http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:08:31 GMT en-us hourly 1 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. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/20/briggs-big-ten-can-t-kill-ohio-state-michigan-game/stories/20260520106 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/20/briggs-big-ten-can-t-kill-ohio-state-michigan-game/stories/20260520106#comments Wed, 20 May 2026 19:46:36 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/20/briggs-big-ten-can-t-kill-ohio-state-michigan-game/stories/20260520106 For generations, Ohio State-Michigan came with the cleanest stakes in sports: exultant relief for one side, existential angst for the other. Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day celebrates after the team's win against Michigan in an NCAA college football game on Nov. 29 in Ann Arbor. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/13/toledo-bgsu-baseball-face-postseason-stakes-in-regular-season-finales/stories/20260513081 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/13/toledo-bgsu-baseball-face-postseason-stakes-in-regular-season-finales/stories/20260513081#comments Wed, 13 May 2026 15:25:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/13/toledo-bgsu-baseball-face-postseason-stakes-in-regular-season-finales/stories/20260513081 With the Mid-American Conference baseball tournament looming, Toledo and Bowling Green State University find themselves in two different, yet seasonally important situations heading into the final regular season series. Toledo coach Rob Reinstetle ahead of a college baseball game between the University of Michigan and the University of Toledo at UM’s Ray Fisher Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on March 25. Bowling Green’s Jackson Miller throws a pitch during a Mid-American Conference college baseball game between Bowling Green State University and Ohio University at BGSU’s Steller Field in Bowling Green on March 22. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/07/march-madness-tournaments-expand-76-teams-each-starting-next-season/stories/20260507113 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/07/march-madness-tournaments-expand-76-teams-each-starting-next-season/stories/20260507113#comments Thu, 07 May 2026 22:12:35 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/07/march-madness-tournaments-expand-76-teams-each-starting-next-season/stories/20260507113 The NCAA announced Thursday that it will expand its two March Madness tournaments by eight teams each next season, a long-expected move that will drop more games into the first week of the highly popular and lucrative showcase without substantially changing its overall form. March Madness logo sis displayed at center court during the opening rounds of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Pittsburgh in 2024. FILE - Southern California forward Evan Mobley (4) fights for the opening tipoff with Oregon guard LJ Figueroa (12) during the first half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in 2021, in Indianapolis. A basketball goes throw the net before an Elite Eight game between Iowa and Illinois in the NCAA college basketball tournament on March 28 in Houston. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/07/briggs-jim-tressel-desmond-howard-water-under-bridge/stories/20260507103 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/07/briggs-jim-tressel-desmond-howard-water-under-bridge/stories/20260507103#comments Thu, 07 May 2026 21:07:25 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/05/07/briggs-jim-tressel-desmond-howard-water-under-bridge/stories/20260507103 Call it water under the High Level Bridge. An Evening with Jim Tressel and Desmond Howard on Wednesday night at the Glass City Center. An Evening with Jim Tressel and Desmond Howard was held on Wednesday night at the Glass City Center.