THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” SATURDAY DECEMBER 31. 2022

BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES:

BELLMONT	54	SOUTH ADAMS	30
BLOOMINGTON NORTH	45	ZIONSVILLE	43
BOWMAN ACADEMY	81	BOONE GROVE	46
CLARKSVILLE	68	TRINITY LUTHERAN	38
EVANSVILLE REITZ	44	HENDERSON COUNTY (KY.)	39
FRANKLIN COUNTY	68	OLDENBURG ACADEMY	48
FRANKTON	58	EASTERN (GREENTOWN)	53	2OT
JASPER	60	EVANSVILLE CENTRAL	43
LAWRENCE NORTH	78	MARION	64
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN	68	SHENANDOAH	25
LOOGOOTEE	46	SHOALS	33
MUNCIE CENTRAL	33	JAY COUNTY	31
PLAINFIELD	59	SOUTHPORT	44
SEYMOUR	50	MARTINSVILLE	43
SHAWE MEMORIAL	63	CANNELTON	26
TAYLOR	70	INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE	45
WAPAHANI	61	BLUE RIVER	40
WASHINGTON	69	MOUNT VERNON (POSEY)	42
WEST LAFAYETTE	81	SEEGER	75
WOOD MEMORIAL	71	DUGGER UNION	37
HALL OF FAME TOURNAMENT
NORTHWOOD	58	NORTH DAVIESS	53	R1
BEN DAVIS	65	PENN	53	R1
PENN	61	NORTH DAVIESS	46	3RD
BEN DAVIS	60	NORTHWOOD	42	1ST
HIGHLAND TOURNAMENT
WHITING	60	CALUMET	51	7TH
MORGAN TWP.	50	KANKAKEE VALLEY	48	5TH
HAMMOND MORTON	68	HIGHLAND	59	3RD
BENTON CENTRAL	35	GRIFFITH	29	1ST
HUNTINGTON NORTH TOURNAMENT
INDIANAPOLIS TECH	59	FORT WAYNE SNIDER	50	5TH
NEW HAVEN	44	HUNTINGTON NORTH	38	3RD
MISHAWAKA	68	MERRILLVILLE	49	1ST
KENTUCKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC
AVON	58	PIKE COUNTY CENTRAL (KY.)	35
KOKOMO TOURNAMENT
GUERIN CATHOLIC	54	COLUMBIA CITY	40	CON
SOUTH BEND RILEY	64	FORT WAYNE LUERS	56	CON
BROWNSBURG	53	WARREN CENTRAL	38	SF
KOKOMO	51	CENTER GROVE	49	SF
COLUMBIA CITY	60	FORT WAYNE LUERS	55	OT | 7TH
GUERIN CATHOLIC	54	SOUTH BEND RILEY	36	5TH
CENTER GROVE	47	WARREN CENTRAL	37	3RD
BROWNSBURG	73	KOKOMO	51	1ST
LAPORTE TOURNAMENT
KOUTS	47	LOWELL	43	7TH
TIPPECANOE VALLEY	59	HANOVER CENTRAL	52	5TH
SOUTH BEND ADAMS	59	LOGANSPORT	54	3RD
LAKE CENTRAL	65	LAPORTE	58	1ST
NORTHEAST DUBOIS TOURNAMENT
NORTHEAST DUBOIS	64	LANESVILLE	59	R1
WEST WASHINGTON	50	TECUMSEH	43	R1
TECUMSEH	58	LANESVILLE	46	3RD
NORTHEAST DUBOIS	45	WEST WASHINGTON	44	1ST
PERRY-SPENCER TOURNAMENT
VINCENNES LINCOLN	60	TELL CITY	41	7TH
SOUTH SPENCER	56	CRAWFORD COUNTY	43	5TH
BOONVILLE	52	PERRY CENTRAL	43	3RD
HERITAGE HILLS	63	CORYDON CENTRAL	59	1ST
RICH CENTRAL (ILL.) TOURNAMENT
HAMMOND NOLL	70	THORNTON FRACTIONAL SOUTH (ILL.)	59	CON
TRINE UNIVERSITY CLASSIC
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC	60	FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	53
FORT WAYNE WAYNE	64	FAIRFIELD	50
MICHIGAN CITY	64	FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	45
FORT WAYNE WAYNE	70	MARQUETTE CATHOLIC	53
FORT WAYNE NORTH	58	FAIRFIELD	40
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK	71	WEST NOBLE	58
MICHIGAN CITY	62	FORT WAYNE NORTH	58
WAWASEE TOURNAMENT
WAWASEE	50	TRINITY GREENLAWN	16	R1
WOODLAN	58	ROCHESTER	33	R1
ROCHESTER	54	TRINITY GREENLAWN	41	3RD
WOODLAN	55	WAWASEE	43	1ST

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES:

BLOOMINGTON NORTH	46	NORTHVIEW	33
CENTRAL NOBLE	42	SOUTH ADAMS	30
EASTSIDE	49	HERITAGE	35
EMINENCE	50	WASHINGTON CATHOLIC	36
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN	59	WHITE RIVER VALLEY	45
FISHERS	51	CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)	46
JENNINGS COUNTY	59	COLUMBUS NORTH	39
NEW ALBANY	64	EVANSVILLE HARRISON	51
SHAWE MEMORIAL	57	CANNELTON	34
BOWMAN ACADEMY TOURNAMENT
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL	38	RIVER FOREST	33	1ST
EASTERN GREENE TOURNAMENT
SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER)	54	MARTINSVILLE	24	CON
BLOOMFIELD	54	OWEN VALLEY	46	CON
JASPER	39	TRINITY LUTHERAN	37	SF
EASTERN GREENE	46	LOOGOOTEE	35	CON
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL	31	NORTH KNOX	30	SF
SOUTH KNOX	50	PAOLI	46	CON
OWEN VALLEY	54	MARTINSVILLE	45	11TH
BLOOMFIELD	50	SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER)	39	9TH
PAOLI	50	LOOGOOTEE	27	7TH
EASTERN GREENE	50	SOUTH KNOX	49	OT | 5TH
NORTH KNOX	58	TRINITY LUTHERAN	55	3RD
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL	42	JASPER	38	1ST
NORTHRIDGE TOURNAMENT
NORTHRIDGE	63	SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH	28	POOL A
ANDREAN	48	KNOX	31	POOL A
RUSHVILLE	39	MERRILLVILLE	35	POOL B
NORTHWOOD	49	FORT WAYNE DWENGER	47	OT | POOL B
FORT WAYNE DWENGER	43	SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH	39	7TH
KNOX	46	MERRILLVILLE	36	5TH
ANDREAN	52	RUSHVILLE	27	3RD
NORTHRIDGE	82	NORTHWOOD	41	1ST
PLAINFIELD CLASSIC
NEW PALESTINE	52	PLAINFIELD	46	R1
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI	66	GREENSBURG	60	R1
PLAINFIELD	56	GREENSBURG	54	3RD
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI	60	NEW PALESTINE	53	1ST
ROCK CREEK TOURNAMENT
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY	53	SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH)	40	R1
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	53	LOUISVILLE COLLEGIATE (KY.)	32	R1
LOUISVILLE COLLEGIATE (KY.)	38	SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH)	28	3RD
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY	48	CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	38	1ST
UNION CITY INVITATIONAL
BLUE RIVER	57	UNION CITY	36	SF
BLACKFORD	56	FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK	46	SF
PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD	49	GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN	29	7TH
UNION COUNTY	42	ADAMS CENTRAL	28	5TH
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK	41	UNION CITY	24	3RD
BLACKFORD	68	BLUE RIVER	58	1ST
VINCENNES RIVET TOURNAMENT
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC	57	VINCENNES LINCOLN	31	CON
LANESVILLE	46	TECUMSEH	31	SF
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL	63	EVANSVILLE MATER DEI	37	SF
CORYDON CENTRAL	63	VINCENNES RIVET	45	CON
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL	51	LANESVILLE	46	OT | 1ST
WARSAW TOURNAMENT
WINCHESTER	52	KOKOMO	44	5TH
COLUMBIA CITY	64	CHESTERTON	34	3RD
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON	70	WARSAW	49	1ST

INDIANA WRESTLING SCORES: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/

TOP 25 MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

11 UCLA	67	FINAL
WASH. ST.	66
14 MIAMI (FL)	76	FINAL
NOTRE DAME	65
WESTMI	66	FINAL
15 WISCONSIN	76
25 NORTH CAROLINA	74	FINAL
PITTSBURGH	76

TOP 25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

10 UCLA	82	FINAL
17 OREGON	74
11 UTAH	71	FINAL
WASHST	66
MINNESOTA	85	FINAL
16 MARYLAND	107

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

MARYLAND	16	FINAL
23 NORTH CAROLINA ST.	12
PITTSBURGH	37	FINAL
18 UCLA	35
21 NOTRE DAME	45	FINAL
19 SOUTH CAROLINA	38
OHIO	30	FINAL-OT
WYOMING	27
6 TENNESSEE	31	FINAL
7 CLEMSON	14

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

IOWA VS. KENTUCKY — MUSIC CITY BOWL (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ABC

NO. 5 ALABAMA VS. NO. 9 KANSAS STATE — SUGAR BOWL (NEW ORLEANS) | 12 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 2 MICHIGAN VS. NO. 3 TCU (CFP SEMIFINAL) — FIESTA BOWL (GLENDALE, ARIZONA) | 4 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 1 GEORGIA VS. NO. 4 OHIO STATE (CFP SEMIFINAL) — PEACH BOWL (ATLANTA) | 8 P.M. | ESPN

MONDAY, JAN. 2

NO. 22 MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. ILLINOIS — RELIAQUEST BOWL (TAMPA, FLORIDA) | 12 P.M. | ESPN2

NO. 17 LSU VS. PURDUE — CITRUS BOWL (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 1 P.M. | ABC

NO. 10 USC VS. NO. 16 TULANE — COTTON BOWL (ARLINGTON, TEXAS) | 1 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 8 UTAH VS. NO. 11 PENN STATE — ROSE BOWL (PASADENA, CALIFORNIA) | 5 P.M. | ESPN

SUNDAY, JAN. 8

FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (FRISCO, TEXAS) | 2 P.M. | ABC

MONDAY, JAN. 9

CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA) | ESPN

NFL WEEK 17

SUNDAY, JANUARY 01, 2023

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

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

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT HOUSTON TEXANS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS

DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS

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

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

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

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX

NEW YORK JETS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P CBS

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 02, 2023

BUFFALO BILLS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (MON) 8:30P (ET) 8:30P ESPN/ABC

NBA

WASHINGTON	119	FINAL
ORLANDO	100
LA LAKERS	130	FINAL
ATLANTA	121
PHOENIX	104	FINAL
TORONTO	113
DETROIT	118	FINAL
CHICAGO	132
MINNESOTA	114	FINAL
MILWAUKEE	123
PHILADELPHIA	116	FINAL
NEW ORLEANS	127
MIAMI	119	FINAL
DENVER	124
PORTLAND	112	FINAL
GOLDEN STATE	118
UTAH	125	FINAL
SACRAMENTO	126

NHL

NASHVILLE	6	FINAL
ANAHEIM	1
NEW JERSEY	4	FINAL
PITTSBURGH	2
FLORIDA	0	FINAL
CAROLINA	4
EDMONTON	7	FINAL
SEATTLE	2

TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES

TUA TAGOVAILOA OFFICIALLY OUT WITH CONCUSSION AT NEW ENGLAND

(AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game at New England after suffering a concussion in Miami’s Christmas Day loss to Green Bay.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that Tagovailoa is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol and is day to day as he focuses on his health.

“He’s better than the day before,” McDaniel said. “But I’m also trying to get a team ready to play this game, and it really doesn’t do anybody any service to over talk the scenario where he’s got to be focused on his health and nothing else.”

Teddy Bridgewater will lead Miami in Sunday’s critical division matchup, which will be a factor in whether the Dolphins clinch their first postseason berth since 2016. The Dolphins can clinch the playoffs with a win and a New York Jets loss to Seattle, or a tie combined with a Jets loss and Pittsburgh Steelers loss or tie.

For Tagovailoa, it’s not clear when, or if, he’ll return to the field, but many current and former players have expressed concern for his long-term health after his second confirmed concussion of the season.

McDaniel has appeared equally concerned for his 24-year-old starting quarterback, but has chosen his words carefully, offering few details on Tagovailoa’s future. He said Friday that he has blocked out outside opinions “diligently” regarding Tagovailoa’s health.

“I haven’t read or talked or heard anything outside of doing my job with the people that I work with,” McDaniel said. “I think from an integrity standpoint, it’s important for me to do everything for the right reasons and not have influences either way with whatever the situation is.”

Tagovailoa was previously concussed in a Week 4 loss to Cincinnati on a play that knocked him unconscious and caused him to be stretchered off the field.

That was four days after he was allowed to return to a game against Buffalo after he appeared disoriented following a hit. It was an unsettling scene as Tagovailoa wobbled when he tried to get back on his feet, and the NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that any player who shows possible concussion symptoms – including a lack of balance or stability – sit out the remainder of a game.

When he returned for Miami’s Week 7 matchup against Pittsburgh, Tagovailoa spoke about how stressful the whole process had been.

“It’s been a process, that’s for sure,” Tagovailoa said in October. “Having to deal with the interviews with the NFL and the NFLPA and then having to go and see doctors outside with second opinions … but all of it is done for player safety. I’m glad that I got to go through those things to kind of understand more of the deals of concussions and the effects.”

Tagovailoa’s brother, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, told the Associated Press on Thursday that he does worry about his brother’s long term health, given how much information is available on Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the progressive brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head.

“That’s my brother,” he said. “I want him to always be safe, but at the same time play the game that he loves and do what he loves to do and see him happy. In life I feel like we all have to make those tough decisions, regardless of what he feels like doing at the moment. There are lot more years and a lot of more time too, because he’s still young.”

CARDINALS TO START DAVID BLOUGH AT QUARTERBACK VS FALCONS

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals will use their fourth quarterback of the season after David Blough was named the starter for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Colt McCoy was the expected starter but has been battling concussion symptoms. Coach Kliff Kingsbury elected to go with Blough over Trace McSorley, who started the team’s 19-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Christmas Day.

The 27-year-old Blough started five games for the Detroit Lions in 2019, losing all five. The former Purdue standout was signed a little more than two weeks ago, a few weeks after starter Kyler Murray was lost for the season due to a knee injury.

The Cardinals (4-11) have lost five straight games and seven of their past eight.

BROWNS STAR GARRETT RESPECTS DECISION TO BENCH HIM 3 PLAYS

BEREA, Ohio (AP) Myles Garrett blamed himself for being benched.

Cleveland’s star defensive end said his failure to communicate led to coach Kevin Stefanski sitting him for the start of last week’s game, a decision the Pro Bowler said he respects. He also vowed not to let it happen again.

Garrett was kept off the field for the first three plays on Dec. 24 against New Orleans – the coldest regular-season game in Browns history – after Stefanski punished him for “a team thing.”

Garrett had missed two practices last week leading up to the game with an unspecified illness.

On Friday, Garrett clarified the reason he was on the sideline for the first series against the Saints, who beat the Browns 17-10.

“That was coach’s decision based off of what happened during the week and I respect his decision,” Garrett said. “I was sick and I didn’t communicate well enough.”

Garrett acknowledged that the optics of the situation aren’t ideal for anyone, never mind a team captain, leader and one of the NFL’s best defensive players.

“It’s just a bad look for a starter just in general,” he said after the Browns wrapped up preparations to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday. “So just don’t put myself in that situation again.”

Garrett was asked if he was disappointed in himself.

“I think it was a misunderstanding at the end of the day,” he said. “But I mean that’s how it went down and got to respect how he feels about the situation and his judgment.”

Stefanski was asked Friday if there was any residual effect from Garrett’s discipline.

“No,” he said. “He has done a nice job. Been good.”

Garrett said he’s moved on: “Yeah, that’s behind us. … Nobody’s in here worried about it.”

It’s been an interesting season for Garrett, who has 13 1/2 sacks with two games left.

In September, he escaped serious injury when he flipped his Porsche while speeding on a rural road near his home. Garrett sustained a sprained left shoulder, strained right biceps, broken eye blood vessel and facial lacerations when he veered off the road; a female passenger suffered minor injuries.

It was one of several low points this season for the Browns (6-9), who missed the playoffs for the second straight year despite high expectations.

“It’s a frustrating thing,” he said. “Visibly frustrated, get home and just that kind of energy you’ve brought throughout the season, you have to try to hold onto that. Energy, it’s got to move. It’s got to be in an environment or at leaves. It continues to move and display itself in different manners.

“But know when you lose like that and then you feel like you have a disappointing season, you missed the playoffs, when you feel like you should’ve made it or you should’ve done better – that’s when you move the energy in the building, lose the positivity and things start to go into disarray.”

There will be personnel and perhaps coaching changes in the offseason, but Garrett remains confident the Browns aren’t far from success.

“We’re trying to figure it out all together and right now we don’t really have the recipe to get wins consistently as we’d like,” he said. “But I think most of the pieces are here and we just have to tight a couple of screws.”

BUCS’ GABBERT, BROTHERS RESCUE PEOPLE IN TAMPA CHOPPER CRASH

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Buccaneers backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert became an unexpected hero Thursday when a helicopter crashed into Hillsborough Bay in Tampa.

He and his two brothers were cruising nearby on jet skis, checking out from afar some of the sail boats at a yacht club, when they heard a “faint noise” south of Davis Island and rushed toward it.

“I just remember looking to the west and seeing it almost looked like a crew boat in the water that had broken up in about four pieces and I vaguely remember seeing like two yellow life jackets so I was like all right we gotta go check this out,” Gabbert said Friday at a news conference, local authorities standing behind him like proud parents.

The brothers arrived at the crash to find a sinking helicopter and multiple people in need of saving.

“The youngest kid had just came up and said he was pinned in there and I asked if anyone else was trapped and then I called 911, tried to remain as calm as possible,” Gabbert said.

He was able to get two of the people out of the water and onto his jet ski, while his brothers helped a third person. A fourth occupant was helped out of the water by authorities, who Gabbert said arrived in record time.

Everyone survived.

The pilot and three passengers were on a helicopter tour of the area when they heard a loud bang and the helicopter lost power, the Tampa Police Department said in a statement. The pilot made an emergency landing into the water.

Tampa Bay police Officer Dan Spears said Gabbert and his brothers “had actually just about completed the rescue” when he arrived.

“It was a pretty impressive feat, no doubt,” Spears said. “They were very calm – great job on that … One of the most dangerous circumstances on an aircraft is a water landing just due to the inversion of a helicopter and trying to escape that and not get trapped in, so it was a very amazing circumstance that everybody got out.”

Gabbert said he raced his jet ski to shore, where the fire department met them.

“I was like, just please hold on tight,” he said he told his two riders. “We’ll get to the beach quick and get you dried off, get you a coffee and warmed up.”

Tampa Bay police made Gabbert an honorary member of their marine unit on Friday.

“It’s funny how time kind of slows down in those situations,” Gabbert said. “I just wanted to get them dry and warm as quickly as possible.”

Bucs coach Todd Bowles thought the rescue was “outstanding.”

“Any time you can find a guy to drop everything and go help somebody else that that he doesn’t even know without even thinking about it, and take their life into their own hands and helping somebody else save their lives, that says a lot about the guy,” he said. “And Blaine did that.”

VRBO FIESTA BOWL PREVIEW: TCU VS. MICHIGAN GAME NOTES

TCU NOTES:

ABOUT THE GAME: No. 3 TCU will make its first College Football Playoff appearance when it faces No. 2 Michigan in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Horned Frogs and Wolverines will be meeting for the first time on the gridiron. TCU’s last game against a Big Ten opponent was a 34-13 win at Purdue in 2019. TCU is the first school from the state of Texas to make the College Football Playoff and just the second team (Michigan, 2021) to be in the CFP after starting the season unranked. TCU has won 12 games for the fifth time in its history and first since 2014. This season, like 2014, saw the Horned Frogs picked to finish seventh in the Big 12. TCU’s five wins over ranked opponents is tied with Tennessee for the national lead. 4TCU is 2-0 against Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. The Horned Frogs won 38-36 and 31-14 against Stanford in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, respectively, when Harbaugh was head coach of the Cardinal. The Horned Frogs will play in their first bowl game since the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, a 10-7 overtime win against Cal at Chase Field in Phoenix. TCU was selected to the 2020 Texas Bowl versus Arkansas, but the game was canceled. TCU will be playing in its second Fiesta Bowl and game at State Farm Stadium, having dropped a 17-10 decision to Boise State in 2010. TCU will play outside the state of Texas for just the fourth time this season and first since Oct. 29 at West Virginia. The Horned Frogs’ last five games, covering all four contests in November and the Dec. 3 Big 12 Championship, were in Texas. TCU will be playing in its 35th bowl game and has a record of 17-16-1.

TALKING HORNED FROGS: TCU was the first Big 12 team to be 12-0 since Texas in 2009. The Horned Frogs were also the first Big 12 member to go 9-0 in conference play since Oklahoma in 2016. Five of TCU’s wins were against teams it lost to by at least two scores last season, including four by at least three scores. TCU is the first team since 1975 to win seven straight games by 10 points or less. Sonny Dykes became the first head football coach in TCU and Big 12 history to start 12-0 in his first season. He’s just the fourth head coach nationally since 1996 to accomplish the feat. The Horned Frogs are just the third team since 1960 (Stanford, 2012; Iowa, 1960) to win four consecutive games over ranked opponents in a calendar month. TCU’s four consecutive games with a win over a ranked opponent ties for first nationally since 1996. 4TCU already has seven more wins than it had all of last season. Only Tulane (+9) has a bigger improvement.

COMPLETE GAME NOTES: https://gofrogs.com/documents/2022/12/19/TCU_Football_Notes_-_Michigan_Game.pdf

MICHIGAN NOTES:

What You Need to Know

• Michigan is 13-0 for the first time in program history.
• U-M has won more games (25) over the last two seasons than any two-year stretch in school history.
• Michigan is making its second appearance in the College Football Playoff (2021, 2022).
• The Wolverines will play in the Fiesta Bowl for the second time. 
• Saturday’s game will be the first-ever meeting with TCU.
• U-M won its league-leading 44th Big Ten Championship with a 43-22 win over Purdue (Dec. 3).

Return to the College Football Playoff 

• No. 2-seeded Michigan was selected to the College Football Playoff national semifinal and will face No. 3 TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

• The Wolverines will be making their second appearance in the College Football Playoff in as many seasons. 

• U-M’s initial CFP selection came last year in the Orange Bowl, losing 34-11 to eventual national champion Georgia  

• The Wolverines are one of only three Big Ten schools to qualify for the CFP: Ohio State and Michigan State are the others. 

————————————————–

Michigan is Going Bowl-ing 

• The Wolverines will participate in a bowl game for the 50th time in school history. 

• U-M has compiled a 21-28 record in bowl games, listing 11th in the NCAA in appearances and tied for 17th in victories.

U-M has played in 12 different bowl games during its history, winning 21 contests.

• Michigan will return to the Fiesta Bowl for just the second time in program history. The only previous appearance came dur­ing Jim Harbaugh‘s junior year, when he led Michigan to a 27-23 victory over Nebraska on Jan. 1, 1986. 

• This will be Jim Harbaugh‘s ninth bowl game as a collegiate head coach. He enters the Fiesta Bowl game with a 2-6 record in bowl games, including a 1-5 mark at Michigan.

————————————————–

Wolverines and Horned Frogs 

• Saturday’s contest will mark the first-ever meeting between the Wolverines and the Horned Frogs.

• TCU will become the 152nd all-time opponent for the Wolverines. 

Series vs. TCU: First Meeting
Series Streak: First Meeting
Last Meeting vs. TCU: N/A
Last Michigan Win: N/A

Game Notes Nuggets 

• Michigan has achieved its first-ever 13-0 season, eclipsing the previous record of 12 wins shared by the 1905, 1997, and 2021 teams. The program’s 25 wins over the last two seasons are a program best in any two-year span.

• U-M (Penn State, Ohio State) and South Carolina (Tennessee, Clemson) are the only teams in the nation to have two wins against opponents ranked in the current AP Top 10. Michigan is one of 15 FBS schools to not play an FCS school during the regular season.

• U-M’s 15-game conference win streak is the program’s longest since a 16-game conference win streak spanning 1996-98. The Wolverines will seek to avenge a 0-1 record in the College Football Playoff.

• Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has begun his career as a starter with a 12-0 record, setting a new standard for most wins to begin a starting quarterback’s career before his first loss. The previous record-holder, Dennis Franklin (1972), won his first 10 starts before suffering a loss.

• Michigan’s five touchdowns of 45-plus yards against Ohio State were the most any team has scored against an AP Top-Five- ranked team in a single game since the 2005 season.

• U-M is scoring 40.1 points per game and allowing 13.4 points against, on average. Michigan is one of two teams ranked in the top 10 in both scoring offense (seventh) and scoring defense (fifth), along with Alabama (fourth, offense; ninth, defense).

• Michigan leads the country in scoring differential (+26.7). Georgia (+25.8) and Ohio State (+25.3) are the only other teams in the country with average scoring margins above +25 points per game. U-M (+347) and Georgia (+343) are the only teams to have outscored opponents by 305-plus points cumulatively this year.

• U-M has scored points on its opening possession in 11 of 13 games this season (eight touchdowns, three field goals).

• The Michigan defense has forced 48 three-and-outs on the season. In 13 games, the opponent’s first second-half possession has resulted in a change of possession 12 times.

• Dating to late in the 2021 season, U-M has averaged three rushing touchdowns per game (51 rushing TDs in 17 games). The team has 38 in 13 games of 2022 (tied-No. 3, NCAA) and scored 13 in the final four games of 2021.

• Blake Corum had been the focal point of that rushing attack, ranking eighth in the country in rushing yards (1,463), the highest total by a Wolverine since Denard Robinson’s 2010 season (1,702 yards) and the most by a U-M back since Mike Hart’s junior season of 2006 (1,562 yards). He finished his season (injury) with 19 touchdowns and posted an in-season, eight-game streak of 100-plus rushing yards with at least one rushing score.

• Donovan Edwards leads the nation in yards per carry (7.45) with 872 yards on 117 carries. He is an explosive-play machine with five career touchdown runs of 50-plus yards, including the three in the last two games, plus one touchdown pass and one touchdown catch of 70-plus yards.

• Edwards is the first player in Michigan history with a touchdown pass (75 yards), touchdown catch (77 yards) and touchdown run (75 yards, 85 yards) of at least 75 yards in his career.

• The last player to score a touchdown of at least 75 yards in three different ways in his career was Tom Harmon, who did it all in the same game against California in 1940: 70-yard punt return, 86-yard run from scrimmage, 95-yard kickoff return. Harmon had five total scores in the game (one passing, one other rushing).

• McCarthy has thrown 20 passing touchdowns to three interceptions this season, a plus-17 rating when measuring touchdowns minus interceptions. Only Elvis Grbac’s 1991 season, which featured a plus-19 rating (25 touchdown passes to six interceptions) is a better single-season mark.

• The offensive line has been the engine behind the offense and was rewarded by being named the first-ever back-to-back winner of the Joe Moore Award (2021-22) earlier this month. All four starters earned All-Big Ten honors in some form, including three first-team honorees (Trevor Keegan, Olusegun Oluwatimi, Zak Zinter). Oluwatimi was also named Michigan’s first-ever Outland Trophy winner and was the recipient of the Rimington Trophy.

• So far this season, the offensive line has paved the way to an average of 5.97 yards per sack-adjusted carry, and 6.6 yards per play overall. The men up front have allowed just 56 negative plays on 895 offensive snaps (4.3 per game on 68.8 offensive snaps).

• The unit leads the Big Ten’s best rushing attack (243.0 yards per game), which is ranked No. 5 nationally with eight games this season that included 3+ rushing touchdowns.

• Opponents have pressured a U-M passer 29 times (13 sacks, 16 hurries) in 13 games. When the line does allow a sack against starter McCarthy, it comes on an average of 4.60 seconds to throw, the tied-eighth-most time when considering passers with at least 100 dropbacks.

• J.J. McCarthy is among the most efficient passers in the nation, ranking 20th in that statistic (155.4) and he’s even better on play action, averaging an FBS-best 13.1 yards per attempt on such plays (min. 50 dropbacks).

• When McCarthy starts and finishes a Michigan drive, U-M has produced 50 touchdowns and 22 field goals on 118 possessions, translating to points on 61 percent of drives. In his 12 starts, the team has scored in 52 of 56 red zone trips (92.8 percent) with him on the field, scoring 43 touchdowns.

• Receiver Ronnie Bell leads all U-M pass catchers in catches (56) and yards (754), while Cornelius Johnson holds the lead in receiving touchdowns (six). Nine different players have at least one touchdown catch.

• With touchdowns of 69 and 75 yards against the Buckeyes, Johnson became the first Wolverine to catch two passes at least 69 yards in the same game since Jeremy Gallon against Indiana in 2013.

• Tight end Luke Schoonmaker entered the 2022 season having never caught more than three passes in a game but has four or more catches in four games this year. He established new career highs in catches (nine at Indiana) and yards (72 vs. Maryland) during conference play.

• U-M’s high scoring rates have Jake Moody (136 points) leading the nation in points with Blake Corum (114) eighth.

• The defense is No. 3 in total defense with top-five ranks in rushing (third), scoring, pass efficiency, and first downs allowed (fourth).

• No team has reached 150 yards on the ground against Michigan this season; nine of 13 teams have been kept below 300 yards of total offense (Maryland, Illinois, Ohio State, Purdue).

• Mike Morris leads the team in TFLs (11.0) and sacks (7.5) and ranks second in the Big Ten despite missing most of the last three games. Morris has PFF’s No. 3 pass-rush productivity grade (PRP, minimum 65 pass-rush snaps) in the Big Ten.

• Kris Jenkins ranks sixth among all FBS defenders with a 15.0 run stop percentage. Run stop percentage is a metric by PFF that measures the percentage of a player’s defensive snaps that result in a stuff on a run play. Mazi Smith (12.4 percent) is also a standout in this category, making U-M one of two Big Ten teams with a pair of teammates in the FBS’ top-40 ranked individuals.

• Defensive backs Rod Moore and Will Johnson (three interceptions) are tied for the team lead in turnovers. Seven different Wolverines have at least one pick, and 18 different players have at least one pass breakup.

• Among punters with at least one punt per game (13), Brad Robbins‘ 4.34-second hang time is the best in the country, according to PFFCollege. He is one of two punters above 4.2 seconds and the only Big Ten punter above 4.01 seconds. The average among Big Ten punters who meet the same qualifications is 3.81 seconds.

• With Robbins directing the unit, no opponent has registered a punt return of 10-plus yards since U-M played Ohio State in the 2017 season (122 punts).

• Thirty-two (32) of Robbins’ 38 punts have been downed, fair caught or rolled out of bounds. The other six have been returned for a combined total of 17 yards. 

