NCAAFB – College Football – Week 13
Last Night
Central Michigan 16, Western Michigan 14
CMU 16, WMU 14 – Central Michigan ends 5-game losing streak, beats rival Western Michigan 16-14
B.J. Harris ran for a touchdown and Tristan Mattson kicked three field goals and Central Michigan defeated rival Western Michigan 16-14 on Thursday night to capture the Victory Cannon Trophy.
The injury-plagued Chippewas (4-7, 2-5 Mid-American Conference) ended a five-game losing streak this season and a six-game home losing streak to the Broncos (5-6, 4-3). Central Michigan held the Broncos to 10 first downs, 2-of-12 success on third downs and 184 yards while controlling the ball for over 36 minutes.
Tonight
Buffalo at Eastern Michigan, 7:00 p.m.
NCAAFB – It’s Boise St, not BYU, with a bye in latest College Football Playoff rankings
Boise State received the fourth and final bye in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, leaving BYU out of that mix and the Big 12 on the list of power conferences with a gripe. Undefeated Oregon received top billing once again, delivered by the committee a few hours after Big Ten number crunchers ran through tiebreaker scenarios and realized the Ducks had clinched a spot in the conference title game. Ohio State stayed at No. 2, one spot ahead of Southeastern Conference co-leader Texas. Miami of the Atlantic Coast Conference was ranked eighth but gets the third seed and a bye that goes to the top four ranked conference leaders. And likewise, Boise State was ranked 12th by the committee but was slotted into that fourth and final bye.
NCAAFB – Big Ten says Oregon has clinched a spot in the conference championship game
The top-ranked Oregon Ducks have clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game. The Big Ten announced Tuesday that after extensive evaluation, there were “no conditions whereby the Ducks do not finish No. 1 or No. 2” in the conference. The conference championship is set for Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Oregon is 11-0 overall and 8-0 in the Big Ten, and one of just three undefeated teams in the country.
NCAAMBB – Men’s College Basketball
Last Night
Michigan State 83, Samford 75
Notre Dame 75, North Dakota 58
MSU 83, SAM 75 – MSU beats Samford 83-75; MSU freshman Jase Richardson leaves game with ankle injury
Jaden Akins scored 25 points and Michigan State beat Samford 83-75, but Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson left the game late with a left ankle injury. Richardson, the son of former NBA player and Spartan Jason Richardson, scored 12 points before leaving the game in the final minute and was helped to the bench where the training staff wrapped ice on his ankle. Josh Holloway scored eight points during a 12-5 surge to pull Samford 79-73 with 31 seconds left before the Spartans sealed it at the line. Jaden Brownell scored 19 points to lead Samford (4-2). The Bulldogs opened the game on a 21-8 run that before Michigan State answered with a 30-7 surge for a 38-28 halftime advantage. Akins scored 13 first-half points.
ND 73, NODAK 58 – Burton scores 29 points, Notre Dame pulls away in 2nd half to beat North Dakota 75-58
Markus Burton scored 13 of his 29 points in the second half when Notre Dame pulled away to beat North Dakota 75-58 on Tuesday night. Burton 13 of 20 from the floor and had nine rebounds and three assists. J.R. Konieczny added 12 points. The Fighting Irish (4-0) shot 52% despite making only 3 of 17 3-point tries. They outscored the Fighting Hawks 46-24 in the paint and scored 17 points off 15 turnovers, making nine steals, five made by Julian Roper II. Treysen Eaglestaff scored 13 points and Mier Panoam and Dariyus Woodson 11 each for North Dakota.
Tonight
Central State (OH) at Central Michigan, 7:00 p.m.
South Dakota at Western Michigan, 7:00 p.m.
NCAAWBB – Women’s College Basketball
Tonight
Long Island University at Michigan, 5:30 p.m.
Detroit Mercy at Michigan State, 6:30 p.m.
NBA – National Basketball Association
Tonight
Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks, 7:30 p.m.
Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets, 8:00 p.m.
NHL – National Hockey League
Last Night
Anaheim Ducks 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
Ducks 3, Blackhawks 2 – Alex Killorn helps the Ducks beat the Blackhawks 3-2 for their third straight win
Alex Killorn had a goal and an assist in the third period, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 for their season-high third straight win. Killorn tied it at 2 on a well-placed backhanded shot at 5:10. Then he made a perfect pass to Leo Carlsson for a backdoor tap-in with 10:22 left. Pavel Mintyukov also scored for Anaheim, which has won four of five overall. Trevor Zegras had two assists, and John Gibson made 18 saves. Chicago has lost five of six games.
NHL – Connor Bedard trying to break out of slump as the Blackhawks struggle to score
When it comes to his scoring slump, Connor Bedard is all about location. As in the areas of the ice where the young forward can deliver for the Chicago Blackhawks. Bedard says he needs to find good spots where he can make a play. The 19-year-old Bedard is going through some growing pains at the beginning of his second NHL season. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft had two assists in a 3-2 loss to Anaheim, but he hasn’t scored in his last 10 games — a career-long drought.
