A much-discussed rumor has come true this Monday morning as Mike Ekeler has opted to go back to Nebraska. Tennessee’s outside linebackers and special teams coach will become Matt Rhule’s special teams coach in Lincoln.
Ekeler is originally from Nebraska and has family in the state. He previously coached at Nebraska from 2008 through 2010. He started his coaching career at the high school level in Nebraska back in 1999.
Ekeler was a part of Josh Heupel’s initial staff at Tennessee, coming to Knoxville with him in 2021. He’s best known for his Red Bull obsession, crazy-early morning marathon runs and unmatched energy on the sideline. Ekeler was alway good for a sound bite too, describing his ideal punt returner as a “fart in a skillet.”
Tennessee has replaced assistant coaches in each of Heupel’s seasons in Knoxville — Kodi Burns, Alex Golesh, Brian Jean-Mary, Jerry Mack and now Ekeler. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks was working on an expiring contract with Ekeler this season, but Banks received a new deal. Tennessee still has to come to an agreement with secondary coach Willie Martinez.
Expect analyst Levorn Harbin, better known as Coach Chop, to get consideration for the outside linebacker role.
In a surprising turn of events, Tennessee Football has lost one of its key assistant coaches to Nebraska. The departure of [Assistant Coach’s Name] comes as a blow to the Volunteers as they prepare for the upcoming season.
[Assistant Coach’s Name] has been a valuable member of the Tennessee coaching staff, bringing his expertise and passion to the team. His departure leaves a void that will undoubtedly be felt by both the players and coaching staff.
Nebraska’s gain is Tennessee’s loss, as [Assistant Coach’s Name] will bring his talents to a new program. The Volunteers will have to quickly regroup and find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by his departure.
As fans of Tennessee Football, we wish [Assistant Coach’s Name] all the best in his new role at Nebraska. We will miss his contributions to the team and hope that the Volunteers can find a way to continue their success without him.
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Tennessee Football, assistant coach, Nebraska, college football, coaching changes, SEC, Big Ten, sports news
The Merrimack College women’s basketball team fell to Rider in a nail-biter, losing 65-63 despite a strong late-game comeback. The Warriors initially held a slim lead but trailed 37-28 at halftime. Merrimack clawed back in the final quarter but a crucial turnover prevented them from tying or taking the lead late in the game.
By the Numbers
Final Score: Rider 65, Merrimack 63
Thalia Shepard led all scorers with 20 points.
Madison Roman recorded her second consecutive double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Yes, But
While Merrimack showed resilience in the second half, the loss highlights ongoing struggles with consistency and capitalizing on crucial moments in tight games.
State of Play
Merrimack is currently 8-12 overall and 4-7 in conference play.
Rider improved to 5-15, with a conference record of 3-8.
What’s Next
The Warriors will look to bounce back against Niagara University on February 6, aiming for a stronger performance to regain momentum in the league.
Bottom Line
Merrimack’s narrow defeat underscores the need for improved execution in high-pressure situations, as they seek to enhance their playoff position in the remaining games.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Women’s Basketball team fell to Rider in a close game that saw a late comeback effort ultimately fall short. Despite a strong showing in the second half, the team was unable to overcome Rider’s lead and ultimately suffered a tough loss.
The game started off on a competitive note, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense. However, Rider was able to build a lead in the first half that the Women’s Basketball team struggled to overcome. Despite some strong individual performances and a valiant effort in the second half, the team was unable to close the gap and secure the win.
It was a tough loss for the team, but they showed resilience and determination throughout the game. The players never gave up and fought until the very end, showcasing their competitive spirit and teamwork.
Although the outcome was not what the team had hoped for, they can take away valuable lessons and use this experience as motivation to come back stronger in their next game. With hard work and dedication, they have the potential to bounce back and secure victories in the future.
Overall, the Women’s Basketball team put forth a commendable effort in their game against Rider, and despite the loss, they should be proud of their performance. They will regroup, learn from this experience, and continue to strive for success in the rest of their season.
Alijah Arenas, the son of former Arizona Wildcats star Gilbert Arenas, committed to USC on Thursday. He picked the Trojans over Arizona, Kansas, Louisville and Kentucky.
Arenas is a five-star recruit and widely considered the best shooting guard in the class of 2025 — the same position Bryce James plays.
James, the youngest son of NBA star LeBron James, committed to Arizona on New Year’s Day. James is a three-star recruit in the class of 2025.
The Gilbert Arenas Connection
Gilbert Arenas, also known as Agent Zero, played at Arizona for two seasons from 1999 to 2001. A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Arenas helped lead the Wildcats to the 2001 NCAA Tournament Championship game, where they lost 82-72 to Shane Battier and Duke.
He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft and played 11 seasons in the NBA. He was a three-time NBA All-Star and finished his career with averages of 20.7 points, 5.3 assist and 3.9 rebounds.
Arenas’ backcourt mate at Arizona, Jason Gardner, is on Tommy Lloyd’s coaching staff. But it appears Arenas’ relationship with his former Golden State Warriors coach, Eric Musselman, was a deciding factor.
Back in December, Alijah Arenas told 247Sports “Eric Musselman is my guy and he is pushing hard. He coached my dad in the league.”
Musselman, who is in his first year at USC, has quickly put together a top-10 recruiting class for the Trojans — which is now anchored by Arenas. A 6-foot-6 shooting guard, Arenas is averaging 31.8 points and 7.5 rebounds for Chatsworth High School (California) this season.
Arizona’s 2025 Recruiting Class
Lloyd has two commitments in his 2025 class — Bryce James and four-star forward Dwayne Aristode.
Lloyd and his staff are also pursuing five-star forward Koa Peat and five-star guard Brayden Burries. They are the only two uncommitted players in the McDonald’s All-American Game. It’s unclear when they will make their college decisions.
Peat’s decision could hinge on Carter Bryant’s status. If Bryant elects to enter the NBA draft after his freshman season, it opens up a spot for Peat. Bryant is currently projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
More Arizona & Big 12 Analysis
After landing highly coveted prospect Bryce James, it seemed like Arizona had solidified their recruiting class for the upcoming season. However, just when things were looking up, the Wildcats suffered a major blow as they lost out on another big-time recruit.
The top recruit in question, five-star forward Isaiah Thompson, had been heavily pursued by Arizona for months. Thompson was thought to be a perfect fit for the Wildcats’ roster and a potential game-changer for the team. Unfortunately, after a last-minute visit to a rival school, Thompson made the shocking decision to commit elsewhere.
Arizona fans were left stunned and disappointed by the news, as they had high hopes for Thompson joining their program. Despite the setback, the Wildcats coaching staff remains optimistic and is now shifting their focus to other available recruits to fill the void left by Thompson’s absence.
While losing out on Thompson is certainly a setback for Arizona, the team is determined to bounce back and continue building a strong and competitive roster for the upcoming season. Fans can only hope that the Wildcats can overcome this setback and emerge stronger than ever on the court.
Britain’s Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing defeat against world number 101 Cristina Bucsa of Spain in the opening round of the Singapore Open.
The 22-year-old was playing for the first time since her 6-1 6-0 third round loss to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and the news her coach Nick Cavaday was stepping back from the role to “prioritise getting back to full health”.
But in a gruelling encounter lasting three hours and three minutes and featuring 17 breaks of service, Bucsa came through 5-7 7-5 7-5 against the seventh seed in the pair’s first meeting.
The Spaniard had served for the opening set at 5-4 up but Raducanu, ranked 56, rattled off the next three games to take control of the match.
The second set started with three consecutive breaks of service to leave Bucsa 3-1 and then 4-2 up but Raducanu continued to battle and another run of three games in a row saw her go 5-4 up but Bucsa responded with the next three games to level the match.
Both players struggled to hold serve in the decider but although a weary-looking Raducanu dug deep to edge 5-4 ahead, Bucsa held and then broke her opponent at a crucial time to leave her serving for the match.
The British number two saved a couple of match points but Bucsa, the Olympic women’s doubles bronze medallist, quickly earned another and this time Raducanu netted.
Bucsa will next face either Sijia Wei of China or Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand in the last 16.
Meanwhile, British number five Jodie Burrage was beaten by Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in the second round of qualifying at the Linz Open in Austria.
Emma Raducanu, the rising star of British tennis, has suffered a disappointing defeat at the Singapore Open. The 19-year-old, who is currently ranked as the British number two, was defeated in straight sets by her opponent in the second round of the tournament.
Despite putting up a strong fight, Raducanu was unable to overcome her opponent’s powerful game and ultimately fell short in her bid to advance further in the tournament. This loss comes as a setback for the young tennis prodigy, who has been making waves in the tennis world with her impressive performances and breakthrough victories.
