The Dallas Cowboys had more to play for on ‘Sunday Night Football’ than the Minnesota Vikings did. As the night wore on, it sure seemed like the opposite was true.

The Vikings’ 34-26 win over the Cowboys on Dec. 14 served to crush Dallas’ playoff hopes.

After the Philadelphia Eagles’ win earlier in the day, the Cowboys needed a win to keep pace with the division leaders. Their only real route to the playoffs with three weeks left rested in winning the NFC East, and the Cowboys entered Week 15 just a game and a half back of the division lead.

The Vikings, meanwhile, entered the night already eliminated from playoff contention. All they could hope to do on ‘Sunday Night Football’ was play spoiler. And play spoiler they did, handing the Cowboys a seventh loss — and second prime-time loss in a row — to drop them below .500, pushing their playoff hopes to the brink.

Here’s how it all went down on Week 15’s ‘Sunday Night Football. USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and more from the ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup between the Cowboys and Vikings below.

Cowboys vs. Vikings SNF takeaways

• The Cowboys’ defense will cost them a playoff berth: Dallas’ offense is one of the best units in the NFL by EPA/play (0.116 is fifth-best), success rate (47.2% is sixth), scoring (29.3 points per game, fourth) and total yards (394.9 yards per game, first). It was bound to struggle a bit against a Vikings defense that ranked among the best in the league. But even as Dallas’ drives stalled on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ kicker Brandon Aubrey was largely able to get points on the board. Conversely, the Cowboys’ defense has consistently ranked among the worst units in the NFL — 0.140 EPA/play allowed (29th), 48.7% success rate allowed (30th), 378.6 average yards allowed (29th) and 29.7 points per game allowed (31st). It showed in a big way against the Vikings, as Minnesota was able to sustain drives time and again despite quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s underthrows, failure to connect with Justin Jefferson and a banged-up offensive line missing its best player (LT Christian Darrisaw). The result? A career-high 250 passing yards by McCarthy, plus three total touchdowns for the quarterback — two in the air and one on the ground. And a Cowboys loss to drop them back below .500, all but completely dooming them to another year without a playoff berth.
• Justin Jefferson is having a bad year: The Vikings’ star receiver was McCarthy’s most targeted pass-catcher on Dec. 14 (eight targets) and still finished the game with just two catches for 22 yards. He had one touchdown overturned by a pre-snap procedure penalty and was unable to haul in another would-be touchdown that hit him in both hands. The Week 15 ‘Sunday Night Football’ game felt like a microcosm of Jefferson’s season — full of flowery potential that ultimately withered into disappointment. A not-insignificant factor affecting the lack of catches despite Jefferson’s high target count has been McCarthy’s struggles. There were more than a few throws that the second-year — de facto rookie — quarterback could have placed better on Dec. 14, including that would-be touchdown that hit Jefferson in the hands. But some of these throws — again, like that would-be touchdown that instead fell incomplete — are the kinds of throws that we’ve gotten used to seeing Jefferson catching, bailing his quarterback out of bad incompletions by sheer force of will and raw talent. Instead, the star receiver has struggled to connect with McCarthy in their first year together, with that non-touchdown just one bullet point in a list of misfires this year. And yet, Jefferson is still in a good position to finish the season with more than 1,000 yards in the sixth straight season to begin his career. Despite the struggles, he’s still a special player.
• Brandon Aubrey had one of the worst games of his career: The usually unflappable Cowboys kicker missed two of his career-high six field goal attempts against the Vikings. Both misses gave Minnesota a field-position advantage that it took advantage of both times, scoring a field goal on a short field the first time and putting together a 51-yard touchdown drive on a shorter field the second. In two previous career games with five field goal attempts — his previous career high — Aubrey was a perfect 5-for-5 both times.

Cowboys playoff chances

Dallas has less than a 1% chance to reach the postseason in 2025, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Dallas’ loss on ‘Sunday Night Football’ really hurt their playoff chances, and the Eagles’ win earlier today only further diminished the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.

Dak Prescott stats vs. Vikings

• 23-of-38 (60.5% completion rate)
• 294 passing yards
• 0 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 84.8 passer rating
• 1 rushing attempts
• 2 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns

J.J. McCarthy stats vs. Cowboys

• 15-of-24 (62.5% completion rate)
• 250 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 1 interceptions
• 108 passer rating
• 4 rushing attempts
• 15 rushing yards
• 1 rushing touchdown

Justin Jefferson stats vs. Cowboys

• 2 receptions (8 targets)
• 22 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

CeeDee Lamb stats vs. Vikings

• 6 receptions (10 targets)
• 111 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

George Pickens stats vs. Vikings

• 3 receptions (6 targets)
• 33 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

Cowboys vs. Vikings highlights

Cowboys vs. Vikings final score: Vikings 34, Cowboys 26

Brandon Aubrey hits 41-yard field goal, Dallas fails to recover onside kick

The Cowboys needed two scores with time winding down, so they elected to kick a field goal on a second-and-10 play from the Vikings’ 23-yard line. Aubrey’s sixth field goal attempt was good to pull Dallas within eight points.

That made the score 34-26 Vikings. Aubrey’s ensuing onside kick attempt ended up in the Vikings’ possession, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy kneeled to end the game.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Will Reichard puts Vikings up two scores

Minnesota’s kicker booted a 53-yard field goal through the uprights to put the Vikings ahead 11 points with just over a minute left. Reichard will likely finish the night 2-for-2 after his most recent make.

The Vikings’ lead is 34-23 with just over a minute left.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Jalen Nailor extends Vikings’ lead with second TD

After Brandon Aubrey’s second missed field goal of the night, the Vikings drove 51 yards in five plays. They capped their possession off with Nailor’s second touchdown of the game and fourth of the season. Minnesota extended its lead to 31-23 with 9:12 left in the game.

Vikings 31, Cowboys 23

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: C.J. Ham TD gives Vikings the lead

Minnesota’s fullback took an inside handoff from quarterback J.J. McCarthy before walking across the goal line untouched.

Ham’s first touchdown of the season and third career score gave the Vikings a 24-23 lead — after kicker Will Reichard’s extra point — with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

Vikings 24, Cowboys 23

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Brandon Aubrey hits another FG

The Cowboys’ offense once again stalled in Minnesota territory, and Aubrey once again knocked through a field goal to let his team come away with points.

With the kick, Dallas extended its lead to 23-17 with 4:50 left in the third quarter.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Brandon Aubrey’s second FG reclaims Cowboys’ lead

The Vikings’ defense bent but didn’t break once again, stopping the Cowboys’ offense inside Minnesota’s own 10-yard line to start the second half.

Aubrey converted on his 26-yard field goal attempt to put the Cowboys back on top. Dallas holds a 20-17 lead with 11:09 left in the third quarter.

