“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL
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| BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE | 56 | BLOOMFIELD | 53 | |
| CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN | 70 | ANDERSON PREP | 61 | |
| CHRISTEL HOUSE | 57 | INDIANAPOLIS HERRON | 14 | |
| COLUMBIA CITY | 64 | WAWASEE | 40 | |
| CONCORD | 39 | WEST NOBLE | 25 | |
| FORT WAYNE WAYNE | 91 | NEW HAVEN | 69 | |
| HAMILTON | 65 | PANSOPHIA (MICH.) | 34 | |
| HAMMOND NOLL | 62 | GRIFFITH | 58 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN | 72 | PERRY MERIDIAN | 55 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE | 56 | INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD | 50 | |
| LAWRENCE NORTH | 75 | LAWRENCE CENTRAL | 45 | |
| NORTH MIAMI | 48 | WABASH | 44 | |
| WHEELER | 46 | OREGON-DAVIS | 41 | |
| WINCHESTER | 50 | SOUTH ADAMS | 37 |
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL
HOMESTEAD.COM
| ANGOLA | 42 | LEO | 41 | |
| BELLMONT | 60 | FORT WAYNE LUERS | 30 | |
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 51 | AUSTIN | 36 | |
| DALEVILLE | 55 | FRANKTON | 50 | |
| EASTSIDE | 77 | CHURUBUSCO | 36 | |
| EMINENCE | 70 | MTI KNOWLEDGE | 7 | |
| EVANSVILLE REITZ | 58 | EVANSVILLE HARRISON | 22 | |
| GRIFFITH | 56 | HEBRON | 20 | |
| HAMILTON | 50 | PANSOPHIA (MICH.) | 15 | |
| ILLIANA CHRISTIAN | 53 | HOBART | 41 | |
| INDIANA DEAF | 69 | PURDUE POLY NORTH | 19 | |
| INDIANAPOLIS RITTER | 54 | INDIANAPOLIS TECH | 17 | |
| JOHN GLENN | 71 | MISHAWAKA | 20 | |
| LAPEL | 89 | MADISON-GRANT | 14 | |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC | 60 | SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH | 40 | |
| MISSISSINEWA | 47 | SOUTHWOOD | 39 | |
| NORTHEASTERN | 62 | LAWRENCEBURG | 42 | |
| NORTHVIEW | 42 | EDGEWOOD | 31 | |
| RIVER FOREST | 42 | WHITING | 16 | |
| ROCHESTER | 47 | KNOX | 28 | |
| RUSHVILLE | 50 | WHITELAND | 48 | |
| TIPPECANOE VALLEY | 53 | TRITON | 36 | |
| UNION CITY | 40 | CENTERVILLE | 31 | |
| UNION COUNTY | 58 | HAGERSTOWN | 16 | |
| WARSAW | 91 | CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) | 41 |
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING RESULTS
DUAL RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/
TOURNEY RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/curtournamentresults.html/
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
IDAHO AT MONTANA STATE (FCS QUARTERFINALS) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE VS. JACKSON STATE (CELEBRATION BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ABC
INCARNATE WORD AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS QUARTERFINALS) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
MINNESOTA STATE AT VALDOSTA STATE (DII SEMIFINALS) | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
BETHEL (MN) AT SUSQUEHANNA (DIII QUARTERFINALS) | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
MARY-HARDIN BAYLOR AT JOHNS HOPKINS (DIII QUARTERFINALS) | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
SPRINGFIELD AT NORTH CENTRAL (ILL.) (DIII QUARTERFINALS) | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
MOUNT UNION AT SALISBURY (DIII QUARTERFINALS) | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
NAVY AT NO. 22 ARMY (NORTHWEST STADIUM IN LANDOVER, MD) | 3 P.M. | CBS
UC DAVIS AT SOUTH DAKOTA (FCS QUARTERFINALS) | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
MERCER AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS QUARTERFINALS) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
SLIPPERY ROCK AT FERRIS STATE (DII SEMIFINALS) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH ALABAMA VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN (SALUTE TO VETERANS BOWL) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
NO. 25 MEMPHIS VS. WEST VIRGINIA (FRISCO BOWL) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
JAMES MADISON VS. WESTERN KENTUCKY (BOCA RATON BOWL) | 5:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 24 UNLV VS. CAL (LA BOWL) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, DEC. 19
SAM HOUSTON VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN (NEW ORLEANS BOWL) | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
OHIO VS. JACKSONVILLE STATE (CURE BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
FLORIDA VS. TULANE (GASPARILLA BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 8 INDIANA AT NO. 5 NOTRE DAME (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 8 P.M. | ABC/ESPN
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
NO. 10 SMU AT NO. 4 PENN STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 12 P.M. | TNT/MAX
UC DAVIS/SOUTH DAKOTA VS. IDAHO/MONTANA STATE (FCS SEMIFINALS) | 12 OR 3:30 P.M. | ABC
UIW/SOUTH DAKOTA STATE VS. MERCER/NORTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS SEMIFINALS) | 12 OR 3:30 P.M. | ABC
TBD VS. TBD (DII CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN MCKINNEY, TX) | 2 P.M. | ESPN2
NO. 16 CLEMSON AT NO. 3 TEXAS (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 4 P.M. | TNT/MAX
NO. 7 TENNESSEE AT NO. 6 OHIO STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 8 P.M. | ABC/ESPN
TBD VS. TBD (DIII SEMIFINALS) | TBA | ESPN+
TBD VS. TBD (DIII SEMIFINALS) | TBA | ESPN+
MONDAY, DEC. 23
COASTAL CAROLINA VS. UTSA (MYRTLE BEACH BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN
NORTHERN ILLINOIS VS. FRESNO STATE (FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN
TUESDAY, DEC. 24
SOUTH FLORIDA VS. SAN JOSE STATE (HAWAI’I BOWL) | 8 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, DEC. 26
PITT VS. TOLEDO (GAMEABOVE SPORTS BOWL) | 2 P.M. | ESPN
RUTGERS VS. KANSAS STATE (RATE BOWL) | 5:30 P.M. | ESPN
ARKANSAS STATE VS. BOWLING GREEN (68 VENTURES BOWL) | 9 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, DEC. 27
NAVY VS. OKLAHOMA (ARMED FORCES BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
GEORGIA TECH VS. VANDERBILT (BIRMINGHAM BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
ARKANSAS VS. TEXAS TECH (LIBERTY BOWL) | 7 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 21 SYRACUSE VS. WASHINGTON STATE (HOLIDAY BOWL) | 8 P.M. | FOX
USC VS. TEXAS A&M (LAS VEGAS BOWL) | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
UCONN VS. NORTH CAROLINA (FENWAY BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NEBRASKA (PINSTRIPE BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ABC
TCU VS. LOUISIANA (NEW MEXICO BOWL) | 2:15 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 13 MIAMI (FLA.) VS. NO. 18 IOWA STATE (POP-TARTS BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
COLORADO STATE VS. MIAMI (OHIO) (ARIZONA BOWL) | 4:30 P.M. | CW NETWORK
NC STATE VS. EAST CAROLINA (MILITARY BOWL) | 5:45 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 17 BYU VS. NO. 23 COLORADO (ALAMO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
NO. 22 ARMY VS. MARSHALL (INDEPENCE BOWL) | 9:15 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, DEC. 30
NO. 19 MISSOURI VS. IOWA (MUSIC CITY BOWL) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
NO. 11 ALABAMA VS. MICHIGAN (RELIAQUEST BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
LOUISVILLE VS. WASHINGTON (SUN BOWL) | 2 P.M. | CBS
NO. 15 SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NO. 20 ILLINOIS (CITRUS BOWL) | 3 P.M. | ABC
LSU VS. BAYLOR (TEXAS BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 9 BOISE STATE VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — FIESTA BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 12 ARIZONA STATE VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — PEACH BOWL) | 1 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 1 OREGON VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — ROSE BOWL) | 5 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 2 GEORGIA VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — SUGAR BOWL) | 8:45 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, JAN. 2
NO. 14 OLE MISS VS. DUKE (GATOR BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
NORTH TEXAS VS. TEXAS STATE (FIRST RESPONDER BOWL) | 4 P.M. | ESPN
MINNESOTA VS. VIRGINIA TECH (DUKE’S MAYO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
LIBERTY VS. BUFFALO (BAHAMAS BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN2
SUNDAY, JAN. 5
TBD VS. TBD (DIII STAGG BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN HOUSTON, TX) | TBA | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 6
TBD VS. TBD (FCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN FRISCO, TX) | 7 P.M. | ESPN
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — ORANGE BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — COTTON BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
MONDAY, JAN. 20
TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
NFL WEEK 15 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
DALLAS COWBOYS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1:00P FOX)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1:00P CBS)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (1:00P CBS)
NEW YORK JETS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1:00P FOX)
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1:00P FOX)
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00P CBS)
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1:00P FOX)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4:25P CBS)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT DENVER BRONCOS (4:25P CBS)
BUFFALO BILLS AT DETROIT LIONS (4:25P CBS)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4:25P FOX)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4:25P FOX)
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8:20P NBC)
MONDAY, DEC. 16
CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8:00P ABC)
ATLANTA FALCONS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (8:30P ESPN)
NFL WEEK 16 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, DEC. 19
DENVER BRONCOS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
HOUSTON TEXANS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1:00P NBC)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4:30P FOX)
SUNDAY, DEC. 22
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS 1:00P FOX)
NEW YORK GIANTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1:00P FOX)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS (1:00P CBS)
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1:00P FOX)
DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS (1:00P FOX)
TENNESSEE TITANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1:00P CBS)
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT NEW YORK JETS (1:00P CBS)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P FOX)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4:05P FOX)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4:25P CBS)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (4:25P CBS)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (8:20P NBC)
MONDAY, DEC. 23
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (8:15P ESPN)
NFL WEEK 17 SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25 (CHRISTMAS)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1:00P NETFLIX)
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (4:30P NETFLIX)
THURSDAY, DEC. 26
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
TBD TBD (1:00P NFL NETWORK)
TBD TBD (4:30P NFL NETWORK)
TBD TBD (8:00P NFL NETWORK)
SATURDAY GAME POOL:
DENVER BRONCOS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
ATLANTA FALCONS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
SUNDAY, DEC. 29
NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS (1:00P CBS)
TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1:00P CBS)
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P FOX)
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1:00P FOX)
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1:00P CBS)
DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4:25P FOX)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (8:20P NBC)
MONDAY, DEC. 30
DETROIT LIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8:15P ESPN/ABC)
NFL WEEK 18 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, JAN. 4 OR SUNDAY, JAN. 5
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT DENVER BRONCOS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS
CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
TOP 25
#5 KENTUCKY 78 COLGATE 67
#23 SAN DIEGO STATE 81 CAL BAPTIST 75
ELSEWHERE:
NOTRE DAME 77 DARMOUTH 65
PURDUE FT. WAYNE 78 IU INDY 76
WOMEN’S COLLEGE SCOREBOARD
TOP 25
#25 GEORGIA TECH 97 LOUISIANA MONROE 37
#22 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 59 DAVIDSON 57
#14 NORTH CAROLINA 80 NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO 56
#6 TEXAS 97 SOUTHERN 39
#24 NEBRASKA 63 TARLETON STATE 50
#21 IOWA 75 #18 IOWA STATE 69
ELSEWHERE:
PURDUE FORT WAYNE 79 IU INDY 71
RUTGERS 83 FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 58
PENN STATE 68 PROVIDENCE 51
WISCONSIN 71 BUTLER 64 2OT
MINNESOTA 81 JACKSON STATE 43
NBA SCOREBOARD
ATLANTA 108 NEW YORK 100
HOUSTON 91 GOLDEN STATE 90
NHL SCOREBOARD
NY RANGERS 3 BUFFALO 2
OTTAWA 5 ANAHEIM 1
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES
NFL NEWS
NFL WILL PLAY ITS FIRST REGULAR-SEASON GAME IN BERLIN IN 2025
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL will play its first regular-season game in Berlin in 2025, the league’s fifth game ever in Germany.
The game will be played at the Olympic Stadium as part of a multiyear commitment announced Wednesday at the league’s winter meetings. The NFL has played regular-season games in Munich and Frankfurt since 2022.
“Germany has a rich tradition of American football, and the NFL has a deep history with the city of Berlin,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We first held a preseason game at the Olympic Stadium 34 years ago, before it was home to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder in the early 2000s. Now, with almost 20 million NFL fans in Germany, we’ll make a historic return to the city playing a regular-season game for the first time as we open the next chapter in our relationship with Berlin.”
The NFL played five American Bowl games at the Olympic Stadium between 1990-1994. League executive Peter O’Reilly said the league’s goal is to play eight international regular-season games in 2025 and an annual game in Germany is expected. The NFL already has committed to playing two regular-season games in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one game in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid.
“Germany is obviously a major priority market for us,” O’Reilly said. “Twenty million fans and growing in Germany. We’ve seen the passion, you’ve seen the passion, you’ve seen the singing. It’s an important market. And this partnership with Berlin is not just about the game itself. Like every market we go into, it’s about a year-round partnership. It’s about working with the city and the community on building flag football into schools and into clubs in that city, and that’s important for sure. So we’re excited about our plans.”
IN AN NFL SEASON FILLED WITH CLOSE GAMES, NO ONE WINS MORE THAN THE CHIEFS
In a season on pace for a record number of close games, no team has been better at pulling them out late than the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs tied an NFL record last week by winning their 10th game this season by seven points or fewer — a feat accomplished only once before by the 1978 Houston Oilers — when Matthew Wright doinked in a 31-yard field goal on the final play for a 19-17 victory over the Chargers.
Kansas City has won three times on a walk-off field goal and is the only team ever to do that with three kickers. Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yarder to beat Carolina in Week 12 and Harrison Butker made a 51-yarder to beat Cincinnati in Week 2.
That’s all part of a perfect 10-0 mark in close games for the Chiefs. Those are 10 of the 114 games that have been decided by seven points or fewer so far this season, the most ever through 14 weeks in NFL history, topping the 112 in 2016. The average scoring margin of 10.7 points per game is on pace to be the fifth-lowest in the Super Bowl era.
The tight wins have helped clinch a ninth straight AFC West title for the Chiefs, extending the second-longest division winning streak in NFL history behind the 11 AFC East crowns in a row New England won from 2009-19.
Kansas City is the 36th team to be 12-1 or better after 13 games despite outscoring the opposition by only 56 points. Only two other teams won at least 12 of the first 13 games with a scoring margin of less than 100: the 1976 Raiders (plus-89) and 1990 49ers (plus-98).
Kansas City has thrived in these situations since Mahomes took over as quarterback starting in 2018. The Chiefs are 51-19 in the regular season and playoffs with Mahomes at quarterback in games decided by fewer than seven points, the best mark ever among the 131 QBs with at least 40 starts in close games.
The other teams thriving in close games this season are Philadelphia and Minnesota, who are each 7-1, and the Detroit Lions, who have won six of seven.
The Giants have been the worst team in games decided by seven points or fewer with a 1-7 record, with the Jets, Jaguars and Bengals all having lost seven out of nine close games.
Awesome Allen
Josh Allen delivered another first in what is turning into a signature season.
A week after becoming the first quarterback credited with a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game thanks in part to a statistical quirk, Allen put together an even more prolific effort in Buffalo’s 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Allen became the first player to have three TD passes and three TD runs in a regular-season game as he produced 424 yards to go with those scores. The only other player to pull off that version of a “double triple” was Cleveland’s Otto Graham in the 1954 NFL title game against Detroit.
Yet somehow, the Bills didn’t win. Buffalo became the second team in NFL history to score at least 42 points, commit no turnovers and lose, joining the Browns, who did it in a 47-42 loss to the Chargers in 2021. In all, teams had been 315-1 in the Super Bowl era with those stats before Buffalo’s loss.
The game was the second with at least five combined TD passes, five combined TD runs and no turnovers. Kansas City and Denver did it Dec. 19, 1965, in a 45-35 win for the Chiefs.
The 86 combined points for the Bills and Rams were the most in a game that featured no turnovers.
Grounded Jets
Even a healthy season from Aaron Rodgers couldn’t end the New York Jets’ playoff drought.
New York was eliminated from the playoffs for a 14th straight season after losing 32-26 to Miami in overtime, extending the longest active postseason drought in the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB. The Buffalo Sabres of the NHL have missed the playoffs for 13 straight seasons.
The Jets last made the postseason in the 2010 season when they went to their second straight AFC title game under coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Since then, New York has gone through five head coaches and 15 starting quarterbacks without getting back to the playoffs. The 144 losses for the Jets in that span are the third-most in the NFL.
Only four NFL teams since the 1970 merger have gone longer without making the playoffs, with the Browns (17 straight, 2003-19), Bills (17, 2000-16) and Saints (17, 1970-86) having the longest droughts. The Cardinals missed the playoffs for 15 straight seasons from 1983-97.
The Jets have lost five times this season after leading in the fourth quarter. The only team in the last five seasons with more blown fourth-quarter leads was the 2022 Raiders with six.
One-sided
The first half of San Francisco’s win over Chicago in interim coach Thomas Brown’s debut for the Bears was about as one-sided as they come.
The 49ers had 319 yards of offense for the biggest output by any team in a first half this season, while the 4 yards for the Bears were the fewest by any team this year as San Francisco led 24-0 at the break.
The 305-yard differential was the ninth-biggest since 1991 as the Bears generated only one first down in the first half and had minus-3 yards passing thanks to four sacks for 37 yards.
Chicago didn’t get the interim coach bump many do, as teams had been 13-11 in their first game with an interim coach the past 10 seasons compared to a .284 winning percentage for those teams coming into the game.
The Niners won 38-13, with the 25-point loss the most lopsided for an interim coach in his debut since Denver’s Eric Studesville lost 43-13 to Arizona in 2010 in his first game after replacing Josh McDaniels.
CHIEFS QB PATRICK MAHOMES ON HAVING TO PLAY 3 TIMES IN AN 11-DAY SPAN: ‘IT’S NOT A GOOD FEELING’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — You can count Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes among those who are not exactly thrilled about the NFL forcing the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to play three times over an 11-day span in the coming weeks.
The Chiefs are among four teams — the Texans, Steelers and Ravens are the others — who were picked to play on Christmas Day this year. But with the holiday falling on Wednesday, when the NFL has rarely played, those four also will have to play the prior Saturday to give them at least some rest. And the result is two short weeks following their games on Sunday.
“It’s not a good feeling,” Mahomes acknowledged Wednesday. “You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body. But at the end of the day it’s your job, your profession, you have to come to work and do it.”
The Chiefs visit the Browns on Sunday, while the Ravens visit the Giants, the Steelers visit the Eagles and the Texans host the Dolphins.
On Dec. 21, the Texans head to Kansas City and the Steelers visit Baltimore, before the Christmas Day doubleheader that begins with the Chiefs heading to Pittsburgh and ends with the Ravens in Houston.
Mahomes was asked whether he has ever had three games in such a short span, he replied: “I haven’t in football.”
He has in high school baseball, of course. Maybe basketball. But certainly not football, and not at the physical level of the NFL.
“All you can do is focus on the game. The practice you have that day,” Mahomes said. “I try to prepare my body all year long for this stretch. That’s tailoring my workouts, tailoring how you practice and prepare, and the coaches do a great job of taking care of us on the practice field. We practice as hard as anybody, but they know how to dial it back when needed.”
The NFL has played on Wednesday in the past, the previous time in 2020, when the Steelers and Ravens had their game pushed back because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
In 2012, the NFL’s opener between the Giants and Cowboys took place on Wednesday so the TV networks could broadcast Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.
But prior to those games, the NFL had not had a Wednesday game since the Lions and Rams played on Sept. 22, 1948.
“It’s a unique situation. You just have to manage it,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose team will have played on every day of the week but Tuesday this season. “It is what it is. You make the best of it.”
It’s not as if the games involved in the Christmas stretch are throwaways, either. Each has significant playoff ramifications.
The Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West, but they are trying to fend off Buffalo and Pittsburgh for the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye. The Steelers are two games ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North heading into this weekend, and could clinch a playoff berth if things fall their way, while the Texans are two games up on the Colts in the AFC South.
So, how are the Chiefs approaching such an important stretch of high-profile games?
