NEW YORK (AP) — The National Women's Soccer League has created a rule to give clubs flexibility t...

NEW YORK (AP) — The National Women's Soccer League has created a rule to give clubs flexibility to sign "high-impact players" to contracts that go over the salary cap.The issue has attracted attention as the Washington Spirit have attempted to re-sign Trinity Rodman, one of the league's biggest stars."Ensuring our teams can compete for the best players in the world is critical to the continued growth of our league," NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said. "The High Impact Player Rule allows teams to invest strategically in top talent, strengthens our ability to retain star players, and demonstrates our commitment to building world-class rosters for fans across the league."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Hours later on Tuesday, the NWSL Players Association announced its opposition to the rule."Under federal labor laws, changes to compensation under the salary cap are a mandatory subject of bargaining — not a matter of unilateral discretion," the union wrote in a post on Instagram.The Spirit and Rodman struck a multi-year deal that was vetoed by the league. The NWSLPA filed a grievance in response, maintaining that the denial violated Rodman's free agency rights.The league's rule would allow teams to exceed the salary cap by $1 million for a player, or players, who meet certain criteria, including their ranking among the the world's top soccer players and the most marketable athletes in any sport.The league said the CBA allows it to use its discretion to establish the High Impact Player roster classification, adding the new rule would take effect on July 1.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: Trinity Rodman #2 of the Washington Spirit looks to the ball during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on November 15, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — San Francisco’s offense is revving up just in time for the playoffs.  One day...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — San Francisco’s offense is revving up just in time for the playoffs.One day after the 49ers clinched a playoff spot, Brock Purdy <a href="https://x.com/i/status/2003302205818818642">threw a career-high five touchdown passes</a> and Dee Winters returned an interception of Philip Rivers’ final pass 74 yards for a score in a 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.“He was awesome, he played really well,” coach Kyle Shanahan said, describing Purdy’s play. “I got on him for a couple throws he missed, but it was pretty close to a perfect game. He did a hell of a job.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>San Francisco (11-4) has won five straight to stay competitive for both the NFC West title and the conference’s top seed. It also snapped a five-game losing streak in the series that dated to former Colts coach Jim Mora’s infamous “playoffs” rant in November 2001.Indy’s loss also clinched playoff spots for Buffalo, Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC.The biggest reason: Purdy’s sensational play.He completed 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards as San Francisco produced 440 total yards and didn’t punt for a second straight week. Christian McCaffrey rushed 21 times for 117 yards and had six catches for 29 yards and two scores. <a href="https://x.com/i/status/2003289068948635994">George Kittle added seven receptions for 115 yards and one TD.</a>And aside from Purdy’s lone interception, the 49ers offense seemed to do anything it wanted against Indy’s defense.“We’ve got to be better,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “Bottom line, we can’t give up that many yards. They scored a lot of points, went up and down the field and we’ve got to get that cleaned up in a hurry. Our defense played great last week and then this week ... we’ve got to be better.”The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/colts-rivers-49ers-3d524ebad42aea95388f1416e48248d1">44-year-old Rivers</a> sure didn’t make it easy on San Francisco in his second game back after a five-year layoff. He was 23 of 35 for 277 yards, two TDs and the one interception. But he also couldn’t pull the Colts (8-7) out of a late-season swoon that has nearly ended their playoff hopes.Indy has lost five straight and six of seven.Rivers started strong in a wild first half, throwing the first of two TD passes to Alec Pierce, a 20-yarder on the opening series. Pierce finished with four receptions for 86 yards and two scores.Purdy countered with a 22-yard scoring pass to Demarcus Robinson and, after a Colts fumble, a 2-yard TD pass to McCaffrey to make it 14-7. Rivers tied the score early in the second quarter by neatly fitting a 16-yard throw to Pierce in a tight window.Purdy then broke the tie with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kittle and the teams traded field goals before Eddie Pineiro’s 64-yard attempt hit the crossbar as time expired in the first half with the 49ers up 24-17.San Francisco was just as efficient in the second half. Purdy capped the first possession with a 15-yard TD pass to Jauan Jennings to take control with a 31-17 lead.Jonathan Taylor’s 1-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter cut Indy’s deficit to 34-27, but the 49ers sealed it with a 9-yard touchdown pass to McCaffrey with 7:37 to play and Winters’ interception return with 3:26 to play.“It was cool to be out here playing against Philip Rivers and the Colts,” Purdy said. “To go out and execute like we did, I’m really proud of these guys, everyone. Our defense, the turnover at the end of the game with Dee Winters, huge win for us.”Injury report49ers: Kittle injured his ankle while making a cut during the third quarter, and linebacker Tatum Bethune injured his right ankle late in the third quarter.Colts: Indy opened the game without either of its starting offensive tackles — Braden Smith (concussion) and Bernhard Raimann (elbow) — then lost center Tanor Bortolini with a concussion on the third offensive play of the game. Then they lost starting RG Dalton Tucker with shoulder injury in the second half. The Colts also lost DE JT Tuimoloau with an oblique injury in the first half.Stat sheet49ers: Purdy has seven TD passes in the last two games, the most over a two-game stretch by a 49ers quarterback since 2001. ... San Francisco has scored in 22 consecutive quarters, its longest streak since 1995.. ... For the second straight week, Thomas Morstead did not punt.Colts: Taylor’s TD early in the fourth gave him 17 rushing scores this season, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Lenny Moore for the second-highest single season total in franchise history. ... Indy lost its first game of the season while topping the 20-point mark.Up next49ers: Host Chicago on Sunday night in a possible playoff preview.Colts: Close out the home schedule Sunday against AFC South leading Jacksonville.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/NFL</a>

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 22: Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts and Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday they will leave their longtime home a...

