The Buckeyes are back on top, as Ohio State took down Notre Dame, 34-23, to win the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night. 

Ohio State has now won nine college football titles, tying them with USC for fourth-most ever among NCAA's officially recognized championships. 

This is also the first title since the 2014 season, which was the inaugural College Football Playoff. 

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The Buckeyes have been such a different team since losing to Michigan in their rivalry game. And after convincingly defeating Tennessee (42-17), Oregon in the Rose Bowl (41-21), and Texas in the Cotton Bowl (28-14), Ohio State used their high-octane offense to barrel its way past Notre Dame to win it all. 

But this game wasn’t like previous Ohio State wins during this playoff, as the Fighting Irish really made a statement on an opening drive that lasted 18 plays and killed over nine minutes of first quarter clock. 

And it was all thanks to the hard work by quarterback Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame offensive line. 

NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE MEETING IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FAITH AT FOREFRONT

Leonard ran nine times for 34 yards and scored after picking up a fourth-and-1 on Ohio State’s five-yard line. ESPN even reported that Leonard ran to the sideline, threw up and stumbled a bit before sitting on the bench. He also appeared to tell teammates that he landed on the ball on one of the runs, which could’ve caused the upset stomach. 

However, the tides of momentum quickly shifted to the Ohio State sideline, as Will Howard and his group of talented weapons didn't just respond, but took over when they had the ball in their hands. 

The ensuing drive went 11 plays and 75 yards, as freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith capped the drive with a perfect play call that saw him act like he was running behind Howard on pre-snap motion but planting in the ground and walking into the end zone with no one in sight. 

Ryan Day’s group not only tied the game, but the defense turned it up a notch as they forced back-to-back three-and-outs on Notre Dame’s second and third drive. And the Buckeyes’ offense used that to their advantage with two more touchdown drives before the end of the first half. 

Quinshon Judkins, the explosive running back that splits time with TreVeyon Henderson, scored both of those touchdowns, the first of which being a nine-yard run where he fought through multiple tackles to get across the line. Then, he was wide open in the end zone on a rolling throw by Howard with 27 seconds left in the second quarter to put the Buckeyes up 21-7. 

And if that wasn’t deflating enough, Judkins scored his third touchdown of the night on the first drive of the second half – a one-yard run that was set up by his 70-yard run on the second play of the half to immediately get the Buckeyes first-and-goal. 

Judkins finished the game with 100 rushing yards on just 11 carries as well as his two catches for 21 yards.

There was some concern for Ohio State, though, when Notre Dame cut it to a two-score game after Leonard found Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown and converted the two-point try to make it 31-15. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR ASHTON JEANTY TALKS POSSIBILITY OF DEION SANDERS COACHING COWBOYS

The concern was due to an Emeka Egbuka fumble after going 24 yards on a catch-and-run. It was the first Ohio State fumble since their game against Penn State on Nov. 2. 

Notre Dame used that turnover to drive downfield, and Leonard found himself knocking on the doorstep until an incomplete pass to Greathouse made it fourth-and-goal from Ohio State’s nine-yard line with 9:27 left to play in the game. 

Given the score, one would think head coach Marcus Freeman wanted to try his luck at another touchdown, but kicker Mitch Jeter and the special teams unit ran out onto the field. And the interesting play call backfired, as Jeter’s 27-yard field goal attempt ran off the left goal post – he hooked it. 

The game wasn't over entirely after the defense forced a punt, and Leonard was able to find Greathouse once again, this time on a beautifully thrown ball and an even better catch from 30 yards out. Needing another two-point conversion, Jordan Faison took a handoff and it looked like Ohio State sniffed it out, but he threw it to Beaux Collins for the successful try. 

Now a one-score game, the Buckeyes had to dig deep with the Fighting Irish knowing a stop gave them a chance to make the comeback complete. 

Backed up with third-and-11, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly called a gutsy deep pass from Howard to Smith, and despite the freshman not having a single reception in the second half, he secured the dagger – a 57-yard catch to place the Buckeyes on the nine-yard line at the two-minute warning. 

The Buckeyes could run out the clock at that point with the Fighting Irish using all of their timeouts, and the celebrating ensued.

In the box score, Leonard was 20-for-29 for 240 yards with two touchdowns, while also rushing for a team-high 40 yards on 17 carries with his score on the ground. Greathouse had 11 yards on five receptions as well. 

