49ers kicker Jake Moody will remain the team’s kicker in Week 18 despite his struggles. “He’s going to kick this week,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. The 49ers are out of playoff contention and won’t have starting quarterback Brock Purdy as they limp to the finish line, so there is little reason to tryout kickers this week. Moody, though, …

Penn State advances to the CFP semifinals after defeating Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl. Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz and Adam Breneman break down the game and discuss what went right for Penn State and where it all fell apart for Boise State. In the spirit of New Year’s Eve, the trio discuss who ‘dropped the ball’ for Boise …

49ers owner Jed York was clear when he said on Monday that head coach Kyle Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch aren’t going anywhere in the coming offseason. During his Tuesday news conference, Shanahan was asked about those comments and downplayed them, noting his strong relationship with York. “I’ve got a good relationship with Jed, and we speak almost every …

No. 15 South Carolina faces No. 20 Illinois in the Citrus Bowl in the first all-time meeting between the programs. Illinois is looking for its first bowl win since the 2011 season, while South Carolina seeks its second bowl game win in four seasons under coach Shane Beamer. The Gamecocks ended the regular season on a hot streak. Since losing …

Here’s the latest news and buzz as the Jets search for a new head coach… Dec. 31, 3:35 p.m. Former Washington and Carolina head coach Ron Rivera will interview for the Jets’ vacant head coaching job on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Rivera, 62, will become the first candidate to interview. It was reported earlier this week that the Jets …

NEW ORLEANS — Anthonie Knapp did not need the extra motivation this week, but the Notre Dame offensive tackle’s coach still tried to push the Georgia native’s buttons leading up to a Sugar Bowl showdown against Georgia in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. After all, it’s Marcus Freeman’s job to get the best out of his players when practices …

The Steelers are expecting to give up a home game to play in Ireland in 2025, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. It will be the Steelers’ first international game in 12 years. The Steelers played the Vikings in London in 2013. Pittsburgh plays nine home games next season, hosting the division opponents, the Bills, Dolphins, Packers and Vikings …

What a time for the first start of your collegiate career. Redshirt sophomore signal-caller Gunner Stockton is set to make his first career start for No. 2 Georgia (11-2) vs. No. 7 Notre Dame (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at 8:45 p.m. ET New Year’s Day in New Orleans with a …

The Steelers are looking healthier as they move into Week 18. Head coach Mike Tomlin said at a press conference on Monday that he expects cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to return to action against the Bengals after missing last Wednesday’s loss to the Chiefs with a knee injury and it looks like quarterback Justin Fields is also on track to …

Illinois’ 21-17 win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl — a historic marker for the Fighting Illini, who for the first time since 2001 eclipsed 10 wins in season — was overshadowed by a bizarre feud between two of college football’s most colorful head coaches.  Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer had to be held back by team staff members after Illinois coach …

Ron Rivera’s interview with the Jets is scheduled for Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Rivera will become the first coach the Jets have interviewed for their vacant position. Rex Ryan said Monday that he expects to speak with the Jets after the regular season. The Jets already have interviewed several General Manager candidates since firing Joe Douglas. They fired …

Boise State will rue all their missed chances in Tuesday’s Fiesta Bowl, and their inability to keep Penn State from converting time after time in the Nittany Lions’ 31-14 victory on New Year’s Eve. The Fiesta Bowl victors become the first of four teams to earn a spot in the coveted College Football Playoff semifinals. The Nittany Lions will face …

The meat of NFL season is over, and with the Week 18 schedule lighter on stakes outside of Lions-Vikings, the NFC South and AFC wild-card race, we’re going to turn our attention to college football to start the new year — particularly the College Football Playoff and how the remaining teams stand in terms of NFL draft talent. There’s no …

USATSI Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty came up just shy of Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards in the Broncos’ 31-14 loss to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. With his 104-yard performance, Jeanty ends his run at history just 28 yards shy of Sanders’ still-insurmountable total.  Of course, even if Jeanty had broken Sanders’ record, …

At least the Swifties made a difference in one election this year. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce closed out the Pro Bowl voting with the most fan votes of any player, with 252,200. Coming in second was Lions running back Jahymr Gibbs, at 250,082. In third place was Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, at 242,352. Two other quarterbacks rounded out the …