Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Sports

Updated Utah Utes All-Time FBS Football Seasons

Published

on


  By SuperWest Sports Staff


After last year’s 11-2 campaign, Utah football has played 119 FBS seasons, dating back to 1905.

Utah Utes logoOverall, according to Sports-Reference.com, the Utes have compiled a 704–468–30 (.591) record as an FBS program through the 2025 season.

Since the program’s initial season, Utah has appeared in 27 bowl games, winning 18, while securing 26 conference championships.

Utah is credited by some with an unclaimed National Championship after its undefeated 2008 season, and has produced 13 consensus First Team All-America players.

Advertisement

The Utes begin their 120th FBS season in the Big 12 with momentum under new head coach Morgan Scalley, looking to continue its winning ways.

—Conference Affiliations—

  • Big 12 Conference (2024–present)
  • Pac-12 Conference (2011–2023)
  • Mountain West Conference (1999–2010)
  • Western Athletic Conference (1962–1998)
  • Skyline Eight Conference (1951–1961)
  • Skyline Six Conference (1947–1950)
  • Big Seven Conference (1938–1946)
  • Mountain States Athletic Conference (1938-1961)
  • Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (1910–1937)
  • Independent (1892–1909)

The table below provides an all-time FBS season rundown with Conference, W-L record, win percentage, coach, and bowl game, if any, for each year.