For the Buckeyes, Smith led the way with his 89 yards on five receptions, while Egbuka had six catches for 64 yards. Howard finished the game 17-of-21 for 231 yards, and he also rushed for 57 yards on 16 carries. 

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President Donald Trump had a taped message for college football fans who tuned into ESPN to watch the national championship between Notre Dame and Ohio State on Monday night.

Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States earlier in the day. Although he’s been to national championships as president before, he was unable to go since it was his first day back in the White House. He still appeared to have the game on his mind.

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"Hello to my great, fellow Americans. This has been a historic and exciting day for our country. In recent years, our people have suffered greatly, but starting now, we’re going to bring America back and make it safer, richer and prouder than ever before," Trump said.

"We’ll have a nation filled with compassion, strength and exceptionalism. Through our power and might, we will stop wars, and we will bring our world to peace. We will be respected again, and we will be admitted again — admired like we haven’t been in many, many years. We’ll put America first, and by doing so, we’re gonna make America great again."

NOTRE DAME'S RILEY LEONARD POINTS TO FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE AFTER SCORING OPENING TD IN NATIONAL TITLE GAME

Trump touted the excitement he’s seen around the country since he won the election over former Vice President Kamala Harris. He also had a message for the players competing in the game.

"In less than three months since the election, you have already seen it happening. You can feel the excitement, and you can see the confidence and spirit returning to our nation. Together we are going to lead our county to glorious new heights. The golden age of America has just begun.

"To all of the players and fans watching tonight, I know it’s been a long and difficult journey. It’s been a long season, but you have two tremendous teams, and get to the game and go out and fight hard and fight fair and let the better team win. And I’m going to enjoy watching it. Thank you, and good night."

Vice President JD Vance must have been happy at halftime as Ohio State led the game, 21-7.

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will have to dig deep to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes and win their first national championship since 1988.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is determined to do that.

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Leonard led the Fighting Irish on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that ate up the first 9:45 of the game. It ended with a Leonard rushing touchdown from 1 yard out.

After Leonard scored, he pointed to his arm band, which read "Matthew 23:12," a Bible verse that says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Leonard previously expressed that Matthew 23:12 was one of his favorite quotes in the Bible.

NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE MEETING IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FAITH AT FOREFRONT

"I feel like so many people want to put me on this pedestal and like my faith really brings me back down to that every time," he said earlier in the season, via Sports Spectrum. "So, like, through the ups and the downs, I’m able to offer you guys perspective.

"I’ve seen what it’s like to be praised and to be at the top of the top. People got me on draft boards … and I’ve been on the lowest of lows where I get injured and I don’t know what I’m going to do with my career. But my faith has always brought me back to that humble position. Like, you’re nobody. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the highest of highs or lowest of lows, God’s going to treat you the same."

Notre Dame was 2-for-2 on fourth down during the drive.

The Fighting Irish led the game early, 7-0.

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Kelly Stafford, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s wife, made a reflective post to Instagram after her husband’s team lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round on Sunday night. 

And with her husband finishing his 16th NFL season, pondering retirement came naturally in the caption. 

Kelly isn’t hoping Matthew retires from the game he loves as she said she "could never get tired" watching him perform every week during the season.

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"Aren't enough words to express how proud I am," Kelly wrote in the caption of her post, which included pictures of her husband and family. "I joke about us being old and tired but honestly I could never get tired of watching you out there or watching our girls cheer for their daddy."

However, Kelly did leave some thoughts for Rams fans out there, as it appears her husband may be pondering hanging up his cleats.

"I'm wondering if this is the end or not... guess we will find out," she wrote.

MATTHEW STAFFORD UNSURE ABOUT NFL FUTURE AFTER RAMS ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFFS

Matthew Stafford, who turns 37 next month, said after the 28-22 loss to the Eagles that he will "take some time to think about it" in regard to his career. 

"I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball," he said, via the New York Post.

Stafford’s fourth year with the Rams came to a close with a playoff performance that saw a potential game-winning drive end with a 4th-and-long incompletion to his favorite target, second-year receiver Puka Nacua, on an overthrown ball to the boundary. 

Stafford went 26-of-44 passes for 324 yards with two touchdown passes in the snowy conditions at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and he was sacked five times by the Eagles’ defense, including Jalen Carter’s critical 3rd-and-2 takedown in the red zone before that final incompletion.

But like Stafford mentioned, he can still sling the pigskin, throwing for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 65.8% completion rate over 16 games this season. He went 10-6 in those contests to give the Rams the NFC West title and yet another playoff berth with him at the helm.

