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Rams’ Puka Nacua reacts to Matthew Stafford’s MVP, 2026 return: ‘I almost did a backflip’

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Rams’ Puka Nacua reacts to Matthew Stafford’s MVP, 2026 return: ‘I almost did a backflip’

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There might be nobody on the planet happier for Matthew Stafford than Puka Nacua.

The Los Angeles Rams quarterback, in his 17th NFL season, won his first MVP Award on Thursday night to all but cement what will likely be a Hall of Fame resume.

“I almost did a backflip,” Stafford’s star wide receiver Puka Nacua said to Fox News Digital on radio row.

 

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Wide receiver Puka Nacua greets quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

The extra celebration, though, came when Stafford officially committed to playing next season.

“I knew he was coming back. I knew it. I was waiting for him to say it at some point. And when he said it, I still wanted to do a backflip. It was the best,” he said.

“Nobody deserves it more than him playing at such a high level in this late stage of his career. And the photo of him and his family, that’s football heaven right there.”

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY REFLECTS ON 2025 SUCCESS AFTER INJURY-PLAGUED 2024 SEASON: ‘JUST THANK GOD’

Nacua would be a stud no matter who is throwing to him, but he definitely has Stafford to thank for his absurd numbers.

“I know I wouldn’t be standing in the place that I am with the opportunities I’ve had to chase records, to break records, to be at a high level and to be up there with the best of them. He’s been right there every step of the way, and I’m glad I get him for one more year.”

One more year? We’ll see.

Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams talk in the first quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)

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“I won’t put a timeline on his career, but if I can win another Super Bowl, hopefully he won’t hang it up after that.”

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The Chainsmokers’ Final Four concert draws backlash from fans: ‘Who asked for this?’

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The Chainsmokers’ Final Four concert draws backlash from fans: ‘Who asked for this?’

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The Chainsmokers, the electronic music duo, performed in between Final Four games on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, marking the first-ever Final Four concert for the NCAA Tournament.

However, some fans, including prominent figures in sports, were not happy with the NCAA’s decision to have the performance happen in the first place.

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy, ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and others took their frustrations to social media, as they saw The Chainsmokers take the stage following UConn’s victory over Illinois in the first Final Four matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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The Chainsmokers perform between games during the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 4, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

“This Chainsmokers concert in between games is playing off like somebody lost a bet,” Portnoy tweeted on Saturday night. “I like the Chainsmokers but nothing has ever made less sense than this.”

One of the main reasons fans had an issue with the concert was the starting time for Michigan-Arizona, which was written as 8:49 p.m. ET. However, tipoff didn’t come until around 9:20 p.m., which was an hour after UConn-Illinois finished.

UCONN’S DAN HURLEY HEARS BOOS AFTER FINAL FOUR WIN OVER ILLINOIS

Portnoy is a well-known Michigan fan, so he was very glad to see the delay didn’t hurt his Wolverines in the end. But Van Pelt was also shocked to see the performance take place.

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“Who asked for this?” he wrote on social media. A fan followed up in the comments, asking what he had against the Chainsmokers.

The Chainsmokers perform between games during the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 4, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

“Not one thing. Just an odd spot,” Van Pelt replied.

Michigan handled Arizona easily in its 91-73 win, leading by 30 points at one moment in the contest. They will take on UConn in the national championship game on Monday night at Lucas Oil.

Wolverines senior star Yaxel Lendeborg was injured in the victory, though he’s battling through a sprained MCL and an ankle injury. He was asked if there was any chance he would miss the national title game, to which he replied, “Absolutely not,” per Yahoo Sports.

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Lendeborg played only 14 minutes, scoring 11 points with three rebounds and one assist.

The Chainsmokers perform between games during the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 4, 2026. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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It was Aday Mara leading the charge for the Wolverines on the offensive end, as he drilled 11 of his 16 shots for 26 points with nine rebounds and three assists. Trey McKenney also added 16 points off the bench for Dusty May’s squad, including four made three-pointers.

Michigan makes a return to the national championship game for the first time since 2018, which they lost to Villanova, 79-62.

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Three keys for UCLA as it faces South Carolina for an NCAA national championship

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Three keys for UCLA as it faces South Carolina for an NCAA national championship

Here are three keys for UCLA to beat South Carolina and cut down the nets on Sunday:

Establish an offensive rhythm

The Bruins struggled to put points on the board in their Final Four matchup against Texas, hanging just 51 points and shooting 41% in a defensive battle. South Carolina figures to be another tough defensive matchup.

