THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21, 2024

“THE SCOREBOARD”

(ALL GAMES ON THE IHSAA CHAMPIONS NETWORK)

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEMI-STATE PAIRINGS

6A

CROWN POINT AT WESTFIELD

BROWNSBURG AT CENTER GROVE

5A

MERRILLVILLE AT WARSAW

DECATUR CENTRAL AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH

4A

EAST NOBLE AT MISHAWAKA

MARTINSVILLE AT NEW PALESTINE

3A

GARRETT AT FW BISHOP LUERS

BATESVILLE AT HERITAGE HILLS

2A

ADAMS CENTRAL AT ANDREAN

LINTON-STOCKTON AT LUTHERAN

A

SOUTH ADAMS AT NORTH JUDSON

SOUTH PUTNAM AT PROVIDENCE

INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL WEDNESDAY

ADAMS CENTRAL	49	BLACKFORD	23
BORDEN	65	CLARKSVILLE	35
DECATUR CENTRAL	65	CASCADE	64
EAST CENTRAL	51	COLUMBUS EAST	39
EDINBURGH	61	TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN	12
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL	57	BOONVILLE	34
KOKOMO	49	LEWIS CASS	34
LAWRENCE CENTRAL	72	PENDLETON HEIGHTS	46
LAWRENCE NORTH	54	NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)	43
MONROVIA	65	TRITON CENTRAL	63	OT
MORGAN TWP.	47	EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL	46
OREGON-DAVIS	56	BOWMAN ACADEMY	34
SILVER CREEK	42	CHARLESTOWN	29
WESTVILLE	58	HOBART	25
WOODLAN	51	ANGOLA	39
PARIS (ILL.) TOURNAMENT
TERRE HAUTE NORTH	59	CHARLESTON (ILL.)	13
RICHLAND COUNTY (ILL.)	41	TERRE HAUTE SOUTH	33

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE WEEK 13

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20

BUFFALO 37 EASTERN MICHIGAN 20

OHIO 24 TOLEDO 7

THURSDAY, NOV. 21

7 P.M. | SE LOUISIANA AT NICHOLLS | ESPN+

7:30 P.M. | NC STATE AT GEORGIA TECH | ESPN

FRIDAY, NOV. 22

7 P.M. | TEMPLE AT UTSA | ESPN2

8 P.M. | PURDUE AT MICHIGAN STATE | FOX

10 P.M. | UNLV AT SAN JOSE STATE | FS1

SATURDAY, NOV. 23

12 P.M. | INDIANA AT OHIO STATE | FOX

12 P.M. | WAKE FOREST AT MIAMI (FLA.) | ESPN

12 P.M. | OLE MISS AT FLORIDA | ABC/ESPN+

12 P.M. | SMU AT VIRGINIA | ESPN2

12 P.M. | IOWA AT MARYLAND | BIG TEN NETWORK

12 P.M. | UCONN AT SYRACUSE | ACC NETWORK

12 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA AT BOSTON COLLEGE | CW NETWORK

12 P.M. | SAM HOUSTON AT JACKSONVILLE STATE | CBSSN

12 P.M. | ILLINOIS AT RUTGERS | PEACOCK

12 P.M. | WILLIAM & MARY AT RICHMOND | FLOSPORTS

12 P.M. | EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT VMI | ESPN+

12 P.M. | YALE AT HARVARD | ESPNU

12 P.M. | BROWN AT DARTMOUTH | ESPN+

12 P.M. | CORNELL AT COLUMBIA | ESPN+

12 P.M. | LAFAYETTE AT LEHIGH | ESPN+

12:30 P.M. | HOLY CROSS AT GEORGETOWN | ESPN+

12:30 P.M. | UCF AT WEST VIRGINIA | ESPNU

12:45 P.M. | UMASS AT GEORGIA | SEC NETWORK

1 P.M. | UTEP AT TENNESSEE | ESPN+/SECN+

1 P.M. | WESTERN KENTUCKY AT LIBERTY | ESPN+

1 P.M. | NEW HAMPSHIRE AT MAINE | FLOSPORTS

1 P.M. | DELAWARE AT VILLANOVA | FLOSPORTS

1 P.M. | ELON AT NORTH CAROLINA A&T | FLOSPORTS

1 P.M. | MONMOUTH AT STONY BROOK | FLOSPORTS

1 P.M. | HAMPTON AT UALBANY | FLOSPORTS

1 P.M. | RHODE ISLAND AT BRYANT | FLOSPORTS

1 P.M. | EASTERN ILLINOIS AT TENNESSEE TECH | ESPN+

1 P.M. | NORTH DAKOTA AT ILLINOIS STATE | ESPN+

1 P.M. | MURRAY STATE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+

1 P.M. | BUTLER AT PRESBYTERIAN | ESPN+

1 P.M. | DRAKE AT STETSON | ESPN+

1 P.M. | SAN DIEGO AT MOREHEAD STATE | ESPN+

1 P.M. | PENN AT PRINCETON | ESPN+

1 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT DELAWARE STATE | ESPN+

1 P.M. | HOWARD AT MORGAN STATE | ESPN+

1 P.M. | MERRIMACK AT FORDHAM | ESPN+

1 P.M. | COLGATE AT BUCKNELL | ESPN+

1:30 P.M. | CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT FLORIDA STATE | ESPN+/ACCNX

1:30 P.M. | NORFOLK STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | ESPN+

2 P.M. | BOWLING GREEN AT BALL STATE | ESPN+

2 P.M. | RICE AT UAB | ESPN+

2 P.M. | NORTH ALABAMA AT EASTERN KENTUCKY | ESPN+

2 P.M. | CHATTANOOGA AT AUSTIN PEAY | ESPN+

2 P.M. | GARDNER-WEBB AT WESTERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+

2 P.M. | UIW AT EAST TEXAS A&M | ESPN+

2 P.M. | MONTANA AT MONTANA STATE | ESPN+

2 P.M. | INDIANA STATE AT UNI | ESPN+

2 P.M. | NORTH DAKOTA STATE AT SOUTH DAKOTA | ESPN+

2 P.M. | DAVIDSON AT VALPARAISO | ESPN+

2:30 P.M. | NEW MEXICO STATE AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | ESPN+

2:30 P.M. | JAMES MADISON AT APPALACHIAN STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT KENNESAW STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | UL MONROE AT ARKANSAS STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | SOUTH ALABAMA AT SOUTHERN MISS | ESPN+

3 P.M. | CHARLOTTE AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC | ESPN+

3 P.M. | CENTRAL ARKANSAS AT TARLETON STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | UTAH TECH AT SOUTHERN UTAH | ESPN+

3 P.M. | LINDENWOOD AT UT MARTIN | ESPN+

3 P.M. | NORTHWESTERN STATE AT HOUSTON CHRISTIAN | ESPN+

3 P.M. | CAL POLY AT WEBER STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | EASTERN WASHINGTON AT NORTHERN ARIZONA | ESPN+

3 P.M. | FURMAN AT MERCER | ESPN+

3 P.M. | SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT MISSOURI STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT ALABAMA STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | JACKSON STATE AT ALCORN STATE | ESPN+

3 P.M. | WESTERN CAROLINA AT SAMFORD | ESPN+

3 P.M. | ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | ESPN+

3 P.M. | ARIZONA AT TCU | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | FLORIDA A&M VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN (AT CAMPING WORLD STADIUM IN ORLANDO) | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | KENTUCKY AT TEXAS | ABC/ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | BYU AT ARIZONA STATE | ESPN

3:30 P.M. | COLORADO VS. KANSAS (AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI) | FOX

3:30 P.M. | THE CITADEL AT CLEMSON | CW NETWORK

3:30 P.M. | NORTHWESTERN AT MICHIGAN | FS1

3:30 P.M. | STANFORD AT CAL | ACC NETWORK

3:30 P.M. | SAN DIEGO STATE AT UTAH STATE | CBSSN

3:30 P.M. | GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT COASTAL CAROLINA

3:30 P.M. | WISCONSIN AT NEBRASKA | BTN

3:30 P.M. | EAST CAROLINA AT NORTH TEXAS | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | TULSA AT SOUTH FLORIDA | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | PENN STATE AT MINNESOTA | CBSSN

3:30 P.M. | TEXAS TECH AT OKLAHOMA STATE | ESPN+

4 P.M. | WOFFORD AT SOUTH CAROLINA | ESPN+/SECN+

4 P.M. | LOUISIANA TECH AT ARKANSAS | ESPN+/SECN+

4 P.M. | NORTHERN COLORADO AT PORTLAND STATE | ESPN+

4 P.M. | PITT AT LOUISVILLE | ESPN2

4:15 P.M. | MISSOURI AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | SEC NETWORK

4:30 P.M. | SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT TENNESSEE STATE | ESPN+

5 P.M. | TROY AT LOUISIANA | ESPN+

5 P.M. | UC DAVIS AT SACRAMENTO STATE | ESPN+

6 P.M. | IDAHO AT IDAHO STATE | ESPN+

7 P.M. | ARMY VS. NOTRE DAME (YANKEE STADIUM AT THE BRONX, NEW YORK) | NBC/PEACOCK

7 P.M. | BOISE STATE AT WYOMING | CBSSN

7 P.M. | WASHINGTON STATE AT OREGON STATE | CW NETWORK

7 P.M. | GEORGIA STATE AT TEXAS STATE | ESPN+

7 P.M. | BAYLOR AT HOUSTON | FS1

7:30 P.M. | ALABAMA AT OKLAHOMA | ABC/ESPN+

7:30 P.M. | TEXAS A&M AT AUBURN | ESPN

7:30 P.M. | MARSHALL AT OLD DOMINION | ESPNU

7:30 P.M. | IOWA STATE AT UTAH | FOX

7:45 P.M. | VANDERBILT AT LSU | SEC NETWORK

8 P.M. | VIRGINIA TECH AT DUKE | ACC NETWORK

8 P.M. | LAMAR AT MCNEESE | ESPN+

8 P.M. | CINCINNATI AT KANSAS STATE | ESPN2

10:30 P.M. | AIR FORCE AT NEVADA | FS1

10:30 P.M. | COLORADO STATE AT FRESNO STATE | CBSSN

10:30 P.M. | USC AT UCLA | NBC

NFL

NFL SCHEDULE WEEK 12

THURSDAY

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (THU) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P PRIME VIDEO

SUNDAY

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P FOX

TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS

DETROIT LIONS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

DENVER BRONCOS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P CBS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P FOX

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P FOX

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT LOS ANGELES RAMS 5:20P (PT) 8:20P NBC*

MONDAY

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (MON) 5:15P (PT) 8:15P ESPN*

NBA SCORES

CLEVELAND 128 NEW ORLEANS 100

MILWAUKEE 122 CHICAGO 106

MEMPHIS 117 PHILADELPHIA 111

OKLAHOMA CITY 109 PORTLAND 99

HOUSTON 130 INDIANA 113

GOLDEN STATE 120 ATLANTA 97

NEW YORK 138 PHOENIX 122

LA CLIPPERS 104 ORLANDO 93

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25

#23 TEXAS A&M 71 SOUTHERN 54

#24 RUTGERS 74 MERRIMACK 63

#8 ALABAMA 100 #25 ILLINOIS 87

#3 GONZAGA 84 LONG BEACH STATE 41

ELSEWHERE:

PENN STATE 102 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 89

DETROIT 70 BALL STATE 59

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25

#4 TEXAS 83 TARLETON STATE 41

#1 SOUTH CAROLINA 77 CLEMSON 45

NORTHERN IOWA 87 #8 IOWA STATE 75

#12 OHIO STATE 106 OHIO 42

#2 CONNECTICUT 85 FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 41

#10 KANSAS STATE 111 MILWAUKEE 46

#7 LSU 85 TULANE 74

#23 OREGON 70 AUBURN 68

ELSEWHERE:

MICHIGAN 96 LONG ISLAND 31

MICHIGAN STATE 101 DETROIT 44

BUTLER 80 INDIANA STATE 55

MINNESOTA 81 EASTERN ILLINOIS 52

NHL SCORES

TORONTO 3 VEGAS 0

CAROLINA 4 PHILADELPHIA 1

DALLAS 5 SAN JOSE 2

SEATTLE 3 NASHVILLE 0

BUFFALO 1 LOS ANGELES 0

MLS PLAYOFFS

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

TOP NATIONAL SPORTS HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES

NFL NEWS

CHIEFS COULD HAVE ISIAH PACHECO, CHARLES OMENIHU BACK IN TIME FOR SUNDAY’S TRIP TO CAROLINA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the rare NFL teams that is getting healthier, and perhaps deeper, as the season progresses.

The biggest boost yet for the two-time defending Super Bowl champs could come Sunday, when the Chiefs hope to have running back Isiah Pacheco and pass rusher Charles Omenihu available against Carolina. Both spent last week working on the scout team and had no problems as they come back from injuries, and that makes it more likely that they are active this week.

“We’ll see on both of those two,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said before heading out to practice Wednesday. “Go through practice and see where they’re at this week and go from there. We’ll just have to see.”

Pacheco has been out since Week 2, when he sustained an injury to his ankle requiring surgery. The Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt almost immediately afterward, and he has done a nice job filling in while Pacheco went through his rehab.

But now, the Chiefs could have both of them available, creating a two-headed attack of somewhat different skill sets.

Hunt is the quintessential between-the-tackle bruiser. He’s had at least 14 carries in each of his seven games with Kansas City, twice surpassing 100 yards rushing.

Pacheco tends to run hard, too, but with more speed and explosiveness. That lends itself to bigger chunk plays, something that the Kansas City offense has been sorely missing. And his infectious energy and enthusiasm is also a contrast to the more quiet, reserved Hunt, and the Chiefs are eager to have that back on the sideline, too.

“I mean, listen, he’s a sparkplug emotionally. He’s something that way,” Reid acknowledged, “and he’s worked his tail off to get to this point right now. We’ve got to keep an eye on him that way. He would have played three weeks ago if it was his choice.”

Indeed, the Chiefs — now 9-1 after a 31-20 loss in Buffalo — seem to be focused on protecting Pacheco from himself.

“It’s going to be us trying to hold him back,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He wants to be out there as much as possible. But at the same time, he wants to win. He knows the long-term goals we have.”

Meanwhile, the Chiefs hope to have Marquise Brown back on the practice field sometime in December. The wide receiver had surgery on his shoulder after sustaining an injury in a preseason game, and for a while it appeared to be a season-ender. But he has hammered his rehab, and it’s possible that Brown could help the Chiefs at some point in the postseason.

“Making very good progress,” Reid said. “I can’t tell you a time he’ll be back, but he’s another one that’s excited to get out here and get going. I appreciate the way he’s approached this whole thing.”

The Chiefs have tried to upgrade their wide receiver group after losing Brown and Rashee Rice to injuries. The big splash was landing three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with Tennessee, but Chiefs general manager Brett Veach also has been scouring the waiver wire and even opposing practice squads for players that could provide additional depth.

The latest addition is wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who joined the practice squad after he was waived by the Patriots on Saturday.

Thornton was a second-round pick of New England in the 2022 draft, when many teams were tantalized by the 4.28-second 40-yard dash time he registered at the NFL scouting combine. But he struggled to live up to expectations, appearing in 28 games with just 13 starts and totaling 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns for the Patriots.

The Chiefs hope they can unlock his natural ability while supplying Mahomes with another player who can stretch the field.

“Obviously he has a good opportunity to come here,” said Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who played with Thornton in New England. “Young dude. Loves to work. Loves to stretch the field, too. He’s excited to be in the building and get to work.”

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL CAPSULE: PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-8)

Thursday, November 21, 2024 | 8:15 PM ET | Huntington Bank Field | Referee: Brad Allen

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: PIT leads series, 79-62-1 (Home team won past 5)

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

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 11/19/23: PIT 10 at CLE 13

Postseason: AFC-WC 1/10/21: CLE 48 at PIT 37

STEELERS NOTES:

STEELERS have won 5 straight games in single season for 1st time since 2020. • QB RUSSELL WILSON completed 23 of 36 atts. (63.9 pct.) for 205 yards last week. Is 4-0 as starter this season with 90+ rating in 3 of 4 starts. Is 3-0 with 8 TDs (6 pass, 2 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 114.7 rating in 3 career starts vs. Cle. • RB NAJEE HARRIS led team with 93 scrimmage yards (63 rush, 30 rec.) last week, 9th game this season with 70+ scrimmage yards, tied 2nd-most in NFL. Has 90+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5. Aims for 3rd in row on road with rush TD. Has rush TD in 4 of 6 career games vs. Cle. • RB JAYLEN WARREN had 68 scrimmage yards (41 rush, 27 rec.) last week, 4th-straight game with 55+ scrimmage yards. Had career-high 145 scrimmage yards (129 rush, 16 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • WR GEORGE PICKENS had career-high 8 catches for 89 yards last week. Aims for 5th in row with 70+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 85+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of past 3 vs. Cle. Needs 72 rec. yards to join Santonio Holmes as only Pit. players ever with 800+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 seasons. • LB T.J. WATT had 2 TFL & sack last week & has 2 TFL & sack in 2 of past 3. Has 17 sacks in 12 career games vs. Cle., with 0.5+ sacks in 11 of 12 games. Aims for his 16th in row vs. division with 0.5+ sacks & 8th in row with full sack. • LB PATRICK QUEEN led team with 10 tackles & had 1st FF & FR of season in Week 11. Aims for 4th in row with 7+ tackles & 3rd in row with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4 vs. Cle. • LB PAYTON WILSON (rookie) had 1st-career INT last week. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD had season-high 2 PD last week, 4th-straight game with PD. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Cle. with TFL. • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK had 7 tackles in Week 11.

BROWNS NOTES:

QB JAMEIS WINSTON completed 30 of 46 atts. (65.2 pct.) for season-high 395 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 106.7 rating last week, 6th-career game with 390+ pass yards. Has 330+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 105+ rating in 2 of 3 starts this season. Can make 1st-career start vs. Pit. • RB NICK CHUBB rushed for 50 yards last week & has 50+ rush yards in 2 of past 3. Has 100+ scrimmage yards & TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Pit. • RB JEROME FORD has 65+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his 3 home games in 2024. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Pit. with TD. • WR JERRY JEUDY had 6 catches for season-high 142 yards & 2nd TD of season last week, 4th-career game with 125+ rec. yards. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Had 62 rec. yards in only career game vs Pit. (9/20/20 w/ Den.). • WR ELIJAH MOORE had 6 catches for 66 yards & 1st TD of season in Week 11. Has 6+ catches in 3 of past 4 & 65+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Had 60 rec. yards in last meeting & has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of 3 career games vs. Pit. • TE DAVID NJOKU had 9 catches for 81 yards last week, 5th-straight game with 5+ catches, 2nd-longest active streak among TEs. Has 60+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Had 7 catches for 56 yards in last meeting. • DE MYLES GARRETT had 2 sacks in last meeting & has sack in 2 of past 3 vs. Pit. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 vs. division. Has 7 sacks in 2024 & is only player in NFL with 7+ sacks in each of past 8 seasons. • DE OGBO OKORONKWO had sack & 1st FF of season last week. Has sack in 2 of past 3. Aims for 4th in row with TFL. Had 4 TFL & sack in last meeting. • CB DENZEL WARD had 2 PD & 1st INT, FF & FR of season in Week 11, 2nd player this season (Jessie Bates) with INT, FF & FR in a game. Has PD in each of 10 games this season & leads NFL with 17 PD in 2024. Aims for 5th in row vs. Pit. with PD.

NFL WEEK 12 PREVIEW:

For the second time since 1970 (2017), six teams enter Week 12 on a winning streak of four-or-more games: Detroit (eight consecutive wins), Buffalo (six), Philadelphia (six), Pittsburgh (five), Arizona (four) and the Los Angeles Chargers (four).

Arizona (6-4) and the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) are two of the six teams that are above .500 in 2024 after missing the postseason last year, along with Atlanta (6-5), Denver (6-5), Minnesota (8-2) and Washington (7-4).

Additionally, six teams have eight-or-more wins through Week 11: Detroit (9-1), Kansas City (9-1), Buffalo (9-2), Minnesota (8-2), Philadelphia (8-2) and Pittsburgh (8-2). It marks only the third time in the past 35 seasons (1990-2024) that six-or-more teams had at least eight wins at this point of a season, along with 2019 (seven teams) and 1999 (six).

Here’s a look at a few interesting storylines entering Week 12:

• Detroit (9-1) at Indianapolis (5-6) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Lions have won nine of their first 10 games of a season for the first time in 90 years, since starting 10-0 in 1934. Including the postseason, Detroit has rushed for a touchdown in 24 consecutive games, the longest such streak in NFL history.
  • The Lions lead the NFL in scoring offense (336 points scored, 33.6 points per game), the most points scored by a team in its first 10 games of a season since the 2019 Baltimore Ravens (341 points).
  • Detroit quarterback Jared Goff completed 24 of 29 pass attempts (82.8 percent) for 412 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions for a 158.3 passer rating – the highest attainable mark – in the team’s Week 11 win. Goff is the first player in NFL history with multiple career games with at least 400 passing yards, four touchdown passes and a 158.3 rating, also reaching the marks in Week 4 of the 2018 season with the Los Angeles Rams. There have only been seven such performances all-time.
  • Goff ranks second among qualified passers in completion percentage (73 percent, 197 of 270) and passer rating (112.1) and became the first player in NFL history with a completion percentage of 80-or-higher in five games in a single season (min. 15 attempts in each game).
  • Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had 11 receptions for a career-high 161 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11 and has a touchdown reception in eight consecutive games, tied for the third-most consecutive games with a touchdown reception in a season since 1970. With a touchdown reception in Week 12, he can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Lance Alworth (nine consecutive games in 1963) and A.J. Green (nine in 2012) for the third-longest such streak all-time in a single season, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (12 in 1987) and Elroy ‘Crazy Legs’ Hirsch (10 in 1951).
  • St. Brown (nine scrimmage touchdowns in 2024, 10 scrimmage touchdowns in 2023) and running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (nine in 2024, 11 in 2023) and David Montgomery (10 in 2024, 13 in 2023) can become the second trio of teammates in NFL history to each record 10-or-more scrimmage touchdowns in consecutive seasons, joining Minnesota’s trio of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss, and running back Leroy Hoard (1998-99).
• AFC Leaders: There are six teams in the AFC with seven-or-more wins heading into Week 12 – the Baltimore Ravens (7-4), Buffalo Bills (9-2), Houston Texans (7-4), Kansas City Chiefs (9-1), Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2). With Buffalo on a bye this week, the Chiefs can become the first AFC team with 10 wins this season.
  • Pittsburgh (8-2) at Cleveland (2-8) (Thursday night, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Steelers have won five straight games, the first time Pittsburgh has won five games in a row in a single season since 2020. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has a .500-or-better record in each of his 18 seasons as the Steelers head coach since being hired in 2007. With a win on Thursday night, he can extend his streak for the most consecutive seasons with a .500-or-better record by a head coach to begin a career.
  • Kansas City (9-1) at Carolina (3-7) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chiefs sit atop the AFC at 9-1, marking the seventh time in franchise history and fourth occurrence under head coach Andy Reid (since 2013) that Kansas City has won nine of its first 10 games in a season. With another win this season, Reid will record his 19th 10-win season as a head coach, becoming the third coach all-time with 19 such seasons, joining Bill Belichick (20 seasons with 10-or-more wins) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula (20). Reid has nine-straight seasons with at least 10 wins, the second-longest streak in NFL history, trailing only Bill Belichick (17 consecutive seasons from 2003-19 with New England).
  • Baltimore (7-4) at the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) (Monday night, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense this season (14.5 points allowed per game) while the Ravens lead the AFC and rank second in the NFL in scoring offense (30.4 points scored per game). This marks the first time since Week 13 of the 2019 season [San Francisco (14.9 points allowed per game) at Baltimore (35.1 points scored per game)] that a team averaging 30 points per game and a team allowing 15-or-fewer points per game will meet in Week 12 or later.
    • Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh will face each other for the third time in their careers and first since Super Bowl XLVII, following the 2012 season. The Harbaughs are the only set of siblings to face each other as head coaches in the NFL.
    • Last week, Baltimore running back Derrick Henry recorded his 13th rushing touchdown in 2024, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to reach the mark in four career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (six seasons), Jim Brown (four) and Emmitt Smith (four) as well as Shaun Alexander (five). Henry also became the third player in NFL history to record a rushing touchdown in 70 games in his first nine career seasons, joining Tomlinson (87 games) and Smith (83).
      • With a touchdown on Monday night, Henry can become the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to record a touchdown in each of his first 12 games of a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers O.J. Simpson (first 14 games in 1975), Jerry Rice (first 12 in 1987) and John Riggins (first 12 in 1983).
      • With two rushing touchdowns against the Chargers, Henry can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown (27 games) for the fourth-most games with at least two rushing touchdowns in NFL history.
    • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has 19,409 career passing yards since entering the NFL in 2020. With 329 passing yards on Monday, Herbert will surpass Jameis Winston (19,737 passing yards) for the second-most passing yards by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history and tie Winston (27 games) for third-most games with at least 300 passing yards by a player in his first five seasons all-time.
• NFC West: For the first time since 2002, all four teams in the NFC West have a .500-or-better record through Week 11.
  • Arizona (6-4) at Seattle (5-5) (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Cardinals have won four consecutive games and have won six of their first 10 games for the first time since 2021. Since Week 7, Arizona is ranked second in the NFL in scoring defense (14.3 point allowed per game), including holding its opponents to fewer than 10 points in each of its last two games.
    • In Week 10, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray became the fourth quarterback in NFL history with three-or-more rushing touchdowns in each of his first six seasons. He has 30 career rushing touchdowns and became the fifth quarterback in NFL history with 30-or-more rushing touchdowns in his first six seasons.
    • Arizona wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had his sixth-career touchdown reception in Week 10, the most among rookies. With 10 touchdown catches in 2024, Harrison Jr. would join Jordan Addison (10 in 2023), Ja’Marr Chase (13 in 2020) and Calvin Ridley (10 in 2018) as the fourth rookie wide receiver in the past 10 seasons with 10 touchdown receptions.
    • Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded 10 catches for 110 yards in Week 11 and seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns in Week 9. Smith-Njigba can become the first player in franchise history with at least 110 receiving yards in three consecutive games.
  • San Francisco (5-5) at Green Bay (7-3) (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The 49ers rank second in the NFL in total offense (398.9 yards per game) this season while the Packers rank fourth (388.1). San Francisco defeated Green Bay, 24-21, in the 2023 NFC Divisional playoffs as running back Christian McCaffrey recorded 128 scrimmage yards (98 rushing, 30 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns.
    • McCaffrey has 100-or-more scrimmage yards in each of his past five games including the playoffs, the longest active streak in the NFL. Since the start of the 2023 season, McCaffrey has 14 games with at least 100 scrimmage yards, the most in the NFL.
    • Last week, Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs recorded 134 scrimmage yards (76 rushing, season-high 58 receiving) and a rushing touchdown in the Packers’ Week 11 win, his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. Jacobs has 1,024 scrimmage yards in 2024 and is one of three (Derrick Henry and Alvin Kamara) with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of the past six seasons. With two rushing touchdowns, he can become the eighth player in NFL history with at least 800 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in each of his first six seasons.
  • Philadelphia (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5) (Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Eagles have won six consecutive games since their Week 5 bye, tied for the second-longest active winning streak in the NFL. Since Week 6, Philadelphia ranks first in scoring defense (13.8 points per game allowed) and total defense (211.3 yards per game allowed) and have a +90-point differential, the second-largest in the NFL in that span, trailing only Detroit (+137).
    • Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts recorded his 52nd career rushing touchdown in Week 11, his fifth-straight game with a rushing touchdown. Hurts has a rushing touchdown in each of his past five games and can join Justin Fields (2022 with Chicago) as the only quarterbacks ever with a rushing touchdown in six straight games.
    • Eagles running back Saquon Barkley leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (1,347) and ranks second in rushing yards (1,137), his fourth career season with 1,000 rushing yards. Barkley is the one of two players in 2024 (Joe Mixon) with 100-or-more rushing yards in six games.
    • Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is set to play in his 99th career game and in Week 11, became the first player ever with 600 receptions (614), 7,500 receiving yards (7,554) and 50 touchdown receptions (55) in his first 100 career games. Last week, Kupp tied Anquan Boldin (614 receptions) for the fourth-most receptions by a player in his first 100 games in NFL history.
• Denver (6-5) at Las Vegas (2-8) (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS):  Denver quarterback Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, the No. 13 overall pick, have excelled in their first NFL seasons.
  • Nix completed 28 of 33 attempts (84.8 percent) for 307 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions for a 145.0 rating in the Broncos’ 38-6 win over Atlanta in Week 11, becoming the second rookie quarterback all-time with at least 300 passing yards, four touchdown passes and a passer rating of 140-or-higher in a game, joining C.J. Stroud (Nov. 5, 2023).
  • Nix recorded three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and a 117.2 rating in Week 5 against Las Vegas and over the past seven weeks (Weeks 5-11), ranks fifth in the NFL in passing yards (1,615) and is one of two quarterbacks with at least 10 touchdown passes (13) and two-or-fewer interceptions (two) over that span, along with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (20 touchdown passes, two interceptions).
  • Bowers had 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in Week 11, the most receptions by a rookie tight end in a game in NFL history. He ranks second in the NFL with 70 receptions this season and joined Odell Beckham Jr. (71 receptions) as the only players all-time with at least 70 receptions in their first 10 career games.
  • Bowers leads all tight ends with 706 receiving yards this season and surpassed Kyle Pitts (635 receiving yards) for the most receiving yards ever by a tight end in his first 10 career games.

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PLAYOFF BREAKDOWN: THE RACE FOR CFP SLOTS WITH 2 WEEKS TO PLAY

The 12-team College Football Playoff was supposed to bring clarity to the postseason by adding eight programs and getting all deserving parties involved.

Instead, the opposite has happened in a season filled with parity and lacking an elite program that stands above the rest. The result is more heated arguments than ever. The lack of divisions in the Power conferences is causing chaos as the race to the title game and playoff berths is coming down to the wire.

Here’s how the race for the 12 slots in the playoff bracket looks with two weeks of action and the conference title games left on the schedule.

SEC

• Texas (9-1, 5-1 conference)
• Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 conference)
• Georgia (8-2, 6-2 conference)
• Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 conference)
• Alabama (8-2, 4-2 conference)
• Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 conference)

Given the CFP committee’s previous affinity for SEC programs, it’s plausible that four or five teams from the conference will make the playoff this time around. That would leave at least one or two of the six squads ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll on the outside looking in – a situation that would surely be handled well by the incredibly rational fan bases associated with each.

Usually, this sort of thing would play itself out with head-to-head matchups, but the only meeting left between teams on the above list is Texas A&M hosting Texas in the season finale. Now might be a good time to brush up on your SEC title game tiebreaker rules because the head-to-head comparisons do nothing to clear up the situation.

Georgia has two great wins over Tennessee and Texas – both by double digits. However, Alabama and Ole Miss beat the Bulldogs this season. The Crimson Tide have that sparkling Georgia win but lost to Tennessee on the road earlier. The loser of the Texas-Texas A&M contest will have two conference losses and won’t make the SEC title game. If that’s the Longhorns, the best Power conference win on their schedule will be … Vanderbilt.

If you’re someone who wants to see how the committee handles chaos down the stretch, the SEC is the league for you.

Big Ten

• Oregon (11-0, 8-0 conference)
• Indiana (10-0, 7-0 conference)
• Ohio State (9-1, 6-1 conference)
• Penn State (9-1, 6-1 conference)

Oregon’s move to the Big Ten has presented about as much of a challenge as crossing an empty street. The Ducks have already clinched a spot in the conference title game and almost assuredly secured a CFP berth regardless of that result. Who the competition will be is where it gets interesting in the Big Ten. Indiana is a shocking 10-0 for the first time ever and heads into arguably the biggest game in program history at Ohio State this weekend.

So, what happens if the Hoosiers lose to Ohio State as the oddsmakers expect? That’s where things get murky. An 11-1 Big Ten team seems like a lock, especially one that has claimed victory by at least 14 points in every game but one this season. However, Indiana has yet to play a team in the top eight of the Big Ten this year and finishes the schedule with a date against basement-dwelling Purdue. Curt Cignetti’s bunch has pounded almost everyone in its way, but you could argue that several programs in the country would have the same record playing these opponents.

Meanwhile, Penn State lurks in fourth with a road game at Minnesota on deck before the home finale against Maryland. The Nittany Lions should get past those contests and lock up a playoff spot at 11-1 despite not playing for the Big Ten title. That could set the table for a home ‘white out’ playoff game in front of over 100,000 screaming fans.

ACC

• SMU (9-1, 6-0 conference)
• Clemson (8-2, 7-1 conference)
• Miami (9-1, 5-1 conference)

The ACC is perhaps the cleanest of the remaining Power conference races, with the playoff committee likely only paying attention to SMU and Miami. Provided both win out, a meeting in the conference title game will decide the one, and likely only, participant from the ACC in the 12-team field.

Banking on the Hurricanes to win out seems safe, but Mario Cristobal’s team has shown in the past that they’re capable of losing as heavy favorites to just about anybody. That was on full display last time Miami took the field, shockingly losing at Georgia Tech two weeks ago. That likely removed the Hurricanes’ chances of holding an at-large possibility should they lose the conference title game.

SMU hasn’t been phased by the ACC competition in its first year with the conference, ripping off a perfect mark with two games to play. A road trip to Virginia this weekend poses the biggest threat to an unbeaten regular-season ACC slate for the Mustangs.

Dabo Swinney and Clemson are second in the conference, but they need Miami to slip up coming home if they want to make the ACC title game. The Tigers have already finished their conference schedule, and it seems unlikely the committee will put them in the CFP as an at-large team after it lost handily to Georgia and Louisville.

Big 12

• BYU (9-1, 6-1 conference)
• Colorado (8-2, 6-1 conference)
• Arizona State (8-2, 5-2 conference)
• Iowa State (7-2, 4-2 conference)

The last two weeks of the Big 12 have seen Travis Hunter play nearly 300 total snaps, score two touchdowns, pull in one of the catches of the year, and stuff a tortilla into his pants that was thrown on the field during a play. We also got a sitting athletic director at Utah saying, “I’m disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight,” immediately following a loss to BYU in the Holy War. That came after the Cougars saw their unbeaten run end thanks largely to Kansas’ quarterback punting a ball off a BYU player’s helmet. Oh, and Arizona State somehow still controls its destiny in the Big 12 title race despite coming off back-to-back three-win seasons.

BYU and Colorado are in the driver’s seat, as both will be in the Big 12 title game with wins in the final two contests on the schedule. That’ll be trickier for the Cougars since they have a road trip to Arizona State looming. The Sun Devils can pass BYU with a victory at home, and Iowa State will be in the mix should Colorado or the Cougars slip.

Other

• Notre Dame (8-1)
• Army (9-0, 7-0 AAC)
• Boise State (9-1, 6-0 MWC)
• UNLV (8-2, 4-1 MWC)
• Tulane (9-2, 7-0 AAC)

It turns out that the stunning home loss to Northern Illinois won’t hurt Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have rebounded from that embarrassing setback to crush all opponents in their wake and sit 8-1 with two games to play. That’ll be more than enough to get them in the playoff, provided they win their final two games. We’ll immediately get some clarity on one of the other teams on this list as undefeated Army gets Notre Dame this Saturday. If the Black Knights pull off the stunner, the CFP’s Group of Five slot will likely be Army’s, barring defeat in the AAC title game.

Boise State would have the inside track to that berth should Army lose, with Ashton Jeanty’s prolific season grabbing plenty of headlines for the Broncos. A narrow loss on the road to No. 1 Oregon earlier this year brought respect for Boise State in the eyes of the committee, something clear by its ranking in the CFP releases.

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NO. 8 ALABAMA PUTS UP 100 IN WIN OVER NO. 25 ILLINOIS

Grant Nelson scored 19 of his 23 points in the first half and finished with eight rebounds and four blocked shots to help No. 8 Alabama cruise to a 100-87 victory over No. 25 Illinois on Wednesday night at Birmingham, Ala.

Aden Holloway added 18 points and Labaron Philon recorded 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Crimson Tide (4-1). Latrell Wrightsell Jr. also had 16 points for Alabama, which reached the 100-point mark for the second time this season.

Will Riley recorded 18 points and nine rebounds and Kylan Boswell had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Fighting Illini (3-1). Kasparas Jakucionis added 15 points and six assists, Tomislav Ivisic contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds and Ben Humrichous scored 11 points for Illinois.

The Crimson Tide shot 52 percent from the field, including 11 of 34 from 3-point range. Alabama All-American Mark Sears went scoreless and missed all five of his field-goal attempts, including four from long distance.

Illinois made 45.1 percent of its shots and was 10 of 30 from behind the arc.

The Illini were within 11 early in the second half before Nelson scored on a layup and Labaron made two free throws to give the Crimson Tide a 61-46 edge with 17:15 remaining in the game.

Aiden Sherrell knocked down a 3-pointer to push the lead to 71-54 with 13:11 left.

The Illini then made a run with eight straight points and moved within nine on Boswell’s 3-pointer with 11:31 to play.

Humrichous buried a trey to bring Illinois within 73-65 with 10:11 left.

However, Alabama quickly restored order, beginning with Derrion Reid’s three-point play. Holloway, Reid and Wrightsell added layups to make it 82-65 with 7:16 remaining.

Riley later scored six straight points to pull the Illini with 86-78 with 3:35 remaining. But Alabama scored the next six points — the span included a steal and layup by Philon — to make it a 14-point margin with 2:19 left.

Nelson made four first-half treys to help the Crimson Tide establish a 52-38 advantage.

Nelson produced Alabama’s first nine points on three 3-pointers. He later scored on a layup to give the Crimson Tide a 19-11 advantage with 15:14 left in the first half.

Alabama later rattled off 13 straight points, and Clifford Omoruyi’s layup capped the burst to make it 36-19 with 8:33 to go before the break.

Jakucionis scored 13 first-half points for Illinois.

NO. 3 GONZAGA DEFEATS LONG BEACH STATE TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Graham Ike and Khalif Battle scored 15 points each to lead five players in double figures for No. 3 Gonzaga in its 84-41 win against Long Beach State on Wednesday night in Spokane, Wash.

Braden Huff scored 12 points off the bench, Ryan Nembhard had 10 points and seven assists and Nolan Hickman also scored 10 points for Gonzaga (5-0), which never trailed.

Devin Askew scored 12 points and Derrick Michael Xzavierro added nine points and 11 rebounds for Long Beach (1-4).

The Bulldogs took a 40-24 lead into halftime after leading by as many as 24 points in the first half.

Nembhard hit a spot-up 3 to extend the lead to 51-27 with 16:16 left in the game.

Long Beach tried to make another run, but Dusty Stromer sank another 3 from in front of the Gonzaga bench to stretch the lead back to 57-33 with 12:29 remaining.

Battle followed with two free throws to give Gonzaga its biggest lead of the game at 59-33, and the 14-0 run continued as the Bulldogs stretched the advantage to 68-33.

Battle missed a dunk off a lob, but Michael Ajayi dunked the follow-up to give the Bulldogs a 9-2 lead with 15:19 left in the first half.

Stromer sank a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 12-4 and spark a 14-0 run that increased the advantage to 23-4 with 10:25 remaining in the half.

TJ Wainwright ended the run with a reverse layup for Long Beach, but Gonzaga continued to convert on the other end and took its biggest lead of the first half, 33-9, on a 3-pointer by Battle with 7:40 remaining.

Long Beach followed with a 9-0 run that was capped by Austin Johnson’s dunk off an offensive rebound.

Askew hit his second 3-pointer of the first half to keep it a 15-point deficit at 38-23, and Long Beach got as close as 14 before the Bulldogs took a 40-24 lead into the break.

Long Beach shot just 30 percent from the floor in the first half, compared to 45.5 for Gonzaga.

NO. 24 RUTGERS PULLS AWAY FROM PESKY MERRIMACK

Ace Bailey recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds, Dylan Harper scored 14 points and No. 24 Rutgers remained unbeaten thanks to a 74-63 win over visiting Merrimack on Wednesday in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers (4-0) didn’t lead by double digits until the second half, and the Scarlet Knights allowed Merrimack to pull within 65-58 with 2:53 to play after a 7-0 run.

Harper followed his own missed shot and made a putback dunk at the 2:29 mark, ending a three-minute, 13-second Rutgers scoring drought. He scored again on the next possession and Bailey drilled a 3-pointer to remove any chance of a final Merrimack rally.

Harper added eight rebounds and six assists. Fellow freshman Lathan Sommerville had nine points and Jordan Derkack, playing against his former team, tallied seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

Adam “Budd” Clark powered Merrimack (1-3) with 22 points and six assists. Sean Trumper added 10 points for the Warriors.

Merrimack committed 20 fouls and had two players foul out. The Scarlet Knights outscored the Warriors 17-7 at the foul line and 21-12 from the 3-point arc.

Early in the contest, Harper had a 3-pointer and set up Bailey for a thunderous one-handed dunk on back-to-back possessions, but Merrimack trimmed an eight-point deficit to 15-14 with 12:26 left in the first half.

The Scarlet Knights couldn’t grow their lead greater than five points until Merrimack hit a scoring drought lasting 5:38. The Warriors missed nine straight shots in that span.

Bailey’s tip-in dunk and Sommerville’s layup made it a nine-point game, but Clark operated from the midrange and beat the first-half buzzer to trim it to 37-30 Rutgers at intermission. Clark scored 14 of his points in the first half.

Bailey canned a 3-pointer on Rutgers’ first possession of the second half for the first 10-point lead of the night. Clark made three early layups to continuously cut Merrimack’s deficit to eight, but Rutgers had an answer each time.

After Bailey made two free throws, Jeremiah Williams deflected Merrimack’s inbounds pass off its intended target and out of bounds to win Rutgers an extra possession — which ended in an emphatic dunk by Emmanuel Ogbole that made it 50-38.

Tye Dorset’s fastbreak triple at the 5-minute mark prompted the 7-0 spurt that helped Merrimack get back in the game.

NO. 23 TEXAS A&M SURGES PAST SOUTHERN AFTER SHAKY FIRST HALF

Wade Taylor IV scored 17 points and helped spur a huge Texas A&M second half turnaround as the 23rd-ranked Aggies came from behind to beat Southern 71-54 on Wednesday in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M (4-1) trailed by 16 points in the first half and entered the second half down 39-25 before mounting a rousing comeback over the final 15 minutes. The Aggies held Southern scoreless for more than nine minutes and turned a 10-point deficit into a 53-44 advantage when Manny Obaseki hit a layup with 7:25 to play.

The hosts never looked back, holding Southern to 21.7 percent shooting after halftime and outscoring the Jaguars 46-15 in the second half.

Zhuric Phelps added 16 points for Texas A&M, while Henry Coleman III hit for 11 points and Solomon Washington grabbed 11 rebounds.

Jordan Johnson had a game-high 19 points for the Jaguars (1-4). He was the only Southern player in double figures.

Southern roared in front with a 17-3 run capped by a tip-in layup by Joe Manning that gave the Jaguars a 21-11 lead at the 10:58 mark of the first half. Texas A&M cut its deficit to five points when Coleman hammered home a dunk with 8:28 to play.

Southern then ran off a 10-1 spurt to build a 31-17 lead after a 3-pointer by Johnson with 3:41 remaining in the half. The Jaguars pushed their lead to as many as 16 points after AJ Barnes’ layup with 1:32 left and carried a 14-point cushion into the break.

Johnson led all scorers with 12 points before halftime as the Jaguars outshot Texas A&M 51.6 percent to 22.9 percent over the first 20 minutes.

Taylor led the anemic Aggies offense with just six points in the first half as A&M went just 3-of-15 from beyond the arc and were outscored 22-8 in the paint.
Texas A&M turned around the game in the middle of the second half after Barnes’ 3-pointer gave Southern a 44-34 lead with 15:16 left. The Aggies ripped off the next 19 points and engineered another 8-0 run after Jayce Depron scored five straight points for Southern.

The Jaguars went 2-of-15 from the floor over the first 12 minutes of the second half and never recovered.

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UCONN’S GENO AURIEMMA BECOMES ALL-TIME WINNINGEST D-I COACH

Geno Auriemma became the all-time winningest coach in the history of NCAA Division I college basketball, men’s or women’s, on Wednesday night as No. 2 UConn beat Fairleigh Dickinson 85-41 in Storrs, Conn.

Auriemma’s 1,217th victory pushed him one win past his former adversary, recently retired Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. UConn improved to 4-0 this season for Auriemma, who is in his 40th year at the helm of the Huskies. More than 60 of his former players were in attendance.

“The level of success he has maintained at UConn over four decades will never be duplicated,” VanDerveer said in a statement. “But his tremendous legacy extends far beyond any number of wins. It lives in the lives of the countless young women he has positively influenced throughout his career.”

Sarah Strong, a freshman and the No. 1 recruit in her class, led the Huskies with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. She also had two steals and two blocked shots. Paige Bueckers had 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Ava Renninger led Fairleigh Dickinson (4-2) with 19 points.

The game also marked the return of UConn’s Azzi Fudd, a former National High School Player of the Year and All-Big East selection. She checked in with 3:39 left to play in the first quarter, marking her first game action in 373 days after recovering from a right knee injury. Fudd finished with four points, one rebound and one steal.

MADISON BOOKER SCORES 25 AS NO. 4 TEXAS CRUISES PAST TARLETON STATE

All-American forward Madison Booker poured in 25 points in 24 minutes as No. 4 Texas routed visiting Tarleton State 83-41 on Wednesday in Austin.

The Longhorns (4-0) took advantage of 29 Texans turnovers to score 35 points, and also had the better side of points in the paint (38-16) and fastbreak points (15-3).

Booker was the first freshman to win Big 12 Player of the Year last season, when she was also an All-American. She shot 10-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, and made all three free-throw attempts. Shay Holle scored 14 points, Rori Harmon added 11 and Kyla Oldacre contributed nine points and 10 rebounds.

Tarleton State (2-3) was led by Arieona Rosborough’s 11 points and Miannah Little’s 10.

