UNLV put a cap on what’s, officially, the winningest season in school history Wednesday night by defeating Cal 24-13 in the Art of Sport LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

The No. 24 Rebels finish the season 11-3 with their first bowl win in 24 years, matching the 1984 UNLV squad for the most wins in a single season in school history – though the 1984 team’s victories were eventually vacated, meaning this year’s Rebels stand alone in the NCAA’s eyes.

UNLV only lost to two teams this year – Syracuse and Boise State on two occasions, including in the Mountain West title game. That success, in part, helped former coach Barry Odom get the Purdue job. UNLV will begin a new era in 2025 under Dan Mullen, the former coach at Florida and Mississippi State. (Mullen did not coach Wednesday’s game, though he did drop by the ESPN booth; interim coach Del Alexander handled bowl preparations.)

For Cal, Wednesday’s setback finished off a second consecutive 6-7 season. The Golden Bears were down to their fourth quarterback by the time their first season in the ACC officially ended.

Fernando Mendoza, Cal’s starter for the majority of the season, entered the transfer portal. Backup Chandler Rogers was injured and couldn’t go Wednesday. CJ Harris got the start but was eventually knocked out of the game, forcing Cal to turn to freshman EJ Caminong.

Offense was in generally short supply on both sides: Cal finished with 348 yards; UNLV had 291.

Cal vs. UNLV highlights

Final: UNLV 24, Cal 13

Big punt return helps UNLV take two-score lead

Jacob De Jesus’ 38-yard punt return in the fourth quarter put UNLV in position to add a critical field goal. The UNLV offense wasn’t able to do anything after De Jesus’ return — the Rebels actually lost yards on the ensuing drive — but Caden Chittenden knocked home a 48-yard field goal to give UNLV a 24-13 lead with 6:01 to go in the game.

Cal fumbles, Kylin James scores to extend UNLV’s lead: UNLV 21, Cal 13

We have points!

The seventh possession of the third quarter — coming after the teams combined for six punts — ended in disaster for Cal. Quarterback EJ Caminong’s backwards pass could not be corralled and UNLV pounced on the loose ball for the fumble recovery.

One play later, Kylin James took the ball and ran 23 yards into the end zone.

Caminong, a freshman, appeared to be in the game due to an injury to CJ Harris. ESPN showed Harris slowly walking to the locker room, a towel over his head.

The third quarter ends with the Rebels holding an eight-point lead.

Highlight: Fake punt helps UNLV take lead at half

The most exciting play of the first half came from special teams. UNLV punter Marshall Nichols’ push pass to Cameron Oliver gained 52 yards on a fourth-and-7 and set up a Rebels touchdown one play later.

HALFTIME: UNLV 14, Cal 13

UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams and the Rebels take the lead into the locker room. Williams completed 4 of 11 passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

Cal cuts UNLV’s lead to one

Kicker Ryan Coe made a 30-yard field goal for Cal to cut UNLV’s lead to 14-13 with 1:50 left in the second quarter. Coe appears to have taken over the kicking duties after Derek Morris missed a 41-yard attempt on the previous scoring opportunity.

Cal misses field goal attempt

Cal missed an opportunity to cut into UNLV’s lead after Derek Morris missed a 41-yard field goal attempt. UNLV leads Cal 14-10 with 8:56 left in the second quarter.

UNLV refuses to back down

UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams finds Jacob De Jesus for the 9-yard touchdown. The score capped off a six-play, 75-yard drive. Chittenden’s extra point is good. UNLV leads Cal 14-10 with 13:17 left in the second quarter.

Cal answers back with a touchdown

Josiah Martin rushes 29 yards for the touchdown. Derek Morris’ extra point attempt was good. Cal leads UNLV 10-7 with 19 seconds left in the first quarter.

UNLV responds with a huge touchdown play

UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams found Kayden McGee for a 49-yard touchdown on third-and-10. Caden Chittenden’s extra point attempt was good and the Rebels moved ahead of the Golden Bears 7-3 with 5:04 left in the first quarter.

Cal leads UNLV in the first quarter

Kicker Derek Morris had a successful 43-yard field goal attempt to give the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead against the Rebels with 7:45 left in the first quarter.

Who is the California Golden Bears’ starting quarterback?

CJ Harris will serve as the starting quarterback for the Golden Bears tonight. Chandler Rogers will not play due to injury. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza started most of the season but entered the transfer portal after the regular season.

Harris was the 2022 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl MVP.

Will Ricky White III play for UNLV?

UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III is not suited up and will not play tonight.

When is the Art of Sport LA Bowl between Cal and UNLV?

The kickoff for the Art of Sport L.A. Bowl game between the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, is Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.

How to watch Cal and UNLV in the Art of Sport LA Bowl

The Art of Sport L.A. Bowl game between the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.

Watch the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels in the LA Bowl with a free Fubo trial

Cal vs. UNLV odds, line

The UNLV Rebels are the favorites to defeat the California Golden Bears in the Art of Sport LA Bowl, according to the BetMGM college football odds on Wednesday.

Spread: UNLV (-3.5) 
Moneyline: UNLV (-165); California (+135) 
Over/under: 46.5

Cal vs. UNLV all-time record 

Wednesday’s Art of Sport L.A. Bowl marks the second time that the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels have faced off.

Cal is 1-0 in the series, beating UNLV 20-14 in a Sept. 10, 2022 game at Berkeley, California.

Cal vs. UNLV: Art of Sport LA Bowl predictions

USA TODAY: Most pick UNLV

Scooby Axon: UNLV
Jordan Mendoza: UNLV
Paul Myerberg: UNLV
Erick Smith: Cal
Eddie Timanus: UNLV
Dan Wolken: UNLV

College Football News: UNLV ‘playing with house money’

Pete Fiutak writes ‘This one is all about watching to make sure the top Rebels stick around. If so, the defense should dominate a banged up and pieced together Bear line that should be without a few starting parts.’

Sports Illustrated: Cal ML (-130)

Reed Wallach writes ‘Given the looming uncertainty for UNLV along the sidelines and on the field, I’m going with the more trustworthy product in Cal to win the LA Bowl.’

College Football Network: UNLV over Cal

James Fragoza writes, “While the Rebels face coaching uncertainties, their talent edge and high-powered playmakers should give them the upper hand.”

Picks and Parlays: Running with the Rebels

David Anicetti writes, “UNLV will win this matchup with a superior offense that scores an average of 36.2 points per game while its defense holds opponents to 21.9 points per game. California scores 26.1 per game but allows 22.2 per game.”

Bowl game picks  

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for all of the college football bowl games. 

Gronk Bowl: What is Rob Gronkowski’s involvement with the LA Bowl?

The 2023 bowl season ushered in the era of Gronk as it pertains to the LA Bowl. Former NFL star tight end Rob Gronkowski signed a multiyear agreement to take on the mantle of the game’s host, replacing Jimmy Kimmel.

