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Despite injured ankle, Rams’ Cooper Kupp might be able to play Sunday at Arizona

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Despite injured ankle, Rams’ Cooper Kupp might be able to play Sunday at Arizona

It’s been a tough season for Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp, with seemingly one setback after another.

But there was a modicum of good news Monday.

The right ankle injury that knocked Kupp out of the Rams’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks was determined to be only a lateral sprain, coach Sean McVay said.

Kupp will be day to day heading into Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Will he play?

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McVay was noncommittal.

“It’s definitely favorable, where that’s a real possibility that he would be available,” McVay said during a video conference with reporters. “It’s not something where you’re saying he’s definitely going to be out for this week.

“But you want to see the functionality.”

The Rams offense will get a boost against the Cardinals with the return of running back Kyren Williams from injured reserve.

The Rams will need Kupp, however, to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the wide-open NFC.

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The ankle injury is the latest setback for the 2021 NFL offensive player of the year. In 2022, Kupp suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Cardinals that required surgery.

Kupp started this season on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury suffered during training camp. He returned in Week 5 and caught passes for more than 100 yards in each of his first two games.

He has not been the same since.

Kupp went into the game against the Seahawks with only eight catches for 98 yards in the previous three games. On Sunday, he had one reception for 11 yards.

With Kupp sidelined in the second half, the Rams rallied for a 17-16 victory that ended a three-game losing streak and improved their record to 4-6.

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“When he’s out there, we all know what a unique and special player that he is,” McVay said. “He brings a great presence to our offense. But we’ve got to be able to continue to adapt and adjust.”

Rams receiver Puka Nacua (17) can’t hold on to this pass against the Seattle Seahawks.

(Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

Against the Seahawks, Austin Trammell, Ben Skowronek and Demarcus Robinson combined to replace Kupp and augmented starters Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell.

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“It’s never fun to see a guy like him that means so much to us go down and not be available,” McVay said, “but it has been cool to see the response from a lot of guys that have stepped up.”

Nacua has a team-best 69 catches, which ranks ninth in the NFL. He ranks sixth with 897 yards receiving.

Atwell has 33 catches for 391 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Higbee has 27 catches for 303 yards.

Nacua said he did not feel extra pressure when Kupp was out of the game against the Seahawks.

“I don’t necessarily feel like it was all on me,” said Nacua, who is nursing a shoulder injury. “It was a group effort.”

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Trammell, who has played mostly as a kick returner, caught three passes for 23 yards against the Seahawks. Nacua said Trammell was “a big spark for us when Coop went down.”

Trammell practices at all three receiver spots. He said he knows the offense “inside and out” and would remain ready if called upon.

“It’s all preparation,” he said. “Being ready when your number’s called.”

Williams is ready to return after being sidelined four games because of an ankle injury. The second-year pro has rushed for a team-high 456 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

“It will be great to be able to get him back,” McVay said. “His productivity, his play energy, his overall just presence.”

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Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman have rotated at running back during Williams’ absence.

Against the Seahawks, Henderson rushed for a touchdown and Freeman rushed for 73 yards.

“It will be great to be able to continue to see those guys develop,” McVay said, “but get Kyren back into the mix and do his thing and, hopefully, pick up where he left off.”

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Both contestants awarded tuition scholarship after Big 12 halftime challenge sparks controversy

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Both contestants awarded tuition scholarship after Big 12 halftime challenge sparks controversy

The Texas Longhorns kept their hopes of making it to the College Football Playoff alive on Saturday by dominating Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game. However, the ultimate competition took place when the Longhorns and the Cowboys were in their respective locker rooms.

At halftime, two college students took the field for the annual Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway challenge. Whichever contestant could get the most football inside a Dr Pepper-branded bin within a certain amount of time, would walk away with a $100,000 tuition scholarship.

At the end of regulation, Ryan Georgian, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, and Gavin White, an Ohio State University student, had each put ten points on the board. The tie meant that an overtime period would be needed in order to determine a grand prize winner.

The Texas Longhorns players celebrate winning the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship after the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on December 2, 2023. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Georgian made a shot in the final seconds of the overtime period, forcing a sudden-death round. Georgian came out on top in the shootout period, but some fans cried foul.

KIRBY SMART PLEADS GEORGIA’S CASE FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF BID AFTER LOSING SEC TITLE GAME

A video review revealed that Georgian was given six points in the first period, one more point that he actually should have been given credit for. The extra point was enough to force overtime.

Dr Pepper later acknowledged that a “technical error” happened during the contest and announced that both students would be awarded $100,000.

“In a dramatic double OT Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the Big 12 Conference championship game, an on-field technical error resulted in an inaccurate accounting of the double tie break,” the company said in a statement.

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“As such, Dr Pepper will recognize both finalists as grand prize winners with both receiving the 100k award in tuition,” the statement continued.

Texas Longhorns players celebrate

The Texas Longhorns Celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.  (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

 Some observers took to social media as the tuition challenged played out.

Some even took credit for bringing attention to the discrepancy.

