THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” SATURDAY JANUARY 11, 2025

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

HOMESTEAD.COM

ANGOLA	58	PRAIRIE HEIGHTS	41
ARGOS	50	BETHANY CHRISTIAN	49
BLACKFORD	57	MADISON-GRANT	43
BOONE GROVE	58	MORGAN TWP.	56
BREMEN	65	LAVILLE	60
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)	54	FORT WAYNE DWENGER	28
CASTON	55	CULVER	28
CHURUBUSCO	37	FREMONT	36
CROWN POINT	77	MICHIGAN CITY	51
DALEVILLE	66	COWAN	21
ELKHART CHRISTIAN	46	LAKELAND CHRISTIAN	32
FORT WAYNE LUERS	61	FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA	41
FORT WAYNE SNIDER	75	FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	49
FORT WAYNE WAYNE	79	FORT WAYNE NORTH	42
GARRETT	53	CENTRAL NOBLE	34
GRIFFITH	58	NORTH JUDSON	49
GUERIN CATHOLIC	71	INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD	34
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)	62	WEST LAFAYETTE	61
HEBRON	61	SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS)	58
HOMESTEAD	50	FORT WAYNE SOUTH	37
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN	79	WHITING	27
JIMTOWN	63	KNOX	21
KOKOMO	106	LOGANSPORT	45
KOUTS	74	HAMMOND SCIENCE & TECH	40
LAPORTE	65	LAKE CENTRAL	60
LAFAYETTE JEFF	53	MUNCIE CENTRAL	37
LAKELAND	42	WEST NOBLE	34
MCCUTCHEON	44	LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC	39
MISHAWAKA MARIAN	76	NEW PRAIRIE	35
MUNSTER	55	KANKAKEE VALLEY	27
NEW CASTLE	57	RICHMOND	52
NORTHWOOD	69	WAWASEE	33
NORTHFIELD	54	LEWIS CASS	51
PENN	54	ELKHART	41
PLYMOUTH	61	MISHAWAKA	39
PORTAGE	54	VALPARAISO	30
ROCHESTER	60	WHITKO	44
SHERIDAN	66	TRI-CENTRAL	50
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH	77	SOUTH BEND RILEY	75
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON	72	SOUTH BEND ADAMS	52
TIPPECANOE VALLEY	67	JOHN GLENN	37
WARSAW	64	NORTHRIDGE	59
WASHINGTON TWP.	65	TRI-TOWNSHIP	35
WESTVILLE	62	HOBART	52
WINAMAC	56	NORTH MIAMI	52
MADISON COUNTY TOURNAMENT
ALEXANDRIA	62	ELWOOD	37
SUGAR CREEK TOURNAMENT
NORTH MONTGOMERY	33	WESTERN BOONE	28
CRAWFORDSVILLE	56	SOUTHMONT	52

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

HOMESTEAD.COM

ANGOLA	53	PRAIRIE HEIGHTS	32
BELLMONT	53	COLUMBIA CITY	41
BLUFFTON	75	JAY COUNTY	45
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)	80	FORT WAYNE DWENGER	53
CENTRAL NOBLE	47	GARRETT	44
DALEVILLE	58	COWAN	21
FORT WAYNE LUERS	45	FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA	43
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	52	FORT WAYNE SNIDER	42
FORT WAYNE WAYNE	56	FORT WAYNE NORTH	46
FREMONT	56	CHURUBUSCO	31
HIGHLAND	50	HOBART	41
HOMESTEAD	87	FORT WAYNE SOUTH	22
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD	62	GUERIN CATHOLIC	36
KOKOMO	66	LOGANSPORT	24
LAFAYETTE JEFF	59	MUNCIE CENTRAL	23
MARION	51	RICHMOND	40
MERRILLVILLE	51	CHESTERTON	40
NORTH MIAMI	42	WINAMAC	36
RIVER FOREST	48	CALUMET	19
SHERIDAN	63	TRI-CENTRAL	33
SOUTHERN WELLS	58	SOUTH ADAMS	33
WASHINGTON TWP.	37	TRI-TOWNSHIP	33
WEST NOBLE	50	LAKELAND	40
RANDOLPH COUNTY TOURNAMENT
MONROE CENTRAL	65	WINCHESTER	44
UNION CITY	39	RANDOLPH SOUTHERN	25

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/

GIRLS REGIONALS: SATURDAY

1. GOSHEN | 10 AM ET | TICKETS | RESULTS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: ILLIANA CHRISTIAN, HOBART, MISHAWAKA, GOSHEN

2. ROCHESTER | 9 AM ET | TICKETS | RESULTS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: COLUMBIA CITY, LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON, CRAWFORDSVILLE, WESTERN

3. ALEXANDRIA MONROE | 9 AM ET | TICKETS | RESULTS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: ALEXANDRIA MONROE, MUNCIE CENTRAL, EASTERN HANCOCK, PERRY MERIDIAN

4. MOORESVILLE | 11 AM ET | TICKETS | RESULTS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: MT. VERNON, BEN DAVIS, WEST WASHINGTON, FLOYD CENTRAL

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TOP 25

MARYLAND 79 #22 UCLA 61

ELSEWHERE:

WISCONSIN 80 MINNESOTA 59

TOLEDO 69 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 67

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TOP 25

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

OHIO STATE 28 TEXAS 14

MONDAY, JAN. 20

NOTRE DAME VS. OHIO STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

NFL

NFL PLAYOFFS WILD CARD WEEKEND

SATURDAY, JAN. 11
AFC: 3:30 P.M. — 5 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT 4 HOUSTON (CBS, PARAMOUNT+)
AFC: 7:00 P.M. — 6 PITTSBURGH AT 3 BALTIMORE (PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, JAN. 12
AFC: 12:00 P.M. — 7 DENVER AT 2 BUFFALO (CBS, PARAMOUNT+)
NFC: 3:30 P.M. — 7 GREEN BAY AT 2 PHILADELPHIA (FOX, FOX DEPORTES)
NFC: 7:00 P.M. — 6 WASHINGTON AT 3 TAMPA BAY (NBC, PEACOCK, UNIVERSO)

MONDAY, JAN. 13
NFC: 7:00 P.M. — 5 MINNESOTA AT 4 LOS ANGELES RAMS (ESPN/ABC/ESPN+/ ESPN DEPORTES; MANNINGCAST-ESPN2/ESPN+)

NBA SCORES

INDIANA 108 GOLDEN STATE 96

NEW ORLEANS 123 PHILADELPHIA 115

MILWAUKEE 109 ORLANDO 106

OKLAHOMA CITY 126 NEW YORK 101

SACRAMENTO 114 BOSTON 97

CHICAGO 138 WASHINGTON 105

DENVER 124 BROOKLYN 105

NHL SCORES

MONTRÉAL 3 WASHINGTON 2 OT

CAROLINA 2 VANCOUVER 0

DETROIT 5 CHICAGO 3

LOS ANGELES 2 WINNIPEG 1OT

UTAH 2 SAN JOSE 1

TOP NATIONAL NEWS RELEASES/HEADLINES

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

DEFENSIVE TD SEALS OHIO STATE’S SEMIFINAL WIN OVER TEXAS

COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 6 Ohio State (13-2) had a back-and-forth duel with No. 3 Texas for three quarters before outscoring the Longhorns in the fourth quarter 14-0 in its 28-14 victory Friday in the 2024 College Football Playoffs Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State will face No. 5 Notre Dame (14-1) in the 2024 CFP National Championship Jan. 20 (7:30 p.m.) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Fighting Irish defeated No. 4 Penn State in the Capital One Orange Bowl 27-24 off of a last second field goal on Thursday to advance. Quarterback Will Howard completed 24-of-26 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown. Wide Receiver Carnell Tate led the team in receiving with seven catches for 87 yards. Running Backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins had a combined 15 rushing attempts for 78 yards and four catches for 97 yards. Henderson’s lone catch was right before halftime on a screen pass that went for 75 yards. Linebacker Sonny Styles finished with team leading nine total tackles and three tackle-for-losses. Jack Sawyer finished the night with three tackles, one sack, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. He recovered that fumble and returned it for an 83-yard touchdown. The defense as a whole tallied 63 total tackles, four sacks, nine tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and seven pass break-ups. Safety Caleb Downs sealed the game with his fourth career interception.

First Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 7, No. 3 Texas 0)

Ohio State won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Texas started with the ball at its own 25 after kicker Jayden Fielding sent the kickoff out of the back of the endzone. Quinn Ewers completed his first pass to Juan Davis for a four-yard gain. Denzel Burke tackled him at the TEX29. On second down, Quintrevion Wisner ran for a four-yard gain, setting up Texas at its own 33-yard mark. On third and two, Ewers found Matthew Golden on a 24-yard pass before being forced out at the OSU43 by Davison Igbinosun. Ryan Wingo rushed for a six-yard gain and was forced out of bounds by Denzel Burke at the OSU37. Ewers attempted a pass up the middle but was batted down by Jack Sawyer. Wisner took a handoff on third down for a one-yard gain after being stopped by Cody Simon and Tyleik Williams. On fourth and three, Ewers had an incomplete pass intended for DeAndre Moore Jr, setting Ohio State at its own 36-yard line. Quinshon Judkins started the Buckeyes’ first possession off with a rush to the right for a gain of five yards, bringing Ohio State to the OSU41. Judkins took another rush on second down up the middle for a gain of two yards. On third and three, quarterback Will Howard completed a pass to Emeka Egbuka for five yards, picking up the first down. At the OSU48, Howard found wide receiver Carnell Tate for a 14-yard reception, advancing to the TEX38. Howard was seeking Jeremiah Smith downfield but was unable to complete the pass. Judkins took a rush on second and ten for a four-yard gain, setting the Buckeyes up at the TEX34. On third and six, Howard connected with Egbuka for an 11-yard pickup, setting Ohio State up at the TEX23. Howard then found Egbuka again on a 14-yard reception, getting to the TEX9. Howard attempted a pass intended for Tate but was dropped. Judkins ran up the middle for a nine-yard touchdown giving the Buckeyes a 6-0 lead over Texas. Fielding made his extra point, extending the lead to 7-0. Fielding kicked off, sending the ball into the endzone. Texas began its drive at the TEX25. On first down, Ewers was sacked by Tuimoloau for a loss of four yards. Ewers responded with a 15-yard completion to Moore Jr. and then completed a 22-yard pass to Wingo, setting Texas up at the OSU42. Ewers was hurried by Sawyer and Jordan Hancock which forced an incompletion. On second and ten at the OSU39, Jaydon Blue ran to the right for a three-yard gain. On third and seven at the OSU39, Texas committed a false start, moving back to the OSU44. On third and 12, Tuimoloau and Ty Hamilton combined for a sack, causing Texas to lose four yards. Michael Kern had a 40-yard punt that was fair caught by Brandon Innis at the OSU8. Howard started off the drive with a three-yard pass to Smith, then found Tate on a pass up the middle for a 13-yard pickup. On first and ten at the OSU24, Howard scrambled for a gain of two yards. TreVeyon Henderson ripped off a 22-yard gain, moving the offense up to the OSU48. Howard then found Gee Scott Jr. on a 14-yard pass completion, moving into Texas territory at the TEX38. Henderson rushed for a one-yard gain up the middle, but the offense was moved back to the OSU48 after a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Howard rushed up the middle for a loss of two yards. To end the first quarter, Howard completed a five-yard pass to Judkins, advancing to the TEX49.

Second Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 14, No. 3 Texas 7)

Joe McGuire opened up the second quarter with a 40-yard punt, setting Texas up at the TEX25 following a 16-yard punt return from Silas Bolden. Wisner started off the drive for Texas with a one-yard rush after being stopped by Sonny Styles. Ewers completed a four-yard pass to Blue, advancing to the TEX28. During the play, Texas committed a facemask penalty, pushing them back halfway to the goal line at the TEX16. Ewers completed a 10-yard pass to Moore Jr., getting back to the TEX24. Sonny Styles came crashing in on the next play, generating a sack that forced a fumble. Texas recovered the fumble for a loss of 10 yards, setting up at the TEX14. Kern booted a 51-yard punt, setting Ohio State up at the OSU34. To start the drive, Howard completed a seven-yard pass to Tate on back-to-back plays, with the first for seven yards and the second for five setting Ohio State up at the OSU46. Howard was hurried, leading to an incomplete pass. Howard found Smith on a one-yard pass, but the offense was moved back 10 yards after a holding penalty. On second and 20 at the OSU36, Howard connected with Will Kacmarek on a 12-yard gain, advancing to the OSU48. Howard tried to find Egbuka on a pass to the right but was dropped, forcing fourth down. McGuire sent away a 43-yard punt that was downed by Lathan Ransom at the TEX9. Wisner began the Texas drive with a seven-yard rush up the middle, getting to the TEX16. Wisner then picked up the first down on a four-yard gain. Ewers attempted to connect with Gunnar Helm, but the pass was broken up after Sonny Styles hit Helm. Ewers found Moore Jr. on a shallow pass for a four-yard gain. On third and six at the TEX24, Ewers took a deep shot for Wingo that could not be completed. Kern punted the ball 41-yards, where Egbuka fair caught to set Ohio State up at its own 35-yard mark. Henderson ran up the middle for no gain. Judkins ran to the right for seven yards, but the play was negated due to a holding call on Ohio State. Being pushed back to the OSU25, Howard completed his next pass to Scott Jr. for a seven-yard gain, getting to the OSU32. A pre-snap penalty pushed the Buckeyes back five yards. Howard found Tate on a 15-yard connection, moving up to the OSU42 but was still short of the first down. On fourth down, McGuire punted for 43 yards, setting Texas up at the TEX15 after a fair catch. Ewers completed an eight-yard pass to Isaiah Bond. Blue rushed for three yards to pick up the first down. Wisner ran up the middle for a gain of five yards, bringing the offense to the TEX31. The Buckeye defense forced back-to-back incompletions, with the second being due to a quarterback hurry from Hamilton. Kern punted 42 yards where Egbuka fair caught at the OSU27. On the first play of the drive, Judkins ran up the middle for no gain. Howard was unable to connect with Judkins on a pass that was broken up by Colin Simmons. Howard was unable to escape the pressure and was sacked for a seven-yard loss before the clock hit the two-minute warning timeout. McGuire punted 39 yards to the TEX41 which was fair caught by Silas Bolden. Wisner started the Texas drive off with a rush up the middle that was stuffed by Williams for no gain. Ewers threw an incomplete pass, then scrambled for a gain of nine yards. On fourth and one, Arch Manning entered the game and ran to the right for an eight-yard gain. Returning under center, Ewers completed a 24-yard pass to Bolden, advancing Texas to the OSU18. Ewers threw an incomplete pass that was broken up by Kenyatta Jackson Jr. but then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue. After Will Stone’s good point after attempt, Texas tied the game 7-7. Stone kickoff went for a touchback, setting up Ohio State at the OSU25 with 29 seconds left in the half. On the first and only play of the drive, Will Howard evaded pressure and found Henderson on a screen pass that developed at the right time for a 75-yard touchdown. Fielding’s PAT was good, making the score 14-7 with 13 seconds remaining. After 45-yard kickoff from Fielding, Helm fair caught at the TEX20 setting Texas up at the 25. Wisner started off the drive with a 13-yard rush. Ewers attempted a deep pass to Wingo that was broken up by Davison Igbinosun. Igbinosun was flagged for holding, moving Texas up from its 38-yard mark to its 48-yard mark. With two seconds left, Ewers attempted another pass intended for Wingo that was broken up by Malik Harford, sending the game to halftime.

Third Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 14, No. 3 Texas 14)

Ohio State deferred at the coin toss and started the third with Egbuka fair catching the kickoff to put the offense at the OSU25. Howard found Egbuka on a 13-yard pass completion, advancing the offense to the OSU38. Henderson ran for back-to-back seven-yard rushes getting to the TEX48. Howard attempted to find Smith downfield, but was intercepted by David Gbenda, who got to the TEX30. Ewers completed a 10-yard pass to Wisner who was tackled by Tuimoloau and Styles. Wisner then ran for a one-yard rush up the middle. Tuimoloau then met Wisner in the backfield for a loss of two yards, pushing Texas back to its own 39-yard line. On third and 11, Ewers completed a four-yard pass to Wisner to the TEX43, unable to pick up the first down. On fourth and seven, Kern punted 45 yards to the OSU12 where Inniss fair caught the punt. Egbuka ran the ball on the first play for no gain. Howard connected with Kacmarek for a nine-yard completion, advancing the Buckeyes to the OSU21. On third down, Judkins was stopped for no gain, forcing McGuire to punt 46 yards to the TEX33. Prior to the snap, Texas committed a false start, moving back to its own 28-yard mark. Ewers threw a pass towards Wingo, but Jordan Hancock forced the incompletion. Wisner ran to the left for a five-yard gain, moving Texas up to its own 33-yard mark. Wisner then caught a 14-yard pass from Ewers. Ewers then found Blue on a five-yard connection, advancing to the OSU48. Moore Jr. brought in a pass from Ewers that was stopped by Caleb Downs for a gain of two yards. On third and three, Wisner ran up the middle for four yards, picking up the first. Wisner attempted another rush but was stopped by Downs for a loss of two yards. Ewers found Wisner on an 11-yard pass, advancing Texas to the OSU33. Wisner ran the back twice for four yards, picking up the first down, then three more yards getting to the OSU26. Ewers threw a pass to the middle of the field that was batted down at the line by Williams. On third and seven, Blue caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ewers. After a good extra point from Stone, Texas tied the game 14-14. On the kickoff, Egbuka called for a fair catch that set Ohio State’s offense up at the OSU25. Howard connected with Tate on a 15-yard pass, but an unnecessary roughness moved the Buckeyes from the OSU40 to the OSU25. Howard was then sacked for a loss of ten yards. He fumbled the ball but recovered it. Henderson ran to the right for a gain of five yards to the OSU20. On third down, Howard threw an incomplete pass intended for Henderson that led to a 41-yard punt by McGuire that set Texas up at its own 39-yard mark. Wisner ran to the right for seven yards. To end the third quarter, Ewers connected with Wisner, but Styles stopped him for a loss of two yards.

Fourth Quarter (No. 6 Ohio State 28, No. 3 Texas 14)

Ewers started off the fourth quarter with an incomplete pass intended for Matthew Golden on third and five. Ohio State was set up at the OSU12 after a 44-yard punt from Kern. Howard took a shot immediately for Egbuka that wound up incomplete. Texas committed pass interference, giving the Buckeyes the ball at the OSU27. Howard completed three passes in a row. The first two to Scott Jr. for negative two yards and then four yards. The third pass was an 18-yard pass to Tate, advancing to the OSU47. Howard took another shot for Egbuka that was incomplete. He then connected with Judkins on an 11-yard pass, entering Texas territory at the 42-yard mark. Howard threw a pass intended for Tate but was unable to complete it. On second and ten, Judkins brought in a pass from Howard for six yards. On third and four, Ohio State committed a false start, moving back to the TEX41. Howard found Scott Jr. on a short pass that went for seven yards to the TEX34. On a crucial fourth and two play, Howard kept the ball and rushed up the middle for an 18-yard gain. He then found Egbuka on an eight-yard pass, moving up to the TEX8. Judkins pushed forward with a six-yard gain followed up by Howard trying to power his way into the endzone but was stopped at the TEX1. Judkins took the goal line handoff for a one-yard touchdown, giving Ohio State a 20-14 lead. Fielding made his extra point, extending the lead to 21-14. After a touchback on the kickoff, Ewers completed a short pass to Helm for eight yards before getting knocked out of bounds by Styles. Blue ran the ball for an eight-yard pickup making it to the TEX41. Ewers found Helm on a 34-yard strike, but due to an unsportsmanlike penalty, Texas was moved from the OSU25 to the OSU40. Ewers took another deep shot, connecting with Golden for 27 yards. Blue took a handoff to the left for two yards, making it to the OSU11. Ewers found Wisner on a short pass for five yards, but then threw an incomplete pass intended for CJ Baxter. Pass interference was called on Ohio State, moving Texas up to the OSU2 with an automatic first down. Ewers took an endzone shot at Golden that resulted in another pass interference from Ohio State, moving Texas to the one-yard line with another automatic first down. Tuimoloau stuffed Jerrick Gibson for a no gain on the goal line stand. Wisner ran to the left for a loss of seven yards, moving the Longhorns back to the OSU8. Ewers was hurried by Sawyer on third and eight, forcing an incompletion. On fourth and eight, Sawyer got to Ewers for a nine-yard loss strip sack. The fumble was recovered by Sawyer, who returned it 83 yards for a touchdown. After fielding made an extra point, the Buckeyes led 28-14 with 2:24 left in the game. After a touchback, Ewers started with a six-yard completion to Blue, setting Texas up at its own 31-yard line to reach the two-minute warning. Ewers targeted a pass for Blue, but an incompletion was by Williams. On third and four at the TEX31 with 1:46 left in the game, Ewers threw a deep pass that was intercepted by downs to seal the game for Ohio State. To run out the clock, Judkins ran for a nine-yard gain. Howard ran on a designed quarterback run for two yards to pick up the first, then kneeled down to finish the game.

OHIO STATE SET AS 9 1/2-POINT FAVORITE OVER NOTRE DAME IN FINAL

After a pair of thrilling semifinal games in the College Football Playoff, oddsmakers established Ohio State as a 9 1/2-point favorite to defeat Notre Dame in the title game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.

The Buckeyes (13-2), seeded eighth in the inaugural 12-team CFP format, will face the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish (14-1).

Three leading sportsbooks — FanDuel, DraftKings and BetRivers — were unanimous in listing Ohio State as the clear favorite over Notre Dame.

The books differed on the total, however. BetRivers set the over/under at 45 1/2, while the other two listed it at 46 1/2.

Ohio State, which defeated Texas 28-14 on Friday in the Cotton Bowl for its third CFP win of the new format to advance to the championship game, scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes.

The last score came with Texas threatening to score a tying touchdown in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, but Buckeyes defensive lineman Jack Sawyer forced a fumble from quarterback Quinn Ewers, made the recovery, then rumbled 83 yards for the clinching score.

Notre Dame punched its ticket to the title game on Thursday with an equally dramatic 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl. Mitch Jeter’s 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left provided the winning points. The Fighting Irish also had to win three playoff games to get to the title game.

FORMER GEORGIA QUARTERBACK CARSON BECK SAYS HE HAS COMMITTED TO MIAMI FOR 2025 SEASON

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Carson Beck is heading to Miami.

Beck, the now-former Georgia quarterback, has pushed his NFL plans back a year and is committed to play next season at Miami, making the announcement known Friday and becoming another huge transfer portal acquisition for the Hurricanes.

Beck delivered the news on social media with a simple two-word message: “Go Canes,” he wrote, along with an image of himself in a Miami uniform and with “Committed” and “305 Bound” on the photo.

The primary area code for the Miami area is 305.

Before saying anything publicly, Beck signed a grant-in-aid agreement with the Hurricanes, said a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side revealed that detail.

The move means Beck — who is recovering from elbow surgery performed in December to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament — is presumably taking over as Cam Ward’s replacement as Miami’s starter for the 2025 season. Beck originally declared for the NFL draft, then entered the transfer portal earlier this week and now will wind up at Miami.

Beck is dating Miami women’s basketball guard Hanna Cavinder. Shortly after Beck’s announcement, she posted “It’s a great day to be a miami hurricane” — and the school’s women’s basketball account on X made a cryptic reference to the football news with a post showing what it described as Hanna Cavinder’s top assists this season.

“Welcome to the good life,” Haley Cavinder, Hanna’s twin and Miami women’s teammate, posted on Beck’s Instagram.

Beck spent five seasons at Georgia, the last two as the Bulldogs’ primary starter.

Beck has completed 68% of his passes — 628 of 923 — for 7,912 yards, 58 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his college career. He appeared in 39 games for Georgia, 27 of them in the last two seasons. The Bulldogs went 24-3 in those 27 games.

He now could follow a similar path as Ward, who also strongly considered the 2024 NFL draft before deciding to join Miami.

Ward rewrote the Miami record book this season, completing 305 passes for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns — all of those new Miami single-season records. He also will depart as the Hurricanes’ leader in completion percentage at 67.2%, breaking the school season mark (65.8%, set in 2023 by Tyler Van Dyke) and career mark (64.3% by D’Eriq King in 2020 and 2021).

Ward is widely considered to be a player that could go No. 1 overall in this year’s NFL draft.

It was expected that Miami would at least pursue a quarterback in the portal. Emory Williams played the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl for Miami after Ward’s day there was declared over at halftime; Williams completed 5 of 14 passes for 26 yards in that game, and the Hurricanes wasted a 10-point second-half lead on the way to a 42-41 loss against Iowa State.

ALABAMA LB JUSTIN OKORONKWO COMMITS TO SOUTH CAROLINA

After choosing Alabama over South Carolina in July 2023, linebacker Justin Okoronkwo committed to the Gamecocks on Friday.

Okoronkwo entered the transfer portal after playing in Alabama’s 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

The German native committed to the Crimson Tide in July 2023, bypassing offers from South Carolina, Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska, among others.

Okoronkwo played his lone season in Tuscaloosa under new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, compiling 14 tackles (0.5 for loss) in 13 games.

South Carolina finished 9-4 this season but lost key defensive players and is hoping Okoronkwo and other transfers can bolster the unit.

REPORT: SYRACUSE QB KYLE MCCORD TO DECLARE FOR NFL DRAFT

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord will declare for the NFL Draft after leading the nation with 4,779 yards, ESPN reported Friday.

