Injury to keep Foles out of Colts finale; Ehlinger to start
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Nick Foles will miss the Indianapolis Colts season finale against Houston because of injured ribs and will be replaced by second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger. As Foles writhed in pain, Thibodeaux celebrated a few feet away by doing snow angels on the field. That prompted Saturday to install Foles, an 11-year veteran, as the starter last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. But after being sacked a career-high seven times in his first start in exactly one year, Foles was injured Sunday and will now be replaced by Ehlinger. Foles and Ehlinger also attended the same Texas high school as Drew Brees, Austin Westlake.
wftv.comColts' Foles carted off vs. Giants after Thibodeaux sack
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — (AP) — Indianapolis quarterback Nick Foles was carted off the field late in the second quarter against the New York Giants after sustaining a rib injury while being sacked by Kayvon Thibodeaux. As Foles lay on the ground, Thibodeaux did snow angles right next to him as Colts medical personnel attended to Foles. He was making his second start for Indianapolis in what has become a miserable season. Foles was sacked a career-high seven times the previous week in a loss against the Chargers. With veteran Matt Ryan inactive, Sam Ehlinger is the Colts backup quarterback.
wftv.comSaturday answers Irsay's call, goes back to work with Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — When Colts owner Jim Irsay first contacted Jeff Saturday, he wanted answers about Indy's struggling offensive line. Since then, Ehlinger has seen his offensive coordinator fired, his head coach fired, a friend traded and his assistant position coach, Parks Frazier, promoted to play-caller. “I didn’t know who was going to be the head coach. “Love him as a coach and person and appreciate everything he’s done for the Colts and my success. Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said he likes what Saturday brings, acknowledging the Colts needed a jolt of energy.
wftv.comWhat to expect from Sam Ehlinger, the Colts' all-of-a-sudden QB1
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback scrambled left to escape a collapsing pocket, keeping the ball tight and his eyes downfield. This week, as the Colts host the Washington Commanders, Ehlinger has a chance in his first NFL start to prove it. Even head coach Frank Reich seemed jarred when he told Ryan: "We did not hold up to our end of the bargain." “It would be fair to frame it that nobody would bet against Sam the competitor and the person making it,” one NFL talent evaluator who scouted Ehlinger told Yahoo Sports. “I just naturally had to step up and be a leader in my house,” Ehlinger said.
wftv.comFantasy Football Week 8 Analysis: Has the Justin Fields breakout finally arrived?
If you are new to this article series, I will be using my Expected Fantasy Points model to determine which players relied on volume or efficiency to produce for fantasy. In short, the two metrics that we will use each week are:Expected Fantasy Points (or xFP)Fantasy Points Over Expected (or FPOE = Actual Points - Expected Points)Why do these metrics matter? In short, fantasy production rooted in volume (or xFP) is much more sustainable week to week. Campbell also ranks as the WR9 in Expected Fantasy Points with 14.8, ahead of players like Mike Evans and Davante Adams in that timespan. Quarterbacks: Fantasy Usage & EfficiencyJustin Fields - Chicago BearsIt took a couple of weeks, but we might finally be in the midst of Justin Fields' breakout.
wftv.comEagles & Jets heat up trade deadline, why Bill Belichick is ruining Mac Jones, should Matt Ryan hang it up & embarrassing Halloween stories
It kicked off last week with the Carolina Panthers' blockbuster trade of Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers. Closing out the episode, Charles, Charles & Jori share a few embarrassing Halloween stories. All profits directly fund the Terez A. Paylor scholarship at Howard University. Under "Tribute," please note that your gift is made in memory of Terez A. Paylor. Under "Designation," click on "Other" and write in "Terez A. Paylor Scholarship."