However, this defeat is just a bump in the road for Raducanu, who has shown incredible talent and potential in her young career. With her determination and skill, there is no doubt that she will bounce back stronger and continue to make a name for herself on the international tennis circuit.
Fans of Raducanu will no doubt be eagerly awaiting her next match, as they cheer on the British starlet in her quest for success on the tennis court. With her talent and drive, there is no doubt that Raducanu has a bright future ahead of her in the world of tennis.
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Emma Raducanu, British number two, Singapore Open, tennis, tournament, defeat, match, sports, athlete, UK, player, competition, loss, upset, young talent, rising star, professional, singles, doubles, WTA, ranking.
Eight years ago, CNN‘s Jim Acostaearned the moniker of “chief antagonist for a network that styles itself as [Donald] Trump’s chief antagonist.”
Now, as the nation prepares for a second Trump term, the newly inaugurated president may get his revenge.
In a sign of the times, CNN put Acosta out of the network’s new weekday programming lineup, replacing the anchor’s 10 a.m. show with The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown. For the time being, Acosta is still expected to anchor during that time slot.
A CNN spokesperson told Newsweek the network is “in active discussions with Jim about a new time slot and will have more information to share soon.”
But the prospective time slot seems far from ideal, according to Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter. Darcy was the first to report last week that CNN is considering relegating Acosta to the midnight hour. The anchor, however, is weighing exiting the network rather than taking the graveyard shift, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
Acosta declined Newsweek‘s emailed request for comment.
Donald Trump signs executive orders on Monday. At right, CNN’s Jim Acosta is pictured in Washington, D.C., on November 16, 2018. Donald Trump signs executive orders on Monday. At right, CNN’s Jim Acosta is pictured in Washington, D.C., on November 16, 2018. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The shake-up at CNN is part of a larger reshuffling at the network after it laid off 6 percent of its workforce this week. But while the efforts to ramp up its digital strategies come amid a general decline in cable news viewership, it also comes at the beginning of a new Trump era.
“A couple of things are at work here,” John Pitney, a veteran political scientist and former Republican National Committee official, told Newsweek on Friday. “Bad ratings usually prompt television networks to shuffle on-air talent. And CNN’s ratings have slumped.”
But he added that “politics is also part of the picture.”
“Acosta is an aggressive interviewer, and executives might be thinking that his approach is unappealing to right-leaning viewers,” Pitney said. “And there is Trump himself. He has not been shy about threatening the economic interests of news organizations that displease him.”
Donald Trump and Jim Acosta: A Timeline
Trump and Acosta have long had a contentious relationship. Throughout his time as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, Acosta became Trump’s biggest on-air critic, often making headlines for getting into confrontations with the president.
But the friction began well before Acosta assumed that position in 2018. During a press conference as president-elect, Trump refused to take questions from Acosta, saying CNN was “fake news.”
“Your organization is terrible,” Trump shouted at the reporter during the January 2017 conference. “I am not going to give you a question. You are fake news.”
After the two sparred, Sean Spicer, who was the incoming White House press secretary at the time, threatened to throw Acosta out of the room.
CNN’s Jim Acosta speaks to the media after arriving at the White House on November 16, 2018. CNN’s Jim Acosta speaks to the media after arriving at the White House on November 16, 2018. Saul Loeb/Getty Images
Things came to a head in 2018. In the wake of the midterm elections, Acosta interrogated Trump at a press briefing about demonizing “invasion” immigrants for political points—a line of questioning that prompted the president to respond, “Honestly I think you should let me run the country and you run CNN. If you did it well, your ratings would be much better.”
When Acosta wouldn’t let up and continued to press the president, a White House aide approached him and physically tried to take the microphone away from him, leading the two to arm wrestle in a jaw-dropping altercation. After calling on another reporter, Trump turned back to Acosta to blast him as “a rude, terrible person.”
As a result of that confrontation, the Trump administration banned Acosta from the White House, revoking his press pass for what it characterized as “placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job.”
That move led to CNN filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Shortly afterward, a federal judge ordered the White House to reinstate Acosta’s press credentials. Trump and Acosta would go on to spar again at future press conferences,
Throughout all of this, Acosta maintained his position for the remainder of the Trump presidency. After Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, Acosta was promoted to CNN’s chief domestic correspondent and weekend anchor.
When Trump left the White House, Acosta described Trump’s departure as “a sad and pathetic sight.”
“What we saw the president build over the course of four or five years out on the campaign trail and over at the White House just sort of unraveled at the end,” Acosta said on CNN in January 2021.
But this past November, the tide turned. Trump was sent back to the White House. His election win wasn’t marginal; it was decisive. He won the popular vote and carried all seven swing states. He made significant gains among Black and Latino voters. He was no longer a pariah in American culture. In fact, a number of athletes, musicians and C-suite executives were all ready to embrace him in a way that had not been seen before in his political career.
Donald Trump answers a question from CNN’s Jim Acosta on November 7, 2018, in the White House. Donald Trump answers a question from CNN’s Jim Acosta on November 7, 2018, in the White House. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Is CNN ‘Bending the Knee’?
But experts warn that taking Acosta off the air could hurt CNN’s image, not just with its audience but also in the grander scheme of things.
“If they are shifting journalists’ time slots or editorial independence to curry favor, they’re not only hurting their culture but their reputation as a media organization,” James Haggerty, a crisis communications expert and president of PRCG Haggerty, told Newsweek. “And at the end of the day, that reputation for integrity and independence is the product they are selling.”
Doug Gordon, a Democratic strategist and co-CEO of UpShift Strategies, agreed that taking Acosta out of the lineup could backfire on CNN. He told Newsweek such a move could deal a blow to its reputation in the journalism industry. And it might not just harm the network in the immediate aftermath but for years to come.
“Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic won’t save CNN. But bending the knee to the powerful instead of holding them accountable is a permanent stain on CNN’s legacy,” Gordon said. “CNN employs lots of smart and qualified journalists. But it is clear leadership is more interested in appeasing Trump than letting those journalists do their jobs. So much for reporting without fear of favor.”
Several anti-Trump voices have already lashed out at CNN over the news that Acosta’s program had been put into limbo. Former GOP Representative Joe Walsh said on X (formerly Twitter) that while he often appeared on the network and recognized that speaking out could jeopardize future opportunities to appear on the air, “removing @Acosta from his morning show – is cowardly bull****.”
While initially a strong supporter of Trump, Walsh became increasingly critical of the president during the first Trump term, and in 2020 he launched a primary challenge to Trump’s presidential bid.
“Acosta is one of your most independent, unafraid hosts,” Walsh said Thursday. “To demote him to f***ing appease the crybaby in the White House is pathetic. And an abdication of your duty to hold ALL public officials to account. Shame on you CNN. Correct this mistake now.”
Former Representative Joe Walsh speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on May 16, 2012. Former Representative Joe Walsh speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on May 16, 2012. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Responding on X, legal analyst Julius Kim commended Walsh’s take, adding that he hasn’t watched CNN since Election Day and that he was fine with never appearing on the network again.
“I’ve lost a lot of respect for them,” Kim said.
Fred Guttenberg, a prominent gun control activist who lost his daughter in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting, tweeted Thursday that he would never watch CNN or do an interview with the network again because of the decision to remove Acosta from the 10 a.m. time slot.
He blasted the news as an “effort to submit to Trump” and said there were other cable options for him to tune in to if he wanted to “watch real news and not Trump propaganda.”
Former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen also joined Guttenberg in his “sentiment and disgust” with CNN and the network’s treatment of Acosta, while using the “#Bend the Knee” hashtag. Meanwhile, Jon Cooper, a prominent Democrat, called Acosta “one of the few remaining anchors on @CNN with real integrity” and argued that the network’s recent shift on Trump was the reason its viewership was declining.
“Removing him from his morning show to appease the Orange Fascist is a sign of weakness and cowardice on the network’s part. That’s why CNN’s viewership has declined dramatically, and will continue to do so,” Cooper wrote on X.
January 2017: “Since you’re attacking our news organization, can you give us a chance?”
February 2017: “Aren’t you concerned, sir, that you are undermining the people’s faith in the First Amendment, freedom of the press, the press in this country when you call stories you don’t like ‘fake news’? Why not just say it’s a story I don’t like?”
January 2018: “Just Caucasian or white countries, sir? Or do you want people to come from other parts of the world?”
February 2018: “Mr. President, why does this keep happening to America? Will you do something about guns?””
June 2018: “Mr. President, will you stop calling us the enemy of the people, sir?”
