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Tom Shatel's place among Bert McGrane recipients: There was no other place like Nebraska for him

Tom Shatel had his origins at Mizzou:  Harpo's, the Heidelberg, Shakespeare's, Booches and other establishments where beer drinking is still the final class of the day....The Columns, Jesse Hall...Faurot Field, the Hearnes Center. And, of course, the world famous J-School halls which were the launching pads for Tom Shatel's and several other great careers such as Dodd's.

Army's Pickett Jr. nominated for Orange Bowl Courage Award

Army’s Larry Pickett Jr. is the first weekly nomination for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Pickett, a sophomore safety, rescued a man from a burning car earlier this season.

Georgia's Bobo is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

The Georgia Bulldogs outlasted Tennessee in overtime Saturday, rolling up more than 500 total yards to remain undefeated on the season and win in SEC opener. Drew Bobo was the stalwart up front at center, guiding an offensive line that plugged some injury holes in its starting lineup and still cranked up multiple rallies in the win, including in overtime. For his efforts, Bobo has earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Sept. 13, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

LSU's Spears is Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

Snagging a pair of interceptions that included a pick-six as well as guiding the LSU defense to shut down Florida in the second half of their featured game has earned Tigers safety Dashawn Spears the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America.

Georgia Tech is Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week

Quarterback Haynes King engineered a final-minute scoring drive Saturday capped by a walk-off 55-yard field goal from Aidan Birr as Georgia Tech toppled No. 12 Clemson 24-21. For snapping its nine-game losing streak in the series and winning its ACC opener, the Yellow Jackets (3-0) are the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week for games the weekend of Sept. 13, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Freshman Focus

Jack Leo takes a look at the top first-year coaches and freshman performances during Week Three.

Dramatic fourth-down touchdown pass earns Texas A&M the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week

Texas A&M is the winner of the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week for Week 3 after its game-winning 11-yard touchdown pass in a thrilling 41-40 victory at No. 8 Notre Dame, as selected by the All-America Commitee of the Football Writers Association of America.

Mr. College Football: What we learned--Sept. 15

Tony Barnhart reviews the important games of Week Three.

Best Writing Contest: First-place enterprise

Even in death, college football fans want to be at their favorite stadiums: Barbara Weitz sat at a Nebraska board of regents meeting over the summer, and when thinking about ways to generate revenue to help mitigate recent university budget cuts, she blurted out an idea. Without much thought or research, Weitz wondered aloud whether passionate Nebraska fans would pay money to have cremated remains stored in a columbarium, a standalone structure with cubbies that house said remains.

Best Writing Contest: First-place column

The enduring Key West legacy of Mike Leach: I was running circles around the bar at Captain Tony's and I was getting angrier with each lap completed. It had to be there. I knew it was there. But where the hell was it?

Best Writing Contest: First-place feature

A journey toward forgiveness: Davin Vann has finally found himself years after his sister's death: THERE ARE FORCES at work in the universe that, for most of his life,
Davin Vann believed were malevolent. This is what occupied the thoughts of NC State's star defensive lineman when he slid into the driver's seat of his car on Feb. 4, 2024, intent on surrendering to his fate.

Best Writing Contest: First-place game story

‘It’s Not Finished’: Ohio State Runs Into Title Game Ready for Redemption: Three steps after the snap, Jack Sawyer saw nothing but daylight between him and a familiar face.

33rd annual FWAA Best Writing Contest results

Seven members of the Football Writers Association of America won at least two awards – and one of those claimed three – in the association's 33rd Annual Best Writing Contest presented by collegepressbox announced today. In this group, three writers from ESPN.com were first-place winners in the four categories..

After four decades of covering college football, time for my first tailgate -- ever. What is this thing called beer and wine they speak of before games? Wait, cable TV outdoors?

Dennis Dodd coverved big-time college football for four decades, but he always walked by the tailgates on his way to the office, the pressbox. By the time he finished his job many of them were over. A whole new world has opened up to him now that he has retired. 

Missouri's Giudice is Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

The Missouri Tigers controlled the trenches against rival Kansas on Saturday, grinding out two 100-yard running backs and clearing space for a 300-yard passer in their 42-31 win at Faurot Field. For his play leading the offensive line as Missouri gained 595 total yards and moved to 2-0 for a third consecutive season, guard Dominick Giudice has earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Sept. 6, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Army's Matteson is Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

Army West Point linebacker Collin Matteson intercepted a pass on Kansas State’s final drive, finishing off a stellar performance amidst the Black Knights’ defense in a 24-21 road win at Kansas State. For leading the Army stop crew, Matteson has been named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America.

Freshman Focus

Jack Leo rounds up the second week of top performances in Freshman Focus.

Late scoring strike earns Mississippi State the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week

Mississippi State is the winner of the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week for Week 2 for Brenen Thompson's 58-yard touchdown reception with 30 seconds left as the Bulldogs beat No. 12 Arizona, 27-21, in Starkville. The win marked the first over a top 15 nonconference opponent since 1991 for Jeff Lebby's club.

South Florida is Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week

South Florida claimed its second straight win over a Top 25 opponent Saturday, as Nico Gramatica’s 20-yard walk-off field goal stunned then-No. 13 Florida, 18-16. With ranked wins in back-to-back weeks for the first time in program history, the Bulls (2-0) are the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Team of the Week for games played the weekend of Sept. 6, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America’s All-America Committee.

 

Mr. College Football: What we learned--Sept. 8

Mr. College Football Reviews Results of Week 2