It was another Notre Dame women’s basketball record for Hannah Hidalgo on Sunday, as she helped the No. 19 Irish get a 78-65 win on the road over James Madison on Sunday.

It wasn’t her best game, shooting 2-of-10 from the field, but it was the consistency, as he still managed to end the game with 13-points. That set a Notre Dame program record, as Hidalgo has scored in double-digits in 77-games, in fact, it’s every game that she’s ever played.

It’s the third record that Hidalgo has this season, as she also had 16 steals, tying the NCAA record, and 44-points, a single-game program record, in the same game against Akron.

The fact that Hidalgo has never scored less than 10-points in a game is quite an achievement, even in a game where she’d love to have a few of her shots back. The scoring has always been there for Notre Dame’s star, as she looks to lead the Irish to a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

consistency like this doesn’t happen by accident@HannahHidalgo now owns the program record for most consecutive games in double figures with her 77th game today#GoIrishpic.twitter.com/P2UN6SMPYS

— Notre Dame Women's Basketball (@ndwbb) December 14, 2025

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Hannah Hidalgo sets a Notre Dame record after Sunday’s win over JMU

Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC) is just six days away from hosting Miami (FL) (10-2) in the first round of the College Football Playoff, as both programs will make their first appearance in the tournament since its inception, and aren't looking to end the season anytime soon.

For the Aggies, losing to rival Texas on the road 27-17 on Black Friday was poorly timed, resulting in a massive drop to No. 7 in the CFP rankings, but they were still granted a home game. On the other side, Miami snuck in over Notre Dame, who the Hurricanes defeated earlier in the year, and are riding a four-game winning streak heading into Saturday's game.

Texas A&M's defense runs through the defensive line, led by senior edge Cashius Howell's 11.5 sacks and 40-plus pressures. At the same time, the secondary, which has been leaky in several regular-season games, lacks top-end speed, allowing a handful of explosive plays against the Longhorns.

Paired with a run defense that has given up over 200 yards four times this year, Miami QB Carson Beck will look to take advantage of these deficiencies. However, head coach Mike Elko and his defensive staff will need to key in on freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, who nearly reached the century mark this season with 84 receptions, 970 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Averaging 11.5 yards per catch, Toney is a nightmare matchup for every secondary and will likely need to be bracketed to prevent Beck from connecting on deep throws that will open up the offense. This will force Beck to find wide receiver CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion, who have been highly productive, but aren't man-beaters on every route.

This strategy isn't rocket science, and may not work, but hoping that Carson Beck makes mistakes and giving him too much time in the pocket is a recipe for disaster. This is a big game for Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III, Dezz Ricks, and slot corner Tyreek Chappell, who will be in man coverage for most of the afternoon, and must play with good leverage and force Beck to make accurate throws.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's secondary will need to shut down Miami WR Malachi Toney

To the uninitiated, it may sound like Louisville basketball fans are booing Sananda Fru whenever the 6-foot-11 German does something impressive on the court.

His mom thought that was the case the first time she heard the KFC Yum! Center shout his last name in unison, elongating the vowel, through her television back home in Berlin. "I was like, 'Why are they booing you?'" she told him over the phone afterward.

Quite the opposite. The former Basketball Bundesliga standout is emerging as a model of consistency in the post for Pat Kelsey and the 11th-ranked Cardinals (9-1) — and in turn a fan favorite. Opposing teams should take note: The 22-year-old junior feels as if he's on a path of "steady improvement."

"You can feel it," Kelsey said. "You can see it in his demeanor."

Fru still has a lot to assimilate as he continues to adjust to a new culture and a new brand of basketball. Case in point: his lane violation with teammate Mikel Brown Jr. at the free-throw line and 48 seconds remaining in regulation of UofL's Dec. 6 win over Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Back home, the back end of Brown's two shots would have counted despite the big man stepping into the paint early. Here, the Hoosiers got the ball down 11 points. "Jimmy Naismith is rolling over in his grave right now," Kelsey thought to himself on the sideline.

"We'll have a little discussion about that," the coach said afterward. "But come to think of it, it won't be much of a discussion — I'll do most of the talking, and he'll do most of the listening."

That was not the first instance of Fru being the recipient of what Kelsey likes to describe as "aggressive counseling." He got an earful during halftime of the Cards' come-from-behind victory over Cincinnati on Nov. 21 at Heritage Bank Center when he entered the locker room with as many turnovers as points (two), one rebound and a block across 11 minutes of run.

His response? Nine points on 3-for-3 shooting, three boards, another block and two steals in 13 minutes after the break. He cut his turnovers in half, too.

"I wouldn't say I needed the push," Fru said Dec. 12, reflecting on that game. "I would just say: The first half wasn't me, and I wasn't happy with myself. Yes, coach kind of called us out; but the reaction was needed from my side. ... It was my goal for the rest of the game and other games to be more physical and fight more."

Mission accomplished — so far. In Louisville's next two matchups against high-major opponents, the win over the Hoosiers and a Dec. 3 loss at then-No. 23 Arkansas, Fru averaged 13 points on 10-for-12 shooting, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals and an assist (against three turnovers) across 29.5 minutes per contest. It took a few days for Kelsey to acknowledge his strong performance during the team's first defeat of the season, but what he said about it spoke volumes.

"He's the one guy who I would say in that Arkansas game — like, you know me: wanting the smoke," the coach told reporters after the Cards beat IU. "He wanted that smoke; and he's just gotten better and better."

Fru set the tone during UofL's 99-73 rout of rival Memphis on Dec. 13 by scoring his team's first five points: an alley-oop and an and-1 layup. He finished with 11 on 5-for-5 shooting, six rebounds, an assist (against two turnovers) and a block in 21 minutes.

Through his first 10 collegiate games, Fru averaged 10.6 points on a team-best 78.8% (41-for-52) shooting. He also led Louisville in boards (6.2) and blocks (1.2) per game. Per KenPom.com, he ranked 172nd nationally in block rate (5.6%), 86th in offensive rating (134.3), 17th in offensive rebounding rate (16.9%) and seventh in 2-point percentage (79.6%). BartTorvik.com had him fifth when it comes to effective field-goal percentage (80.8%).

All of this is a far cry from his first appearance in the red and black: one point (at the free-throw line) and three rebounds in 18 minutes of an Oct. 24 exhibition loss to Kansas. Kelsey pointed to his other contributions — two steals, two assists and a block — and would go on to say the big man had one of the best efficiency grades from the dress rehearsal, but this much was obvious: "We've got to get 'em more involved," the coach said.

Four days later, guess how the Cards began their exhibition finale vs. Bucknell? An alley-oop from Brown to Fru less than 20 seconds after he won the opening tip.

Part of Fru's improvement can be attributed to him becoming more comfortable against Division I talent. "Back home, I played a lot against older guys and stronger guys; and they mostly relied on their finesse and (experience)," he said. "Over here, the bigs are super quick, athletic and aggressive."

Another part of it is merely stacking reps as a hub in Kelsey's uptempo, free-flowing offense after operating primarily as a pick-and-roll guy for Löwen Braunschweig. During one of their conversations, when Fru told him about how rigid his former team's scheme was, he got a simple piece of advice: "Bro, you came to Louisville. You're hooping. It'll come."

"Coach wants me to have the ball in my hands and make decisions and be interactive," Fru said. "That's a big difference I wasn't used to."

"We play within concepts and some structure, but it's also (about) being able to play confident, play free, play loose, play aggressive, play on the attack," Kelsey added. "I think he's getting more comfortable playing like that."

No moment reflects this growth more than UofL's fifth possession against Indiana. Fru caught a pass at the top of the arc and quickly faked a handoff to Brown before shifting downhill the moment his defender overhelped on the freshman point guard. No second-guessing, all instincts.

Then, the flourish: When another Hoosier crashed his wide-open path to the basket, he elevated over him for a thunderous, right-handed slam.

"Fruuuuu," the Cards supporters scattered throughout the neutral-site crowd shouted. It's no longer lost in translation.

"Usually in the games, I try to be so not focused on the fans," Fru said. "Now, after a couple of baskets, I hear them. It's a cool thing, I'd say. I like it; I appreciate the fans."

Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball's Sananda Fru emerging in post for Pat Kelsey

Nebraska volleyball (33-1) faced Texas A&M (27-4) in the Elite Eight, looking to return to the Final Four for the third straight year. Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the Huskers came up short, suffering a five-set defeat to the Aggies.

Texas A&M jumped ahead swiftly 2-0 in the match following two intense sets. Nebraska, however, rallied, taking set three 25-20 before forcing a fifth after a hectic 37-35 fourth. But the Aggies grabbed hold of the lead early in set five, and the Huskers trailed the entire run, falling 15-13 in the end.

Texas A&M edged out Nebraska on both offense and defense. The Huskers earned 73 kills off 163 attacks for a .270 hitting percentage, while the Aggies tallied 75 off 178 and a .275. Texas A&M also outblocked Nebraska 17-8, which was a major factor in tilting the scales toward the road team.

Harper Murray put together a career-high 25 kills off 51 attacks for a .255. Rebekah Allick finished the night with 15 kills on 25 swings, earning a .480 along with a team-high four blocks. Bergen Reilly delivered another double-double after tallying 58 assists and 13 digs. She also earned five kills off 11 attacks. Olivia Mauch also posted 13 digs while Laney Choboy grabbed 10.

Nebraska ended its season 33-1 while Texas A&M advances to the NCAA semifinals, continuing a massive postseason surge.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska volleyball season ends in five-set defeat against Texas A&M

Where to watch NCAA men's soccer championship today: Channel, time, live stream for NC State vs. Washington originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NCAA men's soccer tournament will have a first-time champion Monday night as NC State and Washington face off for a long-awaited national title. 

NC State (16-2-4), which has fielded a program since 1950, is in the championship game for the first time. The 15th-seeded Wolfpack have had a relatively smooth path to the title game, facing only one seeded team so far: a 3-2 win over No. 7 Georgetown in the quarterfinals.

The Huskies (15-6-2), meanwhile, opened the tournament with a double-overtime thriller against Oregon State that kicked off a charmed run through the bracket. They followed that win by knocking off No. 5 seed SMU, No. 12 Stanford, No. 4 Maryland and No. 16 Furman in succession to return to the final for the first time since falling to Clemson in the 2021 title game. 

Can they take the final step Monday, or will the home-crowd-favorite Wolfpack prevail in North Carolina? 

Here's how to watch all the action from the championship game. 

Where to watch NCAA men's soccer championship today

• TV channel: ESPNU
• Live stream:Fubo

The NC State vs. Washington final will air on ESPNU and can be streamed live via Fubo. 

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

What time is the NCAA men's soccer final today? 

• Date: Monday, Dec. 15
• Time: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT

The NC State vs. Washington game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 15. The game will be played at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina — about five miles from the NC State campus.  

This will be the first-ever game between the two schools. 

NCAA men's soccer tournament champions list

The last 10 NCAA men's soccer tournament champions are listed below: 

NCAA men's soccer tournament 2025 schedule, scores

Championship

Monday, Nov. 15 - at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.

Semifinals

Friday, Dec. 12 - at Cary, N.C.

Quarterfinals

Friday, Dec. 5

Saturday, Dec. 6

Third round

Saturday, Nov. 29

Sunday, Nov. 30

Second round

Sunday, Nov. 23

First round

Thursday, Nov. 20

BLOOMINGTON — The CBS newsmagazine show 60 Minutes traveled to Bloomington to trace Indiana football's rise from also-ran to powerhouse.

The award-winning program known for its in-depth reporting ran a 13-minute piece on Sunday that featured interviews with coach Curt Cignetti, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, athletic director Scott Dolson, longtime broadcaster Don Fischer and famed musician John Mellencamp.

Here's a recap of the segment that was reported out by Jon Wertheim, a sports journalist and author who is a Bloomington native:

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza feels 'imposter syndrome'

After noting Indiana football's turnaround compared to famed sports movies in the state — "Hoosiers," "Rudy," and "Breaking Away" — Mendoza spoke about the team's sideline being filled with "overlooked" coaches, players and staff.

He became IU's first Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday night told Wertheim that he sometimes feels "imposter syndrome."

"Human nature is like, 'Wow, like, how did I get here?'" Mendoza said in an interview conducted prior to Heisman weekend. "And there's a little bit of an imposter syndrome from that point. 'Whoa, am I supposed to be here? I was a two-star recruit. I wasn't a five star. Who's supposed to be in this position, who's supposed to be on the No. 1 team in the nation.'"

John Mellencamp stayed a fan of the Hoosiers through 'thick and thin'

Mellencamp started going to IU games as a kid and later donated the funds for an indoor practice facility the team still utilizes. Wertheim noted his contributions to point out he's not a "bandwagon" supporter of the team.

"No, no, I've been around through thick and thin," Mellencamp said with a smile.

Mellencamp, who was shown watching a game at Memorial Stadium from a suite at the top of the press box that allows him to smoke during games, traced Cignetti's success to the fact that he does not show emotion.

"Not outwardly. Not outwardly," Mellencamp said. "Jon, I've made my worst decisions being emotional. And I bet you have, too."

New era of college athletics ushered in Indiana football's success

Wertheim highlighted the changes in college athletics, from the transfer portal to name, image and likeness opportunities for players, that fueled Indiana's transformation. Cignetti brought 13 players over with him from James Madison — six of them are starters on this year's team — and Mendoza was a highly sought after quarterback transfer from Cal.

"There's so many different dynamics that were never there in college football," Mendoza said. "And I think that's why you see so many teams either rising or fizzling."

Mendoza, who reportedly makes $2 million, revealed that he had actually written a paper in high school that athletes shouldn't be paid.

Wertheim asked Dolson about IU investing $60 million into football while the university cuts academic jobs and programs.

"The market is what the market is," Dolson said. "And it costs a lot of money. But we earn that money. We make it through our revenue streams. And at the same time people understand if we can get football going, the impact and the consequences for the rest of the university are — are significant."

60 Minutes highlights Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti's greatest hits

Wertheim walked viewers through Cignetti's résumé and him landing his first Power Four head coaching opportunity "beyond the usual sell-by date." He recapped his early days on the job, from him calling out IU's rivals at Assembly Hall to uttering his famed "Google Me" catchphrase.

Cignetti explained those moments were all related to his overall frustrations with the vibes in Bloomington surrounding the football program at the time.

"As soon as I walked in the building," Cignetti said. "Facilities that had been neglected. The stadium banners that looked old. The offices that looked like they were from 1980. And then — you know, just the general attitude of the people I met, the lack of excitement."

He continued.

"I was — furious, pretty much. 'Cause all we did was win conference championships year in, year out as a staff — and I mean, we —  we win. And so it was a clashing of two worlds. And I wasn't gonna lower my standards."

He wanted to see if the fans were "just dead or on life support" when he called out Purdue, Michigan and Ohio State.

Did he accomplish that mission?

"Little bit," Cignetti said with a smile.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football on 60 Minutes, highlights from Cignetti, Mellancamp

BLOOMINGTON — The CBS newsmagazine show 60 Minutes traveled to Bloomington to trace Indiana football's rise from also-ran to powerhouse.

The award-winning program known for its in-depth reporting ran a 13-minute piece on Sunday that featured interviews with coach Curt Cignetti, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, athletic director Scott Dolson, longtime broadcaster Don Fischer and famed musician John Mellencamp.

Here's a recap of the segment that was reported out by Jon Wertheim, a sports journalist and author who is a Bloomington native:

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza feels 'imposter syndrome'

After noting Indiana football's turnaround compared to famed sports movies in the state — "Hoosiers," "Rudy," and "Breaking Away" — Mendoza spoke about the team's sideline being filled with "overlooked" coaches, players and staff.

He became IU's first Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday night told Wertheim that he sometimes feels "imposter syndrome."

"Human nature is like, 'Wow, like, how did I get here?'" Mendoza said in an interview conducted prior to Heisman weekend. "And there's a little bit of an imposter syndrome from that point. 'Whoa, am I supposed to be here? I was a two-star recruit. I wasn't a five star. Who's supposed to be in this position, who's supposed to be on the No. 1 team in the nation.'"

John Mellencamp stayed a fan of the Hoosiers through 'thick and thin'

Mellencamp started going to IU games as a kid and later donated the funds for an indoor practice facility the team still utilizes. Wertheim noted his contributions to point out he's not a "bandwagon" supporter of the team.

"No, no, I've been around through thick and thin," Mellencamp said with a smile.

Mellencamp, who was shown watching a game at Memorial Stadium from a suite at the top of the press box that allows him to smoke during games, traced Cignetti's success to the fact that he does not show emotion.

"Not outwardly. Not outwardly," Mellencamp said. "Jon, I've made my worst decisions being emotional. And I bet you have, too."

New era of college athletics ushered in Indiana football's success

Wertheim highlighted the changes in college athletics, from the transfer portal to name, image and likeness opportunities for players, that fueled Indiana's transformation. Cignetti brought 13 players over with him from James Madison — six of them are starters on this year's team — and Mendoza was a highly sought after quarterback transfer from Cal.

"There's so many different dynamics that were never there in college football," Mendoza said. "And I think that's why you see so many teams either rising or fizzling."

Mendoza, who reportedly makes $2 million, revealed that he had actually written a paper in high school that athletes shouldn't be paid.

Wertheim asked Dolson about IU investing $60 million into football while the university cuts academic jobs and programs.

"The market is what the market is," Dolson said. "And it costs a lot of money. But we earn that money. We make it through our revenue streams. And at the same time people understand if we can get football going, the impact and the consequences for the rest of the university are — are significant."

60 Minutes highlights Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti's greatest hits

Wertheim walked viewers through Cignetti's résumé and him landing his first Power Four head coaching opportunity "beyond the usual sell-by date." He recapped his early days on the job, from him calling out IU's rivals at Assembly Hall to uttering his famed "Google Me" catchphrase.

Cignetti explained those moments were all related to his overall frustrations with the vibes in Bloomington surrounding the football program at the time.

"As soon as I walked in the building," Cignetti said. "Facilities that had been neglected. The stadium banners that looked old. The offices that looked like they were from 1980. And then — you know, just the general attitude of the people I met, the lack of excitement."

He continued.

"I was — furious, pretty much. 'Cause all we did was win conference championships year in, year out as a staff — and I mean, we —  we win. And so it was a clashing of two worlds. And I wasn't gonna lower my standards."

He wanted to see if the fans were "just dead or on life support" when he called out Purdue, Michigan and Ohio State.

Did he accomplish that mission?

"Little bit," Cignetti said with a smile.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football on 60 Minutes, highlights from Cignetti, Mellancamp

Texas A&M women's volleyball hands Nebraska first home loss in three years to reach Final Four originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Top-ranked Nebraska’s bid for a sixth national championship came to a stunning end Sunday night, as Texas A&M rallied for a 3-2 victory in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament, stunning a sold-out crowd at the Bob Devaney Center and sending the Aggies to the program’s first Final Four.

The previously undefeated Cornhuskers had cruised through much of the season, but ran into an Aggies team peaking at the right time. Texas A&M, the No. 3 seed in the Lincoln Regional, won the decisive fifth set 15-13 after the teams split the first four sets in dramatic fashion.

“We have a lot of seniors who’ve been through this,” Texas A&M’s Logan Lednicky said via ESPN. “Everyone was ready to grind.”

Lednicky finished with 24 kills and six block assists, while sophomore Kyndal Stowers added 25 kills and 16 digs for the Aggies (27-4). Texas A&M out-blocked Nebraska 30-16, a factor in the upset.

Nebraska forced the fifth set after winning a marathon fourth set 37-35 on its 10th set point, igniting the crowd and swinging momentum briefly back to the Huskers. But Texas A&M locked in and closed out the match, handing Nebraska its first home loss since November 2022.

The loss marked another heartbreaking finish for the Huskers, who last won a national title in 2017. First-year coach Dani Busboom Kelly, a former Nebraska player, praised her team’s resilience.

“I’m proud of how we fought,” she said. “They played their hearts out.”

Texas A&M will face top-seeded Pitt in the national semifinals Thursday in Kansas City.

More college sports news: 

• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Fernando Mendoza won't keep the Heisman Trophy if he wins
• Why LSU should be extremely nervous about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore
• Jim Harbaugh trends after comments on Sherrone Moore's firing
• Diego Pavia asks Donald Trump to fix the College Football Playoff

Saudi Arabia is emerging as a hub for world-class hospitality education as Dusit Thani College launches a fast-track skills programme designed to prepare a job-ready workforce for the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism and hospitality sector. The initiative offers intensive, hands-on training combined with real-world internships, enabling participants to quickly gain practical experience and meet the growing demand for skilled professionals across hotels, resorts, and luxury service operations. This programme reflects a strategic commitment to bridging the skills gap while supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for tourism growth.

Saudi Arabia has been identified as a strategic growth market for the programme as hotel capacity, destination projects, and visitor numbers continue to rise across the country. Traditional education pathways have struggled to keep up with the speed of expansion, creating a pressing need for flexible training solutions that deliver practical skills in a shorter timeframe. The newly introduced model addresses this gap by focusing on hands-on learning and immediate workforce readiness rather than extended academic cycles.

This launch represents a milestone for hospitality education in the Kingdom, introducing a formally structured, internationally aligned training pathway developed outside the traditional Swiss education system. Training is delivered at a modern vocational facility in Riyadh, supported by a nationwide learning network with extensive experience in professional skills development. The structure ensures that international service standards are combined with local market understanding, creating a training environment that reflects real operational conditions.

At the core of the initiative is a fast-track programme designed to prepare participants for employment in six months or less. The curriculum includes more than 280 hours of intensive practical training complemented by focused classroom instruction covering essential hospitality principles. Participants then progress into a structured four-month internship within high-standard hotel environments, allowing them to gain real-world experience while applying their training in live service settings.

This integrated approach reduces the disconnect between education and employment that often affects the hospitality sector. By the time participants complete the programme, they are familiar with daily operational demands, guest service expectations, and professional workplace standards. The emphasis on practical exposure ensures graduates can transition smoothly into entry-level roles without lengthy onboarding periods.

The training pathway prepares learners for a wide range of frontline hospitality positions, including culinary operations, pastry production, food and beverage service, and guest services. These functions form the backbone of hotel operations and remain in high demand as new hospitality projects continue to open across Saudi Arabia. By concentrating on these core areas, the programme directly supports service consistency and operational stability within the growing tourism ecosystem.

Beyond the main fast-track offering scheduled to commence in early 2026, the initiative introduces additional skills development options through short, focused courses. These programmes target specialised roles such as baristas, concierge professionals, and luxury service teams, reflecting the rising importance of personalised service and premium guest experiences within the Kingdom’s hospitality market.

