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A rush to heal exposed banking wounds
No. 5 Alabama has a reputation as 3-point gunners, but it's defense and rebounding that have become a focus as the Tide welcome South Dakota State to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to end the 2024 calendar year. Alabama (10-2) is frequently thought of as an offensive 3-point shooting free-for-all program, but Nate Oats' 2024-25 squad has thrived largely on the basis of inside play. The Tide are shooting 62.2 percent on their two-point attempts and grab 45 rebounds per game, each figure placing the team among the national leaders in those categories. Alabama does still shoot an average of 31 3-point shots per game, again one of the nation's highest totals. But so far, Alabama's 31.2 percent connection rate is very ordinary. But connecting inside and owning the glass has held benefits for Alabama. Meanwhile, defense has concerned Oats, particularly coming off a 97-90 win over North Dakota on Dec. 18. Oats issued warnings about players losing spots in the rotation if defensive execution didn't improve. Alabama passed the first post-North Dakota test in an 81-54 win over Kent State on Sunday. "We did make a big point of emphasis on defense, especially after that debacle up in North Dakota," said Oats after the Kent State victory. "It was a much better defensive effort, so it will be a lot better Christmas break for us." Alabama won the rebounding battle over Kent State 60-40, although Oats contended that the Tide "gave up too many second-chance points." Alabama made 72 percent of its two-point attempts even as just 9 of 35 3-point attempts connected. Alabama has battled personnel uncertainty early in the season. An Achilles injury ended the season of guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. just as transfer Chris Youngblood was preparing to return from an ankle injury. The Tide have 11 players averaging double-digit minutes and eight averaging 7.4 points per game or better, led by super senior guard Mark Sears with 17.8 ppg. Super senior forward Grant Nelson remains a key player, leading the Tide with 8.7 rebounds per game while adding 12.8 ppg. Meanwhile, South Dakota State (9-5) will pin its upset hopes largely on Aussie transfer Oscar Cluff. A 6-foot-11 senior who transferred in from Washington State, Cluff has averaged 16.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Cluff is connecting on 71.4 percent of his shot attempts. He's also shooting 79.2 percent at the foul line and has stabilized a young Jackrabbits team with four freshmen among the top seven scorers. "Oscar's just built the right way," said coach Eric Henderson. "We have probably played through the post more than any other team in the country the last five years and we just felt like we needed a big man that had some experience and boy does he ever." Cluff had a streak of five straight double-doubles, but that ended in recent losses to Nevada and Colorado. The Jackrabbits won 87-72 over Chadron State in their last game on Dec. 19. --Field Level MediaMost of us are not professional chefs or caterers or decorators, so the thought of cooking for and entertaining a Thanksgiving crowd can be daunting. That's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show. The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's event will feature 28 clown crews, 26 floats, 16 giant balloons, 11 marching bands, five performance groups, three "baloonicles"—cold-air inflatables driven down the parade route, and numerous performers. Stacker curated a selection of photographs from the past century of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to help illustrate the history of the iconic event. The parade in New York City, presented by department store chain Macy's, was first held in 1924 under the heading "Macy's Christmas Parade" to promote holiday sales and spotlight the newly expanded and, at the time, largest in the world Herald Square store in Manhattan. The success of the event led organizers to turn the spectacle into an annual tradition. Each year, the parade ends outside the same Herald Square Macy's location. The event has been televised nationally since 1953 on NBC. The parade at first featured Central Park Zoo animals escorted by Macy's employees and professional entertainers for 6 miles from 145th Street in north Manhattan's Harlem to Macy's. A quarter of a million onlookers lined the streets. Real animals were replaced with balloons in 1927; that same year, the name of the event was changed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The longest-running parade float is the event's unofficial mascot, Tom Turkey. Tom features moving wings, head, and eyes and usually functions as the lead float in the parade. Bringing up the caboose in virtually all the parades is Santa Claus who ushers in the holiday shopping season with his arrival at Macy's Herald Square. The parade offers a glimpse into pop culture of the time, from beloved children's entertainment to hit Broadway shows and musical acts. The Radio City Rockettes, formed in 1925, have performed in the parade annually since 1957. In 1933, the outside temperature was 69 degrees F, the warmest it's been; 2018 was the coldest day in parade history at 19 degrees F. In 2022, for the first time, the event featured a trio of women hosts. Today, more than 44 million people tune in to watch the parade. Keep reading to learn more about the parade's history and see some iconic shots of the event. You may also like: Game on: The booming growth of online gaming In Macy's first Thanksgiving parade, Santa Claus sat atop a float pulled by a team of horses down Broadway. That year floats, bands, and Central Park Zoo animals were featured in the procession. At the parade's end, Santa Claus was crowned "King of the Kiddies" on Macy's balcony at the 34th Street entrance. Macy's quickly announced the parade would be an annual event. The large balloons that replaced live zoo animals in 1927 were filled with regular air and had no release valves—they were simply let go to pop in the air following the parade. 