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Articles by Mark Long
SEC quarterbacks could be key in helping the league end a 3-year championship drought
The Southeastern Conference is going through a championship drought, the kind of lull the football league last endured more than two decades ago. Not only has the SEC watched a Big Ten team hoist the College Football Playoff trophy each of the last three years, the once-seemingly unmatched powerhouse hasn’t even played in the title game since Georgia closed out the 2022 season with a crown. Reason to panic? Cause for concern? It might be more of a head-scratching fluke than an eye-opening fade.
NHRA Stewart Pruett Auto Racing
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NCAA transfer portal gives new coaches a shot at a quick turnaround
The NCAA transfer portal is a godsend for new coaches. Forget three-, four- and five-year builds. Having roughly 3,000 players looking for fresh landing spots creates long days, sleepless nights and more film study than any NFL rookie quarterback. kAm%9@D6 H9@ ?2G:82E6 :E 36DE — =:<6 pC:K@?2 $E2E6[ x?5:2?2[ ~=6 |:DD 2?5 %6I2D %649 :? C646?E J62CD — 92G6 2 492?46 E@ 25G2?46 E@ E96 r@==686 u@@E32== !=2J@77 :?
Vols Chomp Gators In Swamp
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On a Saturday filled with Southeastern Conference teams playing lower-division opponents, Tennessee appeared to be facing one, too. DeSean Bishop ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns, including one that ended with a flip into the end zone, and the 20th-ranked Volunteers overwhelmed rival Florida 31-11 to win in the Swamp for the first time since 2003. "This one mattered to them," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. "It was a lot of fun inside that locker room.
Florida's Napier could be fired with bye week looming
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier knows it's coming. Everyone does, maybe even his kids. kAm}2A:6C :D :? 9:D 7:?2= 52JD[ A@DD:3=J H66<D[ H:E9 E96 v2E@CD] w6 D66>D C6D:8?65 E@ E96 6?5:?8[ H96E96C 96VD 7:C65 $2EFC52J ?:89E[ $F?52J >@C?:?8 @C :? E96 G6CJ ?62C 7FEFC6]k^Am kAmw6VD 366? 2 E@E2= AC@ 23@FE :E] w6VD ?@E >2<:?8 6I4FD6D] w6VD ?@E A@:?E:?8 7:?86CD] w6VD ?@E DF886DE:?8 96 ?665D >@C6 E:>6 @C 4@?E6>A=2E:?8 H92E 4@F=5 92G6 366? 925 BF2CE6C324< sy {28H2J[ C646:G6C s2==2D (:=D@?
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.
Jaguars Gladstone
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NASCAR champ tunes out critics
Joey Logano has found a way to tune out months of negativity. Critics? Naysayers? Anyone who thinks his third Cup Series championship was a fluke? "I can't hear it because my trophies, they kind of, like, echo around me," Logano quipped during a Zoom call with media Wednesday. Logano won his third title in November, sparking debate about whether NASCAR's current playoff format is the best way to determine the series' worthiest champion. Few could make a strong case for that being Logano in 2024.
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.
No. 9 Florida embraces lofty ranking
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida guard Alijah Martin knows a thing or two about being highly ranked. Martin and his former team, Florida Atlantic, climbed to No. 7 in The Associated Press men's college basketball poll last December. It came eight months after the program's stunning run to the Final Four as a No. 9 seed. But FAU's loftiest ranking was short-lived. The Owls lost two of their next three games. Martin doesn't want to experience it again.
Florida basketball coach faces Title IX investigation
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida basketball coach Todd Golden is facing allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking multiple women - including students - over the past 12 months, according to a report published Friday in the school's student newspaper. According to the Independent Florida Alligator, the claims against Golden include unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, and sending explicit photos and videos.
NASCAR: Burton captures first career Cup victory
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Out of his ride and far removed from the playoff picture, Harrison Burton changed his fortunes with a lap to remember Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway. Burton passed two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch on the final lap in overtime to pick up his first career victory and a spot in NASCAR's postseason.
NASCAR: Hamlin shrugs off boobirds following latest win at Bristol
Denny Hamlin was booed in celebration again. The Joe Gibbs Racing superstar, a driver whose 52 wins in the Cup Series rank as the 13th most in NASCAR history, heard another heaping of disapproval and contempt when he climbed from his No. 11 Toyota at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday. Victor and villain. Hamlin stopped short of egging the hostile crowd on this time, though.
NFL: Jaguars to acquire Patriots' QB Jones
A person familiar with negotiations says the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to acquire New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for a sixth-round pick in next month's NFL draft. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday and after Jones passes a physical. The move brings Jones home — he was born and raised in Jacksonville — and provides competition behind starter Trevor Lawrence.
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin plans to be more selfish in his drive for a fourth Daytona 500 victory
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Don't expect Denny Hamlin to stay in line during the closing laps of the Daytona 500. He's not settling for second. He's not sacrificing his finish to help a teammate. He's not counting on anyone else, either. It's exactly how he wants it, maybe how he needs it to return to victory lane in NASCAR's signature event for the fourth time and first since winning back-to-back Daytona 500s in 2019-20.
