“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SCORES
HOMESTEAD.COM
| CRAWFORDSVILLE | 67 | SPEEDWAY | 64 | |
| EASTERN GREENE | 66 | MONROVIA | 63 | 2OT |
| EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL | 74 | FORT WAYNE DWENGER | 37 | |
| FORT RECOVERY (OHIO) | 52 | SOUTH ADAMS | 42 | |
| MISHAWAKA MARIAN | 69 | MARTINSVILLE | 61 | |
| NORWELL | 67 | ADAMS CENTRAL | 54 | |
| RIVER FOREST | 57 | NORTH JUDSON | 36 | |
| TAYLOR | 64 | EASTERN (GREENTOWN) | 37 | |
| WAPAHANI | 51 | FRANKTON | 35 | |
| BATESVILLE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) | 82 | BATESVILLE | 58 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI | 59 | COLUMBUS NORTH | 32 | |
| COLUMBUS NORTH | 66 | BATESVILLE | 46 | |
| MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) | 52 | INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI | 40 | |
| BISMARCK-HENNING (ILL.) TOURNAMENT | ||||
| BHRA (ILL.) | 74 | PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY | 32 | |
| IRVINGTON PREP | 60 | MILFORD (ILL.) | 49 | |
| PHALEN ACADEMY | 73 | PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY | 55 | |
| BHRA (ILL.) | 76 | IRVINGTON PREP | 56 | |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN TOURNAMENT | ||||
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN | 49 | PURDUE POLY NORTH | 48 | |
| HORIZON CHRISTIAN | 45 | INDIANAPOLIS HERRON | 42 | |
| CHRISTEL HOUSE | 83 | NORTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL | 41 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS HOMESCHOOL | 76 | KIPP INDY LEGACY | 52 | |
| CLAY CITY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| TRI-WEST | 80 | NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) | 50 | |
| CLAY CITY | 61 | OWEN VALLEY | 30 | |
| TRI-WEST | 68 | NORTH VERMILLION | 56 | |
| OWEN VALLEY | 57 | NORTH PUTNAM | 52 | |
| NORTH VERMILLION | 50 | NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) | 46 | |
| CLAY CITY | 85 | NORTH PUTNAM | 30 | |
| CROTHERSVILLE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| WALDRON | 62 | ROCK CREEK ACADEMY | 57 | |
| CROTHERSVILLE | 72 | TRI-TOWNSHIP | 59 | |
| SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE) | 53 | TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN | 43 | |
| NEW WASHINGTON | 66 | WALDRON | 64 | OT |
| SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE) | 62 | CROTHERSVILLE | 57 | |
| DELTA TOURNAMENT | ||||
| INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA | 49 | BELLMONT | 36 | |
| DELTA | 54 | FORT WAYNE SOUTH | 49 | |
| MUNCIE CENTRAL | 57 | COLUMBIA CITY | 52 | |
| PROVIDENCE | 38 | FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA | 35 | |
| FORT WAYNE SOUTH | 70 | BELLMONT | 41 | |
| COLUMBIA CITY | 65 | FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA | 45 | |
| DELTA | 63 | INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA | 41 | |
| PROVIDENCE | 38 | MUNCIE CENTRAL | 20 | |
| EDINBURGH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| ALEXANDRIA | 48 | SOUTH DECATUR | 37 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 62 | AUSTIN | 46 | |
| UNION COUNTY | 64 | EDINBURGH | 56 | |
| BORDEN | 77 | VICTORY COLLEGE PREP | 33 | |
| SOUTH DECATUR | 69 | AUSTIN | 60 | |
| EDINBURGH | 87 | VICTORY COLLEGE PREP | 45 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 76 | ALEXANDRIA | 52 | |
| UNION COUNTY | 49 | BORDEN | 48 | |
| GIBSON COUNTY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| GIBSON SOUTHERN | 68 | INDIAN CREEK | 38 | |
| SOUTH KNOX | 60 | NORTH HARRISON | 43 | |
| PRINCETON | 47 | DANVILLE | 45 | |
| NORTH POSEY | 68 | WOOD MEMORIAL | 58 | |
| INDIAN CREEK | 80 | NORTH HARRISON | 28 | |
| GIBSON SOUTHERN | 58 | SOUTH KNOX | 35 | |
| WOOD MEMORIAL | 64 | DANVILLE | 58 | |
| PRINCETON | 47 | NORTH POSEY | 38 | |
| HARRISON (WL) CLASSIC | ||||
| HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) | 78 | HOBART | 49 | |
| SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON | 74 | CONNERSVILLE | 36 | |
| SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON | 75 | HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) | 64 | OT |
| HEBRON TOURNAMENT | ||||
| LAVILLE | 58 | TRI-COUNTY | 37 | |
| HEBRON | 68 | CAREER ACADEMY | 39 | |
| HENRYVILLE INVITATIONAL | ||||
| BROWN COUNTY | 48 | HENRYVILLE | 37 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE | 67 | SPRINGS VALLEY | 40 | |
| SPRINGS VALLEY | 53 | HENRYVILLE | 51 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE | 51 | BROWN COUNTY | 46 | |
| HIGHLAND TOURNAMENT | ||||
| ANDREAN | 60 | CALUMET | 38 | |
| LAFAYETTE JEFF | 65 | GRIFFITH | 39 | |
| GRIFFITH | 52 | CALUMET | 47 | |
| LAFAYETTE JEFF | 60 | ANDREAN | 42 | |
| HOMESTEAD TOURNAMENT | ||||
| ZIONSVILLE | 41 | PENN | 39 | |
| HOMESTEAD | 55 | EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL | 48 | |
| SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH | 88 | HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN | 85 | |
| VALPARAISO | 43 | CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) | 40 | |
| ZIONSVILLE | 55 | EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL | 43 | |
| HOMESTEAD | 54 | PENN | 49 | |
| HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN | 69 | VALPARAISO | 42 | |
| SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH | 71 | CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) | 50 | |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY INVITATIONAL | ||||
| SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) | 70 | CLARKSVILLE | 19 | |
| CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 55 | MADISON | 49 | |
| PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD | 57 | CLARKSVILLE | 24 | |
| BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL | 60 | CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 39 | |
| SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) | 65 | PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD | 50 | |
| BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL | 85 | MADISON | 62 | |
| KOKOMO TOURNAMENT | ||||
| KOKOMO | 90 | NEW HAVEN | 70 | |
| MERRILLVILLE | 60 | HANOVER CENTRAL | 52 | |
| PORTAGE | 43 | PLAINFIELD | 41 | |
| WARREN CENTRAL | 66 | GREENSBURG | 42 | |
| NEW HAVEN | 78 | HANOVER CENTRAL | 66 | |
| PLAINFIELD | 66 | GREENSBURG | 35 | |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN TOURNAMENT | ||||
| DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN | 54 | LAKELAND CHRISTIAN | 50 | |
| ILLIANA CHRISTIAN | 48 | WHITKO | 41 | |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN | 75 | DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN | 35 | |
| WHITKO | 42 | BETHANY CHRISTIAN | 33 | |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN | 73 | LAKELAND CHRISTIAN | 32 | |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN | 65 | ILLIANA CHRISTIAN | 51 | |
| LAPORTE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| MCCUTCHEON | 72 | LOWELL | 42 | |
| NORTHRIDGE | 73 | LOGANSPORT | 29 | |
| GOSHEN | 55 | MUNSTER | 49 | |
| LAPORTE | 76 | FREMONT | 56 | |
| LOWELL | 57 | LOGANSPORT | 49 | |
| MUNSTER | 67 | FREMONT | 45 | |
| LAWRENCEBURG TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SILVER CREEK | 78 | BEECH GROVE | 56 | |
| BLOOMINGTON SOUTH | 82 | NEWPORT CATHOLIC (KY.) | 49 | |
| NEW PALESTINE | 77 | LAWRENCEBURG | 35 | |
| JENNINGS COUNTY | 72 | GAINESVILLE (FLA.) | 59 | |
| WHITELAND | 53 | BLOOMINGTON SOUTH | 51 | |
| FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK | 76 | BEECH GROVE | 43 | |
| GUERIN CATHOLIC | 60 | GAINESVILLE (FLA.) | 45 | |
| NEW PALESTINE | 83 | CASTLE | 59 | |
| SILVER CREEK | 74 | FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK | 54 | |
| WHITELAND | 82 | NEWPORT CATHOLIC (KY.) | 60 | |
| CASTLE | 59 | LAWRENCEBURG | 48 | |
| GUERIN CATHOLIC | 72 | JENNINGS COUNTY | 51 | |
| LEBANON TOURNAMENT | ||||
| MOORESVILLE | 61 | INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN | 55 | |
| PERRY MERIDIAN | 59 | WESTERN | 45 | |
| EVANSVILLE NORTH | 65 | UNIVERSITY | 61 | |
| LEBANON | 38 | FAITH CHRISTIAN | 18 | |
| MIAMI COUNTY INVITATIONAL | ||||
| MACONAQUAH | 97 | NORTH MIAMI | 68 | |
| PERU | 71 | CASTON | 49 | |
| MITCHELL CLASSIC | ||||
| WHITE RIVER VALLEY | 41 | SHOALS | 38 | |
| MITCHELL | 75 | PIKE CENTRAL | 47 | |
| FRANKLIN COUNTY | 69 | WHITE RIVER VALLEY | 50 | |
| PIKE CENTRAL | 46 | SHOALS | 42 | |
| MITCHELL | 78 | FRANKLIN COUNTY | 62 | |
| NOBLESVILLE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| BREBEUF JESUIT | 47 | NOBLESVILLE | 46 | |
| CROWN POINT | 68 | GARY 21ST CENTURY | 50 | |
| NOBLESVILLE | 50 | GARY 21ST CENTURY | 41 | |
| CROWN POINT | 57 | BREBEUF JESUIT | 34 | |
| NORTH CENTRAL CLASSIC | ||||
| SOUTH BEND RILEY | 66 | PARK TUDOR | 51 | |
| CARMEL | 57 | LAKE CENTRAL | 26 | |
| EVANSVILLE REITZ | 79 | PIKE | 75 | 2OT |
| NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) | 80 | EVANSVILLE HARRISON | 64 | |
| OLDENBURG ACADEMY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SETON CATHOLIC | 65 | ST. HENRY (KY.) | 54 | |
| OLDENBURG ACADEMY | 57 | VILLA MADONNA (KY.) | 33 | |
| SETON CATHOLIC | 50 | OLDENBURG ACADEMY | 46 | |
| PERRY-SPENCER TOURNAMENT | ||||
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 72 | PERRY CENTRAL | 49 | |
| CRAWFORD COUNTY | 46 | TELL CITY | 43 | |
| CHARLESTOWN | 55 | BOONVILLE | 45 | |
| SOUTH SPENCER | 47 | EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN | 38 | |
| PERRY CENTRAL | 50 | TELL CITY | 41 | |
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 58 | CRAWFORD COUNTY | 20 | |
| BOONVILLE | 76 | EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN | 34 | |
| CHARLESTOWN | 54 | SOUTH SPENCER | 49 | |
| PLYMOUTH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| NEW PRAIRIE | 56 | LEWIS CASS | 49 | |
| PLYMOUTH | 64 | KNOX | 29 | |
| RICH TWP. (ILL.) TOURNAMENT | ||||
| RICH TWP. (ILL.) | 89 | HAMMOND NOLL | 46 | |
| HAMMOND MORTON | 54 | BREMEN (ILL.) | 44 | |
| SHENANDOAH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SHENANDOAH | 40 | RUSHVILLE | 36 | |
| GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN | 45 | DEKALB | 39 | OT |
| GREATER LATROBE (PA.) | 53 | INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN | 36 | |
| BLACKFORD | 56 | INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY | 50 | |
| DEKALB | 54 | RUSHVILLE | 27 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN | 73 | INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY | 49 | |
| SHENANDOAH | 52 | GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN | 36 | |
| GREATER LATROBE (PA.) | 66 | BLACKFORD | 56 | |
| SWITZERLAND COUNTY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| HAUSER | 67 | EAST CENTRAL | 46 | |
| PAOLI | 67 | HAMILTON HEIGHTS | 51 | |
| CASCADE | 62 | SWITZERLAND COUNTY | 58 | |
| TIPPECANOE VALLEY | 54 | TRINITY LUTHERAN | 27 | |
| HAMILTON HEIGHTS | 47 | EAST CENTRAL | 38 | |
| HAUSER | 63 | PAOLI | 50 | |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN | 64 | SWITZERLAND COUNTY | 59 | |
| TIPPECANOE VALLEY | 70 | CASCADE | 56 | |
| TRIMBLE COUNTY (KY.) CLASSIC | ||||
| TRIMBLE COUNTY (KY.) | 59 | RISING SUN | 48 | |
| SHAWE MEMORIAL | 45 | CARROLL COUNTY (KY.) | 40 | |
| WABASH COUNTY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| MANCHESTER | 77 | NORTHFIELD | 41 | |
| SOUTHWOOD | 55 | WABASH | 44 | |
| WABASH VALLEY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| EDGEWOOD | 59 | CLOVERDALE | 48 | |
| PARKE HERITAGE | 73 | ROBINSON (ILL.) | 20 | |
| NORTHVIEW | 76 | SOUTH VERMILLION | 44 | |
| BLOOMFIELD | 46 | LINTON | 43 | |
| CASEY-WESTFIELD (ILL.) | 59 | SHAKAMAK | 51 | |
| SULLIVAN | 64 | MARSHALL (ILL.) | 36 | |
| TERRE HAUTE SOUTH | 47 | WEST VIGO | 40 | |
| TERRE HAUTE NORTH | 43 | GREENCASTLE | 33 | |
INDIANA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SCORES
HOMESTEAD.COM
| EASTSIDE | 78 | HERITAGE | 22 | |
| EVANSVILLE CENTRAL | 65 | FISHERS | 54 | |
| HANCOCK COUNTY (KY.) | 71 | EVANSVILLE BOSSE | 65 | 2OT |
| INDIAN CREEK | 51 | HERITAGE HILLS | 29 | |
| LAWRENCE NORTH | 49 | BROWNSBURG | 48 | |
| PIKE | 57 | WAYNE MEMORIAL (MICH.) | 52 | |
| RENSSELAER CENTRAL | 59 | NORTH KNOX | 57 | |
| SPRINGS VALLEY | 64 | MARTINSVILLE | 53 | |
| WASHINGTON | 77 | INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI | 59 | |
| BISMARCK-HENNING (ILL.) TOURNAMENT | ||||
| NORTH VERMILLION | 38 | BHRA (ILL.) | 22 | |
| ARMSTRONG-POTOMAC (ILL.) | 47 | ATTICA | 39 | |
| BENTON CENTRAL | 60 | OAKWOOD (ILL.) | 33 | |
| NORTH VERMILLION | 57 | ARMSTRONG-POTOMAC (ILL.) | 46 | |
| BHRA (ILL.) | 28 | ATTICA | 24 | |
| BENTON CENTRAL | 67 | UNITY (ILL.) | 31 | |
| CARROLL (FLORA) TOURNAMENT | ||||
| NORTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL | 64 | TIPTON | 18 | |
| LEWIS CASS | 50 | CARROLL (FLORA) | 27 | |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN | 56 | WESTERN BOONE | 23 | |
| UNIVERSITY | 53 | WESTERN | 38 | |
| CARROLL (FLORA) | 55 | TIPTON | 22 | |
| LEWIS CASS | 42 | NORTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL | 40 | |
| UNIVERSITY | 47 | HERITAGE CHRISTIAN | 39 | |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN TOURNAMENT | ||||
| IRVINGTON PREP | 28 | KIPP INDY LEGACY | 21 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS HERRON | 52 | CENTRAL CHRISTIAN | 30 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS HOMESCHOOL | 44 | INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN | 39 | |
| EMINENCE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN | 40 | SEVEN OAKS | 37 | |
| EMINENCE | 46 | RIVERTON PARKE | 35 | |
| SEVEN OAKS | 39 | DUGGER UNION | 34 | |
| RIVERTON PARKE | 53 | COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN | 22 | |
| DUGGER UNION | 27 | MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN | 25 | |
| EMINENCE | 58 | COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN | 28 | |
| GIBSON COUNTY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| EVANSVILLE REITZ | 68 | NORTH HARRISON | 22 | |
| JASPER | 60 | GIBSON SOUTHERN | 57 | |
| WOOD MEMORIAL | 63 | NORTH POSEY | 54 | |
| DANVILLE | 52 | PRINCETON | 37 | |
| GIBSON SOUTHERN | 74 | NORTH HARRISON | 35 | |
| EVANSVILLE REITZ | 35 | JASPER | 24 | |
| NORTH POSEY | 48 | PRINCETON | 45 | |
| DANVILLE | 75 | WOOD MEMORIAL | 67 | |
| GREENWOOD TOURNAMENT | ||||
| YORKTOWN | 62 | TRITON CENTRAL | 44 | |
| EAST CENTRAL | 62 | GREENWOOD | 35 | |
| TRITON CENTRAL | 59 | GREENWOOD | 40 | |
| YORKTOWN | 42 | EAST CENTRAL | 31 | |
| HALL OF FAME TOURNAMENT | ||||
| LAWRENCE CENTRAL | 66 | HOMESTEAD | 42 | |
| HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN | 67 | SOUTH KNOX | 59 | |
| HOMESTEAD | 73 | SOUTH KNOX | 70 | |
| HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN | 52 | LAWRENCE CENTRAL | 50 | |
| HAMMOND MORTON TOURNAMENT | ||||
| HAMMOND NOLL | 53 | RIVER FOREST | 43 | |
| SOUTH BEND RILEY | 47 | GARY WEST | 30 | |
| BOWMAN ACADEMY | 56 | HAMMOND NOLL | 53 | |
| HAMMOND MORTON | 74 | SOUTH BEND RILEY | 29 | |
| BOWMAN ACADEMY | 36 | RIVER FOREST | 29 | |
| HAMMOND MORTON | 70 | GARY WEST | 38 | |
| HAUSER TOURNAMENT | ||||
| COLUMBUS EAST | 67 | GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN | 35 | |
| PAOLI | 47 | SOUTH DECATUR | 30 | |
| SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) | 60 | HAUSER | 33 | |
| MADISON | 54 | NORTH DECATUR | 43 | |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN TOURNAMENT | ||||
| GRANGER CHRISTIAN | 32 | BETHANY CHRISTIAN | 27 | |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN | 44 | CAREER ACADEMY | 21 | |
| DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN | 62 | GRANGER CHRISTIAN | 21 | |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN | 62 | CLINTON CHRISTIAN | 33 | |
| DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN | 49 | BETHANY CHRISTIAN | 8 | |
| CLINTON CHRISTIAN | 51 | CAREER ACADEMY | 38 | |
| LEBANON TOURNAMENT | ||||
| MOORESVILLE | 57 | LOWELL | 41 | |
| GREENFIELD-CENTRAL | 45 | EVANSVILLE NORTH | 36 | |
| LOWELL | 46 | PERRY MERIDIAN | 40 | |
| BLOOMINGTON NORTH | 43 | MOORESVILLE | 40 | |
| EVANSVILLE NORTH | 54 | LEBANON | 48 | OT |
| GREENFIELD-CENTRAL | 46 | LAFAYETTE JEFF | 28 | |
| MIAMI COUNTY INVITATIONAL | ||||
| PERU | 44 | CASTON | 33 | |
| MACONAQUAH | 42 | NORTH MIAMI | 39 | |
| NORTH CENTRAL CLASSIC | ||||
| NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) | 74 | DECATUR CENTRAL | 35 | |
| SILVER CREEK | 68 | AVON | 62 | |
| NORTHEASTERN TOURNAMENT | ||||
| LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC | 59 | TRI | 38 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL | 60 | BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL | 39 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 62 | SHELBYVILLE | 35 | |
| KOKOMO | 63 | FORT WAYNE WAYNE | 52 | |
| BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL | 59 | TRI | 53 | |
| FORT WAYNE WAYNE | 52 | SHELBYVILLE | 49 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL | 56 | LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC | 44 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 61 | KOKOMO | 45 | |
| NORTHRIDGE TOURNAMENT | ||||
| NORTHRIDGE | 72 | RUSHVILLE | 36 | |
| FLOYD CENTRAL | 56 | ANDREAN | 27 | |
| WESTFIELD | 38 | NORTHWOOD | 33 | |
| PENN | 65 | FORT WAYNE DWENGER | 17 | |
| NORTHRIDGE | 58 | FLOYD CENTRAL | 43 | |
| RUSHVILLE | 42 | ANDREAN | 40 | |
| WESTFIELD | 62 | FORT WAYNE DWENGER | 32 | |
| PENN | 57 | NORTHWOOD | 27 | |
| ORLEANS TOURNAMENT | ||||
| ORLEANS | 55 | EASTERN GREENE | 19 | |
| EDGEWOOD | 54 | MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) | 32 | |
| EASTERN GREENE | 32 | MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) | 28 | |
| ORLEANS | 38 | EDGEWOOD | 28 | |
| PEORIA MANUAL (ILL.) CLASSIC | ||||
| LAKE CENTRAL | 69 | SOUTHEAST (ILL.) | 47 | |
| PLYMOUTH TOURNAMENT | ||||
| PORTAGE | 53 | NEW PRAIRIE | 36 | |
| PLYMOUTH | 50 | KNOX | 40 | |
| RICHMOND TOURNAMENT | ||||
| RICHMOND | 65 | PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD | 60 | |
| CONNERSVILLE | 60 | MARION | 44 | |
| CHARLESTOWN | 42 | BEN DAVIS | 37 | |
| ALEXANDRIA | 87 | JAC-CEN-DEL | 29 | |
| ROBINSON (ILL.) TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SHAKAMAK | 66 | NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) | 60 | |
| ROBINSON (ILL.) | 32 | SULLIVAN | 29 | |
| SULLIVAN | 51 | TRI-COUNTY (ILL.) | 25 | |
| NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) | 49 | OSWEGO (ILL.) | 45 | |
| ALTAMONT (ILL.) | 39 | SHAKAMAK | 27 | |
| SCOTTSBURG TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SCOTTSBURG | 62 | BATESVILLE | 46 | |
| COLUMBUS NORTH | 50 | BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE | 42 | |
| EASTERN (PEKIN) | 52 | SEYMOUR | 44 | |
| FRANKLIN CENTRAL | 48 | BORDEN | 35 | |
| COLUMBUS NORTH | 73 | SCOTTSBURG | 51 | |
| FRANKLIN CENTRAL | 70 | EASTERN (PEKIN) | 22 | |
| SHERIDAN TOURNAMENT | ||||
| SHERIDAN | 68 | SEEGER | 46 | |
| EASTERN HANCOCK | 62 | TRI-CENTRAL | 37 | |
| SEEGER | 60 | TRI-CENTRAL | 47 | |
| SHERIDAN | 57 | EASTERN HANCOCK | 36 | |
| TWIN LAKES TOURNAMENT | ||||
| INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD | 62 | FAITH CHRISTIAN | 25 | |
| COLUMBIA CITY | 63 | CROWN POINT | 52 | |
| MCCUTCHEON | 53 | MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) | 35 | |
| MUNSTER | 59 | TWIN LAKES | 36 | |
| VINCENNES RIVET TOURNAMENT | ||||
| EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN | 36 | VINCENNES RIVET | 32 | |
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 55 | EVANSVILLE HARRISON | 29 | |
| CASTLE | 70 | MONROVIA | 23 | |
| PROVIDENCE | 48 | BLOOMFIELD | 21 | |
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 67 | EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN | 37 | |
| VINCENNES RIVET | 70 | EVANSVILLE HARRISON | 32 | |
| CASTLE | 63 | PROVIDENCE | 25 | |
| MONROVIA | 58 | BLOOMFIELD | 23 | |
| WABASH COUNTY TOURNAMENT | ||||
| WABASH | 54 | NORTHFIELD | 46 | |
| MANCHESTER | 45 | SOUTHWOOD | 35 | |
| WALDRON TOURNAMENT | ||||
| FRANKLIN COUNTY | 71 | WALDRON | 50 | |
| UNION COUNTY | 52 | HAMILTON HEIGHTS | 19 | |
| HAMILTON HEIGHTS | 61 | WALDRON | 58 | |
| FRANKLIN COUNTY | 52 | UNION COUNTY | 41 | |
| WHITELAND TOURNAMENT | ||||
| WHITELAND | 72 | ANDERSON | 43 | |
| BLOOMINGTON SOUTH | 56 | TRI-WEST | 27 | |
| TRI-WEST | 65 | ANDERSON | 57 | |
| BLOOMINGTON SOUTH | 57 | WHITELAND | 41 | |
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
BOYS DUAL RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/
GIRLS DUAL RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/211_girls-dual-results/
BOYS TOURNAMENT RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/curtournamentresults.html/boys-tournament-results/
GIRLS TOURNAMENT RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/curtournamentresults.html/212_tournament-results-for-girls-events/
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
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NFL
SATURDAY DECEMBER 28
LA CHARGERS AT NEW ENGLAND 1:00 NFL NETWORK
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 29
INDIANAPOLIS AT NY GIANTS 1:00 FOX
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GREEN BAY AT MINNESOTA 4:25 FOX
LAS VEGAS AT NEW ORLEANS 1:00 FOX
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MONDAY DECEMBER 30
DETROIT AT SAN FRANCISCO 8:15 ESPN, ABC, ESPN+
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
FRIDAY, DEC. 27
NAVY 21 OKLAHOMA 20
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USC 35 TEXAS A&M 31
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
UCONN VS. NORTH CAROLINA (FENWAY BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NEBRASKA (PINSTRIPE BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ABC
TCU VS. LOUISIANA (NEW MEXICO BOWL) | 2:15 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 13 MIAMI (FLA.) VS. NO. 18 IOWA STATE (POP-TARTS BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
COLORADO STATE VS. MIAMI (OHIO) (ARIZONA BOWL) | 4:30 P.M. | CW NETWORK
NC STATE VS. EAST CAROLINA (MILITARY BOWL) | 5:45 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 17 BYU VS. NO. 23 COLORADO (ALAMO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
NO. 22 ARMY VS. LOUISIANA TECH (INDEPENDENCE BOWL) | 9:15 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, DEC. 30
NO. 19 MISSOURI VS. IOWA (MUSIC CITY BOWL) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
NO. 11 ALABAMA VS. MICHIGAN (RELIAQUEST BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
LOUISVILLE VS. WASHINGTON (SUN BOWL) | 2 P.M. | CBS
NO. 15 SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NO. 20 ILLINOIS (CITRUS BOWL) | 3 P.M. | ABC
LSU VS. BAYLOR (TEXAS BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 4 PENN STATE VS. NO. 9 BOISE STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — FIESTA BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1
NO. 3 TEXAS VS. NO. 12 ARIZONA STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — PEACH BOWL) | 1 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 1 OREGON VS. OHIO STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — ROSE BOWL) | 5 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 2 GEORGIA VS. NO. 5 NOTRE DAME (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — SUGAR BOWL) | 8:45 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, JAN. 2
NO. 14 OLE MISS VS. DUKE (GATOR BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
NORTH TEXAS VS. TEXAS STATE (FIRST RESPONDER BOWL) | 4 P.M. | ESPN
MINNESOTA VS. VIRGINIA TECH (DUKE’S MAYO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
LIBERTY VS. BUFFALO (BAHAMAS BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN2
SUNDAY, JAN. 5
NORTH CENTRAL (IL) VS. MOUNT UNION (STAGG BOWL FOR THE DIII CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN HOUSTON) | TBA | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 6
MONTANA STATE VS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN FRISCO, TEXAS) | 7 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — ORANGE BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — COTTON BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 20
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
NBA SCORES
BOSTON 142 INDIANA 105
NEW YORK 108 ORLANDO 85
SAN ANTONIO 96 BROOKLYN 87
MEMPHIS 132 NEW ORLEANS 124
MINNESOTA 113 HOUSTON 112
CLEVELAND 149 DENVER 135
DALLAS 98 PHOENIX 89
LA CLIPPERS 102 GOLDEN STATE 92
NHL SCORES
NEW JERSEY 4 CAROLINA 2
COLUMBUS 6 BOSTON 2
BUFFALO 6 CHICAGO 2
TORONTO 5 DETROIT 2
ST. LOUIS 7 NASHVILLE 4
MINNESOTA 3 DALLAS 2 OT
COLORADO 4 UTAH 1
VEGAS 6 SAN JOSE 3
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/NEWS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
NO. 20 COLORADO CHERISHING MATCHUP WITH NO. 17 BYU IN ALAMO BOWL AS SANDERS, HUNTER COMPLETE CAREERS
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Colorado is relishing the chance to end its season on a high note regardless of the outcome of the Valero Alamo Bowl.
