Sports coverage from the Orlando Sentinel:
- Rams show some fight at the finish but fall 30-23 to Eagles December 17, 2018The Rams’ scheduled week off did not come until the 12th week of the season, what players and coaches described as the perfect time for a hot team that was on the verge of clinching a division title and seemingly headed toward a deep run in the playoffs. The Rams have not looked the same since....Gary Klein
- No. 4 Gonzaga pushing through tough stretch December 17, 2018Gonzaga has spent the early part of the season traveling around the country to face high-profile nonconference opponents, and coach Mark Few has no regrets about that — even after the fourth-ranked Bulldogs fell at No. 12 North Carolina for their second straight loss. “When you play games in December,...Aaron Beard
- Coach Steve Spurrier sees bright future for Orlando Apollos after team's first practice December 17, 2018Ahead of the first session of a three-day mini-camp for the Orlando Apollos, head coach Steve Spurrier noticed something about the chatter from his team on the bus ride from the hotel where it had been staying to Jones High School, where the practice was held. Or, rather, he noticed an absence...Steven Ryzewski
- UCF basketball rolls past Stetson; Knights improve to 9-2 December 17, 2018You needed only five minutes to see that the UCF men’s basketball team is substantially better than the Stetson Hatters right now. But the Knights didn’t slow down after just five minutes. The Knights put forth a dominating performance for a full 40 and overwhelmed their in-state foe on Sunday...Brian Murphy
- Davis, Dru Love capture spirit of PNC Father/Son Challenge during record win December 17, 2018The PNC Father/Son Challenge holds a special place for Hall of Fame golfer Davis Love III and son Davis IV, better known as Dru. Fathers, sons and golf means a little bit more to them than most of the competitors in this year’s field, a 20-team collection of fathers and son, sons and fathers and...Edgar Thompson
- Sun Belt leader eager to see College Football Playoff expand, notes progress December 17, 2018Karl Benson has long been beating the drum in favor of a broader path to the national-championship game, so he understands why people are pushing for expansion of the four-team College Football Playoff semifinals. “We’ve always been looking for greater access,” said Benson, who is wrapping up a...Matt Murschel
- UCF seniors eager to close magical run with one more big win in Fiesta Bowl December 16, 2018The 2019 Fiesta Bowl represents many things for the UCF football team. It’s an opportunity to collect the program’s third New Year’s Day bowl victory in six seasons. It’s another chance to knock off an SEC powerhouse, as they did to the Auburn Tigers last year. And for UCF’s 22 seniors, it means...Brian Murphy
- Dolphins' luck runs out in Minnesota after suffering 41-17 blowout loss to Vikings December 16, 2018There were no miracles in Minnesota for the Miami Dolphins. Instead, a hard dose of reality. The Dolphins defense put Miami’s offense in a hole they ultimately could not climb out of against the NFL’s fifth-best defense, resulting in a 41-17 blowout loss to the Vikings in front of an announced...Safid Deen
- Hagerty's Jeff Driskel gets first NFL victory as Bengals beat Raiders December 16, 2018An entire month had come and gone without even one win, leaving the Bengals in their deepest drought since 2010. Joe Mixon provided just enough to give the sparse crowd a reason to cheer at the end of their final home game. Mixon ran for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns Sunday as Cincinnati held...Joe Kay
- Ouellette thwarts Atlanta in Solar Bears' 2-1 victory December 16, 2018Mitch Hults and Dylan Fitze scored and Martin Ouellette made 30 saves as the Orlando Solar Bears (13-9-2-0) hung on for a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Gladiators (5-13-5-1) on Sunday afternoon at Amway Center. The Solar Bears opened the scoring in the first period after Hunter Fejes brought the puck...
- Jaguars falter late, lose home finale to Redskins 16-13 December 16, 2018Josh Johnson's Madden rating should get a bump after his first NFL start in seven years. Johnson, who played Madden NFL 19 to learn his new teammates' names, led Washington on two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 16-13 on Sunday. With a lot of help from running...Mark Long
- Buccaneers fall to 5-9 with 20-12 loss to Lamar Jackson and Ravens in rain at Baltimore December 16, 2018Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson picked apart the Tampa Bay defense on a soggy field, running for 95 yards and throwing for 131 to carry the Baltimore Ravens to a 20-12 victory Sunday. Anointed the starter over veteran Joe Flacco earlier in the week, Jackson justified the decision with a riveting...David Ginsburg
- UCF's Josh Heupel a finalist for AP coach of the year award December 16, 2018UCF coach Josh Heupel is among three finalists for the Associated Press Coach of the Year Award. He joins Alabama’s Nick Saban and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly as candidates for the honor. The winner will be announced Monday at noon. Heupel took over a Knights program coming off a perfect 13-0 season...Matt Murschel
- Brazilian Fredison Costa makes it five in a row at Mount Dora Half Marathon December 16, 2018MOUNT DORA — Brazilian Fredison Costa kept his winning streak alive Sunday at the seventh annual Mount Dora Half Marathon as he looks ahead to starting another streak at the Walt Disney World Marathon. The 41-year-old won the Mount Dora race for the fifth straight year with a time of 1 hour, 9...Jerry Fallstrom
- Magic beat Jazz 96-89 to sweep 2 games in Mexico December 16, 2018The Magic hope they can start playing in Orlando the way they finished in Mexico City. Evan Fournier scored 24 points, Terrence Ross came off the bench to add 10 of his 19 in Orlando's 41-point fourth quarter, and the Magic rallied for a 96-89 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday to sweep their...Carlos Rodriguez
- Louisiana, Tulane players fall just short of 1,000-yard marks in Cure Bowl December 16, 2018Louisiana junior running back Elijah Mitchell entered the Cure Bowl needing just 41 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark this season. But it wasn’t meant to be as Mitchell managed just 26 yards on six carries, leaving him 15 yards shy of 1,000. He did score his team-leading 13th rushing touchdown...Roy Parry, Iliana Limón Romero
- Cure Bowl continues to grow, is expected to remain part of postseason lineup December 16, 2018The Cure Bowl sprouted from a seed of ambition and quickly grew with a powerful purpose, promoting awareness and raising funds for breast cancer research. “Cancer affects so many,” said Alan Gooch, executive director of the AutoNation Cure Bowl. “We felt like our mission is bringing teams together...Matt Murschel
- Darius Bradwell leads Tulane to 41-24 win over Louisiana in Cure Bowl December 16, 2018The Tulane Green Wave leaned on running back Darius Bradwell and the 230-pound junior proved up to the task. He also got help from his defensive teammates. Bradwell rushed for a career-high 150 yards and two touchdowns, earning game MVP honors, as the Green Wave secured a 41-24 victory against...Roy Parry
- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly agrees with UCF, favors expanding CFP to 8 teams December 15, 2018If it's any consolation to Ohio State, Washington, Georgia and UCF, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly feels their pain — somewhat — of not being in the College Football Playoff semifinals. “We’re forcing out a conference champion,” Kelly said Saturday before the No. 3 Irish went through their first...John Fineran
- UCF basketball vows not to overlook Stetson December 15, 2018The UCF men’s basketball team is still discovering itself at this early stage of the season. Individual skill sets are continuing to develop and rotations are being ironed out fewer than three weeks away from the start of American Athletic Conference play. The Knights did discover something about...Brian Murphy
- Thanks to parity, plenty of teams still have playoff shot December 15, 2018Forget Carrie Underwood. The NFL's theme song these days ought to incorporate the lyrics from Maren Morris, Zedd and Grey. You know, “Meet Me In The Middle.” That's where a bevy of NFL teams sat through Week 14 — all with shots, both reasonable and long, at making the playoffs. Take a deep breath...Barry Wilner
- UCF fans should be honored Gators are trying to big-time them | Commentary December 15, 2018You’ve got it all wrong, UCF. Don’t be mad; be glad. Just consider this a rite of passage. You should be honored the Florida Gators are trying to big-time you. It means you’ve arrived as a football program. For decades, the high-and-mighty Gators have been using their stature as Florida’s oldest,...Mike Bianchi
- With changes galore looming, Jaguars need successful offseason December 15, 2018Forget the Super Bowl window. That thing pretty much slammed shut on the Jaguars after the season went off the rails while going 0-for-October. This franchise will soon be in half-rebuild mode. That's because the Jaguars may bid goodbye to about 10 opening-day starters or key backups, all of whom...Gene Frenette
- UCF punter Mac Loudermilk ready to shed wild locks to raise money for charity December 15, 2018Samson’s hair gave him great strength. Elvis Presley’s pompadour defined a generation. Joe Namath’s sideburns matched his rebellious personality and then there was that dude from A Flock of Seagulls. An individual’s hair has a way of making — or breaking — a person’s career. UCF punter Mac Loudermilk’s...Matt Murschel
- Dolphins visit Vikings with hopes 'Miami Miracle' can be catalyst for playoff pursuit December 15, 2018Before looking ahead to Sunday’s Miami Dolphins road game against the Minnesota Vikings, consider how the Dolphins are in contention for a playoff spot this season: * They started the season 3-0 thanks to timely turnovers and big plays by the likes of receivers Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson. *...Safid Deen