Cowboys 20, Vikings 17

Javonte Williams returns

The Cowboys’ lead running back had been out of the game since the Cowboys’ first drive, when he injured his shoulder.

Williams was back to begin the second half and recorded a carry on Dallas’ first drive.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score at halftime: Cowboys 17, Vikings 17

Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey nailed a 37-yard field goal after missing a 51-yarder earlier to even the score as ‘Sunday Night Football’ headed into halftime.

The Cowboys will receive the kickoff to begin the second half.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Vikings take their first lead on FG

Kicker Will Reichard knocked through a 29-yard field goal to give his team its first lead of the game after Minnesota’s drive stalled in the red zone. It’s 17-14 Vikings with 1:48 left in the first half.

Vikings 17, Cowboys 14

Justin Jefferson contract

• Length: Four years
• Value: $140 million
• AAV: $35 million

Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Vikings in 2024, including $110 million in guarantees. At the time, the deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

After former college teammate and current Cincinnati Bengals receiver inked a four-year, $161 million contract this past offseason, Jefferson is now the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL by average annual value.

Who is the Minnesota Vikings head coach?

Kevin O’Connell is the Vikings’ head coach. The former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator took over as Minnesota’s head coach in 2022, shortly after helping the Rams win Super Bowl 56.

Cowboys coaching staff

Dallas opened the 2025 season with a new coaching staff after firing previous head coach Mike McCarthy.

• Head coach: Brian Schottenheimer
• Offensive coordinator: Klayton Adams
• Defensive coordinator: Matt Eberflus

Schottenheimer previously served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach in the offseason. Dallas hired Adams, the former Cardinals offensive line coach, to replace Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator. Eberflus served as the Chicago Bears’ head coach from 2022 until his firing after Thanksgiving last year.

Are the Minnesota Vikings eliminated from the playoffs?

Yes. The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention before tonight’s kickoff.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: J.J. McCarthy evens the score

On a fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line, McCarthy faked a handoff to running back Jordan Mason, then literally danced into the end zone untouched.

It’s 14-14 with 9:28 left in the first half.

Cowboys 14, Vikings 14

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Malik Davis pushes the Cowboys ahead

Dallas ran two plays from the 1-yard line to begin the second quarter, and Davis hit pay dirt on the second try.

Filling in for the injured Williams, Davis scored the second touchdown of the season and third of his four-year career to put the Cowboys back on top. It’s 14-7 Dallas, eight seconds into the second quarter.

Cowboys 14, Vikings 7

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Jalen Nailor scores TD, suffers injury

Nailor was the beneficiary of a deep throw from quarterback J.J. McCarthy at the end of the Vikings’ third offensive drive. He hauled in the 20-yard pass for the touchdown, and kicker Will Reichard’s extra point evened the score.

Nailor remained on the ground and had to be attended to by Vikings trainers after the play. The game is tied at seven with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

Cowboys 7, Vikings 7

Javonte Williams injury update: Questionable to return (shoulder)

After scoring his touchdown, Williams underwent a medical evaluation with trainers on the Cowboys’ sideline.

The team has declared the running back questionable to return with a shoulder injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

What is Dak Prescott’s jersey patch?

Prescott is wearing a jersey patch honoring his 2022 selection as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The jersey patches were created by the NFL in 2017 to raise awareness of the award, which the league considers its most prestigious. The jersey patches are to be worn by any active player who has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Javonte Williams scores first TD

The Cowboys take the lead on a one-yard rush from the veteran running back early in the first quarter. A fake field goal rush by kicker Brandon Aubrey on a fourth-and-4 situation a few plays earlier set up the rest of the touchdown drive. Dallas was able to put seven points on the board coming off of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s interception on the second play of the game.

It’s 7-0 Cowboys with 8:23 left in the first quarter.

Cowboys 7, Vikings 0

What TV channel is the Cowboys vs Vikings game on?

• TV channel: NBC

NBC is the broadcast home of ‘Sunday Night Football.’ Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call, with Melissa Stark providing updates from the sidelines.

What time is the Cowboys game on tonight?

• Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET | 7:20 p.m. CT

The Cowboys and Vikings are scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, the customary start time for ‘SNF.’ The Vikings travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the tilt.

Cowboys vs Vikings stream

• Live stream: Peacock

NBC’s proprietary streaming service, Peacock, will carry the matchup.

Watch Cowboys vs. Vikings on Peacock

Cowboys vs Vikings picks, predictions

Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts feel this week’s game will go (hint: it’s a clean sweep for Dallas):

• Jarrett Bell: Cowboys, 30-23
• Nick Brinkerhoff: Cowboys, 30-23
• Chris Bumbaca: Cowboys, 26-23
• Nate Davis: Cowboys, 27-23
• Tyler Dragon: Cowboys, 28-20
• Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Cowboys, 23-20

Cowboys vs Vikings odds, moneyline, O/U

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 9:11 a.m.

• Moneyline (ML): Dallas -275 (Bet $275 to win $100) | Minnesota +225 (Bet $100 to win $225)
• Against the spread (ATS): Dallas -5.5 (-110) | Minnesota +5.5 (-110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 48 (O: -105 | U: -115)

NFC East standings

The Cowboys enter tonight’s game in second place in the NFC East.

• Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
• Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
• Washington Commanders (4-10)
• New York Giants (2-12)

Cowboys inactives vs. Vikings

Dallas will be without startingtackle Tyler Guyton for a third straight week.

• WR Jalen Tolbert
• OT Tyler Guyton
• RB Jaydon Blue
• DT Jay Toia
• DT Perrion Winfrey

Vikings inactives vs. Cowboys

• LT Christian Darrisaw
• T Walter Rouse
• EDGE Chazz Chambliss
• DT Elijah Williams

Cowboys playoff picture

The Cowboys enter Week 15 with an estimated 7% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. With a win on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ those odds would improve to 10% and a loss would drop those chances down to just 1%.

NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket

1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3, NFC West leaders)*
2. Chicago Bears (10-4, NFC North leaders)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, NFC East leaders)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, NFC South leaders)
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3, wild card No. 1)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1, NFC North leaders)

* Clinched playoff berth

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1).

Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (5-8); Atlanta Falcons (5-9); New Orleans Saints (4-10); Washington Commanders (4-10); Arizona Cardinals (3-11); New York Giants (2-12).

No. 1 seed Pitt defeated No. 3 seed Purdue in the NCAA volleyball tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13 to punch its ticket to the Final Four in Kansas City.

Pitt’s had sweeps against UMBC, Michigan and Minnesota to advance. Things were a little tighter against Purdue, which pushed the match to four sets before Pitt prevailed, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17.

Senior setter Brooke Mosher, who transferred from Illinois, has 47 assists, seven digs, four block assists and three service aces to lead Pitt. The Panthers advance to the Final Four for the fifth consecutive season. Pitt will be looking for its first national championship.

