|
December 29 -- January 4, 2026
Issue No. 622
| | Above credits: Carl Macki | | |
* * *
To add to your holiday sports enjoyment, visit our website, superbly maintained by webmaster Medhavee Upadhyaya
www.ultimatesportsguide.net
| | |
San Francisco
49ers -- 42
Chicago Bears -- 38
| | | San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy | | |
In a memorable battle of quarterbacks, Brock Purdy, the last player selected in his draft, played the "first player selected" in his draft, Caleb Williams, and Mr. Irrelevant would be the winner. It started with a Purdy interception, but an instant rebound by San Francisco with a Purdy to Jake Tonges pass seemed to put an extra charge in
the Niners.
After rare punts, the teams would repeatedly exchange TDs. Key plays were everywhere for San Francisco -- Pearsall, Brian Robinson, McCaffery, Bourne, Jennings and Tonges were among the many Niner standouts on offense, with Purdy elusive and accurate. On defense, notwithstanding the score, the D-Line tipped passes and applied pressure and sure tackles by Lenoir and Huff held the fort
on the last plays to close out this 42-38 49ers victory.
Credit to Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III for the Bears, who racked up big yardage. Some quick stats: Total Yards: San Francisco 496, Chicago Bears 440; Passing yards: San Francisco 296, Bears 330; Rushing yards: 200 CMC (CMC rocked), Bears 110.
This game had more action than the rest of the games aired on TV combined -- by the end of the first quarter! It was an action-packed thriller. The YouTube condensed game, the link below, is well worth the 19:45 minutes and the game ended with the Bears on the 49ers' three-yard line.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iReb07eggsY (19:45)
| | |
CFP: Crazy Eights -- Predictions on the March to the Crown
| | | |
Underdog's previous selections went a respectable 2 and 2 with picks which were a collective +150,000. This week, Underdog has only one game which qualifies as a Bonafide Upset -- but it's Quality that counts.
Here are the teams which seek to continue the March to the Crown. Happy New Year, y'all!
#10 Miami vs. #2 Ohio State: If it were against any other team, I would go with the 'Canes. However, many issues ago I picked Ohio State to ultimately wear the Crown, and both ethical constraints and a Buckeye squad loaded with talent and a thirst to repeat as Champions preclude a change from that choice. Experience and depth will be enough for the Buckeyes to prevail, but it won't be easy.
#5 Oregon vs. #4 Texas Tech: As previously noted, two words I will never utter: "Go Texas" (Tech, A&M or other variations). Regardless of this personal hang up, Oregon's gamesmanship and stellar, high-powered West Coast offense will unleash enough surprises to prevail. I hope James Madison taught the Ducks a lesson last week -- there are two halves in a game. JMU outscored all Oregon opponents this season. Someone tell the Defensive Coordinator.
#6 Ole Miss vs. #3 Georgia: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss is a weapon and has plenty of ammo. However, the Georgia Bulldogs also have a reliable and seasoned weapon at QB -- Gunner Stockton. The difference? Georgia's defense is consistently one of the best in college football and has that reputation to uphold. That defense will be the difference in a hotly contested battle between two talented teams.
#9 Alabama vs. #1 Indiana: Welcome back, Underdog! "Roll Tide" it is. Last week, after favored Oklahoma took a 17-0 lead, old-school Alabama showed up and scored 27 straight points to win, 34-24. To venture into Tarot, coach Curt Cignetti of undefeated Indiana just drew the Eight of Swords: Translation: "Feeling trapped or stuck, helpless, powerless, negative thoughts, victim mentality" -- i.e., like Oklahoma felt last week. Even with Heisman winner and ex-Cal Bear Fernando Mendoza for the Hoosiers, it will be "It was fun while it lasted."
Wednesday, December 31: Miami vs. Ohio State
Thursday, January 1: Oregon vs. Texas Tech, Alabama vs. Indiana,
Ole Miss vs. Georgia
| | |
More Dave Newhouse Fan Mail
I echo Arif Khatib’s opinion (Sports Today, Issue #621) and I
especially enjoy Dave Newhouse’s column.
Happy Holidays!