The framework also extends to business-oriented training designed for hospitality operators and management teams. Upskilling programmes address critical operational and commercial areas including digital marketing, cost control in food and beverage operations, housekeeping supervision, online distribution performance, pricing strategies, banqueting management, and workforce development. This dual focus on individuals and businesses creates a balanced training ecosystem that supports long-term sector growth.

For participants seeking academic progression, the Saudi-based training serves as a gateway to international degree-level education in hospitality and culinary management. Graduates can advance to bachelor’s programmes delivered overseas, gaining globally recognised qualifications without the high costs typically associated with traditional hospitality education destinations. This pathway enhances career mobility while maintaining strong international recognition.

The introduction of hospitality training in Saudi Arabia is also closely linked to broader plans to expand hotel operations in the Kingdom, strengthening the connection between education, employment, and career development. Upcoming hotel projects in Riyadh are expected to further reinforce this integrated approach, creating opportunities for graduates to move directly into professional roles.

Overall, the initiative represents a strategic investment in people and skills at a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation. By delivering internationally benchmarked training through local infrastructure, fast-track employment pathways, and clear routes to academic advancement, the programme contributes to building a skilled, adaptable, and future-ready hospitality workforce capable of supporting the Kingdom’s long-term tourism ambitions.

Former Clemson football star Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars put a beatdown on the New York Jets in Week 15 NFL action Sunday.

Lawrence threw a career-high five touchdown passes, accounted for another rushing touchdown, and completed 20 of his 32 passes for 330 yards in the Jaguars' 48-20 demolishing of the Jets at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars (10-4) picked up their 10th win of the season and seem poised to return to the playoffs with three games remaining. They've won five straight and lead second-place Houston (9-5) by one game.

On this day, Lawrence ran for 51 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown scramble in the first quarter as the Jaguars built a 31-10 halftime lead over the Jets (3-11).

Lawrence's Clemson teammate, Travis Etienne, was a factor through the air. Etienne caught three of Lawrence's five touchdown passes, including a 20-yard score with just 21 seconds before halftime. He recorded touchdowns on all three catches for 73 yards total and rushed 12 times for 32 yards.

Etienne's last touchdown came with 13:40 to play in the game and was on a 45-yard swing pass out of the backfield that he took upfield for the game's final score.

After the Jaguars' 28-point thrashing of the Jets, Jacksonville coach Liam Coen met with the reporters to discuss his team's victory. Here's what the first-year Jaguars coach had to say about Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

Jaguars coach Liam Coen on what he saw from Trevor Lawrence in six-TD performance

"I thought he was very accurate with the football. Started hot, allowing these guys to continue to be able to catch and run, especially over the middle of the field. The vertical throws, I thought, were very impressive. You know, six total touchdowns. Very proud of Trevor and his preparation, the way that he's practiced, the way that he's continued to lead our offense and do what we're asking him to do at a high level. He's playing at a high level right now."

Liam Coen agrees Clemson football star Trevor Lawrence had best day of NFL career

"I think you would say (it's) one of the best ones he's had, absolutely. You could feel it, like throughout the weeks. The last few weeks, especially, that he's continuously gaining more and more confidence, continuity and chemistry with the guys that he's playing with. Executing the plan. But also, then again he had a ditto play from last week: the rollout to his left across his body, zero blitz. Same exact play that we were actually running as last week.

"Again, that's him being special. That's him being a football player and making a play. So, yeah, I would say that it was one of his better performances that I've seen."

Jaguars coach Liam Coen credits Trevor Lawrence for 2025 ascension

For the season, Lawrence has thrown for 2,880 yards and 18 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Lawrence hasn't committed a turnover in the past three games.

Coen was asked if Lawrence's success was a result of the first-year coach figuring out the player, or the player figuring out the coach's system. Here was his answer.

"Combination. I would say that that the pre-snap operation has definitely settled. I would say for him. In terms of the motion shifts, there's a lot going on, right? I think that has chilled out for him a little bit in terms of -- we're able to now run more of the same but just out of different looks. So, time on tasks, repetition, carrying plays over from week to week that may be of work that we just want to dress up. I think that that's really helped and allowed him to just go play. And once the ball is snapped, go use his traits and his skillset.

"You saw today, and we've seen over the last few weeks, that we like throwing the football. Him throwing the football is a good thing right now to those guys, and we're protecting at a high level. He trusts the group in front of him protecting, and trusting the guys out on the perimeter to go make plays when the ball is in the air. I think it's probably a combination of those things that sometimes, it just takes a little time.

Liam Coen comments on explosive performance from Travis Etienne against Jets

Coen was asked by a reporter how much it helped to utilize Etienne as a receiver.

"We finally hit a screen for a big one there. (It's) a part of our offense that we've worked hard at and that hasn't exactly been perfect by any means. Look, the totality of your offense, you want to be getting all cylinders at some point to click, right? When you've got a guy like (Etienne) that can make people miss in space, that's got great hands, vision out on the perimeter, just finding different ways to get him the ball.

"He ran a great route right before the half where kind of made it look like an option route. He just studied his feet, got the linebacker to stop and beat him over the top. And then that angle route again that we kind of had similar to last week, the one to Jakobi (Meyers) with the angle route underneath, that he ends up making the great route and throwing a catch on. To have a back be able to do both for you is huge, and (Etienne) just continues to ascend."

Watch Liam Coen's full postgame press conference discussing Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne and more from Sunday's Jaguars win over the Jets.

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Trevor Lawrence has career day, and Jaguars coach Liam Coen sounds off

No. 20 Louisville women’s basketball was without a top-25 win. No. 11 North Carolina was without a home loss. 

Both of those things changed Sunday afternoon as the Cardinals downed the Tar Heels in overtime, 76-66, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  

Louisville had previously gone 0-3 against ranked opponents (No. 1 UConn, No. 18 Kentucky and No. 3 South Carolina), while UNC is still looking for a ranked win after falling to the Cardinals, No. 4 UCLA and No. 2 Texas.  Louisville will have six days to prepare for its next top-20 team in No. 17 Tennessee during the Women’s Champions Classic. UofL will return home to play Eastern Kentucky at 6 p.m. Wednesday in preparation for the matchup. 

The Cardinals only let UNC lead twice: once in the third quarter and again in the final minute of the game. Louisville trailed, 66-65, in the final 10 seconds of the game before turnovers and missed free throws from both teams forced the extra period. The Cards’ final possession ended with Imari Berry, who finished with 13 points, going 1-for-2 from the free throw for the 66-all tie. 

Berry was an integral part of the Cardinals’ bench presence during a game where Anaya Hardy picked up two fouls in the first four minutes of the game. The reserves scored eight of the team's 10 overtime points, ending the game with 24. 

In addition to the bench, three of Louisville’s starters entered double-digit performances, led by Laura Ziegler’s 17 points followed by Taj Roberts (11) and Elif Istanbulluolu (16). 

Louisville had nine-point leads that UNC cut away at in the first three quarters. During the first, the 23-14 lead narrowed to two points by the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, Louisville’s 36-27 lead went down to three before Imari Berry’s buzzer-beater for the Cards’ 38-33 halftime advantage. And the third quarter ended with Louisville’s five-point lead after being up, 51-42, at the 3:46 mark of the frame. 

UNC controlled the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cardinals, 15-10, but had no answer in overtime. 

This story will be updated.

Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball defeats North Carolina in top-20 matchup

No. 18 Tennessee (7-2) defeated Winthrop (7-5), 112-40, Sunday at Food City Center.

The Lady Vols led, 66-17, at halftime after outscoring the Eagles, 26-2, to end the second quarter of the contest, which was Tennessee's 600th game at Food City Center.

Janaiah Barker posted a double-double for the Lady Vols as she totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds. She converted 6-of-7 field goal attempts, 3-of-4 three-point attempts and 5-of-5 free throw attempts for Tennessee, which made a season-high 16 three-point field goals. Barker scored her 1,000th career point Sunday.

Mia Pauldo scored a career-high 18 points, all in the first half. She also posted a double-double as she had 10 assists. Pauldo also had four steals and was one of five Lady Vols to score 10-plus points against the Eagles. NyaRobertson recorded 13 points, four steals, four assists and one rebound.

Talaysia Cooper totaled 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Alyssa Latham had 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks for Tennessee, which forced 29 points off 24 Winthrop turnovers.

Zee Spearman and Jaida Civil scored nine points each. Spearmen also had five rebounds and three blocks, while Civil finished with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Ryiah Wilson scored 12 points to lead the Eagles.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Mia Pauldo has career-high 18 points as Lady Vols defeat Winthrop

The search for the next Michigan football coach is underway.

It's been a tumultuous few days for the Michigan athletic department, which is now looking at an expanded investigation into its handling of former coach Sherrone Moore and his firing on Wednesday, Dec. 10, as well as the surrounding circumstances. Moore was later arrested and arraigned in court on Friday, Dec. 12, on charges of third-degree felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

As Michigan navigates the fallout from the scandal, it'll be athletic director Warde Manuel's responsibility to land the Wolverines' next head coach very late in the hiring cycle as many of the top candidates have either re-committed to their current schools or just moved to a new one.

Who are the top candidates? Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, one of the names connected to the Michigan job, made a definitive statement that he's happy in Tuscaloosa on Sunday, Dec. 14. So what's next?

SEIDEL: Sherrone Moore saga is a scandal entangled with so many other scandals

Here’s the latest on the Michigan football coaching search:

Kalen DeBoer shuts down Michigan coaching buzz: 'No interest in speaking with anyone else'

Well, never say never, but Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer made his intentions about as clear as possible.

Even though DeBoer has his Crimson Tide in the 12-team playoff with a matchup against Oklahoma on Friday, he's been a popular name since the Michigan job came open on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, DeBoer seemed to squash nearly any debate about if he'll be on the move from Alabama after this season.

"My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa and remain extremely grateful for the support of President (Peter) Mohler, Greg Byrne, the Board and so many others," DeBoer said in a statement posted on Alabama's official fan page. "We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama football and our preparations to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.

"I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job. I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama."

pic.twitter.com/6cqE0uR9mx

— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) December 14, 2025

Kenny Dillingham staying at Arizona State, not going to Michigan

Dillingham, the 35-year-old Sun Devils coach, announced after Saturday, Dec. 13, bowl practice he will be staying in Tempe, Arizona. He had been linked as a potential candidate to fill the job at Michigan.

"This place is just − it's a special place to me," Dillingham said, according to The Arizona Republic, adding his agent is having discussions with university officials on an extension.

The Michigan opportunity "will be good for somebody," Dillingham said. "It doesn't change how I feel about here."

Arizona State will face Duke on Dec. 31 in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, the same day Michigan faces Texas in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Michigan football posts simple message with interim Biff Poggi leading team

Just hours after former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was arraigned in a Washtenaw County court on Friday, Dec. 12, Michigan football shared a simple message on "X."

"Focused on the next game."

While the regular season is over, Michigan is still set to play Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 31 in Orlando.

Biff Poggi has been named the team's interim coach, and this is the first look at him leading the team (with the exception of when he served as the interim for Weeks 3 and 4 this year).

It also seems to be a pretty clear indication that despite the coaching change, Michigan is still planning to play its bowl game.

Either way, Michigan football made it clear with this post: they are moving on from Sherrone Moore and focusing on football. Or at least they're going to try.

Focused on the next game. pic.twitter.com/llOAJCfFux

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 12, 2025

Michigan reportedly interested in Browns OC Tommy Rees as next head coach

A former Notre Dame QB as Michigan football's next head coach?

It's possible.

Michigan football is reportedly interested in talking to Rees, according to Cleveland.com, who starred as a quarterback at Notre Dame. He moved up the coaching ranks fast, getting his big break as offensive coordinator with Notre Dame in 2020, where he served in the role for three years before moving to Alabama to be the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide in Nick Saban's last year. He has spent the last two years with the Browns, first as a passing game specialist and then as offensive coordinator this year.

Rees also reportedly talked to Penn State before the Nittany Lions landed on Iowa State coach Matt Campbell.

It's an interesting proposition, as Rees is seen as an up-and-coming young coach, but it can be wonky trying to hire NFL coaches into the college game due to the schedule. But in this circumstance, it just might work. The Browns are out of playoff contention so their season should drag out, and Michigan is in a position to wait longer than normal because early signing day for recruits is over and the transfer portal won't open until January.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football coach search rumors, news, candidates

With the Longhorns 2025 season early in the books, Steve Sarkisian and his staff are shifting their focus to the 2026 campaign and the future. That includes building the 2027 class, with many targets still on the board. One player they are chasing is four-star wide receiver Quentin Hale. 

Currently, Hale is ranked as the seventh-best player at his position in his class by 247Sports. They also rank the Los Angeles native as the 54th-best player in the nation and the sixth-best from California. That is partly why some of the top nations in the country have made him a priority on the recruiting trail. 

Four-star WR Quentin Hale talks top list as more programs getting involved with the Los Angeles Cathedral standout.https://t.co/TSZLSHPmsPpic.twitter.com/RusqTSROsF

— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) December 13, 2025

While the Longhorns have made their interest clear, they do face competition. The Cathedral High star has also received offers from LSU, Miami, Alabama, Ohio State, North Carolina, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Notre Dame. With no commitment date set, the list could grow in the coming weeks and months. His ability to make a difference in the passing game would make him a great addition to any offense.

During the 2024 campaign, Hale put himself on the map with a career year. He hauled in 63 catches for 995 yards. The potential future Longhorn also found the end zone 14 times and made an impact every time he stepped on the field. Due to his stellar play, Hale is now in high demand as his game continues to improve. 

Long Beach Poly 2027 CB Donte Wright, a Georgia commit, drawing the assignment of Cathedral 2027 WR Quentin Hale pic.twitter.com/vwScrSJp0S

— Tracy McDannald 📎 (@Tracy_McDannald) July 12, 2025

Although the list of programs interested continues to grow, it is a good sign for Texas that it is still in the mix. Their focus now will be set on themselves apart, to ensure they can add Hale's speed to the offense as they chase a national title. 

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football still in the mix for four-star WR recruit Quentin Hale

The ultimate goal for every football player who laces up their cleats is to make it to the NFL. That number drastically decreases after high school, and even if you are talented enough to play in college, the probability of making a professional roster is slim. However, unlike several other sports, football requires a large number of players to function, and scouts love to attend end-of-season events to see if they can find a diamond in the rough.

Texas A&M has several players projected to be drafted during the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft. For those athletes, it might be in their best interest to skip some of these All-Star games. For others, it could be their last chance to get in front of the people who will pound the table for them to be on a roster.

One player who is not afraid to put it all on the line and work hard no matter the situation is Aggie tight end Nate Boerkircher. He began his career at Nebraska as a walk-on and eventually worked himself into the starting lineup, recording six receptions for 106 yards. With A&M in the market for a tight end, they brought in a few, but Boerkircher rose to the top. He split time with Theo Melin Ohrstrom and proved to be the most versatile at his position.

During the regular season, he scored a career-high in touchdowns with three receiving and one rushing. Throughout the year, he demonstrated that he could be counted on in crucial situations—whether it was catching a game-winning touchdown against Notre Dame, laying a block to spring a runner, or picking up a short-yardage conversion out of the backfield.

This performance earned him a Panini Senior Bowl invite, which he accepted.

Officially Accepted!

TE Nate Boerkircher (@NBoerkircher) from @AggieFootball is headed to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl 🔥#TheDraftStartsInMobile#WherePlayersPlaypic.twitter.com/IiJ6vstiXM

— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) December 14, 2025

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football’s Nate Boerkircher invited to Senior Bowl showcase

AMES — Iowa State basketball is back in action for a Sunday, Dec. 14 men's matinee against visiting Eastern Illinois.

The Cyclones are set to host the Panthers at Hilton Coliseum for a 12 p.m. CT tip-off. The game is available on ESPN+.

No. 4 Iowa State (10-0) is coming off a 66-62 win over Iowa in the annual Cy-Hawk game. Eastern Illinois (2-7) enters with a four-game losing streak, which includes a 68-59 loss to Eastern Kentucky in its most recent outing on Dec. 10.

Refresh this page often for live updates and highlights from Iowa State vs. Eastern Illinois.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State vs Eastern Illinois score, live updates for basketball

LSU football running back Kaleb Jackson announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal Friday morning after spending three seasons in Baton Rouge. Jackson had an efficient freshman year for the Tigers, but continued to play mainly in a reserve role over the past two seasons due to the arrivals of Caden Durham, Harlem Berry, and others. 

Jackson and Ju’Juan Johnson’s decision to transfer has left LSU’s running back room quite bare. The headliners, Durham and Berry, are still in town, but there isn’t another scholarship running back behind them.

The Tigers do not have any other back committed as part of their 2026 class either. They are in a peculiar spot, as Berry and Durham are both very young and talented backs who will be hard to displace on the depth chart. Given how college football operates today, with young players eager to get playing time as early as possible, recruiting depth pieces in the upcoming transfer portal period will be a challenge. 

One option is recruiting a seasoned, bigger back to handle the Tigers’ short-yardage snaps, as Berry and Durham are both somewhat light backs, weighing 190 and 205 pounds, respectively. A fitting candidate for this role is former Texas running back CJ Baxter, who is listed at 6-1 and 227 pounds, according to 247Sports. Baxter had an excellent freshman season in Austin, rushing for 659 yards and five touchdowns, but he suffered a season-ending injury ahead of the 2024 season and was unable to take over the lead role in 2025. 

Here's a look at what Baxter could bring to the Tigers’ running back room:

Baxter finds a way 🤘 @c4era_pic.twitter.com/5orSubSIrq

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 21, 2023

Whether that’s the route Lane Kiffin decided to take or not, there needs to be at least one reliable option added to the roster when the portal opens on January 2.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: What does LSU football's RB room look like after four-star transfer?

Two years ago, then-USC true freshman linebacker Tackett Curtis elected to enter the transfer portal. He transferred to Wisconsin, where he spent the past two seasons. Now, Curtis is reportedly set to enter the portal once again.

Curtis arrived at USC as a highly-touted recruit out of the state of Louisiana in the 2023 cycle. In his lone season with the Trojans, he recorded 40 total tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defended. Following the season, however, Curtis decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately landed at Wisconsin.

Curtis spent the past two seasons with the Badgers. In 2024, he returned to the Coliseum with Wisconsin and had two tackles in a 38-21 Trojans victory. Now, he will enter the portal again in search of a new home for his final season of eligibility.

The NCAA transfer portal will officially be open from January 2-16. However, due to restrictions caused by the academic calendar and the reality that pretty much everyone tampers nowadays, expect plenty of players to announce their intentions to enter the portal before then so that they can begin to look towards finding their new schools.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Former USC football linebacker Tackett Curtis enters transfer portal

No. 1 Tennessee (12-0) defeated Bowling Green (10-4), 21-15, in the national championship game at SaberCats Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Vols won their second rugby national championship in program history and first under head coach Scott Tungay.

Tennessee led the Falcons, 14-7, at halftime.

The Vols trailed Bowling Green, 15-14, with 10 minutes remaining. With a one-point lead and 10 minutes remaining, officials ruled Joey Apel scored a try for Bowling Green after a loose ball from a scrum. Tungay challenged the call and officials reversed Bowling Green’s score, allowing for the Vols to have a chance in coming back during the final 10 minutes.

Roman Funkhouser scored Tennessee's winning try with two minutes remaining to record a, 21-15, win over Bowling Green.

After the contest, Tungay discussed the final 10 minutes of the national championship game and him challenging Bowling Green’s score on “The College Rugby Show."

“I just knew if we didn’t do something in that corner, our boys have been in this place before and dug theirselves out, but if you’ve got that little flag – you throw it,” Tungay said. “The last 10 minutes was hard. Something’s going to happen, something’s going to happen, and the boys did it. I’m just so proud of them and what they brought this year.”

Tungay’s challenge in the national championship game can be watched below.

Tennessee head coach Scott Tungay’s challenge allowed for the Vols to win a championship in the final 10 minutes. pic.twitter.com/aAS0m8NQz1

— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) December 14, 2025

More: Tennessee rugby wins 2025 national championship

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Coach's challenge detailed in Tennessee rugby national title game

Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, but on Saturday evening, he found out that Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the winner of the prestigious award.

The Irish back had the third most votes, only trailing the winner and Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, but was well behind both of them in the total points. Love did get 46 first-place votes, which showed that he impressed more than a few of the voters.

Two of the four finalists won’t be playing in the College Football Playoff, and three of the top-10. It’s unfortunate, as Pavia and Love were clearly two of the best players this fall, but neither will get a chance to play for a championship in what looks to be their final collegiate seasons.

Congratulations to Jeremiyah, for an amazing season, along withg what could be one of the best careers ever for a Notre Dame running back.

Final Heisman voting. pic.twitter.com/rH0HHVEapu

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) December 14, 2025

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Jeremiyah Love comes up short in his bid for the Heisman Trophy

LEXINGTON — After Adolph Rupp, Rick Pitino might be the best coach in Kentucky basketball's rich history.

Or it could be John Calipari.

Pitino's winning percentage (81.4) is second only to Rupp (82.2). But Calipari, who stayed nearly twice as many seasons (15) as Pitino (eight) at UK, leads his coaching rival in total victories (410 to 219) as well as Final Four appearances (four to three). Pitino and Calipari won one national title with the program.

Had Pitino not departed Lexington for the NBA in 1997, he undoubtedly would have added to his sterling legacy with the Wildcats. Instead, he returned to the college game in 2001 — at Kentucky's in-state rival Louisville, no less.

Pitino and the Cardinals clashed with Calipari's Cats 10 times (UK held an 8-2 edge in those bouts) before the former's tenure came to an end in 2017. Kentucky has won two-thirds of its games against Pitino (12 of 18) as the opposing coach.

Now, with Pitino guiding St. John's and preparing to face UK — led by one of the captains of his national-title-winning 1995-96 squad, Mark Pope — on Dec. 20 in this year's CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta, we look back at the most memorable matchups between the Wildcats and their legendary ex-coach:

Kentucky basketball history vs. Rick Pitino

Memorable games

Dec. 21, 2016: Louisville 73, Kentucky 70

Synopsis: No one could have known at the time. But this was to be the last Battle of the Bluegrass with Pitino in charge of Louisville. He was dismissed less than 10 months later amid a recruiting scandal. But what a game this was. Ten ties. Nine lead changes. And an unlikely hero for UofL: Quentin Snider. In his two previous meetings with UK, he didn't score a point. In this victory, which snapped a four-game skid in the series for the Cards, he exploded for a career-high 22 points, helping the hosts fend off the Cats.