The Gamecocks held the previously 38-0 Connecticut Huskies to 48 points Friday, handing coach Geno Auriemma’s squad its first loss of the season. Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year Raven Johnson limited national player of the year Sarah Strong to 12 points on four-for-16 shooting. Standing only 5 feet 8, Johnson has established herself as a defensive menace, guarding both forwards and guards. Strong, standing six inches taller than Johnson at 6-2, was held to her lowest point total of the NCAA tournament.

UCLA needs a better offensive performance than it posted Friday night if it wants to claim its first NCAA championship.

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Attack the glass and stay aggressive

Sunday will mark the third meeting between UCLA and South Carolina in the last five years.

The Bruins snapped the Gamecocks’ 43-game winning streak on Nov. 24, 2024 during a 77-62 victory at Pauley Pavilion.

South Carolina downed UCLA 73-64 two years earlier.

UCLA coach Cori Close reflected on their two most recent matchups on Saturday.

“What I remember is the team that rebounds the best and defends the best down the stretch won both those games,” Close said. “I’ve been on both sides of that. I don’t think it’s probably going to be that different. I think it’s going to be a possession game.

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“Now, that wasn’t the case against Texas. But that’s how good our defense was, because they still got 21 more shots on the goal than we did. I don’t think that we’ll be able to do that against South Carolina. If they get that many more shots on the goal either because of rebounds or the turnover battle, I doubt that we’ll be able to do that.

“In both situations, the way I remember it is the team that was able to dictate with their defense, get enough stops, win the rebounding battle, came out on top.”

Help Betts deliver an elite game

Two-time All-American Lauren Betts will lace up her sneakers one last time for UCLA on Sunday. The Bruins must help her deliver a final signature performance.

She tallied 35 points, nine rebounds and five assists on 15-for-19 shooting in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Oklahoma State.

She had 16 in a lower-scoring performance against Texas on Friday, but her imposing defense and ability to move as fluidly as a guard make her a matchup headache for any opponent.

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UCLA is at its best when the offense runs through Betts, but not solely with passes into the low post. When she sets screens on the perimeter and rolls to the basket or passes from a variety of spots on the court, it overloads defenses and opens up potent offensive options for the Bruins.

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Michigan routs Arizona to advance to men’s national championship, will take on UConn

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Michigan routs Arizona to advance to men’s national championship, will take on UConn

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The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team will return to the national championship for the first time since 2018 after a rout of the Arizona Wildcats, 91-73, in the Final Four.

Michigan jumped out to a 16-point lead midway through the first half and never had to look back from there. The high-percentage shooting from Aday Mara and Elliott Cadeau’s ability to knock down the long-range shot was more than enough for the Wolverines to get the win.

Michigan guard Nimari Burnett celebrates a basket against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)

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Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg was saddled with two fouls early in the first half and then suffered a tough-looking ankle injury during the period to keep him on the bench. He started the second half and hit two 3-pointers before he called it a night.

He looked as though he was struggling with the pain. He managed to score 11 points, including three 3-pointers in 14 minutes of play. As he struggled, Trey McKenney stepped up big time.

McKenney was hot from long range. He finished with 16 points on 4-of-6 from 3-point range.

Mara led Michigan with 26 points and nine rebounds. Cadeau had 13 points and 10 assists.

UCONN’S UNDEFEATED SEASON CRUMBLES AS SOUTH CAROLINA GETS SWEET REVENGE AGAINST REIGNING CHAMPS

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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg reacts after an injury during the first half of an NCAA tournament semifinal game against Arizona at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)

Arizona was unable to find its rhythm throughout the night, and the continued missed shots sucked the air out of the building. The Wildcats only shot 37% from the floor.

Wildcats freshman Koa Peat scored 16 points to lead the team. He also had six rebounds.

Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley each had 13 points. Motiejus Krivas had 11 points.

Michigan lost in the 2018 national championship to Jay Wright’s Villanova squad. Their appearance in the Final Four on Saturday night was their third since 1993. The team last won a national championship in 1989 when Glen Rice and the Wolverines knocked off Seton Hall in overtime.

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The Wolverines will take on the UConn Huskies in the national championship game on Monday night. The Huskies defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini to receive the opportunity at the title.

Arizona’s Jaden Bradley reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Michigan at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)

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If UConn wins, it will be the Huskies’ third title in four years.

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