Steven Cornell
Oakland, CA
| | |
Note to Readers:
Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced
by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net
| | |
Contents
Games
Cal Bears (WBkB) 91, Cal Poly Mustangs 50
Features & Commentary
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Mike Brown, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Oh, Mirabile Dictu, The Benevolent TV Gods Blessed Us With A
Christmas Day Warriors Game, by Howard Pearlstein
Shanahan's Winning Isn't His Wardrobe, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
| | |
A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
| | |
San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
| | |
Kyle Shanahan has done a masterful patching-up coaching
job this season, but he’s no fashion plate
| | | |
Shanahan's
Winning Isn't
His Wardrobe
by Dave Newhouse
| | |
The biggest positive about San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is his brilliant football mind, challenged like never before this season.
The biggest negative about Shanahan: His game-day clothing,
a serious sartorial fumble.
I can’t imagine another NFL head coach who is more clever than Shanahan in terms of playcalling. He is truly inventive, a master manipulator. Thus the 49ers are nothing short of a miracle this season.
However, how can Shanahan be so creative on the football field, yet so unimaginative in his clothing closet? He merges those two factors on national television during 49ers games, a sight to see.
Talk about a bad look, it starts with some silly looking baseball cap and a long-sleeved T-shirt. But when the 49ers played Indianapolis two weeks ago, he added a drab hunting-like vest to his boring wardrobe.
| | Shanahan is brilliant in game-planning, which is evident this playoff-bound season despite numerous injuries | | |
As a longtime observer of 49er coaches’ appearances, I remember silver-haired Buck Shaw, their first head coach in 1946, dressed in coat and tie, looking like an aging male model. When I started covering the team in 1970, coach Dick Nolan dressed similarly to Shaw, but in sport coat and tie, No male model, but at least he tried.
His son, Mike Nolan, wore an occasional tie when he coached the 49ers, but the best-dressed 49er coach was Bill Walsh with the white-sweater, tan-slacks appearance, buffeted by his white hair. He truly dressed for success.
| | |
Mike Nolan didn’t embarrass himself sartorially as 49ers head coach, much like his coat-and-tie father, Dick Nolan,
who coached the 49ers last century
| | |
Shanahan is the worst-dressed 49ers head coach, looking like he almost doesn't care about image. If he resembles some guy flying model airplanes in an open field, what does he care? He’s soaring, regardless.
And, oh, the man is flying higher than ever before with the 49ers. The Niners are 12-4, already clinching a post-season berth against the stiffest of odds imaginable.
How stiff? With all the injuries the 49ers have suffered, they could just as easily be having a losing season. I mean, the stiffest.
Quarterback Brock Purdy missed the early part of the season, and newly acquired Mac Jones played magnificently in his absence.
Two of the best defensive players in the league, linebacker Fred Warner and end Nick Bosa, were lost for the season, and the 49ers kept on winning.
| | |
Nobody out-dressed Bill Walsh as an NFL coach, so visible at a Super Bowl championship trophy presentation with
Joe Montana and Eddie DeBartolo
| | |
Their top 2025 draft pick, defensive end Mykel Williams is out for the season as well. Standout tight end George Kittle was out six weeks. It keeps on going.
Offensive linemen Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford missed a combined 14 games. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall missed seven games before sidelined again this month.
And the 49ers have kept on winning, because they know how to plug a leak without further leakage.
They’ve even overcome cutting players. Placekicker Jake Moody didn’t work out, so the 49ers signed Eddie Pineiro, who made his first 26 field goals before a 64-yarder banged off the crossbar against the Colts in the wrong direction.
Somehow, Shanahan has maintained the 49ers’ winning ways, when their season could just as easily have gone the other way. With his creative mind, he has kept opponents on their heels instead of vice versa.
So name another NFL head coach who has done more negative juggling that resulted in positive outcomes? There, I didn’t think you could.
Now name another more poorly dressed NFL coach than Shanahan? Time’s up. You’re stumped again.
Game’s over, unless it’s the Super Bowl in the 49ers stadium in February. But the season needs more tailoring first.
| | |
* * * * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
| | |
Feature your advertisement in our weekly publication -- starting at $100.
Increase the visibility for your business among thousands of Bay Area readers who trust and enjoy our content each week.
Interested? Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
| |
|
Our Mission:
Weavery's mission is to provide data and ai strategy advice, training, and innovative solutions to high impact humanitarian organizations. Weavery leverages artificial intelligence to enhance operations and amplify impact to serve a world in need.
| |
Tidwell could be latest Tennessee product to impact Giants
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
:232:08
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
When the Giants decided to deal Tyler Rogers to the Mets at the 2025 Trade Deadline, they received a three-player return that included two young prospects who were once teammates at the University of Tennessee: outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Blade Tidwell.