Dec. 29, 2012: Louisville 80, Kentucky 77

Synopsis: After Calipari assumed the reins in Lexington ahead of the 2009-10 season, he immediately changed Kentucky's fortunes against Louisville. Prior to his arrival, the Cardinals had won back-to-back games over the Wildcats and four of seven dating to 2002. Calipari won his first four games as UK's coach versus Louisville. That's why this contest meant so much for Pitino's program. It ended the four-game slide in the in-state rivalry — and occurred in the same season the Cardinals won their third national title (which has since been vacated, though calls remain to return the championship banner to the rafters of the KFC Yum! Center). UofL held on for a three-point win at home behind a trio of double-digit scorers: Russ Smith (21), Chane Behanan (20) and Peyton Siva (19). It also was a day Gorgui Dieng never will forget — not as much for his play as for what occurred off the court. He scored six points and pulled down seven rebounds (tied for the team high). More importantly, his parents, Momar Dieng and Seynabou Diagne, sat only six rows behind Louisville's bench, the first time they watched their son in person in a college basketball game.

March 31, 2012: Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Synopsis: Without question, this was the biggest game in the history of the UK/UofL rivalry. It's the only time they've met on the grandest stage in the sport. It was the second time Pitino and Calipari squared off in the Final Four. Pitino's Cats downed Calipari's Minutemen, 81-74, on March 30, 1996; UK went on to win it all. Calipari avenged that loss almost 16 years to the day. UK's superstar forward, Anthony Davis, tortured UofL on this New Orleans night, posting a double-double (a game-high 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and grabbing 14 rebounds, another game high) to go along with five blocks. UofL outrebounded UK, 40-33; that included a 19-6 advantage in offensive boards. But the Wildcats were simply too tough, leading by as many as 13 in the second half. The Cards didn't go down quietly, however, ripping off a 15-3 run to knot the game at 49 with 9:11 remaining. Kentucky made more plays down the stretch, though, advancing to the national title game for the first time since its previous championship in 1998.

Jan. 2, 2010: Kentucky 71, Louisville 62

Synopsis: Pitino and Calipari already had faced each other 13 times as college coaches — five times when Pitino was at UK while Calipari led UMass, then eight more meetings when Pitino took over at UofL while Calipari guided Memphis. Not to mention six tussles when they were NBA coaches (Pitino with Boston and Calipari with New Jersey). But this contest marked their first time on opposing sidelines in the Bluegrass State's marquee series. To say it was intense was an understatement. The teams combined for five technical fouls. It also was sloppy: The squads combined for 37 turnovers. Freshman big man DeMarcus Cousins came up big for Kentucky: 18 points, 18 rebounds. Both game highs. Teammates Patrick Patterson and John Wall had 17 points apiece to help the Wildcats improve to 15-0.

Dec. 29, 2001: Kentucky 82, Louisville 62

Synopsis: This one speaks for itself. Recalling this game, Pitino earlier this year said it was "the toughest day of my coaching career" with the Cardinals. "I had to walk into Rupp Arena (for the first time with UofL). I tried not to show it," he said, referring to the scorn the home crowd showered upon him. That was about as memorable as the game got. Though the Cardinals trailed by only four points (36-32) at the break, the Wildcats dominated the second half en route to a 20-point win.

The pregame scene the last time a former Kentucky coach returned to Rupp…

How different will Caliparis “welcome back” be? pic.twitter.com/aeKcqUGZuC

— Kentucky Bias (@kentuckybias) January 29, 2025

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball game St. John's, UK history versus Rick Pitino

The Arizona Wildcats proved why they're the No. 1 ranked team in the country Saturday night at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Arizona turned a two-point deficit at halftime into a second-half rout of the 12th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in a 96-75 blowout.

Alabama (7-3) overcame a seven-point deficit early and took the lead on a 3-pointer from Labaron Philon with inside of 11 minutes to play. Latrell Wrightsell's tray briefly pushed the Crimson Tide lead to seven at 37-30.

It was a former Alabama player who helped Arizona fuel a 9-0 run. Jaden Bradley knocked down three shots in a row as the Wildcats caught up with the Tide in the final two minutes of the half.

Arizona (9-0) pounced after intermission. A 14-2 run to open the second half gave the Wildcats a 53-45 lead they would never relinquish -- and one they pushed to as many as 24 in the final minutes.

Alabama was simply manhandled on the boards, being out-rebounded 52-32, including 22-3 in offensive rebounds. Brayden Burries led the Wildcats with 28 points, and Motiejus Krivas added 14 to go with 14 rebounds. Tobe Awaka pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds in 23 minutes.

"We've got rebounding issues," Alabama coach Nate Oats said after the game. "Until we fix them, we're not going to be able to beat a good team."

Philon led the Crimson Tide with 24 points to go with 10 rebounds, and Wrightsell scored 21. Alabama's next highest scorer was forward Taylor Bol Bowen with eight points.

After the game, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd met with reporters to discuss his team's 21-point win over the Crimson Tide. Here's what the fifth-year Wildcats coach said about Alabama.

Tommy Lloyd reflects on Arizona win over Alabama basketball

"A great environment. Thanks to the University of Alabama and Birmingham. You guys, you brought a great crowd and it was a ton of fun competing here. Obviously, you could say that after a win, but I would have said it after a loss, too. So, it was fun coming down here and seeing everybody come out and watch two really strong programs go at it."

Tommy Lloyd thanks Nate Oats after Arizona basketball win over Alabama

"I'm thankful for Nate for giving us the opportunity and scheduling the series with us. Hopefully, maybe we can continue something like that in the future. I mean, he's a hell of a coach."

'No revenge': Tommy Lloyd asked about former Alabama player Jaden Bradley making big impact in Arizona win

Bradley finished the night with 13 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in 31 minutes against his former team.

Lloyd said of Bradley afterwards:

"You know, Jaden didn't have a bad experience at Alabama. And Jaden's such a good guy. It's just, I think if you guys did a little research, we literally, in the last three years, we probably have a top 25 transfer team-from-Arizona players out there. It's just kind of what happens this day and age. So, there's no ill will towards anything. I mean, we didn't even talk about it. And obviously, Jaden is so steady as a person that he came back here and just played his normal game. He's not going to try to do anything over the top. There was no revenge or anything like that."

Tommy Lloyd on Arizona out-rebounding Alabama basketball

Arizona out-rebounded Alabama, 22-3, on offensive boards. Lloyd was asked if he'd ever part of a game with such a discrepancy.

"You coach and you play in so many games, I don't know. But we really wanted to come out and we wanted to put it to them on the glass. We feel like we have an advantage there on most nights, and I think we were plus-20 on UConn a few weeks ago. Now, they were missing one of their big guys, so let's factor that in, as well. We knew a theme for the week for us was early energy, early effort. Because against Alabama, you have to start your possessions like that. You can't ease into anything.

"And then the word we really hammered in on them was endurance. You have to have competitive endurance against a team like that because they just keep coming at you, coming at you, coming at you. Our guys, I thought they did that, and then we were able to kind of ... the game started OK. They made a little run. I felt like the place got going a little bit.

"We didn't say anything crazy at halftime. Just, 'Hey, let's see if we can come out and land the first punch and see what happens.' Fortunately, we landed a few haymakers, made some defensive plays. Obviously, Brayden got in his own little flow, and it was pretty special."

Watch Tommy Lloyd's full postgame press conference below.

Follow us at @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Arizona basketball coach Tommy Lloyd speaks out after win over Alabama

NEWARK – The basketball was loose under Seton Hall’s basket. Najai Hines threw his 6-foot-10, 265-pound body on the floor, hitting the Prudential Center’s hardwood with the ferocity of an anvil dropped from a skyscraper. He beat two Rutgers players to the ball, tipping it to an open teammate.

There were many sequences in Saturday’s Garden State Hardwood Classic when Hines – a freshman center out of Plainfield High School – played with a pride that seemed personal as the Pirates thumped the Scarlet Knights 81-59. But that one was the quintessence of selfless effort, because it won’t show up in a box score or on a metrics analyst’s spreadsheet.

“It’s amazing to watch, honestly,” Hal point guard Budd Clark said. “It’s amazing to play with him. He’s a monster.”

In just 22 minutes of action, Hines tallied 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and grabbed six rebounds – five offensive – while blocking four shots.

In one particularly telling sequence, he ripped an offensive rebound out of the hands of Rutgers center Emmanuel Obgole and bullied past the 6-10, 260-pound postgrad for a bucket.  

“He gets us wanting to play with the same intensity he does,” Hall guard A.J. Staton-McCray said. “He gives us that juice, gives us that energy.”

He also gave it to the crowd, which cheered every hustle play from all the Pirates – and there were plenty – but roared a bit louder when the big fella made them.

“That’s probably the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” Hines said. “Seeing all those faces cheering us on, it’s a great feeling on top of playing basketball.”

College basketball fans don’t obsess over where their players come from, as long as they can play, but when a hometown kid succeeds, it means a little bit extra. When asked if he brought a hometown edge to the battle for Jersey bragging rights, Hines didn’t want to go there.

“This is how I should be every night,” he said. “Every practice, every game, whatever it is, this is how I should be. I just did what I was supposed to do.”

Hall coach Shaheen Holloway pushed that button hard last week as Hines dragged in practice.

“Even today in the walkthrough, I got into him, and I thought he came out and responded,” Holloway said. “I want him to play the way he’s capable of playing, just being physical and throwing his body around.”

Leading into the Rutgers game, Holloway identified Obgole as a pressure point he wanted squeezed.

“He’s a big kid, right?” Holloway said. “So I told (Hines), ‘You’re gonna have to match his intensity. I watched him and the games he played well, (Rutgers) played well.’”

Hines erased Ogbole, who is six years his senior, and you get the feeling he is just scratching the surface.

The Big East is on notice.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: After beasting Rutgers, Seton Hall's 'monster' puts Big East on notice

I don't remember what year I first voted for the Heisman Trophy, but I do remember putting Marvin "Shade Tree" Jones on one of those early ballots. That must've been 1992, the year the Florida State linebacker won the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award. He was a unanimous all-American and The Sporting News college football player of the year.

Jones finished fourth in balloting for the Heisman Trophy, far behind a quarterback and two running backs. He appeared on 179 ballots out of about a thousand.

Texas Tech football linebacker Jacob Rodriguez fared about the same this year. I'm writing this before the awards presentation on Saturday, but the Heisman Trust on Thursday revealed the players who finished fifth through 10th, and Rodriguez got fifth.

More: Rodriguez stands strong on cover of our Texas Tech commemorative book

More: Texas Tech football 'D' stars dot USA TODAY Sports All-America team

Maybe Jones and Rodriguez would have fared better had voters been allowed to cast a ballot with more than three names. That's the format, then and now: Three spots on the ballot. Three points for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote, one point for a third-place vote.

I don't know that it would significantly change outcomes, but I've long thought voters should be directed to rank the top five, maybe top seven, for college football's most outstanding player. It stands to reason that an award for the most outstanding player in college football will be a familiar face on one of the best teams. That's the reason why the award leans toward quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. Once those players are accounted for, there's one or no spots for anyone else.

Get out of here with the regional-bias argument. The ballots for media panelists who make up the majority of the electorate are distributed equally — 145 voters in each of six geographic regions of the country.

I also hear and see the phrase "popularity contest" as when one's favorite gets shorted. It's a lazy criticism. Implied in the "popularity contest" complaint is that Heisman voters will always lean to candidates from the most tradition-rich programs. That's certainly not happening when Indiana, Vanderbilt and Texas Tech are supplying three of the five top vote-getters.

It also fails to explain runner-up finishes in recent years from Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and TCU quarterback Max Duggan. Heck, Cornell running back Ed Marinaro was runner-up to Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan in 1971, and Holy Cross two-way player Gordie Lockbaum finished fifth in 1986 and third in 1987.

Arguably, no college football player in 2025 has been more popular than Rodriguez, the Texas Tech linebacker who won the Butkus Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Award. His wife Emma, the U.S. Army helicopter pilot, was ubiquitous on TV broadcasts throughout the conference season.

College football analyst Robert Griffin III spent much of the season running his own personal PR campaign for Rodriguez. Others got on board, too.

FOX had Rodriguez in person on its Big Noon Kickoff show in Cincinnati during the Red Raiders' late-season open date. The panel — including former Heisman winners Matt Leinart, Mark Ingram and Griffin — joined J-Rod in striking the Heisman pose. The same afternoon, a TNT studio crew full of former NFL players interviewed him, Takeo Spikes being particularly complimentary.

It was a Jacob Rodriguez car wash on a November Saturday when the Red Raiders weren't even playing. How often does something like that happen?

And, at least to some extent, it all worked. As we monitored oddsmakers over the final month, Rodriguez moved up the list of Heisman candidates from the consensus ninth choice on Nov. 22 to the consensus seventh on Nov. 27 to consensus sixth on Dec. 5 to finishing fifth.

Brings to mind the old saying: He didn't lose. He just ran out of time.

History suggests, though, this was the most likely outcome.

Since 1970, there have been 28 players finish sixth or higher in Heisman voting who were not quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers. Of the 28, including Rodriguez this year, 20 finished fourth, fifth or sixth.

Coming from a school that's not a traditional power isn't what decided the issue. Brian Bosworth from Oklahoma, Orlando Pace from Ohio State and Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska got fourth. Ross Browner from Notre Dame, Tyrann Mathieu from LSU and Will Anderson from Alabama were fifth-place finishers. Ohio State linebackers Randy Gradishar, Chris Spielman and A.J. Hawk also finished sixth. So did Miami's Warren Sapp.

Strongly disagree, though, that the Heisman Trust should rebrand college football's top prize as being for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers only. Sure, it usually works out that way.

But every so often, the stars align so that Charles Woodson or Travis Hunter wins or a John Hicks or a Hugh Green comes close.

It'll happen again, and we don't want to close the door on that opportunity.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Would a change to Heisman voting format have helped Jacob Rodriguez?

NEW YORK — The person who picked the playlist at Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman afterparty on Saturday night at Elsie Rooftop knew the assignment. 

More than 100 friends, teammates, coaches and family members belted out ABBA’s “Fernando” to welcome the Heisman Trophy winner to the proceedings. 

The sing-along was an outlet for the group’s enthusiasm that reached a fever pitch while waiting nearly two hours for Mendoza to join them while he wrapped up the many media obligations that come with winning the award. 

Before he could celebrate, Mendoza had to hit Times Square with the Heisman Trophy. He was joined by a large group of his IU teammates to pose for photos amidst a sea of confused onlookers. 

The famed intersection was packed with holiday revelers snapping selfies, many of whom paused to check out the loud interlopers chanting “HeisMendoza.”

More: Why did Fernando Mendoza with the Heisman Trophy? These moments stand out.

Mendoza’s teammates weren’t able to be at the actual the ceremony — attendance is limited to a small party for each finalist — and hustled to the Marriott Marquis from their private watch party to welcome the quarterback to the press conference he participated in after the event ended. 

They couldn’t contain their excitement as reporters asked Mendoza questions about winning the prestigious award. 

Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith yelled out “hell yeah" at one point when a media member brought up coach Curt Cignetti’s “no self-imposed limitations line.” 

It made for a unique scene with one veteran reporter who had covered the event for the last two decades posting on social media the support Mendoza received from his teammates at the event was like nothing he’d ever seen. 

Cignetti was in the room as well, having left the intense demeanor he's known for on the sidelines back in Bloomington. During the broadcast, he compared Mendoza to Jerry West, one of his childhood idols, for their shared ability to thrive in clutch moments. 

He paid Mendoza an even higher compliment while speaking to reporters after the ceremony. 

"I think everything that Fernando represents, you see in the closeness of this team and how tight they are,” Cignetti said. “I think a lot of that is an embodiment of him, what he's brought to our team, a unity so to speak."

It all goes back to the selfless attitude Mendoza displayed throughout the weekend while struggling to discuss his own success. The quarterback who swept all the national player of the year awards could never entirely take credit for his accomplishment.

He told everyone who would listen that his journey wouldn’t have been possible without all the people that helped him along the way. This season his teammates in Bloomington did a lot of the heavy lifting, but before they arrived on the scene it was those family members across town who watched the ceremony with baited breath. 

They were at the center of the powerful message he delivered in his acceptance speech. 

“I want every kid out there who feels overlooked and underestimated, I was you,” Mendoza said. “I was that kid too, I was in your shoes. The truth is, you don't need the most stars, hype or rankings, you just need discipline, heart and people who believe in you and your own abilities. I hope this moment shows you that chasing your dreams are worth it no matter how big or impossible they seem.”

At the afterparty, Mendoza went around offering hugs to everyone who attended as a small bit of thanks for the role they played in him winning the award. While the music drowned out much of what was said in the room, the joy on his face cut through all the noise. 

When the Heisman Trophy arrived on scene — wheeled in by one the Heisman Trust handlers on cart while boxed up in a protective case — the anticipation that had just dissipated with Mendoza’s arrival returned. 

They opened the case for Mendoza to hoist the trophy up for everyone to see. He received an ovation that hit different from the ones he received from strangers a few hours earlier while walking down the streets of New York. 

Mendoza could have soaked in the cheers for longer, but he was eager for everyone to get their own Heisman-moment by getting photos with a trophy people in the room had only ever glimpsed on television.

Lost in the excitement was Mendoza’s younger brother Max, 10, making his way over to the nearly empty box of shirts adidas provided, picking one up with the name they share emblazoned in big Crimson letters alongside the words “Heisman Winner.”

Max beamed with pride at his brother’s accomplishment with a smile that brought home the family’s new reality — Fernando Mendoza is the best player in college football.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Fernando Mendoza’s star shines bright as IU football’s first Heisman winner

BIRMINGHAM — Unflinching is one word to describe Nate Oats' leadership of Alabama basketball. On nights like Saturday against No. 1 Arizona, that adjective can be swapped out with stubborn.

It's hard not to wonder what that 96-75 final score would've looked like had Oats called a timeout to regroup the Crimson Tide when Arizona (9-0) ran away early in the second half. As Wildcat freshman Brayden Burries pounded away with two threes and a couple of layups for 15 of his game-high 28 points, Alabama struggled to cough up just five points.

No. 12 Alabama (7-3) could've huddled to figure out a solution to contain Burries, but Oats stood on the sideline arms crossed. His face, contempt with disappointment, suggested he was either sitting between belief that the Crimson Tide could find a way to win and perform like it did in the first half, or the idea of just letting his players feel just how much a lack of toughness costs.

Based on Oats' response to reporters when asked why he didn't pause the game, he was thinking the latter.

GOODBREAD: Alabama basketball rebounding woes resurface in Arizona loss

DEPTH DISAPPEARED: Alabama basketball had all the bodies vs Arizona, but not the answers

While Oats has admitted in the past, most recently when Alabama blew a lead to Tennessee in the last 30 seconds of a 79-76 loss, that he should've called a timeout, he repeated an answer he's given before − when Alabama fell 104-82 to Florida in the SEC Tournament.

"Am I going to call timeout to tell them to play harder?" he asked. "Call a timeout and make adjustments?"

Oats was firm.

"I'm not going to call a timeout and tell them to play harder," Oats said.

In Oats' eyes, his players "should be competitors." Simply put, if the adjustment is effort, that's something Oats believes "they need to figure it out on the fly."

Despite Burries' attack, Oats didn't find that adjusting the defense is where Alabama would find its answer to bounce back.

"I didn't think there was any defensive adjustments to make," Oats said.

Not seeing any adjustments to be made implied that reevaluating how Alabama handled 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas on the offensive glass, giving up four rebounds in just a few minutes to the Lithuanian as Arizona took over on the scoreboard wasn't something that could be solved on a clipboard.

"The adjustment was to play harder," he continued.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Alabama basketball HC Nate Oats didn't call timeout in Arizona loss

Before we do anything else, I have to ask for forgiveness for my first half-saltiness during my live updates article while the Ohio State basketball team was laying a turd on the floor of Rocket Arena in Cleveland vs. West Virginia. The Buckeyes looked uninspired and uninterested in playing the game of American basketball, and I was not kind.

The second half was another story. The Buckeyes erased a 16-point deficit in the second half and came all the way back to force not one, but two overtimes that can only be explained by a gut check, an instant classic. Both teams battled and made shots down the stretch, but Ohio State was able to withstand it all and win by a narrow 89-88 score.

There's a lot to take from this one, and as we normally do, we have pulled out three things we think we learned about this team. Suffice to say, a very negative column has turned more positive after what we all just witnessed. Hopefully, you stayed up for it all.

Ohio State has to be more consistent and play a full 40 minutes

THE TOUGHER TEAM#GoBucks | #FightToTheEndpic.twitter.com/5UMfD0xDbE

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 14, 2025

OK, let's get the bad out of the way first. The first half was bad -- like really bad. On offense, Ohio State was standing around the perimeter, the wrong guys were settling for long-range shots, there were many instances of questionable judgment with fouls and turnovers, and there was a lack of energy and hustle. It was about as bad as it could get, and as a result, the Buckeyes went into the locker room down 37-27.

The second half didn't start much better, but then Ohio State began to climb out of the hole with better energy on both ends of the floor, better shot selection, and better action. It was like two teams played both halves. It's great that the Buckeyes came back and won this one to save me from having to buy another computer because of it being planted up against the wall, but this team has to be more consistent. There have been far too many lapses for long periods of time, and you can't expect to have a miracle finish like what we saw tonight more than a few times a season.

Find that way of playing from the jump and go do some things this year.

Amare Bynun needs to be a starter going forward for Ohio State

AMARE BYNUM 😳🔨🔨🔨

Doing it all off the bench for THE BUCKEYES! https://t.co/Swi2pDoz0ppic.twitter.com/l9Wc6JAug4

— Drive The Lane (@DriveTheLanePod) December 14, 2025

One of the big reasons why Ohio State was able to turn things around was the play of freshman Amare Bynum. In the first few games of the season, he looked like he was feeling things out, but there were still flashes of an athletic presence that nobody else on the Buckeyes has.

He's now making a big difference. His energy in starting the second half was contagious and sparked the turnaround for the entire team. He possesses some fast-twitch ability and a mindset to go with it that this team will need going forward. This sure did feel like his coming-out party, and we might be seeing a star in the making. He finishes with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, but also hauled in eight rebounds and had three assists from a non-guard spot.

He can't replace Bruce Thornton or any more of the guards, but it looks like Brandon Noel might have to be relegated to a bench player after tonight because Ohio State is a much better team with him on the floor.