While a number of teams are shuffling their roster with players opting out of bowl games to enter the transfer portal or prepare for the NFL Draft, the Buffaloes have their entire two-deep roster available.
No. 20 Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday.
“We appreciate every single moment,” Buffaloes linebacker B.J. Green said. “This group of guys will never be together again. You have to appreciate that stuff. Football is supposed to be a fun sport. I feel a lot of time these days people have turned it into a job, and it’s not supposed to be that.”
Colorado coach Deion Sanders honored his players’ commitment by securing additional disability insurance coverage for his team, including record coverage for his star duo of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback son Shedeur.
Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year’s draft, but he didn’t want to sit out and miss his final game with the Buffaloes.
“It’s about cherishing the moment,” Sanders said. “It’s about knowing this is the final collegiate game, and each and every game we left it all out there. There’s no regret. I don’t ever want to go anywhere with regret, so that’s the thing.”
Sanders is also looking forward to competing against BYU’s stellar defense. The Cougars had 12 different players record an FBS-best 20 interceptions this season.
“(It’s) very hard to find a flaw when it comes to them because of the way they go about their business … the way they’re able to move and react different ways,” Shedeur said. “You don’t know who is doing what, you know, so they have a great scheme. They have a great everything. I’m very blessed for my final collegiate game to go against that type of challenge.”
The Cougars face a similar challenge.
Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns. Hunter had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
“Difficult matchup,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “The goal is to try to stop everybody, but I don’t know if you can do that with all the weapons they have.”
Air apparent
Top quarterback prospect Julian “JuJu” Lewis is working with Shedeur Sanders and Colorado this week just days after completing his high school career.
Lewis, rated as the No. 2 recruit by ESPN for the Class of 2025, enrolled at Colorado after graduating early from Carrolton (Ga.) High School.
Lewis completed 30 of 42 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns as Carrolton lost 38-24 to Grayson in the Georgia High School State Championship on Dec. 19.
Lewis will vie for starting quarterback on Colorado’s high-powered offense next season with Sanders leaving for the NFL.
Long time no see
This is the 13th matchup between Colorado and BYU but the first since 1988.
Ty Detmer, who won the Heisman in 1990, rallied the Cougars past the Buffaloes 20-17 in the ’88 Freedom Bowl.
Colorado leads the series 8-3-1.
Heisman hardware
Hunter is the second player to compete in the Alamo Bowl directly after winning the Heisman Trophy.
A few weeks after receiving the Heisman Trophy in 2011, quarterback Robert Griffin III led Baylor to a 67-56 victory over Washington in the Alamo Bowl. The Bears set a bowl record for the most points and total yards (777) and combined with the Huskies to set an NCAA record for most combined points in regulation.
Sharing the wealth
BYU had 17 different players score touchdowns this season. The Cougars are the nation’s only team with four special teams touchdowns — three kickoff returns and one punt return for a score.
USC RALLIES TO OVERTAKE TEXAS A&M IN LAS VEGAS BOWL
Jayden Maiava threw the last of his four touchdown passes with eight seconds remaining, finding Kyle Ford on a 6-yard strike, and Southern California rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Texas A&M 35-31 in the Las Vegas Bowl on Friday.
The Trojans (7-6) went through a finale that in many ways mirrored their entire 2024 season, featuring a variety of highs and lows. They concluded their bowl game on a decided high note, going 75 yards in 10 plays and 1:41 to complete the comeback victory.
Maiava shook off throwing three interceptions on the night with a determined final drive that included the successful conversion of a third-and-13 near midfield. Maiava found Ja’Kobi Lane for a 33-yard gain that did not just convert the first down but moved USC into the red zone.
The catch put an exclamation point on Lane’s night. With the Trojans replacing a variety of regular-season starters due to opt-outs and transfers, Lane stepped up for seven receptions that resulted in 127 yards and three touchdowns.
He scored on a 30-yard catch in the second quarter, and the game was tied 7-7 at halftime. With USC trailing 24-7 late in the third quarter, Lane ignited the rally with a 17-yard TD grab.
Lane’s final scoring play came on an 18-yard pass from Maiava that put USC ahead 28-24 with 4:30 remaining in regulation.
“Not afraid to take chances,” Lane said of Maiava while speaking postgame on ESPN.
Lane added about the QB’s three interceptions, “That doesn’t matter at the end of the day. What matters is a win on the column. We all realize what we came to do in Vegas, and that is come out with a win.”
The decisive score came on Ford’s flat route, answering Texas A&M’s go-ahead touchdown on the previous possession scored on Marcel Reed’s 19-yard end zone rush. Reed earlier through three touchdown passes.
Texas A&M (8-5) broke the halftime stalemate with Reed’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Noah Thomas. Then, just a minute after the Aggies’ Randy Bond kicked a 27-yard field goal, Reed hooked up with Jabre Barber from 5 yards out.
Reed went 26 of 42 for 292 yards and carried the ball nine times for 46 yards. He was intercepted twice.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said, “The story of the game is the story of our season. We can’t cover the forward pass well enough to be a good football team. That’s my fault.”
Maiava finished with 295 yards on 22-of-39 passing as USC bookended its season with last-minute wins over Southeastern Conference opponents at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. On Sept. 1, the Trojans defeated LSU 27-20.
KYLE MCCORD’S 5 TDS POWER SYRACUSE’S ROUT OF WAZZU IN HOLIDAY BOWL
Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns as No. 21 Syracuse authored an offensive masterpiece in a 52-35 win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday in San Diego.
As part of his stellar performance, McCord set the Atlantic Coast Conference single-season record for passing yards (4,779) in his first year at Syracuse. The old mark of 4,593 was set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016.
On Friday, McCord threw two touchdown passes apiece to Trebor Pena and Oronde Gadsden II.
LeQuint Allen also caught a TD pass to go along with 120 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground for the Orange (10-3), who finished with 606 yards of offense.
Zevi Eckhaus passed for 363 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while adding a rushing score for Washington State (8-5).
Kyle Williams had 172 receiving yards and a score on 10 catches to pace the Cougars, who fought valiantly after a tumultuous month in which coach Jake Dickert bolted for Wake Forest and more than 30 players entered the transfer portal, including Oklahoma-bound starting quarterback John Mateer.
The Cougars trailed 35-21 at halftime before slicing their deficit in half on Eckhaus’ 42-yard TD pass to Carlos Hernandez. However, the Orange scored the next 17 points to win comfortably.
Late in the third quarter, McCord connected with Pena, who took a short pass and ran down the left sideline for a 45-yard score to make it 42-28. Allen increased the margin to 52-28 late in the fourth with a 33-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
Eckhaus gave Washington State an early 7-0 lead with a 4-yard TD scramble, but the Orange answered with touchdowns on their next two possessions. First, McCord hit Pena for a 19-yard TD on a back-shoulder throw, and then Allen found some room en route to a 12-yard scoring run.
Syracuse’s momentum didn’t last long, however. On the Cougars’ third play of the ensuing drive, Williams took a slant pass and split the defense for a 66-yard touchdown. Shortly thereafter, Leon Neal Jr. blocked a Syracuse punt and Josh Meredith recovered for a 12-yard score, putting Washington State ahead 21-14 after one quarter.
The second quarter was action-packed, as well — at least for the Syracuse offense. The Orange outscored the Cougars 21-0 in the period, highlighted by two touchdown passes from McCord to Gadsden.
In all, Syracuse racked up 364 yards in the first half en route to a 14-point lead at the break.
TAYLEN GREEN, ARKANSAS OVERPOWER TEXAS TECH IN LIBERTY BOWL
Taylen Green threw for 341 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Arkansas pulled away in the second half to earn a 39-26 win over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Friday.
Green completed 11 of 21 passes, two for touchdowns, and added 81 yards and a score on 15 rushes. He led a big-play attack that saw the Razorbacks (7-6) pile up 559 total yards.
Will Hammond connected on 20 of 34 passes for 280 yards, a touchdown and two second-half interceptions for the Red Raiders (8-5), filling in for injured starter Behren Morton (shoulder surgery). J’Koby Williams rushed for 123 yards and a TD on 15 carries.
However, Texas Tech’s offense, which trimmed a 21-3 first-quarter deficit to 21-19 in the second quarter, couldn’t respond in the second half. The Red Raiders’ only score after halftime was Hammond’s 15-yard connection to Coy Eakin with 3:06 left in the game.
Arkansas led 24-19 at halftime but steadily tacked on to its lead via all three phases. Matthew Shipley converted a 34-yard field goal with 10:52 to go in the third quarter, and Green added a 47-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Tyrell Reed Jr. with 7:07 left in the third.
In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Anton Juncaj made it 36-19 when he sacked Hammond in the end zone for a safety. Shipley capped the Razorbacks’ scoring on a 43-yard field goal with 5:02 left.
Arkansas’ fast start set the game’s tone. Green scored on a 12-yard touchdown jaunt on the Razorbacks’ first possession, one play after Rodney Hill ripped off a 70-yard run.
After Gino Garcia toed a 37-yard field goal for the Red Raiders, the Razorbacks upped the advantage to 21-3 on Braylen Russell’s 1-yard scoring run and Green’s 94-yard touchdown pass to Dazmin James — his first career catch. James finished with three receptions for 137 yards, and teammate Isaac TeSlaa made three catches for 107 yards.
In the second quarter, Texas Tech bounced back with Isaac Smith’s sack of Green in the end zone for a safety. Williams added a 54-yard scoring run and Jalin Conyers got the Red Raiders within two points on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:58 left in the half.
Shipley’s 40-yard field goal capped a wild first half that saw the teams combine for 687 yards.
VANDERBILT’S DIEGO PAVIA USES ARMS, LEGS TO BEAT GEORGIA TECH IN BIRMINGHAM BOWL
Diego Pavia completed 13 of 21 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 84 yards and two scores on the ground, as Vanderbilt posted a 35-27 victory over Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday.
Eli Stowers caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, as the Commodores (7-6) clinched their first bowl win and winning season since 2013.
For Georgia Tech (7-6), Haynes King completed 25 of 33 passes for three touchdowns and an interception, while Jamal Haynes rushed for 136 yards.
Aidan Birr’s 33-yard field goal trimmed Georgia Tech’s deficit to 14-13 at the 8:34 mark of the third quarter. Vanderbilt then answered with a five-play, 56-yard drive that spanned just 2:20, ending with Pavia’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Stowers with 56 seconds left in the third quarter.
Georgia Tech immediately gave the ball back to the Commodores, as King was picked off by CJ Taylor, which turned into Pavia’s 7-yard passing score to Quincy Skinner Jr., pushing Vanderbilt’s lead to 28-13 on the first play of the final quarter.
The Yellow Jackets then coughed the ball up again, as Malik Rutherford’s fumble was recovered by Aeneas DiCosmo at the 13:40 mark of the fourth. On the ensuing Vanderbilt drive, Pavia connected with Stowers for 39 yards, which was followed by Pavia’s 6-yard rushing touchdown with 9:59 left.
After a nearly hour-long lightning delay, Georgia Tech pulled within in two scores as King found Haynes for a 9-yard passing touchdown with 5:03 remaining. Following Vanderbilt’s punt, the Yellow Jackets drove 83 yards in 2:36, with King’s 2-yard passing touchdown to Bailey Stockton stamping the game’s scoring with 1:30 left.
After punting on its first drive — and forcing a pair of Georgia Tech punts — Vanderbilt pieced together an eight-play, 87-yard drive — highlighted by Pavia’s 40-yard pass to Loic Founji to the Yellow Jackets’ 8-yard line. Two plays later, Pavia found Cole Spence for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 2:26 left in the opening quarter.
Georgia Tech then ate up 7:20 with a 15-play, 75-yard scoring drive, stamped with King’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Ryland Goede with 10:06 left in the second quarter.
After Vanderbilt regained the lead on Pavia’s 2-yard rushing score on fourth and 1, Birr concluded the first half scoring with a 43-yard field goal with 8 seconds left, as Vanderbilt led 14-10 at halftime.
BLAKE HORVATH, DEFENSIVE STOP PROPEL NAVY PAST OKLAHOMA
Quarterback Blake Horvath ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns and Navy stopped Oklahoma’s two-point conversion in the final seconds to pull out a 21-20 win in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Sooners pulled within one with six seconds remaining after Jake Roberts reeled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hawkins Jr.
But Oklahoma elected to vie for the win with a two-point conversion, and Hawkins couldn’t find an open receiver before he was sacked by Justin Reed.
The Sooners nearly recovered the onside kick but couldn’t haul it in.
“Got the coverage and defense that we hoped to get,” Sooners coach Brent Venables said of the decision to go for two. “… I’d go for it again in every situation.”
Oklahoma outgained the Midshipmen in total yards (433-318) but came up empty on eight consecutive drives before the late touchdown.
Hawkins finished 28 of 43 for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
Horvath also threw for 92 yards and Alex Tecza rushed for 43 yards and a TD for the Midshipmen, who fell in a two-touchdown hole before rallying.
“Really, really proud of our players to be down 14-0 and to fight back and scratch and claw,” Navy coach Brian Newberry said. “They’ve done it all year.”
Navy (10-3) finished with 10 or more wins for just the sixth time in program history while Oklahoma (6-7) ended up with a losing record for the second time in three seasons.
“Thought they had a really good defensive plan but we kept battling and kept fighting and found a way to get it done,” Newberry said.
After allowing the first two touchdowns of the game, Navy’s defense tightened up and the Midshipmen chipped away.
Down 14-7 late in the third quarter, Navy was pinned inside its own 5.
But on the second play of the drive, Horvath broke through the middle of the Sooners’ defense and had nothing but open space in front of him.
Oklahoma defensive back Woodi Washington chased down Horvath, tackling him right at the goal line.
Horvath initially was ruled down short of the end zone but the play was changed on review, giving Horvath the 95-yard touchdown and the longest run in program history.
The Midshipmen claimed their first lead with a 12-play, 66-yard drive that ate up more than seven minutes in the fourth quarter. The drive was finished by Horvath’s 6-yard touchdown run.
Oklahoma got off to a hot start, scoring touchdowns on each of its first two drives.
The Sooners started the scoring with a 21-yard touchdown run by Gavin Sawchuk.
Sawchuk hadn’t had a run of longer than eight yards this season going into the game.
On Oklahoma’s next drive, Hawkins hit Zion Kearney for a 56-yard touchdown on third-and-7 to put the Sooners up 14-0 just more than nine minutes into the game.
But then the Sooners’ offense struggled, turning the ball over on downs on back-to-back possessions even though they moved the ball significantly on both drives.
TOP MICHIGAN RB KALEL MULLINGS DECLARES FOR NFL DRAFT
Michigan running back Kalel Mullings announced Friday that he is declaring for the NFL draft.
Mullings has a team-leading 948 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns this season.
Mullings didn’t say in his announcement whether he would play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama on Dec. 31, but multiple reports said he didn’t travel with the team to Tampa, Fla., on Friday. The school confirmed that Mullings didn’t travel.
“To the University of Michigan, the last five years at this University have shaped me into the man I am today,” Mullings wrote. “I am proud to be an alumnus of the greatest University in the world. I am excited to announce I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”
Mullings starred in his final outing for the Wolverines when he rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 13-10 win over fierce rival Ohio State. It was his fourth 100-yard game of the season.
Michigan’s No. 2 rusher, Donovan Edwards (589 yards), previously opted out of the bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Among the other Wolverines who are opting out of the bowl are defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland.
OLE MISS QB JAXSON DART LEAVING FOR NFL AFTER GATOR BOWL
Ole Miss standout quarterback Jaxson Dart said Friday he will declare for the NFL draft but will first play in the school’s Gator Bowl contest against Duke on Jan. 2.
Dart made his announcement on social media.
“Who would have known that a kid who grew up in Utah would find his way to the great state of Mississippi in order to fulfill his college gridiron dreams,” Dart wrote. “I really and truly came of age at this great University. … All of this being said, we have unfinished business. I CAN’T WAIT to put on that #2 Ole Miss jersey for one last ride with my guys before beginning preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft. As always, I promise to leave every ounce of what I’ve got on that football field one last time for Ole Miss. THANK YOU and Hotty Toddy!”
Dart has played three seasons at Ole Miss and set the school record of 10,213 career passing yards, surpassing school legend Eli Manning (10,119). He has 68 passing touchdowns, second to Manning (81 from 2000-03).
Dart played his first college season for Southern California in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss. He has passed for career highs of 3,875 yards and 25 touchdown passes this season while being intercepted just six times. The Rebels are 9-3 entering the bowl game.
Dart isn’t projected to be among the top five quarterbacks selected in the draft but will be in the next run of signal-callers.
RECORD-SETTING VOLS RB DYLAN SAMPSON ENTERS DRAFT
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is entering the 2025 NFL Draft after setting school single-season records for rushing yards and touchdowns this season.
The junior from Louisiana rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and helping the Volunteers (10-3) make the College Football Playoff field.
“Vol Nation, your support has been nothing short of amazing,” he wrote on Instagram. “Knoxville has become my home and has made me a better human over the years. I’m going to miss the feeling of rolling up to the Vol Walk, running through the ‘T,’ and hearing the Pride of Southland band play ‘Rocky Top.’ I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community.”
A hamstring injury limited Sampson to two carries for 6 yards in Tennessee’s season-ending 42-17 loss at Ohio State in the first round of the playoffs on Dec. 21.
In three seasons in Knoxville, the 5-foot-11, 201-pound Sampson rushed for 2,492 yards and 35 scores and caught 40 passes for 342 yards and one TD.
EX-CENTRAL MICHIGAN QB TOMMY LAZZARO DIES AT 27
Funeral services will be held Saturday for former Central Michigan quarterback Tommy Lazzaro, who died last weekend in a reported hunting accident in Florida.
He was 27.
Lazzaro enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and was a sergeant serving at the time of his death. He will be buried with full military honors.
At Central Michigan, Lazzaro played in 20 career games (five starts) from 2016-19.
“When we took over the program, Tommy was truly our leader in so many ways,” said Jim McElwain, who coached Lazzaro in 2019. “CMU football was blessed to have him and will always remember him for all he did for many of us. He will be missed by all of the Chippewas.”
In four seasons with the Chippewas, Lazzaro completed 72 passes for 758 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 542 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In his senior season, Lazzaro received the team’s Kurt Dobronski Award, given to the player who “demonstrates great effort, intensity and appreciation for the Chippewa football program,” as selected by the team.
Lazzaro also spent one season at Dodge City Community College in Kansas, where he threw for 2,237 yards, threw for 14 touchdowns and ran for five more.
NFL
EAGLES COACH SIRIANNI SAYS IT’S ‘TOUGH’ FOR HURTS TO PLAY AGAINST DALLAS WITH HEAD INJURY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol Friday, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to prepare to play against Dallas without their star quarterback.
“It’s going to be tough for him to make it this week,” coach Nick Sirianni said Friday.
The Eagles would turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday if Hurts is not cleared to play because of the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington.
Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another.
Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury.
Hurts isn’t healthy enough to play just yet.
The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle.
Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards against the Commanders, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception.
Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted.
“It’s a big opportunity,” Pickett said this week. “I’ve been working hard to stay ready. I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation. Now, having a week to practice, I’ll feel even better going into the stadium.”
Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers.
The Eagles will bump third-stringer Tanner McKee to the backup spot. The Eagles also signed QB Ian Book this week to the practice squad.
There has been recent precedent for quarterbacks to play a week after entering the league’s concussion protocol.
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive in Week 15 loss to Baltimore last season. Lawrence misfired on seven of his final eight passes after the hit, a stretch that raised concerns on the sideline about his health. Lawrence reported symptoms after the game.
He entered the protocol but was cleared in time to start the next game at Tampa Bay.
The Eagles (12-3) could decide to play it safe and rest Hurts with the team needing a win against Dallas or the New York Giants to clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. Thanks in large part to the tush push, Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns this season.
The Eagles won the Super Bowl for the 2017 season behind backup QB Nick Foles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a late-season injury.
ON FOOTBALL: NICK SIRIANNI’S SUCCESS IS OFTEN OVERSHADOWED BY SELF-INFLICTED DISTRACTIONS
Nick Sirianni has the highest winning percentage among active NFL coaches and the fifth-best in NFL history.
He should be lauded for his accomplishments with the Philadelphia Eagles. Coaches who win as frequently as Sirianni are esteemed.
The four coaches ahead of him on the overall list — Guy Chamberlin, John Madden, Vince Lombardi and George Allen — are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But Sirianni’s reputation doesn’t match up to his .697 winning percentage. He’s more often ridiculed for his sideline antics than praised for his coaching success.
Many of the critics include former players and coaches now working in the media. The criticism is sometimes over the top and unfair.
ESPN analyst Damien Woody, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, called Sirianni a clown in October for yelling and gesturing at Eagles fans toward the end of a close victory over Cleveland. Sirianni heard “Fire Nick!” chants during that game and reacted emotionally.
Still, he apologized a day later.
“I’m sorry and disappointed about how my energy was directed at the end of the game,” he said. “My energy should be all in on coaching, motivating, and celebrating with our guys. And so, I’ve got to have better wisdom and discernment of when to use that energy, and that wasn’t the time.”
After the Eagles beat Kansas City on the road in a Monday night game last year, Sirianni mocked Chiefs fans as he walked off the field.
Some viewed it as a passionate response to a hard-fought victory against the team that beat Philadelphia 38-35 in the Super Bowl nine months earlier.
Others considered it childish behavior.
Sirianni’s latest incident isn’t debatable. He exchanged words with former Eagles three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz after Washington’s comeback win against Philadelphia.
Videos show Ertz gave Sirianni a high-five as they were headed in opposite directions. Sirianni turned to say something to Ertz, who then turned around and walked back toward his former coach.
Reports said Sirianni mocked Ertz for having little impact on the game — he had one catch — after taking exception to the hard hand slap. The two cleared the air this week after Sirianni called Ertz to apologize. Ertz downplayed the exchange on Thursday, saying he has a great relationship with Sirianni and “no ill feelings.”
Ertz caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from Nick Foles when the Eagles beat New England in the Super Bowl. He’s beloved in Philadelphia for his performance on the field during eight-plus seasons with the team and his impact in the community.
Sirianni didn’t endear himself to anyone with this unnecessary spat.
“Sirianni has the vibe of a fan who won a contest to be the team’s head coach for a day,” ProFootballTalk.com posted on X.
Sirianni’s chest-bumping, sideline-prancing, expletive-tossing personality has irked opponents and their fans since the Eagles hired him in 2021. He’s incurred the wrath of the fickle Philly fans plenty of times over the years.
But players respond well to him — outside of last season’s collapse — and he wins (46-20). He’s approachable, engaging and likable to most who aren’t annoyed by his trash-talking. Yet, his success as a coach is often overshadowed by self-inflicted distractions.
It’s on Sirianni to avoid creating more of those.
REPORT: DESHAUN WATSON, BROWNS AGREE TO RESTRUCTURE CONTRACT
In a move that hints at quarterback Deshaun Watson remaining with the Cleveland Browns next season, he and the club reportedly have agreed to restructure his contract.
Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230 million when the Browns traded three first-round draft picks for him before the 2022 season, is still owed $46 million per season through 2026.
The restructure aids the team by adding two more void years to the contract, on top of two void years that were included initially. That lets the Browns extend his dead salary cap through the 2030 season, ESPN reported Friday.
Despite those void years, Watson would still be a free agent before the 2027 season.
After injuries and legal issues — which led to an 11-game suspension — sidelined Watson for the 2021 season and most of 2022, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has struggled mightily in Cleveland.
In 19 games, all as the starter, Watson has completed 61.2 percent of his passes, well below his average of 67.8 percent with Houston. He has thrown 19 touchdown passes but also 12 interceptions, also well below his Houston ratio of 104 scores to 36 picks.
