Southeast of Saline 69, Republic County 43

Wichita Heights 56, Wichita Bishop Carroll 26

Friday AP ScoresAltoona-Midway 48, Yates Center 40, OTAndale 52, Garden Plain 31Andover 63, Newton 33Andover Central 84, Goddard 41Arkansas City 53, Clearwater 43Axtell 99, Washington County 52BV North 59, Metro Academy 40Beloit 70, Lyons 58Blue Valley Randolph 60, Onaga 31Centralia 60, Clifton-Clyde 55Cheney 68, Nickerson 29Cunningham 87, Canton-Galva 52De Soto 52, Mill Valley 50Derby 63, Salina South 50Dodge City 83, Woodward, Okla. 79Gardner-Edgerton 63, Lincoln, Mo. 54Great Bend 89, Liberal 42Hanover 60, Frankfort 50Haven 50, Norton 29Highland Park 82, Topeka 41Holton 47, Hiawatha 44Jackson Heights 54, Horton 48Linn 50, Doniphan West 44, OTLittle River 40, Norwich 34Logan 40, Oberlin-Decatur 26Oskaloosa 60, Riverside 47Rose Hill 50, Howard West Elk 28SM North 75, Junction City 53Shawnee Heights 61, Topeka Hayden 52South Central 59, Pawnee Heights 29Southeast of Saline 69, Republic County 43Spring Hill 79, Eudora 68St. Thomas Aquinas 83, Bishop Miege 51Uniontown 53, Central Heights 30Valley Center 73, Salina Central 52Valley Falls 81, McLouth 37Wichita Classical 44, Flinthills 32Wichita Heights 56, Wichita Bishop Carroll 26Wichita Northwest 66, Wichita West 52

Friday Boys Scores

Great Bend Boys 89 Liberal 42; Liberal Girls 73 Great Bend 44

Great Bend Sports on B104 3 The Point sponsored by USD #428, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance Agency, Equity Bank, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, People's Bank and Trust, Comfort Pro, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Great Bend Rec, Edward Jones, Damm Pipe Testing, University of Kansas Health System, The Fieldhouse, Scott's Welding Service, American Plains COOP, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Innovative Livestock Services, Marmie Auto Group, Mpire Realty, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, GB Tarp Company, Freedom Claims Management, Coldwell Banker - Megan Wells, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Nextech, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Rosenberg Family Denistry, Sutherlands, Great Bend Redi Mix, Kern Floor Service, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Shelter Insurance - Chris Ramsey, and Mitchell K Haney and Associates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886602159.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Boys 89 Liberal 42; Liberal Girls 73 Great Bend 44<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/5pr4vbka/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>Great Bend Sports on B104 3 The Point sponsored by USD #428, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance Agency, Equity Bank, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, People's Bank and Trust, Comfort Pro, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Great Bend Rec, Edward Jones, Damm Pipe Testing, University of Kansas Health System, The Fieldhouse, Scott's Welding Service, American Plains COOP, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Innovative Livestock Services, Marmie Auto Group, Mpire Realty, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, GB Tarp Company, Freedom Claims Management, Coldwell Banker - Megan Wells, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Nextech, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Rosenberg Family Denistry, Sutherlands, Great Bend Redi Mix, Kern Floor Service, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Shelter Insurance - Chris Ramsey, and Mitchell K Haney and Associates.

By EDDIE PELLS Associated Press

In the first round of the College Football Playoff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-df0a4bc330a92d6fc03db501ba9682cc">the teams seeded 5-8 all won.</a>

The moral of this story: Who knows, other than something doesn’t totally add up when not a single one of the top four teams, all of which received the advantage of a first-round bye, advances into college football’s final four.

The semifinals are set: Next Thursday in the Orange Bowl, it will be No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame. Then, Friday in the Cotton Bowl, it will be No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State.

Appropriately enough considering the way the second round played out, it’s the team with the worst seed, the Buckeyes, who are now the favorite — and fairly overwhelmingly at that — listed at 11-10 to win it all by the BetMGM Sportsbook.

These matchups ensure that a team with a long pedigree and a big name will carry the championship trophy when the first 12-team playoff concludes in Atlanta on Jan. 20.

Also, the Penn State-Notre Dame matchup guarantees either James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will have a chance to become the first Black coach to win the title at college football’s highest level.

One thing this expanded tournament could still use — a well-played, truly great football game. Other than the two-overtime win by Texas over Arizona State on Wednesday, all these playoff games have been double-digit snoozefests.

The Story: The Longhorns are 0-2 against Georgia and don’t have to worry about the Dawgs anymore. They are 13-0 against the rest of the country.

The Player: Receiver Matthew Golden had seven catches for 149 yards, a touchdown and a key two-point conversion in the second overtime in the win over Arizona State to help erase a lot of questionable stuff by his quarterback, Quinn Ewers.

Money Matters: The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.on3.com/nil/rankings/player/nil-valuations/" target="_blank">On3 NIL tracker</a>&nbsp;has Arch Manning — nephew of Peyton and Eli — leading the country at $6.6 million in earnings. Not bad for a backup quarterback, though Manning stepped in capably, starting two games in place of the injured Ewers in September to guide the Longhorns to wins.

History’s Mysteries: The program with the third-most bowl appearances hasn’t won a national title since 2005. Before that, it was 1981.

He said it: “We’re not in awe that, ‘Hey, this is where we are.’ This is where we’re supposed to be.” —Coach Steve Sarkisian after the Arizona State win.

The Story: After a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oregon-penn-state-big-ten-score-top-25-b2ba6b2184ba6718eab0a76953f7f28f">loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game</a>, Franklin’s record against teams in the AP Top 10 dropped to 3-19. Oregon isn’t playing anymore; Ohio State is, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-franklin-big-ten-3c1006280135b2058961e47028151dba">Franklin’s record</a>&nbsp;against the Buckeyes is 1-10.

The Player: Tyler Warren might have played himself into the top tight end on the NFL draft board this season. In the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-boise-state-playoff-fiesta-bowl-986c53b8f96be37f68425651e5703566">31-14 win over Boise State</a>, two of his six catches were for touchdowns.

Money Matters: Quarterback Drew Allar makes around $4 million. He has committed to returning for his senior season, though this strong playoff run might change the calculus.

History’s Mysteries: The Nittany Lions and Notre Dame used to be the country’s two most notable independents, so it made sense they played every year from 1981-1992. But their only bowl meeting was a little-noticed 20-9 Notre Dame win in the 1976 Gator Bowl.

He said it: “A lot of college coaches I saw this week were talking about, ‘This is a four-game season.’ It’s not. It’s a one-game season.” —Franklin, after a first-round win over SMU, on the week-to-week nature of the first 12-team college playoff.

The Story: When the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-northern-illinois-score-a1aa3c4c0abbc943e827aa7467ed0f17">Irish lost 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 7, Notre Dame’s odds of winning the national title ballooned to 100-1. Twelve wins later, including two by double digits in the playoffs, and they are listed at 7-1.

The Player: Let’s give this one to a coach.&nbsp;<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/with-a-trick-and-some-tears-notre-dame-finally-gets-over-hump-in-big-time-bowl-game-033016687.html" target="_blank">Marty Biagi is in charge of the special teams unit</a>&nbsp;that returned a kickoff for a touchdown, kicked three field goals and baited Georgia into a key offsides penalty in the fourth quarter by quickly subbing out its entire punt team for the offense on fourth-and-1.

Money Matters: QB Riley Leonard is thought to be making around $1 million after his move to the South Bend from Duke.

History’s Mysteries: Until Thursday, Notre Dame hadn’t won a big-time bowl game since Jan. 1, 1994, when it beat Texas A&amp;M in the Cotton Bowl. The program that gave us everyone from The Gipper to Joe Montana seeks its first title since 1988.

He said it: “We’ve been here before. Now it’s time to get it fixed. We’ve got to get it fixed and get back to playing football the way we know how to play, we’ve played before, and we can, and we will.” —Freeman after the Sept. 7 loss to Northern Illinois.

The Story: After punctuating a fourth straight loss to Michigan by standing on the field looking lost while the Wolverines triggered a melee by planting the team flag at the 50-yard line, there was good reason to think coach Ryan Day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-ryan-day-3e25b16ad3279fa0070866028caa0803">could only keep his job</a>&nbsp;by somehow rallying to win a national title that felt unlikely.

The Player: WR Jeremiah Smith has 290 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs. He cradeled in a pair of one-handed catches in an early-season win over Michigan State that put the label “playmaker” all over this highly touted freshman.

Money Matters: Smith is thought to have around $3.7 million in NIL deals.

History’s Mysteries: With Urban Meyer coaching, Ohio State won the CFP’s first playoff, the four-team affair that closed out the 2014 season. Since then, the Buckeyes are 3-4 over five playoff appearances.