• Robbins’ special teams partner Jake Moody has helped the Wolverines achieve a top-25 kickoff coverage unit, with opposing returners gaining 17.38 yards per return attempt. Moody has kicked off 94 times and leads the country in combined touchbacks (63) and fair catches (10) with 73.

• Moody is the third player in Michigan history to record consecutive 100-point seasons, joining Anthony Thomas (1999-2000) and Tom Harmon (1939-40). His 136 points this year are just two points shy of Desmond Howard (1991, 138 points) for the single-season record for points scored.

• Moody’s 66 career made field goals are a Michigan record. He’s made 26 during the 2022 season along with 58 PATs, both single-year records. His 15 career field goals from 40-plus yards are also a program record.

• Moody is the second-highest scorer in program history (344 career points). Only Garrett Rivas (354 points) has scored more points in his career for Michigan Football.

COMPLETE GAME NOTES: https://mgoblue.com/documents/2022/12/26/20221226-fbl-notes-tcu.pdf

CHICK-FIL-A BOWL PREVIEW: OHIO STATE VS. GEORGIA GAME NOTES

OHIO STATE NOTES:

The Chick-fi l-A Peach Bowl will be the seventh College Football Playoff game for Ohio State. „ Only Alabama (13) and Clemson (10) have played in more games. „ In the Buckeyes’ three wins, they’ve averaged 44.3 points per game and scored 42 or more each time. „ In their three losses, they’ve averaged just 15.6 points per game. „ Ohio State and Alabama are tied for the most all-time appearances in the College Football Playoff poll with 54. „ The Buckeyes’ average rank is 5.26, which is second only to Alabama at 3.02.

No. 4 Ohio State makes its first appearance in the Chick-fi l-A Peach Bowl and it will be on the largest of stages: a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup in prime time (8 p.m.) against defending national champion and No. 1 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Game time is 8 p.m. „ Ohio State is 11-1 on the season, was 8-1 and runner-up in the Big Ten East Division and was ranked in the Top 3 nationally all season. The Buckeyes are one of only two one-loss teams – TCU is the other – and both are in the CFP behind unbeaten Georgia and Michigan, both 13-0, respectively. „ Ohio State and Georgia have met just once on the gridiron: the Bulldogs defeated the Buckeyes, 21-14, to win the 1993 Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. „ That Citrus Bowl win capped a 10-2 season for Georgia under coach Ray Goff . Ohio State went 8-3-1 that season under John Cooper with Kirk Herbstreit a team captain and the starting QB. „ The game will be Georgia’s 11th at Mercedes Benz Stadium, which is situated 72 miles from Athens, since it opened in 2017. This will be Ohio State’s first game in the stadium.

„ Georgia is 13-0 on the season and has been ranked No. 1 in five of the six College Football Playoff polls this season. „ The Bulldogs defeated LSU, 50-20, in its last outing in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. „ Heisman Trophy finalist QB Stetson Bennett threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns against the Tigers. He is 27-3 lifetime as a starter with 3,425 yards this season and 20 TD passes. „ Like last year, Georgia possesses one of the nation’s top defenses. Only Illinois has given up fewer points per game on average than the Bulldogs (12.8). „ Georgia has top 10 national rankings on both sides of the ball is scoring offense (ninth, 39.7), scoring defense (second, 12.8), total offense (seventh, 491.9) and total defense (eighth, 292.0). „ Georgia is No. 1 nationally in both red zone offense and red zone defense. „ Since the beginning on the 2021 season, Georgia has won 27 of its last 28 games.

The Buckeyes finished the regular season with an 11-1 record with all 11 of its wins coming by double digits. „ Ohio State is Top 10 nationally in total offense (6th; 492.7) and 12th in total defense (303.9). „ A seven-game streak of 40-or-more points by Ohio State was snapped at Northwestern. It was a school and Big Ten Conference record. „ The defense also had a streak snapped at Northwestern: six consecutive games forcing an opponent turnover. „ Ohio State still ranks tied for 23rd nationally in turnover margin with 17 turnovers forced, vs. only eight turnovers for a plus-0.52 per game average.

„ A pair of linebackers – Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers – lead Ohio State’s defense with 112 and 69 tackles, respectively. „ Eichenberg ranks first in the Big Ten and second in the Power 5 with 72 solo tackles and he ranks fourth and 21st in the Big Ten and Power 5, respectively with 12.0 tackles for loss. „ Ohio State’s defensive line features four sophomores – DEs JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer; and DTs Tyliek Williams and Michael Hall Jr. – who have combined for 27.0 TFLs with three of them recording at least 6.5 TFLs apiece. „ Veteran DEs Zach Harrison and Javontae Jean-Baptiste have combined for 10.5 TFLs and 47 tackles. „ DT Taron Vincent has started every game and is having his best season with 23 tackles and two QB hurries. „ Three safeties start each game and two of them – Lathan Ransom and Ronnie Hickman – rank third and fourth on the team, respectively, in tackles with 65 and 51. „ A total of 13 different players have registered at least one full sack this season.

„ The Buckeye offense is scoring 44.5 points per game – 2nd nationally – and has scored 55 of 58 times in the red zone for the second-highest percentage in the country (.948). „ Impressive is the rate of red zone TDs for Ohio State: 44 with a balance of 22 passing and 22 rushing scores. „ Ohio State is tied for 4th nationally with 44 red zone touchdowns. Georgia is No. 1 with 48. Ohio State has scored 20-or-more points in 73 consecutive games, which passed Oklahoma for the FBS record. „ Oklahoma’s streak ended in 2021 against West Virginia. „ Ohio State’s last game without scoring at least 20 points came in the 2017 season: a 31-16 loss to Oklahoma at Ohio Stadium.

COMPLETE GAME NOTES: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/13_OSUvsUGA-FINAL.pdf

GEORGIA NOTES:

Top-ranked Georgia will face fourth-ranked Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 2022 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The Bulldogs (13-0) will represent the SEC in their third CFP appearance (fifth game) while the Buckeyes (11-1) hail from the Big Ten and will be making their fifth appearance in a CFP contest. The winner of this game advances to the CFP National Championship in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 9 against either Michigan or TCU. The Bulldogs are making their 60th bowl appearance, which ranks second nationally. They will be making a school record 26th consecutive appearance, the nation’s longest active bowl streak. In school history, Georgia owns a 35-21-3 record in bowl games. Ohio State has played in 53 bowl games, sporting a record of 26-27. Under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes are 2-2 during the postseason, including 1-2 in CFP contests. Last year, Ohio State edged Utah 48-45 in the Rose Bowl Game. PEACH BOWL HISTORY FOR THE BULLDOGS The Bulldogs are 4-2 all-time in Peach Bowl history: Dec. 28, 1973 (Georgia def. #18 Maryland 17-16); Dec. 30, 1989 (Syracuse def. Georgia 19-18); Dec. 30, 1995 (#18 Virginia def. Georgia 34-27); Dec. 31, 1998 (#19 Georgia def. #14 Virginia 35-33); Dec. 30, 2006 (Georgia def. #14 Virginia Tech 31-24); Jan. 1, 2021 (#9 Georgia def. #8 Cincinnati 24-21). SERIES HISTORY WITH THE BUCKEYES Georgia owns a 1-0 edge in the series with the Buckeyes. The teams met in the 1993 Citrus Bowl in Orlando, and the No. 8 Bulldogs claimed a 21-14 victory over No. 15 OSU to finish 10-2 under Ray Goff. Georgia was led by Doak Walker Award winner Garrison Hearst and quarterback Eric Zeier while the Buckeyes featured Kirk Herbstreit at quarterback and Robert Smith at running back. SENIORS MAKING HISTORY Georgia captured the 2022 SEC Championship with a 50-30 win over No. 14 LSU in Atlanta on Dec. 3. The Bulldog senior class has now established a school record for most career victories with a 47-5 mark. That mark included just nine regular season games and a bowl triumph during the COVID-shortened season of 2020. The 2021 Bulldog class that finished their career as national champions tallied a 45-8 mark. The 2022 season marks the first time Georgia has started a season 13-0. The school record for wins in a season is 14 after Kirby Smart’s squad accomplished the feat in 2021 en route to a 14-1 season and its first national championship in 41 years.

RUSHING TO A CONCLUSION: The Bulldogs are tied for third nationally with 37 rushing touchdowns (The school record is 42 set in 2017). Eight different Bulldogs have scored a rushing TD this year. Senior RB Kenny McIntosh has a team-leading 10. He had 182 all-purpose yards in the win over Tech. Georgia is averaging 207.0 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry. In the Bulldogs’ latest victory over No. 14 LSU in the SECCG, junior RB Kendall Milton went for a career-high 113 yards on only eight carries (14.1 avg.) as Georgia torched the Tigers for 255 on the ground. Georgia’s offensive line features C Sedrick Van Pran (28 consecutive starts), RT Warren McClendon (team high 37 consecutive starts) and RG Tate Ratledge (made 12 of the 13 starts this season) along with LT Broderick Jones (13 consecutive starts) . LG Xavier Truss (started 12 of the 13 games) missed the game versus No. 1 Tennessee due to a toe injury. RSo. Devin Willock got his first career start against the Vols for Truss and then started for Ratledge at Kentucky. The unit is a Joe Moore Award finalist in recognition of being one of the country’s top offensive lines. The versatile Warren Ericson (17 career starts) relieved an injured Ratledge for the final 14 games of 2021. He can play all five spots along the line. Amarius Mims is lining up at either tackle position. They have helped Georgia pile up 39.2 points/game and 491.9 yards/game thus far. Georgia ran for a season-high 292 yards and six touchdowns in their 42-10 win over Auburn. The Bulldogs averaged 7.5 yards/carry against the Tigers. Georgia’s rushing tally versus Auburn was the most since 2020 against Missouri (316). The six rushing scores were the most for Georgia since the 2018 contest versus UMass.

BENNETT 27-3 AS A STARTER AT GEORGIA * Senior Stetson Bennett, a native of Blackshear, Ga., began his career with the Bulldogs as a walk-on in 2017 when he was redshirted. Bennett transferred to Jones College (Miss.) where he started in 2018 and then returned to the Bulldogs on scholarship in 2019. He saw action that season in five games including throwing passes in four of them. In 2020, he started five games and then got the nod in the final 11 contests of the 2021 national championship season and has started every game in 2022. * The first week of December this year was a monumental one for Bennett, who led Georgia to the SEC Championship on Dec. 3. Not long before he was named the winner of the Burlsworth Trophy (awarded annually to the most outstanding college player who began his career as a walk-on) on Dec. 5, the news was announced that he was one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Bennett is the third Heisman finalist invited to New York joining 1982 Heisman winner Herschel Walker and 1992 running back Garrison Hearst. In addition to Walker, Georgia’s other Heisman winner was 1942 quarterback Frank Sinkwich. * In his Bulldog career, Bennett has won a national championship and an SEC title and is 27-3 as a starter. He has completed 64.8 percent of his passes (560-for-864, 7,726 yards, 59 TDs, 20 INTs). * Bennett is 48-for-60 for 642 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks during wins over No. 11 Oregon and No. 14 LSU in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this year. * In school history, Georgia is 3-5 all-time against the No. 1 team and Bennett is 2-0. He led Georgia to a victory over No. 1 Alabama in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game and then against top-ranked Tennessee this season. * Currently ranks third nationally among active players in Total Offense Yards Per Play for a career at 8.28, which is on pace for both an SEC and school record (8.30 by Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M; 7.69 by Aaron Murray, Georgia). Current active national leader is C.J. Stroud (9.12, Ohio State) followed by Grayson McCall (8.45, Coastal Carolina). * Most recently, Bennett completed 79 percent of his passes, going 23-for-29 for 274 yards, and threw four touchdown passes against No. 14 LSU in the SECCG. He has tied the school record with 269 completions on the season (Eric Zeier, 1993). * After falling behind for only the second time this season (No. 1 Tennessee 3-0, 10:05 1stQ), Bennett directed an 80-yard touchdown drive that was capped by his 13-yard scamper to the pylon. The Bulldogs would never trail again against the Vols. * Bennett took off for a career-long 64-yard touchdown run during the win over Auburn, giving the Bulldogs a 28-3 edge at the start of the fourth quarter. His scoring scamper was the longest for a Georgia QB since 1976 when Ray Goff flew 73 yards in a 41-0 win at Clemson.

PILING UP THE POINTS * Georgia is averaging 39.2 points/game, which is 11th nationally. In the SEC Championship Game victory over #14 LSU, the Bulldogs scored 50 points with 549 yards of offense to help capture the program’s 14th SEC title. * The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 509-166 this season, including 279-70 in the opening half. * The Bulldogs are 69 of 71 in the Red Zone (a national leading 97 percent) this year with 48 touchdowns and 21 field goals. * Georgia jumped out to a 24-6 halftime lead on 306 total yards versus No. 1 Tennessee and eventually posted a 27-13 victory. * Georgia’s offense generated 49 points against No. 11 Oregon in the 2022 season opener. The Bulldogs tallied 571 yards of offense on 62 plays, scoring touchdowns on their first seven possessions. Georgia had a season-high 579 yards of offense vs Vandy. * Georgia’s leading receiver against the Ducks was Kenny McIntosh (9-117- 0). Also of note, WR Ladd McConkey scored receiving and rushing touchdowns in the same game for the second time in his career (@ Vanderbilt, 2021) versus Oregon as WR AD Mitchell also snagged a touchdown catch. McConkey accomplished the feat yet again at Mississippi State this season. Mitchell has been limited to four games in 2022 because of an ankle injury. * McConkey is second on the team with 51 catches for 695 yards (13.2 avg.) and five scores. He had a career-long 70-yard touchdown run at Mississippi State. McConkey is also the primary punt returner with 16 for 197 yards, including a career-long 39 yarder versus Georgia Tech.

DEFENSE SETTING THE TONE * The Bulldogs rank second nationally in Scoring Defense, giving up just 12.8 points per contest. The defense has posted 26 scoreless quarters, including holding five teams scoreless in the opening half this year. * Georgia has held six teams to a season low in points, including No. 1 Tennessee (13) and No. 11 Oregon (3). * After missing time with a knee injury, junior DL Jalen Carter, a Lombardi Award finalist, has been a force. In the last six games, he has accounted for 24 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. * Georgia shut down No. 1 Tennessee to the tune of 13 points after the Vols came in averaging a national best 49.4 points per contest. The 13 points was the lowest scored under head coach Josh Heupel. The Vols did not get a touchdown until 4:15 left in the contest. UT was just 2-of-14 on third downs (14 percent). * Georgia posted its second shutout of the year with a 55-0 win over VU. This marked the 10th shutout in the Kirby Smart era (since 2016), the FBS’ most during that span. * Georgia is allowing teams to convert on third downs only 27 percent of the time and that ranks third nationally. * The 2022 Bulldog defense kept No. 3 Oregon to only a field goal in the season opener. This marked the first time Oregon had failed to score a touchdown in a game since 2017. Late in the fourth quarter, Georgia had an impressive goal line stand late that ended at the two yard line following a 19-play, 87-yard drive that lasted 8:47. * Georgia’s first touchdown allowed this year came at South Carolina in game three with 53 seconds remaining in the game. * The Dogs have only allowed five rushing TDs this year (KSU, UF, #1 UT, GT, #14 LSU).

MARYLAND HOLDS OFF NO. 25 NC STATE IN DUKE’S MAYO BOWL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Maryland coach Mike Locksley said a good coach always has a game plan.

That’s why he donned an oversized red Noggin Boss hat with a Maryland emblem on it as he sat quietly in a chair awaiting his postgame fate Friday – a bucket of mayonnaise being dumped over his head.

Locksley had agreed to do it for charity weeks ahead of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, saying he’d do anything if it meant winning.

“A former Terp developed the hat and it gave me a little bit of cover” from the mayonnaise, Locksley said.

Taulia Tagovailoa threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Octavian Smith, Chad Ryland kicked three field goals and Maryland outlasted No. 25 North Carolina State 16-12 in the bowl game at Bank of America Stadium.

Tagovailoa wasn’t perfect, finishing 19 of 37 for 221 yards with two interceptions. Roman Hemby ran for 65 yards rushing on 24 carries for Maryland (8-5), which won its second straight bowl.

Jakorian Bennett, who helped seal the win with a late interception, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

“The last four years we have talked about taking the next step, well the next step for us is to start competing for Big Ten championships,” Locksley said. “There are some people out there that will laugh at us and think that is funny, but if you take a Terp for granted, I promise you, we will make you pay.”

Ben Finley, one of four different starting quarterbacks for North Carolina State this season, completed 22 of 48 passes for 269 yards with two interceptions and couldn’t find the end zone.

All of N.C. State’s points came off the leg of All-American kicker Christopher Dunn, who converted field goals of 38, 19, 38 and 26 yards.

The Terrapins’ defense held N.C. State to 27 yards rushing on 18 carries and kept the Wolfpack out of the end zone.

“It’s tough when you are missing as many parts as we were but a lot of people are right now,” said NC State coach Dave Doeren. “It was a myriad of things on that side of the ball.”

Redshirt freshman Billy Edwards Jr. started for Maryland after Tagovailoa was benched for just the first drive.

“It was a coach’s decision and sometimes you have to do things to send a message,” Locksley said.

Tagovailoa was not made available for interviews after the game.

Maryland took a 10-9 lead in the second quarter when Tagovailoa found Smith in the back left corner of the end zone for the game’s only touchdown.

North Carolina State (8-5) certainly had its chances, penetrating the Maryland 25-yard line four times only to come away with four field goals.

The biggest opportunity to seize momentum came in the fourth quarter when Rakeim Ashford intercepted Tagovailoa at the N.C. State 35. But the Terrapins defense answered with a third-down stop and forced a field goal.

N.C. State had one last chance to win it when they got the ball back with 2:34 left in the game at their own 25, but Bennett’s leaping interception on a first down throw clinched the victory.

The senior decided to play in the bowl game even as many of his teammates opted out.

“It was a no-brainer,” Bennett said. “I get the opportunity to play the game that I love, so why not?’

GETTING HIS KICKS

Dunn won the Lou Groza Award, which is given annually to the nation’s best kicker, and finished the season converting 28 of 29 field goal tries and all 30 extra-point attempts for the Wolfpack.

“He has been everything to us,” Doeren said. “… I think he is a great example of persistence. He’s very talented and he’s clutch.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Maryland: The Terrapins have a lot of players who opted out of the bowl game, including three wide receivers who declared for the NFL draft. They’ll need to replenish that position, although Smith looks like a keeper.

NC State: Quarterback is going to be an issue the Wolfpack will need to address this offseason. With Devin Leary transferring to Kentucky, there’s no solid answer. Finley struggled with his accuracy and leading the offense. It didn’t help that North Carolina State’s running game was nonexistent. Doeren said it is time for the Wolfpack to evolve and change on offense and is excited about new offensive coordinator Robert Anae.

UP NEXT

Maryland: Host Towson on Sept. 2, 2023.

NC State: At Connecticut on Sept. 2, 2023.

LATE FIELD GOAL PUTS PITT OVER NO. 18 UCLA 37-35 IN SUN BOWL

EL PASO, Texas (AP) Ben Sauls kicked five field goals, including a 47-yarder in the final seconds, and Pitt beat No. 18 UCLA 37-35 in a back-and-forth Sun Bowl on Friday.

The Panthers (9-4), playing without five starters who opted out of the game, took advantage of five UCLA turnovers, including four interceptions.

“We were down a few guys and just found a way to win a football game,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “One way or another, our guys found a way to get it done. I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”

Sauls, who was named the game’s Special Teams MVP, got his first start a year ago.

“Flip it a year from then and we’re kicking game-winners and going 5 for 5,” Sauls said. “You are what you tell yourself. And at the end of the day, I really think I’m a decent kicker.”

UCLA (9-4) grabbed a 35-34 lead on T.J. Harden’s 8-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds remaining. The late scoring drive started at the UCLA 25-yard line with less than two minutes left, and was keyed by a 34-yard run by Harden.

“I thought both teams played their hearts out,” UCLA coach Chip Kelly said. “It was a heck of a game.”

Pitt quarterback Nick Patti had completions of 18 yards to Jared Wayne and 17 yards to Bub Means on the ensuing drive. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Patti scrambled for 11 yards to the UCLA 29-yard line. After another spike with 10 seconds left, Sauls came on to kick the game-winner.

Sophomore Rodney Hammond Jr., the game’s MVP, rushed for 89 yards and two TDs for the Panthers, who were without running back Israel Abanikanda, the nation’s leader in total TDs with 22.

The Bruins, who led 21-14 at halftime, played without star senior running back Zach Charbonnet. Harden finished with 111 yards on 11 carries.

UCLA was in control after Jaylin Davies intercepted Patti and returned it 52 yards to make it 28-14 with 8:45 to go in the third quarter. But Pitt responded with 20 straight points.

UCLA senior Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was injured and didn’t return to the game after throwing an interception early in the fourth, threw for 271 yards on 16-of-24 passing. He had three interceptions, and Ethan Garbers also threw an interception on the game’s final play.

Pitt got picks from Tylar Wiltz, Javon McIntyre, Bengally Kamara and M.J. Devonshire, and added a fumble recovery on a kickoff.

THE TAKEAWAY

Pitt: The Panthers came into the game with a top-20 defense and a top-10 run defense, and that defense showed up in a big way, limiting UCLA to 141 yards rushing and forcing five Bruins turnovers.

UCLA: Turnovers and special teams hurt the Bruins. Thompson-Robinson threw three interceptions for only the second time this season – the other was a 48-45 loss to Southern California. UCLA had consecutive misplayed kickoff returns in the fourth quarter. The first was a fumbled kick that the Panthers turned into a field goal and a 31-28 lead. The second pinned the Bruins at their own 5-yard line and led to a punt and a Pitt field goal.

LOOKING AHEAD

Pitt: Since Kedon Slovis transferred to BYU and Patti is a senior, the Panthers will look to either transfer Phil Jurkovec, a three-year starter from Boston College, or freshman Nate Yarnell as next year’s starter.

UCLA: The Bruins have to replace a lot of offense, but they brought in QB prospect Dante Moore from Detroit, a heralded recruit who originally committed to Oregon. He is expected to compete with transfer Collin Schlee from Kent State and Garbers. At running back, former Army standout Anthony Adkins has transferred to UCLA. He’ll compete with Harden and redshirt junior Keegan Jones, who had 20 yards on 7 carries.

UP NEXT

Pitt: Begins 2023 season Sept. 2 at home against Wofford.

UCLA: Begins 2023 season Sept. 2 at home against Coastal Carolina.

BUCHNER ACCOUNTS FOR 5 TDS, NOTRE DAME WINS GATOR BOWL 45-38

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Notre Dame’s Tyler Buchner accounted for seven of the 11 touchdowns in the highest-scoring Gator Bowl in history. Two of them he’d like to forget.

Buchner threw three touchdown passes and ran for two scores to help offset two interceptions returned for TDs, and the 19th-ranked Fighting Irish beat No. 20 South Carolina 45-38 on Friday.

The back-and-forth game was filled with big plays and memorable moments. Buchner delivered the knockout blow when he found tight end Mitchell Evans wide open for a 16-yard touchdown on a third-and-7 play with 1:38 remaining.

“The game we played was great. We won the game, and I couldn’t be happier,” Buchner said. “But for me, personally, I didn’t play to the standard I wanted to play. I think I accounted for two extra touchdowns they didn’t want me to account for. That’s not the standard I hold myself to.”

Buchner, who regained the starting job after Drew Pyne entered the transfer portal following the regular-season finale, threw for 274 yards. He also ran for 61 more. He had a 75-yard TD pass to Logan Diggs and a 44-yarder to Braden Lenzy – both one-play drives.

But his three interceptions nearly proved too much to overcome.

O’Donnell Fortune returned one of them 100 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and DQ Smith returned another 47 yards for a score in the first. But Buchner bounced back from both miscues to earn his first victory in three career starts.

“He’s special,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said.

The Irish (9-4, No. 21 CFP) overcame a 14-point deficit and won despite South Carolina scoring on the two interception returns and another on a trick play on special teams. Punter Kai Kroger connected with long-snapper Hunter Rogers for one of the oddest TDs in bowl lore.

Spencer Rattler completed 29 of 44 passes for 246 yards for the Gamecocks (8-5, No. 19 CFP), with an interception and two touchdowns to Xavier Legette.

South Carolina was missing a number of key starters, including running back MarShawn Lloyd, versatile tight end Jaheim Bell, tight end Austin Stogner, defensive lineman Zacch Pickens, safety Devonni Reed, cornerbacks Cam Smith and Darius Rush, and receivers Josh Vann and Jalen Brooks.

“For us to be down that many players and for those guys to play their butts off like they did and leave everything out there like they did, I’m really really, really proud to be their coach,” Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer said. “In that locker room there’s a hurtin’ group of guys that left it all out there.”

Notre Dame played without All-American tight end Michael Mayer, standout edge rusher Isaiah Foskey, cornerback Cam Hart and defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola.

“This is what real life is about: the ability to respond to situations,” Freeman said.

THE TAKEAWAY

Notre Dame: The Irish gave Freeman his first victory following a lengthy layoff. Notre Dame lost its bowl game last year to Oklahoma State after naming Freeman the head coach and dropped its season opener at Ohio State.

South Carolina: Special teams are usually Beamer’s specialty, but he had a few uncharacteristic mistakes to go along with the punter-to-long snapper touchdown pass. Dakereon Joyner was flagged for a block in the back in the second quarter, a call that got Beamer so irate that he drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Those penalties resulted in a 45-yard swing. The Gamecocks also were flagged in the second half for having two guys wearing the same number on a punt and twice for delay of game.

UP NEXT

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish are expected to land highly coveted transfer quarterback Sam Hartman, a three-year starter at Wake Forest who holds the Atlantic Coast Conference’s record for passing touchdowns with 110. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks have numerous holes to fill, none bigger than at offensive coordinator after Marcus Satterfield left for Nebraska. All eyes will be on his replacement, former Arkansas tight ends coach Dowell Loggains, in spring practice.

NO. 6 TENNESSEE TOPS NO. 10 CLEMSON 31-14 IN ORANGE BOWL

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) The only thing that stopped Tennessee fans from singing “Rocky Top” as time was expiring Friday night was the need to serenade Joe Milton with something else.

“M-V-P!” they chanted, over and over. With good reason.

Milton – who regained the starting job only after his close friend Hendon Hooker got hurt late in the year – led Tennessee to one of its finest moments in the last couple decades. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 6 Tennessee never trailed on its way to a 31-14 victory over No. 10 Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

“I trust myself, I trust my coaching and I just let it happen,” Milton said.

The Volunteers finished 11-2 for the first time since 2001, and capped a year when they beat Alabama, LSU and Clemson – programs that combined to win six of the seven most recent College Football Playoff national titles.

“All the adversity this group’s faced during their careers, what they’ve done the last 23 months, I couldn’t be prouder of a group of individuals,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, who won a national title as an Oklahoma player in the Orange Bowl.

Squirrel White, Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton had the scoring catches for the Volunteers. Jaylen Wright rushed for 89 yards and Jabari Small had a touchdown run for Tennessee.

Cade Klubnik, making his first start for Clemson, completed 30 of 54 passes for 320 yards with two interceptions. But Clemson (11-3) just kept coming up empty on prime scoring chances; the Tigers got into Tennessee territory on nine of their first 10 possessions – and turned those trips into only two field goals.

Clemson finished with 484 yards on 101 plays, and still lost by 17.

“You don’t get any points for yards,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “The name of the game’s points. … You have to finish and execute and we did not do that.”

Klubnik ran in from 4 yards out to get Clemson within 21-14 with 10:01 left, but Milton connected with Keyton for a 46-yard score on the next Tennessee possession. The Volunteers intercepted Klubnik on a desperation fourth-down heave about a minute later, just about sealing the outcome.

“Wish we could have sent out these seniors with a win,” Klubnik said. “I think we gave it all we had until the last play.”

In this very orange Orange Bowl – both teams have it as their primary color – it was the Tennessee hue that was superior. Hooker was there, having flown in about a week ago to be with his team and help Milton prepare for the game.

“Blood can’t make us closer,” Milton said. “That’s my brother ’til the end.”

Milton opened the scoring with a 16-yard pass to McCoy, and Small’s 2-yard rush pushed the lead to 14-0 with 9:03 left in the half. The nation’s most prolific offense wasn’t at its best – Tennessee led the nation this year in yards and points per game – but it didn’t have to be.

Clemson got the ball seven times in the first half, getting inside Tennessee territory all seven times and getting to the Vols 25 on four occasions.

Somehow, that only became three points.

The other six possessions: a stuffed fake field-goal run by Drew Swinney, the son of the Clemson coach; a punt; three missed field goals by B.T. Potter – the most prolific kicker in school history – and a brutal final drive when Klubnik was tackled on a keeper with 6 seconds left. Clemson was out of timeouts, couldn’t get the field-goal unit on the field and went into halftime trailing 14-3.

“Lot of missed opportunities,” Dabo Swinney said.

Potter opened the second half with a 40-yarder – the 73rd field goal of his career, a school record for the Tigers. But White caught a 14-yard pass with 5 seconds left in the third, giving the Vols a 21-6 lead going into the fourth.

When it was over, Milton took a knee, tucked the game ball under his left arm and simply would not let it go. He’ll enter 2023 as Tennessee’s presumed starter – and expectations will be high for a program that went 20-27 in the four seasons before Heupel’s arrival, went 7-6 last year under him and now won an Orange Bowl.

“It’s been a fun climb,” Heupel said. “The best is yet to come.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Tennessee: Peyton Manning was on the sideline pregame and had a prime seat for the contest. When he got shown on the in-stadium screens during the second half, he pointed to his Tennessee hat and nodded knowingly as the Vol fans roared.

Clemson: The three big plays that the Tigers will lament aren’t hard to identify. The fake field-goal run was one, Klubnik’s time-management blunder to end the first half was another, and the third was a decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Vols 31 late in the third. Will Shipley was stopped on a run left, and four plays later, Milton found White for the 21-6 lead.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Tennessee may climb a spot or two, depending on what happens in the College Football Playoff games. It’ll be the Vols’ best finish in at least 20 years; they were No. 4 in 2001 and No. 1 in 1998.

Clemson will be part of the final poll for the 12th consecutive year, extending the longest such run in school history.

UP NEXT

Tennessee: The Vols open 2023 against Virginia on Sept. 2 in Nashville. It’ll be Virginia’s first game since the shooting that killed three players and led to the cancellation of the Cavaliers’ last two games of 2022.

Clemson: A Week One game against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent awaits, likely to be announced in January. Clemson’s first nonconference game is Sept. 9 against Charleston Southern.

OHIO BEATS WYOMING 30-27 IN OVERTIME AT ARIZONA BOWL

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Stagnant for long stretches of the second half, Ohio’s offense got one last chance after a late Wyoming touchdown.