Watson was lost for the season on Oct. 20 with a torn right Achilles tendon, the second straight year that an injury cut his season short. He missed the final eight games of 2023 due to shoulder surgery.
The Browns finished second in the AFC North and made the playoffs last season, ending a run of 15 straight seasons either third or fourth in the division. They are 3-12 this season and again in last place in the division.
WEEK 17 NFL CAPSULES
SATURDAY
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-6) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-12), 1 P.M. ET, NFL NETWORK
THE KICK-OFF: No. 1 in the NFL in scoring defense at 18.3 points per game, the Chargers have yet to give up more than 20 points in a road game this season. That’s been accomplished only by five teams in league history, most recently the 2010 Chicago Bears and 2001 Philadelphia Eagles. Turnovers have been a challenge for New England. The Patriots have lost five straight games while breaking in rookie quarterback Drake Maye (14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Maye has thrown a touchdown pass in seven straight games to tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history. He has completed 67.6 percent of his passes, just behind the rookie record set by Dak Prescott (67.8) of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He also has a pick in seven consecutive games. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has only three interceptions — 18 touchdowns — this season, but two of them came in the past two games. New England is 12-2 all-time as the home team in this matchup.
CHARGERS NOTES: QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 23 of 31 atts. (74.2 pct.) for 284 yards vs. INT with 110.1 rating last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes. Aims for 7th in row on road with 0 INTs. Has 90+ rating in 6 of 7 road games this season. Needs 153 pass yards to surpass HOFer Peyton Manning (20,618) for most pass yards ever by player in 1st 5 seasons. • RB GUS EDWARDS rushed for season-high 68 yards & 2 TDs last week, 6thcareer game with 2+ rush TDs. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3. Had 73 scrimmage yards (42 rush, 31 rec.) in his last game vs. NE (11/15/20 w/ Bal.). • RB HASAAN HASKINS had 1st-career TD catch last last week. • WR LADD MCCONKEY (rookie) led team with 6 catches for 87 yards in Week 16, his 8th-straight game with 50+ rec. yards & his 5th-straight game with 5+ catches. Ranks 4th among rookies with 960 rec. yards this season & can join Keenan Allen (1,046 in 2013) & John Jefferson (1,001 in 1978) as only Chargers rookies ever with 1,000+ rec. yards. • WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON had 5 catches & rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Had 5 catches for 52 yards in last meeting. • WR DERIUS DAVIS had 1st-career rec. TD in Week 16. • DL POONA FORD had 2 TFL & PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB JOEY BOSA had 5th sack of season last week, 8th-career season with 5+ sacks since entering NFL in 2016. Has sack in 2 of past 3. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY had 10 tackles & TFL last week, 9th game this season with 10+ tackles, most in NFL. Has 10+ tackles in 8 of past 9. • LB KHALIL MACK has PD in 3 of past 4. Had 2 sacks & FF in last meeting. • LB BUD DUPREE had sack in Week 16. Has sack in 3 of 4 career games vs. NE. • S DERWIN JAMES has TFL in 3 of past 4. Had sack in last meeting
PATRIOTS NOTES:
QB DRAKE MAYE (rookie) totaled 291 yards (261 pass, 30 rush) & 2 TDs vs. INT with 90.2 rating last week. Has 90+ rating in 4 of past 5, incl. each of past 3. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 67.6 comp. pct. (min. 100 atts.). • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON had 73 scrimmage yards (60 rush, 13 rec.) & rush TD last week. Has 70+ scrimmage yards in 5 of past 6, incl. each of past 3. Has rush TD in 3 of his 5 home games this season. Needs 32 scrimmage yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season. • RB ANTONIO GIBSON has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. Had 108 scrimmage yards (90 rush, 18 rec.) in only career game vs. LAC (9/12/21 w/ Was.). • TE HUNTER HENRY had 2nd TD catch of season last week. Aims for 6th in row with 4+ catches. Aims for 3rd in row at home with 60+ rec. yards. Totaled 196 catches for 2,322 yards & 21 TDs over 1st 5 career seasons with Chargers (2016-20). • TE AUSTIN HOOPER had 55 rec. yards in Week 16. Has 4 catches in 4 of past 5. • WR DEMARIO DOUGLAS has 4+ catches in 6 of past 7. • WR KAYSHON BOUTTE led team with career highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (95) & had 2nd-career TD catch last week. • LB JAHLANI TAVAI has 6+ tackles in 6 of past 7. Has 7+ tackles & TFL in 2 of 3 career games vs. LAC. • DT JEREMIAH PHARMS had 2nd sack of season in Week 16. • CB CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ has PD in 3 of past 4. • CB JONATHAN JONES had FF & PD last week. Has PD in 2 of 3 career games vs. LAC. • S KYLE DUGGER aims for 5th in row with 6+ tackles & TFL. Has TFL in 3 of his 4 home games this season. Has 5+ tackles in each of 3 career games vs. LAC. • S MARTE MAPU had 5 tackles, 2 PD, INT & FF last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with FF & 2 PD. Has 5+ tackles & PD in 2 of his 3 home games this season.
DENVER BRONCOS (9-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-8), 4:30 P.M. ET, NFL NETWORK
THE KICK-OFF: Everything is at stake for the Broncos as the finish line to a surprising season approaches. Denver lost the inside track to the wild-card berth to the Chargers last week. But the franchise can still land a playoff berth and 10-win season for the first time since 2015, when Peyton Manning piloted the Super Bowl 50 champions. Denver leads the NFL with 51 sacks and rookie QB Bo Nix has six games with two or more TD passes and no interceptions this season. That’s an impressive feat but Bengals QB Joe Burrow is setting the bar far higher. He leads the NFL with 4,229 passing yards and 39 touchdown passes. He’s the fourth player with 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes in three of his first five seasons (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino). Burrow’s consistency is to be commended. He’s the first player ever to record 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes in seven consecutive games, a streak he can stretch to eight on Saturday. WR Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 108 receptions for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns, giving him 45 in his career. Only Randy Moss (53) and Jerry Rice (49) had more in their first four NFL seasons.
BRONCOS NOTES: • QB BO NIX completed 29 of 40 atts. (72.5 pt.) for 263 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 106.6 rating last week, 6th game with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs, tied with Justin Herbert (2020), CJ. Stroud (2023) & Russell Wilson (2012) for mostever by rookie. Has 2+ TD passes in 5 of past 6. Has 0 INTs in 6 of past 7 on road. Tied for lead among rookies with 22 TD passes. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS had 53 scrimmage yards (29 rec., 24 rush) & led team with season-high 7 catches last week. Rushed for 72 yards in last meeting. • RB AUDRIC ESTIME (rookie) rushed for 48 yards & 1st-career TD last week. • RB MICHAEL BURTON had TD catch in Week 16 & has TD in 2 of past 3. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8 overall & in each of past 4 on road. Had 85 rec. yards & TD catch in last road meeting. Needs 72 rec. yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season (2019). • WR MARVIN MIMS had 62 rec. yards in Week 16 & has 40+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5 & 60+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. • LB NIK BONITTO has TFL in 11 of past 12 & 0.5+ sacks in 5 of past 6. Ranks tied4th in NFL with 11.5 sacks in 2024, most by Den. player in single-season since 2018 (Von Miller – 14.5, Bradley Chubb – 12). • LB CODY BARTON had 7 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for 4th in row with 7+ tackles. Needs 5 tackles for 3rd-straight season with 100+ tackles. • LB DONDREA TILLMAN (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB DREW SANDERS had 1st-career sack in Week 16. • CB PAT SURTAIN II has PD in 4 of past 5. Had 5 tackles in last meeting. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Denzel Ward) with 10+ PD in each of past 4 seasons. • S BRANDON JONES led team with 10 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 5th in row with PD & 3rd in row with 9+ tackles.
BENGALS NOTES: • QB JOE BURROW completed 23 of 30 atts. (76.7 pct.) for 252 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 134.3, becoming 1st player in NFL history with 250+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes in 7 straight games. Has 3+ TD passes & 110+ rating in 5 of past 6 at home, incl. each of past 3. Had TD vs. 0 INTs with 103.8 rating in last meeting. Leads NFL with 4,229 pass yards & franchise-record 39 TD passes in 2024 & is 4th player ever with 4,000+ pass yards & 30+ TD passes in 3 of 1st 5 seasons. • RB CHASE BROWN had 109 scrimmage yards (91 rush, 18 rec.) last week, 5thstraight game with 100+ scrimmage yards, longest active streak in NFL. Has TD in 3 of past 4. Needs 77 rush yards for 1st-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 6 catches for 97 yards & TD last week, 11th-straight game with 5+ catches & 6th-straight game with 75+ rec. yards, both longest active streaks in NFL. Has rec. TD in 5 of past 6. Is 3rd player in NFL history with 100+ catches (108), 1,500+ rec. yards (1,510 – single-season franchise-record) & 15+ rec. TDs (16) in 1st 15 games of season, leading NFL in each category in 2024. • WR TEE HIGGINS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches, 55+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Has TD catch in 5 of his past 6 & in each of his past 3 at home. • WR ANDREI IOSIVAS had season-high 53 rec. yards & career-high 6th TD catch of season in Week 16. Aims for his 4th in row at home with rec. TD. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON had sack last week & has sack in 2 of past 3. Aims for 4th in row with TFL. Had half sack in last meeting. Leads NFL with 13.5 sacks in 2024. • DE JOSEPH OSSAI had season-high 5 tackles, sack & 1st-career FF in Week 16. Has sack in 4 of past 5. • DT KRIS JENKINS (rookie) had career-high 2 sacks last week. • DT MCKINNLEY JACKSON (rookie) had 1st-career sack last week. • S JORDAN BATTLE had 7 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 16. Aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • S GENO STONE has INT in 3 straight games, longest active streak in NFL.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-8) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (9-6), 8 P.M. ET, NFL NETWORK
THE KICK-OFF: Beat the Cardinals and the Rams can celebrate a sixth season with double-digit wins under Sean McVay. But to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five seasons, Los Angeles has to wait for Week 18 and a matchup with the Seahawks. The Rams are cooking defensively, a credit to the production of their young front seven. WR Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 57 receptions since Week 10, with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards in each of his seven games during the span. The Cardinals lost in OT at Carolina last week to take themselves out of the mix for the postseason. It was Arizona’s third loss in a row on the road, and the Rams beat the Cardinals 26-9 in Los Angeles last season. The Rams have won eight of 10 games since their bye week, when they were 1-4. Kyren Williams has provided support for quarterback Matthew Stafford during the Rams’ 4-0 run in December. Williams, a Pro Bowl selection last season, has a career-high 1,243 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 303 carries following his 122-yard game against the Jets last week.
CARDINALS NOTES: QB KYLER MURRAY had 265 yards (202 pass, 63 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT in Week 16, his 5th rush TD of season. Is 1 of 3 QBs (Josh Allen & Jalen Hurts) with 5+ rush TDs in 3 of past 5 seasons. Completed 17 of 21 atts. (81 pct.) for 266 yards & 3 TDs with 158.3 passer rating in Week 2 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with 250+ pass yards & TD. • RB JAMES CONNER had season-high 166 scrimmage yards (117 rush, 49 rec.) & rush TD last week, his 3rd straight with 120+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 1,090 rush yards & 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024, both career-highs. Needs TD for 3rd-career 10+ TD season. Has TD in 5 of his past 6 in primetime and aims for his 4th in row in primetime with 110+ scrimmage yards. Had 122 rushing yards & TD in Week 2 meeting. • RB DEEJAY DALLAS had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 6th-career TD. • TE TREY MCBRIDE has 7+ catches & 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5, incl. 12+ catches & 95+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. Needs 8 catches & 42 rec. yards for 1st-career season with 100+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards. Ranks 2nd among tight ends in catches (92) & 3rd in rec. yards (958). • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. is 1 of 2 rookies (Brian Thomas Jr.) rookies with 700+ rec. yards (726) & 7+ rec. TDs (7) in 2024. Had 4 catches for career-high 130 yards & 2 TDs in Week 2 meeting. • S BUDDA BAKER needs 2 tackles & TFL for 1st-careeer season with 150+ tackles & 10+ TFL. Had 8 tackles, 2 TFL & PD in Week 2 meeting. Ranks 1st among DBs and 2nd in NFL with 148 tackles in 2024. • LB KYZIR WHITE had 8 tackles & sack in Week 16. Had sack in last road meeting & has TFL in 2 of his past 3 vs. LAR. • LB BARON BROWNING aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. • S JALEN THOMPSON led team with 10 tackles last week.
RAMS NOTES: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD completed 14 of 19 atts. (73.7 pct.) for 110 yards & TD vs. INT last week & has 3,573 pass yards in 2024, his 12th-career season with 3,500+ pass yards. Has 20 pass TDs in 2024 & is 1 of 2 active QBs (Aaron Rodgers) with 20+ pass TDs in 12+ seasons. Aims for 3rd in row at home with 240+ pass yards, 100+ rating & 2 TDs. Completed 23 of 30 atts. (76.7 pct) for 287 yards & 3 TDs with 139.2 rating in only career primetime game vs. Ari (12/13/21). • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had season-high 122 rush yards & TD last week, his 2nd consec. season with 15+ TDs. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 27 consec. games, longest active streak in NFL. Has career-highs in rush yards (1,243) & scrimmage yards (1,409). Has rush TD in 4 of his past 5 & career-high 13 rush TDs in 2024. • WR COOPER KUPP has rec. TD in 3 of his past 4 at home & aims for his 3rd in row at home with 5+ catches, 60+ rec. yards & TD. Needs 69 rec. yards for 6th-career season with 750+ rec. yards. • WR PUKA NACUA led team with 8 catches for 56 rec. yards last week, his 7thstraight game with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Has 46 catches (9.2 per game) for 647 rec. yards (129.4 per game) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in past 5 at home. Aims for his 5th in row on primetime with 7+ catches & 95+ rec. yards. • LB JARED VERSE (rookie) has 5 tackles & 2nd-career FR last week. • DE BRADEN FISKE is tied-1st among rookies with 6 sacks. Fiske & Verse are only rookie teammates in 2024 with 4+ sacks & 5+ TFL. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 8 tackles last week, his 6th-straight game with 8+ tackles. • S KAM CURL had 5 tackles, sack, FF & PD last week, his 1st sack of season. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari with 8+ tackles. • S JAYLEN MCCOLLOUGH (rookie) led team with season-high 9 tackles last week.
SUNDAY
NEW YORK JETS (4-11) AT BUFFALO BILLS (12-3), 1 P.M. ET, CBS
THE OPENING KICK: The Bills are hoping to get wide receiver Amari Cooper going. Acquired from the Cleveland Browns in October, Cooper has 17 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown in seven games with Buffalo. He had just one catch for 10 yards last week against the Patriots. Buffalo needs a win to finish 8-0 at home — the Chiefs are also undefeated at home — for the third time in franchise history (1988, 1990). Bills QB Josh Allen has 75 career regular-season wins, tied with Russell Wilson for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history. There are big numbers on the line for the Jets, but none of them relate to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers has 499 regular-season TD passes. He’s one away from joining the 500 Club of Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508). Manning (244 games) is the only player to reach 500 in fewer than 250 career games; Rodgers is playing No. 247 on Sunday. The Jets are 1-5 over their past six games and lost the first matchup between these teams 23-20 in Week 6.
JETS NOTES: QB AARON RODGERS completed 28 of 42 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 256 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 91 rating last week, 3rd-straight game with 250+ pass yards, 0 INTs & 90+ rating. Has 0 INTs in 7 of past 8, incl. each of past 4 on road. Passed for 294 yards & 2 TDs in Week 6 meeting. Has 95+ rating in each of 4 starts vs. division this season. Needs TD pass to become 5th QB ever with 500 TD passes. • RB BREECE HALL led team with 90 scrimmage yards (52 rush, 38 rec.) last week, his 9th-straight game with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has 80+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 on road. Has season-high 169 scrimmage yards (113 rush, 56 rec.) in Week 6 meeting. Has 389 scrimmage yards (129.7 per game) in 3 career games vs. Buf. Ranks 3rd among RBs with 460 rec. yards in 2024. • WR GARRETT WILSON aims for 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in 3 of past 4. Had 8 catches for 107 yards & TD in Week 6 meeting & has rec. TD in 2 of past 3 vs. Buf. Aims for 4th in row vs. division with 100+ rec. yards. Needs 13 rec. yards to become 5th player ever with 80+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 seasons. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS aims for 8th in row with 5+ catches, 6th in row with 65+ rec. yards & 5th in row with rec. TD. Had 6 catches for 84 yards & TD in his last game vs. Buf. (9/17/23 w/ LV). Needs 72 rec. yards for 6th-career 1,000-yard season. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS has sack in 4 of past 5 vs. Buf., incl. in Week 6 meeitng. • LB JAMIEN SHERWOOD aims for 4th in row with 8+ tackles. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS has 10 tackles & TFL in 2 of past 3 vs. Buf. • LB HAASON REDDICK had PD last week. Had half sack in only career game at Buf. (12/19/21 w/ Car.). • CB SAUCE GARDNER has 2 PD in 2 of his past 3. Had PD in last road meeting. • S TONY ADAMS had 5 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 16.
BILLS NOTES: BILLS clinched AFC East division title for 5th-straight year, longest streak in franchise history. Can win 13 reg. season games for 5th time in franchise history. • QB JOSH ALLEN totaled 184 yards (154 pass, 30 rush) & had TD pass last week. Has 2+ TD passes, 0 INTs & 115+ rating in 3 of past 4. Has rush TD in 5 of past 6. Had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 127.9 rating in Week 6 meeting. Has 37 combined pass & rush TDs in 2024 (26 pass, 11 rush) & can join Aaron Rodgers as only players ever with 40+ combined TDs in 5+ seasons. • RB JAMES COOK led team with 126 scrimmage yards (100 rush, 26 rec.) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) last week, 5th game this season with 2+ TDs, tied 2nd-most in NFL. Aims for 3rd in row with 125+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has TD in 5 of past 6. Had 102 scrimmage yards (73 rush, 29 rec.) & TD catch in last home meeting. Tied for NFL lead with 14 rush TDs in 2024, 2nd-most in single season ever by Buf. RB. • RB TY JOHNSON has 55+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. • RB RAY DAVIS (rookie) had career-high 152 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 55 rec.) in Week 6 meeting. Has TD in 2 of past 4. • WR KHALIL SHAKIR has TD catch in 2 of past 3. Had rec. TD in last home meeting. • WR AMARI COOPER had 101 rec. yards & TD in his last game vs. NYJ (9/18/22 w/ Cle.). • LB TERREL BERNARD led team with season-high 12 tackles last week, 3rd-straight game with 10+ tackles. Has 8+ tackles in each of his 6 home games this season. • DE GREG ROUSSEAU had 3rd FF of season in Week 16. Has TFL in 6 of 7 career games vs. NYJ. Needs sack for new career high (8 in 2022). • DT ED OLIVER had sack in last home meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 0.5+ sacks. • CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD has PD in 4 of past 5. Aims for 4th in row vs. NYJ with PD. Needs PD for 2nd-career season with 10 PD. • CB CAM LEWIS had 1st-career INT last week.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-11) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7), 1 P.M. ET, CBS
THE KICK-OFF: Carolina put up 36 points and took down the Cardinals last week. The Panthers are playing inspired ball and would be thrilled to continue in the spoiler role by bumping Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers out of the top spot in the NFC South. Mayfield, who started for Carolina to open the 2022 season, found his Pro Bowl form under current Panthers coach Dave Canales, Tampa’s offensive coordinator last season. Mayfield has five games with at least 300 passing yards and multiple TD passes this season. That’s the bar Panthers QB Bryce Young aspires to, but he’s content letting RB Chuba Hubbard carry the offense when necessary. Hubbard has career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,366), rushing yards (1,195) and rushing TDs (10) in 2024. The Buccaneers are trying to bounce back from a costly loss at Dallas. Down two late in the fourth quarter, Buccaneers RB Rachaad White lost a fumble that ended the potential game-winning drive. Mayfield is adamant he wants WR Mike Evans to get to 1,000 yards for the 11th consecutive season. Evans needs 182 yards and has owned Carolina with an average of 140.5 yards in his past four home games against the Panthers.
PANTHERS NOTES: QB BRYCE YOUNG had 226 yards (158 pass, career-high 68 rush) & 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs for 107.5 rating in Week 16, his 1st-career game with 2 TD passes & rush TD. Aims for his 9th in row with TD pass. Passed for 298 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs in Week 13 meeting. Has rush TD in 3 of his past 4. • RB CHUBA HUBBARD had 165 scrimmage yards (152 rush, 13 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in Week 16 & is 1 of 3 RBs (Saquon Barkley & Derrick Henry) with 3+ games (3) with 165+ scrimmage yards in 2024. Has career highs in scrimmage yards (1,366), rush yards (1,195) & rush TDs (10) this season. Has TD in 4 of his past 5 on road. Rushed for 104 yards & 2 TDs in last road meeting (12/3/23). • WR ADAM THIELEN had 5 catches & 3rd rec. TD of season last week, his 62nd career rec. TD. Had 8 catches for 99 yards & TD in Week 13 meeting. Needs 39 rec. yards for 8th-career season with 500+ rec. yards. • WR DAVID MOORE had 2nd rec. TD of season last week. Had 5 catches in Week 13 meeting. • LB D.J. WONNUM had 4th sack of season last week & has sack in 4 of his 6 games this season. • LB JOSEY JEWELL had career-high 7th PD of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Needs 3 tackles for 3rd-straight & 4th-career 100-tackle season. Had 10 tackles, 2 TFL & sack in Week 13 meeting. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY had sack in Week 13 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TFL. • LB JACOBY WINDMON (rookie) had 8 tackles & 1st-career sack last week. • DE A’SHAWN ROBINSON had 7 tackles & sack last week & has career highs in sacks (5.5) & TFL (8) in 2024. Leads all DL with career-high 73 tackles this season. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 1.5+ sacks. • CB MIKE JACKSON ranks 5th in NFL with career-high 14 PD in 2024 & has PD in 6 of his past 7 games, incl. Week 13 meeting. • CB JAYCEE HORN has 6 PD in 3 career games vs. TB.
BUCS NOTES: • QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 303 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 97.3 rating last week & is 1 of 2 QBs (Joe Burrow) with 5+ games (5) with 300+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 2024. Aims for his 4th in row with 285+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating. Has 295+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Ranks 3rd in NFL in TD passes (career-high 34) & 4th in pass yards (3,920) in 2024 & can surpass career high in pass yards set in 2023 (4,044). • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 7 catches last week & has 50 receptions in 2024, 1 of 2 RBs (Alvin Kamara) with 50+ catches in each of past 3 seasons. Aims for his 5th in row at home with TD. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Car. with 75+ scrimmage yards. • RB BUCKY IRVING had 92 scrimmage yards (68 rush, 24 rec.) & 7th rush TD of season last week, most rush TDs among rookies. Leads all rookies with 1,240 scrimmage yards, incl. career-high 185 scrimmage yards (career-high 152 rush, 33 rec.) & rush TD in Week 13 meeting. • WR MIKE EVANS had 5 catches for 69 yards last week. Needs 182 rec. yards for 11th-consecutive 1,000-yard season. Had 8 catches for 118 yards & rec. TD in Week 13 meeting. Has 30 catches for 562 yards (140.5 per game) & 7 rec. TDs in his past 4 at home vs. Car., incl. rec. TD in each game. • WR JALEN MCMILLAN (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards & TD catch. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 8 tackles & 2 TFL last week. Has 112 tackles & 9 TFL in 2024 & can became 1st player since 2000 with 10 seasons of 100+ tackles & 10+ TFL. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. Has 5+ tackles in 21 of his 22 career games vs. Car. • LB YAYA DIABY had half sack last week. Had FR in Week 13 meeting. Has sack in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Car. • NT VITA VEA has career-high 9 TFL in 2024. • DL CALIJAH KANCEY had half sack last week & has 6.5 sacks & 10 TFL in 10 games this season. Had sack in Week 13 meeting. • S CHRISTIAN IZIEN led team with career-high 13 tackles last week.
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-8) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (12-3), 1 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: RB Saquon Barkley could carry the load this week with QB concerns for the Eagles. Jalen Hurts (concussion) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) were both hurt in the 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday. That’s only part of what’s different since Dallas was whipped 34-6 by the Eagles on Nov. 10. Even with the Cowboys working their way back toward .500, Dallas subtracted another peak playmaker in WR CeeDee Lamb. Second in the NFL with 101 receptions, Lamb is on the shelf for the rest of the season right alongside QB Dak Prescott. The Eagles are primed to lean on their constant threat in Barkley, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,114) and rushing (1,838). With Lamb out, life becomes more difficult for QB Cooper Rush at the controls of the Cowboys’ offense. Rush has guided Dallas to wins in four of the last five games, throwing nine touchdown passes and just one interception. The Eagles’ defense had five takeaways at Washington last week but has a minus-10 turnover margin (28 turnovers, 18 takeaways) while the Cowboys are tied for fifth in the NFL at plus-10 (26 takeaways, 16 turnovers).
COWBOYS NOTES: QB COOPER RUSH passed for 292 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs for 108.3 rating in Week 16 & aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ rating. Is 9-4 with 17 TD passes vs. 6 INTs in 13 career starts, incl. 2-0 with 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 118.3 rating in 2 road starts in 2024. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 2+ TD passes & 115+ rating. • RB RICO DOWDLE had 51 scrimmage yards (28 rec., 23 rush) last week & aims for his 6th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has career-high 1,136 scrimmage yards (903 rush, 233 rec.) in 2024. Rushed for 53 yards in Week 10 meeting. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 7 catches for 105 yards last week, his 21st-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Ranks tied-2nd in NFL with 101 receptions & 3rd with 1,194 rec. yards in 2024. Has 496 career catches & can become 2nd player ever (Michael Thomas) with 500+ catches in 1st 5 career seasons. Has 6,339 rec. yards & can surpass HOFer Jerry Rice (6,364) for 4th-most rec. yards by player in 1st 5 seasons all-time. Aims for his 6th in row vs. Phi. with 5+ catches. Had 11 catches for 191 yards in last road meeting (11/5/23). • TE JAKE FERGUSON had 6 catches last week & is 1 of 3 NFC TEs (George Kittle & Trey McBride) with 6+ games (6) with 6+ catches in 2024. Had 7 catches for 91 yards & TD catch in last road meeting (11/5/23). • LB MICAH PARSONS had 50th-career sack & 9th-career FF last week & became 6th player since 1982 with 50+ sacks in 1st 4 seasons. Needs half sack to join HOFers Dwight Freeney, Derrick Thomas & Reggie White as only players since 1982 with 10+ sacks in each of 1st 4 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 2+ sacks & 7th in row on road with TFL. Has TFL in 5 of his 6 career games vs. Phi., incl. 2 sacks & FF in Week 10 meeting. • DE CEDRIC GOLSTON aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • CB DARON BLAND had 8 tackles, 1st-career FF, 1st-career FR & PD last week. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Phi. • S DONOVAN WILSON had 12th-career sack last week.
