Davide Bartesaghi (R) scored two goals for AC Milan against Sassuolo at the San Siro Stadium (Piero CRUCIATTI)
AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Sassuolo on Sunday to put their lead in Serie A under threat.
French forward Armand Lauriente secured the 77th minute leveller for Sassuolo who had taken an early lead via Ismael Kone.
Milan fought back with Davide Bartesaghi equalising after the half hour. Having opened his Serie A scoring account the 19-year-old defender added a second after the break, striking from a tight angle only for Lauriente to seal the away team a share of the points.
"We played a good match," Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri said.
"People might think we dropped two points, I think we gained a point that could be important,” he told DAZN.
"We still need to improve, because we're conceding too many goals. But we're in the top four, that was our objective at the start of the season."
Milan, who had two efforts ruled out, moved one point clear but can be overtaken by Napoli, who are in action at Udinese later, and Inter Milan.
Milan had gone into Sunday's match top on goal difference from Napoli, while Inter, in third, can also overtake them depending on the outcome of their game at Genoa.
Former Liverpool football legend Ian Rush is recovering in hospital after two days in the intensive care unit for a bad case of flu.
The 64-year-old was taken to Countess of Chester hospital last week after suffering breathing difficulties but is now on the mend.
A Liverpool spokesperson thanked staff at the hospital for "providing the best care possible" and said "everyone at Liverpool wishes him a speedy recovery".
Following a highly successful playing career with the Reds, Rush currently works as an ambassador for Liverpool and regularly attends matches at Anfield.
He is Liverpool’s all-time leading goalscorer, and during two spells at the club in the 1980s scored 346 goals in 660 appearances, winning five First Division titles and two European Cups.
Born in Wales, Rush also earned 73 caps for his national team and was their leading goalscorer until 2018, with 28 goals, until Gareth Bale broke his record.
After hanging up his boots in 2000, Rush moved into management and had an eight-month spell in charge of Chester.
NHS England have warned that Flu cases are soaring across the UK with an average of 2,660 patients per day admitted to hospital with flu in England last week.
That is the highest for this time of year since records began in 2021, and is up 55% on the week before.
Dr Vicky Price, president of the Society of Acute Medicine, told The Independent: “It is truly shocking, it is the worst I’ve ever seen it… There are huge numbers of patients lodged in emergency departments, stuck in corridors, in waiting rooms and in inappropriate areas – all very unwell patients, and we’ve got high numbers of staff off sick with flu.
“We were in crisis anyway with the cold weather, and we noticed a real surge in flu.”
Crystal Palace face Manchester City at Selhurst Park this afternoon, with the visitors hoping to maintain pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal after the Gunners’ dramatic late win against Wolves yesterday.
City have impressed lately after a mixed start to the season, with Pep Guardiola’s side starting the weekend just two points behind Arsenal, and the visitors come into the match off the back of a great performance in their 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu during the week.
However, Palace have produced their own solid start to the new season, with Oliver Glasner‘s side sitting fifth in the table and in with a chance of jumping back into the top four if they win this afternoon.
Both sides have shown flashes of brilliance at points this term but the visitors will travel to the capital as favourites in what is the first meeting between these two sides since Palace stunned City in the 2025 FA Cup final – the question is, have Guardiola and City learned their lesson from Wembley?
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is Crystal Palace vs Man City?
The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 14 December at Selhurst Park, with kick-off set for 2pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 12.30pm. Subscribers can also stream the action online via NOWTV.
Glasner continues to navigate a minor injury crisis, with at least five players likely to be absent for this weekend. Daniel Munoz is the most recent addition to the list, with the defender requiring surgery on a knee injury, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad continue their recovery from ACL injuries. Caleb Kporha and Rio Cardines are still sidelined, with no concrete timelines for their returns.
Palace could be boosted by the return of Ismaila Sarr after he suffered an ankle issue, while Jaydee Canvot could return from illness, though Jean-Philippe Mateta faces a late fitness test after coming off against Fulham due to a minor knee injury.
City appear to have emerged from the Bernabeu win unscathed, with no new injury concerns for Pep Guardiola. However, this match will come too soon for Rodri, who is expected back later this month, while John Stones and Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined.
Regis Le Bris’ side have the edge, just five points off the top four, after a stunning start to life in the top flight. Despite a 3-0 loss to Manchester City last time out the newly-promoted side have acquitted themselves well, and could consider themselves unlucky to drop points against reigning champions Liverpool the game before.
Newcastle meanwhile endured the sucker-punch of a late Bayer Leverkusen equaliser in their Champions League fixture this week, and will look to bounce back against their fiercest rivals. Should they win today, not only would they take the plaudits in the battle of the North East but they would also jump above Sunderland in the table as only one point separates the two teams.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Sunderland v Newcastle?
Sunderland host rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 14 December, with kickoff at 2pm.
How can I watch?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event, as well as on streaming service Sky Go. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Team news
Fifa has allowed clubs to retain their Afcon-bound players until 15 December, giving Sunderland the welcome boost of having a full-strength squad for this tie.
Habib Diarra will miss out however as he continues his recovery from groin surgery, with Aji Alese, who has a shoulder injury, and the suspended Luke O’Nien joining him on the sidelines. Reinildo has a minor groin injury but may be fit in time.
Newcastle are sweating on the fitness of Emil Kraft, Sven Botman and Will Osula, with Eddie Howe admitting the injured trio are more likely to miss out than not, while Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope are also confirmed absentees.
But Yoane Wissa, who made his debut in their last Premier League game - a 2-1 win over Burnley - is likely to be brought on as a substitute as he builds back to full fitness after several months out.
The Bengals have won back-to-back Central Section championships under head coach Kyle Biggs and 5 in the last 8 years. ""It was a great game and i'm just really proud of the way we battled and came through," Biggs told Spectrum Sports after the game. "I'm proud of my guys." Biggs improves his coaching record to 107-21 in his 10th season at Central East.
Leading Pacifica 35-28 with 4:12 to play, Biggs decided to go for it on fourth and 3 at his own 48. Junior quarterback Jelani Dippel lofted a deep ball to EJ Morgan and the Cal signee came down with a remarkable over the shoulder catch to move the chains.
The play that might have won a state title for Central East. EJ Morgan hauls it in on 4th and 3 (!). What a gutsy call from Kyle Biggs and an incredible catch for the Cal signee EJ Morgan. @ABC30https://t.co/G2JpbJJEyu
Shortly after, Arizona signee Brandon Smith ran in his 3rd touchdown of the game to extend the Bengal lead.
Bayon Harris, a junior who holds the program record for receiving yards, came down with 11 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 90-yard touchdown called back for holding. Dippel finished the night throwing for 371 yards and 2 touchdowns and also ran in a touchdown.
The Bengals finish the season with a record of 14-1.
Lake Mary scored a thrilling Hail Mary touchdown on the game’s final play and beat Vero Beach 28-27 to capture their first state football championship in school history.
Notre Dame signee Noah Grubbs connected with FIU signee Barrett Schulz inside the five-yard line and when he almost got tackled, Tavarius Brundidge Jr. took the ball and scored with no time remaining.
Lake Mary trailed 21-3 at halftime at Pitbull Stadium in Miami and scored nine points in the final fifteen seconds of the game to complete the thrilling comeback.
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NBA legend Charles Barkley has not been shy about his thoughts on NIL and the transfer portal. During Saturday’s Kentucky vs. Indiana broadcast, he candidly discussed the landscape again.
Barkley called the game on ESPN alongside Dick Vitale, the first of two games they will work together. Vitale called for “stability” in college basketball – and college sports as a whole – because of the amount of player movement via the portal. He used Indiana as an example since new coach Darian DeVries virtually built the program from scratch.
While Barkley acknowledged he’s in favor of athletes making money through NIL, he also called out players staying more than their four years of eligibility. In addition, he disagreed with the idea of athletes being allowed to seek better offers after every season.
“No. 1, I’m not opposed to players getting paid,” Barkley said on the broadcast. “I always want my players to get treated fairly. But I can’t remember the last time I heard the word, COVID. Some of these guys have been in college for six or seven years. If you’re in college for six or seven years, your name better be, ‘Dr. Somebody.’ You should not still be playing college basketball after six or seven years.
“But you should not have the ability to get a better offer every year. That’s not fair to any school that you are affiliated with because I can’t even do that. None of us can do that, take a better – Amazon, anybody or FOX Sports can come and say, ‘Well, we’ll give you more money and you can leave after every year.’ That’s not fair. … We’ve got to put some guardrails on these sports.”
One of the other new parts of the college basketball landscape is G-League players seeking eligibility. The NCAA has changed its approach regarding players who played in the G-League, arguing they were not professional athletes in a way the old rule said. Instead, if those players are within five years of their high school graduation, they could become eligible unless they went through the NBA Draft process or signed an NBA contract.
To Charles Barkley, that’s another area that needs fixing. He does not think former G-League players should be able to play college basketball.
“We’ve got guys playing in the G-League coming back to college sports now,” he said. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
NBA legend Charles Barkley has not been shy about his thoughts on NIL and the transfer portal. During Saturday’s Kentucky vs. Indiana broadcast, he candidly discussed the landscape again.
Barkley called the game on ESPN alongside Dick Vitale, the first of two games they will work together. Vitale called for “stability” in college basketball – and college sports as a whole – because of the amount of player movement via the portal. He used Indiana as an example since new coach Darian DeVries virtually built the program from scratch.
While Barkley acknowledged he’s in favor of athletes making money through NIL, he also called out players staying more than their four years of eligibility. In addition, he disagreed with the idea of athletes being allowed to seek better offers after every season.
“No. 1, I’m not opposed to players getting paid,” Barkley said on the broadcast. “I always want my players to get treated fairly. But I can’t remember the last time I heard the word, COVID. Some of these guys have been in college for six or seven years. If you’re in college for six or seven years, your name better be, ‘Dr. Somebody.’ You should not still be playing college basketball after six or seven years.
“But you should not have the ability to get a better offer every year. That’s not fair to any school that you are affiliated with because I can’t even do that. None of us can do that, take a better – Amazon, anybody or FOX Sports can come and say, ‘Well, we’ll give you more money and you can leave after every year.’ That’s not fair. … We’ve got to put some guardrails on these sports.”
One of the other new parts of the college basketball landscape is G-League players seeking eligibility. The NCAA has changed its approach regarding players who played in the G-League, arguing they were not professional athletes in a way the old rule said. Instead, if those players are within five years of their high school graduation, they could become eligible unless they went through the NBA Draft process or signed an NBA contract.
To Charles Barkley, that’s another area that needs fixing. He does not think former G-League players should be able to play college basketball.
“We’ve got guys playing in the G-League coming back to college sports now,” he said. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
Jeff Monken paused more than once Saturday night, searching for language that could match the weight of what had just happened.
Army had fought Navy for four quarters. It had led late. It had chances. And yet, when the clock hit zero, the Black Knights walked off the field with a 17–16 loss that will linger far beyond December.
“It’s a little difficult to put into words, the pain of that loss,” Monken said during his postgame press conference. “I felt terrible for our team, our players, our seniors. Such a hard-fought game by both teams.”
Army moved the ball effectively in the first half, but settled for a critical short field goal inside the five yard line. Monken said afterward the missed opportunity loomed large.
“In this game, we talked about it, about the importance of getting seven points and not settling for three. Just disappointing.”
The second half told a different story. Army’s offense stalled, struggling to sustain blocks and generate rhythm. A critical interception turned into Navy’s final touchdown, a sequence Monken said changed everything.
“He (Cale Hellums) really needed to just step up in the pocket and throw it to Brady (Anderson),” Monken said. “He was open. And he just, for whatever reason, got antsy.”
Despite the offensive struggles, Army’s defense delivered one of its strongest performances of the season, holding Navy to 17 points and creating pressure throughout the night.
“I felt like they played well, played hard, gave us a chance to win,” Monken said.
The loss cut deeper because of what the game represents.
“It’s a 365-day-a-year rivalry, and it all culminates on one day,” Monken said. “You just give it everything you’ve got.”
Army did. It just did not make enough plays.
And that, Monken admitted quietly, is the part that hurts the most.
The Heisman Trophy presentation brings together the best of college football with the backdrop of lower Manhattan in the heart of New York City. There is a special feeling that comes with covering the events of the weekend.
As a Heisman voter over the past eleven years, there hasn't been a dull moment. I was asked this week by Texas Tech alum Stacy Gibson, "What exactly is the criteria for voting?"
Great question, and the answer is simple: A player who exemplifies the best of college football both on and off the field—one who is a game-changer and has the ability to lift a team up when needed. They are also a steward of the game, and the winner moves on to be part of the sport’s highest fraternity.
Here's how I voted for this year's finalists.
My third-place vote went to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. The gunslinger helped guide the Commodores to a record-setting 10-2 record this season and put on a show in the process. As a dual-threat, there's no shortage of highlights to be had from the New Mexico State transfer.
What Pavia did against top opponents was a major reason he was in my top three. The SEC is best-on-best every single week, and there's no doubt Pavia is featured in that category. To account for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns is not an easy feat.
My second-place vote went to Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. To take over an offensive unit that won a national championship and lead them to a 12-0 undefeated regular season without skipping a beat was phenomenal. To do that while completing nearly 80 percent of all passes is absurd.
Sayin earned his spot for continuing to shine when top receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate were out. His 3,323 yards and 31 touchdowns, along with having single-digit incompletions in every game, is unheard of in the modern era. He averaged 5.9 incompletions per game this season. That's pretty consistent for a quarterback.
My top Heisman pick for this year was Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Every time the Hoosiers needed a spark, the Cal transfer was the one to make it happen. He'll be remembered for his touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to Omar Cooper Jr. against Penn State. But there were other highlights along the way, such as the Big Ten Championship game and making history.
There was definitely a case for all four finalists and even Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez. Every player in the top ten of voting was special, but Mendoza leading Indiana to history was unforgettable.
This year's College Football Playoff will be great to watch with another champion getting put in the books under the 12-team format.
The road to the 2025 Heisman Trophy was a winding one, with preseason favorites struggling and new contenders exiting the race as quickly as they entered, but one player refused to waver.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza placed himself in the upper echelon of Heisman contenders in the opening weeks of the season and never moved, as the Hoosiers knocked off every team in their path on the way to a surprise Big Ten championship.
Early on, it looked as though Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore might compete for college football’s prestigious award. Then came Alabama’s Ty Simpson. After Simpson slipped up, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin asserted himself and briefly became the favorite in some eyes. By Saturday’s ceremony, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia was seen as Mendoza’s top challenger.
Ultimately, the award went to the Cal Berkeley transfer who helped turn Indiana from a feel-good story into a legitimate national championship contender.
Here's a closer look at why Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy.
It's no secret there were not many truly dominant players in college football this season. Sometimes, that's just the way it shakes out. Mendoza may not have gaudy stats that rival some of the great Heisman Trophy seasons in recent memory, but he checked every box, between the numbers, consistency, winning, eye test and clutch moments.
The numbers checked out. Mendoza was not a high-volume passer, finishing with fewer passing yards than Sayin and Pavia, but that was more the result of Indiana's gameplan and tendency to jump out to sizable leads. Mendoza's 9.4 yards per attempt led all Power Four starting quarterbacks, and his 33 touchdown passes led all FBS quarterbacks, all while tossing only six interceptions and completing more than 71 percent of pass attempts. Mendoza also had six rushing touchdowns that Sayin didn't.
Voters can't just blindly follow the numbers. Did Mendoza pass the eye test? How much was he a product of his situation? By all estimations, Mendoza passed the eye test. He flashed remarkable accuracy all season long, showed a willingness to throw downfield and do it well and consistently delivered in the biggest moments.
Mendoza's win-sealing pass to Charlie Becker in the Big Ten championship was labeled as his "Heisman moment," but the real moment likely came against Penn State, when he hit Omar Cooper Jr. for an unbelievable go-ahead touchdown in the final minute to keep the Hoosiers' unbeaten season alive. While Sayin's stats rivaled Mendoza's, you would be hard-pressed to find a moment like that, even if Ohio State's dominance was partly the reason.
The Heisman Trophy shouldn't automatically go to the best player on the best team. In recent years, it hasn't — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Travis Hunter all won the award after losing multiple games. Pavia had a chance, too, but quiet performances against Missouri, Alabama and LSU were tough to overcome without a College Football Playoff appearance to his name.
Mendoza didn't win the Heisman because he and Indiana beat Ohio State, but outdueling Sayin head-to-head confirmed for many voters that Mendoza had checked every box needed to be checked to claim the most prestigious honor in college football.
Here is a look at how Mendoza's stats compared to Pavia and Sayin this season. Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza made history as the first player in Indiana history to win the Heisman Trophy, adding another layer onto the best season the program has ever had.
The regular season is over. Now, it's time for college football teams to go bowling.
There are 36 standalone bowl games and 11 College Football Playoff games on the 2025-26 schedule, giving fans plenty of entertainment over the next month.
Bowl season will begin with the Celebration Bowl and LA Bowl on Dec. 13. The CFP will once again follow the 12-team format, starting with first-round games on Dec. 19 and 20 and concluding with the national championship game on Jan. 19.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025-26 college football bowl schedule, including TV and streaming options for each game.
College football bowl games will be spread across multiple networks, including ABC, CBS, ESPN and Fox. Cord-cutters can stream nearly all of this season's bowl games on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule just lets his opinion fly when it comes to most aspects of college football.
The same can be said for the College Football Playoff, a highly-debated system that can be tweaked as it continues to evolve.
Rhule appears to be one of those supporters.
"Obviously, when I was at Temple, I would have argued the other way,” Rhule said, per KETV. “Now that I’m in the Big Ten, though. It’s not even the games you win and lose in the Big Ten. It’s the toll it takes on your team to play in the SEC and Big Ten. We play nine conference Big Ten games and travel all across the country. As a result, we only have three teams in."
“It’s almost like ‘Why are you going through the gauntlet of playing in the Big Ten and SEC?’ I watch the tape and I’m studying other conferences all the time," Rhule said. "The SEC and the Big Ten, in my opinion, are just harder conferences. I’d like to see more teams from those conferences, opposed to other ones."
Rhule says when you match the teams team-for-team, position-for-position and skill-for-skill that the Big Ten and SEC far outweigh some of the others.
"Expanding [the College Football Playoff] would be really cool. I think some play-in Games would be really cool," Rhule added. "Some teams benefited from not being in a conference championship game, so I think in college football, the one thing we’d like to see is uniformity. We all play the same amount of conference games and here’s how the Conference Championship Game works."
Ultimately, though, Rhule supports whatever Commissioner Tony Petittiwants to do.
"Let’s have automatic qualifiers and have No. 1 play No. 2 and have No. 3 play No. 6. No. 4 play No. 5. Play your way on it.’ You should have to win your way in, and I’d love to see it. It would be such a great step forward," Rhule said.
Whether Rhule's words are heard in the immediate future, though, remains to be seen.
Can anyone stop the North Central juggernaut in the NCAA Division III football playoffs?
The defending national champion has blown through the regular season, with only one opponent getting within 30 points of the Cardinals. After reaching the Stagg Bowl the last five years and lifting the trophy three times in that span, North Central has established itself as D3's top program.
That doesn't mean anyone will be rolling over for the Cardinals, though, and the most storied program in D3 football should be the top contender. Mount Union has 13 Division III titles, more than twice as many as any other school, and is looking to win the Stagg Bowl for the first time since 2017 after falling to North Central in the final last season.
The Purple Raiders will join a list of contenders including Johns Hopkins and Bethel hoping to find a way to solve North Central.
The Sporting News has all the details on the 2025 Division III football playoffs, including a complete schedule with live stream information.
The first round through the semifinals will stream live on ESPN+.
Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select, and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.
The fantasy football playoffs, for most leagues, begin in Week 15. If they've already begun in Week 14, then managers who have Christian McCaffrey already have to go one week without their best asset.
Unfortunately, the latest update from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, McCaffrey has been downgraded to questionable as a late addition to the injury report with a back issue. For fantasy managers, this is a terrible update.
It's crunch time in fantasy football, and managers might be without McCaffrey, their best player, in Week 15. What should fantasy managers do in case he's ruled out? Fortunately, an update from ESPN's Adam Schefter quells those rumors. But, in the fantasy playoffs, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Week 15 fantasy advice for Christian McCaffrey managers amid injury update
Schefter reports that McCaffrey is "good to go" for Week 15, but it's still a concerning report for McCaffrey. In the fantasy playoffs, it's better to be prepared in case he's ruled out.
With McCaffrey's status for Week 15, and potentially beyond, uncertain, adding backup running back Brian Robinson Jr. off waivers is a clear top priority for any manager.
Even if McCaffrey ends up playing, Robinson must be rostered. At the worst, he's insurance in case McCaffrey gets hurt in Week 15, and at the best, fantasy managers have Robinson ready to go if CMC is ruled out before Week 15.
Regardless of whether fantasy managers have McCaffrey or not, they should be clamoring to grab Robinson for a bench spot on their roster.
With a 4:25 EST start time for the 49ers and Tennessee Titans Week 15 matchup, most alternative options will have already played for fantasy managers.
Getting stuck without any solid alternatives in the fantasy playoffs would be a complete disaster. Adding Robinson, McCaffrey's direct backup, is a no-brainer.
McCaffrey managers who missed out on Robinson can keep an eye out for the Green Bay Packers' injury report, as there might be a new starting running back for Green Bay who's available this weekend.
Devin Neal of the New Orleans Saints is another potential option, though in most leagues, he's likely been picked up. But, any player playing in a 1:00 p.m. EST game won't be able to be substituted for McCaffrey if he's ruled out.
Fantasy managers with McCaffrey should be okay with the report from Schefter, but having a contingency plan is a must now that CMC was a late addition to the injury report with a back issue.
Youngsters Ibrahim Mbaye (L) and Quentin Ndjantou (R) were picked either side of Goncalo Ramos (C) in PSG's attack (Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN)
Teenagers Quentin Ndjantou and Ibrahim Mbaye starred as Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a hard-fought 3-2 win at rock-bottom Metz on Saturday.
Ndjantou scored his first goal for the club while Mbaye managed two assists, with Portuguese forward Goncalo Ramos and substitute Desire Doue adding the other goals for PSG.
"Ndjantou is the surprise of the beginning of the season -- he has this quality of running from deep and making himself available for the ball," said coach Luis Enrique.
"He has the qualities of a midfielder and a forward -- we expect a lot from him."
The coach was also pleased with Mbaye's performance.
"We believe in his qualities. He showed more than normal, more freedom, more at ease, he did some excellent things with and without the ball."
Four days before PSG play the Intercontinental Cup final against Brazil's Flamengo in Qatar, Luis Enrique rested a host of players for the trip to northeast France.
Even though Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele was not deemed well enough to play after an illness, Luis Enrique left Doue, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier on the bench.
Instead, 17-year-old Mbaye and 18-year-old Ndjantou were picked either side of Ramos in attack, and they did not disappoint.
However, Luis Enrique was otherwise unimpressed with his team, although he blamed it on his much-changed line-up.
"I was afraid, very afraid. Metz, particularly in the second half, were in the match right up to the last minute," he said, adding his team had "lost control" in the second half.
- Mbaye creator -
After a quiet opening, the game burst into life in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
Ramos gave PSG the lead when he headed home a cross from Lee Kang-in on 31 minutes.
On 39 minutes Ndjantou slid home Mbaye's devilish cross into the six-yard box.
Just three minutes later, Jessy Deminguet lashed home for Metz from outside the area after a ricochet fell into his path.
Danish goalkeeper Jonathan Fischer denied Ramos with a smart save to keep Metz in the game after the break.
Habib Diallo had a chance to equalise just before the hour mark but shinned his volley from the edge of the box wide of the upright.
Doue seemed to have sealed the victory for PSG when he raced clear from his own half, released by Mbaye, as Metz were caught pushing up at a corner.
Doue ran 70 yards before calmly slotting past Fischer.
A week after scoring his first goal of the season against Rennes, Mbaye hit the woodwork on 71 minutes.
Georgian Georgi Tsitaishvili gave Metz hope nine minutes from time with a curling effort from outside the box, but PSG held on.
Lens can return to the Ligue 1 summit if they beat Nice -- who have lost eight straight games in all competitions -- on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, Rennes moved up to fifth with a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Brest for their fifth success in their last six Ligue 1 encounters.
Accolades and awards season has arrived. Before we award the Heisman Trophy, the All-American team is one that will be debated and, in some cases, contested.
Each outlet put together a compelling roster. Of those five rosters, 13 players can hang their hat on being a consensus pick. The remaining roster spots are not necessarily contested; they just were not the consensus.
The consensus All American Team
On offense: Quarterback Fernando Mendoza (IND), running backs Jeremiyah Love (ND) and Ahmad Hardy (Mizzou), wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (OSU) and Makai Lemon (USC), tight end Eli Stowers (VANDY), offensive lineman Spencer Fano (UTAH), Emmanuel Pregnon (ORE), Logan Jones (IOWA), Olaivavega Ioane (Penn St), Carter Smith (IND)
On defense: Edge rushers David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Cashius Howell, interior defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (OSU) and A’Mauri Washington (ORE), linebackers Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (OSU), and CJ Allen (GEORGIA), safeties Caleb Downs (OSU) and Louis Moore (ND), and cornerbacks Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Leonard Moore (ND).
In the case of Jeremiyah Love, Ahmad Hardy, Makai Lemon, Jeremiah Smith, Eli Stowers, David Bailey, Kayden McDonald, Cashius Howell, Jacob Rodriguez, Arvell Reese, CJ Allen, Leonard Moore and Mansoor Delane, all were consensus picks.
Quarterback, offensive line, the second interior defensive lineman, and safety were much less agreed upon. In some cases, these variances are understandable. In the case of quarterback, there were not five different answers. It was two answers divided five ways.
CBS and On3 had Diego Pavia as their pick at quarterback. However, USA Today, The Athletic and Pro Football Focus all had Fernando Mendoza as their pick. Considering the Heisman race, this is an important position. While the pick feels like a coin flip, Mendoza has the better Heisman odds and has his team in the No. 1 spot.
Offensive lines are always a bit of a mixed bag. Like quarterback, there really is no bad answer. At tackle it comes down to three names for two spots. Spencer Fano, Carter Smith and the odd man out, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa. At guard, there are more names, but the same scenario. Emmanuel Pregnon and Olaivavega Ioane win the starting spots, but also Beau Stevens (IOWA), Febechi Nwaiwu (OKLA), and Kade Pieper (IOWA) were considered.
Center is again a three-headed situation. Miami’s James Brockermeyer, Iowa’s Logan Jones, and Florida’s Jack Slaughter. Logan Jones was considerably more consistent, but Brockermeyer and Slaughter make significant cases for the lone center spot.
Interior defensive lineman not named Kayden McDonald was the strangest part of the evaluation. Five outlets, five different names. All five names are deserving of the accolade, but only one can hold the spot. Landon Robinson of Navy, Tyrique Tucker of Indiana, Lee Hunter of Texas Tech and AJ Holmes Jr of Texas Tech all were considered, but ultimately went to A’Mauri Washington from Oregon.
Safety, like quarterback only came down to two names. Two names that otherwise would be the consensus if not for The Athletic and PFF having one off choices. Caleb Downs and Louis Moore make up the safety roster spots for CBS, USA Today and On3. The Athletic had Downs and Dillon Thieneman (ORE), while PFF had Moore and Bishop Fitzgerald (USC).
Snubs and overlooked candidates
The term “snubs” might not apply here as the term suggests ‘didn’t make it but should have’. Obviously, many college football players with good production might wonder why they didn’t make it. That is to be expected. However, after searching for names not mentioned among the five, like Rueben Bain Jr of Miami or LJ Martin of BYU, there are reasons there are names ahead of them.
Drew Mestemaker, the North Texas quarterback has a legitimate complaint. Competition level being the prime reason against. Mestemaker was the only division 1 quarterback to put up over 4,000 yards. The next closes was 3,681 yards from Baylor’s Sawyer Robinson. You have to go all the way down to the No. 11 spot to find a Heisman hopeful or a playoff quarterback in Julian Sayin. Sayin was only a few yards ahead of the QB winner, Mendoza.
There were three running backs to outperform Jeremiyah Love in yards. Once yards and touchdowns are viewed together, Love is the clear RB1 with Ahmad Hardy being a pretty close second for the RB2 spot. However, right after that there are names that were very much in the conversation. Cam Cook of Jacksonville State led the nation in rushing with 16 touchdowns being nothing to sneeze at.
After Love, the aforementioned LJ Martin and his 1,305 yards to go with 12 touchdowns was also a factor. However, the biggest would-be snub at running back would have to be Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss. Lacy is one of only two backs to score 20 or more rushing touchdowns. His almost 1,300 yards on the ground separates him from Caleb Hawkins (N. Texas), the other back with 20+ touchdowns.
Despite having a comparatively down season (when compared to 2024) Jeremiah Smith absolutely still makes the cut. He and Makai Lemon are without a doubt WR1 and WR2. Danny Scudero (San Jose State), Skyler Bell (UConn) and Wyatt Young (N. Texas) all have more yards than Lemon or Smith, but the 13.6+ yards per reception and their 11 touchdowns separates them from the pack.
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr was not the defensive end snub one might think with only 4.5 sacks registered in 2025. While Bain should expect to hear his name called early on day 1 of the NFL Draft, his sack numbers by season’s end were not close enough to challenge Bailey and Howell.
However, Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker, does have a complaint to file. Despite the competition gap, Tucker led the nation in sacks, not Bailey. Tucker also leads all qualified candidates with four forced fumbles. Tucker also had more tackles than both Bailey and Howell.
At linebacker, there were two names ahead of everyone else. Jacob Rodgriguez and Arvell Reese. Along with CJ Allen, they form a consensus linebacker group. However, Colorado State’s Owen Long led the nation in tackles with 151. Which was 34 more tackles than the fan favorite Rodriguez.
Each name mentioned here is deserving of credit and accolades based on highly productive seasons. However, there are only so many spots per position. Each All-American team posted by CBS, USA Today, On3, The Athletic and PFF are good rosters and none had any player named who was not within range. The composite team takes all of those names mentioned at five different outlets and creates best fit result or as close to consensus as any outlet is bound to provide.
The thrilling 2025 college football regular season has concluded, leaving a wake of unforgettable moments, historic upsets, and dominant individual performances. Now, as the dust settles and the College Football Playoff field is set, the spotlight turns from team standings to the players who defined the year.
The release of the finalists for college football’s most prestigious annual awards officially kicks off the final leg of the season. The race for the Heisman Memorial Trophy has been one of the closest in recent memory, featuring unexpected challengers like Indiana’s transcendent quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt’s dynamic signal-caller Diego Pavia, alongside other elite talents like Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin.
The receiving corps was just as electric, with a fierce battle for the Biletnikoff Award—honoring the nation’s most outstanding receiver—headlined by Ohio State’s phenomenal sophomore Jeremiah Smith and USC’s versatile playmaker Makai Lemon.
It is time to celebrate the athletes who rose above the competition, rewriting record books and delivering iconic performances for their universities.
Here are the complete lists of finalists and announced winners for each of college football’s top individual honors.
Mohamed Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him 'under the bus' after he was left on the bench for last week's 3-3 draw at Leeds (Paul ELLIS)
Arne Slot said there was "no issue to resolve" after Mohamed Salah returned for Liverpool's 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday -- a week after he took aim at the club in a fiery interview.
Hugo Ekitike scored at Anfield after 46 seconds and Salah, brought off the substitutes' bench in the first half, set up the Frenchman's second goal after the break.
Salah, 33, last week accused the faltering Premier League champions of throwing him "under the bus" after he was left on the bench for the 3-3 draw at Leeds -- the third match in a row that he had not started.
The Egyptian also said that he had no relationship with Liverpool manager Slot when he spoke to reporters after the match at Elland Road.
He was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0, and was the subject of intense scrutiny in the build-up to Saturday's home game.
Slot said at Friday's pre-match press conference that he would speak to the forward later in the day, adding: "I have no reasons (for) not wanting him to stay."
Speaking to reporters after the win against Brighton, the Dutchman said there was "no issue to resolve" with Salah, whose corner was headed home by Ekitike in the 60th minute.
"For me he's now the same as any other player," he said. "You talk to your players if you're happy or unhappy with things, but there's nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds, after the game."
Slot confirmed that the winger was left out of the squad for the fixture in Italy due to his interview but defended his approach.
"The question is always, and everybody has a different opinion about that, should he be (left out) once, twice, three times, four times, four months, 12 years?
"Every manager makes different decisions in that, but he wasn't involved in the game against Milan and I spoke to him yesterday.
- Actions louder than words -
"And I think, as I usually never say anything about (what) we talk about, I'm not going to make an exception now, but I think actions speak louder than what has been said.
"He was in the squad again and when I had to make my first substitutions, I brought him in. And he performed as I think every fan, including me, would like him to perform today."
Salah now has 277 goal involvements for Liverpool in the Premier League -- 188 goals and 89 assists -- a new record by a player for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney's mark for Manchester United.
Salah, who signed a new two-year contract in April, now departs for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final on January 18.
The forward, who has been linked with a move to the wealthy Saudi Pro League, had invited his family to the Brighton game as speculation swirled over his future.
Slot laughed off a question about whether the match could have been Salah's last for the club.
"He wasn't the only player who walked around the pitch thanking the fans, because the fans deserved a thank you from us," he said.
He added: "Mo is going to go to the AFCON now, I hope he's going to do very well, and in the meantime we have to play here without him, with not that many players available at the moment."
Salah, third in Liverpool's all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.
He scored 29 Premier League goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals during the current campaign.
Saturday's victory for Liverpool was their first at Anfield since November 4 and lifts Slot's men to sixth in the table, easing the pressure on the beleaguered coach.
Marcus Freeman may still be coming to terms with Notre Dame’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff, but the Irish coach is already drawing attention at the professional level.
There were rumors he could end up with the Chicago Bears after the season, but there's reportedly another team with serious interest. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Freeman has emerged as a candidate for the New York Giants’ head coaching vacancy.
Russini reported that Freeman is on a short list that also includes Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. She also linked Texas' Steve Sarkisian to the Tennessee Titans opening earlier this year.
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman is among the names on the candidates list for the Giants’ head coaching vacancy, I’m told.
Freeman is an attractive option for a few different reasons. He's expected to draw interest from multiple NFL teams after leading Notre Dame to the national championship game last season and compiling a 10-2 record this year. The 39-year-old coach has steadily elevated the program since taking over in 2022, establishing Notre Dame as a consistent national contender.
Whether Freeman would consider a move to the NFL remains unclear. He signed a contract extension last year that runs through the 2030 season, signaling Notre Dame’s long-term commitment to him. Freeman has frequently emphasized his belief in the program and his desire to bring a national title to South Bend.
Just like the college carousel, the NFL moves quickly, and opportunities at the professional level are rare. As recent coaching cycles have shown, contract terms often become secondary when coveted positions open, leaving Freeman with significant decisions ahead as interest builds.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah came off the substitutes' bench against Brighton (Paul ELLIS)
Mohamed Salah set up a goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday as he returned to action after an explosive outburst cast doubt over his future at the Premier League champions.
The Egypt forward, the subject of intense scrutiny in the build-up to the game at Anfield, came off the substitutes' bench to huge cheers in the 26th minute, replacing injured defender Joe Gomez.
The home team, whose title defence has collapsed after a shocking run of results, were leading 1-0 at the time, with France forward Hugo Ekitike on the scoresheet after just 46 seconds.
Brighton squandered a number of opportunities to level and Ekitike scored his second with half an hour to go, heading home Salah's corner.
The Egyptian superstar now has 277 goal involvements for Liverpool in the Premier League -- 188 goals and 89 assists -- a new record by a player for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney's mark for Manchester United.
"Mohamed is a great, great professional," Ekitike told the BBC. "I look to him as an example. You can see how much he is involved in goals and assists.
"He is a legend here. To share the pitch is a blessing. That's the kind of player who makes us like to watch football."
Saturday marked a dramatic change of mood for Salah, who last week accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was left on the bench for the 3-3 draw at Leeds -- the third match in a row that he had been named among the replacements.
The 33-year-old winger also said he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot in his extraordinary outburst and was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0.
Slot said at his pre-match press conference that he would hold talks with Salah and there was feverish speculation in the build-up to Saturday's match about what role the Egyptian would play.
Liverpool made a lightning start, taking the lead in the first minute when Joe Gomez set up Ekitike, who thumped the ball past Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton's Diego Gomez squandered a good chance and Brajan Gruda went close as the home crowd chanted Salah's name.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Ekitike headed home Salah's corner.
The Egyptian himself went close in stoppage time after he was set up by Federico Chiesa but he blazed over.
He was embraced by teammates at the final whistle and was applauded by fans.
The win -- Liverpool's first at Anfield since November 4 -- lifts Slot's men to sixth in the table, easing the pressure on the beleaguered coach.
- Salah departure -
Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, will now depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final on January 18.
The forward, who has been linked with a move to the wealthy Saudi Pro League, had invited his family to the Brighton game as speculation swirled over his future.
"I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup," he told reporters last week. "I don't know what is going to happen when I am there."
Salah, third in Liverpool's all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.
He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals this season.
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) football state semifinals continues today as teams from the Lone Star State are looking to book their ticket to next week’s state championship games to be held at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. Arguably one of the biggest matchup of the dais pits the No. 9 nationally ranked Allen Eagles against the No. 23 ranked Duncanville Panthers. Both teams bring state championship pedigrees to the table and this tilt features some of the best high school football talent Texas has to offer. We preview the Saturday afternoon matchup between the two Lone Star football giants.
How to Watch Allen Eagles vs. Duncanville Panthers in Texas 6A-I state semifinals game
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13 Time: 3 p.m. CT Location: Eagle Stadium in Allen, TX TV Channel: Victory+
Allen Players to Watch
WR Caleb Smith: One half of the dynamic Allen receiving duo, Smith, a Arizona signee, has hauled in 76 passes for 865 yards and scored eight touchdowns.
WR Carter Harris: the other half of the wide receiving dup is Harris, who has put up some monster numbers this season. The pass catcher has totaled 37 catches for an eye-popping 1,124 yards and 10 touchdowns.
QBJeremiah Daoud: The Florida Atlantic quarterback signee has been playing very well behind center, throwing for 2,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season.
QB Ty Snell: We have to mention the freshman that has been sharing snaps with Daoud throughout the season Snell has thrown for 1,030 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Duncanville Players to Watch
QBJcoryon Rivers: The senior signal caller has taken over the bulk of the snaps after sharing time earlier in the season. Rivers has thrown for 1,126 yards and 11 touchdowns this Texas high school football season.
DLLandon Barnes: The Ole Miss signee has been a problem for opposing offensive lineman as the EDGE rusher has totaled 41 tackles, 22 for loss and 10 sacks.
DLKevin Ford: On the other side of Barnes is Ford, who has already signed with the University of Florida. Ford has accounted for 27 tackles, 16 for loss and seven sacks this season.
WRTrenton Yancey: The 2027 four-star wide receiver has been tremendous throughout the season for the Panthers, hauling in 51 passes for 750 yards and nine touchdowns.
Where to Watch the Texas Class 6A-I state semifinals on livestream:
You can watch the Duncanville Panthers take on the Allen Eagles starting at 3 p.m. CT on Victory+.
How to Follow Texas High School Football
For Texas high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Lone Star State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Texas.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah came off the bench against Brighton (Paul ELLIS)
Mohamed Salah came off the bench in the first half of Liverpool's match against Brighton on Saturday, a week after he made explosive comments about the club and manager Arne Slot.
The Egypt forward was introduced to loud cheers in the 26th minute after defender Joe Gomez was forced off injured.
The home team were leading 1-0 at Anfield after Hugo Ekitike scored in the first minute.
Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was left on the bench for last week's 3-3 draw at Leeds -- the third match in a row that he did not start.
He also said he had no relationship with Slot when he spoke to reporters after the match at Elland Road.
He was omitted from the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0.
Slot said at Friday's pre-match press conference that he would speak to the forward later in the day.
"I have no reasons not wanting him to stay," he said.
Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, is due to join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after the Brighton match.
The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt go in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on January 18.
Salah, third in Liverpool's all-time scoring charts with 250 goals, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown during his spell on Merseyside.
He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title but has managed just four league goals this season.
Liverpool started their match against Brighton 10th in the table after a shocking run.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is finalizing a deal to remain in Columbia for the 2026 season, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
This is a move that would keep one of college football’s most talented dual-threat quarterbacks out of the NFL Draft for at least one more year.
Sellers had been widely viewed as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and, at times, a candidate to be selected near the top of the board. Instead, he is expected to return to South Carolina and is reportedly in the final stages of an agreement to run it back with the Gamecocks.
Sources: South Carolina star quarterback LaNorris Sellers is nearing a deal to return to the school for his redshirt junior year in 2026. He’s indicated to the staff he’ll be returning. The sides are the expected to finalize a deal soon. pic.twitter.com/mIOodckfMe
Seller, who has been part of the program for three seasons, has started the past two years and emerged as one of the nation’s most dynamic quarterbacks. Over that span, he has completed 63.2% of his passes for 4,971 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, while adding 944 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground.
His production dipped this past season following a breakout first year as a starter. Sellers completed 60.8% of his throws for 2,437 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while rushing for 270 yards and five touchdowns as the offense regressed overall.
Now entering his third season as the starter, Sellers will work under his third offensive coordinator in three years, with Kendal Briles taking over after stops at Baylor, Arkansas and Florida State.
South Carolina is banking on continuity at quarterback and another step forward as Sellers looks to refine his game and lead the Gamecocks again.
Astronomical World Cup ticket prices might have been a huge issue for English fans this week, but you wouldn’t have guessed that from the Football Association board meeting. Sources say they weren’t even discussed. The guidance in one weekly missive instead just stated: “Fifa set the prices, we aren’t involved, we don’t get to approve them, and we only received them just prior to the announcement. We are aware that many of our fans and fan groups are unhappy with the pricing, and have asked us to relay their concerns to Fifa. We will do that.”
To which an obvious response is, what about the FA’s own concerns? What about its anger about this? What about the fact it had ample warning about these prices for months? Where’s the lobbying? These are just pre-sales. There is time for pressure to work and Fifa to reverse this.
Fifa has been accused of a ‘monumental betrayal’, with the cheapest tickets for the World Cup final costing more than £3,000 (Getty)
Sources within the Football Supporters’ Association [FSA] are already unnerved by the lack of public statement, and have warned the FA that “silence isn’t an option”.
The English body is hardly alone in this, even if it does hold a unique power as one of the biggest federations in the world, with all the symbolic historic weight as the federation that set the sport’s rules.
Many national associations privately declared themselves “shocked” by the prices on Thursday, but that hasn’t yet translated into any action. The German federation, the DFB, was also embarrassingly meek as it spoke of how it “would have preferred more affordable tickets”.
Stirring stuff from the federation that represents the most mobilised fans in the world.
At this point, it’s hard not to wonder when action might actually come; what might finally prompt some sort of jolt in football’s stagnant but self-servingly aloof status quo.
This is, after all, only the latest Fifa misstep in a frankly astonishing two weeks, even by modern standards.
And now this, a grand rip-off of those who actually make the sport, in what Football Supporters Europe [FSE] has described as “a monumental betrayal”.
Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural Fifa ‘peace prize’ during the World Cup draw ceremony (AP)
But it’s even more than that. As much as it seems a basic case of fans being ripped off, it goes much deeper, in two ways.
One is that it sums up the problem with modern football in one simple issue. That is, the escalating tension over whether the game is just another commodity to be bought and sold with no concern for anything else, or if it’s more important than that.
The World Cup itself is emphatic evidence of the latter. These are not just “entertainment events”, like a Taylor Swift concert, that Fifa appears to have used as some kind of benchmark for the US market.
World Cup matches form some of the greatest days in countries’ histories. They’re special. Some fans wait their entire lives for this, spending tens of thousands following their teams in anticipation of this moment.
Many fans will be priced out of attending games with England supporters facing a £5,000 bill if they reach the final (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)Scotland fans will be making their first appearance at a men’s World Cup since 1998 (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
This is what football culture is. This is what Fifa should be recognising.
It is, instead, far from the first time that the Gianni Infantino leadership has displayed a complete misunderstanding of its own game.
That’s even as the issues with these tickets should be so obvious.
Firstly, the shift away from standard pricing across all group matches – with the FSE describing “vague criteria” such as “perceived attractiveness” of a fixture – is new, and a deviation from every previous World Cup. The lowest category 4 tickets will also not be available to the hardcore fans through “Participating Members Association allocation”, but instead will be subject to the open market and dynamic pricing. These choices are all the more surprising when a not-for-profit registered charity like Fifa was anticipating record revenue of $11bn even before this. They represent a deviation from the bid book for this very tournament in 2018, which was also based on the old system.
Inflation in the US has never exceeded 8 per cent in that time. Thursday’s prices represent, on average, an inflation of 174 per cent on the 2018 projected prices. It’s unjustifiable, leading to tickets that are five times more than the last World Cup. The FSA has calculated that England fans would have to pay a minimum of $7,020 (£5,248) to follow their team to the final, and that’s before travel and accommodation. Supporters are also expected to pay all of this money in February, with money only returned if the team are knocked out – minus an admin fee. Disabled supporters who are normally allowed companions are meanwhile charged twice.
World Cup ticket prices were released after the draw, with national associations reacting in horror at the astronomical prices (AP)
Some arguments have been made about having to be guided by the local US market.
Why?
Fifa was not guided by the local market in South Africa or Brazil, or any previous World Cup.
It must be stressed that all of this was a top-down initiative from the Infantino hierarchy, which sources say was “put together by a small circle”, and that even the Fifa Council had no idea of.
But, if council members didn’t know, what exactly are they doing to justify their $300,000 remuneration? Why aren’t they speaking up now? This is as core a football issue as you can get. Debbie Hewitt, the FA chair, is better placed than anyone as Fifa vice-president.
The Infantino leadership will argue that all of this – right up to the calendar chaos caused by the Club World Cup – boosts Fifa revenue, which goes back to the member associations through the Fifa Forward programme. But this is the same programme criticised as a mere clientelistic, vote-returning mechanism, and that in a game already awash with money. So what it mostly does is strengthen Infantino’s position.
And that in a system in which there is no second party. There is no outlet for dissent, a problem sharpened by the manner in which speaking out is often punished by political ostracisation or difficulty in securing major events – like World Cups. Years on, football is still governed by the same old politics. No wonder Fifa can say the voters are not complaining.
Sources within the FA will argue that they have a duty to try and bring tournaments to England, which is why the bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup requires political delicacy.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham would have a delicate role to play if the governing body decides to challenge Fifa (John Walton/PA Wire)
But England are the only bidders.
What’s more, the association has even more of a duty to its support base, and how they experience the game.
The FA needs to actually speak up, to show fans it has their back.
For the moment, Fifa’s latest missives indicate it’s not for changing. A news release on Friday night was crowing about five million registrations, but most of those were before the announcement of these prices.
That can change, too. Football doesn’t just need to accept this ridiculous “supply and demand” rationale, as if it’s only subject to the market rather than its own decisions. There is actually time for something to be done.
It would be good if, for once, senior football figures tried that.
Lionel Messi's tour of India kicked off on a chaotic note on Saturday as fans ripped up seats and threw them onto the pitch after his brief visit to the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, the ANI news agency reported.
Messi is in India as part of his “GOAT” tour during which he is scheduled to attend concerts, youth football clinics, a Padel tournament and launch charitable initiatives at events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
According to reports in Indian media, the 2022 World Cup winner walked around the pitch at the stadium waving to the fans, but was closely surrounded by a large group of people and left 20 minutes after arrival.
Video from ANI showed fans throwing ripped-up stadium seats and other objects onto the field and the athletics track at the site, with several people who had climbed over a fence surrounding the playing field hurling objects.
Messi was scheduled for a 45-minute visit to the stadium, but his appearance lasted just 20 minutes. Tickets for the event were priced from around 3,500 rupees ($38.65) – more than half of the average weekly income in India – but one fan said he had paid $130 (£99).
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi... Why did they call us then? We have got a ticket for 12 thousand rupees [$132.51, £99], but we were not even able to see his face,” a fan at the stadium told ANI.
Riot police were called as fans trampled onto the pitch in protest (Reuters)Messi was surrounded by a delegation on his brief visit to the stadium (AFP via Getty Images)
The organisers of Messi's tour of India did not immediately reply to a request for a comment, but Satadru Dutta, the event’s chief organiser, has been detained by police, said Rajeev Kumar, director general of West Bengal police.
Kumar told reporters: “We’ve already detained the main organiser. We’re taking action so that this mismanagement does not go unpunished. He has already pledged in writing that tickets sold for the event should be refunded.”
The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, apologised to Messi and ordered a probe into the incident.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium," Banerjee, who was on her way to the event when chaos broke out, posted on X. “I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.”
Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, which, along with the states of Kerala and Goa, has long had a large football fanbase in an otherwise cricket-crazed country.
Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona twice visited Kolkata and, in 2017, unveiled a statue of himself holding the World Cup, in the presence of thousands of fans.
Messi, who played a friendly match at the Salt Lake stadium in 2011 in which Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0, virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in the city earlier on Saturday.
There aren’t many stories in college football better than Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers.
Mendoza, who transferred to Bloomington from California in the offseason, has been electric for Indiana on its way to the program’s first-ever 13-0 season and its first outright Big Ten title since 1945. The quarterback has emerged as one of the best players in the sport, leading the nation in passing touchdowns in his first year in Bloomington.
Here’s more about his hometown, high school and where the Hoosiers’ superstar came from.
He was born in Miami and attended Christopher Columbus High School there. He is also of Cuban descent, with all four of his grandparents having been born and raised in Cuba before emigrating to Miami.
Mandy Mendoza is a central figure in Fernando’s life and a powerful inspiration for his charitable work. She is recognized for her courageous battle against Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a progressive autoimmune disease. The family often speaks about how her perseverance has shaped Fernando’s resilient mindset and work ethic.
Fernando Mendoza's mom lives with MS.
She's his best friend and inspiration for everything he does.
If you do anything today, take two minutes and listen to Fernando talk about his mom and how much she means to him. pic.twitter.com/tWHvC7QjxN
Mandy has been instrumental in the creation of Fernando's NIL merchandise line, as a portion of all proceeds is dedicated to the National MS Society. By publicly sharing her story, she has helped transform her son's athletic success into a significant platform for MS awareness and fundraising. She resides with the family in Miami.
Alex Mendoza (Father)
Alex Mendoza is the father of Fernando and has played a key role in supporting his son's football career and the family's transition to a high-profile college football environment. He has been described in media reports as a quiet but consistent source of support, often managing the complexities surrounding Fernando's college career and his off-field business endeavors.
Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza sees his mom and dad for the first time after winning a Big Ten Title pic.twitter.com/XevCQJn0yZ
Alex, along with Mandy, raised Fernando in Miami. The Mendozas have deep roots in the city, with Alex supporting Fernando through his high school years and during the period he spent at Cal before his transfer to Indiana.
Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. He was a notable quarterback for the Explorers, although he was not a heavily recruited prospect, which has added to his compelling underdog story.
Mendoza was part of the 2019 team that won the Florida 8A State Championship as a sophomore. Though he was the third-string quarterback, he gained valuable experience and started a few games that year due to injuries.
Mendoza played in 17 games in high school, the majority of starts coming his senior year. In 2021, he completed 107 of 169 passes (63.3% completion rate) for 1,169 yards, with 11 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions.
He led Columbus to the FHSAA Class 8A State Championship game. As a recruit, Mendoza initially committed to Yale before flipping to California.
Did Fernando Mendoza play other sports?
Mendoza did not play other sports in high school.
Fernando Mendoza recruiting offers
Mendoza was rated as a two-star or low three-star prospect, depending on the recruiting service, and was not highly sought after by Power Five (now Power Four) schools.
Rated as only a two-star or low three-star prospect, Mendoza did not attract the attention of top FBS schools for much of his high school career, despite leading his team to a state championship appearance. His initial and most notable offers came from smaller Division I programs, including Yale, Penn, and Lehigh. Believing this was his highest ceiling,
Mendoza committed to Yale before his senior year. Crucially, the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) was the only Power Five school to extend a scholarship offer to Mendoza, and it came very late in the cycle after another quarterback de-committed. Seizing the opportunity to play at the highest level, Mendoza flipped his commitment from Yale and signed with Cal, signaling that his remarkable career.
Fernando Mendoza is not your typical college football star. He helped lead the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten title since 1967, sure, but there’s more depth to the Indiana QB than what’s apparent on television.
Off the field, Mendoza has taken an interest in business, real estate and finance. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cal in just three years and has interned for real estate firms. His LinkedIn is quite active, too.
At Indiana, he is enrolled in business coursework. Here’s everything you need to know about Mendoza’s LinkedIn page and his degrees from Cal and Indiana
Mendoza is active on LinkedIn and posts frequent updates on his page — from attending baseball games to announcing NIL partnerships with major brands like Adidas and more.
Mendoza's LinkedIn includes an in-depth "About Me" section:
"Process-driven and detail-oriented leader studying Business Administration at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business after graduating from UC Berkeley in three years," His page reads.
"As a quarterback for Indiana Football, I apply a strong foundation in leadership, time management, and communication to excel both on and off the field. I’m passionate about leveraging my background in business, real estate, and finance to build a career that combines strategic thinking, teamwork, and community impact.I take pride in fostering positive team culture, adapting to new environments, and driving success through preparation, accountability, and collaboration."
According to Mendoza's Indiana bio, he earned his undergraduate from Cal in business administration in just three years. At Indiana, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Business Administration and Management, commonly referred to as an MBA. His listed date of completion is Dec. 2026.
What did Fernando Mendoza study at Cal?
Mendoza's LinkedIn page also feartures various insights on what he has studied during his collegiate career. He has some impressive coursework listed from his days at Cal, like Analytical Geometry and Calculus, Introductory Probability and Statistics for Business, Introduction to Economics and Principles of Business.
What does Fernando Mendoza study at Indiana?
Mendoza is enrolled in Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. According to Carolyn Goerner, who is faculty chair of Kelley Executive Education Programs and clinical professor of management at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, IU students enrolled in the program's MBA program can take a variety of courses. The school partners with various organizations like the NFLPA, Major League Baseball, the WNBA to customize a curriculum, while also requiring the 10 core courses required to earn an MBA.
"In terms of the electives, that's where folks can get some more flexibility," Goerner told The Sporting News via a phone interview. Our program tends to offer electives as they relate to what our partner organizations want, and so that's really the flex coming in here. So we've actually sat down with our professional sports associations and done the surveys [asking] what are your what do your folks need as they're transitioning out of sport, and then kind of put the courses together accordingly."
While Mendoza himself is expected to have a career in the NFL after his playing days at Indiana, Goerner says the program has helped former IU athletes in the next stages of their careers.
"A couple of our NFL players have started foundations," Goerner said. So they've gone through the whole 'how do I figure out a nonprofit and make that work?' A lot of the folks come through, and what winds up happening is just a series of businesses. So there's not just one thing, but a number of enterprises. ur goal is to set them up so that they can know what the financial statements say and how to make decisions around them. Know how to evaluate people who might be working with them, and really just have a good sense of how to partner smartly with folks as they move through a variety of different ventures."
Mendoza has interned for two different places, in the summer of 2023 and 2024. His first internship, with Acre Investment Company is described on LinkedIn as "a Northern California based investment firm pursuing value-add commercial and residential real estate opportunities."
According to Mendoza’s LinkedIn page, he worked in commercial real estate with Acre, where he researched available properties nationwide, compiled data for those listings, and helped streamline the acquisition process for future business endeavors.
In the summer of 2024, Mendoza interned with Newmark, a commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors and global corporations. Per his LinkedIn page, Mendoza conducted property tours, researched commercial real estate in the Bay Area, and participated in various workshops and networking events.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza could potentially become the Hoosiers’ first-ever Heisman winner. The redshirt junior is having the best season of his collegiate career, throwing for 2,980 yards with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions.
He led Indiana to its first Big Ten title since 1967 in his first season as the Hoosiers’ starter. Mendoza spent three seasons at Cal before transferring to Indiana. Although it may seem as if he was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, he was anything but.
Here’s how a former two-star recruit with just one power-conference offer became the odds-on favorite to capture the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza started his high school career at Miami’s Belen Jesuit Prep School before transferring to rival Christopher Columbus High School as a sophomore. A private all-boys school, Columbus has a strong reputation both athletically and academically. It has produced numerous college and NFL stars, including Mike Shula, Alonzo Highsmith, Brian Griese and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal.
Under head coach Dave Dunn, the program has won three state titles: in 2019 — when Mendoza was a backup as a sophomore — and again in 2022 and 2023.
"He's deadly serious about becoming a great football player," Dunn told The Sporting News. "He would eat lunch with me every day just to go over, like, whatever it was that day. It might be practice film from that morning, we'd watch opponent film. He would have a question or an idea that we would go over on the board."
When Columbus' starting quarterback got hurt in 2019, Mendoza showed flashes of his ability in clutch moments. Leading up to a game against Dillard High School, Dunn says Mendoza was out sick all week. Mendoza's father, Fernando IV, played offensive line with Cristobal at Columbus, and was a national and collegiate rower. The older Mendoza called Dunn that week to ensure his son would be in school on Friday to suit up, in case the coach needed him. Lo and behold, he did.
"The only other quarterback we had gets a concussion in the game," Dunn said. "We are down by seven. I think there's maybe 20 seconds to go, and we had the ball. His first pass ever—he did not practice the whole week—he threw a touchdown pass."
Although Columbus missed the extra point and lost the game, Mendoza's performance impressed Dunn.
"I'm like, 'this kid's, he's unbelievable,'" Dunn said. "It was literally, like an eight-day period of him not practicing, coming in the worst possible situation, and putting us in position to win the game."
"It's the exact same stuff you see on TV when he's playing for IU right now," Dunn continued. "Knows where to go with the football. Deadly accurate, very decisive. All the qualities you want in a quarterback."
Mendoza became a starter for the Explorers as a junior and senior in 2020 and 2021. Although he threw for 2,195 yards with 24 touchdowns over those two seasons, his college recruitment was relatively quiet.
His offers included the likes of Yale, Penn, Lehigh, Bryant and FIU. He attended camps at Miami, FIU and LSU, but COVID disrupted his process. Columbus played just eight games in 2020, choosing to opt out of the FHSAA postseason due to COVID concerns. There was also far less in-person scouting that year. He was rated as a two-star per the 247Sports Composite, ranked as the No. 140th overall quarterback for 2022.
"It was beyond frustrating," Dunn said of the lack of interest from major schools in his quarterback.
But Fernando wasn't fazed by the lack of interest from major schools.
"He had faith that it eventually would work out," Dunn said. "[He knew] how hard everybody was working for him. At the end it was his faith in the process was what was able to kind of pull him through that tough time."
He was committed to Yale for most of his recruiting process until Cal — his first and only offer from a power-conference school — came along late. Current Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, who was Cal's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020-2022, learned about Mendoza from a well-known quarterbacks coach in South Florida, David Lee.
"He called and said, 'I don't know where you are with the recruiting, you probably have a guy committed there at Cal, but there's a guy down here I've been training, and COVID adversely affected his recruiting."
The Bears had planned on signing 4-star QB Justyn Martin, but he flipped to UCLA in the fall of 2021.
"'When I work him out, I swear, he's actually really good at football,'" Musgrave continued, recalling what Lee told him about Mendoza.
Lee writes quarterback scouting reports for the Miami Dolphins, and is credited with helping bring the Wildcat to the NFL.
"There aren't a lot of tall guys playing quarterback anymore," Musgrave said of Mendoza as a passer. "They're smaller guys that can move and run around and ad-lib, which is great — that's one way to skin the cat, but another way to skin the cat is to be a precision passer from the pocket, and that's what he is. He's deadly accurate down the field, intermediate. He throws with anticipation."
Mendoza visited Cal during the last week in January and flipped his pledge to the Bears a few days later on National Signing Day.
Why did Fernando Mendoza transfer from Cal to Indiana?
As a true freshman at Cal, Mendoza shined bright in simulated late-game situations during practice.
"This kid would make some throw or some scramble or great fade or post down the middle," Musgrave said. "And just feather it perfectly. Or drive it and frozen rope it right in for a touchdown. I mean, time after time after time in those clutch situations."
Mendoza took a redshirt in 2022 before starting for Cal in 2023 and 2024. He threw for 4,712 yards with 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with the Bears, having three different offensive coordinators during his time at Berkeley.
But at Indiana, Mendoza has elevated himself as a passer. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has produced top-five scoring offenses two seasons in a row. His offensive coordinator, Mike Shanahan (coincidentally, no relation to that Mike Shanahan), has been with Cignetti since he was a head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2016.
"I just think it's the combination of the stability of the coaching staff at IU," Dunn said. "And the system from year to year that has allowed him to flourish."
Just like he did in high school and at Cal, he's come through clutch in late-game situations. He's led game-winning drives on the road against Iowa, Oregon and Penn State. The road game against Penn State on Nov. 8 is one that vaulted him to the front of the Heisman race. Trailing 24-20 with two minutes left, Mendoza led the Hoosiers on a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
His touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. in the back of the end zone is one of the best throws of the season.
Dunn texted Mendoza after the game, congratulating him on the win.
"I said 'epic composure, leading your team down the field.' He texted me back, 'just like [the] Deerfield Beach game junior year, just louder.'"
Mendoza’s impressive season has him climbing up draft boards. He is a redshirt junior with one year of eligibility remaining, but he could declare for the NFL Draft after this season.
"He would want to be compared to Tom Brady, because that's his idol," Dunn said of his NFL outlook. "I will not throw that comparison out there."But, he's a big, strong, intelligent quarterback that will do everything possible to make himself ready to play on Sundays and make his team better."
ESPN's latest mock draft has him going No. 1 overall to the New York Jets, CBS puts him at No. 2 overall to the Raiders.
"He's not going to be surprised by anything on the field," Musgrave added, comparing him to Matt Ryan, whom he coached with the Atlanta Falcons. "He prepares, and when he sees something on the field, he's got a real fast processor. He's got a real lightning quick chip there in his brain. He can process what he sees and be decisive in a nanosecond."
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.
Former WSU coach Mike Leach talks with his team on the sidelines during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on Nov. 22, 2014, in Tempe, Arizona. Leach led the team for eight seasons, from 2012 to 2019. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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.”
Army vs. Navy is one of college football's oldest and greatest rivalries. Who will stand tall when M&T Bank Stadium hosts both programs?
Navy holds the all-time record against Army, 63–55–7. The former won last year and attempts to win two straight for the first time since 2014-15.
Jeff Monken has coached Army to the Fenway Bowl, the Black Knights’ second straight bowl game since 2020-21. Last year's AAC champions are led by QB Cale Hellums, a dual-threat QB who has more rushing than passing yards.
Navy also has a dual-threat QB in Blake Horvath, who has rushed and thrown for over 1,000 yards. The Midshipmen will compete in a second straight bowl game for the first time since 2016-17.
Here is everything that you need to know in order to listen to Army vs. Navy on the radio.
Army vs. Navy radio station
Radio station: SiriusXM channels 82 (Army broadcast), 83 (Navy broadcast)
You can listen to Army vs. Navy live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 82 (Army broadcast) and 83 (Navy broadcast).
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Army vs. Navy start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Army vs. Navy kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The home of the Ravens can hold up to 71,008 people.
Fans threw chairs onto the track of a stadium in Kolkata following an appearance of football star Lionel Messi (Dibyangshu SARKAR)
Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.
As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.
Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.
Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.
Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.
"For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium," businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.
Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup.
He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.
Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent "a month's salary" to see Messi.
"I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame," Ajay Shah, told PTI.
Javed Shamim, a senior police official in the state, told reporters that event's "the chief organiser" had been arrested, without giving any further details.
