Kentucky women's basketball upsets LSU on last second 3-pointer

Guard Tonie Morgan hit the winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift the No. 12-ranked Kentucky women's basketball team over No. 5 LSU, 80-78, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, on Thursday.

It was the first loss for the Tigers (14-1, 0-1 SEC), who set an NCAA record earlier this season by scoring 100-plus points in eight consecutive games.

Morgan led the Wildcats (14-1, 1-0 SEC) with 24 points, including three 3-pointers. She added 12 assists for her third double-double of the season. Teonni Key added 17 points and 16 rebounds for a double-double of her own. Clara Strack had 15 points and nine rebounds.

FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😼| 80-78 |🐅📺https://t.co/xvzCxDPL5x📊https://t.co/VNmgfDxiNv📻https://t.co/gXjkVj9NCo@SECx#KentuckyWBBpic.twitter.com/89wJ03ydhJ

— Kentucky Women's Basketball (@KentuckyWBB)January 2, 2026

Kentucky had 17 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points, compared to four for LSU.

The Tigers led 75-69 with 5:03 to go in the game. They failed to score a field goal the rest of the way. Mikaylah Williams scored 26 points to lead four players in double figures for LSU.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kentucky women's basketball upsets LSU on last second 3-pointer

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January 01, 2026

Kentucky women's basketball upsets LSU on last second 3-pointer

Guard Tonie Morgan hit the winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift the No. 12-ranked Kentucky women's ba...

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Dylan Guenther has 1st career hat trick to send Mammoth to 7-2 victory over Isles

NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Guenther had his first career hat trick and added an assist and the Utah Mammoth topped the New York Islanders 7-2 on Thursday.

Nick Schmaltz scored twice and added an assist, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev each had a goal and two assists, while Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton each had two assists. Karel Vejmelka returned from a two-game absence and finished with 20 saves as the Mammoth snapped a two-game skid.

Cal Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer scored for New York, and Max Shabanov had two assists. David Rittich made nine saves on 14 shots, but was replaced by Marcus Hogberg 5:41 into the third period.

Guenther scored his second goal of the game when he buried a backhand feed from Crouse to give Utah a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. He also opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the middle period.

The Islanders briefly tied it 1-1 early in the second period when Ritchie fired a wrist shot over the glove of Vejmelka.

Schmaltz beat Rittich with less than four minutes remaining in the second period to extend Utah's lead to two goals.

Mammoth forward Alex Kerfoot took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in the second, but the Islanders didn't capitalize on the ensuing power play.

Sergachev and Keller scored in the first six minutes of the third period to stretch Utah's lead to 5-1 and prompt the Islanders to change goaltenders.

Guenther completed the hat trick and scored his 20th goal of the season by sliding the puck between the legs of Hogberg with less than seven minutes remaining.

Schaefer scored a power-play goal midway through the third period for his 10th of the season.

Mammoth: visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Islanders: host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

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January 01, 2026

Dylan Guenther has 1st career hat trick to send Mammoth to 7-2 victory over Isles

NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Guenther had his first career hat trick and added an assist and the Utah Mammoth topped the New Yor...

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Lamar Jackson injury update: Ravens QB says he is playing vs. Steelers

Will Lamar Jackson play on Sunday vs. thePittsburgh Steelers? According to Lamar Jackson, yes.

TheBaltimore Ravenspasser was injured inWeek 16, suffering a back contusion that sidelined him for Baltimore'sWeek 17matchup vs. the theGreen Bay Packers. Luckily, the Ravens downed Green Bay to keep their playoff hopes intact.

While there was some question surrounding Jackson's availability for the winner-take-allWeek 18matchup vs. the Steelers, the passer said on New Year's Day that he will definitely suit up.

"100%, I'm gonna be out there,"Jackson saidwhen asked if he's playing vs. their AFC North rivals on Sunday. ... "Looking forward to playing Sunday. And not just me, I feel like all of us, all phases."

Jackson was kneed in the back by a New England Patriots defender in Week 16, forcing him out for half of the matchup and the subsequent week vs. Green Bay. After practicing earlier in the week, Jackson said he will start on Sunday.

That's good news for the Ravens, who must win to get their ticket punched to the NFL playoffs. Should the Ravens win, they'll take the division and eliminate the Steelers in the process.

