Last season, Alabama’s dreams of a College Football Playoff appearance in its first season under coach Kalen DeBoer was dashed by a 24-3 loss against an Oklahoma team that finished the season 6-7.

One year later, the Sooners were again able to vex the Crimson Tide.

Despite struggling offensively for much of the afternoon, No. 10 Oklahoma forced three turnovers to lift it to a 23-21 victory over No. 4 Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The loss snapped the Crimson Tide’s eight-game win streak while throwing the race for the SEC championship into flux, with four teams in the conference now with one loss entering Saturday night (Texas A&M is the league’s lone undefeated team in SEC play). Alabama also saw its 17-game home win streak come to an end.

It was the Crimson Tide’s first SEC home loss since 2019 and first homecoming loss since 2001.

With the victory, a Sooners team that had lost two of its past four games after a 5-0 start kept its playoff hopes alive. Coach Brent Venables’ squad has games remaining against No. 24 Missouri and LSU, both of which come at home.

Alabama’s three turnovers led to 17 points, helping Oklahoma pick up a win on a day in which it had just 215 yards of total offense. Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson, one of a handful of Heisman Trophy front-runners, threw just his second interception of the season, which was returned 87 yards by Sooners defensive back Eli Bowen for a touchdown.

Alabama’s two other turnovers, both fumbles, gave Oklahoma the ball inside the Crimson Tide 35-yard line.

Alabama also had a 36-yard field goal blocked in the waning seconds of the first half, a kick that would have tied the game at 17. It was just the second missed kick inside of 40 yards this season for Crimson Tide sophomore Conor Talty.

Alabama got its own 48-yard line with 53 seconds remaining, but a Simpson pass to Ryan Williams on fourth-and-6 was broken up by Peyton Bowen to seal the victory for the Sooners.

Simpson completed 28 of his 42 passes for 326 yards. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer had 161 total yards and a rushing touchdown in a winning effort.

Ole Miss football took home a win in the ‘Lane Kiffin Bowl’ in Week 12 with a 34-24 come-from-behind win vs. Florida.

Just as the Rebels closed off their 10th win of the season, moving one step closer to appearing in the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, Ole Miss fans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium made one thing clear to the Rebels brass and Kiffin: They want Lane.

As captured by the ESPN broadcast, ‘We want Lane’ chants broke out in the Ole Miss student section after Kiffin has been linked to the Florida open head coach vacancy, on top of numerous other Power Four conference openings. It appeared not to faze him, as he remained locked in on the final 60 seconds of the game:

Given what he has done in seven seasons at Ole Miss, Kiffin has become a regular on coaching hot boards as positions become available across college football.

On top of his ties to the state of Florida, former Gators coach Steve Spurrier, who told USA TODAY Sports’ Blake Toppmeyer last month that he is a fan of Kiffin and thinks he is a ‘very good coach.’

‘I wanted to be Steve Spurrier,’ Kiffin said during a recent appearance on the ‘Pardon My Take’ podcast. ‘When I watched him and his offenses in the visor and kind of the way he’d throw jabs at other coaches and team and stuff, I was like, Steve Spurrier is the man. That’s what I want to be.’

Kiffin himself has talked at length about his name being tossed around in the coaching carousel, including saying on an appearance on ESPN’s ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ that he will never ‘make a decision based on money’ and that he hasn’t made one based on money in his coaching career.

The win over Florida moved Ole Miss’ record to 54-19 overall under Kiffin.

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AI-assisted summary
• SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated that expanding the college football playoff to 16 teams should be a priority.
• The Big Ten and SEC have not yet agreed on a format for a potential 16-team playoff.
• The Big Ten has favored a model with more automatic bids, while the SEC prefers a format with more at-large selections.

ATHENS, GA – SEC commissioner Greg Sankey desires playoff expansion, but the hour grows late to strike a deal to grow the playoff by next season.

Speaking with reporters before Saturday’s Texas-Georgia game, Sankey raised a call to grow the College Football Playoff by four teams, but the SEC and Big Ten remain unable so far to agree on how those bids should be allocated.

“The move to 16 should be a priority for all of us in conference leadership,” Sankey said.

There’s a Dec. 1 deadline to expand the playoff for next season. If the SEC and Big Ten can’t agree to an expanded format,  “we’re at 12” for next season, Sankey said.

This meshes with what CFP executive director Rich Clark has said previously: If the SEC and Big Ten don’t agree on a 16-team format, then that will prolong the current format for at least another season.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has pushed for a 16-team format that pre-assigns multiple automatic qualifiers to each of the Power Four conferences. Petitti also likes the idea of play-in games determining which teams receive those automatic bids.

The Big Ten, though, found itself alone on an island this summer favoring a 3+3+2+2+1+3 format, which would allocate three automatic bids apiece to the Big Ten and SEC, two each to the ACC and Big 12, one to the Group of Five, leaving three at-large bids. This format, loaded with auto bids, would achieve Petitti’s goal of reducing the selection committee’s role in determining bids.

The SEC does not share that goal.

For years, Sankey has preferred formats using at-large selection to determine bids. When the playoff expanded from four, Sankey initially wanted to keep all bids assigned by an at-large process, but the SEC compromised and accepted the current 5+7 format that’s in place for the 12-team format, with five automatic bids and seven at-large selections.

The SEC threw support behind a 5+11 playoff format last summer, a plan ACC and Big 12 officials have said they would support. The Big Ten remained a holdout on that plan, and playoff expansion cannot occur without the two main power brokers — the SEC and Big Ten — coming to terms.

Is there any format the SEC would accept other than 5+11?

“Sure, 16+0,” said Sankey, referring to a 16-team playoff in which all 16 bids would be awarded via at-large selection. “But, that’s not reality.”

“The opportunity to have a 16-team format with five conference champions with access and 11 (at-large) is something we could accept,” he added.

The question persists of whether the Big Ten can accept that 5+11 plan.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Islam Makhachev did more than beat Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, Nov. 15.

The 34-year-old Russian also became the 11th UFC fighter to win championships in two divisions, joining the likes of Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes and Conor McGregor.

‘This is a dream,’ Makhachev said during a post-fight interview. ‘All my life for this …’

Vacating his lightweight title, Makhachev moved up 15 pounds to the welterweight division in search of a second championship belt. He got it in dominant fashion.

Della Maddalena is one of the best strikers in the UFC. But it didn’t matter because Makhachev scored repeated takedowns and control almost 20 minutes of 25-minute, five-round fight.

With the victory, Makhachev  joined other double champions such as Jon Jones, Amanda Nunez and Conor McGregor.

He also won for 16th straight time, tying Anderson Silva’s record for longest winning streak in UFC history, and improving his record to 28-1 (17-1 UFC).

Della Maddalena, who won the UFC welterweight championship with a victory over Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision May 10, 2025, was making his first title defense.

The loss to Makhachev ended Della Maddalena’s 18-matchup winning streak, which included eight UFC fights. His record dropped to 18-3 (8-1 UFC).

UFC 322 main card results

• Islam Makhachev def. Jack Della Maddalena (Welterweight title): Unanimous decision
• Valentina Shevchenko def. Zhang Weili (Women’s flyweight title): Unanimous decision
• Michael Morales def. Sean Brady (Welterweight): TKO
• Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards (Welterweight): TKO
• Benoît Saint Denis def. Beneil Dariush (Lightweight): KO

Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev results: Makhachev wins welterweight title

Round 1: Jack Della Maddalena (JDM) chases after Islam Makhachev, then relents. They’re now at the center of the right, maybe Makhachev is willing to strike. No dice. Makhachev takes down JDM and Mahachev looks like a boa constrictor. A boa that can punch. JDM showing no sign of wriggling free and Makhachev is throwing punches to the head. JDM creatively working to is feet, but Makhachev still in control. As good a scrambler as JDM has proven to be, he looks pretty helpless now, especially with the punches coming. 30 seconds left. Can JDM survive the round? He will, but connects with an illegal head kick after the round ends. Makhachev 10, JDM 9.  

Round 2: They opened with low leg kicks. Makhachev’s is crisp. Makhachev connects with a head kick. JMD flips over Makhachev into the mat and appears to be in serious trouble. Off his feet, JDM is a sitting duck. Or prone duck. Makhachev comfortably on top and now throwing punches and elbows. Crowd boos, clearly wanting the fighters on their feet. JDM squirming and making no progress as Makhachev periodically punches with his right hand. Now Makhachev pounds JDM’s head with elbows. JDM is back on his feet! Hey, that’s cause for celebration in this fight. Makhachev 20, JDM 18.

Round 3: Fighters circling. JDM throws a couple of punches but looks tentative after the takedowns. Makhachev landed a stinging leg kick, then follows up with some striking. But JDM lands body shots that look effective. Just like that, Makhachev takes down JDM yet again. Boos from the crowd, but Mahachev will pay no attention. JDM looks red and exhausted with Makhachev on top. Makhachev adding insult to injury with short punches. JDM hanging on as the round comes to a close. Makhachev 30, JDM 27. 

Round 4: JDM, on a damaged right leg, opens with right-legged kicks. Brave, but advisable? Makhachev responds with a left kick to the body. Makhachev scores yet another takedown. Makhachev almost toying with JDM, who flips in attempt to get away. But Makhachev is ready. JDM is going nowhere. Makhachev has him smothered. JDM clearly in pain as the round ends. Makhachev 40, JDM 36. 

Round 5: JDM moving forward and trying to punch. Just like that, Makhachev takes him down again. He looks physically compromised and Makhachev is looking for the submission. But now he settles for some light punches to the head. Three minutes left. Can JDM survive the round? That’s about all the suspense that is left. JDM looks in agony, but it’s over. Makhachev 50, JDM 45.

Valentina Shevchenko def. Zhang Weili by unanimous decision

Vaentina Shevchenko is not unbeatable. But she sure looked it.

Shevchenko dominated Zhang Weili in defending the women’s flyweight title. She also denied Weii’s attempt to become a two-division champion.

Weili vacated her strawweight title to challenge Shevchenko for the flyweight title that would have made Weili the 11th UFC athlete to win titles in two division.

She had no shot.

All three judges scored the five-round fight 50-45 for Shevchenko, who dominated from the outset and controlled much of the fight with takedowns. Even on her feet, Weili was overmatched by the taller and stronger Shevchenko.

Shevchenko, a 37-year-old Russian, improved to 26-4-1 (15-3-1 UFC). Weili, a 36-year-old from China, fell to 26-4 (10-3 UFC).

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili, women’s flyweight

Round 1: Zhang Weili takes a kick from Valentina Shevchenko and lands a right. Shevchenko responded with a left kick partially blocked by Weili. Shevchenko hs a clear height advantage, which will force Weili to get in close. She attempts a takedown and Shevchenko ends up on top. Shevchenko scores with a knee. Now the fighters are up Weili lands a hard shot before Shevchenko pulls Weili to the mat and gets on top. They’re exchanging body shots as Weili gets smothered as the round ends. Shevchenko 10, Weili 9.

Round 2: Weili rushed in and Shevchenko scores with a counter, then takes down Weili down again. She looks to be in total control as Weili covers her face. More than three minutes in the round and Shevchenko is draped over Weili and wearing Weili out. Shevchenko is stymying Weili at every turn. Fans express some dissatisfaction. Weili struggles to get loose and Shevchenko throws punches and then a shoulder. Weili is taking big shots in the face as the round comes to a close. Shevchenko 20, Weili 18.

Round 3: Shevchenko nearly lands a nasty leg kick. Weili tried one of her own. He falls well short and shows how well Shevchenko is using her size to maintain distance. Weili attempts another kick and ends up taking a knee. Weili lands a right but backs away. Shevchenko drills Weili with a knee to the body. Weili looks understandably apprehensive and then gets taken down with 1 ½ minutes left in the round. Total domination. Shevchenko 30, Weili 27.

Round 4: Weili unfurls a kick and get popped in the face. Shevchenko lands a couple of crisp kicks. And he lands more kicks. Weili unable to close the gap while Shevchenko is landing almost at will and then taking down again with about a minute let in the round. Weili looks absolutely helpless as Shevchenko scores with shoulder strikes. Shevchenko 40, Weili 36.

Round 5: Weili shows some aggression and Shevchenko gets her wrapped up and pinned against the fence. The break and four minutes remain. Shevchenko lands a hard leg kick. Weili pushed forward and gets wrapped up yet again. Another takedown for guess who? Shevchenko, of course. Three minutes and counting as Shevchenko controls from the top and landing punches to the head, followed by elbows. Gonna need some Excedrin. Weili on her back, Shevchenko on her feet. And it’s over. Shevchenko 50, Weili 45. 

Michael Morales def. Sean Brady by TKO

Michael Morales, a rising star from Ecuador, needed help from a translator during his post-fight interview. But once again his fists did the talking – or screaming – with a three-punch combination that knocked out Sean Brady in the first round of the welterweight bout.

It was reminiscent of his first-round knockout of Gilbert Burns one match ago and a sign that Morales could contend for the welterweight title.

The victory over Brady was decisive and convincing considering Morales was facing the No. 2 ranked contender who was expected to challenge Morales with his grappling skills. But Morales fists kept Brady on the defensive from the start.

Morales battered Brady and cut him near his left eye before the finishing blows.

Morales improved to 19-0 (7-0 UFC). 18-0 (6-0 UFC). Brady fell to 18-2 (8-2 UFC).

Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales, welterweight

Round 1: Michael Morales with a noticeable size advantage. But the stocky Sean Brady showing no fear. Morales throwing lefts without much power. Brady swinging low leg kicks without much vigor. Morales chases, Brady retreats. Brady lands two hard rights and is on the attack. Brady in trouble. He takes another uppercut, but Brady looks stable again. Brady attempts the takedown an takes punches as a result. Brady cut on the side of his left eye. Morales capitalizing on eh reach advantage and drops Brady. It’s over! It’s over! Morales by TKO!

Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards by TKO

The Fighting Nerds are to be feared. Certainly when one of their leaders, Carlos Prates, is in the ring.

In the second round of the welterweight, Prates blasted Leon Edwards with a left hand that lifted Edwards off of his feet and sent him tumbling on his back.

Soon after the referee halted the fight, at 1:28 of the second round.

Afterward, Prates put on a set of horn-rimmed glasses with white tape down the middle and flashed a giant smile.

There were fewer smiles in the first round when Edwards pinned Prates against the fence and drilled him with a knee to the chin. Prates barely reacted.

He came out aggressive in the second round and Edwards seemed to know what was coming before the TKO punch. He raised his right fist for protection, but Prates still blasted the left hand through for the finishing punch.

Prates, the 32-year-old Brazilian, improved to 23-7 (6-1 UFC). Edwards, the 34-year-old Jamaican and former welterweight champion, fell to 22-6 (14-5 UFC).

Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates, welterweight

Round 1: Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates exchange leg kicks, then exchange punches. Edwards attempts a takedown but Prater handles it well as the fighters find themselves in a clinch on the fence. Prates jawing at Edwards and Edwards answers with a left knee to the head. Crowd booing. Ref breaks them up and crowd cheers. Prates lands knee to body and Edwards knocks him off balance with kick and he scores a takedown. Edwards riding Prates back and throwing punches into Prates’ face. Prates calmly taking it. Edwards then takes Prates down to the mat and has him in a chole as final seconds elapse. Edwards 10, Prates 9.

Round 2: They fighters exchange leg kicks and appear to be measuring. Prates lands a left, then a low leg kick. Prates landing now. Then he drops Edwards and it’s over!!! Prates by TKO!!

Benoit Saint-Denis def. Beneil Dariush by KO

Sixteen seconds. That’s how long this lightweight fight lasted, and it was memorable.

Literally seconds after it began, Beneil Dariush knocked Benoît Saint-Denis to the mat with a left leg kick.  Moments later, Saint-Denis clubbed Dariush with a left hand followed with another punch after Dariush hit the mat.

The bout, fought at 157.2-pound catchweight, had come to a stunning end.

Saint-Denis, a 29-year-oldl from France, improved to 16-3 (8-3 UFC). Dariush, a 36-year-old born in Iran, fell to 23-7-1 (17-7-1 UFC)

Beneil Dariush vs. Benoît Saint-Denis, catchweight (157.2 pounds)

Round 1: Beneil Dariush knocks Benoît Saint-Denis to the mat with a left leg kick. And, wow, what a turnaround. Saint-Denis clubs Daruish with a left and it’s ober. Knockout victory for Saint-Denis!

UFC 322: Time, PPV, streaming for Makhachev vs Della Maddalena

The highly anticipated fight between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15 and can be purchased on ESPN+ PPV.

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
• Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
• Early Prelims start time: 6 p.m. ET
• Early Prelims card TV: FX; Prelims stream: ESPN+, Disney+
• Prelims card start time: 8 p.m. ET
• Prelims card TV: ESPNEWS/FX; Prelims stream: ESPN+, Disney+
• Main card start time: 10 p.m. ET
• Main card stream: ESPN+ PPV

Catch UFC action with an ESPN+ subscription

Bo Nickal def. Rodolfo Vieira by KO

Bo Nickal pounded Rodolfo Veiera with lefts through the middleweight fight, but ended it with something far more devastating.

Nickal knocked out Vieira with a head kick, his left leg chopping down Vieira with 2:36 left in the fight. Then he climbed into the top of the Octagon fence and flipped off the crowd, which had booed earlier in the round when the action slowed.

‘Either love me or hate me,’ Nickal said during a postfight interview. ‘Pick one.’

It was mostly a lovefest, with Nickal prompted chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!’’ as quickly pinned Vieira on the fence and attacked with his fists.

