The college football world was hit with the horrific news of the death of Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney on Friday.

Quinney, 20, died in a car crash on Friday night, the school announced, the day before MVSU took on Jackson State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, on Saturday. The school announced the news on its Facebook page at 12:38 p.m. ET, with the SWAC matchup scheduled at 2 p.m.

‘We are heartbroken to share that our beloved student, Ryan Quinney, tragically lost his life in a car accident last night,’ the school announced on Facebook. ‘Ryan was a bright light in our community with a spirit that lifted everyone around him. He will be deeply missed by his friends, faculty, and all who knew him.

‘During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Ryan’s family and loved ones. Please keep them, along with his friends and classmates, in your thoughts and prayers. Let us remember Ryan’s impact on our lives and honor his memory by supporting each other through this loss.

‘Rest in peace, Ryan.’

Quinney was mentioned in the pregame prayer when captains for both teams met at midfield and honored him. During MVSU’s first drive, the team took a delay-of-game penalty to honor Quinney. Jackson State declined the penalty.

Here’s what you need to know about Quinney:

Who was Ryan Quinney?

Quinney was a junior linebacker for MVSU. He attended Theodore High School in Mobile, Alabama, from 2018-22, where, according to his Hudl profile, he played tight end, fullback, and defensive end.

The 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker wore jersey No. 31 for the MVSU. Quinney played in 15 games for the Delta Devils in the last two seasons. He recorded 73 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. His final game appearance came on Oct. 12 vs. Alabama State.

With one fateful fall, Chet Holmgren’s promising young season was flipped on its head.

The Oklahoma City Thunder big man suffered a right iliac wing fracture on Sunday night in a 127-116 loss to the Warriors, the team announced early Monday morning. He’s expected to return this season, and a return-to-play protocol will be provided in eight to 10 weeks.

Roughly five minutes into Sunday’s game, Holmgren fell on his hip after attempting to vertically contest Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. The 22-year-old remained on the ground, eventually rushed by trainers, before being helped to the locker room.

Holmgren, who refused to put weight on his right leg, didn’t return to the game.

‘Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this having been through something similar before,’ Holmgren wrote on Twitter early Monday morning. ‘On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is. But on the other hand I’ve felt the frustration of this process, and the wear it puts on your mind. Most of all I’m hurt I can’t help my teammates and play for our fans and supporters for a while.’

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Leading into Sunday, the 7-foot-1 center was staking his claim as one of the Western Conference’s youngest All-Stars. Through nine games, he averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, the second-best mark in the NBA.

In Year 2, Holmgren anchored the league’s No. 1-rated defense.

With Holmgren expected to miss games at least through January, the Thunder is without a center for the coming weeks. Isaiah Hartenstein, who’s been sidelined with a fracture in his hand, is expected to return for OKC near the end of November.

‘Everyone who sticks with me and our team, along with my need for hoops, is a big part of my passion to return,’ Holmgren continued on Twitter. ‘Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there rn with real problems that don’t heal. Anyways excuse my rambling just wanted to address our okc fans and family. Thoughts from da hospital bed.’

The topic of Jerry Jones’ latest media meltdown this time heavily revolved around a setting sun. 

How appropriate. 

After the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-6 on Sunday, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said he dropped a pass because the sun’s glare that shined through the windows of AT&T Stadium prevented him from seeing the ball. 

Lamb’s reaction after he missed a pass from Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush in the end zone indicated that the sun was the main factor.

“Couldn’t see the ball. Couldn’t see the ball, at all,” Lamb told reporters. “The sun.”

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Lamb said he was “one thousand percent” in favor of curtains — a notion Jones immediately derided when asked about the possibility of installing some shades. 

“Well let’s tear the damn stadium down and build another one?” Jones sarcastically responded. “Are you kidding me?”

The setting sun during late-afternoon games in Arlington, Texas, has given teams issues in the past. But Jones insisted the team has a handle on the matter.

“By the way, we know where the sun is going to be when we decide to flip the coin or not,’ Jones said. ‘We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium.

