Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said he was “still processing” former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore’s firing and arrest when asked by reporters on Friday, Dec. 12. Since then, Harbaugh’s had a few days to assess the situation, and he’s even communicated with Moore.

While appearing on “The Dan Patrick Show”, Harbaugh revealed that he’s texted with Moore since his arrest.

“It’s a tragedy. The worst days of his life,” Harbaugh responded when asked about Moore’s spirits. “Keep it together and take care of your family. That’s the message. And getting spiritual guidance is really critical.”

Moore was arrested Dec. 10 in the immediate hours after his dismissal from Michigan and placed in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail in Michigan as part of what police called an assault investigation. According to court documents released Dec. 12, Moore faces criminal allegations of felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Harbaugh originally hired Moore as Michigan’s tight ends coach in 2018. Under Harbaugh, Moore moved up the ladder to co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2021. He was then the sole title-holder of the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator role in 2023.

Moore replaced Harbaugh as Michigan’s head coach in 2024 when Harbaugh accepted the Chargers’ head coaching position.

Although Harbaugh said he’s communicated with Moore via text, the coach said his focus remains on the Chargers and the team’s upcoming Week 16 road game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I still don’t have my head wrapped around it. It’s a tragedy, and just praying for all concerned,” Harbaugh said. “I love my alma mater, I love Michigan and I love the Chargers, too. I would be doing a disservice if I wasn’t putting all my focus on this game. This is the most important game for us.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Fresh off helping Inter Miami win its first MLS Cup, Lionel Messi wasted no time getting back to work.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion spent the last few days on a four-city trip in India for a series of promotional events branded as Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025.

While in India visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, Messi was scheduled to make on-pitch appearances, attend concerts and youth football clinics, go to a padel tournament and launch charitable initiatives. There was no expectation that Messi would play in a competitive match, given he’s just come off a grueling championship campaign with Inter Miami and could play in the 2026 World Cup this summer (though, he has yet to formally commit to Argentina’s repeat bid).

So, seems simple enough, right?

Well … not so much. During Messi’s appearance on the first stop of the tour in Kolkata on Dec. 13, things got out of hand.

What happened in Kolkata?

Fans ripped up seats and threw those and other objects onto the pitch at the Salt Lake stadium. There were security breaches and fans running on the pitch. The event’s chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, was detained by police.

‘I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,’ Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal (India), wrote on X. ‘I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.’

They did manage to unveil a 70-foot statue of Messi in Kolkata.

Why were fans in Kolkata so upset?

Well, despite no promise of Messi playing any sort of soccer, his appearance did not satisfy the fans who paid to get into the Salt Lake stadium to get a glimpse of the soccer G.O.A.T.

According to reports in the Indian media, Messi walked around the field waving to the fans, but was closely surrounded by a large group of people and left 20 minutes after arrival. Messi’s lap around the stadium was cut short due to security concerns.

Mayhem ensued when the fans realized they’d hardly see the soccer icon.

‘Absolutely terrible event,’ a fan told ANI. ‘(Messi) came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him.

‘We couldn’t see anything. He didn’t take a single kick or a single penalty. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn’t see anything.’

Anything else happen during Messi’s other three stops in India?

There was no chaos at the final three stops of Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025 in Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Events in those three locations — featuring Messi and his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul — went ahead without issues. The three players — fresh off an MLS Cup win — walked around the field occasionally kicking a ball into the packed stands, and engaged in kickabouts with local children.

Why was Messi on a tour so shortly after winning MLS Cup?

Like, why isn’t Messi hanging out on a South Florida beach relaxing and basking in the glory of leading a team that was a figment of David Beckham’s imagination a decade ago to a league championship?

(Insert money bag emoji here.)

Messi is in the twilight of his illustrious career — one that has him top of mind in any ‘greatest ever’ conversations — and at 38 years old, the window of opportunity to capitalize on his playing days is closing. In October, Messi signed a three-year contract extension with Inter Miami that runs through 2028. He’ll be in his 40s when that contract expires.

Anger over Messi tours is not new

Remember in early 2024 when Inter Miami went on an international tour during the preseason that included stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan? Who could forget?

Let’s just start this by saying that no MLS club should be going on a hyped-up global preseason tour. ‘Work in progress’ is a nice way of describing the state of most Major League Soccer teams’ rosters in the weeks leading up to the regular-season openers.

In a development that should have been anticipated, Inter Miami’s preseason tour did not go according to plan.

Inter Miami’s stop in Saudi Arabia was, well, less than encouraging. After a 4-3 loss to Al Hilal, Messi and Co. were clobbered 6-0 by Al Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn’t play in the game.