By the second round, Vieira’s face was covered with blood. And by the third round, it was desperation time when Nickal landed the knockout head kick.

Nickal, a 29-year-old from Colorado, improved to 8-1 (5-1 UFC). Vieira, a 36-year-old from Brazil, fell to 11-4 (6-4 UFC).

Gregory Rodrigues def. Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision

Gregory Rodrigues (a.k.a Robocop) looked like a bodybuilder who stumbled into a UFC event. The muscled Brazilian mostly dominated the less fit and less dangerous Roman Kopylov while winning their middleweight fight by unanimous decision.

Rodrigues came out firing his right hand and whipping his right leg, as Kopylov looked determined, if unsuccessful, to stay out of harm’s way.

It was more of the same in the second round, as Rodrigues bloodied Kopylov.

In the third round, Kopylov cracked Rodrigues with a hard left and showed fight. But it was too late to reverse the outcome.

The judges scored it 30-27, 30-27, 29-98 in favor of Rodrigues, who at one pointed prompted cheers of “Robo-cop! Robo-cop!’’

Rodrigues, the 33-year-old Brazilian, improved his record to 18-6 (9-3 UFC). Kopylov, the 34-year-old Russian, fell to 14-5 (6-5 UFC).

Erin Blanchfield def Tracy Cortez by submission

Firing punches from the outset, Tracy Cortez proved dangerous on her feet. So Erin Blanchfield responded wisely and took the fight to the mat.

Blanchfield scored two takedowns in the second round and won by submission with a chokehold with 16 seconds left in the round of the women’s flyweight fight.

It was a rematch of their 2019, when Cortez won by split decision. She looked strong early. But Cortez was bleeding by the right eye in the second round, and as Cortez tired and Blanchfield took control.

Blanchfield, a 29-year-old from New Jersey, improved to 14-2 (8-1 UFC). Cortez, a 31-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona, dropped to 12-3 (6-2 UFC)

Ethyn Ewing def. Malcolm Wellmaker by unanimous decision

Ewing took the fight on 48 hours notice after Cody Haddon withdrew with an injury and he looked like he’d been preparing for weeks. In his UFC debut, Ewing subdued the previously undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker with punches, kicks and a couple timely takedowns in their featherweight fight.

The judges scored it 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for the poised Ewing of Yorba Linda, California.

‘You know what they say, the sword is deadliest in calm hands,’ Ewing said.

In the first round, 5-foot-10 Wellmaker staggered the 5-6 Ewing with a hard right. But he failed to capitalize on the moment or on his height advantage, as Ewing fought back with his fists.

Wellmaker scored, but many of his punches were off the mark. Ewing, however, scored with more accuracy and power.

Ewing improved to 9-1 (1-0 UFC) and Wellmaker fell to 10-1 (2-1 UFC).

UFC 322 fight results: Early prelims

• Kyle Daukaus def. Gerald Meerschaert (1st round — submission/D’arce choke), middleweight
• Pat Sabatini def. Chepe Mariscal (unanimous decision): Featherweight
• Fatima Kline def. Angela Hill(unanimous decision): Women’s Strawweight
• Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric McConico (Round 3 – KO): Middleweight
• Matheus Camilo def. Viacheslav Borshchev (unanimous decision): Lightweight

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev predictions

BetMGM: Islam Makhachev

Anatoly Pimentel writes: ‘A submission victory for Makhachev over Della Maddalena is my prediction for this fight because his wrestling skills are far superior and currently unstoppable. Furthermore, he won’t be stressing about weight cutting since he’ll move up in the welterweight division.

There’s no doubt that Della Maddalena has improved a lot in his grappling skills. With the help of Craig Jones and Alexander Volkanovski in his camp, he’ll still be able to improve them even more, but Makhachev’s wrestling and grappling are on another level.’

UFC.com: Islam Makhachev

Tim Finnegan of DraftKings writes: ‘Ultimately, Makhachev’s offensive grappling will probably be too much for Della Maddalena to handle, even with Craig Jones in his corner. Della Maddalena has been taken down 10 times in his last two fights by fighters who have inferior wrestling to Makhachev. Look for Makhachev to get this fight to the ground and cover the -5.5 point spread with a finish or a comfortable decision win.’

MMA Mania: Della Maddalena

Tim Bissell writes: ‘Della Maddalena lands 6.84 significant strikes a minute with 52% accuracy. That’s a ton of volume. More impressively, though, he has 64% defense against sig. strikes. This means he isn’t taking one to land one, like lots of guys with high volume stats. He’s landing punches in bunches and not getting countered. And he’s countering when opponents come forward to cut off their attempts to land big shots and combos.’

UFC 322 odds: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev fight

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday.

• Jack Della Maddalena (+220) vs. Islam Makhachev (-275): Welterweight title

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev fight card

Fight card according to ESPN: Odds via BetMGM.

(Odds as of Thursday)

Main Card:

• Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev: Welterweight title
• Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili: Women’s flyweight title
• Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales: Welterweight
• Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates: Welterweight
• Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint Denis: Lightweight

Prelims:

• Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira: Middleweight
• Roman Kopylov  vs. Gregory Rodrigues: Middleweight
• Erin Blanchfieldvs. Tracy Cortez: Women’s flyweight
• Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon: Batamweight

Early Prelims

• Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert: Middleweight
• Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal: Featherweight
• Angela Hillvs. Fatima Kline: Women’s Strawweight
• Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico: Middleweight
• Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Matheus Camilo: Lightweight

UFC 322 preliminary and main card start times

Here are your start times.

• Early Prelims: 6 p.m. ET (FX, ESPN+, Disney+)
• Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPNEWS, FX, ESPN+, Disney+)
• Main card: 10 p.m. ET (PPV on ESPN+)

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev full card odds

Fight card according to ESPN: Odds via BetMGM.