Here's the latest on Jackson and his injury:

Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season

Lamar Jackson injury update

The Ravens passer says he is "100%" starting in a do-or-die Week 18 matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jackson told reporters on New Year's Day that he will also wear some protective padding around the injury to further protect himself from injury as he recovers.

Jackson was injured inWeek 16 vs. the New England Patriots, taking a hit to his lower back to put him out the rest of the matchup.

Ravens QB depth chart

Here's how the QB room stacks up with Jackson's return this week:

1. Lamar Jackson

2. Tyler Huntley

3. Cooper Rush

In Jackson's absence, Huntley started and helpeddown the Packers in Week 17to keep their playoff hopes alive. Jackson is set to start once again in Week 18.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Lamar Jackson injury update: Is Ravens QB playing in Week 18?

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January 01, 2026

Lamar Jackson injury update: Ravens QB says he is playing vs. Steelers

Will Lamar Jackson play on Sunday vs. thePittsburgh Steelers? According to Lamar Jackson, yes. TheBaltimore Rave...

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Alabama QB Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in 2nd half of blowout Rose Bowl loss

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in the second half of the Crimson Tide's38-3 loss to top-seeded Indianain the Rose Bowl on Thursday.

Simpson got hurt when an Indiana player's helmet hit him in the torso and caused a fumble after he made a courageous scramble through the Hoosiers' defense for a first down late in the first half. He had an X-ray at halftime that revealed the injury, Simpson said after the College Football Playoff quarterfinal ended.

"Felt like I had a good thing going on that drive when I got hit," Simpson said. "It kind of changed the momentum for sure. Just ready to get back to work. I've got to get healthy and get ready to go."

Simpson still went back on the field for one more series after halftime, but he voluntarily gave way to backup Austin Mack after he couldn't play through the injury.

"I made an executive decision and thought (about) what gave us the best chance to win," Simpson said. "I thought Austin being 100% could help us win."

Simpson acknowledged that he might have tried to do too much on that fateful scramble after he came up one yard short of a first down on a run earlier in the game.

"I knew I slid (and) I thought I got the first down," Simpson said of the first run. "I was a half a yard short. Came back to the sideline, was (ticked) off. The competitor in me wanted to make sure I got the first down. Got more than the first down, and then should have been smart and just got down."

Neither quarterback had sustained success in a one-sided loss.

Simpson went 12 of 16 for 67 yards, while Mack went 11 of 16 for 103 yards while getting sacked three times. Mack led the Tide's only scoring drive, going 65 yards on nine plays in his first series, which culminated in a short field goal.

The Tide didn't score again in their biggest blowout loss since September 1998.

"(Simpson) really wanted to try to go out there (after halftime)," Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. "I know he feels like he let down the team, and there's no way that that's the case. He went out there, tried to battle. That's who he is."

AP college football:https://apnews.com/college-football

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January 01, 2026

Alabama QB Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in 2nd half of blowout Rose Bowl loss

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in the second half of the Crimson...

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Tallest player in women’s college basketball to join Texas Tech

As conference play in the Big 12 begins, Texas Tech's women's basketball team just made a big midseason addition.

The Red Raiders have signed 7-footer Stephanie Okechukwu, multiple sources familiar with her recruitment confirmed to USA Today. The towering center from Nigeria has a reported 7-foot-4 wingspan. Whether Okechukwu will be eligible to play immediately depends on NCAA approval.

Texas Tech hadn't formally announced Okechukwu joining the team as of Thursday afternoon, butthere is a graphic posted on their websiteof her palming two basketballs. Red Raiders coach Krista Gerlichposted a video to X early Thursday morningwith a caption that says, "Walking into the New Year feeling 7 feet tall!" The video shows Okechukwu walking through an airport.

Should she be approved by the NCAA to play this season, Okechukwu will be the tallest player in the sport, dwarfing a pair of 6-foot-10 centers in Nicole Dominguez of Middle Tennessee State and Abbie Boutilier of Eastern Illinois. Videosposted to her Instagramshow her dunking one-handed with ease.

Multiple sources told USA Today Okechukwu was pursued by several Power 4 programs, including fellow Big 12 member West Virginia. An assistant coach for the Red Raiders traveled to Africa a few weeks ago to close the deal on her recruitment.

