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MILWAUKEE, WI — Nothing was keeping Brittany Bowe from earning another Olympic spot.

Bowe shook off a slight collision with Greta Myers during a crossover in the 1,500 meters, finishing almost two seconds in front of Myers and securing a spot in a second distance at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Bowe had qualified in the 1,000 meters Saturday.

‘I’m really happy with that race,’ Bowe said. I wanted to open up pretty quick and then just lock in and skate a solid race. I’m really happy with the execution and obviously thrilled about getting another starting position at the Olympics.’

Bowe has already said these Olympics, her fourth, will be her last. She will be 38 next month, and is more than satisfied with what she’s done in her career. ‘Blessed’ is a word she often uses. She’s a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, including in the 1,000 meters in 2022. She still holds the world-record holder in the 1,000 meters. She’s a four-time world champion.

Make no mistake, though, Bowe can still contend with the world’s best. She has been in the top five in both the 1,000 and 1,500 meters at the first four World Cups of the season, and Erin Jackson is the only person who gave her any kind of a challenge at the Olympic trials.

Jackson was the surprise winner in the 1,000 meters Saturday.

‘Competition drives me. Winning drives me. Performing better than expectation drives me,’ Bowe said. ‘I just really have a desire to be the best out there.’

And no one is going to get in her way. Literally.

As the skater in the inside lane, Myers was supposed to yield on their crossover. She didn’t, and the two were close enough that they made contact, with Bowe’s hand knocking Myers’ glasses off.

‘It was just tough how our speeds were aligned at the same time. It’s just unfortunate when that happens,’ Bowe said. ‘When I saw it was close, I actually tried to pick up my speed to go around her … even though it should be the inner lane to yield. But it’s my teammate and I wanted her to go. Unfortunately, we had a little collision.’

Bowe kept going as if nothing happened, and even tried to reassure Myers, one of her teammates in the team pursuit event, after the race. Myers was worried she would be disqualified for interference and, sure enough, she was.

Because it’s a selection event, however, Myers was given the opportunity to do a re-skate. She easily finished with the second-fastest time to earn a spot on the Olympic team.

‘I just told her to refocus and get this re-skate in, because there’s no question that she deserves that second starting position of the Olympics,’ Bowe said.

Emery Lehman and Casey Dawson went 1-2 in the men’s 1,500 meters to join Jordan Stolz in earning spots at that distance. Stolz had pre-qualified through his World Cup results, and opted to begin the race to secure his spot and then stop to conserve his energy.

Now that Bowe is officially on her way to her fourth Olympics, she’ll spend the next month training and trying to stay healthy. She’s at peace with her decision to retire, and doesn’t plan to do anything special or different in the leadup to the Milano Cortina Games.

Well, except decide whether to go to the women’s hockey gold-medal game, which is the night before Bowe’s 1,500-meter race.

Bowe’s longtime partner is Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. women’s team. Knight has also said these Olympics, her fifth, will be her last.

‘I would love to get there, but I don’t know at this point,’ Bowe said. ‘My family will definitely be there. TBD if I will be there, but I really hope to be.

‘(Knight) wants me in the stands. But at the end of the day, we both know we have to do what’s best for each other,’ Bowe added. ‘But it would be great to celebrate her gold medal the night before I have a chance to do one myself.’

Wait! Is Bowe already calling the U.S. women to win gold?

‘Nothing but. Nothing but,’ Bowe said with a laugh.

The U.S. women are the favorites, having walloped archrival Canada 24-7 in the four Rivalry Series games in the fall. It’s the first time in the tournament’s six-year history that either team has swept the event.

‘It’s been a really fun journey the past four years to be able to celebrate each other’s accomplishments. It’s really been fun for me to be a fan, to be able to go to different Team USA events and not be the one stressed out about having to compete,’ Bowe said. ‘It’s just been so much fun to be able to do this together.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Indiana football fans have at least one more game to appreciate Fernando Mendoza. However, preparation for the post-Mendoza era is already underway.

TCU quarterback Josh Hoover committed to the Hoosiers out of the transfer portal on Sunday, Jan. 4. Hoover is the second major coup for Curt Cignetti and Indiana of the day, as it landed Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh earlier on Jan. 4.

