Sports

New York Jets cornerback Jason Pinnock tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Dec. 26 in East Rutherford, N.J. (JOHN MUNSON/Associated Press)

New York Jets cornerback Jason Pinnock tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Dec. 26 in East Rutherford, N.J. (JOHN MUNSON/Associated Press)

NFL: Patriots can clinch playoff berth vs. struggling Jaguars

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, December 30, 2021
FOXBOROUGH, Mass.— When the Patriots had their seven-game win streak snapped two weeks ago at Indianapolis, rookie quarterback Mac Jones said the best thing to do was to “flush this game down the toilet and just roll.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with the team after winning the Big Ten championship against Iowa, 42-3, on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis. It was the Wolverines' first Big Ten title in 17 years, which clinched a berth in the College Football Playoff. (AP File)

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with the team after winning the Big Ten championship against Iowa, 42-3, on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis. It was the Wolverines' first Big Ten title in 17 years, which clinched a berth in the College Football Playoff. (AP File)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Surprising Michigan takes run at Georgia's dominate D in CFP

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Just about everything about this season has been a joyride for No. 2 Michigan, the first team to start unranked in the AP Top 25 and reach the College Football Playoff. “We’re happy to be here, but not just happy to be here,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said.
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks to pass from the pocket during the American Athletic Conference championship game against Houston on Dec. 4 in Cincinnati. The fourth-ranked Bearcats (13-0) get their shot in the CFP semifinal Cotton Bowl on Friday against No. 1 defending national champion Alabama. (AP File)

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks to pass from the pocket during the American Athletic Conference championship game against Houston on Dec. 4 in Cincinnati. The fourth-ranked Bearcats (13-0) get their shot in the CFP semifinal Cotton Bowl on Friday against No. 1 defending national champion Alabama. (AP File)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Non-P5 Cincy takes CFP journey to Cotton semi against Bama

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, December 30, 2021
ARLINGTON, Texas — Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder and the breakthrough Bearcats aren’t caught up in what their unprecedented playoff appearance could eventually mean for other non-Power Five teams. This is their journey.
Columbia guard Isaac Broxey flies to the rim to score a basket against Trinity Catholic in the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Wednesday in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey flies to the rim to score a basket against Trinity Catholic in the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Wednesday in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Broxey’s fourth-quarter heroics not enough to lift Columbia past Trinity Catholic

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
ALACHUA — Isaac Broxey unloaded the clip in the fourth quarter. He hit a couple of 3-pointers and scored 12 of his 25 points in the final period. But it still wasn’t enough to pull Columbia out of a 12-point hole against Trinity Catholic in the Hitchcock’s Challenge semifinals.
Columbia guard Isaac Broxey rises to score a layup against Belleview during the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Tuesday in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey rises to score a layup against Belleview during the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Tuesday in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia snaps skid with big win over Belleview at Hitchcock's Challenge

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
ALACHUA — Steve Faulkner will never complain about a victory, especially after a 3-game losing streak. But Columbia’s head coach still wants to see better execution from his team, even after a blowout win over Belleview.
Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden speaks about former quarterback Ken Stabler, pictured at rear, at a ceremony honoring Stabler during halftime of a game between the Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 15, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP File)

Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden speaks about former quarterback Ken Stabler, pictured at rear, at a ceremony honoring Stabler during halftime of a game between the Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 15, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP File)

NFL: John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
​​​​​​John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85. The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.
Dallas Cowboys acting head coach Dan Quinn walks the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 2 in New Orleans. (BRETT DUKE/Associated Press)

Dallas Cowboys acting head coach Dan Quinn walks the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 2 in New Orleans. (BRETT DUKE/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars line up 8 interviews for head coaching vacancy

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars lined up eight interviews for their head coaching vacancy Tuesday, including five coordinators who are headed to the playoffs.
New Florida head football coach Billy Napier, right, and athletic director Scott Stricklin pose for a photo as Napier is introduced during a news conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Dec. 5 in Gainesville. (BRAD MCCLENNY via AP)

New Florida head football coach Billy Napier, right, and athletic director Scott Stricklin pose for a photo as Napier is introduced during a news conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Dec. 5 in Gainesville. (BRAD MCCLENNY via AP)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Florida AD Stricklin gets extension, nearly doubles salary

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, December 27, 2021
GAINESVILLE — Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin received a three-year contract extension that nearly doubled his salary and made him one of the highest-paid administrators in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.
New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley strip sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Sunday's game in East Rutherford, N.J. (JOHN MUNSON/Associated Press)

New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley strip sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during Sunday's game in East Rutherford, N.J. (JOHN MUNSON/Associated Press)

ANALYSIS: Jaguars set to start interview process for next head coach

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, December 27, 2021
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting an earlier-than-usual start on their coaching search. This time, owner Shad Khan doesn’t have his guy already lined up.