A senior this past season, McCord broke DeShaun Watson’s ACC record for passing yards in a season. The former Ohio State starter played just one season with the Orange.

McCord had been in search of an NCAA eligibility waiver for one more season after he was limited to five games as a freshman for Ohio State in 2021 but has now dropped that pursuit.

While leading Syracuse to a 10-3 record and a victory in the Holiday Bowl over Washington State, McCord was fourth in the nation with 35 passing touchdowns.

McCord helped Ohio State to an 11-2 record in 2023 with 3,170 passing yards and 24 TDs. In four seasons, three with Ohio State, he passed for 8,555 yards with 61 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

NFL NEWS

LAMAR JACKSON REPEATS AND JA’MARR CHASE AND JUSTIN JEFFERSON ARE UNANIMOUS CHOICES FOR AP ALL-PRO

Lamar Jackson beat out Josh Allen, and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2024 NFL All-Pro Team.

Saquon Barkley received 48 of 50 first-place votes and Patrick Surtain II got 49 from a nationwide panel of media members who regularly cover the league.

“Wow, that’s crazy. That’s respect right there. That’s love,” Jefferson said of his unanimous selection and second overall.

Jackson received 30 first-place votes to Allen’s 18, making the team for the second straight year and third overall. Peyton Manning (7) and Aaron Rodgers (4) are the only quarterbacks with more All-Pro nominations in the Super Bowl era than Jackson.

Linebacker Roquan Smith, slot cornerback Marlon Humphrey and fullback Patrick Ricard joined Jackson from the Ravens (12-5).

The NFC-leading Lions (15-2) had four players selected: wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell, safety Kerby Joseph and punter Jack Fox.

“They know what’s up,” said Joseph, who led the NFL with nine interceptions but was snubbed from the Pro Bowl.

Barkley, who ran for 2,005 yards in 16 games in his first season with the Eagles (14-3), and linebacker Zack Baun were Philadelphia’s first-team selections. Barkley sat out the final regular-season game with the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed instead of chasing Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old single-season rushing record.

Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett and 49ers linebacker Fred Warner were each chosen for the fourth time.

Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs became the first player selected at both tackle spots. Before 2016, the All-Pro roster included two tackles but didn’t differentiate between right or left side. Wirfs made it at right tackle in 2021. He switched positions in 2023.

“It’s pretty special,” Wirfs said. “It’s something I wanted to do, wanted to accomplish.”

Fourteen players are first-timers, including Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers. He got 27 first-place votes to George Kittle’s 22.

Chiefs center Creed Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney and Broncos right guard Quinn Meinerz round out the offense.

Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson, who led the league with 17 1/2 sacks, joined Garrett at edge rusher.

“That’s such a privilege and an honor,” Hendrickson said.

Kansas City’s Chris Jones and Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward are the interior linemen. Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Packers safety Xavier McKinney join Surtain, Humphrey and Joseph in the secondary.

“That’s a huge honor,” Surtain said. “That’s one of the accolades I definitely had goals for.”

Stingley, the No. 3 overall pick in 2022 chosen right before two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, rebounded from two-injury plagued seasons and played every game to help Houston win its second straight AFC South title.

“It’s really more about the secondary as a unit, how do we gel together when it comes to communication, when the ball is in the air and different types of things like that. I’d rather focus more on that than the personal,” Stingley said.

Steelers kicker Chris Boswell, Cowboys kick returner KaVontae Turpin, Broncos punt returner Marvin Mims Jr., Patriots special teams ace Brenden Schooler and Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola along with Fox are the special teams picks.

Jackson also was an All-Pro in 2019 and 2023. He was the NFL MVP both of those seasons and Baltimore had the AFC’s No. 1 seed both years but failed to reach the Super Bowl. Jackson got 30 first-place votes, Allen received 18 and Joe Burrow got two.

Ravens running back Derrick Henry received the two first-place votes that didn’t go to Barkley.

St. Brown (40), Thuney (41), Humphrey (44), Baun (44), Garrett (45) and Turpin (49) also had at least 40 of the 50 first-place votes.

This was the third year for the AP’s new voting system. Voters chose a first team and a second team. First-team votes are worth 3 points, second-team votes are worth 1.

First team

Offense

Quarterback — Lamar Jackson, Baltimore

Running Back — Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia

Fullback — Patrick Ricard, Baltimore

Tight End — Brock Bowers, Las Vegas

Wide Receivers — Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit

Left Tackle — Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay

Left Guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City

Center — Creed Humphrey, Kansas City

Right Guard — Quinn Meinerz, Denver

Right Tackle — Penei Sewell, Detroit

Defense

Edge Rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati

Interior Linemen — Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh; Chris Jones, Kansas City

Linebackers — Zack Baun, Philadelphia; Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore

Cornerbacks — Patrick Surtain II, Denver; Derek Stingley Jr., Houston

Slot cornerback — Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore

Safeties — Kerby Joseph, Detroit; Xavier McKinney, Green Bay

Special Teams

Placekicker — Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh

Punter — Jack Fox, Detroit

Kick Returner — KaVontae Turpin, Dallas

Punt Returner — Marvin Mims Jr., Denver

Special Teamer — Brenden Schooler, New England

Long Snapper — Andrew DePaola, Minnesota

___

Second team

Offense

Quarterback — Josh Allen, Buffalo

Running Back — Derrick Henry, Baltimore

Fullback — Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco

Tight End — George Kittle, San Francisco

Wide Receivers — Terry McLaurin, Washington; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas; A.J. Brown, Philadelphia

Left Tackle — Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia

Left Guard — Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis

Center — Frank Ragnow, Detroit

Right Guard — Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta

Right Tackle — Lane Johnson, Philadelphia

Defense

Edge Rushers — T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh; (asterisk)-Nik Bonitto, Denver, (asterisk)-Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota

Interior Linemen — Zach Allen, Denver; Jalen Carter, Philadelphia

Linebackers — Frankie Luvu, Washington; Bobby Wagner, Washington; Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis

Cornerbacks — Trent McDuffie, Kansas City; Christian Gonzalez, New England

Slot cornerback — Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers

Safeties — Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore; Budda Baker, Arizona

Special teams

Placekicker — Brandon Aubrey, Dallas

Punter — Logan Cooke, Jacksonville

Kick Returner — Austin Ekeler, Washington

Punt Returner — Kalif Raymond, Detroit

Special Teamer — J.T. Gray, New Orleans

Long Snapper — Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville

FROM STORIES TO WORK SHIRTS, HOW JIM HARBAUGH’S APPROACH HAS TURNED AROUND THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh’s football philosophy is rooted in being physical on both sides of the ball and wearing down an opponent.

However, when it comes to relating to his players, it is nothing but love, respect and adulation.

Like he did with the San Francisco 49ers and the University of Michigan, Harbaugh has turned around the fortunes of the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bolts finished 11-6 in the regular season — a six-win improvement — and are back in the playoffs, where they will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in an AFC wild-card round game.

“I just pretty much take on the personality of the team wherever I go,” Harbaugh said earlier this season. “The love Derwin James has for football, I gravitated to that immediately. The humble warrior Khalil Mack is, everything about Justin Herbert. The toughness, competitiveness and confidence of our players, I want to take on a little bit of that. I want a lot of that in my personality and in my life to keep going. It’s infectious.”

Harbaugh made an early impression on his new team. He participated in conditioning drills with players during offseason workouts. He also had players’ hometowns and recruiting rankings on their nameplates in the locker room to show how everyone got to the NFL.

Before the Sept. 8 opener against Las Vegas, players received a blue-collar work shirt from Harbaugh with an embroidered name patch and the Chargers lightning bolt logo. The shirts looked like those worn by filing station attendants and mechanics. Harbaugh said the shirts for him paid homage to his grandfather, Joe Cipiti, who worked in filling stations and was a self-taught mechanic who ended up teaching automobile mechanics at a trade school in Cleveland, but also to members of players’ families who worked in the same type of jobs.

“I feel like that galvanized the team a lot because growing up as a kid, I saw a lot of people in the community who were hard workers. They always had that nameplate and always represented who that person was,” James said. “Just to have that means a lot to us.”

Harbaugh has continued the motivational gifts throughout the season.

After a 17-13 victory over the Falcons on Dec. 1, players received a black metal lunch pail with their names and one of Harbaugh’s favorite words — stalwart — on the front. There were also sweatshirts with the date and score after the Chargers 34-27 victory over the Bengals in a prime-time game on Nov. 17 and the 40-7 win at New England on Dec. 28 that wrapped up a playoff spot.

“To some people, it may seem cheesy, but I enjoy those life gifts,” James said. “It’s been helping to set the culture. We wouldn’t be in the postseason without all the details and stuff we’ve done doing.”

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was also on Harbaugh’s staff at Stanford and San Francisco, said the area where Harbaugh has evolved the most has been relating his experiences as a player or a coach.

Roman said the stories from Harbaugh’s 15-year playing career or previous coaching stops can help reinforce the message at different points of the season.

Harbaugh’s stories — and there have been plenty — still resonate. Players still mention Harbaugh telling the story of remembering the day he was born on the first day of training camp as one of their favorites.

“This thing is always changing with the mood of the team; what just happened, and where are we in the season? I think it can create some great perspective and bring them into one vision instead of reading a line item on the PowerPoint,” Roman said. “With Jim, he has an art to his storytelling. There’s always a moral to the stories, always, like one of those After School specials when you were a kid.”

The player Harbaugh might have had the most enormous effect on is Herbert. Harbaugh has been Herbert’s biggest supporter from the time he was hired and catches passes from his quarterback during pregame warmups.

Harbaugh also spends plenty of time in the quarterback room watching film with Herbert.

“The things we’ve learned from him … I can’t tell you how much. So it’s cool to be able to share that and learn from him,” Herbert said.

NaVorro Bowman, who played for Harbaugh in San Francisco, has developed more of an appreciation for Harbaugh now that he is on his coaching staff with the Chargers.

Bowman knew Harbaugh loved football, but now he gets to see how much on a daily basis.

“Now I understand why he’s so good at what he does. He doesn’t waste a minute. I mean, if he can squeeze out everything in a minute, he will squeeze it out,” Bowman said. “I didn’t get to see or pay attention to it while playing. But now I understand why he’s so successful is because work is what he loves to do.”

Bowman also sees many similarities in the Chargers and the 2011 49ers, who went from 6-10 to 13-3 and reached the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.

“No one expected us to be where we are today, and the only way that happened is because everyone here treats everyone with respect, respects each other’s space, and grinds,” he said.

BROWNS QB DESHAUN WATSON REINJURES ACHILLES, HAS SURGERY AND WILL MISS ‘SIGNIFICANT’ TIME IN 2025

CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson’s already unstable future with the Browns is even shakier.

Watson may miss the entire 2025 season after Cleveland’s polarizing quarterback ruptured his Achilles tendon for the second time in three months and underwent another operation that could put his career in jeopardy.

The setback could end Watson’s unsteady stay with the Browns, who believed they had ended their decades-long search for a franchise quarterback when they signed the former Pro Bowler to a historic $230 million contract in 2022.

But things haven’t worked out — for either side — and the newest development could lead to a permanent separation between Watson and the team.

In a statement on Friday, the Browns said Watson felt discomfort in his leg after “rolling” his ankle while in Miami. He informed the team during a season-ending exit interview on Sunday. An MRI revealed a re-rupture and he had surgery on Thursday.

Watson has played in just 19 games in three seasons with Cleveland due to an NFL suspension and injuries. The team didn’t provide a specific timetable for his recovery, saying only that he will miss “significant time” in 2025.

The injury further clouds his connection to the Browns, who still owe him $92 million after signing him to the fully guaranteed contract in 2022.

Earlier this week, general manager Andrew Berry said Watson had a setback and the team was gathering more information.

The 29-year-old Watson was originally injured on Oct. 20 in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson had surgery five days later, and he had been away from the team rehabbing his injury when he got hurt again.

It’s not immediately known exactly how Watson hurt his Achilles the second time. The team has insurance that protects the contract. If he’s out for the season, the Browns can recoup some money and get salary-cap relief from the league.

The sides reworked Watson’s contract in December, adding void years at the end to give the Browns more financial flexibility.

Even before Watson’s second surgery, his tenure in Cleveland was cloudy — at best. The Browns’ massive investment in him — the historic contract and trading three first-round picks to the Houston Texans — hasn’t worked out.

One of the game’s most dynamic QBs while with the Texans, Watson missed the first 11 games in 2022 after an independent arbitrator determined that he had violated the league’s personal conduct policy. More than two dozen women accused Watson of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston.

Watson then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 after just six starts. The team signed free agent QB Joe Flacco, who led them to just their third playoff berth since 1999.

Watson recovered in time to start this past season, but played poorly in seven starts. He didn’t throw for 200 yards in any game and was one of the league’s lowest-ranked passers before rupturing his Achilles on a draw play against the Bengals.

As he laid on the field, some Browns fans cheered and that reaction didn’t sit well with several of Watson’s teammates.

Jameis Winston replaced Watson and started seven games before being benched. Second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson played in several games before the Browns started Bailey Zappe in last week’s season finale at Baltimore. Zappe was the 40th quarterback to start for the Browns since their expansion rebirth 25 years ago.

Watson’s injury aside, the Browns were expected to overhaul their QB position after finishing 3-14 and last in the AFC North.

They’ll have the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft and figure to consider Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward at that spot. The Browns are also expected to acquire a veteran QB either through free agency or a trade.

“I think the reality of it is that room will look different next year,” Berry said at his wrap-up news conference on Monday.

Now it’s not a given Watson will be in it.

REPORTS: COWBOYS, MIKE MCCARTHY DISCUSSING NEW DEAL

Mike McCarthy has not secured his spot as the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach in 2025, but the job is not yet vacant.

McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys expires Tuesday (Jan. 14) but the franchise maintains an exclusive negotiating window and owner Jerry Jones plans to open contract talks Friday with designs on retaining the coach, according to multiple reports.

The Cowboys denied a request from the Chicago Bears to interview McCarthy earlier this week and Jones said in December he expected other teams to show interest because of the coach’s resume and history developing quarterbacks.

McCarthy, 61, said he wants to return.

“I don’t know that I am considering making a change is really what I’m trying to say,” Jones said at the end of the regular season. “Mike’s one of the best coaches that I think there is. He was made the coach here because I thought that, and he’s done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach.”

Dallas won four of its final seven games despite a significant run of injuries to key personnel, including a season-ending injury to quarterback Dak Prescott and a month without top pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

McCarthy missed the playoffs for the second time as head coach of the Cowboys, who also failed to reach the postseason in his first season running the team in 2020. But he posted three consecutive 12-5 seasons before a 7-10 finish in 2024.

BUCCANEERS S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. CLEARED TO PLAY AFTER FOUR-GAME ABSENCE

Two starters in the secondary received the green light to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.

Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is set to return to the lineup for the first time after sitting out four consecutive games recovering from a knee injury and cornerback Jamel Dean plans to play after missing Week 18 with a knee injury, according to head coach Todd Bowles on Friday.

Winfield practiced without limitation all week. He had 60 tackles, two sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the nine games he played this season.

The Bucs aren’t as confident tight end Cade Otton, who missed the past three games, will be active but Bowles didn’t close the door on Otton’s return on Friday.

“Antoine and Jamel are fine. Cade is trending in the right way, we’ll see how he recovers,” Bowles said.

Otton caught 59 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.

Dean, who missed five regular-season games with injuries, allowed only one touchdown as the primary defender in pass coverage this season.

EAGLES QB JALEN HURTS CLEARS PROTOCOL, WILL START VS. PACKERS

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has cleared concussion protocol and will start the NFC wild-card playoff matchup against the visiting Green Bay Packers on Sunday, coach Nick Sirianni said Friday.

Hurts has been sidelined since suffering the head injury on Dec. 22 against the Washington Commanders. He returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion before taking on a full workload the following day.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Hurts completed 20 of 34 passes for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Packers in Brazil.

Hurts, 26, completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 2,903 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games this season. He also rushed for 630 yards and 14 scores.

NFL PLAYOFF PREVIEW

The NFL playoffs begin with Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon (Jan. 11-13), which for the fourth-consecutive year will conclude with a Monday night game.

All 14 teams that qualified for the postseason had at least 10 wins this season, marking the first time since 2012 that every postseason team won 10-or-more games.

The AFC No. 1 seed and back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) won the AFC West for the ninth-consecutive season and can become the first team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid has 26 postseason wins, the second-most in NFL history, and is one of five coaches all-time with three Super Bowl victories.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has 15 career postseason wins, trailing only Tom Brady (35 postseason wins) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (16) for the most postseason wins by a quarterback all-time. Mahomes ranks fifth in postseason touchdown passes (41) and eighth in postseason passing yards (5,135) entering the 2024 postseason.

Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce has the most receptions (165) and second-most receiving yards (1,903) and touchdown receptions (19) among all players in postseason history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (2,245 receiving yards, 22 touchdown receptions).

The Detroit Lions earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history after recording a franchise-record 15 wins this season. The Lions led the NFL with 33.2 points per game and their 564 points scored were the fourth-most in a season in NFL history.

Four teams – Denver, the Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota and Washington – qualified for the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2023. Since 1990 – a streak of 35 consecutive seasons (1990-2024) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before.

The Vikings, Chargers and Commanders each clinched playoff berths after finishing in last place or tied for last place in their divisions in 2023. In 26 of the past 29 seasons (1996-2024), at least one team has made the playoffs the season after finishing in last or tied for last place.

Washington (quarterback Jayden Daniels, No. 2 overall) and the Los Angeles Chargers (tackle Joe Alt, No. 5 overall) each made a top five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and qualified for the postseason. In six consecutive seasons (2019-24) and in 21 of the past 23 seasons (2002-24), a team that chose in the top five of the NFL Draft has qualified for the postseason.

There were two new division winners – Philadelphia (NFC East) and the Los Angeles Rams (NFC West) and there have been at least two new division winners in every season since 2003, a streak of 22 consecutive seasons. In the 23 seasons since realignment in 2002, 31 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once.

Eight of this season’s 14 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2000, capturing 13 of the past 24 Vince Lombardi Trophies, including each of the past five. Those teams are the Chiefs (LIV, LVII, LVIII), Buccaneers (XXXVII, LV), Ravens (XXXV, XLVII), Steelers (XL, XLIII), Broncos (50), Eagles (LII), Packers (XLV) and Rams (LVI).

The Green Bay Packers (.587) and Baltimore Ravens (.567) have the third- and fourth-highest postseason winning percentages in NFL history, while the Packers (37 wins) and Steelers (36) are two of the five teams with at least 35 postseason victories all-time.

Quarterback Breakdown: Eleven of the 14 expected starting quarterbacks in the 2024 postseason are under the age of 30, tied with 2000, 2022 and 2023 for the most in a postseason all-time.

Five of the quarterbacks in the 2024 playoffs have started at least one Super Bowl, with three having won at least one:
- Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of five quarterbacks to start and win at least three Super Bowl titles, joining Tom Brady (seven Super Bowl wins) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw (four), Joe Montana (four) and Troy Aikman (three). He is also one of three players ever to win three Super Bowl MVP awards, along with Brady (five) and Montana (three).
- Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will make his ninth career postseason start and led the Rams to the Super Bowl LVI title following the 2021 season. During the 2021 postseason, Stafford recorded 1,188 passing yards in four starts, the second-most passing yards in a single postseason all-time.
- Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson will make his 17th career postseason start and previously led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl XLVIII title following the 2013 season. He has 3,786 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes and a 95.3 rating in his first 16 postseason starts, all with Seattle.
- Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, who led the NFC and ranked second in the league in passing yards (4,629), passer rating (111.8) and completion percentage (72.4) during the 2024 regular season, can make his 10th career postseason appearance (ninth start) in the Divisional round. Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl LIII appearance following the 2018 season.
- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts can make his sixth career playoff start and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl LVII appearance following the 2022 season. He has 10 touchdowns (five passing, five rushing) in his playoff career.
The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft is responsible for four starting quarterbacks on Wild Card Weekend:
- Buffalo’s Josh Allen has 2,723 passing yards, 21 touchdown passes, 563 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns and one touchdown reception in his first 10 career playoff starts. Among quarterbacks with at least 10 playoff starts, Allen’s 328.6 combined passing and rushing yards per game is the highest in NFL history.
- Minnesota’s Sam Darnold will make his postseason debut after becoming the first quarterback to win 14 regular-season games in his first season with a team.
- Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is expected to make his seventh postseason start after recording 41 touchdown passes and four interceptions in the regular season, becoming the first player with at least 40 touchdown passes and fewer than five interceptions in a season in NFL history. Jackson has nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing) in his first six postseason starts, including rushing for at least 50 yards in five of six games.
- Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield can make his fifth career postseason start after registering career-highs in passing yards (4,500) and touchdown passes (41) in the regular season. He has 1,153 passing yards (288.3 per game) and 10 touchdown passes in his first four playoff starts.
Along with Hurts, two other members of the 2020 NFL Draft can start in the first round of the playoffs:
- Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert can make his second career postseason start after becoming the second player in NFL history with at least 500 passing attempts and three-or-fewer interceptions, joining Aaron Rodgers (2018 with Green Bay). He passed for 273 yards and one touchdown in his lone previous playoff appearance (2022 Wild Card at Jacksonville).
- Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love can make his third postseason start after helping lead the Packers to a victory on Wild Card Weekend last season, the first No. 7 seed to win a playoff game. He has multiple touchdown passes in each of his first two playoff appearances.
Three quarterbacks in their first or second season are expected to start on Wild Card Weekend:
- Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix are each expected to make their playoff debuts on the road. Only three rookie quarterbacks have won their first career playoff start on the road: Joe Flacco (2008 Wild Card with Baltimore at Miami), Mark Sanchez (2009 Wild Card with the New York Jets at Cincinnati) and Russell Wilson (2012 Wild Card with Seattle at Washington).
- Houston second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud will make his third career playoff start and can become the sixth quarterback to start a playoff game for a division-winning team in each of his first two seasons, joining Pat Haden (1976-77 with the Los Angeles Rams), Lamar Jackson (2018-19 with Baltimore), Bernie Koser (1985-86 with Cleveland), Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (1983-84 with Miami) and Brock Purdy (2022-23 with San Francisco).

Wild Card notes:

No. 5 L.A. Chargers (11-6) at No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7) (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+): The Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense (17.7 points per game allowed) and were one of four AFC teams to win at least six road games this season, along with Kansas City (seven road wins), Baltimore (six) and Cincinnati (six). Houston defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. (11 sacks) and Danielle Hunter (12) were the only pair of AFC teammates each with 11 sacks this season.
No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5) (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Ravens became the third team since 2000 to lead the NFL in both rushing offense (187.6 yards per game) and rushing defense (80.1 yards per game allowed), joining the 2007 Minnesota Vikings and 2001 Pittsburgh Steelers. Both Pittsburgh and Baltimore played on Saturday in Week 16, Wednesday in Week 17 and Saturday in Week 18 and will become the first teams to play four consecutive games on a day other than Sunday, including the postseason, since the 2005 Denver Broncos. The AFC North rivals split their 2024 regular-season meetings, with the Steelers defeating the Ravens, 18-16, in Week 11 in Pittsburgh and the Ravens earning a 34-17 win over the Steelers in Baltimore in Week 16.
No. 7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+): The Broncos led the NFL with 63 sacks and ranked third in scoring defense (18.3 points per game allowed) while the Bills allowed the fewest sacks (14) and ranked second with 30.9 points per game. It will mark the seventh postseason game since 1970 and second since 2000 between the team with the most sacks and the team to allow the fewest sacks in the regular season (last time: 2018 AFC Divisional playoffs on Jan. 12, Indianapolis at Kansas City).
No. 7 Green Bay (11-6) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes): The Eagles defeated the Packers, 34-29, on Kickoff Weekend in the first-ever regular-season game played in Brazil. Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley totaled 132 scrimmage yards (109 rushing, 23 receiving) and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the win, part of his NFL leading 2,283 scrimmage yards and 2,005 rushing yards, the eighth-most rushing yards in a season in NFL history. The 25 combined regular season wins between Philadelphia and Green Bay are the most ever in a Wild Card game.
No. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5) at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Universo): The Buccaneers defeated the Commanders, 37-20, in Week 1 at Raymond James Stadium as Baker Mayfield passed for four touchdowns in the win. Tampa Bay ranked fourth in scoring offense this season (29.5 points per game) while Washington ranked fifth (28.5). It will mark the first Wild Card game since 2020 to feature two teams that averaged over 28 points per game in the regular season
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at No. 4 L.A. Rams (10-7) (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC): The Rams defeated the Vikings, 30-20, at SoFi Stadium in Week 8 as Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in the victory. The last time the Rams and Vikings met in the postseason, it was the highest scoring NFC Divisional playoff game of all-time, a 49-37 win by the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 16, 2000, a game in which Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner threw five touchdown passes and four other Pro Football Hall of Famers (Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce and running back Marshall Faulk, and Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter and Randy Moss) each recorded at least 100 scrimmage yards and a scrimmage touchdown.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WILD CARD

Below are players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones during the 2024 Wild Card playoffs, including:

QB Jayden Daniels
QB Bo Nix
QB Josh Allen
QB Baker Mayfield
QB C.J. Stroud
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Derrick Henry
TE Mark Andrews
WR Puka Nacua
WR Cooper Kupp
DE Danielle Hunter

RUSHING QUARTERBACKS

Four of the top five quarterbacks in postseason rushing yards are active in the 2024 postseason:

PLAYER	TEAM	RUSH YARDS
Steve Young ^HOF	San Francisco	594
*Josh Allen*	*Buffalo*	563*
*Russell Wilson*	*Seattle*	527*
*Patrick Mahomes*	*Kansas City*	524*
*Lamar Jackson*	*Baltimore*	521*
*active in 2024 postseason

ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS

Washington’s Jayden Daniels (at Tampa Bay on Sunday night) and Denver’s Bo Nix (at Buffalo on Sunday) can each make their first career postseason start on the road on Wild Card Weekend. There has never been a postseason previously to feature multiple rookie quarterbacks winning a playoff game.

