Sports
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars wins playoff spot after defeating Titans 20-16
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) became the AFC South Champions with their 20-16 come from behind victory over the Tennessee Titans (7-10), Saturday night, at TIAA Bank Field. It was an impressive recovery for the Jaguars team, who started this season 2-6.
In their first matchup on Dec. 11 in Nashville, the Jaguars beat the Titans 36-22. That loss started a six game losing streak for Tennessee heading into tonight’s matchup. With Saturday night’s victory, the Jaguars have won their first AFC South title since 2017 and just their second since the division was formed in 2002. The Jaguars have now made the playoffs for the eighth time in their history, having appeared in the postseason from 1996-99, 2005, 2007, and 2017. They have never appeared in a Super Bowl, having lost the conference championship in 1996, 1999, and 2017.
The Titans got off to a ten point lead after K Randy Bullock’s 51 yard field goal late in the first quarter and a 21 yard touchdown pass from QB Joshua Dobbs to Chigoziem Okonkwo in the second quarter. But the Jags scored their first touchdown as QB Trevor Lawrence threw for 25 yards to WR Christian Kirk, followed by a K Riley Patterson extra point. After Randy Bullock added another field goal to end the first half, the Jags trailed the Titans, down 13-7.
The Jaguars first drive of the second half was capped off by a 26 yard Riley Patterson field goal. But Randy Bullock responded with a 41 yard field goal on the next Titans drive, to put the Titans up 16-10. An interception by Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell late in the third quarter helped to shift the momentum and got the fans excited. That scoring drive ended with a 36 yard Riley Patterson field goal early in the fourth, narrowing the Jaguars’ deficit to 16-13. The Jaguars S Rayshawn Jenkins forced a Joshua Dobbs fumble, which LB Josh Allen recovered and ran 37 yards for a touchdown. After a Riley Patterson extra point, the Jags led 20-16. After stopping the Titans next drive, the Jaguars were left with 1:30 on the clock to protect their lead, and they successfully ran down the clock to clinch the victory, the AFC South title, and a spot in the playoffs.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 212 yards and one touchdown. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars rushing with just 17 yards. Christian Kirk was the leading receiver with 99 yards and one touchdown.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida Sports Channel)
Among the milestones achieved by the Jaguars tonight, Trevor Lawrence broke the team record for completions in a season. Lawrence also achieved his first 4,000 yard season. Wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones became the first pair of Jaguars teammates to record 80 receptions in a season since Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith in 2001. Christian Kirk also passed the 4,000 receiving yards milestone for his career.
Jaguars honor Damar Hamlin. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida Sports Channel)
At today’s game, the Jaguars (and all NFL teams) honored Bills safety Damar Hamlin by painting the “3” in the 30 yard line. Players also wore shirts before the game which said “Love For 3 Damar.” Both teams also gathered at the fifty yard line and knelt in prayer for Damar after their pre-game warmups. Hamlin continues his recovery after collapsing on the field during Monday night’s game.
Players honor Damar Hamlin. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida Sports Channel)
Today’s attendance was 70,050, which was the largest crowd of the season at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars will be hosting a playoff game in Jacksonville next weekend, though the opponent, date, and time of the game is yet to be announced.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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