BIG WEEK IN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AHEAD WITH CHANCE AT WINS RECORD AND PAIR OF TOP 6 SHOWDOWNS

It’s a huge few days in women’s basketball with two top six showdowns in Los Angeles over the weekend and UConn hosting a giant party in honor of its Hall of Fame coach.

Top-ranked South Carolina faces fifth-ranked UCLA on Sunday, one day after third-ranked USC hosts No. 6 Notre Dame. Both games will be nationally televised and feature some of the top young talent in the country with JuJu Watkins playing for the Trojans and Hannah Hidalgo for the Irish.

The busy week gets started in Connecticut on Wednesday where Geno Auriemma will most likely break the career wins record that he currently shares with former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. Both have won 1,216 games.

The Huskies are bringing back more than 60 players from Auriemma’s 40 years at the school for a ceremony before the No. 2 team plays Fairleigh Dickinson.

Rising Frogs

Mark Campbell inherited a TCU team that went 1-17 in the Big 12 the year before he came. Now he has the 19th-ranked Horned Frogs up to their best spot in the poll in 16 years.

The team got off to a 14-0 start last season before TCU was derailed by injuries that forced the coach to have tryouts in the middle of the season so he could field a team.

“Last year’s journey was unique, but I’m thankful for it. In a 10-day window, we lost our three best players,” he said. “We had open tryouts and that group finished the year strong and had the biggest turnaround in the Power Four. The toughness and grittiness in that group, their spirit was awesome. That group laid the foundation to build upon.”

TCU has won its first four games, including a victory over then-No. 13 NC State that got the program ranked and was its first over a ranked team in three seasons, snapping a 24-game losing streak against Top 25 opponents.

“The ranking is a big deal for our program and what we’re building,” he said. “It’s neat for the fan base and it’s neat for our program.”

The Horned Frogs were bolstered by the addition of six players from the transfer portal, including star guard Hailey Van Lith.

“She’s a playmaker because she can score and give you 30, but also give you 10 assists,” Campbell said. “Hailey is just an incredible warrior, has an incredible will to win. It’s been really fun plugging her into our system and style of play and watch her blossom.”

Milestones

No. 10 Kansas State’s star center Ayoka Lee has the second most points in school history with 2,245. She’s behind Kendra Wecker’s record of 2,333. … Watkins scored her 1,000th career point last week in her 38th game — one off the record for fastest to ever accomplish that.

NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (41) LIFTS BUCKS PAST BULLS

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 25 of his 41 points in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks pulled away in the final minutes to beat the visiting Chicago Bulls 122-106 on Wednesday.

Brook Lopez had 21 points and Damian Lillard added 20 points and 10 assists for Milwaukee, which shot a season-high 55 percent from the field and won for the fourth time in its last five games.

Milwaukee closed the game on an 18-4 run to even the season series against Chicago at a game apiece. The Bucks never trailed after moving ahead 27-25 late in the first quarter.

Zach LaVine made four 3-pointers and led Chicago with 27 points. Torrey Craig scored 15 in his first start of the season.

Grizzlies 117, 76ers 111

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points and Desmond Bane recovered from a dismal performance to post 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead host Memphis past Philadelphia.

Bane was coming off a 12-point effort in a home loss to Denver on Tuesday, when he finished with five points after shooting 1-of-10 from the floor. He recovered against the 76ers with his second double-double in three games and added six assists.

Sixers star Paul George left the game early in the third quarter after hyperextending his left knee while grabbing a rebound. Joel Embiid registered 35 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, which took its fifth loss in a row.

Knicks 138, Suns 122

Jalen Brunson torched Phoenix again with 36 points, 10 assists and seven 3-pointers as New York never trailed in its road victory.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 34 points on 12-of-19 shooting and collected 10 rebounds as the Knicks notched their fourth consecutive victory.

Devin Booker scored 33 points for the Suns, who have lost five straight games and dropped to 1-6 since star Kevin Durant (calf) has been sidelined. Bradley Beal (calf) missed his fifth straight game.

Warriors 120, Hawks 97

Andrew Wiggins scored a game-high 27 points, Stephen Curry added 23 and Golden State recorded its fifth straight home win, routing Atlanta in San Francisco.

Trayce Jackson-Davis had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Warriors, who bounced back after losing Monday on the road to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jalen Johnson produced 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for the Hawks, who were playing their third game in four days.

Rockets 130, Pacers 113

Alperen Sengun had 31 points and 12 rebounds and Houston used a third-quarter surge to beat visiting Indiana.

Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points and eight rebounds while Fred VanVleet chipped in 18 points and six assists for Houston, which has won six of its past seven games.

Quenton Jackson scored a career-high 24 points for the Pacers, who have lost four of their last five. Pascal Siakam scored 16 of his 21 points in the second quarter.

Clippers 104, Magic 93

James Harden scored 24 points and Amir Coffey added 18 as Los Angeles defeated Orlando in Inglewood, Calif., to extend its home winning streak to six games.

Ivica Zubac posted 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Clippers won the battle of strong defensive teams by holding their second straight opponent under 100 points. Los Angeles was without leading scorer Norman Powell (hamstring).

Anthony Black scored 17 points and Jalen Suggs added 16 as the Magic’s six-game winning streak ended. Orlando gave up 100 points for the first time in seven games.

Cavaliers 128, Pelicans 100

Ty Jerome scored a career-high 29 points and made seven 3-pointers as host Cleveland bounced back from its first loss of the season to rout depleted New Orleans.

Georges Niang scored 20 points, Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jaylon Tyson had 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Cavaliers completed a back-to-back that began with a 120-117 loss at Boston on Tuesday.

Rookie second-round draft choice Antonio Reeves scored a season-high 34 points to lead the Pelicans, who lost for the ninth time in 10 games. New Orleans played without its top eight players.

Thunder 109, Trail Blazers 99

Jalen Williams scored 30 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 as Oklahoma City defeated visiting Portland.

It was the Thunder’s 14th consecutive win over the Blazers, dating back to January 2022. Williams added eight assists and seven rebounds, and he hit five of Oklahoma City’s nine 3-pointers.

Shaedon Sharpe led the Trail Blazers with 21 points, going 6 of 16 from the floor. The Blazers were once again without Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons.

NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: SURGING CANES PULL AWAY FROM FLYERS

Sebastian Aho and Jalen Chatfield each registered a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes stayed hot with a 4-1 road victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

The Hurricanes scored three times in the first seven minutes of the third period to win for the 12th time in 14 games. Carolina has outscored its opponents 12-2 in winning its past three contests.

Ryan Poehling scored the lone goal for Philadelphia, which has lost two in a row after a 4-0-1 stretch. Ivan Fedotov made 33 saves for the Flyers, while Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 18 shots for the Hurricanes.

The score was tied 1-1 just over a minute into the third period when Aho stole the puck at the blue line, skated to some open ice at the high slot and took a shot that trickled through Fedotov and into the net.

Kraken 3, Predators 0

Brandon Montour had a goal and an assist and Joey Daccord made 24 saves for his first shutout of the season as Seattle defeated visiting Nashville.

Daniel Sprong scored his first goal in his second stint with the Kraken, and Yanni Gourde tallied an empty-netter. Chandler Stephenson had three assists and Jaden Schwartz added two helpers. The Kraken completed a 5-1-0 homestand. Daccord posted all five victories, and he didn’t play in a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday.

Juuse Saros stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced as the Predators wrapped up their road trip with a 1-2-2 mark.

Stars 5, Sharks 2

Jason Robertson scored once in a three-point outing while Roope Hintz and Wyatt Johnston each collected one goal and one assist to pace host Dallas past San Jose.

Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov also scored for the Stars, who have won four of five games. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger made 21 saves.

Mikael Granlund notched one goal and one assist and Jake Walman scored for the Sharks, who have one victory in their past five outings (1-2-2). Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 26 shots.

Maple Leafs 3, Golden Knights 0

Fraser Minten scored his first career NHL goal, Joseph Woll earned his second career and Toronto defeated visiting Vegas.

Woll made 31 saves while earning his first shutout of the season. William Nylander added a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won three in a row. Pontus Holmberg contributed an empty-net goal, and Mitch Marner and John Tavares each had two assists as Toronto won for the sixth time in seven games.

Adin Hill stopped 23 shots for the Golden Knights in the opener of a five-game road trip. Vegas has lost two in a row.

Sabres 1, Kings 0

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves in his return from an injury and Jason Zucker scored the lone goal to help visiting Buffalo edge Los Angeles.

Luukkonen, who missed two games with a lower-body injury, earned his sixth career shutout to improve to 4-0-0 since Nov. 5. Zucker tipped Rasmus Dahlin’s point shot on the power play 38 seconds into the third period for his 200th NHL goal for the Sabres.

Rittich made 18 saves for the Kings, who have lost three of their past four games.

BASEBALL NEWS

REPORT: CUBS ACQUIRING RHP ELI MORGAN FROM GUARDIANS

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-hander Eli Morgan from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for a prospect, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The A-ball prospect was not named in the initial report.

To make room for Morgan on the 40-man roster, the Cubs are designating infielder/outfielder Patrick Wisdom for assignment, per the report.

Morgan, 28, pitched to a 1.93 ERA in 32 relief appearances for the Guardians last season. He is 18-12 with a 3.97 ERA in 161 career appearances (19 starts) in four seasons with the Guardians.

Wisdom, 33, batted .171 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 75 games with the Cubs last season. He’s a career .209 hitter with 88 home runs.

WOMEN’S GOLF NEWS

2025 LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE

Jan. 30-Feb. 2 — Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Lake Nona Golf & CC, Orlando, Fla.

Feb. 6-9 — Founders Cup, Bradenton CC, Bradenton, Fla.

Feb. 20-23 — Honda LPGA Thailand, Siam CC (Old), Chonburi, Thailand.

Feb. 27-March 2 — HSBC Women’s World Championship, Sentosa GC (Tanjong), Singapore.

March 6-9 — Blue Bay LPGA, Jian Lake Blue Bay GC, Hainan Island, China.

March 20-23 — Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

March 27-30 — Ford Championship, Whirlwind GC at Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix.

April 2-6 — T-Mobile Match Play, Shadow Creek GC, North Las Vegas, Nev.

April 17-20 — JM Eagle Championship, El Caballero CC, Los Angeles.

April 24-27 — Chevron Championship, The Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Texas.

May 1-4 — Black Desert Championship, Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah.

May 8-11 — Mizuho Americas Open, Liberty National GC, Jersey City, N.J.

May 22-25 — Riviera Maya Open, TBA, Cancun, Mexico.

May 29-June 1 — U.S. Women’s Open, Erin Hills GC, Erin, Wis.

June 6-8 — ShopRite LPGA Classic, Seaview (Bay), Galloway, N.J.

June 12-15 — Meijer LPGA Classic, Blythefield CC, Grand Rapids, Mich.

June 19-22 — KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco, Frisco, Texas.

June 26-29 — Dow Championship, Midland CC, Midland, Mich.

July 10-13 — Amundi Evian Championship, Evian Resort GC, Evian-les-Bains, France.

July 24-27 — ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, Dundonald Links, Irvine, Scotland.

July 31-Aug. 3 — AIG Women’s British Open, Royal Porthcawl, Porthcawl, Wales.

Aug. 14-17 — The Standard Portland Classic, TBA, Portland, Ore.

Aug. 21-24 — CPKC Women’s Open, Mississauga Golf and CC Mississauga, Ontario.

Aug. 28-31 — FM Championship, TPC Boston, Norton, Mass.

Sept. 11-14 — Kroger Queen City Championship, TPC River’s Bend, Maineville, Ohio.

Sept. 19-21 — Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, Pinnacle CC, Rogers, Ark.

Oct. 1-4 — Lotte Championship, Hoakalei CC, Honolulu.

Oct. 9-12 — Buick LPGA Shanghai, Qizhong Garden GC, Shanghai.

Oct. 16-19 — BMW Ladies Championship, TBA, South Korea.

Oct. 23-26 — Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown, New Korea CC, Goyang, South Korea.

Oct. 30-Nov. 2 — Maybank Championship, Kuala Lumpur Golf and CC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Nov. 6-9 — Toto Japan Classic, Seta GC, Shiga, Japan.

Nov. 13-16 — The Annika, Pelican GC, Belleair, Fla.

Nov. 20-23 — CME Group Tour Championship, Tiburon GC (Gold), Naples, Fla.

Dec. 12-14 — Grant Thornton Invitational, Tiburon GC (Gold), Naples, Fla.

LPGA TO OFFER RECORD $131M IN PRIZE MONEY IN 2025

An all-time high of $131 million in purse money will be up for grabs at 35 events as the LPGA Tour celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025.

The 2025 funds mark an increase of more than $62 million since the 2021 season.

The non-major purse total for the 2025 season is more than $83 million, up from $45.8 million in 2021. Sixteen events have purses of at least $3 million.

“The 2024 season was another year of historic growth for the LPGA Tour, and with this 2025 schedule we will continue to improve on that growth,” LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a statement Wednesday.

“This schedule is highlighted by two exciting new events, a new multi-year title for the longest-running non-major tournament on the LPGA Tour, even higher purse sizes, increased benefits that will enhance the athlete experience, improved geographical flow and a longer offseason that will give our athletes a well-deserved rest after their tremendous work in 2024.”

The LPGA — the longest-running women’s professional sports organization — has a schedule that includes events in 14 states in the United States and 11 other countries. Of the 35 events, 33 of them are official LPGA Tour competitions.

Starting two weeks later than in past years, the season will have five majors and will feature two multi-event swings through Asia and one through Europe.

One new stop on the tour in 2025 will be the previously announced Black Desert Championship in Ivins, Utah. The tour also returns to Mexico for the Riviera Maya Open in Cancun. Both events take place in May.

LPGA AWARDS: NELLY KORDA TAKES TOP TWO HONORS

Nelly Korda capped her best season by capturing the top two honors on Wednesday at the Rolex LPGA Awards in Naples, Fla.

The 26-year-old Florida native received the Rolex Player of the Year Award and the Rolex Annika Major Award, which goes to the major winner who had the best overall results in the season’s big five events.

Korda won seven events in 2024, including the Chevron Championship, her second career major title.

“It’s been crazy, it’s been such a fun year, full of ups and downs, but I am so, so grateful for my team sitting right here,” Korda said. “It’s been an amazing year and I’m so grateful to be doing what I love.”

Korda entered the year with six career LPGA tournament wins but she added victories at the LPGA Drive On Championship, the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, the Ford Championship, the T-Mobile Match Play, the Mizuho Americas Open and The Annika in addition to the Chevron Championship.

She missed the cut at both the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s PGA Championship before tying for 26th at the Evian Championship and tying for second at the Women’s British Open.

With Lilia Vu having won Player of the Year in 2023, U.S. golfers have captured the honor in consecutive years for the first time since Betsy King and Beth Daniel did so in 1993 and 1994, respectively.

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko was awarded the Heather Farr Perseverance Award, given for “hard work, dedication and love of the game of golf.” Ko, 27, earned the gold medal at the Paris Olympics to become the youngest player to earn Hall of Fame status since the current format went into place.

Ko’s three official victories this year included a major, the Women’s British Open.

“2024 has felt like a fairytale, one word, fairytale,” Ko said. “I can’t believe it, even now while looking at some of the highlights. I still get goosebumps.”

Ally Ewing received the Founders Award, given to the player who best “exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA through her behavior and deeds.”

Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America, and Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, were given the Commissioners Award. The honor recognizes “a person or organization that has contributed uniquely to the LPGA and its Members, furthered the cause of women’s golf, and possesses character and standards of the highest order.”

Gale Peterson, a teaching pro at Sea Island Golf Performance Center in St. Simons, Ga., won the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award.

First-time LPGA tournament winners Bailey Tardy, Linnea Strom and Lauren Coughlin also were recognized.

MEN’S GOLF

2024 THE RSM CLASSIC: PREVIEW, PROPS & BEST BETS

The 47th and final event of the 2024 PGA Tour season begins Thursday on St. Simons Island, Ga.

With several PGA Tour players calling St. Simons Island home, and with dozens jockeying for critical spots in the race for playing status next year, The RSM Classic has once again drawn one of the strongest fields of the fall.

The drama will be high for those grinding to earn spots in the first two signature events of 2025 and those trying to battle their way into the top 125 for full playing privileges next year. Our golf experts preview the field and provide their favorite prop picks along with best bets to win this week.

THE RSM CLASSIC
Location: St. Simons Island, Ga., Nov. 21-24
Course: Sea Island Golf Club (Seaside: Par 70, 7,005 Yards; Plantation: Par 72, 7,060 Yards)
Purse: $7.6M (Winner: $1.368M)
Defending Champion: Ludvig Aberg
FedEx Cup Champion: Scottie Scheffler

HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 12-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. ET
X: @TheRSMClassic

PROP PICKS
–Chris Kirk to Beat Matt Kuchar (-115 at DraftKings): Kuchar, 46, has been among the veterans grinding as he tees it up for the sixth time during the fall swing. He posted three top-15s against a missed cut through the first four before going T37 in Japan and T30 in Mexico. Kirk, ranked 44th in the world, has been taking it far easier closer to home in Georgia and is a former Sea Island resident. Kirk, who posted a T35 in Utah in his long fall start so far, has played in this event every year since its inception.

–Austin Eckroat Top 30 (+105 at BetRivers): Eckroat won his most recent start in Mexico two weeks ago and said it proved his maiden tour win at the Cognizant Classic in March wasn’t a fluke. We agree. Eckroat reached the second round of the FedEx Cup playoffs on the strength of a strong season, and riding a wave of confidence he should be in contention against a fall field.

–Callum Tarren Top English Finisher (+550): OK, we’re closing out 2024 with a longshot selection. The big-hitting Tarren rebounded from a trio of missed cuts with a T37 last week. Granted, he has also missed seven of his past nine cuts overall. Matt Wallace is understandably the -150 favorite in this prop as the 65th-ranked player in the world comes off a T11 at the DP World Championship. We’re banking on some jet lag as Wallace crossed the ocean to play his third consecutive week. Also in this prop are David Skinns (+400) and Ben Taylor (+650). Skinns has made four consecutive cuts during the PGA Tour fall swing, while Taylor has missed four of six cuts this fall.

2024 Prop Picks Record: 53-60

BEST BETS
–Aberg (+900 at DraftKings) is making his first start since finishing 16th at the Tour Championship as he defends his lone tour win to date following knee surgery earlier this fall. His winning score of 253 last year tied Justin Thomas from the 2017 Sony Open for the record low in a 72-hole event.
–St. Simons resident Brian Harman (+2200) competes for the first time since playing for the winning United States team at the Presidents Cup.
–Sea Island resident Davis Thompson (+2200) won earlier this year (John Deere Classic).
–Luke Clanton (+4000) will make his eighth start on tour this year, and the 21-year-old amateur has three top-10s.

NOTES
This is the final of eight tournaments on the FedEx Cup Fall schedule, which finalizes the top 125 players retaining exempt status for 2025. Nos. 126-150 after the fall will retain conditional status.

Players who finished Nos. 51-70 in the FedEx Cup have secured their tour cards but are competing for spots in the first two signature events after the season-opening The Sentry on Jan. 2-5.

All 19 players from Nos. 122-140 in the FedExCup Fall standings entering the week are in the field:
No. 122 Sam Ryder
No. 123 Zac Blair
No. 124 Joel Dahmen
No. 125 Wesley Bryan
No. 126 Henrik Norlander
No. 127 Daniel Berger
No. 128 Hayden Springer
No. 129 Pierceson Coody
No. 130 S.H. Kim
No. 131 Dylan Wu
No. 132 Kevin Tway
No. 133 Matt Wallace
No. 124 Carl Yuan
No. 135 Garrick Higgo
No. 136 Alejandro Tosti
No. 137 Taylor Montgomery
No. 138 Michael Thorbjornsen
No. 139 Gary Woodland
No. 140 Kevin Streelman

AON NEXT 10
The top 10 players in the AON Next 10 following The RSM Classic receive spots in the first two designated events of 2025. Seven of the 10 players currently in position for one of the spots are in the field:
No. 51: Mackenzie Hughes
No. 52: Maverick McNealy
No. 53: Patrick Rodgers
No. 54: Harris English
No. 55: Seamus Power
No. 56: Ben Griffin
No. 57: Tom Kim
No. 58: Nick Taylor
No. 59: Nico Echavarria
No. 60: Justin Rose

TOP INDIANA SPORTS HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES  

INDIANA PACERS

GAME REWIND: PACERS 113, ROCKETS 130

Turnovers and a rough third quarter sank the Indiana Pacers in the Lone Star State on Wednesday night.

In game two of their current three-game road trip, the Pacers (6-9) fell to the Houston Rockets (11-5), 130-113, at Toyota Center. The Rockets have now won six of their last seven games, while the Pacers have dropped four of their last five.

The Rockets led by nine points at halftime before using a 28-8 scoring spree in the third quarter to build a 98-77 lead going into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, the Pacers never pulled within single digits of the lead.

While Indiana shot 53 percent as a team in the game, the Pacers turned the ball over 23 times, which Houston turned into 30 points. The Rockets also outrebounded the Pacers 47-36.

In the first start of his NBA career, third-year guard Quenton Jackson had a night to remember for the Blue & Gold. Jackson, playing in the 19th NBA game ever, scored a career-high 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting for the Pacers while also logging three assists and two rebounds in 27 minutes.

“Quenton Jackson is an example of where we need everybody’s spirit to be,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “The guy is flying around all over the place, playing at a ridiculously high level of intensity and unselfishness — totally surrendering to the team.”

After Jackson, Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, T.J. McConnell registered 17 points and four assists, and Myles Turner logged 10 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks for the Pacers.

Rockets 6-foot-11 center Alperen Sengun scored a season-high 31 points and collected 12 rebounds to lead five double-digit Houston scorers. Following Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. totaled 23 points and Fred VanVleet scored 18 points for the Rockets.

The Rockets built a 62-53 lead by intermission. Indiana turned the ball over 10 times in the first 24 minutes, which Houston turned into 17 points, and the Rockets dominated the boards 27-18 (8-2 offensive) at the break.

Siakam was on fire in the first half, as he shot 7-for-12 from the floor and 4-for-5 on free throws for 19 points. Smith had 14 points to lead the Rockets at halftime.

Houston showed off its balanced scoring in the opening frame, with eight different players recording points, but an aggressive Pacers approach led to eight Rockets fouls in the first quarter. While Indiana managed to go 7-for-11 from the free throw line in the period, they trailed 30-23 by the final first-quarter buzzer.

Jackson scored seven of the Pacers’ first nine points in the game, but a 10-2 scoring streak by Houston, anchored by back-to-back 3-pointers from Smith and VanVleet, gave the Rockets a 16-11 lead with 5:36 left in the first quarter.

While the Pacers pulled within a point twice before the end of the frame, the Rockets mustered a 8-2 streak in the final 67 seconds to go up by seven.

Siakam was almost unstoppable on offense in the second quarter, going 6-for-8 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line for 16 points in the period.

Siakam made five of his first six shots and a trio of free throws to tie the game at 40 with 6:01 left in the half.

Indiana then briefly took the lead following a Tyrese Haliburton 3-pointer, but an 8-2 Houston run put the Rockets back in front.

