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The day is called Black Friday because it’s a shopping frenzy that puts stores back in the black.

But Friday served as a dark day for the New York Jets (4-7), who were smacked by the Miami Dolphins (8-3) 34-13 at MetLife Stadium in the NFL’s first Black Friday game.

With the loss, Robert Saleh’s team, who wore their Stealth Black uniforms for the affair, is essentially eliminated from playoff contention. They have lost four straight games.

Tim Boyle got his first start for the Jets after Saleh benched quarterback Zach Wilson. Boyle went 27-of-38 with a touchdown and two interceptions. Of the turnovers, one was a long toss downfield that was returned for a 99-yard touchdown by Jevon Holland. The internet deemed the play the “Hell Mary.”

“I had to get busy, I had to show a little sugar, whatever like that and I just got in the zone,” Holland said on the Prime Video broadcast after the game. “I could smell it and then once I made that cut, I knew it was there, so I had to make it happen.”

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Tua Tagovailoa threw two interceptions of his own in the first half, but finished 21-of-30 for 243 yards and a score. The Jets defense held Miami’s offense to 10 points in the first half and a field goal on their first drive of the third quarter. 

On their first drive, Miami faced fourth-and-two at the Jets’ four-yard line. Tagovailoa tossed the ball up to star receiver Tyreek Hill, who was closely defended by Sauce Gardner, and the ball fell to the turf.

From there, Miami got the gears going and finished with 395 yards of offense compared to the Jets’ 159.

“Right now, we’re trending upward and we’re really enthusiastic about it and we’re excited about it,” Holland said of Miami’s improved defense. “… We want to play for each other, we want to make each other proud, so I think that’s what the biggest emphasis is.”

Hill and Jaylen Waddle each had games of 100+ receiving yards with 102 yards and a score and 114 yards, respectively.

Miami will face the Washington Commanders in a road game next week while the Jets will host the Atlanta Falcons.

Jets vs. Dolphins final score

Jets: 13Dolphins: 34

This section will be updated after each scoring play.

Jets vs. Dolphins winners and losers

Winners

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill: The Dolphins star receiver turned in another 100-yard performance with nine catches for 102 yards and a 7-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Hill had his left ankle evaluated on the sideline in the first quarter, but quickly returned to the game. Hill was already dealing with a right hand injury suffered last week. However, Hill continues to produce for Miami, and leads the NFL with 1,324 yards receiving this season.

Jets receiver Garrett Wilson: The dynamic Jets receiver who thought he’d be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers caught his third touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter of the matchup vs. Miami. Wilson found himself open on a crossing route, and Tim Boyle delivered the 1-yard touchdown pass to mark the Jets’ first offensive touchdown in the Boyle era.

Losers

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa: He accounted for three turnovers, a recurring issue for the Dolphins despite their recent success. In the final minute before halftime, Tagovailoa threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa and backup running back Darrynton Evans fumbled a handoff. Tagovailoa has a fumble and an interception in six of 11 Dolphins games in 2023. Tagovailoa has 10 interceptions and 10 fumbles this season.

Jets quarterback Tim Boyle in the first half: It was an abysmal start for Boyle’s first start, completing just 7 of 11 passes for 35 yards before halftime. What made matters worse was Boyle’s interception on a Hail Mary throw in the final seconds of the second quarter, which resulted in Holland’s 99-yard interception return. Luckily for Boyle, his second half was significantly better, considering the outcome of the game. — Safid Deen

Jets vs. Dolphins live updates, highlights

USA TODAY will be tracking all of the major happenings in the Jets-Dolphins AFC East matchup below.

Dolphins answer on long Raheem Mostert TD

It didn’t take long for the Dolphins to answer the dreaded Jets offense, putting up a score of their own thanks to the legs of Raheem Mostert.

Mostert found pay dirt on a 36-yard touchdown run, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Jets.

Jets score, capitalize on Dolphins fumble

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It took more than 55 minutes, but the Jets offense finally scored a touchdown. 

Tim Boyle hit Garrett Wilson on a 1-yard pass in the back right corner of the end zone, but the game was already out of reach and most of MetLife Stadium had already cleared out. 

The Jets had regained possession at the Miami 35-yard line following a Darrynton Evans fumble on a handoff exchange with Tua Tagovailoa that was recovered by Ashtyn Davis. — Chris Bumbaca

Jets’ Tim Boyle throws second INT, ends long drive

The Jets seemed to finally get some offense as they marched down the field on a 17-play, seven-minute drive. But it amounted to nothing.

On second-and-16 from the Dolphins’ 20-yardline, Tim Boyle took the shotgun snap, dropped back and threw to his right toward Breece Hall. 

The ball tipped off the running back’s hands and bounced high in the air. Linebacker Jerome Baker stepped up and watched the ball as it landed in his hands for the interception.

This is Boyles’ second pick of the day. — Victoria Hernandez

Jaelan Phillips injury update: Dolphins edge rusher carter off

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips was carted off the field with a non-contact injury. 

The entire team cleared the sideline to wish Phillips well as he was brought to the locker room. Replay showed that Phillips’ leg buckled without being touched and was down for a while. 

Phillips has 5 1/2 sacks and an interception this season. 

Cameras caught a despondent Phillips being carted to the locker room after the injury. — Chris Bumbaca

Micheal Clemons, Austin Jackson ejected after ref gets bloodied

The skirmish that followed the point-after attempt resulted in ejections against two players from each team for making contact with an official. 

Dolphins O-lineman Austin Jackson was ejected as was Jets defensive lineman Michael Clemons. Neither deliberately targeted the official, but NFL rules state contact with an official is an automatic ejection. Clemons appeared to realize his mistake the second it happened. 

Clemons was also involved in a melee last week following New York’s 32-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. — Chris Bumbaca

Raheem Mostert touchdown: Dolphins 27, Jets 6

Raheem Mostert scored on a 13-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter, and the Dolphins have a commanding 27-6 lead.

And tensions faltered with players from both sides needing to be separated after the extra point kick.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley was penalized for unnecessary roughness, while defensive lineman Micheal Clemons was penalized for a foul against an official.

The referee was shaken up, and seen spitting blood after the sequence.

Mostert’s touchdown ended a 15-play, 92-yard drive that lasted 9:03 and much for the third quarter. — Safid Deen

Dolphins dominate third quarter

The third quarter was all Dolphins. Almost quite literally.

Miami ran 20 plays in the frame, compared to the Jets’ three. The Dolphins are now 10-for-15 on third down. Regardless, their only points of the quarter came on Jason Sanders’ 54-yard field goal.

Once Miami got the ball back, the Dolphins went on a drive that lasted 14 plays and took 8:58 off the clock before time expired and the fourth quarter beckoned. 

The referee and Tua Tagovailoa had to keep Tyreek Hill from jawing at the Jets’ defense on the long walk to the other side of the field between quarters. — Chris Bumbaca

Dolphins held to another field goal after Jaylen Waddle catch, sack

The Dolphins kept the momentum going after the halftime break, although the Jets defense is making them work for it.

A few plays after completing a 32-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa was faced with third-and-4vfrom New York’s 30. He dropped back and was swarmed by the Jets defensive line. Pass rusher Bryce Huff broke through and sacked Tagovailoa with fellow rusher Jermaine Johnson also hot on the pursuit. Huff then got up and did a little pop and lock dance.

The play forced Mike McDaniel to have Jason Sanders try a 54-yard field goal, which he made.

The Dolphins are up 20-6. — Victoria Hernandez

Dolphins lead Jets after a wild sequence before halftime

Well, this game has gone as expected — until a minute left in the first half. 

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw two interceptions in the final minute of the first half. The Jets returned one of those for a touchdown. And the Jets’ Hail Mary throw into the end zone at the end of the first half was returned 99 yards for a Dolphins touchdown. 

