THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” SATURDAY DECEMBER 21, 2024

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL

HOMESTEAD.COM

ADAMS CENTRAL	64	WOODLAN	48
ALEXANDRIA	52	EASTBROOK	49	OT
ANDREAN	61	KANKAKEE VALLEY	40
AVON	70	BROWNSBURG	57
BEN DAVIS	62	WARREN CENTRAL	52
BLACKFORD	56	ELWOOD	21
BLUFFTON	70	SOUTHERN WELLS	27
BOONE GROVE	76	TRI-TOWNSHIP	36
BOONVILLE	68	EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN	30
BREBEUF JESUIT	56	UNIVERSITY	40
BREMEN	44	CASTON	39
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL	78	NORTH HARRISON	35
CARMEL	48	NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)	47
CARROLL (FLORA)	62	ROSSVILLE	52
CHRISTEL HOUSE	59	TRITON CENTRAL	49
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	73	SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH)	49
CHURUBUSCO	58	PRAIRIE HEIGHTS	49
CLINTON PRAIRIE	54	FRONTIER	43
COLUMBIA CITY	60	EAST NOBLE	44
COLUMBUS NORTH	59	COLUMBUS EAST	42
CORYDON CENTRAL	62	SCOTTSBURG	33
CRAWFORDSVILLE	43	NORTH MONTGOMERY	37
CROWN POINT	77	MUNSTER	34
CULVER ACADEMY	54	MARQUETTE CATHOLIC	38
DALEVILLE	80	BLUE RIVER	63
DANVILLE	51	LEBANON	45
DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN	38	HAMMOND SCIENCE & TECH	34
DELTA	60	JAY COUNTY	44
EASTERN GREENE	51	PIKE CENTRAL	28
EASTERN HANCOCK	77	KNIGHTSTOWN	36
EVANSVILLE BOSSE	84	MADISONVILLE NORTH HOPKINS (KY.)	57
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI	56	NORTH POSEY	43
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL	68	HERITAGE HILLS	64
EVANSVILLE REITZ	60	CASTLE	55
FISHERS	65	HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN	49
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK	76	FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY	26
FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA	65	FORT WAYNE DWENGER	50
FORT WAYNE LUERS	68	HOMESTEAD	56
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	48	FORT WAYNE SOUTH	43
FORT WAYNE SNIDER	80	FORT WAYNE NORTH	51
FORT WAYNE WAYNE	61	CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)	46
FRANKLIN	35	BEECH GROVE	30
GARY 21ST CENTURY	81	HAMMOND CENTRAL	59
GIBSON SOUTHERN	58	SOUTH SPENCER	42
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL	68	YORKTOWN	41
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN	54	COVENANT CHRISTIAN	49
GREENWOOD	76	SPEEDWAY	45
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)	75	MCCUTCHEON	49
HAUSER	70	EDINBURGH	29
HENRYVILLE	64	LANESVILLE	43
HERITAGE	66	SOUTH ADAMS	29
HOBART	63	LOWELL	59
HUNTINGTON NORTH	68	LEO	59
INDIAN CREEK	51	EDGEWOOD	47
INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN	73	INDIANA MATH & SCIENCE	39
INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE	67	CENTRAL CHRISTIAN	11
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI	64	INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD	49
INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON	63	INDIANAPOLIS TECH	59
IRVINGTON PREP	67	MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN	59
KOUTS	87	WESTVILLE	49
LAPORTE	45	GRIFFITH	42
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC	57	WEST CENTRAL (ILL.)	53
LAFAYETTE JEFF	55	TRI-WEST	44
LAKELAND	57	EASTSIDE	17
LAWRENCE CENTRAL	78	PIKE	74
LAWRENCEBURG	45	RUSHVILLE	31
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN	59	ANDERSON PREP	57
LINTON	55	SHAKAMAK	41
MARION	109	KOKOMO	104	OT
MISHAWAKA MARIAN	59	LAKE CENTRAL	56
MISSISSINEWA	54	MADISON-GRANT	31
MITCHELL	59	NORTH KNOX	50
MONROE CENTRAL	65	LAPEL	50
MONROVIA	60	OWEN VALLEY	45
MOORESVILLE	64	DECATUR CENTRAL	58
MORGAN TWP.	85	HEBRON	56
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE)	64	SHELBYVILLE	57
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY)	56	WOOD MEMORIAL	50
NEW ALBANY	76	EVANSVILLE CENTRAL	68
NEW HAVEN	60	BELLMONT	56
NEW PALESTINE	73	NEW CASTLE	43
NORTH DAVIESS	58	VINCENNES RIVET	23
NORTH JUDSON	34	KNOX	19
NORTH MIAMI	60	CULVER	12
NORTHWOOD	68	PLYMOUTH	61
NORTHEASTERN	51	SHENANDOAH	45
NORTHFIELD	40	WABASH	27
NORTHVIEW	60	NORTH PUTNAM	45
NORTHWESTERN	43	ROCHESTER	31
NORWELL	55	DEKALB	44
OAK HILL	61	FRANKTON	55
PAOLI	64	AUSTIN	47
PARK TUDOR	56	INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA	43
PENN	64	MICHIGAN CITY	47
PERRY CENTRAL	59	SPRINGS VALLEY	50
PIONEER	46	ARGOS	44
PLAINFIELD	75	PERRY MERIDIAN	50
PRINCETON	54	VINCENNES LINCOLN	35
PROVIDENCE	57	FLOYD CENTRAL	45
RISING SUN	59	NEW WASHINGTON	56
RIVER FOREST	69	ILLIANA CHRISTIAN	63	OT
RIVERTON PARKE	71	DUGGER UNION	33
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY	57	OHIO COUNTY (KY.)	55
SHAWE MEMORIAL	97	CROTHERSVILLE	91	2OT
SHERIDAN	83	EASTERN (GREENTOWN)	49
SILVER CREEK	71	JEFFERSONVILLE	63
SOUTHMONT	58	WESTERN BOONE	54
SOUTHPORT	67	BLOOMINGTON NORTH	52
SOUTHRIDGE	39	JASPER	35
SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER)	72	JAC-CEN-DEL	57
SULLIVAN	61	GREENCASTLE	45
TAYLOR	61	DELPHI	33
TECUMSEH	61	TELL CITY	50
TERRE HAUTE NORTH	62	BLOOMINGTON SOUTH	43
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH	66	SOUTH VERMILLION	56
TIPPECANOE VALLEY	58	PERU	41
TIPTON	67	LOGANSPORT	52
TRI-CENTRAL	64	CLINTON CENTRAL	51
TRI	69	COWAN	38
TRITON	61	WINAMAC	38
TWIN LAKES	71	FRANKFORT	25
UNION CITY	63	UNION (MODOC)	33
VICTORY COLLEGE PREP	46	EMINENCE	37
WAPAHANI	74	WES-DEL	35
WARSAW	67	WAWASEE	48
WASHINGTON	57	LOOGOOTEE	32
WEST LAFAYETTE	80	BENTON CENTRAL	72
WEST NOBLE	46	CENTRAL NOBLE	41
WEST VIGO	46	SOUTH PUTNAM	38
WESTERN	47	HAMILTON HEIGHTS	45
WESTFIELD	57	NOBLESVILLE	50
WESTVIEW	50	ANGOLA	46
WHITE RIVER VALLEY	77	LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN	41
WHITELAND	51	CENTER GROVE	48
WHITKO	40	LEWIS CASS	37
WINCHESTER	61	UNION COUNTY	40
ZIONSVILLE	66	FRANKLIN CENTRAL	37
BI COUNTY TOURNAMENT
COVINGTON	45	FOUNTAIN CENTRAL	36
MCLEAN COUNTY (KY.) TOURNAMENT
HENRY COUNTY (KY.)	49	EVANSVILLE DAY	44
WASHINGTON COUNTY INVITATIONAL
WEST WASHINGTON	39	SALEM	32
BORDEN	60	EASTERN (PEKIN)	46

INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL

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ALEXANDRIA	58	EASTBROOK	13
ANDERSON	58	MUNCIE CENTRAL	57
BATESVILLE	54	RICHMOND	42
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH	79	GREENWOOD	30
BREBEUF JESUIT	52	PERRY MERIDIAN	33
BROWNSBURG	66	AVON	65	OT
CARMEL	49	NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)	45
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)	57	FORT WAYNE WAYNE	43
CENTER GROVE	35	WHITELAND	24
CENTERVILLE	39	HAGERSTOWN	17
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN	35	INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE	20
CENTRAL NOBLE	50	WEST NOBLE	18
CHICAGO PHILLIPS (ILL.)	56	HAMMOND CENTRAL	43
CHURUBUSCO	52	PRAIRIE HEIGHTS	40
CLINTON CENTRAL	58	TRI-CENTRAL	35
CULVER	62	CAREER ACADEMY	4
DANVILLE	62	LEBANON	29
DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN	50	NORTH NEWTON	11
DELPHI	63	TAYLOR	30
EASTERN HANCOCK	67	KNIGHTSTOWN	25
ELWOOD	42	BLACKFORD	30
EMINENCE	59	VICTORY COLLEGE PREP	12
FAIRFIELD	50	ELKHART CHRISTIAN	34
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK	61	FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY	26
FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA	55	FORT WAYNE DWENGER	38
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	62	FORT WAYNE SOUTH	18
FORT WAYNE SNIDER	62	FORT WAYNE NORTH	33
GRIFFITH	67	WHITING	43
GUERIN CATHOLIC	54	PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD	50
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN	47	FISHERS	34
HAUSER	47	EDINBURGH	35
HOMESTEAD	81	FORT WAYNE LUERS	17
INDIAN CREEK	49	EDGEWOOD	39
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD	61	INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI	53
INDIANAPOLIS HERRON	63	HORIZON CHRISTIAN	22
JASPER	31	SOUTHRIDGE	27
KOKOMO	56	MARION	44
LAVILLE	48	CULVER ACADEMY	35
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC	68	WEST CENTRAL (ILL.)	31
LAKE CENTRAL	36	CROWN POINT	27
LAWRENCE CENTRAL	71	PIKE	61
LAWRENCE NORTH	57	WARREN CENTRAL	45
LINTON	49	SHAKAMAK	40
MANCHESTER	46	SOUTHWOOD	42
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC	64	WESTVILLE	42
MCCUTCHEON	64	HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)	24
MERRILLVILLE	57	MICHIGAN CITY	47
MOORESVILLE	59	DECATUR CENTRAL	56
MORRISTOWN	76	TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN	27
MUNSTER	58	TF SOUTH (ILL.)	35
NORTH DECATUR	63	WALDRON	44
NORTH MONTGOMERY	33	CRAWFORDSVILLE	20
NORTHRIDGE	62	GOSHEN	17
NORTHVIEW	59	NORTH PUTNAM	24
OLDENBURG ACADEMY	47	FRANKLIN COUNTY	32
PLAINFIELD	68	MARTINSVILLE	34
PORTAGE	38	LAPORTE	35
ROSSVILLE	36	CARROLL (FLORA)	33
SHERIDAN	72	EASTERN (GREENTOWN)	15
SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH)	59	CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	46
SOUTH PUTNAM	52	WEST VIGO	37
SOUTHMONT	60	WESTERN BOONE	29
SULLIVAN	65	GREENCASTLE	37
TRI-TOWNSHIP	51	BOONE GROVE	22
TRI	53	COWAN	7
UNION CITY	41	CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN	39
VALPARAISO	63	CHESTERTON	35
BI COUNTY TOURNAMENT
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL	46	COVINGTON	25	R1
SEEGER	36	ATTICA	32	R1
HENRY COUNTY (KY.) CLASSIC
GRANT COUNTY (KY.)	47	PROVIDENCE	44
ANDERSON COUNTY (KY.)	74	SWITZERLAND COUNTY	35

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING RESULTS

DUAL RESULTS: HTTPS://INDIANAMAT.COM/INDEX.PHP?/DUALRESULTS.HTML/BOYS-DUAL-RESULTS/

TOURNAMENT RESULTS: HTTPS://INDIANAMAT.COM/INDEX.PHP?/CURTOURNAMENTRESULTS.HTML/

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TOP 25:

#12 TEXAS A&M 77 HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 45

#19 CINCINNATI 66 #22 DAYTON 59

ELSEWHERE:

VALPO 76 WESTERN MICHIGAN 73

PURDUE FT. WAYNE 103 DEFIANCE 52

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TOP 25:

#20 MICHIGAN 96 AKRON 55

#18 TENNESSEE 92 RICHMOND 67

ALABAMA 82 #15 MICHIGAN STATE 67

#16 KENTUCKY 84 BELMONT 78

#22 IOWA 92 NORTHERN IOWA 86

#11 OHIO STATE 84 STANFORD 59

#1 UCLA 70 CREIGHTON 41

ELSEWHERE:

WISCONSIN 69 ALBANY 59

EAST TENNESSEE STATE 54 IU INDY 41

ILLINOIS 69 SOUTHERN 57

MINNESOTA 96 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 57

NFL WEEK 16 SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

HOUSTON TEXANS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1:00P NBC)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4:30P FOX)

SUNDAY, DEC. 22

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS 1:00P FOX)

NEW YORK GIANTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1:00P FOX)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS (1:00P CBS)

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1:00P FOX)

DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS (1:00P FOX)

TENNESSEE TITANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1:00P CBS)

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT NEW YORK JETS (1:00P CBS)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P FOX)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4:05P FOX)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4:25P CBS)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (4:25P CBS)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, DEC. 23

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (8:15P ESPN)

NFL WEEK 17 SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25 (CHRISTMAS)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1:00P NETFLIX)

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (4:30P NETFLIX)

THURSDAY, DEC. 26

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CHICAGO BEARS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)

SATURDAY, DEC. 28

TBD TBD (1:00P NFL NETWORK)

TBD TBD (4:30P NFL NETWORK)

TBD TBD (8:00P NFL NETWORK)

SATURDAY GAME POOL:

DENVER BRONCOS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

SUNDAY, DEC. 29

NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS (1:00P CBS)

TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1:00P CBS)

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P FOX)

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1:00P FOX)

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1:00P CBS)

DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4:25P FOX)

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, DEC. 30

DETROIT LIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8:15P ESPN/ABC)

NFL WEEK 18 SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JAN. 4 OR SUNDAY, JAN. 5

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT DENVER BRONCOS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS

CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

NOTRE DAME 27 INDIANA 17

OHIO 30 JACKSONVILLE STATE 27

FLORIDA 33 TULANE 8

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

NO. 10 SMU AT NO. 4 PENN STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 12 P.M. | TNT/MAX

NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS SEMIFINALS) | 12 P.M. | ABC

VALDOSTA STATE VS. FERRIS STATE (DII CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN MCKINNEY, TEXAS) | 2 P.M. | ESPN2

MONTANA STATE VS. SOUTH DAKOTA (FCS SEMIFINALS) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC

NO. 16 CLEMSON AT NO. 3 TEXAS (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 4 P.M. | TNT/MAX

NO. 7 TENNESSEE AT NO. 6 OHIO STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND) | 8 P.M. | ABC/ESPN

NORTH CENTRAL (IL) VS. SUSQUEHANNA (DIII SEMIFINALS) | TBA | ESPN+

MOUNT UNION VS. JOHNS HOPKINS (DIII SEMIFINALS) | TBA | ESPN+

MONDAY, DEC. 23

COASTAL CAROLINA VS. UTSA (MYRTLE BEACH BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN

NORTHERN ILLINOIS VS. FRESNO STATE (FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN

TUESDAY, DEC. 24

SOUTH FLORIDA VS. SAN JOSE STATE (HAWAI’I BOWL) | 8 P.M. | ESPN

THURSDAY, DEC. 26

PITT VS. TOLEDO (GAMEABOVE SPORTS BOWL) | 2 P.M. | ESPN

RUTGERS VS. KANSAS STATE (RATE BOWL) | 5:30 P.M. | ESPN

ARKANSAS STATE VS. BOWLING GREEN (68 VENTURES BOWL) | 9 P.M. | ESPN

FRIDAY, DEC. 27

NAVY VS. OKLAHOMA (ARMED FORCES BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ESPN

GEORGIA TECH VS. VANDERBILT (BIRMINGHAM BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN

ARKANSAS VS. TEXAS TECH (LIBERTY BOWL) | 7 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 21 SYRACUSE VS. WASHINGTON STATE (HOLIDAY BOWL) | 8 P.M. | FOX

USC VS. TEXAS A&M (LAS VEGAS BOWL) | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN

SATURDAY, DEC. 28

UCONN VS. NORTH CAROLINA (FENWAY BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN

BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NEBRASKA (PINSTRIPE BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ABC

TCU VS. LOUISIANA (NEW MEXICO BOWL) | 2:15 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 13 MIAMI (FLA.) VS. NO. 18 IOWA STATE (POP-TARTS BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC

COLORADO STATE VS. MIAMI (OHIO) (ARIZONA BOWL) | 4:30 P.M. | CW NETWORK

NC STATE VS. EAST CAROLINA (MILITARY BOWL) | 5:45 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 17 BYU VS. NO. 23 COLORADO (ALAMO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC

NO. 22 ARMY VS. LOUISIANA TECH (INDEPENDENCE BOWL) | 9:15 P.M. | ESPN

MONDAY, DEC. 30

NO. 19 MISSOURI VS. IOWA (MUSIC CITY BOWL) | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN

TUESDAY, DEC. 31

NO. 11 ALABAMA VS. MICHIGAN (RELIAQUEST BOWL) | 12 P.M. | ESPN

LOUISVILLE VS. WASHINGTON (SUN BOWL) | 2 P.M. | CBS

NO. 15 SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NO. 20 ILLINOIS (CITRUS BOWL) | 3 P.M. | ABC

LSU VS. BAYLOR (TEXAS BOWL) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 9 BOISE STATE VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — FIESTA BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1

NO. 12 ARIZONA STATE VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — PEACH BOWL) | 1 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 1 OREGON VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — ROSE BOWL) | 5 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 2 GEORGIA VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS — SUGAR BOWL) | 8:45 P.M. | ESPN

THURSDAY, JAN. 2

NO. 14 OLE MISS VS. DUKE (GATOR BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

FRIDAY, JAN. 3

NORTH TEXAS VS. TEXAS STATE (FIRST RESPONDER BOWL) | 4 P.M. | ESPN

MINNESOTA VS. VIRGINIA TECH (DUKE’S MAYO BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

SATURDAY, JAN. 4

LIBERTY VS. BUFFALO (BAHAMAS BOWL) | 11 A.M. | ESPN2

SUNDAY, JAN. 5

TBD VS. TBD (DIII STAGG BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN HOUSTON, TEXAS) | TBA | ESPN

MONDAY, JAN. 6

TBD VS. TBD (FCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN FRISCO, TEXAS) | 7 P.M. | ESPN

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — ORANGE BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

TBD VS. TBD (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL GAME — COTTON BOWL) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

MONDAY, JAN. 20

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

NBA

PHILADELPHIA 108 CHARLOTTE 98

CLEVELAND 124 MILWAUKEE 101

OKLAHOMA CITY 104 MIAMI 97

NHL

MONTRÉAL 4 DETROIT 3

TORONTO 6 BUFFALO 3

FLORIDA 2 ST. LOUIS 1 OT

WASHINGTON 3 CAROLINA 1

NY RANGERS 3 DALLAS 1

UTAH 2 MINNESOTA 1

COLORADO 4 ANAHEIM 2

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

CHAMPIONSHIP-SUNDAY

PENN STATE VS. LOUISVILLE 3:00

TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/NEWS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NOTRE DAME HOLDS OFF INDIANA, FACES GEORGIA IN CFP QUARTERFINAL

Riley Leonard passed for 201 yards and one touchdown and rushed for another score as No. 7 seed Notre Dame held on for a 27-17 win against No. 10 seed Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff tournament on Friday night in South Bend, Ind.

Jeremiyah Love rushed for a 98-yard touchdown and tallied 126 total yards for Notre Dame (12-1). The Fighting Irish advanced to the CFP quarterfinals, where they will face No. 2 seed Georgia on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Kurtis Rourke completed 20 of 33 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Indiana (11-2). Myles Price and Omar Cooper Jr. each caught a touchdown pass.

Notre Dame outgained Indiana 394-278, including a 193-63 advantage on the ground.

Notre Dame opened the scoring with 10:57 to go in the first quarter.

The Fighting Irish got the ball on their own 2-yard line after All-America safety Xavier Watts picked off an errant pass from Rourke. Moments later, Love took a handoff, bounced off a defender and outraced the Indiana secondary for a 98-yard touchdown.

It was the longest rushing play in a CFP game, surpassing Ezekiel Elliott’s 85-yard touchdown run for Ohio State in 2015.