Gilbert broke into the Majors a little over a week later and quickly became a fan favorite in San Francisco due to his maniacal energy in the dugout. The Giants are still waiting to get their first look at Tidwell, but they’re hoping their No. 13 prospect will be able to provide a similar boost to their roster in 2026.
A second-round Draft pick of the Mets in 2022, Tidwell recorded a 1.50 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 18 innings in four appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Sacramento after joining the Giants' organization in late July. That dominant stretch put him on the verge of a big league callup in August, but he ended up going down with a right shoulder injury that ultimately prevented him from debuting with the Giants in 2025.
continued...
| |
Soderstrom agrees to A's-record 7-year, $86 million deal (source)
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat
newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegos
Tyler Soderstrom received a gift on Christmas -- but it was one that he earned. Following a breakout season in 2025, Soderstrom agreed to a seven-year, $86 million extension with the A's, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
The deal, which has not been confirmed by the club, constitutes the largest guarantee in franchise history, and it contains a club option for an eighth year and escalators that can bring the total value of the contract to $131 million.
Soderstrom, 24, slashed .276/.346/.474 with 25 homers and 93 RBIs in 158 games in 2025. He posted a 126 OPS+ and accumulated 3.4 fWAR.
The A’s originally selected Soderstrom out of high school -- and as a catcher -- with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. After making his MLB debut in 2023, the left-handed slugger hit just .204 with a .636 OPS across his first two seasons in the Majors, playing in 106 games.
continued...
| | |
Ballers Fam,
As the year winds down and the days get a lot cooler, we find ourselves thinking about what made this season so special. It wasn’t just the wins, the records we broke, or the championship moments. It was and will always be the people. The fans who came together for a shared purpose. The kids running the bases with wide eyes and big dreams after Sunday games. The feeling, night after night, that Oakland came together and built something real.
This season gave us memories we’ll carry long after the calendar flips. 2025 was our year and as we get set to ring in the New Year, we wanted to find a way to honor not just a championship team, but a championship community.
| | |
The players won the games on the field, but Oakland fans were the secret to our success. Most teams say things like that, but we mean it and can prove it. We went down 0-2 on the road in the Pioneer Baseball League Championship and went 3-0 when we returned to Oakland. Why? We think it’s pretty obvious. Oakland doesn’t quit and we have the best fans in the world.
With that in mind, we designed a version of our championship ring that is affordable and available for $73.23, which mirrors our historic 73-23 regular season record. It is available for pre-order now and we can’t wait to see everyone rocking their bling when we do our ring presentation ceremony at Raimondi Park.
| | The 2026 Schedule Has Arrived | | |
Coachella Valley Invitational Announces 2026 Match Schedule
Quakes to face Charlotte FC, Portland Timbers, New York City FC on Feb. 7-14
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes and the Coachella Valley Invitational announced today the match schedule for the 2026 preseason tournament at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, from Feb. 7–21. The Quakes are slated to kick off their CVI campaign Feb. 7 against Charlotte FC (12 p.m. PT), followed by a match against Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers on Feb. 11 (3 p.m. PT) and closing out with a clash against New York City FC on Feb. 14 (1 p.m. PT).
With the addition of the LA Galaxy, Utah Royals, Bay FC and Kansas City Current, CVI will host 12 Major League Soccer (MLS) and nine National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) teams for its largest event ever. 2026 marks the FIFA World Cup’s return to U.S. soil and this year’s CVI not only builds momentum for the global tournament ahead but gives fans unprecedented access to the sport’s biggest stars.
Early Bird pricing is now available for General Admission Day Passes and will start at just $34. Pricing for General Admission Weekend Passes (Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15) will start at $68. Pricing and savings vary by date. Early Bird Pricing ends Jan. 5. To purchase passes, visit coachellavalleyinvitational.com/passes.
Match Schedule
MLS DAY 1: Saturday, Feb. 7
- St. Louis CITY SC vs Austin FC at 11 a.m. PT
- San Jose Earthquakes vs Charlotte FC at 12 p.m. PT
- Minnesota United FC vs Sporting Kansas City at 1:30 p.m. PT
- Portland Timbers vs D.C. United at 2:30 p.m. PT
MLS DAY 2: Sunday, Feb. 8
- LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire FC at 10 a.m. PT
- LAFC vs. New York City FC at 12 p.m. PT
MLS DAY 3: Wednesday, Feb. 11
- Austin FC vs. Chicago Fire FC at 10 a.m. PT
- LA Galaxy vs. St. Louis CITY SC at 11 a.m. PT
- D.C. United vs. Minnesota United FC at 12:30 p.m. PT
- Sporting Kansas City vs New York City FC at 1:30 p.m. PT
- San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers at 3 p.m. PT
MLS DAY 4: Saturday, Feb. 14
- Austin FC vs Sporting Kansas City at 10 a.m. PT
- Chicago Fire FC vs. Portland Timbers at 10 a.m. PT
- Charlotte FC vs Minnesota United FC at 10 a.m. PT
- New York City FC vs San Jose Earthquakes at 1 p.m. PT
continued...
| | |
Oakland Roots Sports Club Announces 2026 USL Championship Season and Prinx Tires USL Cup Schedule
Oakland Roots home opener set for Saturday March 14th at the Oakland Coliseum
Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots SC, in partnership with USL Championship, has announced the 2026 season schedule. The season kicks off on March 7th with an away match against local rivals Monterey Bay FC. Oakland Roots will make their home debut back at the iconic Oakland Coliseum the following weekend on March 14th, hosting New Mexico Unitedto begin the season.
The 2026 season features 30 USL Championship regular season games and 4 group-stage Prinx Tires USL Cup games, totaling 34 games, with 17 scheduled at the Oakland Coliseum.
Oakland Roots will face rivals Sacramento Republic FC for the most anticipated game of the season at home not once but twice. First on May 16th at home in the Prinx Tires USL Cup, then again on July 25th in League play before traveling to Sacramento on the last day of the season to face Republic on October 24th.
Oakland’s second local derby against Monterey Bay FC will take place three times in 2026 as well. First as already mentioned to kickoff the season on March 7th in Monterey. A second trip down the coast will happen again a month later in the Prinx Tires USL Cup on April 25th before Roots host Monterey in Oakland on August 15th in League play.
“Our goal is to build Oakland into one of the top teams in the league, and this schedule shows the path toward that,” said Head Coach Ryan Martin. “Our supporters are the heartbeat of this Club—among the best in North America—and we can’t wait to write our journey together with them. Finishing the season in Sacramento feels like the perfect way to end the regular season together with our biggest fans. The 2026 season can’t get here soon enough.”
Oakland Roots SC will compete in a 12-team Western Conference that includes Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, Las Vegas Lights FC, Lexington SC, Monterey Bay FC, New Mexico United, Orange County SC, Phoenix Rising FC, Sacramento Republic FC, San Antonio FC, and FC Tulsa. Oakland will play 24 Intra-Conference matches with Western Conference teams and 6 Cross Conference matches against Eastern Conference opponents. The top 8 teams in the Western Conference will qualify for the USL Championship Playoffs in 2026.
Oakland will compete in a 6-team Prinx Tires USL Cup group that includes Athletic Club Boise, Las Vegas Lights FC, Monterey Bay FC, Sacramento Republic FC, and Spokane Velocity. Each team will play 4 group-stage games, with 7 group winners and 1 wild card from across the Country advancing to the knockout stage for additional matches.
Limited single-game tickets will be available in the new year. However, you can guarantee access at the lowest price by securing a 2026 Season Ticket now. For more information about season tickets or planning your next group event with the Oakland Roots, contact us at tickets@rootssc.com or call (510) 488-1144.
| | |
"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
| |
|
Mike Brown -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
| |
In 2014 I attended a San Jose Sharks hockey game and purchased a mystery autographed puck from the Sharks merchandise
booth for about $20.
The puck was signed by Sharks right winger Mike Brown. Mike played for the Sharks for three seasons from 2013-2016.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
| Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
NFL Quiz
What year was Instant Replay first used in an
NFL regular season game?
answer below...
| |
Oh, Mirabile Dictu! The Benevolent TV Gods Blessed Us With A Christmas Day Warriors Game
by Howard Pearlstein
| |
Pardon my sarcasm, but this is a family publication and I can’t use the words which more properly address those supercilious beings.
They’ve already treated true fans with contempt via their in-house bookie ads, making it clear that enjoying the game or the team isn’t enough, no, gotta have some skin in the game riding on … well, “You can bet on ANYTHING!.” One game was rubbing it in.
