Davis scores 22, Washington wins 89-73 in 300th meeting with Washington State

DJ Davis scored 21 points, Mekhi Mason added 15 as six players scored in double figures and Washington thumped Washington State 89-73 in the 300th meeting between the cross-state rivals. It was the first meeting since the Huskies, who lead the series 189-111, joined the Big Ten Conference, leaving the Cougars to play as an affiliate member of the West Coast Conference as the Pac-12 Conference tries to rebuild its membership. Nate Calmese scored 21 to lead the Cougars. The Huskies, who shot 60% in the second half and 50% for the game, had a 14-2 run early in the second half to take a 49-35 lead and the Cougars never got the deficit into single figures. The Huskies hit three-straight 3-pointers, two by Davis, for an 11-0 run that gave them a 31-25 lead just before halftime.

No Fears: Sooners guard was 2nd option on winning 4-point play that stunned No. 24 Michigan 87-86

Surprisingly, the red-hot Jeremiah Fears wasn't the first option with the game on the line for the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday night. But the 6-foot-4 freshman made sure he was the best option. Fears knocked down a off-balance 30-foot jumper and drew a foul to complete an unlikely four-point play on Wednesday night with 11.5 seconds left to lift No. 14 Oklahoma to a come-from-behind 87-86 victory over 24th-ranked Michigan at the Spectrum Center. Fears finished with 30 points as the Sooners remained unbeaten.

Mikhail Sergachev scores in OT to lift Utah over the Canucks 3-2

Mikhail Sergachev scored 4:48 into overtime to lift the Utah Hockey Club to a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther scored for Utah in the third period to force overtime. Karel Vejmelka made 24 saves. Logan Cooley added two assists. Danton Heinen and Dakota Joshua scored for Vancouver, and Thatcher Demko stopped 28 shots. Quinn Hughes assisted on both goals.

Troy Terry gets the last-minute winner in the Ducks' late rally to stun NHL-best Winnipeg 3-2

Troy Terry scored the tiebreaking goal with 24 seconds left, and the Anaheim Ducks rallied late for a 3-2 victory over the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets. Frank Vatrano scored his second goal with 4:46 left for the Ducks, who have won back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 19. Gabriel Vilardi and Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets, who had won five of seven. Vatrano got an assist when he broke up a pass between Jets defensemen Haydn Fleury and Neil Pionk deep in Winnipeg's end. Terry pounced on the puck and scored.

Matthew Tkachuk's 2 goals lead Panthers past Wild 6-1

Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves and the Florida Panthers beat the Minnesota Wild 6-1 on Wednesday night. Aaron Ekblad added his second goal of the season to go with two assists, and Mackie Samoskevich, Niko Mikkola and Eetu Luostarinen also scored for Florida. Tkachuk has 13 goals this season and has scored eight times in his past eight games. Marco Rossi scored his 12th goal of the season for Minnesota. Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 27 shots.

Stone-Carrawell and Loyola Marymount take down UCSB 60-58

Caleb Stone-Carrawell scored 15 points to lead the Loyola Marymount Lions and Jevon Porter secured the victory with a jump shot converted into a three-point play with 17 seconds remaining as the Lions took down the UCSB Gauchos 60-58 on Wednesday. The Lions are now 6-4 on the season, while the Gauchos moved to 7-4.

Hajj-Malik Williams throws 2 TDs passes to help No. 24 UNLV beat Cal 24-13 in the LA Bowl

Hajj-Malik Williams passed for two touchdowns, Kylin James ran for another and No. 24 UNLV pulled away in the second half for a 24-13 victory over California in the LA Bowl on Wednesday night. UNLV won a bowl game for the first time since 2000 and had its first 11-win season as an FBS program. Del Alexander, an assistant when UNLV last won a bowl game, was the interim head coach after Barry Odom departed forPurdue on Dec. 8. Cal, who hasn't had a winning season since 2019, were missing quarterback Fernando Mendoza and leading wide receiver Nyziah Hunter, after both entered the transfer portal.

Wednesday's Scores

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Wednesday's Scores

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Agbo, Claude fuel USC past Cal State Northridge for 90-69 win

Chibuzo Agbo scored 23 points and Desmond Claude scored 21 points and USC distanced itself from Cal State Northridge in the second half beating the Matadors 90-69. PJ Fuller II and Keonte Jones scored 17 apiece for the Matadors. Saint Thomas made a pair of 3-pointers within a minute and Claude converted a three-point play and USC extended its 54-49 lead to 14 points and the Trojans stayed ahead by double digits the rest of the way.

Hardy has 22 in CSU Bakersfield's 81-64 win over Portland

Led by CJ Hardy's 22 points, the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners defeated the Portland Pilots 81-64 on Wednesday. The Roadrunners improved to 6-6 with the victory and the Pilots fell to 4-8.

Hargress scores 22, UC Riverside beats Montana State 83-80

Led by Barrington Hargress' 22 points, the UC Riverside Highlanders defeated the Montana State Bobcats 83-80 on Wednesday. The Highlanders improved to 8-4 with the victory and the Bobcats fell to 5-7.

Dent scores 40 as New Mexico beats VCU 78-71

Donovan Dent scored 40 points as the New Mexico Lobos beat the VCU Rams 78-71 on Wednesday night. The Lobos improved to 9-3 with the victory and the Rams fell to 9-3.

Jeremiah Fears' 4-point play with 11.5 seconds left helps No. 14 Oklahoma edge No. 24 Michigan 87-86

Jeremiah Fears buried a 3-pointer with 11.5 seconds left and drew a foul, then sank the ensuing free throw for a 4-point play as No. 14 Oklahoma edged 24th-ranked Michigan 87-86 on Wednesday night in a wild finish at the Jumpman Invitational. Fears finished with 30 points on 8-of-12 shooting as the Sooners (11-0) remained unbeaten. Duke Miles had 17 points, including two big 3s in the second half. Vladislav Goldin finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds and Danny Wolf had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolverines (8-3). The Wolverines were in control most of the game and had a three-point lead and the ball with 30 seconds left.

No. 13 Gonzaga pulls away in the 2nd half to beat Nicholls 102-72

Braden Huff scored 25 points off the bench and No. 13 Gonzaga overcame a slow start to roll past Nicholls 102-72 on Wednesday night. Graham Ike added 20 points and six rebounds, and Ryan Nembhard had 18 points and 10 assists to help the Bulldogs (8-3) bounce back from a 77-71 loss last week to No. 11 UConn at Madison Square Garden. Bryon Ireland led Nicholls (7-5) with 16 points, including eight in the first half. Gonzaga didn't make a 3-pointer for nearly 15 minutes but surged ahead with a 22-4 run over the final seven minutes of the half.

Wednesday's Scores

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Love scores 23 points and Arizona goes up big early in 96-64 win over Samford

Caleb Love scored 18 of his 23 points in the first half when Arizona led by as many as 25 on its way to a 96-64 victory over Samford on Wednesday night. Anthony Dell'Orso and Trey Townsend scored 14 points each and Jaden Bradley and KJ Lewis 11 apiece. Jaden Brownell scored 13 points and Trey Fort and Julian Brown 11 each for the Bulldogs. Samford came in as the nation's second-highest scoring team at 90.5 points per game but was held well under that average in having a five-game win streak snapped.

