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Vikings star Justin Jefferson has found social media heat frustrating on long road to recovery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson has been frustrated about being sidelined by a hamstring injury while the Minnesota Vikings try to recover from a slow start and make the playoffs. Taking heat from fantasy football players on social media about his absence hasn’t helped him handle the time away.Jefferson posted a message on his since-deactivated X account this week in which he reminded his critics that his health is more important than their fantasy teams.“I’ve been getting it for five, six weeks now,” Jefferson told reporters Friday before practice. “I’m just tired of it. It’s frustrating and it’s draining to want to be out there on the field, wanting to play and then all of these other sources saying different things that are not true on how you’re feeling.”Jefferson has missed the past six games. He was designated for return two weeks ago and returned to practice but has yet to be cleared for game action. Jefferson said he’s been “getting to top speeds,” but his status for Mo...

No. 21 Iowa escapes Nebraska with late interception, field goal by backup kicker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Backup kicker Marshall Meeder barely cleared the crossbar with a 38-yard field goal as time ran out after Ethan Hurkett’s interception gave Iowa a final possession with 15 seconds left, and the Hawkeyes beat Nebraska 13-10 on Friday.Meeder, a senior transfer from Central Michigan, was given his first opportunity to kick for Iowa at the most pressure-packed moment after Drew Stevens had two field-goal tries blocked in the first half.Teammates hoisted Meeder on their shoulders, and he held the Heroes Trophy that goes to the winner of the rivalry game as the Hawkeyes celebrated at midfield while officials determined whether any time remained on the clock.The Hawkeyes (10-2, 7-2, No. 17 CFP), who clinched the Big Ten West title last week, earned a 10th win for the fourth time since 2015 and eighth under 25th-year coach Kirk Ferentz.The Cornhuskers (5-7, 3-6) lost four straight to end Matt Rhule’s first season as coach. Their bowl drought will stretch to seven years,...

NBA investigating accusation that Thunder’s Josh Giddey had relationship with underage girl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

The NBA says it is investigating an accusation that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey had an improper relationship with an underage girl.In a since-deleted post, an anonymous social media user said a girl who is seen with Giddey in videos and photographs was a high school junior at the time. The social media account has since been deactivated.Giddey is an Australian who turned 21 in October.“We’re looking into it,” Michael Bass, an NBA spokesman, said Friday.Giddey had no comment when questioned Friday at practice.“Yeah, I mean, I understand the question, obviously,” he said. “But there’s no further comment right now.”When asked again, he said: “I get the question guys. I completely understand you guys want to know about it. But just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said it was a personal matter and he had no comment.Giddey is averaging 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists for an Oklahoma City team that is off to an 11-4 start.A f...

Man City’s Erling Haaland could play against Liverpool on Saturday despite injury scare

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Erling Haaland could play in Manchester City’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday despite an injury scare while on international duty with Norway. Haaland suffered a knock against the Faroe Islands last week and did not feature for his country against Scotland on Sunday. But City manager Pep Guardiola said Friday the striker was in contention for the top of the table clash with Liverpool. “He trained yesterday with some niggles,” he said. “Today we are in the last training, hopefully he can play a part.”Haaland has scored 20 goals in 22 appearances for club and country this season. Defending champion City is one point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the table. City and Liverpool have been the dominant teams in English soccer’s top flight in recent years and Jurgen Klopp looks set to challenge Guardiola again after rebuilding his team. Liverpool challenged for an unprecedented clean sweep of trophies two seasons ago, but last te...

Giants play host to Bill Belichick and the Patriots in a matchup of struggling teams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-8) AT N.Y. GIANTS (3-8)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FoxBETTING LINE: Patriots by 3 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsbookAGAINST THE SPREAD: Patriots 2-8; Giants 3-7-1.SERIES RECORD: Patriots lead 7-6.LAST MEETING: Patriots beat the Giants 35-14 on Oct. 10, 2019, at Foxborough, Massachusetts.LAST WEEK: Patriots had a bye; Giants beat the Commanders 31-19.PATRIOTS OFFENSE: OVERALL (26), RUSH (27), PASS (22), SCORING (31)PATRIOTS DEFENSE: OVERALL (16), RUSH (9), PASS (T18), SCORING (T23)GIANTS OFFENSE: OVERALL (32), RUSH (13), PASS (32), SCORING (32)GIANTS DEFENSE: OVERALL (28), RUSH (29), PASS (22), SCORING (28)TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Patriots minus-6; Giants plus-3.PATRIOTS PLAYER TO WATCH: Whoever starts at quarterback. Mac Jones has started every game this season, but Bailey Zappe has relieved him three times — in two blowouts and again at the end of a 10-6 loss to the Colts on Nov. 12. Zappe was 3 of 7 for 25 yards and finished by throwing an interception on a fake-sp...