Stafford was the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, and though he desperately wanted to win a Super Bowl for the Motor City, he found that Vince Lombardi Trophy in his first season with the Rams in 2021. 

He was famously traded to the Rams from the Lions, who received Jared Goff in January 2021, which altered both franchises. While the Lions got their new franchise quarterback they could build around, the Rams used the veteran Stafford and their own weapons to make a Super Bowl run that ended with them hoisting the trophy in their own SoFi Stadium over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Stafford is currently under contract for the next two seasons, and head coach Sean McVay and the rest of the organization surely wants him to see that through. 

But like his wife said, we will find out what’s in store for Stafford’s NFL career later this offseason. 

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Dan Campbell is one of those head coaches who will believe in his team no matter what, but after a crushing defeat in the Divisional Round to the Washington Commanders at home as the No. 1 seed, even the most optimistic people can feel deflated. 

But not Campbell, who reiterated his belief that his Detroit Lions’ championship window remains wide open. 

"Yeah, I do," Campbell said when asked that championship-window question, via ESPN. "We talk about that core. That core group is still intact, and we’ve signed some back, some are up on contracts, and that’ll be ongoing. But, yeah, we absolutely do."

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"I think the most important thing is you want to know you’ve got your culture, you’ve got your identity, and you’ve got players that fit into that, and we’ve got that."

A perfect example was star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who signed long term with the Lions this past offseason, texted Campbell at 4 a.m. after the 45-31 loss to the Commanders on Saturday night. 

The loss was eating at him, but it showed Campbell that he has hungry players in the building, especially leaders like St. Brown. 

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"I know the right guys. They're our guys for a reason, and that's what will always give me hope and let me know we're only going to be better. 

"We're going to come back stronger, we're going to learn from this, and it's just more fuel on the fire, is what it is."

Campbell said all of this before reports surfaced that his offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, had been plucked by an NFC North rival to become their next head coach. The Chicago Bears are bringing in Johnson to help turn things around, and he obviously knows all about the organization after the past three seasons in his role in Detroit. 

But this shouldn’t come as a shock to Campbell, who should prepare for the loss of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as well. Glenn is going in for his second interview with the New York Jets on Tuesday to potentially fill their head coach vacancy as well. 

Campbell told ESPN that he must have a next-man-up mentality if he were to lose his coordinators, but winning right now doesn’t change. 

"We’re not going to allow that to happen," Campbell said regarding a potential mindset change. "Does it hurt to lose those guys? Absolutely. They’re a part of what we’ve been here. They’ve been here for four years, and they’re one of the major reasons why we’ve been able to get to where we’ve been."

Simply put, the Lions weren’t supposed to be thinking about the future, already losing their innovative offensive coordinator and preparing for the offseason. With their ability to throw up points on the scoreboard, they seemed almost destined to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.

While the Lions have to go back to the drawing board, their head coach still believes they have the squad to get to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

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The College Football Playoff National Championship Game is set to kick off in Atlanta on Monday night, and the city and state have buffed security measures to ensure everyone at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and its surrounding areas are safe and secure.

Among those with boots on the ground are agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, as they posted a picture of two agents on X. 

"GBI agents are in Atlanta today ensuring everyone stays safe during the CFP National Championship game," the post read. "If you see us, come say hi! Please prepare for the weather and stay safe and warm."

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Atlanta’s weather is cold, with an expected low of 17 degrees on Monday night. And the GBI agents reflect just how cold it is, as they are bundled up from head to toe. 

Gov. Brian P. Kemp issued a state of emergency "to ensure appropriate resources are deployed" due to the below-freezing temperatures.

NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE MEETING IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FAITH AT FOREFRONT

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, as well as Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, highlighted increased security measures for the title game, which is being hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second time since its inception.

While the city has seen this event before, the tragedy in the early hours of New Year's Day on New Orleans’ historic Bourbon Street led to increased personnel and precautions before Ohio State and Notre Dame kick off. New protocols were incorporated into the extensive preparation for this event.

The terror attack in New Orleans came hours before the Sugar Bowl, which was postponed to the following day as a result. 

"Everyone in the Atlanta Police Department will be out working," Chief Scheirbaum said, per local 11 Alive.

Chief Scheirbaum confirmed that multiple specialized units and visible police presence will be seen at and around the stadium. Specialized units from the Atlanta Fire Department will also be around the city for rapid response situations.