"There is total normalcy," he said, adding that authorities would look into how organisers could refund money to those who bought tickets.
State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "disturbed" and "shocked" at the mismanagement.
"I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.
Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.
His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America.
There is no greater tradition in college football than when Army and Navy face off. Expect fireworks this year at M&T Bank Stadium.
The rivalry started in 1890. Navy holds the all-time record against Army, 63–55–7. The former won last year and attempts to win two straight for the first time since 2014-15.
Last season, Army won the American and was 11-1 entering this matchup before falling to Navy. This season, the Black Knights enter the game at 6-5, rallying to win three of their last four. QB Cale Hellums has more rushing yards than he does passing yards. Right behind him in the former category is Noah Short.
Navy attempts to win another matchup for the Midshipmen’s third straight win. It would give them momentum heading into the Liberty Bowl. Blake Horvath is a dual-threat QB, throwing the ball and rushing it for over 1,000 yards.
The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch Army vs. Navy.
Fans can watch Army vs. Navy from home on CBS's broadcast and Paramount+.
Paramount+ gives subscribers the ability to watch basketball, football, golf and soccer, and they won't have to break the bank in order to follow along with the latest sporting events. Paramount+ does have a FREE trial, so new subscribers can enjoy it for one week before making a payment.
The game is also available via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Army vs. Navy start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Army vs. Navy kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. ET.
Where is the Army-Navy game in 2025?
Location: M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore, Maryland
The Army vs. Navy game will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The home of the Ravens can hold up to 71,008 people.
Army vs. Navy radio station
Radio station: SiriusXM channels 82 (Army broadcast), 83 (Navy broadcast)
You can listen to Army vs. Navy live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 82 (Army broadcast) and 83 (Navy broadcast).
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Diego Pavia's magical run at Vanderbilt is ending in New York.
The Commodores quarterback was named one of the four Heisman Trophy finalists for 2025, and Pavia has a legitimate chance to win the award this season. Since Pavia is currently in his sixth collegiate season, a Heisman Trophy victory would make him one of the oldest winners in the award's history.
Pavia has already cemented his place in Vanderbilt history with his 2025 performance, but a Heisman Trophy victory would make him a legend in more ways than one. Here's a look at how Pavia can make history.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia is 23 years old and will turn 24 on Feb. 16, 2026. He is the oldest of the four Heisman Trophy finalists in 2025 and would be one of the oldest Heisman Trophy winners in the award's history.
Pavia has been playing college football for six years, as he began his career at the New Mexico Military Institute, then transferred to New Mexico State University and, finally, to Vanderbilt. In his entire college football career, Pavia's best season was his sixth, when he produced career-high numbers across the board for the Commodores.
The oldest player to ever win the Heisman Trophy was Chris Weinke, who was 28 when he won the award for Florida State in 2000. Weinke initially pursued a career in baseball, but then transitioned to football after failing to make the major leagues. Weinke enrolled in Florida State at 25 years old, and during his senior season, won the Heisman as a 28-year-old quarterback.
Only two other Heisman Trophy winners besides Weinke were even 23 years old at the time of their award. One was Oklahoma RB Billy Sims, who had just turned 23 years old when he won in 1978, and the other was HB/QB Les Horvath, who won the award in 1944. Both players were the oldest players to win the award at the time of their announcements.
The three youngest players to win the Heisman Trophy have all done so in the last 20 years. Lamar Jackson, Jameis Winston and Mark Ingram II are the only three players to win the Heisman before turning 20 years-old, as they were all within a month of their 20th birthdays when they won their respective awards.
After both decimated the competition through the NCAA Division III Tournament, which team will stand tall when Wheaton faces UW-River Falls in the quarterfinals?
Wheaton (11-2) has won nine in a row. The Thunder beat Crown, Wartburg, and DePauw to advance to the quarterfinals. The last game saw QB Mark Forcucci throw four touchdown passes for 293 yards. Seth Kortenhoeven had 106 receiving yards, and Matt Crider rushed for 120.
UW-River Falls (11-1) is riding an eight-game winning streak. The Falcons breezed past Chapman and Saint John's (MN) in their first two playoff games. Against the latter, Kaleb Blaha managed three touchdown passes for 245 yards. Three receivers and two running backs scored, sharing the wealth.
Here is everything you need to know about Wheaton vs. UW-River Falls, including TV and streaming options for the game.
Wheaton vs. UW-River Falls will be available to watch via ESPN+.
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Wheaton vs. UW-River Falls start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 3 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. CT
The Wheaton vs. UW-River Falls quarterfinal game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be played at David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field in River Falls, Wisconsin.
Fernando Mendoza has had a magical 2025 season, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated 13-0 regular season and the program’s first outright Big Ten title since 1945. Along with breaking program records as a team, Mendoza has produced a historic season of his own.
The redshirt junior quarterback, a transfer from California, shattered Indiana’s single-season passing marks by completing 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards and a nation-leading 33 touchdown passes against just six interceptions. He also proved to be a threat with his legs, adding 240 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, putting him second nationally in total touchdowns accounted for (39). His remarkable campaign earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year honors, along with the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. He also became just the second player in program history to be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
As one of the top players in the nation, Mendoza’s rapid rise has made him a face of the collegiate game’s new financial era. His personal brand — which includes a recent high-profile endorsement deal with Adidas and his exclusive “Mendoza Mania” merchandise line — has soared throughout the season.
Here’s a breakdown of how much the Indiana star has brought in.
According to the latest industry valuations, the Indiana star’s Name, Image, and Likeness (N.I.L.) portfolio is valued at an estimated $2.6 million, positioning him among the top five highest-valued college football players in the country.
On3 has the quarterback ranked fifth in college football and seventh in its N.I.L 100. He is listed below only four FBS players:
Arch Manning, Texas ($5.3 million)
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State ($4.2 million)
Carson Beck, Miami ($3.1 million)
Bryce Underwood, Michigan ($3 million)
His valuation spiked from an estimated $1.6 million earlier in the year to $2.6 million after the Hoosiers' perfect regular season.
“Excited to share that I’ve accepted an opportunity to join adidas!” said on LinkedIn. “I’m very grateful for everyone who has supported me along the way and excited to bring my passion for sport, leadership, and work ethic to the Three Stripes. Let’s get to work.”
He joins a star-studded adidas lineup that includes Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola and Arizona State's Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson.
In collaboration with his brother Alberto, who is Indiana's backup signal-caller, Mendoza launched a brand-new "Mendoza Mania" Collection on the Indiana NIL Store.
The initiative carries a deeply personal meaning for Mendoza: a portion of all proceeds from the collection will benefit the National MS Society, honoring his mother who continues her courageous fight against Multiple Sclerosis.
Fernando Mendoza's mom lives with MS.
She's his best friend and inspiration for everything he does.
If you do anything today, take two minutes and listen to Fernando talk about his mom and how much she means to him. pic.twitter.com/tWHvC7QjxN
This compassionate focus transforms the quarterback's commercial venture into a vehicle for impact, lending deeper purpose to every piece of "Mendoza Mania" merchandise sold.
By leveraging his national spotlight, Mendoza is driving crucial funds and awareness for the National MS Society's mission to cure the disease and empower those affected to live their best lives.
Mendoza's net worth is not publicly available. Though, sources report that his net worth is in the hundred thousands, reaching up to $1 million.
This will continue to rise as Mendoza leads Indiana through the College Football Playoff, and down the road, becomes a first round pick in the NFL Draft.
Slot is under increased scrutiny as the fallout from Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview continues, and while Liverpool stayed within reach of the top eight in the Champions League league phase table with the win at the San Siro, Salah’s future remains the biggest talking point at Anfield.
The Egyptian was left out of the squad that travelled to Milan amid rumours linking him with a January move away from Anfield, and while Slot has support over the incident, things could unravel quickly if negative results continue.
And the tough fixtures continue to come thick and fast for the Reds as they welcome Brighton, with the Seagulls sitting two places above the hosts ahead of kick-off after last week’s draw with West Ham.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match:
When is Liverpool vs Brighton?
The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 13 December at Anfield, with kick-off set for 3pm GMT.
Is Liverpool vs Brighton on TV?
As the match is taking place during the 3pm Saturday blackout, it will not be televised live in the UK, so there is no way to watch it live. However, you can follow our live blog of the match here from 12pm.
How can I watch highlights?
Fans can watch highlights on dedicated club websites from 7pm GMT, while Sky Sports has the highlights of all Saturday 3pm kick-offs from 5.15pm GMT.
In addition, viewers in the UK can watch extended highlights of all of Saturday’s matches via BBC’s Match of the Day show, which airs at 10.20pm GMT on Saturday evening.
Team news
Arne Slot makes two changes from the side which beat Inter Milan in the week. Andy Robertson and Alexander Isak drop to the bench, with Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz brought into the starting XI.
But the big news is that Mohamed Salah is back in the squad after missing out on the trip to Milan - albeit only on the bench here, as his future at Anfield remains in doubt.
Fabian Hurzeler makes two changes from Brighton’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. De Cuyper and Welbeck drop to the bench, with Gruda and Hinselwood coming in.
Starting line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Ekitike, Gravenberch
ORCHARD PARK - Brandin Cooks just smiled the other day when he was asked whether he’s a little frustrated that he hasn’t been able to contribute much in his first two games with the Buffalo Bills.
“No man, I’m extremely blessed, I’m thankful for this opportunity, thankful for the Saints for working with me on this,” the 12th-year wide receiver said.
Meaning, he asked the woebegone Saints for his release in the hopes of hooking on with a playoff team, they granted his wish, and with the Bills bringing him in Cooks went from playing out a dreadful slog of a season in the Bayou to chasing a Super Bowl with Buffalo.
“Nothing but great things to say about those guys over there in New Orleans, but to be here now and have this opportunity to play this type of football, I’m definitely fortunate and I look forward to continuing to build,” Cooks said as he gets ready for Sunday’s showdown in New England.
How Bills have used Brandin Cooks so far
Cooks has had just 25 snaps where the Bills were passing and he was in the route tree, and Josh Allen has thrown his way only twice. One was a 13-yard reception at Pittsburgh that resulted in a first down; the other came against the Bengals on which he drew a pass interference penalty. That’s been it.
“Absolutely not (frustrated), and I don’t say that to be, like, politically correct,” he said. “The first game in Pittsburgh, the run attack that we had going on was great. This game, snow game, things happen, whatever the case may be. My mindset is when I have my opportunity, take advantage of it, right? So coming here, working with Josh, working with the offense, learning the playbook, getting up to speed, all that stuff is going to take care of itself, and I really believe that. I truly feel that.”
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady praised Cooks on Monday for his great attitude, knowing that contrary to what he says, like every wide receiver, he wants to be involved a little more than he has thus far, especially on a team that, in the last two games has gotten just 12 catches for 101 yards combined from its wide receiver corps. For comparison, the NFL’s leading receiver, Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, by himself averages 109.8 yards per game.
“You have to be selfish to be a wide receiver, you got to want the football, it’s in you,” Brady said. “It’s got to be a part of you, but you have to want to win more. I saw B. Cooks up in the lunch room, going and talking to him, the happiest, the smile on his face, and he had one target (in each game). But the buy in from him is, I just want to win football games. Every receiver, I hope they want to get 10 balls a game. I hope they come out of every game being like man, I can do more. But I hope the priority over that is … we won.”
We don’t know if Joshua Palmer can return for this game, but whether he does or doesn’t, Cooks needs to be more of a threat down the stretch. He was signed to add a vertical element to a passing game that sorely needs it.
What Josh Allen says about Brandin Cooks
“I think we’re in a really good spot,” Allen said. “He works his tail off in practice and he’s obviously been around the league for a very long time, and it’s no mistake. You can tell by his habits of why he’s been around the league and played at such a high level for such a long time. He’s been a true professional, he’s always in the wide receiver room, in the playbook, and when we come out to practice he’s friggin’ flying around. So yeah, I feel very, very good and I think comfort is just gonna continue to grow.”
Khalil Shakir, who has been the Bills’ top receiver the past two years, said the addition of Cooks should start paying dividends once he’s fully ingrained, and that day is not far off.
“He fits right in and I think his ability to pick things up super fast and learn our offense as quick as he has, it’s pretty great to see,” Shakir said. “At this point, I don’t even think he’s still learning stuff, I think he has it down. He’s been a great dude to be around, too, just his energy, his vibe. Honestly, his leadership, too, and him being in the league for a while now and just being able to pick his brain on the little things about being a great wide receiver.”
Of course, Shakir, Allen and Brady were saying the same things last season when the Bills acquired wily veteran Amari Cooper. That really didn’t work out in terms of production, and so far, a similar scene is playing out with Cooks, though he still has time to make an impact.
“When those opportunities come, I do believe I can help change the game for the better,” Cooks said. “But I’m just trusting that process, trusting (Brady), trusting Josh. And when we get there, we get there.”
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 36 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
Two unbeaten programs face off in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs when North Central faces Bethel.
North Central is unbeaten this year and looks to keep it that way as it tries to win a third national title in four years. The Cardinals dominated against Hanover and beat Wisconsin-La Crosse to advance. QB Garret Wilson ran for a touchdown and threw one to go with 168 passing yards last week.
Bethel scored 51 against Coe and took down Wisconsin-Platteville in a tighter game last week. Against the latter, Zackary Bothun rushed for over 120 yards, while QB Nathan Uselding had one touchdown and threw over 298 yards.
Here is everything you need to know about North Central vs. Bethel, including TV and streaming options for the game.
North Central vs. Bethel will be available to watch via ESPN+.
Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select, and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.
North Central vs. Bethel start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 1 p.m. ET
The North Central vs. Bethel quarterfinal game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be played at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville, Illinois.
The next round of the NCAA Division III playoffs is underway. Can Johns Hopkins continue its momentum, or will it be Susquehanna that shines bright?
Johns Hopkins beat Springfield and dominated Salisbury to advance. It’s the third consecutive season the Blue Jays have made it to the quarterfinals. QB Bay Harvey had five touchdowns. He threw three and rushed for two.
Susquehanna beat Washington & Jefferson, Christopher Newport, and Eastern to advance. The shutout win against Eastern saw Susquehanna's defense allow just 136 total yards while forcing three turnovers.
The River Hawks avenged a regular-season loss to CNU earlier in the playoffs; can they do the same Saturday nearly three months after falling 40-22 to Hopkins?
Here is everything you need to know about Johns Hopkins vs. Susquehanna, including TV and streaming options for the game.
Johns Hopkins vs. Susquehanna will be available to watch via ESPN+.
Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select, and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.
Johns Hopkins vs. Susquehanna start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 12 p.m. ET
The Johns Hopkins vs. Susquehanna quarterfinal game will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be played at Homewood Field in Baltimore, Maryland.
A competitive matchup is expected in the FCS quarterfinals as No. 8 UC Davis gets ready to host unranked Illinois State.
Unexpectedly for UC Davis, the program will get to host a home game in the quarterfinals, which is a welcome advantage. The Aggies are on the hunt for their first-ever semifinals berth, and their 47-26 win over No. 9 Rhode Island in the second round is a good indicator of their postseason strength.
Meanwhile, Illinois State is still riding the high of its stunning upset over top seed and defending national champion North Dakota State last weekend. Despite being the away team in this matchup, the Redbirds are battle-tested and dominant on the road.
These two faced off in last year's playoffs, with the Aggies coming out on top. Who will take the win this time?
Here's everything you need to know about UC Davis vs. Illinois State, including TV channel and streaming options for the FCS quarterfinal game.
Where to watch UC Davis vs. Illinois State today: TV channel, live stream
UC Davis vs. Illinois State will not be broadcast on traditional television. College football fans can stream the action live on ESPN+.
Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select, and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.
UC Davis vs. Illinois State start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CT | 2 p.m. PT
UC Davis vs. Illinois State will kick off at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be played at UC Davis Health Stadium in Davis, California.
For the first time in the history of both programs, Montana and South Dakota are gearing up for a familiar showdown in the FCS quarterfinals.
No. 3 Montana has had a dominant season, going undefeated until the program dropped a loss to in-state rival Montana State to wrap up their conference schedule. The Grizzlies' offense has been rolling, with quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat leading a top-10 FCS passing attack.
South Dakota returns to the FCS playoffs after a solid 10-4 season this fall. The Coyotes are led by Aidan Bouman under center, who has quickly become one of the program's most decorated play callers. Phenom running back L.J. Phillips Jr. has also helped the team's success, climbing the top-10 single-season all-time list for rushing yards at USD.
This weekend will mark the 21st meeting between these two programs, but the first time in the playoffs; who will keep their season alive?
Here's everything you need to know about Montana vs. South Dakota, including TV channel and streaming options for the FCS quarterfinal game.
Where to watch Montana vs. South Dakota today: TV channel, live stream
Montana vs. South Dakota will air nationally on ABC. College football fans can also stream the game on the ESPN app or Fubo.
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Montana vs. South Dakota start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. CT | 1:30 p.m. MT
Montana vs. South Dakota will kick off at 3:30 ET on Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be played at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana.
Who will advance in the FCS playoffs when Tarleton State faces Villanova in the quarterfinals?
Tarleton State beat North Dakota in the second round, while Villanova took out Harvard and Lehigh to open the postseason.
Villanova has won 10 straight games. Mark Ferrante continues to lead the Wildcats to prominence. QB Pat McQuaide has a reliable target in Luke Colella, while Ja'briel Mace, David Avit, and Isaiah Ragland are threats at the RB position.
The Texans are in the FCS playoffs for the second straight year. The co-winners of the UAC have won three straight. Victor Gabalis has a reliable target in Peyton Kramer as well as Cody Jackson.
Here is everything you need to know about Tarleton State vs. Villanova, including TV and streaming options for the game.
Where to watch Tarleton State vs. Villanova: TV channel, live stream
Tarleton State vs. Villanova will air on ESPN with Lowell Galindo, Aaron Murray and Lauren Sisler on the call. College football fans can stream the game on the ESPN app and Fubo, the latter offering a free trial.
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Tarleton State vs. Villanova start time
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Tarleton State vs. Villanova will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 13. The game will be played at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas.
One of college football's most iconic rivalries will rekindle this weekend as Army and Navy go head-to-head for the 126th time.
Though Army started its season poorly, the program rebounded with a handful of key victories over Kansas State, Temple and UTSA which secured bowl eligibility. The Black Knights' physical ground game and clock control should be an advantage as they prepare to face UConn in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 27.
Meanwhile, No. 22 Navy has been a revitalized program this fall, proving itself an AAC threat with signature wins over South Florida and Memphis. The Midshipmen enter this matchup a 4.5-point favorite, with business to handle before the Liberty Bowl where they will face Cincinnati on Jan. 2.
Navy leads the all-time series 63-55-7. Who will take the win this year?
Here's everything you need to know about Army vs. Navy, including TV channel and streaming options for the classic rivalry matchup.
Army-Navy will air nationally on CBS. Cord cutters and those interested in following the action can also stream the game live on Paramount+ or Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. 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.)
Listen to Army-Navy live on SiriusXM on either channel 83 (Midshipmen's broadcast) or channel 82 (Black Knights' broadcast).
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MARRERO, La. (WGNO) – Archbishop Shaw has reached consecutive state championship games for the first time since 2008 thanks to Ethan Lentz. During the Eagles semi-finals matchup against Vandebilt Catholic, Lentz recorded 12 tackles, one sack and two interceptions, including a pick six, to punch Shaw’s ticket back to the title game.
“We needed to play together to get the job done and make it back to the dome. We did practice hard, play hard all together as one,” Lentz said.
Lentz’s performance was no fluke though. The linebacker has six interceptions on the year, and head coach Hank Tierney has seen a ballhawk star manning the second level of his defense.
“He finds the ball. He’s very physical, and he’s gotten better each year. He has good hands, and he’s got six and probably had a chance to get 2 or 3 more. He’s been a big playmaker for us the whole year,” Tierney added.
While Lentz has been finishing his third year on the westbank, the linebacker gew up modeling his game after John Ehret alums De’Jon ‘Scoota’ Harris and former LSU Tiger MIchael Divinity.
“I wanted to be like them in every way. They were like my idols. It’s a great feeling: Trying to chase the same success they had and also trying to make my own path,” the junior explained.
Lentz’s path began with his father who not only coached at John Ehret but has been on Shaw’s staff, since before Tierney’s return to the westbank.
“He played football his whole life. His dad play football at De La Salle. He came up in a football family, and we knew about him because the dad was on the staff, when I came here. We’re happy to have him: Tough kid that makes a lot of plays,” Tierney finished.
Archbishop Shaw’s Ethan Lentz is our Friday Night Football Best Chevrolet Best Player of the Week.
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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — No. 5 Dunham faced No. 6 Calvary Baptist in the Division III Select title game at Caesars Superdome on Thursday, Dec. 11.
The Tigers captured the Division III Select title after winning a convincing 34-17 game over the Cavaliers.
You can catch more high school football action on Season 34 of WGNO’s Friday Night Football, a program founded by Ed Daniels and always presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
You can catch the shows on Friday at 11 p.m. on Nola 38, the CW.
The show replays at midnight on WGNO.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
"First off, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for putting me in this position," Jacas wrote. "Without him this wouldn't be possible. To my family, teammates, coaches, and the whole Illinois support staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment for making me the man I am today. Your hard work will never go unnoticed and I will forever be grateful for that. The lessons I've learned from this program have helped me grow as an athlete and a person—on and off the field."
Jacas then went onto reflect how much the Illinois football program shaped him as a man, serving as a springboard for what's to come.