No. 9 Marquette commits just 2 turnovers in 80-70 victory over Butler

Kam Jones scored 23 points and No. 9 Marquette committed just two turnovers in an 80-70 victory over Butler  that that opened the Big East schedule for both teams. Marquette (10-2, 1-0) had its lowest turnover total since Jan. 8, 2011. David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell scored 15 points each as Marquette rallied from a 35-32 halftime deficit. The Golden Eagles bounced back three nights after squandering a 13-point lead in a 71-63 loss at Dayton. Butler (7-5, 0-1) lost its fourth straight despite shooting 51.1% from the floor.

Edwards scores 22 as Loyola Chicago takes down Canisius 72-60

Led by Sheldon Edwards' 22 points, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers defeated the Canisius Golden Griffins 72-60 on Wednesday night. The Ramblers are now 9-1 with the win and the Golden Griffins dropped to 0-12.

Spear and Spearman score 18 points apiece, No. 18 Lady Vols top Memphis 90-75

Jewel Spear and Zee Spearman both scored 18 points and No. 18 Tennessee held off Memphis 90-75 at the FedEx Forum. The Lady Vols had six players in double figures with Spearman and Talaysi Cooper, who had 12 points, notching double-doubles with 11 rebounds apiece. Tilly Boler led the Tigers with 23 points. Deede Hagemann, a Michigan State transfer, had 19 in her season debut. One game after setting NCAA records with 30 3-pointers on 64 attempts, Tennessee was 12 of 37 from distance and shot just 40%. The Lady Vols also had a hard time getting away from Memphis, which led a majority of the first half.

Reserve Avery helps save Oklahoma State from Tarleton State in 66-61 win

Marchelus Avery came off the bench to score 18 points and collect 10 rebounds and Oklahoma State held on to beat Tarleton State 66-61. Marty Silvera's jump shot with 30 seconds left brought the Texans within 64-61. On the Cowboys' ensuing possession, Arturo Dean committed the team's 18th turnover. The Texans called time out, and with 10 seconds left, Bubu Benjamin missed a 3-pointer which was rebounded by Oklahoma State's Bryce Benjamin, who passed the ball to Avery. Avery was fouled by Izzy Myles with four seconds left and he sealed the win by sinking two free throws.

McGlockton, Edwards score 19 each and Vanderbilt routs The Citadel 105-53

Devin McGlockton and Jason Edwards scored 19 points each and Vanderbilt rolled over The Citadel 105-53. A.J. Hoggard had 13 points, Jaylen Carey 12, and Tyler Nickel 11 for the Commodores. Vanderbilt shot 56% overall, made 12 of 23 3-point tries and hit on 17 of 21 free throws. After putting up 49 points in the first half, the Commodores scored 56 in the second. The lead reached 50 points on a dunk by Chris Manon and his next dunk made it 96-44 with about three minutes remaining. Miles Keeffe scored Vanderbilt's last seven points on a 3-pointer and four free throws.

Nicholas Robertson part of key goals for Toronto in 5-3 win over Dallas and his older brother

Nicholas Robertson scored the go-ahead goal and assisted on another against his older brother's team as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Dallas Stars 5-3. Joseph Woll stopped 38 shots Wednesday night. Robertson made it 3-2 with an unassisted goal at 5:31 of the second period, only 16 seconds after the first of William Nylander's two goals tied the game. The 23-year-old Robertson had the assist on Bobby McMann's goal later in the second, when 25-year-old Jason Robertson was on the ice for the Stars. Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger allowed four goals on 12 shots playing on his 26th birthday.

Terrance Arceneaux comes off bench to help No. 15 Houston rout Toledo 78-49

errance Arceneaux had a career-high 16 points and added nine rebounds off the bench, Joseph Tugler scored 13 points and No. 15 Houston beat Toledo 78-49 on Wednesday night. Emanuel Sharp scored all 13 of his points in the first half, and Milos Uzan and Mylik Wilson had 10 points apiece for Houston (7-3), which won its 28th straight home game. Sharp exited the game less than a minute into the contest, hobbling to the bench after appearing to get his feet tangled up with Jaylan Ouwinga. He returned less than five minutes later. Sam Lewis had 14 points for Toledo (6-5).

George scores 14 of his 18 points in second half to help Georgia Tech hold off UMBC 91-82

Naithan George scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and added eight assists to help Georgia Tech beat UMBC 91-82 Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. Baye Ndongo scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Lance Terry and freshman Jaeden Mustaf, making his first start, added 15 points each for the Yellow Jackets (5-6). Bryce Johnson scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half when the Retrievers (7-6) made a run at the Tech to cut a 22-point lead down to six. Louie Jordan hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points and Ace Valentine added 16 points.

Predators trade Alexandre Carrier to the Canadiens for Justin Barron

The Nashville Predators traded defenseman Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for blueliner Justin Barron. The Predators announced the deal Wednesday night, a little more than 24 hours before the NHL's holiday roster freeze. Barron, 23, has one goal in 17 NHL games this season. Carrier, 28, has one goal and six assists in 28 games this season.

Osei-Bonsu scores 15 as Missouri State beats Lincoln (MO) 61-49

Led by Michael Osei-Bonsu's 15 points, the Missouri State Bears defeated the Lincoln (MO) Blue Tigers 61-49 on Wednesday night. The Bears are now 6-5 on the season.

Ward scores 19 as Bethune-Cookman takes down South Florida 77-69

Led by Reggie Ward Jr.'s 19 points, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats defeated the South Florida Bulls 77-69 on Wednesday night. The Wildcats are now 3-8 on the season, while the Bulls fell to 5-6.

New York breaks loose with four goals in 2nd period to defeat Toronto 4-2

Noora Tulus scored the first of four New York goals in the second period and the Sirens used the momentum to post a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Sceptres in their home opener. The onslaught had the oddity of including the first PWHL goal for Tulus, captain Micah Zandee-Hart and Emmy Fecteau. Jaime Bourbonnais also scored. The goals by Zandee-Hart and Bourbonnais were scored on the power play and the Sirens scored on two of four power plays. Toronto was 0-for-1 with the advantage. Toronto scored twice in the third, Hannah Miller picking up her second goal of the season in the third minute, and Kali Flanagan scoring unassisted with 30 seconds remaining.

Wednesday's Scores

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Karaban, Reed lead No. 11 UConn past Xavier 94-89 in overtime in its Big East opener

Alex Karaban had seven of his 20 points in overtime to lead No. 11 UConn to a 94-89 victory over Xavier on Wednesday night in the Big East opener for both teams. Solo Ball led the Huskies with 22 points and Tarris Reed Jr. had 20, including four in OT. Reed also grabbed 13 rebounds. Ryan Conwell had 23 points and Maddox finished with 22 for Xavier. Both teams were missing key players. A lower-body injury will sideline Zach Freemantle, Xavier's leading scorer and rebounder, indefinitely. UConn was without starting center Samson Johnson (concussion protocol.)

Robinson, Pettus score 19 as Northern Kentucky downs Detroit Mercy 73-60

Led by Trey Robinson And Randall Pettus II with 19 points apiece, the Northern Kentucky Norse defeated the Detroit Mercy Titans 73-60 on Wednesday night. The Norse are now 6-6 with the win and the Titans dropped to 5-8.

UNC Wilmington beats FGCU 79-66

Led by Donovan Newby's 21 points, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks defeated the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 79-66 on Wednesday night. The Seahawks are now 8-3 on the season, while the Eagles dropped to 3-8.

