“THE SCOREBOARD”
===========
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
ANDERSON PREP 44 INDIANA DEAF 30
ANDREAN 70 HANOVER CENTRAL 54
ANGOLA 53 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 47
AUSTIN 70 NORTH HARRISON 64
BEN DAVIS 71 NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) 58
BENTON CENTRAL 66 TWIN LAKES 53
BETHANY CHRISTIAN 56 ARGOS 33
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 76 TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 33
BLACKFORD 64 MADISON-GRANT 49
BOONE GROVE 52 MORGAN TWP. 45
BOWMAN ACADEMY 68 WESTVILLE 34
BREMEN 61 TIPPECANOE VALLEY 37
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 70 FORT WAYNE DWENGER 59 OT
CASTON 52 CULVER 28
CENTRAL NOBLE 64 GARRETT 52
CHURUBUSCO 57 FREMONT 50
CLAY CITY 77 WASHINGTON CATHOLIC 20
CLINTON PRAIRIE 41 FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 27
COLUMBUS EAST 62 BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 60
CONNERSVILLE 54 GREENSBURG 44
COVENANT CHRISTIAN 63 INDIANAPOLIS RITTER 61
COWAN 61 DALEVILLE 49
CROTHERSVILLE 59 CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 57 OT
CROWN POINT 69 MICHIGAN CITY 58
DECATUR CENTRAL 75 MARTINSVILLE 50
DELPHI 52 CARROLL (FLORA) 50
EAST CENTRAL 45 RUSHVILLE 28
EASTERN GREENE 54 NORTH DAVIESS 44
EVANSVILLE BOSSE 77 EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 35
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 76 TELL CITY 69
FAIRFIELD 64 EASTSIDE 17
FAITH CHRISTIAN 70 CLINTON CENTRAL 60
FORT WAYNE LUERS 83 FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA 47
FORT WAYNE SNIDER 67 FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 55
FORT WAYNE WAYNE 87 FORT WAYNE NORTH 71
FRANKLIN CENTRAL 65 INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI 60
FRANKLIN COUNTY 42 UNION COUNTY 33
FRANKLIN 73 MOORESVILLE 43
FRONTIER 60 PIONEER 34
GOSHEN 66 CONCORD 46
GRIFFITH 69 NORTH JUDSON 56
GUERIN CATHOLIC 61 INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD 40
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 66 NORTHWESTERN 56
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) 64 WEST LAFAYETTE 55
HAUSER 56 NORTH DECATUR 42
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 73 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 66
HOMESTEAD 67 FORT WAYNE SOUTH 59
HUNTINGTON NORTH 49 EAST NOBLE 32
INDIANA MATH & SCIENCE 69 VICTORY PREP 58
INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE 59 PURDUE ENGLEWOOD 56
JASPER 64 VINCENNES LINCOLN 42
JIMTOWN 44 JOHN GLENN 37
KOUTS 65 TRITON 50
LAVILLE 53 KNOX 42
LAKE CENTRAL 60 LAPORTE 56 OT
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 87 GRANGER CHRISTIAN 39
LAKELAND 66 WEST NOBLE 32
LAKEWOOD PARK 88 SMITH ACADEMY 41
LEWIS CASS 59 NORTHFIELD 39
MACONAQUAH 63 TIPTON 57
MCCUTCHEON 56 LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 44
MISHAWAKA MARIAN 53 NEW PRAIRIE 18
MISHAWAKA 61 PLYMOUTH 56 2OT
MONROVIA 58 BEECH GROVE 56
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) 62 GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 51
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) 68 FOREST PARK 65 2OT
MUNCIE BURRIS 46 ELWOOD 37
MUNCIE CENTRAL 53 LAFAYETTE JEFF 51
MUNSTER 67 KANKAKEE VALLEY 49
NEW CASTLE 54 RICHMOND 41
NEW PALESTINE 66 DELTA 53
NOBLESVILLE 46 MARION 43
NORTH PUTNAM 50 FRANKFORT 35
NORTH VERMILLION 71 ATTICA 22
NORTHWOOD 32 WAWASEE 30 2OT
NORTHEAST DUBOIS 59 SOUTH KNOX 44
NORTHRIDGE 48 WARSAW 30
NORTHVIEW 53 WEST VIGO 43
OAK HILL 79 PERU 53
ORLEANS 50 SALEM 29
PARKE HERITAGE 79 SOUTH VERMILLION 20
PENDLETON HEIGHTS 62 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 39
PENN 65 ELKHART 38
PORTAGE 57 VALPARAISO 56
PURDUE BROAD RIPPLE 75 CENTRAL CHRISTIAN 53
RIVERTON PARKE 69 COVINGTON 51
ROCHESTER 59 WHITKO 34
ROSSVILLE 68 TAYLOR 51
SHERIDAN 81 TRI-CENTRAL 30
SILVER CREEK 67 HENRYVILLE 36
SOUTH BEND ADAMS 85 SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON 55
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 70 SOUTH BEND RILEY 58
SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) 53 HEBRON 52
SOUTH DECATUR 77 SETON CATHOLIC 64
SOUTHPORT 69 CENTER GROVE 61
SOUTHRIDGE 70 TECUMSEH 66
SOUTHWOOD 62 WES-DEL 33
SPEEDWAY 70 INDIANAPOLIS HERRON 40
SULLIVAN 72 SOUTH PUTNAM 50
TERRE HAUTE NORTH 63 COLUMBUS NORTH 42
TRI-COUNTY 66 DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 52
WAPAHANI 59 EASTERN HANCOCK 58
WASHINGTON TWP. 63 TRI-TOWNSHIP 17
WASHINGTON 63 NORTH KNOX 40
WEST CENTRAL 58 NORTH NEWTON 25
WEST WASHINGTON 60 PERRY CENTRAL 51
WESTFIELD 72 YORKTOWN 44
WHITELAND 71 GREENWOOD 64
WINAMAC 41 NORTH MIAMI 35
ZIONSVILLE 50 BREBEUF JESUIT 31
GREENE COUNTY INVITATIONAL
LOOGOOTEE 60 SHAKAMAK 28
WHITE RIVER VALLEY 48 SHOALS 42 AND
SHELBY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
TRITON CENTRAL 59 WALDRON 41
MORRISTOWN 60 SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE) 28
SRC TOURNAMENT
MEDORA 53 LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 43
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN 67 SEVEN OAKS 45
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY MADISON 54 CANNELTON 53
WAYNE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CENTERVILLE 68 NORTHEASTERN 44
UNREPORTED
CHRISTEL HOUSE INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON PPD.
============
INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
ALL TIMES EASTERN
ANDERSON AT LEBANON 7:30 PM
ANDERSON PREP AT DALEVILLE 7:30 PM
BELLMONT AT COLUMBIA CITY 7:30 PM
BEN DAVIS AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON 7:30 PM
BLOOMFIELD AT CLAY CITY 7:30 PM
BLOOMINGTON NORTH AT SEYMOUR 7:30 PM
CAREER ACADEMY AT MISHAWAKA 2:30 PM
CARMEL AT WESTFIELD 7:30 PM
CASTON AT DELPHI 7:30 PM
CHARLESTOWN AT MADISON 7:30 PM
CHESTERTON AT MERRILLVILLE 8:00 PM
CLINTON PRAIRIE AT NORTHWESTERN 7:30 PM
COLUMBUS EAST AT FLOYD CENTRAL 7:00 PM
CONNERSVILLE AT NEW CASTLE 7:30 PM
COVINGTON AT WEST LAFAYETTE 6:30 PM
CROTHERSVILLE AT BORDEN 7:30 PM
CROWN POINT AT HAMMOND CENTRAL 8:00 PM
DEKALB AT NEW HAVEN 7:30 PM
DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN AT NORTH NEWTON 8:00 PM
EAST CENTRAL AT DIXIE HEIGHTS (KY.) 4:00 PM
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL AT PORTAGE 8:00 PM
EASTBROOK AT COWAN 7:30 PM
EASTERN (PEKIN) AT LANESVILLE 7:30 PM
EASTERN GREENE AT ORLEANS 7:30 PM
EDGEWOOD AT SOUTH PUTNAM 7:30 PM
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN AT BARR-REEVE 7:30 PM
EVANSVILLE HARRISON AT SOUTH SPENCER 6:00 PM
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI AT SOUTH KNOX 8:00 PM
FISHERS VS. ST. LOUIS RITTER (MO.) 4:00 PM
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA 7:30 PM
FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY AT ELKHART CHRISTIAN 7:30 PM
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP AT CHURUBUSCO 2:30 PM
FORT WAYNE WAYNE AT TOLEDO BOWSHER (OHIO) 7:30 PM
FRANKFORT AT MONROVIA 7:30 PM
FRONTIER AT CULVER 7:30 PM
GARY 21ST CENTURY AT INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS 2:30 PM
GARY WEST AT HAMMOND NOLL 6:30 PM
GIBSON SOUTHERN AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 8:00 PM
GREENCASTLE AT PARKE HERITAGE 6:30 PM
GREENSBURG AT SHELBYVILLE 7:30 PM
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) AT LAKE CENTRAL 7:30 PM
HAUSER AT OLDENBURG ACADEMY 7:30 PM
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN AT GUERIN CATHOLIC 4:30 PM
HERITAGE HILLS AT WASHINGTON 8:00 PM
HIGHLAND AT LOWELL 8:00 PM
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT MISSISSINEWA 7:30 PM
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN AT HOBART 6:00 PM
INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL AT INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN 3:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN AT INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA 12:00 PM
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER AT BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 7:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE AT PARK TUDOR 7:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY AT VICTORY PREP 3:00 PM
JASPER AT EVANSVILLE NORTH 7:00 PM
JAY COUNTY AT ADAMS CENTRAL 7:30 PM
KIPP INDY LEGACY AT INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECH 3:00 PM
KOKOMO AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER 7:30 PM
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC AT RENSSELAER CENTRAL 8:00 PM
LAKE STATION AT WHITING 8:00 PM
LAPEL AT FRANKTON 7:30 PM
LEO AT NORWELL 7:30 PM
LOGANSPORT AT WESTERN 7:30 PM
MANCHESTER AT LEWIS CASS 7:30 PM
MARION AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH 7:30 PM
MITCHELL AT SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH) 7:30 PM
MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN AT CLOVERDALE 3:30 PM
MUNCIE BURRIS AT WAPAHANI 7:30 PM
NEW PRAIRIE AT CONCORD 7:45 PM
NEW WASHINGTON AT CLARKSVILLE 8:00 PM
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) AT NORTH KNOX 7:30 PM
NORTH HARRISON AT SCOTTSBURG 7:30 PM
NORTH PUTNAM AT FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 7:30 PM
NORTH VERMILLION AT WESTVILLE (ILL.) 8:00 PM
OREGON-DAVIS AT NORTH MIAMI 7:30 PM
OWEN VALLEY AT NORTHVIEW 7:30 PM
PAOLI AT TELL CITY 7:30 PM
PENN AT VALPARAISO 7:30 PM
PERRY CENTRAL AT FOREST PARK 8:00 PM
PERU AT TIPTON 7:30 PM
PIONEER AT FAITH CHRISTIAN 7:30 PM
PLYMOUTH AT ARGOS 7:30 PM
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS AT WAWASEE 7:45 PM
PRINCETON AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE 8:00 PM
PROVIDENCE AT SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) 7:30 PM
PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY AT RIVERTON PARKE 3:30 PM
RICHMOND AT WARREN CENTRAL 7:30 PM
RIVER FOREST AT CALUMET 3:30 PM
ROCHESTER AT TWIN LAKES 7:30 PM
ROSSVILLE AT SHERIDAN 7:30 PM
SALEM AT CRAWFORD COUNTY 7:30 PM
SOUTH ADAMS AT BLACKFORD 7:30 PM
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH VS. SILVER CREEK 4:00 PM
SOUTH DECATUR AT EDINBURGH 7:30 PM
SOUTH NEWTON AT NORTH WHITE 7:30 PM
SOUTH VERMILLION AT SEEGER 7:30 PM
SOUTHERN WELLS AT HERITAGE 7:30 PM
SOUTHRIDGE AT NORTHEAST DUBOIS 7:30 PM
SPRINGS VALLEY AT TECUMSEH 8:00 PM
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH AT MCCUTCHEON 5:30 PM
TRI-CENTRAL AT WES-DEL 7:30 PM
TRI-COUNTY AT ATTICA 7:30 PM
TRINITY GREENLAWN AT HAMILTON 3:00 PM
TRINITY LUTHERAN AT JENNINGS COUNTY 7:30 PM
UNIVERSITY AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN 7:30 PM
WASHINGTON CATHOLIC AT VINCENNES RIVET 7:30 PM
WHEELER AT GRIFFITH 2:30 PM
WHITKO AT LAKEWOOD PARK 7:30 PM
WOODLAN AT BLUFFTON 7:30 PM
YORKTOWN AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS 7:30 PM
ZIONSVILLE AT OAK HILL 7:30 PM
GREENE COUNTY INVITATIONAL
PIKE CENTRAL VS. DUGGER UNION 11:30 AM 7TH
EVANSVILLE DAY VS. PLEASANT VIEW CHRISTIAN 1:00 PM 5TH
LOSER GAME 8 VS. LOSER GAME 7 4:00 PM 3RD
WINNER GAME 8 VS. WINNER GAME 7 7:00 PM 1ST
HENDRICKS COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CASCADE AT DANVILLE 12:00 PM 5TH
AVON VS. TRI-WEST 4:00 PM 3RD
PLAINFIELD VS. BROWNSBURG 8:00 PM 1ST
HENRY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
TRI AT SHENANDOAH 8:00 PM 1ST
RANDOLPH COUNTY TOURNAMENT
WINCHESTER AT RANDOLPH SOUTHERN 8:00 PM 1ST
RIPLEY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
MILAN VS. JAC-CEN-DEL 6:00 PM 3RD
SOUTH RIPLEY AT BATESVILLE 7:30 PM 1ST
RIVERTOWN TOURNAMENT
RISING SUN VS. SWITZERLAND COUNTY 6:00 PM 3RD
LAWRENCEBURG AT SOUTH DEARBORN 7:30 PM 1ST
SHELBY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
WINNER GAME 2 VS. WINNER GAME 1 8:00 PM 1ST
SRC TOURNAMENT
PLEASANT VIEW CHRISTIAN VS. WINNER GAME 1 12:30 PM SF
LOSER GAME 2 VS. LOSER GAME 3 2:00 PM CON
WINNER GAME 2 VS. WINNER GAME 3 3:30 PM SF
LOSER GAME 1 VS. LOSER GAME 4 4:15 PM CON
WINNER GAME 4 VS. WINNER GAME 6 7:45 PM 1ST
SUGAR CREEK TOURNAMENT
WESTERN BOONE AT NORTH MONTGOMERY 4:00 PM 3RD
SOUTHMONT VS. CRAWFORDSVILLE 5:45 PM 1ST
WAYNE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
WINNER GAME 2 AT HAGERSTOWN 7:30 PM 1ST
============
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
ADAMS CENTRAL 55 HERITAGE 24
ANDERSON PREP 41 INDIANA DEAF 29
ANGOLA 61 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 37
BELLMONT 49 COLUMBIA CITY 40
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 58 FORT WAYNE DWENGER 30
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN 34 PURDUE BROAD RIPPLE 17
CHESTERTON 50 MERRILLVILLE 38
CLINTON CENTRAL 42 FAITH CHRISTIAN 35
COVENANT CHRISTIAN 43 INDIANAPOLIS RITTER 26
DALEVILLE 49 COWAN 24
DEKALB 62 NEW HAVEN 27
DECATUR CENTRAL 62 MARTINSVILLE 47
DELPHI 48 CARROLL (FLORA) 37
FAIRFIELD 62 EASTSIDE 45
FORT WAYNE LUERS 58 FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA 51
FORT WAYNE SNIDER 49 FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 48
FORT WAYNE WAYNE 43 FORT WAYNE NORTH 29
FRANKLIN 74 MOORESVILLE 29
FREMONT 61 CHURUBUSCO 19
GARRETT 45 CENTRAL NOBLE 36
HAMMOND MORTON 63 MUNSTER 40
HANOVER CENTRAL 57 HAMMOND NOLL 52
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 58 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 30
HIGHLAND 36 HOBART 31
HOMESTEAD 86 FORT WAYNE SOUTH 22
INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS 57 IRVINGTON PREP 10
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD 56 GUERIN CATHOLIC 50
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI 61 FRANKLIN CENTRAL 53
JAY COUNTY 63 BLUFFTON 45
LAFAYETTE JEFF 66 MUNCIE CENTRAL 12
MANCHESTER 44 MISSISSINEWA 25
MISHAWAKA 43 PLYMOUTH 41
MONROVIA 49 BEECH GROVE 42
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) 48 BEN DAVIS 47
NORTH MIAMI 57 WINAMAC 40
NORTH PUTNAM 50 FRANKFORT 3
NORTHVIEW 48 GREENCASTLE 37
NORWELL 79 LEO 30
PENN 53 ELKHART 45
RIVER FOREST 50 CALUMET 36
ROSSVILLE 65 TAYLOR 25
SHERIDAN 31 TRI-CENTRAL 23
SOUTHERN WELLS 59 SOUTH ADAMS 42
SULLIVAN 53 SOUTH PUTNAM 25
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 49 HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) 42
VICTORY PREP 55 INDIANA MATH & SCIENCE 10
WASHINGTON TWP. 37 TRI-TOWNSHIP 33
WEST CENTRAL 47 NORTH NEWTON 15
WEST NOBLE 41 LAKELAND 38
WESTFIELD 61 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 39
WESTVILLE 69 BOWMAN ACADEMY 20
WHITELAND 68 GREENWOOD 25
HENRY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SHENANDOAH 54 BLUE RIVER VALLEY 11
TRI 50 KNIGHTSTOWN 45
RANDOLPH COUNTY TOURNAMENT
MONROE CENTRAL 50 WINCHESTER 23
RANDOLPH SOUTHERN 59 UNION CITY 40
RIPLEY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
JAC-CEN-DEL 68 MILAN 33
BATESVILLE 43 SOUTH RIPLEY 33
RIVERTOWN TOURNAMENT
RISING SUN 58 SOUTH DEARBORN 40
LAWRENCEBURG 38 SWITZERLAND COUNTY 36
WAYNE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
HAGERSTOWN 75 CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 8
============
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
ALL TIMES EASTERN
ANDERSON AT LEBANON 6:00 PM
ATTICA AT FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 10:00 AM
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE AT INDIAN CREEK 1:30 PM
BENTON CENTRAL AT NORTHWESTERN 3:00 PM
BLOOMINGTON NORTH AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 1:30 PM
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH AT COLUMBUS NORTH 2:30 PM
BORDEN AT PAOLI 12:30 PM
CAREER ACADEMY AT GARY WEST 3:00 PM
CASTLE AT BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY (KY.) 3:30 PM
CHARLESTOWN AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 1:30 PM
CHICAGO CHRISTIAN (ILL.) AT ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 8:00 PM
CHICAGO HOPE (ILL.) AT WARREN CENTRAL 1:30 PM
CONCORD AT GOSHEN 7:45 PM
COVINGTON AT ROSSVILLE 12:00 PM
CRAWFORDSVILLE AT SPEEDWAY 12:30 PM
CROTHERSVILLE AT LANESVILLE 1:00 PM
CULVER ACADEMY AT SOUTH BEND RILEY 2:30 PM
DEKALB AT ANGOLA 1:30 PM
DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN AT WEST CENTRAL 7:30 PM
EAST CENTRAL AT RUSHVILLE 7:30 PM
EASTERN (PEKIN) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH) 1:00 PM
EASTERN GREENE AT NORTH KNOX 12:30 PM
EASTERN HANCOCK AT UNION COUNTY 7:30 PM
ELKHART AT HOMESTEAD 2:30 PM
EMINENCE AT NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 1:30 PM
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE 3:00 PM
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI AT JASPER 1:30 PM
FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY AT ELKHART CHRISTIAN 5:30 PM
FORT WAYNE NORTH AT SOUTHERN WELLS 3:00 PM
FORT WAYNE WAYNE AT FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK 2:30 PM
FRANKLIN COUNTY AT GREENSBURG 7:30 PM
GARY LIGHTHOUSE AT FRONTIER 12:00 PM
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN AT CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 2:30 PM
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN AT CARMEL 1:30 PM
HUNTINGTON NORTH AT EAST NOBLE 7:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL AT DELTA 2:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS HERRON AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 1:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN AT INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA 10:00 AM
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER AT BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 4:30 PM
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE AT PARK TUDOR 6:00 PM
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY AT VICTORY PREP 10:30 AM
IRVINGTON PREP AT LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 2:00 PM
JAY COUNTY AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS 1:30 PM
JEFFERSONTOWN (KY.) AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 7:30 PM
JEFFERSONVILLE AT EVANSVILLE NORTH 1:00 PM
JIMTOWN AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY 7:30 PM
JOHN GLENN AT LAVILLE 7:30 PM
KIPP INDY LEGACY AT INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE 11:00 AM
KNOX AT BREMEN 7:30 PM
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC AT RENSSELAER CENTRAL 6:00 PM
LAFAYETTE JEFF AT CHESTERTON 6:30 PM
LAKE CENTRAL AT LAPORTE 3:30 PM
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN AT ARGOS 12:00 PM
LAPEL AT TIPTON 1:30 PM
LAWRENCE NORTH AT FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 1:30 PM
LOGANSPORT AT WESTERN 6:00 PM
LOWELL AT ANDREAN 3:30 PM
MADISON-GRANT AT SOUTHWOOD 12:45 PM
MARION AT RICHMOND 1:30 PM
MCCUTCHEON AT PARKE HERITAGE 2:00 PM
MISSISSINEWA AT EASTBROOK 2:00 PM
MONROVIA AT PERRY MERIDIAN 7:30 PM
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) AT HERITAGE HILLS 1:30 PM
NEW ALBANY AT FLOYD CENTRAL 7:45 PM
NEW WASHINGTON AT CLARKSVILLE 6:00 PM
NORTH HARRISON AT SEYMOUR 1:30 PM
NORTH MIAMI AT NORTHFIELD 7:30 PM
NORTH MONTGOMERY AT RIVERTON PARKE 12:00 PM
NORTHRIDGE AT WARSAW 7:45 PM
OAK HILL AT BLACKFORD 12:30 PM
OWEN VALLEY AT NORTHVIEW 6:00 PM
PHALEN ACADEMY AT SEVEN OAKS 1:00 PM
PIKE CENTRAL AT FOREST PARK 2:30 PM
PIONEER AT OREGON-DAVIS 12:00 PM
PRINCETON AT WASHINGTON 2:30 PM
PROVIDENCE AT OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (KY.) 7:00 PM
ROCHESTER AT WHITKO 2:30 PM
SALEM AT SILVER CREEK 12:30 PM
SHAWE MEMORIAL AT HENRYVILLE 7:00 PM
SOUTH NEWTON AT NORTH WHITE 6:00 PM
SOUTH SPENCER AT NORTHEAST DUBOIS 3:30 PM
TELL CITY AT GIBSON SOUTHERN 2:30 PM
TERRE HAUTE NORTH AT SOUTHPORT 1:30 PM
TRI-COUNTY AT NORTH WHITE 6:00 PM
TRINITY GREENLAWN AT HAMILTON 1:30 PM
TRINITY LUTHERAN AT HAUSER 1:30 PM
TWIN LAKES AT LEWIS CASS 12:00 PM
UNIVERSITY AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN 6:00 PM
VALPARAISO AT HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) 7:30 PM
WABASH AT MACONAQUAH 7:30 PM
WASHINGTON CATHOLIC AT SHOALS 11:00 AM
WAWASEE AT NORTHWOOD 7:45 PM
WEST LAFAYETTE AT NORTH VERMILLION 1:30 PM
WESTERN BOONE AT CLINTON PRAIRIE 12:30 PM
YORKTOWN AT SHELBYVILLE 12:30 PM
ZIONSVILLE AT PIKE 2:30 PM
GREENE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SHAKAMAK AT WHITE RIVER VALLEY 2:30 PM 3RD
LINTON VS. LOOGOOTEE 5:30 PM 1ST
HENDRICKS COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CASCADE VS. TRI-WEST 10:00 AM 5TH
AVON AT DANVILLE 2:00 PM 3RD
PLAINFIELD VS. BROWNSBURG 6:00 PM 1ST
HENRY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
WINNER GAME 2 VS. WINNER GAME 1 6:00 PM 1ST
LOVC TOURNAMENT
DUGGER UNION AT MARTINSVILLE (ILL.) 1:00 PM R1
RED HILL (ILL.) VS. OPH (ILL.) 2:30 PM R1
LOSER GAME 2 VS. LOSER GAME 1 4:00 PM 3RD
WINNER GAME 2 VS. WINNER GAME 1 5:30 PM 1ST
RANDOLPH COUNTY TOURNAMENT
WINNER GAME 2 VS. WINNER GAME 1 6:00 PM 1ST
SHELBY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
TRITON CENTRAL VS. MORRISTOWN 6:00 PM 1ST
SRC TOURNAMENT
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN AT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY MADISON 9:15 AM R1
CANNELTON VS. WINNER GAME 1 6:00 PM 1ST
WAYNE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
NORTHEASTERN VS. WINNER GAME 2 6:00 PM 1ST
===========
INDIANA WRESTLING
INDIANA STATE WRESTLING ASSOCIATION: https://www.iswa.com/
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS WRESTLING COACHES ASSOCIATION: https://www.ihsgw.net/
INDIANA MAT: https://indianamat.com/
INDIANA GIRLS WRESTLING REGIONALS:
1. PLYMOUTH
TIME: 9:30 AM ET
BRACKETS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: ILLIANA CHRISTIAN, HOBART, PLYMOUTH, GOSHEN
2. KOKOMO
TIME: 9 AM ET
BRACKETS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: COLUMBIA CITY, LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON, CRAWFORDSVILLE, HAMILTON HEIGHTS
3. MUNCIE CENTRAL
TIME: 9 AM ET
BRACKETS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SHENANDOAH, MUNCIE CENTRAL, EASTERN HANCOCK, PERRY MERIDIAN
4. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
TIME: 10 AM ET
BRACKETS
FEEDER SECTIONALS: MT. VERNON, BEN DAVIS, INDIAN CREEK, FLOYD CENTRAL
============
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES
MIAMI OH 87 TOLEDO 73
OAKLAND 97 CLEVELAND STATE 72
GREEN BAY 75 IU INDY 59
AKRON 77 BOWLING GREEN 67
USC 70 MINNESOTA 69 OT
COLORADO STATE 70 UNLV 62
===========
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES
MURRAY STATE 75 NORTHERN IOWA 71
TULSA 94 TEMPLE 82
BELMONT 78 DRAKE 69
==========
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
FRIDAY, JAN. 9
INDIANA 56 OREGON 22
MONDAY, JAN. 19
7:30 P.M. | COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (MIAMI, FLA.) | ESPN
MIAMI VS. INDIANA
============
NFL
NFL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
JAN. 10
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS, 4:30 P.M. ET, FOX
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS, 8 P.M. ET, PRIME VIDEO
JAN. 11
BUFFALO BILLS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, 1 P.M. ET, CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, 4:30 P.M. ET, FOX
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, 8 P.M. ET, NBC
JAN. 12
HOUSTON AT PITTSBURGH, 8:15 PM, ESPN, ABC, ESPN+
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NBA
BOSTON 125 TORONTO 117
NEW ORLEANS 128 WASHINGTON 107
PHILADELPHIA 103 ORLANDO 91
LA CLIPPERS 121 BROOKLYN 105
OKLAHOMA CITY 117 MEMPHIS 116
ATLANTA 110 DENVER 87
PHOENIX 112 NEW YORK 107
GOLDEN STATE 137 SACRAMENTO 103
PORTLAND 111 HOUSTON 105
MILWAUKEE 105 LA LAKERS 101
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NHL
WASHINGTON 5 CHICAGO 1
WINNIPEG 5 LOS ANGELES 1
UTAH 4 ST. LOUIS 2
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NATIONAL RELEASES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
FERNANDO MENDOZA (5 TDS), NO. 1 INDIANA STOMP NO. 5 OREGON IN CFP SEMI
ATLANTA — Two years ago, nobody would have believed Indiana could win a national championship. Now, it would be considered a surprise if the Hoosiers don’t win it all.
No. 1 Indiana (15-0), the nation’s losingest team in college football history entering the 2025 season, is a win away from its first title after dismantling No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in a College Football Playoff semifinal game in the Peach Bowl on Friday night.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza threw for 177 yards and five touchdowns and Indiana scored 21 points off three Oregon turnovers, as the program advanced to the CFP national championship game against No. 10 Miami on Jan. 19.
When head coach Curt Cignetti told the world that he wins and to “Google him” after his hiring in 2023, he was met with doubt from nonbelievers. After the Hoosiers arrived on the national scene a season ago, making their first CFP, there was some thought that they were a flash in the pan. Week after week, Cignetti just keeps proving himself right.
“There was a lot of skepticism after last year that we were a fluke,” Cignetti said. “That team did a lot of great things and got it all started. I think a lot of that negative stuff in the media fueled the guys returning to this team. We added some really key pieces. Great leaders, great players and we’ve just built off our successes.”
Elijah Sarratt had seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns for the Hoosiers, who have won their two playoff games by a combined 69 points. There will be no shortage of story lines next Monday when Indiana faces the Hurricanes in their home stadium. For one, Mendoza returns to his hometown with a chance to lead the Hoosiers to college football’s first 16-0 season since the 1894 Yale Bulldogs.
“I think playing a national championship would get anybody fired up and definitely stir up some emotions,” Mendoza said of returning to Miami. “I believe it’s going to be a great game. The Hurricanes are a fantastic team, led by a great coach in Coach (Mario) Cristobal. Even though it is the national championship, we don’t have to do anything that is out of character. We just gotta play our brand of football, and that’s what has led us to this point and 15 wins this season.”
Dante Moore threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns for Oregon (13-2), which outgained Indiana 378-362 despite being outmatched throughout the lopsided affair. Moore threw an interception and lost two fumbles for the Ducks, who came up short on their quest for the program’s first national championship.
“First thing is first, the quarterback has to protect the football,” Moore said. “They have a great defense, great disguise and different looks, but you can’t win football games if you’re causing turnovers. It’s something of course I need to work at. It comes with just reps. But overall, Indiana’s defense is great, but at the end of the day, we beat ourselves.”
Leading 35-7 at halftime, Indiana tacked on with Mendoza’s 13-yard touchdown pass to E.J. Williams Jr. with 8:52 left in the third quarter. After Dierre Hill Jr.’s 71-yard rush, Oregon stopped the bleeding with Jay Harris’ 2-yard rushing score and Moore’s two-point conversion pass to Jamari Johnson to make it 42-15.
Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, Indiana blocked a punt and three plays later Mendoza threw his fifth touchdown pass, this time a 3-yarder to Sarratt with 11:36 remaining. Kaelon Black then scampered for a 23-yard rushing score to extend the lead to 41 on the Hoosiers’ next drive.
Moore’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Roger Saleapaga with 22 seconds left finished the game’s scoring.
Friday marked the end of another Oregon season that saw head coach Dan Lanning’s team falter against a fellow Big Ten foe. Last year, the Ducks were discarded by Ohio State by 20 points in the quarterfinals. Lanning, now 48-8 in four seasons at the helm, didn’t lose any pride in his team in Atlanta.
“You hurt for those guys because the world is going to judge everybody in that room based on the result tonight,” Lanning said. “I’m going to judge those guys on the kind of fathers they become some day, the kind of husbands they become some day. But in this moment you feel like a failure, and they’re not. They’re not failures. These guys won a lot of damn ballgames. They’ve had a lot of success. They’ve changed some peoples’ lives, but right now, that moment is going to hurt.”