No. 4 Florida State heads to ACC title game looking to add to 'Sod Cemetery' and 'finish for 13'
Kneeling in the south end zone at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Florida State running back Trey Benson tried to cut out a chunk of grass with scissors. It wasn’t working on the orange-painted turf, so teammate Jared Verse stepped in to help. Together, and despite a police officer trying to dissuade them from finishing the task, they found success with their bare hands. They ripped out a keepsake destined for the program’s famed “Sod Cemetery” in Tallahassee.
Florida upsets No. 11 Tennessee 29-16 for the Gators’ 10th straight victory at home in the series
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Billy Napier navigated a sea of family, friends and fans waiting to congratulate him on his most significant victory as Florida’s head coach. He shook hands, doled out hugs and even posed for pictures. He was in no hurry to get through the adulation, either. “We’ll celebrate tonight, I promise you,” Napier said.
Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz leads Florida over No. 11 Tennessee
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Billy Napier navigated a sea of family, friends and fans waiting to congratulate him on his most significant victory as Florida's head coach. He shook hands, doled out hugs and even posed for pictures. He was in no hurry to get through the adulation, either. “We'll celebrate tonight, I promise you," Napier said.
Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz leads Florida over No. 11 Tennessee
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Billy Napier navigated a sea of family, friends and fans waiting to congratulate him on his most significant victory as Florida's head coach. He shook hands, doled out hugs and even posed for pictures. He was in no hurry to get through the adulation, either. “We'll celebrate tonight, I promise you," Napier said.
NASCAR: Buescher wins third race in the last five; Preece hospitalized
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Chris Buescher has become a NASCAR title contender in less than a month. Buescher won the Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, eliminating fan favorite Chase Elliott from playoff contention and sending Bubba Wallace into the postseason. Buescher and teammate Brad Keselowski finished 1-2 for RFK Racing, the first for the team since 2014.
Chase Briscoe qualifies on the pole for NASCAR's regular-season finale at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Chase Briscoe won the pole Friday for the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Briscoe had a lap at 181.822 mph in the No. 14 Ford in the final round of qualifying, edging Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Aric Almirola for the No. 1 starting spot. Harrison Burton qualified third in another Ford, followed by 23IX Racing teammates Bubba Wallace and Ty Gibbs in Toyotas.
NASCAR: At the 'last chance saloon' for 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.
Chastain's Martinsville move banned
NASCAR has essentially banned the "Hail Melon" video-game move driver Ross Chastain used at Martinsville Speedway to race his way into the championship finale. Chastain last year mashed the gas and deliberately smashed into the wall so that the energy would speed his car past his rivals. The move advanced him into NASCAR's title-deciding final race on the final of the four spots, and was lauded by motorsports figures globally.
Chargers left wondering 'what happened'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Justin Herbert sat in silence at his locker for roughly 15 minutes, staring into the distance. He had taken off his cleats but was still wearing most of his grass-stained uniform. It was a defining scene for a team devastated by a collapse no one could have seen coming. And it made this much clear: Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers won't get over this loss - the third-largest blown lead in postseason history - anytime soon.
NASCAR: Dillon avoids wreck to win playoff spot; Truex Jr. misses out
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Austin Dillon’s wife was doing a rain dance during a lengthy weather delay in hopes of getting the skies to open up again and wash out the rest of the race. “I got upset,” Dillon said. “I said, ‘Don’t be doing that.’” There was no jinxing this one.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville’s normal practice fields are a construction site. Heavy equipment. Dirt mounds. Scaffolding, steel beams and some concrete walls. It’s where the Jaguars should be holding minicamp this week and training camp next month. Instead, the team is cramped onto the game-day field for offseason workouts and will bus to a nearby high school for training camp.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Doug Pederson spent his first four months in Jacksonville trying to build trust with players. He was open and honest, working to help the Jaguars “heal” from one of the most toxic coaching tenures in NFL history. Pederson’s latest move should help him curry even more favor. The head coach canceled next week’s three-day, mandatory minicamp — at least for most of the team. No practices. No meetings. Not even a weightlifting session.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Parked a few feet from the iconic pagoda at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a reimagined E-Z-Go golf cart that's essentially filled with garbage. Plastic bottles tossed into recycling bins months ago are now neatly stacked in rows - and they're for sale. The electric cart houses hundreds of Indy 500 T-shirts made from waste. The clothes are as soft as anything on the shelves in the regular merchandise stores and cost roughly the same.
Kicker's lawsuit could shed light on Meyer's time with Jags
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Placekicker Josh Lambo's lawsuit against the Jacksonville Jaguars could uncover more details about former coach Urban Meyer's tumultuous NFL tenure.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Jacksonville followed its free-agent spending spree with a cost-saving move: cutting veteran linebacker and defensive captain Myles Jack on Tuesday. The Jaguars created more than $8 million in salary-cap space by releasing Jack, who started 82 games over the last six seasons and will forever be remembered in franchise lore for quickly - and possibly erroneously - being ruled down following a New England fumble in the fourth quarter of the 2018 AFC championship game.
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