Patrick Kane scores go-ahead goal and Red Wings down Flyers 6-4

Patrick Kane scored the decisive third-period goal and added an assist as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-4. J.T. Compher and Lucas Raymond also contributed a goal and an assist each. Alex DeBrincat, Michael Rasmussen, Joe Veleno had the other goals for the Red Wings. Alex Lyon, playing in his first game since Nov. 25, stopped 15 shots. He was sidelined the previous nine games due to a lower-body injury. Travis Konecny, Noah Cates, Ryan Poehling and Owen Tippett scored for the Flyers, who trailed 4-2 after two periods but tied it at 4 early in the third. Samuel Ersson made 18 saves.

Lee continues assault on double-double record sending No. 13 K-State to route over N.M. State

Ayoka Lee scored 19 of her 34 points before halftime and Serena Sundell scored 18 points and No. 13 Kansas State dispatched New Mexico State beating the Aggies 83-39. Molly Kaiser scored 15 points for New Mexico State. Lee scored the game's first points with a pair of layups and 1-for-2 shooting from the foul line. Kaiser countered with a 3-pointer and a jumper to tie it at 5. Lee made her third layup and that sparked a 10-0 run in which Lee made three more layups and the Jayhawks led 19-7 after the first quarter.

Peterson's 19 help East Tennessee State defeat Elon 84-58

Led by Quimari Peterson's 19 points, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers defeated the Elon Phoenix 84-58 on Wednesday night. The Buccaneers improved to 7-5 with the win and the Phoenix fell to 7-4.

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PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia

PJ Haggerty scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half and No. 21 Memphis shook off a slow start to beat Virginia 64-62 on Wednesday night. The Tigers (9-2) trailed 30-21 at halftime and took their first lead at 39-37 on a  goaltending call in what became a 26-7 burst that gave them a 47-39 lead. Tyrese Hunter and Dain Dainja scored 12 points each for the Tigers. Dainja had 11 rebounds. Elijah Saunders scored 15 points and Taine Murray 14 for Virginia (6-5). The Cavaliers lost at home for the first time this season.

Wednesday's Scores

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Mashburn's 19, Gray's game-winner lead Temple over Davidson, 62-61

Jamal Mashburn Jr. scored 19 points to lead the Temple Owls and Elijah Gray hit the game-winning layup with four seconds remaining as the Owls took down the Davidson Wildcats 62-61 on Wednesday night. The Owls improved to 7-4 with the victory and the Wildcats fell to 8-3.

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James Madison secures its first bowl win after topping Western Kentucky 27-17 in the Boca Raton

Backup Billy Atkins threw for 181 yards and a touchdown in his first start since 2022, leading James Madison to the program's first bowl win after topping Western Kentucky 27-17 in the Boca Raton Bowl. JMU was without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who suffered an injury against Marshall on Nov. 30, and the Dukes turned to Atkins, who had just three pass attempts in the last two years. Atkins went 4 for 5 on a fourth-quarter drive, ending in a 21-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Thompson for a 24-17 lead with 9:20 left. After both teams went three-and-out, Khairi Manns ended a Western Kentucky drive with 3:02 remaining when he recovered his own strip sack and JMU marched down the field for a field goal for a 10-point lead.

Chattanooga defeats Tennessee Wesleyan 99-52

Led by Honor Huff's 20 points, the Chattanooga Mocs defeated the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs 99-52 on Wednesday night. The Mocs are now 8-4 on the season.

Fournier, Okananwa, rebounding work help No. 9 Duke beat Wofford 93-58

Freshman Toby Fournier scored 16 of her 23 points points before halftime as No. 9 Duke beat Wofford 93-58. Oluchi Okananwa added a season-high 20 points for the Blue Devils. Duke shot 50.7% despite going just 6 for 23 from 3-point range. The Blue Devils also finished with a 56-20 rebounding advantage. Rachael Rose scored 23 points to lead the Terriers. The preseason Southern Conference favorite shot just 33.8% overall and made just 7 of 28 3-pointers. The Blue Devils have won two straight since losing at South Carolina.

Shepherd's 24 help La Salle take down Fairleigh Dickinson 77-72

Led by Daeshon Shepherd's 24 points, the La Salle Explorers defeated the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 77-72. The Knights were led by Terrence Brown, who posted 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists. The Explorers are now 7-5 with the victory and the Knights fell to 4-9.

Georgetown wins 81-57 over Creighton to open Big East schedule

Led by Jayden Epps' 21 points, the Georgetown Hoyas defeated the Creighton Bluejays 81-57 to open Big East Conference play on Wednesday night. The Hoyas are now 9-2 on the season, while the Bluejays fell to 7-5.

Gakdeng, Grant lead balanced No. 19 North Carolina women to 77-57 win over Florida.

Maria Gakdeng scored 14 points, Lanie Grant added 13 to lead a balanced attack and No. 19 North Carolina raced past Florida 77-57. Grant hit consecutive 3-pointers and Trayanna Crisp added another in the final minute as the Tar Heels closed the first quarter with an 11-0 run to grab a 23-7 lead. Grace Townsend hit a jumper at the last buzzer to make it 41-20 at halftime. The Gators reeled off 14-straight points in the middle of the third quarter but that only cut a 27-point deficit to 51-38. Laila Hull hit a 3-pointer to start an 8-0 North Carolina run and Florida never got closer than 15 after that. Liv McGill scored 14 points to lead Florida.

Raiders keep getting to opposing quarterbacks even without key pass rushers

Maxx Crosby's announcement last week that he would miss the season's final three games because of impending ankle surgery was the most severe and latest blow to the Raiders' depleted defensive line. It's a line that also has for most of the season has been without Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce, a pair of devastating losses. But one of the few things Las Vegas has done right this season is sustain a pass rush that even is getting better. The Raiders have made 12 of their 32 sacks over the past three games.

Aaron Rodgers 'open to everything' regarding his playing future beyond this season with Jets

Aaron Rodgers is still uncertain whether he'll play football beyond this season. And if he does, he isn't sure if it'll even be with the New York Jets. The 41-year-old quarterback will consider any and all scenarios during the offseason. That includes potentially mentoring a youngster who might someday take his job. Or even adjusting his contract again to stay with the Jets next season. Rodgers' future will be a storyline from now until there's clarity sometime in the offseason, whether he's back with the Jets, retires or is released and plans to play elsewhere. But he reiterated his first choice is to remain in New York.

Pro Picks: Eagles will cruise past the Commanders and Seahawks will upset the Vikings

The setup for two Christmas Day games means two games on Saturday in Week 16. They'll be potential playoff previews. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs host C.J. Stroud and the AFC South champion Texans in the first game Saturday. Then, it's Russell Wilson and the Steelers visiting Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in a battle for the AFC North. Pro Picks likes the favorites in both matchups.

Rangers trade Kaapo Kakko to the Kraken for Will Borgen and draft picks

The New York Rangers have traded winger Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. The move comes less than 36 hours after Kakko said he was upset about coach Peter Laviolette's decision to make him a healthy scratch in the struggling team's game Sunday at St. Louis. The Rangers received defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick from Seattle in the deal. New York has lost 11 of its past 14 games, including five of seven since trading captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim.

Dolphins veteran DT Calais Campbell could join a contender if Miami is eliminated from playoff race

had time to turn the season around. Campbell said Wednesday that he and the Dolphins could have conversations about releasing him so he can join a playoff contender if Miami (6-8) is eliminated from the postseason soon.

Bills QB Josh Allen credits fiancee Hailee Steinfeld with influencing his MVP-caliber season

The reason Josh Allen is making his NFL MVP case this season while playing with such joyful abandon is obvious to Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins. It must be love, Dawkins says, referring to the quarterback's recent engagement to actor and singer Hailee Steinfeld. Allen didn't disagree, calling Steinfeld his biggest supporter. Allen's production coincidentally has increased since proposing to Steinfeld on Nov. 22 during the Bills' bye week. He has combined for 14 touchdowns in his past three games. The Bills already have clinched their fifth straight AFC East title and host New England on Sunday.