He said it: “At the end of the day, we wanted to win a national championship, and the way that we got here wasn’t what we expected.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725828124795.jpeg" alt="Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs the ball against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)" />
 <figcaption>Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs the ball against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)</figcaption>
 </figure>By EDDIE PELLS Associated PressIn the first round of the College Football Playoff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-df0a4bc330a92d6fc03db501ba9682cc">the teams seeded 5-8 all won.</a>In the second round, they all won again.The moral of this story: Who knows, other than something doesn’t totally add up when not a single one of the top four teams, all of which received the advantage of a first-round bye, advances into college football’s final four.The semifinals are set: Next Thursday in the Orange Bowl, it will be No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame. Then, Friday in the Cotton Bowl, it will be No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State.Appropriately enough considering the way the second round played out, it’s the team with the worst seed, the Buckeyes, who are now the favorite — and fairly overwhelmingly at that — listed at 11-10 to win it all by the BetMGM Sportsbook.These matchups ensure that a team with a long pedigree and a big name will carry the championship trophy when the first 12-team playoff concludes in Atlanta on Jan. 20.Also, the Penn State-Notre Dame matchup guarantees either James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will have a chance to become the first Black coach to win the title at college football’s highest level.One thing this expanded tournament could still use — a well-played, truly great football game. Other than the two-overtime win by Texas over Arizona State on Wednesday, all these playoff games have been double-digit snoozefests.A quick look at the four contenders.<h2>No. 5 Texas (13-2)</h2>The Story: The Longhorns are 0-2 against Georgia and don’t have to worry about the Dawgs anymore. They are 13-0 against the rest of the country.The Player: Receiver Matthew Golden had seven catches for 149 yards, a touchdown and a key two-point conversion in the second overtime in the win over Arizona State to help erase a lot of questionable stuff by his quarterback, Quinn Ewers.Money Matters: The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.on3.com/nil/rankings/player/nil-valuations/" target="_blank">On3 NIL tracker</a>&nbsp;has Arch Manning — nephew of Peyton and Eli — leading the country at $6.6 million in earnings. Not bad for a backup quarterback, though Manning stepped in capably, starting two games in place of the injured Ewers in September to guide the Longhorns to wins.History’s Mysteries: The program with the third-most bowl appearances hasn’t won a national title since 2005. Before that, it was 1981.He said it: “We’re not in awe that, ‘Hey, this is where we are.’ This is where we’re supposed to be.” —Coach Steve Sarkisian after the Arizona State win.<h2>No. 6 Penn State (13-2)</h2>The Story: After a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oregon-penn-state-big-ten-score-top-25-b2ba6b2184ba6718eab0a76953f7f28f">loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game</a>, Franklin’s record against teams in the AP Top 10 dropped to 3-19. Oregon isn’t playing anymore; Ohio State is, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-franklin-big-ten-3c1006280135b2058961e47028151dba">Franklin’s record</a>&nbsp;against the Buckeyes is 1-10.The Player: Tyler Warren might have played himself into the top tight end on the NFL draft board this season. In the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-boise-state-playoff-fiesta-bowl-986c53b8f96be37f68425651e5703566">31-14 win over Boise State</a>, two of his six catches were for touchdowns.Money Matters: Quarterback Drew Allar makes around $4 million. He has committed to returning for his senior season, though this strong playoff run might change the calculus.History’s Mysteries: The Nittany Lions and Notre Dame used to be the country’s two most notable independents, so it made sense they played every year from 1981-1992. But their only bowl meeting was a little-noticed 20-9 Notre Dame win in the 1976 Gator Bowl.He said it: “A lot of college coaches I saw this week were talking about, ‘This is a four-game season.’ It’s not. It’s a one-game season.” —Franklin, after a first-round win over SMU, on the week-to-week nature of the first 12-team college playoff.<h2>No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1)</h2>The Story: When the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-northern-illinois-score-a1aa3c4c0abbc943e827aa7467ed0f17">Irish lost 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 7, Notre Dame’s odds of winning the national title ballooned to 100-1. Twelve wins later, including two by double digits in the playoffs, and they are listed at 7-1.The Player: Let’s give this one to a coach.&nbsp;<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/with-a-trick-and-some-tears-notre-dame-finally-gets-over-hump-in-big-time-bowl-game-033016687.html" target="_blank">Marty Biagi is in charge of the special teams unit</a>&nbsp;that returned a kickoff for a touchdown, kicked three field goals and baited Georgia into a key offsides penalty in the fourth quarter by quickly subbing out its entire punt team for the offense on fourth-and-1.Money Matters: QB Riley Leonard is thought to be making around $1 million after his move to the South Bend from Duke.History’s Mysteries: Until Thursday, Notre Dame hadn’t won a big-time bowl game since Jan. 1, 1994, when it beat Texas A&amp;M in the Cotton Bowl. The program that gave us everyone from The Gipper to Joe Montana seeks its first title since 1988.He said it: “We’ve been here before. Now it’s time to get it fixed. We’ve got to get it fixed and get back to playing football the way we know how to play, we’ve played before, and we can, and we will.” —Freeman after the Sept. 7 loss to Northern Illinois.<h2>No. 8 Ohio State (12-2)</h2>The Story: After punctuating a fourth straight loss to Michigan by standing on the field looking lost while the Wolverines triggered a melee by planting the team flag at the 50-yard line, there was good reason to think coach Ryan Day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-ryan-day-3e25b16ad3279fa0070866028caa0803">could only keep his job</a>&nbsp;by somehow rallying to win a national title that felt unlikely.The Player: WR Jeremiah Smith has 290 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs. He cradeled in a pair of one-handed catches in an early-season win over Michigan State that put the label “playmaker” all over this highly touted freshman.Money Matters: Smith is thought to have around $3.7 million in NIL deals.History’s Mysteries: With Urban Meyer coaching, Ohio State won the CFP’s first playoff, the four-team affair that closed out the 2014 season. Since then, the Buckeyes are 3-4 over five playoff appearances.He said it: “At the end of the day, we wanted to win a national championship, and the way that we got here wasn’t what we expected.”

College football turns upside down but final four is a collection of big programs

DALLAS (AP) — Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is calling for more consistency in determining&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/peach-bowl-ap-top-25-targeting-31502faeac3bc499565cc7b14977814d">what constitutes a targeting penalty</a>&nbsp;after no call was made on Texas safety Michael Taaffe’s high hit on Arizona State receiver Melquan Stovall late in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Peach Bowl.

Taaffe struck Stovall with a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/barstoolsports/status/1874571900720230612" target="_blank">helmet-to-helmet hit</a>&nbsp;as Stovall caught a pass near midfield with 1:15 left in regulation and the game tied Wednesday. No flag was thrown, but referee Larry Smith of the Big Ten halted play to check the replay for possible targeting. As Stovall was being helped off the field, Smith announced there was no penalty.

Had a 15-yard penalty been called, ASU would have been in range to attempt a tiebreaking field goal. Instead, the Sun Devils punted and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arizona-state-ap-top-25-cfp-8064c9423b5f5cfe94a4f6d5289d924a">Texas won 39-31 in two overtimes.</a>

Yormark said in a statement Thursday he was proud of how ASU represented the Big 12 and that the Sun Devils proved they were one of the most talented teams in the nation. He then addressed the no-call.

“As a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark,” Yormark said, referring to the CFP executive director.

“Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed,” Yormark added. “These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735911717334.jpeg" alt="Arizona State wide receiver Melquan Stovall (5) and Texas defensive back Warren Roberson (24) collide during the first half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona State wide receiver Melquan Stovall (5) and Texas defensive back Warren Roberson (24) collide during the first half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is calling for more consistency in determining&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/peach-bowl-ap-top-25-targeting-31502faeac3bc499565cc7b14977814d">what constitutes a targeting penalty</a>&nbsp;after no call was made on Texas safety Michael Taaffe’s high hit on Arizona State receiver Melquan Stovall late in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Peach Bowl.Taaffe struck Stovall with a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/barstoolsports/status/1874571900720230612" target="_blank">helmet-to-helmet hit</a>&nbsp;as Stovall caught a pass near midfield with 1:15 left in regulation and the game tied Wednesday. No flag was thrown, but referee Larry Smith of the Big Ten halted play to check the replay for possible targeting. As Stovall was being helped off the field, Smith announced there was no penalty.Had a 15-yard penalty been called, ASU would have been in range to attempt a tiebreaking field goal. Instead, the Sun Devils punted and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arizona-state-ap-top-25-cfp-8064c9423b5f5cfe94a4f6d5289d924a">Texas won 39-31 in two overtimes.</a>Yormark said in a statement Thursday he was proud of how ASU represented the Big 12 and that the Sun Devils proved they were one of the most talented teams in the nation. He then addressed the no-call.“As a member of the College Football Playoff management committee, I have had multiple discussions seeking clarity surrounding the targeting call on Arizona State’s final drive of the 4th quarter with Richard Clark,” Yormark said, referring to the CFP executive director.“Moving forward, we need to address CFP officiating to ensure national standards are developed,” Yormark added. “These standards will be crucial to the CFP’s future, and I look forward to discussing them with my fellow committee members when we meet next.”

Big 12 commissioner calls for ‘national standards’ for calling targeting

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

Due to predicted weather impacts across the state, Saturday's game time of Barton men's basketball hosting Mineral Area College has been moved up three hours for a 1 p.m. tip-off at the Barton Gym.

Any additional changes to Saturday's game will be reflected on the Barton Athletic website (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/admin/tinymce4/www.bartonsports.com">www.bartonsports.com</a>) and announced on social media channels (Facebook and X) and can be found by simply searching "BartonSports."

The 17th ranked Cougars (10-3) bring a two-game win streak into 2025 while Mineral Area (10-4) will be looking to get back to the positive side having their seven-game win streak snapped to 11th ranked Jones College in their final game prior to the holiday break.

Both Barton squads return to conference action next Wednesday hosting of Fort Hays Tech Northwest, the women's contest tipping off at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735911504516.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoDue to predicted weather impacts across the state, Saturday's game time of Barton men's basketball hosting Mineral Area College has been moved up three hours for a 1 p.m. tip-off at the Barton Gym.Any additional changes to Saturday's game will be reflected on the Barton Athletic website (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bartonsports.com/admin/tinymce4/www.bartonsports.com">www.bartonsports.com</a>) and announced on social media channels (Facebook and X) and can be found by simply searching "BartonSports."The 17th ranked Cougars (10-3) bring a two-game win streak into 2025 while Mineral Area (10-4) will be looking to get back to the positive side having their seven-game win streak snapped to 11th ranked Jones College in their final game prior to the holiday break.Both Barton squads return to conference action next Wednesday hosting of Fort Hays Tech Northwest, the women's contest tipping off at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's basketball game moved to 1 p.m. tip slated for 17th ranked Cougars

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Locked in a defensive struggle in which neither team gained 300 yards, Georgia coach Kirby Smart made an aggressive but ill-fated decision late in the first half of the Sugar Bowl. Right after Notre Dame took a 6-3 lead on a 48-yard field goal, Smart had untested sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton drop back to pass from his 25-yard line with 38 seconds left instead of running out the clock. Defensive end RJ Oben broke through for a strip-sack, and the Fighting Irish’s Junior Tuihalamaka fell on the ball at the Bulldogs 13. One play later, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard hit Beaux Collins for a 13-yard touchdown. Just like that, No. 2 Georgia (11-3, CFP No. 2) trailed 13-3 in a game in which every point was precious. The No. 3 Fighting Irish (13-1, CFP No. 5) went on to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sugar-bowl-cfp-georgia-notre-dame-53413cf35e62b2f4ea486d512cc1f4e7">win the College Football Playoff quarterfinal 23-10</a>, ending Smart’s bid for his third national title with the Bulldogs. “Typically when you’re down, you need every possession you can have, and we made a decision that we were going to be aggressive and we were going to try to go two-minute, and that’s what everything says you should do,” Smart said. “You can’t give up possessions when you’re trailing. We felt like we had a little quick-game pass. Certainly not counting on getting beat that quick at left tackle, and got a sack-fumble, which gave them some momentum.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jaxson Dart’s final college pass was a 69-yard touchdown that got him chewed out by coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline. It’s one the quarterback will never forget. Dart threw for 404 yards and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/1875028322763342130" target="_blank">four touchdowns in his final start for Ole Miss,</a>&nbsp;leading the 16th-ranked Rebels to a 52-20 romp over Duke in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night. Dart connected with Jordan Watkins seven times for 180 yards and two scores, including&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/1875034655407132746" target="_blank">the longest pass play of the night with 1:27 to play</a>. Kiffin ripped him for it afterward. “I love him except for the last play when he checks to a pass play he’s not supposed to do,” Kiffin said. “He’s got to learn a little better class there.” Dart added 43 yards rushing, leaving EverBank Stadium with grass and dirt stains all over his red and white uniform. The senior never considered opting out of the bowl game. Instead, he helped the Rebels (10-3) make history. With the victory, Ole Miss notched double-digit wins in consecutive years for the second time in program history and the first since 1959-60.

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt went through a miserable first four months last year, including a career-worst 0-for-32 slide that ended with a May 11 ninth-inning single to avoid his first five-strikeout game. “The feeling was just like, man, I’m better than this,” the former NL MVP said Thursday, three days after finalizing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/goldschmidt-yankees-contract-9639636e0a2289748c1dc20941e9d800">$12.5 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees</a>. “But you got to go out and prove it. I mean, if you don’t perform, then you know you’re not going to be playing. And I think that’s just the truth in this game and in life.” A seven-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, the 37-year-old first baseman left St. Louis and became part of the Yankees’ Plan B after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juan-soto-mets-contract-c47a95f961a1348a0432d43ef30ccaf0">they lost Juan Soto to the rival New York Mets.</a>&nbsp;Coming off a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-score-bd8e555b9bb5a321fff527e78e0ba637">World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers</a>, the Yankees also have added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/max-fried-yankees-contract-366475bc2857f945a0c55cd40d216cf5">left-hander Max Fried</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/devin-williams-yankees-56fc241bdb9719740a9e8942424e1c6d">closer Devin Williams</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bellinger-yankees-cubs-trade-61204e394a2523951fd893fa3756427a">outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger</a>.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 38 points, Max Christie had a career-high 28 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a>&nbsp;overcame Anthony Davis’ absence for a 114-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. James hit a season-high seven 3-pointers and Christie added five for the Lakers, who have won six of eight. Austin Reaves contributed 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles hung on to beat Portland for the fifth straight time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lakers-anthony-davis-2a8947b5203e4c980affefdfaf54102b">Davis sat out</a>&nbsp;for only the second time this season to rest his sprained left ankle, which the star big man hurt on Christmas. Point guard Gabe Vincent also sat with a hip injury. Anfernee Simons scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Blazers, who have lost four of six. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 19 points apiece.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS Friday, Dec. 20 No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17

Saturday, Dec. 21 No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10 No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24 No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17

VRBO Fiesta Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 31 No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31&nbsp; 2 OT

Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21

AllState Sugar Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 3 p.m. (rescheduled from Jan 1.) No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10

Capital One Orange Bowl Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Friday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.&nbsp; No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Locked in a defensive struggle in which neither team gained 300 yards, Georgia coach Kirby Smart made an aggressive but ill-fated decision late in the first half of the Sugar Bowl. Right after Notre Dame took a 6-3 lead on a 48-yard field goal, Smart had untested sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton drop back to pass from his 25-yard line with 38 seconds left instead of running out the clock. Defensive end RJ Oben broke through for a strip-sack, and the Fighting Irish’s Junior Tuihalamaka fell on the ball at the Bulldogs 13. One play later, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard hit Beaux Collins for a 13-yard touchdown. Just like that, No. 2 Georgia (11-3, CFP No. 2) trailed 13-3 in a game in which every point was precious. The No. 3 Fighting Irish (13-1, CFP No. 5) went on to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sugar-bowl-cfp-georgia-notre-dame-53413cf35e62b2f4ea486d512cc1f4e7">win the College Football Playoff quarterfinal 23-10</a>, ending Smart’s bid for his third national title with the Bulldogs. “Typically when you’re down, you need every possession you can have, and we made a decision that we were going to be aggressive and we were going to try to go two-minute, and that’s what everything says you should do,” Smart said. “You can’t give up possessions when you’re trailing. We felt like we had a little quick-game pass. Certainly not counting on getting beat that quick at left tackle, and got a sack-fumble, which gave them some momentum.”JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jaxson Dart’s final college pass was a 69-yard touchdown that got him chewed out by coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline. It’s one the quarterback will never forget. Dart threw for 404 yards and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/1875028322763342130" target="_blank">four touchdowns in his final start for Ole Miss,</a>&nbsp;leading the 16th-ranked Rebels to a 52-20 romp over Duke in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night. Dart connected with Jordan Watkins seven times for 180 yards and two scores, including&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/1875034655407132746" target="_blank">the longest pass play of the night with 1:27 to play</a>. Kiffin ripped him for it afterward. “I love him except for the last play when he checks to a pass play he’s not supposed to do,” Kiffin said. “He’s got to learn a little better class there.” Dart added 43 yards rushing, leaving EverBank Stadium with grass and dirt stains all over his red and white uniform. The senior never considered opting out of the bowl game. Instead, he helped the Rebels (10-3) make history. With the victory, Ole Miss notched double-digit wins in consecutive years for the second time in program history and the first since 1959-60.NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt went through a miserable first four months last year, including a career-worst 0-for-32 slide that ended with a May 11 ninth-inning single to avoid his first five-strikeout game. “The feeling was just like, man, I’m better than this,” the former NL MVP said Thursday, three days after finalizing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/goldschmidt-yankees-contract-9639636e0a2289748c1dc20941e9d800">$12.5 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees</a>. “But you got to go out and prove it. I mean, if you don’t perform, then you know you’re not going to be playing. And I think that’s just the truth in this game and in life.” A seven-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, the 37-year-old first baseman left St. Louis and became part of the Yankees’ Plan B after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juan-soto-mets-contract-c47a95f961a1348a0432d43ef30ccaf0">they lost Juan Soto to the rival New York Mets.</a>&nbsp;Coming off a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-dodgers-yankees-score-bd8e555b9bb5a321fff527e78e0ba637">World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers</a>, the Yankees also have added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/max-fried-yankees-contract-366475bc2857f945a0c55cd40d216cf5">left-hander Max Fried</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/devin-williams-yankees-56fc241bdb9719740a9e8942424e1c6d">closer Devin Williams</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bellinger-yankees-cubs-trade-61204e394a2523951fd893fa3756427a">outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger</a>.LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 38 points, Max Christie had a career-high 28 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a>&nbsp;overcame Anthony Davis’ absence for a 114-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. James hit a season-high seven 3-pointers and Christie added five for the Lakers, who have won six of eight. Austin Reaves contributed 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles hung on to beat Portland for the fifth straight time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lakers-anthony-davis-2a8947b5203e4c980affefdfaf54102b">Davis sat out</a>&nbsp;for only the second time this season to rest his sprained left ankle, which the star big man hurt on Christmas. Point guard Gabe Vincent also sat with a hip injury. Anfernee Simons scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Blazers, who have lost four of six. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 19 points apiece.COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS Friday, Dec. 20 No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17Saturday, Dec. 21 No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10 No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24 No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17VRBO Fiesta Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 31 No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31&nbsp; 2 OTRose Bowl Presented by Prudential Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21AllState Sugar Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 3 p.m. (rescheduled from Jan 1.) No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10Capital One Orange Bowl Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre DameGoodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Friday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.&nbsp; No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State

Friday's Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish found the right balance of family and football to produce a memorable performance under unprecedented, emotionally trying circumstances.

Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/espn/status/1874956336884015596">Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards</a>&nbsp;for a score, and Notre Dame's defense made it hold up in a 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday that sent the third-ranked Fighting Irish into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

The triumph came in wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-attack-bourbon-street-5bbf5fdc715c4d0d4c8764dd8da22720">a deadly terror attack</a>&nbsp;in the host city early Wednesday —- the day the game was supposed to have been played. The first postponement of a Sugar Bowl in the event's 91-year history followed hours later.

