THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2025

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES/SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY’S SCORES

BELIEVE CIRCLE CITY            79          MTI KNOWLEDGE      16         

CLAY CITY       59          NORTH KNOX               39         

EASTSIDE        61          SMITH ACADEMY       35         

EMINENCE      44          INTERNATIONAL         32         

FORT WAYNE WAYNE             66          LEO      40         

GREENFIELD-CENTRAL         58          INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON        53         

HANCOCK COUNTY (KY.)    76          CANNELTON  23         

HERITAGE       65          WHITKO           46         

HOBART           45          SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS)  43         

HOMESTEAD 82          MANCHESTER             23         

MEADE COUNTY (KY.)            62          FLOYD CENTRAL        60          OT

MUNCIE CENTRAL    57          GUERIN CATHOLIC  52         

NEW PRAIRIE               52          JOHN GLENN                48         

PURDUE BROAD RIPPLE      58          ANDERSON PREP      49         

UNIVERSITY   81          INDIANAPOLIS HERRON     19         

VICTORY PREP            59          CENTRAL CHRISTIAN            39         

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THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES EASTERN

CASTON           AT          ARGOS                             7:30 PM            

COVENANT CHRISTIAN        AT          LEBANON                       7:30 PM            

EAST NOBLE  AT          LAKELAND                     7:30 PM            

GOOD NEWS CHRISTIAN    AT          CENTRAL CHRISTIAN                           7:15 PM              

HAMMOND SCIENCE & TECH         AT          GARY LIGHTHOUSE                8:00 PM              

INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD   AT          INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE          7:30 PM              

MACONAQUAH          AT          EASTERN (GREENTOWN)     7:30 PM            

NEW PRAIRIE               AT          MARQUETTE CATHOLIC       7:30 PM            

NORTH MIAMI              AT          BREMEN                          7:30 PM            

NORTHEASTERN        AT          CENTERVILLE                              7:30 PM            

OREGON-DAVIS         AT          DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN            7:30 PM            

PIKE CENTRAL             AT          PRINCETON                  8:00 PM            

PURDUE BROAD RIPPLE      AT          ANDERSON PREP      7:30 PM            

PURDUE ENGLEWOOD         AT          KIPP INDY LEGACY   7:30 PM            

SCOTTSBURG              AT          CHARLESTOWN                        7:30 PM            

ST. THOMAS MORE   AT          BENTON HOMESCHOOL     8:00 PM            

TIPPECANOE VALLEY             AT          NORTHWOOD             7:45 PM            

VINCENNES RIVET   AT          DUGGER UNION                       7:00 PM            

=========

INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES/SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY’S SCORES

CHARLESTOWN         58          AUSTIN             31         

CLARKSVILLE              51          ROCK CREEK ACADEMY      33         

CULVER ACADEMY   56          TRI-TOWNSHIP           34         

CULVER            42          ROCHESTER  36         

DALEVILLE      63          RANDOLPH SOUTHERN       47         

DELTA 81          WINCHESTER              10         

EVANSVILLE CENTRAL          59          EVANSVILLE HARRISON      50         

EVANSVILLE REITZ   51          EVANSVILLE MATER DEI       43         

FRANKTON     54          EASTERN (GREENTOWN)     27         

HAMILTON HEIGHTS              68          PERU   52         

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN             50          NOBLESVILLE              34         

HANCOCK COUNTY (KY.)    53          CANNELTON  9           

HANOVER CENTRAL               34          ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 20         

HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)        55          LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC   22              

HAUSER           36          SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE)  23         

INDIAN CREEK            52          OWEN VALLEY             42         

INDIANA DEAF            39          EMAN  12         

JENNINGS COUNTY 55          EAST CENTRAL            53         

LAVILLE            53          TRITON             34         

LAFAYETTE JEFF         58          KOKOMO         47         

LAWRENCEBURG      40          LLOYD MEMORIAL (KY.)        35         

LINTON             48          NORTH DAVIESS        33         

MCCUTCHEON           67          TRI-WEST        51         

MISHAWAKA MARIAN            64          OREGON-DAVIS         45         

MONROE CENTRAL  51          UNION CITY   24         

NORTH POSEY            59          BOONVILLE    49         

NORTHEASTERN        64          JAY COUNTY  56         

NORTHVIEW  52          TERRE HAUTE SOUTH           28         

PIKE CENTRAL             42          SHOALS           17         

SOUTH BEND RILEY 40          JIMTOWN        38         

SOUTH KNOX               67          SULLIVAN        36         

SOUTHERN WELLS   50          MUNCIE BURRIS        35         

SOUTHWOOD             57          EASTBROOK  33         

SWITZERLAND COUNTY      71          MILAN 37         

TIPPECANOE VALLEY             69          PLYMOUTH    35         

TIPTON             47          TAYLOR             9           

TRI-CENTRAL               57          WES-DEL         22         

VINCENNES LINCOLN           60          LAWRENCEVILLE (ILL.)         32         

WHITE RIVER VALLEY             49          CLAY CITY       48         

CASS COUNTY INVITATIONAL

LEWIS CASS  44          CASTON           39          R1

========

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES EASTERN

ANDERSON PREP      AT          UNIVERSITY                  7:00 PM            

ARGOS              AT          NORTH JUDSON                        8:00 PM            

BARR-REEVE AT          PIKE CENTRAL                            7:30 PM            

BATESVILLE    AT          FRANKLIN COUNTY                7:30 PM            

BLUFFTON      AT          BLACKFORD                 7:30 PM            

BOWMAN ACADEMY              AT          HILLCREST (ILL.)        7:30 PM            

CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN             AT          WAPAHANI     7:30 PM            

CARROLL (FLORA)    AT          WESTERN                       7:30 PM            

CHRISTEL HOUSE     AT          TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN            6:00 PM            

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY           AT          EASTERN (PEKIN)      7:30 PM            

CORYDON CENTRAL              AT          SCOTTSBURG              7:30 PM            

COVINGTON  AT          SCHLARMAN (ILL.)                  7:00 PM            

CROTHERSVILLE        AT          MILAN               7:30 PM            

EAST NOBLE  AT          NORTHRIDGE                             7:45 PM            

EDINBURGH  AT          JAC-CEN-DEL                              7:30 PM            

EDON (OHIO)               AT          FREMONT                       7:30 PM            

ELKHART CHRISTIAN             AT          WAWASEE       7:30 PM            

EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN      AT          VINCENNES LINCOLN           8:00 PM            

FORT WAYNE SOUTH             AT          HERITAGE                      6:00 PM            

FORT WAYNE WAYNE             AT          FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY                            6:30 PM            

FOUNTAIN CENTRAL              AT          LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC                  7:30 PM            

FRANKFORT   AT          DELPHI                            7:30 PM            

FRONTIER       AT          SEEGER                           6:30 PM            

GARRETT         AT          LEO                     7:30 PM            

GARY WEST   AT          GARY 21ST CENTURY             8:00 PM            

GREENSBURG             AT          SOUTH DECATUR      7:30 PM            

HAGERSTOWN           AT          COWAN                           7:30 PM            

HENRYVILLE  AT          LANESVILLE                  7:30 PM            

HIGHLAND     AT          EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL                  8:00 PM            

INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE          AT          INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA     7:30 PM              

INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY      AT          INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN   6:00 PM          

JASPER             AT          CASTLE                            8:00 PM            

JEFFERSONVILLE       AT          FLOYD CENTRAL                       7:30 PM            

LAKE STATION             AT          GRIFFITH                        8:00 PM            

LINTON             AT          EASTERN GREENE                    7:30 PM            

MACONAQUAH          AT          NORTHFIELD                7:45 PM            

MADISON-GRANT     AT          TRI-CENTRAL                              7:30 PM            

MITCHELL       AT          WEST WASHINGTON                             7:30 PM            

MORRISTOWN            AT          BLUE RIVER VALLEY                6:00 PM            

MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE)        AT          CONNERSVILLE          7:30 PM            

MUNCIE CENTRAL    AT          INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECH      7:30 PM            

NEW HAVEN  AT          LAKEWOOD PARK                    6:00 PM            

NEW WASHINGTON AT          BORDEN                         6:00 PM            

NORTH HARRISON   AT          NEW ALBANY                              7:30 PM            

NORTH POSEY            AT          SOUTH SPENCER                     8:00 PM            

NORTH WHITE            AT          ROSSVILLE                    7:00 PM            

NORTHEAST DUBOIS             AT          SPRINGS VALLEY       7:30 PM            

OLDENBURG ACADEMY       AT          NORTH DECATUR      7:30 PM            

PERRY CENTRAL        AT          CRAWFORD COUNTY            8:00 PM            

PRAIRIE HEIGHTS     AT          BETHANY CHRISTIAN            7:30 PM            

PRINCETON   AT          FOREST PARK                             8:00 PM            

PROVIDENCE               AT          TRINITY LUTHERAN                 7:30 PM            

RIVERTON PARKE      AT          CLAY CITY                      7:00 PM            

SALEM               AT          PAOLI                 7:30 PM            

SEYMOUR       AT          BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL                  7:30 PM            

SHAKAMAK    AT          NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG)            6:30 PM            

SHELBYVILLE               AT          COLUMBUS NORTH                7:30 PM            

SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS)  AT          KOUTS                             8:00 PM            

SOUTH VERMILLION               AT          TERRE HAUTE SOUTH           6:00 PM            

SOUTHRIDGE              AT          TELL CITY                       8:00 PM            

TECUMSEH    AT          HERITAGE HILLS                       8:00 PM            

TERRE HAUTE NORTH           AT          BLOOMINGTON SOUTH       7:30 PM            

TRINITY GREENLAWN            AT          JOHN GLENN                               7:30 PM            

TWIN LAKES  AT          RENSSELAER CENTRAL                       8:00 PM            

VINCENNES RIVET   AT          BLOOMFIELD                              7:00 PM            

WEST LAFAYETTE       AT          BENTON CENTRAL                   7:30 PM            

WEST NOBLE AT          WESTVIEW                    7:30 PM            

WESTFIELD    AT          BREBEUF JESUIT                       7:30 PM            

WHITKO           AT          FORT WAYNE LUERS                             7:30 PM            

WOOD MEMORIAL    AT          WASHINGTON CATHOLIC   7:00 PM            

YORKTOWN   AT          RUSHVILLE                   7:30 PM            

ZIONSVILLE   AT          INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL             7:30 PM            

CASS COUNTY INVITATIONAL

LOGANSPORT              AT          PIONEER                         7:00 PM             R1

========

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WRESTLING RESULTS:

https://indianamat.com

=======

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS WRESTLING RESULTS:

https://indianamat.com

=======

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES/SCHEDULE

MINNESOTA 73 #22 INDIANA 64

#12 ALABAMA 90 CLEMSON 84

#25 ARKANSAS 89 #6 LOUISVILLE 80

#10 IOWA STATE 132 ALCORN STATE 68

#9 BYU 91 CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 60

#20 AUBURN 83 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 73

#17 VANDERBILT 88 SMU 69

DETROIT MERCY 92 IU INDY 78

SETON HALL 77 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 61

OAKLAND 101 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 92

WEST VIRGINIA 91 COPPIN STATE 49

KENT STATE 96 AUSTIN PEAY 84

OHIO 79 MAINE 57

LSU 78 BOSTON COLLEGE 69 OT

GEORGETOWN 90 MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY 81

MEMPHIS 86 NEW ORLEANS 70

EVANSVILLE 64 BALL STATE 52

RICE 77 TEXAS STATE 72

WISCONSIN 85 NORTHWESTERN 73

MISSISSIPPI STATE 85 GEORGIA TECH 73

VIRGINIA 88 TEXAS 69

OREGON STATE 80 VERMONT 58

SAN DIEGO STATE 77 UTAH VALLEY 66

UCLA 82 WASHINGTON 80

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 83 BLUFFTON 68

BEREA 68 HANOVER 63

TRANSYLVANIA 86 EARLHAM 70

ROSE HOLMAN 95 MANCHESTER 72

ANDERSON 69 FRANKLIN 54

=======

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES

#15 VANDERBILT 81 VIRGINIA 68

#17 KENTUCKY 64 MIAMI FLORIDA 48

#7 MARYLAND 92 MOUNT ST. MARY’S 44

#24 OKLAHOMA STATE 73 N. TEXAS 55

#6 MICHIGAN 82 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 40

#9 OKLAHOMA 103 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 98 OT

#8 TCU 84 INCARNATE WORD 56

#14 BAYLOR 112 SE. LOUISIANA 47

#19 TENNESSEE 65 STANFORD 62

BALL STATE 119 OAKLAND CITY 34

AKRON 117 HEIDELBERG 34

BY ME OHIO 75 CINCINNATI 71 OT

SYRACUSE 66 AUBURN 60 OT

BYU 56 WASHINGTON STATE 54

GEORGIA 80 FLORIDA STATE 60

INDIANA 71 WESTERN MICHIGAN 53

GEORGE WASHINGTON 54 DAYTON 42

PURDUE FORT WAYNE 74 IU INDY 68

INDIANA STATE 69 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 61

BOWLING GREEN 103 KENTUCKY STATE 32

PURDUE 91 EVANSVILLE 49

TEXAS TECH 83 WICHITA STATE 43

TEXAS A&M 72 GEORGIA TECH 63

UNLV 66 TEXAS SAN ANTONIO 39

NEBRASKA 92 BRADLEY 53

KANSAS 74 NORTHWESTERN 62

SOUTHERN 63 ARIZONA 57

OREGON 96 OREGON STATE 73

TRANSYLVANIA 101 EARLHAM 41

MANCHESTER 78 ROSE HULMAN 63

HANOVER 62 BEREA 52

FRANKLIN 78 ANDERSON 67

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 53 BLUFFTON 48

=======

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/SCORES

WEEK 15/CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

7 P.M. | KENNESAW STATE AT JACKSONVILLE STATE — CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP | CBSSN

7 P.M. | TROY AT JAMES MADISON — SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP | ESPN

8 P.M. | NORTH TEXAS AT TULANE — AMERICAN ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP | ABC

8 P.M. | UNLV AT BOISE STATE — MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP | FOX

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

12 P.M. | TEXAS TECH VS. BYU — BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP (IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS) | ABC

12 P.M. | WESTERN MICHIGAN VS. MIAMI (OHIO) — MAC CHAMPIONSHIP (IN DETROIT) | ESPN

12 P.M. | VILLANOVA AT LEHIGH (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

12 P.M. | SOUTH DAKOTA AT MERCER (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

1 P.M. | ILLINOIS STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

1 P.M. | ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

1 P.M. | NORTH DAKOTA AT TARLETON STATE (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

2 P.M. | PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT JACKSON STATE — SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP | ESPN2

2 P.M. | YALE AT MONTANA STATE (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

2 P.M. | SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT MONTANA (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN+

4 P.M. | GEORGIA VS. ALABAMA — SEC CHAMPIONSHIP (IN ATLANTA) | ABC

8 P.M. | VIRGINIA VS. DUKE — ACC CHAMPIONSHIP (IN CHARLOTTE) | ABC

8 P.M. | OHIO STATE VS. INDIANA — BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP (IN INDIANAPOLIS) | FOX

10 P.M. | RHODE ISLAND AT UC DAVIS (FCS SECOND ROUND) | ESPN2

WEEK 16

3 P.M. | ARMY VS. NAVY | CBS/PARAMOUNT+ (IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND)

=======

NFL

WEEK 14

THURSDAY, DEC. 4, 2025
DALLAS COWBOYS AT DETROIT LIONS, 8:15 P.M. ET, PRIME VIDEO

SUNDAY, DEC. 7, 2025
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ATLANTA FALCONS, 1:00 P.M. ET, FOX
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS, 1:00 P.M. ET, CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BUFFALO BILLS, 1:00 P.M. ET, FOX
TENNESSEE TITANS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS, 1:00 P.M. ET, FOX
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, 1:00 P.M. ET, CBS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 1:00 P.M. ET, FOX
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS, 1:00 P.M. ET, CBS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 1:00 P.M. ET, CBS
DENVER BRONCOS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, 4:05 P.M. ET, CBS
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS, 4:25 P.M. ET, FOX
CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS, 4:25 P.M. ET, FOX
HOUSTON TEXANS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 8:20 P.M. ET, NBC

MONDAY, DEC. 8, 2025
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, 8:15 P.M. ET, ABC/ESPN

=======

NBA SCORES

DENVER 135 INDIANA 120

PORTLAND 122 CLEVELAND 110

SAN ANTONIO 114 ORLANDO 112

LA CLIPPERS 115 ATLANTA 92

NEW YORK 119 CHARLOTTE 104

BROOKLYN 113 CHICAGO 103

MILWAUKEE 113 DETROIT 109

HOUSTON 121 SACRAMENTO 95

DALLAS 118 MIAMI 108

=======

NHL SCORES

DALLAS 3 NEW JERSEY 0

PHILADELPHIA 5 BUFFALO 2

MONTRÉAL 3 WINNIPEG 2

WASHINGTON 7 SAN JOSE 1

UTAH 7 ANAHEIM 0

=======

NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES LISTED IN ET

FIRST ROUND: DEC. 4-5 

THURSDAY, DEC. 4

3 P.M. | NO. 5 COLORADO VS. AMERICAN

4:30 P.M. | NO. 6 BAYLOR VS. ARKANSAS STATE

4:30 P.M. | NO. 8 UCLA VS. GEORGIA TECH

5 P.M. | NO. 5 MIAMI (FLORIDA) VS. TULSA

5:30 P.M. | NO. 4 INDIANA VS. TOLEDO

5:30 P.M. | NO. 6 UNI VS. UTAH

5:30 P.M. | NO. 6 UTEP VS. NORTH CAROLINA

6:30 P.M. | NO. 7 TENNESSEE VS. UTAH STATE

7 P.M. | NO. 1 KENTUCKY VS. WOFFORD

7 P.M. | NO. 3 PURDUE VS. WRIGHT STATE

7:30 P.M. | NO. 4 KANSAS VS. HIGH POINT

8 P.M. | NO. 5 BYU VS. CAL POLY

8 P.M. | NO. 3 CREIGHTON VS. NORTHERN COLORADO

8 P.M. | NO. 3 WISCONSIN VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS

9 P.M. | NO. 2 ARIZONA STATE VS. COPPIN STATE

10:30 P.M. | NO. 4 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VS. PRINCETON

=======

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

4 P.M. | NO. 7 WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. MARQUETTE

4 P.M. | NO. 8 XAVIER VS. MICHIGAN

5 P.M. | NO. 7 RICE VS. FLORIDA

5 P.M. | NO. 6 TCU VS. SFA

5:30 P.M. | NO. 5 IOWA STATE VS. ST. THOMAS (MINNESOTA)

5:30 P.M. | NO. 8 PENN STATE VS. SOUTH FLORIDA

5:30 P.M. | NO. 8 SAN DIEGO VS. KANSAS STATE

6:30 P.M. | LOYOLA CHICAGO VS. NO. 2 LOUISVILLE

6:30 P.M. | NO. 1 PITTSBURGH VS. UMBC

7:30 P.M. | NO. 2 SMU VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS

7:30 P.M. | NO. 7 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE VS. ARIZONA

7:30 P.M. | NO. 3 TEXAS A&M VS. CAMPBELL

8 P.M. | NO. 4 MINNESOTA VS. FAIRFIELD

8 P.M. | NO. 1 NEBRASKA VS. LIU

8 P.M. | NO. 1 TEXAS VS. FLORIDA A&M

10 P.M. | NO. 2 STANFORD VS. UTAH VALLEY

=======

SECOND ROUND: DEC. 5-6

REGIONALS: DEC. 11 AND 13 OR DEC. 12 AND 14

SEMIFINALS: THURSDAY, DEC. 18

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: 3:30 P.M. ON SUNDAY, DEC. 21 | ABC

=======

MEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER

NCAA TOURNAMENT

QUARTERFINALS:

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

6 P.M. | NO. 7 GEORGETOWN VS. NO. 15 NC STATE

10 P.M. | NO. 8 PORTLAND VS. NO. 16 FURMAN

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

1 P.M. | NO. 14 AKRON VS. SAINT LOUIS

1 P.M. | NO. 4 MARYLAND VS. WASHINGTON

MEN’S COLLEGE CUP:

SEMIFINALS: FRIDAY, DEC. 12

FINALS: MONDAY, DEC. 15

=======

WOMEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER

NCAA TOURNAMENT

WOMEN’S COLLEGE CUP​​​​​​

SEMIFINALS: FRIDAY, DEC. 5

TCU VS. FLORIDA STATE

DUKE VS. STANFORD

FINALS: MONDAY, DEC. 8

=========

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER PLAYOFFS

CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY, DEC. 6: 2:30 P.M.

MIAMI VS. VANCOUVER

=========

TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES

NFL NEWS

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL CAPSULE: DALLAS COWBOYS (6-5-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (7-5)

Ford Field | Referee: Shawn Hochuli

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: DAL leads series, 17-12 (DAL won 5 of past 6)

Postseason: DAL leads series, 2-1 (home team won past 3)

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 10/13/24: DET 47 at DAL 9

Postseason: NFC-WC 1/4/15: DET 20 at DAL 24

COWBOYS NOTES:

QB DAK PRESCOTT passed for 320 yards, 2 TDs & 100.4 rating in Week 13, his 4th-career Thanksgiving game with 300+ pass yards, tied-most in NFL history (Matthew Stafford & Tony Romo). Aims for 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards & 4th in row with 2+ TD passes. Ranks 1st with 303 comp. & 2nd with 3,261 pass yards & tied-2nd with 25 TD passes this season. Has 8 TD passes in his last 3 primetime games. Ranks 3rd in pass yards (10,500) & TD passes (72) on primetime since 2016. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS had 80 scrimmage yards & TD catch last week. Aims for 4th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. • RB MALIK DAVIS recorded 1st rush TD in 2025 last week. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had team-high 7 receptions for 112 yards & TD in Week 13, his 13th career game with 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD, tied-4th most in Cowboys history. Has 7,083 career rec. yards, 5th-most rec. yards by any player age 26-or-younger. Aims for 3rd in row with 75+ rec. yards. • WR GEORGE PICKENS had 88 rec. yards in Week 13 & has 7 straight games with 75+ rec. yards, the longest active streak in NFL this season. • TE JAKE FERGUSON has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 on road. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY had season-high 2 sacks in Week 13. • LB DEMARVION OVERSHOWN co-led team with 6 tackles last week. Had FF in last meeting. Aims for 100th career tackle (99). • DT QUINNEN WILLIAMS has TFL in 2 of his past 3. • DT OSA ODIGHIZUWA has sack in 2 of his past 3. • DE DANTE FOWLER had 3rd sack of season last week. • CB SHAVON REVEL co-led team with season-high 6 tackles in Week 13. • CB DARON BLAND aims for 3rd in row on primetime with 10+ tackles & PD. • S DONOVAN WILSON had 5 tackles & FF in Week 13. Has 6+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 on road.

LIONS NOTES:

QB JARED GOFF passed for 256 yards & 2 TDs with 132.9 rating in Week 13. Ranks tied-2nd with 25 TD passes this season. Ranks 5th with 9,148 pass yards on primetime since 2016. Has TD pass in 18 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL. Passed for 315 yards & 3 TDs with a 153.8 rating in last meeting. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS has recorded 1,019 rush yards in 2025, his 2nd career season with 1,000+ rush yards since 2023. Ranks 4th in NFL with 1,019 rush yards & tied-4th with 10 rush TDs this season. Has 1,416 scrimmage yards & 13 TDs this season & is the 5th RB since 1990 with 1,200+ scrimmage yards & 10+ TDs in each of his 1st 3 seasons. Aims for 5th in row with 85+ scrimmage yards. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had 6th rush TD in 2025 last week. Had 2 rush TDs in last meeting & has rush TD in 3 of his past 4 home primetime games. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS led team with 7 receptions for 144 yards & TD in Week 13. Has rec. TD in 4 of his past 5. • WR ISAAC TESLAA (rookie) recorded 3rd TD catch this season last week. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN has 505 career receptions since entering NFL in 2021 & can surpass Michael Thomas (510) for most receptions through 1st 5 career seasons in NFL history. • LB JACK CAMPBELL had 8 tackles in Week 13. Has 5+ tackles in every game this season. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 on primetime. Aims for 5th in row on primetime with 8+ tackles. • LB ALEX ANZALONE aims for 6th in row with 5+ tackles. • DE AIDAN HUTCHINSON had 6 tackles in Week 13. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. Had sack in last meeting. Tied-2nd in NFL with 4 FFs this season. • CB AMIK ROBERTSON tied career-high 3 PD in Week 13. • DB BRIAN BRANCH had team-high 10 tackles & 2 PD in Week 13. Aims for 7th in row with 6+ tackles. Had FF & 2 INTs in last meeting.

WEEK 14 NFL PREVIEW 

The 2025 season marks the fifth time since realignment in 2002 that at least five divisions are separated by one-or-fewer games entering Week 14 (seven divisions in 2010, five divisions in 2003, 2014 and 2019) and the fifth time since 2002 that four divisions (AFC South, AFC West, NFC North and NFC West) had three teams with a .500-or-better record entering Week 14.

In the NFC, the 49ers (9-4), currently the No. 7 seed, are half a game behind the top-seeded Bears (9-3) entering Week 14. Per NFL Research, the only other time in the Wild Card era (since 1978) that the final playoff seed in a conference was within half a game or less of the top seed this late in a season was the AFC in 1980, when all five seeds were 10-5 entering the final week of the season.

Here’s a look at a few interesting storylines entering Week 14:

Dallas (6-5-1) at Detroit (7-5) (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Dallas leads the NFL in total offense (393.1 yards per game) and ranks second in scoring offense (29.3 points per game) while Detroit ranks third in both total offense and scoring offense (376.3 yards per game and 29.2 points per game) entering Week 14. It marks the fifth game since 1970 in Week 14 or later between teams that are averaging at least 29 points per game and 375 yards of total offense.

• Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott ranks second in the NFL with 3,261 passing yards and is tied with Detroit quarterback Jared Goff for the second-most touchdown passes (25) in the NFL this season.
• Prescott has 4,760 passing yards in 18 career Thursday starts and can join Aaron Rodgers (5,126 passing yards) and Tom Brady (5,110) as the only quarterbacks all-time with at least 5,000 passing yards in Thursday games.
• Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the NFL with 44 touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2023. With a touchdown on Thursday, he can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell (45 touchdowns) for the fourth-most touchdowns by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (47), Eric Dickerson (46) and Gale Sayers (46).

Pittsburgh (6-6) at Baltimore (6-6) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittsburgh and Baltimore enter Week 14 tied at the top of the AFC North and are set for two meetings (Week 14 at Baltimore, Week 18 at Pittsburgh) in the final five weeks of the season. The Ravens defeated the Steelers, 28-14, in the 2024 AFC Wild Card round as running back Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Since 2020, the Steelers have won eight of the past 10 regular-season matchups, with nine of the 10 games decided by seven-or-fewer points.

• Henry has 10 rushing touchdowns in 2025 and became the second player ever with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (nine consecutive seasons from 2001-09 with the San Diego Chargers).
• Henry has 931 rushing yards this season and can become the fourth player all-time with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in seven career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (eight seasons) and Emmitt Smith (seven) as well as Adrian Peterson (seven).

Indianapolis (8-4) at Jacksonville (8-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Indianapolis and Jacksonville enter Week 14 tied atop the AFC South and are set to meet twice in the next four weeks (Week 14 at Jacksonville, Week 17 at Indianapolis). The Colts lead the NFL in scoring offense (29.8 points per game), including a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, while the Jaguars have the league’s top rushing defense (82.4 rushing yards allowed per game) and are the only AFC team to allow 10-or-fewer points in four games this season.

• Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones ranks third in the AFC with 3,041 passing yards and is one of two quarterbacks, along with New England’s Drake Maye, with a passer rating of 100-or-more in nine-or-more games  (nine) this season.
• Jacksonville defensive end Josh Hines-Allen is one of three players, along with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby, with at least six sacks and 10 tackles for loss in six of the past seven seasons. The Jaguars have won seven consecutive games in which Hines-Allen had at least half a sack.

Chicago (9-3) at Green Bay (8-3-1) (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Chicago leads Green Bay by a half game in the NFC North as the two rivals are set to meet twice in the next three weeks (Week 14 at Green Bay, Week 16 at Chicago). The Bears lead the NFL in takeaways (26), including a league-high 17 interceptions, while the Packers have turned the ball over a league-low seven times this season.

• Chicago safety Kevin Byard leads the NFL with six interceptions this season and is the first player age 32 or older to be leading the league in interceptions through Week 13 since 2019 (Devin McCourty).
• Green Bay defensive lineman Micah Parsons has 12.5 sacks this season and became the first player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. Since entering the NFL in 2021, he has 65 sacks, the fifth-most by a player in his first five seasons since 1982, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Reggie White (81 sacks) and Derrick Thomas (66) as well as J.J. Watt (74.5) and T.J. Watt (72).

Denver (10-2) at Las Vegas (2-10) (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): The Broncos have won nine consecutive games and joined the 1986 New York Giants (Weeks 9-12) as the only teams in NFL history to win four consecutive games by three-or-fewer points.

• Denver is the first team since the 2021 Tennessee Titans to win six games by three-or-fewer points in a single season and can join the 2003 Carolina Panthers and 1998 Arizona Cardinals as the only teams in NFL history with seven wins by three-or-fewer points in a single season.
• The Broncos are the fifth team in the past 40 seasons (1986-2025) with at least 50 sacks (51) in their first 12 games of a season, joining the 1989 Minnesota Vikings (57 sacks), 1987 Chicago Bears (56), 2000 New Orleans Saints (55) and 1987 Philadelphia Eagles (50).
• Denver quarterback Bo Nix has 20 regular season wins since entering the NFL in 2024. In NFL history, only five quarterbacks have won more regular-season games in their first two seasons: Russell Wilson (24 wins), Andrew Luck (22), Dak Prescott (22), Ben Roethlisberger (22) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (21).

Houston (7-5) at Kansas City (6-6) (Sunday, 8: 20 p.m. ET, NBC): Houston, entering Week 14 one game out of a playoff spot and one game behind Indianapolis and Jacksonville for the AFC South division lead, have won four consecutive games and aim to become the fifth team since 1990 to begin 0-3 and qualify for the postseason, joining the 2018 Houston Texans, 1998 Buffalo Bills, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1992 San Diego Chargers.

• The Texans lead the NFL in scoring defense (16.5 points per game) and total defense (265.7 yards per game allowed), including a league-best 10 games in which they have allowed 20-or-fewer points. The Chiefs have won five consecutive home games, with at least 28 points scored in four of the five wins.
• Houston cornerback Derek Stingley, per Next Gen Stats, has allowed the lowest passer rating (56.0), second-lowest completion percentage (44.9) and tied for the third-fewest receptions (22) among cornerbacks with at least 300 coverage snaps this season.
• Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has 22 touchdown passes this season and can become the sixth player all-time with at least 25 touchdown passes in eight consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (13 seasons from 1998-2010), Drew Brees (11 from 2006-16), Philip Rivers (11 from 2008-18), Tom Brady (10 from 2009-18) and Kirk Cousins (eight from 2015-22).

Philadelphia (8-4) at the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC): Since both being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert ranks third in the NFL with 172 combined passing and rushing touchdowns while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ranks tied for fourth with 167.

• Herbert, who has 2,842 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes this season, can become the third player ever with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first six seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
• Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown has 24 games with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception since entering the NFL in 2019 and can become the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 25 such games in his first seven seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss (34 games), Jerry Rice (31), Marvin Harrison (27) and Calvin Johnson (27) as well as Torry Holt (25).

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 14

Below are the players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season, including:

• QB Jared Goff
• QB Justin Herbert
• QB Jalen Hurts
• QB Patrick Mahomes
• RB Derrick Henry
• WR A.J. Brown
• WR Justin Jefferson
• WR CeeDee Lamb
• TE Evan Engram
• TE Trey McBride
• TE Travis Kelce
• DE Myles Garrett
• LB T.J. Watt
• DB Nahshon Wright
  
  

JARED GOFF

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff has 44 career games with at least 300 passing yards since entering the NFL in 2016, including two this season.

With 300 passing yards on Thursday Night Football against Dallas (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video), Goff can join Patrick Mahomes (50 games, in ninth season) and Matt Ryan (45) as the only players with at least 45 such games in their first 10 career seasons all-time.

JUSTIN HERBERT

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert ranks third in the AFC in touchdown passes (21) and fourth in passing yards (2,842) this season.

With 158 passing yards on Monday Night Football against Philadelphia (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Herbert can become the third player ever with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first six seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

JALEN HURTS

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts ranks second among quarterbacks with eight rushing touchdowns this season. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Hurts has 29 career games with at least one touchdown pass and one rushing touchdown.

With two rushing touchdowns on Monday Night Football at the Los Angeles Chargers (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Hurts can become the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in five career seasons and the sixth player all-time with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in five consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (nine seasons from 2001-09), Derrick Henry (eight from 2018-25, active streak), Adrian Peterson (seven from 2007-13), Shaun Alexander (five from 2001-05) and Michael Turner (five from 2008-12).

Additionally, Hurts can become the fourth player since 2000 with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in five of his first six career seasons, joining Adrian Peterson (first six seasons), Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (six) and Shaun Alexander (five).

With a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown, Hurts can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history with at least 30 games with both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown, joining Josh Allen (49 games), Cam Newton (45), Aaron Rodgers (31) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young (31).

PATRICK MAHOMES

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes ranks second in the AFC with 22 touchdown passes this season. Mahomes has five games with at least three touchdown passes this season, tied for the second-most in the NFL.

With three touchdown passes on Sunday Night Football against Houston (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Mahomes can become the sixth player all-time with at least 25 touchdown passes in eight consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (13 seasons from 1998-2010), Drew Brees (11 from 2006-16), Philip Rivers (11 from 2008-18), Tom Brady (10 from 2009-18) and Kirk Cousins (eight from 2015-22).

DERRICK HENRY

Baltimore running back Derrick Henry ranks tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (10) and seventh in rushing yards (931) this season. Henry has 39 career games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, including three such games this season.

With 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on Sunday against Pittsburgh (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Henry can become the sixth player all-time with 40 such career games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (56 games), Walter Payton (48), Barry Sanders (43), LaDainian Tomlinson (43) and Jim Brown (41).

Additionally, Henry can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (43 games) for the fourth-most games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, including the postseason, in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (63 games), Walter Payton (48) and LaDainian Tomlinson (44) have more.

The players with the most games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, including the postseason, in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM(S)	GAMES
Emmitt Smith HOF	Dallas, Arizona	63
Walter Payton HOF	Chicago	48
LaDainian Tomlinson HOF	San Diego Chargers, N.Y. Jets	44
Barry Sanders HOF	Detroit	43
Derrick Henry	Tennessee, Baltimore	42

With two rushing touchdowns, something he’s done three times this season, Henry can join Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDanian Tomlinson (seven seasons) as the only players with seven seasons with at least 12 rushing touchdowns in NFL history.

Additionally, Henry can become the fourth player all-time with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in seven career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (eight seasons) and Emmitt Smith (seven) as well as Adrian Peterson (seven).

A.J. BROWN

Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown has 24 career games with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception and has four such games this season, including in each of his past two.

With at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception on Monday Night Football at the Los Angeles Chargers (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Brown can become the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 25 games with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception through his first seven seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss (34 games), Jerry Rice (31), Marvin Harrison (27) and Calvin Johnson (27) as well as Torry Holt (25).

Additionally, with 151 receiving yards on Monday, Brown can become the second player in NFL history with at least 50 receptions, 850 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions in each of his first seven career seasons, joining Gary Clark (1985-91 with Washington).

JUSTIN JEFFERSON

Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson has 557 receptions, 8,231 receiving yards and 42 touchdown receptions since entering the NFL in 2020.

With 145 receiving yards on Sunday against Washington (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Jefferson can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (8,375 receiving yards) for the most receiving yards by a player in his first six seasons in NFL history.

With eight receptions on Sunday, Jefferson can surpass Jarvis Landry (564 receptions) for the most receptions by a player in his first six seasons.

The players with the most receptions in his first six seasons:

PLAYER	TEAM(S)	RECEPTIONS
Jarvis Landry	Miami, Cleveland	564
Justin Jefferson	Minnesota	557*
CeeDee Lamb	Dallas	547*
*in sixth season

CEEDEE LAMB

Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has 547 receptions, 7,083 receiving yards and 41 touchdown receptions since entering the NFL in 2020.

With three receptions on Thursday Night Football at Detroit (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video), Lamb can become the second player in NFL history with at least 550 receptions and 7,000 receiving yards through their first six career seasons, joining Justin Jefferson (557 receptions for 8,231 yards; currently in sixth season).

EVAN ENGRAM

Denver tight end Evan Engram has 38 receptions this season. Engram has at least 40 receptions in each season since entering the NFL in 2017.

With two receptions on Sunday at Las Vegas (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS), Engram can join Jeremy Shockey as the only tight ends all-time with at least 40 receptions in each of their first nine career seasons.

TREY MCBRIDE

Arizona tight end Trey McBride leads the NFL with 88 receptions and leads all tight ends with 879 receiving yards this season.

With 11 receptions on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), McBride can surpass Zach Ertz (98 receptions in 2018 with Philadelphia) for the most receptions by a tight end in his team’s first 13 games of a season in NFL history.

The tight ends with the most receptions through his team’s first 13 games of a season in NFL history:

PLAYER	TEAM	SEASON	RECEPTIONS
Zach Ertz	Philadelphia	2018	98
Jason Witten	Dallas	2012	92
Travis Kelce	Kansas City	2020	90
Trey McBride	Arizona	2025	88*
*in team’s first 12 games

Additionally, McBride can join Travis Kelce (three seasons) as the only tight ends all-time with multiple career seasons with at least 100 receptions.

TRAVIS KELCE

Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce ranks second among tight ends with 719 receiving yards this season.

With 81 receiving yards on Sunday Night Football against Houston (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Kelce can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only players in NFL history with at least 800 receiving yards in 12 consecutive seasons.

MYLES GARRETT

Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett leads the league with 19 sacks this season and ranks first in the NFL with 121.5 sacks since entering the league in 2017.

With a half sack on Sunday against Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Garrett can surpass Aldon Smith (19.5 sacks in 2012) for the second-most sacks by a player in his first 13 games of a season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (21 sacks in 1987) has more.

T.J. WATT

Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt has 115 career sacks, the second-most in the NFL since entering the league in 2017.  

With at least two sacks on Sunday at Baltimore (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Watt can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Jared Allen (117 sacks) and DeMarcus Ware (117) for the third-most sacks by a player in his first nine seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (137 sacks) and Myles Garrett (121.5, in ninth season) have more.

NAHSHON WRIGHT

Chicago defensive back Nahshon Wright has a takeaway in five-consecutive games – fumble recoveries in Weeks 10 and 13 and an interception in Weeks 9, 11 and 12.

With a takeaway on Sunday at Green Bay (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Wright can become the sixth player since 2000 with a takeaway in at least six consecutive games, joining J.C. Jackson (seven consecutive games in 2020 with New England), Trevon Diggs (six in 2021 in Dallas), Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson (six in 2006 with Green Bay), Brian Russell (six in 2003 with Minnesota) and Doug Evans (six in 2001 with Carolina).

The players with the most consecutive games with a takeaway since 2000:

PLAYER	TEAM	SEASON	CONSECUTIVE GAMES
J.C. Jackson	New England	2020	7
Trevon Diggs	Dallas	2021	6
Charles Woodson HOF	Green Bay	2006	6
Brian Russell	Minnesota	2003	6
Doug Evans	Carolina	2001	6
Nashon Wright	Chicago	2025	5*
*active streak

NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: POSTSEASON PROBABILITIES ENTERING WEEK 14 OF THE 2025 SEASON

NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE ENTERING WEEK 14

AFC	Playoff %	If Win	If Lose	No. 1 seed %
1. Patriots (11-2)	>99%	BYE	BYE	36%
2. Broncos (10-2)	99%	>99%	96%	48%
3. Jaguars (8-4)	79%	95%	67%	4%
4. Ravens (6-6)	69%	84%	38%	0%
5. Chargers (8-4)	61%	76%	50%	2%
6. Colts (8-4)	72%	86%	55%	3%
7. Bills (8-4)	90%	96%	79%	6%

• If you thought last week’s AFC slate was juicy, just look at the high-leverage affairs on tap this Sunday:
  • No. 9 Steelers (6-6) at No. 4 Ravens (6-6): 92 points of combined leverage
  • No. 8 Texans (7-5) at No. 10 Chiefs (6-6): 75 points
  • No. 3 Jaguars (8-4) at No. 6 Colts (8-4): 52 points
• That Steelers-Ravens number is staggering — stakes we typically see closer to the end of the season. Although both teams would improve to 7-6 overall with a win, if the Ravens prevail, they’d be in position to lock up the division by Week 17 regardless of what Pittsburgh does, making their Week 18 rematch moot. However, even if Pittsburgh succeeds on Sunday and assumes the AFC North lead, the Ravens could still potentially overtake them in the season finale. This is why Baltimore’s “If Win” playoff probability shoots up to 84 percent, while Pittsburgh’s levels out at an uncomfortable 62 percent.
• Whether you win by way of a failed two-point try or a 20-point margin, the W’s all count the same in the final tally. No team knows that better than the Broncos, whose nine-game run since the end of September includes a league-high seven victories by four points or fewer. While their winning margins have not always been substantial, their lead over the AFC’s bubble teams sure is, which is why Denver enters Week 14 with a 99 percent playoff probability.
• Barring an epic disaster in Vegas this weekend (which, to be fair, can happen to the best of us), the Broncos will assume control of the No. 1 seed from the Pats (who have the week off) by Sunday evening.
• The Bills’ dominant performance at Pittsburgh added a couple points to their postseason probability and stacked another H2H win over a bubble team to their growing pile. With victories over Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Kansas City — and potentially Cincinnati on Sunday — Buffalo has only Houston to fear, should tie-breakers come into play. …
• … Speaking of the Texans (and their terrifying defense), they could make their playoff-picture debut with a win at Kansas City on Sunday. As it so happens, no AFC division has more at stake in Week 14 than the South, which could emerge from this weekend’s chaos with a new clubhouse leader and three members in postseason position. Lot of moving parts here, so bear with me. Assuming Colts-Jags doesn’t end in a tie, then:
  • If the Texans win at Kansas City on Sunday, they will end the week in possession of at least the seventh seed. If both the Chargers (at Eagles) and Bills (vs. Bengals) also win, then the loser of Colts-Jaguars exits the playoff picture entirely.
  • If the Texans win and either the Chargers or Bills lose, then Houston, Indy and Jacksonville would all be in possession of postseason slots entering Week 15.
  • If the Texans win and both the Chargers and Bills lose, then not only are all three AFC South teams in the picture, but Houston would jump up to the No. 5 seed, with the loser of Colts-Jags falling to No. 7.
• Since its inaugural season 23 years ago, the AFC South has only sent three teams to the playoffs once before, in 2007.
• L.A.’s Week 13 win over the Raiders came at a potentially season-altering cost, with Justin Herbert fracturing his non-throwing hand. The Bolts could really use some favorable news regarding their QB1’s upcoming availability, because they won’t find many positives in their remaining schedule. Sure, the season finale at Denver could end up being a winner-takes-all division bout, which would constitute something of a “positive,” but that scenario only comes into play if L.A. is within one game of the Broncos’ record when Week 18 arrives. And the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys and Texans figure to have different priorities when each takes on the Chargers over the next four weeks.

NFC	Playoff %	If Win	If Lose	No. 1 seed %
1. Bears (9-3)	76%	93%	70%	10%
2. Rams (9-3)	96%	98%	89%	36%
3. Eagles (8-4)	95%	98%	89%	9%
4. Buccaneers (7-5)	84%	88%	74%	1%
5. Seahawks (9-3)	93%	97%	85%	22%
6. Packers (8-3-1)	89%	95%	75%	12%
7. 49ers (9-4)	90%	BYE	BYE	9%

• On Monday, Oct. 13, Chicago earned a walk-off win at Washington — the site of last year’s season-derailing Hail Mary loss — to improve to 3-2 and 10th place in the NFC. Six wins, seven weeks and exactly 50 days later, the Bears sit alone atop the conference. For the first time since 2006 — and in the 40th-anniversary season of the franchise’s only Super Bowl-winning team — the calendar has flipped to December with Chicago in first place. Let’s take a minute to let that sink in. …
• … OK, now for the negative: The Bears haven’t clinched anything yet. With five games to play and the fifth-hardest remaining slate, staying on top of the mountain might prove to be even harder than the climb up. As Ben Johnson said on Monday, the team will have to earn the right to play in the tournament. And while millions of Bears fans surely believe they will, the NGS model isn’t quite there yet. Three squads currently sport a higher probability than Chicago (10%) to finish as the No. 1 seed (Rams, 36%; Seahawks, 22%; Packers, 12%). In fact, the Bears still aren’t even the favorites to win the NFC North. As a Chicago kid, this just became personal with me. No free hot dogs for the Next Gen machine.
• Much to the chagrin of Chicagoans, the Packers enter this weekend’s head-to-head heavyweight bout following a huge win of their own, having secured the season sweep of the Lions on Thanksgiving. Every Bears-Packers game is meaningful in its own way, but Sunday’s showdown has some particularly spicy stakes: If the Bears win at Lambeau, they become a near lock to clinch a postseason berth, bolstering their bid for the No. 1 seed and the NFC North title along the way; if the Packers win, they replace Chicago atop the division and, with losses by L.A. and Seattle, move to No. 1 in the conference, too.
• … Speaking of No. 1 seeds being supplanted, Chicago’s ascent to the top of the NFC was only made possible by the Panthers’ stunning victory over the Rams on Sunday. Carolina has now pulled off the two biggest upsets of the 2025 season (along with Week 9 at Green Bay) and has a winning record (7-6), yet currently sits in 10th place with an 18% playoff probability. The NFC is nasty this year.
• As for the team the Panthers beat on Sunday, well, the Rams remain the frontrunners for home-field advantage throughout, though their margin for error has dwindled. They still have to play Detroit and at Seattle over the next three weeks, with two rounds against Arizona also in the stretch-run mix. And don’t be too hasty to count those Cardinals tilts toward the Rams’ win total, as Jonathan Gannon’s group has played the Rams tough over their two most recent matchups, handing L.A. its most lopsided loss of the 2020s last year in the desert.
• Despite dropping back-to-back conference games, the Eagles still boast the second-best playoff probability of any NFC team (95%) thanks to their sizable division lead. But there’s no way the reigning champs feel comfortable ceding two slots in as many weeks while the Cowboys claw their way back into contention.
• After three consecutive wins, the 49ers hit the bye knowing their spot in the tournament will only improve during their break. San Francisco is guaranteed at least the No. 6 seed, regardless of how the week plays out. But their slot could get even better: Losses by the Seahawks (at Atlanta) and the Rams (at Arizona) would bump San Francisco up to the No. 2 seed. Like getting a promotion on your day off!

Which teams are on the playoff bubble?

AFC Bubble teams	Playoff %	If Win	If Lose
8. Texans (7-5)	63%	85%	49%
9. Steelers (6-6)	31%	62%	15%
10. Chiefs (6-6)	35%	49%	11%

• Considering the deep hole the Chiefs have dug for themselves, they couldn’t have asked for a more favorable Week 14 slate with which to improve their playoff hopes. If Kansas City can handle business at home against red-hot Houston (7-5), the reigning AFC champs could hit Week 15 having made up serious ground in the postseason chase. All of the teams standing between them and a wild-card spot face stiff competition this weekend. Take a look:
  • No. 5 Chargers (8-4) vs. NFC No. 3 Eagles (8-4)
  • No. 6 Colts (8-4) at No. 3 Jaguars (8-4)
  • No. 7 Bills (8-4) vs. No. 12 Bengals (4-8 … but Joe Burrow)
  • No. 9 Steelers (6-6) at No. 4 Ravens (6-6)
• However, the same goes for the Texans, who have battled their way back into both the wild-card and AFC South races after a disappointing 0-3 start to the season. Over the last six weeks, they’ve beaten four squads that currently appear in the 14-team playoff field. Even if they were to lose at Kansas City on Sunday night, they still have matchups against the Chargers and Colts to come, which affords them some say in their final landing spot in the AFC standings.
• The Steelers remain stuck on the bubble after their demoralizing loss to Buffalo at home. But they can’t dwell on Sunday’s miscues and missed chances (or growing fan discontent) for long — not with another golden opportunity awaiting them this weekend in Baltimore. With a win, Pittsburgh ends its two-week absence from the playoff picture, returning to the No. 4 seed. With a loss, the Steelers’ postseason probability sinks to a crushing 15%.

NFC Bubble teams	Playoff %	If Win	If Lose
8. Lions (7-5)	43%	58%	23%
9. Cowboys (6-5-1)	16%	31%	6%
10. Panthers (7-6)	18%	BYE	BYE

• The Cowboys have taken three straight — including back-to-back games against last season’s Super Bowl contenders — to nearly triple their playoff probability from two weeks ago. But they’ll need a fair amount of help to get over the large hurdles still standing in their way. Thursday night’s prime-time affair at Detroit will serve as the Cowboys’ last matchup with a team ahead of them in the standings, which means they’ll have limited control over their future during the fourth quarter of the campaign. There’s a flip side to that coin, though: Three of their final four opponents (Vikings, Commanders and Giants) have already been eliminated or are on the verge of elimination.
• The Lions entered Ford Field last Thursday with a 75 percent playoff probability. They could leave their home turf this Thursday at 23 percent. In case you’re not a numbers person, Dan Campbell’s crew is officially in must-win territory.
• Although the Panthers’ road to the postseason almost certainly goes through the NFC South (more on that below), the model did project them as a wild-card team in 183 of 10,000 simulations.

So you’re saying there’s a chance …

(Teams with less than 10% probability to earn a playoff spot.)

AFC fringe teams	Playoff %	If Win	If Lose
11. Dolphins (5-7)	<1%	1%	<1%
12. Bengals (4-8)	2%	4%	1%
13. Jets (3-9)	0%	0%	0%
14. Browns (3-9)	0%	0%	0%

• Miami’s improbable return to contention remains … highly improbable. Even with three consecutive wins, the Fins’ probability continues to hover around 1 percent. They simply have too much ground to make up with too little time. Head-to-head losses against all three current wild-card teams certainly don’t help, either.
• The sand has all but run out on the Jets and Browns, who are both about as far away from the playoff picture as possible without being officially eliminated. Neither team earned a playoff berth in even one simulation this week — including the “If Win” scenarios.

Eliminated AFC Teams

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-11)

NFC fringe teams	Playoff %	If Win	If Lose
11. Falcons (4-8)	<1%	<1%	0%
12. Vikings (4-8)	<1%	<1%	0%
14. Commanders (3-9)	<1%	<1%	0%

• Three teams simply waiting for the other shoe to drop. At .02 percent, Minnesota will need many, many miracles to still earn a postseason berth. But that the Vikings punched their ticket in even one simulated scenario — let alone two — is kind of fun. With their best attainable record being 9-8, they’ll need potential wild-card contenders with eight wins or fewer — like Detroit, Green Bay and Dallas — to fall short of the nine-win mark. And as it turns out, Minnesota will face the Lions, Packers and Cowboys over the next five weeks. So, do what you do best, Vikings fans, and root against the Cheeseheads this weekend.

Eliminated NFC Teams

13. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
15. New Orleans Saints (2-10)
16. New York Giants (2-11)

Who’s most likely to win each division?

(Teams that have been mathematically eliminated from their divisional races are not included below.)

AFC East	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Patriots (11-2) | (3-0)	79%	BYE, BUF, at BAL, at NYJ, MIA
2. Bills (8-4) | (2-2)	21%	CIN, at NE, at CLE, PHI, NYJ

• A win over the Bengals on Sunday would bring Buffalo to within two games of New England in the AFC East standings, with a head-to-head matchup on tap for Week 15. But the Pats could lose that rubber match with the Bills and the game after that, in Baltimore, and still lock up the division title by beating the Jets and Dolphins to close out the year.
• The Dolphins were officially knocked out of division contention after the Patriots’ win on Monday night.

