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  • Florida lands state’s strongest recruiting class on Early Signing Day

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    FLORIDA — In terms of sheer numbers among Florida’s college football teams, USF came out on top Wednesday, Early Signing Day, with 25 signees, but Florida got 23 players to formally commit and was ranked No. 11 nationally, seventh in the Southeastern Conference and No. 1 among the state’s teams by 247sports.com.

    Miami was close behind, ranked No. 15 nationally and first among Atlantic Coast Conference schools, and Florida State was 27th nationally and third in the ACC by 247sports.com.

    On a national level, USF was ranked No. 62 nationally and No. 2 in the American Athletic Conference.

    UCF, with just nine signees, was No. 72 nationally and No. 16, dead last, in the Big 12. Early Signing Day came just four days after Gus Malzahn resigned as head coach and was named offensive coordinator at Florida State.

    Rankings can be subjective but are based upon the strength of the rankings of individual players as well as the number of recruits signed. 

    Here are the recruits signed by each program

    University of Florida signees

    • Vernell Brown III, Orlando Jones, 5 feet 11, 175 pounds, wide receiver
    • Waltez “Duke” Clark, Tampa Plant, 6 feet, 3/4 inch, running back
    • Hayden Craig, Mercier, Quebec, Canada Bridgton Academy, 6 feet 1, 223 pounds, punter
    • Tavaris “TJ” Dice, College Park, Ga., Langston Hughes, 6 feet 3.75 inches, 302 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Chad Gasper Jr., Katy, Texas Katy Jordan, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 208 pounds, running back
    • Ben Hanks III, Overtown Booker T. Washington, 6 feet 1, 170 pounds, defensive back
    • Lagonza Hayward, Lyons, Ga., Toombs County, 6 feet 1, 200 pounds, defensive back
    • Ty Jackson, Fort Lauderdale Seminole Ridge, 6 feet, 1.5 inches 205 pounds, inside linebacker
    • Myles Johnson, Brewton, Ala. T.R. Miller, 6 feet, 1/2 inch, 213 pounds, inside linebacker
    • Micah Jones, Madison, Miss., Madison Central, 6 feet 4, 252 pounds, tight end
    • Tramell “TJ” Jones Jr., Jacksonville, Mandarin, 6 feet, 180 pounds, quarterback
    • Byron Louis, Miramar American Heritage, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 206 pounds, running back
    • Joseph Mbatchou, Loganville, Ga. Grayson, 6 feet, 4 inches, 283 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Jeramiah McCloud, Sylvester, Ga., Lee County, 6 feet, 2.75 inches, 289 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Jahari Medlock, Atlanta Charles Drew, 6 feet 5 inches, 281 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Naeshaun “Nae” Montgomery, Miami Central, 6 feet, 1.5 inches, 178 pounds, wide receiver
    • Evan Noel, Bay St. Louis, Miss. St. Stanislaus, 6 feet, 1/4 inch, 154 pounds, kicker
    • Daniel Pierre-Louis, Royal Palm Beach, Seminole Ridge, 6 feet, 4.25 inches, 332 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Stephon “Trell” Shivers, Humboldt, Tenn., Brentwood Academy, 6 feet 4 inches, 384 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Drake Stubbs, Jacksonville Mandarin, 6 feet, 1 inch, 187 pounds, defensive back
    • Muizz Tounkara, League City, Texas Clear Springs, 6 feet, 3 inches, 196 pounds, wide receiver
    • Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee James Rickards, 6 feet, 4 inches, 257 pounds, edge rusher
    • Jayden Woods, Shawnee, Kan., Mill Valley, 6 feet, 3 inches, 229 pounds, edge rusher

    Miami signees

    • SJ Alofaituli, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 6 feet, 3 inches, 280 pounds, offensive line
    • Jaboree Antoine, New Iberia, La., Westgate, 6 feet, 1 inch, 170 pounds, defensive back 
    • Max Buchanan, Sanford Seminole, 6 feet, 4 inches, 275 pounds, offensive line
    • Demetrius Campbell, Orlando Christian Prep, 6 feet, 6 inches, 300 pounds, offensive line
    • Chris Ewald Jr., Sunrise Chaminade-Madonna Prep, 6 feet, 165 pounds, defensive back
    • Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami Christopher Columbus, 6 feet, 1/2 inch, 172 pounds, defensive back
    • Luka Gilbert, West Chester, Ohio Lakota West, 6 feet, 7 inches, 233 pounds, tight end
    • Hayden Lowe, Los Angeles, Calif. Oaks Christian, 6 feet, 4 inches, 242 pounds, defensive line
    • Ezekiel Marcelin Jr., Miami Central, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 208 pounds, linebacker
    • Josh Moore, West Broward Miami, 6 feet, 4 inches, 205 pounds, wide reciever
    • Mykah Newton, Gainesville Newberry, 6 feet, 2 inches, 255 pounds, defensive line
    • Luke Nickel, Milton Ga., Milton, 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds, quarterback
    • Girard Pringle Jr., Seffner Armwood, 5 feet, 10 inches, 182 pounds, running back
    • Brock Schott, Leo (Ind.) High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Herbert Scroggins III, Savannah, Ga., Benedictine Military School, defensive end
    • Donta Simpson Jr., Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep, 6 feet, 3 inches, defensive line
    • Malachi Toney, Fort Lauderdale American Heritage, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 182 pounds, wide receiver
    • Daylyn Upshaw, Phenix City, Ala. Central, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Amari Wallace, Miami Central, 5 feet, 10 inches, 172 pounds, defensive back
    • Jaden Wilkerson, Orlando Edgewater, 6 feet, 6 inches, 330 pounds, offensive line

    Florida State signees

    • Shamar Arnoux, Carrollton (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 175 pounds, defensive back
    • Jayvan Boggs, Cocoa High School, 6 feet 1 inch, 200 pounds, wide receiver
    • Tyeland Coleman, Terry (Miss.) High/Northwest Mississippi Community College, 6 feet, 4 inches, 285 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Darryll Desir, Miami Norland, 6 feet, 5 inches, 240 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Mandrell Desir, Miami Norland, 6 feet, 4 inches, 240 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Tae’ Shaun Gelsey, Jacksonville Riverside, 6 feet 4 inches, 215 poundsm wide receiver
    • Ousmane Kromah, Leesburg, Ga., Lee County, 6 feet 1, 215 pounds, running back
    • Chase Loftin, Omaha, Neb., Millard South, 6 feet, 6 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Teriq Mallory, New Haven, Conn., Cheshire Academy, 6 feet, 5 inches, 190 pounds, wide receiver
    • Mario Nash Jr., De Kalb, Miss., Kemper County, 6 feet, 4 inches, 280 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Sean Poret, Atlanta Riverwood, 6 feet, 5 inches, 270 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Ethan Pritchard, Sanford Seminole, 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds, linebacker
    • Max Redmon, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds, defensive back
    • Brunno Reus, Venice High, 6 feet, 190 pounds, punter/kicker
    • Jordan Scott, Appomattox County High School/Southwest Mississippi Community College, 6 feet, 7 inches, 215 pounds, wide receiver
    • Kevin Sperry, Denton, Texas, Guyerm, 6 feet, 1 inch,  200 pounds, quarterback
    • Zae Thomas Jr., Fort Lauderdale American Heritage, 6 feet, 2 inches, 190 pounds, defensive back
    • Kevin Wynn Jr., Greensboro, Ga., Greene County, 6 feet, 2 inches, 320 pounds, defensive lineman