“The main thing is you get guys ready for the game. Give them a chance to get ready for the game,” Reid said. “They’re going to do whatever you present to them. You try to help them out with that. Right now we have a normal week right here. We have to take care of business here.”
NOTES: LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, though he has not been ruled out for Cleveland. “Every day he’s gotten a little better,” Reid said. … WR Hollywood Brown (shoulder) could begin practicing soon, Reid said, while declining to put a timetable on it. “He’s chomping at the bit to get out there. But he’s got to visit the with doctors and make sure he gets clearance there,” Reid said. … CB Steven Nelson came out of retirement to join the Kansas City practice squad this week. He will not play this weekend but could be ready soon. … K Harrison Butker (knee) will try kicking this week, though Reid was noncommittal on whether he would come off injured reserve. If he’s not ready, Matthew Wright would kick against the Browns.
CHIEFS OT D.J. HUMPHRIES (HAMSTRING) SITS; HARRISON BUTKER RETURNS
New Kansas City Chiefs left tackle D.J. Humphries will miss practice on Wednesday while the team welcomed the return of kicker Harrison Butker after sitting out a month following knee surgery.
Humphries, 30, injured his hamstring in his first game with the Chiefs, a 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
“We’re just going to take it day by day and see how he does,” coach Andy Reid said of Humphries, who played 60 offensive snaps.
The Chiefs (12-1) signed the Pro Bowl tackle on Nov. 23 after Humphries worked his way back from a torn ACL sustained last season while playing with the Arizona Cardinals.
Humphries started 15 games last season and all 98 in which he’s played since the Cardinals selected him with the 24th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was released in March.
Butker, 29, has not played since the Chiefs’ 16-14 home win over the Denver Broncos on Nov. 10. He had surgery on his left knee and went on injured reserve.
“We’re going to see how he does. He has a chance,” Reid said of Butker playing in Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns.
Butker is 18 of 20 on field-goal attempts (long of 53) and 21 of 22 on extra-point attempts this season. He has won three Super Bowl titles with Kansas City.
The Chiefs replaced Butker with rookie Spencer Shrader, then he went on injured reserve due to a right hamstring injury. Kicker Matthew Wright stepped in for Shrader and made all four field-goal attempts against the Chargers, including the game-winning 31-yarder off the left upright as time expired.
DREW LOCK HAS A HEEL INJURY SO TOMMY DEVITO MAY START AT QB FOR GIANTS VS. RAVENS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With Drew Lock in a walking boot with a heel injury, the New York Giants may have Tommy DeVito back at quarterback Sunday when they try to break an eight-game losing streak in a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Coach Brian Daboll announced the injury on Wednesday before the Giants (2-11) started preparations for the game against the Ravens (8-5) at MetLife Stadium, where New York is winless in seven games this season.
Lock was hurt this past weekend when the Saints sacked him twice and had 13 quarterbacks hits in a 14-11 loss.
The quarterback position has been in flux since the Giants benched and then released Daniel Jones on Nov. 22.
DeVito, who sparked the Giants to three wins in 2023, started against Tampa Bay on Nov. 24. He was 21 of 31 for 189 yards, but he hurt his right forearm late in the 30-7 loss.
Lock started against the Cowboys in a Thanksgiving game loss and again against the Saints in a game where New Orleans blocked a late field-goal attempt by Graham Gano that could have forced overtime.
COMMANDERS WR NOAH BROWN SUSTAINED INTERNAL INJURIES
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown could miss the rest of the season with an internal injury, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Wednesday.
Initial reports said Brown had sustained a rib injury in Washington’s 42-19 win against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 1.
Quinn updated Brown’s status as the Commanders (8-5) return from their bye week and prepare to visit the New Orleans Saints (5-8) on Sunday.
“He’s going to be out for a while,” Quinn said. “He had a significant internal injury from the game, so that’s going to knock him out for a while.”
Brown caught three passes for 27 yards against the Titans before leaving late in the third quarter.
“During the game, between him and the medical staff, they did a really good job to address what was a serious injury,” Quinn said. “Fortunately, he’s going to be OK. But it’s going to knock him out for a bit.”
Quinn said it’s not certain Brown will miss the rest of the season “but it’s likely heading that way.”
Brown ranks third on the team in receptions (35) and receiving yards (453) and has one touchdown in 11 games (nine starts). His touchdown catch was on a 52-yard Hail Mary pass that gave Washington an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 8.
A seventh-round draft pick by Dallas in 2017, Brown has 150 catches for 2,000 yards and six TDs in 87 games (34 starts) with the Cowboys (2017-18, 2020-22), Houston Texans (2023) and Commanders.
JETS’ SPECIAL TEAMS ACE IRVIN CHARLES (ACL) OUT FOR SEASON
New York Jets special teams standout Irvin Charles will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Charles, 27, was injured while covering a punt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 32-26 overtime loss at Miami.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich confirmed Wednesday that Charles is headed to injured reserve.
“In a very tough, challenging year in a lot of ways, an absolute bright spot for this team,” Ulbrich said. “I really believe had he finished the season playing the way he was playing, he would’ve been a shoo-in for (the) Pro Bowl as far as the special teams player is concerned, the core player.”
Charles appeared in 13 games this year, playing 214 snaps as a gunner on special teams and 10 as a wide receiver on offense. He blocked a punt against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2.
Undrafted in 2022, Charles made his NFL debut last season and played in 12 games for the Jets. He has accumulated 14 career tackles.
NFL THURSDAY NIGHT GAME OF THE WEEK
LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-7)
Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 8:15 PM ET | Levi’s Stadium | Referee: Clay Martin
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SF leads series, 77-69-3 (LAR won past 2)
Postseason: Series tied, 1-1 (Home team won past 2)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 9/22/24: SF 24 at LAR 27
Postseason: NFC-C 1/30/22: SF 17 at LAR 20
RAMS NOTES:
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for season-high 320 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 132.6 rating last week, his 64th-career game with 300+ pass yards. Aims for his 5th in row with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. Had 105.6 rating in Week 3 meeting. Ranks 5th in NFL with 3,303 pass yards in 2024, his 12th-career 3,000- yard season. Aims for his 3rd in row on TNF with 2+ TD passes & 120+ rating. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had 97 scrimmage yards (87 rush, 10 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week. Became 5th player since 2000 with 1,000+ rush yards & 12+ rush TDs in 2 of his 1st 3 seasons. Aims for his 4th in row with rush TD. Has 216 scrimmage yards (108 per game) & 5 TDs (3 rush, 2 rec.) in 2 career games vs. SF, incl. 100+ scrimmage yards & 2+ TDs in each game. Aims for his 3rd in row on Thursday with 100+ scrimage yards & TD. • WR COOPER KUPP had 5 catches for 92 yards & 6th rec. TD of season last week. Had 4 rec. TDs in his past 4 overall & 6 rec. TDs in his past 7 on Thursday. Aims for his 3rd in row at SF with 11+ catches & 120+ rec. yards. • WR PUKA NACUA had 12 catches, 178 scrimmage yards (162 rec., 16 rush) & 2 TDs (1 rec. 1 rush) last week. Has 11 games with 100+ rec. yards, 2nd-most by player in 1st 2 seasons in SB era. Had TD catch in last road meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch. • LB BYRON YOUNG had 2 TFL, sack, PD & FF in Week 3 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row vs. SF with sack. • DE KOBIE TURNER aims for his 3rd in row on road with PD. • LB JARED VERSE leads all rookies with 11 TFL & ranks 3rd with 4.5 sacks. • DE BRADEN FISKE leads all rookies with 6 sacks & ranks 2nd with 8 TFL. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM aims for his 5th in row on road with 11+ tackles. Has career-high 109 tackles in 2024.
49ERS NOTES:
QB BROCK PURDY completed 20 of 25 atts. (80 pct.) for 325 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for season-high 145.4 rating in Week 14. Has 6 games with 140+ rating & 13 games with 120+ rating, both most by QB in 1st 3 seasons in NFL history. Has 8 TDs vs. INT for 110.6 rating in 4 career Thursday starts, incl. 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 3 of 4 games. Passed for 292 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 137.1 rating in Week 3 meeting. • RB ISAAC GUERENDO (rookie) had career-high 128 scrimmage yards (78 rush, career-high 50 rec.) & 1st-career game with 2 rush TDs last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. • RB PATRICK TAYLOR had 1st rush TD of season last week. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had 6 catches for 151 yards last week & became 3rd TE ever (Travis Kelce & HOFer Shannon Sharpe) with 5+ games (5) with 150+ rec. yards. Reached 7,000 rec. yards in 109 career games, 3rd-fastest TE ever to reach mark. Leads all TEs with 8 rec. TDs & ranks 3rd with 800 rec. yards in 2024. Has TD catch in 4 of his past 5 at home vs. LAR. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL has 533 scrimmage yards (133.3 per game) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in his past 4 on Thursday. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his past 6 vs. LAR & has 7 TDs (4 rush, 3 rec.) in his past 8 vs. LAR. • WR JAUAN JENNINGS had 7 catches for 90 yards & 2 rec. TDs last week, his 2nd-career game with 2+ rec. TDs. Has career highs in catches (57), rec. yards (774) & rec. TDs (6) in 2024. Set single-game career highs with 11 catches for 175 yards & 3 rec. TDs in Week 3 meeting. • LB FRED WARNER needs 9 tackles for his 7th-straight 100-tackle season. • DL NICK BOSA has 5 sacks & 8 TFL in his past 7 vs. LAR. • DL LEONARD FLOYD has 1.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4. Has sack in 4 of his past 5 at home. Had 33 sacks in 56 games (2020-22) with LAR, incl. playoffs. • DL YETUR GROSS-MATOS had career-high 3 sacks last week. Has 5 TFL in his past 4. • CB CHARVARIUS WARD aims for his 5th in row on Thursday with 2+ PD.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 15
NEW YORK — Dec. 11, 2024 — Below are teams and players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season, including:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- QB Patrick Mahomes
- RB Saquon Barkley
- QB Justin Herbert
- QB Joe Burrow
- WR Ja’Marr Chase
- RB Derrick Henry
- QB Jayden Daniels
- QB Bo Nix
- TE Brock Bowers
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 12-1 this season after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, 19-17, on a game-winning field goal with no time remaining in Week 14. The Chiefs – who defeated Carolina, 30-27, in Week 12 and Las Vegas, 19-17, in Week 13 – can become the second team in NFL history to win four consecutive games by three-or-fewer points in a season, joining the 1986 New York Giants (Weeks 9-12).
Ten of the Chiefs’ 12 victories this season have been by one score (eight points or fewer) and at Cleveland on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Kansas City can join the 2022 Minnesota Vikings as the only teams to win 11 one-score games in a season in NFL history.
The teams with the most one-score victories in a season in NFL history:
| TEAM | SEASON | ONE-SCORE WINS |
| Minnesota | 2022 | 11 |
| Kansas City | 2024 | 10 |
| Seattle | 2019 | 10 |
| Houston Oilers | 1978 | 10 |
With a win, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid – who won 13 games with Philadelphia in 2004 and 14 games with Kansas City in 2020 and 2022 – can become the fourth head coach all-time to win at least 13 games in four different seasons, joining Bill Belichick (seven seasons), Sean Payton (four) and George Seifert (four).
PATRICK MAHOMES
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has 239 touchdown passes and 31,613 passing yards since entering the NFL in 2017.
On Sunday at Cleveland (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Mahomes can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (241 touchdown passes) for the second-most touchdown passes by a player in his first eight seasons in NFL history and surpass Derek Carr (31,700 passing yards) for the third-most passing yards ever by a player in his first eight seasons.
The players with the most touchdown passes in their first eight seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | TD PASSES |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 244 |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 241 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 239* |
| *in eighth season | ||
The players with the most passing yards in their first eight seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | PASS YARDS |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 33,189 |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 32,757 |
| Derek Carr | Oakland Raiders | 31,700 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 31,613* |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 31,416 |
| *in eighth season | ||
Including the postseason, Mahomes has 298 career combined passing and rushing touchdowns (280 passing, 18 rushing) in 127 games and can surpass Aaron Rodgers (135 games) as the fastest player to reach 300 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, including the postseason, in NFL history.
The fastest players to reach 300 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, including the postseason, in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 135 |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 149 |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 151 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 152 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 127* |
| *has 298 combined passing and rushing touchdowns | ||
SAQUON BARKLEY
Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley leads the NFL with 1,623 rushing yards in 13 games this season.
On Sunday against Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Barkley can become the fourth player since 2000 with at least 1,700 rushing yards in his first 14 games of a season and the first since Adrian Peterson in 2012 (1,812 rushing yards).
The players with the most rushing yards in their first 14 games of a season in since 2000:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RUSH YARDS |
| Adrian Peterson | Minnesota | 2012 | 1,812 |
| Jamal Lewis | Baltimore | 2003 | 1,747 |
| Chris Johnson | Tennessee | 2009 | 1,730 |
| Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia | 2024 | 1,623* |
| *in first 13 games | |||
Barkley leads the league with 1,890 scrimmage yards in 2024 and can become the fourth non-rookie in NFL history to record 2,000 scrimmage yards in his first season with a team, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (2,429 scrimmage yards in 1999 with the St. Louis Rams), Priest Holmes (2,169 in 2001 with Kansas City) and Ricky Williams (2,216 in 2002 with Miami).
Barkley, who had 2,028 scrimmage yards as a rookie with the New York Giants in 2018, can become the fourth player in NFL history to record 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season with two franchises, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson (L.A. Rams and Indianapolis Colts) and Marshall Faulk (St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts) as well as Christian McCaffrey (Carolina and San Francisco).
JUSTIN HERBERT
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, from Weeks 3-14, became the second player in NFL history without an interception in 11 consecutive games (minimum 15 pass attempts in each game) within a single season, joining Tom Brady (11 consecutive games in 2010).
Herbert has 335 consecutive pass attempts without an interception and on Sunday against Tampa Bay (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), can surpass Tom Brady (358 consecutive attempts from 2010-11) for the fourth-most consecutive pass attempts without an interception in NFL history.
The players with the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON(S) | CONSECUTIVE ATTEMPTS | |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2018 | 402 | |
| Tom Brady | Tampa Bay | 2022 | 399 | |
| Jared Goff | Detroit | 2022-23 | 383 | |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2010-11 | 358 | |
| Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 2024 | 335* | |
| Derek Carr | Oakland Raiders | 2018 | 332 | |
| *active streak | ||||
Herbert has 19,987 passing yards since entering the NFL in 2020 and can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (20,618 passing yards) as the only players with at least 20,000 passing yards in their first five seasons in NFL history.
JOE BURROW
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 3,706 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes this season and has passed for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in each of his past four games.
On Sunday at Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Burrow can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (1998) as the only players in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdown passes in five consecutive games.
In Week 15, Burrow can become the fifth player all-time with at least three touchdown passes in six consecutive games, joining Tom Brady (10 consecutive games in 2007) and Andrew Luck (eight in 2018) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (eight in 2004) and Dan Marino (seven from 1986-87).
The players with at least three touchdown passes in the most consecutive games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON(S) | GAMES |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2007 | 10 |
| Andrew Luck | Indianapolis | 2018 | 8 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 2004 | 8 |
| Dan Marino HOF | Miami | 1986-87 | 7 |
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati | 2024 | 5* |
| *active streak | |||
Burrow, who had 35 touchdown passes in 2022, can become the fifth player in NFL history with at least 35 touchdown passes in two of his first five seasons, joining Josh Allen (three seasons) and Patrick Mahomes (three) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (two) and Kurt Warner (two).
Burrow can also become the fourth player in NFL history with 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes in three of his first five seasons, joining Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
JA’MARR CHASE
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 93 receptions, 1,319 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions this season and leads all players with 44 touchdown receptions since he entered the NFL in 2021.
On Sunday at Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Chase can become the fifth player in NFL history with at least 100 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions in a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison (2001), Randy Moss (2003) and Jerry Rice (1995) as well as Cooper Kupp (2021).
The players with at least 100 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions in a season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEPTIONS | REC. YARDS | REC. TDs |
| Marvin Harrison HOF | Indianapolis | 2001 | 109 | 1,524 | 15 |
| Cooper Kupp | L.A. Rams | 2021 | 145 | 1,947 | 16 |
| Randy Moss HOF | Minnesota | 2003 | 111 | 1,632 | 17 |
| Jerry Rice HOF | San Francisco | 1995 | 122 | 1,848 | 15 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 2024 | 93* | 1,319* | 15* |
| *entering Week 15 | |||||
On Sunday, Chase can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Hayes (45 touchdown receptions) for the third-most touchdown receptions by a player in his first four seasons in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss (53 touchdown receptions) and Jerry Rice (49) have more.
The players with the most touchdown receptions in their first four seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | REC. TDs |
| Randy Moss HOF | Minnesota | 53 |
| Jerry Rice HOF | San Francisco | 49 |
| Bob Hayes HOF | Dallas | 45 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 44* |
| Rob Gronkowski | New England | 42 |
| *in fourth season | ||
Chase has 11 career games with multiple touchdown receptions, leading the NFL with five such games this season, and can tie Rob Gronkowski (12 games) for the second-most games with multiple touchdown receptions by a player in his first four seasons in the Super Bowl era. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (13 games) has more.
Chase can become the fifth player in the Super Bowl era to record six games with multiple touchdown receptions in a season in the Super Bowl era and the first since Rob Gronkowski in 2011 (seven games).
The players with the most games with multiple touchdown receptions in a season in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Randy Moss HOF | New England | 2007 | 8 |
| Cris Carter HOF | Minnesota | 1995 | 7 |
| Rob Gronkowski | New England | 2011 | 7 |
| Jerry Rice HOF | San Francisco | 1987 | 7 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 2024 | 5* |
| *entering Week 15 | |||
DERRICK HENRY
Baltimore running back Derrick Henry ranks tied for first in the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns and second with 1,407 rushing yards this season.
With 93 rushing yards at the New York Giants on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Henry – who had at least 1,500 rushing yards in 2019, 2020 and 2022 with Tennessee – can become the fifth player in NFL history to record 1,500 rushing yards in four career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (five seasons), Eric Dickerson (four), Edgerrin James (four) and Walter Payton (four).
Additionally, Henry can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Rams) and Clinton Portis (Denver and Washington) as the only players in NFL history with at least 1,500 rushing yards in a season with multiple franchises.
The players with the most seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Barry Sanders HOF | Detroit | 5 |
| Eric Dickerson HOF | Indianapolis, L.A. Rams | 4 |
| Edgerrin James HOF | Indianapolis | 4 |
| Walter Payton HOF | Chicago | 4 |
| Derrick Henry | Tennessee | 3* |
| *has 1,407 rushing yards with Baltimore in 2024 | ||
Henry, who had 17 rushing touchdowns in 2020 and 16 rushing touchdowns in 2019 with Tennessee, can become the fourth player in NFL history with 15-or-more rushing touchdowns in three career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (four seasons) and Emmitt Smith (three) as well as Shaun Alexander (three).
Henry would become the first player ever with at least 15 rushing touchdowns in a season with multiple franchises.
Henry has 26 games with at least two rushing touchdowns and with another such performance, can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown (27 games) for the fourth-most games with multiple rushing touchdowns in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (38) and Emmitt Smith (36) as well as Adrian Peterson (28).
JAYDEN DANIELS & BO NIX
Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix have each won eight games this season. The 2024 season can become the third all-time with multiple rookie quarterbacks recording nine-or-more wins, joining 2012 [Andrew Luck (11 wins), Russell Wilson (11) and Robert Griffin III (9)] and 2008 [Joe Flacco (11) and Matt Ryan (11)].
Daniels ranks second among rookies with 2,819 passing yards and third with 590 rushing yards. On Sunday at New Orleans (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Daniels can become the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards, joining Robert Griffin III (2012), Kyler Murray (2019) and Cam Newton (2011). All three players were named Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The rookie quarterbacks with at least 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASS YARDS | RUSH YARDS |
| Robert Griffin III ROY | Washington | 2012 | 3,200 | 815 |
| Kyler Murray ROY | Arizona | 2019 | 3,722 | 544 |
| Cam Newton ROY | Carolina | 2011 | 4,051 | 706 |
| Jayden Daniels | Washington | 2024 | 2,819* | 590* |
| *entering Week 15 | ||||
Denver quarterback Bo Nix leads all rookies with 2,842 passing yards and 17 touchdown passes this season.