“We spent some time together, and I think that’s what you do in tough moments,” Freeman said in recounting how the Irish handled their unexpected down time on Wednesday. “You want to spend time with family, and that’s what we are.”

Notre Dame (13-1, CFP No. 5) came through with enough big plays, avoided major mistakes and all but sealed it with a clever move by Freeman.

“Our coaches called the game aggressive. Our players executed, put everything on the line,” Freeman said. “I’m really proud of them. Proud of the way they handled the events of the last 24 hours.”

Georgia (11-3, CFP No. 2) was in position to close within one score when Notre Dame stopped the Bulldogs on fourth-and-5 from the Irish 9-yard line with 9:29 to go.

Minutes later, Notre Dame had a fourth-and-short deep in his own territory when Freeman sent the punt team out before running all 11 players off the field and sending the offense back out. Georgia raced to match up and then jumped offside as the play clock ticked down, giving the Irish a clock-sapping first down with 7:17 to go.

“They were going to hard-count us. We prepare for that. We do it every week,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “We jumped offsides.”

By the time the Bulldogs got the ball back, just 1:49 remained, and Notre Dame was on its way to a 12th straight victory and a date with No. 5 Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) in a semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami next Thursday.

“That’s the aggressiveness in terms of our preparation that I want our program to have,” Freeman said. “That’s got to be one of our edges, that we are going to be an aggressive group and not fear making mistakes.”

Georgia played without starting quarterback Carson Beck, who injured his elbow in the Southeastern Conference championship game. He was replaced by Gunner Stockton, who was 20 of 32 for 234 yards and one touchdown.

The Bulldogs outgained Notre Dame 296 yards to 244, but Georgia was stopped on all three of its fourth-down attempts and lost two fumbles — one deep in Notre Dame territory and one inside its own 20.

“The turnovers are the difference in the game, guys,” Smart said. “I mean, you should know when you turn it over twice and they return a kickoff for a touchdown, you’re not going to have a lot of success.”

Leonard finished with 90 yards passing and a team-high 80 yards rushing, including a late first-down run in which he was sent head over heels as he tried to leap over a defender.

“We’re in the playoffs,” Leonard said. “Everybody else can put their body on the line, I’m going to do it right there with them.”

The game had been set for Wednesday night as part of a New Year's Day playoff tripleheader, but it was postponed after an Army veteran inspired by the Islamic State group drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning, killing 14 revelers.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sugar-bowl-bourbon-attack-security-cfp-d6142ce05560f597c65dd99846e8ac4e">Security was increased at the Superdome</a>&nbsp;— which will also host the Super Bowl next month — and arriving fans said they felt safe.

With some fans unable to alter their travel plans, attendance in the 70,000-seat stadium was announced at 68,400. There were patches of empty seats in the upper levels, but passionate supporters made no shortage of noise trying to will their teams into the next round of college football's first 12-team playoff.

The game was tied at 3-all before Notre Dame scored 17 points in a span of 54 seconds.

The unusual sequence began with Mitch Jeter’s 48-yard field goal with 39 seconds left in first half.

Soon after, Georgia paid for a decision to attempt a drop-back pass from its own 25. RJ Oben’s blind-side sack caused Stockton to fumble at the 13, where Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka recovered. Leonard found Beaux Collins over the middle for a touchdown on the next play for a 13-3 lead that stood at halftime.

By the time 15 seconds had elapsed in the third quarter, Notre Dame led 20-3.

Harrison took Georgia's second-half kickoff all the way to the end zone, slipping a tackle near the middle of the field, cutting toward the right sideline and outrunning everyone.

Georgia closed the gap to 20-10 when Stockton hit reserve running back Cash Jones for a 32-yard score before Jeter’s third field goal of the game gave the Irish their winning margin.

“Holding a team like that to 10 points, it’s a low amount, it’s pretty good,” safety Xavier Watts said. “Just really proud of the performance we put up.”

Notre Dame: With a dominant defense and the dual-threat nature of Leonard’s playmaking, the Irish look dangerous heading into the semifinals.

Georgia: A team trying to win big games without its starting QB can’t afford big mistakes, and missed opportunities doomed the Bulldogs and Smart, who will have to wait a year for another chance at his third national title.

Notre Dame: The Irish resume a series with the Nittany Lions that is currently even at 9-9-1.

Georgia: The 2025 season opener will be at home against Marshall on Aug. 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735877269341.jpeg" alt="Notre Dame players celebrate after quarterfinal game against Georgia in a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)" />
 <figcaption>Notre Dame players celebrate after quarterfinal game against Georgia in a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish found the right balance of family and football to produce a memorable performance under unprecedented, emotionally trying circumstances.Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/espn/status/1874956336884015596">Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards</a>&nbsp;for a score, and Notre Dame's defense made it hold up in a 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday that sent the third-ranked Fighting Irish into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.The triumph came in wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-car-attack-bourbon-street-5bbf5fdc715c4d0d4c8764dd8da22720">a deadly terror attack</a>&nbsp;in the host city early Wednesday —- the day the game was supposed to have been played. The first postponement of a Sugar Bowl in the event's 91-year history followed hours later.“We spent some time together, and I think that’s what you do in tough moments,” Freeman said in recounting how the Irish handled their unexpected down time on Wednesday. “You want to spend time with family, and that’s what we are.”Notre Dame (13-1, CFP No. 5) came through with enough big plays, avoided major mistakes and all but sealed it with a clever move by Freeman.“Our coaches called the game aggressive. Our players executed, put everything on the line,” Freeman said. “I’m really proud of them. Proud of the way they handled the events of the last 24 hours.”Georgia (11-3, CFP No. 2) was in position to close within one score when Notre Dame stopped the Bulldogs on fourth-and-5 from the Irish 9-yard line with 9:29 to go.Minutes later, Notre Dame had a fourth-and-short deep in his own territory when Freeman sent the punt team out before running all 11 players off the field and sending the offense back out. Georgia raced to match up and then jumped offside as the play clock ticked down, giving the Irish a clock-sapping first down with 7:17 to go.“They were going to hard-count us. We prepare for that. We do it every week,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “We jumped offsides.”By the time the Bulldogs got the ball back, just 1:49 remained, and Notre Dame was on its way to a 12th straight victory and a date with No. 5 Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) in a semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami next Thursday.“That’s the aggressiveness in terms of our preparation that I want our program to have,” Freeman said. “That’s got to be one of our edges, that we are going to be an aggressive group and not fear making mistakes.”Georgia played without starting quarterback Carson Beck, who injured his elbow in the Southeastern Conference championship game. He was replaced by Gunner Stockton, who was 20 of 32 for 234 yards and one touchdown.The Bulldogs outgained Notre Dame 296 yards to 244, but Georgia was stopped on all three of its fourth-down attempts and lost two fumbles — one deep in Notre Dame territory and one inside its own 20.“The turnovers are the difference in the game, guys,” Smart said. “I mean, you should know when you turn it over twice and they return a kickoff for a touchdown, you’re not going to have a lot of success.”Leonard finished with 90 yards passing and a team-high 80 yards rushing, including a late first-down run in which he was sent head over heels as he tried to leap over a defender.“We’re in the playoffs,” Leonard said. “Everybody else can put their body on the line, I’m going to do it right there with them.”The game had been set for Wednesday night as part of a New Year's Day playoff tripleheader, but it was postponed after an Army veteran inspired by the Islamic State group drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning, killing 14 revelers.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sugar-bowl-bourbon-attack-security-cfp-d6142ce05560f597c65dd99846e8ac4e">Security was increased at the Superdome</a>&nbsp;— which will also host the Super Bowl next month — and arriving fans said they felt safe.With some fans unable to alter their travel plans, attendance in the 70,000-seat stadium was announced at 68,400. There were patches of empty seats in the upper levels, but passionate supporters made no shortage of noise trying to will their teams into the next round of college football's first 12-team playoff.The game was tied at 3-all before Notre Dame scored 17 points in a span of 54 seconds.The unusual sequence began with Mitch Jeter’s 48-yard field goal with 39 seconds left in first half.Soon after, Georgia paid for a decision to attempt a drop-back pass from its own 25. RJ Oben’s blind-side sack caused Stockton to fumble at the 13, where Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka recovered. Leonard found Beaux Collins over the middle for a touchdown on the next play for a 13-3 lead that stood at halftime.By the time 15 seconds had elapsed in the third quarter, Notre Dame led 20-3.Harrison took Georgia's second-half kickoff all the way to the end zone, slipping a tackle near the middle of the field, cutting toward the right sideline and outrunning everyone.Georgia closed the gap to 20-10 when Stockton hit reserve running back Cash Jones for a 32-yard score before Jeter’s third field goal of the game gave the Irish their winning margin.“Holding a team like that to 10 points, it’s a low amount, it’s pretty good,” safety Xavier Watts said. “Just really proud of the performance we put up.”<h2>Takeaways</h2>Notre Dame: With a dominant defense and the dual-threat nature of Leonard’s playmaking, the Irish look dangerous heading into the semifinals.Georgia: A team trying to win big games without its starting QB can’t afford big mistakes, and missed opportunities doomed the Bulldogs and Smart, who will have to wait a year for another chance at his third national title.<h2>Up next</h2>Notre Dame: The Irish resume a series with the Nittany Lions that is currently even at 9-9-1.Georgia: The 2025 season opener will be at home against Marshall on Aug. 30.

Freeman and Notre Dame handle 'tough moments' and oust Georgia from CFP 

By ROB MAADII Associated Press

Nine Baltimore Ravens, including two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, were selected for the Pro Bowl Games.

The Detroit Lions are next with seven players and the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles each have six players on the NFC roster.

