JARET PATTERSON

Rookie running back Jaret Patterson did a little bit of everything and scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter in Washington’s 17-13 preseason victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday night.

Even after all 259 picks were made in the 2021 NFL draft, some talented players were left waiting after not hearing their names called.

This is the fifth of an eight-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs and priorities heading into the NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 29-May 1. Detroit’s top three running backs form a solid trio for a team expected to pound the rock under offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn in 2021. Etienne seems to check all the boxes when considering what Detroit could be looking for at running back. Patterson was Buffalo’s offense last year in the pandemic-altered season, running 141 times for 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns. The top of Detroit’s running back rotation feels locked for 2021, but that doesn’t mean this team won’t go fishing for more depth.

Lawrence, the likely first pick in the next NFL draft, made AP All-America for the first time in his career. ___The 2020 AP All-America team:FIRST TEAMOffenseQuarterback — Mac Jones, junior, Alabama. Running backs — Najee Harris, senior, Alabama; Breece Hall, sophomore, Iowa State. Guards — Ben Cleveland, senior, Georgia; Tommy Kraemer, senior, Notre Dame. Safeties — Kyle Hamilton, sophomore, Notre Dame; Tykee Smith, sophomore, West Virginia.

Two teams who finished as runners-up in their respective conferences will faceoff in the Camellia Bowl on Christmas Day. The game between the Buffalo Bulls and Marshall Thundering Herd airs on ESPN and fans can stream it on fuboTV (free trial), Sling and Hulu. So the Thundering Herd looks to bounce back with freshman quarterback Grant Wells under center. What: Camellia BowlWho: Marshall Thundering Herd (7-2) vs. Buffalo Bulls (5-1)When: Friday, Dec. 25Time: 2:30 p.m. ETWhere: Cramton Bowl -- Montgomery, ALTV: ESPNStream: FuboTV (free 7-day trial) | Sling | Hulu + Live TV

Both teams flexed their muscles in winning their respective conference championship games. The last time Alabama was held below 35 points came in a 44-16 loss to Clemson in a CFP championship game to cap the 2018 season. Clemson’s 34-10 Atlantic Coast Conference championship game rout of Notre Dame improved Trevor Lawrence's record as a starting quarterback to 34-1. San Jose State and Ball State will face off in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 31. San Jose State is seeking to complete its first unbeaten season since a 13-0 finish in 1939.

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – Ball State coach Mike Neu had plenty of motivational material at his disposal for the Mid-American Conference title game. “Our mindset was, it’s Ball State against the world. The game turned when Ball State scored three touchdowns in the final 5:55 of the first half to take a 35-21 lead. That year, the Bulls knocked off an undefeated and nationally ranked Ball State team for the championship. LONG TIME COMINGPlitt is a fifth-year senior, and this is the first time Ball State has had a winning record since he arrived.

24 Buffalo routed Akron 56-7 on Saturday as a tune-up for the Mid-American Conference championship. Patterson scored two touchdowns before halftime, bringing his season totals to 1,025 yards and 18 rushing TDs for the Bulls (5-0). Marks went over 100 yards and scored twice in the first half as Buffalo (5-0) built a 35-0 lead against Akron (1-5). Buffalo: The Bulls are 5-0 for the first time since 1980 when Buffalo was a Division III program. It will be a rematch of the 2008 title game that Buffalo won for its lone conference championship.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The undefeated Buffalo Bulls’ bid to clinch the Mid-American Conference East Division title were placed on hold on Friday before they even had a chance to play a down. The cancelation left Buffalo (4-0) in limbo, waiting for the conference to determine whether the school has won the division title and a berth in the MAC championship game in Detroit on Dec. 18. Buffalo would’ve clinched the berth with a win over Ohio (2-1). With only one game left in the regular season, the Bulls have run out of division rivals who can mathematically beat them in the standings. Leipold then had the five-bus caravan turn back toward Buffalo, before breaking the news at the next rest stop.

14 Penn State had some fun in its opener against an FCS squad, showcasing what figures to be a dominant defense and getting some solid play from new quarterback Sean Clifford. The Nittany Lions will try to dismantle another opponent before the schedule intensifies when they host Buffalo on Saturday. Penn State plays rival Pittsburgh next week before beginning Big Ten play Sept. 27 at Maryland. The Bulls won the first meeting in 1900 and the Nittany Lions took the next two in 2007 and 2015. PREDICTION: Penn State 48, Buffalo 14More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.