But Messi picked up a knock — ‘hamstring discomfort’ — and only came into the Al Nassr match as a late-game substitute. At Inter Miami’s next stop on the tour in Hong Kong, Messi did not play and the soccer G.O.A.T., his teammates and Beckham were serenaded with boos.

On the final leg of the preseason tour, Messi came on as a substitute again in a 0-0 draw against Vissel Kobe in Japan.

The 2024 MLS season went well for Messi, who won the first of two consecutive MVP awards and Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield.

An investigation has been opened into the burglary of New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu’s home, the latest in a string of high-profile break-ins targeting athletes.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday that officers responded to the Los Angeles home around 8:15 p.m. ET Monday evening after two suspects smashed through a rear glass door to gain entry into the residence. The suspects later fled in a vehicle with stolen property, authorities added.

The authorities didn’t identify what was stolen, but ESPN reported several handbags worth more than $60,000 were taken from the home Ionescu shares with her husband, former NFL offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu.

Neither Ionescu or Grasu were home at the time of the burglary. No arrests have been made so far.

Ionescu is not the first athlete to deal with a home break-in. A number of professional athletes have faced similar incidents recently, including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Most recently, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ home was burglarized on Nov. 16 while he was making his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens.

The FBI issued a formal warning to professional leagues in December 2024 about organized groups conducting a string of burglaries.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Strong quarterback performances from Bo Nix and C.J. Stroud have further elevated the Broncos and Texans into Super Bowl contention.
The Patriots dropped four spots after a loss to the Bills, highlighting their struggles against winning opponents.
Green Bay’s Super Bowl hopes may be in jeopardy following a season-ending ACL tear for DE Micah Parsons.

NFL power rankings entering Week 16 of the 2025 season (previous rank in parentheses):

3. Denver Broncos (5): Will the real Bo Nix please stand up? But if that was you Sunday against Green Bay, then the Broncos are truly a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

4. Houston Texans (6): Will the real C.J. Stroud please stand up? But if that was you Sunday against Arizona, then the Texans are truly a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

5. Buffalo Bills (7): What was more important last weekend − their defeat of New England (keeping Buffalo’s AFC East title hopes alive), or Kansas City’s loss (removing a massive impediment on the Bills’ path to Super Bowl 60)?

6. New England Patriots (2): The loss to Buffalo with a division crown on the line was a reminder that this is a young and inexperienced team, and one that’s only beaten a single opponent this season that currently has a winning record … though it was the Bills.

7. Green Bay Packers (4): Will the loss of DE Micah Parsons to an ACL tear have a bigger impact on the Pack’s defense or its collective psyche?

9. San Francisco 49ers (10): For all the (belated) focus on the Rams and Seahawks, it’s easy to forget that the lurking Niners could yet slip past both and wind up as the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (12): Jim Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his second year coaching them. But no way he replicates that trick with Bolts. Right?

13. Detroit Lions (8): A team this good and fun to watch? Notre Dame is definitely going to cry foul if the committee leaves the Lions out of the playoff field.

15. Baltimore Ravens (19): They won a football game 24-0 and didn’t have possession for even 21 minutes? No wonder we thought this team could win the Super Bowl.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20): They’ve just gotten a lot of (expletive) players like WR Mike Evans back in the (expletive) lineup. We still feel fairly confident (expletive) Baker Mayfield and Co. can win the (expletive) NFC South for a fifth straight time.

17. Carolina Panthers (14): Getting swept by the Saints could quite literally ruin their season.

18. Indianapolis Colts (22): You’re telling us they’re about to host a Monday night game in their ‘Indiana Nights’ uniforms with 44-year-old Philip Rivers at the controls, but there’s no NFL script? The jig’s up.

21. Kansas City Chiefs (16): They’re shockingly in their Gardner Minshew Era … which may determine whether they want to go back to their Carson Wentz Era in 2026.

22. Miami Dolphins (21): When did ‘Tank for Tua’ become ‘Tank with Tua during a nationally televised game’? (In coach Mike McDaniel’s defense, he had a rationale for slow-playing the fourth quarter − figuring a recovered onside kick was needed regardless of circumstances. But the team’s lack of urgency wasn’t a great look at an urgent moment of its now officially lost season.)

23. Atlanta Falcons (30): TE Kyle Pitts has been their best player not named Bijan Robinson since Thanksgiving. But does it matter if it requires QB Kirk Cousins to unlock the pending free agent?

25. Arizona Cardinals (23): TE Trey McBride and WR Michael Wilson are the only NFL players with at least 40 receptions since Week 11 (both have 44 during that span). Despite all their efforts, the Cards are 0-5 during that stretch.

29. New York Jets (27): The defense has zero interceptions this season. And one fired coordinator. Coincidence?

31. Cleveland Browns (28): This week, let’s give Shedeur the wristband with three TD pass plays on it, not three picks.

Jacksonville State football closed out its 2025 college football season on a high note. 