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday they will leave their longtime home at Arrowhead Stadium for a new, domed stadium that will be built across the Kansas-Missouri state line and be ready for the start of the 2031 season.The announcement came shortly after a council of top Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously inside a packed room at the state Capitol to allow the state to issue a little more than $2.4 billion in bonds to cover about 60% of the cost of the new stadium, a new training facility and retail and entertainment space.The bonds will be paid off with state sales and liquor tax revenues generated in a defined area around it.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The location of Chiefs games will change," Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said after the meeting, "but some things won't change. Our fans will still be the loudest in the NFL, our games will still be the best place in the world to tailgate, and our players and coaches will be ready to compete for championships, because on the field or off the field, we are big dreamers, and we’re ready for the next chapter."The Chiefs intend their $3 billion stadium project to be built in Kansas City, Kansas, near the Kansas Speedway and a retail district known as The Legends. The area includes Children’s Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City, and Legends Field, the home of the Kansas City Monarchs minor league baseball team.The Chiefs also plan to build their $300 million practice facility in the Kansas City-metro suburb of Olathe, Kansas. They’ve committed to at least $700 million in other development.“Today’s announcement is truly historic. Actually, it’s a little surreal,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said. “Today’s announcement will touch the lives of Kansans for generations to come. Today’s announcement is a total game-changer for our state.“We have always been Chiefs fans,” Kelly said. “Now we are Chiefs family.”State officials also predict that more than 20,000 new construction jobs will be created.While the final location for the stadium has not been decided, Chiefs president Mark Donovan said it would seat about 65,000, roughly 10,000 fewer fans than Arrowhead Stadium. That follows a trend across professional sports of building stadiums and arenas that have fewer overall seats but more amenities, luxury seating and premium spaces.“We have a lot of work to do. We’re still early in the process,” Hunt said. “In the months ahead, we will hire an architect and contractor and get to work on the five-plus-year timeline to build a new stadium.”A big blow for Missouri officialsThe move by the Chiefs is a massive blow to Missouri lawmakers and Gov. Mike Kehoe, who had been working on their own funding package to prevent a third NFL franchise and the second in a decade from leaving their borders; the Rams left St. Louis for Los Angeles in part due to their inability to secure funding to help replace The Dome at America’s Center.Kehoe had backed a special legislative session in June to authorize bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments.“They thought new and shiny was better than old and reliable,” Kehoe said after the Chiefs’ announcement, adding that the club was in discussions with Missouri officials about staying at a renovated or rebuilt Arrowhead Stadium as late as last week.“We won’t give up. We’ll look for cracks in the armor and find out if there’s a Missouri Show-Me solution through our sports act.”But both Hunt and Donovan said Kansas had a key advantage: The team was negotiating only with state officials, rather than with state and local officials, as in Missouri.A local vote upended initial renovation plansThe Chiefs originally planned an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium in a joint effort with the Royals, who are similarly planning to build a new facility to replace Kauffman Stadium. The facilities sit a couple hundred yards apart, across a parking lot, and both teams have leases with Jackson County, Missouri, that expire in January 2031.But last year, Jackson County voters soundly defeated a local sales tax extension which would have helped to pay for those renovations to the football stadium while helping to fund a new ballpark for the Royals in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. That energized Kansas’ efforts to lure both teams.The Royals were not discussed by Kansas lawmakers Monday, but momentum appears to be building behind their own move across the state line. An affiliate of the club already has purchased the mortgage on a tract of land in Overland Park, Kansas.“While the Chiefs aren’t going far away and aren’t gone yet, today is a setback as a Kansas Citian, a former Chiefs season ticket-holder and lifelong Chiefs fan,” said Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. “Business decisions are a reality and we all understand that, but Arrowhead Stadium is more — it’s family, tradition and a part of Kansas City we will never leave.”Hunt has long said his preference was to renovate Arrowhead Stadium, which was beloved by his father and team founder, the late Lamar Hunt. It is considered one of the jewels of the NFL, alongside Lambeau Field in Green Bay, and is revered for its tailgating scene and home-field advantage; it currently holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium roar.This summer, Arrowhead Stadium will host six World Cup matches, including matches in the Round of 32 and quarterfinals.The team had two previous movesDonovan told reporters Monday that the Hunt family believed Lamar Hunt would have backed their decision because “he would have wanted to increase and enhance the fans’ experience.”Lamar Hunt established the Chiefs on Aug. 14, 1959. The team was originally based in Dallas and known as the Texans, but Hunt was convinced by then-Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle to relocate the team to Missouri with promises of tripling the team’s season-ticket sales and expanding the seating capacity of Municipal Stadium.In 1972, the team moved into Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex just east of downtown Kansas City.The stadium has undergone numerous renovations through the years, allowing it to stay relevant in a changing sports landscape. But there has been little economic development around the stadium, the facility itself is starting to show wear and tear, and there is a limit to the number of luxury suites and amenities that the franchise can utilize to help drive revenue.While the Hunt family has long loved Arrowhead Stadium, it has warmed in recent years to the idea of a replacement.Not only would it solve many of the shortcomings of the Chiefs’ longtime home, a new facility with a fixed or retractable roof would allow them to use it year-round. That would mean the potential for hosting more concerts and events, college football bowl games, the Final Four and perhaps one of Lamar Hunt’s long-held dreams: a Super Bowl.“Chiefs fans on both sides of the state line can tell you that the success we’ve enjoyed together has elevated the profile of the entire region,” Clark Hunt said. “Sports are woven into the fabric of this community. If you travel and go to New York or Los Angeles or Europe or South America, you don’t have to tell people which side of the state line you’re from. You tell them you’re from Kansas City, and there’s a pretty good chance their response might have something to do with the Chiefs.”

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 09: A general view of the stadium at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 09, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Salah got Egypt off to a winning start in the Africa Cup of Nations...

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Salah got Egypt off to a winning start in the Africa Cup of Nations by scoring late for a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday.Salah captained the team in his first start for nearly a month and fired inside the bottom corner in stoppage time to spare Egypt embarrassment against a team ranked 129th in the world.Egypt, the record seven-time champion, was thwarted for long periods in the coastal city of Agadir by Zimbabwe’s stubborn defending and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Washington Arubi.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“We wasted several scoring chances and we didn’t have luck on our side,” Egypt coach <a href="https://apnews.com/article/egypt-coach-twins-hassan-37fab4d21d41b5d114d73ea9edadac20">Hossam Hassan</a> said. “That’s football. We were the better team throughout the match. Opening games are always difficult.”Prince Dube stunned the favorites in the 20th minute when he took Emmanuel Jalai’s cross with his first touch and spun around a defender to flick it past Egypt ’keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy with his next.Salah tried riling his teammates. They kept missing chances. Hassan hooked Emam Ashour in the 33rd, leaving the midfielder in tears on the bench.Arubi tipped over a fierce strike from Omar Marmoush, Trézéguet dived in an attempt to win a penalty and was booked, then Salah, Marmoush, and Mostafa Mohamed – who had gone on for the ineffective Ashour – all had efforts blocked before the break.The game resumed in the same manner until Marmoush finally found a way to score from a difficult angle in the 64th.Salah’s winner gave the Pharaohs three points in Group B. The Liverpool star has never won Africa’s premier competition. This is his fifth edition.

Zimbabwe's defender #15 Teenage Hadebe and Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah compete during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) group B football match between Egypt and Zimbabwe at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 22, 2025.

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Zevi Eckhaus threw for a season-high 334 yards with three touchdowns and Wash...

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Zevi Eckhaus threw for a season-high 334 yards with three touchdowns and Washington State piled up 628 yards of offense, beating Utah State 34-21 to win the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Monday at Albertsons Stadium.Eckhaus completed 26 of 44 passes but also threw three interceptions for the Cougars (7-6), who will return to a rebuilt Pac-12 Conference next season — along with the Aggies (6-7), and host school Boise State.Maxwell Woods carried nine times for 117 yards, becoming the first Cougar to top 100 this season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbitt filled in as interim head coach after the Cougars lost their third head man in three seasons when Jimmy Rogers left for Iowa State after one season. The Cougars lost head coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest prior to Rogers’ arrival. WSU hired Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to take the reins next season. Moore was in attendance.Eckhaus fired a 41-yard touchdown pass to freshman Mackenzie Alleyne for a 7-0 lead after one quarter. Alleyne had one catch for 9 yards entering play.Eckhaus threw interceptions on WSU's next two drives but the Aggies failed to score.Eckhaus had a 1-yard touchdown toss to junior tight end Hudson Cedarland in the second quarter for a 14-0 lead at halftime. Cedarland entered with one career catch for 4 yards.Stevens kicked short field goals in the third quarter before Bryson Barnes scored on a 2-yard keeper to cut it to 20-7 heading to the fourth.Eckhaus had a 39-yard touchdown pass to Landon Wright in the fourth quarter as 12 different receivers finished with at least one catch. Backup quarterback Julian Dugger scored on a 34-yard run with four minutes remaining.Barnes had 116 yards on 9-for-21 passing for Utah State before a hard hit sent him to the sidelines in the second half. Backup Jacob Conover completed 5 of 7 for 78 yards with fourth-quarter touchdown throws to Brady Boyd covering 21 yards and a 26-yarder to Javen Jacobs with 1:48 remaining.It was the Cougars' first postseason victory since beating Iowa State 28-26 in the 2018 Alamo Bowl.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a>

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 22: Zevi Eckhaus #4 of Washington State Cougars celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter during a game against James Madison Dukes at Bridgeforth Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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SAO PAULO (AP) — Neymar underwent minor surgery on his left knee, his club Santos said on Monday....

SAO PAULO (AP) — Neymar underwent minor surgery on his left knee, his club Santos said on Monday.The 33-year-old Neymar previously said he wanted to fix the pains that have sidelined him from several matches this year. The arthroscopy was performed by Rodrigo Lasmar, who also works with the Brazil squad. The procedure was minimally invasive and treated problems inside joints.Last weekend, the striker said during a music event in Sao Paulo he still hoped to play in the World Cup and score in the final. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, appointed in May, has yet to pick Neymar.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“We will do the impossible to bring this cup to Brazil,” Neymar said. “In July, you can remind us of it. Hi, Ancelotti, helps us out!”Neymar has struggled to recover since he tore his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/neymar-injury-acl-brazil-b22276164df58cdd0846549fb7afcd57">ACL</a> in October 2023 in World Cup qualifying. He <a href="https://apnews.com/article/neymar-santos-brazil-return-soccer-love-67e6d2dcfda3f0e3a12719c6f60b5d33">returned to boyhood club Santos</a> in January and played only 19 of the 38 rounds of Brazil’s Serie A, which started in April. He scored eight goals. His goals in the final rounds helped Santos avoid relegation.___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

SANTOS, BRAZIL - DECEMBER 7: Neymar Junior of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2025 match between Santos and Cruzeiro at Urbano Caldeira Stadium (Vila Belmiro) on December 7, 2025 in Santos, Brazil.

