National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, left, talks with Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, right, before an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Texas will try to bid farewell to the Big 12 with a bookend title. The seventh-ranked and SEC-bound Longhorns won the inaugural Big 12 championship game in 1996, and now play their last one against No. 19 Oklahoma State on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

Big 12 committed to title game even with CFP expansion and changes in league, Yormark says

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark says his still-evolving conference remains committed to having a championship game even as the College Football Playoff expands from four to 12 teams after this … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 12/2/23

An Oregon fan waves a sign noting the final game of the Pac-12 Conference, during the second half of the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game between Washington and Oregon on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Pac-12 ends on a high note, but the future is much more daunting for 2 remaining schools

George Kliavkoff followed the custom for a conference commissioner and handed the Pac-12 Championship trophy to Washington coach Kalen DeBoer. Kliavkoff then quickly got out of the way. He has been … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 12/2/23

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) backs down Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Nikola Jokic has 21 points, 16 assists, Nuggets hold off Suns 119-111

Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 16 assists, Reggie Jackson added 20 points and the Denver Nuggets held off the Phoenix Suns 119-111 for a hard-fought victory Friday night. Down 17 in the first half, … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 12/2/23

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) moves the ball up court as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Kevin Durant becomes No. 10 scorer in NBA history, passing Moses Malone

Phoenix forward Kevin Durant moved into 10th place on the NBA’s career scoring list Friday night in the second quarter of the Suns’ 119-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The 35-year-old Phoenix … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 12/2/23

Washington running back Dillon Johnson holds the trophy after Washington defeated Oregon in the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

No. 3 Washington rallies to beat No. 5 Oregon 34-31 and secure playoff spot

Michael Penix Jr. passed for 319 yards and a touchdown, Dillon Johnson ran for 152 yards and two TDs and No. 3 Washington wrapped up a spot in the College Football Playoff, beating No. 5 Oregon 34-31 … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 12/2/23

Northwestern guard Boo Buie (0) drives to the basket past Purdue guard Ethan Morton (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Buie stars as Northwestern tops Edey and No. 1 Purdue for 2nd straight season

Boo Buie scored seven of his 31 points in overtime to help Northwestern beat Zach Edey and No. 1 Purdue for the second straight season, winning 92-88 in the Big Ten opener for each school. Buie also … more

By JAY COHEN | 12/2/23

CORRECTS LAST NAME OF COACH TO CHADWELL, INSTEAD OF FALWELL - Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell waves after the team's win over New Mexico State during the Conference USA championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Lynchburg, Va. (Paige Dingler/The News & Advance via AP)

Kaidon Salter leads unbeaten No. 20 Liberty past New Mexico State 49-35 for C-USA title

Kaidon Salter threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and undefeated No. 20 Liberty maintained its hopes of a New Year’s Six bowl bid, beating New Mexico State 49-35 in the Conference USA … more

By BEN CATES | 12/2/23

FILE - New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Rodgers spoke to local reporters Thursday, Nov. 30, and said he's not yet close to being able to play after tearing his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut with the Jets on Sept. 11. But he also left open the door for him to be back under center before his initial goal of Dec. 24, saying he plans to ramp up his practice activities next week. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Rodgers' potential return just an 'external motivator' as Jets try to get back to winning

The New York Jets’ playoff hopes could get a big boost with a victory Sunday. Same for the chances of an improbable comeback attempt by Aaron Rodgers. The Jets are mired in a four-game skid but … more

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. | 12/1/23

Florida cornerback Jaydon Hill, left, and safety Bryce Thornton, right, hit Florida State quarterback Tate Rodemaker, center, as he slides during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla. Hill was charged with targeting and was ejected. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

No. 4 Florida State QB Rodemaker a game-time decision vs No. 15 Louisville in ACC title game

No. 4 Florida State might have to turn to third-string quarterback Brock Glenn to start the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against 15th-ranked Louisville on Saturday night. Tate … more

12/1/23

Oregon State, Washington State, Mountain West agree to 6-game football scheduling arrangement in '24