CJ Harris took control, leading the Bobcats to the tying field goal late in regulation and winning touchdown in overtime.

Harris hit Tyler Foster on a 10-yard touchdown pass in OT, lifting Ohio to a 30-27 win over Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl on Friday.

“Emotions were high and I was feeling pretty confident,” said Harris, who threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-33 passing. “It was a one-on-one matchup and I thought I’ve got to get it to my guy, and Tyler came down with it.”

The Cowboys (7-6) labored offensively after the teams combined for three touchdowns in the first quarter. Andrew Peasley sparked Wyoming’s offense, orchestrating a six-play, 75-yard drive capped by Jordan Vaughn’s 5-yard TD run with 2:08 left in regulation.

The Bobcats (10-4) had time to answer, and Nathanial Vakos kicked a tying 46-yard field goal with 4 seconds left.

Wyoming’s John Hoyland opened overtime with a 29-yard field goal, but Foster pulled down the winning catch over a defender in the back of the end zone.

“Sometimes in life, you put everything out there and the ledger doesn’t fall like you want it to,” Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said. “But I thought it was a heck of a ballgame that was going to come down to a play or two here or there, which it certainly did.”

Ohio had a hard time revving up its passing game against Wyoming’s defense, relying mostly on the ground instead.

Sieh Bangura ran for 138 yards and scored on a 3-yard run. Harris hit Jacoby Jones on a 34-yard score and pulled out a bowl win in his third start since Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Ohio finished 100 yards under its season average for passing, but had 201 yards rushing.

“We worked really hard to establish that in the third quarter and it paid dividends,” Ohio coach Tim Albin said.

Wyoming, which averages 127 yards passing per game, threw the ball on six of its first nine plays in an opening drive capped by Jordan Vaughn’s 17-yard touchdown run up the middle.

Ohio answered by picking apart Wyoming’s usually stingy defense, capped by Jones battling Wyoming’s Deron Harrell for his TD catch.

Bobcats returner Sam Wiglusz then muffed a punt and Peasley hit Treyton Welch on a 17-yard touchdown pass the next play.

The wild ride smoothed out by the second quarter.

Wyoming all but stopped passing, Ohio struggled to complete passes and the teams traded field goals. Wyoming led 17-11 at halftime.

“I don’t think we were doing a great job sustaining our blocks up front,” Bohl said. “There was penetration and we missed a couple reads.”

Ohio got into a brief offensive rhythm in the third quarter, taking an 18-17 lead. Bangura scored on a 3-yard option right after breaking off a 40-yarder midway through the third.

The Bobcats stuck to the ground game into the fourth quarter and made the plays late to pull out a bowl win in the desert.

THE TAKEAWAY

Ohio won most of its games this season with an offense that averaged nearly 32 points per game. The Bobcats relied on their defense most of the day before their offense found its form late for the program’s fourth 10-win season.

Wyoming labored offensively through most of the second half before Vaughn’s late touchdown. The Cowboys left Ohio with too much time and the defense, the Cowboys’ strength all season, couldn’t come through.

TAYLOR EJECTED

Wyoming was already down several defensive players and lost another one when cornerback Kolbey Taylor was ejected for targeting in the first quarter.

Taylor was hit with a targeting penalty for lowering his shoulder into the helmet of Wiglusz on an incomplete pass.

“It had an impact on us,” Bohl said. “But I just think it’s too punitive. On a play like that, that I think everybody would recognize, go ahead and flag that, but is that something to throw a guy out of the game for?”

UP NEXT

Wyoming: One of the nation’s youngest teams will have much more experience next season.

Ohio State: The Bobcats hope to have Rourke back and healthy, but may have to replace several defensive players.

BURTON SCORES 31, PITT BEATS NO. 25 NORTH CAROLINA 76-74

PITTSBURGH (AP) Jamarius Burton scored a career-high 31 points, Blake Hinson had seven points in the final minute and a half and Pittsburgh knocked off No. 25 North Carolina 76-74 on Friday.

Burton, a graduate student, was 14 of 17 from the field and had six rebounds. He helped Pitt (10-4, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) win its fourth straight game and remain unbeaten in conference play.

“Jamarius was unbelievable through the whole game,” Pitt coach Jeff Capel said. “We rode him. He carried us. He made big plays. He defended. Just an unbelievable performance.”

North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said they didn’t have a defensive answer.

“Nobody on our team could guard him,” he said. “(Pitt) stepped up and made plays down the stretch. Whether you’re at home or on the road, you have to step up and make those plays, and we just didn’t do it to win the game.”

Hinson put the Tar Heels away, making a 3-pointer from the right wing to give Pitt the lead for good 70-67 with 1:28 remaining, then extending the Panthers’ lead by making two free throws with 36 seconds left and two more with 28 seconds to go to make it 74-69.

North Carolina (9-5, 1-2 ACC) closed the gap to two points, 74-72, on Tyler Nickel’s layup with two seconds left but Pitt ran out the clock to end the Tar Heels’ four-game winning streak.

Hinson finished with 16 points and six rebounds.

“I’m really proud of my team,” Capel said. “We fought for 40 minutes. We knew (North Carolina was) playing really, really well. They’re as talented as any team in the country, but we fought. We got down early, we stayed together and we stayed fighting.”

Armando Bacot led North Carolina with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. It was his eighth double-double of the season. RJ Davis added 13 points and Pete Nance chipped in with 10 points.

North Carolina took a nine-point lead, 55-46 with 11:55 to go on a dunk by Bacot. Pitt responded by outscoring the Tar Heels 19-7 over nearly an eight-minute span and moved in front with 65-62 with 3:59 left on a three-point play and layup by Burton.

Two free throws by North Carolina’s Leaky Black tied it at 67-67.

Pitt won despite going just 5 of 25 on 3-point attempts after making at least 10 shots from beyond the arc in five of its last seven games. However, the Panthers scored 46 points in the paint in large part because of Burton’s drives to the basket.

“We just tried to stay even-keeled, stayed locked in and realized there are other ways to win a basketball game besides knocking down threes,” Burton said. “We just followed the scouting report and continued to fight for one another.”

North Carolina built a 26-17 advantage with 9:15 left in the first half on a pullup jumper by Caleb Love. However, Pitt went on a 13-4 run to tie the score at 30-all on a pair of free throws by Greg Elliott with 3:37 remaining.

The Tar Heels then scored 10 of the last 14 points in the half to pull back ahead 40-34.

Bacot nearly had a double-double by the break – 10 points and nine rebounds.

BIG PICTURE

North Carolina: The Tar Heels seemed to be back on track by winning four games in a row following a four-game losing streak that dropped them from No. 1 to out of the Top 25. Friday’s game was a step backward.

“I’m upset. I’m frustrated. I’m not happy at all,” Davis said. “I was really encouraged by the way we were playing over the last four games. This was a great opportunity to build on that. It still is. I just wish that we would have been better.”

Pittsburgh: The Panthers have won nine of 10 games since opening the season 1-3, seemingly taking Capel off the hot seat.

UP NEXT

North Carolina: Hosts Wake Forest on Wednesday night

Pittsburgh: Hosts No. 13 Virginia on Tuesday night.

NO. 14 MIAMI WINS 9TH STRAIGHT, TOPPING NOTRE DAME 76-65

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Nigel Pack scored 21 points and grabbed four steals in his home state to lead No. 14 Miami over Notre Dame 76-65 on Friday.

A junior from Indianapolis, Pack made 5-of-8 3-pointers. The Kansas State transfer poured in 13 points in the game’s opening 10 minutes to help stake the Hurricanes to a 25-16 lead.

“Nigel was really terrific all game long,” Canes coach Jim Larranaga said of Pack’s first collegiate appearance in Indiana. ” . He’s doing a fantastic job (in multiple facets) and I expect his scoring will continue to be there because he’s such an outstanding shooter.”

Norchad Omier added 18 points, went 8 of 11 from the field and blocked three shots as Miami (13-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) won its ninth straight game. Isaiah Wong chipped in 15 points and Jordan Miller 12.

Trey Wertz scored 15 points, Dane Goodwin 14 and Marcus Hammond 12 for the Fighting Irish (8-6, 0-3), who lost for the fourth time in their last five games.

“We’re struggling confidence-wise, no question about it,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “In our losses, we’ve really turned the ball over and it’s just killing us.”

The Irish had a season-high 17 turnovers, including five by Wertz and four by Goodwin. The Canes committed just nine, and outscored Notre Dame 25-7 on points off turnovers.

“The second half we really picked it up at both ends of the court,” said Larranaga, whose team trailed 34-33 at halftime. “We played better defense, we rebounded better, we attacked the basket more.”

Miami led most of the way, but a Hammond four-point play pulled Notre Dame to as close as 51-49 at 12:12 to go. But Miami responded with a 9-0 run to largely seize control and later led by as many as 14. The Irish got no closer than eight, that coming at 2:30 left in the game.

BIG PICTURE

Miami: The Canes’ schedule is tough from here and their only league road wins are over a pair of teams that are winless in ACC play, but 4-0 in the conference is a good start. Miami will still have to face No. 17 Duke twice, plus visit No. 25 North Carolina, Clemson, NC State, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.

Notre Dame: The sinking Irish have a steep hill to climb to reach the NCAA tournament, considering they have a trio of double-digit nonconference losses to unranked clubs. Notre Dame visits both No. 13 Virginia and No. 17 Duke in February, and has a pair of meetings with No. 25 North Carolina.

BOWLED OVER

As dejected as Brey was over his own team’s loss, he was quick to ask “what’s the football score?” in reference to Notre Dame’s Gator Bowl contest against South Carolina that started about 90 minutes after the basketball game began.

Friday marked the first time in six occasions that the men’s basketball team has lost on a day that the football team is in a bowl game. In contrast, the football team entered the day 1-4 on those occasions.

UP NEXT

Miami: Visits Georgia Tech on Wednesday.

Notre Dame: Plays three of its next four on the road, beginning Tuesday at Boston College.

NO. 11 UCLA RALLIES TO TOP WASHINGTON STATE 67-66 ON PALOUSE

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 20 points, Adem Bona made the winning basket with 19 seconds left and No. 11 UCLA overcame a 12-point first-half deficit to beat Washington State 67-66 on Friday night.

The Bruins (11-2, 3-0 Pac-12) won their ninth straight thanks to a terrific defensive effort in the final 10 minutes when the Cougars (5-9, 0-3) went cold shooting and allowed UCLA the chance to rally.

“It means a lot. It just shows the toughness of this team and how far we’ve come,” Jaquez said. “We could have easily folded, but we didn’t. We decided to stick it out, play defense and work and do whatever we can to get back in this game.”

UCLA trailed 35-23 late in the first half and was down by nine with 7:23 left when the Bruins locked down on the defensive end and found just enough offense.

UCLA led for only 1:28.

“I preach it to these guys all the time, if you don’t defend, you’re not going to win,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “Winning with offense, you’re going to be a .500 team. So the guys showed a lot of grit and toughness.”

Jaquez scored 16 points in the second half and was 10 for 10 at the foul line. Tyger Campbell added 16 points and David Singleton had 14, hitting a jumper with 1:43 left that pulled the Bruins to 64-63.

DJ Rodman led Washington State with a season-high 19 points and had a good look at a winning 3-pointer in the final seconds, but it hit the rim and UCLA won on the Palouse for only the third time in its last eight trips.

“My eyes lit up because it’s that moment that you wish for, a game-winner,” Rodman said. “I mean, I’m not going to beat myself up too much on that because there’s a lot more that gets us to that place. We shouldn’t have been down one at that moment.”

Mouhamed Gueye hit free throws with 1:14 left to give the Cougars a 66-63 lead. But Jaquez hit a pair from the foul line to pull the Bruins within one and after a Washington State turnover, Bona’s layup attempt was goaltended by Gueye and gave UCLA the lead. It was the Bruins first lead since 5-3.

Gueye finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds. The Cougars were trying to find their big center on the final possession but he was swarmed and Rodman’s jumper from the corner was the only look Washington State got.

“There are just plays there that you that you’ve fundamentally got to be able to make if you want to beat a good team,” Washington State coach Kyle Smith said. “And to their credit, they made the plays and we’ve got to keep fighting.”

Washington State scoring leader TJ Bamba was held to five points on 2-of-9 shooting. The Cougars missed 11 of their final 12 shots and didn’t have a field goal after Justin Powell’s 3-pointer with 7:23 remaining.

BIG PICTURE

UCLA: The Bruins played without starting guard Amari Bailey because of a sore left foot. Bailey traveled with the team but did not suit up. Bona started in Bailey’s place and finished with seven points. … UCLA outscored the Cougars 21-10 at the foul line and hit 21 of 22 free throw attempts.

Washington State: The Cougars have lost five of six and seven of nine in the month of December. Five of those losses have been by nine points or less.

UP NEXT

UCLA: At Washington on Sunday.

Washington State: Hosts Southern California on Sunday.

ANTETOKOUNMPO HAS 43 AND 20, BUCKS SNAP 4-GAME SKID

MILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 20 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 123-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Antetokounmpo finished two points off his season high and also had five assists to join Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and five assists. Chamberlain did it five times and Baylor once, with Chamberlain the last to do it Jan. 6-7, 1966.

“It’s a great compliment to be around those guys,” said Antetokounmpo, who has topped 40 points in four of the last six games. “I just want to win games so I just tried to go out there and do whatever I can to push myself to the limit.”

Bobby Portis added 22 points and 14 rebounds for Milwaukee, with 11 points coming in the opening quarter while most of his teammates were still trying to find their rhythm.

“If I get the ball on a nightly basis, I’m going to score,” Portis said. “That’s what I’m good at: trying to put the ball in the hole and trying to pass the ball to the rim, like my coach growing up used to say.”

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Luka Garza and Jaylen Nowell each had 16 points in the Timberwolves’ fifth straight loss.

Minnesota center Rudy Gobert sat out because of a non-COVID illness and star forward Karl Anthony-Towns did not play because of a strained right calf.

The Bucks struggled to connect through the first 24 minutes, shooting just 36% from the floor and 13.6% (2 of 22) from 3-point range. Minnesota led 61-50 at the half.

Milwaukee outscored Minnesota 39-22 in the quarter. Joe Ingles accounted for eight of those points, six on a pair of 3-pointers, then hit another 3 for Milwaukee’s first points of the fourth. Ingles finished with 14 points and 10 assists.

“Joe’s fingerprints were all over (the second half)'”‘ Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He gave us a big boost and a toughness that we needed.”

Minnesota made one last run, clawing within seven after Edwards recovered from a hard fall to make a pair of free throws with 4:13 left.

“We let them get back in the game and get confident,” Garza said. “It’s tough to stop the bleeding when that happens.”

EDWARDS FINISHES

Edwards played a team-high 40 minutes and managed to remain on the floor for the final 4:13 despite needing help just getting back to the bench after suffering what appeared to be a left leg injury when he took an akward fall while driving through the lane.

Edwards returned to the floor to sink two free throws and added six more points before time expired. The extent of his injury, as well as his availability for Minnesota’s New Year’s Eve meeting with the Pistons, was not known.

“There’s always a concern,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

TIP-INs

Timberwolves: Kyle Anderson returned to Minnesota’s starting lineup after missing the last five games because of back spasms. . The Timberwolves are 3-3 in the first game of back-to-backs this season.

Bucks: Jrue Holiday and George Hill were held out Friday night after coming down with a bug that’s been making its way through Milwaukee’s locker room. … Antetokounmpo is averaging 38 points and 14.6 rebounds over his last six games.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Host Detroit on Saturday night.

Bucks: Host Washington on Sunday night.

TRENT SCORES 35 POINTS, RAPTORS BEAT SHORT-HANDED SUNS

TORONTO (AP) Gary Trent Jr. matched his season high with 35 points, Pascal Siakam had 26 and the Toronto Raptors snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 113-104 victory over the short-handed and sloppy Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter and rookie center Christian Kololo followed with his first career 3 help the Raptors win for the third time in 11 games. O.G. Anunoby scored 16 points and Barnes finished with 11.

Siakam has scored at least 25 points in seven consecutive games. Vince Carter did it in a franchise-record eight straight in February and March of 2001.

Trent shot 11 for 22, making 4 of 11 from 3-point range.

“Gary just had it going,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists, but had six of the Suns’ season-worst 27 turnovers that led to 34 points for the Raptors.

“I don’t know how many games I’ve ever played in with 27 turnovers,” Paul said. “That’s a lot. It started with me.”

Barnes had missed three attempts from distance before snapping a 101-all tie with a stepback 3. Koloko’s corner shot was his first from long range in eight career attempts.

“It shouldn’t even come down to that,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “If you take care of the ball, maybe you have a six- or seven-point lead.”

Mikal Bridges scored 21 points and Torrey Craig had 13 as Phoenix lost for the fifth time in its past six.

Deandre Ayton shot 2 for 10 and scored four points.

“He just didn’t finish around the basket, didn’t play with the requisite force that it takes to play against a team like that,” Williams said. “Even when he thought he was open, they had two or three guys behind him. It was an off-night for him, for sure. He’ll bounce back.”

Ayton agreed that Toronto’s defense had caused him problems.

“Whether it was a rebound, setting a screen, posting up, they were everywhere,” Ayton said.

The Suns played their third straight game without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who is expected to miss at least four weeks because of a strained left groin.

Booker had missed five of seven games because of hamstring and groin ailments before returning against Denver on Christmas Day. He lasted just four minutes before leaving. The Suns also are without Cam Johnson (right knee), Cameron Payne (right foot) and Landry Shamet (right Achilles).

Toronto guard Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game because of a sore lower back

The Raptors led 33-24 after one quarter and were up 53-51 at the half.

Trent dunked after stealing Craig’s errant pass with 9:32 left in the third quarter. That was the 19th turnover for Phoenix, matching its previous single-game worst this season.

Suns guard Josh Okogie turned the ball over again 23 seconds later, leading to a 3 for Siakam.

After scoring 10 points off 15 Phoenix turnovers in the first half, Toronto scored 15 points off seven Suns turnovers in the third quarter.

Trent scored 18 points in the third as the Raptors took an 86-79 lead to the fourth.

TIP-INS

Suns: Had nine turnovers in the first quarter. . Jock Landale had 11 rebounds. . Duane Washington Jr. scored 11 points. . Outrebounded Toronto 42-31.

Raptors: Went 5-10 in December. . Trent shot 9 for 9 at the free throw line.

CRIME SPREE

Toronto recorded 15 steals, one shy of its season-high. Thad Young led the Raptors with four, while Barnes and Trent each had three.

UP NEXT

Suns: At New York on Sunday.

Raptors: At Indiana on Monday night.

LAVINE SCORES SEASON-HIGH 43 AS BULLS BEAT PISTONS 132-118

CHICAGO (AP) Zach LaVine scored a season-high 43 points, and the Chicago Bulls pulled away in the closing minutes to beat the Detroit Pistons 132-118 on Friday night.

LaVine looked more like his old explosive self than the guy managing his left knee following offseason surgery. And the Bulls ended the game on a 17-3 run after getting all they could handle from the team with the NBA’s worst record.

“Nothing surprising. That’s the Zach we all know,” DeMar DeRozan said.

LaVine had the crowd roaring when he capped an 18-point first quarter with a thunderous, right-hand alley-oop from Coby White just before the buzzer and let out a primal scream. He was also on target from the outside, making 5 of 9 3-pointers and 15 of 20 shots in the game.

DeRozan, who went off for 42 points against Milwaukee, shrugged off a slow start to score 22. Nikola Vucevic added 19 points and nine rebounds, and the Bulls won for the fifth time in six games.

The Pistons were down two players, with guard Killian Hayes starting a three-game suspension for striking Orlando’s Moritz Wagner in the back of the head in Wednesday’s win and forward Hamidou Diallo serving a one-game punishment for his role in the altercation.

Jaden Ivey led Detroit with 22 points. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 20, and Alec Burks added 19. Isaiah Stewart finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

STRONG FINISH

The Bulls, coming off an overtime win over Milwaukee following an embarrassing loss to Houston, found themselves deadlocked at 115-all before putting away the Pistons.

“I think we did a good job on the defensive end there, getting a lot of offensive rebounds,” LaVine said. “They made some tough shots, too. I think the last four, five minutes, we were really locked in and we got some good stops.”

DeRozan made two free throws with 4:10 remaining to start the game-ending run and Jalen Duren got called for goaltending trying to block a fast-break layup by LaVine. After Ivey made a free throw, Chicago’s Alex Caruso nailed a corner 3 off a pass from LaVine.

The Pistons got called for a shot-clock violation. LaVine drove for a three-point play to make it a nine-point game.

Caruso blocked Ivey’s 3 and Vucevic hit one from the right to bump the lead to 128-116 with 1:39 remaining.

BIG OUTINGS

Asked about DeRozan and then LaVine scoring more than 40 in consecutive games, Chicago’s Billy Donovan mentioned Oklahoma City visiting Orlando in his second game as an NBA coach during the 2015-16 season.

“In the same game, Durant and Westbrook both had 50-plus,” he said. “It was a double-overtime game. DeMar and Zach and Vooch are really unselfish guys. DeMar had it going in an incredible way the other night. And you know what? Zach’s totally fine, Vooch is totally fine with that. Zach got it going today. And you know what? Everybody’s fine.”

Donovan was almost correct. Russell Westbrook scored 48 and Kevin Durant added 43 points to lead the Thunder to a 139-136 double-overtime win. Vucevic, incidentally, scored 26 for the Magic.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Coach Dwane Casey said the NBA “did the right thing by everyone” with the punishments against Hayes and Diallo that were handed down by executive vice president Joe Dumars – the former Pistons star player and executive. “Anything you do, whether it’s on the court or in life, there’s consequences for it and I preach that every day,” he said. Wagner was suspended two games and eight Magic players one game apiece.

Bulls: PG Lonzo Ball has been making some progress lately as he recovers from his latest surgery on his left knee. Donovan said he has been shooting, jumping and doing some light jogging. “It is progressing. It’s just really slow,” he said. “There has definitely been some improvement.” Ball has been sidelined all season following surgery in September – his second on the knee in less than a year and third since he entered the NBA with the Lakers in 2017. … F Derrick Jones Jr. (sprained left ankle) missed his fifth consecutive game.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Visit Minnesota on Saturday.

Bulls: Host Cleveland on Saturday.

MCCOLLUM MAKES 11 3S, SCORES 42, PELICANS BEAT 76ERS 127-116

NEW ORLEANS (AP) CJ McCollum scored 42 points, making a franchise-record and career-high 11 3-pointers, and Zion Williamson added 36 to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 127-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

McCollum nailed 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions in a 42-second span of the second quarter, giving the Pelicans a 56-40 lead. McCollum finished the half 7 of 11 from long range and 11 of 16 for the game.

McCollum surpassed Peja Stojakovic’s franchise record of 10 3s in a game, set against the Lakers in 2007.

“It’s just a credit to working hard and believing in yourself and really, really taking the game seriously,” McCollum said. “Peja is obviously a legend who shot the ball extremely well. These types of nights come with preparation.”

The Pelicans were 10 of 17 from distance in taking a 67-60 halftime lead and finished the game 15 of 31 behind the arc.

Williamson, who scored 43 on Wednesday, had 12 in the fourth quarter as New Orleans pushed a 99-91 lead to 119-107 with 5:03 left.

“I love to see it,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “What makes Z special is that physically he can take all the bumps and all the hits and he keeps coming at you. I wouldn’t want to guard him.”

McCollum’s 11th 3-pointer with 2:26 left gave New Orleans a 124-110 lead and broke Stojakovic’s franchise mark.

“When he plays with that type of force and that pace – his slow-to-fast was just really good, and he just got it going,” Green said. “The basket got bigger as the game progressed. That’s how he has to play. He may not have 40 every game, but he’ll have a major impact.

Joel Embiid finished with 37 points on 14-for-22 shooting. He scored 15 of Philadelphia’s first 24 points and had 20 first-half points on 8-of-9 shooting.

James Harden added 20 points.

76ers coach Doc Rivers said his team surrendering 30 points off 19 turnovers was key to the loss, but he acknowledged McCollum’s marksmanship.

“McCollum was great tonight,” Rivers said. “He got a lot of those in transition. (But) I really thought that with the turnovers, we never could get a rhythm. It would be great if it was just one stretch, but it just never stopped.”

The Pelicans forced 13 turnovers in the first half and turned those into 25 points.

TIP-INS

76ers: G Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers’ second-leading scorer (22.9), returned after missing 18 games with a left foot fracture, scoring nine points in 19 minutes. “I always think ball-handling is the toughest part of coming back,” Rivers said. “You just can’t practice the speed that you play with. We just want him to be aggressive and just not overthink the game.” . Philadelphia has lost two straight after winning eight consecutive games. . The Sixers entered the game second in the NBA in scoring defense (108.0).

Pelicans: F Brandon Ingram (averaging 20.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15 games) missed his 16th consecutive game with a left toe injury. He said Thursday his recovery has been up and down. “Whenever I feel 100%, I’ll give it a go,” Ingram said. “But it’s hard to say right now.” . F Larry Nance sat out with neck spasms. . The Pelicans have gone 12-4 in the last month, sandwiching a four-game losing streak with separate winning streaks of seven and five games. . New Orleans has lost just twice at home in the last 48 days.

UP NEXT

76ers: Close a four-game road trip on Saturday at Oklahoma City.

Pelicans: At Memphis on Saturday.

MURRAY, JOKIC HELP NUGGETS RALLY FOR 124-119 WIN OVER HEAT

DENVER (AP) Jamal Murray struggled to find his range or rhythm for most of the game.

Then, crunch time hit. Like that, he was locked in.

Murray scored seven of his 14 points over the final two minutes, Nikola Jokic had his eighth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Miami Heat 124-119 on Friday night.

“To come back and get a win against that team is definitely a great win,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Jokic finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. The two-time reigning NBA MVP was 8 of 15 from the floor, marking his team-record 26th straight game shooting 50% or better. He has 84 career triple-doubles.

With Denver down 117-115, Murray took over as the point guard scored seven straight points- a 3-pointer, two free throws and a floating jumper – to help the Nuggets remain tied with New Orleans for the top spot in the Western Conference.

“Just proud of our guys to stick with it tonight,” Malone said. “Jamal staying with it, not dropping his head, but also our team.”

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Nuggets with 20 points on a perfect night shooting – 7 of 7 from the floor, including 4 for 4 from 3-point range, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. The Nuggets had eight players score in double figures to offset 20 turnovers.

“Our communication is a big part of taking that next step and becoming a championship-caliber team,” said Caldwell-Pope, who had a flagrant foul for not giving Tyler Herro enough room to land following a shot with 2:23 remaining. “Our fourth-quarter defense and offense is great. … But now our goal this just try to do it throughout the 48 minutes and not wait on the fourth quarter.”

Herro had 26 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Bam Adebayo added 22 for the Heat, who began a five-game trip through the West.

Duncan Robinson connected on three long-range shots to become the franchise’s leader in 3-pointers with 807, one more than Tim Hardaway.

“You want to do it in a win, so that’s disappointing,” Robinson said. “Just feel very fortunate to get it. … I’ll definitely take a second to appreciate it.”

Miami rebounded from a horrific shooting start – 4 of 22 – to keep things close until making a move to start the third quarter. The Heat took the lead early in the third on Herro’s 3-pointer – and led by as many as nine – but couldn’t hold on.

“We pride ourselves in being able to win games with defensive stops going down the stretch,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I can’t recall a stop in the last three or four minutes. It seems like they were scoring or being fouled on each one of those possessions.”

TIP-INS

Heat: Herro hit all four of his free throws to run his streak to 24. It’s the fourth-longest streak of his career. … Spoelstra drew a technical foul in the third quarter for arguing. Kyle Lowry had another in the fourth quarter. … Forward Caleb Martin was scratched because of a quad injury.

Nuggets: Bones Hyland had five 3-pointers and 16 points. … Aaron Gordon had 11 points. He also drew a technical foul in the second quarter.

POP QUIZ

Malone was asked if this was an important test, given Miami’s physical brand of basketball.

“Every night is a test. I mean that sincerely,” Malone said. “We know that they (the Heat) are capable of doing really big things in that Eastern Conference.”

UP NEXT

Heat: At Utah on Saturday night.

Nuggets: Host Boston on Sunday night.

POOLE SCORES 41, THOMPSON 31, WARRIORS BEAT BLAZERS 118-112

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Golden State Warriors have been working to find their defensive groove, and Draymond Green leads the charge. On Friday night, Green and his supporting cast got it done in crunch time.

Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Warriors held off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 to improve the league’s best home record to 16-2.

Green’s defense keyed a late 12-0 run after the Warriors trailed by eight with 5 minutes to play, and now the reigning champions have their first four-game winning streak all season.

“That is incredible. That is absolutely amazing,” Green said. “I think we’re just starting to fight.”

Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. His 3 with 2:57 remaining got Golden State within 110-109 but he turned the ball over the next possession before Jonathan Kuminga’s driving, two-handed slam for the lead moments later.

Ty Jerome hit a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first quarter that put Golden State ahead 41-25, much to the delight of a cheering Stephen Curry as the reigning NBA Finals MVP missed his eighth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder. Poole has been the Warriors’ top scorer in nine of the 10 total games missed by Curry so far.

“All four wins required an element of grit,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Our fans can feel it, our fans have been great. I think they’re really enjoying watching this team grow.”

The Blazers, who have lost four of five, began the third on a 19-9 burst to go ahead 75-69. Anfernee Simons added 22 points and seven rebounds.

Lillard and Simons were a combined 8 for 26 from long range.

Portland called timeout at the 10:25 mark of the first after the Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead by making their first four shots – three by Thompson.

Golden State has won the last four in the series and also four in a row at home.

GP2’S RING NIGHT

Portland guard Gary Payton II, yet to play for the Trail Blazers as he recovers from surgery for a core muscle injury after signing a $28 million, three-year deal, received his championship ring from the Warriors and Green delivered it.

“It’s just amazing,” Payton said during a quick stop at halftime. He greeted dozens of old friends and arena workers.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a validating moment to be able to first and foremost earn a championship ring,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “He just wasn’t on the team and kind of watching from the sideline, he helped earn that ring, and he played his part. So it’s actually awesome for him, all the attention will be on him tonight.”

Golden State had cut him in the preseason then brought him back.

“We don’t win the championship without him, I know that,” Kerr said.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Big man Jusuf Nurkic sat out with an illness, the second game he has missed in the past five. … The Blazers shot 12 for 39 from deep. … Billups said Payton is “close, very close,” to making his season debut. … Portland last won on Golden State’s home floor with a 124-108 victory on March 26, 2021.

Warriors: C James Wiseman rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage after the morning shootaround and Kerr said “it doesn’t seem too serious.” All-Star Andrew Wiggins also took part in that scrimmage as he works back from an illness that followed his stint sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg – 13 in a row missed overall. The hope is he will play Monday after one more practice day. … F JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.