‘This is incredible,’ Mosher said on the court after the match. ‘I could not ask for a better last year. Making the Final Four, it’s been my dream since I was little.’

Olivia Babcock had 23 kills and a hitting percentage of .333. Teammate Marina Pezelj added 14 kills and 12 digs.

Pitt will face the winner of Nebraska-Texas A&M (3 p.m. ET, Sunday on ABC) in the national semifinals in Kansas City on Thursday, Dec. 18.

SCORE: Pitt 3, Purdue 1

Set 4 final: Pitt 25, Purdue 17

Pitt advances to the Final Four for the fifth consecutive season.

Set 4: Pitt first to 15

The Panthers are back on track, hitting .500 in the fourth set and 10 points away from the Final Four.

Set 3 final: Purdue 25, Pitt 22

The Boilermakers push Pitt to a fourth set. Pitt hit an abysmal .167 in the third set compared to .226 for Purdue. Akasha Anderson is up to 17 kills and Kenna Wollard has added 12 kills. Ryan McAleer has 13 digs.

Set 3: Purdue first to 15 as it fights back

Akasha Anderson is up to 14 kills and Kenna Wollard has added 10 kills as the Boilermakers are working to steal a set.

Set 2 final: Pitt 25, Purdue 21

Pitt setter Brooke Mosher has 26 assists leading to 29 kills.

‘Brooke Mosher is setting one of the great matches of her career,’ Pitt coach Dan Fisher said.

Set 2: Pitt first to 15, Purdue is keeping it interesting

Olivia Babcock is dominating with 13 kills on .462 hitting. Brooke Mosher is up to 23 assists and Marina Pezelj has eight digs.

Akasha Anderson is leading the Boilermakers with 10 kills and hitting .350.

Set 1 final: Pitt 25, Purdue 22

Reigning player of the year Olivia Babcock had nine kills on .563 hitting. Pitt hit .441 for the match and Purdue .390.

Set 1: Pitt is the first to 15

The Panthers are on a 9-3 run as Purdue is rolling up the errors.

We are underway in Pittsburgh

Purdue has an early lead, looking for its first trip to the Final Four.

Purdue starters

Pitt starters

Purdue arrives in the snow

What time is Purdue vs Pitt volleyball?

The Purdue Boilermakers play the Pitt Panthers in the Elite Eight of the NCAA volleyball tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh.

Purdue vs Pitt volleyball TV channel, streaming

• Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Petersen Events Center (Pittsburgh)
• TV: ESPN2
• Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Purdue volleyball roster

Pitt volleyball roster

The disturbing fallout between former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and the program after ‘credible evidence’ surfaced he was involved in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staffer is the latest in a long line of black marks for Michigan’s athletic department.

The most recent in a lengthy list of scandals has prompted a common refrain throughout the past week: Why and how does athletic director Warde Manuel still have a job? The answer is complicated and lengthy, but the version is this: He just does … for now.

A person with knowledge of the situation told the Detroit Free Press, part of USA TODAY Co., this week the Board of Regents met with Manuel on Thursday, Dec. 11, to discuss the latest scandal enveloping the biggest program he oversees.

Moore, Michigan’s football coach for two seasons and an assistant for six before that, was fired Wednesday when a relationship between him and a staffer was uncovered.

What does this have to do with Manuel? Other than it happened in the most important program he oversees? Because it’s still not entirely clear what he knew, and when.

That’s where the law firm of Jenner & Block comes in. U-M brought in the firm after its internal probe did not discover any evidence, but questions didn’t feel fully answered. Now, the firm has extended its investigation to the athletic department at large.

According to a source, the firm is looking into everything — including Manuel — to find out if there was a coverup.

Not only are there questions about the timing of U-M’s investigation — rumors swirled, but didn’t crescendo until after a loss to Ohio State, with the relationship not established until after an incoming recruiting class had mostly committed during the early national signing period — but about how such a long-term relationship within the department could have gone unnoticed by so many.

The first hint of impropriety came from an anonymous tip earlier this year, through a university hotline, stating Moore and the staffer were involved. The university brought both parties in for questioning and searched their phones, per the source, but no impermissible relationship was discovered.

That all changed this past week. Moore was fired after the staffer came forward and admitted there was a relationship.

That’s according to Kati Rezmierski, the Washtenaw County first assistant prosecutor who spoke Friday in Moore’s arraignment for third-degree felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Moore has since admitted to police the two had been in a two-year relationship, the Free Press learned from recently obtained court records.

(While other court records redacted the name of the executive assistant, the transcript from the closed Friday hearing did not. The Free Press generally does not identify people described as domestic crime victims without their consent.)

A source told the Free Press “it’s fair” to say Manuel’s future is largely tied to the findings of the investigation. As of Thursday, he was “not on the hot seat in any imminent way,” but depending on the findings, that could change as quickly as Moore’s life has seemingly unraveled.

Of course, Manuel’s future isn’t that simple, either. He reports directly to the president’s office, which then reports to the board of regents. Currently, U-M is led by Domenico Grasso, an interim president brought in from U-M Dearborn after Santa Ono left Michigan for a potential job at the University of Florida.

A source told the Free Press that even though he’s serving on an interim basis, Grasso does have the go-ahead to make the call on Manuel’s future once Jenner & Block presents its findings.

Of course, this all comes while U-M searching for a permanent president. Grasso has indicated to those around him his plan is to finish the academic year, until May, according to a person with knowledge of his expected timeline.

The Free Press has learned the candidate list for president has been narrowed down; a decision could come early in 2026, though said hire would likely not take over until May 2026 — especially if they’re currently overseeing a university of their own.

The Jenner & Block investigation “would almost certainly be over’ by that point, according to the Free Press’ source. That would put the decision on Grasso, with the backing of the board to make the decision.

So, as Michigan looks for a new football coach and a new president, it also is looking into its athletic director.

Moore, who has been placed on a GPS tether since his release, is next due in court for a hearing on Jan. 22.

A woman who recently ended an approximately two-year affair with ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore told law enforcement he grabbed butter knives from a drawer and pointed them at her after barging into her apartment, recently obtained court records show.

Details from the statements made by the woman, an executive assistant to the head coach, were used Friday to charge Moore. He was charged with third-degree felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

‘(The woman) advised that she was carrying her belongings downstairs to leave, and while inside of her apartment she heard footsteps outside. (She) indicated that she ran towards the door to secure it, but before she could, Mr. Moore swung the door open and barged into her apartment with tears in his eyes,’ the court document reads.

‘(The woman) indicated that she was approximately 5 feet from the door when he made entry. She advised that she began backing up and as he was approaching her. (She) advised that Moore grabbed two knives out of her drawer and pointed them at her, ‘You ruined my life. You ruined my life.’”

Moore, 39, admitted to having an affair with the executive assistant but denied threatening her, records show. He was not charged with assault. He posted $25,000 bond Friday, Dec. 12.

‘Mr. Moore admitted to removing the knives and stated that he had threatened to kill himself. Mr. Moore denied physically assaulting (the executive assistant) and denied threatening her with any weapons,’ the record states.

While other court records redacted the name of the executive assistant, the transcript from the closed Friday hearing did not. The Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Co., generally does not identify people described as domestic crime victims without their consent.

The information the executive assistant gave to police, and police presented at a court hearing Friday, Dec. 12, is different than how prosecutors described what happened when they charged Moore.

“While I understand that there isn’t evidence to suggest that he directly threatened the victim with any of those (knives) that I’ve indicated, the totality of the behavior is highly threatening and highly intimidating. She was terrorized, your honor,’ Kati Rezmierski, first assistant prosecutor for Washtenaw County, said during a public court hearing.

The woman told police that night of the incident that ‘she has never been more terrified in her life.’

Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit described his charging decision in a statement sent to the Free Press on Saturday, Dec. 12.

“As was stated at the arraignment (Friday, Dec. 12), the evidence that is available at this time indicates that Mr. Moore had an intent to terrorize and harass the victim — which is the basis for the stalking charge. Given that his statements were those of self-harm, however, there was not sufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, an intent to assault or batter the victim,’ Savit said.

‘As indicated in our release (Friday) announcing charges against Mr. Moore, this matter remains under active investigation and, as with any case, we may add or amend charges as new evidence comes in.”

Moore’s lawyer Joseph Simon provided a statement in response to questions about why his client was not charged with assault.

‘Your question highlights the need to first obtain and review all evidence against every element of the charged offenses before making speculative comments or conclusions and that is what we intended to do,’ Simon said in a text message sent Saturday to the Free Press.

The executive assistant’s lawyer, listed in the court record as Heidi Sharp, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Before Moore was publicly charged, Detective Jessica Welker of the Pittsfield Township Police Department provided sworn testimony about the actions underlying the ultimate charges.

This occurred during what’s called a ‘complaint authorization hearing.’ It occurred in front of Magistrate Odetalla Odetalla, about an hour before Moore was formally charged. It was closed to the public, but the Free Press obtained a transcript.

The transcript cites law enforcement ‘dispatch,’ indicating the executive assistant’s lawyer first called police, saying, ‘her client, had called her saying Sherrone Moore was inside of her home, attacking her.’

The transcript later indicates police met the lawyer at the executive assistant’s Ann Arbor apartment. When they arrived, the lawyer, ‘advised that Moore had a long history of domestic violence against (the executive assistant), and that he was very dangerous.’

Welker, the detective, goes on to provide more detail from the executive assistant and her lawyer.

‘(The executive assistant) advised that she continued to back up, telling him to leave, and he continued towards her with the knives, backing her towards the living room,’ the transcript states.

‘(The executive assistant) advised that she was trying to call her attorney, and it wasn’t until she got her attorney on the phone and put her on speaker — and Moore heard her voice — that he immediately backed up and turned the knives on himself, pointing them at his neck, saying that he was going to kill himself and that she was going to watch.’

Moore then left, the transcript states. The executive assistant saw he left the butter knives on the counter. She locked the door, the transcript states. The executive assistant’s lawyer also provided police with text messages purportedly from Moore to the executive assistant.

One, allegedly sent around the time Moore arrived at the apartment, said, ‘I hate you. My blood is on your hand.’

The executive assistant tried to end communications with Moore on Monday, Dec. 8, the transcript states. He repeatedly tried to contact her after that, the record states.

After Welker finished providing this information to the magistrate, Odetalla determined there was enough probable cause to sign and issue warrants for Moore’s arrest.

The woman who accused Moore is a 32-year-old staffer in the athletics department. The Michigan athletics department confirmed this week she remains an employee, but wouldn’t provide additional details.

The Free Press left a message seeking comment from her but is not naming her at this time.

Some salary records published by the university list her as an administrative specialist, a title the department uses to cover a wide variety of roles, with salaries ranging from $44,000 to $360,000.

Her current salary is listed as $99,000. The records indicate she began at the school with a salary of $58,000 before being increased to $90,000 last year and then to her current rate. The records do not indicate the duties of the employees listed.

The woman appears to have taken down her LinkedIn profile and other social media accounts after being publicly linked to Moore.

In 2021, the university adopted a policy regarding intimate relationships between supervisors and their subordinates. The policy prohibits supervisors from initiating such relationships. If the relationship precedes the employment conflict or the subordinate initiates it, the policy calls for the supervisor to notify a superior about it.

The policy also calls for a management plan when a supervisor is in a relationship with a subordinate. It could require moving jobs or changing to whom the subordinate reports.

Free Press reporter Violet Ikonomova contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON, DC — The time is up.

After a legendary 23-year run, John Cena ended his WWE career with his final match on Dec. 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

It was an emotional send-off as the night was dedicated to the 17-time WWE Champion, with several stars of the past and present paying respect after all of the accomplishments and memories from his storied career. It was a thrilling and electric final match, but it didn’t end in victory as “The Ring General” Gunther defeated Cena to silence the crowd.

The result was shocking and upsetting for the WWE universe, but Cena got the chance to say goodbye for good. It capped off a fun night that included young NXT talent getting a chance against some of the best of the main roster.

Watch: Saturday Night’s Main Event postshow

John Cena says goodbye

A video plays inside the arena and on the broadcast honoring Cena. Afterward, Cena salutes the crowd and leaves his armbands and sneakers in the ring. He then walks back to the ramp and salutes the audience one final time. He says ‘it’s been an honor’ before he walks backstage, capping off his career.

WWE roster says goodbye to John Cena

After the match, nearly the entire WWE roster comes out, with Cody Rhodes and CM Punk placing their championships on Cena’s shoulders.

John Cena vs. Gunther

After an incredible introduction, the crowd shows full hostility to Gunther as he takes early control of the match, throwing Cena around and taunting the audience in the process. Gunther goes for a signature chop, only for Cena to catch it.

He then tees off in vintage form and gets the hand up with the entire crowd. He lets out the ‘You Can’t See Me’ and landed the Five-Knuckle Shuffle. He sets up for the Attitude Adjustment but Gunther gets out of it. Cena stays on the attack and gets a hold of the STF on Gunther as the crowd gets on their feet.

Gunther gets out of the submission and his offense picks back up, delivering consecutive running Clotheslines to Cena. The taunting continues, but again Cena finds life again. He delivered another Five-Knuckle Shuffle and gets the AA right afterward, but Gunther kicks out. He tries another AA, and Gunther gets out and locks the Sleeper Hold on Cena. However, Cena reverses it with his own Sleeper Hold, which gets broken up by Gunther getting his leg on the rope.