1928 marked the first year of Macy's inflating balloons with helium to allow them to float. They were also outfitted with valves so the helium could gradually escape rather than waiting for the balloon to inevitably pop, and featured a return address so anyone who found them could return them and receive a reward. In this photo from 1928, a 35-foot fish and 60-foot-long tiger were featured prominently in the parade. A $100 prize was offered for each balloon recovered after its release. The Thanksgiving parade enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1930s, with more than 1 million revelors lining the parade route in 1933. In this 1931 photo, a giant hippopotamus balloon makes its way down Broadway. A blue hippo balloon—possibly this one—released after the parade was still at large several days later, thought to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. Pinnochio, Tin Man, and Uncle Sam make their way along the parade route in 1939. Mickey Mouse made his debut five years earlier with a balloon designed in part by Walt Disney; Mickey's handlers were also dressed as mice. New iterations of Mickey appeared over the next 70 years as the character evolved. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled from 1942-1944 because of supply shortages during World War II, namely helium and rubber. Festivities returned in 1945. The Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street" was released in 1947 and prominently features actual footage from the 1946 parade. 1948 marked the parade's first network television broadcast. You may also like: Legendary interior designers from every decade of the 20th century The 23rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Nov. 24, 1949. In this photo, a teddy bear makes its way through Times Square. This parade marked the second appearance for the bear. Other balloons made their debut: Freida the Dachshund, Howdy Doody on the Flying Trapeze, and Macy's Hobo Clown. Macy's original character The Giant Spaceman made his debut in 1952's parade, measuring 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and weighing 600 pounds. More than 25 gallons of paint went into painting the astronaut. An estimated 2.25 million people lined the streets for the festivities that year. The iconic peacock float makes its debut in this photo of the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That same year, Miss Teenage America Diane Lynn Cox appeared in princess attire sharing a float with "Prince Charming" actor Troy Donahue. You may also like: Baltimore buried its urban streams—now an artist is bringing one back Teen performers appear in classic roller skates in this image from the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sign above the skaters reads "Macy's presents A Fantasy of Christmas in New York." This 1961 photo shows shoulder-to-shoulder parade onlookers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The year marks the first balloon featuring Bullwinkle Moose and the first year for floats with Pinocchio, The Racetrack Grandstand, Cinderella, Peacock, Ferris Wheel, Brigadoon, Meet the Mets, and Santa's Sleigh. Several years later, in 1968, Macy's creative team figured out how to design floats up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide that could fold into 12.5-by-8-foot boxes for strategic transportation from New Jersey to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. A solo tortoise float makes its way down the street near Columbus Circle in this 1974 parade photo. Not pictured is the accompanying hare. This marked the seventh appearance of the duo. A giant inflatable balloon of Kermit the Frog makes its way down the 1982 parade route in this photo. The parade marked Kermit's sixth appearance. First-time balloons included Olive Oyl and Woody Woodpecker. You may also like: Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world The Soaring Spirit Canoe float, pictured here in 1995, made its debut in the parade in 1986. Popular '90s balloons included Bart Simpson, Cat in the Hat, and The Rugrats. New York City first responders carry two American flags during the Nov. 22, 2001, 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was also held on the heels of 9/11. They honored those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the parade, which featured 15 giant balloons and marching bands that all added an air of patriotism to the event. Dora the Explorer makes her balloon debut in this 2005 photo. That same year, the M&M 's chocolate candies balloon collided with a streetlight in Times Square, and debris from it injured two siblings. Snoopy and Woodstock made their way along the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route Nov. 26, 2015. To date, Snoopy boasts the most years flown as a character balloon in the event. In this 2016 photo, spectators like this one recorded videos of the parade on their phones. More than 24 million people were estimated to have streamed the parade that year on TV. The Pikachu balloon floats down Central Park West for its fourth time during the 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. That year's lineup featured 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 28 legacy balloons, 26 floats, 17 giant helium balloons, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers in this photo prepare at the 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2020. The event was one of few public occasions to be kept on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a tempered manner. Much of the performances were pre-taped and the parade route was massively reduced. Participants wore masks and balloon handlers were cut by nearly 90%. Santa Claus celebrates at the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in this photo from Nov. 23, 2023. First-time giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Leo (Netflix), Monkey D. Luffy, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," and The Pillsbury Doughboy. Copy editing by Lois Hince. You may also like: From the Roman Empire to your therapist's office: The history of the chaise lounge In this image, the Felix the Cat balloon is led down Broadway by its four handlers tailed by Terrible Turk and Willie Red Bird. The original Felix the Cat character balloon made its parade debut in 1927, but was destroyed after its post-parade release by a high tension wire in 1931. The Terrible Turk also was destroyed the same year by an electric sign. In 1932, Macy's Tom Cat balloon got stuck in the propeller of a plane when the aviator flying the plane tried recovering the balloon for a reward. While the plane eventually landed safely, that event marked the final year of releasing balloons after the parades and offering prizes for their return to Macy's. Throngs of onlookers pack the sidewalks in Manhattan's Times Square during this 1955 parade. Mighty Mouse, an animated superhero created by Terrytoons, is seen in the back left of the photo. Mighty Mouse made his debut in the Thanksgiving Day parade in 1951; he appeared in 80 short films between 1942-1961. Popeye makes his way through Times Square in the 1959 parade. A year earlier, another helium shortage meant balloons were inflated with air and hung from construction cranes to make their way through the parade route. Also in 1958, the first celebrity performances were added with the Benny Goodman sextet. Live music proved a challenge technically and logistically. The parade was transitioning to the now-familiar lip syncing by 1964. A Bullwinkle Moose balloon floats down Broadway in this 1972 photograph of the parade. The 46th annual parade featured five firsts for floats: Alphabet Blocks, Snow Mountain, Windmill, Curious George, and Santa's Holiday Home. Woody Woodpecker greets the crowd as he floats past One Times Square during the 63rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989. In the coming years, safety concerns troubled '90s-era parades—namely the wind. Strong gusts in 1993 pushed a Sonic the Hedgehog balloon into a Columbus Circle lamppost that broke and hurt a child and off-duty police officer. Four years later, intense winds caused a Cat in the Hat balloon to hit a lamppost, hurling debris into the air that fractured the skull of a spectator who spent 24 days in a coma. The incident, among others, led then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to form a task force. A woman dressed in an elf costume sprinkles spectators with confetti in Times Square during Macy's 85th Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 24, 2011. Sonic the Hedgehog and Julius the sock monkey, which was created by Paul Frank, made their balloon entrances that year. You may also like: 5 tips for making your next event more affordable For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!The gaming industry is constantly evolving, driven by advanced technologies and innovative platforms. One surprising player set to revolutionize the market is the Dell Outlet. Known for offering refurbished laptops, desktops, and accessories at discounted prices, Dell Outlet is gradually becoming an attractive option for gamers seeking high-performance devices without the hefty price tag. Revolutionizing Gaming Accessibility Traditionally, gamers have gravitated towards custom-built rigs or purchasing brand-new systems to satisfy their gaming needs. However, the Dell Outlet, leveraging cutting-edge refurbishment technologies, is changing this narrative. By utilizing robust quality checks and ensuring each product meets high standards, it allows gamers to access powerful hardware at a fraction of the cost. This democratizes access to gaming technology, enabling a broader audience to engage with high-end gaming experiences. Sustainability Meets Performance In the era of climate consciousness, Dell Outlet offers an exciting intersection of sustainability and performance. Refurbished electronics significantly reduce e-waste, which is often a growing concern in the rapidly changing tech sector. Gamers choosing the Dell Outlet contribute to a more sustainable future without compromising on the technology needed for immersive gaming sessions. The Road Ahead: AI-Powered Enhancements Looking towards the future, the potential integration of AI-powered diagnostics and support systems within the Dell Outlet could further enhance the customer experience. As AI technology continues to progress, Dell Outlet could offer instant troubleshooting and optimization suggestions, ensuring refurbished devices run at peak performance. In conclusion, Dell