    USF signees

    • Colin Bellomy, Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, 6 feet, 6 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • DeAngelo Bowden, Washington, D.C. St. John’s, 6 feet, 1 inch, 215 pounds, linebacker
    • Khalil Collins, Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County, 6 feet, 3 inches, 288 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Tayte Crable, Massillon, Ohio, Archbishop Hoban, 6 feet, 5 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Chase Garnett, Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian, 5 feet, 8 inches, 200 pounds, running back
    • Jermichael Gillis, Lakeland High, 6 feet, 1 inch, 170 pounds, safety
    • Luke Goater, Melbourne, Australia, ProKick, 6 feet, 2 inches, 195 pounds, punter
    • Gerrick Gordon Jr., Tampa Carrollwood Day, 6 feet, 3.5 inches, 270 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Caleb Harris, St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 feet, 4 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Locklan Hewlett, St. Augustine High, 6 feet, 1 inch, 175 pounds, quarterback
    • Gavin Jenkins, Lake Butler County, 6 feet, 2 inches, 168 pounds, cornerback
    • Jeremiah Jones, Riverview Sumner, 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds, safety
    • Eli Jones, Venice High, 6 feet, 4 inches, 245 pounds, defensive end
    • Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs (Miss.) High, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 185 pounds, running back
    • Jeremiah Koger, Baltimore St. Francis Academy, 6 feet, 4 inches, 190 pounds, wide receiver
    • Brandon Kubay, Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More, 6 feet, 3 inches, 225 pounds, tight end
    • Gavin Leach, Newburgh (Ind.) Castle, 6 feet, 2 inches, 200 pounds, linebacker
    • Christian Neptune, Cantonment Tate, 5 feet, 11 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Herlin Perry Jr., Miami Central, 5 feet, 11 inches, 165 pounds, cornerback
    • Kory Pettigrew, Perry (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Christian Smith, Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, 6 feet, 3 inches, 230 pounds, linebacker
    • Jabari Smith, Apopka Wekiva High, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 155 pounds, defensive back
    • Brooks Williams Jr., St. Lucie West Centennial, 6 feet, 6 inches, 220 pounds, defensive end
    • Marcus Williams, Valdosta (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 275 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Khalil Walker, Coffeyville Community College, 6 feet, 5 inches, 310 pounds, offensive lineman

    UCF signees

    • Malakhi Boone, Bushnell South Sumter, 6 feet, 1.5 inches, 235 pounds, linebacker
    • Waden Charles, Somerset Academy Canyons, 6 feet, 2 inches, 185 pounds, wide receiver
    • Santonyo “Kozy” Isaac, Tampa Bay Tech, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 165 pounds, wide receiver
    • Carl Jenkins Jr., St. Augustine High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 177 pounds, wide receiver
    • Jaquez Joiner, Cocoa High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Waymond Jordan Jr., Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, 5 feet, 10 inches, 205 pounds, running back
    • RyShawn Perry, Covington (Ga.) Newton, 6 feet 3, 275 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Rukeem Stroud, Tampa Bay Tech, 5 feet, 11 inches, 160 pounds, defensive back
    • Tony Williams, Miami Central, 6 feet, 1 inch, 190 pounds, defensive back

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    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • College football players scuffle after flags come out following rivalry wins

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    College football was dominated by flags on Saturday. Not the ones thrown by officials — the ones planted by players in the middle of the field.

    What You Need To Know

    • Michigan, North Carolina State and Florida celebrated road wins by displaying flags on the logos in the middle of their rivals’ stadiums. The results were predictable

    • Michigan scuffled with Ohio State after a group of Wolverines attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium

    • There was a similar scene in North Carolina after at least one N.C. State player tried to plant a Wolfpack flag on UNC’s home field

    • There was another skirmish in Florida after Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. planted a flag on Florida State’s logo

    Michigan, North Carolina State and Florida celebrated road wins by displaying flags on the logos in the middle of their rivals’ stadiums. Arizona State put its own twist on the day with a trident.

    The results were, well, predictable.

    Michigan scuffled with Ohio State after a group of Wolverines attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium in Columbus following a 13-10 victory. There was a similar scene in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after at least one N.C. State player tried to plant a Wolfpack flag on UNC’s field following a 35-30 win. And another skirmish in Tallahassee, Florida, after Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. planted a flag on Florida State’s logo after a 31-11 win.

    “Obviously what happened there at the end of the game is not who we want to be as a program,” Florida coach Billy Napier said. “It’s embarrassing to me and it’s a distraction from a really well-played football game. I want to apologize on behalf of the entire organization just in terms of how we represented the university there. We shouldn’t have done that. We won’t do that moving forward. And there will be consequences for all involved.”

    Arizona State defensive lineman Jacob Rich Kongaika tried to plant a trident in the middle of Arizona’s logo after a 49-7 win over the Wildcats. Kongaika, an Arizona transfer, then held on as Arizona wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig tried to take the trident away, and the duo was surrounded by players from each school.

    There was another skirmish after Missouri’s dramatic 28-21 win over visiting Arkansas, but it didn’t look as if there were any props involved.

    Police in Ohio used pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the Wolverines’ victory. One officer suffered unspecified injuries and was taken to a hospital, a police union official said.

    Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood his players’ actions.

    “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren’t going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said.

    Michigan running back Kalel Mullings said he didn’t like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines’ postgame celebration, calling it “classless.”

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    Associated Press

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  • UCF head coach to become FSU offensive coordinator

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    Gus Malzahn is resigning as Central Florida’s head coach to become Florida State’s offensive coordinator.

    The Seminoles have not confirmed Malzahn’s move, which is pending a state background check. ESPN first reported the decision. The Knights made official that Malzahn is leaving in a statement released a day after UCF (4-8) concluded its season with a 28-14 loss to Utah.

    “We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition into the Big 12 Conference,” the school said. “We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes throughout his tenure at UCF and wish he and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors.”

    Malzahn finished with a 28-24 mark in four years at UCF, the last two ending with losing records after joining the Big 12. He coached at Auburn for eight seasons before being fired in 2020.

    Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was fired Nov. 10 following a 52-3 loss at Notre Dame. The Seminoles rank 131st out of 134 in total offense and scoring offense, averaging 15.8 points a game heading into Saturday night’s rivalry game against Florida.

    The Seminoles (2-9) have dropped significantly since going 13-1 last season and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

    The Knights, meanwhile, struggled mightily in Malzahn’s fourth season — most of it because of quarterback issues. Four players took snaps from center as the Knights finished 2-7 in conference play. It was the program’s worst record since going 0-12 in former coach George O’Leary’s final season in 2015.