In what was a defensive battle between two in-state foes, the Gamecocks outlasted the Troy Trojans, 17-13, in the 2025 Salute to Veterans Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.

It is the second-ever bowl win for Jacksonville State since the Gamecocks transitioned from Division I FCS in 2023. The loss for the Trojans snapped their 79-game win streak when they entered the fourth quarter with a lead.

After giving up a rather easy opening drive touchdown, Troy flipped the game’s momentum near the end of the first quarter when TJ Thompson stripped the ball out of Jacksonville State quarterback Caeden Creel’s hands on a flea-flicker attempt. The stripped sack led to a defensive touchdown for the Trojans. 

Things then changed again in the fourth quarter for Troy after Jacksonville State turned a late third-quarter interception off Tucker Kilcrease into seven points with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Andrew Paul to reclaim the lead at 17-13 at the 10:06 mark. 

The Gamecocks defense then created a turnover on downs on the Trojans’ next drive before getting their second interception of the night to seal the win.

Creel completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, a 22-yard pass to Brock Rechsteiner in the first quarter. Kilcrease took most of the snaps under center for Troy after Goose Crowder got banged up in the first quarter. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 116 yards and two interceptions. 

Jacksonville State played without a key member of its offense: Conference USA Player of the Year Cam Cook. The Gamecocks’ running back, who leads the nation in rushing yards, was ruled out after warm-ups with an injury. 

Final score: Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13

Jacksonville State vs. Troy Salute to Veterans Bowl highlights

Jacksonville State wins Salute to Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State’s defense comes up with a stop on a last-second touchdown drive for Troy to seal the 17-13 win in the Salute to Veterans Bowl. Gamecocks’ safety Trevor Woods broke up a Hail Mary pass from Tucker Kilcrease in the end zone to seal the win.

The Gamecocks end the season with a 9-5 record, while the Trojans finish 8-6 on the year.

Jacksonville State intercepts Tucker Kilcrease

Tucker Kilcrease attempts to go downfield on first-and-10 and it costs the Trojans, as Jacksonville State’s Tyrin Taylor intercepts the pass. It’s a costly mistake by Kilcrease, who had 3:30 to work with in a four-point game.

Troy will look to get another stop with three timeouts to work with.

Troy gets stop, forces punt

Troy gets the stop it needs on defense as Caden Creel is sacked on third-and-6, and it forces Jacksonville State to punt the ball back to the Trojans. Down 17-13, Tucker Kilcrease and the Trojans have 3:30 to work with for a game-winning touchdown drive opportunity.

Troy turns it over on down

Tucker Kilcrease fires a quick throw to Peyton Higgins, but Higgins is ruled a yard short of the first down. It’s brutal ball placement by Troy as it turns the ball over on downs and looks to its defense for a stop down 17-13 with 5:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Andrew Paul gives Jacksonville State lead with TD

Jacksonville State retakes the lead at 17-10 in the fourth quarter after Andrew Paul punches it in from the 1-yard line. It’s the first touchdown score for the Gamecocks since the first quarter. It’s a nice drive put together by Jacksonville State overall, as it converted three third-downs on the ground.

The scoring drive was 11 plays for 47 yards and took 5:44 off the game clock. The Gamecocks are 10:55 away from winning their second bowl win in program history.

End of third quarter: Troy 13, Jacksonville State 10

Jacksonville State is moving with the ball, and will open the fourth quarter with a third-and-8 at Troy’s 48-yard line. The Gamecocks are looking for their first touchdown score since the first quarter, down 13-10.

Jacksonville State intercepts Tucker Kilcrease

Ian Mitchell intercepts Tucker Kilcrease on first-and-10 to give Jacksonville State its first takeaway of the night. Mitchell was all over Kilcrease’s throw on the cross route. The Gamecocks get the ball back down 13-10 with under a minute to go in the third quarter.

Jacksonville State forced to punt after penalty on coach

Due to an unsportsmanlike penalty on Jacksonville coach Charles Kelly, the Gamecocks are pushed back 15 yards and forced to punt instead of maybe going for it on fourth-and-4. Kelly was seen coming onto the field to express his frustration with officials not calling a defensive pass interference on Troy on third-and-4 when Caden Creel tried going do field.

Troy misses field goal attempt

Troy comes up short on a great field goal position from DJ Epps’ 79-yard kickoff return, as Scott Taylor Renfroe’s 49-yard field goal attempt misses left. It’s a tough end to what started as a great drive for the Trojans.

DJ Epps returns Troy kickoff for 79-yards

The first explosive play of the night comes on special teams, as Troy’s DJ Epps returns the kickoff for 79 yards down the right sideline. The Trojans are still looking for their first offensive touchdown score of the night, as they’ve had to settle for field goals on their last two drives to the red zone.

