Conference USA Football

Old Dominion quarterback Blake LaRussa will leave the program a year early to attend seminary school, according to ESPN.

The former walk-on will graduate in the spring, although he had one more year of eligibility remaining. He explained his decision in a statement:

"It has been an incredible journey with Old Dominion football, but I would like to announce that I will be moving on from football after I graduate this spring and will be going into full-time ministry. This fall (2019) I will be going to seminary school to start my Master's of divinity. I am so grateful for all my coaches and teammates who I have grown so close with these past four years."

LaRussa earned his largest share of playing time this season, finishing the year with 3,015 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. He most notably threw 495 passing yards and four touchdowns off the bench in an upset win over Virginia Tech before keeping the job the rest of the season.

He helped the team win three of its last five games after a 1-6 start to the year.

It appears he has thrown his last collegiate pass, however, as he prepares to move on to the next phase of his life.

Louisiana Tech's Jaylon Ferguson registered 2.5 sacks in the Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night, bringing him to 45 for his career and surpassing former record-holder Terrell Suggs (44).

LaTech's Jaylon Ferguson just moved past Terrell Suggs to set a new FBS record for career sacks (45). pic.twitter.com/UjlGWWpF9e

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) December 23, 2018

Ferguson nearly surpassed the record by an even greater margin but had one sack wiped away on a questionable facemask call in the second quarter.

The all-time college football sacks record is 56, held by Marcus Martin of DII's Slippery Rock.

As Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports added:

"It's important to note that the NCAA did not begin officially tracking sacks as a statistic until the 2000 season. The unofficial NCAA sack record is held by Alabama's Derrick Thomas and Arizona's Tedy Bruschi. Both players were credited with 52 sacks by their schools during their playing careers."

Ferguson, a fifth-year senior, finished the season with 17.5 sacks. His football career will continue on Sundays, as ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has him No. 19 overall on his latest big board.

B/R's Matt Miller, meanwhile, had Ferguson as his No. 9 edge-rusher and No. 39 overall on his big board released Dec. 11.

If his pro career is anything like Suggs', he'll be a difference-maker for the next decade. The former Arizona State Sun Devil and current Baltimore Raven has played 16 seasons professionally, accumulating 132.5 sacks, tying him for 11th in NFL history with Leslie O'Neal and Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.

Florida International dug itself a big hole on Friday, trailing 10-0 against Toledo after the first quarter. But the Golden Panthers didn't stay buried as they won the Bahamas Bowl, 35-31, behind quarterback Christian Alexander and running back Anthony Jones.

The junior QB was a weapon both through the air (219 passing yards and a score) and on the ground (83 rushing yards on 11 attempts). FIU controlled the line of scrimmage, rushing for 237 yards in the win, led by Jones' 92 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Eli Peters played well for Toledo in the loss, throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns, though he did miss on several open receivers down the field early in the contest. 

After watching Toledo jump to a 10-0 lead, the Golden Panthers roared back and held a 28-17 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining. Toledo answered with a touchdown and two-point conversion on its next possession, setting up the game's defining sequence.

FIU took over with seven minutes remaining and drove to the Toledo 33-yard line with 2:40 remaining, finding itself in a crucial 4th-and-6 situation. It appeared the Golden Panthers would attempt a 50-yard field goal, but the offense was instead trotted back onto the field and Alexander completed a six-yard pass to Tony Gaiter IV, getting a first down by inches. 

The spot on the field was reviewed and the first down was confirmed. Two plays later, Jones raced 18 yards for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach. 

It was an incredible finish to the season for Jones, who was shot in the back, alongside teammate Mershawn Miller, in a drive-by shooting on Sept. 6. Jones spoke about the shooting with Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press (h/t Sun-Sentinel.com) earlier in December:

"That first night, I asked God, 'Why me?' I did. You know I did. I just wished I could rewind time, man. Why me? I don't ever do anything to anybody. I'm a good dude. I respect everybody. I'm a respectful man. My momma raised me right. I've never done anything to anybody. I just want to play football, graduate, get my degree and help my family.

"I have that chance now. A second chance."