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Detroit Lions fan who Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf punched at...

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Detroit Lions fan who Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver <a href="https://apnews.com/article/steelers-dk-metcalf-fan-lions-8f0f2729cb0515dcc8b6773b7cebcf89">DK Metcalf punched at</a> during a game between the teams has denied allegations he used a racial slur in a statement released by his lawyers Monday.
A law firm representing Ryan Kennedy said in a statement released to The Associated Press on Monday that Kennedy “categorically denies” using a slur or any other derogatory statement during the exchange with Metcalf that ended with the two-time Pro Bowler taking a swing at Kennedy with his right arm.
CBS cameras caught Metcalf and Kennedy — wearing a blue wig and a blue and black shirt — in a heated back-and-forth along the rail in the second quarter of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/steelers-lions-score-6668875ff75496f29c851ba61cf307e7">Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory</a>.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Kennedy leaned over the railing and appeared to shout at the receiver as he walked over, and Metcalf reached up and grabbed him with his right arm. The interaction ended with Metcalf jabbing toward the fan’s head with that arm, though he didn’t appear to make much, if any, contact.
Metcalf remained in the game, finishing with four catches for 42 yards
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said on Sunday that he “heard about” the exchange but didn’t see it and at that point hadn’t had an opportunity to discuss it with Metcalf, who was unavailable to reporters afterward and did not appear at his locker on Monday during the club’s 45-minute media availability. 
Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said during a podcast he co-hosts with Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe that Metcalf told him the fan used a racial slur and disparaged Metcalf’s mother.
The statement released by Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of Head Murphy Law Firm called the allegations “completely false.”
“At no point before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind,” the statement read. “The claims suggesting otherwise are untrue and not supported by video evidence, eyewitness accounts or any contemporaneous reporting.”
The statement said Kennedy would have no further comment because “this matter will now likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings.”
The statement added that Kennedy, who <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/12/21/dk-metcalf-punch-pittsburgh-steelers-detroit-lions-ford-field/87875725007/">told The Detroit Free Press</a> he is from Pinckney, Michigan, about an hour west of Ford Field, has been subjected to “harassment, threats and messages advocating violence” in the aftermath.
Kennedy told the newspaper that Metcalf ripped his shirt during the incident. Kennedy also told the Free Press that he was calling Metcalf by his given name, DeKaylin.
The NFL is looking into the matter. It's unclear whether law enforcement has been contacted.
The incident is hardly the first between a professional athlete and a fan during a live sporting event.
The exchange between Metcalf and the fan came five months after Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pirates-dennis-santana-4443c5c95007a1a7877f8dd9825a21db">was suspended and fined</a> by Major League Baseball following a confrontation with a fan at a game between the Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, which is a block down from Ford Field.
The most notorious incident between players and fans came in 2004 when several members of the Indiana Pacers — including guard Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace) — fought fans inside the now-demolished Palace in a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons in what is known universally as “ <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-pacers-nba-sports-detroit-pistons-auburn-b2344075a285b7fa1bb17c581a23e259">The Malice at the Palace.”</a>
___
AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 21: DK Metcalf #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs in action during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

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BALTIMORE (AP) — Hopefully the rest of the NFL enjoyed the respite.  The New England Patriots are...

BALTIMORE (AP) — Hopefully the rest of the NFL enjoyed the respite.The New England Patriots are back in the playoffs — with an unflappable quarterback and a coach who is thirsty for more.Sound familiar?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Drake Maye guided New England to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, rallying his team from an 11-point deficit to a 28-24 victory over Baltimore on Sunday night that clinched a postseason spot for the Patriots and dealt a devastating blow to the Ravens' playoff hopes.“We're going to try to win the division. We're going to focus on that,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “I'm excited. All the credit to the players. When we win, it's because of them.”Seven years after Tom Brady and Bill Belichick won their final Super Bowl together in New England — and four years after Belichick reached the playoffs with Mac Jones at quarterback — the Patriots return to the postseason in Maye's second year behind center. Maye certainly didn't hurt his MVP case Sunday, throwing for a career-best 380 yards and two touchdowns.Down 24-13, Maye connected on a 37-yard scoring strike to Kyle Williams, and a 2-point conversion pass to Rhamondre Stevenson made it a three-point game with 9:01 to play.After New England forced a punt, the Patriots drove 89 yards for the winning touchdown. Baltimore's pass rush, which was nonexistent earlier in the game, was much better toward the end, but Maye showed why he and his team are in first place in the AFC East.New England remains a game ahead of second-place Buffalo despite losing to the Bills last week.“It was kind of a wake-up call last week — we got a chance to win the game with a game-winning drive, and this week it was like, man, let's not have that feeling two weeks in a row," Maye said. “It was kind of the elephant in the room.”Maye went 12 of 14 for 139 yards in the final quarter, although the winning touchdown came on one of New England's few productive running plays, a 21-yard dash by Stevenson with 2:07 left.The Ravens, who lost Lamar Jackson to a back injury in the second quarter, turned the ball over on their final drive on a fumble by Zay Flowers. Baltimore (7-8) is now two games behind AFC North-leading Pittsburgh with two to play. To win the division, the Ravens would need to win at Green Bay and Pittsburgh and have the Steelers lose to lowly Cleveland in Week 17.“Tough loss," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We didn’t do the winning things we need to do. We made some mistakes that cost us.”The Steelers beat Detroit earlier in the day. The dramatic ending of that game came after many fans had already entered the stadium in Baltimore, and Steelers-Lions was shown on the big screen.Pittsburgh's win put immense pressure on the Ravens, and things went from bad to worse when New England took a 10-7 lead and then Jackson left late in the second quarter with yet another injury.Tyler Huntley — who led Baltimore to a huge win in Week 8 over Chicago when Jackson was out with a hamstring problem — helped the Ravens rally. Flowers scored on an 18-yard end around to give the Ravens a 17-13 lead in the third quarter. Baltimore then snuffed out a fake punt near midfield and went ahead by 11 on Henry's 2-yard run with 12:50 left in the fourth.But that was the last time Henry touched the ball — another baffling set of decisions in another fourth-quarter collapse by a Baltimore team that's had plenty of those in recent years.The Ravens took a 7-0 lead on a 21-yard run by Henry — just their third first-quarter touchdown in nine home games this season. After Maye was intercepted, Baltimore's offense was rolling before Henry fumbled. New England tied it on a 1-yard pass from Maye to Hunter Henry.It was 10-all at halftime.The Patriots lost Rookie of the Year candidate Tre'Veyon Henderson when the running back left with a head injury in the second quarter.Another night-mareThe Ravens entered the season 22-3 under Harbaugh in prime time games at home, but they've gone 0-3 this season, losing to Detroit, Cincinnati and now New England. In fact, Baltimore went 3-6 on its home schedule, the worst mark in franchise history.The Patriots, meanwhile, improved to 7-0 on the road in Vrabel's first season at the helm.InjuriesPatriots: DT Joshua Farmer injured his hamstring, CB Charles Woods hurt an ankle, WR DeMario Douglas injured a hamstring and DL Khyiris Tonga hurt a foot.Ravens: G Andrew Vorhees injured a foot.Up nextPatriots: At the New York Jets next Sunday.Ravens: At Green Bay on Saturday night.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 21: Devontez Walker #81 of the Baltimore Ravens and Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots hug after the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson is injured again.  The star quarterback left Baltimore’s game agai...

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson is injured again.The star quarterback left Baltimore’s game against the New England Patriots late in the second quarter with a back issue. The two-time MVP looked uncomfortable getting up after a run up the middle, and NBC cameras showed an exasperated Jackson heading down the hallway.The Ravens and Patriots were tied at 10 at the half.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jackson missed three games earlier this season because of a hamstring injury, and since returning from that he’s been listed with knee, ankle and toe problems as well as an illness that caused him to miss a practice this week.Jackson was replaced by Tyler Huntley, who completed his only pass before halftime.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 21: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens slides with the ball during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Lamar leaves in 2nd quarter vs. Patriots with back injury

DETROIT (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers survived a wild finish, pushing Detroit to the brink of pl...