Daniels can become the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start and win 13 games, including the postseason, joining Ben Roethlisberger (14 wins in 2004), Joe Flacco (13 in 2008) and Dak Prescott (13 in 2016).
Nix can become the first rookie quarterback in NFL history with multiple touchdown passes in five consecutive road games, including the playoffs.
Only three rookie quarterbacks have won their first career playoff start on the road: Joe Flacco (2008 Wild Card with Baltimore at Miami), Mark Sanchez (2009 Wild Card with the New York Jets at Cincinnati) and Russell Wilson (2012 Wild Card with Seattle at Washington).
The rookies with at least 250 passing yards in their first career postseason start in NFL history: Brock Purdy (332 passing yards, 2022 Wild Card with San Francisco), Dak Prescott (302, 2016 Wild Card with Dallas), Andrew Luck (288, 2012 Wild Card with Indianapolis), C.J. Stroud (274, 2023 Wild Card with Houston) and Andy Dalton (257, 2011 Wild Card with Cincinnati).
The rookies with three touchdown passes in their first career postseason start in NFL history: Brock Purdy (2022 Wild Card with San Francisco), Dak Prescott (2016 Wild Card with Dallas) and C.J. Stroud (2023 Wild Card with Houston).
The rookies with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in their first career postseason start since the passer rating system was implemented in 1973: C.J. Stroud (157.2 passer rating, 2023 Wild Card with Houston), Mark Sanchez (139.4, 2009 Wild Card with N.Y. Jets), Brock Purdy (131.5, 2022 Wild Card with San Francisco) and Dak Prescott (103.2, 2016 Wild Card with Dallas).

JOSH ALLEN

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has 2,723 passing yards, 563 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns (21 passing, five rushing, one receiving) in 10 career playoff games and has totaled at least 250 combined passing and rushing yards in each of his past seven playoff starts.

On Sunday against Denver (1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), Allen can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway (eight consecutive games), Joe Flacco (eight) and Aaron Rodgers (eight) for the fourth-most consecutive playoff games with at least 250 combined passing and rushing yards in NFL history.

The players with the most consecutive postseason games with at least 250 combined passing and rushing yards in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM(S)	GAMES
Tom Brady	New England	12 (2014-18)
Patrick Mahomes	Kansas City	11 (2018-21)
Drew Brees	New Orleans	9 (2009-18)
John Elway ^HOF	Denver	8 (1986-89)
Joe Flacco	Baltimore, Cleveland	8 (2011-23)
Aaron Rodgers	Green Bay	8 (2015-2020)

*Josh Allen*	*Buffalo*	**7 (2020-23)***
*active streak

BAKER MAYFIELD

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, who recorded career highs in passing yards (4,500) and touchdown passes (41) this season, has 1,153 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes in four career playoff starts, including at least 300 passing yards and three touchdown passes in each of his 2023 postseason starts with Tampa Bay.

On Sunday night against Washington (8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Universo), Mayfield can join Josh Allen (three consecutive games with Buffalo) and Matt Ryan (three with Atlanta) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdown passes in three consecutive postseason games.

Mayfield can also become the seventh quarterback all-time with at least 300 passing yards in three of his first five career postseason starts, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Fouts (four games), Jim Kelly (three) and Kurt Warner (three) as well as Andrew Luck (three), Aaron Rodgers (three) and Matthew Stafford (three).

Mayfield, who also had three touchdown passes in his postseason debut with Cleveland during the 2020 Wild Card playoffs, can join Aaron Rodgers as the only players in NFL history with at least three touchdown passes in four of his first five career postseason starts.

C.J. STROUD

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for a total of 449 yards and three touchdowns with a 109.3 passer rating in his first two playoffs starts last year, including a Wild Card win in which he recorded the highest passer rating (157.2) by a rookie in his postseason debut all-time.

With a win against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), Stroud can become the sixth quarterback all-time to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons.

The quarterbacks to win a playoff game in each of their first two seasons in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	SEASONS
Joe Flacco	Baltimore	2008-09
Brock Purdy	San Francisco	2022-23
Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh	2004-05
Mark Sanchez	N.Y. Jets	2009-10
Russell Wilson	Seattle	2012-23

*C.J. Stroud*	*Houston*	2023*
*in second season

SAQUON BARKLEY

Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley led the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards during the regular season, the eighth-most rushing yards in a season all-time.

With 118 rushing yards against Green Bay on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes), Barkley can surpass Jamal Anderson (2,122 rushing yards in 1998 with Atlanta) for the fifth-most rushing yards by a player in a season, including the postseason, in NFL history.

The players with the most rushing yards in a season, including the postseason, in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	SEASON	RUSHING YARDS
Terrell Davis ^HOF	Denver	1998	2,476
Terrell Davis ^HOF	Denver	1997	2,331
Eric Dickerson ^HOF	L.A. Rams	1984	2,212
Adrian Peterson	Minnesota	2012	2,196
Jamal Anderson	Atlanta	1998	2,122

*Saquon Barkley*	*Philadelphia*	*2024*	2,005*
*entering Wild Card

DERRICK HENRY

Baltimore running back Derrick Henry, who ranked second in the NFL with 1,921 rushing yards during the regular season, has 732 rushing yards in seven career playoff games.

On Saturday night against Pittsburgh (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video), Henry can become the fifth player all-time with at least 800 rushing yards in his first eight career postseason games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Terrell Davis (1,140), John Riggins (946), Marcus Allen (896) and Emmitt Smith (801).

The players with the most rushing yards in their first eight postseason games in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	RUSHING YARDS
Terrell Davis ^HOF	Denver	1,140
John Riggins ^HOF	Washington	946
Marcus Allen ^HOF	L.A. Raiders	896
Emmitt Smith ^HOF	Dallas	801
Franco Harris ^HOF	Pittsburgh	744
*Derrick Henry*	*Tennessee*	732*
*in first seven playoff games

MARK ANDREWS

Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews led all tight ends with a career-high 11 touchdown receptions during the regular season and has a touchdown catch in each of his past six games.

With a touchdown reception on Wild Card Weekend, Andrews can become the fourth tight end all-time with a touchdown reception in seven consecutive games, including the postseason, joining Jimmy Graham (eight consecutive games from 2011-12), Rob Gronkowski (eight from 2014-15) and Travis Kelce (seven from 2021-22).

The tight ends with the most consecutive games with a touchdown reception, including the postseason, in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	SEASON(S)	GAMES
Jimmy Graham	New Orleans	2011-12	8
Rob Gronkowski	New England	2014-15	8
Travis Kelce	Kansas City	2021-22	7

*Mark Andrews*	*Baltimore*	*2024*	6*
*active streak

PUKA NACUA

In his postseason debut last year, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had nine receptions for 181 yards and one touchdown, the most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game in NFL history and the third-most receiving yards by a player in his playoff debut all-time.

On Monday night against Minnesota (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Nacua can join Anthony Carter (306 receiving yards) as the only players all-time with at least 300 receiving yards in their first two postseason games. Nacua can also become the sixth player in NFL history with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in each of his first two playoff games, joining Vernon Davis, Hakeem Nicks, Larry Fitzgerald, Sterling Sharp and Steve Smith Sr.

The players with the most receiving yards in their first two postseason games in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	REC. YARDS
Anthony Carter	Minnesota	306
Steve Smith Sr.	Carolina	298
Demaryius Thomas	Denver	297
Calvin Johnson ^HOF	Detroit	296
Vernon Davis	San Francisco	292

*Puka Nacua*	*L.A. Rams*	181*
*in first playoff game

COOPER KUPP

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has 50 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdown receptions in seven career postseason games, including 33 receptions and 478 yards during the Rams Super Bowl LVI championship run, the most receptions and second-most receiving yards by a player in a single postseason all-time.

On Monday night against Minnesota (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Kupp can become the third player in NFL history with at least 60 receptions in his first eight postseason games, joining Julio Jones (61 receptions) and Wes Welker (61). Kupp can also become the fifth player in NFL history with eight touchdown receptions in his first eight playoff games, joining Larry Fitzgerald (10) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss (nine), Fred Biletnikoff (eight) and Jerry Rice (eight).

The players with the most receptions in their first eight postseason games in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	RECEPTIONS
Julio Jones	Atlanta	61
Wes Welker	New England	61
Larry Fitzgerald	Arizona	53
*Cooper Kupp*	*L.A. Rams*	50*
Demaryius Thomas	Denver	50
*in first seven playoff games

DANIELLE HUNTER

Houston defensive end Danielle Hunter has a sack in each of his past four postseason games and can make his playoff debut with the Texans on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+).

With a sack on Wild Card Weekend, Hunter can become the seventh player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record a sack in five consecutive postseason games.

The players with the most consecutive postseason games with a sack since 1982:

PLAYER	TEAM(S)	GAMES
LaMarr Woodley	Pittsburgh	7 (2007-10)
Mark Gastineau	N.Y. Jets	6 (1982-86)
Frank Clark	Seattle, Kansas City	5 (2016-19)
Willie McGinest	New England	5 (2001-03)
Simeon Rice	Tampa Bay	5 (2001-05)
Bruce Smith ^HOF	Buffalo	5 (1992-93)

*Danielle Hunter*	*Minnesota*	**4 (2017-22)***
*active streak

###

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PLAYOFF CAPSULE: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-6 – NO. 5) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (10-7 – NO. 4)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: LAC leads series, 6-3 (HOU won 2 of past 3)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 10/2/22: LAC 34 at HOU 24

Postseason: —

CHARGERS NOTES:

CHARGERS seeking 1st playoff win since 2018. • QB JUSTIN HERBERT became 2nd player in NFL history (Aaron Rodgers in 2018) with 500+ atts. (504) & 3-or-fewer INTs (3) in a season in 2024. Aims for 5th in row with 2+ TD passes & 4th in row with 110+ rating. Has 10 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 106.8 rating over past 8 road starts. Has 335+ pass yards in each of 2 career starts vs. Hou. Has 21,093 career pass yards, most-ever by QB in 1st 5 seasons. • RB J.K. DOBBINS had career-high 1,058 scrimmage yards (905 rush, 153 rec.) in 2024 & tied career high with 9 rush TDs. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his 13 games this season. Had rush TD in his last game vs. Hou. (9/10/23 w/ Bal.). Has TD in 2 of 3 career playoff games, with 90+ scrimmage yards in each of past 2. • WR LADD MCCONKEY ranked 4th among rookies with 82 catches & 1,149 rec. yards in 2024, both most-ever by Chargers rookie. Aims for his 11th in row with 50+ rec. yards & his 8th in row with 5+ catches. • WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON set career highs in catches (55), rec. yards (711) & rec. TDs (8) this season. In Week 18, had career-high 113 catches & 186 rec. yards. • LB JOEY BOSA had 5 sacks in 2024, 8th-career season with 5+ sacks. Has half sack in each of 2 career games vs. Hou. • LB KHALIL MACK had 6 sacks in 2024 & is only player in NFL with 6+ sacks in each of past 10 seasons. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with sack. Has TFL in each of 4 career playoff games. Made 9th-career Pro Bowl in 2024. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY led team with career-high 142 tackles this season. • CB TARHEEB STILL ranked tied-2nd among rookies with 4 INTs in 2024. • S DERWIN JAMES led DBs with career-high 5.5 sacks in 2024. Has TFL in 5 of past 6. Had 7 tackles & 2 PD in last meeting. Has TFL in 2 of 3 career playoff games. Made 4th-career Pro Bowl this season.

TEXANS NOTES:

TEXANS clinched AFC South division title for 2nd-straight season. • QB C.J. STROUD became 7th QB all-time with 3,500+ pass yards & 20+ TD passes in each of 1st 2 seasons. Has 2 TD passes in 2 of past 3 at home. Had 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 109.3 in 2 playoff games last year & can become 6th QB ever to start & win playoff game in each of 1st 2 seasons. • RB JOE MIXON was 1 of 4 AFC RBs with 1,000+ rush yards (1,016) & 10+ rush TDs (11) this season, 5th-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. Is only player in NFL with 1,250+ scrimmage yards in each of past 4 seasons. Has rush TD in 2 of 3 career games vs. LAC. Has 582 scrimmage yards (83.1 per game) in 7 career playoff games. Selected to 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2024. • RB DAMEON PIERCE rushed for career-high 176 yards & TD in Week 18. • WR NICO COLLINS led team with 68 catches, 1,006 rec. yards & 7 rec. TDs in 2024 & selected to 1st-career Pro Bowl, 2nd-straight 1,000-yard season. Had 50+ rec. yards in 10 of his 12 games in 2024, ranking 4th in NFL with 83.8 rec. yards per game. Has TD catch in 6 of his past 7 at home, incl. playoffs. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ is 1 of 2 TEs (Travis Kelce) with 50+ catches & 500+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. Has rec. TD in 3 of his past 4 in playoffs. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER ranked tied-5th in NFL with 12 sacks in 2024, 6thcareer season with 10+ sacks. Has sack & FF in each of 2 career games vs. LAC. Can become 7th player since 1982 with sack in 5 straight playoff games. • DE WILL ANDERSON totaled career-high 11 sacks this season, as he & Hunter were 1 of 4 pair of teammates each with 10+ sacks. Aims for his 5th in row at home with 0.5+ sacks. Has TFL in each of 2 career playoff games. • CB DEREK STINGLEY ranked 2nd in NFL with career-high 18 PD in 2024. • S CALEN BULLOCK led rookies with 5 INTs this season.

PLAYOFF CAPSULE: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7 – NO. 6) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5 – NO. 3)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: PIT leads series, 33-25 (won 4 of past 5)

Postseason: PIT leads series, 3-1 (Home team won 3 of 4)

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/21/24: PIT 17 at BAL 34

Postseason: AFC-WC 1/3/15: BAL 30 at PIT 17

STEELERS NOTES:

STEELERS seeking 1st playoff win since 2016. • QB RUSSELL WILSON was 1 of 5 QBs with 15+ TD passes (16) & 5-or-fewer INTs (5) this season. Has 10 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 106.2 rating in 5 road starts this season, with 90+ rating in each start. Had 2 TD passes with 92.6 rating in Week 16 meeting. Is 9-7 in 16 career postseason starts & can become 9th starting QB in NFL history with 10 career playoff wins. Has 105+ rating in 3 of his past 4 playoff starts. • RB NAJEE HARRIS totaled 1,326 scrimmage yards (1,043 rush, 283 rec.) & 6 rush TDs in 2024 & is only player in NFL with 1,000+ rush yards & 6+ rush TDs in each of past 4 seasons. Has 90+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. Bal. • RB JAYLEN WARREN had 2nd-straight season with 800+ scrimmage yards (821) in 2024. Had 92 scrimmage yards (48 rush, 44 rec.) in Week 16 meeting. • WR GEORGE PICKENS led team with 900 rec. yards in 2024 & is 2nd player in franchise history (Santonio Holmes) with 800+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 seasons. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 8 catches for 89 yards in Week 11 meeting. • TE PAT FREIERMUTH had career-high 65 catches & tied career high with 7 rec. TDs this season. Has TD catch in 2 of past 3 on road. • LB T.J. WATT led NFL with 6 FFs & had 11.5 sacks in 2024, 6th-career season with 11+ sacks, tied-most since entering NFL in 2017. Has 2 sacks & FF in 2 of past 3 on road. Has 17 sacks in 16 career games vs. Bal., with 0.5+ sacks in 11 of his past 12. Has PD in each of 3 career playoff games, with TFL in 2 of 3. • LB PATRICK QUEEN led team with 129 tackles in 2024, 3rd-straight season with 115+ tackles. Had 8+ tackles in both games vs. Bal. this season. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH had 4th-straight season with 6+ sacks (6) in 2024. Has sack & FF in 2 of his past 3 vs. Bal. Aims for his 3rd in row in playoffs with sack. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD was only player in NFL with 10+ PD (11) & 5+ sacks (8) in 2024, 6th-career season with 8+ sacks. Had TFL in Week 16 meeting. • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK had 2 PD & INT in Week 16 meeting.

RAVENS NOTES:

RAVENS won AFC North for 2nd-straight year. Led NFL in total offense (424.9 yards per game) this season & ranked 3rd in scoring (30.5 points per game). • HC JOHN HARBAUGH has 12 playoff wins & can tie Mike Holmgren for 7th-most ever by HC. • QB LAMAR JACKSON became 1st player in NFL history with 4,000+ pass yards (4,172), 40+ TD passes (41) & fewer than 5 INTs (4) in a season. Had 125+ rating in 8 games, 125+ rating, 2nd-most in single-season all-time. Aims for 7th in row with 2+ TD passes. Had 3 TD passes with 115.4 rating in Week 16 meeting. Led QBs with 915 rush yards in 2024 & has most career rush yards ever by QB (6,173). Has 521 rush yards (86.8 per game) in 6 career playoff games, with 50+ rush yards in 5 of 6 games. • RB DERRICK HENRY ranked 2nd in NFL with 2,114 scrimmage yards (1,921 rush, 193 rec.) & tied-2nd with 18 TDs (16 rush, 2 rec.) in 2024, becoming 1st player in NFL history with 1,500+ rush yards & 15+ rush TDs in 3 career seasons. Aims for 4th in row with 160+ scrimmage yards. Had 189 scrimmage yards (162 rush, 27 rec.) in Week 16 meeting & has rush TD in 3 of his past 4 vs. Pit. Has 820 scrimmage yards (117.1 per game) & 4 rush TDs in 7 career playoff games. • WR ZAY FLOWERS led team with career-high 1,059 rec. yards this season. Had 5 catches for 100 yards in Week 16 meeting. Had 115 rec. yards in last playoff game. • TE MARK ANDREWS led TEs with career-high 11 rec. TDs in 2024. Can become 4th TE ever with TD catch in 7 straight games, incl. playoffs. • TE ISAIAH LIKELY has rec. TD in each of 3 career home games vs. Pit. • LB ROQUAN SMITH ranked tied-4th in NFL with 154 tackles in 2024, becoming 1st player since 2000 with 150+ tackles in 4 straight seasons. • LB KYLE VAN NOY ranked 4th in NFL with career-high 12.5 sacks this season. Aims for his 6th in row with sack. Had 1.5 sacks & FR in Week 16 meeting. • LB ODAFE OWEH had career-high 10 sacks this season Aims for 3rd in row with sack. • CB MARLON HUMPHREY had career-high 6 INTs with 15 PD in 2024. Aims for 4th in row with PD. Had INT in both games vs. Pit. this season. • S KYLE HAMILTON had 8 tackles, FF & PD in Week 16 meeting.

PLAYOFF CAPSULE: DENVER BRONCOS (10-7 – NO. 7) AT BUFFALO BILLS (13-4 – NO. 2)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: BUF leads series, 22-17-1 (won 3 of past 4)

Postseason: BUF leads series, 1-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 11/13/23: DEN 24 at BUF 22

Postseason: AFC-C 1/12/92: DEN 7 at BUF 10

BRONCOS NOTES:

BRONCOS clinched playoffs for 1st time since 2015, when team won SB 50. • HC SEAN PAYTON can become 19th head coach all-time with 10+ playoff wins. • QB BO NIX led rookies with 376 completions, 29 TD passes & 3,775 pass yards this season, 3rd-most completions & 2nd-most TD passes by rookie in NFL history. Became 1st rookie ever with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs in 7 games. Has 2+ TD passes in 7 of past 8, incl. each of past 4. Aims for 5th in row on road with 90+ rating. Can become 1st Den. rookie QB to start playoff game. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS had 3rd-career season with 850+ scrimmage yards (859). Ranked tied-6th among RBs with career-high 52 catches in 2024. Had 110 scrimmage yards (79 rush, 31 rec.) & TD catch in last meeting. • RB AUDRIC ESTIME (rookie) has rush TD in 2 of past 3. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON led team with 81 catches for 1,081 yards & 8 TDs this season, 2nd-career 1,000-yard season & 1st since 2019. Has rec. TD in 3 of past 4. Has 50+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8 on road. Had TD catch in last meeting. • WR MARVIN MIMS aims for 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 2 rec. TDs. • LB NIK BONITTO ranked 3rd in NFL with career-high 13.5 sacks, 5th Den. player since 1982 with 13.5+ sacks in a season. Had 2 sacks in Week 18. • LB JONATHON COOPER had career-best 10.5 sacks in 2024 & he & Bonitto were 1 of 4 pair of teammates each with 10+ sacks. Aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB CODY BARTON had 3rd-straight season with 100+ tackles (104). • DE JOHN FRANKLIN-MYERS had 7 sacks in 2024 & has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of past 4. • CB PAT SURTAIN II led team with 11 PD & 4 INTs in 2024 & is 1 of 2 in NFL (Denzel Ward) with 10+ PD in each of past 4 seasons. • S BRANDON JONES led team & ranked 5th among all DBs with career-high 115 tackles this season. Has 9+ tackles in 3 of past 4.

BILLS NOTES:

BILLS clinched AFC East division title for 5th-straight year & aiming for playoff win in 5th-straight season. Went 8-0 at home for 3rd time ever. • QB JOSH ALLEN made 3rd-career Pro Bowl & had 40 combined pass & rush TDs in 2024 (28 pass, 12 rush), joining Aaron Rodgers as only players ever with 40+ combined TDs in 5+ seasons. Had 22 TDs (17 pass, 5 rush) vs. 3 INTs in 8 home starts this season. Is 5-2 with 20 TDs (15 pass, 5 rush) vs. 3 INTs & 104 rating in 7 career home playoff starts, with rush TD in each of past 3. • RB JAMES COOK tied for NFL lead with 16 rush TDs this season, tied with HOFer O.J. Simpson (1975) for most in a season in franchise history. Has rush TD in 7 of past 8, incl. each of past 4. Rushed for 109 yards in last meeting. Had 80+ scrimmage yards in each of 2 playoff games last season. • WR KHALIL SHAKIR led team with career highs in catches (76) & rec. yards (821) this season. Had TD catch in each of 2 playoff games last season. • WR AMARI COOPER is 1 of 5 in NFL with 500+ rec. yards in each of past 10 seasons. Aims for his 5th in row in playoffs with 55+ rec. yards. • TE DAWSON KNOX ranks tied-5th all-time among TEs with 6 career playoff rec. TDs. • DE GREG ROUSSEAU led team with career-high 16 TFL & 8 sacks this season. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3. Had sack in last meeting. • DT ED OLIVER has sack & FF in 2 of his past 3. Has sack in 2 of 3 career games vs. Den. Led all DTs with career-high 3 FFs in 2024. • LB VON MILLER had 12th-career season with 5+ sacks (6). Has 10.5 career playoff sacks. • LB TERREL BERNARD had 6+ tackles in each of his 7 home games this season. Had 13 tackles & sack in last meeting. • LB DORIAN WILLIAMS led team with career-best 113 tackles in 2024. • CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD had team-high 10 PD this season & has PD in 5 of his past 6.

PLAYOFF CAPSULE: GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6 – NO. 7) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3 – NO. 2)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: GB leads series, 27-17 (PHI won 3 of past 4)

Postseason: PHI leads series, 2-1 (Home team won 2 of past 3)

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 9/6/24: GB 29 vs. PHI 34

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/9/11: GB 21 at PHI 16

PACKERS NOTES:

PACKERS qualified for postseason for 5th time in past 6 seasons. In 2023, became 1st No. 7 seed ever to win playoff game. • QB JORDAN LOVE passed for 3,389 yards & 25 TDs with 96.7 rating in 2024, 1 of 2 (Jared Goff) with 25+ TD passes & 95+ rating in each of past 2 seasons. Has 5 TD passes vs. 2 INTs for 108.6 rating in 2 career playoff starts. Aims for his 3rd in row in playoffs with 2+ TD passes. Passed for 260 yards & 2 TDs in Week 1 vs. Phi. in Brazil. • RB JOSH JACOBS ranked tied-5th in scrimmage TDs (career-high 16) & 6th in scrimmage yards (1,671) & rush yards (1,329) in 2024. Had rush TD in each of his final 8 reg. season games. Had 127 scrimmage yards (83 rush, 44 rec.) in his only career playoff game (2021 AFC-WC w/ LV at Cin.). Had 104 scrimmage yards (84 rush, 20 rec.) in Week 1 vs. Phi. in Brazil. • WR JAYDEN REED led team with 55 receptions & 857 rec. yards & career-high 1,020 scrimmage yards in 2024. Is only player with 50+ catches, 700+ rec. yards & 100+ rush yards in each of past 2 seasons. Had career-high 171 scrimmage yards (138 rec., 33 rush) & 2 TDs (1 rec., 1 rush) in Week 1 meeting. • WR ROMEO DOUBS has 10 catches for 234 yards (117 per game) & rec. TD in 2 career playoff games. Had 50 rec. yards in Week 1 meeting. • WR DONTAYVION WICKS had career-high 5 rec. TDs in 2024. • TE TUCKER KRAFT had career highs in catches (50), rec. yards (707) & rec. TDs (7) in 2024. • DL RASHAN GARY led team in sacks (7.5) & had career-high 9 TFL in 2024. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Phi. with sack. • LB QUAY WALKER led team with 102 tackles in 2024. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 11+ tackles. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER led team & all rookies with 13 TFL in 2024. • S JAVON BULLARD (85 tackles) & Cooper (77) were only pair of rookie teammates each with 75+ tackles in 2024. Bullard had 11 tackles in NFL debut in Week 1 meeting. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY ranked 2nd in NFL with career-high 8 INTs. Has 4 INTs in 5 career games vs. Phi. Had sack & FF in his last playoff game (2022 NFC-D w/ NYG at Phi.).

EAGLES NOTES:

EAGLES won 14 games & NFC East for 2nd time in 3 seasons. • QB JALEN HURTS passed for 2,903 yards & 18 TDs with 103.7 rating & rushed for 630 yards & 14 TDs in 2024, incl. 9 games with both pass TD & rush TD. Has 10 TDs (5 pass, 5 rush) in 5 career playoff starts. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. GB with 300+ combined pass & rush yards & 2+ TD passes. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY led NFL with career highs in scrimmage yards (2,283) & rush yards (2,005), 8th-most rush yards in single season in NFL history. Has 191 scrimmage yards (95.5 per game) & 2 rush TDs in 2 career playoff games. Has 454 scrimmage yards (113.5 per game) & 6 TDs (5 rush, 1 rec.) in 4 career games vs. GB, incl. 100+ scrimmage yards in each game. • WR A.J. BROWN had 67 catches for 1,079 yards & 7 rec. TDs in 2024 & became 5th player ever with 1,000+ rec. yards & 7+ rec. TDs in 5 of his 1st 6 career seasons. Has rec. TD in 3 of his past 5 postseason games. Had 119 rec. yards & rec. TD in Week 1 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. GB with TD catch. • WR DEVONTA SMITH had career-high 8 rec. TDs in 2024, incl. TD catch in 6 of his past 7 home games. Aims for his 3rd playoff game in row with 7+ catches & 100+ rec. yards. Had 7 catches for 84 yards in Week 1 meeting in Brazil. • TE DALLAS GOEDERT has 5+ catches in 5 of his past 6 playoff games. • LB ZACK BAUN set career highs in tackles (150), TFL (11), FFs (5, tied 2nd-most in NFL), PD (4) & sacks (3.5) in 2024. Had 15 tackles & 2 sacks in Week 1 meeting. • LB NAKOBE DEAN had career-high 128 tackles in 2024, incl. 10+ tackles in 5 of his past 6. Had 2 TFL & PD in Week 1 meeting. • LB NOLAN SMITH had career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024. • DT JALEN CARTER led team with career-high 12 TFL this season. • CB DARIUS SLAY led team with 13 PD in 2024. Has 12 PD in 17 career games vs. GB • CB QUINYON MITCHELL had 12 PD in 2024, 4th-most among rookies. • CB COOPER DEJEAN led all rookies & tied-1st among DBs with 3 FRs in 2024. • S C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON ranked tied-3rd with 6 INTs in 2024, incl. 4 INTs in his past 4.

PLAYOFF CAPSULE: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5 – NO. 6) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7 – NO. 3)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: WAS leads series, 12-11 (won 3 of past 4)

Postseason: TB leads series, 2-1 (Away team won past 2)

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 9/8/24: WAS 20 at TB 37

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/9/21: TB 31 at WAS 23

COMMANDERS NOTES:

COMMANDERS made playoffs for 1st time since 2020 & won 12 games for 1st time since 1991 (14-2, won SB XXVI). • QB JAYDEN DANIELS had most rush yards (891), highest comp. pct (69 pct.), 3rd-most wins (12), 4th-highest passer rating (100.1), 4th-most pass & rush yards combined (4,459), 4th-most pass & rush TD combined (31) & 6th-most TD passes (25) by rookie QB all-time. Had 272 yards (184 pass, 88 rush) & 2 rush TDs in Week 1 meeting. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON had career-high 799 rush yards & 8 rush TDs in 2024. Had 89 scrimmage yards (49 rec., 40 rush) & rush TD in Week 1 meeting. • RB AUSTIN EKELER had 733 scrimmage yards (367 rush, 366 rec.) in 12 games in 2024, incl. 50+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his 6 road games. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 82 catches for 1,096 yards & career-high & franchise-record 13 rec. TD in 2024. Is 1 of 2 (Davante Adams) with 75+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. Had 6 catches for 75 yards in his only career playoff game (2020 NFC-WC vs. TB). • TE ZACH ERTZ had 7th-career season with 60+ catches, 6th-most among TEs all-time. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 6 playoff games. • LB BOBBY WAGNER led team with 132 tackles in 2024. Has 153 tackles (9.6 per game) in 16 career playoff games. Had 10 tackles & 3 TFL in Week 1 meeting. • LB FRANKIE LUVU became 2nd player since 2000 (James Harrison – 2010) with 95+ tackles (99), 10+ TFL (12), 8+ sacks (career-high 8) & 5+ PD (career high 7) in single season. • LB DANTE FOWLER led team with 10.5 sacks & 14 TFL in 2024. • DT DORANCE ARMSTRONG had 4th-straight season with 5+ sacks. • DT DARON PAYNE had 2 sacks & FF in his only career playoff game (2020 NFC-WC vs. TB). • DT JONATHAN ALLEN had 3 sacks in 8 games, incl. sack in Week 18. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL led all rookies with 14 PD & ranked 2nd with 90 tackles. • S JEREMY CHINN had 107 tackles, career-high 7 TFL & 5 PD in 2024.

BUCS NOTES:

BUCCANEERS won NFC South for 4th-consecutive season. • QB BAKER MAYFIELD ranked tied-2nd in TD passes (career-high 41) & completions (career-high 407), 3rd in pass yards (career-high 4,500) & 4th in rating (career-high 106.8) in 2024. Has 1,153 pass yards (288.3 per game) & 10 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 100.4 rating in 4 career playoff starts, incl. 325+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes in each of his 2 postseason starts with TB in 2023 playoffs. Passed for 289 yards & 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 146.4 rating in Week 1 meeting. • RB BUCKY IRVING led all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,514), rush yards (1,122) & rush TDs (8) in 2024 & became 1st rookie RB since 2018 (Saquon Barkley) with 3 games of 150+ scrimmage yards. • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 51 catches, 1,006 scrimmage yards (613 rush, 393 rec.) & 9 TDs (career-high 6 rec., 3 rush) in 2024 & is 1 of 2 RBs (Alvin Kamara) with 50+ receptions in each of past 3 seasons. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in each of his 1st 3 career playoff games. Had 106 scrimmage yards (75 rec., 31 rush) in Week 1 meeting. • WR MIKE EVANS became 2nd player ever (HOFer Jerry Rice) with 1,000+ rec. yards in 11 straight seasons. Has 25 catches for 547 yards (109.4 per game) & 6 rec. TDs in 5 career games vs. Was., incl. 2 rec. TDs in Week 1 meeting. Has 45 catches for 709 yards (78.8 per game) & 5 rec. TDs in 9 career playoff games, incl. 4 games with 100+ rec. yards. • WR JALEN MCMILLAN ranked tied-2nd among rookies with 8 rec. TD & had TD catch in each of final 5 weeks of reg. season. • LB LAVONTE DAVID was only player with 100+ tackles (122), 5+ sacks (5.5), 5+ TFL (9) & 5+ PD (6) in 2024, his 12th-career 100+ tackle season. • LB YAYA DIABY led team with career-high 13 TFL, incl. career-high 4 TFL in Week 18. • NT VITA VEA (10 TFL, 7 sacks) & DL CALIJAH KANCEY (11 TFL, 7.5 sacks) were 1 of 4 pairs of DL teammates each with 10+ TFL & 7+ sacks in 2024. • CB ZYON MCCOLLUM ranked tied-3rd in NFL with career-high 17 PD. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. had 60 tackles (6.7 per game) in 9 games in 2024. Has 44 tackles, 3 PD, 3 TFL, 2 FFs, FR, INT & sack in 8 career playoff games.

PLAYOFF CAPSULE: MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3 – NO. 5) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7 – NO. 4)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: MIN leads series, 22-17-2 (LAR won past 3)

Postseason: MIN leads series, 5-2 (LAR won 2 of past 3)

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 10/24/24: MIN 20 at LAR 30

Postseason: NFC-D 1/16/00: MIN 37 at STL 49

VIKINGS NOTES:

VIKINGS ranked tied-1st in takeaways (33), tied-4th in sacks (49) & 5th in scoring defense (19.5 points per game allowed) in 2024. • QB SAM DARNOLD became 1st starting QB ever to win 14 games in his 1st season with team. Ranked 5th in pass yards (career-high 4,319) & pass TDs (career-high 35) & 6th in rating (career-high 102.5) in 2024. Became 4th player ever with 12+ games (12) with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in single season. Can make 1st career playoff start. Passed for 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 128.8 rating in Week 8 meeting. • RB AARON JONES had 51 catches, 1,546 scrimmage yards (career-high 1,138 rush, 408 rec.) & 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.) in 2024, his 3rd-career 1,500-yard season. Has 713 scrimmage yards (101.9 per game) & 8 TDs (7 rush, 1 rec.) in 7 career playoff games, incl. 100+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 postseason games. Had 95 scrimmage yards (58 rush, 37 rec.) in Week 8 meeting. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON ranked 2nd in rec. yards (1,533), 6th in catches (103) & tied6th in rec. TDs (10) in 2024 & became 5th player ever with 3 career seasons of 100+ catches & 1,500+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with 8+ catches & 115+ rec. yards. Had 7 catches in his only career playoff game (2022 NFC-WC vs. NYG). • WR JORDAN ADDISON became the 3rd WR since 1990 (Odell Beckham Jr. & HOFer Randy Moss) with 10+ scrimmage TDs in each of 1st 2 seasons. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON had 10 catches for 129 yards in his only career playoff game (2022 NFC-WC vs. NYG). • LB BLAKE CASHMAN was only LB with 100+ tackles (career-high 111), 8+ TFL (8) & 8+ PD (career-high 8) in 2024. Had career-high 4.5 sacks this season. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL (career highs 11.5 sacks & 18 TFL) & LB JONATHAN GREENARD (12 sacks & career-high 18 TFL) each ranked tied-4th in NFL in TFL & became 1st pair of teammates since 2000 each with 11+ sacks & 18+ TFL in same season. • CB BYRON MURPHY ranked tied-3rd in NFL with career-high 6 INTs & led team with career-high 14 PD. Had 2 PD, INT & TFL in Week 8 meeting. • S JOSH METELLUS is 1 of 3 DBs with 100+ tackles & 5+ PD in each of past 2 seasons. • S HARRISON SMITH & S CAM BYNUM became 1st DB teammates since 2012 each with 85+ tackles, 10+ PD & 3+ INTs in same season.

RAMS NOTES:

RAMS won NFC West for 1st time since 2021 & made playoffs for 6th time in 8 seasons under HC Sean McVay, who previously led team to SB LVI win (2021 season) & SB LIII appearance (2018 season). • QB MATTHEW STAFFORD had 12th-career season with 3,500+ pass yards & 20+ TD passes in 2024. Has 2,463 pass yards (307.9 per game) & 18 TDs (15 pass, 3 rush) with 101.7 rating in 8 career postseason starts, most pass yards per game all-time by QB with 5+ career playoff starts. Has 2+ TD passes in each of his 5 playoff starts with LAR. Has 5,652 pass yards & 36 TD passes in 23 starts vs. Min. (most vs. any opponent), incl. 4 TD passes & 124.5 rating in Week 8 meeting. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had career-highs in scrimmage yards (1,481), rush yards (1,299) & TDs (16) & became 3rd player since 2000 (Shaun Alexander & HOFer LaDainian Tomlinson) with 1,300+ scrimmage yards & 15+ TDs in 2 of his 1st 3 career seasons. Had 5 catches, 116 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 19 rec.) & TD catch in Week 8 meeting. • WR PUKA NACUA had 79 catches for 990 yards & 3 TDs in 11 games in 2024 & was 1 of 3 (Ja’Marr Chase & Justin Jefferson) to average 90+ rec. yards per game this season. Had 9 catches for 181 yards & TD in his only career playoff game (2023 WC at Det.), 3rd-most rec. yards ever by player in playoff debut. • WR COOPER KUPP has 652 rec. yards (93.1 per game) & 7 rec. TDs in 7 career playoff games, 3rd-most postseason rec. average among players with 5+ playoff games. Had 33 catches for 478 yards in 2021 postseason, most catches & 2nd-most rec. yards in single postseason all-time & was named SB LVI MVP. • DE BRADEN FISKE (10 TFL & rookie-high 8.5 sacks) & LB JARED VERSE (11 TFL & 4.5 sacks) became 3rd pair of rookie teammates since 2000 each with 10+ TFL. • DE KOBIE TURNER had 8 sacks & career-high 10 TFL this season. • LB BYRON YOUNG had 7.5 sacks & career-high 12 TFL in 2024. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM led team with career-high 133 tackles in 2024. • LB OMAR SPEIGHTS led all rookies with 66 tackles between Weeks 8-18. • S KAM CURL had career-high 9 PD in 2024. • S KAMREN KINCHENS & S JAYLEN MCCOLLOUGH became 1st pair of rookie teammates in SB era each with 4+ INTs & INT-TD.

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

JA’KOBI GILLESPIE SCORES 27 AS MARYLAND WHIPS NO. 22 UCLA

Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 16 of his career-high 27 points in the first half to put Maryland in charge on its way to a 79-61 victory over No. 22 UCLA in Big Ten play on Friday night in College Park, Md.

Julian Reese produced 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Terrapins (12-4, 2-3 Big Ten) ended a two-game slide and got their first win this year over a ranked team.

Selton Miguel scored nine of his 11 points in the second half for the Terrapins who took the lead midway through the first half and held it the rest of the way.

The Maryland defense forced UCLA to commit 21 turnovers. Gillespie had four steals as the Terrapins scored 26 points off the Bruins’ mistakes.

Tyler Bilodeau delivered 18 points for slumping UCLA (11-5, 2-3), which lost its third straight and fourth in its last five games. The lone win was against powerhouse Gonzaga.

The Bruins’ frustration showed with 5:11 left as coach Mick Cronin drew two technical fouls and an ejection. Gillespie followed with four free throws to push Maryland’s lead to 64-51.

In the final 4:01, Gillespie and Miguel drained 3-pointers as the Terrapins turned it into a runaway.

Trent Perry scored 10 points for the Bruins, who shot 41.5 percent from the floor and made 6-of-18 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range.

Meanwhile, the Terrapins made 54 percent of their shots and 7-of-19 (36.8 percent) from deep.

In the first half, UCLA bolted to an early lead before Maryland staged an 11-point burst that included two baskets from Gillespie and a three-point play from Derik Queen as the Terrapins grabbed a 20-13 lead.

A 9-2 Maryland spree, which Gillespie started with a triple and finished with a traditional three-point play, gave the Terrapins their biggest lead of the half at 38-28.

In the final 2:01 of the half, 3-pointers by Perry and Lazar Stefanovic helped UCLA slice the deficit to 40-36 at the break. But the Bruins got no closer in the second half.

NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: NUGGETS ROUT NETS BEHIND TWO TRIPLE-DOUBLES

Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds, Russell Westbrook added 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-105 on Friday.

Jokic recorded his league-leading 15th triple-double of the season and the 145th of his career after missing the previous two games due to an illness. It was the second time this season Jokic and Westbrook registered triple-doubles in the same game.

Westbrook holds the NBA record with 202. Three of them have come this season for Denver, which has won six its past eight games. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray didn’t play in the second half due to left knee soreness.

Keon Johnson scored 22 points and Tyrese Martin had 19 for the Nets, who have lost four in a row and seven of eight.

Thunder 126, Knicks 101

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points and Isaiah Joe had a season-high 31 points off the bench as visiting Oklahoma City routed New York.

The Thunder, whose franchise-record 15-game winning streak was snapped in a 129-122 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, led by as many as 30 points in the second half as they beat the Knicks for the second time in a week.

Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Josh Hart (16 points, 13 rebounds) each had a double-double for the Knicks, who have lost four of five since a nine-game winning streak. Jalen Brunson scored 27 points.

Pacers 108, Warriors 96

Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam combined for 50 points while missing just six shots and Indiana held off short-handed Golden State for a victory in Indianapolis.

Haliburton and Siakam shared game-high scoring honors with 25 points apiece for the Pacers, who won a fifth straight game and completed a two-game season-series sweep of the Warriors. Bennedict Mathurin paired 21 points with a team-high 10 rebounds for Indiana.

Pat Spencer had a career-high 17 points for the Warriors, who were playing the second night of a back-to-back without six regulars, including Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga.

Bucks 109, Magic 106

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 14 rebounds, helping lead visiting Milwaukee to a win over Orlando.

Damian Lillard added 29 points, while Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton contributed 11 apiece off the bench as the Bucks won their third straight.

In his first appearance since Oct. 30 due to an oblique injury, Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 34 points. Cole Anthony scored 18 as the Magic lost their fourth game in six tries.

Kings 114, Celtics 97

Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and a career-high 28 rebounds to help visiting Sacramento extend its winning streak to six games by beating Boston.

Sabonis became the first player to grab more than 24 rebounds in a game at TD Garden. Sacramento had a 56-43 rebounding edge in the win. DeMar DeRozan tossed in 24 points for the Kings, who received 22 from Malik Monk and 19 from Keegan Murray.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 28 points, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jayson Tatum had 15 points and 12 rebounds but committed eight turnovers.

Pelicans 123, 76ers 115

CJ McCollum scored 38 points as short-handed New Orleans opened a three-game road trip with a 123-115 victory over Philadelphia.

Five other Pelicans scored in double figures, including Jordan Hawkins (21 points) and Dejounte Murray (17 points, 10 rebounds). New Orleans played without Zion Williamson after he was suspended by the team for one game. The Pelicans also played without Brandon Ingram (ankle), Trey Murphy III (ankle) and Herb Jones (shoulder).

The Sixers took the court without Joel Embiid (foot), although they did welcome back Paul George (groin), who scored 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey had 30 points and 12 assists for Philadelphia.

Bulls 138, Wizards 105

Zach LaVine scored 33 points and Nikola Vucevic added 23 points with 13 rebounds as Chicago extended its home winning streak to four games with a victory over Washington.

Coby White and Jalen Smith each scored 15 points and Josh Giddey added 12 points with 13 rebounds and seven assists for Chicago. The Bulls won for the fifth time in the past seven games overall and avenged a 125-107 loss at Washington on New Year’s Day.

Jordan Poole scored 22 points for the Wizards and went 6-of-9 from 3-point range after missing the past three games and five of the past seven contests with a left hip contusion. Jared Butler scored 18 points as the Wizards lost their fifth consecutive game.

NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: NICK SUZUKI, HABS NIP CAPS IN OT

Nick Suzuki scored with 3:45 left in overtime to lift the visiting Montreal Canadiens over the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Friday night.

Cole Caufield scored in his fifth consecutive game for Montreal and assisted on Suzuki’s fifth game-winning goal of the season. Josh Anderson added a short-handed goal and rookie Jakub Dobes stopped 15 shots to help the Canadiens notch their third straight win.

Jakob Chychrun and Lars Eller scored for Washington, which went beyond regulation for the third straight game (1-0-2). Logan Thompson made 18 saves in relief of Charlie Lindgren, who exited after being struck in the head during a collision with Suzuki early in the second period.

Eller tallied 1:54 into the third period to tie the game 2-2. In the extra session, Suzuki and Caufield had a two-on-one breakaway, and as the loose puck went toward the crease, Suzuki chipped it over Thompson for the game-winner.

Kings 2, Jets 1 (OT)

Adrian Kempe scored at 1:14 of overtime to lift visiting Los Angeles to a win against Winnipeg in the opener of a five-game road trip.

Kempe brought the puck down the left side and scored with a wrist shot from the left circle for the seventh regular-season overtime goal of his career. Kempe also assisted on Alex Turcotte’s goal, and Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves for the Kings, who have won five in a row.

Mark Scheifele scored and Eric Comrie made 21 saves for the Jets, who have dropped four of five (1-2-2).

Red Wings 5, Blackhawks 3

Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond and Marco Kasper had a goal and an assist apiece as host Detroit extended its winning streak to six games by topping Chicago.

Detroit’s Patrick Kane registered three assists and Albert Johansson netted his first career goal. Andrew Copp also scored for the Red Wings, and Cam Talbot made 12 saves.

Teuvo Teravainen scored two third-period goals and Ryan Donato added the other tally for the Blackhawks. Connor Bedard extended his point streak to nine games with a first-period assist, and Petr Mrazek made 23 saves as Chicago fell for the seventh time in nine games.

Hurricanes 2, Canucks 0

Jordan Staal scored again and Dustin Tokarski needed only 14 saves as Carolina defeated Vancouver in Raleigh, N.C.

Andrei Svechnikov also posted a goal for the Hurricanes, who won on back-to-back nights. Staal’s goal pushed his season total to nine just about 24 hours after his hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The captain also assisted on Svechnikov’s goal.

The Canucks, who were shutout victims for the third time this season and the second time in their last four games, have a four-game losing streak. Thatcher Demko stopped 18 shots in the latest defeat.

Utah 2, Sharks 1

Barrett Hayton scored with 1:32 remaining to give the Utah Hockey Club a comeback victory over San Jose in Salt Lake City.

Nick Schmaltz also scored for Utah, which snapped a two-game skid (0-1-1) and went into the clash with only one victory in eight outings (1-5-2). Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves in a tight-checking, low-event affair.

Fabian Zetterlund replied for the Sharks, who have dropped two straight games and have only two victories in 12 games (2-9-1). Alexandar Georgiev stopped 24 shots.

BASEBALL NEWS

ATHLETICS SELL ALL SEASON TICKETS FOR INAUGURAL YEAR AT 14,000-SEAT BALLPARK IN WEST SACRAMENTO

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics should expect to play in front of packed houses at Sutter Health Park this season.

The team announced Friday that it has sold all its season tickets for home games inside the 14,000-seat venue in West Sacramento. It’s unclear, though, how many season tickets the A’s were selling in those packages.

The A’s say single-game tickets and single-game luxury suites go on sale next week. The team’s home opener is set for March 31 against the Chicago Cubs.

The A’s plan to spend three seasons in the Sacramento area before relocating to Las Vegas and a new ballpark ahead of the 2028 campaign. The West Sacramento ballpark also is home to the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A River Cats.

GOLF NEWS

PATRICK FISHBURN, DENNY MCCARTHY ON TOP AT SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

Patrick Fishburn carded a bogey-free second round at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday, and he shares the lead with Denny McCarthy at the midpoint of the event in Honolulu.

Fishburn produced a second consecutive 5-under-par 65 at Waialae Country Club. McCarthy carded a 66, and he is also at 10-under 130 for the tournament.

Eric Cole (3 under in second round), Paul Peterson (3 under) and Japan’s Kensei Hirata (7 under) are tied for third place at 9 under.

Lee Hodges (6 under), Alex Smalley (6 under), Zach Johnson (4 under), J.J. Spaun (4 under) and Austria’s Sepp Straka (4 under) share sixth place at 8 under.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, coming off a record-breaking victory at The Sentry last week in Kapalua, Hawaii, is tied for 42nd place at 4 under after a 1-under 69 on Friday. Matsuyama captured the Sony Open championship three years ago.

TOP INDIANA NEWS RELEASES/HEADLINES

COLTS FOOTBALL

COLTS GM ADMITS STATUS QUO ‘MISTAKE’ VOWS QB COMPETITION

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard admits running it back in 2024 was a status-quo mistake that cost the franchise valuable time in the development of quarterback Anthony Richardson.

But Indianapolis doesn’t want to repeat the misstep. Instead, Ballard said the Colts are planning to invest in another quarterback to compete with Richardson in his third NFL season.

“There has to be real stress within that locker room, an uncomfortability that if I don’t play well enough my (expletive) will not be on the field playing,” Ballard said of his approach to rebuilding the roster.

The Colts benched Richardson for Joe Flacco before reinstalling him as the starter, but finished 8-9 to miss the playoffs because of late-season losses for the second consecutive season. But Ballard said the notion that Indianapolis is on the heels of the two-time defending AFC South champion Houston Texans is a fable.

“Right now, we’re not close,” he said. “I’m going to make this really clear. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That’s close. Going 8-9, that’s not close. No, I’m not saying we won’t be closer when we get to the start of (the 2025) season. But right now, sitting here today, we’re an 8-9 football team. We’ve got to own that.”

Ballard said fans and media pointing to him as a cause of the Colts’ problems aren’t entirely misguided. But Ballard said he’s glad owner Jim Irsay allowed him a ninth year as the team’s GM and another chance to prove him right.

“I hear the criticism, and it’s warranted. It is. And a lot of that falls on my shoulders,” Ballard said. “For four years, we’ve not gone to the playoffs. We’ve not won a division since I’ve been here, not won a playoff game since 2018. I’ve got to own all that. I do, and I’m not going to run from it.”

While the Colts are being transparent with their desire to add a quarterback, Ballard isn’t ready to give up on Richardson. Talent, and “wow plays” are part of the mystique with Richardson and a reason the Colts are going to keep giving him chances to settle in as a pro quarterback. But the former Florida quarterback has also missed 17 games due to injury in two seasons.

“We can’t beat our head against the wall,” Ballard said. “We’ve got to have competition at the position for, one, competition makes everybody better and, two, he’s not proven he can play 17 games.”

