The Green Bay Packers have officially entered their offseason, and after a loss to the Chicago Bears in the NFL playoffs, the biggest question remains: What will become of head coach Matt LaFleur?

LaFleur’s contract with the Packers reportedly runs through the end of the 2026 season, and no coach, executive or player enjoys the security – or lack thereof – of a one-year deal.

But, as it goes, plans change in the NFL. Could the wild-card loss vs. the Bears be the last that LaFleur coaches for the Packers?

Here’s what the Packers head coach said about his job security following the loss:

Will the Packers fire Matt LaFleur?

LaFleur’s job security entering the Packers’ matchup against the Bears in the wild-card round was seemingly strong, with the two sides reportedly set to discuss a contract extension that would keep him in Green Bay beyond 2026.

Rapoport added that LaFleur wouldn’t be ‘coaching for his job’ on Saturday night.

The head coach didn’t want to speak on his contract status or potential negotiations in the immediate aftermath of the loss to the Bears.

‘With all due respect to your question, Pete, now’s not the time for that,’ LaFleur said. ‘I’m just hurting for these guys. I can only think about what just happened, and there will be time for that.’

LaFleur didn’t answer further questions positing his job status or the team’s confidence in him, but said that being the head coach of the Packers ‘means everything’ to him.

If there’s any consolation for LaFleur, it’s that Packers president Ed Policy isn’t necessarily in favor of a coach entering a season on an expiring contract.

“I’m generally opposed – I’d never say never – [but] I’m generally opposed to a coach or GM going into the last year of their contract,’ Policy said in June 2025. ‘That creates a lot of issues. I think normally you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left – not always, but normally.

‘So I think generally speaking I would avoid ‘lame-duck’ status. It’s oftentimes difficult on everybody involved. But there are certain situations that probably call for it, so I would not say never.’

Could the team’s standing with LaFleur be one of those ‘certain situations?’ Only time will tell.

Matt LaFleur record

Under LaFleur’s watch, the Packers have been one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL. He has an overall record of 76-40-1 and has one season where the Packers have been sub-.500.

Here’s the year-by-year breakdown:

• 2019: 13-3, won NFC North, lost NFC championship
• 2020: 13-3, won NFC North, lost NFC championship
• 2021: 13-4, won NFC North, lost NFC divisional round
• 2022: 8-9, third place in NFC North
• 2023: 9-8, second place in NFC North, lost NFC divisional round
• 2024: 11-6, third place in NFC North, lost wild-card round
• 2025: 9-7-1, third place in NFC North, lost wild-card round

Don’t call it a comeback.

It’s business as usual for the 2025 Chicago Bears, who live for the drama. They faced an 18-point halftime deficit. They faced an 11-point deficit with just under seven minutes to go. They trailed by three with just under three minutes to go.

None of that mattered.

In a true tortoise and the hare moment, Caleb Williams and the Bears crossed the finish line first to claim victory in the NFC wild-card game, defeating the rival Green Bay Packers, 31-27.

The comeback kids will now advance to the divisional round of the 2025 NFL playoffs, when they’ll host another game at Soldier Field. It was a familiar story for Ben Johnson’s Bears, who have flirted with disaster all season long before pulling off an improbable comeback in the final moments.

Even with that, this was a comeback for the history books. It was the Bears’ biggest postseason comeback in franchise history, which was capped by DJ Moore’s 25-yard touchdown from Williams with just 1:48 to go in regulation.

The NFL’s oldest rivalry has seen a lot through the years, but nothing like this. Chicago’s comeback is the story, but Green Bay’s first-half dominance will be forgotten after a second-half collapse when they were outscored 25-6 in the fourth quarter.

After all, it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.

Here’s how the action unfolded in a wild, wild-card matchup between the Bears and Packers. USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Bears-Packers game.

Bears vs. Packers takeaways

• The Bears are never out of it: Chicago had every reason to quit. They were down three scores and the home crowd was demoralized as the Bears’ hated rival got whatever they wanted and more in the first half. Chicago had costly fourth-down failures that gifted the visitors great field position. Despite having every reason to pack it up, the Bears kept fighting like they had all year. It’s a great quality to have in a team and the type of stuff champions are made of. Time will tell if they get there, but you’d have to be crazy to count them out now.
• Not all fourth downs are created equal: Being aggressive is one thing. Being reckless is another. Ben Johnson put on his Dan Campbell hat at points tonight, going for it on fourth down regardless of field position. While Chicago’s defense couldn’t get a stop in the first half, those decisions put the Bears in an almost impossible situation. Everyone likes to go for it on fourth down, but it will eventually cost them. Sometimes you just have to live to fight another down.
• Chicago will need 60-minute efforts to win the Super Bowl: The Bears have spent most of this season playing 30-minute games. Unfortunately for them, NFL games are at least 60 minutes in length. As the stakes get higher going forward, Chicago might not be able to rely on pulling off improbable comebacks in the fourth quarter. The Packers couldn’t seal the deal, but everything had to go wrong for them to lose. It’s hard to believe that it can happen three more times for Chicago to win the Super Bowl. They need to start better going forward.
• The Packers have a Matt LaFleur problem: Again, the Packers had to have everything go wrong for them to lose. The defense couldn’t hold the lead. The offense was stuck in quicksand for almost the entire second half. The costly penalties. The lack of awareness of the play clock. At some point, all of that comes down to coaching. The Packers played the second half like a team that already booked their flights and accommodations for Seattle next week. Now, if they want to use them, it’ll be because they bought a ticket to watch the Seahawks play the Rams or 49ers.

Caleb Williams stats vs. Packers

• 24-of-48 (50% completion rate)
• 361 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 2 interceptions
• 71.6 passer rating
• 4 rushing attempts
• 20 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns

Jordan Love stats vs. Bears

• 24-of-46 (52.1% completion rate)
• 323 passing yards
• 4 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 103.8 passer rating
• 1 rushing attempt
• 11 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns

Bears. Packers wild-card playoff game highlights

Bears vs. Packers final score: Chicago 31, Green Bay 27

Bears vs. Packers score update: Chicago comes all the way back to take the lead

Caleb Williams to DJ Moore. Touchdown. Bears lead.

Hours ago, that would’ve been unimaginable. These Chicago Bears are all about making the unimaginable, imaginable though. They have erased an 18-point halftime deficit to take a four-point lead with 1:43 to go.