Main Card:

• Jack Della Maddalena (+220) vs. Islam Makhachev (-275): Welterweight title
• Valentina Shevchenko (-135) vs. Zhang Weili (+110): Women’s flyweight title
• Sean Brady (-145) vs. Michael Morales (+120): Welterweight
• Leon Edwards (+165) vs. Carlos Prates (-200): Welterweight
• Beneil Dariush (+165) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (-200): Lightweight

Prelims:

• Bo Nickal (-225) vs. Rodolfo Vieira (+185): Middleweight
• Roman Kopylov (+140) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (-170): Middleweight
• Erin Blanchfield (-250) vs. Tracy Cortez (+200): Women’s flyweight
• Malcolm Wellmaker (-165) vs. Cody Haddon (+135): Batamweight

Early Prelims

• Kyle Daukaus (-400) vs. Gerald Meerschaert(+310): Middleweight
• Pat Sabatini (+135) vs. Chepe Mariscal (+110): Featherweight
• Angela Hill (+375) vs. Fatima Kline (-500): Women’s Strawweight
• Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico: Middleweight

Ring walk time for Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena main event

The Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev fight card consists of 13 fights and will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 15, 2025, with early prelim fights. The main event for the Maddalena and Makhachev fight is expected to be around 11:30 p.m. ET. However, the duration of the undercard will impact when Maddalena and Makhachev actually start. — Elizabeth Flores

Who did Islam Makhachev lose to? 

Islam Makhachev has just one loss in 28 fights. He lost to Adrian Martins by KO in an October 2015 fight in UFC 192.

Jack Della Maddelena’s last fight

Jack Della Maddalena last fought in UFC 315 back in May of this year. He beat Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

Islam Makhachev walkout song

Islam Makhachev typically favors the song ‘Dreams’ by DJ Nariman Ajikalov.

Where is UFC 322: Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena?

UFC 322: Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena will be held at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.

UFC 322 live stream

The Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena prelims and early prelims fights will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+, while the main card will be streamed on ESPN Pay-Per-View.

UFC 322 price

UFC events are available to ESPN+ subscribers. The cost of the service is $10.99 a month or $109.99 for the year. The PPV is available for an additional $79.99.

Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena: Tale of the tape

This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

It’s been a difficult week and a half for the Dallas Cowboys as they deal with Marshawn Kneeland’s death by suicide on Nov. 6. Players are coping and at the same time preparing to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night.

‘Just a great dude,’ quarterback Dak Prescott said of Kneeland, per the Cowboys’ official website. ‘Spirit was always high. Any time you crossed him, very contagious attitude. We spent a lot of time throughout the training room passing each other, having small conversations here and there. Very loving, contagious guy. I know it’s been noted his saying was ‘One Love,’ I think you just felt that. You felt that aura, you felt that demeanor, you felt him carry that and that’s everything that he did.’

Cowboys players have been deeply impacted by suicide

Prescott has dealt with similar grief before. His brother died by suicide in 2020. The Cowboys quarterback admitted playing football helps him cope.

“Having dealt with loss, that is the best medicine for me,” Prescott said. “Getting back out there, handing the ball off and sprinting an extra 10 yards and making sure I’m doing it hard. Marshawn went through my mind a few times in practice today, and I just countered that with running harder after a play or trying to do something to better this team and to show that.’

Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas’ sister died by suicide in 2018. His family started a nonprofit “The Defensive Line” in her honor to help impact the lives of young people of color struggling with suicide.

‘If we all play like Marshawn, we’ll play as a better team. I’m not saying Marshawn was a perfect player, but the way he would go out there and play is the way football is supposed to be played,” Thomas said of Kneeland this week, via the team’s official website. “He would run to the ball, no matter how tired he was. He would play with intensity and tenacity, and he went out there because he loved the game, and he played with love.’

Cowboys helmet decal, memorial fund for girlfriend, child to honor Marshawn Kneeland

The Cowboys will wear a special helmet decal for the rest of the season to honor Kneeland. The team also started the “Marshawn Kneeland Memorial Fund” in part to help Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina, who is pregnant.

“We’re going to honor Marshawn and his family a number of different ways,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said.

The Cowboys travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on “Monday Night Football” in Week 11. It’ll mark the team’s first game since Kneeland’s death.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Nov. 14 that he hopes Monday’s game will be “therapeutic” for the players.

The 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump was awarded one of three sponsor’s invites to compete at The Annika tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. She rebounded with a solid round on Friday after a shaky first round, but it was not enough to make it into the weekend.

Kai Trump missed the cut by 17 strokes after finishing last among 108 participants at 18-over on the tournament.

Trump may have missed the cut, which was officially set at 1-over on Friday, but the teen amateur gained a lot of experience. ‘It’s been awesome. … I’ve been having a great time. The experience has been amazing,’ she said.

Trump struggled with nerves in her opening round on Thursday as large crowds of onlookers eagerly watched her debut. Trump finished with a 13-over 83 after carding nine bogeys and two double-bogeys in a birdie-free opening round on Thursday.

‘For the first day I was definitely really nervous. I think the nerves just got to me,’ Trump said on Friday. ‘When I went out there today, I felt very calm and peaceful to be honest with you.’

The calmness positively impacted Trump’s play and she followed up her less-than-stellar first round with a 5-over 75, eight strokes better than her opening round on Thursday. She finished Friday’s second round with four birdies, four bogeys, one double-bogey and a near ace on the par-3 No. 12. 

Grace Kim and Linn Grant are tied atop the leaderboard at 9-under through two rounds. Nelly Korda is tied for sixth place at 6-under and is within striking distance.

Trump said she was blown away ‘by how consistent’ the pro players were on the course. ‘I hit it just as far, but their irons, even if they miss it, they’re still on the green. Obviously, that’s something I need to work on, especially short game. They all have amazing short game out here.’

The high school senior committed to play golf at the University of Miami earlier this week. Trump said her future plans include ‘more tournaments and then eventually go to college.’

How to watch The Annika: TV, live streaming

All four rounds of The Annika in 2025 will be broadcast nationally by The Golf Channel, which is available via live stream through Fubo. LPGA Live and NBCSports.com will also provide live streaming coverage of The Annika. The first round begins on Thursday, Nov. 13 and the final round is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 at The Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.

