Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/4/2026

The Sportsman of the Week took a week off for the holidays but is back with an edge.  The College Football Playoff has been the most controversial and most watched in (well) it's two-year history, but the games are certainly drawing attention.  The best quarterfinal game by far was the Allstate Sugar Bowl, featuring two (traditional) SEC teams and big play after big play.  Most of the time delivered by Mississippi quarter back Trinidad Chambliss.  Chambliss finished the Sugar Bowl with a season high 362 passing yards on a season high 30 completions.  He led three fourth quarter drives facing a deficit to take the lead.  The last a FG on a 45-yard drive with under a minute to go to give the Rebels a 37-34 lead against the SEC Conference Champion Georgia Bulldogs.  One mistake, and the Ole Miss Rebels aren't playing in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.  Instead. Chambliss has them on to the next.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/21/2025

The college football playoffs kicked off with a bang, with chatter around of who should be in and who shouldn't.  Didn't matter to the teams that played.  A team that many panned as not being worthy were the Miami Hurricanes, who got the last at large bid to face the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, a place their fans believe teams go to die. Despite a defensive struggle, one player put on an offensive masterpiece to secure the Canes a spot in the quarterfinals.  Miami Hurricanes tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. looked all the part of the roles of previous great Miami backs.  From Frank Gore to Edgerrin James to Clinton Portis., they always came up big in big games.  Overall, for the game, he surged for 172 yards on 17 carries in a game the offense only had 278 yards total.  But in the biggest drive, tied 3-3 with under 4 minutes left, he took control.  Surging for 56 yards in the play to start the drive, carrying the next 4 times, including another 12-yarder for a first down (killing A&M time outs).  The drive ending in a Miami TD as they showed the world they belong and he is a force to be reckoned with in the next round.  Mark Fletcher Jr. is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/30/2025

For all its warts, College Football remains the sport of many fans in November, especially Thanksgiving / Rivalry weekend.  While our Sportsman of the Week wasn't in a pure rivalry, his performance upended the college football playoff in a huge win in their season finale.  California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele had nearly a perfect day in shredding 2024 playoff participant and expected ACC Championship Game contender Southern Methodist.  Sagapolutele hit all but 9 of his 40 passes, and four of the 31 completions went for touchdowns.  To four different receivers.  The four TDs and 330 yards in the game were a career high.  He was sacked never.  He threw no interceptions.  And the freshman led the kinds of two-minute drives legends do.  JKS went 5 for 6, making his biggest completion to the 5-yard line with 40s left before having his RB punch it in.  Cal ends the season at a quietly good 7-5 and will be bowling.  Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a big name to watch in the future and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/23/2025

In a bit of a "calm before the storm" week in college football, there were some surprising outcomes and performance that shaped the conference title races.  None more than the Pittsburgh Panthers upset of the previously ranked #16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets sent shockwaves through the ACC standings.  The Panthers got a command performance from Ja'Kyrian Turner, a true freshman running back who is surging with experience.  Against the Jackets, "Boosie" Turner ran for a career high 201 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, nearly toting the ball 10 yards per carry.  The climax was a spectacular 56 yard run up the middle to put the Panthers ahead by more than a touchdown for good.  Pittsburgh doesn't have a great chance to make the ACC title game, but the future is bright with Turner, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/16/2025

In a playoff deciding game, big players and leaders step up and that was the case for our Sportsman of the Week.  Georgia Quarterback Gunner Stockton was clutch in the second half for his Bulldogs against the Texas Longhorns for the second time in 12 months.  This time, he showed that Georgia may be the hottest team in the country.  The Junior had his best game of the year, throwing nothing but darts hitting 83% of his passes four 4 touchdowns, while running for a fifth as they pulled away from a Top 10 team.  Georgia seems to be the kind of team that is getting better with time and has a favorable schedule.  They may not make the SEC title game, but finishing 11-1 won't keep them out of the playoffs, hosting a game, then being a force to be reckoned with.  Stockton is the leader they need, and the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/9/2025

Sometimes a single play, in an amazingly surprise situation, in the clutch can get you Sportsman of the Week.  This is the week.  The Indiana Hoosiers football (that's right football, not basketball) program continues to astound experts.  "They're not that good, just easy schedule."  "Once they play the big boys they'll lose."  "Why are they ranked so high?".  They are 21-1 over the past two regular seasons.  Read that again.  Slowly.  21.  And.  1.  We usually make fun of a Boise State or Coastal Carolina for such numbers, but this is the Big 10.  Did they not play everyone?  No, they didn't.  You can't with an 18-team conference.  But they're winning and this week against Penn State.  The final winning drive was punctuated by what will be a finalist if not winner for catch of the year.  Heisman trophy short odds QB Fernando Mendoza through a piss missile to Omar Cooper Jr.  Who snagged it against all odds.  Cooper Jr. high pointed the ball and made an impossible toe touch on third and goal from the 7 under 40s.  To give Indiana a key win 27-24 over Penn State in their Big 10 title hopes.  Not all wins are perfectly pretty.  But going into Happy Valley against a desperate team deserves props and the catch by Cooper Jr. was in line with that.  A worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/28/2025

The first major conference matchup week in college football unfolded in the last weekend in September and it did not disappoint.  In the New Conference Order, suddenly a matchup between Illinois and Southern California is (1) a conference matchup and (2) one between ranked teams.  And on national TV, the Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer took over.  Altmyer struck early, was efficient, and finished the game.  He ended 20-26 with 328 yards on such limited attempts.  And two TDs in a thrilling 34-32 victory.  And no interceptions.  And he was efficient with his legs on five carries and tack on another touchdown.  Oh and, he caught a TD pass.  Talk about doing it all.  Altmyer answered the critics after a tough loss and has positioned Illinois with their conference title fate in front of them.  Luke Altmyer is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/14/2025

Despite criticism of scheduling, the first three weeks of the NCAA College Football Season has had a number of big games with ranked teams coming down to the end.  The Texas A&M Aggies took a step up in the national landscape with a huge win on the road against a Top Ten team.  In what many consider the most hallowed college football grounds in South Bend, Indiana.  Marcel Reed, who emerged midway through the 2024 season with a big win against LSU, did it again against the Fighting Irish.  This time accounting for nearly 400 yards on his own (360 passing, 37 running) and two TDs.  His most clutch play was the deciding fourth down and 11 yards do or die.  Reed did.  Notre Dame died.  Big win for the Aggies as they try and show they're contenders for the SEC.  Marcel Reed is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/22/2024

The highly anticipated first round of the reformatted and expanded college football playoffs arrived with much fanfare but unfortunately, not very competitive games.  Although the final score and overall differential during the game seemed comfortable, the University of Texas Longhorns found themselves in a battle against the Clemson Tigers well into the fourth quarter.  This is when our Sportsman of the Week emerged to save the day.  Jaydon Blue of the Texas Longhorns stepped up to be the alpha back in a stable full of backs to score on a spectacular 77-yard touchdown run after Clemson had pulled within 7 points with well over 10 minutes left.  This put the game at 38-24, which would be the final tally for the victorious Longhorns.  Blue was thrust to the bulk back for Quintrevion Wisner who battled through injuries during the game.  Blue had his best game of his career, ending the day with 146 yards on 14 carries and 2 TD.  He caught a couple more passes for 31 yards (good for 3rd highest yardage on the team) to approach 200 total scrimmage yards when his team needed him most.  Both Wisner and Blue were expected to be 3rd or further on the depth chart coming into the season, but as a tandem were hard to stop for Clemson.  In the end, Blue earns the Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/15/2024

The world of college football fans turns its eyes to the Army/Navy game on the weekend between the conference championships and first weekend of bowl games (err playoffs).  And the game seldom disappoints.  Saturday was no exception.  For the first time in decades, the two teams came in with a combined 19 wins.  Army was ranked.  Navy had beaten a ranked opponent.  Make it two.  Navy surprisingly thrashed the Army defense with body blow runs up the middle mixed with creative play calling to put the Black Knights in an outflanked position.  Combine that with effective shutting down of the Army running game behind the Joe Moore Award winning best offensive line in football limiting the ground attack to just 3 yards per rush.  But it was Navy's quarterback, Blake Horvath, who was the star.  Horvath carried the ball 25 of the 43 totes for the Midshipmen for 204 yards and two TDs.  That's over 8 yards a carry and they knew it was coming.  Back to the play calling, Horvath completed 4 passes but for a total of over 100 yards and two more scores.  Also.  No interceptions.  No fumbles lost.  And sweet 31-13 dominating, upset victory against a rival.  Nothing better than that, and for Blake Horvath, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/8/2024