DETROIT (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers survived a wild finish, pushing Detroit to the brink of playoff elimination and boosting their chances of winning their division for the first time in five years.Pittsburgh held on for 29-24 win over the Lions on Sunday when Jared Goff’s touchdown on the final play was negated by an offensive pass-interference penalty on Amon-Ra St. Brown.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@nfl/video/7586484380504263949" data-video-id="7586484380504263949" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@nfl" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nfl?refer=embed">@nfl</a> a crazy way for <a title="pittsburghsteelers" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pittsburghsteelers?refer=embed">#pittsburghsteelers</a> to win their third straight 👏<a title="nfl" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nfl?refer=embed">#nfl</a> @Pittsburgh Steelers <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - NFL" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7586484498263460663?refer=embed">♬ original sound - NFL</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></figure>“It’s been playoff-type football for us the last three weeks,” Aaron Rodgers said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Steelers (9-6) have won three straight after a midseason slump, surging into the AFC North lead with two games remaining.“I’m just so appreciative of the men that I work with and the fight they displayed individually and collectively,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Certainly weren’t perfect, a lot of adversity, some of it created by us. But they didn't blink and that’s what’s required this time of year.”In a couple of weeks, the Lions will likely have a chance to sleep in because their season probably be over.They almost pulled off an amazing comeback after trailing by 12 points with four-plus minutes left, but they had two touchdowns negated by penalties in the final minute.On the last play of the game, Goff threw a fourth-down pass to St. Brown just short of the goal line. The receiver pushed off cornerback Jalen Ramsey to get free, and before the Steelers could bring St. Brown to the ground, he threw a lateral to the quarterback to set up an apparent score by Goff.Officials huddled for a couple of minutes on the field before announcing the decision to the dismay of the crowd.With 22 seconds left, rookie Isaac TeSlaa was called for pass interference for setting a pick that freed up St. Brown, negating Goff's 1-yard TD pass.“That's a bad call,” Goff said.Detroit (8-7) dropped two straight games for the first time in more than three years, ending its outside shot to win a third straight NFC North title. While the Lions haven’t been eliminated from the playoffs, they have an 8% chance of earning a spot, according to the NFL.“We know the percentages,” said Goff, who threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. “We know we’re not eliminated. We know some things need to go our way.”The running game certainly didn't go Detroit's way on Sunday.Jaylen Warren had two 45-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 143 yards for the Steelers, who had a 230-15 advantage in rushing yards.Detroit’s defense, which allowed Pittsburgh to gain a season-high 481 yards, forced the Steelers to settle for a 37-yard field-goal try with 2:05 left, and Chris Boswell missed it.The Lions had a fourth-and-2 from their 35 and Pittsburgh was called for pass interference and tripping on consecutive plays, moving the ball to the Steelers 35 and setting up the wild finish.Rodgers finished 27 of 41 for 266 yards. He threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell to close the first half that was initially ruled incomplete, then changed to a TD after a review. Gainwell made the catch while lying on his left side and got his right arm under the ball, then popped to his feet and scampered to the end zone.Goff was sacked by blitzing Kyle Dugger for a safety to give the Steelers a 12-10 lead in the third quarter.Pittsburgh converted a pair of fourth downs on the ensuing drive and elected not to go for it a third time from the Lions 5, settling for a field goal and a five-point lead after a 17-play, 64-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes.The Steelers went ahead 3-0 when Boswell capped their first possession with a 59-yard field goal.The Lions could have tied the game on the ensuing possession, but coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3 and Goff’s pass to St. Brown in the end zone was broken up by Joey Porter Jr.Did Campbell regret that decision after seeing that a field goal in the end would have won the game?“No,” he said without elaborating.Metcalf scuffles with a fanSteelers receiver DK Metcalf swiped at a fan leaning over the railing in the front row during the second quarter.Metcalf and the fan, wearing a black-and-blue shirt and a blue wig, were speaking to each other before the two-time Pro Bowler threw a right hand toward the man’s face. Metcalf did not appear to make much, if any contact.Although game officials didn't penalize Metcalf, the league will review the incident and he could face discipline.Steelers extend their streakPittsburgh secured its 22nd straight season with at least a .500 record, breaking the NFL record it previously shared with the Dallas Cowboys, who had a 21-year run without a losing season from 1965-85. Tomlin has finished at .500 or better in each of his 19 seasons.InjuriesSteelers: CB Brandin Echols (groin) left the game in the second quarter. ... Two starters were inactive — OLB T.J. Watt (lung) and OG Isaac Seumalo (triceps) — along with reserve OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring).Lions: C Graham Glasgow (knee) and C Trystan Colon (wrist) were inactive, giving 24-year-old Kingsley Eguakun his first start after he played in two games sparingly in September, and G Kayode Awosika (foot) missed his third straight game.Up nextSteelers: At Cleveland next Sunday.Lions: At Minnesota on Christmas Day.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions leaps into the end zone to score a fourth quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field on December 21, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. The touchdown was nullified due to offensive pass interference by Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions.

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Lions fall to Steelers in surreal finish; Bears, 49ers to playoffs

DENVER (AP) — Trevor Lawrence is playing the best ball of his five-year career and now he has a s...

DENVER (AP) — Trevor Lawrence is playing the best ball of his five-year career and now he has a signature win to show for it.Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to a resounding 34-20 win that snapped the Denver Broncos' 11-game winning streak Sunday and added some spice to the AFC playoff picture.“I feel great with our offense right now, what we’re able to do, the passing game, guys are making plays, giving them opportunities down the field, and we’re protecting well," Lawrence said. “We’re doing a lot of things well. We just got to not take it for granted."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Lawrence has been on a six-week heater, mastering the nuances of first-year coach Liam Coen’s offense and stoking his connection with trade-deadline addition Jakobi Meyers. The Jaguars had outscored their previous five opponents by a cumulative 171-72, but this was Lawrence’s best performance of his breakout season.“He's doing it all,” Coen said. “He’s doing everything that you want your guy to be doing, and he’s doing it at a high level right now.”The AFC South-leading Jaguars (11-4) won their sixth straight game and handed the Broncos (12-3) their first loss since Week 3. It was also Denver's first defeat at home since Oct. 13, 2024, ending the Broncos' 12-game home winning streak.Although they remain atop the AFC playoff race, the Broncos' lead over the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West was sliced to one game. The teams play in Week 18. Denver has a short turnaround with a trip to face Kansas City on Christmas night.“It's always good to have a short week after a loss like this," defensive tackle Malcolm Roach said, echoing the sentiment in the Broncos' subdued locker room.After Broncos rookie RJ Harvey pinballed his way for a 38-yard touchdown to tie it at 17 on the opening drive of the second half, it was all Jacksonville.Lawrence scored on a 1-yard keeper, then hit Parker Washington for 63 yards to set up Travis Etienne's 10-yard TD catch. After Bo Nix fumbled his exchange with running back Jaleel McLaughlin — “Both of us wanted the ball,” Nix explained — Lawrence drove Jacksonville for its fifth consecutive score, a 26-yard field goal by Cam Little that made it 34-17.On a day Meyers was held to 45 yards on four catches, Washington caught six passes for a career-best 145 yards and a TD.“We knew we were going to be in a crazy atmosphere today, and we’ve answered the adversity many times throughout this season, and we continue to do that,” Washington said. “I feel like that’s our edge.”The Broncos were driving after pulling within 34-20. But on fourth down from Jacksonville's 41, Nix telegraphed a throw to Pat Bryant that was easily intercepted by Jarrian Jones. Later, Bryant was carted off after he took a vicious hit in the final minute.In a matchup of the NFL's two most penalized teams, Denver committed two big penalties on a drive that ended with Lawrence taking it in from the 1 to give Jacksonville the lead for good.Lawrence was sacked five times by the league's best pass rush — the Broncos have a franchise record-tying 63 sacks on the season — but he still threw for 279 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. Jacksonville was 4 of 5 in the red zone against the league's best red-zone defense.Nix laments Bryant's injuryNix threw for a career-best 353 yards, but he wasn't his usual sharp self, turning it over twice and throwing a regrettable high pass that led to Bryant's injury with 31 seconds remaining. Bryant was strapped to a body board and carted off.“He’s got movement. That’s encouraging,” Denver coach Sean Payton said. “He was moving his hands and his legs.”Bryant was injured on a whiplash tackle by Montaric Brown after his leaping catch. The officials picked up the flag, however, ruling Brown hadn’t hit him in the neck or head area, although replays appeared to show the crown of Brown’s helmet hitting Bryant’s chin.Nix was shaken up watching as Bryant was tended to by the medical team.“You never want to see somebody in that situation and I feel responsible because I threw it," he said. “You really pray he's OK and can be back out there as soon as he can.”Broncos hindered by their home crowdOn their first scoring drive, Lawrence and the Jaguars actually benefited from the din that rattled Empower Field when Jacksonville was flagged for a false start. Blitzing safety P.J. Locke, however, said he didn't hear the whistle and put a vicious blind-side hit on Lawrence. Only that 15-yard penalty was enforced, jump-starting Jacksonville's TD drive.Payton expects his team to bounce backPayton figured the Broncos will handle their first loss in three months the same way they navigated all that winning since September.“I said to them, one of the things you've managed to do each week is get on to the next challenge,” Payton said. “So I think the same thing has to apply, especially on a short week like this. You've shown the ability to digest the game before and then get onto the next challenge. And you have to do the same after a tough loss.”InjuriesJaguars: RG Patrick Mekari (back) was hurt.Broncos: Lost TE Nate Adkins (knee) and ILB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) to injuries.Up nextJaguars: At Indianapolis next Sunday.Broncos: Visit Kansas City on Christmas night.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 21: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for a third quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

