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New on Sports Illustrated: Ball drop: Wisconsin wins Duke's Mayo Bowl, breaks trophy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Wisconsin Badgers captured the Duke's Mayo Bowl and the trophy that came along with it.

And then they broke it.

While dancing around to celebrate his team's 42-28 victory over Wake Forest on Wednesday, quarterback Graham Mertz dropped the football-shaped piece of Lenox crystal, leaving it shattered on the floor of the locker room after it fell off its base.

''We just wanted everybody to have a piece of that trophy,'' Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst joked.

That would seem appropriate.

Mertz accounted for three touchdowns and Wisconsin turned four second-half interceptions, all by different players, into 21 points to turn a close game into a near-rout of the Demon Deacons. Five players scored touchdowns for the Badgers.

Mertz, a redshirt freshman, threw for 130 yards and ran for two short TDs as Wisconsin (4-3) finished a rocky 2020 season on a high note.

''Yeah, I dropped it,'' Mertz said sheepishly. ''That's on me. It happened.''

The Badgers might be willing to forgive him.

With the game tied at 21 late in the third quarter, Noah Burks intercepted Wake Forest's Sam Hartman on a pass in the flat when the intended receiver failed to turn his head around. Burks returned the ball 41 yards to set up a 14-yard scoring strike from Mertz to Mason Stokke on a wheel route, giving the Badgers their first lead.

Hartman, who had thrown only one interception all season, was picked off on the next three possessions as well.

Scott Nelson had a 60-yard interception return and Collin Wilder returned a pick 72 yards to set up short TD runs that gave the Badgers a 42-21 lead, resulting in Hartman getting benched. Jack Sanborn had 11 tackles and an interception and was named MVP of the game.

''It felt like one led to the other,'' Sanborn said. ''After three picks, we said, `Collin you have to get one' - and then Collin went and got one.''

Sanborn said the Badgers picked up on some of Hartman's tendencies.

''Throughout the game, similar concepts coming up,'' Sanborn said. ''We kind of knew where he wanted to throw the ball. He was making throws early in the game. But we got a tell on where he wanted to go with the ball.''

Hartman finished 20 of 37 passing for 318 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

''All of a sudden the dam opened the floodgates and wow, I never thought we would lose a game like that,'' Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said.

Clawson said he felt Hartman was telegraphing his passes.

''I think he held on to targets too long and Wisconsin broke on his eyes and his arm actions,'' Clawson said.

Wake Forest (4-5) outgained Wisconsin 518-266 on offense, but the Badgers had 176 return yards off interceptions.

Hartman threw three touchdown passes to Jacquarii Roberson to give the Demon Deacons a 21-14 lead early in the third quarter against the nation's No. 1-ranked defense.

The game was played in front of no fans other than family and friends due to the coronavirus pandemic.

THE TAKEAWAY

Wake Forest: Hartman seemed to implode after playing a really nice first half. The redshirt sophomore should learn from his rough day against the Badgers.

Wisconsin: Mertz appears to have solidified his role as the team's starting quarterback moving forward. He had struggled down the stretch with five interceptions and one touchdown in his previous four games. But it's been hard to fully evaluate his play since he's been missing his two top wideouts, Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor.

UP NEXT

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are slated to open their 2021 season with a Sept. 4 home game against Old Dominion.

Wisconsin: The Badgers will need to add some weapons for Mertz heading into next season. They open at home against Big Ten foe Penn State on on Sept. 4.

---

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

Jags activate punter Logan Cooke of Reserve/Covid-19

Logan Cooke appears to be on his way back to the Jags' roster after missing time on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

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49ers' Robert Saleh shares his belief of what makes a success NFL head coach

Robert Saleh figures to be a hot head-coaching candidate next week after leading his defense into the 49ers' season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/3o4hb3l

Four Vikings you might see more of on Sunday

Here are four Minnesota Vikings players who might see a bigger role in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

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NFL DFS Fades Week 17

Knowing who you DON'T want in your Week 17 NFL DFS lineups is important. Check out the fades... (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

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Rams, Cardinals reach crucial finale with QBs in spotlight

Sean McVay spent the final week of the regular season worrying about how to put together an offensive game plan for his slumping Los Angeles Rams without their leading passer, rusher and receiver in a season finale that could keep them out of the playoffs. ''That's what you love about being able to coach in this league, is to get a chance to work with guys who have worked really hard and put themselves in this position,'' said McVay, who inherited Goff in 2017.

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Patriots place Tashawn Bower, Josh Uche on IR

The Patriots placed defensive lineman Tashawn Bower and linebacker Josh Uche on injured reserve Thursday, the team announced. Bower, 25, began the 2020 season on the practice squad. The Patriots added him to the 53-player roster on Nov. 7. He played seven games with three starts and totaled 11 tackles, one sack and one pass [more]

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DK Metcalf on verge of toppling 35-year-old Seahawks record

As DK Metcalf was finishing up his rookie season a year ago, he took a glance at the Seattle Seahawks record book. After having 900 yards receiving as a rookie, Metcalf knew the single-season franchise record was well within reach. ''I knew it was going to be on the agenda this year to break it,'' Metcalf said.

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Red-hot Buccaneers not looking past Falcons to playoffs

Bruce Arians is not ready to reflect on the challenge of transforming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into winners. With the 68-year-old coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady leading the way, the Bucs (10-5) are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/34ZKmwQ

Titans-Texans Preview

The Tennessee Titans will secure their first AFC South title since 2008 with a victory over the struggling Houston Texans on Sunday. Henry has a career-high 1,777 yards rushing and a 220-yard lead over the closest running back, and Dalvin Cook won't be playing for Minnesota in the wake of his father's death.

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NFL races go down to the wire in AFC South and NFC East

As the calendar turns to 2021, the NFL is experiencing pretty much what it covets. Miami, Baltimore, Cleveland, Tennessee and Indianapolis are chasing postseason qualification in the AFC, while the Cardinals, Rams, Bears, Giants, Cowboys and Washington seek NFC spots.

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4 New Years Resolutions the Saints should adopt in 2021

The New Orleans Saints have a list of changes and decisions to consider going into 2021, with hours left to figure it out on New Years' Eve.

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Patriots QB Cam Newton reveals what he learned about himself in tough 2020

Through all of that, what did Cam Newton learn about himselfduring this tough year? The Patriots quarterback explained Thursday during a media conference call.

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Dolphins-Bills Preview

There are two Buffalo-related memories Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey would prefer not be brought up as Miami travels to face the Bills and needing only a win to clinch a playoff spot in the season finale Sunday. Reminded of his comments, the 68-year-old Gailey on Tuesday jokingly chalked it up to youth. The other moment came in the 2015 season finale when Gailey was the New York Jets coordinator.

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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: Sanders, Oklahoma State beat Miami 37-34 in Cheez-It Bowl

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Oklahoma State went to the air early and often to finish its season on a high note.

Spencer Sanders threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns, and the Cowboys held off No. 18 Miami for a 37-34 victory in the Cheez-It Bowl on Tuesday.

Oklahoma State (8-3) called 15 consecutive pass plays to open the game and stormed out to a 21-0 lead. Sanders threw TD passes of 30 and 32 yards to Brennan Presley, and LD Brown had a 2-yard touchdown run.

''Our game plan going in was to try to offset some of the speed and strength they have in the front six,'' Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. ''They are a fast, athletic team. We wanted to throw the ball 25 times in the first half.''

Sanders also led the Cowboys with 45 yards rushing and was named Most Valuable Player.

''That MVP doesn't just go to me,'' Sanders said. ''The defense stopped them when they needed to stop them. We scored when we needed to score. I told them that this MVP is for everyone.''

Presley caught a third touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to put Oklahoma State up 37-26. He finished with six receptions for 118 yards. Tay Martin had six catches for 73 yards, and Dillon Stoner also caught a touchdown pass.

''We have a bunch of weapons,'' Sanders said. ''We have guys you haven't even seen yet and guys that didn't get many touches. Putting Brennan with that group makes it that much better.''

Miami (8-3) got on the board in the second quarter when D'Eriq King threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brevin Jordan. But King left with a right knee injury with 4:06 remaining in the first half. Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz said he will be evaluated Wednesday.

King, who transferred to Miami from Houston before the season, announced last week that he would be returning to Miami and for a sixth season of college football.

''It's harsh ... a year that's had so much adversity, for a guy that's done everything right,'' Diaz said. ''Hopefully we'll get good news tomorrow.''