Vandy QB Diego Pavia wins injunction allowing him to play D-I football in 2025

A federal judge granted Diego Pavia's request for a preliminary injunction allowing the quarterback to play the 2025 season and told the NCAA the organization cannot take any action against Vanderbilt or any other university that Pavia plays a fifth season for next year. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell issued the injunction Wednesday after a hearing Dec. 4. The judge noted in his order filed with the injunction Vanderbilt's historic success with Pavia reaching its first bowl game since 2018 with wins over both Alabama and Auburn. Pavia sued the NCAA on Nov. 8 contesting the organization's rules limiting players who start at junior colleges to only four seasons.

QB Thompson-Robinson excited about start this week, thinks he can be long-term solution for Browns

and maybe beyond. Thompson-Robinson is taking over for Jameis Winston, who was benched by Browns coach Kevin Stefanski after throwing eight interceptions in his past three games. Thompson-Robinson started three games last season as a rookie, going 1-2.

Bears QB Williams acknowledges his frustration and the impact that losing is having on him

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams acknowledges the frustration he is experiencing and the impact all this losing is having on him. He says "positive affirmations" make "those days a little bit easier." The Bears have lost eight straight and Williams has looked particularly shaky the past two games. Chicago has a tough matchup this week when Detroit visits Soldier Field.

More misery for Villarreal in 1-1 draw against Rayo, Espanyol held by Valencia

Villarreal's miserable run continued as it was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano after playing most of the match with 10 men. Defender Willy Kambwala was sent off in the 32nd minute for a serious foul on Rayo captain Óscar Valentin. Rayo was already 1-0 thanks to Alvaro Garcia but Ayoze Pérez leveled in first-half stoppage time. Espanyol drew 1-1 at home to bottom club Valencia in a relegation battle.

Jayden Daniels is maturing into a better pocket passer late in his rookie year with the Commanders

Jayden Daniels has gotten his groove back as a pocket passer. The Washington Commanders rookie quarterback has completed nearly 82% of his attempts over the past two games with five touchdown throws and just one interception. That's a major improvement after he was at 61% over his previous five games, when he was coming off a rib injury. It is not a coincidence Washington has won two in a row to get to 9-5 after a three-game losing streak. Daniels, who turned 24 Wednesday, remains the favorite to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Aaron Hernandez's brother pleads guilty to threatening a shooting at UConn

The brother of the late New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has pleaded guilty to threatening to carry out a shooting at the University of Connecticut and to kill three people outside of the state last year. Dennis Hernandez entered the plea Wednesday in federal court in Hartford. He faces up to five years in prison. Sentencing is set for Feb. 6. His lawyer did not return a message seeking comment. His mother had told police that his mental health had deteriorated. Dennis Hernandez played football for UConn in the mid-2000s. His younger brother was Aaron Hernandez, who killed himself in 2017 while serving a murder sentence.

Dembélé scores 2 and Donnarumma injured as PSG beats Monaco to increase French league lead

Runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain has opened a 10-point lead at the top of the French league standings before the year-end break. It won 4-2 at Monaco on Wednesday in a match marred by Gianluigi Donnarumma's injury. Ousmane Dembélé scored a brace and striker Goncalo Ramos put PSG back in the lead with seven minutes left as he headed in a corner after coming in as a substitute in the lively encounter at the Stade Louis II. Dembélé added more luster to PSG's win deep in stoppage time when he completed his brace. Monaco remained in third place, level on points with second-place Marseille which has one match in hand.

Cal guard Jayda Noble paints custom shoes to express her artistic side when she leaves the court

California women's basketball player Jayda Noble is running a business out of her Berkeley apartment. She's paints custom shoes for basketball players and others around the country. It's her passion but also a livelihood for the guard who goes by the catchy handle "Jayyycasso" on Instagram. Noble is nearly done with shoes for some of the nation's top stars who might become supporters and help spread the word. UConn's Paige Bueckers was on that list. TCU's Hailey Van Lith just received a pair featuring flowers and a horned frog.

Falcons' Cousins says he 'didn't forget how to play quarterback' after losing starting job to Penix

After losing his job as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins is promising to support rookie Michael Penix Jr. Cousins threw nine interceptions with one touchdown in the past five games. The switch to Penix comes with the Falcons one game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South as they prepare to play host to the New York Giants. The change wasn't a one-game decision, but Cousins insists he believes he can still start in the NFL. He said Wednesday he has not forgotten how to play the position.

Colorado and Oklahoma add quarterbacks from transfer portal

The Colorado Buffaloes have landed former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter out of the transfer portal to possibly step in and replace Shedeur Sanders next season. Salter figures to compete with five-star high school recruit Julian "JuJu" Lewis for the starting job. Lewis is expected to join the Buffaloes in the spring semester. A dual threat, Salter is coming off a regular season for the Flames in which he ran for 579 yards and seven TDs while throwing for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns. Oklahoma has added quarterback John Mateer from Washington State.

Hawks G Kobe Bufkin to have shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the season

Atlanta Hawks backup guard Kobe Bufkin will undergo surgery to deal with lingering shoulder issues, knocking him out for the rest of the season. The Hawks announced that Bufkin will undergo surgery to address right shoulder instability on Jan. 7. The second-year player is expected to make a full recovery before next season. Bufkin was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2023 draft, but he has been plagued by shoulder issues during his brief NBA career. After partially dislocating his right shoulder, Bufkin was unable to take part in the Summer League. He re-injured the same shoulder during a practice ahead of the season opener and played in just 10 games before the Hawks decided to shut him down because of lingering issues.

The Yankees have moved on quickly after losing Juan Soto. Roki Sasaki could be next

In the first 10 days after Juan Soto spurned the Yankees for a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets, the Yankees signed left-hander Max Fried to a $218 million, eight-year contract, acquired closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers and Bellinger, a former NL MVP, from the Chicago Cubs. General manager Brian Cashman also said the Yankees had been invited to meet in California with Roki Sasaki, the heralded 23-year-old Japanese pitcher who can sign with Major League Baseball clubs from Jan. 15-23.

PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma's face bloodied after sliced by cleat while making save

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's face was bloodied after being hit by an opponent's cleat in a French league game against Monaco. The Italy international took the studs of Wilfried Singo's cleat in the 17th minute at the Stade Louis II. Singo, whose shot had been blocked, tried to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but instead struck his face. Pictures showed that Donnarumma was cut below his right eye. Singo, who had already been warned, was lucky to avoid a red card. Donnarumma was replaced by Matvey Safonov.

After being traded twice in a day, new Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz is eager to settle in

New Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz is eager to get to work. Horwitz was acquired by the Pirates during a dizzying 90-minute stretch in early December in which he was traded from Toronto to Cleveland to Pittsburgh. The Pirates are hoping the 27-year-old can bring some stability to a position that's been a revolving door of late. They have had four different opening day first basemen in each of the last four seasons. Horwitz hit .265 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 97 games in 2024 for the Blue Jays.

Simona Halep gets a wild-card entry for Australian Open qualifying

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep and Lleyton Hewitt's 16-year-old son Cruz Hewitt are among the players who have been awarded wild-card entries for Australian Open qualifying. Tennis Australia announced the wild-card recipients on Wednesday. Qualifying begins on Jan. 6. The main-draw action at the first Grand Slam tournament of 2025 will begin on Jan. 12. Halep was the runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2018 and won major titles at the French Open later that year and at Wimbledon in 2019. She is currently 877th and hasn't played at any Grand Slam tournament since 2022 after missing 1 1/2 years because of a doping case.