Year Conf W L T Pct Coach(es) Bowl
2025 Big 12 11 2 0 .846 Kyle Whittingham (10-2) Morgan Scalley (1-0) Las Vegas Bowl (W)
2024 Big 12 5 7 0 .417 Kyle Whittingham (5-7)
2023 Pac-12 8 5 0 .615 Kyle Whittingham (8-5) Las Vegas Bowl (L)
2022 Pac-12 10 4 0 .714 Kyle Whittingham (10-4) Rose Bowl (L)
2021 Pac-12 10 4 0 .714 Kyle Whittingham (10-4) Rose Bowl (L)
2020 Pac-12 3 2 0 .600 Kyle Whittingham (3-2)
2019 Pac-12 11 3 0 .786 Kyle Whittingham (11-3) Alamo Bowl (L)
2018 Pac-12 9 5 0 .643 Kyle Whittingham (9-5) Holiday Bowl (L)
2017 Pac-12 7 6 0 .538 Kyle Whittingham (7-6) Heart of Dallas Bowl (W)
2016 Pac-12 9 4 0 .692 Kyle Whittingham (9-4) Foster Farms Bowl (W)
2015 Pac-12 10 3 0 .769 Kyle Whittingham (10-3) Las Vegas Bowl (W)
2014 Pac-12 9 4 0 .692 Kyle Whittingham (9-4) Las Vegas Bowl (W)
2013 Pac-12 5 7 0 .417 Kyle Whittingham (5-7)
2012 Pac-12 5 7 0 .417 Kyle Whittingham (5-7)
2011 Pac-12 8 5 0 .615 Kyle Whittingham (8-5) Sun Bowl (W)
2010 MWC 10 3 0 .769 Kyle Whittingham (10-3) Maaco Bowl (L)
2009 MWC 10 3 0 .769 Kyle Whittingham (10-3) Poinsettia Bowl (W)
2008 MWC 13 0 0 1.000 Kyle Whittingham (13-0) Sugar Bowl (W)
2007 MWC 9 4 0 .692 Kyle Whittingham (9-4) Poinsettia Bowl (W)
2006 MWC 8 5 0 .615 Kyle Whittingham (8-5) Armed Forces Bowl (W)
2005 MWC 7 5 0 .583 Kyle Whittingham (7-5) Emerald Bowl (W)
2004 MWC 12 0 0 1.000 Urban Meyer (12-0) Kyle Whittingham (1-0) Fiesta Bowl (W)
2003 MWC 10 2 0 .833 Urban Meyer (10-2) Liberty Bowl (W)
2002 MWC 5 6 0 .455 Ron McBride (5-6)
2001 MWC 8 4 0 .667 Ron McBride (8-4) Las Vegas Bowl (W)
2000 MWC 4 7 0 .364 Ron McBride (4-7)
1999 MWC 9 3 0 .750 Ron McBride (9-3) Las Vegas Bowl (W)
1998 WAC 7 4 0 .636 Ron McBride (7-4)
1997 WAC 6 5 0 .545 Ron McBride (6-5)
1996 WAC 8 4 0 .667 Ron McBride (8-4) Copper Bowl (L)
1995 WAC 7 4 0 .636 Ron McBride (7-4)
1994 WAC 10 2 0 .833 Ron McBride (10-2) Freedom Bowl (W)
1993 WAC 7 6 0 .538 Ron McBride (7-6) Freedom Bowl (L)
1992 WAC 6 6 0 .500 Ron McBride (6-6) Copper Bowl (L)
1991 WAC 7 5 0 .583 Ron McBride (7-5)
1990 WAC 4 7 0 .364 Ron McBride (4-7)
1989 WAC 4 8 0 .333 Jim Fassel (4-8)
1988 WAC 6 5 0 .545 Jim Fassel (6-5)
1987 WAC 5 7 0 .417 Jim Fassel (5-7)
1986 WAC 2 9 0 .182 Jim Fassel (2-9)
1985 WAC 8 4 0 .667 Jim Fassel (8-4)
1984 WAC 6 5 1 .542 Chuck Stobart (6-5-1)
1983 WAC 5 6 0 .455 Chuck Stobart (5-6)
1982 WAC 5 6 0 .455 Chuck Stobart (5-6)
1981 WAC 8 2 1 .773 Wayne Howard (8-2-1)
1980 WAC 5 5 1 .500 Wayne Howard (5-5-1)
1979 WAC 6 6 0 .500 Wayne Howard (6-6)
1978 WAC 8 3 0 .727 Wayne Howard (8-3)
1977 WAC 3 8 0 .273 Wayne Howard (3-8)
1976 WAC 3 8 0 .273 Tom Lovat (3-8)
1975 WAC 1 10 0 .091 Tom Lovat (1-10)
1974 WAC 1 10 0 .091 Tom Lovat (1-10)
1973 WAC 7 5 0 .583 Bill Meek (7-5)
1972 WAC 6 5 0 .545 Bill Meek (6-5)
