guessed over some of the decisions he made in the loss, and the focus will now shift toward who will be under center for the Bruins next season following the departure of DTR.
NC State Announcer Gary Hahn Suspended for Offensive Comment About Immigrants
Dec 30, 2022
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 20: North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Devon Daniels' (24) shorts show the Wolfpack logo during the game between the Virginia Cavaliers and NC State Wolfpack at John Paul Jones Arena on January 20, 2020 in Charlottesville, Va. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NC State football and men's basketball play-by-play announcer Gary Hahn has been suspended indefinitely after making an offensive comment about immigrants and the city of El Paso, per Luke Decock of The News & Observer.
Per that report, Hahn was announcing the score of the Sun Bowl during the broadcast of the Duke's Mayo Bowl between Maryland and NC State when he said, "amongst all the illegal aliens down in El Paso it's UCLA 14 and Pittsburgh 6."
Here's what got NCSU announcer Gary Hahn immediately and indefinitely suspended after today's broadcast: pic.twitter.com/4qkyQ1jzT2
"Learfield has suspended Wolfpack Sports Network play-by-play announcer Gary Hahn from his agreement indefinitely following comments made during today's Duke's Mayo Bowl radio broadcast," Wolfpack Sports Properties general manager Kyle Winchester said in a statement.
Hahn is employed by Learfield Communications and has been broadcasting NC State football and men's basketball games since 1991. He was named the North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year in both 2011 and 2020.
The Sun Bowl canceled its Fan Fiesta on Thursday due to the El Paso convention center being used to house migrants.
"Our Fan Fiesta scheduled for Dec. 29 has now been canceled due to the state of emergency that has been declared," Sun Bowl association executive director Bernie Olivas said in a statement. "They are using the convention center to house some of these poor migrants that are looking for shelter somewhere, so we have canceled the Fan Fiesta."
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court permitted federal officers "to continue expelling migrants before they have received an asylum hearing," per Leyla Santiago, Rosa Flores and Elizabeth Wolfe of CNN.com.
While that policy from the Donald Trump presidency, Title 42, was set to expire on Dec. 21, the Supreme Court ruled that it could remain active while it's being challenged in the courts.
El Paso has seen as many as 2,500 migrants reaching the city per day, according to Mayor Oscar Leeser, and the city has declared a state of emergency.
The convention center was one area being used to house migrants in the city, alongside hotels, churches and NGOs.
Trenton Simpson NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Clemson LB
Dec 30, 2022
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 15: Clemson Tigers linebacker Trenton Simpson (22) in pass defense during the Clemson Tigers game against the Florida State Seminoles on October 15, 2022, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'2"
WEIGHT: 235
HAND: 10 1/4"
ARM: 32 3/8"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: 4.43
3-CONE: 7.06
SHUTTLE: 4.24
VERTICAL: 40.5"
BROAD: 9'10"
POSITIVES
– Impressive athlete with good change of direction and fluid hips. Can mirror and match against running backs and tight ends in man coverage.
– Uses his hands well to help stay in phase when playing man coverage or get reroutes when playing underneath in zone coverage.
– Has the acceleration to click and close quickly.
– Good ball skills for a linebacker. Plays the hands from a trail position and has decent hand-eye coordination to get pass breakups when facing the quarterback.
– Can use his quickness to make offensive linemen miss at the second level.
– Physical at the point of attack when taking on run blocks and strong enough to get off blocks from tight ends and wide receivers.
– Speed helps him make plays in pursuit. Has the athletic ability to break down and make tackles in space.
– Has the agility and acceleration to be an effective looper in line games as a pass-rusher.
NEGATIVES
– Needs to work for more depth when spot-dropping in zone coverage to tighten the windows between the second and third levels of the defense, especially in Cover 3.
– Struggles to read the quarterback's eyes and anticipate throws in zone coverage.
– Not strong enough against the run to consistently get extension against offensive linemen. Will get pushed around a bit if he can't win at the point of attack.
– Not a violent block-shedder when working to get off blocks. Linemen with good grip strength can latch onto him.
– Has a habit of taking too shallow of an angle versus outside runs.
– High pad level. Likes to lunge and leave his feet when tackling, which will lead to misses.