Notre Dame increased its lead to 14-0 with 12:52 left in the second quarter. Leonard hit Jayden Thomas on a play-action pass for a 5-yard touchdown.

Indiana pulled within 14-3 on Nicolas Radicic’s 34-yard field goal with 3:26 to go in the first half.

The Fighting Irish regained a 14-point lead with seven seconds left in the half on Mitch Jeter’s 49-yard field goal.

Jeter connected again, this time from 33 yards, to put Notre Dame on top 20-3 with 4:21 remaining in the third.

Leonard, who completed 23 of 32 passes and rushed for 30 yards, set the record for most rushing touchdowns by a Fighting Irish quarterback in a season with 15. He scored from the 1-yard line with 4:50 left in regulation, breaking a tie with Brandon Wimbush, who ran for 14 TDs in 2017.

Indiana notched its first touchdown with 1:27 remaining. Rourke connected with Price for a 7-yard score. Rourke converted a two-point conversion moments later with a pass to Elijah Sarratt to pull the Hoosiers within 27-11.

Cooper caught a 23-yard TD pass from Rourke with 25 seconds to go. The Hoosiers failed to convert a two-point conversion, and Notre Dame recovered an onside kick to seal the victory.

NFL CAPSULES WEEK 16

HOUSTON TEXANS (9-5) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (13-1)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: KC leads series, 7-5 (won 3 of past 4)

Postseason: KC leads series, 2-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/18/22: KC 30 at HOU 24 (OT)

Postseason: AFC-D 1/12/20: HOU 31 at KC 51

TEXANS NOTES:

TEXANS clinched AFC South division title for 2nd straight season. • QB C.J. STROUD completed 18 of 26 atts. (69.2 pct.) for 131 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 106.4 rating last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 0 INTs & 95+ rating. Has 0 INTs in 3 of past 4 on road. Needs 252 pass yards to become 9th QB ever with 3,500+ pass yards in each of 1st 2 seasons. • RB JOE MIXON had 56 scrimmage yards (33 rec., 23 rush) last week with 5 catches & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 10 of his 11 games this season. Has 100+ rush yards & rush TD in each of his 6 road games this season. Had 87 scrimmage yards (65 rush, 22 rec.) & TD catch in his last game vs. KC (12/31/23 w/ Cin.). Needs 90 rush yards for 5th-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. • WR NICO COLLINS had season-high 2 rec. TDs in Week 15, 2nd-career game with 2 TD catches. Has 50+ rec. yards in 10 of his past 11 & in each of his past 5 on road. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 94.3 rec. yards per game in 2024. • WR TANK DELL has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3 on road. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ aims for 3rd in row on road with 5+ catches. Had 6 catches for 53 yards in only career game vs. KC (11/21/21 w/ Dal.). • DE DANIELLE HUNTER had 2 TFL & 1.5 sacks last week. Has 10 TFL & 6.5 sacks in his past 4. Has PD in 2 of past 3 on road. Has 0.5+ sacks in each of 3 career games vs. KC. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 12 sacks in 2024, 5th-career season with 12+ sacks, tied-most among active players. • DE WILL ANDERSON had sack & 1st-career FF in Week 15. Has sack in 2 of past 3. Anderson (10.5) & Hunter only pair of teammates each with 10+ sacks in 2024. • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O led team with 11 tackles & had half sack & 1st FF of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. • CB DEREK STINGLEY had 2 INTs & 2 TFL in Week 15, 2nd-career game with 2 INTs. Aims for 3rd in row with 2+ PD & INT. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 17 PD in 2024.

CHIEFS NOTES:

CHIEFS clinched AFC West division title for 9th-straight season, 2nd-longest streak of division titles since 1970 (New England – 11 straight from 2009-19). Can win 14 games for 3rd time in franchise history (2022 & 2020). • QB PATRICK MAHOMES had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs last week, 74th-career game with 2+ TD passes, tied with HOFer Peyton Manning for most-ever by QB in 1st 8 seasons. Aims for 5th in row with 0 INTs. Has 9 TDs (8 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT with 115.5 rating in 3 career starts vs. Hou., with 2+ TD passes in each start. Needs 3 TD passes to tie Peyton Manning (244) for most TD passes ever in 1st 8 seasons. • QB CARSON WENTZ can make 1st start of season. Is 2-0 with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 117.3 rating in 2 career starts vs. Hou. • RB ISIAH PACHECO has 60+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his 5 games this season. Rushed for 86 yards in last meeting. • RB KAREEM HUNT rushed for 45 yards last week. Had rush TD in his last game vs. Hou. (12/24/23 w/ Cle.) & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 4 of 5 career games vs. Hou. • TE TRAVIS KELCE aims for 5th in row with 4+ catches. Had 10 catches for 105 yards in last meeting. Ranks 3rd among TEs with 84 catches in 2024. • WR DEANDRE HOPKINS aims for 5th in row with 4+ catches. Has 7 catches in 2 of 3 career games vs. Hou. Spent 1st 7 career seasons with Hou. (2013-19) & ranks 2nd in franchise history in catches (632), rec. yards (8,602) & rec. TDs (54). • WR XAVIER WORTHY (rookie) aims for 4th in row with 5+ catches. • DT CHRIS JONES aims for 4th in row with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 vs. Hou. Is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ sacks in each of past 8 seasons. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS had season-best 2 sacks last week. • DT TERSHAWN WHARTON aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB DRUE TRANQUILL had 5 tackles, half sack & FR last week. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 11 tackles in his last game vs. Hou. (10/2/22 w/ LAC). • LB NICK BOLTON had half sack & 1st INT of season in Week 15.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-4) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-5)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: PIT leads series, 33-24 (won 8 of past 9)

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

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 11/17/24: BAL 16 at PIT 18

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

STEELERS NOTES:

STEELERS secured 21st-consecutive season without losing record, tied with 1965-85 Dallas Cowboys for longest streak in NFL history. • QB RUSSELL WILSON completed 14 of 22 atts. (63.6 pct.) for 128 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 94.5 rating last week, 4th-straight game with 90+ rating. Has 0 INTs in 3 of past 4. Passed for 205 yards in Week 11 meeting. Needs 3 TD passes to become 4th player ever with 350+ TD passes in 1st 13 seasons. • RB NAJEE HARRIS has 50+ scrimmage yards in 13 of 14 games this season. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3. Had 93 scrimmage yards (63 rush, 30 rec.) in Week 11 meeting & has 90+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. Bal. Needs 109 rush yards to become 4th player since 2000 & 1st since Adrian Peterson (2007-10) with 1,000+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in each of 1st 4 seasons. • RB JAYLEN WARREN has 60+ scrimmage yards in 5 of past 6. Had 68 scrimmage yards (41 rush, 27 rec.) in Week 11 meeting. • WR GEORGE PICKENS has 70+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6. Had 8 catches for 89 yards in Week 11 meeting. • WR CALVIN AUSTIN led team with 5 catches for 65 yards last week. • TE PAT FREIERMUTH aims for 4th in row with TD catch. • LB T.J. WATT had 7 tackles, 2 sacks & FF in Week 15, 25th-career game with 2+ sacks, tied with HOFer Richard Dent for 4th-most in 1st 8 seasons since 1982. Has 2 sacks & FF in 2 of past 3. Has 0.5+ sacks in each of his past 11 vs. Bal. & full sack in each of his past 9. Leads NFL with 6 FFs & ranks tied-3rd with 11.5 sacks in 2024. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH has 2 TFL & sack in 3 of his past 4, incl. in each of past 2. • LB PATRICK QUEEN led team with 11 tackles last week, 3rd-straight with 9+ tackles. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD has 2 TFL & sack in 2 of past 3. Had 2 PD in Week 11 meeting. • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK had 8 tackles & TFL last week.

RAVENS NOTES:

RAVENS lead NFL in total offense (424.1 yards per game) this season. • QB LAMAR JACKSON completed 21 of 25 atts. (84 pct.) for 290 yards & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 154.6 rating & rushed for 65 yards last week, becoming 1st player ever with 5 TD passes, 50+ rush yards & 80+ comp. pct. in reg. season game. Aims for 4th in row with 2+ TD passes, 0 INTs & 100+ rating. Has 6,001 career rush yards, becoming 2nd QB ever with 6,000+ rush yards (Michael Vick – 6,109). • RB DERRICK HENRY aims for 14th in row with 65+ rush yards. Has rush TD in 5 of 6 home games this season. Rushed for 65 yards & TD in Week 11 meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Pit. with rush TD. Tied for NFL lead with 15 TDs (13 rush, 2 rec.) & ranks 2nd with 1,599 scrimmage yards (1,474 rush, 125 rec.) in 2024. • RB JUSTICE HILL had 5 catches for 61 yards & TD last week. Has 60+ scrimmage yards & TD in 2 of past 3. • WR ZAY FLOWERS aims for 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in Week 11 meeting. Needs 84 rec. yards for 1st-career 1,000-yard season. • WR RASHOD BATEMAN had 80 rec. yards & career-high 2 TD catches last week. Has TD catch in 2 of past 3. • TE MARK ANDREWS aims for 4th in row with TD catch. Aims for 3rd in row at home with 65+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Pit. with 85+ rec. yards. • LB ROQUAN SMITH aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 13 tackles & 2 TFL in Week 11 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Pit. with 11+ tackles. • LB KYLE VAN NOY aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Had sack & FF in last home meeting. • LB MALIK HARRISON had 6 tackles & sack last week. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. • S AR’DARIUS WASHINGTON had 5 tackles & 2nd INT of season in Week 15. Had season-high 12 tackles & TFL in Week 11 meeting. • CB MARLON HUMPHREY had TFL last week. Had INT in Week 11 meeting.

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-12) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (7-7)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: ATL leads series, 14-11 (won 4 of past 5)

Postseason: NYG leads series, 1-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 9/26/21: ATL 17 at NYG 14

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/8/12: ATL 2 at NYG 22

GIANTS NOTES:

QB TOMMY DEVITO completed 10 of 13 atts. (76.9 pct.) for 68 yards in Week 15. Has 6 TD passes in 5 career road starts. • QB DREW LOCK has 414 pass yards & rush TD in 5 games (2 starts) in 2024. Passed for 313 yards & had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) in his only career start vs. Atl. (11/8/20 w/ Den.). • QB TIM BOYLE passed for 123 yards & TD in Week 15. His last start came against Atl. (12/3/23 w/ NYJ.). • RB TYRONE TRACY ranks 2nd among rookies in rush yards (695) & 4th in scrimmage yards (915). Aims for his 4th in row on road with rush TD. • RB DEVIN SINGLETARY had 4th rush TD of season last week. • WR MALIK NABERS had 10 catches for 82 yards & rec. TD in Week 15 & became 4th rookie ever with 3+ games (3) with 10+ catches. Has 90 career catches & joined Odell Beckham Jr. (91) as only players ever with 90+ catches in 1st 12 career games. Can become 4th rookie all-time with 100+ receptions. Can become 3rd rookie ever (Anquan Boldin & Terry Glenn) with 5+ catches in 12 games. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON has career-high 71 receptions in 2024. Has 5+ catches in 4 of his past 5 on road. • LB BRIAN BURNS had 8th sack of season last week & became 6th player since 2000 with 7.5+ sacks in each of his 1st 6 seasons. Is 1 of 3 (Maxx Crosby & Myles Garrett) with 13+ TFL in each of past 4 seasons. Had 2 sacks in his last game at Atl. (9/10/23 w/ Car.). • LB BOBBY OKEREKE needs 7 tackles for 4th-straight 100+ tackle season. • LB MICAH MCFADDEN had 11 tackles & career-high 3rd sack of season last week. Has career-high 102 tackles in 2024. • S DANE BELTON led team with career-high 14 tackles & had 2nd-career sack in Week 15.

FALCONS NOTES:

QB KIRK COUSINS ranks 7th in NFL with 3,508 pass yards in 2024, his 9thcareer season with 3,500+ pass yards. Needs 2 TD passes for 9th-career season with 20+ TD passes. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYG with 295+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON had 135 scrimmage yards (125 rush, 10 rec.) last week, his 10th game with 100+ scrimmage yards in 2024, 2nd=most in NFL (Saquon Barkley – 11). Ranks 3rd in NFL with career-high 1,513 scrimmage yards. Aims for his 4th in row at home & 4th in row overall with 100+ scrimmage yards. • WR DRAKE LONDON had 53 rec. yards & 7th TD catch of season last week. Is 1 of 5 with 11+ games (11) with 50+ rec. yards in 2024. Has career highs in catches (78), rec. yards (919) & rec. TDs (7) in 2024. Had TD catch in 3 of his past 4 at home. • WR DARNELL MOONEY has 5+ catches in 3 of his past 4 at home. Has 3 rec. TDs in his past 4 home games. Has TD catch in 2 of his 3 career games vs. NYG. • S JESSIE BATES had 3rd INT of season in Week 15, his 23rd-career INT. Is 1 of 3 (Tyrann Mathieu & Justin Simmons) with 3+ INTs in 6 of past 7 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with PD. • S JUSTIN SIMMONS had 2nd INT of season last week & is only player with 2+ INTs in each of past 9 seasons. • LB KADEN ELLISS led team with 11 tackles & had 4th sack of season last week. Has career-high 123 tackles in 2024. Aims for his 4th in row with sack & 5th in row with TFL. Has 5+ tackles in 13 of his 14 games this season. • DL GRADY JARRETT aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Needs TFL for 4thcareer season with 10+ TFL. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYG with sack. • DL KENTAVIUS STREET had career-high 3 TFL in Week 15. • LB DEANGELO MALONE had 1st-career 2-sack game last week.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-7) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-11)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: CAR leads series, 12-5 (won 4 of past 5)

Postseason: CAR leads series, 2-1 (won past 2)

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 10/2/22: ARI 26 at CAR 16

Postseason: NFC-C 1/24/16: ARI 15 at CAR 49

CARDS NOTES:

QB KYLER MURRAY passed for 224 yards in Week 15 & has 3,086 pass yards in 2024, his 4th-career 3,000-yard season. Needs 45 rush yards for 3rdcareer season with 500+ rush yards. Has TD pass in 10 of his past 11 road starts. Has 8 TDs (7 pass, 1 rush) vs. 3 INTs for 93 rating in 3 career starts vs. Car., incl. 2+ TD passes in each game. • RB JAMES CONNER had 5 catches, 138 scrimmage yards (110 rush, 28 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in Week 15, his 8th game with 100+ scrimmage yards in 2024, tied 3rd-most in NFL. Has 1,334 scrimmage yards (973 rush, 361 rec.) & can reach 1,400 scrimmage yards (2018) & 1,000 rush yards (2023) for 2nd time in his career. Has rush TD in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Car. • TE TREY MCBRIDE had 9 catches for 87 yards last week & is 1 of 2 TEs (Brock Bowers) with 4+ games (4) with 9+ catches in 2024. Ranks 2nd among TEs with career highs in catches (89) & rec. yards (938). Can become 1st TE ever with 5+ catches in 11 straight road games. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 95+ rec. yards. Has 199 career receptions entering Week 16. • WR MICHAEL WILSON has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. ranks 2nd among rookies with 7 rec. TDs. • S BUDDA BAKER had 10 tackles last week, his 7th game with 10+ tackles this season. Can join Pat Tillman (2000) & Eric Weddle (2008) as only DBs since 2000 with 8 games of 10+ tackles in a season. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 142 tackles in 2024 & can set new career high in tackles (147 in 2019). • LB KYZIR WHITE led team with 12 tackles in Week 15 & has 111 tackles in 2024, his 3rd-career 100+ tackle season. Has TFL in 5 of his 6 road games this season. • LB BARON BROWNING aims for his 4th in row with TFL. • DL DARIUS ROBINSON (rookie) had 1st-career sack in Week 15.

PANTHERS NOTES:

QB BRYCE YOUNG had 2nd career game with pass TD & rush TD last week. Aims for his 8th in row with TD pass. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with rush TD. Can reach 2,000 pass yards & 10 TD passes for 2nd-straight season. • RB CHUBA HUBBARD has career highs in scrimmage yards (1,201), rush yards (1,043), scrimmage TDs (9) & rush TDs (8) in 2024, his 1st-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. • WR ADAM THIELEN had 5 catches for 51 yards last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ catches & 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Needs 82 rec. yards for his 8th-career season with 500+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 vs. Ari. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Ari. with 5+ catches. • WR JALEN COKER had career-high 110 rec. yards & 2nd-career rec. TD last week, 1st Car. rookie with 100+ rec. yards since 2018 (DJ Moore). • LB D.J. WONNUM had 1st PD of season last week. Has sack in 3 of his 5 games this season. • LB JOSEY JEWELL led team with 10 tackles & had career-high 6th PD of season last week. Has sack in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 4th in row with 10+ tackles. Needs 9 tackles for 3rd-straight & 4th-career 100+ tackle season. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY had 5th-career game with 2 PD in Week 15. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home & TFL in 3 of his past 4 at home. Has 4 TFL, 3 sacks & INT-TD in 4 career games vs. Ari. • DE A’SHAWN ROBINSON leads all DL with 66 tackles in 2024. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with TFL. • CB JAYCEE HORN had 2nd-career sack last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Has career-high 13 PD in 2024 & aims for his 3rd in row at home with PD. • S XAVIER WOODS needs 4 tackles for 2nd-career 100+ tackle season (2021).

DETROIT LIONS (12-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS (4-10)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: CHI leads series, 105-79-5 (DET won 4 of past 5)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 11/28/24: CHI 20 at DET 23

Postseason: —

LIONS NOTES:

QB JARED GOFF passed for 494 yards & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 118.9 rating in Week 15, 2nd-most pass yards in single game in career & 3rd-career game with 5 TD passes. Became 1st player ever with 4 career games with 400+ pass yards, 4+ TD passes & 0 INTs. Became 5th QB ever with 40+ games (40) with 300+ pass yards in 1st 9 seasons. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 3,759 pass yards & can record 5th-career 4,000-yard season. Ranks 2nd among qualified passers with 110.4 rating this season. Ranks 4th in NFL with 30 TD passes & can set new career high in TD passes (32 in 2018). Had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 100.2 rating in Week 13 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS had 5 catches, 114 scrimmage yards (career-high 83 rec., 31 rush) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in Week 15, his 2nd-career game with both rush TD & rec. TD. Has career highs in scrimmage yards (1,442), rush yards (1,047) & scrimmage TDs (14) in 2024. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 13 of his 14 career road games. Has rush TD in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Chi. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Chi. with 80+ scrimmage yards. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY has 307 scrimmage yards (102.3 per game) & rush TD in 3 career games vs. Chi. Had 4,849 scrimmage yards & 30 TDs (26 rush, 4 rec.) in 60 games (2019-22) with Chi. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rush TD. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN had career highs in catches (14) & rec. yards (193) & had 10th TD catch of season last week. Has 410 career catches, 2nd-most by player in 1st 4 seasons all-time. Needs 5 catches to become 3rd player ever (Brandon Marshall & Michael Thomas) with 100+ catches in 3 of his 1st 4 career seasons. Has TD catch in 7 of his past 8 on road. Gibbs, Montgomery & St. Brown are 1st trio ever with 1,000+ scrimmage yards & 10+ scrimmage TDs in consecutive seasons. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 5th rec. TD of season last week. • TE SAM LAPORTA had 7 catches for 111 yards in Week 15, his 2nd-career 100- yard game. Had 2 rec. TDs in Week 13 meeting. • DB KERBY JOSEPH aims for his 3rd in row vs. Chi. with PD. • DB BRIAN BRANCH had career-high 15 tackles, 2 TFL & PD in Week 15. Has career highs in tackles (85), & PD (14) this season. • LB JACK CAMPBELL had 10 tackles in Week 15 & has 103 tackles in 2024, his 1st-career 100-tackle season.

BEARS NOTES:

QB CALEB WILLIAMS passed for 191 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs in Week 15 & has 286 consec. pass atts. without INT, most by any rookie in NFL history & longest active streak in NFL. Passed for 256 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 97.8 rating in Week 13 meeting. Needs 63 pass yards for 1st-career 3,000-yard season. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had 89 scrimmage yards (79 rush, 10 rec.) in Week 15. Had 74 scrimmage yards (39 rush, 35 rec.) in Week 13 meeting & aims for his 6th in row at Soldier Field with 65+ scrimmage yards. Had 2,878 scrimmage yards & 25 TDs (18 rush, 7 rec.) in 40 games (2020-22) with Det. • WR DJ MOORE had 8 catches & 70 scrimmage yards (46 rec., 24 rush) in Week 15 & is 1 of 3 WRs (Davante Adams & Tyreek Hill) with 750+ scrimmage yards in each of past 7 seasons. Aims for his 6th in row with 6+ catches. Has 6 TDs (5 rec., 1 rush) in 6 career games vs. Det. & aims for his 5 in row vs. Det. with TD catch. Had 8 catches for 97 yards & rec. TD in Week 13 meeting. • WR KEENAN ALLEN had 6 catches for team-high 82 rec. yards & rec. TD in Week 15. Is 1 of 3 active WRs (Mike Evans & DeAndre Hopkins) with 11 seasons with 50+ rec. & 500+ rec. yards. Has 39 catches (9.8 per game), 512 rec. yards (128 per game) & 4 rec. TDs in 4 career games vs. Det. Had 5 catches for 73 yards & 2 TDs in Week 13 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Det. with 5+ catches & 2+ rec. TDs. • WR ROME ODUNZE (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row at home with 5+ catches. • S KEVIN BYARD had 6 tackles & PD last week. Ranks 3rd among DBs with 105 tackles in 2024, his 4th-career 100-tackle season. Aims for his 4th in row with PD. Had 10 tackles & PD in Week 13 meeting. • LB T.J. EDWARDS led team with 8 tackles & had sack in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with 8+ tackles, 2 TFL & sack. Has 10 TFL in 2024, his 2nd-career 10+ TFL season. Is 1 of 4 with 110+ tackles in each of past 4 seasons. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS has INT in 2 of his past 3 vs. Det. • DB JONATHAN OWENS has PD in 2 of his past 3, incl. PD in Week 13 meeting. • DB TYRIQUE STEVENSON had 2 PD & 2nd INT of season in Week 15.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-11) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-8)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: CIN leads series, 54-48 (won 3 of past 4)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 10/20/24: CIN 21 at CLE 14

Postseason: —

BROWNS NOTES:

QB JAMEIS WINSTON completed 16 of 25 atts. (64 pct.) last week. Has 1,104 pass yards (368 per game) & 8 TD passes in 3 road starts this season. • QB DORIAN THOMPASON-ROBINSON can make 4th-career start & 1st in 2024. • RB JEROME FORD had season-high 104 scrimmage yards (season-high 84 rush, 20 rec.) & rush TD last week, 4th-career 100-yard game. Has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. • WR JERRY JEUDY led team with 11 catches for 108 yards last week, 7thstraight game with 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards, longest active streak in NFL. Since Week 8, ranks 2nd in NFL with 786 rec. yards. Aims for 4th in row on road with TD catch & has 140+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3 on road. Has career highs in catches (70) & rec. yards (1,052) this season. • TE DAVID NJOKU aims for his 3rd in row with 7+ catches & rec. TD. Had 10 catches for 76 yards & TD in Week 7 meeting. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Cin. Has 50+ catches (56) for 3rd-straight season. • DE MYLES GARRETT had TFL & PD last week, 4th-straight game with TFL. Has 12 sacks in 11 career games vs. Cin., with sack in 7 of his past 8. Aims for his 8th in row vs. Cin. with TFL. Ranks tied-5th in NFL with 11 sacks in 2024, 5th-straight season with 11+ sacks. • DT SHELBY HARRIS had TFL last week & has TFL in 3 of past 4. Had only full sack of season in Week 7 meeting. • LB JORDAN HICKS aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. • CB DENZEL WARD aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Has 2 PD in 2 of past 3 on road. Has 19 PD in 10 career games vs. Cin., with 2+ PD in 7 of his past 8 vs. Cin., incl. 2 PD in Week 7 meeting. Leads NFL with career-high 19 PD in 2024. • S GRANT DELPIT had 9 tackles in Week 15, 7th-straight game with 6+ tackles.

BENGALS NOTES:

QB JOE BURROW completed 26 of 37 atts. (70.3 pct.) for 271 yards & 3 TDs with 95.7 rating last week, becoming 5th player ever with 3+ TD passes in 6 straight games. Has 300+ pass yards in 4 of past 5. Aims for 7th in row with 95+ rating. Had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs with 108.9 rating in Week 7 meeting & has 2+ TD passes in 5 of 7 career starts vs. Cle. Leads NFL with 3,977 pass yards & 36 TD passes in 2024 & is 5th QB ever with 35+ TD passes in 2 of 1st 5 seasons. • RB CHASE BROWN led team with 113 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 16 rec.) & had 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) last week, 4th-straight game with 100+ scrimmage yards, longest active streak in NFL. Aims for 4th in row with TD. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 9 catches for 94 yards in Week 15, 10th-straight game with 5+ catches & 5th-straight game with 75+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 4 of past 5. Had rec. TD in Week 7 meeting. Leads NFL in catches (102), rec. yards (1,413) & rec. TDs (15) in 2024 & is 5th player ever with 100+ catches, 1,400+ rec. yards & 15+ rec. TDs in a season. Needs 43 rec. yards for new single-season franchise record. • WR TEE HIGGINS had 5 catches for 88 yards & TD last week. Has 65+ rec. yards & TD catch in 4 of his past 5. Had 82 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 7 meeting. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON had TFL & 2nd FF of season in Week 15. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Had 2 sacks & PD in Week 7 meeting & has 0.5+ sacks in 5 of 6 career games vs. Cle. Leads NFL with 12.5 sacks in 2024, 4th-career season with 12+ sacks. • DT B.J. HILL aims for 4th in row with sack. Had PD in Week 7 meeting. • LB SAM HUBBARD had 1st-career TD catch last week, only rec. TD by DL this season. • CB CAM TAYLOR-BRITT had 6 tackles & INT last week. Has INT in 2 of past 3. • CB MIKE HILTON last week became 3rd player this season with 3 TFL & INT in a game. • S GENO STONE had 39-yard INT-TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with INT. Had INT in Week 7 meeting & has INT in 2 of his past 3 vs. Cle.

TENNESSEE TITANS (3-11) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-8)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: IND leads series, 38-21 (won past 3)

Postseason: TEN leads series, 1-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 10/13/24: IND 20 at TEN 17

Postseason: AFC-D 1/16/20: TEN 19 at IND 16

TITANS NOTES:

QB WILL LEVIS has 2 TD passes in each of his past 3 road starts, with 120+ rating in 2 of 3. Won only road start vs. divison this season (Week 12 at Hou.). • QB MASON RUDOLPH completed 21 of 26 atts. (80.8 pct.) for 209 yards & 2 TDs with 109.8 rating last week. Won only career start vs. Ind., completing 26 of 35 atts. (74.3 pct.) for 191 yards & TD (11/3/19 w/ Pit.). • RB TONY POLLARD rushed for 45 yards & TD last week. Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4 overall & in each of 7 road games this season. Has 194 scrimmage yards (97 per game) & 3 rush TDs in 2 career games vs. Ind. Has 341 scrimmage yards (113.7 per game) & 2 rush TDs in 3 games vs. division this season. Needs 18 rush yards for 3rd-straight season with 1,000+ rush yards. • RB TYJAE SPEARS had 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) with season-high 6 catches & 87 rec. yards last week, 2nd-career game with 2 TDs. Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 2 of 3 career games vs. Ind. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY aims for 10th in row with 40+ rec. yards. Had 8 catches for 101 yards & TD in his last game at Ind. (9/10/23 w/ Jax.). • WR NICK WESTBROOK-IKHINE has TD catch in 4 of past 5 on road. • TE CHIG OKONKWO had career-high 8 catches for 59 yards in Week 15. • TE JOSH WHYLE had season-best 5 catches, incl. 1st TD of season last week. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS had 7 tackles & 2 TFL last week. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles & 3rd in row with TFL. Had TFL in Week 6 meeting. • LB HAROLD LANDRY aims for 5th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with sack. • LB ARDEN KEY has TFL in 5 of past 6 on road. Tied career high with 6.5 sacks in 2024. • LB LUKE GIFFORD had 8 tackles & 1st-career INT last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. • CB DARYL WORLEY had 1st INT of season last week. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles.

COLTS NOTES:

QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON has rush TD in 3 of past 4, incl. each of past 2. Aims for 4th in row with 45+ rush yards. Aims for his 4th in row at home with 0 INTs. Ranks tied-4th among QBs with career-high 5 rush TDs this season. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR had 107 rush yards last week, 7th game this season with 100+ scrimmage yards, tied-most in AFC. Aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 4th in row vs. division with rush TD. Has 1,033 scrimmage yards (911 rush, 122 rec.) in 2024, 4th-career 1,000-yard season. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN aims for 5th in row with 5+ catches & 40+ rec. yards. Has 95+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ten. with TD catch. Is 4th player in franchise history with 500+ rec. yards in each of 1st 5 seasons. • WR JOSH DOWNS had 7 catches for 66 yards & TD in Week 6 meeting. Had 6 catches for 97 yards in last home meeting. Aims for 3rd in row vs. division with rec. TD. • TE KYLEN GRANSON had season-high 47 rec. yards in Week 15. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 9 tackles, 2 TFL & INT last week. Aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles & TFL. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Had 9 tackles & TFL in Week 6 meeting. Leads NFL with 144 tackles in 2024. • LB E.J. SPEED had 13 tackles in Week 15, 8th game this season with 10+ tackles, tied-most in NFL. Ranks tied-4th in NFL with 130 tackles this season. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER aims for 5th in row with TFL & 4th in row with sack. Has 6+ tackles in 5 of past 6. Has sack in 2 of his 3 home games this season. • S NICK CROSS had INT last week. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. Has 8+ tackles in each of 6 home games this season. Ranks 6th in NFL with 129 tackles in 2024. • CB SAMUEL WOMACK had 2 PD & 1st INT of season in Week 15.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-6) AT NEW YORK JETS (4-10)

Sunday, December 22, 2024 | 1:00 PM ET | MetLife Stadium | Referee: Ron Torbert

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: LAR leads series, 10-5 (NYJ won 3 of past 4)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/20/20: NYJ 23 at LAR 20

RAMS NOTES:

QB MATTHEW STAFFORD has 3,463 pass yards in 2024, his 12th-career 3,000-yard season. Has 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 4 of his past 5. Has 2 TD passes & rush TD in 2 of his 3 career games vs. NYJ. Ranks 10th all-time in pass yards (59,510) & TD passes (376). • RB KYREN WILLIAMS rushed for 108 yards in Week 15, his 9th-career game with 100+ rush yards. Has 26 straight games with 50+ scrimmage yards, tied-longest active streak in NFL. Aims for his 14th in row on road with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has 1,280 scrimmage yards (1,121 rush, 159 rec.) & can set new career highs in scrimmage yards (1,350 in 2023) & rush yards (1,144 in 2023). • WR COOPER KUPP has 63 catches for 657 yards in 2024 & can reach 70 catches for 5th time in his career. Had 5 catches in last meeting. • WR PUKA NACUA had 7 catches & 108 scrimmage yards (97 rec., 11 rush) in Week 15. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on road. Can become 3rd player in SB era (Odell Beckham Jr. & Justin Jefferson) with 12 games of 100+ rec. yards in 1st 2 career seasons. • LB BYRON YOUNG had career-high 11th TFL of season last week. Has 11 TFL in his past 12 on road. • DE KOBIE TURNER had 2 sacks last week, his 3rd-career game with 2+ sacks. Has career-high 9 TFL in 2024. • LB JARED VERSE leads all rookies with 11 TFL. • DE BRADEN FISKE leads all rookies with 6 sacks & ranks 2nd with 8 TFL. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 9 tackles & 1st-career sack last week. Has career highs in tackles (118) & TFL (5) in 2024. Aims for his 6th in row with 8+ tackles. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4 on road.

JETS NOTES:

QB AARON RODGERS totaled 334 yards (289 pass, season-high 45 rush) with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 120 rating last week, 159th-career game with 2+ TD passes, tied with HOFer Brett Favre for 4th-most ever. Has 2+ TD passes in 3 of past 4 overall & in 5 of 6 home games this season. Has 0 INTs in 6 of past 7. Is 6-1 with 16 TDs (14 pass, 2 rush) vs. 4 INTs & 107.6 rating in 7 career starts vs. Rams. Needs 2 TD passes for 14th-career season with 25+ TD passes, tied with Drew Brees for 3rd-most all-time. • RB BREECE HALL had 51 scrimmage yards (30 rush, 21 rec.) & rush TD last week, his 8th-straight game with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 2 of his past 3. • RB ISAIAH DAVIS (rookie) has TD in 2 of past 3. • WR GARRETT WILSON had 56 rec. yards & 6th TD of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 55+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in 5 of 6 home games this season. Needs 67 rec. yards to become 5th player ever with 80+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 seasons. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS had 9 catches for 198 yards & 2 TDs in Week 15, 18thcareer game with 100+ rec. yards & 2+ rec. TDs, tied with HOFer Don Hutson for 4th-most ever. Aims for 4th in row with rec. TD & 3rd in row with 9+ catches & 100+ rec. yards. Has 308 rec. yards (102.7 per game) in 3 career games vs. LAR. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS has sack in 3 of past 4 at home. Had sack in last meeting. • DE SOLOMON THOMAS had sack last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had PD last week. Has 6+ tackles in each of 6 home games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NFC with sack & FF. • LB HAASON REDDICK has TFL in 2 of past 3. Had 2 sacks in his last game vs. LAR (10/8/23 w/ Phi.) & aims for his 5th in row vs. LAR with TFL. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had 2 PD & INT in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with 2 PD. • S JALEN MILLS had 1st INT & FF of season last week.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (12-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (9-5)

Sunday, December 22, 2024 | 1:00 PM ET | Northwest Stadium | Referee: Shawn Smith

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: WAS leads series, 88-85-5 (PHI won 6 of past 7)

Postseason: WAS leads series, 1-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 11/14/24: WAS 18 at PHI 26

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/5/91: WAS 20 at PHI 6

EAGLES NOTES:

EAGLES have won franchise-record 10 straight games. • QB JALEN HURTS passed for 290 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 125.3 rating & rushed for 45 yards & TD in Week 15, his NFL-high 14th rush TD of season, tied 3rd-most by QB ever in single season (Hurts & Josh Allen – 15 rush TDs in 2023). Has 9 games with both pass TD & rush TD in 2024 & can join Allen (11 games in 2023) as only QBs with 10 such games in single season. Needs 2 TD passes to become 1st QB ever with 20+ TD passes & 10+ rush TDs in 3 career seasons & 3 straight seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row at Was. with 300+ pass yards, 3+ TD passes & 120+ rating. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY leads NFL in scrimmage yards (1,964) & rush yards (1,688) in 2024. Can become 4th player ever with 2,000 scrimmage yards with multiple teams. Has 110+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his 7 road games this season & aims for his 8th in row on road in 2024 with 75+ scrimmage yards. Has 1,362 scrimmage yards (136.2 per game) & 10 TDs (6 rush, 4 rec.) in 10 career games vs. Was., incl. 198 scrimmage yards (146 rush, 52 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in Week 11 meeting. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Was. with 115+ scrimmage yards & 6th in row vs. Was. with TD. • WR A.J. BROWN had 8 catches for 110 yards & 5th rec. TD of season last week & became 5th player ever with 50+ catches & 5+ rec. TDs in each of 1st 6 seasons. Is 1 of 2 (Terry McLaurin) with 5 games of 100+ rec. yards in 2024. Needs 54 rec. yards for 5th-career 1,000-yard season. Has 5 rec. TDs in 5 career games vs. Was., incl. 130 rec. yards & 2 rec. TDs in last road meeting. • WR DEVONTA SMITH had career-high 11 receptions for 109 yards & 6th rec. TD of season last week, his 10th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Had 99 rec. yards & TD catch in last road meeting. • LB ZACK BAUN (career-high 133 tackles, 3rd in NFL) & LB NAKOBE DEAN (career high 116) are only pair of NFC teammates each with 115+ tackles in 2024. • LB JOSH SWEAT had 8th sack of season last week. Has sack in 5 of his past 6 vs. Was. • DT JALEN CARTER has career-high 12 TFL in 2024. • CB DARIUS SLAY had 5th-career FR last week. Leads NFL with 158 PD since 2013. • S REED BLANKENSHIP had 10 tackles & INT in Week 11 meeting.

COMMANDERS NOTES:

QB JAYDEN DANIELS completed 25 of 31 atts. (80.6 pct.) with 292 yards (226 pass, 66 rush) & 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 118.5 rating in Week 15 & became 1st rookie & 5th player ever with 4 games (min. 20 attempts) with 80+ comp. pct. in single season. Became 4th rookie QB ever with 3,000+ pass yards (3,045) & 500+ rush yards (656). Can become 3rd rookie QB ever (Robert Griffin III & Cam Newton) with 700+ rush yards. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with 2+ TD passes & rush TD. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON had 87 scrimmage yards (65 rush, 22 rec.) in Week 15 & has 3rd-straight season with 700+ rush yards (705). Has rush TD in 3 of his 4 career games vs. Phi. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Phi. with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN led team with 7 catches for 73 yards & had 2 rec. TDs in Week 15, his 4th game with 2 rec. TDs in 2024, 2nd-most in NFL. Has career-high 11 rec. TDs this season. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ catches, 70+ rec. yards & TD catch. Became 4th player ever with 50+ catches & 900+ rec. yards in each of his 1st 6 seasons. Needs 31 rec. yards for 5th-straight 1,000-yard season. Has 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards in each of his 5 career home games vs. Phi. • TE ZACH ERTZ spent 9 seasons (2013-21) with Phi. & ranks 2nd in catches (579) & 4th in rec. yards (6,267) in Eagles franchise history. • LB BOBBY WAGNER had 97th-career TFL last week. Is 1 of 4 (Budda Baker, Zaire Franklin & Robert Spillane) with 5+ tackles in 14 games this season. • LB FRANKIE LUVU had 10 tackles & 2 sacks in Week 11 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row at home with TFL. Needs TFL for 3rd-straight 10+ TFL season. • DE DORANCE ARMSTRONG had 4th sack of season last week. • DT DARON PAYNE aims for his 4th in row with 0.5+ sacks & TFL. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL had 2 PD & 2nd-career INT last week. Ranks tied-1st among rookies with 11 PD.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (12-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-6)

Sunday, December 22, 2024 | 4:05 PM ET | Lumen Field | Referee: Craig Wrolstad

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: SEA leads series, 12-6 (won 6 of past 7)

Postseason: SEA leads series, 1-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 9/26/21: SEA 17 at MIN 30

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/10/16: SEA 10 at MIN 9

VIKINGS NOTES:

VIKINGS clinched playoff berth for 2nd time in past 3 seasons (2022). • QB SAM DARNOLD has career highs in pass yards (3,530) & TD passes (29) in 2024. Is only player with 10 games of 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating this season & has 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 5 of his 6 road starts in 2024. • RB AARON JONES had 106 scrimmage yards (86 rush, 20 rec.) & 5th rush TD of season last week, his 50th-career rush TD. Since 2017, is 1 of 3 (Alvin Kamara & Christian McCaffrey) with 50+ rush TDs & 20+ rec. TDs (20). Has 1,301 scrimmage yards (979 rush, 322 rec.) in 2024, his 4th-career 1,300- yard season & can reach 1,000 rush yards for 4th time in his career. Has 95+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his 6 road games in 2024. Incl. playoffs, has 2 TDs in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Sea. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON had 7 catches for 73 yards & 8th rec. TD of season last week. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 1,243 rec. yards in 2024. Has most rec. yards (7,142) & 4th-most catches (474) by player in 1st 5 seasons all-time. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch & 4th in row with 7+ catches. Had 9 catches for 118 yards & TD in last meeting. • WR JORDAN ADDISON had 7 catches for 63 yards last week & aims for his 6th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON has 5+ catches in 4 of his past 5 on road & 50+ rec. yards in 7 of his past 8 road games. Had 8 catches for career-high 179 yards & 2 rec. TDs in his only career game vs. Sea. (10/2/22 w/ Det.). • LB BLAKE CASHMAN had 3rd-career FR last week. Has 5+ tackles in 7 of his past 8. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL has career highs in sacks (9) & TFL (15) in 2024. • LB JONATHAN GREENARD had 11th sack & 4th FF of season last week. Has sack & FF in 3 of his past 4 & TFL in 8 of his past 9. • CB BYRON MURPHY has INT in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Sea. with PD. • S HARRISON SMITH had 2 PD last week & needs PD for 6th-career 10-PD season. Is only DB with 75+ tackles in each of past 9 seasons. • S JOSH METELLUS led team with 10 tackles last week, his 4th-career game with 10+ tackles. Has 5+ tackles in 12 of his past 13 games.