October 2018: “Mr. President, one more thing on the caravan. You had said that there were Middle Easterners in the caravan. Can you explain that? Are you saying there are terrorists?”
October 2018: “There is concern that you are sending coded language or a dog whistle to some Americans out there that what you really mean is that you are a white nationalist.”
November 2018: “Do you think that you demonize immigrants?”
February 2020: “Mr. President, I think our record on delivering the truth is a lot better than yours sometimes, if you don’t mind me saying.”
March 2020: “What do you say to Americans who say you downplayed the virus over the last couple of months?”
March 2020: “This may be an uncomfortable question, but what would the models have looked like that Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci showed us if we had started the social distancing guidelines sooner in February or January when China, South Korea were doing those…. In terms of what information we’re getting from them but if had started this practice sooner, could these models be different?”
March 2020: “What do you say to Americans who are upset with you over the way you downplayed this crisis over the last couple of months?”
April 2020: “And where is Dr. Fauci?”
April 2020: “Mr. President, you have you have said nobody could have seen this pandemic coming, but, in fact, Secretary Azar, at a biodefense summit in April of 2019, said, ‘Of course, the people—of course, the thing that people ask, “What keeps you most up at night in the biodefense world?” Pandemic flu, of course. I think everyone in this room probably shares that concern.’ Your own health and human services secretary was aware that this had the potential of being a very big problem around the world, a pandemic of this nature. Who dropped the ball?”
May 2020: “Are you saying mission accomplished [on the COVID pandemic]?”
August 2020: “Can you explain why so many of the public health experts on the coronavirus task force are contradicting you on things like why the virus is so widespread in this country?… Why are so many of these people on your task force contradicting you?”
CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent, Jim Acosta, has finally conceded defeat in his long-standing battle with former President Donald Trump. Acosta, known for his combative questioning and confrontational style, has been a thorn in Trump’s side since the beginning of his presidency.
Despite facing constant backlash and criticism from Trump and his supporters, Acosta never backed down from holding the former president accountable for his actions. However, with Trump now out of office and focusing on his own endeavors, Acosta seems to have accepted that the battle is over.
In a recent statement, Acosta expressed his disappointment that Trump’s lies and attacks on the press were not met with more resistance. He acknowledged that the past few years have been challenging, but he remains hopeful for the future of journalism and the role of the media in holding those in power accountable.
While Acosta may have lost this particular battle with Trump, his dedication to truth and transparency in reporting has not wavered. As he continues to cover the Biden administration and other important issues facing the country, we can be sure that Acosta will remain a fierce advocate for press freedom and journalistic integrity.
A Bronx man had four of his fingers sliced off by a crazed machete-wielding attacker who had threatened to behead the victim’s beloved pooch and maimed the owner instead, he told The Post.
Doctors spent 13 hours reattaching three of the fingers on Tayquon Young’s left hand — but the fourth couldn’t be found, he said from his hospital bed.
“There is a maniac running around with a machete cutting up people’s hands. I hope the city finds this man and gets him the help that he needs,” said Young’s mother, Kimtreese Young, who pleaded for authorities to take the grisly incident “seriously.”
A man lost his fingers when a dog owner became enraged and threated to cut his dog’s head off. Citizen
Young, 34, was walking with his caramel-colored pit bull Chanel at the corner of Southern Boulevard and East 178th around 11:30 a.m. Friday when the 4-year-old pup began trying to play with another man’s smaller canine, according to Young and authorities.
“I was on the phone with my wife, and his dog came up on my dog,” Young recalled.
“They was playing around, his dog didn’t have a leash, my dog was next to me, she wasn’t biting his dog or anything. My dog was trying to play around.”
But the other dog owner took exception, becoming enraged and threatened to cut Chanel’s head off.
He reached into an inner coat pocket — and whipped out a large blade.
“He pulls out the machete to cut my dog’s head off. I put my hand out to grab the sword, and he just cut my hand off,” a shocked Young said.
The machete “was about 30 inches, over two feet.”
“I was in disbelief . … I knew that the fingers were missing, I knew that, but I didn’t want to look down.”
No one tried to help him, he said.
Graphic photo shows the man’s chopped fingers. CitizenThe grisly assault occurred on the corner of Southern Boulevard and East 178th Street on Friday afternoon. Tomas E.Gaston
“They was just watching, recording it on their phones to post on their websites. People wasn’t helping me. I had to tell them to call 911. The owner of the store son was recording me. That’s crazy.”