49ers move closer to shutting down Trent Williams for remainder of the season

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said the team is getting close to ruling out star left tackle Trent Williams for the rest of the season as his injured ankle isn't healing as fast as the 49ers hoped. Williams has missed the past four games with the injury as the Niners have fallen to the brink of playoff elimination and he is unable to get back to practice at the start of this week. That raised questions about whether San Francisco would be better off shutting the 36-year-old Williams down and start getting him ready for next season.

Man pleads guilty to stalking UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers

A man accused of stalking and harassing UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers has pleaded guilty to a stalking charge. A court clerk said 40-year-old Robert Cole Parmalee received a one-year suspended sentence and three year's probation on Wednesday. He originally faced three charges, but those were substituted for second-degree stalking. Parmalee had an engagement ring and lingerie with him when he was first arrested in August while walking near Bradley International Airport. He told police he had just flown in from the Pacific Northwest and was on his way to see Bueckers at UConn. A message was left seeking comment with his public defender.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle progress in English League Cup to ensure powerful lineup for semis

Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool have advanced in the English League Cup to ensure a powerful lineup for the semifinals. Gabriel Jesus scored a hat trick that included a crucial second goal from an offside position as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-2 to reach the last four for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Liverpool kept alive its title defense by winning 2-1 at Southampton. Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott were the scorers in the first half for the Premier League leaders. Newcastle defeated Brentford 3-1 and progressed to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

Fred Lorenzen, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 1965 Daytona champion, dies at 89

Fred Lorenzen, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 1965 Daytona champion, died Wednesday. He was 89. NASCAR released a statement saying Lorenzen had died. A cause of death wasn't given, but Lorenzen had been in declining health for years. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. Lorenzen battled dementia in his later years and pledged his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation. The Elmhurst, Illinois, native was one of NASCAR's first stars to hail from outside the sport's Southern roots.

Mike Shula is back in the SEC at South Carolina after nearly two decades since Alabama fired him

Mike Shula is eager to return to the Southeastern Conference as South Carolina's offensive coordinator, nearly two decades after the former Alabama quarterback was fired as the Crimson Tide's coach. Shula, the 59-year old son of the late NFL coaching wins leader Don Shula, was hired this week after predecessor Dowell Loggains became Appalachian State's head coach. Shula spent this past season as an offensive analyst at South Carolina after working in the NFL since his dismissal at Alabama. He is hopeful the 14th-ranked Gamecocks can keep improving on offense as they have during their 9-3 season.

Titans 1st-year coach Brian Callahan switching to backup QB and keeping Will Levis on the bench

The Tennessee Titans are keeping second-year quarterback Will Levis on the bench and starting the backup who is here on a one-year deal. The decision to start Mason Rudolph that was announced Wednesday also gives the Titans a chance to show their improvement under first-year coach Brian Callahan when they visit Indianapolis. Callahan said he feels it's best for the Titans to see what Rudolph can bring offensively over the last weeks of the season. Callahan was hired specifically for his offensive skills and his past work with quarterbacks ranging from Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to Joe Burrow. Levis has 17 of the Titans' league-worst 29 turnovers.

No. 17 Georgia Tech women beat Rice 88-57 behind Rusne Augustinaite's 7 3-pointers

Rusne Augustinaite scored 23 points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers, Kara Dunn added 17 points and No. 17 Georgia Tech beat Rice 88-57 on Wednesday. Augustinaite made four straight 3-pointers in the opening five minutes of the second quarter to help build a 28-13 lead. Georgia Tech extended it to 37-18 at halftime after shooting 50% from the field, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range. Augustinaite made all five of her shots in the first half and scored 14 points, while Rice went 7 of 33 from the field (21%). Chazadi Wright and Tianna Thompson each made a 3-pointer in the final minute of the third quarter to extend Georgia Tech's lead to 63-32. Augustinaite added three 3-pointers in the fourth.

Alabama safety Malachi Moore to miss bowl game against Michigan with injury

Alabama All-America safety Malachi Moore will miss the 11th-ranked Crimson Tide's bowl game against Michigan with an injury that had plagued him much of the season. Coach Kalen DeBoer said Moore was scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday and would miss the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tampa, Florida. DeBoer didn't disclose the nature of the injury. Moore, a fifth-year senior, was a second-team Associated Press All-American after making 70 tackles with two interceptions and posting a team-leading eight pass breakups.

White Sox sign right-hander Bryse Wilson, trade catcher Chuckie Robinson to the Angels for cash

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a $1.05-million, one-year contract with veteran right-hander Bryse Wilson and traded catcher Chuckie Robinson to the Los Angeles Angels for cash. The 26-year-old Wilson was 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 34 appearances and nine starts with the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He is 20-21 with a 4.61 ERA over seven seasons with Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. The 30-year-old Robinson was 9 for 70 in 26 games with Chicago in 2024.

White Sox shorten ballpark's name to Rate Field

The Chicago White Sox are changing the name of their ballpark. A change in luck can't be guaranteed. The White Sox's home will now be known as Rate Field instead of Guaranteed Rate Field, a change that reflects a shortening of the stadium sponsor's name. The ballpark was first known as New Comiskey Park when it opened across the street from the old stadium in 1991. It became U.S. Cellular Field under a naming rights deal in 2003. The name changed again in 2016 after the White Sox and Guaranteed Rate struck a 13-year agreement. The Chicago-based mortgage company rebranded to "Rate" in July.

Williams' 19 lead East Texas A&M over Abilene Christian 68-67

Led by Scooter Williams Jr.'s 19 points, the East Texas A&M Lions defeated the Abilene Christian Wildcats 68-67 on Wednesday. The Lions are now 2-10 on the season, while the Wildcats moved to 7-5.

Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson says he's on track to reach goal of returning for the Super Bowl

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is aiming to return from a gruesome injury and help the franchise play for the NFL championship. Hutchinson says on The Squeeze podcast that was published Wednesday that he's on track for his goal of returning for the Super Bowl. Hutchinson had surgery to repair his broken tibia and fibula two months ago after he was injured in a win at Dallas. He was leading the league with 7 1/2 sacks through five games when he was hurt and the total more than doubles the number of sacks any other Lion has this season.

Chiefs love veteran backups for Patrick Mahomes. They may have their best yet in Carson Wentz

The Kansas City Chiefs have a history of bringing in veteran backups for Patrick Mahomes, whether it was Matt Moore and Chad Henne in recent years or Blaine Gabbert last season. They may have found their best yet in Carson Wentz, and they may need him this week if Patrick Mahomes' sprained ankle is not sufficiently healed in time to play Houston on Saturday. All indications are that the two-time MVP will be on the field for a matchup between the AFC West champion Chiefs and the AFC South champion Texans. But the Chiefs feel good about Wentz's ability to win a game should they need him on the field.

Notre Dame and Indiana get 1st taste of playoff football under the Friday night lights

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and Indiana coach Curt Cignetti are football junkies at heart. They enjoy studying film, game prep and Saturday afternoons. They're also deeply fond of playing underneath the Friday night lights. They'll get a chance to relive that memory this week when the 10th-seeded Hoosiers visit the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish in the first Friday night game ever played at Notre Dame Stadium. Freeman will be making his playoff debut as a head coach. Cignetti has playoff experience at different college levels but is making his first appearance in the College Football Playoff.