EAGLES NOTES: • QB JALEN HURTS has 2+ TD passes vs. 0 INTs & 110+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Can become 2nd QB ever (Josh Allen, 11 in 2023) with 10 games with both pass TD & rush TD in single season. Has 14 rush TDs in 2024 & needs rush TD to tie single-season record by QB (15 rush TDs by Hurts & Allen in 2023). Has 2+ TD passes in 4 of his past 5 vs. Dal., incl. 2 TD passes & 2 rush TDs in Week 10 meeting. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for 150 yards & 2 TDs, incl. 68-yard rush TD, in Week 16 & became 1st player ever with 4 rush TDs of 65+ yards in single season. Became 6th player all-time with 10 career rush TDs of 50+ yards. Leads NFL with 2,114 scrimmage yards. Became 4th non-rookie with 2,000+ scrimmage yards in 1st season with team & 4th player all-time with 2,000+ scrimmage yards with 2 franchises. Leads NFL with 1,838 rush yards & can become 5th player since 2000 with 1,900 rush yards in single season. • WR A.J. BROWN had 8 catches for 97 yards & 6th rec. TD of season last week, his 48th-career TD catch. Has 64 catches for 1,043 yards & 6 TDs in 2024 & needs TD catch to become 5th player ever with 1,000+ rec. yards & 7+ rec. TDs in 5 of his 1st 6 career seasons. Had 109 rec. yards in Week 10 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Dal. with TD catch. • WR DEVONTA SMITH had 6 catches for 51 yards last week & has 62 catches in 2024, his 4th-straight season with 60+ catches. Has TD catch in 5 of his past 6 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Dal. with TD catch. • LB ZACK BAUN had 11 tackles, 2 TFL & career-high & NFC-leading 5th FF of season last week Had 8 tackles, 2 FF, FR & TFL in Week 10 meeting. Ranks 3rd in NFL with career-high 144 tackles. • LB NAKOBE DEAN had 12 tackles last week & has career-high 128 tackles in 2024. Aims for his 5th in row with 10+ tackles. • LB NOLAN SMITH had sack & 1st 2 career FRs last week. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 & has career-high 6.5 sacks this season. • DT JALEN CARTER had 4th-career FF last week. • CB DARIUS SLAY had season-high 3 PD last week. • S REED BLANKENSHIP had career-high 4th INT of season in Week 16. • S C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON had 4th INT of season last week. Had INT in Week 10 meeting & had 2 INTs in last home meeting.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-8) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13), 1 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: Indianapolis is mathematically alive in the playoff hunt but trails the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos by two games with two contests left. The Chargers and Broncos both have games on Saturday. If both nine-win clubs win, the Colts will be eliminated and miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Colts QB Anthony Richardson might be held out if there’s no spoils on the line for Indy, as he’s battling foot and back injuries. A heavier workload suits Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards and three scores on 29 carries during last weekend’s 38-30 home win over the Tennessee Titans. New York is in danger of losing an 11th consecutive game behind an offense putting up only 14.3 points per game this season. The Giants are starting Drew Lock at quarterback for the fourth time in the past five games. Lock underwent an MRI on his passing shoulder Monday but no damage was found. He hurt it during Sunday’s 34-7 road loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Lock is 0-3 as a starter this season and has completed just 52.7 percent of his passes. He has one touchdown and four interceptions in 129 attempts.
COLTS NOTES: QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON (QUESTIONABLE) totaled 201 yards (131 pass, career-high 70 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) with 97.2 rating last week, 3rd-straight game with rush TD. Has 6 rush TDs in past 5. Is 3rd QB in NFL history (Josh Allen & Cam Newton) with 10+ TD passes (11) & 10+ rush TDs (10) in 1st 15 career games. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR had season-high 218 rush yards & 3 rush TDs last week, becoming 6th player ever with 200+ scrimmage yards & 2+ TDs in 4 games in 1st 5 seasons. Aims for 4th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 2 of past 3. Needs TD for 3rd-career season with 1,250+ scrimmage yards & 10+ TDs. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN has 5+ catches in 4 of past 5 & in each of his past 3 on road. Had 6 catches for 41 yards & TD in last meeting. Is 4th player in franchise history with 500+ rec. yards in each of 1st 5 seasons. • WR JOSH DOWNS led team with 61 rec. yards & had career-high 5th TD catch of season last week. Has 60+ rec. yards in 5 of his 6 road games this season. Needs 10 catches & 85 rec. yards for new career highs in both categories. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 7 tackles last week & is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ tackles in 15 games this season. Has TFL in 3 of past 4 & PD in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & 2 PD in last meeting. Leads NFL with 151 tackles in 2024 & is 6th player since 2000 with 150+ tackles in 3 straight seasons. • LB E.J. SPEED aims for his 5th in row with 9+ tackles. Had TFL in last meeting. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had TFL & PD last week, 5th-straight game with TFL. Has sack in 3 of past 4. Is 1 of 2 in NFL with 6+ sacks in each of past 7 seasons. • DE KWITY PAYE had sack last week & has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of past 3. • S NICK CROSS aims for 3rd in row with PD. Ranks 2nd among DBs with 130 tackles this season. • CB KENNY MOORE had 2 INTs last week, 2nd-career game with 2 INTs. • CB SAMUEL WOMACK aims for 3rd in row with INT.
GIANTS NOTES: QB DREW LOCK passed for 210 yards & 1st TD pass of season last week, his 29th-career TD pass. Aims for his 4th in row with 20+ completions. • QB TOMMY DEVITO has 100+ rating in 2 of his 4 career home starts. • RB TYRONE TRACY (rookie) had 69 scrimmage yards (43 rec., 26 rush) & 1stcareer rec. TD in Week 16. Ranks 3rd among rookies in rush yards (721) & 4th in scrimmage yards (984). Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8. • RB DEVIN SINGLETARY had rush TD in his last game vs. Ind. (1/6/24 w/ Hou.). • WR MALIK NABERS had 7 receptions for 68 yards last week, his 12th game with 5+ catches in 2024, tied-most by rookie in NFL history. Ranks 5th in NFL with 97 receptions, 5th-most by rookie all-time. Is only player ever with 50+ rec. yards in 12 of his 1st 13 career games. Nabers & Tracy can become 3rd pair of rookie teammates each with 1,000+ scrimmage yards in NFL history. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON had 7 catches last week, his 10th game with 5+ catches in 2024. Has career highs in catches (78) & rec. yards (585) in 2024. Nabers & Robinson are only pair of teammates each with 75+ catches in 2024. • LB BRIAN BURNS had 14th TFL of season last week & since 2021, is 1 of 6 in NFL with 60+ TFL (60). Aims for his 3rd in row at home with sack & 4th in row overall with TFL. • LB MICAH MCFADDEN had 5 tackles last week & has career-high 107 tackles in 2024. Aims for his 5th in row at home with 11+ tackles. • LB DARIUS MUASAU (rookie) led team with 11 tackles & had 1st-career TFL last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 6+ tackles. • CB DEONTE BANKS had 2 PD in Week 16 & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S JASON PINNOCK aims for his 9th in row with 5+ tackles. • S DANE BELTON had PD in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-12) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-12), 1 P.M. ET, CBS
THE KICK-OFF: For the second time in 21 days, the Titans and Jaguars square off with a spot in the AFC South cellar — and near the top of the NFL draft order — hanging in the balance. It could be argued that the loser will come out ahead in the long run. After all, that team would enhance its chances to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Rudolph, who threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis, gets the start over Will Levis for the Titans this week. Rudolph also threw three interceptions, adding to the team’s NFL-high total of 32 turnovers. The Titans’ offensive line has permitted 47 sacks this season — 40 with Levis at the helm. Levis also has thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight picks and lost a fumble. When the teams met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville notched a 10-6 win, holding Tennessee to 272 total yards and limiting Levis to 168 yards passing. It’s the Jaguars’ only road win of the season. Jacksonville is coming off a 19-14 loss last week in Las Vegas, another three-win team. The defeat moved Jacksonville up to the projected No. 3 overall pick, one spot ahead of the Titans. The Jaguars could be without as many as six usual starters on offense this week.
TITANS NOTES: QB MASON RUDOLPH completed 23 of 34 atts. (67.6 pct.) for 252 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 3rd-straigtht game with 2 TD passes. • RB TONY POLLARD has 60+ scrimmage yards in 7 of 8 road games this season. Has 230 scrimmage yards (115 per game) in 2 career games vs. Jax., incl. 124 scrimmage yards (102 rush, 22 rec.) in Week 14 meeting. Has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of 4 games vs. division this season. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Derrick Henry) with 1,000+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in each of past 3 seasons. • RB TYJAE SPEARS had 66 scrimmage yards (39 rec., 27 rush) & career-high 2 rush TDs last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ scrimmage yards. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY had 78 rec. yards & 4th TD catch of season in Week 16. Has 75+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5 on road. Had 7 catches for 59 yards in Week 14 meeting. Had 76 catches for 1,016 yards & 8 TDs last season with Jax. Needs 143 rec. yards for 3rd-career 1,000-yard season (2020, 2023). • WR NICK WESTBROOK-IKHINE had career-high 9th TD catch of season last week. Has rec. TD in 5 of past 6 on road, incl. each of past 3. • TE CHIG OKONKWO led team with career highs in catches (9) & rec. yards (81) in Week 16. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ catches & 55+ rec. yards. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS had 8 tackles & 5th sack of season in Week 16. Aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles & 4th in row with TFL. Had TFL & PD in Week 14 meeting. • LB HAROLD LANDRY had season-best 8 tackles last week. Has TFL in 4 of past 5 & sack in 2 of past 3. Had sack in Week 14 meeting. • LB CEDRIC GRAY (rookie) led team with career-high 11 tackles last week. • CB JARVIS BROWNLEE has 6+ tackles & TFL in 2 of past 3. • S AMANI HOOKER had 5 tackles & career-high 5th INT of season in Week 16. Aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row on road with INT.
JAGS NOTES: QB MAC JONES completed 25 of 39 atts. (64.1 pct.) for 247 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 90.4 rating last week, 4th-straight game with 220+ pass yards. Passed 220 yards in Week 14 meeting & is 2-0 with 530 pass yards (265 per game) in 2 career starts vs. Ten. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE has 70+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Ten. with 70+ scrimmage yards. • RB TANK BIGSBY rushed for 50 yards & TD last week. Has 50+ rush yards & TD in 2 of past 3. Had 55 rush yards & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. had 9 catches for career-high 132 yards & TD last week, becoming 6th rookie in NFL history with 75+ rec. yards in 9 games. Aims for 6th in row with 75+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 9+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Has TD catch in 4 of past 5 in Jax. Had 8 catches for 86 yards in Week 14 meeting. & has 75+ rec. yards in each of 4 games vs. division. Leads rookies with 1,088 rec. yards & 9 rec. TDs in 2024, both most-ever by Jax. rookie. • WR PARKER WASHINGTON has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4, incl. each of past 2. • DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN had sack & FF in Week 14 meeting. Aims for 6th in row vs. Ten. with 0.5+ sacks & 3rd in row with full sack. • DE TRAVON WALKER has 5.5 sacks in past 5 in Jax. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ten. • DT MAASON SMITH (rookie) had 2 TFL, 2nd sack of seaosn & PD in Week 16. • LB DEVIN LLOYD had 7 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 6 of past 7. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN led team with 8 tackles & had PD in Week 16. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 11 tackles in Week 14 meeting. Needs 13 tackles for 5th-straight season with 100+ tackles. • CB TYSON CAMPBELL aims for 4th in row with PD & 3rd in row with 5+ tackles.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-12) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-10), 1 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: Las Vegas hired Antonio Pierce as head coach after the team had an encouraging 5-4 record during his stint as interim head coach last season. Still, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in question. New Orleans is 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game losing streak this season. The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. Rizzi earned victories in his first two games in charge and three of the first four, but the team had by far its worst performance under him in a 34-0 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is in his second season in New Orleans, is trying to return from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and played poorly against the Packers, is more likely to start Sunday. Las Vegas ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 last week.
RAIDERS NOTES: QB AIDAN O’CONNELL completed 24 of 38 atts. (63.2 pct.) for 257 yards with 0 INTs last week. Has 0 INTs in 3 of his past 4. • RB AMEER ABDULLAH had season-high 85 scrimmage yards (47 rec., 38 rush) & rush TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5. Needs 75 scrimmage yards for 3rd-career 500-yard season (2015 & 2017). • RB ALEXANDER MATTISON had 56 scrimmage yards (29 rec., 27 rush) & rush TD in Week 16. Has 55+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. Had TD catch in only career game at NO (10/2/22 w/ Min.). • TE BROCK BOWERS led team with 11 catches for 99 yards last week, becoming 2nd rookie ever (Odell Beckham Jr.) & 3rd TE ever (Zach Ertz & Evan Engram) with 10+ catches in 4 games in a season. Has rec. TD in 3 of past 4 on road & 125+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3 on road. Ranks tied-2nd in NFL with 101 catches, tied with Anquan Boldin for 3rd-most ever by rookie. Leads TEs with 1,067 rec. yards & can surpass HOFer Mike Ditka (1,076 in 1961) for most-ever by rookie TE. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS has 5+ catches & 55+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5. Had 9 catches for 94 yards in only career game vs. NO (9/26/21 w/ NE). • DT ADAM BUTLER has TFL in 5 of past 6 & 0.5+ sacks in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NFC with sack. • DE K’LAVON CHAISSON had sack & PD last week, 4th-straight game with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of past 4 & PD in 2 of past 3. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 8 tackles & TFL in Week 16, 4th-straight game with 7+ tackles. Is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ tackles in 15 games this season. • S ISAIAH POLA-MAO had 9 tackles & 1st 2 career FFs last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 9+ tackles.
SAINTS NOTES: QB SPENCER RATTLER (rookie) passed for 153 yards & rushed for 28 yards in Week 16. Aims for his 3rd home start in row with 20+ completions. • RB ALVIN KAMARA became 4th player ever (HOFers Marshall Faulk & Lenny Moore & Christian McCaffrey) with 50+ rush TDs (60) & 25+ rec. TDs (25). Needs 7 scrimmage yards for 4th-career 1,500-yard season. Has 18 receptions, 332 scrimmage yards (166 per game) & 5 TDs (3 rush, 2 rec.) in 2 career games vs. LV, incl. 9 catches, 150+ scrimmage yards & 2+ TDs in each game. • RB KENDRE MILLER has 30+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his 5 games in 2024. • RB JORDAN MIMS had career-high 5 receptions in Week 16. • WR MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 at home. • TE FOSTER MOREAU had 91 catches, 1,107 yards & 12 TDs in 61 games (2019- 22) with Raiders. • DE CAMERON JORDAN aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DE CARL GRANDERSON has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. • DT KHALEN SAUNDERS had career-high 2 PD & TFL last week. • DL BRYAN BRESEE has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home & has career-high 7.5 sacks in 2024. • DL CHASE YOUNG has 0.5+ sacks & TFL in 3 of his past 4 at home. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS led team with 10 tackles & had 4th TFL of season last week. Has 114 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 3 (Eric Kendricks & Bobby Wagner) with 100+ tackles in each of past 8 seasons. Needs TFL for 12th-straight season with 5+ TFL. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LV with TFL. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR had 3 PD in last meeting. • S TYRANN MATHIEU has 99 career PD. Has 4 PD, 2 INTs & 2 FR in his past 3 vs. LV & aims for his 3rd in row vs. LV with INT.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-8) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-12), 4:05 P.M. ET, CBS
THE KICK-OFF: Saturday’s NFL slate could determine whether the Dolphins are playing for more than pride. Miami hopes to have a chance at the playoffs, while the only thing Cleveland can do is find a rare winning feeling in a disappointing season. Expected to contend for a second straight playoff berth, the Browns instead have an outside chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. A third starting quarterback of the year, second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson, gets the call with Jameis Winston (shoulder) ailing and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season. In a 24-6 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, Thompson-Robinson finished 20 of 34 for 157 yards while tossing two interceptions and absorbing five sacks. Thompson-Robinson, who was limited in practice on Thursday because of a quad issue, wants to do a better job avoiding those outcomes. The Dolphins’ defense could help in that matter as they entered the weekend 26th in sacks (31) and tied for 22nd in interceptions (eight). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he won’t rest players even if the Chargers and Broncos push Miami out of the playoffs on Saturday.
DOLPHINS NOTES: QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 22 of 34 atts. (64.7 pct.) for 215 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 92.2 rating last week. Has 0 INTs & 90+ rating in 5 of past 6. Passed for 285 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 135 rating in last meeting. Leads NFL with 72.9 comp. pct. this season. • RB DE’VON ACHANE totaled season-high 190 scrimmage yards (120 rush, 70 rec.) & rush TD last week, 4th-career game with 150+ scrimmage yards. Aims for 3rd in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 5 of past 6. Leads RBs with 76 catches & 579 rec. yards this season & ties for lead with 6 rec. TDs, most catches ever in single season by Mia. RB. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT had 65 rush yards & rush TD in last meeting. • WR TYREEK HILL had TD catch last week & has rec. TD in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Cle. with TD catch. Has 6 rec. TDs this season & is 3rd player in NFL history with 6+ rec. TDs in each of 1st 9 seasons. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. • TE JONNU SMITH had 6 catches for 62 yards in Week 16. Has rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Aims for 3rd in row on road with 9+ catches. Ranks 4th among TEs with 76 catches & 802 rec. yards in 2024, both career highs. • DE CALAIS CAMPBELL has TFL in 2 of past 3 on road. • DT ZACH SIELER aims for 8th in row with TFL & 4th in row with sack. Has TFL in 5 of his 6 road games this season. Had TFL & FF in last meeting. • LB JORDYN BROOKS had 7 tackles & 3rd sack of season last week. Aims for 8th in row with TFL & 14th in row with 7+ tackles. Had 10 tackles, sack & FF in only career game vs. Cle. (10/29/23 w/ Sea.). • LB CHOP ROBINSON (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with sack. Tied for lead among rookies with 6 sacks, tied 3rd-most by Mia. rookie since 1982.
BROWNS NOTES: • QB DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON had 157 pass yards & career-high 49 rush yards last week in 1st start of season. • RB JEROME FORD tied career high with 131 scrimmage yards (92 rush, 39 rec.) & had rush TD last week, 5th-career 100-yard game. Aims for 3rd in row with 100+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. • RB D’ONTA FOREMAN rushed for 132 yards & TD in only career game vs Mia. (1/2/22 w/ Ten.), 2nd-most single-game rush yards in career. • WR JERRY JEUDY has 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8. Aims for 5th in row at home with 70+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 81 yards in his last game vs. Mia. (9/24/23 w/ Den.). Since Week 8, ranks 4th in NFL with 806 rec. yards. Has set career highs in catches (72) & rec. yards (1,072) in 2024. • WR ELIJAH MOORE needs 3 catches for new career high (59 in 2023). • TE DAVID NJOKU led team with 8 catches for 66 yards in Week 16, his 3rdstraight game with 7+ catches. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3. • DE MYLES GARRETT had 12th sack of season last week, joining HOFer Lawrence Taylor (1985-89) as only players since 1982 with 12+ sacks in 5 straight seasons. Aims for 6th in row with TFL. Has 6 sacks in his past 3 at home. Has 100.5 career sacks, 1st player since 1982 to reach 100 sacks prior to 29th birthday. Can become 3rd player since 1982 with 13+ sacks in 5 of 1st 8 seasons. • DT MIKE HALL (rookie) had 1st sack of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB JORDAN HICKS has 9+ tackles in 3 of past 4 & PD in 2 of past 3. Had sack in his last game vs. Mia. (10/16/22 w/ Min.). • CB DENZEL WARD aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Mia. with PD. Leads NFL with career-high 19 PD in 2024. • S GRANT DELPIT had 5 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 16.
GREEN BAY (11-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (13-2), 4:25 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: There is still a lot on the line for the Vikings and Packers, who are behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North but competing for playoff position. Free agent signee Sam Darnold is the first quarterback to win 13-plus games in his first season with a team since Dak Prescott with the Cowboys in 2016 and first non-rookie since Peyton Manning with the Broncos in 2012. He’s had immense production from former Packers RB Aaron Jones and All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson (92 receptions for 1,387 yards, 10 TDs). Head coach Kevin O’Connell has 13 wins in two of his first three years with the Vikings — only current Packers coach Matt LaFleur and former 49ers coach George Seifert have done that. Green Bay also has a playoff spot clinched for the fifth time in six seasons under LaFleur. Powered by Jones’ replacement Josh Jacobs (career-high 13 rushing TDs) and QB Jordan Love, the Packers fell short of a furious comeback in the Week 4 meeting. Love had 389 yards and four TDs but was intercepted three times. He also had four total TDs in last season’s win at Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.
PACKERS NOTES: PACKERS clinched playoff berth for 5th time in 6 seasons under HC Matt LaFleur. LaFleur has 67 wins, 2nd-most by HC in 1st 6 seasons (George Seifert – 75). • QB JORDAN LOVE aims for his 6th in row with TD pass & 0 INTs. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 110+ rating. Passed for 389 yards & 4 TDs vs. 3 INTs in Week 4 meeting. Had 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 125.3 rating in last road meeting, his only career start at Min. (12/31/23). • RB JOSH JACOBS had 107 scrimmage yards (69 rush, 38 rec.) & career-high 13th rush TD of season last week, his 6th straight game with rush TD, longest active streak in NFL. Ranks 4th in NFL in rush yards (1,216) & 5th in scrimmage yards (1,556) in 2024, his 2nd-career 1,500-yard season (2,053 in 2022 with Las Vegas). Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8. Aims for his 6th in row on road with rush TD. • WR JAYDEN REED had 76 rec. yards last week & has career highs in rec. yards (803) & scrimmage yards (963) this season. Had 7 catches for 139 yards & TD in Week 4 meeting. Had 6 catches for 89 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last road meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Has career-high 620 rec. yards in 2024. • WR DONTAYVION WICKS had career-high 5th rec. TD of season last week. Had 5 catches for 78 yards & 2 rec. TDs in Week 4 meeting. • TE TUCKER KRAFT had 6 catches for 53 yards & TD in Week 4 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with 6+ receptions. • DL RASHAN GARY had 7th-career FR last week. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack. • DL DEVONTE WYATT aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • LB QUAY WALKER aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with sack. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER (rookie) tied his career-high with 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had TFL & FR in Week 4 meeting. • CB KEISEAN NIXON had 3rd sack of season & 3rd FF of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had sack & FF in Week 4 meeting. • CB CARRINGTON VALENTINE had 1st-career FF last week. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY had 10th PD of season last week. Had INT in Week 4 meeting. Ranks tied-1st in NFL with career-high 7 INTs in 2024.
VIKINGS NOTES: VIKINGS won 13 games for 2nd time in 3 seasons (2022) as HC Kevin O’Connell became 3rd HC ever to win 13+ games in 2 of his 1st 3 seasons. • QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 246 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 112.3 rating in Week 16 & has 11 games with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 2024, tied 5thmost such games in single season all-time. Became 7th QB ever with 13+ wins in 1st season with team. Has career highs in pass yards (3,776) & pass TDs (32) in 2024. Ranks 4th among qualified QBs with 105.4 rating this season. Passed for 275 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 123.4 rating in Week 4 meeting. • RB AARON JONES had 93 scrimmage yards (67 rush, 26 rec.) in Week 16. Has 1,046 rush yards in 2024, his 4th-career 100+ rush yards season. Needs 106 scrimmage yards for 3rd-career 1,500-yard season (2019 & 2022). Aims for his 4th in row at home with TD. Had 139 scrimmage yards (93 rush, 46 rec.) in Week 4 meeting. Spent 7 seasons (2017-23) with GB & had 296 catches, 8,729 scrimmage yards (6,451 rush, 2,278 rec.) & 71 scrimmage TDs (52 rush, 19 rec.) in 104 games, incl. postseason. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON had 10 catches for 144 yards & 2 TDs last week & became 5th player ever with 10 games of 10+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in 1st 5 seasons. Has 34 games with 100+ rec. yards & 23 games with 125+ rec. yards, both most by player in 1st 5 seasons in NFL history. Ranks 2nd in rec. yards (1,387), 4th in rec. TDs (10) & tied-7th in receptions (92) & can become 5th player all-time with 3 career seasons of 100+ catches & 1,500+ rec. yards. • WR JORDAN ADDISON had 18th-career rec. TD last week, tied 5th-most by player under age 23 in NFL history. Had 2 TDs (1 rec., 1 rush) in Week 4 meeting. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 vs. GB. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN had 12 tackles, TFL & PD last week. Had 11 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 4 meeting. Needs 8 tackles for 2nd-straight 100-tackle season. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 2 sacks last week, his 3rd game with 2 sacks in 2024. Has career highs in sacks (11) & TFL (17) this season. • LB JONATHAN GREENARD has TFL in 9 of his past 10 & has career-high 16 TFL this season. • CB BYRON MURPHY had 2nd-career 10 tackle game & 13th PD of season last week. • S JOSH METELLUS needs 5 tackles for 2nd-straight 100-tackle season.
