Big Stories

This week on Big Stories: We spotlight backup quarterbacks who stepped up and delivered when their teams needed them most. Plus, we break down a shocking upset that no one saw coming! On the hardwood, get in-depth basketball analysis from Cincinnati, BYU, and Utah. And to cap it off, we challenge a few podcasters to make the case for why their team deserves a spot in the College Football Playoff....

Join host Cleon Wall as he reconnects with Conrad Hawley, Iowa State Basketball's former Chief Energy Officer, for an inspiring update on his journey from walk-on basketball player to motivational leader. Discover how Conrad’s resilience helped him overcome a devastating injury and led him to embrace new roles as a public speaker and private coach. Drawing on insights from his father, Adam, this e...

The Big 12 title race is heating up as Texas Tech secures a commanding victory, reclaiming its position at the top of the conference. What can the other teams do to stay in contention? Is it possible for the conference to receive three bids in the College Football Playoff? Additionally, we’ll provide an insider look at the basketball teams of TCU and Arizona. Cleon Wall and producer Chase Davidson...

Step onto the Folsom Field as the Big Stories team charges into the heart of one of college football’s most beloved traditions: Ralphie, the live buffalo mascot of the University of Colorado. Host Cleon Wall takes you behind the scenes with Ralphie program manager Taylor Stratton, student handlers, and the newest buffalo herself, Ralphie VII. Discover what it takes to train a young bison for the s...

Get ready for another action-packed episode of Big Stories! Host Cleon Wall and producer Chase Davidson go head-to-head as they reveal their top five teams in the conference. Then, Cleon dives into the hottest storylines dominating the Big 12—including the marquee matchup in West Texas: BYU vs. Texas Tech with BYU SportsNation's Spencer Linton. What’s at stake, and what’s the best possible outcome...

Big Stories Host Cleon Wall had to take some time off for a family matter. So, the Big Stories team is bringing you an episode from Big Stories season one. Jack Trice Stadium is home to the Iowa State football team. But who is Jack Trice? We dive into the life and death of the Cyclone's first African-American player and how the stadium came to be named after him. And how former Iowa State softball...

From “Where do we go from here?” to “Spoiler warning,” we’re breaking down the biggest stories going on right now in the Big 12: West Virginia's Struggles, BYU’s rise, Houston’s surprise — and everything in between. GUESTS: Mike Casezza - EerSports at 247.com and the Country Roads Confidential Podcast John Walters - Voice of the Cyclones and host of the "CyCast" Podcast

BYU's Cougar Tail is a staple for football fans who attend games at LaVell Edwards Stadium. But what are the origins of the large maple bar? And why would BYU make a donut its signature food item at sporting events? Well, Cleon Wall and the Big Stories team found a guy who was there from the inception of the sweet treat and can fill us in on the maple-ee details. Guests: Russ Robertson - Former BY...

It’s a wild ride in the Big 12 as more than half the conference still has a shot at making the championship game. In this week’s episode, we break down the pivotal “must-win” matchups for contenders like Utah and Iowa State, dive into the Sunflower Showdown, and tackle the toughest question of all: who’s truly the best team in the Big 12 right now? Spoiler alert—it’s not as simple as looking at th...

Cody Stovall’s path to hosting Locked On Oklahoma State is anything but typical. In this episode of Big Stories, Cleon Wall dives into Cody’s lifelong Cowboys fandom, his days as a college athlete, and the life-altering health battle that led to the loss of his leg. Discover how grit, passion, and a love for Oklahoma State carried Cody from the oil fields to the podcast mic. Subscribe to Big Stori...

In this episode of Big Stories, it’s all about in-state showdowns and gridiron bragging rights. Host Cleon Wall dives into the fierce rivalries between BYU and Utah, TCU and Baylor, and Texas Tech’s surprising dominance across the Lone Star State. Plus, Cleon breaks down which teams desperately need a bye week—and why Cincinnati is back on his “Are You For Real?” list. GUESTS: Chris Level - Locked...

Arizona State’s Kendall Whitmarsh carries a name that resonates deeply in the world of beach volleyball. Her father, Mike Whitmarsh, was a legend in the sport—an Olympic silver medalist in 1996. Tragically, he passed away when Kendall was just five years old. In this episode of the Big Stories podcast, explore how Kendall keeps her father's legacy alive while forging her own identity—both in life...

