A reflective, grateful and emotional Gary Danielson asked a rhetorical question after sharing his Sun Bowl sign-off message with his expansive CBS team, “How are we going to get off the air?”

The answer to the question came less than 10 seconds later. 

As the analyst was searching for the final words of his final college football broadcast to punctuate a 36-year run calling ball, CBS cut him off.

In the corner of the frame, a hand can be seen counting down the final seconds of the farewell to the former Purdue, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns quarterback.

That’s when Danielson appeared to call an audible.

“Sometimes you can say, how do you get off? Danielson said before pointing to his producer and adding, “This guy right here.”

Abruptly, CBS went to commercial break, wrapping the broadcast. Hard outs are part of live TV, and Danielson of course knows that, but that ad interruption brought an untimely end to an otherwise beautiful tribute to one of the greatest voices in college football history.

Minutes earlier, Danielson — flanked by play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler and sideline reporter Jenny Dell — heard about and watched back some of the great moments during his illustrious career in the booth.

“To have done it with somebody that is unmatched in what you do has been a privilege,” Nessler said. “It’s been an honor. I’m going to miss you. Our team’s going to miss you. Our crew’s going to miss you. CBS is going to miss you. 

“And damn it, college football’s going to miss you, buddy.”

Danielson has been part of CBS’ top college football broadcasting pair since 2006 and is a six-time Emmy nominee. 

A mainstay in the afternoon slot, he became a staple in SEC coverage and lately had expanded his footprint to the Big Ten with CBS.

“Everybody says, what do you want to be remembered as? That’s cool, but it’s what I want to remember. And this is the stuff I remember,” Danielson said as a slideshow of pictures rolled, documenting his time with his coworkers at CBS.

Those weren’t his final words on air. But maybe they should be the ones we remember.

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the “New Jersey Americans”.

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise’s jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the 13th of 15 people to wear the No. 34 jersey, Brandan Wright. After ending his college career at UNC, Wright was picked up with the eighth overall selection of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Charlotte (then) Bobcats (now, Hornets).

The Nashville, Tennessee native would play parts of the first three seasons of his pro career with the Dubs after a draft night deal, coming to an end when he was dealt to the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets in 2011.

During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Wright wore only jersey No. 32 and put up 5.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Nets jersey history No. 34 – Brandan Wright (2011)

Is Arch Manning the 2026 Heisman favorite? This time, the hype is warranted after stellar Cheez-It Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning barely crossed the goal line on a 60-yard touchdown run that effectively ended the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl before it was said out loud. 

ESPN analyst Roddy Jones put it out there on the telecast for his partner Mark Jones. 

“I’m going to say it Mark,” Roddy Jones said. “That’s your Heisman Trophy favorite going into 2026.” 

And … we’re back. Manning was the Heisman Trophy frontrunner before he was the full-time starter at Texas this season – the byproduct of a family legacy that includes uncles Peyton and Eli. Arch Manning contributed to that with a dominant performance for No. 13 Texas in a 41-27 victory against No. 18 Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Wednesday. 

Y’all see that speed? 👀 pic.twitter.com/JmOoz6VKlG

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 31, 2025

Manning finished 21 of 34 for 221 passing yards and two TDs. He added nine carries for 155 rushing yards and two TDs, including that game-clinching run. Will that lead to more Heisman hype? After all, in his final game as a freshman Peyton Manning finished 12 of 19 for 189 yards and a TD in a 45-23 victory against No. 17 Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30, 1994. Manning finished sixth, eighth and second, respectively, in the Heisman voting the next three seasons. 

Arch Manning struggled in the first half of the season, and that peaked after a 29-21 loss to Florida on Oct. 4. The “bust” label was tossed out there, and that was every bit as preemptive as the preseason  hype. At the time, we said give it time. We were right.

SN AWARDS: 2025 All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year

Arch Manning builds Heisman Trophy hype for 2026

In Texas’ last seven regular-season games, Manning finished 146 of 235 (62.1%) for an average of 255.9 passing yards per game with 13 TDs and two interceptions. Texas finished 6-1 in those games, closed the regular season with a 27-17 victory against No. 3 Texas A&M and had a compelling playoff case.

