By W.G. RAMIREZ LAS VEGAS (AP) — Justin Herbert’s brilliant rookie season is now a record-setting campaign. Herbert scored on 1-yard plunge to give the Los Angeles Chargers a 30-27 overtime victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. “It was pretty crazy,” said Herbert, who set an NFL rookie record with his seventh…… read more »
Doug Konkel and Rusty Mansell interview 4 regional college head coaches about their signing day plans and what they hope to achieve with their respective programs moving forward.… read more »
By CHARLES ODUM ATLANTA (AP) — Julio Jones’ nagging hamstring injury has made his value to the Atlanta Falcons more obvious than ever. Jones has missed four games this season and his status is in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta’s backups have shown flashes of promise while filling in for…… read more »
By RALPH D. RUSSO As Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida prepared to play for conference championships, they signed top-10 recruiting classes for 2021 they hope to fuel their next title contenders. The most unusual college football season in memory brought the convergence Wednesday of the start of the early signing…… read more »
By JOHN ZENOR It’s hard to imagine a much more meteoric rise to Heisman Trophy contender than that of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, until you consider Florida’s Kyle Trask. Formerly three-star recruits with daunting paths to starting jobs but five-star perseverance and smarts, now they’re perhaps the leading Heisman candidates heading into Saturday night’s Crimson…… read more »
By STEPHEN WADE A coalition representing ethnic minorities in China is again accusing the International Olympic Committee of ignoring widespread human rights abuses as the country prepares to hold the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Rights groups speaking for Tibetans, Uighurs and others representing Hong Kong have sent an open letter to IOC President Thomas…… read more »
By PETE IACOBELLI COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — New South Carolina coach Shane Beamer has received a five-year contract worth $13.75 million. Beamer, 43, was named to replace fired Will Muschamp earlier this month. Beamer’s contract was approved by the South Carolina Board of Trustees on Tuesday. Beamer will make $2.75 million per season with a…… read more »
By MITCH STACY COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A group of university administrators on a Zoom call decided Ohio State would play in the Big Ten championship game. Now the No. 3 Buckeyes are eager to show that not only are they the dominant team in the conference, but they also unequivocally deserve a spot in…… read more »
By STEVE MEGARGEE The personal touch that helps coaches sell their programs to blue-chip prospects is missing this year. Restrictions brought about by the pandemic prevent face-to-face communication between players and coaches. Staffs can’t visit high schools. Plenty of states didn’t even play high school football. “It’s just weird,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. It…… read more »
By RALPH D. RUSSO Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State will enter championship weekend in position to make the College Football Playoff with very little drama. In fact, where the semifinals will be played might be more in doubt than who will play in them. The top five teams were locked into their places…… read more »
