COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The 20th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies have a shot to reach the Southeastern Conference championship game for the first time since joining the league in 2012. The only thing standing in their way: archrival No. 3 Texas. Texas A&M and Texas will meet for the first time since 2011 on Saturday night at Kyle Field where a frenzied crowd expected to exceed 110,000 will welcome back a storied rivalry that dates to 1894 . “We know that this is going to be history if we make it,” Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed said. “And... a lot of people don’t have faith and didn’t have faith just because it’s the first year with the new coach, new OC, new DC, all the things and kind of a rebuild season (but) we’re here now and we’ve got a chance to go make this opportunity what we want it to be.” The winner advances to face No. 6 Georgia on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. “I think it’s great for college football that this game with us and them is going to matter on a grander scale than what’s just happening in the state of Texas,” Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But I also know how much it means to every household in the state of Texas.” Texas A&M is looking to bounce back after dropping a four-overtime thriller at Auburn last week. Texas has won four straight after its only loss of the season against the Bulldogs on Oct. 19. “You hope to get to the last game of the year playing for everything,” said Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, who was hired after Jimbo Fisher’s firing last year. “And we’re in the last game of the year and playing for everything.” The Longhorns will face a hostile crowd that has waited more than a decade for payback after Texas came to Kyle Field for the last meeting in 2011 and left with a 27-25 victory. “It’s probably going to be like the Alabama game, the Notre Dame and the LSU game on steroids,” Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York said. Texas has plenty of recent experience in dealing with tough road crowds. The Longhorns beat Alabama at home in 2023 and won at Michigan and Arkansas this season. In all, Texas has won 10 straight on an opponent’s home field. “I mean, it’s going to be amazing,” Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron said. “You know, these are the type of moments you live for.” Though these Longhorns and Aggies were all in grade school the last time these teams locked horns, the players all seem to get the gravity of this rivalry. “At first some of the guys weren’t fully grasping what this game means and how important it is,” Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III said. “But now that we’ve gotten close and now it’s game week, I think everyone understands how big this game is and how much they need to lock in and focus for this game.” Texas put the game away against Kentucky with a 15-play drive in the fourth quarter that included 12 runs and chewed up more than 8 minutes off the clock. Quintrevion Wisner had a career-high 158 yards, which was just the fourth time this season and Texas back has hit the 100-yard mark. Elko is focused on eliminating explosive plays after his defense allowed pass plays of 31, 44 and a 63-yard touchdown in the loss to Auburn. “Just can’t let them happen,” he said. “You can’t let the ball go over your head.” The Aggies have been strong against the run this season but have struggled at times against the pass and rank 81st in the nation by allowing 227.7 yards passing a game. The Texas secondary has allowed just four passing touchdowns this season but taken away 17 interceptions. But the Longhorns are having their own issues. Texas has fumbled the ball seven times in the last two games, six against Kentucky, which returned one 25 yards for a touchdown. “We just couldn’t hold onto the dang ball,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got to get that fixed.” Texas A&M’s defensive front is a strength of the team and the Aggies are 17th in the country with 78 tackles for loss. Defensive end Nic Scourton leads the group with 14 and linebacker Scooby Williams has seven. Texas won the 2011 matchup on Justin Tucker’s final play field goal from 40 yards that split the upright with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Texas kicker Bert Auburn has struggled on long field goals this season. He is 9 of 13 overall, but just 4 of 8 from 40 yards or longer. Against Kentucky last week, he made one from 49 yards but also missed one from 47. ___ AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno contributed to this report.Canaan Inc. Signs Agreement with AGM Group Holdings Inc.
