http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:01:32 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/19/college-football-2026-notre-dame-s-goal-is-to-end-title-drought/stories/20260820042 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/19/college-football-2026-notre-dame-s-goal-is-to-end-title-drought/stories/20260820042#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:21:34 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/19/college-football-2026-notre-dame-s-goal-is-to-end-title-drought/stories/20260820042 SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After reaching the 2024 CFP championship game and last year’s surprise absence from the 12-team playoff field, fourth-ranked Notre Dame begins this season still looking to end its national championship drought. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, the best performance for a Fighting Irish QB in his first 12 starts since 1966. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/16/briggs-kyle-whittingham-healthy-perspective-ohio-state-rivalry-michigan-trouble/stories/20260816122 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/16/briggs-kyle-whittingham-healthy-perspective-ohio-state-rivalry-michigan-trouble/stories/20260816122#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:22:37 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/16/briggs-kyle-whittingham-healthy-perspective-ohio-state-rivalry-michigan-trouble/stories/20260816122 Have you heard the big news? Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham greets the crowd during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Michigan and Southern California, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/13/mid-american-conference-basketball-to-give-top-2-seeds-double-byes/stories/20260813134 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/13/mid-american-conference-basketball-to-give-top-2-seeds-double-byes/stories/20260813134#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:39:40 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/13/mid-american-conference-basketball-to-give-top-2-seeds-double-byes/stories/20260813134 CLEVELAND — After seeing the No. 1 seed in the men’s tournament losing in the quarterfinals in two out of the past three seasons, the Mid-American Conference is reshaping the brackets for the men’s and women’s basketball conference tournaments. The Mid-American Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments will use a double bye for the 2026-27 season. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/12/bowling-green-toledo-announce-mac-basketball-schedules/stories/20260812094 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/12/bowling-green-toledo-announce-mac-basketball-schedules/stories/20260812094#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:22:08 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/12/bowling-green-toledo-announce-mac-basketball-schedules/stories/20260812094 A 22-game men’s conference slate is among the highlights for Mid-American Conference basketball teams for the upcoming season. Toledo coach Ginny Boggess and player Patricia Anumgba congratulate teammates as they mount a comeback against Miami of Ohio in the women’s college basketball finals of the MAC tournament at Rocket Arena on March 14 in Cleveland. Todd Simon, coach of Bowling Green, watches his team play during a men’s college basketball game against Akron at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green on Jan. 9. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/12/6-must-watch-matchups-key-role-2026-college-football-playoffs/stories/20260812084 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/12/6-must-watch-matchups-key-role-2026-college-football-playoffs/stories/20260812084#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:29:36 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/12/6-must-watch-matchups-key-role-2026-college-football-playoffs/stories/20260812084 From early-season heavyweight clashes to conference rivalry games, the road to the College Football Playoff could come down to a handful of marquee matchups. Ohio State running back CJ Donaldson is stopped by the Texas defense during the second half of an NCAA college football game Aug. 30, 2025 in Columbus. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs against Alabama during the second half of a Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game Dec. 6, 2025 in Atlanta. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game Jan. 19 in Miami Gardens, Fla. LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) is tackled by Mississippi linebacker Tahj Chambers (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., on Sept. 27, 2025. BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) is blocked by Utah offensive lineman Michael Mokofisi (52) and Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 18, 2025 in Provo, Utah. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/09/briggs-my-ap-preseason-top-25-ballot-starts-with-indiana-ends-mac/stories/20260809098 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/09/briggs-my-ap-preseason-top-25-ballot-starts-with-indiana-ends-mac/stories/20260809098#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:45:17 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/09/briggs-my-ap-preseason-top-25-ballot-starts-with-indiana-ends-mac/stories/20260809098 All right, it’s that time of year.  College football is just around the corner.  Time to dust off the crystal ball and try to make sense of a sport — and an era — that specializes in making fools of us all ... even me* (*OK, especially me). Here’s a preview of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti calls a play during the first half of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Alabama on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/04/briggs-why-protect-college-sports-act-is-actually-huge-win-for-toledo-bg-mac/stories/20260804105 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/04/briggs-why-protect-college-sports-act-is-actually-huge-win-for-toledo-bg-mac/stories/20260804105#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:13:38 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/08/04/briggs-why-protect-college-sports-act-is-actually-huge-win-for-toledo-bg-mac/stories/20260804105 It’s not often Ohio State and Toledo — and Michigan and Bowling Green — end up on the same side of a college sports debate. Toledo’s Leroy Blyden, Jr., contorts for a layup against Akron in the men’s college basketball finals of the MAC Tournament at Rocket Arena on March 14 in Cleveland. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/28/female-athletes-surge-nil-deals-learfield-reports-123-jump-participation/stories/20260728107 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/28/female-athletes-surge-nil-deals-learfield-reports-123-jump-participation/stories/20260728107#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:22:10 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/28/female-athletes-surge-nil-deals-learfield-reports-123-jump-participation/stories/20260728107 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — College sports marketing company Learfield saw a 123 percent increase in female athlete participation in name, image and likeness compensation activities over the 2025-26 fiscal year, the company revealed in a report released Tuesday. Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) plays against UCLA during the championship of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis on March 9, 2025. Iowa State guard Jada Williams poses for photographers during NCAA college basketball media day Oct. 16, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/25/briggs-mac-coaches-anonymously-dish-leagues-best-jobs-worst-trips/stories/20260724086 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/25/briggs-mac-coaches-anonymously-dish-leagues-best-jobs-worst-trips/stories/20260724086#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/25/briggs-mac-coaches-anonymously-dish-leagues-best-jobs-worst-trips/stories/20260724086 DETROIT — A few years ago, when I last surveyed Mid-American Conference football coaches on the state of the game, their biggest concern was what to call on second-and-six.  Now, it’s whether their second-string left tackle is worth six figures — and finding a midweek flight Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher speaks during MAC Media Day at Ford Field on July 22 in Detroit. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/01/briggs-season-ticket-holders-zip-codes/stories/20260701135 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/01/briggs-season-ticket-holders-zip-codes/stories/20260701135#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:18:42 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/07/01/briggs-season-ticket-holders-zip-codes/stories/20260701135 The Mid-American Conference is currently negotiating a new TV deal with ESPN, which means a lot of people in conference rooms cold enough to hang meat are busy studying ratings, reach, brand alignment, and other important buzzwords. Snow falls during a Mid-American Conference college football game between the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University at UT’s Glass Bowl in Toledo in 2022. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/25/perrysburgs-marcus-blaze-continues-heat-up-wrestling-mat-penn-state/stories/20260625098 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/25/perrysburgs-marcus-blaze-continues-heat-up-wrestling-mat-penn-state/stories/20260625098#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:33:18 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/25/perrysburgs-marcus-blaze-continues-heat-up-wrestling-mat-penn-state/stories/20260625098 Perrysburg wrestling sensation Marcus Blaze continues to grow on and off the mat after earning All-American status as a true freshman at Penn State University. True freshman Marcus Blaze took on Stanford’s Tyler Knox in the consolation round. Blaze rolled to a 20-4 technical fall at 5:45 to advance to the third place bout at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. True freshman Marcus Blaze took on Stanford’s Tyler Knox in the consolation round. Blaze rolled to a 20-4 technical fall at 5:45 to advance to the third place bout at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/23/ncaa-panel-approves-eligibility-rules-giving-athletes-5-years-to-play-5-seasons/stories/20260623109 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/23/ncaa-panel-approves-eligibility-rules-giving-athletes-5-years-to-play-5-seasons/stories/20260623109#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:44:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/23/ncaa-panel-approves-eligibility-rules-giving-athletes-5-years-to-play-5-seasons/stories/20260623109 INDIANAPOLIS — Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enrollment or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. From left, Oklahoma's Jason Walk, Kyle Branch, Jaxon Willits, and Trey Gambill kneel together before playing against North Carolina in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha June 22. North Carolina players watch from the dugout as Oklahoma goes to bat in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha June 22. Michigan head coach Dusty May celebrates after defeating Connecticut in the NCAA college basketball tournament national championship game at the Final Four,April 7 in Indianapolis. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/20/oklahoma-win-away-from-college-world-series-title-north-carolina/stories/20260620100 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/20/oklahoma-win-away-from-college-world-series-title-north-carolina/stories/20260620100#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2026 23:12:16 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/20/oklahoma-win-away-from-college-world-series-title-north-carolina/stories/20260620100 OMAHA — Deiten Lachance homered twice off North Carolina ace Jason DeCaro, Oklahoma shut down the Tar Heels after the first inning, and the Sooners won Game 1 of the College World Series finals 9-3 on Saturday to move within a victory of the national championship. Oklahoma's Deiten Lachance, right, celebrates with Camden Johnson after hitting a two-run home run against North Carolina in the first inning of Game 1 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, June 20, 2026. Oklahoma's Deiten Lachance (48) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against North Carolina during the first inning in Game 1 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, June 20, 2026. North Carolina's Gavin Gallaher (5) drives in two runs during in the first inning against Oklahoma in Game 1 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, June 20, 2026. North Carolina's Owen Hull, left, and Carter French reach for a two-run home run hit by Oklahoma's Deiten Lachance in the first inning of Game 1 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, June 20, 2026. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/19/maumee-native-schoen-reflects-memorable-penn-state-hockey-journey/stories/20260619111 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/19/maumee-native-schoen-reflects-memorable-penn-state-hockey-journey/stories/20260619111#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:06:12 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/19/maumee-native-schoen-reflects-memorable-penn-state-hockey-journey/stories/20260619111 While his time in Happy Valley was filled with moments of euphoria, Maumee native Ben Schoen's journey with the Penn State hockey program also was filled with challenges, perseverance, and redemption. Penn State's Ben Schoen (12) celebrates victory over Minnesota. The No.10 Nittany Lions welcomed Minnesota for a Big Ten Quarterfinal contest on March 11. Penn State defeated the Golden Gophers, 6-3 in Pegula Ice Arena. Penn State's Ben Schoen (12) during the game with Notre Dame. The No.8 Nittany Lions defeated the Fighting Irish, 4-1 in Big Ten action in Pegula Ice Arena on Friday evening on Jan. 16. Penn State's Ben Schoen (12) during the game with Minnesota. The No.10 Nittany Lions welcomed Minnesota for a Big Ten Quarterfinal contest on March 11. Penn State defeated the Golden Gophers, 6-3 in Pegula Ice Arena. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/18/former-bowsher-ad-ohio-state-star-hopson-coach-florida-polytechnic/stories/20260618106 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/18/former-bowsher-ad-ohio-state-star-hopson-coach-florida-polytechnic/stories/20260618106#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:26:49 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/18/former-bowsher-ad-ohio-state-star-hopson-coach-florida-polytechnic/stories/20260618106 Former Bowsher athletic director and Ohio State basketball star Dennis Hopson has been hired as the coach of the new men's basketball program at Florida Polytechnic University. Dennis Hopson, the new Athletic Director at Bowsher High School, poses for a photo in front of his no. 42 retired high school basketball jersey in Toledo on Sept. 12, 2024. Coach Dennis Hopson leads practice during a men’s basketball practice at Lourdes University’s Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center in Sylvania on Nov. 27, 2023. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/16/briggs-confidence-pool-ranking-every-toledo-and-bg-2026-football-game/stories/20260616104 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/16/briggs-confidence-pool-ranking-every-toledo-and-bg-2026-football-game/stories/20260616104#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:00:17 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/16/briggs-confidence-pool-ranking-every-toledo-and-bg-2026-football-game/stories/20260616104 Normally, confidence pools are a weekly NFL habit, where players rank every game on the schedule, apply point values, and sort them from lock to coin flip. University of Toledo head football coach Mike Jacobs watches the action during spring practice March 31 at Glass Bowl Stadium in Toledo. Bowling Green State University head coach Eddie George watches warm-ups during the BGSU spring game April 11 at Doyt Perry Stadium. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/10/briggs-college-baseball-s-most-dominant-team-had-a-perrysburg-connection/stories/20260610093 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/10/briggs-college-baseball-s-most-dominant-team-had-a-perrysburg-connection/stories/20260610093#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:54:59 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/10/briggs-college-baseball-s-most-dominant-team-had-a-perrysburg-connection/stories/20260610093 They are the Big Red, and, yes, they are a machine, the best college sports team you don’t know about. The Denison University baseball team celebrates its walk-off win to clinch the Division III College World Series. Denison pitcher Will Rettig, a 2022 Perrysburg High School grad and the ace of the Big Red's championship staff. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/07/briggs-mac-commissioner-takes-blow-torch-power-four-conferences/stories/20260607106 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/07/briggs-mac-commissioner-takes-blow-torch-power-four-conferences/stories/20260607106#comments Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:13:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/06/07/briggs-mac-commissioner-takes-blow-torch-power-four-conferences/stories/20260607106 When Jon Steinbrecher gets behind a microphone, nobody rushes to grab the popcorn. MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher addresses the Mid-American Conference 2025 Football Kickoff media day at Ford Field on July 24, 2025 in Detroit. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/27/kickoff-times-announced-2026-toledo-bowling-green-football-games/stories/20260527104 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/27/kickoff-times-announced-2026-toledo-bowling-green-football-games/stories/20260527104#comments Wed, 27 May 2026 19:59:01 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/27/kickoff-times-announced-2026-toledo-bowling-green-football-games/stories/20260527104 Time to make those fall plans. Toledo’s K’Von Sherman pulls down Bowling Green’s Kaderris Roberts during the Battle of I-75 MAC football game at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, on Oct, 11, 2025. Bowling Green defeated UT, 28-23. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/27/toledo-bowling-green-football-game-moving-friday-night/stories/20260527098 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/27/toledo-bowling-green-football-game-moving-friday-night/stories/20260527098#comments Wed, 27 May 2026 19:11:49 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/27/toledo-bowling-green-football-game-moving-friday-night/stories/20260527098 It’s the MACtion version of finding out your flight got upgraded. Bowling Green’s Chris McMillan holds up the Battle of I-75 trophy after their 28-23 win over Toledo in a MAC football game at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, on October 11, 2025. Bowling Green defeated UT, 28-23.