Jacksonville State cuts deficit with field goal

Jacksonville State ends its scoring drought with a 51-yard field goal from Garrison Rippa. The Gamecocks now trail Troy 13-10 with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter.

The scoring drive was nine plays for 22 yards and took 4:16 off the game clock.

Jacksonville State punts

Jacksonville State begins the second half with a 16-yard catch from Caden Creel to Deonandre Johnson, but then stalls on offense, as the Gamecocks send out the punt unit three plays later. It is the third punt of the night for the Gamecocks.

Not the start Jacksonville State needed or wanted. The Gamecocks haven’t scored since the 9:41 mark of the first quarter when they marched down the field for an opening-drive touchdown.

End of first half: Troy 13, Jacksonville State 7

Why did the lights go out at halftime of Salute to Veterans Bowl?

As Troy coach Gerad Parker was being interviewed on ESPN going into halftime, the lights at the Cramton Bowl went dark. As noted by the Gadsden Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, it was because of a normal operating procedure at Cramton Bowl, the host site of the bowl game. The stadium hosts at least one high school football game per week for the Montgomery City Public School System.

Troy leads Jacksonville State at halftime

Troy takes a 13-7 lead into halftime as Jacksonville State lets the clock run out after an 11-yard pass from Caden Creel to Khristian Lando. The Trojans came up with a 15-yard sack on Creel on second-and-10 that set the Gamecocks’ offense back once again.

The Gamecocks will start the second half with the ball.

Troy extends lead with field goal

Troy elects to take the points on fourth-and-7 instead of going for the touchdown, and Scott Taylor Renfroe hits the 30-yard field goal down the middle. It’s an 11-play drive for 58 yards and took 6:35 off the game clock.

The Trojans have now scored 13 unanswered points after Jacksonville State went down the field and scored a touchdown on its opening drive. Troy now leads 13-7 with 1:49 remaining until halftime.

Jacksonville State sacks Tucker Kilcrease

Walker O’Steen rushes Tucker Kilcrease and is all over the Troy quarterback for an 8-yard sack. It’s a big play by O’Steen, and a much-needed play for Jacksonville State’s defense.

Troy gets stop, forces punt

Jacksonville State punts for the second time on the night, as the Gamecocks are not able to recover from an offensive pass interference call on Deondre Johnson on third down. Johnson’s penalty wiped out a 49-yard catch for the wide receiver from Caden Creel.

The Gamecocks’ offense continues to struggle since driving down the field for a touchdown on their first drive of the night.

Troy takes lead on field goal

Scott Taylor Renfroe hits a 38-yard field goal attempt to give Troy its first lead of the night at 10-7. The scoring drive for the Trojans was nine plays for 25 yards and it took four minutes off the game clock.

Goose Crowder back in for Troy

After missing the whole last series, Goose Crowder is back on the field operating the Troy offense.

Jacksonville State misses fake punt

Another lost opportunity for Jacksonville State, as Pearson Baldwin drops the fake punt pass from Gavin Wimsatt. It’s a turnover on downs for the Gamecocks and gives Troy the ball at the Jacksonville State 41-yard line.

End of first quarter: Jacksonville State 7, Troy 7

Troy recovers fumble, scores touchdown

Jacksonville State tries a flea flicker on first-and-10, but TJ Thompson forces the ball out of Caden Creel’s hands. Luis Medina then recovers the fumble in the end zone for the touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. It’s a costly play by the Gamecocks, who were at their own 12-yard line. It’s also a costly ball control mishap by Creel, who fumbled the toss back.

Cam Cook ruled out for Jacksonville State

Cook ran for 1,584 yards and 16 touchdowns this season for the Gamecocks, and had been named Conference USA Player of the Year.

Tucker Kilcrease remains in for Troy

Tucker Kilcrease stays in at quarterback, as Troy heads onto the field for its third drive of the night. Crowder remains on the sideline, where ESPN reports he’s getting an ankle retapped after getting banged up on the last drive. Crowder came into the game injured; he had been injured late in the Sun Belt championship game vs. James Madison.

Troy turns it over on down

Troy elects to go for it on fourth-and-5, but Jacksonville State comes up with the stop, as Tucker Kilcrease’s throw to RaRa Thomas sails out of bounds. Kilcrease is in for the Trojans at quarterback after Goose Crowder appeared to have gotten injured on a 13-yard carry on the second play of the drive.

Jacksonville State strikes first on 22-yard TD pass

Caeden Creel finds Brock Rechsteiner down the field, standing on the goal line for the easy 22-yard touchdown pass to put Jacksonville State on the board first. It was a nine-play drive for 71 yards for the Gamecocks and it took 3:41 off the game clock.