Former U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard has called Christian Pulisic ’s decision to celebrate a goal using the ‘Trump Dance’ “stupid” and said that he himself would never show support to someone he “(believes) is racist.” Pulisic’s celebration came after he scored the first goal in USMNT’s 4-2 Nations League victory over Jamaica . After the match, the Milan winger was asked about his dance and said he didn’t feel it was a political statement. Advertisement “It was just a dance that everyone’s doing,” Pulisic said after confirming it had indeed been the ‘Trump Dance’. “He’s the one who created it. I just thought it was funny ... It’s not a political dance. It was just for fun. I saw a bunch of people do it and I thought it was funny, so I enjoyed it. I hope some people did, at least.” Christian Pulisic wasn't the only USMNT player that hit the Trump dance after his goal against Jamaica. (via @awnaveed11 ) pic.twitter.com/1SxBGVbNJq — USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 19, 2024 The ‘Trump Dance’ has become a viral trend after being widely used by Trump himself on the presidential election campaign trail. That has now spread to sports, with National Football League player Nick Bosa celebrating a sack using the dance, and most recently combat sports fighter Jon Jones performing it after knocking out his opponent, in front of a watching Trump. But Howard, widely-considered among the greatest players in the history of American men’s soccer, criticised Pulisic, calling into question his awareness surrounding the political climate in the United States following the U.S. election, where Trump earned a second term by roundly defeating Democratic challenger and current Vice President Kamala Harris. “Doing a dance that mimics (U.S. president-elect) Donald Trump is stupid,” Howard wrote in the UK’s Daily Mail . “Why? Because, whether it’s the president of the United States or my neighbor down the street, I would never back someone who I believe is racist. I wouldn’t glorify that. I wouldn’t do it for anything.” Referring to Pulisic’s insistence that the dance was not a “political” act, Howard said: “That explanation doesn’t wash. You cannot have it both ways. You’re on one side of this or the other. If you are bold enough to publicly make a statement, I don’t have a problem with that. But own it.” Advertisement Howard also attacked the U.S. Soccer Federation, suggesting that it needed to do a better job of educating its players on the ramifications of their actions. The former Everton keeper also stated that he felt some athletes were ignoring problematic policies and political leanings in order to maximize their earnings. “Athletes know they can protect their assets by supporting a certain political party,” wrote Howard. “I have a lot of friends who are very wealthy and they sold their soul to protect their money. “Support whoever you want, for whatever reason you like. But my message to Pulisic, Bosa, Jones and Co? Own it.” U.S. Soccer declined to comment on Howard’s remarks. President-elect Trump’s office has been approached for comment. GO DEEPER Explaining USMNT star Christian Pulisic’s ‘Donald Trump dance' and its impact (Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)Gus Malzahn is resigning as Central Florida's head coach to become Florida State 's offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hire told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Seminoles have not confirmed Malzahn's move, which is pending a state background check. ESPN first reported the decision. The Knights made official that Malzahn is leaving in a statement released a day after UCF (4-8) concluded its season with a 28-14 loss to Utah. “We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition into the Big 12 Conference," the school said. "We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes throughout his tenure at UCF and wish he and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors.” Malzahn finished with a 28-24 mark in four years at UCF, the last two ending with losing records after joining the Big 12. He coached at Auburn for eight seasons before being fired in 2020. Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was fired Nov. 10 following a 52-3 loss at Notre Dame. The Seminoles rank 131st out of 134 in total offense and scoring offense, averaging 15.8 points a game heading into Saturday night's rivalry game against Florida. The Seminoles (2-9) have dropped significantly since going 13-1 last season and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The Knights, meanwhile, struggled mightily in Malzahn's fourth season — most of it because of quarterback issues. Four players took snaps from center as the Knights finished 2-7 in conference play. It was the program's worst record since going 0-12 in former coach George O’Leary’s final season in 2015. Florida State coach Mike Norvell fired Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans amid the Seminoles' season-long skid. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.MANCHESTER CITY chiefs are tracking little-known Sierra Leone defender Juma Bah. Etihad scouts are keeping tabs on the teenage centre-back, who plays for Spanish side Real Valladolid — and could make a move in the January window. Bah, 18, has made a big impression during his debut LaLiga season after being signed on loan from AIK Freetong back home. Newcastle are also believed to be interested in the 6ft 5in youngster, with Everton and Crystal Palace watching him too. The giant defender has appeared seven times for Valladolid this campaign. He began his youth career with AIK Freetong in 2021, before starring on loan at Sierra Leone National Premier League side Freetonians SLIFA. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS Bah joined Valladolid this summer, and was originally expected to play for their B side. However, he has since been fast-tracked into the first team and has already seen plenty of action, despite his tender years. When he made his debut against Real Sociedad in a 0-0 home draw - Bah made history. He became the first Sierra Leone-born player to play in the Spanish top tier. Man City could be busy when the January transfer window opens. Boss Pep Guardiola will be keen to address his club's recent slump, which saw his team go six games without a win in all competitions. They have also been linked with a move to bolster their midfield. As SunSport told you, the Premier League champions are planning a £50.3 million January swoop for Martin Zubimendi. The release clause in Zubimendi’s contract would not be a problem, although manager Guardiola was initially not keen on making any major moves in the January market. City’s injury pile-up and dismal form could signal a rethink, as Guardiola is equally reluctant to pile too much pressure on his younger players.
What is the best mattress for cold sleepers?Netanyahu says he supports proposed ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah