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Jaguars dominate Broncos, still in race for AFC's No. 1 seed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, Lathan Ransom intercep...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, Lathan Ransom intercepted Baker Mayfield with 42 seconds left and the Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday to take over first place in the NFC South.The Panthers (8-7) can wrap up with the division title next Sunday with a win over Seattle and a Buccaneers (7-8) loss to Miami. However, if both teams win or both teams lose, the Panthers would need to beat Tampa Bay again on the road in Week 18 to claim their first division title since 2015.Tetairoa McMillan had six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers once again bounced back with a huge win after a potentially devastating loss to the last-place New Orleans Saints.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Ransom had a huge mistake in that defeat with a late hit on Saints QB Tyler Shough that led to New Orleans’ winning field goal.But with the Bucs driving for a tying field goal — or a go-ahead touchdown — there was a miscommunication on a second-and-9 pass play between Mayfield and Mike Evans at the Carolina 42 and Ransom got an easy pick to seal the win.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
PAID THE RANSOM 📺:FOX <a href="https://t.co/NFFXhxIhsU">pic.twitter.com/NFFXhxIhsU</a>— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/2002846517237805199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Mayfield came into the game 4-0 against Carolina since being cut by the Panthers in 2022.But the No. 1 pick in 2018 completed just 18 of 26 passes for 145 yards with one TD pass to Evans on the game’s opening drive as the struggling Bucs lost their third straight game.With the game tied at 20 midway through the fourth quarter, Emeka Egbuka hauled in his first catch of the game, a 40-yard reception down the middle of the field, to get the Bucs to midfield. But the Panthers forced a Bucs punt, giving Young the ball back with 4:46 left at the Panthers 27.On a third and 4, Young found Jalen Coker along the right sideline for a 34-yard reception to move the Panthers into field goal range. Carolina’s drive stalled and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald kicked a 48-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining in the game to give Carolina the lead.On the ensuing kickoff, Tampa Bay’s John Bullock was flagged for an unnecessary roughness, forcing Mayfield to start the final drive at his own 10.But Mayfeld used a 26-yard run and three passes to Evans to reach Carolina territory before the interception.The Panthers took a 13-10 lead into the locker room at halftime after McMillan hauled in a 22-yard touchdown reception from Young with 7 seconds left in the first half.The Bucs regained the lead on the opening possession of the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Tucker, but Young answered with perhaps his best play of the season, eluding three pass rushers and buying enough time for Ja’Tavion Sanders to get free in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown reception.InjuriesBuccaneers: LB Anthony Nelson left the game in the first half with a knee injury.Panthers: LT Ickey Ekwonu was ruled out before the game due to a knee injury he sustained last week against the Saints.Up nextBuccaneers: At Miami on Sunday.Panthers: Host Seattle on Sunday.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 21: Lathan Ransom #22 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with teammates after a game winning interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter of a game at Bank of America Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Panthers beat Bucs, seize control of NFC South

CLEVELAND (AP) — Quinshon Judkins was carted off with a right leg injury late in the second quart...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Quinshon Judkins was carted off with a right leg injury late in the second quarter of the Cleveland Browns game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.The rookie running back suffered the injury after catching a swing pass from Shedeur Sanders on second-and-6 at the Browns 44.Judkins was quickly hit low at the 38 by Bills linebacker Matt Milano for a 6-yard loss. Judkins was pounding his hands on his helmets and in discomfort after being hit.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Officials originally ruled that Judkins had fumbled the ball and Buffalo linebacker Terrel Bernard ran it back for a touchdown, but replay reversed it to Judkins being down by contact.Judkins, a second-round pick out of Ohio State, came into the game leading NFL rookies with 784 rushing yards and tied for first with seven rushing touchdowns. He had eight carries for 22 yards before being injured.Sanders came out in the second quarter for one play with what looked like a bloody pinker finger on his right throwing hand.___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) leaves the filed on a cart after injuring his leg during the second quarter of the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH.

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Browns' Judkins carted off vs. Bills with leg injury

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has recovered from an ankle injury in time fo...

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has recovered from an ankle injury in time for the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations">Africa Cup of Nations</a>, both the player and coach Walid Regragui said Saturday before the team’s opening game.The current African Footballer of the Year is unlikely to start Sunday’s tournament-opener against tiny Comoros, but Regragui said Hakimi could play if needed.“He sacrificed himself for the past four or five weeks like no one else could have for his country. For that alone, he was an example for the players and the staff,” Regragui said. “We can say that the protocol we put in place immediately after his injury has been more than positive.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Hakimi was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/achraf-hakimi-psg-bayern-luis-diaz-injury-24ee8fe5ff8effc0284a2511221e4746">injured in a reckless tackle</a> from Bayern Munich forward Luis Díaz while he was playing for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in November. Díaz, who was sent off for the challenge, later wished Hakimi “a quick return.”Hakimi was named in Morocco’s squad despite not playing any games since then. Though the team boasts many talented players such as Noussair Mazraoui, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Brahim Díaz, few have the experience that Hakimi brings after winning the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/champions-league-final-psg-inter-2b52bbcdb82d1a44fa603b3dfbd15787">Champions League with PSG</a> in May.“We’ll see about him starting tomorrow, how we protect him, and how things go with the upcoming games in the competition. I’ll make my decision tomorrow,” Regragui said. “His injury wasn’t straightforward. He made tough decisions for his country, and for that, as a coach, and of course as a Moroccan, I want to thank him in front of everyone. He’s a true example. Tomorrow you’ll see if he starts or not, but he can start, or he might not.”Hakimi said he felt “good” but the team was more important than his own condition.<h3>Royal pressure</h3>Morocco, the champion in 1976, is under immense pressure to win what would be just its second Africa Cup title. Expectations have risen since the team became the first African side to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022.The country, which will be a World Cup co-host in 2030, has invested heavily in stadiums, training facilities and infrastructure in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/morocco-africa-cup-host-357703c615435bc98cbd0f0cf36daf8f">bid to become a soccer power</a>. The drive has been overseen by FIFA Council member Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation who is also a government finance minister ultimately answerable to the country’s king, Mohammed VI.A portrait of Mohammed VI flanked Saturday’s press conference, as if to remind Regragui and Hakimi for whom they are working. Another Africa Cup disappointment — Hakimi missed a late penalty as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-cup-morocco-south-africa-mali-burkina-cc4bc695ef1e6cafabcd7e713e8fd3d9">Morocco was eliminated by South Africa</a> in the round of 16 at the last edition — could cost Regragui his job just months before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.“We’re focused on the present because we have to win,” Regragui said. “We’re also preparing for the future, because there’s 2026 and there’s also 2030, and that way they’ll be able to have a top-notch team in 2030 with a wealth of experience. That’s the objective I have. I’m working for myself, but I’m also working for the future of Morocco.”___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Ashraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates the team's third goal during the Men's Quarter Final match between Morocco and United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France.