“Everybody has got the same thing. Every team that comes in here has the same issues.” 

This story has been updated to include a new video.

Quinney was 20.

The Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office would not comment when contacted Saturday by the Clarion Ledger.

MVSU interim athletic director and men’s basketball coach George Ivory declined to comment on the incident before Saturday’s game.

Jackson State, which played MSVU on Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, included mention of Quinney in the pregame prayer.

MVSU also took a delay of game penalty in memory of Quinney, on its first drive of the game. Jackson State declined the penalty. Jackson State won the game, 51-14.

‘We are heartbroken to share that our beloved student, Ryan Quinney, tragically lost his life in a car accident last night,’ the post on the school’s Facebook account read. ‘Ryan was a bright light in our community with a spirit that lifted everyone around him. He will be deeply missed by his friends, faculty, and all who knew him.’

A Facebook post shared by Anthony Cox, who identified Quinney as his son, confirmed the crash occurred in Yazoo City, which is about 50 miles south of the MVSU campus in Itta Bena.

‘Gm, on behalf of my family I’m deeply sadden to make the public announcement that our son Ryan Quinney passed away last night in Yazoo City,’ the post read. ‘This is a pain I never wish any parent should experience. While i have to give all my support and attention to my love Lavetter Jones Cox and my family, I do ask that you keep us in your prayers.

‘As we make all necessary arrangements we will keep all family and friends well informed. Empowerment Temple we appreciate the love and support. Together we will get through this. Thank you all, Apostle Cox! REST UP SOLIDER!’

The junior linebacker, a Mobile, Alabama, native, was in his second season at MVSU and had 13 tackles in five games. His last appearance this season was against Alabama State on Oct. 12. Quinney was a Lane College transfer.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

‘I don’t think everybody’s going as hard as possible and, obviously, it’s showing,’ Moore told reporters, via ESPN. ‘I’m not the type to sugarcoat it. Honestly, I don’t think the urgency is there. I don’t think the details are there.

‘I don’t see everything correlating from meetings to practice to the games, and it shows.’

Quarterback Joe Flacco, who replaced the No. 4 overall pick from a year ago Anthony Richardson as the starter last week, threw an interception on the first two offensive series of the game – the second of which was returned for a touchdown.

Flacco finished with three interceptions and was sacked four times. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 280 yards, and Buffalo ran for 135 yards as a team.

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‘You’ve got to define yourself. You’ve got to define the identity of the team,’ said Moore, who recorded his first interception of the season Sunday. ‘We’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves how bad we want it. And, honestly, it’s (about) turning the page. … The thing that’s frustrating is, you’re letting things leak into another week.

‘You’re only as great as your last performance. But once we step out on the field again, you’ve got the opportunity to change that narrative. But to go out and (make) the same mistakes over and over, I think that’s what drives me insane.’

Moore has spent his entire NFL career (since 2017) with the Colts and made the 2021 Pro Bowl.

‘We’ve just got to start addressing it and not sugarcoat it or beat around the bush,’ he said. ‘I think that’s what we are lacking. And, honestly, year to year, it’s the same thing.’

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Few coaches have the track record of quickly turning around a football program like Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh turned a doormat Stanford Cardinal program into a Pac-10 power in his third year. He guided the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-3 record in his first season at the helm and led Michigan to a 10-3 record his first year before ultimately winning the 2023 national championship with the Wolverines.

It shouldn’t come as a surprised that he’s already directed the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) to their best 10-week start since the 2018 season after a 27-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. It was another game in which Los Angeles held its opponent to 20 points or less. The Chargers are fourth team since 1990 to allow 20 points or fewer in each of their first nine games of a season. The team’s six wins are already a one-game improvement from their 5-12 campaign under previous head coach Brandon Staley a season ago.

