The United States’ run at the 2026 world junior hockey championship is over.

Finland pulled off a 4-3 overtime victory on Friday, Jan. 2, after a wild third period in which the Finns rallied for a 3-2 lead only to see the USA tie the game.

The overtime didn’t last long as defenseman Arttu Valila scored his first goal and point of the tournament at 2:11 to send the host USA home empty-handed with a quarterfinal loss.

The USA had brought back eight players from the 2025 team that beat Finland 4-3 in overtime for a second consecutive gold medal. That group included defenseman Cole Hutson, who returned on Friday from a scary injury that he suffered in the tournament’s second game.

Hutson showed his importance by recording a goal and an assist in the second period, and the USA led 2-1 after two periods.

But Finland struck with two goals in 55 seconds in the third period (Leo Tuuva had a goal and assist) to take a 3-2 lead. The USA tied the game on a Ryker Lee goal with 1:33 left, forcing overtime.

The USA couldn’t match last year’s overtime result as Finland ended the Americans’ three-peat bid and advanced to the semifinals against rival Sweden.

“They played a great game tonight and came up just short,’ USA coach Bob Motzko said. ‘Give Finland credit. It’s an empty feeling right now, but our guys gave it all they had.”

USA TODAY provided live coverage of the USA vs. Finland game. Here are the highlights:

USA vs. Finland highlights

World juniors hockey semifinals set

With Canada’s 7-1 win against Slovakia, the world junior championships are set. No. 1 Sweden will face rival Finland in Sunday’s early game at 4:30 p.m. ET. Canada will face Czechia at 8:30 p.m. The medal games will be on Monday.

What’s next at the world junior championships?

The semifinals are on Sunday, Jan. 4. Sweden, Czechia and Finland have advanced, and Canada has a big lead on Slovakia in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are re-seeded so No. 1 Sweden would face the lowest remaining seed.

USA’s best players

James Hagens, Will Zellers and Brodie Ziemer are named the USA’s best players of the tournament.

Final score: Finland 4, USA 3 (OT)

The USA’s three-peat bid at the world junior championships is over. Arttu Valila scores at 2:11 for a 4-3 win. That’s the same score by which the USA had beaten Finland in last year’s gold medal game. Finland advances to the semifinals.

Overtime underway

USA chants start as 3-on-3 overtime begins.

End of third: USA 3, Finland 3

Ryker Lee ties it up

Will Zellers makes a nice rush down the ice. James Hagens picks up the puck behind the net and feeds Ryker Lee for the goal with 1:33 left. USA 3, Finland 3

Big save by Nick Kempf

He stops a 2-on-1 break with less than three minutes left.

Finland takes the lead

That’s two goals in 55 seconds for Finland. Leo Tuuva sets up Joona Saarelainen. Finland 3, USA 2

Finland ties it up

Aron Kiviharju makes a nice backdoor pass to Leo Tuuva with 7:17 left in the third period. USA 2, Finland 2

Brendan McMorrow injury

The USA’s McMorrow blocked a shot with his hand and he’s not on the bench.

Czechia-Switzerland final score

The Czechs win 6-2 to advance to the semifinals. They rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits. Their opponent is to be determined.

Finland power play

Will Zellers is called for goaltender interference. Finland is 0-for-1 on the power play in this game. USA kills it off.

Third period underway

USA leads 2-1. Eight of the last 10 games between these teams have been one-goal games.

End of second: USA 2, Finland 1

Cole Hutson showed why the USA missed him while he was out 2½ games after his injury scare. He picked up a goal and assist in that period. The smooth-skating defenseman joined the rush to open the scoring and he skated down to low in the faceoff circle to set up Cole Eiserman’s go-ahead goal.

USA power play

Kasper Pikkarainen is called for boarding Logan Hensler. It’s reviewed and ruled only a two-minutes penalty. The USA is 1-for-2 so far in the game. Finland kills it off.

Cole Eiserman gives USA lead

Cole Hutson carries the puck to the bottom of the faceoff circle on a power play and feeds Cole Eiserman in front. That’s two points by Hutson in this game, giving him the U.S. record for most career points by a defenseman at the tournament. USA 2, Finland 1

USA power play

Finland called for too many men on the ice.