INDIANA PACERS

GAME REWIND: PACERS 108, WARRIORS 96

The Pacers were tested on Friday night by an undermanned Warriors team playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but in the end, Indiana (21-18) pulled away for a 108-96 victory. It was the fifth straight win for the Pacers to start 2025.

Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 25 points, 10 assists, and three steals in an efficient night for the two-time All-Star, who went 8-for-10 from the field, 2-for-4 from 3-point range, and 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin also had big nights in the win, with Siakam tallying 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting and nine rebounds and Mathurin finishing with 21 points and 10 boards.

Former Pacer Buddy Hield had 17 points in the loss for Golden State, though he went just 6-for-19 from the field and 3-for-12 from 3-point range. Pat Spencer also scored 17 off the bench for the visitors.

The Warriors had just 10 available players on Friday, as they held out two-time MVP Stephen Curry (knee) and four-time All-Star Draymond Green (back) to manage their injuries on the second night of a back-to-back. Third-leading scorer Andrew Wiggins missed his second straight game for personal reasons, while Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, and Brandin Podziemski remained sidelined with injuries.

“Just win the game,” Haliburton said. “That’s the objective at the end of it. It doesn’t matter how, you just want to win. They’re NBA players, too. Obviously they’re missing some guys, but those are good players over there who are playing to prove some things and get more minutes.”

The Pacers jumped out to a 15-8 lead on Friday, but the Warriors answered with a 12-2 run to move in front. After a timeout by Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, Indiana outscored Golden State 10-4 over the final four minutes of the first quarter to take a 27-24 lead into the quarter break.

The visitors were back in front 30-29 early in the second quarter before the Pacers strung together 10 unanswered points, capped by a three-possession stretch that featured a Mathurin layup and threes by Haliburton and Mathurin.

Indiana stretched its lead to as many as 14 points before halftime, but the Warriors closed the half with a 13-4 run to get back within 50-45 heading to the break.

Siakam scored the final eight points of a 12-4 run early in the second half, including a play where he spun by Lindy Waters III on the baseline and threw down a two-handed slam.

The Pacers extended the lead to 14 points later in the third quarter following back-to-back threes by Ben Sheppard and Haliburton and took an 80-70 advantage into the fourth.

Dennis Schröder and Quinten Post started the scoring in the final frame by knocking down threes to pull the Warriors within four. But Thomas Bryant and Pascal Siakam answered with treys of their own on the next two Pacers possessions to quickly push the lead back to double digits.

After a timeout, Golden State responded with a Hield three and Trayce Jackson-Davis layup before Indiana reeled off eight straight points, capped by Bryant blocking Schröder’s layup attempt off the backboard, springing a break which Siakam finished with a tomahawk jam.

Myles Turner had 11 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in the win for Indiana, while T.J. McConnell had 10 points and six assists off the bench.

Schröder finished with 12 points and four assists for Golden State, while former Indiana University star Jackson-Davis tallied nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Pacers’ five-game win streak faces a stiff test this weekend, as they travel to Cleveland to face the 33-4 Cavaliers. The East-leading Cavs will then visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Inside the Numbers

For the fifth straight game, the Pacers never trailed in the second half. They trailed for just 3:07 total on Friday.

Haliburton surpassed 20 points for the fourth time in his last five games and recorded his third double-double over that span.

Siakam had his team-leading 21st 20-point game of the season.

Mathurin scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. He surpassed 20 points for the 13th time on the year and also registered his seventh double-double.

Indiana outscored the Warriors by 22 points when Mathurin was on the floor, while Haliburton and Siakam were both +21.

The Pacers shot 52.4 percent, while Golden State converted 41.8 percent of its shots.

Spencer, playing his 21st career game, reached double figures for the first time this year with 17 points. His previous high was six on Nov. 27 against Oklahoma City.

You Can Quote Me On That

“This is a horrifically difficult game. They’ve got a bunch of hard-playing, physical guys that are really into the opportunity that they have…It did not feel like we won every quarter, but we did. The important thing is to get the win. We’ve got to keep going. We’ve got a good month going so far and it’s certainly not going to get any easier now.” -Carlisle on the win

“Pascal was tremendous. The efficiency numbers, 12 out of 16, the big three he hit…He’s a great player.” -Carlisle on Siakam

“He’s been the steady guy on our team. Very consistent. We can count on him to play the right way. We trust him in any one-on-one matchup really. So when things get slowed down there, you can get him the ball in the post, let him go to work.” -Haliburton on Siakam

“I put a lot of work into my craft. I think every single night I’m ready…There’s going to be times where you might get more opportunities than others. It’s just all about preparation. For me, I prepare every single day for this moment. Every single night I’m out there, I want to be a threat on all three levels and I want to do it consistently.” -Siakam on his consistent production

“Just getting to the paint, being aggressive…I’ve been getting downhill, being aggressive. Seven free throws — I’m excited about that. But the numbers don’t lie. Y’all can look it up. The more I’m in the paint, the more we win games. It’s really been about me being aggressive to get two feet in the paint…it opens up everything for me, it opens up everything for everybody else.” -Haliburton on his mindset during the five-game win streak

“I think he’s aggressive. He’s just aggressive downhill…I like the fact that he’s been so adamant about getting to the paint, getting floaters. He has amazing touch. I always try to tell him that floaters, layups — that’s what’s going to open your game even more.” -Siakam on Haliburton’s strong recent play

“Benn didn’t have a great game going into the fourth quarter, but in the fourth quarter he made key shots, key rebounds on both ends of the floor. The two threes were huge during our run, the tip dunk was a big momentum play that got the crowd going. I’m proud of him.” -Carlisle on Mathurin

“Finding him in the right spots. He can score with the best of them, so we know he can do that. He’s doing a great job defending. He had 10 rebounds tonight, which is huge. He’s doing a great job, just doing what’s needed right now and filling that role very nicely.” -Haliburton on Mathurin

“He’s an all-league defender. You can put that in writing — he’s an all-league defender. I think a lot of the NBA would agree with that.” -Haliburton on Andrew Nembhard

Stat of the Night

The Pacers are now 13-2 on the season when Haliburton scores 20 or more points and also 13-2 when he has a double-double.

Noteworthy

With Friday’s win, the Pacers swept the season series with the Warriors for second time in the last three years.

Pacers two-way guard RayJ Dennis made his NBA debut on Friday, playing the final 1:51.

Turner returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday’s win over Chicago due to a non-COVID illness.

Tickets

The Pacers will host Donovan Mitchell and the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7:00 PM ET.

INDY FUEL

FUEL FALL TO NAILERS ON FRIDAY

FISHERS– The Fuel hosted the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night for the second of a two-game set against them this week. After giving up two goals in the first period, the Fuel struggled to make a comeback and fell 4-1.

1ST PERIOD

At 2:43, Wheeling’s Cole Cameron took a delay of game penalty to get on the game sheet first. The Nailers killed off that penalty just before scoring the first goal of the game at 5:26. That goal was from Kyle Jackson.

Wheeling scored again at 9:24. This time it was Matthew Quercia to make it 2-0.

At 13:49, Indy’s Ty Farmer headed to the penalty box for holding to give Wheeling a power play opportunity, however the Fuel killed it off.

After one period, the Fuel were outshooting the Nailers 9-6 despite the score being 2-0 Wheeling.

2ND PERIOD

At 4:55, Cam Hausinger and Wheeling’s Dakota Seaman each took five minutes for fighting while Hausinger took an additional two minutes for slashing. This put the Fuel on the penalty kill.

Quercia scored his second goal of the game on the power play at 6:54 to put the Nailers up 3-0.

Colin Bilek scored his tenth goal of the season to evade the shutout at 15:39 with the help of Bryan Lemos and Kyle Maksimovich. This made it 3-1.

Indy outshot Wheeling again in the second period, this time 9-7.

3RD PERIOD

Just 41 seconds into the third period, De St. Phalle took a high sticking penalty giving the Fuel a power play chance, however the Nailers killed it off.

As time ticked down, the Fuel pulled Ben Gaudreau from goal in favor of the extra attacker.

Gabe Klassen scored on the empty net at 19:22 to make it 4-1 and secured the win for the Nailers. Both teams recorded 26 shots in the Friday night battle.

The Fuel head to Iowa for two games against the Heartlanders to finish out the weekend.

INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL

INDIANA BASKETBALL GAME NOTES – GAME 17 AT IOWA

Opening Tip

• Indiana University continues Big Ten Conference play in its 125th season of competition in men’s basketball on the road against Iowa at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be broadcast on FOX with Cory Provus (pxp) and LaPhonso Ellis (analyst) on the call.

• The Hawkeyes enter the game with a record of 11-4 (2-2 Big Ten) under 15-year head coach Fran McCaffery. Iowa ranks second in the country in scoring offense at 89.9 points per game. They average 10.8 made 3-pointers per game and shoot the long ball at a 39.1% clip. Six Hawkeyes average at least 9.0 points per game, led by 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per night from sophomore forward Owen Freeman. Senior wing Payton Sandfort adds 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per outing.

Game Information

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 • 8 p.m. ET

Carver Hawkeye Arena (14,998) • Iowa City, Iowa

TV: FOX (Cory Provus, LaPhonso Ellis)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)

Series History: Indiana leads, 107-82

Last Meeting: IU 74, IOWA 68 on Jan. 30, 2024, in Bloomington

Series History

• Saturday’s game will mark the 190th installment of the rivalry between Indiana and Iowa. The Hoosiers have won 107 times in the series, including a 74-68 result in the lone meeting between the two programs last season on Jan. 30, 2024, in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

• First-round draft pick Kel’el Ware compiled 23 points (8-of-10 shooting), 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots in Indiana’s victory last season. Fifth-year senior guard Anthony Leal scored a career-high 13 points, shooting 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Leal also recorded a career-high seven rebounds, one assist, and one block.

Last Time Out

• Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo was one of four Hoosiers to reach double figures in the scoring column in an 82-69 victory over USC on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Ballo scored a game-high 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the floor and 5-of-5 from the free throw line. He added eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

• Redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice posted 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Senior forward Luke Goode knocked down four 3-pointers to score 16 points, and fifth-year senior Trey Galloway chipped in 11 points and six assists.

•The Hoosiers nearly registered a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio with 17 assists to just six turnovers in the win. During the five-game winning streak, IU has averaged 16.6 assists against 9.2 turnovers per game.

Big Fella Ballo

• Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo is averaging a team-high 14.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks per contest and is shooting 68.1% (79-of-116) from the floor. He is one of three high-major conference players (Johni Broome, Auburn; Hunter Dickinson, Kansas) to average at least 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 blocked shots per night, and the only player to post those numbers on 60.0% shooting or better.

• Ballo is one of five active players to score 1,400 career points and grab 1,000 career rebounds. He joins Hunter Dickinson (Kansas), Johni Broome (Auburn), Norchad Omier (Baylor), and Nelly Junior Joseph (New Mexico) on the exclusive list.

• The 7-footer ranks second among Big Ten players (Danny Wolf, Michigan) and 22nd nationally in boards per game. Ballo has strung together seven games with double-digit boards, including a season-high 18 against Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 6.

A Goode Starting Lineup

• Senior forward Luke Goode was inserted into the starting lineup against Winthrop on Dec. 29. The Hoosiers are 4-0 since the lineup change and have averaged 80.0 points per contest. IU has shot 27-of-71 (38.0%) from the 3-point line over the last three Big Ten matchups.

• As a starter, Goode is averaging 11.3 points per game and has hit 11-of-24 (45.8%) from behind the arc to go along with 5.0 rebounds as a starter.

• The Fort Wayne native has made 112 3-pointers in 92 career collegiate games.

Following the Gallo-Way

• Fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway posted nine assists in 17 minutes off the bench in Indiana’s 80-61 season-opening win over SIUE in Bloomington. In the last 25 seasons of major conference basketball, Gallo is the 10th player to have at least nine assists in 17 minutes or less. He is the first player to achieve the feat since Vanderbilt guard Carter Josephs on Feb. 22, 2014.

• The Culver Academies alum has handed out at least five helpers in 28 career games, including seven contests this season.

• Galloway has made 17-of-43 shots (39.5%) from behind the 3-point line this season. He has made at least three triples in four games this season.

Going the Extra Myles

• Over his last six games, redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice is averaging 15.2 points on 42.3% (30-of-71) shooting from the floor to pair with 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest. He has scored 28-plus points four times in that span.

• The Washington State transfer was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on Sept. 12, 2022. After undergoing chemotherapy for five hours a session twice a month for six months, Rice learned his cancer was in remission on June 1, 2023.

Ballo, Mgbako Pace Indiana at The Palestra

• Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo compiled his second-straight double-double with game highs in points (25) and rebounds (13) to go along with three assists and two blocks in a 77-71 win against Penn State on Sunday, Jan. 5, at the Palestra in Philadelphia

• Sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako ignited the Indiana offense with a personal 8-0 run to open the second half. He knocked down a pair of 3-point field goals during the stretch. He finished with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor and 4-of-8 from behind the 3-point line.

PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BOILERS WELCOME #25 MICHIGAN TO MACKEY ON SATURDAY

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team will face its fourth straight ranked opponent on Saturday afternoon when it hosts No. 25 Michigan at Mackey Arena for a 2 p.m. tip on B1G+.

Fans can hear the game on the Purdue Global Radio Network on 95.3 BOB FM and Purdue Stretch Internet with Tim Newton and Jane Schott on the call.

GAME INFORMATION
Purdue (7-8, 0-4) vs. No. 25 Michigan (10-5, 1-3)
Saturday, Jan. 11
Time: 2 PM
TV/Stream: B1G+
Radio: 95.3 BOB FM
Audio: Purdue Stretch Internet
Live Stats: Purduestats.com

PROMOTIONS

• Faculty & Staff Appreciation

• Boilermaker Kids Club Game

LAST TIME OUT

Squaring off with the top team in the nation, the Boilermakers fell 83-49 to No. 1 UCLA. Destini Lombard led Purdue with a team-high 16 points. Rashunda Jones dished out a career-high seven assists. McKenna Layden provided valuable minutes off the bench with a career-high eight points.

NOTES

• Purdue leads the all-time series with Michigan 53-25.

• The Boilermakers have the hardest NET strength of schedule in the nation.

• Facing No. 25 Michigan, the Boilermakers will play their fifth straight ranked opponent in Big Ten play, the longest streak in conference history.

• Saturday will mark the eighth ranked opponent the Boilermakers have faced this season, the most in the nation.

• All four of Purdue’s Big Ten opponents after the holiday break have been ranked, marking the Boilermakers’ longest stretch against ranked opposition since a program-record five games in the run to the 2001 NCAA National Championship Game.

• Destini Lombard is one of 18 players in the nation with 12 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.5 assists per game.

Lombard continues to lead the Big Ten in steals with 40 and steals per game with 2.7. Her 12 games this season with two or more steals leads the league and ranks 18th nationally.

• Lombard also cracked into the Big Ten top 10 in field goal percentage with a 49.4% clip.

• Reagan Bass sits 10th in the league with 18 rejections on the year and 11th with 1.2 per game.

• McKenna Layden had her best game as a Boilermaker against No. 1 UCLA. The sophomore tallied eight points with four rebounds and a pair of 3-pointers in 27 minutes off the bench.

• Rashunda Jones is second on the team in scoring in Big Ten action. The sophomore is averaging nine points with three assists and two rebounds per game, while shooting an even 50% from the field.

• Jones’ production has gone up since moving to the bench earlier this season. She is averaging 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 rebounds in 22 minutes per game with the second unit.

• Purdue ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 23.2 points per game off the bench.

• Lana McCarthy is one of four freshmen in the Big Ten this season averaging over seven points and five rebounds per game. She is the only league rookie among the group to shoot 50% or better on the year.

• The Boilermakers are one of five Big Ten teams to have three different players knock down 20 or more 3-pointers (Michigan, Washington, Nebraska and Minnesota). Destini Lombard leads the team with 26 made triples, while Sophie Swanson and Ella Collier have both connected 20 times from the outside.

• Since the return to action after the holiday break, Purdue is second in the Big Ten with a 38% clip from behind the arc.

• Facing a daunting schedule, seven of Purdue’s eight losses have come to teams in the top 30 of the NET and all have either been Quad 1 or 2 defeats.

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

FOR NOTRE DAME QB LEONARD, IT WAS ABOUT THE RING, NOT MONEY. NOW HE WAITS FOR TITLE-GAME OPPONENT

Riley Leonard concedes he gave a lot of different answers when people asked him why he entered the transfer portal after last season and chose Notre Dame.

“But the truth is, I came here to win a national championship, and to go to the best team that would give me the best chance to do that,” he said.

What a move. And now, the quarterback, who reportedly made more than $1 million in NIL by coming to the Fighting Irish from Duke, gets some much-needed rest before he plays for that title on Jan. 20.

A day after Leonard emerged from the medical tent after being checked for a concussion to lead Notre Dame to a 27-24 win over Penn State, he waited to see if the opponent in the final will be Ohio State or Texas. They were set to square off Friday night in the Cotton Bowl.

That Notre Dame would earn the trip to Atlanta for the championship game felt farfetched late in the second quarter at the Orange Bowl on Thursday.

Hounded by Penn State’s defenders, the Irish had amassed 90 yards, five first downs and no points when Leonard got sandwiched by Zane Durant and Dvon J-Thomas.

With Leonard in the medical tent, backup Steve Angeli came in and quickly engineered a drive that led to a field goal and trimmed the deficit to 10-3.

HOW A LOSS TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS SET THE TABLE FOR NOTRE DAME’S RUN TO THE CFP TITLE GAME

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The toughest game Notre Dame will play this season is obviously going to happen on Jan. 20, the College Football Playoff national championship game in Atlanta against either Ohio State or Texas. The toughest game the Irish played to date probably was the Orange Bowl against Penn State. There were plenty of tough games along the way.

But the hardest game, the one that planted the seeds for this run to the title game, was Week 3 against Purdue — a 66-7 win.

“That might sound funny to some people,” Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden said. “But it’s true.”

Here’s why: Notre Dame was coming off a stunner of a Week 2 loss, 16-14 to Northern Illinois. All week long, the Irish heard the whispers. Not good enough and not tough enough after a four-touchdown underdog came into Notre Dame Stadium, getting $1.4 million to play the game under the presumption that they would be tackling dummies for three hours, and wound up winning.

The whispers were quickly silenced. The Irish have been unbeatable ever since.

“The time you’re tested the most is when you’re at your lowest point,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said. “We lose to Northern Illinois and you’ve got a decision: ‘Do I want to be selfless? Or am I going to put individual glory ahead of myself?’ I hope the nation sees no matter what the situation was, this team continues to put Notre Dame in front of myself.”

If nothing else, Notre Dame has now been in front of 13 consecutive opponents when the game that week ends. A 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl has the Irish (14-1) on the brink of the school’s first national championship since 1988.

And that means Freeman was having one heck of a good birthday.

He walked into Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday as a 38-year-old with a big chance. He walked out in the wee hours of Friday — his birthday — as a 39-year-old with now a bigger chance, one game away from adding his name to the list of coaches who have won national championships at Notre Dame. But in his household, his birthday evidently plays second fiddle to someone else.

“Thirteen years ago, I had a daughter, Siena, born on the same day as me,” Freeman said after the clock ticked over into Friday, so it indeed was his birthday as he spoke in a postgame news conference. “For the past 13 years, she gets all the birthday credit. But this is special. Again, this is a special moment. A lot of hard work has been put into it. It’s not about a birthday, man. This is just about a moment and enjoying this moment together.”

If not for that moment against Northern Illinois, who knows what might have happened. Maybe that loss was exactly what Notre Dame needed.

Since that loss, the Irish are 13-0. That’s the best record in the nation over that span. They’ve outscored teams by 333 points in those games, also the best nationally in that span. They’ve scored 518 points, again, the best in the nation.

That $1.4 million to play Northern Illinois might be money well spent after all. And quarterback Riley Leonard had a simple message about the Irish after the Orange Bowl: “Culture wins,” he said.

“You see a bunch of talented guys across our locker room but you can see that anywhere in the country,” Leonard said. “I think at the end of the day it’s which guys are putting their bodies on the line and doing everything they can for the man next to them. Nobody is thinking about draft stocks or next year or anything like that, any type of individual glory. We’re all thinking about the man beside us. I think we kind of proved throughout the season that culture wins, and it’s a special place for a reason.”

A special place, a special season and now a chance at the national title. Had the loss to Northern Illinois been handled differently, this might not have happened.

Golden said Freeman set the tone right away after that Week 2 loss. There was no finger-pointing in the Notre Dame locker room. Freeman asked everyone, players and coaches, to challenge themselves — and insisted he would do the same.

The Purdue game was the perfect sort of bounce back effort. And now a title shot awaits.

“The stress of that week was huge, us making sure that we had to find a way to be confident going into that game,” Golden said. “Coach Free did an unbelievable job doing that. And our kids had an edge to them. They really played well and the rest is history.”

NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL

A SATURDAY BOUT AT #4/4 DUKE

DURHAM, N.C. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team will look to pick itself back up after two extremely tough back-to-back one-point losses in which they had the lead with under a minute remaining. However, it won’t be easy, as they remain on the road and travel to Cameron Indoor to take on #4/4 Duke.

The Blue Devils own a commanding 31-8 lead in the series. Irish are 6-12 against them since joining the ACC in 2013. A win at Cameron Indoor would be historic. The Irish have only won there twice in its long history — Jan. 16, 2016 and again on Feb. 9, 2021. The latter was a 93-89 victory in front of no fans.

Last season in Durham, Notre Dame suffered a 53-71 defeat. Markus Burton shined in his Cameron Indoor debut with 19 points. Braeden Shrewsberry followed behind with 13 points.

A win on Saturday would mark Coach Shrewsberry’s first-ranked victory as head coach at Notre Dame. A win would also mark the first top-10-ranked victory of his head coaching career overall.

In addition, a win would mark Notre Dame’s first top-10 win since No. 10 Kentucky on Dec. 11, 2021. It would be the first true road top-10 win since knocking off No. 9/6 Duke on Jan. 16, 2016.

Coach Shrews is also working on changing the culture of the program and what it takes to win on the road for an ACC game. Last season, ND went 7-13 in league play with just road wins at Georgia Tech and Louisville. They are searching for their first ACC road win this season.

TAKING THE POSITIVES WITH THE NEGATIVES

A terrible sense of deja vu. First, it was North Carolina on Jan. 4. The Irish fought hard and erased a 12-point deficit to claim a three-point lead with under 20 seconds to go. That’s when Elliott Cadeau converted a four-point play to give UNC the eventual 74-73 win. The returning Markus Burton drove the length of the court with four seconds left but couldn’t convert a very tough contested driving layup.

But the positive is that the Irish will be back at full strength moving forward, and what a gutsy return it was for Burton. Playing in his first game back since injuring his knee against Rutgers on Nov. 26, the All-ACC guard registered 23 points in 23 minutes. Burton scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half. He shot 7-of-14 overall and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Then four days later it happened again. The Irish were up four with two minutes left but NC State rallied to take a 66-65 lead. With 10 seconds left the ball was put in Burton’s hand but he was double-teamed and was forced to take a tough step-back jumper.

The positive here – all five starters finished in double figures for the first time in the Shrewsberry era. Junior forward Kebba Njie was the highlight with his first career double-double. Njie posted 10 points behind 5-8 shooting, plus a career-high tying 11 rebounds. Tae Davis tallied a career-high six assists to go with his 14 points.

THE TAE-KOVER

Tae Davis has really stepped up and balled out as of late, emerging as one of the top talents in the ACC. Scoring-wise, Davis had the fourth-best December in the ACC, averaging 20.0 ppg on last month. Since he came back from the holiday break, Tae has averaged a team-best 19.3 ppg in that three-game span. He’s also averaging 5.7 rpg and 3.7 apg.

He’s ultimately riding a career-best 10 straight games in double figures.

With all that said, Tae is now averaging a career-best 16.5 ppg, which ranks 10th in the ACC. He’s shooting a career-best 52.5 percent which ranks second in the league. He’s shooting slightly better in ACC play at 54.2 percent. More on Tae in the next note.

EVOLVING

Before Vegas, Burton was the only player in the country averaging 20+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds. When he went down, the Irish not only had to make up his 20+ points per game, but also his ability to create shots for his teammates.

Three players in particular stepped up to fill the void. Both Tae Davis and Braeden Shrewsberry are posting career highs in both points per game and shooting percentage. Then there’s Matt Allocco who is on pace to have the highest assist-to-turnover ratio in program history.

Davis is averaging 16.5 ppg, which is up from last year’s 9.2 ppg. He’s produced three 20+ point games over the last five games.

Tae has been highly proficient around the rim where he’s 57-of-85 (.671). Tae, who very much like Markus Burton, has this explosiveness and innate ability to attack. He’s been using that to his advantage and getting to the foul line. He’s averaging 6.6 FD/40 which ranks 36th nationally according to KenPom. The Indy native ranks fourth in the league in FT attempts and fifth in makes. He’s shooting a career best 75.5 percent from the stripe.

Next is Braeden Shrewsberry, who is averaging 15.9 ppg (11th in the ACC). He’s shooting 43.3 percent, which is up from last year’s 39.8.

He’s connecting on 3.0 threes per game this season, with a .372 clip from beyond the arc. In particular, Shrewsberry is hot from corner threes this year, knocking down 46.4 percent (13-for-28), which is 11.3 percent above the D1 average.

