Sports

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) blows kisses to the stands after a touchdown against LSU on Dec. 5 in Baton Rouge, La. (MATTHEW HINTON/Associated Press)

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) blows kisses to the stands after a touchdown against LSU on Dec. 5 in Baton Rouge, La. (MATTHEW HINTON/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Tide, Irish, Tigers, Buckeyes hold steady atop CFP rankings

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
For the third straight week, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State held on to the top four spots in the College Football Playoff rankings. The selection committee’s second-from-last rankings had only a little movement in the top 10. Texas A&M is still fifth and Florida held at sixth.
Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) throws a pass against South Carolina on Oct. 3 in Gainesville. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) throws a pass against South Carolina on Oct. 3 in Gainesville. (AP FILE PHOTO)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Stalled ground game? Pass-happy Florida simply happy passing

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Dan Mullen doesn’t even really bother trying to run the ball anymore. Sure, the sixth-ranked Gators hand it off here and there, mostly when they’re leading and/or trying to run out the clock. But they’re as one-dimensional as any Florida team in nearly two decades.
CHS

CHS

GIRLS SOCCER: Columbia rallies to top Keystone Heights

NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 7, 2020
Columbia rallied from a one-goal deficit at halftime to defeat Keystone Heights 2-1 on the road Monday night. Jaden Rolle and Skyler Ziegaus both scored a goal for the Lady Tigers (4-3-3), with Ziegaus recording an assist on Rolle’s goal.
Columbia’s Marcus Peterson scrambles up the field against St. Augustine during Friday’s Region 1-6A final. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s Marcus Peterson scrambles up the field against St. Augustine during Friday’s Region 1-6A final. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Future is bright for Columbia with several set to return in 2021

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, December 7, 2020
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year at Columbia. Twenty seniors graduated in the spring, leaving holes at several positions. Then came covid-19, shutting down spring ball and summer workouts with it.  It was the worst case scenario for the Tigers.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey (5) makes a 23-yard field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars to win the game in overtime at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday in Minneapolis, MN. (JERRY HOLT/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey (5) makes a 23-yard field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars to win the game in overtime at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday in Minneapolis, MN. (JERRY HOLT/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

ANALYSIS: Wild Sunday ride ends with Lawrence slipping from Jags' grip

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, December 7, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — For a wild few minutes Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars had Trevor Lawrence in their grasp. They could almost envision him in a teal and black No. 16 jersey.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon (center) is tackled for a safety by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, right, on Sunday in Minneapolis. (BRUCE KLUCKHOHN/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon (center) is tackled for a safety by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, right, on Sunday in Minneapolis. (BRUCE KLUCKHOHN/Associated Press)

NFL: Mistakes abound as Jaguars collapse again in OT loss to Vikings

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, December 6, 2020
MINNEAPOLIS — When Joe Schobert reached the end zone after his 43-yard interception return on the first play of the second half, the Jacksonville Jaguars had their biggest lead of the season at 10 points. Leading 16-6, the Jaguars were poised to put a big dent in Minnesota’s playoff bid.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (10) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, right, after catching a pass on Sunday in Minneapolis. (BRUCE KLUCKHOHN/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (10) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, right, after catching a pass on Sunday in Minneapolis. (BRUCE KLUCKHOHN/Associated Press)

NFL: Vikings outlast error-prone Jags on Bailey's OT kick

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, December 6, 2020
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings have made it all the way back to even after their 1-5 start, fully in the running for the playoffs entering the final quarter of the season. Staying in the picture will require far better performances than this.
UF

UF

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida cruises past Stetson in home opener

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, December 6, 2020
GAINESVILLE — Keyontae Johnson scored 19 points, Scottie Lewis had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Florida beat Stetson 86-40 on Sunday in the Gators' home opener. Johnson's dunk started a 9-0 run to give Florida a 16-5 lead, and the Gators led by double figures for the rest of the game.
Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes (8) runs with the ball against Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. (RANDY SARTIN/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes (8) runs with the ball against Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn. (RANDY SARTIN/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: No. 6 Florida runs past Tennessee to win SEC East

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, December 5, 2020
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 6 Florida had some trouble on the ground. The air was no problem. Kyle Trask threw for 433 yards and four touchdowns, and the Gators beat Tennessee 31-19 on Saturday to clinch a spot in the SEC championship game.