Troy punts, Cam Cook not out for Jacksonville State

It’s a quick three-and-out for Troy’s offense, as the Trojans send out the punt unit onto the field. As the Jacksonville State offense trots out, Gamecocks star running back Cam Cook is not with the unit. ESPN mentioned that Cook is dealing with an undisclosed injury and was a game-time decision.

Jacksonville State wins toss, Troy on offense to start

The Gamecocks win the opening coin toss and defer the opening kickoff to the second half. That means it will be Goose Crowder and the Troy offense out first to begin the night in Montgomery.

Pregame

Salute to Veterans Bowl moved to ESPNU

It seems like the start of the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Jacksonville State and Troy will be aired on ESPNU due to the ongoing Tennessee-Louisville men’s basketball game.

Salute to Veterans Bowl kickoff time delayed

The Salute to Veterans Bowl between Jacksonville State and Troy will now kick off at 9:08 p.m. ET due to the ongoing Tennessee-Louisville men’s basketball game still on ESPN.

Salute to Veterans Bowl coming up

The Salute to Veterans Bowl between Jacksonville State and Troy is coming up in Montgomery. Kickoff might be delayed slightly due to the ongoing Tennessee-Louisville men’s basketball game still on ESPN.

Caden Creel warming up in Salute to Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State quarterback Caden Creel has taken the field in Montgomery for the Salute to Veterans Bowl against Troy. Creel finished 12 of 21 passing for 96 yards with two sacks and an interception in the Conference USA championship game. He also had 112 rushing yards and a score on 18 carries in the Gamecocks’ loss to Kennesaw State.

Jacksonville State unveils uniforms for Salute to Veterans Bowl

The Gamecocks look to be wearing their red on white uniform set, with the red pinstripes down the side of the pants, for the Salute to Veterans Bowl against Troy.

What time does Troy vs Jacksonville State start?

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Where: The Historic Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)

Troy and Jacksonville State are set for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff on Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the Salute to Veterans Bowl from The Historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.

What TV channel is Troy vs Jacksonville State on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

ESPN will nationally broadcast the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Troy and Jacksonville State. Matt Barrie and Tom Luginbill will call the game from the booth at The Historic Cramton Bowl, while Harry Lyles Jr. will report from the sidelines.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the Salute to Veterans Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Troy vs Jacksonville State predictions in Salute to Veterans Bowl

Here’s a compilation of predictions from experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network for the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Troy and Jacksonville State:

Matt Hayes: Troy
Jordan Mendoza: Troy
Paul Myerberg: Jacksonville State
Erick Smith: Troy
Eddie Timanus: Troy
Blake Toppmeyer: Troy

Troy vs Jacksonville State odds, spread for Salute to Veterans Bowl

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 15

Spread:
Over/under:
Moneyline:

Troy football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Troy’s 2025 schedule:

Here’s a look at Troy’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: Troy 38, Nicholls 20
Saturday, Sept. 6: Clemson 27, Troy 16
Saturday, Sept. 13: Memphis 28, Troy 7
Saturday, Sept. 20: Troy 21, Buffalo 17
Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 4: Troy 31, South Alabama 24 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: Troy 48, Texas State 41 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 18: Troy 37, Louisiana-Monroe 14 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: Troy 35, Louisiana 23 *
Saturday, Nov. 1: Arkansas State 23, Troy 10 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
Thursday, Nov. 13: Old Dominion 33, Troy 0 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: Troy 31, Georgia State 19 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Troy 28, Southern Miss 18 *
Friday, Dec. 5: No. 19 James Madison 31, Troy 14 **
Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. Jacksonville State | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) ***

* Denotes Sun Belt game

** Denotes Sun Belt Championship game

*** Denote bowl game

Jacksonville State football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Jacksonville State’s 2025 schedule:

Thursday, Aug. 28: UCF 17, Jacksonville State 10
Saturday, Sept. 6: Jacksonville State 34, Liberty 24 *
Saturday, Sept. 13: Georgia Southern 41, Jacksonville State 34
Saturday, Sept. 20: Jacksonville State 45, Murray State 10
Saturday, Sept. 27: Southern Miss 42, Jacksonville State 25
Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
Thursday, Oct. 9: Jacksonville State 29, Sam Houston 27 *
Wednesday, Oct. 15: Jacksonville State 38, Delaware 25 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Wednesday, Oct. 29: Jacksonville State 24, Middle Tennessee 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: Jacksonville State 30, UTEP 27 *
Saturday, Nov. 15: Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 26 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: FIU 27, Jacksonville State 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Jacksonville State 37, Western Kentucky 34 *
Friday, Dec. 5: Kennesaw State 19, Jacksonville State 15 **
Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. Troy | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) ***

* Denotes Conference USA game

** Denotes Conference USA Championship game

*** Denote bowl game

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

There’s plenty of frustration going around in the Bay Area.