SEAHAWKS NOTES:

QB GENO SMITH ranks 2nd in NFL in completions (339) & 3rd in pass yards (3,623) in 2024, his 3rd-straight season with 3,500+ pass yards. • QB SAM HOWELL can make 1st start of season in Week 16. Has 4,139 pass yards & 28 TDs (22 pass, 6 rush) in 20 career games (18 starts). • RB KENNETH WALKER has 50+ scrimmage yards in 17 of his 20 career reg. season home games. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with 90+ scrimmage yards. • RB ZACH CHARBONNET had 66 scrimmage yards (54 rush, 12 rec.) & 8th rush TD of season last week. Aims for his 4th in row with rush TD. • WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA had 10 catches for 83 yards last week & is 1 of 5 in NFL with 3 games of 10+ catches in 2024. Needs 6 rec. yards for 1st-career 1,000+ rec. yard season. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. • WR DK METCALF can become 5th player ever with 50+ catches & 900+ rec. yards in each of his 1st 6 seasons. Had 6 catches for 107 yards & TD in last meeting & had 6 catches for 93 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last home meeting. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Min. with 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. • WR TYLER LOCKETT is 1 of 4 (Mike Evans, DeAndre Hopkins & Travis Kelce) with 500+ rec. yards in each of past 10 seasons. • DE LEONARD WILLIAMS has 8 TFL in his past 4 & aims for his 5th in row with TFL. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. Is only DL with 40+ tackles in each of past 10 seasons. • LB ERNEST JONES had 9 tackles & 1st FF of season in Week 15. Has 116 tackles in 2024, his 3rd-straight 100-tackle season. Has 8+ tackles in each of his 7 games with Sea. • CB RIQ WOOLEN aims for his 5th in row at home & 5th in row overall with PD. Is 1 of 5 with 10+ PD in each of past 3 seasons. • S JULIAN LOVE had 4th-career FR last week. Needs 6 tackles for 3rdstraight season with 100+ tackles. Has 4 PD in his past 4.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-11) AT BUFFALO BILLS (11-3)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: NE leads series, 77-49-1 (BUF won 4 of past 5)

Postseason: Series tied, 1-1

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/31/23: NE 21 at BUF 27

Postseason: AFC-WC 1/15/22: NE 17 at BUF 47

PATS NOTES:

QB DRAKE MAYE (rookie) completed 19 of 23 atts. (82.6 pct.) for 202 yards & TD with 99.6 rating & had rush TD last week. Has 95+ rating in 3 of past 4. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 68.5 comp. pct. & 88.4 rating (min. 100 atts.). • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON has 75+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5. Aims for 3rd in row with 85+ scrimmage yards. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in each of 4 career games vs. Buf. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3 vs. division. Needs 105 scrimmage yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season. • RB ANTONIO GIBSON aims for 3rd in row with 60+ scrimmage yards. Had 104 scrimmage yards, incl. career-long 73-yard TD catch, in only career game at Buf. (9/26/21 w/ Was.). • TE HUNTER HENRY aims for 5th in row with 4+ catches. Ranks 5th among TEs with career-high 62 catches in 2024 • TE AUSTIN HOOPER has TD catch in 2 of past 3. • WR DEMARIO DOUGLAS had 2nd rec. TD of season last week. Has 4+ catches in 5 of past 6. Has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3 on road. • WR KENDRICK BOURNE had 63 rec. yards & TD in his last game vs. Buf. (10/22/23). • LB JAHLANI TAVAI had 7 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 9 of past 10. Has PD in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & TFL in last meeting. • LB ANFERNEE JENNINGS had 7 tackles & 1st FF of season last week. • CB CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ had career-high 3 PD in Week 15. Aims for 4th in row with PD. Has PD in 5 of 6 career games vs. division. • S KYLE DUGGER led team with 10 tackles & had TFL last week, 3rd-straight game with TFL. Has PD in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles, FF & PD in last meeting. • S JABRILL PEPPERS aims for his 4th in row with 7+ tackles & 3rd in row with TFL. Had 8 tackles & INT in his last game vs. Buf. (10/22/23).

BILLS NOTES:

BILLS clinched AFC East division title for 5th-straight year, longest streak in franchise history. Are 5th team ever with 30+ points in 8 straight games in a season. • QB JOSH ALLEN totaled 430 yards (362 pass, 68 rush) & 4 TDs (2 pass, 2 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 122.4 rating last week, becoming 2nd player ever with 350+ pass yards, 50+ rush yards, 2 TD passes & 2 rush TDs in a game. Is 1st player ever with 2+ TD passes & 2+ rush TDs in consecutive games. Has 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating in 5 of 6 home starts this season & in 4 of his past 5 vs. NE. Can become 2nd QB ever (Justin Fields) with rush TD in 6 straight games. • RB JAMES COOK ties season high with 133 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 28 rec.) & has 2 rush TDs last week, 4th game this season with 2+ rush TDs, tied with Saquon Barkley for most in NFL. Has rush TD in 4 of past 5. Ranks tied-2nd in NFL with career-high 13 rush TDs, tied 2nd-most ever by Buf. RB. • RB TY JOHNSON had 5 catches for career-high 114 yards last week, most rec. yards by RB in a game this season. Aims for 3rd in row with 55+ scrimmage yards. • RB RAY DAVIS (rookie) had TD catch in Week 15. Has TD in 2 of past 3. • WR KHALIL SHAKIR aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches & rec. TD. • WR AMARI COOPER had rec. TD in his last game vs. NE (10/16/22 w/ Cle.). • TE DALTON KINCAID had season-best 53 rec. yards last week. • LB TERREL BERNARD had 10 tackles & TFL in Week 15, his 7th-straight game with 8+ tackles. Had 10 tackles, 3 TFL & 2 sacks in last meeting. • DE GREG ROUSSEAU had sack last week & has sack in 2 of past 3. Has 9 TFL in 6 home games this season. Ranks tied-4th in NFL with 16 TFL in 2024. • DT ED OLIVER had sack & FF in Week 15. Had sack in last meeting. • CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD had 6 tackles, sack, FF & PD last week. Aims for 5th in row with PD & 3rd in row with 6+ tackles. Had FF & FR in last meeting.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-11) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-12)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: JAX leads series, 6-4 (won past 2)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 11/6/22: LV 20 at JAX 27

Postseason:

JAGS NOTES:

QB MAC JONES set season highs in completions (31), pass yards (294) and rush yards (29) with 2 TD passes last week. Has 2 TD passes in 2 of past 3. Completed 24 of 33 atts. (72.7 pct.) in his last start vs. LV (10/15/23 w/ NE). • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE tied season high with 85 scrimmage yards (65 rush, 20 rec.) last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 70+ scrimmage yards. Had 126 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 17 rec.) in last meeting. • RB TANK BIGSBY aims for 3rd in row with 40+ scrimmage yards. • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. had career-high 10 catches for 105 yards & careerbest 2 TDs last week, becoming 6th rookie in NFL history with 10+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & 2+ rec. TDs in a game. Aims for 5th in row with 75+ rec. yards. Leads rookies with 956 rec. yards, most-ever by Jax. rookie. • WR PARKER WASHINGTON has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. • TE BRENTON STRANGE set career highs in catches (11) & rec. yards (73) in Week 15, tied most-ever catches by Jax. TE in a game. Thomas Jr. & Strange became 4th pair of teammate each under 24 with 10+ catches in same game. • DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN has sack in 2 of past 3. Has 7 sacks in 2024 & is 1 of 4 in AFC with 7+ sacks in each of past 4 seasons. • DE TRAVON WALKER had TFL last week & has TFL in 2 of past 3. • LB DEVIN LLOYD has 5+ tackles in 5 of past 6. Had FR & PD in last meeting. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN had TFL in Week 15. Had 9 tackles & TFL in last meeting. • LB JEREMIAH LEDBETTER had 2nd sack of season last week. Has TFL in 4 of his 5 road games this season. • S DARNELL SAVAGE had 5 tackles & 2 PD in Week 15. Has 5+ tackles in 3 of past 4. • CB JARRIAN JONES (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with 2+ PD. • CB TYSON CAMPBELL led team with 6 tackles & had PD last week.

RAIDERS NOTES:

QB DESMOND RIDDER completed 23 of 39 atts. (59 pct.) for 208 yards & TD in 1st start of season last week. Passed for 191 yards & TD in only career start vs. Jax. (10/1/23 w/ Atl.). • QB AIDAN O’CONNELL has 2+ TD passes & 110+ rating in 2 of his past 3 home starts. • RB AMEER ABDULLAH had season-high 66 scrimmage yards (career-high 58 rec., 8 rush) & 3rd TD catch of season last week. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. Aims for 3rd in row at home with TD catch. • RB SINCERE MCCORMICK has 65+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. • TE BROCK BOWERS ranks tied-4th in NFL with 90 catches & 8th with 968 rec. yards this season, most catches ever by rookie TE & 3rd-most rec. yards. Needs 109 rec. yards to surpass HOFer Mike Ditka (1,076 in 1961) for mostever by rookie TE. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS aims for 5th in row with 5+ catches & 55+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in each of his 5 home games this season. Had 8 catches for 73 yards & TD in only career game vs. Jax. (1/2/22 w/ NE). Needs 65 rec. yards for new career high (866 in 2021). • DT ADAM BUTLER had 6 tackles, sack & PD last week. Aims for 6th in row with TFL & 4th in row with 0.5+ sacks. • DE TYREE WILSON had 2 TFL & 4th sack of season in Week 15. Aims for 4th in row with at home with sack. • DE K’LAVON CHAISSON aims for 4th in row with TFL & has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of past 3. Was selected in 1st round (20th overall) by Jax. in 2020. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 8 tackles & 2nd INT of season in Week 15. Is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ tackles in 14 games this season. • S ISAIAH POLA-MAO led team with career-high 9 tackles last week.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-8) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-8)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: MIA leads series, 8-6 (Home team won 4 of past 5)

Postseason: SF leads series, 1-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/4/22: MIA 17 at SF 33

Postseason: SB XIX 1/20/85: MIA 16 vs. SF 38

49ERS NOTES:

QB BROCK PURDY has 23 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 123.3 rating in his past 10 road starts, with 100+ rating in 8 of 10 games. Passed for 210 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT in last meeting, his 1st-career game with 10+ pass attempts. • RB ISAAC GUERENDO (rookie) had 75 scrimmage yards (57 rush, 18 rec.) in Week 15 & aims for his 3rd in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had 4 catches for 61 yards last week. Has 7,135 career rec. yards & can surpass Rob Gronkowski (7,179) for 2nd-most by TE in 1st 8 seasons all-time. Can become 4th TE ever with 20 games of 100+ rec. yards in 1st 8 career seasons. Ranks 3rd among TEs with 861 rec. yards in 2024 & can become 5th TE ever with 4 career seasons with 1,000+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 4 of his 5 road games this season. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL needs 7 catches for 5th-career 50+ catch season. Had 6 catches for 58 yards in last meeting. • WR JAUAN JENNINGS has career highs in catches (59), rec. yards (805) & rec. TDs (6) in 2024. Has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. • LB FRED WARNER tied his career high with 15 tackles & had PD last week. Has 106 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 5 with 100+ tackles in each of past 7 seasons. Had INT in last meeting. • LB DRE GREENLAW had 8 tackles in season debut last week. Had 8 tackles & FR-TD in last meeting. • DL NICK BOSA had 3 sacks, 2 TFL & FF in last meeting. Has 13 TFL & 8.5 sacks in his past 13 road games. • DL LEONARD FLOYD has 5.5 sacks in his past 5. • CB CHARVARIUS WARD has 5+ tackles in 7 of his past 8. • CB DEOMMODORE LENOIR had 2 PD last week. Had INT in last meeting.

DOLPHINS NOTES:

QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 29 of 40 atts. (72.5 pct.) & had TD pass in Week 15. Has 70+ comp. pct. in 8 games this season, tied most in AFC. Leads NFL with 75.6 comp. pct. & ranks 2nd with 2,169 pass yards since Week 8. Had 295 pass yards & 2 TDs in last meeting. • RB DE’VON ACHANE led team with 76 scrimmage yards (41 rush, 35 rec.) last week, 3rd-straight with 65+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 4 of past 5. Aims for 5th in row at home with TD. Has 626 scrimmage yards (89.4 per game) & 5 TDs (3 rush, 2 rec.) in 7 career games vs. NFC. • WR TYREEK HILL has TD catch in 2 of past 3 at home. Had 9 catches for 146 yards & TD in last meeting. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE aims for 3rd in row at home with 8+ catches & 95+ rec. yards. • WR MALIK WASHINGTON (rookie) led team with career-high 52 rec. yards last week. • TE JONNU SMITH had 9 catches for 48 yards & TD in Week 15. Has TD catch in 4 of past 5. Set career highs in catches (70) and rec. yards (740) in 2024. • DE CALAIS CAMPBELL had TFL last week, 12th-career season with 10+ TFL, most since 2000. Had 8 tackles & PD in his last game vs. SF (12/24/17 w/ Jax.). Has sack in 2 of his past 3 vs. SF. • DT ZACH SIELER had 1.5 sacks in Week 15. Aims for 7th in row with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in each of 2 career games vs. SF. • LB JORDYN BROOKS led team with 8 tackles & had TFL & 2nd FR of season in Week 15. Aims for 7th in row with TFL. Has 69 tackles (8.6 per game) in 8 career games vs. SF. • LB CHOP ROBINSON had 1.5 sacks last week. Has 5 sacks in 2024, tied 2ndmost among rookies. • CB JALEN RAMSEY has PD in 4 of past 5. Aims for his 6th in row, incl. playoffs, vs. SF with PD. Had 6 tackles, 2 PD & FF in his last vs. SF (10/30/22 w/ LAR).

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-6) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (6-8)

Sunday, December 22, 2024 | 8:20 PM ET | AT&T Stadium | Referee: Land Clark

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: DAL leads series, 13-6 (Home team won 5 of past 6)

Postseason: DAL leads series, 3-0

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 9/11/22: TB 19 at DAL 3

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/16/23: DAL 31 at TB 14

BUCS NOTES:

QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 288 yards & 4 TDs vs. INT for 135.3 rating in Week 15 & is 1 of 3 (Joe Burrow & Lamar Jackson) with 3+ games (3) with 4+ TD passes in 2024. Ranks 3rd in TD passes (career-high 32) & 4th in pass yards (3,617) this season. Aims for his 3rd in row with 285+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes. Has 90+ rating in 6 of his 7 road starts in 2024. • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 81 scrimmage yards (64 rush, 17 rec.) & 6th rec. TD of season in Week 15, tied-most among RBs. Has TD in 7 of his past 8. Needs 88 scrimmage yards for 2nd-straight 1,000-yard season. • RB BUCKY IRVING (rookie) rushed for 117 yards in Week 15, his 2nd-career game with 100+ rush yards. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. Leads all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,148) & rush yards (852). • WR MIKE EVANS had 9 catches for 159 yards & 2 TDs in Week 15, his 7thcareer game with 150+ rec. yards & 2+ rec. TDs, 3rd-most by player in 1st 11 seasons all-time. Has 52 catches in 2024 & became 5th player ever with 50+ catches in each of his 1st 11 seasons. Needs TD catch for 6th-career 10+ rec. TD season. Aims for his 3rd in row at Dal. with TD catch. • WR JALEN MCMILLAN (rookie) set career highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (75) & had 4th rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 12 tackles & 1.5 sacks in Week 15 & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has 104 tackles in 2024, his 11th-career 100+ tackle season. Has TFL in 5 of his 6 career games vs. Dal. • NT VITA VEA has sack in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Dal. • DL CALIJAH KANCEY has sack in 4 of his 5 road games in 2024. • CB JAMEL DEAN had 2 PD & 1st INT of season last week, his 8th-career INT. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Dal. with PD.

COWBOYS NOTES:

QB COOPER RUSH completed 18 of 29 atts. (62.1 pct.) for 214 yards & career high 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 119 rating in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes & 4th in row at home with TD pass. • RB RICO DOWDLE had career-high 149 rush yards in Week 15, his 3rd straight game with 110+ rush yards. Has 1,085 scrimmage yards in 2024, his 1st-career 1,000-yard season. Has 110+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 in primetime. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 9 catches for 116 yards & rec. TD in Week 15. Has 489 career receptions, 2nd-most by player in 1st 5 seasons in all-time. Has 1,089 rec. yards in 2024, his 4th consec. season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Needs 6 catches for 3rd-straight 100+ catch season. Has 3 rec. TDs in past 3 in primetime & aims for his 4th in row in primetime with 6+ catches & 90+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row overall with 90+ rec. yards & TD. • WR BRANDIN COOKS aims for his 5th in row vs. TB with 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 in primetime. • WR JALEN TOLBERT had 5th rec. TD of season in Week 15. • TE JAKE FERGUSON needs 2 catches & 76 rec. yards for 2nd-straight season with 50+ receptions & 500+ rec. yards. • LB MICAH PARSONS had 2 sacks in Week 15 & has 14 career games with 2+ sacks, tied 4th-most such games by player in first 4 career seasons all-time. • LB ERIC KENDRICKS had 2nd INT of season in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with 10+ tackles. Is 1 of 2 (Bobby Wagner) with 100+ tackles in each of past 9 seasons. • DL OSA ODIGHIZUWA had sack & 1st FF of season in Week 15. • CB DARON BLAND has 8 PD in his past 5 & aims for his 6th in row with PD. Has PD in 6 of his past 7 in primetime & aims for his 3rd in row vs. TB with 2+ PDs. • S MALIK HOOKER aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with 7+ tackles & INT.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-9) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-4)

Monday, December 23, 2024 | 8:15 PM ET | Lambeau Field | Referee: Alex Kemp

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: GB leads series, 18-10 (Home team won past 2)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 9/24/23: NO 17 at GB 18

Postseason: —

SAINTS NOTES:

QB DEREK CARR has TD pass in 6 of his past 7 road starts. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. GB with 100+ rating & 4th in row vs. GB with TD pass. • QB JAKE HAENER made 1st career start last week. • QB SPENCER RATTLER (rookie) passed for 135 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs for 84.4 rating last week. Can make 2nd career road start (Week 8 at LAC). • RB ALVIN KAMARA became 4th player ever (HOFers Marshall Faulk & Lenny Moore & Christian McCaffrey) with 50+ rush TDs (60) & 25+ rec. TDs (25). Needs 7 scrimmage yards for 4th-career 1,500-yard season. Has 781 scrimmage yards (130.2 per game) & 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in 6 road games in 2024. Has 395 scrimmge yards (131.7 per game) & 3 rec. TDs in 3 career games vs. GB. Aims for his 4th in row vs. GB with 90+ scrimmage yards. • WR MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING had team-high 64 rec. yards last week. Has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5. Had 123 receptions for 2,153 yards & 13 TDs in 59 games (2018-21) with GB. • TE FOSTER MOREAU had 4th TD catch of season last week. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had 2 sacks last week, his 25th-career game with 2+ sacks. Ranks 2nd among active players with 120.5 career sacks. • DE CARL GRANDERSON had sack last week & has 5.5 sacks in 2024. • DL BRYAN BRESEE has sack in 3 of his past 4. • DL CHASE YOUNG had 2nd-career game with 2 sacks last week. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS led team with season-high 14 tackles & had 2 TFL & sack in Week 15. Has 104 tackles in 2024, his 8th-straight 100+ tackle season. Has 5 PD in his past 5. Since 2018, is 1 of 2 (T.J. Watt) with 70+ TFL (70 & 40+ PD (44). • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR has career-high 79 tackles in 2024. • S TYRANN MATHIEU had 7th-career FF last week.

PACKERS NOTES:

QB JORDAN LOVE passed for 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 123.8 rating in Week 15. Aims for his 5th in row with 0 INTs & 6th in row with 100+ rating. Needs 47 pass yards for 2nd-straight 3,000-yard season. Has 2+ TD passes in 9 of his past 10 home starts. Had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) in last meeting. • RB JOSH JACOBS had 136 scrimmage yards (94 rush, 42 rec.) & 12th rush TD last week, his 3rd-career season with 12 rush TDs. Has career-high 13 scrimmage TDs in 2024 & aims for his 6th in row with rush TD. Has 8 rush TDs in 7 road games in 2024 & aims for his 6th in row on road with rush TD. Needs 51 scrimmage yards for 2nd-career 1,500-yard season (2,053 in 2022). • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON led team with 56 rec. yards in Week 15 & aims for his 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has career-high 620 rec. yards in 2024. • WR ROMEO DOUBS had 3rd-career game with 2 rec. TDs last week. Had 5 catches for 73 yards & go-ahead rec. TD in last meeting. • WR JAYDEN REED had 5 catchs & 61 scrimmage yards (34 rec., 27 rush) in Week 15. Is only player with 700+ rec. yards & 100+ rush yards in each of past 2 seasons. Had 63 rec. yards in last meeting. • TE TUCKER KRAFT ranks 3rd among TEs with career-high 7 rec. TDs in 2024. • DL RASHAN GARY had 38th career sack last week. Has sack in 4 of his past 5 & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Had 3 sacks in last meeting. • DL KINGSLEY ENAGBARE had career highs in sacks (2) & TFL (3) last week. • LB QUAY WALKER has 102 tackles in 2024, his 3rd-straight 100-tackle season. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER (rookie) had 2 TFL, sack & 1st-career INT last week. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB CARRINGTON VALENTINE had 1st-career INT last week. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY ranks tied-1st with 7 INTs in 2024.

NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: CUP CHAMPION BUCKS NO MATCH FOR CAVS

Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-101 home win over the Bucks on Friday, swiftly bringing Milwaukee down from its NBA Cup-championship high.

Five other Cavs scored in double-figures, with Darius Garland putting up 16 and Evan Mobley and Dean Wade adding 15 each. Ty Jerome had 13 points, and Jarrett Allen posted 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 33 points along with 14 rebounds. Fellow star Damian Lillard did not travel with the team due to a right calf strain. Khris Middleton scored 14 off the bench, and Brook Lopez contributed 10 points.

The Cavaliers have won three in a row and seven of their past eight. The Bucks had a three-game winning streak end, though the count doesn’t include their 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday, as that game isn’t included in the regular-season standings.

Thunder 104, Heat 97

Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 as visiting Oklahoma City withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat Miami.

Luguentz Dort had 14 points and Isaiah Hartenstein scored 13 points and matched his season high with 18 rebounds for the Thunder, who recorded their seventh consecutive official victory. The team’s NBA Cup final loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday doesn’t count in the league standings.

Tyler Herro led Miami with 28 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Bam Adebayo had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson and Dru Smith added 13 apiece. Heat star Jimmy Butler headed to the locker room with 4:41 left in the opening quarter and did not return due to illness.

76ers 108, Hornets 98

Joel Embiid scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter to propel Philadelphia to a home win over Charlotte.

Tyrese Maxey (23 points) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (22) each made four 3-pointers for Philadelphia, which defeated Charlotte for the second time this week. Embiid missed Monday’s contest due to a sinus fracture sustained in a game against Indiana on Dec. 13, and he wore a protective mask against the Hornets.

Vasilije Micic scored a season-high 20 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 12 of their last 13 games. Charlotte played without LaMelo Ball (calf) and Brandon Miller (ankle).

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NO. 19 CINCINNATI HALTS NO. 22 DAYTON’S 5-GAME WIN STREAK

Dan Skillings Jr. scored a team-high 17 points while Jizzle James added 14 to lead No. 19 Cincinnati past No. 22 Dayton 66-59 on Friday night in downtown Cincinnati.

In his third game back from minor knee surgery, Skillings looked more comfortable assuming a scoring role for Cincinnati (9-1) while adding six rebounds and four steals. James rebounded nicely from an 0-for-11 shooting performance against Xavier last Saturday, finished 5-of-9 from the field, with three rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Simas Lukosius added 13 for Cincinnati despite 4-of-17 shooting from the field at Heritage Bank Center, three miles south of Cincinnati’s campus.

Nate Santos and Malachi Smith led Dayton (10-3) with 13 points apiece, while Zed Key and Posh Alexander each had 11. Cincinnati avenged its 82-68 loss to Dayton on the same court last December. The Bearcats lead the series 61-32.

Dayton, which had a five-game winning streak snapped, showed the effects of playing its third game in seven days. After rallying from 13 down to beat then-No. 6 Marquette last Saturday at home and escaping unranked UNLV by a point on Tuesday, Dayton couldn’t muster any momentum against its longtime rival 50 miles to the south.

The Flyers opened the game ice-cold from the field, missing their first 11 shots before Santos put back a missed Key layup with 8:45 remaining. Dayton’s only points in the first 11 minutes came via the free-throw line.

While Dayton missed all seven threes in the first half, Cincinnati missed twice as many, converting just 3-of-17 attempts from beyond the arc to allow Dayton to trail by just eight (25-17) at the half.

The Bearcats opened the lead up to 14 several times in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, then expanded their lead to 53-35 on a James three with 7:36 left.

Leading 55-38 with just under seven minutes to play, Cincinnati missed seven straight shots from the field to open the door for Dayton. Malachi Smith drained two free throws with 2:36 remaining to draw the Flyers within seven before Smith rattled home a 3-pointer off a loose-ball rebound.

With a chance to draw to within two, Santos missed a reverse layup with 1:22 remaining, allowing Cincinnati to put the game away.

HAYDEN HEFNER, NO. 12 TEXAS A&M EASE PAST HOUSTON CHRISTIAN

Hayden Hefner poured in a season-high 19 points and the Aggies’ defense did the rest as No. 12 Texas A&M posted a workmanlike 77-45 win over Houston Christian on Friday afternoon in College Station, Texas.

The Aggies (10-2) easily won their sixth straight game despite playing without leading scorer Wade Taylor IV, who was held out for an undisclosed injury. Texas A&M was up by a dozen points at the break after leading by as many as 16 and opened the second half with a 9-0 run with Hefner making a free throw, a dunk and a 3-pointer in that stretch.

The Aggies slowly increased the margin, eventually leading by as many as 33 points in the final minutes. Manny Obaseki added 13 points for Texas A&M, with Zhuric Phelps and Pharrel Payne hitting for 10 apiece and Solomon Washington grabbing 11 rebounds in the victory.

D’Aundre Samuels led Houston Christian (4-8) with 12 points. The Huskies shot only 30.6 percent and made 2 of 20 from beyond the arc.

Points were at a premium in the early going, with the Aggies finally finding a little bit of rhythm and building a 9-3 lead after a layup by Phelps at the 15:27 mark of the first half.

Texas A&M boosted its advantage to nine points on Jace Carter’s 3-pointer with 11:22 to play in the half, and then to 26-15 when Jaelyn Lee hit the boards for a tip-in with 6:50 left until halftime.

The Aggies stretched the margin to 16 points on Hefner’s 3-pointer with 2:40 remaining before settling for a 35-23 lead at the break.

Hefner led all scorers with 13 points before halftime while Washington grabbed eight rebounds over the first 20 minutes of play.

Julian Mackey scored all seven of his points in the first half for the Huskies, five of which came at the free-throw line.

Texas A&M made 54.8 percent from the field (17 of 31) in the second half on its way to 47.1 percent shooting (32 of 68) for the game.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: ALABAMA HEATS UP, KNOCKS OFF NO. 15 MICHIGAN STATE

Alabama took time to get cranked up, then tallied 54 points in the middle two quarters in handing No. 15 Michigan State its first loss, 82-67 on Friday in the West Palm Beach Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Aaliyah Nye finished with 18 points, Zaay Green had 17 and Essence Cody posted 16 points and eight rebounds for unranked Alabama (11-1), which scored only nine points in the first quarter yet led 9-8.

Julia Ayrault had 18 points for Michigan State (11-1), which trailed by 22 points going to the fourth quarter. Theryn Hallock posted 14 points off the bench and Grace VanSlooten had 10 points, but the Spartans were hurt by 25 turnovers.

No. 18 Tennessee 92, Richmond 67

Talaysia Cooper racked up 17 of her 24 points in the second half as the Volunteers topped the Spiders in the West Palm Beach Classic contest in Fort Lauderdale.

The Volunteers (10-0) led 47-39 at halftime before pouring it on. They shot 51.4 percent (37 of 72) for the game, with Cooper going 10-for-18. Ruby Whitehorn provided 15 points off the bench on 7-for-11 shooting, and Samara Spencer had 11 points.

Rachel Ullstrom led Richmond (9-3) with 19 points, while Maggie Doogan had 14. The Spiders got only three points from bench players compared to Tennessee’s 35.

No. 20 Michigan 96, Akron 55

Greta Kampschroeder poured in 23 points as the Wolverines won their first true road game of the season in Akron, Ohio.

Kampschroeder accounted for five of Michigan’s 12 baskets from 3-point range. Jordan Hobbs had 13 points, reserve Yulia Grabovskaia notched 12 points and Olivia Olson added 11 for the Wolverines (10-2), who made 20 of 24 free throws. Michigan is 2-2 in neutral-site games.

Akron (5-6), which committed 29 turnovers, was led by Shelbee Brown’s 14 points.

NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: CUP CHAMPION BUCKS NO MATCH FOR CAVS

Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-101 home win over the Bucks on Friday, swiftly bringing Milwaukee down from its NBA Cup-championship high.

Five other Cavs scored in double-figures, with Darius Garland putting up 16 and Evan Mobley and Dean Wade adding 15 each. Ty Jerome had 13 points, and Jarrett Allen posted 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 33 points along with 14 rebounds. Fellow star Damian Lillard did not travel with the team due to a right calf strain. Khris Middleton scored 14 off the bench, and Brook Lopez contributed 10 points.

The Cavaliers have won three in a row and seven of their past eight. The Bucks had a three-game winning streak end, though the count doesn’t include their 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday, as that game isn’t included in the regular-season standings.

Thunder 104, Heat 97

Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 as visiting Oklahoma City withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat Miami.

Luguentz Dort had 14 points and Isaiah Hartenstein scored 13 points and matched his season high with 18 rebounds for the Thunder, who recorded their seventh consecutive official victory. The team’s NBA Cup final loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday doesn’t count in the league standings.

Tyler Herro led Miami with 28 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Bam Adebayo had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson and Dru Smith added 13 apiece. Heat star Jimmy Butler headed to the locker room with 4:41 left in the opening quarter and did not return due to illness.

76ers 108, Hornets 98

Joel Embiid scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter to propel Philadelphia to a home win over Charlotte.

Tyrese Maxey (23 points) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (22) each made four 3-pointers for Philadelphia, which defeated Charlotte for the second time this week. Embiid missed Monday’s contest due to a sinus fracture sustained in a game against Indiana on Dec. 13, and he wore a protective mask against the Hornets.

Vasilije Micic scored a season-high 20 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 12 of their last 13 games. Charlotte played without LaMelo Ball (calf) and Brandon Miller (ankle).

BASEBALL NEWS

YANKEES TRADE C JOSE TREVINO TO REDS FOR RHP FERNANDO CRUZ, C ALEX JACKSON

The New York Yankees acquired right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson on Friday night in exchange for veteran catcher Jose Trevino.

Cruz, 34, went 3-8 last season with a 4.86 ERA, 35 walks and 109 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over 69 games (three starts). His average of 14.72 strikeouts per nine innings was the highest among MLB pitchers with at least 50 innings last season, and his 37.8 percent strikeout rate ranked third.

A native of Puerto Rico, Cruz was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He has a career record of 4-11 with a 4.52 ERA, 72 walks and 228 strikeouts in 147 1/3 innings over 141 games (seven starts) since making his MLB debut at age 32 in September 2022.

Jackson, who turns 29 on Wednesday, had signed with the Reds as a minor league free agent on Nov. 5. He batted .122 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 139 at-bats over 58 games last season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Seattle Mariners selected Jackson in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2014 draft. He has played parts of five seasons for the Atlanta Braves (2019-21), Miami Marlins (2021), Milwaukee Brewers (2022) and Rays (2024). Jackson is a career .132 hitter with six homers and 24 RBIs in 124 games.

Trevino, 32, batted .215 for the Yankees last season with eight homers and 28 RBIs in 74 regular-season games.

The Texas Rangers picked Trevino in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. He batted .236 with 32 homers and 141 RBIs in 400 games over seven seasons with the Rangers (2018-21) and Yankees (2022-24), with whom he was an All-Star in 2022.

NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: IGOR SHESTERKIN, RANGERS STOP STARS

With the New York Rangers in dire need of a win, Igor Shesterkin turned in a spectacular performance on Friday. The goalie made 41 saves to end his team’s three-game losing streak in a 3-1 victory against the host Dallas Stars.

Vincent Trocheck had a goal and an assist while Reilly Smith and Chris Kreider also scored for New York.

Shesterkin, the Rangers’ top goalie, entered play having lost three of his past four starts. The win marked the first time he allowed one or fewer goals since a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 1.

Roope Hintz scored and Jake Oettinger stopped 27 shots for the Stars, who took their second consecutive loss to finish 3-3-0 on their homestand.

Panthers 2, Blues 1 (OT)

Aleksander Barkov scored with 17 seconds left in overtime to lift Florida past St. Louis in Sunrise, Fla.

Uvis Balinskis also scored for the Panthers, who have gone 9-2-1 in their past 12 games. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves, including two on Dylan Holloway in overtime.

Oskar Sundqvist scored and Joel Hofer made 25 saves for the Blues, who have won just one of their past six games.

Maple Leafs 6, Sabres 3

William Nylander scored and added two assists as Toronto doubled up host Buffalo.

Bobby McMann, Max Domi and Nicholas Robertson each scored a goal and made an assist. Auston Matthews and Max Pacioretty also scored for the Leafs, who have won three straight. Matt Murray, making his first NHL start in 628 days after being recalled from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, stopped 24 shots.

JJ Peterka, Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power scored for Buffalo, which has lost 12 straight (0-9-3). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed four goals on 13 shots before being replaced by James Reimer, who stopped 14 of 15 shots.

Canadiens 4, Red Wings 3

Patrik Laine scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with 7:58 remaining as Montreal won at Detroit.

The Canadiens’ Jake Evans scored a short-handed goal and added an assist in his 300th career game. Emil Heineman also had a goal and an assist, Arber Xhekaj scored his first goal of the season and Sam Montembeault made 25 saves in the win.

Patrick Kane, Joe Veleno and Tyler Motte scored for the Red Wings, and Michael Rasmussen had two assists. Cam Talbot made 29 saves. The teams will complete the home-and-home set in Montreal on Saturday night.

Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1

Charlie Lindgren stopped 24 shots and host Washington benefitted from goals late in the first two periods to defeat Carolina in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Metropolitan Division.

Aliaksei Protas, Jakub Vrana and Connor McMichael scored for the Capitals, who ended a two-game slide. Lindgren, who earned his 10th victory of the season, joined teammate Logan Thompson (12) with a double-digit win total.

Seth Jarvis scored for the Hurricanes, and Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves.

Utah 2, Wild 1

Dylan Guenther scored a pair of goals to lift the Utah Hockey Club to a win over Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minn.

Goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 28 of 29 shots for Utah, which notched a season high with its fourth victory in a row.

Mats Zuccarello scored the lone goal for Minnesota, which lost for the third straight game and fell for the fifth time in seven games. Marc-Andre Fleury gave up two goals on 18 shots.

TOP INDIANA RELEASES/NEWS

COLTS FOOTBALL

COLTS WR ALEC PIERCE (CONCUSSION) OUT VS. TITANS

Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce will miss Sunday’s game against the visiting Tennessee Titans due to a concussion.

Starting linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) also will miss the AFC South contest.

Pierce was injured during last weekend’s 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos when his head hit the turf in the end zone after a fall. He leads the Colts with 645 receiving yards and is averaging a league-best 22.2 yards per catch.

Pierce has 29 catches with five going for touchdowns.

Speed is third on the Colts with 129 tackles, seven for loss, along with one interception. Speed had 12 stops against Denver.

Star center Ryan Kelly (knee) is expected to be activated for the contest. He has missed the past five games.

The Colts (6-8) need a win to keep their AFC playoff hopes alive.

COLTS RULE OUT WR ALEC PIERCE, LB E.J. SPEED FOR WEEK 16 GAME VS. TENNESSEE TITANS

The Colts on Friday ruled out wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) for their Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium, head coach Shane Steichen said.

Pierce sustained a concussion during the Colts’ Week 15 game against the Denver Broncos. He leads the Colts with 645 receiving yards and has five touchdowns on the season. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but participated in Friday’s practice, wearing a non-contact jersey.

Wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) returned to practice on Thursday as a limited participant; Dulin missed Weeks 13 and 15 (Week 14 was the Colts’ bye week) after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 12.

After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) did practice on Friday.

On Wednesday the Colts opened cornerback JuJu Brents’ 21-day practice window, over three months after Brents was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Brents was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Last week, the 21-day practice windows for center Ryan Kelly (knee) and linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula, shoulder) and returned to practice last week; both were full participants on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The Colts would need to activate any player off injured reserve for him to be able to play on Sunday.

Check back later for the Colts’ final practice report of Week 16, which will include game status designations.

INDIANA FOOTBALL

HISTORIC SEASON HALTED IN CFP FIRST ROUND

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Indiana’s historic football season is over, but the win-big possibilities remain.

Coach Curt Cignetti was certain of that after Friday night’s 27-17 playoff-opening loss at Notre Dame.

“You are what the record says you are,” he said. “We are 11-2. We tied for second in the Big Ten. We made the playoffs. We packed (Memorial Stadium). We made a lot of people proud. It set the foundation for, hopefully, what’s to come.”

The Hoosiers are determined to ensure playoff runs become the norm and not the exception.

“I’m proud of these guys and this journey, and how we came together,” quarterback Kurtis Rourke said. “We made a memorable season. It’s not the way you want to end it, but I’m glad to do it together. It’s the start of a dynasty at Indiana moving forward.”

IU will move forward, center Mike Katic added.

“This is the closest team I’ve ever been a part of. They left everything out there. We changed the trajectory of Indiana football and the way people think of Indiana football. It was awesome.”

Change continues. Beyond the signed 21-player freshman class, IU will sign a number of college transfers. Cignetti said seven transfer portal recruits will have official visits on Saturday. IU hopes to add a transfer quarterback.

The defeat was especially difficult for veterans such as running back Justice Ellison, who played their final college game.

“This is hard,” he said. “We’ve done a lot. This is the foundation we wanted to start. We leave a legacy of hard work and sacrifice. I plan to come back and see how far it’s grown.”

Notre Dame (12-1) won its 11th straight game to advance to a Jan. 1 meeting with Georgia (11-2) in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl.

“Notre Dame has more depth,” Cignetti said. “Some of their front-line guys are a little bigger, stronger, faster.”

IU, so offensively dominant for most of the season, struggled against Notre Dame’s nationally ranked defense. The Hoosiers couldn’t consistently run or throw — finishing with 63 rushing yards and 215 passing yards. They gained 126 of those total yards and 14 of their points in the final five minutes.

Rourke, who was 20-for-33 for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, blamed himself for the struggles.

“Notre Dame did what we expected. It was a lack of execution on my part. We didn’t finish some drives. I have to be better.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan credited the quality of Notre Dame’s defense rather than Rourke’s performance.

“We did a fairly good job of protecting Kurtis,” he said. “Notre Dame made it challenging to get completions and get him in rhythm.

“They have a good defensive unit. We weren’t able to win 50-50 contested catches that we had to win to have success. They got the better of us.”

Shanahan added the loss didn’t diminish what the Hoosiers accomplished.

“I hope this team is remembered for way it played all year and not just this game. These guys battled. There was no give up. It was a fun group to coach. Everybody bought in.”

Notre Dame thrived with balanced offense. It threw for 201 yards, ran for 193, and possessed the ball 11 more minutes than IU. Irish quarterback Riley Leonard 23-for-32 for those 201 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 30 yards and a TD.

Hoosier defensive coordinator Bryant Haines was the architect of a defense that ranked among the nation’s best with an aggressive, attacking scheme.

On Friday night, it wasn’t enough.

“Our guys competed,” he said. “They played hard. Notre Dame is a good team. That quarterback (Leonard) played well. We weren’t able to rattle him. He delivered the throws he needed to make.”

As for the Hoosiers, “There are a lot of good memories. I’ll remember how much these guys changed things. They changed it forever.”

IU had a first-quarter scoring chance when cornerback D’Angelo Ponds’ interception and Rourke’s 28-yard pass to receiver Elijah Sarratt put IU at the Notre Dame 17-yard line. Then came a Rourke interception, just his fifth of the season. One play later, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love ran 98 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Irish lead they never lost.

A promising Hoosier drive on their next possession, highlighted by runs of 10 yards from Ellison and 22 yards by Ty Son Lawton, ended in a punt. Notre Dame added an early second-quarter touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead.

Rourke completions of 15 yards to Sarratt and 17 yards to Myles Price set up Nicolas Radicic’s 34-yard field goal for a 14-3 score late in the first half. Notre Dame countered with a 49-yard field goal for a 17-3 halftime lead.

Notre Dame had a 242-132 edge in total yards.

The Irish added a third-quarter field goal. IU defensive lineman James Carpenter blocked a fourth-quarter Notre Dame field-goal attempt. The Irish responded with a touchdown run for a 27-3 lead with 5:44 left.

Rourke threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Price, and then a 2-point conversion toss to Sarratt, for a 27-11 score. The Hoosiers got the on-side kick and scored on Rourke’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. for the final 27-17 score.

“At my age, you’ve seen it all,” Cignetti said. “A lot of times in life, it’s learning how to deal with disappointment the proper way. You come back stronger.

“You never get everything you want in life. This doesn’t diminish what these guys have accomplished. They had a lot of firsts. I’m proud of them.

“It’s easy to say we didn’t play our best, but a lot of it was because of who we played.

“Their defense suffocated our offense until the last minute and a half of the game. They beat us and they deserved to beat us.”

INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER

THREE HOOSIERS SELECTED IN 2025 MLS SUPERDRAFT

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Three Indiana men’s soccer student-athletes – senior defender Jansen Miller, senior forward Samuel Sarver and sophomore forward Collins Oduro – received selections during the 2025 MLS SuperDraft Friday (Dec. 20).

In the first round, Sporting Kansas City selected Miller No. 8 overall. Miller’s selection marks the eighth consecutive season that Indiana has produced a top-10 pick, the longest active streak in the NCAA.

Indiana has produced 66 MLS selections combining 54 SuperDraft picks, eight homegrown contracts and four supplemental draft picks. Since Todd Yeagley’s first season as IU’s head coach in 2010, 28 players have earned draft selections – including 12 in the first round – and eight have signed homegrown contracts and three more have been taken in the supplemental draft.

A fifth-year senior, Miller completed his third season with IU in 2024 after transferring from Xavier before the 2022 season. In 50 appearances, Miller helped IU keep 13 clean sheets and had two goals and five assists. In 2024, Miller contributed a career-high four assists and scored the golden goal in IU’s NCAA Tournament Second Round win over Akron.

Miller is the first Hoosier selected in the draft by Kansas City since 2010, when the club was known as the Kansas City Wizards. Spencer Glass (2021) and Maouloune Goumballe (2023) each signed contracts with the club’s second team, Sporting KC II, following their collegiate careers, and Goumballe remains with the organization.

FC Dallas used its second round – No. 41 overall – selection to pick two-time All-American Samuel Sarver. Sarver is the fourth Hoosier to reach the 70-career points milestone during the 21st century – first since Will bruin (2008-10) – and the 19th to earn multiple All-America awards. Sarver will join former IU teammate Herbert Endeley, a 2023 first-round selection, in Dallas.

Orlando City SC selected Oduro in the second round with the No. 57 overall pick. In two seasons at IU, Oduro has recorded eight goals, seven assists and 23 points in 44 appearances. Oduro is the first player in program history selected by Orlando.

PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL

#16 PURDUE FACES #2 AUBURN IN BATTLE IN BIRMINGHAM SHOWDOWN

GAMEDAY INFORMATION — GAME 12

[16] Purdue (8-3) vs. [2] Auburn (10-1)

4:30 p.m. ET | Birmingham, Alabana

Legacy Arena (17,654)

TELEVISION: ESPN (Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas)

RADIO: Purdue Global Radio Network (Rob Blackman, Bobby Riddell)

THE NOTES TO KNOW

• The No. 16-ranked Purdue basketball team faces its stiffest challenge of the season on Saturday, facing off against No. 2-ranked Auburn in the Battle in Birmingham in Legacy Arena. It will be Purdue’s final game before the Holiday break and only the third game in a 14-day span entering the break. It marks just the fourth (of five) games during the month of December for the Boilermakers.

• Four of Purdue’s 11 non-conference games will come against the SEC, already defeating No. 2-ranked Alabama (87-78) and No. 17-ranked Ole Miss (80-78). The Boilermakers fell to No. 12-ranked Texas A&M (70-66).

• Auburn will be the fifth non-conference ranked team that the Boilermakers will have faced, setting a school record (and leading the country) in non-conference ranked teams. In addition to the four ranked SEC teams, Purdue also fell to Marquette, which is currently ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Boilermakers will have faced five of the top-17 ranked teams in this week’s AP Top 25 poll. Nine of Purdue’s 22 non-conference opponents since the start of last season have been ranked in the AP Top 25 poll at the time of the game.

• This marks Purdue’s first trip to Birmingham and Legacy Arena since the 2003 NCAA Tournament, when the Boilermakers topped LSU in the opening round, before falling to top-seeded Texas in the round of 32. It was the final NCAA tournament game of Gene Keady’s illustrious coaching career.

• Purdue’s schedule currently ranks 10th nationally (KenPom), but is expected to move up after playing Auburn on Saturday. A year ago, Purdue played the nation’s second-toughest schedule.

• In the last six games, Purdue is 97-of-127 (.764) from the free throw line. In the first five games, Purdue was just 79-of-116 (.681).

• In eight wins, Purdue averages 10.1 turnovers per game, while forcing 10.5. In the three losses, it averages 18.3 turnovers, while forcing 13.3.

• Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Purdue is 40-2 (.952) in regular-season, non-conference play. Kansas (43-6) owns the next best non-conference, regular-season record at 43-6 (.878).

• Purdue has won 25 straight games when holding its opponent under 70 points. The last loss came to Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

• Purdue is 7-15 all-time against teams ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, but has won six of its last 12 games against teams ranked second, including an 87-78 win over Alabama earlier this year. Matt Painter is 3-4 against teams ranked No. 2 in the AP poll.

• In the last four years, Purdue has defeated teams ranked No. 1 (Arizona), No. 4 (Marquette), No. 5 (Villanova), No. 6 (Wisconsin, Tennessee, Gonzaga), No. 7 (Tennessee) and No. 8 (Duke) away from Mackey Arena.

• Purdue is now 100-22 since the start of the 2021-22 season, recording the second-most wins in the country (Houston – 103) during that span. The senior class of Caleb Furst (only senior) became the seventh class in school history with 100 career victories.

• The starting backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer are 71-14 since their arrival at Purdue, starting every game of their tenure. The duo has combined for 1,890 points, 593 rebounds and 721 assists during their careers, shooting 263-of-657 from deep (.400).

• Matt Painter and Bruce Pearl are both in their 21st years of being a head coach, combining for 935 victories and averaging almost 45 wins a year between the two.

• Purdue, Duke, Gonzaga and Houston are the only programs in America to have made at least a Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final Four during their last five NCAA Tournament appearances. Purdue reached the Sweet 16 in 2022, the Elite 8 in 2019 and the Final Four in 2024.

• Braden Smith needs 45 points to be the first Big Ten player to have 1,000 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds by the end of his junior year.

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

IRISH DEFEAT INDIANA 27-17 IN FIRST ON-CAMPUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAME

The University of Notre Dame football team (12-1) became the first college football program to earn a College Football Playoff victory on its home field with a 27-17 victory over Indiana (11-2) in Notre Dame Stadium on Friday evening.

Notre Dame controlled the game from the start to the finish, holding Indiana to three points in the first half, 63 total rush yards and built a 27-3 lead before the Hoosiers tacked on points late in the fourth quarter after the game was decided.

Two of the Fighting Irish playmakers stepped up when Notre Dame needed it most. Senior Consensus All-American safety Xavier Watts snuffed out a scoring opportunity for IU with an interception and on the next play, Jeremiyah Love took off for a 98-yard touchdown run.

Irish signal caller Riley Leonard was 22-for-32 in the contest for 201 yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. He connected with Jordan Faison for seven passes for 89 yards.

Notre Dame will advance to face the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, Georgia, in the 2025 Sugar Bowl on January 1st in New Orleans.

It was a topsy-turvy first few minutes with both teams making big plays. Notre Dame’s defense held Indiana to a quick three-and-out on the opening possession. The Hoosiers regained the momentum quickly, however, intercepting a deflected pass on Notre Dame’s second offensive play to get the ball at the Irish 48-yard line.

The Notre Dame defense earned a third and long, but Indiana converted with a back-shoulder throw down into the red zone. Indiana quickly got to the line for the next play, but Hoosier quarterback Kurtis Rourke overthrew his intended target over the middle and Xavier Watts intercepted his 13th career pass at the two-yard line.

A media timeout brought the energy down just a tad in the Stadium. That was quickly changed when Jeremiyah Love took the first play through the left side of the Irish line and out-legged the entire Indiana defense for a scintillating 98-yard touchdown run.

Indiana put together two first downs on their next drive before a great pass break up by Leonard Moore on a third-and-long forced a punt.

Notre Dame took over and put together the longest drive in the history of the College Football Playoff in terms of plays, finding paydirt after 16 plays. Beaux Collins keyed the start with a big 10-yard reception on third down after breaking a tackle short of the sticks. The next big third down was picked up by freshman back Aneyas Williams with six yards on third-and-two.

Jadarian Price found 20 yards around the left side of the Notre Dame line behind a great double-team block by Anthonie Knapp and Eli Raridon. Jordan Faison then picked up nine yards across the middle to put the ball at the seven-yard line with one yard to go. Riley Leonard easily picked up the first down and then found Jayden Thomas on the next play after a great play-action fake wide open in the end zone for the second Irish touchdown of the day.

The teams traded possessions before Indiana earned its first points of the game on a 34-yard field goal with 3:26 remaining in the first half. The Hoosiers made two big plays on the drive and were also helped by a defensive holding call on the Irish. Jaiden Ausberry’s big tackle on third down when Indiana tried to run and pick up the first down forced the field goal attempt.

Notre Dame took possession of the ball with just over two minutes remaining and were able to match Indiana’s field goal before the half. Faison kick-started the drive with a diving third down catch. Leonard then scrambled on two plays to pick up another new set of downs. Three consecutive plays to Williams, an underneath check down route, a 12-yard run on third and short then a five-yard catch on third and long moved the ball just into Mitch Jeter’s range. HIs 49-yard boot cleanly split the uprights and the Irish entered the locker room with a 14-point lead.

The Irish special teams came up with a solid return to put the Irish across midfield to start the second half. Jayden Harrison lateralled the ball to Faison, who broke up the right sidelines for a 48-yard return. The Irish could not take advantage of the field position, however, and had to punt.

That punt was key, as Rylie Mills sacked the quarterback on the first play to bury the Hoosiers deep in their own territory. The Irish All-American defensive lineman was injured on the play, however. With the crowd at a fever pitch, freshman defensive end Bryce Young ended the drive with another sack and Indiana punted for the fourth time.

Taking over at the 43, the Irish hoped to put six more points on the board but had to settle for just three. A late-hit out of bounds by Indiana gave Notre Dame a first down and the Irish drove as far as the four-yard line but had to settle for a Jeter 33-yard field goal.

The Irish defense would earn a very quick three-and-out, keyed by a third down pressure in the quarterback’s face from Young and linebacker Drayk Bowen.

Notre Dame drove to the 23 on the next drive, but came up empty when Indiana blocked Jeter’s third field goal attempt of the game and returned the block out to the 40-yard line.

The Notre Dame defense would not relent. Indiana earned one first down over midfield but then an Adon Shuler pass break up and a Bowen quarterback pressure forced third and long. Young then pressured the quarterback yet again and Bowen destroyed a screen pass for a loss and the Hoosiers punted again.

Faison, who finished the game with a career-high seven catches, earned a first down on a reception over the middle to ignite the next Notre Dame drive. Leonard would scramble for another first down as Notre Dame moved across the 50-yard line.

It was then Faison time again as Leonard stepped up in the pocket and found him streaking across the field. He made the catch and fell at the one-foot line. Leonard then walked in for a one-yard touchdown one play later and a 27-3 lead.

Indiana was able to tack on two meaningless touchdowns at the end of the game to make the score 27-17 and Notre Dame claimed a victory in the first-ever College Football Playoff Game to be played at a campus site.

BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

BUTLER HOSTS DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION UCONN SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT HINKLE

Butler closes out the 2024 portion of the schedule Saturday, welcoming No. 13/11 UConn to Hinkle Fieldhouse. The contest serves as the BIG EAST home opener for the Bulldogs.

Butler (7-5, 0-1 BIG EAST) vs. #13/11 Connecticut (9-3, 1-0)

Saturday, Dec. 21 • Noon

Hinkle Fieldhouse • Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: Peacock • Noah Reed & Tim Welsh

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

• Butler is 6-5 in BIG EAST home openers since joining the conference prior to the 2013-14 season.

• The Bulldogs enter the game off an 80-70 road loss at No. 9 Marquette Wednesday night; the setback extends Butler’s current losing skid to four games.

• The Bulldogs are in the midst of a five-game stretch that includes four Top 25 opponents (having played Houston, Wisconsin and Marquette, with Connecticut upcoming).

• In his 124th career game, Jahmyl Telfort posted the second double-double of his collegiate career with 16 points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday night’s game at Marquette.

• Kolby King also scored 16 points — all in the second half — to lead Butler against Marquette. It marked a season-best and the highest output in a Butler uniform for King, who reached double figures for the fourth time this season.

• Butler led Marquette, 35-32, at halftime Wednesday night; it marked the first time this season that Butler lost when leading at the half (previously 7-0).

• The Bulldogs shot 51.1 percent from the field at Marquette; Wednesday night was just the second time that Butler lost when shooting 50 percent or better from the field since Thad Matta returned to lead the Butler program prior to the 2022-23 season (now 23-2).

• Butler made nine of 22 attempts from three-point range at Marquette (41 percent); the Bulldogs rank 21st nationally in three-point percentage, making 39.4 percent of their attempts on the season.

• The Bulldogs went 13-for-15 from the free throw line (87 percent) Wednesday at Marquette, continuing a season of accuracy that has Butler ranked among the Top 50 nationally at 76.2 percent.

• Both the 15 attempts and the 13 makes from the free throw line at Marquette were season-lows for Butler. The Bulldogs rank 21st nationally in free throws made per game (18.7) and 32nd nationally in attempts per game (24.5).

• Marquette held a 38-27 rebounding advantage over Butler Wednesday night, which included 20 offensive rebounds and 28 second-chance points.

• Butler forced Marquette into only two turnovers; the Bulldogs rank 352nd nationally in turnovers forced per game (7.7).

• Butler’s defense did limit Marquette to 6-for-30 shooting from three-point range (20 percent); on the season, the Bulldogs are allowing opponents to make only 29 percent of their three-point attempts, which is 39th nationally.

• Patrick McCaffery’s 47.1-percent accuracy from three-point range is 21st nationally. He has hit multiple three-pointers in 10 of the team’s 12 games, including five twice.

• Telfort leads the BIG EAST in both free throws made (59) and attempted (73), while his 80.8-percent accuracy is eighth in the conference.

• Andre Screen is seventh in the BIG EAST at 1.4 blocks per game, while his 5.9 rebounds per game rank tenth.

• Butler’s Big 3 of Telfort, Brooks and McCaffery have scored 531 of the team’s 876 points this season (60.6 percent of the team’s output).

• Telfort, McCaffery, and Brooks rank 1-3-6 in the BIG EAST in minutes played per game.

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

Update on UConn

• UConn is ranked No. 13 and No. 11, respectively, in this week’s national polls.

• The Huskies are 9-3 on the season and are coming off an overtime win at home over Xavier Wednesday night to open their BIG EAST schedule.

• UConn is 9-0 this season in games played in the continental United States as all three of their losses came in the Maui Invitational. In addition to Wednesday’s win over Xavier, the Huskies’ last two weeks include wins over Baylor, Texas and Gonzaga.

• Alex Karaban is the only returning starter from last season’s national championship squad, and he leads UConn at 16.0 points per game.

The Series with the Huskies

UConn Leads, 9-0

Streak: UConn, W9

At Hinkle: UConn Leads, 4-0

First Meeting: April 4, 2011; UConn, 53-41 (NCAA Champ. Game)

Last Meeting: Feb. 6, 2024; UConn, 71-62 (at UConn)

• The Bulldogs and UConn first met in the 2011 NCAA Championship Game in Houston.

• The other eight match-ups in the series to date have come since UConn returned to the BIG EAST prior to the 2020-21 season.

IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

COLD SHOOTING HURTS JAGUARS IN LOSS TO ETSU, 54-41

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The IU Indianapolis women’s basketball team struggled offensively in the second half, falling to East Tennessee State 54-41 on Friday afternoon to open the FGCU Holiday Classic.

The Jaguars (1-10) came out strong to start the game, hitting a three-pointer early to get on the board. However, ETSU (8-5) quickly found their rhythm and outscored IU Indy 17-13 in the first quarter, taking a four-point lead into the second period.

In the second quarter, the Jaguars tightened up defensively, limiting the Buccaneers to just eight points. A late jumper by Camron Blank with 19 seconds left in the half gave IU Indy a 26-25 lead heading into the break.

Coming out of halftime, the Jaguars’ offense went cold. IU Indy managed just seven points in the third quarter, while ETSU capitalized with a 17-7 run to reclaim the lead. The Buccaneers continued to hold the momentum in the fourth, holding the Jaguars to just eight points and sealing the 54-41 win.

The Jaguars shot just 29.4 percent from the field in the loss. Nevaeh Foster led IU Indy with 14 points, including three three-pointers, and grabbed nine rebounds. Shania Nichols-Vannett added 11 points, while Alexa Hocevar chipped in with nine points and five rebounds.

The Jaguars will next play tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 21, when they face North Carolina A&T at 1:00 PM.

BALL STATE FOOTBALL

UREMOVICH ADDS SIX MORE TO BALL STATE FOOTBALL STAFF

MUNCIE, Ind. – Mike Uremovich has announced the addition of six more staff members to the Ball State football coaching staff. Uremovich named nine coaches earlier this week, and has upgraded his staff with the announcement of three more full-time position coaches, two assistants and a chief of staff that will manage day-to-day operations of the Ball State program.

Craig Harmon serves as Ball State’s pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He is the most experienced of the new additions, coaching since 2002 and spending nine years with Uremovich over stops together at St. Francis (Ill.), Northern Illinois and Temple. In each of those nine seasons, Harmon served as quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator, while Uremovich was offensive coordinator or head coach.

Also on the offense, Madison Bunch has been named to lead the Ball State running backs unit. Bunch has spent the past two years at Southeast Missouri State and Rutgers. He was the running backs coach at SEMO, and was a offensive analyst and assistant coach at Rutgers.

Another with prior ties to Uremovich, Jalen Moss is tasked with leading the Cardinals’ snipers – a hybrid position blending linebackers and safeties. Moss is a local product who played in the secondary at Fishers High School and Indiana State, and coached the past three years in the same defensive scheme as Butler’s cornerbacks coach.

Named as special teams coordinator is Nick Fiacable who is currently a special teams analyst at Connecticut which is prepping this week to face North Carolina in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28.

Promoted from his post as a graduate assistant with the 2024 Cardinals, Mayomi Olootu has been tabbed as an assistant coach working with the Ball State secondary. Olootu is a graduate of Northern Illinois who played in the Huskies’ secondary on three bowl teams while Uremovich was assistant head coach.

Leading the Ball State staff is operations veteran Pete Roley who comes to Ball State after two seasons as director of football operations at Purdue, and two at Illinois. Prior to four years with Big Ten institutions, Roley spent eight years at NC State, and four at NIU, where he crossed paths with Uremovich at both schools.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL

‘DONS TRAVEL TO NO. 24 MICHIGAN ON SUNDAY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne travels No. 24 Michigan on Sunday (Dec. 22) to play the Wolverines in the final non-league game of the season for the ‘Dons. 

Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (9-4) at Michigan (8-3)
When: Sunday, Dec. 22 | 1:00 p.m.
Where: Ann Arbor, Mich. | Crisler Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: B1G+
Listen: 1380 AM
Series History: Michigan leads 2-0 with wins in 2001 and 2022. 
Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne | Michigan

‘Dons & Ends

// The ‘Dons committed no turnovers in a 103-52 win over Defiance on Dec. 20. It tied an NCAA record for fewest turnovers in a game.

// Since 2018-19 season, the ‘Dons have four total games of 24 or more made free throws and three have come this season. The 26 the ‘Dons made against Bethune-Cookman and Robert Morris are tied for the seventh most in the Division I era of the program for made free throws in a game.

// Eric Mulder is 20th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (3.54).

// Jalen Jackson is 20th in the nation with 27 steals.

// Eric Mulder is number one in the nation in offensive rating, per Ken Pom. Mulder has a 157.3 rating. Per Ken Pom: “offensive rating is a measure of an individual player’s efficiency. In its simplest form, it’s points produced divided by possessions used.” Additionally, Mulder is third in the nation in 2-point percentage (46-of-55), per Ken Pom. Ken Pom only takes into account games against Division I opponents.

// In the nation the Mastodons are:

    – 3rd in fewest turnovers per game (8.8)

    – 7th in turnover margin (6.8)

    – 16th in assist/turnover ratio (1.70)

    – 16th in effective field goal percentage (58.0 percent)

    – 22nd in 3-pointers per game (10.6)

    – 31st in points per game (84.6)

    – 33rd in 3-point percentage (38.3)

    – 34th in field goal percentage (49.3 percent)

    – 35th in fast break points per game (15.23)

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

    – Maximus Nelson – 43.2 percent (32-of-74)

    – Rasheed Bello – 42.2 percent (27-of-64)

    – Corey Hadnot II – 46.7 percent (21-of-45)

// Eight times this year have the ‘Dons committed single-digit turnovers in a game. Their season low is zero in a win over Defiance.