Bears 31, Packers 27

Bears vs. Packers score update: Caleb Williams finds Olamide Zaccheaus to keep the Bears alive

They don’t quit. Just when you thought the Bears could be put on ice, Williams and co. answer with a 10-play, 76-yard drive in just 2:18 to cut the deficit to three. It took some heroics from the quarterback on fourth down, but Zaccheaus scored the touchdown and Colston Loveland got the two-point conversion. It hasn’t been pretty, but the Bears are one stop away from being able to tie or take the lead.

Packers 27, Bears 24

Bears vs. Packers score update: Matthew Golden’s first career TD pushes Chicago to the brink

The Packers’ offense finally woke up when they needed it most. After avoiding disaster on the kickoff, Green Bay only needed six plays to march 54 yards to answer Chicago’s touchdown with one of its own. Golden gets his first career touchdown on the 23-yard catch-and-run, but Brandon McManus misses the extra point to keep the lead at 11. That could prove important in the final minutes.

Packers 27, Bears 16

Bears vs. Packers score update: D’Andre Swift TD makes it a one-possession game

Well, hopefully you haven’t changed that streaming service. This one just got interesting. Swift and the Bears are all the back way into this contest, trailing by only five with 10 minutes to go. The comeback kids marched 66 yards in just seven plays. Now Jordan Love and the Packers have to get their offense back in gear to avoid an embarrassing collapse.

Packers 21, Bears 16

Bears vs. Packers score update: Cairo Santos cuts Green Bay’s lead to 12

For the first time in a long time, we have points on the board. The Bears’ comeback hasn’t really taken shape yet, but they’re slowly cutting into the lead. Green Bay’s offense continues to struggle in the second half, but it remains to be seen if Chicago will have enough time to erase the 12-point deficit with just over 13 minutes remaining.

Packers 21, Bears 9

Who is the Packers’ defensive coordinator?

Jeff Hafley is the Packers’ defensive coordinator. His unit put on a masterclass in the opening 30 minutes of their wild-card matchup against the Chicago Bears. Hafley has risen through the ranks and become a potential candidate for head coaching jobs this offseason. Despite being a coordinator at the NFL level, Hafley does have experience as a head coach. He held that job at Boston College from 2020 to 2023.

Bears vs. Packers score update: Packers take a three-possession lead on Doubs TD

It’s all Packers in the first half. After another failed fourth-down attempt by the Bears, the Packers enjoy a short field and, eventually, another end zone celebration. Love tosses his third touchdown of the first half, this time finding Romeo Doubs on fourth-and-goal to open up an 18-point lead.

Packers 21, Bears 3

Bears vs. Packers score update: Jayden Reed TD extends the Green Bay lead

The Bears’ defense can’t get off the field. It’s now two drives and two touchdowns for the visiting Packers, who take advantage of Caleb Williams’ interception. This time, it’s Love finding Reed for the 18-yard score as a dominant first half continues for the Green Bay signal caller. It puts a bow on the 10-play, 87-yard drive with just under seven minutes left in the half. Packers 14, Bears 3

Packers 14, Bears 3

T.J. Edwards injury update

Edwards was carted off the field with a foot injury. The linebacker’s foot was twisted significantly after being caught with Christian Watson’s in what was an ugly-looking injury. He has battled injuries throughout the 2025 season, limiting him to just 10 games. Now the Bears will have to replace the seventh-year linebacker, who was supposed to be the glue in the middle of that defense.

How old is Al Michaels?

Michaels is 81 years old and will continue calling games through at least the 2026 season, when he’ll turn 82. The legendary announcer has been the play-by-play voice for the NFL on Amazon Prime since 2022.

Bears vs. Packers score update: Packers answer with a Christian Watson TD

Classic rivalry. The Bears got the field goal. The Packers had to one-up the home team and marched down the field for a Love-to-Watson seven-yard TD to cap off the nine-play, 85-yard drive in just under five minutes. Chicago’s defense showed little resistance on this series, as Love sliced and diced his way through the Bears without showing any signs of rust.

Packers 7, Bears 3

What does ‘GSH’ on the Bears uniform mean?

That acronym is a reference to the team’s founding owner, George Stanley Halas Sr. It has been incorporated into Chicago’s uniforms since 1983, following his death at age 83.

Bears vs. Packers score update: Bears strike first with Cairo Santos FG

The Bears certainly aren’t in a hurry. Chicago opens the scoring by eating up most of the opening quarter with a 16-play drive that takes 7:58 off the clock. Despite that hard work, the Bears settled for a 27-yard field goal from Santos to grab the early lead.

Bears 3, Packers 0

What is the temperature in Chicago? Bears vs. Packers weather update

The temperature at tonight’s kickoff is 33 degrees but feels like 17 degrees in Chicago at Soldier Field.

How to watch the Bears vs. Packers playoff game?

• TV: National: N/A | Fox 32 (Chicago) | NBC 26 (Green Bay) and Fox 6 (Milwaukee)

The Bears-Packers matchup will not be broadcast nationally because it’ll be streamed exclusively on Prime Video. It will be available in local markets for both teams.

What time is the Bears vs. Packers playoff game?

• Start time: 8 p.m. ET

The Bears and Packers are scheduled for kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

Bears vs. Packers stream

• Live stream: Prime Video

The Bears-Packers contest will stream exclusively on Prime Video.

Watch the Bears and Packers wild-card matchup on Prime

Bears vs. Packers prediction, picks

Here’s what the experts at USA TODAY think will happen in the Bears vs. Packers playoff matchup in the wild-card round:

• Jarrett Bell: Bears 20, Packers 17
• Nick Brinkerhoff: Bears 27, Packers 23
• Chris Bumbaca: Packers 31, Bears 28
• Nate Davis: Bears 27, Packers 23
• Tyler Dragon: Packers 27, Bears 24
• Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Bears 28, Packers 21

Bears vs. Packers odds, moneyline, O/U

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Line last updated Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET.

• Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
• Moneyline (ML): Packers -118 (Bet $118 to win $100) | Bears -102 (Bet $102 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Packers -1 (-115) | Bears +1 (-105)

Bears vs. Packers weather report

The temperature is expected to be 32 degrees around kickoff in Chicago. There are snow flurries in the forecast, but not accumulating and wind gusts will max out at 21 MPH.