On this episode of the Big Stories Pod, we break down our Top 5 teams from last week's action and spotlight a surprising contender emerging in the race for the Big 12 Championship. When will Oklahoma State finally notch an FBS win? Plus, we preview an exciting Week 7 slate featuring massive matchups: #21 Arizona State heads to Salt Lake to face Utah, Kansas takes on 9th-ranked Texas Tech, and more...

The Big Stories team is scouring the Big 12 for more inspirational stories for this season. In the meantime, we thought we would dip into the Big Stories archive to bring you an encore presentation of an episode from Season 1. Cassady Brewer wanted out of Apopka, Florida. The softball player desired to play anywhere other than nearby UCF. But Cassady's mother desired for her to play for the Knight...

The Big Stories pod crowns a new top Big 12 team from week 5 - highlighting a few squads that pulled off amazing comebacks. They also dive into the biggest storylines heading into Week 6, featuring insights from Big 12 podcasters across the conference. Tune in for a preview of the “Texas Two-Step” showdown between Texas Tech and Houston, and a look at Cincinnati’s high-stakes clash with Iowa State...

Emily Bott flips, twists, and tumbles with the best in collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling. As a key member of Baylor’s National Championship-winning team, she earned All-American honors in her sophomore season. But behind her powerful performances is a story of grit and resilience. In this episode of Big Stories, Emily opens up about her scoliosis diagnosis, the invasive spinal surgery that left h...

The Big Stories podcast loves its Top Fives, so they are adding a new segment declaring the Top Five teams of the week from the Big 12 with producer Chase Davidson. Hint: It's a team from Texas that won with their backup quarterback. After awarding the Big Man on Campus, host Cleon declares the Top Five quarterbacks in the conference and discusses the Top Five storylines in the Big 12 with the hel...

Drew Lisk wanted to challenge himself after he left high school. The former quarterback decided to walk on to the University of Utah Football team instead of accepting a scholarship at a smaller school. Drew didn't get a lot of playing time and even wondered if he should transfer, but in the end, he led Utah to one of the most improbable comebacks in Utes football history. Learn about Lisk's legen...

Fox's Big Noon Kick-Off is headed to Salt Lake City for the Big 12's first big game of the year as Utah hosts Texas Tech. KSL.com's Josh Furlong clues us in on what the Utes might have in store for the Red Raiders. Melissa Triebwasser of the Frogs Insider podcast discusses the guys helping out TCU QB Josh Hoover and why the Horned Frogs, along with their fans, are so eager to win the Iron Skillet...

In this episode of Big Stories, West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson reflects on the pivotal choices that shaped his life—from proposing to his wife, Debi, to accepting the presidency in Morgantown. But perhaps his most defining decision was choosing a path in academia over a career as an athletic director. Benson opens up about his deep ties to college sports, what kind of AD he m...

It was a rivalry weekend for a few Big 12 teams. Houston takes down Rice in a crosstown clash, Iowa State reclaims the Cy-Hawk Trophy, and Baylor storms back to edge out SMU. Meanwhile, Kansas falls short in the long-awaited Border Showdown against Missouri after a 14-year break. Plus, Arizona State’s comeback hopes are dashed by a dramatic Mississippi State rally. Podcasters from around the Big 1...

Jared Casey was affectionately known as "The Mighty Casey" on the radio whenever the Kansas Jayhawks football team played. As a former fullback and tight end, he worked incredibly hard to earn his spot as a walk-on player, which ultimately led to one of the most memorable catches in Kansas football history. In this podcast episode, you'll learn more about Jared's inner drive and how his faith in G...

Week one of the college football season is in the books, and every Big 12 team has now played at least one game. Some teams and quarterbacks looked impressive (Utah and Arizona State), while others have injured QBs (UCF, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State). Meanwhile, some teams still have a lot of questions (we are looking at you, Baylor and Kansas State). Host Cleon Wall dives into the biggest story...

TCU wide receiver Jordyn Bailey gives his mother, Casaundra, all the credit for shaping him into the man he is today—alongside his faith in God. So, Big Stories host Cleon Wall set out to discover what makes Casaundra so special. How did she raise not just one, but two standout football players—one thriving in the Big 12 and the other chasing his NFL dream?

The Big Stories podcast brings you the top 5 stories from week zero of college football, and the majority of the talk centered around Iowa State and Kansas State playing in Ireland in the Farmageddon rivalry game. We also discuss Kansas' return to Booth Memorial Stadium and Oklahoma State's biggest storylines of the season. Podcasters featured in this episode: Derek Johnson - Locked on Jayhawks Ty...