On Sunday against Indianapolis (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), Nix – who passed for 294 yards in Week 13, 273 yards in Week 12 and 307 yards in Week 11 – can become the third rookie quarterback ever with at least 250 passing yards in four consecutive games, joining Justin Herbert (seven consecutive games in 2020) and C.J. Stroud (five in 2023).
Nix can become the second rookie quarterback in NFL history with at least 200 passing yards in each of his first seven career home starts, joining Justin Herbert (first eight home starts in 2020).
Nix can also become the fourth rookie quarterback with six games with at least two touchdowns passes and no interceptions, joining Justin Herbert (2020), C.J. Stroud (2023) and Russell Wilson (2012). Herbert and Stroud were each named Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. Herbert and Stroud were each named Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The rookies with the most games with at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Justin Herbert ROY | L.A. Chargers | 2020 | 6 |
| C.J. Stroud ROY | Houston | 2023 | 6 |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 2012 | 6 |
| Bo Nix | Denver | 2024 | 5* |
| *entering Week 15 | |||
BROCK BOWERS
Las Vegas rookie tight end Brock Bowers ranks second in the NFL with 87 receptions – the most receptions by a rookie tight end in NFL history – and leads all tight ends with 933 receiving yards this season.
With six receptions against Atlanta on Monday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), Bowers can surpass Michael Thomas (92 receptions in 2016) for the fourth-most receptions by a rookie in NFL history.
The rookies with the most receptions in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RECEPTIONS |
| Puka Nacua | L.A. Rams | 2023 | 105 |
| Jaylen Waddle | Miami | 2021 | 104 |
| Anquan Boldin | Arizona | 2003 | 101 |
| Michael Thomas | New Orleans | 2016 | 92 |
| Three tied | 91 | ||
| Brock Bowers | Las Vegas | 2024 | 87* |
| *entering Week 15 | |||
With 67 receiving yards in Week 15, Bowers can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka (1,076 receiving yards in 1961) and Kyle Pitts (1,026 in 2021) as the only rookie tight ends all-time with 1,000 receiving yards.
The rookie tight ends with the most receiving yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | REC. YARDS |
| Mike Ditka HOF | Chicago | 1961 | 1,076 |
| Kyle Pitts | Atlanta | 2021 | 1,026 |
| Brock Bowers | Las Vegas | 2024 | 933* |
| *entering Week 15 | |||
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
REPORTS: BILL BELICHICK EXPECTED TO BE NAMED NORTH CAROLINA COACH
North Carolina is finalizing a deal to name Bill Belichick its new head coach, 247Sports and ABC11 WTVD reported Wednesday.
WTVD reported that the UNC board of trustees is meeting Wednesday to approve the contract for Belichick, who met with the search committee multiple times, the first time coming over Zoom.
He would replace Mack Brown, whom North Carolina fired at the end of the regular season.
Belichick, 72, told The Pat McAfee Show on Monday he’s had conversations with the university leadership and was interested in become head coach of the Tar Heels. The search committee met again with Belichick last week in New York City, according to the 247Sports report.
After 24 seasons with the Patriots and six Super Bowl titles in nine appearances, Belichick was replaced by owner Robert Kraft in New England before the 2024 season.
Belichick needs 14 wins to break the all-time wins record for NFL coaches held by Don Shula. But according to reports earlier this week, he was surprised not to hear from the NFL teams with existing vacancies.
Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at UNC from 1953-55.
MICHIGAN CB WILL JOHNSON ENTERS 2025 NFL DRAFT
Michigan cornerback Will Johnson entered the 2025 NFL Draft, ending his college career with his sights set on being a first-round pick in April.
Johnson, ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings, is one of two Wolverines defenders to declare for the draft this week. Defensive tackle Mason Graham, another first-round prospect in Field Level Media rankings, announced his exit from Ann Arbor on Tuesday.
With elite size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and big-time production in the Big Ten, Johnson is projected as high as the No. 5 overall pick in 2025. He had nine career interceptions and set the record with three career interception returns for touchdowns.
“I want to start by thanking God for guiding me every step of the way. I would be nothing without Him and his hand on my life,” Johnson said in his farewell announcement posted to social media Wednesday. “To my coaches – Thank you to Coach Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan, it was a true honor.”
Johnson played in only six games in 2024 and said he won’t be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama this month.
Johnson was sidelined for Michigan’s win over Ohio State last month with a toe injury and missed one game with a shoulder injury. He has been limited by the toe injury since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, but is expected to be healthy for the pre-draft circuit starting with the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson had two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.
FORMER TULANE QB DARIAN MENSAH TRANSFERRING TO DUKE
Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah said he is transferring to Duke.
The top-ranked player in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings confirmed his decision Wednesday with ESPN.
Mensah, who visited the Durham, N.C., campus on Tuesday, said he was impressed by Duke coach Manny Diaz.
“He gets you going; he’s legit,” Mensah told ESPN. “They have a legit defensive line. He’ll take this team as far as we want to go.”
Mensah guided the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference title game as a redshirt freshman this season.
Tulane (9-4) reached No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings before ending the season with consecutive losses. The Green Wave face Florida (7-5) in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 20.
Mensah has three years of eligibility remaining. He completed 189 of 287 passes (65.9 percent) for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 132 rushing yards and a score.
He is now in line to replace record-setting Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy, who also entered the portal after the regular season. Duke (9-3) will take on Ole Miss (9-3) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.
Mensah said the chance to earn a Duke diploma factored in his decision.
“It’s a prestigious university, and a great education is also important to me,” Mensah said. “It’s just a family out here. I wanted to be part of that.”
MISSISSIPPI STATE’S VAN BUREN, CAL’S MENDOZA AMONG QBS ENTERING TRANSFER PORTAL
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza have added their names to the list of QBs who are exploring options in the transfer portal.
Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season.
Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia.
Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage.
“For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached,” he posted.
Both quarterbacks announced on social media they had entered the portal.
REPORTS: ALABAMA QB DYLAN LONERGAN TO ENTER TRANSFER PORTAL
Alabama quarterback Dylan Lonergan plans to enter the transfer portal, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The redshirt freshman completed 5 of 6 passes for 23 yards and rushed once for 16 yards in two games this season.
Lonergan was buried on the Crimson Tide depth chart behind starter Jalen Milroe and backup Ty Simpson.
Lonergan played in one game in 2023, completing both of his pass attempts for 12 yards.
The Snellville, Ga., native was a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, ranked as the No. 13 quarterback in the country by the 247Sports composite.
TENNESSEE’S DYLAN SAMPSON, SOUTH CAROLINA’S KYLE KENNARD HEADLINE AP’S ALL-SEC TEAM
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks’ Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league.
Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league’s fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote.
Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles.
Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They’ve won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl.
Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama.
The 2024 Associated Press All-SEC team, as selected by a panel of 17 sports writers who regularly cover the league. Players at all positions are listed alphabetically with name, school, height, weight, class and hometown; “u-” denotes unanimous selections:
First team offense
QB — Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, 6-2, 225, Sr., Kaysville, Utah
u_RB — Dylan Sampson, Tennessee, 5-11, 201, Jr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
RB — Jarquez Hunter, Auburn, 5-10, 209, Jr., Philadelphia, Mississippi
WR — Tre Harris, Ole Miss, 6-3, 210, Sr., Lafayette, Louisiana
WR — Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas, 6-4, 202, R-Sr., Dallas, Texas
TE — Gunnar Helm, Texas, 6-5, 250, Sr., Englewood, Colorado
u-OT — Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, 6-4, 320, Jr., Humble, Texas
OT — Will Campbell, LSU, 6-6, 323, Jr., Monroe, Louisiana
OG — Tyler Booker, Alabama, 6-5, 325, Jr., New Haven, Connecticut
OG — Tate Ratledge, Georgia, 6-6, 320, Sr., Rome, Georgia
C — Jake Slaughter, Florida, 6-5, 308, R-Jr., Sparr, Florida
PK — Alex Raynor, Kentucky, 6-0, 185, Sr., Kennesaw, Georgia
All-purpose — Barion Brown, Kentucky, 6-1, 18-2, Nashville, Tennessee.
First team defense
DE — Kyle Kennard, South Carolina, 6-5, 254, R-Sr., Atlanta
DE — Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss, 6-4, 255, Sr., Austin, Texas
DT — Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, 6-3, 305, Jr., Powell, Tennessee
DT — Alfred Collins, Texas, 6-5, 320, Sr., Bastrop, Texas
LB — Anthony Hill Jr., Texas, 6-3, 235, So., Denton, Texas
LB — Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, 6-4, 243, Sr., Windermere, Florida
LB — Whit Weeks, LSU, 6-2, 228, So., Watkinsville, Georgia
u-CB — Jahdae Barron, Texas, 5-11, 200, Sr., Austin, Texas
CB — Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, 6-0, 193, So., Whitehouse, Texas
S — Malaki Starks, Georgia, 6-1, 205, Jr., Jefferson, Georgia
S — Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, 6-3, 227, Jr., Irmo, South Carolina
P — Jesse Mirko, Vanderbilt, 6-4, 222, grad, Fremantle, Western Australia
Second team offense
QB — Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, 6-0, 207, grad, Albuquerque, N.M.
RB — Raheim Sanders, South Carolina, 6-0, 230, Sr., Rockledge, Florida
RB — Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas, 6-2, 233, R-Sr., Dallas
WR — Ryan Williams, Alabama, 6-0, 175, Fr., Mobile, Alabama
WR — (tie) KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn, 6-1, 182, Sr., Norfolk, Virginia; Kyren Lacy, LSU, 6-2, 213, R-Sr., Thibodaux, Louisiana
TE — Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt, 6-4, 235, Grad., Denton, Texas
OT — Emery Jones, LSU, 6-6, 315, Jr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
OT — Armand Membou, Missouri, 6-3, 314, Jr., Lee’s Summitt, Missouri
OG — Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, 6-5, 315, R-Jr., Cumming, Georgia
OG — Cam’Ron Johnson, Missouri, 6-3, 310, Grad, Houston
C — Cooper Mays, Tennessee, 6-4, 310, Sr., Kingston, Tennessee
PK — Peyton Woodring, Georgia, 5-10, 185, So., Lafayette, Louisiana
All-purpose — Davon Booth, Mississippi State, 5-10, 205, Sr., North Las Vegas, Nevada
Second team defense
DE — James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, 6-5, 243, Jr., Charlotte, North Carolina
DE — (tie) Nic Scourton, Texas A&M 6-4, 285, Jr., Bryan, Texas; Landon Jackson, Arkansas, 6-7, 280, Sr., Texarkana, Texas
DT — TJ Sanders, South Carolina, 6-4, 290, Jr., Marlon, South Carolina
DT — Deone Walker, Kentucky, 6-6, 345, Jr., Detroit, Michigan
LB — Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-2, 245, Jr., Salisbury, North Carolina
LB — Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 244, Jr., Erial, New Jersey
LB — Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss, 6-1, 235, Jr., Cordele, Georgia
CB — Trey Amos, Ole Miss, 6-1, 190, Sr., New Iberia, Louisiana
CB — Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 6-1, 186, Jr., West Bloomfield, Michigan
S — Malachi Moore, Alabama, 6-0, 201, Grad, Trussville, Alabama
S — Andrew Mukuba, Texas, 6-0, 190, Sr., Austin, Texas
P — Brett Thorson, Georgia, 6-2, 235, Jr., Melbourne, Australia
___
Coach of the Year — Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Offensive Player of the Year — Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Defensive Player of the Year — Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
Newcomer of the Year — Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
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BIGGER DANCE? NCAA TOURNAMENT EXPANSION GAINING SUPPORT
President Charlie Baker set a timeline of early April to determine whether the NCAA Tournament would expand in 2026.
Speaking at a sports business conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Baker described growing support to increase the number of teams in the NCAA Tournament from 68 by up to eight.
He said media and TV executives and most conference commissioners are increasingly open to bringing additional teams into March Madness following NCAA vice president Dan Gavitt’s proposals in June.
“I’m bullish on the conversations we’ve had about going to 72 or 76, and I think the committees are willing to consider that, but I don’t think it’s going to be anything beyond that,” Baker said Wednesday.
Some coaches, including John Calipari and Tom Izzo, were outspoken in March about maintaining a semblance of exclusivity with the current setup in place since the First Four was added in 2011. But there were others in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, like Akron’s John Groce, who said lower-exposure leagues like the Mid-American Conference deserve a shot additional at-large bids.
Multiple high-profile commissioners, including Greg Sankey in the SEC, proclaimed automatic bids for smaller conferences have diluted the depth of the Field of 68. Automatic tournament bids are won by 32 conference champions.
A couple SEC coaches know there’s nothing automatic against teams that win their conference to claim tournament bids.
On the first day of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Horizon League champion and automatic bid-winner Oakland was a 14 seed and knocked off No. 3 seed Kentucky in the first round. Ivy League champion and automatic bid-winner Yale, seeded 13th in the East Region, erased plenty of brackets and No. 4 seed Auburn, 78-76, a day later.
Auburn had just completed a sprint through the SEC tournament, while Yale entered the game as a nine-loss team that lost to Vermont, Cornell, Brown and Princeton in the regular season. But the Ivy League has produced a win in the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years.
Oakland had 11 losses in the regular season. The legend of fifth-year senior Jack Gohlke might not have existed if a structural shift moved to erase bids for small-conference champions. Gohlke made a tournament-record 10 3-pointers to sink the Wildcats and plant Oakland’s euphoric flag.
“This is the holy grail for mid-majors, right?” longtime Oakland coach Greg Kampe said in March. “It is. And I’ve said this many times over the last week. The NCAA basketball tournament — please don’t change it, please don’t change it. But it is one of the three greatest sporting events in the world.”
Another 2024 tournament darling, N.C. State, was one of five ACC teams awarded a bid in a conference that since expanded by three.
Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts took a pro-expansion position because of his experience at mid-major UNC Wilmington, where every team in the league knew the only ticket into the NCAA Tournament was for going to the conference tournament champion.
“I was at UNCW, we had won 28 games, and if I didn’t win that championship game, no matter what I did, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to play in the tournament. So somehow we gotta figure it out. … I’m saying that more student-athletes, in my opinion, should have the opportunity to play in the best postseason tournament in college.”
Baker said in November that reports the NCAA was pushing to expand the tournament field beyond 76 were false, and he knows there will not be unanimous approval of any changes because of the popularity of the tournament as comprised.
“There are always going to be people who thought it worked exactly the way it should and people who think otherwise,” Baker said.
NO. 23 SAN DIEGO ST. SURVIVES CHALLENGE FROM CAL BAPTIST
Miles Byrd scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half and Nick Boyd finished with 16 points as No. 23 San Diego State won its fourth straight game by holding on for an 81-75 victory over visiting Cal Baptist on Wednesday.
Magoon Gwath and Miles Heide each scored 10 points as the Aztecs (7-2) improved to 3-0 since they moved into the Associated Press Top 25 poll last week.
Byrd went 3 of 5 from 3-point range in the second half, while Boyd overcame an elbow to the left side of his forehead midway through the first half. Boyd added eight rebounds.
Gwath’s double-digit game came after he was scoreless on Saturday against San Diego, one game after the freshman had 25 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks at Fresno State.
Dominique Daniels Jr. scored 22 points with six assists for Cal Baptist, after he entered with 21.7 per game, which was 12th in the nation at the start of play Wednesday. Kendal Coleman scored 13 points and Adam Moussa added 10 for the Lancers (5-5).
Cal Baptist was competitive early, holding a 21-18 lead with 11:08 remaining in the first half. San Diego State took control with a 15-2 run for a 33-23 lead with 5:05 remaining in the opening half. Cal Baptist went more than six minutes without a field goal in the stretch.
The Aztecs led 40-33 at halftime after outscoring the Lancers 7-0 in points off turnovers.
After trailing by 19 points with 9:22 remaining, Cal Baptist made it a game late with a 13-2 run to pull within 75-70 with 2:37 left. The Lancers cut the deficit to 77-73 with 2:06 to go after a 3-pointer from Javonte Johnson.
San Diego State sealed the victory on two free throws from Byrd with 7.5 seconds remaining. The Aztecs went 9 of 17 (52.9 percent) from beyond the 3-point line.
Cal Baptist was playing its first game against a ranked team since falling to No. 8 Arizona in December 2021.
NO. 5 KENTUCKY ABLE TO PUT AWAY UPSET-MINDED COLGATE
Backcourt injuries and fatigue left No. 5 Kentucky trailing early in the second half before a 3-point shooting run jump-started the Wildcats to a 78-67 nonconference home victory over a feisty Colgate squad on Wednesday.
With point guards Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa sidelined by injuries, No. 5 Kentucky (9-1) shot 4-for-15 from 3-point range in the opening stanza and led Colgate just 38-36 at halftime before heating up later.
Koby Brea was a bright spot on a relatively poor shooting night by Kentucky, as the Dayton transfer scored 17 points, including 5-for-8 3-point shooting. Amari Williams added 15 points and eight rebounds. Otega Oweh notched 15 points, while Jaxson Robinson chipped in 11 and Andrew Carr posted a double-double with 11 tallies and 10 boards.
Colgate (2-9) has struggled, showing little in common with coach Matt Langel’s squads that reached the last four NCAA Tournaments. However, the Raiders connected on eight 3-point tries in the first half and held a 45-42 lead early in the second half.
Parker Jones managed 17 points, including four 3-point buckets, one of which pulled Colgate within two to end the first half. Brady Cummins and Jalen Cox (eight assists) each added 10 for the Raiders.
Kentucky ran off a 16-2 rally to counter a three-point Colgate lead and claim a 58-47 edge with 12:58 to play. Kentucky had made only four 3-point shots to that point, but connected on four consecutive 3-point tries in the run. Robinson canned a pair of treys, followed by one each from Trent Noah and Oweh.
Kentucky opened the game on a 17-0 run and seemed headed for a runaway victory. But the hosts’ lack of depth surfaced and a sticky Colgate team hung around, aided by its own 11-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 17-11. Colgate pulled within two on three occasions late in the first half and jumped to a 45-42 edge with 17:30 to play on a jump shot from Jones.
Kentucky’s next game is Saturday
NBA NEWS
ROCKETS GRAB LATE LEAD VS. WARRIORS, REACH NBA CUP SEMIFINAL
Jalen Green sank two free throws with 3.5 seconds left to help the Houston Rockets pull out a 91-90 victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.
The Rockets snapped a 15-game series skid to the Warriors and advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
Green emerged from a scrum with the ball after a foul on Jonathan Kuminga. After Green converted both attempts, Brandin Podziemski had his 3-point attempt blocked by Jabari Smith Jr. Podziemski and Kuminga sank consecutive 3s earlier in the fourth to stretch the Golden State lead to 89-82, its largest of the game.
Alperen Sengun paced the Rockets with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. His layup with 27 seconds sliced the deficit to 90-89. Smith added 15 points and Green 12 for the Rockets, who won despite missing 21 of 27 3-pointers and committing 17 turnovers.
Kuminga led the Warriors with 20 points and seven rebounds. Stephen Curry added 19 points and five assists. Golden State committed 22 turnovers which Houston converted into 30 points.
The Warriors’ 32-point third quarter shifted momentum squarely in their corner. Kuminga converted a second-chance basket following a pair of offensive rebounds before Curry scored through a foul to cut the deficit to 57-55. When Trayce Jackson-Davis hit two free throws at the 3:54 mark of the third, the Warriors had their first lead since the first quarter at 60-59.
After missing 18 of 22 3s in the first half, the Warriors hit 4 of 8 from deep in the third. Buddy Hield had 11 points in the period and nailed three 3s, becoming the 17th player in NBA history to reach 2,000 three-pointers. The Warriors led 69-68 entering the fourth.
Both defenses controlled the action in the first quarter. After Dillon Brooks’ three-point play gave the Rockets an 18-15 lead at the 4:25 mark of the period, neither team scored again until Curry drilled a 3-pointer with 60 seconds left that pulled the Warriors even. The Rockets carried a 20-18 lead into the second.
When the Rockets carved out a 40-26 lead on an Amen Thompson second-chance dunk with 4:14 left in the half, the Warriors responded with an 11-2 blitz.
The Rockets led 44-37 at the half. The Warriors replied with their customary third-quarter magic.
TRAE YOUNG, HAWKS CHARGE PAST KNICKS, INTO NBA CUP SEMIFINAL
Trae Young scored 12 of his 22 points during a decisive third-quarter run as the Atlanta Hawks overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the host New York Knicks 108-100 in an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night.
The Hawks trailed throughout the first half but outscored the Knicks 61-46 in the final two quarters to advance to Saturday’s semifinal against the Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas.
Young added 11 assists and was one of four Hawks players to post a double-double. Jalen Johnson had 21 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists; and Clint Capela finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds; and Onyeka Okongwu added 12 points and 11 boards off the bench. Fellow reserve De’Andre Hunter scored 24 points.
Atlanta has won seven of its last eight games.
Karl-Anthony Towns collected 19 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocked shots for the Knicks, who have lost two of three games since winning four straight. Josh Hart scored a team-high 21 points, followed by Mikal Bridges (19), Jalen Brunson (14) and OG Anunoby (13).
The Knicks led by as many as 12 in the first quarter and were still ahead by 11 with just under six minutes left in the second, before carrying a 54-47 lead into the half.
New York drained three of its first four shots in the third, taking its final double-digit lead at 62-52 on Bridges’ jumper with 9:50 remaining, before the Hawks mounted their comeback.
Atlanta ended the quarter on a 29-10 run. Along the way, the Hawks took their first lead at 68-66 on Young’s 31-footer with 5:43 left, and opened up their first double-digit lead when Hunter hit a floater to put the visitors up 81-70 with under a minute left. The Knicks were 5-of-22 from the field, including 0-for-6 on 3-point attempts, during the Hawks’ run.
The Knicks pulled within six at 93-87 on Hart’s 3-pointer with 5:46 left in the game, but the Hawks scored 10 of the next 12 points, a surge capped when Young fed Hunter for an alley-oop to extend the lead to 103-89 with 3:01 remaining. New York got no closer than seven the rest of the way.
NHL NEWS
DRAKE BATHERSON’S NATURAL HAT TRICK SENDS SENATORS PAST DUCKS
Drake Batherson racked up a natural hat trick and added an assist as the host Ottawa Senators knocked off the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 on Wednesday evening.
Brady Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, Noah Gregor also scored and Linus Ullmark made 31 saves for the Senators, who have won three of their last four games.
Cutter Gauthier scored and John Gibson made 29 saves for the Ducks, who have lost four in a row (0-3-1).
The Ducks surrendered a goal in the opening three minutes for the second straight game.
Anaheim defenseman Cam Fowler blocked Nick Jensen’s shot from above the right circle, but Gregor swept the rebound into the net for a 1-0 lead at 2:55.
Anaheim committed minor penalties five seconds apart later in the first period and Ottawa scored on the 5-on-3 to move ahead 2-0 at 11:15. Batherson celebrated as Gibson laid on the puck in the crease, but the goal wasn’t rewarded until a video review showed it crossed the goal line beneath Gibson.
Batherson was credited with his second goal while on another power play.
He tried to make a short pass to Tim Stutzle, but it hit Fowler’s skate and was redirected into his own net to extend Ottawa’s lead to 3-0 at 18:25 of the second period.
Batherson completed his second NHL trick when his point shot went off the stick of Fowler and into his own net for a 4-0 lead at 10:30 of the second.
Batherson is the first Ottawa player to score three straight goals in a game since Tkachuk on Dec. 11, 2021, in a 4-0 win against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tkachuk scored the third power-play goal of the game on a redirection from in close to make it 5-0 at 8:58 of the third.
Ottawa went 3-for-5 on the power play.
Ullmark was denied his second shutout of the season and 10th of his NHL career when Gauthier scored on a tip-in at 12:42.
Anaheim center Leo Carlsson returned after missing the past six games with an upper-body injury, and he did not have a shot on goal in 13:35 of ice time while centering the second line.
ADAM FOX’S THREE-POINT GAME PUSHES RANGERS PAST SABRES
Adam Fox had a goal and two assists and Mika Zibanejad crossed a milestone on Wednesday to lead the New York Rangers past the host Buffalo Sabres 3-2.
In a game featuring a pair of slumping teams, Fox’s first goal of the season came on an empty net with 2:02 left to secure New York’s third win in 11 games. It was a critical tally as the Sabres scored in the final minute to make it a one-goal game.
Before that, Fox assisted on the Rangers’ other two goals, by Reilly Smith and Zibanejad. Fox’s 24 helpers this season set a team record for most assists before scoring a goal.
Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves for the win.
The loss extended the Sabres’ season-high losing streak to eight games. Owen Power had a goal and an assist for Buffalo, and Tage Thompson also scored. Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 25 shots.
The Rangers took advantage of an interference penalty on Buffalo’s Connor Clifton to take an early lead. Zibanejad’s power-play goal came with 12:59 left in the opening period.
Zibanejad, 31, collected his 300th goal, becoming the eighth Swede to reach that mark in NHL history. He also has 399 career assists.
Artemi Panarin, playing in his 700th NHL game, got an assist on the play.
It would become a battle of goalies from there as Shesterkin and Luukkonen nearly matched each other save for save. However, the Rangers were able to double their lead when Smith corralled the puck coming off the end boards and scored when his shot caromed off the skate of Sabres defenseman Power with 6:31 left in regulation.
Power, whose turnover off the faceoff led to Zibanejad’s goal, scored with 4:41 left to cut the Rangers lead in half.
After Fox’s empty-netter, Thompson’s slap-shot goal with 38 seconds left pulled Buffalo within 3-2. However, an icing call with less than five seconds left ended the Sabres’ threat.
Shesterkin finished with 29 saves, and Luukkonen made 25.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
WINTER MEETINGS: SCOTT BORAS FEELING POSITIVE ABOUT CLIENTS
DALLAS — Agent Scott Boras negotiated another record-breaking contract as one of his star clients, Juan Soto, reached an agreement with the New York Mets on a 15-year, $765 million deal.
Boras declined to comment Wednesday on the historic deal involving Soto, who is undergoing his physical before it becomes official. However, Boras did talk about the Mets in general, commending their aggressive pursuit of building a championship-caliber organization after their run to the National League Championship Series last season.
“I think it’s pretty evident that the Mets have decided that they’re going to pursue winning and winning for a long time,” Boras said. “They’ve made it very clear to us that they’re not limited to signing one great player but multiple great players. They’re going to be, I think, a very steady and heavy commitment to acquiring the best talent.”
That was among the many notable comments made by Boras as he held court with reporters on Day 3 of the winter meetings at the Hilton Anatole.
Beyond Soto, Boras’ list of free agents this offseason includes infielders Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman, right-hander Corbin Burnes and left-hander Sean Manaea.
“A lot of market locomotion regarding Pete,” Boras said. “The Polar Bear Express is rolling.”
Boras added that Alonso is open to listening to a lot of teams.
“Certainly his experiences with the Mets were extraordinary, both for them and him,” Boras said.
Boras also shared his thoughts on his other clients.
“We’ve had numerous meetings with teams and owners. We all know what comes after AB, that is the ‘C’ in champions. In Bregman’s case, that is ‘C’ squared,” Boras said. “All of these teams realize what a leader he is, what a champion he is and plus his skill level to boot. So, he’s had a remarkable career to date and is very much in demand.”
On Burnes: “For pitching, for Corbin Burnes, it’s kind of like Elvis. He’s got that ‘Burnes-ing Love’ for a No. 1 starter. You are really feeling it today, and very early this morning for me, I might add.”
On Manaea: “There is a new Sean rising. It’s something that teams have recognized. The demand is really something that I think is going to happen soon.”
Hamilton to Hall
Cleveland Guardians longtime radio announcer Tom Hamilton was selected as the 2025 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Hamilton started calling games for the Guardians in 1990.
RANGERS GET SLUGGING CORNER INFIELDER JAKE BURGER FROM MARLINS FOR 3 MINOR LEAGUERS
DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in a trade for three minor league players.
Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, with 150 strikeouts in 535 at-bats with 31 walks. He started 59 games at third base and made 50 starts at first. Five days of service time short of being eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, he will be eligible next winter and can become a free agent after the 2028 World Series.
Miami got infielders Max Acosta and Echedry Vargas and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza.
The acquisition of Burger comes about a month after the Rangers hired former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker as a senior adviser for baseball operations. Luis Urueta, Miami’s bench coach the past two seasons, also was added recently to manager Bruce Bochy’s on-field coaching staff for 2025.
Burger was the 11th overall pick out of Missouri State by the Chicago White Sox in the 2017 amateur draft and made his big league debut in 2021. He was dealt to Miami at the trade deadline during the 2023 season, when he hit .250 with 34 homers and 80 RBIs in 141 games.
“He’s an aggressive hitter that makes hard contact, a lot of hard contact,” Bochy said. “We’re excited to have him. He’s going to make us a better offense and help get us back to where we were couple of years ago, and be one of the elite offenses in the game, and he’ll be part of it.”
Burger hit 22 homers from July 1 until the end of last season, the third most in the National League during that span, behind only unanimous NL MVP Shohei Ohtani (28) for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Eugenio Suárez (24) for Arizona.
Texas had a .238 batting average this year while hitting 176 home runs and averaging 4.2 runs a game. Those stats all were down significantly from the World Series championship season in 2023, when the Rangers averaged 5.4 runs a game and hit .263 with 233 homers.
Bochy said Burger could be a designated hitter, play first base and some games at third base.
Rangers primary first baseman Nathaniel Lowe won a Silver Slugger after hitting .302 in 2022, then was a Gold Glove winner that World Series season. He hit .265 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs last season.
Third baseman Josh Jung was voted an All-Star starter as a rookie in 2023 but broke his right wrist when hit by a pitch this past April 1. He was 7 of 17 with two homers, six RBIs and five runs scored in the first four games of the season before the injury and missing 102 games while on the injured list until the end of July. He finished the season batting .264 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 46 games, but he missed the final week when he went back on the IL for wrist tendinitis.
The 22-year-old Acosta hit .288 in 104 games at Double-A Frisco, starting 65 games at shortstop and 36 at second base this year. Vargas, 19, was the primary shortstop for Class-A Down East, while the 20-year-old Mendoza combined to go 5-4 with a 2.32 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 101 innings for two Class-A teams.
GUARDIANS TRADE GOLD GLOVE 2B ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ TO BLUE JAYS, GET RHP LUIS ORTIZ IN DEAL WITH PIRATES
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians broke up their infield and plugged a hole in their rotation.
The AL Central champions pulled off two significant trades at the winter meetings in Dallas on Tuesday night, first sending three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Giménez, considered one of baseball’s best defensive middle infielders, was dealt by the Guardians along with reliever Nick Sandlin to Toronto for infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell.
Cleveland didn’t even have time to welcome Horwitz before shipping him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for three pitchers: right-hander Luis Ortiz and lefties Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. Ortiz could slide immediately into a starting slot after going 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA last season.
The Guardians re-signed ace Shane Bieber last week, but he may not be ready to pitch until June after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The trades were the first announced at this year’s winter meetings.
Ortiz, 25, is coming off his best season in the majors, recording career bests in wins, strikeouts (107), innings pitched (135 2/3), ERA and WHIP (1.11). He began 2024 in the bullpen, posting a 2.51 ERA in 20 appearances before joining the rotation in June.
RANGERS AGREE ON $75 MILLION, 3-YEAR DEAL TO KEEP RHP NATHAN EOVALDI, AP SOURCE SAYS
DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers have accomplished one of their primary offseason goals with a deal to re-sign Nathan Eovaldi, the winning pitcher in their 2023 World Series clincher.
Texas has agreed on a $75 million, three-year contract with the right-hander, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.
Eovaldi became a free agent Nov. 4 after declining a vested $20 million player option for the 2025 season. The Rangers had expected that move, but said one of their priorities was to re-sign the Texas native who will turn 35 in February.
The two-time All-Star got a $2 million buyout from that option, which was earned by throwing more than 300 innings over his two years with the Rangers after joining them in free agency.
His new deal came at the winter meetings on the same day Max Fried agreed with the New York Yankees on a $218 million, eight-year contract, the largest ever for a left-hander. Those moves leave 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner and four-time All-Star Corbin Burnes as the top pitcher still available on the free agent market. The right-hander went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 32 starts for the Orioles this year, his only season in Baltimore.
Eovaldi will stay in the Texas rotation with two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, who made three starts at the end of last season after missing nearly 17 months following right elbow surgery. The Rangers won all six of deGrom’s starts at the beginning of the 2023 season before he got hurt that April.
Texas acquired Eovaldi and deGrom in free agency before the 2023 season. Eovaldi’s two-year deal then was for $34 million, with $16 million salaries each season, plus the buyout. That was after deGrom, now 36, signed for $185 million over five years.
When the Rangers made the run to their first World Series title in 2023, Eovaldi was 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six postseason starts. He was the winning pitcher in their World Series-clinching Game 5 at Arizona. He was also part of Boston’s 2018 title.
Eovaldi went 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 54 starts over the past two seasons, and had 298 strikeouts in 314 2/3 innings. He was 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 29 starts this year. He threw seven scoreless innings at the Los Angeles Angels to win the season finale for the Rangers, who finished 78-84 and missed the playoffs.
Texas is the sixth big league team for Eovaldi, who is 91-81 with a 4.07 ERA in 294 career games (275 starts) since his debut in 2011 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Besides the Red Sox, he also has pitched for Miami, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay.
REPORT: RED SOX ACQUIRING CROCHET FROM WHITE SOX FOR 4 PROSPECTS
The Boston Red Sox are finalizing a trade for Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The White Sox are receiving catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth, and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez, sources told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Crochet put together a breakout 2024 campaign with the White Sox in his first season as a starting pitcher. The 25-year-old posted a 6-12 record with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts across 146 innings.
Crochet is under club control for an additional two seasons and is projected to earn $2.9 million in 2025.
The hurler is poised to join a Red Sox rotation that also includes Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford.
Teel was Boston’s No. 4 prospect, according to MLB.com. The 22-year-old was a first-round pick in 2023 and registered an .819 OPS with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, and 78 RBIs across two minor-league levels last season.
Montgomery was taken 12th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and was the No. 5 prospect for the Red Sox. The 21-year-old hit 27 home runs and 85 RBIs in 61 games at Texas A&M last season.
The Red Sox picked Meidroth in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The 23-year-old hit .293 with seven home runs, 20 doubles, and 57 RBIs in 122 games at Triple-A.
Gonzalez, 22, posted a 4-3 record with a 4.73 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 24 appearances at Double-A last season.
GOLF NEWS
AHEAD OF SHOWDOWN, BROOKS KOEPKA ENVISIONS LIV V. PGA ‘RYDER CUP STYLE’
Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are ready to up the stakes of the “The Showdown,” an exhibition being staged Tuesday in Las Vegas between the LIV Golf pairing and PGA Tour powers Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
“All of us can align and bring something bigger and better so we can have a couple more times where they can — or just at least one more time — where we can see most of the best players from both sides competing, more against each other,” said Koepka, who bolted the PGA Tour for LIV’s inaugural season in 2022 for a contract worth more than $100 million through 2025.
Koepka said a competitive match next week “could transcend golf,” pointing to percolating discussions of progress in months-long merger talks between the PGA and LIV Golf.
Opportunities for LIV Golf players to directly compete with current PGA Tour members have been limited due to the existing pathway to qualification for golf’s majors. Koepka, a five-time major champion, and DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Open last year for the second time, have accumulated major titles but others without the benefit of World Golf Rankings points awarded to PGA Tour players face a qualifying process.
Next week’s match is being held at Shadow Creek Golf Course, the No. 1-ranked public-access golf course in Nevada and borrows from Ryder Cup formats. Singles matchups are unclear but the national TV broadcast will be a blending of 18 holes in three segments: best ball for six holes, alternate shot on the second six and singles matches for the duration of the match.
Koepka said a tweaked “Showdown” approach could feature an “LIV vs. PGA Tour, Ryder Cup-style thing.”
“This is … growing into a big thing and I think that’s what would draw the fans,” said Koepka.
DeChambeau’s popularity exploded the past two years with a YouTube channel golf fans of all ages are flocking to, but LIV Golf events are not the same attraction as Tour tournaments.
“I truly think you’ve got the biggest figure in golf in Bryson and then one of the (players with the) most majors. We’ve got a lot going on our side. We want to beat them, we want to showcase the world we’re the top two dogs,” Koepka said.
Scheffler and McIlroy, an original detractor of the competing LIV circuit, received PGA Tour waivers to participate in the event next week.
Adding context to his greater point, Koepka said only avid LIV and DeChambeau fans grasp how great he played last season.
World No. 1 Scheffler was 25-under at the Hero World Challenge showing no signs of rust or decline from a nine-win season, including the 2024 Masters, and a gold medal in London. But DeChambeau and Koepka were involved in only four of those tournaments.
“Scottie had a hell of a year. I think it’s arguably one of the best years the Tour has ever seen,” Koepka said Tuesday. “Bryson had a hell of a year — he played 10 times better than I did. I played with him enough to know what he could have done on the PGA Tour. We all have a good feel how we would have fared on any tour.
“I think he (Scheffler) would have won a lot of his golf tournaments (in a full field including LIV players). But I think we would have put up a good fight. It would have been interesting.”
TOP INDIANA RELEASES
COLTS NEWS
COLTS PRO BOWL C RYAN KELLY RETURNS TO PRACTICE
The Indianapolis Colts designated four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly for a return from injured reserve on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window.
The Colts placed Kelly on IR with a knee injury on Nov. 6. The team also opened the practice window for rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who was on IR with a fibula injury.
The expectation is that Kelly will play Sunday when the Colts (6-7) return from their bye week at Denver (8-5). He last played in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.
However, starting right tackle Braden Smith (personal), who was inactive in Week 13, will not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to face the Broncos. Head coach Shane Steichen said he’s unsure if Smith, 28, will play again this season.
Kelly, 31, has started all 121 regular season and postseason games of his nine-year career, all with the Colts. Kelly earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019-21 and 2023 and was a second-team All-Pro choice in 2020.
Carlies, 23, has 21 tackles and one sack in seven games (three starts) since being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Steichen also said that wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) will practice on Wednesday after missing the Week 13 win at New England. Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini (concussion) is also set to practice.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
INDIANS STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF ROCKY COLAVITO
The Indianapolis Indians are deeply saddened by the passing of Rocky Colavito, who died Tuesday night at the age of 91.
Colavito first showcased his power in an Indianapolis uniform in 1954, becoming the first of nine players in franchise history to hit three home runs in a single game on May 22 at Minneapolis. He ended the 1954 campaign with an American Association-high 38 home runs to break the Indians’ single-season record of 33 set by Wally Post the season prior and helped lead the Indians to the American Association pennant with a 95-57 record. Colavito’s single-season home run record still stands today. That year, Colavito – well-known for having a strong arm – also entertained fans by standing on home plate at old Victory Field (later renamed Bush Stadium) and throwing a baseball over the wall in center field, which measured 480 feet from home plate. Colavito returned to Indy in 1955 and hit 30 home runs, and his 68 career long balls with Indianapolis are tied for third all-time in team history alongside Razor Shines.
Colavito debuted with Cleveland on Sept. 10, 1955, and went on earn nine American League All-Star bids over his 14-year major league career. Four of those All-Star honors came with Cleveland (1959, 1965-66), four with Detroit (1961-62) and one with Kansas City (1964). He finished in the top five in AL MVP voting three times (1958-59, 1965), became the eighth of 18 players in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game in 1959, and ended his career with 374 home runs. In 2006, Cleveland inducted Colavito into its Hall of Fame alongside pitcher Herb Score, who was Colavito’s roommate in Indianapolis during the ’54 season.
Today, Colavito is recognized on the Elements Financial Suite Level at Victory Field as one of 21 former Indianapolis players with a dedicated suite in his honor.
Matt Guay, Indianapolis Indians general manager, issued the following statement:
“We remember and honor Rocky Colavito and his contributions to the Indianapolis Indians and our history. His single-season home run record is one that may never be broken. We extend our condolences to the Colavito family and his loved ones.”
INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
FOUR HOOSIERS FEATURE IN ALL-NORTH REGION FIRST TEAM
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana men’s soccer is one of two programs (Penn) to produce four United Soccer Coaches first-team All-Region players in 2024. The organization announced its list of all-region honorees this week.