It’s a busy day for Atlanta as their Martin Luther King Jr. Parade to honor the civil rights leader on the federal holiday took place earlier on Monday. It required enhanced security measures as well, with street closures that would eventually transition into the college football festivities.

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The Chicago Bears have landed arguably the hottest head coach candidate for their vacancy, as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is reportedly heading to the NFC North rival. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter was first to report the hire, noting that the Las Vegas Raiders were hot on Johnson's tail as well. 

Johnson, who led a Lions offense that scored 33.2 points per game to lead the NFL this past regular season, saw an anticlimactic end to a historic season in the team's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders at home this past weekend. 

This is a developing story. More to come…

Boxing star Jake Paul was among those who attended Donald Trump’s inauguration at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.

Paul became a staunch supporter of the president as he campaigned against and defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election in November. The boxing star also celebrated Trump's victory in November, saying "truth and god won in America."

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As he attended Inauguration Day festivities, he fired off two posts on X.

"Today is about togetherness in every way. Fists down, unity up. Honored to be here. God Bless America," he wrote.

"Any American who isn’t in support of Trump after this speech simply hates America and doesn’t want what’s best for this country and the world," he added.

Paul was in Washington, D.C., with his brother Logan and UFC star Conor McGregor. He posted a photo of the group on X as well.

TRUMP VOWS 'NEW ERA OF NATIONAL SUCCESS,' SAYS AMERICA'S 'DECLINE IS OVER' IN INAUGURAL ADDRESS

The boxer had been adamant that God "stepped in and saved" Trump from the July 13 assassination attempt, and said it was a sign to bring him back into office.

"And I'm not even gonna say, like, it's Democrat-Republican, what does it matter? It's the people who are running the government now, the path that they were leading us to was gonna be catastrophic and terrible," he said in July. 

"And I think God really intervened, like, ‘we need this guy right now. Everyone needs to flip sides. We can't have a close election – we need a landslide. We need this guy to come back in and make America great again.’"

Dana White, Miriam Adelson and Wayne Gretzky were the other sports figures seen in the audience at the inauguration.

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There were plenty of active and inactive professional athletes who came out in support of Donald Trump as he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election.

As Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States began on Monday, some of those athletes appeared to be in Washington to attend the historic event.

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The athletes below braved the frigid temps in D.C. to support the president.

The Paul brothers have been massive supporters of Trump over the last few years. Trump even appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast, "IMPAULSIVE," back in June while he was on the campaign trail. Jake Paul endorsed Trump for president in late October and celebrated his victory after election day.

"Any American who isn’t in support of Trump after this speech simply hates America and doesn’t want what’s best for this country and the world," Jake Paul wrote on X.

Jake and Logan Paul were seen in a photo riding a bus over to the inauguration events. Conor McGregor was seen sitting behind both of them. McGregor had been in D.C. the entire weekend and snapped photos meeting with some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees. 

McGregor spoke to reporters on the red carpet at the inaugural ball.

"Amazing to be here. I'm very excited; very optimistic about the future," McGregor said. "And it's a good time here in the United States. I was here the last time Donald Trump became president in 2016. And the energy and the response is night and day, which is a testament to how he's done as a president, his last run, and how he's handled himself since."

UFC president Dana White was spotted with his wife in the Capitol Rotunda. White had been a big supporter of Trump for years. He spoke at Trump’s rally at the Capital One Arena on Sunday night.

"The people have spoke loud and clear. America wants President Trump back in the White House. Think about this: Winning this election after everything that has happened over the last few years is an amazing achievement and an incredible comeback story," he said.

"Think of all the things President Trump had to go through to get back here. All the powerful forces that tried to take him down: the mainstream media, partisan prosecutors, assassins. It’s absolutely insane what this man has been through. And only President Trump could have fought through all those obstacles, all the attacks, and still come out the winner."

Miriam Adelson, the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was in attendance for the inauguration. The Adelson family donated $100 million to her Preserve America political action committee backing Trump’s presidential campaign, according to Front Office Sports. That number is the largest political donation of any owner in the NBA, NFL, MLB or WNBA. 

She bought a majority interest in the Mavericks from Mark Cuban back in December 2023.

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was spotted at the inauguration tucked away near White and Adelson before the festivities started.

The former Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers superstar’s appearance came as Trump has touted the hockey legend as the next leader of Canada. On Christmas Day, Trump urged Canadian citizens to encourage Gretzky to become the next prime minister.