Jones, the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, returned to the team in November. Frankly, it was remarkable that he survived, as head coach Butch Jones recalled:

"The doctor at the hospital when it happened told me, 'Coach, I've been doing this for like 18 years and I've never seen anybody survive this. And then he described the bullet wounds, where they went, what they didn't touch. For that shot to go through and not hit any organs, any bones, any nerve tissue, he said it's a miracle. It honestly is a miracle."

The bullet entered Jones' back near his collarbone and exited his body between his left eye and cheekbone, while Miller was shot in his arm and returned to the team after Jones since his wound damaged muscle. 

For the Golden Panthers, having both back in action was sweet, as was posting a school-record nine wins after losing the first game of the season to Indiana and opening the year 2-2:

FIU is going to beat Toledo and fitting it ends with an Anthony Jones TD run. This will be a program record 9 wins for the Panthers. Butch Davis deserves a bunch of credit for what he's doing there.

In the last 2 seasons:

FIU: 17-9
UM: 17-8 (waiting on the Pinstripe Bowl)

— Mike Cugno (@MikeCugnoCBS4) December 21, 2018

Nice win for #FIU. Butch Davis has done a terrific job there. School's first 9-win season ever. Davis' team has now won 17 games in his first two years there. That's as many as FIU had won in the previous five seasons combined.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 21, 2018

On a windy day in the Bahamas, Jones and the Panthers were knocked down but refused to stay down. For both player and program, it was a fitting metaphor for the 2018 campaign.

Marshall rode a big first quarter and dominant rushing attack to a 38-20 victory over South Florida on a rain-soaked field at Raymond James Stadium in the 2018 Gasparilla Bowl. 

Paul Dellegatto of Fox 13 tweeted a shot of the weather in Tampa on Thursday afternoon:

Current situation at @RJStadium. Heaviest rain over by start of @GasparillaBowl @HerdFB @USFFootball pic.twitter.com/0BzfvmZ3ag

— Paul Dellegatto⚡️FOX (@PaulFox13) December 20, 2018

The early proceedings made it seem as if Marshall and South Florida would struggle to generate offense on a slippery surface. 

After the teams combined for three punts and a turnover on downs over the first four drives, the Thundering Herd scored three touchdowns in under five minutes to take a 21-7 lead heading into the second quarter. 

Marshall quarterback Isaiah Green had one of his best passing games of the season, despite the unfavorable field conditions. The freshman completed a season-high 68 percent of his attempts for 221 yards and one rushing touchdown. 

Four players combined to score five rushing touchdowns for the Herd. Senior Keion Davis led the way with 94 yards and two scores on 14 carries. Brenden Knox wasn't far behind with 93 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts.

South Florida then got creative with senior wide receiver Tyre McCants:

A direct snap to the WR ... and the defense was completely fooled 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XACswW6L1Y

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 21, 2018

Bulls head coach Charlie Strong had to tap into his list of trick plays because Marshall's defense did a terrific job of shutting down his usually balanced attack. South Florida entered the bowl game averaging 242 passing yards and 203 rushing yards per contest.

Blake Barnett racked up his passing yards for South Florida with 212 on just 11 completions, but the running game offered little support. Jordan Cronkrite, who averaged 6.3 yards per attempt during the regular season, was held to 26 yards. 

This once-promising season turned into a nightmare for Strong and South Florida. The team lost its last six games following a 7-0 start in which it climbed to No. 21 in the Associated Press Top 25.

On the other side, after being plagued by turnovers throughout the regular season, Marshall didn't give the ball away once in the bowl game. The Thundering Herd committed at least two turnovers in seven different games entering Thursday.

After an inconsistent 5-3 start, Marshall head coach Doc Holliday got his team focused to finish the season with four wins in its final five games. The victory also extended the program's winning streak in bowl games to seven, dating back to 2009. 

Marshall's nine wins this season are its most since 2015, giving Holliday and his staff plenty to build on for next year as the program looks to get back to the top of Conference USA for the first time in five seasons. 

Florida International Golden Panthers running back Shawndarrius Phillips played the 2018 college football season despite having a warrant out for his arrest. 