All times Eastern

Third round: Saturday, Nov. 15

• 1:30-2:30 p.m. on LPGA Live
• 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo, LPGA Live

Final round: Sunday, Nov. 16

• 1-2 p.m. on LPGA Live
• 2-4 p.m. on Golf Channel, Fubo, LPGA Live

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov was defending against the Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson behind the net when his stick came up and appeared to catch Jarvis under his visor during the first period of the Nov. 14 game.

Jarvis grabbed his face and was cross-checked by Vancouver’s Marcus Pettersson.

Jarvis was writhing on the ice as a trainer came out to look at him. The trainer held a towel to Jarvis’ face as they left the ice.

Svechnikov scored his second goal of the game on the ensuing power play.

Seth Jarvis injury update

The Hurricanes announced that Jarvis was out for the rest of the game with an upper-body injury.

He entered the game with a team-high 10 goals and was second on the team with 15 points. Jarvis had an assist on Svechnikov’s first goal.

Jarvis, 23, made Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster last season.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Louisville’s College Football Playoff hopes took a significant hit Nov. 8 with a 29-26 home loss to Cal in overtime.

The Cardinals’ opportunity for a bounce-back win didn’t go much better.

Watch Clemson vs. Louisville football live with Fubo (free trial)

After dropping from No. 15 to No. 21 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, coach Jeff Brohm’s team tripped over itself repeatedly against Dabo Swinney and Clemson on Friday, Nov. 14 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, with a series of Louisville miscues giving the Tigers a 20-19 victory.

The Cardinals missed an extra point and two field goals, the last of which would have given them the go-ahead score with 1:30 remaining. The kick wasn’t even the most disastrous part of the drive. Louisville was gifted the ball at the Clemson 23-yard line with 2:31 remaining after a bad snap on a Tigers punt attempt, but were moved back five yards due to a false start and then another 15 yards two plays later for unsportsmanlike conduct. A 14-yard completion on third-and-29 got them back within field goal range, but Brohm inserted a new kicker, Nick Keller, for a 46-yard attempt, which went wide left.

The loss dropped the Cardinals to 7-3 while Clemson improved to 5-5, getting it within a game of bowl eligibility.

Adam Randall carried (literally) Clemson to the victory, with 15 rushing attempts for 105 yards and two touchdowns. His Louisville counterpart, Keyjuan Brown, was similarly effective, with 135 yards on 15 attempts.

The Cardinals outgained the Tigers 385-305, but were penalized 10 times for 98 yards, with several of those flags coming at critical junctures in the game.

Friday’s win extended Clemson’s dominance in its series against Louisville. Since the Cardinals joined the ACC in 2014, the Tigers have won nine of the 10 matchups between the programs, with their only loss coming last season.

USA TODAY brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Here are the highlights.

Clemson vs Louisville score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Clemson vs Louisville updates

Clemson vs Louisville highlights

FINAL: Clemson 20, Louisville 19

Louisville forces a Clemson punt, but after a holding penalty on the return, the Cardinals take over at their own 9-yard line with just 28 seconds remaining. They’re unable to get past their own 29, with a failed fourth-and-1 conversion sealing the loss.

Louisville misses another FG

After taking over at the Clemson 23-yard line, Louisville’s drive goes as disastrously as it could have. The Cardinals are whistled for a false start on their first play and are called for an unsportsmanlike conduct offense two plays later, pushing them back to the Clemson 42. A 14-yard catch from Antonio Meeks put Louisville back into field goal range, but Jeff Brohm switches kickers, going with Nick Keller, whose 46-yard attempt goes far left.

Tigers take over at their own 28 with 1:30 left. Louisville has two timeouts.

Botched Clemson snap on punt puts Louisville in FG range

After Cooper Ranvier’s missed field goal, Louisville improbably ends up about right where it left its last drive off. Clemson goes three-and-out and Tigers punter Jack Smith is unable to corral a low snap that skips off off the turf and the Cardinals drop him at the Clemson 23.

Louisville will take over there with 2:31 remaining. Clemson still has all three timeouts and the two-minute timeout.

Louisville misses go-ahead FG

After opening its drive with a 48-yard reception from Caullin Lacy, Louisville’s offense stalls. Facing a third-and-9 at the Clemson 26, Cardinals quarterback Miller Moss takes a costly sack, forcing Louisville to attempt a 50-yard field goal. After a high snap, Cooper Ranvier is unable to convert, with the ball sailing wide left.

Adam Randall TD puts Clemson ahead

For the second time in as many drives, Clemson goes for it on fourth down near the Louisville goal line. It went much better this time around. On a fourth-and-goal from the Cardinals’ 1-yard line, Adam Randall takes the handoff and backs is way into the end zone.

With the ensuing extra point, the Tigers go up 20-19 with 7:16 remaining.

Clemson takes over near midfield

After keeping Clemson out of the end zone, Louisville isn’t able to get very far, not advancing past its own 7-yard line and punting it away to the Tigers, who will take over at their own 44-yard line with 9:24 remaining in the game.

Things initially looked promising for the Cardinals after Keyjuan Brown ripped off an 18-yard run on the first play of the drive, but it was negated by a questionable holding penalty on Louisville tight end Nate Kurisky.

Clemson fumbles twice near goal line

Clemson got one yard shy of the end zone, but fails to get the go-ahead score. On a third-and-goal from the Louisville 1-yard line, the Tigers hand it off to stud defensive tackle Peter Woods, who has the ball popped out of his grasp. Clemson was able to fall on it, but on the following fourth-down play, Cade Klubnik botches the snap and handoff, with the Cardinals getting the ball at their own 2-yard line.

End of third quarter: Louisville 19, Clemson 13

We’re on to the fourth quarter, with Clemson trailing by six, but driving, with a third-and-1 from the Louisville 33-yard line.