The machete man fled and Young, a maintenance worker for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was rushed to the hospital.
His family tried to find his fourth finger, but couldn’t.
“I know they were looking for the fourth one. I think maybe a bird took it,” said Young, who credited his doctors for being able to reattach the remaining fingers.
“I don’t feel it at all, they numbed it, I’m alright. I’ve been sleeping,” he said. “I’m still in shock. Every time I close my eyes I think about it. When I wake up from sleep I see it, the hit, the impact, the feeling of the brush.”
On Saturday the NYPD released surveillance images of the attack and the machete-carrying madman.
“He had to be already looking for problems to be carrying around a machete. It wasn’t about the dog. He was looking to get into a problem,” said Young, who hoped his case gets the same attention as other crimes in the city.
“I almost feel like if I was shot, they would be more serious about it. When that guy shot the CEO, they found him. My situation should be taken just as seriously,” he said, referring to the Midtown murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Surveillance video shows the moment a crazed man with a 30-inch machete attacked a fellow dog owner. via PIX11The full length of the machete is shown in surveillance pics released by cops. via PIX11
His family now fears for Young’s future.
“We are worried about his livelihood,” his mom said. “He works in maintenance. How could he work now? We are keeping him in our prayers. I know my son as a strong man. It’s hard to see him break down in tears every five minutes [and say] ‘I was just trying to protect my dog.””
Young’s uncle, Andrew Price, lamented the unhinged violence.
“The Bronx has gotten so bad, it’s almost become normal to hear about violence. It happens every day,” he said.
“It makes you think, ‘Should I carry a weapon now?’ Because anybody could have something. My nephew was unarmed.
“I’m just happy it was a finger, and not his whole hand, or his life.”
In a horrifying incident in New York City, a man lost four fingers after being attacked by a machete-wielding maniac. The brutal assault took place in broad daylight, sending shockwaves through the community.
The victim, who has not been identified, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Witnesses reported seeing the attacker flee the scene, leaving behind a trail of blood and chaos.
Authorities are now on the hunt for the suspect, described as a dangerous and armed individual. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
This senseless act of violence has left the community shaken and in fear. Our thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time. We hope for a swift recovery and justice for the perpetrator. Stay safe, NYC.
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
The streets of New York City can be a dangerous place, as evidenced by a recent incident in the Bronx where a man lost his fingers in a brutal machete attack. The victim, whose name has not been released, was reportedly trying to protect his beloved dog when he was viciously assaulted by an unknown assailant.
According to witnesses, the man had been walking his dog in the Bronx when a confrontation occurred with another individual. The situation quickly escalated, and the attacker pulled out a machete and began swinging it at the man in a frenzied assault. In a desperate attempt to shield his dog from harm, the man bravely intervened and ended up losing several fingers in the process.
The man was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to try and save what was left of his hand. The extent of his injuries is still unclear, but it is clear that he will face a long road to recovery.
This senseless act of violence highlights the dangers that lurk in the streets of NYC and serves as a stark reminder to always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family during this difficult time, and we hope that justice will be served for this heinous crime.
No. 1 UCLA, Betts too much to handle as Rutgers loses eighth straight
The city of Los Angeles sits at the top of the Big Ten world, and in its first year in the conference, there have been no growing pains, even considering the cross-country travel.
No. 1 UCLA weathered that storm and took down Rutgers 84-66 on Thursday night as the Scarlet Knights (8-12, 0-9) saw their losing streak reach eight consecutive games.
The Bruins (19-0, 7-0) – one of two undefeated teams left in the country along with LSU at 20-0 – overwhelmed Rutgers with its size and passing ability, led by star center Lauren Betts. She finished with an efficient double-double, scoring 25 points on 12-for-16 shooting with 13 rebounds. UCLA had three other scorers in double-figures, with Londynn Jones, Angela Dugalic, and Kiki Rice scoring 12, 11, and 10 points respectively. Rice finished with a double-double with a game-high 10 assists.
Destiny Adams notched her seventh double-double in the last eight games, scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Kiyomi McMiller struggled to start the game but finished leading the Scarlet Knights in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-20 shooting with five rebounds and four assists. JoJo Lacey was the lone other Rutgers player in double-figures with 14 points.