Is Jordan Love playing today vs. Bears?

Yes, the Green Bay Packers quarterback is expected to start tonight’s wild-card playoff game against the Bears. Love missed Green Bay’s final two games of the season after suffering a concussion in Week 16.

Chicago Bears inactives today vs. Packers

• QB Case Keenum
• S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• LB Ruben Hyppolite
• DE Joe Tryon-Shouinka
• WR Jahdae Walker
• LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
• OL Luke Newman

Green Bay Packers inactives today vs. Bears

• QB Desmond Ridder (emergency 3rd QB)
• WR Dontayvion Wicks
• CB Jaylin Simpson
• DL Collin Oliver
• T Zach Tom
• WR Jakobie Keeney-James

NFC North standings

1. Chicago Bears (11-6)
2. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)
3. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
4. Detroit Lions (9-8)

NFL wild card playoff schedule

All times Eastern.

Saturday, Jan. 10

• Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:30 p.m., FOX
• Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers, 5 p.m., Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 11

• Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
• Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:30 p.m., FOX
• New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m., NBC

Monday, Jan. 12

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m., ABC/ESPN

NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket

1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winners)
2. Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winners)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winners)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winners)
5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5, wild card No. 1)
6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5, wild card No. 2)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, wild card No. 3)

Bears schedule 2025

Packers schedule 2025

2026 NFL Draft order

Here’s a look at the latest draft order entering wild-card weekend, via Tankathon. Record indicates that of the original owner of the pick:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
2. New York Jets: 3-14, .552
3. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571
4. Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574
5. New York Giants: 4-13; .524
6. Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486
7. Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507
8. New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495
9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .514
10. Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11; .521
11. Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488
12. Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): 8-9; .495
14. Baltimore Ravens: 8-9; .507
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529
16. New York Jets (from IND): 8-9; .540
17. Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490
18. Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514
19. Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): 9-7-1; .483
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7; .503
22. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .458
23. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476
24. Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .471
25. Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458
26. San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498
27. Houston Texans: 12-5; .522
28. Los Angeles Rams: 12-5, .526
29. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): 13-4; .478
30. New England Patriots: 14-3; .391
31. Denver Broncos: 14-3; .422
32. Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .498

4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz 

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ST. LOUIS — For more than a decade, the U.S. championships have become the playground of Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

It’s felt like the top step of the ice dance podium has had a sign that read “Reserved for Madison Chock and Evan Bates,” like Larry Bird showing up to the 1986 3-point contest and asking, “Who’s coming in second?”

At the 2026 U.S. figure skating championships on Saturday, they took their place on that very same top step, cementing themselves as the great American ice dance dynasty. It is their seventh national title, breaking a tie with Meryl Davis and Charlie White for most all-time.

‘The feeling that we got front he audience today was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before,’ Chock said after, tears welling in her eyes. ‘It felt so special, I felt so much love and joy and I’m so grateful for this moment to share with everyone here and to share with Evan. It’s been the most incredible, incredible career. Couldn’t have asked for anything more.’

In typical fashion, Chock and Bates set themselves up for success by rocking their short program. They earned a season-best score of 91.70 on Thursday, nearly six points ahead of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik in second place, a comfortable margin for the pair.

The quality of their free dance program meant only a monumental mess would have left wiggle room for other competitors.

But their free skate felt more like a coronation than a competition. The “Paint it Black” program features Chock as a matadora and Bates as a bull, and they brought the intensity, highlighted by their step sequence that brought out the fairy Paso Doble influence that had the crowd in awe.

Ultimately, their free dance yielded a double-digit victory. Chock and Bates finished with a program score of 137.17 and a total score of 228.87, 15.22 points than the second place team of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik.

‘I think our performance today was definitely the best that we’ve skated the free dance all year,’ Bates said. ‘It’s a great feeling going into a big event knowing that you’ve skated well at the previous competition.’

It’s pretty much a full circle moment for Chock. She recalled watching Davis and White, as well as Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, growing up and idolizing them. Little did she know that she would one day surpass their records.

‘I really took that to heart and let it guide me and lead me,’ she said. ‘Hopefully we can leave a little bit of that legacy for the next generation and keep the love for the sport going.’

Here is the full picture of their excellence: This was their sixth championship in the last seven years; all of their titles have come in the past 12 years; they’ve competed in the past 15 U.S. championships; they’ve finished on the podium the last 14 times — and only one of those was a third-place finish.

However, when they were reminded of all the winning they had been doing at the U.S. Championships, Bates thought of how difficult it was to win their second title in 2020 after their first in 2015, how it wasn’t an easy ride to get to this point.

‘Those years where we felt the struggle set us up for this run now we’ve been enjoying for the last few years. The domestic rivalries that we had through that span of time sharpened us for international competition,’ he said.

All that’s missing from their decorated career is that Olympic medal. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, they will be determined to come out on top at their fourth Olympics.

‘We know what to do,’ Chock said. ‘We have our plan. We’re executing it, and we don’t plan on deviating from it. We’re going to stick to it, trust ourselves, trust our team, and do what we know how to do.’

ST. LOUIS — Ilia Malinin won his fourth consecutive U.S. figure skating championship on Saturday, the “Quad God” bringing the crowd to its feet in his final competition before he makes his Olympic debut at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.

The free skate earned him a 209.78, bringing his championship-winning score to 324.88, a whopping 57.26 points ahead of second-place Andrew Torgashev and 75.72 points ahead of third-place Maxim Naumov. Malinin, who’s been breaking in new skates, did three quad jumps in his free skate, what he called playing it safe.

“I was coming into this one, I was a little unsure what I was gonna do, so I decided not to go for any risks and I wanted to play it safe because I know that hopefully in a few weeks I’ll have to go again,’ he said.

He said he will ‘really try to get comfortable with (the new skates), and I’m sure in a few weeks they’ll be in perfect condition, so I’m really looking forward to that process.”

Earlier Saturday, the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured their seventh national title, an all-time record. It’s their fifth consecutive championship and it propels them to their fourth Olympic games together. U.S. Figure Skating will announce the 2026 Olympic team on Sunday.

‘The feeling that we got from the audience today was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before,’ Chock said after, tears welling in her eyes. ‘It felt so special, I felt so much love and joy and I’m so grateful for this moment to share with everyone here and to share with Evan. It’s been the most incredible, incredible career. Couldn’t have asked for anything more.’

