U.S./World Sports category, Page 197
Flawed but resilient, No. 1 Alabama peaking at right time
Down to the last play of the regular season, this Alabama team managed to bounce off the ropes when it seemed most vulnerable. It is unlike some previous Nick Saban powerhouses that seemingly have been destined for the national title game — barring a shocker along the way — from...
This date in sports history: Jan. 6
1951 — The Indianapolis Olympians beat the Rochester Royals 75-73 in six overtimes, the longest game in NBA history. 1976 — Ted Turner, a millionaire communications executive and internationally known yachtsman, buys the Atlanta Braves for a reported $10-to-12 million. 1980 — The Los Angeles Rams, behind three field goals...
Top players Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay back from long layoffs for Tournament of ChampionsVideo
KAPALUA, Hawaii — The sweeping views of the Pacific beyond the lush landscape of Kapalua put the soul at ease and can make the first PGA Tour event of the year feel like part work, part vacation. Patrick Cantlay and Jon Rahm have had enough of the latter. Rahm, the...
Mid-major pop-up game pits San Francisco, Loyola ChicagoVideo
This college basketball season feels like an extension of the last one, the coronavirus leaving pauses, cancellations and postponements in its wake. A beacon of basketball brilliance has risen from the ashes: two of the nation’s best mid-majors squaring off in a junior college gym. Struggling to find opponents amid...
Novak Djokovic denied entry to Australia, has visa canceled
BRISBANE, Australia — Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia and had his visa canceled after arriving in Melbourne late Wednesday to defend his title at the season-opening tennis major. The Australian Border Force issued a statement early Thursday local time saying Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet...
History not on Alabama’s side in CFP championship rematch vs. GeorgiaVideo
A mere 37 days after they last played, Alabama faces Georgia again with a national championship on the line. History shows how tough it is to win again in the rematch. Nick Saban knows that first-hand — from the losing side. During the 2011 season, Saban’s Crimson Tide were edged...
Djokovic medical exemption sparks Australian Open debate
BRISBANE, Australia — With so much focus on getting the medical exemption he needed to fly into Melbourne to defend his Australian Open title, it seems Novak Djokovic may not have paid enough to attention to his visa. The medical exemption allowed the top-ranked Djokovic entry to the tournament regardless...
This date in sports history: Jan. 5
1964 — Keith Lincoln of the San Diego Chargers, rushes for 206 yards in 13 carries, catches seven passes for 123 yards, completes one pass for 20 and scores two touchdowns in a 51-10 rout of the Boston Patriots for the AFL title. 1983 — In his 42nd game, Edmonton’s...
Novak Djokovic given medical exemption to play at Australian Open
BRISBANE, Australia — Novak Djokovic will get a chance to defend his Australian Open title after receiving a medical exemption to travel to Melbourne, ending months of uncertainty about his participation because of the strict covid-19 vaccination requirements in place for the tournament. The top-ranked Djokovic wrote on Instagram on...
Kirby Smart, Georgia trying to stop skid against Nick Saban, AlabamaVideo
The Georgia Bulldogs aren’t the only team having a tough time beating fellow SEC powerhouse Alabama. They’re just the only one that gets another shot in the season’s biggest game. The No. 3 Bulldogs have the kind of talent-rich roster that appears built to give the top-ranked Crimson Tide a...
Cincinnati CB Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner departing early for NFL DraftVideo
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati has lost two stars from its College Football Playoff team to the NFL Draft. The school announced Tuesday that junior cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner declared for the draft, one day after junior running back Jerome Ford said he would do the same. The pair helped the Bearcats...
CFP championship: Matchups that will decide ‘Bama-Georgia IIVideo
The last time No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia played, things could not have gone much better for the Crimson Tide. Alabama dropped 41 points on the Bulldogs, more than double the next-highest total they have allowed this season, in the SEC title game Dec. 4. Bryce Young shredded...
Doug Ferguson: New year starts with a familiar question about WoodsVideo
KAPALUA, Hawaii — The largest winners-only field ever assembled at Kapalua can make it seem as though getting to paradise isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Try telling that to Dustin Johnson, who will not be starting a new year on Maui for only the second time since...