After Oregon returned the opening kick to its 20-yard line, D’Angelo Ponds picked off Moore and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Hoosiers a 7-0 lead just 11 seconds in.
The Ducks answered with a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive, stamped with Moore’s game-tying 19-yard scoring pass to Johnson at the 7:11 mark of the first quarter.
On Indiana’s first offensive possession, Mendoza completed each of his four passes for 41 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. with 40 seconds left in the first.
After the teams traded punts, Moore committed his second turnover as he had the ball knocked out of his hands inadvertently by Hill. Indiana’s Mario Landino recovered the fumble at Oregon’s 3-yard line, leading to Black’s 1-yard rushing score with 8:17 remaining in the first half to make it 21-7.
Moore took sacks on second and third down of Oregon’s ensuing drive, leading to another Ducks punt. Four plays later, Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker for a 36-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 28-7. Moore’s nightmarish first half continued on the next drive, as Daniel Ndukwe’s strip sack was recovered by Landino at the 21.
The Hoosiers took a 28-point lead on Mendoza’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Sarratt with 59 seconds left before halftime. Oregon’s Atticus Sappington came up short on a 56-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the first half.
INDIANA OPENS AS TD FAVORITE OVER MIAMI IN CFP TITLE GAME
To absolutely no one’s surprise, No. 1 Indiana, fresh off a Peach Bowl blowout win, is the prohibitive favorite against No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game Jan. 19 in the Hurricanes’ home stadium.
The Hoosiers (15-0) — opening as 7.5-point favorites in the title game, per BetMGM — annihilated No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in Atlanta on Friday night, guided by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza’s five touchdown passes. Seeking its first national title, Indiana has won its two CFP games by a combined 69 points, and it remains to be seen if Miami’s stout defensive line, led by projected first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. along with Akheem Mesidor, can slow this offensive juggernaut.
To win the game straight up, Indiana is at -300 compared to +240 for Miami. Betting $10 on the Hoosiers would earn $3.33, compared to $24 for betting $10 on Miami to prevail.
Mendoza, a Miami native in his first season at Indiana after transferring from Cal, will have plenty of support in his homecoming, from family and friends to a massive contingent of Hoosiers fans who took over the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday night. All Mendoza has done in two CFP games is toss eight touchdown passes, zero interceptions and only five incompletions.
Meanwhile, underdog Miami (13-2) faced a much tougher challenge to reach the title game, but quarterback Carson Beck, in his first season with the Hurricanes after transferring from Georgia, scored the go-ahead TD with 18 seconds left to upend No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27 on Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
The Hurricanes are no stranger to the national championship, having won five in their storied history, but have not hoisted the trophy since 2001. No team has won the national title in its own stadium, which should give Miami added incentive to capture title No. 6 in front of its devoted fan base.
THE TRANSFER PORTAL ERA AND PURSUIT OF NIL MONEY IS MESSY. ARE THERE SOLUTIONS?
A quarterback reportedly reneging on a lucrative deal to hit the transfer portal, only to return to his original school. Another starting QB, this one in the College Football Playoff, awaiting approval from the NCAA to play next season, an expensive NIL deal apparently hanging in the balance. A defensive star, sued by his former school after transferring, filing a lawsuit of his own.
It is easy to see why many observers say things are a mess in college football even amid a highly compelling postseason.
“It gets crazier and crazier. It really, really does,” said Sam Ehrlich, a Boise State legal studies professor who tracks litigation against the NCAA. He said he might have to add a new section for litigation against the NCAA stemming just from transfer portal issues.
“I think a guy signing a contract and then immediately deciding he wants to go to another school, that’s a kind of a new thing,” he said. “Not new kind of historically when you think about all the contract jumping that was going on in the ’60s and ’70s with the NBA. But it’s a new thing for college sports, that’s for sure.”
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. said late Thursday he will return to school for the 2026 season rather than enter the transfer portal, avoiding a potentially messy dispute amid reports the Huskers were prepared to pursue legal options to enforce Williams’ name, image and likeness contract.
Edge rusher Damon Wilson is looking to transfer after one season at Missouri, having been sued for damages by Georgia over his decision to leave the Bulldogs. He has countersued.
Then there is Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who reportedly has a new NIL deal signed but is awaiting an NCAA waiver allowing him to play another season as he and the Rebels played Thursday night’s Collge Football Playoff semifinal against Miami. On the Hurricanes roster: Defensive back Xavier Lucas, whose transfer from Wisconsin led to a lawsuit against the Hurricanes last year with the Badgers claiming he was improperly lured by NIL money. Lucas has played all season for Miami. The case is pending.
What to do?
Court rulings have favored athletes of late, winning them not just millions in compensation but the ability to play immediately after transferring rather than have to sit out a year as once was the case. They can also discuss specific NIL compensation with schools and boosters before enrolling and current court battles include players seeking to play longer without lower-college seasons counting against their eligibility and ability to land NIL money while doing it.
Ehrlich compared the situation to the labor upheaval professional leagues went through before finally settling on collective bargaining, which has been looked at as a potential solution by some in college sports over the past year. Athletes.org, a players association for college athletes, recently offered a 38-page proposal of what a labor deal could look like.
“I think NCAA is concerned, and rightfully so, that anything they try to do to tamp down this on their end is going to get shut down,” Ehrlich said. “Which is why really the only two solutions at this point are an act of Congress, which feels like an act of God at this point, or potentially collective bargaining, which has its own major, major challenges and roadblocks.”
The NCAA has been lobbying for years for limited antitrust protection to keep some kind of control over the new landscape — and to avoid more crippling lawsuits — but bills have gone nowhere in Congress.
Collective bargaining is complicated and universities have long balked at the idea that their athletes are employees in some way. Schools would become responsible for paying wages, benefits, and workers’ compensation. And while private institutions fall under the National Labor Relations Board, public universities must follow labor laws that vary from state to state; virtually every state in the South has “right to work” laws that present challenges for unions.
Ehrlich noted the short careers for college athletes and wondered whether a union for collective bargaining is even possible.
A harder look at contracts
To sports attorney Mit Winter, employment contracts may be the simplest solution.
“This isn’t something that’s novel to college sports,” said Winter, a former college basketball player who is now a sports attorney with Kennyhertz Perry. “Employment contracts are a huge part of college sports, it’s just novel for the athletes.”
Employment contracts for players could be written like those for coaches, he suggested, which would offer buyouts and prevent players from using the portal as a revolving door.
“The contracts that schools are entering into with athletes now, they can be enforced, but they cannot keep an athlete out of school because they’re not signing employment contracts where the school is getting the right to have the athlete play football for their school or basketball or whatever sport it is,” Winter said. “They’re just acquiring the right to be able to use the athlete’s NIL rights in various ways. So, a NIL agreement is not going to stop an athlete from transferring or going to play whatever sport it is that he or she plays at another school.”
There are challenges here, too, of course: Should all college athletes be treated as employees or just those in revenue-producing sports? Can all injured athletes seek workers’ compensation and insurance protection? Could states start taxing athlete NIL earnings?
Winter noted a pending federal case against the NCAA could allow for athletes to be treated as employees more than they currently are.
“What’s going on in college athletics now is trying to create this new novel system where the athletes are basically treated like employees, look like employees, but we don’t want to call them employees,” Winter said. “We want to call them something else and say they’re not being paid for athletic services. They’re being paid for use of their NIL. So, then it creates new legal issues that have to be hashed out and addressed, which results in a bumpy and chaotic system when you’re trying to kind of create it from scratch.”
Employment contracts would not necessarily allow for uniform rules with an athlete able to go to transfer when terms have been met. Collective bargaining could include those guidelines.
“If the goal is to keep someone at a school for a certain defined period of time, it’s got to be employment contracts,” Winter said.
MICHIGAN RB JUSTICE HAYNES ENTERS TRANSFER PORTAL
Michigan running back Justice Haynes announced Friday that he is entering the transfer portal and will play one more season of college football.
Haynes played in just seven games for the Wolverines in his lone season at the school due to a right foot injury. He rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns and averaged a stellar 7.1 yards per carry.
Haynes rushed for more than 100 rushing yards six times before the injury.
“After reflection, prayer and heartfelt conversations with my family, I’ve made the decision to close my chapter at the University of Michigan,” Haynes said in his announcement posted to social media.
Haynes is rumored to be interested in transferring to Georgia Tech. It has been suggested that the Georgia native might receive $2 million to make the move.
Haynes began his college career at Alabama and spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide before leaving for Michigan after the 2024 season.
“Michigan will always be a special part of my story,” Haynes said. “I’m deeply thankful for everything this chapter has given me.”
The Wolverines have a new coach in Kyle Whittingham in the wake of Sherrone Moore’s recent dismissal due to an improper relationship.
Haynes has rushed for 1,473 yards and 19 touchdowns on 225 college carries. He also has 30 catches for 149 yards.
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NFL
NFL: WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WILD CARD
Below are the players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones during the 2025 Wild Card playoffs, including:
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- QB Jalen Hurts
- QB Matthew Stafford
- QB Josh Allen
- QB C.J. Stroud
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- RB Saquon Barkley
- WR Puka Nacua
- DE Will Anderson
- LB Zack Baun
QUARTERBACKS PLAYOFF DEBUT
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young, Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams and New England quarterback Drake Maye are expected to make their first career playoff starts on Wild Card weekend.
The quarterbacks with the most passing yards in their first career playoff start:
| PLAYER | TEAM | DATE | PASSING YARDS |
| Kelly Holcomb | Cleveland | Jan. 5, 2003 | 429 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | Jan. 10, 2010 | 423 |
| Randall Cunningham | Philadelphia | Dec. 31, 1988 | 407 |
| Kurt Warner HOF | St. Louis Rams | Jan. 16, 2000 | 391 |
| Neil Lomax | St. Louis Cardinals | Jan. 8, 1983 | 385 |
The quarterbacks with the most touchdown passes in their first career playoff start:
| PLAYER | TEAM | DATE | TD PASSES |
| Kurt Warner HOF | St. Louis | Jan. 16, 2000 | 5 |
| Lynn Dickey | Green Bay | Jan. 8, 1983 | 4 |
| Frank Reich | Buffalo | Jan. 3, 1993 | 4 |
| Aaron Brooks | New Orleans | Dec. 30, 2000 | 4 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | Jan. 10, 2010 | 4 |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville | Jan. 14, 2023 | 4 |
The quarterbacks with the highest passer rating in their first career playoff start (minimum 15 attempts):
| PLAYER | TEAM | DATE | PASSER RATING |
| C.J. Stroud | Houston | Jan. 13, 2024 | 157.2 |
| Jordan Love | Green Bay | Jan. 14, 2024 | 157.2 |
| Lynn Dickey | Green Bay | Jan. 8, 1983 | 150.4 |
| Joe Theismann | Washington | Jan. 8, 1983 | 149.1 |
| Steve Fuller | Chicago | Dec. 30, 1984 | 143.8 |
AARON RODGERS
Pittsburgh quarterback and Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers is tied for third in NFL postseason history with 45 touchdown passes and fourth with 5,894 passing yards in 21 career playoff starts.
With two touchdown passes against Houston on Monday night (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Rodgers can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (45 touchdown passes) and Patrick Mahomes (46) for the second-most postseason touchdown passes in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady (88).
With at least 79 passing yards on Monday night, Rodgers can surpass Ben Roethlisberger (5,972 passing yards) for the third-most postseason passing yards in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady (13,400) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (7,339).
JALEN HURTS
Philadelphia quarterback and Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts has 1,813 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes for a 95.4 passer rating and 10 rushing touchdowns in nine career playoff games, the only quarterback in NFL history with at least 10 rushing touchdowns and 10 touchdown passes in the postseason. Hurts has led Philadelphia to a 6-3 postseason record since 2021, including a Super Bowl LIX victory last year.
On Sunday against San Francisco (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), Hurts, who has a passer rating of 90-or-higher in his last six playoff games, can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (nine games with San Francisco and Kansas City), Joe Flacco (eight with Baltimore) and Aaron Rodgers (eight with Green Bay; active streak) as the only players in NFL history with a passer rating of 90-or-higher in seven consecutive playoff games.
The quarterbacks with the most consecutive playoff games with a passer rating of 90-or-higher in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Joe Montana HOF | San Francisco, Kansas City | 9 (Jan. 1, 1989 – Jan. 8, 1994) |
| Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 8 (Jan. 15, 2012 – Jan. 10, 2015) |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 8* (Jan. 8, 2017 – Jan. 22, 2022) |
| Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia | 6* (Feb. 12, 23 – Feb. 9, 2025) |
| *active streak | ||
With a win on Wild Card weekend, Hurts can join Tom Brady (10 wins), Patrick Mahomes (eight), Ben Roethilisberger (eight), Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner (eight), Eli Manning (seven) and Russell Wilson (seven) as the only quarterbacks since 2000 with at least seven wins in their first 10 postseason starts.
MATTHEW STAFFORD
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes this season, has 2,996 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes in 10 career postseason games.
With at least two touchdown passes on Saturday at Carolina (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), Stafford, who has seven consecutive playoff games with at least two touchdown passes, can become the third quarterback ever with multiple touchdown passes in eight consecutive postseason games, joining Aaron Rodgers (nine consecutive games with Green Bay) and Joe Flacco (eight with Baltimore).
The quarterbacks with multiple touchdown passes in the most consecutive playoff games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 9 (Jan. 10, 2016 – Jan. 24, 2021) |
| Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 8 (Jan. 15, 2012 – Jan. 10, 2015) |
| Terry Bradshaw HOF | Pittsburgh | 7 (Dec. 30, 1978 – Jan. 9, 1983) |
| Drew Brees | New Orleans | 7 (Jan. 21, 2007 – Jan. 14, 2012) |
| Joe Montana HOF | San Francisco | 7 (Jan. 1, 1989 – Jan. 12, 1991) |
| Matthew Stafford | L.A. Rams | 7* (Jan. 17, 2022 – Jan. 19, 2025) |
| *active streak | ||
With at least 300 passing yards on Wild Card Weekend, Stafford, who has six playoff games with at least 300 passing yards, can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards in at least seven postseason games, joining Tom Brady (19 games), Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (nine), Drew Brees (eight) and Aaron Rodgers (eight entering the 2025 postseason).
The quarterbacks with at least 300 passing yards in the most games in NFL postseason history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 19 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 9 |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 8 |
| Aaron Rodgers* | Green Bay | 8 |
| Matthew Stafford* | Detroit, L.A. Rams | 6 |
| *active in 2025 postseason | ||
JOSH ALLEN
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has 3,359 passing yards, 668 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns (25 passing, seven rushing, one receiving) in 13 career playoff games.
With a rushing touchdown on Sunday at Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Allen can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (eight rushing touchdowns with San Francisco) for the second-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in the postseason in NFL history, trailing only Jalen Hurts (10 rushing touchdowns with Philadelphia).
The quarterbacks with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL postseason history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | RUSH TDs |
| Jalen Hurts* | Philadelphia | 10 |
| Steve Young HOF | San Francisco | 8 |
| Josh Allen* | Buffalo | 7 |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 7 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 7 |
| *active in 2025 postseason | ||
Allen has at least one playoff win in each of the last six postseasons and can join Tom Brady (eight consecutive seasons with New England from 2011-2018) and Patrick Mahomes (seven with Kansas City from 2018-2024) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with a playoff win in seven consecutive postseasons.
C.J. STROUD
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud has passed for 976 yards and four touchdowns with a 100.5 passer rating in four career playoff games.
With a win on Monday night at Pittsburgh (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Stroud, who has a postseason win in each of his first two seasons since entering the NFL in 2023, can join Joe Flacco,Pro Football Hall of Famer Otto Graham and Russell Wilson as the only starting quarterbacks in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of their first three seasons.
The starting quarterbacks to win a playoff game in each of their first three seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASONS |
| Joe Flacco | Baltimore | 2008-10 |
| Otto GrahamHOF | Cleveland | 1946-48 |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 2012-14 |
| C.J. Stroud | Houston | 2023-24* |
| *in third season | ||
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, who ranked second with 2,126 scrimmage yards (1,202 rushing, 924 receiving) and third with 17 touchdowns (10 rushing, seven receiving) this season, has 836 scrimmage yards (522 rushing, 314 receiving) and nine touchdowns (six rushing, three receiving) in seven career postseason games.
With a touchdown on Sunday at Philadelphia (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), McCaffrey, who has a touchdown in seven consecutive playoff games, can become the fourth player in NFL history with a scrimmage touchdown in eight consecutive playoff games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas (nine consecutive games with Buffalo), Emmitt Smith (eight with Dallas) and John Stallworth (eight with Pittsburgh).
The players with a scrimmage touchdown in the most consecutive playoff games in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Thurman Thomas HOF | Buffalo | 9 (Jan. 17, 1993 – Jan. 2, 1999) |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas | 8 (Jan. 23, 1994 – Dec. 28, 1996) |
| John Stallworth HOF | Pittsburgh | 8 (Dec. 30, 1989 – Jan. 1, 1984) |
| Christian McCaffrey | Carolina, San Francisco | 7* (Jan. 7, 2018 – Feb.11, 2024) |
| *active streak | ||
With at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on Wild Card Weekend, McCaffrey, who has at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in his last five playoff games, can become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in five consecutive postseason games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Terrell Davis (seven consecutive games with Denver), Marcus Allen (five with the Los Angeles Raiders) and John Riggins (five with Washington).
SAQUON BARKLEY
Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley has 765 scrimmage yards (613 rushing, 152 receiving) and seven rushing touchdowns in six career postseason games.
Barkley has three career playoff games with multiple rushing touchdowns and with at least two rushing touchdowns on Sunday against San Francisco (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), can become the fifth player in NFL history with multiple rushing touchdowns in four career playoff games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (five games), Terrell Davis (four), Franco Harris (four) and John Riggins (four).
With at least 75 scrimmage yards on Wild Card Weekend, Barkley, who has 75 scrimmage yards in each of his first six career playoff games, can join Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (eight games) and Terrell Davis (eight) as well as Frank Gore (seven) and Isiah Pacheco (seven) as the only players in NFL history with at least 75 scrimmage yards in each of their first seven career playoff games.
PUKA NACUA
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who led the NFL with 129 receptions and ranked second with 1,715 receiving yards this season, has 20 receptions for 322 yards and a touchdown in three career playoff games.
With 142 receiving yards on Saturday at Carolina (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), a mark he surpassed four times this season, Nacua can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (463 receiving yards) for the fifth-most receiving yards by a player in their first four career playoff games all-time, trailing only Larry Fitzgerald (546 receiving yards), T.Y. Hilton (496), Pro Football Hall of Famer Tom Fears (495) and Anthony Carter (493).
WILL ANDERSON
Houston defensive end Will Anderson ranked tied for eighth with a career-high 12 sacks this season and has 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss in four career playoff games.
With two sacks on Monday night at Pittsburgh (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Anderson can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Dent (nine sacks), LaMarr Woodley (nine), Tim Harris (6.5 sacks) and Nick Bosa (6.5) as the only players since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least 6.5 sacks in their first five career playoff games.
ZACK BAUN
Philadelphia linebacker Zack Baun has 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a forced fumble in six career postseason games.
With a takeaway against San Francisco on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes), Baun, who has four consecutive playoff games with a takeaway, can join Felix Wright (five consecutive games with Cleveland) and Mark Kelso (five with Buffalo) as the only players in NFL postseason history with a takeaway in five consecutive games, surpassing Robert Griffith (four with Minnesota), Johnnie Harris (four with the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants), Rodney Harrison (four with New England) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams (four with Arizona and the St. Louis Rams).
NFL PLAYOFFS PREVIEW
The NFL playoffs begin with Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon (Jan. 10-12), which for the fifth-consecutive year will conclude with a Monday night game. For the Wild Card capsules, click here.
| Saturday, January 10 | |||
| NFC | No. 5 L.A. Rams (12-5) at No. 4 Carolina (8-9) | 4:30 p.m. ET | FOX, FOX Deportes |
| NFC | No. 7 Green Bay (9-7-1) at No. 2 Chicago (11-6) | 8 p.m. ET | Prime Video |
| Sunday, January 11 | |||
| AFC | No. 6 Buffalo (12-5) at No. 3 Jacksonville (13-4) | 1 p.m. ET | CBS, Paramount+ |
| NFC | No. 6 San Francisco (12-5) at No. 3 Philadelphia (11-6) | 4:30 p.m. ET | FOX, FOX Deportes |
| AFC | No. 7 L.A. Chargers (11-6) at No. 2 New England (14-3) | 8 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo |
| Monday, January 12 | |||
| AFC | No. 5 Houston (12-5) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (10-7) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+/ ESPN Deportes; ManningCast-ESPN2/ESPN+ |
The Philadelphia Eagles, the No. 3 seed in the NFC, aims to become the 10th team to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
The Denver Broncos earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015 after tying a franchise record with 14 wins this season (also won 14 games in 1998, when they won Super Bowl XXXIII). The Broncos have advanced to the Super Bowl six of the previous eight times they were the No. 1 seed.
The Seattle Seahawks earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the fourth time in franchise history (2005, 2013 and 2014) after setting a franchise record with 14 wins in 2025. The Seahawks have advanced to the Super Bowl each of the three previous times they have been the No. 1 seed.
Six teams – Carolina, Chicago, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco and Seattle – qualified for the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2024. Since 1990 – a streak of 36 consecutive seasons (1990-2025) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before.
Carolina, Chicago and New England won division titles after finishing in last or tied for last in their divisions in 2024. In 20 of the past 23 seasons (2003-25), at least one team finished in first place in its division the season after finishing in last or tied for last place.
Carolina, Chicago, New England and San Francisco clinched playoff berths after finishing in last or tied for last in their divisions in 2024. In 27 of the past 30 seasons (1996-2025), at least one team has made the playoffs the season after finishing in last or tied for last place.
There were seven new division winners – Carolina, Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, New England, Pittsburgh and Seattle – tied with 2011 for the most in a season since 2002. There have been at least two new division winners in every season since 2003, a streak of 23 consecutive seasons, and since realignment in 2002, 31 of the 32 NFL teams have won a division title at least once.
How the 2025 playoff teams have fared in the 24 seasons since realignment in 2002 (2025 division winners in bold/italics):
| TEAM | DIVISION TITLES | PLAYOFF BERTHS |
| New England | 17 | 18 |
| Green Bay | 12 | 18 |
| Philadelphia | 11 | 16 |
| Pittsburgh | 10 | 16 |
| Seattle | 10 | 16 |
| Houston | 8 | 9 |
| Denver | 7 | 10 |
| San Francisco | 6 | 9 |
| Carolina | 6 | 8 |
| L.A. Chargers | 5 | 10 |
| L.A. Rams | 5 | 9 |
| Buffalo | 5 | 8 |
| Chicago | 5 | 6 |
| Jacksonville | 3 | 5 |
Seven of this season’s 14 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2000, capturing 14 of the past 25 Vince Lombardi Trophies. Those teams are the Patriots (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII), Eagles (LII, LIX), Steelers (XL, XLIII), Broncos (50), Packers (XLV), Seahawks (XLVIII) and Rams (LVI).
| SUPER BOWL | SEASON | WINNER |
| XXXV | 2000 | Baltimore Ravens |
| XXXVI | 2001 | New England Patriots* |
| XXXVII | 2002 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| XXXVIII | 2003 | New England Patriots* |
| XXXIX | 2004 | New England Patriots* |
| XL | 2005 | Pittsburgh Steelers* |
| XLI | 2006 | Indianapolis Colts |
| XLII | 2007 | New York Giants |
| XLIII | 2008 | Pittsburgh Steelers* |
| XLIV | 2009 | New Orleans Saints |
| XLV | 2010 | Green Bay Packers* |
| XLVI | 2011 | New York Giants |
| XLVII | 2012 | Baltimore Ravens |
| XLVIII | 2013 | Seattle Seahawks* |
| XLIX | 2014 | New England Patriots* |
| 50 | 2015 | Denver Broncos* |
| LI | 2016 | New England Patriots* |
| LII | 2017 | Philadelphia Eagles* |
| LIII | 2018 | New England Patriots* |
| LIV | 2019 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| LV | 2020 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| LVI | 2021 | Los Angeles Rams* |
| LVII | 2022 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| LVIII | 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| LIX | 2024 | Philadelphia Eagles* |
| *In 2025 postseason | ||
New England (37-22, .627), San Francisco (39-25, .609) and Green Bay (37-27, .578) have the most playoff wins and the three highest postseason winning percentages in NFL history.
The 14 playoff teams and their postseason records:
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. |
| New England Patriots | 37 | 22 | .627 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 39 | 25 | .609 |
| Green Bay Packers | 37 | 27 | .578 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 36 | 29 | .554 |
| Denver Broncos | 23 | 20 | .535 |
| Carolina Panthers | 9 | 8 | .529 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 29 | 26 | .527 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 8 | 8 | .500 |
| Buffalo Bills | 21 | 22 | .488 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 27 | 29 | .482 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 17 | 19 | .472 |
| Chicago Bears | 17 | 20 | .459 |
| Houston Texans | 6 | 8 | .429 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 12 | 20 | .375 |
Quarterback Breakdown: 12 of the 14 expected starting quarterbacks in the 2025 playoffs are under the age of 30, the most in a postseason all-time.
Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers (age 42), expected to make his 22nd career postseason start (all with Green Bay), ranks tied for the third all-time in postseason touchdown passes (45) and fourth in postseason passing yards (5,894). Rodgers earned Super Bowl MVP honors when he led the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV championship in 2010.
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen (age 29) has 3,359 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, 668 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and one touchdown reception in his first 13 career playoff starts. Among quarterbacks with at least 10 playoff starts, Allen’s 309.8 combined passing and rushing yards per game is the highest in NFL history.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (age 37) will make his 11th career postseason start and led the Rams to the Super Bowl LVI title following the 2021 season. During the 2021 postseason, he recorded 1,188 passing yards in four starts, the second-most passing yards in a single postseason all-time. Stafford led the NFL with 46 touchdown passes during the regular season and can join Tom Brady (2007 and 2020) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (2004 and 2013) as the only quarterbacks with at least 50 touchdown passes, including the postseason, in multiple career seasons.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (age 27) can make his 10th career playoff start and has led the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances (LVII and LIX) in the past three seasons. Last season, he was named Super Bowl LIX MVP and he is the only player in NFL history with 10 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in the postseason.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy (age 26) has a 4-2 record in six career playoff starts with seven touchdowns (six passing, one rushing) and a 96.2 rating in his postseason career. Purdy led the 49ers to an SB LVIII appearance following the 2023 season. In nine starts this season, he totaled 23 touchdowns (20 passing, three rushing) with a 100.5 rating.
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud (age 24) is expected to make his fifth career postseason start on Wild Card weekend and can become the fourth quarterback ever to win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons, joining Joe Flacco, Pro Football Hall of Famer Otto Graham and Russell Wilson.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love (age 27) can make a postseason start for the third-consecutive year and has at least two touchdown passes in two of his first three career playoff starts. Love passed for 3,381 yards and 23 touchdowns with a career-high 101.2 rating in 15 starts this season.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (age 27) can make his third career playoff start in the Wild Card round. He passed for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns and added a career-high 498 rushing yards in 16 starts this season.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence (age 26) can make his third postseason appearance after setting career highs in touchdown passes (29), rushing touchdowns (nine) and rushing yards (359) in 17 starts during the regular season.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold (age 28) will make his second-career postseason start in the Divisional playoffs after becoming the fifth quarterback all-time to record at least 13 wins in consecutive seasons and the first to do so with different teams. He passed for 245 yards and one touchdown in his postseason debut last season with Minnesota.
Denver quarterback Bo Nix (age 25) can make his second postseason start in the Divisional playoffs and has 24 regular season wins since entering the NFL in 2024, tied with Russell Wilson for the most regular season wins by a starting quarterback in his first two seasons in NFL history.
New England quarterback Drake Maye (age 23), Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams (age 24) and Carolina quarterback Bryce Young (age 24) can each make their first career postseason start after leading their respective teams to division titles this season. With Lawrence, Stafford, Williams and Young, the 2025 postseason will mark the fourth all-time to feature four quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall to start in the same playoffs.
Wild Card notes:
No. 5 L.A. Rams (12-5) at No. 4 Carolina (8-9) (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes): The Panthers defeated the Rams, 31-28, in Week 13 as quarterback Bryce Young recorded three touchdown passes and a career-high 147.1 rating in the win. Los Angeles led the NFL in scoring offense (30.5 points per game) and total offense (394.6 yards per game) this season as Matthew Stafford led the league in passing yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (career-high 46). In the only previous playoff meeting between the two clubs, Carolina defeated the St. Louis Rams, 29-23, in double overtime on Jan. 10, 2004, the sixth-longest postseason game in NFL history.
No. 7 Green Bay (9-7-1) at No. 2 Chicago (11-6) (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Bears and Packers split the season series in 2025, with each team winning at home. Green Bay defeated Chicago, 28-21, in Week 14 while Chicago earned a 22-16 overtime win over Green Bay in Week 16. The Bears had the most takeaways (33) and fewest giveaways (11) in the NFL this season. The Packers and Bears have also split the two previous postseason meetings, both in Chicago.
No. 6 Buffalo (12-5) at No. 3 Jacksonville (13-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+): The Jaguars enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak while the Bills won five of their final six games this season. Buffalo’s Josh Allen (39) and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence (38) ranked second and third this season in combined passing and rushing touchdowns. The Bills led the NFL with 2,714 rushing yards (159.6 per game) and 30 rushing touchdowns while the Jaguars allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (85.6) this season.
No. 6 San Francisco (12-5) at No. 3 Philadelphia (11-6) (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes): The Eagles have won five consecutive home playoff games, including a 31-7 win over the 49ers in the 2022 NFC Championship Game. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (765 scrimmage yards in six playoff games, 127.5 per game) and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey (836 scrimmage yards in seven playoff games, 119.4 per game) have the second and fourth-highest scrimmage yard averages in NFL postseason history among players with at least five playoff games played.
No. 7 L.A. Chargers (11-6) at No. 2 New England (14-3) (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo/Universo): The Patriots, set to host their first playoff game since the 2019 Wild Card round, have won each of the three playoff meetings against the Chargers in the Super Bowl era. New England led the AFC in scoring offense (28.8 points per game) and total offense (379.4 yards per game) as quarterback Drake Maye led all qualified passers in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72.0). The Chargers, along with the Jaguars, were the only two teams to allow 20-or-fewer points in each of the final six weeks of the regular season.
No. 5 Houston (12-5) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (10-7) (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ ESPN+/ ESPN Deportes/ManningCast-ESPN2/ESPN+): The Texans enter the 2025 playoffs having won nine consecutive games, the longest winning streak by a team entering the playoffs since San Francisco in 2022 (10 game winning streak). Houston led the NFL in total defense (277.2 yards per game allowed) and ranked second in scoring defense (17.4 points per game against) this season. The Steelers, winners of the AFC North for the first time since 2020, look for their first home playoff win since the 2016 Wild Card round (Jan. 8, 2017, vs. Miami).