In the last 1:45 of the half, the Rockets closed on a 10-2 run, with Smith scoring five points and Tari Eason drilling a three, to lead by nine points at the break.

Houston shot 54.2 percent in the third quarter, and Indiana turned the ball over six times in the period, as they outscored the Pacers 36-24 in the frame to lead by 21 points.

Out of the locker room, the Pacers strung together a 12-4 scoring spree, featuring back-to-back -pointers by Bennedict Mathurin and two buckets by Turner,  to cut it to 68-65 with 8:30 left in the third quarter.

Houston then responded in a big way.

The Rockets constructed a 18-5 scoring run, with VanVleet nailing two threes and Sengun also making one from deep, to go in front 88-72 with 3:13 on the clock, prompting a Pacers timeout.

Out of the huddle, the Rockets continued rolling, as they boosted the run to 24-6 thanks in part to VanVleet’s third 3-pointer of the quarter and another trey from Smith Jr.

Up by 21 points to start the fourth quarter, the Rockets cruised the rest of the way.

Indiana will conclude its three-game road trip on Friday at the Milwaukee Bucks in an Emirates NBA Cup game. The Pacers are 0-1 in East Group B play so far.

Inside the Numbers

Indiana made just five 3-pointers to Houston’s 12 treys.

The Rockets outrebounded the Pacers 13-3 on the offensive glass.

Myles Turner’s five blocks are a season high.

The Rockets recorded a season-high 16 steals in the game.

Indiana’s 23 points in the first-quarter matched a season-low by the Blue & Gold for an opening frame.

The Pacers have turned the ball over 20 or more times three times this season.

You Can Quote Me on That

“This is a difficult time right now for a lot of reasons. We’re not playing well, that’s obvious. Our connectedness is not where it needs to be, our collective spirit is not where it needs to be, and (the coaching staff) is going to look very closely at the film tonight. We’ve got to come up with answers.” – Pacers head coach Rick Carilsle on the loss

“At a time like this, there’s only one thing that I’ve ever seen that gets you out of a hole in a difficult period, and that is just unbridled, collective hard play, and consistent hard play. We obviously have not had enough of it. And so that’s got to change. We’ve got a significant amount of work to do. There’s no switch that we can flip here and change everything, but we’ve got work to do.” – Carlisle on looking ahead

“It feels good obviously from an individual standpoint, but I think for me …  I’m more about the team. The way we went out there and played today, and the way that we lost, I think we need to take a couple more steps in the right direction as a team. Individually, of course I’m proud of myself, but I think we still have work to do.” – Quenton Jackson on his performance

“Super comfortable. That’s a testament to my teammates and my coaches giving me that confidence. I normally don’t like to come in too aggressive, but these guys have been telling me to shoot the ball and be me. Today was just kind of that.” – Jackson on becoming used more in the rotation

Stat of the Night

Quenton Jackson, in his first NBA career start, led the Pacers with a career-best 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting.

Noteworthy

With four assists, Pacers guard T.J. McConnell passed Travis Best (1,785 assists) for ninth place in Pacers franchise history for career assists and fifth place in NBA franchise history. McConnell currently has 1,787 assists with the Blue & Gold.

Indiana’s Ben Sheppard (oblique strain) missed a second consecutive game, Andrew Nembhard (left patellofemoral inflammation) missed his eighth straight game, Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) missed a ninth straight game.

The Indiana Pacers announced on Wednesday that the team signed big man Moses Brown. The 7-foot-2 center played in Houston, finishing with six points and four rebounds in seven minutes.

Houston snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Pacers with the win.

Up Next

The Pacers wrap up their three-game road trip in Milwaukee with an Emirates NBA Cup game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8:00 PM ET.

Tickets

The Pacers open a four-game homestand when they welcome the Washington Wizards to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 5:00 PM ET.

INDIANA FOOTBALL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 13: NO. 5 INDIANA’S LONG-AWAITED BIG TEST COMES AT NO. 2 OHIO STATE

College football fans will be treated to a fifth top-five matchup this season when Indiana visits Ohio State for the ultimate measuring-stick game.

Just how good are these unbeaten Hoosiers? We’ll find out Saturday.

No one would have predicted in August that AP No. 5 Indiana (No. 5 CFP) would be a participant in what will be one of the most-watched games of the year. The magic worked by first-year coach Curt Cignetti has resulted in the program’s first 10-win season, and the Hoosiers don’t plan to stop there.

But their schedule has been one of the weakest in the country. This game against the No. 2 Buckeyes (No. 2) will show if they’re real or a mirage.

Like Indiana, No. 18 Army (No. 19) will get its first major test when it plays No. 6 Notre Dame (No. 6) at Yankee Stadium. They meet when both are ranked for the first time since 1958. The last Army team coached by College Football Hall of Famer Red Blaik beat the Irish 14-2 in South Bend. Army has lost all 15 meetings since.

Big 12 leaders BYU and Colorado go on the road to face a couple of hot teams. The No. 14 Cougars (No. 14), who had their unbeaten season end last week against Kansas, face a No. 21 Arizona State team that’s won three in a row and five of six. The No. 16 Buffaloes (No. 16) go to Arrowhead Stadium to play Kansas, a four-win team that has knocked off back-to-back Top 25 opponents.

In the ACC, No. 13 SMU (No. 13) is assured of making the conference championship game if it wins at Virginia. The big SEC games are No. 7 Alabama (No. 7) at Oklahoma, No. 9 Mississippi (No. 9) at Florida and No. 15 Texas A&M (No. 15) at Auburn.

Best game

No. 5 Indiana (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten, No. 5 CFP) at No. 2 Ohio State (9-1, 6-1, No. 2), Saturday, noon ET (Fox)

Skeptics will get their answer about whether the Hoosiers deserve to be considered among the nation’s elite. Ohio State is their first ranked opponent — and last major obstacle to reaching the Big Ten championship game. If the Buckeyes win in a blowout, Indiana’s College Football Playoff hopes take a huge hit.

Indiana’s defense is one of the nation’s best, but offense is the team’s calling card. The Hoosiers have been held under 31 points just once and average 44 per game. Ohio State’s defense has allowed two touchdowns over the last four games (a third TD was a Penn State pick six).

Ohio State is a 12 1/2-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Heisman watch

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the front-runner in most Heisman Trophy polls, and he’ll get maximum exposure when his team plays Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium on a Fox national telecast. Hunter played 132 snaps against Utah last week and had five catches for 55 yards and a 5-yard rushing touchdown. He became the first player in either the NFL or FBS to have 50 receiving yards, a rushing touchdown and interception in the same game in the past 24 years since Champ Bailey did it in the NFL for Washington.

Numbers to know

3 — Teams for which Marquez Cooper has rushed for 1,000 yards. He reached the milestone this year at San Diego State, last year at Ball State and in 2021 and ’22 at Kent State.

6 — Oregon State sacks, 30 fewer than it had through 10 games in 2023.

18 — Consecutive games Texas has forced at least one turnover.

133 — Florida State’s point total, fewest by an FBS team through 10 games in a non-pandemic season since Akron scored 106 in 2019.

373 — Passing yards Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart needs to break Eli Manning’s career school record of 10,119.

Under the radar

Colorado State (7-3, 5-0 Mountain West) at Fresno State (5-5, 3-3), Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

The Rams’ rise has gone largely unnoticed outside the Mountain West. Coach Jay Norvell was 8-16 in his first two years and entered this season feeling heat. CSU has secured its first winning season and first bowl bid since 2017 and now has its sights set on playing for its first conference championship since 2002.

A road win against Fresno and home win over Utah State would put the Rams in the MWC title game, likely against Boise State. If the Rams split their next two games, they would need UNLV to drop one of its next two. The Rams missed Boise State and UNLV in the regular season. If they take care of business, they eliminate the possibility of the MWC’s computer-ranking system determining the matchup for the championship.

Hot seat

Neal Brown is perpetually on the hot seat at West Virginia. He was brought back in 2023 following back-to-back losing seasons and responded with a 9-4 campaign ending with three straight wins.

Now Brown’s Mountaineers sit at 5-5 after losing 49-35 to Baylor at home, where they are 2-4. A home game against UCF on Saturday and road game at Texas Tech next week loom large. Brown in the offseason signed a one-year contract extension, through 2027, that included a $400,000 pay cut over the next three seasons.

INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS

INDIANA’S YUNIS AND VAN ASSENDELFT ADVANCE TO ROUND OF 16 AT THE NCAA DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS

WACO, Tex. ––––– Indiana Men’s Tennis duo Facundo Yunis and Jip van Assendelft are moving on to the Round of 16 at the NCAA Doubles Championships at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas.

Yunis and Assendelft earned themselves a Round of 16 bid by defeating Mississippi State’s Mario Martinez Serrano and Niccolo Baroni in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 10-5.

With the win, the duo will face Wake Forest’s Luciano Tacchi and Luca Pow tomorrow. The time for this match will be determined later tonight.

Live streaming of the event will be available tomorrow on ESPN+.

INDIANA VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL CENTRAL: UCLA AND OHIO STATE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.  –  The final split weekend of the year awaits the Indiana Volleyball team (12-14, 5-11 B1G) as it prepares for contests vs. UCLA (Friday) and at Ohio State (Sunday). The contest in Columbus will be the first road game on a Sunday for the Hoosiers this season. IU’s game against the Bruins will be the first at a home site in the all-time series between the programs.

The Hoosiers are looking to break a four-game losing streak that features a trio of defeats to top-20 teams and a really tough loss in Iowa. IU still has the chance to finish at or above .500 this year but will need to turn on the jets in the final two weekends.

In 2022, IU had a similar stretch to end the season and finished 3-1 to close the season at .500. That stretch – much like IU’s 2024 slate – featured three of the last four at home with a road trip to Ohio State sandwiched in between. The last time IU had back-to-back winning seasons was 1999-2000. The last time the Hoosiers finished .500 or above in three-straight campaigns was 2008-10.

Junior opposite Avry Tatum is closing in on the first 300-kill season of her career. The Solana Beach, Calif. native has been fantastic this year despite battling through a foot injury during conference play. She shook off a tough night at Iowa to compile eight kills in three sets at No. 2 Nebraska.

Her and junior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles will be the first pair of IU teammates to each rack up 300 kills in a single season since 2014 (Anderson – 312, Lebo – 310, Leach – 304). Tatum has taken a significant step forward this year, improving in kills per set (2.16 to 3.36) and points per set (2.70 to 3.91).

If the Hoosiers can win two of the last three home games, it will have 10 home wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Getting to eight conference wins on the year would put the Hoosiers at three-straight years of eight-or-more league wins for the first time since 1998-2000.

Friday’s game with UCLA will be broadcasted on B1G+ at 7:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to bring thanksgiving food items to donate to the Bloomington community ahead of the holidays. Sunday’s game in Columbus will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network at 7:30 PM with Jack Kizer and Mac Podraza on the call.

Gameday Info

vs. UCLA (Friday, November 22nd – 7:00 PM)

Live Video: t.ly/SiSyP

Live Stats: t.ly/nTdsW

at Ohio State (Sunday, November 24th – 7:30 PM)

Live Video: bit.ly/44wik9K

Live Stats: t.ly/jJDtw

Stat Notes

• Among players averaging 3.30 kills per set or more in the Big Ten, junior opposite hitter Avry Tatum is second in hitting percentage (.282) behind only the reigning National Player of the Year – Wisconsin’s Sarah Franklin and Purdue’s Eva Hudson. Tatum needs just four more kills for her first career 300-kill season.

• Tatum and fellow junior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles combine to form a productive offensive duo. They are one of two pairs (Penn State – Camryn Hannah and Jess Mruzik) of teammates to each average over 3.30 kills per set this year. Each rank inside the top-14 of the Big Ten in the category.

• Senior setter Camryn Haworth has filled up every statistical category there is during her time in Bloomington. Among setters in program history, she is first in aces (206), second in kills (356), tied for third in digs (899), fourth in blocks (168), and fourth in assists (3,747). She’s the only player to achieve that entire stat line.

Notable

Rally-Era Record for Haworth

• A staple of the program for four seasons, senior setter Camryn Haworth created even more history last Thursday night at Iowa. Haworth tallied 28 assists to break the rally-era career assists record at Indiana. She passed Megan Tallman (3,711 – 2013-16) to move up to first in the rally-scoring era and fourth all-time in Bloomington

• Haworth has run away with the all-time aces record – currently at 206 – and has now put her name at the top of another list. The all-time assists mark, regardless of scoring system, mark is likely unattainable for the Fishers, Ind. native. Before 2001, points for teams were only scored on its serve – meaning matches could last for more than three hours and stats were accumulated at a greater pace than in the current system.

Number 30 on Deck

• IU’s four-year senior class – which includes the likes of Haworth and outside hitter Mady Saris – needs just one more Big Ten win to reach 30 for their careers. Along with Kenzie Daffinee and Carly Mills, they would become the first four-year class (2024) with 30 Big Ten wins since 2010.

2022 Déjà Vu

• IU’s entered the final two weeks of the regular season in 2022 at two games under .500. The second to last weekend featured a home Friday game and a Sunday road game at Ohio State. The Thanksgiving slate was a pair of home games.

• The Hoosiers will repeat a similar schedule this season and will look for similar results. IU went 3-1 in its final four of 2022 to finish at .500 (16-16). The Hoosiers could do the same this year to finish at .500 (3-1, 15-15). If IU went 4-0, it would record a winning season for the third time under head coach Steve Aird.

Home Cookin’

• The Hoosiers return home to Wilkinson Hall for three of the final four games of the season. IU has eight home wins on the season and could stretch that number into double digits. IU hasn’t won 10+ home games in consecutive seasons since 1999-2000.

• Over the past two years, IU is 18-7 at Wilkinson. Six of those seven losses have come to top-20 teams. The Hoosiers still get to play UCLA, Michigan and Illinois at home this season.

Season Sweep?

• If IU can finish off the Buckeyes on Sunday (Nov. 24) evening, it would complete the season sweep of its rivals to the east. The Hoosiers have done the double over at least one opponent since 2021. Given the increased number of teams in the league, there are only three chances to play a team twice. IU was beaten twice by Purdue and already lost the away fixture to Illinois. The Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes 3-1 at home on October 6th.

Big Ten Season Sweeps Since 2021

2023 » Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers

2022 » Michigan State

2021 » Rutgers

Scouting the Opponent

UCLA (12-13, 6-10 B1G)

• The Bruins make their maiden journey to Bloomington for a Friday contest at Wilkinson Hall. The two programs met for the first time last year in Long Beach with UCLA winning 3-1 over Indiana. UCLA has had a rough go of it in its first year in the Big Ten but does own a pair of wins over longtime rival, Washington.

• Junior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette has carried the load offensively this season for Bruins, tallying over 4.00 kills per set. She’s hitting .244 on the season and recorded a season and career high 29 kills in a five-set loss at Purdue in October. She has only failed to reach double figure kills on one occasion this season.

• Graduate student Anna Dodson has been outstanding for five years of college. Her numbers are “down” this season but she still averages 2.09 kills per set and has accumulated 94 total blocks on the year. She’s hitting just under .300 (.299) is the second biggest threat to score for the Bruins.

• Graduate student setter Audrey Pak returned from injury to play the last four contests for UCLA. She’s averaging 10.26 assists per set on the year. Along with Leverette and Dodson, junior opposite Grayce Olson and freshman outside hitter Kiki Horne are her preferred offensive options.

Ohio State (12-14, 5-11)

• Since making the NCAA regional final in 2022, Ohio State has slowly been trying to make its way back to the top in the Big Ten. Head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg made the decision to go young in 2023 and has seen some ups and downs along the way. Ohio State has a great young core and a pair of veterans and will look to finish above .500 at the end of the season.

• The show starts with fifth-year opposite hitter Emily Londot. She’s averaging 4.44 kills per set and 5.17 points per set as a reliable offensive option. She’s gone for over 2,000 kills in her career and was the AVCA National Freshman of the Year four seasons ago. Londot also has over 1,200 career digs and has recorded north of 2,500 all-time points.

• Freshman outside hitter Emmi Sellman, who was a top-10 recruit in last year’s class, has come on as of late for Ohio State. She is second on the team with 2.89 kills per set. She and Londot have been asked to carry a heavy load without the stability of a third pin hitter.

• Rylee Rader is the other dangerous member of that fifth-year senior duo. She is hitting .354 on the season with 188 kills. Her, Londot and sophomore middle blocker Eloise Brandewie are all the owners of at least 90 total blocks this year.

Inside the Series

UCLA

• This series is short in its entirety with the initial meeting between the two sides coming last September in Long Beach. UCLA won that meeting 3-1 after IU won the opening game against the Bruins. Friday’s contest will be the first at the home site of either team.

Ohio State

• Ohio State has long held the all-time advantage between the two teams, leading 59-28. Since head coach Steve Aird took over, it has been evenly split. IU is 5-4 under Aird against Ohio State and has won three of the past five meetings. IU beat Ohio State in October at Wilkinson Hall and is looking for the season sweep of its rival to the east.

INDIANA SWIMMING

NO. 3/3 HOOSIERS SET TO COMPETE IN MIDSEASON MEET

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Members of the No. 3/3 Indiana swimming and diving program will look to earn postseason cuts and post top times nationally this weekend at the Ohio State Invitational, Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 21-23) inside the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of the Ohio State University.

MEET INFO
Thursday, Nov. 21 – Saturday, Nov. 23
Thursday Prelims: 9:30 a.m. ET; Finals: 5:30 p.m. ET
Friday Prelims: 9:30 a.m. ET; Finals: 5:30 p.m. ET
Saturday Prelims: 8 a.m. ET; Finals 3 p.m. ET
McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion • Columbus, Ohio
Opponents: No. 10/15 Ohio State, No. 9/7 Louisville, RV/NR Penn State, Cincinnati, Yale, No. 24 UCLA (women), Notre Dame (women), Rutgers (diving)
Live Results (Swimming): https://bit.ly/3G1upIB
Live Results (Diving): divemeets.com
Live Stream: bigtenplus.com

OF NOTE…

HOOSIERS OWN TOP TIMES NATIONALLY

Through two meets, Indiana swimmers have posted some of the best times in the nation. On the men’s side, junior Owen McDonald and freshman Miroslav Knedla have each recorded top-five times in three different events – McDonald in the 200 back (1:38.13), 200 IM (1:41.25) and 400 IM (3:41.69) and Knedla in the 100 back (45.27), 200 back (1:39.88) and 200 IM (1:43.05).

Junior Zalán Sárkány owns the third-best times in both the 500 free (4:12.56) and 1,000 free (8:39.44). IU is once again a leader in the breaststroke – in the 200 breast, seniors Jassen Yep (1:51.94) have top-three times, and graduate Brian Benzing’s 51.66 100 breast ranks No. 4 nationally.

On the women’s side, sophomore Miranda Grana owns the No. 2 time in the 200 back (1:50.50), and senior Anna Peplowski ranks No. 5 in the 200 free (1:43.48).

INDIANA WRESTLING

INDIANA WRESTLING HEADS EAST FOR COLUMBIA DUAL & NAVY CLASSIC

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– No. 30 Indiana Wrestling has a loaded weekend ahead of it out east with a match at Columbia on Thursday and the Navy Classic tournament slated for Saturday.

COLUMBIA CLASH:

-Indiana will face off against Columbia on Thursday night in New York City for its fourth dual of the season.

-It will be the second ever meeting between the two programs with the only other one coming in 2010 when Indiana defeated Columbia, 22-15, in Orlando, Fla.

-It will also be the third consecutive season that Indiana faces off with an Ivy League opponent after defeating Princeton each of the last two seasons.

-The Lions enter the match with a 1-1 mark after defeating Cleveland State and falling to Michigan.

-Columbia has two ranked wrestlers in No. 26 Kai Owen (141) and No. 26 Cesar Alvan (165). Alvan could face No. 13 Tyler Lillard for a potential ranked matchup at 165 lbs.

-Indiana’s projected starter at 133 lbs., graduate student Angelo Rini, is a Columbia transfer. Rini spent five years with the Lions before joining the Hoosiers this year.

-He followed suit with former Hoosier Dan Fongaro who was a 2024 NCAA Qualifier at 141 lbs. Fongaro wrestled for Columbia from 2018-2023 before coming to Bloomington.

NAVIGATING THE NAVY CLASSIC:

-Indiana will be one of 11 teams competing in what is a loaded field at the Navy Classic on Saturday.

-The other teams include Navy, Maryland, George Mason, Nebraska, Lehigh, Oregon State, Bucknell, The Citadel, Ohio and Kent State.

-Nebraska, Lehigh, Oregon State and Indiana are all ranked in the top 30 nationally.

CMU REWIND:

-Indiana won in a tight dual at Central Michigan, 17-16, by tiebreaker criteria last Friday in Mount Pleasant.

-Indiana opened with wins in four of the first six bouts before dropping three of its last four.

-With it being tied, Indiana won on criteria with more combined points scored, 59-51.

-No. 21 DJ Washington (184) won in his first match of the season by decision, 7-2.

-No. 13 Tyler Lillard earned bonus points with his 14-3 major decision victory over Chandler Amaker.

RETURN TO THE LINEUP:

-Moran, Porter, Gilcher and Bullock are all competing after nearly a full calendar year off from wrestling for the Hoosiers.

-Moran, Porter and Bullock each took a redshirt last season after competing in the Indiana lineup in 2022-23.

-Moran and Bullock are both competing at 125 and 285 lbs. while Porter is up to 141 after previously competing at 133 lbs.

-Bullock was an NCAA Qualifier in 2023 and was one win away from qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Team Trials this past spring.

-Porter was an alternate at 133 lbs. for the 2023 NCAA Championships.

-Gilcher is healthy again after suffering a season-ending injury in December last year.

-He was an NCAA Qualifier at 157 lbs. in 2023 in a season where he had seven ranked wins and took eighth place on the podium at the Big Ten Championships.

PURDUE SWIMMING

MAKE IT A DOZEN: BOILERS SET TO HOST 12TH EDITION OF PURDUE INVITE

MEET INFORMATION

Purdue Men & Women host the Purdue Invitational

Thursday, Nov. 21 to Saturday, Nov. 23

Thursday & Friday: Swim Prelims at 10 a.m. / Dive Prelims at 1 p.m. / Finals at 5 p.m.

Saturday: Swim Prelims at 10 a.m. / Platform Diving Final at 1 p.m. / Finals at 5 p.m.

Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center / West Lafayette, Indiana

Visiting Teams: FIU, Grand Canyon, Illinois State, McKendree, Southern Illinois

MEET SCORING & REGULATIONS

• A Final Scoring: 20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11

• B Final Scoring: 9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

• Relay Scoring: 40-34-32-30-28-26

• Team Diving Scoring: 40-34-32-30-28-26

• Top 12 divers in springboard prelims advance to finals; Divers 13-16 in prelims also score

• Non-scoring C finals; some women’s events may feature a D final

• One scoring relay per team, but teams may enter as many relays as they would like

• Each swimmer may swim a maximum of four individual events

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Swimming & Diving competes at home again for the annual midseason showcase as the 12th edition of the Purdue Invitational features three full days of action at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center.