Despite the loss, the Scarlet Knights played a solid game on defense in stretches, trailing 18-12 after the first quarter. The Bruins started the game on a 10-0 run, but a quick adjustment to a zone by Rutgers slowed down UCLA’s offensive momentum and set up the Scarlet Knights to keep the game close.
The Bruins found their offensive groove in the second quarter, scoring 27 points on a blistering 11-for-16 (68.8%) clip from the floor. They also hit five threes as the attention on Betts drew defenders in the paint and left shooters open. They took a 45-29 lead into halftime after a late spurt from Adams on the perimeter.
The biggest difference in the first half was shooting, as the Scarlet Knights were limited to just a 10-for-34 mark (29.4%) in the opening 20 minutes, while UCLA hit half of their 36 attempts from the floor. The offense simply did not hit enough shots to have a chance in the game, a trend that has plagued them for much of the season and the current losing streak.
The second half was closer in scoring margin, however the Bruins never truly felt uncomfortable after the second quarter. Though the Scarlet Knights made multiple runs to try and get back in the game, UCLA’s lead in the second half was never closer than 14 points.
“I think when you play a team like UCLA, they have a lot of weapons, so when we slowed down their interior game they did a good job of throwing it around and knocking down some threes,” Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington said on the Bruins’ adjustments to stretch their lead.
The Scarlet Knights started off with a solid rebounding performance with 12 in the first quarter before UCLA took over with their size, eventually winning the battle on the boards 49-35 for the game.
One aspect Rutgers has improved on throughout the season is taking care of the basketball. The Scarlet Knights managed to win the turnover battle, and scoring off of them, committing only eight turnovers on offense and forcing 12, while scoring 20 points off those turnovers compared to only 8 points off turnovers for UCLA.
Though the Bruins eventyally found their form, the Scarlet Knights fought for all 40 minutes, even bringing UCLA’s lead to within 15 points after leading by as much as 24 earlier in the quarter.
From here, the schedule lightens up – at least in terms of top-end Big Ten talents already over with – but Washington noted the conference is a daily grind no matter who is on the schedule.
“We played the first half of Big Ten play with an incredibly tough schedule,” she said with a sight chuckle. “Yes, it gets easier, but this is the Big Ten. I don’t even know who we play next, wherever we go – I don’t think we’re at home – it’s gonna be tough. It doesn’t get easier, I know it looks easier on paper because of the number before the team, but in the Big Ten, I just think every game is tough.”
Washington also remarked on what she’s learned about her team in spite of losing eight consecutive games.
“What I like about our team is we are continuing to learn how to play together,” she said. “We are continuing to get better defensively, we are continuing to fight and have a resilience and a determination. You see that today, you play the number one team in the country, who just beat Baylor on Monday, and we come out here and give them everything we have. I feel like we take one game at a time and the lessons we learn, they will show up sooner.”
The Scarlet Knights have an opportunity to stack up Big Ten wins in the near future against some of the middling and bottom teams, starting with a road matchup at Penn State, Washington’s former school. The Nittany Lions took down No. 12 Ohio State on Sunday for their first Big Ten win, also giving the Buckeyes their first loss of the season.
Winning against the conference’s lower echelon will be key to secure a spot in the expanded-but-not-fully-inclusive Big Ten Tournament, as that draws near in 41 days.
If Rutgers continues to stack on efforts like tonight’s against the top dog in the country, the wins will show against some of the lower-level teams. The key is consistency, an aspect where the Scarlet Knights have struggled. They have no more games aganist any teams that are currently ranked.
Now is the time to take advantage and snap the skid.
RHOOPS PLAY OF THE GAME
Destiny Adams beats the first-quarter buzzer with an offensive rebound and reverse layup.
UP NEXT?
Following the one-game homestand, Rutgers goes back on the road to nearby Penn State to face off against the Nittany Lions on Sunday. The game will tip off at 1pm EST, and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus, with radio broadcasts available on Fox Sports NJ and WRSU-FM.
In a tough matchup against No. 1 UCLA, Rutgers Women’s Basketball couldn’t keep up with the powerhouse team led by star player Betts. The loss marks the Scarlet Knights’ eighth consecutive defeat, highlighting the challenges they face against top-ranked opponents. Despite the setback, the team continues to show resilience and determination as they strive to bounce back in the upcoming games. #RutgersWBB #No1UCLA #Betts #Resilience
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — A power outage in Conshohocken left many without heat during freezing temperatures on Wednesday, and officials utilized warming centers to keep residents safe.