    Florida State coach Mike Norvell fired Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans amid the Seminoles’ season-long skid.

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    Associated Press

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  • Miami tries to ACC title game meeting; UF-FSU renew acquaintances

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    FLORIDA — It’s a simple scenario for the Hurricanes: beat Syracuse on Saturday and earn a trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.

    Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) defeated Wake Forest in its home finale last weekend and moved within a victory of facing No. 9 SMU in Charlotte on Dec. 7.

    A Miami loss would send No. 12 Clemson (9-2, 7-1), which has already completed its league slate and hosts No. 16 South Carolina.

    Syracuse (8-3, 4-3) has won two in a row and has started Fran Brown’s tenure with the program’s winningest season since they recorded 10 victories in 2018.

    While Miami has the most to gain, or lose, this week, the statewide spotlight will be in Tallahassee for the suddenly surging Gators playing at the rival Seminoles, who are wrapping up arguably their most disappointing season ever.

    Since Florida’s 49-17 loss at Texas in early November, the Gators have bounced back with impressive wins at home against ranked teams — beating then-No. 21 LSU 27-16 and then-No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17. Both the Tigers and Rebels were in the conference and playoff mix at the time of those games. 

    Florida State has won two in a row against Florida and nine of the past 13 meetings. However, Florida is a double-digit favorite ahead of this meeting as the disappointing Seminoles have just two wins entering Thanksgiving weekend.

    USF (6-5) isn’t in the mix for the American Athletic Conference crown this season at 4-3 in league play, but the Bulls are closing strong, having won four of their past five.

    The Bulls could add more wins with their season finale Saturday at Rice and then its upcoming bowl game.  

    Meanwhile, UCF, in its second Big 12 season, is left looking up as the conference sorts out title-game contenders. The Knights also are among five Big 12 teams (Arizona, Houston, Oklahoma State, UCF and Utah) that won’t be bowling this season.  

    Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s games:

    Friday, Nov. 28

    Utah (4-7, 1-7 in Big 12) at UCF (4-7, 2-6 in Big 12), 8 p.m., FOX

    In its second season in the Big 12, the Knights return to their traditional Black Friday game to close the regular season. UCF will pay tribute to the more than 20 seniors who will be playing their last game for the team, including running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Kobe Hudson and defensive tackle Ricky Barber. The senior ceremony and pregame show will begin at 7:15 p.m.

    The teams have never played. Neither squad can get to a bowl game this season but are wrapping up their seasons before a national TV audience. The Knights can notch their 300th program victory.

    In some ways, it could be a classic offense vs. defense matchup. The Knights rank in the top five of the Big 12 in total offense (first), rushing offense (first) and scoring offense (fifth), and the Utes are top five in total defense (third), scoring defense (third), fourth in rushing defense and fifth in passing defense.

    With one more score, Harvey can surpass UCF Hall of Famer Kevin Smith for the program’s total touchdown record. He and senior defensive back BJ Adams have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl, which will be held in Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

    Saturday, Nov. 29

    USF (6-5, 4-3 in American Athletic Conference) at Rice (3-8, 2-5 in AAC), 2 p.m., ESPN+

    USF is closing out the regular season strong. Since the Bulls’ Oct. 12 loss to Memphis, USF has won four of five games, qualified for a second straight bowl bid and is looking to close out the regular season with a three-game win streak.

    Freshman quarterback Bryce Archie, who has been solid in place of the injured Byrum Brown, is coming off a 305-yard, three-touchdown (two passing) performance in USF’s 63-30 dismantling of Tulsa.

    Wide receiver Sean Atkins has been hot as well, grabbing at least six catches in four consecutive games, and he leads the Bulls with 61 catches this season.

    Rice, meanwhile, enters the finale with four losses in its past five games.

    No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC) at Syracuse (8-3, 4-3 ACC), 3:30 p.m., ESPN

    Miami has been at the top or near the top of the ACC standings throughout the season and looks poised to be in the 12-team playoff.

    But the Orange could make things difficult for Miami. The Hurricanes boast a potent passing attack behind quarterback Cam Ward, who is nearing 4,000 passing yards on the season and has 34 touchdowns.

    Syracuse’s Kyle McCord has been prolific in his own right. McCord has a nation-leading 522 passing attempts this season with 341 completions, 3,946 yards and 26 touchdowns (which ranks in the top 5).

    Still, the Hurricanes are a solid favorite in this matchup, despite a defense that has been shaky at times and has given up more than 30 points four times.

    Florida (6-5, 4-4 in Southeastern Conference) at Florida State (2-9, 1-7 in ACC), 7 p.m., ESPN2

    The Gators have had the stronger season so far, but the rivalry features many players who grew up playing against each other so that usually boosts the competition. The game marks the third meeting between Florida’s Billy Napier and Florida State’s Mike Norvell as head coaches.

    The Seminoles’ defense ranks last in the ACC and 106th nationally, and it will take on Gators’ running backs Montrell Johnson (494 rushing yards), Jaden Baugh (522) and Ja’Kobi Jackson (401). The Seminoles are giving up 180 yards a game on the ground. The Gators, meanwhile, have topped 200 yards just once this season.

    Florida is 4-1 with freshman DJ Lagway starting at quarterback. Lagway will be Florida’s fifth true freshman QB to start against FSU. Luke Kromenhoek is the Seminoles’ third true freshman to start at quarterback against Florida in the past 40 years. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 31 rushing yards, in his first college start last week against Charleston Southern.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • Florida knocks No. 9 Ole Miss out of College Football Playoff contention

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Coach Billy Napier and his team did something no one at Florida had done in nearly two decades. It could be the turning point for a once-proud program that clearly slipped in recent years.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Gators defeated the No. 9 Rebels 24-17 on Saturday

    • The loss knocked Mississippi out of College Football Playoff contention

    • The victory was the sixth for Florida this season, making the team bowl eligible

    • The Gators, who also upset then-No. 19 LSU last week, knocked off ranked teams in consecutive weeks

    DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and the Gators upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention.

    Florida (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference), which topped LSU last Saturday in the Swamp, defeated ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008. The victory, the Gators’ sixth this season, also made them bowl eligible.

    “We’re just getting started,” said Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season in 2025. “This is part of the big-picture journey. Belief is the most powerful thing in the world.”

    Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3), which was a 10-point favorite, lost for the first time in four games and will drop out of the 12-team playoff picture. The Rebels ranked ninth in the latest CFP and needed only to avoid a letdown against Florida and lowly Mississippi State to clinch a spot in the playoff field.

    “Obviously a lot was at stake, and we didn’t come through,” coach Lane Kiffin said. “A lot of missed opportunities.”

    The Rebels failed to score in three trips inside the red zone and dropped countless passes in perfect weather, miscues Kiffin called “very unusual.”

    Still, Ole Miss had chances late. But Jaxson Dart threw interceptions to end the team’s last two drives. Bryce Thornton, beaten for a touchdown in the first half, picked off both. The second one came with 17 seconds remaining and set up a raucous celebration by defenders in the end zone.

