PHOENIX (AP) — Braelon Allen ran for 116 yards and a touchdown and Wisconsin withstood Oklahoma State’s second-half push in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl for a 24-17 victory Tuesday night. The Badgers (7-6) dominated the first half with stifling defense, building a 17-point lead as new coach Luke Fickell stalked the sideline and interim coach Jim Leonhard called the shots. Wisconsin got stuck in the slippery turf at Chase Field in the second half, unable to generate much of anything on offense while the Cowboys (7-6) found a rhythm when they had the ball. Cedrick Dort ended Oklahoma State’s momentum by intercepting Garret Rangel’s pass with three minutes left, preserving the Badgers’ eighth win in their past nine bowl games.
UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas Jayhawks see a bright future thanks to a quick turnaround under coach Lance Leipold. And the Arkansas Razorbacks go into Wednesday’s Liberty Bowl hoping quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders can provide enough offense to make up for a roster thinned by opt-outs and transfer portal departures. Kansas and Arkansas come in with identical 6-6 records in the first meeting between these neighbors since 1906. A winning season is on the line. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis is having water pressure issues, and local officials working to ensure the game is played, including bringing in portable toilets.
HOUSTON (AP) — Ole Miss is looking to return to its winning ways in the Texas Bowl. The team opened the season with seven straight wins and climbed to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll before dropping four of its last five games. The Rebels face Texas Tech. Their season unfolded quite differently under first-year coach Joey McGuire. The Red Raiders were in danger of not qualifying for a bowl after winning just four of their first nine games. But they finished the season strong, winning three in a row. Both teams have a rushing attack led by duos with impressive stats.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — No. 2 Michigan brings its smash-mouth ways into the College Football Playoff semifinal to face No. 3 TCU on Saturday. It’s tempting to boil down the Fiesta Bowl matchup to Big Ten power vs. Big 12 speed on each side of the ball, especially when the Wolverines’ offense is on the field. Both sides think that's an oversimplification. While Michigan's heavy personnel packages and towering offensive line isn't what TCU is used to facing, the same can be said for the Wolverines going up against a Horned Frogs' defense that regularly lines up with five defensive backs.
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s plan for a deep running back corps was based on more than making it through a 12-game regular season. Smart wanted his backs to be fresh for the College Football Playoff. The No. 1 Bulldogs will take a group of four running backs, led by Kenny McIntosh, into Saturday’s Peach Bowl semifinal against No. 4 Ohio State. McIntosh leads the Bulldogs with 709 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Daijun Edwards, Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson have made significant contributions. The depth gives the defending national champion Bulldogs a strong running complement to quarterback Stetson Bennett’s passing game.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Josh Newton and Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson are two examples of TCU’s success in the transfer portal during the offseason. While Newton was a great addition, Hodges-Tomlinson was a great holdover, sticking with the program through its transition to first-year coach Sonny Dykes. Now the Horned Frogs are having a dream season. They'll play Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Top-seeded Georgia plays Ohio State in the other CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl, which also is Saturday.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — New Broncos CEO and co-owner Greg Penner put his stamp on the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, several months after his family spent $4.65 billion for the NFL franchise. Penner made it clear that he is leading the search for Nathaniel Hackett's replacement and the new head coach will report directly to him and not to GM George Paton. Penner said he's confident in Paton despite a series of moves that have backfired. The Broncos aren't limiting their head coaching search to experienced head coaches even though their past three hires were first-time head coaches who didn't pan out.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Even though he’s still playing great football, it looks as if J.J. Watt is ready to call it a career. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year indicated Tuesday that he will retire at the end of the season, posting pictures of his wife and family on social media while writing: “Koa’s first ever NFL game. My last ever NFL home game. My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.” Watt and his wife, Kealia, became parents in October. Koa is the name of their son. The 33-year-old Watt was among the premier defensive players in the NFL during the early 2010s with the Houston Texans.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Marcus Carr tied a Texas record with 10 3-pointers and matched his career high with 41 points as the sixth-ranked Longhorns beat Texas A&M-Commerce 97-72. Carr, a senior, previously scored 41 while playing for Minnesota against Nebraska on Feb. 27, 2021. He scored 33 points in the first half alone Tuesday, matching a Texas record for a half set by Jim Krivacs in 1978. Carr converted 13 of 19 shots in 30 minutes, including 10 of 15 3-pointers. He has totaled 103 points in his last four games. Freshman Dillon Mitchell added 16 points for Texas. C.J. Roberts scored 20 points to lead A&M-Commerce.
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Kevin Obanor made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points and Texas Tech extended its home winning streak to 29 with a 110-71 rout of South Carolina State. Texas Tech (10-2) also won its sixth consecutive game, including three straight with 100-plus points. Daniel Batcho added 17 points for the Aggies, which shot 64% and made 14 of 28 from long range. Pop Isaacs and De’Vion Harmon had 14 points apiece and Jaylon Tyson added 13. Isaacs and Tyson combined for seven 3s. Raquan Brown scored 17 points for South Carolina State (2-13).
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have signed newly acquired catcher Sean Murphy to a $73 million, six-year contract, locking up another key player with a long-term deal. The contract includes a $15 million club option for 2029 with no buyout that could raise the total value of the agreement to $88 million. Murphy will make $4 million in 2023, $9 million in 2024 and $15 million each season from 2025 through 2028. The deal follows a familiar pattern of the Braves agreeing to new contracts with players who are still under club control for an extended period.
TUESDAY SCORES
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (6)Texas 97 Texas A&M Commerce 72
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final L.A. Lakers 129 Orlando 110
Final Washington 116 Philadelphia 111
Final Boston 126 Houston 102
Final L.A. Clippers 124 Toronto 113
Final Indiana 129 Atlanta 114
Final Oklahoma City 130 San Antonio 114
Final Phoenix 125 Memphis 108
Final OT Dallas 126 New York 121
Final Denver 113 Sacramento 106
Final Golden State 110 Charlotte 105
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Buffalo at Columbus 7:30 p.m. (Postponed)
Final Carolina 3 Chicago 0
Final Washington 4 N-Y Rangers 0
Final SO Ottawa 3 Boston 2
Final N-Y Islanders 5 Pittsburgh 1
Final Dallas 3 Nashville 2
Final Minnesota 4 Winnipeg 1
Final OT Toronto 5 St. Louis 4
Final Arizona 6 Colorado 3
Final Edmonton 2 Calgary 1
Final Vancouver 6 San Jose 2
Final Los Angeles 4 Vegas 2