Louisville FG pushes lead back to 6

We’ve got a field goal-for-field goal trade in the Derby City. Louisville answers Clemson’s scoring drive with one of its own, going 54 yards in 10 plays to set up Cooper Ranvier for a 39-yard field goal that splits the uprights.

Of the Cardinals’ 54 yards, 41 came on the ground.

Clemson FG cuts Louisville lead to 3

Clemson comes away from its first drive of the half with points, as well. The Tigers go 45 yards in eight plays, with a 21-yard pass from Cade Klubnik to Antonio Williams serving as the biggest gain. Nolan Hauser knocks a 48-yard field goal right down the middle and it’s 16-13 Louisville with 7:07 remaining in the third quarter.

Louisville scores on Philly Special

The Cardinals’ opening drive of the second half goes about as well as it realistically could have. Louisville marches 75 yards in seven plays, capped off in spectacular fashion, with Caullin Lacy, back in the game after a second-quarter injury, taking a handoff from Miller Moss and finding teammate Nate Kurisky wide open in the end zone for a touchdown. The Cardinals opt for the extra point over a 2-point conversion, giving them a 16-10 lead.

The drive was fueled largely by running back Keyjuan Brown, who had three carries for 57 yards. After the final of those runs, a 25-yard scamper, Brown limped off the field and was spotted walking gingerly on the Louisville sideline.

Halftime: Clemson 10, Louisville 9

Louisville declines to use any of its three remaining timeouts and Clemson’s offense runs out the clock inside its own 20-yard line to get us to halftime. Curious choice from Jeff Brohm.

The Cardinals will receive the second-half kickoff.

Caullin Lacy injured for Louisville

Caullin Lacy, Louisville’s No. 2 receiver, is injured on a 3-yard catch after being taken down awkwardly by a Clemson defender. He initially tried walked off, but went back to the turf and was looked at by team medical personnel. After being examined for a few minutes, he’s able to walk slowly off the field.

Lacy has 482 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season and is one of the best punt returners in the country, averaging 23.4 yards per return and scoring two return touchdowns.

Louisville’s drive ends with a punt, with Clemson taking over at its own 9-yard line with 1:01 remaining in the half. Tigers have two timeouts remaining.

Adam Randall TD puts Clemson on top of Louisville

What a sequence for Clemson. The Tigers take over possession after Avieon Terrell rips the ball away from Louisville running back Duke Watson at the Cardinals’ 25-yard line.

On its first play of the ensuing drive, Adam Randall takes the handoff to the house, bursting through the middle of the Louisville defense for a 25-yard touchdown run.

Clemson with a 10-9 lead with 3:13 left in the half.

Miller Moss rushing TD puts Louisville ahead

Louisville takes advantage of the excellent starting field position, with Miller Moss connecting with Chris Bell for a 37-yard completion to Chris Bell on the first play of the drive. Two plays later, Moss sneaks it across the goal line from a yard out to give the Cardinals a 9-3 lead after a missed extra point from Cooper Ranvier.

The Bell completion had been reviewed as a possible touchdown, as he had reached the ball over the pylon, but been ruled out at the 1-yard line. After a review, the call was upheld, though ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin disagreed with the decision, believing it was a fumble out of the end zone, which would have resulted in a touchback and Clemson taking over the ball.

Louisville, Clemson trade punts

Both the Cardinals and Tigers fail to generate much on their most recent drives, with both teams punting. Louisville’s on the more enviable end of that field position battle, though, taking over possession at Clemson’s 38-yard line after a 31-yard Tigers punt out of the end zone.

For a moment, it looked as though the Cardinals would get the ball at the Clemson 2-yard line after what appeared to be a fumble, but the officials (correctly) rule that Cade Klubnik’s pitch to Adam Randall was a forward pass, not a backwards toss.

T.J. Moore returns for Clemson

Good news for Clemson, which gets T.J. Moore back into the game after he briefly exited with a right shoulder injury. The not-so-good news? The Tigers are forced to punt, with Louisville taking over at its own 15-yard line.

D’Angelo Hutchinson injured for Louisville

After a long completion from Clemson is called back due to a holding penalty, Louisville defensive back D’Angelo Hutchinson remains on the field, where he’s sitting up, but being looked at by team trainers. He walks off the field on his own power.

End of first quarter: Clemson 3, Louisville 3

The first quarter comes to a close, with the score tied at three. Clemson has a second-and-9 at its own 36-yard line.

Louisville ties Clemson with FG

After forcing the Clemson punt, Louisville erases its deficit, going 55 yards in eight plays to set Cooper Ranvier up for a 51-yard field goal. The freshman knocks it through, tying the game at 3-3 with 39 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

T.J. Moore injured for Clemson

After a deep pass from Cade Klubnik to T.J. Moore fell incomplete, Moore remains on the turf and is tended to by Clemson medical personnel. He’s able to walk off the field on his own power, but he exits the game and the Tigers are forced to punt.

Moore is the team’s second-leading receiver this season, with 536 receiving yards. The Tigers’ No. 1 receiver, Bryant Wesco Jr., is out for the rest of the season with a back injury.

Louisville punts

The Cardinals are unable to answer the Tigers, failing to pick up a first down after having to play behind the sticks following a chop block penalty on a pair of Louisville offensive linemen. Coach Jeff Brohm’s team punts it away, with Clemson taking over at its own 25-yard line after a 48-yard boot.

The Cardinals had gotten a touchdown on their opening drive in each of their previous four games.

Clemson gets on board with FG

Clemson’s first drive of the night ends with points, with the Tigers going 65 yards in 12 plays and 6:22. The possession is capped off by a 27-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser.

Clemson had been facing a fourth-and-1 at its own 47-yard line, but Dabo Swinney opts to go for it, with Cade Klubnik plunging forward for two yards on a quarterback sneak.

Pregame

Clemson wins toss, will receive

Clemson wins the opening coin toss and elects to receive the ball to start the game. We’re almost underway in the Derby City.