Dolphins 17, Jets 6 is the halftime score. 

And it was 10-0 a minute earlier. 

The Jets offense has been as advertised with an abysmal 47 yards in the first half. Of six offensive drives, five ended in punts and the last was a 99-yard pick-six touchdown by Dolphins safety Jevon Holland. 

The Jets defense picked up the slack with rookie defensive back Brandin Echols intercepting Tagovailoa and scoring a 30-yard pick 6 touchdown with 58 seconds before halftime. 

The Dolphins had a 10-0 lead thanks to Tyreek Hill’s 7-yard touchdown in the second quarter and an early field goal. — Safid Deen

Tim Boyle answers Tua Tagovailoa’s pick 6 with ‘Fail Mary’

The Jets threw a Hail Mary. 

Their prayer was not answered — and was firmly thrown back in their face. 

Dolphins defensive back Jevon Holland returned a deep ball from Tim Boyle near the goal line and had a lot of grass ahead of him. Only the Jets’ linemen and Boyle were waiting, and all of a sudden, Holland had blockers. He jetted up the field, waited for his blocks to line up, found a seam and then zagged around Boyle to take the ball end zone to end zone and give the Dolphins a breathtaking touchdown as time expired on the first half. 

Tua Tagovailoa throws pick 6; Jets get on the board

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ. — If the Jets were going to score, odds are the defense was going to have a say in it. 

Jets cornerback Brandin Echols returned a poorly thrown Tua Tagovailoa pass 30 yards the other for six points and to give New York its first points of the day. 

The brutal mistake for Tagovailoa came about a minute prior to halftime. Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein missed the extra point. — Chris Bumbaca

Jets can’t get anything going on offense

‘It’s Groundhog Day. Again.’ – Bill Murray, ‘Groundhog Day (1992).’

The Jets can’t move the ball in this game, which shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention to Gang Green in 2023. Another drive stalls out with just a minute before halftime, leading to another Thomas Morstead punt.

The Dolphins have another opportunity to put some more points on the board before the break. — Joe Rivera

Tyreek Hill scores TD, hands off ball to wife

Another TD, another souvenir for a family member.

Tyreek Hill grabbed a TD pass from Tua Tagovailoa, and made a fan happy by gifting her the ball. That fan was actually Hill’s wife.

About a month ago, Hill handed off a ball to his mother.

Dolphins have early lead after first quarter

Tim Boyle is off to a slow start for the New York Jets. After the first quarter, he’s gone 3-of-5 passing for 18 yards and running back Breece Hall has only added six yards for the offense.

Miami, meanwhile, has 102 yards of offense behind 75 passing yards from Tua Tagovailoa and 21 yards on the ground from Jeff Wilson.

The Dolphins had a touchdown opportunity midway through the quarter, but on fourth-and-two, Tyreek Hill wasn’t able to snag a pass in the end zone as he was covered closely by Sauce Gardner. 

Earlier in the game, Hill hobbled to the sideline to get his left ankle examined. He shortly returned to the field with his foot taped.

The lone score of the game was a 38-yard field goal from Jason Sanders to put Miami up 3-0.

Dolphins open scoring with Jason Sanders field goal

The Dolphins went for a touchdown on their previous possession. This time, Mike McDaniel was content to settle for a field goal. Jason Sanders knocked in a 38-yard field goal with 1:26 left in the first quarter to open the game’s scoring. 

Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. rushed for 21 yards on the drive to move Miami into field-goal territory. They had third-and-short, but Tagovailoa’s pass near the first-down marker was broken up by C.J. Mosley. 

Jets offense again sputters

The Tim Boyle era hasn’t quite gotten off to an eye-opening start. In fact, it’s been eye-closing.

Backed up in their own territory, Boyle is nearly sacked in the end zone and the Jets offense follows that up with a pair of unsuccessful runs and a short pass to give Thomas Morstead some breathing room.

Boyle is 2-of-4 passing for 13 yards with time ticking down in the first quarter.

Dolphins miss out on touchdown

Tyreek Hill doesn’t have to be 100 percent to move the Dolphins down the field.

But he does need his hands to score.

Hill ran a go route on third down from Miami territory for a 35-yard gain, and only a D.J. Reed ankle tackle tripped Hill up. The receiver hobbled to the sideline, got taped up and missed one play. Following a Miami timeout, Hill caught a pass near the line of scrimmage and exploded for a 17-yard gain to enter the red zone. 

A pair of Raheem Mostert runs came next, and Tua Tagovailoa coudn’t pick up a first down with his legs on third down. Facing a fourth-and-2, the Tagovailoa floated a ball to Hill in the corner of the end zone that hit Hill in the hands and fell to the ground. 

Hill popped up on the injury report this week with a hand injury suffered last week against the Raiders. — Chris Bumbaca

Tyreek Hill limps off on second drive

Star Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill hopped off the field and was evaluated by trainers on the bench after a 35-yard completion, his first of the game.

Hill’s left ankle was examined, and had his foot taped on the bench. 

Hill entered the game already dealing with a right hand injury, from last week’s win over the Raiders. 

After two plays, Hill was back on the field for the Dolphins and broke off a 17-yard catch-and-run upon reentering. — Safid Deen

Jets’ first drive with Tim Boyle stalls

If Jets fans were expecting to see a significantly different offense with Tim Boyle under center, they may have to wait at least one more drive.

Boyle went 1-for-2 passing for five yards on the opening drive, and benefited from a first down due to an offsides.

Tim Boyle gets rousing ovation during intros

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jets Nation at least seems prepared to give their new starting quarterback a shot. 

As Tim Boyle was introduced and ran out of the tunnel, fans let out the loudest roar of the arrivals for the 29-year-old.

Boyle, however, didn’t have the distinction of being the final name called before the game started. That honor belonged to running back Breece Hall. But Hall’s reaction was not nearly as loud as the encouragement Boyle received. — Chris Bumbaca

Zach Wilson the emergency QB for matchup vs. Dolphins

The Jets benched Zach Wilson, and now he’s their ‘break glass in case of emergency’ option on Sunday.

With Tim Boyle slated to start and Trevor Siemian the QB2 on Sunday’s depth chart, Wilson is listed as inactive, but he will be the team’s emergency third QB in the event that the first two passers hit the sidelines with an injury.

Jets’ Mekhi Becton out with ankle injury

Jets tackle Mekhi Becton suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 vs. the Bills, and is set to miss at least one game. Becton was listed as inactive entering the matchup with that ankle injury. Rookie tackle Carter Warren is expected to start in his stead.

Jets’ Allen Lazard listed as inactive vs. Dolphins

Jets wideout Allen Lazard was scratched from the lineup in the hours leading up to the Jets-Dolphins matchup on Friday, with curious circumstances.

While Lazard was dealing with a knee injury in recent weeks, he wasn’t listed on the Jets injury report in the week leading up to the matchup with the Dolphins. That means the Jets’ No. 2 receiver is essentially a healthy scratch for the game.

Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million contract with New York this offseason.

MetLife, Mall Mania on Black Friday

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Black Friday means shopping and, now, NFL football.

Which means that this pocket of northern New Jersey is particularly busy.

MetLife Stadium, home of the Jets and Giants, stands tall among the swamplands along with the American Dream, a retail and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, N.J. The mall was actually briefly evacuated Friday following a bomb threat. — Chris Bumbaca

Jets vs. Dolphins start time

Date: Friday, Nov. 24Start time: 3 p.m. ET

Jets vs. Dolphins TV channel

TV channel: Fox 5 (New York market) | CBS 4 (Miami market)

Viewers in the local markets will have access to the game over the airwaves. In the New York market, viewers can catch the game on Fox 5 (Channel 5). For those in the Miami market, CBS 4 will carry the matchup.