Trump said he even talked to Gretzky about becoming the "governor of Canada" as the country faced teasing about it becoming a part of the U.S.

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NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was spotted at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday as the incoming president has teased "The Great One" as the next leader of Canada.

Gretzky was tucked away to the left of Dallas Mavericks majority owner Miriam Adelson and UFC president Dana White. Gretzky was seen watching as Trump’s Cabinet nominees, lawmakers and other luminaries and dignitaries made their way into the Capitol Rotunda.

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The former Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers superstar’s appearance came as Trump has touted the hockey legend as the next leader of Canada. On Christmas Day, Trump urged Canadian citizens to encourage Gretzky to become the next prime minister.

"I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One as he is known in Ice Hockey circles. I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada - You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign,’" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"He had no interest, but I think the people of Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement. It would be so much fun to watch!"

UFC STAR CONOR MCGREGOR 'VERY OPTIMISTIC' AHEAD OF TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY

As Trump teased Canadian lawmakers about making the country the "51st state" of the U.S., Trump said he asked Gretzky to become the "governor of Canada."

"I was with Wayne Gretzky. I said, 'Wayne, would you like to be the governor of Canada?’ I can't imagine anybody doing better than Wayne," Trump said at a Mar-a-Lago press conference earlier this month. 

"Wayne was not too interested. But he probably would have liked statehood," Trump added. "He's a friend of mine. He's a great guy. He's the great one. We call him the great one, right? He's a great hockey player."

Gretzky didn’t appear to be swayed one way or the other.

The Hockey Hall of Famer was spotted at Trump’s election victory party in November.

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Former American Olympic cyclist Inga Thompson admitted in a recent interview that even though she’s a lifelong Democrat, she was hopeful for Donald Trump’s incoming presidency because of his stance on protecting women and girls in sports.

Trump’s vow to end trans inclusion in women’s sports was a key sticking point in his campaign. Pro-Trump campaign ads during election season painted Vice President Kamala Harris as in the corner for transgender women to compete against biological women. Trump even called trans inclusion in women’s sports policies "so far out."

It’s to that point that Thompson found herself in support of him.

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"I don’t want my boyfriend to hear this, because we’re both Democrats. I used to hate Trump, because I come from Reno, Nevada, around the casinos," she told The Telegraph. "I grew up with a lot of people who were in gaming, and we hated Trump. I knew people who would make deals with him, then he would back out. The first time he was up for election, I was making fun of him. 

"This time around, my position is, ‘If he’s going to protect women, I will vote for him.’ This is the biggest threat to women that I can think of happening in my generation. And I have to vote for women."

Thompson is one of the former athletes who have led the charge to keep biological males out of women’s sports. Those views cost her a director job with a cycling team after she called on cyclists to protest Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)'s transgender athlete policy in 2023.

Thompson told the paper she was upset with Democrats for supporting trans inclusion in women’s sports.

"Did they not learn their lesson at the Olympics about how tone-deaf they are, how blind they are about what they’re doing to women?" she said. "I’m angry at the party, being a Democrat myself, that they continue to throw women under the bus. It would have been so easy for them to allow common sense to come back. But they won’t. It’s the final straw."

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER WHO FORFEITED TO SJSU TRANS ATHLETE SPEAKS OUT ON RUINED SEASON AFTER TAKING 'UNFAIR' LOSSES

Thompson said she didn’t believe it was a "right-wing, Republican issue." She said all she and Democrats like her want is "balance."

"None of us are radicals, we’re just about common sense. After their response to the Protection of Women in Sports Act, they’ve lost me forever. This is when you realize the party has lost the plot," she added.

Thompson is far from the only Democrat who is against the particular policy. A New York Times/Ipsos poll released over the weekend found that a majority of Democrats also don’t think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women’s sports.

"Thinking about transgender female athletes – meaning athletes who were male at birth but who currently identify as female – do you think they should or should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports?" the survey asked. 

Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports.

Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. 

Some of that was seen in the House of Representatives earlier this month when two Democrats voted alongside Republican lawmakers to ban male-born athletes from participating on girls’ school sports teams.

The Protection of Women and Girls In Sports Act, led by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., would amend federal law to specify that student athletes must participate in school sports teams that coincide with their gender at birth.

The bill will go to the Senate.

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UFC star Conor McGregor attended a ball ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on Sunday night and spoke highly of him.