    Dart completed 24 of 41 passes for 323 yards, with two touchdowns and the two picks. He was sacked four times and also scrambled 14 times for a team-high 71 yards.

    “You look at the way we played, we had a chip on our shoulder for sure,” Gators defensive tackle Cam Jackson said.

    The Rebels probably would have had a comfortable lead had it not been for repeated failures inside the 20-yard line. Defensive tackle J.J. Pegues, a 325-pound wrecking ball out of the backfield, was stopped on two fourth-down runs inside the 20-yard line, and Caden Davis missed a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter.

    Ole Miss’ drops were egregious, including at least three that probably would have been touchdowns. Jordan Watkins (twice), Wells (twice), Dae’Quan Wright and star receiver Tre Harris were among the receivers who dropped passes.

    Florida was much more efficient. Lagway completed 10 of 17 passes for 180 yards, with an interception. He made three throws with defenders draped all over him.

    “Those were the plays of the game,” Napier said.

    Johnson had a few of those, too. His 9-yard scoring run from the wildcat formation was huge and came after he missed most of the past four games.

    “I focused on grinding and trying to work my way back,” Johnson said. “Last week, I got a couple carries, and this week I shot to the moon.”

    Injury woes for Ole Miss

    Days after Kiffin raved about the health of his team, the Rebels had three starters go down with injuries.

    Harris, returning after missing the past three games with a strained groin, reinjured it the second quarter and did not return.

    Safety Yam Banks also was carted off the field after injuring his left knee, and center Reece McIntyre left the game. Right tackle Micah Pettus also was injured on a play but was able to return.

    Senior Day for Florida

    Injured quarterback Graham Mertz got the loudest ovation during Florida’s Senior Day recognition. Mertz’s college career ended when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 23-17 overtime loss at then-No. 8 Tennessee last month.

    The graduating class also includes Johnson, defensive tackle Desmond Watson and cornerback Jason Marshall, who also is out for the season.

    The Takeaway

    Mississippi: The Rebels needed better offensive balance. Playing without running back Henry Parrish Jr. (knee) for the second consecutive game, Ole Miss threw the ball 41 times. Dart also scrambled 14 more. It worked at times against Florida’s depleted secondary but wasn’t a recipe for success.

    Florida: The Gators now have a chance to close the regular season with three consecutive wins, more proof that Napier has the team on the right track.

    Up Next

    Mississippi: The Rebels host Mississippi State in a rivalry known as the Egg Bowl on Friday.

    Florida: The Gators play at rival Florida State next Saturday.

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    Associated Press

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  • USF Beach Volleyball is underway

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    TAMPA, Fla. — To Launch a Sport for the first time you need a leader with passion. Someone who is not afraid to do something that’s never been done before and knows how they want to do it.

    Last June, USF hired Pri Piantadosi-Lima as the first Women’s beach volleyball coach.

    “I’ve always said USF would probably be the only school that I would try to apply if they ever started beach volleyball and Voila”, Said Coach Pri after a recent practice.

    Coach Pri is no stranger to start ups. The Brazilian native played for her country at the Olympic and Pro beach levels, before coming to St.Pete where she helped launch the Eckerd College Beach program and started one of the most successful elite club programs in the country.

    What started on paper came to life this fall when Coach Pri and her 11 recruits from all over the world hit the sand in Tampa to begin getting ready.

    “We’re playing to get better next year, just having this practice year, we don’t have any pressure,the only pressure we have is to apply the things we do at practice in the game”.

    It’s been a year of firsts for these Bulls so far, from walking into their new locker-room for the first time, to the brand new team video room where they get to study and prepare for games.

    It’s a once in a lifetime experience for these 12 girls who come from all over the world to launch the new sport and the adventure begins in February with eight weekends of games lined up for the Bulls.

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    Mike Cairns

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  • Florida upsets No. 21 LSU 27-16

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw for a touchdown and set up another with a long completion in his return from a strained left hamstring, and Florida upset No. 21 LSU 27-16 on Saturday to give the Gators their first series victory since 2018.

    Jadan Baugh’s 55-yard scoring scamper with 3:48 remaining essentially sealed it and put the Gators (5-5, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) on the verge of becoming bowl eligible.

    Florida had dropped eight in a row against ranked opponents and was 1-10 under coach Billy Napier in rivalry games.

    Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier suggested all week that fans should rush the field named after him if the Gators win. But it didn’t happen.

    Florida’s defense, though, deserved to be celebrated. The unit sacked Garrett Nussmeier seven times — one more than LSU (6-4, 3-3) allowed in its first nine games combined.

    Lagway provided the big plays on offense for Florida. After sitting out most of the last two losses with the injury, he connected with Elijhah Badger for a 23-yard score in the first. He never scrambled but was mobile enough to create extra time by moving around the pocket.

    He completed 13 of 26 passes for 226 yards. Badger caught six passes for 131 yards.

    The game started to turn in Florida’s favor when T.J. Searcy sacked Nussmeier late in the third quarter. Nussmeier fumbled, one of his linemen scooped it out of the air and then fumbled again. Caleb Banks recovered, one of several huge plays for the defensive tackle.

    The Gators went backward from there despite the solid field position and ended up punting. But Jeremy Crawshaw pinned the Tigers inside the 10.

    Florida then forced a punt and started another drive in LSU territory. This time, Lagway found Badger for a 36-yard gain that set up Ja’Kobi Jackson’s 1-yard scoring run.

    LSU dominated time of possession in the first half and doubled up Florida in plays. But Nussmeier struggled to find time in the second half. He completed 27 of 47 passes for 260 yards, with a touchdown and the fumble.

    The Takeaway

    LSU: Coach Brian Kelly’s streak of 10-win seasons will end at seven. Kelly won double-digit games in each of his last four years at Notre Dame and extended it with consecutive 10-win seasons in Baton Rouge. But losing three in a row to Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida make it impossible to get past nine and will surely lower his approval rating with the team’s frustrated fanbase.

    Florida: The Gators will have to win one of their final two games, against Ole Miss and at Florida State, to become bowl eligible for the second time in Napier’s three seasons. Florida is trying to avoid its fourth consecutive losing season.

    Up Next

    LSU: Hosts Vanderbilt next Saturday.

    Florida: Hosts Ole Miss in its home finale next Saturday.

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    Associated Press

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  • Injured Gators quarterback DJ Lagway practices for the 3rd day in a row

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Injured Florida quarterback DJ Lagway practiced for the third consecutive day Wednesday, making progress toward a potential return against No. 21 LSU.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ailing Gators quarterback DJ Lagway has practiced for three days in a row

    • Lagway strained his left hamstring in a loss to Georgia on Nov. 2

    • Coach Billy Napier says Lagway is health is improving and he is expected to play again this season

    • Florida must win two of its last three games to become bowl eligible and faces No. 21 LSU on Saturday

    “He is getting closer and closer to being prepared to play,” coach Billy Napier said following practice. “We are creating a game-day environment in terms of the treatment and modifications we’re using to make sure he’s comfortable with that. … He felt better today than he did yesterday. We’ll hopeful that will be the case tomorrow.”