Have we learned anything? Manning will be better in 2026. The Longhorns should be able to improve the offensive line. Manning took 23 sacks this season. He is an excellent runner – and the Longhorns were thin at running back against the Wolverines – starter Christian Clark had 35 rushing attempts coming into the game. 

There is no question Manning will be among the Heisman Trophy favorites to start next season. That comes with the territory and last name – but in this case it might actually be about the production. The first month of the season features the return game against Ohio State on Sept. 12 and a trip to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee on Sept. 26. 

All those conversations we had in August – the ones about Manning being the Heisman Trophy favorite and the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft – will return in full force. Ask yourself a question: Would you take Manning as the first quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft based on potential over the other options?

A look at some other players who will be in the early Heisman Trophy conversation. This assumes 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza decides to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

MORE: SN’s latest NFL Mock Draft

Early Heisman favorites for 2026 

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Smith remains the most-imposing force in college football and will be motivated by the Biletnikoff Award snub this season. He had 80 catches on 96 targets – a 81.6% catch percentage – for 1,086 yards and 11 TDs. 

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Sayin — a Heisman Trophy finalist – might have won the award this season had the Buckeyes beat Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. He had a FBS-best 78.4% completion percentage with 3,323 yards, 31 TDs and six interceptions. Remember, Sayin led Ohio State to a 14-7 victory against Manning in the season opener, and both QBs will be improved in their second season as starters. 

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame 

Carr had 2,741 passing yards, 24 TDs and six interceptions and led Notre Dame to 10 straight victories to close the regular season. He improved after losses in his first two starts to Miami and Texas A&M, and the Irish will be right back in the CFP hunt next season. 

DECOURCY: Marcus Freeman’s return to ND is a win for college football

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama 

Simpson would be more of a long-shot, but he was among the favorites in the first half of the season. The Crimson Tide have made a run to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, and Simpson will be better in a second season with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and coach Kalen DeBoer.

The Golden State Warriors have had over 600 players don the more than 60 jersey numbers used by their players over the more than 75 years of existence the team has enjoyed in its rich and storied history.

Founded in 1946 during the Basketball Association of America (BAA — a precursor league of the NBA) era, the team has called home the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, and even San Diego.

To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Warriors Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. For this article, we begin with the 17th of 19 players who wore the No. 34 jersey for the Warriors.

That player would be Golden State guard alum Charlie Bell. After ending his college career at Michigan State, Bell went unselected in the 2001 NBA Draft, signing with the Phoenix Suns instead.

The Flint, Michigan native played the first s even games of his pro career with the Suns. He also played abroad, for the Dallas Mavericks, abroad again, and for the Milwaukee Bucks before he was dealt to the 2010. His stay with the team lasted until he was cut in 2011.

During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Bell wore only jersey No. 34 and put up 1.7 points per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors jersey history – No. 34 – Charlie Bell (2010-11)

UConn women’s basketball closed out 2025 with a sloppy 90-53 victory over the Providence Friars at Amica Mutual Pavilion on New Year’s Eve.

The Huskies were without starting point guard KK Arnold, who suffered a nasal fracture in practice on Tuesday and didn’t play. Without the floor general, they committed a season-high 21 turnovers and struggled to get the offense into rhythm at times.

Allie Ziebell made her first career start in place of Arnold and finished with nine points. Azzi Fudd led the team with 18 points and six assists while Sarah Strong totaled 17 points and seven rebounds, though she had five turnovers as well. Blanca Quiñonez put up 11 points — her fifth straight game in double-figures — and added four assists and four rebounds as well while Jana El Alfy reached double-figures for the second time this season with 10 points.

UConn led by 23 after the first quarter but only extended its lead by 14 over the final 30 minutes.

Strong got the Huskies going early with back-to-back 3-pointers to open the contest and four triples in the opening quarter. UConn fell behind 9-7 before ripping off a 21-0 run to close the period. Providence opened the second with five straight points, then the Huskies responded with 11 consecutive points. The Friars ended the drought with a 3-pointer before UConn held them without a basket for the final 4:49 of the half. The Huskies took a 29-point lead into the locker room.

The runs continued in the third quarter. Providence scored the first four points, only for UConn to put up 16 of the next 19. The Huskies cruised the rest of the way en route to a 37-point victory.

Ayanna Patterson also missed the contest with a concussion that she suffered in practice on Tuesday. Caroline Ducharme (shoulder), Ice Brady (knee inflammation) and Morgan Cheli (foot/ankle) remained out as well.

With the win, UConn improves to 14-0 on the season and 5-0 in Big East play. Next, the Huskies will return home for their first game of 2026 against Seton Hall. Tip-off is set for noon on Saturday at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.

As the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks prepare for the game of the year, the College Football Playoff is hitting its stride. The quarterfinals are underway, and we have a massive one tonight between Ohio State and Miami.

The Buckeyes are the defending champs, while the Hurricanes are trying to bring back the 80’s as we head into the new year. There are some massive prospects, literally and figuratively, that the Seahawks will likely be watching tonight, from a scouting perspective.

Don’t be surprised if a few Seattle scouts are in Dallas tonight for this massive game at the Cotton Bowl.

Cotton Bowl Classic: #2 Ohio State vs #10 Miami

Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami – the former five-star recruit was one of the first major additions to what Mario Cristobal’s run in rebuilding the Hurricanes program.

The 6-6, 315 lbs left tackle has been a steady staple for a Miami team that is about to take on its most toughest test of the season. Against Notre Dame and Texas A&M this season, Mauigoa was good, not great.

I think he’s got a chance to go in the top ten, but I also think he’s better suited as a guard, and so there is potential for a slide. He’s a guy that maybe worth trading up for.

Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami – While Reuben Bain Jr. gets all the hype, his edge rushing partner has shown to be just as dominant in 2025.

Mesidor, a six year college veteran, is having his best year yet for the Hurricanes. On the year, Mesidor has 51 total tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss, including 8.5 sacks. His age is a factor, he’ll be 25 when he plays his first NFL game, so he’s probably a one contract type of player, but he’s an interesting day three option.

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State – Probably one of the safest picks at the linebacker position in this upcoming draft. Arvell Reese gets all the hype, and rightfully so, but Styles is as solid and safe of a pick, while being a stud championship caliber player.

On this Seahawks defense, it’s hard not to look at the linebacker spot as an area where John Schneider and Mike Macdonald want to improve. Ernest Jones is a good player, but he could use some help and depth at the position, especially someone as athletic as Styles.

Styles may not feel like the most splashy first round draft pick, but he could be an immediate positive addition to this already great defense.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State – People will push against Seattle going defensive tackle so early in the draft, but I think it’s fair to wonder if going dline makes the most sense. Leonard Williams, Tank Lawrence, and Uchenna Nwosu have all been fantastic. They are also all on the backside of their careers, and it’s fair to wonder if this season is the peak of their powers.

McDonald may be the best defensive tackle in this class and another guy that is worth trading up for. The All-American has 57 combined tackles this year, eight tackles for a loss and 3 sacks from the nose tackle position. You simply do not run on him.

McDonald can be the perfect succession plan for the Seahawks with Leonard Williams. McDonald allows Williams to cut back on his snaps, staying healthy and explosive through the end of his contract. Leonard Williams is the perfect mentor for McDonald and could allow this team to essentially add a second Bryon Murphy.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn says the “great qualities” of Anthony Joshua’s friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria, will be “deeply missed”.

Ghami and Ayodele died when the vehicle they were in, alongside heavyweight boxer Joshua and another passenger, collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos.

Joshua sustained injuries but is stable and conscious and did not require emergency medical help, according to Ogun state government.

Hearn, who has promoted the 36-year-old since he turned professional after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, has paid tribute to the Briton’s close friends and team members.

“Rest in peace Latz and Sina,” Hearn posted on Instagram.

“Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed. Praying for strength and guidance for all their family, friends and of course AJ during this very difficult time.”

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, the Ogun State police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said that “investigations are still ongoing” and described the process as “still discreet”.

• A sombre and sobering end to the year – Bunce
• Tributes as Joshua team members die in fatal crash

Ghami was Joshua’s full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach and worked with him for more than 10 years.

Just hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video on Instagram of him playing table tennis with his long-time friend Ayodele, a personal trainer.

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and British former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury also posted Instagram stories to offer condolences.

Retired cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew wrote on X: “Thoughts and prayers to the families of these men. Tragic losses in horrific circumstances!

“I hope he (Joshua) is able to process this with time because there is no pain in life worse than grief.”