AFC North	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Ravens (6-6) | (2-1)	69%	PIT, at CIN, NE, at GB, at PIT
2. Steelers (6-6) | (2-1)	29%	at BAL, MIA, at DET, at CLE, BAL
3. Bengals (4-8) | (3-1)	2%	at BUF, BAL, at MIA, ARI, CLE
4. Browns (3-9) | (0-4)	0%	TEN, at CHI, BUF, PIT, at CIN

• Another season, another tight AFC North race. Unlike in previous years, however, neither the Ravens nor the Steelers have shown any apparent desire to actually win this competition, with both seemingly happy for the other to lose it.
• Unfortunately for both, their missteps have opened the door for Joe Burrow‘s Bengals to re-enter the ring. While still longshots at 2 percent, Cincinnati has the best overall division record of the bunch and could sweep the Ravens in two weeks. The Bengals still need a fair amount of help to sneak into the tournament, but they’re seemingly at their best when their backs are against the wall (SEE: Five-game win streak to close the 2024 campaign).
• Since 2021, only the Bills (.818) and the Bucs (.750) have a higher win percentage than the Bengals (.739) in regular-season games once the NFL calendar reaches December.
• The North holds the unpleasant distinction of being the only division without a team over .500. That should change this weekend when the Ravens and Steelers face off, but wouldn’t it be fitting if that one ended in a tie?

AFC South	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Jaguars (8-4) | (2-1)	37%	IND, NYJ, at DEN, at IND, TEN
2. Colts (8-4) | (2-1)	38%	at JAC, at SEA, SF, JAC, at HOU
3. Texans (7-5) | (4-1)	25%	at KC, ARI, LV, at LAC, IND

• Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, folks, because this three-team race will likely take a few more twists and turns before the campaign comes to a close. Obviously, this weekend’s Colts-Jags clash will have outsized implications on this competition, with the winner either retaining (in Jacksonville’s case) or regaining (in Indy’s case) control of the AFC South lead. But the pressure is truly on the Colts to capture Round 1, considering the sheer difficulty of their remaining slate (No. 1 in the NFL).
• Whoever wins Sunday shouldn’t spend much time celebrating — not with Houston and its 4-1 division mark hovering over this race. Stay tuned!

AFC West	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Broncos (10-2) | (2-1)	87%	at LV, GB, JAC, at KC, LAC
2. Chargers (8-4) | (4-0)	11%	PHI, at KC, at DAL, HOU, at DEN
3. Chiefs (6-6) | (1-2)	2%	HOU, LAC, at TEN, DEN, at LV

• Los Angeles really needed Washington to convert that game-winning two-point try versus Denver on Sunday night. Without it, the Broncos’ division win probability increased by 7 points, to an AFC-leading 87 percent, while the Chargers’ odds fell to roughly one in 10. Factor in L.A.’s absolutely brutal remaining schedule and Justin Herbert’s fractured left hand, and you don’t need an algorithm to tell you that the Bolts are projected to finish second in the West — at best.
• Although it might not mean much to the final AFC West standings, the Chargers could still secure the franchise’s first perfect division record since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. If they end the season undefeated in AFC West play but still come up short to Denver (or K.C., however unlikely) in the pecking order, they’d join the 2010 Raiders as the only teams since realignment in 2002 to sweep their division but not win it.

NFC East	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Eagles (8-4) | (2-2)	92%	at LAC, LV, at WSH, at BUF, WSH
2. Cowboys (6-5-1) | (3-1)	7%	at DET, MIN, LAC, at WSH, at NYG
3. Commanders (3-9) | (1-1)	<1%	at MIN, at NYG, PHI, DAL, at PHI

• Even with back-to-back losses coupled with back-to-back-to-back Cowboys victories, Philly’s division win probability still sits at a robust 92 percent. The Super Bowl champs might be out of sync, but they’re very much in the mix.
• Despite a noble effort in a wildly entertaining Sunday night affair, Washington enters Week 14 in the ignominious position of sitting below an eliminated team in the overall NFC standings (Arizona) without having yet been eliminated from contention themselves. That’s because, miraculously, they still have a path to No. 1 in the East: They need to win out, the Eagles need to lose out and the Cowboys must finish 7-8-2 or worse. As far-fetched as that seems, the model actually crowned the Commanders in three of 10,000 simulations — which, honestly, is three more that I would’ve thought.

NFC North	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Bears (9-3) | (1-2)	36%	at GB, CLE, GB, at SF, DET
2. Packers (8-3-1) | (3-0)	56%	CHI, at DEN, at CHI, BAL, at MIN
3. Lions (7-5) | (1-3)	8%	DAL, at LAR, PIT, at MIN, at CHI

• I dug into the conference-altering implications of Bears-Packers Round 1 at the top, so I won’t rehash all of that here. But it’s worth noting that this week’s heated rivalry game means more to Green Bay’s NFC North title hopes than it does Chicago’s. That’s because even if the Bears fall at Lambeau Field on Sunday, they can retake the division lead by winning their Week 15 game (vs. Cleveland) and the Week 16 rematch with Green Bay. That’s not the case for the Packers. If they lose this Sunday, they could win in Weeks 15 (at Denver) and 16 in Chicago and still be looking up at their adversaries in the division hierarchy.
• With their season on the brink, the Lions have to beat Dallas on Thursday to preserve what little division potential remains.
• The Vikings were officially eliminated from NFC North contention in Week 13.

NFC South	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Buccaneers (7-5) | (2-0)	83%	NO, ATL, at CAR, at MIA, CAR
2. Panthers (7-6) | (2-1)	16%	BYE, at NO, TB, SEA, at TB
3. Falcons (4-8) | (1-3)	<1%	SEA, at TB, at ARI, LAR, NO

• The Panthers beat the nine-win Rams and the eight-win Packers (at Lambeau!) in the same month they lost at home to the two-win Saints. That volatility explains both how they find themselves within breathing distance of the Bucs and still a statistical longshot. The next two weeks are important, of course, but this race feels like it’s in wait-and-see mode at least until Round 1 of their head-to-head series with Tampa kicks off in Week 16.

NFC West	Division %	Remaining Opponent
1. Rams (9-3) | (2-1)	55%	at ARI, DET, at SEA, at ATL, ARI
2. Seahawks (9-3) | (2-2)	31%	at ATL, IND, LAR, at CAR, at SF
3. 49ers (9-4) | (4-1)	14%	BYE, TEN, at IND, CHI, SEA

• The Rams’ division win probability took a 19-point dip from last week, courtesy of Carolina, but they remain the favorite in this hotly contested race. For now. If Sean McVay’s talented squad suffers another clunker in the coming weeks — especially with Rams-Seahawks II on the horizon — don’t be surprised if the division lead changes hands more than once before season’s end. …
• … And perhaps as soon as this weekend. A Rams loss at Arizona coupled with a Seattle win in Atlanta would propel the ‘Hawks into first place. Even San Francisco, on its bye, could find itself leading the NFC West by next Tuesday if both L.A. and Seattle fall. Improbable, but, dare I say, not impossible.

Remaining strength of schedules for every NFL team

1) Colts: .672
2) Packers: .633
3) Chargers: .625
4) Seahawks: .597
5) Bears: .590
6) Ravens: .582
7) Lions: .575
8) 49ers: .563
9) Jets: .557
10) Cardinals: .550
11) Broncos: .542
12) Raiders: .541
13) Panthers: .521
14) Dolphins: .508
T-15) Falcons: .500
T-15) Jaguars: .500
17) Bills: .475
18) Commanders: .467
T-19) Browns: .467
T-19) Chiefs: .467
21) Titans: .459
22) Patriots: .458
T-23) Texans: .450
T-23) Steelers: .450
25) Vikings: .443
26) Rams: .433
27) Bengals: .417
28) Buccaneers: .403
29) Eagles: .400
30) Cowboys: .393
31) Saints: .361
32) Giants: .323

DRAKE MAYE, CHRISTIAN BENFORD & EVAN MCPHERSON NAMED WEEK 13 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK — Dec. 3, 2025 — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 13 (November 27-28, November 30-December 1).

OFFENSE: QB DRAKE MAYE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Maye completed 24 of 31 passes (77.4 percent) for 282 yards and two touchdowns with a 126.0 passer rating in the Patriot’s 33-15 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. He was the only quarterback to complete more than 75 percent of his passes and throw for at least 260 yards in Week 13.
• This is Maye’s first Offensive Player of the Week award and he is the first Patriots quarterback to receive the honor since Tom Brady (Week 11, 2017).
• Maye joins Mitchell Trubisky as the only former University of North Carolina quarterbacks to earn the honor.

DEFENSE: CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD, BUFFALO BILLS

• Benford recorded two tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery for a 17-yard touchdown in Buffalo’s 26-7 win at Pittsburgh. He is the first player since Kareem Jackson (Week 14, 2019) to record a tackle for loss, interception and return a fumble for a touchdown in a single game.
• This is Benford’s first Defensive Player of the Week award and he is the fifth Bills cornerback to earn the honor in the past 10 seasons (2016-25), joining Tre’Davious White (Weeks 7 & 15, 2019), Rasul Douglas (Week 17, 2023), Taron Johnson (Week 10, 2024) and Nickell Robey-Coleman (Week 5, 2016).
• Benford is the first former Villanova player to win Defensive Player of the Week and the second to win a Player of the Week award, joining Brian Westbrook (three-time winner).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K EVAN MCPHERSON, CINCINNATI BENGALS

• McPherson converted on all six of his field goal attempts – 31, 42, 24, 33, 52 and 41 – as well as both of his point-after attempts in Cincinnati’s 32-14 win at Baltimore. His 20 points scored and career-high six made field goals are the most by any kicker in a single game this season.
• This is McPherson’s fourth Special Teams Player of the Week award, tying Doug Pelfrey for the most Special Teams Player of the Week awards in team history. 
  • 2021: Weeks 1, 11
  • 2022: Week 4
  • 2025: Week 13
• McPherson joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith (10-time winner) and Eddy Piñeiro (four) as the only former University of Florida players to earn Player of the Week at least four times.

JORDAN LOVE, ERNEST JONES & RILEY DIXON NAMED WEEK 13 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK — Dec. 3, 2025 — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones and Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Riley Dixon are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 13 (November 27-28, November 30, December 1).

OFFENSE: QB JORDAN LOVE, GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Love completed 18 of 30 passes (60.0 percent) for 234 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Green Bay’s 31-24 win in Detroit on Thanksgiving. Love was the only NFC quarterback to record four touchdown passes and no interceptions in Week 13.
  
  
  
• This is the fourth-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Love and second this season (Week 8). Love is the third Packers quarterback to win the award four times, joining Aaron Rodgers (14-time winner) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (12).
  • 2023: Weeks 17, 18
  • 2025: Week 8, 13
    
    
• Love is the only former Utah State player to win four Player of the Week awards.

DEFENSE: LB ERNEST JONES, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Jones recorded 12 tackles and two interceptions, including one he returned for an 85-yard touchdown, in Seattle’s 26-0 win against Minnesota. He became the third player since 2000 to record at least 12 tackles, two interceptions and return an interception for a touchdown in a single game, joining Donnie Edwards (Week 14, 2004) and Rayshawn Jenkins (Week 15, 2022).
  
  
• This is Jones’ first-career Defensive Player of the Week award and he becomes the fourth Seahawks linebacker to earn the honor in the past 10 seasons (2016-25), joining Bobby Wagner (Week 13, 2018 and Week 8, 2020), DeMarcus Lawrence (Week 10, 2025) and Uchenna Nwosu (Week 1, 2022).
  
  
• Jones is the third former South Carolina linebacker to earn Defensive Player of the Week and the first since John Abraham (Week 14, 2013).

SPECIAL TEAMS: P RILEY DIXON, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Dixon punted five times and recorded three inside the 20-yard line, with two inside the 10-yard line, in Tampa Bay’s 20-17 win against Arizona. Dixon was the only NFC punter in Week 13 with two punts inside the 10 and ranked second with a 46.8 net yards per punt average among punters with at least five punts. With the Buccaneers up three points with 2:00 remaining in the game, Dixon’s   59-yard punt pinned  the Cardinals offense at the nine-yard line.
  
  
• This is Dixon’s first-career Special Teams Player of the Week award and he is the seventh Buccaneers punter to win earn the honor.
  
  
• Dixon is the second former Syracuse punter to win a Special Teams Player of the Week award, joining Pat O’Neill (Week 16, 1994). 

DESHAUN WATSON WILL PRACTICE WITH THE BROWNS FOR FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson will practice for the first time this year with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, opening the 21-day window for the quarterback to return to the lineup.

His practice time will not count against the 53-player active roster. Watson is eligible to be activated during the three-week window.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson would be doing individual drills at first before possibly ramping up to working with the scout team.

“He’s been working so hard, rehabbing. So finally to get out there on the practice field with his teammates, go through individual, I think is really great for him,” Stefanski said. “Our focus is activating this practice window, seeing him on the practice field, getting him into individual, those type of things. He’s done everything that’s asked of him. He’s been so supportive in the meeting room on the game field with the players. Now he gets to go do that on the practice field.”

The nine-year veteran has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of the season. He ruptured his right Achilles tendon twice in a three-month period — first during the first half of a Oct. 20, 2024, loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and then in January.

Watson has been rehabbing at the Browns’ facility and has been involved in meetings in the quarterbacks room. He has also posted videos on social media of working out on the indoor field at the Browns’ facility.

He has been on the Browns sideline during home games and made the trip with the team to Las Vegas two weeks ago to help mentor rookie Shedeur Sanders during his first NFL start.

Sanders will make his third start on Sunday when the Browns (3-9) host Tennessee (1-11). Joe Flacco started Cleveland’s first four games before being traded to Cincinnati on Oct. 7 and rookie Dillon Gabriel has started six.

The Browns also have four-year veteran Bailey Zappe on the practice squad.

“Shedeur’s been outstanding in the meeting room with Deshaun. Deshaun’s been outstanding with all those guys, so it’s really an impressive group that helps each other. So I think having Deshaun out there will be great for Shedeur,” Stefanski said. “I think it’s great for Dillon, Bailey obviously is a guy that provides great value to us. So just having all those guys on the field I think is beneficial.”

Watson is 9-10 as Cleveland’s starter with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 80.7 passer rating. He is also unpopular among fans after the Browns sent five draft picks to the Texans, including three first-round selections, and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract widely regarded as one of the worst in NFL history.

Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted that the franchise “took a big swing and miss” with the trade during the league meetings in March and that “we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”

The Browns have reworked his contract twice in three months during the offseason to gain some financial flexibility.

BUFFALO BILLS DE BOSA LISTED WEEK TO WEEK WITH HAMSTRING INJURY, FURTHER DEPLETING BANGED-UP DEFENSE

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills coach Sean McDermott on Wednesday listed edge rusher Joey Bosa as being week to week because of a hamstring issue that will further impact Buffalo’s already injury-depleted defense.

McDermott did not provide a definitive timeline of how many weeks Bosa will miss except to say “we’re hoping it’s on the shorter end of it.”

The 10th-year player was hurt in the second half of Buffalo’s 26-7 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday. It was a game in which Bosa helped turned the tide with a strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers, with Christian Benford returning the fumble 17 yards for a touchdown on the opening snap of the third quarter.

Bosa’s injury leaves Buffalo (8-4) further short-handed in preparing to host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) on Sunday.

The Bills’ defensive front is already missing starting tackle Ed Oliver (bicep) and edge rushers Michael Hoecht (Achilles tendon) and Landon Jackson (knee). Meantime, starting linebacker Terrel Bernard’s status remains uncertain because of an elbow injury, while safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin are on IR.

In other injury updates, McDermott said left tackle Dion Dawkins (concussion) and right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder) were expected to practice on a limited basis. Both starters did not play against Pittsburgh.

FROM WORST TO FIRST: HOW THE PATRIOTS AND BEARS TOPPED THE NFL STANDINGS

The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears were just playing out the string late in lost seasons when the calendar flipped to December last year.

Now they find themselves at the top of the NFL standings after remarkable turnarounds.

It’s been more than three decades since the two teams that earned the top playoff seeds in each conference had missed the postseason the previous year.

That last happened in 1992, when Pittsburgh topped the AFC and San Francisco earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC after missing the 1991 playoffs despite a 10-win season. The only other times it occurred since seeding began in 1975 came in the nine-game strike season of 1982 with Washington and the Los Angeles Raiders, and in 1981 with San Francisco and Cincinnati.

Making this even more unusual is the fact that both the Bears and Patriots have rebounded under first-year coaches.

Ben Johnson has transformed a Chicago team already assured its first winning season since 2018. This is the latest in a season the Bears have been in the top spot in the NFC since 2006, when they last reached the Super Bowl.

Mike Vrabel has led a similar turnaround in New England after the team had dropped off in recent years under Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. The Patriots lost 26 games the previous two seasons — one shy of Carolina for most in the league — but now have the most wins in the NFL with 11.

Four teams have won the Super Bowl under a first-year coach, with Denver the last to do it in the 2015 season under Gary Kubiak. The others were Jon Gruden in 2002 with Tampa Bay, George Seifert in 1989 with San Francisco and Don McCafferty in 1970 with the Baltimore Colts.

Gruden and Kubiak had coached other teams, meaning Johnson will try to join McCafferty and Seifert as the only coaches to win a Super Bowl in their first year as an NFL head coach.

Both teams also have second-year quarterbacks, with Caleb Williams in Chicago and Drake Maye in New England. There have never been two QBs that inexperienced starting for the top playoff seeds.

Fourth-down aggressiveness

With more and more teams being aggressive on fourth down, the success — or failure — of those plays has a large impact on who wins these days.

That was clearly evident in two games this past week, with Green Bay scoring touchdowns on a pair of fourth downs in a win at Detroit on Thanksgiving, and Carolina doing the same on Sunday in an upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

In all, there have been 74 offensive touchdowns scored on fourth-down plays so far this season, breaking the record for an entire season of 73 set in 2021.

There have already been more than twice as many fourth-down TDs this season as there were in the entire 2017 season (34). Philadelphia was one of the most aggressive teams that season and won the Super Bowl, contributing to a marked increase in fourth-down tries since then.

While the Rams were on the wrong end of those fourth downs against the Panthers, they are tied with Kansas City for the most fourth-down TDs this season with six. The Panthers, Lions and Jets all have five.

Broncos are the comeback kids

Denver has gotten off to a 10-2 start in a most unusual fashion.

The Broncos have trailed in all 12 games this season before rallying to win 10 of them. How unusual is that?

This is the 202nd time that a team trailed in each of the first 12 games of a season. Only eight teams besides the Broncos had a winning record after the 12th game, including the Cowboys at 6-5-1 this season.

Only one team before Denver won more than seven of the first 12 games after trailing in every one — the Houston Oilers opened 8-4 in 1978.

Of the seven teams to do it before this season, only three made the postseason, with the Oilers the only one to win even one playoff game. Houston won two playoff games that season before losing to Pittsburgh in the AFC title game.

Denver has won six games by three points or fewer — one shy of the most in any season — with the last four games being wins by three, three, three and one point. The only other team to win four straight games by three points or fewer was the 1986 New York Giants, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

Commitment to mediocrity

For decades, the Raiders were one of the most successful franchises in the NFL with three Super Bowl championships, two more trips to the title game and 16 division titles in a 36-year span ending in 2002.

Since then, it’s been almost nothing but losing. The Raiders were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 31-14 loss to the Chargers on Sunday, marking the 23rd straight season that the team will fail to win either a playoff game or a division title. Only two other franchises have had longer streaks since the 1970 merger, with Detroit doing it 29 straight seasons from 1994-2022 and Buffalo for 24 straight from 1996-2019.

This season has been particularly bad for Las Vegas with a 2-10 record that includes five losses by at least 17 points.

The offense has been the biggest issue, with the team’s current streak of four straight games allowing at least four sacks and rushing for fewer than 75 yards tied for the longest in the Super Bowl era with the 2016 Browns.

BILL BELICHICK AND ROBERT KRAFT SELECTED AS FINALISTS FOR 2026 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, two of the key pillars in the New England Patriots’ dynasty, were picked as finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Belichick was picked as the coaching candidate and Kraft was picked as the contributor in results announced on Wednesday. Three seniors candidates also made the final stage with Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood all advancing.

The members of the 50-person selection committee can vote for three of the finalists under rules put in place last year with candidates needing 80% of the votes to make it into the Hall. A maximum of three candidates can reach that threshold. If no candidate gets 80%, the top vote getter will be elected.

The committee will also vote on 15 modern era finalists that are still to be determined with between three and five of those candidates guaranteed to get into the Hall.

Belichick was hired by Kraft in 2000 and led the franchise to six Super Bowl wins titles and three other appearances in the title game during an 18-year span from 2001-18. Belichick’s 333 wins in the regular season and playoffs with New England and Cleveland are the second most to Don Shula’s 347. He won AP NFL Coach of the Year three times.

Belichick also was one of the game’s top defensive assistants before taking over New England, winning two more Super Bowls as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.

Belichick’s career did have blemishes. He was implicated in a sign-stealing scandal dubbed “Spygate” in the 2007 season and was fined $500,000 after the team was caught filming defensive signals from the New York Jets during a game.

Belichick’s tenure in New England ended following the 2023 season and he just finished his first year coaching in college at North Carolina.

Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994 with the team’s 10 Super Bowl appearances since then the most for any owner in NFL history. The team went to the Super Bowl in his third season under Bill Parcells and then nine more times with Belichick as coach.

Kraft has been a member on several NFL ownership committees and played a key role in resolving the 2011 lockout.

Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowler for Cincinnati and won the MVP in 1981, when he helped the Bengals reach their first Super Bowl before losing to San Francisco. When Anderson retired after the 1986 season, he ranked sixth all time with 32,838 yards passing and 13th with 197 TD passes.

Craig was a key part of San Francisco’s dynasty in the 1980s with his ability as a physical runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. Craig was the first player ever to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season, which happened in 1985, and he led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988 when he helped the 49ers win the Super Bowl.

Craig also was part of the title-winning teams in San Francisco in the 1984 and 1989 seasons. His 410 yards from scrimmage in those Super Bowl wins are the third-most ever behind Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Franco Harris.

Greenwood is the most prominent member of the Steelers dominant defense that helped the franchise win four Super Bowl titles in a span of six seasons from 1974-79 who is not in the Hall. Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Donnie Shell and Mel Blount have already been inducted.

Greenwood was a member of the all-decade team for the 1970s, was a two-time All-Pro and made six Pro Bowls in a 13-year career. He retired a year before sacks became an official stat but research from Pro Football Reference credits him with 78 over his career as a defensive end on those teams.

Among the candidates that didn’t advance from the semifinal stage are two-time Super Bowl-winning coaches Tom Coughlin, Mike Shanahan and George Seifert; Houston Oilers founder and key AFL figure Bud Adams; and former AFL star receiver Otis Taylor and Buffalo Bills special teams standout Steve Tasker.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

BIG 10 FOOTBALL NEWS

BIG TEN ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

(BIG 10 RELEASE)

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced its All-Big Ten defensive and special teams selections, as well as select individual award winners on Tuesday during B1G Today on the Big Ten Network. On Thursday, Dec. 4, at noon ET, the All-Big Ten offensive team selections, as well as the remaining individual award winners, will be announced on the network.

2025 All-Big Ten Football Team 
As selected by Big Ten coaches  

DEFENSE	FIRST TEAM	SECOND TEAM	THIRD TEAM
Edge	Derrick Moore, Michigan	Gabe Jacas, Illinois	Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
Edge	Anthony Smith, Minnesota	Caden Curry, Ohio State	Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Interior	Tyrique Tucker, Indiana	Aaron Graves, Iowa	Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Interior	Kayden McDonald, Ohio State	Bear Alexander, Oregon	A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
Linebacker	Aiden Fisher, Indiana	Rolijah Hardy, Indiana	Mac Uihlein, Northwestern
Linebacker	Arvell Reese, Ohio State	Jimmy Rolder, Michigan	Mani Powell, Purdue
Linebacker	Sonny Styles, Ohio State	Bryce Boettcher, Oregon	Mason Posa, Wisconsin
Defensive Back	Louis Moore, Indiana	Zach Lutmer, Iowa	TJ Hall, Iowa
Defensive Back	D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana	Jalen Huskey, Maryland	Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
Defensive Back	Caleb Downs, Ohio State	Robert Fitzgerald, Northwestern	Zeke Berry, Michigan
Defensive Back	Dillon Thieneman, Oregon	Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State	Koi Perich, Minnesota
Defensive Back	Bishop Fitzgerald, USC	Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon	Jermaine Mathews, Ohio State

DEFENSE HONORABLE MENTION 
ILLINOIS:  Dylan Rosiek, James Thompson Jr., Matthew Bailey, Miles Scott, Tomiwa Durojaiye, Torrie Cox Jr.; INDIANA: Amare Ferrell, Isaiah Jones, Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley; IOWA: Karson Sharar, Koen Entringer, Max Llewellyn; MARYLAND: Cam Rice, Daniel Wingate, Dontay Joyner, Jamare Glasker, La’khi Roland; MICHIGAN: Brandyn Hillman, Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, Jyaire Hill, TJ Metcalf;  MICHIGAN STATE: Jordan Hall; MINNESOTA: Deven Eastern, Kerry Brown, Maverick Baranowski; NEBRASKA: Andrew Marshall, Ceyair Wright, Dasan McCullough, DeShon Singleton, Javin Wright; NORTHWESTERN: Josh Fussell, Michael Kilbane; OHIO STATE: Jaylen McClain, Kenyatta Jackson, Lorenzo Styles, Tywone Malone; OREGON: Jadon Canady, Matayo Uiagalalei; PENN STATE: A.J. Harris, Amare Campbell, King Mack, Zakee Wheatley, Zane Durant; PURDUE: Charles Correa, Tahj Ra-El; RUTGERS: Bo Mascoe, Jett Elad; UCLA: Andre Jordan Jr., Gary Smith III, JonJon Vaughns; USC: Anthony Lucas, Devan Thompkins, Eric Gentry, Kamari Ramsey; WASHINGTON: Alex McLaughlin; WISCONSIN: Christian Alliegro, Ricardo Hallman. 