1971 WAC 3 8 0 .273 Bill Meek (3-8)
1970 WAC 6 4 0 .600 Bill Meek (6-4)
1969 WAC 8 2 0 .800 Bill Meek (8-2)
1968 WAC 3 7 0 .300 Bill Meek (3-7)
1967 WAC 4 7 0 .364 Mike Giddings (4-7)
1966 WAC 5 5 0 .500 Mike Giddings (5-5)
1965 WAC 3 7 0 .300 Ray Nagel (3-7)
1964 WAC 9 2 0 .818 Ray Nagel (9-2) Liberty Bowl (W)
1963 WAC 4 6 0 .400 Ray Nagel (4-6)
1962 WAC 4 5 1 .450 Ray Nagel (4-5-1)
1961 Skyline 6 4 0 .600 Ray Nagel (6-4)
1960 Skyline 7 3 0 .700 Ray Nagel (7-3)
1959 Skyline 5 5 0 .500 Ray Nagel (5-5)
1958 Skyline 4 7 0 .364 Ray Nagel (4-7)
1957 Skyline 6 4 0 .600 Jack Curtice (6-4)
1956 Skyline 5 5 0 .500 Jack Curtice (5-5)
1955 Skyline 6 3 0 .667 Jack Curtice (6-3)
1954 Skyline 4 7 0 .364 Jack Curtice (4-7)
1953 Skyline 8 2 0 .800 Jack Curtice (8-2)
1952 Skyline 6 3 1 .650 Jack Curtice (6-3-1)
1951 Skyline 7 4 0 .636 Jack Curtice (7-4)
1950 Skyline 3 4 3 .450 Jack Curtice (3-4-3)
1949 Skyline 2 7 1 .250 Ike Armstrong (2-7-1)
1948 Skyline 8 1 1 .850 Ike Armstrong (8-1-1)
1947 MSAC 8 1 1 .850 Ike Armstrong (8-1-1)
1946 MSAC 8 3 0 .727 Ike Armstrong (8-3)
1945 MSAC 4 4 0 .500 Ike Armstrong (4-4)
1944 MSAC 5 2 1 .688 Ike Armstrong (5-2-1)
1943 MSAC 0 7 0 .000 Ike Armstrong (0-7)
1942 MSAC 6 3 0 .667 Ike Armstrong (6-3)
1941 MSAC 6 0 2 .875 Ike Armstrong (6-0-2)
1940 MSAC 7 2 0 .778 Ike Armstrong (7-2)
1939 MSAC 6 1 2 .778 Ike Armstrong (6-1-2)
1938 MSAC 7 1 2 .800 Ike Armstrong (7-1-2) Sun Bowl (W)
1937 RMC 5 3 0 .625 Ike Armstrong (5-3)
1936 RMC 6 3 0 .667 Ike Armstrong (6-3)
1935 RMC 4 3 1 .563 Ike Armstrong (4-3-1)
1934 RMC 5 3 0 .625 Ike Armstrong (5-3)
1933 RMC 5 3 0 .625 Ike Armstrong (5-3)
1932 RMC 6 1 1 .813 Ike Armstrong (6-1-1)
1931 RMC 7 2 0 .778 Ike Armstrong (7-2)
1930 RMC 8 0 0 1.000 Ike Armstrong (8-0)
1929 RMC 7 0 0 1.000 Ike Armstrong (7-0)
1928 RMC 5 0 2 .857 Ike Armstrong (5-0-2)
1927 RMC 3 3 1 .500 Ike Armstrong (3-3-1)
1926 RMC 7 0 0 1.000 Ike Armstrong (7-0)
1925 RMC 6 2 0 .750 Ike Armstrong (6-2)
1924 RMC 3 4 1 .438 Thomas Fitzpatrick (3-4-1)
1923 RMC 4 3 0 .571 Thomas Fitzpatrick (4-3)
1922 RMC 7 1 0 .875 Thomas Fitzpatrick (7-1)
1921 RMC 3 2 1 .583 Thomas Fitzpatrick (3-2-1)
1920 RMC 1 5 1 .214 Thomas Fitzpatrick (1-5-1)
1919 RMC 5 2 0 .714 Thomas Fitzpatrick (5-2)
1917 RMC 2 4 0 .333 Nelson Norgren (2-4)
1916 RMC 3 2 0 .600 Nelson Norgren (3-2)
1915 RMC 5 2 0 .714 Nelson Norgren (5-2)
1914 RMC 3 3 0 .500 Nelson Norgren (3-3)
1913 RMC 2 4 1 .357 Fred Bennion (2-4-1)
1912 RMC 5 1 1 .786 Fred Bennion (5-1-1)
1911 RMC 5 1 1 .786 Fred Bennion (5-1-1)
1910 RMC 4 2 0 .667 Fred Bennion (4-2)
1908 Ind 3 2 1 .583 Joseph Maddock (3-2-1)
1907 Ind 6 3 0 .667 Joseph Maddock (4-2)
1906 Ind 4 1 0 .800 Joseph Maddock (4-1)
1905 Ind 6 2 0 .750 Joseph Maddock (6-2)

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

IPL: Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS hunt down 210 with ease, hand CSK second straight loss | Cricket News

Published

on

IPL: Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS hunt down 210 with ease, hand CSK second straight loss
Shreyas Iyer (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings registered an impressive five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 clash at Chepauk, chasing down a big target of 210 with confidence. Despite CSK putting up a strong total, PBKS handled the pressure better and sealed their second straight victory of the season.After being put in to bat, CSK built their innings around a solid partnership between Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo added 96 runs for the second wicket, giving the team a strong platform.

Watch

Ajinkya Rahane press conference: KKR captain backs bowlers, hits back at SR critics

Mhatre was the standout performer, scoring a fluent 73 off 43 balls with a mix of boundaries and sixes.In the later stages, Sarfaraz Khan played a quick cameo, smashing 32 off just 12 balls, while Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 45, finishing the innings strongly. Their efforts pushed CSK to a competitive total of 209/5 in 20 overs, which looked challenging on the surface.In reply, PBKS came out attacking and maintained a steady run rate throughout the chase. Young opener Priyansh Arya provided a quick start, while others chipped in to keep the scoreboard moving. Captain Shreyas Iyer played a key role, scoring a composed 50 off 29 balls and guiding the innings.Even when wickets fell at intervals, PBKS didn’t panic and continued to play positive cricket. Contributions from the middle order ensured the chase stayed on track, and they eventually reached 210/5 in 18.4 overs.While CSK impressed with the bat, their bowlers struggled to contain runs. PBKS, on the other hand, executed their chase smartly and deservedly came out on top.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

‘You Have Two Scenarios’ – Regian Eersel Breaks Down Rodtang vs. Takeru II At ONE SAMURAI 1

Published

on

Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa will meet once again, and the rematch has captured the attention of the global striking community.

The two superstars will collide for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 1, which emanates live from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.

Advertisement

It will mark Takeru’s final kickboxing clash and his last chance to win ONE World Title gold. Meanwhile, “The Iron Man” has an opportunity to achieve two-sport glory and become the only person to defeat the Japanese icon twice.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Chase DeLauter rakes fifth home run in seventh career regular-season game as Guardians top Cubs in home opener

Published

on

When Cleveland Guardians rookie right fielder Chase DeLauter fouled a Shohei Ohtani pitch off his back foot on Tuesday night, it looked like the 24-year-old himself might be the only one who could actually put a stop to his season-opening power surge.

After grounding out later in that at-bat, DeLauter left the game with a left foot contusion, and he didn’t play in the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers the following day, although manager Stephen Vogt said DeLauter was supposed to be off regardless.

Advertisement

With negative X-rays, DeLauter was confident he’d return to the lineup for the Guardians’ home opener on Friday. He was back, and the same could be said for his seismic swing, which delivered another home run in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Blue Jays’ Mason Fluharty to start Game 2 vs. White Sox

Published

on

The left-handed reliever will start Saturday’s Game 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Friday.

Eric Lauer had been scheduled to start, but manager John Schneider told reporters pre-game on Friday that the team elected to give him an extra day’s rest.

Fluharty, 24, has pitched 1.2 innings across four games this year, owning a 10.80 ERA with four strikeouts and no walks.

In his rookie season in 2025, the Lewes, Del., native owned a 4.44 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 24 walks across 52.2 innings in relief.

Advertisement

Catch Saturday’s game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers Tips, Odds and Teams – AFL Round 4 2026

Published

on

Adelaide Oval will play host to Friday’s
Round 4 AFL game between Adelaide Crows and
Fremantle Dockers. The game kicks off at 7:15 pm with Adelaide Crows heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Adelaide Crows vs.
Fremantle Dockers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday April 3, 2026 at 7:15 pm

Where: Adelaide Oval

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Advertisement

Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers Odds

Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers Preview

Two sides fully invested in their 2026 ambitions face off in what shapes as a revealing early-season encounter. Both teams have shown flashes of high-end performance, but consistency remains a work in progress. Midfield battles and turnover efficiency are expected to be pivotal, with each side looking to control tempo and territory. Defensive structures will also come under scrutiny against attacking units capable of quick scoring bursts. With pressure building to deliver results, this match offers a valuable insight into which team is better equipped to sustain performance and handle key moments.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Oklahoma Sooners beat Kentucky 9-1 for fourth-straight win

Published

on

The Oklahoma Sooners moved to 37-3 and 10-1 in SEC play with a 9-1 run-rule win over the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday. It was the Sooners’ fourth straight win and their 11th game in a row in which the pitching staff allowed fewer than four runs.