The three-day, six-session meet runs from Thursday morning through Saturday evening. Swimming prelims begin daily at 10 a.m. ET. Springboard diving prelims get underway at 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Platform diving will be contested as a finals-only event Saturday at 1 p.m. Finals sessions are set for 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is not expected to be much downtime Saturday with swimming prelims in the morning, platform diving in the afternoon, the first heat of the mile at approximately 3 p.m. and the finals session that night.

Admission is free for all sessions of the meet at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center.

This year’s field features 10 teams representing six universities. Grand Canyon, McKendree, Southern Illinois join Purdue with full co-ed representation. Women’s teams from Florida International and Illinois State will also be in attendance. None of the teams are newcomers to the meet this year.

The Boilermakers have won the Purdue Invitational 10 times – six by the men and four by the women. One of Purdue’s teams has won the meet each of the last three years, with the women’s victory last season representing their first since 2015. That was also the only year in which the Boilermakers swept the team titles at the Purdue Invite. The three-day meet debuted as a men’s only event in November 2003 and evolved into a co-ed midseason showcase two years later. There could be as many as 38 nations represented at the meet this year.

BOILERMAKERS’ TEAM FINISHES AT PURDUE INVITATIONAL

Meet always held in November

• 2023: Women 1st, Men 2nd

• 2022: Men 1st, Women 3rd

• 2021: Men 1st, Women 4th

• 2019: Men 2nd, Women 3rd

• 2017: Men 4th, Women 4th

• 2015: Men 1st, Women 1st

• 2012: Women 1st, Men 2nd

• 2010: Men 1st, Women 4th

• 2009: Men 3rd, Women 4th

• 2007: Men 1st, Women 2nd

• 2005: Women 1st, Men 3rd

• 2003: Men 1st, Women DNC

Ten swimmers on the Purdue men’s team have qualified for USA Swimming’s Toyota U.S. Open the week of Dec. 4-7 in Greensboro, N.C., in turn opting to tailor their training and rest schedule in preparation for that national meet. The group includes Andy Kelly, Lance Lesage, Evan Mackesy, Idris Muhammad, Dom Mazurek, Blake Rowe, Brady Samuels, Nathaniel Thomas and Raymond Whittaker – all of whom are still racing this week at the Purdue Invite.  Additionally, Matheo Mateos (Paraguay) and Thomas (Jamaica) are also planning to represent their countries at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.

Among active Boilermakers, 46 student-athletes (25 women, 21 men) have scored at the Purdue Invitational during their careers. Brady Samuels (2021 & 2022), Maggie Love (2021, 2023), Caitlin Hurley (2023) and Maddie Phillips (2023) have all scored in four individual events in one year at a Purdue Invite.

Sophie McAfee (1-meter and 3-meter diving), Max Miller (1-meter diving), Jordan Rzepka (3-meter diving), Daryn Wright (platform diving), Samuels (50 and 100 free, 100 back), Love (200 IM) and Hurley (1650 free) all won individual events at the Purdue Invitational last season. Samuels and Rzepka both have five career event wins at the meet and opportunities to become four-year event winners this week. McAfee has swept the springboard events at the Purdue Invite each of the last two years. In 2022, Rzepka became the first diver to win all three events at the Purdue Invite since David Boudia (in 2010). Dating back to 2021, women’s 1-meter in 2021 is the only diving event the Boilermakers have not won at the meet.

THE LATEST FROM THE DIVE WELL

• Team diving will be featured to open the finals sessions Thursday (men) and Friday (women) for the third year in a row and it will be scored in the same fashion as relays again. Each team that chooses to compete will be comprised of three divers, with each diver executing two dives from a board – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform.

• With diving coaches from Wisconsin, Yale, Utah and UCLA leading the way as the authors of the proposal, there’s a continued push to make team diving an annual scored event at conference championship meets and the NCAA Championships. The event was designed to be diving’s equivalent of a relay race. The format (3 divers, 2 dives per board) is thought to be more inclusive at the college level than synchronized events.

• The Boilermakers were victorious in team diving at the Purdue Invite, Big Ten Championships and NCAA Zone C Diving Championships (men) last season.

• The addition of team diving to the finals sessions also means the springboard finals will be contested simultaneously Thursday (men on 1-meter, women on 3-meter) and Friday (women on 1-meter, men on 3-meter) beginning at 5:50 p.m.

WELCOME BACK

• Southern Illinois is making its meet-record ninth appearance at the Purdue Invitational, second to only conference rival Missouri State (10) for most by a visiting team.

• The state of Illinois will again be well represented at the Purdue Invite. Southern Illinois (Carbondale) and McKendree (Lebanon) will have co-ed representation plus the women’s team from Illinois State (Normal).

• The Redbirds are set to appear at their fifth straight Purdue Invite, the longest active streak for visiting teams.

• FIU is making the trip up from South Florida and has been a regular at the Purdue Invite dating back to 2015. The Panthers are coached by Randy Horner (16th year), formerly an assistant coach at Missouri State. FIU won eight consecutive Conference USA titles from 2015 to 2022 and the American Athletic Conference title in 2024 as well.

REPEAT APPEARANCES BY VISITING TEAMS

• Southern Illinois (9) – 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024

• FIU (6) – 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024

• Illinois State (5) – 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

• McKendree (4) – 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024

• Grand Canyon (2) – 2019, 2024

PURDUE VOLLEYBALL

#8 PURDUE TRAVELS TO #4 PENN STATE TO OPEN WEEK 13

Thursday, November 21

6 p.m. ET | #8 Purdue at #4 Penn State | BTN | WSHY 104.3 FM

Saturday, November 23

7 p.m. ET | #21 USC at #8 Purdue | B1G+ | WSHY 104.3 FM

West Lafayette, Ind. – In the penultimate week of the regular-season, No. 8 Purdue volleyball will begin at No. 4 Penn State on Thursday before hosting No. 21 USC for Senior Night on Saturday.

The Boilermakers (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) enter the week winning 13 of their last 15 matches and are set to tak eon a 25-2 (15-1 Big Ten) Nittany Lions team and an 18-8 (10-6 Big Ten) Trojans team.

SCHEDULE NOTES

Only four matches (two weeks) remain in the regular-season, with three on the road.

Every match remaining will be vs. teams ranked or receiving votes, with three on the road: at #4 Penn State (11/21), vs. #23 USC (11/23), at #11 Oregon (11/27) and at receiving votes (RV) Washington (11/29).

It is the toughest schedule to end the regular-season in Purdue volleyball history.

Purdue had a stretch of five top-16 foes in six matches, which included three straight top-10 showdowns.

Not only are 100% of Purdue’s losses to current top-11 teams, 60% (4 of 5) are to current top-6 teams.

PURDUE’s 13-3 BIG TEN RECORD

The team entered November with just three Big Ten losses, marking the second straight year and seventh time Purdue has had such few losses under Shondell that far into league play.

In comparison with Purdue’s seasons with the fewest Big Ten losses under Dave Shondell (2023’s 15-5 record, 2021’s 15-5 record and 2011’s 16-4 record), the 2024 season and 2011 season are the only years the team has had three losses heading into its final four matches of the regular season.

SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE AT A GLANCE

In the last three years, Purdue owns a 3-3 record vs. Penn State.

Purdue swept the series vs. Penn State last year: W, 3-2 at home on 11/5/23 and W, 3-1 on 10/22/23.

Last season, both teams reached the NCAA Regional Semifinals in Madison, Wisconsin.

Penn State was #12 and Purdue #13 in the AVCA final poll.

Penn State’s sweep in Holloway earlier this season was the first 3-0 result between the two teams since 2016.

LAST WEEK’S NEED-TO-KNOW

Purdue has improved to its sixth-straight win and 13-2 over its last 15 matches after sweeps vs. Rutgers (25-14, 25-14, 25-16) and vs. Illinois (2517, 25-20, 25-19).

The Boilermakers had one of the best offenses last week in the league, leading the way in kills per set and assists per set, ranking second in hitting % and with three separate Boilermakers topping the charts on the individual side: Lizzie Carr (.600%), Ali Hornung (5.17 digs per set) and Taylor Anderson (13.17 assists per set).

Raven Colvin reached her 600th career block, the second Boiler in program history to reach the benchmark.

The Boilers allowed just one lead change total last week (Set 2 vs. Illinois).

Purdue hit .370% vs. Rutgers, led by Chloe Chicoine’s team-leading 16 kills on a .542 clip and just one dig away from a double-double.

Taylor Anderson’s 44 assists vs. Illinois was just the second time a setter has posted as many in a 3-setter in the last seven years (other: Hayley Bush, 45 vs. Washington, 9/3/21).

PURDUE: QUICK HITS

Eva Hudson was named an AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist, one of 14 in the nation to receive the honor. Chicoine was also included on the watch list released in September.

Purdue is 27-6 in sets won over the last 10 matches.

The team is riding a six-match winning streak and has won 13 of its last 15 matches. This season, Purdue’s only losses come to top-11 programs, with four in the top-6 in the nation.

The team ranks in the top-14 in the nation in four different categories: kills/set, assists/set, hitting % and blocks/set.

In seven of the last nine matches, Purdue has held opponents under a .200 attack %. In those matches, Purdue’s hit above .300 in six and above .340 in three.

Three Boilers are averaging more than 2.0 kills per set: Hudson (4.68), Chicoine (3.18) and Colvin (2.46).

Purdue is 70-25 in sets won this season.

Purdue’s hitting % (.283) would rank as #3 in Purdue single-season history if things were to end today. It would be just the second time this century the Boilers have hit so efficiently.

Since Big Ten play started, Purdue is averaging two more digs per set compared to their non-con action.

Freshman DS Ryan McAleer has recorded a perfect reception % in 20 matches including the last nine straight. Moreover, she recorded six aces at then-#16 Minnesota, tying as the most-ever by a Purdue freshman.

Eva Hudson has stepped up in the biggest matches of the season. She set a season-high 26 kills on a .349% at #2 Nebraska (and matched it with 26 kills on .350% at Indiana, 11/8), 17 kills vs. now-#7 Wisconsin and nearly had an errorless match at now-#12 Kansas, committing just one attack error in the final points of the match. This season, she is averaging 4.63 kills per set and 5.06 points per set this season.

HUDSON: IMPROVING AS THE SEASON GOES

Like last year, Hudson is improving during Big Ten action. She has increased her kills per set (4.34 in non-con vs. 4.91 in Big Ten play), hitting % (.279 in non-con vs. .296 in Big Ten), digs per set (2.21 in non-con vs. 2.56 in Big Ten).

In a head-to-head comparison of Hudson’s first 10 matches of the season vs. the last 10, she has upped offensive production: 5.58 kills/set vs. 4.40, .324 hitting % vs. .272% and 198.0 total points vs. 169.5.

PURDUE IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS: 122 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS

The program has been ranked for 122 consecutive weeks (since preseason 2017), the longest active streak in Purdue Athletics.

Since the 2021 spring season, Purdue has been ranked among the top-10 for 38 weeks.

The Boilermakers’ history of excellence includes 57 of the last 72 weeks ranked among the top-15 (79%).

Purdue has spent the entirety of the 2024 season in the top-11 (includes preseason poll).

600 CAREER BLOCKS: RAVEN COLVIN

Colvin reached her 600th career block vs. Rutgers.

She is the second Boilermaker to ever reach the milestone, joining Purdue record-holder Stephanie (Lynch) Harpenau (660 TB, 2005-08).

She is also 19 block assists away from tying Purdue’s all -time leader Stephanie Lynch in career block assists.

She ranks #2 in program history with 607 career blocks and 1.39 blocks per set.

SCOUTING #4 PENN STATE

The Nittany Lions come into this rematch against Purdue with an overall record of 25-2, and 15-1 in the Big Ten. 

Two-time All-American and 2024 AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist Jess Mruzik leads the team and is 4th in the Big Ten with 396 kills on the season, also averaging 4.35 kills per set.

Freshman setter Izzy Starck has adjusted quickly to the college game, leading the Big 10 in assists with 1054. 

The Nittany Lions as a team are hitting at a clip of .290 and lead the Big Ten in kills per set with 14.56

Gillan Grimes leads the team from the service line, totaling 31 aces on the season.

The Nittany Lions are coached by Katie Schumacher-Cawley in her third season as the team’s head coach.

SCOUTING #21 USC

The #21-ranked USC Trojans come into this match with an 18-8 record and a 10-6 record in the Big Ten. They will play Northwestern on Thursday before facing the Boilermakers in Holloway Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Trojan offense is directed by Senior setter Mia Tuaniga who has 1003 assists on the season, notching her at 4th in the conference.

USC’s defense up front has recorded 291.5 blocks, placing them first in the conference by 20 team blocks.

Middle blocker Leah Ford leads USC in hitting (.373) and ranks fourth in the Big Ten in blocks per set (1.35).

Outside hitter Ally Batenhorst leads the Trojans in kills (380) and is 2nd in digs (213). Batenhorst previously played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers but transferred to USC for her final collegiate season.

The Trojans are coached by Brad Keller in his fifth season as head coach.

PURDUE FOOTBALL

GAME 11 PREP: FOOTBALL FEATURED ON FOX FRIDAY NIGHT, FACING SPARTANS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football wraps up the 2024 season with a pair of road contests, starting with a Friday night matchup at Michigan State. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

QUICK HITS

• Meeting for the 69th time in program history, this is the latest date in the calendar year that the Boilermakers and Spartans have battled on the gridiron.

• The last time these two met, Purdue handed No. 3 Michigan State its first loss of the season, 40-29 (Nov. 6, 2021).

• Purdue’s schedule ends with back-to-back road games for the first time since 2003.

• The matchup is the second Friday game of the year for the Boilermakers, the first time Purdue has ever played two Friday games in a season.

• Three of the Boilermakers’ past four games have been against teams ranked in the CFP’s Top 5 (No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State).

• Four of Purdue’s final six games of the season are against teams currently ranked in the AP’s Top 5. The Boilermakers are the only team in the country to have five of the Top 6 on their schedule.

• Starting center Gus Hartwig has a 84.4 pass blocking grade from PFF, the best in the Big Ten and 13th nationally among centers, while not giving up a sack and allowing only one hit on the quarterback.

• One of the nation’s leading tacklers as an All-American a season ago, sophomore Dillon Thieneman ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally in solo tackles (5.6 per game) this year. The 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year has recorded 56 solo tackles, ranking second nationally among defensive backs.

• Thieneman’s 83 total tackles are 20 more than the next Big Ten defensive back.

• Senior linebacker Kydran Jenkins is the conference leader in sacks wearing a Big Ten uniform, recording 22.0 throughout his career to also rank sixth in Purdue history.

• Freshmen and sophomores have accounted for 64 starts for Purdue this season.

• Tight end Max Klare leads the Boilermakers in receptions (39), receiving yards (566) and receiving touchdowns (3), ranking second among Big Ten tight ends in receiving yards and third in receptions. Klare is on pace to become the first Purdue tight end to lead the team in receptions since current tight ends coach Justin Sinz hauled in 41 receptions (240 yards, four touchdowns) during the 2013 season.

• Purdue has rushed for at least 200 yards in three games this year, the most 200-yard games in a season since 2018.

• Kyndrich Breedlove has recorded three of Purdue’s four interceptions this season, ranking fourth in the Big Ten and 29th nationally.

• In his first season as a Boilermaker, Keelan Crimmins is on pace for the second-best punting average (45.0 yards per punt) in program history, behind only 2001 Ray Guy Award winner Travis Dorsch (48.1 yards per punt).

• Crimmins’ punting average ranks third in the Big Ten and 16th nationally.

THE TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL          

• Purdue entered the 2024 season as one of only two teams (Florida) in the country to have four preseason Top 10 teams on its schedule. Turns out, the slate proved to be even harder, perhaps one of the most difficult in college football history.

• The Boilermakers are the only team in the country to have five of the nation’s Top 6 on their schedule (No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State, No. 5 Indiana, No. 6 Notre Dame).

• Purdue has played four of those teams already, having just ended a stretch of playing three ranked in the Top 4.

• Four of the Boilermakers’ final six games on the schedule feature Top 5 teams. Three of the final four games are against Top 5 opponents.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROSS-ADE

• While the Boilermakers will be on the road, they will be playing on the 100th birthday of their home.

• The two men for whom the stadium is named after, David E. Ross and George Ade, were instrumental in building a stadium that has served as the home of Purdue Football for the past century.

• Purdue opened the stadium Nov. 22, 1924, its season finale and Homecoming game, defeating Indiana 26-7.

• The Boilermakers hold a 301-210-13 record all-time at Ross-Ade.

• The stadium has undergone multiple expansions and renovations over the past century. The original capacity was 18,500. The largest crowd was 71,629 in 1980 when the Boilermakers beat Indiana 24-23.

• Following renovations in 2023, the current capacity is 61,441.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

• In 136 seasons of Purdue Football, the Boilermakers have played on Fridays 14 times throughout history, recording a 5-8-1 record. Seven of those games have been night games and only three have been in Ross-Ade Stadium.

• For the first time in program history, the Boilermakers have two Friday games on the schedule.

• The Boilermakers hosted top-ranked Oregon earlier this season on a Friday night.

ON THIS DATE

• Happy Birthday Ross-Ade Stadium! Purdue plays its first game in his current home, rolling past Indiana 26-7 (Nov. 22, 1924).

• In Joe Tiller’s final game as head coach, the Boilermakers won back the Old Oaken Bucket with a 62-10 victory over the Hoosiers (Nov. 22, 2008).

• Ending the regular season, Purdue and Indiana have met 13 times on November 22. The Boilermakers have a 9-3-1 advantage when the rivalry is renewed on that date, including seven straight victories that stretches back to 1969.

LEADING THE O-LINE

• Center Gus Hartwig and right tackle Marcus Mbow have been the leaders on Purdue’s offensive line this season.

• Both Boilermakers have started all 10 games this season, bringing a total of 76 starts between the duo (Hartwig – 46, Mbow – 30).

• Hartwig has earned an 84.4 pass blocking grade from PFF, not allowing a sack and only surrendering one hit on the quarterback. His pass blocking grade leads the Big Ten and ranks 13th nationally among centers. Hartwig’s 75.3 offensive grade ranks second in the conference and 14th nationally.

• Going up against No. 2 Oregon, Mbow earned a spot on the PFF National Team of the Week for battling the Ducks’ difficult defensive line.

• Mbow has a 76.1 run blocking grade by PFF, ranking sixth among Big Ten tackles.

MAD MAX

• Max Klare has not missed a beat since he returned to the lineup at the start of the season.

• The sophomore tight end leads Purdue in receptions (39), receiving yards (566) and receiving touchdowns (3), on pace to become the first tight end to lead the Boilermakers in receiving since current tight ends coach Justin Sinz paced Purdue in 2013 (41 receptions).

• Klare ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally in receiving yards by a tight end.

• Klare has led Purdue in receiving in seven of the team’s 10 games this season.

• His 566 receiving yards rank 10th in a single season by a Purdue tight end and are the most since Brycen Hopkins’ 830-yard season in 2019. It also ranks 11th on the Purdue career tight end charts.

• He had his best game as a Boilermaker at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12), hauling in six receptions for a career-high 133 yards. It marked the most receiving yards by a Purdue tight end since Payne Durham’s 150-yard night in the 2021 season opener and the sixth most by a Boilermaker tight end since 1996. Klare added 76 yards after catch as part of his receiving total.

• Klare was on pace to be one of the best tight ends in the country before his 2023 season was cut short. However, the sophomore bounced back in the 2024 season opener with five catches for 71 yards, both team highs.He also caught Purdue’s first touchdown of the season, a 9-yard strike from Hudson Card on the opening drive.

• Klare was also tabbed to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List ahead of the year.

HERE COMES THE MOCK TRAIN            

• From walk-on to phenom, Devin Mockobee has certainly made a name for himself in his time in West Lafayette.

• For the third straight season, Mockobee leads the Purdue rushing attack. The junior has 652 yards with three rushing touchdowns to pace the Boilermakers in both categories.

• Mockobee’s 5.67 yards per carry ranks seventh in the Big Ten.

• Mockobee sits 10th on Purdue’s all-time rushing list (2,431), passing legendary College Football Hall of Fame running back Leroy Keyes (2,094) against Nebraska (Sept. 28). He also sits 11th with 18 career rushing touchdowns, passing another College Football Hall of Famer (Otis Armstrong) by finding the end zone against Northwestern (Nov. 2).

• The junior is 69 yards away from becoming just the eighth Boilermaker in history to rack up 2,500 career rushing yards.

• With 11 carries for 102 yards at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12), Mockobee became the seventh Boilermaker to produce at least eight 100-yard rushing games over a career and the first since Kory Sheets (2005-08) recorded nine over his career.

• He rushed for a season-high 168 rushing yards at Oregon State (Sept. 21), becoming the sixth Boilermaker since 1996 to record a 100-yard rushing game in three separate seasons.

• He started his career by setting a new Purdue freshman record with 968 rushing yards while also adding nine touchdowns.

• After being put on scholarship in the first official act of the Walters era, he led the team in rushing once again with 807 yards and six touchdowns in 2023.

• In doing so, Mockobee became the first Boilermaker to lead the team in rushing in back-to-back seasons since Markell Jones, who did it three years running (2015-17).

• The Boonville, Ind., native is one of only four Big Ten players to rush for more than 800 yards in each of the past two seasons.

DT THE TACKLING MACHINE

• After pacing Purdue and becoming one of the nation’s leading tacklers as a freshman, Dillon Thieneman is back atop the Boilermakers’ chart for tackles in 2024.

• The sophomore defensive back leads Purdue in total tackles (83) and solo tackles (56), besting all Big Ten defensive backs in both categories.

• Thieneman’s 5.6 solo tackles per game rank second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally.

• His 56 solo tackles rank second nationally by a defensive back.

• His 130 solo tackles over the last two seasons are the most by a defensive back during that stretch.

• Thieneman is one of only 26 Big Ten defensive backs over the past 20 seasons to record at least 50 solo tackles in two different seasons, including just the third to do it during both freshman and sophomore campaigns (Ricardo Allen – Purdue, Ibraheim Campbell – Northwestern).

• A season ago, Thieneman led the team with 106 tackles, ranking fifth in the Big Ten among all players and the most by any freshman in the country

• His 74 solo tackles in 2023 led all freshmen nationwide and set a new Purdue freshman record.

HIGHWAY TO HELDT

• After recording only 12 tackles throughout his freshman season, sophomore rush end Will Heldt has made 47 tackles this season. He ranks second on the team in sacks (5.0) and tackles-for-loss (8.5).

• Heldt recorded his first career touchdown with a 16-yard scoop-and-score at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12).

• At Wisconsin (Oct. 5), Heldt recorded a career-high eight tackles to pace Purdue.

• Heldt started the season with a team-high seven tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks in the win over Indiana State. Prior to the season opener, Heldt’s career high in tackles were two.

TACKLES-4-LOSS                                          

• One of the major anchors of the defense is senior Kydran Jenkins (KAY-dran), who ranks sixth in Purdue history with 22.0 career sacks and 12th with 41.5 tackles-for-loss.

• The senior linebacker leads the Boilermakers in TFLs (10.0) and sacks (5.5), while ranking second in tackles (69).