Hoover has been entrenched as the Horned Frogs’ starting QB since his redshirt freshman season. He has made 31 straight starts for TCU and has 9,629 career passing yards and 71 passing touchdowns. Both those marks are the best among QBs returning in 2026.

One pitfall with Hoover is turnovers, as he has thrown 33 career interceptions in his career. This season, he completed 272-of-413 passes (65.9%) for 3,472 yards and 13 interceptions.

Hoover will be tasked with replacing Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza has led Indiana to a perfect 14-0 record through the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. He has 3,172 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The transfer portal opened on Friday, Jan. 2, and remains open through Jan. 16. 

Josh Hoover transfer portal, recruiting ranking

Hoover was a 3-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings, coming out of Rockwall-Heath High School in Rockwall, Texas. He was ranked as the No. 709 overall player and 41st-ranked quarterback in the class.

The 6-foot-2 signal-caller was originally committed to Indiana under head coach Tom Allen. He, however, announced his decommitment on Dec. 6, 2021, and then committed to the Horned Frogs 10 minutes later.

Stars: 3
National rating: No. 709 overall
Position ranking: No. 41 QB
State ranking: No. 103 player from Texas

Following his four-year run at TCU, Hoover was the No. 35 overall player and the No. 9 quarterback in the 2025 portal rankings.

Josh Hoover stats

Here’s a look at Hoover’s stats in his four seasons with the Horned Frogs;

2022: 1-of-1 passing (100%) for 2 yards
2023: 185-for-298 passing (62.1%) for 2,206 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine touchdowns
2024: 313-of-471 passing (66.5%) for 3,949 yards, 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions
2025: 272-of-413 passing (65.9%) for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

To the surprise of no one, Democrats reflexively denounced Trump’s daring middle-of-the-night grab of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife.  

If Joe Biden, who offered a $25 million reward for Maduro’s arrest, had done what Trump did, these same politicians would be organizing a ticker-tape parade.  

Their condemnation of Trump has nothing to do with the law, although they pretend that it does. Instead, it is transparently driven by their contempt for a president that they despise.

Bereft of reason, they oppose whatever Trump does even if it conforms to their previously expressed beliefs.

Almost in unison, Democrats decried Trump’s action as ‘illegal,’ ‘unjustified’ and ‘unconstitutional.’ Many insisted that he was required to seek permission from Congress.  

None of that happens to be true. 

Inherent Constitutional Authority

The president is empowered by the U.S. Constitution as commander in chief of the armed forces to direct military action to protect Americans, fortify U.S. interests and defend our national security.  

The scourge of drugs emanating from Venezuela has long been poisoning our citizens. Our government estimates that roughly 200 to 250 metric tons of cocaine is shipped out of the Latin American country annually. America, by virtue of its prosperity, is a favored destination.  

On this basis alone, the incursion into Caracas was legal, justified, and legitimate.

For years, Maduro has led the notorious Cartel de los Soles, a violent drug cartel that is designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization responsible for murders, torture and crimes against humanity so egregious that even the United Nations recognized it.

Article II, Section 2 of our Constitution vests inherent powers in the president to unilaterally order armed forces into military actions. His command authority is supreme, and he may conduct campaigns and deploy operations by his own judgment.  

Short of a formal declaration of war, a president does not need prior authorization from Congress to act. That principle is embedded in our Constitution and has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court since the early founding of our Republic.

In more modern times, the president’s authority over armed action has only expanded. Cases involving Truman, Clinton and Obama solidified presidential power to direct military operations without congressional consent. 

Trump had every legal and constitutional right to defend the United States against the transport of deadly illicit drugs and to arrest the man most responsible, who has been federally indicted for numerous crimes. 

And no, Trump did not violate the War Powers Act as some of his critics have alleged. The resolution that was passed in 1973 stipulates a reporting requirement to Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces into hostilities. It is not a prohibition to act.

Indeed, it implicitly recognizes a president’s inherent power to use military force without specific congressional approval. Every single American president has done so since the end of World War II.  Trump is no exception.  

The ‘Take Care Clause’

The president has another authority at his disposal. The ‘Take Care Clause’ in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution mandates that the president ‘shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.’

To put it simply, Trump is duty-bound to ensure that all federal statutes are enforced. This includes the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of wanted fugitives who are criminally charged with U.S. crimes and must be brought to justice.

Effectuating the arrest of Maduro qualifies as enforcing all laws. Just because the accused is the de facto head of state in another country does not afford him protection or immunity from the long arm of American law. That is written nowhere. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Maduro as ‘a fugitive of American justice.’ Given his armed protection, military troops were necessary to accomplish his arrest. According to Trump, the ‘operation was done in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement.’

This was also the case in 1990 under nearly identical circumstances.    

Then-President George H. W. Bush ordered the military to capture Manuel Noriega, the corrupt dictator of Panama who was indicted on drug trafficking charges and endangering U.S. citizens. After a surprise military operation in the country’s capital, he was taken into custody and spirited back to the U.S. for trial.

Noriega’s legal team of defense attorneys vigorously challenged both his arrest and America’s legal authority to try him. Those maneuvers failed, along with his various claims of immunity. He was convicted and imprisoned.

So, we’ve seen this movie before. Maduro’s lawyers will mount the same legal challenges. But if the past is prologue, there is little reason to believe that the ending will be any different.  

This leaves the rather vacant claim by Trump adversaries that his actions somehow violated the norms and customs of international law. It is a common accusation that is often lacking in substance.  

Some point to Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits member nations from ‘the use of force against the territorial integrity’ of any state. However, the Charter provides an exception for self-defense.

As evidenced by the charges stated in Madura’s indictment, his actions as a narco-terrorist flooding the U.S. with deadly drugs fully justifies Trump’s actions as defensive in nature. Continued drug trafficking posed an imminent threat to the lives of American citizens.

If a conflict of American versus international law exists, our president’s obligations under Article II of the Constitution takes precedence and priority over Article 2 of the U.N. Charter. Members of the United Nations can complain all they want, but the U.S. has veto power in the UN Security Council.           

Most Venezuelans seem relieved that the long nightmare of tyranny, oppression and death at the hands Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro is finally over. Their land is rich with the world’s largest oil reserves.

If free and fair elections are held, as they should be, the impoverished citizens of this proud nation can share in a brighter future of freedom, economic recovery and financial prosperity.

They will have President Trump to thank for that.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The USA’s quarterfinal ouster means the world junior hockey championship will have a new champion for the first time since 2023.

Will it be Finland, which eliminated the American team in overtime on Jan. 2? Or Canada, which won in 2023? Or will unbeaten Sweden (2012) or Czechia (2001) end long droughts?

The next step for determining that is the semifinals on Sunday, Jan. 4. Sweden will face rival Finland and Canada and Czechia will face off in what is becoming a big rivalry.

The Czechs have ousted Canada in the playoffs the past two years and Canada knocked off Czechia in the 2023 final. Canada won the team’s preliminary round meeting but forgot to do a handshake line and Porter Martone patted a Czech player on the behind after he scored an empty net goal.

Here’s what to know about Sunday’s world junior championships semifinals, including how to watch:

Finland ties it up

Joona Saarelainein scores on a rebound of an Arttu Valila shot with 5:59 left to tie the game.

Sweden power play

Sweden on power play because of earlier call on Leu Tuuva. Sweden gets three shots but Finland kills it off. Petteri Rimpinen robs Jack Berglund.

Finland power play

Ivar Stenberg is called for tripping. Finland 0-for-2 so far. Finland gets chances but power play ends when Leo Tuuva is called for slashing.

Third period underway

3-2 Sweden. Winner goes to the gold-medal game. Loser plays for bronze.

End of second: Sweden 3, Finland 2

Two more strange goals in that period. Finland ties it up on a Sweden own goal and Sweden goes ahead after Petteri Rimpinen gets his stick stuck in the mesh after making a save. Shots are 20-15 Finland.

Finland pressure

The Finns hit the crossbar and two Swedish players break their sticks as Finland applies pressure late in the period. But Swedish goalie Love Harenstam dives out to cover the puck.