Patrick Mahomes wasn’t selected to the AFC roster for the first time since becoming Kansas City’s starting quarterback in his second season. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowl pick, wasn’t among five Chiefs chosen. Teammate Travis Kelce made it for the 10th time.

Washington’s Jayden Daniels is just the fourth rookie quarterback since 1970 selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse are the other rookies among 24 players chosen for the first time.

Detroit’s Jared Goff is the NFC’s starting quarterback and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold also made the team. The AFC’s starting quarterback is Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow are the backups.

Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, who became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards, is the NFC’s starting running back.

San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk was selected to his ninth Pro Bowl, the most ever by a fullback. Indianapolis’ Quenton Nelson is the third offensive lineman since 1970 to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven career seasons.

Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase is the fourth wide receiver to be selected in each of his first four seasons. Dallas’ Micah Parsons is the first defensive player chosen in each of his first four seasons since Aaron Donald went to 10 straight.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, fullback Patrick Ricard and inside linebacker Roquan Smith are the other Ravens.

Safety Brian Branch, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, center Frank Ragnow, right tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and punter Jack Fox join Goff from the Lions.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Byron Murphy and long snapper Andrew DePaola are the other Vikings.

Right tackle Lane Johnson, center Cam Jurgens and left guard Landon Dickerson, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and inside linebacker Zack Baun are going from Philadelphia.

The Dolphins, Jets, Titans and Saints are the only teams not represented.

This is the third year of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pro-bowl-skills-challenges-24c8a0a6293df87990c14d86f3b896ca">Pro Bowl Games</a>&nbsp;after the NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game and replaced it with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game.

The games will take place at Central Florida and finish with a seven-on-seven flag football game between the AFC and NFC at Camping World Stadium on Feb. 2.

Peyton and Eli Manning again will be head coaches for the two conferences.

By ROB MAADII Associated PressNine Baltimore Ravens, including two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, were selected for the Pro Bowl Games.The Detroit Lions are next with seven players and the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles each have six players on the NFC roster.Patrick Mahomes wasn’t selected to the AFC roster for the first time since becoming Kansas City’s starting quarterback in his second season. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowl pick, wasn’t among five Chiefs chosen. Teammate Travis Kelce made it for the 10th time.Washington’s Jayden Daniels is just the fourth rookie quarterback since 1970 selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse are the other rookies among 24 players chosen for the first time.Detroit’s Jared Goff is the NFC’s starting quarterback and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold also made the team. The AFC’s starting quarterback is Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow are the backups.Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, who became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards, is the NFC’s starting running back.San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk was selected to his ninth Pro Bowl, the most ever by a fullback. Indianapolis’ Quenton Nelson is the third offensive lineman since 1970 to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven career seasons.Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase is the fourth wide receiver to be selected in each of his first four seasons. Dallas’ Micah Parsons is the first defensive player chosen in each of his first four seasons since Aaron Donald went to 10 straight.Wide receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, fullback Patrick Ricard and inside linebacker Roquan Smith are the other Ravens.Safety Brian Branch, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, center Frank Ragnow, right tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and punter Jack Fox join Goff from the Lions.Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Byron Murphy and long snapper Andrew DePaola are the other Vikings.Right tackle Lane Johnson, center Cam Jurgens and left guard Landon Dickerson, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and inside linebacker Zack Baun are going from Philadelphia.The Dolphins, Jets, Titans and Saints are the only teams not represented.This is the third year of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pro-bowl-skills-challenges-24c8a0a6293df87990c14d86f3b896ca">Pro Bowl Games</a>&nbsp;after the NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game and replaced it with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game.The games will take place at Central Florida and finish with a seven-on-seven flag football game between the AFC and NFC at Camping World Stadium on Feb. 2.Peyton and Eli Manning again will be head coaches for the two conferences.

Pro Bowl rosters include 9 Ravens, 7 Lions, and no Patrick Mahomes

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said he was in a “really dark place” and wondered if he’d ever play football again in the days after he was suspended for three games for his hit on Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence that left the quarterback with a concussion.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday for the first time since the suspension, Al-Shaair discussed his state of mind during his absence.

“The things that you can think when somebody says they’re in a dark place, as dark as you can go is where I was truthfully,” he said.

Al-Shaair added that “it was hard for me to see myself playing football again” before he met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league executives Troy Vincent and Jon Runyan.

Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair in what escalated into a brawl.

As Al-Shaair was leaving the field after being ejected, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson in the helmet.

Al-Shaair said that he understood the suspension, but disagreed with how he was characterized by Runyan in the letter informing him of the punishment. It included Runyan telling Al-Shaair: “Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL.”

He said he needed to talk to Runyan and other NFL executives to understand how they viewed him as a player before he could return to the field.

“I really had a moment of, there’s no way I can go out and play football again if this is how people that I work with view me,” Al-Shaair said.

He said Runyan told him that he was watching the play and the ensuing melee when he wrote the letter and that he was only referring to those moments and not his entire career in his comments about his sportsmanship.

“But the way he typed it, he said got obviously taken out of context,” Al-Shaair said. “I clearly made a mistake (and) the reason why he typed something which ended up being taken out of context as a mistake is because I did something that was obviously not right, me taking my helmet off and me starting another brawl ... wasn’t right.

“But everything prior to that I stand on the fact that I never tried to hurt him,” he continued.

Al-Shaair said he sat in a room not doing anything for about five days after his suspension.

“It’s like a blur,” he said. “I didn’t eat nothing. I didn’t go anywhere.”

By Friday of that week, some children at a foster care organization in Tennessee that he had met last year when he played for the Titans sent him messages of encouragement.

“I got so many different messages like that and I remember just sitting in my bed and I was like: ‘Man, like I can just keep sitting here sad and sulking and just feeling like I’m being misjudged or I can just do what I always do, which is just try to be positive and spread positivity, do the best that I can,’” he said.

He booked a plane ticket to Nashville and got there in time to attend the same event at the foster care organization that he’d attended the previous year.

“I had so many people saying so many negative things and to see people that were happy to see me and were happy about my presence I think that’s what kind of like snapped me back,” Al-Shaair said. “Like regardless of what’s being said, you know who you are and just lean into that and ... from there just crawling myself out of this place.”

When the AFC South champion Texans (9-7) face the Titans on Sunday, he’ll return for the first time since the hit on Lawrence, and coach DeMeco Ryans is thrilled to have him back. The Texans have been hit hard by injuries and are limping into the playoffs after two straight losses.

“We’ve missed him over these past three weeks, just missed his presence, his leadership, missed his playmaking ability on the field,” Ryans said. “So, we’re excited to get him back out there and let him knock some of the rust off.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733242780661.png" alt="Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. (AP Photo/John Raoux)" />
 <figcaption>Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. (AP Photo/John Raoux)</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said he was in a “really dark place” and wondered if he’d ever play football again in the days after he was suspended for three games for his hit on Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence that left the quarterback with a concussion.Speaking to reporters Wednesday for the first time since the suspension, Al-Shaair discussed his state of mind during his absence.“The things that you can think when somebody says they’re in a dark place, as dark as you can go is where I was truthfully,” he said.Al-Shaair added that “it was hard for me to see myself playing football again” before he met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league executives Troy Vincent and Jon Runyan.Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair in what escalated into a brawl.As Al-Shaair was leaving the field after being ejected, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson in the helmet.Al-Shaair said that he understood the suspension, but disagreed with how he was characterized by Runyan in the letter informing him of the punishment. It included Runyan telling Al-Shaair: “Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL.”He said he needed to talk to Runyan and other NFL executives to understand how they viewed him as a player before he could return to the field.“I really had a moment of, there’s no way I can go out and play football again if this is how people that I work with view me,” Al-Shaair said.He said Runyan told him that he was watching the play and the ensuing melee when he wrote the letter and that he was only referring to those moments and not his entire career in his comments about his sportsmanship.“But the way he typed it, he said got obviously taken out of context,” Al-Shaair said. “I clearly made a mistake (and) the reason why he typed something which ended up being taken out of context as a mistake is because I did something that was obviously not right, me taking my helmet off and me starting another brawl ... wasn’t right.“But everything prior to that I stand on the fact that I never tried to hurt him,” he continued.Al-Shaair said he sat in a room not doing anything for about five days after his suspension.“It’s like a blur,” he said. “I didn’t eat nothing. I didn’t go anywhere.”By Friday of that week, some children at a foster care organization in Tennessee that he had met last year when he played for the Titans sent him messages of encouragement.“I got so many different messages like that and I remember just sitting in my bed and I was like: ‘Man, like I can just keep sitting here sad and sulking and just feeling like I’m being misjudged or I can just do what I always do, which is just try to be positive and spread positivity, do the best that I can,’” he said.He booked a plane ticket to Nashville and got there in time to attend the same event at the foster care organization that he’d attended the previous year.“I had so many people saying so many negative things and to see people that were happy to see me and were happy about my presence I think that’s what kind of like snapped me back,” Al-Shaair said. “Like regardless of what’s being said, you know who you are and just lean into that and ... from there just crawling myself out of this place.”When the AFC South champion Texans (9-7) face the Titans on Sunday, he’ll return for the first time since the hit on Lawrence, and coach DeMeco Ryans is thrilled to have him back. The Texans have been hit hard by injuries and are limping into the playoffs after two straight losses.“We’ve missed him over these past three weeks, just missed his presence, his leadership, missed his playmaking ability on the field,” Ryans said. “So, we’re excited to get him back out there and let him knock some of the rust off.”

Al-Shaair says he was in a ‘really dark place’ after suspension for hit on Lawrence

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Great Bend will be represented in the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl presented by Mammoth on Saturday, June 21 in Dodge City. Senior lineman Owen Kaiser was named to the West roster.