The action moves outside of the ring where Gunther throws Cena into the steel steps. He moves the other set of stairs near the announcer’s table and gloats to the booing crowd. Gunther tries to land a vicious powerbomb on the announcer’s table, but Cena reverses it and lands the AA instead as both stars lay on the ground.

Back in the ring, Cena climbs the turnbuckle and lands the flying leg drop but the pin attempt is no good. He goes for a third Five-Knuckle Shuffle and Gunther lands the big boot. He follows it with a powerbomb and a pin attempt that Cena kicks out of. Gunther and Cena meet at the top rope and Cena lands the flying AA, and again Gunther kicks out.

Punches are traded when the two stars get to their feet, and it’s Gunther that breaks it with a powerbomb. He follows it with a Frog Splash and Cena avoids the loss, but Gunther doesn’t stop with another Sleeper Hold. Cena gets up several times but Gunther continues to drag him back down. Just when Cena breaks out of it, Gunther locks it back in.

Cena gets out one more time to land the AA but the pin doesn’t work and is immediately followed up with another submission hold. The crowd chants ‘don’t give up’ as Cena starts to fade. The referee checks Cena’s hand and he’s able to keep it up before the three-count.

But Gunther keeps the hold on. Cena finally taps out and Gunther wins, ending Cena’s career with a loss.

Analysis: Gunther is inevitable. ‘The Ring General’ said he would make Cena tap out and he delivers on his promise to get the victory.

The match was by far one of the most electric in recent memory as the crowd was really into the match and pulling for Cena to win. He showed he was going to leave it all out in the ring and delivered another epic clash to end it.

The result isn’t popular at all and there was plenty of booing and NSFW chants for it, but this is how it usually goes in retirement matches. There was hope Cena could end his with another signature victory, but instead Gunther gets the honor of sending someone away with a loss. Devastating for the WWE fans that rooted for Cena for so long, but it doesn’t represent what was an unbelievable career.

Watch: John Cena’s final introduction

Lilian Garcia with the final introduction for the 17-time WWE Champion.

Watch: John Cena’s final entrance

‘Stew, let’s go to work one last time.’

Cena enters to a thunderous ovation for his final WWE match.

The Miz appears, R-Truth interrupts

The Miz interrupts the broadcast to tell the crowd he should have been part of the John Cena farewell tour. As he goes on a tirade, R-Truth comes out and tells him he has an opponent.

Joe Hendry surprises

The Miz says his name and he appears.

Joe Hendry emerges and confronts The Miz and sends him down on the mat. Then he and R-Truth give The Miz a Five-Knuckle Shuffle before Hendry finishes it off with a Standing Ovation to ‘win’ the unofficial match.

AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater

The NXT and TNA stars waste no time getting things going as they deliver synchronized super kicks and each go flying out of the ring to stun the World Tag Team Champions. Thanks to the blazing start, Evans and Slater take the early control against Lee.

A powerbomb helps Lee slow down the other team and gives him time to tag in Styles, who shows he can absolutely hang with the young talent. After a brief moment of chaos outside of the ring with everyone, Evans and Slater get rolling again, this time against Styles.

Lee helped Styles recover, but he had a botch when he tried a Phenomenal Forearm. It didn’t slow him down as he soon afterward got the Styles Clash on Slater. It was the final blow to get the champions the win.

Analysis: It wasn’t a lot of time, but the tag teams did more than enough with it to deliver an entertaining match. Slater and Evans showed off their high-flying skills perfectly, while Styles again shows Father Time still hasn’t caught up to him. The botch hurt the overall finish, but still was a fun performance with the limited time in the ring.

Bayley vs. Sol Ruca

Each star had help in their corner with Lyra Valkyria on Bayley’s side and Zaria still supporting Ruca, and early on Ruca was a step ahead of the veteran, using her stellar acrobatic skill set to her advantage. A mistimed backflip from Ruca momentarily gave Bayley some offense, but the NXT star was back in front quickly; she executed a tumbling leap out of the ring for the first big moment of the match.

Bayley had another opportunity to gain momentum, but Ruca was relentless and didn’t stay down long enough to get in a hole. When Ruca tried another leap, Bayley caught it for a Belly-to-Bayley that resulted in both stars down on the mat.

Bayley tried a Rose Plant but Ruca avoided it with a cartwheel, and Ruca tried the Sol Snatcher but Bayley tripped her up before it could be executed. Bayley went for the pin that was unsuccessful because Ruca’s legs got on the ropes.

Afterward, Ruca finally landed the Sol Snatcher, but Bayley rolled out. Ruca desperately dragged her back in the ring and Bayley tried to roll her opponent up. Ruca got out of it and executed her own pin and she got the count to three for the victory. The two stars then shake hands.

Analysis: The Sol continues to rise.

Ruca dazzles every time she’s in the ring, and it was no different on one of the biggest stages of her young career. She controlled the majority of the match, a clear indicator she has what it takes to be a problem on the main roster. Credit Bayley for being the great veteran to put Ruca over, and there’s no limit to what she can achieve after another great outing.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi

The night starts with a massive showdown between the top star on the main roster vs. the top guy in NXT. The electricity is palpable after big pops on the entrances, and Femi shows early he’s not just a young star. He counters Rhodes’ punch with a powerful slam to the WWE Champion. From there, Femi takes the early advantage, throwing Rhodes around the ring with ease.

After taking some significant blows, Rhodes is able to slow Femi down and get him on the ground. That’s when Rhodes tees up the Cody Cutter and lands it to perfection. Rhodes had an unsuccessful leap outside of the ring, but a second time works to get Femi down.

It doesn’t have much impact with Femi recovering quickly in the ring for a Spinebuster. Rhodes went outside of the ring and Femi got a running start to launch himself into his opponent and over the table. Rhodes had a bloody mouth, yet it didn’t stop him from countering with a magnificent Cody Cutter.

The two stars were down when Drew McIntyre emerged and attacked Rhodes, ending the match in disqualification. Femi was upset and approached McIntyre, and that gave Rhodes enough time to give the ‘Scottish Warrior’ a Cody Cutter, followed by a slam from Femi. The two opponents then raise their titles together.

Analysis: The night gets off to a great start with the two champions putting on a high-quality match. Rhodes is established, but Femi got to formally introduce himself on the main roster. The crowd loved the NXT Champion and were fully invested in his entrance. He dazzled in the opportunity and did a exceptional job looking like a powerhouse.

People wanted to see a true winner in this fight, and a disqualification unfortunately hurts it a bit, and the crowd wanted to see the match continue. However, the result was certainly the safe way to go to protect WWE’s top guy and the one that will be in the position soon.

Watch: Oba Femi makes electric entrance

Watch: Cody Rhodes kicks night off

WWE icons in attendance

The stars are out to see Cena’s finale, including wrestling icons such as Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Trish Stratus and Mark Henry.

When is John Cena’s last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event?

John Cena’s last match takes place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Saturday, Dec 13.

Stream WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on Peacock

John Cena’s last match, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event start time

Saturday Night’s Main Event begins at 8 p.m. ET, with Cena’s final match as the main event.

How to watch John Cena’s last match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Saturday Night’s Main Event will stream on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on YouTube in most markets.

Where is John Cena’s last match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event?

Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event will take place at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

John Cena’s last match, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event preshow

The preshow for Saturday Night’s Main Event begins at 6 p.m. ET. It will be streamed on Peacock and WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.

John Cena’s last match, Saturday Night’s Main Event match card

Matches not in order

• John Cena vs. Gunther
• Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
• Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
• AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater

Watch: Saturday Night’s Main Event cold open

WWE chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque narrates the opening of Cena’s final match.

John Cena farewell tour reaches end

The farewell tour is now complete. In his last year of in-ring competition, Cena won the Elimination Chamber and the Undisputed WWE Championship, becoming the first 17-time title holder in WWE history. He also took the Intercontinental Championship, making him a Grand Slam champion.

Saturday Night’s Main Event stage

The view inside Capital One Arena. WWE opts for a generic stage.

John Cena final match prediction 

Retirement matches usually mean ending a career with a loss, but that’s for most wrestlers. It’s completely different with Cena. It’s going to be an emotional thriller, with so many close calls and callbacks to the past 23 years of Cena’s tenure. Gunther will look like he made Cena tap out and it will end in a loss.

That’s until hustle, loyalty and respect power through. Cena finds just enough in the tank for a big finish, and he gets the pin to end it all with a win. – Jordan Mendoza

John Cena ends wrestling career as the greatest of all time

Did you really see John Cena?

Yes, we all know we’ve spent his entire career “looking” for him. The man behind “You Can’t See Me” got taken too literally to the point of invisibility. But maybe there is a deeper meaning to it. 

What exactly were you looking for? A hero? A villain? A reason to smile? A reason to boo?

For 23 years, WWE fans searched endlessly, wondering if they’d ever find the answer. But as he enters the final match of his storied career, it’s all clear. Finally, we do see Cena.

What do we see? That John Cena has cemented himself as the greatest wrestler in history – and there will never be another like him.

Turns out, it’s just basic thuganomics. 

Read why there will never be another Cenahere.

A love letter to John Cena and professional wrestling

I wasn’t a John Cena fan. Not back then. Not even a little bit.

As a kid, I was in the minority. I recognize that. Watch back any Cena entrance from 2007-15 and you’ll find the same crowd reaction: every adult in attendance booing mercilessly while every child simultaneously screams in glee. 

This was the John Cena experience. No matter how you felt about him, you gave him a reaction. And as any pro wrestler will tell you, that’s the job, brother.

Love him or hate him, Cena represented everything great about this weird, niche genre of entertainment. He embraced its quirks with determination, its grueling schedule with endless effort and its spoils with grace.

You didn’t have to be a fan of Cena to recognize his mastery.

Read why wrestling will miss Cenahere.

John Cena’s top moments of his career

There’s no debating Cena is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time − evident by several signature moments that defined a generation of wrestling.

While there are undoubtedly hundreds of those unforgettable performances, which ones stand out above the rest?

See the full list of top 17 momentshere.

John Cena’s top entrances 

A key element in wrestling is the entrance, and Cena knew how to make them grand.

One of the several things that made Cena a WWE legend was his iconic entrance music. He started off with ‘Basic Thuganomics,’ which became a classic with some clever lines, but he introduced ‘My Time is Now’ in 2005, and it has become a song that has transcended wrestling, becoming a recognizable tune and sending crowds into a frenzy the moment the first note hits.

With that signature song, Cena has made some epic entrances that left the audience wowed. He’s entered arenas and stadiums thousands of times, but some of those entrances stand out more than others and have become iconic moments in Cena’s lasting legacy.

See the full list of best entranceshere.

John Cena’s 10 best feuds 

More than 23 years is enough time to develop heated rivals in wrestling, and Cena had plenty of them in WWE.

As the face of WWE for decades, Cena got to the top of the wrestling world thanks to the epic showdowns he had with other big-time stars. Whether it was the promos, matches or the stakes, some feuds stood out above the rest. They often helped raise the legacy of both Cena and his rival as they each brought the best out of each other, and those heated rivalries helped produce some of wrestling’s top moments in recent memory.

Of course, not all of them were top-tier quality, but there were rivalries that transcended the sport and helped shape what wrestling is today.

See the full list of Cena’s best rivalrieshere.

WWE stars pay tribute to John Cena

Get the tissues ready.

Cena not only impacted wrestling fans, but stars themselves. Several of them honor him, including some big names like Roman Reigns, in this emotional video.

Oba Femi has ‘huge opportunity’ vs. Cody Rhodes

With NXT stars getting to challenge main roster talent, no one gets a bigger shot than Oba Femi; the NXT Champion will face Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

“It’s huge for me,” Femi told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s just a huge favor he’s done for us up-and-coming NXT superstars to showcase us on his final day, which speaks to his selflessness and humility.”

“The Ruler” has become a major hit in NXT, with his signature strut starting what is often dominance in the ring. It will be his biggest match yet, but Femi is ready for the challenge.

“At the end of the match, people realize that there is a new crop of talent, and they are here, and they mean business,” Femi said. “While I’m out there, I’m going to enjoy every moment I’m in there with Cody. It’s the best now versus the projected future, the biggest prospect from NXT. It’s a huge match. It’s a huge opportunity, and the fans get to enjoy it. 

“But I think when everything is said and done, Oba Femi will be victorious,” he added.

John Cena WWE career accolades

It’s been a career full of achievements as Cena has done about everything a wrestler can do in WWE. Here are all of his achievements: 

• WWE Champion: 17 times (record)
• United States Champion: five times
• WWE Tag Team Champion: four times
• Intercontinental Champion: one time
• Grand Slam Champion
• Triple Crown Champion
• 2012 Money in the Bank winner
• 2008 and 2013 Royal Rumble winner

Sweet 16 action continues in the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament with a slate of four games on Friday.

No. 1 seed Texas kicked off the day by sweeping Indiana. No. 1 overall seed Nebraska will end the night against No. 4 Kansas after opening the tournament with back-to-back sweeps. The Huskers (32-0) remain undefeated and have only dropped seven sets all year, with the last coming nearly a month ago on Nov. 14 against UCLA.

Speaking of sweeps, No. 1 Kentucky and No. 1 Pittsburgh punched their tickets to the Elite Eight on Thursday. The Wildcats ended Cal Poly’s Cinderella story in straight sets, while Pittsburgh brought out the brooms against Minnesota.

USA TODAY gives you everything you need to know about Friday’s schedule, matchups, scores and highlights:

SWEET 16 NCAA VOLLEYBALL RECAP: Kentucky, Pittsburgh sweep way to Elite Eight

Set 1: Nebraska 25, Kansas 12

Nebraska took a quick lead against Kansas and easily put away the first set.

The Cornhuskers looked every bit like the No. 1 overall seed. They collectively hit .357 and registered six blocks against the Jayhawks, who were held to a negative hitting percentage (-.024) in the first set. Rebekah Allick led the Huskers with six kills on six attempts, while Andi Jackson added four blocks and three kills.

Nebraska vs. Kansas volleyball underway

Final: Texas A&M 3, Louisville 2

Set 5: Texas A&M 3, Louisville 2

No. 3 Texas A&M completed a reverse sweep against No. 2 Louisville to advance to the regional final for the first time since 2001 after winning the fifth set, 15-12. The Aggies were able to swing the momentum of the game with their blocking ability, led by Ifenna Cos-okpalla’s 12 total blocks.

Texas A&M’s Logan Lednicky (20 kills, 10 digs on .245 hitting), Kyndal Stowers (16 kills, 11 digs on .282 hitting) and Emily Hellmuth (12 kills on .226 hitting) each recorded double-digit kills.

‘We just weren’t finishing the last end of the set,’ said an emotional Lednicky, who was three blocks away from a triple double. ‘We’re like, we’re not letting them sweep us. We know how to grind, we know how to dig it. We saw it in the TCU match and we did just that last one.’

Tensions boiled over in the fifth set. Louisville head coach Dan Meske earned a yellow card for swatting the ball because he thought the referee missed a carry call during a long rally Texas A&M won to go up 12-10.

Louisville’s Chloe Chicoine finished with a game-high 26 kills hitting .300 in the loss.

Set 4: Louisville 2, Texas A&M 2

No. 3 Texas A&M took a 17-8 lead after holding No. 2 Louisville to a -.143 hitting percentage to start the fourth set with its defensive prowess. The Aggies stretched their lead to as many as nine points, but Louisville went on a 7-1 run to come within three points of Texas A&M. The Aggies didn’t relinquish the lead this time. Texas A&M finished the fourth set on a 4-0 run to force a decisive fifth set.

Texas A&M held Louisville to .000 hitting in the fourth set. The Aggies hit .267 and recorded nine blocks. Texas A&M’s Logan Lednicky (18 kills on .333 hitting), Kyndal Stowers (14 kills on .243 hitting) and Emily Hellmuth (10 kills on .200 hitting) each have double-digit kills. Ifenna Cos-okpalla is up to 11 blocks.

The Aggies are going for the reverse sweep, the team’s first since September 2024.

Set 3: Louisville 2, Texas A&M 1

No. 3 Texas A&M head coach Jamie Morrison said his team needed to do a better job at finishing at the end of the set if they wanted to extend their season against No. 2 Louisville after giving up leads in the first two sets. The Aggies did just that in a third set that featured 15 ties and five lead changes.

The Aggies had a 23-21 lead in the third set before Louisville tied it up at 23-23 following back-to-back kills from Chloe Chicoine. Texas A&M’s Kyndal Stowers responded with a pair of kills herself to give the Aggies the set, 25-23.

Texas A&M’s Logan Lednicky (14 kills on .333 hitting), Kyndal Stowers (11 kills on .259 hitting) and Emily Hellmuth (10 kills on .261) each have double-digit kills as the team is collectively hitting .292.

Meanwhile, Chicoine is up to 19 kills on .405 hitting. Cara Crease added seven blocks.

Set 2: Louisville 2, Texas A&M 0

New set, same scenario. Much like the first set, Texas A&M was the first team to reach 15 points. The Aggies had a 21-16 lead in the second set, before Louisville staged another comeback. The Cardinals went on a 9-1 run to take the lead and clinch the second set, 25-22, to take a 2-0 lead over Texas A&M.

Louisville capitalized on 14 total blocks and three aces. Chloe Chicoine (11 kills on .400 hitting) and Payton Petersen (10 kills on .563 hitting) led the Cardinals in kills.

Logan Lednicky has nine kills, while Emily Hellmuth and Kyndal Stowers each have seven kills for Texas A&M.

Set 1: Louisville 1, Texas A&M 0

No. 3 Texas A&M had control of the first set and was the first team to 15 points, but No. 2 Louisville went on a 5-0 run to tie it up at 17-17. Five more ties ensued before Louisville ultimately created some separation to take the first set, 25-23. Louisville hit .457 and had two players with six or more kills — Payton Petersen (seven kills on .778 hitting) and Chloe Chicoine (six kills on .600 hitting).

Louisville starters

Wisconsin 3, Stanford 1

Set 4: Wisconsin 25, Stanford 22

The Badgers had to fight for it, but they moved on after a 3-1 win over Stanford that was sealed with a team block. Wisconsin finished the day hitting .420. Match standout Mimi Colyer had a blistering 27 kills on .373 hitting and 10 digs. On the other side of the net, Stanford hit very well for most of the match, but slipped to a .242 percentage in Set 4 after maintaining around .400 during the first three sets. The Cardinal had four players who finished with double-digit kills. Elia Rubin led the group with 15 kills and 13 digs.

Set 3: Wisconsin 25, Stanford 23

The third set was a back-and-forth battle. There were a whopping 9 ties and 4 lead changes before Wisconsin finally pulled away to go up 2-1. Grace Egan sealed Set 3 for the Badgers with a timely kill after two set points. Mimi Colyer continues her day of domination with 19 kills on .333 hitting. Carter Booth has also been fantastic for Wisconsin with 13 kills on .813 hitting. Julia Blyashov and Jordyn Harvey both have 10 kills for Stanford.

Set 2: Stanford: 25, Wisconsin 21

Stanford was poised in Set 2 with better defense and serving. The Cardinal were tied with the Badgers at 13, all, before letting off a 12-8 run to take the set. Elia Rubin had the deciding kill after three set points. Stanford hit .484 in Set 2 with three players who had six or more kills, including Rubin, who had a .417 hitting percentage and seven digs. Wisconsin’s Mimi Colyer leads all players with 16 kills on 25 swings and .480 hitting.

Wisconsin vs. Stanford is a sister-against-sister showdown

Look across the court, and fans will see a pair of sisters on opposite sides of the court. Wisconsin’s Alicia Andrew and Stanford’s Lizzy Andrew are facing off against each other today in the Sweet 16.

Set 1: Wisconsin 25, Stanford 17

Wisconsin hit a blistering .514 in the first set, sealed by a Carter Booth kill. Mimi Colyer led the Badgers with nine kills on 15 swings and a .467 hitting percentage. Lizzy Andrew led the Cardinal, going a perfect three-for-three on kills.

Wisconsin vs. Stanford is underway

No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 2 Stanford are in the first set of the second match of day two of the Sweet 16.