Give me Bruce Thornton when the chips are down for Ohio State

BRUCE THORNTON GAME-WINNER FOR THE BUCKEYES IN 2OT 🤯

Ohio State trailed by as many as 14 😳 pic.twitter.com/jaDHnGd4Rp

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 14, 2025

Some guys just have the clutch gene and want the ball when it's winning time. Ohio State senior guard Bruce Thonton checks that box. He struggled throughout the first half and a little into the second, but as the sands of the hourglass began to run out, he made shot after shot. Whether it be free throws because of getting fouled, getting the team into its offensive set and not turning the ball over in extreme pressure situations, or hitting the game-winner, he was the one who willed this team home.

Thornton could have left and gone somewhere else for his senior season, but he chose to stick around for Jake Diebler and the program, and I can only imagine where this team would be without him on the roster. I don't know if this team makes the NCAA Tournament or not -- there are still things that have to get better -- but I know it doesn't have a chance without him.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State basketball beats West Virginia: 3 things we learned

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy triumph made noise as far afield as Rupp Arena on Saturday night.

Indiana could not claim too many fans in the building, in the Hoosiers’ first regular-season game against Kentucky in 14 years, unsurprising given the venue. But the ones who made the trip east on I-64 made themselves heard more than once during a 72-60 loss.

That included what has become a familiar chant among IU fans, one that broke out not long into the game and yet owing absolutely nothing to what was happening on the floor.

As news filtered through the arena that Mendoza had won his program’s first Heisman Trophy, fans seated in small clusters — including one group just a few feet away from the media seating area — began loudly chanting “Heis-Mendoza!” at the news.

It was the latest reminder of IU’s brave new world, with football and basketball co-existing so significantly, so late into the calendar. Curt Cignetti’s team, the No. 1 seed in this year’s College Football Playoff, will next play in the Rose Bowl, on New Year’s Day in Los Angeles.

The Hoosiers await the winner of the 8/9 game between Oklahoma and Alabama, in Norman.

In the meantime, they’ve spent the pre-Christmas period resting on the field, while cleaning up off it. Mendoza and Cignetti were named Big Ten offensive player and coach of the year, respectively, while Carter Smith won the conference’s lineman-of-the-year award.

Cignetti has also won multiple national coach-of-the-year awards, with more potentially on the way.

Mendoza added a clutch of trophies to his mantle this weekend in New York, including not just the Heisman Trophy but the Davey O’Brien Award for nation’s best quarterback and the Maxwell Award for nation’s best player. Mendoza is also the first Hoosier to win the O’Brien Award, and the second (after Anthony Thompson) to win the Maxwell.

More than a dozen Hoosiers have landed All-Big Ten and/or All-America honors since their Big Ten championship game triumph a week ago. A handful — including Smith, Aiden Fisher, Riley Nowakowski, Pat Coogan, Isaiah Jones and others — traveled to New York to celebrate with their quarterback.

Alberto Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza’s backup and younger brother, also made the trip. Both brothers became visibly emotional when Fernando referenced his younger brother during his acceptance speech.

The Hoosiers ultimately left Rupp Arena empty handed Saturday. But their football program once again left them celebrating, nonetheless.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana fans chant HeisMendoza at basketball game vs Kentucky on Heisman night

LEXINGTON, KY — A second-half offensive outage undercut Indiana's upset attempt, in the Hoosiers' first game at Rupp Arena in 15 years Saturday night, a 72-60 Kentucky win.

Here's what I liked and disliked, and what the Hoosiers' loss means.

What I liked from IU basketball's loss vs. Kentucky

• Hanging in. Once again, Indiana's prodigious shooting would not travel, to the tune of just 3 of 14 from behind the arc in the first half, and finishing 4 for 24. And foul trouble limited paint contributors like Sam Alexis, Reed Bailey and (especially cutting off the ball) Lamar Wilkerson. Yet the Hoosiers (8-3) held firm. They defended through their foul issues, rotations and help on point. And once those fouls balanced out, they took advantage, making 18 first-half free throws on the way to a seven-point halftime lead over the Wildcats (7-4).
• Another solid effort from Wilkerson. On a night when so much else came the hard way for Indiana offensively, he looked once again like a player worth building around. He finished 15 points, his scoring depressed by foul trouble. Coach Darian DeVries and Indiana's bench had fair complaints about some of Wilkerson's whistles specifically. They ultimately helped undercut what hope the Hoosiers had for an upset Saturday night, such was the importance of Wilkerson's impact on an otherwise frustrating offensive performance.

What I disliked from Indiana's loss vs. Kentucky

• Fouls. Indiana fans might have had fair complaint on two or three first-half calls. But the Hoosiers' 13 fouls before halftime were hardly a new phenomenon. This team struggles to stay in front of athletic opponents and keep the ball out of the lane against the dribble. That leads to reach fouls and puts bigs in difficult spots. On Saturday night, no one was immune. IU finished the first half with five players with at least two fouls, and two of those five with three.
• Side-to-side offense. Once again, Indiana struggled to break an over-playing defense down off the dribble. Too often, catches offensively came on the move, not spotted up, or too far from the basket for clean looks. And when the ball did touch the paint, it was turned over as often as it resulted in something helpful. DeVries has to find the best solution he can to this problem. It's not going away.
• Turnovers. That led to 18 turnovers, far too many for the way this team wants to play. At one point in the second half alone, the Hoosiers had given the ball away eight times, and attempted just nine field goals. That just won't work for a team that needs to win with offense.
• Offense. That ultimately became, once again, the story of the evening. This team is built to win in some very specific (maybe too specific) ways. When it cannot achieve those basics, it struggles to find second and third solutions to the same problems. The Hoosiers need to make more tough 3s. They have to solve the over-playing problem. They just can't afford nights like these — and we've seen a few of them now — where the offense goes so passive and so quiet. Because this Indiana was not built to win another way.

Last time out: Lamar Wilkerson's records epitomizes IU 'keeping it hot' in much-needed win

What Indiana basketball's loss vs. Kentucky means

Indiana doesn't need to endure some dark night of the soul over what happened Saturday. The Hoosiers faced a Kentucky team back in friendly confines and badly needing a win.

But Saturday also tells us what we already knew: This IU team is limited in ways it might not be able to meaningfully overcome this season. At least not without making a lot more shots than what the Hoosiers managed, once again, away from home. There's work to do before Big Ten play resumes.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana basketball score today vs U of K, game stats, Tucker DeVries

LEXINGTON, KY — A second-half offensive outage undercut Indiana's upset attempt, in the Hoosiers' first game at Rupp Arena in 15 years Saturday night, a 72-60 Kentucky win.

Here's what I liked and disliked, and what the Hoosiers' loss means.

What I liked from IU basketball's loss vs. Kentucky

• Hanging in. Once again, Indiana's prodigious shooting would not travel, to the tune of just 3 of 14 from behind the arc in the first half, and finishing 4 for 24. And foul trouble limited paint contributors like Sam Alexis, Reed Bailey and (especially cutting off the ball) Lamar Wilkerson. Yet the Hoosiers (8-3) held firm. They defended through their foul issues, rotations and help on point. And once those fouls balanced out, they took advantage, making 18 first-half free throws on the way to a seven-point halftime lead over the Wildcats (7-4).
• Another solid effort from Wilkerson. On a night when so much else came the hard way for Indiana offensively, he looked once again like a player worth building around. He finished 15 points, his scoring depressed by foul trouble. Coach Darian DeVries and Indiana's bench had fair complaints about some of Wilkerson's whistles specifically. They ultimately helped undercut what hope the Hoosiers had for an upset Saturday night, such was the importance of Wilkerson's impact on an otherwise frustrating offensive performance.

What I disliked from Indiana's loss vs. Kentucky

• Fouls. Indiana fans might have had fair complaint on two or three first-half calls. But the Hoosiers' 13 fouls before halftime were hardly a new phenomenon. This team struggles to stay in front of athletic opponents and keep the ball out of the lane against the dribble. That leads to reach fouls and puts bigs in difficult spots. On Saturday night, no one was immune. IU finished the first half with five players with at least two fouls, and two of those five with three.
• Side-to-side offense. Once again, Indiana struggled to break an over-playing defense down off the dribble. Too often, catches offensively came on the move, not spotted up, or too far from the basket for clean looks. And when the ball did touch the paint, it was turned over as often as it resulted in something helpful. DeVries has to find the best solution he can to this problem. It's not going away.
• Turnovers. That led to 18 turnovers, far too many for the way this team wants to play. At one point in the second half alone, the Hoosiers had given the ball away eight times, and attempted just nine field goals. That just won't work for a team that needs to win with offense.
• Offense. That ultimately became, once again, the story of the evening. This team is built to win in some very specific (maybe too specific) ways. When it cannot achieve those basics, it struggles to find second and third solutions to the same problems. The Hoosiers need to make more tough 3s. They have to solve the over-playing problem. They just can't afford nights like these — and we've seen a few of them now — where the offense goes so passive and so quiet. Because this Indiana was not built to win another way.

Last time out: Lamar Wilkerson's records epitomizes IU 'keeping it hot' in much-needed win

What Indiana basketball's loss vs. Kentucky means

Indiana doesn't need to endure some dark night of the soul over what happened Saturday. The Hoosiers faced a Kentucky team back in friendly confines and badly needing a win.

But Saturday also tells us what we already knew: This IU team is limited in ways it might not be able to meaningfully overcome this season. At least not without making a lot more shots than what the Hoosiers managed, once again, away from home. There's work to do before Big Ten play resumes.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana basketball score today vs U of K, game stats, Tucker DeVries

LEXINGTON — "Effort" isn't an official statistic. Neither is "hustle." If they were, however, Kentucky basketball would have had an overwhelming advantage in both categories Saturday night against Indiana.

In a game the Wildcats struggled nearly every which way offensively — from the field, on 3s and at the free-throw line — it was good old-fashioned fortitude that won out.

UK rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to earn a 72-60 victory over IU at Rupp Arena.

It marked the first win over a power-conference opponent this season for coach Mark Pope and Kentucky (7-4) after dropping matchups to Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina and Gonzaga. After 20 minutes, it appeared the Cats were headed to another defeat. The Hoosiers (8-3) went into the locker room ahead 39-32.

The visitors' lead still stood at seven (49-42) with 14:18 remaining.

But then UK engineered a 16-2 run to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

The primary component of the game-altering run: Mouhamed Dioubate, the junior forward taking the court for the first time in almost a month. He suffered an injury late in the loss to Michigan State on Nov. 18.

He made his presence felt Saturday, as he posted a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) off the bench. Multiple baskets during the 16-2 second-half spurt were simply Dioubate refusing to give up on a play, continually tipping up the ball until it fell into the basket.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball shows better effort, rallies for win vs Indiana

A former Spartan and now SEC star was arrested early on Saturday morning.

Former Michigan State defensive end Zion Young was arrested early on Saturday morning on suspicion of DWI, speeding, and failure to properly affix his license plate, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website. PowerMizzou reported the news on Young on Saturday.

Zion Young was a member of the Michigan State program in 2022 and 2023, where he shined as a young player and looked to have a bright future. Unfortunately, after the coaching change, Young made the difficult decision to move on from the program. He transferred to Missouri.

Young was an All-SEC first team selection this season and appears destined for a future in the NFL as well.

Click on the post below to read more on this news related to Young:

#Mizzou defensive end Zion Young was arrested early Saturday morning in Boone County.https://t.co/ngoTaMVkrG

— PowerMizzou (@PowerMizzoucom) December 13, 2025

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former MSU DE, Mizzou star Zion Young arrested on suspicion of DWI

It wasn't pretty, but Michigan State basketball found a way on the road on Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans fended off an upset bid from Penn State for an important road win on Saturday afternoon. Michigan State led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but needed a strong finish to beat the Nittany Lions by the final score of 76-72.

Divine Ugochukwu has a career-high 23 points in the victory, knocking down all five of his three-point attempts to lead the Spartans offensively to the win. Michigan State also got double-digit scoring numbers from Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper (10 points each) in the win.

With the victory, Michigan State improves to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. The Spartans will now play a trio of mid-major opponents before returning to conference play in early January.

Check out highlights from the win in the video below -- courtesy of FOX Sports:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Highlights: MSU basketball survives upset scare, beats Penn State

Diego Pavia fell short of adding another piece of history to his Vanderbilt football legacy.

The Commodores quarterback was named the runner-up in the 2025 Heisman Trophy on Saturday, Dec. 13 during an awards ceremony inside Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City.

Beating him for college football's most sacred honor was Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. Pavia finished ahead of Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love.

REQUIRED READING: Celebrate Diego Pavia's year, Vanderbilt's historic 10-win season with 'ANCHOR DOWN' book

Pavia was the first Vanderbilt player to have been named a finalist and receive an invite to New York for the annual award ceremony that is put on by the Heisman Trophy Trust. He was the lone player from the SEC to be named a top-four finalist this season.

Here's everything to know about how Pavia did in the Heisman race, including the finalists' stats and the voting results:

Did Diego Pavia win the Heisman Trophy in 2025?

No, Pavia did not win the Heisman Trophy in 2025. He was instead named the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy race on Saturday night in New York.

Pavia finished 957 votes behind Mendoza.

Despite losing out on college football's highest individual award, Pavia has brought a new wave of success while creating a new culture at Vanderbilt over his two seasons with the Commodores. The former New Mexico State transfer has led the Commodores to their back-to-back seasons with a winning record in over two decades, which includes the program's first 10-win season this year.

In his two seasons, Pavia has led Vanderbilt to go 17-9 record, with five of those wins coming against top-25 ranked opponents. He enters the postseason ranked in the top 10 among Division I FBS quarterbacks with 27 touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 71.2%.

Heisman Trophy 2025 voting results

Here's the full points total for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, including first-place votes:

• 1st place: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza (2,392 points — 643 first-place votes)
• 2nd place: Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia (1,435 points — 189 first-place votes)
• 3rd place: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (719 points — 46 first-place votes)
• 4th place: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin (432 points — 8 first-place votes)
• 5th place: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
• 6th place: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
• 7th place: Georgia QB Gunnar Stockton
• 8th place: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss
• 9th place: Ohio State S Caleb Downs
• 10th place: Georgia Tech QB Haynes King

Diego Pavia stats

Here's a breakdown of Pavia's stats this season at Vanderbilt:

• Passing: 242 of 340 passing (71.2%) for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions
• Rushing: 826 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 152 carries

Heisman Trophy finalists' stats

Here's a look at the regular season stats for the three other 2025 Heisman Trophy finalists:

Fernando Mendoza

• Passing: 226 of 316 (71.5%) passing for 2,980 yards with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions
• Rushing: 240 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 69 carries

Julian Sayin

• Passing: 279 of 356 passing (78.4%) for 3,323 yards with 31 touchdowns and six interceptions

Jeremiyah Love

• Rushing: 1,372 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 199 carries
• Receiving: 280 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns on 27 receptions

Heisman Trophy winners

Here's an updated look at past Heisman Trophy winners dating back to 2016:

• 2025: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
• 2024: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
• 2023: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
• 2022: QB Caleb Williams, USC
• 2021: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
• 2020: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
• 2019: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
• 2018: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
• 2017: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
• 2016: QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville

For the full list of Heisman Trophy winners, click here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Did Diego Pavia win Heisman Trophy? Vanderbilt QB's stats, voting

NEW YORK — Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza joked at the start of the weekend that growing up he thought his best shot at winning the Heisman was in a video game. 

The former two-star recruit once contemplated walking away from the sport thanks to the lack of interest from Power Four teams, but thanks to the advice of his mother Elsa, Fernando fought through the adversity to become the top player in the sport after winning the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.  

Mendoza is Indiana football’s first Heisman Trophy winner, beating out fellow finalists, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love for the award. 

“All those (struggles) were blessings,” Mendoza said this weekend. “They lit a fire underneath myself in order to make myself work harder and get to the point where I am today.”

He entered the weekend as a heavy favorite for the award after leading IU to a top seed in the College Football Playoff and Big Ten championship. 

Mendoza had a series of Heisman-worthy moments during the Hoosiers' first perfect regular season with game-winning drives against the likes of Oregon and Penn State. His final Heisman pitch came in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. 

After almost getting knocked out of the game on the first play, he made a series of clutch throws down the stretch to lead IU to its first league title since 1967. 

The Heisman completed a sweep of major national awards for Mendoza. 

He won the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award in the days leading up the Heisman ceremony. He was also named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year. 

Mendoza was only the second finalist in program history — former IU running back Anthony Thompson was runner-up in 1989 — and sixth top-10 finisher. Thompson was also the only other player in program history to win the Walter Camp and Maxwell, and Mendoza is the first player to win the Davey O’Brien.

Mendoza was joined in New York by a large contingent of teammates and coaches. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, athletic director Scott Dolson, offensive coordinator Mike Shahanan and quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer all attended the ceremony. 

Cignetti compared Mendoza to Jerry West, one of his idols growing up in West Virginia, during an interview with Holly Rowe during the ceremony.

"I can't think of a bigger compliment to pay a competitor," Cignetti said.

Pat Coogan, Carter Smith, Riley Nowakowski, Aiden Fisher and Charlie Becker were among the players that paid their own way to the city to support Mendoza and had a private watch party at a local steakhouse. 

"He's everything the Heisman is about. He encapsulates what the trophy means and stands for, and the history of the trophy,” Coogan said Saturday morning. 

Mendoza's brother Alberto, IU’s backup quarterback, was also in New York and joined Fernando at the ceremony alongside their parents. 

Throughout the weekend, Mendoza pledged to follow Cignetti’s “24-hour celebration” rule and get back to work on prepping for the CFP after traveling back to Bloomington on Sunday night. 

“We are all honored to play in the Rose Bowl,” Mendoza said. “That’s a dream, especially my first three years I played at Cal, everyone always talked about the Rose Bowl what a great honor and such a magical place to play.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fernando Mendoza wins Indiana football's first Heisman Trophy

NEW YORK — Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza joked at the start of the weekend that growing up he thought his best shot at winning the Heisman was in a video game. 

The former two-star recruit once contemplated walking away from the sport thanks to the lack of interest from Power Four teams, but thanks to the advice of his mother Elsa, Fernando fought through the adversity to become the top player in the sport after winning the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.  

Mendoza is Indiana football’s first Heisman Trophy winner, beating out fellow finalists, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love for the award. 

“All those (struggles) were blessings,” Mendoza said this weekend. “They lit a fire underneath myself in order to make myself work harder and get to the point where I am today.”

He entered the weekend as a heavy favorite for the award after leading IU to a top seed in the College Football Playoff and Big Ten championship. 

Mendoza had a series of Heisman-worthy moments during the Hoosiers' first perfect regular season with game-winning drives against the likes of Oregon and Penn State. His final Heisman pitch came in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. 

After almost getting knocked out of the game on the first play, he made a series of clutch throws down the stretch to lead IU to its first league title since 1967. 

The Heisman completed a sweep of major national awards for Mendoza. 

He won the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award in the days leading up the Heisman ceremony. He was also named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year. 

Mendoza was only the second finalist in program history — former IU running back Anthony Thompson was runner-up in 1989 — and sixth top-10 finisher. Thompson was also the only other player in program history to win the Walter Camp and Maxwell, and Mendoza is the first player to win the Davey O’Brien.

Mendoza was joined in New York by a large contingent of teammates and coaches. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, athletic director Scott Dolson, offensive coordinator Mike Shahanan and quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer all attended the ceremony. 

Cignetti compared Mendoza to Jerry West, one of his idols growing up in West Virginia, during an interview with Holly Rowe during the ceremony.

"I can't think of a bigger compliment to pay a competitor," Cignetti said.

Pat Coogan, Carter Smith, Riley Nowakowski, Aiden Fisher and Charlie Becker were among the players that paid their own way to the city to support Mendoza and had a private watch party at a local steakhouse. 

"He's everything the Heisman is about. He encapsulates what the trophy means and stands for, and the history of the trophy,” Coogan said Saturday morning. 

Mendoza's brother Alberto, IU’s backup quarterback, was also in New York and joined Fernando at the ceremony alongside their parents. 

Throughout the weekend, Mendoza pledged to follow Cignetti’s “24-hour celebration” rule and get back to work on prepping for the CFP after traveling back to Bloomington on Sunday night. 

“We are all honored to play in the Rose Bowl,” Mendoza said. “That’s a dream, especially my first three years I played at Cal, everyone always talked about the Rose Bowl what a great honor and such a magical place to play.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

Heisman Trophy award balloting

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fernando Mendoza wins Indiana football's first Heisman Trophy

Auburn's Elyjah Freeman was held out of the starting lineup for the Tigers neutral-site tilt against Chattanooga on Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. However, he still managed to make a giant impact on the outcome of the game.

Freeman scored 19 points and secured seven rebounds in the 92-78 win as the "sixth-man" off the bench, as freshman Sebastian Williams-Adams took over the slot usually reserved for him in the starting five. It was a surprise to see Freeman not in the starting lineup to begin the game, however, it was not a move made by head coach Steven Pearl, but rather by Freeman himself.

Freeman shot 40% or less in three of Auburn's previous five games before Saturday, and felt that it was time to allow Williams-Adams to get more time on the floor.

"Elyjah Freeman came into my office and said, listen, I think it'd be good if I came off the bench and let Sebastian (Williams-Adams) kind of run in there and start at the four, because he recognizes how important Sebastian is to winning and how much more he gets others involved," Pearl said postgame. "So, you know, just shows unbelievable maturity and growth from a young man like that."

Pearl feels that the sudden change gave Freeman confidence and allowed him to play more freely, which helped out the starting five in areas of struggle during the contest.

"I think it helped (Freeman's) performance and his confidence, just because he got more touches off the bench, which is really good, you know, but that starting group still got to do a better job," Pearl said. "We were way too lackadaisical in the first five minutes of the game."

Here is a look at who Auburn Wire writers, as well as Auburn fans, voted for as their "Tiger of the Game" after Auburn's 92-78 win over Chattanooga on Saturday in Atlanta.

Taylor Jones: Tahaad Pettiford

Tahaad Pettiford pieced together another great road performance by scoring 20 points and registering 2 assists. Pettiford averages 26.4 points per game away from Neville Arena, and will need to keep that same energy next Saturday when the Tigers face Purdue in Indianapolis.

Phillip Jordan: Elyjah Freeman

Freeman did not get the start in the game, turning the keys over to freshman Sebastian Williams-Adams. However, he still managed to make a giant impact on the game. Freeman scored 19 points and secured 7 rebounds in the win, and was perfect (3-for-3) from the free throw line. Freeman has now reached double-figures in points three times this season, and its the first time he has reached the feat since scoring 14 points in Auburn's win over Jackson State on Nov. 19.