McGregor expressed optimism about the future of the U.S. in a red-carpet interview with reporters, according to BG on the Scene.

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"Amazing to be here. I'm very excited. Very optimistic about the future," McGregor said. "And it's a good time here in the United States. I was here the last time Donald Trump became president in 2016. And the energy and the response is night and day, which is a testament to how he's done as a president, his last run, and how he's handled himself since."

McGregor praised Trump’s resiliency to get back up after a 2020 election loss and get back into the game. He expected Trump and his Cabinet to take a lot of action within the first 100 days.

When asked about what’s different this time, the Irishman said it felt like more Americans are in Trump’s corner.

TRUMP 'EMBODIES WHAT BEING AN AMERICAN IS ALL ABOUT,' UFC'S DANA WHITE SAYS

"Lessons learned. Hard lessons learned," he said. "And a backing of his country now. I feel the people are backing him. And I'm excited to see him go do it. I hope he does, and I wish him all the best."

McGregor also described America’s standing in the world after Trump’s victory.

"America is the superpower of the world. Long may it continue," he said. "We love America in Ireland. I have as much love for America as I do for my country of Ireland. It has much ripple effect for the entire free world, the entire Western world.

"And Ireland is going through its own issues at the moment and this tenure here that Donald Trump is about to undertake, will have big effects in Ireland."

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The Dallas Cowboys were on the mind of NFL fans on Saturday even as the team failed to make the playoffs and jumpstarted their offseason by parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy.

The Washington Commanders’ win over the Detroit Lions marked the end of their long NFC Championship drought. The team will play for a chance to go to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1991 season. Washington has only made the playoffs seven times since that game.

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The Cowboys now have the longest NFC Championship drought. Dallas has not been to the conference title game since the 1995 season. The team beat the Green Bay Packers in that game and then went on to top the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. It was the last time the Cowboys appeared in a Super Bowl.

Since then, the Cowboys have made 18 playoff appearances. None of the appearances has yielded a victory in the divisional round.

RAVENS' MARK ANDREWS FACES SCRUTINY AFTER TWO CRUCIAL MISTAKES IN PLAYOFF LOSS TO BILLS

FOX Sports noted that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots won six Super Bowl titles, with the quarterback adding one more with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The New York Jets got to back-to-back AFC title games but have not been to the postseason since 2010. The New York Giants won two Super Bowls, the Philadelphia Eagles won a Super Bowl, and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has as many playoff victories as Dak Prescott.

The Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins have longer conference title game droughts. 

The Browns haven’t been to the AFC Championship since the 1989 season, when they lost to John Elway and the Denver Broncos. The Dolphins haven’t been to the conference title game since the 1992 season. Miami lost that year to the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas has a lot to correct in the offseason. It starts with getting a new head coach.

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If Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs was Matthew Stafford’s final game in the NFL, then it’s been a great career for the Los Angeles Rams quarterback.

Stafford was 26-of-44 with 324 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The Eagles forced the Rams to fumble on back-to-back drives. First, it was Kyren Williams, and then it was Stafford. The turnovers led to two Philadelphia field goals. Los Angeles lost the game, 28-22.

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The 36-year-old two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion will turn 37 on Feb. 7. He was asked about his NFL future after the game. He told reporters that he would "take some time to think about it."

"But I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball," he said, via ESPN, adding that he "sure feels like" he has some good football left in him.

Rams head coach Sean McVay wasn’t interested in talking about anything beyond the playoff loss.

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"I'm not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year," he said. "Right now, I'm just appreciative of this team."

Los Angeles had a decent shot to tie the game. Stafford put together a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson. The Rams’ defense stopped the Eagles’ offense on Philadelphia’s next possession.

Stafford drove the Rams down to the Eagles’ 22-yard line but turned the ball over on downs following an incomplete pass to Puka Nacua.

The veteran quarterback had 3,762 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes. He led the Rams to a Super Bowl title over the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2021 season.

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It’s another year in which Lamar Jackson put together an MVP-type season, but the Baltimore Ravens can only muster one playoff win and have failed to get to the Super Bowl.

The Ravens fell to the Buffalo Bills, 27-25, on Sunday night in the AFC Divisional Round. Jackson led the Bills on a comeback and got them to within a two-point conversion of tying the game. Jackson’s pass to Mark Andrews was a little off the mark, and the star tight end was unable to haul the pass in.

