La Crosse Tribune Sports News

The Big Ten is starting the new year with a new sense of pride.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — It was bound to happen.

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — The first College Football Playoff semifinals drew the two largest audiences in cable television history.

MONTREAL (AP) — The United States was eliminated from hockey's world junior championship Friday with a 3-2 loss to Russia in the quarterfinals.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Greg Ward threw three touchdowns in the final 3:41 of the Armed Forces Bowl, two after Houston recovered onside kicks, and completed a game-winning 2-point conversion …

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Le'Veon Bell's injured right knee won't be ready in time for Saturday's wild-card game against Baltimore.

The Big Ten is starting the new year with a new sense of pride.

NEW YORK (AP) — What ESPN calls "a technical issue relating to servers" is the fancy term for what knocked out part of Thursday's streaming coverage of the Rose Bowl.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The key to the Arizona Cardinals advancing in the NFC playoffs could come down to their ability to slow down Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the running game.

NEW YORK (AP) — J.J. Watt and Rob Gronkowski are unanimous selections for the 2014 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team announced Friday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A person familiar with the Buffalo Bills coaching search tells The Associated Press that general manager Doug Whaley is serving as the point man.

The coach says he's made three areas – eliminating blue-line turnovers, upgrading defensive zone coverage and generating more offense – his top priorities.

The Badgers play the Huskies at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott sprinted down the field, nothing between him and the end zone. Cardale Jones was right on his heels, eager to join the celebration.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The chemistry has been slow to develop. The rookie coach is under fire. The record isn't nearly what it's supposed to be.

DENVER (AP) — Each of the dozen NFL teams still standing has reason to believe next month will bring a party and a parade.

Gordon torched the Tigers defense for 251 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries, leading UW to a 34-31 overtime win.

The hobbled senior right guard's play was a major factor in UW's 400-yard rushing performance.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cardale Jones came through again at the Sugar Bowl. Ezekiel Elliott ran all over mighty Alabama. And Urban Meyer’s quest to turn Ohio State into SEC North is one victory awa…

The Rose Bowl is coming to Texas for the first College Football Playoff championship.