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Hakimi back for AFCON after missing over 1 month with ankle injury

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — The Africa Cup of Nations begins Sunday with host Morocco aiming to put on ...

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — The Africa Cup of Nations begins Sunday with host Morocco aiming to put on a spectacle befitting its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/morocco-africa-cup-host-357703c615435bc98cbd0f0cf36daf8f">quest to become a global soccer power</a>.The four-week tournament has been framed as a high-visibility dress rehearsal for the World Cup in 2030, when Morocco will be one of the main co-hosts, and the kingdom has embarked one of the most aggressive infrastructure programs in African sporting history to prepare.Twenty-four teams from across the continent will compete in nine new or completely renovated stadiums in six cities. Morocco is among the favorites after its unprecedented run to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-africa-morocco-rabat-9453f8b89dd0da4742137ff19444a145">2022 World Cup semifinals</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Defending champion Ivory Coast enjoyed a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivory-coast-africa-cup-b320e99a0609debbccdc0993c67ea74f">hardly believable run</a> to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-cup-nigeria-ivory-coast-final-score-cfa23f3f71e7f45d535d8899943677d8">title as host</a> last time out, and Nigeria will hope to go one better after losing the final.Sadio Mané’s Senegal is back again after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-senegal-mohamed-salah-cameroon-db967b84ec12c8985ece6aac7a9c2b43">winning the 2021 edition</a>, and Egypt will hope speculation over <a href="https://apnews.com/article/liverpool-salah-arsenal-chelsea-premier-league-scores-49c19e9ae746e0098346b21a9f7350b7">Mohamed Salah’s future</a> does not distract the team from claiming a record-extending eighth continental crown.Here’s all you need to know about the 35th edition of the biennial tournament:<h3>Why is Morocco hosting?</h3>Guinea was initially scheduled to host the 2025 edition, but the West African country was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-soccer-international-south-africa-west-8917ba647bc6f8477274e3b9bf432f62">stripped of the tournament</a> in 2022 when the organizing Confederation of African Football determined the country would not have adequate infrastructure and facilities in place. Morocco, which was stripped of the tournament in 2015, offered to step in. Every Africa Cup since 2013 has been moved because of problems with the original host.This tournament was initially meant to be played in the summer, but CAF agreed to postpone it so it wouldn’t clash with FIFA’s new <a href="https://apnews.com/video/trump-goes-to-fifa-club-world-cup-final-calls-it-a-great-match-097ecb4b93a24c0583dc62afd558360a">Club World Cup</a> competition.CAF switched the Africa Cup to a summer schedule in 2017, effective from the 2019 tournament in Egypt. Then the 2021 tournament that was postponed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic was switched to January because of the “unfavorable climatic conditions” during summer in host nation Cameroon.<h3>Countries and groups</h3>Morocco, which won in 1976, is under pressure to claim what would be just its second Africa Cup title. The Atlas Lions begin their quest against tiny Comoros in the newly constructed 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday. Also in Group A are Mali and Zambia.Group B sees a clash between Egypt and South Africa, which eliminated Morocco at the last edition, while Angola and Zimbabwe will hope to upset the favorites.Nigeria will be expected to emerge from Group C, where the Super Eagles will face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.Senegal and Congo face off in Group D, alongside Benin and Botswana. Congo was only beaten by eventual winner Ivory Coast in the semifinals at the last edition.Algeria is under pressure in Group E after a group-stage exit in the last edition. The Desert Foxes will face Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan.Group F sees a tussle between defending champion Ivory Coast and five-time champion Cameroon, whose preparations have been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-cup-cameroon-etoo-onana-aboubakar-af64bf9bce65f9df8459df73b0e78687">overshadowed by the firing of the coach</a> amid a dispute with federation president Samuel Eto’o. Gabon and Mozambique complete the group.Four-time winners Ghana didn’t qualify.The top two in each group and the four best third-place teams will progress to the knockout stage.<h3>Star players</h3>Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi’s face beams from — it seems — every advertising display sign in Rabat. Time will tell if he fully recovers from an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/achraf-hakimi-psg-bayern-luis-diaz-injury-24ee8fe5ff8effc0284a2511221e4746">ankle injury</a> to feature for the team.Salah will be the focus of attention in the Egypt camp amid speculation he could leave Liverpool after he <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mohamed-salah-liverpool-slot-0e2b0949ea86e37345e02b7d792077e7">vented his frustrations</a> at his lack of playing time there. The 33-year-old Salah has never won the Africa Cup, but he went close in 2017 and 2022 when Egypt reached the finals.Victor Osimhen remains Nigeria’s key player. The Galatasaray forward’s absence through injuries is a big reason the Super Eagles <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-qualifying-nigeria-congo-voodoo-a3e974285b6f1917d56db47b99ffeb91">did not qualify for next year’s World Cup</a>.Manchester United forward <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bryan-mbeumo">Bryan Mbeumo</a> will be key for Cameroon’s hopes, and Yan Diomande is expected to sparkle for Ivory Coast after his brilliant start to the season for German club Leipzig.<h3>How to watch</h3>The Africa Cup will be shown on beIN Sports in the United States and Canada. The Qatari broadcaster also holds rights to show the tournament in France and many other countries.“AFCON is a fantastic international tournament that is only gaining greater recognition on the world footballing stage,” Richard Verow, beIN’s chief sports officer, told The Associated Press.Channel 4 will show the tournament free-to-air in the United Kingdom, Movistar is showing it in Spain, Sportdigital will broadcast it in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and Sport Italia will show it in Italy.CAF published a <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/news/caf-announces-record-european-broadcast-partnerships-for-totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-morocco-2025/">full list of European broadcasters</a> on its website.___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

The official ball is pictured during a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on December 20, 2025, ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament. Morooco take on Comoros in the opening game on December 21.

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All set for AFCON? Here's everything you need to know

NEW YORK (AP) — Every number on the scoreboard and every line on the stat sheet indicated No. 19 ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Every number on the scoreboard and every line on the stat sheet indicated No. 19 Texas Tech was in serious trouble.LeJuan Watts had already fouled out, JT Toppin was one whistle away and the Red Raiders were trying to climb all the way out of a 17-point hole against undefeated Duke, the third-ranked team in the country.But those roadblocks hardly fazed Christian Anderson and his determined teammates.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Anderson scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half, including the tiebreaking free throw with 3.4 seconds left, and Texas Tech stormed back for an impressive <a href="https://apnews.com/article/duke-texas-tech-basketball-score-7590fa2a793e775b434c68fda1d17134">82-81 victory</a> Saturday night before a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden."We were so competitive. In that moment all we wanted to do was win," said Anderson, who played all 40 minutes. "We had some guys foul out. We had some substitution problems just because we had so many fouls and it was a short bench, but we just had a level of fight that was able to win the game."The victory was Texas Tech's first over a top-five foe since defeating No. 1 Baylor 65-62 in January 2022. It also snapped a six-game losing streak versus ranked teams that included close losses this season to Illinois and Arkansas, along with a 30-point defeat against Purdue.Toppin finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. After a slow start, Anderson poured in 13 points over the final 6 1/2 minutes."I started off a little bit sluggish, not fully in tune with the game. But thanks to JT, my other coaches — they kept pushing me to be aggressive if we want to win this game," Anderson said.Before he capped the comeback, the Red Raiders (9-3) appeared headed for another frustrating night against a Top 25 opponent.Texas Tech scored the game's first nine points, yet trailed by 10 at halftime. The Red Raiders faced a 17-point deficit early in the second half, a 12-point deficit with 12:30 left and an 11-point deficit with under 6 1/2 minutes to play.Watts scored 20 points in 27 minutes but fouled out with 11:33 remaining while trying to defend Duke star Cameron Boozer — after Toppin picked up his fourth foul two minutes earlier. Leon Horner also fouled out late in the second half."Just found a way against a lot of adversity to win," Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said.After leading 58-41 with 16 1/2 minutes to go, Duke (11-1) blew a 17-point lead in a loss for the first time since February 2007 against Florida State.The first sign Texas Tech might rally occurred after the Blue Devils took a 63-51 lead on a three-point play by Maliq Brown with 13:12 left.The Red Raiders responded with 10 straight points, and Anderson’s basket got them within two about three minutes later.But the Blue Devils answered and rebuilt their lead to 11 on Boozer’s basket with 6:29 to play. Anderson then took over, hitting three 3-pointers in a span of 3:04 to cut the margin to 76-74.After Anderson's perimeter display, Toppin stepped up with consecutive jumpers, including a baseline shot over Boozer to give the Red Raiders a 78-77 lead with 1:35 left."We kept fighting," Toppin said. "Coach kept saying we were going to win the game down 17, so just kept believing and kept playing together and that’s the outcome."Up nextTexas Tech: Will host Winthrop on Dec. 28.Duke: Will host Georgia Tech in its ACC opener on Dec. 31.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: Lejuan Watts #3 and Christian Anderson #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders react during the first half of the SentinelOne Showdown against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2025 in New York City.