    The highly touted freshman was carted off the field with a strained left hamstring against Georgia on Nov. 2. He returned to the sideline in the second half with his legged wrapped and using crutches.

    Tests revealed his injury was “less significant” than initially feared, and Napier expects him to play again this season. Will it happen against the Tigers?

    The Gators (4-5, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) could use him. They need to win two of their final three games to become bowl eligible.

    LSU (6-3, 3-2) has struggled mightily against dual-threat QBs, including allowing Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to run for 185 yards and four touchdowns two weeks after Marcel Reed of Texas A&M ran for 62 yards and three scores.

    “Given their structure and the way they play defense, one of the ways to neutralize that is to use the quarterback,” Napier said. “So you’ve seen a number of teams do that. Obviously, our situation is a little bit different, but we’re going to do what we need to do to manage DJ in his injury situation.”

    If Lagway can’t play against the Tigers, walk-on and Yale transfer Aidan Warner would make his second straight start.

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  • Florida says coach Billy Napier will return for a 4th season

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier is getting a fourth season to try to get the Gators back to their winning ways.

    Athletic Director Scott Stricklin made the announcement in a “letter to Gator Nation” on Thursday that said the team is “building a foundation that promises greater success next season and beyond.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida coach Billy Napier will remain in that post next season, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said

    • Napier is 15-18 so far in three seasons at Florida and some supporters had called for firing

    • But after a tough start to the season, the Gators have played some ranked teams well and improved to 4-4 overall

    • Freshman quarterback DJ Lagway and other young talent have looked promising after the first few games

    The Gators (4-4, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) have made significant strides since lopsided losses to Miami and Texas A&M during the first month of the season. Napier shored up the team’s shaky defense, found a potential star in freshman quarterback DJ Lagway and developed young talent on both sides of the ball.

    It’s the kind of progress that made Stricklin’s decision a relatively easy one, despite Napier’s 15-18 mark in Gainesville ahead of Saturday’s game at No. 5 Texas.

    “UF’s commitment to excellence and a championship-caliber program is unwavering,” Stricklin wrote. “In these times of change across college athletics, we are dedicated to a disciplined, stable approach that is focused on long-term, sustained success for Gator athletes, recruits and fans.

    “I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

    The Gators went toe-to-toe with then-No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville last month and again with second-ranked Georgia last week in Jacksonville.

    Florida lost 23-17 in overtime to the Volunteers after squandering several chances to pull off a stunner. And there are plenty who believe the Gators would have won “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” had Lagway not pulled his hamstring in the second quarter while leading 10-3.

    “Before the season started, nobody expected us to be anything,” running back Ja’Kobi Jackson said Wednesday. “But we’re proving to people day-in and day-out that we can play in the SEC, that we’re capable of beating teams.”

    In September, no one saw that coming. And it appeared Napier wouldn’t even finish the season.

    Florida was inept on both sides of the ball in a 41-17 loss to rival Miami to open the season and showed no improvement in a 33-20 loss to Texas A&M two weeks later. Under first-year coach Mike Elko, the Aggies ran for 310 yards, got three touchdowns from a freshman quarterback making his first collegiate start and ended a 10-game road skid.

    But Napier’s popularity started to turn with a dominant victory at Mississippi State and then a bye week that became a series of ultra-competitive practices — on-field work that players point to as the key to getting on track.

    While some wondered if the Gators would start giving up or opting out, they dug in for Napier.

    “Everything Coach Napier says, everybody’s bought into it,” Jackson said. “We’re playing for each other at the end of the day. We play for everyone that’s in this building.”

    Florida would owe Napier roughly $26 million by firing him in 2024. His buyout drops to around $19 million in 2025, although that figure would be considerably higher with his legion of assistants and behind-the-scenes help.

    Even with Napier remaining in place, he’s still likely to open next year on the proverbial hot seat. And for good reason.

    Florida is 2-12 against ranked teams and 1-10 against rivals Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami and Tennessee. And Napier’s in-game mistakes continue to mount (see Tennessee), although at a much slower pace.

    Nonetheless, growth outweighs growing pains. And with November being a key recruiting month, Florida administrators opted to give Napier a vote of confidence, especially with his team so banged up. The Gators could be down their top two quarterbacks, including Lagway, their top two running backs, two of their top four receivers and four cornerbacks when they take the field in Austin.

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  • Tampa to host MLS preseason game between Orlando City, Inter Miami and Messi

    Tampa to host MLS preseason game between Orlando City, Inter Miami and Messi

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will be the site of a Major League Soccer preseason version of the Florida Derby between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Orlando City Soccer at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 2025, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission announced Monday.

    Orlando City confirmed the match on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    The match will mark the first MLS contest hosted at Raymond James Stadium since 2001 and is anticipated to feature the likes of superstars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Drake Callender of Inter Miami CF and Facundo Torres, Pedro Gallese and Duncan McGuire of Orlando City Soccer.

    “We could not be more excited to welcome Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC to our community,” TBSC Executive Director Rob Higgins said in a statement. “To have the potential opportunity to see a generational icon such as Lionel Messi take the field in our hometown is truly special. This is something that people will tell their grandkids about.”

    Fans interested in tickets can complete a presale interest form at SoccerInTampaBay.com. The official match presale will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13 for those registered at SoccerInTampaBay.com, before going on sale to the general public on Nov. 14. Season-ticket members for each club should follow their respective club’s email correspondence for details related to priority presale access.

    “We can’t wait to bring the excitement of the Orlando/Miami rivalry down the road to our neighbors in Tampa, and look forward to having the opportunity to showcase our Lions in front of a great crowd at Raymond James Stadium,” said Orlando City SC President of Business Operations, Jarrod Dillon. “We are excited to partner with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission on this event and look forward to it being a great addition to our 2025 MLS preseason calendar.”

    Both clubs are in the MLS Cup playoffs this year and also were last season, and Orlando City is one of two active MLS teams to reach the postseason in five consecutive seasons.

    The teams have met previously 14 times, with Orlando City winning five games and Inter Miami taking five, with four draws. Since Messi signed with Inter Miami in July 2023, the Herons have won two of the four meetings, the Lions have captured one, and the clubs have played to a draw. Messi did not play in the Lions’ 3-1 victory in Orlando in May or in the 1-1 draw in September 2023.

    Messi, the eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or for international soccer’s best player, has not appeared in a matchup with Orlando City in Orlando since he joined MLS.

    Inter Miami played 2004 preseason friendlies in El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Tokyo, looking to boost the team’s and MLS’s profile. Messi played about 64 minutes against FC Dallas, in the first half in El Salvador, for a few minutes in Saudi Arabia and in the second half in Tokyo and missed the game in Hong Kong, citing an injury.

    “While our most important objective is always our ongoing pursuit of bringing titles to South Florida, we’re excited to have set one of our preseason matches for 2025,” Inter Miami President of Football Operations Raúl Sanllehí said in a statement. “Planning ahead will help us prepare for a highly anticipated follow-up to everything we’ve accomplished, and everything we’re still fighting for in 2024. We’re looking forward to a thrilling atmosphere in our first visit to Tampa since our inaugural year in 2020.”