"To Illini Nation, thank you for making Illinois home for the last [four] years. From packing out Gies Memorial Stadium to rushing the field, you guys were there through the highs and lows. The relationships and the memories that were made I will cherish for a lifetime. As it comes to an end of my college career this is just beginning of a new journey. With that being said, I am proudly announcing that I will be pursuing my life long dream of playing at the next level and declaring for the 2026 NFL draft."
Jacas finished his Illini career with the second-most sacks in team history with 27, totaling 11 this past season to lead the Big Ten.
Although he will miss a chance to win back-to-back bowl games come Dec. 30, he goes out as one of the greatest players in Illinois history regardless of era.
Without question, Jacas leaves Champaign as a program-changing player and a star in the making.
For now, his NFL journey is almost a reality. In four months, the college football world will find out if the pro game is just as special for Jacas.
If the Illinois football program needed a huge boost in the weeks leading up to the Music City Bowl against Tennessee Dec. 30 (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) it got it in the form of its three-year starting quarterback Luke Altmyer leaving no doubt how he wants his college career to be remembered.
"I love to play, man," Altmyer said in a 37-second video. "I love to compete. That's what I bleed. That's what I love. That's what I breathe. That's what I prepare for."
Altmyer said there was no way he couldn't complete the story with teammates who gave him so much guidance and support during a stretch that saw Illinois reach unfathomable heights in such a short amount of time – the laundry list is truly endless.
"Any opportunity I get to go out there and start a football game to play — especially with these guys, who I love so much, man — I don't take it for granted," Altmyer said.
Neither does his coach, Bret Bielema. Bielema spoke fondly of Altmyer after the Illini accepted their bowl invite. Bielema hinted the Mississippi native might play, but wanted to let the 21-touchdown signal-caller do the honors.
"I just got a text from [Luke's mom] Betsy Altmyer when I was walking in here and she said she thought half of Mississippi was going to be there in Nashville," Bielema said this past Sunday. ""I was just glad one was going to be there from Mississippi."
Bielema opted to take the high road when discussing the near season-altering poach the Volunteers had reportedly done to lure Altmyer away from Champaign.
"Honestly, I've never spoken about that conversation in any way, shape or form with Luke," Bielema said. "One of the things I've really appreciated about Luke's demeanor, his personality, is he's just the same guy every day. To get one more game with him, to have an SEC opponent for him, is really pretty cool."
Now, Altmyer will have a chance to write his own story, the way he was always intended to be done: authentically.
"To go out of here as one of the most decorated players in Illinois football history, more than that he just stands for all these great things here at Illinois," Bielema said. To have that moment for him is something I'll cherish more than anything."
Should Altmyer ride off into the sunset victorious, it would truly be the end of an era in Champaign.
The Big 12 is nearing a private capital deal that would infuse millions of dollars to conference members, Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. The deal would not require the league to give up any stake or equity.
RedBird and Weatherford Capital are in talks with the Big 12 about an agreement, which would bring upward of $500 million to conference membership. It would also create a strategic partnership with the firms.
In a statement to Yahoo! Sports, the Big 12 confirmed the talks with both RedBird and Weatherford Capital. Schools would be able to opt-in to accept upward of $30 million in capital, according to Dellenger, but would not be required to do so.
“The Big 12 Conference is in negotiations to create a multifaceted strategic business partnership with RedBird and Weatherford Capital that will focus on growing the commercial operations of the Big 12, while also providing an opt-in capital solution for our member institutions to take advantage of up to $500 million in capital,” the conference said.
“RedBird will also work with the Conference to identify complementary investment opportunities inside and outside of the collegiate athletics ecosystem that will create new revenue streams and long-term asset appreciation. To date, the RedBird ecosystem has delivered over $145 million in contracted revenue to the Big 12 and its member institutions. This partnership would provide the Conference with a world-class strategic and capital partner, while preserving 100% of the member institutions’ equity in the Big 12.”
News of the potential deal comes after Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said the company did not plan on selling an equity stake in the league. However, he voiced support for the idea of a “strategic partnership,” which is what the deal with RedBird and Weatherford Capital would entail.
“We are not in the private equity business,” Yormark said at the SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “We believe that the trajectory of our conference is terrific. We’ve got a lot of growth. We don’t want to share that. Having said that, strategic alliances, whatever they look like, that help us create value for our member institutions is something I sign up for.
“PE as we all think about is something that is not in the cards, but a strategic partnership that helps to create value, that helps to drive our business forward is certainly something that we will continue to explore.”
More in private capital in college sports
The idea of private capital has been around college sports for some time, and a Big 12 institution is nearing an equity partnership. Utah announced a deal with Otro Capital this week, which would infuse up to nine figures in cash and create a for-profit entity, Utah Brands and Entertainment. Dellenger reported the Big 12’s deal would not impact Utah’s partnership with Otro Capital.
The Big Ten has also explored the idea of private capital. The league has held discussions about a potential private capital deal, though multiple schools pushed back. Michigan and USC remain vocal in their opposition to the proposal, which would infuse upward of $2.4 billion to the conference and extend the Big Ten’s grant of rights through 2046. In November, Dellenger had more details on the proposed agreement and where things stood.
The Big Ten’s proposed deal would create a new commercial entity, Big Ten Enterprises, which would support the conference while also extending the grant of rights through 2046. Most importantly, it would give the firm – UC Investments – a 10% equity stake in Big Ten Enterprises to infuse roughly $2.4 million, distributed among member schools.
The third phase of ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has kicked off with an astonishing response. Within the first 24 hours of the Random Selection Draw opening, over 5 million ticket requests were submitted by fans from more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. This surge in demand highlights the excitement surrounding the first-ever 48-team tournament, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Record-Breaking Demand for FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets
The early figures suggest that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is capturing the attention of football fans like never before. As one of the most anticipated sporting events in history, the tournament is drawing unprecedented global interest. Fans from around the world wasted no time in submitting their requests for tickets via FIFA’s official platform, FIFA.com/tickets, driven by the prospect of witnessing the largest-ever World Cup in history.
The surge in ticket requests can be attributed to the excitement surrounding not only the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams but also the star-studded matchups set to take place in the group stage. In particular, the highly anticipated clash between Colombia and Portugal (Miami, June 27) has emerged as the most sought-after match, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.
Standout Group-Stage Matches Spark Global Interest
The first 24 hours of ticket sales revealed a strong appetite for high-profile group-stage encounters. Aside from the Colombia v Portugal match, other standout fixtures include Brazil v Morocco (New York/New Jersey, June 13), Mexico v Korea Republic (Guadalajara, June 18), Ecuador v Germany (New York/New Jersey, June 25), and Scotland v Brazil (Miami, June 24). These games feature nine teams from five different continents, underlining the global appeal of the tournament.
The demand for tickets is not limited to just the host nations. Fans from across South America, Europe, and beyond are eager to be part of the action. Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama are among the top ten countries with the highest number of ticket requests, reflecting the worldwide excitement surrounding the tournament.
South American Nations Lead Ticket Requests
The strong presence of South American countries, particularly Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina, in the top ten of ticket requests further demonstrates the growing enthusiasm for the World Cup across the Americas. These nations have a rich football heritage, and the prospect of witnessing their teams compete on the world’s biggest stage is fueling significant demand for tickets.
Scotland’s inclusion in the top ten is particularly significant, as it marks the country’s return to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Fans from Scotland are celebrating the long-awaited qualification, which has further contributed to the high demand for tickets from the UK.
An Unprecedented Global Event: A Historic 48-Team Tournament
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams, a historic expansion from the previous 32-team format. This new format promises to make the tournament more exciting and inclusive, with a wider representation of countries from all corners of the globe. The opening match on June 11, 2026, will kickstart an extraordinary month of football action, with millions of fans from around the world tuning in to witness the spectacle.
FIFA’s Commitment to Making the World Cup Accessible
The Random Selection Draw ticketing phase remains open until January 13, 2026, and FIFA encourages fans to submit their ticket requests during this period. The timing of the request will not affect a fan’s chances of success, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to secure their spot at the tournament. Fans will have the option to select the matches, ticket categories, and the number of tickets they wish to purchase, subject to household restrictions.
FIFA has also created a resale platform, which will allow fans to buy tickets through the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace starting December 15, 2025. This initiative aims to ensure that tickets are made available to those who genuinely wish to attend the tournament, helping to prevent ticket scalping.
A Glimpse into FIFA World Cup 2026 Experiences
In addition to the standard ticket offerings, FIFA is providing fans with premium hospitality packages that include match tickets, transport, and access to exclusive facilities. These hospitality packages are available for purchase through On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of FIFA World Cup 2026. For those looking for a more comprehensive experience, Qatar Airways is offering all-inclusive travel packages that include flights, accommodation, transport, and match tickets.
FIFA’s Legacy: Reinvesting in the Future of Football
FIFA’s commitment to the global development of football extends beyond the World Cup. As a not-for-profit organization, FIFA reinvests the revenue generated from the tournament to support football development worldwide. Over 90% of the budget for the 2023–2026 cycle is expected to be reinvested into the game, supporting initiatives for both men’s and women’s football as well as youth development across FIFA’s 211 member associations.
FIFA’s efforts are aimed at enhancing the growth and accessibility of the sport, creating a lasting legacy that will benefit the global football community for generations to come. The funds raised from the World Cup will help to foster grassroots football, improve facilities, and provide training programs for future generations of players.
Conclusion: A Historic World Cup Awaits
With over 5 million ticket requests already submitted and strong demand for key matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in the history of the sport. Fans from over 200 countries and territories are eager to be part of this historic event, and with FIFA’s efforts to make tickets accessible to a global audience, the tournament promises to be a celebration of football like never before. The anticipation is building, and the world will soon unite to witness the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A state title game is underway in Miami at Pitbull Stadium and a former Sunshine State superstar is in attendance.
Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is in attendance to watch Jacksonville Raines and Miami Northwestern square off on Friday night. He’s on the sidelines alongside another familiar face in former Northwestern head coach and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Smith, of course, starred for Chaminade-Madonna Prep, but his presence makes an already big game feel even bigger. He’ll get to see another high-profile receiver — Northwestern’s Calvin Russell — in action.
Both teams enter Friday night undefeated and both rank as top-five teams in the Sunshine State, according to the Massey Ratings. Rivals’ Andy Villamarzo has more on players to watch and how to watch the 3A state final on Friday night.
How to Follow Florida High School Football
For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.
Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore in Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 14, 2023.
NEED TO KNOW
Sherrone Moore was fired as the University of Michigan's head football coach due to an alleged "inappropriate relationship with a staff member" on Dec. 10
On Friday, Dec. 12, he was formally charged with third-degree home invasion, a felony, as well as two misdemeanors, including stalking
Also on Dec. 12, his former boss, Jim Harbaugh, shared his reaction to the news
Harbaugh, 61, hired Moore, 39, as the Wolverines' tight ends coach in 2018. Moore served as acting head during the 2023 season when Harbaugh was suspended. In 2024, Harbaugh left Michigan after nine seasons to coach the NFL's San Diego Chargers, and Moore took over as head football coach.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Moore was fired after the school said it had evidence he had engaged in alleged "inappropriate relationship with a staff member." Hours later, he was detained by police.
On Friday, Dec. 12, he was formally charged with third-degree home invasion, a felony, as well as two misdemeanors, including stalking.
"Still processing that like a lot of people, I'm sure," Harbaugh told reporters when asked about the news after Chargers practice, reports ESPN.
Rezmierski claimed that the staffer Moore was having a relationship with broke up with him on Monday, Dec. 8, after they were together for several years. Following the breakup, Moore allegedly sent unwanted messages to the woman, prompting her to notify school officials about their relationship, which led to the coach's firing, Rezmierski said.
"I'm gonna kill myself, I'm gonna make you watch.” Rezmierski claims Moore told the woman, "My blood is on your hands. You ruined my life.”
After Moore made those statements, the woman told him that she was calling her attorney, Rezmierski said. Her attorney notified authorities, and according to Rezmierski, this prompted Moore to flee the scene.
Dispatch sent out a notice about an individual with the same car and license plate number as Moore. Then, around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, he was booked into custody at the Washtenaw Corrections Division.
Michael Reaves/Getty
Sherrone Moore on November 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
On Friday, Moore was granted pretrial release with his bail set at $25,000. However, the release outlines multiple conditions, including that Moore must wear a GPS tether, continue to receive mental health treatment and have no contact with the alleged victim.
Moore's probable cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22.
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Two of Bill Belichick's assistant coaches have been let go from their roles with the North Carolina Tar Heels, ESPN reported on Dec. 12
Belichick thanked offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer for their "commitment and many contributions" to the program and athletes
The Tar Heels won four games and lost eight in Belichick's debut season as head coach
Bill Belichick has fired two of his assistant coaches with the North Carolina Tar Heels after his disappointing first season leading the team.
ESPN was first to report on Friday, Dec. 12 that offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer have been relieved from their roles with UNC Football.
In a statement, Belichick, 73, said, "We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes."
"We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors," Belichick added, per ESPN.
Lance King/Getty
Bill Belichick on Oct. 4, 2025
Kitchens' and Priefer's biography pages on the North Carolina website have since been taken down.
Football fans have been questioning Belichick's future at UNC after the 4-8 season, but the Tar Heels said they remain committed to the eight-time Super Bowl winner.
In October, amid rumors that the school was looking to part ways with Belichick, the school’s athletic director Bubba Cunningham said, “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Athletic Department and University."
Before joining Belichick at North Carolina, Priefer served as special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Kitchens was the head coach of the Browns in 2019 and also coached for the New York Giants.
PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Belichick and North Carolina but did not immediately hear back.
On Dec. 3, Belichick was named one of the finalists for the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Class alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The former head coach and Kraft, 84, have gone back and forth in a public spat since Belichick's departure from the Patriots in January 2024.
Belichick put that feud aside, however, to include Kraft in his statement celebrating the nominees. Offering his "congratulations" to the other finalists, Belichick named former 49ers running back Roger Craig, retired Bengals quarterback Kenny Anderson, L.C. Greenwood formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. "And of course, Robert Kraft," he added.
Lance King/Getty
Jordon Hudson and Bill Belichick on Sept. 13, 2025
And in his personal life, Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson appear to be going strong. When the couple was spotted after UNC's final game of the season on Nov. 29, Belichick was seen wrapping Hudson, wearing a tank top and sheer pants, in his puffer jacket near their car.
Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio is currently training with Leicester City, sparking speculation of a potential move to the Championship club.
The 35-year-old, who has been a free agent since his release from the Hammers, is looking to make a return to professional football after a severe injury.
Antonio has not played since December 2024, when he was involved in a car crash that left him with a leg broken in four places.
The incident occurred as his West Ham contract was nearing its end, and he spent over three weeks in hospital following surgery. He was subsequently released by the club in June without making any further appearances.
Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes is reportedly in need of attacking cover, particularly with Patson Daka set to join Zambia for the Africa Cup of Nations.
As a free agent, Antonio can be registered outside the traditional transfer window.
Michail Antonio did not make another West Ham appearance after his car crash (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Commenting on Antonio’s presence, Cifuentes told BBC East Midlands Today: "He has looked good and has been a good lad to have around as well. We are just having a look at him and he is happy to train with us."
When asked if the incident had visibly affected Antonio, Cifuentes responded: "Not at all. We are aware that he has been training before with another club and he is looking good in that sense."
However, the manager acknowledged the challenge of regaining full match fitness.
"Match fitness is what will take some time to learn because he has been away for a long period. It’s never easy, and it doesn’t matter how hard you train or how hard you are involved, because the level of the game is different."
Leicester, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, are currently 13th in the Championship after taking 28 points from their opening 20 matches.
Marseille's English forward Mason Greenwood (NICOLAS TUCAT)
Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi said Friday he believes English striker Mason Greenwood, who has already scored 13 goals this season, has "Ballon d'Or potential".
"Mason has tremendous potential. I don't see many players of this calibre in Europe. For me, he has Ballon d'Or potential," De Zerbi told a press conference two days before his team's Ligue 1 match against Monaco.
"It will be up to him to decide if he wants to do everything he can to compete for the Ballon d'Or. But based on his natural talent, he has that potential."
Since joining Marseille last summer, Greenwood has scored 35 goals and provided nine assists in 56 appearances.
The 24-year-old is Marseille's number one attacking weapon but is sometimes criticised for his lack of defensive work.
"I always want more, and I'd like him to be more consistent," De Zerbi continued.
"But I'm not asking him to make 100-metre runs back. I was a number 10, not a right-back, I understand.
"But he can press with more intensity. When we're under pressure, he can retain possession better, avoid taking too many risks, and get the team out," the Italian coach added.
"But then, when I saw his goal against Union Saint-Gilloise, his dribble like Drogba and the shot that easily beat a goalkeeper who's over two meters tall, I was speechless."
"I hope that in a few years, he'll remember me and say to himself, 'The coach gave me a hard time every day, but I improved'."
Greenwood controversially signed for Marseille in July 2024 after a season on loan from Manchester United at Spanish club Getafe.
He was suspended by Manchester United in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault but prosecutors dropped charges in February 2023.
Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli described Greenwood as "one of the best" players he had ever encountered in his career.
"I've seen a few of them with Argentina. Messi is from another galaxy, but Mason is capable of anything. He's two-footed, he's fast, intelligent," he said.
For the second straight year, there are 35 bowls outside the 12-team College Football Playoff. It's an unpredictable business picking the postseason, mainly because of the transfer portal, coaching changes and opt-outs, many of which have not been announced.
We picked all the regular-season matchups involving teams in the AP Top 25 during the regular season. We had a S/U record of 194-57 and an ATS mark of 118-127-6.
We will update our picks to reflect all those changes with the portal and opt outs, but here are our postseason picks for now, including every 2025-26 bowl game and the College Football Playoff's first round.
Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk: Washington (-8.5) vs. Boise State
Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m., ESPN
Washington won the last meeting 56-19 in 2023. The Huskies scored 40 or more points in three of their last four games. Dylan Riley can help Boise State shorten the game with a rushing attack that averages 188.4 ypg. It won't be enough for a victory.
Pick: Washington 31, Boise State 24
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy (-3.5) vs. Jacksonville State
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 9 p.m., ESPN
The Trojans and Gamecocks were runner-ups in their respective conferences. Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook had 1,659 yards and 16 TDs this season. Troy allows 182.3 rushing yards per game.
StaffDNA Cure Bowl: South Florida (-7) vs. Old Dominion
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m., ESPN
The Bulls hired Brian Hartline, and the Ohio State offensive coordinator inherits a talented roster. We're hoping Byrum Brown – who led the FBS with 347.2 yards of total offense – plays in the game. Old Dominion closed the season on a five-game winning streak under Ricky Rahne.
Pick: South Florida 31, Old Dominion 26
68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana (-3) vs. Delaware
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Delaware is making its first bowl appearance under Ryan Carty against the Ragin' Cajuns, who are making a fifth straight bowl appearance with coach Michael Desormeaux. Both teams allowed more than 30 points six times, so gear up for a high-scoring game.
Pick: Louisiana 33, Delaware 27
X-Box Bowl: Arkansas State (-2.5) vs. Missouri State
Thursday, Dec. 18, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Minnesota transfer QB Jacob Clark led the Conference USA with 24 TD passes for Missouri State, which is making its first bowl appearance. Arkansas State is 1-1 S/U in bowl games under Butch Jones.
Pick: Missouri State 24, Arkansas State 20
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Western Michigan (-4) vs. Kennesaw State
Friday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m., ESPN
It's a fun quarterback matchup. Western Michigan quarterback Broc Lowry averages 18.8 carries per game for the MAC champions. Kennesaw State's Amari Odom had 18 TDs and six INTs for the Conference USA champions.
Pick: Western Michigan 21, Kennesaw State 20
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: NC State (-5) vs. Memphis
Friday, Dec. 19, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
NC State closed the season strong with back-to-back victories where they averaged 31.5 points per game. The Tigers averaged 34.3 points per game – but the defense allowed 32.7 points in three straight losses to end the season.
Pick: NC State 30, Memphis 24
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State (-2.5) vs. Washington State
Monday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m., ESPN
The Cougars allowed just 20.2 points per game as part of a wide-open Pac-12 schedule and scratched into a bowl game under Jimmy Rogers, who left for the Iowa State job. Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes had 27 total touchdowns for the Aggies this season. This will be Bronco Mendenhall's first bowl appearance with Utah State.
Pick: Utah State 27, Washington State 21
Bush's Boca Raton Bowl: Louisville (-9.5) vs. Toledo
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2 p.m., ESPN
Jason Candle left Toledo to be the coach at UConn. Louisville had an up-and-down season under Jeff Brohm. Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an NFL prospect. Will Toledo be able to slow down the tandem of Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown?
Pick: Louisville 34, Toledo 17
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky (-3) vs. Southern Miss
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Braylon Braxton led the Golden Eagles with 23 TDs and seven interceptions this season. Charles Huff left to take the Memphis job. The Hilltoppers are 4-2 S/U in bowl games under Tyson Helton.
Pick: Western Kentucky 29, Southern Miss 20
Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl: UNLV (-4) vs. Ohio
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 9 p.m., ESPN
The Bobcats have won six consecutive bowl games, but head coach Brian Smith is on leave for an undetermined period of time. Parker Navarro and Sieh Bangura combined for 22 rushing TDs this season. The Rebels will be a challenge under first-year coach Dan Mullen.
