ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jack Sawyer had the kind of moment that will live on long past his playing days with Ohio State. Of course, one more victory would make it that much sweeter.

Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers — his former roommate — and returned the fumble 83 yards for the clinching touchdown in a 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, giving the Buckeyes a shot at their sixth AP national title.

“We talked before the game about how do you leave a legacy is to become your old legend. And there’s some guys on this team today that I believe will become legends in Ohio State history,” coach Ryan Day said. “Now they get 10 more days together, and an opportunity to tell their story if they go win one more.”

Led by Ohio native Sawyer and Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two touchdowns, the Buckeyes (13-2) posted the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions when the College Football Playoff debuted with a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the first season with an expanded 12-team field.

Ohio State plays Orange Bowl champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cfp-notre-dame-ohio-state-texas-276477d7ff38e93a3625632d515f189b">Notre Dame</a>&nbsp;in Atlanta on Jan. 20. It could be quite a finish for the Big Ten Buckeyes after they lost to rival Michigan on Nov. 30.

Sawyer got to Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball loose before scooping it up and lumbering all the way to the other end zone with 2:13 left. It was the longest fumble return in CFP history.

“I saw the ball pop out right to me after I tackled him, I was just thinking, I’ve got to stay on my feet, because I almost blacked out when I scooped it and saw a bunch of green grass ahead of me,” Sawyer said.

Ewers and Sawyer were roommates in Columbus for one semester before the quarterback transferred home to Texas. Ewers helped lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals, but next season will be their 20th since winning their last national title with Vince Young in 2005.

“I felt him. I started drifting away, thought I was going to be able to get the ball off before he got there,” Ewers said. “I saw Jack running with the ball down the sideline. ... Jack’s a good player made a great play.”

Texas had moved to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone, before Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss. Ewers then threw a third-down incompletion while being pressured by Sawyer on the play before the defensive touchdown.

“He’s everything that we possibly ask for in a captain,” Day said. “To make a play like that in that moment ... He just became a legend at Ohio State.”

Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, had a 1-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left, capping an 88-yard, 13-play drive over 7:45. That score came four plays after quarterback Will Howard converted a fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that probably should have been a score.

“That fourth down was huge. ... I fell on purpose. I'm joking,” Howard said. “A statement drive. We needed that.”

Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He played his first game at AT&amp;T Stadium since leading Kansas State to a win over undefeated TCU in the Big 12 championship two years ago. He was 0-3 as a starter against the Longhorns while at K-State, including an overtime thriller in Austin last season.

Ewers finished 23 of 39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball back one final time. It might have been his last play for the Longhorns since he could go into the NFL draft.

Texas won the Big 12 title last season before moving to the SEC.

The Buckeyes went ahead on their opening drive of the game when Judkins scored on a 9-yard run. It looked as if they could get off to another fast start, after jumping ahead 21-0 and 34-0 in their first two playoff games.

But Ohio State then punted on four consecutive possessions before Texas tied it at 7 on Ewers' 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue with 29 seconds left in the first half. Arch Manning, the backup and future starting quarterback, kept that drive alive when he converted fourth-and-1 from midfield with an 8-yard keeper — his only play in the game.

Right after Texas' first TD, Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson turned a screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown, following a wall of blockers before shooting through an open gap and sprinting to the end zone.

Blue had a tying 26-yard TD catch with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a terrific play by Ewers, who was being dragged down by Sawyer on third-and-10 when he managed to scoop the ball underhanded to Wisner for a 13-yard gain.

While Ohio State prepares for the CFP title game, Texas waits for a rematch with the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in the previously scheduled 2025 season opener Aug. 30.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736575503289.jpeg" alt="Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, top, runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, bottom, during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)" />
                        <figcaption>Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, top, runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, bottom, during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jack Sawyer had the kind of moment that will live on long past his playing days with Ohio State. Of course, one more victory would make it that much sweeter.</p><p>Sawyer stripped Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers — his former roommate — and returned the fumble 83 yards for the clinching touchdown in a 28-14 victory over the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, giving the Buckeyes a shot at their sixth AP national title.</p><p>“We talked before the game about how do you leave a legacy is to become your old legend. And there’s some guys on this team today that I believe will become legends in Ohio State history,” coach Ryan Day said. “Now they get 10 more days together, and an opportunity to tell their story if they go win one more.”</p><p>Led by Ohio native Sawyer and Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for two touchdowns, the Buckeyes (13-2) posted the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions when the College Football Playoff debuted with a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the first season with an expanded 12-team field.</p><p>Ohio State plays Orange Bowl champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cfp-notre-dame-ohio-state-texas-276477d7ff38e93a3625632d515f189b">Notre Dame</a>&nbsp;in Atlanta on Jan. 20. It could be quite a finish for the Big Ten Buckeyes after they lost to rival Michigan on Nov. 30.</p><p>Sawyer got to Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball loose before scooping it up and lumbering all the way to the other end zone with 2:13 left. It was the longest fumble return in CFP history.</p><p>“I saw the ball pop out right to me after I tackled him, I was just thinking, I’ve got to stay on my feet, because I almost blacked out when I scooped it and saw a bunch of green grass ahead of me,” Sawyer said.</p><p>Ewers and Sawyer were roommates in Columbus for one semester before the quarterback transferred home to Texas. Ewers helped lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals, but next season will be their 20th since winning their last national title with Vince Young in 2005.</p><p>“I felt him. I started drifting away, thought I was going to be able to get the ball off before he got there,” Ewers said. “I saw Jack running with the ball down the sideline. ... Jack’s a good player made a great play.”</p><p>Texas had moved to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone, before Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss. Ewers then threw a third-down incompletion while being pressured by Sawyer on the play before the defensive touchdown.</p><p>“He’s everything that we possibly ask for in a captain,” Day said. “To make a play like that in that moment ... He just became a legend at Ohio State.”</p><p>Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, had a 1-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left, capping an 88-yard, 13-play drive over 7:45. That score came four plays after quarterback Will Howard converted a fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that probably should have been a score.</p><p>“That fourth down was huge. ... I fell on purpose. I'm joking,” Howard said. “A statement drive. We needed that.”</p><p>Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He played his first game at AT&amp;T Stadium since leading Kansas State to a win over undefeated TCU in the Big 12 championship two years ago. He was 0-3 as a starter against the Longhorns while at K-State, including an overtime thriller in Austin last season.</p><p>Ewers finished 23 of 39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball back one final time. It might have been his last play for the Longhorns since he could go into the NFL draft.</p><p>Texas won the Big 12 title last season before moving to the SEC.</p><h2>Not so fast</h2><p>The Buckeyes went ahead on their opening drive of the game when Judkins scored on a 9-yard run. It looked as if they could get off to another fast start, after jumping ahead 21-0 and 34-0 in their first two playoff games.</p><p>But Ohio State then punted on four consecutive possessions before Texas tied it at 7 on Ewers' 18-yard touchdown pass to Blue with 29 seconds left in the first half. Arch Manning, the backup and future starting quarterback, kept that drive alive when he converted fourth-and-1 from midfield with an 8-yard keeper — his only play in the game.</p><p>Right after Texas' first TD, Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson turned a screen pass into a 75-yard touchdown, following a wall of blockers before shooting through an open gap and sprinting to the end zone.</p><h2>A great escape</h2><p>Blue had a tying 26-yard TD catch with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The drive featured a terrific play by Ewers, who was being dragged down by Sawyer on third-and-10 when he managed to scoop the ball underhanded to Wisner for a 13-yard gain.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>While Ohio State prepares for the CFP title game, Texas waits for a rematch with the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in the previously scheduled 2025 season opener Aug. 30.</p><p>___</p><p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a></p>

🏈 Ohio State gets shot at 6th national title after win over Texas in CFP semi Cotton Bowl

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said he was trying to throw the ball into the ground. Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray dove for it anyway and — luck of the Irish — the ball ended up right in his hands.

A few seconds later, Gray and Notre Dame found themselves with a spot in the national title game after a thrill-a-minute 27-24 victory Thursday night in the Orange Bowl.

Gray's snag of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drew-allar-penn-state-cfp-orange-bowl-3cb58be7733cc04cd3888c23ab831695">Allar's ill-advised pass</a>&nbsp;across the middle at the Penn State 42 with 33 seconds left, set up a 19-yard drive that ended with Mitch Jeter's winning 41-yard field goal.

The Irish (14-1), seeded seventh in this, the first 12-team college playoff, will have a chance to bring their 12th title and first since 1988 back under the Golden Dome with a game Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Their opponent will be the winner Friday night of the Texas-Ohio State semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.

“Just catch the ball. Just catch the ball,” Gray said about his interception. “That was going through my mind and I knew I was going to make a play.”

Penn State QB was trying to throw it away

Allar explained he saw his first two options covered on the play, then wanted to throw the ball into the dirt. But the throw, under pressure and across his body, didn't have enough zip on it to reach either receiver Omari Evans or the ground before Gray slid in.

“Honestly, I was trying to ‘dirt’ it at his feet,” said the junior quarterback. “I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two progressions were not open. I didn’t execute.”

It was the most memorable play of a game that was the best of what's been a sleepy few weeks of playoff football. It featured three ties and three lead changes, along with 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.

In the final, Irish coach Marcus Freeman will try to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-coaches-franklin-freeman-playoff-522b80d7553d3494889f9b0e8da5539a">the first Black coach to win the title at college</a>&nbsp;football’s highest level. Freeman, whose mother is South Korean, also is the first coach of Asian heritage to get this far.

“We found a way to make a play when it mattered the most,” Freeman said. “In my opinion, great teams, great programs, find a way to do that.”

Penn State coach James Franklin fell to 4-20 with the Nittany Lions against teams ranked in the AP Top 10. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions ended the season at 13-3.

“Everyone wants to look at a specific play,” Franklin said. “But there's probably eight to 12 plays in that game that could have made a difference. I'm not going to call out specific plays or specific players. There are a ton of plays where we could have done better.”

Hit on Leonard shook up the QB and shook up the Irish

Notre Dame quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-riley-leonard-4fb493f918fcf60876e38e42b9134b00">Riley Leonard shook off a hit</a>&nbsp;late in the second quarter that sent him to the medical tent to be checked for a concussion. He came back and led the Irish on four scoring drives in the second half, including the last one.

“He’s a competitor and competitors find a way to win, and that’s what Riley does," Freeman said. "That’s what this team does.”

Leonard finished with 223 yards passing, including a key 10-yard dart to Jaden Greathouse to convert third-and-3 on the last drive. Leonard also had 35 yards rushing, and passed and ran for a score each.

With 4:38 left in the game, the senior quarterback hit Greathouse for a 54-yard score to tie it at 24 after a defender slipped.

The game started slow (and boring), but Riley’s injury injected life into things. He led Notre Dame on TD drives of 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter to take a 17-10 lead.

At that point, the fun was just getting started.

Penn State had its chances, and Allar, considered a first-round pick by some if he leaves for the NFL, will spend the offseason reliving that last throw — or trying to forget it.

Penn State forced a Notre Dame punt and looked assured of at least going to overtime when they took over at their 15 with 47 seconds left.

After a gain of 13, Allar dropped to pass and had pressure coming. He threw across his body to the middle of the field, where Gray dove for the pick.

A review showed it was a catch, and the Irish were onto the next step on a road that looked all but impossible when they fell 16-14 to Northern Illinois back in September.

“To see how far we’ve come after the hiccup early on, just to know that we have one more guaranteed, one last one guaranteed, it’s just so exciting,” Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser said.

Nick Singleton ran for 84 yards and all three Penn State touchdowns. Off target for much of the day, Allar finished 12 for 23 for 135 yards with the interception.

“He's hurting right now. He should be. We're all hurting,” Franklin said.

The quarterback didn't duck questions about the play or his role in the loss.

“We didn’t win the game so it wasn't good enough, it’s plain and simple,” Allar said. “I’ll try to learn from it, do everything in my power to get better and just grow from it.”

When Leonard went out, backup Steve Angeli came in and injected life into the Fighting Irish offense on the way to its first score.

Angelli went 6 for 7 for 44 yards and moved Notre Dame to field goal range to trim its deficit to 10-3 just before halftime.

“We have a lot of confidence in Steve,” Freeman said when asked why he allowed the Irish to play aggressively when he entered.

The kickoff temperature was 56 degrees, unseasonably cool for South Florida — and making it the second-coldest Orange Bowl ever, next to the Georgia Tech-Iowa game in 2010 that started at 49 and felt like the upper 30s.

Notre Dame will face either Ohio State or Texas in the CFP national championship game on Jan. 20. Penn State opens its 2025 season at home against Nevada on Aug. 30.

<p>MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said he was trying to throw the ball into the ground. Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray dove for it anyway and — luck of the Irish — the ball ended up right in his hands.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TEAM GLORY ☘️<br><br>ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/CbqnL8fYTG">pic.twitter.com/CbqnL8fYTG</a></p>&mdash; Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1877584129094484314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 ORANGE BOWL CHAMPIONS<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/V6Q4YLQA5h">pic.twitter.com/V6Q4YLQA5h</a></p>&mdash; Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1877570838897029277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>A few seconds later, Gray and Notre Dame found themselves with a spot in the national title game after a thrill-a-minute 27-24 victory Thursday night in the Orange Bowl.</p><p>Gray's snag of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drew-allar-penn-state-cfp-orange-bowl-3cb58be7733cc04cd3888c23ab831695">Allar's ill-advised pass</a>&nbsp;across the middle at the Penn State 42 with 33 seconds left, set up a 19-yard drive that ended with Mitch Jeter's winning 41-yard field goal.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GOOD FROM 4️⃣1️⃣<br><br>MITCH JETER IS CLUTCH.<br><br>MR. JANUARY. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/W3HO408OHQ">pic.twitter.com/W3HO408OHQ</a></p>&mdash; Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1877569954662293539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Irish (14-1), seeded seventh in this, the first 12-team college playoff, will have a chance to bring their 12th title and first since 1988 back under the Golden Dome with a game Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Their opponent will be the winner Friday night of the Texas-Ohio State semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.</p><p>“Just catch the ball. Just catch the ball,” Gray said about his interception. “That was going through my mind and I knew I was going to make a play.”</p><h2>Penn State QB was trying to throw it away</h2><p>Allar explained he saw his first two options covered on the play, then wanted to throw the ball into the dirt. But the throw, under pressure and across his body, didn't have enough zip on it to reach either receiver Omari Evans or the ground before Gray slid in.</p><p>“Honestly, I was trying to ‘dirt’ it at his feet,” said the junior quarterback. “I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two progressions were not open. I didn’t execute.”</p><p>It was the most memorable play of a game that was the best of what's been a sleepy few weeks of playoff football. It featured three ties and three lead changes, along with 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.</p><p>In the final, Irish coach Marcus Freeman will try to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-coaches-franklin-freeman-playoff-522b80d7553d3494889f9b0e8da5539a">the first Black coach to win the title at college</a>&nbsp;football’s highest level. Freeman, whose mother is South Korean, also is the first coach of Asian heritage to get this far.</p><p>“We found a way to make a play when it mattered the most,” Freeman said. “In my opinion, great teams, great programs, find a way to do that.”</p><p>Penn State coach James Franklin fell to 4-20 with the Nittany Lions against teams ranked in the AP Top 10. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions ended the season at 13-3.</p><p>“Everyone wants to look at a specific play,” Franklin said. “But there's probably eight to 12 plays in that game that could have made a difference. I'm not going to call out specific plays or specific players. There are a ton of plays where we could have done better.”</p><h2>Hit on Leonard shook up the QB and shook up the Irish</h2><p>Notre Dame quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-riley-leonard-4fb493f918fcf60876e38e42b9134b00">Riley Leonard shook off a hit</a>&nbsp;late in the second quarter that sent him to the medical tent to be checked for a concussion. He came back and led the Irish on four scoring drives in the second half, including the last one.</p><p>“He’s a competitor and competitors find a way to win, and that’s what Riley does," Freeman said. "That’s what this team does.”</p><p>Leonard finished with 223 yards passing, including a key 10-yard dart to Jaden Greathouse to convert third-and-3 on the last drive. Leonard also had 35 yards rushing, and passed and ran for a score each.</p><p>With 4:38 left in the game, the senior quarterback hit Greathouse for a 54-yard score to tie it at 24 after a defender slipped.</p><p>The game started slow (and boring), but Riley’s injury injected life into things. He led Notre Dame on TD drives of 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter to take a 17-10 lead.</p><p>At that point, the fun was just getting started.</p><p>Penn State had its chances, and Allar, considered a first-round pick by some if he leaves for the NFL, will spend the offseason reliving that last throw — or trying to forget it.</p><p>Penn State forced a Notre Dame punt and looked assured of at least going to overtime when they took over at their 15 with 47 seconds left.</p><p>After a gain of 13, Allar dropped to pass and had pressure coming. He threw across his body to the middle of the field, where Gray dove for the pick.</p><p>A review showed it was a catch, and the Irish were onto the next step on a road that looked all but impossible when they fell 16-14 to Northern Illinois back in September.</p><p>“To see how far we’ve come after the hiccup early on, just to know that we have one more guaranteed, one last one guaranteed, it’s just so exciting,” Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser said.</p><p>Nick Singleton ran for 84 yards and all three Penn State touchdowns. Off target for much of the day, Allar finished 12 for 23 for 135 yards with the interception.</p><p>“He's hurting right now. He should be. We're all hurting,” Franklin said.</p><p>The quarterback didn't duck questions about the play or his role in the loss.</p><p>“We didn’t win the game so it wasn't good enough, it’s plain and simple,” Allar said. “I’ll try to learn from it, do everything in my power to get better and just grow from it.”</p><h2>Cameo from Notre Dame's backup</h2><p>When Leonard went out, backup Steve Angeli came in and injected life into the Fighting Irish offense on the way to its first score.</p><p>Angelli went 6 for 7 for 44 yards and moved Notre Dame to field goal range to trim its deficit to 10-3 just before halftime.</p><p>“We have a lot of confidence in Steve,” Freeman said when asked why he allowed the Irish to play aggressively when he entered.</p><h2>Chilly Orange Bowl</h2><p>The kickoff temperature was 56 degrees, unseasonably cool for South Florida — and making it the second-coldest Orange Bowl ever, next to the Georgia Tech-Iowa game in 2010 that started at 49 and felt like the upper 30s.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Notre Dame will face either Ohio State or Texas in the CFP national championship game on Jan. 20. Penn State opens its 2025 season at home against Nevada on Aug. 30.</p>

🏈 Notre Dame gets late field goal to make title game with win over Penn State

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 23 points and No. 11 Kansas held Arizona State to 13 in the second half of a 74-55 victory Wednesday night.

Hunter Dickinson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Jayhawks (11-3, 2-1 Big 12), who started the second period with a 20-3 spurt that turned a six-point deficit into an 11-point lead at the second media timeout.

Kansas outscored the Sun Devils 38-13 after halftime.

Arizona State (10-4, 1-2) didn't score its 10th point of the half until 3:09 remained. ASU was led by Alston Mason with 19 points. BJ Freeman had 10, and Jayden Quaintance added nine points and 11 rebounds.

Arizona State: The Sun Devils clearly missed co-leading scorer Joson Sanon and his 13.5 points per game. Down a player, and with Freeman picking up his fourth foul with 12:32 left, they had trouble handling Kansas’ press for most of the second half.

Kansas: The Jayhawks lost their previous home game to West Virginia, but haven’t dropped consecutive home games since losing four straight in 1988-89 as part of a seven-game losing streak in Roy Williams’ first season as coach.

Kansas trailed 42-36 at halftime, but Dickinson took a pass from Dajuan Harris and threw down a thunderous dunk over Quaintance to tie the score early in the second half. Quaintance picked up the foul and Dickinson’s free throw gave Kansas its first lead since the 8:24 mark of the first half. It was part of an 11-0 run to start the period.

Arizona State, which shot 46.7% in the first half, including 5 of 13 from 3-point territory, shot just 21.7% in the second half, including 1 of 11 from long range.

Arizona State returns home Saturday to face Baylor, while Kansas visits Cincinnati.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736396111839.png" alt="Kansas athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 23 points and No. 11 Kansas held Arizona State to 13 in the second half of a 74-55 victory Wednesday night.</p><p>Hunter Dickinson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Jayhawks (11-3, 2-1 Big 12), who started the second period with a 20-3 spurt that turned a six-point deficit into an 11-point lead at the second media timeout.</p><p>Kansas outscored the Sun Devils 38-13 after halftime.</p><p>Arizona State (10-4, 1-2) didn't score its 10th point of the half until 3:09 remained. ASU was led by Alston Mason with 19 points. BJ Freeman had 10, and Jayden Quaintance added nine points and 11 rebounds.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Arizona State: The Sun Devils clearly missed co-leading scorer Joson Sanon and his 13.5 points per game. Down a player, and with Freeman picking up his fourth foul with 12:32 left, they had trouble handling Kansas’ press for most of the second half.</p><p>Kansas: The Jayhawks lost their previous home game to West Virginia, but haven’t dropped consecutive home games since losing four straight in 1988-89 as part of a seven-game losing streak in Roy Williams’ first season as coach.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Kansas trailed 42-36 at halftime, but Dickinson took a pass from Dajuan Harris and threw down a thunderous dunk over Quaintance to tie the score early in the second half. Quaintance picked up the foul and Dickinson’s free throw gave Kansas its first lead since the 8:24 mark of the first half. It was part of an 11-0 run to start the period.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>Arizona State, which shot 46.7% in the first half, including 5 of 13 from 3-point territory, shot just 21.7% in the second half, including 1 of 11 from long range.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Arizona State returns home Saturday to face Baylor, while Kansas visits Cincinnati.</p>

🏀 Kansas shuts down Arizona State in 2nd half to win 

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Abou Ousmane scored 27 points and reserve Marchelus Avery scored 13 points and Oklahoma State took control late in the second half and went on to beat Kansas State 79-66 on Tuesday night.

Ousmane finished 11-for-15 shooting and Bryce Thompson added 10 points for the Cowboys (9-5, 1-2 Big 12), which ended their two-game losing streak. Oklahoma State shot 47.5% (28 for 59) including 43% (9 for 21) from 3-point range.

Coleman Hawkins scored 18 points for Kansas State. David N'Guessan added 12 points to go with 12 rebounds, and Max Jones scored 10 points for the Wildcats (7-7, 1-2) who have lost consecutive games and five of their last six.

With Oklahoma State up 23-22 with 5:30 before halftime, Thompson made a jump shot, Ousmane buried a 3-pointer and the Cowboys proceeded to outscore Kansas State 20-2 for a 43-24 halftime lead.

Oklahoma State led by double figures the entire second half. Avery's 3-pointer four minutes into the second half gave Oklahoma State its first 20-point lead at 50-30.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736302103072.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Abou Ousmane scored 27 points and reserve Marchelus Avery scored 13 points and Oklahoma State took control late in the second half and went on to beat Kansas State 79-66 on Tuesday night.</p><p>Ousmane finished 11-for-15 shooting and Bryce Thompson added 10 points for the Cowboys (9-5, 1-2 Big 12), which ended their two-game losing streak. Oklahoma State shot 47.5% (28 for 59) including 43% (9 for 21) from 3-point range.</p><p>Coleman Hawkins scored 18 points for Kansas State. David N'Guessan added 12 points to go with 12 rebounds, and Max Jones scored 10 points for the Wildcats (7-7, 1-2) who have lost consecutive games and five of their last six.</p><p>With Oklahoma State up 23-22 with 5:30 before halftime, Thompson made a jump shot, Ousmane buried a 3-pointer and the Cowboys proceeded to outscore Kansas State 20-2 for a 43-24 halftime lead.</p><p>Oklahoma State led by double figures the entire second half. Avery's 3-pointer four minutes into the second half gave Oklahoma State its first 20-point lead at 50-30.</p>

🏀 Ousmane scores 27 points to help Okla. State beat Kansas State

DENVER (AP) — Rookie Bo Nix set a franchise record by completing his first 18 passes and the Denver Broncos ended an eight-year playoff drought Sunday with a 38-0 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs' bevy of backups.

The Broncos (10-7) snapped a two-game skid and buried nearly a decade’s worth of futility and frustrations by returing to the postseason party for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

They'll visit Buffalo (13-4) in the wild-card round next weekend after handing the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (15-2) their first shutout since Dec. 16, 2012, at Oakland.

Having already secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed and sole first-round bye in their quest for an unprecedented three-peat, Chiefs coach Andy Reid sat Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and a host of other starters.

Carson Wentz got the start at quarterback and fizzled in his first extended action since Week 18 with the Rams last season. He was 10 of 17 for 98 yards and was sacked four times by the league's best pass rush (62 sacks).

Nix threw for four touchdowns, giving him 29 for the season, second-most by a rookie in NFL history, behind only Justin Herbert's 31 in 2020.

He finished 26 of 29 for 321 yards, and his 18 consecutive completions also were the most ever by a Broncos QB. Nix hit Marvin Mims twice, Courtland Sutton (five times for 98 yards) and Devaughn Vele for scores.

Vele's TD was intended for Adam Trautman but ricocheted off cornerbacks Nazeeh Johnson (twice) and Keith Taylor before&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1876031097215009092">Vele cradled the catch</a>&nbsp;just before tumbling out of the back of the end zone, giving Nix 17 consecutive completions at that point and extending Denver's lead to 21-0.

That wild conclusion capped an 18-play, 89-yard drive that lasted more than 11 minutes, keeping Wentz cooling his cleats on the sideline next to Mahomes, who was decked out in a white hoodie.

After Harrison Butker was wide left on a 51-yard field goal — his first miss in 18 tries at Empower Field at Mile High — Wil Lutz gave Denver a 24-0 halftime lead by nailing a 33-yarder with 3 seconds left.

The Broncos made it 31-0 on Mims' second TD catch late in the third quarter and Audric Estime punched it in from the 1 in the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs won't play again until Jan. 18 or 19, meaning Mahomes, who last played on Christmas Day, and other stars who sat this one out will have at least 24 days between games.

The Broncos are back in the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season. That’s the longest playoff drought for a team after raising the Lombardi Trophy.

The Broncos' clincher came 3,255 days after Von Miller led them to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7, 2016, and their reward as the AFC's seventh and final seed is a trip to Buffalo next weekend to face Miller in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bills were the only other team to beat Kansas City this season, 30-21 in Week 11.

The Chiefs' loss ended their six-game win streak but eliminated the prospect of them having to possibly face Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow at some point in the playoffs. The Bengals, who won their fifth consecutive game Saturday night at Pittsburgh, needed Denver to lose to have a chance to sneak into the playoffs at 9-8.

The Chiefs, who had won 17 of their previous 18 games against the Broncos, were planning on staying in Denver for the night because of a winter storm that also delayed their flight into Colorado for several hours Saturday.

Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner injured a shoulder in the first half and was ruled out at the start of the third quarter. Also sitting out for Kansas City were RB Isiah Pacheco (ribs), RT Jawaan Taylor (knee), CB Jaylen Watson (ankle), WR Mecole Hardman (knee), DE George Karlaftis, CB Trent McDuffie and DT Chris Jones (calf), among others.

The Broncos came out of the game healthy. WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey left briefly with an ankle injury in the first half but only missed a few snaps.

Chiefs: A first-round bye as they get healthy for the AFC divisional round Jan. 18-19.

Broncos: A visit next weekend to Buffalo for a wild-card game against the Bills.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736123443624.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Chiefs" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>DENVER (AP) — Rookie Bo Nix set a franchise record by completing his first 18 passes and the Denver Broncos ended an eight-year playoff drought Sunday with a 38-0 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs' bevy of backups.</p><p>The Broncos (10-7) snapped a two-game skid and buried nearly a decade’s worth of futility and frustrations by returing to the postseason party for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.</p><p>They'll visit Buffalo (13-4) in the wild-card round next weekend after handing the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (15-2) their first shutout since Dec. 16, 2012, at Oakland.</p><p>Having already secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed and sole first-round bye in their quest for an unprecedented three-peat, Chiefs coach Andy Reid sat Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and a host of other starters.</p><p>Carson Wentz got the start at quarterback and fizzled in his first extended action since Week 18 with the Rams last season. He was 10 of 17 for 98 yards and was sacked four times by the league's best pass rush (62 sacks).</p><p>Nix threw for four touchdowns, giving him 29 for the season, second-most by a rookie in NFL history, behind only Justin Herbert's 31 in 2020.</p><p>He finished 26 of 29 for 321 yards, and his 18 consecutive completions also were the most ever by a Broncos QB. Nix hit Marvin Mims twice, Courtland Sutton (five times for 98 yards) and Devaughn Vele for scores.</p><p>Vele's TD was intended for Adam Trautman but ricocheted off cornerbacks Nazeeh Johnson (twice) and Keith Taylor before&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1876031097215009092">Vele cradled the catch</a>&nbsp;just before tumbling out of the back of the end zone, giving Nix 17 consecutive completions at that point and extending Denver's lead to 21-0.</p><p>That wild conclusion capped an 18-play, 89-yard drive that lasted more than 11 minutes, keeping Wentz cooling his cleats on the sideline next to Mahomes, who was decked out in a white hoodie.</p><p>After Harrison Butker was wide left on a 51-yard field goal — his first miss in 18 tries at Empower Field at Mile High — Wil Lutz gave Denver a 24-0 halftime lead by nailing a 33-yarder with 3 seconds left.</p><p>The Broncos made it 31-0 on Mims' second TD catch late in the third quarter and Audric Estime punched it in from the 1 in the fourth quarter.</p><p>The Chiefs won't play again until Jan. 18 or 19, meaning Mahomes, who last played on Christmas Day, and other stars who sat this one out will have at least 24 days between games.</p><p>The Broncos are back in the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season. That’s the longest playoff drought for a team after raising the Lombardi Trophy.</p><p>The Broncos' clincher came 3,255 days after Von Miller led them to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7, 2016, and their reward as the AFC's seventh and final seed is a trip to Buffalo next weekend to face Miller in the first round of the playoffs.</p><p>The Bills were the only other team to beat Kansas City this season, 30-21 in Week 11.</p><p>The Chiefs' loss ended their six-game win streak but eliminated the prospect of them having to possibly face Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow at some point in the playoffs. The Bengals, who won their fifth consecutive game Saturday night at Pittsburgh, needed Denver to lose to have a chance to sneak into the playoffs at 9-8.</p><p>The Chiefs, who had won 17 of their previous 18 games against the Broncos, were planning on staying in Denver for the night because of a winter storm that also delayed their flight into Colorado for several hours Saturday.</p><h2>Injuries</h2><p>Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner injured a shoulder in the first half and was ruled out at the start of the third quarter. Also sitting out for Kansas City were RB Isiah Pacheco (ribs), RT Jawaan Taylor (knee), CB Jaylen Watson (ankle), WR Mecole Hardman (knee), DE George Karlaftis, CB Trent McDuffie and DT Chris Jones (calf), among others.</p><p>The Broncos came out of the game healthy. WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey left briefly with an ankle injury in the first half but only missed a few snaps.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Chiefs: A first-round bye as they get healthy for the AFC divisional round Jan. 18-19.</p><p>Broncos: A visit next weekend to Buffalo for a wild-card game against the Bills.</p><p>___</p>

🏈 Nix leads Broncos past Chiefs' reserves and into the playoffs

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half and No. 7 Kansas posted the second-largest margin of victory in program history Sunday, beating UCF 99-48 in a Big 12 matchup.

Dickinson, a 7-foot-2 senior center, shot 12 for 17 from the field and had nine rebounds while limiting UCF's Moustapha Thiam, a 7-2 freshman who was slowed by foul trouble, to four points.

Flory Bidunga had 12 points and five rebounds, Rylan Griffen scored 14 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. and AJ Storr each had 11 for the Jayhawks (10-3, 1-1).

Kansas went on a 23-8 run after Thiam's second foul in the first half and held UCF without a field goal for more than seven minutes. The Knights missed 11 straight shots during that run and made only three of their final 19 shots in the first half. UCF shot 20.6% in the game and was 7 for 30 from 3-point distance.

Keyshawn Hall had 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting as UCF (10-3, 1-1) suffered its worst home loss.

Kansas: Bounced back from a 62-61 loss to West Virginia in its Big 12 opener.

UCF: The Knights have plenty of length and athleticism, yet looked outclassed after an impressive win over Texas Tech in their conference opener.

UCF was down 30 midway through the second half when Kansas had some emphatic plays. Bidunga blocked a jumper and scored a runout dunk. After a steal on the next possession, Kansas got a 3-pointer from Griffen to make it a 77-38 lead with about eight minutes to play.

Kansas dominated the interior with 22 offensive rebounds and 37 second-chance points.

Both teams have Big 12 games Wednesday. Kansas hosts Arizona State and UCF welcomes Colorado.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736118300329.png" alt="Photo Kansas Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half and No. 7 Kansas posted the second-largest margin of victory in program history Sunday, beating UCF 99-48 in a Big 12 matchup.</p><p>Dickinson, a 7-foot-2 senior center, shot 12 for 17 from the field and had nine rebounds while limiting UCF's Moustapha Thiam, a 7-2 freshman who was slowed by foul trouble, to four points.</p><p>Flory Bidunga had 12 points and five rebounds, Rylan Griffen scored 14 points and Dajuan Harris Jr. and AJ Storr each had 11 for the Jayhawks (10-3, 1-1).</p><p>Kansas went on a 23-8 run after Thiam's second foul in the first half and held UCF without a field goal for more than seven minutes. The Knights missed 11 straight shots during that run and made only three of their final 19 shots in the first half. UCF shot 20.6% in the game and was 7 for 30 from 3-point distance.</p><p>Keyshawn Hall had 12 points on 4-for-17 shooting as UCF (10-3, 1-1) suffered its worst home loss.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Kansas: Bounced back from a 62-61 loss to West Virginia in its Big 12 opener.</p><p>UCF: The Knights have plenty of length and athleticism, yet looked outclassed after an impressive win over Texas Tech in their conference opener.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>UCF was down 30 midway through the second half when Kansas had some emphatic plays. Bidunga blocked a jumper and scored a runout dunk. After a steal on the next possession, Kansas got a 3-pointer from Griffen to make it a 77-38 lead with about eight minutes to play.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>Kansas dominated the interior with 22 offensive rebounds and 37 second-chance points.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Both teams have Big 12 games Wednesday. Kansas hosts Arizona State and UCF welcomes Colorado.</p>

🏀 KU posts 2nd-largest margin of victory in program history in win over UCF

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Noah Reynolds scored 18 points and made the go-ahead basket during TCU's game-ending 7-0 run to defeat Kansas State 63-62 on Saturday.

<a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/1875681082202292581">Reynolds worked off the dribble from the left side to the right, ducked inside and hit a one-hander off the glass for the go-ahead basket with 12.8 seconds remaining.</a>

A 3-pointer from Max Jones gave the Wildcats a 62-56 lead near the 3-minute mark of the second half but the Wildcats did not score again. A tip-in by Vasean Allette and a 3 from Brendan Wenzel made it 62-61 with 1:17 left.

Coleman Hawkins missed in the paint for Kansas State, then blocked a layup at the other end. David N’Guessan rebounded, was fouled and missed the front end of the one-and-one with 24 seconds left. Reynolds then put the Horned Frogs ahead and K-State's Dug McDaniel was unable to finish a contested layup before time ran out during the battle for the rebound.

Allette and Trazarien White each scored 14 points for TCU (8-5, 1-1 Big 12) and Ernest Udeh Jr. grabbed 12 rebounds.

N’Guessan had 17 rebounds and scored 10 points for K-State (7-6, 1-1). McDaniel scored 12 points, Coleman Hawkins 11 and Brendan Hausen 10.

TCU pushed its three-point halftime lead to six points early in the second half before Kansas State took the lead at 45-43 with 11 minutes remaining. The Wildcats held the lead for close to 11 minutes before Reynolds' game-winner.

TCU improved to 8-0 at home and Kansas State's road losing streak reached 51 weeks and 11 games.

TCU will play at No. 14 Houston for the first time since 2011 on Monday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736032768028.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Noah Reynolds scored 18 points and made the go-ahead basket during TCU's game-ending 7-0 run to defeat Kansas State 63-62 on Saturday.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/1875681082202292581">Reynolds worked off the dribble from the left side to the right, ducked inside and hit a one-hander off the glass for the go-ahead basket with 12.8 seconds remaining.</a></p><p>A 3-pointer from Max Jones gave the Wildcats a 62-56 lead near the 3-minute mark of the second half but the Wildcats did not score again. A tip-in by Vasean Allette and a 3 from Brendan Wenzel made it 62-61 with 1:17 left.</p><p>Coleman Hawkins missed in the paint for Kansas State, then blocked a layup at the other end. David N’Guessan rebounded, was fouled and missed the front end of the one-and-one with 24 seconds left. Reynolds then put the Horned Frogs ahead and K-State's Dug McDaniel was unable to finish a contested layup before time ran out during the battle for the rebound.</p><p>Allette and Trazarien White each scored 14 points for TCU (8-5, 1-1 Big 12) and Ernest Udeh Jr. grabbed 12 rebounds.</p><p>N’Guessan had 17 rebounds and scored 10 points for K-State (7-6, 1-1). McDaniel scored 12 points, Coleman Hawkins 11 and Brendan Hausen 10.</p><p>TCU pushed its three-point halftime lead to six points early in the second half before Kansas State took the lead at 45-43 with 11 minutes remaining. The Wildcats held the lead for close to 11 minutes before Reynolds' game-winner.</p><p>TCU improved to 8-0 at home and Kansas State's road losing streak reached 51 weeks and 11 games.</p><p>TCU will play at No. 14 Houston for the first time since 2011 on Monday.</p>

🏀 TCU scores the final 7-points to edge Kansas State

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Javon Small hit the go-ahead free throw with 1.8 seconds remaining, and short-handed West Virginia held on after blowing an 18-point second-half lead to beat seventh-ranked Kansas 62-61 in an intense Big 12 opener for both teams Tuesday.

Eduardo Andre had 15 points and Small finished with 13 for the Mountaineers (10-2, 1-0), who built a 38-20 lead despite missing two of their three leading scorers to injuries, only to watch Kansas (9-3, 0-1) use a 15-2 run to get back in the game.

Zeke Mayo, who led the Jayhawks with 27 points, converted a three-point play to tie the game 61-all with 16 seconds left. Small was fouled by Kansas freshman Flory Bidunga at the other end and made the second of two free throws, and KJ Adams missed a contested shot as time expired that would have sent the game to overtime.

It was the first conference-opening loss for Kansas since Jan. 8, 1991, and the first win for the Mountaineers in 12 tries in Allen Fieldhouse. They had lost six of their last seven games to the Jayhawks.

West Virginia played its fourth game without star forward Tucker DeVries and also was missing big man Amani Hansberry to an ankle injury. But the Mountaineers committed just six turnovers while never getting rattled by the noise in the Phog.

Kansas missed 15 of its first 19 shots, digging a hole that it spend the entire game trying to escape. Mayo gave the Jayhawks a chance, going 13 for 13 at the foul line, including several of them in the closing minutes.

Small struggled from the field, going 0 for 6 from the 3-point arc. But he also had 11 rebounds and six assists, and he made the free throw that mattered with 1.8 seconds to go.

Kansas went 19 of 21 from the foul line. West Virginia only attempted six free throws, making four — including the winner.

West Virginia plays Oklahoma State on Saturday. Kansas heads to UCF on Sunday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735679295068.png" alt="Photo West Virginia Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo West Virginia Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Javon Small hit the go-ahead free throw with 1.8 seconds remaining, and short-handed West Virginia held on after blowing an 18-point second-half lead to beat seventh-ranked Kansas 62-61 in an intense Big 12 opener for both teams Tuesday.</p><p>Eduardo Andre had 15 points and Small finished with 13 for the Mountaineers (10-2, 1-0), who built a 38-20 lead despite missing two of their three leading scorers to injuries, only to watch Kansas (9-3, 0-1) use a 15-2 run to get back in the game.</p><p>Zeke Mayo, who led the Jayhawks with 27 points, converted a three-point play to tie the game 61-all with 16 seconds left. Small was fouled by Kansas freshman Flory Bidunga at the other end and made the second of two free throws, and KJ Adams missed a contested shot as time expired that would have sent the game to overtime.</p><p>It was the first conference-opening loss for Kansas since Jan. 8, 1991, and the first win for the Mountaineers in 12 tries in Allen Fieldhouse. They had lost six of their last seven games to the Jayhawks.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>West Virginia played its fourth game without star forward Tucker DeVries and also was missing big man Amani Hansberry to an ankle injury. But the Mountaineers committed just six turnovers while never getting rattled by the noise in the Phog.</p><p>Kansas missed 15 of its first 19 shots, digging a hole that it spend the entire game trying to escape. Mayo gave the Jayhawks a chance, going 13 for 13 at the foul line, including several of them in the closing minutes.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Small struggled from the field, going 0 for 6 from the 3-point arc. But he also had 11 rebounds and six assists, and he made the free throw that mattered with 1.8 seconds to go.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>Kansas went 19 of 21 from the foul line. West Virginia only attempted six free throws, making four — including the winner.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>West Virginia plays Oklahoma State on Saturday. Kansas heads to UCF on Sunday.</p>

🏀 West Virginia hits go-ahead FT with 1.8 seconds left to beat KU

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Longtime coach Jack Hartman and Utah State star Wayne Estes, who was tragically killed while trying to provide help at the site of an auto accident after his final game, are among eight coaches and players who will be posthumously inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame revealed its latest class Tuesday. The date of the induction ceremony has not been announced.

The other members include Dave Meyers, who helped UCLA win the NCAA title in 1973 and ‘75; Duquesne’s Sihugo Green, the first overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft; Lennie Rosenbluth, who led North Carolina to a 32-0 record and then 1957 NCAA title; New Mexico State's Sam Lacey, the fifth overall pick in the 1970 NBA draft; John Rudometkin, the first Southern California player to score more than 1,000 points in two seasons; and Tom Stith of St. Bonaventure, who average 26.5 points for his career.

Hartman, who played football and basketball at Oklahoma State, is perhaps the most high-profile member of the class. He played quarterback in the Canadian Football League after college before turning his attention to coaching, first as an assistant at his alma mater and later at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College and Southern Illinois.

It was at Kansas State where Hartman made his biggest splash. He followed Tex Winter and Cotton Fitzsimmons in leading the Wildcats to four Elite Eights during 16 seasons, finishing first or second in the Big Eight in 10 of those years.

Hartman retired in 1986 with a 589–279 record. He died in 1998 at the age of 73.

Estes was just 21 when he died on Feb. 8, 1965. The 6-foot-6 forward had just scored 48 points for Utah State against Denver in his final game, pushing him past 2,000 points for his career, when he stopped at the scene of a car accident near campus. Estes was crossing the street when he accidentally touched a downed power line, fatally electrocuting him.

Estes, who was the second-leading scorer in the nation behind Rick Barry that season, was posthumously given All-American honors by The Associated Press. The Aggies retired his No. 33 jersey and the school's practice facility, which opened in 2013, is named the Wayne Estes Center in his honor.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735670756194.png" alt="Longtime coach Jack Hartman -photo courtesy KSU Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Longtime coach Jack Hartman -photo courtesy KSU Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Longtime coach Jack Hartman and Utah State star Wayne Estes, who was tragically killed while trying to provide help at the site of an auto accident after his final game, are among eight coaches and players who will be posthumously inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.</p><p>The Hall of Fame revealed its latest class Tuesday. The date of the induction ceremony has not been announced.</p><p>The other members include Dave Meyers, who helped UCLA win the NCAA title in 1973 and ‘75; Duquesne’s Sihugo Green, the first overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft; Lennie Rosenbluth, who led North Carolina to a 32-0 record and then 1957 NCAA title; New Mexico State's Sam Lacey, the fifth overall pick in the 1970 NBA draft; John Rudometkin, the first Southern California player to score more than 1,000 points in two seasons; and Tom Stith of St. Bonaventure, who average 26.5 points for his career.</p><p>Hartman, who played football and basketball at Oklahoma State, is perhaps the most high-profile member of the class. He played quarterback in the Canadian Football League after college before turning his attention to coaching, first as an assistant at his alma mater and later at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College and Southern Illinois.</p><p>It was at Kansas State where Hartman made his biggest splash. He followed Tex Winter and Cotton Fitzsimmons in leading the Wildcats to four Elite Eights during 16 seasons, finishing first or second in the Big Eight in 10 of those years.</p><p>Hartman retired in 1986 with a 589–279 record. He died in 1998 at the age of 73.</p><p>Estes was just 21 when he died on Feb. 8, 1965. The 6-foot-6 forward had just scored 48 points for Utah State against Denver in his final game, pushing him past 2,000 points for his career, when he stopped at the scene of a car accident near campus. Estes was crossing the street when he accidentally touched a downed power line, fatally electrocuting him.</p><p>Estes, who was the second-leading scorer in the nation behind Rick Barry that season, was posthumously given All-American honors by The Associated Press. The Aggies retired his No. 33 jersey and the school's practice facility, which opened in 2013, is named the Wayne Estes Center in his honor.</p>

Former K-State coach named to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Coleman Hawkins had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Dug McDaniel added 17 points and Kansas State led No. 16 Cincinnati nearly wire-to-wire in a 70-67 victory Monday night to open the 20-game Big 12 conference grind.

David N'Guessan also had 13 points, and C.J. Jones made four free throws in the final 20 seconds, helping the Wildcats (7-5, 1-0) snap a three-game losing streak that had concluded their bitterly disappointing nonconference slate.

Kansas State led the Bearcats (10-2, 0-1) for all but 24 seconds, but was left clinging to a 65-63 lead after Aziz Bandaogo's dunk with 27 seconds to go. Hawkins was fouled and made the first of two free throws with 23 seconds remaining, but Max Jones was there to tap the miss to C.J. Jones, who was fouled and made two free throws to extend the lead.

Bandaogo scored again with 8.9 seconds left, but C.J. Jones made the last of his two foul shots to put the game away.

Dan Skillings Jr. led Cincinnati with 18 points. Dillon Mitchell had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Cincinnati committed 15 turnovers that the Wildcats turned into 15 points. Two of those turnovers came in the last two minutes.

Kansas State won despite 3-point sharpshooter Brendan Hausen going just 1 for 8 from beyond the arc.

Max Jones had eight points and five boards, but no play was bigger than when he kept alive Hawkins' missed free throw in the waning seconds. That got C.J. Jones to the foul line and he provided Kansas State some breathing room.

The Wildcats were 16 of 20 at the foul line. Cincinnati was 4 for 7.

Cincinnati plays Arizona on Saturday. Kansas State visits TCU the same day.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735610859876.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Coleman Hawkins had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Dug McDaniel added 17 points and Kansas State led No. 16 Cincinnati nearly wire-to-wire in a 70-67 victory Monday night to open the 20-game Big 12 conference grind.</p><p>David N'Guessan also had 13 points, and C.J. Jones made four free throws in the final 20 seconds, helping the Wildcats (7-5, 1-0) snap a three-game losing streak that had concluded their bitterly disappointing nonconference slate.</p><p>Kansas State led the Bearcats (10-2, 0-1) for all but 24 seconds, but was left clinging to a 65-63 lead after Aziz Bandaogo's dunk with 27 seconds to go. Hawkins was fouled and made the first of two free throws with 23 seconds remaining, but Max Jones was there to tap the miss to C.J. Jones, who was fouled and made two free throws to extend the lead.</p><p>Bandaogo scored again with 8.9 seconds left, but C.J. Jones made the last of his two foul shots to put the game away.</p><p>Dan Skillings Jr. led Cincinnati with 18 points. Dillon Mitchell had 15 points and 11 rebounds.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Cincinnati committed 15 turnovers that the Wildcats turned into 15 points. Two of those turnovers came in the last two minutes.</p><p>Kansas State won despite 3-point sharpshooter Brendan Hausen going just 1 for 8 from beyond the arc.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Max Jones had eight points and five boards, but no play was bigger than when he kept alive Hawkins' missed free throw in the waning seconds. That got C.J. Jones to the foul line and he provided Kansas State some breathing room.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>The Wildcats were 16 of 20 at the foul line. Cincinnati was 4 for 7.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Cincinnati plays Arizona on Saturday. Kansas State visits TCU the same day.</p><p>___</p>

🏀 K-State hits late FTs to put away No. 16 Cincinnati

PHOENIX (AP) — Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State rally past Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl on Thursday night.

The Scarlet Knights (7-6) led by 10 at halftime and went up 34-17 on Ja'shon Benjamin's 7-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive of the second half. But Edwards and the Wildcats (9-4) stormed back.

Edwards scored on 65-yard touchdown run and, after an interception thrown by Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis, Garrett Oakley caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to pull Kansas State within five. The Wildcats failed 2-point conversions after both touchdowns.

Rutgers briefly regained momentum, going up 41-29 early in the fourth quarter on Antwan Raymond's 1-yard TD run on a fake tush push.

Kansas State answered with Avery Johnson's 9-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Jackson. Edwards followed with his 36-yard score, capping an impressive night in place of DJ Giddens, who opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.

Kansas State closed it out by stopping Rutgers on fourth down near midfield with just under two minutes left

Johnson threw for three touchdowns, including a 26-yarder to Edwards in the second quarter, finishing with 195 yards on 15-of-30 passing.

Raymond ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns in place of leading rusher Kyle Monangai, who also opted out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Kaliakmanis threw for 237 yards and a touchdown with an interception on 14-of-32 passing.

Kansas State: The Wildcats struggled defensively until they needed it most, shutting down Rutgers most of the second half. Edwards took it from there, racking up 223 total yards — none bigger than his final TD run.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights had a second straight bowl win within their grasp, but let it slip through their fingers with a slew of defensive miscues in the second half.

Kansas State: Johnson, Edwards and RB Joe Jackson are underclassmen, as is leading tackler Austin Romaine. DE Brendan Mott and LB Austin Moore, anchors to K-State's defense, played their final college games.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights will have plenty of holes to fill in the offseason. Kaliakmanis is one of six senior starters on offense, and the defense has eight.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735263327099.png" alt="Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored 3 touchdowns -photoK-State Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored 3 touchdowns -photoK-State Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>PHOENIX (AP) — Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State rally past Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl on Thursday night.</p><p>The Scarlet Knights (7-6) led by 10 at halftime and went up 34-17 on Ja'shon Benjamin's 7-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive of the second half. But Edwards and the Wildcats (9-4) stormed back.</p><p>Edwards scored on 65-yard touchdown run and, after an interception thrown by Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis, Garrett Oakley caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to pull Kansas State within five. The Wildcats failed 2-point conversions after both touchdowns.</p><p>Rutgers briefly regained momentum, going up 41-29 early in the fourth quarter on Antwan Raymond's 1-yard TD run on a fake tush push.</p><p>Kansas State answered with Avery Johnson's 9-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Jackson. Edwards followed with his 36-yard score, capping an impressive night in place of DJ Giddens, who opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.</p><p>Kansas State closed it out by stopping Rutgers on fourth down near midfield with just under two minutes left</p><p>Johnson threw for three touchdowns, including a 26-yarder to Edwards in the second quarter, finishing with 195 yards on 15-of-30 passing.</p><p>Raymond ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns in place of leading rusher Kyle Monangai, who also opted out to prepare for the NFL draft.</p><p>Kaliakmanis threw for 237 yards and a touchdown with an interception on 14-of-32 passing.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Kansas State: The Wildcats struggled defensively until they needed it most, shutting down Rutgers most of the second half. Edwards took it from there, racking up 223 total yards — none bigger than his final TD run.</p><p>Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights had a second straight bowl win within their grasp, but let it slip through their fingers with a slew of defensive miscues in the second half.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Kansas State: Johnson, Edwards and RB Joe Jackson are underclassmen, as is leading tackler Austin Romaine. DE Brendan Mott and LB Austin Moore, anchors to K-State's defense, played their final college games.</p><p>Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights will have plenty of holes to fill in the offseason. Kaliakmanis is one of six senior starters on offense, and the defense has eight.</p><p>___</p><p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a></p>

🏈 Kansas State rallies to beat Rutgers in Rate Bowl

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6), who have dropped three straight as their chances of capturing the AFC North took another hit.

Mahomes connected on first-half scoring tosses to Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson and Kansas City's defense did most of the rest even with perennial All-Pro defensive end Chris Jones sitting out while nursing a calf injury. The Chiefs sacked Russell Wilson five times, forced two turnovers and hardly looked gassed while playing for the third time in 11 days.

Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards while becoming the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Kelce sealed Kansas City's fifth straight victory with a 12-yard touchdown grab early in the fourth quarter.

The 35-year-old celebrated by dunking the ball over the goal post, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and groans from a capacity crowd at Acrisure Stadium that has grown used to seeing Mahomes toy with the hometown team. Mahomes is now 4-0 against the Steelers in his career, with 17 touchdowns against one interception.

Russell Wilson threw for 205 yards for Pittsburgh. George Pickens finished with three receptions for 50 yards after missing three games with a hamstring injury. It wasn't nearly enough for the Steelers, who went 0-3 during a brutal three-game stretch against Super Bowl contenders Philadelphia, Baltimore and Kansas City.

Perhaps more troubling than the losses is the way they played out. The Steelers lost each game at least 14 points and could start the playoffs on the road after playing fast-and-loose with the two-game division lead they had just three weeks ago.

Mahomes, hardly bothered by the ankle injury he suffered against Cleveland, led the Chiefs to touchdowns on their first two drives, finding Worthy in the flat for a 7-yard score and hitting Watson in the back corner of the end zone to make it 13-0.

One sequence late in the first quarter symbolized a frustrating day for Pittsburgh. A holding penalty negated a short touchdown run by Jaylen Warren and Wilson threw into triple coverage in the end zone on the next snap. Kansas City's Justin Reid had little trouble grabbing it to end the threat.

The Steelers drew within six twice at 13-7 and 16-10, but never had the ball with a chance to take the lead in the second half. Instead, the Chiefs — who spent most of the first three months of the season squeaking by most weeks — methodically pulled away.

Kareem Hunt ran over from 2 yards on the first snap of the fourth quarter to make it 22-10. Pat Freiermuth then fumbled on Pittsburgh's next possession. Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton fell on it and Mahomes needed just four plays to float a pass to a wide-open Kelce to put it out of reach.

Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco left in the second half with a rib injury.

Steelers: DT Cam Heyward exited briefly in the fourth quarter but managed to return.

Chiefs: finish up the regular season by heading to Denver.

Steelers: host Cincinnati in the regular-season finale.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735160638717.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Chiefs" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.</p><p>The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6), who have dropped three straight as their chances of capturing the AFC North took another hit.</p><p>Mahomes connected on first-half scoring tosses to Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson and Kansas City's defense did most of the rest even with perennial All-Pro defensive end Chris Jones sitting out while nursing a calf injury. The Chiefs sacked Russell Wilson five times, forced two turnovers and hardly looked gassed while playing for the third time in 11 days.</p><p>Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards while becoming the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Kelce sealed Kansas City's fifth straight victory with a 12-yard touchdown grab early in the fourth quarter.</p><p>The 35-year-old celebrated by dunking the ball over the goal post, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and groans from a capacity crowd at Acrisure Stadium that has grown used to seeing Mahomes toy with the hometown team. Mahomes is now 4-0 against the Steelers in his career, with 17 touchdowns against one interception.</p><p>Russell Wilson threw for 205 yards for Pittsburgh. George Pickens finished with three receptions for 50 yards after missing three games with a hamstring injury. It wasn't nearly enough for the Steelers, who went 0-3 during a brutal three-game stretch against Super Bowl contenders Philadelphia, Baltimore and Kansas City.</p><p>Perhaps more troubling than the losses is the way they played out. The Steelers lost each game at least 14 points and could start the playoffs on the road after playing fast-and-loose with the two-game division lead they had just three weeks ago.</p><p>Mahomes, hardly bothered by the ankle injury he suffered against Cleveland, led the Chiefs to touchdowns on their first two drives, finding Worthy in the flat for a 7-yard score and hitting Watson in the back corner of the end zone to make it 13-0.</p><p>One sequence late in the first quarter symbolized a frustrating day for Pittsburgh. A holding penalty negated a short touchdown run by Jaylen Warren and Wilson threw into triple coverage in the end zone on the next snap. Kansas City's Justin Reid had little trouble grabbing it to end the threat.</p><p>The Steelers drew within six twice at 13-7 and 16-10, but never had the ball with a chance to take the lead in the second half. Instead, the Chiefs — who spent most of the first three months of the season squeaking by most weeks — methodically pulled away.</p><p>Kareem Hunt ran over from 2 yards on the first snap of the fourth quarter to make it 22-10. Pat Freiermuth then fumbled on Pittsburgh's next possession. Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton fell on it and Mahomes needed just four plays to float a pass to a wide-open Kelce to put it out of reach.</p><h2>Injuries</h2><p>Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco left in the second half with a rib injury.</p><p>Steelers: DT Cam Heyward exited briefly in the fourth quarter but managed to return.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Chiefs: finish up the regular season by heading to Denver.</p><p>Steelers: host Cincinnati in the regular-season finale.</p>

🏈Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed by breezing past the Steelers 

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 25 points, Hunter Dickinson had 15 points and 13 rebounds and No. 8 Kansas defeated Brown 87-53 on Sunday.

Mayo hit two of his five 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to extend the Kansas lead to 25 points with 12 minutes to play. He was coming off a 26-point performance in a 75-60 win over NC State on Dec. 14, the team's last outing.

Brown (7-4) stayed competitive in the first half, trailing by a point 10 minutes into the game. But the Bears' shooting touch went cold.

Kino Lily Jr. scored 18 and Aaron Cooley and AJ Lesburt Jr. had six points each for Brown, which shot 26.7% (20 for 75).

Kansas (9-2) shot 50% (34 for 68) and went 8 for 22 from 3-point range. Brown was 8 for 33 (24%) from distance.

The Jayhawks have won two straight after losing consecutive games to Missouri and Creighton and extended their home winning streak this season to seven games.

Brown: Couldn’t get a rhythm on the offensive end, especially in the second half, scoring just 22 points.

Kansas: Struggled from inside the lane in the first half and let the Bears stay in the game early. The Jayhawks turned it on in the second half, backed by their defense.

Kansas scored the final six points of the first half, starting with an alley-oop dunk by Flory Bidunga, which was assisted by Dajuan Harris Jr., and took a 42-31 lead at the half.

Brown travels to Kentucky on Dec. 31, and Kansas opens Big 12 play at home against West Virginia on the same day.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734905537008.png" alt="Ogiri Kansas Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Ogiri Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 25 points, Hunter Dickinson had 15 points and 13 rebounds and No. 8 Kansas defeated Brown 87-53 on Sunday.</p><p>Mayo hit two of his five 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to extend the Kansas lead to 25 points with 12 minutes to play. He was coming off a 26-point performance in a 75-60 win over NC State on Dec. 14, the team's last outing.</p><p>Brown (7-4) stayed competitive in the first half, trailing by a point 10 minutes into the game. But the Bears' shooting touch went cold.</p><p>Kino Lily Jr. scored 18 and Aaron Cooley and AJ Lesburt Jr. had six points each for Brown, which shot 26.7% (20 for 75).</p><p>Kansas (9-2) shot 50% (34 for 68) and went 8 for 22 from 3-point range. Brown was 8 for 33 (24%) from distance.</p><p>The Jayhawks have won two straight after losing consecutive games to Missouri and Creighton and extended their home winning streak this season to seven games.</p><h2>Takeaways</h2><p>Brown: Couldn’t get a rhythm on the offensive end, especially in the second half, scoring just 22 points.</p><p>Kansas: Struggled from inside the lane in the first half and let the Bears stay in the game early. The Jayhawks turned it on in the second half, backed by their defense.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Kansas scored the final six points of the first half, starting with an alley-oop dunk by Flory Bidunga, which was assisted by Dajuan Harris Jr., and took a 42-31 lead at the half.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Brown travels to Kentucky on Dec. 31, and Kansas opens Big 12 play at home against West Virginia on the same day.</p><p>___</p>