And now we have to pay MORE for what was included in the original deal. I watch enough movies to know what they think about the guy who raises his fee after the deal has already been agreed upon. Yeah, me too and all of us.
Whose greed is this? The NBA? The Networks? When we can’t watch games through normal channels, they’ll lose the mojo of millions of us in the Bay Area caring about the Warriors. (The merch, too.)
I tried to watch the game and turned it off. To me each season is a novel, not a short story. I like seeing the process by which various players integrate themselves into the dance and become part of the rotation. How were they at first? What changed? Who changed and how did that go?
You give me one game, and like some raggedy Dickens character, I’m supposed to say: “Please sir, may I have another?”
BUT we’re giving you more -- the entire NBA!
I only watch the Dubs. You’re taking away what I already have and charging me more for something I don’t want.
Let me explain.
I grew up in Pennsylvania, a religious refuge from the Church of England since the 1600s, Quakers and others, among them, the Amish, plain folk who lived in accordance with what was in the bible. Anything else is “worldly” and to be shunned. They were friendly, but we were all “English.”
Some people couldn’t get past worrying about the strangeness – the German-patois, the horse-drawn buggies, no buttons, no banks. They got nasty, same people who worry about Trans people today. Strange always means danger.
In the early 60s, the governor, hoping to make them more familiar, built a new school for them. Typical Pennsylvania school: red brick, steel and glass. Newspaper and tv people were there.
And right on time, two buggies carrying Elders clip-clopped in. They stopped and sat and looked. And said: “No.”
And clucked their horses and turned around. The Governor’s aide ran up: “Why not?”
One of them said: “Too worldly.”
The governor’s aide, pleading, said: “But we built this for you.”
And one of them replied: “Yes, But we didn’t ask you to.” And they left.
It was an epiphany for to me. Talk about integrity! These people didn’t have phones or radios or tv or cars or even electricity. My parents were depression babies who were thankful to FDR for whatever helped them through the 1930s. It was impolite – even rude -- to say “Thanks, but no thanks. It’s not what we wanted.” But these people did that. And were nice about it. It was a revelation.
Which is what I say to Sports California and Sports Bay Area and NBA HD and the rest of the “for only a small additional monthly fee” grifters. That and also all of the words and phrases I wasn’t able to use in the first paragraph.
“It’s not what I wanted, and you’ve already taken away what I had, so, with all due respect, you can go and blow it out of your transmitter.”
| |
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
| |
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 164: The NBA Meets The NCAA In A Test Of The Boundaries Of The New College Basketball Market
| | |
by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
| | |
The recent eligibility clearances of James Nnaji at Baylor and Lucas Langarita at Utah represent far more than administrative decisions. They're data points in what increasingly appears to be a calculated NCAA strategy operating on multiple levels simultaneously.
Nnaji, the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, never appeared in an NBA game and spent his post-draft years playing professionally overseas. Now he's suiting up for Scott Drew's Bears. Langarita, a Spanish wing with professional experience, is about to do the same in Salt Lake City. The NCAA has approved both, and in doing so, has illuminated the contours of a policy framework that appears designed to achieve several objectives simultaneously.
Courts increasingly have little patience for NCAA restrictions that lack competitive justification. By allowing professional players to matriculate and compete, the NCAA projects an image of reasonableness and adaptation. It's harder to paint an organization as an anticompetitive monolith when it's permitting former pros to play college ball.
But the second objective is more sophisticated, and potentially more consequential from a litigation standpoint. If the NCAA can establish through these eligibility decisions that college basketball and professional leagues occupy the same competitive labor market, it will fundamentally reshape the antitrust analysis in ongoing and future cases. I touched on this in Vol. 156. The argument becomes: "We're not restricting player opportunities or suppressing compensation. Athletes can choose between professional leagues and college basketball, which now includes NIL compensation and the educational benefits of enrollment. These are competing options in the same market."
continued...
| | |
WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | Instant Replay In The NFL -- 1986 | |
Instant replay in the NFL began in 1986, allowing officials to review certain calls using video footage.
The system has evolved over the years, facing both support and criticism, and has been refined to improve accuracy and efficiency in officiating.
Maybe it's time to use it more often. Some
game-impacting bad calls during NFL games
last week would probably have
been reversed.
| |
Lupoi Brings Three Oregon
Staffers To Berkeley
Duck Analysts Assume Multiple Position Coaching Roles For Bears
Travers Family Head Football Coach Tosh Lupoi announced the additions of Connor Boyd, Darrion Daniels and Steve Haunga to the California football staff on Saturday.