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-7) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (10-5), 8:20 P.M. ET, NBC
THE KICK-OFF: A matchup of top-10 draft picks headlines the “Sunday Night Football” showdown in Week 17. With only one career start under his belt, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, attempts to boost Atlanta’s playoff chances against Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick. The Commanders are hunting their first playoff berth since 2020. Washington could have a playoff spot wrapped up if the Panthers beat the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. If Tampa Bay wins, Washington can clinch with a win over Atlanta. Atlanta is searching for its third straight victory while Washington has won three in a row and could get to 11 wins for the first time since 1991. Penix won his debut start at home last week, completing 18 of 27 passes (66.7 percent) for 202 yards with an interception and led the Falcons to four scoring drives in a 34-7 home win against the Giants. Daniels is coming off a five-touchdown performance, including the game-winner with six seconds remaining, to lead Washington to an upset win over the visiting Eagles. He passed for 258 yards and ran for 81. Daniels has rushed for a team-high 737 yards along with six touchdowns. Washington entered Week 17 third in rushing (152.7 yards per game) and 16th in passing (220.9 yards per game).
FALCONS NOTES: QB MICHAEL PENIX JR. (rookie) completed 18 of 27 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 202 yards in 1st-career start last week. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON had 103 scrimmage yards (94 rush, 9 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week, his 4th-straight game with 100+ scrimmage yards, 2nd-longest active streak in NFL. Ranks 3rd in NFL with career-high 1,616 scrimmage yards in 2024. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8 on road & aims for his 3rd in row on road in primetime with 120+ scrimmage yards. • WR DRAKE LONDON had 5 catches for 59 yards last week, his 6th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Needs 22 rec. yards for 1st-career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Aims for his 6th in row in primetime with TD catch. Had 9 catches for 125 yards in last meeting. • WR DARNELL MOONEY had 5 catches for 82 yards last week & needs 45 rec. yards for 2nd-career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Has 65+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 in primetime. Has 12 catches for 193 yards (96.5 per game) & 3TDs in two career primetime games vs. NFC. • S JESSIE BATES had 2 PDs last week, incl. 3rd-career INT-TD. Had INT in his last game at Was. (11/22/20 w/ Cin.). Has 10 PDs in 2024, his 3rd-career 10+ PD season. • S JUSTIN SIMMONS has 3 PDs, incl. 2 INTs, in his past 3 in primetime. • LB KADEN ELLISS had 7 tackles, sack & 1st FF of season last week. Has career high 130 tackles in 2024 & needs 2 TFL for 2nd-career season with 10+ TFL. • LB MATTHEW JUDON had sack & 1st-career INT-TD last week, his 1st-career INT. Has 5 TFL in 2024, his 8th season in row with 5+ TFL. • CB MIKE HUGHES had 6 tackles & 2 PD last week, his 5th career game with 2+ PD. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ tackles & PD.
COMMANDERS NOTES: COMMANDERS are 10-5 in 2024, tied-most wins in season since 1992. • QB JAYDEN DANIELS had 339 yards (258 pass, 81 rush) & 5 pass TDs last week, incl. GW-TD with 6 seconds left & became 1st rookie & 2nd player ever with 250+ pass yards, 75+ rush yards & 5 pass TDs in single game. Has 737 rushing yards in 2024, 2nd-most rush yards by rookie QB in NFL history (Robert Griffin III, 815). Aims for his 5th in row with 2+ pass TDs. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON had 125 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 20 rec.) & rec. TD in last home meeting. Needs 71 rush yards for 1st-career season with 800+ rush yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 5 catches for 60 yards & TD last week, his 5th season in row with 1,000+ rec. yards (1,029) & is 1 of 2 with 1,000+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. Has 73 catches this season & is 1 of 5 with 70+ catches in each of past 5 seasons. Has 4 rec. TDs in his past 3 at home & aims for his 4th in row at home with rec. TD. • TE ZACH ERTZ has 5+ catches in 3 of his past 4 vs. Atl. Has TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with 5+ catches. • WR OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS had 5 catches for 70 yards & 2 rec. TDs last week. Had 94 catches for 1,328 yards & 8 TDs in 4 seasons with Atl. (2019-22). • WR JAMISON CROWDER had 2 rec. TDs in Week 16. • LB BOBBY WAGNER had 9 tackles & 70th-career PD last week. Is only active LB with 70+ PDs & needs 2 TFL for 5th-career season with 10+ TFL. • LB FRANKIE LUVU had 7 tackles, 2 TFL & 2nd-career INT last week. Needs 11 tackles for 3rd season in row with 100+ tackles. Had 10 tackles in his las game vs. Atl. (12/17/23 w/ Car.). • DT DARON PAYNE had TFL last week, his 4th game in row with TFL. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home & had 2 TFL & PD in last home meeting. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row at home with 7+ tackles.
MONDAY
DETROIT LIONS (13-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-9)
Monday, December 30, 2024 | 8:15 PM ET | Levi’s Stadium | Referee: Shawn Hochuli
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SF leads series, 38-27-1 (won 11 of past 12)
Postseason: SF leads series, 2-1 (won past 2)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 9/12/21: SF 41 at DET 33
Postseason: NFC-C 1/28/24: DET 31 at SF 34
LIONS NOTES:
LIONS have won franchise-record 13 games in 2024. Can become 1st team since 2020 Chiefs with 8-0 road record. • QB JARED GOFF passed for 336 yards & 3 TDs with 137 rating in Week 16 & became 1st player ever with 275+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 135+ rating in 5 games within single season. Has 41 career games with 300+ pass yards, tied with HOFer Dan Marino & Matt Ryan for 2nd most by QB in 1st 9 career seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards, 4th in row with 3+ TD passes & 5th in row with 100+ rating. Ranks 2nd in pass yards (4,095) & rating (112.2) & 4th in TD passes (career-high 33) this season. Has 2,264 pass yards (283 per game) & 17 TDs (16 pass, 1 rush) vs. 6 INTs for 102.5 rating in 8 career Monday starts. Aims for his 5th in row at SF with 2+ TD passes. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS had 154 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 45 rec.) & 12th rush TD of season last week, his 5th-career game with 100+ rush yards. Ranks tied-3rd in scrimmage TDs (15) & 4th in scrimmage yards (1,596) in 2024. Can become 7th RB ever under age 23 with 3,000+ scrimmage yards & 25+ scrimmage TDs. Aims for his 3rd in row on Monday with rush TD. Had rush TD in 2023 NFC-C. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN had career-high 11th rec. TD of season last week. Ranks tied-2nd with 101 receptions in 2024 & became 3rd player ever with 100+ catches in 3 of his 1st 4 career seasons. Has TD catch in 13 of his past 16 on road. Had 7 catches for 87 yards in 2023 NFC-C. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 5 catches for career-high 143 yards last week, incl. career-long 82-yard rec. TD, his 9th-career TD catch. Aims for his 3rd in row with rec. TD. Had 2 TDs (1 rec., 1 rush) in 2023 NFC-C. • TE SAM LAPORTA had 16th-career rec. TD last week, tied-3rd most by TE in 1st 2 career seasons all-time. Had 9 catches for 97 yards in 2023 NFC-C. • DB BRIAN BRANCH led team with 12 tackles & had TFL & PD last week, his 5th game with both TFL & PD in 2024, most in NFL. Has career highs with 96 tackles & 15 PD this season. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD & 4th in row with TFL. • DB KERBY JOSEPH ranks tied-1st in NFL with career-high 7 INTs in 2024. • LB JACK CAMPBELL has career-high 110 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 2 in NFC (Lavonte David) with 100+ tackles, 5+ TFL (5) & 5+ PD (5).
49ERS NOTES:
QB BROCK PURDY passed for 313 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 95.1 rating last week, his 9th-career game with 300+ pass yards. Passed for 267 yards & TD vs. INT & rushed for 48 yards in 2023 NFC-C. • RB ISAAC GUERENDO (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row at home with 75+ scrimmage yards. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had 8 catches for 106 yards last week & became 4th TE ever with 20+ games (20) with 100+ rec. yards in 1st 8 seasons. Has 7,241 career rec. yards, 2nd-most all-time by TE in 1st 8 seasons. Ranks 2nd among TEs with 967 rec. yards in 2024 & needs 33 rec. yards to become 5th TE ever with 4 career seasons with 1,000+ rec. yards. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL had 7 catches, season-high 121 scrimmage yards (96 rec., 25 rush) & 2nd rec. TD of season last week. Had 8 catches for 89 yards in 2023 NFC-C. Had 9 catches for 189 yards & rec. TD in only career reg. season meeting (9/12/21). • WR JAUAN JENNINGS has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Has career highs in catches (63), rec. yards (856) & rec. TDs (6) in 2024. • LB FRED WARNER led team with 11 tackles last week & has 117 tackles in 2024, 1 of 2 (Bobby Wagner) with 115+ tackles in each of past 7 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2024 & 4th in row vs. Det. (incl. playoffs) with 10+ tackles. • LB DRE GREENLAW had INT-TD in last reg. season meeting (9/12/21). • DL NICK BOSA has TFL in 4 of his past 5. Had 2 sacks in 2023 NFC-C & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Det. (incl. playoffs) with sack & 2+ TFL. • DL LEONARD FLOYD has 6.5 sacks in 8 home games this season. • CB CHARVARIUS WARD had 70th career PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NO. 25 BAYLOR DISMANTLES ARLINGTON BAPTIST 107-53
No. 25 Baylor showed little rust after more than a two-week break, rolling to a 107-53 victory over visiting Arlington Baptist on Friday night in Waco, Texas.
The Bears (8-3) dominated in every facet. They won the rebounding battle 66-31, scored 54 points in the paint and had 49 points from their bench. They scored a season high in points.
Norchad Omier led the way with 19 points and 24 rebounds. Omier had a double-double by halftime (13 points, 11 rebounds). Robert Wright III added 13 points and nine assists, while Langston Love, Jayden Nunn and Jalen Celestine scored 11 points apiece.
Josh Ojianwuna chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds, and VJ Edgecombe had 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Jamar McCray led Division II Arlington Baptist (1-10) with 10 points. Eric Conner finished with nine points, while Gary Gray contributed seven points and a six rebounds.
Baylor controlled the game from the opening tip, building a 25-3 lead on the strength of a 23-0 run, and led 51-28 at halftime. Among the highlights in the opening half included a fast-break, two-handed slam by Nunn that extended the Bears lead to 35-17 at the 6:33 mark.
Baylor didn’t slow down in the second half. The Bears opened the half on a 13-2 run, capped by Love’s 3-pointer that made it a 64-30 game with just over 15 minutes left. Baylor reached the 100-point mark on a layup by Jason Asemota with just under three minutes left.
Baylor finished the game shooting 50.6 percent from the field, including 48.1 percent from 3-point range (13 of 27). Defensively, Baylor held Arlington Baptist to 27.9 percent from the field, including 21.7 percent from long range.
This served as a tune-up game for Baylor before it opens Big 12 play against Utah on Tuesday. Arlington Baptist’s next game is against College of Biblical Studies — Houston on Jan. 10.
NBA NEWS
NBA ROUNDUP: ANTHONY EDWARDS’ LATE 3 HELPS WOLVES EDGE ROCKETS
Anthony Edwards drilled a 3-pointer with 23.2 seconds left to cap a stunning fourth-quarter rally and lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 113-112 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The Timberwolves closed the game on a 23-6 run over the last five minutes. The surge featured two 3-pointers from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, nine points from Naz Reid and Edwards’ three-point play with 1:31 left that pulled Minnesota within 110-108.
Edwards put up 24 points for Minnesota, which completed a 2-1 road trip. Randle had 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in 22 points.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with a season-high 38 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. However, he missed a pair of free throws in the final 69 seconds as Houston had its four-game winning streak snapped.
Cavaliers 149, Nuggets 135
Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points, Jarrett Allen had 22 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, and Cleveland ran its winning streak to six games by beating host Denver.
Nikola Jokic notched his NBA-best 12th triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, and Jamal Murray also scored 27 points and tied a season high with 11 assists for Denver. Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon missed the game with a right calf strain suffered in Wednesday’s 110-100 loss at Phoenix.
The Cavaliers led by 15 at halftime. Denver got within 12 early in the third, but the lead swelled to 96-77 when Mitchell made two free throws with 7:46 left in the quarter. The Nuggets trimmed the lead back down to 107-93, but Caris LeVert drained two from deep to give Cleveland a 113-93 cushion.
Clippers 102, Warriors 92
Norman Powell scored 26 points and James Harden added 18 as Los Angeles took advantage of Stephen Curry’s absence to hold on for a victory over visiting Golden State at Inglewood, Calif.
Ivica Zubac scored 17 points with 11 rebounds and five blocked shots, Derrick Jones Jr. added 14 points and Kris Dunn had 13 as the Clippers won for the fourth time in their past five games and improved to 3-0 against the Warriors this season.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 15 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 rebounds, and Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 points with nine rebounds for the Warriors, who gave Curry the night off for knee-injury management.
Celtics 142, Pacers 105
Jaylen Brown poured in a season-high 44 points to help Boston end a two-game losing streak by clobbering visiting Indiana.
Brown was 16 of 24 from the field, including 6 of 11 from 3-point territory. He also had five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Jayson Tatum added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who were 23 of 57 from 3-point range and scored a season high in points. Payton Pritchard provided 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds off the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton had a team-high 19 points and nine assists for the Pacers, who never led in the game. Indiana received 18 points from Bennedict Mathurin and 14 from Pascal Siakam.
Knicks 108, Magic 85
Jalen Brunson collected 26 points and nine assists and Josh Hart added 23 points and 13 rebounds, lifting New York to a victory at Orlando, the Knicks’ season-best sixth straight win.
Brunson made 11 of 21 shots from the floor to help the Knicks defeat the Magic for the third time this month. The Knicks also held a decisive 60-34 edge in points in the paint and a 21-2 advantage in fastbreak points.
Jalen Suggs scored 27 points and Goga Bitadze collected 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who have lost five of their past seven games.
Mavericks 98, Suns 89
Kyrie Irving made five 3-pointers and scored 20 points as Dallas notched a victory at Phoenix while playing without injured Luka Doncic.
Daniel Gafford tallied 16 points as the Mavericks won for the 15th time in 19 games. Doncic will miss at least a month after sustaining a left calf strain on Christmas.
Kevin Durant scored 35 points for the Suns, who lost for the fourth time in the past five games.
Spurs 96, Nets 87
Victor Wembanyama bundled 19 points with seven rebounds, six blocks and four assists as San Antonio recovered from a difficult opening quarter to beat Brooklyn in New York.
Julian Champagnie put up 10 of his 18 points in the second quarter to help get the Spurs back in the game after they shot 4-for-25 and trailed 22-11 after the opening 12 minutes. Keldon Johnson added 15 points and Jeremy Sochan contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds for San Antonio, which allowed its lowest point total this season.
Keon Johnson scored 15 of his career-high 25 points in the fourth quarter for the Nets. Shake Milton added 16 points and 12 assists while Tyrese Martin contributed 13 points for Brooklyn, which allowed 20 points off 18 turnovers.
Grizzlies 132, Pelicans 124
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 33 points and Ja Morant had 25 before injuring his right shoulder as Memphis defeated host New Orleans for its eighth win in 10 games.
Morant went to the locker room for good with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter after colliding with Pelicans center Daniel Theis. Desmond Bane tallied 18 points, Zach Edey had 14 and nine rebounds, Scotty Pippen Jr. added 13 points and Jaylen Wells scored 10 for the Grizzlies.
Trey Murphy III scored a season-high 35 points, CJ McCollum added 32 points and Dejounte Murray netted 15 for New Orleans, which has lost nine straight games and 18 of its last 19. Theis had 11 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
BASEBALL NEWS
TIGERS SIGN FORMER YANKEES SECOND BASEMAN GLEYBER TORRES TO A $15 MILLION, 1-YEAR DEAL
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers signed former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres on Friday to a $15 million, one-year contract.
The two-time All-Star’s deal includes a one-time assignment bonus of $500,000.
Torres hit .265 with 138 home runs and 441 RBIs in seven seasons with the Yankees, who acquired him from the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
The 28-year-old infielder hit .257 with 15 homers, 63 RBIs and 26 doubles last season while helping the Yankees win the AL East and reach the World Series, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Tigers President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris told reporters Torres — who played shortstop and then second base during his stint with the Yankees — is expected to play second in Detroit while Colt Keith, who played the position for most of last season, will shift to first base.
Torres, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, was originally signed in 2013 by the Cubs and included in a deal in 2016 with Adam Warren, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford that sent Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to Chicago. The Cubs ended up beating Cleveland in the World Series that year, ending a 107-year drought.
Torres moved quickly through the minors and made his major league debut in 2018 with the Yankees. He homered in four straight games as a rookie, and at 21 years and 163 days old, became the youngest player in American League history to accomplish the feat. Torres also was selected for the first of two consecutive All-Star games. He finished third that year in AL Rookie of the Year balloting behind winner Shohei Ohtani and then-teammate Miguel Andújar.
He also was successful in the playoffs for the Yankees, posting a .795 OPS with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in six postseasons for New York. His 16.2% strikeout rate ranks fifth among players with at least 150 postseason plate appearances since the start of the 2018 season.
REPORTS: D-BACKS, CORBIN BURNES AGREE TO 6-YEAR, $210M DEAL
Right-hander Corbin Burnes, arguably the top remaining free agent on the market, agreed to a mega-deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to multiple media reports late Friday night.
The contract reportedly is for six years and $210 million, but Burnes has the right to opt out after two seasons. It would be the largest contract in Diamondbacks history.
Burnes lands with a team that already features one of the major leagues’ deepest rotations with Zac Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery and Brandon Pfaadt.
Burnes, 30, spent the 2024 season with the Baltimore Orioles, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star selection while going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts. He tied for seventh in the American League in wins and came in fourth in ERA while striking out 181 in 194 1/3 innings.
A fourth-round draft pick of the Brewers in 2016, Burnes broke into the majors in 2018 and spent six seasons in Milwaukee before he was traded to Baltimore before spring training this year. He won the 2021 National League Cy Young Award after going 11-5 with a league-leading 2.43 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 167 innings over 28 starts.
Burnes logged more than 190 innings each of the past three seasons.
In 199 career major league appearances (138 starts), Burnes is 60-36 with a 3.19 ERA. He has 1,051 strikeouts and 254 walks in 903 2/3 innings.
The Diamondbacks missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2024. They went 89-73, the same mark as the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, who claimed the last two NL wild-card berths.
REPORTS: DODGERS BRING BACK ALL-STAR OF TEOSCAR HERNANDEZ FOR 3 YEARS, $66M
Teoscar Hernandez is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers after a triumphant first season, as the All-Star outfielder and the World Series champions have agreed on a three-year, $66 million contract, according to multiple reports on Friday evening.
Hernandez, 32, posted “I’m back” on his Instagram account, though the ballclub has not confirmed the reports.
The deal includes a club option of $15 million for the 2028 season with a $6.5 million buyout, $23.5 million in deferred money and a $23 million signing bonus, ESPN reported.
Hernandez had signed on Jan. 12 as a free agent with the Dodgers, reportedly declining multi-year offers for a one-year, $23.5 million contract, with $8.5 million deferred.
The risk was rewarded as the native of the Dominican Republic was a key contributor to the Dodgers’ regular-season run as well as through the playoffs.
He batted .250 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 10 walks, and reached base safely in 15 of 16 postseason games.
Hernandez batted .272 in the regular season with a career-high 33 home runs as well as 99 RBIs in 154 games. He sported a .339 on-base percentage and .501 slugging percentage.
He was voted to his second All-Star Game, where he also won the Home Run Derby. He also collected his third Silver Slugger award.
Hernandez is a career .263 hitter with 192 homers and 572 RBIs in 965 games for the Houston Astros (2016-17), Toronto Blue Jays (2017-22), Seattle Mariners (2023) and Dodgers.
The Dodgers had earlier this month signed veteran Michael Conforto (one year, $17 million) to a roster of outfielders including Tommy Edman, Chris Taylor, James Outman and Andy Pages. Shortstop Mookie Betts is a former outfielder and MVP.
LOÁISIGA GUARANTEED $5 MILLION IN 1-YEAR DEAL WITH YANKEES AS HE RETURNS FROM TOMMY JOHN SURGERY
NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga is guaranteed $5 million in his one-year contract from the New York Yankees as he returns from Tommy John surgery and could earn up to $10.5 million over two seasons.
Loáisiga gets a $500,000 signing bonus and a $4.5 million salary next season as part of the agreement announced Saturday.
New York has a $5 million team option for 2026 with no buyout. Loáisiga could earn $500,000 in performance bonuses in 2026: $100,000 apiece for 50 innings and each additional five through 70.
Pitching coach Matt Blake said last week the 30-year-old right-hander could return in late April or May from Tommy John surgery last May 1.
“I imagine him being one of the high-leverage guys,” Blake said. “Obviously, we got to take some time to get him right, make sure we don’t rush him into competition.”
Loáisiga had a $2.5 million salary this year in his final season of arbitration eligibility and became a free agent.
He made three relief appearances during the first seven days of the season, then went on the injured list because of a strained right flexor muscle, then had Tommy John surgery with team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad.
NHL NEWS
ALEX OVECHKIN IS ON TRACK TO BREAK WAYNE GRETZKY’S NHL CAREER GOALS RECORD
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky.
Ovechkin has 868 goals after scoring 15 in the first 18 games this season. He needs 27 to set a new record.
Ovechkin entered the season 42 short of breaking a record by “The Great One” that long seemed unapproachable. The 39-year-old Russian is in his 20th NHL season and was on pace to get to 895 in February before breaking his left leg in a shin-on-shin collision in November. Ovechkin could resume his pursuit as soon as Saturday night at Toronto in the Capitals’ first game out of the Christmas break.
Alex Ovechkin’s last goal scored
Ovechkin scored twice in a 6-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club on Nov. 18, getting goals 867 and 868 in his first game in Salt Lake City before leaving in the third period.
When is Ovechkin’s next game?
Ovechkin seems on track to play Saturday at the Maple Leafs. He has scored 44 goals against them during his career, tied for the fifth-most among all opponents.
If not Saturday, the Capitals visit Detroit on Sunday and host Boston on Tuesday in a New Year’s Eve matinee.
What are Ovechkin’s stats?
Ovechkin already owns the NHL records for power-play goals with 316 and shots on goal with 6,690.
He also has 132 game-winning goals, four away from breaking Jaromir Jagr’s mark (135).
Ovechkin has scored on 178 different goaltenders and counting, tying Jagr.
Ovechkin has 177 multi-goal games, second to Gretzky (189).
Ovechkin earlier this season became the 60th player to record 700 career assists and is now at 707. He joined Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jagr, Marcel Dionne and Phil Esposito as the only players with 700 goals and 700 assists.
Who are the NHL’s leading scorers?
Ovechkin, after climbing past Mike Gartner (708), Esposito (717), Dionne (731), Brett Hull (741) and Jagr (766), scored goal No. 802 on Dec. 23, 2022, to move into second all time behind Gretzky (894).
Who previously held the career goals record?
Gretzky has held the record since scoring his 802nd goal on March 23, 1994, to pass Howe. He added 92 more before retiring in 1999 after a total of 1,487 games over 20 seasons. Ovechkin has played in 1,444 total games so far.
Gretzky holds 55 NHL records and even if his goals mark falls to Ovechkin — which he has said he is excited about — two seem truly untouchable: 2,857 total points and 1,963 assists, which is more than anyone else has in goals and assists combined.
NHL ROUNDUP: MITCH MARNER POSTS HAT TRICK IN LEAFS’ WIN
Mitch Marner notched his third career hat trick with three straight goals within the first two periods and the Toronto Maple Leafs wrecked Todd McLellan’s Red Wings coaching debut with a 5-2 victory at Detroit on Friday night.
Marner scored twice in the first period and added another goal late in the second as the Maple Leafs built a 5-0 lead. He had a career-high four goals against Detroit on Feb. 26, 2022.
Toronto’s David Kampf scored his first goal of the season in his 500th career game. Nicholas Robertson also scored for the Maple Leafs, and John Tavares added two assists. Joseph Woll made 23 saves for the win.
McLellan, the former San Jose, Edmonton and Los Angeles head coach, was hired on Thursday to replace Derek Lalonde. Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson scored for Detroit, which has lost four straight games. Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon had a combined 18 saves.
Avalanche 4, Utah Hockey Club 1
Artturi Lehkonen posted his first career hat trick and Nathan MacKinnon collected three assists to lead Colorado past Utah in Salt Lake City.
Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, on the day the Avalanche announced he signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension, made 34 saves to record his fourth win five starts since being traded to Colorado. Mikko Rantanen also scored for the Avalanche, who have won four consecutive games and eight of their last 10.
Nick Schmaltz logged the lone goal for Utah, which is winless in three outings (0-2-1) and fell to 5-7-4 at home this season. Goalie Karel Vejmelka stopped 33 shots.
Golden Knights 6, Sharks 3
Brayden McNabb and Jack Eichel scored short-handed goals 23 seconds apart to highlight a four-goal third-period outburst as visiting Vegas rallied for a victory over San Jose.
Vegas recorded its league-leading 14th comeback victory of the season and extended its overall winning streak to a season-best five games. Eichel, McNabb, Mark Stone and Brett Howden each finished with a goal and an assist, and Noah Hanifin and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored goals for the Golden Knights.
Will Smith had a goal and an assist and Shakir Mukhamadullin and Tyler Toffoli also scored for San Jose, which lost its sixth straight game (0-5-1). Fabian Zetterlund added two assists, and Alexandar Georgiev made 30 saves.
Sabres 6, Blackhawks 2
Alex Tuch’s third career hat trick led Buffalo to a win over visiting Chicago.
Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens each had a goal and an assist, Rasmus Dahlin had two assists and Zach Benson scored for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 15 of 17 shots for his 10th win in 25 starts this season.
Tyler Bertuzzi and Seth Jones scored for the Blackhawks, who have lost their last three games. Chicago is 1-10-1 in its last 12 away games. Blackhawks starting goalie Petr Mrazek allowed four goals on 11 shots before being removed at the first intermission. Arvid Soderblom stopped 22 of 24 shots over the final two periods.
Wild 3, Stars 2 (OT)
Brock Faber scored on a wraparound 35 seconds into overtime to lift visiting Minnesota to a comeback victory over Dallas.
Jonas Brodin and Marcus Foligno scored in the third period and Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves for the Wild, who had lost four of five entering the Christmas break.
Wyatt Johnston and Evgenii Dadonov each had a goal and an assist and Jake Oettinger made 15 saves for the Stars, who blew a 2-0 third-period lead but extended their point streak against Minnesota to 12 games (8-0-4).