The Hurricanes rallied behind backup quarterback N'Kosi Perry, who threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Cam'Ron Harris' 42-yard touchdown run made it 21-19 in the third quarter, but Jordan came up short on the 2-point conversion.

''The guys rallied around N'Kosi and did a great job,'' Diaz said. ''He looked like a guy that played a lot of ball and the team had confidence that they could move the ball with him.''

Perry's 5-yard TD pass to Michael Harley helped the Hurricanes close to 37-34 with 5:39 left. But he misfired on six of his final nine passes, and his 6-yard pass to Michael Redding III was not enough to convert a fourth-and-9 with under two minutes remaining.

PLAYING IT SAFE

Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace had six catches for 45 yards in just one half of action. That was the tentative plan, according to Gundy.

''We just talked with him and at some point we wanted to get some players in the game that were going to be here next year and we wanted to protect him,'' Gundy said. ''I'm not going to say that what happened with Miami's quarterback didn't have a little bit of effect on that.''

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Oklahoma State was unranked coming into the game, but likely will make the final Top 25 of the season.

Miami, ranked No. 18, could be out of the final rankings after consecutive losses.

STREAKS AND STATS

Oklahoma State has won four of its past five bowl games. ... Miami has lost five consecutive bowl games and 11 of its past 12. ... Jordan had eight catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns. ... Miami defensive back Te'Cory Couch had 9 1/2 tackles, but was flagged for pass interference three times in the third quarter.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma State should have a dynamic offense with Spencer returning at quarterback when it opens next season against Missouri State.

Miami has to hope King's injury isn't serious enough to keep him out of spring practice because the Hurricanes open next season against Alabama in Atlanta.

New on Sports Illustrated: Texas overcomes Ehlinger injury, routs Colorado 55-23

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Texas has been tested all year, but losing senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger to a shoulder injury was an obstacle the Longhorns never anticipated.

The same spirit that pushed the team through this entire chaotic season helped the Longhorns thrive without him.

Sophomore signal-caller Casey Thompson came off the bench and passed for 170 yards and four touchdowns, and No. 20 Texas overcame Ehlinger's injury to beat Colorado 55-23 in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night.

Freshman running back Bijan Robinson had 183 yards on 10 carries with a TD for Texas (7-3). He was selected the bowl's offensive MVP.

''We had a lot of young guys that stepped up in this game,'' Robinson said.

The Longhorns are undefeated in four bowl games under Tom Herman, unbeaten as a head coach in five bowls overall.

''This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by some really dedicated young men that 10 months ago made a decision that they were going to go to work every day and do whatever it took to get through this season together,'' Herman said. ''And they did. We had our ups and downs, but they never wavered. They never gave up hope. They never gave up confidence. They kept playing for each other. I couldn't be prouder of my team.''

More adversity developed against the Buffaloes (4-2).

Ehlinger missed the second half after sustaining a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Herman said he was uncertain when the injury occurred, but Ehlinger returned to the field in the third quarter in warmups, with his right arm in a sling. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.

''I hated that he couldn't finish the game, but we wouldn't be here without him,'' Herman said. ''He was the leader behind this senior class. I don't know what the future holds for him, but I know that I'm thankful for him being on our team, being on my team each and every day. What he means to us is indescribable.''

The NCAA is offering athletes an extra year of eligibility given the unusual circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unknown if Ehlinger will return.

He played the entire first half Tuesday, completing 10 of 16 passes for 160 yards and a score.

Colorado was playing its sixth game of the season due to the coronavirus. The Pac-12 initially canceled its season only to reverse the decision and delay the start until Nov. 7.

The Buffaloes had two games canceled due to virus issues, but competed in the Alamo Bowl despite failing to reach the traditional six-win threshold required for the postseason.

The Longhorns appeared more polished throughout, striking quickly to open both halves.

Fueled by a 39-yard pass from Ehlinger to Joshua Moore, Texas drove 74 yards on four plays in 50 seconds on its opening possession. Robinson dove in for an 8-yard TD run with 12:51 left in the opening quarter.

Robinson scored again two possessions later, catching a 14-yard pass from Ehlinger with 5:28 remaining in the first.

The Longhorns didn't take a step back without Ehlinger.

Thompson started the second half in place of Ehlinger and led Texas to a touchdown on its opening possession. Thompson completed a 13-yard scoring pass to Moore just 37 seconds into the third for a 24-10 advantage.

Thompson added a 25-yard touchdown pass to Moore, a 23-yarder to Robinson and a 73-yarder to Kelvontay Dixon. The backup was 8 of 10 on the night.

''I'm really proud of the young guys,'' Herman said. ''I'm really, really excited about the future. What these last two games playing so many young guys has shown is the trajectory of our program and what we're capable of with these young guys.''

Cameron Dicker set an Alamo Bowl record with a 53-yard field goal late in the first half that extended the Longhorns' lead to 17-7.

Colorado's only sustained drive of the first quarter ended in an interception when Sam Noyer threw into a group of four defenders. Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made his second interception of the season, picking off Noyer at the Buffaloes 11-yard line. Overshown had six tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery

Jarek Broussard rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries for Colorado.

TAKEAWAY

Colorado: Despite the lopsided loss, coach Karl Dorrell's tenure with the Buffaloes is off to a good start. Colorado went 3-1 in the Pac-12 under Dorrell, who signed a five-year contract in the offseason.

Texas: The Longhorns found a capable replacement for Ehlinger in Thompson. The 6-foot-1 sophomore displayed his elusiveness, escaping a heavy rush early in the third quarter for a 22-yard run. He also demonstrated his arm strength by throwing over the defense for a 73-yard touchdown to Dixon in the fourth.

---

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

New on Sports Illustrated: Streaking TCU meets 3-7 Arkansas in Texas Bowl

Arkansas brings an unsightly 3-7 record and a four-game losing skid into the Texas Bowl to face TCU on New Year's Eve in Houston.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman isn't making any apologies.

"We'll always have folks who will say we were 3-7 and things of that nature. If you look at our schedule and look - obviously we played 10 SEC games, certainly played four I think of the top nine teams in the country," said Pittman, whose three wins were against Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Teams did not need a winning record or a minimum number of victories this season to be eligible for a bowl due to the uncertainty of COVID-19.

The Horned Frogs (6-4), winners of three straight and five of their last six games, last faced the Razorbacks when they split a home-and-home series from 2016-17. TCU's winning streak includes a 29-22 victory over then-No. 15 Oklahoma State on Dec. 5.

The Texas Bowl will mark the Frogs' ninth game out of 11 played in Texas this season.

"Most of our kids are very excited, even the Louisiana kids because this is going to be an opportunity for their families to come watch them play," TCU coach Gary Patterson said. "If it would have been somewhere out of state, going west or really further east, it would have been harder for them to do that."

Former Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks is a big reason why Arkansas won its three games this season and lost three others -- to Auburn, LSU and Missouri - by a combined seven points.

Franks has revived his career at Arkansas after suffering a gruesome ankle injury with the Gators in the third game of last season.

"A game here and there, we were in every game and we were competing and we did a good job with that," said Franks, who was the 2018 Peach Bowl MVP with Florida. "I think the program is turned around and definitely headed in the right direction with Coach Pittman and all of the staff and everybody did a great job of getting the program going in the right direction."

He has thrown for 2,107 yards at a 68.5 percent completion rate with 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

While other NFL prospects are opting out of bowls, Franks said he will play in the Texas Bowl.

"I feel like it's just my duty," he said. "Not necessarily my duty, but for me, I want to stay and I want to finish the season out. I want to finish what I started."

TCU's running game dictates its performances.

It leads the Big 12 at 216.0 rushing yards per game. The Horned Frogs are 6-0 when running for at least 200 yards. They have averaged 275.0 yards per game rushing in their six wins and 124.3 in the four losses.

Quarterback Max Duggan leads TCU in rushing with 526 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has completed 146 of 240 passes for 1,795 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

--Field Level Media

Patriots cut Jordan Thomas

The Patriots waived tight end Jordan Thomas on Wednesday, the team announced. New England claimed Thomas off waivers from the Cardinals on Nov. 10. Thomas, 24, played two games as a reserve for the Patriots and was inactive for four others. He did not accrue any statistics. The Patriots placed Jordan Thomas on the reserve/COVID-19 [more]

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These 10 Patriots might not be around for the 2021 NFL season

As the calendar flips to 2021, which Patriots might have reached the end of their run in Foxboro. Tom E. Curran runs down 10 men who might not be back next season.