Boyd will serve as the Golden Bears safeties coach, Daniels will be the new defensive line coach and pass rush specialist while Haunga will lead the tight end unit and serve as the run game coordinator.
The trio has helped Oregon post a 47-7 overall record since 2022, win a 2024 Big Ten title and reach the College Football Playoff twice (2024, '25).The Ducks have been the top-ranked offense in the conference twice since 2022 and boast a defense that has been ranked fourth or higher in its final years in the Pac-12 Conference and sixth or higher in its first two seasons in the Big Ten.
Boyd, who has been with Oregon since 2022, was a defensive analyst this past season under Lupoi.
continued...
| |
Okorie Scores 30, Men’s Basketball Defeats CSUN
Stanford finishes nonconference play with a 11-2 record
STANFORD, Calif. – Wrapping up nonconference action in style at Maples Pavilion, Stanford men’s basketball earned an 88-80 victory over CSUN. Stanford improves to 11-2 on the season with the result.
Ebuka Okorie led the Cardinal with 30 points, finishing 9-for-18 from the floor with four 3-pointers and eight free throws. Okorie, who broke Stanford’s freshman scoring record with 32 points on Dec. 20 vs. Colorado, is the first Cardinal student-athlete with back-to-back 30-point outings since Landry Fields on Jan. 23 and 28 in 2010. Okorie will move into the top-three in the nation in scoring with the performance.
continued...
Photo: Fausto Ibarra/ISI Photos
| |
Anderson & Cummins Lead
Spartans on Sunday
SAN JOSE, Calif.—Maya Anderson and Allie Cummins scored in double figures for the Spartans as the San José State women’s basketball team fell to Grand Canyon, 79-59, in a Mountain West game inside the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
- Anderson led SJSU with 16 points and a team-best nine rebounds.
- Cummins scored a season-high 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field.
-
Amira Brown and Cummins each dished out four assists.
-
McKenna Simons and Brown each had a team-high three steals, while Anderson and Cummins grabbed two apiece.
- The Spartans had a brief lead in the first quarter as Cummins hit three free throws to make it 11-10 at the 3:11 mark.
- GCU took a 19-13 lead early in the third quarter, but the Spartans used an 8-0 run to take a 21-19 lead on a three-point play by Anderson.
-
Gabriela Pato made just her second three-pointer of the season to extend the Spartans' lead to four at 24-20 with 6:27 left in the first half.
- SJSU had 18 fast break points in the game.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | | |
WBB | Gaels Drop Nail-Biter in WCC Opener, 59-63 to Pilots
MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's led over half an hour Sunday afternoon, holding the second highest scoring offense in the WCC to just 63 points, but a quiet fourth quarter allowed Portland to snatch a four-point victory in the 2025-26 conference opener. The three ball proved pivotal for the Pilots, hitting nine on the night at 40% compared to just four at 23% for Saint Mary's.
Sophomore forward Edie Clarke led all scorers with a career high 18 points for her first double-digit game since Thanksgiving break against North Texas. Addi Wedin had eight points and six boards while Abigail Shoff and Jada Hunter combined for 12 points off the bench. Despite recording their second lowest turnover total of the season, the Gaels shot just 39% from the field and 55% from the free throw line, leaving some chances out on the floor. They'll turn around within 48 hours to take on Oregon State on Tuesday, December 30th at 5:00 PM.
continued...
Photo: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
| |
Defense, Clutch Free Throws Push Dons Past Redhawks
SEATTLE, Wash. - The University of San Francisco (USF) men's basketball team (9-5) kicked off West Coast Conference (WCC) action with a gritty win on Sunday evening as the Dons grinded out a 67-59 victory on the road at Seattle U.
The Dons (9-5, 1-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Vukasin Masic, who had a season-high 15 points. David Fuchs tacked on 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Ryan Beasley chipped in as well with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
-
After falling behind 7-6, San Francisco went on a 9-0 run with 16:15 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Mookie Cook, to take a 15-7 lead. USF then lost some of that lead, but still entered the halftime break with a 32-30 advantage. The Dons capitalized on three Seattle U turnovers in the period, turning them into eight points on the other end of the floor.
- Seattle U remained on the heels of the Dons in the second half, shrinking the gap to as little as two points in the closing minutes. In the final 2:15, San Francisco shot 7-of-8 from the free throw line to find separation late. The Redhawks could not find one last run to defend their home court, as USF hung on to secure the 67-59 victory.
continued...
Photo: USF Athletics
| |
Broncos Dominate Oregon State to Open Conference Play
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Santa Clara men's basketball opened WCC play in a big way on Sunday evening, taking down Oregon State in dominant fashion with a 102-64 victory inside Gill Coliseum. The Broncos shot 63.6 percent from the floor - their best shooting performance since 2017 - as they picked up their ninth-consecutive win in conference openers under Herb Sendek.
-
HOW IT HAPPENED: Santa Clara (10-4, 1-0) put together one of their best all-around performances of the season on both sides of the court. Six Broncos scored 10 or more points led by a season-high 23 from Elijah Mahi.
- SCU knocked down 35-of-55 attempts from the field while allowing just 37 percent defensively (18-of-49). The Broncos knocked down 15-of-27 from 3-point range (56 percent), forced 16 turnovers resulting in 24 points, and out-rebounded the Beavers 33-22.
- The Broncos absolutely dominated the opening half as they knocked down 60 percent from the field (18-of-30) while holding Oregon State (7-7, 0-1) to just 28 percent en route to racing to a 53-20 halftime advantage. SCU was 8-of-17 from 3-point range and a perfect 9-for-9 at the charity stripe, and forced nine first half turnovers that resulted in 15 early points.
-
The opening half saw a balanced scoring attack with six Broncos scoring six or more in the opening 20 minutes. Christian Hammond and Theirry Darlan led the charge with nine points apiece.
- The Broncos were even better in half No. 2, converting on 68 percent (17-of-25) with a crisp 7-for-10 mark from 3-point range as they pushed the lead up to as much as 40 in the final minute.
- The win was Santa Clara's first over Oregon State in Corvallis since Dec. 12, 1952. The Broncos are now 2-5 all-time against the Beavers inside Gill Coliseum.
- The Beavers were led in scoring by Josiah Lake II, who notched 19 points to go with five assists. Oregon State scored the bulk of their 64 points from 3-point range with 11 of their 18 total field goals coming from beyond the arc.
continued...
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Tigers Soundly Dispatch Seattle
in WCC Opener
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific women's basketball team opened West Coast Conference play with a convincing 85-66 win over Seattle on Sunday at the Alex G. Spanos Center behind a career-high 19 points from sophomore Daria Nestorov.
The sophomore showcased an ability to score at all three levels shooting 8-for-16 from the court split between layups and mid-range jump shots while also connecting on three of six attempts from beyond the arc. Nestorov's success from deep this season has been a barometer of Pacific's (6-6, 1-0 WCC) success as the team improved to 4-1 when she hits multiple three-pointers. She also contributed outside of scoring by posting five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
continued...
| |
UC Davis Closes Non-Conference Play With 108-52 Win
Score: UC Davis 108, Pacific Union 52
Location: University Credit Union Center, Davis, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 7-5, Pacific Union 0-11
- THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis closed out non-conference play with a dominant performance Sunday afternoon, routing Pacific Union 108-52 at the University Credit Union Center. Fueling the victory with a stifling defense that forced 28 turnovers and a balanced offense featuring five players in double figures, the Aggies used a massive 23-0 first-half run to put the game out of reach early. UC Davis never trailed, dominating the glass and the transition game to secure their seventh win of the season.
continued...
| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Second Half Surge by Pioneers Keeps Them Unbeaten on Sunday
LOS ANGELES — Cal State East Bay closed out the 2025 calendar year in dramatic fashion, storming back from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Cal State LA 77-69 on Sunday afternoon at Cal State LA University Gym. In a game defined by momentum swings, the Pioneers delivered a relentless second-half surge to stay perfect at 10-0 overall and 4-0 in CCAA play.
continued...
Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/22/2025 12:21:00 AM | CSUEB Athletic Communications
Photo: Justin Willard / KLC fotos
| | | | |
Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
| | |
2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, December 29, through
Sunday, January 4, 2026
| | |
Monday, December 29
Golden State Warriors @ Brooklyn Nets, 4:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30
Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 31
Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Hornets, 10 a.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild, 1 p.m.
Thursday, January 1
Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics, 7 p.m.
Friday, January 2
Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns, 6 p.m.
Saturday, January 3
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 5 p.m.
Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 4
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1:25 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 6 p.m.
| | |
Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Sales: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
| | |
FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
| | | | |