// Rasheed Bello earned his second career Horizon League Player of the Week accolade on Nov. 18, averaging 24.5 points, 2.5 steals, 2.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in wins over Bethune-Cookman and Southern Indiana. He had a career-high 31 points vs. Bethune-Cookman.

// Rasheed Bello is 21st in the nation in free throw percentage (92.1 percent).

// Jalen Jackson leads the Horizon League and ranks 20th in the nation in made free throws with 62. He is 18th in the nation with 83 free throw attempts, also best in the league.

// Jalen Jackson is averaging 6.8 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, 34th in the nation per Ken Pom.

// Another Ken Pom stat, the ‘Dons lead the nation in minutes continuity at 76.6 percent. Ken Pom describes the stat as “determining what percentage of a team’s minutes are played by the same player from last season to this season.” The current national average is 34.2 percent.

// The ‘Dons are 1-17 all-time against ranked teams. Their last ranked opponent was Michigan on Nov. 7, 2022, a 75-56 loss to the No. 22 Wolverines.

// Eric Mulder has recorded just four turnovers in 323 minutes.

// Corey Hadnot II has eight double-digit scoring games this season after five his entire freshman season last year. This year includes a career-high 20 points with five 3-pointers at Penn State.

// Across the board, Corey Hadnot II’s shooting percentages are up this year from his freshman season last year. Field goal (from 40.9 percent to 54.3 percent), 3-point (from 25.0 percent to 46.7 percent) and free throw (from 68.8 percent to 77.3 percent). It has led him to average 11.3 points per game, up from 6.2 last year.

// Jalen Jackson has reached double-figures in every game this season and 20 points four times.

// The ‘Dons have won 24 straight regular season home games against non-league opponents, a streak that started on Nov. 16, 2019 vs. Stetson.

// A few ‘Dons who recently hit career scoring marks:

– Rasheed Bello scored his 1,500th career point vs. Eastern Michigan (Dec. 15). He now has 1,516 points, including 725 as a Mastodon.

– Jalen Jackson scored his 1,000th NCAA career point vs. Eastern Michigan (Dec. 15). He now has 801 points as a Mastodon.

// A few ‘Dons nearing scoring marks:

– Quinton Morton-Robertson has 948 career points, needing 52 to reach 1,000 (Purdue Fort Wayne and Radford combined).

– Maximus Nelson has scored 480 career points, needing 20 to reach 500 for his career (Purdue Fort Wayne and Valparaiso combined).

– Eric Mulder has scored 443 career points, needing 57 to reach 500 for his career.

EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ACES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ENDS NON-CONFERENCE PLAY AT LOYOLA CHICAGO

CHICAGO – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team finishes the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 season in a familiar location.

Evansville at Loyola | Saturday, December 21st  | 2 PM CT

Site | Locations            Gentile Arena | Chicago

Game Coverage          Live Stats | ESPN+

Follow the Aces           Women’s Basketball Home Page | Twitter

The Purple Aces returned to the win column this week during their annual Education Day against IU Columbus. After a close first quarter UE cruised to an 84-51 win over the Crimson Pride in the team’s first of two games at the Ford Center this month. Tuesday’s Education Day game against the Crimson Pride had Evansville’s highest home attendance of the season. The Aces won in front of over 2,000 Tri-State area students who brought an enthusiastic atmosphere to the game. It was also UE’s largest home crowd in two years.

Evansville wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule this weekend. The Aces will visit Loyola for the first time in 30 years as a non-conference opponent. UE last faced the Ramblers in their final season as MVC members in 2022 with the most recent matchup happening at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Evansville will try for its first win in Chicago since the 2017 season on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Loyola comes into the weekend with a 7-4 overall record and an 0-1 A-10 conference record. The Ramblers are coming off a close overtime win to Chicago State on Tuesday morning for their Field Trip Day game. A 9-0 run for Loyola in overtime along with a made layup in the final seconds from senior guard Jess Finney secured the Ramblers win. Loyola has played two common opponents with the Aces, SIUE and Valparaiso. The Ramblers won both games by single-digit margins while UE beat the Cougars by 13 points.

Three Evansville players had career games against the Crimson Pride on Tuesday. Sophomore forward Claudia Clement (Barcelona, Spain), and freshman guards Avery Kelley (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial HS) and Kaiden Krienhagen (Indianapolis / North Central, HS) all had their highest scoring outings on Tuesday. Kreinhagen led the three career games with 15 points in 31 minutes on the floor. Clement scored eight points on a perfect 100% shooting outing with four field goals. And Kelley added seven with her first two collegiate three pointers along with a free throw.

Freshman guard/forward Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Penn. / Greater Latrobe HS) was also a major part of the Aces 84-51 win earlier this week. Snyder tied her career high six points while setting career highs in rebounds (8) and steals (6). Snyder’s defensive play led UE in steals and was second on the roster in rebounds along with junior Mae Dozier (Louisville, Ky. / Wabash Valley). With an injury to senior forward Anica Skrivan (Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina) in Tuesday’s game, Snyder is likely to see her game average of 13 minutes rise on Saturday.

VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL

POETIC JUSTUS: MCNAIR BUZZER-BEATER CAPS REMARKABLE COMEBACK AS VALPO STUNS WESTERN MICHIGAN

A comeback that was poetry in motion in the eyes of Valpo fans and a finish pulled right out of a Hollywood script helped the Valparaiso University men’s basketball team leave Kalamazoo, Mich. with a majestic 76-73 victory over host Western Michigan on Friday afternoon. Freshman Justus McNair (Joliet, Ill. / Joliet West) drilled a buzzer-beater from nearly halfcourt, giving Valpo its first lead of the game with all zeros on the clock and helping the Beacons complete an improbable comeback after trailing 69-47 with 6:51 remaining.

McNair had missed a 3 on the previous possession, but bounced back in an admirable – and unforgettable – manner. Valpo basketball has a special relationship with buzzer-beaters, as this finish harkened back memories of the great moments in program history from Bryce Drew and Ryan Broekhoff and signature shots of more recent vintage like Markus Golder and Eron Gordon.

How It Happened

Valpo experienced a rough start as Western Michigan scored the game’s first seven points. The Broncos pushed the lead to double figures at 13-2 with 16:23 to go in the first half. The hosts led by double figures for most of the first half, and stretched the bulge to 17 at 32-15 with 6:17 to play in the opening stanza.

Valpo got to within 11, but Western Michigan had stretched it back to 16 by the halftime break at 42-26.

Sophomore Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) came to life after halftime, but Valpo struggled to make up any ground over the first 13 minutes of the second half. In fact, Western Michigan had stretched the lead to 22 at 69-47 with 6:51 to go.

Incredibly, Valpo outscored Western Michigan 29-4 the rest of the game to win it 76-73. Schwieger had five straight points including a 3 that ignited the run. All told, he scored 14 consecutive Valpo points culminating with a 3-point play at the 4:28 mark to trim the gap to 12.

A fastbreak layup by McNair got it down to 10 with four minutes to go, then McNair scored the next two baskets to make it three in succession, getting the Beacons all the way to within six at 71-65 with 2:57 to play.

With Valpo down eight, Schwieger was fouled shooting a 3 with 1:54 to go, and he went 3-for-3 at the stripe to make it 73-68. McNair’s triple at 1:31 cut the lead to two, then Kaspar Sepp (Tartu, Estonia / Fairmont Academy) laid one in to tie the game with 1:06 to go.

Valpo got stop after stop on the defensive end down the stretch. McNair had a chance to give his team the lead with 32 seconds left, but misfired from distance and it appeared Western Michigan could hold for the final shot of regulation. The Broncos missed a 3 with five seconds left, and McNair came down with the rebound, dribbling past half-court before draining a buzzer-beater that will live in Valpo lore.

Valpo finished the game on an 11-0 run and outscored the Broncos 24-2 over the final 5:24.

Inside the Game

McNair’s game-winner was Valpo’s first in the final five seconds since Nick Edwards drove to the basket for the game-winning layup in the closing seconds of an 81-79, overtime victory over James Madison on Nov. 27, 2022 in Savannah, Ga. 

Valpo has a storied history of last-second shots, as this marked the program’s 27th game-winner in the final five seconds since the start of the 1992-93 season.

Although Edwards and Eron Gordon (2020 MVC Tournament vs. Loyola) had game-winning shots in the closing seconds, there was time left on the clock in both of those instances. This marked Valpo’s first true buzzer-beater since Markus Golder hit from 50 feet on Jan. 2, 2019 vs. Illinois State, capping a comeback from 10 down over the final two minutes.

The 22-point comeback tied for the largest on record in program history and was the team’s largest since Jan. 17, 2013 at Detroit Mercy, an 89-88 win. In that one, the Titans’ largest lead came with 17 minutes remaining, compared to just seven minutes remaining with Valpo facing a 22-point deficit on Friday.

The 22-point comeback is tied for the third largest nationally this season – behind only Arkansas State (27 vs. UAB) and Cal Poly (23 vs. Denver) and tied with Radford (22 vs. Evansville). Valpo and Radford are the only two teams in the country to win in regulation after trailing by 22 points or more in a game this season.

The 22-point rally is also tied for the fifth largest in Missouri Valley Conference history and the second largest by a Valley team since 2005.

According to KenPom, Valpo had a win probability of 0.3 percent late in the game, tied for the lowest in a victory nationally this season (North Dakota State vs. Santa Clara; UTSA vs. Merrimack).

Schwieger finished with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting despite going 1-of-2 for two points in the opening half. He scored 19 points or more for the third time this season and had 16 or more for the second straight outing.

Schwieger also pulled down six rebounds, his eighth time in 11 games with six boards or more.

Schwieger led four Beacons in double figures, including McNair, whose game-winner gave him 13 points, his second-highest output of the season and his third double-figure scoring output as a rookie. McNair shot 5-of-7 from the field and drained a pair of 3s while also squeezing a season-high four rebounds.

Junior Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro (LaSalle, Quebec, Canada / Orangeville Prep), who was playing against his former team after making 61 starts and appearing in 63 games over the last two years at Western Michigan, continued his consistent play with 13 points. He has tallied at least nine points in all 11 games this season including three straight with 13 or more. He grabbed a season-high four rebounds on Friday.

Freshman All Wright (Durango, Mexico / Link Year) finished with 10 points, his third straight double-figure scoring output and sixth of the season.

Fifth-year senior Tyler Schmidt (Valparaiso, Ind. / Victory Christian Academy [Olivet Nazarene]) battled through a blow to the face that caused a dental injury, limiting him to 28 minutes as he missed part of the first half. He still scored nine points on 4-of-7 shooting.

Valpo turned it over just eight times, limiting the turnovers to 10 or fewer for the ninth time in 11 games this season including six of the last seven. Valpo won or tied the turnover battle for the 10th straight game.

Up Next

The Beacons (6-5) will close out the nonconference portion of the season on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Calumet College of St. Joseph at the Athletics-Recreation Center. For ticket information, visit valpoathletics.com/tickets.

MARIAN FOOTBALL

ZACH SIBILA NAMED TO 2024 ASSOCIATED PRESS NAIA ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

INDIANAPOLIS – On Friday, the Associated Press (AP) released the 2024 NAIA All-Americans, voted on by the NAIA’s Sports Information Directors and media members throughout the country. Marian football earned one All-American from the AP, as senior offensive lineman Zach Sibila was named a First Team All-American. This is the fourth career All-American honor for Sibila, and second of the 2024 season, adding to his AFCA All-American honor earlier this season.

Zach Sibila made Marian history earlier this month as he was named to the AFCA NAIA First Team All-America squad, becoming the second Knight in program history to earn AFCA First Team All-American twice in their career, joining former wide receiver great Krishawn Hogan (2015 and 2016). Sibila, who was previously named an AFCA First Team All-American in 2022, is the only offensive lineman in program history to earn two All-American honors, and earned the eighth award by a Knight lineman in program history.

Sibila claims the sixth-ever AP All-American honor for the Marian football program, joining Nate Frey (2023), Ben Stevens (2022), Jalen Jennings (2021), Charles Salary (2019), and Mac Dutra (2019). Sibila joins Frey, Salary and Dutra as the program’s only First Team AP All-Americans.

The fifth-year senior Zach Sibila was named as the MSFA Midwest League Offensive Lineman of the Year this season, becoming the first player in league history to earn the honor for both the Mideast and Midwest Leagues. Sibila started all 50 games in his Marian career, playing at either right tackle (49 starts) or right guard (1 start), and was named a First Team lineman in the MSFA four times throughout his five-year career. The senior led a group that allowed 13 sacks throughout the season, and helped pave the way for a running game that averaged 166.5 yards per game on the ground. Marian passed for just under 230 yards per game behind the protection given by Sibila and his teammates on the line.

Marian went 8-2 overall on the season, earning a share of the MSFA Midwest Championship in their first year in the division.

MARIAN WRESLTING

KNIGHTS FINISH THIRD AT BATTLE IN THE BLUEGRASS

Corbin, Ky. – The Marian wrestling team will enter the new year on a high note, finishing the 2024 portion of their schedule with a third place finish at the University of the Cumberlands Battle in the Bluegrass. The Knights had nine of their 12 wrestlers place in the tournament, with Anthony Hughes and Clay Guenin each winning their respective weight classes. 

Nine Knights placed in the tournament, with Anthony Hughes (125) and Clay Guenin (197) stealing the show with wins in their respective weights. Elliott Rodgers finished third as the next top-finishing Knight, and Marlin Williams and Braden Getz each finished fourth. On the day Marian scored 138.5 points, tying No. 5 University of the Cumberlands in the tournament. No. 1 Life University won the event with 227.5 points, and No. 7 Indiana Tech finished second with 168 points. The Knights defeated four ranked or receiving votes programs on the day. 

#7 Anthony Hughes (125) – Champion in the 125 weight class, going 4-0 on the day. Recorded two wins by fall and a major decision to reach the championship, where he defeated WHAC rival #15 Allen Calderon of Indiana Tech. Hughes won the championship match 4-1 by decision, sealing the win with a takedown in the final period to win the weight class.

• W vs Barrett Stickelman (York), Fall 1:14
• W vs Malachi Aispuro (Waldorf), Fall 5:41
• W vs Adrian Morales (Life), MD 13-3
• First Place Match – W vs #15 Allen Calderon (Indiana Tech), D 4-1

Landon Bertsch (133) – Landon Bertsch finished the tournament in sixth place, going 2-3 overall. Scored both wins by tech fall in the consolation side of the bracket. 

• L vs Trenton Pagaduan (Cumberlands), D 7-13
• W vs Trevon Hawkins-Roberts (Keiser), TF (15-0) 5:38
• W vs Romeo White (Marian), TF (16-1) 3:55
• L vs #6 Luke Rioux (Indiana Tech), MD 0-9
• Fifth Place Match – L vs Jerry Molina (St. Thomas), D 3-7

Romeo White (133) – White earned two wins in the tournament, finishing in seventh place overall. Went 2-2 on the day, both wins came by fall over wrestlers from York. 

• L vs #6 Luke Rioux (Indiana Tech), Fall 2:51
• W vs Drew Lugafet (York), Fall 4:03
• L vs Landon Bertsch (Marian), TF (1-16) 3:55
• Seventh Place Match – W vs Hector Holguin (York), Fall 3:58

Marlin Williams (149) – Williams finished fourth in the 149 weight class, going 3-2 overall. Williams scored two of his three wins by fall, eventually falling in the third place match by tech fall against No. 19 Tyler Okada from Waldorf

• L vs Carlos Santos (Indiana Tech), Fall 2:01
• W vs Chase Pluhar (Indiana Tech), Fall 4:21
• W vs Reese Finch (St. Ambrose), Fall 2:51
• W vs #3 Jace Luchau (Cumberlands), Med. Forfeit
• Third Place Match – L vs #19 Tyler Okada (Waldorf), TF (3-22) 4:28

Zach Wilson (149) – Wilson went 3-2 overall, falling twice to No. 19 Tyler Okada. Wilson finished fifth overall, receiving a win by forfeit against Jace Luchau of the University of the Cumberlands

• L vs #19 Tyler Okada (Waldorf), MD 5-14
• W vs Joaquin Tanabe (Keiser), D 18-12
• W vs Carlos Santos (Indiana Tech), MD 12-1
• L vs #19 Tyler Okada (Waldorf), MD 4-13
• Fifth Place Match – W vs #3 Jace Luchau (Cumberlands), Med. Forfeit

#5 Elliott Rodgers (157) – Rodgers finished third overall on the day, going 5-1. The senior Knight scored three wins by fall, tying for the most pins in the tournament. 

• L vs Vinnie Abbey (Indiana Tech), MD 0-8
• W vs Franco Cuccurelo (St. Andrews), Fall 1:37
• W vs Marc Le Gaspe (Cumberlands), MD 11-3
• W vs Konlin Weaver (Life), D 9-6
• W vs #24 Diego Machado (St. Ambrose), Fall 1:37
• Third Place Match – W vs Scott Fitts (Indiana Tech), Fall 3:58

Braden Getz (165) – Getz finished fourth in the tournament, going 3-2 overall on the day. Getz earned wins by fall, tech fall, and major decions.

• W vs Angel Hernandez (Keiser), Fall 3:24
• W vs Nathan Barker (Lourdes), TF (16-1) 7:00
• L vs Reese Jones (Life), TF (3-19) 6:55
• W vs Jaydon Dungan (York), MD 23-10
• Third Place Match – L vs Weston Melvin (Cumberlands), TF (0-18) 4:02

Gage Eckles (165) – Eckles went 0-2 in the tournament

• L vs Weston Melvin (Cumberlands), Fall 2:09
• L vs Landon Buchanan (Indiana Tech), Fall 1:34

Evan Tilton (174) – Tilton went 1-2 on the day in the 174 class, scoring a win in the consolation bracket

• L vs #14 Leo Galasso (Indiana Tech), TF (7-27) 5:37
• W vs Nehemiah Pemberton (Waldorf), Fall 0:40
• L vs Justin Bartee (Rio Grande), Fall 5:57

Liam Begley (184) – Begley went 0-2 on the day in the tournament

• L vs Skyler Schmidt (Waldorf), D 5-12
• L vs Dayton Fraser (York), Fall 4:30

Clay Guenin (197) – The freshman earned a championship at the 197 bracket, going 3-0 on the day. Guenin won his first two matches by fall, then in the championship match landed an upset 4-3 win over No. 15 Greyson Stevens from Cumberlands. Guenin led 4-0 in the match entering the final period of the championship, allowing three points on a penalty and reversal in the third period. 

• W vs Blaine Kubasta (Indiana Tech), Fall 6:16
• W vs Jett McCauley (Keiser), Fall 4:11
• First Place Match – W vs #15 Greyson Stevens (Cumberlands), D 4-3

Michael Yerian (285) – Yerian went 2-2 en route to finishing seventh overall. The freshman won the seventh place match by fall.

• L vs #21 Bruce Wagers (Rio Grande), Fall 0:24
• W vs Malaki Morales-Perez (York), D 4-2
• L vs Ralph Riche (St. Thomas), D 2-4
• Seventh Place Match – W vs Kei’Sun Sanders (Keiser), Fall 5:51

Marian next competes on January 10, when they travel to Cleary to take on both the Cougars and Siena Heights in their first WHAC duals of the season. 

INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

“SPORTS EXTRA”

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

57 – 60 – 17 – 25 – 20 – 11 – 7

December 21, 1891 – 1st game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts

December 21, 1937 – Chicago Black Hawks left wing Paul Thompson became the first player in NHL history to score a goal against his brother. That goal he scored was on goaltender Cecil Thompson of the Boston Bruins with just 9 seconds left in regulation; Bruins win though, 2-1

December 21, 1941 – Chicago Bears Number 57, Ray McLean made the last NFL drop kick for an extra point

December 21, 1948 – 1949 NFL Draft: University of Pennsylvania linebacker/center Number 60, Chuck Bednarik was selected first by Philadelphia Eagles

December 21, 1979 – Atlanta Flames Number 17, Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games ends at 914, as the Flames lose 5-1 to the St Louis Blues and he is benched by coach Al MacNeil; record eventually broken by Washington Capitols Number 25, Doug Jarvis (964)

December 21, 1980 – Philadelphia Eagles future Hall of Fame receiver, Number 17, Harold Carmichael had his NFL streak of 127 consecutive game receptions come to an end

December 21, 1997 – Detroit Lions Number 20, Barry Sanders became the 3rd NFL player to run for 2,000 yards in a season

December 21, 1999 – Ballon d’Or: FC Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder Number 11, Rivaldo was named best soccer player in Europe ahead of Manchester United midfielder Number 7, David Beckham and Milan striker Number 7, Andriy Shevchenko

FOOTBALL HISTORY

December 21, 1941 – Wrigley Field, Chicago – The 1941 NFL Championship Game took place. The New York Football Giants were challenging the defending Champs, the Bears of Chicago. The game was pretty much one sided as the Monsters of the Midway dominated their visitors from the Big Apple as reported by the Golden Rankings website. In an interesting side note Bears kicker Ray McLean made the last NFL drop kick for an extra point per ESPN Classic. The story goes that the Bears were dominating the New York Football Giants in this late season game up 30-9 late in the game. New York coughed up the ball and the Bears Ken Kavanaugh picked it up and raced 42 yards for another Chicago score. Whether it was to humiliate the Giants further or just for entertainment value, McLean attempted the archaic method of kicking for points that had not been used in quite awhile. The kick was up and good and the Bears celebrated the 37-9 Title victory to become the first repeat Champs in NFL History and garner their fifth championship for the storied franchise.

