Running the Table: Arkansas State Wins Sun Belt, Eyes Playoff Glory

Arkansas State Dominates Marshall in Sun Belt Championship, 70-38, Clinches Perfect 13-0 Season

Arkansas State capped off a remarkable 13-0 season by dismantling Marshall in the Sun Belt Championship game, 70-38, securing their eighth conference win and a spot in the College Football Playoff as the #3 seed. The game, which seemed competitive early on with Marshall leading 21-14 in the first quarter, quickly spiraled out of control as Arkansas State flexed their offensive and defensive muscles, leaving no doubt about their dominance.

Offensive Firepower Leads the Way

Jaylen Raynor continued to lead the Red Wolves with an impressive 361 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Though his three picks kept the game closer than expected early, Raynor quickly rebounded, slicing through Marshall’s defense with ease.

Ja’Quez Cross added 65 rushing yards and a touchdown, contributing to a balanced offensive attack. A name that has been quieter than usual, Malik Hornsby, reminded everyone of his explosiveness, racking up 178 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Hornsby, who has been relatively absent in the box score in recent weeks, picked the perfect time to reassert himself as a key playmaker.

Defensive and Special Teams Heroics

On the defensive side, sophomore cornerback Deaubry Hood delivered one of the game’s most electrifying moments, taking an interception 103 yards for a pick-six that all but sealed the victory. Hood’s game-changing play in the second half put the nail in Marshall’s coffin.

Special teams star Parris Bowden, who felt overlooked for national return honors, made his statement loud and clear with two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Bowden’s frustration over being snubbed was evident, as he single-handedly shifted momentum with his dynamic returns. Arkansas State’s ability to score in all three phases of the game proved too much for Marshall to handle.

Looking Ahead: College Football Playoff Bound

With this dominant victory, Arkansas State was selected as the #3 seed in the College Football Playoff and will face the winner of #6 Virginia Tech and #11 Georgia in the Cotton Bowl. The Red Wolves will now have their sights set on proving they belong among the nation’s elite, as they prepare for their biggest challenge yet in pursuit of a national championship.

Tulane Defeats UNT 42-21 in AAC Championship, Advances to College Football Playoff

In a dominant performance, Tulane defeated UNT 42-21 in the AAC Championship game, never allowing the Mean Green to gain any momentum. The victory secured Tulane’s spot in the College Football Playoff as the #9 seed, where they will face NC State in the first round. For UNT, it was a game to forget, marked by turnovers and missed opportunities.

Tulane’s Ground Game and Defense Shine

Tulane’s offense, led by quarterback Ty Thompson, didn’t need to do much heavy lifting thanks to the unstoppable ground attack of Shaadie Clayton-Johnson. Clayton-Johnson ran wild, amassing 222 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 26 carries. UNT’s defense had no answer for him, as Clayton-Johnson repeatedly broke through for big gains that kept Tulane in control of the game from start to finish.

Thompson threw for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns, though he did toss 2 interceptions. His top target, tight end Alex Bauman, who wasn’t even listed on UNT’s scouting report, had a breakout game with 128 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.

Defensively, Tulane’s Senior cornerback Lu Tillery delivered a game-changing play with an 80-yard pick-six off UNT’s General Booty. Tillery’s interception came at a critical point in the second quarter, effectively shutting the door on any hope of a UNT comeback. From that moment, Tulane’s lead was never in doubt.

UNT’s Offensive Struggles

For UNT, the game quickly slipped out of reach due to turnovers and inefficiency on offense. General Booty threw for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns but was intercepted 4 times. On two separate occasions, Booty seemingly forgot which team he played for, delivering interceptions directly into Tulane defenders’ hands. After the game, Coach Jake was asked if he considered switching to the backup quarterback. In a terse response, Coach Jake said, “We needed to stick with Booty. He’s gotten us this far, but clearly, this wasn’t his best game.”

Zach Evans, UNT’s star running back, was held to just 37 rushing yards, far below his usual production. Landon Sides led UNT’s receiving efforts with 82 yards and a touchdown, but the offense was never able to find its rhythm. A late 36-yard pick-six from cornerback X’Avion Brice offered a brief glimmer of hope, but by then, the game was already well out of reach.