Jac Myrick: Keyshawn Hall

Another day, another stellar performance from Keyshawn Hall. Hall led the team in points with 22 on Saturday, and secured 11 rebounds. Hall has scored at least 10 points in every game this season, and has logged five double-doubles. He also fueled Auburn's 78% free throw shooting efforts by connecting on 11-of-14 opportunities.

Fan vote: Keyshawn Hall

Auburn fans have spoken, and Keyshawn Hall is the "Tiger of the Game" for Auburn's win over Chattanooga by earning 52.6 percent of the vote, beating out the likes of Tahaad Pettiford, Sebastian Williams-Adams, and Elyjah Freeman. To have a say in who wins "Tiger of the Game" next time, visit Auburn Wire on X following every game to cast your vote.

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn basketball's key players from win over Chattanooga

The Ducks put an emphatic end to their losing streak.

Behind the most efficient offensive performance of the season and most productive in six seasons, Oregon defeated UC Davis, 104-62, in a nonconference men’s basketball game Dec. 13 in front of an announced crowd of 5,299 at Matthew Knight Arena.

It was the first 100-point game for the Ducks since Nov. 9, 2019, and the 13th in coach Dana Altman’s 16 seasons. It was also the most points Oregon has scored in a game since that 106-75 win against Boise State.

“I thought our ball movement was better so we got better shots,” Altman said. “… I thought we played pretty hard, pretty active, played with more energy, which was good to see.”

Jackson Shelstad scored 21 and had a career-high nine assists to lead the Ducks (5-5), who had lost five straight coming into the game. Takai Simpkins also scored 18 with three 3-pointers.

Kwame Evans Jr., who missed the Ducks’ last game with an illness, had a double-double in his return to the starting lineup with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Reserve forward Ege Demir also had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

“Just a confidence booster for us,” Shelstad said. “We just gotta keep the momentum going into Portland (at home Wednesday). … It’s good for us to come out and have a good one like that."

Oregon came into the game shooting 40.2% from the field with a season high of 47.2% before making 60.7% against UC Davis (5-4), which shot just 35.1% from the field Saturday.

Simpkins made 7 of 8 shot attempts, Evans was 5 for 5, Demir was 7 for 12 and Shelstad was 7 for 13.

“Everybody put work in, and the work showing.” Simpkins said. “Everybody shot good, everybody feeling good. Hope it just goes into the next game and the games after that.”

The Ducks pounced on the Aggies early, taking a 16-0 lead before UC Davis made its first basket in eight tries at the 13:33 mark of the first half. That remained the Aggies' only field goal until there was 8:34 to play in the first half.

Oregon didn’t have such problems. It made 54.3% from the field in the first half and lead 52-16 at the break.

“We jumped on them because we made a big point on just coming out and talking on defense, playing hard and when we started like that it just set the tone for the whole game,” Shelstad said. “We just gotta come out like that every night.”

Nate Bittle plays limited minutes

The starting center has been dealing with an ankle injury since the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas the week of Thanksgiving.

He missed games against Creighton and USC, but returned to play Dec. 6 against UCLA. He started again Saturday but played just seven minutes in the first half and finished with four points, one rebound and two blocks.

“He wasn’t moving very good and that ankle’s still bothering him a little bit and he didn’t practice much this week,” Altman said. “He says it’s not painful, it’s just stiff. He doesn’t have the power off it. There was no sense taking a chance in the second half.”

What's next for Oregon men's basketball?

The Ducks are back at Matthew Knight Arena Wednesday for an 8 p.m. game against Portland on Big Ten Network.

The Pilots are 6-4 with all of their wins coming at the Chiles Center in Portland, where they have a game against Kent State at 2 p.m. Sunday. Portland also has a win against UC Davis, 67-63 on Nov. 9.

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon men's basketball clicks on offense as Ducks snap losing streak

Fernando Mendoza has been on an incredible journey from his home in Miami to the Calgorithm to No. 1 Indiana. And now the Heismendoza campaign (unofficial, as he and his school haven't officially promoted his candidacy) has kept the Heisman Trophy in the hands of a South Florida native for the second straight year.

Mendoza won college football's top honor over Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love. Earlier in the week, the Indiana quarterback claimed the AP Player of the Year award. He'll lead the 13-0 Hoosiers to just their second Rose Bowl ever in January as the top-seeded team in the College Football Playoff.

Firsts have been a running theme throughout Mendoza's incredible season. The 22-year-old who starred at Christopher Columbus High School is the first Heisman winner of Cuban descent and just the third with Latino or Hispanic heritage. He is the first Indiana player to win it, as well, as part of the program's first outright Big Ten championship team since 1945. The night before, Mendoza became IU's first Davey O'Brien winner as the nation's top quarterback, as well as its second Maxwell Award winner for player of the year.

Mendoza led FBS with 33 touchdown passes and, adding in his six rushing scores, was responsible for 39 for the season, second only to USF's Byrum Brown. The redshirt junior threw for 2,980 yards on a .715 completion percentage with just six interceptions, and his 181.4 passer efficiency rating was second only to Sayin. He made his mark early on, throwing for four touchdowns in his second game after transferring from California and following that up with five TDs in back-to-back games. His 2-minute drive and unbelievable touchdown to beat Penn State in November broke the voice of Fox's Gus Johnson in one of the biggest moments of the 2025 college football season.

MORE ON THE FAMILY: Why Fernando Mendoza's mom inspires him while living with MS

Mendoza now gets to celebrate with his family. He can keep the party going in his own quarterback room, as little brother Alberto Mendoza is his backup at Indiana. He can live it up with his father, also named Fernando Mendoza, who played alongside Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal in high school. And he can enjoy the moment with his mom, Elsa Mendoza, whom he has frequently called his inspiration and guiding light as she lives with multiple sclerosis.

Who won Heisman Trophy?

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia came in second, followed by Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and then Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

Fernando Mendoza’s top plays, ranked

1. Touchdown pass to Omar Cooper in the final minute at Penn State (Nov. 8)
2. 33-yard bomb on third down to put away Ohio State in Big Ten championship (Dec. 6)
3. Game-winning touchdown to Elijah Sarratt at Oregon (Oct. 11)
4. Second straight five-touchdown game vs. Illinois (Sept. 20)

Heisman voting results

1. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB): xxx
2. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt QB): xxx
3. Julian Sayin (Ohio State QB): xxx
4. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame RB): xxx

Fernando Mendoza highlights

The Hoosiers were at risk of losing their first game of the season Nov. 8 at Penn State. Trailing by four with 1:51 left, Mendoza opened Indiana's drive by getting sacked at his own 13-yard line. He went to work from there, going 4 of 6 for 80 yards to get to the 7-yard line. The defense turned it on to force incompletions on the next two plays, and then rushed him up on the middle on third down with 36 second left. While falling away, Mendoza threw a dart in the back of the end zone, where Omar Cooper somehow brought it in with one toe scraping the grass in play for a go-ahead touchdown that led Fox announcer Gus Johnson to declare: "Give that man the Heisman!"

In a defensive struggle for the Big Ten championship, Mendoza had thrown a nice back-shoulder bullet to Elijah Sarratt early in the second half to give Indiana a 13-10 lead. That score held when Ohio State missed what would have been a game-tying field goal with less than 3 minutes to go. On third down after two straight rushes to force the Buckeyes into using their timeouts, Mendoza let loose a gorgeous moonball to Charlie Becker for 33 yards, putting the ball past midfield and all but icing the game, the No. 1 playoff seed and the Heisman Trophy.

How many Heismans has Indiana won?

Until Mendoza, Indiana has never had a Heisman winner. The closest was running back Anthony Thompson, who was the runner-up to Houston quarterback Andre Ware in 1989.

How many Cuban players have won the Heisman?

Mendoza becomes the first player of Cuban descent to win the Heisman Trophy. He is the third player of Latino or Hispanic descent to earn the award: Stanford's Jim Plunkett (1970) was of Mexican-American heritage, and the grandfather of Alabama's Bryce Young (2021) was born in Mexico.

Heisman winners list

Here are the past 10 winners of the Heisman Trophy:

• 2025: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB)
• 2024: Travis Hunter (Colorado WR/CB)
• 2023: Jayden Daniels (LSU QB)
• 2022: Caleb Williams (USC QB)
• 2021: Bryce Young (Alabama QB)
• 2020: DeVonta Smith (Alabama WR)
• 2019: Joe Burrow (LSU QB)
• 2018: Kyler Murray (Oklahoma QB)
• 2017: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma QB)
• 2016: Lamar Jackson (Louisville QB)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy. Highlights from his season

Fernando Mendoza has been on an incredible journey from his home in Miami to the Calgorithm to No. 1 Indiana. And now the Heismendoza campaign (unofficial, as he and his school haven't officially promoted his candidacy) has kept the Heisman Trophy in the hands of a South Florida native for the second straight year.

Mendoza won college football's top honor over Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love. Earlier in the week, the Indiana quarterback claimed the AP Player of the Year award. He'll lead the 13-0 Hoosiers to just their second Rose Bowl ever in January as the top-seeded team in the College Football Playoff.

Firsts have been a running theme throughout Mendoza's incredible season. The 22-year-old who starred at Christopher Columbus High School is the first Heisman winner of Cuban descent and just the third with Latino or Hispanic heritage. He is the first Indiana player to win it, as well, as part of the program's first outright Big Ten championship team since 1945. The night before, Mendoza became IU's first Davey O'Brien winner as the nation's top quarterback, as well as its second Maxwell Award winner for player of the year.

Mendoza led FBS with 33 touchdown passes and, adding in his six rushing scores, was responsible for 39 for the season, second only to USF's Byrum Brown. The redshirt junior threw for 2,980 yards on a .715 completion percentage with just six interceptions, and his 181.4 passer efficiency rating was second only to Sayin. He made his mark early on, throwing for four touchdowns in his second game after transferring from California and following that up with five TDs in back-to-back games. His 2-minute drive and unbelievable touchdown to beat Penn State in November broke the voice of Fox's Gus Johnson in one of the biggest moments of the 2025 college football season.

MORE ON THE FAMILY: Why Fernando Mendoza's mom inspires him while living with MS

Mendoza now gets to celebrate with his family. He can keep the party going in his own quarterback room, as little brother Alberto Mendoza is his backup at Indiana. He can live it up with his father, also named Fernando Mendoza, who played alongside Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal in high school. And he can enjoy the moment with his mom, Elsa Mendoza, whom he has frequently called his inspiration and guiding light as she lives with multiple sclerosis.

Who won Heisman Trophy?

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy. XXXXXXXX came in second.

Fernando Mendoza’s top plays, ranked

1. Touchdown pass to Omar Cooper in the final minute at Penn State (Nov. 8)
2. 33-yard bomb on third down to put away Ohio State in Big Ten championship (Dec. 6)
3. Game-winning touchdown to Elijah Sarratt at Oregon (Oct. 11)
4. Second straight five-touchdown game vs. Illinois (Sept. 20)

Heisman voting results

1. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB): xxx
2. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt QB): xxx
3. Julian Sayin (Ohio State QB): xxx
4. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame RB): xxx

Fernando Mendoza highlights

The Hoosiers were at risk of losing their first game of the season Nov. 8 at Penn State. Trailing by four with 1:51 left, Mendoza opened Indiana's drive by getting sacked at his own 13-yard line. He went to work from there, going 4 of 6 for 80 yards to get to the 7-yard line. The defense turned it on to force incompletions on the next two plays, and then rushed him up on the middle on third down with 36 second left. While falling away, Mendoza threw a dart in the back of the end zone, where Omar Cooper somehow brought it in with one toe scraping the grass in play for a go-ahead touchdown that led Fox announcer Gus Johnson to declare: "Give that man the Heisman!"

In a defensive struggle for the Big Ten championship, Mendoza had thrown a nice back-shoulder bullet to Elijah Sarratt early in the second half to give Indiana a 13-10 lead. That score held when Ohio State missed what would have been a game-tying field goal with less than 3 minutes to go. On third down after two straight rushes to force the Buckeyes into using their timeouts, Mendoza let loose a gorgeous moonball to Charlie Becker for 33 yards, putting the ball past midfield and all but icing the game, the No. 1 playoff seed and the Heisman Trophy.

How many Heismans has Indiana won?

Until Mendoza, Indiana has never had a Heisman winner. The closest was running back Anthony Thompson, who was the runner-up to Houston quarterback Andre Ware in 1989.

How many Cuban players have won the Heisman?

Mendoza becomes the first player of Cuban descent to win the Heisman Trophy. He is the third player of Latino or Hispanic descent to earn the award: Stanford's Jim Plunkett (1970) was of Mexican-American heritage, and the grandfather of Alabama's Bryce Young (2021) was born in Mexico.

Heisman winners list

Here are the past 10 winners of the Heisman Trophy:

• 2025: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB)
• 2024: Travis Hunter (Colorado WR/CB)
• 2023: Jayden Daniels (LSU QB)
• 2022: Caleb Williams (USC QB)
• 2021: Bryce Young (Alabama QB)
• 2020: DeVonta Smith (Alabama WR)
• 2019: Joe Burrow (LSU QB)
• 2018: Kyler Murray (Oklahoma QB)
• 2017: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma QB)
• 2016: Lamar Jackson (Louisville QB)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy. Highlights from his season

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is your 2025 Heisman Trophy winner. The ceremony had four finalists, including Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, but in the end, it was Mendoza who shone in some of the biggest moments, including in a 13-10 win over the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship game last Saturday.

Mendoza becomes the 79th Heisman winner and the first from Indiana. He also ends the streak of Big Ten players missing out on the award, the last being Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith back at the end of the 2006 season.

This season, Mendoza 226-of-316 passes (71.5%) for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns. He will next be in action on January 1 in the Rose Bowl with No. 1 seed Indiana taking on the winner of No. 8 seed Oklahoma and No. 9 seed Alabama.

Congratulations to the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, @IndianaFootball quarterback Fernando Mendoza!#Heisman | #MoreThanATrophypic.twitter.com/DMqXA16ode

— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) December 14, 2025

Congrats to Mendoza, and now let's get behind Sayin and his chances of winning the bronze statue next season as a redshirt sophomore. He should be one of the favorites heading into next season.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: The 2025 Heisman Trophy was announced on ESPN Saturday night

NEW YORK — Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza joked at the start of the weekend that growing up he thought his best shot at winning the Heisman was in a video game. 

The former two-star recruit once contemplated walking away from the sport thanks to the lack of interest from Power Four teams, but thanks to the advice of his mother Elsa, Fernando fought through the adversity to become the top player in the sport after winning the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.  

Mendoza is Indiana football’s first Heisman Trophy winner, beating out fellow finalists, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love for the award. 

“All those (struggles) were blessings,” Mendoza said this weekend. “They lit a fire underneath myself in order to make myself work harder and get to the point where I am today.”

More: Indiana football DC Bryant Haines signing lucrative extension

He entered the weekend as a heavy favorite for the award after leading IU to a top seed in the College Football Playoff and Big Ten championship. 

Mendoza had a series of Heisman-worthy moments during the Hoosiers' first perfect regular season with game-winning drives against the likes of Oregon and Penn State. His final Heisman pitch came in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State. 

After almost getting knocked out of the game on the first play, he made a series of clutch throws down the stretch to lead IU to its first league title since 1967. 

The Heisman completed a sweep of major national awards for Mendoza. 

He won the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award in the days leading up the Heisman ceremony. He was also named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year. 

Mendoza was only the second finalist in program history — former IU running back Anthony Thompson was runner-up in 1989 — and sixth top-10 finisher. Thompson was also the only other player in program history to win the Walter Camp and Maxwell, and Mendoza is the first player to win the Davey O’Brien.

Mendoza was joined in New York by a large contingent of teammates and coaches. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, athletic director Scott Dolson, offensive coordinator Mike Shahanan and quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer all attended the ceremony. 

Cignetti compared Mendoza to Jerry West, one of his idols growing up in West Virginia, during an interview with Holly Rowe during the ceremony.

"I can't think of a bigger compliment to pay a competitor," Cignetti said.

Pat Coogan, Carter Smith, Riley Nowakowski, Aiden Fisher and Charlie Becker were among the players that paid their own way to the city to support Mendoza and had a private watch party at a local steakhouse. 

"He's everything the Heisman is about. He encapsulates what the trophy means and stands for, and the history of the trophy,” Coogan said Saturday morning. 

Mendoza's brother Alberto, IU’s backup quarterback, was also in New York and joined Fernando at the ceremony alongside their parents. 

Throughout the weekend, Mendoza pledged to follow Cignetti’s “24-hour celebration” rule and get back to work on prepping for the CFP after traveling back to Bloomington on Sunday night. 

“We are all honored to play in the Rose Bowl,” Mendoza said. “That’s a dream, especially my first three years I played at Cal, everyone always talked about the Rose Bowl what a great honor and such a magical place to play.”

Heisman Trophy award balloting

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza named Heisman Trophy winner

On Saturday night, the 91st Heisman winner will be announced, as Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the four finalists who will contend for the most prestigious award college football has to offer.

All four players led their teams to double-digit wins. At the same time, Mendoza and Sayin are headed to the College Football Playoff after Indiana's Big Ten Championship win over the Buckeyes vaulted the Hoosiers to the No. 1-seed, receiving a first-round bye in the CFP.

For Texas A&M fans, former star quarterback Johnny Manziel, who won the program's second Heisman Trophy after his historic 2012 redshirt freshman season, was back in the news after Bleacher Report revealed back-to-back rushing comparisons to Jeremiyah Love's prolific 2025 rushing production, which led to him becoming a Heisman finalist.

Manziel threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns, while rushing for an incredible 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns on 201 carries, averaging seven yards per carry. Love, whose entire job is running and catching the ball, ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

This takes nothing away from Jeremiyah Love's incredible season, but is just another reason Johnny Manziel's 2012 season is still regarded as the most outstanding Heisman-winning campaign, outside of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton's 2010 Heisman season.

After throwing for 2,932 yards and 25 touchdowns, Texas A&M star QB Marcel Reed did not make the Heisman finalist cut.

There will never be another Johnny Football 💰🏆 pic.twitter.com/e3kkLTXp4Z

— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) December 13, 2025

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Why former Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel was a generational dual-threat

Former UCF defensive backs coach Brandon Harris is joining Jon Sumrall's staff at Florida in the same capacity, according to a report from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz.

Sumrall swept the rug from under Mike Norvell and Florida State after reports came in earlier in the week that Harris would join the Seminoles. With a five-year history of coaching in the Sunshine State, Harris is a big addition for the Gators from both a coaching and recruiting standpoint.

A former second-round pick who played college ball for the Miami Hurricanes, Harris started his coaching career in Dade County with Florida International University as a graduate assistant in 2019. He joined Florida State as a defensive analyst in 2020 and then returned to FIU as a position coach overseeing the cornerbacks. Florida Atlantic brought him on in the same role in 2022, promoting him to co-defensive coordinator the next season.

Florida is expected to hire UCF defensive backs coach Brandon Harris, sources tell @CBSSports.

Florida State had been working to hire him. Ultimately, he’s headed to Florida. The former Miami and NFL cornerback helped UCF rank 25th nationally in pass defense this season. pic.twitter.com/vTJYOC6X5l

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 13, 2025

Harris joined UCF in 2025 and helped the Knights put together one of the best passing defenses in program history. UCF allowed just 185.1 passing yards per game, the third-lowest since the Knights became an FBS program in 1996. The Black and Gold ranked 25th nationally in pass defense.

Having spent time in programs all throughout South Florida, Harris gives Sumrall a direct pipeline to one of the nation's hotbeds of high school football talent.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators football hiring UCF DB coach Brandon Harris

ATLANTA — Georgia basketball coach Mike White and Cincinnati coach Wes Miller connected in the summer to set up another high-major game to add to their nonconference schedules to help them come March.

It turned out to be another boost for a Bulldogs team that is exceeding preseason expectations.

The Bulldogs downed the Bearcats 84-65 on Saturday Dec. 13 in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event at State Farm Arena.

Georgia followed up its pasting of Florida State in Tallahassee on Dec. 2 with a shaky start following an 11-day layoff in an ESPNU game at a neutral site.

“Sometimes these environments can be difficult for young people,” White said afterwards.

Georgia trailed by as much as 11 in the first half, but went to halftime tied and outscored the Bearcats 47-28 in the second half when White thought the Bulldogs attacked Cincinnati’s zone and press well.

“I probably hyped up their defense too much,” White said. “That’s probably why we were really stagnant early in the game.”

Miller punched the air in disgust when Blue Cain was fouled on a 3-point try with 10:54 to go.

Cain sank all three free throws to push the lead to 61-51.

The junior guard was 5 of 12 from the field including 0 of 6 on 3s, but sank 12 of 14 free throws for a career-high 22 points.

“I just tried to let the game come to me,” Cain said.

Georgia was picked to finish 13^th in the SEC, but began the day 3^rd in the NCAA NET rankings among SEC teams and at No. 15 overall. The Bulldogs are sixth among SEC teams in the KenPom ratings at No. 25.

Georgia is leaning on its depth with 11 players in the rotation.

"Strength in numbers is definitely one things that stands out,” said Cain who played 33 minutes for a team that eight others played at least 12 minutes Saturday.

Georgia is starting three transfers White landed from the portal this offseason: guards Jeremiah Wilkinson and Jordan Ross and forward Kanon Catchings.

“We’ve come along way, we continue to get better,” White said mentioning a four-point exhibition win at Georgia State. “It’s another good win for us.”

Georgia also has a neutral site win over Xavier, a home win over Georgia Tech and an overtime loss to Clemson on its pre-SEC resume.

“We’ve got a really healthy locker room and we’ve got a high skill level,” White said. “I said really when the portal closed, this is probably the best passing team I’ve ever coached.”

Georgia tied its season high with 15 turnovers Saturday but had 18 assists with Cain leading the team with 5.

“Our turnovers need to come back down, but the assist turnover ratio is pretty good,” White said. “It could really good here the next couple of months if we continue to grow.”

The Bulldogs have set themselves up to start SEC play 12-1 if they can avoid stumbling at home in buy games left against Western Carolina (No. 275 KenPom) on Dec. 18, West Georgia (No. 311) on Dec. 22 and Long Island (No. 234) on Dec. 29.

The Bulldogs started 12-1 last season, went 8-10 in the SEC and reached its first NCAA Tournament since 2015.

Georgia was projected this week by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi as a No. 8 seed.

SEC play starts Jan. 3 against Auburn in Athens.

The Tigers had a game with Chattanooga that followed Georgia-Cincinnati on the same court. That allowed Georgia coaches to stick around and watch Auburn up close.

“We’ve got a lot of tough ones ahead of us,” White said.

The SEC may be down compared to its historically strong last season, but White said: “I don’t care what people are writing right now. It’s the best league in the country.”