Jets vs. Dolphins live stream

Live stream: Amazon Prime Video

For those who want to watch the game, it will be broadcast over Amazon Prime Video. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call, with Kaylee Hartung working the sidelines for the matchup.

Jets vs. Dolphins expert picks

Lorenzo Reyes: Dolphins 27, Jets 7Tyler Dragon: Dolphins 28, Jets 15Safid Deen: Dolphins 24, Jets 10 Victoria Hernandez: Dolphins 28, Jets 9Jordan Mendoza: Dolphins 27, Jets 9

You can view the full list of USA TODAY’s NFL expert predictions here.

Jets vs. Dolphins odds

Spread: Dolphins (-9.5)Moneyline: Dolphins (-500); Jets (+375)Over/under: 41

The top NFL betting apps list the New York Jets as one of the best bets for NFL Week 12 in their Black Friday matchup with the Miami Dolphins. The Jets are 10-point home underdogs against the Dolphins, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has some of the best NFL MVP betting odds in 2023. The Dolphins (+900) own some of the best early Super Bowl betting odds.

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds, Sunday Night Football odds and/or Monday Night Football odds.

If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

NFL Week 12 odds, predictions and picks

Lions vs. PackersCowboys vs. CommandersSeahawks vs. 49ersJets vs. DolphinsFalcons vs. SaintsBengals vs. SteelersTexans vs. JaguarsColts vs. BuccaneersGiants vs. PatriotsTitans vs. PanthersCardinals vs. RamsBroncos vs. BrownsRaiders vs. ChiefsEagles vs. BillsChargers vs. RavensVikings vs. Bears

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Karan Patel, an orthopedic surgeon for the Mayo Clinic, said he arrived for a gathering of colleagues last month armed with something out of the norm: video of Aaron Rodgers throwing a football less than five weeks after the New York Jets star quarterback had surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Patel said he also brought data about recovery expectations from such surgery, compared to the accelerated rate of Rodgers’ recovery that Patel called “unprecedented.”

“How did this guy get here?’’ Patel said of Rodgers during an interview with USA TODAY Sports.

Elite athletes generally require six to nine months of rehabilitation before they’re ready to return to play after this type of surgery, according to Patel and medical research. Rodgers, injured four plays into the season, has said he hopes to resume practicing around Dec. 2, his 40th birthday and less than three months after surgery.

Chris Mendias, a researcher in the field of sports medicine, called it ‘wild.”

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

‘Not miraculous exactly,” he added by text message, ‘but also not far from it.”

Neal ElAttrache, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on Rodgers, did not return requests for comment from USA TODAY Sports. But a half-dozen experts provided insight into the pace, risks and possible methods of Rodgers’ rehabilitation.

Embracing the mental side of recovery

Physical therapist. Strength trainer. Nutritionist.

They’re all part of personal medical teams sometimes assembled by highly paid athletes, according to medical experts, and Patel mused that Rodgers might also employ a spiritual guide.

After all, this is the quarterback who has talked about the benefits of meditation and yoga retreats and in February went on a “darkness retreat” to help determine his NFL future. (Two months after re-emerging into the light, he opted to leave the Green Bay Packers for the Jets.)

Rodgers also has talked about the “mental process’’ in his use of psychedelics.

“I can tell you that athletes’ mental health is very important during their recovery,’’ said James Voos, head team physician for the Cleveland Browns.

Said Patel, “The mental space that you are in before surgery will have great affect on your results after surgery. How you feel like you are doing is almost as important as how you are actually doing.’’

Rodgers has exuded confidence about his comeback since his surgery Sept. 13.

Advanced methods accelerate recovery

Rodgers said he has done extensive research on recovery. Mendias, the researcher and musculoskeletal clinician scientist, talked about what can be found on the margins.

Common but still advanced methods, according to Mendias, are platelet-rich plasma injections and stem cell therapy.

There also is cutting-edge equipment cited by Voos, the Browns’ team physician, including AlterG, an anti-gravity treadmill; wearable technology to assess performance; and blood flow restriction therapy designed to increase strength gains in areas of the body atrophied after surgery.

Then there’s the ”speedbridge’’ procedure, designed to accelerate the healing process with an internal brace, used by Rodgers’ surgeon.

“Overall and particularly at the professional sports level,’’ Voos said, “we’re becoming much more adept at rehabilitating patients faster than ever.’’

Aaron Rodgers faces risks

The faster one returns from an injury, the greater the chance for reinjury or suffering a related injury, said Mary Lloyd Ireland, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Kentucky.

Therein lies the risk for Rodgers as he attempts to speed back onto the field of play, suggested Ireland, who pointed to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as evidence.

In 2019, when Tagovailoa still was playing college football at Alabama, he suffered an ankle sprain that can require up to eight weeks for full recovery. He returned to play three weeks later and during that first game back suffered a hip injury.

“So that’s my concern,’’ said Ireland, who this year was inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Hall of Fame. “Do you hurt something else because you’re protecting that injured part and you’re not ready?’’

But it may be a calculated risk as Rodgers weighs the prospect of playing at less than 100 percent vs. his desire to get back on the field as fast as possible.

Even a quarter-step slower, said former Los Angeles Chargers team physician David Chao, Rodgers is “still faster than Tom Brady at 45.’’

And faster than Peyton Manning in his prime, Chao added.

Skepticism persists as Aaron Rodgers rehabs

When Patel’s meeting with colleagues adjourned, he said, there was a healthy amount of skepticism about whether Rodgers can continue this fast pace of recovery.

John Cronin, Chief Science Officer at Athlete Training and Health facility in Katy, Texas, addressed some of those doubts. Even if Rodgers is cleared for practice, Cronin wrote by email, “there are quite a few steps prior to him running on the field to compete.’’

That includes “building fatigue resistance into the repairing tissues and muscles that have deconditioned during the rehab,’’ Cronin wrote, adding that he would recommend being cautiously optimistic.

Patel said he’s eager to see what happens around Dec. 2 – if Rodgers actually resumes practice, how he will perform at 40 and the ongoing rehabilitation.

“I think we’re all skeptical,’’ Patel said, “but it’ll be fascinating to see how it all plays out.’’

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The NHL trade deadline is March 8 and already a few moves and other transactions are trickling in.

The latest was the Minnesota Wild moving out one defenseman to bring in a different style of blue-liner in a separate trade.

General managers will be guided by another year of a tight salary cap, but it’s expected to rise next season, possibly by $4 million. Last summer, a lot of players signed low-cost, one-year deals, increasing the pool of potential unrestricted free agents who could be moved out for draft picks or prospects.

Follow along this season for news and analysis on deals, major transactions and other announcements that have happened in the months leading up the trade deadline:

THANKSGIVING STANDINGS: Which playoff-positioned teams will make the postseason?

Nov. 24: Colorado Avalanche’s Sam Girard enters mental health treatment

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard is entering the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program. He announced through his agent that his severe anxiety and depression had gone untreated too long and had led to alcohol abuse.

‘Taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance, and I encourage everyone to speak up and seek help should you feel like you need it,’ he said in a statement.

Girard, 25, has played all but five games of his seven-year NHL career with the Avalanche and had a career-best 37 points last season. He had one goal and three assists through 15 games this season and had missed the past two games for personal reasons.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the team supports Girard going to get help.

“You’ve got to take care of yourself first before you’re able to come and help a team,’ he said.

Nov. 24: Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness returning from leave of absence

Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness said he’s returning behind the bench for the first time since he took a leave of absence on Oct. 23 after his wife Judy had a seizure. He said she’s doing as well as expected with her new medication and will stay with their children when he’s on the road. Associate coach Scott Arniel went 9-2-2 in Bowness’ absence.