Texas star Cari Spears had her dad in the stands against Indiana

Former NFL player and ESPN analyst Marcus Spears was in the stands today to watch his daughter, Texas freshman Cari Spears, play.

Final: Texas 3, Indiana 0

Set 3: Texas 25, Indiana 22

Whitney Lauenstein sent Texas to the regional final with a kill to secure the sweep against Indiana. The Longhorns finished with .374 hitting and 23 total blocks. Torrey Stafford was brilliant with 19 kills on 28 swings (with zero errors) and a .679 hitting percentage. Nya Bunton was also critical to the Longhorns’ success with seven kills on .545 hitting and five blocks. Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Jaidyn Jager had 21 combined kills for the Hoosiers.

Indiana is pushing Texas in Set 3

The Hoosiers look much more relaxed in Set 3 as they try to fight off elimination. They are hitting .261 in the frame and have slowed down Texas’s blocks.

Set 2: Texas 25, Indiana 22

It took four set points, but Abby Vander Wal again secured the set Texas. The Longhorns have held the Hoosiers to under .200 for the match while maintaining .365 hitting percentage. Torrey Stafford is putting on a clinic from all over the court. Stafford has zero errors on 19 swings, including 15 kills and a .789 hitting percentage. Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads Indiana with seven kills on .125 hitting and six digs.

Texas’s defense is rolling against Indiana

The Longhorns have 17 total blocks and have held Indiana to a .088 hitting percentage in the second set and .127 hitting for the match.

Set 1: Texas 25, Indiana 20

Texas took the first set after two set points, with Abby Vander Wal landing the deciding point. As a team, Texas hit .323 in the set, compared to .162 for Indiana with nine errors. The Hoosiers had several runs to close the game with the Longhorns, but Texas was too much. Torrey Stafford led all players with six kills on .750 hitting.

Texas is the first to 15 in Set 1 against Indiana

The Longhorns reached 15 points behind a huge boost from outside hitter Torrey Stafford, who had five kills and two blocks.

Indiana vs. Texas is underway

The Indiana Hoosiers and Texas Longhorns are in the first set of the first match during Day 2 of the Sweet 16.

NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 continues Friday

Two No. 1 seeds play on Friday, with Texas playing Indiana in the opener. The top overall seed, Nebraska, puts its unbeaten streak on the line against No. 4 Kansas in the nightcap after opening the tournament with back-to-back sweeps.

When is NCAA women’s volleyball Sweet 16?

• Date: Dec. 12
• Time: Four matches beginning at noon ET Friday. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

• Streaming: ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. Games can be streamed ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 schedule: Times, TV

All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 11

• No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 2 Arizona State 1
• No. 1 Kentucky 3, Cal Poly 0
• No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, No. 4 Minnesota 0
• No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 2 SMU 1

Friday, Dec. 12

• No. 1 Texas 3, No. 4 Indiana 0
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, No. 2 Stanford 1
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 2 Louisville 2
• No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 4 Kansas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Saturday, Dec. 13

• No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 1 Kentucky, 5 p.m. | ESPN2
• No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 3 Purdue, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Sunday, Dec. 14

• No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Wisconsin, TBD
• No. 1 Nebraska/No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 3 Texas A&M, TBD

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

• Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21

The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be broadcast on ESPN. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21 on ABC.

NCAA volleyball second-round results

Lexington bracket

• No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
• No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 Northern Iowa 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
• No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
• Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

• No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
• No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
• No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

• No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
• No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
• No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
• No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

• No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
• No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
• No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

• No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
• No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
• Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
• No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
• No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
• No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
• Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
• No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

• No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
• No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
• No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
• No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
• North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
• Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
• No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

• No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
• Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
• No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
• No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
• No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
• No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
• Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
• No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

• No. 1 Nebraska 3, Long Island 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
• Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
• No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
• No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
• No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
• Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
• No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola (Illinois) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

NCAA volleyball tournament champions

Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.

Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:

• 2024: Penn State
• 2023: Texas
• 2022: Texas
• 2021: Wisconsin
• 2020: Kentucky
• 2019: Stanford
• 2018: Stanford
• 2017: Nebraska
• 2016: Stanford
• 2015: Nebraska

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Austin Reaves is expected to miss at least a week for the Los Angeles Lakers due to injury.

The injury comes at a bad time for the Lakers, who were finally able to field a healthy starting lineup.

Luka Dončić had missed time earlier in the season, and LeBron James had just made his season debut against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 18.

Reaves managed to step up for the Lakers during the absence of their two superstars. He scored 51 points against the Sacramento Kings and 41 against the Portland Trailblazers on back-to-back nights in October. He has continued to produce at a high level offensively, scoring 44 against the Toronto Raptors and 36 against the Boston Celtics on back-to-back nights last week.

Austin Reaves injury update

The guard was diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and is expected to be re-evaluated in approximately one week.

The Lakers will play three games next week: Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Phoenix Suns; Thursday, Dec. 18 at the Utah Jazz; Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Los Angeles Clippers. Reaves is expected to miss the first two, at least.

Reaves is the latest NBA player to suffer from a calf injury. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has also missed time this season because of a calf strain.

Who is Austin Reaves backup? Lakers’ depth chart

Marcus Smart is a strong possibility to fill in for Reaves. Smart has averaged 10.4 points, 2.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game in 15 games played this season.

Austin Reaves stats

Reaves has averaged career-highs in points (27.8), assists (6.7) and rebounds (5.6) in 21 games played this season.

When do the Lakers play next?

The Lakers will travel to play the Phoenix Suns at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on Sunday.

Nebraska volleyball is so successful, its home court at John Cook Arena will be expanded to 10,000 seats ahead of the 2026 season.

The Nebraska Athletic Fund released renderings and details for the plan earlier this week. The addition of about 2,000 seats also means there will be a ‘comprehensive reseating of season tickets,’ according to the school fundraising site.

‘To ensure Nebraska Volleyball remains a leader both on and off the court, we are taking proactive steps to strengthen our foundation. The expansion of John Cook Arena in the Bob Devaney Sports Center to over 10,000 seats will allow us to continue to grow the game and give more fans the opportunity to experience Nebraska Volleyball,’ the Nebraska Athletic Fund website reads. ‘We must embrace the evolution of intercollegiate athletics and find ways to preserve our financial model.’

Some of the upgrades listed on the website for the expanded arena include:

• New and improved seats with cupholders in each seat.
• New centralized student section to enhance the impact of crowd noise on opponents.
• New and improved seating courtside, in a new loge box and the Libero Club, which will replace VIP seats in the back row of the 100 level.
• Additional ADA seating with new vantage points and easier access from around the concourse.

Nebraska volleyball is wildly popular and entered the 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. After sweeping its opponents in the first two rounds, Nebraska faced Kansas in Friday’s Sweet 16.