Sports

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer The early signing period for college football opened Wednesday and in many ways it looked the same as usual. There were surprising last-minute flips by blue-chip recruits, pick-a-hat commitment ceremonies held at high schools across the country and Alabama signing the nation’s top-rated class. Hanging over it

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars face Zach Wilson and the New York Jets in Week 16 for the second straight season. Both teams have come a long way since the previous meeting. This year, the Jaguars and Jets are in the middle of a playoff race in

By DANIEL POLITI and HERNÁN ALVAREZ Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s government on Wednesday defended the mammoth parade held to welcome home the World Cup winners even though the event was abruptly cut short amid organizational chaos. After days of high-profile activity, team captain Lionel Messi and most of the other members

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Led by Mason Harrell’s 27 points, the Texas State Bobcats defeated the University of Science & Arts Oklahoma Drovers 87-72 on Wednesday. The Bobcats improved to 7-6.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy says he hopes Justin Fields breaks the NFL single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback. Getsy says the Bears won’t take Fields out of a game if he’s closing in on the record. But he also says

By MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writer SAO PAULO (AP) — Doctors say Pelé’s health has worsened during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication. The hospital says in a statement that Pelé’s cancer has advanced and that he is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.” One of his daughters says the

By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington says he’d like to add more to a team that’s played .500 ball over the last three seasons. The Pirates have added Carlos Santana, Ji-Man Choi, catcher Austin Hedges, pitcher Vince Velasquez and first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe. Cherington told reporters on

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson didn’t choose Cleveland because of its weather. But along with a $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Browns, Watson was enticed to join the team after making a strong initial connection with coach Kevin Stefanski, who showed him the possibilities to shine

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks will lose a draft pick for getting started too soon on their pursuit of Jalen Brunson. The NBA penalized the Knicks a second-round selection in the 2025 draft on Wednesday after finding that the Knicks began free-agency discussions involving Brunson before the date allowed. Brunson was the

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — On paper, the Peach Bowl matchup between No. 1 Georgia’s defense and No. 4 Ohio State’s offense is a test of strengths in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Georgia ranks second in the nation with its average of 12.8 points allowed. Ohio State ranks second

By DAVID WOODS Associated Press BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Mackenzie Holmes scored 17 of her 21 points in the first half, and No. 4 Indiana completed an unbeaten nonconference schedule with a 67-50 win over Butler. Yarden Garzon added 13 points and Sydney Parrish 10 for the 12-0 Hoosiers. Rachel McLimore scored 13 and Sydney

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA says it has fined Dallas Mavericks coach $25,000 for coming onto the court to confront a referee and directing inappropriate language toward him during a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kidd was assessed two technical fouls and was ejected late in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 116-106 loss

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Led by Jahmyl Telfort’s 20 points, the Northeastern Huskies defeated the Davidson Wildcats 73-70 on Wednesday. The Huskies moved to 4-7 with the victory and the Wildcats fell to 7-5.

BALTIMORE — Led by Sam Sessoms’ 28 points, the Coppin State Eagles defeated the James Madison Dukes 107-100 in overtime on Wednesday. The Eagles are now 5-9 on the season, while the Dukes fell to 9-4.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Led by Parker Bjorklund’s 19 points, the Saint Thomas Tommies defeated the North Dakota State Bison 78-68 on Wednesday. The Tommies improved to 11-4 with the victory and the Bison fell to 3-11.

RUSTON, La. — Led by Dravon Mangum’s 22 points, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defeated the Jarvis Christian Bulldogs 108-52 on Wednesday. The Bulldogs moved to 7-5 with the victory.

By DORIAN COLBERT RosterWatch With temperatures dropping, these players will continue to bring the heat to fantasy lineups. Here are the best bets to score in Week 16 of the NFL season.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears’ practice facility was briefly on lockdown Wednesday because of a suspicious package. Team spokesman Brandon Faber says police were called. No one was allowed to leave or enter the team’s suburban campus for about an hour. The Bears practice about 30 miles north of Soldier Field. Chicago

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley has signed a one-year, $12 million deal  to remain with the Houston Astros after missing more than half of last season with a shoulder injury. The 2023 season will be Brantley’s fifth with the Astros. Last season he hit .288 with 14

By The Associated Press Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Jerome Bettis are among those mourning the death of Franco Harris. The Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back died this week at the age of 72 just before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception that forever earned him a spot in