UNT Fires Defensive Coordinator

Following the game, UNT announced the firing of Defensive Coordinator John McDouglass. McDouglass’s defense was unable to contain Tulane’s rushing attack or create meaningful stops, leading to his dismissal. UNT’s bowl game against Boston College in the Military Bowl will mark the beginning of a new chapter for their defense as they look ahead to 2026.

The Road Ahead

Tulane will advance to the College Football Playoff and face NC State in the #8 vs. #9 seed matchup in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown. Meanwhile, UNT will travel to the Military Bowl to face Boston College, hoping to end their season on a high note after the disappointment of the AAC Championship.

UNLV Wins Mountain West Championship, Dominates Fresno State 59-24

UNLV continued their incredible season by clinching the Mountain West Conference Championship with a commanding 59-24 victory over Fresno State. The Rebels, now 12-1 and undefeated in conference play, secured the #4 seed in the College Football Playoff, where they will face the winner of #5 Penn State and #12 Alabama.

Santi Melendez and Explosive Offense Lead the Way

UNLV’s high-powered offense was in full force, with quarterback Santi Melendez once again showcasing why he’s been in the Heisman conversation all season. Melendez threw for 487 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, while also adding a rushing touchdown. Despite the turnovers, Melendez kept the offense rolling, leading the Rebels to a comfortable victory.

Running back Michael Allen contributed 90 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, while also adding 56 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Wide receiver Corey Thompson Jr. was a force in the passing game, racking up 172 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns as the Rebels overwhelmed Fresno State’s defense from start to finish.

Defensive Playmakers Seal the Win

On defense, UNLV senior cornerback Kahlil Scott from Las Vegas stole the show with 2 key interceptions, one of which he returned 61 yards for a pick-six. Scott’s big play came at a critical moment, helping UNLV pull away and crush any hope of a Fresno State comeback.

After the game, Scott reflected on the importance of having such a game-changing play in front of his family and hometown crowd: “It means everything to me. Playing here in Vegas, where I grew up, and being able to make that play with my family in the stands… it’s a moment I’ll remember forever.”

The Road to the College Football Playoff

With this victory, UNLV secured their place as the #4 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Rebels now await the winner of the #5 Penn State vs. #12 Alabama matchup in the Cotton Bowl. It’s been a historic season for UNLV, and they’ll be looking to continue their journey toward a national championship.

Key Bowl Matchups

Camellia Bowl: Akron vs. #15 Coastal Carolina

Military Bowl: #16 UNT vs. #14 Boston College

First Responders Bowl: #21 USF vs. #23 South Alabama

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Iowa State vs. Wyoming

Bahamas Bowl: Troy vs. Middle Tennessee State

Dukes Mayo Bowl: ECU vs. West Virginia

CFP Round 1: #9 Tulane vs. #8 NC State

2025 Award Winners

Heisman Trophy: Tyler King, Wyoming

Player of the Year: Tyler King, Wyoming

Head Coach of the Year: Bryan Vieger, Arkansas State

Best Quarterback: Santi Melendez, UNLV

Best Defensive Player: Chris Rodgers, Tulane

Best Defensive Back: Evan Brown, Arkansas State

Best Running Back: Zach Evans, UNT

Best Receiver: Tyler King, Wyoming

Lombardi Award: Jaden Navarrette, UNLV

Best Defensive End: Jaden Navarrette, UNLV

Best Tight End: Nick Coffey, UNT

Broyles Award: Russ Saunders, Arkansas State

Best Linebacker: Chris Rodgers, Tulane

Best Returner: Landon Sides, UNT

Early Signing Day Review:

#12: UNT (18 commits, 9 4-star, 9 3-star)

#15: Arkansas State (26 commits, 5 4-star, 21 3-star)

#16: Coastal Carolina (24 commits, 5 4-star, 19 3-star)

#22: USF (14 commits, 9 4-star, 5 3-star)

#37: Tulane (9 commits, 1 5-star, 7 4-star, 1 3-star)

#40: ECU (14 commits, 3 4-star, 6 3-star, 5 2-star)

#52: Wyoming (10 commits, 4 4-star, 6 3-star)

#72: Troy (11 commits, 1 4-star, 5 3-star, 5 2-star)

#76: UNLV (7 commits, 1 5-star, 3 4-star, 3 3-star)

#92: Texas State (8 commits, 6 3-star, 2 2-star)

#112: South Alabama (6 commits, 5 3-star, 1 2-star)

#116: Nevada (5 commits, 1 4-star, 4 3-star)