The good news about ugly wins is that they count just the same in the standings. There is no column for style points in the NFL, which is fortunate, because the San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t have earned any in their Monday night victory over the Carolina Panthers. But with the 20-9 win, the Niners are sitting at 8-4. In a muddled NFC, they likely need just two more victories to punch a ticket to the postseason. That’s the math. But here is the bad news about ugly wins: They force you to stare into the abyss. They make you wonder if this team should even bother chasing those two wins, let alone book travel arrangements for January. Monday was a survival test, and I suppose the Niners did what they needed to do. It was messy. It was confusing. It was a win. Here is who kept the ship afloat, and the man who nearly sank it: 💪 STUDS Christian McCaffrey • RB Lost in the interceptfest was the fact that McCaffrey remains the most reliable bailout plan in football. His nine touches on the opening drive were so brutally effective that there wasn’t time to stop and consider that giving him that much volume that early is borderline coaching malpractice. But once Kyle Shanahan finally decided to stop flirting with disaster in the passing game and just run outside zone, the Niners put the game on ice. McCaffrey is currently on pace to become the only player in NFL history to register 1, 000 yards rushing and 1, 000 yards receiving in a single season twice. We are watching greatness mask a whole lot of mediocrity. Jauan Jennings • WR You cannot break what is already broken. On his game-opening touchdown, three Panthers defenders converged on Jennings. They hit him from the left. They hit him from the right. They hit him from behind. Most receivers fold. Jennings? He simply shrugged them off like a man brushing crumbs off jacket and walked into the end zone. It doesn’t matter what else happens on the stat sheet. A play that boss lands you on the Studs list immediately. Bryce Huff • DE Simple analysis here: Huff had the juice. He drew two penalties rushing off the edge simply because the tackles couldn’t handle his get-off. When the offense stalled, Huff made sure the Panthers couldn’t take advantage. Bryce Young will see Huff in his nightmares on Monday. Ji’Ayir Brown • S This was the finest game of Brown’s career. He didn’t just snag two massive interceptions; he was a menace all over the field. He was erasing receivers in the flat. He was stuffing the run in the C-gap like a linebacker. In the modern NFL, safety play is destiny. If Brown has leveled up alongside the equally violent Malik Mustapha, the Niners suddenly have a duo that can wreck game plans. If San Francisco makes a run, it starts with these two. George Kittle • TE Another week, another superlative performance. Catching tough passes? Check. Mauling defenders in the run game? Check. What more is there to say? He is the gold standard. 📉 DUDS Brock Purdy • 3INTQB The three interceptions were inexcusable and the single reason this game wasn’t a blowout by halftime. If you want to be charitable, you could say the third interception was a great play by Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. But even that was only possible because Purdy lacked the field vision to see the danger before letting it fly. The first two? Those were woeful. Underthrown. Late. It looked like a guy who hadn’t taken a snap in years, not a franchise quarterback. This was Purdy’s worst outing since the Christmas Day debacle in 2023. This is untenable. You can get away with this against Carolina. You cannot make the playoffs with play like this. You cannot get away with this nonsense in the playoffs. If San Francisco wants to be more than a Wild Card exit, Purdy has to find his game. The good news? We just saw it last week.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/11/24/49ers-studs-and-duds-the-niners-dominate-while-brock-purdy-implodes/
Tag: interceptions
San Jose State loses quarterback Walter Eget in 25-3 loss to first-place San Diego State
San Jose State’s 25-3 loss to San Diego State on Saturday night was mostly caused by the Spartans’ self-inflicted wounds that created too big of a deficit to battle back from at Snapdragon stadium. On top of two turnovers and a pair of missed field goals, it didn’t help that the Spartans also lost starting quarterback Walker Eget in the first quarter. “It was kind of indicative of this year. The kicking game hurt us and we had big turnovers,” said Spartans coach Ken Niumatalolo, whose team has a minus-9 turnover margin and has made just 58 percent of its field goal attempts (11-for-19). Eget suffered an apparent leg injury and was later seen on the sideline using crutches after going 4-for-8 for 32 yards and an interception. While not revealing many details, Niumatalolo struck an ominous tone when asked about Eget’s injury. “I’ll just say it didn’t look good,” Niumatalolo said. “Haven’t got anything official but we’ll find out in a little bit.” Eget’s injury forced freshman quarterback Tama Amisone to take over the offense. Amisone, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound product of Hawaii’s Kapolei High, utilized his duel-threat abilities to give the Aztecs a different look. He rushed for a team-high 75 yards on 13 runs while completing 15 of 27 passes for 104 yards and an interception. The San Diego State defense, which is ranked first in the Mountain West while allowing just 12. 