As the Golden State Warriors have lost four of their last six games, and as they struggle to stay above .500, a fan published an email exchange he had with team owner Joe Lacob in which both parties expressed their frustration with the team’s performance.

The fan, Justin Dutari, published the exchange on Reddit Sunday, Dec, 14.

“Dear Joe, please do something about this Team,” the email Dutari sent begins, before asking if Stephen Curry needs to score 50 points every night to win.

“Team is (in) need (of) a real second option,” Dutari continues. “Jimmy’s (Butler) tools are being underutilized because he is playing as a power forward due to the small position players. We have no true center.

“I am so frustrated.”

Lacob’s response was brief, but direct.

“You can’t be as frustrated as me,” Lacob wrote. “I am working on it. It’s complicated. Style of play. Coaches desires regarding players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.”

The part about “coaches desires” raised questions about a possible disagreement in philosophy between Lacob and coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors confirmed the authenticity of the email, and Kerr responded to the comments Lacob made in a news conference Tuesday, Dec. 16.

“It’s not a big deal,” Kerr told reporters Tuesday. “I’m not concerned about anything like that.

“Well, we’re all frustrated. Joe is frustrated, I’m frustrated – Steph and (Draymond Green). Everybody is frustrated. This is kind of how the league works. I hate when people post private emails. Imagine if everyone’s private emails were posted and how tough that would be to live our lives. Joe supports me 100%. I support him and we have a great connection.”

The Warriors are 13-14 and currently ranked eighth in the Western Conference standings. The team, however, faces questions about the future, as Curry (37 years old), Green (35) and Butler (36) are approaching the eventual descent of their careers.

Boxer Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, who has won world championships in five different weight classes, announced his retirement from the sport on Dec. 16.

Crawford posted the announcement on social media with a caption saying ‘Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove.’

‘I’ve been blessed to live out a dream that started long before the lights, the fans, or the world titles. From Omaha to the biggest stages in boxing, every step of this journey was earned through sacrifice, discipline, and faith,’ Crawford wrote in the caption of a five-minute YouTube video.

‘I gave this sport everything I had. I faced the best, moved through weight classes, and made history on my own terms. 42-0. 3x Undisputed. 5 Division World Champion. No shortcuts. No excuses.

‘This isn’t goodbye to boxing … it’s a thank you. Thank you to my family, my team, my city, and the fans who rode with me through every chapter. Thank you to the sport for shaping the man I am today. The gloves may have come off, but legacy is forever.’

The 38-year-old Crawford finishes his career with a 42-0 record (31 KOs), including his last fight in September, an unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez, taking the World Boxing Council super-middleweight title.

Just two weeks ago, the WBC stripped Crawford of that belt for failing to pay their sanctioning fees.

“Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications,” the WBC said at the time. “The WBC had no choice but to act.”

Crawford, an Omaha, Nebraska, native, had been boxing since he was 8, and turned professional in 2008 after a prolific amateur career. He started racking up world titles in 2013, winning the NABO lightweight title with a TKO victory over Alejandro Sanabria.

Crawford then won world titles at light welterweight, welterweight, light middleweight, and super middleweight, becoming the first boxer ever to be crowned undisputed champion in three weight classes.

The next WWE star could be a Heisman Trophy runner-up. Even better? They could be a premier heel.

If he hasn’t had a tryout, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia just delivered one of the best first impressions for a potential wrestling career, showing maybe his post-college football career should be in the ring and not on the field.

It’s no secret Pavia has become one of the most polarizing players in college football, with a story that is as incredible as his confidence and swagger. That was only proven when he showed he was bitter about not winning the Heisman Trophy, with an expletive directed at the Heisman Trophy voters after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza won it by a comfortable margin.

It was met with swift backlash, including from Vanderbilt’s athletic director as the world saw Pavia as a sore loser. It was obvious he was going to have to apologize for it.

Not the best look for his football career, but he ended up making a great audition for WWE. You could view it as an outburst — or promo.

There is a chance Pavia could get a shot in the NFL, but he’s far from an early round prospect. He could expect to hear his name in day three of the NFL draft, if any front offices are still intrigued despite his size (5-9) and temperament. Chances are he makes it to training camp but faces an uphill battle to last a season.

That’s where wrestling comes in. Recently, WWE has made a push to target college athletes through its ‘next in line’ program, helping athletes transition to the business after graduating. It’s worked, with stars like Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, Bron Breakker shining after making the jump.

Pavia is already half way to proving he could do it. You may think his reaction was awful, but that was as good of a heel performance you could put on. Pavia showed he’d fit right in with the bad guys of wrestling. No one understood it better than Pat McAfee, who doubles as a WWE commentator during the football off-season.

‘I don’t think I’ve seen anybody have a bigger heel turn in one weekend than Diego Pavia,’ McAfee said on his show Dec. 15. ‘Anybody who’s flashy and talks a lot of (expletive) is going to be hated by a group of people regardless. But this weekend, with how it all went, I think a lot of people kind of turned on Diego Pavia.’

People already don’t like Pavia, so could you imagine him getting in the ring, in a place where he can unapologetically himself and speak however he wants? The crowd would boo him endlessly, and that would be gold for WWE’s pockets.

The best comparison would be to Logan Paul. The social media star came into WWE already disliked, knew it and used it to his advantage to become a top heel. You may not like that he came into the wrestling world, but Paul has all the characteristics to be a villain.

Of course, wrestling isn’t all just delivering promos. Paul works well in WWE cause he knows how to wrestle. Pavia does have a wrestling background, winning a New Mexico state title in high school. That helps with a start, but the business of sports entertainment is a whole different monster, and he’d have to be open to learning how to last in the ring. Talking smack can only get you so far if you can’t prove you belong in between the ropes.

Pavia’s future seems quite uncertain. He did work his way up from no Division I football offers out of high school and junior college football to leading Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season. He could find a way to earn a shot in the NFL and end up finding success there — or possibly the CFL.

But if Pavia really wants a chance to thrive after college, wrestling could be the golden ticket. It has a worldwide fan base that is always on the hunt to find its next star to boo for speaking their mind, especially when it’s someone notable.

And the best part, Pavia won’t have to apologize to anyone for being himself.

Mikaela Shiffrin won her fourth consecutive slalom race of the season in Courchevel, France.
The victory marked her 105th career World Cup win, extending her own record.
Shiffrin is winning by significant margins, often over a full second, in a sport decided by hundredths.
Despite difficult and icy course conditions that caused many other skiers to not finish, Shiffrin maintained her form.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s winning streak goes on.

It was the 105th World Cup win of her career, extending her own record. The win increases her leads in both the overall and slalom season standings.

‘I’m just pushing. I don’t know (and) I’m not asking questions,’ Shiffrin said when asked to explain her win streak. ‘Sometimes you’ve just got to take it and roll with it because these women are pushing. They’re pushing like hell. So I have to push, too.’

Paula Moltzan is one of those pushing, skiing the fastest second run to move up four spots to fifth place. It’s her third top-five finish this season; she was eighth at Copper Mountain 2½ weeks ago.

Shiffrin isn’t just winning. She’s winning by massive margins

Impressive as Shiffrin’s win streak is, it’s the dominance of those wins that’s so remarkable. Including Tuesday, when she beat Switzerland’s Camille Rast by 1.55 seconds, Shiffrin has won each slalom race by 1.23 seconds or more.

In a sport often determined by tenths and hundredths of seconds, those are massive margins. Put another way: There was a greater margin between Shiffrin and Rast on Tuesday than between Rast and Wendy Holdener, who was seventh.

If Shiffrin keeps this up, it won’t be enough for her competitors simply to ski well. They’ll need Shiffrin to make mistakes, and that’s something she’s just not doing.

The track in Courchevel was nasty, rutted and icy beneath a thin covering of snow. There were 17 DNFs in the first run, including three of the first six skiers, and another six in the second run. They included Albania’s Lara Colturi, who was second to Shiffrin in the first to slaloms and third in the third, and contenders Lena Duerr and Sara Hector.

But Shiffrin used the conditions to her advantage, rather than letting them jostle her about. Even when she did make mistakes, she was able to quickly recover rather than allowing the error to take her out of her rhythm.

Ahead of the first run, Shiffrin’s team warned her that the course was picking up speed and told her to stick to her plan. She fought through the first few gates, and was just 0.06 seconds ahead of then-leader Rast after the first sector.

But Shiffrin settled in, looking more and more fluid the further down the course she got. By the time she crossed the finish line, Shiffrin was 0.83 seconds ahead of Rast, who raised her hands in a ‘What can you do?’ gesture.

‘Everybody on the first run made some kind of mistakes. It was just really important to be moving and very dynamic,’ Shiffrin said. ‘I executed that very well. That was the big separator.’

With such a big lead going into the second run, Shiffrin just had to stay aggressive. She was slow out of the gate, but was able to find speed after the first sector. She was flying during the second half of the course, her winning streak secure.

‘Some of it is lock in this feel,’ Shiffrin said when asked what she’ll do with the break she now has before her next race.

After dropping their conference championship games, Troy football and Jacksonville State football look to end the 2025 college football season on a high note with a win in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

Tuesday night’s bowl game in Montgomery is a renewal of the ‘Battle for the Ol’ School Bell’ rivalry between both Yellowhammer State programs, as it is the first meeting between Troy and Jacksonville State since 2001.

