STEPHEN HAWKINS
FILE - With his right arm in a sling following shoulder surgery earlier in the week, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez walks onto the field during the tunnel walk before an NCAA college football game against Iowa on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. The success or failure of the Wildcats next season rests largely on whether Adrian Martinez, a four-year starter at Nebraska, is able to bounce back from offseason shoulder surgery and eliminate the interceptions and other mistakes that relegated him to mediocrity with the Cornhuskers. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Big 12 players expected to have impact seasons in 2022

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 26, 2022 04:29 PM EDT
Some Big 12 Conference players to watch next season: BAYLOR: Redshirt

FILE - New TCU NCAA college football head coach Sonny Dykes speaks during an introductory news conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. TCU coach Sonny Dykes and Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire wrapped up their first spring drills without naming a starter, though both inherited multiple quarterbacks with starting experience. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
3 new coaches and lot of new QBs in the Big 12

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 26, 2022 04:22 PM EDT
There are three new head coaches in the Big 12 and there will be a few new starting

FILE - In this July 17, 2017, file photo, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to reporters during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas. Bowlsby said Tuesday, April 5, 2022, that he will step away from his role as Big 12 commissioner later this year after a decade in that job. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Big 12 commish Bowlsby stepping away from role this year

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 05, 2022 04:55 PM EDT
Bob Bowlsby will step away from his role as Big 12 commissioner later this year after

FILE - North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz watches his team play against Central Arkansas at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Fargo, N.D. Montana State faces North Dakota State for the Football Championship Subdivision on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
NDSU looks for 9th FCS title against upstart Montana State

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 07, 2022 05:23 PM EST
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Montana State advanced to its first championship game since 1984

FILE - Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott (16) and linebacker Troy Andersen (15) react in the locker room after Montana State beat South Dakota State 31-17 in the semifinals of an NCAA college football game in the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Mellott accounted for 11 touchdowns (six rushing, four passing, one receiving) in his first three career starts, all in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. He has 411 yards rushing and 449 passing this postseason.(AP Photo/Tommy Martino, File)
Montana St in FCS final with home-state freshman at QB

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 06, 2022 02:45 PM EST
Montana native Tommy Mellott sat on the bench in tears as the final seconds ticked

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett tosses oranges after their win against Michigan in the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Georgia won 34-11.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
CFP title game QBs: Former 5-star recruit vs. former walk-on

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 01, 2022 02:23 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bryce Young is a former five-star recruit who won the Heisman

Alabama's Jahleel Billingsley (19) leaps over Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Run Tide! No. 1 Bama over non-P5 Cincy 27-6 in CFP semi

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2021 07:14 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brian Robinson Jr. grew up near the Alabama campus watching

Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell watches his team warm up before the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
DB Hill starts Orange Bowl for Michigan after late arrival

Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2021 04:54 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Michigan defensive back Dax Hill started against No. 3

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass from the pocket during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. The fourth-ranked Bearcats (13-0) get their shot in the CFP semifinal Cotton Bowl on Friday, Dec. 31 against No. 1 defending national champion Alabama. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Non-P5 Cincy takes CFP journey to Cotton semi against Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 30, 2021 02:38 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder and the breakthrough

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young holds the Heisman Trophy at an award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via AP, Pool)
Young says Heisman reflects past as Bama seeks another title

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 29, 2021 04:06 PM EST
Bryce Young views his Heisman Trophy as about what he and Alabama have already done,

FILE - Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) carries the ball as he breaks a tackle against UCF linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Bearcats RB Jerome Ford sheds 'the Alabama transfer' label

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 28, 2021 04:50 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jerome Ford envisioned helping Cincinnati win games and a

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell coaches his players during practice for the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Breakthrough Bearcats ready for CFP semi against champ Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 27, 2021 07:37 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cincinnati has heard for more than three weeks about becoming

FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell prepares to take players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
No. 1 Alabama without OC and No. 4 Cincy arrive for CFP semi

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 26, 2021 03:29 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Top-ranked Alabama arrived Sunday in North Texas without

FILE - Baylor coach Dave Aranda watches from the sideline during the team's NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Waco, Texas, Nov. 13, 2021. Aranda got 15 of the 20 votes for coach of the year in balloting for The Associated Press' All-Big 12 team and awards. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin, File)
Cyclones RB Hall, Bears' Aranda, Pitre win AP Big 12 honors

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 09, 2021 11:51 AM EST
Iowa State running back Breece Hall is The Associated Press Big 12 offensive player

Cincinnati's Bryon Threats (10) celebrates after defeating Houston in the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Bearcats break through, No. 1 Alabama awaits in Cotton Bowl

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 05, 2021 02:23 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cincinnati is the first outsider to make the College

Oklahoma State running back Dezmon Jackson (27) is tackled by Baylor linebacker Dillon Doyle short of the goal line in the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Big 12 Conference championship in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman)
Baylor holds on for Big 12 title, knocks Okla St out of CFP

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 04, 2021 04:07 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dezmon Jackson came up inches short on a desperate,

Baylor safety Jalen Pitre shouts to his teammates in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Pitre began as lone recruit for No. 9 Baylor after scandal

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 03, 2021 01:57 AM EST
Jalen Pitre stuck with his long-time commitment to Baylor while every other

Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) carries for a touchdown past Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman (5) and defensive lineman Josh Ellison during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma State faces Baylor for Big 12 title with eye on CFP

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 02, 2021 01:40 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy feels his team has been

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda calls to his players in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Big 12 gets title game without Texas or OU before they leave

By Stephen Hawkins Nov. 30, 2021 06:51 PM EST
The Big 12 doesn't have to wait until Oklahoma and Texas are gone to experience

New TCU NCAA college football head coach Sonny Dykes stands under a welcome sign before an introductory news conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dykes introduced at TCU, always knowing what it could be

By Stephen Hawkins Nov. 30, 2021 03:43 PM EST
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes got an up-close look at TCU during one