    Messi has been a leader of Argentina’s World Cup champion team in 2022, Olympic gold medal team in 2008, three FIFA Club World Cup title clubs, a Leagues Cup champion squad and two Copa America championship teams.

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    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • Capitals take down Blue Jackets 7-2

    Capitals take down Blue Jackets 7-2

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — Connor McMichael struck twice, Alex Ovechkin scored his 859th career goal and two assists and the Washington Capitals continued their dominant start to the season with a 7-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ovechkin is 36 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record
    • Daniil Tarasov stopped 15 of 22 shots for Columbus
    • Columbus outshot Washington, but the defense struggled in front of Tarasov as the team gave up six goals for the second consecutive game. The Blue Jackets were outscored 12-4 in this back-to-back series

    • The Blue Jackets head out west to face the Sharks on Tuesday

    McMichael and Ovechkin both have goals in three straight games for Washington, which advances to 8-2 on the season.

    Ovechkin is 36 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. He’s currently on pace to finish with 49 goals, which would set him up to hit 895 later this season.

    Both Ovechkin and McMichael helped ignite Washington’s offense as the team managed a five-goal first period, where all four lines got on the scoresheet. Damon Severson and Kevin Labanc scored for the Blue Jackets, who dropped both games of their back-to-back.

    Logan Thompson made 34 saves and remains undefeated so far in his Capitals’ tenure. Daniil Tarasov stopped 15 of 22 shots for Columbus.

    Takeaways

    Blue Jackets: Columbus outshot Washington, but the defense struggled in front of Tarasov as the team gave up six goals for the second consecutive game. The Blue Jackets were outscored 12-4 in this back-to-back series.

    Capitals: Offense continues to come easily for the surging Caps, which wasn’t the story last season. They’ve scored at least five goals in five of the last seven games.

    Key moment

    Aliaksei Protas got the scoring started just 56 seconds in on a 2-on-0 break with Dylan Strome, who also had a three-point night, for his third goal in as many games.

    Key stat

    Ovechkin is up to six goals in 10 games to open the 2024-25 season. Last year, it took him 30 games to hit that number, which also came against the Blue Jackets.

    Up Next

    The Capitals visit the Hurricanes on Sunday, and The Blue Jackets head out west to face the Sharks on Tuesday.

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    Associated Press

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  • Heart of the team: Hudson High senior delivers plays and inspiration

    Heart of the team: Hudson High senior delivers plays and inspiration

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    HUDSON, Fla. — No Hudson High football game can begin before the head coach and team manager meet up.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cobras head coach Timothy Hicks can’t kick off until he’s taken the handoff from Hudson senior Dakota Schull with the list of winning plays

    • Dakota suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome, a disorder that affects his physical and mental development

    • He is living his best high school life by showing the true meaning of team


    Cobras head coach Timothy Hicks can’t kick off until he’s taken the handoff from Hudson senior Dakota Schull with the list of winning plays.

    Dakota works hard on those plays. He meticulously writes each one down on a piece of paper. And even though he’s never played a down of football, he knows the sport. And he’d give anything to be able to play it. But Dakota suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome, a disorder that affects his physical and mental development.

    “What he’s gaining out of this is memories and experiences,” Dakota’s mom Wanda said. “He knows he can’t play, but he feels like he is.”

    That’s the key, being a part of something. Being accepted by his peers. And being celebrated for the miracle that he is. Wanda Schull was told her son wouldn’t live past the age of 10. His disorder causes low muscle tone and that includes his heart. His rare genetic disorder can cause congenital heart defects. But Dakota has continually shown he’s all heart.

    “They told us he wasn’t going to make it,” Wanda said. “And here we are senior year, gonna graduate and we are blessed.”

    Dakota has never taken a snap and run the football. He’s never made a tackle. But he is just as much a part of the team as every player on the roster.

    “It means the world for a child to be a part of something, any child,” Wanda said. “So we are just blessed because we are accepted whether we can do it or not. And that’s what means a lot. It really means a whole lot.”

    Dakota’s living his best high school life by showing the true meaning of team.

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    Katherine Smith

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  • Ehlers scores 3 goals to lead Jets to 6-2 win over Blue Jackets

    Ehlers scores 3 goals to lead Jets to 6-2 win over Blue Jackets

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nikolaj Ehlers scored three goals for his fifth career hat trick and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 Friday night to stay perfect on the road.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Winnipeg Jets beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 Friday night

    • Sean Kuraly scored and Sean Monahan had a power-play goal for the Blue Jackets

    • Elvis Merzlikins made 37 saves

    • The Blue Jackets visit Washington on Saturday

    Mason Appleton and Gabriel Vilardi also scored, Josh Morrissey had a power-play goal and an assist, and Ehlers added an assist for Winnipeg, which has won 10 of its first 11 games. Eric Comrie had 20 saves as the Jets improved to 6-0-0 on the road for the best such start in franchise history.

    Sean Kuraly scored and Sean Monahan had a power-play goal for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins made 37 saves.

    Takeaways

    Jets: Scott Arniel returned to Nationwide Arena for the first time as a head coach since being fired by the Blue Jackets in January 2012. His Jets showed Columbus how it’s done, dominating from the opening puck drop and demonstrating why they are atop the NHL standings.

    Blue Jackets: Columbus could not answer the faster, nimbler Jets and spent most of the game protecting their zone with limited success, getting outshot in every period and ending up with a 21-shot deficit.

    Key moment

    Columbus found momentum when Monahan scored with 3:30 left in the second period, seven seconds into a power-play, cutting the Jets’ lead to 3-2. Ehlers then scored his third goal of the night 2:20 later, and Winnipeg never looked back.

    Key stat

    Winnipeg kept its power-play streak alive, scoring with a man advantage in each of its past four games. The Jets have gone a league-best 14 for 31 this season.

    Up Next

    The Jets host Tampa Bay Sunday, and the Blue Jackets visit Washington on Saturday.

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    Associated Press

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  • Martinez, Junis decline options as Maile, France and Martini become free agents

    Martinez, Junis decline options as Maile, France and Martini become free agents

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    CINCINNATI (AP) — Right-handers Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis declined 2025 options with the Cincinnati Reds, who turned down their option on catcher Luke Maile on Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Both Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis declined 2025 options with the Cincinnati Reds

    • Brent Suter returned to Cincinnati on a $2.5 million, one-year contract

    • Martinez agreed in December to a $14 million, one-year contract that included a $12 million player option

    • Junis, 32, reached a deal in February with Milwaukee that called for a $4 million salary in 2024 and included an $8 million mutual option with a $3 million buyout

    In addition, first baseman Ty France and outfielder Nick Martini became free agents when they refused outright assignments to Triple-A Louisville.

    Brent Suter returned to Cincinnati on a $2.5 million, one-year contract. The left-hander’s deal includes a 2026 option worth $3 million with a $250,000 buyout, and he can earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses.

    Suter, who lives in Cincinnati, went 1-0 with a 3.15 ERA and two saves in 47 appearances with the Reds this year.