Stream the Salute to Veterans Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Troy fell to James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference championship game, a loss that sent the Dukes to the College Football Playoff. In that lopsided 31-17 loss to the Dukes, the Trojans lost quarterback Goose Crowder with an apparent ankle injury.

Jacksonville State is bowl-eligible for the third consecutive season since moving up from the FCS level, just the second program to reach that feat, with the other being Marshall. The Gamecocks, who fell in the Conference USA championship game to Kennesaw State, are led by their running back Cam Cook and quarterback Caden Creel. Cook has nearly 1,800 rushing yards on the season, while Creel has run and thrown for at least 1,100 yards each.

USA TODAY Sports is providing you live updates, scores and highlights of the Salute to Veterans Bowl. Follow along:

Troy vs Jacksonville State score

This section will be updated

Troy vs Jacksonville State live updates

This section will be updated

Pregame

Salute to Veterans Bowl coming up

The Salute to Veterans Bowl between Jacksonville State and Troy is coming up in Montgomery. Kickoff might be delayed slightly due to the ongoing Tennessee-Louisville men’s basketball game still on ESPN.

Caden Creel warming up in Salute to Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State quarterback Caden Creel has taken the field in Montgomery for the Salute to Veterans Bowl against Troy. Creel finished 12 of 21 passes for 96 yards with two sacks and an interception in the Conference USA Championship game. He also had 112 rushing yards and a score on 18 carries in the Gamecocks’ loss to Kennesaw State.

Jacksonville State unveils uniforms for Salute to Veterans Bowl

The Gamecocks look to be wearing their red on white uniform set, with the red pinstripes down the side of the pants, for the Salute to Veterans Bowl against Troy.

What time does Troy vs Jacksonville State start?

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Where: The Historic Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)

Troy and Jacksonville State are set for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff on Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the Salute to Veterans Bowl from The Historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.

What TV channel is Troy vs Jacksonville State on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

ESPN will nationally broadcast the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Troy and Jacksonville State. Matt Barrie and Tom Luginbill will call the game from the booth at The Historic Cramton Bowl, while Harry Lyles Jr. will report from the sidelines.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the Salute to Veterans Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Troy vs Jacksonville State predictions in Salute to Veterans Bowl

Here’s a compilation of predictions from experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network for the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Troy and Jacksonville State:

Matt Hayes: Troy
Jordan Mendoza: Troy
Paul Myerberg: Jacksonville State
Erick Smith: Troy
Eddie Timanus: Troy
Blake Toppmeyer: Troy

Troy vs Jacksonville State odds, spread for Salute to Veterans Bowl

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 15

Spread:
Over/under:
Moneyline:

Troy football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Troy’s 2025 schedule:

Here’s a look at Troy’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: Troy 38, Nicholls 20
Saturday, Sept. 6: Clemson 27, Troy 16
Saturday, Sept. 13: Memphis 28, Troy 7
Saturday, Sept. 20: Troy 21, Buffalo 17
Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 4: Troy 31, South Alabama 24 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: Troy 48, Texas State 41 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 18: Troy 37, Louisiana-Monroe 14 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: Troy 35, Louisiana 23 *
Saturday, Nov. 1: Arkansas State 23, Troy 10 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
Thursday, Nov. 13: Old Dominion 33, Troy 0 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: Troy 31, Georgia State 19 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Troy 28, Southern Miss 18 *
Friday, Dec. 5: No. 19 James Madison 31, Troy 14 **
Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. Jacksonville State | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) ***

* Denotes Sun Belt game

** Denotes Sun Belt Championship game

*** Denote bowl game

Jacksonville State football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Jacksonville State’s 2025 schedule:

Thursday, Aug. 28: UCF 17, Jacksonville State 10
Saturday, Sept. 6: Jacksonville State 34, Liberty 24 *
Saturday, Sept. 13: Georgia Southern 41, Jacksonville State 34
Saturday, Sept. 20: Jacksonville State 45, Murray State 10
Saturday, Sept. 27: Southern Miss 42, Jacksonville State 25
Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
Thursday, Oct. 9: Jacksonville State 29, Sam Houston 27 *
Wednesday, Oct. 15: Jacksonville State 38, Delaware 25 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Wednesday, Oct. 29: Jacksonville State 24, Middle Tennessee 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: Jacksonville State 30, UTEP 27 *
Saturday, Nov. 15: Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 26 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: FIU 27, Jacksonville State 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Jacksonville State 37, Western Kentucky 34 *
Friday, Dec. 5: Kennesaw State 19, Jacksonville State 15 **
Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. Troy | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) ***

* Denotes Conference USA game

** Denotes Conference USA Championship game

*** Denote bowl game

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