Alabama rallies from 17-point deficit to beat Oklahoma 34-24 in College Football Playoff
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Ty Simpson passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns as No. 9 seed Alabama rallied to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the College Football Playoff first round. Alabama overcame a 17-point deficit. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks scored twice, marking his first touchdowns of the season. This is Alabama’s first playoff appearance under coach Kalen DeBoer. Oklahoma’s John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns but had a costly interception. Alabama advanced to face No. 1 seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer claps back at critics following comeback victory at Oklahoma in playoff
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer addressed doubts about his team after their College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma. Critics questioned Alabama’s inclusion after a tough loss to Georgia, while Notre Dame was left out. Rumors about DeBoer leaving for Michigan prompted him to affirm his commitment to Alabama. On Friday, Alabama overcame a 17-0 deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24, securing a spot in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal against Indiana. DeBoer expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing their resilience. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and linebacker Deontae Lawson acknowledged the media’s role in motivating them.
Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul in 6th round to win heavyweight fight
MIAMI (AP) — Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their heavyweight fight. The two-time heavyweight champion displayed why he is one of the sport’s elite punchers when he dropped the fading Paul twice in the fifth round. The YouTuber went down again in the sixth. Although Paul (12-2) reached his feet, Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) finally crushed Paul’s upset dream when he dropped him a fourth time with a right to the head. Paul was counted out at 1:31 of the round in front of a capacity crowd of 19,600 at the Kaseya Center. Paul later reported that his jaw was broken in two spots.
Jake Paul reports ‘double broken jaw’ from his KO loss to Anthony Joshua
MIAMI (AP) — Jake Paul sustained a “double broken jaw” in his loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The YouTuber confirmed the damage early Saturday. Joshua scored a sixth-round knockout victory over Paul who later posted an X-ray showing a jaw broken in two spots. Paul wrote in a social media post: “Double broken jaw.” He also said “thanks for all the support I’m OK.” Joshua ended the heavyweight bout with a powerful punch to Paul’s jaw, sending the American to the canvas for the fourth and final time. Paul was counted out as he struggled to get to his feet.
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham signs 5-year extension averaging $7.5M a year, AP source says
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State has signed football coach Kenny Dillingham to a five-year contract extension that will raise his average annual salary to $7.5 million. That’s according to a person familiar with the contract who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because it was not yet announced. The deal also will increase Arizona State’s salary pool for assistant coaches to $11 million, one of the highest in the Big 12, the person said. The extension takes Dillingham out of the running for the top job at Michigan, which fired Sherrone Moore last week.
Kansas City Chiefs close to leaving Arrowhead Stadium for new home in Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are close to moving from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new stadium in Kansas. The Legislative Coordinating Council plans to meet Monday in Topeka, Kansas, to consider funding up to 70% of the project. The Chiefs and Kansas City Royals have played in Missouri for over 50 years, but their leases expire in January 2031. Voters in Jackson County rejected a sales tax extension last year to finance renovations. Kansas offers a potential new location at The Legends, a commercial area with existing infrastructure. Missouri risks losing another team after the Rams moved to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Angels settle lawsuit with family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs over fatal overdose
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have settled a lawsuit over the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The decision to settle was reached Friday after a two-month civil trial in Southern California. Authorities say Skaggs died in 2019 after snorting a fentanyl-laced pill provided by the team’s communications director, Eric Kay. Skaggs’ relatives filed a lawsuit alleging the MLB team knew or should have known Kay was a drug addict and dealing painkillers to players. The team said officials didn’t know Skaggs was taking drugs and would have sought him help if they did. The Skaggs family says the confidential settlement closes a painful process.
NTSB unclear who was at controls in jet crash that killed ex-NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and 6 others
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Federal investigators are trying to determine why a business jet carrying retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others crashed shortly after takeoff in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 hit light poles and trees before erupting into flames on Thursday, killing everyone on board. The plane had departed Statesville Regional Airport but crashed less than 10 minutes later while attempting to return. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder but have not identified the lead pilot. The plane’s speed and altitude fluctuated significantly, suggesting the crew experienced an issue. The Statesville airport remains closed during the investigation.
NBA tweaks its injury reporting rules, still wants changes to prop betting
The NBA has reminded teams it wants to control betting types on its games. This move follows the arrests of Miami guard Terry Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups on gambling-related charges. On Friday, the league announced changes to its policies, including injury reporting and safety measures for players and coaches. Teams must now resubmit injury reports on game days to promote transparency. The NBA will also enhance training on betting rules and update its Fan Code of Conduct to protect against harassment. Additionally, referee Eric Lewis has been reinstated to the G League after a social media investigation.
Haaland’s 2 in Man City win over West Ham gives him more Premier League goals than Ronaldo
Erling Haaland continues to motor along at better than a goal a game for Manchester City in the Premier League. His latest victim was West Ham in a 3-0 win for City. The Norway striker scored in each half to move to 19 goals in 17 matches in this campaign and also set up Tijjani Reijnders’ goal. The victory lifted City into first place, a point ahead Arsenal before the deposed leader’s match at Everton later. Haaland’s double gave him 104 in the Premier League, one more than Cristiano Ronaldo having played 122 games fewer. Chelsea has recovered to draw at Newcastle 2-2. Wolverhampton remains winless after 17 games by losing to Brentford 2-0.
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