Also: Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson played his 10th NHL game on Friday, meaning he’s staying in the league and not being returned to his junior hockey team. Benson scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday with a spectacular move. … The Washington Capitals said forward T.J. Oshie won’t travel with the team after taking a hard hit in Friday’s 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Nov. 23: Chicago Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall to have ACL surgery

Chicago Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall, the former No. 1 overall pick who was acquired to mentor and play alongside rookie Connor Bedard, will have ACL surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

‘It came from an accumulation of a bunch of little injuries from the game and even in practice the other day,’ coach Luke Richardson told reporters. ‘It became unstable and we need to fix it.’

SABRES: Rookie Zach Benson scores first NHL goal in spectacular fashion

Hall had been limited to 10 games (four points) this season because of injuries.

“It’s heartbreaking — someone that loved to play so much and every game is so impactful, such a good hockey player and such a good person,’ Bedard said.

The Blackhawks also placed forward Andreas Athanasiou (groin muscle) on the injured list and called up Joey Anderson and Cole Guttman.

Nov. 17: Florida Panthers activate Brandon Montour, Aaron Ekblad

The defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers got off to a 10-5-1 record even with key absences. Now, they’re getting defensemen Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad back, activating them from the injured list after they recovered from offseason surgery for playoff injuries.

Montour set a franchise record for points by a defenseman (73) and was their top-scoring blueliner in the playoffs. Ekblad, like Montour a right-hand shot, was taken No. 1 overall in the 2014 draft. Defenseman Josh Mahura went on the injured list to make the salary cap situation work.

Nov. 12: Edmonton Oilers fire coach Jay Woodcroft

The Edmonton Oilers fired coach Jay Woodcroft on Sunday after a 3-9-1 start and replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, the Hartford Wolf Pack coach and Connor McDavid’s former junior hockey coach. That’s the third recent move with a connection to three-time MVP McDavid. His agent, Jeff Jackson, was hired earlier as CEO of hockey operations and the team also signed his former junior hockey linemate Connor Brown.

McDavid said Monday he was surprised by the move and said Woodcroft ‘never lost the room.’

The Oilers were a trendy pick to go far in the playoffs, but have disappointed this season. Last season’s No. 1-ranked offense is 26th this season, with McDavid possibly slowed by an injury that cost him two games. Their goaltending issues have been worse. Jack Campbell was sent to the American Hockey League in the second year of his five-year contract. Stuart Skinner, a rookie of the year finalist last season, ranks last in the league in goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.

Knoblauch – and newly hired Oilers legend Paul Coffey coaching the defense – will be tasked with getting the Oilers back to a playoff spot. There’s precedent: Woodcroft went 26-9-3 down the stretch in 2021-22 as a midseason replacement and led the team to the Western Conference final. 

Also: The Colorado Avalanche announced that goalie Pavel Francouz (lower body) will miss the rest of the season. He has yet to play in 2023-24 and will return to the Czech Republic to be with his family. The team also signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year deal.

Nov. 10: Pittsburgh Penguins to retire Jaromir Jagr’s number

Jaromir Jagr, drafted fifth overall in 1990, won Stanley Cup titles in his first two seasons and ranks fourth in franchise history with 1,079 points in 806 games. He played 11 seasons with Pittsburgh before being traded to the Washington Capitals. He ranks second all-time in NHL history in points and fourth in goals. His No. 68 will be retired on Feb. 18.

Nov. 8: Minnesota Wild trade Calen Addison to San Jose Sharks, acquire Zach Bogosian from Tampa Bay Lightning

Addison was sent to the San Jose Sharks for forward Adam Raska and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. The defenseman is a power play specialist, but he is unreliable in his own zone. That led to him being a healthy scratch often down the stretch last season. With the Wild getting Jared Spurgeon back soon from injury (he was activated from long-term injured reserve on Friday), the power play opportunities will dwindle. Addison will be more valuable to the Sharks, who dealt Erik Karlsson last summer. He will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Bogosian lacks Addison’s offense, but the veteran takes care of his end of the ice. He’s a right-handed shot, like Addison.

“He’s a big guy,’ Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin told reporters. ‘He still skates well. He brings heaviness. He brings some grit and we need that.”

The trade buys the Lightning a little bit of salary cap breathing room. Bogosian, in the final season of a three-year contract, has a $850,000 cap hit.

Nov. 7: Edmonton Oilers place goalie Jack Campbell on waivers

Campbell, who signed a five-year, $25 million free agent deal in 2022, hasn’t played well since arriving. Stuart Skinner surpassed him last season and was a rookie of the year finalist. This season, Campbell was chased in the season opener and has gone 1-4 with a 4.50 goals-against average and .873 save percentage. He cleared waivers and will work on his game in the American Hockey League as the struggling Oilers try to get into a playoff spot. Edmonton recalled Calvin Pickard from Bakersfield (California) to back up Skinner.

Oct. 13: Colorado Avalanche sign defenseman Devon Toews to seven-year extension

He’ll average $7.25 million in the deal, which begins next season. Heading into the season, Toews led the league with a +120 plus-minus rating since he was acquired from the New York Islanders in 2020. He’s right behind defenseman Cale Makar in average ice time during that time.

Oct. 10: Carolina Hurricanes acquire forward Callahan Burke from the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Caleb Jones

The Hurricanes loaded up on defense this offseason and Jones was the odd man out. Both players will play for the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles.

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Altogether now – (singing) It’s the most wonderful – (record scratch sound effect) … Actually, the lineup for college football’s Rivalry Week, usually touted as the most anticipated slate of the year to wrap up the regular season, features more than a few likely duds.

To be sure, there are a couple of games of extremely high import. You will see those first on our list of recommended viewing options for your extended holiday weekend enjoyment. Some other traditional season finales have some entertainment and surprise potential and will be included here, but we can’t in good conscience suggest some others that normally would be appointment TV like the Iron Bowl and the Apple Cup. You might enjoy those, of course, especially if you’re an Alabama or Washington fan.

But if you want drama and excitement, we think this menu of eight contests will fill the bill.

No. 2 Ohio State at No. 3 Michigan

Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, Fox.

Why watch: You have to ask? For the second consecutive season, the Buckeyes and Wolverines are undefeated as they take the field in arguably the sport’s most intense rivalry. The stakes might be even higher this time around if that’s possible, as the loser would find itself in a less secure position as far as at-large playoff consideration is concerned. There’s also the subplot of Michigan’s sign-stealing investigation that will once again keep head coach Jim Harbaugh off the sidelines. Wolverines QB J.J. McCarthy wasn’t his sharpest at Maryland last week, and Buckeyes DBs Jordan Hancock and Denzel Burke are more than capable of swiping any errant tosses. Michigan RB Blake Corum is likely to become well acquainted with Ohio State LB Tommy Eichenberg, who is expected to be back in action after sitting out the Minnesota game to heal an arm injury. Buckeyes QB Kyle McCord has 22 scoring throws with just four picks, but taking on LB Junior Colson and the Michigan defense will be the toughest challenge to date for the first-year starter. Having WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and RB TreVeyon Henderson in his huddle will help, but he’ll have to get TE Cade Stover involved as well.

Why it could disappoint: It could turn out to be a defensive struggle with points at a premium, but even if that is the case the intensity level will be in the torrid zone all afternoon. A rout seems highly improbable, as such a result would be quite damaging to the loser’s at-large case.

WEEKEND FORECAST: Experts picks for Ohio State-Michigan and more

BOWL PROJECTIONS: Ohio State moves into College Football Playoff

No. 15 Oregon State at No. 6 Oregon

Time/TV: Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox

Why watch: The perhaps last edition of the rivalry known as the Civil War is among the most important in its lengthy history. It would be even bigger had the Beavers managed to get past Washington a week ago, but they’d still be more than happy to derail the Ducks’ bid for a rematch with the Huskies in the Pac-12 finale. Oregon QB Bo Nix is coming off a masterful performance against an albeit undermanned Arizona State squad, as WRs Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson now have over 2,000 receiving yards between them. Oregon State DB Akili Arnold will have a busy night trying to keep the explosive plays to a minimum. The Beavers probably don’t want to get into a shootout, so QB D.J. Uiagalelei figures to make extensive use of RB Damien Martinez in an effort to control the clock. It will be up to Ducks LB Jeffrey Bassa and DE Jordan Burch to make their tackles near the line of scrimmage stick.

Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t, but a fast start by the Ducks might force the Beavers to quicken their tempo beyond their comfort zone. If Oregon State can handle the hostile Autzen Stadium atmosphere and keep it within shouting distance by intermission, it could go down to the wire.

Kentucky at No. 9 Louisville

Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC.

Why watch: The Cardinals’ place opposite Florida State in the ACC title game is set, but they certainly need this win in the Governor’s Cup showdown to stay in the playoff conversation. The Wildcats would love to conclude an up-and-down season with a signature victory against an in-state rival. Louisville QB Jack Plummer is coming off one of his best outings of the season at Miami, though he could still use some ground support from RBs Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo to keep the Wildcats’ defensive front at bay. Kentucky QB Devin Leary is also at his best when the running game is working, but RB Ray Davis was largely held in check in last week’s loss to South Carolina.

Why it could disappoint: And there’s the problem for Kentucky, which has struggled to get all phases of the offense working for stretches all season. Louisville’ has been rock solid at home, save for a close call against Virginia a few weeks ago, and could take charge of this one quickly.

Texas Tech at No. 7 Texas

Time/TV: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: The race for the Big 12 championship has come down to the final weekend, with a patchwork of tiebreaking scenarios in play should a rash of unexpected results occur. The Longhorns would prefer to simplify their part of the equation while also keeping their playoff candidacy alive. The Red Raiders enter on a three-game winning streak that has salvaged what began as a disappointing season, and derailing the campaign of the departing Longhorns would make the finishing kick even sweeter. Texas QB Quinn Ewers has regained his form since his return from injury, with WRs Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell providing plenty of chunk plays. The Texas Tech offense had to be reinvented somewhat with RB Tahj Brooks doing most of the heavy lifting, but QB Behren Morton will have to lend some air cover in this one.

Why it could disappoint: Given Texas’s maddening habit of letting opponents hang around after grabbing the lead, the drama-free tune-up Longhorns’ fans would undoubtedly like to see might not come to pass. If the Red Raiders are able to control the ball for long stretches, they’ll keep it interesting well into the second half.

No. 4 Florida State at Florida

Time/TV: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Why watch: Ordinarily a game featuring a team with a losing record this late in the season wouldn’t make this list, but there’s an added intrigue factor here as the Seminoles begin life without QB Jordan Travis. It will be up to Tate Rodemaker to keep the offense moving. He has five TD throws without a pick in limited action, much of which came last week against North Alabama after Travis’s unfortunate injury. The Gators, who now need this win to avoid a sub-.500 finish, will also be without their starting QB with Graham Mertz sidelined by a collarbone injury. Freshman Max Brown has attempted just 12 passes this season, though he has completed 10 of them.

Why it could disappoint: Both offenses will have continuity issues, particularly at the beginning, so the game itself might not be high on the aesthetics scale. The Seminoles’ depth across the roster should carry the day eventually, but it may take a while.

Texas A&M at No. 14 LSU

Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN.

Why watch: There are no SEC implications for this regular-season finale, but there is something of a curiosity factor as a Heisman contender goes up against a team with an interim coaching staff. Add in the fact that these programs once staged a seven-overtime slugfest, and it should be worth a look. Tigers QB Jayden Daniels enters the contest with an almost unheard of combination of yards by air (3,577) and land (1,014), with help from WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas who have each surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark. The Aggies’ defense, however, has been its stronger unit all season, allowing an SEC-best 286.5 yards a game, slightly fewer even than Georgia. The LSU defense has been considerably more porous, which could mean a big day for A&M’s top all-purpose weapon Ainias Smith.

Why it could disappoint: It largely hinges on the motivation of the Aggies’ players. If they take this as an audition for their new coaching staff – or possibly future new programs if they decide to go the way of the portal –, they could give the Tigers a run. LSU has made no secret of its campaign for individual awards, however, so a slew of big plays could put this away early.

Texas-San Antonio at No. 18 Tulane

Time/TV: Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: Two of the three frontrunners in the American Athletic Conference square off with a guaranteed spot in next week’s conference title game on the line. The loser might be in line for an immediate rematch if SMU stumbles against Navy, but neither wants to be in that position. The defending AAC champion Green Wave have found ways to escape all season, usually by building an early cushion and hanging on at the end. QB Michael Pratt has been responsible for much of the success despite being without some key weapons at times and battling injuries early in the season himself. He’ll be opposed by Roadrunners QB Frank Harris, who hasn’t quite been in San Antonio since the Alamo was built but has enjoyed a lengthy career in town nonetheless.

Why it could disappoint: Texas A&M’s courtship of Texas-San Antonio coach Jeff Traylor is perhaps an unwelcome distraction, but that isn’t likely to have much of an impact on the players. Four of the Green Wave’s last five wins have come by a touchdown or less, so a blowout here either way seems extremely unlikely.

No. 1 Georgia at Georgia Tech

Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.

Why watch: The Bulldogs, rounding into championship form, take the field one last time before their SEC title showdown with Alabama. This traditional season-ender has been little more than a speedbump in recent years, but the Yellow Jackets are more formidable in 2023 having clinched their first bowl appearance in nearly a decade. Georgia QB Carson Beck has developed into the confident decision maker he was expected to be when he was handed the keys to the offense. The effort to bother him this week will be led by Yellow Jackets DE Kyle Kennard. Georgia Tech QB Haynes King has enjoyed a fine season himself amassing 3,221 yards of total offense, including 624 on the ground. His mobility, however, could be curtailed by LB Smael Mondon and the active Bulldogs front seven.

Why it could disappoint: Yeah, did we mention Georgia is looking like the two-time defending champ again? The Bulldogs will almost certainly make short work of this one, but the strides made by the Yellow Jackets under Brent Key shouldn’t be discounted.

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COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball set a new program record for fewest points allowed with its 101-19 rout of Mississippi Valley State at Colonial Life Arena on Friday.

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso logged her fourth double-double in five games with 14 points and 10 rebounds shooting 53% from the field. However, point guard Raven Johnson had the most well-rounded performance with 12 points, eight rebounds, five steals and five assists.

Te-Hina Paopao makes statement return after injury

Starting guard Te-Hina Paopao missed the Gamecocks’ matchup with South Dakota State on Thursday with an undisclosed injury, but the senior didn’t show any signs of rust against the Devilettes. She had six points on two 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the game and hardly slowed down, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds in just 21 minutes.

Paopao also had her best rebounding performance of the season, finishing with six — five on the defensive end — and a block. She had the second-highest plus-minus on the team at plus-65, behind only Raven Johnson at plus-69.

Gamecocks’ outside shooting struggles continue

Despite Paopao’s return, South Carolina struggled from 3-point range for the second straight game. The team went just 3-of-13 beyond the arc in the first half with two of the makes coming from Paopao, while freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley and sophomore Bree Hall went a combined 0-of-6. The Gamecocks finished 5-of-20.

However, the team made up more ground in the paint than it did against South Dakota State. The team had 34 of its 52 first-half points in the paint and finished with 72 for the game. The Gamecocks also went 32-of-44 on layups and seven players finished scoring in double-digits.

Forced turnovers fuel South Carolina defense

Mississippi Valley State gave up 19 turnovers to the Gamecocks’ 15, but South Carolina capitalized consistently. The team grabbed nine steals led by Johnson’s five and had 13 blocks led by Cardoso, finishing with 20 points off turnovers. The Devilettes scored just five points when the Gamecocks lost possession.