However, it’s important to point out that he’s added to his overall arsenal with a dangerous floater that keeps defenders guessing. He’s shooting 46.9 percent from the paint, 46.7 percent from the mid-range and he’s 13-16 around the rim. He’s 53.8 percent overall from two.

Last but not least is grad transfer Matt Allocco. The 6-4 guard is averaging 10.1 ppg on 45.4 percent shooting from the floor and 48.3 percent from beyond the arc. His 3.3 assists per game rank 14th in the ACC.

Allocco owns a 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio which ranks 12th in the nation and second in the ACC. It’s obviously way too early for comparisons, BUT, the highest A/TO ratio in program history for a season was 3.16 by Martin Inglesby back in 2000-01.

NOTRE NOTABLES

In league play, Shrewsberry is shooting even better from three. In fact, he leads all ACC players with his 4.3 threes/game and 44.7 percent from deep.

Over the last five games, Matt Allocco has drained 13-of-20 from beyond the arc aka 65.0 percent.

Burton is shooting 55.6 percent from the mid-range, which is 19.9 percent above the D1 average.

Notre Dame’s three-point percentage defense sits at .306 which ranks third in the ACC.

Irish are shooting 37.6 percent from three in league play, which ranks fourth.

According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s Offense Adj. Efficiency ranks 56th in the nation (113.5).

Burton is averaging 19.0 ppg over the last three games.

Tae Davis and Braeden Shrewsberry are averaging 18.3 and 16.5 ppg, respectively, in ACC games.

NOTRE DAME SWIMMING

CRONK WINS TWO EVENTS BUT IRISH STUMBLE AGAINST PURDUE, KENTUCKY

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving was back in action on Friday after a long holiday break that saw a nearly two-month lapse in competition. The Irish fell to home team Purdue, 182.5-117.5 and Kentucky, 186.5-113.5.

Despite the losses, freshman Carli Cronk continues to prove she is one of the NCAA’s best rookies. Cronk won both the 200 free (1:46.51) and 400 IM (4:11.55). She went a best time in the 400 IM and moved up to fourth all-time in program history. The No. 1 recruit out of Texas in the 2024 class also moved into the program’s top 10 all-time in the 200 free, now sitting at eighth. Both times are NCAA B cuts.

Senior Maggie Graves earned the win in the 1000 free with a time of 9:50.73, just a few seconds off her lifetime best. Graves also took fourth in the 500 (4:51.35)

While she finished just a few tenths shy of the win in the 200 fly, Lainey Mullins earned a B cut in that event with a time of 1:58.40. It is the third time this season that the Virginia transfer has broken the 2-minute barrier.

Meanwhile in the diving well, junior Grace Courtney finished fifth in the 3-meter (300.68) and eighth in the 1-meter (263.18). Fellow junior Ben Nguyen was sixth in the 1-meter (307.35).

The Irish closed down the meet with a victory in the 200 free relay (1:30.32). Imogen Meers led off (23.42) and was followed by Jess Geriane (21.89), Katie Drumm (22.53) and Madelyn Christman (22.48).

BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

BUTLER TO CHECKER OUT HINKLE SATURDAY AS CREIGHTON VISITS

Following back-to-back road games, the Bulldogs return to Hinkle Fieldhouse to host Creighton Saturday afternoon. The tip serves as the second annual Checker Out game, which is a promotion in partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans will wear either white or dark shirts based on seating sections to create a checkered flag look to the arena, while an INDYCAR show car, the Borg-Warner Trophy, and the Astor Cup will be on-site. Saturday also is the annual Butler Men’s Basketball Alumni Day as a number of Bulldog alumni and their families will be at the game.

Butler (7-9, 0-5 BIG EAST) vs. Creighton (9-6, 2-2)

Saturday, Jan. 11 • 12PM

Hinkle Fieldhouse • Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: FOX • Jason Benetti & Robbie Hummel

Audio: Varsity Network App, SiriusXM 383, XM App 973 & TuneIn • @MarkMinner & Nick Gardner (@n_gardner)

• Butler enters the contest following a road loss at Providence Wednesday night.

• Butler has lost eight straight games, which is the program’s longest skid since the 1989-90 season. Butler’s schedule is currently ranked as the 15th-toughest nationally by KenPom.

• The Bulldogs committed only six turnovers Wednesday night at Providence; Butler has single-digit turnover outputs in five of the last seven games.

• Andre Screen scored the 1,000th point of his collegiate career in Wednesday’s game.

• Butler went 15-for-19 from the free throw line (79 percent) at Providence; the Bulldogs have shot 75 percent or better from the charity line in 10 of the team’s 16 games this season.

• Butler’s average of 17.7 made free throws per game ranks 26th nationally. The Bulldogs attempt 24.0 free throws per game, which is 32nd nationally.

• Butler’s 4-for-16 performance from three-point range (25 percent) at Providence was the team’s worst mark from behind the arc this season. Butler is 43rd nationally, averaging 37.6-percent accuracy from three-point range on the season.

• Butler has had a player record a double-double in four out of the last five games (Patrick McCaffery, Jahmyl Telfort twice, Screen); four different Bulldogs have posted at least one double-double this season (Pierre Brooks II had one against Merrimack Nov. 22).

• Providence went 10-for-24 from three-point range Wednesday night, as the 41.7-percent mark was the third-best by a Butler opponent this season. It came just one game after the Bulldogs’ defense limited St. John’s to 1-for-21 shooting from three-point range (5 percent); Butler has eight games this season holding an opponent to less than 30-percent shooting from behind the arc.

• Butler’s defense is holding opponents to 40.4-percent shooting from the field and 29.9-percent shooting from three-point range on the season; both of those marks are Top 60 nationally.

• Despite the recent success taking care of the ball, Butler ranks 347th nationally in turnover margin (-4.2 per game) as the team generates only 3.6 steals per game (353rd nationally) and forces opponents into only 7.8 per game (which is 352nd nationally).

• Telfort’s season average of 15.9 points per game ranks seventh in the BIG EAST.

• McCaffery’s 41.2-percent accuracy from three-point range is fourth in the BIG EAST and 63rd nationally. He has hit multiple three-pointers in 12 of the team’s games, including five twice.

• Brooks is shooting 39 percent from three-point range on the season, but his accuracy increases to 46 percent from behind the arc in Butler’s nine home games.

• Screen is sixth in the BIG EAST at 1.6 blocks per game.

• The Bulldogs defeated Northwestern and No. 25 Mississippi State in taking the Arizona Tip-Off title over Thanksgiving.

‘Bout the Bluejays

• Creighton is 9-6 overall, including a 2-2 mark in BIG EAST play with home wins over Villanova and St. John’s.

• Eight of the Bluejays’ wins have come at home as the team is 0-3 in true road games and 1-2 in neutral site contests.

• BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner leads Creighton at 17.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game; Steven Ashworth averages 16.8 points and 6.5 assists per game. He has made 56 of his 57 free throw attempts this season.

• The Bluejays make 9.9 three-pointers per game on 34.2-percent shooting.

The Series with Creighton

• While a majority of the meetings in the series have come since both programs joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2013-14 season, the teams first met in 1933.

• The two meetings during the 2023-24 season were somewhat of an anomaly as each team won on the road. Overall, Butler is 9-5 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the series, while Creighton holds an 11-3 advantage in Omaha.

Series: Creighton Leads, 18-12

Streak: Creighton, W1

At Hinkle: Butler Leads, 9-5

First Meeting: Jan. 30, 1933; Creighton, 27-22 (at CU)

Last Meeting: Feb. 17, 2024; Creighton, 79-57 (at BU)

Tough Slate

• KenPom ranks Butler’s schedule as the 15th most difficult nationally (as of Jan. 9).

• The Bulldogs’ 2024-25 schedule includes six games against teams ranked in the Top 15 of this week’s AP poll (Jan. 6) and an additional seven against teams receiving votes in this week’s poll. (Butler has already played four of the six games against those current Top 15 teams.)

BALL STATE MEN’S TENNIS

MEN’S TENNIS OPENS SPRING ACTION AT NO. 25 MICHIGAN SATURDAY

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s tennis team begins its 2025 season when it travels to No. 25 Michigan Saturday for a 5 pm ET first serve at the Varsity Tennis Center.

The Cardinals and the Wolverines have met a total of 13 times with Michigan leading the all-time series record, 13-0. Ball State and Michigan last met in 2009 on Jan. 24 in Ann Arbor with the Cardinals losing that match-up, 6-1.

Ball State returns seven veterans to the court: Broc Fletcher, Drew Hayward, Jacks Lancaster, Petar Petrovic, Sajin Smith, Mason Tran and Nathaniel Webster while welcoming transfers Ian Brady (Marquette) and Anthony Shalakov (Army) along with freshman Jenson Bicanic.

Long time head coach Bill Richards is still at the helm of the Cardinals. He has led the program to 38 MAC tournament and or regular season titles over his tenure with the Cardinals. Since the MAC tournament format started in 1997, the Cardinals have won it seven times (1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011, and 2014.) Richards enters the 2025 season with an overall career mark of 758-471 (.616).

After this weekend, Ball State will play its second-straight Big Ten opponent when it travels to Indiana University on Jan. 18 for a 4 pm ET first serve in Bloomington.

BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TRAVELS TO BUFFALO SATURDAY; LOOKS TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN #MACTION

Game #16 Cardinals vs. Bulls

Ball State (11-4, 3-0 MAC) vs.Buffalo (13-1,2-1 MAC)

Jan. 11, 2025 >>Alumni Arena>>2 pm ET>>Muncie, Ind.

Opening Tip:

– Saturday’s game against Buffalo will mark the 39th time in program history the two schools have met, with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 22-16.

– Ball State has not lost on the road at Buffalo since the 2018-19 season when the score was 77-65 on Jan. 16, 2019. Since then, the Cardinals have brought home a victory. Ball State and Buffalo’s first-ever meeting was on Jan. 30 at Buffalo in 1998-99.

– The Cardinals defeated the Bulls in their last meeting by a score of 71-50 in Alumni Arena on March 9, 2024. Current senior Alex Richard led BSU that game with 18 points.

– Ball State won the home-and-away series last season against Buffalo.

– Buffalo returns five players from last seasons squad including Chellia Watson, Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Alexis Davis, Paula Lopez and Sitota Gines. Five players combined have scored 1,158 points so far this season.

– The Cardinals have been road warriors the past four years during Mid-American Conference action. Ball State owns a 28-10 (.736) ledger when playing league games on the road dating back to the 2021 MAC season with its best showing being in 2021 when the Cardinals went 9-1 that year.

– For the second-straight season, the Cardinals have opened Mid-American Conference with a 3-0 ledger. Ball State remains the only team in league play that is undefeated.

– Ball State is coming off of a 101-69 victory Wednesday night in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals shot a whopping 60 percent from the field which was led by Alex Richard who had 21 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. The all-around team offensive success also had a lot to do with team’s unselfishness tonight, which was apparent as the Cardinals dished out 25 assists, with Lachelle Austin leading the charge with 11. The all-around team offensive success also had a lot to do with team’s unselfishness tonight, which was apparent as the Cardinals dished out 25 assists, with Lachelle Austin leading the charge with 11.

Sallee is HOT in January:

It may be cold outside but the Cardinals tend to get hot in the month of January under 13th-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee owns an overall record of 71-29 (.710) in the month of January dating back to his first season in 2012-13.

11-1 at the Half:

The Cardinals own an 11-1 ledger when Ball State ends the first half with the lead. The lone loss came against Columbia University as the Cardinals had a 31-25 edge against the Jack Rabbits at halftime on Nov. 25, 2024 in the last game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Forcing Miscues:

Ball State has caused its opponents to commit 292 miscues in 15 games. The Cardinals have been able to turn those turnovers into a total of 322 points so far this season: Old Dominion (21 pts), IU Indy (25 pts), Memphis (22 pts), Northern Iowa (21 pts), No. 16 Northern Carolina (14 pts), Texas A&M (29 pts), Columbia (8), South Dakota State (17), Davidson (24), Northern Kentucky (20 pts), Anderson (46), Miami (31), Central Michigan (22) and Eastern Michigan (22).

Becki MAC Player of the Week:

Ally Buckets did it again this week for the Cardinals as the senior guard averaged 21.0 points per game, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals while shooting 56 percent (13-23) from the field and went a perfect 13-13 from the charity stripe. Becki helped the Cardinals to a 2-0 start in the Mid-American Conference play for the second-straight season. Becki opened #MACtion with a 22-point, nine rebound, seven assists and four steals performance in a road victory at Miami on Wednesday to ring in the New Year. On Saturday, Becki pretty much mimicked that performance as she led the Cardinals again with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a win versus Central Michigan.

BALL STATE TRACK

TRACK AND FIELD HEADS TO CHICAGO FOR WISCONSIN MIDWEST INVITATIONAL

MUNCIE, Ind. — Saturday marks the first indoor meet of the new year for Ball State track and field as they head to Chicago, Illinois for the Wisconsin Midwest Invitational. Competition will start at 3:00 p.m. CT with field events at the Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center.

Last Time Out:

Prior to winter break, the team competed at Bowling Green’s Tom Wright Open (Dec. 7) to kick off the 2025 season. Overall, the Cardinals had a strong meet, collecting several top finishes and personal bests. Freshman Kylee Marshall made her mark in her first meet as a Cardinal, winning the long jump with a mark of 5.79 meters.

On the track, Emma Potter and Jennah Rogers also had strong opening performances. With a personal best time of 39.82 in the 300-meter run, Potter finished second and ran her way into the fourth fastest time in Ball State history. Rogers also had a personal best performance, finishing with a time of 8.63 in the 60-meter hurdles and crossing the line second overall.

Up Next:

Next, the Cardinals will head south to Indianapolis on Saturday, January 18 for the Crossroads of America Classic.

Ball State Individual Entries at Wisconsin Midwest International:

Field Events

3:00 p.m. Long Jump

4:15 p.m. Weight Throw

5:30 p.m. Triple Jump

6:30 p.m. Shotput

6:30 p.m. High Jump

Running Events

4:20 p.m. 60m Hurdles Prelims

4:30 p.m. 60m Dash Prelims

5:20 p.m. 60m Hurdles Finals

5:40 p.m. 600m

5:55 p.m. 60m Dash Finals

6:25 p.m. 300m

7:25 p.m. 4x400m Relay

BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL

CARDINALS HOSTING BOWLING GREEN SATURDAY AT WORTHEN TO CONTINUE MAC PLAY

The Ball State men’s basketball team stays home to host Bowling Green at 2 p.m. on Saturday in a game presented by Reed’s Plumbing.

The contest will be streamed on ESPN+ with Mick Tidrow and David Eha on the call, while Mark Foerster and Scot Bunnell handle the radio broadcast on WMUN 1340AM – 92.5FM.

Bowling Green leads the head-to-head series 55-41, but Ball State leads 27-19 in games played in Muncie. The Falcons won the most recent game 80-70 on March 8 in last year’s season finale.

The Cardinals (7-7, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) saw their four-game winning snapped Tuesday night at Worthen Arena in an 80-72 setback to Miami (OH). Payton Sparks (20 points, 16 rebounds) and Jermahri Hill (20 points, three assists) led Ball State in scoring in the MAC home opener.

The Falcons (6-8, 1-1 MAC) took down Western Michigan on the road Tuesday by a score of 83-79 for their first conference win of the season. Ball State and Bowling Green have one common opponent so far, as the Cardinals beat Bellarmine 86-82 on Dec. 14 in Louisville while the Falcons fell 80-68 to the Knights on Nov. 23 on the road.

Bowling Green is in its second season with head coach Todd Simon in charge, and they went 20-14 (10-8 MAC) last season to earn the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament before falling to No. 8 seed Kent State in the semifinals. The Falcons were picked to finish fifth in the MAC preseason poll.

Bowling Green paces the league in free throw percentage (77.1, No. 35 nationally) and 3-point defense (30.4 percent) and ranks second in 3-point shooting (35.3 percent).

Junior guard Javontae Campbell has accumulated 48 steals (3.43 per game), with the total ranking third in NCAA Division I and the average second. Senior forward Marcus Johnson’s 16.8 points per game are second in the MAC, while Campbell and Derrick Butler follow closely behind with a 15.2 scoring average.

Next up for the Cardinals is a road game at Ohio at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

PAYTON POUNDING THE GLASS: Senior center Payton Sparks has recorded double figures rebounds in each of the last three games (16-12-16) to increase his season rebounding average to fourth in the Mid-American Conference (6.7 per game).

The Winchester, Ind., native has now reached the 16-board mark in four career games.

70 IS A MAGIC NUMBER: The Cardinals have found success when scoring at least 70 points (6-2 record) and/or allowing fewer than 70 points (5-0) this season.

Ball State has put up at least 70 points in five straight games, which is the longest current stretch among MAC teams.

GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE FREE THROW LINE: Sparks (96) and junior guard Jermahri Hill (94) are first and second in the league in free throw attempts, respectively.

Hill is first in makes (67) at the charity stripe while Sparks is second (58) and forward Mickey Pearson Jr. (48) is fifth in the MAC.

LOCK IT DOWN: The Ball State defense ranks second in the MAC in field goal percentage defense (41.4) and scoring defense (70.9 points per game) and ranks third in 3-point defense (30.7 percent).

Ball State limited Kent State to 1-for-11 shooting from the field in the final four minutes of Saturday’s game to secure the road win.

HERNANDEZ HEATING UP: Graduate guard Jeremiah Hernandez has scored in double figures each of the last five games to increase his scoring average to 7.8 points per game on the season.

Hernandez tallied 13 last Saturday to lead Ball State to a win against the Golden Flashes.

1,000 FOR SPARKS: Sparks scored his 1,000th career point late in the second half of the New Year’s Eve win against Anderson on his way to a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double.

The 16 boards matched his career-best, while the 23 points were one shy of tying his career-high, as the big man recorded his first double-double of the year.

ONE-TWO PUNCH: Sparks and Hill have established a dynamic duo over the last few weeks, combining for 112 points, 58 rebounds and 14 assists in the most recent three games.

Hill led the Cardinals in scoring in each game while Sparks was the leading rebounder in all three contests for Ball State.

DOMINANT DEFENSE: Ball State limited Evansville to 43 points and 29.1 percent shooting from the field on Dec. 21. Those were the lowest tallies the Cardinals had allowed an NCAA Division I opponent to get since March 11, 2019 against Eastern Michigan.

The Cardinals limited the Purple Aces to their fewest points in the 58-game series history since 1935, and the 37-point margin of victory was the second-highest for Ball State ever vs Evansville.

MILESTONE WATCH: After Sparks (currently 1,031 points) reached the milestone on New Year’s Eve, Hernandez (935) and Pearson Jr. (871) are each closing in on scoring 1,000 points in his Division I career.

Ethan Brittain-Watts recently made his 100th career 3-pointer, while Sparks (626 rebounds) is currently No. 14 in Ball State program history for a career.

GETTING TO THE LINE: The Cardinals pace the Mid-American Conference in both free throw attempts per game (27.7) and free throws made per game (19.3) through the season’s first 14 games.

Ball State ranks No. 4 and No. 8 in those categories in NCAA Division I, respectively. The total tallies (388 attempts and 270 makes) outpace the next-closest MAC team (Toledo) by 95 attempts and 64 makes.

MICKEY MONEY FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE: Pearson Jr. went 12-for-12 at the free throw line in Ball State’s win at Bellarmine on Dec. 14 including sinking two foul shots with six seconds to play to secure the 86-82 decision.

Pearson’s 12 free throws made were the most by a Ball State player since Taylor Persons also sunk a dozen on Nov. 18, 2018 vs App State. Pearson is the only Cardinal with multiple career games making at least 10 free throws without a miss in the last 10 seasons (10-for-10 vs Central Michigan on Jan. 6, 2024).

GORO-THREE-TO: Junior guard Juanse Gorosito was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week after hitting seven 3-pointers for 21 and adding four assists and three steals on Dec. 14 at Bellarmine.

Gorosito is third in the conference in 3-pointers made (39) and leads the league in shooting percentage (42.9) from distance.

HOME STATE HEROES: Brittain-Watts (2019), Zane Doughty, Joey Hart and Mason Jones (2023) were each named Indiana High School All-Stars, while three more Cardinals also had ties to the state before arriving in Muncie.

Ball State has the second-most players from Indiana high schools among Indiana-based Division I teams behind Purdue.

WORLD FLYERS: The 2024-25 Ball State roster consists of student-athletes from three different countries in addition to the United States of America.

Gorosito (Argentina), Ben Hendriks (Canada) and Jurica Zagorsak (Croatia) are international Cardinals this season. Interestingly, Juanse, Ben and Jurica were born on different continents, so Ball State has student-athletes from North America, South America and Europe on the team.

TRANSFERS FROM ALL OVER: Each of Ball State’s seven student-athletes who have transferred into the program have come from different college basketball conferences.

The list includes Brittain-Watts (Patriot League, Boston), Gorosito (West Coast Conference, Portland), Hart (SEC, Kentucky), Hernandez (Ohio Valley Conference, USI), Pearson Jr. (Big 12, TCU), Sparks (Big Ten, Indiana) and Hill who played junior college ball at South Plains in Levelland, Texas.

INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL

SYCAMORES HOST BELMONT IN HULMAN CENTER ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men’s basketball hosts the visiting Belmont Bruins to town on Saturday afternoon. The game tips off at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.

The last time on the court, Indiana State played its second game in overtime in a week’s time, eventually falling to Valparaiso 98-95. Valparaiso went a perfect four-for-four from the field in overtime and four-for-six from the free throw line to outscore the Sycamores 12-9 in the extra five-minute period to secure the 98-95 victory in overtime. Indiana State also made four buckets from the field but was limited to shoot only one-for-one from the line, which proved to be the difference in the three-point game. Samage Teel led the Sycamores offensively with 23 points on 9-for-18 shooting while dishing out a game-high seven assists. He played 42:17 minutes in the game, the most between the two teams. Jaden Daughtry scored 16 points going 6-for-9 from the field, and he tied Derek Vorst for a team-high seven rebounds. K’mani Doughty finished with 15 points on a 5-for-9 night, going 2-for-4 from deep with three rebounds and three assists. Camp Wagner scored 14 points, knocking down four three-pointers and pulling down four rebounds. Aaron Gray rounded out the five Sycamores in double figures with 10, going 5-for-10 from the field with six rebounds.

For Belmont, the Bruins won at home against Southern Illinois, 90-86, backed from a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds from Brigham Rogers. But, it was Jonathan Pierre that led five Belmont players in double figures with 21 points and five rebounds.

This contest, on paper, is shaping up to be a fast, high-scoring affair.

Both teams are inside the top 30 in the nation in adjusted tempo. Indiana State sits ninth at 73.8 and Belmont 29th at 72.2 (via KenPom, through games January 9). Adjusted tempo is an estimate of the tempo (possessions per 40 minutes) a team would have against the team that wants to play at an average D-I tempo.

Both teams are inside the top 35 in effective field goal percentage. Indiana State sits 21st at 56.9% and Belmont at 32nd at 55.7%. Effective field goal percentage (eFG%) – Shooting is measured by effective field goal percentage, which differs from conventional field goal percentage by taking into account the extra value of a made 3-pointer.

In the last five games, Jaden Daughtry is leading the Sycamores at 18.0 points per gam, shooting 62.5% in the stretch. Samage Teel is scoring 16.2 points per game hitting at a 47.4% clip from the field, and Camp Wagner is scoring 12.2 points per game hitting 40.0% from deep. The team is averaging 86.4 points per game on 47.4% shooting from the field and 32.4% from deep. However, the Sycamores are allowing the opposition to score 81.2 points per game while shooting 44.6% from the field.

Looking Ahead

After hosting Belmont, Indiana State hits the road to Peoria, Ill. to face Bradley on January 15 at 8 p.m. ET for the second time in 2025. The Braves came to Indiana State and won in overtime, 90-89, on January 1. Following the Bradley game, the Sycamores return to Terre Haute to play Drake University on ESPN2/ESPNU on. Saturday, January 18 at 6 p.m. ET.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

#HLWBB PRESEASON FAVORITES AND LEAGUE LEADERS CLASH ON SUNDAY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The league-leading Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team will battle with the Horizon League preseason favorite Cleveland State on Sunday (Jan. 12) in Cleveland.

Game Day Information
Who: Cleveland State Vikings
When: Sunday, January 12 | 2 PM
Where: Cleveland, Ohio | Wolstein Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Cleveland State | Horizon League

Know Your Foe

Preseason Horizon League favorite Cleveland State is 13-3 and 5-1 in league action. The Vikings are 2-1 in their last three since returning from Puerto Rico, which includes an overtime win against Milwaukee, a win at Detroit Mercy and a loss at Oakland. The Vikings lost Preseason Player of the Year Colbi Maples to injury, but Mickayla Perdue is picking up the slack, averaging 20.4 points per game. Jordana Reisma, Sara Guerreiro and Destiny Leo are also averaging over 10 points per game.

The Series

Cleveland State leads the all-time series 15-1, but the margin of victory over the last three has been 12 or less each game. The Mastodons’ only win in the series came in 2004.

Points For Millie

Amellia Bromenschenkel needs 20 points to match Shayla Sellers and move into 10th place on the Mastodons’ all-time scoring list.

9. 1386 – Haley Seibert (2011-15)

10. 1332 – Shayla Sellers (2019-24)

11. 1312 – Amellia Bromenschenkel (2020-present)

Boards for Millie

Amellia Bromenschenkel needs 14 rebounds to match Robin Scott for third on the Mastodons’ all-time rebounding list.