The Sooners fell behind in the first inning once again when Kentucky took a 1-0 lead on Carly Sleeman’s lead-off home run. But starting pitcher Miali Guachino settled in to retire the next three hitters in order. That kicked off a run of nine straight Kentucky hitters retired by Guachino. The Wildcats’ next hit wouldn’t come until the fourth inning, a lead-off single from No. 2 hitter Allie Blum.

Advertisement

In the win, Guachino allowed just three hits over four innings, striking out three, to move to 11-0 on the season.

Advertisement

It didn’t take long for the Sooners to answer the first inning home run by Sleeman. In the bottom of the first, Lexi McDaniel and Ailana Agbayani earned two-out walks with the bases loaded to push across a pair of Oklahoma runs to retake the lead.

In the second inning, Oklahoma’s lineup went to work. Kendall Wells’ sacrifice fly moved Abby Dayton to third on a sacrifice fly, and Kasidi Pickering drove Dayton in on an infield single. Ella Parker doubled to drive in Gabbie Garcia to make it 4-1, and Lexi McDaniel’s two-RBI single made it 6-1 Sooners.

After a strong night hitting with two outs on Thursday, the Sooners picked up right where they left off with each of their first six runs coming with two outs on Friday.

Advertisement

Advertisement

In the third, Kendall Wells hit her 29th home run of the season, giving her eight home runs in 11 SEC contests in her true freshman season.

Fellow freshman McDaniel put Oklahoma in run-rule territory with a two-run home run, giving her five RBIs on the day. The home run was her ninth of the season. It was McDaniel’s first home run since March 11 against Tulsa.

With the win, the Sooners secured the series against the Wildcats. They’ll close the series with a Saturday morning contest vs. Kentucky, looking to complete the three-game sweep ahead of their series with the Texas Longhorns next weekend in Austin.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Advertisement

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma beats Kentucky 9-1 in run-rule fashion

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

‘Spinners’ off day cost us’: CSK captain throws Rahul Chahar and Noor Ahmad under the bus after loss to PBKS | Cricket News

Published

on

'Spinners' off day cost us': CSK captain throws Rahul Chahar and Noor Ahmad under the bus after loss to PBKS

Ruturaj Gaikwad blamed his spinners for Chennai Super Kings’ five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings in their IPL match on Friday, saying an off day from them hurt the team despite a strong total on the board.Chennai Super Kings posted 209 for 5, with Ayush Mhatre scoring 73 off 43 balls. But Punjab Kings chased down the target in 18.4 overs, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, who made 50.After the match, Gaikwad pointed to the performance of his spinners, Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar, as a key factor in the defeat. Chennai had seam options like Gurjapneet Singh and Jamie Overton available as impact substitutes but chose to bring in Chahar.“We felt we had three seamers going in, and obviously we have two good wrist spinners (Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar) bowling in tandem, especially in the middle after the powerplay. We felt that, you know, it will help,” said Gaikwad.“But I think, you know, slight off day for both of them. So, I think, that is what cost us. Sometimes we executed really well. Sometimes we just didn’t execute at the right time,” he added.He said the team could not build pressure in the middle overs.“There was a point when it (required run-rate) went to 11, and a couple of good overs would have taken it to 12-13. We just did not get momentum in the middle (with the ball).”Gaikwad added that the batting had positives, with contributions from Mhatre and Shivam Dube, but said the bowling needs to improve.Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said the start given by openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh played a big role in the chase.“The way we started today, that was an exceptional start for us. I feel the way they (Arya and Prabhsimran) have been batting has been phenomenal and it stabilises the rhythm for us,” Iyer said.“I am glad everyone is getting to bat. It gives immense confidence to the team. Whenever we are in a pressure situation, people are aware on how to handle it. We just decided in the dressing room, we will play a brand of cricket to impress each other — that gives us a certain sort of clarity, and basically challenging each other.”In the chase, Iyer’s 50 off 29 balls and his 59-run stand with Nehal Wadhera helped Punjab reach 210 for five. The target was 209.Punjab also got contributions from Priyansh Arya (39 off 11), Prabhsimran Singh (43 off 34) and Cooper Connolly (36 off 22).Iyer started slowly, scoring 8 off 9 balls while Connolly took charge. After Connolly fell to Anshul Kamboj, Iyer took control and targeted the spinners. He reached his fifty in 26 balls but was later dismissed by Kamboj while going after a wide delivery.Punjab completed the chase in 18.4 overs, handing Chennai their second loss in a row.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Rashee Rice will not face NFL suspension amid assault allegations

Published

on

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will not face discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy amid an ongoing civil lawsuit accusing him of domestic assault.

The NFL announced April 3 it had concluded its investigation into the accusations made against Rice by his former girlfriend, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Advertisement

“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.

Advertisement

Sean Lindsey, an attorney representing Rice, addressed the news with a statement of his own.

“Mr. Rice wants to thank the NFL for their thorough investigation, and looks forward to the start of the 2026-27 NFL season,” Lindsey said.

LERNER: The NFL is investigating Rashee Rice − here’s what happens next

Rice was named in a civil lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend in the Dallas County (Texas) court system on Feb. 16, 2026. The lawsuit alleged Rice assaulted the woman multiple times over a 19-month period. Police have not filed criminal charges related to the allegations against Rice.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The complaint alleged that the Chiefs wide receiver had “grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted” his ex-girlfriend. She also alleges Rice threw things at her, “destroy[ed] property, punch[ed] walls, [broke] furniture” and locked her out of their shared home “in the middle of the night.”

Rice’s former girlfriend, who is also the mother of their two children, shared an Instagram post on Jan. 7 alleging she had been the victim of domestic violence for several years. She did not mention Rice by name in that post, which featured a picture of her with a bloody lip. The post has since been deleted.

“It’s been nothing but hell,” she wrote, adding, “I’ve protected his image too long and I’m done doing that. It’s time to protect my peace, protect my children and stand up for myself.”

Advertisement

According to the lawsuit, Rice’s ex-girlfriend was pregnant during much of the alleged abuse. She is seeking more than $1 million in damages in the civil suit.

Advertisement

The lawsuit remains open, according to Dallas County court records.

USA TODAY Sports’ Jack McKessy also contributed to this report.

Advertisement

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL concludes Rashee Rice investigation, will not discipline Chiefs WR

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Teofimo Lopez lined up for immediate title shot despite Shakur Stevenson loss

Published

on

Teofimo Lopez could be handed an immediate opportunity to bounce back in a major way following a one-sided defeat to Shakur Stevenson.

Lopez put his WBO super-lightweight world title on the line against Stevenson back in January. Despite boasting a size advantage, the champion was thoroughly outclassed by the challenger, with Stevenson winning almost every round on the scorecards to become a four-weight world champion at just 28.

Not long after the loss, Lopez announced that he would be moving up to welterweight to join a stacked division, complete with champions Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Lewis Crocker and Rolando Romero.

Advertisement

Garcia had said previously that he would be fighting Lopez this summer, and, during a live stream this week, went as far as confirming the date of July 25 for the fight.

‘King Ry’ won the WBC belt by handily beating Mario Barrios three weeks following Lopez-Stevenson. Though he has publicly targeted a unification fight with WBO champ Haney – a rematch following their controversial 2023 meeting in 2023 – he appears to have settled on a voluntary defence against Lopez, who is not yet ranked in the division.

The fight, however, is not official, and it would be a bold move for the WBC to allow yet another voluntary defence of their belt, with a mandatory fight not enforced in several years.

Barrios was upgraded from interim to full champion in 2024, and made his first defence against number eight ranked Abel Ramos, retaining the belt with a draw.

