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YSU downs Green Bay
YOUNGSTOWN (AP) -- Cris Carroll's 34 points led Youngstown State over Green Bay 88-81 on Thursday.
Carroll had seven rebounds for the Penguins (10-11, 3-7 Horizon League). Bryson Dawkins and Rich Rolf both scored 15 points.
CJ O'Hara finished with 22 points and two steals for the Phoenix (11-10, 6-4). Marcus Hall added 20 points for Green Bay. Justin Allen had 14 points.
Indiana brings in big ratings
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) -- Top-seeded Indiana's victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday night was the most watched college football game in 11 years.
The Hoosiers' 27-21 victory over the 10th seeded Hurricanes for their first football national title averaged 30.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen. It also is the second-most watched CFP title game and cable telecast on record. Ohio State's win over Oregon in January 2015, still has the record at 33.9 million.
According to ESPN, it was the most-viewed, non-NFL sports telecast since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland. It is the fourth-most watched college football game in the last 30 years and the eighth-most watched ESPN production since the network started in 1979.
"Monday night's record-setting National Championship game was the exclamation point on the most exciting College Football Playoff to date - and a fitting final chapter for ESPN's highly successful 2025-26 college football season," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro told The Associated Press. "We are grateful to our CFP partners for their collaboration as this preeminent sports event continues to reach new audiences and fan bases each year."
ESPN had its highest-viewed event on Sunday when the Houston Texans-New England Patriots NFL playoff game averaged 37.97 million.
Monday night's audience peaked at 33.2 million viewers in the first half.
The 11 College Football Playoff games averaged 16.3 million viewers in its second year of the 12-team format.
Rees reunited with Stefanski
The Atlanta Falcons hired Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator on Thursday.
It'll be a reunion for Rees and new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski. Rees worked under Stefanski for two years in Cleveland. He was initially brought on as tight ends coach and pass game specialist in 2024 before being promoted to offensive coordinator prior to the 2025 season. He took over play-calling duties from Stefanski in Week 10 after a 2-6 start.
Rees replaces Zac Robinson, who was recently hired as the offensive coordinator of NFC South foe Tampa Bay after two seasons in Atlanta. Rees inherits an offense with Associated Press first-team All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, second-team All-Pro guard Chris Lindstrom and standout receiver Drake London. Second-team All-Pro tight end Kyle Pitts' future with the Falcons hangs in the balance as he approaches free agency.
The Falcons also announced the hiring of Jacqueline Roberts, who will serve as the manager of coaching operations. Roberts was with Stefanski and Rees for two years in Cleveland, initially as a team logistics intern in 2024 and then coordinator of coaching operations in 2025.
In addition to the two new hires, the Falcons also announced the return of senior defensive assistant Dave Huxtable, assistant offensive line coach Nick Jones and running backs coach Michael Pitre. The team announced Jeff Ulbrich would be staying on as defensive coordinator on Monday.
The Falcons still have several other vacancies to fill, including general manager. On Thursday, the franchise announced it had completed interviews with James Liipfert, who most recently served as an assistant general manager for the Texans in 2025, and Andy Weidl, the Pittsburgh Steelers' assistant GM the past four years. Matt Ryan, recently hired as the Falcons' president of football, is leading the search.
Stefanski was announced as Raheem Morris' successor on Saturday. He spent six seasons with Cleveland, where he was twice the AP Coach of the Year and had a 45-56 record. He was fired on Jan. 5 after the Browns finished a 5-12 season.
The Falcons finished 8-9 in 2025.
Wellsville rolls to 15th win
EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Wellsville bowling team captured its 15th victory by rolling over Youngstown Chaney, 2084-1757, Thursday at Walnut Lanes.
Makayla Landess led the Tigers with a 218 game and 426 series. Madelyn Landess had a 200 game and 382 series, William Lockhart a 172 game and 339 series and Cameron Taylor a 171 game and 324 series.
The Tigers (15-1) will play Southern Local on Monday at Walnut Lanes.
YSU changes schedule
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tipoff for the Milwaukee at Youngstown State men's basketball game on Saturday has been moved up to 1 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast this weekend.