Pick: Ohio 27, UNLV 24
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Cal (-2.5) vs. Hawaii
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is a talented freshman QB who averaged 288.2 passing yards with seven TDs and two interceptions in Cal's last five games. Micah Alejado averaged 275.2 yards with 12 TDs and four interceptions in Hawaii's last five games. These two QBs will let it loose on Christmas Eve.
Pick: Hawaii 34, Cal 31
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Northwestern (-12.5) vs. Central Michigan
Friday, Dec. 26, 1 p.m. ESPN
The Chippewas will challenge Northwestern with Joey Lapas, who led the MAC with a 160.9 passer rating. Northwestern has split its last eight games against MAC schools, so it's not a shoo-in. The defense – led by star safety Robert Fitzgerald (109 tackles) will be the difference.
Pick: Northwestern 24, Central Michigan 14
Rate Bowl: Minnesota (-3.5) vs. New Mexico
Friday, Dec. 26, 4 p.m., ESPN
P.J. Fleck wins bowl games. He's led the Gophers to six straight bowl victories, and he is 7-2 in the postseason as a head coach. Will New Mexico – led by Jason Eck – cap off a 10-win season here? The Lobos have allowed 113.4 rushing yards per game and closed the season on a six-game winning streak.
Pick: New Mexico 28, Minnesota 26
Servpro First Responder Bowl: UTSA (-9.5) vs. FIU
Friday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m., ESPN
Jeff Traylor can lead the Roadrunners to a third straight bowl victory with quarterback Owen McCown, who had 27 TDs and seven interceptions this season. First-year coach Willie Simmons had an impressive season with the Golden Panthers. Kejon Owens (1,298 yards, 11 TDs) keys a strong rushing attack. FIU closed out the regular season with four straight victories.
Pick: UTSA 34, FIU 28
Go Bowling Military Bowl: Pitt (-6) at East Carolina
Saturday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m., ESPN
Pitt ranked 17th in the FBS in points per game, and quarterback Mason Heintschel enjoyed a strong freshman season. First-year coach Blake Harrell led the Pirates to eight victories, and five different receivers have 300 or more yards for quarterback Katin Houser. The Panthers' linebackers will be a test.
Pick: Pitt 31, ECU 20
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State (-1) vs. Clemson
Saturday, Dec. 27, 12 p.m., ABC
Penn State has a new coach, but the Nittany Lions will be looking to send off interim coach Terry Smith with a victory. Will star running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen play in the game? Clemson allowed 13.2 points per game in its last four games – all victories. The Tigers have not lost a bowl outside the New Year's Day Six since 2010.
Pick: Clemson 28, Penn State 21
Wasabi Fenway Bowl: UConn (-2.5) vs. Army
Saturday, Dec. 27, 2:15 p.m., ESPN
UConn features some playmakers in quarterback Joe Fagnano (3,448 yards, 28 TDs, 1 INT) and receiver Skyler Bell (101 catches, 1,278 yards, 13 TDs). Army rushes for 256.9 yards per game. Army coach Jeff Monken is 5-1 S/U in bowl games.
The Cougars were snubbed from the College Football Playoff, too. Which team gets the running game going? Quarterbacks Haynes King and Bear Bachmeier can take over a game with their legs, and both teams will rely on that in the much-celebrated Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Yellow Jackets were 3-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice: Fresno State (-3.5) vs. Miami, Ohio
Saturday, Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m.., The CW
E.J. Warner – the son of Kurt Warner – led the Mountain West with a 69.4% completion percentage this season. He also had 11 interceptions. Miami is coming off a 23-13 loss in the MAC championship game. Matt Entz reached the nine-win mark in his first season with the Bulldogs.
Pick: Fresno State 21, Miami 20
Isleta New Mexico Bowl: No. 23 North Texas (-6) vs. San Diego State
Saturday, Dec. 27, 5:45 p.m.., ESPN
North Texas lost the American Conference championship, but we're hoping Eric Morris and Drew Mestemaker play in the bowl game. Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,129 passing yards, and that offense will give the Aztecs trouble. San Diego State allowed more than 20 points four times this season under Sean Lewis. The Aztecs were 1-3 S/U in those games.
Pick: North Texas 34, San Diego State 24
Taxslayer Gator Bowl: Missouri (-7) vs. No. 19 Virginia
Saturday, Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Virginia had its playoff hopes dashed in the overtime loss to Duke, and Missouri's defense will be a problem. Ahmad Hardy had 1,560 rushing yards and 16 TDs for the Tigers this season. Will he play in the game? The Tigers were 4-0 ATS when favored by a TD or less this season.
Pick: Missouri 28, Virginia 19
Kinder's Texas Bowl: No. 21 Houston (-3) vs. LSU
Saturday, Dec. 27, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
The Tigers will start the Lane Kiffin era next season, and the coach is sure to be watching against Houston. The Cougars scored 14 points or less in two of their losses, and LSU still has a nasty defense.
Pick: LSU 23, Houston 16
JLab Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern (N/L) vs. Appalachian State
Monday, Dec. 29, 2 p.m., ESPN
This game was necessary to fill bowl slots. The Eagles won the regular-season meeting 25-23. JC French IV passed for 352 yards for Georgia Southern. Appalachian State is 7-1 S/U in bowl games since joining the FBS. Who wants to be there more?
Pick: Georgia Southern 30, Appalachian State 28
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech (-7)
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2 p.m., ESPN
Coastal Carolina reached a bowl game, but the Chanticleers allowed 51.7 points per game in their last three games. It's hard to trust them in a matchup against the Bulldogs, who can cap an eight-win season under coach Sonny Cumbie.
Pick: Louisiana Tech 35, Coastal Carolina 21
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl: Tennessee (-5.5) vs. Illinois
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Tennessee is coming off a bad loss to Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale. Illinois closed the season with three wins in four games. This could be a grind-it-out game, but Joey Aguilar will make enough explosive plays in the passing game to give Josh Heupel his third bowl victory in four years.
Pick: Tennessee 31, Illinois 28
Valero Alamo Bowl: No. 16 USC (-6.5) vs. TCU
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 9 p.m., ABC
The Trojans can get to 10 wins under Lincoln Riley, who is 2-1 in bowl games with the Trojans. Jayden Maiava had a 159.5 passer rating. TCU is 1-3 S/U when it allows 27 points or more. A shootout might not favor the Horned Frogs here.
Pick: USC 33, TCU 24
Reliaquest Bowl: No. 14 Vanderbilt (-4) vs. No. 23 Iowa
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 12 p.m., ESPN
Will the Commodores' high-powered offense – led by Diego Pavia – put the finishing touch on a historic season with a victory against the Hawkeyes? Iowa did not allow more than 28 points in a game this season. Iowa also was 3-1 ATS as an underdog. The Hawkeyes have split their last four bowl games against SEC opponents.
Pick: Iowa 28, Vanderbilt 25
Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl: Duke (-1.5) vs. Arizona State
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.., CBS
Duke won the ACC championship game. Jeff Sims' long-winding career continues with the Sun Devils here. Kenny Dillingham will get enough production out of Raleek Brown (1,141 yards, 4 TDs) to make it interesting, even though the Blue Devils are 4-2 S/U as a favorite of a TD or less.
This will be the most watched bowl game outside the College Football Playoff. Arch Manning and Bryce Underwood will look to build momentum for next season, and there will be opt-outs on both sides. Can Michigan get a running game going against the Longhorns – who allowed just 98.1 rushing yards on 3.1 yards per carry this season?
Pick: Texas 28, Michigan 20
SDS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: No. 15 Utah (-14) vs. Nebraska
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Utah finished with 10 wins under Kyle Whittingham – and they will run right at a Nebraska defense that allowed 222 rushing yards per game in blowout losses to Penn State and Iowa to close the regular season. Still, Matt Rhule has a chance to win a second straight bowl game. TJ Lateef did not throw an interception after taking over for Dylan Raiola.
Pick: Utah 30, Nebraska 20
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Texas State (-10.5) vs. Rice
Friday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m., ESPN
Texas State averaged 40.3 points per game in its last three games – all victories. Rice lost three of its last four games but slipped into a bowl game with a 5-7 record. The Bobcats beat the Owls 45-21 in the First Responders Bowl in 2023.
Pick: Texas State 38, Rice 21
Autozone Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati (-1.5) vs. Navy
Friday, Jan. 2, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Cincinnati fizzled at the end of season, but Brendan Sorsby still finished with 3,380 total yards and 36 TDs. The Bearcats will test the Midshipmen with big plays, but Navy is 6-1 S/U in its last seven bowl games. Blake Horvath – an Ohio native – leads another victory.
Pick: Navy 24, Cincinnati 22
Duke's Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State (-3) vs. Wake Forest
Friday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m., ESPN
The Bulldogs lost seven of their last eight games for a 5-7 record, but they will take advantage of the opportunity to play an extra game. Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (907 yards, 10 TDs) has a chance to get Jake Dickert to nine wins in Year 1. This is a toss-up SEC-ACC matchup, and Dickert gets the mayo bath.
Pick: Wake Forest 31, Mississippi State 23
DirecTV Holiday Bowl: No. 17 Arizona (-1.5) vs. SMU
Friday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m., Fox
Arizona was one of the hottest teams in the FBS at the end of the season with five straight victories. Noah Fifita (2,963 yards, 26 TDs, 5 INTs) and SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (3,363 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs) should put on a show. The Wildcats were 4-1 S/U when favored by a TD or less.
Pick: Arizona 37, SMU 30
College Football Playoff predictions (first round)
First-round game: No. 9 Alabama (-1.5) at No. 8 Oklahoma
Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ABC
The Crimson Tide are road favorites at Oklahoma in a classic 8/9 game. Oklahoma won close games down the stretch, and their defense has limited the Crimson Tide to 75 rushing yards and forced three turnovers in the last two meetings. Are we discrediting that Sooners' defense? Look for Kalen DeBoer to pull a first-round surprise.
The quarterback matchup between Marcel Reed and Carson Beck is intriguing. How will Reed handle Miami's pass rush, which features Rueben Bain Jr.? Beck had 10 TDs and one interception in his last four games. Would the former Georgia quarterback get a shot at his former team down the line in the semifinals? This should be a tight game to the finish, but Texas A&M has the home-field advantage of Kyle Field.
First-round game: No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss (-16.5)
Saturday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m., TNT
The Rebels beat the Green Wave 45-10 in the regular-season meeting. Ole Miss had 548 total yards of offense, too. How will the Rebels respond to not having Lane Kiffin on the sideline? It's going to be tough for Ole Miss to slow down Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy, but that's still a big number against a team that won five straight games to close the season.
First-round game: No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon (-20.5)
Saturday, Dec. 20, 8 p.m., ABC
The Ducks were 5-2 ATS as a home favorite this season, and they have only allowed 14.5 points per game since losing to Indiana. That includes just two rushing TDs on 3.2 yards per carry. James Madison running back Wayne Knight (1,263 yards, 9 TDs) averages 6.6 yards per carry, but the Ducks will be amped for a home playoff game at Autzen Stadium. It's a lot to overcome.
The 33-year-old sat out the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan following an explosive interview after being dropped by Slot.
But the Dutch coach revealed fresh talks over a resolution with the star forward took place on Friday and he is now poised to feature for the Reds for the first time since appearing as a substitute against Sunderland on 3 December.
Slot said on Friday that he had “no reasons” to not want Salah to stay after the player claimed their relationship had broken down.
Salah had been an unused substitute for two of Liverpool’s last three games before his outburst amid Liverpool’s worst run of results in 70 years, with the star forward claiming he had “earned” his position in the team.
The Egyptian will attract interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia in January but The Independent understands Slot’s decision to leave Salah out of his plans was influenced by his upcoming departure to the Africa Cup of Nations, and Slot suggested Salah still could have a future at Anfield.
"I have no reasons to not want him to stay,” Slot said. “This club has won a lot of games with him. We decided as a club - and I was part of that decision - not to take him to Milan.
“I am always in contact with them [sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards] but when it comes to the decision making of the line-up or the squad, they leave that open to me.
“That's not to say I don't talk to them. Mainly Richard, not Michael. The decision to play a player or have them in the squad is entirely up to me.”
Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last four games due to injury, while the other trio were absent from the 3-0 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League in midweek.
The Premier League leaders will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Aston Villa as the host the division’s bottom side at the Emirates.
Arteta said the return dates for the group of players are a “matter of days” but Rice could be closest to being in contention ahead of the Wolves match after missing the Brugge trip due to illness.
"Let's see how he [Rice] is today,” Arteta said on Friday. “Obviously he was ill. So normally in a few days it gets resolved, but we have to wait and see how far he can push."
Arteta suggested Saliba will be back in time for the trip to Everton next Saturday but the centre-back remains a doubt for the Wolves match, with defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes still out as well.
"We have to wait and see,” Arteta said. “Yesterday we didn't train. He hasn't trained with us yet. We have an extra day. We train this afternoon. Let's see if he can be available for that.”
On Timber, who missed the Brugge match due to a knock, Arteta said: "Again, it depends how he feels today. He wasn't feeling comfortable. Again, I think it's a matter of days but whether it's tomorrow or not we will see."
The update on Trossard was similar. “Another one that is a matter of days! Sounds boring but it's the reality. So we don't know, and if he is available for how long."
Heisman finalist Fernando Mendoza is well known for what he can do on the football field. The Hoosier quarterback helped lead Indiana to a 13-0 start to the season and first Big Ten title since 1967.
But behind Mendoza's success on the field, is a strong family. Mendoza has a younger brother, Alberto, and comes from two parents, Fernando Sr. and Elsa.
Let's take a look at Mendoza's family, as well as where he grew up and more.
Yes, Fernando and Alberto Mendoza are brothers. Alberto is his younger brother, who is currently a redshirt freshman at Indiana.
Fernando Mendoza brother: Alberto Mendoza
Alberto Mendoza also played high school football at Columbus in Miami, Fla., like Fernando. He is a former 3-star recruit from the Class of 2024.
As a backup for the Hoosiers, he has thrown 18 completions for 139 yards with three touchdowns. In fact, having his little brother in Bloomington was a big reason for Mendoza transferring to Indiana.
"I think having my little brother there, who’s my best friend and the person who pushes me the hardest, it was great to have that," Mendoza said via the IndyStar. "To see his perspective on the coaching staff, the culture," Fernando Mendoza told the IndyStar in January following his transfer.
After Alberto threw his first career touchdown pass against Kennesaw State earlier this season, both Mendoza brothers were fired up:
"I also know, at a certain point, that you had another goal in mind: to make the NFL," Mendoza's mother, Elsa penned in a recent letter she published to her son via The Players' Tribune: And in talking to Alberto about his development at IU, you became convinced that playing for Coach Cignetti and his staff was the right path forward."
Fernando Mendoza's parents are Elsa and Fernando Mendoza. His mother, Elsa, played tennis at the University of Miami. His father is a doctor in Miami, with a Specialty in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. After Indiana's Big Ten championship over Ohio State, Mendoza celebrated with his parents:
"I'm so proud, so happy. He deserves it all."
MUST WATCH: You could feel the emotion from @IndianaFootball QB Fernando Mendoza's parents, Elsa and Fernando, when they spoke with @ACwishtv following IU's win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/9hjXZtdpcn
Fernando Mendoza's mother, Elsa, played tennis at UM in Coral Gables, where she earned two degrees. According to the Palm Beach Post, his mother taught him how to throw a football.
In Elsa's Players' Tribune letter, she joked that she wished her son would take up tennis, like her:
The truth is, it was more like an accident … from me being selfish. My dream was for you to play tennis like I did. And at UM there was this drill they’d run us through, where we’d practice throwing a ball across the net, to work on our serve. “Step and throw, step and throw.” So that’s what I’d tell you and Alberto! And now of course every quarterback coach jokes with me, “That’s the WORST thing you could have told them.” But you made it work.
Elsa is one of Fernando's biggest motivators. Mendoza's mother has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system.
"At this point, she has a tough time moving around and stuff like that, but her happiness, her joy and her determination is what inspires me every single day and that's what pushes me," Fernando said in a video for Hoosiers Connect, Indiana's official NIL collective. "You know, if I'm in a workout and I'm feeling tired, you know, a little thought in my mind goes, 'Maybe you should skip out on this set' or something like that, I'll be like, my mom is out here every single day putting a ton of work, a ton of dedication and still with a great attitude, a great positive attitude in everything she does."
Why is Fernando Mendoza's mother in a wheelchair?
Fernando Mendoza's mother is in a wheelchair due to her MS. Her son has been motivated to use his platform at Indiana to help those with the disease. At Indiana, he hosted a fundraiser aiming to raise $100,000 for MS research, programs and services.
Fernando Mendoza dad: Fernando Mendoza Sr.
Mendoza's father is a doctor at Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists in Miami, Fla. He specializes in Emergency Medicine within the hospital.
Mendoza played offensive line at Columbus high school, alongside Miami head coach Mario Cristobal. He also rowed crew on a national and collegiate level.
Fernando Mendoza's grandparents have been big inspirations for the Indiana quarterback. They are former immigrants, and Mendoza's parents are both first-generation Americans.
Where are Fernando Mendoza's grandparents from?
All four of Mendoza's grandparents immigrated to the United States from Cuba. In high school, Mendoza helped organize a Cuban Relief Service trip with his grandfather, Alberto Espino. According to The Athletic, the experience was eye-opening for both Fernando and his brother:
Fernando and his younger brother, Alberto, a redshirt freshman quarterback at Indiana, traveled to Cuba with his maternal grandparents in 2018 to see where their roots started. They did service work with Catholic charities in their grandfather’s hometown of Santiago. They took supplies and candy to elementary school kids. It was an eye-opening experience for them, said their mom, Elsa.
It showed the Mendoza boys “what just 90 miles and different government ideologies can make,” their dad said.
Fernando Mendoza nationality
Fernando Mendoza is Cuban-American.
Where is Fernando Mendoza from?
Fernando Mendoza grew up in Miami, Fla., but he was born in Boston, Mass. while his father was in residency there. Unsurprisingly, Mendoza became a huge fan of Tom Brady at a young age.
Trinity Rodman of the Washington Spirit looks on during an April match against Racing Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.Photograph: Jeff Dean/NWSL/Getty Images
The Trinity Rodman contract saga has exposed a fundamental tension at the heart of the National Women’s Soccer League: a salary-cap model built for stability and measured growth coming in collision with a global market that has accelerated far beyond it.
Rodman is one of the most important young players in US soccer, arguably its most marketable female star and a centerpiece of the NWSL’s future. Yet European giants have offered her salaries that America’s top women’s domestic league cannot legally match, prompting the NWSL to veto a record-breaking Washington Spirit deal (and the players’ union to file a grievance in response).
At the same time, a wave of top talent has already crossed east across the Atlantic, raising questions about whether the NWSL can still compete. Here’s what’s happening and why it matters …
Why is Trinity Rodman at the center of a league-wide crisis?
Because she is exactly the kind of star the NWSL cannot afford to lose. At 23, Rodman is one of the most explosive young players in the world: already a USWNT cornerstone (and one-third of the Triple Espresso front line), an Olympic champion, a marketing draw and a foundational star for the Spirit. Her contract expires at the end of December and European clubs have offered her salaries far beyond what any NWSL team can pay under the league’s salary cap.
The Spirit attempted a record deal averaging over $1m per year only for the NWSL to block it, saying it violated league rules. The NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) has now filed a grievance accusing the league of breaching the collective bargaining agreement and effectively imposing an unnegotiated maximum salary.
Rodman’s future is a litmus test: if the NWSL cannot retain a player of her caliber, executives fear the league may be structurally incapable of keeping or attracting world-class talent.
Why is this happening now? Is the NWSL really at risk of losing its top talent?
Yes, and it already has. Salary growth in Europe’s major leagues has surged and transfers for top players have accelerated. Alyssa Thompson’s shock move from Angel City FC to Chelsea underscored how vulnerable the NWSL has become. Several other players have departed in recent windows, including national team members Naomi Girma, Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox, often for salaries that the NWSL’s cap cannot approach. Clubs say they cannot compete financially: even players willing to take pay cuts discover the NWSL cap requires reductions so steep that the move becomes unfeasible.
European teams routinely offer seven-figure salaries. NWSL teams operate under a 2025 cap of $3.5m total. It doesn’t take a CPA to suss out what’s behind the migration.
Many general managers privately told ESPN they fear the league will be unable to retain top players – or recruit global stars – unless the NWSL modernizes its pay structures. The Rodman standoff has simply made a long-simmering problem impossible to ignore.
Why does this matter for the NWSL – and for the state of US women’s soccer?
Because this is happening at a moment when the USWNT’s long-standing global dominance is under real threat. For decades the US had advantages that Europe lacked: youth infrastructure, college pathways through scholarships, professionalism and visibility. But that gap has closed rapidly.
European clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, Lyon, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain now operate with world-class facilities, elite coaches, sophisticated analytics programs and, critically, rising wages. The transfer market and Champions League have turned Europe into the epicenter of the women’s game. Several European national teams have equaled or surpassed the USWNT tactically and technically, as seen at the 2023 World Cup.
If the NWSL cannot keep its brightest stars – including generational talents like Rodman – the center of gravity in the women’s game will continue shifting toward Europe.
What is the NWSL trying to do about it?
The NWSL’s Board of Governors has reportedly approved a new roster mechanism on Thursday that would allow teams to pay salaries beyond the cap, effectively an NWSL version of Major League Soccer’s designated player rule. According to an ESPN report, it has been dubbed the High Impact Player program.
