Sports

No. 7-ranked Notre Dame earned a decisive 27-17 victory over No. 10 Indiana in the opening game of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday night in South Bend, Indiana. The Fighting Irish now turn their attention to their highly anticipated matchup against top-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. This win marked a significant moment for Notre Dame, as they demonstrated their defensive supremacy and postseason readiness in front of their home crowd. . The game started with a bang as Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love stunned fans with a breathtaking 98-yard touchdown run. This first play set the tone for what would become a defensive showcase for the Irish. Indiana, despite entering the game with one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, found itself struggling to...

One was the resilient, conference-champion team that stormed into the College Football Playoff with determination, a breakout season fueled by star running back Ashton Jeanty, and a legacy of excellence among Group of 5 programs. The other was a team outmatched, overwhelmed and wracked by mistakes in a 31-14 loss to Penn State. For Broncos fans, the outcome was bittersweet. Boise State's improbable run to the CFP quarterfinals deserves to be celebrated, but the loss also underscored the challenge of competing at the highest level against a stronger, more talented team. Penn State, the Big Ten's runner-up and No. 6 seed, controlled the game from start to finish, capitalizing on Boise State's four turnovers and 13 penalties. While the Broncos showed flashes of brilliance, outgain...

The NBA All-Star Game is set to undergo another major transformation, as the league announced a new three-team mini-tournament format for this year's event in San Francisco. Featuring the league's top 24 players alongside the team that wins the Rising Stars Challenge, this format marks the third significant change to the All-Star format since 2020. The objective of the championship? To make the event more competitive or, at the very least, more entertaining for the fans watching from home. “I think we've reached a point where the modern All-Star Game is as much about entertainment as it is about competition,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday during an interview with Athletic and other media. Reflecting on last year's game in Indianapolis, which featured high-scorin...

Franz Wagner has been a cornerstone for the Orlando Magic this season, stepping up at critical moments to keep the team competitive, especially after All-Star forward Paolo Banchero suffered a torn oblique early in the season. season. Now, in a twist of fate, Wagner finds himself sidelined by the same injury, dealing a significant setback to a team that has relied heavily on his contributions to stay afloat. The Magic announced Saturday that Wagner suffered a torn right oblique during Friday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team said Wagner will be out indefinitely, with his recovery time depending on how he responds to treatment. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks, but is likely to miss more time. This injury comes at an inopportune time for Orlando, which has exceeded expecta...

The University of Central Florida (UCF) has reportedly contacted representatives of USC coach Lincoln Riley as part of its search for a new football coach to replace Gus Malzahn. According to sources familiar with the discussions, there has been no clear indication that Riley is considering the move, nor has UCF received any signs of interest from his camp. Currently in the third season of a 10-year contract with USC, Riley makes about $10 million a year. His deal, which is not made public because of USC's private institution status, would likely pose significant financial hurdles for any program trying to lure him away. Industry estimates suggest that parting ways with Riley prematurely would cost about $90 million, even though she would owe the school nothing if she chose to leave vo...

Anthony Edwards, known for his fearless demeanor on and off the court, didn't hold back after the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a 115-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The young star, now in his fifth NBA season, offered a blunt criticism of his team's performances, pointing to internal problems as the root of their recent decline. “We are soft (heck) as a team, but not in the way we deal with opponents – internally we are soft,” Edwards said. “We don't communicate, we act like a bunch of kids. This is the reality and if we don't face it, we will be going in the wrong direction." The Timberwolves, who made it to the Western Conference finals in 2024, have fallen on hard times. After a promising 6-3 start to the season, they have now lost four straight games and seven of t...

Liverpool produced a commanding performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving Carlo Ancelotti's side reeling. Among those under most scrutiny was Kylian Mbappe, whose disappointing performance, capped by a missed penalty, added to an already challenging start to his time at the Spanish club. With Vinicius Junior unavailable due to injury, the stage seemed set for Mbappe to shine and cement his place as the cornerstone of Real Madrid's attack. Instead, the French striker faltered, failing to take advantage of key opportunities and struggling to establish himself against an energetic Liverpool side. Mbappe's frustration was evident all night, and his struggles culminated at the final whistle. After losing possession for the fifteenth time, a sequen...

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) football has seen significant growth over the past decade, first gaining national attention under Lane Kiffin and continuing to carve out its niche under Willie Taggart and Tom Herman. Now, with Herman's departure, the Owls are embarking on what's shaping up to be one of the hottest coaching searches in college football this year. Adding an unexpected twist to the process, Miami legend Ray Lewis has reportedly expressed a strong desire to take the helm of FAU. According to a source familiar with Lewis' intentions, the Pro Football Hall of Famer is preparing to present a vision to FAU leadership, outlining how he would revitalize the program in a manner similar to Deion Sanders' transformational work in Colorado. At 49, Lewis is an NFL icon,...

Alexander Mogilny will not be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year, continuing a 15-year wait that has drawn growing criticism from fans and analysts alike. Disappointment at his exclusion was clear and passionate, with various media outlets describing it as "inexcusable", "a disgrace" and even "ridiculous". Many firmly believe that Mogilny deserves a place among hockey's elite, citing his impressive career accomplishments, including an outstanding season, impressive statistics and numerous accolades. His journey from the Soviet Union to the NHL was groundbreaking, making him a true pioneer of the sport. Despite the strong case for his appointment, there appears to be a lingering air of confusion regarding the reasons for his exclusion. While it's true that the Hockey Ha...

Joel Embiid is set to make his long-awaited return to the Philadelphia 76ers this week, bringing a glimmer of hope to a team that has struggled mightily without him. The two-time scoring champion is expected to start against the New York Knicks as the teams advance to the round-robin round of the NBA Cup, marking his first appearance of the season after a series of setbacks. A turbulent season so far Embiid's journey has been tumultuous — from winning Olympic gold to signing a contract extension to dealing with a knee injury and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a member of the media. The 76ers currently sit at a disappointing 2-7, one of the worst records in the NBA, underscoring their reliance on Embiid's elite play. “Without the big man, we're not where we want...