Author: nfltalk

MONTGOMERY — Alabama State football held its Black and Gold Spring Game on Saturday at Hornet Stadium.

Entering the third year under head coach Eddie Robinson Jr., the Hornets kicked off their 2024 campaign, dazzling fans with the new offensive skill players acquired during the offseason.

Team Gold (the ASU offense) was dominant and won the spring game, 34-24. Here were the major takeaways from Saturdays game:

More: Alabama State football: Former Auburn quarterback Dematrius Davis to enter transfer portal

Dominant first half for offense

The offense for the Hornets came out firing, scoring on its first three offensive series en route to taking an early 21-0 lead in the second quarter.

Running back Daquon Kincey netted the first score of the game with a 5-yard rush on the opening drive. Andrew Body followed up launching a 70-yard touchdown pass to Eric Horn on the next series for the second score. In the closing minutes of the first quarter, Jamari Hotclaw sprinted down the sideline for a 35-yard score — extending the lead for the Gold team.

Team Black (the ASU defense) only allowed a field goal in the second quarter, as the offense led 24-6 at the halftime mark.

Offensive standouts

In their debut at Hornet stadium, quarterbacks Andrew Body, Zachary Sims, and Jayvious Langford gave fans a preview of what they could see in the fall. Body got the start and led the offense to touchdown drives in his first two series of the game. He completed four of his seven passes with a touchdown. Sims also showed flashes of being a possible starter leading the offense down the field for a second half score.

Wide receiver Bakari Daily was doing it all in from the slot position, catching passes out of the backfield and down the field. His open-field vision allowed for several yards after catch opportunities. Eric Horn and tight end Derrick…

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Clemson’s spring practice window culminates this Saturday with the program’s annual spring football game, providing an intriguing peek at a team with high hopes in 2024. The Tigers are trying to make it back to the top of the ACC mountain after finishing tied for sixth in the conference last year.

It was a disappointing result for coach Dabo Swinney, who lost four games for the first time since 2011 and finished with his worst win total as a head coach since 2010. On top of its ACC aspirations, Clemson is also aiming to reintroduce itself on the national stage amid a College Football Playoff dry streak. 

Once a mainstay in the national championship picture with six straight playoff appearances from 2015-20, Clemson is going on four years with a CFP berth. But now that the field has expanded to 12 teams, the barrier to entry has lowered tremendously. If Clemson can win the ACC for a second time in three years, it will earn an automatic bid. 

Before Clemson can even think about the ACC championship, College Football Playoff berth or even stepping foot on the field for its regular season opener, it has to get through spring practice. Here’s how to watch Clemson’s spring game and some storylines to monitor as the 2024 Tigers give fans a look at what to expect this coming season. 

How to watch 2024 Clemson spring game live

Date: Saturday, April 6 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Memorial Stadium — Clemson, South Carolina
Live Stream: ACC Network Extra 

2024 Clemson spring game storylines 

1. Can the offense take a step forward? The pairing of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley — who coached up a Heisman Trophy finalist and contributed to a College Football Playoff National Championship run at TCU in 2022 — and former five-star quarterback…

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In late March, Zion Lee was offered by Rutgers football, adding another Power Five program into a crowded recruitment.

A class of 2026 prospect, Elee plans to visit Rutgers football sometime this month.

Elee is an edge rusher from Joppatowne (Joppa, Maryland). He checks in at 6-foot-5, 225-pound who has a strong offer list that includes Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin among others.

His offer from Rutgers came on a call with head coach Greg Schiano.

“I was excited to receive an offer straight from a head coach. That’s how you know it ain’t a game,” Elee told Rutgers Wire.

“The program is great in my opinion with a nice, building defense and they also bring put a lot of players in the league.”

In late March, Elee took an unofficial visit to Maryland.

Following the offer from Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights are doing well with Elee in his recruitment.

“It’s up there in my top schools for now,” Elee said. “But I haven’t made an official top five, opportunities still rolling in.”

Story originally appeared on Rutgers Wire

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The American Athletic Conference has hired longtime college sports executive Tim Pernetti as its next commissioner, the conference announced Wednesday. Pernetti replaces Mike Aresco, who transformed the league from the former Big East to the AAC. 

“I am fired up to work alongside our board, conference staff, athletics directors and coaches as we continue to transform the AAC into a bold collegiate conference enterprise that promotes world-class academic and athletic opportunities for our student-athletes through innovative resources, brand partnerships and emerging opportunities,” Pernetti said in a statement released by the conference. “I am ready to roll up my sleeves and, alongside our conference community, get to work.” 

Pernetti comes to the AAC with experience in both college athletics and the business side of sports. He will join the conference after a series of roles working for IMG, the leading sports marketing and branding firm. From 2015-19, he was the president of IMG College, a branch of the company dealing with building sponsorships and sales for universities. He spent the last two years leading IMG Academy, the high school in Bradenton, Florida, known for recruiting and developing elite athletes. 

“Tim Pernetti is the ideal leader to guide the American Athletic Conference through this pivotal time in college athletics,” American Athletic Conference Board Executive Committee chairman Dr. Philp Rogers said in a statement released by the conference.. “His perspective as a successful student-athlete, a respected and progressive director of athletics, and his demonstrated leadership, innovation, competitive spirit, and business acumen across a number of professional organizations make him uniquely suited to build on the success of…

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