The rule will let teams spend up to $1m in additional funds on eligible players while only incurring a portion of that salary as a cap hit. To qualify as a High Impact Player, individuals must meet a mix of sporting or commercial metrics, such as recent USWNT minutes, Ballon d’Or recognition, NWSL Best XI honors or broader marketability benchmarks.
The proposal, now approved by the board, would:
give each club a set pool of supplemental money beyond the salary cap
restrict that pool to players who meet elite criteria
allow teams to split funds among one or multiple stars
introduce a minimum threshold so the mechanism is used only for top talent
maintain parity by preventing unlimited spending
In the short term, the rule gives the Spirit a means to keep Rodman, though they must still agree to terms with her. The mechanism also requires formal consultation with the NWSLPA under the CBA.
The new system would effectively replace “allocation money”, previously used to top up salaries, which the NWSL is phasing out.
Why did the NWSL veto Rodman’s proposed contract?
Rodman and the Spirit agreed to a backloaded four-year deal with escalators taking her average pay above $1m, far beyond what the current cap structure can absorb. The league rejected the deal, arguing it violated the collective bargaining agreement and posed “structural risk” to a system that depends on tight cost controls. Commissioner Jessica Berman has repeatedly said the league is “not a charity”.
The NWSLPA counters that nothing in the CBA creates a maximum salary, and by blocking the deal the league effectively imposed one without negotiation.
The grievance process is underway:
the league has 14 days to respond in writing
if unresolved, a grievance committee of league and union reps reviews it
if still unresolved, it moves to arbitration
The outcome could reshape how salaries are handled across the league.
Why are European clubs able to outbid NWSL teams so easily?
Because European wages have exploded. Clubs such as Chelsea, Barcelona and Lyon can offer salaries exceeding $1m a year – and they do so without the constraints of a hard cap. They benefit from Champions League revenue, massive global brands and fanbases, and ownership groups willing to invest heavily in the women’s game.
By contrast, even in 2029 – the final year of Rodman’s proposed deal – the NWSL base cap will still be under $5m. Without supplemental mechanisms, signing even a single million-dollar player destabilizes an entire roster.
Simply, Europe’s financial model has shifted the global market. The NWSL’s current model has not kept pace.
How big is the threat to the NWSL if Rodman leaves?
Symbolically enormous and strategically dangerous.
Rodman is a face of the league, a marketing anchor and one of the few players capable of bringing non-hardcore sports fans into the tent. Losing her at 23, at a moment when European salaries are surging and club environments are improving rapidly, would feed the narrative that NWSL is no longer the top destination for elite players.
Executives fear a pattern: young standouts go abroad for money and Champions League football, while top internationals stay away because the league can’t afford them.
As ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf wrote: “Attracting casual fans is the only way for the NWSL to truly grow at scale, and while gimmicks like creating artificial fan sections from a new league sponsor are obligatory attempts at commercial growth, they mean nothing without the players that keep fans watching. Rodman is the type of player – not the only one, no, but she’s right at the front of the line – that people pay to come watch. She is the type of player who creates fans.”
How does this compare to what’s happening in the WNBA?
Both leagues face pressure to retain stars, but they are at very different moments. WNBA players are pushing for higher pay and improved conditions, yet they are negotiating from a position strength, with unprecedented fan interest, rising valuations and CBA leverage. The WNBA is expanding, financially and competitively.
The NWSL, by contrast, is improvising solutions from a position of vulnerability. Its stars are being priced out, its cap is rigid and its competitive environment cannot match Europe’s. While WNBA players fight for a bigger slice of a growing pie, NWSL clubs are trying to prevent the pie from disappearing overseas.
What happens next?
A few things:
The Board of Governors consults with the NWSLPA on Thursday’s vote
The NWSL has until mid-December to respond in writing to the NWSLPA grievance
If unresolved, the issue moves to a grievance committee and potentially arbitration
Rodman can officially negotiate with any club once her contract expires on 31 December
European clubs remain prepared with multi-million-dollar offers
The league insists it will “do everything we can to keep Trinity Rodman here.” The coming weeks will determine whether that promise represents meaningful structural change or simply a defensive slogan in a changing global market.
A rickshaw passes a poster promoting the visit to Kolkata of football star Lionel Messi (Dibyangshu SARKAR)
Lionel Messi will unveil a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in India on Saturday as he embarks on a three-day tour of the country that has sparked a fan frenzy.
The iron sculpture in Kolkata, which shows Messi holding aloft the World Cup, is part of a so-called GOAT Tour that will take in four Indian cities and a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar will unveil the monument virtually rather than in person for security reasons.
A "Hola Messi" fan zone has also been set up in Kolkata where on display is a life-sized replica of Messi sat on a throne.
The hall also recreates his Miami home, complete with mannequins of his family members.
Football fan Samir Nandy said it would be "a dream come true" to catch a glimpse of his idol.
"Legends are not made by success alone. It is his resilience that made me believe in him," Nandy, 64, said in Kolkata.
"The statue is a fitting tribute to him."
Monty Paul, the statue's main sculptor, told AFP the structure was built inside 40 days.
"It's a matter of pride to build the sculpture of Messi. It's the tallest statue I have made," he said.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will also meet Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and former India cricket captain Saurav Ganguly during his whirlwind trip to Kolkata.
Ahead of his arrival, Messi said it was an honour to visit India and interact with the fans.
"India is a very special country and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago -- the fans were fantastic," Messi said in an official statement.
"India is a passionate football nation and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game."
After Kolkata, where Messi will play a short friendly match, he will head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
In Hyderabad he will attend a concert in his honour and play another friendly.
He is reportedly scheduled to meet Modi in the capital.
Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America.
ORCHARD PARK - Last year, before the Buffalo Bills played the Houston Texans where Stefon Diggs was preparing to face his old team for the first time, he predictably had nothing to say about the matchup.
Not the case for Bills cornerback Christian Benford who spoke glowingly about how much he was looking forward to the challenge of facing Diggs because he had learned so much from him in the two seasons they practiced against each other in Buffalo.
“I was young and just understanding like different receivers, how they run their routes, how they will beat certain types of DBs, so that’s what I learned from him,” Benford said. “Even sometimes during the game he would say something; I would look to the sideline and he would say something. We would compete, and he taught me a lot about ball.”
The tutoring Diggs provided has certainly benefited the Bills because Benford has become one of the league’s best CBs, and over the past month there’s a strong case to be made that he’s been the very best.
In that 2024 game in Houston, Diggs caught six passes for 82 yards, but none of it came against Benford, according to Pro Football Focus. And then back in October of this season, when Diggs came into Highmark Stadium with the Patriots and torched the Bills for 10 catches for 146 yards with eight of those receptions resulting in a first down, PFF charged only one of his receptions worth 10 yards to Benford.
That night, the Patriots moved Diggs all over, lining him up 10 times in the slot, 11 wide left and nine wide right, likely in an effort to keep him away from Benford.
Christian Benford has shut down some of NFL's top receivers
However, that was before the Bills changed coverage tactics with Benford who in several recent games has been shadowing the opponents’ top receiver. Since they’ve done this, Benford has effectively shut down Tet McMillan of the Panthers, Emeka Egbuka of the Bucs, Nico Collins of the Texans, DK Metcalf of the Steelers and, most impressively, Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals.
It will be tougher for Buffalo to match Benford with Diggs because Diggs has split his snaps this season almost 50-50 between the boundary and the slot. When he goes inside, Benford probably won’t go with him, but he almost certainly will when he’s outside regardless of which side it is.
“He is very, very committed to the process,” coach Sean McDermott said of the fourth-year player who has become one of the greatest draft day finds in team history, excelling as a sixth-round pick. “As you guys know he doesn’t say much, but he’s a very focused young man on his job. And it’s been really a joy to watch him get more and more comfortable in this position in terms of how we use him as a corner and what he does week to week for us. And not just the pass game but the run game and some of the plays he’s made for us.”
Benford honored by NFL
Benford was named AFC defensive player of the week for his performance against the Steelers he made an interception, a tackle for loss against the run, and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Against the Bengals, he probably could have won it again. He shut out Chase who caught five passes for 44 yards, none of that with Benford in primary coverage, and with Joe Burrow trying to hit Chase on a hot read in the fourth quarter, Benford leaped up to pick it off and raced 63 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
He became the first Bills’ defensive player in team history to score a touchdown in back-to-back games.
“He’s just a pro and wants to be really good,” defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said earlier this week. “He works at it, and it’s just who CB is. If you were to tell me, ‘Hey, he’s coming up here, he’s gonna have a couple defensive touchdowns,’ wouldn’t shock me.”
Speaking of pros, that’s certainly what Diggs is, and he is playing a vital role in the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Just as he was in 2020 for Buffalo when Allen needed a stud receiver to elevate his game, Diggs is doing the same for Maye this season as he has 64 catches for 705 yards and three TDs.
“When you look at his makeup and character, I think that there’s an energy and a competitive spirit to Stef,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. “To play in this league at any position and be successful, you obviously have to have a skillset, but I do think that he is competitive, and I think that’s allowed him to be successful in a lot of different places.”
We all know that Diggs’ departure from Buffalo was a little messy, and though he hasn’t said much about it, his play in the two games that he has faced his former team since he basically goaded the Bills into trading him indicate that motivation won’t be a problem for him Sunday.
The Bills have not been able to find a new alpha to replace Diggs in their receiver room, and that makes his two big-time performances against them sting all that much more.
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 36 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
It's that time of year again — the 35th annual College Football Awards will recognize the country's best players on Friday.
The end of the regular season signals the perfect time for college football's biggest individual award shows, with ESPN's College Football Awards kicking things off this week. 22 national winners will be recognized across a variety of prestigious categories.
The Maxwell Award is the biggest honor that will be handed out Friday night. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are all up for the Player of the Year honor, which will be an interesting indicator for who might become this year's Heisman Trophy winner.
You won't want to miss this.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 College Football Awards, including TV channel and streaming options for the 35th edition of the annual show.
Where to watch College Football Awards: TV channel, live stream
The 2025 College Football Awards will air live on ESPN. Kevin Negandhi, Molly McGrath and Booger McFarland will host the event with Jen Lada joining as an analyst.
Viewers can also stream the show live on Fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try before you buy.
College Football Awards show start time
Date: Friday, Dec. 12
Time: 7 p.m. ET
The College Football Awards show will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 12. The two-hour program is slated to end at 9 p.m. ET.
College football award finalists 2025
Chuck Bednarik Award: Defensive Player of the Year
Senegal star Sadio Mane listens to the national anthem of Mauritania before a 2026 World Cup qualifier. (Patrick Meinhardt)
The highlight of Group D at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco promises to be the showdown between two former champions, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They met just two months ago in a World Cup qualifier with the Senegalese coming from two goals behind to snatch a 3-2 victory through a Pape Matar Sarr goal.
Victory led to Senegal qualifying for a third straight World Cup while DR Congo will face Jamaica or New Caledonia in March with a ticket to the global showcase on the line.
While DR Congo hope to atone for the Kinshasa loss, the stage is set for a cameo to relish on December 27 in Tangier between Senegal striker Sadio Mane and DR Congo centre-back Chancel Mbemba.
Mane may be less in the media limelight since exchanging Liverpool and Bayern Munich for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr two years ago.
But last month in Turkey he issued a reminder that his predatory instincts remain, scoring a hat-trick as Senegal crushed Kenya 8-0 in a warm-up for the AFCON.
Mane has already scaled the African football summit, converting the decisive penalty to give the Teranga Lions a shootout victory over Egypt in the 2022 final in Yaounde.
Three years earlier, Mane featured in another AFCON final. However, he had to settle for a silver medal as an early goal from Algeria proved the only one of the title decider in Cairo.
Senegal disappointed at the most recent AFCON, early last year in the Ivory Coast. After winning all three group matches they lost on penalties to the host nation in a last-16 clash.
Long-serving coach Aliou Cisse did not have his contract renewed and another former national team star, Pape Thiaw, has proved a successful replacement.
- Crucial contributions -
A friendly loss to record five-time World Cup champions Brazil last month was his first setback after 10 victories and two draws. Trouncing Kenya three days later upped the win count.
Mbemba recently celebrated representing his country 100 times with two crucial contributions as DR Congo seek a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
In African play-offs among the best four group runners-up, Mbemba snatched the late goal that sank Cameroon 1-0 in a semi-final in Morocco.
When the final against Nigeria finished 1-1 after extra time in Rabat, a shootout ensued and the penalty that separated the teams was calmly converted by Mbemba.
The professional career of the 31-year-old began in Belgium with Anderlecht. He then had spells with Newcastle United, Porto and Marseille before joining Lille.
While 33-year-old Mane hopes to add to his 51 goals for Senegal, Mbemba will be determined to shackle the two-time African player of the year.
Much of the credit for the resurgence of DR Congo goes to French coach Sebastien Desabre, a 49-year-old whose first African assignment was with Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas.
He then coached clubs in Cameroon, Tunisia, Angola, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, and spent two years in charge of Uganda, taking them to an AFCON for the first time in 41 years.
"Our first objective is to get out of Group D. Benin, Botswana and Senegal are strong teams. It will not be easy," Desabre told the Congolese media.
"Qualifying for the World Cup intercontinental play-offs by eliminating Cameroon and Nigeria proved we are progressing.
"I predict a bright future for the Leopards, provided we continue learning. Eliminating Nigeria was fantastic, but that result is history now."
Benin have shown consistent improvement under German Gernot Rohr, who previously coached Gabon, Niger and Nigeria at AFCONs. They will be captained by veteran striker Steve Mounie.
Coached by South African Morena Ramoreboli, Botswana are the lowest ranked of the 24 participants. They lost all three matches in their AFCON debut 13 years ago and will do well to avoid a similar fate.
Florian Thauvin (C) has scored three goals in Lens' last two outings (Loic VENANCE)
Veteran goal-grabber Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will face his former employers Monaco in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with his inconsistent Marseille side seeking to get their title challenge back on track.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona star, who returned for his second stint at the Velodrome in the summer, played in the principality early in his career before making his name with a flurry of goals at Saint-Etienne.
After a nomadic couple of years being loaned out across France by parent club AC Milan, Aubameyang arrived at Monaco in 2010 where he scored two goals in 23 outings before being shipped on to Saint-Etienne.
The Gabonese international did not look back as he progressed to earn silverware in England and Spain, as well as in Germany as part of Jurgen Klopp's exciting Borussia Dortmund team.
Now back at Marseille, whom he initially joined two years ago from Premier League side Chelsea, the 36-year-old has been in fine fettle this campaign, netting eight times and laying on 10 assists across 19 appearances in all competitions.
Roberto De Zerbi's side, however, have faltered of late, especially since being presented with the chance to seize top spot from bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain two weeks ago.
A win in late November at home to mid-table Toulouse would have sent them top after PSG stumbled earlier in the weekend, but they instead conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2.
That draw was followed up by a 1-0 loss at Lille, who joined third-placed Marseille on 29 points, five adrift of surprise Ligue 1 pacesetters Lens.
Sunday's opponents Monaco have been even more inconsistent this season, and sit six points behind Marseille in seventh spot.
It was their 1-0 victory on November 29 against PSG which handed Marseille the chance to go top as Sebastien Pocognoli appeared to get a grip on his side following a string of heavy defeats.
But they followed it up with a loss by the same scoreline last time out against 10-man Brest.
With both sides earning important victories midweek in the Champions League, confidence should be high on the south coast.
Marseille have won every match this season, both domestic and European, in which Aubameyang has scored. Should he break his three-match drought this weekend, the hosts will fancy their chances of getting back in the title hunt.
Champions PSG could provisionally climb top of the pile on Saturday by avoiding defeat on their trip to bottom side Metz.
Shock league leaders Lens will aim to keep the chasing pack at bay when they host crisis club Nice on Sunday.
Player to watch: Florian Thauvin
The 2018 World Cup winner returned to his native France to join Lens in August from Mexican club Tigres and has been an integral part of their surprise surge to the summit of Ligue 1.
The 32-year-old playmaker has scored five goals in the league so far this term, including three in Lens' last two outings.
Thauvin's eye for a pass, and the net, could be key to his side's hopes of condemning Nice to a sixth consecutive domestic defeat.
Key stats
15 - Marseille have conceded inside the final quarter of an hour in their last four matches in all competitions
1 - Aubameyang has only won once against Monaco in six attempts
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Angers v Nantes (1945)
Saturday
Rennes v Brest (1600), Metz v Paris Saint-Germain (1800), Paris FC v Toulouse (2005)
Sunday
Lyon v Le Havre (1400), Auxerre v Lille, Lens v Nice, Strasbourg v Lorient (all 1615), Marseille v Monaco (1945)
It's a great feeling to see your favorite player from your hometown team have an explosive performance to lead your team to victory. But it's arguably an even better feeling to have someone on your fantasy roster dominate your matchup with a 40-plus point performance to crush your opponent's hopes of winning.
Recent examples include Alvin Kamara's Christmas performance in 2020 that won many league championships on its own.
But in 2025, we've had three new entries on their respective positional top-10 lists of all-time fantasy games: Brock Bowers' Week 9, Jahmyr Gibbs' Week 12, and most recently Kyle Pitts' Week 15 outings vaulted them into history.
Where do these two gems rank all-time among fantasy single-game point totals? Most of our data comes from Football Reference's Game Finder tool, but we also used default point-per-reception (PPR) fantasy scoring where applicable.
We set our parameters to date back to the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, so Johnny Unitas and Jim Brown won't be on this list. But a few old-school names made the cut with performances that would likely be remembered by more fans if fantasy football had been prominent in the 1970s.
The list of quarterbacks is littered with (future) Hall-of-Fame signal callers, including Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Oddly enough, the year 2002 was the year for 50-point days for running backs; four of the games on our list come from '02. It shouldn't come as a shock that the list of pass catchers is dominated by more Hall-of-Fame talent. Jerry Rice and Kellen Winslow lead the way at wide receiver and tight end.
Scroll for the best fantasy football performers by position in a single game as of December 11, 2025.
Note: The scoring accounts for 4-point passing touchdowns, 6-point rushing and receiving touchdowns, 0.04 points per passing yard, 0.1 points per rushing and receiving yard, and 1 point per reception.
Most fantasy points in a game by a QB
Rk
Quarterback
Fan Pts
Pass Yds
Pass TD
Rush Yds
Rush TD
1
Josh Allen, Bills (12/8/24)
51.88
342
3
82
3
2
Michael Vick, Eagles (11/15/10)
49.32
333
4
80
2
3
Mark Rypien, Washington (11/10/91)
48.08
442
6
4
1
4
Peyton Manning, Broncos (9/5/13)
46.28
462
7
-2
0
5
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (10/2/11)
45.92
408
4
36
2
6
Nick Foles, Eagles (11/3/13)
45.24
406
7
10
0
7
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (10/26/14)
44.78
522
6
-1
0
8
Drew Brees, Saints (11/1/15)
44.3
505
7
1
0
9
Randall Cunningham, Eagles (11/4/90)
44
240
4
124
1
10
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (10/20/19)
43.76
429
5
6
1
Most fantasy points in a game by a RB
Rk
Running Back
Fan Pts
Rush Yds
Rush TD
Rec
Rec Yds
Rec TD
1
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (12/15/13)
59.5
20
1
8
195
4
2
Clinton Portis, Broncos (12/7/03)
57.4
218
5
2
36
0
3
Alvin Kamara, Saints (12/25/20)
56.2
155
6
3
17
0
T4
Shaun Alexander, Seahawks (9/29/02)
56.1
139
4
3
92
1
T4
LaDanian Tomlinson, Chargers (12/1/02)
56.1
220
3
11
51
0
6
Priest Holmes, Chiefs (11/24/02)
55.7
197
2
7
110
1
T7
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (11/23/25)
55.4
219
2
11
45
1
T7
Chris Johnson, Titans (9/20/09)
55.4
197
2
9
87
1
9
Doug Martin, Buccaneers (11/4/12)
55.2
251
4
4
21
0
10
Joe Mixon (11/6/22)
55.1
153
4
4
58
1
Jahmyr Gibbs joins this list after posting the highest-scoring RB game since the famous Alvin Kamara Christmas gift.
Gibbs' performance is arguably more impressive. The Lions star put up almost 1.5 times the amount of scrimmage yards as Kamara, who relied on ridiculous usage inside the red zone.
Most fantasy points in a game by a WR
Rk
Wide Receiver
Fan Pts
Rec
Rec Yds
Rec TD
1
Jerry Rice, 49ers (10/14/90)
65.5
13
225
5
2
Jimmy Smith, Jaguars (9/10/00)
62.1
15
291
3
3
Jerry Butler, Bills (9/23/79)
60.7
10
255
4
4
Jerry Rice, 49ers (12/18/95)
59.9
14
289
3
5
Steve Largent, Seahawks (10/18/87)
59.1
15
261
3
6
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (11/29/20)
57.9
13
269
3
7
Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (1/2/22)
55.6
11
266
3
8
Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (11/7/24)
55.4
11
264
3
T9
Harold Jackson, Rams (10/14/73)
54.8
7
238
4
T9
Terrell Owens, 49ers (12/17/00)
54.8
20
283
1
Most fantasy points in a game by a TE
Rk
Tight End
OPP
FPTS
REC
YDS
TD
1
Kellen Winslow, SD (11/21/81)
OAK
57.4
13
144
5
2
Kellen Winslow, SD (12/11/83)
KC
48.2
14
162
3
3
Shannon Sharpe, DEN (10/6/96)
SD
46.3
13
153
3
4
Kyle Pitts, ATL (12/11/25)
TB
45.6
11
166
3
5
Shannon Sharpe, DEN (10/20/02)
KC
45.4
12
214
2
6
Darren Waller, LV (12/6/20)
NYJ
45
13
200
2
7
Rich Caster, NYJ (9/24/72)
BAL
44.4
6
204
3
8
Todd Christensen, OAK (10/16/83)
SEA
44.2
11
152
3
9
Brock Bowers, LV (11/2/25)
JAX
43.3
12
127
3
T10
Keith Jackson, PHI (9/17/89)
WAS
42.6
12
126
3
T10
Jimmie Giles, TB (10/20/85)
MIA
42.6
7
116
4
The most recent addition to this list is Kyle Pitts, who etched his name fourth on the all-time fantasy games from a tight end in Week 15, likely putting many of his fantasy managers in fine position to advance to Round 2 of their league playoffs.
This came after Brock Bowers, who piled up statistics in Week 9 of the 2025 fantasy season.
Most fantasy points in a game by a Kicker
Rk
Kicker
Fan Pts
1
Rob Bironas, Titans (10/21/07)
28
2
Jay Feely, Cardinals (12/19/10)
27.5
T3
Billy Cundiff, Cowboys (9/15/03)
25
T3
Cairo Santos, Chiefs (10/4/15)
25
T3
Stephen Gostkowski, Titans (9/27/20)
25
T6
Matt Gay, Colts (9/24/23)
24
T6
Jason Myers, Seahawks (10/14/18)
24
T6
Blair Walsh, Vikings (12/16/12)
24
T9
Jason Sanders '19, Blair Walsh '15, Jeff Wilkins '00, Greg Zurlein '17
Lane Kiffin’s long-anticipated return to Ole Miss is officially on the calendar. The SEC announced Thursday that LSU will visit Oxford on Sept. 19, 2026, marking Kiffin’s first game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since he left the Rebels for Baton Rouge.
The Week 3 showdown immediately becomes one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 college football season. Kiffin and the Tigers go up against the program he rebuilt and then stunned with his departure.
During his six-year run, Kiffin guided Ole Miss to unprecedented heights, including multiple 10-win seasons and the program’s first College Football Playoff berth. But his exit delivered just days after an 11-win regular season still stings in Oxford. He was met with hostility 0and middle fingers as he boarded a plane bound for LSU.
Kiffin’s return is expected to draw one of the most insane atmospheres in stadium history. The Rebels will be led by Pete Golding and will welcome their former coach as a rival for the first time. With tensions amplified by the way he left the program and by LSU’s aggressive pursuit of him after firing Brian Kelly, Kiffin has to deliver right away.
Both teams are projected to contend in the newly expanded nine-game SEC slate. The matchup carries major early-season implications and no shortage of emotion.
Nearly a third of SEC schools hired a new head coach in the span of about six hours on Nov. 30, and the domino that set each move in motion was Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin finally ripped the band-aid off by announcing his decision to become the next head coach at LSU, but the writing had been on the wall. Florida moved on from Kiffin, hiring Jon Sumrall, which prompted Auburn to pivot to Alex Golesh and Arkansas to then pivot to Ryan Silverfield.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, promoted one of Kiffin's top assistants, defensive coordinator Pete Golding, to head coach.
Kiffin will meet three of those coaches in 2026, including a meeting in Oxford that could be one of the highlights of the college football season.
Here's a complete look at LSU's opponents for 2026 and when Kiffin could reunite with Ole Miss.
Lane Kiffin will return to Oxford to face Ole Miss in 2026, setting the stage for one of the premier events of the college football season regardless of how well each team is playing.
LSU will play Ole Miss on Saturday, September 19 in Oxford.
Ole Miss schedule 2026
Date
Opponent
Sept. 5
vs. Louisville (Nissan Stadium)
Sept. 12
vs. Charlotte
Sept. 19
vs. LSU
Sept. 26
at Florida
Oct. 3
Open
Oct. 10
at Vanderbilt
Oct. 17
vs. Missouri
Oct. 24
at Texas
Oct. 31
vs. Auburn
TBD
TBD
Does LSU play Tennessee next year?
LSU will play Tennessee in 2026.
It's been 19 years since a young Kiffin left the Volunteers after one season to coach the Raiders in the NFL. One would think tensions have diminished since that point, but Kiffin saw golf balls and a mustard bottle fly toward him last time he coached in Knoxville while with Ole Miss.
LSU's date with Tennessee won't be as anticipated as the matchup with Ole Miss, considering some Volunteers players weren't even alive when Kiffin coached the team, but many fans haven't forgotten yet.
A non-conference matchup with Clemson at home is coming on Friday, Sept. 5 as Kiffin's earliest major test.
To no surprise, LSU's SEC slate is daunting, but the bulk of the Tigers' toughest matchups come at home against Alabama, Texas and Texas A&M. LSU's road slate is a bit lighter but includes games at Tennessee and Ole Miss, with the latter guaranteed to have all eyes on it as Kiffin returns to Oxford.
Nigeria star Victor Osimhen (L) in action against Angola in a 2024 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final (FRANCK FIFE)
Forwards and former CAF player of the year award winners Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman headline the 28-man Nigeria squad named on Thursday for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Eagles open their Group C campaign on December 23 against Tanzania, then face Tunisia four days later and Uganda on December 30.
Group winners and runners-up qualify automatically for the knockout stage, and the best four third-placed teams from six mini-leagues also advance to the round of 16.
Nigeria and Tunisia are favoured to occupy the top two places, with the east African sides battling for third spot and possible survival.
Turkey-based Osimhen was voted the outstanding African player in 2023 and Lookman from Italian outfit Atalanta succeeded him. Morocco captain and defender Achraf Hakimi topped the poll this year.
Nigeria are blessed with so much forward talent that Ivory Coast-born coach Eric Chelle has chosen nine. Three goalkeepers, eight defenders and eight midfielders complete the squad.
A forward who did not make it, however, was Victor Boniface from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Recent Wolverhampton Wanderers signing Tolu Arokodare also misses out.
Premier League club Fulham supply three of the squad -- centre-back Calvin Bassey, midfielder Alex Iwobi and on-loan striker Samuel Chukwueze.
Chukwueze, on loan from AC Milan with the Cottagers having an option to make the deal permanent, scored twice in a recent 5-4 loss to Manchester City.
Chelle included currently injured first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from South African Premiership side Chippa United.
Nigeria have won the AFCON three times, most recently when they edged Burkina Faso 1-0 in the 2013 final in Johannesburg. Last year, they were runners-up to hosts Ivory Coast.
They will face fellow AFCON title contenders Egypt in a warm-up match in Cairo on December 16, then fly to Fes, the Moroccan city where they will play all their first round matches.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa Utd/RSA), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars/TAN), Francis Uzoho (Omonia/CYP)
Michigan has fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause, per a report.
ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the news on Wednesday afternoon. The news comes shortly after Michigan's early signing period, as Moore was just finishing up his second season with the Wolverines.
On Friday, Moore was charged with home invasion in the third degree, stalking, as well as breaking an entering. Moore was arrested by police on Wednesday evening.
According to the school, the firing comes amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a UM staffer.
Michigan announces that Sherrone Moore has been fired for cause & school found “credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
UM athletic director released a statement after reports came out. Manuel added that More's conduct is a clear violation of university policy, and the school has "zero tolerance" for such behavior.
Statement from University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel:
“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate…
On Thursday night, Michigan's president, Domenico Grasco, released a statement, saying "There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None."
Moore had just finished his second season as Michigan's head coach, finishing with an 18-8 record. The Wolverines lost 27-9 to Ohio State to finish 9-3 on the season. Moore has been married to his wife, Kelli Moore since 2015. The couple shares three daughters together.
Beyond his suspension earlier in the 2025 season, Moore had faced two prior penalties: a one-game ban for the 2023 season opener stemming from recruiting violations, and an outstanding one-game suspension tied to the sign-stealing investigation that was scheduled for the first game of the 2026 season.
TMZ has released audio of a 911 tape, allegedly tied to Moore's arrest on Wednesday. On the tape, you can hear the dispatcher say that a woman on location was "being attacked," and that the man at the location has "been stalking her for months."
TMZ released an extended clip of the audio later Wednesday, where the dispatcher is heard describing a call from "S1's wife" in Ann Arbor saying that the suspect is "suicidal for losing his job today." The dispatcher added that S1 walked out with a knife, and that a U of M detective was on the way.
Latest Sherrone Moore arrest updates
Friday, Dec. 12. 1:38 p.m: According to Nicole Auerbach, the magistrate told Sherrone Moore that he is not to use alcohol, marijuana or any other substance that's not prescribed to him while out on bond. Moore must also wear a GPS tether, continue all mental health treatment and have no contact with the woman.
Moore's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026, per Auerbach.
Friday, Dec. 12. 1:34 p.m. TheWashtenaw County prosecutor said Sherrone Moore is alleged to have broken into the woman's residence, grabbed butter knives and threatened to harm himself, including telling the alleged victim she would have to watch.
Per Nicole Auerbach, the prosecutor also said that Sherrone Moore and the woman had an intimate relationship for a number of years, and the victim "broke up with the defendant on Monday morning. She presented herself to (the school) and corroborated the fact they had a relationship."
Here is video from the allegations being laid out by the prosecutor.
Allegations laid out by prosecutor against Sherrone Moore
Says Moore barged into house, grabbed multiple knives and threatened to kill himself in front of alleged victim pic.twitter.com/bDzyKBqNTj
Friday, Dec. 12. 12:53 p.m.: Moore has been formally charged by Washtenaw County with home invasion in the third degree, stalking as well as breaking and entering:
Friday, Dec. 12. 12:29 p.m.: Moore is set to be arraigned in Washtenaw County court at 1 p.m. ET.
Sherrone Moore's arraignment appears set for 1 p.m., per a release: "The Court has received information a complaint will filed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office. As soon as we have charging information that will be shared."
Thursday, Dec. 11 4:03 p.m.: NBC's Nicole Auerbach reported on Thursday afternoon that Michigan was aware of Moore's mental health issues, but Warde Manuel fired him without any HR reps or security guards present.
Michigan had been alerted prior to Wednesday that Sherrone Moore was dealing with mental health issues yet Warde Manuel fired him alone with no HR rep and no security present, source told @NBCSports.
Hours after his firing, Moore was arrested and is currently in protective custody.
1:34 p.m.: According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, who initially reported Moore's firing, Michigan did have an initial investigation into the head coach's alleged misconduct.
That investigation didn't yield anything, but in "very recent days," credible information emerged that was "overwhelming in nature." Per Thamel, who appeared on the Pat McAfee show on Thursday, that changed the investigation, which ultimately led to his firing:
"My understanding is that there was an initial investigation into this and nothing credible was found..
Within the past day or two credible information emerged that was overwhelming in nature..
12:26 p.m.: Per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Moore is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Friday, Dec. 12:
Update from Pittsfield Township police on the Sherrone Moore situation: "This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor. The suspect remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to appear in court for arraignment on 12/12/25."
11:20 a.m.: According to ESPN's Dan Wetzel, no decision on charges stemming from Moore's arrest by police is expected on Thursday. Moore remains in custody, and is still being actively investigated by police:
The Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office tells ESPN that no decision on charging Sherrone Moore is expected today. The former Michigan coach remains in custody.
"The matter involving Mr. Moore remains under active investigation by law-enforcement, and as a result, we do not…
According to Wetzel, Moore was detained by police in Saline, Mich. on Wednesday evening.
Breaking: Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was detained by police in Saline, Mich. this evening and turned over to police in Pittsfield Township for investigation into potential charges, reporting with @PeteThamelpic.twitter.com/KTuzlmNXQ7
Moore was detained by police Wednesday afternoon and was in custody in the Washtenaw County Jail as of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to online court records. He was booked at 8:30 p.m., according to court records.
Saline police chief Marlene Radzik confirmed to The News earlier Wednesday that nearby Pittsfield Township's police department was handling a complaint involving Moore. After 10 p.m. Wednesday, Pittsfield Township police confirmed it handled an assault investigation, without naming Moore. Police said the investigation began around 4:10 p.m., minutes before UM announced Moore's firing.
In a statement to the media, Pittsfield police chief Patrick Gray stated that "the incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community."
He added that an investigation is ongoing. Saline, Mich. lies about 9.5 miles south of Ann Arbor.
Firing him for cause means the school has a legitimate reason to dismiss Moore. In this case, an inappropriate relationship with a staff member likely resulted in a breach of contract, allowing the school to terminate him without paying a buyout.
There are various clauses within a head coach's contract that subject coaches to firing for cause. Oftentimes, the coach is contractually obligated to represent the university with high standards. Michigan State fire Mel Tucker in 2023 after an investigation revealed that he sexually assaulted a Title IX advocate, Brenda Tracy, who previously spoke to the MSU football program. The Spartans had to vacate 14 wins under Tucker earlier this year.
There is a chance that firing Moore for cause means the school would not have to pay him his buyout of $13,897,916.
Who is Michigan's interim coach?
Michigan's interim head coach is former Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi. The longtime Michigan staffer had coached under Jim Harbaugh and re-joined Moore's staff midseason.
When Moore was suspended earlier in the 2025 season, Poggi took over for two games and led the Wolverines to a 2-0 record. Combined with his tenure at Charlotte, Poggi has an 8-16 career record as a head coach.
While Poggi will man the Wolverines for now, leading the coaching search is athletic director Warde Manuel, who remains in the position after a Michigan board member call on Thursday.
Despite contrary reports, Warde Manuel remains the Michigan athletic director as the school begins a search for its next coach, per @RossDellenger.
Michigan board members and university officials held a call earlier today that was related to the situation following Sherrone… pic.twitter.com/M730wZLXRN
In two years as Michigan head coach, Moore finished with a record of 18-8. He was 16-8 in his two-year tenure as the official head coach, with two additional wins coming as acting head coach when Jim Harbaugh was suspended.
He led the Wolverines to an 8-5 record (5-4 Big Ten) in his first full season, a campaign defined by two monumental victories. Moore secured a fourth consecutive win over No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus and followed it by defeating Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Michigan also won all four of its rivalry trophy games that year.
In 2025, Michigan finished the regular season 9-3 and will face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. The Wolverines’ three losses all came against ranked opponents — No. 18 Oklahoma, No. 16 USC and No. 1 Ohio State — and they managed just two total touchdowns across those games.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
The coaching carousel received a jolt Wednesday when Michigan announced it was firing head coach Sherrone Moore for cause. Moore, who had just wrapped up his second season with the Wolverines, posted an 18-8 record as head coach.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced the decision Wednesday afternoon, saying Moore had engaged in an "inappropriate relationship" with a staffer. Moore was also arrested on Wednesday evening as part of an investigation into a alleged assault. He was charged with home invasion in the third degree, stalking and breaking and entering on Friday afternoon.
Moore finished the 2025 regular season 9-3. Michigan is set to face Texas in the Citrus Bowl.
Here’s what to know about the charges facing Moore, his status with Michigan and more.
According to Michigan, Moore was fired for "credible evidence" that Moore had engaged in an "inappropriate relationship" with a UM staffer.
Michigan announces that Sherrone Moore has been fired for cause & school found “credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”
The Wolverines' athletic director, Warde Manuel, released a statement on Wednesday afternoon:
Statement from University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel:
“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate…
On Thursday, Michigan President Dominico Grasso also released a statement in a letter to the Wolverine community, saying there is no tolerance for Moore's behavior.
Moore just finished his second season with Michigan, taking over for Jim Harbaugh after he left for the NFL two seasons ago. He finished 18-8 as a head coach in Ann Arbor.
What did Sherrone Moore do?
It has been reported that Moore, who is married with three children, is accused of engaging in a relationship with a Michigan staff member. Such a situation likely resulted in a breach of Moore’s contract with the university. Beyond that, however, few details of the situation have been made public.
Moore had been suspended twice previously under the sign-stealing investigation involving former UM assistant Conner Stalions, missing two games this season. He was also set to serve a one-game suspension to open the 2026 season. In 2023, he served a self-imposed one-game suspension for violating COVID recruiting rules.
We have seen other coaches fired for cause in recent years. Michigan State fired Mel Tucker in 2023 after an investigation found Tucker sexually harassed Title IX advocate Brenda Tracy, who had previously worked with the program. Tracy was a sexual assault survivor stemming from the Baylor football Title IX scandal.
Washington State fired Nick Rolovich for cause in October 2021 after he refused to comply with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Florida fired Jim McElwain for cause in 2017 after the head coach claimed he and his family had received death threats amid the program’s struggles. An investigation later found that no such threats had been made.
What is Sherrone Moore being charged with?
According to On3Sports, Moore is being charged with home invasion in the third degree, stalking and breaking and entering:
Moore was accused of "unlawfully entering the dwelling of a victim with whom Mr. Moore had a dating relationship," the Washtenaw County prosecutor's office said, per ESPN.
At his arraignment, the magistrate told Moore that he is not to use alcohol, marijuana or any other substance that's not prescribed to him while he's out on bond, per Nicole Auerbach, and Moore must wear a GPS tether, continue all mental health treatment and have no contact with the woman involved in the incident.
Moore's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026, per Auerbach.
ESPN had reported that Moore was a suspect for an alleged assault on Wednesday.
Sherrone Moore 911 call
TMZ has released audio of a 911 tape, allegedly tied to Moore's arrest on Wednesday. On the tape, you can hear the dispatcher say that a woman on location was "being attacked," and that the man at the location has "been stalking her for months.
On Friday afternoon, ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed his arraignment is set for 1 p.m.:
Sherrone Moore's arraignment appears set for 1 p.m., per a release: "The Court has received information a complaint will filed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office. As soon as we have charging information that will be shared."
Per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Moore is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Friday, Dec. 12:
Update from Pittsfield Township police on the Sherrone Moore situation: "This investigation is ongoing and under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor. The suspect remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail and is expected to appear in court for arraignment on 12/12/25."
ESPN's Dan Wetzel first reported the news of Moore's arrest. As of Thursday morning, he remains in police custody. No decision on formal charges for Moore are expected by Thursday, per police:
The Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office tells ESPN that no decision on charging Sherrone Moore is expected today. The former Michigan coach remains in custody.
"The matter involving Mr. Moore remains under active investigation by law-enforcement, and as a result, we do not…
According to Wetzel, Moore was arrested in Saline, Mich., on Wednesday evening.
Breaking: Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was detained by police in Saline, Mich. this evening and turned over to police in Pittsfield Township for investigation into potential charges, reporting with @PeteThamelpic.twitter.com/KTuzlmNXQ7
According to Tony Paul of the Detroit News and court records, Moore was placed in the Washtenaw County Jail, roughly 10 miles south of Ann Arbor, on Wednesday evening. Police confirmed to Paul that they made an arrest stemming from “an assault investigation” but did not specifically use Moore’s name in the statement.
On Thursday, NBC's Nicole Auerbach reported that the university knew that the former head coach was dealing with mental health issues, yet Manuel fired Moore with no human relations representative or security guards present.
Michigan had been alerted prior to Wednesday that Sherrone Moore was dealing with mental health issues yet Warde Manuel fired him alone with no HR rep and no security present, source told @NBCSports.
Moore was arrested hours after his termination. He is expected to be arraigned on Friday afternoon.
Sheriff at the 14-A district court has told us arraignments will not begin this afternoon until 1:00 p.m. That, of course, includes Sherrone Moore.
It is not yet clear if it will be a video arraignment or in person, the expectation is it will be on video.
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) December 12, 2025
Will Michigan AD Warde Manuel be fired?
While rumors are circulating that Manuel will be fired, Michigan will be starting its coaching search with him remaining as athletic director.
Michigan board members and university officials held a call earlier today related to the situation with Sherrone Moore, sources tell @YahooSports. Despite reports to the contrary, Warde Manuel remains the athletic director as the school begins a search for its next coach.
Earlier on Thursday, Michigan board members and university officials held a call related to the situation and made the decision.
Sherrone Moore assault allegations
Pittsfield police released a statement saying it brought a suspect into custody "for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault," according to ESPN. The statement went on to say "this incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community."
The police did not name Sherrone Moore as the suspect, but the details of the arrest align with the reports that police detained Moore. The situation and investigation remain ongoing.
According to ESPN, Moore was accused of "unlawfully entering the dwelling of a victim with whom Mr. Moore had a dating relationship," the Washtenaw County prosecutor's office said. He was charged with felony third-degree home invasion, stalking in a domestic relationship and breaking and entering.
At his arraignment, the prosecutor said Moore allegedly broke into the victim's apartment, "grabbed several butterknives and a pair of kitchen scissors and began to threaten his own life."
Allegations laid out by prosecutor against Sherrone Moore
Says Moore barged into house, grabbed multiple knives and threatened to kill himself in front of alleged victim pic.twitter.com/bDzyKBqNTj
Yes, Moore is married. He has been married since 2015, to his wife, Kelli Moore. The couple has three daughters together.
Who is Sherrone Moore's wife?
Moore's wife is Kelli Moore. The two married in 2015, when Moore was the tight ends coach at Central Michigan.
Sherrone Moore contract details
Moore signed a five-year contract with Michigan in Jan. 2024. His salary was $6.1 million annually, with a $500,000 retention bonus every year. His deal ran through the 2029 season.
His buyout by USA Today is listed as $13,897,916. According to CBS Sports, his buyout is 75% of his base salary, including the additional compensation remaining on his contract. If Moore is fired for cause, the school could potentially avoid paying out the remainder of his contract.
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