Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz says his confidence hasn’t wavered even during an offseason in which Oklahoma transfer Caleb Williams’ name got mentioned as his potential replacement. Mertz is now working with a new receiving corps and new offensive coordinator as he attempts to gain consistency and live up to the lofty expectations that accompanied his arrival. “My confidence never really has gotten tested to the point where I doubt myself,” Mertz said Monday.
news.yahoo.comBadgers' Chryst says he never spoke directly to Williams
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst says he never personally spoke with Caleb Williams when the former Oklahoma quarterback was considering potential transfer destinations before choosing Southern California. Chryst added that he did keep incumbent quarterback Graham Mertz informed about the situation as Williams was making his decision. "He understands,” Chryst said Monday, the day before Wisconsin opens spring practice.
news.yahoo.comUSC's Riley details recruiting coups, reunion with Williams
Lincoln Riley says he didn't — and couldn't — talk to Caleb Williams between the day the coach left Oklahoma and the day his once-and-future star quarterback entered the transfer portal five weeks later. “There's a long period of time where there's zero communication,” Riley said Wednesday while announcing his February signing period class.
news.yahoo.comVirus infections for Olympic athletes, coaches rising faster
Athletes and team officials are reportedly testing positive for COVID-19 at much higher rates than other people arriving in China for the Beijing Olympics. Those infected have been taken to isolation hospitals and could miss their events.
news.yahoo.comFormer Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams is transferring to USC
Signing Day Football FILE - Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. College football's traditional signing period, which starts Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, is now overshadowed by transfer moves and Williams is the most sought after player available. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) (Charlie Riedel)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Caleb Williams is transferring to Southern California, following his former coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to the Trojans. Williams posted his long-awaited announcement on social media Tuesday, a video that included the former five-star recruit in a USC uniform and famous Trojans fan Snoop Dogg rapping. Williams started seven games last season for Oklahoma and passed for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns. Riley left Oklahoma after the regular season to take the job at USC and when Williams entered the transfer portal in January, it was widely speculated that the Trojans would be his choice.
wftv.comOklahoma QB Williams enters portal, says Sooners an option
Alamo Bowl Football Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams runs against Oregon during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. Riley left Oklahoma to become coach at Southern California the day after the Sooners ended their regular season with a loss to Oklahoma State. Williams led the Sooners to a victory last week against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. Venables and Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione released a statement saying they would "continue to be engaged" with Williams. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comBrooks' 3 TDs push Oklahoma past Oregon 47-32 in Alamo Bowl
Alamo Bowl Football Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) celebrates a touchdown against Oregon with Tyrese Robinson (52) during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. 15 Oregon in the Alamo Bowl on Wednesday night. Oklahoma (11-2) bolted to a 30-3 lead as Brooks and Williams sliced up the Oregon defense. Oregon was led by assistant coach Bryan McClendon, who was elevated to interim head coach for the bowl game after Mario Cristobal left the Ducks for Miami. Oregon has hired Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, who will take over at Oregon after the College Football Playoff.
wftv.comNo. 18 Baylor 27-14 win ends No. 4 Oklahoma 17-game streak
Abram Smith had 148 yards rushing, including a 75-yard scamper to set up the first of Bohanon’s two rushing TDs in the fourth quarter, and the Bears (8-2, 5-2 Big 12, CFP No. Baylor fans stormed the field when they thought the game was over, but there had been a timeout, and 3 seconds remained. Bohanon had 107 yards rushing, while going 12-of-21 passing for 117 yards. THE TAKEAWAYOklahoma: The Sooners still control their path to get into the Big 12 championship game for a chance to win their seventh consecutive conference title. UP NEXTOklahoma plays its home finale against Iowa State in a rematch of last year’s Big 12 title game.
wftv.comAP Top 25 Podcast: Riley on switching QBs; Week 10 preview
Texas Tech Oklahoma Football Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) passes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 52-21. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) (Alonzo Adams)Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley made a quarterback switch that put a Heisman Trophy hopeful on the bench and a freshman at the helm of a top-10 team. On the latest AP Top 25 Podcast, Riley joins the AP's Ralph Russo to discuss making the move from Spencer Rattler to Caleb Williams. And is there room to be delicate with the handling of players in college football? ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comWilliams throws 6 TD passes, No. 4 Oklahoma routs Texas Tech
Texas Tech Oklahoma Football Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) (Alonzo Adams)NORMAN, Okla. — (AP) — Caleb Williams threw for 402 yards and six touchdowns and No. 4 Oklahoma finally put together a complete game, rolling past Texas Tech 52-21 on Saturday. Baker Mayfield threw seven against Texas Tech in 2016. Oklahoma held Texas Tech to 373 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers. Williams passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns to four receivers in the first half to help Oklahoma take a 28-7 lead.
wftv.comNo. 3 Oklahoma holds off Kansas 35-23 behind Williams' runs
Oklahoma Kansas Football Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel)LAWRENCE, Kan. — (AP) — Caleb Williams threw two touchdown pass, ran 40-yards for a score on a pivotal fourth down and No. 3 Oklahoma rallied to beat Kansas 35-23 and avoid an enormous upset Saturday. Jason Bean passed for 246 yards and a score for Kansas (1-6, 0-4), which led 17-7 late in the third quarter. THE TAKEAWAYOklahoma: The Sooners were probably fortunate to be playing Kansas because this was their worst game of the season. Kansas travels to Oklahoma State.
wftv.comNo. 4 Oklahoma beats TCU 52-31 in Williams’ starting debut
TCU Oklahoma Football Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against TCU, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) (Alonzo Adams)NORMAN, Okla. — (AP) — Caleb Williams had a big starting debut for No. 4 Oklahoma, throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns and running for another score in the Sooners' 52-31 victory over TCU on Saturday night. He started fast against TCU with an opening 75-yard touchdown drive that took just under three minutes. Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) had three consecutive touchdown drives to open the third quarter, including two touchdown connections between Williams and receiver Jadon Haselwood. The Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) were without running back Zach Evans, who had a Big 12 second-leading 586 rushing yards and five touchdowns entering the weekend.
wftv.comOklahoma coach Riley won't name starting QB before TCU game
APTOPIX Oklahoma Texas Football Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) puts on the Golden Hat after coming off the bench to lead Oklahoma to a 54-48 win over Texas in an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Dallas. The Oklahoma quarterback had everything going for himself two months ago. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley wouldn’t say how he will play his quarterbacks heading into the fourth-ranked Sooners’ game against TCU (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) on Saturday. TCU coach Gary Patterson said he doesn’t see Oklahoma changing much with Williams, but he will review past examples of Oklahoma using the quarterback run game to prepare. “Some really, really good things and some really, really bad things.
wftv.comOklahoma QB Rattler benched vs. Texas again; future unclear
Oklahoma Texas Football Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley talks to quarterback Spencer Rattler before sending Rattler in for a two-point conversion during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) (Jeffrey McWhorter)Last year, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler’s benching against Texas was temporary. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley went to true freshman Caleb Williams, who rallied the sixth-ranked Sooners to a 55-48 win over the 21st-ranked Longhorns. Rattler returned for one play — a 2-point conversion pass that he completed to Drake Stoops in the fourth quarter. Marvin Mims, who caught five passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns for Oklahoma, said Rattler handled the situation well.
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