UNDATED (AP) — Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones needs a heart transplant and is hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed the news about Jones during an emotional news conference on Tuesday. He says Missouri staff initially detected an issue with Jones' heart over the summer during freshman intake testing. Jones later got a second opinion from the Mayo Clinic, where doctors detected a much more serious heart problem. Drinkwitz is urging Mizzou fans to pray for Jones, saying the team wasn't prepared for that kind of news.
UNDATED (AP) — Dennis Franchione, the longtime college football coach who turned around TCU before stops at Alabama and Texas A&M, has died at the age of 75. TCU announced his death in a statement Tuesday. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which first reported the news, reported that Franchione battled cancer for a decade. Franchione worked his way up the college football coaching ranks during a career that spanned more than 30 years. He was one of nine Football Bowl Subdivision coaches who in June were announced as nominees for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame class. Franchione led his teams to nine conference championships, nine bowl games, four NAIA playoff games and one NCAA Division II playoff appearance.
UNDATED (AP) — Gunner Stockton has been one of the most productive quarterbacks this season, boasting a 75.5 completion percentage and 13 touchdowns while largely taking care of the ball. Despite impressive stats, an unbeaten record and career-high marks, the second-year starting quarterback often goes unnoticed in national conversations. On Saturday, Georgia faces Alabama in a game that often carries playoff implications. Stockton is 1-1 against Alabama, losing the regular-season matchup last year before winning the SEC championship game. Alabama's defensive coordinator praises Stockton's efficiency and decisiveness. Georgia coach Kirby Smart and player express support for Stockton's abilities and leadership ahead of the matchup.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Top-ranked Texas and Oklahoma square off in their annual rivalry bringing two of the most talented, dominant defenses in the country to the Cotton Bowl. They will need them. The Longhorns and Sooners have struggled and sputtered through long stretches behind offenses that were expected to deliver much more punch than the penalties and blooper-reel turnovers they have so far. Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been inconsistent and Oklahoma's John Mateer has had a rash of turnovers. Both have been sacked at least 10 times.
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi running back Kewan Lacy is expected to play Saturday against Vanderbilt, coach Pete Golding said Monday. Golding said he fully anticipates Lacy being ready to return after missing the Rebels' loss at Florida. Lacy injured his left shoulder Sept. 19 in a victory against LSU. Golding said Lacy did noncontact individual and team drills at practice on Sunday night after getting a full week of rest. Ole Miss, which is ranked ninth, did not play last weekend. Lacy has rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns this season.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — The growth Alabama's Keelon Russell exhibited in a 56-23 victory at Mississippi State has his Crimson Tide teammates encouraged about how far the 19-year-old quarterback can take them. Russell completed six of his seven third-down passes for 146 yards, including connections of 50 and 39 yards to Lotzeir Brooks and 22 yards to Ryan Coleman-Williams. Russell finished with 285 yards and three touchdowns passing and also ran 17 yards for a score. Russell's threw two, third-down TD passes to Rico Scott, who says it's “hard to believe how fast” Russell has grown. Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby says Russell is already playing at an “elite level.”
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma heads into its game against archrival and No. 1 Texas with questions at quarterback. John Mateer’s stock has plummeted with six turnovers in three games, including two fumbles and an interception in a 41-13 loss at Georgia. It is unclear if Mateer will start or how much he will play on Saturday in Dallas. Backups Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley took a lot of reps in practice last week.