Johnson’s best steal was arguably the play of the game: Late in the first quarter, Mississippi Valley State got a fast break and attempted a long pass in transition. The sophomore point guard sprinted back, read the pass and made a one-handed grab to bring the ball back to the Gamecocks’ offensive end. It was her third consecutive game with at least five steals.

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Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks with Week 12 of the 2023 season underway:

AFC playoff picture

1. Miami Dolphins (8-3), AFC East leaders: They continue to feast on average-at-best opponents, suggesting they’ll be 11-3 come Christmas Eve. But Friday’s rout of the New York Jets was consequential … at least temporarily. The Fins jump from the projected fourth seed to first, their 6-2 record in AFC games superior to Baltimore’s 5-3. However if the Ravens, Chiefs and Jaguars all win Sunday, Miami will revert to No. 4 in the conference standings. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, vs. Titans, vs. Jets, vs. Cowboys, at Ravens, vs. Bills

2. Baltimore Ravens (8-3), AFC North leaders: They (mostly) survived a physical game with Cincinnati their last time out to cement their hold on the division − and have now learned they may yet get injured All-Pro TE Mark Andrews back. The Ravens were further rewarded Monday night by Kansas City’s loss, which moved Baltimore atop the conference standings – a spot the team can reclaim by beating the Bolts on the road this Sunday night. Two games against LA’s teams seem like the easiest left on the Ravens’ docket … and, not necessarily all that easy. Remaining schedule: at Chargers, BYE, vs. Rams, at Jaguars, at 49ers, vs. Dolphins, vs. Steelers

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3), AFC West leaders: They’re still well positioned to play a sixth consecutive AFC title game at Arrowhead Stadium. Yes, they have some ground to make up, but that should be doable with Buffalo their only remaining opponent that currently has a winning record and barely so. Wins over Jacksonville and Miami earlier this season give K.C. a valuable tiebreaker should those teams wind up deadlocked. Remaining schedule: at Raiders, at Packers, vs. Bills, at Patriots, vs. Raiders, vs. Bengals, at Chargers

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3), AFC South leaders: They got right last Sunday with a 34-14 victory over AFC South rival Tennessee. The strength-of-victory tiebreaker puts the Jags ahead of Miami if a tiebreaker must be invoked. A massive trip to Houston in Week 12, NRG Stadium often a death trap for this team. Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Bengals, at Browns, vs. Ravens, at Buccaneers, vs. Panthers, at Titans

5. Cleveland Browns (7-3), wild card No. 1: No Deshaun Watson? No problem. They began the post-DW portion of their season by notching what could be a pivotal win over Pittsburgh. And as good as this defense is, reaching postseason seems like a realistic goal for rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson … or former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Rams, vs. Jaguars, vs. Bears, at Texans, vs. Jets, at Bengals

6. Houston Texans (6-4), wild card No. 2: Mounting issues in the AFC North seem to bode well for them. However finishing a season sweep of Jacksonville would move the Texans into first place and give them a huge tiebreaker … and possibly the luxury of not worrying about other divisions. Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, vs. Broncos, at Jets, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Titans, at Colts

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4), wild card No. 3: The only team in the AFC North that hasn’t suffered a crucial injury in the past week-plus, Pittsburgh’s offense remains on injured reserve after another woeful showing in Cleveland dropped the Steelers into the final wild-card slot due to their Week 4 loss at Houston. The Buffalo Bills (6-5) lurk a half-game back. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Cardinals, vs. Patriots, at Colts, vs. Bengals, at Seahawks, at Ravens

NFC playoff picture

1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1), NFC East leaders: They own the best record in the league, the first club to reach nine wins after winning Monday night’s Super Bowl 57 rematch at Arrowhead Stadium. But a brutal month-plus stretch has only just begun with Detroit, San Francisco and Dallas still in hot pursuit … though the Lions created a touch of breathing room by losing Thursday. Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, vs. 49ers, at Cowboys, at Seahawks, vs. Giants, vs. Cardinals, at Giants

2. San Francisco 49ers (8-3), NFC West leaders: They put a chokehold on the division by beating Seattle on Thanksgiving night. The Niners’ superior record in NFC games also vaulted them over the Lions. But if they want to really make a push for home-field advantage, the Week 13 game in Philly is just about must-win. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, vs. Seahawks, at Cardinals, vs. Ravens, at Commanders, vs. Rams

3. Detroit Lions (8-3), NFC North leaders: After escaping Chicago last weekend, they didn’t survive the upset bid from a division rival (Green Bay) at Ford Field on Thanksgiving afternoon. Shouldn’t damage Detroit’s playoff hopes much, but it’s a blow to any designs on the No. 1 seed in the conference. Remaining schedule: at Saints, at Bears, vs. Broncos, at Vikings, at Cowboys, vs. Vikings

4. New Orleans Saints (5-5), NFC South leaders: Well-timed bye for battered QB Derek Carr and Co., especially since Tampa Bay lost Sunday to give New Orleans a full one-game lead over the Bucs and Atlanta. Remaining schedule: at Falcons, vs. Lions, vs. Panthers, vs. Giants, at Rams, at Buccaneers, vs. Falcons

5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3), wild card No. 1: They solidified their hold on this position, which will likely afford a matchup with a not-so-daunting NFC South champ in the wild-card round. Yet still plenty of time for Dallas to make the NFC East a legit race after smashing Washington 45-10. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks, vs. Eagles, at Bills, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Commanders

6. Minnesota Vikings (6-5), wild card No. 2: An interconference loss isn’t all that damaging, particularly since the Vikes still have two cracks at Detroit if they hope to retain their NFC North throne. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, vs. Bears, BYE, at Raiders, at Bengals, vs. Lions, vs. Packers, at Lions

7. Seattle Seahawks (6-5), wild card No. 3: Consecutive losses to NFC West foes, including Thursday night’s 31-13 home setback to San Francisco, has pushed them to the postseason brink – especially given the upcoming schedule. An inferior record in conference games drops Seattle behind the Vikings and leaves the Seahawks one game ahead of the Green Bay Packers (5-6). The Los Angeles Rams, fresh off a sweep of Seattle, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers can match the Pack’s record with wins Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, at 49ers, vs. Eagles, at Titans, vs. Steelers, at Cardinals

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

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EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Ducks are relishing a second chance against Washington.

Sixth-ranked Oregon secured a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a 31-7 victory Friday night over No. 15 Oregon State in the final scheduled matchup between the in-state rivals.

The Ducks (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12, No. 6 CFP) will face No. 4 Washington next Friday in Las Vegas, the last conference championship before 10 of the league’s teams bolt next season. The winner has a chance at earning a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff.

It was Oregon’s sixth consecutive win since a 36-33 loss at Washington on Oct. 14. The rematch next week will mark the first meeting between the teams in the Pac-12 title game.

“Obviously that’s exactly how we wanted it,” Oregon quarterback Bo Nix said about heading to the title game, “because of the circumstances, because we lost the first one.’

Nix, among the Heisman Trophy favorites, completed 33 of 40 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for another score. Troy Franklin caught nine passes for 128 yards and a score. Tez Johnson caught 11 passes for 137 yards.

Johnson was asked how much he wanted to face the Huskies again.

“Really bad, ever since we lost that game,” he said. “We lost that game, I couldn’t talk to anybody. It’s personal.”

DJ Uiagalelei threw for 220 yards and a touchdown for Oregon State (8-4, 5-4, No. 16 CFP), which is one of two teams not leaving the Pac-12, along with Washington State. Oregon is heading to the Big Ten next season.

While Washington and Washington State have agreed to continue the Apple Cup as a nonconference rivalry game, no such deal has been struck between the Ducks and the Beavers.