Finland ties it up

Heikki Ruohonen scores from the faceoff circle after a pass from Max Westergard. USA 1, Finland 1

Cole Hutson scores for USA

He rushes up the ice, takes a pass from Kamil Bednarik and rips a shot past Petteri Rimpinen. It’s his 14th point in world juniors history, tying him with Erik Johnson for the USA record for a defenseman. USA 1, Finland 0

Second period underway

Scoreless. USA is short-handed for 25 seconds. Now it’s even strength.

End of first: USA 0, Finland 0

USA outshoots Finland 12-8 in that period. Cole Hutson looks good moving the puck. The USA had a couple turnovers, but goalie Nick Kempf keeps it scoreless.

Finland power play

AJ Spellacy is called for tripping. The USA gave up three power-play goals by Sweden in the last game. The USA kills the first part of the penalty but 25 seconds will spill into the second period.

USA chance

AJ Spellacy breaks in with speed, but Petteri Rimpinen makes a save. Still scoreless with five minutes left in the first period.

Big save by Nick Kempf

He stops Heikki Ruohonen in tight after a USA turnover.

USA power play

Mitja Jokinen is called for hooking. Cole Hutson was on the ice at the time of the call, so he’s not on the power play unit to start, but he’s out there now. Finland kills it off.

Game underway

It’s win or go home.

What channel is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?

TV channel: NHL Network

Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.

Watch world junior championships on Fubo

What time is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?

Date: Friday, Jan. 2

Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)

The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.

World juniors USA vs. Finland: How to watch, stream

Time: 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2

Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

TV: NHL Network

Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.

World junior championships quarterfinals today

Jan. 2

• Sweden 6 Latvia 3: The Swedes remain perfect at the tournament and will have the top seed in Sunday’s semifinals. Anton Frondell, a Blackhawks No. 3 overall pick, scored twice, including 10 seconds into the game.
• Czechia 6. Switzerland 2: Jiri Klima and Petr Sikora each had a goal and two assists.
• Finland 4, USA 3 (OT): Arttu Vilala scored at 2:11 of overtime to oust the two-time defending champion United States. The USA’s Ryker Lee had tied the game with 1:33 left in regulation. Cole Hutson returned from his injury vs. Switzerland and had a goal and an assist.
• Canada 7, Slovakia 1: Canada got goals from seven different scores to oust Slovakia.

USA vs Finland history

The U.S. and Finland have met 40 times previously, with Team USA having a 20-19-1 advantage. They split games in last year’s tournament, but the USA won 4-3 in overtime for its second consecutive gold medal.

Cole Hutson injury update

The USA defenseman told NHL Network it has been a ‘pretty tough week, lots of emotions’ as he returns for the first time since his injury in the Switzerland game.

Asked how he would manage expectations on Friday, he said: ‘I think it’s keeping it simple for the first few shifts, make sure I’m not trying anything too crazy. Hopefully then my game will come out soon and somehow I’ll help the team win.’

USA, Finland lineups

Finland goaltender vs USA

Petteri Rimpinen, the top goalie of the 2025 tournament, is expected to start against the USA. Like last year, he has played every minute. The Kings draft pick has a 2.49 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage. Those numbers are down from last year.

USA goaltender vs Finland

The USA will go with Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf in net. He has given up only two goals in the tournament, including one on 17 shots in the third period against Sweden after he replaced starter Brady Knowling. He won the second game against Switzerland. He has a 1.54 goals against average and .934 save percentage. 

Sweden advances to semifinals

Sweden improved to 5-0 after a 6-3 win against Latvia. Blackhawks draft pick Anton Frondell scored 10 seconds into the game and also scored in the third period.

USA players to watch

Will Zellers leads the USA with five goals and seven points. He had the game-winning goal in the first three games. Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) has six points and James Hagens (Bruins) has five.

Finland players to watch

Roope Vesterinen leads Finland with four goals and is tied for the team with five points. Defenseman Lasse Boelius also has five points, including two goals.

Cole Hutson injury update

The USA defenseman will suit up for the first time since he left the second game on a stretcher after being hit in the head by a puck. Injured forward Max Plante remains day-to-day.

Germany wins relegation game

Fifth-place Germany beat beat fifth-place Denmark 8-4 in Friday’s relegation game and will stay in the top level of the world junior championships. Denmark, which had qualified for the tournament this season, moves down one level. It went winless in Minnesota.

The drought is finally over for SMU football.

In what turned out to be an ugly second-half performance from their offense, the Mustangs fought off a second-half comeback from No. 20 Arizona to win the Holiday Bowl by a score of 24-19 on Friday, Jan. 2 inside Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

It’s the first bowl for the Mustangs since the 2012 Hawaii Bowl.