December 21, 1948 -Philadelphia’s Bellevue-Stratford Hotel – At the 1949 NFL Draft the Philadelphia Eagles chose University of Pennsylvania center/linebacker Chuck Bednarik as the first overall pick. Bednarik, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s information, played in the League for 14 seasons registering 9 interceptions and becoming an All-Pro selection 9 times. Other legends that got their starts in the NFL in this draft were George Blanda, Doak Walker, Frank Tripucka and Norm Van Brocklin.

December 21, 1959 – The Dallas Cowboys hire the New York Giants defensive coordinator, Tom Landry as their First Head Coach. Landry stayed on as the Dallas head man until 1988. The Dallas News website has a fascinating story on how the former Cowboys owner Tex Schram chose Landry to guide his team. In the article Schram, a former LA Rams GM and later a CBS Sports employee, was quoted to say, “I went to their [Giants] games and was surprised by what I saw,” Schramm said. “Here was an assistant coach – a defensive coach — who was looked upon by his players as almost a god. They were the best defensive club in the league for several years, and Tom Landry was the reason. He had a different philosophy of defense, and it worked.”  Tom actually signed on with Schram before the Cowboys franchise even officially existed. The NFL made the formal announcement of awarding Dallas a franchise on January 28, 1960.

December 21, 1969 – Washington D.C. – Legendary Coach Vince Lombardi coached his last football game. The final game was very unceremonious as the great coach six months in the future would learn that he had colon cancer and would pass away from the terminal condition on September 3, 1970 at the age of 57 according to a Washington-Post story. It is almost forgotten too that in what would be the final season that Lombardi would see he was walking the sidelines of the Washington Redskins and not the Green Bay Packers where he spent 9 seasons winning 5 NFL titles including the first two Super Bowls. By the way the Redskins lost that day to their rivals the Dallas Cowboys 20-10. Lombardi in his one season turned the Washington franchise around though after 14 years of dismal finishes to a 7-5-2 record and put the franchise on a course to be successful in the next decade of play.

December 21, 1980 – Philadelphia Eagles, Harold Carmichael’s NFL streak of 127 consecutive games with a reception comes to an end per Onthisday.com.

December 21, 1984 – Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego – Brigham Young University wins their school’s first National Title. BYU knocked of a very tough University of Michigan team by the score of 24-17 in the Holiday Bowl at to remain undefeated to secure the NCAA Division I-A football title per Onthisday.com.

December 21, 1997 – Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan – The Detroit Lions legendary Running Back Barry Sanders is the third player to run for 2,000 yards in a single season.  Sanders had 23 rushing attempts for 184 yards and one score in the Lions 13-10 victory over the visiting New York Jets to help him reach the milestone according to the Pro-Football-Reference website.

Hall of Fame Birthdays for December 21

December 21, 1916 – Vallejo, California  – Cal’s great halfback Vic Bottari is born per the National Football Foundation’s website. The voters in the NFF in 1981 inducted Vic Bottari and his legendary collegiate career into the College Football Hall of Fame.

December 21, 1935 – Hayti, South Dakota – Garney Henley the running back from Huron came to life per the NFF website. The College Football Hall of Fame welcomed Garney Henley into their ranks in 2004.

December 21, 1941 – Chicago, Illinois – USC’s terrific end, Hal Bedsole was born. National Football Foundation voters selected Hal Bedsole to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

December 21, 1960 – Tampa, Florida – The pride of Eastern Kentucky, Safety George Floyd celebrates his day of birth. The NFF’s bio on him states that Floyd intercepted 22 passes in four years and  against Youngstown State in 1980 he ran 100 yards for a touchdown with an interception. George Floyd proudly entered the College Football Hall of Fame rank and file during the induction ceremonies in 1999.

TODAY IN SPORTS

Dec. 21

1891 — Dr. James Naismith introduces the first game of basketball. Based on 13 rules created by Naismith, the game is tested by 18 students at the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, Massachusetts. Using a soccer ball, two peach baskets and two teams of nine players each, the objective is to throw a round ball into a round basket attached to a balcony 10 feet above the floor.

1941 — The Chicago Bears win the NFL championship with a 37-9 rout of the New York Giants.

1975 — The Buffalo Sabres score eight goals in the third period of a 14-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. Rick Martin scores four goals and Fred Stanfield gets three for Buffalo. The Sabres, who lead 6-2 after two periods, outshoot the Capitals 22-3 in the final period.

1981 — Doug Schloerner’s 15-foot jump shot with 1 second remaining in the seventh overtime gives Cincinnati a 75-73 victory over Bradley. The seven overtimes set an NCAA record.

1991 — Buffalo’s Alexander Mogilny matches an NHL record by scoring five seconds into the game as the Sabres beat Toronto 4-1.

1997 — Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions becomes the third player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season when he gains 184 in a 13-10 win over the New York Jets. Sanders finishes with 2,053 yards, second to Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 in 1984.

2001 — Dwayne DeRosario scores six minutes into overtime as the San Jose Earthquakes beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 to win their first MLS Cup.

2008 — Detroit becomes the first 0-15 team when it’s routed 42-7 by the New Orleans Saints. The Lions also break NFL records by being outscored by a combined 176 points at home and by an average of 22 points.

2008 — Cleveland’s Jamal Lewis becomes the 24th player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 career yards in the Browns’ 14-0 loss to Cincinnati.

2008 — San Francisco’s Isaac Bruce becomes the fifth player to reach 1,000 catches on a 3-yard touchdown grab in the 49ers’ 17-16 win at St. Louis.

2009 — Martin Brodeur surpasses Terry Sawchuk’s 40-year-old NHL record with his 104th career shutout, leading New Jersey to a 4-0 victory over Pittsburgh.

2010 — The No. 1-ranked Connecticut women’s basketball team tops the 88-game winning streak by John Wooden’s UCLA men’s team from 1971-74, beating No. 22 Florida State 93-62. Maya Moore has a double-double with a career-high 41 points and 10 rebounds and Bria Hartley adds 21 points for the Huskies, who hold the record for the longest winning streak in all of college basketball history.

2013 — Jared Roberts makes a 41-yard field goal as time expires and Colorado State overcomes a 22-point deficit to beat Washington State 48-45 in the New Mexico Bowl.

2014 — Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson has six receptions for 65 yards in the Texans’ 25-13 win against Baltimore to become the 10th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career catches.

2015 — Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are each banned for eight years by the FIFA ethics committee in a stunning removal of world soccer’s most powerful leaders. FIFA President Blatter and his one-time protege Platini are kicked out of the sport for conflict of interest and disloyalty to FIFA in a $2 million payment deal that is also the subject of a criminal investigation in Switzerland.

2018 – Tennis Australia announces a 10-point tie break to be implemented in Australian Open when deciding set reaches 6-6; takes place of 2-game advantage final sets.

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Dec. 22

1894 — The United States Golf Association is founded, becoming the governing body for the game in the country.

1915 — The Federal League folds. Owners of the American and National Leagues buy out half of the owners (Pittsburgh, Newark, Buffalo, and Brooklyn) of the Federal League teams. Phil Ball, owner of the St. Louis Terriers, is allowed to buy the St. Louis Browns of the AL, and Charles Weeghman, owner of the Chicago Whales, buys out the Chicago Cubs of the NL.

1924 — Babe Dye of the Toronto St. Patricks scores five goals in a 10-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.

1946 — The Cleveland Browns beat the New York Yankees 14-9 in the first AAFC championship game.

1969 — Pete Maravich sets an NCAA record by hitting 30 of 31 foul shots, and scores 46 points to lead LSU to a 98-89 victory over Georgia.

1974 — Boston’s Phil Esposito scores two goals, including his 500th goal, to lead the Bruins to a 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Boston Garden.

1990 — Paul Coffey becomes the second NHL defenseman to record 1000 points. Coffey reaches the milestone with an assist on Kevin Stevens’ goal in second-period of a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders.

1996 — Brett Hull becomes the 24th player in NHL history to score 500 goals, with a hat trick in the St. Louis Blues’ 7-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Brett and his father, Bobby Hull, are the first father-son tandem to each score 500 goals.

2003 — Brett Favre passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns a day after his father dies, moving into second place in NFL history for career TD passes while leading the Green Bay Packers to a 41-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Favre passes Fran Tarkenton on the NFL’s career list with his 343rd career TD throw.

2005 — Reggie Campbell of Navy ties the NCAA bowl record with five touchdowns and had 290 all-purpose yards, leading the Midshipmen to a 51-30 win over Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

2006 — Peter Bondra scores his 500th NHL goal early in the third period to snap a 1-all tie and lead Chicago past Toronto 3-1.

2007 — Eathyn Manumaleuna blocks a field goal as time expires to give BYU a 17-16 victory over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.

2009 — Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh becomes the first defensive player voted The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, winning the award after his dominant performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game.

2013 — Peyton Manning finishes 32 for 51 for 400 yards and four touchdown passes to set the single season touchdown mark in Denver’s 37-13 win over Houston. Manning, with 51 touchdown passes, passes Tom Brady (50 in 2007) for the most in a single season in NFL history.

2013 — Tom Brady leads the Patriots to a 41-7 win at Baltimore as New England clinches the AFC East. It’s the 11th division title for Brady, the most by a starting quarterback in NFL history.

2016 — Matt Linehan throws for 381 yards and four touchdowns and runs for a another score to help Idaho beat Colorado State 61-50 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It’s the third-highest scoring game in bowl history. Idaho (9-4) matches its highest victory total since moving to FBS in 1996.

2020 – Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi scores his 644th goal for FC Barcelona during 3-0 win over Real Valladolid to break Pele’s record for most goals for one club; Pele, 643 goals for Santos 1956-74

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Dec. 23

1933 — Montreal’s Howie Morenz scores his 251st goal to become the NHL’s career goal-scoring leader. Morenz’s goal caps the Canadiens’ 3-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

1951 — Norm Van Brocklin’s 73-yard touchdown pass to Tom Fears in the fourth quarter gives the Los Angeles Rams a 24-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns for the NFL title.

1962 — Tommy Brooker kicks a 25-yard field goal 17:54 into overtime, giving the Dallas Texans a 20-17 victory over Houston for the AFL title.

1972 — The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Oakland Raiders 13-7 on Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception,” in an AFC Divisional playoff game. On 4th-and-10 on their own 40-yard line with 22 seconds remaining and no time outs. Terry Bradshaw, under pressure, throws a pass over the middle to Oakland’s 35-yard line which is deflected by Oakland’s Jack Tatum. Running back Franco Harris catches the deflection at the Raiders’ 43-yard line and runs down the left sideline for a touchdown.

1978 — Bryan Trottier has five goals and three assists to lead the New York Islanders to a 9-4 victory over the Rangers. Trottier sets an NHL record with three goals and three assists in the second period.

1982 — Chaminade, an NAIA school, beats top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 center Ralph Sampson, 77-72, for one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history. The game is played at Honolulu’s International Center in front of 3,383 fans.

1996 — Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions rushes for 175 yards in a 24-14 loss to San Francisco to finish with 1,553 yards for the season. It’s Sanders’ third straight season with at least 1,500 yards rushing, a first in the NFL.

2007 — The New England Patriots set an NFL record with their 15th win, the best start in league history, with a 28-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins 28-7.

2007 — Chris Johnson sets an NCAA bowl record with 408 all-purpose yards, and Ben Hartman kicks a 34-yard field goal as time expires to give East Carolina a 41-38 victory over No. 24 Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl.

2008 — The Boston Celtics set a franchise record with their 19th consecutive victory, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 110-91. The Celtics improve to 27-2 — the best start for a two-loss team in NBA history. The 19-game winning streak breaks the Celtics record set in 1981-82.

2012 — New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns in the Saints’ 34-31 overtime win at Dallas. Brees, with 4,781 passing yards, becomes the first player in NFL history to record at least 4,500 yards in three consecutive seasons.

2013 — Andrew Luck throws for 205 yards to break a single-season rookie record, and his touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne late in the fourth quarter puts Indianapolis in the playoffs with a 20-13 win over Kansas City. Luck, with 4,183 yards, surpasses Cam Newton’s year-old record of 4,051 yards passing by a rookie in the second quarter.

2022 — Washington Capitals center Alex Ovechkin scores two goals to move past Gordie Howe on most NHL career goals list in 4-1 win over visiting Winnipeg Jets.

Dec. 24

1950 — Cleveland’s Otto Graham throws four touchdown passes, despite icy footing in Municipal Stadium, and Lou Groza kicks a 16-yard field goal with 28 seconds left to give the Browns a 30-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL title in their first year in the league.

1961 — George Blanda’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Billy Cannon gives the Houston Oilers a 10-3 victory over the San Diego Chargers for their second AFL title.

1967 — New York’s Joe Namath becomes the first player to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. Namath passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 42-31 win at San Diego. Namath finishes the year with 4,007 yards.

1997 — In one of the biggest upsets in college basketball, Division II American-Puerto defeats the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks 64-59 in the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.

2000 — Marshall Faulk breaks Emmitt Smith’s NFL record for touchdowns, scoring three times to give him 26 for the St. Louis Rams. Faulk’s three touchdowns and 220 yards fuels a 26-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

2003 — Steven Jackson ties a bowl game record with five touchdowns, and Oregon State’s defense overwhelms mistake-plagued New Mexico in a 55-14 win at the Las Vegas Bowl.

2006 — Colt Brennan sets the NCAA single-season record for touchdown passes at 58, throwing five in the second half to lead Hawaii to a 41-24 victory over Arizona State in the Hawaii Bowl. Brennan, 33-of-42 for 559 yards, breaks the previous mark of 54 set by Houston’s David Klingler in 1990.

2011 — David Akers kicks his way into the NFL record book and the San Francisco 49ers hold off Seattle for a 19-17 win. Akers makes four field goals to give him 42 this season, breaking the NFL mark of 40 set by Neil Rackers in 2005 with Arizona.

2014 — Western Kentucky holds on to defeat Central Michigan 49-48 in a wild inaugural Bahamas Bowl. Central Michigan trails 49-14 entering the fourth quarter before Cooper Rush engineers a comeback. He throws four touchdown passes in the final minutes, and the Chippewas get the ball back at their own 25 with one second remaining. Rush completes a pass to Jesse Kroll, and the ball is lateraled three times before Titus Davis dove into the pylon for a touchdown with no time remaining. CMU elects to go for two, only to have the pass drop incomplete.

2016 — With a 41-3 rout of the New York Jets, Bill Belichick earns his 200th regular-season victory in New England, making him the fifth coach in NFL history to reach the milestone with one team.

2016 — Cleveland survives a last-second field-goal attempt and gets its first victory after 14 losses by beating the San Diego Chargers 20-17. When San Diego’s Josh Lambo misses a 45-yard field-goal attempt as time expires, the Browns (1-14) win for the first time in 377 days.

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Dec. 25

1956 — Corky Devlin of Fort Wayne goes 0-for-15 from the field against the Minneapolis Lakers to tie an NBA record.

1971 — Garo Yepremian’s 37-yard field goal at 7:40 of the second overtime gives the Miami Dolphins a 27-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the AFC playoffs. At 82:40, it’s the longest game in NFL history.

1984 — Bernard King of the New York Knicks scores 60 points in a 120-114 loss to the New Jersey Nets.

1995 — Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys scores his 25th touchdown of the season in a 37-13 win over Arizona, breaking the record for most TDs in a season. Smith passes John Riggins of Washington, who scored 24 in 1983.

1999 — Hawaii beats Oregon 23-17 in the Oahu Bowl to cap a remarkable turnaround for the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii improves from 0-12 in 1998 to 9-4 — the greatest single-season improvement in NCAA history.

2002 — Katie Hnida becomes the first woman to play in a Division I football game when she attempts an extra point following a New Mexico touchdown in the Las Vegas Bowl. Hnida, a walk-on junior, has her kick blocked in the 27-13 loss to UCLA.

2008 — New Orleans guard Chris Paul has his NBA-record steals streak end at 108 games in the Hornets’ 88-68 loss to Orlando.

2012 — The Los Angeles Clippers extend their franchise-record winning streak to 14 games with a 112-100 win over the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers claim the NBA’s best record at 22-6 in the finale of a Christmas Day doubleheader at Staples Center. In the first game, Kobe Bryant scores 34 points in his NBA-record 15th Christmas Day game to lead the Lakers to a 100-94 win over the New York Knicks 100-94.

2016 — Ben Roethlisberger shakes off a pair of interceptions to throw two late touchdowns, including a 4-yard strike to Antonio Brown with 9 seconds remaining to lift the Steelers to a 31-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The win is the 600th regular-season victory in franchise history. Roethlisberger also becomes the 10th player in NFL history to throw for at least 300 career touchdowns.

2020 — New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara equals Ernie Nevers 1929 NFL record of 6 touchdowns in a match in the Saints’ 52-33 win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

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Dec. 26

1908 — Jack Johnson becomes the first black man to win the world heavyweight boxing title, with a 14th-round knockout of Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia.

1917 — Toronto’s Harry Cameron becomes the first defenseman to score four goals in a game as the Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 7-5.

1919 — Yankees and Boston Red Sox reach agreement to move future Baseball Hall of Fame pitching slugger Babe Ruth to New York.

1943 — Sid Luckman throws five touchdown passes to lead the Chicago Bears to a 41-21 victory over the Washington Redskins for the NFL championship.

1946 — The United States wins the Davis Cup with a 5-0 sweep of Australia, the worst defeat for a defending champion.

1954 — Otto Graham scores three touchdowns and passes for three more to lead the Cleveland Browns to a 56-10 rout of the Detroit Lions for the NFL title.

1955 — The Cleveland Browns intercept six passes, one of which is returned 65 yards for a touchdown by Don Paul, in a 38-14 victory over the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL championship.

1960 — The Philadelphia Eagles come from behind twice on a 35-yard pass to Tommy McDonald from Norm Van Brocklin and a 5-yard run by Ted Dean to beat the Green Bay Packers 17-13 for the NFL title.

1964 — Wray Carlton and Jack Kemp each score touchdowns and Pete Gogolak kicks two field goals to give the Buffalo Bills a 20-7 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFL championship.

1965 — The Buffalo Bills win their second straight AFL championship with a 27-0 victory over the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are able to get inside Buffalo’s 25-yard line only once.

1971 — Muhammad Ali finishes off German Jürgen Blin with a thundering right cross for a 7th-round knockout in a non-title heavyweight boxing contest in Zurich, Switzerland.

1986 — Center Doug Jarvis of the Hartford Whalers plays his 915th consecutive game, setting an NHL record.

1992 – The NHL’s San Jose Sharks end a 13-game losing streak with a 7-2 win over the LA Kings, albeit allowing 59 shots, the most in team history; Jeff Hacket makes 57 saves

1999 — Mike Vanderjagt’s 21-yard field goal with four seconds left gives the Indianapolis Colts a 29-28 win over the Cleveland Browns. Indianapolis, which went 3-13 in 1998, makes NFL history by winning 10 more games than they did the previous season.

2001 — Colorado’s Patrick Roy becomes the first NHL goalie to win 500 games as he records his seventh shutout of the season, a 2-0 win over Dallas.

2004 — Peyton Manning breaks Dan Marino’s single-season touchdown pass record when he throws his 48th and 49th of the season, rallying Indianapolis from a 31-16 fourth-quarter deficit to win 34-31 in overtime over San Diego.

2007 — Chris Summers kicks a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the Motor City Bowl, lifting Purdue to a 51-48 win over Central Michigan. The 99 points ties the second-highest total in a bowl game that ended in regulation, trailing only the 2003 Insight Bowl, where California beat Virginia Tech 52-49.

2011 — Drew Brees sets the NFL record for yards passing in a season, breaking a mark that Dan Marino had held since 1984, and the New Orleans Saints clinch the NFC South title with a 45-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Brees throws for 307 yards and four touchdown passes, the last a 9-yard strike to Darren Sproles that set the record with 2:51 to go. It was Brees’ final pass of the game and it gave him 5,087 yards passing, to break the record by three yards.

2023 — The Detroit Pistons suffer a 118-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets at home to set an NBA single-season record with their 27th straight defeat.