This date in sports history: Jan. 4
1970 — The Minnesota Vikings become the first expansion team to win the NFL title by beating the Cleveland Browns 27-7 in 8-degree temperatures in Bloomington, Minn. 1970 — Kansas City’s defense, highlighted by four interceptions, three in the final quarter, carries the Chiefs to a 17-7 victory over Oakland...
Oklahoma freshman QB Caleb Williams enters portal, says Sooners an optionVideo
Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams said Monday he is entering his name in the transfer portal so he can speak with other schools, but he has not ruled out staying with the Sooners. The freshman and former five-star recruit from Washington, D.C., who was recruited to Oklahoma by then-head coach Lincoln...
Latrobe grad Bryce Butler emerges as leader for West Liberty men’s basketball teamVideo
In his time as a coach with the West Liberty men’s basketball team — six seasons as an assistant and now in his fifth as the head coach — Ben Howlett has seen his share of freshmen come into the program. And of all of them, the one Howlett said...
No. 6 Baylor tops No. 8 Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl; QB Matt Corral hurt
NEW ORLEANS — A Sugar Bowl showdown against Mississippi and coach Lane Kiffin’s explosive, Southeastern Conference-leading offense provided a high-profile platform for Baylor to validate its old-school formula of ball control and aggressive defense. Al Walcott set a Sugar Bowl record with a 96-yard interception return, Monaray Baldwin raced 48...
No. 25 Kentucky rallies late to beat No. 17 Iowa 20-17Video
ORLANDO, Fla. — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz knew from experience that his vaunted defense would be challenged trying to contain dynamic Kentucky receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in the Citrus Bowl. With the game on the line, Ferentz looked on in horror as Robinson made the most spectacular play of the day...
No. 7 Ohio State beats No. 10 Utah in wild Rose Bowl
PASADENA, Calif. — C.J. Stroud capped his record-setting offensive day by leading a 56-yard drive ending in Noah Ruggles’ 19-yard field goal with nine seconds to play, and No. 7 Ohio State beat No. 10 Utah 48-45 on Saturday night in the wild 108th edition of the Rose Bowl. Stroud...
No. 9 Oklahoma State beats No. 5 Notre Dame 37-35 in FiestaVideo
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Oklahoma State was a step slow in the first half, appearing to be stuck in the desert sand while Notre Dame raced around the field. A quick scoring drive just before halftime gave the No. 9 Cowboys a spark, and they rode it one of the biggest...
CFP title game QBs: Former 5-star recruit vs. former walk-onVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — Bryce Young is a former five-star recruit who won the Heisman Trophy in his first season as Alabama’s starting quarterback. Stetson Bennett is a former walk-on who became the starter at Georgia and never really lost the confidence of his teammates. They will meet again in the...
Hank Aaron, Lee Elder overcame hate to achieve records, milestones
Henry Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. They both overcame racist threats to reach milestones that will always be part of sports lore. “Hammerin’ Hank” supplanted Babe...
Repeat or revenge: Alabama vs. Georgia, again, for CFP title
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Alabama has a chance to repeat. Georgia has a chance for revenge. The rematch is set, and it will decide the College Football Playoff national championship. After a pair of easy wins in the semifinals on Friday night, the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs — the...
Angry Dawgs: No. 3 Georgia beats No. 2 Michigan in CFP
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — With one overwhelming half at the Orange Bowl, No. 3 Georgia showed that a humbling loss to Alabama did not break the Bulldogs. In fact, it might have made them even stronger. Stetson Bennett threw three touchdown passes, Nakobe Dean led an angry defense and Georgia...
No. 1 Alabama runs over No. 4 Cincinnati in College Football Playoff semifinalVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — Brian Robinson Jr. ran for a career-high 204 yards and top-ranked Alabama rolled into yet another national championship game by overwhelming the first non-Power Five team to make the College Football Playoff. Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes while mostly avoiding Cincinnati’s standout cornerbacks,...