2. 759 – Pam Edwards (1989-94)

3. 662 – Robin Scott (1987-91)

4. 648 – Amellia Bromenschenkel (2020-present)

Linbo Limbo

Jazzlyn Linbo is shooting a career-best 55.0 percent from the floor this season and ranks in the top-five in program history in career field goal percentage at 51.2 percent.

3. 53.1 – Rhonda Unverferth (1982-85)

4. 51.2 – Jazzlyn Linbo (2021-present)

5. 50.7 – Pam Edwards (1989-94)

6. 50.6 – Lisa Miller (1988-92)

Can’t Lose If You Don’t Trail

Over the last nine games (360 minutes), Purdue Fort Wayne has only trailed a total of 43:48, with 31:26 of that coming at IU Indy. In the last six games, Purdue Fort Wayne has only trailed for 2:18, with the Mastodons never trailing in four of those games.

We Love Fort Wayne

Purdue Fort Wayne’s 7-0 start at home is the best as a Division I institution and the best overall since 1995-96, when the Mastodons went 13-0 at home.

Rankings Respect

Per Bart Torvik and the NET, Purdue Fort Wayne has a ranking of 111 nationally. Both sets of rankings have Purdue Fort Wayne, Cleveland State and Green Bay in a cluster between 105 and 126, effectively rating the games between the three as toss-ups.

A Deep Lineup

Eight different Mastodons have scored at least 18 points in a single game in their Division I careers: Amellia Bromenschenkel, Audra Emmerson, Sydney Freeman, Jazzlyn Linbo, Ella Riggs, Lauren Ross, Renna Schwieterman and Taeya Steinauer.

Home Sweet Gates

The Mastodons are 7-0 at home this season. In its home games this season, Purdue Fort Wayne is scoring 83.0 points per game and has an average margin of victory of 27.6 points per game. The Mastodons are shooting 47.9 percent from the floor and 37.7 percent from 3-point range in Fort Wayne.

League Leaders

Purdue Fort Wayne stands as the only unbeaten team left in Horizon League play at 7-0. The Mastodons beat the only other remaining unbeaten, Oakland, 77-37 on January 5.

Streak Tracker

The Mastodons are on a nine-game winning streak, which is the fifth-best in program history and the longest of the Division I era (2001-present).

14 wins – 1995-96

11 wins – 1982-83

10 wins – 1990-91, 1993-94

9 wins – 2024-25

A Perfect Start to League Play

Purdue Fort Wayne is 7-0 to start Horizon League play this season. That is the best start to a league season since the Mastodons started 7-0 in the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1995-96, which stands as the program record.

Landlord of the Year

In addition to her head coaching duties, Maria Marchesano is the landlord for Purdue Fort Wayne Media Services Assistant Eli Jones. She has a 1-0 record in replacing garbage disposals.

Ross Has the Sauce

Through 17 games, Lauren Ross is shooting 48.9 percent from the floor, 50 percent from 3-point range and 93.8 percent from the line. With a slight uptick in field goal percentage, 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.

Triumphant Trio

Through seven Horizon League games, Lauren Ross, Amellia Bromenschenkel and Sydney Freeman have all been dangerous for the Mastodons. Ross is averaging 15.3 points, Bromenschenkel is at 14.3 and Freeman is at 10.3. All three of them have scored at least 19 points in a league game this season.

Schweeeeeet

After a 28.9 3-point field goal percentage a year ago, Renna Schwieterman is shooting 35.3 percent from deep this season.

Thief!

Sydney Freeman is second in the Horizon League and top-60 nationally with 36 steals this season.

Our Ball!

Purdue Fort Wayne’s 7.94 turnover margin ranks first in the Horizon League and is a top-20 mark nationally. Their 21.12 turnovers forced per game also leads the league.

Offensive Threat

Per College Basketball Reference, Lauren Ross has an offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) of 132.8, the highest on the team among rotation players. She also has an effective field goal percentage of 63.3 percent, a team-best. She is taking 57.8 percent of her shots from 3-point range. She also has the highest plus/minus on the team among rotation players with +7.8 per game.

Fill It Up

Purdue Fort Wayne is averaging 78.2 points per game, which ranks first in the Horizon League and top-40 nationally. The Mastodons’ 36.4 3-point shooting percentage and 9.6 3-point makes per game both rank top-30 nationally.

Chasing 1,000

Audra Emmerson has a chance to reach 1,000 points for her career. She has 827 points, needing 173 to reach the milestone. She scored 343 last season.

In The Polls…

Purdue Fort Wayne has been receiving votes in the recent CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 since November 12. On January 7, they earned 28 points, their most ever in the 15 years the poll has been done.

Magic Numbers 70 and 80

Under head coach Maria Marchesano, the Mastodons are 36-8 when they score 70 points or more and 16-3 when they hit 80.

200 For the Boss

Maria Marchesano is nearing 200 head coaching wins for her career. She owns 198 W’s as a head coach, 58 of which have come as the head coach for the Mastodons.

Last Time Out

Purdue Fort Wayne took care of business with a 70-58 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday (Jan. 9). Amellia Bromenschenkel had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Coming Up

The Mastodons will welcome Northern Kentucky to the Gates Sports Center on Saturday, January 18 at 2 p.m.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL

LEAGUE SCHEDULE ROLLS ON WITH DETROIT MERCY ON SATURDAY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The ‘Dons are 8-0 at home with Detroit Mercy making their annual trip to the Summit City on Saturday (Jan. 11). A win on Saturday would give the ‘Dons their best ever start to a season at home in the Division I era at 9-0.

Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (12-6, 5-2 Horizon) vs. Detroit Mercy Titans (6-12, 2-5 Horizon)
When: Saturday, Jan. 11 | 7 p.m. ET
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Live Stats: Link
Listen: 1380 AM
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets:Start at $10
Series History: Series tied 6-6
Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne | Detroit Mercy

// The ‘Dons are 1st in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.0) and 3rd in turnover margin (+6.8).

– The ‘Dons committed no turnovers in a 103-52 win over Defiance on Dec. 20, tying an NCAA record.

– 11 times this year have the ‘Dons have committed single-digit turnovers in a game.

– This isn’t new. Last year: 10.4 turnovers/game (11th in the nation), +5.7 turnover margin (4th).

– In league games, the ‘Dons are averaging 10.3 turnovers.

– Quinton Morton-Robertson (2.39 86th).

// In the nation the Mastodons are:

– 1st in fewest turnovers per game (9.0)

– 3rd in turnover margin (6.8)

– 15th in 3-pointers per game (10.7)

– 18th in assist/turnover ratio (1.64)

– 28th in turnovers forced per game (15.76)

– 32nd in 3-point attempts per game (28.5)

– 32nd in effective field goal percentage (56.2 percent)

– 43rd in steals per game (8.9)

– 48th in fastbreak points per game (14.47)

// The Mastodons have opened the season 8-0 at home, knotting the best stretch to open a season at home in the Division I era program. A win on Saturday vs. Detroit Mercy would set a new mark for best home start to the season. The following are seasons of 8-0 or better home records to start the season:

2015-16 (8-0)

2017-18 (8-0)

2023-24 (8-0)

2024-25 (8-0) (current)

// With two wins at home to close out last season, the Mastodon home win-streak is at 10 games. Their last loss in a game in Fort Wayne was Feb. 14, 2024 to Oakland.

// The ‘Dons had a season-high 23 fast break points (against a Division I team) on Saturday vs. Youngstown State (Jan. 4).

// Multiple ‘Dons are shooting 40 percent or better from three this year:

– Maximus Nelson – 40.7 percent (44-of-108)

– Corey Hadnot II – 41.4 percent (24-of-58)

// In league play, Quinton Morton-Robertson is 18-of-41 (43.9 percent) from three.

// Per Ken Pom, the ‘Dons lead the nation in minutes continuity at 73.9 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 34.1 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 nearing scoring marks:

– Quinton Morton-Robertson (vs. Milwaukee, Jan. 10), Jalen Jackson (at EMU, Dec. 15) and Rasheed Bello (at EMU, Dec. 15).

// Career games with 10 made free throws (Mastodon DI era)

Rank Player Total

1 Frank Gaines 9

2 Bryson Scott 6

3 Jalen Jackson 3

Jarred Godfrey 3

5 David Carson 2

Rasheed Bello 2

JALEN JACKSON…:

// … has reached double-figures in every game this season and 20 points seven times.

// … has scored in double-digits in 49-of-54 career games for the ‘Dons.

// … ranks 5th in the nation in total points (344) and 7th in total field goals (121).

// … ranks 25th in the nation and first in the league in made free throws with 83. He is 21st in the nation with 107 free throw attempts, also best in the league.

// … is averaging 6.4 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, 48th in the nation per Ken Pom.

// … is 23rd in the nation with 35 steals.

// … was named to The Sunshine Classic All-Tournament Team (Nov. 2024).

// … has reached double-digit free throw attempts in a game eight times in his career.

// … made 133 free throws last season, 8th in a single-season all-time in program history.

// … has raised his field goal percentage each year of his career (42.4 percent, 49.7 percent to 51.1 percent).

// … was named the MVP of the CIT’s Jim Phelan Classic in a win at Bowling Green in March 2024.

EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL

UE OPENS IOWA TRIP ON SATURDAY AT DRAKE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A 2-game road swing through Iowa begins on Saturday when the University of Evansville men’s basketball team faces Drake in a 5 p.m. game at the Knapp Center. ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.

Last Time Out

– Evansville led for over 32 minutes on Wednesday as the defense limited Illinois State to a season-low 51 points in a 69-51 victory at the Ford Center

– Four Aces reached double figures with Tayshawn Comer scoring a game-high 19 points

– The defense for UE held ISU to 34.6% shooting in the contest

Defensive Clinic

– UE held Illinois State to a season-low 51 points on Jan. 8; prior to that, the low scoring mark for the Redbirds was 64

– In the first 12 games that saw UE go 3-9, opponents were averaging 74.3 PPG while shooting 44.8% from the field and 34.1% from outside

– Over the last four contests, UE is holding the opposition to 52.5 PPG, 33.0% shooting and 24.5% from 3-point range

Pacing the Valley

– Connor Turnbull has posted a block in 9 of the last 10 games and has taken the MVC lead with his season average of 1.50 per game

– Turnbull tied his single game mark with six blocks against WKU

– Against Illinois State, Turnbull set career highs in rebounds (10), assists (4) and minutes (31:04) while adding 8 points

– He had his first double digit scoring game of the season, finishing with 10 against Indiana State

Trending Upward

– In a 5-game stretch in December, Josh Hughes did not score over 7 points, but in the last four games, he has reached double figures on three occasions

– Hughes approached a double-double versus Illinois State, totaling 10 points and 9 boards

– In the Dec. 29 win over Missouri State, Hughes reached double figures for the first time since Nov. 24 totaling 11 points while tying his career mark with 9 boards and picking up his top tally of 4 steals

Scouting the Opponent

– Drake is coming off a huge 64-57 road win at Bradley that improved its record to 13-2 overall and 3-2 in the Valley

– The Bulldogs had a perfect 12-0 non-conference showing with wins over Miami (Fla.), Vanderbilt, Florida Gulf Coast, and Kansas State

– Leading the way for the Bulldogs is Bennett Stirtz, who is averaging 17.3 points per game

– He also paces the team with 93 assists, 37 steals, and an average of 38.1 minutes per game

– Mitch Mascari holds an average of 11.5 PPG while Daniel Abreu has posted 11.2 PPG

– Cam Manyawu is the top rebounder for the Bulldogs with 6.2 per game

SOUTHERN INDIANA BASKETBALL

USI-LITTLE ROCK BASKETBALL DOUBLEHEADER POSTPONED

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Basketball doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been postponed until Sunday. Tipoff for the games is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Both USI Men’s and Women’s Basketball games can be seen live on ESPN+. The games can also be heard on ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com) and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com).

UINDY WRESTLING

HOUNDS BATTLE PAIR OF TOP-25 TEAMS AT NWCA NATIONAL DUALS

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. – The No. 13-ranked UIndy wrestling team fell in both of their duals on Friday against two top 10-ranked opponents, No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney and No. 8 Grand Valley State, on the first day of the 2025 NWCA National Duals.

INS & OUTS

The Greyhounds began their NWCA National Duals journey against Nebraska-Kearney. This is the first time these two schools have met since the 2022 NWCA National Duals event.

The Lopers jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead, but UIndy rebounded with two successive wins for Brayden Lowery (141) and Gavin Garcia (149). Lowery jumped out to an early lead on the Loper’s Zachary Ourada in the first, but Ourada came back in the second. Lowery eventually squeaked out the 16-12 decision after a decisive performance in the third period, scoring three points for the Hounds.

Garcia dominated Nebraska-Kearney’s Brady Collins, pushing the pace of the match and using strong reattacks from the jump to earn himself the major decision victory, and four points for the team.

Reigning national champion, Derek Blubaugh, returned to the mat for the first time since the Hounds last dual against No. 6-ranked McKendree. This match was a top-five 197 matchup between the No. 1-ranked Blubaugh against the No. 5-ranked Jackson Kinsella. Blubaugh captured the 11-1 major decision victory and scored four points, after taking advantage of Kinsella for stalling throughout the match.

#4 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 30, #13 UINDY 11

125 – Zachary Ourada over Jadon Gyan TF 15-0

133 – Hector Serratos over Toby Billerman Dec 10-3

141 – Brayden Lowery over Joseph Airola Dec 16-12

149 – Gavin Garcia over Brady Collins Maj 13-2

157 – Cael Robb over Gavin Garcia Maj 12-0

165 – Trenton Munoz over Kaden Lone Fall 2:59

174 – Kaden Hart over Shane Bates Maj 16-3

184 – Jacari Deal over Aidan Petersen TF 19-3

197 – Derek Blubaugh over Jackson Kinsella Maj 11-1

285 – Crew Howard over Cale Gray Dec 8-3

The Hounds, now in the consolation bracket, were matched up with No. 8 Grand Valley State, who lost 20-17 in a closely contested dual against No. 7-ranked Augustana. UIndy and Grand Valley State faced off last year at the 2024 Greyhound Duals where the Hounds won 29-6.

Blubaugh individually went undefeated in 197 on Friday, after dominating the Lakers’ Wyatt Miller by an 11-2 major decision. While Cale Gray (285) picked up six points for the Hounds to cap off the dual via a no contest.

#8 GRAND VALLEY STATE 36, #13 UINDY 10

125 – Orion Wilson over Jadon Gyan TF 21-0

133 – Jak Keller over Toby Billerman Fall 1:48

141 – Eran Marx over Brayden Lowery TF 22-5

149 – Chris Donathan over Gavin Garcia Dec 4-0

157 – Maddox Simcoe over Nathan Conley Dec 7-0

165 – Bradley Mayse over Kaden Lone TF 19-3

174 – Joshua Kenny over Shane Bates TF 18-1

184 – Brayden Mirijavadi over Van Skinner Maj 14-3

197 – Derek Blubaugh over Wyatt Miller Maj 11-2

285 – Cale Gray over Unknown Forf

UP NEXT

The Hounds will look to bounce back tomorrow at day two of the NWCA National Duals. UIndy will take on No. 25-ranked Central Missouri at 10 a.m. ET.

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”

FOOTBALL HISTORY

January 11, 1946 – The NFL announces that Bert Bell had become the second Commissioner in League history. The Pro Football Researchers Association in their 1996 Volume 18 edition of the Coffin Corner Magazine shared a story from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The long time inaugural commissioner, Elmer Layden’s tenure was over due to an instance where Brooklyn owner Dan Topping withdrew his team from the league to join the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The remaining owners agreed not to renew Layden’s League contract because he was soft and not forceful enough to prevent the Brooklyn departure. The AAFC right after World War II was a definite competitor to the NFL as the AAFC had some deep pockets as well as some star power. The NFL franchise owners then unanimously picked one of their own, fellow owner, Bert Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers co-owners to take the position of the League Commissioner. For the first two decades of the NFL’s existence, they had a president of the League. Jim Thorpe served as the President in 1920, followed by Joe Carr who served as the head man for 19 seasons, and then Carl Storck was the final President serving for two years. In 1941 Layden was the first Commissioner as the group moved away from the President title. Bell was one of the best the NFL had ever seen, he dealt immediately with a gambling scandal, wouldn’t back down or sign truces with a rival AAFC and even instituted the two -Minute Warning and signed a TV deal. Bell’s staunch position of not giving into the AAFC eventually paid dividends as he basically made the fledgling league to go belly up and then Bell swept in to grab the AAFC’s three best teams to merge into the NFL. Bell really put the NFL in a better place to compete with the popular college game.

January 11, 1959 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The 9th NFL Pro Bowl was played as the Eastern Conference got the better of the Western Conference in a final score of 28-21. According to the American Football Database website, New York Giants halfback, Frank Gifford and Doug Atkins, the Defensive End from the Chicago Bears were the game’s Most Valuable Players.

January 11, 1970 – Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana – Super Bowl IV had the Minnesota Vikings taking on Kansas City for the right to win the Lombardi Trophy according to the Pro-Football-Reference.com. The Chiefs jumped out to a 16-0 half time lead based on three Jan Stenerud field goals and a rushing TD by Running Back Mike Garrett. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter on a Vikings Dave Osborn plunge and KC Len Dawson pass connection to Otis Taylor for a 46 yard touchdown. The Chiefs captured the NFL title by knocking off the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7. The game’s Most Valuable Player was Quarterback Len Dawson.

January 11, 1981 – AFC Championship was played at San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium. The AFC West dominated the American Conference of the NFL when the Chargers hosted the Oakland Raiders. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers, 34-27 per Onthisday.com.

January 11, 1981 – Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia – The NFC Championship Philadelphia Eagles beat Dallas Cowboys, 20-7 per Onthisday.com.

January 11, 1987 – Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey – The Largest crowd which was 76,633 at the Giant Stadium witnessed the G-men blanking Washington 17-0, for the NFC Championship title per Onthisday.com.

January 11, 1987 – Cleveland Municipal Stadium – AFC Championship will forever go down in the annals of sports history as “the Drive.” According to SBNation.com Cleveland fans were on an emotional high as the Browns scored a touchdown with less than 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter on a 48 pass from Bernie Kosar to receiver Brian Brennan, who with a spin move escaped would be tacklers to find the endzone. Things looked even better for the Browns as Denver bobbled the ensuing kick off and found themselves with possession at thor own two yard line. The Broncos had not mustered a drive of any length all day against a stingy Cleveland defense and that just added fever pitch to the home crowd. But the cool calm and collected John Elway had other things in mind. Elway and company drove the entire 98 yards of the field including some third and long conversions to tie the game and silence the crowd. The Broncos took the game to Overtime where a Rich Karlis Field Goal defeated the Cleveland Browns Super Bowl plans 23-20.

January 11, 1995 – The Canadian Football League tried some experimental U.S. expansion by announcing Alabama’s Birmingham Barracudas were granted CFL franchise. Birmingham lasted only one season though per Onthisday.com as the States did not support the Canadian style of play.

January 11, 1998 – AFC Championship Game had Bill Cowher’s Steelers up against a Denver Broncos team with wiley veteran John Elway under center. Terrell Davis started the scoring with an 8 yard scamper according to the Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pittsburgh countered with a TD by their big back Jerome Bettis. The Steelers defense shut Elway and company down in the second half and made it interesting down the stretch but could not overcome 3 Kordell Stewart interceptions as the Denver Broncos went on to beat Pittsburgh 24-21 to advance into the big game.

January 11, 1998 – 3Com Park, San Francisco – The NFC Championship game was won by the Green Bay Packers as they outlasted the San Francisco 49ers, 23-10 to advance to the Super Bowl per Onthisday.com.

January 11, 1999 – Marty Schottenheimer resigned as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs after 10 seasons. Schottenheimer had great success as an NFL head coach not only with the Chiefs but also with the Cleveland Browns a decade earlier. CBSNews.com tells how Marty’s teams played well in the regular season but his failures in the playoffs led to many disappointments to Chiefs and Browns fans. It’s a shame that he is remembered for his failures and not for the tremendous success his teams had. His 145 victories had him at the time ranked 10th in NFL history.

January 11, 2004 – The Philadelphia Eagles faced “4th and 26”, as they trailed the Green Bay Packers by 3 in NFC Divisional Playoff Game. An ESPN.com story informs that it was the final drive for the Eagles and the game all came down to this one play with 1:12 remaining. Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb launched a remarkable 28 yard strike to Freddie Mitchell to move the sticks and keep Philly’s chances alive. The Eagles would go onto score on a David Akers field goal to tie the game at 17 and send the game to an extra sudden death session. The Packers had their chance in OT as they had the ball but an errant pass by Brett Favre was picked off by ball hawking safety Brian Dwkins to set up the game ending field goal by Akers in a 20-17 Eagles win. McNabb set a post season quarterback rushing record with his 107 yards on the ground.

January 11, 2016 – University of Phoenix Stadium – The second College Football Playoff National Championship game had the top teams in college football face each other as the Crimson Tide of Alabama challenged the Clemson Tigers. The College Football Playoff website covers the game’s storyline well. Clemson’s signal caller the phenomenal Deshaun Watson set a Championship game record of 478 total yards but the Tide countered with offensive production by Derrick Henry who trudged for 158 yards on the ground and O.J. Howard caught 208 yards of passes on just 5 receptions with two scores. It was a game for the ages as #2 Alabama outlasted #1 Clemson, 45-40. The Tide’s O.J. Howard was the Offensive Player of the Game while Bama’s Eddie Jackson was the Defensive Player of the Game.

Hall Of Fame Birthdays for January 11

January 11, 1895 – Evanston, Illinois -Northwestern Quarterback Paddy Driscoll was born. For his full bio click his name

January 11, 1973 – Great Falls, Montana – Dave Dickenson the great quarterback from the University of Montana arrived into this life. The National Football Foundation states that Dickenson is the Grizzlies’ all-time leading passer and still holds 28 other school records. Dave was a two-time First Team All-American. Dave had won the 1995 Walter Payton Award as the top player in the FCS and Dickenson led Montana to the FCS national title that year. Dave Dickenson was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Dave after college played professionally most notably in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions. In 2015 Dickenson was honored by being inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame. He was the league’s MVP in 2000, and he won three Grey Cups (1998, 2006, 2008). Dickenson had some time in the NFL too as in 2001 and 2002 he had a cup of coffee with the San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.

YESTERDAY IN BASEBALL

Bruce Sutter was one of the sport’s dominant relievers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making effective use of the split-finger fastball. A six-time All-Star and 1982 World Series champion, Sutter recorded a 2.83 career earned run average and 300 saves, the third-most in MLB history at the time of his retirement. Sutter won the National League’s (NL) Cy Young Award in 1979 as its top pitcher, and won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award four times. He became the only pitcher to lead the NL in saves five times (1979–1982, 1984).

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sutter briefly attended Old Dominion University and was subsequently signed by the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 1971. He played five years for the Cubs, four for the St. Louis Cardinals, and three for the Atlanta Braves, serving as each team’s closer during his tenure. His usage in the eighth and ninth innings of games was partly responsible for ushering in a more specialized era for the closer role. In the mid-1980s, Sutter began to experience shoulder problems, undergoing three surgeries before retiring in 1989.

Sutter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, his 13th year of eligibility. He was also honored by the Cardinals with the retirement of his uniform number 42 in 2006 and induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Career highlights and awards:

6× All-Star (1977–1981, 1984)

World Series champion (1982)

NL Cy Young Award (1979)

4× NL Rolaids Relief Man Award (1979, 1981, 1982, 1984)

5× NL saves leader (1979–1982, 1984)

St. Louis Cardinals No. 42 retired

St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame

Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame

National Baseball Hall of Fame (inducted in 2006)

TODAY IN SPORTS

Jan. 11

1970 — The AFL wins its second straight Super Bowl as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 behind Len Dawson’s superb quarterbacking and Jan Stenerud’s three field goals.

1973 — The American League adopts the designated hitter rule.

1981 — Jim Plunkett completes 14 of 18 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Oakland Raiders to 34-27 victory over the San Diego Chargers for the AFC title. The Raiders are the first AFC wild-card team to advance to the Super Bowl.

1984 — The Denver Nuggets beats the San Antonio Spurs 163-155 in the highest-scoring regulation NBA game.

1987 — Denver’s John Elway leads the Broncos to a 23-20 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns to win the AFC Championship. Elway caps a 15-play, 98-yard march with a 5-yard TD pass to Mark Jackson to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining. Rich Karlis kicks a 33-yard field goal in overtime to give Denver the win.

1992 — Kristi Yamaguchi, runner-up the previous three years, wins her first title in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Christopher Bowman, the 1989 U.S. champion, wins the men’s title.

1998 — Lleyton Hewitt, an Australian high school student ranked 550th, wins the Australian Men’s Hardcourt Championship to become the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP Tour event.

2004 — Detroit allows 100 points for the first time this season, but the Pistons were still able to outlast Dallas 115-102. Detroit has its NBA-record streak of not allowing 100 points snapped at 38 games, including 36 this season.

2009 — Philadelphia, led by Donovan McNabb, eliminates the New York Giants 23-11 to reach the NFC title game for the fifth time in eight seasons. This is the first game in NFL history to finish 23-11.

2011 — Toronto beats San Jose 4-2 to give Maple Leafs’ coach Ron Wilson his 600th career win. Wilson becomes the seventh coach to reach the 600-win milestone.