“Jokes aside I think our tweets forced Dr. Pepper’s hand here. Thanks to all who contributed and got the word out,” one post on X, the company formerly known as Twitter, said.

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Prep basketball roundup: Trent Perry leads unbeaten Harvard-Westlake to win in Arizona

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Prep basketball roundup: Trent Perry leads unbeaten Harvard-Westlake to win in Arizona

Trent Perry of Harvard-Westlake High is usually good against everyone. But how many times do you get to face a high school with the same name as yours?

Perry scored 24 points Saturday night to help the visiting Wolverines defeat Perry High in Gilbert, Ariz., 61-53. Perry has highly regarded junior Koa Peat, who finished with 18 points.

Robert Hinton scored 19 points and Nikolas Khamenia made a key three-pointer to prevent a Perry comeback. Harvard-Westlake improved to 6-0.

St. John Bosco 75, Phoenix Sunnyslope 68: The No. 1-ranked Braves (3-0) won in Arizona. Kade Bonam made 11 of 14 shots and finished with 23 points. Elzie Harrington scored 16 points, Brandon McCoy 15 and Jack Turner 13.

White Plains (N.Y.) Archbishop Stepinac 76, Corona Centennial 66: The Huskies were beaten in Arizona. Isaiah Rogers scored 31 points for Centennial.

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Desert Mountain 81, Sierra Canyon 74: The Trailblazers (5-1) lost for the first time in overtime during a game in Arizona. Justin Pippen and Noah Williams each scored 23 points for Sierra Canyon.

Redondo Union 76, Heritage Christian 61: Hudson Mayes and Brayden Miner each had 18 points for Redondo Union.

JSerra 69, St. Mary’s 60: Aidan Fowler scored 16 points and Sebastian Rancik had 13 points for the unbeaten Lions (7-0).

St. Anthony 84, Leuzinger 61: Joseph Wicker made six threes and finished with 22 points for St. Anthony.

Loyola 57, Aliso Niguel 51: The Cubs won the El Rancho tournament championship behind MVP Hugh Vandeweghe, who finished with 19 points.

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Chaminade 59, Ventura 52: The 9-1 Eagles received 23 points from Jonas Thurman and 19 points from Bryce Goldman.

Newbury Park 75, Pacifica 70: Tournament MVP Blake Jones had 21 points for Newbury Park.

Westlake 60, Simi Valley 56: Austin Maziasz finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds for Westlake. Kayden Elsokary added 19 points. Ryder Mjoen had 25 points for Simi Valley.

Eastvale Roosevelt 73, Rancho Christian 56: Bryden Burries led five starters in double figures with 18 points.

Bishop Montgomery 47, Long Beach Poly 46: The Knights won in overtime. Eric Gong scored 11 points in the win.

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Windward 101, Lynwood 81: Gavin Hightower led the Wildcats with 21 points. Jason Crowe Jr. had 29 points and Chace Holley 26 for Lynwood.

Providence 75, Mayfair 60: Deacon Botts scored 25 points for Mayfair.

Santa Monica 57, Narbonne 55: Jayden Xu scored 20 points for Santa Monica.

Boys’ soccer

Harvard-Westlake 2, Cathedral 0: JT Federman and Tyler Ullrich scored goals to give the Wolverines a win in their season debut.

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Cowboys legend Jason Witten coaches Texas high school team to state title

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Cowboys legend Jason Witten coaches Texas high school team to state title

Jason Witten was named a Pro Bowler 11 times and is likely a Hall of Famer.

The Dallas Cowboys legend led Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, Texas, to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Division II state championship Friday with a 52-10 victory over Regents.

Witten retired in 2021 after playing 17 seasons, 16 with the Cowboys and the final one with the Las Vegas Raiders. 

He was named the head coach at Liberty Christian just days after he announced his retirement.

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Jason Witten watches from the sideline during the TSSAA Class 4A Blue Cross Bowl football game between Tullahoma and Elizabethton at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel/USA Today Network.)

LBHS went 2-8 in Witten’s first season and finished 10-2 in 2022. This season, the team finished 14-0.

“Football’s changed my life. It’s given me so much over the years. This is what you play for and coach for,” Witten told CBS News Texas after the game.

“These kids have taught me so much. This is why I fell in love with the game as a kid, the life lessons we learn. And these kids will take this with them for the rest of their life.”

Jason Witten walks with helmet on

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) during a game against the Los Angeles Rams Dec. 15, 2019, Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN TROLLS DEADSPIN WITH PHOTOSHOPPED FACEPAINT AHEAD OF SEC TITLE GAME

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Witten’s program dominated just about every team it faced. Its closest margin of victory all season was 28 points, and it outscored opponents 716-96.

Witten has two sons on the team, junior CJ and freshman Cooper, both of whom are top performers on defense. The junior had 84 tackles this season, while the younger Witten had 58.

It was the school’s first title since 2007.

Jason Witten looks on field

Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Dec. 22, 2019. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

During his career, Witten caught 1,228 passes (fourth-most all time) for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the best tight ends ever.

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