ERIC OLSON
Ottawa defensive end Jennifer Anthony, left, tackles Midland's JaNasia Spand (11) during an NAIA flag football game in Ottawa, Kan., Friday, March 26, 2021. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics introduced women's flag football as an emerging sport this spring. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Following their passion, women go far to play flag football

By Eric Olson Apr. 06, 2021 03:54 PM EDT
FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — From a distance, it looks like college kids in sweat

Alabama forward Darius Miles (12) walks off the court after losing to UCLA 88-86 in overtime in a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Oats salutes Tide rather than lament missed free throws

By Eric Olson Mar. 28, 2021 11:36 PM EDT
All those missed free throws, an inability to play at its preferred pace and a

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2018, file photo, Texas A&M wide receiver Quartney Davis (1) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the seventh overtime of an NCAA college football game against LSU, in College Station, Texas. The NCAA Football Rules Committee on Friday, March 12, 2021, recommended a slight change to overtime rules that would require a team to try a two-point conversion after a touchdown when a game reaches the second overtime instead of the third. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
NCAA rules panel recommends change to shorten overtime games

By Eric Olson Mar. 12, 2021 05:49 PM EST
The NCAA Football Rules Committee on Friday recommended a slight change to

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, fie photo, Nebraska's Joe Blahak (27) delivers the final block to spring Johnny Rodgers (20) for a touchdown on a punt return in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla. Reports that Nebraska wants to back out of playing at Oklahoma this season didn't sit well with one of the stars of the 1971 Game of the Century. The game scheduled Sept. 18 in Norman, Oklahoma, would mark the 50th anniversary of Nebraska's 35-31 win over the Sooners in a clash of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the nation. (Bob Gorham/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
Huskers looked at backing out of game at Oklahoma

By Eric Olson Mar. 12, 2021 04:54 PM EST
The Nebraska athletic department acknowledged Friday that it explored the

FILE - Co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation Chris Nowinski waits to appear at the House of Commons' Health committee on sports-related concussions in Ottawa, Ontario, in this Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, file photo. With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing the 2020 FCS season from fall to spring, and the 2021 fall season planned to be played as usual, it begs the question: How much football is too much football? (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Playing 2 seasons in 1 year could take toll on FCS players

By Eric Olson Feb. 18, 2021 03:22 PM EST
North Dakota State has played 16 football games in a season twice and no fewer

FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Terps' hope top-20 recruit class brings improvement on field

By Eric Olson Feb. 03, 2021 06:28 PM EST
The Maryland athletic department slogan is “Fear The Turtle.” In seven seasons

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2019, file photo, North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance (5) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half of an FCS playoff NCAA college football game against Montana State in Fargo, N.D. All but a few teams in the Football Championship Subdivision shut down in the fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will play a spring season culminating with the NCAA playoffs in April and May. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy, File)
FCS schedules nearly set with season starting in February

By Eric Olson Jan. 15, 2021 05:44 PM EST
One college football season just ended, and another one starts in just over a

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
STAT WATCH: Smith's big night ends with SEC, playoff records

By Eric Olson Jan. 12, 2021 02:59 AM EST
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith finished one of the most productive seasons

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gains yardage after a catch in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Smith adds Maxwell Award to collection of postseason honors

By Eric Olson Jan. 07, 2021 09:10 PM EST
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama added to his collection of

FILE - Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller walks along the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Nashville, in this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Breakthroughs come on, off field in 2020 for women's sports

By Eric Olson Dec. 31, 2020 04:08 PM EST
It was a milestone year for women in sports, starting with Katie Sowers

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo, Indiana head coach Tom Allen looks toward his players on the sideline during a break in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Bloomington, Ind. Allen is coach of the year on the Associated Press All-Big Ten football team. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
AP All-Big Ten: Ohio State's Fields, Indiana's Allen honored

By Eric Olson Dec. 22, 2020 12:00 PM EST
Quarterback Justin Fields repeated as offensive player of the year and is

Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) looks to pass against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Week 16: Playoff bids likely on line for Clemson, Ohio State

By Eric Olson Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 AM EST
Clemson and Ohio State go into the weekend with the most at stake, and Texas A

FILE - Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Pat Fitzgerald figures he'll add a few more gray hairs by the time No. 15 Northwestern steps on the field to face No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19. Then again, if Northwestern wins? “Not gonna lie to you, it would be a helluva ride home on I-65,” Fitzgerald said. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Big Ten Champions Week has game for title and 4 on undercard

By Eric Olson Dec. 17, 2020 01:44 AM EST
Things to watch during the ninth week of play in the Big Ten Conference:

FILE - Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, center, reacts with other team mambers during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas in Austin, Texas, in this Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, file photo. The Cyclones, who at No. 8 have their highest ranking ever in The Associated Press poll, play No. 12 Oklahoma on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Humble start leads to Campbell's historic season at Iowa St

By Eric Olson Dec. 15, 2020 06:33 PM EST
Jay Chapman earned his bachelor's and master's degree from Iowa State, was a

North Carolina running back Javonte Williams (25) runs the ball as Miami cornerback Te'Cory Couch (23) and Bubba Bolden (21) give chase during the first half of an during an NCAA college football game at Hard Rock Stadium In Miami Gardens, Fla, Saturday, Dec, 12, 2020. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)
STAT WATCH: UNC rushing total FBS' highest in 3 seasons

By Eric Olson Dec. 14, 2020 01:18 PM EST
North Carolina's rushing performance against Miami was unlike any seen in the

Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) tackles Minnesota's Philip Howard (2) during a punt return in first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Gophers, missing 33 players, stun Huskers 24-17 after layoff

By Eric Olson Dec. 12, 2020 03:47 PM EST
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mohamed Ibrahim ran for two touchdowns following Nebraska

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Week 15: Buffs need win, USC loss to reach Pac-12 title game

By Eric Olson Dec. 11, 2020 01:43 AM EST
A weekend devoid of drama appears to be setting up in college football unless

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looks at his bench during an NCAA college football game with Michigan in Minneapolis. Minnesota is among 10 of the 14 Big Ten football teams sitting at two wins entering the final weekend of the regular season. The statistical anomaly begs the question of whether it's difficult for those teams to stay motivated in a season that brought unique challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
What's my motivation? Stakes low for 2-win Big Ten teams

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 04:58 PM EST
Minnesota has had its last two games canceled because of COVID-19 issues, more

Minnesota linebacker Josh Aune (29) holds the ball after he intercepted a Purdue pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 34-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Huskers look to stack wins; Gophers play after virus layoff

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 03:52 PM EST
It's been hard enough for Scott Frost to find success at Nebraska. Sustaining

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson (15) is tackled by Nebraska linebacker Luke Reimer, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Look-alike teams meet when No. 25 Badgers visit No. 19 Iowa

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 02:03 PM EST
Kirk Ferentz used Wisconsin as his template when he started building Iowa's