Oregon State, Washington State and the Mountain West have announced a football scheduling agreement for the 2024 season. It gives the two schools six opponents each and keeps open the possibility … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 12/1/23

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) is walked off the field by trainers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

RB Aaron Jones will miss 2nd straight game when Packers host Chiefs

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones will miss a second straight game Sunday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Lambeau Field. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said … more

12/1/23

Ryan Blaney, foreground, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Cup at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Ryan Blaney helps Roger Penske celebrate 1st back-to-back NASCAR championships in storied career

The playoff beard had been shaved off well before fresh-faced Ryan Blaney arrived in Nashville to celebrate his first NASCAR championship. There was no way Roger Penske would silently sit by if the … more

By JENNA FRYER | 11/30/23

Tiger Woods hits from the first fairway during the first round of the Hero World Challenge PGA Tour at the Albany Golf Club, in New Providence, Bahamas, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Tiger Woods has a sloppy finish for a 75 in his return in the Bahamas

Tiger Woods made a solid return to golf until he limped home in the Bahamas. That was more about his golf than his fused right ankle. Woods dropped four shots in a three-hole stretch toward the end … more

11/30/23

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) interacts with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the team's win over the New York Jets during an NFL football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)

Jets' Aaron Rodgers still focused on playing again this season and perhaps before Dec. 24

Aaron Rodgers fully intends to play again this season for the New York Jets and he hasn’t ruled out being back on the field in a few weeks. The quarterback has been making a remarkably quick … more

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. | 11/30/23

UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) looks to shoot over New Hampshire forward Davide Poser (15) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

No. 4 UConn heads to No. 5 Kansas for rare matchup of the past two national champions

Fourth-ranked UConn is headed to fifth-ranked Kansas on Friday night for a rare showdown involving the past two national champions. Most of the time these days, such high-profile showdowns are lured … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 11/30/23

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Corey Perry (94) warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Corey Perry says he's seeking help for alcohol abuse after the Blackhawks terminated his contract

Corey Perry says he has begun working with mental health and substance abuse experts to discuss his struggles with alcohol after the Chicago Blackhawks terminated his contract for engaging “in … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 11/30/23

Florida State quarterback Tate Rodemaker (18) waves to fans as he leaves the field after the team's win over Florida in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

No. 4 Florida State is tabling playoff talk. The ACC title game, No. 15 Louisville are on the clock

Florida State wasn’t dominant against its archrival, but the No. 4 Seminoles were effective enough to remain unbeaten — and to pop back into the College Football Playoff’s top four. The No. 4 … more

By GARY B. GRAVES | 11/30/23

Southern California guard Bronny James joins teammates on the court during warmups for an NCAA college basketball game against Seton Hall on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in San Diego. James suffered a cardiac arrest in July. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

USC's Bronny James cleared by doctors for return to basketball 4 months after cardiac arrest

Bronny James has been cleared by doctors for a full return to basketball four months after suffering a cardiac arrest. The Southern California freshman is expected to make his collegiate debut soon. … more

By BETH HARRIS | 11/30/23

NASCAR Points Champion Ryan Blaney, center, laughs during the NASCAR Champions Car Parade in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (Denny Simmons/The Tennessean via AP)

Roger Penske pumps brakes on NASCAR champ Ryan Blaney's Indy 500 ambitions. Larson to attempt double

Ryan Blaney already has his eyes on another prize. The Indianapolis 500. Roger Penske says NASCAR’s reigning Cup champion has inquired about running “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Kyle … more

By JENNA FRYER | 11/30/23

FILE - Former UCLA NCAA college basketball coach John Wooden listens during a news conference in Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 9, 2005. A limited edition stamp honoring the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden will go on sale early next year. The U.S. Postal Service announced the Wooden stamp on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.(AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

Stamp honoring UCLA's John Wooden to be released in 2024

A limited-edition stamp honoring the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden will go on sale early next year. He is the second college basketball coach to be honored with a stamp, joining the game’s … more

11/30/23