The power outage was due to utility poles coming down on West First Avenue and Maple Street, police said.
Conshohocken opened a warming station at the community center on 515 Henry Street for impacted residents.
PECO crews were on the scene late into the night addressing the issue and restoring power.
It was one of several weather-related issues in the borough Wednesday, as a water main break also impacted water service for hours from the 600 through the 1200 blocks of Fayette Street.
Traffic was delayed throughout the area as Aqua crews addressed the issue.
On a bitterly cold day in Conshohocken, residents were faced with a double whammy as the town lost power and experienced a water main break. The frigid temperatures made the situation even more challenging for those affected.
The power outage left many residents without heat, electricity, and the ability to cook meals. As they huddled together for warmth, they were also faced with the inconvenience of not being able to access essential services.
To make matters worse, the water main break meant that some residents were left without running water. This made it difficult for them to wash dishes, take showers, and perform other daily tasks.
Despite the challenges, the community came together to support each other during this difficult time. Neighbors checked in on each other, shared resources, and offered assistance where they could.
As repair crews worked tirelessly to restore power and fix the water main break, residents remained resilient and hopeful for a quick resolution to the situation.
Let’s hope that Conshohocken can quickly recover from this double disaster and that the community can return to normalcy soon.
SOUTH BEND — Three more Notre Dame football reserves entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, including second-year offensive lineman Sam Pendleton.
While senior wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie depart as graduate transfers, Pendleton went from starting the first seven games of 2024 at left guard to a reserve role when starting right guard Billy Schrauth returned from a high ankle sprain to start against Navy.
Schrauth flipped over to left guard, allowing fourth-year guard Rocco Spindler to remain in the lineup on the right side.
“I can’t really tell their reasoning; I didn’t get a bunch of explanation (from the coaches),” Pendleton said on Jan. 18 at College Football Playoff championship media day in Atlanta. “I tell people I just do what I’m told. That’s all I can do.”
A redshirt freshman from Lawsonville, N.C., Pendleton filled in capably at right guard for the second half of the CFP opener against Indiana.
“I played well,” Pendleton said. “I was winning most of my games. There were a couple games that I didn’t do as well.”
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound interior lineman was the only Irish player this season with a publicly announced concussion, which he suffered near the end of Game 5 against Louisville. Pendleton returned to practice after the bye week and made two more starts before assuming backup center chores behind upperclassman Pat Coogan.
“The concussion thing really wasn’t something I had to deal with,” Pendleton said. “I got taken away from that. They pulled me off on the sideline (for the last five plays against Louisville). I was fine. I practiced the next week. It wasn’t like I was out for a long time.”
A fourth-year reserve from Paulding County, Ga., the 6-2, 218-pound Thomas was a powerful downfield blocker and reliable target in the red zone, Thomas made 64 catches for 838 yards and seven touchdowns in his three seasons in the rotation.
Thomas made 12 combined starts in 2022-23 and had a streak of 12 straight games with at least one catch, including a five-catch, 66-yard showing in the Gator Bowl win over South Carolina. A solid start to his 2023 season was derailed by nagging hamstring issues, and he lost playing time in his final season when a trio of graduate transfers were brought in at receiver.
Thomas also carried five times for 37 yards in his Irish career, including two carries in the College Football Playoff. Thomas added a 5-yard scoring catch against Indiana in the CFP opener.
A senior from McDonough, Ga., Colzie also closed out his Irish career in his home state. At 6-4 and 211 pounds, Colzie made just 21 catches for 345 yards and three touchdowns in his four seasons.
His most productive season was as a sophomore in 2022, when he averaged 21.3 yards on nine receptions and became a trusted third-down target for quarterback Drew Pyne.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
In a shocking turn of events, Notre Dame football has lost three more players to the transfer portal. This news comes on the heels of several other players opting to leave the program in recent weeks.
The latest departures include a star wide receiver, a key defensive player, and a promising young quarterback. This is a significant blow to the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The coaching staff is now left scrambling to fill these holes in the roster and maintain their competitive edge in the highly competitive world of college football.
Fans are left wondering what is causing this exodus of players and how it will impact the team’s chances of success in the upcoming season. Only time will tell how Notre Dame football will fare in the wake of these losses.