Okechukwu is also the latest midseason international acquisition this season by teams in major conferences. Mississippi State has signed French guard Melissa Guillet and South Carolina brought in French center Alicia Tournebize.

Guillet is expected to begin playing for the Bulldogs this month, as long as she can secure a visa, whichhas been a hurdle for international studentsunder the Trump Administration.

"Adding Melissa this late in the year is an awesome opportunity," Mississippi State coach Purcell said in a statement. "She has been playing the game at the highest level, and her international experience will be huge for us as she joins the program and helps us chase championships."

Gamecocks coach Dawn Staleytold the Greenville News this weekshe's optimistic that Tournebize will be able to play this month.

Texas Tech is 15-0 and tied its best start in program history on Wednesday night by defeating visiting UCF 73-55. Ranked No. 23 in the latest USA TODAY Sports college women's basketball poll, this is also the best start to a season for the Red Raiders under Gerlich. She is in her sixth season coaching at her alma mater.

The Red Raiders boast one of the statistically best defenses in college basketball, ranking third nationally in opponent effective field goal percentage (35.7%), fourth in points per play allowed (0.61) and fifth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (22.7%). Adding an imposing rim protector like Okechukwu could make the Red Raiders even more effective on that end of the floor.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tallest player in women's college basketball to join Texas Tech

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January 01, 2026

Tallest player in women’s college basketball to join Texas Tech

As conference play in the Big 12 begins, Texas Tech's women's basketball team just made a big midseason addition....

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No. 4 Texas Tech turns the ball over 4 times in No. 5 Oregon's 23-0 Orange Bowl win

Texas Tech's offense had its worst game of the season at the most inopportune time.

The No. 4 Red Raiders averaged fewer than four yards a play and turned the ball over four times ina 23-0 loss to No. 5 Oregon in the Orange Bowlon Thursday. The loss means that teams that have received a first-round bye in the brief history of the 12-teamCollege Football Playoffare now 0-6 as Oregon will play the winner of the Rose Bowl in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9.

Oregon freshman defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. was on the opposite end of three of those turnovers. And his second interception of the day severely damaged any chance of a Texas Tech comeback.

With the Red Raiders trailing 13-0, Finney intercepted Tech QB Behren Morton in the corner of the end zone on third down as the Red Raiders were threatening to cut Oregon's lead to six points. Morton seemingly never saw Finney as he dropped back off the line of scrimmage.

BRANDON FINNEY JR. WITH HIS THIRD TAKEAWAY OF THE DAY 😮‍💨pic.twitter.com/mdwfukoR1L

— ESPN (@espn)January 1, 2026

The pick was Morton's third turnover of the day. Even when Tech's offense would finally string together productive plays, something would happen for the Red Raiders to stall out.

After Finney's second pick, Atticus Sappington hit a 43-yard field goal to put Oregon up by 16.

The lead could have been so much larger had Oregon's offense not squandered so many opportunities in Texas Tech territory itself. The stellar Red Raiders defense did all it could to keep Tech in the game and stopped Oregon on four of its eight fourth-down attempts.

[Get more Ducks football news: Oregon team feed]

Oregon led just 6-0 at halftime as Texas Tech had a fantastic chance to take the lead at the start of the third quarter after receiving the second-half kickoff. Instead, the Red Raiders gained a grand total of two yards on three plays and punted the ball away to Oregon.

The Ducks extended the lead to 13 points a short time later after Matayo Uiagalelei stripped Morton and caught the ball. Uiagalelei ran 16 yards to the Texas Tech 6-yard line and Jordon Davison scored the first touchdown of the game one play later.

Matayo Uiagalelei deserves more love in the pre-draft process.#GoDuckspic.twitter.com/3FLgK7rO2E

— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork)January 1, 2026

Tech got to the Oregon 34-yard line on its next drive, but, in a play that summed up how the whole game unfolded, running back J'Koby Williams lost a yard after taking a direct snap on fourth down when he needed just one yard for a first down.

Tech still had a glimmer of hope after Finney's second interception as its defense quickly forced a three-and-out. But as Oregon punted — and Tech didn't make a concerted effort to block the punt — AJ McCarty lined up offsides. The penalty gave Oregon an automatic first down and helped set up Sappington's field goal.

