Mel Tucker's huge win over rival Michigan

Cory Linsner 

October 31, 2021 1:32 pm ET

Mel Tucker has become the first coach in Michigan State history to win his first two games against in-state rival Michigan. It was a massive win for the Spartans to improve to 8-0 and position themselves to compete for a Big Ten title in the month of November.

Michigan State overcame a 16-point deficit in the game, at one point trailing 30-14 late in the third quarter, and ended the game on a 23-3 run, taking home the win 37-33.

An emotional win for the Michigan State football program, and a statement win for Mel Tucker’s tenure at the helm in East Lansing.

The grades are in: Best offensive, defensive players for Bengals in Week 7 win over Ravens

 

Kelsey Conway

Cincinnati Enquirer

 

As head coach Zac Taylor said to his team following the 41-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals played their most complete game of the season. 

Several players stepped up and led the way for the Bengals to take over as the top team in the AFC North and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

Here's an in-depth look at the players who stood out in the Bengals' Week 7 win over the Baltimore Ravens: 

Best overall offensive player: Ja’Marr Chase

Cincinnati’s star rookie wide receiver recorded eight catches for 201 yards and a touchdown against Marlon Humphrey, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Chase earned an 89.2 grade from Pro Football Focus and now leads the AFC in receiving yards with 754 on the year. The No. 5 overall pick is well on the way to securing the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Top offensive line performance: Riley Reiff

The acquisition of Riley Reiff in free agency is proving to be one of the most important moves the team made. Reiff anchors the right side of the offensive line for Joe Burrow and he had one of his best games against the Ravens. Burrow was sacked one time against a defense that’s known for its pressure packages. Reiff earned the highest grade (74.5) in run blocking for the Bengals. Trey Hopkins and Quinton Spain were the only two offensive linemen who earned higher grades in pass blocking.

Defensive players of the game:

Chidobe Awuzie

Cincinnati has found its No. 1 cornerback in Chidobe Awuzie. There hasn’t been a week where Awuzie is a liability in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing at a high level finding his weapons all over the field. Awuzie limited Jackson and his receivers’ opportunities and earned an 84.2 grade in coverage. The Bengals have one of the best pass rushing units in the NFL and having Awuzie anchor the secondary is a key reason the defense is having the success they are.

Larry Ogunjobi

It’s not always flashy but Larry Ogunjobi has provided a massive boost to the Bengals’ interior defensive line. Ogunjobi and D.J. Reader are stout against the run and play with a physical mentality that sets the tone for the unit. Ogunjobi was given a 76.4 grade against the run and was Cincinnati’s highest-graded run defender according to Pro Football Focus. Outside of Lamar Jackson’s 88 yards, the Bengals limited the Ravens to 29 yards on the ground. He was also credited with three quarterback hurries.

Vonn Bell

Vonn Bell is one of the Bengals’ captains on defense and as one of the leaders of the team, how he plays carries a lot of weight for the team. Bell played his best game of the season against the Ravens, especially in the run game and applying pressure when his name was called upon. Bell was also the Bengals’ best tackler in Baltimore.

Marshal Yanda: Iowa's greatest offensive lineman

 

High school football: Every state's greatest offensive lineman

Kevin Askeland | MaxPreps.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 1:30pm

When it comes to NFL offensive linemen, consider the legacy established in California. The state is home to Hall of Famers Larry Allen, Bob St. Clair, Ron Mix, Anthony Munoz, Ron Yary and Gary Zimmerman, who combined for 49 Pro Bowls. Yet, none of them are the greatest professional offensive lineman to come from the Golden State.

That honor goes to Bruce Matthews, a graduate of Arcadia who played in 14 Pro Bowls in his career.

Close behind is Ohio, which is home to Hall of Fame linemen Bob Brown, Dan Dierdorf, Lou Groza, Wilbur Henry, Mike Michalske, Jim Parker and Orlando Pace. However the greatest lineman, based on the number of Pro Bowl selections, is Tom Mack with 11.

Bruce Matthews and Tom Mack are just two of the 51 offensive linemen (District of Columbia included) to make the MaxPreps list of every state's greatest offensive lineman. Lineman were selected based on the number of Pro Bowls selected. A couple of exceptions were made, such as the case of Mel Hein in Washington. A Hall of Fame center, Hein played many of his best seasons prior to the advent of the Pro Bowl.

 

Every state's greatest offensive lineman

Alabama
John Hannah, Albertville
Pro Bowls: 9

Alaska
Mark Schlereth, Service (Anchorage)
Pro Bowls: 2

Arizona
Randall McDaniel, Agua Fria (Avondale)
Pro Bowls: 12

Arkansas
Willie Roaf, Pine Bluff
Pro Bowls: 11

California
Bruce Matthews, Arcadia
Pro Bowls: 14

Colorado
Nate Solder, Buena Vista
Games played: 134

Connecticut
Bob Skoronski, Fairfield Prep (Fairfield)
Pro Bowls: 1

Delaware
Luke Petitgout, Sussex Central (Georgetown)
Games Played: 110

District of Columbia
Jonathan Ogden, St. Albans
Pro Bowls: 11

Florida
Maurkice Pouncey, Lakeland
Pro Bowls: 9

Georgia
Rayfield Wright, Fairmont
Pro Bowls: 6

Hawaii
Olin Kreutz, St. Louis (Honolulu)
Pro Bowls: 6

Idaho
Jerry Kramer, Sandpoint
Pro Bowls: 3

Illinois
Chris Hinton, Phillips (Chicago)
Pro Bowls: 7

Indiana
Zach Martin, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
Pro Bowls: 6

Iowa
Marshal Yanda, Anamosa

Pro Bowls: 8

Kansas

Mike McCormack, De La Salle (Kansas City)
Pro Bowls: 5

Kentucky
Dermontti Dawson, Bryan Station (Lexington)
Pro Bowls: 7

Louisiana
Kevin Mawae, Leesville
Pro Bowls: 8

Maine
Chet Bulger, Stevens Academy (Blue Hill)
Games played: 86

Maryland
Brian Holloway, Churchill (Potomac)
Pro Bowls: 3

Massachusetts
Walt Sweeney, Cohasset
Pro Bowls: 9

Michigan
Ed Budde, Denby (Detroit)
Pro Bowls: 7

Minnesota
Jim Langer, Royalton
Pro Bowls: 6

Mississippi
Billy Shaw, Carr Central (Vicksburg)
Pro Bowls:

Missouri
Russ Washington, Southeast (Kansas City)
Pro Bowls: 5

Montana
Pat Donovan, Helena
Pro Bowls: 4

Nebraska
Mick Tingelhoff, Lexington
Pro Bowls: 6

Nevada
Ronnie Stanley, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Pro Bowls: 1

New Hampshire
Don Macek, Manchester Central
Games played: 162

New Jersey
Jim Ringo, Phillipsburg
Pro Bowls: 10

New Mexico
Ricky Siglar, Manzano (Albuquerque)
Games played: 100

New York
Ed Newman, Syosset
Pro Bowls: 4

North Carolina
Marvin Powell, Seventy-First (Fayetteville)
Pro Bowls: 5

North Dakota
Mark Slater, Bishop Ryan (Minot)
Games played: 82

Ohio
Tom Mack, Cleveland Heights
Pro Bowls: 11

Oklahoma
Will Shields, Lawton
Pro Bowls: 12

Oregon
Stan Brock, Jesuit (Portland)
Games played: 234

Pennsylvania
Mike Munchak, Scranton
Pro Bowls: 9

Rhode Island
John Mellekas, Rogers (Newport)
Games played: 84

South Carolina
Art Shell, Bonds-Wilson (North Charleston)
Pro Bowls: 8

South Dakota
Barry French, Washington (Sioux Falls)
Games played: 49

Tennessee
Gene Hickerson, Trezevant (Memphis)
Pro Bowls: 6

Texas
Forrest Gregg, Sulphur Springs
Pro Bowls: 9

Utah
Willie Wilkin, Springville
Pro Bowls: 3

Vermont
Bob Yates, Montpelier
Games played: 68

Virginia
Roosevelt Brown, Jefferson (Alexandria)
Pro Bowls: 9

Washington
Mel Hein, Burlington
Pro Bowls: 4

West Virginia
Dennis Harrah, Stonewall Jackson (Charleston)
Pro Bowls: 6

Wisconsin
Jim Otto, Wausau
Pro Bowls: 12

Wyoming
Nick Bebout, Shoshoni
Games played: 97