‘Jimmy was a fantastic host and brought a lot of elements to the game. But it’s my turn now, and I’m going to turn it up, that’s for sure,’ Gronkowski said at the time.

Cal vs. UNLV all-time record

Wednesday’s Art of Sport L.A. Bowl marks the second time that the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels have faced off in their respective programs’ histories.

Cal is 1-0 in the series, beating UNLV, 20-14, in a Sept. 10, 2022 game at Berkeley, California.

College Football Playoff bracket: CFP schedule

The first round of the College Football Playoff will begin with one game on Friday, Dec. 19 and conclude with three games scheduled for Dec. 20.

All times Eastern

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

Game 1: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

Game 2: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 SMU, noon (TNT)
Game 3: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 12 Clemson, 4 p.m. (TNT)
Game 4: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

CFP quarterfinals schedule

The four quarterfinal games will be played on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with one game on Dec. 31 and three on Jan. 1. All games will be televised by ESPN.

All times Eastern

TUESDAY, DEC. 31

Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State/SMU winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1

Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas/Clemson winner, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee winner, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame/Indiana winner, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)

CFP semifinals schedule

The semifinal games will be played on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. Both games will be televised by ESPN.

All times Eastern

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

Orange Bowl: Fiesta Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

Cotton Bowl: Peach Bowl winner vs. Rose Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

CFP national championship game schedule

MONDAY, JAN. 20

Game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

Catch CFP games with Fubo

CFP rankings 

Oregon (Big Ten champion, No. 1 seed)*
Georgia (SEC champion, No. 2 seed)*
Texas (No. 5 seed)
Penn State (No. 6 seed)
Notre Dame (No. 7 seed)
Ohio State (No. 8 seed)
Tennessee (No. 9 seed)
Indiana (No. 10 seed)
Boise State (MWC champion, No. 3 seed)*
SMU (No. 11 seed)
Alabama
Arizona State (Big 12 champion, No. 4 seed)*
Miami
Mississippi
South Carolina
Clemson (ACC champion, No. 12 seed)**

*first-round bye; **automatic bid

How does College Football Playoff format work? 

The 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff bracket are the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, and the next seven highest-ranked teams.

The four highest-ranked conference champions are seeded one through four and received a first-round bye. The fifth conference champion is seeded where it was ranked among the top 12 teams, or at No. 12 if it is outside the top 12 in the CFP rankings. Non-conference champions ranked in the top four will be seeded beginning at No. 5.

‘Because of this,’ the CFP warns on its website, ‘the seeding, 1 through 12, could look different than the final rankings.’

For the first round, the higher-ranked team in each pairing (5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9) will serve as host on campus. The winners advance to the quarterfinals and match up with the corresponding top-four conference champion based on seeding. Quarterfinal games will played at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The semifinals – played at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic – will take place Jan. 9-10.

The two semifinal winners will play for the national championship Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. — Mark Giannotto

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

The NHL season is more than two months old, and there have been 13 trades, including forward Kaapo Kakko being moved on Wednesday.

There also have been three coaching changes, plus extensions signed by Igor Shesterkin, Jake Oettinger, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark and others. Other top players also remain eligible for extensions, including Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Brock Boeser.

There will be more trades as teams build toward a Stanley Cup run or make moves for their long-term future. The holiday roster freeze is quickly approaching and the trade deadline will be on March 7.

Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:

Dec. 18: Rangers trade Kaapo Kakko to Kraken

The New York Rangers get back defenseman Will Borgen and 2025 third- and sixth-round picks in exchange for Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 overall pick of 2019. The trade happened less than a day after Kakko complained about being a healthy scratch. ‘It’s just easy to take the young guy and put him out,’ he said Tuesday. ‘That’s how I feel.’

Kakko, 23, has never matched the expectation of being that high a pick, getting 40 points in his top season in 2022-23. He has 14 points this season and was named by Finland to the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The trade is the second recent shake-up move by the sliding Rangers, who dealt captain Jacob Trouba, a defenseman, to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. Borgen, who was taken by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, had 20 or more points and averaged nearly 200 hits the past two seasons but has just two points and a minus-13 rating this season.

Dec. 18: Justin Schultz retires after 12 NHL seasons

Defenseman Justin Schultz, 34, who won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced his retirement after 12 seasons with four NHL teams. Originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, he couldn’t reach terms with that team and joined the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent in 2012, making the all-rookie team. Schultz was traded to the Penguins in 2016 and won championships that season and the following season. He played two seasons each with the Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, finishing his NHL career with 71 goals and 324 points in 745 games. Schultz signed to play in Switzerland this season but stepped down after eight games.

Also: The Canadiens and Predators swapped defensemen with Justin Barron, 23, heading to Nashville in exchange for Alexandre Carrier, 28. Carrier signed a three-year deal this offseason and the Predators save $2.6 million in cap space with the trade.

Dec. 14: Blues acquire Ducks’ Cam Fowler in trade

The St. Louis Blues give up minor league defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka and a 2027 second-round pick to land defenseman Cam Fowler, 33, who spent his entire NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks. St. Louis also gets a 2027 fourth-round pick and the Ducks retain about 38.5% of Fowler’s remaining salary.

The Blues, who will be without Torey Krug (ankle) this season, get a veteran defenseman who averages more than 21 minutes a game in ice time. Fowler was moved eight days after the Ducks acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba in a trade.

“This was a difficult trade to make considering what Cam has meant to this organization,” general manager Pat Verbeek said. “He has been a valuable and respected member of our team for 15 seasons, representing the Ducks with ultimate class. … After meeting with Cam several times over the last few months, it became clear to both of us it may be time for a change.”

Also: The Boston Bruins claimed forward Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the New York Islanders. The Maine native had played for Boston College in 2018-19.

Dec. 13: Islanders waive Oliver Wahlstrom, Pierre Engvall

The New York Islanders have placed forwards Oliver Wahlstrom and Pierre Engvall on waivers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. The move happened after injured forwards Mat Barzal and Anthony Duclair returned to practice. Engvall, who signed a seven-year contract in 2023, passed through waivers earlier this season and played six games in the American Hockey League. He has six points in 20 games. Wahlstrom, a 2018 first-round pick, has four points in 27 games.

Also: The Minnesota Wild claimed defenseman Travis Dermott off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. The Wild placed defenseman Jake Middleton on long-term injured reserve after he was hit in the hand by a shot on Thursday night. … The Vegas Golden Knights signed forward Keegan Kolesar to a three-year, $7.5 million contract extension.

Dec. 12: Canucks’ J.T. Miller returns from personal leave

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller said he was returning from his personal leave and played Thursday night against the Florida Panthers. The Canucks announced his leave of absence on Nov. 19. The team went 5-3-2 while he was away.