– No pass-rush moves as a blitzer.
2022 STATISTICS
— 12 GM, 72 TOT, 4 TFL, 2.5 SK, 2 FF, 3 PBU
NOTES
– DOB: June 14, 2001
– Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
– No. 29 on Bruce Feldman's list of top athletes entering this season: 6 percent body fat, benches 375 lbs, power-cleans 355 lbs, 35" vertical jump, 10'2" broad jump, high 4.3s in 40-yard dash (per Clemson's coaches)
– 2021 Honors: Second-team All-ACC (PFF), All-ACC Academic team
OVERALL
Trenton Simpson put on about 10 pounds this offseason, per his school bio, but the extra weight didn't appear to affect his athleticism much (if at all). That's part of the reason why he ended up on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks" list and is one of the top linebackers in this year's draft class.
Simpson has always played with his hair on fire and has been physical at the point of attack against the run. Wide receivers and tight ends working to the second level had trouble blocking him, and the added strength helped him hold his ground and get some extension versus offensive linemen.
However, Simpson still has room for growth in those areas, as bigger and more physical linemen will still be able to push him around a bit in the NFL. He also struggles to get off blocks against the big guys.
Simpson's athleticism shines through when he plays man coverage. He's fluid and sinks his hips well to cover running backs and tight ends on shorter routes, and he has the speed to carry if they go deep.
That speed also comes in handy when he converges on the ball in zone coverage. However, he does struggle to find his landmark while spot-dropping, and he isn't great at reading the quarterback's eyes to anticipate throws, which will leave throwing windows open.
Schematically, Simpson would be best as a "Will" linebacker for a team that uses a lot of even fronts and man coverage. Down the line, he can probably mix in at "Sam," too, but he'll need to become more consistent with his angles on the front side of outside runs before he can make a full-time switch to that position. He also isn't a terrible fit in a zone scheme, but that will take some time and development, and he looks more comfortable in man.
Simpson is what a lot of teams are looking for in a modern-day linebacker. He could easily be a late Day 1 pick and the first linebacker off the board.
Bryan Bresee NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Clemson DL
Dec 30, 2022
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 10: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (11) during a college football game between the Furman Paladins and the Clemson Tigers on September 10, 2022, at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'5.5"
WEIGHT: 298
HAND: 10 1/4"
ARM: 32 1/2"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: 4.86
3-CONE: 7.41
SHUTTLE: 4.38
VERTICAL: 29"
BROAD: TBD
POSITIVES
— Good size for an NFL defensive tackle and doesn't carry much bad weight.
— Quick reaction to the snap and has good acceleration off the ball, especially on passing downs.
— When working finesse moves as a pass-rusher, he has impressive use of hands to clear the offensive lineman's hands to start the moves.
— He is swift when hand-swiping, and he works the blocker's hands after contact, too.
— He has a nice swim move with a tight arm-over to clear the offensive lineman.
— Also showed a good rip move and the potential to develop a push-pull move down the line. He has the upper body strength to control the lineman and enough hip mobility to clear his lower half.
— As the looper in line games, he has decent agility for a tackle to avoid losing ground when working laterally.
— Solid bend as a pass-rusher.
— He ties his hands to his feet well against the run, allowing him to get his hands up fast and make contact with the offensive lineman on his first step.
— When slanting, he has the initial quickness to throw off the blocker's angles.
— Has the upper body strength to gain control of the bock along with a wide base to hold ground in one-on-ones, and he's solid against doubles.
— He's decent in anticipating a second blocker coming, turning his hips into pressure and reducing the surface area for the second blocker to hit on a double.
— With his base and impressive balance, he can absorb contact against down blocks or when slanting to keep the offensive lineman on his hip and avoid getting washed down.
— When he does keep his hands inside, he is violent and strong to shed and get off blocks.
NEGATIVES
— Has missed 12 games over the last two years with injuries and illnesses, which has stunted his development.
— Plays with high pad level and has a habit of standing up out of his stance.
— Wide hand placement invites offensive linemen into his chest and limits his extension. Might have shorter arms, too.
— Stops his feet on contact against the run.
— His pad level and wide hands diminish the effectiveness of his bull rush.