Devils 4, Hurricanes 2
Jacob Markstrom saw his two-game shutout streak end, but the goalie made 29 saves in New Jersey’s win over Carolina in Newark, N.J.
Markstrom, 34, extended his personal win streak to six games and improved to 9-0-1 in his past 10 starts. Luke Hughes recorded a goal and an assist for his third two-point game in his past four contests. Ondrej Palat, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer also scored. Hughes was one of five defensemen to record an assist for the Devils, who have won three in a row and six of their past seven.
Brent Burns had a goal and an assist for Carolina. Eric Robinson also scored. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 19 shots for the Hurricanes, who have lost three of their past four.
Blue Jackets 6, Bruins 2
Columbus used a four-goal second period and went 3-for-3 on the power play to cruise past visiting Boston in the opening half of the teams’ back-to-back, home-and-home series.
Dmitri Voronkov posted two goals and an assist — all in the middle frame — while Sean Monahan also scored twice for Columbus, which tallied three times in a 2:47 span to break open what was a 1-1 game through 20 minutes. The Blue Jackets also received a goal and two assists from Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli lit the lamp, and Zach Werenski tied a career high with four assists.
Elvis Merzlikins made 24 saves as Columbus improved to 3-0-1 in its last four games ahead of the Saturday rematch in Boston. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle each scored, and Joonas Korpisalo (27 saves) took the loss for the Bruins, who had a five-game point streak (4-0-1) snapped.
Blues 7, Predators 4
Robert Thomas and Zack Bolduc scored on St. Louis’ first two shots, and Thomas added another goal in pulling away to defeat visiting Nashville.
The quick tallies helped St. Louis, which never trailed but didn’t shake Nashville until late, earn its second straight win following a 1-3-2 rut. Cam Fowler added a goal and two assists, Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist, Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko also scored, and Dylan Holloway had two assists. Joel Hofer made 26 saves.
Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos each had a goal with an assist for the Predators, and Nick Blankenburg and Mark Jankowski also scored. Juuse Saros was pulled late in the second period after yielding five goals on 15 shots faced. Justus Annunen stopped 12 of 13 shots in relief.
TOP INDIANA RELEASES/NEWS
COLTS NEWS
COLTS QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON QUESTIONABLE VS. GIANTS
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is questionable to start Sunday’s key game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries.
Richardson did not practice this week, but head coach Shane Steichen fell short of declaring his starter out.
“We’ll see how next 48 hours go,” he told reporters Friday.
If Richardson, 22, is unable to go, veteran Joe Flacco would make his fifth start of the season.
The Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they’ll need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 — and get some help.
Indianapolis remains in the playoff hunt despite an unspectacular season from Richardson, taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.
Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams — the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.
INDIANA PACERS
GAME REWIND: PACERS 105, CELTICS 142
On the second night of back-to-back games, the Indiana Pacers couldn’t overcome a superb start by the defending NBA champs.
The Pacers (15-17) trailed the Boston Celtics (23-8) by 22 points at halftime and never recovered in a 142-105 loss at TD Garden on Friday. The regular season series between the teams is now tied 1-1, with the final matchup set for Sunday night in Boston.
Boston’s All-NBA duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both had strong performances, as Brown recorded a season-high 44 points on 16-for-24 shooting while Tatum logged 22 points and 13 rebounds.
The 142 points are the most given up by the Pacers in a game this season. Boston shot 51.6 percent as a team, including 23-for-57 from 3-point range.
The Pacers shot 41.8 percent overall in the game, making 11 3-pointers, and were led by 19 points and nine assists by Tyrese Haliburton and 18 points from Bennedict Mathurin.
Both teams were missing key players due to injuries, as Andrew Nembhard (left knee injury management) and Obi Toppin (sprained left ankle) were out for the Pacers, while Kristaps Porzingis (left ankle sprain) and Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement) didn’t suit up for the Celtics. Pacers second-year guard Ben Sheppard started in place of Nembhard.
Behind 23 first-half points by Brown and 10 points and 10 rebounds from Tatum, the Celtics led 67-45 at halftime. The Celtics shot 53.1 percent at the break, with 11 made 3-pointers, while the Pacers made 38.8 percent of their shots overall (seven made threes) in the first half.
In the first quarter, Brown was perfect from the field – making all six of his shot attempts for 15 points – to help the Celtics to a 27-9 run and 39-22 lead. The 39 points are the most the Pacers have given up in a first quarter this season.
Boston shot 58.3 percent in the first quarter and Indiana made 40 percent of its shot attempts.
After a back-and-forth start to the game, a 15-2 Boston run, where Brown scored seven points and Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard each hit 3-pointers, gave the Celtics a 26-13 lead with 3:24 left in the first quarter.
While back-to-back buckets by T.J. McConnell temporarily gave the Pacers some momentum, Brown made his third three of the period and threw down a dunk to push the lead to 34-17 and force a Pacers timeout.
Siakam drained a three out of the huddle, but the Celtics added five more points before the end of the frame to hold a 17-point lead.
A late 17-5 run by Boston in the second quarter kept them ahead big at halftime.
The teams again exchanged baskets to start the second quarter, but three straight buckets by Brown extended the Celtics lead to 52-34 with 5:50 left in the opening half.
From 4:02 to 1:53, the Celtics built a 13-0 run, behind four different scorers, to lead 62-37. An 8-2 stretch by the visitors in the final 1:37 of the half gave the Pacers some momentum going into the locker room.
In the third quarter, Brown and Tatum scored 12 points each to help the Celtics to a 103-78 lead.
Brown and Tatum accounted for Boston’s first 18 points in the third quarter, with Brown recording 10, before five straight points by Al Horford put the Celtics up 90-59 with 5:33 left in the frame. The Pacers mustered an 11-2 run near the end of the third quarter, but trailed by 25 points going into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, the Pacers never got the deficit down to single digits.
After playing at Boston again on Sunday, the Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks on New Year’s Eve in their final game of 2024.
Inside the Numbers
Indiana did not shoot a free throw in the first half and Boston was 4-for-5 from the line at the break. Overall, the Celtics made 25 of 29 free throw attempts and the Pacers were 18-for-25.
New Pacer Thomas Bryant scored a season-high 12 points on Friday while pulling down seven rebounds.
On the glass, Boston outrebounded Indiana 51-39.
Off the bench, Peyton Pritchard recorded 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Celtics.
Boston’s largest lead was 38 points. There were zero lead changes and one tie.
Indiana outscored Boston 46-42 in the paint.
You Can Quote Me On That
“It’s a tough situation coming in back-to-back, but it’s the NBA schedule..” — Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on the loss
“In the first half, the offensive rebounding was the biggest problem. Untimely turnovers were a problem as well. … We’re going to obviously have to be a lot better with everything on Sunday.” — Carlisle on the loss
“There were so many problems out there. They cause major problems with their star players and shooting ability. They have a lot of underrated guys over there.” — Carlisle on the Celtics
“This is not about excuses. We just have to play better.” — Carlisle on the loss
Stat of the Night
Boston’s 142 points are the most scored by a Pacers opponent this season.
Noteworthy
Myles Turner played in his 600th career game for the Pacers on Friday. He’s just the sixth player in franchise history to reach the milestone.
Making three 3-pointers, Tyrese Haliburton moved into fifth place all-time for 3-pointers made by a Pacers player. Haliburton, who now has 508 made threes as a Pacer, jumped Buddy Hield (505) and Billy Keller (506) on Friday.
Indiana is 2-4 on the second legs of back-to-backs this season.
Up Next
The Pacers and Celtics meet again in Boston on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 6:00 PM ET.
Tickets
The Pacers will close out 2024 by hosting Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 3:00 PM ET.
INDY FUEL
FUEL SELL OUT FRIDAY NIGHT, FALL TO KOMETS
FISHERS- The Fuel hosted the Fort Wayne Komets for the third game in a row. Despite scoring two goals early in the game, the Fuel fell 4-2 to the Komets.
1ST PERIOD
At 1:08, Ty Farmer took a tripping penalty to give the Komets an early power play chance but the Fuel killed it off.
Nick Grima followed it up with a high sticking penalty at 5:23, putting Fort Wayne back on the power play.
Darby Llewellyn scored his second shorthanded goal of the season on the penalty kill to make it 1-0. Jordan Martin had the lone assist on that goal.
At 8:17, Nick Deakin-Poot took a holding penalty to give Indy their first power play of the game. The Komets were able to kill that off.
Deakin-Poot returned to the penalty box at 17:00 for roughing and interference after a scrap with Indy’s Thomas Farrell in the crease. That also earned Farrell two minutes for roughing.
At the end of the first frame, the Fuel were outshooting the Komets 8-5.
2ND PERIOD
Cam Hausinger scored to make it 2-0 at 3:30 of the second frame. That goal was assisted by Adam McCormick and Bennett Stockdale. This was his fourth goal in the last two games.
At 5:49, Alex Aleardi made it 2-1 with the help of former Fuel forward Anthony Petruzzelli.
Nolan Volcan headed to the box at 7:47 to put the Fuel back on the power play but they killed it off.
Michael Gildon tied it up for Fort Wayne at 14:02 with the help of Dugan and Rees.
At 17:56, Chris Cameron took a delay of game penalty, putting the Fuel on the penalty kill again to close out the period. The Komets did not score.
3RD PERIOD
Rees took a high sticking double minor penalty at 2:00 in the third period, giving the Fuel a power play chance but the Komets killed it off.
At 11:38, Indy’s Ethan Manderville took a high sticking penalty that resulted in a power play goal from Fort Wayne’s Kyle Mayhew to make it 3-2 in favor of the Komets.
With about two minutes to go, the Fuel pulled Gaudreau from the net in favor of the extra skater. Fort Wayne had an early empty net attempt but it went wide.
They scored on the empty net with 33.5 seconds to go in the third period to make it 4-2. Jack Gorniak claimed that goal to give Fort Wayne the win.
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA BASKETBALL GAME NOTES – GAME 13 VS. WINTHROP
Opening Tip
• Indiana University will close out non-conference play in its 125th season of competition in men’s basketball against Winthrop on Sunday, Dec. 29, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The game will be broadcast on BTN with Connor Onion (pxp) and Shon Morris (analyst) on the call.
• The Eagles enter the game with a record of 10-4 under fourth-year head coach Mark Prosser. Winthrop has three seniors score at least 13.5 points per game: forward Kelton Talford (14.9 points per game), forward K.J. Doucet (14.0), and guard Kasen Harrison (13.6). The game will mark the return of former Hoosier Logan Duncomb.
Game Information
Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 • 4 p.m. ET
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind.
TV: BTN (Connor Onion, Shon Morris)
Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)
Series History: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Series History
• Sunday will be the debut game in the series between Indiana and Winthrop. The Hoosiers are 3-0 against teams that play in the Big South.
• IU holds wins against Gardner Webb (73-49), Longwood (100-49), and South Carolina Upstate (102-60) by an average margin of victory of 39.0 points per game.
Last Time Out
• Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako and junior forward Malik Reneau each scored 14 points to pace a balanced Hoosier attack in a 74-65 victory over Chattanooga on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
• Including Mgbako and Reneau, six Hoosiers scored at least eight points in the game and seven players saw at least 20 minutes of run.
• The Hoosiers held the Mocs to 27 points on 33.3% (10-of-30) shooting from the floor, 4-of-15 (26.7%) from behind the arc, and forced seven turnovers over the final 20 minutes.
Big Fella Ballo
• Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo is averaging 9.2 rebounds per game, the third-most among Big Ten players and 29th nationally. Ballo has strung together five games with double-digit boards, including a season-high 18 against Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 6.
• He became the third IU player in the last 30 years (Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jared Jeffries) to record 10+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a game after producing 14 points, 18 boards, and six assists against Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 6.
• The former Gonzaga Bulldog and Arizona Wildcat holds a career winning percentage of 84.0% in 144 career games. Ballo has played in 120 straight games and has not missed a start over the last three seasons (83 games).
Reneau for Two
• Junior forward Malik Reneau is averaging a team-best 15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. The Miami, Fla., native is shooting 59.3% (70-of-118) from the floor and 77.6% (38-of-49) from the free throw line in 27.3 minutes per game.
• He is one of three high-major players (Chance McMillian, Texas Tech; Derik Queen, Maryland)) to average at least 15.0 points per game while shooting 55.0% from the floor and 75.0% from the charity stripe.
• Reneau has tallied 15-plus points 26 times in his career, including seven games this season, and topped the 20-point threshold nine times. IU holds a record of 18-8 in games Reneau scores at least 15 points throughout his career.
Mack on the Attack
• Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako scored a career-high 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the floor and 4-of-5 shots from behind the arc in Indiana’s victory over SIUE on Nov. 6 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The 31 points scored marked the most in a season debut for a Hoosier since 17-year NBA veteran Eric Gordon dropped 33 points in his debut against Chattanooga on Nov. 12, 2007.
• Mgbako is averaging 13.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7% (60-of-116) from the field, 45.7% (21-of-46) from behind the arc, and 89.7% (26-of-29) from the line.
• The Gladstone, N.J., native is one of three Big Ten players (Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland; Brice Williams, Nebraska) to average at least 12.5 points per game while shooting above 50.0% from the floor, 40.0% from the 3-point line, and 85.0% from the free throw line this season.
Tucker’s Impact Off the Bench
• Freshman wing Bryson Tucker scored a season-best 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor in Indiana’s 82-67 win over Minnesota (Dec. 9). He also collected six rebounds and posted a team-best +15 in 20 minutes of run.
• The 2024 McDonald’s All-American leads the Hoosiers in points (6.5 per game) and rebounds (3.6) off the bench. He has scored 8+ points in five games this season, all resulting in Indiana wins.
• Tucker ranks among the top 10 in Big Ten rookies off the bench in rebounding (3.6 per game, 4th), scoring (6.5 per game, 7th), and total steals (6, 7th).
INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BLOOMINGTON, IND. – INDIANA DIVES BACK INTO BIG TEN PLAY WHEN IT HOSTS WISCONSIN ON SATURDAY IN A 2 P.M. ET TIP OFF IN SIMON SKJODT ASSEMBLY HALL AND ON BIG TEN NETWORK.
ABOUT THE BADGERS
Wisconsin is off to its best start since 2009-10 as it sits at 10-2 overall which includes its first Big Ten win over Rutgers on Dec. 8. Junior forward Serah Williams leads the Badgers with 20.0 ppg. and a Big Ten leading 12.3 rpg. and 2.8 blocks per outing. Carter McCray (11.4 ppg.) and Ronnie Porter (11.3 ppg.) also add double figures for Wisconsin, who brings a five-game win streak with them into Bloomington.
SERIES HISTORY
Indiana leads 53-23
LAST MEETING
2/14/24 – W, 68-54 (Madison, Wis.)
NOTES
Indiana wrapped up non-conference play on Dec. 22 with a 35-point win over Oakland, 90-55. Junior guard Shay Ciezki led the way with 20 points as the Hoosiers shot 55.4 percent from the floor in the win. IU went 8-3 in non-conference action, highlighted by win over then No. 18 Baylor and No. 24 Stanford.
Coming into Saturday’s game, IU brings a 10-game win streak over the Badgers, its longest over another Big Ten opponent to date. The streak dates back to the 2016-17 season and the program also holds a 35-4 advantage in home games against Wisconsin.
Junior guard Yarden Garzon paces the Hoosiers through the first 12 games, averaging 14.7 points per outing and a team-high 33 3-pointers. She’s one of three players averaging double figures which also includes junior guard Shay Ciezki (11.8 ppg.) and junior forward Lilly Meister (11.1 ppg.).
The Hoosiers are on the brink of setting some historical marks as it needs just three more games to win its 900th program victory. Individually, Garzon (898) and graduate student guard Chloe Moore-McNeil (936) are also nearing the 1,000-point club at IU, joining 31 former players who have also reached the career milestone. Moore-McNeil also continues to work her way up with all-time assists list at IU, as she added eight more to her resume against Oakland for a career total of 409, which ranks sixth all-time.
UP NEXT
Indiana returns to action in a nationally televised matchup with No. 1 UCLA on Saturday, January 4 at 12 p.m. ET on FOX.
PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BOILERS HEAD TO IOWA TO START 2-GAME ROAD SWING
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team opens up play after the holiday break at No. 24/22 Iowa on Sunday afternoon in Iowa City. The 3 p.m. ET tip will be streamed on B1G+.
Tim Newton will be courtside for the Purdue Global Radio Network on 95.3 BOB FM and Purdue Stretch Internet.
GAME INFORMATION
Purdue (7-5, 0-1) vs. No. 24/22 Iowa (10-2, 0-1)
Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 3 PM ET
TV/Stream: B1G+
Radio: 95.3 BOB FM
Audio: Purdue Stretch Internet
Live Stats: Purduestats.com
LAST TIME OUT
The Boilermakers moved the ball effortlessly in an 87-68 win over Indiana State with 27 assists on 35 made field goals. Reagan Bass notched her fourth double-double of the year with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Amiyah Reynolds set a career high with six assists in the win, as Purdue shot 49.3% from the field and made seven 3-pointers.
NOTES
• Purdue leads the all-time series with Iowa 40-39.
• Eight of Purdue’s next nine opponents are ranked in the top 40 of the NET.
• Purdue dished out 27 assists in the win over Indiana State, its highest tally under Katie Gearlds and most since Jan. 28, 2018, against Penn State.
• Purdue’s four transfers this season have combined to score 35.6 points per game for 53% of the Boilermakers’ scoring total.
• The Boilermakers enter the Big Ten portion of the schedule battle tested with the second toughest NET strength of schedule in the league at 28, behind USC’s 22. Purdue had the third hardest non-conference NET strength of schedule at 49.
• Sunday will be Purdue’s second true road game of the year. The Boilermakers opened their road slate with a 67-51 win over Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 17.
• Destini Lombard sits atop the Big Ten in steals this season with 30 and second in steals per game with 2.5 behind Jaloni Cambridge from Ohio State. The New Iberia, La., native was named one of the lockdown defenders in the Big Ten by BTN’s Autumn Johnson.
• Reagan Bass was the lone player from the Big Ten to record two double-doubles in the week prior to the holiday break. Bass finished the week with 12.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game in wins over Miami and Indiana State.
• Bass tops the team and ranks eighth in the Big Ten with 18 blocked shots on the year. The senior has rejected a pair of shots in each of her team-high four double-doubles this year.
• Freshman Jordyn Poole made her Mackey Arena debut against Indiana State. The rookie scored her first career points and tallied a pair of assists in nine minutes of action.
• In Purdue’s final two non-conference games, the Boilermakers made 15 3-pointers at a 47% clip while dishing out 45 assists.
• After agreeing to move out of the starting five, Rashunda Jones has been a spark for the Boilermakers in the second unit. The sophomore is averaging a team-high nine points in her eight games off the bench while shooting 48.1% from the field with 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
• A trio of Boilermakers have connected on 15 or more 3-pointers this season, tied to the lead in the Big Ten. Destini Lombard has hit 20 at a 40% clip, while Ella Collier has made 16 and Sophie Swanson has made 15.
• Swanson is 14th on Purdue’s career 3-point percentage chart at 35.4%. She has made a 3-pointer in 25 of her 39 career games with 13 multi-triple outings.
• Lana McCarthy is one of eight freshmen nationally, and the only one from the Big Ten, to average 7.5 points (7.8) and 5.5 rebounds (5.9) per game, while shooting 50% or better (51.2%).
• Mahri Petree matched her season high with eight points in each of the last two games, shooting 75% from the field with a pair of 3-pointers.
• Purdue has recorded 10 or more steals in five games and are 7-1 when opponents turn it over 15 or more times.
• The Boilermakers are 7-1 when outrebounding teams this season. Purdue is averaging 12 second chance points per game.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
THIRD-RANKED IRISH HOST UVA FOR ACC HOME OPENER
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After a week away from competition for the holidays, No. 3 Notre Dame (10-2, 1-0) will be back in Purcell Pavilion on Sunday afternoon to host Virginia (8-5, 0-1) in this season’s ACC home opener.
The Irish are coming off of three consecutive home victories over UConn, Eastern Michigan and Loyola MD. Over that stretch, Notre Dame averaged 98 points per game, drained 36 3-pointers, and recorded an assist on 68 of 115 made buckets (59. 1 percent).
It’s been a team effort over the last few contests, starting at the point with Olivia Miles. Notre Dame’s floor general posted her second triple-double of the season on Sunday with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Greyhounds. Hannah Hidalgo added a season-high 33 points, and Liatu King had her seventh double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 boards.
On the topic of Notre Dame’s star players, the Irish currently have a player in the top 10 nationally in all five major statistical categories:
Hidalgo: 25.8 ppg (second) and 4.3 spg (first)
Miles: 6.7 apg (t-sixth)
King: 11.4 rpg (seventh)
Kate Koval: 3.5 bpg (second)
The program also leads the ACC in several categories, perhaps most notably in 3-point shooting at 43.4 percent.
Sunday’s matchup will showcase two of the best rebounding teams in the country. Notre Dame is leading the ACC with 45.7 rebounds per game, while Virginia is third with 44.0. Both marks rank in the top 15 nationally.
The Hoos are led on the boards by Latasha Lattimore, who spent the last two seasons playing for Miami. She is averaging a near double-double with 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Virginia’s biggest scoring threat is Second Team All-ACC guard Kymora Johnson, who has continued to build upon an excellent rookie season last year. Johnson is a walking stat sheet stuffer, averaging 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. She has scored in double figures in every game this season.
Notre Dame is 10-3 all-time against the Cavaliers and 4-0 at home. This year’s contest is sold out, marking the third sellout of the season at Purcell Pavilion. Sunday’s game tips off at noon on the ACC Network.
BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BIG EAST HOME OPENER BRINGS SETON HALL TO HINKLE FIELDHOUSE
The first BIG EAST home game of the season will bring the Seton Hall Pirates to Indianapolis on Sunday, Dec. 29. The final game of 2024 for each program will feature a 2 p.m. tip on FloSports.com. Joey Lindstrom and Amber Stocks will be on the call.
Game Day
Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. – Hinkle Fieldhouse
Live Stats: ButlerSports.com
Watch: FloSports.com – BEDN
Bulldog Bits
– Despite the setback at DePaul, Butler is still 4-2 in the month of December.
– Butler’s 43-point performance at DePaul was the team’s lowest scoring output this season.
– BU shot 32 percent from the field, 15 percent from distance and 53 percent from the line.
– Lily Carmody has led Butler in scoring in back-to-back games.
– Carmody had eight of her game-high 12 points vs. the Blue Demons in the fourth quarter.
– Carmody’s 13 shot attempts in Chicago went down as a new season-high.
– Carmody has now scored in double figures five times for Butler.
– Lily Zeinstra jumped into the starting lineup for the second-straight game in Chicago.
– Zeinstra matched her season-high assist total with three at DePaul.
– Kilyn McGuff leads the BIG EAST and ranks 26th in the nation in double-doubles (5).
– McGuff leads the team and ranks fifth in the conference in rebounds per game (7.5).
– McGuff needs five more steals to reach 100 in her career; she is eight free throws shy of 200.
– McGuff has logged exactly 2800 minutes of playing time in her collegiate career (113 games / 73 starts).
– Karsyn Norman tied her career-high steal total with three at DePaul.
– Ari Wiggins has been great from 3-point range this year making 69% of her attempts (9-13).
– Butler leads the BIG EAST in bench points per game (27.6).
– Cristen Carter ranks sixth in the league in blocked shots (16) and is eighth in blocks per game (1.1).
– The Bulldogs lead the league in free throw attempts (20.5) and free throws made (13.7) per game.
BIG EAST Standings
UConn 1-0, 10-2
Creighton 1-0, 9-3
Seton Hall 1-0, 9-3
Villanova 1-0, 7-6
DePaul 1-0, 6-8
Marquette 0-0, 8-3
St. John’s 0-1, 10-2
Butler 0-1, 10-4
Georgetown 0-1, 6-5
Providence 0-1, 7-7
Xavier 0-1, 5-7
Scouting Seton Hall
The Pirates won their BIG EAST home opener against Providence last weekend by the final score of 51-40. SHU outscored Providence 33-19 in the second half to improve to 9-3 on the year. Only three players scored for Seton Hall in the victory. Jada Eads had a game-high 25 points, Faith Masonius came up with 18 and Kaydan Lawson supplied the team with eight off the bench. Masonius is a Maryland transfer that ranks fourth in the league in scoring (18.0). The Pirates take more 3-pointers than anyone else in the league, but it’s their defense that has shined over the opening two months of the season. SHU leads the BIG EAST in steals per game (11.6), turnovers forced (21.6), and turnover margin. Masonius, Amari Wright and Savannah Catalon all average 2.5 steals per game. Wright also leads the league in assists per game (4.5).
All-Time Series
Seton Hall leads the all-time series against Butler 17-6. These two programs only met once last year with the Pirates coming out on top at Hinkle Fieldhouse 64-50. Butler split the season series in 2022-23 with a 79-45 setback in South Orange followed by a 76-64 win on Senior Day. That victory broke up nine-straight Seton Hall wins.
Last Game vs. Seton Hall
Butler led Seton Hall by five at the end of the first quarter, but the Pirates would outscore BU 21-5 in the second to grab a 32-21 advantage at the half. SHU shot 50 percent from the field and 54 percent from behind the arc to move forward and collect a 64-50 win. Seton Hall had three players score in double figures while Jordan Meulemans and Caroline Strande led the Butler offense with 28 combined points.
18 3-Pointers
The Bulldogs set a single-game program record against Saint Francis by hitting 18 3-pointers. Eight different players made at least one 3-pointer and no Bulldog made more than four. As a team, BU shot 56.3 percent from behind the arc, making 18 of their 32 attempts. The old record of 16 was reached two times previously. BU hit 16 3-pointers at Georgetown on Jan. 11, 2014 and the 2023-24 team matched that effort with 16 against St. Thomas in game two of the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off.
BIG EAST Home Openers
Butler is 3-8 in BIG EAST home openers since joining the conference in 2013-14. Two of those three wins have come against Seton Hall. BU defeated SHU 62-59 on Jan. 4, 2019 and took down the Pirates 79-58 on Jan. 2, 2017. The only other win was also played on Jan. 2, when Butler defeated Providence 66-61 in 2015.
10 Wins
The Bulldogs reached 10 non-conference wins before the start of BIG EAST play for just the second time since joining conference. Butler went 6-2 in November and highlighted that stretch of action with a 56-46 home win over Indiana. The victory came in front of a record-setting crowd of 4,135 fans.
NET Rankings
Butler dropped to 94th in the NET rankings this week while Seton Hall sits at 85th. All three BU non-conference setbacks this season came against top-notch competition. Texas is first in the NET rankings, Vanderbilt is 12th, and Wisconsin is 83rd.
Makalusky Making Shots
Riley Makalusky has scored in double figures eight times over her last 10 games. The talented sophomore has made more 3-pointers in her career (51) than free throws (44). She heads into the Seton Hall matchup having made a 3-pointer in 10-straight games.
Well Done Wiggins
Ari Wiggins has 11 assists and just two turnovers over her last 67 minutes of basketball. She recently had a team-high five assists and just one turnover in 30 minutes of action vs. Wisconsin and didn’t turn the ball over once vs. Saint Francis while adding a team-high six assists. Wiggins ranks second on the team in total assists with 32. Karsyn Norman leads the way with 46.
A Look at Last Week
DePaul’s Taylor Johnson-Matthews netted a career-high 22 points followed by Jorie Allen with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Lily Carmody finished with a team-high 12 points for Butler. Butler went 3-for-19 from the arc for its lowest three-point field-goal percentage (.158) in a game since March 2023. The two teams shot a combined 62 percent (10-for-16) from the field in the first five minutes of the contest.
Strande Sidelined
Caroline Strande left the Wisconsin game with three minutes to play in the first half and was unable to return to action. There is no timetable for her return.
Schedule Swap
Three of Butler’s first four BIG EAST games this year will be played on the road, but after their FS1 game at Marquette on Jan. 4, the Bulldogs will host four of their next five opponents at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The only road game during that stretch is a short drive over to Cincinnati to play Xavier.
1,000 Point Watch List
Three Bulldogs are closing in on 1,000 career points this year. Caroline Strande is the closest at 931. The graduate guard scored 484 points for BU last year just missing the program’s top ten list for most points scored in a single-season. Belmont transfer Kilyn McGuff has 868 career points and Sydney Jaynes is up to 781 points.
Up Next
Butler will break in 2025 with a road trip to Creighton. The Bluejays will host Wednesday’s contest at 3 p.m. eastern, 2 p.m. central.
IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
JAGS TO RESUME HORIZON LEAGUE PLAY AT MILWAUKEE ON SUNDAY
MILWAUKEE – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team will return to action on Sunday (Dec. 29) when the Jaguars trek north to face Milwaukee (9-4, 2-0 HL) at 1:00 p.m. CT (2 Eastern) at the Klotsche Center. Milwaukee comes in having won four straight while the Jaguars attempt to snap a four-game skid.
Since opening Horizon League play with a home win over Green Bay, head coach Paul Corsaro’s squad has had a collection of near misses, including a pair of two-point Horizon League losses. At FIU last week, the Jaguars led the entire first half and built an 18-point second half lead before falling late to the Panthers, 75-69. Jarvis Walker came off the bench to tally 24 points and match his career-high with six assists. Paul Zilinskas added 15 points and Alec Millender and DeSean Goode tallied 11 each. Corsaro tweaked his starting lineup at FIU, starting 7-footer Julian Steinfeld for the first time this season and starting freshman Keenan Garner in the frontcourt.
Walker and Goode provided 35 points off the bench, combining to hit 10-of-21 shot attempts. Junior Sean Craig had six points, 12 rebounds and a career-high four assists in the loss.
The Jaguars enter play among the nation’s top shooting teams from beyond the arc, leading the Horizon League with 10.7 treys per game. Zilinskas is tied for 31st nationally by shooting 45 percent from three and is 35th in the country with 3.2 threes per game. Zilinskas has made a three in every game and made at least three threes in 10 games.
SCOUTING MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee is 9-4 overall and 2-0 to start Horizon League play. The Panthers are 6-0 at home this season and currently ranked No. 23 in the most recent Mid-Major Top 25. Milwaukee is elite on the glass, averaging 42.6 rebounds per game while outrebounding their opponents by nearly 13 caroms per game. Five Milwaukee players are averaging better than 13 points per game as Themus Fulks leads the team in scoring (14.5 ppg) and the Horizon League in assists (5.7 apg). AJ McKee checks in at 13.9 points per game and Kentrell Pullian averages 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Jamichael Stillwell scores 13.7 points per game and leads the Horizon League at 11.9 rebounds per contest. Finally, Erik Pratt is averaging 13.0 points per game, but has played just five games this season.
SERIES HISTORY
IU Indy is 6-17 overall against Milwaukee, having lost the last eight contests in the all-time series. The Jaguars are just 2-11 in the 13 meetings in Milwaukee and haven’t won at Milwaukee since 2018. The most recent meeting was a 75-70 Milwaukee win on Feb. 28, 2024 in Indianapolis.
UP NEXT
The Jaguars will return home to host Youngstown State on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at noon inside Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOSTS YOUNGSTOWN STATE ON SATURDAY
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy women’s basketball team returns to Indianapolis to host the Youngstown State Penguins as they resume Horizon League play on Saturday, December 28. The Penguins and Jags are set for a 2:00 PM tip inside the Jungle.
IU Indy is coming off back-to-back losses at the FGCU Holiday Classic. Nevaeh Foster led the Jags’ offensive in both games totaling 14 points in IU Indy’s loss to East Tennessee State. She was one rebound short of a double-double with nine rebounds. In the Jags’ loss to North Carolina A&T, Foster totaled 17 points with four rebounds and two steals.
While the Jags are averaging 60.3 points per game, newcomer Shania Nichols-Vannett leads the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game. The sophomore totaled a career-high 37 points in the loss against Southern Illinois which puts her at the top in the Horizon League for total points scored by a player in a single game this season.
Coach Bruce’s squad was picked to finish tenth in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, just ahead of Robert Morris. The Jags will look to fight their way through the Horizon League in hopes of outdoing their preseason rank. They currently sit in 11th after three straight
losses to open league play. Meanwhile, Youngstown State is ranked 6th with a 2-1 conference record.
Youngstown State enters Saturday’s game with a 7-6 overall record, including their most recent victory over Point Park with a score of 85-42. The Penguins’ two conference victories were against Milwaukee (66-50) and Northern Kentucky (56-47). Senior Jewel Watkins leads Youngstown State in scoring with 13.5 points per game.
IU Indy leads the all-time series over Youngstown State, 14-11.
The Jags and Penguins will tip off at 2:00 PM on ESPN+.
INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL GOES ON THE ROAD FOR B1G MATCHUP AT OHIO STATE
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Indiana State men’s basketball travels to Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, December 29 to close the 2024 calendar year against Ohio State. Tip off is set for noon ET on the Big Ten Network and 105.5 The Legend.
In the last outing for the Sycamores, the team hosted the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy on December 21 in Terre Haute. Indiana State handled the Eutectics 101-53, where Jahni Summers led the offense in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field. His season-high 22 points coupled his season-high six made three-pointers. Markus Harding scored 13 points finishing 6-for-7 from the field with four rebounds and three assists. Samage Teel finished with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Camp Wagner and Merritt Alderink each scored 11 points. Wagner shot 4-for-9 with three three-pointers, and Alderink shot 5-for-7 with four rebounds. On the glass, K’mani Doughty had a game-high eight rebounds, Jaden Daughtry had seven, and Bruno Alocen with six. LeGree finished with a game-high six assists.
Ohio State’s last outing was an upset against #4 Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 21. The Buckeyes won 85-65 behind 30 points from Bruce Thornton. Freshman guard John Mobley Jr., starting just his second game, finished with 15 points and three assists, Aaron Bradshaw (a transfer from Kentucky) finished with 11 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Ques Glover (a four-time transfer, most recently at Kansas State) scored nine points with three rebounds and an assist.
The Sycamores have scored no fewer than 80 points in each of their last five games, with Teel leading the charge with 19.6 points per game on 69.1% shooting from the floor. Daughtry (65.8%) and Harding (65.5%) are two others that are both above 60% shooting (min. 25 attempts). Summers with his 6-for-9 effort against UHSP moved his five-game three-point shooting to 10-for-19 (52.6%). LeGree leads the team in assists in that span, dishing out 4.8 assists per game.
Last year’s squad when squared up five times against Power 5 Conference teams, finishing 3-2:
At #24 Alabama, L, 102-80
At Michigan State, L, 87-75
vs Minnesota, W, 76-64 (NIT)
vs Cincinnati, W, 85-81 (NIT)
vs Utah, W, 100-90 (NIT at Hinkle Fieldhouse)
Following Sunday’s game, the Sycamores return home on January 1 to resume Missouri Valley Conference play for the rest of the season. The game versus the Braves tips off at 7 p.m. ET. The fans are encouraged to participate in the Royal Blue Out.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MASTODONS RESUME #HLWBB PLAY WITH VISIT TO WRIGHT STATE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team will visit Wright State on Saturday (Dec. 28) for a Horizon League contest at 2 p.m.
Game Day Information
Who: Wright State Raiders
When: Saturday, December 28 | 2 PM
Where: Dayton, Ohio | Nutter Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Wright State | Horizon League
Know Your Foe
Wright State is off to a rough start in 2024, but is a dangerous 3-point threat. The Raiders have poured in 10 or more triples in four games already, including a season-high 16 against Cleveland State earlier this month. The Raiders are 2-11 and have lost their last seven. Claire Henson and Amaya Staton both average around 10 points per game. In league play, Rylee Sagester is averaging 13.7, with 13 triples in three games.
The Series
Wright State has an 11-10 edge in the series, but Purdue Fort Wayne has won five of the last six. The Raiders won the last meeting in Dayton 70-66, but only Lauren Scott, who scored six points in that game, is still on the roster from that game in February.
Ross Has the Sauce
Through 13 games, Lauren Ross is shooting 51.0 percent from the floor, 51.2 percent from 3-point range and 91.8 percent from the line. If these percentages hold, she would be the first women’s player and second player overall to ever shoot 50/50/90 since the 3-point line was added to college basketball. Salim Stoudamire (Arizona, 2004-05) is the only other college player to do hit all three marks for an entire season while meeting minimum requirements.
Scoring Machine
Lauren Ross is averaging 19.2 points per game this season, which is the third-most by any Mastodon since joining Division I in 2001. Amanda Hyde (22.3, 2013-14) and Johnna Lewis-Carlisle (19.5, 2007-08) are the top two.
Free Assists Here!
Sydney Freeman has 494 assists in her career, needing just six to reach 500 for her career. She ranks in the top-20 nationally among active players in that category.
A December to Remember
Purdue Fort Wayne is 5-0 this December with a chance to make it a perfect 6-0 this weekend.
Home Sweet Gates
The Mastodons are 5-0 at home this season. In its five home games this season, Purdue Fort Wayne is scoring 87.4 points per game and has an average margin of victory of 33.4 points per game. The Mastodons are shooting 49.7 percent from the floor and 41.4 percent from 3-point range in Fort Wayne.
Linbo Limbo
Jazzlyn Linbo is shooting a career-best 52.6 percent from the floor this season.
Schweeeeeet
After a 28.9 3-point field goal percentage a year ago, Renna Schwieterman is shooting a much improved 39.4 percent from deep this season.
#MACtion?
Purdue Fort Wayne is 2-0 against the Mid-American Conference this season with wins over Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan.
No Boards For You!
Purdue Fort Wayne held Western Michigan to just 19 rebounds on December 21. It was the ninth time in the Mastodons’ Division I history to hold an opponent under 20 rebounds in a game. The ‘Dons held Wright State under 20 last season.
Gimme That!
Sydney Freeman recorded back-to-back five-steal games against Aquinas and Western Michigan. Her six steals against Western Michigan were a career-high. She is the first Mastodon with back-to-back five-steal games since 2011 when Kayla Drake did so.
Thief!
Sydney Freeman is second in the Horizon League and top-60 nationally with 29 steals this season. Her 2.23 per game mark ranks just outside the top-100.
League Leaders
Through the early portion of the Horizon League slate, Purdue Fort Wayne is one of two 3-0 teams. There are four teams without a league loss, Detroit Mercy, Cleveland State, Purdue Fort Wayne and Oakland, but the Mastodons and Vikings are the only two at 3-0.
Our Ball!
Purdue Fort Wayne’s 7.08 turnover margin ranks first in the Horizon League and is a top-25 mark nationally.
Offensive Threat
Per College Basketball Reference, Lauren Ross has an offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) of 136.1, the highest on the team among rotation players. She also has an effective field goal percentage of 67.0 percent, a team-best. She is taking 61.2 percent of her shots from 3-point range. She also has the highest plus/minus on the team among rotation players with +8.8 per game.
Fill It Up
Purdue Fort Wayne is averaging 79.5 points per game, which ranks first in the Horizon League and top-35 nationally. The Mastodons’ 38.4 3-point shooting percentage and 10.1 3-point makes per game both rank top-15 nationally.
Chasing 1,000
Audra Emmerson has a chance to reach 1,000 points for her career. She has 796 points, needing 204 to reach the milestone. She scored 343 last season.
Saving the Best for Last
Lauren Ross is shooting 51.0 percent from the floor, 52.2 percent from 3-point range and 92.9 percent from the charity stripe. All of those marks are the best of her career. Ross’ 3.62 triples per game ranks sixth in the country and 52.2 percent from beyond the arc ranks third.
Last Time Out
Lauren Ross (27 points) and Sydney Freeman (25 points) led Purdue Fort Wayne to an 83-75 victory over Western Michigan last weekend.
Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne will ring in 2025 with a New Year’s Day game against Youngstown State in the Gates Sports Center at 7 p.m.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL
BACK TO #HLMBB PLAY ON SUNDAY IN GREEN BAY AT 2 PM ET
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Horizon League slate kicks in once again on Sunday at Green Bay. Note the start time is now 2 p.m. ET, earlier from the originally announced time.
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (9-5, 2-1 Horizon) at Green Bay (2-12, 0-3 Horizon)
When: Sunday, Dec. 29 | 2 p.m. ET
Where: Green Bay, Wis. | Resch Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 1380 AM
Series History: ‘Dons lead 7-2 an have won seven consecutive games in the series. This will be the Mastodons’ first game at the off campus Resch Center. All previous meetings were played on campus at Green Bay.
Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne | Green Bay
‘Dons & Ends
// The ‘Dons are 1st in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (8.6) and 3rd in turnover margin (7.2). We’ll put some related notes here so you don’t need to turnover the page.
– The ‘Dons committed no turnovers in a 103-52 win over Defiance on Dec. 20, tying an NCAA record.
– Nine times this year have the ‘Dons have committed single-digit turnovers in a game.
– This isn’t new. Last year: 10.4 turnovers per game (11th in the nation),+5.7 turnover margin (4th in the nation).
– In league games, the ‘Dons are averaging 10.3 turnovers.
– Over the last four games (IU Indy, EMU, Defiance and Michigan), the ‘Dons are averaging 6.0 turnovers per game.
– Eric Mulder has recorded just four turnovers in 334 minutes.
– Rasheed Bello’s 1.66 assist/turnover ration is 20th in the nation and best in the league.
// In the nation the Mastodons are:
– 1st in fewest turnovers per game (8.6)
– 3rd in turnover margin (7.2)
– 20th in assist/turnover ratio (1.66)
– 23rd in 3-pointers per game (10.4)
– 28th in turnovers forced per game (15.86)
– 40th in effective field goal percentage (56.5 percent)
– 42nd in 3-point attempts per game (28.4)
– 46th in points per game (82.7)
// Multiple ‘Dons are shooting better than 40 percent from three this year:
– Maximus Nelson – 41.3 percent (33-of-80)
– Rasheed Bello – 40.3 percent (29-of-72)
– Corey Hadnot II – 44.9 percent (22-of-49)
// Per Ken Pom, the ‘Dons lead the nation in minutes continuity at 76.6 percent. Ken Pom describes the stat as “determining what percentage of a team’s minutes are played by the same player from last season to this season.” The current national average is 34.2 percent.
// Since the 2018-19 season, the ‘Dons have four total games of 24 or more made free throws and three have come this season. The 26 the ‘Dons made against Bethune-Cookman and Robert Morris are tied for the seventh most in the Division I era of the program for made free throws in a game.
// A few ‘Dons who recently hit career scoring marks:
– Rasheed Bello scored his 1,500th career point vs. Eastern Michigan (Dec. 15). He now has 1,522 points, including 731 as a Mastodon.
– Jalen Jackson scored his 1,000th NCAA career point vs. Eastern Michigan (Dec. 15). He now has 828 points as a Mastodon.
// A few ‘Dons nearing scoring marks:
– Quinton Morton-Robertson has 951 career points, needing 49 to reach 1,000 (Purdue Fort Wayne and Radford combined).
– Maximus Nelson has scored 483 career points, needing 17 to reach 500 for his career (Purdue Fort Wayne and Valparaiso combined).
– Eric Mulder has scored 445 career points, needing 55 to reach 500 for his career.
EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL
ACES RESUME MVC SLATE ON SUNDAY AGAINST MISSOURI STATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Missouri Valley Conference play resumes on Sunday with the University of Evansville men’s basketball team welcoming Missouri State to the Ford Center for a 3 p.m. game. ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.
Last Time Out
– Ball State scored the first 11 points of the day and never looked back, defeating the Purple Aces by a final of 80-43 on Dec. 21
– The Cardinals shot 50% in the game while holding UE to 29.1%
– Michael Day led the team with a career-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting while Tanner Cuff finished with 11
He Did It Again
– Just three days after scoring what was a career-high of 9 points at UT Arlington, Michael Day followed that up with a 13-point game at Ball State
– It was his first collegiate double figure scoring game as he converted 5 of his 9 attempts while adding four boards
– Against UTA, Day was 3-of-7 from the field while knocking down three free throws
– He added 3 assists in 20 minutes of work
Making the Adjustment
– Over the last two games, Gui Tesch has seen the most playing time of his young career after redshirting last season
– At Ball State, he set career marks in several categories including minutes (23:59), pts (5), FG (2), FGA (4), 3FGM (1), 3FGA (3) and RB’s (3)
– Tesch recorded 4 steals, 2 boards and an assist in just over 22 minutes of work at UT Arlington
Scouting the Opponent
– Missouri State enters Sunday’s game with a 7-5 mark and stand at 0-1 in the MVC, dropping their opener to Indiana State by a final of 80-77
– The Bears are coming off a 68-56 over UC Santa Barbara on Dec. 22
– MSU has played one common opponent as UE as they defeated UT Arlington by a score of 78-67 in November
– They are led by Dez White’s average of 18.3 points per game, which is #1 in the MVC
– Vincent Brady II holds a 13.6 PPG average while Zaxton King and Michael Osei-Bonsu check in with averages of 10.3 and 10.2, respectively
VALPO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS VALLEY PLAY SUNDAY AT ARC VERSUS SIU
Valparaiso (4-7, 0-0 MVC)
Game #12 – December 29, 2024 – 1 p.m.
Southern Illinois (2-7, 0-0 MVC)
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) – Valparaiso, Ind.
Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The start of the second season is here for the Valpo women’s basketball team, as the Beacons open Missouri Valley Conference play Sunday afternoon at the ARC as they host Southern Illinois.
Previously: It was nearly a second straight day with a viral moment for Valpo Athletics, as the women’s basketball team had a great look at a 3-pointer as regulation ended to take down Detroit Mercy last Saturday at the ARC. But the shot went in and out, sending the game to overtime, where the visiting Titans eventually earned a 79-71 win after two extra sessions. Leah Earnest and Layla Gold combined for 45 points as the Beacons closed out their nonconference slate and turn their attention to the MVC schedule.
Following Valpo Basketball: Video: ESPN+
Links for live coverage: Available via ValpoAthletics.com
Head Coach Mary Evans: Mary Evans is in her seventh year at the helm of the program in 2024-25 and owns a record of 64-123. Evans’ first six seasons at the helm have seen Valpo’s six of the top-eight single-season 3-pointers made marks, including each of the top five, while defensively, her teams have racked up steals at a high rate, averaging at least 7.7 steals/game in five of her six seasons. Under her guidance, Valpo players have earned an MVC Sixth Player of the Year honor, five All-Conference accolades, three All-Freshman/Newcomer Team awards and three All-Defensive Team honors.
Series Notes: The Salukis hold a 9-4 advantage in the all-time series over Valpo, including a 4-1 lead on the Beacons’ home court. SIU won both matchups last year by nine points, prevailing 75-66 in Carbondale and 60-51 at the ARC. Saniya Jackson paced the Beacons with 15 points and six rebounds in the first meeting, while Leah Earnest’s 25 points and seven rebounds weren’t enough in the latter meeting to lift Valpo to victory.
@ValpoWBB…
…and @ValleyHoops
– Valpo was picked to finish in eighth place in the MVC preseason poll, totaling 193 points to edge out Indiana State.
– The eighth-place projection is two spots ahead of the Beacons’ regular-season finish last year.
– Valpo is in its eighth season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
– The Valley was ranked 13th in conference NET last season. In Valpo’s time in the MVC, the conference has been ranked as high as seventh in NET (2020-21).
…looking back at last year
– Valpo finished last season with a 5-25 overall record and finished at 4-16 in MVC play, good for 10th in the Valley standings.
– Leah Earnest was a Second Team All-MVC honoree.
– Valpo won three consecutive road games in Valley play, the second straight year the Beacons have accomplished that – prior to that, the program had last accomplished that feat against three different opponents since 2007.
…versus Detroit Mercy
– Valpo led by as many as five points in the fourth quarter before UDM rallied to tie the game with 3:07 to play.
– The Beacons forced a jump ball on the defensive end to regain possession in a tie game with less than 15 seconds remaining.
– Valpo was able to get a clean look for one of their top threats from downtown, but Maci Rhoades’ shot from the left corner dipped inside the cylinder for a moment before spinning up and out to send the game to overtime.
– A 3-pointer from Layla Gold with 43 seconds to play in the first overtime put Valpo on top, 67-65.
– The Titans got an inside basket nine seconds later to tie the game. UDM had the final shot after forcing a Valpo turnover, but the defense forced a tough, contested deep jumper which was off the mark.
– The first 75 seconds of the second extra period all but decided the game, as Valpo had three consecutive empty possessions and UDM scored on each of its first three trips, forcing a timeout from the Beacons trailing 73-67 with 3:44 to go. Valpo got no closer than four the rest of the way.
– The Beacons never led in the first half, as UDM opened the game on a 13-3 run over the opening seven-plus minutes. Valpo did rally to within four at the end of the first quarter and was down just 27-25 at intermission.
– Valpo took its first lead of the game on a Rhoades triple less than 30 seconds into a tightly contested third quarter, which saw the Beacons ahead 48-47 with 10 minutes to play in regulation.
– The loss came against a Detroit Mercy team which is now 8-2 on the season, with its only losses coming at the hands of Michigan and Michigan State.
– It was Valpo’s first double-overtime game since falling at the ARC to Southern Illinois in 50 minutes on Feb. 26, 2018. These are the program’s only two multiple-overtime games since 2006.
– Leah Earnest and Gold both cracked the 20-point mark on Saturday, the first time Valpo has had two 20-point scorers in the same game since Olivia Brown posted 23 points and Earnest scored 21 last December against Chicago State.
– Earnest paced the Beacons with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, matching her career high for field goals made. It was the 13th effort of 20 or more points of her career.
– Meanwhile, Gold finished with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor for her second effort of at least 20 points this season. The sophomore also blocked a game-high five shots, just one off her career best.
– Coming off their best shooting game of the season from the 3-point line, the Beacons were just 8-of-30 (26.7%) from deep. Valpo shot at a 39.1% clip overall versus the Titans’ 44.6% clip from the floor and 33.3% from the 3-point line.
…at Saint Louis
– Valpo jumped out to a quick start, scoring the opening eight points in just over two minutes to force an early SLU timeout. While the Billikens got within two points multiple times later in the frame, the Beacons kept them at bay and held a 20-16 lead at the end of the first.
– The second quarter was tightly contested, featuring three ties and six lead changes as it was played almost entirely with no team holding more than a one-possession edge. A 3-pointer by Nevaeh Jackson with 1:15 to play in the half capped a 17-point half for the sophomore and proved to be the difference at intermission, as the Beacons headed into the locker room with a 32-29 lead.
– Saint Louis scored the first basket of the second half to briefly tie the game, but Valpo responded with 11 points in a row — a 3-pointer by Maci Rhoades, a layup from Raeven Raye-Redmond and back-to-back Jackson triples — to earn its largest lead at 43-32 with 5:06 to play in the period and force a SLU timeout.
– Right out of the stoppage, the Billikens turned the tables with 11 points of their own in a row over the next four-plus minutes to tie the game with less than a minute to play in the quarter. Katie Beyer hit from deep in the final seconds of the period to give Valpo the lead back with 10 minutes to play, 46-43.
– After the teams traded baskets to open the fourth quarter, SLU scored nine points over four possessions while keeping the Beacons off the board to pull ahead, 54-48, and force a Valpo timeout with 7:03 to play. Layla Gold drove and finished on Valpo’s first possession after the timeout to cut its deficit to four, but that was as close as the Beacons would get the rest of the way.
– The loss came against a Saint Louis program which won the 2024 WNIT and the 2023 A-10 Tournament, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in the latter year.
– Jackson’s performance was the highlight of the evening for the Beacons. The sophomore, who entered the game with a career high of 20 points accomplished twice this season, soared past that with a game-high 26 points, including a 6-of-11 mark from 3-point range to match her career best for triples made. Jackson also set a career best with nine field goals made.
– Maci Rhoades reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time this season as she scored 11 points, hitting 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
– The Beacons enjoyed their best shooting game of the year from the perimeter, finishing 12-of-25 from downtown, but were limited to 9-of-36 shooting from inside the arc. Valpo was outscored 40-16 in the paint by SLU.
– The Beacons did continue to force turnovers at a high rate, as the Billikens coughed the ball up 19 times, but Valpo committed 16 turnovers as well and SLU actually held a slight 21-17 edge in points off turnovers.
…looking ahead
– A home game in the first half of Valley action this season is a rarity for Valpo, as after Sunday’s conference opener, the Beacons spend four straight games on the road, starting with a trip to UNI and Drake.
– The journey to Murray State and Belmont awaits the following weekend.
…at the ARC
– Sunday’s game is the sixth of 15 home games this season for the Beacons, as Valpo will host five nonconference games and 10 MVC games.