Kaiser (6-3, 275 pounds) helped the Panthers to a 9-1 record in 2024, earning a KSHSAA Covered All-State honorable mention. Kaiser was also a First-Team All-Western Athletic Conference selection on the offensive line.

Kaiser will be protecting the likes of Manhattan quarterback Carter Aslin, who nearly led the Indians to a state championship in Class 6A, and Cheney quarterback Josh Burdick, who led the Cardinals to the Class 3A state title in 2023. Goodland tight end Linkon Cure, a Kansas State-commit, will join Kaiser on the offensive line.

The West squad will be coached by Wichita Heights coach Dominick Dingle. Hutchinson's Mike Vernon will be the 5A representative. The 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735826545723.jpeg" alt="Great Bend senior Owen Kaiser (50) was selected for the 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl to be played in Dodge City in June." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend senior Owen Kaiser (50) was selected for the 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl to be played in Dodge City in June.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGreat Bend will be represented in the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl presented by Mammoth on Saturday, June 21 in Dodge City. Senior lineman Owen Kaiser was named to the West roster.Kaiser (6-3, 275 pounds) helped the Panthers to a 9-1 record in 2024, earning a KSHSAA Covered All-State honorable mention. Kaiser was also a First-Team All-Western Athletic Conference selection on the offensive line.Kaiser will be protecting the likes of Manhattan quarterback Carter Aslin, who nearly led the Indians to a state championship in Class 6A, and Cheney quarterback Josh Burdick, who led the Cardinals to the Class 3A state title in 2023. Goodland tight end Linkon Cure, a Kansas State-commit, will join Kaiser on the offensive line.The West squad will be coached by Wichita Heights coach Dominick Dingle. Hutchinson's Mike Vernon will be the 5A representative. The 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735826632148.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

Great Bend's Kaiser selected for 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl

ATLANTA (AP) — Cam Skattebo’s do-it-all offensive show wasn’t enough to save Arizona State from a stretch of fourth-down failures against Texas. Led by Skattebo, the senior running back, Arizona State compiled big advantages in rushing yards, total yards and time of possession. The three fourth-down stops kept the Sun Devils from taking full advantage of their statistical edges in their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arizona-state-ap-top-25-cfp-8064c9423b5f5cfe94a4f6d5289d924a">39-31 College Football Playoff quarterfinal double-overtime loss</a>&nbsp;to Texas in the Peach Bowl on Wednesday.&nbsp;“We moved the ball pretty good, actually,” Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt said. “We just need to have success in the red zone.”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1874567382922105229" target="_blank">Skattebo</a>&nbsp;was named the game’s offensive MVP after finishing with 30 carries for 143 yards with two touchdowns, eight catches for 99 yards and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1874564132596482223" target="_blank">one pass for a 42-yard TD</a>. “Skattebo was as advertised,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He got stronger, it felt like. You could see he was fatigued, too. It was like a heavyweight fight. He made some really critical plays.”

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Second chances don’t come around often in life, Ohio State coach Ryan Day told his players in a team meeting before the Rose Bowl. After a season in which they fell short at too many key moments, the Buckeyes all knew they had one of those second chances when they stepped onto this famous turf for another shot at the top-ranked, unbeaten Oregon Ducks. Ohio State seized it with a vengeance. Jeremiah Smith caught two of Will Howard’s three long touchdown passes during a sensational 34-point first half, and the No. 6 Buckeyes roared into the College Football Playoff semifinals with a 41-21 victory in the 111th Rose Bowl on Wednesday night. “You can see the potential of where we’re at, when we play in all three phases the way we did,” Day said. Howard passed for 319 yards, Emeka Egbuka also caught a long TD pass and TreVeyon Henderson made a 66-yard touchdown run in a redemptive Rose Bowl for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ohio-state-buckeyes-football">the Buckeyes</a>&nbsp;(12-2, CFP No. 8 seed), who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-oregon-score-68fb7b786ae40ca2630bb3bafd68830d">lost a 32-31 heartbreaker to the Ducks</a>&nbsp;in Eugene in October. Ohio State then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-ohio-state-score-top-25-5ea06c30f642e2f94bdac6fbf9a72848">lost to archrival Michigan</a>&nbsp;in humiliating fashion to conclude a regular season in which its performances didn’t always measure up to its formidable talent.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley had a heart-to-heart talk with his dad that was more coated in heartbreak than hope over the Philadelphia Eagles running back’s pursuit of the NFL single-season rushing record. Barkley’s stirring chase of Eric Dickerson was over — he will sit out the Eagles final regular-season game Sunday, denying the running back his chance at breaking the mark. The news came with a tough call with his dad, Alibay. “He definitely wanted me to play,” Barkley said Wednesday at his locker. “Selfishly for him, you’ve got to think about it ... our last name would have been attached to that. I see it from that side, too. At the end of the day, the most important thing is winning football games. He’s the one that raised me to kind of be all about the team, too. He can have his little selfish moment, but he’ll get over it.” Barkley insisted he recovered from the sting, too. So will an offensive line that pushed for the star back to set the record, and even fans who wanted to say they were there Sunday at the Linc against the New York Giants and witness a little slice of NFL history.

CHICAGO (AP) — UConn freshman Liam McNeeley will have an MRI on Thursday on his injured right ankle. McNeeley got hurt in the second half of the Huskies’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uconn-depaul-score-6bcaced11928a3c5ab6dad5a256017a5">81-68 victory</a>&nbsp;at DePaul on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 forward went down after he collided with DePaul guard Layden Blocker while going for the ball on a deflected pass. “Hopefully it’s just a sprain,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “We don’t know much.” McNeeley had to be helped off the floor. He finished with nine points and six rebounds in almost 25 1/2 minutes of playing time. UConn hosts Providence on Sunday and then has road games against Villanova and Georgetown. The Blue Demons rallied after McNeeley’s injury, but the Huskies got big 3-pointers from Alex Karaban and Solo Ball to help close it out.

AllState Sugar Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 3 p.m. (rescheduled from Jan 1.) No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Capital One Orange Bowl Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. No. 6 Penn State vs . No. 2 Georgia or No. 7 Notre Dame Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Friday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.&nbsp; No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723542041782.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Cam Skattebo’s do-it-all offensive show wasn’t enough to save Arizona State from a stretch of fourth-down failures against Texas. Led by Skattebo, the senior running back, Arizona State compiled big advantages in rushing yards, total yards and time of possession. The three fourth-down stops kept the Sun Devils from taking full advantage of their statistical edges in their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arizona-state-ap-top-25-cfp-8064c9423b5f5cfe94a4f6d5289d924a">39-31 College Football Playoff quarterfinal double-overtime loss</a>&nbsp;to Texas in the Peach Bowl on Wednesday.&nbsp;“We moved the ball pretty good, actually,” Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt said. “We just need to have success in the red zone.”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1874567382922105229" target="_blank">Skattebo</a>&nbsp;was named the game’s offensive MVP after finishing with 30 carries for 143 yards with two touchdowns, eight catches for 99 yards and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/i/status/1874564132596482223" target="_blank">one pass for a 42-yard TD</a>. “Skattebo was as advertised,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He got stronger, it felt like. You could see he was fatigued, too. It was like a heavyweight fight. He made some really critical plays.”PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Second chances don’t come around often in life, Ohio State coach Ryan Day told his players in a team meeting before the Rose Bowl. After a season in which they fell short at too many key moments, the Buckeyes all knew they had one of those second chances when they stepped onto this famous turf for another shot at the top-ranked, unbeaten Oregon Ducks. Ohio State seized it with a vengeance. Jeremiah Smith caught two of Will Howard’s three long touchdown passes during a sensational 34-point first half, and the No. 6 Buckeyes roared into the College Football Playoff semifinals with a 41-21 victory in the 111th Rose Bowl on Wednesday night. “You can see the potential of where we’re at, when we play in all three phases the way we did,” Day said. Howard passed for 319 yards, Emeka Egbuka also caught a long TD pass and TreVeyon Henderson made a 66-yard touchdown run in a redemptive Rose Bowl for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ohio-state-buckeyes-football">the Buckeyes</a>&nbsp;(12-2, CFP No. 8 seed), who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-oregon-score-68fb7b786ae40ca2630bb3bafd68830d">lost a 32-31 heartbreaker to the Ducks</a>&nbsp;in Eugene in October. Ohio State then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-ohio-state-score-top-25-5ea06c30f642e2f94bdac6fbf9a72848">lost to archrival Michigan</a>&nbsp;in humiliating fashion to conclude a regular season in which its performances didn’t always measure up to its formidable talent.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley had a heart-to-heart talk with his dad that was more coated in heartbreak than hope over the Philadelphia Eagles running back’s pursuit of the NFL single-season rushing record. Barkley’s stirring chase of Eric Dickerson was over — he will sit out the Eagles final regular-season game Sunday, denying the running back his chance at breaking the mark. The news came with a tough call with his dad, Alibay. “He definitely wanted me to play,” Barkley said Wednesday at his locker. “Selfishly for him, you’ve got to think about it ... our last name would have been attached to that. I see it from that side, too. At the end of the day, the most important thing is winning football games. He’s the one that raised me to kind of be all about the team, too. He can have his little selfish moment, but he’ll get over it.” Barkley insisted he recovered from the sting, too. So will an offensive line that pushed for the star back to set the record, and even fans who wanted to say they were there Sunday at the Linc against the New York Giants and witness a little slice of NFL history.CHICAGO (AP) — UConn freshman Liam McNeeley will have an MRI on Thursday on his injured right ankle. McNeeley got hurt in the second half of the Huskies’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uconn-depaul-score-6bcaced11928a3c5ab6dad5a256017a5">81-68 victory</a>&nbsp;at DePaul on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 forward went down after he collided with DePaul guard Layden Blocker while going for the ball on a deflected pass. “Hopefully it’s just a sprain,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “We don’t know much.” McNeeley had to be helped off the floor. He finished with nine points and six rebounds in almost 25 1/2 minutes of playing time. UConn hosts Providence on Sunday and then has road games against Villanova and Georgetown. The Blue Demons rallied after McNeeley’s injury, but the Huskies got big 3-pointers from Alex Karaban and Solo Ball to help close it out.COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS Friday, Dec. 20 No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17Saturday, Dec. 21 No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10 No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24 No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17VRBO Fiesta Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 31 No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31&nbsp; 2 OTRose Bowl Presented by Prudential Wednesday, Jan. 1 No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21AllState Sugar Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 3 p.m. (rescheduled from Jan 1.) No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre DameCapital One Orange Bowl Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. No. 6 Penn State vs . No. 2 Georgia or No. 7 Notre Dame Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Friday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.&nbsp; No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State