On Friday, Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com reported a judge in Broward County, Florida, issued the warrant in August on a felony charge of domestic battery by strangulation. In June, his ex-girlfriend called the county's sheriff's office and said Phillips choked her and threatened to break her jaw after they got into an argument.

Phillips turned himself in to authorities Wednesday.

An FIU spokesperson declined comment to David J. Neal and Carli Teproff of the Miami Herald about whether anyone from the school knew about the warrant and the running back's current status with the team.

The Panthers play their home games in Miami-Dade County, the southern neighbor of Broward.

Phillips rushed for 393 yards on 94 carries with four touchdowns across 11 appearances (five starts) during the regular season. He also made four catches for 60 yards.

His availability for FIU's clash with the Toledo Rockets in next Friday's Bahamas Bowl is unknown. He's still listed on the team's official roster as of early Friday evening.

UAB head football coach Bill Clark was named the winner of the 2018 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award Thursday.

Per UAB's official athletics website, Clark said the following regarding the honor:

"I am truly humbled to receive the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and would like to thank the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl for this prestigious recognition. This honor is the epitome of a team effort and it would not have been possible without the countless hours of the entire staff and the relentless motivation from our student-athletes in striving to make history every day. UAB football would also like to thank the entire city of Birmingham for its tremendous support throughout this journey and making it possible for us to take the field each and every Saturday."

Clark has led the Blazers to a 10-3 record, marking the first time in the program's history as an FBS school that it has won double-digit games in a season.

UAB also beat Middle Tennessee State 27-25 in the Conference USA Championship Game for the program's first C-USA title.

Remarkably, UAB's football program disbanded following the 2014 season and did not return until 2017.

Last season, Clark and the Blazers beat the odds by going 8-5 in their first year back.

Clark has now spent three seasons as head coach at UAB and has compiled a 24-14 record with two bowl appearances.

UAB athletic director Mark Ingram marveled at what Clark has been able to do with the program in such a short amount of time: "It goes without saying how proud everyone at UAB is of Coach Clark and his entire staff. The job they have done is incredible and the team's record speaks for itself. This is a career milestone for Coach Clark, and we are honored for him to receive this prestigious award."

The Blazers will have a chance to pick up their first bowl win Dec. 18 when they face Northern Illinois in the Boca Raton Bowl.

In winning the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award, Clark joins notable recent winners such as Alabama's Nick Saban, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and last year's winner, Scott Frost, who is now the coach at Nebraska after leading UCF to an undefeated record last season.

Clark will accept his award Jan. 5 at a reception in San Jose, California, two days before the College Football Playoff National Championship.

After announcing the end of its football program in 2014, the UAB Blazers are back and making a statement. They came back from a two-year hiatus and this season won their first division title. Watch the video above for more about the Blazers' comeback.

      

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Middle Tennessee just beat Alabama-Birmingham last week 27-3, winning outright as a three-point underdog on the college football betting line. The Blue Raiders now battle the Blazers again, this time in the Conference USA championship game on Saturday afternoon on their own home field in Murfreesboro.

College football point spread: The Blue Raiders opened as 1.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 28.9-26.0 Blazers (College football picks on every game)

Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or Spotify or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news.

        

Why the UAB Blazers can cover the spread

Alabama-Birmingham won eight games in a row into November and clinched C-USA's West Division title with time to spare. The Blazers then lost their last two games, to Texas A&M and last week to Middle Tennessee, but nonetheless have come a long way in two seasons since re-starting their football program.

UAB drove its opening possession of the game last week to a field goal and only trailed the Blue Raiders 13-3 late into the third quarter. The Blazers couldn't get anything going offensively, in a performance better left forgotten.

Prior to last week UAB had out-gained seven of its previous nine opponents, and out-rushed eight of its previous nine foes. The Blazers are also 7-3 ATS over their last 10 contests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYIbppTb2b4

      

Why the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders can cover the spread

Middle Tennessee finished its regular season with a 5-1 run, capped by its 27-3 victory over UAB last week. And with a loss by Florida International the Blue Raiders clinched the C-USA East.

MTSU spotted the Blazers the first three points of the game, then scored the last 27 for the outright win as three-point dogs.

