Clemson reaches the Elite Eight for the first time since 1980, beating Arizona 77-72
Chase Hunter scored 18 points and converted a three-point play with 25.7 seconds remaining, and Clemson advanced to the Elite Eight for the second time in school history, beating Arizona 77-72 in a West Region semifinal.
The Latest: North Carolina men's hoops seeking a home game
The programโs official Twitter account posted Monday that the Tar Heels are seeking a home game for this week. 18 Virginia Tech was postponed, the third Atlantic Coast Conference home game called off for the program. ___Vanderbilt says a limited number of students from its senior class can attend the menโs basketball home game Wednesday with Kentucky. ___The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Monday that Clemson's men's basketball game at Notre Dame scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues. AdThe conference says in a release that the postponement follows a positive test, subsequent quarantining, and contact tracing within the Clemson menโs program.
Expected top pick Lawrence throws for Meyer, NFL teams
FILE - Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans, in this Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)CLEMSON, S.C. โ Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence worked out for several NFL personnel including his expected future pro coach, Urban Meyer of the Jacksonville Jaguars. While 16 NFL teams attended, the 6-foot-6 Lawrence with the cannon arm and flowing air doesn't figure to get past the Jaguars. Lawrence threw for 3,153 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions while missing two games after testing positive for COVID-19 in October. He said he wanted to perform for NFL teams to show he's no different than anyone else applying for a job.
Alabama follows up title by finalizing star-studded class
The recruiting class that Alabama finalized Wednesday has the highest rating in the history of the 247Sports Composite team rankings, which go back to 2010. Steve Wilfong, the director of recruiting for 247Sports, notes this celebrated Alabama class arrives as most of the Tideโs decorated 2017 class departs. AdโYouโre replacing one of the best recruiting classes ever for what they accomplished with maybe the best recruiting class on paper coming in,โ Wiltfong said. While plenty of SEC teams joined Alabama in signing impressive classes, Ohio State stood out from its Big Ten foes. All three were quarterbacks, with Bryce Young enrolling at Alabama, DJ Uiagalelei selecting Clemson and CJ Stroud selecting Ohio State.
NFL draft early entry list has 3 national title-winning QBs
National champion Alabama has five players leaving early after beating Ohio State in the CFP title game on Jan. 11, with All-America quarterback Jones and linebacker Dylan Moses both early graduates. The 30 players with college eligibility remaining after completing their degree requirements had to notify the NFL of their intentions for the draft. Players less than four years removed from high school who have not completed a degree need to be granted special entry to the draft by the NFL. Southern California has the most players leaving early for NFL draft eligibility with six. Stanford and Ohio State matched Alabama with five each.
The Latest: 3 Mavericks players out under COVID-19 protocols
The people say one was because of a positive test for COVID-19 and the other two for contact tracing protocols. On the womenโs side, the Cavaliers remain in COVID-19 protocols and havenโt played since Dec. 13 with four straight games postponed. LSU will visit Mississippi on Saturday night after both teams had their originally scheduled games postponed. ___Defender Matthijs De Ligt is the third Juventus player to test positive for COVID-19 in a week. ___The Georgia State menโs basketball team postponed games against Troy on Friday and Saturday and paused all team activities following multiple positive COVID-19 tests.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence declares for NFL draft
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has made it official โ heโs heading to the NFL. โI really feel like I'm a man now and I'm ready to take on those challenges,โ Lawrence said. The Jaguars finished 1-15 and have the top pick in the draft and are expected to take Lawrence. He finished 34-2 in his college career, leading Clemson to three Atlantic Coast Conference titles and the national title after the 2018 season.
Reported virus issues at Ohio St raise specter of CFP delay
Ohio State won 49-28. AL.com reported that Ohio State has been in contact with CFP officials about possible player availability problems that could force the game to be delayed. For Ohio State, though, it has been an especially bumpy road. The Big Ten initially canceled the fall football season in August, only to reverse course in September. Ohio State played its final regular-season game and the Big Ten championship game missing more than 20 players for each.
Ohio State coach Day expects QB Fields to play vs Alabama
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day hugs quarterback Justin Fields after their win against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Ohio State won 49-28. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Ohio State coach Ryan Day says he expects Justin Fields to play in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Alabama after the quarterback was banged up during the semifinals. Fields missed only one play and finished with six touchdown passes in Ohio Stateโs 49-28 victory. Buckeyes running back Trey Sermon took Fields' place on the call.
Clemson star QB Lawrence sputters in Superdome again
And with that, Lawrenceโs bid to finish an extraordinary college football career with his second national championship in three seasons slipped away. 2 Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Friday night. โObviously they kicked our butt tonight," Lawrence said. Lawrence is one of four finalists, along with Alabama QB Mac Jones, Crimson Tide receiver Davonta Smith and Florida QB Kyle Trask. Still, he'll be remembered as one of the faces of college football โ on the field and off โ during a tumultuous junior year.
Clemson linebacker Skalski ejected for hit on Fields
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields runs past Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)NEW ORLEANS โ Clemson starting middle linebacker James Skalski has been ejected from the Sugar Bowl for a tackle that knocked Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields out of the game for one play. Officials concluded that Skalski committed targeting by leading with the crown of his helmet when he hit Fields in the ribs. After that touchdown, Fields was 12 of 13 for 173 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He entered the Sugar Bowl with 39 tackles, including 3 1/2 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in eight games.
Notre Dame better in Texas, but loses again in semifinals
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) is sacked by Alabama defensive lineman Byron Young (47) in the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Ian Book had Notre Dame moving with a chance to get within a touchdown of No. Notre Dame beat the Tigers 47-40 in November while Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sidelined because of a positive COVID-19 test. โI donโt have a unique problem at Notre Dame,โ Kelly said. Everybody can keep saying, you know, Notre Dame is not good enough.
Sugar Bowl features Clemson-Ohio State CFP semifinal rematch
3 Ohio State (6-0, No. ... Clemson beat Ohio State 29-23 in a Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal last season. ... All of Clemson's victories over Ohio State have come in bowl games, including the Orange Bowl at the end of the 2013 season and the 1978 Peach Bowl. ... Clemson is making its third Sugar Bowl appearance and is seeking its first Sugar Bowl win. ... Ohio State is making its sixth Sugar Bowl appearance and has won its last three, including a 42-35 triumph over Alabama in the first CFP semifinal on Jan. 1, 2015.
The Latest: K-State pauses all women's basketball activities
Clemsonโs offense led the Atlantic Coast Conference at 44.9 points a game and with 343.8 yards passing per game this season. The announcement Wednesday comes amid positive COVID-19 tests, quarantining and contact tracing for the host Cavaliers. The Cardinals later paused all team-related activities after there was a positive COVID-19 test within their program while the Blue Devils decided to end their season due to safety concerns. โBut we have a lot to go through right now.โPerine is the first Jets player to test positive this season. ___The Cleveland Browns have two more positive COVID-19 cases โ another player and a staff member โ as they prepare for Sundayโs finale against the Steelers.
Sacrifice and stress: How players handled season of COVID-19
Probably go pick up some food," Notre Dame offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg said. 4 Notre Dame had to go a combined 37-2 on the field and keep the virus at bay. Alabama faces Notre Dame in the relocated Rose Bowl at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. Notre Dame and Ohio State were more cautious, keeping their players on campus over the recent holiday weekend. Notre Dame had a virus outbreak pause its season for about two weeks in late September.
Jaguars set sights on Trevor Lawrence after years of failure at QB
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) makes a pass during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Jacksonville Jaguars have botched the quarterback position repeatedly over the past two decades. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft Sunday, gaining a stronghold on Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence the same day they set a team record for futility. The only thing standing in the way of the small-market team drafting Lawrence is the juniorโs decision to turn pro. โSigning Nick Foles: The Jaguars gave Foles a four-year, $88 million deal in 2019 free agency that included $50.125 million guaranteed.