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Rodgers: 3rd MVP would be meaningful, validate his play

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn't downplaying what a third MVP award would mean to him. Rodgers, who won the MVP in 2011 and 2014, is a top contender for this year's honor along with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes. ''It's not why you play the game,'' Rodgers said Wednesday.

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Raiders Wednesday Injury Report: RT Trent Brown (knee) misses practice

Raiders Wednesday Injury Report: RT Trent Brown misses practice

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Falcons HC critical of Dante Fowler: ‘He hasn’t had his sack numbers’

The Falcons ignored their salary cap woes during the 2020 offseason, doing everything they could to add talent and make one last run at getting back to the Super Bowl.

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Bears' Trubisky, Robinson focused on Packers instead of 2021

When quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and wide receiver Allen Robinson face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field, it could be the last time they wear a Chicago Bears uniform. ''I won't be thinking about that, no,'' Trubisky said. Trubisky has led a three-game winning streak against three struggling teams during his return from a Week 3 benching, while Robinson last week hit the 100-reception mark for the first time in his career.

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DE Takkarist McKinley will not play for Raiders this season

DE Takkarist McKinley will not play for Raiders this season

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Deshaun Watson isn’t on Texans’ injury report

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson injured his throwing elbow late in Sunday’s loss to the Bengals. Sam Hubbard had a strip-sack of Watson, who got his hand stuck in Hubbard’s facemask. Watson did not miss a snap, and he is not on the team’s injury report Wednesday. “As far as I know, he’s doing pretty good,” [more]

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Chargers' Herbert looking for strong finish to rookie season

Considering the way 2020 has gone, it might seem like ages since Justin Herbert made his first NFL start. Despite the lack of snaps with the first team, Herbert showed right away that he would be a quick study with 311 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 overtime loss. ''I think you blink and you realize that you're in (game) 16,'' Herbert said.

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Razorback defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall declares for 2021 NFL Draft

The Texas native declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday night following the cancellation of the Texas Bowl.

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Bills vs. Dolphins: Wednesday injury report

Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins injury report for Week 17.

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What to know from Packers’ first injury report of Week 17

Everything important to know from the Packers' first injury report of Week 17.

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2020 NFL's Week 17: Previews, TV networks and kickoff times for Sunday's games

Here’s a look at Week 17's Sunday matchups, including the broadcasting TV network for each game. You can also livestream games within your market on the Yahoo Sports App.

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Week 17 DFS: Stack Broncos vs Raiders

On the latest episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast, Dalton Del Don sells you on a Drew Lock and Jerry Jeudy stack heading into week 17 vs the Las Vegas Raiders. 

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Daniel Jones and the Giants talk pivotal Week 17 clash with the Cowboys

Joe Judge, Daniel Jones, and Logan Ryan break down the team's motivation entering week 17 against the Cowboys with a potential trip to the playoffs at stake.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/3pCHmi4

Packers claim veteran DL Damon Harrison off waivers

The Packers claimed DL Damon "Snacks" Harrison off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/3rJKuKD

Jalen Hurts draws lofty comparison from Ron Rivera

Washington's head coach said today that Jalen Hurts reminds him of one of the best QBs in the NFL.

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Former Seahawk Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison claimed by Packers off waivers

Harrison jumps from one NFC contender to another.

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New on Sports Illustrated: West Ham United-Southampton Preview

West Ham boss David Moyes believes his team's resilience to twice come from behind against Brighton and Hove Albion puts them in good stead heading into Tuesday's clash with Southampton.

The Hammers drew 2-2 at home to Brighton on Sunday, despite the Seagulls dominating much of the proceedings, though West Ham ultimately managed the same number of attempts on target as the visitors.

Southampton, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw by Fulham in their Boxing Day outing, and Moyes is aiming to take the bright points from the Brighton game into Tuesday's fixtures.

"The positives I take from it were that we were resilient, we kept at it and we eventually found a way of getting something out of it, but it wasn't anything close to how I wanted it to look like or how I think we can play," Moyes told West Ham TV.

"I thought we were really disappointing in a lot of aspects today, but we're in a little period just now when the injuries that we've had are just starting to catch up on us and we're muddling through in certain areas."

On the other hand, Ralph Hasenhuttl knows his team will need to fight through the fatigue, though the Saints will have an extra day of rest compared to West Ham, who the former RB Leipzig coach is yet to beat.

"We have never won against them so far and never taken points, so we have to do it better than we have in the past," he said.

"We have to be concentrated for this tough game, find the right players to choose and hopefully we can cause them some issues.

"To the Liverpool game we have a little bit longer to recover, but this game comes quickly."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Southampton - Danny Ings

Saints talisman Ings missed out against Fulham due to a hamstring injury and his absence was felt. Should he be fit to return, he will be aiming to end a three-match run without a goal.

West Ham - Tomas Soucek

Soucek, who netted the second equaliser against Brighton, has scored more Premier League goals via corner situations than any other player (five). Indeed, it is two more than opponents Southampton have scored in that time (three).

KEY OPTA FACTS

- Southampton have lost their last two Premier League home games against West Ham, as many as they had in their previous 15 against them at St Mary's or The Dell (W7 D6 L2).

- West Ham have won their final league game in just one of the last 11 calendar years (D3 L7), though that victory did come against Southampton in the Premier League in 2015 (2-1).

- Southampton have kept seven clean sheets in their 16 Premier League home games in 2020, last keeping more in a single calendar year at St Mary's in 2015 (8).

- Against no side has Southampton's Theo Walcott scored more Premier League goals than he has vs West Ham (6). However, he's not scored in any of his last five against the Hammers, with five of his six goals against them coming between 2011 and 2013.

- After scoring in 12 consecutive Premier League games, Southampton now failed to score in their last two in the competition. They last went three league games without a goal in September-October 2018 under Mark Hughes (five games).

New on Sports Illustrated: Burnley-Leeds United Preview

Marcelo Bielsa dismissed any suggestion of Leeds United changing their style of play in the wake of their 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United.

Leeds went down heavily at Old Trafford on Sunday, suffering their third defeat in the space of four games.

The Whites go up against Burnley on Sunday, and the Clarets would move within a point of Leeds with a win at Elland Road.

In spite of their defeat last time out, Bielsa has promised more swashbuckling play from his team.

"Of course, it is very hurtful," Bielsa said of the defeat to United. "We will correct what was bad and try to keep the good things, but we will not abandon the way we play."

It was a sentiment echoed by utility player Stuart Dallas, who said: "When you give goals away at this level, it's very difficult and we found that throughout the game.

"We've got to bounce back. We've got to learn from this, because I don't think there are too many positives we can take from this, there is plenty we can learn from. I suppose the only positive we can take is that we kept going until the very end."

Sean Dyche, meanwhile, insists he would never choose style over substance.

"I am sure whatever style they are choosing to play, I am sure the manager is well aware there has to be results," Dyche said.

"He sees his and the team's way of doing things as the most effective way of getting results. Most managers do think like that.

"I have always found that a peculiar one personally, because we are in a results business, but every manager will have a view on that. I am pretty sure Bielsa is not just thinking it is about style, he will be well versed in the game to know that whatever style it is you have to find results."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Leeds United - Kalvin Phillips

England international Phillips was given something of a run around against United, and was taken off at half-time, and the 25-year-old will be eager to make up for that unusually poor display.

Burnley - Chris Wood

This will be Wood's second appearance against Leeds since leaving the club in 2017, scoring against the Whites in a September 2017 League Cup tie previously. Wood scored 24 goals in 44 appearances for the Yorkshire club, including 18 in the 2016-17 season, the most by a Leeds player in a season since Jermaine Beckford in 2008-09 (22).

KEY OPTA FACTS

•This will be the first ever Premier League meeting between Leeds and Burnley, with Leeds winning both games the last time they faced in the top-flight in the 1975-76 campaign (2-1 home, 1-0 away).

•Burnley lost their last Premier League match in Yorkshire (0-3 vs Sheffield United); they have not lost consecutive league matches in the county since October 2011 (vs Leeds and Barnsley).

•Only Liverpool's Premier League games this season (55) have produced more goals than Leeds' (54 - F24 A30), with their 30 goals conceded the most of any Premier League side so far this term.

•Burnley have won two of their last three Premier League games (D1), as many as they had in their previous 14 (D5 L7). Indeed, having lost five of their first six league games this term, the Clarets have lost just one of their subsequent seven (W3 D3).

•Dwight McNeil has appeared in each of Burnley's last 71 Premier League matches - no outfield player is on a longer current run of consecutive appearances for their side in the competition (level with Southampton's James Ward-Prowse).

New on Sports Illustrated: Leicester City-Crystal Palace Preview

Roy Hodgson is glad Crystal Palace will get a chance to quickly hit back from their latest disappointment when they host high-flying Leicester City on Monday.

The Eagles lost 3-0 to Aston Villa on Boxing Day, a week on from a record 7-0 home defeat against Liverpool, as their winless run stretched to four games.

The fixtures come thick and fast over the festive period, meaning Palace are back in action 48 hours after their last match, and Hodgson is targeting an instant response.

"I don't think it would have been a good thing for us to dwell on the Villa defeat any longer than we had to," he said.

"I do think we have to analyse it, though. We have to look ourselves in the mirror and ask 'what have we done wrong? What could we have done to prevent this?'

"We are going to have to make certain that we find out a way around that and try to prevent it happening again in two days' time."

Leicester defeated Tottenham and drew 2-2 with Manchester United either side of Christmas to keep their title hopes alive.

The Foxes have been fantastic on their travels this season, winning six of their seven away league matches - just one fewer than they won on the road in the whole of 2019-20.

That includes victories at Arsenal and Spurs, though not since 1966 have Leicester won three successive matches in London.

Head coach Brendan Rodgers is eager for his side to maintain their momentum and prove they deserve to be dining at the top table.

"That's always going to be the challenge. We want to be competitive," he said. "The definition of the top six is based around the financial side, and of course we're not in that.

"But if we can be competitive in a football aspect, that's important. Against Man United, a top team that have shown how good they are away from home, we were competitive.

"There's still an awful lot of improvement for us to make, but that's the bit we enjoy, that development."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Crystal Palace - Vicente Guaita

Hodgson's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League games, a run that includes a goal conceded in each of their last 14 outings.

Goalkeeper Guaita has shipped 10 goals in two games and, against a Leicester side averaging 1.87 goals per game - the fifth-best return in the division - he needs to stop the rot if Palace are to have any hope.

Leicester City - Harvey Barnes

Barnes was on target in the draw with Man Utd, taking the attacking midfielder's tally for the season in all competitions to seven goals in 20 matches.

That is as many as he netted in 42 appearances last time out, with the 23-year-old fast becoming one of the key men in this Leicester side.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- After winning four consecutive league games against Leicester between 2017-2019 by an aggregate score of 13-1, Palace have lost their last two against the Foxes without scoring (five conceded).

- Leicester won this exact fixture 2-0 last season - they last won consecutive away league games against Crystal Palace in April 1998.

- Palace have not won their final league game in any of the last eight calendar years (D6 L2), last doing so against Millwall in the Championship in 2011 (1-0).

- Leicester have lost their final league game in two of the last three calendar years, meanwhile, which is more than they had in the previous 10 years (W6 D3 L1).

- Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has scored 19 goals in his last 19 Premier League away games. Vardy has also scored nine goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances in London, netting the Foxes' winners against Tottenham and Arsenal this season.

New on Sports Illustrated: Brighton & Hove Albion-West Ham United Preview

David Moyes is thrilled with the unity within West Ham's squad, with the Hammers well in contention for a European push in the back half of the season.

West Ham went down 3-0 at Chelsea on Monday, but have the chance to get back on track when they face struggling Brighton and Hove Albion.

After ensuring Premier League survival last season, Moyes has guided his team to six league wins so far this term.

"The most pleasing thing for me was how the players have come back and the group have got better," Moyes said. "We've made progress in many ways and the players have played well. They've done a lot of good things.

"When you're just outside the bottom three, and suddenly you've got yourself mingling near the top end and competing against nearly all the top sides, not looking out of place, I'd have to say 'well done' to the players.

"We've had some outstanding performers so far this season - some of our players are playing as well as anybody else in the country. We've also had big improvements from players who maybe over the last year or two have not played as well. From the players' point of view, they have to be really pleased with what they've done."

Brighton, meanwhile, will again be without key full-back Tariq Lamptey, who has a hamstring problem.

Graham Potter said: "It's not serious, it's just a slight problem with his hamstring. The nature of how he plays, you have to be careful, you don't want him to be away for a number of weeks.

"So I am expecting him to be back pretty soon. He's healing and recovering well.

"There's not another Tariq with the qualities and attributes that he has and that's the challenge for us to find the solution collectively."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham - Robert Snodgrass

West Ham midfielder Snodgrass has been directly involved in eight goals in 10 appearances against Brighton in all competitions (five goals, three assists) - against no side has he netted more times since joining Leeds United in the 2008-09 season.

Brighton and Hove Albion - Danny Welbeck

Welbeck, who netted a late equaliser against Sheffield United last time out, has scored four goals in all competitions against West Ham, only netting more against Aston Villa (five) and Southampton (five) in his career.

KEY OPTA FACTS

•West Ham are winless in all six of their Premier League meetings with Brighton, losing the first three and drawing the most recent three. The Seagulls are one of just two teams the Hammers have faced in the competition without ever winning.

•Brighton have lost just one of their last five away league games against West Ham (W2 D2), going down 0-6 in a Championship match in April 2012. The Seagulls are unbeaten in all three of their Premier League visits to the London Stadium (W1 D2).

•In their defeat at Chelsea last time out, West Ham failed to land a single shot on target for the first time in a Premier League game this season, while only in their defeat at Liverpool (four) have they had fewer shots than they did against the Blues (six).

•Brighton have only won one of their last 12 Premier League matches (D6 L5), winning 2-1 at Aston Villa in November. Indeed, each of the Seagulls' last four Premier League victories have come away from home.

•Moyes' last win over Brighton was back in January 2002 with Preston North End in the FA Cup. A win in this match will be his second-longest gap between wins over an opponent (18y 347d), behind only a 20-year and 109-day gap between wins against Gillingham (1999 and 2020).

New on Sports Illustrated: Tottenham Hotspur-Wolverhampton Preview

Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo did not apologise for disparaging comments he made about Premier League referee Lee Mason in the wake of his side's defeat at Burnley.

The Clarets won 2-1 on Monday, but Nuno was left seething at the performance of referee Mason, who the Wolves coach said was "not good enough" to officiate at the top level.

Nuno was asked to explain his comments by the Football Association (FA), and though he regretted the timing, he insisted he would not apologise for them.

"I should apologise for the timing of my comments. They were not in the best moment to come across because it could be a bad interpretation," he said. "I won't apologise for my words and thoughts.

"I never judge or question the integrity of a referee. What I said was about the ability of the referee, what I felt and what I saw in the previous matches. The Premier League is the best competition in the world – the only thing missing is the fans – and we expect high levels of performance and high standards. As managers and players what we expect is from the referees to be confident, maintain their authority on the pitch, to control the players and to handle the game."

With three defeats from their last five league games, Wolves sit 11th heading into Sunday's clash with Tottenham, who ended a three-match winless streak by beating Stoke City in the EFL Cup.

"This is a question I have to answer for three years in a row. You just have to copy and paste what I said then. He's a great coach, very good work, the results are there," Tottenham's Jose Mourinho replied when asked about the work Nuno has done at Wolves. "You look to the table and how can you analyse managers with this table. This is a table that changes every week, every two matches. Nuno is a very good coach."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolves – Adama Traore

Traore was called on from the bench against Burnley and created three chances, though it was not enough to inspire a comeback. With games coming thick and fast over Christmas, the winger's pace and power will be crucial.

Tottenham – Harry Kane

Kane has scored nine Premier League goals this season; his next strike will see him become just the fourth Englishman to reach double figures in seven consecutive Premier League campaigns, after Michael Owen (97-98 to 03-04), Frank Lampard (10 between 03-04 and 12-13) and Wayne Rooney (11 between 04-05 and 14-15).

KEY OPTA FACTS

• Following their 3-2 win at Spurs in the last Premier League meeting between the sides, Wolves are looking to secure back-to-back league wins against them for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign, when they completed a league double over them.

• Spurs have won each of their last three Premier League away games against Wolves, netting at least twice each time. Indeed, just one of Spurs' four Premier League defeats to Wolves has come at Molineux (0-1 in February 2010).

• Having netted 15 goals in their first five Premier League games this season (three per game), Tottenham have netted just 10 in their last nine in the competition (1.1 per game). 20 of their 25 league goals this season (80%) have been scored by either Son Heung-min (11) or Kane (nine).

• Since their return to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves average just 0.7 goals per Premier League game without Raul Jimenez in the starting lineup, compared to 1.3 goals-per-game when the Mexican does start.

• After winning their first four Premier League away games this season, Spurs are winless in their last three on the road (D2 L1). However, they are yet to lose consecutive away league games under Mourinho.

New on Sports Illustrated: Manchester City-Everton Preview

Pep Guardiola confirmed Sergio Aguero will be straight back into Manchester City's team once he is fully fit.

It has been a stop-start season so far for Aguero, with the 32-year-old having been restricted to just four Premier League appearances due to a series of niggling injuries.

With Gabriel Jesus contracting coronavirus, Ferran Torres deputised in a central striking role for City on Boxing Day, with the former Valencia man scoring in a 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

Torres made way for Aguero with 13 minutes remaining, and the Argentine had four touches and registered one attempt on target during is time on the pitch.

"We need him. I need him. The fact that in the 15 minutes Sergio played we saw him look sharp and dynamic and this is incredible news," Guardiola, whose side face in-form Everton on Monday, told reporters.

"We have to be careful, we cannot do like in the past where he came back and then is injured.

"I love this guy and he's an incredible person. As soon as he is fit, and making the step to get back, he's going into the team immediately."

Everton, who are without James Rodriguez, Allan, Lucas Digne and Richarlison, moved into second with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Boxing Day - their fourth straight league victory.

Though Everton sit just three points behind leaders Liverpool, Carlo Ancelotti said the Toffees, who like City have less than 48 hours to recover, are taking it game by game.

"We are there, we are pleased to be there," he told BT Sport. "We don't have a lot of time to think about it, because we have an important game in two days.

"This is unbelievable, I don't know how we are meant to play this game, but we have to."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton - Ben Godfrey

Signed from Norwich City at the end of the transfer window, Godfrey has been thrown in at the deep end by Ancelotti, playing at right-back and, in the last five games, at left-back. However, he has performed brilliantly, and should he play on Monday, will get the chance to put himself up against some of the league's best attackers.

Manchester City - Sergio Aguero

Having returned against Newcastle, it remains to be seen whether Aguero will be fit to start at Goodison Park. However, with Everton in such good form defensively - conceding only one goal in their last four league matches - the experienced forward may well be required to break a deadlock.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- Everton have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games against Manchester City (D4 L9), winning 4-0 in January 2017 at Goodison Park.

- City have lost their final league game in just one of the last 19 calendar years (W9 D9), with that defeat coming on Merseyside at the hands of Liverpool in 2016 (0-1).

- Everton have won their last two Premier League home games, beating Chelsea 1-0 and Arsenal 2-1. They last won three consecutively at Goodison Park between March-September 2019, a run of six that began with victories against Chelsea and Arsenal (beating Manchester United in the third game).

- City have scored just four goals in their last six Premier League away games (W2 D3 L1), and never more than once in a match in that run.

- Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson has been involved in four goals in 14 Premier League games this season (two goals, two assists), just one fewer than he had in 35 appearances last term.

- Since Guardiola took charge of Man City in 2016, Raheem Sterling has been involved in more goals in all competitions than any other player at the club, with his assist against Newcastle last time out his 150th goal involvement under the Spaniard (96 goals, 54 assists).

New on Sports Illustrated: Arsenal-Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Mikel Arteta conceded he has been left feeling drained after Arsenal's dismal run in the Premier League, though things now look brighter after a win over Chelsea.

Arsenal saw off their London rivals 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day, ending a seven-game winless streak in the league.

The Gunners sit 15th, one place and four points above Brighton and Hove Albion, who they face on Tuesday.

"It is draining, it is frustrating and it is painful," said Arteta, as reported by BBC Sport. "Obviously results-wise in the last few weeks we have all been suffering, I have been suffering. I feel very responsible for that.

"The worst feeling is because I want to do so well for this football club and at the moment we are in, I want to bring all my passion, the knowledge that I have, the right intentions to move as quickly as we possibly can as a football club.

"In order to do that we need to win football matches, to be stable and win. When I don't, I feel like I am letting the club down and the people that work for us, and obviously our fans."

Brighton put in a dominant display against West Ham on Sunday, yet it did not prove enough to claim a much-needed win, with the Hammers twice hitting back to secure a 2-2 draw.

"Frustrated, is the emotion at the moment, because we felt we did enough to get three points," Graham Potter, whose side have won just one game in 14 matches, told BBC Sport.

"We've had a lot of draws. That's where our work is. It sounds simple, but the work is on the training ground, to turn those little margins our way. Keep fighting, keep sticking together."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brighton and Hove Albion - Neal Maupay

Maupay made his 50th Premier League appearance against West Ham, scoring his 15th goal in that game. Only five French players have scored more in their first 50 appearances in the competition, while it was the most since Alexandre Lacazette scored 20 for Arsenal in his first 50 between August 2017 and December 2018.

Arsenal - Bukayo Saka

Saka scored Arsenal's third goal against Chelsea, audaciously lobbing Edouard Mendy, and the youngster was adamant it was indeed a shot, rather than a cross. The versatile winger has been a bright spark in what has so far been a poor season for the Gunners.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- Brighton won home and away league games against Arsenal last season - they have never won three in a row against the Gunners in league competition before.

- The Seagulls have won just one of their 16 home Premier League games in 2020, though that victory did come against Arsenal back in June. No team in Premier League history has won as few as one home game across an entire calendar year (excluding teams that were promoted/relegated).

- Since beating Fulham 3-0 away on the opening day this season, Arsenal have netted just three goals across their last six league games on the road.

- Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their 17 Premier League away games under Mikel Arteta - their previous six away shutouts came across a run of 44 games. However, the Gunners have not won any of their 11 away league games under Arteta in which they have conceded (D3 L8).

- Lacazette is Arsenal's top scorer in all competitions this season, with six goals. All four of his goals in the Premier League this season have been the opening goal of the game, accounting for 67 per cent of the times the Gunners have scored first in the competition this term.

New on Sports Illustrated: Wolverhampton-Manchester United Preview

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks Edinson Cavani could forge a longer-term career at Manchester United, saying the striker has "a few years left" at the highest level.

Cavani arrived on the October 5 deadline day at the end of the previous transfer window, and the 33-year-old has made a telling impact.

He scored twice and set up another to help United come from 2-0 down to beat Southampton 3-2 last month after netting his first goal in a win over Everton, and he also broke the deadlock in the 2-0 EFL Cup win at Goodison Park last week.

"At the moment, it looks like he's got a few years left in him," said Solskjaer, whose side face Wolves on Tuesday. "I wouldn't say anything else. He's made a great impact, so let's just focus on improving everyone.

"But he's got a few years left in him. I trust him, I trust my players, and we've got good competition for places. He'll probably start more games than he won't start.

"He's so meticulous, professional, his habits, everything about it shows why he's had the career he's had. Even at the age he is now, he's one of the fittest players we've got."

At the other end of the spectrum, Wolves are relying on youngsters Fabio Silva and Pedro Neto to lead their line in Raul Jimenez's absence.

"We have a squad of young players that we trust," Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports after a 1-1 draw with Spurs.

"It's up to us to choose the right moments. Probably if things hadn't gone the way they did with injuries we wouldn't see so many of these players playing together right now, but we want to see them grow, see them improve."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester United - Marcus Rashford

Rashford opened the scoring in United's 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Boxing Day. His cool finish took him onto 50 Premier League goals for the Red Devils - he is the third-youngest player to reach that total for the club, behind Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wolves - Pedro Neto

Neto, with four goals and three assists, has been directly involved in more goals in 15 Premier League games this season (seven) than in 29 last term (six).

KEY OPTA FACTS

- United have not lost any of their last nine home league games against Wolves (W6 D3), keeping six clean sheets in that run since a 0-1 loss in February 1980.

- Since returning to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves are unbeaten in all four of their league meetings with Manchester United (W1 D3), despite conceding the first goal in three of these matches.

- After a six game winless home run in the league, United have won two of their last three at Old Trafford (D1). The Red Devils scored as many goals in their 6-2 victory over Leeds as they had in their previous eight home league games combined.

- United have conceded at least twice in each of their last three Premier League games, only shipping 2-plus goals in more consecutively in the competition back in August 2001 (four). However, the Red Devils have avoided defeat in all three games (W2 D1), with West Ham the last side to have a longer unbeaten Premier League run while conceding two or more goals (five games in March/April 2016).

- Bruno Fernandes has both scored and assisted in 29 per cent of his Premier League appearances (eight out of 28) - the highest ratio of any player in the competition's history.