Georgia still doesn’t have a Quad 1 win. It is 0-1 in that category with the loss to Clemson.

The Bulldogs worked on their defensive rebounding during its long layoff from games, but the Bearcats still had 14 offensive rebounds.

White thought the Bulldogs were better defensively than their numbers indicated entering and for a fourth straight game improved on its opponent’s field goal percentage from the last game.

Cincinnati made 23 of 65 shots for 35.4 percent.

“These guys, they work, they like to compete,” White said. “They’re bought into continuing to grow, especially defensively.”

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Where Georgia basketball stands with toughest nonconference games done

The North Carolina Tar Heels returned to the basketball court Saturday afternoon, hosting USC Upstate after a week off for final exams.

UNC, favored by nearly 30 points ahead of tip-off, started with strong transition offense. The Spartans slowly crept themselves back into the game, at one point taking a 21-20 lead, with approximately eight minutes left in the first half.

Upstate's lead lasted just under two minutes. North Carolina came roaring back out of the under-8 media timeout, closing the first half on a 17-7 run, en route to an 80-62 victory that ended with lockdown defense.

The Tar Heels (9-1) held the Spartans (6-6) scoreless for nearly six minutes, a defining factor in their first half-closing run. Jaydon Young gave UNC a lead that never disappeared, scoring his lone points on a clutch 3-pointer, while Caleb Wilson, Luka Bogavac and Henri Veesaar all scored during their team's much-needed run.

Perimeter shooting, an issue of inconsistency for North Carolina through its first nine games, was another defining factor in Saturday's win. Bogavac and Jonathan Powell, the latter of whom tied his career-high with 17 points, each drained three trifectas.

The Spartans (6-6) kept themselves within striking distance thanks to their own perimeter shooting, finishing 10-of-27 (37%). Upstate also gave itself plenty of second-chance point opportunities, wining the offensive rebounding battle 11-7.

Every good team needs an early-season scare, which the Tar Heels got plenty of from the Spartans. Take a look at our five takeaways from today's win.

Jonathan Powell's emergence gives UNC a GOOD roster problem.

Powell, a West Virginia transfer, is typically UNC's first man off the bench. He's a defensive-minded guard who also packs a scoring punch.

Saturday was Powell's breakout game in a Tar Heel uniform, tying his career high with 17 points. Powell drained six shots overall, three shots from deep and two free throws, while adding two steals and a rebound.

Seth Trimble will take over starting shooting guard duties when he returns from injury, which could be very soon, but Powell's breakout provided the Tar Heels with a fringe starter.

Free throw shooting is a problem that needs to be fixed

As great a game UNC played, guys struggled from the charity stripe. The Tar Heels made just 14 of their 22 free throws, with Caleb Wilson making a team-high seven – but also missing six.

North Carolina has to convert on its free chances, which prove the deciding factors come tournament time. Expect Hubert Davis having his players spend extra time at the charity stripe in ensuing practices.

Strong perimeter shooting helped UNC win

Most of the Tar Heels' offensive production comes from their post players, but head coach Hubert Davis made it an offseason priority to upgrade his team's perimeter shooting.

After a rough start from deep to begin its 2025-26 season, UNC is finally getting perimeter shots to fall. North Carolina made 10 threes on 23 attempts (43 percent) against Upstate, with Bogavac and Powell each making three.

The Tar Heels shot the ball well overall (28-of-55, 51%), but perimeter shooting was the offensive difference Saturday.

UNC allowed too many second-chance looks

Saturday was a rare day for UNC in one area: offensive rebounding, a program staple. USC Upstate out-rebounded the Tar Heels, 11-7, but didn't always convert on second-chance opportunities.

If this happened against a team like Kansas or Duke, there's a good chance North Carolina loses. Luckily, defense pulled through and kept the visiting Spartans at bay.

UNC will play better against ETSU

Even with exams all last week, UNC practiced every day. Davis denied exams as an excuse for the Tar Heels' lackluster play at times today, but in reality, his guys weren't 100 percent focused on basketball.

North Carolina has a quick turnaround, hosting ETSU on Tuesday at 8 p.m. With no final exams to worry about, players can zero in on their next opponent.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Five takeaways from Saturday victory vs. USC Upstate

The ninth-ranked Oklahoma women's basketball team won its 10th straight game Saturday in Oklahoma City, beating No. 23 Oklahoma State, 92-70.

The Sooners won for the seventh straight time in the rivalry. OSU's last victory came in March 2021.

A big third quarter opened things up for the Sooners as they outscored Oklahoma State, 30-19, in the period. The Sooners shot 13 of 21 from the field, including a 4-of-7 mark from 3-point range. The difference made it a 72-56 game heading into the fourth.

Raegan Beers led the way for OU, notching a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Sahara Williams added 18 points. Aaliyah Chavez and Zya Vann also scored in double figures with 15 points apiece. Micah Gray led Oklahoma State with 22 points, but she needed 23 field-goal attempts to get that total.

Oklahoma's margin of victory against OSU was the biggest since the current winning streak against the rivals from Stillwater started when OU won, 84-58, in January 2022.

Key Statistics

Ball movement helped Oklahoma pull away as the Sooners collected 24 assists on their 39 field goals. Oklahoma State relied more on the one-on-one style as OSU managed just nine assists on its 28 makes from the floor.

The passes led to easier bucks as Oklahoma shot 51% from the field against OSU's 38% and the Sooners outscored Oklahoma State, 50-28, in the paint.

Next Opponent

Oklahoma has just one nonconference game remaining before Southeastern Conference play begins on New Year's Day. The Sooners host North Carolina Central for a noon tip on Monday, Dec. 22.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma women handle Oklahoma State hours after men did the same

The late Louisville basketball star Junior Bridgeman joined an exclusive group Saturday, when his No. 10 jersey was retired during halftime of the No. 11 Cardinals' game against rival Memphis at the KFC Yum! Center.

Bridgeman, who played under the late Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum at UofL from 1972–75 and went on to become one of the world's wealthiest athletes, died in March at age 71 after suffering a medical emergency during a fundraising event at the Galt House. His No. 10 is only the sixth retired in program history.

The other retired numbers are Russ Smith (No. 2), Charlie Tyra (No. 8), Wes Unseld (No. 31), Darrell Griffith (No. 35) and Pervis Ellison (No. 42).

About a month after Bridgeman's death, during a Louisville Athletic Association board meeting, athletics director Josh Heird gave an emotional tribute to the former Card and pillar of the community. "We're going to find a way and a time to honor this man," he said.

Saturday, his family and teammates during UofL's run to the 1975 Final Four were in attendance as a banner featuring his likeness and jersey number was added to the Yum! Center rafters.

"On the court, he gave us unforgettable moments. Off the court, he carried himself with unmatched humility and class, setting a standard of human excellence that continues to inspire our program every day," Heird said in a statement when this ceremony was announced in October. "Retiring his jersey is not only a tribute to his incredible career, but also a way for Card Nation to say, 'Thank you.'"

Bridgeman, an East Chicago, Indiana, native, ranks 29th among Louisville's all-time leading scorers with 1,348 points on 51.7% shooting across 87 games. He holds the program record for the most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game: 36 during a first-round victory over Rutgers on March 15, 1975.

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bridgeman eighth overall in the 1975 NBA Draft, then traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent most of his 12 years at the sport's highest level with Milwaukee and finished his professional career averaging 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

The Bucks retired Bridgeman's jersey in 1988. In 2024, he bought a 10% stake in the franchise.

Bridgeman began building his business empire while he was playing in the NBA, starting with fast food and then working his way into Coca-Cola bottling and owning magazines such as Ebony and Jet. In 2016, Forbes listed him as the world's fourth-wealthiest athlete — behind only Michael Jordan, David Beckham and the late Arnold Palmer.

Around Louisville, he's known for his philanthropy and helping inspire business leaders.

"He lived by the Scripture reading where it says, 'To whom much is given, much is required,'" said Dana Johnson, the vice president of economic inclusion at Greater Louisville Inc., during a March interview with The Courier Journal. "He was very intentional about giving back and really pouring into individuals, just on a personal level, a spiritual level, sharing his experiences."

UofL coach Pat Kelsey on Friday called Bridgeman "arguably the greatest citizen in the history of this city," right up there with Muhammad Ali. His biggest takeaway from their interactions? The billionaire entrepreneur's humility.

"We can sit in here for hours talking about all the good that he's done for the world and for the community, but it's the things that he did out of the kindness of his heart — not wanting any attention," Kelsey said. "... I'm blessed in the short amount of time (I had) to get to know him. I wish I had more time to get to know him better, but the stories will live on. His legacy will live on."

Isaac McKneely will be the last Cards player to wear No. 10. Bridgeman's number will be off limits after the 2025-26 season.

"I'm never going to live up to what he did here as a Louisville Cardinal," the senior guard said before the season tipped off. "Hopefully, I can do 1% of what he did — on the court, obviously, but off the court, as well."

This story will be updated.

Courier Journal business reporter Olivia Evans contributed to this report.

Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball retires Junior Bridgeman's No. 10 jersey

The parade of postseason college football awards has started, and with it, the various All-American teams. Not all All-American teams are created equal, however, because to be considered a consensus All-American, just five publications are recognized. Those five are the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and Walter Camp Football Foundation.

We just received our first of those five All-American teams on Friday, and four Ohio State players made the first team, while two more appeared on the second team. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebacker Arvell Reese, and safety Caleb Downs were all named first-team All-Americans.

Smith, widely known as the best receiver in the game, was snubbed for the Biletnikoff Award on Friday. He's caught 80 passes for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. You can bet that he'll make more All-American lists going forward. Smith has had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and still has his junior year to go.

McDonald has flashed on the scene this year in the middle of the defensive line and is a potential first-round NFL draft pick come April. He clogs up the middle and has tallied 57 tackles with eight tackles for loss and three sacks.

Reese has also come out of nowhere to be considered one of the best linebackers in the country and also a potential first-round NFL draft pick. He has been used all over the field because of his ability to run and react to plays at several levels. He's had 62 tackles with ten tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Downs has already taken home the Jim Thorpe Award and is considered by many as the best defensive player in the game, though he did not win the Bednarik Award. Like Reese, he is one of the linchpins of the defense, often lining up at all three levels. He has registered 60 total tackles with five tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a sack so far this year.

Not to be forgotten, quarterback Julian Sayinn and defensive end Caden Curry were honored as Second-Team All-Americans. Sayin is one of four Heisman Finalists and will be a part of all the ceremonies on Saturday night.

2025 @waltercampFF All-America First and Second Teams --- the nation's oldest All-America team! https://t.co/7eED8be6eOpic.twitter.com/o8fcU09Qdr

— Walter Camp Football (@WalterCampFF) December 13, 2025

Ohio State is the only program to have four First-Teamers. We'll keep an eye out as the other four main publications announce their All-American teams and see if any of the four making the First-Team can continue the march towards making consensus honors.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Six Ohio State players named to the Walter Camp All-American Team

LSU football quarterback Garrett Nussmeier wore the LSU uniform for five seasons, including two as the starter. He climbed the leaderboard for career passing yards and finished among the best.

Nussmeier finished No. 3 on LSU's all-time leading passers list with 7,699 passing yards. Tommy Hodson (9,115) and Joe Burrow (8,565) rank first and second, respectively. He came into the season with 5,772 yards and needed over 3,000 yards.

Had Nussmeier somewhat replicated his numbers from last season, he would reign atop the list. He appeared in nine games in 2025, dealing with torso injury for much of the season, finishing with 1,927 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.

A Lake Charles, LA native, Nussmeier would've likely been an early round pick in last year's NFL Draft but chose to return to Baton Rouge to chase a national championship with his home state school. Instead, the Tigers lost three of four games midseason and played themselves out of contention for the College Football Playoffs.

LSU Football Passing Yards Leaderboard

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Where Nussmeier finished on LSU's all-time passing yards leaderboard

While the focus of every Alabama Crimson Tide fan is on the 2025 College Football Playoff, the NFL Draft machine whirls on without any thought to anything else.

The draft, to be held next April in Pittsburgh near Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) is 131 days away. With the college football regular season over, many draft-eligible players will be sitting out bowl games with eyes toward future paychecks.

Alabama, meanwhile, still has a College Football Playoff game to play and hopefully a national championship run to put together. They'll face the Oklahoma Sooners in the CFP's first game, Friday at 7 p.m. CT at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC and ESPN.

Which Alabama players from Kalen DeBoer's 2025 team could soon join other former Crimson Tide stars on NFL rosters in 2026? On Saturday, USA TODAY Sports' NFL Draft analyst Ayrton Ostly looked at the top 10 draft prospects at every position on offense.

Here are his thoughts on Alabama players.

Ty Simpson is No. 2 quarterback in NFL Draft class, USA TODAY Sports says

Ty Simpson's struggles since November began have been well-chronicled both here and elsewhere, but per USA TODAY Sports' analysis, the first-year SEC starter is still a top NFL Draft quarterback.

He's even the second-best quarterback in the 2026 draft class, Ostly writes. Simpson ranks one spot below Indiana Hoosiers star Fernando Mendoza as the top QB in this year's class, and is one spot ahead of Oregon's Dante Moore.

Ostly explains:

"Simpson has shown a lot of good in his lone season as the starter for the Crimson Tide, but his lack of experience will be a major knock, as will his performances against Georgia and Oklahoma. The son of a FCS football coach, Simpson could grow into the best of the group with all of the traits evaluators liked out of Mac Jones but with more mobility."

Simpson enters the CFP with 3,268 passing yards and 26 touchdowns to five interceptions in 13 games.

Kadyn Proctor is not the top offensive tackle in 2026 NFL Draft class

USA TODAY Sports' ranking of the top 10 offensive tackles eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft sees Alabama's Kadyn Proctor in the top five, but not at No. 1. Proctor ranks third on the list, behind Utah's Spencer Fano and Miami's Francis. Mauigoa.

Ostly said of Proctor:

"Proctor is a true outlier athletically at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds, but his inconsistency has hampered his outlook."

Parker Brailsford, Germie Bernard named top NFL Draft prospects

Brailsford, a junior in his fourth different season with Kalen DeBoer since Washington, has started 11 games this season. USA TODAY Sports ranks him as the ninth-best interior lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Logan Jones of Iowa is one spot ahead of Brailsford.

"Jones' athleticism and run blocking acumen at center will make him an ideal fit in a zone-based scheme but he'll need to improve his play strength to last long-term. Brailsford is the smallest of the bunch at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds and that shows up against bigger opponents despite his twitchy athleticism." --USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly.

Another player dating to DeBoer's time at Washington, Bernard checked in at No. 7 on the list of best draft-eligible wide receivers. Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State's Carnell Tate were ranked the top two receivers in the 2026 draft class.

Ostly said of Bernard:

"Bernard is a savvy wide receiver who knows how to attack both inside or outside. He's not elite at anything but very good at pretty much everything."

Alabama football schedule 2025

• Aug. 30: at Florida State (L, 31-17)
• Sept. 6: vs. UL Monroe (W, 73-0)
• Sept. 13: vs. Wisconsin (W, 38-14)
• Sept. 27: at Georgia (W, 24-21)
• Oct. 4: vs. Vanderbilt (W, 30-14)
• Oct. 11: at Missouri (W, 27-24)
• Oct. 18: vs. Tennessee (W, 37-20)
• Oct. 25: at South Carolina (W, 29-22)
• Nov. 8: vs. LSU (W, 20-9)
• Nov. 15: vs. Oklahoma (L, 23-21)
• Nov. 22 vs. Eastern Illinois (W, 56-0)
• Nov. 29: at Auburn (W, 27-20)
• Dec. 6: vs. Georgia at SEC Championship Game (L, 28-7)
• Dec. 19: at Oklahoma (CFP first round)

Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football has four top 10 NFL Draft eligible players on roster

A crucial hire for any football program is the strength and conditioning coach. A strength and conditioning coach spends more time with the players than anyone else, and is responsible for the physical development of players and injury prevention techniques for the team. Pat Fitzgerald has found his guy to be the programs next head of strength and conditioning.

According to a report from 247Sports, Joel Welsh will be the Spartans next strength and conditioning coach. Welsh has most previously been the director of sport performance at Central Michigan since 2019, and has previously worked with Iowa from 2012-to-2016 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

SCOOP: #MichiganState is set to hire Joel Welsh as strength & conditioning coach, sources tell us & @mzenitz.

He was Central Michigan’s director of sport performance and previously worked at Iowa from 2012-2016.

More (FREE): https://t.co/CHzL1fpJPFpic.twitter.com/nVqw9wiCSx

— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) December 13, 2025

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State set to hire strength and conditioning coach, per report

USC men's basketball is back in the win column. After suffering a frustrating loss against Washington last weekend, the Trojans took down San Diego on Tuesday to improve to 9-1 on the season. It wasn't always pretty, but the Trojans got it done.

That's kind of the name of the game for the Trojans for the rest of this calendar year. USC has 3 more non conference games to finish off 2025, before restarting Big Ten conference play on January 2, all of which the Trojans should be expected to win. Without key players such as Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice and Amarion Dickerson, the Trojans just need to survive and get it done and hope those players can return to the lineup early in 2026.

So, USC turns its attention to Washington State. Here are five things to watch as USC takes on the Cougars on Sunday evening in search of the Trojans' tenth win of the season:

Changes to the starting lineup?

USC has shuffled its starting lineup a little bit this season, mostly due to injuries. But on Tuesday against the Toreros, the Trojans made a significant non-injury related lineup change, swapping Ryan Cornish into the starting five and moving Terrance Williams II to the bench.

Here's what Eric Musselman said about the lineup change after the game:

"We need to get something out of all five starters," Musselman said. "We felt like Ryan had the right mentality. We felt like Ryan would move the ball, and then defensively, Ryan took a couple of charges. He's given us a little bit of a defensive intensity and some toughness that I thought we needed."

Will Cornish continue to start moving forward, or was that just a one-time, matchup related decision? If Cornish is back on the bench, will Williams II return to the starting five or will someone else take his place? Let's keep an eye on all of that.

Can Chad Baker-Mazara continue his historic streak?

Ever since star USC guard Rodney Rice went down with injury during the Maui Invitational, Chad Baker-Mazara has been excellent offensively as the Trojans' clear primary scoring option.

He scored 31 points against San Diego, making him the first USC player to score 20 or more points in four straight games since Byron Wesley in 2013-14.

Will he make it five straight? Or will the Cougars be the first team to figure out how to slow him down?

Can USC tighten things up defensively?

This has been a season-long storyline that becomes more relevant in this game. USC has dramatically exceeded expectations on the offensive side of the ball, but the tough defensive identity that is typical of Eric Musselman-led teams hasn't shown up nearly as prominently.

USC is allowing 78.5 points per game and allowing its opponents to shoot 41% from the field. That's not awful, and they have won in spite of it, but it's not elite. Those totals make the Trojans tied for 286th in the country in opponent points per game allowed and 102nd in the country in opponent field goal percentage allowed.

Playing Washington State represents an opportunity for the Trojans to tighten things up on that side of the basketball. The Cougars have struggled to score in their last three games. Their opponents have held them to under 64 points in each of their last 3 outings, all losses.

Could this be a confidence-building game for the Trojans defensively?

This could be a needed morale boost for Washington State

Speaking of confidence boosters, there are few teams in the entire country that could use a pick me up more than Washington State. The Cougars are 3-7 on the season, and have lost to several programs from smaller conferences that would historically be considered inferior. None of their wins have inspired much confidence either.

If the Cougars can find a way to beat the Trojans, or at least remain competitive until the bitter end, that could help turn their season around.

On the other hand, if the Trojans hand them a massive blowout and send their season spiraling to a new low, it's just going to make it that much harder for the Cougars to turn their season around.

A homecoming for Ace Glass

One of Washington State's most exciting players, Ace Glass, is from Southern California. Glass grew up in Rialto, CA and went to Rancho Cucamonga High School.

The freshman guard is certainly the Cougars' most dangerous player. He has averaged 16.6 points per game this season, and had a 40-point outing versus Arizona State in the Maui Invitational. But he struggles with consistency and efficiency.

Could Glass be motivated by being back in Southern California? Will his friends and family from the area come watch and fuel him to the best performance of his young career?

Or can the Trojans force him into a poor shooting night?

It's a clear battle of wills between these former Pac-12 rivals, and it could turn out to be a Christmas season classic.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC men's basketball faces Washington State Cougars at Galen Center

New Michigan State football head coach Pat Fitzgerald has made the latest hire to his program on Saturday. Jacob Schmidt has been tabbed as the program's new Chief of Staff.

Schmidt worked with Fitzgerald in Evanston at Northwestern as a director of football operations for over a decade. Since David Braun took over the program, he has shifted into more of a leader in Northwestern's NIL space.

The hiring of Schmidt will be replacing Dan Van De Riet, who served as the Chief of Staff under Jonathan Smith for the past two years.

NEWS: #MichiganState has hired Jacob Schmidt as Pat Fitzgerald’s Chief of Staff, per sources.

He was Northwestern’s director of football operations for almost 11 years, before spending the last 3 years leading NU’s NIL collective.

Read (FREE): https://t.co/2m4lq09J45pic.twitter.com/t1YubM2dc4

— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) December 13, 2025

A fun note, Schmidt also made an impact on the football field in his time at Northwestern, going from walk-on to starting running back in his career, going for over 1,300 all purpose yards in his career.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Pat Fitzgerald tabs Jacob Schmidt as Chief of Staff of Michigan State

No. 23 Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will conclude its 2025 football season in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on Dec. 30. The Vols will face Illinois (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kickoff between the Vols and Fighting Illini is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EST (ESPN).

Ahead of the Music City Bowl, Tennessee junior linebacker Arion Carter announced he declared for the 2026 NFL draft.

"With a lot a lot of prayer and conversations with my family and those closest to me, I've decided to declare for the NFL draft," Carter announced.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker appeared in 31 games for the Vols from 2023-25. He totaled 161 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, 10 pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The NFL draft will be held April 23–25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

More: Two Tennessee cornerbacks projected as first-round picks in NFL draft

More: Illinois defensive lineman announces transfer ahead of Tennessee game

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee linebacker declares for NFL draft ahead of Music City Bowl

The Georgia Bulldogs have three players on the All-SEC freshman team, which is the most in the conference.

Georgia redshirt freshman running back Chauncey Bowens made the team despite a nagging injury slowing him down over the last several weeks. He went down with an injury in the SEC championship against Alabama and it is unclear if he'll be 100% for the College Football Playoff.

Bowens posted 98 carries for 516 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns this season. He took over for Nate Frazier as Georgia's top running back during early parts of the year while Frazier dealt with fumble issues.