UP NEXT

Trail Blazers: Return home for one game to host Billups’ old Pistons team Monday night.

Warriors: Host Atlanta on Monday night.

KEVIN HUERTER HITS LATE 3-POINTER, KINGS BEAT JAZZ 126-125

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left and the Sacramento Kings held off Utah 126-125 on Friday night when Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen missed a jumper in the final seconds.

“You can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoffs just with the energy they bring,” Kings coach Mike Brown said after the game.

Huerter scored a career-high 30 points to help Sacramento improve to 19-15, with Brown returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19. Domantas Sabonis had 28 points on 12-for-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, and De’Aaron Fox had 24 points and 10 assists.

“I feel like he’s been doing that all year,” Sabonis said about Fox. “That’s what he does. He’s been clutch for us all year. He can get any shot that he wants, and he’s been making the right read every time.”

Markkanen scored 36 points for Utah (19-19). Jordan Clarkson had 25 points and nine assists, and Mike Conley scored 17 points.

“He’s a matchup nightmare,” Kelly Olynyk said about Markkanen. “He’s shooting the ball unbelievably the whole season really … He’s tough to guard. You can’t take away one thing.”

The Jazz took their first lead of the game at 94-91 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter on a 3 by Conley. There were 12 lead changes.

“Tough finish,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Our guys hung in all game and battled. .to be able to come back late and take the lead, showed a lot of resolve from our group.”

TIP-INS

Jazz: The Jazz dropped to .500 for the first time this season. . Utah is 7-14 on the road.

Kings: KZ Okpala received a flagrant foul after kneeing Walker Kessler in the stomach on a drive to the basket in the first half. …Fox scored 10 points or more in the 4th quarter for the fourth straight game.

UP NEXT

Jazz: Host Miami on Saturday night

Kings: At Memphis on Sunday night.

AARON JUDGE IS AP MALE ATHLETE OF YEAR AFTER SETTING HR MARK

NEW YORK (AP) Aaron Judge has always stood out.

With the imposing size and muscular frame of an NFL tight end or NBA power forward, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound New York Yankees slugger towers over teammates and opponents on the diamond.

Never more so than in 2022.

After hitting 62 home runs to break an American League record that lasted six decades, Judge has been voted The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year by a panel of 40 sports writers and editors from news outlets across the country.

The outfielder edged Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, last year’s winner, in voting announced Friday. Stephen Curry of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors finished third.

Judge joins an esteemed fraternity of honorees that includes Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan. Among the former Yankees to win were Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris – the man who established the previous AL mark of 61 homers in 1961.

“Wow. That’s incredible,” Judge said of his selection. “All these other great athletes that not only impacted the game and their sport, but also impacted their communities and the culture in the sports world and outside the sports world. So getting a chance to be amongst that list is an incredible honor.”

Judge hit 16 more homers than any other big league player, the largest gap since Jimmie Foxx hit 58 for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932 and Babe Ruth had 41 for the Yankees.

And while Barry Bonds holds the major league record of 73 home runs in a season for San Francisco in 2001 during baseball’s steroid era, the achievement by Judge had some fans celebrating what they view as baseball’s “clean” benchmark.

Maris’ mark had been surpassed six times in the National League – but all those players were ultimately stained by steroids. Mark McGwire hit 70 homers for St. Louis in 1998 and 65 the following year. Sammy Sosa had 66, 65 and 63 for the Chicago Cubs during a four-season span starting in 1998.

McGwire admitted using banned steroids, while Bonds and Sosa denied knowingly using performing-enhancing drugs. Major League Baseball didn’t begin testing with penalties for PEDs until 2004.

“It’s an incredible feat,” Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said.

Judge’s astounding season was about more than just power, though.

Partly because of injuries to teammates, the rocket-armed right fielder shifted to center much of the season and provided his usual strong defense in both spots. With the Yankees missing DJ LeMahieu at the top of the lineup, Judge batted leadoff at the end of the regular season – which also maximized his plate appearances while pursuing Maris’ record.

He even stole 16 bases, seven more than his previous career high.

“He’s everything,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “An amazing two-way player, one of the great players in our sport. He’s an ambassador for the game.”

With a bright, toothy smile that he can’t hold back at times, the 30-year-old Judge led the majors in runs (133), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111), extra-base hits (90) and total bases (391). He tied for the big league lead with 131 RBIs and finished second in the AL with a .311 batting average, falling a few points short of a Triple Crown.

And not to be overlooked, No. 99 in pinstripes played in 157 of 162 regular-season games, carrying the Yankees to their second AL East title in 10 years.

“That’s one of the things I love about Aaron: He’s a gentle giant in his interactions with people and kids and whoever, he’s kind and gentle, but he is going to rip your heart out between the lines,” Boone said. “He plays the game with energy, but with a coolness and a swagger and an intensity.”

Judge easily beat out Ohtani, the pitching and hitting phenom, in AL balloting to become the tallest MVP in major league history.

Without a doubt, it was one of the greatest individual seasons in baseball annals. All while playing for a new contract and shouldering the enormous weight of chasing Maris in the second half.

“I don’t think there’s one person that didn’t marvel at that,” Steinbrenner said. “It’s amazing. Because it wasn’t just the pressure of the home run chase. It was the pressure of, you know, what’s to come?”

Just before opening day, Judge declined New York’s offer of $213.5 million over seven years (2023-29) and bet big on himself. He became a free agent in November and cashed in, getting a $360 million, nine-year contract to re-sign with the Yankees – the third-largest deal in baseball history.

Once it was done, he was appointed the team’s 16th captain, and first since Derek Jeter retired following the 2014 season.

“Everything about him just screams out leader,” Jeter said. “And everyone says the exact same thing.”

Judge hit his 62nd home run in the penultimate game of the season Oct. 4 at Texas. With opponents pitching carefully to him, his only homer in the previous 13 games came when he matched Maris on Sept. 28 in Toronto. No. 60 came on Sept. 20 against Pittsburgh.

As he approached the record, MLB Network cut in for live coverage of Judge’s at-bats. Fans stood up when he stepped to the plate, going quiet on each pitch while taking photos and video with their cellphones.

“That was a weird experience,” Judge said, chuckling. “Definitely a different scene. But glad I finally got past it. It was definitely a relief.”

After the Yankees won a playoff round, Judge went 1 for 16 and the team was swept in the ALCS by the World Series champion Astros. The four-time All-Star has never reached the Series, and New York hasn’t won a pennant since 2009.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business here,” he said.

Back in 2017, Judge slammed 52 homers to set a rookie record that was soon broken.

Now with the record and big contract, all eyes will be watching his encore in 2023.

“You never know. Maybe 62 is my floor,” Judge said of expectations. “Maybe I’ve got a little bit more in the tank.”

RAANTA’S 2ND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT HELPS HURRICANES BEAT PANTHERS

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Antti Raanta made 19 saves for his second straight shutout and the 17th of his career, and the Carolina Hurricanes scored on three power plays for their franchise-record 10th consecutive victory, beating the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Friday night.

Stefan Noesen, Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen had the power-play goals and Jesperi Kotkaniemi posted the team’s fourth goal just 10 seconds after another man-advantage situation expired.

“It’s nice to have a night like that,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We haven’t really had one of those really all year, capitalizing on the power play. The special teams won us the game. You’ve got to have that clicking, it wins you games.”

Brett Burns and Seth Jarvis each had two assists as the Hurricanes extended their franchise-best points streak to 16 games.

“What I really like about this stretch is we haven’t had any really dips in our game,” Brind’Amour said.

The Panthers, who were blanked for the first time this season, have lost four of their last five games. Florida was coming off a season-high seven goals a night earlier against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Hurricanes have registered a league-high five shutouts.

“They don’t give you a whole lot of easy ice, so there’s not a lot of inside plays,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “But we tried to find them.”

Raanta, playing for a fourth straight game, faced only three shots in the first period. In the third period, the Panthers didn’t put a shot on goal for eight minutes. He shut out the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

“Try to make the save one at a time and obviously guys are playing well in front of me so that helps,” Raanta said.

The season-high three power-play goals came after the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes had a total of two goals on power plays in their previous five games. Carolina ranked 27th in the NHL on power plays entering the game.

“We’ve been struggling all year to get that going,” Kotkaniemi said.

The Panthers were 0 for 6 on power plays after scoring three times on power plays Thursday night. Florida hasn’t won two games in a row since its first two games of December.

“We got to learn how to fight,” Maurice said.

Panthers goalie Spencer Knight made 30 saves.

It had been exactly a year since the Hurricanes managed to post three power-play goals in a game.

“We know how important it is,” Brind’Amour said. “We got our opportunities, they went in. It doesn’t always work that way.”

Noesen knocked in a rebound of teammate Sebastian Aho’s shot 7:05 into the game. Aho’s assist gave him his first point in three games since returning from a seven-game absence with an injury.

Svechnikov’s team-leading 19th goal came at 4:58 of the second period. About seven minutes later, Teravainen scored his third of the season.

BACK-TO-BACK

Combined with goalie Pyotr Kochetkov’s shutouts in consecutive games earlier this month, the Hurricanes became the first NHL team in seven seasons to have two goalies with shutouts in back-to-back games in the same season.

Raanta needed brief medical attention when he was banged up in the crease in the first period. That incident didn’t seem to faze him.

“There were a couple bumps on the goalie. One was pretty hard,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s nice to see he got through it.”

ICE MATTERS

Of Noesen’s eight goals, five have been the first goal of a game for Carolina. . The four-goal margin matched Florida’s most lopsided defeats of the season. . In the 2022 calendar year, the Hurricanes finished 56-19-13 in regular-season games. Carolina went 12-0-1 in December.

UP NEXT

Panthers: Host the New York Rangers on Sunday.

Hurricanes: At New Jersey on Sunday.

HUGHES, HISCHIER LEAD DEVILS PAST PENGUINS 4-2

PITTSBURGH (AP) Jack Hughes had two goals and Nico Hischier added a short-handed goal, helping the New Jersey Devils beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Friday.

New Jersey is 19-3-2 when Hischier records a point and 11-4-1 when Hughes scores.

Dougie Hamilton also scored for the Devils, who had dropped two in a row. New Jersey has two wins in its last 10 games overall.

“It was a really good effort by our top guys,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “When you start winning hockey games, your top guys are the guys that kind of pull you through.”

Despite their recent struggles, the Devils are 13-2-1 on the road this season, second-best in the NHL. The Devils were 11-26-4 on the road last season.

Vitek Vanecek stopped 25 shots for the Devils, who are 21-3-2 when scoring three or more goals in a game this season.

“There are a lot of different ways to win a game,” Ruff said. “When you go through the year, you need to win games like this.”

Evgeni Malkin and Jeff Carter scored for the Penguins, who have lost four straight and five of six following a seven-game win streak. Tristan Jarry made 24 saves.

“A loss is a loss, but I think it’s better than the two previous games,” Jarry said. “It’s trending in the right direction.”

Pittsburgh played without top defenseman Kris Letang, who is day to day with a lower-body injury. The power play, which had a goal in 11 of 12 previous games, went 0 for 9. That included a four-minute penalty midway through the third period with the Penguins pressing for the tying goal.

“It’s hard to be critical of (the power play),” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “They’ve been pretty dynamic for the last 10-plus games or so. Power play’s been winning games for us.”

Malkin opened the scoring at 14:26 with a breakaway goal. He took the puck from Hamilton at the defensive blueline, skated into the zone and beat Vanecek to the glove side.

The goal moved Malkin ahead of Sergei Fedorov for second-most points in NHL history among Russian-born players.

Hamilton appeared to tie the game at 3:21 of the second, but the goal was overturned because of goaltender interference.

Hughes’ power-play goal at 6:18 counted. He sent a shot underneath the crossbar from the left circle for his 19th of the season.

It was the 16th career power-play goal for Hughes, which tied Paul Gagne for fifth in franchise history among players younger than 22. Hamilton’s assist was his 400th NHL point, which is 13th among active defensemen.

Carter gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 12:30 of the second, but the Devils scored two goals in the final 2:23 of the period. Hamilton tied the game at 17:37 when he finished a feed from Dawson Mercer, and Hischier scored with 37.1 seconds to play in the second.

“I had a lot of speed and I wanted the puck,” Hischier said. “I was pretty sure I could go outside and I decided to shoot the puck. If you shoot the puck, good things happen.”

UP NEXT

Devils: Host Carolina on Sunday.

Penguins: Face Boston on Monday at Fenway Park in the NHL’s annual Winter Classic.

FILIP FORSBERG RACKS UP 3 POINTS, PREDATORS ROUT DUCKS 6-1

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Filip Forsberg had a goal and two assists in his 600th career game, and Colton Sissons added a goal and an assist in the Nashville Predators’ 6-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

Yakov Trenin, Thomas Novak, Roman Josi and Nino Niederreiter also scored in the Predators’ third win in 11 games. Juuse Saros made 26 saves as Nashville opened a quick two-game West Coast road trip by snapping a two-game skid.

“We’re almost halfway through the season, and I don’t think we’ve played our best hockey yet, but this is a step in the right direction,” said Forsberg, who produced his sixth multi-point performance in 21 career games against Anaheim. “Our offensive zone work was good, especially in the second period. There’s been something missing there this season, so it was good to get that going.”

After his three-point performance in Orange County, Forsberg is just two points shy of becoming the third player in Predators history to score 500 points. His goal on the doorstep off a defensive misplay put the Predators up 3-1 in the second period, blowing open a previously tight game with his 11th goal of the season.

Sam Carrick scored and John Gibson stopped 37 shots in another dismal effort by the Ducks, who have lost four of five.

Anaheim dropped to 1-2-1 on its franchise-record, 10-game homestand, and the beleaguered club finished the 2022 calendar year with a dismal record of 24-51-11.

“It’s no secret that we’re in a rebuild,” Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said. “We’re trying to develop players on the fly. We’re doing our best to compete every night, and … when you are a team like that, you can’t make mistakes, and you certainly cannot do things by yourself. We can’t have guys being single contractors. You need your teammates, and you have to play the system so we can have some success. That’s where it got away from us tonight.”

Sissons put the Predators ahead in the first period when he was left unmarked in the right circle and whistled a wrist shot past Gibson for his fifth goal in 17 career regular-season games against Anaheim.

“We made it hard on them,” Sissons said. “They could barely catch their breath for a while there while we rolled (lines) on them.”

Sissons has been an unlikely offensive threat against the Ducks for most of his career. The depth-line grinder with just one 10-goal season in his decade in Nashville had the greatest game of his NHL life against the Ducks, posting a hat trick in the Preds’ clinching Game 6 victory in the 2017 Western Conference finals.

Carrick got credit for evening it early in the second period when Urho Vaakanainen’s shot into traffic ricocheted sharply off Carrick’s hip, resulting in only his second goal of the season.

But Nashville reclaimed the lead when Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler’s giveaway set up a quick shot by Trenin for a goal in his second straight game.

“Nashville has an excellent team,” Eakins said. “I’m not sure their record shows exactly what they have there. … The one thing I do think Nashville does very well is they play with each other. They play a very good team game, and every shift is almost the same.”

Novak got his second goal of the season – the third of his NHL career – early in the third period. Josi then scored on a long shot during a power play, and Niederreiter tacked on his 12th goal with 13 seconds to play.

UP NEXT

Predators: At Vegas on Saturday.

Ducks: Host Philadelphia on Monday.

CONNOR MCDAVID SHINES AS OILERS POUND KRAKEN 7-2

SEATTLE (AP) Connor McDavid had a goal and four assists, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Seattle Kraken 7-2 on Friday night.

Zach Hyman and Klim Kostin each scored twice as Edmonton won for the third time in four games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had four assists, and Darnell Nurse finished with a goal and an assist.

McDavid extended his point streak to 17 games, matching his career best. He has 16 goals and 21 assists during the stretch.

Brandon Tanev and Daniel Sprong scored for Seattle in its third consecutive loss.

Edmonton grabbed control with four goals in the first half of the first period.

Hyman put the Oilers ahead to stay with a power-play goal at 2:44. It was his 16th of the season.

Kostin scored at 3:16, and Nurse slipped another shot past Phillipp Grubauer at 3:55. It was the second-fastest trio of goals to begin a game in the NHL this season, behind only Buffalo at 2:13.

Grubauer was replaced by Martin Jones, but Edmonton made it 4-0 when Jesse Puljujarvi scored his third goal of the season at 9:58.

McDavid collected three assists in the first period, and Edmonton’s four goals were the most allowed by the Kraken in the first in franchise history.

Sprong got Seattle on the board 1:49 into the second. It was Sprong’s 11th of the season.

But Kostin and Hyman scored again for the Oilers in the middle period. McDavid got his 40th assist of the season on Hyman’s 17th goal.

McDavid closed it out when he scored his NHL-leading 32nd goal 10:43 into the third.

WORTH NOTING

Edmonton played without center Leon Draisaitl, who was scratched with an unspecified injury. Draisaitl has 21 goals and 36 assists in 36 games this season. … Seattle defenseman Adam Larsson picked up an assist on Tanev’s goal 7:33 into the second. It was Larsson’s career-best fifth straight game with an assist.

UP NEXT

Oilers: Host Winnipeg on Saturday night.

Kraken: Host the New York Islanders on Sunday.

TOP INDIANA RELEASES

GAME PREVIEW: COLTS VS. GIANTS, WEEK 17

The Colts have two games left that you may feel are meaningless – the Colts were eliminated from the 2022 playoffs before kicking off on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, after all. But for the players and coaches who will take the field on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, these last two games mean a great deal in a league where little is guaranteed, and your place in it is constantly being evaluated.

“We’re playing for one another, playing for pride, playing for our resumes at the end of the day,” veteran safety Rodney McLeod Jr. said. “So, we have two more opportunities to go out there and showcase what we can do and what we’re about as a group and as this 2022 Indianapolis Colts team. We don’t take that for granted. We’re going to continue to work, and we’ve obviously got an opportunity to go out there today at practice, practice hard, prepare well and go out there to get a W on Sunday.”

There will be plenty on the line for the 2022 Colts, then, against the New York Giants on New Year’s Day. For the Colts’ impending free agents – a group that includes McLeod, wide receiver Parris Campbell, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and linebacker Bobby Okereke – Sunday’s game is one of two final opportunities to play well and show the Colts and 31 other teams they’re deserving of a contract this spring.

For the Colts’ rookie class, these last two games are critically important development opportunities to take advantage of heading into their first full offseasons as pros.

And for the Colts players who are under contract for 2023, playing well down the stretch is important since, again, few things are guaranteed in the NFL.

“Everyone wants to finish well and do it the right way,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “Finish strong. Obviously, we’re not playing for the postseason right now, but everyone here, this is their career. This is something they grew up wanting to do and we have an opportunity to be in the NFL as players and as coaches. I think finishing it the right way and finishing it strong by bringing it every single day is our responsibility and something we need to do.”

While the Colts have lost five consecutive games and have a 4-10-1 record, players and coaches haven’t seen the team’s collective effort dip during this late-season skid – and that’s because there’s still plenty for this group to play for on Sunday, and then next weekend against the Houston Texans.

“I think every single guy knows the situation that we’re in,” center Ryan Kelly said. “You have two games left and you’re not guaranteed anything in this league. This team has two games together left. After that, it will never look the same. We’ll go out there and give it our best. If you’re a professional and you want to stay in this league you go out there and no matter the circumstances, you play hard. If you’re out of the playoff situation, you go out there and don’t give effort and you don’t try hard, everybody else in the league sees that. The mindset of the team right now is to go out there and leave everything on the field.”

5 Things To Watch

The Colts’ downfield passing attack. The Colts tried to push the ball downfield early against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, with Nick Foles attempting four passes that traveled 20 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage in the first half. That first half total was a season high; previously, the most passes of 20+ yards the Colts attempted in the first half of a game was two (with Sam Ehlinger at quarterback in Weeks 8 and 9).

But while the Colts tried to stretch the Chargers’ defense, Foles didn’t complete any of those four passes and was intercepted on one of them. For the season, the Colts are 11/35 on downfield throws, and those 11 completions are a league-low for passes of 20+ yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

The Giants’ defense, though, could present some more opportunities for Foles to push the ball downfield. Only two teams have been targeted more on deep throws than the Giants (81 times), although New York is allowing a completion percentage of just 27.5 percent, fifth-lowest in the NFL.

What Zack Moss can do with another opportunity. Moss carried 12 times for 65 yards (5.4 yards/carry) against the Chargers, flashing impressive toughness after contact on those runs. The Colts would’ve liked to get him involved more but weren’t able to find an offensive rhythm on Monday with Foles taking seven sacks and throwing three interceptions.

“Every time I looked up, Zack was breaking tackles and moving the pile,” interim head coach Jeff Saturday said.

The Giants, though, are last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per play (5.4) and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game (146). Moss, along with Deon Jackson and Jordan Wilkins, is auditioning to be the Colts’ No. 2 running back in 2023 behind Jonathan Taylor, and Sunday afternoon will be another big opportunity for him to put some good things on tape.

A challenge for Will Fries. We already touched on Bernhard Raimann’s growth at left tackle, but how about the other young guy who’s stepped in to a starting role on the Colts’ offensive line in Fries? The 2021 seventh-round pick earned the highest Pro Football Focus pass blocking grade (79.8) and overall grade (84.7) of his career against the Chargers in Week 16, and will be tested by the Giants’ outstanding interior defensive line duo of veteran Leonard Williams and Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence.

“He’s getting better every week, but I love his heart and his drive,” Saturday said. “Every time he does make a mistake and you get after him, he’s one of those guys — he looks down and you can clearly see it because he’s one of those guys that flushes pretty well. So when you get on him, he’s red, he’s hot, he’s angry, but then he corrects himself pretty well. He’s one of those guys, you don’t have to correct him twice on the same thing. It’s coming at him fast, not a lot of expectation he was going to play a lot this year but I love that you’re not having to correct and re-train over and over. And he takes it, uses those experiences and grows from it.”

More game-wrecking from Dayo Odeyingbo. Another second-year player who’s coming on strong is Odeyingbo, the 2021 second-round pick, who has 3 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits and two tackles for a loss over his last two games. The Colts value Odeyingbo’s versatility to play both outside and inside on their defensive line – he’s mostly lined up on the left outside, but kicked inside on about a third of his snaps last week against the Chargers. Only Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert – who Odeyingbo got to twice on Monday – has been under pressure on more dropbacks than Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (257) this season.

“Each week he’s improved,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “He’s gotten better and better not only in the run game but in the pass game. He’s plays bigger than his weight. He’s a load out there and we are just taking a look at him for the different things he can do and looking at our combinations that can be on the field at the same time.”

What’s next for Rodney Thomas II? Thomas, the 2022 seventh-round pick from Yale, enters Week 17 with a team-high three interceptions – including a pick in each of his last two games. Since stepping in for an injured Julian Blackmon in Week 3, Thomas has played at least 25 percent of the Colts’ defensive snaps in every game; he’s started eight games and has 43 tackles and two pass break-ups to go with those three interceptions.

“I’ve liked his progress,” Bradley said. “He continues to help us try and make plays and for a young guy doing that, you have to be impressed.”

Not bad for the No. 239 overall pick in last year’s draft.

REGULAR-SEASON SERIES HISTORY

LEADER Giants lead all-time series, 10-6

STREAKS Colts have won past 4

LAST GAME 12/23/18: Giants 27 at Colts 28

LAST GAME AT SITE 11/3/14: Colts 40, Giants 24

COLTS NOTES:

LAST WEEK L 20-3 vs. L.A. Chargers (Mon.)

COACH VS. OPP. Jeff Saturday: 0-0

PTS. FOR 16.5

OFFENSE 309.9

PASSING Nick Foles: 17-29-143-0-3-31.9

RUSHING Zack Moss (2022): 60-268-4.5-0

RECEIVING Michael Pittman: 90-854-9.5-2

PTS. AGAINST 23.8

DEFENSE 328.3

SACKS Yannick Ngakoue: 9.5

INTs Rodney Thomas: 3

TAKE/GIVE -13 (17/30)

PUNTING (NET) Matt Haack: 44.6 (40.5)

KICKING Chase McLaughlin: 100 (16/16 PAT; 28/33 FG)

QB NICK FOLES passed for 143 yards in 1st start of season last week. Passed for 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 115.8 rating in his last start vs. NYG (12/17/17 w/ Phi.). Has 2+ TD passes in each of 3 career starts vs. NYG. • RB ZACK MOSS aims for 3rd in row with 65+ rush yards. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN aims for 3rd in row with 4+ catches. Has 7+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on road & 7 of his past 8 vs. NFC. Needs 146 rec. yards to become 4th player in franchise history with 1,000+ rec. yards in consecutive seasons, joining HOFer Marvin Harrison, T.Y. Hilton & Reggie Wayne. • WR ALEC PIERCE ranks 5th among rookies with 536 rec. yards. • TE JELANI WOODS (rookie) led team with 43 rec. yards last week. Leads rookie TEs with 3 rec. TDs this season. • DE YANNICK NGAKOUE aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 5 of his past 6 on road. Had 2 sacks & FF in his last game vs. NYG (11/7/21 w/ LV). • DE DAYO ODEYINGBO aims for 3rd in row with 1.5+ sacks. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had 1.5 sacks & 2nd FF of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with sack. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4 on road. Had 0.5 sacks & PD in his last game vs. NYG (11/12/18 w/ SF). • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 9 tackles & 2nd sack of season in Week 16. Aims for 7th in row with 9+ tackles, Has TFL in 2 of past 3 overall & 4 of past 5 on road. • CB STEPHON GILMORE aims for his 4th in row on road with 5+ tackles & 2+ PD. Had INT & career-high 5 PD in his last game vs. NYG (10/10/19 w/ NE) & has INT in each of 2 career games vs. NYG. Has 29 career INTs, tied 5th-most among active players.

GIANTS NOTES:

LAST WEEK L 27-24 at Minnesota (Sat.)

COACH VS. OPP. Brian Daboll: 0-0

PTS. FOR 20.7

OFFENSE 333.2

PASSING Daniel Jones: 298-448-3,028-13-5-90.7

RUSHING Saquon Barkley: 283-1,254-4.4-10

RECEIVING Darius Slayton: 44-710-16.1-2

PTS. AGAINST 22.6

DEFENSE 366.3

SACKS Dexter Lawrence: 6.5

INTs Julian Love: 2

TAKE/GIVE +2 (17/15)

PUNTING (NET) Jamie Gillian: 47.0 (40.4)

KICKING Graham Gano: 107 (26/28 PAT; 27/30 FG)

QB DANIEL JONES completed 30 of 42 atts. (71.4 pct.) for 334 yards & TD vs. INT for 92.8 rating last week, his 8th-career 300-yard game. Has career highs in passing yards (3,028), rushing yards (617) & rush TDs (5) in 2022 & is 1 of 3 QBs (Josh Allen & Jalen Hurts) with 3,000+ pass yads, 500+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in 2022. Has 95+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY had season-high 8 receptions, 133 scrimmage yards (84 rush, 49 rec.) & 10th rush TD of season last week. Has 7 games with 120+ scrimmage yards in 2022, 2nd-most among RBs. Has rush TD in 4 of his past 5 & aims for his 3rd in row with 120+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. Ranks 6th in NFL with 1,597 scrimmage yards, his 2nd-career season with 1,500+ scrimmage yards. • WR ISAIAH HODGINS had career highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (89) in Week 16 & had 3rd rec. TD of season. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with TD catch. • WR RICHIE JAMES had season-high 8 catches & led team with 90 rec. yards in Week 16. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 at home. • WR DARIUS SLAYTON had 79 rec. yards in Week 16. Has 700+ rec. yards (710) for 3rd time in 4 career seasons. Has 85+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 at home. • DL DEXTER LAWRENCE had TFL & PD last week. Has career high 6.5 sacks in 2022. • DL LEONARD WILLIAMS had sack & 2 TFL in Week 16. • LB JAYLON SMITH led team with 10 tackles & had 1st sack of season last week. • LB AZEEZ OJULARI had sack last week & has 5.5 sacks in 6 games in 2022. Aims for his 4th in row at home with sack. • S JULIAN LOVE had 5th PD of season in Week 16. Has career-high 112 tackles in 2022.

COLTS RULE OUT WR ASHTON DULIN, TE KYLEN GRANSON, CB KENNY MOORE II FOR WEEK 17 GAME VS. NEW YORK GIANTS

The Colts on Friday ruled out wide receiver Ashton Dulin (concussion), tight end Kylen Granson (ankle) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (ankle) for their Week 17 game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, interim head coach Jeff Saturday said.

Dulin entered the concussion protocol after a vicious hit by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. on Monday night – a hit James was ejected from the game for delivering. Moore sustained an ankle injury in the Colts’ Week 12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and has not played since, while Granson sustained an ankle injury in Week 15 and will miss his second consecutive game.

The Colts earlier this week placed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. on injured reserve, ending his season.

INDY HAS HISTORIC NIGHT IN 9-6 WIN OVER CINCINNATI

INDIANAPOLIS – The Fuel hosted the Cincinnati Cyclones for Scooby-Doo Night wearing specialty jerseys, in front of a sold out crowd of 6,551 fans, the most in the Fuel’s history. Cincinnati got off to a quick start but it was ultimately the Fuel who took the game 9-6, matching their franchise high in goals scored in one game. 

The Cyclones were quick to score with Matt Berry getting a puck past Driscoll just 52 seconds into the game. Cincy dominated possession early in the period but with a double minor penalty assessed to Matthew Cairns, the Fuel were able to even out the scoring attempts. 

About six minutes after their first goal, the Cyclones struck again. This time, it was Lee Lapid who put them up 2-0. 

Ten minutes later, Fuel captain Keoni Texeira swatted the puck in to get Indy on the board with the help of Kale Howarth and Bryan Lemos. 

At 2:22 of the second period, Andrew Perrott caught a breakaway pass and evened the score. This was Perrott’s first pro goal. It was only a few minutes later that the Cyclones’ Cairns scored, making it 3-2. 

Jalen Smereck was called for high-sticking about halfway through the second period and Spencer Watson was able to capitalize, scoring his 80th goal as a member of the Fuel, tying the franchise Fuel record held by Joshua Shalla for most goals. This tied the game 3-3. 

Less than two minutes later, Seamus Malone gave the Fuel their first lead of the game with a power play goal assisted by Spencer Watson and Texeira. Zack Andrusiak quickly fired back for Cincinnati and tied the game.

With under two minutes to go in the period, Zach Berzolla scored to put the Cyclones up again 5-4. By the end of the second period, the Fuel were outshooting the Cyclones 22-18 despite being down by one.

Louie Caporusso opened the scoring in the third period to make it 6-4, but Chad Yetman didn’t wait long to get one back, making it 6-5 and extending his point streak to ten games as well as his goal streak to five games.

Bryan Lemos tied it up less than two minutes later with the help of Spencer Watson and Alex Wideman. Less than a minute after that Malone tallied his second goal of the night to put the Fuel up 7-6. 

Both teams engaged in some pushing and shoving before Lemos got his second goal of the game to put the Fuel up 8-6. Some more pushing and shoving ensued but Driscoll kept control of the crease and didn’t allow any more goals.

Cincinnati pulled their goaltender with just over a minute to go in the game and Malone scored the empty net goal to put the game away for the Fuel, completing the hat trick and tying a Fuel franchise record of most goals scored in a game with nine goals.This was Malone’s first career hat trick. The Fuel took their first win this season over the Cyclones 9-6, gaining two points in the standings on Cincy to give them sole ownership of first place in the division again.

INDIANA WRESTLING TAKES 15TH PLACE WITH TWO INDIVIDUAL PLACERS AT MIDLANDS

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. ––––– Indiana Wrestling competed its way to 15th place with 34 points at the 58th Annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships on Thursday and Friday at NOW Arena.

Indiana juniors Derek Gilcher (157) and Jacob Moran (125) made the deepest runs of the 15 Hoosiers who competed at Midlands, with both placing for top-eight finishes. Gilcher finished in 3rd/4th place via a 7-4 decision victory over Anthony Artalona (Penn). Moran lost his first match and then proceeded to win four straight to put himself in position for a podium placement.

Indiana senior Nick Willham (197) also had a good showing on the mat, wrestling his way to Session III on Friday afternoon before falling to Cole Urbas of Penn in Consolation Round 4, one round short of earning a spot on the podium.

In addition to Gilcher and Willham, Indiana’s Cole Rhemrev (141), Graham Rooks (149) and Tyler Lillard (165) reached the Championship Round of 16.

The Hoosiers competed against grapplers from 42 other schools, including seven other Big Ten programs.

This was Indiana’s last tournament of the regular season, only duals remain on the schedule until Big Tens and NCAAs.

KEY MOMENTS

• Gilcher defeated Artalona (Penn) by decision, 7-4, to earn third place. After being tied 2-2, Gilcher controlled the rest of the bout, earning two takedowns and an escape.

• In the consolation semi-final, Gilcher handled Andrew Clark (Rutgers) in a 6-2 decision to clinch his spot in the third place match.

• In Moran’s four consecutive wins, he won the last two matches over Spencer Moore (North Carolina) and Blake West (Northern Illinois), each in Sudden Victory to earn his spot to wrestle for a podium spot.

• In Consolation Round 4, No. 28 Graham Rooks blanked Caine Tyus (SIUE) in a 13-0 major decision victory.

• In Nick Willham’s three wins over Joseph Braunagel (Illinois), Jonathan List (George Mason), Mike Doggett (Harvard) came in dominant fashion. He owned a +26 point differential in his wins.

NOTABLES

• Gilcher’s season win total of 17 already surpasses his total from last year of nine.

• This was Indiana’s first time competing at the Midlands Championships since 2019, also the last time the event was held.

• No. 28 Graham Rooks has improved his season record to 19-3.

• This was the first time competing at Midlands for 14 of Indiana’s 15 participants. Graham Rooks was the only wrestler who had previously been in the event.

• Willham reached the 10-win mark on the season with his season record now standing 12-6.

UP NEXT

• Indiana Wrestling will open the Big Ten slate of their schedule next week against a top-ten ranked Ohio State squad on Friday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. in Wilkinson Hall.

Full Results

Jacob Moran – 125 lbs.

R32: Markel Baker (George Mason) def. Jacob Moran (IU): Dec. 3-0

Cons. 1: Jacob Moran (IU) def. Patrick McCormick (Virginia): Dec. 6-2

Cons. 2: Jacob Moran (IU) def. Colton Drousias (West Virginia): MD, 13-5

Cons. 3: Jacob Moran (IU) def. Spencer Moore (North Carolina): SV-1, 4-2

Cons. 4: Jacob Moran (IU) def. Blake West (Northern Illinois): SV-1, 3-1

Cons. 5: Jack Medley (Michigan) def. Jacob Moran (IU): MD, 12-3

7th Place: Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh) def. Jacob Moran (IU): MD, 15-5

Jacob Moran finishes in 8th place in the 125 Bracket

Michael Spangler – 125 lbs.

R32: Dean Peterson (Rutgers) def. Michael Spangler (IU): MD, 9-0

Cons. 1: Michael Spangler (IU) advanced on bye

Cons. 2: Nick Kayal (Princeton) def. Michael Spangler (IU): Dec. 7-6

Blaine Frazier – 133 lbs.

R64: Blaine Frazier (IU) advanced on bye

R32: Marcel Lopez (Unattached-SIUE) def. Blaine Frazier (IU): Dec. 7-1

Cons. 1: Blaine Frazier (IU) advanced on bye

Cons. 2: Patrick Phillips (Franklin & Marshall) def. Blaine Frazier (IU): TF, 19-0

Isaac Thornton – 133 lbs.

R64: Isaac Thornton (IU) advanced on bye

R32: Taylor Lamont (Wisconsin) def. Isaac Thornton (IU): MD, 12-4

Cons. 1: Isaac Thornton (IU) advanced on bye

Cons. 2: Nathaniel Genobana (Northern Illinois) def. Isaac Thornton (IU): Dec. 7-6

Cayden Rooks – 141 lbs.

R64: Felix Lettini (Wisconsin) def. No. 29 Cayden Rooks (IU): Fall (7:32)

Cons. 1: Matt Ryan (Buffalo) advances on Medical Forfeit from Rooks

Cole Rhemrev – 141 lbs.

R64: Cole Rhemrev advanced on bye

R32: Cole Rhemrev (IU) def. Shawn Nonaka (George Mason): Dec. 9-4

R16: No. 1 Cole Matthews (Pittsburgh) def. Cole Rhemrev (IU): MD, 11-3

Cons. 4: Javion Jones (Northern Illinois) def. Cole Rhemrev (IU): Dec. 6-4

Graham Rooks – 149 lbs.

R64: No. 28 Graham Rooks (IU) def. Vince Mannella (Penn): Dec. 5-2

R32: No. 28 Graham Rooks (IU) def. Anthony Cheloni (Northern Illinois): SV-1, 4-2

R16: Caleb Tyus (SIUE) def. No. 28 Graham Rooks (IU): Dec. 6-5

Cons. 4: No. 28 Graham Rooks (IU) def. Caine Tyus (SIUE): MD, 13-0

Cons. 5: Nate Higley (GMU) def. No. 28 Graham Rooks (IU): Fall (4:58)

Derek Gilcher – 157 lbs.

R64: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Caleb Dowling (West Virginia): SV-1, 3-1

R32: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Alejandro Herrerra-Rondon (Oklahoma): Dec. 3-0

R16: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Anthony Gibson (Northern Illinois): Dec. 5-3

Quarterfinal: No. 16 Garrett Model (Wisconsin) def. Derek Gilcher (IU): Dec. 4-2

Cons. Round 5: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Jerrdon Fisher (Missouri): Dec. 7-2

Cons Round 6: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Alejandro Herrerra-Rondon (Oklahoma): Medical Forfeit

Cons. Round 7: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Andrew Clark (Rutgers): Dec. 6-2

3rd Place: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Anthony Artalona (Penn): Dec. 7-4

Derek Gilcher finishes in 3rd place in the 157 Bracket.

Zack Rotkvich – 157 lbs.

R64: Zack Rotkvich (IU) advanced on bye

R32: Loranzo Rajaonarivel (George Mason) def. Zack Rotkvich (IU): Dec. 10-3

Cons. 1: Trevor Tarsi (Harvard) def. Zack Rotvkich (IU): MD, 11-1

Tyler Lillard – 165 lbs.

R64: Tyler Lillard (IU) advanced on bye

R32: Tyler Lillard (IU) def. Lucas Revano (Penn): Dec. 5-2

R16: Peyton Hall (West Virginia) def. Tyler Lillard (IU): Dec. 6-3

Cons. 4: Chandler Ammaker (Central Michigan) def. Tyler Lillard (IU): Dec. 6-3

Robert Major – 165 lbs.

R64: Mason Spears (Brown) def. Robert Major (IU): SV-1, 2-0

Cons. 1: Robert Major (IU) def. Tate Geiser (Cleveland State): Dec. 7-4

Cons. 2: Harrison Trahan (Brown) def. Robert Major (IU): Dec. 5-2

Clayton Fielden – 165 lbs.

R64: Clayton Fielden (IU) advanced on bye

R32: Josh Kim (Harvard) def. Clayton Fielden (IU): MD, 14-6

Cons. 1: Jake Evans (Northern Illinois) def. Clayton Fielden (IU): Dec. 3-2

Isiah Levitz – 174 lbs.

R32: Luca Augustine (Pittsburgh) def. Isiah Levitz (IU): TF, 17-2

Cons. 1: Michael Kestler (Penn) def. Isiah Levitz (IU): Fall (3:27)

Nick Willham – 197 lbs.

R32: Nick Willham (IU) def. Joseph Braunagel (Illinois): MD, 13-4

R16: John Crawford (Franklin & Marshall) def. Nick Willham (IU): Dec. 3-2

Cons. 2: Nick Willham (IU) def. Jonathan List (George Mason): Dec. 8-2

Cons. 3: Nick Willham (IU) def. Mike Doggett (Harvard): MD, 12-1

Cons. 4: Cole Urbas (Penn) def. Nick Willham (IU): SV-1, 4-2

Gabe Sollars (Unattached) – 197 lbs.

R32: Andrew Davison (Northwestern) def. Gabe Sollars (Unattached – IU): Dec. 5-2

Cons. 1: Gabe Sollars (Unattached – IU) advanced on bye

Cons. 2: Gabe Sollars (Unattached – IU) def. Anthony Perrine (Cleveland State): Dec. 4-3

Cons. 3: Eli Shereen (Buffalo) def. Gabe Sollars (Unattached – IU): Dec. 5-2

INDIANA SIGNEE RAMSEY GARY TO PLAY IN UNDER ARMOUR VOLLEYBALL ALL-AMERICAN GAME

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Incoming freshman libero Ramsey Gary will captain Team Speed at the 2023 Volleyball Under Armour All-American game on Monday (Jan. 2) in Orlando, Fla.

The Pendleton, Ind. native was one of 27 athletes selected to the premier prep volleyball showcase and one of just four liberos set to play in the match.

She becomes the second Under Armour All-American to sign with the Hoosiers, joining Emily Fitzner (2019-22) as the lone athletes to earn the honor in program history.

During her high school career, Gary recorded 1,369 digs, 234 aces and 293 assists. She helped lead Munciana Volleyball Club to the 2022 18U AAU Open National Championship.

She was named a Second Team All-American by Prep Volleyball for the 2022 season.

After playing in the Under Armour All-American game, Gary will play another club season for Munciana alongside fellow signee and middle blocker Ava Vickers.

She will join the program for the 2023 season.

The game will be broadcasted on ESPN at 4:00 PM EST on January 2nd, 2023.

BOWL PREP: LSU AWAITS BOILERMAKERS IN CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After playing in the Big Ten Championship for the first time in program history, the Purdue Boilermakers head south to face LSU in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. The Big Ten West champs battle the SEC West champs at Camping World Stadium, Jan. 2. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Boilermakers and Tigers meet on the gridiron for the first time in history.

BOWL HISTORY

• Purdue is appearing in a bowl game for the 21st time in program history, the fourth over the past six seasons.

• The Boilermakers are 11-9 all-time in bowl games, winning four of their past six including a 48-45 overtime victory over Tennessee in last year’s TransPerfect  Music City Bowl.

• Purdue won the 2021 Music City Bowl despite missing All-Americans David Bell and George Karlaftis, who opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

• The matchup is Purdue’s third Orlando bowl game, the first since the 2006 Champs Sports Bowl.

• The Boilermakers are playing in the Citrus Bowl for the second time with the other appearance concluding the 2003 campaign.

• Purdue is facing a ranked team in a bowl game for the eighth time, but its first since the 2004 Sun Bowl (No. 21 Arizona State).

MISSING BOILERS

• Purdue enters the matchup without four Boilermakers who opted out of the game to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft: TE Payne Durham, WR Charlie Jones, QB Aidan O’Connell and CB Cory Trice.

• Jones, a Second Team All-American, led the Big Ten in receptions (110), receiving yards (1,361) and receiving touchdowns (12),cracking the Top 5 nationally in all three categories; his 1,361 receiving yards set a new single-season school record.

• O’Connell, who earned Second Team All-B1G honors, led the conference in passing yards (290.8 per game) and ends his Purdue career with the best career completion percentage in

school history (66.7%).

• Durham earned second team all-conference accolades as one of the top tight ends in the country; he ranked second on the team in receptions (56), receiving yards (560) and receiving TDs (8), ending his Boilermaker career with the second-most touchdowns by a tight end (21).

• Trice, a lockdown corner for the Boilermakers with a team-best 10 pass breakups, also added two interceptions and 34 tackles throughout the season; he earned All-B1G Honorable Mention.

ALL ABOARD THE MOCK TRAIN

• All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)

• Don’t underestimate redshirt-freshman Devin Mockobee. The walk-on running back leads the Purdue rushing attack with 920 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

• In regards to freshman running backs throughout Purdue history, Mockobee set the program record for most rushing yards and attempts by a Boilermaker freshman.

• Mockobee has earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades twice this season, most recently following last week’s performance at Indiana. After missing most of the Northwestern game due to

injury, the freshman returned to tally 157 all-purpose yards (99 rushing, 58 receiving).

• He has produced four 100-yard games this season, the most ever by a Purdue freshman.

QB1 IN HIS FINAL GAME

• Sixth-year slinger Austin Burton will be Purdue’s QB1 for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, after Aidan O’Connell elected to prepare for the NFL Draft.

• Burton is in his third season at Purdue following the first three years of his career at UCLA.

• The Citrus Bowl will mark the third career start for Burton. His first start came in 2019 against Oregon State, when he threw for 236 yards for UCLA.

• Burton has started once for Purdue, a 28-26 win over FAU earlier this season.

WELCOME BACK DREW BREES

• Purdue will have a familiar face on the Citrus Bowl sidelines, as former Boilermaker quarterback Drew Brees will serve as an assistant coach.

• Before his 20-year NFL career, Brees was a record-breaking quarterback at Purdue; he remains the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (11,792), completions (1,026) and passing

touchdowns (90).

• He concluded his Purdue career by winning the Maxwell Award (nation’s most outstanding player) and leading the Boilermakers to the Rose Bowl.

• Taking his talents to the NFL, Brees was the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in 12-straight seasons, including an NFL-record five 5,000-yard passing seasons. He was selected 12 times to the Pro Bowl, a Saints record.

• Brees can help the Boilermakers reach nine wins for the second straight season; the last time Purdue had back-to-back nine-win seasons, he was the starting quarterback (1997-98) under

legendary coach Joe Tiller.

PUTTING UP POINTS

• The Boilermakers have proved to be one of the top offenses in college football by putting up points against the nation’s best scoring defenses.

• Against Ryan Walters’ Illinois defense, which led the country by averaging only 12.2 points per game, Purdue scored 31 points in a win; it was the most allowed by the Illini all season long.

• Minnesota surrendered 13.3 ppg to rank fourth nationally, and Purdue became one of three teams to score at least 20 points on the Golden Gophers in a 20-10 victory in Minneapolis.

• In the Big Ten Championship, Purdue marched down the field on six scoring drives, the most scoring drives by a Michigan opponent this season. The No. 2 Wolverines enter the College Football Playoff ranked fifth in scoring defense (13.4 ppg).

A NEW ERA

• Ryan Walters, considered one of the nation’s fastest rising young coaches, has been named the 37th head football coach at Purdue University (Dec. 13).

• In his second season as defensive coordinator for Illinois in 2022, Walters emerged as one of the nation’s best defensive play callers. The Illini posted an 8-4 record, with five wins holding their opponents under seven points and seven wins at 10 points or fewer.

• Along with guiding the Illini defense to Top 10 national rankings in 17 different defensive categories, Walters was named 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year and On3 Coordinator of the Year.

• This past season, Walters guided the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense (12.3) and No. 2 defense in yards allowed per game (263.8).

• Walters elevated Illinois’ defensive unit from the back of the pack into one of the nation’s elite in just two seasons. Following the 2020 season, in which the Fighting Illini ranked 97th nationally in scoring defense (34.9) and 114th in yards allowed per game (466.8), Walters’ first year in Champaign saw his side of the ball rise to 29th (21.9) and 49th (367.0), respectively.

• At 36, Walters becomes one of the youngest head coaches in college football; he has hired Graham Harrell as offensive coordinator and Kevin Kane as defensive coordinator.

GAME NOTES: https://purduesports.com/documents/2022/12/30/Purdue_Game_Notes_-_Cheez-It_Citrus_Bowl__2_.pdf

BUTLER WBB TO FACE SETON HALL ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

INDIANAPOLIS – Butler (6-7, 1-3 BIG EAST) will play at Seton Hall (10-4, 3-1) on New Year’s Eve this year looking to even out their overall record. The two teams will come together at Walsh Gym for a 4 PM tip on Saturday afternoon. Each program picked up a win on Wednesday and will be looking to bring in the new year with two-straight against conference competition.

GameDay

Date: Saturday, Dec. 31

Time: 4:00 PM

Location: Walsh Gym

Live Stats: SHUPirates.com – Statbroadcast

Watch: FloSports.com / BEDN

BIG EAST Standings

St. John’s 3-0, 12-0

UConn 3-0, 10-2

DePaul 3-0, 10-4

Seton Hall 3-1, 10-4

Villanova 2-1, 11-3

Marquette 2-2, 9-4

Creighton 2-2, 8-4

Georgetown 1-3, 8-5

Butler 1-3, 6-7

Providence 0-4, 9-6

Xavier 0-4, 7-6

Bulldog Bits

– Saturday is the 21st overall meeting between Butler and Seton Hall.

– Butler’s 79-point performance at Xavier is the second-highest scoring game for the Bulldogs this season.

– BU hit a season-high 14 3-pointers at Xavier, just two shy of tying the school record (16 at Georgetown (1/11/14).

– Rachel McLimore scored a game-high 20 points at Xavier.  She has led the team in scoring six times this season.

– McLimore has scored in double figures eight times this year and has two 20+ point games.

– McLimore dished out a career-high seven assists at Xavier. Her nine 3-point field goal attempts were also a career-high.

– McLimore will start for the 90th time in her career on Saturday. She is just two points shy of 1200.

– Chloe Jeffers set career-high totals in points (8) and rebounds (2) at Xavier. She went 2-for-3 from 3-point range in nine minutes of playing time.

– Butler went on a 19-0 scoring run at Xavier and recorded a season-high 20 assists in the victory.

– Kelsy Taylor saw extended playing time in Cincinnati with Sydney Jaynes in foul trouble. She responded with nine points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes.

– Caroline Strande scored 11 points at Xavier to reach double figures for the fifth time this season. She also helped on the glass with six rebounds.

– Tenley Dowell matched her season-high scoring total with 11 points at Xavier. She has hit at least one 3-pointer in five-straight games.

– Shay Frederick has nine steals over her last two games. She hit a season-high four 3-pointers at Xavier to help score a season-high 14 points.

– The Bulldogs have not won back-to-back conference road games since the 2019-20 season. That year, they knocked off Providence (50-47) and Creighton (73-67) in late January.

– Butler’s last win at Walsh Gym on Jan. 4, 2014, Butler’s first year in the BIG EAST.

Scouting Seton Hall                                                                              

The Pirates are 10-4 overall with a 3-1 mark in the BIG EAST Conference. League wins for Seton Hall came against Xavier (74-55), Marquette (82-78) and most recently Georgetown (72-62). Their lone setback was a 98-73 outcome at UConn. Head Coach Anthony Bozzella has a powerful one-two punch in the SHU starting five unit. Lauren Park-Lane and Sidney Cooks were All-BIG EAST First Team selections a year ago. Park-Lane is a point guard that averages a team-high 21.1 points and is also the team leader in assists (5.9). Cooks is a 6-4 forward scoring 15.4 points per contest. She leads the club in rebounds (6.6) and blocked shots (1.2). Cooks posted 17 points and six boards in the win over Georgetown while Park-Lane contributed with 23 points and eight assists.

All-Time Series vs. Seton Hall                                                             

Butler trails Seton Hall in the all-time series 15-5. The Pirates have won the last eight meetings. Butler’s last win came just four days into 2019 (62-59 at Hinkle Fieldhouse).

Last Game vs. Seton Hall                                                                                   

Seton Hall and Butler met in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament last year. Butler played as the No. 11 seed while Seton Hall took the floor as the No. 6 seed. The contest featured each team scoring 24 first half points, but SHU would pull away over the final 20 minutes to win 58-39. The turning point came in the third quarter with the Pirates outscoring the Bulldogs 16-4. Lauren Park-Lane scored a game-high 21 points and Sydney Jaynes led BU with 10

Seton Hall’s Last Game                                                                        

Seton Hall used a 17-2 run in the fourth quarter to rally past Georgetown (72-62) in Walsh Gym for their eighth victory in the last nine games. The Pirates trailed 54-50 with 8:39 left in the game but went on a furious run over the next 6:06 to grab a commanding 67-56 advantage with just 2:33 to go. The Hall’s Lauren Park-Lane had 12 of her game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of timely three-pointers. Park-Lane also had a game-high eight assists, adding to her Seton Hall career record. Ariel Jenkins had a career-high 18 points for the Hoyas (8-5, 1-3), while Kennedy Fauntleroy had 10 points and four steals. GU shot .364 from the field while SHU won the rebounding battle 41-34.

Good Looks                                                                                                          

Butler ranks 10th in the NCAA in 3-point field goal percentage (38.6). Five different Bulldogs hit multiple 3-pointers in Butler’s last game at Xavier. Shay Frederick led all players with four makes from behind the arc while Tenley Dowell and Rachel McLimore each made three. McLimore is the top 3-point shooter on the roster with 19 makes on 50 attempts (38.0%). Frederick is second on the team with 15 made 3-pointers and Dowell is third with 13. 11 of the 14 Bulldogs to see playing time this season have hit at least one shot from distance. Butler also ranks 51st in the NCAA in field goal percentage (3rd in BIG EAST). Four Bulldogs are shooting over 50 percent from the field this season.

3-Pointers                                                                                                              

Butler made 14 3-pointers at Xavier while shooting 48.3 percent from distance. Their new season-high total doubles as the most made in a BIG EAST game this season. Before the game at Xavier, BU was in a three-way tie with UConn and Villanova with 13 makes from 3-point range. Butler made 13 earlier this season vs. Binghamton while hitting at a 56.5 clip. The Bulldogs average 7.5 made 3-point field goals per game placing them in a tie for third in the conference along with UConn.

Xavier Recap                                                                                                        

The Bulldogs used a 19-0 scoring run in the first quarter to build a lead and claim a 79-65 BIG EAST road win at Xavier on Wednesday afternoon. Butler buried a season-high 14 3-pointers in the victory and shot 42 percent from the field. Four Bulldogs finished in double figures, including a game-high 20 points for Rachel McLimore who also tallied a game-best seven assists. Butler (6-7, 1-3) registered 20 assists on 26 field goals. Mackayla Scarlett led Xavier (7-6, 0-4) with 16 points, including an 8-for-8 clip from the free-throw line. The Musketeers shot .421 from the field and .455 from three, but Butler shot .473 and .483, respectively.

Keep Her Off the Line                                                                          

Lauren Park-Lane has attempted 104 of Seton Hall’s 238 free throws this season (43.6%). Butler’s top free throw shooter has just 40 attempts in 13 games. So far this season, BU is 6-3 when shooting more free throws than their opponent but are 0-4 when the opposition shoots more from the charity stripe. The good news for Bulldogs fans is that Butler ranks 17th in the country in fouls per game, committing just 13 per contest.

Slow Down Seton Hall                                                                         

The Pirates are third in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (73.7) and second in free throw percentage (77.3). The Bulldogs are 0-2 this season when their opponent tops 70 points, a number Seton Hall has reached in 11 of their 14 games this season.

Career Assist Leaders                                                                          

Together, Shay Frederick and Lauren Park-Lane have dished out 1,090 assists during their collegiate careers. Park-Lane ranks fifth among active assist leaders (573) and Frederick comes in at 13th (517).

Milestone Markers                                                                                              

Rachel McLimore hit two 3-pointers vs. Southern Indiana to move her career total to 100! She only needs one more steal to reach 100.

Injury Update                                                                                        

Jessica Carrothers (Knee), Jordan Meulemans (Back) Trinity White (Non-COVID related illness) Anna Mortag (Knee) and Abby Stoddard (Knee) were inactive at Xavier. There is no timetable for their return.

Up Next                                                                                                                 

Butler will play #8 UConn on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Action inside Hinkle Fieldhouse will get underway at 7 PM.

JAGS DEFEAT NORSE IN THRILLING #HLWBB MATCHUP, 68-65

INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s basketball team defeated Northern Kentucky on Friday afternoon in a thrilling battle to the finish, 68-65. Three Jaguars finished in double figures with Jazmyn Turner leading the way with 19 points.

“This was a great conference win for us today,” said head coach Kate Bruce. “Our team battled adversity in the 4th quarter and I was impressed how we came together and found a way to finish with the win.”

IUPUI jumped out quickly taking the first three baskets and keeping the lead for 95.3 percent of the entire game. The Norse kept within striking distance heading into the half on the tail of the Jags, 31-28.

NKU tied it up at 38-38 in the third quarter, but IUPUI quickly struck back with a three from Ali Berg. Rachel Kent closed out the third quarter with a three and a driving layup to extend that lead to 55-43. Northern Kentucky went on a 10-2 lead to bring it within one with less than a minute to go. Genesis Parker sunk two free throws to add some cushion for the Jags to hold on finishing the game at 68-65.

Turner finished the game with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Kent posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Destiny Perkins added 13 points and Ali Berg added eight points and five rebounds while Natalie Andersen totaled six points with three assists. Freshman Abby Wolterman brought down four boards for the Jags.

IUPUI shot 51.0 percent (26-for-51) from the floor while holding NKU to just 31.3 percent (21-for-64). The Jags also outrebounded the Norse 39 to 32.

The Jaguars are now 6-6 overall and 2-1 in the Horizon League. They finish out the weekend and ring in the New Year with another #HLWBB matchup in the Jungle when they host Wright State for a 2:00 PM tip on Sunday, Jan. 1.

JAGUARS TO HOST #HLMBB LEADERS ON SATURDAY AT THE COLISEUM

INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI basketball team will host Horizon League leader Northern Kentucky (8-6, 3-0 HL) inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Saturday (Dec. 31) at 2:00 p.m. to close out the calendar year. NKU enters as the lone remaining unbeaten team in the Horizon League while the Jaguars come in seeking their first win of the conference season.

IUPUI (3-10, 0-2 HL) posted a solid 62-52 win over Texas A&M Commerce in its final game before the Christmas holiday as Jlynn Counter scored 23 points and Daylan Hamilton contributed a career-high 14 points in the win. IUPUI went wire-to-wire in the win, despite the Lions pulling even on three different occasions. Freshman Vincent Brady II chipped in 11 points and sophomore Boston Stanton III had an important seven rebounds in his second start of the season.

The Jags shot 51.1 percent from the floor 5-of-10 from long range while holding Commerce to just 2-of-18 (11.1 percent) from three.

QUOTABLE

“I’m super proud of our guys. We only played eight guys in this game, but they all contributed and played their role in the win. What I’m most proud of is we didn’t panic when things got tight in the second half. We knew they’d make a run at us, but we stuck to the game plan and got (defensive) stops when we needed them. This was a solid win against a solid team and hopefully it’ll give us some momentum going into Horizon League play. These guys earned this one,” head coach Matt Crenshaw said following the win over Commerce.

SCOUTING NORTHERN KENTUCKY

NKU enters at 8-6 overall and 3-0 to start Horizon League play with wins over Youngstown State, Robert Morris and Wright State. The Norse are 8-1 at home this season with wins over Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky, but 0-5 in five contests away from home. Marques Warrick (19.7 ppg, 32 3’s) leads the NKU offense while Sam Vinson (10.1 ppg) and Xavier Rhodes (9.2 ppg, 3.5 apg) join him in the backcourt. Chris Brandon (5.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg) anchors the frontcourt.

UP NEXT

IUPUI will cap the two-game homestand on Monday (Jan. 2) when the Jaguars host Wright State at 2:00 p.m. at the Coliseum. Tickets are available by clicking here.

Tidbits heading into today’s game (click here for full game notes (PDF))

    SOLID AS A ROC

    Sophomore Jlynn Counter, known as Roc, was fantastic in the two-game Indiana Classic before Christmas, averaging 25.0 points in the two contests. He had a career-high 27 points (10-19 FG, 7-7 FT) and five rebounds against Southern Indiana on Dec. 19 and followed up with 23 points (9-13 FG, 1-1 3’s, 4-4 FT) in the Dec. 20 win over Texas A&M Commerce.

    Given the recent output, he’s climbed to No. 11 in the Horizon League in scoring (13.3 ppg) and fifth in field goal percentage (49.7%) among qualified players. His three against TAMU Commerce was his first of the season, coming in his 15th attempt.

    FRESHIES   

    Of the seven Horizon League Freshman of the Week Awards this season, three have gone to IUPUI players as Vincent Brady II is a two-time recipient and Armon Jarrard is the reigning honoree.

    Jarrard came off the bench to average 10.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in the two-game Indiana Classic, including a career-high 16 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3’s, 6-7 FT) against Southern Indiana.

    IUPUI has relied on freshmen since the start of the season with Brady and the Jarrard twins being fixtures in the rotation. A fourth rookie, DJ Jackson, also came in with high expectations, but suffered an injury at the start of the season, limiting him to two games.

    Here’s a look at how the four have performed so far this season.    

Vincent Brady: 28.5 mpg (leads team), 9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 23 3’s made (leads team)

Amhad Jarrard: 21.6 mpg (5th on the team), 5.8 ppg, 1.5 apg, 6 steals

Armon Jarrard: 17.5 mpg (6th on the team), 4.3 ppg,7 3’s made (2nd on the team), 15 steals

DJ Jackson (2 games): 16.5 mpg, 3.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg

    FRESH STARTERS

    IUPUI had three freshmen in the starting lineup in the opener as Vincent Brady II, Amhad Jarrard and Armon Jarrard all got the starting nod. The trio, all of whom are Indianapolis natives, combined on four points, five boards and an assist in the opener at Iowa State.

    TIGHTEN UP

    Against Texas A&M Commerce, IUPUI tightened up to an eight-man rotation by both necessity and success. Daylan Hamilton earned his second straight start and chipped in a career-high 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 FT) and four assists. Boston Stanton III, also making a second straight start, had four points and a career-high seven rebounds.

    The only three that saw time off the bench were Armon Jarrard (5 pts), Jonah Carrasco (3 pts, 3 reb) and Cooper Dewitt (season-high 17 min).

    4K

    IUPUI hosted its annual NCAA Readers Become Leaders game on Dec. 12 against Spalding University and had a program best 4,114 fans in attendance. The game attracted roughly 3,500 3rd graders from Central Indiana and stressed the importance of creating reading habits at a young age. The 4,114 fans easily surpassed the previous record for an IUPUI home game – 3,327 against Indiana State inside Conseco Fieldhouse on Dec. 23, 2008.

    The previous record for an IUPUI game inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum was 3,159 in the inaugural game against Indiana State on Nov. 14, 2014.

    PRINCE VINCE

    Freshman Vincent Brady II has earned two #HLMBB Freshman of the Week Awards this season, the most recent coming after a banner effort at Green Bay on Dec. 5 (17 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast). He became the first rookie in the Horizon League to earn the award twice this season.    

    The Green Bay game was his fourth straight game of 15 points or more, becoming the first IUPUI freshman to have at least four straight games of 15 points or more since Alex Young did so in December 2008.

    THE MONROE EFFECT

    After missing the first three games of the season to injury, junior transfer Bryce Monroe came in and made a major impact in the Jaguars’ lineup. In his four appearances, Monroe led the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and assists (3.8 apg), despite suffering an injury in his third game back. More importantly, the team as a whole has improved its output. Without Monroe in the lineup, the Jags averaged just 53.4 points per game and scored 65.0 points per game with him available.

    The San Diego-transfer had a monster game at New Orleans on Nov. 24, pumping in 29 points (13-20 FG, 3-6 3’s) and seven assists – both of which are the most by an IUPUI player this season. However, Monroe was injured during the New Orleans trip and is sidelined indefinitely. 

    INJURY BUG

    IUPUI has yet to have its full roster available this season as Bryce Monroe has been limited to just four games on the year and freshman DJ Jackson has been limited to two. Both are currently out and eying returns after the new year. 

    In addition, Jonah Carrasco, Cooper Dewitt, Amhad Jarrard, Armon Jarrard and Marlon Taylor have each missed at least one game due to injury or illness.

    Only four players – Jlynn Counter, Chris Osten, Vincent Brady II and Daylan Hamilton – have appeared in all 13 games this season.

    OSTEN POWERS

    Graduate transfer Chris Osten is shooting an absurd 60.5 percent from the floor this season with 12 of his 46 field goals being dunks.

    Coming into this season, he had scored in double-digits just one time in his Division I career

in stops at both Arizona State and Northern Illinois, and never had a double-double. However,

in just 10 games this season, Osten has hit double-figures five times and registered three

double-doubles. He had season-highs of 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-4 FT) and 12 boards at Chicago

State on Nov. 14 and later had back-to-back 14-point, 10-rebound double-doubles against

Denver (Nov. 23) and New Orleans (Nov. 24).

    BOOK WORMS

    The Jaguars put together a 3.03 team grade point average during the fall semester with 12 members of the team earning a 3.0 or better. Junior John Egbuta was most impressive with a perfect 4.0 mark during the fall. 

#21 NOTRE DAME DEFEATS #19 SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of Notre Dame’s 21st ranked football team rallied from down two scores early in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to earn a 45-38 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks Friday evening at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville. The Irish finish the 2022 season 9-4 with the victory. The win is the 20th bowl game win in program history.

Quarterback Tyler Buchner earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award for his performance. The sophomore threw for a career-high 274 yards with 18 completions on 33 attempts and three scores. He also added 61 yards on the ground with two more touchdowns.

The Irish offense ran for 264 yards total. Audric Estime led the charge with 95 yards on 14 attempts. Logan Diggs added 13 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. Chris Tyree added 21 yards on five rushes.

Through the air, Buchner found Jayden Thomas for a team-best five catches for 67 yards. Senior Braden Lenzy added four catches for a game-best 89 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell Evans added three receptions for 39 yards and a score and Diggs finished with a pair of catches for 81 yards and a score.

The defense was led by linebacker JD Bertrand and cornerback TaRiq Bracy. Each finished with eight tackles, five and four solo, respectively. Each added a half tackle for loss and Bracy forced a key fumble early in the first half. Ramon Henderson and Jack Kiser each finished with six tackles, with two and three solo, respectively. Kiser added a tackle for loss, with Henderson a half TFL.

The Gamecocks got the scoring started, taking the opening kickoff and marching 75 yards on 10 plays for the score. South Carolina’s quarterback Spencer Rattler went 5-for-7 on the series, picking up 60 yards and found Xavier Legette for the 13-yard score four minutes into the contest.

Henderson helped the Irish even the score. The safety recovered a Gamecock fumble and gave the ball to Buchner and the offense at midfield. Buchner found the tight end Evans for an 18-yard completion on third and 15 and moved the ball to the Gamecock 31. After a first down completion to Thomas, Buchner took the snap from shotgun on third and nine and ran 15 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at seven with 5:54 left in the first quarter.

South Carolina used another 75 yard drive to find the end zone and regain the lead. The Gamecocks utilized a little of everything on the drive, using two quarterbacks to move into Irish territory before Xavier Watts came up big on a third and eight, breaking up a pass in the end zone. South Carolina came out with its field goal unit, which saw its holder Kai Kroeger field the snap in a modified shotgun formation, connecting with long snapper Hunter Rogers who lined up in a slot receiver position for the 23-yard score.

The Gamecocks kept the momentum, creating an interception on the next possession that was returned 53 yards for a score to put South Carolina up 21-7, with 44 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

Notre Dame used 12 plays to drive 56 yards to earn its next score. Buchner completed two of three passes and scampered for a 21-yard gain to move into the South Carolina red zone. The Irish settled for a 37-yard field goal from Blake Grupe to cut the lead to 21-10 with 8:36 left in the first half.

After the field goal, South Carolina rallied for three of its own. Rattler hit Dakereon Joyner for a gain of 26 yards to move into Irish territory. The defense stiffened, holding the Gamecocks to a more conventional special teams attempt. The 45-yard kick from Mitch Jeter was good to extend the lead to 24-10.

In what continued to be a back-and-forth half, the Irish got right back in it. The kickoff was a touchback, setting up Notre Dame ball on the 25. Buchner bootlegged right and found Diggs in the flat who turned on the jets and found the end zone for the score to cut the lead to 24-17 with just over five minutes remaining in the half.

After exchanging punts to start the second half, the Irish leveled the game with 10:28 on the clock in the third quarter. Estime led the charge as the big back carried for 31 yards on two carries on the drive. Buchner finished off the series with a read option, keeping the ball for an 11-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 24 all.

South Carolina again answered the bell. A third and one conversion on a shuffle pass moved the Gamecocks into Irish territory with the 17-yard gain. A loss on first down set up a second and 11. Rattler scrambled around the pocket and launched a 42-yard touchdown pass to Legette who made a leaping grab in the end zone to regain the lead and put South Carolina up 31-24 at the 8:31 mark of the third quarter.

The Irish defense forced another Gamecock punt that set up Notre Dame inside South Carolina territory. Buchner went over the top, finding Lenzy for a 44-yard touchdown pass to knot the game at 31 with 31 seconds left in the third quarter.

Notre Dame used some trickery of its own at the start of the fourth quarter. On fourth and four, the Irish went back to punt where it was snapped to Davis Sherwood who flipped to Lenzy who ran for the first down and into South Carolina territory. Buchner then handed to Diggs who broke through the hole opened by Josh Lugg and Blake Fisher and ran 39 yards for the score as Notre Dame took its first lead of the game at 38-31 with just over 13 minutes left.

South Carolina snuffed out a promising Notre Dame drive as O’Donnell Fortune picked off the pass in the end zone and returned it for a Gamecock touchdown to tie the game at 38 with 7:42 left.

The Irish offense drove 80 yards for the go-ahead score, picking up 46 on the ground. Buchner had key third down conversions, rushing for four yards to move the ball to midfield. Buchner found Tyree in the flat for a gain of nine yards on third and five for another key conversion. On third and seven at the South Carolina 16, Buchner rolled right and stopped to find Evans on a wheel route on the left side for the score to go up 45-38 with 1:30 remaining.

Rattler and the Gamecocks gave it one last heave on fourth and 36, but the pass was knocked around before finding turf and securing the Irish victory.

IRISH COULDN’T PUSH THROUGH IN 76-65 LOSS TO #14/16 MIAMI

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball squad (8-6, 0-3) had a great opportunity on Friday afternoon at home against a ranked opponent but succumbed 76-65 to the No. 14/16 Miami Hurricanes (13-1, 4-0). The Fighting Irish were up one at the half and only trailed 51-49 with 12 minutes remaining, but just couldn’t get over the hump. 

Turnovers hindered the Irish as ND coughed the ball up a season-high 17 times. Miami converted them into 25 points – nearly a third of their total. The Hurricanes also scored 42 of their 76 points in the paint.

Notre Dame shot 25-of-56 (44.6 percent) from the field compared to Miami’s 29-of-57 (50.9 percent). Hurricanes just took the rebounding battle, 32-31.

Notre Dame guard Marcus Hammond tallied 10 points in the second half to finish with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, marking his second straight game in double figures. Trey Wertz finished with a team-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep.

Cormac Ryan grabbed a season-high eight rebounds and dished out a season-high five assists to go with his eight points. Dane Goodwin notched 14 points, his second straight in double figures, shooting 7-of-11 from the floor. Lastly, Nate Laszewski almost secured a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

How It Happened

Miami started hot, recording a stretch in which they converted 9-of-11 from the field. It was mainly due to Nijel Pack, who averaged 11.2 ppg entering the game, but made his first five from the field, including three treys, to secure 13 points in the first 10 minutes.

Down 25-16, Coach Brey called a timeout and that’s when the game started to turn. Laszewski got things going with an and-one and then Wertz followed with a three.

Notre Dame ultimately tallied an 11-1 run to garner its first lead of the game at 27-26 at the 4:20 mark. The Irish defense dug in and did not allow a Hurricanes field goal for a six-minute stretch. In fact, Miami recorded only one field goal after 9:25 on the clock.

Laszewski, Ryan and Goodwin combined for a 7-0 run from 1:49-0:49 as Notre Dame ultimately claimed a 34-33 halftime lead.

It was a very balanced stat sheet at the half with all seven Irish players with points. Goodwin and Wertz led with eight points each and Laszewski was on double-double watch with six points and eight boards.

Miami found its offensive rhythm in the locker room for they jumped out to a 14-4 start in the second half, building a 47-38 lead. Hammond tried to rally the Irish with a three and shortly after a four-point play, cutting the deficit to two at 51-49 with 12:12 on the clock.

Miami’s Nijel Pack then hit a three-pointer which kicked off a 9-0 Hurricanes run over the next 1:34, pushing the lead to double-digits at 60-49. Next, Hammond ended the drought with another three-point play at 8:04.

Miami ultimately hit seven straight from the field to garner a 68-54 advantage at 5:59. Laszewski and Ryan each converted from deep, followed by a Wertz jumper that slashed it to 70-62 with 2:30 remaining, but it was too late for the rally as Miami took home the 76-65 final.

Up Next

The Fighting Irish will search for that first ACC win when they travel to Boston College on Tuesday, Jan. 3. That game airs at 7 pm ET on ACC Network.

NEW YEAR GAMES SET WITH ALASKA

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame hockey team is set to ring in the New Year with a pair of tilts against Alaska this weekend as they welcome the 9-7-2 Nanooks to town Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Returning from their Christmas break, the Irish close out their non-conference slate against independent Alaska. Saturday’s 5:05 p.m. puck drop marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2016-17.

QUICK HITS

The Irish most recently split with No. 5/5 Penn State, dropping night one before bouncing back to a 5-3 victory Saturday night. In the game two win, Ryan Bischel recorded a career-high 47 saves.

On the weekend series with the Nittany Lions, Bischel posted 81 saves between the pipes.

With 570 total saves in 2022-23, the senior netminder ranks second in the nation in the category.

Against the Nittany Lions to close out the first half of the year, the Irish penalty kill unit allowed just one goal against, a six-on-four chance for Penn State, late in the second game. On the flip side, the Irish posted two powerplay goals in the series, going two-for-three on the man-advantage.

At the break, the Irish sat 8-8-2 overall, including four wins over nationally-ranked programs.

The Irish were faced with a grueling schedule late in the first half, having faced a top-12 team for five consecutive weeks. All but one Irish opponent has been recieving votes in the national polls at the time they faced ND.

After the Nanooks, the Irish dive back into conference play with a trip to Wisconsin before hosting Minnesota ahead of the spring semester.

NOTRE DAME vs. ALASKA

This series will mark six years to the day that the Irish and Nanooks last met. Having rung in 2017 with the Nanooks on Dec. 31, 2016 and Jan. 1, 2017, the Irish are poised to welcome back the team from Fairbanks in their final non-conference series of the season.

In their last meeting, the Irish swept the Nanooks, outscoring their opponent 9-0 over the two-game series. Current volunteer assistant coach, Andrew Oglevie, recorded two points in the series (1-1-2) and extended his point streak to five games.

All-time, the Irish own a 32-25-4 record with the Nanooks and boast a 20-11-1 record on home ice.

TEAM LEADERS

With two goals against Penn State, Ryder Rolston’s six goals and seven assists leads the Irish with 13 points. He also boasts the most goals on the team while Nick Leivermann sits just behind with five (most among defensemen)

Chayse Primeau and Trevor Janicke both picked up assists in the team’s last outing with Penn State and are now tied with eight apples a piece.

With game-winning goals against Northern Michigan and Boston College, Jesse Lansdell leads the Irish with two. Jack Adams, who scored the eventual game-winner on night two with the Nittany Lions also boasts two on the season with his other coming in a 1-0 win at Ohio State.

Three individuals boast multiple powerplay tallies, with Primeau, T. Janicke and Rolston all having a pair.

Ryan Bischel recorded 81 saves on the weekend against Penn State, bringing his 2022-23 season total to 570 which ranks second nationally.

Always willing to jump in front of a shot, Jake Boltmann’s 38 blocks leads the team and is ninth nationally.

EAGLES VISIT NO. 5 IRISH TO KICK OFF NEW YEAR

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 5 Notre Dame (11-1, 2-0) has survived a couple of close calls on the road in its first two ACC games, but now it’s time to play host. Longtime rival Boston College (11-4, 1-1) will visit the fifth-ranked Irish on Sunday to ring in 2023.

The Irish are riding a five-game win streak, one which includes wins over ranked UConn and Virginia Tech teams. Guard Olivia Miles continues to be the eye-popping star at the center of the offense, but a whole cast of characters has contributed to Notre Dame’s first top-five ranking since 2019.

Junior Maddy Westbeld has led the Irish in scoring the last two times out, posting 23 points against Western Michigan on Dec. 21 and 15 against Miami on Thursday. She also grabbed 11 rebounds against the Hurricanes, notching her first double-double of the year and the sixth of her three-season Irish tenure.

“She’s in great shape, assertive and confident,” Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey said earlier this week. “Since UConn, she’s really finding her spots. She’s playing really well on both sides of the ball.”

The new blood is an exciting watch for Irish fans as well. Freshman KK Bransford is tied for second in the conference in points per game amongst freshmen bench players (7.2), and early enrollee Cassandre Prosper made her first appearance for the Irish against Miami. In just three minutes of play, the 6-2 guard out of Montreal, Quebec had a defensive rebound and a block.

On the topic of freshmen, Boston College has one of the best in the ACC. Rookie Taina Mair is averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 assists each time she takes the court. She is one of two players in the conference posting at least 7.0 assists per game. The other is Miles.

Guard Dontavia Waggoner is Boston College’s leader in points (13.3), rebounds (7.1) and steals (3.3). Not unlike Notre Dame, the Eagles have an incredibly balanced offense; six players are averaging double-digit points.

Where the teams greatly differ is in overall roster makeup. Mair is one of five freshmen on the team, making up one of the nation’s youngest rosters. Boston College is one of two Power Five teams (Utah) with zero seniors or fifth-year players. Ivey and Co., will look to exploit that weakness with a more veteran group.

Notre Dame is 26-9 all-time against Boston College and 16-1 at home. The teams split their two games last year, with the Irish winning the last meeting 74-61 on Jan. 30, 2022. Sunday’s game tips off at Purcell Pavilion at noon ET and will be televised on the ACC Network.

WBB BREAKS WORTHEN ARENA 3-POINT RECORD IN 100+ POINT WIN OVER CHICAGO STATE

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State women’s basketball team (10-3) used a balanced offense and stifling defense to give the Cardinals the 119-53 victory over Chicago State (0-17) Friday night on their home court. 

The Cardinals also broke the program’s 3-point record in Worthen Arena with 17, which was led by graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir who had a personal best seven behind the arc. 

It was true freshman Ana Barreto who hit the record breaking 3-pointer with 8:27 left in the game. 

Ball State saw five different players knock down one or more 3-pointers against the Cougars. The former 3-point record was 16 against Utah State in 2021. 

After a semi-sluggish start, the Cardinals found their offensive groove after Agustsdottir nailed a 3-pointer at the 5:51 mark. Ball State went on to outscore Chicago State 34-17 in the first quarter of play to build a comfortable 17-point advantage. Agustsdottir scored 21 of those 34 points for the Cardinals after draining six 3 pointers in the first quarter alone. 

Chicago State’s defense then focused on Agustsdottir in the second period which allowed several different Cardinals to score inside the paint and behind the arc. All-in-all nine total Cardinals had scored two or more points by intermission, including three 3-pointers from senior Sydney Shafer to give Ball State a 60-26 advantage over the Cougars at the half. 

After the break, Agustsdottir drained her seventh 3-pointer of the game at the 4:36 mark of the third stanza to surpass her former record of six. The remainder of the ball game mimicked the first 20 minutes of action, which made it impossible for the Cougars to catch up with the Cardinals. 

Ball State also proved strong defensively as the Cardinals held the Cougars to only 53 points for the contest. 

Five different Cardinals reached double figure scoring in the contest with Agustsdottir tying her career best with 26 points after shooting 7-of-11 from behind the arc. Shafer finished with a season best 19 points while redshirt senior Anna Clephane chipped in 14. Both freshmen Sydney Bolden and Barreto rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points apiece. 

The Ball State women’s basketball will begin its quest for a Mid-American Conference championship when it begins league action at home Wednesday, Jan. 4 against Bowling Green at 6:30 p.m. ET in Worthen Arena. 

SYCAMORES WRAP UP FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND SATURDAY

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State closes a five-game homestand Saturday afternoon when it plays host to Southern Illinois inside Hulman Center for a 1 p.m. tip. The game will be carried on ESPN3 and 105.5 The Legend.

Last Time Out

Bella Finnegan recorded season-highs of 14 points and five rebounds Thursday evening, but visiting Missouri State escaped Hulman Center with a 71-62 win over Indiana State.

Chelsea Cain added 12 points and seven rebounds, her third double-figure scoring game in the last four, while Anna McKendree, Adrian Folks and Caitlin Anderson scored eight points each. Mya Glanton had six points and a season-high 11 rebounds for the Sycamores.

Indiana State struggled from the field offensively, allowing Missouri State to take an early double-digit lead. The Sycamores took advantage of their trips to the free throw line in the first half, cutting the deficit to one, and later took the lead in the third quarter. A 14-1 run in the third quarter proved crucial for Missouri State, and despite cutting the deficit to three late in the fourth, the Sycamores were unable to fully recover.

Newcomers Making Noise

Indiana State’s two leading scorers in its MVC opener against Missouri State were both newcomers making their Valley debuts.

Freshman Bella Finnegan led the Trees with 14 points, her third double-digit scoring game of the season, while senior Chelsea Cain had 12 points for her third double-figure game in the last four.

Post Presence

It took 10 games for it to happen, but Indiana State had a player pull down double-digit rebounds for the first time this season in the last game against Missouri State.

Mya Glanton’s 11 rebounds were the most in a game by a Sycamore this season. Glanton was also the last Sycamore to record double-digit rebounds in a game, doing so in the MVC Tournament against Evansville last season.

Home, Sweet Home

Indiana State opens Missouri Valley Conference play at home for the first time since the 2017-18 season when the Sycamores play host to Missouri State and Southern Illinois.

The two games close out a five-game homestand for the Sycamores, also their longest since the 2017-18 season which saw Indiana State have a six-game homestand including its first two MVC games of that season against Missouri State and Southern Illinois. Indiana State is 5-2 at home this season, already surpassing last season’s home win total of four.

Model of Consistency

Indiana State guard Del’Janae Williams has been a focal part of the Sycamore offense since head coach Chad Killinger arrived, and the senior guard is off to another strong start this year.

Williams leads the team in scoring at 11.9ppg and is also third on the team with 3.8rpg. She has scored in double-figures in six of the first 10 games this season, including a season-high 23 points (with a career-high five 3-pointers) in Indiana State’s most recent road game at Western Michigan.

Creating Havoc

Indiana State continues to be among the best in the MVC when it comes to generating turnovers. The Sycamores’ 19.1 turnovers forced per game and 9.0 steals per game are both second in the conference behind Southern Illinois.

The turnovers forced by the Sycamores have often translated to points on the other end, with Indiana State averaging 19 points per game off turnovers.

Southern Illinois at a Glance

Southern Illinois enters Saturday’s game at 4-6 overall and 1-0 in MVC play. The Salukis defeated Evansville on the road in their conference opener.

SIU’s non-conference wins came over Lehigh, Chicago State and Tennessee State.

Ashley Jones leads Southern Illinois in scoring at 15.9 points per game, while Promise Taylor also averages double-figure scoring at 10.3 points per game. Shemera Williams scored 12 points in her season debut against Evansville. Laniah Randle leads the Salukis with 6.1 rebounds per game, while Taylor (5.9) and Williams (5.0, one game played) also average five-plus rebounds per game.

Longtime Texas A&M assistant Kelly Bond-White is in her first season as the Southern Illinois head coach. Bond-White was a part of the Aggies’ 2011 National Championship team.

Series History Against Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois has a 55-45 advantage in the all-time series and has won each of the last nine meetings. Indiana State’s last win in the series was in 2019.

Last Game Against Southern Illinois (Mar. 11, 2022)

Marie Hunter, Natalia Lalic and Tonysha Curry all scored in double-figures, but a 26-point second quarter helped send top-seeded Southern Illinois past eighth-seeded Indiana State in the quarterfinals of Hoops in the Heartland, 77-61, at the TaxSlayer Center.

Hunter led the Sycamores with 15, while Lalic and Curry had 10 points apiece. Del’Janae Williams added eight points, four rebounds and four assists.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, Southern Illinois broke a 19-all deadlock with a 13-0 run and never looked back. Indiana State got within 11 on multiple occasions in the second half, but could never cut the deficit to single-digits, as the Salukis attacked the paint and the free throw line to advance past the Sycamores.

Up Next

Indiana State begins a three-game road trip Thursday at UIC.

ELITE MASCOTS MEET TO WRAP UP 2022

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne and Youngstown State will play on New Year’s Eve in a battle of two of the greatest mascots in the country. Don the Mastodon and Pete the Penguin will have their basketball teams play a Horizon League doubleheader, with the women at noon and the men at 2:45.

Game Day Information

Who: Youngstown State Penguins

When: Saturday, December 31 | Noon

Where: Youngstown, Ohio | Beeghly Center

Live Stats: Link

Watch: ESPN+

Tickets: Link

Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Youngstown State | Horizon League

Know Your Foe

Youngstown State is 8-4 with a 2-1 start to Horizon League play. The Penguins are coming off a 77-68 loss to Cleveland State, which came after seven wins in a row. Horizon League Player of the Year candidate Lilly Ritz is averaging a double-double with 17.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Malia Magestro is the second of the two-headed monster at 12.3 points, but Ritz is entirely a two-point shooter, while Magestro has hit 21 triples this year. YSU was picked as the favorite to win the Horizon League in the preseason.

The Series

Youngstown State leads the all-time series 9-2. It dates back to 2002. The Mastodons’ last win came in 2010, which came in Youngstown. The Penguins have won the last six meetings.

In The Wins…

In the Mastodons’ wins this year, Amellia Bromenschenkel is recording 19.6 points and 6.6 rebounds with a 61.2 percent shooting clip and a 52.0 percent 3-point shooting percentage. She is also averaging 2.0 steals, 1.6 assists and 0.8 blocks per game in those games.

Recent Stats

In the last five games…

• Amellia Bromenschenkel is averaging 16.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, shooting 43.7 percent from the floor

• Shayla Sellers is averaging 10.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game with a 93.8 percent from the free throw line.

• Jazzlyn Linbo is averaging 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 64.7 percent from the floor.

• Destinee Marshall is scoring 7.6 points per game with 2.2 assists per game.

• Audra Emmerson has a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio (6-3).

A New First

Amellia Bromenschenkel recorded the second double-double of her career against No. 15 Maryland (Dec. 21). She scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and did not record a turnover. She is the first-ever Mastodon to record a double-double against a Power Five team.

Ace Amellia

In the three-game stretch from December 2-8, Amellia Bromenschenkel recorded at least eight points, six rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist. In that time, she was 13-of-27 (48.1 percent) from the floor. In her career, she has seven games where she records at least one point, rebound, steal, block and assist.

Money Millie

Here’s how Amellia Bromenschenkel’s stats stack up in the Horizon League:

49.0 FG%: 3rd

14.7 points per game: 4th

5.5 rebounds per game: 11th

1.8 3FG per game: 8th

0.8 blocks per game: 7th

1.2 steals per game: 17th

30.3 minutes per game: 8th

3-Point Threats

Purdue Fort Wayne takes 27.7 3-pointers per game, which is the most in the Horizon League and 12th-most in the nation.

Linbo Limbo

Jazzlyn Linbo is second in the Horizon League with 19 blocks.

This Ott-a Be Good

Ryin Ott, Sydney Graber and Shayla Sellers are all tied for eighth in the Horizon League with 17 steals each. Amellia Bromenschenkel is just one behind at 16.

Familiar Five

Purdue Fort Wayne has had the same starting five in all 13 games: Amellia Bromenschenkel, Ryin Ott, Shayla Sellers, Jazzlyn Linbo and Destinee Marshall.

Last Time Out

The Mastodons picked up a 52-41 win over Robert Morris for their second Horizon League win. Amellia Bromenschenkel scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Coming Up

Purdue Fort Wayne will kick off 2023 with a home game against IUPUI on January 4. The Mastodons will hit the road after that for a game at Cleveland State on January 6.

‘DONS CLOSE 2022 WITH A TRIP TO YOUNGSTOWN STATE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The ‘Dons will try to not drop the ball on New Year’s Eve at Youngstown State on Saturday (Dec. 31) in Horizon League play.

Game Day Information

Who: Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (9-5, 1-2 Horizon League) at Youngstown State Penguins (10-4, 2-1 Horizon League)

When: Saturday, December 31 | 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Youngstown, Ohio | Beeghly Center

Live Stats: Link

Watch: ESPN+

Radio: 1380 AM The Fan | Listen

    Talent: Brett Rump

Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne | Youngstown State

Series Record: Series tied 4-4

KNOW YOUR FOE:

// Youngstown State earned an 85-71 win over Cleveland State on Thursday.

‘DONS AND ENDS:

 // Ra Kpedi grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds at Robert Morris (Dec. 29) with a career-best nine offensive rebounds. Kpedi is the first Mastodon with 15 rebounds since John Konchar had 15 vs. North Dakota State (March 2, 2019). He is the first Mastodon to record nine offensive rebounds in a game since Kevin Harden had nine against UTPA (now UTRGV) on Nov. 16, 2012.

// The ‘Dons are giving up 64.2 points per game, best in the Horizon League. Should the Mastodons finish the season at this average, it would be the best during the Division I era  (2001-present) in program history. The current record is the 66.0 points the ‘Dons gave up in 2012-13.

// The ‘Dons are 8-1 this season when scoring 70 or more points in a game.

// Per sports-reference.com, Ra Kpedi leads the Horizon League in offensive rebounding percentage at 16.7 percent. He has a league-best 53 offensive boards.

// Jarred Godfrey owns 1,821 career points. He needs 21 points to take over second in program history. Frank Gaines is second with 1,841 points from 2008-13.

// Jarred Godfrey owns 558 rebounds, seventh in program history. When he reaches 603 rebounds he’ll enter the top five in program history. He is already in the top five in points, assists, steals, field goals and 3-pointers.

// Ra Kpedi has won the opening tip in 12-of-14 games this season. He also won the tip in overtime against Oakland (Dec. 3).

// The ‘Dons are 9th in the nation in 3-pointers per game (10.4).

// The Mastodons’ win over Missouri State was their first over a Missouri Valley Conference member in exactly nine years. The last win came on a 65-61 decision at Bradley on Dec. 10, 2013.

// The ‘Dons had 10 different players record a field goal in the win over Missouri State.

// The ‘Dons scored 45 bench points against SEMO with 10 Mastodons recording a field goal.

// The ‘Dons had 21 assists at SEMO. Their 35th game of 20+ assists since the start of the 2015-16 season.

// Jarred Godfrey (1,821), Anthony Roberts (1,410), Damian Chong Qui (1,399) and Bobby Planutis (1,046) have each scored 1,000 career NCAA points. Deonte Billups (889) could enter that group this season.

// The ‘Dons have 10 games of double-digit offensive rebounds this season.

// Jarred Godfrey has failed to reach double-digits only once this season (nine points vs. Bluffton).

// Jarred Godfrey is one of two current student-athletes in NCAA Division I men’s basketball with 1,800 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists. Taevion Kinsey (Marshall) is the other.

// Jon Coffman owns a 148-119 career record. The Mastodons’ victory over Bluffton (Nov. 27) set a new program record for coaching wins for Coffman. He passed Andy Piazza who went 142-108 with the ‘Dons from 1987 to 1996.

// 10 Mastodons are averaging 9.1 or more minutes per contest.

ACES SEND 2022 OUT WITH NEW YEAR’S EVE CLASH WITH MISSOURI STATE

EVANSVILLE – After a valiant battle with SIU on Thursday, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team closes-out 2022 with a matchup against Missouri State at 1 PM on Saturday inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

In what will be the 61st meeting between the Aces and Lady Bears, Evansville will look to build upon the momentum it has built this season. On Thursday night against SIU in the Missouri Valley Conference opener, UE held a lead throughout much of the contest, building its advantage as large as 11 in the third quarter before a late surge from SIU earned the Salukis a win. Much like Thursday’s game, Evansville will look to snap a 10-game winning streak in the series for Missouri State, dating back to the Aces’ 65-59 over the Lady Bears in Hoops in the Heartland on March 10, 2017.

Missouri State opened league play with a win on Thursday evening on the road at Indiana State, 71-62. On the season, the Lady Bears carry a 6-4 overall record and have won four-straight contests. MSU is led by first-year head coach Beth Cunningham and features senior newcomer Aniya Thomas as its leading scorer, averaging just north of 12 points per game.