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Lorenzo Styles Jr. injury update isn’t good news for Ohio State Buckeyes originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes‘ defense took a blow in the first quarter of its College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes.

Lorenzo Styles Jr. headed to the blue medical tent with an injury.

It wasn’t exactly clear what had happened. The ESPN broadcast didn’t show something in particular.

Styles appeared to be walking a bit gingerly, but under his own power, as the training staff pulled the blue tent over him.

MORE: Ohio State QB shares honest feelings on entering transfer portal

The Ohio State defense is loaded with stars, but the young Styles has grown as the season has gone along.

He’s the younger brother of superstar Sonny Styles, who will be a first-round NFL Draft pick in the upcoming draft.

Lorenzo still has college eligibility remaining, so this likely won’t be his last chance in the CFP.

But he’d surely like to get back on the field with his brother sooner rather than later.

MORE: Explaining when Jeremiah Smith can leave for the NFL

Entering Wednesday’s game between the Magic and Pacers, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley wanted his team to rebound the ball better and limit Indiana’s fast-break chances — two statistical categories that helped the Raptors take down Orlando two days prior.

Although the Magic allowed 15 fast-break points (half as many as they gave up at Toronto) and outrebounded Indiana 50-39, the sides went back and forth in a contest that was tied 12 times and featured 10 lead changes.

With the game tied at 110 with less than 30 seconds to play, Paolo Banchero (29 points) spun towards the basket and scored the go-ahead layup with 7.5 seconds left as Orlando outlasted host Indiana, 112-110, inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“It’s a big lesson for our guys to battle through different versions of adversity,” Mosley said after the game. “You shoot 14 percent from three (and) you turn it over 19 times for 15 points.

“We have to be better but the resiliency and the poise down the stretch was much better,” he added.

Lacking defensive intensity at times throughout the game, the Magic made up for it on the other end, outscoring the Pacers 70-38 in the paint as Jalen Suggs made his return to the court on New Year’s Eve.

The loss was the 10th in a row for Indiana (6-28), which was led by Pascal Siakam’s 26 points. Aaron Nesmith missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer that would have won the game for the Pacers.

The Magic (19-15) wrap up their three-game road trip Friday at Chicago.

“It’s just a great feeling to get the win,” Banchero said. “Tough game. [The Pacers] weren’t going away and we just had to battle it out and just play to the final buzzer.”

Suggs’ return

After missing the last seven games because of a left hip bruise, Suggs returned to Orlando’s starting lineup alongside Banchero, Anthony Black, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr.

It was immediately clear the difference Suggs makes for Orlando when he’s on the floor because of his ability to help push the pace on offense and offer quality defense on the other end.

Suggs played shorter stints on a minutes restriction, but he made his presence felt on both sides of the ball.

Although his timing was off at times in his first game back from injury, Suggs ended with 11 points, three assists, three steals and three turnovers in 25 minutes.

“I thought he was trying to find his way in rhythm with the group,” Mosley said about the Magic guard. “He made some big time plays and obviously we’re going to go back and look at some of the film and see some of the differences we could have made there.

“But I thought he did a good job for being able to get himself back for not playing for such an extended period of time,” he added.

Rest of starters

Fresh off his fourth career triple-double at Toronto, Banchero looked more and more like himself as he attacked the basket, helped clean up the glass and denied multiple Pacers from scoring.

The Magic forward posted 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the first half, and he didn’t slow down after the break. He finished with 10 boards and four assists.

Similarly, Bane penetrated the paint often after he hit first triple of the afternoon. An Indiana native playing in front of family and friends, the Magic guard did a little bit of everything, recording 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes.

“He’s a winner,” Mosley said about Bane. “He’s doing whatever is necessary to help us win games.”

Second unit

After Tristan da Silva picked up his third foul at the 4:12 mark of the first quarter, Mosley turned to Jamal Cain in relief and the two-way forward took advantage of the opportunity.

Cain hit his first three shots, which included a corner 3 late in the second quarter. He notched a season-high nine points in his first five minutes of action before ending with 11 points in 12 minutes.

Reserve center Goga Bitadze also came up big for the Magic, especially near the end of the third quarter when he scored eight of his 14 points. Facing his former team, Bitadze came up one rebound short of a double-double.

Orlando was without forwards Jonathan Isaac (sore left knee) and Jett Howard (illness) against the Pacers.