On the afternoon, Middle Tennessee out-gained UAB 394-89, held a 19-8 advantage in first downs, limited the Blazers to minus-1 rushing yards and won time of possession by a 35/25 margin. So the Blue Raiders have out-gained each of their last four opponents and out-rushed four of their last five foes. They're also 5-0 ATS their last five times out.

Two weeks ago Middle Tennessee fell down to a pretty good Kentucky team 17-0, pulled to within 31-23 early in the fourth quarter, lost 34-23 but covered as a 16-point dog.

      

Smart betting pick

As mentioned above the Blue Raiders dominated UAB last week. Also, the Blazers are hurting along their offensive line. And while UAB may hold an edge on defense, Middle Tennessee owns the edge at quarterback. The smart money here bets the Blue Raiders.

      

College football betting trends

The total has gone under in UAB's last four games vs. Middle Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games at home.

The total has gone under in Middle Tennessee's last four games at home.

        

All college football odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.

How did UAB go from not having a football program to having the nation's top scoring defense in only two years? Who can beat Alabama? And what about Week 11's must-watch games? Adam Kramer explores what's happening in college football in his weekly notebook, the Thursday Tailgate.

        

Two years ago, UAB didn't have a schedule. Technically, it had a football team—a roster made up of mainly new faces who were looking for an opportunity. There was a coaching staff in place, although even members of that staff were unsure exactly how they would bring a football program back from the dead. UAB practiced, just like any other team. Although, unlike any other team, it didn't play a game.

Two years later, UAB football isn't just alive. At 8-1 and atop the Conference USA West standings, the Blazers are one of 14 FBS teams to hit the eight-win threshold.

They, not Clemson nor Michigan nor Alabama, have the nation's top scoring defense at just 12.1 points allowed per game. UAB has outscored its opponents 305 to 109.

"We have a real team, and we're not just talking about the return anymore," Blazers head coach Bill Clark says. "We're actually talking about sustainability. It's like every single thing we hoped would come true is coming true. And granted, it's come through a lot of hard work."

The program was pronounced dead in December 2014. At the time, the university labeled it a business decision. The lowest in a series of lows came when university president Ray Watts met with the UAB players after the ruling. 

The emotional response was captured on video and triggered an online movement: #FreeUAB.

Less than a year later, UAB was freed. While it was announced that the program would return, it was uncertain what the team would look like when it suited up in the fall of 2017. All but 20 or so players had left. The momentum Clark had established was gone.

The rebirth took place behind the scenes in 2016 and 2017, long before the team returned to the field. Before he could even contemplate winning a conference championship, Clark had to assemble a roster almost from scratch.

The message to junior college players around the country was simple, according to Clark: "This was not, 'Hey, I hope you play.' This was, 'You have gotta play right now.'"

In 2017, UAB returned after a two-year hiatus and finished 8-5. Given the circumstances, this was a minor miracle. The fast-tracked success brought back something Clark wasn't sure he'd ever experience at UAB: greater expectations.

"You create your own monster, so to speak," Clark says. "But that's a good thing. That's what we want."

Along the way, major off-field milestones were met. In the summer of 2017, UAB opened a $22.5 million football operations center. By 2021, the team will play in a new football stadium.

"UAB has its largest enrollment ever," Clark says, "and $300 million of growth going on all around me. It really feels like it's all coming together at the same time."

The long-term goal is to turn UAB into a viable contender: a perennial Conference USA power that attracts recruits from one of the country's most talent-rich football regions. New facilities will help.

So, for perhaps the first time in years, Clark can focus on the short term. With his program a month away from a potential conference championship game, he's relishing the pressure that comes with the success UAB has achieved in the past 15 months.

"I don't know if you can put into words what winning a championship really means to any program," Clark says. "Especially to one that was not even here two years ago."

            

Here Are the Teams That Can Beat 'Bama, Ranked

No team is invincible—not even Alabama. That's even after it disassembled LSU in front of Tigers fans. This college football season is not a done deal.

Nick Saban's team is worthy of prohibitive-favorite status the rest of the way. No argument there. But there are a handful of quality contenders that could push the Tide if given the opportunity.

Here are those potential opponents ranked. (Included are projected neutral-site point spreads.)

