NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Ty Simpson passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns as No. 9 seed Alabama rallied to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the College Football Playoff first round. Alabama overcame a 17-point deficit. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks scored twice, marking his first touchdowns of the season. This is Alabama's first playoff appearance under coach Kalen DeBoer. Oklahoma's John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns but had a costly interception. Alabama advanced to face No. 1 seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer addressed doubts about his team after their College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma. Critics questioned Alabama's inclusion after a tough loss to Georgia, while Notre Dame was left out. Rumors about DeBoer leaving for Michigan prompted him to affirm his commitment to Alabama. On Friday, Alabama overcame a 17-0 deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24, securing a spot in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal against Indiana. DeBoer expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing their resilience. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and linebacker Deontae Lawson acknowledged the media's role in motivating them.
MIAMI (AP) — Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their heavyweight fight. The two-time heavyweight champion displayed why he is one of the sport’s elite punchers when he dropped the fading Paul twice in the fifth round. The YouTuber went down again in the sixth. Although Paul (12-2) reached his feet, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) finally crushed Paul’s upset dream when he dropped him a fourth time with a right to the head. Paul was counted out at 1:31 of the round in front of a capacity crowd of 19,600 at the Kaseya Center. Paul later reported that his jaw was broken in two spots.
MIAMI (AP) — Jake Paul sustained a “double broken jaw” in his loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The YouTuber confirmed the damage early Saturday. Joshua scored a sixth-round knockout victory over Paul who later posted an X-ray showing a jaw broken in two spots. Paul wrote in a social media post: “Double broken jaw.” He also said “thanks for all the support I’m OK.” Joshua ended the heavyweight bout with a powerful punch to Paul’s jaw, sending the American to the canvas for the fourth and final time. Paul was counted out as he struggled to get to his feet.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are close to moving from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new stadium in Kansas. The Legislative Coordinating Council plans to meet Monday in Topeka, Kansas, to consider funding up to 70% of the project. The Chiefs and Kansas City Royals have played in Missouri for over 50 years, but their leases expire in January 2031. Voters in Jackson County rejected a sales tax extension last year to finance renovations. Kansas offers a potential new location at The Legends, a commercial area with existing infrastructure. Missouri risks losing another team after the Rams moved to Los Angeles.
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have settled a lawsuit over the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The decision to settle was reached Friday after a two-month civil trial in Southern California. Authorities say Skaggs died in 2019 after snorting a fentanyl-laced pill provided by the team’s communications director, Eric Kay. Skaggs’ relatives filed a lawsuit alleging the MLB team knew or should have known Kay was a drug addict and dealing painkillers to players. The team said officials didn’t know Skaggs was taking drugs and would have sought him help if they did. The Skaggs family says the confidential settlement closes a painful process.
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Federal investigators are trying to determine why a business jet carrying retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others crashed shortly after takeoff in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 hit light poles and trees before erupting into flames on Thursday, killing everyone on board. The plane had departed Statesville Regional Airport but crashed less than 10 minutes later while attempting to return. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder but have not identified the lead pilot. The plane's speed and altitude fluctuated significantly, suggesting the crew experienced an issue. The Statesville airport remains closed during the investigation.
The NBA has reminded teams it wants to control betting types on its games. This move follows the arrests of Miami guard Terry Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups on gambling-related charges. On Friday, the league announced changes to its policies, including injury reporting and safety measures for players and coaches. Teams must now resubmit injury reports on game days to promote transparency. The NBA will also enhance training on betting rules and update its Fan Code of Conduct to protect against harassment. Additionally, referee Eric Lewis has been reinstated to the G League after a social media investigation.
Chelsea has recovered from conceding two early goals to Nick Woltemade to draw 2-2 with Newcastle in the Premier League, with Joao Pedro’s equalizer coming off a rare assist from a goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez smashed a clearance up to Pedro, who headed the ball forward and collected it himself after Fabian Schar slipped. Pedro slotted a finish underneath Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the 66th minute. Woltemade put Chelsea 2-0 up by scoring from close range in the fourth minute and then glancing home a cross in the 20th. Reece James launched Chelsea’s fightback by scoring off a free kick in the 49th.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers will pay a record $169.4 million luxury tax after winning their second straight World Series title, raising their two-year total to $272.4 million. The New York Mets have the second-highest tax bill among the nine teams that pay at $91.6 million despite missing the 12-team playoffs, raising their tax owed to $320.3 million in the last four years under high-spending owner Steve Cohen. The Dodgers will pay tax for the fifth consecutive season. Their total broke the previous high of $103 million they had set last year.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Vancouver 4 N-Y Islanders 1
Final SO Florida 4 Carolina 3
Final Colorado 3 Winnipeg 2
Final New Jersey 2 Utah 1
Final Dallas 8 Anaheim 3
TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Final (11)Alabama 34 (8)Oklahoma 24
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL