College - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Miami’s run to CFP title game helps ACC overcome rumors of its demise

This season's College Football Playoff might do wonders for the ACC, the lone Power Four conference that didn't get its league champion into the 12-team field.

By EDDIE PELLS / The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP file photo by Matt Kelley / Jim Phillips has been the commissioner of the ACC since 2021, and his tenure has included helping the league navigate conference realignment and the challenges that have come with it.

Duke QB Darian Mensah runs reverse, says he’ll enter transfer portal

Duke quarterback Darian Mensah said he was entering the NCAA transfer portal Friday, a month after announcing he would return for another season with the Blue Devils.

By The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP file photo by Jacob Kupferman / Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, who was a redshirt sophomore this season after transferring following two years at Tulane, led the Blue Devils to the ACC title and a bowl victory in a nine-win campaign.

Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chamblis takes fight for NCAA eligibility to court

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss sued the NCAA in Mississippi state court Friday for an additional year of eligibility so he can play for the Rebels next season.

By MARK PRATT / The Associated Press January 16, 2026

AP photo by Rogelio V. Solis / Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss takes a selfie with fans after the Rebels won a regular-season home game against The Citadel on Nov. 8 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.

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Waiting game finally pays off for UTC forward ‘Flo’ van der Schans

Not so long ago, the experience Frode Flos van der Schans has gone through with the UTC women's basketball program was the norm in college sports.

By Gene Henley January 15, 2026

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC's Frode Flos Van Der Schans shoots as Furman's Alyssa Ervin (1) defends during a SoCon game Saturday at McKenzie Arena. Van der Schans, a 6-foot-4 redshirt junior from the Netherlands, is playing a bigger role than she ever has since joining the Mocs at the start of her college basketball career.

Former Vols QB finds new home with portal window closing

Former Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger found a new home Thursday, committing to Connecticut and first-year Huskies coach Jason Candle.

By David Paschall January 15, 2026

Tennessee Athletics photo by Ryan Beatty / Former Tennessee backup quarterback Jake Merklinger committed Thursday to continue his career at Connecticut.

Vanderbilt women’s basketball team 18-0 for best start in program history

It wasn't the most points Mikayla Blakes has ever scored for the Vanderbilt women's basketball program, but it was a lot.

By The Associated Press January 15, 2026

AP photo by Rogelio V. Solis / Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes dribbles past visiting Mississippi State's Madison Francis during the first half of Thursday night's SEC matchup at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.

Federal judge denies injunction for college football players seeking fifth season

A federal judge denied a request Thursday for a preliminary injunction by five college football players seeking to play a fifth season this fall.

By TERESA M. WALKER / The Associated Press January 15, 2026

AP photo by Chris O'Meara / Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson (10) and defensive lineman Jaylon Stone (92) are unable to stop Iowa running back Kamari Moulton from scoring during the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tampa, Fla.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza one win from storybook ending

Fernando Mendoza arrived on Indiana's campus last January in Bloomington carrying huge expectations for himself and the Hoosiers.

By MICHAEL MAROT / The Associated Press January 15, 2026

AP photo by Brynn Anderson / Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after leading the Hoosiers to a win against Oregon in the College Football Playoff's Peach Bowl semifinal on Jan. 9 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Miami QB Carson Beck can close wild ride with national title

Carson Beck was only 17 when he enrolled at Georgia. Just a kid, completely unaware of what the next six years would bring, on and off the football field.

By TIM REYNOLDS / The Associated Press January 15, 2026

AP photo by Ross D. Franklin / Miami quarterback Carson Beck (11) holds the offensive player of the game trophy after the Hurricanes beat Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff's Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

NCAA basketball players, gamblers charged for allegedly rigging games

An investigation into a sprawling betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games has ensnared 26 people.

By MARC LEVY and TASSANEE VEJPONGSA / The Associated Press January 15, 2026

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