1. Clemson: The most obvious, appropriate selection, Dabo Swinney's bunch is one of only a handful of teams to have beaten Alabama on the biggest stage. After a sluggish start, a Clemson defense loaded with NFL players has found its rhythm. The running game, which is the unheralded engine of this team, is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. And freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence will continue to grow with more seasoning.

Projected Point Spread: Alabama (-8)

2. Michigan: Playing against this defense looks miserable. Add in the return of defensive lineman Rashan Gary, who missed several games with a shoulder injury, and this group is even more intimidating. The question is whether Michigan's offense can hold up its end. But quarterback Shea Patterson is looking more comfortable with each rep, and Karan Higdon, maybe college football's most underrated player, has become a bowling ball at running back.

Projected Point Spread: Alabama (-12)

3. Georgia: This contest will happen. That much we know. Last year's national championship rematch will occur in the SEC Championship Game on December 1 in Atlanta. Like Clemson, Georgia has weapons everywhere. And if D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield run like they did against Kentucky, this team will be a difficult out. If not, quarterback Jake Fromm (or Justin Fields) will have to make enough plays to win. That's far from impossible.

Projected Point Spread: Alabama (-12)

            

Kansas, Do the Right Thing: Hire Les Miles

On Sunday, Kansas announced it won't retain head coach David Beaty at the end of the season, which means the Jayhawks' coaching search is underway. Athletic director Jeff Long has the tall task of finding a coach to lead a program that has won 18 games since the start of the 2010 season. (Godspeed.)

As ominous as that might sound, Kansas has options. Long, formerly the AD at Arkansas, lured Bret Bielema from Wisconsin while there. Perhaps he could be in play here. As could Les Miles, formerly at LSU, who is looking for a gig.

Sure, Miles turns 65 this week. But he remains steadfast in his desire to return to the sideline, which he made clear when I spoke to him on a handful of occasions in the past year.

"I'm still looking for an athletic director and school that want to introduce Les Miles to their football team as head coach," he told me last month. "And up to this point, I have not found the group that I can really partner with."

When LSU fired him in September 2016, Miles was holding out hope that he would land at a school with national championship aspirations. After two years of missing out on jobs, he's softened his mentality. While a national title probably isn't a realistic goal at Kansas, Miles could get one last crack at coaching and create a different legacy as a rebuilder.

He wouldn't be a long-term solution for Kansas. But right now, this should be more about building a foundation, generating interest and recruiting. Miles would do all of these things.

Plus, his return to coaching would be entirely too much fun.

             

Five Games to Watch This Weekend

On paper, this isn't the most magnificent lineup. A handful of games that looked promising before the season have lost luster. But often, these are the weekends when carnage lurks. Here's what you should watch in Week 11, summarized in tweet-length form.

(All game times Eastern, and all rankings courtesy of the College Football Playoff selection committee).

No. 2 Clemson at No. 17 Boston College (Saturday, 8 p.m.): What happens when a 245-pound running back who's built like a human battering ram, aka AJ Dillon, runs full speed into a defensive line that's rife with future NFL players? This will be answered when Clemson plays its toughest remaining regular-season game and final road contest.

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Mississippi State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.): For normal teams that don't have quarterbacks with video game numbers, this would be a prime letdown scenario. One week removed from LSU, Alabama could be sluggish against a ranked team with a quality defense. Sure, that could happen. It likely won't, but it could.

No. 10 Ohio State at No. 18 Michigan State (Saturday, noon): This feels like a tipping point for the Buckeyes, who enter Week 11 with one of the more perplexing 8-1 records in recent years. The defense has issues, and there are questions about Urban Meyer's future. Still, a spot in the playoff is possible. Strange.

No. 23 Fresno State at Boise State (Friday, 10:15 p.m.): In terms of watchability, this might be the top game on the card. And the best part? It's a rare Friday night gem. Cancel those plans. Order in. Fresno State is making a case as the best non-Power Five team in football, and it will do so on the famous blue turf. Cannot wait.

No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 24 Auburn (Saturday, 7 p.m.): They played twice last year with enormous stakes. This year, the stakes are remarkably one-sided. For Georgia, already SEC Championship Game-bound, this has playoff implications. For Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, following a Houdini win last week against Texas A&M, a victory here would help fan moral.