- Cavani has scored three goals and assisted twice in the Premier League, all as a substitute. He is one of only six players to see their first five Premier League goal involvements come as a sub, while only three players have had their first six goals or assists as a sub: Lomana Lua Lua, Theo Walcott and Erik Nevland.

New on Sports Illustrated: Leeds United-West Brom Preview

Sam Allardyce believes West Brom's display in their smash-and-grab draw at Anfield showed him that his team have the desire to avoid Premier League relegation.

Against the odds, the Baggies snatched a 1-1 draw against the champions thanks to Semi Ajayi's late header on Sunday.

They have little time for rest, with a home clash against fellow promoted side Leeds United coming up on Tuesday.

"Really good organisation, a team trying their very best to nullify the best team in this league at their own patch, and what a fantastic job they did," Allardyce told Sky Sports after the draw at Anfield.

"We're not the most constructive in terms of the amount of goals we score, that's obvious to see, so goals are precious to us.

"The lads have showed a lot of grit, determination, organisation and team spirit at a difficult place. I've seen the players telling me that they really want to stay in this division."

Leeds, meanwhile, bounced back from their 6-2 thrashing at Old Trafford with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley - Patrick Bamford's early penalty proving enough.

"We've had our ups and downs," Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said after Sunday's win, in which his team had less possession than the Clarets.

"Our objective is to be able to compete on an even keel with all our opponents in the Premier League, but it is not an easy task.

"For example, if you look at what happened at the end of the second half. We had to adapt to a situation we hadn't faced up until now and the result was in danger. So every game in the Premier League is a big challenge."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Brom - Karlan Grant

It would be expected that West Brom will play mostly on the counter yet again, meaning the onus will be on Grant - who missed a great chance against Liverpool - to convert those opportunities.

Leeds United - Pascal Struijk

Recalled into a makeshift three-man defence, youngster Struijk performed admirably against Burnley's attack on Sunday, and will be hoping to have a run in the team with the likes of Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Robin Koch struggling with injury.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- West Brom have lost just one of their last six home league games against Leeds (W4 D1), with that defeat coming in their only previous Premier League game against them at the Hawthorns in August 2002 (1-3).

- Leeds have only won their final league game in one of the last 10 calendar years (D3 L6), though that victory did come in their last game of 2019, a 5-4 thriller at Birmingham City.

- West Brom have conceded eight goals in their last two home Premier League games, losing 1-5 against Crystal Palace and 0-3 against Aston Villa. They last conceded three or more goals in three consecutive home Premier League games in April 2014.

- Allardyce has won just one of his four home games against Leeds in all competitions (D1 L2), with this his first meeting with the Whites since a 2-2 draw in charge of West Ham in August 2011.

- Leeds forward Bamford has scored 10 goals in 15 Premier League games for the Whites this season, the most by a player for a newly promoted club at this stage of a season since Kevin Phillips had scored 13 in 15 games for Sunderland in 1999-2000.

Here's why the Jets wouldn't tank for Trevor

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Daniel Jones must show Giants he is their franchise QB in pivotal finale against Cowboys

Joe Judge has not been bashful in his support of Daniel Jones. For two weeks straight, he's made it clear he believes the Giants have found their long-term franchise quarterback.

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Miami QB D'Eriq King suffers apparent right knee injury in Cheez-It Bowl

King's knee appeared to buckle as he was making a cut on a run in the second quarter.

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Under Center Podcast: Mailbag Tuesday: Do the Bears have a chance vs the Packers?

The weekly mailbag is back with questions from Under Center fans about the resurgent Bears.

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Michigan Wolverines Football: Kicker Quinn Nordin Ready To Give NFL A Shot

Michigan fifth-year senior Quinn Nordin's collegiate career is over. The kicker has chosen to prepare for the NFL draft after an uneventful 2020 season. Click the image to sign up for TheWolverine.

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Vikings sign Kyle Hinton off practice squad

The Vikings placed tight end Kyle Rudolph on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season and possibly his career in Minnesota. Rudolph might have to take a pay cut to return next season. He has a salary cap figure of $9.45 million in 2021 and cutting him would save the Vikings $5.1 million. But that’s a [more]

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Cleveland becomes a 10-point favorite on news that Pittsburgh will rest starters

The Browns have been given a big advantage in Sunday’s game against the Steelers, and the oddsmakers have noticed. Cleveland is now a 10-point favorite over Pittsburgh after the news that Mike Tomlin has decided not to play Ben Roethlisberger and other key starters on Sunday. The Browns opened as four-point favorites over the Steelers. [more]

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San Francisco 49ers sign LS Colin Holba, activate TE from COVID-19 list

The San Francisco 49ers signed longsnapper Colin Holba to the active roster for Taybor Pepper, who is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

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Browns put Harrison Bryant, Andrew Sendejo on COVID-19 list

The Browns were shorthanded in last Sunday’s loss to the Jets because they had to put multiple players on their reserve/COVID-19 list as close contacts of someone who tested positive, but they expect to have them back at work on Thursday. There are two new additions to the list on Tuesday, however. The team announced [more]

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Vikings place TE Kyle Rudolph on IR, sign G Kyle Hinton to active roster

The Minnesota Vikings made some roster moves on Tuesday: one includes placing TE Kyle Rudolph on IR.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/3hqh9jP

Mike Florio and Chris Simms see Steelers as a fit for Dwayne Haskins

Mike Florio and Chris Simms believe the Steelers could be the team to help Haskins turn his career around.

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Raiders activate Nicholas Morrow from COVID-19 list

The Raiders will have at least one of their defensive players back this week. Las Vegas activated linebacker Nicholas Morrow off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. Morrow missed Saturday’s loss to the Dolphins while on the list, and was declared out for the Week 15 contest against Indianapolis with a concussion/neck injury. Morrow has 67 [more]

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Was Younghoe Koo’s game-tying field goal blocked at line of scrimmage?

In the waning moments of Week 16, Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo lined up to kick a 39-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime.

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Sean McDermott: Cole Beasley called ‘week-to-week’ injury

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Clippers' hot start imploded in the worst half in NBA history. But they see positives

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New on Sports Illustrated: No. 5 Houston travels to Tulsa with perfect record in tow

The fifth-ranked Houston Cougars had rolled to a pair of easy victories following their 15-day pause of team activities caused by a COVID-19 outbreak, but an inevitable test awaited them.

That challenge came on Saturday night in Orlando in the form of a UCF squad coming off a road upset of then-No. 15 Florida State. Despite some ragged moments, Houston (7-0, 2-0 American) found a way to squeeze out a 63-54 victory that kept its perfect record intact.

"I refuse to overreact when we play poorly or really good because we just haven't had enough time to get in the gym with each other," Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said.

"I was proud that we found a way to win the game. I think that says a lot about our culture and the way our kids are built."

Houston will face Tulsa on Tuesday at the Reynolds Center armed with its full complement of talented guards. Injuries and the coronavirus had ravaged the Houston backcourt to varying degrees, but against UCF, the Cougars turned to their most able hands for deliverance.

While guard Marcus Sasser paced the Cougars with 19 points, it was guard Caleb Mills who helped carry the Cougars home with seven of his 12 points coming down the stretch.

Mills was the lone Houston player to score a field goal over the final seven minutes, carrying the offense just long enough until Houston finished 11-for-11 from the free-throw line in the final 2:24 to cap the triumph. Guard DeJon Jarreau sank the final four free throws.

"This game is a lesson for us," Mills said, "even though we won."

Tulsa (4-3, 1-1 American) recorded its third consecutive win with a 102-45 drubbing of Southwestern Christian on Dec. 23. The Golden Hurricane dropped their first game following a pair of postponements, a 69-65 conference setback to Wichita State, but has recovered in fine form.

The home victory over the Eagles featured freshman guard Keshawn Williams and senior Manny Ugboh recording career-high scoring totals of 20 points and 13 points, respectively. That duo shot a combined 14 of 15 from the floor with Williams adding nine assists and six rebounds.

Tulsa coach Frank Haith, whose 120th win at Tulsa moved him into third place in program history past Nolan Richardson, utilized 14 players in the easy victory, with 13 scoring in the contest. It marked the final scheduled nonconference game of the season for the Hurricane and a tune up for the challenges to come over the remainder of the American Conference slate.

"I've been a part of some games like this in the past and they've gotten ragged," Haith said. "I want to applaud our guys for playing it the right way.