Stream the Holiday Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

After putting up 328 total yards of offense and 24 points in the first half — with 14 of them courtesy of running back T.J. Harden — the Wildcats defense made some second half adjustments and held SMU scoreless, allowing only 64 yards after halftime. 

Following a first half in which it committed five penalties for 50 yards, Arizona was able to get back into the game thanks to back-to-back interceptions from Jennings to begin the third quarter. The Wildcats could only cut the deficit to five points following Noah Fifita’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Barmore with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

Jennings completed 21-of-32 passes for 278 yards and three interceptions, while Fifita completed 28-of-43 passes for 265 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Both teams finish the season with a 9-4 overall record. 

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates from the game. Follow along for a recap:

Arizona vs SMU live score

This section will be updated.

Arizona vs SMU live updates

This section has been updated with new information

Final score: SMU 24, Arizona 19

SMU recovers onside kick, wins Holiday Bowl

SMU recovers the onside kick attempt from Arizona, and Kevin Jennings takes the knee to give the Mustangs the 24-19 win in the Holiday Bowl. A valiant second-half comeback from the Wildcats comes up short in San Diego.

Arizona scores TD

The Wildcats aren’t going away yet. Noah Fifita tosses one up to Cameron Barmore in the back of the end zone on third-and-10 for the 15-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 24-19. It’s the 29th touchdown pass of the season from Fifita.

Arizona will now look to recover the onside kick with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

SMU punts

SMU is forced to send out the punt unit as Kevin Jennings is two yards short of the first down. If Jennings had dived instead of slid forward on the field, he would have picked up the first down and the Mustangs could have let the clock run down.

Arizona will now look to drive down the field for a touchdown at its own 25-yard line with 2:43 left on the clock. The Wildcats have no timeouts remaining.

SMU intercepts Noah Fifita

SMU’s Alexander Kilgore comes up with a huge interception for the Mustangs defense, and that should be enough for SMU to put this game away … barring another turnover. It’s the first true mistake by Noah Fifita on the night.

The Mustangs are just over three minutes away from their first bowl win in over a decade.

Arizona intercepts Kevin Jennings

Just when it looks like SMU fixed its struggles on offense, Kevin Jennings throws his third interception of the second half. It looks like Jennings didn’t see Arizona’s Riley Wilson in his progressions, and because of that the Wildcats have a chance to cut this deficit further.

Arizona cuts deficit with TD pass

SMU nearly brings down Noah Fifita, but the Arizona quarterback dodges the tackle and throws a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tre Spivey on fourth-and-2 instead. The Wildcats are unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion.

The Mustangs now lead 24-12 with 8:40 remaining in the fourth quarter.

SMU punts

SMU’s second-half offensive struggles continue as the Mustangs go three-and-out for the third consecutive drive. Arizona’s offense heads back onto the field after 57 seconds of game time on the bench with a shot to bring the score closer.

End of third quarter: SMU 24, Arizona 6

Arizona turns ball over on downs

SMU’s defense bails Kevin Jennings out by forcing another turnover on downs on the final play of the third quarter. Given its field goal kicking troubles this season, Arizona elected to go for it on fourth-and-6 at the SMU 10-yard line, but Noah Fifita missed his target in the end zone.

The Mustangs take over at their own 10-yard line with a 24-6 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Arizona intercepts Kevin Jennings

The tables are beginning to turn in the second half, as Arizona picks up its second interception of the night off of Kevin Jennings after a brief game of hot potato as players from both teams fight for the ball in the air.

It’s back-to-back drives with a poor decision by Jennings. The Wildcats now start with short field position at SMU’s 44-yard line.

Noah Fifita throws 28-yard TD pass

Arizona is finally on the board thanks to a 28-yard touchdown pass from Noah Fifita to Javin Whatley near the back of the end zone. The Wildcats then try for the 2-point conversion, but it is unsuccessful.

It’s the first drive where the Wildcats were able to drive down the field without being called for a penalty …progress! The drive was 15 plays for 96 yards and took 7:31 off the game clock.

Arizona intercepts Kevin Jennings

Kevin Jennings’ first mistake of the game comes in the third quarter with an underthrown pass on the run intended for Jordan Hudson. The third-and-4 pass from Jennings is intercepted at the 4-yard line by Michael Dansby.

Arizona turns it over on downs

SMU’s defensive Terry Webb stuffs Arizona running back Quincy Craig on fourth-and-1 to force the second turnover on downs of the night for the Wildcats’ defense.

Self-inflicted penalties continue to hurt Arizona’s offense from getting into a rhythm. This time, it was a false start penalty on third-and-1 that held the Wildcats back from extending their drive.

End of first half: SMU 24, Arizona 0

The first half comes to a close on an 11-yard carry from Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi on first-and-10. SMU heads into the locker room with a commanding 24-0 lead after a full-out dominating first 30 minutes of action in the Holiday Bowl.

Kevin Jennings completed 18-of-23 passes for 248 yards, while Noah Fifita completed 7-of-13 passes for 43 yards.

The Wildcats were unable to find a rhythm offensively in the first half, as they were held to just 132 total yards of offense. A reason behind that struggle can be pointed to the Wildcats’ self-inflicted wounds: four penalties for 45 yards.

SMU extends lead with field goal

SMU extends its lead to 24-0 just before halftime with a 24-yard field goal from Sam Keltner. It’s the first time that SMU has gotten into the red zone and not scored a touchdown on the night.

The Mustangs have created a total of 328 yards of offense compared to Arizona’s 111.

Arizona turns ball over on downs

Down three possessions and on SMU’s side of the field for the first time, Arizona elects to go for it on fourth-and-2. It, however, doesn’t work out for the Wildcats as Tyren Polley Jr. breaks up Noah Fifita’s pass attempt for a turnover on downs.

SMU gets the ball back at its own 35-yard line with 5:23 remaining until halftime.

SMU extends lead with TD

Stone Eby takes the inside handoff from Kevin Jennings, and it results in the 1-yard rushing touchdown to extend SMU’s lead to 21-0 over Arizona. It’s all Mustangs in this one, as SMU has now scored a touchdown on three of its first four drives.

The scoring drive was 16 plays for 94 yards and took 6:47 off the game clock. Something to monitor for SMU is T.J. Harden, who was brought to the sidelines after going down weirdly on a 2-yard carry to set up Eby’s score.

End of first quarter: SMU 14, Arizona 0

SMU continues to feed T.J. Harden and he picks up 13 yards for a new set of downs on the final play of the first quarter. The Mustangs head into the second quarter on their own 40-yard line with a 14-0 lead over Arizona.

The Wildcats struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the opening frame, as SMU’s defense held Arizona to just 71 total yards of offense, with all but four of those coming on the ground. Quarterback Noah Fifita was 3-of-7 passing for four yards.

Kevin Jennings has been excellent for SMU, as he went 9-of-12 passing for 187 yards in the first quarter.

T.J. Harden scores second TD of game

T.J. Harden bounces off the left side and pushes through defenders into the end zone to extend SMU’s lead in the Holiday Bowl to 14-0. It’s the second touchdown of the night for Harden.

Kevin Jennings added to his hot start with a pair of nice throws on SMU’s eight-play drive: a 31-yard pass up the left sideline to Jalen Cooper and a 21-yard pass to Yamir Knight on the RPO. He’s 8-of-10 passing for 165 yards to begin the night.

The drive itself was eight plays for 87 yards and took 3:12 off the game clock.

Yamir Knight makes ridiculous catch for SMU

Kevin Jennings airs one up on third-and-11, and Yamir Knight comes up with an impressive catch that ends with him making a spin in the air over an Arizona defender. The Mustangs end up punting the ball back to the Wildcats a few plays later.

Arizona punts

SMU cornerback Marcellus Barnes Jr. breaks up Noah Fifita’s throw on third down, and Arizona sends out the punt unit. The Wildcats were unable to recover from an ineligible man downfield penalty.

T.J. Harden scores SMU touchdown

T.J. Harden punches it in from the 1-yard line to give SMU the opening drive touchdown score. The big play of the drive came on the second play of the drive when Kevin Jennings was able to connect with Matthew Hibner for an 80-yard catch, the longest catch in Holiday Bowl history.

What a start for the Mustangs, who drove down the field for 83 yards in three plays and 56 seconds to take the early lead.

Arizona wins toss, SMU starts with ball

Arizona wins the coin toss and defers the opening kickoff to the second half. That means Kevin Jennings and the SMU offense will start with the ball first. We’re just about ready for kickoff in San Diego!

Pregame

Arizona takes field for Holiday Bowl

With kickoff just 30 minutes away in San Diego, Arizona takes the field for warmups at the Holiday Bowl. The Wildcats are looking for their first win in the Holiday Bowl since the 1998 season when they beat Nebraska 23-20.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings warming up for Holiday Bowl

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has taken the field to get ready for his start in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona. Jennings enters Friday’s bowl game with 3,363 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes on the season.

SMU arrives for Holiday Bowl

The Mustangs are on site for their Holiday Bowl matchup against Arizona. SMU is looking for its first bowl win since 2012, when it was still a member of Conference USA.

What time does Arizona vs SMU start?

• Date: Friday, Jan. 2
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)

Arizona and SMU are set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2 in the Holiday Bowl inside Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

What TV channel is Arizona vs SMU on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Streaming options: Fox Sports Go app | Fubo (free trial)

Fox will broadcast the Holiday Bowl between Arizona and SMU on Jan. 2. Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will broadcast the game from the booth at Snapdragon Stadium, with Jenny Taft reporting from the sidelines.

Streaming options for the game include the Fox Sports app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries Fox and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the Holiday Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Arizona vs SMU predictions in Holiday Bowl

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

• Matt Hayes: Arizona
• Jordan Mendoza: SMU
• Paul Myerberg: Arizona
• Erick Smith: Arizona
• Eddie Timanus: Arizona
• Blake Toppmeyer: SMU

Arizona vs SMU odds, spread for Holiday Bowl

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Jan. 1

• Spread: Arizona -1.5
• Over/under: 51.5
• Moneyline: SMU (-105) | Arizona (-115)

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Guard Tonie Morgan hit the winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift the No. 12-ranked Kentucky women’s basketball team over No. 5 LSU, 80-78, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, on Thursday.

It was the first loss for the Tigers (14-1, 0-1 SEC), who set an NCAA record earlier this season by scoring 100-plus points in eight consecutive games.

Morgan led the Wildcats (14-1, 1-0 SEC) with 24 points, including three 3-pointers. She added 12 assists for her third double-double of the season. Teonni Key added 17 points and 16 rebounds for a double-double of her own. Clara Strack had 15 points and nine rebounds.

Kentucky had 17 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points, compared to four for LSU.

The Tigers led 75-69 with 5:03 to go in the game. They failed to score a field goal the rest of the way. Mikaylah Williams scored 26 points to lead four players in double figures for LSU.

Indiana football made quite an emphatic statement in its College Football Playoff Rose Bowl quarterfinal matchup against No. 9 Alabama.

Behind a three-touchdown afternoon from Fernando Mendoza and some relentless defense, the top-seeded Hoosiers embarrassed the ninth-seeded Crimson Tide 38-3 in ‘The Granddaddy of Them All’ on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to advance to their first CFP semifinal.

The Hoosiers’ dominant ‘business trip’ to the Rose Bowl made some history, as it is tied for the fourth-largest blowout win in the history of the College Football Playoff and the worst loss Alabama has sustained since 1998. It is the first bowl win for the Hoosiers since the 1991 Copper Bowl.

A 17-0 halftime lead for Indiana quickly snowballed into a 38-3 lead for the Hoosiers following Roman Hemby’s 18-yard rushing touchdown at the 10:33 mark of the fourth quarter. Mendoza’s 1-yard pass to Omar Cooper Jr. with 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter started a four-consecutive drive stretch for the Hoosiers where they scored a touchdown

With its win, Indiana now heads to Atlanta for another date against No. 5 Oregon on Friday, Jan. 9 in the CFP Peach Bowl semifinal, where the Hoosiers will look to beat the Ducks for the second time this season.

Here’s what to know on the biggest blowout win in College Football Playoff history:

What is the biggest blowout win in CFP history?

Georgia owns the record for the biggest blowout win in the history of the College Football Playoff at 58 points against TCU in the 2022-23 CFP Championship game. The Bulldogs surpassed Oregon’s previous record against Florida State in the 2015 Rose Bowl with a 39-point margin win.

With its win in the Rose Bowl, Indiana surpassed Penn State for the record for the biggest blowout win in the 12-team CFP era at 35 points. The Nittany Lions previously held it at 28 points from its 38-10 first-round win over SMU last season at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley.

