Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers 16-14, stay alive in chase for NFC South title
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The winner of the NFC South will be crowned at home watching on television. Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday. The Buccaneers need New Orleans to beat or tie Atlanta on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title. If the Falcons win, the Panthers will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.
Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and Blue Jays agree to $60 million, 4-year contract, AP sources say
TORONTO (AP) — Two people familiar with the negotiations tell The Associated Press that infielder Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $60 million, four-year contract. A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has a .277 average with 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 Japanese big league seasons, leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He homered off Colorado’s Kyle Freeland to help Japan beat the U.S. 3-2 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final. Under the posting agreement between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, a deal must be finalized by 5 p.m. EST Sunday.
Onetime NBA draft pick James Nnaji of Baylor gets frequent boos in college debut at TCU
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Onetime NBA draft pick James Nnaji drew plenty of boos in his college debut with Baylor at TCU. The 7-foot center from Nigeria finished with five points and four rebounds in the Bears’ 69-63 loss to the Horned Frogs. TCU fans jeered Nnaji every time he touched the ball. The 21-year-old didn’t return after picking up his fourth foul late in the game. Nnaji was drafted by Detroit in 2023. His draft rights have since been traded to Charlotte and New York. He played professionally in Europe but never signed an NBA contract.
Anthony Joshua returns to Britain after car crash that killed two friends in Nigeria
LONDON (AP) — British boxer Anthony Joshua has reportedly returned to the UK after a deadly crash in Nigeria. Two of his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, died when their vehicle hit a stationary truck near Lagos on Monday. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the crash and was released from the hospital on Wednesday. British media reported on Saturday that he returned to Britain ahead of his friends’ funerals. Ghami was his strength coach, and Ayodele was a trainer. The car’s driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was charged with dangerous driving, with the trial set for January 20. Joshua has family roots in Nigeria.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal dismisses hype around his team as he prepares for Fiesta Bowl
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Mario Cristobal doesn’t want to hear anyone say “The U Is Back.” The Miami Hurricanes are in the College Football Playoff semifinals, despite midseason losses and doubts from pundits. They’ve tied a school record with 12 wins and are close to their first national championship since 2001. But Cristobal isn’t focused on that. Miami faces Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. Cristobal emphasizes avoiding distractions and maintaining focus, a lesson he learned from former Alabama coach Nick Saban. All semifinal coaches have ties to Saban, sharing a focus on recruiting, schemes, and player development.
Matthews passes Mats Sundin to set Maple Leafs’ franchise record with his 421st career goal
NEW YORK (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews scored twice in the second period against the New York Islanders on Saturday night to pass Mats Sundin and set the franchise record for career goals with 421. His first goal tied Sundin at 420 when Matthews entered the offensive zone past Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, shifted the puck from his backhand to his forehand and slid it past goaltender David Rittich at 9:30 of the second period. It tied the score 1-1. Just 7:49 later, Matthews broke the record with his second of the game to put Toronto ahead, burying a cross-ice feed from Bobby McMann on a one-timer. Matthews is fourth all time in franchise points with 760, trailing Sundin (987), Darryl Sittler (916) and Dave Keon (858).
Hockey was already a big deal in Florida. Outdoor games might spark even more growth of the game
MIAMI (AP) — Florida’s hockey scene is booming, with the Panthers and Lightning dominating the NHL in recent years. Brad Marchand, a Panthers forward, notes the shift from fans supporting visiting teams to strong local support. The Panthers have become a hot ticket, moving past relocation rumors. Outdoor games in Miami and Tampa are fueling excitement. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praises the Panthers’ fan base and the success of recent events. The league’s impact is growing, with local schools receiving synthetic rinks and equipment. The NHL hopes these efforts will inspire the next generation of Florida hockey players.
Jordan Stolz falls in the 1,000 at the US Olympic trials but the star speedskater will go to Milan
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Star speedskater Jordan Stolz shockingly stumbled to the ice at the start of the men’s 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating. But he still finished with the third-fastest time and will head to the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Stolz lost his footing and tripped after fewer than three seconds and five strides at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee on Saturday. He quickly rose and continued to race. Stolz, a 21-year-old from Wisconsin, is considered a medal contender in at least three events at the Games next month. Earlier Saturday, Erin Jackson qualified in the women’s 1,000 by finishing faster than world record-holder Brittany Bowe.