Chargers host Broncos on Thursday with both teams closing in on playoff spots

Bo Nix and Justin Herbert have tried to keep their focus squarely on Thursday night's pivotal AFC West showdown between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. Both quarterbacks realize though what a win would do in regards to their postseason chances. Nix and Denver have won four straight and would return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 with a victory at SoFi Stadium. Herbert and Los Angeles are reeling with losses in three of its past four. Yet, it would wrap up its second postseason berth in three seasons with a win plus losses or ties by Miami and Indianapolis.

Atalanta dominant again with 6-1 win over Cesena in Italian Cup, Roma routs Sampdoria

Serie A leader Atalanta continued its domination of domestic soccer this season with another hefty victory in the Italian Cup albeit against second division Cesena. Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic both scored twice as Atalanta cruised to a 6-1 win to book a place in the quarterfinals against Bologna. Atalanta has won a club record 10 straight league matches. Roma also eased through against lower-league opposition. They beat coach Claudio Ranieri's former team Sampdoria 4-1 to secure a quarterfinal match against AC Milan. The quarterfinals will be played in February.

Stingley shines for Texans in his third season after struggling with injuries in his first two

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans didn't hold back in his praise for cornerback Derek Stingley after his second interception in the fourth quarter Sunday iced a win over Miami. Ryans told the team "that's probably the best play I've ever seen" before giving Stingley a game ball after the 20-12 victory. Stingley has played well all season but has taken things up a notch in the past month, with four of his five interceptions coming in the last four games. He also had two tackles for loss Sunday to become the first cornerback in NFL history to have two interceptions and two tackles for loss in a game. His performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Bonmati goal helps Barcelona qualify as group winner in Women's Champions League along with Arsenal

Spain playmaker Aitana Bonmati has scored a goal that helped to send Barcelona into the Women's Champions League quarterfinals as the winner of its group. Bonmati raced through and poked a finish between the goalkeeper's legs for Barcelona's second goal in a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in their Group D closer. The teams finished group play tied on 15 points but Barca progressed in first place courtesy of a superior goal difference. Arsenal became the fourth group winner after beating Bayern Munich 3-2 thanks to a match-clinching penalty by Spain striker Mariona Caldentey in the 86th minute. The other group winners were record eight-time winner Lyon and Chelsea.

23XI Racing and Front Row can compete in NASCAR's 2025 season as chartered teams in legal victory

The two teams suing NASCAR over an antitrust complaint have been granted a preliminary injunction that will allow them to compete as chartered teams in 2025. U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell says NASCAR fans have an interest in watching all the teams compete with "their best drivers and most competitive teams." 23XI Racing, owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports refused in September to sign take-it-or-leave it revenue sharing offers made by NASCAR just 48 hours before the start of the playoffs. NASCAR could appeal.

Italy's oldest soccer club Genoa taken over by Romanian businessman Dan Șucu

Italy's oldest soccer club is now under the ownership of Romanian businessman Dan Șucu. Genoa announced that Șucu had acquired a majority stake after a capital increase of 40 million euros ($42 million) for a 77% share. The club hopes that Șucu who also owns Romanian team Rapid Bucharest will bring "financial stability" following months of uncertainty under the troubled Miami-based 777 Partners. The club was founded in 1893 and sold to 777 Partners three years ago ending previous owner Enrico Preziosi's 18 years in charge.

Commanders' Jonathan Allen could be back this season after tearing pectoral muscle in October

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen could be back this season after all, two months after having surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. The team opened Allen's 21-day practice window to pave the way for him to play after he was expected to be out for the rest of the season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old was injured on Oct. 13 at Baltimore. Coach Dan Quinn said Allen's tear was not as bad as initially feared and the team figured out not long after surgery that a return was possible.

Drew Lock is expected back at QB when the Giants face the Falcons

After sitting out a game with a heel injury, Drew Lock is expected back at quarterback when the New York Giants face the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday. Coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday that Lock has recovered and will start when the Giants (2-12) try to snap a franchise-record-tying nine-game losing streak. New York has been going back and forth at quarterback with Lock and Tommy DeVito since benching and then releasing Daniel Jones on Nov. 22. DeVito started against Tampa Bay on Nov. 24. Lock got the next two starts before his injury and DeVito returned last weekend.

Lions keep Montgomery off IR, holding out hope another opinion on his knee injury clears him to play

The Detroit Lions are holding out hope that running back David Montgomery might be able to return from what was believed to be a season-ending knee injury. Coach Dan Campbell says the team did not put Montgomery on injured reserve along with three other players this week because he's getting another opinion on his knee. The Lions have an NFL-high 21 players on injured reserve. Detroit visits Chicago on Sunday clinging to a first-place tie with Minnesota in the NFC North, along with a tie with the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles for the top seed in the conference.

Falcons sign kicker Riley Patterson after Younghoe Koo placed on injured reserve

The Atlanta Falcons have placed kicker Younghoe Koo on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury and signed kicker Riley Patterson from Cleveland's practice squad. Koo battled a right hip injury earlier in the season, but the Falcons did not say if that was the injury that will force him to miss the remainder of the regular season. Coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday following Monday night's 15-9 win at Las Vegas that Koo "kind of hurt himself a little bit." The Falcons released kicker Tanner Brown from their practice squad.

Clark scores 19 as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beats Southwestern Adventist 117-63

Led by Garry Clark's 19 points, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders defeated the Southwestern Adventist Knights 117-63 on Wednesday. The Islanders are now 7-5 on the season.

Dancier scores 20, Le Moyne downs Dartmouth 80-76

Led by AJ Dancier's 20 points, the Le Moyne Dolphins defeated the Dartmouth Big Green 80-76 on Wednesday. The Dolphins improved to 5-8 with the win and the Big Green fell to 4-7.

Chargers aim to get back on track as they host surging Broncos on Thursday

The Los Angeles Chargers host the Denver Broncos on Thursday night in a matchup of AFC West rivals looking to bolster their playoff positioning. The Broncos have won four straight after beating Indianapolis 31-13 on Sunday. The Chargers had a poor second half in a 40-17 loss to Tampa Bay. It was the most points Los Angeles has allowed this season, dropping its defense into a tie with Denver and Philadelphia for the fewest points allowed per game in the NFL.

Clemson's Dabo Swinney once again dismisses critics and leads Tigers to the College Football Playoff

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney doesn't see much difference in this season than many others in his long, successful career. Outsiders criticize Swinney's methods, they dismiss his teams chances of winning and the Tigers wind up celebrating another title. Clemson made its way into its seventh College Football Playoff after winning its ninth Atlantic Coast Conference title in Swinney's 16 full seasons. The 13th-ranked Tigers are seeded 12th in the CFP and will face No. 4 Texas, seeded fifth, in an opening round playoff game Saturday. Swinney has rarely paid attention to outside voices, only on what works for the Tigers.

Cleveland will host MLS matchup between Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Columbus Crew in April

The Cleveland Browns are hosting the world's most famous "footballer." Lionel Messi, who was named Major Soccer League's MVP in his first season with Miami Inter, is expected to play in Cleveland on April 19 against the Columbus Crew in the Browns' 67,000-seat stadium. It will be the first MLS regular-season game played at Huntington Bank Field, which previously has hosted games featuring the U.S. men's and women's national teams. Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam also own the Crew and view the chance to hold the game in Cleveland as an opportunity to broaden their fan base.