No. 7 LSU routs Niagara in Cayman Islands Classic with Angel Reese still out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Aneesah Morrow had 28 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 7 LSU, which once again was playing without Angel Reese, beat Niagara 99-65 in the Cayman Islands Classic on Friday.Reese didn’t make the trip to the Cayman Islands and missed her third straight game for the defending national champions.A smoke alarm emptied the gym before the game and delayed the tip by about 40 minutes and the Purple Eagles kept it close in the opening minutes, stealing an LSU inbounds pass and scoring to cut the Tigers’ lead to 7-6.The Tigers (6-1) used a 21-0 run midway through the first half to pull away and led by as many as 42 at one point in the third.No. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA 101, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 19COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kamilla Cardoso had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as South Carolina won its record-tying 45th straight home game over Mississippi Valley State.This one was never in doubt as the Gamecocks (5-0) led by double digits just five minutes in, b...

Joburg Open Scores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

FridayAt Houghton GCJohannesburgPurse: $19.1 millionYardage: 7,227; Par: 70Second RoundNikhil Rama, South Africa65-62—127Thriston Lawrence, South Africa62-66—128Dean Burmester, South Africa68-62—130Jacques Kruyswijk, South Africa66-64—130Zander Lombard, South Africa66-65—131Jaco Prinsloo, South Africa66-66—132Darren Fichardt, South Africa66-67—133Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa69-66—135Dan Bradbury, England66-69—135Manuel Elvira, Spain71-64—135Ross Fisher, England70-65—135Dylan Frittelli, South Africa68-67—135Deon Germishuys, South Africa68-67—135Chase Hanna, United States69-66—135Dylan Mostert, South Africa68-67—135Tapio Pulkkanen, Finland69-66—135Jeppe Kristian Andersen, Denmark70-66—136Sam Bairstow, England72-64—136Bryce Easton, South Africa69-67—136Casey Jarvis, South Africa68-68—136Jayden Trey Schaper, South Africa66-70—136Andy Sullivan, England66-70—136Adri Arnaus, Spain68-69—137Oliver Bekker, South Africa70-67—137Daniel Brown, England69-68—137Louis De Jager, South Afric...

Ball State takes down Arkansas-Pine Bluff 92-74

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Basheer Jihad’s 18 points helped Ball State defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 92-74 on Friday.Jihad also contributed 11 rebounds for the Cardinals (5-1). Mickey Pearson Jr. scored 17 points while shooting 6 for 12, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. Davion Bailey shot 6 for 10, including 4 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 16 points.Joe French led the way for the Golden Lions (3-4) with 29 points. Kylen Milton added 15 points for UAPB. Rashad Williams also had 11 points, five assists and two steals.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Madlock scores 25, Alabama State takes down N.C. A&T 88-73

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Antonio Madlock scored 25 points as Alabama State beat N.C. A&T 88-73 on Friday.Madlock added six rebounds for the Hornets (2-4). Isaiah Range scored 13 points while going 5 of 10 (3 for 6 from 3-point range). CJ Hines shot 2 of 3 from the field and 5 for 8 from the line to finish with 10 points.The Aggies (0-5) were led in scoring by Jeremy Robinson, who finished with 18 points. N.C. A&T also got 16 points and six assists from Camian Shell. ___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Hubbard puts up 18, Western Michigan beats SE Louisiana 68-67

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:03 GMT

NICEVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Seth Hubbard scored 18 points, hitting a jumper with 4.5 seconds left, as Western Michigan beat SE Louisiana 68-67 in the Emerald Coast Classic on Friday.Hubbard had six rebounds for the Broncos (1-4). Owen Lobsinger scored 14 points and added eight rebounds and three steals. Brandon Muntu shot 4 for 9, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points.Dylan Canoville led the way for the Lions (1-4) with 14 points and three steals. SE Louisiana also got 12 points, five assists and four steals from Avery Wilson. Roger McFarlane also had nine points and two steals.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source