BEST NFL PLAYOFF PERFORMANCES
(Single postseason)
| PASSING YARDS | ||||||
| PLAYER, TEAM | SEASON | COMP. | ATT. | YARDS | TD | INT |
| Eli Manning, New York Giants | 2011 | 106 | 163 | 1,219 | 9 | 1 |
| Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams | 2021 | 98 | 140 | 1,188 | 9 | 3 |
| Kurt WarnerHOF, Arizona | 2008 | 92 | 135 | 1,147 | 11 | 3 |
| Joe Flacco, Baltimore | 2012 | 73 | 126 | 1,140 | 11 | 0 |
| Tom Brady, New England | 2016 | 93 | 142 | 1,137 | 7 | 3 |
| RUSHING YARDS | ||||
| PLAYER, TEAM | SEASON | ATT. | YARDS | TD |
| John RigginsHOF, Washington | 1982 | 136 | 610 | 4 |
| Terrell DavisHOF, Denver | 1997 | 112 | 581 | 8 |
| Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia | 2024 | 91 | 499 | 5 |
| Terrell DavisHOF, Denver | 1998 | 78 | 468 | 3 |
| Marcus AllenHOF, Los Angeles Raiders | 1983 | 58 | 466 | 4 |
| RECEIVING YARDS | ||||
| PLAYER, TEAM | SEASON | REC. | YARDS | TD |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona | 2008 | 30 | 546 | 7 |
| Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams | 2021 | 33 | 478 | 6 |
| Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants | 2011 | 28 | 444 | 4 |
| Jerry RiceHOF, San Francisco | 1988 | 21 | 409 | 6 |
| Steve Smith, Carolina | 2003 | 18 | 404 | 3 |
| RECEPTIONS | ||||
| PLAYER, TEAM | SEASON | REC. | YARDS | TD |
| Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams | 2021 | 33 | 478 | 6 |
| Travis Kelce, Kansas City | 2023 | 32 | 355 | 3 |
| Travis Kelce, Kansas City | 2020 | 31 | 360 | 3 |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona | 2008 | 30 | 546 | 7 |
| Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants | 2011 | 28 | 444 | 4 |
| Demaryius Thomas, Denver | 2013 | 28 | 306 | 3 |
| SCRIMMAGE TOUCHDOWNS | ||||
| PLAYER, TEAM | SEASON | TOTAL TD | RUSH TD | REC. TD |
| Terrell DavisHOF, Denver | 1997 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona | 2008 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Larry CsonkaHOF, Miami | 1973 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Franco HarrisHOF, Pittsburgh | 1974 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams | 2021 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Sony Michel, New England | 2018 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Jerry RiceHOF, San Francisco | 1988 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| John RigginsHOF, Washington | 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Gerald Riggs, Washington | 1991 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Emmitt SmithHOF, Dallas | 1995 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Ricky Watters, San Francisco | 1993 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Damien Williams, Kansas City | 2019 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-5, NO. 5) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9, NO. 4)
Bank of America Stadium | Referee: Clete Blakeman
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: CAR leads series, 13-10 (LAR won 2 of past 3)
Postseason: CAR leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/30/25: LAR 28 at CAR 31
Postseason: NFC-D 1/10/04: CAR 29 at STL 23 (2OT)
RAMS NOTES:
Championships: 4 [1945, 1951, 1999 (SB XXXIV), 2021 (SB LVI]]
Playoff Record: 27-29 Last Postseason Game: NFC-D 1/19/25: LAR 22 at PHI 28
RAMS qualified for playoffs for the 7th time in 9 seasons under HC Sean McVay, who previously led team to SB LVI win (2021 season) & SB LIII appearance (2018 season). • HC SEAN MCVAY has 100 career wins as HC, 1 of 3 to do so all-time prior to turning 40. • QB MATTHEW STAFFORD led NFL with 4,707 pass yards & career-high 46 TD passes in 2025, his 10th-career season with 4,000+ pass yards & 20+ TD passes, 1 of 7 QBs in NFL history to do so. Has 2,996 pass yards & 22 TDs (19 pass, 3 rush) with 102.3 rating in 10 career postseason starts. Has 2+ TD passes in each of his 7 playoff starts with LAR. Passed for 243 yards & 2 TDs in Week 13 meeting. Made 4th-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS ranked 10th with career-high 1,533 scrimmage yards in 2025. Had 80+ scrimmage yards in his last 5 reg. season games. Had 72 rush yards & TD in Week 13 meeting. Aims for 3rd in row in playoffs with 90+ scrimmage yards. • RB PUKA NACUA led NFL with 129 receptions, ranked 2nd with career-high 1,715 rec. yards & tied-6th with 10 TD catches this season & was 1 of 3 (Jaxon Smith Njigba & Ja’Marr Chase) with 90+ rec. yards in 9+ games this season. Has 322 rec. yards (107.3 yards per game)in 3 career postseason starts. Had 72 rec. yards in Week 13 meeting. Made 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS led NFL with 14 TD catches in 2025. Has 910 rec. yards & 8 TD catches in 11 career playoff games (w/ GB). • LB NATE LANDMAN had 8 tackles in Week 13 meeting & had 5+ tackles in 3 of his last 4 reg. season games. Aims for 1st career playoff appearance. • LB BYRON YOUNG ranked tied-8th with career-high 12 sacks this season. Had 8 tackles & sack in Week 13 meeting. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. Made 1st-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • DE KOBIE TURNER aims for 4th in row in playoffs with 0.5+ sack. • CB EMMANUEL FORBES ranked tied-3rd with 18 PD this season. Had PD in 11 games in 2025, 1 of 6 players to do so. • S KAM CURL had career-high 122 tackles this season.
PANTHERS NOTES:
Championships: — Playoff Record: 9-8 Last Postseason Game: NFC-WC 1/7/18: CAR 26 at NO 31
PANTHERS won NFC South division title for 1st time since 2015 & after finishing tied for last in 2024. Became 10th team in past 20 seasons (2006-25) to win division title after beginning 1-3. • QB BRYCE YOUNG had career-high 3,011 pass yards in 2025. Had TD pass in 6 of his last 7 reg. season games & 90+ passer rating in 4 of his last 5. Had 206 pass yards & 3 TDs in Week 13 meeting. Can make 1st career playoff start. • RB RICO DOWDLE had career-high 1,373 scrimmage yards (1,076 rush, 297 rec.) & had 7 TDs in 2025, his 2nd consecutive season with 1,000+ rush yards. Is 1 of 2 (Bijan Robinson) with 225+ scrimmage yards in 2 games this season. Had 79 scrimmage yards in Week 13 meeting. • WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN led all rookies with 1,014 rec. yards & 7 TDs in 2025 & ranked 3rd with 70 receptions. Was 1 of 2 rookies (Emeka Egbuka) with 85+ rec. yards in 4 games this season. Had TD catch in 2 of his last 3 reg. season games at home. Had TD catch in Week 13 meeting. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 122 tackles in 2025, his 2nd consecutive season with 120+ tackles & had INT & 1st career FF & FR. Aims for 3rd in row in playoffs with 7+ tackles. Had 211 tackles, sack, TFL & 2 INT w/ Lar (2020-24). • DT DERRICK BROWN had career-high 5 sacks in 2025. Had sack & FF in Week 13 meeting. Had 5+ tackles in last 3 reg. season games. • CB MIKE JACKSON led NFL with season-high 19 PD in 2025, his 2nd consecutive season with 15+ PD, 1 of 2 (Derek Stingley) to do so. Ranked tied-8th with 4 INTs this season. Had PD in 7 of his last 8 reg. season games. Had 5 tackles & PD in only career playoff game (1/14/23 vs. SF w/ Sea.) Had INT-TD in Week 13 meeting. • CB JAYCEE HORN ranked tied-2nd with career-high 5 INTs this season. Made 2ndcareer Pro Bowl in 2025. • S NICK SCOTT had 7+ tackles in last 7 reg. season games. Had 9 tackles & INT in Week 13 meeting. Had 140 tackles, 2 FFs, 4 INTs & 9 PD & won SB LVI w/ LAR (2019-22). • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG had 103 tackles & career-high 14 TFL this season, his 2nd straight season with 100+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row with sack.
FOX: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver (field reporter), Kristina Pink (field reporter) Westwood One: Jason Benetti, Ryan Leaf
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-7-1, NO. 7) AT CHICAGO BEARS (11-6, NO. 2)
Soldier Field | Referee: Adrian Hill
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: GB leads series, 108-96-6 (CHI won 2 of past 3)
Postseason: Series tied, 1-1
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/20/25: GB 16 at CHI 22 (OT)
Postseason: NFC-C 1/23/11: GB 21 at CHI 14
PACKERS NOTES:
Championships: 13 [1929-31, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961-62, 1965, 1966 (SB I), 1967 (SB II), 1996 (SB XXXI), 2010 (SB XLV)]
Playoff Record: 37-27 Last Postseason Game: NFC-WC 1/12/25: GB 10 at PHI 22
PACKERS qualified for playoffs for the 3rd straight season & 6th time in past 7 seasons. • HC MATT LAFLEUR tied HOFer Paul Brown (76) for the 2nd-most (George Seifert – 86 reg. season wins) reg. season wins by a HC in his 1st 7 seasons in NFL history. • QB JORDAN LOVE passed for 3,381 yards & 23 TDs with 101.2 rating in 2025, 1 of 4 (Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson & Brock Purdy) with 20+ TD passes & 95+ rating in each of past 3 seasons. Had TD pass in 3 of his last 4 reg. season games. Has 2+ TD passes in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. Passed for 234 yards & 3 TDs in Week 14 meeting. • RB JOSH JACOBS ranked tied-5th with 14 scrimmage TDs & had 1,211 scrimmage yards (929 rush, 282 rec.) this season. Had 92 scrimmage yards & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. Had 121 scrimmage yards & rush TD in last playoff game (1/12/25 vs. Phi.) & aims for 3rd in row in playoffs with 120+ scrimmage yards. • RB EMANUEL WILSON had 82 rush yards in Week 16 meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON had 89 rec. yards & 2 TDs in Week 14 meeting. • WR ROMEO DOUBS had career-high 724 rec. yards & had 6 TDs in 2025. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 84 rec. yards & TD in Week 16 meeting. • DL RASHAN GARY had 7.5 sacks in 2025, his 3rd straight season with 7.5+ sacks. Had sack in last playoff game (1/12/25 vs. Phi.). • LB QUAY WALKER had career-high 128 tackles in 2025 & had 9+ tackles in each of his final 4 reg. season games. Had season-high 14 tackles & had TFL in Week 16 meeting. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER has 7+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 games vs. Chi. • LB ISAIAH MCDUFFIE had 80 tackles in 2025, his 3rd straight season with 80+ tackles. Had 5+ tackles in 7 of his last 8 reg. season games. • CB KEISEAN NIXON ranked tied-6th in NFL with career-high 17 PDs in 2025. Had 2 PD & INT in Week 14 meeting. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY has PD in 2 of his past 3 playoff games. Had PD in 5 of his last 6 reg. season games on road. Had 6 tackles & PD in Week 16 meeting.
BEARS NOTES:
Championships: 9 [1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1985 (SB XX)]
Playoff Record: 17-20 Last Postseason Game: NFC-WC 1/10/21: CHI 9 at NO 21
BEARS clinched NFC North for 1st time since 2018 after finishing last in the division in 2024. Led NFL in takeaways (33). • QB CALEB WILLIAMS ranked 6th with career-high 27 TD passes & 7th with career-high & franchise-record 3,942 pass yards in 2025. Had 2+ TD passes in last 5 reg. season games, 1 of 2 (Matthew Stafford) to do so. Passed for 185+ yards & 2 TDs in both meetings this season. Can make 1st career playoff start. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had career-high 1,386 scrimmage yards & tied career-high with 10 TDs (9 rush, 1 rec.) in 2025. Had 70+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his last 6 reg. season games & has 70+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 vs. GB. Has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. • RB KYLE MONANGAI ranked 5th among rookies with 947 scrimmage yards & 783 rush yards. Had 93 scrimmage yards in Week 16 meeting. • WR DJ MOORE had 97 rec. yards & TD in Week 16 meeting. Can make 1st career playoff appearance. • TE COLSTON LOVELAND tied-2nd among rookies with 6 TD catches & 5th with 713 rec. yards this season. Had TD reception in Week 14 meeting. • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 9+ tackles in 3 of his last 4 reg. season games. Had 10 tackles & half sack in Week 16 meeting. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS ranked tied-8th with 4 INTs this season. Had 6 tackles & FR in Week 16 meeting & has 6+ tackles in all 7 career games vs. GB. Has 7+ tackles in 7 of his 8 career playoff games. • DL MONTEZ SWEAT had 10 sacks & 1st career FR this season. Had sack in Week 14 meeting. Had sack & 2 TFL in only career playoff game (01/09/21 w/ Was. vs. TB). • DB C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON has 51 tackles, TFL, 4 PD & INT in 13 career playoff games. Had season-high 10 tackles & had INT in Week 14 meeting. • DB KEVIN BYARD led NFL with career-high 7 INTs this season. Had 7+ tackles in both meetings in 2025. Made 3rd-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • DB NAHSHON WRIGHT ranked tied-2nd with career-high 5 INTs in 2025. Had 8 tackles & FF in Week 16 meeting.
Prime Video: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic
BILLS CB TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE SAYS HE’S FOUND PEACE AND NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE IN RETURN TO BUFFALO
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Tre’Davious White arrived in Buffalo in 2017 driven to be the best and began entertaining visions of one day wearing a Hall of Fame gold jacket before two debilitating injuries stopped the cornerback’s rising trajectory.
It took time, bouts with depression and spending a year away from Buffalo for White to find peace and discover what matters most in life upon rejoining the Bills this season.
“Football means a lot, but it’s not the end-all and be-all. Good game, bad game, my people still gonna love me,” White told The Associated Press as Buffalo (12-5) prepares to open the playoffs at Jacksonville (13-4) on Sunday.
“I feel I’ve got so much life to give other than what I can do on the football field. And that freed me up,” he added. “I just think this game has given me that perspective on life. And I wouldn’t have got it nowhere else if I wouldn’t have went through those dark times.”
The limits of White’s resolve were tested after he tore a left knee ligament in 2021 and then his right Achilles tendon in 2023. There were days during his recovery when members of the Bills training staff had to visit his home to coax the player out from his basement.
White’s new-found perspective has been reflected nearly every day this season in how he greets everyone with a beaming smile and happily skips each time he takes the field. This wasn’t always the case in 2022 and ’23, when White turned inward by declining interview requests to the point he faced potential NFL fines for not following the league’s media policy.
“I didn’t have much to cheer or be upbeat about,” White said, reflecting back. “But I’ve learned over time that I can’t let the game dictate my attitude toward life. … Because at the end of the day, when I stop playing, nobody is gonna care how many tackles I had.”
On Thursday, White was giddy upon being voted the Pro Football Writer’s Association’s Buffalo chapter Kent Hull Stand-up Guy, an award given to a player best demonstrating respect, thoughtfulness and cooperation with reporters.
“Ain’t no way,” he said, with a laugh upon accepting the plaque. “My teammates have to be as mean as (stuff) if you all are giving me this award.”
White, who turns 31 next week, has made a bigger impact on the Bills with his play, willingness to share his wisdom and upbeat demeanor.
“He brings so much joy, so much positivity, so much energy. It means so much to have him back,” cornerback Christian Benford said. “I’m so proud and thankful God has uplifted his spirit, his mind to allow him to bounce back and fight through a lot of this.”
Sean McDermott grows emotional nearly each time he speaks of the player from Shreveport, Louisiana, who starred at LSU before becoming Buffalo’s first draft pick upon the coach’s arrival.
“I can’t say enough good things about Tre’ and what he means to me, personally, and what he’s meant to our football team,” McDermott said. “I just believe in my heart that there’s something deeper behind all of it with Tre’ because I know what this place means to him.”
If not for his injuries and contract, White wouldn’t have departed Buffalo in the first place after being cut in March 2024 for salary-cap reasons. Upon splitting last season between the Rams and Ravens, White was so eager to re-sign with Buffalo, he told his agent to not call unless he had a deal done with the Bills.
“When I go to sleep at night and when I envision myself making plays, it’s always in red, white and blue,” White said, referring to the Bills’ colors.
“This is where I want to be. This is where I’m supposed to be. This is home,” he added. “When I take my last snap as a football player, I want it to be in red, white and blue and No. 27, rightfully so. Hopefully.”
However uncertain his future is beyond the playoffs, White gained closure in a season during which he reestablished himself with 16 starts and an interception. The production might pale from the days White was regarded as one of the NFL’s top shutdown cornerbacks and earned first- and second-team All-Pro honors in 2019 and ’20.
But what are numbers to White, who wondered why it takes someone having to reach their lowest point to find themselves.
“We shouldn’t let extreme circumstances turn us into a person that’s going to help others or see life this way now because this happened to me,” White said. “No, let’s see life for what it is right now, and not wait until bad things happen.”
It’s a lesson he’s imparting to his three sons.
“I’m so happy that I was able to go through what I went through, to get that callus and come out the man that I am now,” White said. “I feel like maybe as a player, it may not have been what I wanted. But as a person, I’m better going forward.”
PACKERS’ TREVON DIGGS WANTS TO MAKE THE MOST OF HIS UNEXPECTED PLAYOFF OPPORTUNITY
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Trevon Diggs couldn’t have imagined a couple of weeks ago that he’d have a chance to make an impact in the playoffs.
The 27-year-old cornerback finds himself in this improbable position after the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) claimed him off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys last week.
Diggs performed capably while playing nearly half of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in its regular-season finale Sunday. Packers coach Matt LaFleur didn’t rule out the possibility of starting him in their Saturday night wild-card matchup at Chicago (11-6).
“It’s a blessing,” Diggs said. “It’s hard to win in this league and it’s hard to go to the playoffs, so just being here, being able to go to the playoffs, it’s been truly a blessing and I’m truly thankful.”
This unexpected opportunity gives the 2021 All-Pro a chance to rejuvenate a career that had gone downhill. Diggs’ presence also could help a Packers defense that has struggled ever since Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a 34-26 loss at Denver that started the four-game skid to end Green Bay’s regular season.
Although Diggs didn’t have his first practice with his new team until Jan. 1, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said this week that their new cornerback has been a quick enough study that they wouldn’t have to limit anything they do defensively if he’s on the field.
Hafley noted that safeties Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard and Evan Williams could communicate anything Diggs might need to know.
“It’s cool to see the last couple of days how he’s integrated with our players, how he’s been in meetings,” Hafley said. “Overall I just think he has more confidence right now in our scheme, so I’d be very comfortable to play him.”
Diggs savors whatever responsibilities he might have Saturday.
“I’m very comfortable,” he said. “I’m ready for whatever.”
Diggs’ change of address represented the latest chapter in a turbulent 2025 season.
He sustained a concussion in an accident at home on Oct. 16. Two months later, Diggs explained to reporters that he got hit in the head by a mounting pole while trying to install a TV.
Even after Diggs returned from concussion protocol, he remained off the field and ended up missing eight games due to what the Cowboys described as lingering knee issues. Diggs ended up playing just eight games for Dallas this season — six before his concussion and two afterward.
When the Cowboys waived Diggs last week, coach Brian Schottenheimer said it was due to a culmination of issues rather than one incident. It was a humbling finish to a tenure that once had so much promise, as Diggs had an NFL-leading 11 interceptions in 2021 and earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2022.
Going to Green Bay reunited Diggs with some familiar faces. He’s close friends with Parsons and played at Alabama with McKinney. They offered him feedback on what it would take to succeed with his new team.
“Just put your head down and work,” Diggs recalled them saying. “Everything’s going to fall where it’s supposed to fall. You just have to focus on football here, and that’s awesome. So, that’s the main advice that they gave me.”
Diggs’ Packers debut was encouraging.
With the Packers resting most of their starters in a 16-3 loss at Minnesota, Pro Football Focus gave Diggs an 81.5 game rating that led the team. He had scored above 61.7 in just two of his eight games with Dallas this season — the opener at Philadelphia (70.2) and a 40-all tie with Green Bay (83.3).
“We’re excited to have him on the team,” Bullard said. “We know the type of player he is. People don’t understand that dude is All-Pro. You can’t take that away from him.”
Diggs hasn’t played at that All-Pro level for some time now, but his performance Sunday at least showed he can help out a Green Bay secondary that needs some reinforcements as it attempts to make a long playoff run.
He’s ready to step up to that challenge.
“It feels natural,” Diggs said. “It feels normal. It just feels like a great fit. It’s been great. I’m just happy to be here.”
NOTE: The Packers announced Friday that WR Dontayvion Wicks has been ruled out for Saturday’s game due to a concussion. Wicks had been listed as questionable on the Packers’ Thursday injury report.
DENVER BRONCOS ARE SITTING PRETTY AS AFC’S TOP SEED THANKS TO A SEASON’S WORTH OF UGLY WINS
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are pretty good at winning ugly.
They tied a franchise record with 14 victories but didn’t exactly roll over their opponents. Eleven of their victories required comebacks and the same number were by one score.
“It doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing to be effective,” coach Sean Payton said after Denver’s 20-13 win at Kansas City on Christmas night against Chiefs third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, who was elevated to starter last month when Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew got hurt.
If their first win at Arrowhead Stadium since 2015 comes with an asterisk, so be it.
Payton’s mantra all season was that style points mean nothing. After all, the Broncos won their first AFC West crown in a decade, ending the Chiefs’ nine-year reign atop the division, and he didn’t care how it looked.
The Los Angeles Chargers sat most of their best players for their Week 18 trip to Denver, and the Broncos never found the end zone offensively, settling for four field goals and watching defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian score their only touchdown on a pick-6 for a gritty 19-3 win.
That secured the No. 1 seed over the New England Patriots, who also finished 14-3 but lost the tiebreaker to Denver, going 5-1 against common opponents to Denver’s 6-0. The difference was New England’s 20-13 loss at home to the Las Vegas Raiders on opening weekend.
Although the Broncos went 0 for 3 in the red zone in their regular-season finale, Payton said winning the AFC’s No. 1 seed was enough to mitigate concerns over Denver’s offensive hiccups.
“Look, am I ever happy? No,” Payton said. “But we shouldn’t be as coaches. … There are some things when we watch that film that we’ll be like, ‘Ah.’ When people ask, ‘What’s the benefit of the 1 seed?’ Many will say it’s the rest. I personally think it’s the elimination of a game that you don’t have to play.”
The Broncos will learn their divisional opponent this weekend, and next week they’ll host their first playoff game in 10 years.
The Broncos went 8-9 in 2023, Payton’s first year in Denver. Parting with quarterback Russell Wilson after that season saddled the Broncos with a record $53 million in dead cap charges last season and another $32 million in 2025.
Payton, general manager George Paton and the Penner-Walton ownership family deftly navigated that whopping $85 million charge as Denver ended an eight-year playoff drought last year and led the AFC this season.
“I think it’s just all the people upstairs finding the right people to be in the building,” linebacker Nik Bonitto said. “That’s why you’ve kind of seen that growth every year with our team and it’s all leading up to right now, us being the 1 seed and being one of the best teams in football. It’s just been a three-year span of continuously trying to grow and have the right people in the building.”
Long before anyone considered the Broncos contenders for the Super Bowl, Payton said back in training camp that this was a special group capable of winning it all, and free-agent acquisition Talanoa Hufanga said he shared that sentiment.
“The minute he said it (I looked) around the group of guys that we got, blue-collar workers,” Hufanga said. “We show up every day, and our job is to get things done. It may not look pretty.”
Like last week.
“I know a lot of people want it to be a 30-0 score, but a win is a win,” Hufanga said. “We have to go back to the drawing board, figure it out so we come back and get another win next time.”
BROCK PURDY LEADS 49ERS BACK TO PHILADELPHIA FOR WILD-CARD MATCHUP 3 YEARS AFTER ELBOW INJURY
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — When Brock Purdy walked off the field following his first playoff trip to Philadelphia, his future was in question.
Purdy had gone from the last pick of the 2022 draft to an improbable starting quarterback in the NFC title game for the San Francisco 49ers in a span of nine months only to tear a ligament in his right elbow on his opening drive of a loss.
“You tear your UCL, the ligament that you use as a quarterback, as a thrower, obviously you start thinking about your future and things and coming back from the injury and it was at the end of the year so I was questioning will I be back in time, will I be the guy come the start of the season? Stuff like that,” Purdy said Thursday. “But now we’re moved on and ready to go.”
Purdy returned from the major surgery and proved his late-season run as a rookie wasn’t a momentary flash, establishing himself as the franchise quarterback for the 49ers (12-5).
He won in his return to Philadelphia in 2023 when he helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl and leads the 49ers back to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles (11-6) on Sunday in a wild-card matchup.
Purdy’s concerns this week are with Vic Fangio’s defense featuring stars such as Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and a tough Philadelphia crowd instead of the elbow which has been completely healed since 2023.
“Obviously, we know Philly from being there and their environment, their fans, all the things,” Purdy said. “It’s getting prepared for that right now rather than having flashbacks or anything like that. I already went there in 2023 and played after what had happened in ’22. So, I feel like that’s out of the way and ready to move on.”
Purdy recovered from that injury to become an AP NFL MVP finalist in the 2023 season when he set a franchise record for yards passing and helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl before losing in overtime to the Chiefs.
After the Niners struggled to a 6-11 record last season, they are back in the postseason again with another visit to Philadelphia on Sunday for the wild-card round.
The season hasn’t been an easy one for Purdy, who was rewarded for his early success with a five-year, $265 million contract extension in May. Purdy injured his toe in the season opener and missed the next two games.
He returned and struggled in a Week 4 loss to Jacksonville before sitting out the next six games because of the injured toe. He returned in Week 11 and quickly got back to his old form, leading San Francisco to six straight wins including back-to-back five touchdown games in prime-time wins over Indianapolis in Chicago in Weeks 16 and 17.
That’s the type of performance the 49ers have grown used to seeing from Purdy.
“I’ve got to say, when he showed up from the first game he played, he looked pretty incredible in that game too,” running back Christian McCaffrey said. “He’s never gotten enough credit. When I look at his resume and how well he’s played throughout his entire career, he’s a special football player. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league. … He’s always played with that swagger and that energy.”
But Purdy and the San Francisco offense struggled in the regular-season finale with the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line against Seattle. The Niners managed one field goal in a 13-3 loss as Purdy was held to 127 yards on 27 attempts.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said that has served as motivation this week.
“We got punched in the mouth,” Kubiak said. “We didn’t play good and we got beat. That’s what happened. I think our guys were a little pissed off. I think they were disappointed. We were all disappointed in how we played and how we coached. It wasn’t our best.”
Injury update
The Niners got some good news on the injury front with Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams back at practice for the first time since injuring his hamstring on the opening snap in Week 17.
Receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) remains out but was able to do some running on the side. Linebacker Luke Gifford (quadriceps) didn’t practice after being limited on Wednesday. Defensive lineman Keion White (hamstring, groin) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) also remained out.
Tight end George Kittle (ankle), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) were also limited.
Linebacker Fred Warner, who has been out since injuring his ankle in Week 6, was able to do some running on the side for the first time during an open portion of practice to reporters.
SEAHAWKS CLINCH NFC WEST TITLE, TOP SEED. BEARS AND EAGLES ALSO IN SUPER BOWL CHASE
Sam Darnold erased one big blemish on his resume when he led the Seattle Seahawks to a 13-3 win at San Francisco in Week 18 that secured the NFC West crown and the NFC’s No. 1 overall seed and the first-round bye.
A year ago, Darnold had the Minnesota Vikings in a similar spot when he flopped in a 31-9 loss at Detroit in a showdown for the NFC North title and the top overall seed in the NFC playoffs.
A week later, his days as the Vikings quarterback came to an end in a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.
The Seahawks (14-3) are confident Darnold can rewrite his postseason fortunes just as he turned things around in Week 18 from his late-season struggles a year ago.
“The success speaks for itself,” right tackle Abe Lucas said. “He’s a Pro Bowl quarterback this year, and happy to see him have that success and really dial it in for everything that goes into it and the process that goes into it. So, he deserves it.”
The Seahawks will face the lowest remaining seed after the wild-card games this weekend.
Seattle’s division title sent both the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams on the road with 12-5 records. The Niners play the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) on Sunday and the playoffs start when the Rams on Saturday visit the Carolina Panthers, who won the NFC South despite an 8-9 record. The NFC schedule also has the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) visiting the Chicago Bears (11-6) on Saturday night for just the third postseason showdown between the bitter NFC North rivals.
1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(14-3).
One Lombardi trophy in three Super Bowl appearances.
Lift the Lombardi: The Seahawks, under second-year coach Mike Macdonald, are fresh off one of their finest regular seasons in the franchise’s 50-year history. Seattle won a franchise-record 14 games in the regular season, besting the 13 wins the Seahawks had in 2005 and 2013. The Seahawks have been buoyed by the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, which is also tied for seventh in the NFL with 47 sacks. Overall, the Seahawks are one of the most talented and deepest teams in the NFC on both sides of the ball. But, it is Seattle’s defense that has been critical to its record-setting season, thanks to stalwarts such as CB Devon Witherspoon and newcomers such as DE DeMarcus Lawrence.
Cancel the confetti: Darnold is in the midst of a fine season by most metrics, having thrown for the second-most passing yards of his career (4,048) while tossing 25 touchdown passes.
However, Darnold also had 14 interceptions. Turning the ball over has been an issue of Darnold’s since his rookie season.
The Seahawks will go as far as Darnold can take them, and if the veteran quarterback can take care off the football.
“We’re here today as No. 1 seed because of Mike (Macdonald),” — linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
2. CHICAGO BEARS (11-6).
One Lombardi trophy in two Super Bowl appearances.
Lift the Lombardi: The Bears’ worst-to-first transformation in coach Ben Johnson’s first season has been nothing short of remarkable. They’ve gone from finishing last in the NFC North to winning the division for the first time since 2018. They’re making their first playoff appearance in five years thanks to an offense that ranks among the best in the NFL, with quarterback Caleb Williams making strides in his second season. The Bears have also performed well in tense spots, pulling out six wins when trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Cancel the confetti: The Bears have dropped two straight, losing 19-16 to Detroit on a last-second field goal after coming up short at San Francisco, 42-38. They gave up 433 yards against the Lions after the 49ers went off for 496. The defense finished 29th in the league at 361.8 yards per game.
“We’re never out. Our guys know that.” — Johnson.
3. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6).
Two Lombardi trophies in five Super Bowl appearances.
Lift the Lombardi: The Eagles are trying to make a run at their second straight Super Bowl championship and third appearance in four seasons. Jalen Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, enters the playoffs fresh after coach Nick Sirianni chose to rest several starters in Week 18. Hurts comes into Sunday with a 76.1% winning percentage including playoff games since 2022, which leads all quarterbacks. This season he threw for 3,224 yards and rushed for 421 more. His 33 combined touchdowns through the air and on the ground ranked sixth in the NFL, and Hurts’ seven passing scores of 30-plus yards led the league.
Cancel the confetti: The Eagles sat many of their starters in the finale and lost their chance at the No. 2 seed and the potential two home games that come with it. The Eagles were the No. 2 seed last season and ended up playing three postseason games at home once top-seeded Detroit was knocked out. Only five No. 3 seeds ever have played in a Super Bowl and none out of the NFC since Carolina in 2003.
“One thing I could guarantee was giving them rest. I couldn’t guarantee them anything else. Being healthy and going into the playoffs healthy is a big deal for us.” — coach Nick Sirianni.
4. CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9).
No Lombardi trophies in two Super Bowl appearances.
Lift the Lombardi: Carolina has some big wins this season, beating the Packers on the road and the Rams at home. Cornerback is a strength behind the tandem of Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, and the defense overall has played well down the stretch. If the Panthers can keep games close, they have a chance. Bryce Young, who will make his playoff debut, has led 12 fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning drives since 2023, more than any QB in the league.
Cancel the confetti: The Panthers are a biggest longshot (200-1, per BetMGM Sportsbook) to win the Super Bowl of the 14 teams in the postseason, and a 10 1/2-point home underdog on Saturday in the wild-card game against the Rams. They don’t have a wealth of experience — 31 players on the roster have never played in a playoff game — or many playmakers on offense. The running game was a strength earlier in the season behind Rico Dowdle, but even that has fallen off. Carolina managed just 19 yards on 10 carries last week at Tampa Bay in a game they needed to win capture the NFC South title outright. Instead, the Panthers had to rely on the Falcons to beat the Saints to get into the postseason for the first time since 2017.
“I’m so fired up for Bryce and for the whole crew, but these are the moments, in my mind, when we’ve put Bryce into these high-stakes situations, he’s performed well.” — coach Dave Canales,
5. LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-5).
Two Lombardi trophies in five Super Bowl appearances.
Lift the Lombardi: The Rams appeared to be the NFL’s most complete team in the second half of the season before they hit a two-game skid that knocked them out of the No. 1 spot in the NFC. They’ve still got the talented roster with the league’s most productive offense and a surprisingly effective defense, and they’re getting Davante Adams and Quentin Lake back in the lineup for the postseason. At their best this season, the Rams have been dominant behind their Super Bowl-winning coach and quarterback.
Cancel the confetti: Los Angeles regressed noticeably on defense down the stretch, and coordinator Chris Shula’s unit has a vulnerable secondary that has been picked apart by top quarterbacks all season. The Rams’ running game will be worse if left guard Kevin Dotson doesn’t return soon from injury. That two-game skid means they could spend the entire postseason on the road, and their last two seasons ended with road playoff defeats. They simply might have peaked a few weeks too early.
“It feels great to be at this point. It’s on us to just continue to be the team that we’ve been prepare the way we know how to prepare, go out there and play, and then see where that takes us.” — QB Matthew Stafford.
6.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(12-5).
Five Lombardi trophies in eight Super Bowl trips.
Lift the Lombardi: The offense has been mostly potent for the 49ers since quarterback Brock Purdy returned from a toe injury in November. Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle are tough matchups for any defense and can help overcome any defensive deficiencies. Star linebacker Fred Warner has a chance to return if the team can reach the conference title game and would provide a huge lift. The Super Bowl then would be played on the home field for the Niners, a perfect setting for the franchise’s long-awaited sixth title.
Cancel the confetti: With Warner and Nick Bosa out with injuries, the 49ers defense has struggled mightily down the stretch. San Francisco finished last in the league with 20 sacks and tied for second to last with six INTs. The run defense that was solid the first half of the season wore down over the stretch run, adding more pressure to the offense. While San Francisco lit the scoreboard against some of the league’s lesser defenses, Purdy and the offense struggled at times against elite units such as Seattle’s and might not be able to overcome a leaky defense.
“I like the mindset of, ‘Nothing has gone right for this team this year, so why would we have it any other way right now?’ Let’s do it the hard way. That’s kind of been the theme of the season. So let’s just lean into that.” — fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
7. GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-7-1).
Four Lombardi trophies in five Super Bowl trips.
Lift the Lombardi: Green Bay showed it could make some noise as a No. 7 seed two years ago when it won at Dallas in a wild-card upset and led San Francisco most of the way in the divisional round before losing 24-21 on a late touchdown. The Packers have experience on this stage as they’re making their third straight playoff appearance. QB Jordan Love’s had a quality season as he has thrown 23 touchdown passes with only six interceptions.
Cancel the confetti: The Packers lost their last four regular-season games. They’re the fourth team to enter the postseason on a losing streak of at least four games. Only one of the previous three teams (the 1986 New York Jets) won a playoff game, and none advanced beyond the divisional round. Defense has gone from a major strength to a legitimate concern since the Packers lost linemen Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt to season-ending injuries. Love hasn’t played since sustaining a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter of a Dec. 20 overtime loss at Chicago. He’s feeling fine now, but the lack of recent game action is cause for consternation.
“I believe in that locker room. I believe in the talent that we have, the players that we have, how committed they are, how together they are, and I know the type of fight that we have as a football team.” — coach Matt LaFleur.
JOSH ALLEN AND THE BILLS BEGIN THEIR SUPER BOWL QUEST AT THE OVERLOOKED JAGUARS
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills don’t have to beat Kansas City, Cincinnati or Baltimore to reach the Super Bowl.
The team with the reigning MVP and the AFC’s most playoff experience faces a new path, beginning with a wild-card game in Jacksonville. Although this journey doesn’t seem as daunting as those in recent years that included Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson, it might be equally treacherous.
Especially with the Bills being on the road — and the streaking and surprising Jaguars already feeling overlooked.
Allen opens his latest quest to get Buffalo back to the NFL’s ultimate stage on Sunday. That’s the way most outsiders will look at the matchup featuring the third-seeded Jaguars (13-4) and the sixth-seeded Bills (12-5).
Here’s another:
“The whole football industry is going to be watching us,” Jaguars running back Travis Etienne said. “People who haven’t been seeing us, we get to show them who we are.”
The Jaguars have won eight in a row while averaging 33.6 points a game and have derived extra motivation from being underappreciated all season, whether it’s perceived slights from national pundits or actual snubs like Pro Bowl votes cast by players, coaches and fans.
For this game, the Jaguars merely need to peek at the betting line to find fuel: BetMGM installed Buffalo as a one-point favorite at EverBank Stadium, where the Bills last won in 2013.
Buffalo also is 0-5 on the road in the playoffs under coach Sean McDermott, starting with a 10-3 loss at Jacksonville in the 2017 wild-card round. The Bills have dropped eight consecutive postseason games on the road since winning at Miami in the 1992 AFC championship game. It’s the NFL’s second-longest active playoff road skid.
“Just got to go out there and play,” Bills running back James Cook said. “You only got one game left, so every game, you just got to play like it’s your last.”
Buffalo has been at its best when Cook is, well, cooking. The Bills are 8-1 when the NFL rushing leader tops 100 yards on the ground. He’s facing a tough task against the Jaguars, who haven’t allowed anyone to reach 75 yards rushing while becoming the league’s top run defense in 2025.
“What a great opportunity for us to be the only team playing,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “Great opportunity for us to maximize what we can do and be on a platform to where people can watch our games everywhere and see what type of team we are.”
All eyes will be on the quarterbacks, and for good reason.
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence is playing as well as anyone. Lawrence has accounted for 24 touchdowns during the team’s winning streak.
Allen, meanwhile, carried the Bills as usual — he has four fourth-quarter comebacks this season — and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth time. Could this finally be his Super Bowl year?
“Josh just wants to win,” Bills receiver Gabe Davis said. “He’s a huge competitor. And I feel like when it comes to these moments, it’s when he really shines.”
Buffalo’s kicking concerns
Bills kicker Matt Prater, 41, will try to play after aggravating a quadriceps injury last week.
“I just want to feel confident and feel good,” said Prater, who took over the kicking duties after Tyler Bass was sidelined by hip and groin issues before the season opener. “I’m going to do everything I can to get back and play. But we’ll see what happens.”
If Prater can’t go, the Bills have Matthew Wright on the practice squad. Wright has six seasons of NFL experience, including 14 games with the Jaguars in 2021.
Jaguars want to get home with four
There’s a common theme in Buffalo’s five losses: Allen was under intense pressure in each game, leading to sacks and turnovers. Eight sacks and two interceptions against Houston. Five sacks and two fumbles against Philadelphia. Four sacks, two interceptions and two fumbles against Atlanta. Three sacks, an interception and a fumble against Miami. One sack, an interception and a fumble against New England.
Jacksonville’s goal: Pressure Allen with a four-man rush and don’t let him scramble for big plays.
“Huge test for those guys,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said. “I believe they’ll be up for the challenge.”
Bills feeling the heat?
With Kansas City, Cincinnati and Baltimore missing the playoffs, Buffalo has been a trendy pick to win the AFC. Does that put more pressure on the Bills?
“Aren’t we the sixth seed?” left tackle Dion Dawkins quipped. “The whole world’s not saying the Bills. Nobody’s talking about the Buffalo Bills. So I feel like all the stress is not on our shoulders.
“We play to be in the dance. We’re dancing. Now we just need to be prom king and queen at the end.”
DRAKE MAYE AND JUSTIN HERBERT EACH LOOKING FOR 1ST PLAYOFF WIN AS PATRIOTS HOST CHARGERS
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — In a year’s time, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has gone from the rookie starter on a losing team to an MVP candidate and the face of a playoff squad.
That rapid rise hasn’t altered the 23-year-old’s mindset as he prepares to lead New England into its first playoff game since the 2021 season. The Patriots (14-3) host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) on Sunday night.
Maye insists his focus is on following the same process that helped him get this far.
“I’ve got to play well for us to win,” Maye said. “I know that’s the nature of this league and the nature of the position. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.”
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs doesn’t think Maye will be rattled by the postseason stage.
“I expect to see the same player, if not him doing more,” Diggs said. “Whatever duty calls, or whatever the job calls for, he’s been consistent. I’m excited for Drake, though. Another stage for him to shine.”
New England will be seeking its first home playoff victory since the 2018 season, which concluded with the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl title. That run started with a divisional-round victory over the Chargers.
“We’re not here just to get here,” first-year coach Mike Vrabel said. “We have to be able to host games and compete for championships. There’s not going to be any consolation prize for anybody. We understand what we have to do.”
Los Angeles is making its second straight playoff appearance under coach Jim Harbaugh. The franchise hasn’t won a postseason game since the 2018 season.
In his sixth season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is seeking his first playoff win. He enters with an 0-2 postseason record.
“To keep going on in the playoffs is the goal for every team. We’re handling and taking advantage of this opportunity and doing everything we can to be prepared for that,” Herbert said. “Experience is a good thing. I think you learn from what you did right, what you did wrong.”
Herbert is rested and ready
Herbert’s health could be a factor in whether he’s able to get over his postseason struggles. He’s just over a month removed from having surgery to repair a broken bone in his nonthrowing hand.
He was among several starters who sat out the Chargers’ regular-season finale, a loss at Denver.
“I think not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful for it,” Herbert said of his left hand. “Just getting back to making sure you have full strength and able to hold on to a football.”
Chargers solid against deep passes
The Chargers’ defense has been great against the pass this season. Among the 12 playoff teams, LA allowed the fewest air yards (1,520) during the regular season.
Maye has been one of the league’s best at throwing the ball deep.
According to Sportradar, Maye completed 67 passes of at least 20 air yards, which ranked second in the NFL behind only Matthew Stafford (72). Among quarterbacks who completed at least 20 passes that traveled at least 20 yards in the air, Maye’s completion rate of 50.7% was third, behind Brock Purdy (63.6%) and Sam Darnold (53.8%).
Patriots defensive coordinator Josh McDaniels expects Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to throw a variety of looks at Maye.
“There’s a few plays where they’re going to be as complicated as you’ve seen all year,” McDaniels said.
Maye said he’s comfortable finding ways to beat schemes that feature extra defenders in the secondary.
“I think from an attacking standpoint, if there’s any coverage, there’s always a void,” he said.
Patriots perfect on road, not too shabby at home
The Patriots were 8-0 away from New England this season, the only team in the NFL with an unblemished road record.
In those games, New England outscored opponents by 80 points. But at home, its point differential was 90 points. To Vrabel, that’s proof his team can play just as well at home.
“It’s just got to be a tough place to play in January,” Vrabel said. “We need to create a hard environment, we need to play well, let our crowd feed off of us and let us feed off of them.”
NFL TEAMS WITH COACH VACANCIES OFTEN SEEK OUT YOUNG, RISING COORDINATORS. HERE ARE SOME ON THE RADAR
While John Harbaugh quickly became the most sought-after head coach this cycle after he was fired by Baltimore, many NFL teams seek the next Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan.
The young, up-and-coming coordinators usually get most of the attention.
With eight openings around the league, there’s plenty of opportunities for rising candidates to emerge.
McVay became the youngest coach since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 when the Los Angeles Rams hired him in 2017 at age 30. He has led them to one Super Bowl title in two appearances, four NFC West championships, seven playoff berths and eight winning seasons in nine years.
The Rams (12-5) are heavy favorites on the road this week against the Carolina Panthers (8-9).
Shanahan was 38 when the San Francisco 49ers hired him in 2017. He has led them to five playoff appearances and two NFC championships in nine years. The 49ers (12-5) visit the Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) on Sunday.
Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl in 18 seasons with the Ravens, rose to the top of many wish lists after he became available. Mike McCarthy and Doug Pederson also are unemployed Super Bowl champion coaches waiting on an opportunity. Of course, there’s North Carolina coach Bill Belichick if any teams want to turn to a six-time Super Bowl champ.
But several young assistant coaches are going to get strong consideration and it’s not just McVay and Shanahan who’ve had success. Ben Johnson was the coordinator everyone wanted the past few years. He left Detroit after last season and turned the Chicago Bears into NFC North champions in his first season.
Sometimes the little-known assistants end up being the best hires.
The Eagles were mocked for hiring Pederson in 2016 when he wasn’t on many other teams’ radar because he was an assistant who didn’t call plays under Andy Reid in Kansas City.
He quickly led the Eagles to the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory and did it with a backup quarterback beating Belichick and Tom Brady.
After firing Pederson following the 2020 season, the Eagles turned to Nick Sirianni. The team was chastised even more for hiring a guy who drew little interest from other teams after serving as an offensive coordinator under Frank Reich in Indianapolis for three seasons.
All Sirianni has done is win in Philadelphia. Five playoff appearances in five seasons, including two NFC titles and one Lombardi trophy.
Here are five assistants who could end up with a top job this coaching cycle:
Jesse Minter
The 42-year-old defensive coordinator for the Chargers followed Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to Los Angeles. He previously was an assistant under John Harbaugh in Baltimore.
“Tremendous knowledge of the game, great teammate, just works so well with the general manager, head coach relationship is going to be tremendous with him,” Jim Harbaugh said of Minter. “That’s really important. His ability to motivate. Just all aspects. It’s always about the team, there’s no ego there. If you got a box to check, you check it with Jesse. He’s had several (teams) that have reached out, interview requests. No surprise.”
Anthony Weaver
The 45-year-old Weaver was the defensive coordinator in Miami the past two seasons under Mike McDaniel, who lost his job Thursday. He previously was an assistant with the Ravens, Texans, Browns, Bills and Jets. Weaver also played seven seasons in the NFL as an edge rusher with Baltimore and Houston.
Chris Shula
He’s the defensive coordinator for the Rams and has strong bloodlines as the grandson of Don Shula. An assistant in Los Angeles under McVay since 2017, the 39-year-old Shula said “if the right spot in the right context and if the right situation presents itself, when that time comes, we’ll decide.”
Like Minter, who is preparing to face the Patriots, Shula is prepping for a game against Carolina this week.
Davis Webb
Webb, who turns 31 this month, has been the quarterbacks coach for the Broncos under Sean Payton since 2023 and added offensive pass game coordinator to his duties this season. A former quarterback, he was a third-round pick by the Giants in 2017. He started one game in 2022.
Klint Kubiak
He’s been an offensive coordinator in Minnesota, New Orleans and now in Seattle. The 38-year-old Kubiak is the oldest son of former NFL QB and Super Bowl champion coach Gary Kubiak. His brother, Klay, is San Francisco’s offensive coordinator. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 13-3 last Saturday to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
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NBA
NBA ROUNDUP: DOWN 21, THUNDER STORM PAST GRIZZLIES
Jalen Williams scored a season-high 26 points, Ajay Mitchell added 23 and Kenrich Williams also posted a season high with 21 off the bench as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from 21 points down in the second half to stun the host Memphis Grizzlies 117-116 on Friday night.
The Thunder outscored the Grizzlies 71-51 in the second half and extended their winning streak over Memphis to 16 consecutive games (including playoffs). The Grizzlies haven’t defeated the Thunder since Dec. 7, 2022. Memphis lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Oklahoma City trailed by 11 (114-103) with 3:32 to go when it began a furious comeback. The Thunder went on a 14-0 run and grabbed their first lead since the opening quarter on a 3-pointer by Kenrich Williams with 1:07 to go. Lu Dort capped the run with two free throws with 58.9 seconds left for a 117-114 advantage. Memphis got a putback basket from Jock Landale with 37.3 seconds left but a frantic 15-foot jumper by Cedric Coward in the closing seconds was blocked by the Thunder’s Alex Caruso.
Oklahoma City, the reigning NBA champion, played without starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Chet Holmgren (shin) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf). Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 23 points and GG Jackson tied a season high with 18 off the bench. Santi Aldama contributed 15 points and Landale had 13 points and 10 boards for Memphis, which was without Ja Morant (calf) for the fourth straight game.
Trail Blazers 111, Rockets 105
Toumani Camara scored a career-high 25 points and Portland spoiled Kevin Durant’s milestone night with a home victory over Houston.
Durant recorded 30 points and 12 rebounds and swished a 3-pointer with 7:57 left in the third quarter to move into seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Durant passed legendary Wilt Chamberlain (31,419). His career point total sits at 31,435 after Houston’s second consecutive loss in Portland.
Shaedon Sharpe had 20 points and eight rebounds while Deni Avdija also scored 20 points for the Trail Blazers, who have won five straight and seven of their past eight. Amen Thompson recorded 24 points and nine rebounds and Reed Sheppard added 20 points off the bench for Houston.
Warriors 137, Kings 103
De’Anthony Melton ignited a 15-0 burst bridging the third and fourth quarters with six straight points, Stephen Curry went for a game-high 27 and Golden State won a second in a row to start a lengthy homestand, thumping Sacramento in San Francisco.
Melton finished with 19 points off the bench and Curry completed his second double-double of the season with a game-high 10 assists for the Warriors, who ran up a season-best 39 assists on their 52 baskets.
DeMar DeRozan had a team-high 24 points for the Kings, who played Golden State evenly for the first 33 minutes, gaining an 84-all tie on a Dennis Schroder 17-footer with 3:13 left in the third quarter.
Celtics 125, Raptors 117
Payton Pritchard had a game-high 27 points to go with five rebounds and eight assists to help host Boston end Toronto’s three-game winning streak.
Jaylen Brown added 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Celtics as Boston won for the fifth time in six games. Sam Hauser hit five 3-pointers and finished with 19 points in the win.
The Raptors played without two of their top players as forwards Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes both missed the game with injuries. Jakob Poeltl missed his ninth straight game with a back injury. The short-handed Raptors received 19 points from both Ja’Kobe Walter and RJ Barrett.
76ers 103, Magic 91
Tyrese Maxey scored 14 of his 29 points in the third quarter, fueling visiting Philadelphia to a victory over Orlando.
Maxey has totaled 92 points to help the 76ers win two of the three meetings in the season series. Joel Embiid collected 22 points and nine rebounds and Paul George added 18 and nine, respectively, as the 76ers sealed their fifth win in six games by outscoring the Magic 20-12 in the fourth quarter.
Desmond Bane scored 23 points and Anthony Black added 21 as Orlando has traded wins and losses over its last 13 games. Paolo Banchero recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds and Wendell Carter Jr. added 13 and eight, respectively.
Bucks 105, Lakers 101
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and made two key defensive plays in the closing seconds as visiting Milwaukee finished off a victory over Los Angeles.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, Kyle Kuzma had 13 against his former team and Bobby Portis had 11 points with 12 rebounds as the Bucks improved to 2-1 on a four-game road trip. Milwaukee is 5-2 since Dec. 27.
LeBron James scored 26 points with nine rebounds and 10 assists, while Luka Doncic scored 24 points with nine rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers dropped to 4-6 since Dec. 20. Doncic was 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 4 of 19 on two-point shots.
Suns 112, Knicks 107
Devin Booker scored 31 points, Dillon Brooks added 27 and the pair combined for nine 3-pointers as host Phoenix held off New York.
Grayson Allen made four free throws and Brooks hit two in the final 13.5 seconds after the Knicks overcame a 12-point deficit to tie the game at 101 with three minutes remaining. Jalen Brunson scored 27 points and made five 3-pointers and Karl-Anthony Towns had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who have lost five of six.
The Suns have won five straight at home and broke a three-game losing streak to the Knicks. Phoenix is 22-11 since starting 1-4 in coach Jordan Ott’s first season.
Clippers 121, Nets 105
James Harden scored 31 points and Los Angeles started quickly in a wire-to-wire victory over Brooklyn in New York.
Harden scored 22 in Los Angeles’ dominant first half and finished with his ninth 30-point game this season. He made 10 of 13 shots and handed out six assists as the Clippers finished with 28 assists and won for the eighth time in 10 games. Kawhi Leonard added 26 on 9-of-15 shooting for his 19th straight game with at least 20 points.
Rookie Egor Demin led the Nets with 19 points and hit five 3-pointers, but Michael Porter Jr. struggled with 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting (0-of-9 from 3-point range). Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas added 13 apiece as Brooklyn was unable to capitalize on getting 19 offensive rebounds.
Hawks 110, Nuggets 87
Jalen Johnson scored 29 points, Dyson Daniels finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and Atlanta outscored host Denver 36-12 in the fourth quarter to pull out a win.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 22 points for Atlanta, which was playing its first game since four-time All-Star Trae Young was dealt to Washington. CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, acquired in the Young deal, have yet to join the team.
Peyton Watson scored 25 points, Aaron Gordon added 14, Zeke Nnaji finished with 12, and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Hunter Tyson scored 10 each for Denver, which was 4-for-17 shooting in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets played without Jamal Murray and Spencer Jones, both nursing left ankle injuries, in addition to the absences of Nikola Jokic (left knee), Jonas Valanciunas (calf) and Cameron Johnson (right knee).
Pelicans 128, Wizards 107
Trey Murphy III scored 15 of his game-high 35 points in the third quarter and Zion Williamson dominated at times in both halves en route to 31 points as New Orleans decisively ended its nine-game losing streak with a win at Washington.
Murphy III, who also had eight rebounds, missed Wednesday’s loss at the Atlanta Hawks due to lower-back spasms. He demonstrated his readiness right away with two 3-pointers in the opening minutes and finished with seven treys overall.
This was the second time this season the Pelicans stopped a nine-game losing streak. Williamson shot 85.7% (12-for-14) from the field while Derik Queen, who returned home after starring as a freshman at Maryland last year, registered his second career triple-double. He had 14 points to go with a team-high 16 rebounds and 12 assists.
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NHL
NHL ROUNDUP: JETS ROUT KINGS, HALT WINLESS STREAK AT 11
Mark Scheifele scored two goals to help the Winnipeg Jets end an 11-game winless streak with a 5-1 win against the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.
It was the longest winless streak for the Jets since they moved to Winnipeg from Atlanta in 2011. Before Friday, they had not won since defeating the visiting Washington Capitals 5-1 on Dec. 13.
Vladislav Namestnikov, Cole Koepke and Jonathan Toews also scored; Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti had two assists each; and Eric Comrie made 23 saves for the Jets, who were 0-7-4 in their previous 11 games.
For Los Angeles, Quinton Byfield scored and Darcy Kuemper made 11 saves on 16 shots before he was replaced at the start of the third by Anton Forsberg, who stopped all three shots he faced. The Kings have lost two in a row and 10 of 14 (4-7-3).
Capitals 5, Blackhawks 1
Connor McMichael had a goal and assist and John Carlson, Martin Fehervary and Ryan Leonard earned two assists apiece to lift visiting Washington to a victory against Chicago.
Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank, Justin Sourdif and Alex Ovechkin also scored for the Capitals, while Logan Thompson made 23 saves on 24 shots. Oliver Moore scored for Chicago, which saw its season-high four-game winning streak snapped despite the return of star center Connor Bedard from a shoulder injury.
Plagued by the flu, the Blackhawks were missing multiple regulars as well as both goaltenders, prompting the recall of netminder Drew Commesso from AHL affiliate Rockford. Commesso stopped 19 of 24 shots in his third NHL appearance and first career home start after yielding three goals on six shots in the first period.
Mammoth 4, Jets 2
Nick Schmaltz had two goals and an assist, and Utah extended its winning streak to three games with a victory against St. Louis in Salt Lake City.
Clayton Keller had three assists, Lawson Crouse had a goal and an assist and Sean Durzi also scored for the Mammoth, whose streak is their longest since a seven-game run from Oct. 15-26. Karel Vejmelka made 26 saves.
Oskar Sundqvist and Pavel Buchnevich scored, and Joel Hofer made 19 saves for the Blues, who have lost two straight and four of their past six games (2-4-0).
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INDIANA RELEASES
INDIANA PACERS
GAME PREVIEW: PACERS VS HEAT
The Indiana Pacers (7-31) snapped a 13-game skid on Thursday as coach Rick Carlisle’s 1,000th career victory was clinched by Pascal Siakam in the final minute of Indiana’s matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. The Pacers shift their focus to the Miami Heat (20-17) on Saturday as they cling to the elation that came with the conclusion of an extended losing streak.
Siakam’s 30 points on Thursday led Indiana, and T.J. McConnell recorded a season-high 23 points off the bench to lift the Pacers past the Hornets. Siakam also contributed 14 rebounds and three assists, while McConnell distributed eight assists.
The Heat return to the court after a period of rest, albeit unplanned. Miami’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday was postponed due to condensation on the court following a Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey game in the United Center. An unseasonably warm day in Chicago complicated the arena’s climate, leading to the unplayable condition of the basketball court.
Miami’s last contest was on Tuesday in Minnesota. The Timberwolves trounced the Heat, 122-94, in a game where no Heat players eclipsed the 20-point mark aside from Norman Powell, who notched 21 to lead Miami in scoring.
The matchup with the Heat marks the first of a four-game homestand for the Pacers. Indiana hosts Boston on Monday at 7:30 PM ET following its clash with Miami on Saturday.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Quenton Jackson, G – Aaron Nesmith, F – Johnny Furphy, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Jay Huff
Heat: G – Davion Mitchell, G – Tyler Herro, F – Norman Powell, F – Andrew Wiggins, C – Bam Adebayo
Injury Report
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard – questionable (sore lower back), Tyrese Haliburton – out (right Achilles tendon tear), Isaiah Jackson – out (concussion), Bennedict Mathurin – out (right thumb sprain), Obi Toppin – out (right foot stress fracture)
Heat: Terry Rozier – out (not with team)
Last Meeting
Dec. 27, 2025: Despite heading into the fourth quarter facing just a four-point deficit, the Pacers fell to the Heat in Miami, 142-116, marking their eighth straight loss.
Aaron Nesmith returned to the lineup for the Pacers following an absence due to injury. He recorded nine points in his 19 minutes to lead Indiana’s bench scorers. Pascal Siakam’s 33 points, seven rebounds, and five assists led the way for the Pacers, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 25 points.
The Heat played without both Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, but productive nights from Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr. lifted Miami against the Pacers as the Heat earned a second consecutive win.
The Blue and Gold battled through the first three quarters, but ultimately fell due to an uneven fourth. Miami outscored Indiana 44-22 in the final period of play. The Pacers committed a season-high 26 turnovers, and allowed 38 points off those turnovers – ultimately paving the way for a lopsided finish.
Noteworthy
Andrew Nembhard missed Thursday’s contest due to lower back soreness.
Micah Potter left Thursday’s game with an elbow injury and did not return for the second half, though he was not ruled out for the game.
Coach Rick Carlisle made NBA history on Thursday evening as he recorded his 1,000th career victory in Indiana’s win over Charlotte. He’s just the 11th coach in league history to accomplish the feat.
Miami’s Kel’el Ware played NCAA basketball with the Indiana Hoosiers for one season (2023-2024) before declaring for the NBA draft and being selected 15th overall by the Miami Heat in 2024.
Broadcast Information (Where to Watch and Listen to Pacers Games >>)
TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
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INDY FUEL
FUEL FALL TO RUSH IN RAPID CITY ON FRIDAY NIGHT
RAPID CITY – The Indy Fuel visited the Rapid City Rush on Friday for the first of a three-game set. Despite massively outshooting the Rush, the Fuel could not score after the first period and fell to the Rush on Friday night.
1ST PERIOD
The Fuel dominated most of the first period, putting up ten shots on the Rush before they could record one. However, it was Rapid City who scored first after Matt Petgrave took a hooking penalty at 17:15.
Ryan Wagner scored the goal for Rapid City to put them up 1-0 at 17:54. The Fuel answered back quickly though, with a goal by Sahil Panwar less than thirty seconds later. Mike Van Unen, who was traded to Indy from Rapid City in December, had the lone assist on that goal.
At the end of the first period, Indy was outshooting Rapid City, 16-4.
2ND PERIOD
The Fuel went back to the penalty kill again after Owen Robinson took a holding the stick penalty at 13:15. It was killed off.
Rapid City’s Chaz Smedsrud took a hooking call at 16:45, putting Indy back on the power play. The Rush were able to kill it off.
After two frames, the Fuel were outshooting the Rush, 28-12.
3RD PERIOD
At 6:01, Dustin Manz took an interference penalty, putting the Fuel back on the penalty kill. Indy was able to kill it off.
The Fuel headed to the power play next after a tripping penalty was called on Rasmus Ekström at 8:33, but once again it was killed off.
Ryan Chyzowski scored for Rapid City at 11:39 to put the Rush up 2-1 late in the game.
With 2:33 to go, Ekström returned to the box after a hooking call. This put the Fuel on an important, late-game power play. With 36 seconds to go in the game, and 12 seconds in the power play, the Fuel took a timeout.
Goaltender Mitchell Weeks did not return to the net, giving Indy a 6-on-4 advantage. Time expired on the penalty but the Fuel kept the pressure on until Brett Davis was able to poke the puck away and score a late empty-net goal.
This made it 3-1, which would be the final score in favor of Rapid City, despite the Fuel setting a new single-game shot record this season with 47. The Rush recorded 16.
These two teams face off again tomorrow night in the middle game of a three-game set this weekend.
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INDIANA FOOTBALL
IU RIPS OREGON
ATLANTA — Seventy minutes before Indiana began its 56-22 Friday night Peach Bowl thrashing of Oregon and All-America linebacker Aiden Fisher stalked the Mercedes Benz Stadium Field with ferocity normally reserved for a Ridely Scott Gladiator movie. Woe to anyone getting in his way.
Eleven seconds into the game, All-American D’Angelo Ponds’ pick-six of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore rocked the Ducks into eventual submission.
Thirty-four minutes into the game, All-Big Ten center Pat Coogan recovered a quarterback Fernando Mendoza fumble after an 18-yard scramble. While Coogan’s first-down gesture lacked running back/receiver flair, it did lead to a third-quarter Mendoza touchdown pass to receiver E.J. Williams Jr. that ended the Ducks’ comeback hopes.
Forty-seven minutes into the game, defensive tackle Daniel Ndukwe, a reserve until Stephen Daley’s season-ending knee injury after the Ohio State victory, blocked a punt that led to another IU touchdown. Ndukwe added two sacks and a forced fumble.
At the end of the game, Mendoza was 17-for-20 for 177 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, then found time to discuss delayed gratification and stoicism because — why not?. Add the Alabama victory and Mendoza has eight touchdowns, no interceptions and just five incompletions in the playoffs.
They highlighted unprecedented dominance — IU outscored Alabama and Oregon 94-25 — that sent the top-seeded Hoosiers (15-0) into the Jan. 19 national championship game against 10th-seeded Miami (13-2).
“It’s a great win against a really good team,” coach Curt Cignetti said. “It started with Ponds’ pick-six. We created some turnovers and capitalized on defense. It’s a great win.”
If no one outside the program saw this national title opportunity coming, it makes no difference now.
“A lot of people don’t know our team and what we’ve got,” Cignetti said. “There were a lot of skeptics last year who thought that we were a fluke. That negative stuff fueled our returning guys. They we added some key people, including (Mendoza). We built off our successes. We won some big games on the road. It helps to have a quarterback who plays his best in the fourth quarter. So, here we are.”
Or, as Mendoza put it, “All that matters is the national championship.”
Friday night’s victory followed up on Indiana’s 30-20 regular-season win over the Ducks (13-2) and left Oregon coach Dan Lanning in admiration.