Watch our exclusive conversation with Ilia Malinin in the debut episode of ourMilan Magic Olympics podcast. Subscribe and listen:Apple Podcasts |Spotify |Amazon

Check out all the results and highlights from Day 4 of nationals below.

US figure skating championships results, standings

Here are the overall men’s standings.

1. Ilia Malinin: 324.88
2. Andrew Torgashev: 267.62
3. Maxim Naumov: 249.16
4. Jacob Sanchez: 249.07
5. Tomoki Hiwatashi: 247.24
6. Liam Kapeikis: 235.13
7. Daniel Martynov: 229.95
8. Jason Brown: 227.52
9. Lucius Kazanecki: 227.07
10. Kai Kovar: 225.75
11. Jimmy Ma: 225.71
12. Lorenzo Elano: 213.34
13. Goku Endo: 203.42
14. Michael Xie: 196.78
15. Samuel Mindra: 190.04
16. Emmanuel Savary: 188.14
17. Will Annis: 175.80
18. Ken Mikawa: 145.91

Here are the free skate scores.

• Ilia Malinin: 209.78 total segment score, 116.17 technical elements score, 93.61 program components score.
• Andrew Torgashev: 182.63 total segment score, 95.69 technical elements score, 86.94 program components score.
• Jacob Sanchez: 167.80 total segment score, 85.24 technical elements score, 82.56 program components score.
• Maxim Naumov: 163.44 total segment score, 80.08 technical elements score, 83.36 program components score.
• Tomoki Hiwatashi: 157.98 total segment score, 76.29 technical elements score, 81.69 program components score.
• Liam Kapeikis: 156.27 total segment score, 79.46 technical elements score, 76.81 program components score.
• Lucius Kazanecki: 151.35 total segment score, 78.95 technical elements score, 72.40 program components score.
• Jimmy Ma: 150.15 total segment score, 73.96 technical elements score, 77.19 program components score.
• Kai Kovar: 148.84 total segment score, 73.41 technical elements score, 75.43 program components score.
• Daniel Martynov: 148.32 total segment score, 73.56 technical elements score, 75.76 program components score.
• Lorenzo Elano: 141.69 total segment score, 69.19 technical elements score, 73.50 program components score.
• Jason Brown: 139.03 total segment score, 58.98 technical elements score, 82.05 program components score.
• Michael Xie: 136.83 total segment score, 72.40 technical elements score, 64.43 program components score.
• Goku Endo: 130.74 total segment score, 56.91 technical elements score, 73.83 program components score.
• Emmanuel Savary: 127.93 total segment score, 59.63 technical elements score, 70.30 program components score.
• Samuel Mindra: 125.02 total segment score, 53.76 technical elements score, 71.26 program components score.
• Will Annis: 120.85 total segment score, 56.27 technical elements score, 64.58 program components score.
• Ken Mikawa: 94.22 total segment score, 40.04 technical elements score, 55.18 program components score.

Ilia Malinin ‘Quad God’ nickname

Simply put, Ilia Malinin has the greatest array of jumps any figure skater in history has ever possessed. He’s launched himself into the air for seven quadruple jumps in a single long program at last month’s Grand Prix Final and was the first skater to land a quad Axel.

Malinin’s username used to be Lutz God, but he changed it to Quad God after landing his first quad jump. 

“I didn’t think much about it … Days go by and people started asking, ‘Why’d you name yourself Quad God, you only landed one jump,’’ he said on Milan Magic, USA TODAY’s new Olympics podcast that drops its first episode Saturday. ‘And then I was like, ‘Oh, OK maybe I should be come a Quad God.’ From there I found my rhythm of landing quad after quad after quad and then of course landing the first quad axel.”

“In the most humble way possible, I think it’s definitely helped my confidence in not only to skating in general but just feeling like I deserve to be recognized as who I am.”

Andrew Torgashev dazzles, then gets pizza

We’ve reached the point of the lineup where the fight is on for the final men’s spots in the Olympics, and Andrew Torgashev made his case with a big statement.

He had an exceptional skate, starting with two quad toeloops to get the rhythm going and closing it with a tough choreo sequence. He got a standing ovation, and then got a box of pizza to celebrate it.

He received a season-best 182.63, and is now in first with a combined score of 267.62.

Jacob Sanchez’s emotional free skate

The future is bright for Jacob Sanchez, as the 18-year-old put on an exceptional performance in his free skate to take first place through Group 2. He began to cry once he completed his program as the crown serenaded him with an ovation. He was then greeted by his family just outside the rink as they waved their Puerto Rican flags.

Sanchez has had a meteoric rise since joining the senior ranks in November 2024, putting himself in the conversation for the third and final men’s spot on the Olympic team. Regardless of whether he makes it, Sanchez is making a name for himself and will be one to watch in the next Olympic cycle.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates win 7th US figure skating championship

Madison Chock and Evan Bates have another ice dance record.

The husband-and-wife duo have been on the podium at U.S. nationals every year since 2013. They have won five straight ice dance titles. And now they hold the record for most U.S. titles of all time, breaking a tie with Meryl Davis and Charlie White for most all-time.

‘The feeling that we got from the audience today was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before,’ Chock said after, tears welling in her eyes. ‘It felt so special, I felt so much love and joy and I’m so grateful for this moment to share with everyone here and to share with Evan. It’s been the most incredible, incredible career. Couldn’t have asked for anything more.’

Ultimately, their free dance yielded a double-digit victory — a program score of 137.17 and a total score of 228.87, 15.22 points than the second place team of Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik.

It’s just the latest feat in what’s been a dominant season for the married couple. Since the start of 2025, they have won all but one of the seven competitions they entered, including winning the Grand Prix final in December for the third straight year.

The couple’s return to the Winter Olympics is all but official, making Milano Cortina their fourth Games. The only thing that’s eludes them in their decorated careers is that ice dance Olympic medal after finishing just short of the podium in 2022.

Ilia Malinin’s parents

Malinin was born into figure skating. His mother, Tatiana Malinina, is from the Soviet Union, Siberia specifically, and competed at 10 consecutive world figure skating championships for Uzbekistan. She finished eighth at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, the competition in which Tara Lipinski won the gold medal and Michelle Kwan the silver. Malinina finished fourth at the 1999 world championships as well, and she also competed at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, but withdrew after the short program with the flu.