"There were some things we wanted to get accomplished in the game. I really wanted Keshawn Williams and Keyshawn Embery to get some minutes at the 1, so we let Eli (guard Elijah Joiner) rest up. We needed a lot of guys to get court time and I'm really encouraged with what I saw. Hopefully, we can continue to grow over the holidays."

--Field Level Media

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: No. 24 Virginia Tech looks to continue fast start vs. Miami

No. 24 Virginia Tech has leaned on its depth during its strong start to the 2020-21 season.

With four players scoring in double figures, the host Hokies (7-1, 1-0 in ACC) look for a fourth straight win as they begin the rest of their ACC schedule Tuesday against the Miami Hurricanes (4-2, 0-1) in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech recently lost point guard Carter Diarra after he opted out prior to the Hokies' lone conference win over Clemson on Dec. 15.

But the trio of Keve Aluma (14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds per game), Nahiem Alleyne (11.6 points per game) and Tyrece Radford (10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game) have kept the Hokies on track.

And recently, sophomore guard Jalen Cone has come off their bench to score 18 points in back-to-back games.

"Cone is better off the ball -- but certainly a capable secondary ball-handler and can grab a long rebound, loose ball and bring it (up the court) and make proper decisions moving at full speed," Young recently told The Roanoke Times.

Cone is averaging 10.0 points and shooting 38.5 percent (15 of 39) from 3-point range.

"Coach (Mike) Young has had unlimited confidence in me, and he's been telling me to shoot the ball -- that he wants me to get back in the groove," Cone said after Virginia Tech's 84-58 win over Longwood last week. "Just hearing that from the man in charge definitely gives me confidence to knock down shots and take the shots that I know I can make."

Making shots especially from long range has been a major issue so far for Miami, which after a solid win over Purdue lost its ACC opener against Pittsburgh and was dealt a non-conference defeat by Florida Gulf Coast.

Even after a better 6-for-20 finish in their recent win over Jacksonville, the Hurricanes ranked 329th among 335 Division I teams in 3-point shooting percentage (.235) entering Sunday.

Part of the reason for such a poor output has been injuries to guards Chris Lykes and Kameron McGusty.

However, Miami coach Jim Larranaga hinted last week that both players could return for Tuesday's game.

The Canes also got a boost from the return of freshman Earl Timberlake, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half against Jacksonville.

"His presence on the court, some of his passes, his ball movement, his athletic ability I thought was very helpful," Larranaga said. "I think one of the things about Earl Timberlake is he's a great competitor, and he's going to do everything possible to win the game."

Isaiah Wong and Anthony Walker have continued to pace the Hurricanes through their mostly short-handed early slate.

Wong finished with 25 points against Jacksonville and is averaging 19.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Walker is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

"As games go on, my confidence continues to grow and I'm just going to keep on producing," Walker said. "This isn't the ceiling. I'm going to keep growing and we're going to keep improving as a team."

--Field Level Media

New on Sports Illustrated: No. 11 Rutgers looks to bounce back vs. Purdue

The first two conference games went well for No. 11 Rutgers. The third did not, especially in the second half.

The Scarlet Knights (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) look to rebound from their first loss of the season when they host the Purdue Boilermakers (7-3, 2-1) on Tuesday night in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec. 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec. 20 but were unable to duplicate their performances Wednesday and took an 80-68 loss at No. 23 Ohio State.

Rutgers held a 38-28 lead at halftime and led by 16 in the second half, but went eight minutes without a field goal while enduring a 20-1 run by the Buckeyes.

"Sometimes you have to adjust in the middle of all the obstacles," Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. "Today we had a lot of obstacles thrown at us. This is a tough league. We'll learn from it and bounce back."

The Scarlet Knights hope by Tuesday they will not be playing short-handed.

Standout freshman Cliff Omoruyi missed the game with a knee injury and Myles Johnson, who averages 8.6 rebounds, played 15 minutes before fouling out.

"We'll have to be more creative with our lineup when guys are out," Pikiell said. "We have to do a better job."

One thing the Scarlet Knights are banking on is another standout performance from Ron Harper Jr., whose 23.4 points per game ranked fourth in the league as of Sunday. Harper scored 20 points against Ohio State, his fifth game with at least 20 points this season.

Harper also hit four 3-pointers at Ohio State and is shooting 50 percent (25 of 50) from long distance this season.

Purdue enters Tuesday with the second-lowest scoring offense in the league at 72.5 points per game and has yet to score more than 75 points in any Big Ten game. The Boilermakers rebounded from a 70-55 loss at Iowa on Tuesday by posting a 73-70 home win over Maryland on Friday.

"We have to be more consistent I think that would be fair," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "I think there's a fine line when you find ways to win and last year we had some games where we didn't find ways to win where something would happen you'd crumble."

The Boilermakers beat Maryland by hitting 10 of 22 3-point tries despite a quiet game from Sasha Stefanovic. Stefanovic leads the Big Ten in 3-point percentage at 50.9 percent (29 of 57) but was held to five points and took just one shot in 30 minutes.

Instead, Purdue got 17 points from Brandon Newman and 16 from Eric Hunter Jr. Newman made three 3-pointers and Hunter made the go-ahead basket on a goaltending call with 38.4 seconds left after Purdue led by 13 at halftime.

"Tonight, it was making shots but our next game against Rutgers, it could be defending, it could be rebounding," Newman said.

Rutgers lost the first eight meetings against Purdue after joining the Big Ten before sweeping the series last season. The Scarlet Knights posted a 70-63 home win on Jan. 28 and recorded a 71-68 overtime win at Purdue on March 7.

--Field Level Media

New on Sports Illustrated: No. 18 Florida State faces overdue test at Clemson

It took 9 1/2 months, but Florida State and Clemson are ready to tipoff again.

The Seminoles and Tigers were on the court at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum last March for a showdown in the quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament when the game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teams will try again Tuesday night as Clemson hosts the second game of the Atlantic Coast Conference season for both squads.

Florida State (5-1, 1-0 ACC) is ranked No. 18, while Clemson (6-1, 0-1) has dropped from the polls after suffering its first loss of the season at Virginia Tech on Dec. 15.

"We've got great culture, great attitude," said Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton. "I think you'll see us keep growing and maturing, but we're still in developmental mode right now."

The Seminoles experienced a growing pain Dec. 19 when Central Florida rolled into town and handed Hamilton's team a 12-point loss -- the program's first at the Tucker Center since January 2018.

Florida State rebounded with a 72-59 win against Gardner-Webb but now faces a road game for the first time this season at Clemson.

"It's a dogfight," Hamilton said. "Seventy percent of ACC games are decided by four points or less."

Hamilton should know. His team was upset at Clemson last season, 70-69.

Coach Brad Brownell's Tigers are off to a solid start and boast more depth than at any point in Brownell's tenure. Clemson has 11 players averaging 10 or more minutes per game.

"It has been a good first part of the season," Brownell said. "We let one get away from us at Virginia Tech, but we're excited about where we are. Now we're trying to get recharged and ready to go in ACC play."

The Tigers have built their resume on defensive prowess. They are allowing only 54.4 points per game, which ranks them first in the ACC and seventh nationally. Clemson also is No. 1 in 3-point field-goal percentage defense in the ACC at 37.0.

Forward Aamir Simms leads Clemson in scoring (12.1 points per game) while guard Al-Amir Dawes is averaging 11.0 points. Nick Honor, a transfer guard from Fordham, has been a revelation, averaging 9.4 points and shooting 41.7 percent from three.

"Nick is just doing what Nick does -- he's a shot maker," Brownell said.

Guard M.J. Walker is the Seminoles' primary scoring threat; he's averaging 16.0 points per game and has made 92.1 percent of his free throws. Anthony Polite, Scottie Barnes and Balsa Koprivica also are averaging in double figures for Florida State.

"We'll keep scratching and clawing until we reach our potential," Hamilton said.

--Field Level Media

Kyle Shanahan says he believes Jimmy Garoppolo will be 49ers' starter in 2021

Kyle Shanahan said he believes Jimmy Garoppolo will return as the 49ers' starter, but he is not closing the door on other scenarios, either.

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The Patriots are likely shutting down Julian Edelman for the 2020 season

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Kyle Shanahan expects Jimmy Garoppolo to be 49ers’ quarterback in 2021

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Should the Bears invest in Mitch Trubisky?

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Reich gives some updates on the injuries.

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Titans K Stephen Gostkowski placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Titans placed kicker Stephen Gostkowski on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

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49ers place Taybor Pepper, Hroniss Grasu on COVID-19 list

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Overreaction Monday: Is Seahawks rookie Jordyn Brooks a future All-Pro?