SPECIAL TEAMS	FIRST TEAM	SECOND TEAM	THIRD TEAM
Kicker	Sean O’Haire, Maryland	Nico Radicic, Indiana	Ryon Sayeri, USC
Punter*	Ryan Eckley, Michigan State	Bryce McFerson, Maryland	Gabriel Nwosu, Penn State
		Jack McCallister, Purdue
Return Specialist	Kaden Wetjen, Iowa	Jonathan Brady, Indiana	Kenneth Williams, Nebraska
Long Snapper	Mark Langston, Indiana	Luke Basso, Oregon	John Ferlmann, Ohio State

SPECIAL TEAMS HONORABLE MENTION 
ILLINOIS: Hank Beatty; IOWA: Drew Stevens; MICHIGAN: Dominic Zvada; MINNESOTA: Tom Weston; NEBRASKA: Jacory Barney Jr.; NORTHWESTERN: Jack Olsen, Luke Akers; OHIO STATE: Brandon Inniss, Jayden Fielding; OREGON: Atticus Sappington; PENN STATE: Nicholas Singleton, Ryan Barker; PURDUE: Spencer Porath; RUTGERS: Jai Patel; UCLA: Will Karoll; WASHINGTON: Denzel Boston; WISCONSIN: Vinny Anthony. 
*Additional honorees due to ties   

2025 All-Big Ten Football Team 
As selected by conference media 

DEFENSE	FIRST TEAM	SECOND TEAM	THIRD TEAM
Edge	Gabe Jacas, Illinois	Derrick Moore, Michigan	Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
Edge	Caden Curry, Ohio State	Anthony Smith, Minnesota	Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Interior	Tyrique Tucker, Indiana	Aaron Graves, Iowa	Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Interior	Kayden McDonald, Ohio State	Bear Alexander, Oregon	A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
Linebacker	Aiden Fisher, Indiana	Rolijah Hardy, Indiana	Isaiah Jones, Indiana
Linebacker	Arvell Reese, Ohio State	Jimmy Rolder, Michigan	Ernest Hausmann, Michigan
Linebacker	Sonny Styles, Ohio State	Bryce Boettcher, Oregon	Mac Uihlein, Northwestern
Linebacker*			Amare Campbell, Penn State
Defensive Back	D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana	Amare Ferrell, Indiana	TJ Hall, Iowa
Defensive Back	Caleb Downs, Ohio State	Louis Moore, Indiana	Zach Lutmer, Iowa
Defensive Back	Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State	Jalen Huskey, Maryland	Robert Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Defensive Back	Dillon Thieneman, Oregon	Zeke Berry, Michigan	Jaylen McClain, Ohio State
Defensive Back	Bishop Fitzgerald, USC	Koi Perich, Minnesota	Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon

DEFENSE HONORABLE MENTION 
ILLINOIS: Dylan Rosiek, James Thompson Jr., Juice Clarke, Matthew Bailey, Miles Scott, Tomiwa Durojaiye; INDIANA: Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley; IOWA: Deshaun Lee, Jonah Pace, Karson Sharar, Max Llewellyn, Xavier Nwankpa; MARYLAND: Cam Rice, Daniel Wingate, Dontay Joyner, Jamare Glasker, Sidney Stewart, Zahir Mathis; MICHIGAN: Brandyn Hillman, Jaishawn Barham, Jyaire Hill, Trey Pierce; MICHIGAN STATE: Jordan Hall, Wayne Matthews; MINNESOTA: Kerry Brown, Maverick Baranowski; NEBRASKA: Andrew Marshall, Ceyair Wright, DeShon Singleton, Javin Wright; NORTHWESTERN: Anto Saka, Braden Turner, Carmine Bastone, Josh Fussell, Michael Kilbane; OHIO STATE: Eddrick Houston, Jermaine Mathews, Kenyatta Jackson, Lorenzo Styles, Payton Pierce, Tywone Malone; OREGON: Aaron Flowers, Jadon Canady, Matayo Uiagalalei; PENN STATE: A.J. Harris, Amare Campbell, Audavion Collins, King Mack, Zakee Wheatley, Zane Durant; PURDUE: Charles Correa, Mani Powell, Tahj Ra-El; RUTGERS: Bo Mascoe, Dariel Djabome; UCLA: Andre Jordan Jr., JonJon Vaughns, Rodrick Pleasant; USC: Devan Thompkins, Eric Gentry, Kamari Ramsey; WASHINGTON: Alex McLaughlin, Ephesians Prysock, Tacario Davis; WISCONSIN: Christian Alliegro, Darryl Peterson, Mason Posa, Mason Reiger, Ricardo Hallman.  

SPECIAL TEAMS	FIRST TEAM	SECOND TEAM	THIRD TEAM
Kicker	Nico Radicic, Indiana	Sean O’Haire, Maryland	Drew Stevens, Iowa
Punter*	Ryan Eckley, Michigan State	Bryce McFerson, Maryland	Tom Weston, Minnesota
			Jack McCallister, Purdue
Return Specialist*	Kaden Wetjen, Iowa	Kenneth Williams, Nebraska	Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska
			Jonathan Brady, Indiana
Long Snapper	Mark Langston, Indiana	John Ferlmann, Ohio State	Greg Tarr, Michigan

SPECIAL TEAMS HONORABLE MENTION 
ILLINOIS: Hank Beatty, Lane Hansen, David Olano; IOWA: Rhys Dakin; MARYLAND:  Ethan Gough; MINNESOTA: Alan Soukup; NORTHWESTERN: Luke Akers, Jack Olsen; OHIO STATE: Brandon Inniss; OREGON: Gary Bryant Jr., Luke Basso, Atticus Sappington; PENN STATE: Ryan Barker, Gabriel Nwosu, Nicholas Singleton, Tyler Duzansky; PURDUE: Luke Raab, Michael Jackson III, Spencer Porath; RUTGERS: Jakob Anderson; UCLA: Salem Abdul-Wahab, Mateen Bhaghani; USC: Hank Pepper, Ryon Sayeri; WASHINGTON: Denzel Boston; WISCONSIN: Vinny Anthony. 
*Additional honorees due to ties 

2025 Big Ten Individual Award Winners   

Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award: Will Shields, Nebraska 
Named for Minnesota’s Tony Dungy and Indiana’s Anthony Thompson   
Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award: Jack Campbell, Iowa 
Named for Michigan’s Gerald Ford and Iowa’s Nile Kinnick   
Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year: Caleb Downs, Ohio State 
Named for Minnesota’s Bronko Nagurski and Michigan’s Charles Woodson
Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State 
Named for Michigan State’s Bubba Smith and Penn State’s Courtney Brown   
Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Arvell Reese, Ohio State 
Named for Illinois’ Dick Butkus and Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald 
Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Caleb Downs, Ohio State 
Named for Ohio State’s Jack Tatum and Purdue’s Rod Woodson
Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Nico Radicic, Indiana 
Named for Wisconsin’s Jim Bakken and Michigan State’s Morten Andersen 
Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State 
Named for Illinois’ Dike Eddleman and Michigan State’s Brandon Fields   
Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa 
Named for Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers and Iowa’s Tim Dwight 
Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year (coaches vote): Curt Cignetti, Indiana 
Named for Ohio State’s Woody Hayes and Michigan’s Bo Schembechler  
Dave McClain Coach of the Year (media vote): Curt Cignetti, Indiana 
Named for Wisconsin’s Dave McClain  

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK: NO CFP WORRIES FOR BIG TEN WITH NO. 1 VS NO. 2 MATCHUP; ANXIETY REIGNS ELSEWHERE

The conference championship games are upon us, providing the College Football Playoff committee one last look at contenders for the 12-team field and requiring anxious coaches and players on bubble teams to keep the antacids handy.

The Big Ten will be the only conference with a sense of calm this weekend with No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana squaring off in Indianapolis. Those two unbeaten teams are locks for the playoff, and even the loser could receive a top-four seed and the first-round bye that goes with it. Oregon will be the third Big Ten playoff team.

This is where it could get messy.

Georgia will be in the playoff win or lose against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference game. If Alabama loses — after beating the Bulldogs in the regular season — the committee will have to decide whether to let a three-loss Crimson Tide join Georgia, Mississippi and Texas A&M from the SEC. Oklahoma, Texas and Vanderbilt also will plead their cases.

Texas Tech should secure a top-four seed if it beats BYU for a second time this season in the Big 12. A BYU win likely would give the Big 12 two playoff teams.

The Atlantic Coast Conference game between Virginia and Duke could have ramifications for the Group of Five. Virginia would be in the playoff with a win and out with a loss.

James Madison, if it beats Troy in the Sun Belt on Friday night, would be pulling hard for Duke to beat Virginia. A Duke win probably allows JMU to sneak in as the fifth highest-ranked conference champion, ahead of what would be the five-loss Blue Devils. That doesn’t mean the ACC would necessarily get shut out. The CFP committee could give an at-large spot to Miami,

The first, and maybe only, G5 bid will go to the winner between North Texas and Tulane in the American Conference.

Finally, there’s idle independent Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish lost their first two games of the season to ranked opponents (Miami and Texas A&M) by a total of four points and have been dominant while rolling off 10 straight wins but slipped one spot to No. 10 in this week’s CFP rankings.

Best game

No. 2 Indiana (12-0, No. 2 CFP) vs. No. 1 Ohio State (12-0, No. 1 CFP) in Indianapolis, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

The nation’s first 1-2 matchup in two seasons is a clash of the high-scoring Indiana offense against a Buckeyes defense that could go down as one of the best all time.

Never mind the Hoosiers haven’t beaten Ohio State since 1988. This isn’t your father’s or grandfather’s Indiana. The Hoosiers were 10-0 and on their way to the CFP last year when they lost 38-15 to the Buckeyes in a top-five matchup, the only meeting since Indiana hired Curt Cignetti after the 2023 season.

Heisman watch

The 48-hour voting window for the Heisman Trophy opens Saturday at 5 p.m. ET, and based on wagering markets and media surveys, it appears to be a three-man race among quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, Julian Sayin of Ohio State and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is in line to be a finalist.

BetMGM Sportsbook listed Mendoza as the favorite, just aheaed of Sayin and Pavia.

Voters undecided between Mendoza and Sayin will get one more look at them in the Big Ten championship game.

Numbers to know

3 — Coaches in championship games who will or could leave their team after the season: North Texas’ Eric Morris (hired by Oklahoma State), Tulane’s Jon Sumrall (Florida) and James Madison’s Bob Chesney (linked to UCLA).

6 — Championship games that are rematches of regular-season games.

19 — Conference championship game winners that have gone on to win that season’s national title, including 13 of the 33 SEC winners.

21 — Five-loss teams, including Duke, that have qualified for championship games in power conferences and the Group of Five, according to Sportradar. The other power conference teams were 2018 Pittsburgh (7-5) in the ACC, 2012 Wisconsin (7-5) in the Big Ten, 2012 Georgia Tech (6-6) in the ACC and 2011 UCLA (6-6) in the Pac-12.

2009 — Last time a conference championship game was a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup (Florida-Alabama in SEC).

Under the radar

UNLV (10-2) at Boise State (8-4), Mountain West, Friday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

Boise State has been a bit out of sight, out of mind since Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty and the CFP-qualifying Broncos dominated the Group of Five last year. Here they are, playing for a third straight Mountain West championship thanks to a one-point win over Utah State on Friday and finishing in the top two of the computer analysis of metrics that resolved the four-team tie for first place.

This will be a rematch of the October meeting in Boise, which the Broncos won 56-31 to spoil UNLV’s 6-0 start under first-year coach Dan Mullen.

Hot coach

Conference championship week means it’s time for our annual pick for a coach poised to move up rather than move out.

The herd of sought-after Group of Five coaches has been thinned with four from the American Conference having left for power-conference schools and another, James Madison’s Bob Chesney, poised to make the jump to UCLA.

Next to go could be Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton. He’s been a model of consistency and is ready to take a step up from Conference USA to the G5’s premier conference, the American, where four jobs are open.

Helton has led the Hilltoppers for seven seasons. Not counting the 2020 pandemic season, he’s won eight or nine games every year, and WKU is set to go to a seventh straight bowl.

ALABAMA’S PLAYOFF FATE COULD HINGE ON SEC CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH WITH GEORGIA

Alabama’s trip to the SEC championship offers some reward and plenty of risk.

The Crimson Tide’s path to the playoff narrowed before the calendar flipped to September after a loss to Florida State in Week 1. Months later, despite winning 10 of their last 11 games and clinching the SEC championship game, Alabama still isn’t a sure thing for the College Football Playoff.

That could change this weekend. A win against Georgia on Saturday would secure a spot for Alabama as one of the five highest-ranked conference winners. A loss would put the Tide’s fate in the hands of the CFP committee, which could dock them for a third loss — even if it stemmed from a championship game competitors didn’t qualify for.

Saturday gives Alabama the chance to take control of its own destiny, and the Tide have no interest in giving any outsiders final say.

As far as second-year coach Kalen DeBoer is concerned, his team’s future shouldn’t be a topic of debate. The Tide are 10-2 this season. Their only loss aside from a Week 1 blunder was a close one against a ranked Oklahoma team in Week 12. That was after knocking off six conference opponents, four of which were ranked.

“We’re in the championship game with a 7-1 record, won four conference games on the road in the toughest conference,” DeBoer said Monday. “I just think when you’re really trying to have a playoff, you need your best teams in there. There’s no doubt in my mind that we are one of the best teams. I don’t say that arrogantly. I just really believe that’s what it is.”

It doesn’t help that the CFP committee is subjective by nature, and the playoff race is overcrowded. But no matter how the numbers are crunched, even with a loss, DeBoer argues his squad has proved it belongs.

“There’s a ton of metrics I know people look at: strength of record, FPI. We’re right at the top,” he said. “Playing in your conference championship in the SEC shouldn’t be something that we’re worried about as far as what that would do to our playoff hopes. We got here by earning it.”

Should Alabama lose on Saturday, earning a CFP bid would be historic. No three-loss team has ever appeared in the playoff. Alabama would have to compete for one of the seven remaining spots. In the SEC alone, Texas A&M, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt would have stronger overall records. In other words, Alabama’s back is against the wall, but that’s not a new feeling this season.

“Man, I feel like honestly we’ve kind of had that mindset ever since our first loss,” senior linebacker Deontae Lawson said. “Just control what we can control, and that’s doing our best to win the game, leave nothing up for chance.”

The Crimson Tide have had Georgia’s number in recent years. Kirby Smart is 1-7 against his former team, and Bama has won the past three. In September, Alabama snapped Georgia’s 33-game win streak at home with a 24-21 victory. That offers the locker room some peace of mind ahead of the heavyweight showdown.

“We’ve already beat this team before. We’re going to go out there and make sure we do the same thing,” Tim Keenan III said. “We’re going to make sure we handle business on our own end and not leave it up to the committee to make decisions for us.”

ACC COMMISSIONER JIM PHILLIPS IS EMPHATICALLY PUSHING FOR NO. 12 MIAMI, LEAGUE CHAMP TO GET CFP BIDS

Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips is pushing for No. 12 Miami to earn a bid to the College Football Playoff along with the winner of the league championship game between No. 16 Virginia and Duke.

That comes with the ACC facing at least the chance of being squeezed out of the 12-team CFP entirely based on Tuesday night’s rankings.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Phillips was emphatic in making his case for the Hurricanes and then the league’s eventual champion. That comes after the ACC had a logjam of four 6-2 teams behind the Cavaliers, triggering a tiebreaker policy that worked through multiple steps before sending the five-loss Blue Devils ahead of the Hurricanes and others for Saturday night’s title game in Charlotte.

“I have conviction and confidence in our teams, starting with Miami,” Phillips told the AP. “The second piece of that is the Virginia-Duke winner should absolutely be in this College Football Playoff.”

Current scenario

The Hurricanes (10-2) have closed strong as the league’s highest-ranked team in the AP Top 25 and CFP rankings, while the Cavaliers (10-2) finished as the lone 7-1 ACC team.

Duke’s inclusion, triggered by then-ranked SMU losing at California last weekend, represents a potential chaos agent.

Automatic CFP bids go to the five highest-ranked league champions. That theoretically accounts first for the “Power Four” champions from the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC. Then would come the highest-ranked champ from a Group of Five league: the American, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences.

In Tuesday’s CFP rankings, Miami is a bubble team for an at-large bid at No. 12 while the Cavaliers are 17th for a simple win-and-in scenario in Charlotte.

But Duke (7-5) is unranked. Meanwhile, the American has both of its title-game teams (North Texas and Tulane) in the CFP rankings, putting that winner in line for a win-and-in ticket.

And then there’s James Madison (11-1), which entered the CFP rankings at No. 25 before Friday’s Sun Belt title game against Troy. That, along with a Duke win against Virginia, could potentially give the Sun Belt the fifth champion’s spot and leave the ACC’s CFP hopes resting with the on-the-bubble Hurricanes.

Phillips, who has previously been optimistic about landing multiple bids, knows the scenarios. He’s undeterred that the ACC deserves two bids all the same.

“I’m not naive,” he said, “but I have conviction about it.”

Miami’s case

Miami’s position stands out with the Hurricanes having a head-to-head win with Notre Dame, which sits two spots ahead in the CFP rankings despite that 27-24 season-opening loss.

That result would seemingly be a differentiator considering the teams have matching 10-2 records and comparable ESPN strength-of-schedule rankings (Notre Dame 42nd, Miami 44th). The Hurricanes have more wins against top-40 teams in ESPN’s College Football Power Index (five) than the Fighting Irish (two) and a better record against AP-ranked teams at the time of the matchup (Miami at 4-0, Notre Dame at 2-2).

Additionally, the teams had matching games against two bowl-eligible teams — home against N.C. State, at then-ranked Pittsburgh — among their four common opponents. The Hurricanes beat the Wolfpack and Panthers by a combined 65 points, more than the Irish’s 51 points in those games.

“I remain steadfast in my conviction, which has only grown stronger over the season — especially these last four weeks,” Phillips said. “The eye test, the stats, the results — they’ve earned a spot in the playoff.”

Those comparisons have also been a topic for Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich in social-media posts this week, with one noting: “Head-to-head not ‘a’ data point but ‘the’ data point!”

Phillips said he was “incredibly surprised and very disappointed” to see the Hurricanes didn’t rise after a 38-7 win against a Pitt team ranked 22nd in the CFP rankings last week. But Phillips pointed to selection committee chairman Hunter Yurachek saying no teams are locked into position, even if they’re not playing this week.

Phillips said the ACC has been in constant contact with the committee “and that’s going to continue up to the selections.”

“We know the final rankings aren’t until Sunday, so there’s time for course correction by the committee,” Phillips said. “The committee’s made it clear that idle teams can move up in the final rankings. And we’re going to continue our efforts, as there’s no question Miami’s a playoff team and they’ve earned a spot in the playoff.”

The Duke question

Virginia moved up a spot in Tuesday’s CFP rankings — “Pleased to see them move up, although I believe they should be higher,” Phillips said — to put them a win from the playoff.

A Duke win could make things dicier. But Phillips was ready to make that case, too, leaning largely on schedule strength.

The Blue Devils won the ACC tiebreaker with the Hurricanes, Georgia Tech, SMU and Pitt by virtue of its ACC opponents having the best combined winning percentage in league play (.500).

Beating the Cavaliers would mark a seventh win against a Power Four opponent, while Duke’s five losses came to teams — including at Tulane in the American — with a combined record of 46-14 (.767).

By comparison, newly ranked James Madison lost its only game to a Power Four team (at ACC member Louisville), while only one of its wins came against a team with a winning record compared to Duke’s four.

The Blue Devils’ opponents have a combined 98-58 (.628) record compared to JMU’s going 74-82 (.474), while ESPN ranks Duke’s strength of schedule at 74th compared to JMU’s at 118th.

“The management committee has made it clear this offseason that strength of schedule must be prioritized,” Phillips said.

Duke coach Manny Diaz believes the Blue Devils “absolutely” would deserve a CFP bid if they win the ACC title, noting: “Records have a lot to do with schedules.”

“I’ve spent time in the Sun Belt, I’ve coached in Conference USA, I’ve coached in those types of leagues,” Diaz said Sunday. “I was very proud of what we did when I was in those leagues. But it’s not the same week in and week out of the teams you have to play against, the players you have to play against, and what we’ve had to compete against going through the ACC this year.”

KANSAS STATE COACH CHRIS KLIEMAN STEPPING DOWN AFTER 7 SEASONS, AP SOURCE SAYS

Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman is retiring after seven seasons with the Wildcats, a person familiar with his decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday, ending a tenure that included a Big 12 championship and a bowl trip every year but one.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been announced. Kansas State pushed back an 11 a.m. local time news conference for national signing day to 4 p.m., and Klieman and athletic director Gene Taylor were to speak at that time.

The school is targeting Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein, who played quarterback for Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder at Kansas State and later served a prominent role on Kleiman’s first staff in Manhattan, to be his replacement.

It is unclear whether Klein would be allowed to coach the Aggies if they are selected for the College Football Playoff.

The Wildcats were a popular pick to challenge for the Big 12 title this season, and potentially make the College Football Playoff for the first time. Instead, they lost their opener to Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, got embarrassed by Army at home a few weeks later, and needed to beat Colorado this past weekend to finish 6-6 and qualify for a bowl game.

They are still awaiting their destination, and it is expected that Klieman will coach them there one last time.

The past couple of years have clearly worn on the 58-year-old Klieman, who replaced Snyder in 2019 following a successful tenure at North Dakota State, where he captured four Football Championship Subdivision titles in a five-year span.

The native of Waterloo, Iowa, was almost immediately embraced by the blue-collar Kansas State fanbase, which saw in Klieman a hardworking Midwesterner much like themselves. His teams played much the same way that Snyder’s did the previous generation, avoiding penalties and mental mistakes while earning a reputation for physicality and toughness.

Yet in the years since Klieman was hired, the college football landscape has fundamentally changed. The transfer portal coupled with name, image and likeness payments have dramatically altered the way that teams are built, and the recruit-and-develop style of both Snyder and Klieman has become nearly impossible to successfully sustain.

Tension seemed to boil over for Klieman following a 51-47 loss to No. 15 Utah on Nov. 22, a game that the Wildcats had dominated.

He opened with a lengthy statement in which he praised the effort shown by his team, which has been ransacked by injuries, and then Klieman addressed a segment of the Kansas State fan base that had begun calling for his job amid a disappointing year.

“I’ve heard it enough that the kids have cashed in and that we need to get new leadership over here and new players, new coaches. I’m tired of it,” Klieman said. “I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m tired of it. I’ve given my friggin’-ass life to this place for seven years — I’ve given everything for seven years. And I think I deserve something, a little respect.”

Klieman choked up several times during the news conference. At one point, Taylor approached Klieman and gave him a hug.

“You ain’t going anywhere, bud,” Taylor told him. “Understand that. We’ve got your back. We’ve got your back.”

KALANI SITAKE AGREES TO LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH BYU AFTER DRAWING INTEREST FROM PENN STATE

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Kalani Sitake will remain BYU’s head football coach after agreeing to a new long-term contract extension on Monday.

Sitake is 83-44 since taking over at BYU in 2016. The Cougars have won 11 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006 and ’07, and have won at least 10 games in four of his last six seasons at the helm.

“For me, it’s like I’ve never really thought about leaving ever but I’m also competitive and I want to be able to take care of people,” Sitake said. “This is just one of those moments where I felt like us being in the Big 12, we can make the right moves and I don’t really need to do this anywhere else. I can do it here. I feel like we’ve got some great momentum.”

Penn State made Sitake a top candidate in its search to replace James Franklin, who was fired earlier this season after a 0-3 start in Big Ten play. Sitake had conversations with Nittany Lions athletic director Pat Kraft and received an offer reportedly worth eight figures annually.

BYU made retaining Sitake a top priority and put together a contract extension that swayed him to stay at the school where he played as a fullback under LaVell Edwards in 1994 and from 1997 to 2000 following a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As part of retaining Sitake, BYU made commitments to deeper investments in the football program that included everything from higher salaries for assistant coaches and support staff to enhanced football facilities.

“I think the expectations are already set by Kalani and his vision and passion for excellence,” BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said. “He’s built something really really special and we wanted to give him the resources to be able to sustain it.”

This new contract extension comes as Sitake prepares No. 11 BYU to face No. 4 Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday. This is the first title game appearance for both schools and a rematch of a regular-season game on Nov. 8 that the Red Raiders won 29-7.

The fact that Sitake will be on BYU’s sideline for that game and many others to come is a relief to the players he has coached and is currently coaching.

“If he left, I would have been super sad,” BYU receiver Chase Roberts said. “I would have probably cried in my bed and I’m not even coming back next year. That shows the character of Kalani and how much we care about this program.”

FROM UPSET HERO TO HEAD COACH: TAVITA PRITCHARD’S MISSION TO REVIVE STANFORD FOOTBALL

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Tavita Pritchard’s college playing career took off when he helped lead Stanford to one of the most stunning upsets in college football history against Southern California, a win that helped lay the foundation for the Cardinal becoming a West Coast powerhouse.

Pritchard returns to The Farm as head coach, looking to get a school that hasn’t had a winning record in seven years back to the heights it reached a decade ago.

Rebuilding an entire program is not quite like pulling off an upset against No. 2 USC as a 41-point underdog the way Pritchard did as quarterback in 2007, but the lessons he learned under coach Jim Harbaugh back then still resonate.

“There was no ostensible reason we should have believed we could beat anybody at that time,” Pritchard said Tuesday at his introductory news conference. “What Coach Harbaugh and that whole staff instilled in us was, with this brotherhood, with this team, we can work ourselves to be able to play and go toe-to-toe with anybody. You can call it naivete, you can call it overconfidence, audacity, whatever the word you want to use is. Our belief will be shaped and is already being shaped by the connection and brotherhood in there.”

The program Pritchard inherits is in better shape than the one-win team Harbaugh took over 19 years ago thanks to building blocks put in place by general manager Andrew Luck in his first year in the role and a stronger commitment to football from the university, including $100 million in fundraising this past year.

Luck said he interviewed about 30 candidates since firing Troy Taylor in the spring and putting Frank Reich in place as interim coach. While he wasn’t committed to hiring someone with ties to Stanford, Luck called Pritchard’s knowledge of how things work at a school that balances high academics with athletics was a bonus.

Luck knows the task of rebuilding won’t be easy, but he believes he and Pritchard are the right team to get the Cardinal going back in the right direction. Stanford is coming off a 4-8 season under Reich following four straight years with a 3-9 record.

“Look, we’re going to stub our toes,” Luck said. “There is a lot of work ahead of us, a lot of work ahead of us. I certainly feel like I’ve stubbed my toe every day in this job. But I know we as leadership will continue to get better in our jobs and orient this around serving our young men and building championship culture and process. That’s all we can do.”

Pritchard spent much of the 2007-08 seasons as Stanford’s starting quarterback before losing that job to Luck in 2009. After spending one year as Luck’s backup, Pritchard then began a coaching career with the Cardinal, starting as a defensive assistant under coordinator Vic Fangio.

Pritchard then spent extensive time as an offensive assistant under coach David Shaw when he was part of a program that went to five BCS bowl games in a six-year span from 2010-15 before hitting a decline that has featured a .308 winning percentage the past seven seasons — the worst among any power conference school.

Pritchard was the offensive coordinator under Shaw during the first four years of that downswing before leaving in 2023 to take a job as quarterbacks coach for Washington in the NFL.

Luck said Pritchard’s role on those struggling Cardinal offenses was a “massive portion” of the interview process.

“It’s certainly something he showed a lot of humility around, a lot of growth,” Luck said. “Without getting into the details, he was one person on a staff. He wasn’t in charge of the program. But he showed growth, showed learning, showed humility, showed honesty about what was going on that was good and what wasn’t frankly so good.”

Pritchard has been able to broaden his coaching career by spending the last two seasons in the NFL under head coach Dan Quinn in Washington and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who comes from an Air Raid background that is far different than the run-focused offenses Stanford employed under Harbaugh and Shaw.

Pritchard said his offenses will cater to the “super powers” of his players but believes the success will come from once again being strong in the trenches.

“I know we’ll be built up front,” he said. “I know there’s always five offensive linemen on the field. We’re bringing that. We’re going to make sure that position room is right. That was a common thread through all the great Stanford teams, was the offensive line. That’s a place we know we will recruit. We will make that kind of the heart and soul of the offense.”

NO. 20 NORTH TEXAS NAMES NEAL BROWN TO REPLACE OKLAHOMA ST-BOUND ERIC MORRIS AFTER SEASON

DENTON, Texas (AP) — North Texas has named Neal Brown as its new head coach, to replace Oklahoma State-bound Eric Morris after the playoff-chasing No. 20 Mean Green complete their record-breaking season.

The appointment of Brown on Tuesday came days before North Texas (11-1, No. 24 CFP) plays at No. 21 Tulane (10-2, No. 20 CFP) in the American Conference championship game. The winner Friday night likely will make the 12-team College Football Playoff.

“Neal is a proven leader who builds programs with integrity, vision and an unwavering commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field,” North Texas athletic director Jared Mosley said. “His history of elevating rosters, developing talent and producing results in highly competitive leagues makes him an ideal fit for North Texas. We are confident that his leadership will position the Mean Green for sustained success.”

Brown, the 45-year-old former West Virginia and Troy coach, has spent this season at Texas as a special offensive assistant for coach Steve Sarkisian. Brown was 72-51 with the Mountaineers and Trojans, including five bowl wins, after previously being offensive coordinator at Kentucky (2013-14) and Texas Tech (2010-12).

“Several key criteria drove my analysis of opportunities this cycle — alignment, relationships, resources, opportunity, and community,” Brown said. “Jared and his team presented a clear vision of why North Texas and Denton check all those boxes and then some. Football in Texas is special, and my family and I can’t wait to pour everything we have into the North Texas campus and Denton.”

Morris, 22-15 in his three seasons at UNT, last week was named Oklahoma State’s head coach. North Texas already has its first 11-win season, and Morris has said he will coach the Mean Green until the season is over, even if they win the conference, get snubbed by the CFP and end up in a bowl game with not much at stake.

The Cowboys team that Morris will be taking over finished 1-11 this year while going winless in Big 12 Conference games for the second season in a row.

It was one year ago Monday that Brown was fired by West Virginia after going 37-35 over six seasons (2019-24). The Mountaineers, who were 6-6 before going to a bowl game after he was let go, never were ranked in the AP Top 25 poll or played for a Big 12 championship during his time.

Before West Virginia, he was 35-16 at Troy from 2015-18, with a Sun Belt Conference championship in 2017.

The West Virginia AD who initially retained and then extended Brown is Wren Baker, who held that same role at North Texas before being succeeded by Mosley, previously the athletic department’s associate VP and chief operating officer.

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MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS

TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 25 ARKANSAS UPENDS NO. 6 LOUISVILLE IN ACC/SEC CHALLENGE

Trevon Brazile scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half as No. 25 Arkansas topped No. 6 Louisville 89-80 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. had his first double-double with 17 points and a season-high 10 assists for the Razorbacks (6-2).

Meleek Thomas scored 17 points, Malique Ewin had 12 points and nine rebounds and Billy Richmond III contributed 10 points as Arkansas beat a Top 10 team for the first time in coach John Calipari’s two seasons.

Mikel Brown Jr. put up 22 points, Ryan Conwell posted 15 points and Sananda Fru had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Cardinals (7-1), who played their first true road game of the season.

No. 9 BYU 91, California Baptist 60

AJ Dybantsa scored 22 points, collected five rebounds and dished out five assists to lead the Cougars past the Lancers in Salt Lake City.

Keba Keita tallied 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Cougars (7-1), who shot 55% from the field. They limited Cal Baptist to 33% shooting and forced numerous prolonged shooting droughts.

Martel Williams led California Baptist (7-2) with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.

No. 10 Iowa State 132, Alcorn State 68

Milan Momcilovic made a career-best eight 3-pointers and recorded 27 points along with a career-high five steals and the Cyclones steamrolled the Braves in a nonconference game at Ames, Iowa.

Jamarion Batemon established career highs of 26 points and seven 3-pointers for Iowa State (8-0), which set school records for points in a game and 3-pointers (22). Joshua Jefferson added 24 points and a career-high-tying 10 assists for the Cyclones, who remained without Tamin Lipsey (groin).

Jameel Morris produced 17 points and three steals and Shane Lancaster scored 16 points for the Braves (1-9).

No. 12 Alabama 90, Clemson 84

Labaron Philon Jr. scored 29 points and made a crucial late jump shot as the Crimson Tide beat the Tigers in an ACC/SEC Challenge game at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

London Jemison totaled 13 points and Taylor Bol Bowen had 11 points and five boards as Alabama (6-2) held on for its third straight win. Houston Mallette scored 10 points while Aiden Sherrell produced five points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks.

RJ Godfrey scored 19 points for the Tigers (7-2), who lost for the first time in five games. Dillon Hunter had 13 points and Zac Foster added 12.

No. 17 Vanderbilt 88, SMU 69

Tyler Tanner pumped in 26 points and the Commodores put together strong stretches in both halves to beat the Mustangs in Nashville, handing SMU its first loss of the season.

The game was part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Tanner shot 10-for-14 from the field with two 3-pointers. Devin McGlockton, who sank his first six of his shots from the field, scored 13 points for the Commodores (9-0). Tyler Nickel posted 12 points, and Duke Miles had 10 points.

Boopie Miller finished with 17 points and Samet Yigitoglu notched 16 points and eight rebounds for SMU (8-1). Jaron Pierre Jr.’s 13 points and B.J. Edwards’ 10 points also helped the Mustangs.

No. 20 Auburn 83, North Carolina State 73

Kevin Overton and Keyshawn Hall combined to make 11 3-pointers and the Tigers shot 59.1% from the floor en route to a win over the visiting Wolfpack in an ACC/SEC Challenge game.

Auburn (7-2) led much of the night but only created some breathing room when Hall fueled a pivotal 10-0 run midway through the second half. Overton posted a career-high 29 points while Hall finished with 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Qadir Copeland logged 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor for North Carolina State (5-3). Tre Holloman added 16 points.

Minnesota 73, No. 22 Indiana 64

Cade Tyson scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Gophers held on for a win over the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams in Minneapolis.

Langston Reynolds also scored 17 points for Minnesota (5-4, 1-0 Big Ten), which snapped a three-game losing streak. Isaac Asuma added 15 points and seven rebounds.

Tayton Conerway scored 18 points to lead Indiana (7-1, 0-1), which took its first loss. Lamar Wilkerson put up 15 points, and Sam Alexis scored 10 off the bench.

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WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS

WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 15 VANDERBILT SURGES PAST VIRGINIA

Mikayla Blakes scored 28 points to power No. 15 Vanderbilt to an 81-68 victory over Virginia on Wednesday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.

Virginia led by a point after the first quarter, but Vanderbilt outscored the visitors 45-22 over the next two frames to pull away. The Commodores went on to lead by as much as 28 points in the opening game of the annual ACC/SEC Challenge.

Blakes collected a good chunk of her scoring at the charity stripe – making 12-of-13 free throws – and also tallied seven rebounds and seven assists for the Commodores (9-0). Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda added 16 points and Sacha Washington chipped in 13 for Vandy.

Kymora Johnson steered the Cavaliers (6-3) with 22 points and seven assists. Paris Clark scored 12 points, and Adeang Ring had 10.

No. 17 Kentucky 64, Miami 48

Tonie Morgan scored 20 points to help the Wildcats beat the Hurricanes in Coral Gables, Florida.

Kentucky (9-1) also got a boost from Clara Strack, who stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Teonni Key added 11 points for the Wildcats in their second win this season over an ACC opponent.

Ra Shaya Kyle paced Miami (5-3) with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Gal Raviv scored 12 points. The Wildcats capitalized on Miami’s miscues, turning 15 turnovers by the Hurricanes into 25 points. Kentucky also held Miami to a season-worst shooting percentage from 3-point land, allowing the Hurricanes to make just 2-of-18 shots from behind the arc (11.1%).

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NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: JAMAL MURRAY NETS 52 AS NUGGETS EXTEND ROAD WIN STREAK

Jamal Murray scored a season-high 52 points on 10-for-11 shooting from 3-point range, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 135-120 in Indianapolis on Wednesday night.

It was the third time Murray has scored 50 or more in the regular season, and he did it two nights after suffering a right ankle sprain. His career high is 55 points. He made 19 of 25 shots overall.

Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 13 assists, Bruce Brown scored 14 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson finished with 11 points each for Denver, which has won eight in a row on the road.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points, Andrew Nembhard scored 16, Bennedict Mathurin finished with 15 points, Ben Shepperd and TJ McConnell added 14 points each and Jarace Walker scored 11.

Trail Blazers 122, Cavaliers 110

Deni Avdija posted 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Caleb Love scored 20 points off the bench as visiting Portland never trailed in the second half of a win over Cleveland.

Shaedon Sharpe added 20 points, nine points and five assists for Portland, which snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the third time in 11 games. Toumani Camara scored 17 points and Donovan Clingan grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points in 34 minutes for the Cavaliers while Evan Mobley had 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots. Cleveland lost for the fourth time in five games since Nov. 24.

Nets 113, Bulls 103

Michael Porter Jr. produced a team-best 33 points and 10 rebounds and Noah Clowney chipped in 20 points to lift visiting Brooklyn to a win against slumping Chicago. Brooklyn has won consecutive games for the first time this season. Chicago has lost five straight, matching a season high, and 11 of 14.

The Nets finished 19 of 46 from beyond the arc. Clowney connected on six 3-pointers while Porter Jr. buried five. Nic Claxton contributed 14 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Nets and Egor Demlin scored 10 points.

Josh Giddey boosted Chicago with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, securing his second triple-double in the past six games.

Clippers 115, Hawks 92

James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined to score 48 points to help visiting Los Angeles end its five-game losing streak with a victory over Atlanta.

Harden scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, with nine assists, four rebounds and three steals. Leonard scored 21 points with six rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Ivica Zubac scored 14 points and added 17 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the season. The Hawks were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 21 points and Dyson Daniels with 15 points.

Knicks 119, Hornets 104

Karl-Anthony Towns posted his 16th double-double in 21 games by finishing with 35 points and 18 rebounds for host New York, which never trailed in a win over Charlotte.

Towns converted 13 of 23 from the floor, including three of seven from distance, and converted six of seven free-throw attempts. Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and Mikal Bridges recorded 16 to help the Knicks win their fifth game in six tries. The Knicks’ starters scored 107 of the team’s 119 points.

LaMelo Ball scored 16 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter to help the Hornets get as close as eight with 4:27 left after trailing by 22 earlier in the period, but New York pulled away from there.

Bucks 113, Pistons 109

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 26 and Ryan Rollins added 22 to lead Milwaukee to a comeback victory over visiting Detroit.

The Bucks were down by as much as 18 and played most of the night without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who exited with a right calf strain just three minutes into the game. Rollins had eight assists and Porter contributed seven. AJ Green added 19 points on five 3-pointers, while Jericho Sims poured in a career-high 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Former Buck Tobias Harris led Detroit with 20 points, while Cade Cunningham added 17 and Jaden Ivey scored 15.

Spurs 114, Magic 112

De’Aaron Fox made two foul shots with 1.4 seconds left and finished with 31 points as visiting San Antonio withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat Orlando.

Luke Kornet blocked Franz Wagner’s shot at the buzzer to secure the win for San Antonio, which improved to 7-2 since star Victor Wembanyama landed on the injured list with a strained left calf. Dylan Harper scored 16 points off the bench to help the Spurs snap Orlando’s three-game winning streak. Devin Vassell added 15, Julian Champagnie had 14, Keldon Johnson scored 13, and Harrison Barnes chipped in 11.

Wagner led the Magic with 25 points. Jalen Suggs tallied 24, Desmond Bane added 14, and Tristan da Silva contributed 12.

Rockets 121, Kings 95

Alperen Sengun had a 28-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Amen Thompson totaled 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to help Houston shake off a sluggish first half and beat visiting Sacramento.

Kevin Durant joined in with 24 points and eight assists, Jabari Smith Jr. had 14 points and eight rebounds and Steven Adams was the only double-digit bench scorer with 11 points and eight boards. The Rockets trailed 63-57 with just over eight minutes left in the third quarter before going on a 21-3 run to open up a 78-66 lead, which they’d never relinquish.

Rookie Maxime Raynaud buoyed the Kings for as long as he could with a career-high 25 points, but Sacramento failed to keep pace without Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Dennis Schroder (hip) in the lineup. Malik Monk also dropped 25 points, while DeMar DeRozan scored 12 points and Russell Westbrook notched 12 and nine assists.

Mavericks 118, Heat 108

Cooper Flagg recorded 22 points and six rebounds and Anthony Davis had 17 points, a season-high 17 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead Dallas past visiting Miami.

Naji Marshall scored 18 points and Klay Thompson made five 3-pointers while scoring 17 points as the Mavericks achieved a season-best three-game winning streak. Ryan Nembhard had 15 points and 13 assists.

Kel’el Ware scored a season-high 22 points and collected 10 rebounds for the Heat, who lost for just the second time in nine games. Bam Adebayo had 21 points and seven rebounds and Tyler Herro put up 20 points.

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NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: COLE CAUFIELD’S SHOOTOUT GOAL LIFTS HABS PAST JETS

Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes outdueled Winnipeg’s Eric Comrie by the narrowest of margins, and the host netminder got a little help in the end as the Canadiens pulled out a 3-2 shootout victory over the Jets.

Cole Caufield had the most important contribution of the night, netting the only goal in the shootout. Dobes stonewalled Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele before getting a little help from the post as Gabriel Vilardi couldn’t keep the game going.

Caufield also registered an assist, while Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen buried markers for Montreal. Dobes stopped 29 of 31 shots, and Ivan Demidov, Nick Suzuki and Alexandre Texier tallied helpers as well.

Comrie matched Dobes with 29 saves on 31 shots before blinking first in the shootout. Scheifele and Connor each potted their team-best 14th goals of the season while assisting on each other’s markers, and Vilardi and Dylan DeMelo had a helper apiece. Winnipeg has now dropped six decisions in seven games (1-5-1).

Stars 3, Devils 0

Jake Oettinger made 30 saves for his 14th career shutout and second of the season as Dallas defeated New Jersey in Newark.

Defenseman Miro Heiskanen had a goal and an assist and Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen also scored for the Stars, who extended their point streak to eight games (6-0-2). Jamie Benn and defenseman Esa Lindell each had two assists.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 of 28 shots as the Devils lost their third straight game. Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon was honored before the opening faceoff for playing in his 1,000th career game Monday.

Mammoth 7, Ducks 0

Lawson Crouse and Dylan Guenther scored goals in the opening 11 minutes and Utah ended a four-game losing streak with a dominant road victory over Anaheim.

JJ Peterka tallied two goals and two assists, Clayton Keller notched a goal and two helpers and Guenther and Ian Cole each had a goal and an assist. Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season and seventh of his career as the Mammoth earned their first win in the fourth contest of a six-game road trip.

Ducks goaltender Ville Husso got the start with Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek out due to injuries, making 17 saves on 21 shots in two periods. Vyacheslav Buteyets turned aside 10 of 13 shots in the third period in his NHL debut.

Flyers 5, Sabres 2

Travis Konecny, Noah Cates and Bobby Brink each had a goal and an assist to guide Philadelphia past visiting Buffalo.

Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett also scored for the Flyers, who won for the sixth time in eight games. Samuel Ersson made 27 saves.

Jason Zucker and Bowen Byram scored for the Sabres, who failed in a bid for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Colten Ellis turned aside 30 shots.

Capitals 7, Sharks 1

Rookie Ryan Leonard scored two goals and had two assists and Alex Ovechkin added two goals as visiting Washington earned its sixth straight victory.

It was the 181st multi-goal game of Ovechkin’s career, second only to Wayne Gretzky’s 189 in the NHL history. The two goals were No. 910 and No. 911 of his career, extending his league career record. Brandon Duhaime had a short-handed goal and an assist, Matt Roy logged three assists and Sonny Milano and Dylan Strome scored a goal apiece for Washington.

Pavol Regenda scored a power-play goal for San Jose, which has alternated wins and losses for eight games. Alex Nedeljkovic, who took over for starter Yaroslav Askarov at the 17:07 mark of the first period, finished with 15 saves. Askarov stopped eight of 12 shots before being pulled.

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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES

COLTS NEWS

COLTS SIGN FORMER SAINTS KICKER BLAKE GRUPE TO PRACTICE SQUAD

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts signed former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe to their practice squad Wednesday, one day after waiving Michael Badgley.

Grupe was part of a three-player tryout Tuesday in Indy that also featured former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. He is expected to be promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s key game at Jacksonville (8-4), a matchup that features the AFC South’s co-leaders.

Grupe lost his job in New Orleans after making just 18 of 26 field goals this season though he did convert all 15 of his extra-point attempts. He made 75 of 94 field goals and 86 of 88 extra points in 45 games with the Saints between 2023 and 2025 and also worked with Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason when the two were at Notre Dame in 2022.

Badgley was released after missing his third extra point attempt in seven games. His most recent miss proved costly because Indy (8-4) drove to the Houston 31-yard line with about two minutes to play Sunday. The Colts were forced to try to score a go-ahead touchdown instead of kicking a field goal that would have tied the score and potentially forced overtime.

Instead, the Colts wound up losing 20-16, marking the first time this season they’ve lost two in a row. The loss allowed Jacksonville to grab a share of the division lead and let two-time defending division champ Houston move within one game of the leaders.

Grupe is the third kicker Indy will have used this season. Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending right knee injury, tearing multiple ligaments, in a collision during a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in early October.

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INDIANA PACERS NEWS

GAME REWIND: PACERS 120, NUGGETS 135

The Indiana Pacers hosted the Denver Nuggets in a cross-conference matchup on Wednesday evening, and each was after a win after falling short in their respective games on Monday. Indiana fell to Cleveland, and Denver lost at home to the Mavericks. Denver came out ahead of Indiana, 135-120.

Indiana stuck with the Nuggets through the opening minutes of action – the game was tied at 12 at the midpoint of the first quarter – but Denver owns the NBA’s best first quarter point differential, and flexed that muscle down the stretch of the period. A 15-5 run by the Nuggets had coach Rick Carlisle calling a timeout as his Pacers trailed Denver, 27-17, with three minutes to play in the quarter.

Nikola Jokic checked out of the game and headed to the locker room with four minutes to go in the opening frame, but returned to the Nuggets’ bench before the conclusion of the quarter.

Indiana trailed by five points after the first period, 33-28.

Jokic returned to the floor in the second quarter and Denver quickly built back its lead. Indiana trailed by six points at the 7:24 mark, 45-39.

That lead grew by the four-minute mark despite Andrew Nembhard’s and Pascal Siakam’s effort to lift Indiana’s offense. Denver’s defense was suffocating in the painted area – the Pacers’ drives often resulted in turnovers and tough shots.

The Nuggets outscored Indiana 39-20 in the second period, and led by 24 points at halftime, 72-48.

Jamal Murray led all scorers with his 23 first half points, Jokic trailed with 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and Nembhard led Indiana with nine points and three rebounds. Mathurin also notched nine points for the Pacers, and Siakam recorded eight first half points.

Indiana’s defense needed a spark of energy in the second half after Denver knocked down over 67 percent of its looks in the first half, including 60 percent from deep.

Ben Sheppard showed a spark on the offensive end to open the half – he threw down a dunk, grabbed a steal, and knocked down a 3-pointer in a 25-second stretch. Indiana still trailed, 75-53.

Sheppard continued his groove throughout the third quarter, tallying 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting. It kept Indiana afloat, but Indiana gained just a point on the Nuggets, and trailed by 23 points heading into the final period, 102-79. 

Indiana had more to give, and opened the fourth quarter with a 9-1 run to cut the lead down to 15 points. A backcourt steal by McConnell powered a Siakam layup that brought the Pacers within 14 points, and forced a Nuggets timeout with nine minutes remaining.

Murray continued his hot stretch of scoring as Denver pulled away from the Pacers, and knocked down six shots in the final quarter. His 10 3-pointers in the game is a new career-high, and he became just the tenth player to score 50+ points against the Pacers in Indiana in NBA franchise history.

Carlisle pulled the Pacers starters with just under three minutes to play as Indiana trailed 131-116.

The Nuggets defeated the Pacers, 135-120, and fell to 4-18 on the season.

Siakam led the Blue and Gold with 23 points, and was Indiana’s lone 20-point scorer. Murray led all scorers with his 52, and Jokic recorded 24 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists.

The Pacers will regroup and travel to Chicago where they’ll match up with the Bulls on Friday, Dec. 5, at 8:00 PM ET.

Inside the Numbers

The Pacers had six players score in double-digits after having zero at halftime.

Jamal Murray’s 52 points on Wednesday marks the second time in as many games that Indiana has conceded over 40 points to an opposing player. It’s the second-highest total by an opponent against the Pacers this season.

Indiana shot 52 percent from the field on Wednesday, marking the third game in 22 contests that the Pacers have shot better than 50 percent.

The Nuggets’ 59 percent shooting is the best field goal percentage by a Pacers opponent this season.

Denver shot better from 3-point range (60.7 percent) than it did overall (59 percent).

You Can Quote Me on That

“Murray was phenomenal. He’s a very underrated player. For a lot of reasons I guess people just don’t know how special he is…Tip your hat to that performance.” – coach Rick Carlisle on Jamal Murray’s performance

“We’ve just got to do better. I’ve got to coach better. We’ve got to play better. It’s a slim margin situation, that’s pretty obvious, but there’s always room for improvement.” – Carlisle on Indiana’s path forward

“He’s playing hard, he’s playing fast, he’s playing unselfish. He’s applying pressure full court. These are elements that we need. Him shooting the ball 5-for-5 is no surprise. I mean, he can shoot the ball. The key thing is that through all the challenges, he’s just remained true to who he is and stepped into the shots that are his shots.” – Carlisle on Ben Sheppard’s recent streak

“I love playing with Shepp. Moves really well, brings a lot of energy, he’s fun to be around. When he’s hitting shots he can be a real help for this team.” – Andrew Nembhard on Sheppard

“I think it’s a little bit better. We had a little more structure. I think we’ve got to find a combination…I know in the past, we’ve been so random. I think finding structure in what we’re doing is probably important, and I think we’re doing better.” – Pascal Siakam on Indiana’s offense

“We’ve just got to keep improving, having defense be the thing that we hang our hats on. We’ve got to really be better at that. That’s two games now where I feel like our defense wasn’t there for the whole game, like it’s been before. So we’ve got to correct that.” – Siakam on Indiana’s defensive struggles

“Staying in the gym, stepping into my shots with confidence, every game I don’t know where my shots are going to come from. The ebbs and flows of every game are different…Staying grounded and staying in the gym, and doing all the work I can to just step into those shots confidently.” – Sheppard on how he stays prepared through a shooting slump

Stat of the Night

Denver’s 60.7 percent from 3-point range on Wednesday marked the best performance from deep by an Indiana opponent this season by a full 15.5 percent.

Noteworthy

The Pacers are 47-57 against the Nuggets all-time.

Jamal Murray’s 52-point game on Wednesday was just the 10th 50-point game by an opponent against the Pacers at home in NBA franchise history.

Murray is another Canadian guard, and has played on Canadian national teams with Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin.

Wednesday’s contest marked Pascal Siakam’s 650th career game, and 140th with Indiana.

Up Next

Indiana travels to Chicago to match up with Josh Giddey and the Bulls on Friday, Dec. 5, 8:00 PM ET.

Tickets

The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 PM ET.

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INDY FUEL NEWS

INDY FUEL PIT STOP: WEEK 8

• INDY FUEL WEEK SEVEN RESULTS: 1-1-1-0
• INDY FUEL OVERALL RECORD: 8-7-2-1 (5th in Central Division)

GAME 16 – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 VS WHEELING – 5-2 L

The Fuel traveled to Wheeling on Wednesday night for their first matchup of the season with the Nailers. They kept it competitive through the second period, going into the third tied 2-2. The flood gates would open in the third for the Nailers, scoring three unanswered and beating the Fuel.