Lamar Jackson has had problems against the Steelers. Now he'll finally have a big home crowd to help

Lamar Jackson will finally have help he's never enjoyed before against Pittsburgh. He'll face the Steelers in front of a packed stadium that's actually cheering for him. This weekend's showdown between the Steelers and Jackson's Baltimore Ravens is only the second time the star quarterback has faced Pittsburgh at home. The other was in 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic limiting the announced crowd to 4,345. Jackson is 1-4 as a starter against Pittsburgh. He's never had a passer rating higher than 80.1 in a full game against the Steelers.

Olympic champ Ayumu Hirano will compete in Shaun White's new snowboarding league

the last of a career that spanned five Olympics and included three gold medals of his own.

Max Fried's first thought on how to spend his Yankees fortune was his 3-year-old mutt, Apollo

Max Fried's first thought on how to spend the fortune from his $218 million, eight-year contract with the New York Yankees was on Apollo, his 3-year-old mutt, "getting my dog a bunch of dog food." Not nearly as famous as Shohei Ohtani's dog, Decoy, Apollo figures to get more of a spotlight next season. Fried named the pooch after the Greek god, not thinking at first of the similarity to Apollo Creed, the name of the antagonist in the first two "Rocky" movies. Fried spent eight seasons in Atlanta that included a World Series title in 2021.

Formula 1 team Red Bull drops driver Sergio Perez after four seasons

Formula 1 team Red Bull has dropped Sergio Perez after months of poor results. Perez has not won a race since April 2023, even as his teammate Max Verstappen has dominated F1, and the 34-year-old Mexican was rarely competitive this season. Red Bull announced the move Wednesday, terminating Perez's contract two years early, and said a replacement will be announced "in due course." Nicknamed "Checo," Perez started the 2024 season with four podium finishes from the first five races, but he wasn't in the top three since. His last race finish higher than sixth was in May. Verstappen won nine races and his fourth consecutive title this year.

Caitlin Clark's No. 22 to be retired during February ceremony at Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Caitlin Clark's No. 22 will be retired in a ceremony Feb. 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Clark finished her college career last season as the all-time leading men's or women's scorer in NCAA Division I history and is widely regarded as a transformational figure in the women's game. The flair of her game and long-distance 3-point shots spawned a legion of fans adorned in her No. 22 jersey at games both home and away. Clark grew up in the Des Moines area and said Iowa holds a place in her heart bigger than just basketball.

Ivy League football to compete in FCS playoffs beginning next season

The Ivy League has announced its football programs will compete in the FCS playoffs beginning next season. The league said Wednesday the decision to compete in the playoffs followed a year-long process initiated by its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Mason Shipp is a senior football player at Yale who serves as the committee's chairman. He called this a monumental day and said to the future generations of Ivy League football players: "go win us some hardware!" The 2024 season culminated with Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard earning a share of the Ivy League title. It was Colombia football's first Ivy League title since 1961.

Brr! Winter adds an old-school challenge to the CFP. Visiting teams insist it's 'snow' problem

Besides first-round games at on-campus sites, the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff also serves up something now for this postseason: cold-weather northern venues as opposed to bowl games in warm, sunny climates. Whether that provides a home-field advantage for sixth-seeded Penn State, No. 7 seed Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State remains to be seen, but it's a factor southern schools such No. 11 SMU and No. 9 Tennessee must prepare for. Tenth-seeded Indiana only has to travel a couple hundred miles north to South Bend but December football will be new to the Hoosiers, especially at No. 7 seed Notre Dame.

Central Missouri's Zach Zebrowski among 4 repeat first-team picks on AP Division II All-America team

Central Missouri quarterback Zach Zebrowski is among four players who were repeat first-team selections to The Associated Press Division II All-America team. Joining Zebrowski were Wingate defensive lineman Marquise Fleming, Augustana defensive back Peyton Buckley and Colorado Mines punter Blake Doud. Zebrowski won the 2023 Harlon Hill as Division II's most outstanding player. Zebrowski is among six finalists for the Harlon Hill on the first team. The others are Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Charleston (West Virginia) running back Chavon Wright, Virginia Union running back Jada Byers, Valdosta State quarterback Sammy Edwards and CSU Pueblo wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff.

Red Bull principal Christian Horner says honorary award from King Charles is 'very humbling'

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says it was "very humbling" to receive an honorary award from King Charles III. It came at the end of a Formula 1 season that saw Horner cleared of accusations of inappropriate conduct by a team employee. Horner was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the king's traditional New Year's List for his services to motorsport. He received the award at a Buckingham Palace ceremony. It capped a year in which Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won a fourth straight title, but where the results on the track were sometimes overshadowed by the accusations against Horner.

Ex-teammates expect the best from Lindsey Vonn in return to World Cup ski racing at age 40

A trio of well-known and well-decorated American ski racers are all rooting for their longtime teammate Lindsey Vonn as she returns to ski racing at 40 this weekend in St. Moritz, Switzerland. More than anything, Bode Miller, Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso, all in their 40s, just want their teammate to be safe as she races at top speeds again. Vonn retired in 2019 not because she was slowing down, but because she was broken down. She has a new titanium knee and feels strong again as she competes in a Word Cup race for the first time in nearly six years. Vonn has 82 World Cup wins.

Wake Forest hires Washington State's Jake Dickert to follow Dave Clawson as football coach

Wake Forest has hired Washington State's Jake Dickert to become the Demon Deacons' next football coach. The school announced the move Wednesday. That came two days after Dave Clawson resigned unexpectedly following 11 seasons that included regular bowl bids and an Atlantic Coast Conference division title. Dickert has guided the Cougars to 20 wins in three full seasons since taking over that program after a stint as the interim coach in 2021. Washington State is set to play in the Holiday Bowl. The school said assistant Pete Kaligis would lead the team in that matchup against No. 22 Syracuse.

Switzerland assistant coach Contini leaves to join Champions League club Young Boys

Giorgio Contini is taking over as coach of Champions League struggler Young Boys and leaving his role as Switzerland assistant coach after helping the national team excel at the European Championship. Young Boys says Contini signed a contract through the 2026-27 season. The Swiss title holder is ninth in the 12-team league and last in the new 36-team Champions League standings. Contini's arrival in February as assistant to Switzerland coach Murat Yakin helped spark an unbeaten run that took the team to the brink of the European Championship semifinals. Switzerland beat defending champion Italy in the round of 16 then lost to England in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.

2-time Stanley Cup winner Justin Schultz announces his retirement after 12 NHL seasons

Two-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman Justin Schultz is retiring after 12 NHL seasons. The NHL Players' Association announced Schultz's decision Wednesday. The 34-year-old terminated his contract with HC Lugano in Switzerland last week to return home to Canada. Schultz won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and '17 after playing his first four seasons in the league with Edmonton. The Kelowna, British Columbia, native played two seasons each with Washington and Seattle and eight games in Europe this fall before calling it a career.

Browns running back Nick Chubb goes on injured reserve after 4-time Pro Bowler breaks his foot

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb has been placed on injured reserve, officially ending a comeback season after he suffered a severe knee injury last year. Chubb broke his foot during Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The four-time Pro Bowler finished the season with 332 yards rushing and four touchdowns in eight games. He suffered a left knee injury in Week 2 last season at Pittsburgh. He worked his way back and made his debut this season on Oct. 20. Chubb didn't speak to reporters on Sunday, leaving on crutches and in a walking boot. Coach Kevin Stefanski said he doesn't believe Chubb will need surgery and that he is expected to make a full recovery.