Offensive lineman Dontrell Glover, a true freshman, and former three-star recruit also made the All-SEC freshman team. Glover made an instant impact with Georgia this season. He appeared in all 13 games for UGA including several starts. He along with five-star recruit Juan Gaston both saw a lot of early playing time with Georgia as true freshmen. However, Gaston did not make the All-SEC freshman team.

Defensive lineman Elijah Griffin has lived up to his five-star recruiting ranking in his first season in Athens and earned an All-SEC freshman team nod. Griffin has recorded 18 tackles and a sack this season and has already shown a significant amount of proficiency as a pass rusher.

Georgia redshirt freshman defensive back Ellis Robinson is the Bulldogs' biggest snub from the All-SEC freshman team. Robinson is playing at an elite level and leads the SEC with four interceptions.

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Three UGA football players make All-SEC freshman team

The Cleveland Browns are not an opponent the Bears should take lightly, even if they are missing players at just about every position. The Bears have hopes to win the division and make the playoffs, so this is not a game they can afford to lose. The Browns, however, are just hoping the start of the 2026 season can come sooner. The Browns still have much left to play for, and Myles Garrett, trying for the sack record, is one big factor that can disrupt the Bears' getting a much-needed win. The Bears are clearly the better team, but the Browns have matchups they still can take advantage of.

Here is my analysis of how the Bears stack up against the Cleveland Browns at every position:

Quarterback

Shedeur is coming off the best performance in his small sample size this season as a starter against Tennessee. Shedeur has brought energy to this offense and made it way more of an explosive unit. The obvious answer is Caleb Williams, mainly because of the big gap in experience. Caleb Williams is the more talented quarterback and has a higher ceiling as well. Williams still has had his fair share of mistakes this season, and he hasn't had the perfect year 2 to the level of his counterpart, Drake Maye. I have hope that sometime soon, both quarterbacks featured in this matchup will be in contention for being top ten quarterbacks in the NFL. I believe both quarterbacks will have impressive showings and have a touchdown battle in this one, just like their days in college, when Shedeur was at Colorado and Caleb at USC.

Running back

Quinshon Judkins has been the best rookie running back in the NFL this season and is on pace for a 1000 rushing season. Teams have played the Browns offense differently and have stacked the box, making it more difficult for Judkins to have dominant performances. I like what he has done this season, but with his poor offensive line starting 5 going into this game, I think he will have limited production versus the Bears. The Browns will be without Maliek Collins, a huge loss to their interior, and with how the Bears' offensive line has been playing, I see the Bears' running backs having great success. Kyle Monangai has been just as effective as Judkins all while sharing carries. I think Monangai will be the better rookie running back on the field in this one. D'Andre Swift will also find his own success, and the recipe of two running backs being equally effective on the ground will come into place for another week for the Chicago Bears. I see both Swift and Monangai running for over 50 yards on the ground, and Judkins running for less than 60 yards.

Playmakers

The Browns have the worst set of playmakers on offense than any other team in the NFL. Harold Fannin Jr. has been a special surprise this season and has been the best tight end in his draft class as of late. He and Shedeur Sanders are building a great rapport. Jerry Jeudy is a nice receiver, but this season has been a huge disappointment. He still can have 100 yards receiving on any given Sunday. The Bears' weapons are the clear favorites in this matchup. Even without number one receiver Rome Odunze out, D.J. Moore, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Cole Kmet are a great bunch of playmakers. Caleb Williams has the necessary pieces for him to have a great day against a great defense, and Sheduer will have to get as much out of his connection with Fannin Jr. to have success against an underrated Bears defense. I think this will be a game where rookies on both sides dominate. I think Fannin Jr. will have the big game for the Browns. For the Bears, it will be another rookie tight end that is on the rise, with Colston Loveland and dynamic rookie receiver Luther Burden, who lead the Bears in receiving yards in this game.

The Trenches

The Browns will be without 4 of their 5 starting offensive linemen for this game, and their 5th starting linemen, Joel Bitonio, is questionable. Ironically, the Bears will have to face former Bear Tevin Jenkins, who will get a chance to start. It sounds like Shedeur Sanders will be running for his life, and the Bears' defensive line has a great matchup ahead of them. The Bears' offensive line has had 4 of their main key starters play every game, and Ozzy Trapilo has fit in very well alongside the core 4. There are not many better offensive lines than the one in Chicago. The Bears have the clear edge on that position. Myles Garrett carries the Browns' defensive line as the best unit in this one. Even if the defensive line featured one man in Myles Garrett, I would still take that unit over what the Bears have.

Linebackers

With the Bears' linebackers group still missing Tremaine Edmunds, I would give the edge to the Browns. Carson Schwesinger has been elite all season as a rookie and has finally given the Browns stability at the linebacker position. Myles Garrett is so dominant and deserves all the recognition he gets. Carson Schwesinger deserves more credit for how good the browns have been this year. With T.J. Edwards getting back in the swing of things, I would say Carson Schwesinger is the best linebacker in this game. Devin Bush and Jerome Baker are quality linebackers to follow Schwesinger's lead.

Secondary

The Browns' secondary on its best day is just as good as the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately for the Browns, they will be without stud cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward can lock down an entire side of the field by himself. Tyson Campbell is a nice addition to complement Ward, and the Browns have solid safety play with Grant Delpit. Without Ward, this secondary is easily getable. The Bears, on the other hand, have two players who will more than likely get All-Pro nods. Jaylon Johnson might be on a pitch count in this game as well, but the Bears will get Tyrique Stevenson back, making this secondary deeper than it has been in past games. The Bears have the better secondary and will provide their opponent with the toughest matchup.

Special teams

The Bears have been a great special teams unit over the last few games, and Richard Hightower deserves massive credit for how the Bears have performed in that category. I think the Bears' special teams unit gives them the edge in many matchups, and this week versus the Browns is no different.

Coaching

Kevin Stefanski has won two Coach of the Year awards in his tenure in Cleveland. Stefanski has seen great success in Cleveland, restoring this team to being a competitive team in the AFC. That has not been the case for the last two years. This season, Stefanski gave up play-calling duties, and this Browns offense has still been a complete mess. Stefanski has not handled his quarterback situation that well this season, and to say Stefanski still deserves grace because of his previous success is an injustice for this franchise. The Browns have a lot of problems on this team; Kevin Stefanski is not a solution to any of them. Ben Johnson, on the flipside, has turned the Bears from a team that didn't know how to win to a team that is now a legit playoff team this year. In my opinion, as things currently stand, Ben Johnson is a better coach than Kevin Stefanski. I think Ben Johnson will get the best of Stefanski this week and make Stefanski's seat even hotter.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Position-by-position analysis of Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns

In his first team meeting with Virginia Tech, it's safe to say that former Penn State head coach James Franklin didn't pull any punches when it came to his former team.

Franklin was fired by the Nittany Lions in the middle of October after losing two straight games to unranked UCLA and Northwestern squads after starting 3-0 and being ranked the preseason No. 2 team in the country. This came a year after they had made it all the way to the CFP semifinals. Now, what with the fallout with the Nittany Lions and his ensuing hire, he decided to take a parting shot at the program.

In his first team meeting with his players at Tech, he highlighted a potential reason for those two pivotal losses that may stun Penn State fans and staff alike. “I’m a players’ coach,” he began. “That’s all I care about. When things changed at Penn State, the reason I struggled is because I care about the players.”

While on the surface, those words could be motivational in nature, it has heavy implications for what that means the rest of the staff at Penn State thought of the players. It sheds a bad light on the program while only vaguely addressing the deeper issues in the team.

With no specifics to explain Franklin's words, it's tough to say if he truly was critical of the squad. Still, it's interesting to see how flippant the comment seems.

I guess if he continues his winning ways in Blacksburg, no one will care much about what he says.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Franklin critical of Penn State in first team meeting with Virginia Tech

Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley was named SEC Freshman of the Year by the Associated Press on Friday.

A redshirt freshman for the Vols, he also earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors from the league's coaches.

In addition, three other Tennessee players received All-SEC honors from the Associated Press. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II and offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. earned All-SEC First-Team honors, while cornerback Colton Hood was named the All-SEC Second Team.

The redshirt freshman ranked sixth in the conference for receiving yards (806) and receiving yards per game (67.2). Staley led all SEC freshmen in both categories. He also tied for the league lead among SEC freshmen with six touchdown receptions.

Brazzell II emerged as one of the nation's top receivers in 2025. He was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist. He totaled 1,017 receiving yards, ranking ninth in Tennessee history. Brazzell II led the league nine touchdown receptions, while recording four 100-yard games.

Moe Jr. was consistently rated as one of the nation's top blockers by Pro Football Focus and had the highest grade of all Vols' offensive linemen (73.7), a mark that led all offensive guards in the SEC. He allowed one sack and 11 quarterback pressures, while playing 689 offensive snaps.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Braylon Staley, three other Vols earn SEC honors from Associated Press

Award season is here in college football, and while we wait for the Heisman Trophy to be given out on Saturday night, we saw a bunch of other prestigious honors awarded on Friday night.

Among those was the Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in the nation for the 2025 season. Oregon Ducks' TE Kenyon Sadiq was named as a finalist for this award, but unfortunately, he did not win. That honor ultimately went to Vanderbilt Commodores TE Eli Stowers, who finished the year with 62 catches for 769 yards and four touchdowns.

While Stowers had great numbers, his TD production was outdone by Sadiq, who had 40 catches for 490 yards and eight touchdowns. Remarkably, Sadiq caught a TD pass on average once every five times he got the ball.

Regardless of whether or not he won the Mackey Award, Sadiq is believed to be the best tight end in the nation and the No. 1 player at the position in his draft class. He will undoubtedly be the first TE off of the board in the 2026 NFL draft this spring, assuming that he declares, and will likely be a first-round pick.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq misses out on Mackey Award

The Oklahoma Sooners were given their 2026 schedule for the program’s third season in the Southeastern Conference on Thursday. It was already known what teams OU would be playing next year, but now we know when those games will take place. 

This year will look a little different in the SEC, with the league moving from eight conference games to nine. All 16 teams are also required to play at least one team from the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, or Notre Dame each year going forward. The SEC will continue to play without divisions, and the top two teams will play in the SEC Championship Game. Starting in 2026, and going until at least 2029, each team will play three annual rivals each season, while hosting and visiting every other team once in the four-year span. For OU, their yearly rivals will be Texas, Missouri and Ole Miss.

In addition to at least 10 games against Power Four opposition, the college football regular season will be one week shorter in 2026 than it was in 2025, due to the way the calendar falls, with teams playing 12 games in 13 weeks, with one bye week. The SEC gets going on Labor Day Weekend in Week 1 of the new season. 

The Sooners will see a bunch of different teams next year from their first two seasons in the SEC, but it’s still a tough schedule for a team that will be coming off of (at least) a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Here are three takeaways from OU’s 2026 schedule, as Brent Venables and his squad will look to build on a strong 2025 season. 

1. The Sooners will face 12 FBS opponents in 2026

Aside from their nine league games and the big non-conference matchup on the road against Michigan, the Sooners will host UTEP and New Mexico in September, meaning there are 12 FBS opponents on the docket, and none from the FCS. 

Only one other SEC team can say the same, as Texas also won’t be playing an FCS team in 2026. In Oklahoma’s case, they aren’t scheduled to face an FCS opponent until at least 2029, and it may be even further down the road than that. The addition of another conference game is making everyone’s schedule harder, but the Sooners are certainly not taking the easy road at all. 

2. Oklahoma’s start is brutal

After the season-opener at home against UTEP, the Sooners will head to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan in an important early season clash. However, the early portion of the schedule is unforgiving for Oklahoma. The Sooners will head back home to take on New Mexico before going right back on the road to play defending SEC Champion Georgia to close out September. 

It doesn’t stop there though, as OU gets their only bye week of the season in Week 5 after the Georgia game, before their annual date with Texas in the Red River Rivalry on October 10th in Dallas. If Oklahoma can make it through that portion of the schedule in good shape, it’ll tell us a lot about this team early on. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an opening six weeks in the country that are tougher than Oklahoma’s. 

3. OU’s November is loaded again

The month of October should be a bit more manageable for Oklahoma. They’ll host Kentucky, visit Mississippi State, and host what could be a tricky South Carolina team in the three-week stretch after they leave the Cotton Bowl. Then, the slate gets rough again in the month of November. 

The Sooners will head to The Swamp to face Florida to open the month, followed by back-to-back home games (for the only time all season) against Ole Miss and Texas A&M, two playoff teams this year. Then, Oklahoma will close out the regular season on the road against Missouri, a team that will be hyped up for a game that they consider to be a rivalry matchup. 

It’s yet to be seen what many of the teams in the SEC will be in 2026, but that’s once again a pretty tough schedule for the Sooners in Year 3 in the league. Venables and his team put together a remarkable November stretch run in 2025. If the Sooners can survive a very strong opening schedule, they may have the opportunity to build a resume with strong November wins and make a push for the playoff again in 2026. 

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: OU's 2026 schedule: 3 takeaways

It was a historic night for Notre Dame football and Jeremiyah Love, as he became the first Irish back to win the Doak Walker Award on Friday night.

This wasn’t a surprise at all, as he was clearly the most impressive back this fall in college football. Love ran for 1,372-yards on 199 carries with 18 touchdowns while adding 27 receptions for 280-yards and 3 more scores.

He was a complete back, and Notre Dame limited his carries throughout the season due to Jadarian Price being extremely effective as well. Love was clearly the star and it wasn’t a surprise for social media to react that way to him winning. Check out below the best reactions to Jeremiyah Love winning the Doak Walker Award.

Notre Dame was ready for this

You inspire us all, Jeremiyah.

The 2025 Doak Walker Award Winner, Jeremiyah Love 🫶#GoIrish🫶 | @JeremiyahLovepic.twitter.com/EfXxA43lIN

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) December 13, 2025

It’s pretty easy to root for Love, he’s one of the most exciting players in the game. Him winning this award would be a fitting end to his Irish career, as many expect him to leave early to the NFL.

Jeremiyah Love has set the standard at Notre Dame

Jeremiyah Love on being the first Fighting Irish RB to win the Doak Walker Award: “There’s a lot of weight that comes with that. I’m setting the standard for running backs here at Notre Dame. I’m just hoping the next guys that come after me can set a higher standard than I did.” pic.twitter.com/X8aBPir7dm

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) December 13, 2025

There have been plenty of very, very good running backs in Notre Dame’s history, but no other on can say they’ve won the Doak Walker like Love can. At minimum the modern standard, as we won’t forget his fantastic three years any time soon.

Ja’Juan Seider knows ball

The best of the best 🫶🏽🫶🏽 https://t.co/rrKSL4QlzA

— Ja’Juan Seider (@coachseider) December 13, 2025

Seider coached some of the best backs in the country over the last few years, but Love stands out above them all. He’s been dominant since he got his first touch, and deserved this award.

Marcus Freeman has one job with Jeremiyah Love

Jeremiyah Love is joined on ESPN by his parents, Marcus Freeman, Jadarian Price and Ja'Juan Seider.

Freeman: "Now I gotta convince him to come back for one more year."

— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) December 13, 2025

If there is one person that can stop Love from going to the NFL, it’s Freeman, but I think it’s still highly unlikely. If he played another position, we might see him suiting up for the Blue and Gold next fall. However, Love being a back, it makes sense for him to leave.

Pro Football Focus agreed with the Doak Walker on Love

Jeremiyah Love: The Doak Walker Award Winner for Best Running Back🏆

92.9 PFF Grade This Season, 1st Among All RBs pic.twitter.com/rGwa5K9D5i

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 13, 2025

Sure, Love passed the eye test all year, but also did with the advanced metrics. PFF is widely used and the Irish back topped the charts in 2025.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Social media reacts to Jeremiyah Love winning the Doak Walker Award

The Texas A&M Aggies have learned their fate for the program's Elite Eight matchup, which will take place on Sunday at John Cook Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

After reverse sweeping the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 and earning the school's first Elite Eight appearance since 2001 on Friday night, the Aggies will now face No. 1 seed Nebraska. The Cornhuskers dominated their contest against Kansas, as they swept the Jayhawks to advance to the regional final against the Maroon and White.

Following the entertaining and competitive bout between Texas A&M and Louisville, Nebraska followed up by displaying why it is the top-seeded program in the country. The Cornhuskers allowed just 35 total points, while earning 41 kills of 80 attacks and hitting .450 in the impressive performance against the Jayhawks.

we eLITe! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/H3Cj1762VZ

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) December 13, 2025

The Aggies, who struggled at times to close out sets against Louisville on Friday night, will have their hands full against another gritty, talented and depth-filled squad. The unit includes leaders like Rebekah Allick, who went 9-of-9 in attacks against Kansas. Nebraska had five players record at least five kills in the sweep of the Jayhawks, as they continue their hunt for the program's sixth national title.

Sunday's match between these two powerhouses will not come easy for either team, however. Both units will have to earn every point and set to pull out a win and advance one step closer to competing for the grandest prize in college volleyball.

Texas A&M's match against No. 1 seed Nebraska has a projected start time of 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on NBC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M volleyball's Elite Eight opponent unveiled

For the first time since 2001, the Texas A&M Aggies are in the Elite Eight after reverse sweeping Louisville, 3-2, at the John Cook Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday night.

After a back-and-forth battle, the first and second sets fell into the hands of the Cardinals, but the Aggies were not giving up that easily. In one of the most miraculous moments in program history, Texas A&M accomplished the unthinkable. The dominant reverse sweep performance helped the Maroon and White secure just its third appearance in the Elite Eight in school history, setting up a massive matchup against the No. 1 seed Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Senior Logan Lednicky led the way for the Aggies in Friday's contest with 20 kills and 12 digs, while Ifenna Cos-Okpalla anchored the middle with 12 blocks and nine kills in the win. Kyndal Stowers also had a tremendous night, as the sophomore from Denton, Texas, recorded the set-winning kill in the third, fourth and fifth frames.

As Texas A&M begins preparations for Sunday's match against Nebraska, here is everything head coach Jamie Morrison, Lednicky and Cos-Okpalla said after the extraordinary night in Lincoln:

Morrison's opening statement after the gritty comeback victory

"The first thing I have to say is I'm proud of my team," Morrison said. "We've talked about belief all season and for some reason in my head at that moment I was like, 'We're going to figure out a way to get out of this.' Obviously, Louisville is a very, very good team. They're well-coached, they have great players."

"We did what we've done all year. We were gritty. We believed in each other. We played good volleyball. We showed to the world who we were in the biggest moments and that's what we're going to continue to do."

Lednicky on the emotions following the monumental Sweet 16 win

"Floating on air. That was the most insane experience I have ever been a part of. We were honestly in a similar situation last year, but came up a little short. I think that kind of played into this situation (with) us coming out on top and being in pressure moments all season," Lednicky said.

Cos-Okpalla discusses how the high-pressure situations prepared the Aggies for Friday night's clash with the Cardinals

"We've spent a lot of time under tension and I think tht was something we all said when we were in that fifth set, just knowing that we've been here before, we played here before, we've been in this exact situation before," Cos-Okpalla said. "It's really on us to turn it around and capitalize and I think we did just that."

Morrison comments on his team's effort in the reverse sweep against Louisville

"They showed who they are in a moment where most teams might fold and give up. We didn't. We leaned into what we needed to do. We leaned into them. We showed the world who we are and that's one of the biggest things we talk about in our program," Morrison said choking up. "We're a really good volleyball team made up of really high-character individuals that are able to go do something like that and it's going to continue to happen for years to come."

Lednicky on going down, 2-0, to Louisville

"That's less than ideal. We had the lead and we just couldn't finish," Lednicky said. We talked about it on the sideline a little bit, but we were in there like the first two sets. Both of them, we just couldn't close out. Honestly, that lock the hallway talk was much needed and very beneficial. We kind of all just said like we're not going to let them sweep us. We belong here, we've earned the right to be here and I think we kind of turned it around, flipped the page from there."

"I will say, it was in the third, I think. There's like a random paper on the middle of the first table. We all looked over and I don't know who put that there, I think it's a God thing, but it was like it said something great is about to happen and we had kind of came out stong in that third and we were all like literally why not us. Something great is about to happen."

Lednicky explains where the team has improved compared to last year's Sweet 16 appearance

"We kept a lot of the same pieces and just added even more and we've all improved. The people that were here last year have improved significantly since last year as well. This season alone, we've been in a lot of tension situations going to five with Texas, playing TCU in the second round, super intense match. I think all those tension moments kind of led into that fifth set," Lednicky said.

Cos-Okpalla discusses the Aggies' dominance at the net in the fourth set

"Just being able to step up defensively. The team as a whole honestly, even when I wasn't getting blocks. I think even if I wasn't getting blocks or getting good touches, I think I was in a good enough spot to funnel out the space so the defense could work behind me," Cos-Okpalla said.

Morrison on the success of the program and how it feels reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since 2001

"When I took over this program, it has histoy and I was actually talking to Sam in the hallway and my umber one thing that I said when I first got here was get it back to where it was and take it further and we have it back to where it was of consecutive tournament appearences, Sweet 16s and Elite Eight for the third time and now it's time in two days to take it further. We got a really good team, regardless of who wins this in front of us, but we're going to go get ready for that," Morrison said.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Everything Texas A&M HC, players said after 3-2 Sweet 16 win

The coaching profession is an interesting one, and for former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, it’s been a roller coaster ride.

After going undrafted following a solid Irish career, he quickly moved over to the coaching side, starting as a graduate assistant for Northwestern in 2015. The next season Rees would go off to the NFL, as an offensive assistant for the San Diego Chargers. He’d then make his way to South Bend, as the quarterbacks coach starting in 2017, then getting elevated as the offensive coordinator in 2020.

Rees would then make the shocking move to Alabama in 2023, as he’d spend a season there before returning to the NFL and the Cleveland Browns. After starting as the pass game specialist and tight ends coach, he was elevated to the offensive coordinator earlier this year after the firing of Ken Dorsey.

Now Rees could make a return to the college game, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com is reporting that Michigan is interested in him as its new head coach after firing Sherrone Moore earlier this week.

The report also states that Rees talked to Penn State prior to them hiring Matt Campbell as well. The Browns would rather keep him around, but it’s looking like he will have more than a few more opportunities to lead a team or program in the near future.

#Michigan has interest in #Browns OC Tommy Rees for its head coach vacancy, league source tells clevelanddotcom: ---> https://t.co/uBKbevDNGM

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 12, 2025

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Could Tommy Rees become the HC of one of Notre Dame’s Big Ten rivals?

The season is over, and the conference champions have been named. Now the postseason is set to start with a few bowl games, even kicking off this weekend.