Against SIU on Thursday, fifth-year guard Myia Clark helped carry the Aces offense, matching a season-high with 25 points, getting to the line and scoring 12 of her total at the charity stripe. Graduate guard Anna Newman tied her career high with 17 points against the Salukis, providing an efficient performance for UE, making six of her eight attempts from the field and dishing out seven assists. The importance of free-throws for Aces has been a major key for Evansville this year and was shown again on Thursday night. In games that UE has attempted 29-or-less free throws as Evansville did against SIU, the Aces are 2-4 on the season. When the Aces attempted 30-plus shots from the charity stripe, UE is undefeated, winning all three contests it has reached the 30 free-throw mark.

UE MEN HOST MURRAY STATE IN BLACKOUT GAME SUNDAY

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time in program history, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team will wear an alternate black jersey as the Purple Aces open 2023 on Sunday against Murray State.  Tip is set for 1 p.m. CT with the Purple Aces Radio Network and ESPN+ having the coverage.

Last Time Out

– Indiana State jumped out to a 16-2 lead and never looked back, defeating the Aces by a final of 91-63 on Thursday evening in Terre Haute

– Gabe Spinelli had a career-high 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting

– For the 7th time this season, Kenny Strawbridge Jr. had a 20-point game as he led all players with 22 points

– Marvin Coleman II chipped in his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds

Another 20-point Game

– Finishing with a game-high 22 points at Indiana State, Kenny Strawbridge Jr. reached the 20-point mark for the 7th time this season and has posted 21.5 PPG in the last two contests

– In the Dec. 21 game against Bellarmine, Strawbridge was held scoreless in the opening half but rebounded with 22 points in the final 20 minutes

– He converted three consecutive triples as the Aces wrapped up the game on a 23-10 run

– Strawbridge is currently 8th in the league with his average of 16.6 points per game and has scored 20 or more points on seven occasions

– His top scoring output of the season saw him register 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting versus Fairfield

– He has attempted at least 12 shots in all but one game while scoring at least 8 points in 13 out of 14 games

Taking Charge

– Hitting five field goals in the first half at Indiana State, Gabe Spinelli finished with a career-best 10 points

– His performance continued a nice turnaround that has seen him record 5.8 PPG over the last eight outings

– Spinelli’s shooting has also improved in that time as he is 22-of-42 (52.4%)

– In his first six games, Spinelli scored a total of 7 points (1.2 PPG) and hit 2 of his first 11 attempts

– His previous high of six points came against Fairfield and Southern Illinois

– Spinelli knocked down his first 3-pointer at Ball State

Keep on Rolling

– With 14 points and 10 rebounds at Indiana State, Marvin Coleman picked up his first double-double with the Aces

– Coleman has been on a roll over the last four games averaging 13.8 points while shooting 44.2% (19/43)

– Three days after scoring a career-high 18 points against Campbell, Marvin Coleman II led the Aces with 17 points at Ball State

– In the win over Campbell, he set career-highs in scoring (18 points), field goals (7), triples (4) and minutes (38:20)

– Coleman entered the Campbell game hitting just two of his first 22 3-point tries but is 9-for-19 in the last four outings

Scouting the Opponent

– Sitting at 7-6 on the season, Murray State is 2-1 through their first three MVC contests

– After opening with a pair of Valley wins over Illinois State and Valparaiso, the Racers dropped a 63-57 game on Thursday at Southern Illinois

– Rob Perry leads Murray State with 16.0 points per game

– He is a 45.3% shooter and has connected on 38.7% of his outside attempts

– Jamari Smith is averaging 13.1 PPG while JaCobi Woods has notched 11.7

– DJ Burns is their leading rebounder with 8.1 per contest

MEN’S BASKETBALL TO RING IN NEW YEAR BY HOSTING INDIANA STATE

Indiana State (10-4, 3-0 MVC)

at Valparaiso (6-8, 0-3 MVC)

Game No. 15 – Sunday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. CT

Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) – Valparaiso, Ind.

Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program will ring in the new year with a New Year’s Day matinee against instate foe Indiana State on Sunday afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center. This will mark the team’s second Missouri Valley Conference home game of the year and first since an early December date with Murray State. The first-place Sycamores are the only team in The Valley with an unblemished league mark.

Last Time Out: Valpo put together a valiant effort against the preseason favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference on Thursday night at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa, leading Drake 26-24 at halftime and twice rallying from double figures down late to stay in the game until the final horn. The Bulldogs shot 26 percent in the opening half and MVC Preseason Player of the Year Tucker DeVries was limited to five points on 1-of-5 shooting before the break, but DeVries scored 13 after halftime and Darnell Brodie finished with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting for the Bulldogs. Ben Krikke led the Beacons with 15 points on 6-of-9 from the floor.

Following the Beacons: Television – ESPN+ – Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Sam Michel (analyst) 

Radio – 95.1 FM, WVUR, ValpoAthletics.com, TuneIn Radio App –

Twitter updates – @ValpoBasketball

Links for video, audio and live stats will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.

Head Coach Matt Lottich: Matt Lottich (103-104) is in his seventh season as the head coach of the men’s basketball program in 2022-2023. Twice during his tenure, Valpo has upset Top-25 opponents, defeating Drake and Rhode Island at the ARC. Valpo has four wins over AP Top 25 teams in program history, and two have come under Lottich. In 2019-2020, Valpo became the first team in the history of Arch Madness, the annual Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis, to reach the title game after playing in the opening round by winning three games in three days. Lottich, hired as the 22nd head coach of the Valpo men’s basketball program in April 2016, graduated from Stanford University in 2004 and New Trier High School (Illinois) in 2000.

Series Notes: Indiana State holds a 55-37 lead over 92 matchups in an all-time series that dates back to 1936. Valpo swept both games last season, winning 75-73 on Jan. 22 in Terre Haute before prevailing 79-72 in double overtime on Feb. 5 at the ARC. The Beacons have won three straight in the head-to-head series and they are 6-5 against the Sycamores since joining the Missouri Valley Conference.

Ringing in the New Year: This will mark the first time Valpo has played on New Year’s Day since 2011, when head coach Homer Drew’s team fell 76-59 at Butler to open Horizon League play. Prior to that, Valpo hadn’t played on New Year’s Day since 1945, a 56-53 win over Hamline in Buffalo, N.Y. Valpo hasn’t played a home game on New Year’s Day since 1942.

Defending Long Distance

Prior to Dec. 6, opponents had shot 33 percent or better from 3-point distance against Valpo in seven straight games. Now, the Beacons have held opponents below 33 percent in five straight contests.

On Dec. 18, Elon made just three of its 27 3-point tries, good for just 11.1 percent. That represented Valpo’s best effort in terms of 3-point defense since Feb. 23 of last season vs. Drake (10 percent).

On Dec. 21, The Beacons held Stonehill to 6-of-25 (24 percent) from long range, the first time Valpo has held the opposition to 25 percent or worse from 3 in consecutive games since Nov. 28, 2018 (at UNLV) and Dec. 2, 2018 (vs. UC Riverside).

The trend continued on Dec. 29 at Drake, when the Bulldogs made just three of their 14 3-point attempts, finishing at 21.4 percent.

Over the last three games, opponents are 12-for-66 (18.2 percent) from 3-point range. Over the last five games, Valpo is holding the opposition to 20-of-97 (20.6 percent) from 3.

Over the season’s first nine games, Valpo held the opponent to below 33 percent from 3 just once, and now that has occurred in five straight contests.

Valpo has made more 3s than the opponent in five straight outings after doing so just twice in the first nine games.

More Stat Sheet Stuffing

In the Dec. 29 game at Drake, Nick Edwards had his third straight game with six or more rebounds, six or more assists and two or more steals.

He finished the game against the Bulldogs with 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and a season-high five steals. He became the first Valpo player with five steals in a game since Connor Barrett on Jan. 9, 2021 vs. Missouri State.

In the game at Drake, Edwards became the first Valpo player with 10+ points, 5+ steals, 5+ assists and 5+ rebounds in a game since Ryan Broekhoff on Feb. 10, 2011 vs. Detroit Mercy. Edwards became the 22nd player nationally to post such a stat line this season.

Edwards displayed his holiday spirit the week leading into Christmas by dishing out 13 assists on Dec. 18 vs. Elon and 12 on Dec. 21 vs. Stonehill.

Edwards became the fourth player nationally with multiple games of 12+ assists this season, joining Yuri Collins of Saint Louis, Tyler Robertson of Portland and Markquis Nowell of Kansas State. His 13-assist game ranked tied for ninth nationally and his 12-assist game ranked tied for 13th at the time it occurred.

Prior to Dec. 18, the last time a Valpo player had 12 or more assists in a single game was Bryce Drew on Jan. 21, 1995 vs. Eastern Illinois. Edwards then turned the trick in consecutive contests.

In the game against Stonehill, he posted a double-double with 18 of his 20 points coming after halftime, when he knocked down six of his seven field-goal attempts. That marked Valpo’s second double-double of the season and first since Ben Krikke had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the Nov. 7 season opener at Toledo.

Edwards became just the 11th player in the nation with a 20-point, 10-assist game this season. He became the first player in the nation to notch 20 or more points and 12 or more assists in a game this year. The last time that happened nationally was Yuri Collins of Saint Louis on Feb. 2, 2022 at George Mason. No Missouri Valley Conference player had achieved that feat in the last decade prior to Edwards.

Edwards had Valpo’s first 20&10 game since Kobe King on Feb. 5, 2022 vs. Indiana State (24 points, 11 rebounds).

Edwards posted the first points-assists double-double by a Valpo player since Ron Howard (15 points, 10 assists) on Jan. 24, 2005.

Edwards also swiped four steals and collected six rebounds in the win over Stonehill. He became just the second player in the nation this season with 20 or more points, 10 or more assists, five or rebounds and four or more steals, joining UConn’s Tristen Newton (Nov. 15 vs. Buffalo).

He finished just three assists shy of a longstanding program record for dimes in a single game by dishing out 13 in the Dec. 18 victory over Elon.

He became the first member of the program to give out 13 or more assists in a single game since Todd Smith on Feb. 22, 1986 vs. Eastern Illinois.

Edwards became just the 10th player in the nation to notch 13 or more assists in a single game in 2022-23.

Prior to this season, only one Valpo player over the previous decade (Deion Lavender, twice) had accrued 10 or more assists in a game. Now, two different Beacons have done so this year with Edwards joining Darius DeAviero (Nov. 13 vs. Western Michigan).

This marks the first season where two different Valpo players have had double-figure assist games since 2004-05 (Ron Howard and Seth Colclasure).

The program record of 16 assists in a game came courtesy of John McIlvain on Jan. 13, 1983 at UIC.

The 13 assists nearly doubled Edwards’ previous season best of seven that came on Dec. 6 vs. Trinity Christian.

On the Upswing

Over the last five games, Nick Edwards is averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 3.0 steals per outing.

Over the first nine games of the season, Edwards averaged 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals per contest.

Edwards has played at least 25 minutes in each of the last five games including 39+ minutes in each of the last three contests (since then starting point guard Preston Ruedinger was ruled out for the season with an injury). He played all 40 minutes and did not leave the floor on Dec. 29 at Drake.

Edwards saw fewer than 12 minutes of action in three straight games – Nov. 19 vs. Incarnate Word, Nov. 23 at Samford and Nov. 25 vs. South Dakota State. He also played just 11 minutes on Dec. 4 vs. Murray State.

Double Figure Streak

The only player in the Missouri Valley Conference who has scored in double figures in each of his team’s games this season is Kobe King, who has score 10+ in 14 straight.

Bradley’s Rienk Mast is the only other MVC player who has been in double figures in every game he has played, and Mast has appeared in only eight contests.

King has scored in double figures in 33 of his 37 games in a Valpo uniform.

The former Wisconsin Mr. Basketball has scored 15 points or more in 11 of his 14 games this season. He has five 20-point outputs this year and has scored 15 or more points in 21 of his 37 games with the Beacons.

King is up to 38 career double-figure scoring efforts including his tenure at Wisconsin.

At the end of last season, King became Valpo’s second All-Newcomer Team choice since joining the league and first since Bakari Evelyn in 2017-18.

He appeared on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays after a three-quarter court buzzer-beater on Dec. 11 vs. Charlotte, a play that ranked No. 9 on the popular countdown that evening.

Kobe Approaching A Thousand

Kobe King is up to 950 career points, just 50 points away from reaching the 1,000-career point milestone.

King has scored 564 with the Brown & Gold after registering 386 over his three seasons at Wisconsin.

If he reaches the milestone, King would become the second Valpo player to do so this season. Ben Krikke achieved the feat in the Nov. 13 home-opening victory over Western Michigan.

Prior to this year, the last Valpo player to join that esteemed group was current graduate assistant Tevonn Walker exactly five years prior to Krikke’s milestone – Nov. 13, 2017 vs. Trinity Christian.

Krikke on the All-Time Scoring List   

Ben Krikke cracked the top 20 on Valpo’s all-time scoring list when he scored the first basket of the game on Dec. 18 vs. Elon.

Krikke enters the Jan. 1 game vs. Indiana State with 1,227 career points after recently surpassing Lance Barker (1991-1995; 1,196) for 20th in the Valpo record book.

Darryl Ashby is 19th at 1,247, meaning Krikke is 20 points away from moving up another place.

Krikke also reached a milestone on Dec. 6 vs. Trinity Christian when he played his 100th collegiate game.

Other Notes Wrapping Up Dec. 29: Drake 68, Valpo 63

Valpo trailed by 10 with 11:31 remaining, rallied to cut the lead to four with 7:43 on the clock, trailed by 11 with 4:56 to go and rallied again to get within two with 14 seconds remaining.

The Beacons held the halftime lead after keeping Drake to 25.9 percent (7-of-27) shooting in the first half including 0-of-5 from 3.

Ben Krikke (15), Kobe King (14) and Nick Edwards (11) all finished in double figures.

Joe Hedstrom gave Valpo a lift by matching a career high with nine points while knocking down all three of his field-goal attempts including a pair of triples.

Valpo had its closest loss of the season, dropping to 3-1 in games decided by five points or fewer. (Note, Valpo did lose in overtime vs. Murray State but the final margin was seven points.)

Lottich Leaps J.M. Christiansen

Valpo head coach Matt Lottich moved into sole possession of third in program history when he garnered his 103rd career victory on Dec. 21 vs. Stonehill. That triumph helped him snap a tie with J.M. Christiansen (1929-1941) for third all-time.

Lottich reached the 100-win milestone with an 81-79 overtime victory over James Madison on Nov. 27 in Savannah, Ga.

The former Stanford sharpshooter became just the fourth head coach in program history to get to 100 wins, joining Homer Drew, Bryce Drew and J.M. Christiansen.

Lottich is now trailing only the Drews on the program’s all-time wins list.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS IN MVC OPENER AT BELMONT

The Valpo women’s basketball team matched its season best for 3-pointers made on Friday evening, with both senior Olivia Brown (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids [St. Bonaventure]) and junior Ava Interrante (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) hitting career watermarks from downtown, but it would not be enough to overcome MVC preseason favorite Belmont in the Bruins’ Valley debut, as the hosts came away 74-60 victors.

How It Happened

After Valpo scored the game’s first three points, Belmont reeled off 10 in a row to go up by seven just over four minutes into the game. But Interrante drilled triples on consecutive possessions and Brown knocked down one of her own the next time down the court to move the Beacons within 13-12 less than 90 seconds later.

A Brown 3-pointer with 49 seconds left in the quarter proved to be Valpo’s lone points the remainder of the quarter, however, as Belmont held a 9-3 edge over the final 4:30 to lead 22-15 at the end of the period.

Inside baskets from freshman Ali Saunders (Depauw, Ind./North Harrison) and fifth year Ilysse Pitts (Aurora, Ill./Montini Catholic) cut the Bruins’ lead to 24-19 with 7:33 to play in the first half before Belmont scored the next seven to pull ahead by double figures.

Again, the shooting from deep by Brown and Interrante kept Valpo within striking distance, as Interrante hit once from downtown and Brown twice in the second quarter — the latter’s second 3-pointer of the period bringing Valpo within 39-30 with 1:42 to play in the half. But Belmont scored the final five points of the half to take a 44-30 lead into halftime.

The Bruins extended their lead to 16 early in the third quarter, but Valpo held Belmont off the board for four straight possessions and took advantage on the offensive end, with both Interrante and Brown drilling 3-pointers in that stretch. When Saunders hit junior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) with a long pass for a fast-break layup with 4:11 to play in the quarter, the Beacons were within 48-40.

Valpo was called for fouls on its next six defensive possessions, allowing Belmont to go 10-of-11 from the foul line over that span as the Bruins scored 12 of the quarter’s final 17 points to lead 60-45 with 10 minutes to play.

Belmont extended its lead to as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter before Valpo ended the game on an 11-2 run.

Inside the Game

Friday was Valpo’s first game in a three-week span, as the Beacons last took the floor back on Friday, Dec. 9 at Western Illinois.

The Beacons dropped their MVC opener for the fifth time in six seasons in the conference. Notably, all but one of those defeats have come on the road.

Valpo went 11-of-27 from 3-point range on Friday night, the third time this year it has hit double digits from deep and matching its season high of 11 triples, previously reached against Bowling Green.

The Beacons’ 40.7% 3-point percentage was their second-best of the season as well.

Leading the charge from deep was Brown, who went 6-of-8 from the 3-point line for her team-best 18 points. The six triples tied her career high and set a high for her time at Valpo.

Brown also moved into Valpo’s single-game record book, as her .750 3-point percentage is tied for seventh-best in program history with a minimum of seven attempts.

Interrante made her presence felt from deep as well, setting a career best as she went 4-of-6 from downtown. The junior ended the night with 14 points — one off her career high set last time out.

After entering the Western Illinois game with just one career 3-pointer to her name, Interrante has hit on seven 3-pointers over the last two games.

Saunders ended up in double figures as well, closing strong to finish with 10 points — her sixth time in double digits this season. The rookie also matched her season high with five assists.

Earnest pulled down a game-high seven rebounds on Friday to go with six points, snapping a stretch of eight straight double-digit scoring outings to open the season.

After Belmont shot 51.4% from the field and 8-of-13 from 3-point range in the first half, the Beacons’ defense held the Bruins to 37.5% shooting and 0-of-6 from deep in the second half.

Valpo committed 22 turnovers on Friday to just 14 for Belmont, as the Bruins enjoyed a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

Next Up

Valpo (2-7, 0-1 MVC) closes out the Valley-opening road trip at Murray State on Sunday afternoon. The game is slated to tip at 2 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN+.

BOTH GREYHOUND SWIMMING & DIVING TEAMS RANKED #2 IN LATEST DII COACHES POLL

NORFOLK, Va. – Both swimming & diving programs at the University of Indianapolis came in at No. 2 in the recent CSCAA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. Both squads dropped out of the top spot from the November edition of the monthly poll.

For the men, conference-rival Drury climbed from No. 3 to No. 1 after receiving nine first-place votes. The Greyhounds, who garnered three first-place nods, are just six points back of the top-ranked Panthers. Meanwhile, the GLVC can boast three of the nation’s top four men’s teams, as McKendree came in a No. 4. Also, Missouri-St. Louis moved into the top 20.

On the women’s side, Colorado Mesa leapfrogged five spots to No. 1 this month after earning 10 of 12 first-place votes; UIndy collected the remaining two. The Hounds was followed in the rankings by GLVC-mates Drury (5) and McKendree (11).

The Greyhounds kick off 2023 by hosting Division III-power Denison on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Big Red are ranked third and eighth on the women and men’s sides in the DIII poll, respectively.

 

CSCAA DII MEN’S POLL				CSCAA DII WOMEN’S POLL
RK	SCHOOL	PTS	PREV		RK	SCHOOL	PTS	PREV
1.	Drury	297	3		1.	Colorado Mesa	298	6
2.	UIndy	291	1		2.	UIndy	290	1
3.	Colorado Mesa	269	4		3.	Nova Southeastern	275	4
4.	McKendree	264	2		4.	Tampa	264	5
5.	Findlay	255	8		5.	Drury	253	3
6.	Tampa	242	9		6.	West Florida	240	9
7.	Grand Valley	230	5		7.	Grand Valley	224	2
8.	Wingate	210	7		8.	West Chester	217	12
9.	Oklahoma Christian	207	6		9.	Wingate	204	7
10.	Delta State	177	NR		10.	Northern Michigan	194	11
11.	Northern Michigan	174	14		11.	McKendree	181	15
12.	Saint Cloud	169	11		12.	Wayne State	166	14
13.	Mines	157	NR		13.	Augustana (SD)	154	10
14.	West Chester	143	16		14.	Delta State	141	25
15.	Nova Southeastern	139	12		15.	Carson-Newman	131	8
16.	Florida Southern	128	10		16.	Simon Fraser	124	NR
17.	Wayne State	97	18		17.	Saint Cloud	103	18
18.	Saginaw Valley State	95	15		18.	Minnesota State	100	19
19.	Carson-Newman	87	13		19.	Findlay	86	23
20.	UMSL	70	21		20.	Cal State East Bay	68	NR
21.	Lewis	64	NR		21.	Azusa Pacific	59	20
22.	Henderson State	57	17		22.	Henderson State	44	21
23.	Emmanuel	32	19		23.	Florida Southern	33	16
24.	Simon Fraser	25	NR		24.	Biola	28	NR
25.	Davenport	15	22		25.	Indiana (PA)	15	NR

WRESTLING TABBED AT #12 IN LATEST NWCA POLL

MANHEIM, Penn. – The University of Indianapolis wrestling team arrived at No. 12 in the recently released National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Coaches Rankings. This comes after the Midwest Classic in which the Greyhounds finished with two placers in Breyden Bailey (fifth 133) and Jack Eiteljorge (sixth 165).

The Greyhounds sit with four wrestlers currently ranked. Logan Bailey at 157 is the Hounds new top man as he is ranked at No. 3. His brother, Breyden Bailey, is right behind him at No. 8 at 133.

Also at No. 8, but in 165, is Eiteljorge. Rounding out the rankings is Derek Blubaugh (197) who dropped to No. 11.

The Hounds return to the mat on January 6 for the NWCA National Duals in Louisville, Ky.

KNIGHTS SECOND HALF EFFORTS OUTLAST REDSTORM IN 67-63 VICTORY

Rio Grande, Ohio – The Knights led for just 68 seconds in the first half Saturday night, but found a second gear in the second half as Marian snapped Rio Grande’s 10-game win streak with a 67-63 victory. Marian’s win is their final in the 2022 calendar year, as they move into 2023 with a 13-2 record.

Rio Grande started the game strong, holding Marian scoreless through the first three minutes while they went on an 8-0 run. Three pointers from Josh Bryan and Luke Gohmann got Marian on the scoreboard as they answered the run, but foul trouble mounted as the Knights wasted four possessions in the first eight minutes after getting called for offensive fouls. Rio’s lead would expand to as many as five in the first nine minutes, but the defensive clamps came out from Marian as they slowed RedStorm.

Taeshon Cherry found a rhythm on offense after returning from foul trouble with a quick score to make it a one-point game. Trailing 15-14 with under nine minutes before halftime, the Knights missed on opportunities to take their first lead of the game. Rio led by one possession over the next seven minutes, but were unable to complete their first half lead as Cherry and Jackson Ames scored back to back shots to give the Knights a 24-23 lead. Marian’s first lead of the game lasted for one minute, as Rio would drain a three on their final possession to take a 26-24 advantage at the break.

The RedStorm pushed their lead to five coming out of the break, but shots from Gohmann and Bryan allowed Marian to even the score on separate occasions in the first four minutes. A three from Bryan helped Marian hold a narrow 36-34 lead, but the defense allowed a 5-0 run as Rio pushed back in front. Brody Whitaker and Cherry helped capture the lead once again but at the halfway point two Miki Tadic free throws jumped the home team in front 42-41.

Marian made their move after the timeout, taking control of the lead with 9:25 remaining on a three from Cherry. A Bryan three-pointer padded the lead and made it a six-point game, however another 5-0 run given up on the defensive end saw the margin trim to one. With 5:54 remaining Maximus Gizzi sunk a pair of free throws to keep Marian in control, as they were able to hold their lead thanks to free throws from Cherry and another Bryan three. Bryan’s fifth made three of the second half shot the lead to seven points, as the 58-51 lead with 2:55 to play allowed Marian breathing room.

Christian Harvey and Whitaker helped Marian hold the lead at seven points, and was enough to withstand a late Rio push as Marian iced the win away at the charity stripe, capping the 67-63 victory.

After shooting a cold 29 percent from the field in the first half, Marian shot an even 50 percent in the second half, draining six three-pointers in the second half. Bryan poured in 20 points and made six of 15 three treys, leading all players in scoring. Cherry had nine rebounds to go with 16 points, and Whitaker led the bench with 12 points in 26 minutes. Gohmann grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds in the win, while he, Harvey, and Cherry each had a team-leading three assists.

Marian will return to Crossroads League play when they next take the court, traveling to Grace College on January 4 for a 7 p.m. game.

KNIGHTS SOAR PAST SEAHAWKS IN FIRST GAME OF FLORIDA TRIP

BABSON PARK, Fla. – The No. 6 Marian women’s basketball team took care of business with a 77-51 victory of Keiser to kick off their first game in the Webber International Shootout. The win puts the Knights at a 13-1 overall record on the season.

Ella Collier got things going for Marian by knocking down the pull up jumper before Aliyah Evans found Collier again on the wing for the three-pointer to give Marian the 5-0 lead to start. Keiser put a stop to the run with a layup, but it was Collier again with the next two baskets to score Marian’s first 10 points of the game, giving them the 10-2 lead.

The Seahawks began to find some rhythm after a timeout with Kennedy Schlaback hitting two free throws to cut the deficit to 10-4. Marian went on a 7-4 run behind the efforts of Allison Bosse and Evans before Keiser answered back with four straight points to cut the Marian lead down to 17-12. However, Abbey McNally and Evans got the Knights back to it as each knocked down a bucket to end the first quarter ahead 22-14.

Marian came out with the 6-1 run to pick up right where they left off to start quarter two. Keiser responded, but it was Tamia Perryman subbing in and canning the jumper to give the Knights their largest lead at 15 with 5:22 left to play in the first half. A 10-3 run by the Seahawks cut the deficit down to 10 before Perryman connected with Collier for a three-pointer that helped push Marian to a 45-32 lead going into halftime.

The Knights found their first bucket of the second half two minutes into play behind a jumper from Evans that sparked a 12-4 run to give Marian the 20-point lead at 57-37. Keiser struggled to stop the efficient Marian offense as the Knights continued to extend their lead. The Seahawks tried to respond several times, but were unable to execute while Marian ended the third quarter with the 63-41 advantage.

Kenna Kirby swished in the three ball to fuel a 12-0 start for Marian to take the 75-43 lead. Elliana Schaefer put an end to the Keiser scoring drought with four minutes left to go in the game. The Seahawks never gave up as they put together their own 10-0 run, but the Knights were too much as Majestic Sales cashed one in from the short corner to put the lead back up to 26 with 54 ticks remaining. Marian put together a dominating 77-52 win, outscoring their opponent in every quarter and never trailing throughout the game.

The Knights were hot, shooting 52.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Collier had a game-high 26 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Evans added 14 points, while Bosse had 12. McNally was one point short from a double-double as she posted 11 rebounds and nine points. Perryman and Kirby each scored six, with Perryman also corralling four rebounds.

Marian will be back in action tomorrow to finish out the 2022 portion of their season with a 3 p.m. matchup against Webber International.

SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC 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

NFL STANDINGS

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
	W	L	T	PCT	GB	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	VS. CONF	VS. DIV	STREAK
XY-BUFFALO BILLS	12	3	0	.800	0.0	420	263	6 – 1 – 0	6 – 2 – 0	8 – 2 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	6 W
XY-KANSAS CITY CHIEFS	12	3	0	.800	0.0	438	332	6 – 1 – 0	6 – 2 – 0	7 – 3 – 0	4 – 0 – 0	3 W
X-CINCINNATI BENGALS	11	4	0	.733	0.0	391	306	5 – 1 – 0	6 – 3 – 0	7 – 3 – 0	2 – 3 – 0	7 W
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS	7	8	0	.467	0.0	353	331	4 – 3 – 0	3 – 5 – 0	6 – 4 – 0	2 – 2 – 0	3 W
X-BALTIMORE RAVENS	10	5	0	.667	0.0	321	272	5 – 2 – 0	5 – 3 – 0	6 – 4 – 0	3 – 1 – 0	1 W
X-LOS ANGELES CHARGERS	9	6	0	.600	0.0	332	343	4 – 3 – 0	5 – 3 – 0	7 – 4 – 0	2 – 3 – 0	3 W
MIAMI DOLPHINS	8	7	0	.533	0.0	365	370	5 – 2 – 0	3 – 5 – 0	6 – 4 – 0	2 – 2 – 0	4 L
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS	7	8	0	.467	2.0	318	291	3 – 4 – 0	4 – 4 – 0	5 – 5 – 0	2 – 2 – 0	2 L
NEW YORK JETS	7	8	0	.467	2.0	284	282	3 – 5 – 0	4 – 3 – 0	5 – 6 – 0	2 – 3 – 0	4 L
PITTSBURGH STEELERS	7	8	0	.467	2.0	264	319	3 – 4 – 0	4 – 4 – 0	3 – 7 – 0	1 – 3 – 0	2 W
TENNESSEE TITANS	7	9	0	.438	2.5	282	339	3 – 5 – 0	4 – 4 – 0	5 – 6 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	6 L
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS	6	9	0	.400	3.0	348	350	4 – 2 – 0	2 – 7 – 0	5 – 6 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	1 L
CLEVELAND BROWNS	6	9	0	.400	3.0	323	343	4 – 4 – 0	2 – 5 – 0	4 – 7 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	1 L
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS	4	10	1	.300	4.5	248	357	2 – 5 – 0	2 – 5 – 1	4 – 6 – 1	1 – 3 – 1	5 L
DENVER BRONCOS	4	11	0	.267	5.0	232	304	3 – 4 – 0	1 – 7 – 0	2 – 8 – 0	0 – 4 – 0	1 L
HOUSTON TEXANS	2	12	1	.167	6.5	254	358	0 – 6 – 1	2 – 6 – 0	2 – 7 – 1	2 – 1 – 1	1 W
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
	W	L	T	PCT	GB	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	VS. CONF	VS. DIV	STREAK
X-PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	13	2	0	.867	0.0	445	308	6 – 1 – 0	7 – 1 – 0	8 – 2 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	1 L
XY-MINNESOTA VIKINGS	12	3	0	.800	0.0	378	373	8 – 1 – 0	4 – 2 – 0	7 – 3 – 0	3 – 1 – 0	2 W
XY-SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS	11	4	0	.733	0.0	375	230	7 – 1 – 0	4 – 3 – 0	9 – 2 – 0	5 – 0 – 0	8 W
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS	7	8	0	.467	0.0	266	304	4 – 4 – 0	3 – 4 – 0	7 – 3 – 0	3 – 1 – 0	1 W
X-DALLAS COWBOYS	12	4	0	.750	0.0	461	316	8 – 1 – 0	4 – 3 – 0	8 – 3 – 0	4 – 1 – 0	2 W
NEW YORK GIANTS	8	6	1	.567	0.0	311	339	4 – 3 – 1	4 – 3 – 0	4 – 6 – 1	1 – 3 – 1	1 L
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS	7	7	1	.500	0.0	285	313	3 – 4 – 0	4 – 3 – 1	4 – 6 – 1	1 – 3 – 1	2 L
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS	7	8	0	.467	1.5	365	379	3 – 4 – 0	4 – 4 – 0	5 – 6 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	3 L
DETROIT LIONS	7	8	0	.467	1.5	392	401	4 – 4 – 0	3 – 4 – 0	5 – 5 – 0	3 – 1 – 0	1 L
GREEN BAY PACKERS	7	8	0	.467	1.5	313	334	4 – 3 – 0	3 – 5 – 0	5 – 5 – 0	2 – 2 – 0	3 W
CAROLINA PANTHERS	6	9	0	.400	2.5	313	337	5 – 4 – 0	1 – 5 – 0	5 – 5 – 0	3 – 1 – 0	1 W
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	6	9	0	.400	2.5	303	325	4 – 4 – 0	2 – 5 – 0	4 – 6 – 0	2 – 3 – 0	2 W
LOS ANGELES RAMS	5	10	0	.333	3.5	281	334	4 – 5 – 0	1 – 5 – 0	3 – 8 – 0	1 – 4 – 0	1 W
ATLANTA FALCONS	5	10	0	.333	3.5	315	350	4 – 3 – 0	1 – 7 – 0	4 – 6 – 0	1 – 4 – 0	4 L
ARIZONA CARDINALS	4	11	0	.267	4.5	308	391	1 – 8 – 0	3 – 3 – 0	3 – 7 – 0	1 – 4 – 0	5 L
CHICAGO BEARS	3	12	0	.200	5.5	303	393	2 – 6 – 0	1 – 6 – 0	1 – 9 – 0	0 – 4 – 0	8 L

NBA STANDINGS

EASTERN CONFERENCE
	W	L	PCT	CONF GB	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF	LAST 10	STREAK
1 BOSTON	26	10	.722	—	15-5	11-5	4-0	15-8	5-5	4 W
2 MILWAUKEE	23	12	.657	2.5	15-3	8-9	4-3	11-8	4-6	1 W
3 BROOKLYN	23	12	.657	2.5	12-5	11-7	5-2	18-6	10-0	10 W
4 CLEVELAND	22	14	.611	4.0	16-4	6-10	5-3	15-8	6-4	3 L
5 PHILADELPHIA	20	14	.588	5.0	14-5	6-9	4-3	14-9	8-2	2 L
6 INDIANA	19	17	.528	7.0	11-7	8-10	2-2	14-8	5-5	2 W
7 MIAMI	18	18	.500	8.0	11-8	6-10	5-1	8-11	6-4	1 L
8 NEW YORK	18	18	.500	8.0	8-10	10-8	1-4	12-9	5-5	5 L
9 ATLANTA	17	19	.472	9.0	11-8	6-11	4-3	13-14	4-6	3 L
10 CHICAGO	16	19	.457	9.5	9-8	7-11	4-1	14-9	5-5	2 W
11 TORONTO	16	20	.444	10.0	11-8	5-12	2-7	11-13	3-7	1 W
12 WASHINGTON	16	21	.432	10.5	10-7	6-14	4-3	9-13	5-5	4 W
13 ORLANDO	13	24	.351	13.5	9-11	4-13	2-5	7-18	6-4	3 L
14 CHARLOTTE	10	26	.278	16.0	5-11	5-15	3-6	4-17	3-7	1 W
15 DETROIT	9	29	.237	18.0	5-13	4-16	0-6	4-18	2-8	1 L
WESTERN CONFERENCE
	W	L	PCT	CONF GB	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF	LAST 10	STREAK
1 NEW ORLEANS	23	12	.657	—	16-4	7-8	6-1	15-8	6-4	5 W
2 DENVER	23	12	.657	—	13-3	10-9	7-2	18-8	8-2	1 W
3 MEMPHIS	21	13	.618	1.5	13-3	8-10	3-2	9-10	6-4	1 W
4 LA CLIPPERS	21	16	.568	3.0	11-7	10-9	3-4	11-11	7-3	1 L
5 SACRAMENTO	19	15	.559	3.5	11-7	8-8	4-4	8-7	5-5	2 W
6 DALLAS	20	16	.556	3.5	15-5	5-11	3-2	14-6	7-3	5 W
7 PHOENIX	20	17	.541	4.0	14-5	6-12	7-0	17-10	4-6	2 L
8 PORTLAND	18	17	.514	5.0	8-6	10-11	4-5	13-12	5-5	1 L
9 GOLDEN STATE	19	18	.514	5.0	16-2	3-16	4-3	12-8	5-5	4 W
10 UTAH	19	19	.500	5.5	12-5	7-14	3-4	15-12	4-6	3 L
11 MINNESOTA	16	20	.444	7.5	9-8	7-12	4-4	9-13	3-7	5 L
12 OKLAHOMA CITY	15	20	.429	8.0	10-8	5-12	3-6	9-12	4-6	1 L
13 LA LAKERS	15	21	.417	8.5	8-8	7-13	0-7	7-13	4-6	1 W
14 SAN ANTONIO	12	23	.343	11.0	7-11	5-11	2-4	5-19	5-5	1 W
15 HOUSTON	10	25	.286	13.0	6-10	4-15	1-6	5-18	3-7	2 L

NHL STANDINGS

EASTERN CONFERENCE
	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	ROW	GF	GA	HOME	ROAD	L10
1 BOSTON BRUINS	35	28	4	3	59	26	135	78	18-0-2	10-4-1	7-1-2
2 CAROLINA HURRICANES	36	24	6	6	54	22	113	90	12-3-1	12-3-5	10-0-0
3 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS	36	22	8	6	50	22	119	92	13-2-3	9-6-3	7-3-0
4 NEW JERSEY DEVILS	36	23	11	2	48	23	120	92	10-9-1	13-2-1	2-7-1
5 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING	34	22	11	1	45	21	121	99	14-4-1	8-7-0	7-3-0
6 WASHINGTON CAPITALS	38	20	13	5	45	20	118	106	11-5-2	9-8-3	8-1-1
7 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS	36	19	11	6	44	18	121	109	10-4-4	9-7-2	5-3-2
8 NEW YORK ISLANDERS	37	21	14	2	44	21	119	100	12-6-0	9-8-2	5-3-2
9 NEW YORK RANGERS	37	19	12	6	44	18	117	102	8-7-4	11-5-2	7-2-1
10 DETROIT RED WINGS	34	15	12	7	37	14	106	115	8-6-3	7-6-4	3-5-2
11 BUFFALO SABRES	33	17	14	2	36	16	133	112	8-8-2	9-6-0	7-2-1
12 FLORIDA PANTHERS	37	16	17	4	36	15	121	126	9-5-3	7-12-1	3-7-0
13 OTTAWA SENATORS	35	16	16	3	35	15	107	111	9-8-1	7-8-2	6-2-2
14 MONTREAL CANADIENS	36	15	18	3	33	11	98	129	7-9-0	8-9-3	2-7-1
15 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS	36	12	17	7	31	12	94	122	7-9-1	5-8-6	3-5-2
16 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS	34	10	22	2	22	10	90	137	8-11-1	2-11-1	2-8-0
WESTERN CONFERENCE
	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	ROW	GF	GA	HOME	ROAD	L10
1 DALLAS STARS	37	22	9	6	50	22	132	102	10-4-3	12-5-3	7-2-1
2 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS	38	24	12	2	50	21	126	107	10-9-0	14-3-2	5-4-1
3 LOS ANGELES KINGS	39	21	12	6	48	17	130	134	11-5-2	10-7-4	7-1-2
4 WINNIPEG JETS	36	22	13	1	45	22	116	94	13-6-0	9-7-1	4-6-0
5 MINNESOTA WILD	35	20	13	2	42	17	111	100	11-7-1	9-6-1	7-3-0
6 EDMONTON OILERS	37	20	15	2	42	20	135	125	9-9-1	11-6-1	5-3-2
7 COLORADO AVALANCHE	34	19	12	3	41	16	103	95	9-5-3	10-7-0	6-2-2
8 CALGARY FLAMES	37	17	13	7	41	16	114	113	10-7-2	7-6-5	4-2-4
9 SEATTLE KRAKEN	34	18	12	4	40	18	117	114	9-8-2	9-4-2	3-6-1
10 ST. LOUIS BLUES	36	17	16	3	37	15	112	130	7-7-2	10-9-1	5-2-3
11 NASHVILLE PREDATORS	34	15	14	5	35	13	90	102	8-6-3	7-8-2	3-4-3
12 VANCOUVER CANUCKS	35	16	16	3	35	14	122	135	7-9-1	9-7-2	6-4-0
13 ARIZONA COYOTES	34	13	16	5	31	12	99	123	7-3-2	6-13-3	6-3-1
14 SAN JOSE SHARKS	37	11	19	7	29	10	113	139	4-10-6	7-9-1	3-4-3
15 ANAHEIM DUCKS	37	10	23	4	24	7	87	154	6-9-1	4-14-3	3-6-1
16 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS	34	8	22	4	20	8	76	128	5-12-2	3-10-2	1-9-0

FOOTBALL HISTORY

December 31, 1961 – New City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin – The NFL Championship of 1961 pitted the Giants against the Packers. Green Bay Packers won their first of 5 NFL titles in a 7-year span by Packers and head coach, Vince Lombardi. shutdown New York Giants 37-0 per the Pro Football Reference website. Paul Hornung scored a TD, kicked three field goals and three extra points to lead the Packers. As a side note New City Stadium was renamed to Lambeau Field in 1965 after the death and in honor of the legendary Packers coach Curly Lambeau per an interesting story on the stadiumsofprofootball.com website.

December 31, 1967 – Oakland’s Alameda County Coliseum – The AFL Championship game pitted the host Raiders against the Houston Oilers. Quarterback Daryle Lamonica who had been claimed off of waivers from Buffalo earlier in the season led the Silver and Black to a 13-1 record per the American Football Database. Houston on the other hand went from last place in the AFL’s Eastern Conference the previous season to the top position in the 1967 season. Lamonica had two scoring passes and one TD with his legs while George Blanda booted four field goals through the uprights to help Oakland win its first AFL Championship. Final score Oakland Raiders 40, the Houston Oilers 7.

December 31, 1967 – Lambeau Field, Green Bay – The NFL Championship which is often remembered as the “The Ice Bowl.” With game time temps around -13°F Lambeau Field lived up to its nickname of the frozen tundra. Some interesting facts about this game. Referee Magazine tells how head ref Norm Schachter said there was only one official whistle blown all game and it was right before the opening kick off. At the time only metal whistles were available right before kick off the Umpire lost some skin off of his lips the crew never tweeted another one the rest of the game and Schachter’s own whistle was found to have the wooden ball frozen in place inside the metal part. As for the players it would have been a great game no matter what the temperature was as there would be 12 future Hall of Famers on the field that day in the arctic conditions plus each head coach would get a bust in Canton too according to a JS Online article. Even when you don’t consider the great people involved or the extreme weather it was an awesome game to boot! Drama at the end as Bart Starr keeps the ball and plunges into the frozen end zone. The Green Bay Packers last second heroics defeated the upstart Dallas Cowboys, 21-17 in the coldest NFL game on record!

December 31, 1972 – Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh – The AFC Championship game was played as Pittsburgh a nere week removed from their thrilling Immaculate Reception win over Oakland faced the undefeated Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins were too much for the Steelers in this one as they kept the loss column clean knocking off Pittsburgh, 21-7. Yes these were the 1972 Dolphins who would go on to win the Super Bowl and become the only Super Bowl era team to go undefeated and win the title.One interesting question arises why were the Steelers the home team if Miami clearly had the better record? Well I found the best answer on Funtrivia.com by Drewh2os; “From 1970 through 1974, after the merger of the AFL and NFL, teams were not seeded by winning percentage. Home playoff games were determined by a preset rotation through each of the three divisions. Select division winners would play all playoff games at home, regardless of the comparative record of their opponent. the AFC Eastern Division Champion Miami Dolphins had gone undefeated yet played the AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh because the AFC East was not in the “home game” rotation that year and Pittsburgh was.” The current system of the best winning percentage team receiving Home field advantage throughout the playoffs started in 1975.

December 31, 1973 – 40th Sugar Bowl: #3 Notre Dame beats #1 Alabama, 24-23

December 31, 1974 – 41st Sugar Bowl: #8 Nebraska beats #18 Florida, 13-10

December 31, 1991 – J Donald Crump resigned as CFL Commissioner. According to a Wikipedia post Crump was the 7th commissioner of the Canadian Football League and held the position for just shy of two years. Previously he had been an executive with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

December 31, 1997 – Marv Levy retires as coach of the NFL Buffalo Bills after 12 seasons, including 4 consecutive losing Super Bowl appearances. Marv was 72 year-old at the time.

December 31, 2017 – Cleveland Browns with a 28-24 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field earned the dubious claim of becoming only the 2nd team in NFL history to finish a season with 0-16 record. The other was the 2008 Detroit Lions. Pro Football Reference shows us that a Ju-Ju Smith Schuster 96 yard kickoff return TD in the third quarter was the difference maker in the contest.

HALL OF FAME BIRTHDAYS FOR DECEMBER 31

December 31, 1875 – Uniontown, New Jersey – Lafayette College’s stellar guard Charles “Babe” Rinehart was born. The NFF says that Rinehart was one of the first players outside of the Ivy League to garner All-America recognition from the legend Walter Camp, who picked the teams. Other experts of the gridiron of the era had high regard for Babe as Parke Davis, an authority of football’s early era, named Rinehart to his All-Time All-America first team, while New York Sun football editor George Trevor hailed Rinehart as, “one of the great guards of the era.” The College Football Hall of Fame placed the name of Babe Rinehart into their fold in 1964.

December 31, 1928 – Los Angeles, California – The University of Washington’s star halfback from 1949 through 1951, Hugh “the King” McElhenny was born. The website footballfoundation.org informs readers that McElhenny with his speed and open field prowess marked the record book up with new ink at Washington during his career. During his junior season of 1950, Hugh set single-game marks for rushing with 296 yards, touchdowns scoring 5 of them and total points at 30 as the Huskies embarrassed rival Washington State, 52-21, in the season finale. McElhenney followed that up with a spectacular Senior year as he ran back a 100-yard punt return for a touchdown against USC and finished the season with 17 touchdowns and 125 total points which led to him receiving first team All-America honors. The National Football Foundation selected Hugh McElhenny into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1952 Hugh was picked by the San Francisco 49ers as their top pick and his NFL career spanned over 13 seasons in San Francisco, Minnesota, Green Bay, Detroit and New York. Hugh played in 6 NFL Pro Bowls and was the games MVP in 1958. He finished his career with 11,375 net yards. In 1970 Hugh McElheny received his much deserved place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

BASEBALL HISTORY

1878       The reported sale of eight million bats occurs in the United States. With a population estimated at approximately 48 million, an average of one out of every six Americans owns a bat.

1897       Charles H. Ebbets, 38, gains a controlling interest in the Dodgers with an eighty percent share of the Brooklyn team. Under his ownership, which lasts until his death in 1925, the team posts a mediocre 1914-2088 (.478) record but wins four National League Championships during the next 27 seasons.

1954       Pirates rookie Roberto Clemente has three spinal discs jarred when a drunk driver broadsides him, running a red light traveling at 60-mph. The car accident will cause the 21-year-old outfielder to have recurrent lower back pain for the remainder of his career.

1962       The State of Ohio drops its suit against the Reds’ change in ownership when Bill DeWitt declares in writing the team will stay in Cincinnati for the next ten years. Although the new owner claims he never had plans to move the team, the state began legal procedures when suspicion abounded after he obtained the team for below-market value from the Crosley Foundation.

1966       After fifteen years with the Braves, Eddie Mathews, along with Sandy Alomar, Sr., and Arnie Umbach, is traded to the Astros in exchange for outfielder Dave Nicholson and RHP Bob Bruce. The future Hall of Fame third baseman is the only person to play for the Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta Braves.

1972       Roberto Clemente tragically dies when the four-engine DC-7 plane he chartered to bring much-needed supplies to the victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake crashes in the Atlantic Ocean after taking off from the coast of Isla Verde. Manny Sanguillen will be the only Pirates player not to attend the memorial service, traveling to Puerto Rico to dive into the waters in a futile attempt to recover his teammate’s body.

1974       After being wooed by the Pirates, Dodgers, Expos, Giants, Royals, and the Indians, 28-year-old free-agent Catfish Hunter signs with the Yankees, ending an unprecedented bidding war. The former A’s ace, author of 88 victories and a 4-0 Fall Classic record during the past four seasons, inks a five-year, $3.75 million contract (three times more than any other players) to pitch for the Bronx Bombers.

1990       A snowmobile accident near his ranch in Baker (OR) seriously injures A’s third baseman Carney Lansford. The 33-year-old All-Star infielder, who suffered severe ligament damage in his left knee due to the mishap, will appear in only five games next season.

2004       After the Devil Rays decline his 2005 $8 million contract option, Tino Martinez (.262, 23, 76) signs a one-year, $3 million contract to rejoin the Yankees. The popular 37-year-old first baseman was acquired as insurance in the event Jason Giambi’s (the player who replaced him) health continues to fail, played in the Bronx from 1996-2001.

2008       The Angels agree to a two-year, $17.5 million deal with free-agent Brian Fuentes. The 33 -year-old left-handed reliever, who had 30 saves for the Rockies last season, will replace Francisco Rodriguez as the closer for the American League West champions.

2008       Deciding not to shift shortstop Jhonny Peralta to third with Asdrubal Cabrera moving from second to short, the Indians acquire Mark DeRosa from the Cubs to be their everyday third baseman. To get the 33-year-old infielder, the Tribe sends minor league pitching prospects Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub to Chicago.

2009       The Cubs agree to a $15 million, three-year deal with Texas free-agent Marlon Byrd (.283, 20, 89) to fill the void in the outfield created when the trade to Seattle of the agitated Milton Bradley. Chicago’s new outfielder will patrol centerfield, replacing Kosuke Fukudome, who will move over to right field.

2009       The Red Sox, after trying seven regular shortstops since trading Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs in 2004, sign Marco Scutaro to a deal that guarantees the 34-year-old infielder to a $12.5 million, two-year contract to fill the void. The former utility player with the Mets and A’s had a career year last season for the Blue Jays after becoming the team’s everyday shortstop.

SPORTS IN NUMBERS

16 – 14 – 5 – 10 – 66 – 39 – 13

December 31, 1967 – AFL Championship, Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland: Oakland Raiders beat Houston Oilers 40-7. Number 16, George Blanda booted 4 field goals for the Raiders in club’s 1st AFL Championship

December 31, 1973 – Number 14, Johan Cruyff was chosen European Football Player of the Year

December 31, 1974 – Ballon d’Or: Ajax forward Number 14, Johan Cruyff wins back-to-back awards, and his 3rd overall, for best European football player ahead of Bayern Munich defender Number 5, Franz Beckenbauer and Legia Warsaw midfielder Number 10, Kazimierz Deyna

December 31, 1988 – Pittsburgh NHL center Number 66, Mario Lemieux accounted for all of his team’s goals in Penguins 8-6 win over the NJ Devils; famously scores 5 goals, each in a different way: even strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot and empty net; also 3 assists

December 31, 1997 – Buffalo’s Czech NHL goalie Number 39, Dominik Hasek stopped 36 shots for his 27th career shutout in Sabres’ 3-0 win over Ottawa Senators; his 6th shutout in month of December; first since George Hainsworth in 1928-29 to achieve the feat

December 31, 2018 – Houston Rockets guard Number 13, James Harden scored 43 points in Rockets’ 113-101 win over Memphis Grizzlies; 4th straight NBA game with 40+ points and 8th straight with 35+; joined Number 14, Oscar Robertson as only player with at least 35 points & 5 assists in 8 straight games

TV SATURDAY

COLLEGE BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
LOUISVILLE AT KENTUCKY	12:00PM	CBS
UCONN AT XAVIER	12:00PM	FOX
ST. JOHN’S AT SETON HALL	12:00PM	FS1
VIRGINIA AT GEORGIA TECH	12:00PM	ACCN
TEXAS TECH AT TCU	12:00PM	ESPNU
STONY BROOK AT NORTHEASTERN	12:00PM	CBSSN
VIRGINIA TECH AT WAKE FOREST	12:00PM	ACCN
CHARLESTON AT TOWSON	12:00PM	NBCS-WSH
NEW HAMPSHIRE AT UALBANY	12:00PM	ESPN3
CENTENARY (NJ) AT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON	12:00PM	NEC
MILWAUKEE AT DETROIT MERCY	12:00PM	ESPN+
YALE AT COLUMBIA	12:00PM	ESPN+
FLORIDA STATE AT DUKE	1:00PM	ESPN2
BINGHAMTON AT BRYANT	1:00PM	ESPN3
MERRIMACK AT WAGNER	1:00PM	NEC
SACRED HEART AT LIU	1:00PM	NEC
ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN AT CENTRAL CONNECTICUT	1:00PM	NEC
ETSU AT VMI	1:00PM	ESPN+
SAMFORD AT THE CITADEL	1:00PM	ESPN+
RHODE ISLAND AT DUQUESNE	1:00PM	ESPN+
SAINT LOUIS AT SAINT JOSEPH’S	1:00PM	ESPN+
JACKSONVILLE AT FGCU	1:00PM	ESPN+
GREEN BAY AT OAKLAND	1:00PM	ESPN+
HARVARD AT PRINCETON	1:00PM	ESPN+
NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT HOFSTRA	1:00PM	FLOSPORTS
OKLAHOMA STATE AT KANSAS	2:00PM	CBS
ARIZONA AT ARIZONA STATE	2:00PM	FOX
MARQUETTE AT VILLANOVA	2:00PM	FS1
BAYLOR AT IOWA STATE	2:00PM	ESPNU
BOSTON COLLEGE AT SYRACUSE	2:00PM	ACCN
FRESNO STATE AT UTAH STATE	2:00PM	CBSSN
UIC AT BRADLEY	2:00PM	MVC TV
RICHMOND AT GEORGE MASON	2:00PM	MASN2
LA SALLE AT VCU	2:00PM	MASN
NEVADA AT AIR FORCE	2:00PM	ALTITUDE2
UMASS LOWELL AT NJIT	2:00PM	ESPN3
UCF AT HOUSTON	2:00PM	ESPN+
DAYTON AT DAVIDSON	2:00PM	ESPN+
UMASS AT ST. BONAVENTURE	2:00PM	ESPN+
AUSTIN PEAY AT NORTH FLORIDA	2:00PM	ESPN+
CENTRAL ARKANSAS AT KENNESAW STATE	2:00PM	ESPN+
TEXAS AT OKLAHOMA	2:00PM	ESPN+
GARDNER-WEBB AT HIGH POINT	2:00PM	ESPN+
LONGWOOD AT CAMPBELL	2:00PM	ESPN+
PRESBYTERIAN AT RADFORD	2:00PM	ESPN+
UNC ASHEVILLE AT WINTHROP	2:00PM	ESPN+
NORTHERN KENTUCKY AT IUPUI	2:00PM	ESPN+
LOUISIANA TECH AT CHARLOTTE	2:00PM	ESPN+
CHATTANOOGA AT MERCER	2:00PM	ESPN+
UNCG AT WOFFORD	2:00PM	ESPN+
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN AT UTA	2:00PM	ESPN+
SOUTH ALABAMA AT GEORGIA STATE	2:00PM	ESPN+
LOUISIANA AT OLD DOMINION	2:00PM	ESPN+
JAMES MADISON AT MARSHALL	2:00PM	ESPN+
GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT COASTAL CAROLINA	2:00PM	ESPN+
WILLIAM & MARY AT DREXEL	2:00PM	FLOSPORTS
ELON AT DELAWARE	2:00PM	FLOSPORTS
HAMPTON AT UNCW	2:00PM	FLOSPORTS
RICE AT UTEP	2:00PM	CUSATV
KANSAS CITY AT OMAHA	2:00PM	–
WESTERN ILLINOIS AT SOUTH DAKOTA	2:00PM	–
PURDUE FORT WAYNE AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE	2:45PM	ESPN+
UNI AT ILLINOIS STATE	3:00PM	–
ORAL ROBERTS AT DENVER	3:00PM	ALT
ST. THOMAS AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE	3:00PM	–
APP STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS	3:00PM	ESPN+
SIUE AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI	3:00PM	ESPN+
ULM AT ARKANSAS STATE	3:00PM	ESPN+
UTRGV AT SOUTHERN UTAH	3:00PM	ESPN+
CLEVELAND STATE AT ROBERT MORRIS	3:00PM	ESPN+
USC UPSTATE AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN	3:00PM	ESPN+
A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI AT NORTHWESTERN STATE	3:30PM	ESPN+
SAN DIEGO STATE AT UNLV	4:00PM	CBS
NEW MEXICO AT WYOMING	4:00PM	FS1
WKU AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE	4:00PM	CBSSN
UTAH AT STANFORD	4:00PM	PAC12
UC IRVINE AT CSU BAKERSFIELD	4:00PM	SPECTRUM
GEORGE WASHINGTON AT LOYOLA CHICAGO	4:00PM	NBCS-CHI
SAN JOSE STATE AT COLORADO STATE	4:00PM	–
STONEHILL AT SAINT FRANCIS U	4:00PM	NEC
FURMAN AT WESTERN CAROLINA	4:00PM	ESPN+
TARLETON AT ABILENE CHRISTIAN	4:00PM	ESPN+
UTAH TECH AT UTAH VALLEY	4:00PM	ESPN+
QUEENS AT EASTERN KENTUCKY	4:00PM	ESPN+
EAST CAROLINA AT WICHITA STATE	4:00PM	ESPN+
NORTHERN ARIZONA AT WEBER STATE	4:00PM	ESPN+
EASTERN WASHINGTON AT MONTANA STATE	4:00PM	ESPN+
IDAHO AT MONTANA	4:00PM	ESPN+
FIU AT NORTH TEXAS	4:00PM	ESPN+
UTSA AT UAB	4:00PM	ESPN+
MOREHEAD STATE AT UT MARTIN	4:30PM	ESPN+
LITTLE ROCK AT TENNESSEE STATE	4:30PM	ESPN+
SOUTHERN INDIANA AT EASTERN ILLINOIS	4:30PM	ESPN+
TENNESSEE TECH AT LINDENWOOD	4:30PM	ESPN+
PEPPERDINE AT GONZAGA	5:00PM	–
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT AT PACIFIC	5:00PM	WCC
TROY AT TEXAS STATE	5:00PM	ESPN+
MCNEESE AT LAMAR	5:00PM	ESPN+
PORTLAND STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE	5:00PM	ESPN+
UIW AT A&M-COMMERCE	5:30PM	ESPN+
COLORADO AT CALIFORNIA	6:00PM	PAC12
UC RIVERSIDE AT LONG BEACH STATE	6:00PM	SPECTRUM
SAM HOUSTON AT NM STATE	6:00PM	–
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST AT SEATTLE U	6:00PM	ESPN+
SAINT MARY’S AT SANTA CLARA	7:00PM	NBCS-BAY
UC SAN DIEGO AT UC SANTA BARBARA	7:00PM	ESPN+
WEST VIRGINIA AT KANSAS STATE	7:00PM	ESPN+
OREGON STATE AT OREGON	8:00PM	PAC12
NORTHERN COLORADO AT IDAHO STATE	8:00PM	ESPN+
PORTLAND AT BYU	9:00PM	BYUTV
CSUN AT CAL STATE FULLERTON	9:00PM	ESPN+
CAL POLY AT HAWAI’I	10:00PM	SPECTRUM
COLLEGE FOOTBALL	TIME ET	TV
TRANSPERFECT MUSIC CITY BOWL: IOWA VS. KENTUCKY	12:00PM	ABC
ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL: (5) ALABAMA VS. (11) KANSAS STATE	12:00PM	ESPN
FIESTA BOWL: (3) TCU VS. (2) MICHIGAN	4:00PM	ESPN
CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL: (4) OHIO STATE VS. (1) GEORGIA	8:00PM	ESPN
NBA REGULAR SEASON GAMES	TIME ET	TV
LA CLIPPERS AT INDIANA	3:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
BROOKLYN AT CHARLOTTE	7:00PM	YES BALLY SPORTS
CLEVELAND AT CHICAGO	7:00PM	NBCS-CHI BALLY SPORTS
NEW YORK AT HOUSTON	7:00PM	MSG ATTSN-SW
DALLAS AT SAN ANTONIO	7:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
NEW ORLEANS AT MEMPHIS	8:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
DETROIT AT MINNESOTA	8:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
PHILADELPHIA AT OKLAHOMA CITY	8:00PM	NBCS-PHI BALLY SPORTS
MIAMI AT UTAH	9:00PM	BALLY SPORTS ATTSN-RM
NHL REGULAR SEASON GAMES	TIME ET	TV
BUFFALO AT BOSTON	1:00PM	MSG-BUF NESN
CHICAGO AT COLUMBUS	1:00PM	NBCS-CHI BALLY SPORTS
NASHVILLE AT VEGAS	3:00PM	BALLY SPORTS ATTSN-RM
PHILADELPHIA AT LOS ANGELES	4:00PM	NBCS-PHI BALLY SPORTS
MONTRÉAL AT WASHINGTON	4:00PM	SPORTSNET NBCS-WSH
ARIZONA AT TAMPA BAY	5:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
MINNESOTA AT ST. LOUIS	6:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
OTTAWA AT DETROIT	7:00PM	SPORTSNET BALLY SPORTS
TORONTO AT COLORADO	7:00PM	SPORTSNET ALT
SAN JOSE AT DALLAS	8:00PM	NBCS-CA BALLY SPORTS
VANCOUVER AT CALGARY	10:00PM	SPORTSNET
WINNIPEG AT EDMONTON	10:00PM	SPORTSNET
SOCCER MATCHES	TIME ET	TV
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS MANCHESTER UNITED	7:30AM	USA
LA LIGA: BARCELONA VS ESPANYOL	8:00AM	ESPN+
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: NEWCASTLE UNITED VS LEEDS UNITED	10:00AM	USA
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: MANCHESTER CITY VS EVERTON	10:00AM	PEACOCK
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: FULHAM VS SOUTHAMPTON	10:00AM	PEACOCK
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: AFC BOURNEMOUTH VS CRYSTAL PALACE	10:00AM	PEACOCK
LA LIGA: VILLARREAL VS VALENCIA	10:15AM	ESPN+
LA LIGA: REAL SOCIEDAD VS OSASUNA	10:15AM	ESPN+
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS ARSENAL	12:30PM	NBC