Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

___

AP Sports Extra: College Football Playoffs & Bowl Season A paginated preview of the college football playoffs and bowl season is available in AP Newsroom by searching for “Sports Extra” under the Graphics tab. Three page sizes are available — full broadsheet, half broadsheet and tabloid — with space for local advertising or content. The pages list all the bowls and look at the matchups in the College Football Playoffs. Please contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org with any questions.

___

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

FBC--CFP-TEXAS A&M-HOWELL’S RISE

DESCRIPTION: COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Cashius Howell heard the same thing repeatedly from power conference schools during his high school recruitment. “They just didn’t feel like I was worth it to waste a roster spot on,” Howell recalled recently. Five years later the defensive end has proven those schools wrong, becoming one of the nation’s top defenders and a projected first-round draft pick. On Saturday he’ll lead No. 4 Texas A&M against No. 10 Miami when the Aggies make their College Football Playoff debut. By Kristie Rieken. 800 words. Photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

FBC--T25-MICHIGAN’S CHALLENGE

DESCRIPTION: ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While No. 18 Michigan prepares to play in a bowl game without fired coach Sherrone Moore, the program faces a challenge off the field while trying to retain recruits and keep current players out of the transfer portal next month. By Larry Lage. 400 words, photos by 4 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

FBC--CFP-TULANE-RETZLAFF’S REBOUND

DESCRIPTION: NEW ORLEANS -- Jake Retzlaff says he was “devastated” and wasn’t sure what his football future held when it became clear the quarterback would be unable to play this season at BYU, a Mormon institution where his Jewish heritage made him a celebrated novelty. He wound up at Tulane, a school with a relatively large Jewish student population, and where his success has been a big hit as he’s helped the Green Wave qualify for the College Football Playoff. By Brett Martel. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 4:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

BKN--NBA CUP-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS -- New York vs. Wemby. That’s an intriguing matchup for the NBA Cup final. The Knicks will take on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs for the title of the NBA’s in-season event on Tuesday night, a game that won’t count in the standings for either team. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United hosts Bournemouth in the final match of the latest round in the Premier League. United can climb to fifth place with a win. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

FBN--PACKERS-ANALYSIS

DESCRIPTION: Falling out of the NFC North lead is the least of the Green Bay Packers’ concerns after a painful 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos in which they likely lost star pass rusher Micah Parsons for the rest of the season and watched multiple other key players also get injured six days before a crucial trip to Chicago. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 700 words, with photos, expected by 6 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

FBN--DOLPHINS-STEELERS

DESCRIPTION: PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) will be without star outside linebacker T.J. Watt when they host the Miami Dolphins (6-7). Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung last week during a dry-needling treatment. By Will Graves. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 8:15 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 11:15 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

FBN--COLTS ANALYSIS

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen prefers playing the aggressor. He eagerly takes chances on third down, likes to go for it on fourth down than punt and enjoys coming up with creative ways to stretch the field. With a 44-year-old grandfather playing quarterback, though, Steichen can’t afford to rely on his instincts to make the playoffs. He played it safe Sunday and it gave the Colts a chance at Seattle. But he may need to open up the offense to reach the playoffs. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 725 words, with photos by 4 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 12/15/2025 11:20 p.m. EST, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

HKN—SABRES-ADAMS FIRED

The Buffalo Sabres fired general manager Kevyn Adams on Monday in a move made 2 1/2 months into his sixth season, with the team sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and already in jeopardy of extending its NHL-record playoff drought to a 15th year. SENT: 300 words, photo. Updates coming.

___

BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL

Arizona, Michigan stay 1-2 in AP Top 25 men’s poll; No. 15 Nebraska hits highest mark since 1991

SUMMARY: No. 1 Arizona and No. 2 Michigan remain atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for a second straight week. Monday’s new poll also saw Nebraska jump eight spots to No. 15. That is the program’s highest ranking since sitting at No. 11 in the final poll of the 1990-91 season. The top 10 was unchanged from last week other than No. 7 Gonzaga and No. 8 Houston swapping spots. Georgia was the lone new addition to the poll at No. 25. The Bulldogs replaced UCLA.

WORDS: 564 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 1:27 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:515e5224e9d2b871c2a962a973c21569&mediaType=text

___

HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BEDARD

Blackhawks place Connor Bedard on injured reserve with an upper-body injury

SUMMARY: Connor Bedard is going to miss at least two weeks because of an upper-body injury, dealing a major blow to the Chicago Blackhawks and his chances of making Team Canada for the Winter Olympics. Bedard was placed on injured reserve three days after he got hurt in the final seconds of a 3-2 loss at St. Louis. Coach Jeff Blashill says Bedard will be re-evaluated at some point after Jan. 1. Blashill declined to offer any specifics with Bedard’s injury, sticking to his upper-body designation. He says Bedard isn’t going to have an operation or procedure right now, but he left open that possibility for the 20-year-old center down the road.

WORDS: 317 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 1:21 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:13fe83caf503ffbb1e4aae83dd839d61&mediaType=text

___

BBO--DODGERS-DÍAZ-DEFERRED

Dodgers owe $1.06 billion in deferred money to 9 players through 2047 after Edwin Díaz deal

SUMMARY: Edwin Díaz won’t receive all of his $69 million from the Dodgers until 2047, with the closer’s deal raising deferred payment obligations for the two-time World Series champions to more than $1.06 billion due to nine players. As part of the three-year contract announced Friday, Díaz gets a $9 million signing bonus payable on Feb. 1, according to terms obtained by The Associated Press. He receives a $14 million salary next year and $23 million in each of the following two seasons. The Dodgers will defer $4.5 million annually.

WORDS: 493 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:50 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ba12d57ac9fae51a25713314bb5facb1&mediaType=text

___

FBC--AP ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Big Ten puts 10 on AP All-America first team, led by 4 from Ohio State and Hoosier star Mendoza

SUMMARY: The Associated Press has released its All-America team, featuring four Ohio State players among 10 first-team picks from the Big Ten. Caleb Downs of Ohio State and Fernando Mendoza of Indiana headline the list. Downs, a repeat selection, is the Big Ten defensive player of the year. Mendoza, the AP Player of the Year, led Indiana to a 13-0 record and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. The team includes players from 18 schools, with seven from the College Football Playoff. Western Kentucky, Navy, and Hawaii each have first-team selections for the first time in decades.

WORDS: 1308 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:46 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f0a2aa9aa723b453d0015ee197c8ff6f&mediaType=text

___

OLY--MILAN CORTINA-MARIAH CAREY

All I want for Christmas is the Olympics. Mariah Carey to perform at Milan Cortina opening ceremony

SUMMARY: Mariah Carey is going to add some American pop-star pedigree to the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The local organizing committee says Carey is the first international star named to perform in the Feb. 6 ceremony at Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium. The committee says “Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games.” And that “music is a universal language that attracts different stories and sensibilities and intertwines with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.” The Games will be spread all over northern Italy. The closing ceremony is slated for Verona’s ancient Roman Arena on Feb. 22.

WORDS: 329 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:39 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e66bcb4295bb588fbdeb92d09f82105a&mediaType=text

___

GLF--PGA TOUR-AWARDS

Scottie Scheffler joins Tiger Woods by winning PGA Tour player of the year for 4th straight year

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler is the PGA Tour player of the year for the fourth consecutive time. Tiger Woods is the only other player to win the Jack Nicklaus Award at least four straight times since it began in 1990. Woods won it five times in a row and 11 overall. Scheffler was the clear favorite in a vote of the players. Along with his six victories being twice as many as anyone else’s, he won two majors at the PGA Championship and British Open. Most remarkable was that Scheffler finished no worse than eighth in his last 15 tournaments of the season.

WORDS: 523 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:31 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a08fc1b29fd2f4289bd550b7a3d16523&mediaType=text

___

FBN--JETS-WILKS FIRED

Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks fired by coach Aaron Glenn after 48-20 loss to Jaguars

SUMMARY: New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn has fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. The decision by Glenn came after the team allowed 48 points in a significant loss to Jacksonville. Glenn announced that Chris Harris, the team’s defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, will take over for Wilks. Glenn plans to assist Harris with play-calling duties this week. Glenn, in his first season as head coach, said he made the decision late Sunday night. Wilks’ defense struggled all season, ranking among the league’s worst. The Jets set an NFL record with no interceptions through their first 14 games. They are 3-11.

WORDS: 796 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:19 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:50552432061da110aab959f2612425dc&mediaType=text

___

BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL

Undefeated UConn keeps top spot in AP Top 25 women’s poll; Texas, South Carolina UCLA next

SUMMARY: Undefeated UConn still has the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Huskies received 24 first-place votes from a 32-member national media panel. UConn has now been ranked 646 weeks in the poll, tying Stanford for third most in the poll’s 50-year history. The second-ranked Longhorns garnered the other eight first-place ballots. South Carolina, UCLA, and LSU remained the next three teams in the poll. Louisville made the biggest jump this week, climbing six spots to No. 16. Princeton joined the poll while Oklahoma State dropped out.

WORDS: 373 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 12:00 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c9eca9a8a1eff92e41bcba13da2b089b&mediaType=text

___

FBN--COWBOYS ANALYSIS

Prescott says Cowboys have to stick to business with playoff hopes all but gone

SUMMARY: Dak Prescott stared blankly for several seconds when the star quarterback was asked what the goal would be for the Dallas Cowboys over the final three games with their playoff hopes all but gone. The long pause said it all after a Minnesota team that was eliminated from postseason contention before kickoff put Prescott’s crew in basically the same place with a 34-26 victory. Dallas might be eliminated before playing its next game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. NFC East rival Philadelphia likely will finish off the Cowboys by beating four-win Washington on Saturday.

WORDS: 977 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 11:18 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bf73948bf420282020f591baf8b5d552&mediaType=text

___

FBC--HEISMAN TROPHY-PAVIA

Diego Pavia apologizes for outburst after Heisman loss, intends to play in ReliaQuest Bowl

SUMMARY: Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has apologized for his comments after finishing second in the Heisman votes behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza became the first Hoosier to win the award, earning 2,362 points. Pavia followed with 1,435 points. After the ceremony, Pavia posted a photo on Instagram with a caption criticizing the voters. He later apologized on Sunday night, acknowledging his poor handling of emotions. He praised Mendoza as a deserving winner and expressed gratitude for his support system. Pavia also shared excitement for the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl, his last college game.

WORDS: 457 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 10:45 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e9779935601ad216b6f6ebdded349db0&mediaType=text

___

FBC--TRANSFER PORTAL ROUNDUP

Oft-injured Florida QB DJ Lagway entering transfer portal amid coaching change

SUMMARY: Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is entering the transfer portal. Lagway announced his intentions on social media, saying “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an incredible program here at the University of Florida.” The oft-injured Lagway completed 63% of his passes this season for 2,264 yards, with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He missed most of the offseason program while recovering from core-muscle surgery, a sore throwing arm and a strained calf.

WORDS: 310 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 10:44 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:87fb2ba93e46ed294d4791a594003b1b&mediaType=text

___

SKI--VONN’S RETURN

Lindsey Vonn likely to push back retirement following winning start to Olympic season at age 41

WORDS: 917 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 6:16 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:41ee8dff0ccea83ca8ae4b1ef02f2bcd&mediaType=text

___

FBN--ON FOOTBALL-MAHOMES & PARSONS

Injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons ruin NFL’s Week 15

SUMMARY: First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons. The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories. Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800 days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16 victory. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0 deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England.

WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 6:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:744b96af8536b652185b1fde1fa1d933&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-WARMUP GAMES

Germany to face Ghana in World Cup warmup after draw blocks Ivory Coast plans

SUMMARY: Germany will face Ghana in March to prepare for the World Cup after the draw forced Julian Nagelsmann’s team to cancel a planned friendly with the Ivory Coast. Germany takes on Ghana in Stuttgart on March 30, three days after an already-scheduled game away to Switzerland. The Ivory Coast had been announced as Germany’s opponent in Stuttgart but that game had to be called off after the two teams were drawn in the same World Cup group, along with Ecuador and newcomer Curacao.

WORDS: 257 - MOVED: 12/15/2025 5:33 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0026c22b3e1f52ec18e08ab73cf416b7&mediaType=text

___

MOVING TOMORROW ___

—FBC--AP Coach Of The Year

—FBC--FCS All-America Team

—US--Oakland-College-Shooting