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Boise State makes the College Football Playoff as Big 12’s 1st-round bye chances dim

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The first big win in college football’s postseason goes to Boise State. The have Broncos captured the Mountain West Conference title and earned their spot in the sport’s first 12-team playoff. As for the losers, there was UNLV, which fell 21-7 to Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos in the conference title game. But more than that, it was the Big 12, which saw one path to a first-round bye in those playoffs blocked off by Jeanty and Company.

Ashton Jeanty lets his play do the talking for CFP-bound Boise State

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — After Ashton Jeanty streaked through the middle of UNLV’s defense on his way to a 75-yard touchdown run Friday night in the Mountain West Conference title game, he didn’t strike the Heisman pose. He didn’t even lobby for it after the game, instead letting his play do the talking in No. 10 Boise State’s 21-7 victory over No. 19 UNLV 21-7. Jeanty added another 209 yards — his sixth game over 200 yards this season — to push his total to 2,497 — just 132 yards short of passing Barry Sanders’ FBS season rushing record. The Broncos earned a spot in the College Football Playoff with the victory.

Amber Glenn becomes first US woman in 14 years to win figure skating Grand Prix Final

GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Amber Glenn has become the first American to win the women’s Grand Prix Final competition since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago. Glenn landed a triple axel on her way to a total score of 212.07 points to beat Japan’s Mone Chiba and triple world champion Kaori Sakamoto. That continues a stunning breakout season at the age of 25 for Glenn. The U.S. could win two more titles later Saturday. Ilia Malinin leads the men’s event ahead of the free skate and Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the ice dance.

Lando Norris takes pole for season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, Hamilton 18th in Mercedes farewell

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Lando Norris took pole position for the last Formula 1 race of the season alongside teammate Oscar Piastri to put McLaren on the verge of a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Norris’ last lap put him .209 of a second faster than Piastri, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. .020 further back. Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton is set to start his last race with Mercedes from 18th on the grid after a bizarre incident wrecked his final qualifying lap. A plastic pole marking the inside of a corner was knocked loose by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Hamilton drove over it.

Everton vs. Liverpool postponed because of Storm Darragh. Other Premier League games remain on

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed because of Storm Darragh’s dangerous winds and heavy rain on the west coast. The Met office says parts of Wales have experienced wind gusts of over 90 mph. The four other Premier League games Saturday remained on as planned. Manchester United will host Nottingham Forest at 5:30 p.m. local time at Old Trafford. The remaining games start at 3 p.m. local time. Aston Villa hosts Southampton and urged fans to use extra time to get to Villa Park in Birmingham. In London, Brentford will host Newcastle, and Crystal Palace will host Manchester City.

No. 24 Army wins AAC championship in first attempt as Daily runs for 4 TDs in 35-14 win over Tulane

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Bryson Daily rushed for four touchdowns to tie the American Athletic Conference championship game record, and No. 24 Army completed a perfect first season in the league by beating Tulane 35-14. Kanye Udoh rushed for 158 yards, including a 72-yarder to set up a Daily TD, and a score. Daily added 126 yards on the ground for the Black Knights, who overwhelmed AAC opponents with their bruising, clock-eating rushing attack during their first around the league, then ran it to perfection in the championship game. Army moved to 11-1. Daily had runs of 5, 3, 4 and 7 yards.

NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league has been reviewing the case for months, trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email that “there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damage before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson has played in just 19 games over three seasons for the Browns.

Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award, the latest trophy on a long list of honors for the Inter Miami star

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is the MVP of Major League Soccer for 2024. The award comes after a season where he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina’s national team. He still factored into a league-high 36 goals by scoring 20 and assisting on 16 others. His 2.1 goal contributions per 90 minutes played is the best by any player in any season in MLS history. MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernández for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members.

Pitcher Clay Holmes agrees to $38 million, 3-year contract with Mets, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that pitcher Clay Holmes and the New York Mets have agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract. Holmes can opt out after the 2026 season and become a free agent again, the person said. The 31-year-old right-hander was 3-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 30 saves in 67 appearances, leading the major leagues with 13 blown saves. Rediscovering his sinker, he developed into an effective setup man for the Yankees in the postseason.

Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source says

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Shane Bieber is returning to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts and undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but will be back after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner made just starts in 2024 before having the surgery on his troublesome elbow that bothered him the previous campaign. The 29-year-old Bieber has spent all seven big-league seasons with Cleveland.