Sweden retakes lead on bank shot

Petteri Rimpinen is out of position with his stick stuck in the mesh after he make a save on Eddie Genborg. Genborg then banks in the puck off the goalie. Another strange goal in this game. Ivar Stenberg gets an assist for his second point of the game. Sweden 3, Finland 2

Finland ties it up on own goal

It’s an own goal as the puck comes off the glass and Swedish defenseman Alfons Freij puts it in off his goaltender as he tries to clear. Finland’s Jasper Kuhta get credit for the goal. Sweden 2, Finland 2

Sweden takes lead

Draft-eligible Ivar Stenberg scores through a screen on a delayed penalty. Sweden 2, Finland 1

Second period underway

Score is tied 1-1.

End of first: Sweden 1, Finland 1

The start of the game was nearly disastrous for Finland. Goalie Petteri Rimpinen misplayed a puck for a Sweden goal at 36 seconds. Then Sweden went on a power play 16 seconds later. Finland killed that off and settled down. They got a tying goal with 3:34 left in the period. Finland-Sweden games tend to be tight, and that’s the case again. Finland leads in shots, 11-7.

Finland ties it up

Atte Joki takes a pass atop the right faceoff circle, gets into better position and beats a screened Love Harenstam for the tying goal. Sweden 1, Finland 1

Finland power play

Felix Carell is called for delay of game for putting the puck over the glass. Sweden kills it off. Finland gets two shots and lead 8-4 in shots for the game.

Finland power play

Casper Juustovaara is called for slashing. Sweden kills it off.

Sweden power play

Heikki Ruohonen is called for tripping at 52 seconds. Finland gets a big kill, allowing no shots.

Sweden takes early lead

Linus Eriksson flips a shot toward the net and it goes in at 36 seconds as Petteri Rimpinen appears to misplay it. Sweden 1, Finland 0

Lucas Pettersson update

Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson is missing the game because he’s ill.

Sweden vs. Finland game underway

It’s Sweden’s Love Harenstam vs. Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen in net.

What channel is Sweden vs. Finland and Canada vs. Czechia world juniors hockey semifinals today?

TV channel: NHL Network

Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.

Watch world junior championships on Fubo

What time are Sweden vs. Finland and Canada vs. Czechia world juniors hockey semifinals today?

Date: Sunday, Jan. 4

Time: 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET (3:30 and 7:30 local time)

The Sweden-Finland game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET and Canada-Czechia will start at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.

World juniors hockey semifinals: How to watch, stream

Time: 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 4

Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

TV: NHL Network

Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.

World junior championships semifinals today

Jan. 4

All times p.m. ET

Sweden vs. Finland, 4:30

Canada vs. Czechia, 8:30

Sweden has powerful power play

Sweden’s power play is connecting at 45% in the tournament, second only to Canada (47%).

Sweden vs. Finland lineups

Sweden players to watch

Blackhawks No. 3 overall pick Anton Frondell has five goals and seven points. Forward Jack Berglund (Flyers) and defenseman Alfons Freij (Jets) also have seven points. Forward Ivar Stenberg is expected to be a top draft pick in June. He has two goals and five points at the tournament.

Finland players to watch

Forward Heikki Ruohonen (Flyers) has two goals and six points. So does defenseman Lasse Boelius (Ducks). Finnish goalie Petteri Rimpinen (Kings) has played every minute of the tournament.

Sweden vs. Finland rematch

Sweden and Finland played in the 2025 semifinal, and Finland skated off with a 4-3 overtime victory. Benjamin Rautiainen scored the winner from a bad angle on the power play. Konsta Helenius, a Buffalo Sabres first-round pick, had four assists in the game.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Cleveland Browns star edge rusher sacked Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the fourth quarter in the team’s 20-18 Week 18 win. The sack was Garrett’s 23rd of the season, which broke the single-season sack record of 22.5 that was previously held by Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks in 2001 with the New York Giants) and T.J. Watt (22.5 sacks in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers).

“It was everything I expected. It was so tough. I knew they were gonna make it difficult,” Garrett said postgame of the sack record. “The feeling couldn’t be better.”

Garrett later told reporters he was eyeing 25 sacks but he’s grateful to be the NFL’s new sack king.

“I’ve been waiting on this my whole life. My whole football career. I knew I had it in me,” Garrett said. “I wanted that 25 (sacks), but they made it real difficult these last two games, especially, really these last three. That’ll be the next journey. Trying to go out there and get 25.”

While 25 sacks might be a goal for Garrett down the road, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he hopes this year is capped off with an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

“That’s history. He’s the sack king. That’s unbelievable. They’ve been playing this game for a long time, and for him to go get that in the circumstances with the degree of difficulty in which he got it this season is unbelievable,” Stefanski said. “He’s the defensive player of the year. You can make him the MVP, if I had a vote. I think the reaction of his teammates is genuine. That’s real. These guys care about each other.”

Cleveland finished the regular season 5-12, fourth in the AFC North and out of the playoffs. The Browns have only earned a playoff berth twice since they drafted Garrett No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL draft.

Garrett, who was one of the few bright spots for the Browns this season, said he appreciates the journey despite the franchise’s recent struggles.

“You got to be the same person every single day. Come with that same intensity. No matter the result or outcome. You do it for the journey. The suffering in the journey, the failures in the journey. But that’s the price we pay for giving everything we have,” Garrett said. “No one is gonna win the Super Bowl every year. No one is gonna go to the playoffs every year. But that fight to get more and achieve more, wanting more for yourself and your teammates, that’s what’s gonna drive us to success.”

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

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

‘Black Monday’ is the term for the day after the NFL regular season ends when multiple head coaches are often fired.
The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants have already fired their head coaches ahead of the 2026 offseason.

‘Black Monday,’ metaphorically the worst day on the NFL calendar, isn’t even 24 hours away. On a day when 18 teams are cleaning out their collective lockers going into an offseason they wish was still a few weeks away, several head coaches – along with their assistants and, by extension, families – will also be packing up ahead of a permanent change of address.

Two teams, the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants, decided weeks ago that they were headed in new directions in 2026, pulling the plugs on Brian Callahan and Brian Daboll, respectively, preemptively rather than let them unnecessarily twist in the wind before an inevitable axe fell. Will their dismissals serve as precursors for a larger HC bloodletting?

Before we find out officially, here are a few Black Monday predictions:

Black Monday will be moderate shade of gray

Since the start of the Super Bowl era – the 1966 season – six to seven head coaching openings, on average, materialize each year. As previously mentioned, two teams have already begun their searches. But if one were to set an over/under of, say, 3½ more firings in 2026, I’d be inclined to take the under. Several coaches this season have certainly fallen short of expectations, though quite a few have been victimized by circumstances largely beyond their control – whether they be injuries, weak rosters, poor quarterback play or maybe a combination thereof.

It’s also worth noting that very few organizations wait anymore to render a decision on Black Monday itself. Increasingly, teams like the Giants and Titans cut the cord when it’s clearly the proper course of action. Others will make an announcement in the hours after the regular-season finale rather than make a coach endure a process that need not last an additional day. And, sometimes, a club and/or coach need a cooling-off period before deciding whether a break-up is in order.

The guess here? Most pink slips will be issued by Sunday’s end – or maybe not until week’s end … just don’t expect all that many.

A coach in the playoffs won’t remain with his team in 2026

It’s not all that unusual to see a head man depart his post even after reaching the postseason – especially one who’s gotten into something of a good-but-not-great rut. This isn’t an indictment or suggestion any of the following men are in trouble, per se. But franchises sometimes wind up deciding to take a step back in order to (theoretically) eventually move forward – even if it means parting with a proven winner like Todd Bowles or Matt LaFleur or even John Harbaugh. Just saying – sometimes Black Monday arrives a week late.

Mike McDaniel will stay in Miami

Widely identified as a man on the hot seat in the aftermath of the Dolphins’ disappointing 8-9 finish in 2024, could he somehow survive what’s shaping up as another seven- or eight-win campaign? In a break from their typical pattern under McDaniel, who’s wrapping up his fourth season at the helm, the Fins have nearly gotten back to break even after a 1-6 start – one that included the season-ending loss of dynamic WR Tyreek Hill. It’s also worth noting that McDaniel was retained at midseason when owner Stephen Ross and former GM Chris Grier mutually parted ways.

The Dolphins will obviously find a replacement for Grier (thanks, Troy Aikman). They’re also probably contractually stuck with QB Tua Tagovailoa, who’d had quite a bit of success under McDaniel before being benched late in the season, for at least another year. But even if the next GM decides to take a financial bath by cutting Tagovailoa, a move that would trigger something in the neighborhood of of nine-figure salary-cap pain, the team isn’t likely to find an immediate replacement who’s face-of-the-franchise-caliber. Given those options, it probably makes sense to retain McDaniel – whether he goes back to work with Tua or continues shepherding rookie Quinn Ewers, and kick the HC decision can down the road for a year. While it’s certainly ideal to have a new GM and coach enter the building together, philosophically aligned and such, it’s nearly as common for a new personnel boss to take the lay of the land for a year before deciding whether to stick with a program or fully reset it – recent examples of similar reboots transpiring in Nashville and Chicago.

Mike Tomlin’s future is up to Mike Tomlin

We hear you, Pittsburgh Steelers fans. You’re frustrated. Winning annually is fine, but not winning Super Bowls annually isn’t. There’s no doubt Tomlin and this organization want to do better than one-and-done − if they make it that far − when the playoffs roll around. There’s no doubt Tomlin and this organization want a long-term answer at quarterback. There’s no doubt Tomlin and this organization want to finish constructing that long-awaited Stairway to Seven, stuck on a league-record six Lombardi Trophies − for one franchise anyway − since he, Ben Roethlisberger and Co. won Super Bowl 43 to cap the 2008 season.

But after 19 non-losing seasons and 200 wins (including playoffs), Tomlin − one of three coaches the ever-stable Steelers have employed since 1969 − won’t be pushed out of Pittsburgh. He’ll only jump, and likely to a plum job opening like the Giants’, if that’s what he chooses to do. But don’t hold your collective breath, you ungrateful and spoiled Yinzers.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

One of the benefits of the current state of college football for teams: If you can find a coach, you can find a quarterback.

After Drew Mestemaker followed his North Texas coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State, Rocco Becht is doing the same. The former Iowa State quarterback will join his coach Matt Campbell at Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions their 2026 quarterback.

Becht, who will be a redshirt senior next year, battled an injury for most of the 2025 season and saw his stats suffer for it. He’s hoping a surgery on what was diagnosed as a partially torn labrum will return him to form for another season in college football next year.

The move puts a button on the Drew Allar era for Penn State. Allar is expected to enter the NFL draft after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October against Northwestern. Becht and Campbell are hoping to right what was a disastrous 2025 for Penn State, though the season did end with a Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson.

Redshirt freshman QB Alex Manske also committed to Penn State from Iowa State on Sunday to serve as Becht’s understudy.

Rocco Becht transfer portal ranking

ESPN lists Becht as the 16th-highest ranked player in the transfer portal. Becht’s injury limited him this year, but Penn State will undoubtedly expect a return to form.

Rocco Becht stats

Over the course of his career, Becht has amassed 9,274 yards on 714-of-1,177 passing (60.7% completion rate), with 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He saw lower numbers in 2025, thanks in part to a partially torn labrum that required surgery in December.

2022: 7-of-15 passing, 65 yards, one interception (redshirts season)
2023: 231-of-367 passing, 3,120 yards, 23 touchdowns, eight interceptions
2024: 271-of-456 passing, 3,505 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions
2025: 205-of-339 passing, 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The quarterback carousel keeps on churning in the 2026 transfer portal for college football.

The latest domino to fall on Sunday, Jan. 4, was Notre Dame backup quarterback Kenny Minchey committing to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are looking to replace starter Dylan Raiola, who left after two seasons.

Minchey will be entering his redshirt sophomore season and should have two more years of eligibility for the Cornhuskers.

He lost the starting battle to CJ Carr during the offseason and served as his backup during the 2025 season. He completed 20-of-26 passes for 196 yards, adding 84 rushing yards and a score.

The transfer portal opened on Friday, Jan. 2, and remains open through Jan. 16. 