“All the credit in the world to Indiana,” he said. “I said before that they’re an unbelievably well-coached team and that was really apparent tonight. They started off hot, and they didn’t slow down.
“You see a really complete team. They obviously have a great chance to keep it going and have unbelievable success.”
Mercedes-Benz Stadium rocked to a Cream ‘n Crimson beat. Hoosier fan estimates surpassed 90 percent of the crowd, reflective of the large number of IU fans walking Atlanta streets on game day and of the 805,000 largest-in-the-nation alumni base that fueled it.
The resulting crowd noise likely contributed to the Ducks having three turnovers to IU’s zero.
“A shoutout to Hoosier Nation for being here,” Mendoza said. “They forced Oregon to go on a silent count. When you do that, it can account for points.”
The atmosphere — which included former IU baseball All-American and current Major League slugging superstar Kyle Schwarber as honorary captain and business giant and IU grad Mark Cuban — flipped the scenario from the first game, which was held at Oregon.
“They had a ton of fans here,” Moore said. “It was pretty loud. (IU fans) came out and showed out.”
IU had reached the semifinals with the lowest team talent composite among the four qualifiers according to 247Sports, with a No. 72 national ranking. Oregon led with a No. 5 ranking thanks to four straight top-15 national recruiting classes. Miami was 15th and Ole Miss was 21st.
What did that mean Friday night?
Not a darn thing.
Oregon had seven first-half possessions — two fumbles, two punts, one pick-six, one missed field goal and one touchdown. It had 121 total yards.
Four straight IU touchdown drives spanning the second and third quarters broke open the game.
“When you have good people and they buy in and prepare the right way,” Cignetti said, “and we have a lot of those guys. They’re high-character, smart guys that can play.”
Cignetti’s winning philosophy — highlighted by “Fast Physical Relentless” and “Smart Disciplined Poised” — showed on the opening kickoff with defensive back Bryon Baldwin’s rib rocking tackle, followed by Ponds’ pick-6 for a quick 7-0 IU lead.
“We play a lot of Cover Three,” Ponds said, “Coming out, I knew it was a RPO-type of deal. I played off so I could break on the ball. I read (Moore’s eyes) and got a jump on it. It was an amazing feeling to walk into the endzone.”
Oregon drove for the tying touchdown capped by quarterback Dante Moore’s 19-yard scoring pass.
Third-down completions of 23 yards to Sarratt and five yards to tight end Riley Nowakowski, followed by Roman Hemby runs of 12 and 11 yards, set up Mendoza’s eight-yard TD pass to Omar Cooper Jr. for a 14-7 lead near the end of the first quarter.
Defensive lineman Mario Landino recovered Moore’s fumble at the Oregon 3-yard line. Three plays later, running back Kaelon Black powered in for a 21-7 Hoosier lead with 8:17 left in the first half.
Mendoza’s 18-yard pass to Sarratt was followed by a 36-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker for a 28-7 lead.
Ndukwe forced Moore’s second fumble on a sack, and Landino recovered his second fumble. That led to Mendoza’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Sarratt for a 35-7 halftime lead.
IU opened the third quarter with Mendoza’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Williams for a 42-7 score. Following Ndukwe’s blocked punt, Mendoza added a three-yard scoring pass to Sarratt to counter a Miami touchdown and two-point conversion. Black added a 23-yard touchdown run before Oregon had a final score.
Next stop — Miami.
“It’s going to be a great game,” said Mendoza, a Miami native who grew up less than a mile from the University of Miami campus. “The Hurricanes are a fantastic team led by a great coach.
“It will be about us playing our brand of football, playing Indiana Hoosiers football. We don’t have to do anything out of character.”
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INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA BASKETBALL GAME NOTES – GAME 16 VS. NO. 10/11 NEBRASKA
Opening Tip
• Indiana University continues Big Ten Conference play against No. 10/11 Nebraska on Sunday, Jan. 10, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Tip is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on BTN with Kevin Kugler (PxP) and Bruce Weber (Analyst) on the call.
• Nebraska (15-0, 4-0 B1G) is under the direction of seventh-year head coach Fred Hoiberg. He is on track to post his seventh 20-win season as a college basketball head coach, including three of the last four with the Huskers.
• The Huskers have six players in the regular rotation that average at least 7.5 points per game led by senior forward Rienk Mast. He has posted 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per night. The 6-10 big is one of six high-major players to average 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists this season.
• Junior forward Pryce Sandfort has poured in 15.9 points per game on a team-best 45 made 3-pointers. Redshirt freshman forward Braden Frager (11.7 points), senior guard Jamarques Lawrence (9.4 points, 3.6 assists), senior guard Sam Hoiberg (8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists), and junior forward Berke Buyuktuncel (7.9 points, 6.4 rebounds) all average north of 20.0 minutes per game.
• Nebraska has won an NCAA-best 19 straight games dating back to a 2025 College Basketball Crown championship.
Game Information
Jan. 10, 2026 • 12 PM ET
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind.
TV: BTN (Kevin Kugler, Bruce Weber)
Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)
Series History: Indiana leads, 19-11
Last Meeting: NEB 85, IU 68 on Dec. 13, 2024, in Lincoln
Series History
• The Hoosiers have won 19 times in the 30-game series against the Cornhuskers. Nebraska has won each of the last four meetings between the two programs with Indiana last winning (81-65) on Dec. 7, 2022, in Bloomington.
• The two sides have not met when Nebraska has been ranked in the AP top 25. The Cornhuskers (No. 10 in the AP) have not been ranked inside the top 10 since 1965-66.
Last Time Out
• Indiana (12-3, 3-1 B1G) secured the program’s first true road win of the season with an 84-66 result against Maryland on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the XFINITY Center in College Park.
• Fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson posted his fourth-straight 20-point game with a game-high 24 points and six rebounds. He is the first Hoosier since Trayce Jackson-Davis (6 games; Feb. 28-March 19, 2023) to score at least 20 points in four straight games. The Sam Houston transfer has averaged 26.3 points on 47.4% (18-of-38) shooting from the 3-point line in Big Ten play.
• Sixth-year senior guard Tayton Conerway charted 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Redshirt senior guard Conor Enright added 16 points, his second straight double-figure scoring game, to go with four rebounds and three assists.
• Senior forward Reed Bailey put up 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 28 bench minutes.
• All eight players that played pulled down at least one offensive rebound. The Hoosier bench grabbed seven offensive rebounds, led by three from freshman forward Trent Sisley.
B1G Performers
• Fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson has averaged a team-best 26.3 points per night in Big Ten Conference play, the most by any B1G player this season. He has shot 51.4% (36-of-70) from the floor, 47.4% (18-of-38) from the 3-point line, and 88.2% (15-of-17) from the free throw line in league play.
• Sixth-year senior guard Tayton Conerway has averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per night in B1G play. He has shot 64.1% (25-of-39) from the floor, 55.6% (10-of-18) from behind the arc, and 82.4% (14-of-17) from the free throw line.
• As a team, the Hoosiers average 87.8 points per Big Ten game, have shot 51.7% from the floor, 40.5% from distance, and average 18.3 assists a night. Indiana pulls down 31.8 rebounds in conference games and holds a +1.0 rebounding margin.
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INDIANA TRACK AND FIELD
HOOSIERS CLOSE DAY ONE FROM ROD MCCRAVY
Louisville, Ky. – Indiana track and field opened the Rod McCravy Invitational on Friday (January 9) inside Norton Sports & Learning Center with several personal bests on the day.
“The first meet back from break really tests how much work athletes put in while away,” said assistant coach Megan Tomei. “Training without proper facilities, a coach present, or training partners isn’t easy, but those challenges aren’t excuses. The work still has to get done.”
“I’m proud of how this group showed up and competed against strong competition. A lot of PRs on the board. We’re excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds.”
The day started with the high jumps, with all Hoosiers finishing in the top 15. Kaselle Davis (7th), Taylor Schoonveld (T-8th), Chayla Rankin (T-8th), and Josie Page (11th) all recorded a height of 1.70m/5-7 in the women’s competition. Lee Martin earned a fifth-place finish with his height of 2.03m/6-8.75. Jay Hmurovich also placed 11th with a height of 2.00m/6-6.75.
The day started with the jumps group. Lee Martin led the men’s side with a fifth place finish in the high jump (2.05m/6-8.75. He was followed by Jay Hmurovich with his mark of 2.00m/6-6.75.
In the long jump, Elle Knepp set a new personal best with her jump of 5.54m/18-2.25. Alex Smith followed in the men’s jump with a season best mark of 7.00m/22-11.75 to finish ninth.
Indiana continued to show bright spots with the throwers in the weight throw. Hannah Alexander put up a personal best to finish fifth with a distance of 19.99m/65-7. On the men’s side, Hunter Smith (20.81m/68-3.25), Nikolaos Sidirenios (20.00m/65-7.5), and Michael Neuenroth (19.39m/63-7.5) all saw top 10 finishes.
The field events finished with season best marks in the women’s pole vault. Kailen Kramer (3.90m/12-9.5) and Isabel German (3.75m/12-3.5) placed 10th and 11th, respectively with their best marks of the early season.
It was a great first day on the track for the cream and crimson, starting with the sprints.
Aliyah Johnson and Jasiah Rogers ran qualifying times for tomorrow’s 60-meter finals. Tyler Tarter and John Colquitt will also be advancing the 60-meter hurdle finals after earning automatic qualifying times.
In the 400m, Keira Davis earned the first event win of the weekend, running a time of 53.50 that ranks third in IU history. Ava Olomajeye earned also earned a fifth place finish with her time of 55.71. in the men’s race, Kalen Sargent took home a fourth place finish in a time of 48.07.
The Hoosiers continued to gain top 10 finishes. Amelia Dodds (1:28.76) and Ciara Kepner (1:33.89) finished second and seventh, respectively, in the 600-meter run. Daquan Tate and Cameron Mullens followed in the men’s race, placing third and eighth, respectively.
The Day finished with the women’s 1,000-meter run where another school record was broken. Lily Myers finished in a record time of 2:43.32 to become the second Hoosier this season to become a record holder (Trelee Banks-Rose; 300m).
The final day of competition will start tomorrow, Jan. 10th, at 10:30 am with the men’s shot put.
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INDIANA SWIMMING
NO. 3/10 HOOSIERS SHATTER STANDARDS IN MICHIGAN SPLIT
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 3/10 Indiana swimming and diving set a pool record and two program records in a split result at No. 4/11 Michigan on Friday (Jan. 9) inside Canham Natatorium.
The Hoosier men remain unbeaten with a 187-113 victory over the Wolverines, while the women fell to Michigan by eight points, 154-146. Six Hoosiers won multiple individual events, and Indiana swept the diving competitions as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Senior Zalán Sárkány set the tone for the men, dropping a pool record in the 1,000-yard freestyle with an 8:39.94, over a second faster than Collin Jaeger’s previous standard (8:41.09) from 11 years earlier. Sárkány led a 1-2-3 Indiana finish in the event with sophomore Luke Whitlock (8:52.02) and freshman Luke Ellis (9:01.27) before picking up a second individual victory in the 500-yard freestyle (4:13.65).
Freshman Alex Shackell debuted with a program record in the 200-yard butterfly, going 1:52.98 in a second-place finish. It marks the second consecutive meet that a Hoosier has broken the 200 fly school record after junior Miranda Grana went 1:53.25 against Cincinnati in December – her first-ever swim of the event. Shackell then earned her first-career victory in the 100-yard butterfly with a 50.98, making her the third Hoosier under 51 seconds in the event.
Shackell was one of three freshmen to contribute to Indiana’s 400-yard freestyle relay program record, as her 46.98 anchor marked the only split under 47 seconds and finished off a 3:09.81. Classmate Liberty Clark opened the relay in 47.37, followed by senior Kristina Paegle’s 47.26. Freshman Grace Hoeper split 48.20 in the third spot before handing it over to Shackell.
Clark sustained her phenomenal form from the fall, again winning the 50 free (21.83), 100 free (47.26) and 200 freestyle (1:42.10) while contributing to both relays. On the men’s side, junior Mikkel Lee made it a Hoosier sweep in the 50 free (19.24) and 100 free (42.34).
Sophomore Miroslav Knedla swept the backstroke events, posting a 45.79 in the 100 back and a 1:40.69 in the 200 back.
On the springboards, senior Maxwell Weinrich posted a 356.78 on 1-meter and a 400.28 on 3-meter to capture both events. On 3-meter, Weinrich posted scores of 72 points or better on three of his six dives. Witte followed suit and displayed consistency in her 3-meter program with scores of 54.00, 54.60, 54.68, 58.80, 58.80 and 65.25.
TEAM SCORES
Women: No. 4 Michigan 154, No. 10 Indiana 146
Men: No. 3 Indiana 187, No. 11 Michigan 113
HOOSIER WINNERS
Women
Liberty Clark – 200 freestyle (1:42.10), 50 freestyle (21.83), 100 freestyle (47.26), 400 freestyle relay (3:10.49)
Miranda Grana – 200 backstroke (1:51.80)
Grace Hoeper – 400 freestyle relay (3:10.49)
Kristina Paegle – 400 freestyle relay (3:10.49)
Alex Shackell – 100 butterfly (50.98), 400 freestyle relay (3:10.49)
Lily Witte – 1-meter (288.15), 3-meter (346.13)
Men
Miroslav Knedla – 100 backstroke (45.79), 200 backstroke (1:40.69), 400 freestyle relay (2:48.84)
Mikkel Lee – 50 freestyle (19.24), 100 freestyle (42.34), 400 freestyle relay (2:48.84)
Owen McDonald – 200 IM (1:43.31)
Raekwon Noel – 400 freestyle relay (2:48.84)
Zalán Sárkány – 1,000 freestyle (8:39.94), 500 freestyle (4:13.65)
Aaron Shackell – 200 freestyle (1:33.99)
Dylan Smiley – 400 freestyle relay (2:48.84)
Maxwell Weinrich – 3-meter (400.28), 1-meter (356.78)
NCAA CUTS
Men’s 200 medley relay (1:35.93); Alexei Avakov – 100 breast (51.69); Josh Bey – 200 breast (1:52.90); Noah Cakir – 200 breast (1:54.60); Liberty Clark – 50 free (21.83), 100 free (47.26), 200 free (1:42.10); Mya DeWitt – 100 back (51.90), 200 back (1:54.79); Miranda Grana – 100 back (50.85), 200 back (1:51.80); Grace Hoeper – 200 free (1:45.49); Miroslav Knedla – 100 back (45.79), 200 back (1:40.69); Mikkel Lee – 50 free (19.24), 100 free (42.34); Raekwon Noel – 100 back (45.93); Kristina Paegle – 50 free (22.04), 100 free (48.40); Zalán Sárkány – 500 free (4:13.65); Alex Shackell – 100 fly (50.98); 200 fly (1:52.98).
NCAA ZONE QUALIFIERS
1-meter: Ella Roselli (286.20), Aiden Sadler (345.53), Joshua Sollenberger (350.85), Maxwell Weinrich (356.78), Lily Witte (288.15)
3-meter: Mary Kate Cavanaugh (281.85), Dash Glasberg (371.85), Ella Roselli (294.15), Aiden Sadler (329.55), Jacob Schade (343.05), Joshua Sollenberger (398.03), Maxwell Weinrich (400.28), Lily Witte (346.13)
UP NEXT
Indiana will finish the regular season hosting dual meets over consecutive weeks inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. The Hoosiers welcome Purdue on January 24 before Louisville comes to town January 30.
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PURDUE WRESTLING
BLAZE DOMINATES TOP-10 SHOWDOWN IN #20 PURDUE’S LOSS AT #7 NEBRASKA
LINCOLN, Neb. — No. 20 Purdue Wrestling lost 36-3 at No. 7 Nebraska on Friday night in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
No. 4 Joey Blaze (165 lbs) took the only match victory of the night for the Boilermakers (7-2, 0-1 B1G), defeating No. 8 LJ Araujo in an 8-2 decision that never felt as close as the score indicates.
Two first-period takedowns for Blaze were wiped off the board after successful challenges from the Nebraska corner, but the All-American junior dictated the match, notching a takedown and reversal midway through. He scrambled out of a failed head pinch for one more takedown in the final seconds for good measure.
The win was Blaze’s first over a top-10 opponent this season and the ninth of his career. He improved to 13-0 with a 42-0 takedown ratio on the year.
No. 16 Brody Baumann also looked impressive in the 174-pound match against 2025 All-American, No. 6 Christopher Minto. The Husker built an early 4-1 lead, but Baumann went on the attack in the second period and scored a takedown and two-point near-fall, nearly pinning Minto on his back. But Minto slithered out and landed the last two takedowns of the match, including the match-clincher with eight seconds to go, winning an 11-8 barnburner.
The Cornhuskers (8-3, 1-0 B1G) feature a talented lineup as the defending NCAA runner-ups from last March. Five bonus point wins, including two falls and three major decisions, propelled them to victory.
UP NEXT
Purdue returns to the East Coast next week for two more Big Ten duals at Maryland and Rutgers. The Boilermakers battle the Terrapins on Friday at 7 p.m. ET before facing the Scarlet Knights on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
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PURDUE TRACK AND FIELD
PURDUE CONCLUDES FIRST DAY IN LOUISVILLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Purdue Track & Field opened the 2026 slate of its schedule on Friday at the Rod McCravy Memorial and had eight top eight finishes.
Men’s Notes
• Seamus Malaski made his collegiate debut and turned in the No. 7 weight throw (20.82m / 68-03.75) in school history. His throw was fifth overall (fourth among collegiate competitors) and was the best out of nine Big Ten athletes.
• Zyan Greene (21.40) and Samuel Vessat (21.42) took fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 200m in their Purdue debuts. Both will conclude their first meet in the Old Gold & Black on Saturday in the 4x400m.
• Elliot Ryba finished tied for fourth in his high jump collegiate debut (2.05m / 6-08.75) after missing his freshman season due to injury.
• Leo Maxwell finished 11th in the weight throw with a personal best 18.53m (60-09.50). He set a new personal standard by 0.61m and it was his best throw since January 2024.
• Kamryn Harry finished 10th in the 60m semis with a personal best 6.79. He improved his placement and time after he was 19th in the prelims in 6.87.
Women’s Notes
• Alexia Smith had Purdue’s top finish in second in the 200m (24.07). She will conclude the opening meet tomorrow in the 4x400m.
• Sullivan ran 8.23 to finish second in the 60mH prelims, followed by an 8.26 to finish fifth in the semis, and qualified for the final on Saturday at 11:40 a.m.
• Britannie Johnson set a personal best in the weight throw (19.16m / 62-10.50) to finish seventh. Her mark entered Purdue’s record book at No. 10.
• Jubilee Felder opened the meet tied for eighth in her collegiate debut in the high jump (1.70m/ 5-07.00). She is the fourth Boilermaker freshman to clear 1.70m in the last 15 seasons.
• Gia Clay joined Smith in the 200m top eight with her seventh-place finish in personal-best fashion (24.27).
• Nelly Sohn qualified for the final spot in the long jump finals and took ninth (5.75m / 18-10.50) in her collegiate debut.
• Alexa Adams finished 16th in the 60mH semis with a personal best 8.46 in her collegiate debut. The time was 0.16 faster than her prelims mark and was 0.03 shy of Purdue’s top 10.
Next Up
Purdue wraps up the Rod McCravy Memorial on Saturday, Jan. 10 starting with the women’s shot put at 10:30 a.m.
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PURDUE SWIMMING AND DIVING
PURDUE WINS 16 OF 17 EVENTS VS. SIU
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A quartet of Boilermakers all won multiple individual events as Purdue Men’s Swimming & Diving was victorious in all but one of the 17 events contested, cruising to a 207-103 victory vs. Southern Illinois in dual meet action Friday at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center.
Jānis Dzirkalis (50 and 100 free), Jonny Hinnes (500 and 1650 free), Blake Rowe (100 and 200 back) and Evan Mackesy (200 and 400 IM) all won multiple individual events as the Boilers improved to 4-1 in dual meets this season. Dzirkalis and Rowe continue to lead the team with eight individual event wins apiece this season.
Max Miller and Tyler Wills both posted 420-point lists while teaming up for a sweep of the springboard diving events. Wills moved into 10th place on the program’s all-time leaderboard with his best 3-meter list score (426.90) as a Boilermaker, a mark that doubled as a team season best. Holden Higbie registered season-best 400-point lists on both 1-meter and platform (non-scored exhibition). He moved into ninth place all-time on 1-meter (411.75).
Hines posted a pair of season-best times in the distance events and his first two collegiate event wins. Fellow freshmen Jonah Lee (100 breast) and Biko Hooper-Haviland (200 fly) were also victorious in their premier events Friday. The 100 butterfly was the only event Purdue did not win.
Headlined by having the top six finishers on 1-meter, the Boilermakers went 1-2-3 in five events and enjoyed six more 1-2 showings. Dzirkalis and Nathaniel Thomas finished 1-2 in both freestyle sprints; Rowe and Dylan Burau did likewise in both backstroke events.
Dzirkalis also contributed to both relay winners and has now been part of a team-high 10 relay victories this season.
Purdue’s final home weekend concludes Saturday with the annual Senior Day meet, beginning with the ceremony recognizing 21 student-athletes at 10:30 a.m. The meet starts at 11 a.m. with the Purdue women hosting Illinois and the men’s swimmers competing in a three-team intrasquad.
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PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
#5 PURDUE BATTLES PENN STATE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN MACKEY
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
[5 / 5] Purdue (14-1, 4-0) vs. Penn State (9-6, 0-4)
Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 2 p.m. ET
West Lafayette, Indiana | Mackey Arena (14,876)
TELEVISION: BTN (Jack Kizer, Shon Morris)
RADIO: Purdue Global Radio Network (Rob Blackman, Bobby Riddell)
THE SCENE SETTER
• The middle game of a three-game homestand, the No. 5-ranked Purdue men’s basketball team hosts Penn State in a Saturday afternoon matinee in Mackey Arena at 2 p.m. ET. After topping Washington on Wednesday night, the Boilermakers look to remain undefeated on Saturday against a Penn State that took No. 2-ranked Michigan to the wire on Tuesday night in State College.
• Following the homestand, Purdue heads on its West Coast trip with contests at USC and UCLA.
THE MATCHUP
• Purdue and Penn State will meet for the 62nd time in school history with the Boilermakers owning a 47-14 series lead.
• Penn State won last year’s meeting 81-70 in State College. The Nittany Lions forced 24 turnovers of the No. 8 Boilermakers as Purdue trailed by as many as 27 points.
• Purdue is 24-3 against the Nittany Lions in Mackey Arena, having won 15 of the 16 games played in West Lafayette during the Matt Painter tenure.
• Purdue has scored at least 75 points against Penn State in seven straight home games, dating to Jan. 21, 2017.
• Purdue is 16-1 as a ranked team against Penn State in Mackey Arena, the lone loss coming in Feb. 1999. The Nittany Lions topped No. 17 Purdue, 78-70.
• In each of the last eight meetings (including Saturday), Purdue will have been ranked in the AP Top 10 at the time of the game (6-1 record), including three games as the No. 1 team in America — the most against one opponent.
• Purdue has won three straight at home against Penn State, coming by a combined 45 points (15.0 PPG).
NEWS AND NOTES
• Purdue is coming off an 81-73 win over Washington on Wednesday, the Boilermakers’ sixth win in a row. Purdue led by as many as 23 points midway through the second half, before cruising to its fourth win in as many games in Big Ten play.
• Purdue is 4-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since the 2017-18 season (12-0 start) and for just the third time under head coach Matt Painter (2010-11, 2017-18, 2025-26).
• The Boilermakers are now 14-1 for the third time in the last four years, matching the best 15-game start in school history, now done nine times in school history.
• Over the last four years (since 2022-23), Purdue is 26-3 (.897) during the month of January, the second-best winning percentage in the month nationally (Saint Mary’s, 25-0). Among Big Ten teams, the next best record is Michigan State at 18-8 (.692).
• Purdue is shooting 53.5 percent from the field during its six-game winning streak.
• Purdue has trailed for just 12 minutes and 16 seconds over the last six games (240 minutes), while not trailing in the final 28 minutes of any game during that span.
• Purdue ranks in the top 20 nationally in offensive efficiency (1st), assist / turnover ratio (2nd), assists (5th), 3-point percentage (11th), rebound margin (12th), scoring margin (15th) and field goal percentage (17th).
• Individually, Braden Smith is first in assists, Trey Kaufman-Renn is 17th in double-doubles and rebounding and Daniel Jacobsen is 28th in blocks per game.
• Purdue’s next home win will be the 150th Big Ten home win under Matt Painter. He enters the Penn State game with a 149-37 (.801) record in Mackey Arena against Big Ten foes.
• A win over Penn State would give Purdue a pair of win streaks of at least seven games this season. In two of the previous three years (2022-23, 2023-24), Purdue has owned multiple seven-game win streaks during the course of those seasons. Prior to this current stretch, the last time Purdue had multiple seven-game win streaks came in the 2010-11 season.
• Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Purdue is 93-14 (.869) in Big Ten play in Mackey Arena — the second-best home record among all Power-5 schools (Kansas – 91-10; .901).
• Purdue is 44-1 when holding teams under 70 points since the start of the 2023-24 season.
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NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
THREE SELECTED TO JANUARY US NATIONAL TEAM CAMP
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomores Blake Kelly and Ian Shaul and incoming freshman Evan Lim have been selected to the rosters of the upcoming U.S. National Team combined training camp. The camp is set to take place January 10-16 at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona.
Kelly and Shaul are on the U-20 men’s roster while Lim will represent the Fighting Irish on the U-18 men’s roster.
The combined camp is part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
Blake and Shaul are coming off a season where the two helped lead the Irish to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Michigan in the first round.
Kelly started all 20 matches in goal for the Irish during the 2025 campaign, totaling 71 saves while allowing 25 goals for a .740 save percentage. The sophomore recorded five or more saves in seven matches this past season.
Shaul started every match for Notre Dame during his sophomore season in the midfield. Shaul recorded three assists on the year, coming against Louisville, Michigan and Hope.
Lim is coming to the Irish from NYCFC Academy and will enroll in classes and be on the team this spring semester. Lim is a midfielder who played in 19 matches for NYCFC II in 2025, posting two goals and two assists.
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NOTRE DAME HOCKEY
HOCKEY FALLS AT #1/1 MICHIGAN
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A three-goal second period for the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines proved to be too much for the Notre Dame hockey team Friday night as they dropped a 5-2 battle to the home team inside Yost Ice Arena.
At the first media break of the night the score remained knotted at zero, with Nicholas Kempf boasting six saves in the first seven minutes on top of ND’s four shots on goal. The sophomore netminder made another huge save shortly after the break after an uncontested two-man rush up the ice for the Wolverines was padded aside by Kempf with 12:40 to go in the opening period.
The Irish were called for the first infraction of the night, a cross check deep in the Irish zone, with nine minutes left in the first frame. With Wolverines took advantage of the opportunity just 57 seconds into their powerplay, tucking a loose puck past a sprawled out Kempf after he made the initial save on the play.
The score remained 1-0 through the end of the first period with a scrum late sending both teams to the box to start the second stanza.
Michigan extended their lead to two goals early in the second frame when a shot beat Kempf over the glove to make it a 2-0 game. The top-ranked Wolverines would net two more before the end of the frame to make it a 4-0 contest but a late period goal from Niko Jovanovic got the Irish on the board with their first goal of 2026.
After a tussle to end the second consecutive period, the Irish saw their first powerplay chance of the night going into the third.
The Irish were unable to convert on the man-advantage to start the third as they continued to trail the home Wolverines.
Brennan Ali cut the UM lead to two with a rebound in front of the net at 6:41 of the final frame, making it a 4-2 contest with just over 13 minutes to go in regulation.
Cole Knuble had a chance to draw the Irish within one at 12:15 of the third period, creating an odd-man rush with Pano Fimis but his shot was gloved down by the Wolverine netminder, Jack Ivankovic to keep it a two-goal contest.
The Irish rang it off the post with 4:30 to play in the contest when Maddox Fleming’s beat the UM goaltender but ricocheted back into play after hitting the far pipe.
With just over three minutes to go in the third, the Irish opted for the extra attacker as they looked to close the 4-2 gap inside Yost Ice Arena. A race to the puck after it wound up in the neutral zone found the rubber chipped up in the air by a Wolverine attacker and end up in the empty net to make it a 5-2 final.
GOALS
Maddox Fleming carried the puck along the deep boards before find Drew Mackie at the point who centered a pass who stood in the slot. Niko Jovanovic picked up the Mackie pass and ripped a wrister into the back of the net to get the Irish on the board late in the second period. The goal was Jovanovic’s first of the year while Mackie earned his first collegiate point with the primary assist on the play.
Junior forward Brennan Ali made his return to the lineup Friday night, finding the back of the net partway through the third period for his fourth goal of the season. Paul Fischer’s shot from the point bounced through the crease and out, catching the tape of Ali’s stick who buried the rebound shot at 6:41. Axel Kumlin was credited with the second assist on the play.
UP NEXT
The Irish and Wolverines close out the regular season series Saturday night with a 7pm puck drop set for B1G+.
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NOTRE DAME SWIMMING AND DIVING
NOTRE DAME EDGED OUT AT KENTUCKY
LEXINGTON, Ken. — Just before returning to campus for the start of second semester, the Notre Dame men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs made a pitstop in Lexington for a dual meet against Kentucky. While the Irish won 10 events on the day — six on the women’s side, four on the men’s side — Notre Dame ultimately fell to the Wildcats in both meets. Kentucky earned a 158-141 victory against the women and a 187-112 win over the men. Both Notre Dame and Kentucky’s men’s teams entered the meet receiving votes in the CSCAA Top 25.
On the women’s side, the Irish started and ended the meet with victories in the 400 medley (Emily Hamill, Julieta Tracy, Carli Cronk, Hollie Widdows) and 200 free relays (Widdows, Kate Simon, Becky Rentz, Hamill), respectively.
Notre Dame dominated in the sprint freestyle events, with sophomore Widdows taking gold in both the 50 and 100 free (22.68/49.23). Freshman Rentz won the 100 fly, while sophomore Cronk won the 200 fly (1:56.87) and took second in the 100 fly (53.70) and 200 free (1:48.39). Rentz also placed second in the 100 free behind Widdows with a time of 50.12.
Of the men’s four wins on the day, two of them came in the backstroke events by Marcus Reyes-Gentry. The Mexican National Team member won the 100 with a time of 45.69 and the 200 with a time of 1:43.92.
Sophomore Jeremy Kelly also won the 200 free (1:35.93), and rookie diver Matthew Wong won the 1-meter (337.43), the first dual meet win of his collegiate career.
Additionally, sophomore Shane Eckler narrowly missed victories in both sprint freestyle events, taking second in the 50 and the 100 (19.77/43.82).
Up next, Notre Dame closes out its home slate for the season with the Tim Welsh Invite at the Rolfs Aquatic Center. The meet will have three sessions on Jan. 23-24, including a Senior Day celebration on Saturday.
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BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BULLDOGS HEAD TO NEW YORK CITY TO FACE ST. JOHN’S
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler Bulldogs will travel to New York City on Saturday, Jan. 10 to face the St. John’s Red Storm in a BIG EAST matchup. Tip-off at Carnesecca Arena is slated for 2 p.m. and the game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
Time: 2 PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.
Live Stats: Butlersports.com
Watch: ESPN+
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
Butler (7-9, 1-5 BE) is coming off a 63-46 setback against Georgetown on Wednesday evening. McKenna Johnson led the way for Butler with 11 points and added two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Lily Zeinstra leads the BU offense, averaging 9.4 points per game. The sophomore is shooting 43.8-percent from the floor and 34.5-percent from beyond the arc. Dotsey leads the squad on the glass, pulling down 5.3 rebounds per game.