Biggest blowout wins in CFP history

Here’s a look at the top 10 biggest blowout wins in the history of the College Football Playoff, including where Indiana’s 35-point win over Alabama ranks amongst them:

• 1. No. 1 Georgia 65, No. 4 TCU 7 (58 points) (2022-23 CFP Championship game)
• 2. No. 2 Oregon 59, No. 3 Florida State 20 (39 points) (2014-15 CFP Rose Bowl semifinal)
• 3. No. 2 Alabama 38, No. 3 Michigan State 0 (38 points) (2015-16 CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal)
• T-4. No. 1 Indiana 38, No. 9 Alabama 3 (35 points) (2025-26 CFP Rose Bowl quarterfinal)
• T-4. No. 1 LSU 63, No. 4 Oklahoma 28 (35 points) (2019-20 CFP Peach Bowl semifinal)
• 6. No. 2 Clemson 31, No. 3 Ohio State 0 (31 points) (2016-17 CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal)
• T-7. No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10 (28 points) (2024-25 CFP First-Round)
• T-7. No. 2 Clemson 44, No. 1 Alabama 16 (28 points) (2018-19 CFP Championship game)
• T-7. No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 3 Ohio State 24 (28 points) (2020-21 CFP Championship game)
• 10. No. 2 Clemson 30, No. 3 Notre Dame 3 (27 points) (2018-19 CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal)

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Troy Aikman, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and current ESPN analyst, is expected to serve as a consultant for the Miami Dolphins’ general manager search, according to multiple reports.

Chris Grier served as a general manager from 2016 to 2025 before mutually deciding to part ways with the organization on Halloween. Entering Week 18, the Dolphins have compiled an 82-82 record in the previous 10 seasons. Champ Kelly has served as the Dolphins’ interim general manager.

Aikman is not likely to leave his role with ESPN and is unlikely to stay with the Dolphins in the long term.

Aikman won three Super Bowls during his 12-year career as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

The former quarterback is still scheduled to serve as a broadcaster for ESPN on Saturday, Jan. 3 for the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.

The California native is no stranger to assisting in a candidate search.

Aikman, who played quarterback at UCLA for two seasons (1987-88), served as a member of the Bruins’ coaching search committee in 2017 that led to the hiring of Chip Kelly. Kelly compiled a 35-34 record from 2018 to 2023 at UCLA.

Aikman was a prominent name and contributor to the college football program, alongside sports executive and fellow UCLA graduate Casey Wasserman. 

Aikman was not named to UCLA’s most recent search committee for its head football coaching vacancy during the 2025 season.

Wasserman was instead joined by UCLA alumni Bob Myers (former Golden State Warriors general manager) and Adam Peters (Washington Commanders general manager).

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – The obvious takeaway from this snapshot in time, this clear distinction between what is and what you want it to be, is how much money are the billionaire boosters at Texas Tech willing to spend?

How much more money will it cost to take a magical season for the ages, and push through the stratosphere of competing with the Big Ten and SEC? 

Because that’s how far away the highest-paid roster in college football looked from competing with the elite of the sport in Thursday’s humbling 23-0 loss to Oregon in the College Football Playoff Orange Bowl quarterfinal. 

Reached shortly after the loss, Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, the financial architect of this made-for-championships roster, told USA TODAY Sports of the 2026 season, ‘We will double down.’

And there’s your cold, hard truth of an answer. This thing is just beginning at Texas Tech.

The scary thing for Campbell and his billionaire partners from Double Eagle Capital, who fund the Texas Tech NIL Matador Club and spent $25 million on this year’s roster to get the Red Raiders up to speed with the big boys of college football: Oregon isn’t exactly the top of the food chain. 

Then again, the Ducks didn’t need to be. They simply had to hang around and let the Texas Tech offense implode to move onto next week’s CFP Peach Bowl semifinal. 

‘It’s no fun being in that locker room,’ said Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire, the former legendary Texas high school coach who deftly pieced together this team of West Texas lifers and one-year transfer portal mercenaries. ‘When you do something that’s never been done, the standard is set. That’s when you come back and build something really special.’

The 2.0 buildout for 2026 will begin and end on offense, the unit that sputtered often during the season with an injured quarterback and a shaky offensive line ― but was saved week after week by one of the nation’s best defenses. Those flaws were exposed over and over by Oregon, which kept getting gifts from the Texas Tech offense and eventually converted them into points.

Texas Tech had six turnovers: two interceptions (one in the end zone), two fumbles and two turnovers on downs. The Red Raiders also missed a field goal, lined up offsides on a punt that gave Oregon a first down to extend a drive, and wobbled through six three-and-outs on offense.

The team that won each of its 12 games by at least 22 points, had season lows in total yards (215), rushing yards (78) and explosion plays. Quarterback Behren Morton barely completed 50% of his passes, and the offense was shutout for the first time since 2021. 

The Texas Tech pass game averaged a measly 4.3 yards per attempt ― or half of what it averaged during a rare season that included the most wins in school history (12) and the first Big 12 championship in school history.

But while Oregon smoked victory cigars in the Hard Rock Stadium locker room and watched the Rose Bowl to see who was next, Morton could barely compose himself in the postgame aftermath. A Lubbock native who battled injuries over his entire career at Texas Tech, he ran off the field with his chin tight to his chest while green and gold confetti fell.

This isn’t how it was supposed to end. It’s more than just a Big Ten or SEC patch on your jersey, it’s the fight in the West Texas dog.

It’s about reeling in the Big Ten and SEC, and showing ― on the big stage for all to see ― what this unique experiment had become in such a short time.

‘I love this university,’ Morton said, pausing to collect himself. ‘I’ve been a Red Raider since I was a little kid. It has been so much fun to put Texas Tech on the map.’

Now here’s the difficult part: defining that map.

The transfer portal opens Friday, and the quick fix rush is on all over the college football landscape. The Red Raiders need a quarterback (Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby is a top target), and the offensive line must get bigger and stronger and push around elite teams.

Championship life extends outside the Big 12, and Texas Tech’s ability to stretch its legs and find its stride depends on the financial investment from The Matador Club and McGuire’s continued ability to assimilate one-year guns for hire and what he’s organically building.

Texas Tech has the nation’s No. 18 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, a group that includes six blue-chip signees (two five-star, four four-star) ― four of which are among the top 120 players in the nation.

Not surprisingly, two of those four are offensive linemen, including Felix Ojo, the No.1 offensive tackle in high school football who signed with Texas Tech over Ohio State and Texas. That’s what real financial investment can do.

That’s how Double Eagle’s cash and McGuire and his staff’s development moved Texas Tech from a middling Big 12 team, to a team that now sees itself mirroring Oregon.

A year ago, Oregon ― like Texas Tech, the benefactor of cash commitments from a billionaire booster (see: Nike’s Phil Knight) ― took an unbeaten season into the CFP and were blown out by eventual national champion Ohio State in the quarterfinals.

‘I know how they feel right now,’ Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. ‘It’s no fun.’

But Oregon responded with four critical additions on offense from the portal (three offensive linemen), and four on defense. Guess who won the line of scrimmage Thursday afternoon?

All it needed this time around was a little motivation, and Oregon got it when James Madison scored 34 points on the Ducks in the first round of the CFP. That meant Oregon had given up 75 points in two career CFP games under Lanning and his defense-first mentality.

It’s not hard to see where this was headed.

Oregon was better on the line of scrimmage, and was faster and more athletic. It made Texas Tech’s run-first offense one-dimensional and inadequate at just about everything.

Were it not for a 50-yard run off a broken tackle by Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams, the Red Raiders would’ve had 28 rushing yards on 29 carries.  

“When you get embarrassed like we did defensively, there’s only one response,” Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher said. 

How fitting. How Texas Tech responds to this embarrassment — by throwing more money at the problem — will go a long way in determining if the Red Raiders are built to last. 

Or just a bad investment away from a poor rate of return. 

He was knocked out by Anthony Joshua after getting knocked down three other times during the heavyweight fight on Dec. 19.

He fell to the canvas on his own accord at least six times during the bout.

And now he has tumbled again — out of the WBA cruiserweight rankings.

Paul, who was ranked No. 14, is absent from the list of updated rankings for contenders issued by the WBA on Dec. 31.

Generally speaking, boxers need to be in the top 15 to qualify for a title fight sanctioned by one of the respective four sanctioning bodies: WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF.

Paul, 28, broke into the WBA’s top 15 after beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision in June. It was the first time he’d been ranked in the top 15 by any of the sanctioning bodies.

Paul, who suffered a broken jaw when Joshua delivered the knockout punch in their highly anticipated fight, said he plans to box again and pursue a world cruiserweight title. But there’s no firm timetable for that after Paul had surgery on Dec. 20.

Paul is 12-2 with seven knockouts.