Outlet is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of gaming, marrying affordability with sustainability and performance. This emerging trend underscores the shift towards more inclusive and eco-friendly gaming solutions. Dive Into Affordable Gaming: How Dell Outlet is Shaking Up the Market The gaming industry is witnessing a transformative wave, with Dell Outlet at the forefront, reshaping how gamers access high-performance hardware. This transformation not only unlocks affordability but also introduces a suite of innovative features and eco-friendly practices, redefining the gaming landscape. Features and Use Cases Dell Outlet stands out with its commitment to quality and performance. Each refurbished product undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process. This includes an extensive quality check that ensures items operate like new, offering gamers reliable access to powerful hardware suited for both casual and professional gaming scenarios. The outlet is particularly suited for gamers seeking cost-effective solutions without sacrificing performance, making it an ideal option for students and budget-conscious gamers. Innovations and Predictions The future for Dell Outlet appears bright, with potential advancements in AI integration poised to revolutionize customer support and device optimization. AI-driven systems could monitor device health in real-time, offer instant diagnostics, and provide personalized settings to enhance gaming performance. As AI features become integrated, expect the Dell Outlet to push gaming devices to new frontiers of reliability and interactivity. Pros and Cons Pros: – Affordability: Offers high-performance devices at substantially reduced prices compared to brand-new models. – Sustainability: Advocates for reduced e-waste through the refurbishment of electronics. – Quality Assurance: Ensures high standards of refurbishment, guaranteeing quality performance. Cons: – Limited Stock: Availability of models and specifications can vary, limiting choice. – Potential Wear: While refurbished, products may show slight cosmetic wear which doesn’t impact performance. Market Analysis and Trends With a growing trend towards sustainability and cost-efficiency, refurbishing has seen increased interest and broad market potential. As environmental awareness increases among consumers, offerings like those from Dell Outlet are uniquely positioned to meet demands for both eco-friendly and budget-friendly gaming devices. This market shift could redefine priorities in hardware investments, with refurbished technology playing an increasingly significant role in the gaming sector. Security Aspects Purchasing refurbished devices from established companies like Dell offers a level of security that is often absent in peer-to-peer product exchanges. Dell Outlet ensures that all devices are factory reset and updated with secure operating systems, minimizing risks of vulnerabilities that can plague second-hand electronics. In leveraging the strengths of refurbished technology, Dell Outlet not only meets current gaming needs but sets a promising precedent for the future—a harmonious blend of performance, affordability, and sustainability. For more information on gaming innovations and hardware options, be sure to visit Dell’s official website .
HOUSTON (AP) — Will Levis threw for 278 yards and his 70-yard touchdown pass to Chig Okonkwo put Tennessee on top in the fourth quarter and the Titans held on for a 32-27 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled for the touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. The Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 28-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. Titans coach Brian Callahan held both hands in the air and smiled after watching the miss that allowed his team to win on a day it had three turnovers. The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked C.J. Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions as the AFC South-leading Texans lost for the third time in four games. Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. Tennessee extended the lead to 23-17 on a 51-yard field goal by Nick Folk with nine minutes left in the third. Stroud threw his second interception with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter but Ward’s touchdown came three plays later to put the Texans on top 24-23. The Titans fumbled a punt early in the fourth quarter and Houston recovered it. A 54-yard field goal by Fairbairn extended the lead to 27-23 with about 10 minutes to go. Dameon Pierce returned the opening kickoff 80 yards to get the Texans in the red zone. Houston cashed in on the next play when Stroud found rookie Cade Stover on a 19-yard pass for his first touchdown reception. The Titans trailed by four after a field goal by Folk when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Tennessee extended the lead to 17-7 when Tony Pollard ran 10 yards for a touchdown with about 11 minutes left in the second. Pollard finished with 119 yards and a touchdown. Nico Collins scored on a 5-yard reception with about six minutes left in the second. Levis fumbled on the Houston 32 with 31⁄2 minutes left in the first half and Houston recovered the ball. Stroud connected with Collins on a 56-yard pass on the next play, but the Texans couldn’t move the ball and settled for a 28-yard field goal to tie it at 17-17. Houston forced a punt after that, but rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. got his first career interception two plays later to give Tennessee the ball back. Folk’s 56-yard field goal, which tied his career long, put the Titans up 20-17 at halftime. The Titans were without cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, after he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, and safety Amani Hooker, who was added to the injury report Sunday morning with an illness. Hooker leads the Titans with three interceptions. ... Houston S Jalen Pitre injured his shoulder in the second quarter and didn’t return. ... CB Ka’dar Hollman left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Titans: Visit the Commanders next Sunday. Texans: Visit Jacksonville next Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThe AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Shay Ciezki scored a season-high 34 points and Indiana knocked off No. 18 Baylor 73-65 in a semifinal at the Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis on Sunday. The Hoosiers (4-2) will play the winner of Sunday’s second semifinal between No. 16 North Carolina and Villanova for the championship on Monday. The Bears (4-2) will play the loser for third place on Monday. Ciezki made 9 of 16 shots from the floor for the Hoosiers (4-2). She hit 4 of 5 from 3-point range and 12 of 13 at the free-throw line. The junior finished six points shy of her career high — set last season in a 101-73 victory over Central Connecticut. Chloe Moore-McNeil had 10 rebounds to go with seven points for Indiana. Karoline Striplin added eight points off the bench. Yaya Felder came off the bench to hit five 3-pointers and score a season-high 20 to lead Baylor. Jada Walker scored 15 but missed 13 of 16 shots and all three of her shots from distance. She was 9 for 11 at the foul line. Aaronette Vonleh totaled 11 points and eight rebounds but had six of the Bears’ 18 turnovers. Ciezki had nine points and Moore-McNeil scored five to lead the Hoosiers to a 27-18 advantage after one quarter. RELATED COVERAGE Who’s No. 1? No. 2 UConn, No. 5 UCLA and No. 6 Notre Dame all have chance at top spot in AP poll UCLA women are looking for more after program’s first win over No. 1 team in 21 tries No. 1 South Carolina experiences rare sting of defeat, seeing 43-game winning streak end Felder scored eight points in the second quarter, two less than Indiana as a team, and Baylor closed within 37-33 at halftime. Ciezki made all nine of her second-half free throws and scored 20 to help Indiana outscore the Bears 18-16 in each quarter. Indiana shot just 37.5% from the floor and missed 12 of 17 tries from distance, but the Hoosiers went 26 for 30 at the foul line. Baylor shot 33.3% overall, made 7 of 23 from beyond the arc and 16 of 26 free throws. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballPatriots coach Jerod Mayo believes narrow loss to Bills shows potential of his young teamMaximus Inc MMS shares are volatile in extended trading Tuesday after the company announced the cancellation of a contact center operations contract . What Happened: After the market close on Tuesday, Maximus said it received notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the federal agency has canceled the Contact Center Operations (CCO) 1-800-MEDICARE and Federal Marketplace solicitation. The company said the contract covered the same scope of work Maximus currently performs under separate contracts through option periods available until 2031. “Maximus employees have consistently demonstrated their ability to successfully manage this critical program providing essential support to more than 75 million eligible Americans who rely on Medicare and the Federal Marketplace,” said Bruce Caswell , president and CEO of Maximus. “We appreciate the opportunity to continue supporting HHS and CMS in their vital missions and look forward to delivering innovative, high-quality, and reliable solutions that benefit the American public.” Maximus helps improve the delivery of public services as a strategic partner to governments around the world. MMS Price Action: Maximus shares were volatile at the start of the after-hours session, but were trading approximately flat by the time of publication Tuesday at $73, according to Benzinga Pro . Read Next: Workday Stock Slides After Q3 Results Beat Expectations, FY Subscription Revenue Guidance Revised Lower Photo: Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
McLean, Duax lead FGCU over Florida International 60-59Klubnik's 3 TD passes, DT Page's pick-6 lead No. 17 Clemson to 51-14 win over The Citadel
A Tennessee man is convicted of killing 2 at a high school basketball game in 2021One suspects that there are those whose favourite sporting indulgence is to launch little social media grenades before standing back to admire their handiwork. A million impressions! 700,000 likes! Once the currency of the geeky in-your-folks’-basement-keyboard-warrior, it has become a more mainstream means of satisfaction to a certain demographic. It would be remiss, though, to suggest the age group appeals to those who are barely of legal age to drink. Last week Roger Mitchell, the former SPL chief – the one who recommended that the league knock back a Sky Sports broadcasting deal in 2002 – detonated one of those social media bombs with a tweet about women’s football that promptly blew up. As England internationalist Lucy Bronze suggested that 99.9% of women’s players will have to work when they finish playing rather than live off their earnings, Mitchell was very keen to offer his thoughts. ‘The entitlement of women’s football is totally off the scale,’ he wrote. ‘They arrived yesterday. They have no real audience. And yet...World class male players of the 80s didn’t get “for life” wages. Stars in the 60s needed a testimonial to maybe buy a pub and work another 35 years.’ The point that Bronze was making, and entirely lost here, was that the position of women’s football is a million miles off of its male equivalent. Her observation was simply this; it is unlikely that any current player in the England team will have any financial worries when the time comes to hang up their boots. Indeed, there will be bang-average Championship and League One players in England who need never dirty their hands when they finish playing. This is not entitlement to discuss this. This is a question and not exclusive to sport, stained deep within the culture of our time, about creating genuine pathways to equality. If no-one talks about it and puzzles over how to offer means of correcting it, how can it ever change? Pointing out the differentials is not entitlement. And the reason why women’s football ‘arrived yesterday?’ Well, that’s an easy one. It was banned. It was not allowed. Growth was prohibited when the game was shut down with no oxygen to move and morph the way the men’s game did. Historically the women’s game attracted significant numbers at times before facilities were removed. It is impossible to know how things would have played out had those decisions by the old gatekeepers not been taken. But these are the new gatekeepers of the women’s game. The ones who have an opinion – and there is nothing quite so entrenched as a middle-aged man with an opinion – who has decided that the world must hear it. As Mitchell’s tweet attracted significant traction – surprise, surprise – the patronising rhetoric which followed offered some wry amusement. “There is a very large portion of the fan base of the male game who has deep resentment for how the female game has been 'forced' upon them. “I’d pay attention to that.” Quite what we are all paying deep attention to is an interesting question. Who is forcing the women’s game on anyone? Watch if you will, turn off if you will. Go to a game or consider it not for you. Both choices are fine. But it is here and it has a right to be here. It also has a right to wish to grow and market itself properly and attract commercial entities which will facilitate that. It has a right for players and chief execs and coaches to ask the questions about how it becomes more professional and how it attracts a bigger audience. AND ANOTHER THING Brian Graham has made it clear that he would be keen to be considered for the Scotland job following the exit of Pedro Martinez Losa. Graham currently juggles the duel demands of Partick Thistle striker for Kris Doolan’s side along with managing the women’s side. Twice he took them into the top six while also taking the to the League Cup final last year. By his own admission, the ceiling has been reached with the women’s team given the current lack of resources available. Erin Cuthbert suggested some months ago that tapping into some traditional Scottish qualities would enhance the national team and it is interesting to see if a homegrown route is pursued for this reason. Leanne Ross should also fancy that she should be in the running for the role. Having assisted Martinez Losa she knows the landscape of the national team while her own body of work would speak for itself. Glasgow City are currently leading the charge for this season’s title having had to regroup and rebuild this summer. Both candidates would offer something to Scotland – although both would also need to get a move on with their pro-license. AND FINALLY The SWPL is on a break for a couple of weeks to allow players to recharge. If the game is to grow and develop then a break makes absolute sense. It doesn’t help to have players who are mentally and physically fatigued – many of whom juggle working commitments with their football – working through a hectic schedule. The men’s game will miss its break this year as it accommodates the growing demands of international and domestic football and there is no question that it has an impact on performance levels. The women’s game will be all the better for a brief break.
Squid Game Season 2 Trailer Shows New Games With New StakesOfficers in the southern Netherlands have found a garden gnome weighing nearly 2kg (4lb) and made of the drug MDMA. "Drugs appear in many shapes and sizes, but every now and then we come across special things," Dongemond Police said in a translated social media post. The gnome was found among suspected narcotics during a large drug search. "In itself a strange place to keep your garden gnome," the force said. "That's why we decided to test [it] for narcotics". "The gnome himself was visibly startled," police said, referring to the gnome having its hands covering its mouth. It is not known which area the gnome was recovered in, but the Dongemond Police covers the municipalities of Oosterhout, Geertruidenberg, Drimmelen and Altena. MDMA - which is an illegal substance in the Netherlands - is a synthetic party drug also known as ecstasy. As of 2019, the Netherlands was among the world's leading producers of MDMA . It is not the first time someone has attempted to hide the drug in inconspicuous guises. Last year, a Scottish man was jailed for more than four years for trying to smuggle over £84,000 worth of MDMA that was hidden in cat food into the country. A Leeds man was also previously charged over a plot to smuggle 90kg (198lb) of the drug into the UK hidden inside pallets of frozen chicken.