Butler’s two freshmen, Baxter and Anna Wypych, have been solid contributors this season for BU averaging 19.7 and 16.4 minutes per game, respectively. Baxter, a 2025 Indiana All-Star from Columbia City is averaging 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game. She is shooting 40.2-percent from the floor and is shooting 76.6-percent from the charity stripe. Wypych posts 5.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. The Michigan native has been impressive from the floor, shooting 47.5-percent while sinking 40.4-percent of her shots from behind the arc.
Dotsey, Saniya Jackson and Mallory Miller have all been pivotal pieces for Butler, averaging 8.8, 9.2 and 8.7 points per game, respectively. Dotsey was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 22 after leading Butler to its first conference win of the season over Xavier with 25 points in the contest. Miller earned a nod to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 15. Miller averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game in a 2-0 week for Butler.
BU is in the top 100 nationally in free throw percentage (75.4%; 51st) and is third in the BIG EAST in free throws made per game averaging 12.25 makes per contest.
Butler had six players score in double figures against Dayton on Nov. 28 (Lily Zeinstra 19, Anna Wypych 12, Caroline Dotsey 12, Saniya Jackson 11, Mallory Miller 10 and Nevaeh Jackson 10). That was the first time Butler has had six players in double figures in the last 15 seasons. The last time Butler had six score in double digits was Dec. 12, 2010, when Butler defeated Ball State 105-98.
Butler returns three letterwinners from a year ago and added nine new players to the team with the addition of seven transfers and two freshmen.
Austin Parkinson enters his fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs. Parkinson has led the squad to 42 wins in his first three seasons.
SCOUTING ST. JOHN’S
St. John’s (13-4, 3-3 BE) is coming off a 88-43 defeat to No.1 UConn on Wednesday afternoon. Beautiful Waheed led the way for SJU with 14 points on an efficient 5-for-9 shooting performance from the floor.
Brooke Moore leads the SJU offense averaging 13.9 points per game. Moore also leads the team on the glass pulling down 5.6 rebounds per game while adding 1.3 assists and 1.4 blocks.
Joe Tartamella is in his 14th season at the helm of the Red Storm. Tartamella boasts a 239-173 record as a head coach and is the winningest coach in St. John’s women’s basketball history.
2025-26 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TICKETS: Season tickets remain on sale, providing the best seating locations still available for the upcoming season. Contact the Butler Ticket Office at tickets@butler.edu or 317-940-DOGS (3647) to place your order. Single-game tickets for the 2025-26 Butler Women’s Basketball season are available through ButlerSports.com/BuyTickets.
Butler University Upgrades Iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse with Dynamic LED Video
Technology consultant Anthony James Partners (AJP) provided design, procurement, and construction administration services for the upgrades, supporting Butler in selecting SNA Displays to manufacture and install more than 2,700 square feet of LED video display technology, including a center hung display system, baseline LED ribbons, multiple courtside tables, and other digital signage.
The centerpiece of the project is a new LED center hung display consisting of four curved, 14-foot-tall video screens seamlessly connected to create a continuous 360-degree video surface. Each side features a 4 mm pixel pitch for increased pixel density and clarity. The center hung also includes custom static lettering along the top ring of the structure and a team-branded Bulldog logo facing downward toward the playing surface.
Other video signage includes 3-foot-high LED ribbons along the second-level fascia at both ends of the Fieldhouse, two 19-foot-long vomitory displays between the second and third levels, and eight new courtside mobile scorer’s tables equipped with LED screens. For recruitment and training purposes, the project also features two new ASPECT™ all-in-one 16:9 video screens from SNA Displays in an adjacent practice facility, directly integrated into the new control management system.
UP NEXT
Butler will return to Indianapolis to face the Providence Friars on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Tip-off at Hinkle Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7 p.m. and fans can enjoy the BIG EAST Road Trip festivities that will be going on pregame in the Efroymson Family Gym.
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IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL SILENCED IN ROAD LOSS AT GREEN BAY
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team’s offense went silent as the Jaguars were upended at Green Bay on Friday night (Jan. 9), 75-59. The Jaguars shot just 32 percent from the field and 8-of-34 (23.5 percent) from three in the road loss.
Green Bay (9-8, 4-2 HL) reeled off a fourth straight Horizon League win and earned a series sweep of the Jaguars.
Jaxon Edwards led the Jaguars with 18 points and six rebounds and Kyler D’Augustino finished with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Aiden Miller joined them in double-figures with 11 points. Preston Ruedinger led the victors with 24 points and Lebron Thomas added 16 points, fueled by a 10-of-13 effort at the free throw line.
Green Bay outscored the Jaguars 21-7 at the free throw line as the Jags were saddled with 22 personals against the Phoenix’s 12 fouls.
An already chilly first half went ice cold for the Jaguars over the final five-plus minutes, essentially moving the momentum in favor of the Phoenix. An Edwards two-handed dunk made it 25-24 with 5:22 to play before halftime, but the Jaguars proceeded to miss their final seven field goal attempts and a pair of foul shots for good measure as Green Bay closed the half on a 13-0 run, building a 38-24 lead. Green Bay proceeded to score the opening four points of the second half to push the lead to 18 before Miller sank a three, stopping a seven-minute scoring drought.
After trailing by as many as 20 in the second half, the Jaguars used a late 12-2 burst to get within 10 at 66-56 with 2:23 to play. Green Bay’s C.J. O’Hara ended any suspense with a corner three to cap his 14-point performance.
Freshman Maguire Mitchell finished with six points for the Jaguars and senior Finley Woodward contributed four points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Jags will cap the two-game road trip at Milwaukee on Sunday (Jan. 11) with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off against the Panthers. Sunday’s game will be aired on ESPN+ and can be heard in Central Indiana on 1430 Indy’s Sports Ticket as Jimmy Cook (pxp) calls the action.
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IU INDY SWIMMING AND DIVING
JAGS START OFF STRONG AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The IU Indianapolis Jaguars opened their two-day weekend at Youngstown State with a strong start, claiming victories on both the women’s and men’s side.
They started the match off with wins in the 400 medley relays. The women’s squad touched first with a time of 3:48.10, while the men followed with a winning effort of 3:11.50 to set the tone early for the Jaguars.
IU Indy continued its success in the pool with standout performances in individual events. On the women’s side, Bella Tufts captured first place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:51.91, while Aubrey Hollis delivered a sweep of the backstroke events, winning the 100 back in 55.20 and the 200 back in 2:00.78. Luca McGee also impressed in the sprint freestyle races, earning victories in both the 50 free (23.96) and the 100 free (51.82).
The Jaguars were equally dominant in breaststroke events. Vicky Surdyka led the women with a win in the 100 breast, touching the wall in 1:03.86, while Sadie Leininger secured first place in the 200 breast with a time of 2:21.37. On the men’s side, Logan Kelly swept the breaststroke races, winning the 100 breast in 53.04 and the 200 breast in 1:54.28.
In distance and backstroke events for the men, IU Indy continued to rack up wins. Michael Esdon claimed first place in the 1650 free with a time of 15:49.56, while Grayson Tidwell won the 100 back in 49.64. Jack Gallob added another victory for the Jaguars by taking the 200 back in 1:48.74, and Nathan Rariden closed out the swimming wins with a first-place finish in the 500 free at 4:30.85.
The Jaguars also dominated on the diving boards. Alaina Heyde earned the top spot in the women’s 3-meter dive with a score of 248.48, while Blake Vanderjeugdt led the men’s 1-meter competition, posting a winning score of 289.43 to round out a successful day for IU Indianapolis.
The Jags will return to the pool tomorrow, when they close out the weekend at 10:00 AM.
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IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOSTS RAIDERS ON SUNDAY
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy women’s basketball team returns to the Jungle this weekend as they host the Wright State Raiders on Sunday, January 11. The Jaguars and Raiders are set for a 1:00 PM tipoff.
The last time out, IU Indy fell on the road, dropping a 71–46 decision to the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons in the Gates Sports Center. PFW controlled the tempo throughout the contest while the Jags’ offense struggled early. Hailey Smith led the Jags with 11 points and eight rebounds.
IU Indy puts forth a nagging defense, leading the Horizon League in steals and turnovers. The Jags strip the ball 11.8 times per game, forcing 22.1 turnovers per game. Sydney Bolden leads the way defensively with 2.1 steals per game. IU Indy also ranks at the top of the league in free throw attempts with 24.3 per game, which puts them at tenth in the nation. Although they lead the Horizon League in attempts, the Jags sit in tenth for free throw percentage with a .668 mark. With 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, the Jags sit at second in the conference for second chance points opportunities.
IU Indy returned five from last year’s roster with Neveah Foster leading the returning group. Foster has already shown her IU Indy experience, leading the Jags in scoring with 12.3 points per game. She adds 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Foster is one of two Jags to start every game this season with Hailey Smith joining her in every starting lineup.
Twins Hailey and Olivia Smith transferred to IU Indy after spending two seasons at Ball State and have made an immediate impact on the court. Hailey is second on the team in scoring with 9.9 points per game and leads in rebounding with 6.2 per game while her sister Olivia adds 8.8 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game. The dynamic duo from Fishers, Indiana have started in every game but two together, as Olivia Smith came off the bench in back-to-back games in December.
Coach Kate Bruce’s squad was picked to finish tenth in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, just ahead of Oakland. The Jags will look to fight their way through the Horizon League in hopes of outdoing their preseason rank. They are currently sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 1-5 mark in Horizon League play.
Wright State enters the weekend with a 6-11 overall record and a 2-4 mark in Horizon League play with wins over Oakland and Detroit Mercy. The Raiders lead the all-time series at 15-10 but the Jags have cut the deficit, taking the last two matchups.
Tipoff is set for 1:00 PM inside the Jungle.
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BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYING AT UMASS SATURDAY AFTERNOON
The Ball State men’s basketball team is set to play at UMass on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the first of two straight away games.
The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+, while Mick Tidrow and David Eha handle the radio call on WMUN 92.5 FM / 1340 AM and on the WMUN app. Links to both broadcasts and live stats can be found above and on the schedule page.
Ball State (4-11, 0-3 Mid-American Conference) got 15 points from Armoni Zeigler and 13 from Elmore James IV but fell 74-52 to Eastern Michigan at home on Tuesday night.
UMass (9-7, 0-4 MAC) dropped its third straight game with an 86-83 setback on Tuesday at Ohio. The Minutemen have also lost to Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green in their first season in the MAC but boast wins over Atlantic Coast Conference opponents Boston College (76-74 on Dec. 10) and Florida State (103-95 on Dec. 13).
Frank Martin is in his fourth season as the head coach in Amherst after previously coaching at South Carolina and Kansas State. UMass was picked to finish fifth in the MAC preseason poll after going 12-20 (7-11 Atlantic 10) last season in its final campaign in the A10.
The Minutemen lead the league in 3-point defense (27.7 percent, No. 9 in NCAA Division I), rebounding margin (+7.0) and rebounds per game (38.9) while ranking second in the MAC and No. 30 nationally in assists per game (18.1).
Graduate forward Leonardo Bettiol (16.1 points per game) and graduate guard Marcus Banks Jr. (15.8) have the eighth and ninth-best scoring averages in the MAC. Bettiol leads the league in field goal percentage (60.3) and ranks sixth with 7.4 rebounds per game, while Banks is second in the conference in 3-pointers made (46) and third in 3-point shooting (36.5 percent). Freshman guard Danny Carbuccia has tallied the most assists in MAC and 24th-most nationally with 92.
The Cardinals’ next game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday night game at Akron.
WELCOME TO THE MAC: Ball State plays league newcomer UMass on Saturday for the first of two games in the first season in the league for the Minutemen.
UMass makes the return trip to Worthen Arena for a game on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The two teams have faced off only once prior, in an 89-86 Ball State win on Nov. 21, 2021 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
EFFICIENT ELMORE: Senior guard Elmore James IV has scored in double figures in four straight games including 13 points on Tuesday night against Eastern Michigan.
Ball State’s most experienced Mid-American Conference veteran has stepped up his production in MAC play as he is averaging 14.7 points per game on 46.9 percent (15-32) shooting from the field and has made each of his eight free throw attempts.
FINE FROM THE LINE: Ball State hit north of 80 percent of its free throw attempts for a second straight game, going 13-for-15 (86.7 percent) from the line on Tuesday night vs Eastern Michigan a game after making 82.6 percent (19-23) of its free throw attempts last Saturday at Buffalo.
The most recent time the Cardinals shot that well from the foul line was March 4, 2025 against Central Michigan with a 91.7 percent (11-12) mark. Ball State’s last game shooting over 80 percent from the line on at least 20 attempts before the game with Buffalo was Feb. 11, 2025 in an overtime win against Eastern Michigan (89.3 percent, 25-for-28).
MAC-SBC MATCHUP ANNOUNCED: Ball State will face Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Feb. 7 in the second leg of the MAC-Sun Belt Conference.
The Cardinals faced the other Sun Belt team from the Bayou State in the season opener, as they beat the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 75-64 on Nov. 3 in Muncie.
HISTORIC NIGHT: Ball State held an opponent to 30 points or fewer for the first time in almost 80 years in the 93-30 win over Earlham on Dec. 29.
The last time the Cardinals limited a team to that low of a scoring output was in a Jan. 14, 1946 win at Wabash (37-30). Ball State’s most recent home game preventing a team from surpassing the 30-point threshold was on Jan. 20, 1945 in a 47-24 decision against Anderson.
Earlham’s eight points in the first half were the fewest by any team, in any classification, against an NCAA Division I opponent this season. Kennesaw State and Hofstra held opponents to 10 points in the opening period of games earlier this season.
8 – Earlham at Ball State, 12/29/25
10 – SUNY-Old Westbury at Hofstra, 12/10/25
10 – Paine at Kennesaw State, 11/3/25
The 30 total points allowed are tied for the fourth-fewest by any team, in any classification, against a Division I opponent this season.
23 – Rosemont at Navy, 12/21/25 (Half: 35-12; Final: 70-23)
23 – SUNY-Old Westbury at Hofstra, 12/10/25 (Half: 47-10; Final: 92-23)
29 – Maryland-Eastern Shore at Georgia, 11/5/25 (Half: 43-17; Final: 94-29)
30 – Earlham at Ball State, 12/29/25 (Half: 48-8; Final: 93-30)
30 – College of Biblical Studies at UTSA, 11/5/25 (Half: 56-18; Final: 97-30)
30 – Paine at Kennesaw State, 11/3/25 (Half: 60-10; Final: 105-30)
MORE FROM MONDAY: Ball State’s 63-point margin of victory over the Quakers was the highest since a 70-point decision on Nov. 7, 2022 against Earlham as well (109-39).
YOUNG GUYS WITH CAREER HIGHS: A trio of underclassmen set career highs in the Dec. 29 win against Earlham.
Freshman Preston Copeland went for 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field, while sophomore Kody Clancy posted collegiate bests in points (11) and assists (five). Freshman forward
Easton Foster tallied six points and four rebounds in a career-high 12 minutes of playing time.
BENCH SCORING IN BUNCHES: Ball State’s bench scored a season-high 48 points against the RedHawks, surpassing the 40-point mark in bench scoring for the second time this season (44 vs Le Moyne). The Cardinals’ bench did this a third time when it produced 44 points on Dec. 29 vs Earlham.
James IV (20 points) scored nearly half of those against Miami followed by Kayden Fish (10), Armoni Zeigler (7), Juwan Maxey (7) and Jai Anthoni Bearden (4).
DOUBLE DIGIT STEALS: Ball State collected 10 steals on Dec. 9 against South Dakota State, making it the fourth time this season the Cardinals have had 10+ steals in a game.
Ball State also had double figures in that category against Mansfield (11) and Little Rock (10) in November and on Dec. 3 at Evansville. This is the first time since the 2019-20 season that the Cardinals have had four non-conference games with 10+ steals.
CARDINALS CLAMPING DOWN ON DEFENSE: Ball State is first in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (69.2 points per game), second in fewest fouls committed per game (15.5) and third in steals per game (7.8) through the season’s first 15 contests.
TV GAME AT WORTHEN ARENA: The game against Ohio originally scheduled for Jan. 17 in Muncie has been moved to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 due to it being aired on CBS Sports Network.
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BALL STATE MEN’S TENNIS
MEN’S TENNIS SET TO OPEN SPRING SLATE AT INDIANA SATURDAY
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s tennis team will open its spring schedule Saturday when it plays at Indiana University. The match is set to begin a 4 pm ET at the IU Tennis Center in Bloomington.
“Our team is excited to kick off the season with a great opponent in Indiana,” Ball State first-year head men’s tennis coach Gene Orland said. “We have had a great week of preparation and we are playing well! The score card may tilt heavy in Indiana’s favor but there’s no doubt we can compete with anyone and we are up for the challenge.”
The Cardinals begin a new era under Orlando. Orlando who is a former Ball State men’s tennis standout and hall of famer, was announced as Ball State’s head coach on June 30, 2025 after former head coach Bill Richardsannounced his retirement after 53 years at the helm of the men’s tennis program.
Orlando has spent the last three seasons as Richards’ assistant coach. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Orlando was the head coach at Michigan State for 31 seasons before retiring after the 2022 campaign. The winningest men’s tennis coach in MSU history, with 361 victories, he was also the longest-tenured men’s tennis coach in the Big Ten Conference.
Ball State returns five players from last year’s squad, Jenson Bicanic, Broc Fletcher, Drew Hayward, Jacks Lancaster, and Anthony Shalakov along with welcoming five newcomers, Andrei Caragea, Nolan Hayward, Zack Kimelman, Jeremy Milette, and Ryan Richards.
After this weekend, the Cardinals will host Xavier on Jan. 17 at noon at the Cardinals’ new indoor tennis facility, First Serve Muncie which is located at 3500 N Chadam Lane.
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BALL STATE GYMNASTICS
GYMNASTICS OPENS 2026 SEASON SUNDAY WITH SQUISHMALLOWS DAY
» THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE GYMNASTICS: The Ball State gymnastics team opens the 2026 season Sunday when it welcomes Rutgers and Western Michigan to Worthen Arena for Squishmallows Day … Action begins at 1 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ for those unable to attend.
» MORE ABOUT SQUISHMALLOWS DAY: The Cardinals encourage fans to bring their favorite fluff-filled friends and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of gymnastics action … Ball State student-athletes will throw out Squishmallows to fans throughout the day, including for each routine hitting 9.750-or-higher … In addition, there will be a post-meet autograph session on the Worthen Arena concourse.
» UPCOMING HOME PROMOTIONS:
Jan. 18 – K-Pop Demon Hunters Day – The first 150 fans in attendance will receive a free light stick … K-Pop Demon Hunter themed music and elements throughout the day … Post-meet autograph session.
Feb. 8 – Alumni & Sports Crossover Day – The Cardinals will celebrate alumni and other Ball State Athletics programs in attendance at the meet … Crossover features will be shared throughout the meet … Post-meet autograph session.
Feb. 15 – Senior & Life As A Gym Girl Day – Ball State will honor its four-member senior class at the conclusion of the competition … Inspired by the music of Taylor Swift, the Cardinals will celebrate the strength of female athletes … Post-meet autograph session.
» 2025 SEASON REWIND:
– Junior Ashley Szymanski wrapped up the 2025 season by earning her second consecutive individual appearance at the NCAA Regional Championships … She competed on bars for the Cardinals at the Alabama Regional, scoring a 9.775 to place 17th among the 27 bars competitors in the first session of the second round … Her score was the best among the three individual bars competitors in the session.
– Szymanski earned First Team All-MAC honors and MAC Specialist of the Year after leading the league with a bars NQS of 9.875 during the regular season … The effort ranked 67th nationally, which earned her an individual spot into NCAA Regional competition … A two-time MAC Specialist of the Week honoree last season, Szymanski turned in a season-best 9.900 to win the bars competition in Ball State’s dual victory over Northern Illinois (March 2) … She also tallied six scores of 9.875, including her effort to win the individual title at the MAC Championships, which was 0.050 ahead of the next closest competitor.
– Senior Zoe Middleton earned her second straight NCAA Regional individual appearance after ranking 55th nationally with an all-around NQS of 39.155 … Unfortunately, she was unable to compete in Tuscaloosa (or at the MAC Championships) due to injury … A four-time MAC Gymnast of the Week last season, Middleton finished the regular season ranked second in the MAC in all-around NQS at 39.115 … She turned in the MAC’s top all-around performance of the season in the win over NIU, earning a 39.500 with scores of 9.900 on vault, beam and floor … Middleton also earned First Team All-MAC honors after leading the league with a floor NQS of 9.890 … Middleton’s effort on floor included winning the event in six of BSU’s 11 regular season meets and posting four scores of 9.900.
– Ball State finished the regular season ranked third in the MAC and 45th nationally with an NQS of 195.470 … The Cardinals scored a season-best 196.900 in the March 2, 2025 dual victory over Northern Illinois which was the highest team score by a MAC school last season and tied as the third-best score in program history … Overall, the Cardinals earned 19 total scores of 9.800-or-higher in the win, including six of at least 9.900.
– The NIU dual also saw junior Delaney McMahon’s tie the program record on beam with a 9.925, helping the Cardinals tie the program’s all-time team beam record with a team score of 49.350 … The effort also included a 9.900 from Middleton, 9.850s from both junior Lindsay Fuller and then-senior Grace Sumner, and a 9.825 from Szymanski.
– The Cardinals produced 101 scores of 9.800-or-better during the 2025 season … Of the total, 31 came on floor, 26 on bars, 23 on beam and 21 on vault … Ball State earned 11 scores of at least 9.900, including a 9.925 from then-senior Suki Pfister on vault at Kent State (March 9, 2025) and McMahon’s 9.925 on beam to tie the program record versus Northern Illinois … Middleton earned six scores of 9.900, with one on vault, one on beam and four on floor.
NEWS & NOTES ENTERING 2026
» MIDDLETON BACK FOR MORE: Senior Zoe Middleton enters the 2026 season having seen 122 of her 133 competitive routines count in Ball State’s final team score over her illustrious career … One of just four gymnasts in program history to register a perfect 10, she has recorded 20 routines of 9.900-or-better … She holds the program record in the all-around (39.750) and on bars (10.00), is tied for sixth on vault (9.950), tied for ninth on floor (9.925) and tied for ninth on beam (9.900) … Middleton’s solid gymnastics has helped the Cardinals register the top 11 team scores in program history, along with 19 of the top 21 over the past three seasons.
» POINTS AND WINS: Middleton also enters the 2026 season as Ball State’s active points leader, at 1,328.850, and active event wins leader, at 32 … She has claimed 12 floor wins, 11 all-around victories and three wins each on vault, bars and beam over her collegiate career.
» MORE SENIORS TO WATCH: Both seniors Mary Rose Bellan and Alauna Simms made impacts in the Ball State lineup last season … Bellan ranked second on the squad and 10th in the MAC with a bars NQS of 9.815 … She picked up her first collegiate bars victory with a career-high tying 9.850 at Kent State (March 9) … Simms made her collegiate debut on floor last season, including picking up her first collegiate victory with a career-best 9.900 versus Northern Illinois (March 2).
» HOLDING DOWN THE BARS & BEAM: We know junior Ashley Szymanski returns as one of the league’s top bars specialists, having won the bars competition in 12 of her previous 27 collegiate meets … However, she has also been a staple on beam for the Cardinals, leading the squad and ranking eighth in the MAC with a 9.810 beam NQS last season … She picked up her first individual beam victory last season with a 9.850 versus Central Michigan (Feb. 9) and scored 9.750-or-better in all 12 of her beam routines.
» MOLINA MAKING NOISE: Junior Ava Molina made a big impact for the Cardinals last season, scoring 9.725-or-higher in 23 of her 36 competitive routines … She scored a career-high 9.825 on floor at the EMU Golden Girls Classic (Jan. 17) and a career-best 9.825 on beam at Kent State (March 9) … She also scored a season-best 9.800 on bars in BSU’s first trip to Ypsilanti … She owns a career-best bars score of 9.900 which she set on her way to winning the event as a freshman at Eastern Michigan (March 17, 2024).
» ANOTHER RECORD SETTER: Junior Delaney McMahon made her competitive debut on beam at Missouri (Jan. 3) last season, tying for BSU’s second-best score with a 9.775 … Overall, she competed on beam in nine meets for the Cardinals and tied the program record with a 9.925 to claim her first collegiate event victory versus Northern Illinois (March 2) … She finished the season ranked 18th in the MAC with a 9.775 beam NQS.
» MORE IMPACT MAKERS IN 2026:
– Junior Lindsay Fuller has competed on beam in 12 meets for the Cardinals over her collegiate career, including winning the event with a career-best 9.875 at the 2025 Ball State Tri (Jan. 26) … She also added a 9.850 on beam versus Northern Illinois (March 2) as part of Ball State’s record-tying effort.
– Junior Lindsay Girard made her competitive debut on both floor (9.550) and vault (9.625) at Missouri (Jan. 3) last season … She vaulted in all 12 meets and competed on floor 10 times, earning career-best scores of 9.825 in both events … She even picked up her first collegiate victory with a 9.800 on vault at Eastern Michigan (March 14).
– Sophomore Karli Mercer made her collegiate debut with a 9.725 on vault at Missouri (Jan. 3) last season … She has competed in all 12 meets and earned a career-best 9.825 versus Northern Illinois (March 2) … She also made her beam debut with a career-high 9.725 at Towson (Feb. 21).
– Sophomore Jordanna Phillis was the last Ball State gymnast to make her collegiate debut in 2025, competing on both bars (9.775) and vault (9.625) at EMU’s Golden Girls Classic (Jan. 17) … She owns three 9.775s on bars and a career-best 9.775 on vault … Of her 10 competitive routines, nine have counted in the final team score.
» WHO WILL BE NEXT TO SHINE: While the Cardinals return several of its top performers from last season, there is still plenty of room for new faces to make some noise … Looking at the charts, Ball State has six returning competitors on beam, five on bars and four each on vault and floor.
» A BRILLIANT START: One freshman who has already stood out this season is Carley Stalder who was named to the MAC Gymnasts To Watch list … During the team’s annual Red & White Meet, Stalder tied for the best individual score of the meet with a 9.850 on floor … She also turned in the team’s best vault score, at 9.825, and earned a 9.800 on beam.
» RECORDS UNDER SALEEM:
– In the program’s first 12 seasons under head coach Joanna Saleem, Ball State has tallied the 40 best team scores in program history … In fact, of Ball State’s 45 scores of 195.450-or-higher, 43 have been set by Saleem’s squads.
– Saleem’s squads own the event records on all four apparatus: vault (49.375), bars (49.775), beam (49.350) and floor (49.625).
– All 48 team entries in the vault record book are held by Saleem’s teams, as are 34 of 41 scores on bars, 31 of 37 scores on floor and 29 of 34 scores on beam.
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BALL STATE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
CAREER BESTS LIFT MVB OVER MISSOURI S&T
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s volleyball program came out on top in the first of two weekend contests, seeing a 3-1 (26-28, 25-22, 25-24, 25-20) victory over Missouri S&T inside Worthen Arena Friday evening.
Opposite Ryan Louis had a career night versus the Miners (0-1, 0-0 GLVC), tallying 25 kills on an efficient .537 clip and grounding the Cardinals’ (2-0,0-0 MIVA) defense with five blocks and nine digs. His total tonight marked the second 20-kill performance of his career.
Preseason MIVA Player of the Year Patrick Rogers completed 16 kills, including two service aces, along with seven digs. Wil Basilio earned his first career double-double, totaling 11 kills and 10 digs, accompanied by three total blocks. Basilio hit .409 on the evening.
Lucas Machado matched his career-high assist total, being rewarded with 54, a mark he first met against Purdue Fort Wayne last season (Feb. 6). Machado also finished with four kills and an ace.
Missouri S&T came out of the gate with intensity in the first set, getting up to a 5-1 lead before the Cardinals tied it 8-8, thanks to the barrage of kills from Louis and Rogers and Basilio. The two teams traded blows, making for eight lead changes, but 12 striking errors led to the Miners taking the first set.
Service and attack errors throughout sets two and four kept the match close. Ball State totaled 22 service and 16 attack errors throughout the evening, compared to the Miners who totaled 14 and 13.
The men’s unit dominated the third set, leading by as much as 14 as Ball State scored nine straight off serves by Braydon Savitski-Lynde. Savitski-Lynde captured two of his team-leading three aces in that stretch.
The Cardinals are back at it tomorrow when they host the New Jersey Institute of Technology at 5 p.m. at Worthen. Tickets are available here. The match will be the first of the 2026 campaign to be broadcasted on ESPN+.
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INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL PREPPED FOR PURPLE ACES ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men’s basketball looks to snap a small two-game skid against the visiting Evansville Purple Aces on Saturday.
Last Time Out
The Sycamores fell to the Bulldogs of Drake University on Sunday, 74-72.
Ian Scott paced five Sycamores in double figures with 16 points, pulling down six rebounds and recording three assists. Scott was a perfect 8-for-8 from the line. Jo Van Buggenhout scored 13 points making 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep, adding in four rebounds and four assists.
The Sycamores shot 45.1% as a team and 37.0% (10-27) from the three. They got back on track from the free throw line, making 16-of-19 (84.2%). Sunday afternoon also marked the second game in a row where all the Sycamores’ shots came inside the paint or beyond the arc. This has occurred three of the last four games (Drake, Northern Iowa, Illinois State).
Series History
The 189th meeting is set between Indiana State and Evansville on Saturday, January 10. The Sycamores hold a 105-84 advantage in the series and an 8-2 record in the last 10 matchups.
Quick Hits
The last three games:
Sterling Young – 56.0% from field (14-25), 46.2% from three (6-13)
Ian Scott averaging 15.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, shooting 55.6% from field (15-27)
Jo Van Buggenhout averaging 5.3 APG.
Team – 47.9% from field, 33.7% from three. Opponents – 50.5% from field, 35.9% from three
Through five games of MVC play:
Ian Scott leads with 17.8 PPG on 57.1% shooting and leads in rebounding with 6.2 RPG.
Jo Van Buggenhout (3.8) and Xavier Hall (3.4) lead in assists per game.
Three-point shooting: Camp Wagner (36.1%, 13-36), Jo Van Buggenhout (30.4%, 7-23), Sterling Young (35.3%, 6-17), Ian Scott (43.8%, 7-16).
From last game:
Indiana State has dished out more assists than their opponents now in three-straight games. The Sycamores have accomplished this 14 games out of 16 this season.
Indiana State enters Saturday second in the league in assists per game (17.5) behind Belmont.
The Sycamores in three of the last four games have finished better than 37.0% from three after making 10-of-27 for 37.0% against Drake.
Up Next
Following Saturday afternoon’s game, the Sycamores will remain in Terre Haute to host Illinois State on Wednesday, January 14 for the annual Blackout Cancer game. Fans are encouraged to wear black to for State Dance Marathon in support of Riley Children’s Hospital. The night will feature a silent auction, Miracle Minute, and a recognition of Riley’s kids and their families.
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PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL
PITTSBURGH REGION IS PURDUE FORT WAYNE’S NEXT STOP
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mastodon men’s basketball team heads to Robert Morris on Sunday (Jan. 11) for a Horizon League contest at Robert Morris. The ‘Dons have won two league games in a row, including a road win at Youngstown State on Wednesday.
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (10-8, 4-3 Horizon League) at Robert Morris (11-6, 3-3 Horizon League)
When: Sunday, January 11 | 2 PM ET
Where: Moon Township, Pa. | UPMC Events Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: 1380 AM
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Robert Morris
Know Your Foe
Robert Morris, the defending champions of the Horizon League, are 3-3 in league this season. They owns wins over Green Bay, Youngstown State and Detroit Mercy. They have losses to Milwaukee, Northern Kentucky and Oakland. DeSean Goode leads the team with 15.0 points and a league-best 9.1 rebounds per game. Isaac Garrett is fourth in the league in boards at 6.9 per game.