Advertisement

He then made another voluntary defence against returning Manny Pacquiao, drawing again to retain the title, before facing Garcia in yet another non-ordered bout. The sanctioning body made Conor Benn mandatory challenger at the beginning of this year.

He fights next weekend in London against Regis Prograis in a catchweight bout at 150lbs. Despite recently linking up with Zuffa Boxing – a promotional company intent on sidelining the major sanctioning bodies – the Brit says he will fight for the belt before the end of the year.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

A Kevin O’Connell Theory Can Now Be Retired

Published

on

Advertisement

J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O'Connell at the New York Giants in 2025
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell hug before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Some have insisted that Kevin O’Connell is now the top decision maker in the Twin Cities. Minnesota’s well-respected head coach is the CEO over all things football, getting the final call on contracts, trades, draft picks, and so on.

Not so.

Rob Brzezinski is functioning as the team’s GM. Part of that job involves getting the final call on draft picks, just like a normal GM even if that’s not his official title. Mr. Brzezinski clarified the detail in a recent conversation with The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, getting the detail across the finish line before the 2026 NFL Draft.

Advertisement

Kevin O’Connell is the Vikings’ HC, Not Team CEO

The question had to do with how to settle disagreement within the front office when Minnesota is on the clock. Who gets the tiebreaker if there’s disagreement? Turns out the answer is quite clear.

Check out how Brzezinski discussed the hypothetical: “You’re hoping that you can have the answers to the test before you’re in the firing line. But there are times, maybe, when issues crop up. And the Wilfs have asked me to handle that in the event that we get into a position like that.”

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell in Dallas in Week 15 of 2025
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.

Pretty straightforward.

The Wilfs are the team’s owners. For a long time, Brzezinski has worked for the Wilfs, meaning there’s a track record of trust in what the executive can do. Logically, there’s then some willingness to lean on him to make the final call if there ends up being an issue.

Advertisement

What’s similarly fascinating is that Brzezinski doesn’t foresee an issue. A situation where Kevin O’Connell is advocating for a specific player while Brian Flores is pushing for another while Chisom Opara, Jamaal Stephenson, and Ryan Grigson all make cases for their guys just isn’t going to happen.

Why not? Good question.

The reason why that scenario is very unlikely is because the debate is occurring right now. The powerful people working in Eagan are putting the finishing touches on the evaluation process, forming opinions along the way. Part of that process is internal debate, discussion, and disagreement. All healthy, all part of the process.

At some point, a final call is going to be made to form a draft board. There will then be a hierarchical list to rank the players. The Vikings will assemble a minimum of 18 players whom they’re comfortable with — nay, excited about — choosing in the 1st. Doing so ensures that there’s a minimum of one of those names left standing when decision time arrives.

Advertisement
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell in 2024.
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Kevin O’Connell clarified at the league meeting that he does jump into player evaluations. He’s therefore going to toss his name into the mix as perhaps the most important influence on the final decision, but he’s still just one voice within a vast chorus.

In theory, some debate could exist if two or three of the best players are there at No. 18. Maybe the grades are identical, leading to a true flip of the coin. In that scenario, Rob Brzezinski makes the final call if there’s internal debate.

Likewise, a situation could exist where the debate is between a trade option or choosing a coveted young lad. If so, then Brzezinski gets the final call. He’s functioning as the GM, meaning he gets the authority of a GM.

Quite possibly, Brzezinski asks for Kevin O’Connell’s opinion and then choose to do what his head coach wants to do (personally, I’d do what Flores thinks is best, but that’s just me). O’Connell has proven to be pretty good at his job, so there are worse ideas in the world than opting to side with the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year. But, crucially, that will be the decision of the fill-in at GM.

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell poses with the Coach of the Year award during Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Kevin O’Connell is going to have opinions. He’s going to be encouraged to offer them, but that’s not going to involve him hijacking the process on the night of Thursday, April 23rd.


avatar

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025