Lady Pirates Drop 71-68 Decision Against Wilmington…Bills’ Zay Jones: Doubles rookie production in Year 2…Manny Diaz returning to Miami after less than three weeks as Temple head coach …Houston fires football coach Applewhite after 2 seasons…UCF president Dale Whittaker: College Football Playoff expansion coming in next two years…Something to prove — LSU and UCF hope the Fiesta Bowl is only the start …UC returns to Military Bowl vs. Virginia Tech …No. 21 Texas A&M, NC State meet for 1st time in Gator Bowl…Hate on the Alabama-Clemson CFP final all you want, but the football will be great …Ravens and Eagles Claw Their Way to the N.F.L. Playoffs…Panthers veterans get a sentimental victory over Saints, and now the real fun starts

Pirate Press: ECU Headlines

Insights from Brett: Hokies’ tantrum may ultimately benefit ECU Bonesville.net

Lady Pirates Drop 71-68 Decision Against Wilmington ecupirates.com

Seahawks slip by ECU women Greenville Daily Reflector

ECU women’s basketball suffers first home loss to UNCW, 71-68 WITN 7

Bills Today: How Zay Jones found success against Miami in 2018 The Buffalo Bills

Bills’ Zay Jones: Doubles rookie production in Year 2 CBSSports.com

 

Around the American Athletic Conference

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Preview: UCF Battles LSU theamerican.org

Orlando Sentinel

• UCF president Dale Whittaker: College Football Playoff expansion coming in next two years | Commentary
• Humble UCF RB Greg McCrae went from walk-on to well-known after breakout season
• How rare is UCF Knights’ win streak? Veteran Orlando area coaches call it incredible
• UCF defensive lineman Trysten Hill eager to continue resurgence in Fiesta Bowl
• UCF Coach Josh Heupel: McKenzie Milton will ‘absolutely’ play football again
• Fiesta Bowl: LSU scout-team QB says it was tough to mimic UCF’s offensive speed
• LSU coach Ed Orgeron passionate about leading Tigers to success for state of Louisiana

Darriel Mack filling in nicely for injured UCF starter McKenzie Milton Arizona Republic

Rabalais: Something to prove — LSU and UCF hope the Fiesta Bowl is only the start New Orleans Advocate

The Associated Press

• Shockers: Richt retires, Diaz takes over at Miami
• Houston fires football coach Applewhite after 2 seasons
• Virginia Tech, Cincinnati strive for goals in Military Bowl
• Virginia Tech faces Cincinnati in Military Bowl

BCSNN

• Houston Cougars Part Ways with Football Coach Major Applewhite
• USF Bulls Hold Off Fairleigh Dickinson For Sixth Straight Win

UH fires football coach Major Applewhite Houston Chronicle

Manny Diaz returning to Miami after less than three weeks as Temple head coach Philly.com

Comical If Not So Sad Temple Football Forever

New HC Manny Diaz abandons Temple, replaces Mark Richt at Miami  

Temple University Again Loses Football Coach to Miami University: This Time Before the Coach Even Moved NBC 10 Philadelphia

Temple will rake in $6.5 million for losing Manny Diaz and Geoff Collins Sportsnaut

Former Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz returns to Miami — as its new head coach Florida Sun-Sentinel

UC returns to Military Bowl vs. Virginia Tech Cincinnati Enquirer

Norfolk Virginian Pilot

• Hokies, Cincy head into Military Bowl with plenty to prove
• Hokies playing their best entering Military Bowl vs. Cincinnati

Penny Hardaway: Jeremiah Martin is Memphis ‘biggest piece’ to NCAA Tournament bid Memphis Commercial Appeal

TU women’s basketball rolls past UTEP at home in final nonconference game Tulsa World

Taylor Eldridge predicts where the Shockers will finish in team-by-team AAC preview Wichita Eagle

 

Regional Headlines: The Carolinas and beyond

The Associated Press

• AP Source: University of Miami hires Manny Diaz to replace Mark Richt as football coach.
• Ohio St’s Day still learning from Meyer before Rose Bowl
• Banged-up No. 20 Utah faces Northwestern in Holiday Bowl
• Beat-up No. 20 Utes face Northwestern in Holiday Bowl
• Lopsided games, schedule drag down CFP television ratings
• No. 21 Texas A&M, NC State meet for 1st time in Gator Bowl
• Stanford seeks season-ending win streak in Sun Bowl vs. Pitt
• No. 21 Texas A&M, NC State meet for 1st time in Gator Bowl
• Texas A&M tries to end bowl losing streak against NC State
• Lock, No. 24 Missouri face Oklahoma State in Liberty Bowl

Raleigh News and Observer

• A ‘completely different’ NC State program aims for a piece of history
• NC State gets energized for Gator Bowl
• NC State football meets the ‘Dream Team’

Students launch Satanic club at NC State The College Fix

Winston Salem Journal

• ‘I was going to give it all that I had.’ Bill Hayes’ work ethic made him a central figure in Winston-Salem athletics.
• My Take On Wake film review: The kick still goes wide right, and so many other Birmingham Bowl observations
• App State men’s basketball blown out by St. Louis
• With Alabama-Clemson IV set, get ready for Part 5 of the playoff finale
• Texas A&M tries to end bowl losing streak against N.C. State

Columbia The State

• ‘Remember this feeling,’ Gamecocks hope to salvage good from Belk Bowl
• Gamecocks fend off feisty Furman in final game before SEC play
• This one’s for ‘Big Dex’: Clemson rallies around suspended teammate

Charleston Post Courier

• ‘Be the bag!’ Cornhole no mere game when it’s on ESPN
• Sapakoff: Key to Clemson beating Alabama? Protect Trevor Lawrence on passes and runs

Hate on the Alabama-Clemson CFP final all you want, but the football will be great Washington Post

New York Times

• Alabama and Clemson Are Putting a Trademark on the Title Game
• How Long Can Oklahoma Be the Bridesmaid of College Football?