The Red Raiders didn't have over 200 total yards until there were fewer than five minutes remaining in the game.

Can Texas Tech build another contender?

The Red Raiders were one of the best teams in college football in 2025 thanks to mega-booster Cody Campbell and the astute use of the transfer portal by coach Joey McGuire and his staff.

A defense that was absolutely abysmal in 2024 turned into one of the nation's best with players like David Bailey, Romello Height, Lee Hunter and Cole Wisniewski joining fifth-place Heisman finisher Jacob Rodriguez and others. But many of Tech's key contributors on that side of the ball are either out of eligibility or off to the NFL. Can McGuire's staff quickly identify talent to restock that side of the ball as the portal opens on Friday?

And will Tech go after a transfer portal quarterback? Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby has been linked to the Red Raiders after he announced he was transferring away from the Bearcats. Sorsby was one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 in 2025 as Cincinnati was a midseason contender in the conference before a disastrous November.

Oregon is a win away from its first national title game in 11 years

Oregon hasn't been this close to a national title since making the national championship game in the first year of the four-team College Football Playoff at the end of the 2014 season.

A year ago, the Ducks entered the playoff as the No. 1 seed following an undefeated season and a Big Ten title. Like Texas Tech, that all unraveled in the quarterfinals, as Ohio State steamrolled the Ducks in the Rose Bowl on the way to a national title.

This year, Oregon looks like it can be a a serious threat for the national title. And it may have to avenge its only loss of the season. If Indiana beats Alabama in the Rose Bowl, the Ducks will get another crack at the Hoosiers. Indiana beat Oregon 30-20 in Eugene in October.

• Featured

  Thu, January 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

• 

  Thu, January 1, 2026 at 10:34 PM GMT+2

  Ben Fawkes

  Underdogs are on a roll

  Oregon closed as a 1-point underdog vs. Texas Tech, which means underdogs are now 5-1 ATS in this year's College Football Playoff with four outright wins.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 10:23 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Final: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0

  The Ducks tacked on another touchdown with just seconds remaining, but the Oregon defense was the story of the game. It forced four turnovers and shut down Texas Tech all game long.
• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 10:11 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Two minutes left

  The Ducks are just burning clock in field goal range now.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 10:02 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Oregon misses FG

  Well, something finally went wrong for Oregon, but it likely won't matter. Atticus Sappington just sailed a field goal wide with just under 5 minutes left in the game.

  It's still 16-0.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:57 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Texas Tech stuffed on fourth down!

  Well, that'll just about do it for this one. Behren Morton was just sacked by Oregon's Teitum Tuioti on fourth down deep in Texas Tech's own territory.

  It'll be Ducks ball at the TTU 25.

  Oregon 4th down stop pic.twitter.com/4vNchqtTKR

  — NFL Paint (@NFLPaint) January 1, 2026

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:53 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Oregon adds FG

  The Ducks have added to their lead with another Atticus Sappington field goal as the game ticks inside the 8-minute mark in the fourth quarter.

  Oregon 16, TTU 0

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:46 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Oregon gifted first down on silly TTU penalty

  The Ducks were punting the ball away but a dumb offside penalty gave them a fresh set of downs, so now they can bleed more time off the clock.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:41 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Interception Oregon!

  It's another turnover for Texas Tech and it's Oregon's Brandon Finney coming down with a pick AGAIN!

  That's the freshman's third takeaway of the game.

  Another Interception from Mr. Morton pic.twitter.com/RgLFS60DRx

  — NFL Paint (@NFLPaint) January 1, 2026

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:37 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  End of Q3

  The Red Raiders are on the move and inside the 10 after a long completion from Behren Morton to Terrance Carter Jr.

  That's the end of the third quarter and Oregon is still up 13-0.

• 

  Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:29 PM GMT+2

  Nick Bromberg

  Neither offense is averaging more than four yards a play

  Not pretty

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:29 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Interception Texas Tech!

  The Red Raiders have some life! Ben Roberts just sunk into coverage and Oregon's Dante Moore didn't see him when throwing over the middle.

  Texas Tech will have it back at midfield.

  If you're throwing over the middle... beware of Ben Roberts 😈#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/SNXdIHNP38

  — Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) January 1, 2026

• 

  Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:25 PM GMT+2

  Nick Bromberg

  Hard not to wonder if this game is effectively over

  Texas Tech's most promising drive of the day still took a lot of effort and ended up with no points. Something has to flip quickly for the Red Raider offense.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:23 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Texas Tech stuffed on fourth down!