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No. 19 Texas Tech overcomes 17-point deficit to stun No. 3 Duke

PHOENIX (AP) — Koa Peat scored 11 points, Tobe Awaka grabbed 15 rebounds and top-ranked Arizona s...

PHOENIX (AP) — Koa Peat scored 11 points, Tobe Awaka grabbed 15 rebounds and top-ranked Arizona smothered San Diego State for a 68-45 win Saturday night in the Naismith Hall of Fame Series.The Wildcats (11-0) had a hard time getting their free-flowing offense going against the brutish Aztecs (6-4), relying on defense instead.Arizona held San Diego State to 26% shooting from the floor and 1-of-14 from 3-point distance, turning a tight game into a runaway after halftime at the home of the NBA's Phoenix Suns.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Wildcats are one of six remaining unbeaten teams following No. 3 Duke's loss to No. 19 Texas Tech.Reese Dixon-Waters led San Diego State with eight points. Leading scorer BJ Davis had four on 1-of-12 shooting.Arizona won each of its previous five games by at least 20 points, including blowouts over No. 16 Alabama and No. 21 Auburn.The physical Aztecs made it much tougher on the Wildcats, turning nearly every possession into a wrestling match.San Diego State held Arizona to one field goal over a 6 1/2-minute span and forced a string of turnovers while building a 19-11 lead.The Wildcats got back in it with a little defense of their own, closing on an 8-0 run to lead 28-27 at halftime despite going 1 for 10 from behind the arc with 10 turnovers.San Diego State went 8-for-29 from the floor in the first half, including 1-for-7 from 3.Arizona locked in defensively even more to open the second half, holding the Aztecs to 3-of-18 shooting while stretching the lead to 47-34.San Diego State shot 7-of-28 in the second half, missing all seven 3-pointers.Up nextSan Diego State hosts Whittier on Monday.Arizona hosts Bethune-Cookman on Monday.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 20: Motiejus Krivas #13 of the Arizona Wildcats controls a rebound against Miles Heide #40 (L) and Magoon Gwath #0 of the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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No. 1 Arizona shakes off slow start to beat San Diego State

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams felt it as soon as the ball left his hand. Then, in a flash, the Be...

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams felt it as soon as the ball left his hand. Then, in a flash, the Bears were celebrating yet another wild win.Williams <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2002597616039919904">threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore</a> in overtime, and Chicago overcame a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter Saturday night for a 22-16 win over the Green Bay Packers, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/packers-jordan-love-424391c8e1b5afacef2864bd4902ea68">lost quarterback Jordan Love</a> to a concussion.“I knew it was good,” Williams said. “You've got that belief. You've got that confidence. You've got that swagger as an offense. You've practiced well. You've hit plays like that in practice. It was pretty identical to practice. When the play gets called and the moment comes up like that, it's time to go hit it. It's time to go win the game.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Bears (11-4) extended their lead in the NFC North to 1 1/2 games over the Packers (9-5-1) with two to play and got some payback for a loss at Lambeau Field two weeks earlier. It was Chicago's sixth win this season after trailing in the final two minutes and its most incredible — Green Bay had a win probability of 99%.Chicago moved closer to its first postseason trip since 2020 with a rare victory in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry. Counting the playoffs, the Bears are 7-30 against Green Bay since 2008. They would clinch a berth if old nemesis Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday.“This is a special group,” coach Ben Johnson said. “I felt that early in the season. You get with some of those wins — the Raiders game and the Washington game — and you start feeling it, the belief coming. This group — I'm talking about coaches and players combined — it’s rare. It really is.”As for the Packers?“It should hurt because these guys, all of us, we put a lot into this thing and we had opportunities," coach Matt LaFleur said. "You’re up two scores late in the game and unfortunately, it flipped pretty quick.”Bears rallyCairo Santos kicked a 43-yard field goal that got Chicago within 16-9 with 1:59 remaining. The Bears had no choice but to try an onside kick, and <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/2002591905100845338">Josh Blackwell recovered it</a>.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
OUR BALL 😱<a href="https://twitter.com/josh_blackwell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@josh_blackwell</a> recovers the onside kick! <a href="https://t.co/ndrxLJUk5e">pic.twitter.com/ndrxLJUk5e</a>— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/2002591916966261206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Bears tied it with 24 seconds left when Williams beat an all-out blitz on fourth down and lofted a pass to a wide-open Jahdae Walker in the right corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. Johnson opted to have Santos kick the tying extra point rather than go for a 2-point conversion.In overtime, the Packers had fourth-and-1 at the Chicago 36 when backup quarterback Malik Willis fumbled the snap. Chicago took over at the 36 and, four plays later, Moore hauled in the winning TD from Williams with Keisean Nixon draped all over him, setting off a wild celebration.Two weeks earlier, Nixon sealed the Packers’ win when he intercepted Williams' pass in the end zone. This time, the Bears came out on top with a play they installed in the days leading up to the game.“I just had to run, run like I did in practice and connect like we did at practice," Moore said. "It was really a practice rep but we did it in a game. Like I said, it was just amazing that we did it against the Packers.”Love exitsAlready missing Micah Parsons after the star pass rusher sustained a season-ending knee injury in a loss at Denver last week, the Packers had to get by without Love, who took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Chicago’s Austin Booker in the second quarter. Love jogged to the medical tent and then headed to the locker room.Williams completed 19 of 34 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. With eight career fourth-quarter comebacks, he tied Bo Nix's NFL record for quarterbacks in their first two seasons.Moore had 97 yards receiving with Rome Odunze missing his third straight game due to a foot injury. The Bears won their sixth in a row at home since a season-opening loss to Minnesota.Love led two field goal drives and completed 8 of 13 passes for 77 yards before getting hurt. He had nine touchdown passes and only two interceptions in five previous games against Chicago.Willis was 9 of 11 for 121 yards and a touchdown. Romeo Doubs had 84 yards and a touchdown catch, though he also injured his wrist during the game.InjuriesPackers: LB Kristian Welch (ankle) was hurt making a tackle on a kickoff early in the second quarter. ... TE John FitzPatrick (Achilles tendon) was helped off the field in the fourth quarter.Bears: CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee) exited in the fourth quarter.Up nextPackers: Host Baltimore next Saturday.Bears: Visit San Francisco on Dec. 28. ___AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 20: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Soldier Field on December 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Williams throws winning TD in OT, Bears stun Packers in epic NFC North clash

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Had the first College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium ended at halfti...