The Big 12 is sending eight teams to the college football postseason. Only the conference champion, the fourth-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, made the College Football Playoff. Texas Tech earned a top-four seed and, with arguably the best defense in the nation, should be tough out for anyone.

Seven other Big 12 teams reached six wins and qualified for a postseason bowl game. Here is the full rundown of where every Big 12 team is going bowling this winter. This will be updated with scores once the results are final.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-1) - College Football Playoff Quarterfinal (Orange Bowl)

• College Football Playoff: No. 4 seed, first-round bye, will face the winner of No.5 Oregon vs. 12 JMU
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 17-23-1
• Last bowl game: 2024 Liberty Bowl, lost to Arkansas
• Series history: 0-3 vs. Oregon, no games played vs. JMU

No. 12 BYU Cougars (11-2) vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech (9-3) - Pop-Tarts Bowl

• Orlando, Florida; Dec. 27
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 18-22-1
• Last bowl game: 2024 Alamo Bowl, won vs. Colorado
• Series history: BYU leads 3-1

No. 21 Houston (9-3) vs. LSU (7-5) - Texas Bowl

• Houston, Texas; Dec. 27
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 13-16-1
• Last bowl game: 2022 Independence Bowl, won vs. Louisiana
• Series history: LSU leads 2-1

TCU (8-4) vs. No. 16 USC (9-3) - Alamo Bowl

• San Antonio, Texas; Dec. 30
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 19-17-1
• Last bowl game: 2024 New Mexico Bowl, won vs. Louisiana
• Series history: TCU leads 3-2

Arizona State (8-4) vs. Duke (8-5) - Sun Bowl

• El Paso, Texas; Dec. 31
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 15-18-1
• Last bowl game: 2024 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, lost to Texas
• Series history: ASU leads 0-1

No. 15 Utah (10-2) vs. Nebraska (7-5) - Las Vegas Bowl

• Las Vegas, Nevada; Dec. 31
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 17-9
• Last bowl game: 2023 Las Vegas Bowl, lost to Northwestern
• Series history: Nebraska leads 4-0

Cincinnati (7-5) vs. Navy (9-2) - Liberty Bowl

• Memphis, Tennessee; Jan. 2
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 9-12
• Last bowl game: 2022 Fenway Bowl, lost to Louisville
• Series history: Tied 3-3

Arizona (9-3) vs. SMU (8-4) - Holiday Bowl

• San Diego, California; Jan. 2
• All-time bowl/postseason record: 10-10-1
• Last bowl game: 2023 Alamo Bowl, win vs. Oklahoma
• Series history: Tied 1-1

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Full Big 12 2025-26 bowl schedule, matchups and results

The Washington State Cougars take the field against the Oregon State Beavers at Martin Stadium on Oct. 17, 2015 in Pullman. Washington State defeated Oregon State during that day's game, 52-31. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)

The Washington State University football coach is one of the highest-paid public employees in the state. Yet WSU is bringing aboard its fourth head coach since 2020.

The Pullman school announced Friday that it was hiring Kirby Moore away from Missouri to replace Jimmy Rogers, who lasted less than a year.

The question now is whether Moore’s tenure will be different and usher in a new era of stability.

Moore, 35, has been the offensive coordinator at Missouri for the past three seasons.  

He grew up in the Yakima Valley town of Prosser, and is the younger brother of New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore.

Kirby Moore was a wide receiver at Boise State from 2009-2013, then started his coaching career at the College of Idaho in 2014. Moore spent the next two seasons at the University of Washington, working as a graduate assistant and offensive assistant.

A press conference introducing Moore will be held next Tuesday. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

“Coach Moore is the real deal, and exactly who we needed to propel us to the top of the new Pac-12,” WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell said Friday. “Our student-athletes have lucked out.”

Moore said in a statement that, “Becoming a first-time head coach at a special place like Washington State is a dream come true for my family and I.”  

WSU’s football coach is paid well over $1 million a year. Despite that salary, the position has seen recent turnover due to a combination of the pandemic and two ambitious coaches using WSU as a stepping stone.

The coaching turmoil comes as WSU seeks to stanch dropping enrollment while remaining relevant in the turbulent college football landscape. 

Cantwell has said repeatedly that a successful football program is key to reversing an enrollment decline of some 6,000 students at WSU in recent years. That starts with the right coach as Washington State University transitions to the new-look Pac-12 next season.

The highest-paid employees of the state of Washington are almost always the football and men’s basketball coaches at the University of Washington and WSU, each making well over $1 million per year. By contrast, Gov. Bob Ferguson makes about $230,000 annually.

Rogers was hired away from South Dakota State last winter for a salary of $1.57 million per year. He led the Cougars to a 6-6 record, and shortly after announced he was leaving for his dream job as head coach at Iowa State.

Prior to Rogers, Jake Dickert spent just over three years leading the Cougars, making about $2.5 million per year, before jumping ship last year for Wake Forest.

Dickert’s predecessor, Nick Rolovich, was hired in 2020 to replace the legendary Mike Leach. Rolovich coached during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, and was fired early in the 2021 season for refusing the state’s order that he get a COVID vaccination. Rolovich sued the state for $25 million, but lost in federal court.

The last football coach to spend any real time in Pullman was Leach, who was at one time the state’s highest-paid employee at $3 million per year. Leach led the Cougars to six bowl games in eight seasons before leaving after the 2019 season for Mississippi State, part of the powerful SEC. Leach died in 2022.

‘A job that coaches can have success at’

To be sure, the WSU job comes with some disadvantages. Pullman is a town of about 35,000 people located 75 miles south of Spokane in wheat farming country. It is far from the glitz of big cities, and recruiting top athletes there can be a challenge. Now that top players are demanding millions of dollars in “name, image, likeness” money to sign with a team, those difficulties are magnified.

Rogers this week insisted he did not intend to leave Pullman after one season, but could not turn down a job he had wanted for years.

“I didn’t take the Washington State job and move across the country to abandon it in one year. I didn’t,” Rogers said at his introduction Monday at Iowa State. “I took that jump because I believed in that product and what I could produce there.”

Rogers said that he would have liked to coach the Cougars in the Idaho Potato Bowl against Utah State on Dec. 22, but the administration decided an assistant coach would do that instead.

Complicating the problems at Washington State is that Athletic Director Anne McCoy was unceremoniously fired a few weeks ago by Cantwell for not raising enough in donations to the athletic department. 

For all the coaching changes, WSU’s football team has remained pretty good. The Cougars will go to their ninth bowl game in ten years this season, unprecedented success for the program.

“Washington State has proven time and again that it can be a job that coaches can have success at,” broadcaster and former Washington State quarterback Alex Brink said.

Cantwell has said the dramatic changes in the college football world that left Washington State behind require a coach who views name, image, likeness money and the transfer portal as strategic tools, not impediments.

Cantwell has also worked this year to improve the football fan experience in Pullman. That includes funding for a new scoreboard and other upgrades inside 33,000-seat Martin Stadium, in an effort to boost tepid attendance.

“We’ve got alcohol in the stands. We’ve got a whole plethora of things happening right outside the stadium,” Cantwell said. “Keep an eye on us. It’s getting better and better and better every game.”

EAST LANSING — For the first time this season, Michigan State basketball will face two new circumstances.

Playing after a loss. And playing a true road game.

The ninth-ranked Spartans, coming off a home loss to No. 3 Duke, resume Big Ten play against Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Dec. 13 (noon, Big Ten Network).

“We have concerns like we always do,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said after practice Thursday. “But they get a little more because of the circumstances we’re dealt with. … Hopefully, we’re over our little hangover of losing that game at home.”

Here is a look at what to expect from the final Big Ten game of 2025 for MSU (8-1, 1-0) against the surging Nittany Lions (8-2, 0-1).

Fueling a fire

PAYDAY: Michigan State makes Tom Izzo highest-paid basketball coach in Big Ten

MSU has been off for finals this week following Saturday’s 66-60 loss to the Blue Devils at Breslin Center, a nationally televised opportunity both Izzo and his players felt they let slip. It spoiled the Spartans’ season-opening eight-game win streak that included neutral-court wins over Kentucky and North Carolina and a home victory over Arkansas.

But falling at home for the first time since Feb. 11 to Indiana – MSU’s only loss last season at Breslin – also has amplified motivation.

“You can tell that everybody is excited for the next game,” senior forward Jaxon Kohler said after Thursday’s practice. “Everybody just can’t wait to get back there on the floor against another team and kind of right our wrongs. That Duke loss gave us a fire.”

With his team once again an opponent during a T-shirt giveaway, Izzo is expecting a raucous environment at the typically staid Bryce Jordan Center. Much like how his team got an energy boost with the public introduction of football coach Pat Fitzgerald while stomping Iowa in the Dec. 2 Big Ten opener, 71-52, Izzo believes new PSU football coach Matt Campbell will add excitement for a Penn State fanbase that typically forgets about Mike Rhoades’ basketball program.

“I’m sure it’ll be Fourth of July and Christmas. … Which shouldn’t bother us, because we’re used to playing in front of big crowds, even on the road,” Izzo said. “But it might up them. And plus, Mike’s a hell of a coach.”

MSU’s only true road test so far this season came during the exhibition season, a 76-69 defeat against No. 5 UConn in Hartford, Connecticut.

Take 2

ON THE GRIDIRON: Michigan State board formally approves hiring Pat Fitzgerald as football coach

Figuring out his two-guard situation remains one of Izzo’s biggest priorities between now and the resumption of Big Ten play, with PSU and three more nonconference games – Dec. 15 at home vs. Toledo, Dec. 20 vs. Oakland in Detroit and Dec. 29 at home vs. Cornell – between now and the Jan. 2 trip to Nebraska.

Izzo went from starting sophomore Kur Teng to inserting senior transfer Trey Fort into the lineup before going back to Teng over the past two games. Against Duke, MSU turned to lanky freshman Jordan Scott for a longer look at shooting guard, and sophomore transfer Divine Ugochukwu also has split his minutes between the one and the two when he and starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. are on the court together.

“We’ve made no secrets. We’re trying to find the right thing,” Izzo said. “We’re giving everybody a little bit of a chance.”

Among that quartet, Teng leads the way with 5.4 points a game in his 14.4 minutes while Fort averages 15.8 minutes and 5.3 points. Combined, the Teng-Fort-Scott-Ugochukwu group is shooting just 28.9% from 3-point range (28-for-97). The rest of the Spartans are a combined 33-for-84 from deep (39.3%).

Penn State update

Rhodes is off to a second straight strong start in three seasons with the Nittany Lions, who opened the 2024-25 campaign 12-2 before losing 13 of their last 17. PSU finished 16-15 overall and 6-14 in conference play, and it was one of the three teams to not qualify for the 2025 Big Ten Tournament.

The Nittany Lions have feasted on mid-major foes so far this season, with their lone nonconference loss a 77-65 neutral-court defeat by Providence on Nov. 22. They opened Big Ten play Tuesday on the road at Indiana and were completely shellacked, 113-72.

Point guard Kayden Mingo (6-foot-3) leads PSU at 15.4 points with four assists, 2.1 steals and 3.8 rebounds per game, while fellow freshman shooting guard Melih Tunca (6-5) is averaging 12.8 points with 3.5 assists a game. Center Ivan Juric (7-0) posts 9.7 points and four rebounds, while forward Josh Reed (6-10) averages 10 points and 3.9 boards. Junior guard Freddie Dilione (6-5) adds 13.3 points a game off the bench.

MSU has won four straight and seven of its past eight meetings against the Nittany Lions.

Chris Solari's prediction

The energy influx is short-lived for the Nittany Lions, as Fears and the Spartans assert themselves quickly with a distancing run from the outset. The friendly rims open for MSU’s outside shooters from there, giving Izzo’s team a two-game cushion to begin the quest to repeat as Big Ten champs heading into 2026. The pick: MSU 82, Penn State 69.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

 Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball gets new test with first true road game

Providence College (7-4) at Butler University (7-2)

The Friars and Bulldogs open Big East play on Saturday, Dec. 13. Providence will arrive in Indianapolis after three straight wins, including back-to-back victories over in-state rivals Rhode Island (90-71) and Brown (86-79). Jamier Jones and Jaylin Sellers each scored 16 points to lead the Friars past the Bears. Jason Edwards added 12 points and Stefan Vaaks and Ryan Mela posted 10 each.

Butler will be eager to get back to its winning ways after a 77-68 setback to Boise State on Dec. 6 ended a four-game winning streak. Michael Ajayi scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Butler (7-2), which suffered its first home loss of the year. Drayton Jones added 12, and Finley Bizjack, who had registered 20 or more points in his last three games for Butler, was held to just 10 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field.

The Friars are 7-5 all time at Hinkle Fieldhouse, including 1-2 last season.

When and where does Providence play Butler?

The Friars will face the Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.

How to watch and listen to Providence College at Butler

The game will be televised on TNT/truTV and can be heard on WPRO radio (630 AM and 99.7 FM).

What is the betting line for the Providence-Butler game?

Odds will be posted here. 

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How to watch Providence play Butler on Saturday Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

The 2025 Heisman Trophy ceremony is approaching the evening of Dec. 13, with Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin among the four finalists up for the award.

Sayin was one of the top betting favorites to win the award throughout the season, but a 13-10 loss in the Big Ten championship to Indiana and quarterback Fernando Mendoza hurt his chances.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was Ohio State's last Heisman Trophy finalist before Sayin, nominated for the award in 2023.

Heisman Trophy finalists

Below are the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy in 2025.

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Sayin led the FBS in completion percentage (78.43%) and passer rating (182.1); his completion percentage is the highest of all time in a single season in the FBS. Oregon's Bo Nix completed 77.45% of his passes in 2023.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love emerged as a late Heisman candidate. He finished fourth in the FBS with 1,372 rushing yards and fifth with 6.89 rushing yards per carry.

Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt

Pavia led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season and led the SEC in completion percentage (71.2%), passing touchdowns (27), yards per attempt (9.4) and passer rating (171.54).

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Mendoza led the nation in passing touchdowns (33) and led Indiana to its first Big Ten championship since 1945, helping the Hoosiers over tough conference games against No. 5 Oregon and the No. 2 Buckeyes.

Julian Sayin Heisman odds

As of Dec. 12, Julian Sayin has the lowest betting odds of the Heisman Trophy finalists at +50000, per BetMGM. Below are the odds of the four finalists to win the award.

• Fernando Mendoza: -2000
• Diego Pavia: +1100
• Jeremiyah Love: +15000
• Julian Sayin: +50000

Julian Sayin Heisman predictions

The Heisman was a two-man race for a majority of the regular season between Sayin and Mendoza. The competition peaked when the two quarterbacks faced off in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 6.

While Sayin had a decent stat line, completing 72% of his passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, he threw a costly interception that resulted in the Hoosiers scoring an early field goal. Twice in the red zone on third-down situations, Sayin was unable to complete passes to move the chains in the second half.

Meanwhile, Mendoza, who had fewer passing yards and a lower completion rate than Sayin in the game, made multiple clutch throws. He made a 51-yard pass to Charlie Becker and a 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt to give the Hoosiers the lead, and Mendoza followed that with a 33-yard dagger to Becker on Indiana's last offensive drive, leaving Ohio State with too little time to mount a comeback.

While a straight-up statistical comparison would seem to make the Heisman Trophy race close, Mendoza outplayed Sayin and likely secured the Heisman Trophy in the title game.

When is the Heisman Trophy ceremony? 

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is at 7 p.m. Dec. 13.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Will Julian Sayin win Heisman Trophy tonight? Odds, predictions

BLOOMINGTON — For the first time in 14 years, Thursday, when an Indiana basketball coach faced his first question about the Kentucky series, he didn’t have to deflect.

Darian DeVries is the first man in IU’s head job since Tom Crean to inherit a series with Kentucky, after the longtime intrastate rivalry was put back on the schedule by Mike Woodson and John Calipari, two old friends who will now never coach in the rivalry they helped reignite.

Asked during a pregame news conference Thursday for his intentions regarding Indiana’s annual meeting with the Wildcats — which hasn’t been played in the regular season since 2011 — DeVries strenuously endorsed its return to the schedule.

“I think it’s a great series,” he said. “I hope we can continue this forever. This is the first year of a four-game stretch. I think it’s great for both programs. I think it’s great for college basketball.”

Words that will win him a fair few friends in southern Indiana. It's been a while since IU-Kentucky didn't feel overly political.

Imagine, then, what victory Saturday night in Lexington would do. For DeVries, this is the kind of opportunity too few of his predecessors seized, one he should not pass up.

DeVries and the Hoosiers travel to Rupp Arena for a primetime showdown with a team trying to pull itself out of a dive. Kentucky has lost every high-major game it’s played so far this season, only once in four tries having allowed fewer than 83 points.

The Wildcats’ most recent meaningful matchup came in a de facto home atmosphere in Nashville against Gonzaga, that atmosphere turning toxic as Kentucky scored just 20 first-half points and lost by 35.

“The games they’ve played well, they’ve scored easily,” DeVries said. “The games they’ve struggled, they just haven’t shot it.”

The calls for Mark Pope’s job that followed are plainly premature. And there’s every chance, in time, he turns Kentucky back into a tournament team and an SEC contender this winter.

But Indiana — admittedly imperfect itself — probably could not have picked a more ideal time to return to Rupp Arena for the first time in 15 years. A team still in search of a quality nonconference win itself cannot turn this opportunity down.

The Hoosiers endured their own rocky patch last week, losing at Minnesota before an ugly start undercut them in Indianapolis against Louisville.

DeVries said IU has been focused on improving from lessons learned in those games, chiefly among them crisper offensive execution.

“I thought the Minnesota game for us offensively was something we had to learn from. It wasn’t just the movement, it’s the combination of everything we had going, being a little stagnant,” he said. “It was more about, how do we set better screens? How do we set up those screens? For both Lamar (Wilkerson) and Tucker (DeVries).”

That emphasis paid dividends during a midweek demolition of Penn State that saw Wilkerson score an Assembly Hall-record 44 points in just 24 minutes. DeVries knows Kentucky at Rupp will be more challenging.

Insider: Lamar Wilkerson's records epitomizes IU 'keeping it hot' in much-needed win

Indiana has not won in Lexington against Kentucky since 1988, the same year — fans pointed out this week — the Hoosiers last defeated Ohio State, before last weekend’s Big Ten championship game.

That’s a bit of a misnomer. Soon after that win, the series moved largely to its neutral-site format between Indianapolis and Louisville, and while IU has not beaten Kentucky at Rupp Arena in 37 years, the two teams have played there just three times since.

Saturday still stands as a meaningful opportunity, for Indiana to secure a valuable resume-building win, and for DeVries to score meaningful points with his fanbase at the first available opportunity.

Too many of his predecessors have let similar moments pass them by, early in their tenures, or failed to build on ones they seized. DeVries can only take care of the second if he starts by addressing the first.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana basketball vs Kentucky preview: Darian DeVries series opportunity

NCAA volleyball bracket: Full list of selections, schedule and seeds for 2025 college tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nebraska hasn't won the NCAA volleyball championship in eight years, but the Huskers enter the 2025 tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and the unquestioned team to beat. 

It's not just that the Huskers haven't lost a match this season; they went nearly two months without even dropping a set to the opposition. 

The rest of the field won't just roll over for Nebraska, though. Fellow No. 1 seeds Kentucky, Texas and Pitt are among the challengers hoping to lift the trophy in the end. 

Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament, including schedules, scores and where to watch all the action. 

NCAA volleyball tournament bracket 2025

Top Left Quadrant (Nebraska)

• No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 3 Texas A&M

Bottom Left Quadrant (Pitt)

• No. 1 Pitt vs. No. 3 Purdue

Top Right Quadrant (Texas)

• No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Wisconsin

Bottom Right Quadrant (Kentucky)

• No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 3 Creighton

Where to watch NCAA volleyball tournament 2025

• TV channel: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC
• Live stream: ESPN app, Fubo

The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will air across a variety of ESPN platforms. Every match can be streamed live via the ESPN app. 

Every match airing on an ESPN broadcast network can also be streamed via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

NCAA volleyball tournament schedule, scores 2025

Saturday, Dec. 13 - Regional finals

Sunday, Dec. 14 - Regional finals

Thursday, Dec. 18 - Semifinals

Sunday, Dec. 21 - Championship

Thursday, Dec. 11 - Regionals

Friday, Dec. 12 - Regionals

Saturday, Dec. 6 - Second round

Friday, Dec. 5 - Second round

Friday, Dec. 5 - First round

Thursday, Dec. 4 - First round

NCAA volleyball tournament 2025 schedule by round

NCAA volleyball tournament selection format

Of the 64 teams in the field, 31 will qualify automatically by winning their conference. The remaining 33 are granted at-large bids.

The top 16 teams will host the first and second rounds at their college campus. The winner of both single-elimination matches will move on to regionals.

Regional matches will be hosted at the campuses of the top four teams in the tournament. Matches will once again follow a single-elimination format, with the winner of the regional semifinals facing off in the regional finals for a spot in the national semifinals.

The national semifinals and championship match will be played at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

NCAA volleyball tournament automatic qualifiers 2025

NCAA volleyball tournament bracket 2025: Updated schedule, TV channels, scores for college regional games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's crunch time at the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament, with only 16 teams remaining heading into the regional round.

Stakes are getting higher and higher as programs narrow their sights on Kansas City. All four No. 1 seeds are still in the running, with Nebraska, Texas and Pitt sweeping their first two opponents. Kentucky dropped one set to UCLA in the second round, but recovered nicely to advance.

Of course, there's always room for upsets and surprises in the tournament. Plenty of strong teams are still making their postseason campaign and trying to dethrone the frontrunners, like Louisville, Stanford, Wisconsin, SMU and Arizona State.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament, including bracket, TV channel and streaming options for the remaining rounds. 

NCAA volleyball tournament bracket 2025

Top Left Quadrant

• No. 1 Nebraska vs.  No. 3 Texas A&M

Bottom Left Quadrant

• No. 1 Pitt vs. No. 3 Purdue

Top Right Quadrant

• No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Wisconsin

Bottom Right Quadrant 

• No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 3 Creighton

How to watch 2025 NCAA volleyball regionals

• TV channel: ESPN2, ESPN, ABC
• Live stream: Fubo

The NCAA volleyball regionals will be broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN and ABC. See the full schedule below. 

Streaming for every match is available on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

NCAA volleyball tournament schedule, scores 2025

Regionals

Thursday, Dec. 11 

Friday, Dec. 12

Regional Finals

Saturday, Dec. 13

Sunday, Dec. 14

Semifinals

Thursday, Dec. 18

Championship

Sunday, Dec. 21