Alabama's Jones, Smith, Harris lead 6 Tide AP All-Americans
Lawrence, the likely first pick in the next NFL draft, made AP All-America for the first time in his career. ___The 2020 AP All-America team:FIRST TEAMOffenseQuarterback โ Mac Jones, junior, Alabama. Running backs โ Najee Harris, senior, Alabama; Breece Hall, sophomore, Iowa State. Guards โ Ben Cleveland, senior, Georgia; Tommy Kraemer, senior, Notre Dame. Safeties โ Kyle Hamilton, sophomore, Notre Dame; Tykee Smith, sophomore, West Virginia.
Heisman finalists: Tide teammates plus Lawrence and Trask
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco, File)Alabama teammates Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith along with Clemsonโs Trevor Lawrence and Floridaโs Kyle Trask have been named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Jones and Smith are the eighth set of teammates to be finalists together since the tradition started in 1982. Smith is trying to become the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991. Jones or Smith would become Alabama's third Heisman winner, but first that is not a running back. Iowa State running back Breece Hall was sixth, followed by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.
STAT WATCH: Numbers reflect dominance of Alabama, Clemson
Both teams flexed their muscles in winning their respective conference championship games. The last time Alabama was held below 35 points came in a 44-16 loss to Clemson in a CFP championship game to cap the 2018 season. Clemsonโs 34-10 Atlantic Coast Conference championship game rout of Notre Dame improved Trevor Lawrence's record as a starting quarterback to 34-1. San Jose State and Ball State will face off in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 31. San Jose State is seeking to complete its first unbeaten season since a 13-0 finish in 1939.
Clemson and Ohio State get CFP rematch in Sugar Bowl
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)COLUMBUS, Ohio โ Shortened schedule and all, Ohio State is headed back to the College Football Playoff and a familiar foe will be waiting. Barta, the Iowa athletic director, said โthere was no dissension in the roomโ over putting Ohio State in. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he wasn't surprised Ohio State got in with fewer games โbecause thatโs what the committee has demonstrated over the past few weeks. We all know Ohio State is an incredibly talented team.โThe loss to Clemson in the playoff last year landed hard and lingered for the Buckeyes, Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on ESPN. It'll be different this time with less than two weeks between the conference championship game and the semifinal.
CFP: Alabama-Notre Dame, Clemson-Ohio St as Aggies left out
Notre Dame was picked Sunday over Texas A&M for the final spot, ending what little drama there had been. Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State have also held the first four spots in the AP Top 25 since Oct. 25. The Atlantic Coast Conference is the second league to have two teams in the playoff, joining the SEC in 2017. After sitting second in the CFP rankings for a month, Notre Dame was blown out 34-10 by Clemson in the ACC championship. Barta said the disparate number of games played by contenders โ along with far fewer cross-conference games than usual โ- was a challenge for the committee all season.
Lawrence, No. 4 Clemson rout No. 2 Notre Dame for ACC title
2 Notre Dame 34-10 on Saturday to win its sixth straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship. Clemson allowed Notre Dame to pile up 518 yards in the previous meeting, but limited the Fighting Irish (10-1) to 263 yards Saturday and sacked quarterback Ian Book six times. The momentum changed late in the first quarter when Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Doerer, who had converted an ACC title-game record 51-yard field goal on the game's opening drive, clanked a 21-yard attempt off the right upright. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish could get nothing going in the passing game. Notre Dame: Notre Dame hopes to edge No.
Bama, Ohio St add 5-stars while preparing for champ games
โI could be here all day talking about how different this is,โ Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on the Big Ten Network. As of late Wednesday afternoon, Alabama had signed five of them and was expected to land at least one more. Even with the coach's future still to be determined, day signing was OK for the Wolverines. On the positive side for the Wolverines on signing day: In-state running back Donovan Edwards, a four-star, signed with Michigan. Smith had indicated his final decision would come down to a choice between LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Miami.