Miller, who has 16 points in 17 games this season and topped 100 last season, said he wouldn’t answer questions about why he was away from the team.

‘I’m excited to play,’ he said. ‘I want to play and obviously a fun game against the defending champions. Just happy to be around the guys and looking forward to tonight.’

Miller skated a little more than 14 minutes, had two assists and won 60% of his faceoffs.

While he was away, he was named to Team USA for February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Also: Anaheim Ducks forward Travis Zegras had surgery for torn meniscus in his right knee and is expected to miss six weeks. … The Utah Hockey Club claimed defenseman Dakota Mermis off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dec. 10: Kevin Shattenkirk announces retirement

Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk announced his retirement on Tuesday after 14 NHL seasons with seven teams. He won a Stanley Cup in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Drafted 14th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2007, he also played for the St. Louis Blues (five 40-point seasons), Washington Capitals, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks before joining the Boston Bruins in 2023-24 for what would be his final season.

Shattenkirk, 35, finishes with 103 goals, 381 assists and 484 points in 952 career games, plus 48 points in 91 playoff games. He scored in overtime during Game 4 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 9: Avalanche land Mackenzie Blackwood in goalie trade with Sharks

The Colorado Avalanche’s season-opening goaltending tandem of Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen is out after a subpar start. Now they’re running with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood after separate trades with the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, respectively.

The Blackwood trade is the latest one and includes forward Givani Smith and a draft pick going to Colorado, while forward Nikolai Kovalenko and two picks go to San Jose. Blackwood has a .904 save percentage to Georgiev’s .874, and he made 49 saves in his last game. Georgiev was pulled in his second-to-last start.

GOALIE SWAP: Full details of Avalanche-Sharks trade

Dec. 6: Rangers trade Jacob Trouba, extend Igor Shesterkin

The sliding New York Rangers dominated the news Friday by trading captain Jacob Trouba and giving Igor Shesterkin an eight-year extension that makes him the highest-paid NHL goalie.

The Rangers officially announced the extension on Saturday.

The Trouba trade happened first Friday with the Rangers getting back defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick. But the biggest part is the Anaheim Ducks took on Trouba’s $8 million cap hit, giving the Rangers flexibility. Trouba, who has struggled this season and didn’t waive his no-trade clause this summer, adds a veteran presence to the young Ducks. He and new teammate Radko Gudas are two of the hardest hitters in the league.

Shesterkin will average $11.5 million in his new deal, according to reports, moving him past Carey Price ($10.5 million) as the top-paid goaltender. The Rangers rely heavily on Shesterkin, who faces a lot of high-danger shots.

Also: The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens pulled off a minor trade. Forward Jacob Perreault, son of former NHL player Yanic Perreault, heads to Edmonton for defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer. … The Carolina Hurricanes placed forward Brendan Lemieux on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract. He requested the move so he can pursue another opportunity, general manager Eric Tulsky told the team’s website.

Dec. 5: Blackhawks fire coach Luke Richardson

The last-place Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Luke Richardson. Anders Sorensen, coach of the Blackhawks’ Rockford IceHogs team in the American Hockey League, was named interim head coach.

The move happened with generational player Connor Bedard going through a sophomore slump and unhappy with his production. He recently ended a 12-game goal drought and didn’t make the Canadian roster for this season’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

‘As we have begun to take steps forward in our rebuilding process, we felt that the results did not match our expectations for a higher level of execution this season and ultimately came to the decision that a change was necessary,’ general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement about the coaching move.

Richardson leaves Chicago with a 57-118-15 record.

Dec. 4: Stars’ Tyler Seguin to have hip surgery, miss 4-6 months

The Dallas Stars announced that forward Tyler Seguin will have surgery on his left hip on Thursday and is expected to miss four to six months. That timeline would have him out of the lineup until near the end of the regular season or into the playoffs. Seguin, 32, had been having a strong season, ranking third on the team with 20 points in 19 games.

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF: Rosters announced

Nov. 30: Wild acquire defenseman David Jiricek from Blue Jackets

The Minnesota Wild acquired former first-round pick David Jiricek, 21, from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a package that includes 22-year-old defenseman Daemon Hunt and a package of draft picks including a top-five protected 2025 first-round pick. Jiricek, a 2022 sixth-overall pick who had been sent to American Hockey League, will report to the Wild’s AHL team. The other picks heading to Columbus: 2026 third- and fourth-rounders and a 2027 second-rounder. The Wild get a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Nov. 30: Predators, Avalanche swap goaltenders

The Colorado Avalanche acquired backup goalie Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators for backup goalie Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick. The Avalanche, who have the league’s third-worst team goals-against average, were expected to make some sort of goaltending move but not necessarily this one. Annunen, 24, has slightly better stats this season, but he’s a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Wedgewood, 32, who was signed in the offseason and played five games for the Predators, has another year left on his contract.

Also: The NHL fined Boston’s Nikita Zadorov and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin $5,000 each for an exchange in Friday’s game. Zadorov poked Malkin with his stick from the bench, and the Penguins star responded with a slash toward the bench, hitting Mason Lohrei.

Nov. 25: Penguins acquire Philip Tomasino from Predators

Philip Tomasino (one point in 11 games) is the final year of his contract so the struggling Nashville Predators get something in return, a 2027 fourth-round pick. The equally struggling Pittsburgh Penguins get another person for their bottom six. The former first-round pick’s best season was 32 points as a rookie in 2021-22.

Nov. 24: Blues fire coach Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery

In a surprising move, the St. Louis Blues on Sunday fired Drew Bannister after less than a year as coach, replacing him with former Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery.

The announcement from Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong comes with the team losing 13 of its first 22 games this year. Bannister had taken over for Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube last season and had his interim tag removed at the end of the season.

Montgomery, a former assistant to Berube, has an overall regular-season record of 180-84-33 as a head coach with Boston and Dallas. He was just let go by the Bruins last week after they lost 12 of their first 20 games. – Steve Gardner

Nov. 22: Golden Knights sign Brett Howden to five-year extension

Forward Brett Howden will average $2.5 million in the five-year contract extension. He plays in the Vegas Golden Knights’ bottom six and has eight goals this season.

After the Golden Knights lost free agents Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup title team this summer, they’ve been working to get extensions done early. Defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb signed recently. Goalie Adin Hill and Keegan Kolesar also are pending unrestricted free agents from that championship team.

Also: Seattle Kraken captain Jordan Eberle had surgery on his pelvis and will be out at last three months.

Nov. 21: Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen to have knee surgery

This marks the fourth season in a row that Andersen has missed extended time. He was limited to 16 games last season with a blood-clotting issue and missed more than two months of 2022-23 with a lower-body injury. An injury kept him out of the 2022 playoffs.

Pyotr Kochetkov is the Hurricanes’ No. 1 goalie in Andersen’s absence. Andersen, 35, is in the final year of his contract.

Nov. 19: Canucks’ J.T. Miller out indefinitely for personal reasons

‘Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him,’ general manager Patrik Allvin said. ‘Out of respect to J.T., we will have no further comment at this time.’

Miller ranks second on the Canucks and is their top-scoring forward with 16 points in 17 games. He scored 103 points last season.

Nov. 19: Boston Bruins fire coach Jim Montgomery

The Boston Bruins made Jim Montgomery the first coaching casualty of the 2024-25 NHL season, firing him less than two seasons after he was named coach of the year.

Associate coach Joe Sacco, a former Colorado Avalanche head coach, will take over behind the bench as the interim head coach.

The move came after a blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Montgomery, who was in the final year of his contract, was let go with the team sitting at 8-9-3 and sporting poor underlying numbers.

BRUINS: More details on coaching change

Nov. 19: Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin out with leg injury

Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record is temporarily on hold after the Washington Capitals star left Monday night’s game with an injury.

The team announced Tuesday that Ovechkin is week-to-week with an injury to his lower leg after he absorbed a leg-on-leg hit from Utah Hockey Club forward Jack McBain during the third period.

Ovechkin had been on a torrid scoring pace this season. Before Monday’s injury, he had scored twice in the 6-2 win over Utah, giving him five goals in the last two games and a league-leading 15 goals in 18 games.

Also: The Edmonton Oilers claimed forward Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. He provides speed and depth to a team that hasn’t received much scoring from the wings this season.

Nov. 18: Islanders’ Mike Reilly to have procedure on heart

General manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters that the pre-existing heart condition was discovered during routine testing for a concussion that had sidelined the defenseman since Nov. 1.

‘It’s probably a blessing in disguise of what transpired,’ Lamoriello said. ‘They detected this, something that you’re sometimes born with, but never knew.’

He said Reilly has been cleared from the concussion.

Nov. 15: Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin returns from suspension

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin returned Friday night from his six-month suspension. He was suspended during the playoffs last May under Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He also was in the program for about two months earlier in the 2023-24 season and missed part of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. Nichushkin is a key offensive contributor with 28 goals in 54 games last season. Injured forwards Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood also returned Friday.

Also: The Vegas Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb, the franchise leader in games played, to a three-year contract extension that averages $3.65 million a year.

OILERS: Connor McDavid is fourth fastest to reach 1,000 points

Nov. 13: Sabres claim goalie James Reimer off waivers

The Buffalo Sabres claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers, bringing him back to where he signed a free agent contract in the summer. Reimer was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks off waivers earlier this season when the Sabres tried to send him to the American Hockey League. The Ducks put him on waivers after the return of injured goalie John Gibson. Reimer, on a one-year, $1 million contract, played two games in Anaheim with a 4.50 goals-against average. No. 1 Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was hurt in Monday’s loss but hasn’t been ruled out for Thursday’s game.

Also: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm will be out ‘weeks’ with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot, coach Jim Montgomery said.

Nov. 12: Capitals reacquire Lars Eller in trade with Penguins

Center Lars Eller, 35, is a familiar face for the Washington Capitals after playing in Washington from 2016-23 and winning a Stanley Cup there in 2018. He kills penalties and is strong in the faceoff circle. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ side of the trade might be more interesting. They get a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder, and this also could be an indication that the Penguins are shaking up the roster after a disappointing start. Eller’s trade will allow the team to give more ice time to younger players. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent.

Also: The Winnipeg Jets claimed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche and loaned him to their American Hockey League affiliate. They had lost him on waivers to the Avalanche last month.

Nov. 11: Flames’ Anthony Mantha to have season-ending surgery

Also: The Colorado Avalanche placed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers. They had claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets last month.

Nov. 9: Penguins recall veteran goalie Tristan Jarry from minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 26 after recording a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. His AHL numbers were 2.16, .926.

Also: The Philadelphia Flyers made rookie Matvei Michkov a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game.

Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks

The Seattle Kraken landed Daniel Sprong, one of their former players, in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have struggled to score this season and Sprong had 21 goals for them two seasons ago. The forward has scored double-digit goals five times. He had one goal with Vancouver this season.

Nov. 7: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov to be healthy scratch

Coach John Tortorella called the move ‘part of the process.’

‘With young guys, they can watch games, too, as far as development,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s trying to help them.’

Michkov, 19, has 10 points in 13 games and a minus-8 rating and was NHL rookie of the month in October. He had just one point in his last five games and his ice time dropped in the last four.

Nov. 4: Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini ready to return from injury

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is ready to return to action after aggravating an injury in the season opener, according to NHL.com.

He took part in practice Monday on the top line with Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund and is looking to play his second game season Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Celebrini said he reinjured his hip on his first shift of the opener but played the full game and had a goal and assist. He has missed 12 games. The Sharks opened the season 0-7-2 but are 3-1 in their last four games.

Also: St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. He needed help getting off the ice Saturday after he was checked by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner. … The Boston Bruins signed forward Tyler Johnson to a one-year, $775,000 contract. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov. 2: Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech go on injured list

New York Islanders No. 1 center Mathew Barzal was placed on long-term injured reserve with an unspecified upper-body injury. He’ll be out four to six weeks. He had 80 points in 80 games last season but had been limited to five points in 10 games this season as the Islanders have struggled to score.

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech also will be out four to six weeks after being hit in the face by a puck. He went on the injured list.

Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs get defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Liljegren, 25, had been limited to one game in Toronto this season, and the Maple Leafs recently committed to blue-liner Jake McCabe with a five-year extension. But Liljegren should fit in well in San Jose, which is building around younger players. Benning, 30, and Liljegren are signed through 2025-26.

This is the second day with an NHL trade after none previously since the season opened in North America.

Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club gives up a third-round pick as it addresses a desperate need for a veteran defenseman. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term after surgery. Utah has been leaking goals during a four-game losing streak, including blowing a 4-1 lead late in the third period against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta is solid defensively and has nearly 700 games of NHL experience.

Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension with an annual average value of $4.51 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports there is some deferred money in the deal. McCabe, 31, had been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a February 2023 trade and ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and a team-best plus-6 rating.

Also: The New York Rangers recalled rugged forward Matt Rempe from the American Hockey League after he played two games there. The Rangers play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in what has become a feisty rivalry.

Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins sent two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan after his early season struggles. He had been sent home from the Penguins’ road trip to work on his game after recording a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage in three games. He was pulled from his last start on Oct. 16 and gave up six goals in the opener.

Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has had the most starts in the Penguins net this season and Alex Nedeljkovic recently returned from an injury.

Also: The New York Islanders signed rugged forward Matt Martin for the rest of the season. He had been to camp on a tryout agreement after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders.

Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension

The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere have agreed to a seven-year extension as he builds on last season’s breakthrough. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick will average $7.45 million in the deal, according to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. That’s up from this year’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, 23, broke through with 28 goals and 57 points last season and added eight goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He is averaging a point a game this season through seven games and scored his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He is signed through 2031-32.

Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will average $7.425 million in the extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2031-32. Getting him signed now is important after the Golden Knights lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup team to free agency during the summer.

Theodore, 29, is the franchise’s top-scoring defenseman with 296 points and has opened this season with seven points in six games. Vegas’ top three defensemen (also Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin) are signed through at least 2026-27.

Oct. 23: Utah’s Sean Durzi, John Marino out long-term after surgery

The Utah Hockey Club, who beefed up their defense in the offseason, will be without two key blueliners long-term after they had surgery.

Sean Durzi, who was injured in an Oct. 15 game, will miss four to six months after shoulder surgery. John Marino, who has yet to play this season, is out three to four months after back surgery.

Utah added defensemen Mikhail Sergachev, Marino and Ian Cole in the offseason. Durzi, acquired last season when the team was in Arizona, signed a four-year, $24 million contract during the summer.

In other injury news, St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas has a fractured ankle and will be evaluated in six weeks.

Oct. 22: Panthers give coach Paul Maurice contract extension

Maurice, who joined the Panthers in 2022-23, went to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season and won it last year. His 29 playoff wins are a franchise record.

He has 98 regular-season wins with Florida and his 873 career wins rank fourth all time in NHL history.

Also: The Blues signed forward Jake Neighbours to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension.

Oct. 17: Stars’ Jake Oettinger signs eight-year contract extension

The Dallas Stars signed goalie Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The $8.25 million cap hit matches the deals recently signed by the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Senators’ Linus Ullmark.

Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.

Oct. 12: Aleksander Barkov, Macklin Celebrini are injured

The NHL season is young, but two prominent players are already out with injuries.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will miss two to three weeks after crashing leg first into the boards while trying to prevent an empty net goal on Thursday. His stick had broken but he couldn’t stop Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle from scoring. The time frame should allow Barkov to participate in the two Global Series games against the Dallas Stars in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2. Barkov is the first Finnish NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup. He won the Selke Trophy last season for the second time as top defensive forward.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks placed No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Celebrini is week-to-week. He had been dealing with an injury in training camp but played in this week’s season opener, scoring a goal and an assist.

Oct. 11: Avalanche claim goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

The Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado lost 8-4 in the opener, with Alexandar Georgiev giving up five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on four shots. The Avalanche are Kahkonen’s fourth team in a year. He split time last season between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.

It was something of an offensive shootout in Wednesday’s first bowl game with Western Kentucky facing James Madison in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Hilltoppers and Dukes are no strangers to playing offense – Western Kentucky excels throwing the ball while James Madison knows how to run. 

Things looked to be headed south when Hilltoppers quarterback and Conference USA Player of the Year Caden Veltkamp announced he would be entering the transfer portal. However, he took part in one last ride with his teammates and to lead a passing game that was 32nd in the country.

Just as scripted, the Dukes spread things out with Billy Atkins under center. James Madison managed to garner 214 yards on the ground and 182 yards passing, leading to a decisive 27-17 victory.

Veltkamp put up a solid game with 302 yards passing and two touchdowns, but it was the onslaught of pressure the Dukes imposed late in the game that mattered most. The Hilltoppers were stifled in the fourth quarter and gave up a fumble late to a surging Khairi Manns.

Wednesday was the first meeting between Western Kentucky and James Madison. It meant a great deal to the Dukes, who claimed the first bowl win in program history. Here are the best moments from the Boca Raton Bowl.

James Madison beats Western Kentucky, 27-17

James Madison is riding into the sunset with more pep in its step. The Dukes claim the Boca Raton Bowl with a late offensive surge, 27-17. Wednesday’s victory is the first bowl win in the program’s history.

James Madison 27, Western Kentucky 17: Dukes forced fumble nets field goal

The Dukes are rolling at the moment to close this game. Caden Veltkamp and the Hilltoppers, relying heavily on the passing game, dropped back into peril. Khairi Manns caught the QB just before he let loose and recovered the ensuing fumble.

The spoils of the defensive play were that James Madison wasted some time and capped it all off with three more points.

James Madison 24, Western Kentucky 17: Atkins connects with Thompson

The Hilltoppers have some work to do. Billy Atkins is doing his best to make this a shootout and puts the Dukes up by seven with just over nine minutes to go in the game.

He drives 75 yards, finishing off this beautiful drive with a nicely placed 21-yard toss to Taylor Thompson for a touchdown and the lead.

Western Kentucky 17, James Madison 17: Hilltopper field goal ties game

The Hilltoppers go 62 yards to get within range. Justin Caneiro’s 31-yard field goal takes this game into overtime territory once again. We are tied here in the fourth quarter.

End of third quarter: James Madison 17, Western Kentucky 14

James Madison is back in front heading into the fourth quarter after adding 10 points out of halftime. However Western Kentucky is in James Madison territory with an opportunity to tie or take the lead.

James Madison 17, Western Kentucky 14: Dukes take lead off turnover

A failed trick play resulted in James Madison recapturing the lead. Western Kentucky tried to run a double pass but the toss behind the line of scrimmage couldn’t be hauled in by Dalvin Smith, resulting in a fumble recovered by James Madison.

Set up in Western Kentucky territory, the Dukes drove the ball all the way to the 10-yard line before getting to fourth down. James Madison opted to kick it and Noe Ruelas made an easy 28-yard field goal, his first make of the night after missing his first two attempts.

Western Kentucky 14, James Madison 14: Long drive results in tie game

It took 11 plays and a fourth down conversion for James Madison to find the end zone again and tie the game up. The Dukes haven’t had much success throwing it, but JC Evans showed off the arm to get his team down the field. The team faced a fourth-and-1 at the 6-yard line and were able to convert it, and the score came on the next play with Evans finding Kyi Wright for a 1-yard touchdown.

Halftime: Western Kentucky 14, James Madison 7

A 14-point second quarter by Western Kentucky has the Hilltoppers out in front midway through the Boca Raton Bowl.

Both teams have played to their strengths with Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Veltkamp throwing for 163 yards and James Madison running for 110 yards. However, the Dukes have struggled in the air and that’s what has killed drives. James Madison also missed two field goals − one that just missed and another that was blocked on the final play before halftime.

Western Kentucky 14, James Madison 7: Hilltoppers take lead right before halftime

The lead now belongs to Western Kentucky after Caden Veltkamp placed the ball perfectly into Dalvin Smith’s hands for an 11-yard touchdown pass. With a little bit of time left in the first half, the Hilltoppers went 83 yards down the field in just under two minutes thanks to big plays through the air.