Clemson football uniform vs Louisville

In a stark contrast to Louisville’s blackout theme, Clemson will be wearing white jerseys and white pants, along with their customary orange helmets with the white tiger paw.

Louisville football uniform vs Clemson

As part of the blackout theme on Friday night at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, the Cardinals will be wearing black jerseys and black pants, as well as a black helmet featuring the program’s retro stiff-arming cardinal logo.

Isaac Brown injury update

Isaac Brown, Louisville’s leading rusher this season, will miss his second consecutive game for the Cardinals, as the sophomore standout is listed as out on the ACC’s availability report.

Brown suffered a lower leg injury late in Louisville’s 28-16 win at Virginia Tech on Nov. 1, after which Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm said Brown would be ‘out for a while.’ Despite dealing with nagging injuries and some poor run-blocking from his offensive line, Brown has rushed for 782 yards and five touchdowns this season while averaging 8.6 yards per carry.

Louisville football injury updates

Here’s a look at who’s in and who’s out for the Cardinals tonight against Clemson, according to the ACC’s availability report:

Out

• RB #1 Isaac Brown
• QB #17 Travis Egan
• RB #33 Jamarice Wilder
• LB #43 Trent Carter
• RB #43 Shammai Gates
• OL #76 Tyler Folmar

Questionable

• DL #17 AJ Green
• DB #25 Tayon Holloway

Probable

• LB #6 Stanquan Clark

Clemson football injury updates

Here’s a look at who’s in and who’s out for the Tigers tonight against Louisville, according to the ACC’s availability report:

Out

• WR #12 Bryant Wesco Jr.
• RB #21 Jarvis Green
• RB #26 Jay Haynes
• DE #34 Armon Mason
• LB #37 Logan Anderson
• LB #43 Billy Wilkes
• OL #52 Elyjah Thurmon
• DT #55 Makhi Williams Lee
• OL #63 Easton Ware
• DT #90 Stephiylan Green

Probable

• S #6 Ricardo Jones
• DT #19 DeMonte Capehart

What TV channel is Clemson vs Louisville on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial)

Clemson-Louisville will air live on ESPN, with streaming options available on Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

How to watch college football on ESPN, ABC for YouTube TV users

Disney-owned channels such as ABC and the ESPN family of networks are no longer available on YouTube TV after it and Disney were unable to agree to new contract terms.

One way college football fans who subscribe to YouTube TV can stream games on Disney-owned channels is via Fubo, which carries ABC and the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Clemson vs Louisville start time today

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Date: Friday, Nov. 14
• Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium (Louisville, Kentucky)

Clemson vs Louisville predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Nov. 12.

• Spread: Louisville (-3)
• Over/under: 50.5
• Moneyline: Louisville -145 | Clemson +120

Prediction: Louisville 30, Clemson 24

For much of his Louisville tenure, Jeff Brohm has followed up a deflating loss with an empathic win, just like he did earlier this season when the Cardinals bounced back from an overtime defeat against Virginia to upset then-No. 2 Miami on the road. Expect more of the same against an underachieving Tigers team that’s still loaded with talent.

AI-assisted summary
• Colorado athletic director Rick George, who hired Deion Sanders, is stepping down in June 2026.
• Sanders indicated on social media that he will continue to work with George in his new advisory role.
• The Buffaloes’ recent struggles and financial questions could test the relationship with a new athletic director.

The man who hired Deion Sanders at Colorado announced Thursday he is stepping down from the job next year, leading to another round of speculation about Sanders’ future in Boulder. But Sanders indicated on social media Friday his working relationship with Rick George will continue as Colorado looks for a new athletic director to replace George next year.

George, 65, is stepping down as Colorado’s athletic director in June 2026 to become emeritus athletic director and special adviser to the university chancellor.

“Love ya man and I appreciate the tremendous OPPORTUNITY you’ve given us,” Sanders said about George on Instagram Friday. “We OWE you we’re gonna do this together! Thank u for always being there, being real, being tough and being RICK GEORGE! I love you man and i appreciate u staying connected to the program. We need You.”

George mentioned Sanders in his announcement Thursday and said he would continue working with him in his new role.

“I also wanted to time my announcement so that I could support Coach Prime and our football team this season, which I’m looking forward to continuing in my new role,” George said in the announcement.

How does this affect Deion Sanders?

George made a big bet on Deion Sanders by hiring him in December 2022. That bet paid off at first, with a sold-out season in 2023 and $3.2 billion worth of media exposure for the school since then, as measured by Cision, CU’s media monitoring company.

George doubled down on the bet after the Buffaloes went 9-4 in 2024. In March, he gave Sanders a new five-year contract worth more than $10 million annually.

But the Buffs took a step backward this year. They’re 3-7 heading into a bye weekend. And the school recently claimed it wasn’t sure where the money was going to come from to pay for Sanders’ new contract and $20.5 million in new player benefits this year.

The new boss won’t be as personally invested in Sanders as George was, simply because the new boss didn’t make those hiring and contract decisions.

And Sanders might not have the same special rapport he does with the new boss as he did with George. Sanders has said George was one of the biggest reasons he chose Colorado, where he had no previous ties.

More losing seasons will test the relationship with the new boss. But winning has a way of making everybody happy.

Rick George is leaving a year earlier than contract term

The University of Colorado’s Board of Regents approved a new contract for George just a few days after Sanders’ sizzling debut as Colorado’s coach in September 2023. The contract ran through June 2027 at $1.1 million annually, so George is stepping down a year earlier than that.

Since his hiring at Colorado in 2013, George hired two other football coaches before Sanders. One was Mel Tucker, who went 5-7 in 2019 before leaving to take more money at Michigan State. The other was Karl Dorrell, who bombed out and got fired after a 0-5 start in 2022.

After hiring Sanders to replace Dorrell, George said it would be his last hire of a football coach at Colorado. In his announcement Thursday, George said he had been considering stepping down since at least ‘last spring.’

Sanders three-year record at Colorado is 16-19. The Buffs next play at home against Arizona State on Nov. 22.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com