  The Red Raiders were facing a fourth-and-1 and opted for a shotgun snap to 5-10, 180-pound J'Koby Williams and the Ducks stopped him cold.

  Texas Tech can't convert 4th down pic.twitter.com/81aT8bHsmF

  — NFL Paint (@NFLPaint) January 1, 2026

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:18 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Texas Tech on the march

  The Red Raiders have finally found something positive offensively and are now over midfield after a couple first downs.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:11 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Touchdown Oregon!

  The Ducks have finally found the end zone on a short run by Jordon Davison! It's only a two-possession game, but with the way Texas Tech is playing, that feels like a dagger early in the third quarter.

  Oregon 13, TTU 0

  jordon davison touchdown; oregon vs texas tech pic.twitter.com/4nwXuWWs2M

  — ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) January 1, 2026

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:08 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  OREGON STRIP SACK!

  The Ducks may have just made the play of the game. Matayo Uiagalelei just stripped Behren Morton in the backfield and returned it all the way down to the TTU 5-yard line.

  Oregon's Defense came to play pic.twitter.com/rEbQcXCJa0

  — NFL Paint (@NFLPaint) January 1, 2026

• 

  Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:04 PM GMT+2

  Nick Bromberg

  Oregon has got to capitalize at some point

  The Ducks simply do not have many advantages over the Texas Tech defense. This game could be 20-0 or worse … instead, Texas Tech can still take the lead with a TD.

  Of course, the offense would have to move the ball for that to happen.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:03 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  Oregon stuffed on fourth down AGAIN!

  The Ducks went for it on fourth-and-2 again and Dante Moore tried to scramble for the first down but came up just short of the line to gain.

  That's another turnover on downs in scoring range for Oregon.

• Thu, January 1, 2026 at 9:01 PM GMT+2

  Yahoo Sports Staff

  TTU punts it away

  The Red Raiders didn't move anywhere on the opening possession and gave it over to Oregon, and Malik Benson returned the punt over midfield.

  The Ducks are almost in scoring range again.

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January 01, 2026

No. 4 Texas Tech turns the ball over 4 times in No. 5 Oregon's 23-0 Orange Bowl win

Texas Tech's offense had its worst game of the season at the most inopportune time. The No. 4 Red Raiders av...

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Venus Williams to make first Australian Open appearance in 5 years after being granted singles wild-card

Venus Williams' comeback tour is officially heading down under.

The 45-year-old tennis legend, currently ranked 148th in the WTA rankings, has been granted a wild-card entry into the Australian Open singles field, setting her up for her first appearance at the tournament in five years.

She's BACK 🙌7x Grand Slam champion,@Venuseswilliams✨pic.twitter.com/KuByXJro2p

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen)January 1, 2026

Williams has five career Australian Open titles, but all in doubles and mixed doubles. She's reached the singles final twice, losing to her sister Serena in both 2003 and 2017.

The last time she competed in the tournament in any form was in the singles event in 2021, when she lost in the second round to qualifier Sara Errani. Her win in the first round alone made her the first woman since Martina Navratilova to win a grand slam singles match after turning 40.

Veteran tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg notesthat because all eight Australian Open wild cards have now been allocated, two-time singles champion Victoria Azarenka, currently ranked No. 132 in the world, no longer has a path to the main draw.

Williams had been quietly out of action for 16 months between 2024 and 2025 due to health issues stemming from fibroids, leading to the WTA officially designating her as inactive.She made her return in July last year with an upset of the WTA's No. 35 playerand later made it into the US Open,where she took No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova to a third set before losing in the first round.

Her tennis future was unclear after that US Open appearance,which also includeda quarterfinals run in doublesalongside Leylah Fernandez. She has since competed in the Charlotte Invitational exhibition last month (in which she also got married), and we now know we'll be getting one more Grand Slam out of her.

byAdministrator

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January 01, 2026

Venus Williams to make first Australian Open appearance in 5 years after being granted singles wild-card

Venus Williams' comeback tour is officially heading down under. The 45-year-old tennis legend, currently ranked 148th in the WTA ranki...

Read More