Indiana is represented in every third within the All-North Region team. Senior forwards Tommy Mihalic (10 goals, 5 assists), Samuel Sarver (5 goals, 8 assists), senior midfielder Patrick McDonald (2 goals, 3 assists) and defender Quinton Elliot (3 goals, 3 assists) are eligible for All-America selection as first-team All-Region honorees.
IU’s All-North Region quartet also featured in the All-Big Ten first team in November, as Mihalic also received the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award.
PURDUE FOOTBALL
PURDUE FOOTBALL’S 2025 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED ON BTN
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The 2025 Purdue Football schedule, the first season under new head coach Barry Odom, was announced on BTN Wednesday (Dec. 11) along with the rest of next season’s schedules for Big Ten schools. Seven home games, which includes playing in Ross-Ade the first three weeks of the season, highlight the slate.
Game weeks are solidified, while specific game dates are subject to change due to network assignment. Last season, Purdue had two games moved to Friday nights on FOX.
Purdue begins the Odom era by hosting Ball State (Aug. 30), facing the Cardinals for the first time since 2010. The Boilermakers remain at home for another non-conference matchup against Southern Illinois (Sept. 6), just the second meeting between the two programs. Closing out the three-game homestand to start the season, Purdue welcomes USC to Ross-Ade for the first time since 1976 (Sept. 13) to begin Big Ten play. The Boilermakers and the Trojans have played four times throughout history, starting with Purdue’s 14-13 victory in the 1967 Rose Bowl.
The Boilermakers put a bow on the non-conference slate by traveling to Notre Dame for the first road game of the season (Sept. 20). Another trophy game follows after a bye week, as Purdue returns home to host Illinois with the Cannon Trophy back up for grabs (Oct. 4). Big Ten play continues with back-to-back away games at Minnesota (Oct. 11) and at Northwestern (Oct. 18) before Purdue hosts Rutgers (Oct. 25) to end the month of October.
Purdue kicks off November with a trip Michigan (Nov. 1) before welcoming Ohio State to Ross-Ade (Nov. 8), facing the Buckeyes for the third straight season.
The Boilermakers fly across the country for their final road game, traveling more than 2,000 miles to face Washington (Nov. 15). Purdue is no stranger to visiting the Huskies, making five trips to Seattle throughout program history starting with a 13-6 win in 1961.
Closing out the season in traditional fashion, Purdue battles Indiana for the Old Oaken Bucket at Ross-Ade (Nov. 29). Both teams have a bye week before the rivalry game. The Boilermakers have won five of the past seven matchups against the Hoosiers.
To watch Odom lead the Boilermakers at Ross-Ade throughout 2025, new season tickets and renewals are on sale now.
Purdue Football 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 – BALL STATE
Sept. 6 – SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Sept. 13 – USC*
Sept. 20 – at Notre Dame (Shillelagh Trophy)
Oct. 4 – ILLINOIS* (CANNON TROPHY)
Oct. 11 – at Minnesota*
Oct. 18 – at Northwestern*
Oct. 25 – RUTGERS*
Nov. 1 – at Michigan*
Nov. 8 – OHIO STATE*
Nov. 15 – at Washington*
Nov. 29 – INDIANA* (OLD OAKEN BUCKET)
*Big Ten Contest
PURDUE WRESTLING
ERSLAND INKS 5TH SIGNEE TO CLASS OF 2025
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue wrestling head coach Tony Ersland announced on Wednesday the signing of Isaiah Schaefer, the fifth member of the Boilermakers’ class of 2025.
Schaefer comes to Purdue from state wrestling powerhouse Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Ind. Through the 2023-24 school year, he posted a varsity record of 59-10 competing in Class 2A of state competition.
Projected to compete at 133 or 141 pounds in college, the Evansville native ranks No. 21 in the 2025 MatScouts 138-pound rankings. Overall, he ranks No. 215 on the outlet’s 2025 Big Board.
Schaefer joins a talented Purdue class that includes Aidan Costello (Hobart, Ind.), Vincent Paino (Emerson, N.J.), Brody Saccoccia (Steubenville, Ohio) and Noah Weaver (Frankfort, Ind.).
NOTRE DAME HOCKEY
HOCKEY SET FOR 2024 FINALE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame hockey team gets set for its lone December matchup as they face Ohio State in Columbus, Dec. 13-14. Both games are slated for 7pm puck drops with Saturday’s series finale airing on the Big Ten Network. The two-game series will be the final of 2024 for the Irish squad that included eight non-conference games and the team’s first international tournament.
SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: #16/15 Ohio State Buckeyes | Dec. 13-14
Location: Columbus, Ohio | Value City Arena
Schedule: 7p.m.
TV: B1G+ (Fri.) | BTN (Sat.)
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame
QUICK HITS
Notre Dame closes out its 2024 calendar slate with a trip to rival Ohio State, Dec. 13-14.
The Irish return to action following a weekend off after participating in their first-ever international tournament as part of the 2024 Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Notre Dame finished runners-up in the tournament, topping Harvard 5-2 on night one before falling to No. 13/13 Boston University in the Belpot Trophy championship game Saturday night, 3-4.
Jaedon Kerr net his first collegiate goal in the win over Harvard before picking up an assist against BU to earn his first career point streak.
The team spent the days prior to the tournament exploring areas of Dublin and Belfast, learning the history of both countries, and visiting local schools to learn about the sport culture on the Emerald Isle.
Notre Dame debuted a speciality jersey that they wore for both games, paying homage to the land they had traveled to and the history of both Ireland and Northern Ireland. The navy jersey with gold detailing reflects the University’s colors while the numbers and letters took inspiration from the centuries old Book of Kells.
A unique celtic knot adorns both shoulders of the sweater. Celebrating the location of the game, “Notre Dame in Belfast” sits atop the knot. The knot is twisted into the shape of hockey sticks and faceoff circles, representing the face-off of two opponents.
The historically Hockey East/ECAC tournament featured its first Big Ten Conference team when Notre Dame took the ice Friday night inside SSE Arena.
Prior to the trip, Jack Larrigan recorded an assist Friday night at Michigan State to notch his first collegiate point.
Henry Nelson scored his second collegiate goal to open the scoring in game one against Wisconsin. His younger brother Danny notched the primary assist on the play, marking the first time brothers contributed to each other’s goals since Justin Janicke had the second assist on his older brother Trevor’s goal on February 2, 2024 vs. Michigan State.
The last time one brother posted the primary assist on their brother’s goal was November 5, 2023 when Justin fed his brother Trevor a pass at Penn State in a 2-2 tie.
NOTRE DAME vs. OHIO STATE
The Irish and Buckeyes have clashed in 102 previous meetings, with the Irish holding the edge over the oppoisiton, 47-43-12 all-time.
In Columbus, the Buckeyes own the slim margin of victories over Notre Dame, 23-21-7.
Last season, the two teams met four times during the regular season with the Irish claiming three victories, including a home sweep of OSU to open the home Big Ten slate.
In their 102 previous meetings, the two teams have scored a matching 281 goals and average 2.75 goals, both for and against.
Two Irish rookies scored their first collegiate points last season against OSU with Cole Knuble picking up his first career assists, goal, and multi-point night all in the team’s 3-0 win over the Buckeyes to close out the home series last November.
At Ohio State, Henry Nelson tallied his first collegiate point with the primary assist on Landon Slaggert’s first period goal to give the Irish a 2-0 lead.
Fellow rookie Brennan Ali recorded his first multi-point night with a pair of assists against the Buckeyes at home before tallying two more in Columbus for a team-best four points against the Buckeyes a season ago.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
NOTRE DAME, UCONN SET FOR STAR-FILLED, PRIMETIME SHOWDOWN
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A rivalry renewed.
On Thursday, No. 8 Notre Dame (7-2) hosts former BIG EAST Conference foe and second-ranked Connecticut (8-0) at Purcell Pavilion with a giant resume-boosting win on the line.
“This [game] is something I think women’s basketball fans look forward to,” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey said on Wednesday. “We get a chance to see them early, see where we’re at. They’re No. 2 in the country and playing really high-level, elite basketball, so it’s a great opportunity for us.”
While Connecticut has dominated the rivalry historically, Notre Dame has won back-to-back meetings by double-digits, and the Irish stars have shown out each outing. Last season, Hannah Hidalgo dropped 34 points on the Huskies and drew a lot of attention, allowing Maddy Westbeld to serve as a silent assassin and score 23 points. The Irish walked away with an 82-67 win.
The last time the rivals met in South Bend, Olivia Miles had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block en route to a 74-60 victory. Westbeld had 17 points and 9 boards herself, including going 3-5 from beyond the arc. The Irish led for more than 33 minutes of the matchup and shot 56.1 percent from the floor.
Thursday is the first time the Huskies will face both Hidalgo and Miles together. The elite backcourt that also features Sonia Citron combined for 69 points against Syracuse on Sunday in a 93-62 win, and the three guards have produced 13 performances of 20+ points already this season.
Connecticut brings a star-studded group to the table as well, including All-American Paige Bueckers and freshman sensation Sarah Strong. Bueckers is averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season. Strong is the reigning BIG EAST Player of the Week after back-to-back performances of 20+ points last week and 15 rebounds in two games. As a team, the Huskies lead the nation with a 51.8 success rate from the floor.
Of note, typical UConn starter Azzi Fudd is unlikely to play after suffering a knee sprain last weekend against Louisville. She had 18 points in 18 minutes before leaving with the injury against the Cardinals.
In addition to the top-10 matchup on the court, Thursday’s game is the 2024 Shamrock Classic. Notre Dame will wear green, and there is additional programming aspects around the game, including a Shamrock Classic social, which is a dinner and celebration of women leaders at Notre Dame prior to the game.
Thursday’s matchup tips off on ESPN at 7 p.m. Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe will be on the call.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL
IRISH HANDLE BUSINESS IN 77-65 WIN OVER DARTMOUTH
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame men’s basketball led from start to finish against Dartmouth on Wednesday night, winning its second straight via a 77-65 victory. The Fighting Irish (6-5) not only improved to 5-1 inside Purcell Pavilion, but also kept up their historical dominance over Ivy League competition, moving to 48-4 all-time.
Braeden Shrewsberry kept riding his career high streak of double-digit scoring games, pushing it to seven consecutive games with 22 tonight. Shrewsberry also recorded back-to-back 20+ point performances for the first time of his career.
The sophomore went 4-for-9 from behind the arc tonight. He’s now gone 10-for-20 from three and combined for 47 points over the last two games.
Tae Davis recorded his sixth straight game in double figures with his first double-double performance of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Davis shot an efficient 9-of-13 from the field.
Matt Allocco rounded out the double-digit scorers with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting, while also dishing out five assists for the Irish.
Overall, Notre Dame shot 52.5 percent from the floor (31-59). Defensively, the Irish held the Big Green to 18.2 percent from three (6-33).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Braeden Shrewsberry and Tae Davis continued to do Braeden and Tae things to kickstart the game. Shrewsberry started 4-for-6 from the field and was the first to reach 10 points, pushing the Irish ahead 30-23 with his second trey with 4:31 remaining.
Davis proved impossible to defend in the first half, going 7-for-8 from the field to lead all players with 14 points at halftime.
Spearheaded by the duo, the Irish shot 17-of-27 (.630), shooting over 60 percent in the first half for the second time this season. Notre Dame ended the half by making its last 7-of-8 from the field to garner a 39-28 halftime lead. Twenty-eight of Notre Dame’s points were scored in the paint.
The trio of Roper II, Davis and Shrewsberry started the second half on a 6-0 Irish run, prompting a Dartmouth timeout with the home squad up 45-28 at 17:36.
Notre Dame went on to record a stretch in which they made six straight from the field, which was capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Matt Allocco, all resulting in a 55-37 lead at 15:03. Allocco would put up 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to put the Irish in front at 68-50.
The Irish continued to lead by 18 after back-to-back buckets from Nikita Konstantynovskyi, but a 9-0 Dartmouth run made it a nine-point ballgame with 2:12 remaining.
The Irish knocked down five free throws and were followed by one last pair of Big Green free throws to close out the second win in a row at home, winning it 77-65.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Irish will have an extended break due to finals and will return to action on Sunday, December 22, wrapping up non-conference play with Le Moyne. That matchup will tip off at 6 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S LAX
WOMEN’S LACROSSE RELEASES 2025 SCHEDULE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – It’s that time of year again as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women’s Lacrosse program gears up for the spring with the announcement of the 2025 schedule.
There will be 15 opportunities to catch the Irish in action in the regular season as their slate features eight home games and seven road games. Nine conference games are set for this upcoming spring season after the additions of Cal and Stanford to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024.
“This year’s schedule has us entering a new era of ACC lacrosse with an expanded conference and new scheduling model,” said Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Christine Halfpenny. “The ACC will again be one of the strongest conferences in the country. We’re excited to attack the games in front of us this year both in and out of conference beginning with a great season opening regional rivalry with Northwestern.”
Notre Dame will host the Michigan Wolverines for an exhibition game on January 26 before kicking off the season officially with the National Champion Runner-Up, the Northwestern Wildcats. The Irish will travel to Evanston to face the Wildcats on Friday, Feb. 7.
After the season-opener on the road, the Irish will host three-straight home games. Notre Dame will open up at Loftus with Central Michigan, who won the MAC regular season title last year, on Sunday, Feb. 9. They will then host Eastern Michigan (Feb. 15) before opening up conference play the following week.
Notre Dame opens ACC play at home with the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Irish went 2-0 against the Tigers last season, winning 14-13 in double overtime on the road before taking down Clemson 14-12 in the ACC quarterfinals just one month later.
The Irish will travel to Duke (Feb. 28) and Elon (March 2) before hosting the reigning National Champions, Boston College. The Irish will take on the Eagles at Arlotta on March 8. Last year, the Irish defeated BC on their home turf in a 15-14 regular-season road win before falling 9-7 in the ACC semifinals.
Notre Dame will travel to California to take on Cal (March 13) and UC Davis (March 15) before hosting Harvard on Wednesday, March 19.
The Irish hit the road for Syracuse to take on the ACC Regular Season Champions on Sunday, March 23. The Irish fell in a close 16-14 battle at home in the ACC opener against the Orange last season.
North Carolina and Stanford will be hosted at Arlotta on March 30, and April 5, respectively, before the Irish head to Pitt for their final regular season roadgame against the Panthers (April 12).
In their final game at home, the Irish cap off the regular season with local ACC foe Louisville on April 17 before preparing for the post-season conference tournament at the end of April in Charlotte, NC.
NOTRE DAME BASEBALL
IRISH BASEBALL ANNOUNCES 2025 SCHEDULE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Notre Dame Baseball program and John P. and Catherine Murphy Head Baseball Coach Shawn Stiffler have announced the schedule for the 2025 spring season.
The 2025 schedule has the Irish squaring off against five teams who competed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament in opponents Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Western Michigan. The full slate of competition is available here.
Notre Dame will begin the season on the road with a series at North Florida (Feb. 14-16) before returning to the Sunshine State to take host Iowa, UMBC and Stetson the following weekend (Feb. 21-23). The Irish turn the calendar with a series at Belmont (Feb. 28 – March 2) before the team’s first home game of the year on March 5 against Eastern Michigan.
The Irish begin ACC play at Wake Forest (March 7-9) before making the short trip to Winthrop for a pair of games on March 11-12. Notre Dame then continues their stretch of road play with a conference series at Clemson (March 16-18).
Notre Dame then kicks off a 13-game home stand by hosting Butler on March 18. The Irish host Georgia Tech (March 21-23) for their first home conference series of the season. Michigan State is slated to make the trek to South Bend for a contest on March 26 before Notre Dame hosts Florida State for an ACC series (March 28-30). April starts with a home game against defending Mid-American champion Western Michigan on April 1. Virginia Tech then is set to take on the Irish at Frank Eck Stadium for a series from April 4-6.
The Irish host Northwestern on Tuesday, April 8 for a single game before traveling to Massachusetts for an ACC series at Boston College (April 11-13). Notre Dame returns home for a mid-week contest against Valparaiso. The Irish then travel to ACC-newcomer Stanford for a league series April 18-20. A home mid-week competition against Purdue Fort Wayne then sets up a weekend series at home against second ACC-newcomer Cal (April 25-27). After a trip to in-state foe Purdue (April 29), the Irish are back home against Louisville for a Thursday through Saturday series against the Cardinals from May 1-3.
Notre Dame takes another quick break from conference competition with two home games against Bowling Green before traveling to the Falcons for contests over the weekend of May 9-11. The Irish then close out the regular season with a weekend ACC series at Miami (May 15-17).
The 2025 ACC Tournament will take place Tuesday, May 20 through Sunday, May 25 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina. The Irish will then look to claim a spot in the NCAA Tournament, with Regionals and Super Regionals culminating in the Men’s College World Series from June 13-23 in Omaha, Nebraska.
BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WISCONSIN OUTLASTS BUTLER IN DOUBLE OVERTIME 71-64
Serah Williams scored a game-high 36 points against Butler on Wednesday night to lead Wisconsin to a 71-64 win over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The setback was just the third of the year for Butler while the Badgers improved to 9-2.
Tonight’s result was the first double overtime game for Butler since Feb. 8, 2015. Butler led by nine at the half, but were limited to just 22 second half points. Each side settled for four points in the first overtime period and Wisconsin outscored BU 12-5 in the second OT.
Butler held onto a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. Turnovers plagued the BU offense over the first six minutes of action, but they adjusted after the media timeout and were mistake free over the final four minutes of the first.
Wisconsin went inside to score 10 of their first 11 points in the paint. Serah Williams was the driving force for that decision. The 6-4 junior had seven in the first quarter alone.
Sydney Jaynes countered the inside attack with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give BU a 12-11 lead and Riley Makalusky’s second triple of the contest gave BU a two-point lead at the end of one.
The Bulldog lead moved to 21-14 early in the second quarter with BU outscoring Wisconsin 6-1 over the first three minutes of the frame. Lily Carmody’s first shot from behind the arc went in and Caroline Strande recorded an old-fashioned 3-point play to supply the scoring for Butler.
After a Wisconsin timeout, Jocelyn Land got involved with a 3-pointer that moved Butler’s scoring run to 9-1 and gave the team a 10-point lead. The double-digit advantage would move to 30-16 before a scary situation unfolded at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Strande was fouled on a 3-point attempt and hobbled off the court for the final three minutes of the first half. Butler’s lead was then trimmed to 33-24 at the break.
Strande remained sidelined for the remainder of the game, helping Wisconsin get back in it at 39-36. Butler was outscored 16-11 in the third, but stayed on top heading to the fourth 44-40.
The lead dropped down to two at 48-46, but BU broke a timeout to get a three-point play from Lily Zeinstra on a back-door cut to give them some more breathing room.
Wisconsin struggled from distance all night, but their first made 3-pointer of the game would knot the score at 53-53. BU moved back in front 55-53 with a minute and a half remaining in regulation and a Wisconsin turnover would follow with an Ari Wiggins steal.
Butler got another stop on Wisconsin’s next trip, but two missed free throws would give Wisconsin a second chance. The Badgers got the ball inside to Williams and she would send the game to overtime with a field goal in the paint.
The first overtime features just eight total points. Jaynes was responsible for all four for BU and overtime number two would get underway at 59-59.
Wisconsin’s second and final 3-pointer of the game came from Natalie Leuzinger and gave the Badgers a 64-59 lead with three to play. Leuzinger added a pull-up jumper on their next possession to keep the five-point advantage intact.
In the end, Williams would be too much and would will Wisconsin to a 71-64 victory.
Inside the Box Score
– Butler shot 7-for-15 from 3 in the first half, but ended the game 7-for-27.
– Wisconsin didn’t make a 3-pointer in the first half (0-4) and went just 2-for-11 in the game
– BU had 19 assists on 23 made field goals.
– Points in the paint favored Wisconsin 44-26
– Bench points went to Butler 37-6
– BU won the rebound battle 42-39
– Wisconsin got to the line 28 times and BU shot 21 free throws
– Neither team shot a good percentage from the charity stripe
– Serah Williams had 36 points and 14 rebounds in 43 minutes
– Riley Makalusky had 13 points and six rebounds
– Sydney Jaynes had 13 points and eight rebounds
– Kilyn McGuff led BU with nine rebounds while adding three assists and two steals
– Ari Wiggins led the team with five assists
Up Next
Butler’s final non-conference contest will be played on Sunday afternoon against Saint Francis. Tip is set for 1 p.m. on FloSports.com.
IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
IU INDY COMES UP SHORT AGAINST MASTODONS, 79-71
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis women’s basketball team came up short in a hard-fought contest against Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday night, falling 79-71. The Jaguars held the lead for the majority of the game, but the Mastodons mounted a strong fourth-quarter rally to close out the victory.
Purdue Fort Wayne opened the game with a quick three-pointer, but the Jags quickly regained their composure and defended their home court. IU Indy shot 42.9% from the field in the first quarter, including a pair of three-pointers, while forcing six turnovers from the Mastodons. That strong defense helped the Jaguars take a 14-10 lead after the opening period.
In the second quarter, Purdue Fort Wayne grabbed an 8-4 advantage on the boards, but IU Indy responded from beyond the arc. The Jaguars hit four three-pointers in the quarter, including back-to-back triples from Shania Nichols-Vannett, to hold on to a four-point lead at halftime, 32-28.
The third quarter was another strong effort for the Jaguars, as they extended their lead by outscoring the Mastodons 25-22. Four more three-pointers, including a buzzer-beater from Jada Patton, gave IU Indy a 57-50 advantage heading into the final quarter.
However, the Mastodons came alive in the fourth quarter, igniting a 15-0 run midway through the period to seize control of the game. Purdue Fort Wayne’s Sydney Freeman was a key catalyst, scoring eight of the team’s final 10 points during an 8-3 run that helped extend the lead. Lauren Ross then sealed the victory for the Mastodons, knocking down five consecutive free throws in the final minutes to put the game out of reach.
Nichols-Vannett led the Jaguars with 24 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Faith Stinson contributed 14 points. Jada Patton added 11 points and Alexa Hocevar grabbed six rebounds to lead the team on the boards.
With the loss, IU Indianapolis falls to 0-3 in Horizon League play. The Jaguars will now take a brief break from conference action and head to Fort Myers, Florida, for back-to-back games on December 20th against East Tennessee State and December 21st against North Carolina A&T.
IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
TURNOVERS COSTLY IN TIGHT LOSS AT PURDUE FORT WAYNE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team just missed a come-from-behind victory on the road at Horizon League preseason favorite Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday night (Dec. 11), ultimately falling inside Memorial Coliseum, 78-76. Junior Sean Craig had a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Zilinskas added 20 points in the loss.
It was Craig’s fourth double-double of the season and surpassed his previous career-high of 16 points. Craig had made just 10 threes in the season’s first 11 games before going 6-of-10 from long range on Wednesday.
Jarvis Walker finished with 17 points, all in the second half. Rasheed Bello and Quinton Morton-Robertson paced Purdue Fort Wayne (7-4, 2-1 HL) with 18 points each.
The host Mastodons connected on 14-of-30 (46.7 percent) from three and forced the Jaguars into 19 turnovers, yet IU Indy had a shot to draw even on the game’s final possession. However, Walker had a driving layup from the right side fall off the rim and PFW’s Eric Mulder grabbed the defensive rebound to seal the win.
“I liked the fight from our team,” head coach Paul Corsaro said. “We’re still learning how to finish out games. Tonight, we did everything we could to get back into the game and give ourselves a chance. We did a great job of getting a (defensive) stop on their last possession to give ourselves a chance to win it. That’s all you can ask for on the road.”
The Jaguars (5-7, 1-2 HL) trailed by as many as 12 in the second half and were down 11 with 5:11 to play before nearly getting all the way even. After Morton-Robertson made a three with 5:11 to play, the Jags countered with an 8-0 run, sandwiched by Alec Millender and Zilinskas treys.
Purdue Fort Wayne regained a 10-point lead with 1:50 to play before Craig connected on back-to-back threes to cut the lead to four. After Morton-Robertson split a pair of free throws, Walker got to the rim and completed a traditional three-point play.
The Jaguars dug in defensively and earned a stop with a shot clock violation, setting up the game’s final possession with 9.4 seconds to play.
IU Indy shot 50 percent from the floor, 13-of-27 (48.1 percent) from three and 15-of-16 (93.8 percent) from the foul line. The Jags also won the glass by a 30-20 margin, but were unable to fully offset the season-high tying 19 turnovers.
The Mastodons cashed in the 19 miscues into 20 points at the other end.
Millender finished with nine points and a season-high seven assists before fouling out as Timaris Brown (3 points) and DeSean Goode (2 points) were the only others to score for the Jaguars.
Jalen Jackson had 16 points and seven assists before fouling out for the ‘Dons and Chandler Cuthrell had 15 points off the PFW bench.
The Jaguars will return to non-league play on Saturday (Dec. 14) when they trek west to face Lindenwood at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL
14 3-POINTERS HELP ‘DONS TOP IU INDY
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A season-high 14 3-pointers lifted the Purdue Fort Wayne men’s basketball team to a 78-76 victory over IU Indianapolis on Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
The Mastodons led for more than 36 minutes of the game but the contest came down to the final minute. IU Indy trailed 78-76 when Jarvis Walkers’ driving layup with three seconds on the clock didn’t find the bottom of the net. Eric Mulder pounced on the rebound and used an outlet pass to run out the clock.
Quinton Morton-Robertson drained five 3-pointers for 18 points while adding four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Rasheed Bello had four from range to score 18 points with five rebounds and four assists. Jalen Jackson added 16 with seven assists. Chandler Cuthrell had a career-high 15 points, knocking down three 3-pointers.
The ‘Dons continue to be one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers, making the Jaguars turn it over 19 times on Wednesday.
Purdue Fort Wayne took a lead as large as 12 points in the second half, only to see the Jaguars cut it to one possession with 3:41 left. Bello followed with a 3-pointer and Mulder finished on a layup to put the ‘Dons up 74-66. Morton-Robertson had 10 points in the second half including back-to-back 3-pointers around the five minute mark.
Sean Craig had a game-high 25 points for IU Indy.
It was a hot-shooting contest with IU Indy finishing at exactly 50 percent (24-of-48) and the ‘Dons a touch better at 52.9 percent (12-of-26).
IU Indy falls to 5-7 (1-2 Horizon League). The ‘Dons are now 5-0 at home and improve to 7-4 (2-1 Horizon League). The ‘Dons will now step out of league play and head to Eastern Michigan on Sunday (Dec. 11). It will be the Mastodons’ first trip to Ypsilanti since 2012.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
PURDUE FORT WAYNE WBB COMPLETES FOURTH-QUARTER COMEBACK FOR ROAD LEAGUE VICTORY
INDIANAPOLIS – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team used a 29-14 fourth quarter to complete an 11-point comeback to beat IU Indianapolis 79-71 on Wednesday (Dec. 11).
Sydney Freeman took over late, spurring the Mastodons on an 8-3 run in the final three minutes. This helped Purdue Fort Wayne clinch the victory by building up a seven-point lead. From there, Lauren Ross put the game out of reach from IU Indy with five free throws in a row.
While Ross finished with 17, Amellia Bromenschenkel was consistent throughout. She racked up 19 points and seven rebounds, the former of which is a season-high. She was 7-of-11 from the floor and 2-for-4 from 3-point range. Jordan Reid scored 12 points, also a season-high.
The difference in the contest was a 15-0 run midway through the fourth quarter. Freeman scored five of her nine points, Bromenschenkel had four, Ross had three, Jazzlyn Linbo had two and Reid had one. In this time, the Mastodons forced IU Indy into eight turnovers and allowed just two shots.
IU Indy’s Shania Nichols-Vannett scored well above her season average with 24 points with six 3-pointers.
The Mastodons forced IU Indy into 27 turnovers, the most by a Division I team so far this season. The ‘Dons managed the victory despite hitting a season-low six triples. The ‘Dons feasted in the paint to make up for, scoring 42 from there. They were also successful pushing the pace, scoring 26 fast break points while holding IU Indy to just two.
The Mastodons led for just 6:05, but led the final 3:14 when it mattered.
Purdue Fort Wayne improves to 6-5 and 3-0 in the Horizon League. The ‘Dons are the only 3-0 team in the HL. IU Indy falls to 1-9, 0-3.
The ‘Dons will return home for an 11 a.m. contest against Aquinas on Saturday (Dec. 14).
EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL
UE HOSTS CHATTANOOGA ON THURSDAY EVENING
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In a rematch of last season’s exciting 85-77 victory, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team welcomes Chattanooga to the Ford Center for a 7 p.m. game on Thursday evening. ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.
Last Time Out
– Saturday’s contest against Western Kentucky was a game of runs as the Aces held a 33-32 halftime lead, but a 47-point second half saw the Hilltoppers take a 79-65 win
– Cam Haffner and Gabriel Pozzato led the team with 19 points apiece while Connor Turnbull posted 9 points and 6 blocks, tying his career-high
Looking Back
– When the Aces and Mocs met last season, it was an instant classic at McKenzie Arena
– Trailing by as many as 20 points in the second half, UE staged one of the largest rallies in MVC history before winning by a final of 85-77 in overtime
– Ben Humrichous paced the team with 28 points while Antonio Thomas had 11
– Tanner Cuff recorded his first double-double at UE as he tallied 10 points and 11 boards
Up to Second
– Tying his career mark with 6 blocks against WKU, Connor Turnbull has moved to 2nd in the MVC with his season average of 1.67 per game
– On the offensive side, Turnbull tied his career scoring mark with 9 versus the Hilltoppers and has recorded 7+ points in 3 of the last 4 games
– Turnbull had a solid performance in the win over Green Bay, grabbing a career-high 8 boards to go along with 9 points
– He had a solid game versus Brescia, posting 7 points, 4 boards and 3 blocks
– Through nine games, he has posted 5.4 PPG and 2.6 RPG while seeing just over 17 minutes of work per game
On a Roll
– Over the last four games, Cam Haffner has posted an average of 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game
– His season average of 15.6 PPG is currently 5th in the league while his average of 33.8 minutes per game is 6th
– Haffner has 7 double figure scoring games this season after posting just four last year
– In the win over Green Bay, he set career highs in points (27), field goals (10) and attempts (16); he also tied his top collegiate mark of 9 rebounds
Going the Distance
– Over the last two games, Gabriel Pozzato has played all 80 minutes
– He finished with 19 points, 7 boards, and 2 steals against WKU after recording a career-high 6 steals at Murray State, which is tied for the second-highest total in a game this season
– Averaging 1.89 steals on the season, Pozzato is tied for 5th in the MVC
– He continues to rank 4th in the Valley with 15.6 PPG and has recorded at least 8 points in every game this season
Scouting the Opponent
– Winners of five out of their last six games, Chattanooga enters Thursday’s game with a 5-4 record
– Prior to a Dec. 3 loss to Lipscomb, the Mocs won five in a row as they defeated Morehead State, SEMO, Johnson (TN), Tennessee State, and Bryant
– Bash Wieland paces Chattanooga with his average of 14.6 PPG
– He is followed by Trey Bonham’s 12.3 PPG while Honor Huff checks in with 10.4 PPG
– Huff holds the team lead with 32 assists while Sean Cusano is averaging a team-high 5.1 rebounds per contest
EVANSVILLE BASEBALL
UE BASEBALL UNVEILS 2025 SCHEDULE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — After a historic season in 2024 the University of Evansville baseball team will look to make history again with a challenging and competitive 2025 season schedule.
“I look forward to the 2025 season,” says Head Coach Wes Carroll. “Coming off our historic run, we have put together another challenging schedule. The non-conference schedule is going to be a great opportunity for our club to get prepared for Valley play. It’s going to be another special year for Aces Baseball. Get Up Ace Country!”
The Purple Aces 2025 schedule features a bevy of strong competition including six teams that made the NCAA Tournament in 2024. UE will also visit one team that made it all the way to Omaha during the 2024 season. Evansville will play four different Power Four teams with Indiana coming to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in April.
The Aces will host 18 home games through the 2025 season starting on February 21st. Season tickets for the 2025 UE baseball season will go on sale beginning on Monday, January 6. Fans can call the UE ticket office by phone at 812-488-2237 to order their tickets, or click on the Ticket link on GoPurpleAces.com to learn more or order on-line.
Evansville will open the season with a four-game road stretch beginning at Arkansas-Little Rock for a three-game series starting on Valentines Day. It will be the Aces fourth program trip to Little Rock and the first since 2019. UE wraps up its first road swing of the season in Nashville at Lipscomb for a midweek game on February 18th.
The home opener at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium is set for Friday, February 21st against crosstown rival Southern Indiana. Over the weekend Evansville will host USI twice on February 21st and 23rd while playing a game at USI Baseball Field on February 22nd. The two Evansville teams will then meet again later in the season on Tuesday, May 6th at Southern Indiana.
The Aces then hit the road for a full month of the season, starting with a midweek matchup at Kentucky on Tuesday, February 25th who ended its 2024 season in Omaha. UE continues its road trip with two more Power Four opponents. Evansville will play a four-game series at Missouri from February 28th to March 2nd with a doubleheader on the Saturday. The Aces then wrap up their stretch of Power Four visits at Vanderbilt on Tuesday, March 4th.
UE’s long road stretch continues with a return to Arkansas for a series at Central Arkansas from March 7th to March 9th. Evansville then has back-to-back single midweek games with a stop at Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, March 11th and a stop at SIUE on Wednesday, March 12th. The Aces final non-conference series on the road will be at Samford from March 14th until March 16th. UE then plays its first game against Indiana in Bloomington on Tuesday March 18th before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play.
Evansville starts MVC action at Murray State from March 21st to March 23rd. The Aces then return home to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium after a full month away on Tuesday March 25th for the first game of a home and home series versus Western Kentucky. UE’s first home series in Valley play will be against Valparaiso from March 28th to the 30th with the MVC Championship and NCAA Tournament banner unveiling on Friday the 28th.
SEMO visits Evansville for the other half of the home and home series on Tuesday, April 1st. Then the Aces take a trip to Chicago for a series with UIC from April 4th to April 6th. UE returns home to host Butler on Tuesday April 8th before hitting the road again for a series at Illinois State starting Friday April 11th through Sunday April 13th. Evansville’s next home series will be a rematch of the 2024 MVC Championship game as 2024 regular season champs Indiana State are in town from April 17th to April 19th.
The Aces head back out for a week on the road starting in Bowling Green at Western Kentucky on Tuesday, April 22nd. UE continues on to Springfield for the final conference series with Missouri State before the Bears head to Conference USA from April 25th to April 27th. Evansville then welcomes Indiana to the River City for a game on Tuesday, April 29th before hosting Belmont for a Valley series from May 2nd through May 4th.
The final non-conference game of 2025 for the Aces will be across town at USI Baseball Field on Tuesday, May 6th. UE’s last road series of the season will be at Southern Illinois from May 9th to May 11th. Evansville closes out the 2025 regular season at home with a three-game series against Bradley starting on May 15th and ending on May 17th.
Postseason play for the Aces will take place in Normal, Ill. for the MVC Baseball Championship. The Championship double-elimination tournament will run from May 20th to May 24th at Duffy Bass Field hosted by the Illinois State Redbirds.
SOUTHERN INDIANA ATHLETICS
USI ANNOUNCES THE 2025 HALL OF FAME CLASS
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Athletics is pleased to announce the selection of the 2025 USI Athletic Hall of Fame class that will be inducted during homecoming week in February. The class of six individuals and one team was selected by a nine-member USI Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.
Any Screaming Eagles fan was eligible to nominate student athletes or teams on the 10th anniversary of their last season of competition, or a coach/administrator who has been separated from USI Athletics for two years.
This year’s class includes Angie Gries (Women’s Soccer 1996-99); Julia Kohnen ’14, M’15 (Women’s Soccer, Cross Country, Track & Field 2010-15); Travis Marx ’94 (Men’s Soccer 1989-92); Greg Tassios ’85 (Men’s Soccer 1981-82); Chris Thompson (Men’s Basketball 2004-06); Rodney Watson (Men’s Basketball Head Coach 2009-20); and the 2014 NCAA Division II Baseball National Championship Team.
“I continue to be amazed by the number of outstanding student-athletes and teams this University has produced,” said USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall. “The Class of 2025 truly represents our growing tradition here at USI. The six individuals and one team that will be honored in February are truly worthy of this extraordinary honor. I know that the entire USI community is proud of this class and what it accomplished while at USI.“
In addition to the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025, USI is inducting John Deem, William “Bill” Wilson, and Dan Egierski into the Athletic Hall of Distinction for contributions to the success of the University’s varsity programs.
Reservations for the February 7 induction ceremony must be made in advance and online by clicking USI Athletic Hall of Fame Tickets. For more information, contact the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.
2025 USI ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS
Angie Gries, Women’s Soccer: One of the top goalkeepers of all-time in USI Women’s Soccer. Gries ranks seventh in saves (236), second in goals against average (0.77), and second in career shutouts (27.5). The native of Evansville, Indiana, ranked first in each of the statistical categories after her collegiate career ended. She also was a two-time All-GLVC honoree and a member of USI’s 1998 Women’s Soccer Hall of Fame team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
Julia Kohnen, Women’s Soccer, Cross Country, Track & Field: Kohnen was a distinguished performer in three different sports at USI. In Cross Country and Track & Field, Kohnen earned four All-American and three Midwest All-Region honors and a first-team Academic All-America award. Kohnen was a three-time Academic All-GLVC performer in four seasons on the Women’s Soccer team, posting 43 career points on 17 goals and nine assists. For more on Kohnen’s career, visit her bio on USIScreamingEagles.com.
Travis Marx, Men’s Soccer: A top player on teams that won the GLVC championship in 1989, 1990, and 1991, while leading the Screaming Eagles into their first foray into NCAA Division I in 1992. Marx, who played professionally in England and was drafted in the MISL, finished his career ranked fifth in points (72), second in assists (34), and fourth in goals (19) all-time at USI. He also was named All-Region twice (1989, 1990) and All-GLVC three times (1989, 1990, 1991).
Greg Tassios, Men’s Soccer: Tassios was a top goalkeeper on Screaming Eagles teams that dominated the GLVC and the region in 1981 and 1982 after the program was created just two years before. The All-GLVC performer finished his career ranked first all-time in shutouts (26) and remained first in least goals conceded (12) in his two seasons.
Chris Thompson, Men’s Basketball: Thompson was a two-year starter for USI and was dominating in his second season. He was named first-team All-American, All-Region by Daktronics and Basketball Times in 2006, Midwest Player of the Year by Daktronics in 2006, and the GLVC co-Player of the Year. Thompson also was named first-team All-GLVC and was twice named the NCAA II Player of the Month during 2005-06.
Rodney Watson, Men’s Basketball: Watson became the ninth head coach for USI Men’s Basketball history in 2009-10, beginning with 23-straight victories. The Screaming Eagles soared during his 11 seasons as he became the program’s all-time winningest coach after the victory over Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2019. He was 251-82 (.754) during his tenure, including a 142-60 (.703) Great Lakes Valley Conference record.
During his tenure, Watson also led the Eagles to the 2019 NCAA II Elite Eight Semifinals; the 2019 NCAA II Midwest Regional Championship; seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020); and two GLVC championships (2012 and 2014). The program also has produced seven All-Americans and 15 All-GLVC honorees during his time at USI. For more on Watson’s career, click on his bio on USIScreamingEagles.com.
2014 Baseball (NCAA II National Champion): The 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship baseball team was one of the most dominating post-season teams in the history of USI Athletics. The Screaming Eagles, who won 49 games during the season, swept through the national championship series with wins over the number one, two, three, and four ranked teams. USI also hosted the NCAA II Midwest Regional and defeated the 17th and 18th-ranked teams. For more on the 2014 season, see the schedule on USIScreamingEagles.com.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
USI OPENS 4-GAME HOMESTAND SUNDAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball opens its longest homestand of the 2024-25 season when hosts Shawnee State College Sunday in Liberty Arena. The tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
The USI Screaming Eagles, who have won four of their last six games, are looking to rebound after falling on the road at Southern Illinois University, 73-70, December 7. Sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi led USI scorers at SIU with 24 points, while junior guard Jayland Randall followed with 22 points.
Randall leads USI through the first eight games with 16.9 points per outing, while Olowoniyi is averaging 15.2 points and is grabbing a team-high 6.3 rebounds. Junior guards Damoni Harrison and Jared Washington follow the top two with 11.8 and 10.5 points per appearance.
The Bears of Shawnee State, who are a member of the NAIA, are 3-6 in 2024-25 and have lost four-straight before visiting USI. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Following the visit Shawnee State, USI starts the 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference campaign next week. The Screaming Eagles will host Tennessee State University (December 19); University of Tennessee at Martin (December 21); and Morehead State University (December 31).
The USI-TSU game is the first of three special Thursday doubleheader offers called “812 Nights” with tickets being discounted to $8.12 for upper-level seating. Along with discounted prices, USI encourages fans to visit Hacienda West for their $8.12 small famous wet burrito that comes with a drink from 2-6 p.m. on the 3 dates of the promotion.
Customers can show their e-ticket from the game to receive this limited time offer at Hacienda West. Upon purchasing online tickets, use promo Code 812 at checkout of the following link https://usi.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx or call 812-465-1189 to lock in the offer.
All of the USI Basketball action can be seen live on ESPN+. The game can also be heard on ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com) and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com). Tickets for the homestand and all USI home dates are on sale now at USIScreamingEagles.com.
VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL
BEACON BASKETBALL RETURNS TO COURT ON SATURDAY VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan (5-3, 0-0 MAC)
at Valparaiso (4-4, 0-1 MVC)
Game No. 9 – Saturday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m. CT
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) – Valparaiso, Ind.
Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team will step back outside of conference play after last week’s league opener, beginning a stretch of four final nonconference games leading into the Christmas holiday. With an eight-day layoff from game action for final exams in the books, the Beacons will welcome Central Michigan to the ARC for a Saturday showdown. In addition, it’s Family Game Night featuring a gameshow with big prizes and a rally towel giveaway.
Last Time Out: Valpo pushed Drake to the brink, but the Bulldogs remained one of nine undefeated teams nationally, keeping their unblemished mark intact after a 66-60 victory over the Beacons, who were led by 20 points from fifth-year senior Tyler Schmidt and a career-high 15 from redshirt sophomore Isaiah Shaw. Valpo trailed by double figures for the majority of the first nine minutes of the second half, before rallying to eventually tie the game with 3:41 to play on a big triple by Schmidt.
Following the Beacons: Streaming – ESPN+ – Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Jamie Stangel (analyst)
Radio – WVUR 95.1 FM Valparaiso, TuneIn Radio App, ValpoAthletics.com – Brian Jennings (play-by-play, analyst, producer)
X updates – @ValpoBasketball
Links for video, audio and live stats will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Roger Powell Jr.: Roger Powell Jr. (11-29) is in his second season as the head coach of the Valpo men’s basketball program. After helping guide Gonzaga to a 121-13 record during his four seasons as an assistant coach, Powell returned to Valpo, where he was part of head coach Bryce Drew’s staff from 2011-2016 and led the team to 124 wins in five seasons, including a program-record 30 victories and a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title game appearance in 2015-16. He was part of head coach Mark Few’s Gonzaga staff as the Bulldogs reached the 2021 national championship game after winning their first 31 games of the season. During Powell’s first season on staff in 2019-20, Gonzaga was 31-2 at the time the NCAA college basketball season was halted due to COVID-19. The Bulldogs reached the Sweet Sixteen in each of his final three seasons on staff, including two Elite Eight appearances and the aforementioned trip to the 2021 national title game. Prior to his arrival at Gonzaga, Powell served as the associate head coach at Vanderbilt University under Bryce Drew from 2016-2019. During his stint as an assistant at Valpo, he was part of four Horizon League regular-season championships in a five-year period while also leading the 2012-13 and 2014-15 squads to Horizon League tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. A product of Joliet West High School and a native of Joliet, Ill., Powell capped a prolific collegiate playing career at Illinois with a national title game appearance in 2005 before going on to a successful professional playing career.
Series Notes: The Beacons are 4-6 all-time against the Chippewas in a series that has seen the home team win the last nine matchups. The only road victory in the series was Central Michigan’s 35-34 triumph during the 1925-26 season. The Beacons succumbed to the Chippewas 71-67 on Dec. 6 of last season, but Valpo picked up a 77-55 victory in the most recent ARC matchup – Dec. 8, 2019 on Homer Drew Day as a banner was raised in recognition of Drew’s induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Home Heavy Start
Valpo did not play a true road game until Nov. 27, the latest Valpo played its road opener since 2008-09 (Dec. 2 at Cleveland State).
On Saturday vs. Central Michigan, Valpo will close out a stretch of playing seven out of the last eight at home after starting the season with a neutral-site contest.
The Beacons will hit the road next week for back-to-back trips – Tuesday at Ohio State and Friday at Western Michigan.
Prior to Saturday’s game vs. Central Michigan, Valpo has played only one game over the last 14 days.
Rookie Rewards
Justus McNair was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week on Nov. 26 after averaging 9.5 points per game, going 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) from the field and going 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) from 3 as Valpo went 2-0 against Lindenwood (Nov. 21) and Eastern Illinois (Nov. 24).
His biggest showing came in the Nov. 24 game against the Panthers, as he poured in 16 points and made four 3s to help Valpo to a 28-point win.
The following week, All Wright was named the MVC Freshman of the Week on Dec. 2 after tallying in double figures in both contests that week with 13 in a win over Northern Illinois and 10 at DePaul.
The Beacons have had a propensity for taking the league’s weekly freshman honor during Roger Powell Jr.’s head coaching regime, as a Valpo rookie has earned that award eight times since the start of last season.
Growing Up on Valpo Basketball
In the Dec. 5 Missouri Valley Conference opener against Drake, Isaiah Shaw and Tyler Schmidt shined for the Beacons, a pair of players who have deep Valpo roots.
Schmidt’s team-high 20 points came on 7-of-9 shooting and 3-of-5 from distance. He outdid his previous season high of 19 that occurred on Nov. 24 vs. Eastern Illinois. Schmidt made his first seven shots of the night.
Schmidt, who was fourth on the team in scoring average entering that evening, surpassed three teammates and is now the team’s leading scorer for the season at 11.9 points per game, leading four Beacons averaging in double figures.
Isaiah Shaw tallied a career-high 15 points, edging his previous personal best of 14 from Nov. 8 vs. Concordia Ann Arbor. He shot at a 5-of-7 clip and made three of his four 3-point attempts.
Schmidt and Shaw share a common thread of having spent their youth in Valpo.
Schmidt is a Valpo native, attended Valpo Basketball kids camps growing up and has returned to play Division-I basketball in his hometown for his final year of college eligibility after four years as an NAIA standout at Olivet Nazarene.
Shaw, the grandson of legendary Valpo head coach Homer Drew and the nephew of Bryce and Scott, lived in Valpo fully for a year and a half growing up and also spent summers there through age 10 while spending the winter months in Italy, where his father was playing professionally.
Not The Season of Giving
With the holiday season underway, Valpo has said “bah humbug” in the best way possible, limiting the giveaways to 10 or fewer in six of the team’s eight games including four straight.
Valpo is averaging just 9.3 turnovers per game, the 12th fewest nationally.
After losing the turnover battle in the season opener against Liberty, Valpo has won or tied the turnover battle in seven straight games.
The Beacons committed just four turnovers on Nov. 27 vs. Northern Illinois, the team’s fewest in a game since Nov. 28, 2014 (four in a 66-46 victory over Drake).
The Beacons held a distinct 24-7 advantage in points off turnovers in the Nov. 27 matchup with the Huskies.
IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
GREYHOUNDS PICK UP IN-REGION WIN AT THOMAS MORE
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – The UIndy men’s basketball put itself back in the win column on Wednesday evening with a 73-69 triumph at in-region Thomas More.
Dashawn Jackson led the team in scoring (21), rebounding (7), and assists (5) in the win, while also committing two steals.
Brody Whitaker and Dylan Ingram joined Jackson in double figures, while all eight Greyhounds who saw action scored at least three points.
INS & OUTS
Two free throws from Lavonte Harris stretched the Greyhound lead to 11 early in the first half, with a pair of buckets from Kelvin Amoako playing a major role during the 15-4 run. The Saints cut their deficit to one with 1:17 left, however, Ingram followed Zac Szul with a field goal apiece to give UIndy the five-point advantage at the break.
The region foes traded baskets through the first 8+ minutes after halftime before Harris capped a 9-0 Greyhound run through the under-8 media timeout. Thomas More forged its own run to get back within a deuce at the 3:06 mark before the UIndy defense made a couple stops, resulting in Ingram and Jackson sealing the win at the charity stripe.
Ingram scored six of his 10 points in the second half, all in the final seven minutes. Whitaker hit both of 3-pointers in just a three-minute span, preceding a dunk by freshman Tucker Tornatta during the back-and-forth stretch early in the second half.
INSIDE THE BOX
– Jackson scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half, hitting three triples in the process.
– After averaging just nine points over the past three games, Whitaker has scored 19 and 15, respectively, in back-to-back contests.
– UIndy won the board battle in consecutive games for the first time this season, while securing double-digit offensive rebounds on the seventh occasion.
– Grant Disken led the team with three steals.
– The Greyhounds dominated the paint, outscoring the Saints, 44-24. Amoako and Tornatta combined for 13 points and 12 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Hounds return home with a big-time matchup versus in-region Grand Valley State on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. from Nicoson Hall.
MARIAN FOOTBALL
ZACH SIBILA NAMED TO AFCA NAIA ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM
WACO, Texas – For the second time in his career, Marian football offensive lineman Zach Sibila has been named a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Sibila is Marian’s lone All-American named by the AFCA in the 2024 season.
Zach Sibila makes Marian history with his All-American honor in the 2024 season, becoming the second Knight in program history to earn AFCA First Team All-American twice in their career, joining former wide receiver great Krishawn Hogan (2015 and 2016). Sibila, who was previously named an AFCA First Team All-American in 2022, is the only offensive lineman in program history to earn two All-American honors, and claims the eighth award by a Knight lineman in program history.
Sibila was named the MSFA Midwest League Offensive Lineman of the Year this season, becoming the first player in league history to earn the honor for both the Mideast and Midwest Leagues. Sibila started all 50 games in his Marian career, playing at either right tackle (49 starts) or right guard (1 start), and was named a First Team lineman in the MSFA four times throughout his five-year career. The senior led a group that allowed 13 sacks throughout the season, and helped pave the way for a running game that averaged 166.5 yards per game on the ground. Marian passed for just under 230 yards per game behind the protection given by Sibila and his teammates on the line.
Marian went 8-2 overall on the season, earning a share of the MSFA Midwest Championship in their first year in the division.
ROSE HULMAN FOOTBALL
ROSE-HULMAN FOOTBALL LEADS HCAC WITH 4 ALL-REGION IV SELECTIONS
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology football team played four student-athletes on the D3football.com All-Region IV Team, published on Wednesday morning by the national website.
Punter Andrew Toler followed up his AFCA 1st-Team All-American honors by being the lone 1st-Team All-Region selection for the Fightin’ Engineers.
Running back Jay Smith, offensive guard Dylan Page, and special teamer Ryan Schmidt rounded out the all-Region honorees as the second-team selections.
Rose-Hulman’s four honorees lead the HCAC this season as Mount St. Joseph earned three selections, the lone other team with multiple players on the teams.
Dylan Page was the top offensive lineman on an impressive Rose-Hulman offensive this season which had Smith break the single-season rushing yards record. The senior offensive guard and offensive tackle started all 10 games for the Fightin’ Engineers for an offense that averaged 5.4 yards per play, the 11th most in a single season in school history. The 2023 Academic All-American earns his first-ever All-Region selection in his career.
Ryan Schmidt started all 10 games at safety for the Fightin’ Engineers, but he also starred on special teams as a rusher off the edge on field goal attempts. Schmidt blocked two kicks for Rose-Hulman as the star of the special teams unit that held opponents to under 85% success rate on PATs. The sixth-year senior from Katy, Texas finished the season with 33 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 7 pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions to go along with his two blocked kicks.
Jay Smith led the Fightin’ Engineers backfield by breaking Rod Schrader’s 1983 single-season school record for rushing yards in a season with 1,297, and he also ran for the 3rd-most rushing touchdowns in a season with 16, the most since Carl “Rocky” Herakovich in 1958. He also broke Kyle Kovach’s single-game rushing yards record with 252 and became the sixth different player to rush for 5 touchdowns in a game in the 52-10 win over Bluffton. Through his junior season, Smith ranks 13th in career rushing yards and 8th in career rushing touchdowns in Rose-Hulman history. Smith finished the season ranked top 12 in NCAA Division III in five different categories including 5th in rushing yards (1,297), 6th in rushing yards per game (129.7), 8th in rushing touchdowns (16), 10th in total touchdowns (18), and 12th in total points scored (108). The 1st-Team all-HCAC selection earns his first-ever All-Region honors.
Andrew Toler earned HCAC Special Teams Player of the Year for the first time and 1st-Team all-HCAC honors for the third consecutive season. He finished the season ranked 1st in Division III and 4th in all three divisions of the NCAA in yards per punt at 47.8 as he finished just one punt shy of qualifying for the all-time Division III record for yards per punt which currently sits at 46.2. He also hit 12 punts inside the 20-yard line and 17 punts over 50 yards including a 70-yard punt which is just the 8th 70+ yard punt in school history. The 2-time All-American punter broke the school record for yards per punt in a season by over two yards and currently holds three of the top 5 marks in school history, and he also broke the school record for career yards per punt with 41.5 in 175 punt attempts. This is the second consecutive season that Toler has earned a 1st-Team All-Region selection by D3football.com.
Rose-Hulman brought home a third-place finish in the HCAC with a 4-2 conference record and a 5-5 record overall. The Fightin’ Engineers also had a 14th consecutive season at .500 or above under the leadership of head coach Jeff Sokol, who has a career record of 89-48 (79-24 HCAC). His 89 wins rank 38th in all of Division III for wins among active head coaches. The 2025 season begins at Cook Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6 as the Fightin’ Engineers host the DePauw University Tigers at 7 PM for their home opener.
WABASH FOOTBALL
SHOLAR EARNS FIRST TEAM ALL-REGION HONORS
Wabash College junior tackle Quinn Sholar earned 2024 D3football.com First Team All-Region 4 honors. The full 2024 All-Region Teams were announced on Wednesday.
Sholar is a three-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection and earned D3football.com Second Team All-Region 4 honors in 2023. He started all 11 games for a Wabash team that ranked second in the conference in rushing offense with an average of 166.8 yards per game and second in scoring offense at 35.9 points per game. The Little Giants led the NCAC in red zone scoring with an 88.9 percent success rate. Wabash averaged 366.7 yards of offense behind Sholar and his fellow offensive linemen and scored 49 touchdowns this season, tied for 15th on the Little Giants’ all-time single-season list.
ANDERSON FOOTBALL
HURD NAMED TO D3FOOTBALL.COM ALL-REGION THIRD TEAM
Anderson University football senior Tone Hurd has been named to the D3football.com Third Team All Region, which was announced on Wednesday.
Hurd earned his selection as a cornerback. His all-region selection is the first of his career.
COACH JONATHAN CODDINGTON’S COMMENTS
We are very excited for Tone and proud of him for his efforts this season. He consistently locked down opposing receivers throughout the year and contributed on special teams as an electric kick returner as well. Some opponents chose to avoid him altogether, choosing to throw away from him and kick away from him because of his talents and abilities. Tone brought a lot of energy throughout the season and cared a lot about his teammates. We are glad that he has been a part of our program.
NOTABLE STATS
D3football.com Third Team All Region as Cornerback (2024)
First-Team All-HCAC as both Defensive Back and Kick Returner (2024)
HCAC Special Teams Player of the Week (11/4/2024)
Overall Stats – Started all 10 games, 2 Interceptions, 4 Interception Return Yards, 2 Pass Breakups, 24 Tackles, 2 Tackles For Loss, 6 Tackle-For-Loss Yards, 529 Kickoff Return Yards, 1 Kickoff Return Touchdown
Overall Averages – 24.05 Yards Per Kickoff Return (43rd in NCAA D-III, 1st in HCAC), 2.4 Tackles
TAYLOR FOOTBALL
JONES NAMED AFCA NAIA SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
WACO, Texas – Linebacker Aven Jones was named a 2024 AFCA NAIA Second-Team All-American, as announced Wednesday by the American Football Coaches Association.
Jones’ All-American honor is the Taylor football program’s first since 2015, when TU Hall-of-Fame defensive back Adam Sauder was named to the first team. Jones’ selection marks the program’s 38th total NAIA All-American honor, seven of which have now been Second-Team All-American picks.
The 2024 AFCA All-Americans are split into First- and Second-Team Offense, Defense and Special Teams honorees for a total of 54 NAIA All-Americans, with Jones selected as one of 22 players on the defensive side of the ball.
Jones, a senior hailing from New Palestine, Indiana, leads the NAIA in total tackles with 132.0 stops heading into FCS Semifinals play. The linebacker also produced 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks and a team-best three forced fumbles in 2024 en route to being awarded the MSFA Mideast League Defensive Player of the Week four times and the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week once.
The linebacker concludes his five-season career at 22nd-ranked Taylor with 402.0 total tackles, 25.0 of which have gone for a loss, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Taylor athletics has now combined to pick up five NAIA All-Americans during the 2024-2025 season.
VINCENNES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
LADY TRAILBLAZERS OPEN REGION 24 SCHEDULE WITH STRONG WIN OVER JOHN A. LOGAN
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers opened the Region 24 portion of their schedule Wednesday night inside the Physical Education Complex, hosting John A. Logan College from Carterville, Ill.
The short-handed Lady Blazers battled with only six active players to come away with a big 79-64 victory over the Lady Volunteers.
The Lady Blazers got off to an excellent start Wednesday night, opening the game with a very tough defensive first quarter, only allowing the Lady Volunteers two points in the opening 10 minutes of play.
Vincennes closed out the first quarter on a 9-0 scoring run to take a 13-2 lead into the second quarter of play.
John A. Logan looked to bounce back in the second quarter, cutting the VU lead down to seven before the Lady Blazers used a 12-2 scoring run to get their lead to 29-15 at the halftime break.
The Lady Volunteers again answered back to open the third quarter, beginning the second half by outscoring Vincennes 13-3 and cutting the VU lead down to four.
John A. Logan continued to fight and used a 10-0 scoring run to even the score at 42-42 before Vincennes closed out the third period with nine straight points to take a 51-42 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Trailblazers helped put the game away early in the fourth quarter, using a 10-0 scoring run to increase the lead to 61-44.
The Lady Vols would get back within 13 but were unable to get the margin back to single digits as the Lady Blazers closed out the big 79-64 victory to open Region 24 play.
“I just think that we came together and were more disciplined on defense,” VU Interim Head Coach Ingrida Hartsfield said. “We knew that we are shorthanded, so we had to stay disciplined, even though we got in foul trouble at times. I’m just very proud of them for playing through it and finishing the game.”
The Lady Trailblazers were once again led offensively by freshman Delora Pricop (Satu Mare, Romania) who finished off her fifth double-double of the season with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.
Freshman Ahmya Thomas (Phoenix, Ariz.) battled foul trouble all night to come away with 17 points, three assists and three steals, while sophomore Marta Gutierrez (Alicante, Spain) finished with 17 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Freshman Emani Washington (Indianapolis, Ind.) was the fourth VU scorer in double figures, finishing her night with 17 points, six assists and three rebounds.
Freshman Iris Comesana (Vigo, Spain) got the start Wednesday night for the Lady Blazers, finishing the game with six points and seven rebounds, while freshman Yanni Huggins (Belleville, Mich.) came off the bench to add five points, six rebounds and three steals.
“It’s just big when you can have four players in double figures,” Hartsfield added. “They are finishing and just doing their job all night. Delora couldn’t get it going early but she came around and did her job and made her layups. Ahmya, even while being in foul trouble, stayed aggressive and scored 17 points. Emani coming around as well as Marta just being more aggressive with the ball and finishing. Everyone who stepped on the court tonight and we only had six, everyone contributed to this win.”
The Lady Trailblazers will look to carry this momentum into their next game as VU prepares to hit the road Saturday, Dec. 14 to face Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill. at 2 p.m. eastern.
The Lady Blazers will then return home to the P.E. Complex Tuesday, Dec. 17 to close out the first half of their schedule against NJCAA Division II No. 24 Jefferson College at 5 p.m. eastern.
“I just hope to again see them play together, stay disciplined and play even better,” Hartsfield said. “Just getting rid of the turnovers, that’s what hurts us the most. We will just work on what we need to work on to prepare for Saturday’s game. We’ll go and fight and just keep going.”