The Huskies (11-0, 6-0, No. 4 CFP) sealed their spot in the conference championship last weekend with a 22-20 victory over the Beavers. Washington hosts Washington State on Saturday.

“Hats off to our team man, we battled all the way through, It’s tough,’ Uiagalelei said. “At the end of the day man we love this game of football, this is the stuff that’s tough, losses like this.”

Bucky Irving caught a short pass from Nix and ran for a 14-yard touchdown on the Ducks’ first drive, which took 8:41 off the clock.

Nix scored on a 16-yard keeper early in the second quarter. The Ducks converted on fourth down on both scoring drives.

Uiagalelei’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Silas Bolden narrowed the score to 14-7 with 54 seconds left in the first half, but Nix led an efficient Oregon series that ended with his 41-yard scoring pass to Troy Franklin to make it 21-7 at the break.

It was Franklin’s 14th touchdown this season. It was also the 25th of his career at Oregon, a school record.

After Camden Lewis made a 35-yard field goal for the Ducks in the third quarter, Jordan James pushed the lead to 31-7 with a 1-yard TD in the fourth.

The Ducks will have the same approach in the coming week, even though the upcoming game has a bit more weight, coach Dan Lanning said.

“That’s really what it’s been about, it’s been about each day, it’s been about each moment. It’s doing to be the same tomorrow,” Lanning said. “It’s not going to be about Washington, either, it’s got to be about the Ducks and what we’re going to do tomorrow to be better.”

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The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets traded pick-six touchdowns in a wild minute before halftime, but it was the Dolphins who came out on top in the NFL’s first Black Friday game.

Tyreek Hill caught a touchdown pass and running back Raheem Mostert scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help the Dolphins beat the Jets 34-13 at MetLife Stadium.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw two interceptions in the final minute before halftime, one of which was returned for a touchdown with 58 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Jets had the momentum until quarterback Tim Boyle’s Hail Mary pass was intercepted and returned 99 yards as time expired in the first half.

Here are the winners and losers from Friday’s game between the Dolphins and Jets:

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Winners

Dolphins safety Jevon Holland: The dynamic Dolphins safety had the play of the game: A 99-yard pick-six touchdown to end the first half. Holland intercepted Boyle’s pass and returned it to the other end zone to give the Dolphins a 17-6 lead at halftime. Holland ran for 124.4 yards on the play, the longest play by a ball carrier this season, according to Next Gen Stats.

Jets defensive back Brandin Echols: The Jets defense picked up the slack in the first half with third-year defensive back Brandin Echols intercepting Tagovailoa and scoring a 30-yard pick-six touchdown with 58 seconds before halftime. Echols jumped a route and had nothing but daylight on the first of three turnovers for Tagovailoa on the day. In a game where the Jets knew it was going to need points from its defense, Echols delivered with his second career touchdown. Coincidentally, Echols had a pick-six against the Dolphins his rookie season, snagging an INT off of Tagovailoa.

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill: The Dolphins star receiver turned in another 100-yard performance with nine catches for 102 yards and a 7-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Hill had his left ankle evaluated on the sideline in the first quarter, but quickly returned to the game. Hill was already dealing with a right hand injury suffered last week. But Hill continues to produce for Miami, and leads the NFL with 1,324 yards receiving this season.

Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle: With Hill carrying the load offensive, Waddle’s production has been curbed. Waddle was a focal point offensively, catching eight passes for 114 yards to lead Miami. It marked Waddle’s second 100-yard game this season, and the second time both Waddle and Hill eclipsed 100 yards in a game in 2023.

Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert: The Dolphins’ starting tailback, scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter increase his NFL lead with 13 rushing touchdowns scored this season. Mostert trails only Christian McCaffrey, who leads the NFL with 16 total touchdowns scored this season.

Jets receiver Garrett Wilson: The dynamic Jets receiver who thought he’d be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers caught his third touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter of this game. Wilson found himself open on a crossing route, and Tim Boyle delivered the 1-yard touchdown pass to mark the Jets’ first offensive touchdown in the Boyle era.

The Jets offense on third down: The Jets converted on third down for the first time in two weeks in this game. The Jets were 0-11 last week, and 0-8 before their third down conversion in the fourth quarter against the Dolphins. The play: A tush push, or quarterback sneak, with Boyle leading the charge. The Jets finished the game converting 5 of 14 third-down plays against the Dolphins. Hey, gotta take the wins where you can. 

Jets quarterback Tim Boyle in the second half: Hey, it’s all about progress. And Boyle’s second half was much better than his first. Boyle was 20 for 27 for 144 yards and a touchdown in the second half against the Dolphins. Although he added another interception, Boyle was much more decisive with the football and got it out of his hands quickly before the defense could react. It was a step in the right direction for him. Boyle finished 27 of 38 for 179 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the game.

Losers 

The Dolphins defense: Third-year defensive end Jaelan Phillips was carted off the field after suffering an Achilles injury in the fourth quarter, a brutal blow in a game the Dolphins would have loved to come out healthy from. Phillips returned from a groin injury to play in the last five games, and the Dolphins defense has played its best stretch of the season. The Dolphins will rely on Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah to pick up the slack on the edge if Phillips is out extended time.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa: He accounted for three turnovers, a recurring issue for the Dolphins despite their recent success. In the final minute before halftime, Tagovailoa threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa and backup running back Darrynton Evans paired to fumble a hand off. Tagovailoa has a fumble and an interception in six of 11 Dolphins games. Tagovailoa has 10 interceptions and 10 fumbles this season.

Jets defensive lineman Micheal Clemons: As tensions flared early in the fourth quarter, Clemons was ejected after making contact with an official. Players from both sides got into a tussle following a successful extra point try, but it was Clemons who mistakenly hit an official in the mouth while pointing toward another player. The official was seen spitting blood during the broadcast; NFL rules state contact with an official is an automatic ejection. Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson was also ejected in the sequence, while Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley was penalized for unnecessary roughness.

Jets quarterback Tim Boyle in the first half: It was an abysmal start for Boyle’s first start, completing just 7 of 11 passes for 35 yards before halftime. What made matters worse was Boyle’s interception on a Hail Mary throw in the final seconds of the second quarter, which resulted in Holland’s 99-yard interception return. Luckily for Boyle, his second half was significantly better, considering the outcome of the game.

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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and the White House traded barbs this week over the Biden administration’s response to the Hamas attacks in Israel.

It started after Cruz said in a Fox News interview that the Biden administration had been sympathetic to calls for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Former U.S. State Department Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller told FactCheck.org Cruz was ‘wrong’ to make the claims and that the administration had been ‘nothing other than completely supportive’ of Israel.

In a lengthy post Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, Cruz said the fact check ‘admits I was right that Biden immediately called on Israel not to retaliate against Hamas, because they have to, because it’s true.’

‘But, so they can defend Biden, they quote ‘experts’ anyway saying he’s been 100% supportive of Israel,’ he wrote. 

‘Washington DC experts say that Biden has been 100% supportive of Israel. These are the people who have been in charge of Middle East diplomacy for decades — which also explains how we got to a place where Iranian terrorists were able to launch the worst one day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust,’ the post continued. 

In a statement to Fox News Digital in response to Cruz’s post, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, ‘Obviously, Senator Cruz hasn’t asked anyone in Israel about this,’ and referenced a link to a New York Times article, ‘Israeli Billboards Thanking the U.S. Have a New Face on Them: Biden’s.’

The Times article said Biden is ‘suddenly finding warm embraces’ in Israel after former President Donald Trump’s politics ‘drove a wedge between the Democratic Party and the Jews who have long called it their political home.’

‘The Hamas attacks — and the Biden administration’s response — have so far not only united a fractured Israeli society but also buried animosities between the world’s two largest Jewish communities, in Israel and the United States,’ the article continued.

The article didn’t mention the Biden administration’s initial social media responses to the Oct. 7 attacks condemned by conservatives, including Cruz.

Cruz’s comments referenced an Oct. 7 post on X in which the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs called for ‘all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks,’ which was quickly deleted. 

On Oct. 8, the day Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone call with the Turkish foreign minister, Blinken posted on X, urging, ‘Türkiye’s advocacy for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas immediately.’ 

That post was also deleted, according to the FactCheck.org website. 

‘Even that is a lie,’ Cruz continued on X. ‘In reality, the Biden administration immediately called on Israel not to retaliate on Oct 7, deleted the tweet, supported a ceasefire again the next day, then deleted that tweet too.’

Nonetheless, the Biden administration has since publicly rejected a cease-fire. On Oct. 10, FactCheck.org reported that Biden said in a speech: ‘So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear,’ he said. ‘We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack.’

But, earlier this month, State Department staffers wrote a scathing internal memo urging the Biden administration to change its public stance toward Israel and support a cease-fire, Politico reported.

The leaked memo was submitted to the department’s Dissent Channel, where employees are invited to express policy disagreements, the outlet said. It is the latest incident showing internal strife within the department over the U.S. support for its closest ally in the Middle East.

The message reportedly demands the U.S. support a cease-fire and be willing to publicly criticize ‘Israeli military tactics and treatments of Palestinians,’ the outlet reported.  

Politico reported that two mid-level staffers wrote this particular memo, but there were several other dissent memos over the Israel-Hamas war being shared within the department. The message ‘reflects the sentiments of many U.S. diplomats,’ the report said.

A State Department spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital the department does ‘not comment on reports of internal department communications,’ as a general rule.

Fox News Digital has reached out to FactCheck.org for comment.

Fox News’ Kristine Parks contributed to this report. 

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As he openly flirts with a third-party run for president in 2024, Sen. Joe Manchin has plenty of people in his party terrified that the moderate from West Virginia will unintentionally hand the White House over to former President Donald Trump.

But Manchin dismisses such warnings, rejecting claims from fellow Democrats that a third party run would hurt President Biden’s chances of re-election in a likely rematch next year with Trump, who remains the commanding front-runner for the GOP nomination.

‘I would never be a spoiler for anybody, and I don’t agree with…the analysis that they’ve come up with,’ Manchin told Fox News’ host Brett Baier on ‘Special Report’ last week.

Manchin has repeatedly emphasized that ‘I believe that Donald Trump being elected again would destroy democracy as we know it.’ 

And he worries that the 81-year-old Biden, saddled with deeply underwater approval ratings, isn’t up to the task of defeating Trump.

Manchin made national headlines earlier this month by announcing that he wouldn’t seek re-election next year in the Senate, striking a major blow to the Democrats’ hopes of holding their razor-thin majority in the chamber in 2024.

He also teased a potential third-party presidential campaign and in the ensuing days told NBC News that he’d ‘absolutely’ consider a White House run and CBS News that there’s ‘plenty of time’ to make a decision. 

Manchin argues that national politics has increasingly become too polarized, leaving millions of voters in the middle of the ideological spectrum without much of a voice in the nation’s capital.

‘I want to mobilize what we’ll call the radical, moderate, centrist middle person to get involved because neither side can win without them,’ he emphasized in his Fox News interview.

Much of the speculation surrounding Manchin focuses on No Labels, the influential centrist group that’s seriously mulling sporting a bipartisan, third-party presidential ticket, if Biden and Trump are the major party nominees in the 2024 election.

Manchin, a former No Labels chair, grabbed plenty of national attention earlier this year as he served as honorary co-host of the group’s ‘Common Sense’ town hall in New Hampshire, where they unveiled their policy proposals.

Following Manchin’s announcement earlier this month, No Labels said that ‘we commend Senator Manchin for stepping up to lead a long overdue national conversation about solving America’s biggest challenges, including inflation, an insecure border, out-of-control debt and growing threats from abroad.’

‘Regarding our No Labels Unity presidential ticket, we are gathering input from our members across the country to understand the kind of leaders they would like to see in the White House. As we have said from the beginning, we will make a decision by early 2024 about whether we will nominate a Unity presidential ticket and who will be on it,’ the group added.

Polling suggests that independent presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornell West pull support from both Biden and Trump in a hypothetical four-way 2024 general election showdown.

Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and high-profile vaccine critic who is a scion of arguably the nation’s most famous family political dynasty, launched a Democrat primary challenge against Biden in April.

But Kennedy announced at a campaign event in Philadelphia last month that he would seek the White House as an independent candidate.

West, an outspoken progressive university scholar, was running on the Green Party ticket, but last month announced he would seek the presidency as an independent candidate. 

But both Kennedy and West now face uphill climbs to obtain ballot access in states across the country.

Earlier this month, 2016 Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein announced that she will make another White House run next year. Plenty of Democrats still blame Stein’s 2016 campaign for putting Trump in the White House. Her vote totals seven years ago in the key battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin topped Trump’s margins over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in each state.

Now comes Manchin’s third-party flirtation.

‘Everything going into the 2024 race that would help Donald Trump win should be avoided if you are somebody who cares about the future of democracy and the future of this country,’ longtime Democratic strategist and Democratic National Committee member Maria Cardona told Fox News.

Matt Bennett, a co-founder of the moderate Democratic group the Third Way, noted that plenty of middle of the road voters, ‘if they’re confronted with a forced choice between Biden and Trump, they will vote for Biden if they must because they can’t abide Trump.’

But Bennett, a veteran of multiple Democratic presidential campaigns and who also served in then-President Bill Clinton’s White House, argued ‘if they’re given the option of a Larry Hogan type Republican, they might take it. Not a lot of them take it, but enough to make a difference. And this is what we’re most worried about.’

Hogan, a former popular two-term moderate GOP governor of Maryland, is mulling a third-party presidential bid with No Labels.

Bennett, a vocal critic of No Labels, argued that Manchin ‘is not going to be their candidate,’ as he pointed to a potential national ticket by the centrist group. 

‘They made clear they’re going to put a Republican at the top of their ticket. They put out a chart three weeks ago that if they put a Democrat at the top of their ticket, Trump wins. It’s pretty hard to walk that back,’ he said.

Bennett is referring to a meeting No Labels had with its donors, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal and confirmed by Fox News.

But No Labels reiterates that it’s made no decisions yet when it comes to a potential national ticket and which candidates may be involved.

As for Manchin, he says he’ll do ‘whatever it takes’ to help the country out of its current ‘horrible situation.’

Veteran communicator and strategist Jonathan Kott, who served as a senior adviser to the senator, told Fox News ‘Joe Manchin is going to travel the country and speak to the moderate majority of the country that is tired of political fighting and listening to the extremes of each party.’

And Manchin confidant and SEMAFOR editor at large Steve Clemons said the senator feels ‘there have to be better options for the country than two bad choices.  What’s democracy supposed to be about — two stacked decks with bad hands, or should we be pressuring to make sure there are alternatives?  The cynicism of Washington that only it can sort out who the two choices are is intense and just the wrong track.  Manchin will be out talking to Americans to see if there is enough passion to challenge Washington with better, more problem-solving solutions that don’t leave 60-70% of frustrated Americans on the sidelines.’

Manchin acknowledged this week that it would be aa long-shot for any third-party candidate, including himself, to win the White House.

‘I know that a third-party candidate, myself or anyone else who wants to jump into that fray, is really a long shot,’ Manchin said on West Virginia’s ‘Watchdog Radio’ show. ‘But if you can get a movement to where you can move the two established parties, the Democrat and Republican, back to where their roots are, where they’ve come from and what they’ve been able to produce over all these years, they can get back to some normality.’

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