“He’s the best. To have a guy like that leading the team, you know, it shows up,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said postgame. “You turn on the tape, and everyone wants to play for him (and) wants to fight for him. The guys are playing energetic, they’re excited to be out there and they’re having fun. I think that’s the most important thing. He’s done such a great job of preparing us and letting us go play free and fast out there. So, to have a guy like that leading the charge, it’s been awesome.”

The fifth-year quarterback said Harbaugh’s brought a tough identity to the Chargers.

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“I think toughness comes to mind. Having an offensive line that does everything they can to move the defense to create room for Gus (Edwards) and J.K. (Dobbins) and those guys to run the ball, and then to have a great play action game where we’ve got guys on the outside that go make plays,” Herbert said. “They’re doing everything we can to move the ball and continue to execute on third down.”

Herbert completed 14-of-18 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee. The Chargers quarterback set an NFL record for most passes completed by a quarterback through their first five seasons during the Week 10 victory. He’s been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Harbaugh’s arrival. The Chargers QB hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 2. He’s had a passer rating of above 111 during Los Angeles’ three-game winning streak.

“He’s got a huge impact being the head coach. It’s games, it’s practices, it’s meetings. He’s done a great job. I just try and make right by him. I do everything that he teaches us and coaches us, and just want to make him proud,” Herbert said. “He’s seen a lot of good football, and as long as we’re listening and doing the things he says, you know, we’re going in the right direction.”

Harbaugh’s heaped praise on Herbert since the moment he was named head coach. The relationship between the two has blossomed in a short period of time. The head coach even came up with a new nickname to call Herbert following Sunday’s performance.

“I’m changing his name to Beast. Beast Herbert. Half man, half beast,” Harbaugh said. “No quarterback has completed more passes in the first five years of an NFL career than Justin Herbert in the history of the National Football League. That speaks to his greatness, and just to be around it every day is that’s what it feels like. Feels like you’re around greatness every single day with Justin Herbert, and there’s still a long way to go.”

Harbaugh and “Beast Herbert” are leading the way for the Chargers. But it’s Harbaugh who’s galvanized the Chargers franchise and is creating a winning culture in his first year at the helm. However, we should be accustomed to this based on his resume at other stops.

“Y’all feel the culture, y’all feel the locker room,” Chargers safety Derwin James said. “And it’s not just some made up thing. It’s every day is real, and we trying to just follow behind him. He’s driving the bus, and we just follow behind him.”

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Every week for the duration of the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture − starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Thursday’s game or Saturday’s, if applicable).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday night, Jan. 5.

Here’s where things stand with Week 10 of the 2024 season heading into Monday night:

AFC playoff picture

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0), AFC West leaders: Though they’re aiming for the league’s first Super Bowl three-peat, there are definitely some smoke and mirrors involved in their undefeated start. Be that as it may, K.C. is two clear of the field in the loss column as it tries to ensure the path to Super Bowl 59 will once again run through Arrowhead. Remaining schedule: at Bills, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

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2. Buffalo Bills (8-2), AFC East leaders: They’ve won five straight and a fifth consecutive division title is practically a foregone conclusion. But if they want a viable shot at home-field advantage, it’s almost incumbent that they beat the Chiefs in Week 11. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, BYE, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2), AFC North leaders: The division has shaped up as a two-team race between them and Baltimore, with both meetings still to come. But the Steelers might yet capture much bigger prizes. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Browns, at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (6-4), AFC South leaders: They’ve got a few issues yet to work through, primarily those that are injury related. But they should still cruise to a second straight division championship. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Titans, at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Baltimore Ravens (7-3), wild card No. 1: Their defensive issues are apparent. But the offense is so dominant, Baltimore could easily work its way up to the No. 2 seed. However the Ravens’ Week 1 loss to the Chiefs makes for an even steeper uphill climb to the No. 1 spot. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, at Chargers, vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

6. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3), wild card No. 2: Their defense has been pretty tough. Their schedule has been anything but – though that’s about to change. However the Bolts are starting to build a nice pad between themselves and the clubs chasing them. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Ravens, at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (5-5), wild card No. 3: If they’d held on to beat the Chiefs, they would have done several teams favors, including themselves. But the Broncos lost the game – and the opportunity to take a two-game lead over their nearest pursuers. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Raiders, vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (4-6), in the hunt: New QB1 Joe Flacco hasn’t been able to stop a three-game slide. But they get a shot at the Broncos down the road. Remaining schedule: at Jets, vs. Lions, at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6), in the hunt:QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase weren’t able to stop a three-game slide to start the season. But they get a shot at the Broncos down the road. (The Colts currently have a better conference record than Cincy but have also played more of their AFC games.) Remaining schedule: at Chargers, BYE, vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

10. New York Jets (3-7), in the hunt: Technically, they have a shot to end the league’s longest playoff drought, which dates to 2010. A Week 4 loss to Denver is problematic. Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, BYE, vs. Seahawks, at Dolphins, at Jaguars, vs. Rams, at Bills, vs. Dolphins

11. New England Patriots (3-7), in the hunt: Technically, they have a shot to revive their dynastic ways, which seemingly died five years ago. A Week 1 win at Cincinnati could come in handy. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Colts, BYE, at Cardinals, at Bills, vs. Chargers, vs. Bills

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NFC playoff picture

1. Detroit Lions (8-1), NFC North leaders: Even had they lost Sunday night, they hold tiebreaker advantages over the Eagles and Vikings … which could yet prove quite helpful down the line. Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2), NFC East leaders: Sunday’s smackdown of the Cowboys allowed them to leapfrog Washington for first place. But that could revert back after Thursday night’s meeting. Remaining schedule: vs. Commanders, at Rams, at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Atlanta Falcons (6-4), NFC South leaders: They might rue Sunday’s loss to the sliding Saints at some point. But a season sweep of the Bucs effectively gives Atlanta a three-game lead in the division. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, BYE, vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

4. Arizona Cardinals (6-4), NFC West leaders: Winners of four straight, their bye doesn’t necessarily come at the ideal time. The Cards’ 2-0 record in divisional games serves them well; their 3-3 mark in NFC games won’t help them in the tiebreaker department with Atlanta (6-2). Remaining schedule: BYE, at Seahawks, at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

5. Minnesota Vikings (7-2), wild card No. 1: Their longship has been taking on water since a 5-0 start, though they escaped Jacksonville with a victory Sunday. The upcoming games seem forgiving, but the Vikes’ path will get progressively tougher down the stretch. Remaining schedule: at Titans, at Bears, vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Washington Commanders (7-3), wild card No. 2: Whether or not they reclaim the NFC East lead from Philly on Thursday, the Commanders do seem to have an easier lineup to contend with the rest of the way, one that might keep them in contention for the No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, vs. Cowboys, vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

7. Green Bay Packers (6-3), wild card No. 3: Hopefully the week off helped battered QB Jordan Love as the Pack readies for the stretch drive – one that could bring a wide variance of outcomes. Remaining schedule: at Bears, vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

8. San Francisco 49ers (5-4), in the hunt: RB Christian McCaffrey’s return could be the needed spark for a team that’s finished strongly in recent years. However a 1-2 record in NFC West games could prove a hindrance. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks, at Packers, at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

9. Los Angeles Rams (4-4), in the hunt: Beat Miami on Monday night, and they’ll move up a spot thanks to their Week 3 defeat of the Niners. Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Patriots, vs. Eagles, at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

10. Chicago Bears (4-5), in the hunt: A three-game skid suggests they might not be in the hunt much longer – especially given what they’re about to face. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, at Packers

11. Seattle Seahawks (4-5), in the hunt: A two-game skid suggests they might not be in the hunt much longer – especially given what they’re about to face. Remaining schedule: at 49ers, vs. Cardinals, at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), in the hunt: A three-game skid suggests they might not be in the hunt much longer – yet if they can get key players like WR Mike Evans back after the week off, the opportunity is there to have a strong kick to the finish line. Remaining schedule: BYE, at Giants, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.