5 points per game, held the Spartans to 268 yards of offense and out of the end zone. The Aztecs had seven tackles for loss, including four sacks. After electing to receive the ball at the outset, the Spartans quickly put themselves in trouble when Eget was intercepted by ex-McClymonds High of Oakland standout Dwayne McDougle on the third play of the game. The first of McDougle’s two interceptions set up the Aztecs at the Spartans’ 20-yard line. They scored six plays later on Lucky Sutton’s 1-yard touchdown run. San Jose State moved into field goal range on its next offensive drive, but kicker Denis Lynch slipped while attempting a 43-yard field goal that had no chance of success. Fellow Spartans kicker Mathias Brown, kicking from the left hash, then went 1-for-2 on his field goal attempts in the first half, making a 37-yarder and missing a 39-yarder. Despite their offensive woes, the Spartans’ defense looked much-improved in interim defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu’s first game since taking over for longtime coach Derrick Odum, who was fired on Monday. San Jose State’s defense limited the Aztecs offense to just 248 yards total yards and 5-for-13 on third downs. But the SJSU offense was never able to capitalize. “If we could have just mustered up something on offense, I feel like our defense could have kept their juice,” Niumatalolo said. “I thought the defense rallied and that was a testament to Bojay.” San Jose State (3-8, 2-5 MWC) has now lost three games in a row, its longest losing streak since 2023. Meanwhile, San Diego State (9-2, 6-1 MWC) put itself in position to clinch the conference’s regular-season title with a victory next Friday night against New Mexico. With Amisone in the game and without Eget, the nation’s second-leading passer with 3, 015 yards, the Spartans emphasized the run game heavily. The Spartans’ offensive philosophy change Saturday night was by necessity, though. “We got beat up front,” Niumatalolo said. “It’s hard to throw the football when the quarterback is running for his life.” SJSU running backs Steve Chavez-Soto (51 yards, 14 carries) and Viliami Teu (23 yards, five carries) combined for 74 yards on 19 attempts for a combined 133 rushing yards for SJSU. Like Eget, Amisone had to leave the game due to an undisclosed injury. While he received medical attention on the sideline, Spartans freshman quarterback Robert McDaniel, a UCLA transfer, took over for their final drive of the game. McDaniel finished the game 1-for-3 passing for minus-1 yard. San Diego State’s offense was missing its top two wide receivers as both Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick were ruled out of the game with injuries. The Aztecs offense struggled to get the passing game going without them as quarterback Jayden Denegal went just 4-for-8 for 16 yards until the two-minute warning. But Denegal completed a 52-yard bomb to Donovan Brown to move the ball to the SJSU 4. This set up a 1-yard TD sneak by Denegal, giving SDSU an 18-3 lead. Senegal finished 8-of-16 for 81 yards passing.. SJSU finishes the season 0-6 on the road and will close its season at home next Saturday at 7: 30 p. m. against Fresno State in the annual battle for the Valley.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/11/23/san-jose-state-loses-quarterback-walter-eget-in-25-3-loss-to-first-place-san-diego-state/
Crimson Tide demolish Panthers on Senior Day
No. 10 Alabama decimated Eastern Illinois 56-0 at home Saturday in a game that saw the Crimson Tide’s depth on full display before the Iron Bowl next week. Head coach Kalen DeBoer said it was “good to get a lot of guys out there today.” For a team that ranks 121st in rushing, six different rushers found the endzone for Alabama for a combined eight rushing touchdowns. “We did mix in running backs. I thought they all ran hard and got their opportunities,” DeBoer said. Alabama got to work right away after freshman corner Dijon Lee intercepted quarterback Cole LaCrue on the first drive of the game. Two drives later, running back Daniel Hill added a rushing score of his own, going seven yards untouched to make the score 14-0 with 4: 49 left in the first quarter. The Crimson Tide added to the lead to start the second quarter after running back Kevin Riley dashed for a one-yard score, making the advantage 21-0 with 10: 04 left in the half. After a few defensive stops and an interception from quarterback Ty Simpson, Alabama tacked on another score, with Riley scoring his second touchdown of the afternoon to give the Crimson Tide a 28-0 lead to cap off the half. The Crimson Tide’s defense was efficient in the first half, as the Panthers only time spent in Alabama territory occurred after the Simpson interception. Eastern Illinois lost yards on that drive and came up empty on the scoreboard. “You’ve got to be disciplined, I really feel like he’ll [Simpson] do that moving forward,” DeBoer said about Simpson’s two first half interceptions. The Crimson Tide opened the second half with a four minute 59-yard touchdown drive that saw freshman running back AK Dear scamper in for a touchdown, extending the blowout to 35-0. Alabama’s lead ballooned to 42-0 as quarterback Austin Mack toted the rock for 20 yards into the endzone for a touchdown with 1: 05 left in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw much of the same for the Crimson Tide, as the team punched in a pair of rushing touchdowns to close out an emphatic victory. Alabama put up one of its best rushing performances of the season, with 49 carries for 269 yards with several backs getting opportunities to carry the rock. When asked about his team’s stellar afternoon rushing the ball, Miller gave “all credit” to the team’s offensive line. He also noted that the performance gave his team a “confidence boost heading into next week.” The team’s focus now turns to next week’s Iron Bowl where Alabama must win to punch its ticket to the College Football playoff and potentially the SEC Championship Game. DeBoer said that his team is looking forward to the “excitement of what lies ahead with the Iron Bowl” and the “opportunities” that are in front of the team. The regular season finale versus Auburn on the Plains is scheduled to kick off at 6: 30 p. m. CT and can be streamed on ABC.
https://thecrimsonwhite.com/125143/sports/crimson-tide-demolish-panthers-on-senior-day/
49ers blow out Cardinals, 41-22
During a late Sunday afternoon window featuring three exciting football games, the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals delivered a surprisingly dull matchup. The 49ers jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead within the first five minutes and never looked back, ultimately winning 41-22.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, finally healthy after missing most of the season, put on an impressive performance. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 200 yards, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions. Two of those touchdown passes were caught by tight end George Kittle, while running back Christian McCaffrey snagged the other. McCaffrey also contributed heavily on the ground, rushing for 81 yards and scoring two additional touchdowns.
On the other side, Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett set an NFL record with an astonishing 47 completions—the most ever in a regular-season game. His final stat line was 47-for-57 for 452 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. However, much of Brissett’s production came during garbage time after the Cardinals fell behind 35-10 in the third quarter.
With this win, the 49ers improve to 7-4, solidifying their position in the NFC playoff race. Meanwhile, the Cardinals drop to 3-7 and look poised to face more challenging “garbage time” scenarios as the season progresses.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/49ers-blow-out-cardinals-41-22
Tampa Bay defense can’t keep up with Buffalo’s Allen
ORCHARD PARK, N. Y. Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns on Sunday and rushed for three more, the last on a rugged 9-yard run with 2: 35 left that secured the Buffalo Bills’ 44-32 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The eighth-year starter and reigning MVP became the first player with two games of three TDs passing and rushing. He did it last year in a 44-42 loss at the Los Angeles Rams. This time, Allen outdueled fellow 2018 first-round draft pick Baker Mayfield in a shootout that featured nine lead changes. The Bills benched struggling receiver Keon Coleman in a bid to spark their passing game, and each of Allen’s three touchdown passes went for 25 yards or more. Running back Ty Johnson scored on a 52-yard catch-and-run, Allen found Tyrell Shavers open deep for a 43-yard touchdown, and James Cook scored on a 25-yard reception. Allen provided the go-ahead score, a 5-yard TD run with 9: 06 left. He finished 19 of 30 for 317 yards, and the Bills overcame his two first-half interceptions. He punctuated his final TD run with a massive spike of the ball. Taking off out of the pocket, Allen was hit at the 4-yard line, and then corralled by Bucs defenders at the 2 before Buffalo’s offensive linemen shoved him across the goal line. Buffalo (7-3) rebounded from a 30-13 loss at Miami in which Allen and the offense failed to push the ball downfield. Tampa Bay (6-4) has lost two straight and four of seven. The outcome was decided with 1: 44 left when Mayfield lost a fumble when being sacked by DaQuan Jones. Mayfield finished 16 of 28 for 173 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a TD. Sean Tucker rushed for 106 yards and two TDs, and he scored on a 28-yard catch to put the Buccaneers up 32-31 early in the fourth quarter. The teams began exchanging offensive blows from the beginning in a first half that featured five lead changes and ended with Buffalo leading 21-20 despite possessing the ball for just nine minutes and 50 seconds. Bills revamp receivers Coleman was a healthy scratch for the first time in his two-year career. Seminole High alum Gabe Davis made his season debut after being elevated from the practice squad, and Mecole Hardman made his Bills debut after being signed off the practice squad on Saturday. Injuries