Sports on TV for Thursday, Dec. 19

(All times Eastern)

NCAA Division II Football Playoff Glance

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Sports on TV for Dec. 23 - 29

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The ATP men's tennis tour paid $1.3 million to 26 players via a guaranteed-income plan in 2024

The ATP men's tennis tour is paying out $1.3 million to a total of 26 players in 2024 under a new financial program called Baseline that guarantees minimum annual incomes for players ranked in the top 250. The tour said Monday that players received money in each of three categories: 17 got paid as part of minimum guarantees that make up the difference if players do not reach certain thresholds in prize money, three through injury protection that helps those whose tournament participation is limited by health issues, and seven via newcomer investment that provides funds to new members of the top 125.

Rik Van Looy, one of greatest one-day cyclists, dies at 90

Rik Van Looy, one of the greatest one-day cyclists who won two world championships as well as eight "monument" classics, has died. He was 90. For a decade starting in the late 1950s, he was the unchallenged No. 1 star in Belgium before he had to give way to the rise of Eddy Merckx. Among the monument classics, he won Paris-Roubaix three times, the Ronde of Flanders twice and Milan San Remo, the Tour of Lombardy and Liege-Bastogne-Liege once.

NFL has a record number of playoff clinches and bottom dwellers with 3 weeks to go

There might by more intrigue in the race for the No. 1 pick than in the race to make the playoffs in the final three weeks. There's already a record number of teams that have clinched a playoff spot with three weeks to play in the NFL season and a record number of teams with three or fewer wins after Week 15 as a league built on parity has become one of haves and have nots. Seven playoff spots have been clinched at this point in the season for the first time ever and the 50% of playoff berths filled are the most with three weeks remaining.

Lillard and Antetokounmpo won an NBA Cup together. Now, the next challenge: chasing the big prize

Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo stood side-by-side during the postgame celebration after the NBA Cup final. Antetokounmpo was holding the MVP trophy. Lillard was holding the bigger trophy. And it was a moment that Lillard had waited a long time to savor. He's been a rookie of the year, a 3-point contest champion, an All-Star MVP, even a member of the league's 75th anniversary team. And while his biggest goal is still winning an NBA championship, the significance of winning the NBA Cup was not lost on the 13-year veteran.

No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 9 Indiana take one last spin with 1-year QBs Kurtis Rourke and Riley Leonard

betting big on veteran quarterbacks with only one-year of eligibility remaining. The reward comes Friday night when the 10th-seeded Hoosiers visit the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish in the first College Football Playoff game ever played on a college campus. The winner advances to a quarterfinal round matchup against second-seeded Georgia.

The darker side of the rise of women's sports: With more visibility comes more online harassment

As women's sports set new records for attendance and viewership this year, longtime fans have watched with both optimism and unease. The meteoric rise in popularity propelled by stars like the WNBA's Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has also revealed strong backlash to this success. It's a cycle female athletes and fans of women's sports have come to recognize: With the increased and sought-after visibility also comes added scrutiny and, often, harassment and online abuse targeting some players. Much of it has been racially motivated and directed at players of color across the sports landscape.

LSU's Aneesah Morrow is a rebounding machine and leads the nation in boards

LSU's Aneesah Morrow leads the nation in rebounding, averaging nearly 14.1 a game. She moved into the career Top 25 in Division I history and now has 1,412 in her career. At her current pace, she could finish in the top three all-time. No. 5 LSU heads to Chicago to play UIC Thursday in a homecoming game for the Tigers' star. Morrow played the first two years of her college career at DePaul before transferring to LSU to have a chance to compete for national championships.

Man United coach Amorim says club needs 'big talents' like Rashford

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says the club needs players like Marcus Rashford after the forward was quoted as saying he was ready for a new challenge. Rashford was dropped from United's squad for its 2-1 win against Manchester City on Sunday. It has led to widespread speculation about his future and Rashford discussed the possibility of leaving in an interview on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Rashford is under contract until 2028. He is a graduate of United's famed academy, which has produced many of its greatest players like Bobby Charlton, George Best, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.

Salzburg hires Thomas Letsch as coach ahead of Klopp's arrival at Red Bull and Club World Cup

Salzburg has hired Thomas Letsch as coach as the Austrian club seeks a turnaround ahead of the Club World Cup next year and the imminent arrival of Jürgen Klopp as head of soccer for Red Bull's group of clubs. Letsch replaces Pepijn Lijnders, who was fired Monday with the club 10 points off the lead in the Austrian league and unlikely to advance in the Champions League. Letsch has signed a contract through 2027. Salzburg won 10 Austrian titles in a row before losing out to Sturm Graz last season.

The group behind a new European soccer competition has resurfaced. Here's what they propose

The group behind a breakaway European soccer competition to rival the Champions League has resurfaced. The Madrid-based A22 Sports Management is back with a new incarnation of the proposed European Super League, which is now being called the Unify League. A22 is seeking to change the face of soccer in its most lucrative market by creating a rival for UEFA's club competitions. It is nearly four years since the initial Super League plan was ambitiously launched and quickly aborted. The rebels have been emboldened by a successful legal challenge last year and now are back with a new name for the competition and a new business model. It remains to be seen who signs up for the project.

South Dakota visits Utah Tech following Forte's 21-point performance

South Dakota visits the Utah Tech Trailblazers after Chase Forte scored 21 points in the Coyotes' 89-66 victory against the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Thursday's meeting is the first this season between the teams. Utah Tech is 2-2 at home, and South Dakota is 1-4 on the road.

Smith leads Bellarmine against Wyoming after 33-point game

Bellarmine visits the Wyoming Cowboys after Billy Smith scored 33 points in the Knights' 86-82 loss to the Ball State Cardinals. Thursday's meeting is the first this season for the two squads. Wyoming is 4-0 at home, and Bellarmine is 0-5 on the road.

Boise State Broncos take on the Furman Paladins

The Boise State Broncos face the Furman Paladins at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, Washington. Wednesday's meeting is the first of the season between the two teams. Boise State is 7-0 at home, and Furman is 4-2 on the road.

Utah Tech visits Littlepage-Buggs and Baylor

Baylor hosts the Utah Tech Trailblazers after Darianna Littlepage-Buggs scored 21 points in Baylor's 71-64 victory against the UNLV Rebels. The teams meet Wednesday for the first time this season. Baylor is 7-0 at home, and Utah Tech is 1-4 on the road.

UC Davis hosts Idaho after Mrus' 20-point game

Idaho takes on the UC Davis Aggies after Tyler Mrus scored 20 points in the Vandals' 80-56 loss to the UCSD Tritons. The teams meet Wednesday for the second time this season. UC Davis is 3-1 at home, and Idaho is 1-4 on the road.

Davis and UT Rio Grande Valley host Southern Utah

UT Rio Grande Valley faces the Southern Utah Thunderbirds after Cliff Davis scored 21 points in UT Rio Grande Valley's 72-60 win over the Northern New Mexico Eagles. Wednesday's matchup is the first this season for the two teams. UT Rio Grande Valley is 4-1 at home, and Southern Utah is 1-4 on the road.

UC Riverside Highlanders face the Utah State Aggies, look for 5th straight victory

UC Riverside will try to prolong its four-game win streak with a victory over Utah State. The teams meet Wednesday for the first time this season. Utah State is 1-2 at home, and UC Riverside is 3-4 on the road.

Detroit plays Utah after overtime win

Detroit hosts the Utah Jazz following the Detroit Pistons' 125-124 overtime win over the Miami Heat. The teams match up Thursday for the first time this season. Detroit is 5-7 at home, and Utah is 3-10 on the road.