2014 — LeGarrette Blount rushes for 166 yards and four touchdown as the New England beats Indianapolis 43-22 to advance to their third consecutive AFC championship game. Blount joins Ricky Watters, who had five touchdowns for San Francisco on Jan. 15, 1994, as the only players with four or more in a playoff game.

2014 — Gracie Gold wins her first U.S. figure skating title and 15-year-old Polina Edmunds finishes second. Charlie White and Meryl Davis win a record sixth straight U.S. ice dance title — one more than American ice dance pioneers Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.

2014 — Alex Rodriguez is dealt the most severe punishment in the history of baseball’s drug agreement when arbitrator Fredric Horowitz rules the New York Yankees third baseman is suspended for the entire 2014 season as a result of a drug investigation by Major League Baseball. The decision cuts the suspension issued Aug. 5, 2013 by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig from 211 games.

2015 — Roger Federer beats the up-and-coming Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 to register his 1,000th career match and win the Brisbane International. Federer is the third player to win 1,000 times on the men’s professional tour’ joining Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071).

2015 — Green Bay rallies from an eight-point deficit behind Aaron Rodgers, who throws two second-half touchdowns to beat Dallas 26-21 in an NFC divisional-round playoff. The Packers are helped by a video challenge with 4:06 remaining. Dez Bryant’s leaping catch at the Packers 1 on fourth-and-2 is reversed by referee Gene Steratore after Green Bay challenges. Instead of first-and-goal for Dallas, the ball goes to the Packers.

2016 — No. 2 Alabama wins its fourth national title in the last seven seasons, outlasting the dynamic play of Deshaun Watson and No. 1 Clemson in a 45-40 victory in the College Football Playoff championship game.

2021 — College Football, National Championship, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida: #1 Alabama beats #3 Ohio State, 52-24.

2024 — After 24 seasons and 6 Super Bowl titles, coach Bill Belichick and the NFL New England Patriots part ways; Patriots finished season in last place in AFC East at 4-13,

_____

Jan. 12

1951 — Ezzard Charles knocks out Lee Oma in the 10th round at Madison Square Garden in New York to retain the heavyweight title.

1958 — Dolph Schayes of the Syracuse Nationals sets an NBA record for career points in a 135-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Schayes scores 23 points to bring his career mark to 11,770, breaking the record of 11,764 held by George Mikan.

1958 — The NCAA rules committee makes the first change in football scoring rules since 1912 by adding the two-point conversion.

1960 — Syracuse’s Dolph Schayes becomes the first player in NBA history to score 15,000 career points.

1969 — New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath “guarantees” a victory before the game against the 17-point favorite Baltimore Colts, then leads the AFL to its first Super Bowl victory, a 16-7 triumph over a Baltimore team that had lost only once in 16 games all season.

1975 — The Pittsburgh Steelers totally shut down Minnesota’s offense, handing the Vikings their third Super Bowl defeat, 16-6. Franco Harris, the game’s MVP, sets a Super Bowl rushing record with 158 yards.

1986 — Chicago’s Denis Savard ties an NHL record for the fastest goal to start a period by scoring four seconds into the third period of the Blackhawks’ 4-2 victory over the Hartford Whalers.

1991 — Princeton beats Cornell 164-71 in an unusual swimming meet. The schools agree to compete by telephone due to a blizzard making transportation a problem to Ithaca, N.Y. Both teams swim in their owns pools and the results are exchanged by FAX.

2001 — Minnesota defenseman J.J. Daigneault ties an NHL record by playing for his 10th team when he appears in a 5-0 loss to the Avalanche.

2007 — Tadd Fujikawa, just shy of his 16th birthday, steals the show at the Sony Open. Fujikawa shoots a 4-under 66, making him the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour.

2008 — Tom Brady completes all but two of his 28 passes to lead New England to its second straight AFC championship game with a 31-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots improve to 17-0, matching the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team to go unbeaten from the first game of the season through the Super Bowl.

2008 — The Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-20 to reach the NFC championship game. Ryan Grant recovers from two fumbles that put the Packers down 14-0 after only four minutes. Grant sets a team postseason record by running for 201 yards, and scores three times.

2012 — Dwight Howard breaks Wilt Chamberlain’s nearly 50-year-old NBA record for most free throw attempts in a game, making 21 of 39 in the Orlando Magic’s 117-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Chamberlain shot 34 for the Philadelphia Warriors against St. Louis on Feb. 22, 1962.

2013 — Colin Kaepernick rushes for a quarterback playoff-record 181 yards and two touchdowns and throws two scoring passes to Michael Crabtree in San Francisco’s 45-31 win over Green Bay.

2013 — Joe Flacco throws a 70-yard game-tying touchdown to Jacoby Jones with 31 seconds left in regulation, helping send it into overtime and Baltimore beats Denver in the second extra period, 38-35.

2014 — Jeremy Abbott wins his fourth U.S. figure skating title. Teenager Jason Brown finishes second and defending champion Max Aaron places third.

2015 — Ezekiel Elliott rushes for 246 yards and four touchdowns and Ohio State wins the first national title in college football’s playoff era, running over Oregon 42-20.

2017 Justin Thomas (23) becomes the youngest player to shoot a sub-60 round of 59 in the opening round of the Sony Open at Waialae CC in Hawaii; he also wins the tournament.

_____

Jan. 13

1962 — Wilt Chamberlain scores an NBA regulation-game record 73 points to lead the Philadelphia Warriors to a 135-117 triumph over the Chicago Packers.

1971 — Lenny Wilkens of the Seattle Supersonics, at 33, becomes the oldest All-Star MVP as he scores 21 points to give the West a 108-107 victory over the East.

1974 — The Miami Dolphins win their second straight Super Bowl in their third straight appearance with a 24-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Larry Csonka, the game’s MVP, gains 145 yards on 33 carries and scores a touchdown.

1986 — NCAA schools vote overwhelmingly in favor of adopting the controversial Proposition 48. The rule requires that incoming freshman maintain 2.0 grade point averages and score 700 or more on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or a 15 on the American College Testing program.

1987 — Lewis Lloyd and Mitchell Wiggins of the Houston Rockets become the third and fourth National Basketball Association players to be banned from the league for using cocaine.

1991 — Phil Mickelson overcomes an 8 on the 14th hole to become the second amateur since 1954 to win a PGA Tour event as he posts a one-shot victory over Bob Tway and Tom Purtzer in the Northern Telecom Open.

1995 — America3, the first all-women’s team in the 144-year history of America’s Cup, wins the first race of the America’s Cup defender trials, beating Team Dennis Conner by 1 minute, 9 seconds.

1999 — Basketball superstar Michael Jordan announces his second retirement just prior to start of lockout-shortened 1998-99 NBA season; returns in 2001 with Washington.

2003 — Jennifer Capriati becomes the first women’s Australian Open defending champion to lose in the first round in the Open era. Capriati, seeded third, loses 2-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 to 90th-ranked Marlene Weingartner of Germany.

2006 — Larry Brown becomes the fourth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 regular-season games as New York beats Atlanta 105-94. Brown, 1,000-762 in 23 seasons in the NBA, joins Lenny Wilkens, Don Nelson and Pat Riley in the 1,000-win club.

2013 — Matt Bryant kicks a 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons bounce back after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, defeating Seattle 30-28 in an NFC divisional playoff game. The Falcons lead 27-7 at the start of the final quarter before rookie quarterback Russell Wilson leads the Seahawks to three fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 28-27 lead with 31 seconds left.

2013 — Tom Brady becomes the winningest quarterback in postseason play, throwing for three touchdowns to beat Houston 41-28 and lift the New England Patriots into the AFC championship game. Brady gets his 17th victory, surpassing Joe Montana, by throwing for 344 yards.

2017 — Kelsey Plum scores 36 points to become the 12th player in women’s basketball history to top 3,000 career points and Washington routs Arizona 90-73.

2020 – Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow are fired by team owner Jim Crane for their roles in the sign-stealing scandal after MLB suspends both for one year

TV SPORTS SATURDAY

NFL PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
(5) Chargers at (4) Texans	4:30pm	CBS Paramount+
(6) Steelers at (3) Ravens	8:00pm	AMZN Peacock
NBA REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks	3:00 pm	SCHN FanDuel Sports SE
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns	5:00pm	AFSN KJZZ
Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons	7:00pm	FanDuel Sports DET Sportsnet
Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves	8:00pm	FanDuel Sports SE FanDuel Sports North
Miami Heat vs Portland Trail Blazers	10:00pm	FanDuel Sports Sun Rip City
San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers	10:30pm	FanDuel Sports SW Spectrum
Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Clippers	10:30pm	FanDuel Sports SE FanDuel Sports Socal
NHL REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers	1:00pm	ABC ESPN+
Seattle Kraken vs Buffalo Sabres	4:00pm	ESPN+ KONG MSG-BUF
Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins	7:00pm	ESPN+ ATTSN-PIT Sportsnet
Anaheim Ducks vs Philadelphia Flyers	7:00pm	ESPN+ Victory+ NBCS-PHI
Dallas Stars vs Montreal Canadiens	7:00pm	ESPN+ Victory+ Sportsnet
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils	7:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports Sun MSGSN
Vancouver Canucks vs Toronto Maple Leafs	7:00pm	ESPN+ Sportsnet
Columbus Blue Jackets vs St. Louis Blues	7:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports OH FanDuel Sports MW
Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks	7:00pm	ESPN+ CHSN Sportsnet
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets	7:00pm	ESPN+ ALT Sportsnet
Washington Capitals vs Nashville Predators	8:00pm	ESPN+ MNMT FanDuel Sports South
New York Islanders vs Utah Hockey Club	9:00pm	ESPN+ MSGSN Utah16
Los Angeles Kings vs Calgary Flames	10:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports West Sportsnet
New York Rangers vs Vegas Golden Knights	10:00pm	ESPN+ MSG Scripps
Minnesota Wild vs San Jose Sharks	10:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports North NBCS-CA
MEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
Creighton at Butler	12:00pm	FOX/FS1
Notre Dame at Duke	12:00pm	ESPN
Louisville at Pitt	12:00pm	ESPN2
USC at Illinois	12:00pm	BTN
Brown at Yale	12:00pm	ESPNU
La Salle at St. Bonaventure	12:00pm	YES
Wofford at Furman	12:00pm	Nexstar
Auburn at South Carolina	1:00pm	SECN
UNCW at Hofstra	1:00pm	MSG
Charleston at Monmouth	1:00pm	SNY
Binghamton at New Hampshire	1:00pm	ESPN+
NJIT at UMass Lowell	1:00pm	ESPN+
Northern Illinois at Ohio	1:00pm	ESPN+
Belmont at Indiana State	1:00pm	ESPN+
Holy Cross at Lafayette	1:00pm	ESPN+
UConn at Georgetown	2:00pm	FOX/FS1
BYU at TCU	2:00pm	ESPN/2
Iowa State at Texas Tech	2:00pm	ESPN/2
Temple at Rice	2:00pm	ESPNU
Florida State at Clemson	2:00pm	ACCN
Fordham at Davidson	2:00pm	FanDuel Sports South
Delaware at Hampton	2:00pm	MNMT
Towson at Drexel	2:00pm	NBCS-PHI
Cleveland State at Youngstown State	2:00pm	ESPN+
Cornell at Columbia	2:00pm	ESPN+
Penn at Dartmouth	2:00pm	ESPN+
Princeton at Harvard	2:00pm	ESPN+
Bowling Green at Ball State	2:00pm	ESPN+
Boston University at Colgate	2:00pm	ESPN+
East Texas A&M at Northwestern State	2:00pm	ESPN+
VMI at Chattanooga	2:00pm	ESPN+
Longwood at Winthrop	2:00pm	ESPN+
UNC Asheville at Presbyterian	2:00pm	ESPN+
Central Arkansas at FGCU	2:00pm	ESPN+
Kansas at Cincinnati	2:00pm	ESPN+
UMass at George Mason	2:00pm	ESPN+
UAlbany at Maine	2:00pm	ESPN+
East Carolina at Memphis	2:00pm	ESPN+
South Florida at Tulane	2:00pm	ESPN+
James Madison at App State	2:00pm	ESPN+
North Carolina A&T at William & Mary	2:00pm	FloSports
South Dakota State at Omaha	2:00pm	Summit
Syracuse at Boston College	3:00pm	CW
Loyola Chicago at Saint Joseph’s	3:00pm	CBSSN
San Jose State at Air Force	3:00pm	ALT2
Bradley at UIC	3:00pm	ESPN+
Kennesaw State at WKU	3:00pm	ESPN+
Texas State at Southern Miss	3:00pm	ESPN+
North Dakota State at Denver	3:00pm	Summit
Vanderbilt at Missouri	3:30pm	SECN
Mercer at Western Carolina	3:30pm	ESPN+
Western Michigan at Miami (OH)	3:30pm	ESPN+
Akron at Eastern Michigan	3:30pm	ESPN+
FIU at Sam Houston	3:30pm	ESPN+
Florida at Arkansas	4:00pm	ESPN/2
Virginia at Stanford	4:00pm	ESPN/2/U
Georgia Tech at SMU	4:00pm	ESPN2/U
Xavier at DePaul	4:00pm	FS1
North Carolina at NC State	4:00pm	ACCN
Hawai’i at Cal State Fullerton	4:00pm	Spectrum
Green Bay at Milwaukee	4:00pm	ESPN+
UNLV at Colorado State	4:00pm	MWN
Maryland Eastern Shore at North Carolina Central	4:00pm	ESPN+
Morgan State at Howard	4:00pm	ESPN+
Bucknell at American	4:00pm	ESPN+
Valparaiso at Murray State	4:00pm	ESPN+
Southern Indiana at Little Rock	4:00pm	ESPN+
The Citadel at ETSU	4:00pm	ESPN+
Eastern Washington at Sacramento State	4:00pm	ESPN+
Wichita State at UTSA	4:00pm	ESPN+
Vermont at Bryant	4:00pm	ESPN+
Jacksonville at Eastern Kentucky	4:00pm	ESPN+
North Alabama at Stetson	4:00pm	ESPN+
Old Dominion at South Alabama	4:00pm	ESPN+
Georgia Southern at Marshall	4:00pm	ESPN+
Coastal Carolina at Georgia State	4:00pm	ESPN+
California Baptist at Utah Valley	4:00pm	ESPN+
Alabama State at Jackson State	4:30pm	SWAC
Arkansas State at Troy	4:30pm	ESPN+
UTRGV at A&M-Corpus Christi	4:30pm	ESPN+
UIW at Houston Christian	4:30pm	ESPN+
Tennessee Tech at SIUE	4:30pm	ESPN+
Tennessee State at Western Illinois	4:30pm	ESPN+
UT Martin at Lindenwood	4:30pm	ESPN+
Morehead State at Southeast Missouri	4:45pm	ESPN+
Seton Hall at Providence	5:00pm	CBSSN
Idaho at Portland State	5:00pm	ESPN+
Long Beach State at UC Davis	5:00pm	ESPN+
Queens at Austin Peay	5:00pm	ESPN+
West Georgia at Lipscomb	5:00pm	ESPN+
Navy at Loyola Maryland	5:00pm	ESPN+
Nicholls at McNeese	5:00pm	ESPN+
Wake Forest at Miami (FL)	5:15pm	CW
Southeastern Louisiana at New Orleans	5:30pm	ESPN+
Oklahoma at Georgia	6:00pm	ESPN/2
Tennessee at Texas	6:00pm	ESPN/2
Charlotte at Tulsa	6:00pm	ESPNU
LSU at Ole Miss	6:00pm	SECN
Virginia Tech at California	6:00pm	ACCN
Northern Colorado at Montana	6:00pm	SWX
Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee	6:00pm	ESPN+
Rhode Island at Richmond	6:00pm	ESPN+
Houston at Kansas State	6:00pm	ESPN+
UNCG at Samford	6:00pm	ESPN+
Evansville at Drake	6:00pm	Mediacom
Oakland at Northern Kentucky	6:00pm	ESPN+
North Florida at Bellarmine	6:30pm	ESPN+
Villanova vs. St. John’s	7:00pm	CBSSN
Northeastern at Stony Brook	7:00pm	SNY
Nevada at Fresno State	7:00pm	MWN
UNI at Illinois State	7:00pm	ESPN+
Missouri State at Southern Illinois	7:00pm	ESPN+
Detroit Mercy at Purdue Fort Wayne	7:00pm	ESPN+
Stephen F. Austin at Lamar	7:00pm	ESPN+
Army West Point at Lehigh	7:00pm	ESPN+
Radford at USC Upstate	7:00pm	ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at High Point	7:00pm	ESPN+
Oklahoma State at Utah	7:00pm	ESPN+
San Francisco at Santa Clara	7:00pm	ESPN+
Indiana at Iowa	8:00pm	FOX/FS1
Alabama at Texas A&M	8:00pm	ESPN/2
Liberty at Louisiana Tech	8:00pm	ESPNU
North Dakota at Oral Roberts	8:00pm	KGEB
UC Santa Barbara at Cal Poly	8:00pm	ESPN+
Weber State at Idaho State	8:00pm	ESPN+
Northern Arizona at Montana State	8:00pm	ESPN+
ULM at Louisiana	8:00pm	ESPN+
South Dakota at St. Thomas	8:00pm	Summit
Kentucky at Mississippi State	8:30pm	SECN
Prairie View A&M at Mississippi Valley State	8:30pm	YouTube
UTA at Southern Utah	8:30pm	ESPN+
Boise State at Utah State	9:00pm	CBSSN
Washington State at Gonzaga	9:00pm	KHQ
Tarleton at Utah Tech	9:00pm	ESPN+
NM State at UTEP	9:00pm	ESPN+
CSUN at CSU Bakersfield	9:30pm	ESPN+
Baylor at Arizona State	9:30pm	ESPN+
UCF at Arizona	10:00pm	ESPN
UC Irvine at UC San Diego	10:00pm	ESPNU
Abilene Christian at Seattle U	10:00pm	ESPN+
Saint Mary’s at San Diego	10:00pm	ESPN+
Loyola Marymount at Pepperdine	10:00pm	ESPN+
Oregon State at Pacific	10:00pm	ESPN+
MOTORSPORTS	TIME ET	TV
AMA Supercross	8:00pm	USA
GOLF	TIME ET	TV
PGA Tour: Sony Open	4:00pm	NBC
PGA Tour: Sony Open	6:00pm	GOLF
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
Women Serie A: Juventus vs Sampdoria	6:30am	CBSSN Paramount+ fuboTV
Scottish Premiership: Ross County vs Celtic	7:30am	Paramount+ fuboTV
FA Cup: Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers	7:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Birmingham City vs Lincoln City	7:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers	7:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley	7:15am	ESPN+
La Liga: Deportivo Alavés vs Girona	8:00am	ESPN+ fuboTV
FA Cup: Leicester City vs Queens Park Rangers	9:00am	ESPN+
Serie A: Udinese vs Atalanta	9:00am	CBSSN Paramount+ fuboTV
Serie A: Empoli vs Lecce	9:00am	Paramount+ fuboTV
Bundesliga: Freiburg vs Holstein Kiel	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Wolfsburg	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs Union Berlin	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Mainz 05 vs Bochum	9:30am	ESPN+
Bundesliga: St. Pauli vs Eintracht Frankfurt	9:30am	ESPN+
FA Cup: AFC Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Brentford vs Plymouth Argyle	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Chelsea vs Morecambe	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Exeter City vs Oxford United	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Reading vs Burnley	10:00am	ESPN+
La Liga: Real Valladolid vs Real Betis	10:15am	ESPN+ fuboTV
Ligue 1: Brest vs Olympique Lyonnais	11:00am	Fanatiz beIN Sports
Serie A: Torino vs Juventus	12:00pm	Paramount+ fuboTV
La Liga: Espanyol vs Leganés	12:30pm	ESPN+ fuboTV
Bundesliga: Borussia M’gladbach vs Bayern München	12:30pm	ESPN+
FA Cup: Leeds United vs Harrogate Town	12:45pm	ESPN+
FA Cup: Manchester City vs Salford City	12:45pm	ESPN+
FA Cup: Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday	1:00pm	ESPN+
FA Cup: Leyton Orient vs Derby County	1:00pm	ESPN+
FA Cup: Mansfield Town vs Wigan Athletic	1:00pm	ESPN+
Ligue 1: Reims vs Nice	1:00pm	Fanatiz beIN Sports
Serie A: Milan vs Cagliari	2:45pm	Paramount+ fuboTV
Ligue 1: Rennes vs Olympique Marseille	3:00pm	Fanatiz beIN Sports
La Liga: Sevilla vs Valencia	3:00pm	ESPN+ fuboTV
Liga MX: Monterrey vs Puebla	8:00pm	VIX
Liga MX: Guadalajara vs Santos Laguna	8:05pm	Telemundo fuboTV
Liga MX: Cruz Azul vs Atlas	10:00pm	VIX
TENNIS	TIME ET	TV
Adelaide-ATP/WTA Finals	12:30am	TENNIS

TV SPORTS SUNDAY

NFL PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
(7) Broncos at (2) Bills	1:00pm	CBS Paramount+
(7) Packers at (2) Eagles	4:30pm	FOX fuboTV
(6) Commanders at (3) Buccaneers	8:00pm	NBC fuboTV
NBA REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Milwaukee Bucks vs New York Knicks	3:00 pm	MSG FanDuel Sports WI
Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks	3:00pm	ALT KFAA
Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls	3:30pm	CHSN NBCS-CA
New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics	6:00pm	GCSN NBCS-BOS
Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers	6:00pm	FanDuel Sports IND FanDuel Sports OH
Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic	6:00pm	FanDuel Sports FL NBCS-PHI
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Washington Wizards	6:00pm	FanDuel Sports SE MNMT
Brooklyn Nets vs Utah Jazz	8:00pm	YES KJZZ
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns	9:00pm	FanDuel Sports SE AFSN
NHL REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Seattle Kraken vs Detroit Red Wings	3:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports DET KONG
Anaheim Ducks vs Carolina Hurricanes	5:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports South Victory+
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins	5:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports Sun ATTSN-PIT
Dallas Stars vs Ottawa Senators	5:00pm	ESPN+ Victory+ Sportsnet
Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights	8:00pm	ESPN+ FanDuel Sports North Scripps
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
Nebraska at Purdue	12:00pm	BTN
LIU at Central Connecticut	1:00pm	NEC Front Row
Saint Francis U at Fairleigh Dickinson	1:00pm	NEC Front Row
Saint Peter’s at Canisius	1:00pm	ESPN+
Quinnipiac at Iona	1:00pm	ESPN+
Oregon at Penn State	2:00pm	BTN
Mercyhurst at Le Moyne	2:00pm	NEC Front Row
Stonehill at Chicago State	2:00pm	NEC Front Row
Rider at Niagara	2:00pm	ESPN+
Sacred Heart at Mount St. Mary’s	2:00pm	ESPN+
Manhattan at Merrimack	2:00pm	ESPN+
Wright State at Robert Morris	2:00pm	ESPN+
Fairfield at Marist	2:00pm	ESPN+
West Virginia at Colorado	3:00pm	ESPN+
Washington at Michigan	4:00pm	BTN
UAB at Florida Atlantic	5:00pm	ESPN
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
George Mason at Rhode Island	12:00pm	CBSSN
Duke at Virginia	12:00pm	ACCN
Texas at South Carolina	1:00pm	ESPN
Saint Joseph’s at VCU	2:00pm	CBSSN
Boston College at North Carolina	2:00pm	ACCN
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech	2:00pm	ACCN
Indiana at Iowa	3:00pm	Peacock
N.C. State at Stanford	3:00pm	ESPN
UNLV at New Mexico	4:00pm	CBSSN
Georgia Tech at Louisville	4:00pm	ACCN
Texas A&M at Oklahoma	5:00pm	SECN
Penn State at USC	8:00pm	BTN
GOLF	TIME ET	TV
PGA Tour: Sony Open	4:00pm	NBC
PGA Tour: Sony Open	6:00pm	GOLF
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
Serie A: Genoa vs Parma	6:30am	Paramount+ fuboTV
FA Cup: Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers	7:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Tamworth vs Tottenham Hotspur	7:30am	ESPN+
La Liga: Las Palmas vs Getafe	8:00am	ESPN+ fuboTV
Ligue 1: Le Havre vs Lens	9:00am	Fanatiz beIN Sports
Serie A: Venezia vs Internazionale	9:00am	Paramount+ fuboTV
Bundesliga: RB Leipzig vs Werder Bremen	9:30am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Arsenal vs Manchester United	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Crystal Palace vs Stockport County	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers	10:00am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Newcastle United vs Bromley	10:00am	ESPN+
Scottish Premiership: Aberdeen vs Hearts	10:00am	Paramount+
La Liga: Atlético Madrid vs Osasuna	10:15am	ESPN+ fuboTV
Ligue 1: Montpellier vs Angers SCO	11:15am	Fanatiz beIN Sports
Ligue 1: Toulouse vs Strasbourg	11:15am	Fanatiz beIN Sports
Bundesliga: Augsburg vs Stuttgart	11:30am	ESPN+
FA Cup: Southampton vs Swansea City	11:30am	ESPN+
Serie A: Bologna vs Roma	12:00pm	Paramount+ fuboTV
Liga MX: Pumas UNAM vs Necaxa	1:00pm	VIX
Supercopa de Espana Final	2:00pm	ABC ESPN+ fuboTV
Serie A: Napoli vs Hellas Verona	2:45pm	Paramount+ fuboTV
Ligue 1: PSG vs Saint-Étienne	2:45pm	Fanatiz beIN Sports