'Bama, ND, Clemson, OSU enter champ weekend in CFP position
(AP Photo/Michael Woods)Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State will enter championship weekend in position to make the College Football Playoff with very little drama. The unbeaten Bearcats host Tulsa, which is 23rd, in the American Athletic Conference title game. The semifinals are scheduled to be played Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The current COVID-19 restrictions in California will prohibit the Rose Bowl from having any fans in attendance, including family members of the players. Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick is also a part of the management committee.
AP Top 25: Coastal breaks into top 10; Alabama still No. 1
25 San Jose State is this week's upstart. How they persevered through all kinds of challenges.โThis San Jose State team showed progress last year, going 5-7 after winning three games total in Brennan's first two seasons. San Jose State had to relocate to practice at first and then to play. CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKENDNine of the 10 FBS conference championship games will feature at least one ranked team and six will match Top-25 teams. 25 San Jose State, Mountain West championship.
The Latest: SEC championship game to have crowd of 16,500
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Southeastern Conference championship game between No. This will be the ninth time Alabama and Florida have met in the SEC title game, which has been played in Atlanta since 1994. It was moved to take the place of the Michigan-Ohio State game, which was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Wolverinesโ program. ___UConn has postponed a second menโs basketball game as it continues to deal with a playerโs positive coronavirus test. Should the game be played, the winner of the Washington-Oregon matchup will be Pac-12 North champions and play in the conference title game on Dec. 18.
Ohio State still 4th in CFP rankings after cancellation
Ohio State (4-0) had to cancel its game at Illinois last week because of a spike in COVID-19 cases in the program. HERBSTREIT APOLOGYESPN's Kirk Herbstreit caused a commotion with some of his analysis regarding Ohio State, Michigan and teams using COVID-19 as an excuse to not play. The Wolverines (2-4) are scheduled to host Maryland this week and play at Ohio State on Dec. 12. โI still think Michigan waves the white flag, potentially avoids playing Ohio State next week,โ Herbstreit said. the former Ohio State quarterback said.
Notre Dame mandates coronavirus testing after football celebration
INDIANAPOLIS โ University of Notre Dame students are now subject to mandatory coronavirus testing with stricter penalties if they leave town before getting their test results after thousands of fans stormed the football field and threw parties to celebrate a double-overtime upset over Clemson. All Notre Dame students are required to undergo coronavirus testing before they leave South Bend for the extended winter break, Notre Dame President the Rev. Following the win, Notre Dame moved up two spots to No. Notre Dame reported 24 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 220 active cases overall. The university has reported 1,355 positive cases since the start of the fall semester.
No. 4 Notre Dame sacks No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in double OT
4 Notre Dame shut down top-ranked Clemson with a couple of sacks to seal a 47-40 win Saturday night. 1 for the first time since taking down Florida State in 1993 at Notre Dame Stadium. Uiagalelei, starting in place of Trevor Lawrence for a second week, passed for 439 yards, the most ever by a Notre Dame opponent. Notre Dame: Avery Davis came to South Bend as a quarterback and has been moved to running back, receiver and defensive back. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish are at Boston College, which might bring back some bad memories for Notre Dame fans.
NBC to cut away from Clemson-Notre Dame for Biden speech
ESPN College Gameday hosts Davis, David Pollack and Kirk Herbstreit prepare for their live broadcast from Notre Dame Stadium before the NCAA college football game between the Notre Dame and the Clemson in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)NBC says it will cut away from the football game between No. 4 Notre Dame on Saturday night to show Democrat Joe Bidenโs first speech as president-elect. The game will move back to NBC after coverage of the speech concludes. 1 team to play at Notre Dame since 2005.
AP Top 25: No. 2 Alabama closes gap with Clemson; Liberty in
2 Alabama heading into a huge ACC matchup at fourth-ranked Notre Dame this week. The rest of the top five remained the same, with Ohio State at No. 1 on their ballots had Clemson third behind Ohio State. Penn State had the fourth-longest active streak behind Alabama (205), Ohio State (138) and Clemson (94). 4 Notre Dame: Another โbiggest game of the yearโ โ until the next one.
Clemson coach: QB Lawrence will not start vs. Notre Dame
CLEMSON, S.C. โ Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will not play for the top-ranked Tigers at No. 4 Notre Dame next week after testing positive for COVID-19. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Lawrence would miss his second straight week because of the virus. Freshman backup DJ Uiagalelei will make his second college start with Lawrence sidelined. The coach said Lawrence spoke to the team that day via Zoom.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence tests positive for COVID-19
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID-19, putting into doubt whether the face of college football will be available to play the top-ranked Tigers' biggest game of the season. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement released by the school Thursday night that Lawrence is in isolation with mild symptoms. Swinney said Lawrence would miss Clemson's game Saturday against Boston College. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for a minimum of 10 days. He led the Tigers (6-0) to a national championship as a freshman and back to the College Football playoff championship game last season.
Clemson QB Lawrence: 'I have the option' to leave or stay
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is leaving the door open about his football future despite previously saying he planned on heading to the NFL following this his junior season. But on Tuesday, Lawrence said he hasn't ruled out returning to Clemson for another year instead of going pro. There's a lot of things that could happen.โAt the forefront could be which NFL team is in line to draft Lawrence. Lawrence, from Cartersville, Georgia, has a 31-1 record as a starting college quarterback and has the top-ranked Tigers (6-0) in line for a sixth consecutive ACC title and trip to the College Football Playoff. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
No. 1 Clemson wakes up late to beat Syracuse 47-21
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)CLEMSON, S.C. โ Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has seen plenty of tight games against Syracuse. 1 Clemson used a late boost to pull away to a 47-21 victory after Syracuse drew with a score at 27-21. Syracuse (1-5, 1-4 ACC), a 45-point underdog, rallied from 17-0 down to draw within a touchdown late in the third quarter before Clemson regained its footing. The Syracuse Orange couldn't finish this one off, however.
AP Top 25: Clemson remains overwhelming No. 1 over Alabama
POLL POINTSWhen it comes to winning games against ranked teams, Alabama coach Nick Saban is the best ever. Even before beating Georgia, Saban held the record for most victories against AP top-five teams (now 25) and top-10 teams (now 42). The average number of games played in a college football season is also longer now than ever before. The conference has had three of its teams ranked at one point or another. 23 North Carolina State is ranked for the first time since 2018.
Kingโs 4 TD passes lead No. 13 Miami past Pittsburgh, 31-19
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. โ Miami avoided the post-Clemson letdown and now can set its sight on remaining in the conference championship picture. โWe were disappointed and a little bit angry coming off last week,โ Miami coach Manny Diaz said. But Miami regained its double-digit advantage on Kingโs 45-yard touchdown pass to Mallory. โThey make you earn every single thing.โThe Hurricanes struck first on Kingโs 35-yard touchdown pass to CamโRon Harris midway through the first quarter. King connected with Mallory on a 6-yard score with 6:44 left in the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.
Miami vs. Pittsburgh: How to watch, stream, listen
All rights reserved)MIAMI โ The Miami Hurricanes will host the Pittsburgh Panthers at noon on Saturday. Pittsburgh trails Miami in the series 11-27-1Quarterback DโEriq King is off to a good start this year. He has thrown for 857 yards, 6 touchdowns, two interceptions, ran for 241 yards, and has posted two rushing TDs. Al Blades Jr. and Zach McCloud have been the stars on defense for Miami this year. Miami is a 10.5-point Las Vegas favoriteWhat is the total for the game?
Whoโs Boss? No. 1 Clemson powers past No. 7 Miami 42-17
Miami entered as the ACC leader in offense at 499 yards a game. Potter out for a 61-yard field field with 3 seconds remaining. Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said Lawrence had the wind knocked out of him and his quick return uplifted the Tigers. Lawrence ended with 292 yards, completing 29 of 41 and went without an interception for a 12th straight game. Clemson: The Tigers have been in four of the last five matchups of Top-10 ACC teams โ and won them all.