Malinin’s father, Roman Skorniakov, represented Uzbekistan at the same two Olympics, 1998 and 2002, finishing 19th both times. He and Malinina were married in 2000 and became skating coaches in the United States, moving to the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where, in December 2004, Ilia was born. He took the Russian masculine form of his mother’s last name because his parents were concerned that Skorniakov was too difficult to pronounce. 

Who is on the US Olympic figure skating team?

The team will be named on Sunday at 2 p.m. Three men and three women singles skaters will be chosen, as will three ice dance teams and two pairs, 16 athletes in all. The USFS selection process includes past performances, focusing on the athlete’s body of work over the past two seasons.

Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito are roster locks, as are Madison Chock and Evan Bates. That leaves two spots open on the men’s side, two ice dance team spots and both pairs spots.

How does Ilia Malinin train for his quad jumps?

Malinin shared with Christine Brennan and Brian Boitano on Milan Magic, USA TODAY’s new Olympics podcast that drops its first episode Saturday, that he likes to skate a full program at least once a day, but that doesn’t mean every jump in that practice session must be a quad. It depends on how his body feels.

“For me, at least the standard base can be all triple jumps, just to keep that stamina, just to keep that stamina in there. But then, of course, depending on how I feel or how the training is going, then I can say, ‘Maybe tomorrow I can go for a full quad layout or maybe do a full quad and the rest can be triples.’ 

“I think the main focus for me is just running the whole program in itself with all the jumps, all the spins and really just getting that muscle memory in your head because I think a lot of the times, especially with me, if I do a certain amount of triple jumps and I feel comfortable with it, then I can go and the quad jumps will get a little easier for me because I’ve been practicing that muscle memory for a while.”

Ice dance overall standings

1. Madison Chock and Evan Bates: 228.87
2. Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik: 213.65
3. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko: 206.95
4. Caroline Green and Michael Parsons: 202.05
5. Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville: 197.29
6. Oona Brown and Gage Brown: 194.31
7. Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski: 186.60
8. Leah Neset and Artem Markelov: 176.46
9. Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani: 173.17
10. Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers: 172.39
11. Eva Pate and Logan Bye: 170.49
12. Elliana Peal and Ethan Peal: 169.60
13. Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov: 166.62
14. Isabella Flores and Linus Colmor: 160.75
15. Vanessa Pham and Anton Spiridonov: 158.62

Here are the free dance scores.

• Madison Chock and Evan Bates: 137.17 total segment score, 77.89 technical elements score, 59.28 program components score.
• Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik: 127.67 total segment score, 72.17 technical elements score, 55.50 program components score.
• Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko: 123.66 total segment score, 69.24 technical elements score, 54.42 program components score.
• Oona Brown and Gage Brown: 118.59 total segment score, 67.15 technical elements score, 51.44 program components score.
• Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville: 117.86 total segment score, 66.38 technical elements score, 51.48 program components score.
• Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski: 111.61 total segment score, 62.33 technical elements score, 49.28 program components score.
• Leah Neset and Artem Markelov: 105.18 total segment score, 57.74 technical elements score, 47.44 program components score.
• Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers: 104.79 total segment score, 59.23 technical elements score, 45.56 program components score.
• Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani: 101.93 total segment score, 54.63 technical elements score, 47.30 program components score.
• Raffaella Koncius and Alexey Shchepetov: 101.47 total segment score, 57.27 technical elements score, 44.20 program components score.
• Elliana Peal and Ethan Peal: 100.00 total segment score, 55.38 technical elements score, 44.62 program components score.
• Vanessa Pham and Anton Spiridonov: 97.21 total segment score, 54.07 technical elements score, 43.14 program components score.
• Eva Pate and Logan Bye: 96.95 total segment score, 51.15 technical elements score, 46.80 program components score.
• Isabella Flores and Linus Colmor Jepsen: 94.38 total segment score, 51.44 technical elements score, 42.94 program components score.
• Caroline Green and Michael Parsons: 121.50 total segment score, 68.06 technical elements score, 53.44 program components score.

Ice dancing vs. figure skating

Ice dancing does not feature jumps or lifts, like you see figure skating pairs execute. Ice dancing is made up of two segments, the rhythm dance and the free dance.

How does Ilia Malinin come up with his programs?

It takes an innovative mind to be as sensational as Malinin, and his creative process is far from ordinary. He said much of it comes from his love of gymnastics and acrobatics, which is the reason why he’s able to perform so much stunning jumps.

“It really pushes me to push the envelope in skating, not only just in a performance aspect, but also give it even more athleticism, other than all the jumps, all the spins and all of the hard things,” he said. “It gives me a lot of fun, but at the same time, I feel like it’s very useful for the sport to bring in something new, so everyone has something unique to watch.”

When do 2026 Winter Olympics start?

The opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Games is Feb. 6. The closing ceremony is Feb. 22.

Milan Magic: Listen on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

One day after Trinidad Chambliss’ 2025 season came to an end, his college career did, too.

The Mississippi quarterback’s waiver for an additional season of eligibility was denied by the NCAA, with college sports’ governing body announcing its decision on Friday, Jan. 9.

Chambliss was asking for a medical redshirt for the 2022 season, when he was at Division II Ferris State and didn’t play any games while dealing with persistent respiratory issues that ultimately led to the removal of his tonsils.

“Approval requires schools to submit medical documentation provided by a treating physician at the time of a student’s incapacitating injury or illness, which was not provided,” the NCAA said in a statement. “The documents provided by Ole Miss and the student’s prior school include a physician’s note from a December 2022 visit, which stated the student-athlete was ‘doing very well’ since he was seen in August 2022. Additionally, the student-athlete’s prior school indicated it had no documentation on medical treatment, injury reports or medical conditions involving the student-athlete during that time frame and cited “developmental needs and our team’s competitive circumstances” as its reason the student-athlete did not play in the 2022-23 season.”

The NCAA added its decision “aligns with consistent application of NCAA rules.”

In his first and ultimately only season at Ole Miss, Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for an additional 527 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Chambliss helped lead the Rebels to one of the best seasons in program history, with a 13-2 record and a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they fell to Miami 31-27 on Thursday, Jan. 8 in the Fiesta Bowl. Chambliss threw for 277 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

Prominent sports attorney Tom Mars represented Chambliss during his waiver process. Mars said in a statement that he assumes Ole Miss will file an appeal with the NCAA and that ‘there is now an opportunity to move this case to a level playing field where Trinidad’s rights will be determined by the Mississippi judiciary instead of some bureaucrats in Indianapolis who couldn’t care less about the law or doing the right thing.”

‘I deserve (another year),’ Chambliss said Dec. 30. ‘I’ve only played three seasons of college football. I feel like I deserve to play four. I redshirted in 2021. That was my freshman redshirt. Then I medically redshirted in 2022. Played in 2023, 2024 and this is 2025.’

Chambliss took a traditional redshirt season during his true freshman year at Ferris State and did not play during the ensuing 2022 campaign.

The NCAA said that this academic year, it has received 25 eligibility clock extension requests that cited an incapacitating injury, nine of which came from football players. Of those 25 waiver requests, the NCAA approved 15, including six in football. All 15 that were approved provided medical documentation from the time of the injury while all 10 that were denied didn’t.

Chambliss had previously committed to return to Ole Miss for the 2026 season if his waiver was approved, shutting down speculation that he could follow former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin to LSU.

Without Chambliss, Ole Miss and new head coach Pete Golding will likely have to look elsewhere for a quarterback for next season. Austin Simmons, who started the season ahead of Chambliss before being sidelined with an injury, entered the transfer portal and signed with Missouri earlier this week.

What is Trinidad Chambliss’ NFL draft projection?

Chambliss is projected to get a shot in the NFL. He’ll probably be drafted in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to experts.Chambliss is ranked as the No. 6 quarterback prospect on Mel Kiper of ESPN’s 2026 NFL Draft preview published Jan. 2.

Pro Football Focus ranks Chambliss as the No. 5 quarterback and No. 83 player overall.

Clarion Ledger Ole Miss reporter Sam Hutchens contributed to this story.

Indiana dominated on its way to a 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 and is one win away from securing one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history.

The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0) finished 3-9 in 2023 but are moving on to the national championship game two seasons later after hiring Curt Cignetti. It’ll be a homecoming for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who grew up in Miami.

Mendoza, whose dad played football alongside Miami coach Mario Cristobal in high school, passed for five touchdowns against the Ducks. The Heisman Trophy winner has eight touchdowns to six incompletions in two College Football Playoff wins over Alabama and Oregon this season.

Indiana scored 28 points off turnovers, including a pick-6 from D’Angelo Ponds on the first play of the game. Indiana and Oregon were tied at 7-7 in the first quarter before the Hoosiers scored 35 unanswered points, continuing their dominance that carried over from a 38-3 win over Alabama at the Rose Bowl.

Here are the highlights from Indiana’s 56-22 win over Oregon at the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 to advance to the national title game:

Peach Bowl Indiana vs Oregon score

Peach Bowl highlights: Indiana vs Oregon

Indiana to face Miami in national championship

Indiana dominates Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl to advance to the national championship against Miami. The Hoosiers are one win away from one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history.

Oregon scores

Dante Moore throws a 1-yard touchdown pass to Roger Saleapaga to make the score 56-22 with 22 seconds left.

Kaelon Black scores

Kaelon Black gets back in on the fun, rushing for his second touchdown of the night from 23 yards out. Indiana extends its lead to 56-15 with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter.

Mendoza tosses fifth touchdown

Indiana extends its lead to 49-15 in the fourth quarter on Fernando Mendoza’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with 11:36 left. Mendoza is now 17-of-20 passing for 177 yards with five touchdowns on the night.

Sarratt has seven receptions for 75 yards and two scores.

Indiana punts

Fernando Mendoza’s pass intended for Omar Cooper Jr. deep downfield falls incomplete on third-and-5, forcing the Hoosiers to punt from their own 37-yard line. Oregon might have gotten away with some contact against Cooper Jr. on the defense.

Indiana stuffs Oregon on fourth down

Oregon pitches it outside on fourth-and-1 at Indiana’s 31-yard line, but All-American linebacker Aiden Fisher sniffs it out and tackles Jay Harris for a 1-yard loss.

The Hoosiers regain possession with a 42-15 lead just before the end of the third quarter.

Indiana punts

Indiana punts for the second time tonight after its drive stalls out on fourth-and-3. Mitch McCarthy’s 49-yard punt is downed at Oregon’s 5-yard line, pinning the Ducks deep inside their own territory.

The Hoosiers are dominating even when they punt.

Oregon scores

Oregon shows some signs of life despite the huge deficit. Jay Harris plunges in a 2-yard touchdown before Jamari Johnson catches the 2-point conversion throw from Dante Moore.

Oregon cuts its deficit to 42-15 with 7:50 left in the third quarter, scoring on two plays.

Oregon with explosive play

Dierre Hill Jr. runs for 71 yards on the Ducks’ first possession of the second half, putting Oregon on the 2-yard line threatening to score.

Indiana scores again

Mendoza tosses his fourth touchdown of the game on a 13-yard pass to E.J. Williams Jr. to give Indiana a 42-7 lead with 8:52 left in the third quarter.

The Ducks have no answers for the Hoosiers tonight.

Fernando Mendoza CFP stats

Mendoza is proving why he was the Heisman Trophy winner this season in the College Football Playoff so far. He is 24-of-27 passing for 302 yards with six touchdowns and no turnovers through six quarters against Alabama and Oregon combined.

Mendoza is 10-for-11 with 110 yards and three touchdowns at halftime against Oregon at the Peach Bowl.

Curt Cignetti says Indiana is ‘whipping them up front’

The difference in the game so far is clear to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti.

‘We’re whipping them up front right now,’ he says to ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath at halftime.

Oregon misses field goal before halftime

Atticus Sappington’s 56-yard field goal attempt falls short as the clock expires before halftime. Indiana leads 35-7 heading into the final two quarters of the Peach Bowl.

Indiana takes 35-7 lead

Make it 28 unanswered points for Indiana, which takes a 35-7 lead on a 2-yard touchdown catch by Elijah Sarratt. The Hoosiers are dominating in every facet right now.

Indiana causes another turnover

Daniel Ndukwe sacks Dante Moore on the second play of Oregon’s next drive and forces a fumble that’s recovered by Mario Landino at Oregon’s 21-yard line.

It’s Moore’s third turnover of the game so far, and Indiana is threatening to go up 35-7 before halftime. The Hoosiers just keep rolling in the CFP.