— When working a push-pull move, he needs to start the move earlier so he can get pressure. The ball is typically out by the time he wins with the move.
— Doesn't have a good pass-rush motor or plan. Doesn't throw a ton of counters and will stop rushing if his initial move doesn't work.
— Subpar tackling form, as he likes to tackle high and struggles to break down and bring ball-carries down in space, whether that's as a pass-rusher against an athletic quarterback or in pursuit as a run defender.
— Not very productive in college with 28 solo tackles (51 total) in 25 games.
2022 STATISTICS
— 10 GM, 15 TOT, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 SK, 2 PD
NOTES
— DOB: Oct. 6, 2001
— No. 14 on Bruce Feldman's list of top athletes entering the season; benches 435 lbs, power-cleans 330 lbs, dead-lifts 585 lbs; 30" vertical; 4.7 seconds in 40-yard dash
— 2020 honors: freshman All-American (several media outlets), ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-ACC
OVERALL
Bryan Bresee is an interesting projection, mainly because of how the last two years have played out.
As a freshman at Clemson, he showed a lot of promise and traits that made it easy to see why he was the No. 1 overall recruit in the country. However, like most 18- and 19-year-olds making the transition from high school, he was still raw and needed to refine his technique.
That's what these last couple of seasons were supposed to be about for Bresee, but he has missed nearly as many games as he's played. That's prevented him from showing he can pair his physical traits with clean technique and likely made it difficult to iron out kinks in his game.
All that being said, Bresee does have the rare combination of size, strength and athleticism to suggest he'll be better and more productive as a pro. He's strong enough to hold up against the run and nimble enough to create havoc as a pass-rusher. It's just a matter of staying healthy and how long it will take him to make the transition.
Schematically, Bresee would be best as a 2i- to 3-technique for a team that uses a lot of even fronts. He's not big enough to play as a nose tackle in odd fronts and could play as a 4i- to 5-tech defensive end, but that would be pushing it athletically, so teams running that scheme might look elsewhere for defensive line help.
Jawhar Jordan's Dominance Wows Twitter as Louisville Beats Cincinnati in Fenway Bowl
Dec 17, 2022
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: Running back Jawhar Jordan #25 of the Louisville Cardinals runs for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second quarter of the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park on December 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Louisville Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan put on an impressive offensive display in Saturday's Fenway Bowl victory over Cincinnati, making a case for a bigger role next season.
Jordan racked up 115 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries to lead Louisville to a 24-7 win. The transfer from Syracuse has two years of eligibility remaining and should be the focal point of the Cardinals offense in 2023.
This season, Jordan shared the backfield with dual-threat quarterback Malik Cunningham, who led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns. Cunningham sat out the bowl game after declaring for the NFL draft, giving Jordan the freedom to showcase his skills Saturday. Freshman running back Maurice Turner also had a strong game with a career-high 160 yards on 31 carries.
Fans on social media were impressed with what they saw from Jordan as he propelled Louisville to its first bowl victory since 2019:
Jawhar Jordan is the fourth Louisville player to have multiple rushing touchdowns in a bowl game, joining Lamar Jackson (2 in the 2015 Music City Bowl), Leroy Collins (3 in the 1998 Motor City Bowl), and John Madeya (2 in the 1970 Pasadena Bowl).
Jawhar Jordan has come out of nowhere this season for Louisville’s offense. Syracuse transfer who has some serious speed and is making a habit of making big plays for explosive gains. Already 100 yards and 2 touchdowns today in the bowl game.
After back-to-back losing seasons, the Cardinals finish 2022 an 8-5 record.
With Jordan leading the way, the Cardinals should have a better chance at being competitive in the ACC.
Clemson DE Myles Murphy Declares for 2023 NFL Draft; Won't Play in Orange Bowl
Dec 13, 2022
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 12: Clemson Tigers defensive end Myles Murphy (98) during a college football game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Clemson Tigers on November 12, 2022, at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy will leave college early and jump to the pros.
The junior told ESPN's Pete Thamel he will skip the Orange Bowl, forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft. B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranks Murphy as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2023 class.
In 2022, Murphy racked up 40 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for a Tigers team that went 11-2. The native of Marietta, Georgia, ends his career at Clemson with 116 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five pass deflections.