GAME 17 – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 VS FORT WAYNE – 5-4 OTL

The Fuel hosted the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday night, the second time they met this season since the Fuel’s season opener. It was an exciting back and forth, high scoring game between the two rivals that would take them to overtime. Unfortunately, the Fuel would lose again to the Komets, only thirty seconds into extra time.

GAME 18 – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 VS TOLEDO – 3-2 SOW

The Fuel hosted the Toledo Walleye for Jurassic Puck Night in an exciting, close game. Each team would score one in the second and third periods sending it to overtime. With an uneventful OT, the game headed to a shootout where Mitchell Weeks would stand tall and all three Fuel players would score, giving them the shootout win.

OIL DROPS

• Forward Harrison Israels had his first multi-goal game against the Nailers. They were also the first two goals of his ECHL career.
• Forward Sahil Panwar also had a multi-goal game, but against Fort Wayne. This was his second multi-goal game of this season, both coming in the month of November.
• Defenseman Matt Petgrave has 11 points from 11 assists and is top 16 in points among defenseman in the ECHL.
• Forward Cody Laskosky scored the game winning shootout goal for the Fuel being one of three players to score a winning shootout goal in the ECHL.

TEAM NOTES

• The Fuel got their first shootout win of the season after losing in their last shootout against the Thunder exactly a week prior.
• The Fuel have the most shorthanded goals scored against them in the entire ECHL when playing on the road.
• The Fuel average 2.39 goals for per game which is the second lowest in the ECHL.
• Indy is ranked third in the league in shorthanded goals for, at home with three goals in eleven games at home so far. 
• The Fuel won their first game on a Saturday in their 3-2 SOW over Toledo.

INDY FUEL WEEK 8 SCHEDULE

• GAME 19 – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 VS CINCINNATI
• GAME 20 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 VS CINCINNATI
• GAME 21 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT TOLEDO

BROADCAST

Don’t miss a moment of the action! Get your tickets to an Indy Fuel game or tune in live!

UPCOMING FAN EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS

Get ready for lots of fun at Fishers Event Center this season! Check out some of our upcoming promotions and special fan experiences!

• Friday, December 5th – Our Wintertainment Series is BACK! Put on your craziest ugly sweater to cheer on the Indy Fuel as they take on the Cincinnati Cyclones. It’s Wintertainment! Meet Santa and his friends on the concourse before the game and keep an eye out for a special intermission act!
• Saturday, December 6th –  Good grief, it’s Peanuts Night! Join the Indy Fuel on Saturday night as we take on the Cincinnati Cyclones in specialty Peanuts jerseys! Meet Snoopy at the game! It’s Wintertainment! Meet Santa and his friends on the concourse before the game! Stick around after the game for a specialty jersey auction in section 110!

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INDIANA COLLEGE FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY

INDIANA HOOSIERS: https://247sports.com/college/indiana/season/2026-football/commits/

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS: https://247sports.com/college/purdue/season/2026-football/commits/

NOTRE DAME: https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/season/2026-football/commits/

2026 RECRUIT FOOTBALL TEAM RANKINGS

https://247sports.com/Season/2026-Football/CompositeTeamRankings

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INDIANA FOOTBALL NEWS

SAYIN, MENDOZA CHASE BIG TEN TITLE AND HEISMAN TROPHY WHEN NO. 1 OHIO ST FACES NO. 2 INDIANA

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza each have one prize in mind for their showdown this weekend in Indianapolis: a Big Ten championship.

It’s another one — Heisman Trophy winner — that will consume most of next week’s debate.

The two first-year starters at their respective schools each played their way into frontrunner status by leading their teams to unbeaten regular seasons, posting outstanding numbers and delivering when the stakes have been highest. They get final chances to pad those Heisman resumes when No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana square off in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Sayin and Mendoza appear tailor-made for the moment.

“With the spotlight, with the pressure of it, comes a privilege,” said Mendoza, a two-year starter at California before arriving in Bloomington.

Mendoza has been deferential to his teammates and coaches all season, routinely using his platform to build up those who helped him reach the precipice of becoming the first Indiana player to win college football’s most prestigious award.

Sayin, meanwhile, has spent most of this season trying to get acclimated to being the starter for the defending national champs and more recently with a revolving door of receivers caused by injuries. He started his career at Alabama and redshirted last season in Columbus. He would be Ohio State’s first Heisman winner since Troy Smith in 2006.

Mendoza and Sayin find themselves as the feature attractions in a rare, late-season head-to-head matchup between the Football Bowl Subdivision’s last two unbeaten teams.

The tale of the tape is every bit as close as one might expect.

Sayin’ staggering 78.9% completion rate leads the nation, as does his passing efficiency of 184.85. His 30 touchdown passes rank second nationally. He’s 13th in passing yards with 3,065 and tied for 15th in points responsible for with 180.

Mendoza leads the FBS with 32 TD passes, ranks second in passing efficiency at 183.71 and points responsible for at 228, fifth in completion percentage (72.0%) and 27th in yards passing with 2,758.

Both are 12-0 overall, 9-0 in conference play and have five interceptions. The biggest difference statistically — Mendoza averages 13.07 yards per throw, No. 24 nationally, while Sayin ranks 62nd.

And while Sayin’s signature moment came last week when he snapped a four-game losing streak to the dreaded Wolverines, Mendoza delivered two of this season’s biggest plays — beating an Iowa blitz with a tiebreaking, 49-yard TD pass to Elijah Sarratt with 1;28 left in a 20-15 victory and the incredible 7-yard TD pass to Omar Cooper Jr. in the final minute to beat Penn State 27-24.

After throwing a tying Pick-6 late at then-No. 3 Oregon, Mendoza responded by taking Hoosiers on a 75-yard scoring march and throwing the go-ahead TD pass to Sarratt for a 30-20 victory that cemented Indiana’s spot in the national championship conversation.

“The Oregon game, I think, gave us a lot of credibility,” second-year Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti said. “That was a step we had to take as a program — go on the road, play a top five team and come back with a win. Oregon’s a great team and Dan Lanning is a great football coach and so, I think, from that point on, there has been a little bit more acceptance of where we’re at as a program.”

Mendoza has a chance to put an exclamation on Indiana’s second straight record-breaking season — if Indiana beats the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988, claims its first conference crown since 1967 and reaches to No. 1 in The Associated Press poll for the first time in school history.

Sayin is trying to extend the nation’s longest active winning streak to 17 games, capture Ohio State’s first conference crown since 2020 and help the Buckeyes become back-to-back national champions for the first time in school history.

Cignetti knows just how challenging it will be to derail those plans.

“Julian Sayin is a tremendous football player. He’s young but doesn’t play like he’s young,” he said. “Super quick release, very accurate and he’s mobile. They’ve got great weapons on the outside.”

But as coaches and players stay focused on Saturday’s contest, the quarterbacks are downplaying the game inside the game — whether the winner has the inside track to winning the Heisman.

“A lot of quarterbacks have struggled with (Ohio State’s defense) throughout the entire season, and there’s a reason for that,” Mendoza said. “I think it’s a great opportunity and a great challenge for the Indiana offense to play the Indiana brand of ball we want to play against such a great defense.”

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INDIANA MEN’ S BASKETBALL NEWS

HOOSIERS FALL IN BIG TEN OPENER

MINNEAPOLIS — Big Ten reality hit Indiana hard Wednesday night at Minnesota.

A first true road game, combined with Big Ten physicality, left coach Darian DeVries and the No. 22/19 Hoosiers experiencing defeat for the first time, 73-64. They are 7-1 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten.

“It was disappointing,” Darian DeVries told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during the postgame radio show. “I thought we had a good couple days of practice. I thought the guys were ready to go. Guys were out there competing. It was first road game. We have to learn from it and have to get better.”

Minnesota (5-4, 1-0), out three key players because of injuries, had lost three straight games, but was 4-0 at Williams Arena. IU had beaten the Gophers nine straight times.

IU was outrebounded 40-25. The Gophers’ 10 offensive rebounds produced a 14-7 edge in second-chance points. All five of their starters scored in double figures.

“We didn’t do enough of the little things,” DeVries told Fischer. “I thought defensively we’ve been pretty good all year. We created some turnovers with their 16 turnovers, but they just got too many clean looks. They got to the free throw line 27 times. That’s a tough way for a defense to survive.

“Offensively, we didn’t get the movement we needed to get better quality shots. We have to find better ways from my part to put us in better positions.”

Guard Tayton Conerway led the Hoosiers with 18 points. Guard Lamar Wilkerson added 15 points. The Hoosiers were just 8-for-27 on 3-pointers and was just 7-for-14 on free throws in the second half.

This was IU’s first loss in any setting under Darian DeVries. It had won three games in the August Puerto Rico trip, and then exhibitions against Baylor and Marian University before its 7-0 start that included impressive victories over Marquette in Chicago and Kansas State at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It will have to regroup for Saturday’s marquee game against No. 6 Louisville (7-1) at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Cardinals lost at No. 25 Arkansas Wednesday night, 89-80.

“You go through a season, you will lose a game,” Darian DeVries told Fischer. “Now the challenge is ,after you lose is, how will you respond.

“We have a lot of veterans. They’ve played a lot of basketball, I expect them to come back, and be ready to fix some things and give out a good effort on Saturday.”

IU had a chance to take first half control with a 27-19 lead, but the Gophers’ eight offensive rebounds helped produce a 14-5 edge on second-chance points to rally them for a 33-33 halftime tie. They took second-half control with a 13-2 run.

IU made its first five shots to open the game – including a Conerway 3-pointer — for a 12-7 lead in four minutes. Minnesota surged to a 15-12 lead. A Tucker DeVries 3-pointer and a Conerway layup and 3-pointer pushed the Hoosiers ahead 22-19. Forward Tucker DeVries followed with a 3-pointer. Forward Sam Alexis, who finished with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting, added a short jumper to make it a 27-19 score as the Hoosiers cranked up the defensive pressure to force three straight Gopher turnovers.

Minnesota closed to 29-28. Wilkerson and forward Reed Bailey each hit a pair of free throws, but a final Gophers’ surge tied it at 33-33 at halftime. Conerway led with 10 points.

A 3-pointer gave Minnesota an early lead. An Alexis layup and then a dunk put IU ahead 43-40 six minutes into the second half. The Gophers responded with eight straight points before Wilkerson ended it with a layup for a 48-45 Minnesota lead midway through the second half. A Gopher 3-pointer made it a 53-45 score and forced a Darian DeVries timeout.

A huge Wilkerson 3-pointer followed by his block and then a steal and then a Tucker DeVries 3-pointer cut the lead to two and restored Hoosier momentum.

Minnesota ripped it away by making seven of nine shots to push ahead 65-55 with four minutes left. Conerway made two free throws and then a layup. Wilkerson hit his second 3-pointer to cut the lead to three with two minutes left.

The Hoosiers could get no closer.

IU freshman center Aleksa Ristic, who had been sidelined by injuries, made his Hoosier debut. He played three minutes.

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INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

IU GETS PAST WESTERN MICHIGAN

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.  –  Senior guard Shay Ciezki poured in her fourth-straight 20-point plus scoring effort with 26 points as Indiana defeated Western Michigan, 71-53, on Wednesday at home.

KEY MOMENTS

Indiana (8-1) faced a four-point deficit at the media timeout and with senior guard Shay Ciezki scoring six points in less than three minutes, the Hoosiers were down 20-15 after the first.

Thanks to a 10-0 run in the second quarter highlighted by back-to-back buckets by redshirt sophomore guard Lenée Beaumont, IU went on a 10-0 run, putting them ahead for the first time of the night. Ciezki went 7-11 in the first half for 15 points with Beaumont adding 10, putting them up 35-31 at the half.

The Hoosiers went on a 7-0 run in the third quarter as they held the Broncos (1-5) to just 26.7 percent from the floor and pushed its lead to 51-42.

In the fourth, Indiana outscored WMU, 20-11, as it went on to secure a 71-53 victory.

NOTABLE

Ciezki’s 26 points marked her sixth game where she’s scored 20 points or more. She also added four assists and went 12-for-17 from the floor.

Beaumont also finished the night in double figures with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Indiana improves to 11-4 in all-time series with Western Michigan.

Noyan added seven points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the win.

IU pulled down 12 offensive boards, its second-highest effort on the o-board this season.

UP NEXT

The Hoosiers open Big Ten play on the road at Illinois on Saturday. Tipoff is at 12 p.m. ET on BTN.

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PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

PURDUE ROLLS PAST EVANSVILLE, 91-49

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team rode hot shooting a solid defense to roll to a 91-49 win over Evansville on Wednesday night in Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers’ 42-point win was the largest under head coach Katie Gearlds and give Purdue a 5-0 record at home this season.

On the offensive end, the Boilermakers (5-3) put four players in double figures, led by Kiki Smith’s 16 points on 6-of-10 field goals with a trio of 3-pointers. Freshman Hila Karsh led Purdue with a game-high four assists, as Purdue dished out a season-high 23 helpers on 37 made shots. It was Purdue’s highest assist tally since Dec. 21, 2024, with 27 against Indiana State.

The Boilermakers shot 57.6% from the field for their fourth game making over half their shots this season. Purdue knocked down six 3-pointers with Hila Karsh, Madison Layden-Zay and Nya Smith joining Kiki Smith behind the arc.

On the glass, Purdue finished plus-21, 47-26. The Boilermakers turned 13 offensive rebounds into 17 points, while allowing just four second chance points by the Purple Aces (2-6). Purdue scored 25 points off 17 Evansville turnovers, while recording a season-high 13 steals, its highest tally since Feb. 25, 2024, at Wisconsin.

The Boilermakers held Evansville to 29.3% shooting from the field and 6-of-29 (20.7%) from behind the arc.

TOP STATS

Purdue’s posts combined to score 43 points on 19-of-26 shooting with 20 rebounds and two blocks. Kendall Puryear notched a career-high 14 points to go with five rebounds in 14 minutes of work. Lana McCarthy was an efficient 6-of-7 from the field for 13 points and six rebounds. Avery Gordon turned in a career-high 10 points, and Saige Stall tied for a game-high eight rebounds with six points.

Purdue scored a season-high 62 points in the paint.

KEY MOMENTS

• Purdue opened the night on a 15-4 run, knocking down six of their first nine shots.

• Kiki Smith went 4-of-6 from the field, including a pair of triples, in the first quarter to score 10 points.

• Purdue hit three times from the outside with the third coming from Hila Karsh, as the Boilermakers led 22-10 after the first.

• Purdue extended its lead to 24 points, 46-22, at the break, after forcing seven turnovers in the second quarter.

• The Boilermakers hit 11-of-18 (61.1%) field goals in the second quarter with eight different players finding the scoresheet in the frame.

• Purdue tallied its most points coming out of halftime with 26 in the third on 10-of-16 (62.5%) shooting.

• Nya Smith and Kendall Puryear scored six points in the third. Purdue opened the gap to 40 points after a 20-4 run to start the half.

• Purdue closed the game out shooting 8-of-13 from the field in the fourth. The Boilermakers outrebounded Evansville 12-6 in the final frame and held the visitors to just 3-of-13 shooting.

• Purdue allowed just three points in the first 7:06 of the fourth, going on a 12-3 run over that span.

• Carley Barrett scored her first career points shortly after checking in with a steal and layup to push the lead to 46 points, Purdue’s largest of the season.

NOTES

• Purdue leads the all-time series with Evansville 3-0.

• The Boilermakers tallied their second highest output in a half this season with 46 points in the opening 20 minutes.

• Madison Layden-Zay led the team with a career-high eight rebounds. She is now 40 rebounds away from becoming the sixth Big Ten player to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, 200 3-points and 50 blocks in a career.

• Layden-Zay’s lone 3-pointer of the night pulls her within 21 of Karissa McLaughlin’s career record of 244. She is 15 shy of Katie Gearlds for third in Purdue history.

• Purdue is 40-18 over the last five seasons when forcing 15 or more turnovers.

• The Boilermakers’ 91 points tied for the fifth most in the last five years, while Evansville’s 49 points were the third fewest surrendered by a Boilermaker squad in that span.

• Purdue is 6-0 under head coach Katie Gearlds when holding opponents to 50 or fewer points.

• Eight different Boilermakers recorded a steal on the evening, matching the most in the Gearlds era.

• The Boilermakers scored 20 or more points in three quarters for the third time this season.

UP NEXT

Purdue will open Big Ten play on the road on Sunday when it heads to No. 6/8 Michigan. Tipoff on the Big Ten Network is set for noon.  

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PURDUE WRESTLING NEWS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — No. 20 Purdue Wrestling will compete in the 43rd annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this weekend.

Long considered the premier regular-season tournament in college wrestling, the two-day event will take place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, in the Westgate Hotel Paradise Event Center. It will be Purdue’s 19th appearance in the prestigious double-elimination tournament.

The live broadcast, linked above, will be available to those with a FloWrestling subscription. As always, match-by-match coverage will be provided on the @PurdueWrestling X/Twitter page.

SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec. 5

12 p.m. ET – Session 1

9 p.m. ET – Session 2

Saturday, Dec. 6

1 p.m. ET – Session 3

6 p.m. ET – Session 4 (Finals)

PURDUE LINEUP

125 | Ashton Jackson

133 | #26 Blake Boarman

141 | #19 Greyson Clark

149 | Gavin Brown

157 | #19 Stoney Buell

165 | #4 Joey Blaze

174 | #21 Brody Baumann

184 | #26 James Rowley

197 | #23 Ben Vanadia

285 | #32 Hayden Filipovich

PREVIEW

The field consists of 32 of the nation’s top programs, and 12 top-30 teams (including No. 20 Purdue): No. 4 Iowa State, No. 8 Michigan, No. 10 Stanford, No. 11 Cornell, No. 16 West Virginia, No. 17 Virginia Tech, No. 18 Arizona State, No. 21 South Dakota State, No. 24 Oklahoma, T-No. 26 Cal Poly, T-No. 26 Wyoming and No. 30 Navy.

Purdue’s newest assistant coach, Matt Ramos, won the 125-pound tournament crown last year as a redshirt senior. He was the first Boilermaker to win a CKLV title since Dylan Lydy in 2019, and just the fifth in school history.

Joey Blaze (165), currently ranked No. 4 in the country, was Purdue’s other placewinner last season, finishing sixth after suffering an injury in the winners’ bracket that forced him to forfeit his remaining matches. The 2025 NCAA runner-up is poised to break through and aims for the top of the podium this time around.

No. 21 Brody Baumann (174) and No. 19 Stoney Buell (157) are also key wrestlers to watch after winning titles at the Tiger Style Invite last month. Purdue is sending all eight of its ranked wrestlers to compete this weekend.

The double-elimination tournament features 10 different brackets, one for each weight class, with 10 titles up for grabs. Per FloWrestling, the field could consist of over 120 ranked wrestlers in total. Click here to view all the potential ranked stars competing in Las Vegas.

In 18 appearances, Purdue as a team has placed in the top 10 nine different times, including four of the past six trips. A total of 51 Boilermakers have climbed the podium as placewinners since Purdue’s first CKLV appearance in 2002.

LAST TIME OUT

After a dominant 38-4 dual performance at Davidson on Sunday, Nov. 23, the Boilermakers are 6-0 for the first time since 2021. Purdue has outscored opponents 193-45, which is the fewest dual points allowed through six duals since 2012 and the third-fewest allowed in the past 83 years.

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NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL NEWS

CARR NAMED FINALIST FOR SHAUN ALEXANDER FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Freshman quarterback CJ Carr has been selected as a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, recognizing the top freshman player in college football.

Carr is one of five national finalists for the award. Carr was also a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, recognizing the top quarterback in college football.

One of the nation’s top quarterbacks, and one of the best freshman players in the country, Carr ranks fifth nationally in passing efficiency (168.1), sixth in yards per pass attempt (9.35) and sixth in passing yards per completion (14.06). This season, he has completed 195 passes for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, also rushing for three touchdowns.

Nationally, Notre Dame ranks fifth in scoring offense (41.8), fifth in team passing efficiency (168.61), 10th in passing yards per completion (14.11), 17th in passes had intercepted (6), 18th in total offense (458.5), 18th in third down conversion percentage (0.481), 18th in rushing offense (203.4) and 20th in completion percentage (0.672).

Carr now has 12-straight games with a touchdown pass, which is the longest streak by a Notre Dame quarterback since Everett Golson from 1/7/2013 – 1/22/2014. Carr finished the regular season with 24 touchdown strikes, tying Sam Hartman and DeShone Kizer for the most passing touchdowns in their first 12 career Notre Dame starts since 1966.

Carr was recognized nationally in several instances for his Arkansas performance. in which Carr completed 22 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns and posted the most first-half passing yards (294) by an Irish quarterback since 2008. He was named a Manning Award Star of the Week and Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, the Shaun Alexander Award Freshman of the Week, and a member of the Davey O’Brien Great 8.

TRAORE NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomore defensive lineman Boubacar Traore has been named a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Through the 2025 regular season, Traore has posted 11 starts, 7.5 sacks, 37 tackles, 11.0 TFL and forced a fumble. He posted his first-career two-sack game in the 36-7 win over NC State. He registered a sack at Arkansas for the tenth TFL of his career, and he posted a sack, two TFLs and a forced fumble in the win over Purdue. He has totaled five or more tackles in three games this season (Miami, Purdue and Syracuse).

With Traore’s help, Notre Dame ranks fourth in turnover margin (1.08), ninth in team sacks (2.92), 11th in rushing defense (99.3), 13th in scoring defense (17.6) and 13th in team passing efficiency defense (108.80).

Traore played in five games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury in the Sept. 28 game vs. Louisville. Following Week Four of the 2024 season, Traore led all FBS freshmen in sacks (3.0) and sacks per game (0.75). He had tallied five tackles for loss and added two quarterback hurries, in addition to a pick-six.

Traore made his breakout in the 2024 66-7 win at Purdue, Purdue’s largest defeat in program history. His day was highlighted by a 34-yard pick six in the second quarter, as he also added two TFL (loss of twelve yards) with a sack (loss of nine yards) on the day, in addition to a quarterback hurry. The sack, the additional tackle for loss and the quarterback hurry all were third-down stops by Traore.

The next week vs. Miami (OH), he started his first-career game and delivered a career performance in the 28-3 win, totaling two sacks (loss of 15 yards), a forced fumble, five tackles and a quarterback hurry. His five tackles and two sacks both marked career-highs. Traore tied for the team lead in tackles in the game.

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BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

BUTLER OPENS BIG EAST ACTION AT SETON HALL

INDIANAPOLIS – Butler opens BIG EAST play this week as the Dawgs travel to South Orange, N.J. to take on Seton Hall on Thursday, Dec. 4. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Time: 7PM

Location: South Orange, N.J. 

Live Stats: Butlersports.com

Watch: ESPN+

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS

Butler (4-4) enters BIG EAST action after going 1-1 at the Fort Myers Tip-Off last week. BU secured a 92-66 win over Dayton before falling to Georgia 80-54 in the Dawgs second game of the event.

Against Dayton, Lily Zeinstra set a career-high in points and assists as the sophomore poured in 19 points and six assists in BU’s win. Anna Wypych set a career-high in points with 12 in the contest, all of which came from beyond the arc.

Butler had six players score in double figures against Dayton (Zeinstra 19, Wypych 12, Caroline Dotsey 12, Saniya Jackson 11, Mallory Miller 10 and Nevaeh Jackson 10). This is 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.

Zeinstra leads the BU offense, averaging 13.9 points per game. The sophomore is shooting 52.6-percent from the floor and 47.1-percent from beyond the arc. Mallory Miller leads the squad on the glass, pulling down 4.8 rebounds per game.

Saniya and Nevaeh Jackson have been stellar for BU, averaging 8.8 and 8.4 points per game, respectively. Nevaeh pulls down 2.9 rebounds per game while Saniya grabs 3.8.

Butler currently ranks 53rd nationally and fifth in the BIG EAST in field goal percentage shooting at a 45.7-percent clip. BU is in the top 100 nationally in three-point percentage (35.3%, 64th) and free throw percentage (73.6%, 89th).

Lilly Stoddard is 38th nationally in blocks this season with 14 to her credit. Saniya Jackson is 83rd nationally in total steals with 19 to her credit. Zeinstra ranks 28th nationally in 3-point percentage shooting at a 47.1-percent clip.

Against Wright State in the season opener, Saniya Jackson recorded six steals in the game. That is the most steals in a game from a Butler player since Kristen Spolyar had six on Feb. 9, 2020 against Villanova. Jackson was two steals short of her career-high, eight.

Freshman Addison Baxter stuffed the stat sheet vs. Wright State, dishing out eight assists to go with six points and six rebounds against WSU. Baxter’s eight assists in the contest are the most in a game from a Butler player since Nov. 23, 2021 when Zoe Jackson did it against SIUE.

The Bulldogs have earned back-to-back WNIT berths under head coach Austin Parkinson.

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.

BU’s transfer class includes 2023-24 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Kennedy Langham (Samford), ESPN’s No. 60 recruit in the Class of 2024 McKenna Johnson (Minnesota), 2024-25 America East Conference Sixth Player of the Year Caroline Dotsey (Maine), twins Nevaeh Jackson and Saniya Jackson from Valparaiso, Mallory Miller (Arizona State), and Gabby Wilke (South Dakota).

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 SETON HALL

Mariana Valenzuela leads the Pirate offense, averaging 13.8 points per game. She poured in 21 points against Fordham on Nov. 20, marking a season-high for the senior.

Valenzuela also leads the squad on the glass, pulling down 8.2 rebounds per game. Jada Eads paces the Seton Hall offense with 4.5 assists per game.

Seton Hall is led by Anthony Bozzella, who is in his 13th season at the helm of Seton Hall. Bozzella holds a 230-152 career record with the Pirates.

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IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

JAGUARS DUMPED IN HORIZON LEAGUE OPENER AT DETROIT MERCY, 92-78

DETROIT – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team dropped its Horizon League opener on the road on Wednesday night (Dec. 3), falling to Detroit Mercy, 92-78. The host Titans shot 48 percent from the floor and 45 percent from three while holding the Jaguars to a season-low 78 points.