Buccaneers: CB Jamel Dean did not return after hurting his hip in the first quarter. Bills: Hardman did not return after sustaining a calf injury in the second half. Wyoming day The University of Wyoming was represented by a delegation of students, staff, administrators, trustees and 15 marching band members to honor Allen, one of the school’s most high-profile alums. The school hosted several events over the weekend and was an official sponsor of the game. The visit comes with Allen scheduled to travel to Laramie for the Cowboys’ game against Nevada on Saturday when the quarterback’s jersey will be retired. Allen played three seasons at Wyoming before selected seventh overall by Buffalo in 2018. Up next Buccaneers: Play at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/tampa-bay-defense-cant-keep-up-with-buffalos-allen/
Harris makes 3 interceptions and Gardner-Webb takes advantage of 4 takeaways in 30-14 win over TSU
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Quasean Holmes rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown, while Josiah Harris made three interceptions, helping Gardner-Webb secure a 30-14 victory over Tennessee State on Saturday.
Gardner-Webb capitalized on four takeaways during the game, boosting their overall performance. With this win, Gardner-Webb improved to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference, marking their second time reaching seven wins in three seasons.
On the other hand, Tennessee State fell to 2-9 overall and 0-7 in conference play, continuing their challenging season.
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/college-sports-general-news/10191248/harris-makes-3-interceptions-and-gardner-webb-takes-advantage-of-4-takeaways-in-30-14-win-over-tsu.html
Terrell Jr., Davenport, Miller each eclipse 100 yards in 28-13 Jackson St. win over Bethune-Cookman
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Travis Terrell Jr. and Donerio Davenport each rushed for more than 100 yards and a touchdown, while Ahmad Miller also surpassed the 100-yard mark.
Together, they led Jackson State to a dominant 360-yard rushing performance in a 28-13 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Sunday.
Terrell finished the game with 103 yards on 11 carries, contributing significantly to the team’s ground attack.
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/college-sports-game-stories/10190807/terrell-jr-davenport-miller-each-eclipse-100-yards-in-28-13-jackson-st-win-over-bethune-cookman.html
How to Watch Kansas State vs Oklahoma State: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel
The Kansas State Wildcats (4-5) look to make a late push for bowl eligibility when they visit the struggling Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-8) on Saturday morning. The Cowboys are currently on an eight-game losing streak and remain winless in the Big 12 Conference.
**How to Watch Kansas State at Oklahoma State**
**When:** Saturday, November 15, 2025
**Time:** 12:00 PM ET
**TV Channel:** ESPN U
**Live Stream:** Fubo (try for free)
Kansas State comes off a bye week following a 43-20 loss to visiting Texas Tech. Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson has thrown for 1,991 yards and 16 touchdowns against four interceptions, while also adding 343 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. Joe Jackson leads the team in rushing with 407 yards and a touchdown. In the receiving corps, Jayce Brown tops the charts with 38 catches for 630 yards, and Garrett Oakley has hauled in five touchdown passes.
Oklahoma State also returns from a bye, having dropped their eighth straight game on November 1 with a 38-21 defeat at Kansas. Quarterback Zane Flores made his return from injury to start against the Jayhawks and has compiled 931 passing yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions over six games. Rodney Fields Jr. leads the Cowboys’ rushing attack with 476 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Gavin Freeman is the top receiving threat with 36 catches for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
Last season, Kansas State won the matchup at home with a convincing 42-20 victory. However, Oklahoma State holds a 43-28 lead in the all-time series. The Wildcats have struggled in Stillwater recently, losing the last three contests on the road; their last road win against the Cowboys came in 2017.
This weekend’s game promises to be an exciting college football matchup you won’t want to miss. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action live!
**Live Stream Kansas State at Oklahoma State on Fubo**
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https://www.newsweek.com/how-to-watch-kansas-state-vs-oklahoma-state-live-stream-ncaa-college-football-tv-channel-11053135
UCF football’s Space Game aura, invincibility comes to abrupt end with loss to Houston
UCF’s defeat was marked by offensive mistakes and defensive lapses in the second half—issues that have been present all season. Despite a strong first half, including a pick-six, the Knights’ offense stalled after halftime, allowing Houston to rally. A last-minute drive led by redshirt freshman quarterback Davi Belfort ended with a game-sealing interception in the end zone.