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While fans zeroed in on Andrews’ mistakes, the Ravens had three costly turnovers in the game. Jackson had an interception as well as a fumble. Andrews also fumbled the ball after catching a pass. Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard punched the ball out of his grasp.

After the game, Jackson expressed that he was tired of the mistakes.

"We’ve got to get over this," Jackson said. "Because we’re right there. I’m tired of being right there. We need to punch that ticket."

He refused to blame Andrews for the team’s loss.

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"I don’t think it’s his fault," Jackson added. "All of us played a factor in the game. It’s a team effort. We’re not going to put that on Mark. Because he’s been battling all season. All the great things he’s been doing all season. 

"It don’t always go our way. We win as a team. But the times when it’s not going our way, we need to figure that out."

Baltimore had one of the best seasons in franchise history. They gained the third-most yards in NFL history and became the first team to hit 4,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards in a single season. The team also had the league’s best rush defense.

Jackson’s postseason record drops to 3-5 and 1-5 when he has a turnover.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews learned the hard way just how crucial each play is, especially in the playoffs, as the team fell to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round.

Andrews came under the microscope following a fourth-quarter fumble that resulted in a Bills field goal on Buffalo’s ensuing drive and a dropped pass on a two-point conversion attempt on the team’s final drive. Buffalo won the game, 27-25.

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The three-time Pro Bowler had five catches on seven targets for 61 yards. But those two critical plays were what had the NFL world talking. Andrews took the brunt of the criticism over the mistakes.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Andrews’ teammates backed him up after the game.

"We wouldn’t be here without Mark Andrews," Harbaugh said, via The Athletic.

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It was a fair point from Harbaugh as Andrews has 55 catches for 673 yards in 2024. He also caught a career high 11 touchdowns.

"For anybody to say anything about him, you have to look in the mirror," Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton added.

Baltimore turned the ball over three times in the loss.

The Ravens fell short again of getting to the Super Bowl. The team hasn’t made an appearance in the game since the 2012 season, when Joe Flacco was still slinging the pill.

Baltimore made the playoffs in six of its last seven seasons but has yet to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl.

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes meet in the college football national championship on Monday night, and only one team could be the winner.

It will mark the end of the first-ever expanded College Football Playoff. Neither team came into the tournament favored, and each team had to scratch and claw their way to get to the championship game. It will certainly be a scrap at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, but some of the top talent from each team has expressed at least one common thing to bring them together: their faith.

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Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka have all talked about their belief in God in the days leading up to the game.

"I truly think things happen for a reason, not only us, but Ohio State as well. I think we’re the two main teams to just publicly display our faith the most," he told reporters last week, per Sports Michiana. "I don’t know if this is some divine teaching, you know, who put us here. 

"I truly believe that Jesus was looking over both our shoulders throughout the [whole] season and put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason."

Howard talked about his belief in God after the team’s upset win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

"First and foremost, I got to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage in the Rose Bowl," Howard told ESPN. "Younger me would be in awe right now."

Egbuka talked to Sports Spectrum during the season about how faith affected his performance on the field.

"I would say for the past couple years we’ve kinda been – there’s kind of been a number of players on the football team who have restored their faith in Jesus Christ. And that was something that was big for me my freshman year," the star receiver told the outlet in November. 

Egbuka, a graduate student, recalled in his interview the turning point for him. He was invited to attend Mass by his fellow teammates and said it was the first time he had felt a true connection to his faith. 

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"Ever since then, my life has been changed. A complete 180, and I have a similar testimony to a lot of players on the team. We’ve been praying for a type of revival like this on our team, and we decided to share with everybody what God has been doing on our football team." 

Egbuka said he opted against going into the NFL Draft last season because he felt a calling that was "bigger" than football.

Henderson told the outlet in a separate interview that despite his standout rookie season, which included success and NIL deals, he had turned to his faith after an injury. 

"He saved my life from going down that road of destruction. He saved me. He put me on this path of everlasting life … you see so many people go down that large path of destruction, but I’m so thankful that Jesus, He rescued me from that path and put me on His path."

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman reinstated pregame Mass when he took over for Brian Kelly in 2021. He was baptized into the Catholic Church in and received his first Holy Communion in September 2022.

Freeman credited Notre Dame for encouraging the student body to grow their faith.

"It's not only in Catholicism. It's the reality of you having a faith and a belief in something bigger than yourself," he said.

Come Monday night, each team will have a prayer and then lock in for the final 60 minutes of their season.