Kenny Minchey transfer portal, recruiting ranking

Minchey was a 4-star recruit in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings, coming out of Pope John Paul II in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was ranked as the No. 170 overall player and 14th-ranked quarterback in the class.

Stars: 4
National rating: No. 170 overall
Position ranking: No. 14 QB
State ranking: No. 3 player from Tennessee

Kenny Minchey stats

Here’s a look at Minchey’s stats in his three seasons with Notre Dame:

2023: 2-for-2 passing (100%) for 12 yards
2024: 1-for-1 passing (100%) for 4 yards; Two rushes for 12 yards and a touchdown
2025: 20-of-26 passing (76.9%), 196 yards; 17 rushes for 84 yards and a touchdown

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Las Vegas Raiders are No. 1 − and former owner Al Davis would doubtless be sick about it.

But the Silver and Black’s current Commitment to Excellence unfortunately extends only to summiting the apex of the 2026 NFL draft order, the Raiders clinching − for lack of a better term − the spot Jan. 4 when the New York Giants, who cruised past Las Vegas 34-10 in Week 17, defeated the Dallas Cowboys in their regular-season finale. The Giants’ victory locked the Raiders into the league’s worst record, even if they improve to 3-14 by beating the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.

Have the Raiders picked No. 1 overall before?

Yes, the then-Oakland Raiders chose QB JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall in 2007 in one of the worst draft decisions in NFL history. Who could they have taken instead? Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch and Darrelle Revis all came off the board in the first half of Round 1.

Who will the Raiders draft first in 2026?

That will likely be a topic of some debate over the next four months, but Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana University will likely be the prohibitive choice − whether the Raiders use the pick or trade it.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The best ability is availability, and for almost all of the 2025 regular season, Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward had remained available. Until Week 18.

The first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft became the only rookie quarterback to start all 17 games for his team this season when he took the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars to begin Week 18. He hadn’t missed an offensive snap for Tennessee all season, but at the end of the Titans’ first offensive drive, Ward exited the game with an injury.

The Titans have since ruled him out for the game with a shoulder injury.

Ward rushed for a seven-yard touchdown to cap off a 58-yard drive but got banged up as he dove for the goal line. The quarterback remained on the ground for an extra moment after the play but eventually was able to walk back to the sideline.

Fox’s broadcast showed Ward entering the blue medical tent with some trainers moments later, and he ended up walking back to the locker room after an initial evaluation.

Cam Ward injury update

The Titans QB is listed as out of the game with a shoulder injury following the awkward tackle.

Ward dove forward to cross the goal line on a seven-yard rush off of a read-option play to give the Titans an early 7-0 lead, but he landed hard on his shoulder and had a defender land on him after he hit the ground. The result was a quick evaluation on the sideline in his team’s blue medical tent before Ward returned to the locker room with trainers.

Brandon Allen is Ward’s backup in Tennessee, and he entered the game to begin the Titans’ second drive. The first play of that possession was also the first offensive play that Tennessee ran without its rookie quarterback all season. Ward had managed to stay healthy for 17+ weeks before sustaining his shoulder injury on a scoring play to open the game.

Allen will take the Titans the rest of the way in Week 18 with Ward out for the game.

Cam Ward stats

Ward has had an up-and-down rookie season with the Titans this year. Here’s how his numbers looked through 16 starts in 17 weeks:

Completion rate: 320-of-537 (59.6%)
Passing yards: 3,117
Passing touchdowns: 15
Interceptions: 7
Passer rating: 79.8
Sacks: 55 taken for 410 yards lost (both marks lead NFL)
Rushing: 148 yards on 37 attempts (4.0 yards per attempt) and one touchdown

Titans QB depth chart

Tennessee has two quarterbacks on its active roster, and the Titans have another who has been on injured reserve for the entire season.

Cam Ward (out – shoulder)
Brandon Allen
Will Levis (IR – shoulder)

Ward was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and had played every offensive snap for the Titans before his injury on Jan. 4. Allen will take Tennessee to the end of its Sunday game (and the regular season).

Levis has been on season-ending injured reserve since July, when he underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder.

This story will be updated.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY