Judkins declares for NFL draft

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio State star running back Quinshon Judkins, who scored three touchdowns in the national championship game, is leaving school early and entering the NFL draft.

Judkins announced his decision on social media Friday, saying “I am forever a Buckeye and will carry my time spent on campus and playing at the Shoe with me for a lifetime.”

“Winning a national championship was the best way to end this journey, and I am excited for the next step in my football career,” he added.

Judkins, who transferred to Ohio State after two seasons at Ole Miss, is widely expected to be a second-day pick in April. He was at his best against Notre Dame on Monday night, running 11 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 21 yards and a score.

He ended the season with 1,060 yards rushing, 161 yards receiving and 16 total TDs while splitting time with TreVeyon Henderson. He was even better in Oxford, Mississippi, where he tallied 3,004 yards from scrimmage and scored 34 touchdowns in two seasons.

Vegas to host 2027 national championship

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas will host the 2027 College Football Playoff national championship game.

The CFP made the announcement Friday, saying the title game will be played Monday, Jan. 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority celebrated the news by releasing a video of Strip headliner Shin Lim performing an illusion at the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Lim changed the face of the sign to revel a new message welcoming the College Football Playoff National Championship to Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas has shown the world they have amazing venues and boundless energy to host an event like the College Football Playoff national championship in spectacular fashion,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the CFP.

“Sin City” will become the third area in the Pacific time zone to host the title game, joining the Bay Area (2019) and Los Angeles (2023).

“We hosted a Super Bowl (in 2024), and every sponsor, every team executive, every league executive, everybody under the sun said, ‘Hands down, the best city that’s ever hosted a Super Bowl,'” Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said last month. “Our city is built for it. We have 165,000 hotel rooms. Every one of them has massive convention space, so everybody can do their parties, every sponsor can do their thing. We have nine Las Vegas Strip properties within walking distance to the stadium.

“You can get non-stop flights from anywhere into here, restaurant options galore. We can do it better than anybody. It’s an absolute no-brainer.”

The 2026 game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Paveletzke scores 15 as Ohio takes down Kent

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Jackson Paveletzke had 15 points and his two free throws with a minute left proved to be the game-winning points in Ohio’s 61-59 victory over Kent State on Friday night.

Paveletzke shot 5 of 7 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Bobcats (11-8, 5-2 Mid-American Conference). AJ Brown scored 15 points while shooting 4 for 12 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line and added four steals. Shereef Mitchell shot 2 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 6 from the line to finish with 11 points.

The Golden Flashes (12-7, 3-4) were led in scoring by Cli’Ron Hornbeak, who finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. VonCameron Davis added 13 points and two steals for Kent State. Marquis Barnett also recorded 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

The second half featured seven lead changes and was tied five times before Ohio secured the victory. Paveletzke put up 11 second-half points to help seal the win.

Both teams next play Tuesday. Ohio hosts Toledo and Kent Statetakes on Bowling Green at home.

Cavs fall to 76ers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George scored 30 points, Tyrese Maxey had 29 and the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-129 on Friday night to end a seven-game losing streak.

Cleveland lost its second straight to drop into a tie for the NBA lead with Oklahoma City at 36-8. Philadelphia is 16-27.

Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points for Cleveland, and Ty Jerome had a career-high 33, making all eight of his 3-point tries.

Philadelphia star center Joel Embiid missed his 10th straight game because of a left knee injury. He also was ruled out by coach Nick Nurse at Chicago on Saturday night.

Jerome’s second straight 3-pointer put Cleveland up 116-110 with 6:17 remaining, but the 76ers ran off 13 consecutive points to go up seven. The Cavaliers had the ball with a chance to tie it, but Jerome turned it over on an inbounds play.

Kelly Oubre Jr. added 22 points for the 76ers. Darius Garland had 26 for Cleveland.

Takeaways

Cavaliers: Cleveland showed it can be beaten by a hot-shooting team from the perimeter.

76ers: Though it hasn’t happened much this season, Philadelphia proved it can win against the league’s top teams without Embiid.

Key moment

Eric Gordon hit a go-ahead 3-pointer for Philadelphia that made it 117-116, and capped a 13-0 run over 2:58 with another 3 with 3:19 to play to make it 123-116.

Key stat

The teams combined for 46 3-pointers.

Up next

Both teams are back in action Saturday night. Cleveland hosts the Rockets in a rematch of the Cavs’ 109-108 loss at Houston on Wednesday night. Philadelphia is at Chicago.

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AP College Basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball