INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Miami, South Carolina meet in Independence Bowl
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) β A three-game losing streak to end the regular season dashed Miami’s hopes of a banner year. South Carolina was considered one of the nation’s elite during the preseason, but struggled from the outset.
Now the two teams find themselves in Shreveport.
That certainly wasn’t the preseason plan. But that’s the reality and Miami running back Duke Johnson says there is still plenty to play for, especially in regards to building for the future, when the Gamecocks (6-6) and Hurricanes (6-6) meet on Saturday in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.
PANTHERS-INJURIES
Panthers RB Williams probable vs. Falcons
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is listed as probable for Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons after missing the last three games with a broken hand.
Williams practiced fully all week despite having a cast on his hand. Coach Ron Rivera said there is still concern whether the franchise’s all-time leading rusher will be able to pass protect and catch the ball.
Rivera remained coy about his plans for Sunday, but it’s expected the Panthers will rely heavily on Jonathan Stewart, who has averaged 109.2 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry over the last four games.
Williams has struggled to stay on the field all season, missing nine games due to injuries. He has just 219 yards rushing on 62 carries this year.
T25-GEORGIA-GURLEY
Richt: Running back Gurley heading to NFL
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Georgia coach Mark Richt says junior running back Todd Gurley has informed him that he plans to enter the NFL draft.
Richt made the announcement after practice Friday for the Belk Bowl. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs face No. 20 Louisville on Tuesday.
Gurley was a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate and got off to a strong start, but a four-game suspension and a knee injury derailed his season.
Gurley attended practice with his teammates Friday but was not made unavailable for interviews.
Richt says Gurley’s rehabilitation is going well and his spirits are high. He predicts Gurley “will be a very high draft pick.”
Richt says that “I wouldn’t be shocked to see him doing a lot of things for the scouts before the draft.”
FALCONS-HOT JULIO
Falcons boosted by Julio Jones’ return to practice
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) β Julio Jones is a game-changing wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons β even when he’s less than full speed.
That’s why it was so important for the team’s playoff hopes that Jones, recovering from a hip injury, returned to practice on Friday. The Falcons will need their top offensive threat when the NFC South title is on the line Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Despite missing one game with the injury two weeks ago, Jones leads the NFC in catches and yards receiving. He had seven receptions for 107 yards in last week’s win at New Orleans.
Jones, listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, says he has to play for his teammates.
WEST VIRGINIA-TRICKETT
West Virginia QB Trickett retires from concussions
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) β West Virginia senior quarterback Clint Trickett is retiring from football because of concussions and won’t play in the Liberty Bowl on Monday against Texas A&M.
Trickett said Friday that he had endured five concussions over the last 14 months.
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen indicated that sophomore Skyler Howard would start at quarterback for the Mountaineers (7-5) against the Aggies (7-5). Howard is 36 of 65 for 483 yards with five touchdown passes and no interceptions in three games this season. He started West Virginia’s regular-season finale against Iowa State.
Trickett completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 3,285 yards and 18 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He hasn’t played since being knocked out of a 26-20 loss to Kansas State on Nov. 20.
BENGALS-HUBER’S RETURN
Bengals punter Huber returns to place he broke jaw
CINCINNATI (AP) β Kevin Huber is going back to the stadium where he had his worst moment, only a few days after getting the biggest honor of his career.
The Bengals punter was picked for his first Pro Bowl this week. On Sunday, he’ll be back in Pittsburgh, where he was hit during a punt return last December and broke his jaw and a neck bone.
The Bengals (10-4-1) will play the Steelers (10-5) for the AFC North title, with the loser getting a wild card berth.
The Bengals have been fighting through the flu. Quarterback Andy Dalton said Friday he feels fully recovered after missing practice two days earlier. Cornerback and punt returner Adam “Pacman” Jones was among those sick Friday.
NATIONALS-UGGLA
Dan Uggla joins Nationals for minor league deal
WASHINGTON (AP) β The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with second baseman Dan Uggla for a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.
The Nationals also announced similar deals Friday with reliever Heath Bell, third baseman Ian Stewart, first baseman Clint Robinson and right-handed pitchers Scott McGregor and Mitch Lively.
Uggla played in four games with San Francisco this year after being cut by Atlanta after the All-Star break. The 34-year-old Uggla finished the year batting .194. The Braves still owe him $13 million for 2015.
The 37-year-old Bell has 168 career saves. The three-time All-Star closer was released by Tampa Bay in May 4 after he posted a 7.27 ERA in 13 appearances. He later signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees.
REDSKINS-RG3
Redskins’ RG3 has full practice, probable for game
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) β Robert Griffin III is listed as probable for the Washington Redskins’ season finale after taking part in a full practice.
Coach Jay Gruden said Griffin “looked good” and “made all the throws” Friday as the Redskins prepared for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Griffin sprained his throwing shoulder in the fourth quarter of last week’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Said Gruden: “We wanted to make sure he didn’t have a lot of pain when he threw, and he didn’t today. … I think everything’s full-systems-go with him. We feel very confident he’ll be OK.”
KNICKS-ACY SUSPENDED
Acy suspended a game; Wall fined $15,000 by NBA
NEW YORK (AP) β New York Knicks forward Quincy Acy has been suspended one game without pay by the NBA for his flagrant foul against John Wall in a Christmas game.
The league said Friday that Wall was fined $15,000 for escalating the confrontation by pushing Acy.
The NBA adds that Acy’s flagrant foul 2 initiated an altercation in Washington’s 102-91 victory Thursday. Wall was dribbling up the court when Acy knocked him down with a forearm shove with 5:31 remaining. Wall got up and pushed Acy, who swung his arm and appeared to hit Wall behind the neck and was ejected.
Acy will miss the Knicks’ game at Sacramento on Saturday. New York acquired the forward from the Kings last summer.