    Right-hander Tejay Antone, coming off his third elbow surgery, accepted an outright assignment to the Bats. Catcher Austin Wynns also was assigned outright to Louisville. Both were activated from the 60-day injured list.

    Martinez agreed in December to a $14 million, one-year contract that included a $12 million player option. The 34-year-old left-hander was 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts and 26 relief appearances, striking out 116 and walking 18 in 142 1/3 innings.

    He is 37-45 with a 4.09 ERA in seven seasons with Texas (2014-17), San Diego (2022-23) and Cincinnati. Martinez spent 2018-21 pitching in Japan.

    Junis, 32, reached a deal in February with Milwaukee that called for a $4 million salary in 2024 and included an $8 million mutual option with a $3 million buyout.

    He was acquired by the Reds on July 30 in a trade that sent Frankie Montas to the Brewers and had a 2.85 ERA in five starts and nine relief appearances for Cincinnati. Junis finished the season 4-0 with a 2.69 ERA in six starts and 18 relief outings. After making his first appearance on April 2, Junis was out until June 22 because of a right shoulder impingement.

    Junis is 42-45 with a 4.48 ERA in eight seasons with Kansas City (2017-21), San Francisco (2022-23), Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

    Maile had a $3 million salary this year as part of a deal that included a $3.5 million team option with a $500,000 buyout. The 33-year-old hit .178 with two homers and eight RBIs in 135 at-bats over 53 games. A nine-year big league veteran, he has a .208 average with 21 homers and 113 RBIs for Tampa Bay (2015-16), Toronto (2017-19), Milwaukee (2021), Cleveland (2022) and Cincinnati (2023-24).

    France hit .251 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 179 at-bats over 52 games with the Reds, who acquired the 30-year-old from Seattle on July 29 for catcher Andruw Salcedo. Seattle agreed to send $1,294,758 to the Reds as part of the trade, offsetting part of France’s $6,775,000 salary.

    Martini batted .212 with five homers and 24 RBIs in 52 games. The 34-year-old homered twice and had five RBIs on opening day against Washington.

    Antone, a 30-year-old right-hander, made four appearances, then had season-ending surgery to repair a tendon and ligament in his right arm. He had Tommy John surgery in April 2017 and August 2021.

    Cincinnati also said right-hander Christian Roa had been claimed off waivers from Miami. The 25-year-old, a second-round draft pick in 2020, was 4-4 with a 5.55 ERA in four starts and 19 relief appearances for Louisville.

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  • ‘He was a special person’: USF holds celebration of life for Amir Abdur-Rahim

    ‘He was a special person’: USF holds celebration of life for Amir Abdur-Rahim

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Saturday, the University of South Florida said goodbye to basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who died on Oct. 24 after undergoing a medical procedure at an area hospital.

    What You Need To Know

    • A celebration of life was held for USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who died on Oct. 24 

    • Several speakers of the Yuengling Center spoke of Amir’s impact on them and the university 

    • This season, players will wear patches on their jerseys in Amir’s honor and the student section will be named after him


    Hundreds of people filled the Yuengling Center for a celebration of life, where several speakers honored a coach that was preparing to build off a first year that saw 25 wins.

    “He loved how you rallied behind him,” said Arianne Adbur-Rahim, the wife of Amir, to the crowd. “And what he was trying to build here. I venture to say he built something special.”

    The impact Amir made on his family, players, fellow coaches and the entire Bulls community could be felt through the entire arena.

    “I know what his impact was,” said Ben Fletcher, the USF men’s basketball interim head coach. “I know it. I know where he’s at now. I don’t worry about that part. The people I worry about are the people in the front row. Just know he was a special person. He did some special things and I think you guys know that.”

    Players also took the podium, speaking of the mark Amir left of them in his short time with the team.

    “It’s not about what happens, but it’s how you respond,” said Bulls guard Jayden Reid. “Obviously we all have a ton of emotions built up right now, but I think as a community the way we should respond to this is to honor him with everything we do in life and by loving others the way he did.”

    This season, players will wear patches on their jerseys in Amir’s honor and the student section will be named after him.

    “Amir always said job not finished. But I’m confident when he entered heaven’s gate God said job well done,” said Arianne.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • ‘Canes streaking; ‘mocktail party’ takes center stage; UCF, USF, FSU seek wins

    ‘Canes streaking; ‘mocktail party’ takes center stage; UCF, USF, FSU seek wins

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    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback DJ Lagway is the most important Gators player to coach Billy Napier’s future at Florida.

    The fabulous freshman will get a chance to save Napier’s job in November while facing four ranked teams, beginning Saturday against No. 2 Georgia in nearby Jacksonville. If Lagway plays like he did in his two previous starts, the game previously billed as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” could turn into a welcome back celebration for Napier.

    Lagway and the Gators (4-3, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) are trying to end a three-game skid in the series and give Napier a much-needed victory against a ranked team and a rival. Napier is 2-12 against ranked opponents in three seasons and 1-9 against rivals Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Miami and Tennessee.

    Napier’s tenure in Gainesville felt over after lopsided losses to Miami and Texas A&M in the first month of the season. But three wins in his past four games and signs of progress on both sides of the ball have given Napier a chance to alter his fate.

    In other contests this weekend, a favored USF (3-4) will try to get back to .500 on Friday night when it visits new American Athletic Conference opponent Florida Atlantic.

    Florida State and UCF will both try to bounce back after losses to ranked teams.

    The Seminoles’ slide toward the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference continued after last week’s 36-14 loss at No. 5 Miami. FSU (1-7 overall and 1-6 in ACC play) still has to tangle with ranked Notre Dame and Florida after this week’s matchup with North Carolina. FSU also has a November meeting with Charleston Southern.  

    UCF had few answers for No. 11 BYU’s offense, giving up 480 yards to the Cougars in a 37-24 loss. As a result, coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof, restored last year’s defensive coordinator Addison Williams to the role and handed over offensive play-calling responsibilities to first-year offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. That leaves in question what the Knights (3-5 overall, 1-4 in the Big 12) will look like as they take on Arizona (also 3-5, 1-4) on Saturday afternoon. UCF’s undefeated record in Space Games is on the line.

    State leader Miami, meanwhile, looks to continue its path toward a high ranking and a playoff bid. The fifth-ranked Hurricanes will host a scrappy Duke bunch ahead of next week’s initial College Football Playoff rankings, which will give a first look at who is in the 12-team playoff. At this point, all the rest of the state’s teams cling to hopes they can win enough contests as the season wraps up to go to a bowl game.

    Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

    A closer look at Week 10’s games

    Friday, Nov. 1

    USF (3-4, 1-2 in American Athletic Conference) at Florida Atlantic University (2-5, 0-3), 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

    The Bulls, who lead the all-time series 3-2 in this budding rivalry, should be motivated, not only after last week’s 10-point victory against UAB but especially after the Owls spanked USF 56-14 in Tampa last season. USF coach Alex Golesh has not said whether Bryce Archie will start at quarterback or if Byrum Brown will return from injury. Brown has been out since a leg injury sidelined him Sept.28 at Tulane.  

