AP Sports Digest

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.

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UPCOMING

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BKW--T25-SETON HALL-UCONN

DESCRIPTION: Top-ranked UConn hosts Seton Hall in a Big East matchup. By Jim Fuller.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, Text

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BKC--BAYLOR-NBA DRAFT PICK

DESCRIPTION: James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick, could make his college debut with Baylor after his recent signing drew criticism from coaches across college basketball. By Schuyler Dixon. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 6:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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SOC--FRENCH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Inconsistent Monaco hosts resurgent Lyon in Ligue 1 while struggling Nice faces Strasbourg and Lille takes on Rennes in the other matches.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 6:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--PANTHERS-BUCCANEERS

DESCRIPTION: Carolina Panthers plays Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. 300 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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OLY--SPD-SPEEDSKATING-US TRIALS

DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating. By Howard Fendrich. 400 words.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Text

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HKN--AVALANCHE-HURRICANES

DESCRIPTION: The Colorado Avalanche visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, with the Avs leading the NHL standings while the Hurricanes enter the week tied for the Eastern Conference lead. By Bob Sutton. 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 10:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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BKW--T25-USC-UCLA

DESCRIPTION: No. 17 USC visits No. 4 UCLA in women’s basketball. By Beth Harris. 300 words, photos. Begins 8 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 10:40 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--SEAHAWKS-49ERS

DESCRIPTION: The Seattle Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. 300 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 01/03/2026 11:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--DUKE’S MAYO BOWL

Robby Ashford leads Wake Forest past Mississippi State 43-29 in Duke’s Mayo Bowl

SUMMARY: Robby Ashford threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 50 yards and two scores, Koredell Bartley scored on a 100-yard kickoff return and Wake Forest beat Mississippi State 43-29 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday night, earning coach Jake Dickert a mayonnaise bath. Ashford threw TD passes of 14 yards to Kamrean Johnson, 64 yards to Jack Foley and 62 yards to Ty Clark III and had scoring runs of 2 and 1 yards for the Demon Deacons (9-4). Freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor, making his second college start, had a big second half for Mississippi State (5-8) before suffering what appeared to be a significant leg injury with 1:46 left.

WORDS: 862 - MOVED: 01/03/2026 1:25 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:21fa96570b23db803edb7976361edc79&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-HOLIDAY BOWL

Jennings throws for 278 yards to lead SMU to 24-19 Holiday Bowl win over No. 21 Arizona

SUMMARY: Kevin Jennings threw for 278 yards, highlighted by an 80-yard completion on a razzle-dazzle play on the second play from scrimmage, and SMU beat No. 21 Arizona 24-19 in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. Jennings completed 21 of 32 passes, and set up two touchdown runs by T.J. Harden and one by Stone Eby for the Mustangs (9-4). They snapped a five-game postseason losing streak that included a 38-10 defeat to Penn State in the opening round of last season’s College Football Playoff. Arizona also finished 9-4. SMU was up 24-0 at halftime, a big enough lead to overcome three interceptions by Jennings in the second half and three touchdown passes by Arizona’s Noah Fifita.

WORDS: 832 - MOVED: 01/03/2026 1:04 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f238c04d428c1d125c7b43af6055cf1d&mediaType=text

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HKO--WORLD JUNIOR

Finland stuns 2-time defending champ US 4-3 in OT in world junior quarterfinals

SUMMARY: Arttu Valola scored at 2:11 of overtime and Finland stunned the two-time defending champion United States 4-3 on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarterfinals. Last year in the final in Ottawa, Ontario, the Americans beat the Finns 4-3 in overtime. In the semifinals Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, and Canada will play Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Canada had a five-goal first period in a 7-1 romp over Slovakia, and Czechia beat Switzerland 6-2. Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 left in regulation and Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

WORDS: 587 - MOVED: 01/03/2026 12:55 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:55e09fcb5f744b29fcf182a9822dde8f&mediaType=text

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HKN--WINTER CLASSIC

Rangers beat Panthers 5-1 in first outdoor hockey game in Miami. Mika Zibanejad has hat trick

SUMMARY: The New York Rangers have continued their dominance in outdoor games. Mika Zibanejad had a hat trick, Artemi Panarin scored twice and the Rangers beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 on Friday night in the Winter Classic at Miami’s loanDepot Park. It was the first outdoor game played in the Sunshine State. Alexis Lafrenière had three assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 shots for the Rangers, who improved to 6-0-0 in outdoor games. The roof was open and the game-time temperature was 63 degrees at the home of baseball’s Miami Marlins. Sam Reinhart scored for Florida, which was playing outdoors for the first time.

WORDS: 797 - MOVED: 01/03/2026 12:01 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9817591fb165882491470655533b297c&mediaType=text

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CRI--ASHES-HEAVY SECURITY

Rifle-toting police will patrol the 5th Ashes cricket test in Sydney following Bondi shootings

SUMMARY: Police with long-armed rifles, a rarity at sporting events in Australia, will patrol the final Ashes cricket test in Sydney starting Sunday as part of heightened security measures following the Bondi Beach terror attack in the city. Uniformed and mounted police along with public order and riot squad officers will watch over the sold-out match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It comes three weeks after two gunmen killed 15 people and injured many more at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.

WORDS: 392 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 11:55 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f3ed1acd83ad4ba029d788fc12129c51&mediaType=text

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HKN--WINTER CLASSIC-SCENE

Florida Panthers and New York Rangers bring ‘Miami Vice’ flair to Winter Classic

SUMMARY: The Florida Panthers arrived in Ferraris, cigars lit, dressed in all-white Miami Vice attire — and, in true South Florida fashion, fashionably late. The New York Rangers followed suit, stepping into loanDepot Park in their own Miami Vice whites. With that, the 2025 Winter Classic was underway. At loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins, an expected sold-out crowd had already begun filling the streets hours before the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers were set to host the Rangers in the first outdoor game to take place in Florida.

WORDS: 736 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 11:08 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a5cc72e95ee27c8ffe0b1c588eead07e&mediaType=text

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FBC--LIBERTY BOWL

Blake Horvath leads No. 22 Navy to 35-13 victory over short-handed Cincinnati in Liberty Bowl

SUMMARY: Blake Horvath threw a pair of touchdown passes and rushed for a score to lead No. 22 Navy to its 11th victory of the season, 35-13 over short-handed Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl. Horvath scored on a 2-yard run and had scoring passes of 30 and 13 yards. The senior quarterback finished 9 of 15 for 108 yards. Alex Tecza rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown for Navy, which finished the season on a four-game winning streak, including a victory over Army. Cincinnati was missing several key players, including quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns this season.

WORDS: 728 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 10:07 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:25f3a863de62dfe1f4a0161f49dcf7ac&mediaType=text

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OLY--SPD-SPEEDSKATING-US TRIALS

Utah speedskater Casey Dawson enjoys a ‘villain arc’ as he earns an Olympic spot at 5,000 meters

SUMMARY: Casey Dawson has secured a spot in the men’s 5,000 meters in long track speedskating at the Milan Cortina Winter Games by winning that event at the U.S. Olympic trials. Dawson finished Friday in 6 minutes, 12.857 seconds. Ethan Cepuran was about 6 1/2 seconds back, finishing next in 6:19.335. The last American man to medal in the 5,000 at an Olympics was Chad Hedrick at the 2006 Turin Games. Dawson is a 25-year-old from Park City, Utah. He already had secured the lone U.S. place for Milan in the men’s 10,000 and also will join Cepuran as part of the trio for men’s team pursuit at the Olympics.

WORDS: 650 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 8:48 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:276cf195754042c6435f4ef563d8f0ca&mediaType=text

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RAC--OBIT-DIANE CRUMP

Diane Crump, the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby, dies at 77

SUMMARY: Diane Crump, who in 1969 became the first woman to ride professionally in a horse race and a year later became the first female jockey in the Kentucky Derby, has died. She was 77. Her daughter says she died Thursday night in hospice care in Winchester, Virginia, three months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. The racetrack president at Churchill Downs said in a statement that Crump “will be forever respected and fondly remembered in horse racing lore.” After Crump made history in 1970, it would be 14 more years before another female jockey would ride in the Derby.

WORDS: 662 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 8:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f338cf5c080c012a8b5245365d9d3da5&mediaType=text

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TEN--UNITED CUP-OSAKA

Osaka ill at United Cup in Perth but hopes to be OK for the Australian Open

SUMMARY: Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka is feeling under the weather at the United Cup at Perth. After losing her first match for Japan against Greece’s Maria Sakkari on Friday, Osaka says she got “really sick” over the Christmas holiday period and wasn’t operating at 100% during the 6-4, 6-2 loss. Osaka was coughing at times during the match and appeared to lack energy. She says she likely caught an illness from her two-year-old daughter Shai.

WORDS: 258 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 7:04 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de7b64e2cd54f248837a2200a314d1ac&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-PLAYOFF PICTURE

Final week of the NFL’s regular season arrives with No. 1 seeds still undecided in AFC and NFC

SUMMARY: The NFL’s regular season has reached its final weekend with plenty undecided in terms of the playoff picture, including the No. 1 seed in both the AFC and NFC. The Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars all have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which includes a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs. The Broncos have the clearest path — if they beat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, they’ll earn the top seed. The Seattle Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night with the NFC’s No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.

WORDS: 402 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 6:41 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd5b88ba9c3b5eb54b58cd01f3b33b36&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP-PEACH BOWL

Indiana and Oregon to meet again at the Peach Bowl with a spot in the CFP title game on the line

SUMMARY: Indiana and Oregon will meet in the Peach Bowl next week for a College Football Playoff semifinal. Neither school has ever won a national championship. The winner in Atlanta will be the favorite to accomplish that feat in the national title game on Jan. 19. The Hoosiers beat the Ducks in Eugene three months ago before going on to the Big Ten title and a blowout victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl as the CFP’s No. 1 seed. Oregon has won eight consecutive games since that loss to Indiana, capped by a 23-0 pasting of Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.

WORDS: 875 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 4:47 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bce56613bdb53dec174424c4f72a5fd2&mediaType=text

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FBN--DOLPHINS-PATRIOTS PREVIEW

Patriots face Dolphins as legal cases for Diggs, Barmore cast cloud over pursuit of AFC’s top seed

SUMMARY: Keeping focus on the field has been more difficult for New England Patriots, who have much to play for in their regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins. It’s been a challenge after legal cases against receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore surfaced this week. It’s put a cloud over New England, which has already secured its first playoff berth since 2021 but also has a chance to secure the AFC’s top seed. Miami is looking to play the role of spoiler while also getting a jump on the future, with rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers set to start his third consecutive game since Tua Tagovailoa was benched.

WORDS: 980 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 4:25 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c4cc8ddca4a5c1c7d00ce574fe970548&mediaType=text

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FBN--STEELERS-WATT

Steelers LB TJ Watt calls dry needling mishap a ‘fluke’ and hopes to play against Baltimore

SUMMARY: T.J. Watt is eager to return to the field after a dry needling mishap led to surgery for a partially collapsed lung. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker hopes to play Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens, with the AFC North title at stake. Watt, who missed three games because of the incident, called it a “fluke” and said he won’t use the treatment in the short term. He felt good after practice on Friday and is focused on helping Pittsburgh reach the playoffs. The Steelers went 2-1 in his absence and can win the division with a victory.

WORDS: 600 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 3:58 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d8a06efd55f7fb354e8ef96afe1c30d4&mediaType=text

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US--URBAN MEYER-NEW COLLEGE

College football’s Urban Meyer joins board of Florida college transformed by DeSantis

SUMMARY: College football Hall of Famer Urban Meyer has been appointed to the board of trustees at New College in Sarasota. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis named Meyer to the board this week. The Republican governor has transformed the college from a progressive institution into an “anti-woke” stronghold. DeSantis’s allies took over the board two years ago. Meyer is currently a college football analyst for FOX Sports. He previously coached the University of Florida and the Ohio State football teams to national championships. Meyer’s appointment was announced Tuesday, along with the reappointment of two other trustees. It is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

WORDS: 298 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 2:38 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4f2bff538ebcfa4e41e56698262f5f8a&mediaType=text

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FBC-CFP--FIESTA BOWL

Ole Miss and breakthrough QB Chambliss advance to CFP Fiesta Bowl against Miami and blue chip Beck

SUMMARY: Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and his Rebels teammates have been saying for weeks that they have the chemistry, talent and confidence to carry on in the College Football Playoff without former coach Lane Kiffin. There’s been no evidence to the contrary since Kiffin left for LSU on November 30th. The Rebels have a January 8th date with Miami in the CFP semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The matchup features quarterbacks with contrasting backgrounds. Miami’s Carson Beck is a high-profile transfer from Georgia who was a blue-chip recruit. Chambliss played previously at Division II Ferris State and began this season as a backup.

WORDS: 754 - MOVED: 01/02/2026 2:16 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5702b7609bb226f1fe9d0817b926b325&mediaType=text