TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have rallied for a 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr., and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired. Facing a third-and-28 on the Falcons’ final drive, Cousins completed passes of 14 yards to Pitts and 20 yards on fourth-and-14 to David Sills V to set up Gonzalez. The Falcons overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit. Caker Mayfield threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers lost for the fifth time in six games to fall a half-game behind Carolina in the NFC South.
Fernando Mendoza was named Associated Press player of the year after leading unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana to its first Big Ten championship since 1967 and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The redshirt junior quarterback was the overwhelming choice over fellow Heisman Trophy finalists Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt, Jeremiah Love of Notre Dame and Julian Sayin of Ohio State. Mendoza received 32 of 51 first-place votes from a nationwide panel of media members who cover college football. The Hoosiers’ first-year starter transferred from California after last season and is the triggerman for Indiana's record-setting offense.
The queen of downhill skiing is well and truly back. Lindsey Vonn has raced to a stunningly fast win in a World Cup downhill at St. Moritz in Switzerland. The 41-year-old United States ski great had taken the lead by an astonishing 1.16 seconds from Mirjam Puchner of Austria. Even wilder was that Vonn trailed by 0.61 after the first two time checks. Vonn’s lead was later cut to 0.98 when unheralded Magdalena Egger took second place from Puchner. Vonn's 44th career win in World Cup downhills was her first since March 2018.
Soccer fans have accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” after latest prices for World Cup tickets began to circulate. The governing body allocates 8% of tickets to national associations for games involving their team to sell to the most loyal fans. And a list published by the German soccer federation revealed prices ranged from $180-$700 for varying group stage games. The lowest price for the final was $4,185 and the highest was $8,680. Also Thursday, FIFA launched its third phase of widespread ticket sales with fans now able to apply for specific matches for the first time through its “Random Selection Draw.”
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Sherrone Moore was once a promising young leader. He was a rare Black head coach at the top of the sport — a rugged lineman at Oklahoma who climbed the ranks to Michigan, the winningest program in college football. His downfall has been even more stunning. The 39-year-old Moore was fired and arrested hours apart on Wednesday, and remained jailed with an arraignment expected Friday as police investigate an alleged assault. His firing was related to what the school called an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore has been through a lot in his career, but scandal abounds.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Brent Venables has transformed the Oklahoma Sooners into a defensive powerhouse. The eighth-ranked Sooners lead the nation in tackles for loss and are tied for the lead in sacks. Venables took over defensive play calling this season, turning the team around after a 6-7 record last year. Oklahoma ranks high in rushing, scoring, and total defense. Defensive stars like R Mason Thomas and Taylor Wein have been key contributors. Venables credits the players' determination and the cohesive coaching staff for the success. The Sooners face No. 11 Alabama in the playoffs next Friday.
NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — After a slow start to the season, veteran Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos rediscovered his scoring touch with a four-goal outing in a 7-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. The 35-year-old scored twice in the first period and then added two more in the second. The four-goal outing is the second of Stamkos’ 18-year career. He previously scored four times in 7-4 win at Edmonton on Dec. 14, 2023, while with the Tampa Bay Bay Lightning. After scoring just four times in his first 22 games of the season, he now has eight in his past eight outings. He also increased his career total to 594, which ranks 22nd on the NHL list.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR has settled an antitrust lawsuit with two race teams, including one co-owned by Michael Jordan. The settlement was announced Thursday after a delay on the ninth day of the trial. The lawsuit was filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports last year after they refused to sign new charter agreements presented by NASCAR. As part of the settlement, all NASCAR race teams will receive the permanent charters they had been asking for. NASCAR chairman Jim France had testified that he never considered making charters permanent. A charter is the equivalent of the franchise model in other sports.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is in the hospital after experiencing lung discomfort. Coach Mike Tomlin said Watt went for evaluation on Wednesday while receiving treatment. Watt is set for further testing on Thursday. Tomlin mentioned that Watt seemed comfortable during their communication. The Steelers had a day off on Wednesday, but players often receive medical treatment during such breaks. Watt had been on the injury report last week with a toe issue but that didn't stop him from playing in his 56th straight regular-season game.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Catch by catch, Kyle Pitts Sr. put the mistake-prone Atlanta Falcons on his back and carried them to a thrilling comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thursday night got even better for the fifth-year pro when the former University of Florida star learned the 11-reception, 166-yard, three-touchdown performance that keyed the 29-28 win was the most productive game by an NFL tight end in nearly three decades. The previous tight end to finish with at least 10 catches, 150 yards receiving and three touchdowns in a game was Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996. The 25-year-old Pitts noted he wasn't even born yet back then.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final OT Vegas 3 Philadelphia 2
Final Tampa Bay 8 New Jersey 4
Final Ottawa 6 Columbus 3
Final SO Carolina 3 Washington 2
Final OT San Jose 3 Toronto 2
Final N-Y Islanders 5 Anaheim 2
Final Montreal 4 Pittsburgh 2
Final Boston 6 Winnipeg 3
Final Nashville 7 St. Louis 2
Final Minnesota 5 Dallas 2
Final Edmonton 4 Detroit 1
Final Colorado 6 Florida 2
Final Buffalo 3 Vancouver 2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Atlanta 29 Tampa Bay 28
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (4)Iowa State 66 Iowa 62