    Saturday, Nov. 2  

    Duke (6-2, 2-2 in ACC) at No. 5 Miami (8-0, 4-0), noon, ABC and ESPN+

    As the college football season heads into its final full month, the ACC race is coming down to four schools — all without a league loss: No. 20 SMU, No. 18 Pitt, No. 11 Clemson and No. 5 Miami. Miami and Pitt are unbeaten. An unbeaten ACC champion is all-but certain to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff.

    These are all things the Hurricanes will have on their minds down the stretch, starting Saturday against the Blue Devils.

    North Carolina (4-4, 1-3 in ACC) at Florida State (1-7, 1-6), 3:30 p.m., ACC Network

    The Seminoles are coming off a 36-14 loss to the rival Hurricanes, went winless in October, have not scored more than 16 points since its opener against Georgia Tech and lost a commitment from a four-star wide receiver last week. One win will not right this massively wrong season, but the Seminoles desperately seek something, anything, to go their way as the schedule moves into November.

    Florida (4-3, 2-2 in SEC) vs. Georgia (6-1, 4-1 in SEC), in Jacksonville, 3:30 p.m. ABC

    The past three meetings between the teams have essentially been over by halftime, 24-0 in 2021, 28-3 in 2022 and 26-7 last year. A couple key Bulldogs, safety Dan Jackson and defensive back Joenel Aguero are suspended for the first half after ejections for targeting against Texas. Jackson is the team’s second-leading tackler with 37, and Aguero ranks eighth with 19. Florida will be without receiver Eugene Wilson III because of what the team was saying is a lingering hip injury and its top cornerback, Jason Marshall Jr., who will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Receiver Tre Wilson will not play either. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne will face his former teammates for the first time. Etienne left Florida after last season and landed with the Bulldogs, where he saw an opportunity to become a starter. He spent two years in Gainesville playing behind Montrell Johnson. Etienne leads the Bulldogds with 422 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. “I’ve got nothing but love for those guys,” Etienne said.

    Arizona (3-5, 1-4 in Big 12) at UCF (3-5, 1-4), 3:30 p.m., FS1

    The Knights could have their fourth starting quarterback since the beginning of the season after redshirt sophomore Dylan Rizk took over for a struggling Jacurri Brown last Saturday and moved the ball well. So far this season, running back RJ Harvey out of Edgewater has literally carried their offense, rushing for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns. Its offense ranks 11th among 16 teams in the Big 12, and its defense is 13th. Both have dropped since the start of the season. Arizona’s offense ranks 14th, but its defense is 11th. No launches are planned from the Space Coast during this week’s game, but a flyover is scheduled before the game. The Wildcats average 260.3 passing yards per game. UCF’s top receiver, Kobe Hudson, left last Saturday’s game after injuring his leg on UCF’s first offensive play last Saturday. The team had not revealed any other details about the injury by early Thursday afternoon.

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    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

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    NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston

    • The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees

    • New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009

    • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988

    Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

    But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

    After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

    Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

    Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

    “We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

    When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

    “There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

    Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

    Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

    The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ’88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

    Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

    New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

    Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

    Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kiké Hernández singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

    Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

    Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kiké Hernández grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

    “We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

    Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

    Kiké Hernández singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

    Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

    Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

    Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

    Up next

    Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

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  • Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

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    NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston

    • The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees

    • New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009

    • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988

    Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

    But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

    After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

    Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

    Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

    “We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

    When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

    “There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

    Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

    Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

    The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ’88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

    Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

    New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

    Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

    Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kiké Hernández singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

    Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

    Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kiké Hernández grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

    “We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

    Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

    Kiké Hernández singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

    Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

    Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

    Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

    Up next

    Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

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  • Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

    Dodgers beat Yankees, win 2024 World Series

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    NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston

    • The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees

    • New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009

    • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988

    Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

    But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

    After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

    Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

    Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

    “We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

    When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

    “There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

    Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

    Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

    The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ’88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

    Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as manager as the Dodgers, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

    New York remained without a title since winning its record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

    Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

    Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kiké Hernández singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

    Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

    Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kiké Hernández grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

    “We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

    Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

    Kiké Hernández singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

    Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

    Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

    Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

    Up next

    Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.

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  • No. 6 Miami remains unbeaten, topping Florida State 36-14 in rivalry game

    No. 6 Miami remains unbeaten, topping Florida State 36-14 in rivalry game

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    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward passed for 208 yards and caught a touchdown pass, Damien Martinez ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns and No. 6 Miami remained unbeaten by beating rival Florida State 36-14 on Saturday night.

    Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for a score and Andres Borregales kicked three field goals to help Miami (8-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) snap a three-game losing streak against the Seminoles (1-7, 1-6).

    The Seminoles — who started 13-0 last season and won the ACC — are assured of their fifth losing season in the last seven years, the third in five seasons under coach Mike Norvell. Luke Kromenhoek took over at quarterback off the bench and rushed for 71 yards.

    Fletcher opened the scoring for Miami on a 1-yard run to cap a 67-yard drive — an emotional moment for the sophomore, whose father died this week. He crossed the goal line, took a knee and pointed to the sky in tribute.

    Martinez made it 14-0 with an 18-yard run early in the second quarter. Miami didn’t find the end zone again until 4:32 remained, when tight end Elijah Arroyo connected with Ward on an 8-yard touchdown pass.

    Martinez scored again with 1:51 left, running in from 12 yards out. His 148 yards was the second-most by any Miami rusher in the rivalry series; Stephen McGuire ran for 176 in 1990.

    The Seminoles turned their hopes over to Kromenhoek in the first half. The true freshman’s numbers entering the game: 3-for-7 passing for 19 yards, seven carries for minus-2 yards, all done in his college debut last week against Duke.

    He made immediate impact.

    Kromenhoek ran 14 yards for a first down on his first carry, somehow squirted free of a mass of humanity for a 42-yard keeper on fourth-and-1 to keep a drive alive, then added a 12-yard run down to the 1. Caziah Holmes burst in on fourth down to finish what Kromenhoek started, getting FSU within 14-7 midway through the second quarter.

    But the Seminoles didn’t score again until 18 seconds remained, when Brock Glenn found Malik Benson with a 5-yard pass. It was just Florisa State’s 13th touchdown of the season.

    The Takeaway

    Florida State: The Seminoles are still the only FBS team yet to score more than 21 points this season. They haven’t scored more than 16 in any of their last nine games in the U.S.; the 21-point effort came in the opener this season in Ireland against Georgia Tech.

    Miami: WR Xavier Restrepo passed Michael Irvin and Reggie Wayne on the same play. A 13-yard catch in the third quarter pushed Restrepo to 174 catches (passing Wayne for No. 2 on Miami’s career receptions list) and 2,427 yards (passing Irvin for No. 3 on Miami’s career list).

    Poll implications

    The Hurricanes will remain somewhere around No. 6. Miami will remain on pace to be in the poll from start-to-finish for only the second time since 2005; it last happened in 2017.

    Up next

    Florida State is at home for the first time in nearly month, hosting North Carolina on Nov. 2. Miami welcomes back former coach Manny Diaz when Duke visits Nov. 2.

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