STEPHEN HAWKINS
Sam Houston State defensive back Zyon McCollum (22) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the fourth quarterof a semifinal game in the NCAA college football FCS playoffs against James Madison, Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Huntsville, Texas. Sam Houston came from behind to edge James Madison 38-35, for a berth in the FCS national championship game. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Unusual May FCS title game: South Dakota St vs Sam Houston

By Stephen Hawkins May. 15, 2021 02:34 AM EDT
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — There are more twists to this FCS championship game than

FILE - Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs during the final half of the Texas Orange and White Spring Scrimmage in Austin, Texas, in this Saturday, April 24, 2021, file photo. No player frustrated Texas fans last season more than tailback Bijan Robinson. Not because of anything he did, but because of Herman’s odd refusal to give him the ball more often. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas, File)
Some Big 12 players expected to impact their teams in 2021

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 27, 2021 02:00 PM EDT
Some Big 12 Conference players expected to have impact seasons for their teams

FILE - Texas Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie passes in the first quarter in Lubbock, Texas, in this Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, file photo. Cumbie is on pace to become the third straight Texas Tech quarterback to lead the nation in passing, a statistic that leads some to question whether he's just another product of coach Mike Leach's wide-open offense. Four former Big 12 quarterbacks are coaching QBs at their alma mater, with three new in those roles this spring. Collin Klein, the 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist at Kansas State, is going into his fifth season as the Wildcats quarterback coach. The new trio are Sonny Cumbie at Texas Tech, Kenny Hill at TCU and Shawn Bell at Baylor. (AP Photo/L.M. Otero, File)
Big 12 spring sees unexpected changes at Texas and Kansas

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 27, 2021 01:52 PM EDT
When Texas finished with consecutive lopsided victories last December, it

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, then-Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is shown before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, , in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in this Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, file photo. Sarkisian is the new head football coach at the University of Texas. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Sarkisian finishing Texas class Herman began, OU tops Big 12

By Stephen Hawkins Feb. 03, 2021 06:20 PM EST
Tom Herman started the 2021 Texas recruiting class. Steve Sarkisian is

Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) falls back before taking a shot as TCU forward Chuck O'Bannon Jr., center right, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
No. 6 Kansas gets 11th Big 12 road win in row, 93-64 at TCU

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 06, 2021 12:10 AM EST
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Not even Kansas coach Bill Self was going to look for

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws for a touchdown against Clemson during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alabama in record 5th CFP title game vs 1st champ Ohio State

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 02, 2021 01:58 AM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Top-ranked Alabama has two Heisman Trophy finalists and

Alabama players celebrate their 31-14 win against Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
6 years later, Alabama and Ohio State go at it again

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 02, 2021 12:47 AM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — When Ohio State upset Alabama in the semifinals of the

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gets help against Notre Dame defenders from wide receiver John Metchie III (8) as Smith sprints to the end zone for a touchdown after making a catch in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Roll Tide! No. 1 Alabama beats Notre Dame 31-14 in Rose Bowl

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 01, 2021 07:48 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A truly untraditional Rose Bowl setting, a very common

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book throws a pass against Clemson during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP, File)
No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame move CFP clash to Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2020 03:55 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Playing a Rose Bowl game deep in the heart of Texas is

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask walks off the field after throwing a pass that was intercepted by Oklahoma in the end zone during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Gators not real '20 team in Cotton Bowl loss after opt-outs

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2020 12:59 AM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — This was not the same Florida offense that got the

Oklahoma team members on the sideline celebrate with linebacker Brian Asamoah (24) after Asamoah tackled Florida wide receiver Rick Wells short of the end zone on a fourth-down play in the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Gators rattled: No. 8 Oklahoma routs Florida in Cotton Bowl

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 30, 2020 11:47 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lincoln Riley will remember this Oklahoma season for a

FILE - Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) is sacked by Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) during the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo. Bonitto is well aware that the Sooners defense, for all the drastic improvements made over two seasons with its “Speed D” scheme, needs to prove itself outside the Big 12. After winning a sixth conference title in a row, the No. 8 Sooners (8-2) will again end the season in a New Year's Six bowl game against a high-powered SEC offense. This time they face national passing leader No. 10 Florida. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
Florida-Oklahoma in Cotton Bowl dozen years after title game

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 29, 2020 03:36 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dan Mullen has been part of two national championships

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020, file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) tosses the ball during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Norman, Okla. Rattler, a redshirt freshman, was an All Big 12 first-team pick and shared newcomer of the year honors with West Virginia senior linebacker Tony Fields II, a transfer from Arizona. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
AP All-Big 12: Iowa State players and coach win top awards

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 24, 2020 12:09 PM EST
Iowa State running back Breece Hall and linebacker Mike Rose are The Associated

The San Francisco 49ers play the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Cotton Bowl: Big 12 champ Oklahoma vs SEC runner-up Florida

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 20, 2020 03:06 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma is going right back to the stadium where the

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws against Iowa State during the first half of the the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
No. 12 Sooners win 6th B12 title in row, 27-21 over Iowa St

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 19, 2020 03:54 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley remembered two specific

Iowa State running back Breece Hall runs the ball against West Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
No. 8 Iowa St vs. perennial champ Oklahoma for Big 12 title

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 17, 2020 05:44 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Charlie Kolar grew up a diehard Oklahoma fan but his

Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders throws downfield against Baylor in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Waco, Texas. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
Stoner 3 TD catches for Oklahoma State in 42-3 win at Baylor

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 12, 2020 07:18 PM EST
WACO, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma State receiver Dillon Stoner got behind the

Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) is hit and flipped in the air by TCU cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (1) as Oklahoma State wide receiver Dillon Stoner (17) TCU defensive end Ochaun Mathis (32) look on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Oklahoma State goes into Baylor makeup out of B12 contention

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 10, 2020 02:34 PM EST
WACO, Texas (AP) — When Oklahoma State was supposed to play at Baylor in mid

TCU cornerback Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson breaks up a pass intended for Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
QB Duggan paces TCU in 29-22 win over No. 19 Oklahoma State

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 05, 2020 04:34 PM EST
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU receiver Derius Davis was working to come back for

Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace (2) carries past Texas Tech defensive back DaMarcus Fields (23) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
No. 19 Oklahoma State off to Wallace's hometown to play TCU

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 03, 2020 04:39 PM EST
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma State senior receiver Tylan Wallace was asked