It's time for Joe Fann's Overreaction Monday!

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9 takeaways from Packers’ blowout win over Titans

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Titans place Stephen Gostkowski on COVID-19 list

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Josh McDaniels addresses where Jarrett Stidham is in his development

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Tennessee Titans place Stephen Gostkowski on Reserve/COVID-19 List

Stephen Gostkowski of the Titans has landed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list

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Giants' playoff chances grow dimmer with 3rd straight loss

In a bid to keep their playoff hopes alive, the New York Giants needed at least one of two things to happen against Baltimore: Their recently hobbled quarterback had to efficiently direct a foundering offense, or their defense had to play stoutly against a team with a penchant for making opponents play from behind. As it turned out, the Giants could not pull off either task Sunday. The result was a 27-13 loss that left New York (5-10) hoping for a whole lot of help to extend its season beyond next week.

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Washington benches QB Dwayne Haskins; Taylor Heinicke to play under center

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Watch: Cowboys Lamb chops up Eagles secondary for huge catch-&-run TD

CeeDee Lamb hits a homerun and puts the Dallas Cowboys up 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Watch: Andy Dalton finds CeeDee Lamb for 52-yard TD pass

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson takes it to the pylon for first rushing touchdown since Week 9. This game is streaming live on the Yahoo Sports mobile app, or on NFL.com

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Bears’ unlikely turnaround with Mitch Trubisky, Matt Nagy is stunning

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Buffalo Bills already share their 2021 opponents

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Bengals beat Texans 37-31 for first road win since 2018

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor didn't hear a single complaint when he made his team practice in 10-degree weather on Christmas Day because the Bengals knew the preparation was important if they hoped to finally win a road game. ''It just tells you all you've got to know about the character and the resolve of this football team... I just couldn't be prouder of the work that they put in here in Week 16,'' Taylor said. It's the first road win for Taylor, who is in his second season, and the first time the Bengals (4-10-1) won away from Cincinnati since a 37-36 victory at Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2018.

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Darius Leonard blasts officials for questionable PI calls

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New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

New on Sports Illustrated: No title

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New on Sports Illustrated: Louisiana-Lafayette Tops UTSA in First Responder Bowl

Trey Ragas scored on a 1-yard plunge with 7:16 left, and No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette beat UTSA 31-24 in the First Responder Bowl.

DALLAS (AP) — Trey Ragas scored on a 1-yard plunge with 7:16 left and No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette beat UTSA 31-24 in the First Responder Bowl on Saturday at SMU’s Ford Stadium.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (10-1) drove 72 yards in 12 plays for the winning score after UTSA (7-5) overcame a 24-7 second-half deficit to tie it.

UTSA associate head coach/offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. directed the Roadrunners after first-year coach Jeff Traylor twice tested positive for COVID-19 this week and didn’t accompany the team.

Levi Lewis had first-half touchdown passes of 15 and 10 yards for Louisiana-Lafayette. Elijah Mitchell added a 3-yard touchdown run, and Kenneth Almendares kicked a 31-yard field goal, The Ragin’ Cajuns won their seventh straight game following a loss to Coastal Carolina in mid-October.

Frank Harris had touchdown passes of 29 yards and 10 yards and an 11-yard scoring run for the Roadrunners. Hunter Duplessis kicked a 20-yard field goal that tied with 13:32 left.

New on Sports Illustrated: Marks lifts Buffalo to 17-10 Camellia Bowl win over Marshall

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Kevin Marks looked like a super sub early, stalled against a stingy defense and then delivered the decisive blow.

Marks scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:09 left after a clock-eating drive and Buffalo made a final defensive stop to beat Marshall 17-10 in the Camellia Bowl on Friday.

Subbing for the national leader in rushing yards per game, Jaret Patterson, Marks carried 35 time for 138 yards for the Bulls (6-1) against one of the nation's top run defenses.

Buffalo milked more than six minutes off the clock on the final 13-play, 88-yard drive. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease took a knee on first down and coach Lance Leipold even considered calling for a second one for a team that had only made its first field goal of the season in the first half.

''Obviously. we needed every second we could get there toward the end,'' Leipold said.

Grant Wells then took Marshall (7-3), which had rallied from a 10-0 deficit, to the Buffalo 20 with no timeouts. Kadofi Wright's sack helped force a fourth-and-11 and Eric Black added his second sack to end the threat.

Both teams lost their conference championship games.

Buffalo improved to 2-3 in bowls, also beating Charlotte in the 2019 Bahamas Bowl. The Thundering Herd dropped their final three games after a 7-0 start and No. 15 ranking.

''We just didn't make enough plays offensively the last three weeks,'' Marshall coach Doc Holliday said.

The matchup between the nation's top rushing team and the No. 2 run defense lost some of its luster even before kickoff.

Patterson, who had 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns in six games, didn't dress out after sustaining a right knee injury in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game. He served as a cheerleader on the sideline.

''We thought it would be best for his future,'' James Patterson, Buffalo's linebacker and Jaret's brother, said of the prolific runner's decision not to play. ''That's all that went into it. Nothing else.''

Marks had 23 carries for 117 yards by halftime, though he was mostly shut down in the second half by a defense giving up just 88.9 rushing yards a game coming in. Marks said he found out he would be starting ''at the end of the week.'' He wasn't surprised yards were hard to come by.

''It was all about patience,'' he said. ''With a good defense like that you have to take what they give you.''

The Thundering Herd still held Buffalo to 155 rushing yards, half of its own average.

Marshall tied it on Shane Ciucci's 21-yard field goal with 8:48 left in the third quarter, and that's where the score stood until Marks' touchdown.

Like Buffalo, Marshall wasn't at full strength. Leading rusher Brenden Knox, C-USA defensive player of the year Tavante Beckett and starting right tackle Josh Ball opted out of the game. Beckett was one of three defensive starters missing.

It was the first NCAA bowl game played on Christmas Day since 2003.

THE TAKEAWAY

Marshall: The offense went nowhere early but the defense withstood early scoring threats to keep the game tight. Punter Robert Lefevre helped out with fourth-quarter punts of 59 and 61 yards.

Buffalo: Got zip out of two impressive drives to open the game. Alex McNulty missed a 34-yard field goal - falling to 0 of 3 on the season - and then the Bulls failed on a fourth-down try from the Marshall 25. ... McNulty made a 25-yarder in the second quarter.

RUIZ SCHOLARSHIP

Leipold gave receiver Jovany Ruiz a scholarship the night before the game, and Ruiz responded with seven catches for 61 yards. ''It looked like a pretty good move,'' the coach said.

HOLLIDAY'S FUTURE

Holliday wasn't interested in discussing his own future with a contract that expires on June 30. ''I haven't even thought about it,'' he said. ''I'm trying to go see my family for a little bit. You know what I mean?''

UP NEXT

Marshall: Wells returns after earning Conference USA freshman of the year honors to lead the offense. Most of the starting defenders return but Beckett was one of the program's top pass rushers.

Buffalo: Patterson and Vantrease are only juniors so Buffalo could get them back for another season. But three offensive line starters and three starting receivers are seniors and so is defensive end Malcolm Koonce, a two-time All-MAC selection.

---

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

Browns place 5 more on reserve/COVID-19 list including top 4 WRs

The Browns will be without Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones and Hodge vs. the Jets

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Dan Arnold fumble does no harm, but 49ers lead 14-6

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Lions and makeshift coaching staff struggle against Bucs

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WATCH: 49ers CB K’Waun Williams sacks QB Kyler Murray

Check out San Francisco 49ers cornerback K'Waun Williams get a sack on quarterback Kyler Murray coming from the slot on a blitz.

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Jarrett Stidham over Cam Newton? Josh McDaniels addresses Patriots' QB situation

Bill Belichick is done answering questions about who will start at quarterback, so Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels addressed the subject on Saturday.

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Grading Detroit Lions' loss to Bucs: Secondary gets worse than an F

Tampa Bay Bucs QBs Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert combined for 491 yards passing; Detroit Lions went 1-for-10 on third downs

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Denver Broncos place Phillip Lindsay on injured reserve

Phillip Lindsay's season and possibly his career in Denver is over after the Broncos placed him on injured reserve Saturday with hip and knee injuries. The Broncos (5-9) promoted running back LeVante Bellamy from their practice squad to serve as Melvin Gordon's backup Sunday against the Chargers (5-9) in Los Angeles. The Broncos also ruled out Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb (ankle) on Saturday.

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