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  • Former Raiders LB Jack Squirek dies at 64

    Former Raiders LB Jack Squirek dies at 64

    Former Raiders linebacker Jack Squirek died Friday after a battle with an illness, the team announced. He was 64.

    Squirek’s interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XVIII remains one of the iconic plays in NFL history. He intercepted a Joe Theismann screen pass intended for Joe Washington and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 21-3 lead in what turned into a 38-9 win.

    Squirek’s run to the end zone made the cover of Sports Illustrated, one of the most memorable covers in the magazine’s illustrious history.

    The Raiders made Squirek a second-round pick out of Illinois in 1982, and he played 53 games with the team before finishing his career with one season in Miami.

    He played 55 games, with eight starts, in his career and made only one interception in the regular season.

    “The thoughts and deepest condolences of the Raider Nation are with the Squirek family at this time,” the Raiders said in a statement.

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  • Fourth Georgia player transfers to Purdue

    Fourth Georgia player transfers to Purdue

    The Georgia Bulldogs have seen a lot of activity in the transfer portal this offseason. Georgia has seen over 20 total players enter into the transfer portal.

    Additionally, Georgia has been more aggressive than normal in the portal. The Bulldogs have targeted the wide receiver position in the transfer portal since the SEC championship. The Bulldogs have added commitments from three transfer wide receivers, which helps offset the five Georgia receivers (includes one walk-on) that have entered the transfer portal.

    Interestingly, Purdue has been a popular transfer destination for Georgia players. Four Georgia Bulldogs, including most recently wide receiver C.J. Smith, have transferred to Purdue.

    The Boilermakers have the No. 10 incoming transfer class in the nation and are looking to build off a rough 4-8 season. Purdue offers an abundance of playing time against top level competition in the Big Ten.

    Who are the four Georgia players to transfer to Purdue?

    Cornerback Nyland Green

    Former Georgia cornerback Nyland Green is ranked as one of the top cornerbacks in the transfer portal, per 247Sports.

    Wide receiver C.J. Smith

    Explosive Georgia wide receiver C.J. Smith is one of the best Georgia players to enter the transfer portal this cycle. Purdue should have a significant boost from adding four Georgia Bulldogs this season.

    Wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette

    Georgia wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette, a former four-star recruit in the class of 2022, has committed to the Purdue Boilermakers. Morrissette played high school football for North Cobb in Kennesaw, Georgia. He played in three games for the Bulldogs in 2023.

    Edge C.J. Madden

    Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    Georgia edge rusher C.J. Madden is committed to Purdue too. Madden is ranked as a three-star transfer recruit and the No. 344 transfer in the country, per 247Sports.

    More…

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  • Bill Belichick rumors: At least two teams hope to meet with legendary head coach if he and Patriots part ways

    Bill Belichick rumors: At least two teams hope to meet with legendary head coach if he and Patriots part ways

    The 2023 season will be over on Monday for 18 of the NFL’s 32 teams, and the New England Patriots will be one of those teams for the third time in four seasons without future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. 

    The Patriots are the worst scoring offense in the league this season (14.6 points per game), and sitting with a 4-12 record, the most losses of Bill Belichick’s head-coaching career, there is a chance New England is going to “mutually part ways” — essentially fire — their six-time Super Bowl champion head coach. 

    Per The Athletic, the Patriots have a meeting set for next week between owner Robert Kraft, team president Jonathan Kraft and Belichick to determine Belichick’s future with the team going forward. He reportedly wants to continue coaching, but Dianna Russini reports some who work for the team are “expecting changes” and beginning to network elsewhere. She also wrote that the Washington Commanders, who are expected to fire head coach Ron Rivera, and the Las Vegas Raiders hope to meet with Belichick should he be available.

    Both the amount of losses (12) and points per game (14.6) are the Patriots’ worst since the 1992 season, when they went 2-14. The following season, New England fired head coach Dick MacPherson and hired Bill Parcells.

    Earlier this season, New England became the first team to lose three consecutive games with 10 or fewer points allowed since the 1938 Chicago Cardinals did so nearly 100 years ago. The team has been shut out twice this season. During the Brady era, the Patriots were shut out twice in 20 seasons, including the postseason. 

    Given that Belichick won an NFL-record six Super Bowls for New England, he has had some leeway in the post-Brady era, but outside of a 10-7 year in 2021, New England has had a losing record in three of the four years Brady has been gone. Between the lack of on-field success and the poor roster construction that…

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  • LSU hires Blake Baker: New Tigers defensive coordinator helped lead Missouri to an 11-2 finish in 2023

    LSU hires Blake Baker: New Tigers defensive coordinator helped lead Missouri to an 11-2 finish in 2023

    Getty Images

    LSU is hiring Missouri’s Blake Baker as its next defensive coordinator, the school announced on Friday. Baker spent the past two seasons at Missouri where he helped orchestrate a significant turnaround for the Tigers defense. Under his watch, Missouri finished 11-2 and knocked off Ohio State 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl to close out the season. It was Ohio State’s lowest point total since a shutout College Football Playoff loss to Clemson in 2016. 

    LSU is expected to make Baker the highest-paid assistant in the country, with an annual salary exceeding $2.2 million, Yahoo Sports reports. 

    Missouri ranked No. 4 in the SEC in scoring defense (20.8 PPG) and No. 5 in the conference in total defense (336.1) in 2023. The Tigers were also No 4 nationally in forced fumbles (17) and No. 11 in the country in sacks (39).

    “Blake brings a wealth of experience and success as a defensive coordinator throughout his career, including the last two years in the SEC at Missouri,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said in a statement released by the school. “His ability to develop and motivate his players while putting together highly successful defenses sets him apart in his field. I am excited to welcome Blake and his family back to Baton Rouge.”

    It’s a bit of a homecoming for Baker, who served as the linebackers coach at LSU during the 2021 season and also. His career has also included stops at Miami and Louisiana Tech.

    Baker will be tasked with turning around what was one of the most disappointing units in college football in 2023. The Tigers dismissed a majority of its defensive…

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  • Alvin Kamara is a game-time decision

    Alvin Kamara is a game-time decision

    Saints running back Alvin Kamara is questionable to play against the Falcons on Sunday, and coach Dennis Allen calls him a game-time decision.

    “He’s one of those guys that is so valuable to our team that we’re going to go all the way up to game time to see where he’s at,” Allen said, via Katherine Terrell of ESPN. “He’s made improvement throughout the week and we’ll just wait until game time to make a decision on that.”

    Kamara sprained an ankle against the Bucs on Sunday and missed the entire week of practice.

    He has 180 carries for 694 yards, which would be a career low if he doesn’t play Sunday, and 75 catches for 466 yards with six total touchdowns in 13 games.

    If Kamara can’t play, Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller will see more snaps. Miller, who hasn’t played since Nov. 5 because of an ankle injury, missed Friday’s practice with an illness.

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  • Gators to get 2025 blue-chip QB on campus for junior day

    Gators to get 2025 blue-chip QB on campus for junior day

    The 2024 college football recruiting cycle still has some loose ends to tie up, but otherwise, the class has ostensibly taken form. With all of that all but wrapped up, Billy Napier and Co. can begin looking forward to 2025.

    Among the many that Florida football has a keen eye on is four-star quarterback Antwann Hill out of Robins (Georgia) Houston County. The 6-foot-5-inch, 215-pound passer will be in Gainesville for the program’s junior day event on Jan. 13, according to Swamp247.

    The coveted play-caller has visited the Swamp in the past, including a stop to see the Gators upset the Tennessee Volunteers in mid-September.

    “They had an electric atmosphere out there. That’s one thing about Florida fans, they’re always going to bring the energy,” Hill noted following the game.

    “A performance like this means the program is just headed back in the right direction with a big win over the Vols. They came out had a great game plan and executed it at a very high level.”

    While it is still fairly early in the young student-athlete’s recruitment, there has not been a shortage of suitors. Hill is also eyeing visits with the LSU Tigers as well as the Louisville Cardinals.

    “He’s wide open right now,” his father Antwann Sr. said. “Anyone has a shot. We haven’t ruled anybody out.”

    The elder Hill also mentioned the Colorado Buffaloes, Memphis Tigers, Auburn Tigers and Florida State Seminoles.

    Hill is ranked No. 66 overall and No. 5 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 76 and 6, respectively.

    Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

    Story originally appeared on Gators Wire

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  • When is 2024 Super Bowl: Date, time, how to watch NFL championship on CBS, Nickelodeon, stream on Paramount+

    When is 2024 Super Bowl: Date, time, how to watch NFL championship on CBS, Nickelodeon, stream on Paramount+

    Super Bowl LVIII is coming up, but exactly when is it played? If you’ve been wondering when the big game is, you’ve come to the right place.

    This year’s NFL championship game, concluding the 2023 season, will be played on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The action will take place at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, located on the Las Vegas strip in Paradise, Nevada.

    The game will be broadcast on CBS and there will be an alternative broadcast on Nickelodeon. Football fans can also stream the game on Paramount+. Usher will be performing in the halftime show this year.

    Who will be playing in the championship game is still not known, but we will be one step closer to knowing this weekend, when the playoff picture is finalized and all 14 spots have been claimed.

    The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in last year’s Super Bowl. Both teams have qualified for the playoffs this year as well. 

    How to watch the 2024 Super Bowl

    Date: Sunday, Feb. 11Time: 6:30 p.m. ETLocation: Allegiant Stadium (Paradise, Nevada)TV: CBS, Nickelodeon | Stream: CBS broadcast on Paramount+

    Note: This marks the first time in NFL history that the Super Bowl will be broadcast in two different formats, with CBS carrying the traditional broadcast of the game and Nickelodeon airing an exclusive kids- and family-friendly telecast. The CBS broadcast will be available to stream via Paramount+.

    Paramount+ can be streamed on a number of supported devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Fire TVs, PlayStation 4s and 5s, Roku TVs, Xbox’s and Google TVs.

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  • Oklahoma fires defensive coordinator Ted Roof: Sooners targeting Jacksonville State’s Zac Alley as replacement

    Oklahoma fires defensive coordinator Ted Roof: Sooners targeting Jacksonville State’s Zac Alley as replacement

    Oklahoma defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof will not return in 2024, coach Brent Venables announced in a release. The Sooners are expected to hire Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Zac Alley, who just finished his first season with the Gamecocks, as Roof’s replacement, 247Sports reports.

    Roof spent the past two seasons as the Sooners’ DC, arriving as part of Venables’ first staff ahead of the 2022 campaign, after previously working alongside Venables as a defensive assistant at Clemson in 2021. The decision to move forward without Roof, a longtime defensive assistant of more than 30 years, was “mutually agreed,” according to the statement. 

    “I have the utmost respect and appreciation for Ted,” Venables said in a statement. “I told him Wednesday I made a decision to go in a new direction at defensive coordinator and offered him an opportunity to remain on our staff in a different role. He explained that he has a deep desire to keep coaching and will look to do that at a different school. Ted is an incredibly knowledgeable coach and teacher, and his players love playing for him. Our program is thankful for his extreme dedication the last two seasons and for helping make us better.”

    Oklahoma ranked No. 78 nationally in total defense at 389.4 yards allowed per game in 2023. While that was an improvement from 2022, when which the Sooners ranked No. 121 nationally at a whopping 461.0 yards allowed per game, it still ranked sixth out of 14 teams in the Big 12 as Oklahoma went a third consecutive season without a Big 12 championship. 

    The Sooners began the year 7-0 before losing three games in the back half of the season, culminating in a 38-24 Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona in which the Sooners were outscored 17-0 in…

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