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**ORLANDO** — All good things must come to an end, even UCF’s legendary Space Game voodoo.
The Knights committed the same critical offensive mistakes and temporary defensive lapses that have plagued them all year in their 30-27 defeat to Houston on Friday, Nov. 7.
UCF emerged victorious in its first eight Space Games, often cruising by comically lopsided margins. Each of those victories came by at least two scores, and the Knights piled up a total of 405 points (50.6 per game), including a 70-point outburst against Temple in 2022 during their American Athletic Conference swan song.
Even in their first two years as Big 12 members, during which they endured separate five-game losing streaks, UCF miraculously transformed from subpar to spectacular over the course of four hours.
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The first half of this year’s game provided signs that inspired hope UCF would overcome its season-long shortcomings.
Houston’s Mekhi Mews muffed a punt, setting the Knights up for a 1-yard Myles Montgomery touchdown run and a 10-0 advantage. Phillip Dunnam then victimized Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman with a school-record three interceptions, including a 43-yard pick-six that pushed UCF ahead 24-14 before the break.
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But UCF’s opening two possessions after halftime foreshadowed more of the same struggles.
Back-to-back three-and-outs stunted the Knights’ momentum, and Houston erased the two-score deficit when Weigman found Dean Connors in the flat for a 9-yard swing pass. As the night wore on, Weigman kept the offense moving, engineering 11- and 15-play drives that drained more than 12 minutes off the clock and produced the game-tying and go-ahead field goals.
Houston accumulated 158 of its 210 rushing yards after halftime, dominating the second half on the ground.
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Yet, there was still time for one final twist.
Knights head coach Gus Malzahn pulled off a surprise ahead of UCF’s do-or-die drive by inserting redshirt freshman Davi Belfort at quarterback.
Unlikely heroes have emerged in Space Games of the past. Last year, Dylan Rizk—also a fourth-string quarterback to begin the season—diced up Arizona for 294 passing yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, Demari Henderson earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after producing three takeaways versus Oklahoma State.
Belfort, the son of mixed martial arts legend Vitor Belfort, delivered the sought-after spark with a 19-yard run on his first snap. He put the Knights in field goal range with a 17-yard scramble on third-and-11.
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And for a split second, Belfort had an open window to keep the streak alive.
Duane Thomas Jr. was uncovered downfield for a potential winning touchdown, but Belfort found him too late and left the pass too short. The ball was intercepted in the end zone by Houston’s Katrell Webb, sealing the game.
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And thus, an era is over—and with it, the aura surrounding the Space Game.
The tradition will live on, a fitting one given UCF’s foundational roots in providing personnel for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, despite Houston’s protests.
But no longer can fans feel an air of invincibility or players use the streak as a genuine point of pride like Montgomery did earlier in the week.
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“I kind of describe it like a Florida-Georgia or Alabama-Auburn game, or like a Michigan-Ohio State,” Montgomery said. “You can lose every (other) game, but you better not lose that one game.”
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Instead, Houston—home to the Johnson Space Center and Mission Control—drew inspiration from UCF’s claim to the final frontier.
Cougars coach Willie Fritz said his team watched a video about the city’s ties to NASA the night before kickoff. After the game, Webb told Rivals, “Space City is our city.”
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/college/ucf/2025/11/09/ucf-knights-football-space-game-houston-cougars/87125519007/
Winfield responsible for 5TDs and Louisiana-Lafayette holds off Texas State 42-39
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Quarterback Lunch Winfield accounted for five touchdowns and 241 total yards as Louisiana-Lafayette secured a thrilling 42-39 victory over Texas State on Saturday night.
Winfield was a dual-threat on the field, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for two more. Despite the impressive performance, he did face some challenges, including two interceptions during the game. He completed 192 passing yards and added significant yardage on the ground, helping his team maintain momentum.
Louisiana-Lafayette’s explosive second quarter proved to be the deciding factor in the closely contested matchup, allowing them to hold off Texas State in the final moments.
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/college-sports-game-stories/10163241/winfield-responsible-for-5tds-and-louisiana-lafayette-holds-off-texas-state-42-39.html