                      

What Else to Watch This Weekend

First, Bedlam (and the Continued Absurdity of Kyler Murray)

The point spread is more than two touchdowns, per OddsShark, although Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.) is always much-watch rivalry television.

For as much as we have salivated over Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa's season and stat line, it doesn't feel like we've appreciated the brilliance of quarterback Kyler Murray, who will soon embark on a baseball career.

His season: 2,689 passing yards, 574 rushing yards, 38 total touchdowns and only five interceptions.

We're running out of opportunities to watch Murray, which means you should enjoy him while you can.

               

Second, Notre Dame's Final Playoff Push (Part 2)

In a game that would've sounded far more awesome three years ago, Notre Dame's next playoff test (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.) will come at home against Florida State.

Of the three contests remaining for the Irish, this seems like the easiest on paper—a realization that speaks to how coach Willie Taggart's first season has gone.

For the Big 12, Pac-12 and others who hope Brian Kelly's team will stumble and free up a playoff vacancy, this doesn't feel like the moment.

Next week against Syracuse, however? That could be a different story.

            

Third, Let's Guess Rutgers' Week 11 Point Total

I won't sugarcoat it for you, Rutgers. This week's game against Michigan (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.) won't be a great deal of fun. In fact, as more than a five-touchdown underdog at home, you'll likely have the opposite of fun.

Rutgers is ranked No. 130—dead last—in scoring offense. Michigan is ranked No. 5 in scoring defense. The Scarlet Knights have not scored more than 17 points since the first week of the season.

This all leads to the following question: Will Rutgers score more than three points this weekend against Michigan? I believe it will, doing so against backups. But I cannot say I hold that belief with any confidence.

          

Gambling Locks of the Week

Last Week: 2-3-1

Season to date: 31-25-2

So this what losing feels like, eh? I don't much care for it.

This is only my second losing weekend in the last two months, which is promising. But still, such a performance cannot be tolerated. You deserve more.

Here are this week's picks, using lines provided by OddsShark.

Utah (-3.5) vs. Oregon: Let's just call Utah's last game (a 38-20 loss to Arizona State) a blip and make some coinage on the bounceback, shall we?

Pittsburgh (-3) vs. Virginia Tech: Earlier in the year, Pitt burned us. Here's to the comeback.

Iowa (-10) vs. Northwestern: The Wildcats normally give Iowa fits. However, this game will be an exception to this ritual.

Colorado (+6) vs. Washington State: The Buffaloes have lost four in a row, but the line is so small. Live dog alert.

Massachusetts (+14) vs. BYU: Sure, go ahead and "invest" in this game. I wouldn't suggest watching it, though.

Arkansas (+13.5) vs. LSU: Arkansas has played better since an abysmal start. LSU just was put into a vice against Alabama. This could be surprisingly close.

Houston (-4.5) vs. Temple: Buying low is something I like to do. After a tough loss, we'll gobble up some Houston stock this week.

              

Adam Kramer covers college football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @KegsnEggs.  

Former Marshall running back Devon Johnson died Tuesday at the age of 25. His family confirmed the news in a statement, via Joe Person of The Athletic:

Statement from Devon Johnson’s family following the death Tuesday of the former Panthers RB at 25: pic.twitter.com/3eKx0y1j4y

— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 7, 2018

Johnson played for the Thundering Herd from 2012 to 2015. He went on to spend time with the Carolina Panthers organization but never made the active roster.

"I am shocked and saddened at the news of Devon Johnson's passing. Devon was a force in our program, both literally and figuratively," Marshall coach Doc Holliday said in a statement, per the Register-Herald. "Whether on the field or off, his impact was immeasurable and he will be missed by so many at Marshall. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family."

Johnson spent time at linebacker and tight end in his first two seasons at college before converting to a running back full time in his junior year.

He came through with 1,767 rushing yards in 2014, sixth-most in the country, plus 17 rushing touchdowns.

Unfortunately, injuries held him back in 2015 and he went undrafted in 2016. He joined the Panthers practice squad but injuries once again slowed down his career as he was placed on injured reserve.

Johnson is originally from Richlands, Virginia.