• Jenkins sacks per game (0.55) ranks seventh in the Big Ten.

• Jenkins had a huge game against Oregon State (Sept. 21), recording a career-high 16 tackles to go along with 3.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. With his second sack of the contest, he became the eighth Boilermaker in program history to make 20 career sacks.

• As a junior, Jenkins finished second in the Big Ten in tackles-for-loss with 15.5 on the year, ranking 18th in the country and the most by a Boilermaker since George Karlaftis in 2019 (17.0).

• He garnered All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for the second straight year in 2023.

• A versatile player, Jenkins moved from RUSH END to middle linebacker ahead of the 2024 campaign, a position he played in high school and a spot the coaching staff believed would do more to impress NFL scouts.

OUR AUSSIE                                                  

• Keelan Crimmins has quickly become Purdue’s most reliable punter in at least seven seasons.

• Crimmins is third in the Big Ten and ranks 16th nationally with a 45.0-yard average. He is on pace to be the fourth Boilermaker to average over 44 yards in a season going back to 1976.

• He is on pace for the second-highest season punt average in program history behind Ray Guy Award winner Travis Dorsch (48.1 yards per punt).

• He finished with a trio of punts longer than 50 yards against Penn State.

• Against Notre Dame, Crimmins punted 10 times for a 47.3-yard clip with a pair of balls over 50 yards and three inside the 20-yard line.

• It was only the sixth time a Big Ten punter averaged over 47 yards when punting 10 times. Iowa has three of them.

• His career-long 64-yard kick against the Irish was just the 20th ball of 64 or more yards by Purdue punter since 1996.

• He tallied a 46.7-yard average against Indiana State on three boots.

• The Aussie was the No. 3-ranked punter by ProKick Australia.

• He played cricket and high-level Australian Rules Football.

• Crimmins is the second straight Purdue punter from Australia, joining Jack Ansell (2021-23), who also wore No. 30.

ROSS-ADE PACKED ALL SEASON LONG

• With Purdue’s home schedule in the books, the Boilermakers produced their highest average home attendance (59,887) in nearly two decades as Ross-Ade Stadium was packed all year.

• The average home attendance was Purdue’s highest since 2005 (62,996), above Ross-Ade’s current capacity of 61,441.

• The mark was 97.5 percent of the stadium’s capacity.

• Purdue sold out three games against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Northwestern, which matched the highest attendance at Ross-Ade Stadium since 2014 when renovations began that trimmed capacity by nearly 10,000 seats.

• Purdue’s attendance of 59,488 against Indiana State was the largest in a season opener for Purdue since 2005.

• With more than 42,000 season ticket holders, including more than 5,000 new season ticket holders, season tickets sold out for the 2024 season.

• Student season tickets also sold out five hours after going on sale, a record-breaking time.

• Purdue’s in-state matchup against Notre Dame sold out one day after going on sale to the public.

NOTRE DAME HOCKEY

HOCKEY PREPARES FOR WEEKEND SERIES VS. #4/4 MINNESOTA

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame hockey is set for its final home series of the calendar year when they host No. 4/4 Minnesota, Nov. 22-23. Last season the two teams split the season series 2-2-0, with the Irish taking four of six conference points (1-1-0, overtime loss) to close out the home slate on senior weekend.

SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: #4/4 Minnesota Golden Gophers | Nov. 22-23
Location: South Bend, Ind. | Compton Family Ice Arena
Schedule: Fri. 7pm | Sat. 6pm
TV: Peacock
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame | Minnesota

QUICK HITS

The Irish return from a two-week road trip to host Minnesota this weekend.

All-time, the Irish are 27-43-6 against the Golden Gophers and split the season series in 2023-24 with a 2-2-0 record, including one overtime contest.

In their most recent outing, Blake Biondi recorded a goal and two assists for his career-best point total in an Irish sweater. The graduate forward now owns seven points on the season off three goals and four assists. The three points from the Hermantown, Minnesota native tied his previous best set twice at UMD.

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.

The Irish team returned 19 student-athletes from the 2023-24 roster, including 11 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. The forwards include graduate senior Grant Silianoff and seniors Justin Janicke, Hunter Strand and Tyler Carpenter. Returning defensemen include four who appeared in the final series of the 2023-24 season in Michael Mastrodomenico, Paul Fischer, Zach Plucinski and Henry Nelson.

Notre Dame returned two 20+ point scorers from a season ago as Danny Nelson (9-14-23) and Cole Knuble (9-11-20) are now in their sophomore seasons with the Irish.

In total, eight returners posted double-digit points last season. In addition to Nelson and Knuble, Hunter Strand (4-15-19), Justin Janicke (4-12-16), Paul Fischer (2-14-16), Brennan Ali (3-10-13), Maddox Fleming (3-9-12) and Grant Silianoff (4-7-11) look to improve upon their double-digit performances a season ago.

At the last line of defense, the Irish return Jack Williams in goal and added two new netminders to the mix in Nicholas Kempf (USNTDP) and Owen Say (Mercyhurst).

The Irish added 10 new faces to the squad in 2024-25, including five freshmen and five transfers. The 10 newcomers consist of five forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders.

NOTRE DAME vs. MINNESOTA

The Irish and Golden Gophers have met 76 times prior to this coming weekend, with Notre Dame trailing the all-time series 27-43-6.

Last season, the Irish took the series from the Golden Gophers, posting a 2-2-0 record with the final game being decided in overtime to give the Irish seven of the possible 12 in the conference standings.

With four points, including a goal and three assists, Danny Nelson led the team in the series against the Gophers in his rookie campaign.

Three freshmen boasted career nights against Minnesota a season ago. Danny Nelson’s goal and two assists in the 6-1 win over Minnesota at home last year marked a career-high.

Carter Slaggert scored his collegiate goal at Minnesota last November before recording a multi-point game at home against the rival Gophers in late February, the first of his career. Two of the now-sophomore’s three career goals have come against Minnesota.

Sophomore blueliner Paul Fischer’s two assists in the team’s 6-1 win over Minnesota last year marked a career best for the then-rookie and tied his career-high in points.

The Irish opened their season series against the Golden Gophers with a convincing 4-2 win over Minnesota on the road last season, marking Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach Jeff Jackson’s 399th career win behind the Irish bench.

The team then marked yet another milestone in Jackson’s legacy in the final home weekend of the season when they hosted Minnesota. The Friday night game vs. the Golden Gophers marked Jackson’s 1,000th Division I game coached. The Irish rolled to a dominant 6-1 victory to celebrate the occasion.

BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

THIRD QUARTER PUSHES BUTLER PAST INDIANA STATE 80-55

The Butler women’s basketball team improved to 4-1 on the year with an 80-55 victory over visiting Indiana State. BU went on an 18-2 scoring run in the third quarter to take complete control of the action. Five Bulldogs scored in double figures on Wednesday night. Caroline Strande led all players with 15 points.

Butler started the game on a 6-0 scoring run, but the Bulldogs would miss their next four shots allowing the Sycamores to tie the game early at 6-6. Back and forth action followed with the game moving to 12-12. Indiana State reached the bonus with one minute to play to break the tie with free throws, but the opening quarter would end with Lily Carmody hitting a 3-pointer from the left wing to put BU back on top 17-15.

Butler’s 7-0 scoring run gave the ‘Dawgs a 24-17 lead at the midway point of the second quarter. That lead would hold the rest of the way and a Sydney Jaynes bucket on the team’s last possession would take the two teams into halftime with BU on top 35-26.

Jaynes and Carmody led Butler at the break with six points each. The Bulldogs shot 40 percent from the field and helped force 10 Sycamore turnovers which resulted in 10 points. The game’s leading scorer after 20 minutes was Deja Jones. The guard had eight points on 3-of-7 shooting.

Butler’s strong start to the second half forced Indiana State into taking a timeout just two minutes into the third quarter. Three-straight made field goals gave BU a 6-0 run and made the score 43-29 before the stoppage.

The BU lead grew to 20 points with six to play in the third. Caroline Strande’s pull-up jumper capped off a 12-0 run to make the game 49-29. Butler won the frame 26-9 to take a 61-35 advantage into the fourth.

The tempo slowed down over the final 10 minutes of the game allowing Butler to cruise to an 80-55 victory.

Inside the Box Score

– Caroline Strande had 15 points, six assists, and two steals

– Sydney Jaynes had 13 points off the bench to go along with six boards

– Riley Makalusky also had 13 points for BU with four rebounds

– Kilyn McGuff impacted the game with 11 points and six rebounds

– Lily Carmody had 12 points, four assists and four steals

– Butler handed out 24 assists on 30 made field goals

– BU scored 38 points in the paint while limiting Indiana State to 14

– Butler’s bench was responsible for 39 points

Up Next

Butler returns to action on Sunday with a home game against UMass Lowell. Tip on FloSports.com is set for 2 p.m.

BUTLER SWIMMING

HOUSE OF CHAMPIONS MEET UP NEXT FOR BUTLER

IU Indy will host the 2024 House of Champions Meet over the weekend. Action will get started on Thursday and run through Saturday evening. Morning sessions begin at 10 a.m. each day while the evening session gets started at 5:30 p.m. Full details can be found below, or by clicking on the 2024 House of Champions tab.

IU Natatorium, Indianapolis, Ind. | Hosted by IU Indy

Thursday, November 21 – Saturday, November 23

2024 House of Champions

Morning Sessions begin at 10 a.m.

Diving Sessions begin at 12:30 p.m.

Evening Sessions begin at 5:30 p.m.

**Doors will open one hour prior to the start of each session**

Spectator Information: Live Results can be found on Meet Mobile

Tentative Meet Schedule

Thursday Prelim Heat Sheets I Thursday Finals Heat Sheets

Friday Prelim Heat Sheets | Friday Finals Heat Sheets

Saturday 1,650 Heat Sheets I Saturday’s Prelim Heat Sheets

* Heat sheets and results will be uploaded before and after each session *

Competing Teams: IU Indy, Lewis, Milwaukee, UIC, Missouri St. Louis, Lynn, Quincy, Northern Kentucky, North Texas, Saint Louis, Butler, Marshall

Parking

The IU Indy Athletics Department welcomes all fans to events on our campus. Please know that we want your stay to be as enjoyable as possible. Part of every fan experience is identifying the best parking options. Finding a spot on campus can be challenging or confusing so please use the information below to help guide you; fans can also contact IU Indy Parking Services at (317) 274-4637.

For parking in the “Sports Garage” (875 West New York Street), access is from New York Street turning southbound on Blake Street. At the dead end, turn right and look for the entrance to the garage. Daily entrance fee will be charged each time a vehicle enters the garage (e.g, if you leave after morning preliminaries, you will need to pay again to enter for finals). Walk from the parking spot through the garage into the Natatorium.

The “Riverwalk Garage” (245 University Blvd) has a higher capacity and is accessible from University Blvd. Best access to this garage is from New York Street (one-way headed east toward downtown Indianapolis) turning right onto University Blvd. Fans may also come from downtown west on Michigan Street and turn left onto University Blvd. You must park on the 5th or 6th floors of the Riverwalk Garage on Thursday and Friday between 8am and 5pm.  During the evening and all day Saturday, you may park on any level.  There will be an hourly rate to park in this garage. Guests may exit the garage on the northwest corner closest to the Natatorium and enter the building via the door at the loading dock.

Entrances

— West Entrance: On University Blvd, just south of W. New York St.

— East Entrance: Accessible from “Sports Garage” and the Loading Dock off of Ohio Street. Fans parking in the “Riverwalk Garage” can take the walkway between two parking structures.

Tickets

— All Session: $40 (Adult), $20 (Youth – 3-through-12)

— Single Session: $10 (Adult), $5 (Youth)

*Tickets will be sold on site, CARD ONLY

BUTLER FOOTBALL

#23 BUTLER TRAVELS TO PRESBYTERIAN FOR REGULAR SEASON FINALE

Two of the hottest teams in the Pioneer Football League will go head-to-head this Saturday when #23 Butler travels to Presbyterian to close out the 2024 regular season. The Bulldogs have won four in-a-row and are trying to become just the second team in program history to reach double figures in the win column. Presbyterian is in search of their fourth-straight win to end their year on a high note. The 1 p.m. kick-off will stream on ESPN+.

Game Day

Date: Saturday, November 23

Time: 1:00 PM ET

Location: Clinton, S.C. / Bailey Memorial Stadium

Live Stats: GoBlueHose.com (Statbroadcast)

Watch: ESPN+

Bulldog Bits

– Butler is ranked #23 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

– BU has reached their highest win total (9) in a single-season since 2013.

– Only seven teams in program history have reached nine wins in a single-season.

– No Bulldog team has ever ended the season with 10 wins; the school record is 11 (2009).

– There is a three-way tie (5-2) for second place in the PFL standings heading into Week 13.

– Nick Howard accounted for four touchdowns in Butler’s win over St. Thomas on Senior Day.

– The win over the Tommies was Butler’s first in program history.

– Howard had TD runs of two, five and 28 yards.

– Butler ran the ball 49 times against St. Thomas to post 168 rushing yards.

– Butler has rushed for 15 touchdowns over their last four games.

– Howard threw a 20-yard TD pass to Trevon Brown.

– Luke Wooten had five receptions for a team-high 111 yards and a score vs. the Tommies.

– Butler’s defense came up with four interceptions last Saturday!

– Steven Stephany had two picks and six tackles.

– Devaon Holman intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 51 yards.

– Jeremiah Jackson dropped back in coverage for a BU interception in the second quarter.

– Jackson set career-high totals vs. PC last year with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.

– Justin Anagonye had a strip sack that set BU up for a touchdown.

– Jack Burch blocked a St. Thomas field goal and added a sack last Saturday.

– Burch has a team-high 7.5 sacks this season.

– Ashton Nawrocki came off the edge to get a sack.

– Butler and Presbyterian have lost since Oct. 19.

PFL Schedule -Week 13

Drake at Stetson 1:00 P.M.

Butler at Presbyterian 1:00 P.M.

San Diego at Morehead State 1:00 P.M.

Davidson at Valparaiso 2:00 P.M.

Dayton at St. Thomas 2:00 P.M.

PFL Standings

Drake 6-1, 7-2

Butler 5-2, 9-2

Morehead State 5-2, 7-4

San Diego 5-2, 7-3

Davidson 4-3, 6-4

Dayton 4-3, 6-4

St. Thomas 4-3, 5-6

Presbyterian 3-4, 5-6

Valparaiso 1-5, 3-7

Marist 1-7, 1-10

Stetson 0-6, 2-8

SCOUTING PRESBYTERIAN: The Blue Hose are 5-6 overall after defeating Marist 42-23 last weekend. Winners of three-straight, PC is playing their best football of the season at the end of the 2024 campaign. They notched wins over Stetson, Dayton and Marist in recent weeks and went toe-to-toe with Drake and San Diego earlier in the year, moving each contest into overtime. QB Collin Hurst is the reigning PFL Offensive Player of the Week. Hurst had four total touchdowns, three passing and one rushing. He completed his first 11 pass attempts vs. Marist and ended the game 21-for-27 with 269 passing yards.

Presbyterian is in the midst of their first three-game win streak since 2021. Hurst hasn’t thrown an interception in four games and the Blue Hose defense leads the league in rushing defense, limiting the opposition to just 113 yards on the ground per contest.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Butler is 1-0 in the all-time series vs. Presbyterian.

Presbyterian played in the Big South Conference before joining the PFL in 2021.

LAST MEETING: Butler topped Presbyterian 27-17 in 2023, by outscoring the Blue Hose 13-0 in the second half. The Bulldogs rushed for 299 yards in the victory, but PC moved the ball through the air with 323 passing yards.

Jeremiah Jackson and Tyson Garrett led the defensive effort for BU. Each player had six sacks and a tackle for loss. Jackson added 1.5 sacks.

NATONALLY-RANKED: Butler is ranked #23 in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll. They moved up two spots after defeating St. Thomas.

The AFCA FCS Coaches Poll was created in 2018. Last week was the first time that Butler has ever appeared in the poll.

NO PFL LOSSES IN NOVEMBER: Butler is trying to go undefeated in the month of November for the first time since 2013. That year the ‘Dawgs defeated Dayton (33-30), Valpo (72-12) and Morehead State (58-27). Two of the three games were on the road.

While Butler ended PFL play with a perfect record in November, they did suffer a setback to Tennessee State on Nov. 30 in the FCS Playoffs.

GET OFF THE FIELD: Butler’s defense was nearly perfect on third down against St. Thomas, causing the Tommies to go just 1-for-12 on third down.

St. Thomas was 2-for-5 against Butler on red zone scoring chances. Butler however was 4-for-4.

MOVE THE CHAINS: Butler leads the PFL and ranks fourth in the nation in third down conversion percentage.

Butler converts on third down 53.4 percent of the time. They went 8-for-16 on third down vs. St. Thomas and were 1-for-1 on fourth.

‘DAWGS PLAYIN’ D: Butler leads the PFL in scoring defense (15.1) and are second in total defense (277.7).

Butler’s defense bottled up one of the best rushers in the PFL last weekend. Hope Adebayo averages 101 yards per game and the Bulldogs limited him to just 61 at the Sellick Bowl. 40 of those 61 yards came on one rush.

LOSS LANDS ON 1,000: Ethan Loss caught three passes against St. Thomas to end the game with 26 receiving yards. That performance pushed his career total to 1,000 yards.

Loss is in year two as a starter at Butler. He had 515 receiving yards in 2023 and has 485 this year heading into the regular season finale. Loss is averaging 18.3 yards per catch and 44.1 yards per game.

HISTORIC SEASON: Butler will take aim at a 10-win season on Saturday. This year’s team is one of seven in program history to reach nine wins. BU went undefeated in 1959 and 1961. They went 9-1 in 1975 and 9-1-1 n 1983. The 1991 team posted a 9-2 record and the 2013 Bulldogs were 9-4.

Butler’s best record came in 2009. Andrew Huck and Nick Caldicott were team MVP’s on an 11-1 team. BU averaged 27.7 points per game that year, averaging 387 yards of total offense per contest.

LEAGUE LEADERS: Butler leads the PFL in first downs, completion percentage, fewest sacks allowed, fewest tackles for loss allowed, red zone offense, red zone defense, interceptions, fewest penalties, and punt returns.

Butler’s 14 interceptions this season is the most since 2015 when BU came up with 15.

IU INDY SWIMMING

IU INDY TO HOST ANNUAL HOUSE OF CHAMPIONS

INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy swim and dive team are set to host the annual House of Champions invite. The Jags welcome 12 teams to the Natatorium for the three-day event. Lewis, Milwaukee, UIC, Missouri St. Louis, Lynn, Quincy, Missouri State, Northern Kentucky, North Texas, Saint Louis, Butler and Marshall are set to attend.

The IU Indy men’s swim team is undefeated in dual meets with Horizon League wins over Green Bay, Milwaukee and Northern Kentucky.

Sebastian Otero leads the men’s team on the diving boards with three Horizon League Diver of the Week awards. Freshman Zach Drotar has also been a standout for the Jags this season with a Horizon League Swimmer of the Week title.

The women’s team is 4-2 in dual meets this season, falling to Ball State and Milwaukee. The Jags earned Horizon League victories over Green Bay and Northern Kentucky.

Emmaleigh Zietlow once again leads the Jags with back-to-back #HLSD Swimmer of the Week titles with numerous top times in the league.

Each day will begin with prelims at 10:00 AM followed by diving at 12:30 and finish with the finals session at 5:30 PM. The event will begin on Thursday, November 21 and go through Saturday, November 23.

BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO DETROIT MERCY AT HOME

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s basketball team got a double-double from Mickey Pearson Jr., but fell 70-59 to Detroit Mercy on Wednesday night at Worthen Arena.

The Cardinals (1-4) trailed 44-31 with 16:07 to play before cutting the deficit to 46-43 following a Juanse Gorosito 3-pointer at the 11:12 mark of the second half. The visiting Titans (3-2) scored the next five points and would lead by at least two possessions for the remainder of the game.

Detroit Mercy led 32-27 at halftime and got revenge from a 68-65 Ball State win last December in Detroit. Orlando Lovejoy led the Titans with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Jared Lary had 15 points and Emmanuel Kuac went for 13.

Pearson Jr. tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block for the Cardinals. Juanse Gorosito (12 points, two steals) and Payton Sparks (10 points, seven rebounds) also scored in double figures for the hosts. Jermahri Hill added seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The visitors won the rebounding battle 40-30 but had one more turnover (16-15). Detroit Mercy held advantages in points off turnovers (17-10) and second chance points (17-4).

Ball State went 38.6 percent (17-44) from the field including 20 percent (5-25) from distance and 66.7 percent (20-30) at the free throw line. Detroit Mercy shot 45.5 percent (25-55) on field goals, 52.9 percent (9-17) on 3-pointers and 61.1 percent (11-18) on foul shots.

The Cardinals head south to Estero, Fla., for the Gulf Coast Showcase which begins Monday at Noon against Eastern Kentucky.

INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL

SYCAMORES BEST EVANSVILLE IN FOUR SETS IN SEASON FINALE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Kira Holland led Indiana State with 17 kills Wednesday night, while Curry Kendall and Ella Scott had 13 and 12, respectively, as the Sycamores defeated Evansville in four sets (26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23) inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

Kendall added 13 digs for the Trees, who had three players record double-doubles (Kendall, Emily Weber – 21 assists, 11 digs, Avery Hales – 20 assists, 13 digs) and five register double-digit digs (Chloe Gilley 20, Kendall 13, Hales 13, Emma Kaelin 13, Weber 11). Weber also added three aces and five blocks, while Scott had a career-high eight digs to go along with five blocks.

Evansville jumped out to an early lead in set one, but kills from Holland and Kaelin, alongside an ace from Scott and a block solo from Weber, got the Trees right back in the set. Kendall put the Sycamores in front with back-to-back kills, and Kaelin tacked on another to push the advantage out to 14-11 midway through. Kills from Kendall and Kaelni, aling with a block assist from Weber and Scott, kept the Sycamores in front late, but Evansville rallied back to force a set point of their own. Kendall put down a kill to fend off the set point, and Cadence Gilley served up an ace to close out a 26-24 first set win for the Sycamores.

Similar to set one, Evansville was the aggressor in jumping out to a 7-3 lead. In similar fashion, the Sycamores worked their way back, With three kills from Kendall and an ace from Weber knotting the score at eight. Evansville used another run to go back in front by five, before a pair of kills from Scott and a block assist from Scott and Weber whittled the deficit down to 15-13. Indiana State went on a major run late, with kills from Holland and Kendall along with two aces from Weber putting the Trees ahead 21-20, and Indiana State kept its late lead following another kill from Kendall. Evansville rallied to score the last thee points, though, taking the second set 25-23.

Evansville took an early lead in the third, but a pair of kills from Kendall alongside terminations from Holland and Josilyn Wadas gave the Sycamores a 7-5 advantage. Kills from Kaelin and Hales, along with a block assist from Scott and Weber saw that lead increase to 12-9, with the same duo teaming up for another block assist to keep the Trees in front midway through. Back-to-back kills from Holland, along with another ace from Scott, put the Sycamores ahead by six late, with kills from Holland and Kendall making it 22-16 Trees. Evansville rallied late, but a kill from Scott and a Purple Ace error gave the Sycamores set three by a 25-21 margin.