Jaxon Edwards, Maguire Mitchell and Kameron Tinsley all finished with 14 points for the Jags (3-7, 0-1 HL) and Kyler D’Augustino finished with 11, all in the second half. Ayden Carter paced Detroit Mercy (3-6, 1-0 HL) with 21 points and London Maiden added 18 points and nine rebounds. The Jaguars held UDM’s top scorer, Orlando Lovejoy, scoreless on just four shot attempts, but saw his supporting cast more than fill the void.

“I told our guys, we’re going through it right now but no one is going to feel sorry for us. Conference play is different and our guys will figure that out. Each game is a fight and tonight was no different,” head coach Ben Howlett said. “We did some good things, but not enough. It’s coming, but it wasn’t our night tonight.”

The host Titans filled up on seconds in the first half, scoring 16 second chance points thanks to nine offensive rebounds. That, coupled with a solid shooting performance, saw UDM surge in front 46-29 by halftime.

IU Indy built an early 10-5 lead when Tinsley swished an open three, but the Titans responded with seven straight points, beginning with back-to-back Maiden jump hooks. The Jags seemingly stemmed the tide when Matt Compas dropped in a layup at the 8:43 mark to cut UDM’s lead to 28-23 before the Titans scored nine straight to build a 14-point lead. Mitchell and JP Dragas hit consecutive threes before UDM scored the final nine points of the half, punctuated by a Nate Johnson baseline dunk for the 17-point halftime margin.

IU Indy shot just 31 percent in the opening half and just 4-of-18 from deep. Meanwhile, UDM shot 47 percent overall and made 5-of-10 from three after entering play making less than 25 percent from three for the season.

The Jaguars outscored the Titans 14-6 to open the second half to get within nine, but then yielded the next seven points to see the deficit grow to 16. As was the story throughout the night, the Jags were unable to string together stops to build any momentum as UDM turned it over just nine times against the IU Indy pressure.

Finley Woodward closed with eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists and Micah Davis and Reece Hagy tallied five points apiece.

The Jaguars will return to action on Saturday (Dec. 6) when they return home to host Youngstown State in their Horizon League home opener at 2:00 p.m. inside The Jungle. Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN+ as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) and Hall of Famer Bob Lovell (analyst) are on the call. In addition, the game can be heard in Central Indiana on 1430 Indy’s Sports Ticket as Jimmy Cook (pxp) and Chaz Hinds (analyst) describe the action.

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IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

JAGS FALL TO MASTODONS IN HORIZON LEAGUE OPENER

INDIANAPOLIS – IU Indy battled in front of their home crowd at The Jungle but came up short in its Horizon League opener, falling 74–68 to Purdue Fort Wayne. The Jaguars led at halftime and made a late push in the fourth, but a big third quarter from the Mastodons proved to be the separator.

IU Indy opened strong, forcing six turnovers and generating early fast-break points while holding a narrow 17–16 lead after one. Kamara Mills sparked the offense early with multiple buckets, and Hailey Smith added transition scoring as the Jaguars matched PFW shot-for-shot.

The teams continued trading baskets in a tightly contested second frame. Mills opened the quarter with a fast-break three, and Denali Craig-Edwards added a key transition layup to keep IU Indy in front. Purdue Fort Wayne answered with timely perimeter shooting, but the Jaguars’ free-throw accuracy allowed them to take a 34–33 lead into halftime.

The third quarter proved decisive. Purdue Fort Wayne surged ahead behind strong interior scoring and a 24-point frame, capitalizing on IU Indy turnovers. Despite steady defensive rebounding from the Jaguars, the Mastodons converted efficiently in the paint, flipping IU Indy’s one-point halftime lead into a double-digit deficit.

IU Indy mounted a late push, outscoring PFW 20–17 in the final 10 minutes. Hailey Smith and Sydney Bolden fueled the comeback effort, helping cut the deficit, but the Jaguars could not overcome the third-quarter gap as Purdue Fort Wayne sealed the 74–68 final.

Hailey Smith delivered a standout performance for IU Indy, posting a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double leading the Jags on the glass. Mills added 14 points on efficient shooting, including 2 threes, and contributed five rebounds. Bolden provided an offensive boost with 11 points, going 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Olivia Smith finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Destini Craig added six points, three steals, and steady defensive pressure.

With the loss, the Jags fall to 3-5 on the season. IU Indy will next travel to Detroit Mercy this Sunday, December 7 at 1:00 PM before returning to the Jungle on December 10.

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BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

MEN’S BASKETBALL SUFFERS LOSS AT EVANSVILLE IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s basketball team got out to an early 14-9 lead and was within striking distance in the final minutes but fell 64-52 to Evansville on Wednesday night at the Ford Center.

The Cardinals took the five-point edge on a Joey Hart 3-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer with 11:46 remaining in the first half. Juwan Maxey scored the final three points of the half on free throws to get the visitors within one at 33-32 at the break.

Ball State (3-6) went on a 6-0 run on a Mason Jones fadeaway jumper and four points by Armoni Zeigler to take a 38-36 edge with 16:30 to play. A layup from Kayden Fish put the Cardinals ahead 44-42 with 13:10 on the clock, but the host Aces (4-5) scored the next six points and led for the remainder of the game.

Zeigler put up 17 points, three rebounds, three steals and three assists, while Devon Barnes (11 points) and Fish (10) also scored in double figures for Ball State. Jones contributed 10 rebounds, and Hart finished with the three points and an assist in his season debut.

Connor Turnbull led Evansville with 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Aces held advantages in points in the paint (30-20) and fast break points (11-0).

Ball State shot 32.1 percent (18-56) from the field, 25 percent (6-24) from distance and 71.4 percent (10-14) at the foul line. Evansville made 42.3 percent (22-52) of its field goal attempts including 24 percent (6-25) on 3-pointers while going 77.8 percent (14-18) on free throws.

Evansville led 41-34 in rebounding but committed one more turnover (15-14) on the night. Leading 55-52 with under four minutes to play, the Aces scored the final nine points to clinch the home win.

The Cardinals return home following five straight games away from Muncie and host South Dakota State at 7 p.m., on Tuesday.

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BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BREAKS PROGRAM RECORD FOR REBOUNDS IN WIN OVER OAKLAND CITY

MUNCIE, Ind. – In front of 4,903 screaming fans on the ninth-annual Ball State women’s basketball field trip day, the Cardinals put on quite the show with a 119-34 defeat over Oakland University Wednesday afternoon in Worthen Arena.

Today’s attendance was the third largest in program history while the 119 points ties for second most in a single- game which last occurred on Dec. 30, 2022, against Chicago State in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals also had 69 rebounds which is program record.

Ball State (8-1) set the tone early against the Mighty Oaks (1-8) outscoring Oakland University 31-14 in the first quarter and then 19-7 in the second frame. The Cardinals were led by Bree Salenbien who scored 19 points in the first half of play. The duo of Salenbien and Towers were fierce on the board with seven rebounds apiece as the Cardinals headed into intermission with an impressive 50-21 advantage over the Mighty Oaks.

After the break, Ball State continued its hot offense although it was not necessarily the scoring that led to the Cardinals to their 100 plus point plateau it was also the defense that played a big role. The Cardinals held the Mighty Oaks to only five points in the third quarter of play. By the time the final stanza had begun Ball State had reached the 100-point mark after a basket from Zhen Verburgt with 6:03 remaining in the ball game.

The Cardinals continued to use a balanced offense and stifling defense throughout the remainder of the game which led Ball State to its eighth victory of the season.

For the contest, Salenbien led all scorers with 26 points while Grace Kingery turned in a 16-point performance. Defensively, Ball State was led by Alba Caballero who pulled down a season best 11 rebounds.

The all-around team effort was apparent as all 13 Cardinals scored three or more points with Ball State getting 59 total from its bench.

The Ball State women’s basketball begins a long three-game road stretch which begins Sunday at Davidson. The game is slated for a 4:30 pm ET tipoff at John M. Belk Arena.

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INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

TREES COMPLETE PERFECT HOMESTAND WITH WIN OVER NORTHERN ILLINOIS

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State picked up its fourth win of the season Wednesday night, using a high-scoring first quarter to outlast Northern Illinois 69-61 inside Hulman Center.

Tierney Kelsey led the Sycamores with 22 points, with Amerie Flowers posting 15 points and 10 rebounds to secure her second double-double of the season. Kennedy Claybrooks contributed 11 points and four assists, while Samiyah Briggs paced the defensive effort with a game-high four steals.

Indiana State controlled the pace early, using a 16-0 first-quarter run to build a double-digit lead behind strong starts from Briggs and Kelsey. NIU battled back in the second and third periods, trimming the margin to single digits, but the Sycamores responded each time with steady scoring from Kelsey, key defensive stops, and timely baskets from Flowers. After the Huskies briefly took the lead in the fourth, Indiana State closed with clutch shots from Flowers and Claybrooks and sealed the game at the free-throw line, securing a hard-fought home win.

First Half

Indiana State put the first points on the board, but NIU answered with two straight layups to take a 4-2 lead. The Sycamores responded with a dominant 16-0 run over a four-minute span, sparked by four quick points from Briggs. Five different Sycamores scored during the stretch, with Kelsey leading the way with six, pushing the score to 18-4 with 3:46 remaining. NIU countered with a 6-2 run over the next two-plus minutes, but Indiana State closed the period strong with a free throw from Flowers, a three-point play by Kelsey and a layup from Briggs to end the opening quarter ahead 26-10.

Early second quarter baskets from Flowers and Da’Naria Washington kept things rolling for the Blue and White. NIU slowed Indiana State’s momentum in the second quarter. The Sycamores made just two baskets in the last six minutes of the period as the  visitors cut Indiana State’s lead down to seven late in the frame, before Kelsey hit a layup and Briggs converted on a pair of free throws to send the Sycamores to the half ahead 40-31.

Second Half

Indiana State started the third period with two free throws from Kelsey, and Kayla Smith knocked down a three to extend the Sycamores’ lead after a slow start to the frame. After a slow middle portion to the quarter, Northern Illinois showed signs of life with an 8-2 run to claw closer. Kelsey gave the Trees late momentum in the period, closing the quarter by scoring four points in the final six seconds to send Indiana State into the fourth with a 53-45 lead.

NIU opened the final period with a 9-0 run as Indiana State went cold, allowing the Huskies to retake the lead near the midway point of the quarter. Flowers answered for Indiana State, scoring six straight points to reclaim a 59-55 lead with just over three minutes remaining. Claybrooks followed with a crucial trey from the wing to stretch the lead to five with just over two minutes left. The visitors’ cold-shooting night came back to haunt them late, as Indiana State allowed just one basket over the final five-plus minutes and iced the game from the charity stripe. Five free throws in the last 45 seconds sealed Indiana State’s second straight home win, as the Trees closed out a 69-61 victory.

News and Notes

Indiana State matched its entire 2024-25 win total with Wednesday’s win. The Sycamores’ three home non-conference wins are the program’s most since the 2022-23 season.

Indiana State improved to 4-1 this season when holding opponents below 70 points and 4-1 when holding opponents below 40 percent shooting. The Sycamores also moved to 3-0 inside Hulman Center this season.

3-point defense continues to be a key for the Trees, as Northern Illinois went just 2-for-15 from behind the arc.

Indiana State’s 26-point first quarter marked the third straight game that the Sycamores notched a 25-point quarter. The Trees had 28 in the fourth at SIU Edwardsville and notched a 32-point first quarter and a 30-point third quarter against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

The Sycamores tied their season high of 13 second-chance points in Wednesday’s game

Tierney Kelsey’s 22 points matched her season high, which she has now hit on three occasions in the 2025-26 season. Kelsey has already surpassed her entire scoring total from her 2024-25 season at Jackson State.

Kelsey’s 22 points included eight from the charity stripe, matching her career high.

Amerie Flowers recorded her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds, marking the second straight game with a Sycamore double-double, as Clemisha Prackett had 11 points and 11 rebounds against SMWC.

Flowers also recorded 10+ rebounds, marking the second straight game with a Sycamore recorded 10+ rebounds

Flowers recorded the best night of her young Sycamore career, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field while setting season-best marks in free throws (5-for-8) on her way to a season-high 15 points. She also added one block and one steal on the defensive end.

Samiyah Briggs matched her career high in steals with four and scored all nine of her points in the first half.

Indiana State won its second straight game wearing its baby blue uniforms after going winless (0-5) in that uniform combination in 2024-25.

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INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL NEWS

MALLORY, SYCAMORES ANNOUNCE #2THESYCS DECEMBER SIGNING CLASS

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State head football coach Curt Mallory announced the December #2THESYCS signing class on Wednesday afternoon as the Sycamores welcomed nine players to the roster on the first day of the December early signing period.

All nine athletes are true freshman as the Sycamores remained in the Midwest over the early period. Indiana State features players from Linton, Avon, and New Palestine from the Hoosier State, while also hitting St. Louis, Casey, Ill., and Danville, Ky. to fill out the incoming freshman class.

The makeup of the early signing class featured four members on the offensive side of the ball and five defensive players. The Sycamores signing athletes over seven different position groups including defensive backs (2), defensive line (2), running back, offensive line, linebacker, tight end, and wide receiver.

“Today is always an exciting day,” head coach Curt Mallory said. “Really excited about this class, the future of the program, and can’t wait for them to get here. Recruiting is a year-round process and Logan Hale (recruiting coordinator) did a great job. I feel our staff did a tremendous job of getting the signees here and being a part of this program.”

CLASS INFORMATION: https://gosycamores.com/documents/2025/12/3/December_Signing_Class_Information.pdf

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PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

‘DONS WIN ROAD RIVALRY GAME OVER IU INDY 74-68

INDIANAPOLIS – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball topped rival IU Indianapolis 74-68 on Wednesday evening (Dec. 3) behind 20-point performances from Alana Nelson and Jordan Reid.

With the win, the Mastodons have won their last six against the Jaguars, the best stretch in the history of the series.

Nelson finished with 23 points, nine of which came in the final 10 minutes. Reid had all 21 of her points in the first 30 minutes. Reid was 3-for-4 from the 3-point line, recording the most triples in her career and as many as she hit all last season.

Despite IU Indy leading for nine minutes of the game, the Jaguars never led by more than three. The Mastodons led for nearly 26 minutes and by as many as 15.

The difference in the game came in the third quarter, which saw the Mastodons go on a 10-0 run. Nelson made a pair of free throws, Lauren Lee made a turnaround jumper in the paint, Reid hit two freebies, then Nelson had a floater and a layup. In the fourth quarter, the Mastodons very similarly went on an 8-0 spurt started by Nelson’s free throws.

IU Indy chipped away at Purdue Fort Wayne’s 15-point lead with a 15-5 stretch over a 4:47 span, cutting the lead to just five. In that stretch, IU Indy was 5-for-5 from the floor. Lauren Lee’s free throw with 16 seconds left halted the Jaguars’ comeback attempt, allowing them to get no closer than four.

Purdue Fort Wayne’s defense was reasonably effective throughout, holding IU Indy to 39.2 percent (20-of-51) from the floor and 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range, but the ‘Dons let the Jags shoot 30 free throws. The Mastodons did hold Nevaeh Foster to just four points, after she averaged over 16 per game in non-league play.

Nika Lokica pitched in 12 points, joining Nelson and Reid in double-figures. Reid finished with an all-around line of 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Lee had eight points and five assists, both highs of her Mastodon career.

Purdue Fort Wayne improved to 5-4, 1-0 in Horizon League play. IU Indy fell to 3-5, 0-1. The Mastodons will return home for more HL action on Sunday (Dec. 7) when Wright State comes to the Summit City for a 2 p.m. tip.

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PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

HADNOT SCORES CAREER-HIGH 33 IN LOSS AT OAKLAND

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Corey Hadnot II recorded a career-high 33 points in Purdue Fort Wayne’s 101-92 men’s basketball loss at Oakland in Horizon League play on Wednesday (Dec. 3) evening.

Hadnot shot 12-of-19, 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, with six rebounds and four steals. He scored 20 points in the first half. Teammate DeAndre Craig Jr. had his highest scoring output as a Mastodon with 22 points and five assists. It matches the career high he recorded with Denver against Cal Poly last season.

Brody Robinson scored 19 of his 27 points for Oakland in the second half. He seemed to have the answer each time the Mastodons cut the deficit to six or seven points. But it was his teammate Tuburu Naivalurua who had the biggest shot of the game. Naivalurua made a 3-pointer with two minutes left to push Oakland’s lead to 10 after the ‘Dons scored seven straight to make it a 90-83 game.

Oakland finished the game shooting 53.0 percent (35-of-66). Purdue Fort Wayne shot 47.1 percent (32-of-68).

Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 4-6 (0-1 Horizon League). Oakland improves to 4-5 (1-0 Horizon League). The ‘Dons are home on Saturday (Dec. 6) in league play against Northern Kentucky. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at the Gates Sports Center.

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EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

TURNBULL AND HUNDLEY KEY UE VICTORY OVER BALL STATE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The second double-double of Connor Turnbull’s career along with timely outside shooting by Trent Hundley helped the University of Evansville men’s basketball team pull away for a 64-52 win over Ball State on Wednesday inside the Ford Center.

Turnbull recorded season highs in both points (21) and rebounds (10) en route to his second career double-double. He added five blocks. Hundley tallied nine points while knocking down three triples. AJ Casey finished just a point shy of his first double-double finishing with nine points and a career-high 11 boards.

“We have been challenging the group to hold teams between 60 and 65 points and we held them to 52 tonight,” UE head coach David Ragland said. “From a defensive standpoint we played well all night and offensively we were able to get it inside and take advantage of our height.”

Alex Hemenway opened the evening with a 3-pointer in Evansville’s first possession while Ball State scored the next five points to take their first lead at 5-3. The Cardinals maintained the lead for the majority of the game’s opening 12 minutes. Their second triple of the night gave them an 11-7 lead while their third outside shot solidified a 14-9 lead with 11:46 remaining in the half.

Evansville chipped away at the deficit with field goals from Josh Hughes and AJ Casey cutting the deficit to a single point. At the 8:03 mark, it was Bryce Quinet putting the lead back in UE’s hands at 17-16. Another triple by the Cardinals put them back in front seconds later before Trent Hundley connected from downtown to tie things back up at 22-22.

Over the final four minutes of the half, the Aces reassumed the lead. Hundley’s second 3-pointer gave UE a 33-29 with just over a minute remaining. BSU scored the final three to make it a 33-32 game at the break. Connor Turnbull led UE with 11 points in the opening 20 minutes while Armoni Zeigler matched that tally for Ball State, leading the way with 11.

Ball State regained a 36-32 lead just over three minutes into the second half as the squads swapped the lead six times over the ensuing stretch. With the score tied at 44-44 inside of 13 minutes remaining, back-to-back baskets by Turnbull gave UE a lead it would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Another basket by Turnbull gave the Aces a 50-46 edge with 10:35 remaining.

Neither team would find the scoreboard over the next four minutes as the squads combined to go 0-for-8 with six turnovers. Another huge basket by Hundley ended the stretch as another trey gave UE its largest lead at 53-46. The Cardinals got back within three on multiple occasions before Evansville finished strong over the final two minutes. Buckets from Turnbull and Bryce Quinet got things going before Quinet hit four free throws as the Aces pulled away for the 64-52 victory.

Zeigler paced the Cardinals with 17 points while Devon Barnes and Kayden Fish added 11 and 10 points, respectively. UE wrapped up the night shooting 42.3% from the field while limiting BSU to 32.1%. Evansville outrebounded Ball State by a 41-34 final.

On Saturday, the Aces travel to Western Kentucky for a 3 p.m. contest in Bowling Green.

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EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

PURPLE ACES FALL AT PURDUE

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Playing at Purdue for the first time since 2009, the University of Evansville women’s basketball team fell to the Boilermakers by a score of 91-49 on Wednesday night inside Mackey Arena.

Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) scored in double figures for the seventh time this season, leading the Aces with 17 points on five-for-seven shooting, including a five-for-seven mark from three-point range. Freshman Georgia Ferguson (Waterloo, Ontario/Cairine Wilson Secondary School) added eight points, while Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Penn./Greater Latrobe) grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

After Purdue scored the first five points of the game, Evansville responded with baskets by Logan Luebbers Palmer (Union, Ky./Randall K. Cooper) and Ferguson to make it 5-4 two minutes in. However, the Boilermakers opened up a run in the following five minutes of action, taking a 17-4 advantage before a basket by Luebbers Palmer ended the run. Runner ended the half with four points for the Aces, who trailed 22-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Purdue increased their lead to 20 in first six and a half minutes of the second period, but Runner continued to battle on the offensive end for Evansville, knocking down a pair of threes and a layup. However, the Boilermakers continued to roll into halftime, carrying a 46-22 lead at the break. 

The third quarter continued in Purdue’s favor, as the home team limited Evansville to six points in the first seven minutes of the period. Runner put together a mini-run of her own with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer with just over two minutes to go in the quarter, while Kaiden Kreinhagen (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) drilled a triple as the buzzer sounded to end the quarter.

Another three-pointer from Kreinhagen with 7:40 to go in the fourth made it 74-39, while Daniela Llavero (Malaga, Spain/Ies Mediterraneo) scored five points in a row with 2:16 to play, but the Boilermakers cruised to the 91-49 win.

The Aces return to action on Sunday for a trip to Saint Louis to take on the Saint Louis Billikens. Tip-off is set for 5 PM.

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SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

EAGLES RALLY LATE, BUT FALL TO BRONCOS

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball came up short, 88-74, against Western Michigan University Wednesday evening despite a late second-half rally.
 
The Screaming Eagles (3-6) fell behind early in the opening half, trailing 17-3 following a 17-0 run from the Broncos. USI’s struggles persisted throughout the first half, as the team was unable to score from the field in the final 5:20. The team entered the intermission with a 47-27 deficit.
 
Western Michigan (4-5) came out of the break firing, extending its lead to a game-high 23 points midway through the second half.
 
USI rallied after the under-eight timeout. Senior guard Ismail Habib hit a stepback three and a fast-break layup to close the gap. Senior guard Cardell Bailey hit a huge three-point basket that brought the Eagles within nine with under three minutes left.
 
The Broncos answered the Eagles’ push with one of their own. Western Michigan closed out the game on a 10-2 run, extending its lead to 14 as the final horn sounded.
 
For the game, USI went 23-55 from the field and 10-23 from beyond the arc. The team grabbed 33 boards compared to Western Michigan’s 41, but USI outrebounded them on the offensive end nine to five.
 
Bailey tied the game high with 26 points and nabbing six rebounds. Habib also crossed the 20-point mark with 23 on 4-6 from three.
 
Junior forward Tolu Samuels recorded a team high of 10 rebounds, three offensive, and scored three points. Junior guard Sheridan Sharp had a team-high three assists on the day.
 
Western Michigan was led by senior guard Jayden Brewer, who had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
 
Next Up For USI:
USI concludes its road swing December 7 with a visit to Indiana State University for a noon (CST) game in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Sycamores are 5-4 overall, beating Eureka College Tuesday evening 99-57.
 
The Eagles lead the young series, 2-1, after taking a second-straight at Liberty Arena from the Sycamores last year, 87-77. Indiana State won the meeting in Terre Haute in 2023-24, 98-54.
 
The next home game for USI is December 15, when the Eagles host East/West University for the start of a three-game homestand. The homestand includes the start of the Ohio Valley Conference season when USI hosts the University of Arkansas at Little Rock December 18 and Morehead State University December 20.

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VALPO BASEBALL NEWS

VALPO BASEBALL INKS EIGHT FOR 2027 SEASON

The Valparaiso University baseball program and head coach Brian Schmack have announced the addition of eight incoming freshmen, who will arrive on campus in Fall 2026 and join the program leading into the Spring 2027 season.

“I would like to thank our assistant coaches for all of the effort that they have put into recruiting this class over the last 12-18 months,” head coach Brian Schmack said. “Our staff did a great job of identifying great baseball players and even better people who will fit well in our program. We’re looking forward to welcoming this class to Valpo.”

Aidan Kanazawa (Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove South) was an all-conference honoree whose high school stats include a .427 batting average, .511 on-base percentage and 28 stolen bases.

“I chose Valpo because of the coaches and the environment,” Kanazawa said. “Spending the day with Coach Brian and Coach Brady was so much fun. It was great to see how genuine they were. It felt like home after I left and I knew that’s where I wanted to be for the next four years.”

A member of his school’s honor roll last year, Kanazawa also earned all-conference honors in football.

“We like shortstops who are athletic and projectable,” Schmack said. “Aidan fits that. He is a switch hitter who can hit from both sides. He can play anywhere on the infield. He is a competitor who is going to play the game the right way. He is going to be a great addition to our lineup.”

Andrew Dawson (Tremont, Ill. / Tremont) earned all-conference honors on the diamond each of the last two years and was also a basketball all-conference honoree last season. He set the school record for wins in a baseball and basketball season last year as a part of both programs.

“I chose Valpo because of the great facilities, atmosphere and the family that the team has,” Dawson said. “I loved the entire visit and everything about the campus. The coaching staff made me feel welcomed and I knew it was the best fit for me right away. Valparaiso is a great city and community and it’s the place I want to spend the next four years.”

Outside of athletics, Dawson is also involved in student council and National Honor Society.

“Andrew is a special two-way talent who has the ability to do both at the collegiate level,” Schmack said. “He is a big, strong, physical kid. On the mound, he is super athletic and has a three-pitch mix that is going to be fun to develop. In the batter’s box, he hit for power all spring and summer. His two-way ability is going to be a huge addition to our team.”

Brandon Pelz (Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett) will finish his high school career as a four-year varsity player. He earned all-conference honorable mention as a junior, when he racked up 82 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 51 innings of work on the mound.

“I chose Valpo because I felt I had a genuine connection with the coaching staff right off the bat,” Pelz said. “I also have nothing but good things to say about Valpo as a school and as a baseball program, and I could not be more excited to be a part of the program.”

Off the field, Pelz was a four-year member of the Bartlett Buddies, a program that allows students to interact with special education students. He was a two-year varsity basketball player as well.

“Brandon’s big frame and athleticism on the mound has allowed him to throw a ton of strikes,” Schmack said. “His fastball mixed with his breaking ball is going to allow him to get a lot of outs at this level. We are excited to see him impact our pitching staff.”

Collin Ash (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) is a two-time all-conference and all-county player at Roncalli High School, where he batted .400 this past season with 37 hits, 14 extra-base knocks and 31 RBIs. He also pitched 47 2/3 innings, totaling a 1.74 ERA with 43 strikeouts and an opponents’ batting average of .134. He limited opponents to 21 total hits and 12 earned runs over the course of the season.

“I chose Valpo because I fell in love with the campus and baseball coaching staff immediately,” Ash said. “I also loved the academic buildings and felt like I would fit perfectly into smaller-school life while still living on a beautiful campus. I am excited to play baseball and study business.”

Ash was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Roncalli football team. He won the 2025 Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award for Class 4A after leading his team to a state runner-up finish and state finals appearance. He is also a member of National Honor Society.

“We like multiple-sport athletes,” Schmack said. “Being the QB1 at Roncalli is no easy task and we are excited to see the leadership cross over to the baseball field. Collin brings a mix of athleticism, defense and hitting ability that is going to allow him to make an impact on our lineup. We are excited to see him roaming centerfield at Emory G.”

Drew Stevens (Bloomington, Ill. / Normal Community) was a unanimous first team all-conference choice this past season after leading his team to third place at state in Class 4A.

“I chose Valpo because as soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like I was at home,” Stevens said. “The warm welcome from the coaches and other players was awesome. The campus has a welcoming atmosphere, and all of the teachers who I met really care about their students and athletes. Getting to play for a good program like Valpo and getting to play around great people is something that I couldn’t pass up.”

Stevens is a multi-sport athlete as he also qualified for state in golf.

“Drew’s ability to handle a pitching staff along with his ability in the batter’s box excites us,” Schmack said. “He is an outstanding person on and off the field. He gets better every single time we watch him. We are excited to see his ability to impact our offense and pitching staff.”

Alec Novotney (Marseilles, Ill. / Marquette Academy) led his team to a 1A state title in 2025, earning all-state, all-conference and all-area honors. He was named Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year, Area Baseball Player of the Year, Prep Baseball Report All-State Second Team and all-conference first team. He also led his team to a state title as a sophomore in 2024, earning all-state, all-conference and all-area honors while earning 1A IHSBCA Player of the Year and Conference Pitcher of the Year awards. He was also a second team all-conference performer as a freshman in 2023.

“I chose Valpo because it seemed like the perfect fit for me,” Novotney said. “I love the coaching staff and what the future of the program looks like.”

Novotney also thrived on the hardwood, where he earned all-area first team honors as both a sophomore and junior. During his junior season of basketball, he achieved all-state and first team all-conference honors as well. Novotney, who has scored over 1,000 career points, is a member of National Honor Society.

“Alec proved to be an elite strike thrower this spring and summer,” Schmack said. “He is a fierce competitor who wants the ball. His ability to spin the baseball and throw strikes is going to allow him to impact our pitching staff. We cannot wait to add him to our team.”

Aidan Creasbaum (Cedar Lake, Ind. / Hanover Central) is very involved in giving back to the younger community, especially in his hometown.

“I chose Valpo because of the environment and the coaching staff,” Creasbaum said. “As soon as I stepped on campus for my visit, I could tell they were trying to do something special that I wanted to be a part of. Valpo is a welcoming community and I can’t wait to become a Beacon.”

A Northwest Indiana native, Creasbaum played travel ball for the Indiana Bulls.

“Strength and athleticism that plays at the college level – Aidan checks both of those boxes,” Schmack said. “He can play all over the infield and his hitting ability is going to help bolster our lineup. Aidan is an uber confident competitor who enjoys playing the game. We are excited to bring him into our family.”

Cail Geiger (Menomonee Falls, Wis. / Menomonee Falls) was a first-team all-conference honoree each of the last two years as a sophomore and junior. He also earned first team all-district, third team all-state and academic all-district as a junior after achieving second team all-district and honorable mention all-state as a sophomore.

“I chose Valpo not only because of the coaching staff, but because of the brotherhood I felt when I went on my first visit,” Geiger said. “Not only could I see myself playing there, it felt like a home the second I stepped on campus. In the classroom, I saw a great opportunity for growth when I saw the class sizes and engagement between the professors and the students. Lastly, I chose Valpo to continue strengthening my faith in the Lord and to help share His word while playing the game I love.”

Geiger pitched 54 2/3 innings and posted a 4-1 record and 1.15 ERA as a junior, striking out 74, walking 26 and holding opponents to a .159 batting average. As a sophomore, he went 6-2 with a 1.69 ERA, 55 strikeouts, 29 walks and a .184 batting average against in 41 1/3 innings.

“Cail is an outstanding student and baseball player,” Schmack said. “He is mature beyond his years. His three-pitch mix plus his competitiveness allowed him to be one of the top high school arms in the state of Wisconsin. He is a big addition to our pitching staff and our program.”

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VALPO SOFTBALL NEWS

VALPO ANNOUNCES 2026 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

With the start of the season just over two months away, the Valpo softball program announced its schedule for the 2026 campaign Wednesday.

A quartet of early-season tournaments kick off the slate, starting with four games over two days Feb. 7-8 at the DePaul Dome Tournament in Rosemont, Ill., where the Beacons will face Detroit Mercy, Green Bay and Oakland. The next weekend brings a trip to UT Martin, with games as well against Saint Louis — which won 34 games and the A-10 Tournament last season — and Mississippi Valley State.

Valpo heads out west Feb. 19-22 for a tournament at UNLV, with a field which includes Idaho State — which won 37 games and the Big Sky regular season title in 2025 —Utah Valley and Merrimack. The Beacons’ final tournament is Feb. 27-March 1 at Lindenwood, with games as well against Green Bay and Western Illinois.

The Missouri Valley Conference schedule starts up March 6-7 with a series at Southern Illinois. Other MVC road series include Murray State (March 13-14), Illinois State (April 3), Drake (April 17-18) and Evansville (May 1-2). The Beacons will also play five nonconference road games throughout the conference slate, highlighted by games at Purdue (March 25) and Indiana (April 22), both top-50 RPI teams last season – other nonconference road games are at Northern Kentucky (March 10), Notre Dame (April 8) and Illinois (April 29).

The home schedule is scheduled to kick off March 17, as DePaul visits the Valpo Softball Complex for the first time since 2006. The rest of the home slate features MVC series against UNI (March 20-21), Indiana State (March 27-28), Belmont (April 10-11), UIC (April 14) and Bradley (April 24-25).

The top six teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the MVC Tournament, hosted by Southern Illinois May 6-9. The tournament champion earns the Valley’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Beacons are looking to carry the program’s momentum from the 2025 campaign into the 2026 season. Last year’s squad won 11 more games than the previous season, while Valpo’s win total and MVC finish were the program’s best since 2018.

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UINDY MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

HOUNDS FACE SAINTS IN THURSDAY NIGHT’S BASKETBALL NIGHT IN INDY

vs. Maryville (1-4)
Thursday // December 4
7:30 p.m. ET // Indianapolis, IN
Watch | Live Stats | Listen | Tickets

Coming off a Monday night win to open GLVC play the UIndy men’s basketball team is back for a Thursday night contest against conference opponent, Maryville, as a part of the first annual Basketball Night in Indy sponsored by Raising Cane’s at Nicoson Hall. 

Thursday night’s game marks the 20th meeting between the two squads, with the Hounds leading the series 15-4. The two saw each other twice in the 2024-25 regular season, with the Saints nabbing a 10-point win over the Hounds in St. Louis early in the season, but UIndy got its revenge with a one-point victory in Nicoson Hall on Feb. 6, 2025.

The Greyhounds are on a two-game win streak with recent wins at Hillsdale and Lewis and sit at 3-3 on the season.

Senior guard Carmelo Harris leads the Hounds in scoring, averaging 14.8 ppg, adding 3.2 assists per game for the UIndy offense. Redshirt sophomore Kelvin Amoako has been big on the boards for the Hounds, grabbing 5.8 rebounds per game with the UIndy averaging 34.8 rebounds per contest.

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UINDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

HOUNDS HEAD HOME FOR MATCHUP VERSUS MARYVILLE

vs. Maryville (5-1)
Thursday // December 4
5:30 p.m. ET // Indianapolis, IN
Watch | Live Stats | Listen | Tickets

After UIndy women’s basketball team is back at home for a battle against Maryville with tip set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday’s contest is the Hounds’ second GLVC contest of the season, and its second game of the week. Thursday will also be the first annual Basketball Night in Indy Sponsored by Raising Canes game at Nicoson Hall. 

These two sides have met 17 times since 2011, with the Saints holding an 11-6 record over UIndy during that stretch. The Hounds last win against the Saints came during the 2023-24 season, when UIndy trounced the Saints 80-55. The Hounds have only won twice against the Saints at Nicoson Hall, with those wins in 2022-23 and 2011-12.

The Greyhounds have gotten off to a rocky start, but continue to have strong play from their guards this season; Amyrah Sapenter, Patricia Chikamba, Graycie Poe, and most recently Autumn Rucker. Chikamba and Rucker are the two for Uindy this season with double-digit scoring averages through six games, with Chikamba on top collecting 14.3 points per game, and Rucker with 12.2 points per game, including double-digit points in each of her last four games.

Along with Chikamba’s 14.3 points per game, she also stuffing the stat sheet with boards and assists, racking up a team best 6.7 boards per contest, and a team high in 11 assists through six games.

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MARIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

HUMPHREY JR.’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE LEADS KNIGHTS TO WIN OVER GOSHEN

Indianapolis, Ind. – The Marian men’s basketball team won Wednesday evening as they took on Goshen at home in a Crossroads League match-up. The Knights move to 2-8 overall on the season and 2-1 in the Crossroads League.

Goshen opened up the first half with a free throw to take the early one-point lead, but Marian was able to push back with a jumper from Aaron Humphrey Jr. to take the one basket lead. The Maple Leafs pushed back with a duo of baskets to take back their lead. Each team traded a pair of baskets, with Dylan Moles recording the points for Marian. Goshen benefited from a Marian foul to record a pair of free throws. The Knights were able to fire off five baskets with Luke Carroll recording a pair of layups and Joshua Renfro benefiting from a technical foul to record a trio of free throws to take the 11-10 lead.

Each team continued to fire off baskets back-and-forth with Aidan Franks, Carroll, and Humphrey Jr. recording the baskets for Marian, maintaining the 17-17 tie. Goshen continued to push with a three-pointer, but Ron Rutland III was able to lessen the blow with a pair of free throws. The Maple Leafs fired off a pair of baskets, but Marian was able to break up the run with a jumper from Rutland III. The Knights were able to follow up with a duo of baskets with a layup from Rutland III and a three-pointer from Renfro to take the 26-25 lead with 3:45 left in the half.  Goshen fired off a trio of shots to take the three-point lead. Renfro and Moles were able to close out the half with a duo of layups to take the 30-29 lead.

The Knights opened up the second half with a pair of baskets from Humphrey Jr and Rutland III to increase their lead to five. Each team traded a trio of baskets with Humphrey Jr and Rutland III each recording baskets to take the three-point lead. The Knights went on a five-basket run in the early minutes of the second half with Moles, Humphrey Jr., and Rutland III recording baskets and increasing the lead 49-37.

The Maple Leafs pushed back at the Knights with a pair of baskets, but the Knights were able to counter once more with four baskets to extend the lead to 16. Goshen was able to fire off a free throw, but Marian quickly countered with a layup to lessen the blow. The Maple Leafs fired off a duo of baskets to bring Marian’s lead down to 13 with four minutes remaining. The Knights fired off a trio of baskets from Franks and Rutland III to increase the lead 64-48. Each team fired off a trio of baskets with Moles, Franks, and Humphrey Jr. firing off the baskets for the Knights and securing the 69-53 win over Goshen.

Aaron Humphrey Jr. records another double-double on the season with 18 points and 17 rebounds, with four assists and one block in the game. Ron Rutland III also recorded 14 points in the game while also recording nine rebounds and leading the team in assists with five. Dylan Moles recorded 13 points on the day with three rebounds and one assist. Luke Carroll also recorded 11 rebounds and eight points in the game.

Marian will be back in action on Saturday, December 6th at 3 PM as they travel to Mount Vernon, Ohio to take on the Cougars.

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MARIAN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS

SHARP-SHOOTING KNIGHTS DOWN GOSHEN FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE WIN

INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian women’s basketball team never trailed, and controlled the tempo on Wednesday night as the Knights moved to 9-0 with their 91-45 victory over Goshen College. The Knights begin Crossroads League play 3-0 with the win.

Offensively, Wednesday night, Marian got off to a slow start, as turnovers plagued the first handful of minutes with the Knights committing five infractions in the opening six minutes of play. Despite the turnovers, the Knights were able to establish control of the game by building a 10-4 edge. Marian would use a timeout to settle down after Goshen tracked within three points, and out of the break began knocking down three’s, as Eva Fisher and Olivia Faust drained downtown shots to give Marian an 18-9 lead. Three free throws at the end of the quarter gave Marian a 21-9 advantage after one period.

The hot surge at the end of the opening quarter carried over into the second, as the Knights out-scored the Maple Leafs 27-8 in the quarter, including a 20-2 run over the final six minutes of the half. Olivia Faust had a strong offensive quarter, scoring 7 of 12 first-half points, including a three and a pair of fastbreak layups. The scoring deciding run in the game was led by a pair of Zoe Wheeler three-point shots, while Kiley McNally chipped in four points in the final 90 seconds. While the offense clicked, the defense equally matched the pace, holding Goshen to a 4-15 mark in the second quarter.

Marian’s strong push at the end of the quarter gave them a 48-17 lead at the half.

The second half was a near mirror of the first, as Marian dominated the quarter, holding a 22-11 edge over Goshen. The team’s ability to hit from downtown paced the quarter, with Eva Fisher and Madisyn Bailey each knocking down a trifecta in the quarter. Abbey McNally also played a large role in Marian’s ability to run away with the lead, as she returned to the court after sitting out a large chunk of the first half with foul trouble, scoring eight points while grabbing six rebounds in the quarter. Fisher’s three came in the final minute of the quarter, sealing a 70-28 lead after three quarters.

In the final quarter, the Knights pushed their lead to 50 points, as each of the 12 players in uniform got into the scoring column. Aubrey Frank and Emily Grim shouldered the scoring load, as Marian out-scored Goshen in the final quarter 21-17. Zoe Wheeler put the final points on the board with a putback basket in the waning seconds, capitalizing on Marian’s commanding 91-45 victory.

As a team, the Knights finished the contest shooting 52 percent from both the field and beyond the arc, and were led in scoring by Olivia Faust’s 15 points. Abbey McNally logged a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win, and Kiley McNally scored 11 points off the bench. Emily Grim recorded a team-high two blocks, and Kenna Kirby had a team-high three steals.

Marian will finish their week at Mount Vernon Nazarene on Saturday, playing the Cougars at 1:00 p.m. in its final Crossroads League game of the semester.

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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

Dec. 4

1945 — “Mr. Inside” Doc Blanchard of Army becomes the first junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Blanchard also becomes the only athlete to win both the Heisman and Sullivan Award.

1951 — Princeton triple-threat tailback Richard Kazmaier wins the Heisman Trophy. Kazmaier led the nation in total offense and the Tigers to an undefeated season.

1956 — Notre Dame quarterback Paul Hornung edges Tennessee’s Johnny Majors to win the Heisman Trophy.

1961 — Floyd Patterson defends his world heavyweight title by knocking out Tom McNeeley in the fourth round in Toronto.

1961 — Syracuse running back Ernie Davis becomes the first black to be taken No. 1 in the NFL draft after being selected by the Washington Redskins.

1977 — Tony Dorsett becomes the third rookie to rush for more than 200 yards in a game with 206 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

1982 — Georgia’s Hershel Walker wins the Heisman Trophy. The junior running back beats out Stanford quarterback John Elway and Southern Methodist running back Eric Dickerson.

1988 — Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders wins the Heisman Trophy then proves he’s worthy of the award with spectacular performance in a 45-42 win over Texas Tech in Tokyo. Sanders rushes 44 times for 332 yards and four touchdowns, setting the NCAA single-season rushing record with 2,628 yards in 11 games.

2004 — Louisville becomes the first football team in NCAA history to score at least 55 points in five straight games, beating Tulane 55-7.

2005 — Croatia wins its first Davis Cup title when Mario Ancic beats Michal Mertinak of Slovakia 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive fifth match.

2009 — The New Jersey Nets win for the first time this season, ending the worst start in NBA history at 18 losses by beating the Charlotte Bobcats 97-91.

2010 — Cam Newton passes for a career-best 335 yards and four touchdowns, and runs for a couple of TDs to lead No. 2 Auburn past 18th-ranked South Carolina 56-17 for the Southeastern Conference title.

2013 — The NFL fines Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin $100,000 for interfering with a play against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. In the third quarter of the Ravens’ 22-20 win, Jacoby Jones swerves to avoid colliding with Tomlin and is tackled after a 73-yard return that might have gone for a touchdown if not for the obstruction.

2016 — Tom Brady becomes the NFL’s career leader in victories by a quarterback, earning his 201st by throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown to lead New England past Los Angeles 26-10.

2016 — Detroit becomes the first team in 60 Saints home games to stop Drew Brees from throwing a touchdown pass, as the Lions pull away from New Orleans, 28-13. It’s also the Lions’ first victory in a road game following Thanksgiving since 1974, snapping a streak of 22 losses in such games.

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TV SPORTS TODAY

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

Thursday, Dec. 4

AUTO RACING

4:25 a.m. (Friday)

ESPN2 — Formula 1: Practice, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)

5 p.m.

ESPN2 — Florida at Virginia Tech

7 p.m.

ACCN — Arkansas at SMU

ESPN — South Carolina at Louisville

ESPN2 — North Carolina at Texas

ESPNU — Clemson at Alabama

PEACOCK — Villanova at Georgetown

SECN — Pittsburgh at Mississippi St.

9 p.m.

ESPN — LSU at Duke

ESPN2 — Notre Dame at Mississippi

PEACOCK — Marquette at DePaul

SECN — California at Missouri

GOLF

4 a.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, First Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

1:30 p.m.

GOLF — PGA Tour: The Hero Challenge, First Round, Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas

9:30 p.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Crown Australian Open, Second Round, Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia

4 a.m. (Friday)

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, Second Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

NBA BASKETBALL

7 p.m.

NBATV — Golden State at Philadelphia

NFL FOOTBALL

8:15 p.m.

PRIME VIDEO — Dallas at Detroit

_____

Friday, Dec. 5

AUTO RACING

4:25 a.m.

ESPN2 — Formula 1: Practice, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

7:55 a.m.

ESPNU — Formula 1: Practice, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

5:25 a.m. (Saturday)

ESPN2 — Formula 1: Practice, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)

7 p.m.

ESPN2 — Gonzaga vs. Kentucky, Nashville, Tenn.

7:30 p.m.

PEACOCK — East Texas A&M at UConn

7:30 p.m.

TNT — Cincinnati at Xavier

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

7 p.m.

CBSSN — Conference USA Championship: TBD

ESPN — Sun Belt Championship: TBD, Harrisburg, Va.

8 p.m.

ABC — American Athletic Championship: TBD

FOX — Mountain West Championship: TBD

COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

6 p.m.

ESPNU — NCAA College Cup: TBD, Semifinal, Kansas City, Mo.

8:45 p.m.

ESPNU — NCAA College Cup: TBD, Semifinal, Kansas City, Mo.

GOLF

4 a.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, Second Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

1:30 p.m.

GOLF — PGA Tour: The Hero Challenge, Second Round, Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas

9:30 p.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Crown Australian Open, Third Round, Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia

4 a.m. (Saturday)

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, Third Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

NBA BASKETBALL

7 p.m.

PRIME VIDEO — L.A. Lakers at Boston

9:30 p.m.

PRIME VIDEO — Dallas at Oklahoma City

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.

NHLN — Vegas at New Jersey

_____

Saturday, Dec. 6

AUTO RACING

5:25 a.m.

ESPN2 — Formula 1: Practice, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

8:55 a.m.

ESPN2 — Formula 1: Qualifying, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)

Noon

ACCN — Southern Miss. at Miami

CBS — Iowa St. at Purdue

ESPN2 — Dayton vs. Virginia, Charlotte, N.C.

FOX — Duke at Michigan St.

TRUTV — Rhode Island at Providence

12:30 p.m.

USA — Old Dominion at Richmond

1 p.m.

CW — UNC Asheville at NC State

2 p.m.

BTN — Ohio St. at Northwestern

FS1 — Marquette at Wisconsin

TNT — Boise St. at Butler

2:15 p.m.

CBS — Louisville at Indiana

2:30 p.m.

USA — Princeton at Loyola of Chicago

4 p.m.

BTN — Rutgers at Michigan

ESPNU — Seton Hall at Kansas St.

FS1 — Maryland at Iowa

4:30 p.m.

CBS — Baylor at Memphis

5 p.m.

CBSSN — Colorado at Colorado St.

6 p.m.

BTN — Washington at Southern Cal

ESPN2 — Wake Forest at West Virginia

PEACOCK — Oregon at UCLA

7:30 p.m.

CBSSN — Oklahoma St. at Grand Canyon

8 p.m.

ESPN — Illinois at Tennessee

PEACOCK — Florida St. at Houston

PEACOCK — Mississippi at St. John’s

9 p.m.

TRUTV — Ark.-Pine Bluff at DePaul

10 p.m.

CBSSN — Oklahoma vs. Arizona St., Phoenix

ESPN — Auburn at Arizona

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)

Noon

BTN — Indiana at Illinois

6 p.m.

FS1 — Iowa at Rutgers

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Noon

ABC — Big 12 Championship: TBD, Arlington, Texas

ESPN — Metro Atlantic Championship: TBD, Detroit

2 p.m.

ESPN2 — Prairie View A&M at Jackson St.

4 p.m.

ABC — Southeastern Championship: TBD, Atlanta

ESPN — Southeastern Championship: TBD, Atlanta (Field Pass)

8 p.m.

ACCN — Atlantic Coast Championship, Charlotte, N.C. (Field Pass)

ABC — Atlantic Coast Championship, Charlotte, N.C.

FOX — Big Ten Championship: TBD, Indianapolis

GOLF

4 a.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, Third Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

Noon

GOLF — PGA Tour: The Hero Challenge, Third Round, Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas

2:30 p.m.

NBC — PGA Tour: The Hero Challenge, Third Round, Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas

10 p.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Crown Australian Open, Final Round, Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia

4 a.m. (Sunday)

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, Final Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

NBA BASKETBALL

7:30 p.m.

NBATV — Golden State at Cleveland

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.

NHLN — Utah at Calgary

SKIING

5 p.m.

NBC — FIS: Alpine Ski World Cup, Beaver Creek, Colo.

SOCCER (MEN’S)

7:30 a.m.

USA — English Premier League: Arsenal at Aston Villa

10 a.m.

USA — English Premier League: Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur

12:30 p.m.

NBC — English Premier League: Liverpool at Leeds United

2:30 p.m.

FOX — MLS Cup: TBD, Final

_____

Sunday, Dec. 7

AUTO RACING

7:55 a.m.

ESPN — Formula 1: The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

ESPNU — Formula 1: The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (F1 Kids)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)

1 p.m.

ESPN2 — Missouri vs. Kansas, Kansas City, Mo.

2 p.m.

SECN — UTSA at Alabama

3 p.m.

ESPN2 — Texas Tech vs. LSU, Fort Worth, Texas

4 p.m.

ACCN — Hofstra at Pittsburgh

SECN — San Francisco at Mississippi St.

5 p.m.

ESPN — Georgetown at North Carolina

ESPN2 — SMU at Texas A&M

FS1 — Creighton at Nebraska

COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)

Noon

ACCN — Boston U. at North Carolina

BTN — Purdue at Michigan

SECN — NC Central at South Carolina

1 p.m.

FS1 — DePaul at UConn

2 p.m.

ACCN — Duke at Virginia Tech

BTN — Ohio St. at Northwestern

3 p.m.

FS1 — Oregon at UCLA

4 p.m.

BTN — Maryland at Minnesota

6 p.m.

BTN — Michigan St. at Wisconsin

8 p.m.

BTN — Washington at Southern Cal

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Noon

ESPN — College Football Playoff Selection Show

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)

7:30 p.m.

ESPNU — NCAA Division III Tournament: TBD, Championship, Bloomington, Ill.

COLLEGE WATER POLO (MEN’S)

6 p.m.

ESPNU — NCAA Tournament: TBD, Championship, Stanford, Calif.

FIGURE SKATING

4:30 p.m.

NBC — 2025 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: The 2025-26 Grand Prix Final, Nagoya, Japan

GOLF

4 a.m.

GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, Final Round, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa

11:30 a.m.

GOLF — PGA Tour: The Hero Challenge, Final Round, Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas

1:30 p.m.

NBC — PGA Tour: The Hero Challenge, Final Round, Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas

NFL FOOTBALL

1 p.m.

CBS — Regional Coverage: Miami at N.Y. Jets, New Orleans at Tampa Bay, Indianapolis at Jacksonville, Pittsburgh at Baltimore

FOX — Regional Coverage: Seattle at Atlanta, Cincinnati at Buffalo, Tennessee at Cleveland, Washington at Minnesota

4:05 p.m.

CBS — Denver at Las Vegas

4:25 p.m.

FOX — Regional Coverage: Chicago at Green Bay OR L.A. Rams at Arizona

8:20 p.m.

NBC — Houston at Kansas City

PEACOCK — Houston at Kansas City

NHL HOCKEY

1 p.m.

NHLN — Colorado at Philadelphia

7 p.m.                                                                                                                                           

NHLN — Vegas at N.Y. Rangers

SKIING

12:30 p.m.

NBC — FIS: Alpine Ski World Cup, Beaver Creek, Colo.

SOCCER (MEN’S)

9 a.m.

USA — Premier League: West Ham United at Brighton & Hove Albion

11:30 a.m.

USA — Premier League: Crystal Palace at Fulham

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