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Had the first College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium ended at halftime, it would have been a clinical performance by No. 5 Oregon.Even with a lackluster second half, the Ducks breezed by No. 19 James Madison for a 51-34 win on the heels of four touchdown passes by Dante Moore, who also ran for a score.“The whole team understands this wasn’t our best game,” Moore said. “But, at the end of the day, we won the football game.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Ducks (12-1) advanced to face Texas Tech in a quarterfinal game at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. Oregon won a playoff game for the first time since 2014, when the Ducks beat Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinal before losing to Ohio State.James Madison (12-2) dropped Group of Five teams to 0-4 in CFP games. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tulane-ole-miss-cfp-score-9635fc70efa14f401e492b189f41f09b">No. 17 Tulane fell 41-10 at No. 6 Mississippi</a> as well Saturday.Moore completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson less than two minutes into the game to give Oregon a lead it would not relinquish. Johnson hauled in Moore’s pass with his right hand, and romped into the end zone while dragging a pair of defenders.James Madison responded with a 30-yard field goal from Morgan Suarez on its next drive, one which required 15 plays and burned 8:03. The Ducks took over from there, rattling off four straight touchdowns before the Dukes snuck in another field goal from Suarez ahead of halftime, which brought the score to 34-6.“The first couple of drives were great,” Moore said. “We executed, we knew a lot of their defensive schemes coming into this game. (Offensive coordinator Will Stein) and the offensive crew did a great job dissecting their defense. But overall, it was a great game.”In falling behind by such a wide margin, James Madison went away from its rushing attack, which ranked fifth in the nation in average yards per game entering the evening. Coach Bob Chesney lamented James Madison’s struggles on the ground outside of a 49-yard rush by running back Wayne Knight.“There’s bigger runs that happen for us throughout the year where you get through the offensive line, you get into that second level and you’re gone,” Chesney said. “And here, you get to that second level, and just the strength of those guys, being able to put you back into the ground.”With James Madison chasing the lead most of the night, Sun Belt Player of the Year Alonza Barnett III completed 23 of 48 passes, including a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nick DeGennaro on James Madison’s first drive of the third quarter.Oregon promptly responded with two touchdowns, including wide receiver Malik Benson’s second TD and a blocked punt that Jayden Limar scooped and returned 15 yards for a score. James Madison scored the last three touchdowns, which left a sour taste for Lanning and the defense.“There’s a standard here,’ Lanning said. “There’s certainly a standard for performance. Our players know that. They know what championship football looks like and the second half didn’t look like that.”The victory was the Ducks’ seventh straight since losing to No. 1 Indiana 30-20 on Oct. 11. James Madison had won 11 in a row.While the Dukes outscored Oregon in the second half, it wasn’t enough to mount an improbable comeback. It was sufficient to provide Lanning ample bulletin board material ahead of the Ducks’ next game, though.“Everyone knows how Coach Lanning is,” Moore said. “He’s a psycho. He’s gonna push us at practice. He’s gonna put that fire under us.”Secondary strugglesOregon’s pass defense entered the contest third in the nation in fewest yards allowed per game (144.3). Barnett eclipsed that total with ease, nearly doubling it up. James Madison put up the second-most passing yards that any team has against Oregon this season, second only to USC’s 330 yards on Nov. 22.The Ducks’ stout secondary that has shown its holes in recent weeks, and Texas Tech's 10th-ranked passing offense could be primed to pounce in the Orange Bowl.Going out swingingChesney wrapped up his last game as James Madison’s head coach before taking over at UCLA for the 2026 season. In two years with the Dukes, Chesney went 21-6 with the lone Sun Belt Conference title in program history.Former Florida coach Billy Napier has already been hired to replace Chesney, who spoke glowingly of his time with the program after his final game leading the Dukes.“I think that when we came in here two years ago, we knew that this was a program that was steeped in tradition and believed in itself and had a community to support it,” Chesney said, “and I think that it’s only gotten better.”The takeawayOregon: Standout freshman wide receiver Dakorien Moore, who missed Oregon’s last four games with a knee injury, returned to the Ducks’ lineup for the first time since Oct. 25 against Wisconsin. If Moore, the Ducks’ third-leading receiver, is available for the remainder of the CFP, it would provide Oregon’s offense with another dynamic playmaker in the open field when healthy.James Madison: The Dukes’ run defense, which ranked second in the nation in fewest yards per game against, struggled in its second matchup of the season with a Power Four opponent. After allowing less than two total rushing yards to its opponents in three of its last four games, James Madison allowed 201 yards on the ground, including 150 before halftime.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a>

EUGENE, OREGON - DECEMBER 20: Jamari Johnson #9 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during the first quarter against the James Madison Dukes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Autzen Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon.

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Electric start vaults Oregon past JMU to set up Texas Tech matchup

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — New Mississippi coach Pete Golding spent the last minutes of his high-stakes...

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — New Mississippi coach Pete Golding spent the last minutes of his high-stakes debut taking in the smiling faces of his players on the sideline."To know what they've been through, and know the direction that they could have gone," Golding said, alluding to coach Lane Kiffin's departure for LSU. "They came here for some guys that looked like they left them, and they were able to battle through that. And for them to get the outcome that they deserve was awesome."Trinidad Chambliss ran for two touchdowns and passed for another, and No. 6 Mississippi looked unfazed by Kiffin's absence, beating No. 17 Tulane 41-10 on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The juice was there for sure," Chambliss said. "We executed really well."Scoring runs of 20 yards by Kewan Lacy and 4 yards by Chambliss gave sixth-seeded Ole Miss (12-1) a 14-0 lead before eight minutes had elapsed, and 11th-seeded Tulane never got closer than 11 points after that.Lacy's score capped a drive that covered 75 yards in just three plays and took a mere 59 seconds."Super excited for our program, more importantly for our players, to go play again," said Golding, who was promoted from defensive coordinator after Kiffin left on Nov. 30. "That was the message to them throughout: You're playing to play again and not let the season end."Next up for Golding and sixth-seeded Ole Miss: a CFP quarterfinal against No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1."We are excited and thrilled for PG," Chambliss said. "He deserved it."Tulane (11-3) and quarterback Jake Retzlaff moved the ball effectively at times, but the Rebels — who beat the Green Wave 45-10 on Sept. 20 — remained comfortably ahead throughout. Cornerback Jaylon Braxton had an early interception, and the Rebels' defense had multiple fumble recoveries and fourth-down stops."We just could not situationally capitalize on opportunities to maybe get some momentum going to where we could have a fighting chance," said Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, who already has been named Florida's coach, but unlike Kiffin was permitted to lead the Green Wave through the postseason.Kiffin had asked to keep coaching Ole Miss through the playoff even while working for its Southeastern Conference rival, but athletic director Keith Carter would not allow it. So, the Rebels entered arguably the most significant game ever played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium with Golding in charge — not to mention an unprecedented level of looming staff and roster uncertainty for a team contending for a national title.In Mississippi's famed Grove, artwork around tailgate tents depicted Kiffin in a negative light, including one showing him on a Christmas "naughty" list, with Golding in the "nice" column.When Golding walked onto the field during warm-ups, the crowd roared. Fans continued cheering as Eli Manning, a former Ole Miss QB and two-time Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants, greeted the new Rebels coach on the sideline.As the fourth quarter wound down, the crowd chanted: "Pete! Pete! Pete!"On the opposite sideline, Sumrall's hopes of returning to Tulane's home city of New Orleans to prepare for the Sugar Bowl were dashed, and he'll be packing up for Gainesville, Florida."While the outcome tonight sucks — I'm not happy with it and there's nothing about it I feel good about — I still feel good about this football team because we hoisted (an American Conference) championship trophy two weeks ago," Sumrall said.Charlie's offenseUnlike Kiffin, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. was permitted to keep coaching the Rebels before joining Kiffin in Baton Rouge."I expected Charlie to call a great offensive game. All he has heard is: Lane Kiffin's offense, Lane Kiffin's offense, Lane Kiffin's offense," Golding said. "So, the last thing he wanted to do was lay an egg."Chambliss, who briefly left the game late in the first half after a big hit during an 11-yard scramble, finished with 282 yards passing. Lacy rushed for 87 yards before heading to the locker room in the fourth quarter with an apparent left shoulder injury. De'Zhaun Stribling caught five passes for 79 yards, including a 13-yard TD.LSU transfer Logan Diggs added a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.The takeawayTulane: Retzlaff finished with 306 yards passing and a TD for Tulane, whose loss dropped non-power conference teams to 0-3 in CFP games (with James Madison playing at Oregon later Saturday night). Jamauri McClure gained 84 yards on 15 carries. As in the teams’ first meeting, Tulane moved the ball in spurts, finishing with 421 yards, but could sustain drives long enough to score."It was obviously a really good defense we played there tonight," Retzlaff said. "We've got to execute better. It starts with me."Ole Miss: Kiffin's absence didn't inhibit the Rebels’ explosiveness on offense — at least not against a team from a non-power conference. After scoring two TDs in their first seven offensive plays, the Rebels finished 497 yards of total offense, including four plays that went for 25 yards or more.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - DECEMBER 20: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Ole Miss Rebels rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi.

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Ole Miss throttles Tulane in 1st game post-Kiffin

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