B/R's NFL Scouting Department named him as the most versatile edge-rusher in this year's class. Thamel noted, "Murphy is an end who is best suited for a 4-3 scheme, and he's expected to bring elite speed to that position." Murphy expressed confidence that his unique combination of skills will translate to the next level.
"There's that speed combined with very good strength in my long arm move," he said. "Just those two things, being able to be a very fast defensive end and a speed rusher that's very powerful at the same time. Having offensive linemen thinking about those two things that are polar opposites."
In his latest mock draft, ESPN draft expert Todd McShay predicted Murphy would be selected 14th overall by the Green Bay Packers. Murphy told Thamel that whichever team lands him will get "really just a very elite player, honestly. The sky is the limit. The harder I work, the better player I know I can be."
Murphy will be the latest in a long line of Clemson defensive linemen to be drafted in the first round, joining the likes of Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence.
2-Time All-ACC WR Josh Downs Declares for 2023 NFL Draft; Caught 22 TDs at UNC
Dec 9, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 03: Josh Downs #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates a catch against the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel he's entering the 2023 NFL draft.
Downs caught 202 passes for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns in three years with the Tar Heels. He was a first-team All-ACC honoree in 2021 and 2022.
The 5'10", 175-pound wideout is the No. 60 overall player on Bleacher Report's 2023 big board. He's also the seventh-best receiver with an overall grade of 7.4 out of 10.
Downs told Thamel he believes he's the "best wide receiver in the draft."
"I just feel like when you turn on the tape, I consistently win over and over and make plays with the ball when it comes my way," he said.
Perhaps Downs could've improved his draft stock for 2024 by returning to North Carolina for one more year, but that was no guarantee.
Although starting quarterback Drake Maye announced his intention to return, the Tar Heels are losing their offensive coordinator. Phil Longo, the architect behind their prolific offense, is leaving to join Luke Fickell's staff at Wisconsin. Having to learn a new offense is never ideal for a college star hoping to impress NFL scouts.
Downs will have plenty of competition to be one of the first few receivers off the board this spring.
Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn't feature much this season because of a hamstring injury, but that did little to change how he's viewed as an NFL prospect. USC's Jordan Addison was the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, though his production (59 receptions, 875 yards and eight touchdowns) failed to match last year's.
Downs and his fellow pass-catchers did get a bit of a boost when LSU star Kayshon Boutte confirmed he will return to the Tigers for one more season. Boutte ranked sixth at the position on B/R's big board.
Report: Jeff Brohm Finalizing Contract as Louisville HC After 6 Seasons with Purdue
Dec 7, 2022
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 26: Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm prior to a college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Indiana Hoosiers on November 26, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Purdue football head coach Jeff Brohm is finalizing a deal to take the same position at Louisville, per Chris Low of ESPN.
The reported pact would pay Brohm $35 million over six years.
Louisville had an opening at head coach after Scott Satterfield left the team to take the job at Cincinnati earlier this week.
Brohm has spent the past six years at Purdue, producing a 36-34 record. The squad went 8-5 in 2022 and made an appearance in the Big Ten title game.
The 51-year-old took over a program that went 3-9 in 2016, winning just nine games in the previous four years combined. Brohm led Purdue to a winning record in his first year, including a victory in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Last year, the Boilermakers won the Music City Bowl to end the season at 9-4, the program's best record since 2003.
Before his time at Purdue, Brohm went 30-10 across three seasons at Western Kentucky, including three bowl wins. The Hilltoppers went 12-2 in 2015, making their only appearance in the Associated Press Top 25 that year.
The coach will return home after starring as a player at Trinity High School in Louisville, winning the Kentucky Mr. Football Award as a senior in 1988. He went to Louisville from 1989 to 1993, throwing 38 career touchdown passes while leading the squad to a 9-3 record as a senior.
Brohm was inducted into the school's Ring of Honor in 2006.
After a seven-year NFL career, mostly as a backup, and one year in the XFL, Brohm returned to his alma mater as a coach. He led the quarterbacks from 2003 to 2006, becoming an assistant head coach in 2007 and offensive coordinator in 2008.
Louisville is coming off a 7-5 regular season and will face Cincinnati in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 17.