VINCENNES MEN’S BASKETBALL
LAST SECOND THREE GIVES TRAILBLAZERS WIN OVER JOHN A. LOGAN TO BEGIN REGION 24 PLAY
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers opened Region 24 play Wednesday inside the Physical Education Complex with another tough showdown with the Volunteers of John A. Logan College from Carterville, Ill.
The game was back-and-forth, tough and physical all night with the Trailblazers gaining the edge late with a three-pointer by sophomore and 2024 NJCAA All-American Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) with 10.3 second remaining to push the Blazers ahead for the 78-77 victory.
The game was back-and-forth right from the start with the two teams trading baskets throughout the opening minutes of the game before the Trailblazers first broke away with an 8-0 scoring run to take a 23-18 lead.
The Volunteers quickly answered back to regain the lead before VU outscored John A. Logan 12-3 to build a 37-30 lead.
John A. Logan battled back to even the score at 37-37 before Vincennes scored six straight points.
The Volunteers got a put back at the buzzer to cut the Vincennes lead down to 43-39 heading into the halftime break.
Coming out of the locker room break the two teams once again traded baskets before Vincennes grabbed the early advantage with six straight points to take a 56-51 lead.
John A. Logan would slowly chip away at this lead, erasing the deficit to take a 64-63 lead.
The lead changed hands 13 times Wednesday night with the score being tied 12 times during the game.
The Trailblazers played from behind for most of the final stretch of the game, tying the game with a big three-point play by sophomore Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.).
After a John A. Logan basket, Vincennes came out of a timeout and connected on a last second three by Lebron Thomas with 10.3 second remaining to put VU ahead 78-77.
The Trailblazers held strong on defense in the last seconds, not allowing the Volunteers a second look at the basket at the buzzer as VU comes away with the 78-77 victory to open Region 24 play.
“We made one more play, that’s it,” VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Tood Franklin said. “At the end of the day, I thought it was a high quality game. Both of us have places that we are both going to want to improve in the next couple of months. That was the best I’ve seen them. Coach Smithpeters had them ready but I anticipated that. One way was because they were more patient. You see that sometimes when you see teams play us and you watch the film of the games before, one thing when they get against us that you are going to see is them be more patient. They will run their stuff longer and harder, so you don’t get a lot of the cheap stops that you’ll see watching on film. I try to stress that to our guys. Everybody is going to try to get us and everybody is going to know that to break us down they are going to have to do those things and the players are willing. You are going to see a different player because of that and you saw that tonight.”
“We’ve watched Logan on film the last couple of weeks, they are getting better, but they weren’t grinding like that,” Franklin added. “Now, we’ve got to do a better job of moving our feet, executing on those elbow screens. We knew it was coming, there weren’t any mysteries. But we got out executed a little bit in the second half. But we’ll work at that.”
“I thought that Logan played well in the second half,” Franklin said. “Us getting into immediate foul trouble to start the second half, that’s no small thing. We basically took Kenaz out where he didn’t play because of that. I’m not sure he ever hit anybody hard enough to crack an egg tonight. We got seven fouls early, I’m not sure if we could have combined all of the contact that led to those fouls, if it would have cracked a good egg. The first half, I thought, was a pretty physical, we’re going at it type of game. To start the second half, there we were and that played into exactly what they wanted to do. We knew what it was and what they went and did. I thought we blew a few assignments.”
“We let Smith come back on a spin twice,” Franklin added. “He spun back to his right hand and got five points and we know he’s going to finish back right. Things like that, hopefully we will clean up as we go into the second half of the year where we’ll be better and more disciplined in those moments. All of those things matter and they matter a lot.”
“We didn’t box out as hard as we needed to in the second half,” Franklin said. “I said that’s on me. You have finals this week and things, sometimes you can only practice so many things as intently as you need to and we probably haven’t spent enough time because we’ve been rebounding fairly well. I thought we started giving up too many offensive rebounds. We out rebounded them on the game but we did not do a good job of putting a body on a body, finding them and hitting them first in the second half. They did a better job of hitting the glass than we did, so tip your hat to them. But we’ll see if we can’t be better than that next time.”
Vincennes was led offensively by Michael Cooper who finished his night with 27 points, including hitting a perfect seven of seven from the free throw line.
Lebron Thomas closed out his night with another strong all around performance with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Sophomore Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) just missed out on a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds, while freshman Ali Sakho (Toronto, Ontario) came up with some big first half offensive rebounds to finish with eight points and four rebounds.
“Obviously offensively Lebron and Michael made big plays and shots that you’ve got to do if you are going to win ball games like this,” Franklin said. “I thought Ali gave us some good minutes in the first half. He’s not anywhere near in shape and hopefully he will be a better player in the second half of the year.”
“I thought Darstin gave us really good minutes in the first half,” Franklin added. “I thought he picked our intensity up on defense greatly. And again, we’ve played a lot of times without either one of those guys. We’ve been playing with a limited roll here for a little bit to start out. Not only are we new and putting it together but a lot of these guys haven’t played and Travelle is not playing now. He’s another big 6-foot-5 wing that we could have used tonight. He was eligible to go but he hasn’t been back practicing hard enough long enough for me to put him in there right now. But hopefully as the season progresses, he’s a guy that would help us, if he’s right, in that situation.”
“It’s a high quality game,” Franklin said. “They played well. Logan came in here and said hey, it’s District time. They’ve played tough teams to get ready and here it is, let’s get after it. I thought we had chances to push them down a bit in the first half and didn’t. Then in the start of the second half with the fouls and those things it just didn’t bode well for us. We had to find some things down the stretch to pull it out but at the end of the day, we did.”
“Consecutive wins over Logan and Triton now, that’s come a long way in a month,” Franklin added. “We’ve just got to keep chugging and we’ll see what we can do at Lincoln Trail on Saturday.”
The Trailblazers will look to continue this momentum as they get set to hit the road Saturday, Dec. 14 for another tough Region 24 contest against Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill. Tip-off time for that game is set for 4 p.m. eastern.
Vincennes will then close out the 2024 portion of their schedule Saturday, Dec. 21 when VU heads up to Chicago, Ill. for another contest against Malcolm X College at 4 p.m. eastern.
The Trailblazers defeated the Hawks 87-66 earlier this season inside the P.E. Complex on Hurricane Relief Night.
“We hope to move our feet better and box out better,” Franklin said. “That will be what I want to see Saturday. We’re progressing. We’ve played pretty good opponents every night out for 12 games now with a new team and we’re 9 and 3. Everybody in the country seems like they are about that way and yet for some reason we are the one that they all say, well you’re not up here anymore. I don’t really understand that. Our wins are pretty good. Our losses are not too bad. I think we are a lot better basketball team than we were a month ago and I think we need to be a lot better team in a month and I think we will be. But we’ve got to go do it. I’d like to be a better team by Saturday.”
“We get out of finals, I don’t think we have anybody with a final on Friday, so we’ll be able to get our breath and get back, maybe get our legs,” Franklin added. “I thought we were a step slow on the defensive end really all night. I thought we were letting them play us instead of us playing them. These are real life things for these guys in college. They are real and Logan is going through the same thing. We’ll see if we can get it geared up another gear for the next two games.”
“These next two games for us are going to be tough,” Franklin said. “Malcolm X has been beating most everybody they play and running up big numbers. I think that last Saturday before break up in Chicago is not going to be easy. They’ve got three really good perimeter players that can light you up and it’s in Chicago which is a different deal. We’ve got two road games left before break. If we can get out of this thing and win against Lincoln Trail and beat Malcolm X and get 11-3 and 2-0 in the District, with what we’ve had to put together here, I think we would be in pretty good shape turning into the second half of the year. But we’ve still got more work to do over the next week and a half.”
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
38 – 32 – 31 – 10 – 13 – 40 – 12 – 13 – 9 – 6 – 1 – 7
December 12, 1936 – 1937 NFL Draft: Sam Francis, Number 38 from the University of Nebraska was the first pick by Philadelphia Eagles. The Huskers retired Sam’s Number 38 jersey in his honor.
December 12, 1937 – 1938 NFL Draft: Corbett Davis, Number 32 from the University of Indiana first pick by the Cleveland Rams organization.
December 12, 1950 – 16th Heisman Trophy Award won by Ohio State halfback, Number 31, Vic Janowicz
December 12, 1961 – Ballon d’Or: Juventus’ Argentine forward Omar Sívori (Number unknown) won the award for best football player in Europe ahead of Spanish midfielder Luis Suárez (Number 10) and English forward Johnny Haynes (Number 10)
December 12, 1964 – Cleveland Browns’ Number 13, Frank Ryan set a franchise record of 5 TD passes in a 52-20 playoff clinching win over the New York Giants
December 12, 1965 – Chicago halfback Number 40, Gale Sayers tied an NFL record for most touchdowns in a game with 6 in 61–20 victory over San Francisco 49ers at Wrigley Field
December 12, 1976 – NFL QB, Number 12, Joe Namath played his last game as a New York Jet
December 12, 1987 – Oklahoma Sooners, Mookie Blaylock, Number 10 of sets NCAA record of 12 steals in a game against Centenary
December 12, 1992 – 58th Heisman Trophy Award won by Miami Hurricanes Quarterback, Number 13, Gino Torretta
December 12, 2002 – Ballon d’Or: Inter/Real Madrid forward Ronaldo, Number 9 was named best football player in Europe for a second time ahead of Real Madrid left back Number 6, Roberto Carlos and Bayern Munich goalkeeper, Number 1, Oliver Kahn
December 12, 2011 – 77th Heisman Trophy Award was won by Baylor Quarterback, Number 10, Robert Griffin III
December 12, 2016 – Ballon d’Or: Real Madrid forward Number 7, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the award for the 4th time; record winning margin of 429 from Lionel Messi (Number 10)
FOOTBALL HISTORY
Formation of the SEC’s predecessor
December 12, 1920 – Gainesville, Florida- At a meeting of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association the larger schools reorganized into the Southern Conference. According to the post on secsports.com the member schools at that time were Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Maryland, North Carolina State, Washington and Lee, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
December 12, 1926 – Kansas City, Missouri – The Kansas City Cowboys played the franchises final game as travel to and from KC was too much for the young NFL teams. The final game was a 12-7 win over the Duluth Eskimos at Muehlebach Field per the Sportsecylopedia.com.
December 12, 1936 – 1937 NFL Draft had Sam Francis from University of Nebraska going as the number one first pick by Philadelphia Eagles. Pro Football Hall of Fame players that came out of this Draft class according to the Pro Football Reference were quarterback Sammy Baugh from TCU as the sixth overall pick by Washington and fellow QB Ace Parker of Duke chosen by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the second round.
December 12, 1937 -Wrigley Field, Chicago – National Football League Championship was played on a sloppy muddy field surface with temperatures at kick near 24 degrees F. Quarterback Sammy Baugh was quoted as saying that it was the worst field conditions that he had ever seen per a story on the Grueling Truth.com website. The field had frozen chards of mud sticking up across its surface and many players were reported to be cut up by them when they landed on the turf. The game got heated in the final stanza though by fine play. Trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Baugh went to work. In the near arctic conditions Slingin Sammy Baugh hit Wayne Milner on a 78-yard bomb and completed the comeback on a 35-yard strike to Ed Justice late in the game for the go-ahead touchdown. The Washington Redskins became the Champs as they beat the Chicago Bears, 28-21.
December 12, 1937 – In the 1938 NFL Draft the Cleveland Rams chose Corbett Davis from University of Indiana with the first pick .
December 12, 1950 – Vic Janowicz the fine halfback from the Ohio State Buckeyes won the 16th Heisman Trophy.
December 12, 1964 – Cleveland Browns’ Frank Ryan set a franchise record of 5 TD passes as he went 12 of 13 for 202 yards per the Browns Nation website. Ryan even ran in for another score as Cleveland upended the Giants that day 52-20.
December 12, 1965 – Wrigley Field, Chicago – Chicago Bears Rookie halfback Gale Sayers ties the NFL record for most touchdowns in a game with a half dozen in Chicago’s 61–20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at a muddy Wrigley Field per a Chicago Tribune.com story. Sayers had 4 rushing touchdowns on only 9 carries. He took another one across the goal line stripe via a reception and then added a coast to coast punt return for good measure. He could have probably had a seventh score on the day but Coach George Halas pulled him from the game in the fourth quarter right before the Bears scored again!
December 12, 1976 – Quarterback Joe Namath played his last game as a New York Jets player. Yes Broadway Joe played his last season in the NFL with the LA Rams
December 12, 1992 – The season’s Heisman Trophy Award was earned by Gino Torretta, University of Miami quarterback. The Hurricanes went undefeated in ‘92 and Gino T. was a big part of it. His 3070 yards passing and 19 touchdowns helped pave the way to keep the Miami team on a 29 game winning streak, with 23 of them having Torretta at the helm. The Davey O’Brien, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and the Maxwell Awards all were on the Torretta mantle after that season. Gino’s great year helped him to edge out running back Marshall Faulk for the Trophy.
December 12, 2011 – Robert Griffin III the quarterback from Baylor took home the Heisman Trophy for the 2011 season per Heisman.com. The Junior signal caller was the first Baylor Bear to have the Heisman in his trophy case. Robert’s pass efficiency mark of 192.31 was the highest ever in Heisman history and his passing of just shy of 4000 yards with 36 TDs was nothing to sneeze at. Griffin also added 9 more scores and 644 yards with his ground game. RGIII also took home the Manning Award and the O’Brien Award for his top notch throwing.
December 12, 2021 – The 108th Grey Cup Game was played in the CFL and after waiting 750 days the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defended their title. Missing the entire 2020 season due to the pandemic the Bombers played a very good Hamilton Tiger-Cats team and won in Overtime 33-25 after Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2021, hit a wide-open Darvin Adams in the end zone. The Winnipeg team then made good on the 2-point conversion to give the Blue Bombers the lead. Winnipeg then intercepted Jeremiah Masoli on Hamilton’s overtime possession to seal the victory and keep the Cup.
December 12, 2021 – Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached yet another brilliant milestone as he threw his 700th career touchdown pass in a game that the Bucs won in Overtime over the visiting Buffalo Bills.
Hall Of Fame Birthdays for December 12
December 12, 1881 – Muncie, Indiana – Zora G. Clevenger the halfback from the University of Indiana was born. According to IUHoosiers.com, Z.G. Clevenger played football for the Hoosiers program from 1900 through the 1903 season, and he captained the team in that final year. After graduation Clevenger stayed on at Indiana for a few more years coaching both the football and basketball teams that he once starred on. He left the Hosiers for a period of time and served as a coach and an Athletic Director at Tennessee, Kansas State, and Missouri. Zora later became Indiana’s Athletic Director 1923-46. Zora Clevenger joined the ranks of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
December 12, 1904 – The guard of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, John “Clipper” Smith arrived into the world. Clipper was coached by Knute Rockne on the teams just after the famed “Four Horsemen” backfield had graduated. The National Football Foundation voted John Smith into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
December 12, 1914 – The center from the University of California Bob Herwig celebrated his day of birth. Footballfoundation.org relays that the North American Newspaper Alliance’s Board said this of Herwig; “An expert snapper and a first-rate tackler…he gets the edge over others of his caliber because of the 60-minute ball games he has played from start to finish.” That sounds like a pretty solid guy in the middle. The NFF voters selected Bob Herwig to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964.
December 12, 1930 – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania – The University of Kentucky’s multi position playmaker Steve Meilinger was born. In fact Steve was so versatile that he was aptly called ‘Mr. Anywhere.” The NFF’s bio on Meilinger states that he was a two-time First-Team All-America selection in 1952 and 1953 and under Hall of Fame head coach Bear Bryant, Meilinger led Kentucky to victory in the 1952 Cotton Bowl over TCU. In 2013 the College Football Hall of Fame inducted Steve Meilinger into their fold. Steve entered the NFL and played for the Washington Redskins after being picked by them in the 1954 NFL Draft. He also played with the Packers and Steelers in his 6 year NFL career.
December 12, 1962 – – Brad Calip the quarterback from East Central University came into this life. The National Football Foundation says that Calip and his Orange Rush offense led the nation in rushing and finished among the leaders in scoring and total offense. Brad himself rushed for 1002 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. In his senior season of 1984 he made his offense almost unstoppable as he refined his passing skills. In that campaign Calip used his legs for 19 touchdowns and 1135 yards while the aerial assault he launched garnered another 1185 yards and 13 additional scores. The NFF found a palace for the name and stats of one Brad Calip in their College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
December 12, 1967 – – The defensive tackle from Texas A&M Kingsville, John Randle was delivered. John was voted as a first team All-American player in 1988 according to the footballfoundation.org’s bio on him. John’s 105 tackles and 34 career sacks helped him and his Javelina teammates to enjoy two trips into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The NFF voters selected John Randall to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Randle played 14 years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Named an All-Pro seven times, there were 8 seasons where John recorded double-digit sacks, including when he led the NFL with a career-high 15.5 sacks in 1997. At the time he retired Randle’s 137.5 sacks were the top career total by a defensive tackle in NFL history. John Randle was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well in 2010.
TODAY IN SPORTS
Dec. 12
1937 — Rookie Sammy Baugh throws second-half touchdown passes of 55, 78 and 33 yards to overcome a 14-7 Chicago lead and give the Washington Redskins a 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears for the NFL championship.
1953 — Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens becomes the NHL’s all-time leading scorer with a goal and two assists in a 7-2 victory against the New York Rangers. Richard finishes the game with 611 points, one more than injured linemate Elmer Lach, who has held the record since February 1952.
1965 — Chicago’s Gale Sayers scores six touchdowns with 336 combined yards to lead the Bears to a 61-20 rout of the San Francisco 49ers. The six TDs give Sayers an NFL-record 21 for the season. Sayers’ first touchdown is a reception, the next four rushing and the final, an 85-yard punt return.
1968 — Arthur Ashe becomes 1st black person be ranked #1 in tennis.
1971 — Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks scores his 1,000th point with an assist in the first period of a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota North Stars.
1977 — NBA Commissioner Larry O’Brien fined Kermit Washington $10,000 and suspends the Los Angeles Lakers forward for at least 60 days (26 games) for punching Houston’s Rudy Tomjanovich during a game on Dec. 9. The suspension is the longest ever in NBA history and the fine is the maximum permissible under league rules.
1986 — James “Bonecrusher” Smith knocks out Tim Witherspoon in the first round to win the WBA heavyweight title in New York.
1987 — Guard Mookie Blaylock leads Oklahoma to an NCAA-record 33 steals with 13 in a 152-84 victory over Centenary.
1990 — Connecticut uses a stifling press and quickness to jump to a 32-0 lead en route to an 85-32 victory over New Hampshire. New Hampshire plays 11 minutes and 48 seconds before scoring its first point.
2015 — Keenan Reynolds ends his Navy career with a clean sweep against Army. Reynolds rushes for two touchdowns and throws for another score to lead the No. 21 Midshipmen to their 14th straight win over the Black Knights, 21-17. Reynolds is the first quarterback over the 116-game series to go 4-0.
2015 — The Golden State Warriors’ NBA-record start ends at 24 wins when the Milwaukee Bucks beat them 108-95.
2016 — Tom Brady connects with Chris Hogan for a 79-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help the New England Patriots overcome a sloppy second half and claim a 30-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Brady throws for 406 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the fourth NFL quarterback with at least 450 career touchdown passes. He also throws just his second interception of the season.
2021 – Dutchman Max Verstappen wins Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship
TV SPORTS THURSDAY
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
7 p.m.
ACCN — Bethune-Cookman at Virginia
7:30 p.m.
FS1 — Iowa St. at Iowa
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)
7 p.m.
ESPN — UConn at Notre Dame
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
9 p.m.
ESPN — The Home Depot College Football Awards
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)
1 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Missouri vs. Kentucky, Regional Semifinal, Pittsburgh
3:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Oregon at Pittsburgh, Regional Semifinal
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Florida vs. Stanford, Regional Semifinal, Louisville, Ky.
9:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Purdue at Louisville, Regional Semifinal
GOLF
5 a.m.
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Alfred Dunhill Championship, First Round, Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane, South Africa
5 a.m. (Friday)GOLF — DP World Tour: The Alfred Dunhill Championship, Second Round, Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane, South Africa