Indiana State took full advantage of Evansville errors in building a 10-2 lead in set four, with Scott also putting down three kills during that span. Three more kills from Holland helped the Sycamores keep their foot on the gas, with Kaelin ad Hales adding kills to make it 16-8 Indiana State. Scott put down two more kills as Indiana State built up its lead to 20-12, but Evansville came roaring back with a 10-2 run to tie the set at 22-all. Holland put down a kill and teamed up with Wadas on a block assist to put the Trees on the verge of an elusive home win at 24-22. Evansville fended off one set point, but Holland closed out the match with a kill to give the Sycamores set four by a 25-23 margin and end Indiana State’s MVC road losing streak.

News and Notes

Kira Holland’s 17 kills were her most in a match this season and marked her first match with double-digit kills since returning from injury.

Indiana State averaged a season-best 24.0 digs per set, finishing with 96 digs in Wednesday’s four-set match.

Chloe Gilley became the second Sycamore to record 20 digs in a match this season, alongside Macy Lengacher.

Indiana State ended its season on a high notes, as the Sycamores’ 59 kills were their most in a match this season.

Defense has been an issue for long stretches this season, but Evansville was limited to a paltry .143 hitting percentage in Wednesday’s match.

Wednesday’s match was the second this season in which Indiana State had five players record 10 or more digs, with the Sycamores also accomplishing the feat on Oct. 19 against Southern Illinois.

Indiana State snapped a 26-match road conference losing streak which dated back to the tail end of the 2021 season.

Indiana State closes its 2024 season at 5-25 overall and 2-16 in MVC play. Both conference wins this season came over Evansville, snapping a five-match losing streak to the Purple Aces in the process.

INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

THIRD-QUARTER SURGE SENDS BULLDOGS PAST SYCAMORES

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana State had four players score in double-figures for the third straight game Wednesday night, but Butler used a strong third-quarter to down the Sycamores by an 80-55 margin inside Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Deja Jones led the Sycamores with 13 points and dished out a team-high four assists. Keslyn Secrist added 11 points and a career-high three assists, scoring in double-figures for the fifth straight game. Queen Ruffin and Saige Stahl each had 10, with the latter coming off the bench to score in double-figures. Savannah White pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

Indiana State rode the hot hand of Jones early, with the senior floor general scoring six points in the opening quarter to help the Trees go in front. The Sycamores kept pace with the Bulldogs in a low-scoring second quarter before the home side took off in the third. Butler came out of the intermission and outscored the Sycamores 26-9 in the third quarter to break the game open. Despite Indiana State outscoring the Bulldogs in the final frame, largely in part to Jones, Secrist and Stahl combining for 18 in the last 10 minutes, Butler protected its home court in a double-digit loss for the Trees.

First Half

Butler opened the game on a 6-0 run before a 3-pointer from Jones and free throws from Chloe Williams got the Trees on the board. A jumper from Secrist gave Indiana State its first lead of the game midway through the opening quarter, and layups from Williams and Jones kept the Sycamores on level footing. Ruffin put the Blue and White back in front with a pair of free throws but a pair of late baskets gave Butler a 17-15 lead heading into the second.

Secrist evened the score early in the second with a layup before Butler used a 7-0 run to go back in front. Baskets from Davina Smith and Williams cut Indiana State’s deficit to two possessions midway through the second, and Jones added a midrange jumper to keep the Trees within reach. Ruffin connected on a three-ball with 90 seconds left in the half, as Butler took a 35-26 lead into the intermission.

Second Half

Ruffin gave the Sycamores an early third quarter jolt with another trey, but Butler followed with a 19-2 run to push its lead out to 20. Stahl converted on a three-point play and Smith split a pair of free throws late in the quarter, but another late three-ball from the home side saw the Sycamores facing a 61-35 deficit heading to the fourth.

Jones opened the final frame with a 3-pointer, with Stahl going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe in a 60-second span to cut into Butler’s lead. Jones added another layup, with consecutive baskets from Secrist adding to the Sycamores’ tally. Stahl tacked on another 3-point play, while Ruffin added a pair of late free throws, but the third quarter proved too much to overcome for Indiana State in an 80-55 setback.

News and Notes

Keslyn Secrist has scored in double-figures in each of the first five games this season.

Indiana State continues to showcase a strong 3-point defense, with Butler shooting 7-for-25 from 3-point range (28.0 percent).

Indiana State shot a season-best 79.2 percent from the free throw line, going 19-for-24 from the charity stripe.

Saige Stahl recorded her third straight game with double-digit scoring, all of which have come off the bench.

Queen Ruffin scored in double-figures for the second straight game, her first time with back-to-back double-digit scoring efforts in an Indiana State uniform.

Indiana State took full advantage of its offensive rebounds, turning seven offensive bßoards into 15 second chance points

Wednesday’s game was the first of seven straight away from home for the Sycamores, who don’t return to Hulman Center until their December 29 conference opener against Northern Iowa.

Up Next

Indiana State has more than a week off before returning to action November 30 at Southeast Missouri State.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL

PENN STATE RALLIES IN FINAL 20 MINUTES TO TOP ‘DONS

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – A pair of Mastodons set career highs in scoring but Penn State rallied in the second half to defeat the Purdue Fort Wayne men’s basketball team 102-89 on Wednesday (Nov. 20).

Jalen Jackson notched 31 points against the Nittany Lions. He broke his previous career high of 29 set just four days ago. Jackson was 10-of-12 from the line and 10-of-21 from the floor. He had just one turnover to go with two assists, two rebounds, a block and a steal.

Corey Hadnot II went 5-of-8 from three for a career-high 20 points. He also added five steals and three assists.

Eric Mulder totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth career double-double. He showed the Big Ten Nittany Lions why he is one of the best offensive rebounds in the country, grabbing eight on the offensive glass. Mulder helped the ‘Dons score 19 second chance points. 

The ‘Dons used an 8-1 run to go ahead 47-36 with 1:27 remaining in the first half. The 11-point lead was their largest lead of the game. The run forced a Penn State timeout after Quinton Morton-Robertson nailed a 3-pointer.

Purdue Fort Wayne was 6-of-13 from three in the first with Hadnot making three treys. He had 14 points in the opening half. Jackson finished with 15 on 6-of-11 shooting in the first. Penn State stayed in it with a 17-of-23 performance from the free throw line in the first half.

Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr. started the second half with 10 consecutive points to give the Nittany Lions the lead back. Jackson followed later in the half with six straight points of his own to put the ‘Dons up 62-61 with 13:53 left. But it would be Purdue Fort Wayne’s only lead of the second half.

Baldwin Jr. finished with 25 points for the Penn State. The Nittany Lions shot 34-of-61 (55.7 percent). Purdue Fort Wayne finished at 44.3 percent (31-of-70).

Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 3-2. Penn State improves to 5-0. The game was part of the Sunshine Slam. The two teams will head to Daytona Beach next week. First up is a contest for the ‘Dons against Drexel on Monday (Nov. 25) at 12:30 p.m.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MASTODON WBB VISITS EASTERN MICHIGAN FOR NON-LEAGUE CONTEST

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team will visit the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Thursday (Nov. 21) for a non-league game.

Game Day Information

Who: Eastern Michigan Eagles

When: Thursday, November 21 | 6:30 PM

Where: Ypsilanti, Mich. | Gervin GameAbove Center

Live Stats: Link

Watch: Link

Game Notes:Purdue Fort Wayne | Eastern Michigan

Know Your Foe

Eastern Michigan is 0-3 to start 2024-25. The Eagles are coming off a 95-49 loss to (RV) Michigan State, suffering losses to Texas State and Alabama A&M prior to that. EMU is averaging 59.0 points per game while shooting 38.4 percent from the floor and 26.5 percent from deep. Sisi Eleko is the team’s best player, averaging a double-double of 23.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

The Series

Eastern Michigan leads the all-time series 3-0 over the ‘Dons. The two teams have not met since 2019, which saw the Eagles win 64-40. No Mastodons on the current roster played in that contest.

Fill It Up

Purdue Fort Wayne is averaging 80.0 points per game, which ranks second in the Horizon League and top-60 nationally. The Mastodons’ 46.9 percent field goal clip is a league-best and top-50 in the country.

Hit ‘Em With the High Note

Jazzlyn Linbo is averaging a career-best 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and a high mark of 60.9 percent from the floor.

Our Ball!

Purdue Fort Wayne’s 13.3 turnovers per game ranks first in the Horizon League and is a top-40 mark nationally.

That’s Free!

Sydney Freeman’s 45.2 field goal and 41.7 3-point percentages are career-best marks.

Looking For T-Mo

Tia Morgan has a career-best 8.5 points per game this season while shooting a career-high 55.6 percent from the floor.

Saving the Best for Last

Lauren Ross is shooting 52.5 percent from the floor, 56.0 percent from 3-point range and 90.0 percent from the charity stripe. All of those percentages are the best of her career. Ross’ 3.50 triples per game ranks 14th in the country.

Hanging 100

Purdue Fort Wayne scored 104 points in their win over Defiance on November 12. It was the 20th 100-point game in program history and fourth of the Maria Marchesano era.

In The Polls…

Purdue Fort Wayne was receiving votes in the most recent CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 with eight points. The Mastodons received 10 points in the poll several times last season for the first time since 2011-12.

Use Bromo Code “Amellia” For a Crazy Stat Line

Amellia Bromenschenkel recorded a stat line of 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks. She is the first player in the NCAA to record that stat line on the road since 2018 (Chelsea Welch, Wright State at IU Indy) and the 10th of all Division I players to do so since the 2002-03 season. She is one of 52 players to record those marks in any game, home or away, since 2002-03.

Grand Quartet

Sydney Freeman, Amellia Bromenschenkel, Jordan Reid and Lauren Ross all own over 1,000 points in their careers. Freeman reached the milestone in 2022-23 in her one year at Dayton, Bromenschenkel scored all 1,000 at Purdue Fort Wayne, Reid scored over 1,000 in her time at Indiana Wesleyan, and Ross reached the milestone this season after three years at Western Michigan and one at Michigan State. Ross became a 1,000-point scorer against Defiance on November 12.

Last Time Out

Purdue Fort Wayne fell to No. 15 Kentucky 79-67. The Mastodons led for 28:21 of that contest. Lauren Ross had 21 points and seven rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-7 from beyond the 3-point line.

Coming Up

The Mastodons will visit Georgia State for a multi-team event featuring the host Panthers, Campbell and Furman. The game against Ella Riggs’ former team will be the last before returning home on December 4.

EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL COMPLETES 2024 SEASON

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In a hard-fought match on Wednesday, the University of Evansville volleyball team came up just short in a 3-1 decision to Indiana State at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

Angelica Gonzalez had a spectacular match, finishing with 21 kills while Josdarilee Caraballo recorded 13.  Ainoah Cruz posted a career-high 36 digs while Kora Ruff added 27 to go along with her 40 assists. ISU was led by Kira Holland’s 17 kills.

Senior Madisyn Steele officially finished her career as the most efficient hitter in program history and the first to hit over .300 over the course of her time with the program.  She broke the record of .277, which was set by two previous players.

Set 1 – Indiana State 26, UE 24

Kora Ruff picked up an ace as UE scored the first three points of the evening.  Indiana State fought back, tying the set at 6-6 before taking their first lead at 11-10 and pushing it to 14-11.  A reversed call put momentum back on UE’s side and Lexi Owen followed with an ace that saw the Aces retake a 16-15 edge.

The back-and-forth sequence continued with the Sycamores jumping back on top at 20-18 while the Aces made their comeback, utilizing a kill by Josdarilee Caraballo to tie it up at 21-21.  Angelica Gonzalez’ seventh kill of the match put UE back in front with set point, up 24-23, but the Sycamores had the final say, rebounding to take the win.

Set 2 – UE 25, Indiana State 23

Madisyn Steele recorded a kill and block to give the Aces a 7-3 lead out of the gate.  Blakeley Freeman had an ace in the early stretch.  Indiana State made their way back, cutting the deficit to a point (9-8), but Evansville answered as Chloe Cline, Angelica Gonzalez, and Carlotta Pascual each picked up a kill as UE pushed the lead to 15-10.

Caraballo picked up her 10th kill of the match to extend the advantage to 20-14.  That is when the Sycamores made their move.  Seven in a row put the Sycamores in front before Cline and Holland Morris assisted on a block to end the run.  Gonzalez came up in the clutch with a block assist and kill to clinch the set and tie the match.

Set 3 – Indiana State 25, UE 21

Another nice start by Steele saw her register a pair of kills to put UE in front at 4-2.  ISU took its first lead of 7-5 before consecutive Caraballo aces gave UE an 8-7 edge.  After the Sycamores retook a 10-8 advantage, kills from Pascual and Ruff helped the Aces jump on top by a score of 13-12.

Just as fast as the Aces rallied, ISU countered.  Another rally saw them open their largest lead at 20-14.  Still trailing by six at 24-18, Evansville made a final effort to close the gap.  Ruff’s second ace of the night cut into the deficit, but ISU finished the set to take a 2-1 lead.

Set 4 – Indiana State 25, UE 23

Up 2-1 in the match, Indiana State was on fire to begin the fourth, reeling off the opening four tallies.  After Steele picked up a kill to get the Aces on the board, the Sycamores continued to add to the lead, going up 12-3.  A 4-0 spurt got the Aces closer, but ISU rebounded to go up 20-12.

Gonzalez did her best to bring the Aces back, picking up four kills in a row as part of a 7-0 run that cut the deficit to just one at 20-19.  An error by the Sycamores tied the score at 22-22 before two by ISU gave them match point where they would finish off the victory.

EVANSVILLE MEN’S SOCCER

ACES MEN’S SOCCER TO BEGIN NCAA TOURNAMENT PLAY AT MASSACHUSETTS

AMHURST, Mass. — The University of Evansville men’s soccer team will play its first NCAA Tournament match since 1996 on Thursday afternoon.

The Purple Aces earned their first MVC Tournament title since 1996 on Saturday night in thrilling fashion. UE scored the first goal of the match but found themselves down a goal by halftime. Evansville found the equalizer in the 79th minute and scored the championship-winning goal in the 107th minute off a Bowling Green defender.

Fifth-year forward Kai Phillip (Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago) was named the MVP of the tournament for scoring two goals in three matches. Three other Aces were named to the MVC Tournament Team; defender Nacho Garcia, defender Martin Wurschmidt, and redshirt midfielder Jacopo Fedrizzi who was also named to the All-MVC Second Team.

This will only be the second time in program history the Aces have played UMass and the first time on either’s home pitch. The two teams played in the Bradley Tournament to begin the 2013 season and tied 0-0 after one overtime. The Minutemen come into the match having bowed out of the A-10 quarterfinals against the eventual A-10 Champions, Saint Louis. The quarterfinal match ended in a 0-0 tie where the Billikens advanced on penalty kicks.

UMass has a 10-3-5 overall record and finished 5-2-1 in conference play. The Minutemen are led by three-time A-10 Offensive Player of the Year graduate forward Alec Hughes. Hughes has scored 14 goals in only 15 matches to be third in the country in goals per game.

After Evansville’s run in the MVC Tournament, TopDrawerSoccer ranked the Aces as the 23rd-best team in the nation. United Soccer Coaches does not release a weekly poll during tournament play but will release a final poll after the College Cup in mid-December. Heading into the first match of the tournament, UE has a 5-10 NCAA Tournament record. Evansville’s last win came during the program’s second Final Four run in 1990 with a 1-0 victory over Indiana.

USI CONCLUDES 2024 CAMPAIGN WITH A HOME LOSS AGAINST MOREHEAD STATE

EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (8-22, OVC 3-15) concluded their 2024 season with a three-set loss against Morehead State University (16-13, OVC 12-6) on Wednesday afternoon at Liberty Arena (17-25, 19-25, 22-25). The Screaming Eagles finished with eight wins, five of which came in non-conference play.

Set 1: MORE 25, USI 17

Junior Bianca Anderson, sophomore Ashby Willis, and sophomore Leah Coleman each crushed two early kills. Morehead State took a convincing nine-point lead before USI bounced back with a five-point run on three kills from senior Paris Downing. However, USI couldn’t string together another late run to dig out of the early hole. Downing swatted five set one kills.

Set 2: MORE 25, USI 19

Six straight Morehead points put USI in an early ten-point deficit. Redshirt freshman Jillian Moonan delivered a cross court kill and senior Abby Weber placed an ace to cut the deficit to 16-13. Sophomore Ellie Marbet entered the match, bringing the Eagles within one on back-to-back kills. Morehead gained the two-set advantage after scoring six of the final seven points.

Set 3: MORE 22, USI 25

Anderson found herself on the service line propelling the Eagles to a four-point run with her first ace of the season. Coleman tied the set at 18 with her seventh kill of the night. Senior Lauren O’Neill finished her USI career with an emphatic kill before Morehead State clinched the match. Jillian Moonan and Marbet combined for 11 kills in the final two sets as both recorded career highs. Jillian Moonan tallied 5, while Marbet finished with 6.

Coleman and Downing led offensively each swatting seven kills. Senior Carly Sobieralski finished with 26 assists, accumulating 2,876 assists for her career at fifth in the program’s history. Junior Keira Moore broke her single season best in total digs tonight with 516 on the season and 19 on the night. The 516 single season digs ranks fifth all-time in digs in a season. Downing led the Eagles in blocks as she finished her career tenth all-time with 310. Weber led in service aces, along with serving as the team’s swish army knife for five years being able to thrive in multiple roles finishing with 598 kills, 75 assists, 113 aces, and 1,210 digs for her career.

As a team, USI finished with 35 kills, 35 assists, 57 digs, five aces, two blocks, and a .118 attacking percentage. MSU earned 43 kills, 41 assists, 52 digs, six aces, eight blocks, and a .280 hitting percentage.

USI Volleyball will dearly miss the five seniors who have helped this program grow significantly in Jasmine Green, Downing, O’Neill, Sobieralski, and Weber.

SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL

USI OPENS THREE-GAME HOMESTAND FRIDAY

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball returns to the friendly surroundings of Liberty Arena for a three-game homestand, beginning Friday when the University of South Dakota comes to Evansville. Game time Friday is slated for 7 p.m.

Following the USI-USD matchup, the homestand continues Monday when the Screaming Eagles host Indiana State University, the 2024 NIT runner-up, for a 7 p.m. contest. The final game of the homestand is December 2 at 7 p.m. against East/West University.

All of the action from USI’s upcoming homestand 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.

The Eagles (1-4) come home after a 1-2 road across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. USI split its games in the I-64 Showcase, falling to Marshall University, 77-63, and winning dramatic fashion over Bellarmine University, 71-69, on a last second shot. The road trip finished on a sour note as the Eagles fell at Purdue University Fort Wayne, 93-74.

Junior guard Damoni Harrison led the double-digit scorers with 14.7 points per game, while junior guards Jayland Randall and Jared Washington dropped in 12.7 and 12.5 points per contest. Sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi led USI on the glass with 7.0 rebounds per game. As a team, USI was outscored, 79.7-69.3 per game, but outrebounded the home teams, 33.3-32.0 per contest. 

For the season, Randall leads USI through the first five games with 15.4 points per outing, while Harrison is close behind with 15.2 points per contest. Olowoniyi is averaging 13.2 points and is grabbing a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game, while Washington rounds out the double-digit scorers with 12.5 points per appearance.

The USD Coyotes are 4-1 in the first few weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. South Dakota started the year with wins over Texas A&M University Commerce, 91-83, and Mount Mary University, 77-47, before falling to the University of Iowa, 96-77, and defeating Dakota Wesleyan University, 92-69. The Coyotes visit Western Michigan University November 20 before playing at USI.

USI has the upper hand in the all-time series, leading 2-0. The last meeting was in the 1994 NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Springfield, Massachusetts when USI defeated South Dakota, 98-77. USI Head Coach Stan Gouard played in that game, posting 16 points, five rebounds, three blocks, and one steal.

The Sycamores of Indiana State are 2-2 to start the 2024-25 season, posting wins over Eureka University, 93-48, and Ball State University, 94-84, and losing to Florida Atlantic University, 97-64, and to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. ISU hosts Chicago State University November 22 before traveling south to play USI.

The series is tied, 1-1, after USI lost to ISU, 98-54, last season in Terre Haute, Indiana. Jeremiah  Hernandez led USI with 16 points, while A.J. Smith added 12 points in the loss.

 FACULTY AND STAFF APPRECIATION WEEKEND:

USI Athletics is celebrating Faculty and Staff Appreciation weekend by giving employees up to FOUR FREE TICKETS to one of the two home games on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 at Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles!

You can order tickets to the Men’s game at 7 p.m. November 22 against University of South Dakota OR grab tickets to see the Women’s team play at 3 p.m. Saturday against Northern Kentucky.

VALPO VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL HEADS TO MVC TOURNAMENT

Valparaiso (17-13, 9-9 MVC)

at MVC Tournament (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

Saturday, Nov. 23 – vs. Murray State (14-13, 9-9 MVC) – 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 24 – vs. UIC (21-9, 13-5 MVC) – 6 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 25 – vs. Drake (20-9, 16-2 MVC) – 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 26 – MVC Title Match – 4 p.m.

Next Up For Valpo Volleyball: The Valpo volleyball team team heads to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa this weekend as the sixth seed in the eight-team field. The Beacons, who open tournament play against seventh-seeded Murray State, will have to win four matches in four days to claim the tournament title.

Previously: Valpo posted a 2-1 record in its three-match homestand over a five-day stretch to close the regular season, taking down Indiana State in four sets and Evansville in three sets before falling to UIC in five sets in the regular season finale.

Looking Ahead: The winner of the tournament earns the MVC’s automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The NIVC is also a potential postseason landing spot for Valley teams.

Following the Beacons: Every tournament match will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The matches will have live stats available as well, linked via ValpoAthletics.com.

Head Coach Carin Avery: In her 23rd season as head coach at Valparaiso, Carin Avery is the all-time winningest head coach across all sports in the history of Valpo Athletics. She has won 506 matches (506-256, .664) at the helm of the program and has led Valpo to three league regular season and three league tournament titles. The program has made seven postseason appearances under Avery, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, and advanced to the championship match of the 2021 NIVC. Avery has coached 62 All-League recipients over her tenure at Valpo, which has spanned three different conferences. She is Valpo’s all-time leader in both victories and winning percentage, and owns a 561-280 (.667) record overall as a head coach.

Series History: Murray State – 7-2 overall; 7-2 under Coach Avery; 3-2 since MSU joined MVC

1-0 in MVC Tournament: 2022 first round – W 3-1

1-0 this season: 10/18 at MSU – W 3-1 – Carin Avery’s 500th win at Valpo – Swistek 16 kills, .324, 12 digs; Helming 14 kills, .379; Pickett 8 kills, .400, 6 blocks

UIC – 31-31 overall (most-common opponent in program history); 22-12 under Coach Avery; 0-7 since UIC joined MVC

0-1 in MVC Tournament: 2022 second round – L 3-0

0-2 this season: 10/8 at UIC – L 3-0 – Brumitt 11 kills; Warren 10 kills; Hickey 18 digs

11/19 at Valpo – L 3-2 – Warren/Helming team-high 9 kills each; Thomas 29 assists, 17 digs; Hickey 24 digs; Pickett 6 blocks

Drake – 13-9 overall; 12-8 under Coach Avery; 9-7 since joining MVC

0-2 this season: 10/5 at Valpo – L 3-1 – Swistek 15 kills, 22 digs; Warren 13 kills; Brumitt 12 kills; Merk 10 kills, .364; Hickey 33 digs

11/8 at Drake – L 3-2 – Swistek 15 kills, 11 digs; Warren 11 kills; Kois 27 assists, 13 digs; Hickey 26 digs

Tournament History: The Beacons enter the 2024 MVC Tournament with a 4-6 record since joining the Valley in conference tournament play. Valpo had won its opening-round matchup in each of its last four appearances at the tournament before falling in last year’s tournament opener to Belmont. Valpo has qualified for the MVC Tournament in each of its eight seasons in the Valley, but did not compete at the spring 2021 tournament after qualifying as the fifth seed, as it was forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues.

Winning Tradition Continues: Valpo secured a winning 2024 season with its home win over Indiana State last weekend, the 21st winning season in 23 years under head coach Carin Avery. The Beacons are also just three wins shy of the 20-win milestone, which would be the 18th 20-win campaign in Avery’s 23 seasons. Valpo has averaged 22 wins per season in Avery’s tenure.

Top Half Finishes: The Beacons finished the regular season in a tie for sixth place in the MVC standings with Murray State. Valpo has now finished in the top-half of the Valley standings in each of its eight years in the conference, the only MVC program to accomplish that feat. Going back further, Valpo has posted top-half conference finishes in 22 of Avery’s 23 seasons – as well as qualifying for the conference tournament in each of her 23 seasons – and 31 of the last 32 years overall.

The Conference Ledger: Taking a look at the Beacons’ results in MVC play, while they were unable to nick a match from the top three teams in the final regular season standings (0-6), they showcased their ability to play right with the Valley’s best, as they pushed UNI, Drake and UIC to five sets in one matchup apiece – UNI especially notable as the Panthers dropped just three other sets in MVC action. Valpo posted a perfect 3-0 mark against the teams immediately surrounding it in the standings, in fourth through seventh place, but played each of those teams just once apiece. The Beacons’ effort to finish higher up the standings was thwarted as they went just 6-3 against the conference’s bottom five squads.

Among the Valley’s Best: It’s no surprise that Valpo ranks among the top teams in the MVC in digs/set, coming into the tournament in third in the Valley in that category (17th nationally). But compared with past years, the Beacons have found themselves higher up the rankings in a number of other categories. Valpo comes into tournament play second in the MVC in opponent hitting percentage (48th nationally), third in aces/set and blocks/set and fourth in kills/set (61st nationally) and assists/set (60th nationally).

The Rookies Produce: Valpo’s freshman class has been leaned on for major production all season long. The Beacons’ rookies have accounted for 59.2% of the team’s kills, 31.4% of the aces and 72.8% of the blocks this year. That comes out to a total of 58.6% of the team’s points accounted for by freshmen, a mark which ranks third nationally among D-I programs, trailing only Mississippi Valley State and Le Moyne. Prior to this season, none of Avery’s teams in her time at Valpo have had freshmen account for even 30% of the team’s points. This year’s rookies have combined for 33 matches with double-digit kill totals and 22 outings with at least five blocks.

2000: A Digging Odyssey: Junior Emma Hickey reached yet another milestone with a dig late in the first set of the regular season finale against UIC, registering her 2,000th  career dig. It came in the 96th match of her collegiate career, matching former Illinois State standout Courtney Pence as the quickest to the milestone in MVC history. She also surpassed Rylee Cookerly and Taylor Root, who both reached the mark in their respective 101st career match, as the quickest in Valpo history to 2,000.

Near the Top Nationally: Hickey currently ranks third in D-I in digs/set (5.63) and third in total digs (659), and is poised for a third straight season ranking among the top-10 nationally in total digs and the top-15 in digs/set. With 2,022 career digs, Hickey has far and away the most digs of any active D-I junior, as number two on that list – Montana State’s Lauren Lindseth – sits at 1,447 career digs. In fact, Hickey ranks 18th nationally overall among active D-I players in career digs. 

Libero U: It’s crazy to think that having 2,022 career digs is only good for fifth in program history, but the number of talented four-year liberos Valpo has boasted over the past two decades means that’s the case for Hickey. Hickey will likely have to wait until next season to surpass Morganne Longoria for fourth, who is over 200 digs ahead of her, while Brittany Malicoat, Taylor Root and Rylee Cookerly sit even higher on the program’s digs chart. Valpo is the only MVC school which boasts five players with 2,000+ digs, while Murray State is the only other one which has even had four. In fact, four MVC programs have never had a player reach 2,000 digs and two others have just one apiece.

Senior Stalwart: With so many youngsters being asked to contribute this year, Elise Swistek has been the constant veteran presence on both sides of the ball for the Beacons. The senior ranks 14th in the conference in kills/set and 12th in digs/set, one of only two MVC players in the top-15 in both categories. Valpo’s go-to hitter this year, Swistek has paced the Beacons in kills 19 times after doing so just 20 times over her first three seasons, while 21 of her 47 career matches with 10 or more kills have come this season. She enters the MVC Tournament 13th in program history with 1,452 career digs, and with 992 career kills, she is just eight away from becoming the 20th player in program history to reach four figures in kills. Swistek also needs just five more kills to crack Valpo’s single-season top-10 in the 25-point era.

At the Helm(ing): Freshman right side Ava Helming has been perhaps the most consistent of the Beacons’ contingent of newcomers this season. Helming ranks second on the team with 269 total kills, averaging 2.45 kills/set on .259 hitting as she has posted 10 or more kills 10 times this year. Her 74 total blocks rank second on the squad as well. Her 269 kills are fourth-most by a freshman in head coach Carin Avery’s tenure, while her 74 blocks are sixth-most by a freshman under Avery – the only other Valpo freshman to rank in the top-10 in both was another right side in Morgan Beil, who turned out to be a three-time All-League performer in the Horizon League.

The Pickett Fence: Redshirt freshman middle Jessica Pickett has not only been the most dominant rookie at the net defensively in Carin Avery’s tenure at Valpo, she’s been one of the most dominant players, period. Pickett has totaled 126 blocks this year, far and away the most by a freshman under Avery as number two comes in with 97 rejections. She already ranks seventh in the 25-point era at Valpo in the single-season block department and is just four away from cracking Valpo’s overall top-10 chart. Pickett has also proven quite efficient on the attack as well, as her .342 hitting percentage would rank second in a single season in program history.

I’m About to Play My Ace: The service game has been much more of a weapon for this year’s squad than in Valpo’s recent history. The Beacons have 169 aces through 30 matches, averaging 1.43 aces/set. To put the average into context, Valpo has not averaged more than 1.20 aces/set since the 2017 season, while its high in the 25-point era is 1.46 aces/set. The 169 total aces are third-most in a season in the 25-point era, just five aces shy of second. Individually, Mara Thomas (8, Cornell) and Lilly Merk (6, Northern Illinois) have posted the program’s two highest individual single-match ace totals of the 25-point era.

Digging Deep: Valpo has continued its long tradition of strong back row play this fall, as the Beacons enter the MVC Tournament ranked 17th nationally with 17.15 digs/set. The program has ranked among the top-30 nationally in digs/set in every season since 2009, including 13 seasons among the top-20 and four seasons among the top-10 – highlighted by the 2017 campaign in which Valpo led the nation with 20.03 digs/set. Other top finishes include fourth nationally in the spring 2021 season (20.37/set), a fourth-place rank in 2010 and a sixth-place finish in 2015. Since the move to 25-point scoring, only seven teams have averaged more than 20 digs/set over the course of a season, and Valpo is the only program to have done it twice. 2018 saw Valpo lead the nation with 2,613 total digs – a mark which set a program single-season record and a Division I record in the 25-point era. Valpo also boasts two of the top-10 athletes in D-I history in career digs – Rylee Cookerly (2nd; 3,175) and Taylor Root (9th; 2,752).

INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEBSITES

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

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

77 – 9 – 5 – 49 – 36 – 27 – 14 – 33

November 21, 1902 – Baseball’s Philadelphia Athletics & Phillies form pro football teams, joining Pitts Stars in 1st attempt at a National Football League. Learn more on the the original attempt of the NFL.

November 21, 1925 – Red Grange, Number 77 played his final collegiate game at the University of Illinois game. The Wheaton Iceman signed with Chicago Bears just a day later in a move that may have saved the NFL. Learn more on the Galloping Ghost here.

November 21, 1934 – New York Yankees bought the rights to Joe DiMaggio from SF Seals (Pacific Coast League). DiMaggio wore Number 9 in his first season with the Yanks before donning the Number 5 that he made so famous.

November 21, 1952 – Dodgers pitcher Number 49, Joe Black won the National League Rookie of Year

November 21, 1956 – Don Newcombe, Number 36 of the Brooklyn Dodgers won the National League MVP as well as the 1st-ever Cy Young Award

November 21, 1972 – Red Sox, Number 27, Carlton Fisk won the American League Rookie of Year, Mets Jon Matlack wins National League Rookie honor

November 21, 1973 – Pete Rose, Number 14 of the Cincinnati Reds won the National League MVP

November 21, 1977 – Orioles 1st baseman Number 33, Eddie Murray won the American League Rookie of Year

November 21, 1978 – Bob Horner, Number 5 of Braves won the National League Rookie of Year Award

FOOTBALL HISTORY

Red Grange Leaves the Collegiate game on a High Note!

November 21, 1925 – Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio –  Red Grange played in his final collegiate game when the University of Illinois traveled to play Ohio State in a high-profile game. The big game indeed, as the over 84,000 in attendance set a national record at the time for a sporting event paid attendance, according to the elevenwarriors.com website. Grange and the Illini would not disappoint their fans that day as the final score read Illinois 14, Ohio State 9. Red Grange completed his 1923 season with 605 yards rushing, complemented by 106 yards passing, six touchdowns, and a whopping seven interceptions on defense. Talk about a well-rounded player. Right after the game, Grange signed his first pro contract with the NFL’s Chicago Bears and even completed that NFL season with the team. For more great details on Grange, you need to get a copy of the book by our friend Chris Willis, Red Grange, The Life and Legacy of the NFL’s First Superstar.

USC ends Irish Win Streak

November 21, 1931 – In one of the greatest comebacks in University of Southern California football history, the Trojans rallied from a 14 point differential with six minutes to play. It was in the final minute,  that John Baker booted a 23 yard field goal to get past the Irish 16-14 per the Irish Legends web page. After the game, USC coach Howard Jones took his entire team to visit the grave of his friend Knute Rockne in Highland Cemetery. In the chill November evening, they paid silent tribute to the fallen Irish coach. Notre Dame’s streak of twenty-six  consecutive wins had been broken.  

Old Legion Field

November 21, 1998 – Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama – This was the 63rd time that Alabama and Auburn met competitively on the gridiron. It would also be the last time that old Legion Field would be the venue of the spectacle per the Alabama News Center website.  Auburn jumped out to a 17-0 early but their lead dwindled to 3 points by halftime. The Tide made some further adjustments in the locker room and with strong defense and a couple of Shawn Alexander scores on the ground Alabama defeated Auburn 31-17 in the game dubbed the Iron Bowl.

Grey Cup

November 21, 2004 – Frank Clair Stadium, Ottawa – In the CFL’s 92nd Grey Cup the Toronto Argonauts knocked off the B.C. Lions, 27-19. This was the first Grey Cup game played on the next generation FieldTurf surface according to onthisday.com.

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Hall of Fame Birthdays for November 21

Aubrey Devine

November 21, 1897 – Des Moines, Iowa – The Great Iowa quarterback Aubrey Devine was born. Aubrey was under centre for the Hawkeyes from 1919 through the 1921 season. According to the NFF’s bio, Devine was a project by Iowa Coach Howard Jones who saw some raw qualities in Aubrey that he knew with a little coaching could become the leader his team needed to succeed.  It was in the 1921 season that the hard work and determination paid off. Aubrey Devine directed Iowa to its first undefeated and untied season at 7-0. Aubrey was awarded with All-Conference and All-America honors as the Hawkeyes out-scored their opposition, 225-36. Iowa wasted little time establishing its greatness that year, using the second game of the season to chalk up a 10-7 upset of Notre Dame, ending a 20-game Irish winning streak. The National Football Foundation selected Aubrey Devine to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.  

Sid Luckman

November 21,1916 – Brooklyn, New York –  Sid Luckman the legendary halfback from Columbia University celebrated his birth. Per the footballfoundation.org website, Luckman was a versatile player as he called signals, ran the ball, passed it, punted it, kicked extra points, and played safety on defense. He had an immediate impact on Columbia’s program for in his first game played against Maine,  he ran 40 yards for a touchdown and threw two passes for scores. In his senior year he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, threw two touchdown passes and kicked an extra point to lead Columbia to a 20-18 upset of a strong Army team.  The College Football Hall of Fame in 1960. Sid was drafted by George Halas and the Chicago Bears and he was something special for the Bears. Per the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luckman in 12 seasons playing for the Bears mastered the T-formation  and threw for 137 touchdowns and 14686 yards. Sid tossed 7 of those touchdowns in just one game ( check out the story in our November 14 post) and he tossed 5 more of them in the 1943 NFL Title game and those two games helped propel Luckman to earn the 1943 NFL MVP Award. Sid’s handling of the T-formation led to a 73-0 final score in the 1940 Championship game, and had all coaches clamoring to try and master the offense, that Sid ran so well. Among his awards, Luckman was All-NFL five times in his career. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Sid Luckman in 1965.  

Jim Ringo

November 21, 1931 – Orange , New Jersey – Jim Ringo from Syracuse University has his birth celebrated.  Profootbalhof.com tells us that Jim played center for 15 seasons in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and during his career he played on 3 Championship Teams and in 10 Pro Bowls. He was an All-League selection 7 times as an undersized lineman who used his smarts as well as speed to block the best the defenses had to offer. Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted Jim Ringo in 1981’s enshrinement class.  

Thomas Everett

November 21, 1964 – Daingerfield, Texas   – Thomas Everett the fantastic safety from Baylor University came into this world.  Thomas started out as a cornerback but coaches later moved him to safety. What a great move that was as the NFF reports that he recorded 99 tackles and made the most dramatic play of his sophomore  season against Texas. Which was a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown that sealed an upset win over the Longhorns. In his junior year he blossomed into one of the best D-backs in the nation earning first team All-America honors. In his senior year he became a unanimous All-America selection. The National Football Foundation voted Thomas Everett into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Troy Aikman

November 21,1966 – Troy Aikman the outstanding quarterback from UCLA was born. Troy started out his college career at Oklahoma University but transferred to UCLA. As a Bruin he soon became the starter and earned the honor of being named a Consensus All-American. Aikman finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 and led UCLA to a No. 1 ranking during the season per the NFF.  His 228 completions in a season is still a record and his completion percentage of 64.8% is off the charts. Troy Aikman was ushered into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.  After school Aikman was picked by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1989 NFL Draft as the number one pick. In his 12 year pro career with the Boys he made 6 Pro Bowl rosters and was at the helm of 3 Super Bowl victories. The Pro Football Hall of Fame selected Troy Aikman to join the Gold Jacket club in 2006. Since his playing days he has been one of top NFL color analysts for Fox Broadcasting.    

Michael Strahan

November 21, 1971 – Houston, Texas – Michael Strahan celebrates his birthday on this day. The Bio on Michael on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s site is really a great one. He was a second round pick of the New York Football Giants in the 1993 NFL Draft. He played for 15 seasons racking up 141.5 sacks and won the 2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Strahan’s 22-½ sacks in 2001 set an all time NFL record. He played in 7 Pro Bowl games and was All NFC and All Pro 5 times each and made the 2000’s All Decade team. Michael went out in style too as his last game was a victory in Super Bowl XLII. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Michael Strahan in 2014.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

Nov. 21

1953 — Notre Dame ties Iowa 14-14 by faking injuries in both halves. With two seconds to go in the first half, a Notre Dame player stops the clock by faking an injury and the Fightin’ Irish score on the next play. With six seconds left in the game and Notre Dame out of timeouts, two players fake injuries and the Irish score on the last play to tie the game.

1965 — The Cotton Bowl is packed with 76,251 fans, giving the Dallas Cowboys their first home sellout. The Cleveland Browns spoil the day with a 24-17 win.

1971 — The New York Rangers score eight goals in the third period of a 12-1 rout over the California Seals.

1981 — Brigham Young’s Jim McMahon passes for 552 yards in a 56-28 victory over Utah. Gordon Hudson sets the NCAA record for yards gained by a tight end with 259.

1982 — The NFL resumes play after seven weeks of the season were canceled when the NFL Players Association went on strike Sept. 23.

1987 — The Columbia Lions extend their Division I-record losing streak to 41 games with a 19-16 loss to Brown. Columbia gives up a touchdown with 47 seconds left in the game.

1987 — Southwestern Louisiana quarterback Brian Mitchell rushes for 271 yards and four touchdowns and passes for 205 yards in a 35-28 victory over Colorado State.

1998 — Villanova’s Brian Westbrook becomes the first player to record 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season and catches two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to a 27-15 victory over Rhode Island.

2004 — Roger Federer wins a record 13th straight final, beating Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-2 in the title match of the ATP Masters Cup. Federer breaks the record of 12 straight finals victories shared by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.

2008 — Michigan’s 42-7 drubbing by Ohio State put a merciful end to the worst season in Michigan’s 129 years of intercollegiate football. The Wolverines (3-9) lose the most games in school history.

2010 — Jimmie Johnson becomes the first driver in the seven-year history of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship to overcome a point deficit in the season finale, finishing second to Ford 400 winner Carl Edwards while winning his record fifth consecutive title.

2015 — Brent Burns scores twice and Patrick Marleau gets his 1,000th career point — an assist on Burns’ first goal — to lift the San Jose Sharks over the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1.

2015 — Wes Washpun scores 21 points as Northern Iowa stuns top-ranked North Carolina 71-67 for its first win over the nation’s No. 1 team. The Panthers use a 29-8 run in the second half to turn a 50-34 deficit into a 63-58 lead. The Tar Heels scheduled the trip to Cedar Falls so senior Marcus Paige could play in his home state. Paige doesn’t play because of a broken bone in his right hand.

2016 — Mackenzie Hughes holes an 18-foot par putt from off the green to win the RSM Classic and become the first rookie in 20 years to go wire-to-wire for his first PGA Tour victory. Four players return for the third extra playoff hole at the par-3 17th. Hughes makes his putt and watches Blayne Barber, Henrik Norlander and Camilo Villegas all miss par putts from 10 feet or closer.

2021 — Alexander Zverev of Germany captures his second ATP Finals men’s tennis title defeating world #2 Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 in Turin.

TV SPORTS THURSDAY

NFL REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Pittsburgh at Cleveland	8:15pm	Prime
NBA REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets	7:00pm	NBATV FanDuel Sports Southeast FanDuel Sports Detroit
Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors	7:30pm	TSportsnet FanDuel Sports North
Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs	8:00pm	KJZZ FanDuel Sports Southwest
Orlando Magic at Los Angeles Lakers	10:30pm	Spectrum FanDuel Sports Florida
NHL REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Utah at Boston	7:00pm	Utah 16 NESN
Vegas at Ottawa	7:00pm	Scripps Sportsnet
NY Islanders at Detroit	7:00pm	MSGSN FanDuel Sports Detroit
Carolina at New Jersey	7:00pm	FanDuel Sports South MSGSN
Colorado at Washington	7:00pm	ALT MNMT
Tampa Bay at Columbus	7:00pm	FanDuel Sports Sun FanDuel Sports Ohio
San Jose at St. Louis	8:00pm	FanDuel Sports Midwest NBCS-CA
Florida at Chicago	8:30pm	ESPN+ Hulu
NY Rangers at Calgary	9:00pm	MSG Sportsnet
Minnesota at Edmonton	9:00pm	FanDuel Sports North Sportsnet
COLLEGE FOOTBALL	TIME ET	TV
NC State at Georgia Tech	7:30pm	ESPN
MEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
Ohio vs. Middle Tennessee	12:00pm	ESPN2/U
Miami (FL) vs. Drake	12:00pm	ESPN2/U
Monmouth (IL) at Western Illinois	12:00pm	ESPN+
Oklahoma State vs. Florida Atlantic	2:30pm	ESPN2/U
South Florida vs. Portland	2:30pm	ESPN2/U
Seton Hall vs. VCU	5:00pm	ESPN2
Bradley vs. Texas State	5:30pm	ESPNU
Robert Morris at Cornell	6:00pm	ESPN+
UNCG at Indiana	6:30pm	FS1
Southeast Missouri at Central Arkansas	6:30pm	ESPN+
Texas vs. Syracuse	7:00pm	ESPN2
Baylor vs. St. John’s	7:00pm	CBSSN
Bryant at Stonehill	7:00pm	NEC Front Row
Mercer at South Carolina	7:00pm	ESPN+
Radford at Clemson	7:00pm	ESPN+
Eastern Michigan at Oakland	7:00pm	ESPN+
Edward Waters at North Florida	7:00pm	ESPN+
NJIT at Bucknell	7:00pm	ESPN+
Niagara at Kent State	7:00pm	ESPN+
Johnson at Chattanooga	7:00pm	ESPN+
Vanderbilt vs. Nevada	7:30pm	ESPNU
Trinity at Sam Houston	7:30pm	ESPN+
Presbyterian at Stephen F. Austin	7:30pm	ESPN+
TBA at North Texas	8:00pm	ESPN+
A&M-Commerce at Oklahoma	8:00pm	ESPN+
Oral Roberts at Ole Miss	8:00pm	ESPN+
UT Martin at A&M-Corpus Christi	8:00pm	ESPN+
Central Connecticut at Sacred Heart	8:00pm	ESPN+
Lindenwood at Valparaiso	8:00pm	ESPN+
Princeton vs. Wright State	8:00pm	ESPN+
Tarleton at Michigan	8:30pm	BTN
Grambling State at New Mexico	9:00pm	MWN
Texas Tech vs. Saint Joseph’s	9:30pm	ESPN2
Tennessee vs. Virginia	9:30pm	CBSSN
Washington State vs. Eastern Washington	9:30pm	ESPN+
Air Force at California	10:00pm	ESPN+
Oregon at Oregon State	10:00pm	ESPN+
WOMEN’S NCAA BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
Belmont at Duke	7:00pm	ACCN
Oral Roberts at Arkansas	7:00pm	SECN
GOLF	TIME ET	TV
PGA: RSM Classic	12:00pm	GOLF
LPGA: CME Group Tour Championship	3:00pm	GOLF
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Vålerenga vs Bayern München	12:45pm	DAZN
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Hammarby vs Manchester City	12:45pm	DAZN
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Arsenal vs Juventus	3:00pm	DAZN
UEFA Women’s Champions League: St. Pölten vs Barcelona	3:00pm	DAZN
Liga MX: Guadalajara vs Atlas	8:05pm	VIX
Liga MX: Tijuana vs América	10:00pm	VIX