Series History
Purdue Fort Wayne leads 6-5. The ‘Dons have won three of the last four contests, but RMU won 76-69 in the last meeting which came in Moon Township.
‘Dons & Ends
// Corey Hadnot II is averaging 20.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals. He is the only player in NCAA Division I men’s basketball averaging 20/4/3/2.
// Purdue Fort Wayne’s 16-point comeback victory vs. Cleveland State (Jan. 4) was the second largest comeback in the program’s NCAA Division I era. The largest comeback victory in program history came in a win at North Dakota State (Jan. 20, 2011) when the ‘Dons rallied back from 18.
// In December, Corey Hadnot II was named to the Lou Henson Award Watch List. The award recognizes the best player in NCAA Mid-Major Division I basketball. The award is given out at the end of the season.
// The Mastodons have nine games this season with single-digit turnovers, including just two vs. Detroit Mercy on Dec. 14.
// Corey Hadnot II is one of only four juniors or seniors in NCAA Division I men’s basketball currently averaging 20 or more points who entered the season never having averaged 10 points in a season. (Cameron Carr, Baylor | Chandler Cuthrell, Elon | MJ Collins, Utah State)
// The win over Notre Dame put the ‘Dons on a four-game win streak. The ‘Dons have now had a winning streak of at least four games in every season since 2009-10 except for one (2017-18). That is 16-of-17 seasons.
// The top two scoring games in the league this season belong to Corey Hadnot II. He had 33 at Oakland (Dec. 3) and 32 at Western Michigan (Nov. 12). Mikale Stevenson’s 29 against Chicago State (Nov. 25) is the seventh best scoring performance in the league this season.
// Through seven league games, Corey Hadnot II is averaging 20.3 points per game in league play, second best in the league.
// Jon Coffman picked up his 200th career victory on Nov. 15 against Boyce. He is the program’s leader in victories.
// DeAndre Craig Jr. has scored double-digits 15-of-18 games this season. He has four games of exactly 18 points this year. He tied a career high with 22 points vs. Oakland.
// Darius Duffy has 86 rebounds on the season, 47 have been on the offensive glass.
// Redshirt freshman Ebrahim Kaba has shown early results from beyond the arc, hitting 16-of-43 (38.1 percent) from three.
// How good has Corey Hadnot II been this year?
– Corey Hadnot II is 2nd in the nation with 134 field goals. He has 361 points this season, 1st in the nation. He is 1st in the league at 20.1 points per game (30th in the nation). Hadnot is also 16th in the nation in steals with 36.
– Hadnot is averaging 20.1 points per game, should he finish at that average, it would rank tie for 7th in Mastodon history for a single season.
– He has the second most field goals made (tied, 12 at Oakland) and second most field goals attempted (22 at WMU) by a Horizon League player this season.
– He has the third most steals in a game by a Horizon League player this season (6 at Ohio State).
– Through 18 games, Hadnot is on track to score 622 points in the regular season this year. This would rank 7th all time for points scored by a player in a single season in Mastodon history.
– Through 18 games, he is on track to have 62 steals in the regular season this year. This would rank 14th all time for steals by a player in a single season in Mastodon history.
– Hadnot’s scoring is up this year as is his shooting percentage.His field goal percentage has improved each season. (Freshman: 40.9 -> Sophomore: 44.6 -> Junior: 53.0)
– Hadnot leads the league in sports-reference’s usage percentage (28.2), points produced (332) and points produced per game (18.5). He is second is player efficiency rating (25.3).
// In the nation, the ‘Dons are:
– 9th in turnover margin (5.2)
– 23rd in steals per game (9.6)
– 34th in fewest turnovers per game (10.1)
– 34th in turnovers forced per game (15.28)
– 52nd in fast break points per game (15.22)
// Weekly alumni spotlight:
– 22 former Mastodons have played professionally in the last 14 years.
Jarred Godfrey (2018-23) scored 13 points with four assists for Gtk Gliwice in Poland in a a 85-73 loss to Czarni Slupsk.
// John Konchar to enter Mastodon Hall of Fame
– Former Mastodon John Konchar (2014-19) will be inducted into the Mastodon Hall of Fame on Jan. 31. Konchar, the seven-year NBA veteran with the Memphis Grizzlies, finished his collegiate career as the first student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals.
// Red Coat honor
– In May 2025 head coach Jon Coffman was selected as a Red Coat recipient from the Mad Anthonys Foundation. Each year the Red Coat is given to an individual that has made a positive impact on the region and the state of Indiana. A few of the previous honorees include: Keith Busse, Chuck Surack, Brad Stevens, Bob Chase, Arnie Ball, Shelley Long, Matt Painter, Brian Kelly, Brad Stevens, Joe Tiller, Bob Knight and John Wooden. The Red Coat Gala began in 1958.
// No place like home
– The ‘Dons have won 28 consecutive regular season home games against non-league opponents, a streak that started on Nov. 16, 2019 vs. Stetson. As the Mastodons are finished with non-league home games this season, the streak will continue to next season.
– The Mastodons have won 15 consecutive games at the Gates Sports Center dating back to the 2022-23 season. The last loss was a 71-64 setback to Robert Morris on Feb. 12, 2023. The streak started with a 77-75 win over Wright State on Feb. 19, 2023. That game is well remembered for Damian Chong Qui’s half court game-winning shot.
– The Mastodons are 8-1 at home this season. You can add in another win if you include the Mastodons exhibition win over Ball State.
– The Mastodons have recorded double-digit wins at home in 11 of the last 13 years. Last season the ‘Dons opened the season 9-0 at home, the best undefeated home stretch to start a season in the program’s NCAA Division I history.
– The ‘Dons have 11 seasons of double-digit home wins since the start of the 2012-13 season.
// NCAA rankings, historically speaking
– Top 25 in the nation in 3-pointers per game in eight of the last 10 years.
– Top 35 in the nation in points per game in seven of the last 12 years.
– Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the ‘Dons are 7th in the nation in total made 3-pointers (3,569), 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (36.9 percent) and 24th in field goal percentage (46.6 percent).
// The ‘Dons have been top 25 in the nation in 3-pointers per game in eight of the last 10 years and top 35 in the nation in points per game in seven of the last 12 years.
// Purdue Fort Wayne finished each of the last two seasons ranked fourth in the nation in turnover margin; in 2024-25 (5.3) and in 2023-24 (5.7).
// A few notes from the victory at Youngstown State:
– All 10 Mastodons that saw the floor scored points in the game.
– Yuval Levin set a new career high with three steals.
– The Mastodons forced 16 turnovers.
– The game featured 16 lead changes and 10 ties.
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PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MASTODONS COLD CALL PENGUINS FOR #HLWBB GAME
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team will visit Youngstown, Ohio this weekend to play a game against the Penguins of Youngstown State. The #HLWBB game will tip at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 10).
Game Day Information
Who: Youngstown State Penguins
When: Saturday, January 10 | 2 PM
Where: Youngstown, Ohio | Beeghly Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Youngstown State | Horizon League
Know Your Foe
Youngstown State is 11-5 and 4-2 in Horizon League action. The Penguins had their four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday when Northern Kentucky beat them 61-49 on their home floor. Prior to that, YSU beat Milwaukee, Wright State, Cleveland State and Oakland. YSU has one of the better offenses in the league, averaging 69.4 points this season, but in league play it’s been the 56.7 points allowed that has buoyed the Penguins. Casey Santoro has a team-best 11.8 points per game this year.
Series History
Youngstown State leads the series 11-6, but Purdue Fort Wayne has won four of the last five meetings. The Mastodons won the last game in Youngstown 79-56 behind 22 points from Sydney Freeman.
A Win Would…
• Give the Mastodons a 7-11 all-time record against Youngstown State
• Be the fourth win in a row against the Penguins
• Give the ‘Dons a 5-4 mark against Youngstown State under Maria Marchesano
Dikembe Wagner
Avery Wagner had four blocks in 15 minutes off the bench at Robert Morris on January 8. Wagner is the first Mastodon to have four blocks off the bench since Jaelencia Williams in 2019 (seven blocks) and the first to do so in 15 minutes or less off the bench in program history. Sh’Toya Sanders had five blocks in 12 minutes in a start in 2019, one week before Williams’ seven-block performance.
At Her Bess(t)
Over the last three games, Rylee Bess is averaging 11.0 points per game, shooting 61.1 percent from the floor and 61.5 percent from the 3-point line.
In the Record Books
Alana Nelson’s 42.9 single-season 3-point field goal percentage ranks ninth in program history with at least 30 makes. With one more make, she will qualify for second place on the career leaderboard behind just Lauren Ross (47.6, 2024-25).
Triple Trouble
Purdue Fort Wayne has had the top 3-point shooter in the Horizon League in each of the last three seasons.
2025-26 – Alana Nelson – 42.9 percent
2024-25 – Lauren Ross – 47.6 percent
2023-24 – Shayla Sellers – 40.2 percent
Marchesano Mania
Maria Marchesano owns 52 Horizon League wins as the Mastodon head coach. She was the fastest to reach 50 league wins in program history. She needs four more to break into the top-20 in HL wins in league history.
More Maria Madness
Maria Marchesano’s 59.1 winning percentage (52-36) in Horizon League contests ranks 13th in league history with a minimum of three seasons. Cleveland State’s Chris Kielsmeier is the only active coach with a better mark.
Chasing 2,000
Jordan Reid needs 168 points to reach 2,000 in her career between Purdue Fort Wayne and Indiana Wesleyan.
League Leader
Alana Nelson leads the Horizon League this season in points (296), points per game (17.4), 3-point percentage (42.9), field goals (107), 3-point field goals (39) and minutes per game (34.4). In league play, she leads in points (140), points per game (20.0), field goals (52) and 3-point field goals (16).
Career Points Tracker
Let’s take a look at the career scoring numbers for the three former NAIA All-Americans on the roster regardless of level.
Alana Nelson – 2,565 (482 at Northwood, 1,787 at Spring Arbor, 296 at PFW)
Jordan Reid – 1,832 (1,395 at Indiana Wesleyan, 437 at PFW)
Lauren Lee – 1,697 (1,630 at Campbellsville, 67 at PFW)
In the Polls
Purdue Fort Wayne was receiving votes in the latest Mid-Major Top 25 Poll on December 30. The Mastodons spent eight weeks in the Top 25 last season and received votes in all but the first poll of the 2024-25 season.
Vetting Krasovec
Lili Krasovec has 19 free throws makes on her last 21 trips to the charity stripe (90.5 percent).
Lili Love
Lili Krasovec scored a career-high 19 points against Northern Kentucky after going 7-of-11 from the floor. She has scored in double-digits 10 times this season after doing so just twice at Boston College.
Lock In Lili
Lili Krasovec has scored 15+ points six times this season. In those games, she was a combined 34-for-54 (62.9 percent) from the floor and 23-of-26 (88.5 percent) from the free throw line.
Wicked Wagner
On limited attempts off the bench, the 6-foot-4 Avery Wagner is shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range (6-of-14).
3-Ball Fun
The Mastodons are 3-1 this season when they hit 10 or more 3-pointers this season. Under Maria Marchesano’s leadership, the ‘Dons have had 53 such games with a 41-12 record in those games.
Look at Lee!
Through seven Horizon League games, Lauren Lee is second in the HL with 4.3 assists per game. She also has a 2.5 assist to turnover ratio, a league-best.
I’ll Take That
Jordan Reid is averaging 2.5 steals per game, which ranks second in the Horizon League and top-70 nationally. If that average holds for a season-long mark, it would be second-best in the program’s Division I era and fourth-best overall.
Inside The Arc? Guaranteed Bucket
Lili Krasovec is shooting 64.3 percent from the floor this season (72-for-112). If she qualified for the leaderboard with enough makes, she would be second in the Horizon League in the field goal percentage category. Once she reaches 75 made baskets, she would qualify for the season mark in Mastodon history. Her 64.3 percent would rank first, topping Jazzlyn Linbo’s 58.3 from last season.
Last Time Out
Robert Morris beat Purdue Fort Wayne 74-64 on Jan. 8. The Mastodons had double-digit performances from Rylee Bess, Lauren Lee, Alana Nelson and Jordan Reid.
Next Time Up
The Mastodons will take a midweek trip to Green Bay next week (Wednesday, Jan. 14) for a date with the Phoenix.
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EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL
UE SIGNEE WREN JONES NAMED GATORADE ARKANSAS VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CHICAGO – University of Evansville volleyball commit Wren Jones earned a prestigious honor today as she was announced as the 2025-26 Gatorade Arkansas Volleyball Player of the Year following her final season at Conway High School.
Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community. The award recognizes Jones as Arkansas’ best high school volleyball player, and she joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, such as Kerri Walsh Jennings (1995-96, Archbishop Mitty High School, CA), April Ross (1999-00, Newport Harbor High School, CA) and Campbell Flynn (2024-25, Mercy High School, MI).
“Winning a Gatorade Player of the Year award puts Wren in elite company, and we couldn’t be prouder of her,” University of Evansville head volleyball coach Zach Weinberg said. “Winning this award goes beyond what she does on the court; it highlights her academics, her service to her community, and most importantly, her exemplary character. Wren is a phenomenal volleyball player, but an even better human being, and we couldn’t be happier that she is an Ace!”
The 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter led the Wampus Cats to a 30-5 record and the Class 6A state championship this past season. Jones compiled 543 kills and 252 digs, including 25 kills and 16 digs in a 3-1 win over Fayetteville High School in the state final. Jones also recorded 51 service aces and 36 blocks while posting a .451 kill percentage. The MVP of the Class 6A state championship match, she concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,228 kills.
Jones has volunteered locally with Community Connections, a nonprofit that works with special needs children. She has also donated her time as a youth volleyball coach and as part of multiple community service initiatives through her church youth group.
Jones has maintained a weighted 3.29 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play volleyball at the University of Evansville this fall.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.
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EVANSVILLE SWIMMING AND DIVING
LEVI MCKINNEY BREAKS 3M DIVE MARK AS ACES COMPETE AGAINST UIC
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Friday’s meet against UIC saw the University of Evansville Swimming and Diving Teams recognize four seniors prior to the meet. Evelyn Chin, Hannah Krings, Mia Pesavento, and Mohammed Rashed competed in their final regular season home meet at Deaconess Aquatic Center.
Once competition began, several notable performances highlighted the day for the Purple Aces. Leading the way was Levi McKinney who reset his own program record in the 3-meter dive with a score of 336.83. His previous mark of 320.65 was set in December. Both scores qualified him for the NCAA Zones.
The men opened the day with a victory in the 200-medley relay with a time of 1:33.72 while the ladies took second in their event posting a 1:48.04. They were just 0.20 off the winning time. Logan Tenison was victorious in the 50-free, posting a 21.41 to best teammate Sammy McCall’s finish of 21.56. In the 100-free, Michael Pruett came in nearly a second ahead of the competition.
Highlighting the day for the women were multiple runner-up efforts. Jillian Giese swam a 2:14.77 in the 200-IM on the way to second-place. Claire Mewbourne added a runner-up finish in the 200-breaststroke with a 2:29.57. The men fell to the Flames by a final of 150.00-93.00 while the women dropped a 183.00-55.00 final.
FULL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women’s 1000-Free
Hannah Krings – 3rd – 11:32.74
Men’s 1000-Free
Wyatt Gallas – 3rd – 10:01.98 – PERSONAL BEST
Tyler Jackson – 4th – 10:08.13
Carter Bolling – 5th – 10:25.29
Women’s 200-Free
Jadyn Dauphinais – 3rd – 2:02.13 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Luana Carrotta – 4th – 2:04.54
Ane Madina Garate – 5th – 2:05.02 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Audrey Wandling – 6th – 2:08.76
Lilly Yancey – 7th – 2:10.17
Men’s 200-Free
Joseph Capo – 3rd – 1:43.35
Harry McDowell – 5th – 1:47.95
Luke Cook – 6th – 1:50.94
Women’s 50-Free
Jaley Hamilton – 5th – 26.23
Delaney Miller – 6th – 26.49
Rafaela Markarewicz – 7th – 26.52
Amanda Denny – 8th – 26.61
Tristen Thomas – 9th – 27.00
Men’s 50-Free
Logan Tenison – 1st – 21.41
Sammy McCall – 2nd – 21.56
Brendan Ulewicz – 4th – 21.99
Mohammed Rashed – 6th – 22.31
Ben Morse – 7th – 22.77
Women’s 200-IM
Jillian Giese – 2nd – 2:14.77
Claire Mewbourne – 3rd – 2:15.97
Men’s 200-IM
Joao Guilherme – 3rd – 2:04.71
Chris Rector – 4th – 2:06.72
Robert Hargrove – 5th – 2:08.16
Women’s 1-Meter Dive
Leah Gardner – 6th – 199.98
Eden McRoberts – 7th – 188.70
Men’s 1-Meter Dive
Levi McKinney – 3rd – 276.08
Gabe Lett – 6th – 166.05
Women’s 200-Fly
Mia Pesavento – 4th – 2:28.12 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Evelyn Chin – 5th – 2:28.58
Men’s 200-Fly
Adam Pawlak – 2nd – 1:58.76
Alex Willis – 3rd – 2:02.83
Wyatt Gallas – 5th – 2:07.90
Women’s 100-Free
Jadyn Dauphinais – 3rd – 55.33 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Jillian Giese – 4th – 56.52 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Delaney Miller – 5th – 57.95
Amanda Denny – 6th – 58.17
Men’s 100-Free
Michael Pruett – 1st – 46.33
Sammy McCall – 3rd – 47.84
Tyler Jackson – 4th – 48.87
Mohammed Rashed – 6th – 52.16
Jesse Montano – 7th – 52.49 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Women’s 200-Back
Grace Moody – 5th – 2:13.98
Jaley Hamilton – 6th – 2:19.60
Men’s 200-Back
Logan Tenison – 2nd – 1:50.98
Boris Tavrovsky – 4th – 2:02.75
Carter Bolling – 5th – 2:04.96
Women’s 500-Free
Luana Carrotta – 3rd – 5:36.09
Hannah Krings – 4th – 5:37.27
Men’s 500-Free
Joseph Capo – 3rd – 4:45.82
Luke Cook – 5th – 5:04.39
Women’s 3-Meter Dive
Eden McRoberts – 5th – 196.13 – PERSONAL BEST
Leah Gardner – 6th – 192.30
Men’s 3-Meter Dive
Levi McKinney – 2nd – 336.83 – SCHOOL RECORD/NCAA ZONE QUALIFIER
Gabe Lett – 6th – 167.25 – PERSONAL BEST
Women’s 200-Breaststroke
Claire Mewbourne – 2nd – 2:29.57
Rafaela Markarewicz – 4th – 2:39.27
Tristen Thomas – 5th – 2:43.95
Men’s 200-Breaststroke
Joao Guilherme – 4th – 2:16.10
Jesse Montano – 5th – 2:19.03
Robert Hargrove – 6th – 2:19.55
Chris Rector – 7th – 2:22.68
Trevor O’Sullivan – 8th – 2:27.13
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EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL TRAVELS TO INDIANA STATE ON SATURDAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Another road game is on the docket for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team as they travel to Indiana State for a 12 p.m. CST game on Saturday. ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.
Last Time Out
– Evansville made several rallies on Wednesday before falling to Murray State by a final score of 79-69 at the Ford Center
– AJ Casey reset his career scoring high with 24 points on a 10-of-13 shooting effort
– Josh Hughes finished with 14 points while Bryce Quinet added 13
Another Reset
– For the second time in four games, AJ Casey reset his career scoring high with 24 points against the Racers
– Casey hit 10 of his 13 field goal tries to eclipse he previous scoring high of 21, which came at Bradley on Dec. 29
– Over his last five games, Casey is shooting 71.1% from the field and 40.0% from outside
– Casey is averaging a team-high 15.7 PPG in MVC games while shooting 63.8%; for the season, Casey has posted 10.6 PPG
– Casey now has nine double digit games on the season including 5 of the last 6 games
– He picked up three steals in the first two MVC games and is 10th in the league with his season average of 1.29/game
On a Streak
– Bryce Quinet has reached double figures in four out of his first six MVC games
– After recording 10 in the opener versus Belmont, he had 11 at Bradley before scoring a team-high 13 points at Illinois State
– He added 13 points versus Murray State while hitting five field goals and dishing out four assists
– Quinet is 16-for-34 from the field in the last four games and has connected on four of his six 3-point tries
– The performance against Belmont was his first double digit game since posting 10 vs. Akron on Nov. 22
Scouting the Opponent
– Indiana State comes into Saturday’s game with an 8-8 record while going 1-4 through their opening five league outings
– ISU is 6-1 inside the Hulman Center this season with the only loss being to Bradley in triple overtime
– Ian Scott paces the Sycamores with 13.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game
– Scott is shooting 63.7% from the field and 46.4% from long range
– Camp Wagner holds a scoring average of 12.8 PPG
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SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS
MTEN PICKED FOURTH IN HORIZON LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION PRESEASON POLL
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Men’s Tennis was predicted to finish fourth in the Horizon League South Division in the 2026 Under Armour #HLTEN Preseason Poll as voted on by the head coaches.
With the departures of Chicago State University and Eastern Illinois from the conference, the league will consist of eight teams this year, with four teams in each division. The top three teams of each division will compete in the conference championship in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 24-26.
The Screaming Eagles will return to the court in 2026 after finishing third in the South Division in 2025. USI earned a trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to compete in the conference championship. The Eagles fell to Youngstown State University in the quarterfinals 4-0.
Head Coach Chris Crawford was named the 2025 Horizon League Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year. Crawford enters his 17th year at the helm this season, after leading the Eagles to the most successful season since the transition to Division I.
The 2025 season saw a significant improvement over the previous season, as the Screaming Eagles secured two key conference wins against EIU and Tennessee Tech University, finishing the season with a 5-10 record. USI picked up four total votes in the 2026 poll, placing them fourth in the South Division.
Belmont University, the reigning conference champion, was picked to top the South Division with three first-place votes and 15 total votes. Belmont is also the overall preseason selection. TTU followed with one first-place vote and 12 total votes, and to round out the division was Tennessee State University with nine votes.
In the north, Cleveland State University took the top spot with four first-place votes and 16 total votes. Youngstown took second place with 11 votes, followed by Indiana University Indianapolis with nine votes, and Northern Kentucky with four.
The Screaming Eagles will kick off the 2026 season with a trip to the University of Louisville on January 25 at noon CST. They will return to Evansville on February 6 at 12:30 p.m. to take on Drake University at the Evansville Tennis Center.
For more information, visit our website at usiscreamingeagles.com or find us on social media at USI Athletics.
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SOUTHERN INDIANA SWIMMING AND DIVING
SWIMMING AND DIVING MAKES HOME DEBUT SATURDAY MORNING
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Swimming and Diving make their home debut Saturday morning against the University of Illinois-Chicago at the USI Aquatic Center.
The Screaming Eagles matched up against the Flames in Chicago, Illinois, last season. UIC came out on top on both sides, 195-88 in men’s and 200.5-85.5 in women’s. The Flames will enter the contest following a Missouri Valley Conference meet with the University of Evansville on Friday.
Men’s
Last time out, USI Men’s Swimming finished eighth at the House of Champions hosted by Indiana University Indianapolis in November. At the meet, the team broke 12 program records and secured seven top-10 finishes.
Sophomore Jude Winnington set a new school record in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:51.21. Junior Joey Smith broke records in the 50 free (20.53) and 100 free (45.18), and helped set relay records in the 200 freestyle and 400 medley.
USI Men’s Diving attended the Evansville Regional Sports Commission Diving Invitational in mid-December. In the three-meter finals, senior Lane Pollock scored 312.90 points to break the program record. This dive marked the first time Pollock had scored above 300 points. The senior continued his remarkable performance in the one-meter, shattering the school record with a 290.60 score.
Women’s
USI Women’s Swimming is coming off a tenth-place finish at the House of Champions, where the team broke three program records over the three-day event.
The Eagles opened the first day of competition, breaking two records. First, Sophomore Emma Gabhart recorded a 2:04.91 200 individual medley time, putting her atop the school record books. Then the 400 medley relay team of Gabhart, freshman Hannah Pryor, sophomore Elizabeth Ketcham, and junior Caiya Cooper nabbed a program best a 3:52.02 time.
On day two, Pryor achieved an exceptional record-breaking 57.11 time in the 100 backstroke. The freshman also recorded a top-16 finish in the 200 backstroke.
The USI Women’s Divers competed at the ERSC Diving Invitational. Sophomore Anna Bunnell and junior Maranda Uttke opened the competition with a second and third-place finish in the one-meter preliminary rounds. Bunnell earned a 237.20 score, with Uttke right behind, scoring 224.75.
Stay Connected
Follow our social media @USIAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, follow @usi_swimdive on Instagram for content. Team scores will be posted on usiscreamingeagles.com once the results are finalized.
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VALPO SWIMMING AND DIVING
SWIMMING DOMINATES IN DUAL MEET SWEEP FRIDAY
The Valpo men’s and women’s swimming teams returned to the pool for their first competition of 2026 Friday evening at the Valparaiso Aquatic Center and continued their strong campaigns, combining to win 21 of 22 events in a dual meet sweep of Rose-Hulman. The Beacon women earned a 162-37 victory, while the men emerged with a 157-48 win.
How It Happened
The women won all 11 of their events, with two swimmers winning a pair of individual events apiece. Audrey Morgan (Villa Park, Ill./Willowbrook) moved into 10th place in program history in the 1000 free with a winning time of 10:49.62, and later claimed the 100 back with a time of 1:00.59.
Ally Unruh (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap) took top honors in both the 200 free (2:02.42) and the 500 free (5:25.38).
Other individual event winners included Bri Keese (Brighton, Colo./Brighton) in the 50 free (24.93), Sophie Schoch (Medina, Ohio/Medina) in the 200 IM (2:18.27), Kailyn Benoit (Sussex, Wis./Hamilton) in the 100 fly (1:01.75), Una Dizdarevic (Bloomingdale, Ill./Lake Park) in the 100 free (56.25) and Brianne Flikkema (Bowling Green, Ky./Greenwood) in the 100 breast (1:13.09).
The Beacon women claimed both relays as well. The team of Keese, Natalie Eaton (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks), Benoit and Faith Bargwell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rockford) touched the wall first in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:53.46, while the foursome of Dizdarevic, Schoch, Keese and Morgan took first place in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:42.01.
Valpo’s men won eight individual events, with eight different swimmers earning one win apiece — Matthew Mantz (Spokane, Wash./Mead) in the 1000 free (10:08.53), Evan Curran (Golden, Colo./Golden) in the 200 free (1:45.43), Isaac Dinari (Houston, Texas/Memorial) in the 50 free (22.03), Jackson Oostman (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) in the 200 IM (1:56.78), Asa Sadowsky (Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port [Milwaukee]) in the 100 fly (53.17), Anthony Martin (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) in the 100 free (47.93), Caleb Smesko (Green, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) in the 100 back (53.12) and Carson Parker (Silver Lake, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) in the 100 breast (59.85).
The Beacon men bookended the meet with relay wins as well. Smesko, Ben Mettler (Sussex, Wis./Hamilton), Sadowsky and Dinari combined to cover the 200 medley relay in 1:36.21, while Curran, Luke Snider (Germantown, Tenn./Memphis University School), Dinari and Martin took the 200 free relay with a time of 1:27.34.
The women improved to 4-4 on the season, the four dual meet wins their most since the 2019-20 team won four dual meets. Meanwhile, the men clinched at least a .500 dual meet record as they improved to 4-3, matching their most wins in a single season since at least 2000-01.
Next Up
Valpo closes out its home schedule with its Senior Meet against Bethel next Friday at 5 p.m. at the Valparaiso Aquatic Center. The senior ceremony will begin at 4:50 p.m.
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UINDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
GREYHOUNDS TRAVEL TO QUINCY TO CONCLUDE WEEKEND ON THE ROAD
vs. Quincy (7-7)
Saturday // January 10
4 p.m. // Quincy, IL
Watch | Live Stats | Listen
Following a battle against #25 Upper Iowa, the UIndy men’s basketball squad travels to Quincy, Ill. to face the Quincy Hawks on Saturday. Saturday’s contest will be the 43rd meeting between the two squads, with UIndy leading the series 27-15. The teams split their two meetings in the 2024-25 season, with the Hounds taking the first game in Nicoson Hall, 86-78, before falling to the Hawks in March, 77-89, ultimately ending the Greyhounds’ season and the program’s 17-year streak of making the GLVC tournament.
QUINCY
The Hawks are batting .500 on the year, opening up to a 7-7 mark overall, and a 2-4 clip in league play. They’re coming off a 60-91 home loss against Illinois Springfield, which ties their lowest scoring output on the season. They present a balanced scoring output, with four players averaging double-digits on the season. Camren Kincaid leads the way with 14.7 points per game, with a 45/35/79 shooting split.
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UINDY SOFTBALL
UINDY SOFTBALL RELEASES 2026 SCHEDULE
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy softball team officially unveiled its 2026 schedule Thursday. Led by 22nd-year head coach Melissa Frost, the Greyhounds open their season at Music City Invitational in Smyrna, Tenn., starting with an in-region twin bill versus Tiffin University on Feb. 6.
Coach Frost returns eight starters from last year’s conference-championship-winning roster. The Hounds won 42 games in 2025, thanks to a deep postseason run. After earning the six seed in the GLVC Tournament and a number of all-league honors, UIndy caught fire, sweeping through the conference tourney and later winning its half of the NCAA Midwest Regional bracket. The Greyhounds earned walk-off wins in both the GLVC and Midwest Region title games before eventually dropping the final contest of the best-of-three Super Regional at Saginaw Valley.
This spring, the Hounds are scheduled to play 20 neutral-site competitions and four conference road games before finally coming home on Saturday, March 21.
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IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SET FOR WEEKEND MATCHUP VERSUS QUINCY
vs. Quincy (6-7)
Saturday // January 10
2 p.m. ET // Quincy, IL
Watch | Live Stats | Listen
The last time, the Greyhounds fell just short in completing a 19 point comeback on Thursday night against Upper Iowa, and will look to rebound tomorrow against Quincy at 2 p.m. ET. Before the Hawks took both last season’s match ups against the Greyhounds, UIndy had won eight straight dating back to the 2017-18 season. Seven of the last 11 meetings between these two sides have been decided by double digits.
Quincy
The Hawks, led by first year coach Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger, are off to a 6-7 start, and are a tale of two stories on both sides of the ball. On offense they rank third in the GLVC in points per game (68.6), and shooting the ball at a GLVC high, 45% clip. But the Hawks rank second to last, only ahead of William Jewell, in points allowed per game (70.2).
Katey Flynn leads the charge for the Hawks on the offensive side, scoring the fifth most points in the GLVC (14.5). She dropped 32 points and seven boards against Ursuline earlier this season. Acheampomaa Danso is the other double digit scorer (10.5) for Quincy, and is a presense down low, corralling at least six boards in seven games this season.
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MARIAN WRESTLING
KNIGHTS POST 2-3 RECORD IN VALLEY DUALS
Marshall, Mo. – The Marian wrestling team competed at the Missouri Valley Duals on Friday, wrestling five teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA rankings. Marian recorded a 2-3 record on the day, bringing its season record to an overall 7-3 mark in dual competition.
Results from the five duals can be found on the Marian wrestling schedule page and are linked in the article. Logan Wagner shone as the lone Knight to go a perfect 5-0 on the day, while Anthony Rinehart had an equally impressive day with a 4-0 record. Marian would forfeit the 149 weight class in each match on the day.