What a weekend of college football with all the most elite teams (and playoff bound) teams facing off for conference title in their title game.  One of the most intriguing games was in the newly reformed Big 12 that featured Pac 12 refugee Arizona State Sun Devils against the incumbent Iowa State Cyclones.  Experts had it forecasted close however they underestimated Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo.  Skattebo probably should be in New York for the Heisman (different debate for a different day) but he was the man of the match in running all over the usually strong defensive minded Cyclones.  The senior only needed to carry the ball 16 times for over 170 yards and two TD's.  It was his third game in a row over 145 rushing to go with nine total touchdowns in those affairs as Arizona State has not only punched their ticket to the playoffs, but also the fourth seed and a bye week.  And whoever gets them in the second round will have a force to deal with.  Cam Skattebo is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/1/2024

Rivalry weekend in college football did not disappoint in terms of actions, upsets, road wins, and elite performances by outstanding players.  The latter of which (actually accomplished all four) was South Carolina upsetting Clemson at Clemson.  Trailing 14-7 with under 7:00 to play, Gamecock quarterback LaNorris Sellers shined.  He became an unstoppable force, notching two runs of 27 yards, and a TD run of 20 yards in two scoring drives to put South Carolina ahead for good to win 17-14.  Overall Sellers three for 164 yards, but ran nearly unabated for 166 yards and both Carolina touchdowns.  The freshman Sellers appears to be ready to torment SEC teams for years to come, and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/17/2024

The college football season is winnowing down to the last couple of weeks and several name brand teams are angling for a playoff berth.  A recent name brand that continues to make its name is the Boise State Broncos.  At 9-1 and now projected to potentially get a first round playoff berth, the Broncs have ripped teams up on the ground thanks to Heisman short list candidate Ashton Jeanty.  Jeanty is pushing 2000 yards so far through just 10 games and seems unstoppable.  This week, he tallied 159 yards and 30 carries and 3 TD in a 42-21 win over a bowl-bound San Jose State Spartans.  Boise State's only loss was a 3-point squeaker to number one, undefeated Oregon Ducks (in which Jeanty had 200 all-purpose yards and yes, another 3 TD).  Expect Jeanty to continue to roll and prove himself in the playoffs, but for this week he is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!  

Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/3/2024

The college football season is reaching a boil with the playoff picture becoming more clear week by week and undefeated teams falling by the wayside.  In one of the most intriguing matchups of the weekend, the Southern Methodist Mustangs are showing the ACC that they were a worthy add in a huge defeat of the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Panthers in one of two ranked matchups on the weekend.  The Ponies were led by a Pony express vintage effort by running back Brashard Smith who thrashed the Panthers defense for 161 yards on 23 carries and 2 TDs.  The senior tailback added a third TD on a pass (21 yards there as he tickled 200 total).  Smith has reached 100+ yards now 5 times, is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, and is near 1000 rushing yards total.  SMU is in position for a playoff berth and even a bye if they win the ACC.  Brashard Smith is a worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/13/2024

Another huge weekend for college football including big conference matchups and one of the more intriguing games was Penn State travelling out west to Southern California for a new world Big 10 matchup.  The game did not disappoint.  USC took a 20-6 lead at halftime but the Nittany Lions came out of the locker room in the second half on fire.  Overall, while Drew Allar stepped up with the biggest game of his QB career, it was Tight End Tyler Warren who put up the biggest individual numbers.  Allar to Warren was good for 17 catches and 224 yards and a touchdown.  The senior Warren had eclipsed 100 yards only twice in his career and never more than 8 catches.  The Lions won in overtime to preserve their Top 4 ranking and Warren is an unlikely hero.  And the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/6/2024