James Madison 7, Western Kentucky 7: Hilltoppers tie game

Western Kentucky responded with its first touchdown of the game with another score off the arm of Caden Veltkamp. The Hilltoppers’ signal-caller found Moussa Barry for a 17-yard strike to cap a drive that started in James Madison territory.

End of first quarter: James Madison 7, Western Kentucky 0

A touchdown run was the only score in the first quarter of the Boca Raton Bowl with James Madison leading.

Backup quarterback JC Evans did most of the damage with his legs, including when he ran for a 7-yard touchdown. James Madison loves to run the ball, and 73 of its 88 yards in the first frame came on the ground.

There were mistakes made by both sides, with James Madison failing to convert a fourth down play on its own side of the field and Western Kentucky fumbling in the opponent’s territory.

James Madison 7, Western Kentucky 0: Backup QB comes in to score

Freshman quarterback JC Evans didn’t get the start on Wednesday, but he did come in and provided big runs to get James Madison on the board.

Used primarily for his running ability, Evans ran for 27 yards on the second play of the drive to get into Western Kentucky territory. He then had a 7-yard run for a touchdown to cap the drive. He accounted for 43 of the 77 yards on the scoring drive.

When is the Boca Raton Bowl between Western Kentucky and JMU?

The kickoff for the Boca Raton Bowl game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the James Madison Dukes at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, is Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Western Kentucky and JMU in the Boca Raton Bowl

The Boca Raton Bowl game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the James Madison Dukes will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.

Western Kentucky vs. James Madison odds, line

The James Madison Dukes are the favorites to defeat the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Boca Raton Bowl, according to the BetMGM college football odds on Wednesday afternoon.

Spread: James Madison (-7) 
Moneyline: James Madison (-275); Western Kentucky (+225) 
Over/under: 50.5

Watch Western Kentucky and James Madison in the Boca Raton Bowl with a free Fubo trial

Western Kentucky vs. James Madison: Boca Raton Bowl predictions

USA TODAY: JMU is the unanimous pick

Scooby Axon: James Madison
Jordan Mendoza: James Madison
Paul Myerberg: James Madison
Erick Smith: James Madison
Eddie Timanus: James Madison
Dan Wolken: James Madison

ESPN: Western Kentucky 28, James Madison 26

‘Both teams are capable enough on defense and can spread the ball around in the passing game, as WKU’s Caden Veltkamp has 23 touchdown passes. Hilltoppers coach Tyson Helton is 4-1 in bowls, though, and will add a close win to his ledger.’

College Football News: James Madison 34, Western Kentucky 16

‘This one will be rough. Not only is WKU hammered by the transfer portal, but James Madison star QB Alonza Barnett III is hurting with an apparent leg injury (and won’t play). James Madison should be okay enough to get by. There’s a decent next-man-up thing happening with this team, but WKU is way too (hurt) by losses to hold up.’

The Athletic: James Madison wins

All nine experts at The Athletic picked James Madison to beat Western Kentucky in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.

BetMGM: JMU wins, WKU covers

BetMGM’s betting model gives James Madison a 70.5% chance of beating Western Kentucky, as of Friday, December 13, based on game simulations, offensive and defensive matchups and recent game result. But the model predicts with 55.1% confidence that Western Kentucky will cover the spread.

USA Today college football bowl schedule

James Madison vs. Western Kentucky all-time record 

Wednesday’s Boca Raton Bowl marks the first time that the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the James Madison Dukes have faced off in their respective programs’ histories.

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Of course, upsets happen in college basketball. But the loss stings a bit more given what Gottlieb said last week about wanting to schedule ‘better teams’ in his first season with the Phoenix, and that ‘you have to, like everyone else does, schedule a couple D2s early.’

‘Part of the reason I want to play better teams is, it’s two degrees, snowing outside,’ Gottlieb told reporters after Green Bay’s 88-67 loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 11. ‘I don’t really like the idea of Nobody U coming in here and what do we learn from playing a game where we win by 20. There’s a methodology to it. And I’m gonna have to adjust moving forward.’

Gottlieb didn’t directly call Michigan Tech ‘Nobody U.’ However, he was referring to playing teams of a higher caliber than Michigan Tech.

Gottlieb on Wednesday responded to his quote, which went viral after Green Bay’s loss.

‘Done with this crap,’ Gottlieb wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. ‘We scheduled up. Including Michigan Tech. No where ever, have I been critical of anyone on our schedule. Now, back to work.’

The namesake host of ‘The Doug Gottlieb Show’ is in his first season of coaching, as the former Oklahoma State standout has been a college basketball broadcaster for numerous years. The Phoenix fell to 2-11 on the season after Thursday’s loss, and are projected to win only two more games this season, according to KenPom.

Gottlieb started his playing career at Notre Dame before transferring and playing a season at Golden West College. He then played three years for the Cowboys, where he was one of the best passers in the country, leading the nation in assists as both a junior and a senior, averaging 8.8 and 8.6 assists per game, respectively.

Gottlieb has covered basketball for ESPN, CBS and Fox. He still hosts his radio show while coaching the struggling Phoenix.

Even though ‘Inside the NBA’ will be moving to ESPN next season, it could be without one key star.

Through a partnership between ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery, the popular NBA show will run on ESPN, ensuring the show would remain on airwaves after TNT missed out on the league’s new 11-year, $76 billion TV deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC and Amazon.

While basketball fans were excited to see the cast of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal continue to talk hoops, Barkley revealed on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ on Wednesday he hasn’t fully committed to making the move and remains in talks with other networks.

‘I haven’t decided yet,” Barkley admitted. “I’m listening to NBC and Amazon. I want to know everything that’s on the table for me before I sign in. I love those guys at ESPN and if we end up there, I’m gonna do the best I possibly can.

‘First of all, they haven’t even given us any type of schedule, whatsoever. But I’d be doing myself a disservice not to meet with NBC −which I have − and meet with Amazon, which I have. And the number one thing I’ve told everybody, ‘Can y’all give me a damn schedule?’’ Barkley said.

Patrick, who previously worked for ESPN, told Barkley ‘you’re going to be working a lot more than you think you’re going to be working.’ Barkley said he wouldn’t be working ‘like no damn dog’ and doesn’t want to do ABC, ESPN and TNT work. Currently, Barkley works two days a week for ‘Inside the NBA,’ but he doesn’t want to work more than that.

‘I want it in writing how much we’re going to be working,’ Barkley added.

If Barkley opted to not be part of ‘Inside the NBA’ when it moves to ESPN, it would be a massive blow not just for show or fans, but for ESPN, who is a big part of the allure to move the show to the network. In 2022, TNT announced new deals for all of the talent to make sure ‘the team will remain together for many years to come.’ The New York Post reported Barkley’s deal was for 10 years and estimated to be worth $100 million to $200 million.

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Nine months after he was introduced by the Atlanta Falcons as the franchise quarterback – with a massive contract and huge expectations – Kirk Cousins now must deal with getting benched. 

Cousins, 36, was demoted on Tuesday night and replaced him with first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. 

“It’s disappointing,” Cousins told reporters on Wednesday. “But it’s pro football. There’s no entitlement. You’ve got to go out and earn it every single day. If you don’t, you’re always going to be competing and change can happen.” 

Never mind that the Falcons brought Cousins to town with a four-year, $180 million contract that guaranteed $100 million. 

And it surely didn’t matter that Cousins helped the Falcons (7-7) snap a four-game losing streak on Monday night with a victory at the Las Vegas Raiders. His performance didn’t spare him from losing his job. Instead, it provided Falcons coach Raheem Morris with the impetus to make the switch as Cousins continued displaying the misfires illuminated during the worst stretch of his career. 

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In his past five games, Cousins threw nine interceptions, including one on Monday night, and passed for just one touchdown.  

Morris, in his first year at the helm, said the turnovers provided the ultimate factor. 

“We’ve been digging, as much as we can dig, to make things work, to try to get things going,” Morris said. “Just (on Tuesday) night came to the point when you want to make the decision, make the move. Wanted to play better at quarterback and felt like we’ve got the chance to play better. If we can play better at quarterback, who knows what can happen?” 

Cousins didn’t see this move coming – at least not so soon – but acknowledged the issues. Before Monday night, he had the longest streak of his career without throwing for a touchdown (four games). But even worse were the giveaways. 

No, Cousins insisted, his problems were not related to health as he tried rebounding from a torn Achilles tendon that wiped out the last half of his 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings. 

“It was more decision-making than anything,” he said. 

Cousins admitted that he tried to force too many throws but would not identify one pattern to link his NFL-high 16 interceptions.  

“I don’t think it’s confidence,” he said. “You’ve got to make good decisions all the time. If not, you’re going to pay for it.” 

Cousins’ woes coincided with the Falcons’ tumble the past few weeks. After nine games, the Falcons were 6-3 with a seemingly firm grip on first place in the NFC South. Now, beginning with the home matchup on Sunday against the New York Giants, they will likely need to win their final three games while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) stumble in order to make the playoffs. 

Still, despite his woes, Cousins was defiant. 

“I didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” he declared. 

“You’re kind of one day at a time right now,” he said. “You kind of always are in this league. In the offseason, that’s when those conversations happen. But we’re not there yet.”  

Cousins pledged to fully support Penix, who was drafted eighth overall from the University of Washington. After meeting briefly with Morris to learn of his demotion, Cousins, a 13th-year veteran, called Penix. He felt the gesture was important for the chemistry in the quarterback room and within the team. 

“I like to shoot elephants in the room,” he said. “So, I just wanted to shoot one.” 

Just not as much as he wanted to keep his job. 

The Michael Penix, Jr. era is starting in Atlanta.

The Falcons decided to start the rookie quarterback moving forward and benched veteran Kirk Cousins, starting with Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Atlanta (7-7) is still in the thick of the NFC South race after its 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, which snapped a four-game skid.

Cousins, 36, went 11 for 17 for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Las Vegas. Cousins is completing 66.9% of his passes this season with 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and an NFL-leading 16 interceptions.

Penix was selected with the 8th overall pick in the NFL draft after a decorated college career. In his senior season at Washington, he led the Huskies to the national championship game and was second in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind LSU’s Jayden Daniels.

Penix, 24, has seen action in two NFL games in 2024 – both in garbage time amid blowout losses – throwing for 38 yards on five passing attempts,

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Michael Penix college stats

Penix started his collegiate career at Indiana in 2018 but, due to injuries, played only 20 games in four seasons. He left Indiana with 4,197 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.

Once he transferred to Washington, Penix’s career took off. During his junior season, Penix led the Pac-12 with 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns, and he placed eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

His senior season with the Huskies put him on the radar of NFL scouts as he led the nation with 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading Washington to a 14-1 record, losing in the national championship game to Michigan.

Penix finished his collegiate career with 13,741 passing yards and 96 touchdowns.

Call the Tennessee Titans ‘soft’ at your own risk.

Amid Tennessee’s 3-11 start to its first season under head coach Brian Callahan, some Titans fans and members of the media have taken to criticizing the team’s toughness. After all, the Titans are allowing the fourth-most points per game this season while also ranking among the league’s worst scoring offenses ahead of Week 16.

In a Wednesday press conference, one reporter asked Callahan what he thought of the idea that his team was mentally and physically ‘soft.’

Content warning: The following video contains language that is not safe for work.

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‘That is complete and total (expletive), if you want my honest opinion,’ Callahan said. ‘These guys are tough (expletive), man, and they go after it every day. They play hard as hell, and at no point have we put on tape at any point this season that this is a soft football team. I can’t even wrap my mind around how that would even be a conversation. I mean, just because we don’t win games doesn’t mean we’re soft.’

Callahan went on to highlight his team’s physicality in games despite their tough record while also calling out any naysayers that he believes ‘don’t know what [they’re] talking about.’

‘This is not a soft football team at all, mentally or physically,’ he continued. ‘And I think one of the things mentally that’s really been impressive about the team is the way that they keep fighting through the way this season has gone. They’ve not shown at any point that they’re not up to the task.

‘There’s no possible explanation to say that this team is soft in any way, shape or form, mentally or physically. And the way that they go about their work, it’s insulting to me, to them, to everyone that works here. No chance ever in hell would I ever admit that to be the case, and neither would anybody in this locker room. So you can kind of shove that one right up your ass, to be honest.’

The Titans play three more divisional games to close out their season, starting with a matchup with the Colts in Indianapolis in Week 16. That game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET.

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Vanderbilt football quarterback Diego Pavia’s filing for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA has been granted, according to a court ruling released Wednesday. The temporary injunction gives him an extra year of eligibility.

According to the ruling by Judge William Campbell and accessed by The Tennessean, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, via online court records, the NCAA’s rules preventing Pavia from playing in the 2025 college football season because of his two years at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college, violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.

This opens the door for Pavia to remain as Vanderbilt’s quarterback in 2025.

The ruling also prevents the NCAA from enforcing its ‘Rule of Restitution’ against Vanderbilt or any school that Pavia might play for in 2025. It means the NCAA would not be allowed to force the Commodores to vacate wins or levy other penalties if the ruling is later overturned after a full court case or appeal.

In a press release sent to The Tennessean, Pavia’s attorney, Ryan Downton, said ‘Diego is very thankful for the work of the Court and its staff in expediting this ruling. The NCAA has not yet adjusted to the NIL era and continues to impose unfair restrictions on college athletes. The Court’s ruling is another step in leveling the playing field to allow college athletes to share in the billions of dollars earned due to their labor. While the ruling is limited to Pavia, we believe it may open the door for other former junior college players to obtain an additional year of eligibility without filing a lawsuit.’

Downton’s statement said that Pavia does not plan to enter the transfer portal as long as the current coaching staff stays in place.

‘He loves Vanderbilt and Coach Lea,’ Downton said. ‘So long as he receives an appropriate NIL package, I expect to see him in the black and gold for as long as he has eligibility remaining and Jerry Kill and Tim Beck are coaching in Nashville.’

This ruling is preliminary, meaning that it is subject to a trial at a later date. The NCAA also could decide to settle the case by changing its rules, which happened when a lawsuit was brought against multiple-time transfer eligibility in 2023.

‘We want to have Diego here. We want him to be a part of this. He wants to be a part of this. And there will be a huge celebration the day we get that final thumbs-up,’ Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said Tuesday.

Currently, the injunction applies only to Pavia and not to any other athletes who attended a junior college. Offensive lineman Steven Hubbard is another player on Vanderbilt’s football roster who would be out of eligibility because he played at a junior college (Kilgore College). Both the baseball and basketball teams have players who started their careers at a junior college.

However, the ruling seemingly opens the door for many more of these athletes, both in football and other sports, to challenge for eligibility.

According to the ruling: ‘The eligibility bylaws induce potential football players to attend NCAA institutions rather than non-NCAA institutions even when non-NCAA institutions, such as junior colleges, might be in their best interest. Therefore, the rule harms student athletes when they are making decisions on whether to attend a junior college or an NCAA institution.’

Part of Pavia’s argument was that junior colleges, which are not part of the NCAA, count against NCAA years of eligibility, but attending a prep school or as a postgraduate student does not, even though some junior colleges compete against prep schools.

The ruling cited previous court rulings where it was established that athletes denied the opportunity to play sports do suffer ‘irreparable harm.’

The ruling states that the NCAA might still impose eligibility rules. However those rules will be subject to the Sherman Antitrust Act and cannot impose an ‘undue restraint on trade.’

According to the ruling, NCAA eligibility rules regulate commercial activity because athletes are now allowed to make NIL money. Pavia’s original case claimed that he would be on track to make more than $1 million in NIL if allowed to return in 2025.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

It’s the holidays. Time to reflect and eat good food and hope for peace in the world. Nice thoughts. But we don’t care about any of that.

You read the headline, didn’t you? This is the Bah! Humbug! List. Leave all the feel goody stuff to Santa. Who, by the way, is a loser that breaks into people’s homes via their chimney while they’re sleeping. He should be in jail. Not celebrated.

This list features the people who annoy you so much you want to shut off the television, disable your Internet or throw your phone against the wall. We’re awarding one to five humbugs: one is mildly annoying like, say, me. Five is Kirk Herbstreit.

Speaking of …

Kirk Herbstreit

Now, not sure about you, but there’s no context in which cussing at kindergarteners is acceptable. Unless they paint a really nice portrait of puppies and you say, ‘Hell yeah, little Sally, such a great painting.’ That’s acceptable.

Not this. ‘When I learned Mike Vrabel was a great coach he had just got done winning the Super Bowl,’ Herbstreit explained during a recent ‘Thursday Night Football’ broadcast. ‘Came back to Columbus and my twins and his son Tyler were about the same age. He coached, I think kindergarten football, and he talked to them the way he talks to these Browns players. And I was like, that guy’s going to be a great coach. ‘Get your a– over here!’ I mean, he was just like in this politically correct style of coaching, that guy is a football coach. Even with kids.’

Dude, what?

Bah! Humbug! score: Five.

(Quick aside. Had to do extensive research on whether Bah! Humbug! is one word or two or hyphenated. You know what, just for that, giving myself a Bah! Humbug! score of three.)

Aaron Rodgers

We all know. Not much explanation is required.

But let’s focus on one recent thing Rodgers did. He went on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ and criticized the sports media. Specifically, former players.

“I’m talking about these experts on TV who nobody remembers what they did in their career,” Rodgers said. “So in order for them to stay relevant, they have to make comments that keep them in the conversation. That wasn’t going on in 2008, 2009, that was nonexistent.’

There was a lot that didn’t exist in 2009. But irony was and is alive and well. Rodgers failed to see that he was complaining about talk shows while appearing on a talk show and complaining. Peak Aaron.

Rodgers, in his latest appearance on the show Tuesday, said something something about someone’s vaccine status something or other that made absolutely no sense and was another moment of peak Aaron.

‘Say whatever the (expletive) you want about me, I don’t care, but just before you do it, whether you state your name, your accolades, pronouns, whatever it is, just state your [vaccination] status so that anything you say afterwards gets put in the right light,’ he said. ‘Just get it out there.’

Hoo boy.

Bah! Humbug! score: Five. (Probably should go to a 10).

Cowboys fans

Biggest front-runners in all of sports.

This is an emeritus position.

Bah! Humbug! score: Two.

Jameis Winston

Cleveland’s Jameis Winston is the ultimate YOLO quarterback. Even Brett Favre says Winston is too much.

Winston had three interceptions against Kansas City. He has 13 touchdowns and 12 picks on the year. That’s the ultimate YOLO stat line.

Bah! Humbug! score: One. With the option of going to two since Winston will likely throw another interception while you read this.

Draymond Green

Whenever a player says he’s committing to playing without the ‘antics’ he is a perfect Bah! Humbug! fit. Welcome!

Bah! Humbug! score: Two.

Players who drop the football at the goal line

This has become an epidemic. The latest is Colts running back Jonathan Taylor who had a 41-yard touchdown run nullified when he dropped the football before crossing the goal line, triggering a touchback. Follow the words of the great Prince: party like it’s 1999, after you cross the goal line. (Prince never said that.)

Bah! Humbug! score: Four.

Your fantasy team

You lost. You’re in the consolation bracket. Stop crying.

Bah! Humbug! score: Five.

Mike Tyson’s backside

Mike Tyson was doing an interview before his bout with Jake Paul. When he concluded, he turned, and we saw a side of Tyson not previously seen before. The moment was as big a social media sensation as the fight.

Bah! Humbug! score: One.

Lance Armstrong

Just for old times’ sake.

Bah! Humbug! score: Four.

People who dress their dogs as Santa

Dogs do not like getting dressed up. They don’t. You can lie to yourself and say they do but they absolutely hate it. Every time I’ve tried to put a dog costume on a pupper they look at me with disgust. Give dogs treats, not Santa hats.

Bah! Humbug! score: Three.

Me

Yes, me, and people who make obnoxious lists like this one. Go ahead. Roast me. I deserve it. Plus, I’m a Trekker, and can’t shut up about it, which makes me so much worse.

Bah! Humbug! score: One billion.

Happy holidays. Monitor your chimneys. Set phasers to heavy stun.

Follow columnist Mike Freeman on social media @mikefreemanNFL