Thursday's Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Western Athletic Conference Great Bend @ Liberal Dodge City @ Woodward, OK Central Kansas League Haven @ Norton Cheney @ Nickerson Hesston @ Wamego (Sat) Central Prairie League Macksville @ Hodgeman County Central Christian @ St. John Chase @ Tescott Other Area Friday Games Lyons @ Beloit Little River @ Norwich South Central @ Pawnee Heights

Western Athletic Conference Great Bend @ Liberal Dodge City @ Woodward, OK Central Kansas League Haven @ Norton Cheney @ Nickerson Hesston @ Wamego (Sat) Central Prairie League Macksville @ Hodgeman County Central Christian @ St. John Chase @ Tescott Other Area Friday Games Lyons @ Beloit Little River @ Norwich South Central @ Pawnee Heights

Friday High School Basketball Schedule

No fouls are necessary for a pair of upcoming free-throw shooting contests.

The 52nd Annual Elks Hoop Shoot is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 in the Russell Junior-Senior High School gymnasium. Pratt-Skyline High School will also host an event that Saturday at 10 a.m. The national contest is for kids age 8-13. More than three million participants across the nation entered last year's contest, which is broken down into age categories of 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13.

Each contestant will shoot 25 free throws. The boys and girl in each age group will advance to the district competition held in Pratt on Jan. 25. Winners of a later national competition will have their names inscribed on the Elks National Hoop Shoot plaque a the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The Knights of Columbus will host its Annual Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9 through 14, at noon on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Hoisington Activity Center. The event is free and open to all area youth, but a birth certificate is required for age verification, The contest provides an athletic outlet and encourages the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. To find out more, call (620) 793-9686.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735569799771.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend PostNo fouls are necessary for a pair of upcoming free-throw shooting contests.The 52nd Annual Elks Hoop Shoot is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 in the Russell Junior-Senior High School gymnasium. Pratt-Skyline High School will also host an event that Saturday at 10 a.m. The national contest is for kids age 8-13. More than three million participants across the nation entered last year's contest, which is broken down into age categories of 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13.Each contestant will shoot 25 free throws. The boys and girl in each age group will advance to the district competition held in Pratt on Jan. 25. Winners of a later national competition will have their names inscribed on the Elks National Hoop Shoot plaque a the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.The Knights of Columbus will host its Annual Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9 through 14, at noon on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Hoisington Activity Center. The event is free and open to all area youth, but a birth certificate is required for age verification, The contest provides an athletic outlet and encourages the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. To find out more, call (620) 793-9686.

Free throw contests scheduled for Russell, Hoisington in January

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“I think he’s the obvious choice, right?” Franklin said.

Franklin — who joked that Saban wouldn’t be thrilled with his comment — made the suggestion on Sunday at Penn State’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-e96efadb5a32462d1eb939b86bc32a6b">College Football Playoff quarterfinals</a>&nbsp;media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday.

The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-nittany-lions-beau-pribula-ncaa-transfer-portal-d7100a82e49917991e9dde32710d7a0f">after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri</a>&nbsp;just weeks before the CFP began, leaving the Nittany Lions scrambling for options. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times.

Franklin said that because there isn’t a leader dedicated solely to college football, conference commissioners are left to handle the task themselves. That’s led to bickering between the leagues because different conferences have different interests.

“I think one of the most important things that we can do is let’s get a commissioner of college football that is waking up every single morning and going to bed every single night, making decisions that’s in the best interest of college football,” Franklin said.

The 73-year-old Saban retired after last season as arguably the most successful college football coach of all time. He won seven national titles, including six at Alabama and one at LSU. He is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saban-college-gameday-cbbc9d91257d8368c14953d1083f5155">an analyst</a>&nbsp;for ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735575924117.jpeg" alt="FILE - Former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban thanks the crowd during a stadium renaming ceremony at halftime of an NCAA college football game between South Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban thanks the crowd during a stadium renaming ceremony at halftime of an NCAA college football game between South Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban.“I think he’s the obvious choice, right?” Franklin said.Franklin — who joked that Saban wouldn’t be thrilled with his comment — made the suggestion on Sunday at Penn State’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-e96efadb5a32462d1eb939b86bc32a6b">College Football Playoff quarterfinals</a>&nbsp;media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday.The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-state-nittany-lions-beau-pribula-ncaa-transfer-portal-d7100a82e49917991e9dde32710d7a0f">after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri</a>&nbsp;just weeks before the CFP began, leaving the Nittany Lions scrambling for options. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times.Franklin said that because there isn’t a leader dedicated solely to college football, conference commissioners are left to handle the task themselves. That’s led to bickering between the leagues because different conferences have different interests.“I think one of the most important things that we can do is let’s get a commissioner of college football that is waking up every single morning and going to bed every single night, making decisions that’s in the best interest of college football,” Franklin said.The 73-year-old Saban retired after last season as arguably the most successful college football coach of all time. He won seven national titles, including six at Alabama and one at LSU. He is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saban-college-gameday-cbbc9d91257d8368c14953d1083f5155">an analyst</a>&nbsp;for ESPN’s “College GameDay.”<h2></h2>

Penn State coach says Saban should be college football’s commissioner

By JOSH DUBOW Associated Press

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The group includes five players in their first year of eligibility, nine who were finalists last year and receiver Steve Smith Sr., who made it this far for the first time in his fourth year of eligibility.

The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl.

Five others also are under consideration for enshrinement, with Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer finalists in the seniors category, Mike Holmgren in the coaches category and Ralph Hay as a contributor. Between one and three of those nominees will also get inducted into the Hall.

Manning, Kuechly and Suggs are finalists in their first year of eligibility, along with postseason kicking star Adam Vinatieri and former Baltimore guard Marshal Yanda.

Gates was a first-time finalist for the 2024 class and is back at this stage along with defensive end Jared Allen; receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne; offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans; defensive backs Darren Woodson, Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison; and running back Fred Taylor also advancing.

Manning will look to follow his brother Peyton into the Hall following a standout career with the New York Giants. Manning was picked first overall in the 2004 draft and spent his entire career in New York. He led the Giants to an upset win over the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl following the 2007 season, throwing a game-winning TD pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute.

He led another late TD drive to upset Tom Brady and the Patriots four years later. Manning is one of 13 QBs to win multiple Super Bowls, with eight of the nine who are eligible for the Hall getting inducted.

Only Jim Plunkett has not been inducted, along with more recent players such as Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Patrick Mahomes, who aren’t yet eligible.

Manning was a four-time Pro Bowler but never made All-Pro or led the league in a major statistical category in a season. He finished his career with 57,023 yards passing and 366 TDs.

His best moments came during those two postseason runs. Manning joined Brady (five), Mahomes (three), Joe Montana (three), Bart Starr (two) and Terry Bradshaw (two) as the only multiple winners of Super Bowl MVP awards.

Kuechly and Suggs were among the top defensive players of their era, with Kuechly selected as the top defensive player in 2013 and Suggs in 2011.

Kuechly’s career was brief but impactful. The first-round pick by Carolina in 2012 was an All-Pro five times, with seven Pro Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Over his eight-year career, Kuechly led all linebackers in the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).

Suggs was one of the top pass rushers in the league over his 17-year career, with his 139 sacks ranking eighth best since they became an official stat in 1982.

Suggs had seven double-digit sack seasons in his 16 seasons with Baltimore, including 14 in 2011 when he was selected as the top defensive player in the league and led the NFL with seven forced fumbles.

Gates played only basketball in college before turning into one of the NFL’s top tight ends after being drafted by the Chargers. He became an All-Pro in just his second season in 2004. He was an All-Pro again the next two seasons and went on to have a 16-year career with the team.

Gates finished with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and an NFL record for tight ends with 116 touchdown receptions.

Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, making the game-winning field goals in the first two Super Bowl titles during New England’s dynasty.

He helped launch the run with one of the game’s greatest kicks — a 45-yarder in the snow to force overtime in the “Tuck Rule” game against the Raiders in the 2001 divisional round. He made the game-winning kick in OT to win that game and then hit a 48-yarder on the final play of a 20-17 win in the Super Bowl against the Rams.

Vinatieri is the NFL’s career leader in points (2,673) and made field goals (599) over a 24-year career with New England and Indianapolis. He also leads all players with 56 field goals and 238 points in the postseason.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735567361501.jpeg" alt="FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating his team's 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating his team's 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOSH DUBOW Associated PressTwo-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The group includes five players in their first year of eligibility, nine who were finalists last year and receiver Steve Smith Sr., who made it this far for the first time in his fourth year of eligibility.The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl.Five others also are under consideration for enshrinement, with Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer finalists in the seniors category, Mike Holmgren in the coaches category and Ralph Hay as a contributor. Between one and three of those nominees will also get inducted into the Hall.Manning, Kuechly and Suggs are finalists in their first year of eligibility, along with postseason kicking star Adam Vinatieri and former Baltimore guard Marshal Yanda.Gates was a first-time finalist for the 2024 class and is back at this stage along with defensive end Jared Allen; receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne; offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans; defensive backs Darren Woodson, Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison; and running back Fred Taylor also advancing.Manning will look to follow his brother Peyton into the Hall following a standout career with the New York Giants. Manning was picked first overall in the 2004 draft and spent his entire career in New York. He led the Giants to an upset win over the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl following the 2007 season, throwing a game-winning TD pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute.He led another late TD drive to upset Tom Brady and the Patriots four years later. Manning is one of 13 QBs to win multiple Super Bowls, with eight of the nine who are eligible for the Hall getting inducted.Only Jim Plunkett has not been inducted, along with more recent players such as Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Patrick Mahomes, who aren’t yet eligible.Manning was a four-time Pro Bowler but never made All-Pro or led the league in a major statistical category in a season. He finished his career with 57,023 yards passing and 366 TDs.His best moments came during those two postseason runs. Manning joined Brady (five), Mahomes (three), Joe Montana (three), Bart Starr (two) and Terry Bradshaw (two) as the only multiple winners of Super Bowl MVP awards.Kuechly and Suggs were among the top defensive players of their era, with Kuechly selected as the top defensive player in 2013 and Suggs in 2011.Kuechly’s career was brief but impactful. The first-round pick by Carolina in 2012 was an All-Pro five times, with seven Pro Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.Over his eight-year career, Kuechly led all linebackers in the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).Suggs was one of the top pass rushers in the league over his 17-year career, with his 139 sacks ranking eighth best since they became an official stat in 1982.Suggs had seven double-digit sack seasons in his 16 seasons with Baltimore, including 14 in 2011 when he was selected as the top defensive player in the league and led the NFL with seven forced fumbles.Gates played only basketball in college before turning into one of the NFL’s top tight ends after being drafted by the Chargers. He became an All-Pro in just his second season in 2004. He was an All-Pro again the next two seasons and went on to have a 16-year career with the team.Gates finished with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and an NFL record for tight ends with 116 touchdown receptions.Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, making the game-winning field goals in the first two Super Bowl titles during New England’s dynasty.He helped launch the run with one of the game’s greatest kicks — a 45-yarder in the snow to force overtime in the “Tuck Rule” game against the Raiders in the 2001 divisional round. He made the game-winning kick in OT to win that game and then hit a 48-yarder on the final play of a 20-17 win in the Super Bowl against the Rams.Vinatieri is the NFL’s career leader in points (2,673) and made field goals (599) over a 24-year career with New England and Indianapolis. He also leads all players with 56 field goals and 238 points in the postseason.

Eli Manning and Antonio Gates among the finalists for Pro Football HOF

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/minnesota-vikings">Minnesota Vikings</a>&nbsp;were ready to start their postgame ritual in honor of a ninth consecutive victory before realizing Sam Darnold was still missing from the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Vikings/status/1873532425785192727" target="_blank">raucous locker room</a>&nbsp;because he was finishing his interview with the TV broadcasting crew. He was well worth the wait, on so many levels. Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Vikings hung on to beat the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/green-bay-packers">Green Bay Packers</a>&nbsp;27-25 on Sunday and moved tantalizingly close to the NFC’s top seed for the playoffs. “Just to see how he’s ultimately been able to maximize everything about his opportunity, our football team loves him for it,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I’ve had an absolute blast coaching him.” The Vikings (14-2) set up a final-week showdown in Detroit next Sunday night for both the NFC North title and the first-round-bye-plus-home-field-advantage package that comes with the best record in the conference, finishing 7-1 at U.S. Bank Stadium where their blitz-fueled defense has fed well off the deafening crowd.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen reflected on Buffalo’s many offseason critics and doubters when asked about the Bills achieving their latest milestones while sewing up the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the unraveling and undisciplined New York Jets on Sunday. It was a the Bills quarterback’s “I told you so moment,” even though Allen elected not to use those exact words. “It speaks to the staff that we’ve got here, the guys that we’ve got in this locker room, how this team is put together and the culture that we have,” Allen said. “We didn’t really pay attention to the preseason notions, but we heard them and we saw them and we knew what people were saying. “But it had no effect on us.” Well, that might be a stretch when it comes to motivation. What’s unquestioned is how Allen and the Bills (13-3) overcame a young, patchwork roster following the offseason departure of six of eight team captains — including Stefon Diggs being traded to Houston — to run away with their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-bills-analysis-week-13-7a511eef0289f7a7bcb3b090b6b48930">fifth consecutive AFC East title</a>&nbsp;and win a franchise-best 13 games for the fifth time in team history, and third since 2020.

HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/FanDuelSN_Heat/status/1873556587761312077" target="_blank">Amen Thompson threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor</a>&nbsp;to trigger an altercation that resulted in six ejections in the closing minute of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-rockets-score-ejections-b2113c125b10a2cd491f6d1a8c2d90c3">Miami’s 104-100 victory</a>&nbsp;over Houston on Sunday. Thompson and Herro became entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball leading 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson&nbsp;<a href="https://official.nba.com/pool-report-on-ejections-in-fourth-quarter-of-tonights-miami-at-houston-game/" target="_blank">“body slams Herro</a>.” “I didn’t see it live, but I re-watched it,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “They were in each other’s face, bumping chests a little bit, and one guy’s stronger than the other.” Herro, Thompson, and Udoka were ejected, as were Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored 31 points, making 13 of 14 free throws, and No. 4 Southern California beat No. 23 Michigan 78-58 on Sunday night in the Trojans’ Big Ten home opener. Watkins had five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks. Kiki Iriafen added 18 points for the Trojans (12-1, 2-0). The duo combined to score USC’s first 16 points in the fourth when the Trojans outscored Michigan 21-9. Jordan Hobbs scored 19 points for Michigan (10-3, 1-1). Greta Kampschroeder added 14 and Olivia Olson had 11.

SUNDAY SCORES National Football League Philadelphia 41, Dallas 7

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707734642080.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/minnesota-vikings">Minnesota Vikings</a>&nbsp;were ready to start their postgame ritual in honor of a ninth consecutive victory before realizing Sam Darnold was still missing from the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Vikings/status/1873532425785192727" target="_blank">raucous locker room</a>&nbsp;because he was finishing his interview with the TV broadcasting crew. He was well worth the wait, on so many levels. Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Vikings hung on to beat the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/green-bay-packers">Green Bay Packers</a>&nbsp;27-25 on Sunday and moved tantalizingly close to the NFC’s top seed for the playoffs. “Just to see how he’s ultimately been able to maximize everything about his opportunity, our football team loves him for it,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I’ve had an absolute blast coaching him.” The Vikings (14-2) set up a final-week showdown in Detroit next Sunday night for both the NFC North title and the first-round-bye-plus-home-field-advantage package that comes with the best record in the conference, finishing 7-1 at U.S. Bank Stadium where their blitz-fueled defense has fed well off the deafening crowd.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen reflected on Buffalo’s many offseason critics and doubters when asked about the Bills achieving their latest milestones while sewing up the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the unraveling and undisciplined New York Jets on Sunday. It was a the Bills quarterback’s “I told you so moment,” even though Allen elected not to use those exact words. “It speaks to the staff that we’ve got here, the guys that we’ve got in this locker room, how this team is put together and the culture that we have,” Allen said. “We didn’t really pay attention to the preseason notions, but we heard them and we saw them and we knew what people were saying. “But it had no effect on us.” Well, that might be a stretch when it comes to motivation. What’s unquestioned is how Allen and the Bills (13-3) overcame a young, patchwork roster following the offseason departure of six of eight team captains — including Stefon Diggs being traded to Houston — to run away with their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-bills-analysis-week-13-7a511eef0289f7a7bcb3b090b6b48930">fifth consecutive AFC East title</a>&nbsp;and win a franchise-best 13 games for the fifth time in team history, and third since 2020.HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/FanDuelSN_Heat/status/1873556587761312077" target="_blank">Amen Thompson threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor</a>&nbsp;to trigger an altercation that resulted in six ejections in the closing minute of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-rockets-score-ejections-b2113c125b10a2cd491f6d1a8c2d90c3">Miami’s 104-100 victory</a>&nbsp;over Houston on Sunday. Thompson and Herro became entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball leading 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson&nbsp;<a href="https://official.nba.com/pool-report-on-ejections-in-fourth-quarter-of-tonights-miami-at-houston-game/" target="_blank">“body slams Herro</a>.” “I didn’t see it live, but I re-watched it,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “They were in each other’s face, bumping chests a little bit, and one guy’s stronger than the other.” Herro, Thompson, and Udoka were ejected, as were Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan.LOS ANGELES (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored 31 points, making 13 of 14 free throws, and No. 4 Southern California beat No. 23 Michigan 78-58 on Sunday night in the Trojans’ Big Ten home opener. Watkins had five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks. Kiki Iriafen added 18 points for the Trojans (12-1, 2-0). The duo combined to score USC’s first 16 points in the fourth when the Trojans outscored Michigan 21-9. Jordan Hobbs scored 19 points for Michigan (10-3, 1-1). Greta Kampschroeder added 14 and Olivia Olson had 11.SUNDAY SCORES National Football League Philadelphia 41, Dallas 7Tampa Bay 48, Carolina 14NY Giants 45, Indianapolis 33Buffalo 40, NY Jets 14Las Vegas 25, New Orleans 10Jacksonville 20, Tennessee 13Miami 20, Cleveland 3Minnesota 27, Green Bay 25Washington 30, Atlanta 24