#16 Marian 20-24 #22 Lindsey Wilson
Both the Knights and Blue Raiders recorded five victories in the first match of the day, but it would be Marian’s forfeit at 149 that would ultimately concede the match to Lindsey Wilson. Anthony Hughes won 8-2 to open the match at 125, and Logan Wagner won by fall in his bout at 141. The Knights held the lead after Christian Arberry won by decision at 157 in a 4-2 bout, and Anthony Rinehart would take a 7-2 decision win in his match in the 174 weight class, but a loss by fall from Braden Getz at 165 and Eldrich Flores at 285 would lead to a decision in favor of Lindsey Wilson.
Peter Sells won by a 20-4 tech fall over Jostyn Zayas in his first match in the 197 weight class.
#16 Marian 34-15 (RV) Avila
The Knights would rebound as a team in the matchup with Avila, winning seven matches en route to their 19-point victory. Anthony Hughes won by tech fall to start the match, while Landon Bertsch (133) earned a 2-0 win by decision for his first victory of the day. Both Logan Wagner and Christian Arberry won by tech fall, and Jeff Dunasky Jr. (165) and Anthony Rinehart (174) each won by fall. Noah Hollendonner (184) would score Marian’s final win of the match, taking down Corey Holmes in a 10-2 major decision.
#16 Marian 22-27 #20 University of Saint Mary
The result of Marian’s 149 forfeit again would play a hand in the final decision against the University of Saint Mary, as the Knights lost by a 27-22 final. Logan Wagner leveled the match at 6-6 with his win by fall against Robert Burke, but the following forfeit at 149 put the Stars back in the lead. Saint Mary would record its fourth win of the match as Josey Jernegan defeated Christian Arberry in the 157 bout, but Marian would recover, winning each of the next three contests.
Jeff Dunasky Jr. (165) won by fall in the third period against Graham Kilpper, while Anthony Rinehart (174) won by fall of his own. Noah Hollendonner completed the winning streak with a 13-3 major decision victory over Orinn Hubbard, putting the Knights in front 22-15. Marian would fail to hang on to the win despite the three strong victories, as Peter Sells (197) and Eldrich Flores (285) each were defeated by fall to close the dual.
#16 Marian 32-17 (RV) William Woods
The Knights again responded after the loss with a strong win over William Woods, earning victory in five of the seven contested matches. Anthony Hughes and Eldrich Flores each won by forfeit, while Landon Bertsch and Jeff Dunasky Jr. scored victories by decision. Logan Wagner earned a victory by fall, Christian Arberry won by tech fall, and Anthony Rinehart won by major decision.
#12 Marian 15-36 #12 Missouri Valley College
In the final match of the day, Marian struggled against Missouri Valley College, losing 36-15. Logan Wagner, Christian Arberry, and Noah Hollendonner were the lone three Knights to win in the dual, taking respective victories by fall, major decision, and tech fall.
Final records from the day were:
Anthony Hughes – 3-2 (125)
Landon Bertsch – 2-3 (133)
Logan Wagner – 5-0 (141)
Christian Arberry – 4-1 (157)
Braden Getz – 0-1 (165)
Jeff Dunasky Jr. – 3-1 (165)
Anthony Rinehart – 4-0 (174)
Noah Hollendonner – 3-2 (184)
Peter Sells – 1-4 (197)
Eldrich Flores – 1-4 (285)
Marian will return to the mat next Saturday, traveling to North Manchester, Ind., to compete in the annual Spartan Mat Classic.
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MARIAN SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL SIGNS MACY STROUD IN 2026 CLASS
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian softball team has announced its sixth signing of the team’s 2026 recruiting class, with head coach Scott Fleming announcing Macy Stroud’s commitment.
Macy Stroud is an Indianapolis native, coming to the Knights from Perry Meridian High School. In her junior season, the outfielder and catcher put up dominant numbers, batting .433 with 39 base hits, 10 of which went for extra bases. Stroud logged 15 RBI, stole 28 bases, and totaled a .514 on-base percentage, while in the field the multiple-position player held a .977 fielding percentage.
Stroud has been the Offensive Player of the Year for Perry Meridian for the past three seasons, while also being named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year twice. The versatile athlete earned Team MVP in her time at Perry, and has been named All-Conference three times in her career and twice to the All-Marion County Team. Additionally, Stroud earned Central Indiana All-State Second Team honors in her time at Perry Meridian.
Stroud has been named to the softball Academic All-State Team three times throughout her high school career, also earning the honor this past season in volleyball. Stroud also plays basketball at Perry Meridian, and plays her travel softball for the Gators Travel Organization.
A member of the Perry Meridian National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, Macy Stroud will major in biology upon attending Marian University.
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SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
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TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
On January 10 in …
1911 – Trumper scores double cricket ton versus South Africa, goes on to get 214.
1914 – Oscar Mathisen skates world record 500 minutes in 43.7 seconds in Oslo, Norway.
1920 – Montreal Canadiens (14) and Toronto Saint Patricks (7) score NHL record 21 goals.
1930 – Commencement of New Zealand’s first Test, versus England at Christchurch.
1930 – Maurice Allom takes cricket Test hat-trick England versus New Zealand at Christchurch.
1931 – Philadelphia Quakers defeat Montreal Canadiens, ends NHL-record 15-game losing streak.
1939 – Donald Bradman hits 186 South Africa versus Queensland before Christ catches him at short-leg.
1945 – Baseball writers again fail to elect a new Hall of Famer.
1953 – NFL Pro Bowl: National Conference beats American Conference 27-7.
1957 – Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick rules Bing Crosby can keep token stock in the Detroit Tigers, even though he owns part of Pittsburgh Pirates.
1965 – NFL Pro Bowl: West beats East 34-14.
1972 – Los Angeles Lakers’ 33 straight win streak snapped, losing to Milwaukee Bucks 120-104.
1977 – 20th hat trick in New York Islanders’ history – Bobby Nystrom.
1980 – Jim Stewart, Boston Bruins’ rookie goalie allows three goals in his first four minutes and a total of five in first period; he never again plays in the NHL.
1982 – Petra Schneider swims world record 1500 metre freestyle (15:43.31).
1982 – Cincinnati Bengals beat San Diego Chargers in -59 degrees F (-51 degrees C) to win AFC championship.
1983 – New York Supreme Court issues a preliminary injunction barring New York Yankees from playing season-opening series against Detroit Tigers in Denver, Colorado.
1984 – Luis Aparicio, Harmon Killebrew, and D Drysdale elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.
1990 – NCAA approves random drug testing for college football players.
1996 – Jimmy Johnson announced as new coach of Miami Dolphins.
2006 – Bruce Sutter becomes just the fourth relief pitcher to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2022 – At crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Los Angeles Kings beats New York Rangers by score 3-1.
2022 – At Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, USA, NHL regular season game: Colorado Avalanche beats Seattle Kraken by score 4-3.
2022 – At Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., USA, NHL regular season game: Boston Bruins beats Washington Capitals by score 7-3.
Births of sports figures on January 10
1933 – Birth of Leonard John Coldwell; cricket bowler (England medium-fast in 7 Tests 1962-64).
1938 – Birth of Francis W “Frank” Mahovlich; NHL Hall of Famer (Montreal Canadiens).
1938 – Birth of Willie “Stretch” McCovey; first baseman (San Francisco Giants #44).
1939 – Birth of Bill Toomey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; decathlon champion (Olympics-gold-1968).
1946 – Birth of Alexis Nihon Junior in the Bahamas; wrestler (Olympics-1968).
1949 – Birth of George Foreman in Marshall, Texas, USA; world heavyweight boxing champion (1973-74, 1995).
1953 – Birth of Bobby Rahal; Indy-car racer (over 15 wins).
1957 – Birth of Robert Thompson in Houston, Texas, USA; Nike golfer (1990 Boise Open-second).
1959 – Birth of Chandra Cheesborough in Jacksonville, Florida, USA; 4X100 runner (Olympics-gold-1984).
1962 – Birth of Jim Lindeman; US baseball outfielder (New York Mets).
1963 – Birth of Frank Wijnhoven; Dutch soccer player (NEC, Treffers).
1965 – Birth of James Washington; NFL safety (Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins).
1968 – Birth of Malcolm Showell; WLAF defensive end (Amsterdam Admirals).
1969 – Birth of Juanita Clayton in Manitou, Manitoba, Canada; softball catcher (Olympics-1996).
1970 – Birth of Cameron MacKenzie; Australian 100m/200m/400m (Olympics-1996).
1970 – Birth of Deon Figures; NFL cornerback (Pittsburgh Steelers).
1970 – Birth of James Wilson; WLAF defensive end (Rhein Fire).
1971 – Birth of Guylaine Cloutier in Levis, Québec, Canada; 100m breast stroke swimmer (Olympics-4-1992, 1996).
1972 – Birth of Thomas Lewis; NFL wide receiver (New York Giants).
1973 – Birth of Berry Radstraat; Dutch soccer player (NEC, SCH).
1973 – Birth of Glenn Robinson in Gary, Indiana, USA; NBA forward (Milwaukee, Olympics-gold-1996).
1973 – Birth of Travis Davis; NFL strong safety (New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars).
1974 – Birth of Andre Kirwan; Canadian Football League receiver (Toronto Argonauts).
1974 – Birth of Hollis Thomas; defensive tackle (Philadelphia Eagles).
1983 – Birth of Li Nina; Chinese aerial free-style skier.
1984 – Birth of Marouane Chamakh, Moroccan football player.
1987 – Birth of César Cielo; Brazilian swimmer.
Deaths of sports figures on January 10
1935 – Charlie McGahey, cricket player (MCC tour of Australia 1901-02 cured his tuberculosis), dies.
1935 – Edwin H Flack, English 800m/1500m runner (Olympics-gold-1896), dies at age 60.
1936 – Charles Wright, cricket player (3 Tests England versus South Africa 1895-96), dies.
1966 – George Cresswell, cricket player (took 13 wickets in 3 Tests for New Zealand), suicide.
1994 – Charles “Chub” Feeney, baseball president (National League), dies at age 72.
2017 – Death of Kenny Wharram, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1933).
On January 11 in …
1893 – Jaap Eden skates world record 1500m (2:35).
1915 – Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Colonel Tillinghast Huston purchase New York Yankees for US$460,000.
1938 – Donald Bradman scores a second inning 113 versus Queensland after a ton in the first.
1946 – Bert Bell becomes second NFL commissioner, moves Chicago, Illinois, headquarters to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1953 – J Edgar Hoover declines six-figure offer to become president of the International Boxing Club.
1959 – Hanif Mohammad completes 499 for Karachi, first class world record.
1959 – Marlene Hagge wins LPGA Mayfair Golf Open.
1959 – NFL Pro Bowl: East beats West 28-21.
1960 – Lamar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts.
1970 – Super Bowl IV: Kansas City Chiefs beat Minnesota Vikings, 23-7 in New Orleans; Most Valuable Player: Len Dawson, Quarterback.
1971 – Detroit Tigers’ ace reliever John Hiller, 27, suffers a heart attack, and misses the 1971 season.
1973 – American League adopts designated hitter rule.
1973 – Famous victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground Pakistan chasing 158 all out 106.
1976 – US female Figure Skating championship won by Dorothy Hamill.
1976 – US male Figure Skating championship won by Terry Kubicka.
1977 – Chicago Cubs trade outfielder Rick Monday to Los Angeles Dodgers for Bill Buckner.
1977 – France releases Abu Daoud, a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
1983 – Billy Martin named New York Yankees’ manager for third time.
1983 – Billy Martin becomes the New York Yankees’ manager for the third time, replacing Clyde King.
1984 – Denver Nuggets 163, San Antonio Spurs 155-highest-scoring NBA game.
1987 – Largest crowd (76,633) at NFL New York Giants Stadium (beat Washington Redskins 17-0).
1988 – Test debut of Phil Simmons, West Indies versus India, Madras.
1988 – USSR announces it will participate in the Seoul Summer Olympics.
1989 – Denver Nuggets’ rookie Jerome Lane misses seven free throws in a game against Milwaukee Bucks, one missed by two feet.
1990 – Bobby Knight becomes basketball’s Big 10 winningest coach (229).
1990 – Pat Lafontaine sets New York Islanders record of scoring goals in 11 straight.
1991 – Ben Johnson runs first race after being stripped of his 1988 Olympic Gold medal for steroid use; he finishes second.
1992 – US female Figure Skating championship won by Kristi Yamaguchi.
1994 – Hyderabad score 6 for 944 against Andhra Pradesh in Ranji Trophy.
1995 – Birmingham Barracudas granted Canadian Football League franchise.
1995 – NHL Players Association and team owners agree to end NHL strike.
1997 – Martina Hingis beats Jennifer Capriati at Sydney Tennis International.
1998 – AFC Championship: Denver Broncos beat Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21.
1998 – NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers beat San Francisco 49ers 23-10.
1998 – US female Figure Skating championship won by Michelle Kwan.
1998 – US male Figure Skating championship won by Todd Eldredge.
2000 – Carlton Fisk and Tony Perez are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2006 – The Tampa Bay Devil Rays make their first agreement with a Japanese player as relief pitcher Shinji Mori signs a US$1.4 million, two-year contract.
2010 – Retired US baseball star Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals admits to using steroids during his career, including when he broke the sport’s home run record in 1998.
2022 – At SAP Center in San Jose, California, USA, NHL regular season game: San Jose Sharks beats Detroit Red Wings by score 3-2.
2022 – At Honda Center in Anaheim, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Pittsburgh Penguins beats Anaheim Ducks by score 4-1.
2022 – At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, NHL regular season game: Toronto Maple Leafs beats Vegas Golden Knights by score 4-3.
2022 – At Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, NHL regular season game: Nashville Predators beats Colorado Avalanche by score 5-4.
2022 – At Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, USA, NHL regular season game: Chicago Blackhawks beats Columbus Blue Jackets by score 4-2.
2022 – At FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, USA, NHL regular season game: Florida Panthers beats Vancouver Canucks by score 5-2.
2022 – At KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, USA, NHL regular season game: Tampa Bay Lightning beats Buffalo Sabres by score 6-1.
Births of sports figures on January 11
1857 – Birth of Fred[erick J] Archer; English jockey (winner of five Derbys).
1896 – Birth of Paddy Driscoll; NFL quarterback/coach (Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears).
1912 – Birth of Thomas “Schoolboy” Rowe in Waco, Texas, USA; pitcher (Detroit Tigers).
1927 – Birth of John Hayes; cricket player (New Zealand fast bowler in 15 Tests 1951-58).
1939 – Birth of Anne Heggtveigt in Canada; slalom (Olympics-gold-1960).
1946 – Birth of Ludmila Poradnik in USSR; team handball (Olympics-gold-1976, 1980).
1948 – Birth of Madeline Manning-Jackson-Mimms; American 800m runner (Olympics-gold-1968).
1952 – Birth of Ben Daniel Crenshaw in Austin, Texas, USA; PGA golfer (1974 Rookie of Year, 1976 Bing Crosby).
1957 – Birth of Bryan Robson; English international soccer star.
1957 – Birth of Darryl Dawkins; NBA center (Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets).
1961 – Birth of Paul Skansi; NFL wide receiver (Seattle Seahawks).
1962 – Birth of Donn Pall in Evergreen Park, Illinois, USA; pitcher (Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins).
1963 – Birth of Petra Schneider; East German swimming star (world record 400m).
1963 – Birth of Tracy Caulkins in Winona, Minnesota, USA; swimmer (Olympics-3 gold-1984).
1965 – Birth of Barbara Belding in San Diego, California, USA; WPVA volleyball player (US Open-17th-1994).
1965 – Birth of Karl Van Calcar in Torrance, California, USA; 3k steeplechase.
1965 – Birth of Steve Vancil in Oregon City, Oregon, USA; golfer (1989 City of Portland).
1966 – Birth of Christian Pouget; hockey forward (Team France 1998).
1967 – Birth of Richmond Webb; NFL tackle (Miami Dolphins).
1967 – Birth of Ronnie Stern in St-Agathe, Quebec, Canada; NHL right wing (Calgary Flames).
1968 – Birth of Ben Rivera; Dominican/US baseball pitcher (Philadelphia Phillies).
1969 – Birth of Darren Anderson; NFL cornerback (Kansas City Chiefs).
1969 – Birth of Dave Cruikshank in Northbrook, Illinois, USA; speed skater (Olympics-1994).
1969 – Birth of Frank Robinson; WLAF defensive back (Scottish Claymores).
1969 – Birth of Reemt Pyka; hockey forward (Team Germany 1998).
1971 – Birth of Alexander Delgado in Palmerejo, Venezuela; catcher (Boston Red Sox).
1971 – Birth of Karmeeleyah McGill; WLAF linebacker (Scottish Claymores).
1971 – Birth of Noah Cantor; Canadian Football League defensive tackle (Toronto Argonauts).
1972 – Birth of Dexter Seigler; NFL cornerback (Seattle Seahawks).
1972 – Birth of Huub Loeffen; Dutch soccer player (Vitesse).
1972 – Birth of Rey Ordonez in Havana, Cuba; infielder (New York Mets).
1972 – Birth of Yang Wenyi; Chinese swim star (World Record/Olympic Record 50m freestyle).
1973 – Birth of Dave Dickenson; Canadian Football League quarterback (Calgary Stampeders).
1973 – Birth of Rahul Dravid; cricket batter (prolific Karnataka, Tests for India 96).
1974 – Birth of Goran Lozanovski; Australian soccer midfielder (Olyroos, Olympics-1996).
1974 – Birth of Rod Jones; NFL guard (Cincinnati Bengals).
1974 – Birth of Toderick Malone; WLAF wide receiver (London Monarchs).
1974 – Birth of Warren Morris in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA; baseball infielder (Olympics-bronze-1996).
1975 – Birth of Brad Badger; guard (Washington Redskins).
1975 – Birth of Jacky Verbeek; Dutch soccer player (RKC).
1975 – Birth of Rory Fitzpatrick Rochester; NHL defenseman (Montreal Canadiens).
Deaths of sports figures on January 11
1902 – Johnny Briggs, cricket player (118 wickets for England), dies in an asylum.
1976 – Mervyn Grell, cricket player (Test West Indies versus England 1930, 21 and 13, 0-17), dies.
2017 – Death of François Van der Elst, Belgian footballer (born 1954).
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TV SPORTS
Saturday, 1/10/26
| NFL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| NFC Wild Card Playoff: Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers | 4:30pm | FOX |
| NFC Wild Card Playoff: Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears | 8:00pm | Prime |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers | 1:00 pm | Prime |
| Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports IND FanDuel Sports Sun |
| Los Angeles Clippers vs Detroit Pistons | 7:30pm | FanDuel Sports SoCal FanDuel Sporrts DET |
| San Antonio Spurs vs Boston Celtics | 8:00pm | FanDuel Sports SW NBCS-BOS |
| Dallas Mavericks vs Chicago Bulls | 8:00pm | NBATV KFAA CHSN+ |
| Charlotte Hornets vs Utah Jazz | 9:30pm | FanDuel Sports CHA KJZZ |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins | 1:00pm | ABC ESPN+ |
| Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins | 3:30pm | ATTSN ATTSN-PIT |
| Dallas Stars vs San Jose Sharks | 4:00pm | Victory+ NBCS-CA |
| Columbus Blue Jackets vs Colorado Avalanche | 4:00pm | FanDuel Sports Ohio ALT |
| Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports Sun NBCS-PHI |
| Anaheim Ducks vs Buffalo Sabres | 7:00pm | Victory+ MSG-BUF |
| Vancouver Canucks vs Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00pm | ESPN+ SN |
| Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports DET SN |
| Florida Panthers vs Ottawa Senators | 7:00pm | Scripps SN |
| Seattle Kraken vs Carolina Hurricanes | 7:00pm | KONG FanDuel Sports South |
| Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators | 8:00pm | FanDuel Sports NSH CHSN |
| New York Islanders vs Minnesota Wild | 8:00pm | FanDuel Sports North MSGSN |
| Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers | 10:00pm | FanDuel Sports West SN |
| St. Louis Blues vs Vegas Golden Knights | 10:00pm | FanDuel Sports MW Scripps |
| MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Wisconsin at Michigan | 12pm or 1pm | CBS |
| Kansas at West Virginia | 12:00pm | FOX/FS1 |
| Tennessee at Florida | 12:00pm | ESPN |
| Georgia Tech at Miami (FL) | 12:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Boston College at Louisville | 12:00pm | CW |
| Fordham at St. Bonaventure | 12:00pm | USA |
| Nebraska at Indiana | 12:00pm | BTN |
| VCU at George Mason | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| NC State at Florida State | 12:00pm | ACCN |
| DePaul vs. UConn | 12:30pm | TNT |
| LSU at Vanderbilt | 1:00pm | SECN |
| Central Connecticut at Le Moyne | 1:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Mercyhurst at Wagner | 1:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Fairleigh Dickinson at New Haven | 1:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Houston at Baylor | 1:00pm | Peacock |
| App State at Coastal Carolina | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Evansville at Indiana State | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Troy at Louisiana | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Western Carolina at The Citadel | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| New Hampshire at UMBC | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Army West Point at Boston University | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| St. John’s at Creighton | 2:00pm | FOX/FS1 |
| SMU at Duke | 2:00pm | ESPN |
| Georgia at South Carolina | 2:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Rhode Island at Davidson | 2:00pm | USA |
| Penn State at Purdue | 2:00pm | BTN |
| Georgia Southern at South Alabama | 2:00pm | ESPNU |
| Syracuse at Pitt | 2:00pm | ACCN |
| William & Mary at Drexel | 2:00pm | NBCS-PHI+ |
| Harvard at Columbia | 2:00pm | SNY |
| Monmouth at Hofstra | 2:00pm | MSG |
| Towson at Northeastern | 2:00pm | NESN |
| Denver at South Dakota | 2:00pm | MidCo Sports 2 |
| Chicago State at Stonehill | 2:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| North Alabama at Bellarmine | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Dartmouth at Cornell | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Brown at Penn | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| VMI at Furman | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Winthrop at USC Upstate | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Yale at Princeton | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lafayette at Navy | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lehigh at Colgate | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UMass Lowell at Binghamton | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Austin Peay at Stetson | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Buffalo at Ohio | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Bryant at UAlbany | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Maine at NJIT | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| High Point at Charleston Southern | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Queens at North Florida | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Wofford at Mercer | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North Dakota State at Omaha | 2:00pm | Summit |
| Stanford at Virginia | 2:15pm | CW |
| Villanova at Marquette | 2:30pm | TNT |
| UNC Asheville at Radford | 2:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Loyola Chicago at George Washington | 3:00pm | CBSSN |
| New Mexico at Air Force | 3:00pm | MWN |
| Kansas State at Arizona State | 3:00pm | Peacock |
| Delaware at Louisiana Tech | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Presbyterian at Longwood | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| South Florida at Tulsa | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| ULM at Southern Miss | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Texas State at Arkansas State | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Abilene Christian at UTA | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| West Georgia at Jacksonville | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Kent State at Central Michigan | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Oklahoma at Texas A&M | 3:30pm | SECN |
| Liberty at Sam Houston | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Southeast Missouri at Morehead State | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Arizona at TCU | 4:00pm | ESPN/2 |
| Oklahoma State at Iowa State | 4:00pm | ESPN/2 |
| Saint Louis at La Salle | 4:00pm | USA |
| Providence at Xavier | 4:00pm | FS1 |
| Jackson State at Alabama State | 4:00pm | ESPNU |
| California at Virginia Tech | 4:00pm | ACCN |
| Saint Francis U at LIU | 4:00pm | NEC Front Row |
| Norfolk State at Delaware State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Central Arkansas at Eastern Kentucky | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Holy Cross at American | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Valparaiso at Murray State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Utah Tech at Utah Valley | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Old Dominion at James Madison | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Marshall at Georgia State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UNCG at ETSU | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Lipscomb at FGCU | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| South Carolina State at Morgan State | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| WKU at UTEP | 4:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Samford at Chattanooga | 4:30pm | Nexstar |
| Ball State at UMass | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| North Carolina Central at Coppin State | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| A&M-Corpus Christi at Northwestern State | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Little Rock at Lindenwood | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Tennessee Tech at Western Illinois | 4:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Washington State at Saint Mary’s | 5:00pm | CBSSN |
| Hampton at Charleston | 5:00pm | WCBD-DT2 |
| Alcorn State at Alabama A&M | 5:00pm | SWAC TV |
| Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Jacksonville State at Kennesaw State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Sacramento State at Portland State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UC Davis at Cal Poly | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| FIU at Missouri State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Tulane at UTSA | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Montana State at Idaho | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Montana at Eastern Washington | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UIC at Illinois State | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Loyola Maryland at Bucknell | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Mississippi Valley State at Prairie View A&M | 5:30pm | SWAC TV |
| Grambling State at Bethune-Cookman | 5:30pm | SWAC TV |
| Arkansas at Auburn | 6:00pm | ESPN |
| Clemson at Notre Dame | 6:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Seton Hall at Georgetown | 6:00pm | FS1 |
| UNI at Bradley | 6:00pm | ESPNU |
| Missouri at Ole Miss | 6:00pm | SECN |
| Wake Forest at North Carolina | 6:00pm | ACCN |
| UTRGV at East Texas A&M | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Belmont at Drake | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Houston Christian at Stephen F. Austin | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Nicholls at New Orleans | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Texas Tech at Colorado | 7:00pm | CBSSN |
| UNCW at Stony Brook | 7:00pm | SNY |
| Campbell at Elon | 7:00pm | WRAL |
| UIW at Lamar | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| San Diego at Pacific | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| CSU Bakersfield at Long Beach State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Loyola Marymount at Santa Clara | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| CSUN at Cal State Fullerton | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Maryland at UCLA | 8:00pm | FOX/FS1 |
| Texas at Alabama | 8:00pm | ESPN |
| Middle Tennessee at NM State | 8:00pm | ESPNU |
| Oregon State at Portland | 8:00pm | KUNP |
| San Jose State at Grand Canyon | 8:00pm | KTVK |
| Weber State at Northern Colorado | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southern Utah at California Baptist | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UC San Diego at UC Riverside | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Idaho State at Northern Arizona | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| San Francisco at Pepperdine | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North Dakota at Kansas City | 8:00pm | Summit |
| St. Thomas at Oral Roberts | 8:00pm | Summit |
| Mississippi State at Kentucky | 8:30pm | SECN |
| UT Martin at Southern Indiana | 8:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Utah State at Boise State | 9:00pm | CBSSN |
| BYU at Utah | 10:00pm | ESPN |
| Wyoming at Nevada | 10:00pm | KNSN |
| Fresno State at San Diego State | 11:00pm | CBSSN |
| UC Irvine at Hawai’i | 11:59pm | Spectrum Sports-HI |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| FA Cup: Everton vs Sunderland | 7:15am | ESPN2 |
| FA Cup: Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace | 7:15am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Shrewsbury Town | 7:15am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Cheltenham Town vs Leicester City | 7:15am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Real Oviedo vs Real Betis | 8:00am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Como vs Bologna | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Serie A: Udinese vs Pisa | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs Köln | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Freiburg vs Hamburger SV | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: St. Pauli vs RB Leipzig | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Union Berlin vs Mainz 05 | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Werder Bremen vs Hoffenheim | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Sheffield Wednesday vs Brentford | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Salford City vs Swindon Town | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Newcastle United vs AFC Bournemouth | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Stoke City vs Coventry City | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Manchester City vs Exeter City | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Ipswich Town vs Blackpool | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Burnley vs Millwall | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Boreham Wood vs Burton Albion | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Fulham vs Middlesbrough | 10:00am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Villarreal vs Deportivo Alavés | 10:15am | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Monaco vs Olympique Lyonnais | 11:00am | beIN Sports fuboTV |
| Serie A: Roma vs Sassuolo | 12:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart | 12:30pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Girona vs Osasuna | 12:30pm | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Bristol City vs Watford | 12:45pm | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Cambridge United vs Birmingham City | 12:45pm | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Grimsby Town vs Weston-super-Mare | 12:45pm | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa | 12:45pm | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Nice vs Strasbourg | 1:00pm | beIN Sports fuboTV |
| Serie A: Atalanta vs Torino | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
| FA Cup: Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Valencia vs Elche | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Liga MX: Santos Laguna vs Necaxa | 8:00pm | VIX |
| Liga MX: Monterrey vs Toluca | 10:00pm | VIX |
Sunday, 1/11/26
| NFL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| AFC NFC Wild Card Playoff: Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00pm | CBS Paramount+ |
| NFC Wild Card Playoff: San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles | 4:30pm | FOX |
| AFC Wild Card Playoff: Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots | 8:00pm | NBC Peacock |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic | 3:00 pm | GCSN FanDuel Sports FL |
| Brooklyn Nets vs Memphis Grizzlies | 3:30pm | YES FanDuel Sports MEM |
| Philadelphia 76ers vs Toronto Raptors | 6:00pm | NBCS-PHI SN |
| New York Knicks vs Portland Trail Blazers | 6:00pm | MSG Rip City |
| San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports SW FanDuel Sports North |
| Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports OKC FanDuel Sports Sun |
| Milwaukee Bucks vs Denver Nuggets | 8:00pm | FanDuel Sports MIL ALT |
| Washington Wizards vs Phoenix Suns | 8:00pm | MNMT AFSN |
| Atlanta Hawks vs Golden State Warriors | 8:30pm | FanDuel Sports ATL NBCS-BAY |
| Houston Rockets vs Sacramento Kings | 9:00pm | NBCS-CA SCHN |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| New Jersey Devils vs Winnipeg Jets | 2:00pm | MSGSN TSN |
| Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins | 5:00pm | NESN ATTSN-PIT |
| Washington Capitals vs Nashville Predators | 7:00pm | MNMT FanDuel Sports NSH |
| Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah Mammoth | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports Ohio Utah16 |
| Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks | 8:00pm | NBCS-CA Scripps |
| MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Illinois at Iowa | TBA | FOX |
| Saint Joseph’s at Richmond | 12:00pm | USA |
| Memphis at Florida Atlantic | 1:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Canisius at Iona | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Cleveland State at Detroit Mercy | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Marist at Rider | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Niagara at Manhattan | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Merrimack at Saint Peter’s | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Siena at Mount St. Mary’s | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Northern Kentucky at Green Bay | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Charlotte at Rice | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UAB at East Carolina | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Purdue Fort Wayne at Robert Morris | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Quinnipiac at Sacred Heart | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Wright State at Oakland | 3:00pm | ESPN2 |
| North Texas at Wichita State | 3:00pm | ESPNU |
| Cincinnati at UCF | 5:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Northwestern at Rutgers | 5:00pm | Peacock |
| Ohio State at Washington | 6:00pm | Peacock |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Serie A: Lecce vs Parma | 6:30am | CBSSN Paramount+ |
| FA Cup: Derby County vs Leeds United | 7:00am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Rayo Vallecano vs Mallorca | 8:00am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Fiorentina vs Milan | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| FA Cup: Portsmouth vs Arsenal | 9:00am | ESPN2 |
| FA Cup: Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Norwich City vs Walsall | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: West Ham United vs Queens Park Rangers | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| FA Cup: Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Borussia M’gladbach vs Augsburg | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Levante vs Espanyol | 10:15am | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Brest vs Auxerre | 11:15am | beIN Sports fuboTV |
| Ligue 1: Le Havre vs Angers SCO | 11:15am | beIN Sports fuboTV |
| Ligue 1: Lorient vs Metz | 11:15am | beIN Sports fuboTV |
| FA Cup: Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Bayern München vs Wolfsburg | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Athletic Club vs Real Madrid | 12:00pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid | 12:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Verona vs Lazio | 12:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Serie A: Internazionale vs Napoli | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
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About The Author