NHL – Bruins fire coach Jim Montgomery
The Boston Bruins have fired coach Jim Montgomery after losing 12 of their first 20 games. Montgomery led the Bruins to the greatest regular season in NHL history but never got them past the second round of the playoffs. He was fired a day after the Bruins lost to last-place Columbus to extend their losing streak to three games. Assistant Joe Sacco was named the interim coach.
NFL – Jets fire general manager Joe Douglas after team goes 3-8 to start the season
The New York Jets have fired general manager Joe Douglas after a 3-8 start to the season. Owner Woody Johnson announced in a statement Tuesday that Phil Savage will serve as the interim GM. Douglas was in the final year of his contract after being hired in 2019. The Jets’ season began with Super Bowl aspirations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. But the team struggled to a 2-3 start, and Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8. The Jets decided to also part ways Tuesday with Douglas. Johnson said the Jets will begin the process to find a new GM immediately.
Tennis – Rafael Nadal retires at the Davis Cup after he loses and Spain is eliminated
Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in what will be the last match of the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s career. That’s because Nadal’s Spanish team was eliminated by the Dutch squad on Tuesday in Malaga. The 38-year-old Nadal announced last month this event would be it for him as a professional tennis player.
MLB – Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt wins AL Manager of the Year, Brewers Pat Murphy in NL
Milwaukee’s Pat Murphy won National League Manager of the Year on Tuesday night after a stellar debut season with the Brewers, while Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt took home the AL award after leading the Guardians to 92 wins and a division title in his first year as a skipper at any level. Murphy, 65, led the Brewers to a 93-69 record and an NL Central title. He became the first manager in franchise history to win the award since it was introduced in 1983. In the playoffs, Milwaukee lost to the New York Mets in a Wild Card Series. The 40-year-old Vogt beat out Kansas City’s Matt Quatraro and Detroit’s A.J. Hinch, both AL Central rivals.
MLB – Cubs cut former closer Adbert Alzolay, who had Tommy John surgery in August
The Chicago Cubs have cut former closer Adbert Alzolay after he had Tommy John surgery late last season. Alzolay and minor league outfielder Brennen Davis were designated for assignment. Chicago selected the contracts of outfielder Owen Caissie from Triple-A Iowa and infielder Ben Cowles from Double-A Tennessee. The 29-year-old Alzolay had surgery on his right elbow in late August and is expected to miss all or most of the 2025 season. He struggled early this year and experienced a setback trying to rehabilitate the injury. The right-hander had four saves in nine chances and finished 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA in 18 games. Alzolay had 22 saves in 2023.
WNBA – LA Sparks hire University of Utah coach Lynne Roberts as head coach
The Los Angeles Sparks have hired Utah coach Lynne Roberts to fill their vacant head coach position. The franchise made the announcement Tuesday night. Roberts has spent the last nine-plus seasons at Utah and led the team to three straight NCAA Tournament berths. She was the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2023. The Utes have started this season 3-1. Roberts inherits a team that has a strong young nucleus of Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby. The Sparks have the No. 2 pick in next year’s WNBA draft. She replaces Curt Miller, who was let go in September.
Soccer – Spirit owner Kang pledges $30M to US Soccer for women’s and girl’s programs
Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang has pledged $30 million to U.S. Soccer over the next five years for programs aimed at women and girls. U.S. Soccer, a non-profit organization, announced the gift Tuesday. It represents the largest single investment specifically for women’s and girl’s programs in the federation’s history. Kang is also owner of Olympique Lyonnais women in France and England’s London City Lionesses.
NBAGL – NBA “G” League
Last Night
Cleveland Charge 129, Windy City Bulls 118
Today
Iowa Wolves at Motor City Cruise, 11:00 a.m.
ECHL – ECHL Hockey League
Tonight
Kalamazoo Wings at Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m.
MCCAA – Michigan Community College Athletic Association
Last Night
Men’s Basketball
Southwestern Michigan College 68, Andrews University 54
Tonight
Women’s Basketball
Oakton Community College at Lake Michigan College, 5:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
Oakton Community College at Lake Michigan College, 7:30 p.m.
MHSAA – Michigan High School Athletic Association
Last Night
Girls Volleyball (Quarterfinals)
Division 1 at Lansing Eastern
Fenton 3, Battle Creek Lakeview 0 25-19, 25-23, 25-23
Division 2 at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Harper Creek 3, GR South Christian 1 25-17, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16
-Harper Creek will face Detroit Country Day in the semifinals Friday at 6:30 at Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek
Division 3 at Gull Lake
Kalamazoo Christian 3, Pewamo-Westphalia 0 25-20, 25-23, 25-16
-Kalamazoo Christian will face Traverse City St. Francis in the semifinals Friday at 2:00 at Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek
Division 4 at Gull Lake
Our Lady of the Lake 3, Concord 2 22-25, 25-13, 26-24, 23-25, 15-5
-Our Lady of the Lake will face Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart in the semifinals Thursday at 2:00 at Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek