Mark Long
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Articles by Mark Long
Shakeup Saturday: 5 of the top 7 teams in the Top 25 lost in the regular season for the first time
College football has never experienced a Saturday like this. Five of the top seven teams in the AP Top 25 lost on the same day in the regular season for the first time in history. The last time anything even remotely close happened was on Jan. 2, 1989, according to Sportradar, when five of the top eight teams lost. kAm$92<6FA $2EFC52J H2D 5C:G6? 3J E96 $@FE962DE6C? r@?76C6?46[ H:E9 }@] ` v6@C8:2[ }@] e p=232>2 2?5 }@] f %6I2D 8@:?8 5@H? 2D E@F495@H?
Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones relives Saquon Barkley's backward hurdle two years later
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones remembers a steady stream of messages and questions about Saquon Barkley’s extraordinary backward hurdle. “Everybody DM’d me like I’m supposed to be mad or something,” Jones recalled Wednesday. “I don’t give a damn. He made a good play. It is what it is.” kAmy@?6D 92D 366? ECJ:?8 E@ >@G6 @? 7@C EH@ J62CD] xE’D :>A@DD:3=6 E9:D H66<[ H:E9 E96 y28F2CD 9@DE:?8 q2C<=6J 2?5 E96 !9:=256=A9:2 t28=6D Wa\aX 2E %@EE6?92> w@EDAFC $E25:F> :?
Jadan Baugh and No. 21 Florida run roughshod over 4th-ranked Ole Miss, 52-28
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jadan Baugh ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns, Duke Clark added 126 yards and a score on the ground, and No. 21 Florida manhandled fourth-ranked Mississippi 52-28 on Saturday to reach 4-0 for the first time since 2019. The Gators (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference), installed as 3 1/2-point favorites, proved Las Vegas oddsmakers right by leading from start to finish. They scored touchdowns on five consecutive drives in the second half.
Jaguars expect a favorable response against the Patriots, who are still 'finding ourselves'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars are counting on one thing following their worst offensive performance in 11 months: a favorable response. “That’s what it’s all about,” Lawrence said. “It’s the NFL. You’re going to play some good teams, you’re going to have some tough losses and you got to be able to respond the next week. And that says everything you need to know about your team.” kAm%96 y28F2CD W`\`X H:== =62C? A=6?EJ H96?
Jaguars need more from former 1st-round picks Lawrence, Thomas, Hines-Allen and Walker after bye
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — It’s difficult to identify long-term building blocks on Jacksonville’s roster. When coach Liam Coen took the job in January, he pointed to a talented foundation that included quarterback Trevor Lawrence, receiver Brian Thomas Jr., cornerback Tyson Campbell and defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. × Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Florida coach Billy Napier could be fired with bye week looming
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier knows it’s coming. Everyone does, maybe even his kids. Napier is in his final days, possibly weeks, with the Gators. He seems resigned to the ending, whether he’s fired Saturday night, Sunday morning or in the very near future. kAmw6’D 366? 2 E@E2= AC@ 23@FE :E] w6’D ?@E >2<:?8 6I4FD6D] w6’D ?@E A@:?E:?8 7:?86CD] w6’D ?@E DF886DE:?8 96 ?665D >@C6 E:>6 @C 4@?E6>A=2E:?8 H92E 4@F=5 92G6 366?
Florida coach Billy Napier could be fired with bye week looming
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier knows it’s coming. Everyone does, maybe even his kids. Napier is in his final days, possibly weeks, with the Gators. He seems resigned to the ending, whether he’s fired Saturday night, Sunday morning or in the very near future. He’s been a total pro about it. He’s not making excuses. He’s not pointing fingers.
Jaguars y Browns intercambian esquineros titulares, según fuente de AP
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, EE.UU. (AP) — Jacksonville y Cleveland intercambiaron a sus esquineros titulares la noche del miércoles, con Tyson Campbell yendo a los Browns y Greg Newsome dirigiéndose a los Jaguars, según una persona familiarizada con el intercambio. La persona habló con The Associated Press bajo condición de anonimato porque el acuerdo no había sido anunciado formalmente. ESPN y NFL Network fueron los primeros en informar sobre el intercambio.
Jaguars' Lawrence believes head-first dives are safer than sliding for NFL QBs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Trevor Lawrence ran more than usual against Kansas City — 10 times total. And he never slid. In fact, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has gone feet first to the ground just once all season, and that was to avoid going out of bounds in the waning minutes at San Francisco in Week 4. Lawrence's aversion to sliding is intentional. He said Wednesday he believes head-first dives are safer even though the NFL provides extra protection for sliding quarterbacks.
Buckle up: No. 9 Texas begins daunting stretch away from home against Florida in the Swamp
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No. 9 Texas is about to find out what it’s really like to play on the road in the Southeastern Conference. The Longhorns travel to one of the league’s most daunting venues when they open SEC play at Florida on Saturday. It’s the first of eight consecutive conference games for quarterback Arch Manning and Co., with the next four coming away from home. kAm“tG6CJ3@5J 36EE6C 3F4<=6 FA[” 4@249 $E6G6 $2C<:D:2? D2:5] “%96C6 2C6 ?@ 8:>>:6D]”k^Am kAm%6I2D Wb\`X @A6?65 E96 D62D@?
Once Heisman front-runners, QBs Arch Manning and DJ Lagway have become SEC disappointments
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Texas’ Arch Manning and Florida’s DJ Lagway opened the season as Heisman Trophy hopefuls, even considered front-runners by some. The highly touted quarterbacks with TV commercials, endorsement deals and probably as much name, image and likeness money as anyone in college were supposed to be the next great ones at their schools.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd is a defensive catalyst for the Jaguars' surprising start to the season
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Devin Lloyd hasn’t enjoyed a month like this since his rookie season. The Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker, the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft who is in the final year of his contract, has three interceptions in four games and has been a defensive catalyst for the team’s best start since 2018. kAm{=@J5 925 2 D62D@?\9:89 6:89E E24<=6D 2?5 EH@ A:4<D :? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^;28F2CD\ch6CD\D4@C6\3bb7de4aafh_f6chdfc3g5ga727a553dQm2 ae\a` G:4E@CJ 2E $2?
Florida's Brendan Bett says spitting at opponent was 'a terrible mistake' that 'won’t happen again'
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett publicly apologized on Monday for spitting at South Florida offensive lineman Cole Skinner, saying “there is no excuse for my actions.” Bett also apologized to his teammates earlier in the day. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. “I want to sincerely apologize for my actions in the game this past Saturday,” Bett wrote in social media posts.
Florida's Alex Condon is staying in school, boosting the chances of the NCAA champs repeating
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida forward Alex Condon has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return to school for his junior season, significantly boosting the Gators' chances of repeating as national champions. Coach Todd Golden said last week he was "cautiously optimistic" the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Australian would be back for another season. He got the news Tuesday, a day before the deadline for players to withdraw from draft consideration. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press.
Florida's Clayton Jr. is chill personified
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida's practice court is nearly empty. Sweat-soaked jerseys and towels are piled near the doorway. The coaching staff and most of the players are scurrying around the facility as their bus awaits. They need to shower, pack and eat before hitting the road for airport and the NCAA Tournament. Walter Clayton Jr. is still in the gym.
Here's a crash course - a cheat sheet, really - for the 67th running of the Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Welcome to the Daytona 500! Maybe you’re new to the sport, have a casual interest or are just coming around to the edge-of-your-seat wrecks, the thrilling finishes and the stars that make up the Daytona 500 field. Daytona Beach became the unofficial “birthplace of speed” in 1903 when two men argued over who had the fastest horseless carriage and decided to settle things in a race on the white, hardpacked sand along the Atlantic Ocean.
Ryan Preece says 'something needs to be done' after enduring another flip at Daytona
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Goodyear Blimp at 100: From Ronald Reagan to Ice Cube, 'floating piece of Americana' still thriving
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Florida's Golden cleared in Title IX investigation
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida has cleared men's basketball coach Todd Golden following a four-month Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking. The school released a statement Monday saying no evidence was found and it ended its investigation. It comes amid No. 5 Florida's best season in a decade, with the Gators winning 18 of their first 20 games.
Jaguars and GM Trent Baalke agree to part ways amid coaching search chaos
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — General manager Trent Baalke is out in Jacksonville after the Jaguars failed to land second interviews with three of their top coaching candidates. Owner Shad Khan made the announcement Wednesday, hours after Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen withdrew his name for consideration for the Jaguars job and agreed to a new contract with the Buccaneers. Coen had been scheduled to interview with the Jaguars on Wednesday.
The Southeastern Conference is cracking down on its players falling down and feigning injuries. In a letter to league coaches and athletic directors that was shared with The Associated Press on Friday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey told teams to “stop any and all activity related to faking injuries to create timeouts.” Yahoo Sports first reported the letter. The league also tweaked an existing rule to give it more leeway in punishing coaches and programs for violations.
Marcel Reed shines in 1st collegiate start as Texas A&M tops Florida 33-20 in the Swamp
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Backup quarterback Marcel Reed accounted for three touchdowns in his first collegiate start and Texas A&M dominated Florida 33-20 on Saturday in what may have been coach Billy Napier’s final game with the Gators. Filling in for injured starter Conner Weigman, Reed threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Aggies won a road game for the first time in nearly three years. Texas A&M (2-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) had dropped 10 straight on the road.
Former Florida signee Jaden Rashada sues coach Billy Napier and others over failed $14M NIL deal
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida recruit and current Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada is suing Gators coach Billy Napier and the program’s top booster over a failed name, image and likeness deal worth nearly $14 million.
NASCAR's concrete coliseum is back to normal for Sunday's race at Bristol. Drivers welcome the move
Bristol Motor Speedway has ditched the dirt and is back to being a concrete coliseum for its annual spring race. The famed short track added red clay each of the last three years for its first of two events. Reviews were mixed, and as the novelty wore off, sub-par racing inside the 0.533-mile bullring overshadowed any excitement that came with the Cup Series running on dirt for the first time since 1970. NASCAR responded with a return to normal, and several drivers welcomed the move.
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Florida coach Todd Golden agrees to a 2-year extension that includes a $1M raise, AP source says
Jayden Taylor had 18 points and nine rebounds, and North Carolina State rolled to an 83-65 victory over Syracuse in the second round of the At…
NAACP urges student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges after state eliminates DEI programs
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Black student-athletes should reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida, the NAACP said in a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker on Monday. The letter was in response to the University of Florida and other state schools that have eliminated their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. It was also addressed to current and prospective student-athletes. “This is not about politics,” the letter read.
Jags to sign Bills WR Gabe Davis, Packers S Darnell Savage and Denver PK Wil Lutz, AP source says
The Jacksonville Jaguars found a replacement for receiver Calvin Ridley in free agency. Please subscribe to continue reading…
Richard and Clayton shine as Florida knocks off No. 16 Alabama 105-87 and improves to 14-1 at home
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Two weeks after getting bullied by Alabama, Florida refused to let it happen again. Not at home. And not on senior night. Will Richard scored 23 points, Walter Clayton Jr. added 22 and the Gators handled No. 16 Alabama 105-87 on Tuesday night to stay in contention for a top four seed in the upcoming Southeastern Conference Tournament. Florida (21-9, 11-6 SEC) made 40 free throws — the program's most since December 1998 — and won for the 10th time in 13 games.
After loss in court, the NCAA is pausing investigations into third-party NIL deals with athletes
Following another courtroom loss, the NCAA has halted investigations into booster-backed collectives or other third parties making name, image and likeness compensation deals with Division I athletes.
The Rock, Pitbull, DJ Khaled bring South Florida flavor to Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The 3-0-5 took over the Daytona 5-0-0. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Pitbull and DJ Khaled represented South Florida at the Daytona 500, as the trio of Sunshine State celebrities brought a dose of star power to Sunday's scheduled race day that was washed out by rain. Johnson, the wrestler/actor, said he would stay for Monday’s rescheduled race and honor his role as Daytona 500 grand marshal and give the command for drivers to start their engines.
Kyle Larson joins fellow NASCAR champs Truex Jr., Busch and Keselowski in 0-for-Daytona 500 club
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — No one needs to remind Kyle Larson about his record at Daytona International Speedway. He’s frustratingly winless at the famed track, which is the only NASCAR venue at which he doesn’t even have a top-five finish. “I do believe that we are much, much better than what we show on paper,” Larson said.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson tests the limits of his Indy 500 ride at Phoenix Raceway
Kyle Larson’s latest and longest IndyCar session included “a moment” behind the wheel. Larson nearly lost control of his Arrow McLaren Chevrolet during a four-plus-hour test at Phoenix Raceway on Monday, but the NASCAR star and 2021 Cup Series champion managed to save his Indianapolis 500 ride from hitting the wall at 180 mph. “Just got caught off guard a little bit,” Larson said Tuesday. “I went into Indy car turmoil, got a little bit loose into the corner, got to the apex.
Florida is under NCAA investigation a year after a failed NIL deal with QB signee Jaden Rashada
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is under NCAA investigation a year after a failed name, image and likeness deal worth more than $13 million with former signee Jaden Rashada. The Gators released the NCAA's notice of inquiry Friday to The Associated Press and the Tampa Bay Times after the newspaper's lawyers got involved. Both news agencies filed public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act last October.
Panthers owner David Tepper tosses drink into visiting stands late in 26-0 loss to Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Panthers owner David Tepper threw the contents of a drink into the visiting crowd near the end of Carolina’s 26-0 loss at Jacksonville on Sunday. Tepper’s reaction came after rookie Bryce Young was intercepted with less than 3 minutes to play. It was unclear whether Tepper was reacting to something said to him or the latest miscue for the team with the NFL’s worst record.
Travis Etienne scores twice, Jaguars end 4-game skid with 26-0 shutout of woeful Panthers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Travis Etienne scored twice, including one on his longest run of the season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars ended a four-game skid with a 26-0 shutout of the woeful Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Jaguars (9-7) won for the first time in December — and with quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) watching from the sideline — to set up a regular-season finale at Tennessee that will help decide the AFC South.
Ravens beat mistake-prone Jaguars 23-7 for 4th consecutive victory and clinch AFC playoff spot
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw a touchdown pass and made the play of night when he avoided a sack and threw to Isaiah Likely near the goal line, and the Baltimore Ravens clinched a postseason berth with a 23-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night. Gus Edwards ran for a touchdown for the Ravens (11-3), who won their fourth in a row and moved a step closer to securing the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Ricky Pearsall nears a receiving milestone that has eluded Florida for more than 2 decades
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall woke up Monday and immediately texted his new quarterback, Max Brown. “1 is always open,” Pearsall wrote, referring to himself by his jersey number. He’s not wrong. Pearsall, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Arizona State, has been the team’s most dependable player in his second season with the slumping Gators (5-6). He has 64 catches for 948 yards and four touchdowns to go along with two rushing scores.
Former champ Kurt Busch formally retires while still recovering from concussion
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kurt Busch said goodbye to Cup Series racing on the same stage where he celebrated one of his most memorable NASCAR victories. It was an emotional farewell, for sure. Busch, 45, held back tears as he announced his retirement Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. The 2004 series champion and 2017 Daytona 500 winner called it quits mostly because he's been unable to shake lingering effects of a significant concussion that rocked stock car racing a year ago.
Another win at the Glen? Chase Elliott banking on road-course success to make NASCAR playoffs
Chase Elliott’s best shot at making the NASCAR playoffs appears to be now, at Watkins Glen. And he's the favorite. The 2020 Cup Series champion has two wins at the 14-turn road course in upstate New York. He also has seven career victories on NASCAR’s winding tracks, two more than any other active driver. Elliott and 35 others will take to the 2.45-mile, multi-elevational track Sunday for the series' penultimate regular-season event.
William Byron wins at Watkins Glen for his Cup Series-leading 5th victory of the season
William Byron had the field covered at Watkins Glen International, delivering such a dominant performance that no other NASCAR driver even got to his bumper in the final third of the race. It was usual for the Cup Series and even more rare for Byron at a road course. The 25-year-old Byron won on a serpentine track for the first time in six Cup seasons, this one being his series-leading fifth victory of the season and making him a favorite to win it all.
Another win at the Glen? Chase Elliott banking on road-course success to make NASCAR playoffs
WATKINS GLENN, N.Y. (AP) — Chase Elliott’s best shot at making the NASCAR playoffs appears to be now, at Watkins Glen. And he's the favorite. The 2020 Cup Series champion has two wins at the 14-turn road course in upstate New York. He also has seven career victories on NASCAR’s winding tracks, two more than any other active driver. Elliott and 35 others will take to the 2.45-mile, multi-elevational track Sunday for the series' penultimate regular-season event.
Another win at the Glen? Chase Elliott banking on road-course success to make NASCAR playoffs
Chase Elliott’s best shot at making the NASCAR playoffs appears to be now, at Watkins Glen. And he’s the favorite. The 2020 Cup Series champion has two wins at the 14-turn road course in upstate New York. He also has seven career victories on NASCAR’s winding tracks, two more than any other active driver. Elliott and 35 others will take to the 2.45-mile, multi-elevational track today for the series’ penultimate regular-season event.
Another win at the Glen? Chase Elliott banking on road-course success to make NASCAR playoffs
By MARK LONG The Associated Press Chase Elliott's best shot at making the NASCAR playoffs appears to be now, at Watkins Glen. And he's the favorite. The 2020 Cup Series champion has two wins at the 14-turn road course in upstate New York. He also has seven career victories on NASCAR's winding tracks, two more than any other active driver. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Another win at the Glen? Chase Elliott banking on road-course success to make NASCAR playoffs
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Another win at the Glen? Chase Elliott banking on road-course success to make NASCAR playoffs
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No. 8 Florida State and its returning stars have a chance to gain early foothold in CFP chase
Florida State probably won’t have to wait until December to learn its fate regarding the College Football Playoff. The eighth-ranked Seminoles, entering their most anticipated campaign in nearly a decade, should have a solid handle on their outlook after the first month of the season. Coach Mike Norvell’s team opens against No. 5 LSU in Orlando on Sept. 3, a prime-time showcase featuring two championship contenders, and then plays at ninth-ranked Clemson three weeks later.
No. 8 Florida State and its returning stars have a chance to gain early foothold in CFP chase
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