wftv.comColts finally give up on Andrew Luck ghost, while Packers need prayers and Patriots need to start Mac Jones
Colts finally turning the page from the Andrew Luck sagaThe Colts finally did it. After years of chasing the ghost of Andrew Luck, they seem ready to accept their fate as a team that’s stuck in the mud and in serious need of a retooling. The NFC South is a dumpster fireLet me say this as a fan of the Atlanta Falcons: No more NFC South games should be televised this season. In a year where there seems to be a lot of bad football, the NFC South was the embodiment of it last weekend. The fall of the Buccaneers has resulted in the NFC South quickly turning into a feeble division feared by none and mocked by many.
wftv.comColts QB Matt Ryan 'personally disappointed' with benching, but will 'accept and embrace' backup role
The Indianapolis Colts benching Matt Ryan — the veteran quarterback they traded for during this past offseason — has been the most surprising story as teams prepare for Week 8. On Wednesday, we heard from Ryan for the first time since that news broke two days ago. "I think anytime, as a player, you just always anticipate 'It's next week, you're getting ready, you're gonna go.' And Ryan intends to try his best to do just that, even though he has zero professional experience as a backup quarterback. So I've always preached that you've gotta accept and embrace the role that they decide for you and try and be the best in that role that you can be.
wftv.comColts bench injured QB Matt Ryan in favor of Sam Ehlinger
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are benching starting quarterback Matt Ryan in favor of second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. Coach Frank Reich made the announcement Monday after Ryan threw two more interceptions in Sunday's 19-10 loss at Tennessee. Reich said Ryan suffered a separated throwing shoulder in the game, but that the decision to make a change was not injury related. Ryan leads the NFL with nine interceptions and has fumbled 11 times this season. Ehlinger will be the seventh different starting quarterback Reich has used in his five-year tenure with the Colts.
wftv.comEason efficient, Ehlinger shines late as Colts beat Panthers
Panthers Colts Football Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger (4) celebrates after a two-point conversion against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. Ehlinger then scrambled 11 and 9 yards to set up Eddy Pineiro's 30-yard field goal in the final seconds, and the Colts beat the Carolina Panthers 21-18 in a preseason game Sunday. Ehlinger handled the second half, completing 10 of 15 passes for 155 yards and the one pick. An 11-yard run on third down got the Colts to the Panthers 17 at the 2-minute warning. When the Colts drove into Panthers territory on the next possession, Frankie Luvu sacked Eason for a 13-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 rollout.
wftv.comTexas linebacker Jake Ehlinger found dead off campus, police say
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger, the younger brother of former Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger, was found dead off campus on Thursday, police said. 48💔 pic.twitter.com/eIdkFULkTb — Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 7, 2021“Our hearts are truly broken and we are just devastated today to learn of the passing of our Longhorn family member Jake Ehlinger,” Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “Jake was an amazing young man from an extraordinary family with such a bright future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones and friends, especially the Ehlinger family and our entire football program. Being a Longhorn meant everything to him, and he truly embodied all that it means to be one.”Colts owner Jim Irsay offered his support to the Ehlinger family in a statement.
wftv.comTexas linebacker Jake Ehlinger, 20, found dead in Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — (AP) — Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger, the younger brother of former Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger, was found dead near campus Thursday, Austin police said. Jake Ehlinger had not played the last two seasons after arriving as a walk-on from Austin's Westlake High School. Sam Ehlinger was a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft last week by the Indianapolis Colts after a college career that saw him rank among Texas' career passing leaders. When Sam Ehlinger was drafted, Jake's face was accidentally shows on the NFL Network instead of Sam. Ross Ehlinger, Sam and Jake's father, died at age 46 in 2013 of an apparent heart attack while competing in a triathlon in San Francisco.
wftv.comAlabama QB Mac Jones heads into Senior Bowl on gimpy ankle
The next game he plays is for his NFL draft stock, provided the Alabama quarterback's gimpy left ankle is good to go. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said the plan is for Jones to dress out and see how his ankle feels. “Just being in that room, I already learned so much about NFL football,” he said. Mond started 44 games for the Aggies, Ehlinger logged 43 starts for the Longhorns,Mond led the Aggies into College Football Playoffs contention in his final season. I just wanted to come and kind of learn more about NFL football and learn a new playbook, which I thought I did a good job with.