In an upset-filled weekend of college football, Vanderbilt pulled the most upsettedness of upsets.  Over number one [Forrest Gump Voice] Ahh-luuh-BAAMMMA.  Led by an unlikely hero.  Senior Commodore quarterback Diego Pavia did it with his arm and legs in an efficient performance.  An accurate an efficient 16-20 throwing for 252 yards with 2 TD and no interceptions.  The New Mexico State transfer averaged over 10 yards per attempt and 15 yards per completion.  Long was only 36 yards so it wasn't one or two big plays.  Then mix in his legs at 56 yards on 20 carries (no sacks either).  Protected the ball.  Got tough yards rushing.  Threw efficiently.  And won the biggest game of his life.  Diego Pavia is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/29/2024

One of the biggest college football games of the SEC (which means in national college football) was Alabama hosting Georgia and the action did not disappoint.  Alabama surged to a 30-7 half time lead and there were arguments the score did not even reflect the domination of the Tide.  Then Georgia, inspired by a halftime lead, scored 27 of the next 30 points to take an improbable lead.  Enter our Sportsman of the Week Jalen Milroe.  One play for 75 yards to end the scoring.  But it was his dominant effort all game, throwing 27-33 (missed six passes) for 374 yards and two TDs.  He was also the Tide's leading rusher at 16 carries for 117 yards and two TDs.  That's like near 500 yards in their biggest game of the year.  Milroe has ascended to the short conversation for Heisman Trophy and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/1/2024

A second thrilling weekend of college football commenced with a handful of big national matchups between big conferences.  The weekend spanned five full days (Thursday through Monday) giving fans a holiday weekend buffet of action.  Sunday night may have been the peak game with a huge SEC and Big 10 matchup at a neutral site and it didn't disappoint.  Teams that have each won National Championships in the last 20 years squared off in Las Vegas as the 13th ranked Louisiana State Tigers and 23rd ranked Southern California Trojans went toe to toe for 60 minutes.  In what many expected to be a high scoring game (having seen USC defense the prior year) was a slugfest with body blows thrown throughout but coming down to the fourth quarter.  With the game 17-13 entering the fourth quarter, USC excelled with two huge scoring drives to win it led by heir apparent to the USC QBU franchise Miller Moss.  Moss ended the day 27-36 with a TD, but had two go ahead drives in the fourth quarter with a TD throw, and a two-minute drill drive in which he was 5-6 and led a 1m 39s drive with ease.  They could have gotten a FG but got the TD on a run.  Moss was patient behind Heisman Trophy winner and eventual top NFL draft pick Caleb Williams and the reigns are now his, and he is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 8/25/2024

College Football is back and what may end up being a Top 10 game of the year was the first game of what is like 2000.  2023 undefeated and playoff snubbed Florida State entered the season reloaded and with playoff hopes abound.  As ten-point favorites against Georgia Tech in a Week 0 kickoff game in Ireland, seemed like a great warm up and easy conference win.  Not so fast.  Georgia Tech has a new attitude and that is tough.  Led by Jamal Haynes, the Rambling Wreck controlled the football and most importantly, the final possession to defeat the number ten Seminoles.  Haynes produced gutsy runs totaling 75 yards on 11 carries, with two TDs.  Toss in a couple of catches for 16 yards for over 90.  No these aren't Heisman type numbers but numbers the team needed in a run first approach with variable weather against a good team.  Haynes and the Yellow Jackets received 0 AP or AFCA votes in the first poll.  Less than Texas State, Texas San Antonio, and Air Force among others.  They'll get votes this week thanks to Haynes the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/14/2024

In one of the most anticipated College Football Playoff Championship games in recent memory, two 14-0 teams geared up to battle in Houston.  Intrigue skyrocketed as two conflicting styles of play... Michigan's running and defense versus Washington's weapon-laden, diverse offense and points would be settled on the field.  The former proved superior.  The tone was set early on two early breakout runs by Donovan Edwards, who had been relegated to more of a change-of-pace back through the year behind workhorse Blake Corum.  But it was Edwards who burst through the Huskies defensive line twice in the first 13 minutes of the game to stake the Wolverines to a 14-3 lead, after which Washington never got closer than a TD.  Both Edwards runs were 40+ yards and hit paydirt for the first two touchdowns of the game.  He totaled 104 yards on just 6 carries, but his strong start is worthy of the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!