BUDDY JOHNSON

Steelers Vikings Football Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King) (Andy Clayton-King)MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Never mind the comeback the Pittsburgh Steelers made in the second half. Mike Tomlin had seen enough before that, and the 15th-year coach was so upset he started benching players in search of a spark. “We will not be bashful about turning the stones over,” Tomlin said after Pittsburgh’s 36-28 loss Thursday night, when another fourth-quarter comeback fell short. Dalvin Cook ran for 205 yards, the most the Steelers have allowed since Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor rushed for 234 in 2000.

Never mind the comeback the Pittsburgh Steelers made in the second half.

Never mind the comeback the Pittsburgh Steelers made in the second half. Mike Tomlin had seen enough before that, and the 15th-year coach was so upset he started benching players in search of a spark. The defense gave up 176 yards rushing to the Minnesota Vikings in the first half.

Lawrence and standout running back Travis Etienne were teammates again, reunited in the NFL after spending three years together in college. 25, using their first two picks on college teammates for the first time since drafting UCLA tight end Marcedes Lewis (No. Miami paired Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle with his college quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. New England reconnected two pairs of college teammates: quarterback Mac Jones and defensive tackle Christian Barmore from Alabama; and defensive end Ronnie Perkins and running back Rhamondre Stevenson from Oklahoma. Since selecting guard Logan Mankins (first round) and defensive back James Sanders (fourth) from Fresno State in 2005, New England and coach Bill Belichick have drafted college teammates 12 times in 16 years.

Six NFL teams used the draft to reunite college teammates.

As the NFL celebrated the conclusion of an in-person draft on the shores of Lake Erie that went swimmingly one year after a virtual event caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, one main fact emerged.

“Now I want to see what do you follow up with?”Isaiah Spiller rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 21 Texas A&M beat fourth-ranked Florida 41-38 on Seth Small’s 26-yard field goal as time expired Saturday. Spiller helped get the Aggies get into position for Small’s decisive kick, sending A&M to its first win over a top-five team since a 41-38 victory over No. Florida led 28-24 early in the fourth when Spiller struck again, running 19 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-and-2 play. Spiller bounced off several defenders before waltzing into the end zone and then hitting the Florida fan section with a Gator chomp.

Briefly threatened early, Jones and the Crimson Tide (2-0) flexed their considerable big-play muscle in the passing game to put away the Aggies (1-1). “Our guys stayed the course and kept competing in the game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “We won, so it's a good game,” Jones said, when asked if it was his best performance. Smith, a converted receiver, emerged as another needed threat in the passing game. Alabama: Any questions about production of the Tide's passing game after Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III have been answered.