SPORTS HEADLINES

Miami freshman Malachi Toney redeems himself with game-winning touchdown in 10-3 win over Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Malachi Toney’s tiebreaking 11-yard touchdown reception with less than two minutes left lifted No. 10 seed Miami to a 10-3 win over No. 7 Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff. Mark Fletcher Jr. had a career-high 172 yards rushing to help the Hurricanes (11-2) advance to the Cotton Bowl to face No. 2 seed Ohio State on Dec. 31.

Rams fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, AP source says

The Rams have fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn after his unit made several mistakes in Los Angeles’ loss at Seattle on Thursday, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the playoff-bound Rams hadn’t publicly announced Sean McVay’s first significant in-season staffing change in his nine-year tenure. Assistant Ben Kotwica is expected to replace Blackburn. Special teams played a major role in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to Seattle, a defeat that likely will prevent the 11-4 Rams from winning the NFC West or earning the No. 1 seed.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham signs 5-year extension averaging $7.5M a year

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Kenny Dillingham insisted he had no interest in leaving Arizona State. All he wanted was for his program and assistant coaches to get the resources they needed to be successful. Dillingham got his wish, signing a five-year contract extension that will raise his salary to an average of $7.5 million per year and increase the salary pool for his assistants to $11 million, one of the highest in the Big 12. Dillingham had been reportedly in the mix for numerous high-profile jobs. The 35-year-old coach’s name popped up when Michigan fired Sherrone Moore last week.

Kentucky rallies in second half to beat St. John’s 78-66 in first meeting against Pitino since 2016

ATLANTA (AP) — Otega Oweh scored 20 points and Kentucky stifled No. 22 St. John’s in the second half, beating former coach Rick Pitino 78-66 in Atlanta. St. John’s led 41-33 after Zuby Ejiofor converted a three-point play with 16:07 remaining. But Kentucky turned up the defensive pressure, ripping off a 14-0 run and holding the Red Storm without a field goal for nearly nine minutes. Pitino faced his former school for the first time since 2016 — his final season of a successful but scandal-plagued tenure at Louisville. Kentucky coach Mark Pope was a captain on Pitino’s 1996 championship team in Lexington.

Fudd and Strong power No. 1 UConn past No. 11 Iowa in Women’s Champions Classic

NEW YORK (AP) — Azzi Fudd scored 27 points and Sarah Strong added 23 to help No. 1 UConn beat 11th-ranked Iowa 90-64 on Saturday in the Women’s Champions Classic in New York. Strong also had seven rebounds and six steals for the Huskies (12-0), who remained unbeaten on the season heading into the holidays. No. 16 Louisville routed 17th-ranked Tennessee 89-65 in the opener of the doubleheader. Strong, the sensational sophomore, dominated the first half with 20 points and five steals as UConn led 42-31. Hannah Stuelke scored 17 points and Chazadi Wright added 16 for the Hawkeyes.

Arsenal takes top spot for Christmas as Haaland overtakes Ronaldo’s Premier League goal tally

Arsenal will spend Christmas Day on top of the Premier League with Erling Haaland and Manchester City breathing down its neck. Arsenal won at Everton 1-0 thanks to Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty and retained its two-point lead. Second-placed City beat West Ham 3-0 after a double by Haaland and he moved onto 19 goals in 17 matches in this campaign. Haaland has 104 career goals in the Premier League, one more than Cristiano Ronaldo. Liverpool edged nine-man Tottenham 2-1 but lost Alexander Isak to injury. Chelsea recovered to draw at Newcastle 2-2. Wolverhampton remains winless after losing to Brentford 2-0.

No. 1 Indiana looks to defy painful past against traditional power Alabama in Rose Bowl quarterfinal

Alabama and Indiana are set to face off in the Rose Bowl on January 1. Alabama, a football powerhouse with six national titles this century, will play No. 1 Indiana, a team with a historically painful past but an impressive current season. Indiana, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, is undefeated after beating Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Alabama, with an 11-3 record, rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Oklahoma in the first round. Both teams have coaching staff with ties to the other program, adding an interesting dynamic to the matchup.

Jake Paul reports double broken jaw and on liquids after KO loss to Anthony Joshua

MIAMI (AP) — Jake Paul’s jaw was broken in two places in his loss to former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Miami. The YouTuber confirmed the damage early Saturday. Joshua scored a sixth-round knockout victory. Paul posted an X-ray showing damage to his jaw. Paul writes in a social media post “Double broken jaw.” He also says “thanks for all the support I’m OK.” Paul later posts that “everything went smooth” during surgery. Joshua ended the heavyweight bout with a powerful punch to Paul’s jaw, sending the American to the canvas for the fourth and final time. Paul was counted out as he struggled to get to his feet.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer claps back at critics following comeback victory at Oklahoma in playoff

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer addressed doubts about his team after their College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma. Critics questioned Alabama’s inclusion after a tough loss to Georgia, while Notre Dame was left out. Rumors about DeBoer leaving for Michigan prompted him to affirm his commitment to Alabama. On Friday, Alabama overcame a 17-0 deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24, securing a spot in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal against Indiana. DeBoer expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing their resilience. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and linebacker Deontae Lawson acknowledged the media’s role in motivating them.

Ole Miss bracing for a better Tulane team in College Football Playoff opener

At first glance, Tulane’s visit to Ole Miss for a first-round College Football Playoff game looks like a mismatch of a rematch. Circumstances have changed, however, since the Rebels routed the Green Wave 45-10 back on Sept. 20. The 11th-seeded Green Wave are 11-2 and have evolved into a more cohesive squad on the way to an American Conference title. The Rebels are 11-1 and in the midst of a coaching transition following the untimely departure of Lane Kiffin for rival LSU. Golding says Tulane has looked a much improved team lately and that the Rebels know they’ll have their hands full. But so will Tulane. Odds makers has listed Ole Miss as more than two-touchdown favorites.