Texas fires Herman after 4 seasons, hires Tide OC Sarkisian
The move comes just a few hours after Texas announced the firing of Tom Herman after four seasons with no Big 12 championships. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas was tired of waiting for Tom Herman to deliver a Big 12 title and turn the Longhorns back into national championship contenders. Texas fired Herman on Saturday after four winning seasons, then hours later announced it was giving the job to the Alabama offensive coordinator. He will be Texas’ fourth head coach since the program’s last Big 12 championship in 2009. Of note, Sarkisian was a USC assistant when Texas beat the Trojans for the national championship in the epic 2006 Rose Bowl.
Texas overcomes Ehlinger injury, routs Colorado 55-23
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Texas has been tested all year, but losing senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger to a shoulder injury was an obstacle the Longhorns never anticipated. 20 Texas overcame Ehlinger’s injury to beat Colorado 55-23 in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night. Ehlinger missed the second half after sustaining a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Thompson started the second half in place of Ehlinger and led Texas to a touchdown on its opening possession. Texas: The Longhorns found a capable replacement for Ehlinger in Thompson.
Ehlinger's TD pass helps Texas beat No. 6 Oklahoma St. in OT
His 15-yard touchdown pass to Moore in overtime helped Texas knock off previously unbeaten and sixth-ranked Oklahoma State 41-34 on Saturday. “Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games, regardless of when that is and regardless of what’s happened earlier in the game," Ehlinger said. Sanders threw his fourth touchdown pass -- a 9-yard toss to a well-covered Wallace -- to give Oklahoma State a 31-20 lead. Oklahoma State got a final shot in regulation, getting the ball back with 1:13 remaining and no timeouts. Oklahoma State visits Kansas State on Saturday.
Rattler TD pass in 4th OT sends OU past No. 22 Texas 53-45
The Oklahoma freshman threw a 25-yard scoring pass to Drake Stoops in the fourth overtime and the Sooners survived a late rally from No. It was just the second four-OT game in 25 seasons of the Big 12, joining Kansas State's 53-50 victory over Texas A&M in 2011. The Longhorns (2-2, 1-2) also left themselves little hope of playing for a Big 12 title, much less being part of the College Football Playoff conversation. “I was kind of surprised when I came out at first,” said Rattler, who was tied for the Big 12 lead with four interceptions coming in. POLL IMPLICATIONSConsecutive Big 12 losses, the first for Oklahoma since 1998, sent the Sooners tumbling from No.
Max Duggan and TCU beat No. 9 Longhorns again 33-31
TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) scores a touchdown on a run against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas ran out of comebacks against Max Duggan and TCU. The Horned Frogs quarterback ran for the go-ahead score with 4 minutes left and the defense made it stand with a goal-line fumble recovery to beat No. After Duggan's touchdown, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger marched the Longhorns to the lip of the end zone. Griffin Kell kicked four field goals for the Horned Frogs.
No. 8 Texas rallies to beat Texas Tech 63-56 in overtime
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday Sept. 26, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mark Rogers)LUBBOCK, Texas – Sam Ehlinger threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Moore in overtime, sending No. 8 Texas to a wild 63-56 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday that saw the Longhorns rally with two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of regulation. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders were on the brink of delivering second-year coach Matt Wells a signature win over a Top 10 team and big rival. The first two set up Texas touchdowns in the first half before the last one ended the game.
Week 4 Preview: FSU-Miami has King in spotlight; SEC begins
Before Miami won easily last year, the ‘Canes and ’Noles played five straight games decided by five points or fewer. A pandemic-altered college football season has helped put FSU-Miami in the spotlight again this weekend. The Big Ten and Pac-12 are still at least a month away, but the college football menu is starting to fill up. 7-6 — Lane Kiffin's record in his one SEC season as coach at Tennessee. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25