– Valpo is 3-2 at the ARC this season and went 2-10 at home last season.
@SIU_WBasketball
– The Salukis enter MVC play at 2-7 overall this year. SIU has dropped its last three games, including most recently a 75-57 decision to UAB this past Sunday.
– SIU went 11-20 last season and posted a 6-14 record in Valley action.
– Newcomer Gift Uchenna ranks among the MVC’s best in scoring (15.0, 10th), rebounding (11.7, 1st) and blocked shots (2.3, 3rd).
The Conference Opener
– Valpo looks to get the MVC slate started on the right foot Sunday afternoon.
– The Beacons have dropped their Valley opener in each of the last three seasons and in six of seven seasons since joining the conference.
– The lone time Valpo opened MVC play 1-0 came in 2020-21, with a 63-56 victory over UNI.
– Notably, that win over the Panthers was one of just two openers which came at the ARC over Valpo’s seven seasons in the Valley.
Forcing Miscues
– Through 11 games this year, Valpo is averaging 20.8 turnovers forced/game, easily the most in the MVC.
– The Beacons have forced more turnovers than they’ve committed in eight of 11 games and rank third in the Valley with a +2.36 turnover margin.
– Valpo has forced at least 20 turnovers in six games so far, highlighted by back-to-back games forcing 26 miscues in wins over Goshen and North Dakota.
– Last time out, the Beacons bettered that mark, forcing 29 turnovers against Detroit Mercy – 13 of which were steals. Valpo held a 33-18 advantage in points off turnovers.
– Against Goshen, the Beacons racked up 15 steals, a season high and the team’s highest total in exactly one calendar year. The Beacons matched that mark in the win over Western Michigan as well.
– In the win over North Dakota, Valpo turned the Fighting Hawks’ 26 turnovers into 33 points and held a massive 33-9 edge in points off turnovers. It was the program’s greatest number of points off turnovers and the highest edge in the category since a Feb. 22, 2020 win at Loyola, when Valpo forced 31 turnovers and owns a 38-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
Gold Standard
– Heading into the Western Michigan game, sophomore Layla Gold had tallied just 28 assists through the first 36 games of her career, with a career best of three helpers set in last year’s MVC Tournament game versus UIC.
– Gold outdid that mark in each of the next two games, however, as she handed out four assists in the win over WMU and then bested that with six assists at Saint Louis – notably, both efforts came without committing a turnover.
– Per HerHoopStats.com, Gold is the only MVC player this season with multiple games with at least four assists and no turnovers, and is the first Valpo player with at least four assists and no turnovers in consecutive games since Hannah Schaub at Illinois and at Morehead State in November 2018.
– Last time out against Detroit Mercy, Gold finished with 21 points – her second-highest output of the season – and five blocked shots – one off her career best. She is the first Valpo player in at least 15 years with 20+ points and 5+ blocks in the same game, and one of just 14 players nationally this year with such an effort.
20/20/20/20 Vision
– 11 games into the season, and Valpo already has four different players with eight combined 20-point games under their belt.
– That is already more than last year’s team, which featured just two different players with at least one 20-point effort.
– Leah Earnest has three such efforts: 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting last time out versus Detroit Mercy, 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting in the win over Western Michigan and 29 points – the second-highest output of her career – at Lehigh.
– Gold joined Earnest in crossing the 20-point mark last time out versus UDM, finishing with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Earlier this year, Gold more than doubled her previous career best of 11 points with a 23-point night – which included five 3-pointers – at Milwaukee.
– Nevaeh Jackson zoomed past her previous career high with 26 points at Saint Louis; this coming after 20-point performances earlier this year in the win over Goshen and against Purdue Fort Wayne.
– Against Trinity Christian, Kayla Preston smashed her previous best, going for 20 points on 7-10 FG and 6-8 FT.
Zooming Up the Charts
– Just five games ago, Leah Earnest ranked 13th in program history in career scoring, but over the last 210 minutes of basketball, the fifth-year standout has springboarded all the way up to sixth all-time at Valpo with 1,286 career points.
– Just last time out against UDM, Earnest moved up from ninth to sixth, surpassing Shay Frederick, Amber Schober and Betsy Rietema within the same game.
– Next up for Earnest is Meredith Hamlet in fifth position with 1,350 career points.
– Earnest also continued her match up the career rebounding chart last time out as well, moving past Tabitha Gerardot for fourth on the program’s career rebounding chart as she finished the game with 728 boards – next up there is Jeanette Gray in third position with 766 carer boards..
– Earnest is also third all-time at Valpo with 124 games played (one shy of second), sixth with 275 free throws made (two shy of fifth; five shy of fourth) and eighth with 465 field goals made (six shy of seventh).
– Earnest impacted the program’s single-game record book as well at the Christmas City Classic as she went 12-for-12 at the foul line against Lehigh. She is one of just 12 players to hit 100% from the foul line in a game (minimum 10 attempts) and one of just four to do so on at least 12 tries.
Career Highs
– Five of Valpo’s seven returnees have set career bests in the scoring column this season – the only returnees who haven’t are Saniya Jackson, who is out for the season, and Earnest.
– Joining the trio who had their first career 20-point efforts are senior Katie Beyer and sophomore Raeven Raye-Redmond.
– Raye-Redmond smashed past her previous best of nine with a 15-point night on 6-of-9 shooting at Milwaukee.
– Beyer hit three 3-pointers on her way to a 14-point game in the season opener versus Liberty, and then against North Dakota, surpassed that again with a 16-point effort.
All-Tournament Honors
– Valpo had a pair of players recognized as All-Tournament Team honorees following the conclusion of the Christmas City Classic.
– Leah Earnest averaged 23.5 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game over the Beacons’ two contests.
– Katie Beyer earned her selection by virtue of a strong 16-point performance, surpassing her career high, in the win over North Dakota.
Leah’s Last Ride
– Graduate student Leah Earnest is back for her fifth and final season of eligibility, looking to put a bow on one of the most productive careers in program history.
– Earnest was a Second Team All-MVC selection last season and tabbed a preseason Second Team All-MVC choice this year.
– Earnest became the first Valpo player since 1991-92 to pace the team in scoring, rebounding and assists.
– She ranked sixth in the Valley in scoring and eighth in rebounding, one of only four Valley players to rank in the top-eight of both categories.
– Earnest scored 494 points on the season, fifth-most in a single season in program history and second-most since 1994.
– Should she duplicate her season totals from last year, Earnest would close her career third all-time at Valpo in scoring and second in rebounding.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
15 – 10 – 14 – 12 – 88 – 5 – 11 – 1 – 20 – 7 – 9
December 28, 1918 – Montreal’s Georges Vezina became the first NHL goalie to record an assist during the Canadiens’ 6-3 win over the Toronto Arenas
December 28, 1944 – Montreal right wing Number 15, Maurice Richard became the first player in NHL history to score 8 points in one game. ‘Rocket’ Richard tallied 5 goals and 3 assists in the Canadiens’ 9-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings
December 28, 1965 – Ballon d’Or: Benfica striker Number 10, Eusébio took home the award for best European football player; first Portuguese national to win, and still only Benfica player
December 28, 1971 – Ballon d’Or: Ajax forward Number 14, Johan Cruyff won the award for best European football player ahead of Inter forward Number 10, Sandro Mazzola and Manchester United winger Number 11, George Best. Cruyff became the first Dutch national and Ajax player to win award
December 28, 1975 – “The Hail Mary”, with 32 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, Cowboys quarterback, Number 12, Roger Staubach threw a legendary 50-yard winning touchdown pass to Number 88, Drew Pearson to defeat the Minnesota Vikings, and the “Hail Mary” play is born
December 28, 1976 – Ballon d’Or: Bayern Munich defender Number 5, Franz Beckenbauer won the title of Europe’s best football player for a 2nd time; beats Anderlecht winger Number 11, Rob Rensenbrink and Dukla Prague goalkeeper Number 1, Ivo Viktor
December 28, 1982 – Ballon d’Or: Juventus striker Number 20, Paolo Rossi was named best European football player; beats Bordeaux midfielder Number 12, Alain Giresse and Juventus’ Polish midfielder Number 7, Zbigniew Boniek
December 28, 1993 – Ballon d’Or: Juventus’ Italian striker Number 10, Roberto Baggio was named Europe’s best football player ahead of Inter forward Number 10, Dennis Bergkamp and Manchester United striker Number 7, Eric Cantona
December 28, 1993 – Number 15, John Maclean passed Number 9, Kirk Muller as all-time NJ Devils scorer (521 pts)
FOOTBALL HISTORY
December 28, 1905 – Representatives of 62 Colleges and Universities met to appoint a rules committee for Intercollegiate football per the Library of Congress. President Theodore Roosevelt requested schools to meet to save the game from being banned due to deaths and severe injuries. The meeting ended with the formation of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of the United States later to become the NCAA in 1910.
December 28, 1946 – The original Baltimore Colts franchise was formed in the All American Football Conference or AAFC. This Colts team along with the Browns and 49ers were absorbed into the NFL in 1950 when the AAFC dissolved. The first season in the NFL was not a good one for Baltimore and the team disbanded according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame right after the 1950 season ended. The City of Baltimore received another chance to resurrect the Colts when NFL Commissioner Bert Bell challenged folks in the city that if they sold 15,000 or more season tickets in about six weeks that they could adopt the recently discontinued Dallas Texans franchise. The Maryland City accomplished the feat in just 4 weeks and on January 23, 1953 the Baltimore Colts franchise rose again under the ownership of Carroll Rosenbloom. By 1958 they were the Champs of the League! In 1984 in the cover of night the team picked up and moved to Indianapolis where they still call home until this day.
December 28, 1947 – Comiskey Park, Chicago – The 1947 NFL Championship game is played between the Philadelphia Eagles victors of the Eastern Division and the Western Division winners the Chicago Cardinals per a story on the Bleacher Report. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead after Charlie Trippi punched in a score followed just a bit later by his Chicago teammate Elmer Angsman running in another TD. Steve Van Buren recorded one of the touchdowns for the Eagles shortly before halftime. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter setting up a dramatic finish in the final stanza. Angsman ran in another score in the fourth but Philly cut the lead to just one score after the Eagles crossed the goal line stripe on a one yard plunge by Craft. The game was a stalemate from there as the Chicago Cardinals went on to beat Philadelphia, 28-21 to secure the Cardinals’ only title game victory.
December 28, 1952 – Cleveland Municipal Stadium – The 1952 NFL Championship game was played between the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns. Remarkably this was the third appearance of the Browns in the title game in just their third season in the League per a story on the mesa.marmot.org website! If you are keeping track of posts from the past few weeks this would be the first of 3 consecutive years that these two teams would vie for the Championship. The stars of the Lions Quarterback Bobby Layne and running back Doak Walker each ran in a score to put the team from the Motor City up. It would be the difference in the game as the Baltimore defense pretty much shut down Cleveland’s strong offense led by QB Otto Graham. The Detroit Lions outlasted the Cleveland Browns, 17-7 to win the title.
December 28, 1958 – Yankee Stadium, the Bronx, New York – “The Greatest Game Ever Played” was what the 1958 NFL Championship game was called by reporters after the game. The New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts earned their chance to play each other for the Title of World Champions. It could very well be the greatest as there were seventeen future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that were involved in the contest. This game and its story may have been the biggest public relations boost the League had ever seen. The popularity of the professional level of the gridiron can look at this championship as the true watershed moment when they finally were gaining footing against the popularity of the college game. In the game suspense occurred late as the national audience lost the broadcast when someone bumped a cable creating a loss of signal from the NBC network. Minutes later the broadcast was restored as Johnny Unitas led his Colts teammates onto the field with just minutes left and trailing by three. Facing a 3rd and 10 from their own 14 yard line, Unitas completed a pass to Lenny Moore for an eleven yard gain and a new set of downs to jumpstart the Colts drive. A series of Unitas to Raymond Berry connections set up a 20 yard field goal attempt for Colts kicker Steve Myhra with just seven seconds remaining. The boot was up and good and sent the game into overtime! The Giants won the toss but went three and out giving the Colts the ball back at their own twenty yard line after a punt. Colts Head Coach Weeb Ewbank placed the game plan in the hands of his more than capable signal caller. Unitas and company were hot and drove the field, capping it off with an Alan Ameche one yard dive into the end zone. The Baltimore Colts won the 26th NFL championship 23-17 over the New York Giants with the first ever sudden-death overtime game in NFL history!
December 28, 1975 – Metropolitan Stadium, Minnesota – The original “Hail Mary” play occurred! The Star-Tribune tells the tale well. In the waning minutes the heavily favored Vikings sored what appeared to be a come from behind touchdown on a Brent McClenahan one yard plunge to go up 14-10. Dallas got the ball back but was facing a fourth-and-16 after Staubach had fallen on a bad snap from center for a six yard loss. From the shotgun formation, Roger the Dodger connected with Drew Pearson, who made a jumping catch on the 50 yard-line near the sideline. The table was set, as there was a mere 32 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. Roger Staubach dropped back and let loose the legendary 50-yard winning touchdown pass to Drew Pearson who with a slight nudge of the Viking defender caught the pass to give Dallas the 17-14 win and to advance the Cowboys into the NFC Championship game.
December 28, 2008 – Lambeau Field, Wisconsin – The Detroit Lions reach rock bottom and become the first team in NFL history to go winless in a Sixteen game regular season format. The 31-21 loss to Green Bay Packers was the game played on this day that gave the Lions this dubious record.
December 28, 2019 – At the Fiesta Bowl which was the BCS College Football Playoff semifinal, #3 Clemson knocked off #2 Ohio State, 29-23 for the right to play for the national Championship.
Meanwhile at the Peach Bowl the other 2019 College Football Playoff semi-final had #1 LSU embarrassed #4 Oklahoma, 63-28 to advance to meet Clemson.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for December 28
December 28, 1894 – Indian Orchard, Massachusetts – Ed Healey the end that played for both Dartmouth and Holy Cross was born. According to FootballFoundation.org Ed was the only boy of 9 children on a farm near Springfield, Mass and this may have led to his powerful well tuned physique that made him a dominant line player. Ed Healey secured his spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974. Ed played professional football with Rock Island and later Chicago and earned All-Pro honors five times in his 8 seasons as a converted tackle. George Halas who both played and coached Ed called him the “the most versatile tackle ever.” The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Ed Healey in 1964.
December 28, 1915 – Chicago, Illinois – The fine tackle from the University of Washington Vic Markov came to life in this world. With the Huskies Markov earned All-America honors in both 1936 and 1937 per the NFF. The National Football Foundation voters selected Vic Markov to gain entry into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976. After school Vic latched on to play with the Cleveland Rams for a couple of seasons in the late 1930’s. He served the US during World War II as a tank commander and was decorated for his heroics during the Battle of the Bulge.
December 28, 1920 – Chicago, Illinois – Michigan Wolverine Tackle Albert “Ox” Wistert was born. According to the footballfoundation.org Al entered college as the second of three brothers to earn a spot in HOF. In 1942 Ox was voted in as an All-America selection and was the Wolverines team MVP. Albert Wistert was one of the winners in the 1968 selections of the NFF voters to receive the recognition to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame and joined his brothers Whitey and Alvin there. The NFF states that Wistert went on to serve as co- captain of the 1943 College All-Star team which defeated a pretty good NFL Champion Washington Redskins team, 27-7, in Chicago. Ox Wistert signed to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and would become one of the club’s greatest linemen, captaining the team as an All-Pro selection for five straight years. Al played every game in his pro career as a starter except for one when he was injured. Philadelphia won two championships during Al’s career and, when he stepped away from the gridiron in 1952, the Eagles retired his number 70 jersey.
December 28, 1920 – La Ceiba, Honduras – “Supersonic” Steve Van Buren of LSU was born. The great halfback was the number one pick in the 1944 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Steve made the All-NFL team in six straight seasons as he also won the NFL rushing title in four different years. Van Buren tallied the lone score in the 1947 NFL Championship game to give Philly the 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cardinals. The next year in the Title game he established a Championship game record when he trotted 196 yards in the contest against the LA Rams in a 14-0 Title win. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Steve Van Buren in 1965.
December 28, 1935 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Oklahoma Sooners Halfback Clendon Thomas celebrated his birth. In 1955 and 1956 Thomas lived out his childhood dreams as he and the Sooners went undefeated and won consecutive National Championships. The streak of 47 straight games won in a row has never been matched by any other team in Division I history. Clendon’s 18 touchdowns in 1956 led the nation. The NFF recognized Clendon Thomas as one of the greats of the gridiron by selecting him into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
Dec. 28
1944 — Maurice Richard has five goals and three assists to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 9-1 rout of the Detroit Red Wings.
1947 — The Chicago Cardinals behind Elmer Angsman’s two 70-yard scores and Charlie Trippi’s 44-yard TD run and 75-yard punt return beat the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21 for the NFL title on a frozen Comiskey Park field.
1952 — Doak Walker’s 67-yard third-quarter touchdown run leads the Detroit Lions to a 17-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns for the NFL championship.
1954 — Tony Trabert and Vic Seixas give the United States a 3-2 victory over Australia for the Davis Cup.
1958 — The Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants 23-17 in overtime to win the NFL championship at Yankee Stadium. Quarterback Johnny Unitas takes the Colts 80 yards in 13 plays, the last a one-yard carry by Alan Ameche at 8:15 of sudden death overtime. The regulation game ends 17-17 when Baltimore’s Steve Myhra kicks a 20-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in the game. The game is widely known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” With a national television audience watching, this game is believed to have made the NFL a challenger to baseball as the national pastime.
1968 — Arthur Ashe leads the United States to its first Davis Cup title since 1963 with a 4-1 victory over Australia.
1975 — The Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Viking 17-14 on Roger Staubach’s desperate 50-yard pass to Drew Pearson in the final minute of an NFC Divisional playoff game. Staubach connects with Pearson down the right sideline with 24 seconds remaining after the Cowboys had second-and-10 with no timeouts left. Staubach later tells reporters he got knocked down on the play, closed his eyes and said a Hail Mary. The term “Hail Mary” is born.
1988 — Division II Alaska-Anchorage, behind Michael Johnson’s 20 points, pulls the biggest surprise of the college basketball season by stunning No. 2 Michigan 70-66 in the opening round of the Utah Classic.
2000 — Robby Portalatin becomes the fourth bowler to roll a 900 series according to the American Bowling Congress. Portalatin, a 28-year-old worker for an auto parts company, accomplishes the feat at Airport Lanes in Jackson, Mich.
2003 — Jamal Lewis becomes the fifth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season. He gained 114 yards on 27 carries in Baltimore’s 13-10 overtime victory against Pittsburgh, finishing the year with 2,066 yards — second-most in NFL history.
2003 — San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for a career-high 243 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Oakland. Tomlinson also becomes the first halfback in NFL history to catch 100 passes.
2008 — The Detroit Lions lose to the Green Bay Packers 31-21, making them the first team to go winless through a 16-game season.
2008 — The New England Patriots become the NFL’s first team with an 11-5 record to miss the playoffs since Denver in 1985 and the first since the NFL expanded to six playoff teams per conference in 1990.
2008 — The Cleveland Browns lose to Pittsburgh 31-0, setting an NFL record by failing to score a touchdown for six straight games.
2015 — Keenan Reynolds wraps up his record-setting college career at Navy in spectacular fashion, running for three touchdowns and throwing for another to lead the Midshipmen past Pittsburgh 44-28 in the Military Bowl. Navy (11-2) sets a record for wins in a season and Reynolds finishes as the NCAA career leader with 88 touchdowns and 530 points. His 4,559 yards rushing are the most by a quarterback in NCAA history.
2018 – UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes of Brazil moves up in weight and KOs dominant featherweight Cris “Cyborg” Justino just 51 seconds into the opening round at the Forum, Inglewood, CA; first female to win UFC titles in multiple weight classes
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Dec. 29
1926 — Merlyn Phillips of the Montreal Maroons scores five seconds into the game at Chicago for an NHL record for the fastest goal from the start of a game. The Black Hawks win the game in overtime, 5-4. It would be matched three times.
1934 — The first college basketball doubleheader is played at New York’s Madison Square Garden. NYU beats Notre Dame 25-18 and Westminster defeats St. John’s 37-33.
1957 — Tobin Rote passes for four touchdowns and scores another to give the Detroit Lions a 59-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the NFL championship game.
1961 — Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors scores 60 points against the Los Angeles Lakers at Hershey, Pa., the future site of his 100-point game.
1963 — Chuck McKinley and Dennis Ralston give the United States a 3-2 victory over Australia for the Davis Cup title.
1968 — The Baltimore Colts shut out the Browns 34-0 to win the NFL championship at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
1968 — The New York Jets beat the Oakland Raiders 27-23 in the AFL championship game.
1979 — Safety Vernon Perry sets an NFL playoff record with four interceptions to lead the Houston Oilers to a 17-14 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
1982 — Alabama’s Jeremiah Castille intercepts three passes to help beat Illinois 21-15 in the Liberty Bowl and send coach Paul “Bear” Bryant out as a winner. Bryant finishes his coaching career with 323-85-17 record.
1984 — Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers scores his 100th point in the 35th game of the season, a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
2006 — Texas Tech spots Minnesota a 31-point, third-quarter lead, then rallies for a stunning 44-41 overtime victory in the Insight Bowl, the largest comeback in Division I-A bowl history. The previous record for a bowl comeback was 30 points, set by Marshall against East Carolina in the 2001 GMAC Bowl.
2007 — The New England Patriots complete a perfect regular season, finishing with a remarkable 16-0 record following a thrilling 38-35 comeback victory over the New York Giants. New England is the first NFL team since the 1972 Dolphins to win every game on the schedule, and that one was only 14-0.
2011 — Baylor pulls out an incredible Alamo Bowl victory in the highest-scoring regulation bowl game in history, beating Washington 67-56 in the wildest shootout of this bowl season. Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III isn’t dazzling, but Terrance Ganaway rushes for 200 yards and five touchdowns. The previous bowl record for a regulation game was 102 total points set in the 2001 GMAC Bowl between Marshall and East Carolina. That game went to double overtime and ended with a combined 125 points — which still stands as the overall bowl record.
2012 — Second-ranked Connecticut plays spoiler and streak-buster this time, snapping No. 1 Stanford’s nation-leading 82-game home unbeaten run with a surprisingly easy 61-35 rout. It’s the Huskies who saw the end of their NCAA record 90-game winning streak at Maples Pavilion with a 71-59 loss two years ago, almost to the day on Dec. 30. Stanford loses at Maples Pavilion for the first time since March 2007.
2013 — Peyton Manning is 25 for 28 for 266 yards and four touchdowns before sitting out the second half of Denver’s 34-14 win over Oakland. He finishes the season with NFL records of 5,477 yards and 55 touchdown passes.
2014 — Teenager Mikaela Shiffrin becomes the most successful U.S. skier in the slalom at Kuehtai, Austria. The 19-year-old racks up her 10th career slalom win, beating the records set in the 1980s by Tamara McKinney and on the men’s side by Phil Mahre, who both had nine wins in ski racing’s most technically demanding event.
2016 — Olympic slalom champion Mikaela Shiffrin uses a spectacular final run to win a night race for her third World Cup triumph in three days. Shiffrin is 0.33 seconds off the lead at the final split time before accelerating to win the race by 0.64 ahead of Veronika Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia. After winning two giant slaloms the previous days, Shiffrin continues her dominance in slalom by landing her 23th career win in the discipline.
2020 – Milwaukee Bucks break NBA record for most 3-pointers made by a team in a single game with 29 in a dominant 144-97 victory over the Heat in Miami.
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Dec. 30
1956 — The New York Giants win the NFL title with a 47-7 rout of the Chicago Bears.
1962 — The Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 16-7 to win the NFL title for the second straight year.
1973 — The Minnesota Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-10 to win the NFC championship.
1973 — The Miami Dolphins, behind 266 yards rushing, beat the Oakland Raiders 27-10 for an unprecedented third straight AFC title.
1981 — In the 39th game of the season, Edmonton’s Wayne Gretzky scores five goals, including his 50th into an empty net, to lead the Oilers to a 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Gretzy betters the mark of 50 goals in 50 games held by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy.
1990 — Orlando point guard Scott Skiles dishes out an NBA-record 30 assists in a 155-116 victory against the Denver Nuggets. Skiles breaks the record of 29 assists set by the Nets’ Kevin Porter in 1978.
2000 — Nebraska ends a disappointing season by setting a bowl record for points in a 66-17 victory over Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl.
2002 — TCU sets an NCAA record for fewest points allowed when the Lady Frogs beat Texas Southern 76-16. The 16 points allowed breaks the Division I record for fewest points. Prairie View scored 19 points against Jackson State in 1983.
2007 — Drew Brees sets an NFL record with 443 completions, passing the previous mark of 418 set by Rich Gannon in 2002. Brees completes 35 of 60 passes for 320 yards with three TD passes in New Orleans’ 33-25 loss to Chicago.
2008 — NFL head coach Mike Shanahan is fired by the Denver Broncos.
2010 — Top-ranked Connecticut’s record 90-game winning streak in women’s basketball ends when No. 9 Stanford outplays the Huskies from the start in a 71-59 victory at Maples Pavilion — where the Cardinal have their own streak going. Stanford hasn’t lost in 52 games at home. The Cardinal took an early 13-point lead, never trailed and didn’t let the mighty Huskies back in it.
2016 — Isaiah Thomas scores 29 of his career-high 52 points in the fourth quarter, setting a club record for points in a period and leading Boston to a 117-114 victory over the Miami Heat.
2017 — Alex Hornibrook throws four touchdown passes, three of them to Danny Davis, and No. 6 Wisconsin caps off the winningest season in school history by topping No. 11 Miami 34-24 in the Orange Bowl. Jonathan Taylor finishes his record-setting freshman season with 130 rushing yards on 26 carries for the Badgers (13-1). Taylor finishes the year with an FBS-freshman-record 1,977 yards.
2018 — Patrick Mahomes becomes only the 2nd quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns during KC Chiefs’ 35-3 win over Oakland Raiders; achieves both marks with 3rd quarter 89-yard TD pass to Demarcus Robinson.2020 – San Antonio assistant Becky Hammon becomes first female to coach an NBA team after Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is ejected in a 121-107 loss to the LA Lakers