Indiana scores again

Fernando Mendoza drops an absolute dime in a 1-on-1 situation to Charlie Becker, who climbs the ladder over Oregon’s Brandon Finney Jr. for a 36-yard touchdown. What a throw and catch for the Hoosiers, who take a 28-7 lead with 3:13 left in the first half.

Mendoza is 8-of-9 passing for 102 yards with two touchdowns.

Indiana sacks Dante Moore on back-to-back plays

On second-and-3 from the Oregon 47-yard line, Indiana sacks Dante Moore on back-to-back plays to stall another Oregon drive. Dominique Ratcliff and Daniel Ndukwe get to Moore on second and third down, respectively.

Indiana’s defense has four tackles for loss for 18 yards so far.

Kaleon Black extends Indiana lead with TD

Three plays after the turnover, Kaleon Black scores from 1 yard out to extend Indiana’s lead to 21-7 with 8:17 left in the first half. The scoring drive is three plays for three yards and takes 1:12 off the clock.

Dante Moore loses fumble

Dante Moore loses a fumble as Dierre Hill Jr. bumps into him at the mesh point as he attempts to make a throw. Mario Landino lands on the ball and Indiana begins the drive at Oregon’s 3-yard line with a chance to go up two scores.

Nasir Wyatt sacks Fernando Mendoza

Oregon denies Indiana a chance to build on its lead when Nasir Wyatt sacks Fernando Mendoza for a 20-yard loss on third-and-7 from the Oregon 37-yard line. That forces an Indiana punt.

Oregon will begin its next drive from its own 13-yard line, trailing 14-7 with 9:35 left in the first half.

Oregon goes three-and-out

Oregon hands it off to Jay Harris on third-and-2, but Mikail Kamara beats his man for a 1-yard tackle for loss. Indiana regains possession looking to go up two scores on its own 18-yard line.

Indiana takes 14-7 lead

Indiana drives right down the field, ending in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Fernando Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr. The Hoosiers lead 14-7 with 40 seconds left in the first quarter after an 11-play, 75-yard drive that takes 6:31 off the clock.

Mendoza is 4-of-4 passing for 41 yards with a touchdown.

Oregon responds

Oregon ties the game at 7-7 on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Dante Moore to Jamari Johnson. The Ducks respond from their turnover with a big-time 14-play, 75-yard drive that takes 7:38 off the clock.

Hello, D’Angelo

One play, one touchdown for Indiana. D’Angelo Ponds jumps the route and comes up with a 19-yard pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage, giving Indiana a very early 7-0 lead. What a play.

Oregon starts with possession

Dante Moore and the Oregon offense will start first, with the drive starting at their own 20-yard line. The second-to-last college football game of the season is underway.

‘College GameDay’ picks for Indiana-Oregon

Each of ESPN’s Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit picked Indiana to beat Oregon and advance to the CFP Championship game.

Why is Mark Cuban at Peach Bowl?

Billionaire mogul Mark Cuban is an Indiana graduate and is on deck for the Hoosiers’ game against Oregon at the Peach Bowl.

Is Noah Whittington playing tonight?

Oregon running back Noah Whittington is listed as a game-time decision, per the CFP pregame availability report. However, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports he’s expected to play, although he won’t start.

Roman Hemby stats

Indiana running back Roman Hemby has been one of the most productive rushers in the Big Ten this season and is a 5-year starter dating back to his time at Maryland. Here’s his stats in 2025:

• Rushing: 194 carries for 1,007 yards with seven touchdowns (5.2 yards per carry)
• Receiving: 14 receptions for 160 yards

What channel is Peach Bowl on tonight?

• TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

The CFP Peach Bowl semifinal between Indiana and Oregon will air nationally on ESPN, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (analyst) calling the game and Molly McGrath serving as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Announcers for Peach Bowl

ESPN’s Sean McDonough will handle play-by-play with Greg McElory providing color analysis.

Peach Bowl Indiana vs Oregon start time today

• Date: Friday, Jan. 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

Indiana and Oregon are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Peach Bowl prediction: Indiana vs Oregon picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Jan. 4

• Spread: Indiana (-4)
• Over/under: 48.5
• Moneyline: Indiana (-190) | Oregon (+160)

Prediction: Indiana 31, Oregon 20

Indiana feels like the team of destiny right now and is coming off a masterful performance against Alabama. That said, the Hoosiers defeat the Ducks again behind a strong performance from Fernando Mendoza and their run game. Indiana also forces Dante Moore to a pair of turnovers.

Here’s who experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network picked to win the Peach Bowl:

• Indiana 35, Oregon 21: The Hoosiers’ 30-20 win over the Ducks in Eugene in October started to convert IU doubters into believers. Indiana’s Rose Bowl demolition of Alabama proselytized even the most ardent skeptics (cough, Paul Finebaum). The Hoosiers’ defense sacked Dante Moore six times and picked off the Ducks QB twice in the first meeting. And while Oregon shut out a piddling Texas Tech offense in the Orange Bowl, Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza leads one of the nation’s most balanced attacks. It sounds unbelievable to say, but Indiana football will play for the national championship. – Matt Glenesk, USA TODAY
• Indiana 20, Oregon 17: Going with the old Vegas trick of laying three points on the favorite in a coin flip of a game. Oregon is an incredibly good team, and as Curt Cignetti said after the Rose Bowl, it’s tough to beat a good team twice. But it’s tougher to beat a great team once, and Indiana is a great team. Ultimately, Fernando Mendoza vs Dante Moore isn’t the matchup here. It’s in the trenches, where Indiana is among the best in the country, and weapons vs weapons. Stars matter, but Indiana is comprised of under-recruited guys with a chip on their shoulders. With that in mind, Indiana wins a grimy game in a low-scoring affair against Dan Lanning, turning the coach’s ‘no one believes in us’ motivating tactic on its head (of course, the irony of not believing in Oregon here is not lost on me). – Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY
• Indiana 24, Oregon 20: The old adage about how it’s hard to beat a team twice in a season has its merits, but it can occasionally belie a deeper truth — sometimes, one team is simply better than another. Whatever fans may think of Indiana football based on the program’s mostly putrid history, the Hoosiers are the best and most complete team in the sport this season, as they showed in a Rose Bowl demolition of Alabama. They’ll stymie a Ducks offense that had difficulties against Texas Tech’s front seven and Fernando Mendoza will continue to dazzle while leading Indiana to a once-unimaginable destination. – Craig Meyer, USA TODAY

Peach Bowl injury updates: Who is out for Oregon vs Indiana

∎ For Oregon: The initial availability report for the game came out Tuesday and the Ducks had 14 players listed as out, including running back Jordon Davison, who is the team’s No. 2 rusher with 667 yards and top scorer with 15 TDs. Also out with injuries are wide receiver Evan Stewart, offensive tackle Gernorris Wilson and running back Da’Jaun Riggs.

Eight of the players listed as out are those who have entered the transfer portal: defensive backs Daylen Austin, Kingston Lopa, Sione Laulea and Solomon Davis; running backs Makhi Hughes and Jayden Limar; and wide receivers Justius Lowe and Kyler Kasper.

∎ For Indiana: The Hoosiers will be without defensive linemen Andrew DePaepe, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt; defensive backs Amariyun Knighten and Bryson Bonds; and kicker Brendan Franke. Knighten and DePaepe are in the transfer portal.

When is the Peach Bowl kickoff: Indiana vs Oregon time, date

The Peach Bowl is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9.

Where is the Peach Bowl played?

The Peach Bowl is at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Who’s in CFP Championship game?

Here’s a full look at who has advanced to the CFP championship game:

• No. 10 Miami
• TBD

When is national championship game?

The College Football Playoff national championship game is 7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19

Where is the national championship game?

The College Football Playoff national championship game is at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

American golfer Brooks Koepka applied for reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership on Friday, according to ESPN.  Koepka is a five-time major champion who was a member of the tour from 2014 to 2022.

Koepka, who recently left LIV Golf, is ranked No. 244 in the Official World Golf  Ranking because LIV golfers were not receiving points for those respective events in the standings.

Despite his ranking, Koepka could compete in the four major tournaments in 2026 because of his five-year exemption as a result of winning the 2023 PGA Championship.

Koepka decided to leave the PGA Tour in 2022 to join the newly formed LIV tour.

He won just five events during his LIV tenure from 2022-25 and completed a 3-0 playoff record, earning a victory in three consecutive years.

Koepka had a year remaining on his tour, which was financed by a Saudi Arabian group, but decided to leave early. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said Koepka and the league ‘mutually agreed’ that he would no longer compete as a member in December.

The PGA had not commented on Koepka’s potential return. Koepka cited family reasons as part of his decision to leave LIV and explore his options. Koepka’s wife, Jena, posted on Instagram last October that she had suffered a miscarriage. 

ATLANTA — No. 1 seed Indiana took control with an interception return for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and never let go for a 56-22 rout of No. 5 Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Peach Bowl.

The pick-six by D’Angelo Ponds sparked the latest jaw-dropping victory for a team that stands one win away from the most unexpected national championship in Bowl Subdivision history. Indiana will face No. 10 Miami in the title game on Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Peach Bowl was a rematch of the Hoosiers’ 30-20 win at Autzen Stadium in October. Indiana becomes just the second team to beat an opponent in the regular season and then again in the playoff since the format debuted in 2014.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was nearly perfect, completing 17 of 20 throws for 177 yards and finishing with more touchdowns, five, than incompletions. Wide receiver Elijah Surrat had 75 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Kaelon Black led the running game with a team-high 63 yards on 12 carries and two scores.

Donte Moore completed 24 of 38 passes for Oregon for 285 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Dierre Hill Jr. led the Ducks with 85 rushing yards, 71 coming on one long run, and Jay Harris added 35 yards on 16 carries.

A junior who had only 26 carries on the year heading into Friday night, Harris was thrust into a bigger role because of injuries to leading rusher Noah Whittington and top backup Jordon Davison.

It took the Hoosiers only 11 seconds to get on the board. After a short kickoff return placed Oregon at its 20-yard line, Moore threw an out route to the left sideline that Ponds jumped and ran back 25 yards for a 7-0 lead, delighting a Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd that leaned heavily toward Indiana.

Oregon’s offense settled down to even the score on the ensuing possession, converting three third downs as part of a 14-play, nearly eight-minute drive capped by Moore’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jamari Johnson with 7:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Indiana’s offense responded on its first drive. Mendoza completed all four of his attempts for 41 yards, including an 8-yard score to receiver Omar Cooper Jr., as part of a 75-yard drive that put the Hoosiers back in front 14-7 with 40 seconds left in the opening frame.

After punting on the next possession, the Ducks stopped a promising Indiana drive by stripping and sacking Mendoza on third down and took over at their 13-yard line.

But Moore fumbled on the next play for his second costly turnover. Winding up to deliver a screen to his left, the sophomore’s hand hit Hill on the shoulder and bounced away before being recovered by IU at the 3-yard line.

Black then punched it from a yard out to put Indiana up 21-7 with 8:17 left in the half.

The lead would mushroom by the end of the half to put the Ducks in an insurmountable hole.

First, another Oregon punt led to a 61-yard touchdown drive ending with Mendoza finding receiver Charlie Becker on a perfectly thrown 36-yard heave, pushing IU ahead 28-7 with 3:13 to go.

Then Moore was sacked and fumbled again, setting up the Hoosiers on the lip of the red zone. Six plays later, Mendoza hit Sarratt from 2 yards to make it 35-7 with 59 seconds left before the break.

Both teams exchanged scores coming out of the locker room, with the Ducks converting the two-point try after a short Harris touchdown run to make it 42-15 midway through the third quarter. Oregon looked to make it a three-touchdown game late in the quarter but was stopped on fourth-and-short at the Indiana 31-yard line.

The Hoosiers’ exclamation point came after an Oregon punt near its own goal line was blocked with just 13:04 to play. Under two minutes later, Mendoza hit Sarratt from 3 yards out on third-and-goal to make it 49-15.

But the Hoosiers weren’t done yet. After forcing a turnover on downs, IU ran five times for 65 yards, ending with Black’s 23-yard score, to go ahead 52-15 with 5:13 remaining.

A Moore touchdown pass to Roger Saleapaga with 22 seconds completed the scoring and helped the Ducks avoid the biggest loss in Peach Bowl history.

With a win against Miami, the Hoosiers would become the first 16-0 national champion since Yale in 1894. Prior to hiring coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana had won 16 games in a two-year span just once (1987-88) in program history.