Fox News' Paulina Dedaj, Chantz Martin and Peter Burke contributed to this report.

NFL fans usually use the phrase "frozen tundra" to describe the conditions at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But on Sunday night, it could have been used to describe the field at Highmark Stadium for the playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.

Temperatures in Orchard Park, New York, fell to around 16 degrees as light snow fell onto the field. It made the ball slippery and tougher to catch as well as made the tackles hurt just a little bit more.

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The Bills held the lead in the fourth quarter with two Tyler Bass field goals and won the game, 27-25.

It was the Ravens who felt the brunt of the conditions late in the game.

Lamar Jackson found tight end Mark Andrews for a 16-yard completion with 8:50 left in the game. But Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard punched the ball out of Andrews’ hands and Buffalo recovered the fumble. It was one of three turnovers Baltimore committed.

It was far from over.

Jackson and the Ravens could still tie the game up. He led the team on an eight-play, 88-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Likely. The Ravens were down two points.

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Baltimore got set for the 2-point conversion attempt. Jackson broke out to his right and had Andrews open. The ball went into the veteran tight end’s hands, but he could not come up with the catch. The Bills breathed a sigh of relief and closed the game out.

Josh Allen finished with two rushing touchdowns in the game. He was 16-of-22 passing with 127 yards.

For the Ravens, their magical season came to an end.

Jackson was 18-of-25 with 254 passing yards, two touchdown passes and an interception. The Bills’ defense held Derrick Henry to 84 rushing yards. It was the fewest yards he had since Dec. 15 against the New York Giants.

The Bills next meet the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line. Buffalo beat Kansas City on Nov. 17, 30-21.

Buffalo hasn’t made a Super Bowl since the 1993 season. They have never won a Super Bowl. It will be their first conference championship game since the 2020 season. They lost to the Chiefs in that game.

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Jeff Torborg, a World Series champion catcher who played 10 seasons in the majors and became a manager for 11 more years, has died, the Chicago White Sox announced Sunday. He was 83.

Torborg, a New Jersey native, played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels during his playing career, which lasted from 1964 to 1973. He managed the White Sox, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins.

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He was on the Dodgers’ World Series-winning team in 1965. He was also the Marlins’ manager to open the 2003 season before he was fired and replaced with Jack McKeon. The Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games to win the World Series.

"Former MLB catcher and Chicago White Sox manager Jeff Torborg passed away this morning in Westfield, N.J. He was 83 years old," the team said in a post on X.

"Torborg was named the 1990 A.L. Manager of the Year after guiding the Sox to a 94-68 record that season, a 25-game improvement from the previous year."

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Torborg batted .214 with 101 RBI and 297 hits in 1,525 plate appearances in his 10-year playing career. He got his start as manager with the Indians four years after he retired. He was only the manager for one full season and two half-seasons before he was fired.

He guided the White Sox to a 94-68 record in 1990 behind Carlton Fisk, Greg Hubbard and Bobby Thigpen, but the team didn’t make the postseason. He took the Mets job in 1992 and didn’t have the same success.

He served as an interim manager for the Expos in 2001 and was the Marlins’ full-time manager in 2002 before he was let go in the middle of the 2003 season.

Torborg was a broadcaster in between managerial stints. He was 634-718 as a manager.

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Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl sent a fiery message on social media on Sunday in response to a video that apparently showed Hamas terrorists handing over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross.

The video showed the hostages moving from one vehicle to the next in between a large crowd of Hamas militants holding guns and chanting "Allah Akbar." The gunmen then stood on top of the vehicle.

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Pearl didn’t appear pleased.

"This is what giving Palestinians Autonomy looks like. Does it look like they want peace?" he wrote on X. "They made war, murdered and raped, built tunnels and hid under their people, launched rockets from living rooms, then screamed genocide. RELEASE HOSTAGES NOW, then live in peace or leave town."

Pearl is not one to shy away from his support for Israel. He has been among the most outspoken sports figures about the issue.

Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal early Saturday morning for a cease-fire in Gaza that would include the release of dozens of hostages and pause the war with Hamas that began after the terror group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish state.

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The deal would allow 33 hostages to be set free over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages are set to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first.

Hamas agreed to release three female hostages on the first day of the deal, four on the seventh day and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.

Hamas has said it will not release the remaining hostages without a lasting cease-fire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

The 15-month war in Gaza started when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which roughly 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others were abducted, prompting military retaliation from Israeli forces. Nearly 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza.

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