Indiana's Fernando Mendoza adds another major award with Davey O'Brien as nation's top QB

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Indiana's Fernando Mendoza has won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback, the second of what could be three major honors in as many days with the redshirt junior also heavily favored to win the Heisman Trophy.

Mendoza was the first winner announced during ESPN's college awards show Friday night. The Heisman winner will be named Saturday night in New York, and Mendoza is an overwhelming favorite to take the trophy, according to BetMGM.

The O'Brien honor came a day after Mendoza was namedThe Associated Press player of the year.

The California transfer led the Hoosiers to a 13-0 record, a victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Indiana's first O'Brien winner set a program record with 33 touchdown passes.

"It's a wonderful feeling. I really doesn't feel real," Mendoza said from New York. "It's a testament to so many people who believed in me, who have helped groom me into the player I am today and all those people, especially before anybody knew my name."

Mendoza was chosen over Ohio State freshman Julian Sayin and Texas A&M's Marcel Reed, two other quarterbacks getting ready to lead their teams in the CFP.

Mendoza's coach, Curt Cignetti, was named coach of the year for second consecutive season. The Hoosiers had their first undefeated regular season since 1945, won the Big Ten for the first time in 58 years and ended a 37-year losing streak to the Buckeyes. The win over Ohio State earned Indiana its first No. 1 AP ranking.

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the defensive player of the year. He was already the Bronko Nagurski Award winner, also for the best defensive player.

Southern California's Makai Lemon was named the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver. He was in the top 10 nationally with 1,156 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner as the top defensive back, and Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano won the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman.

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byDaniel Coleman

in

December 12, 2025

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza adds another major award with Davey O'Brien as nation's top QB

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Indiana's Fernando Mendoza has won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterb...

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Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull help their teams shoot 55s at Grant Thornton

A pair of teams with high-profile LPGA stars took down the scoring record at the Grant Thornton Invitational, as Lexi Thompson and Wyndham Clark, as well as Englishwoman Charley Hull and Michael Brennan, posted a 17-under-par 55 on Friday in Naples, Fla.

The three-day team event at Tiburon Golf Club begins with a scramble format, and the two leading duos weren't the only ones to take full advantage.

Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak are just two strokes back after a 15-under 57. Three more pairs shot 14-under 58: Nelly Korda and Denny McCarthy, Jennifer Kupcho and Chris Gotterup and Rose Zhang and Michael Kim.

Hull and Brennan combined for eagles on the par-5 sixth and 14th holes. Thompson and Clark also eagled No. 6 and carded their second at the par-4 10th when Clark smashed his tee shot to just off the green and Thompson holed the putt.

"I feel like we kind of have similar games to be honest," Clark said. "She hits it really far off the tee, and if one of us is in play, we're significantly past kind of the competitors, and we have our advantage there. She's a great putter. Yeah, I mean, really I felt like our games complement each other perfectly, and I didn't think there was any flaws in her game."

"Grant Thornton does great things for this event," Thompson added. "To bring the PGA Tour and LPGA together, it's kind of what we want to end our year on, a nice, more relaxed tournament."

Hull was tinkering with her swing just before coming to the tournament to play with PGA Tour newcomer Brennan.

"It's quite funny because, actually, I was changing my swing last week, and I come on Tuesday and I could not even keep the ball on the planet," Hull said. "So I was actually pretty nervous today. Actually, it worked out pretty well."

Coughlin and Novak made nine birdies in a row at Nos. 6-14 -- not bad for a tandem that just met for the first time this week.

"I do like team golf," said Novak, who paired with Ben Griffin to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April. "I think it's just a little bit different aspect to it. I've been lucky to have two good partners this year, and the vibes have been good during the tournament. We're just out there having a lot of fun, making birdies and not taking it too seriously, just doing our job."

Kupcho and Gotterup birdied the first 10 holes of their round, while Korda and McCarthy posted eagles at the par-5 first and 17th holes.

The format won't be this straightforward the rest of the way. The teams will play foursomes (alternate shot) on Saturday and a modified fourball (best ball) Sunday.

This is the third year of the event. Defending champions Jake Knapp and Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit are in seventh at 13-under 59. Inaugural champs Jason Day of Australia and Lydia Ko of New Zealand are one behind them in a tie for eighth.

--Field Level Media

byDaniel Coleman

in

December 12, 2025

Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull help their teams shoot 55s at Grant Thornton

A pair of teams with high-profile LPGA stars took down the scoring record at the Grant Thornton Invitational, as Lexi ...

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Caitlin Clark 'finally back to 100%' at Team USA camp after injury-filled season

Indiana FeverAll-StarCaitlin Clarkis finally feeling like herself again.

After beinglimited to 13 games in the 2025 WNBA seasonbecause of a series of soft tissue injuries, Clark said "it feels nice to finally be back to a hundred percent" following herfirst Team USA senior training camppractice.

"I put together a pretty incredible stretch of never missing a game," Clark said during her media availability on Friday. "The fact is when you're a professional athlete, it's going to come at some point. That's just how it goes. I think it's honestly taught me more than I've probably ever learned through the course of my career of how to take care of your body, how to get right, how to stay healthy, and then just taking time for yourself."

Clark has to shake off some rust. She gave up a side-step, game-winning 3-pointer to Paige Bueckers, who confidently said "that's game" and white (team) wins" during Friday's practice scrimmage. Despite dealing with some early nerves, Clark said being on the court again was "pretty satisfying."

"It just made me smile quite a bit. I really did kind of feel like myself out there," she said on Friday. "Just continuing to get my lungs back, but I felt like I was moving really well."

USA BASKETBALL:Paige Bueckers, 'young and turnt' rookies bring swag to Team USA camp

The practice was a full-circle moment for Clark, who wasn't selected to represent Team USA at the2024 Paris Olympics, a decision that sparked controversy. But Clark said she didn't feel disappointed about being excluded. "It could've gone either way of me being on the team or not being on the team," shesaidin June 2024. Instead, it gave Clark "a little more motivation" and something to work toward.

"In my past, it's been all junior (Team USA) national teams and I've been cut from some of those and I've played for three of them. I've experienced both sides of it," Clark said on Friday. "This is the biggest honor you can possibly have, playing basketball in our country is wearing USA across your chest. I'm just excited to be here and honored. Obviously it's kind of like the start to the new Olympic cycle."

Caitlin Clark is back & healthy ✅pic.twitter.com/VOT8SxwLSv

— Women's Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA)December 12, 2025

Clark said she felt nervous when she first stepped on the court at practice alongside her compatriots, who feature a mix of young stars (that Bueckers dubbed the "young and turnt" core) and experienced veterans. Clark last played in the WNBA on July 15 before being sidelined by a right groin injury and missing rest of the regular season and the Fever's postseason run to the semifinals.

"It was one injury and then it was a little better and then it kind of continued to compound and get worse and other things pop up. And then I had the ankle injury," Clark recalled on Friday. "I did everything I could to try to be able to come back and be able to play for my team, but it just didn't really work. I think that was almost a way of relief for myself, just knowing that I gave everything I could to possibly try to play, but my body just wasn't really letting me."

Clark continued to rehab after the season ended, a process she said "took probably longer than I expected" adding her "body's in a really good spot."

And the nerves quickly melted away when she was back in her element. "When I touched the basketball to start warming up before the practice even started, that's probably when I felt pretty comfortable," she said.

"I've worked so hard. I haven't taken a break since the beginning of the (2025) WNBA season, just all my rehab and getting back to where I wanted to be," she explained. "This has kind of been my next thing that I've been working for since our season ended. ... For myself, it's not proving it to yourself again, but it's just that feeling."

USA women's national team managing director Sue Bird said she's noticed a new level of maturity from Clark following her injury-plagued season.

"I can really only imagine, for a player like Caitlin, you come off your college season — epic. You go straight to your (rookie) WNBA season. You finish a first-teamer," Bird said on Thursday. "You have this long offseason, where you probably can't wait to get back on the court only to have a couple of injuries sideline her.

"That is a challenge for a player... I thought what was most impressive was just the way she's staying engaged. You could see it whether you're watching (the Fever) on TV or you're catching something on social media. ... I think that really shows her maturity."

Clark has been busy in the offseason, rehabbing, attending the Team USA camp and even participating in theAnnika Pro-Am golf exhibitionlast month. Clark said she "plans to play in the WNBA" for the upcoming season as CBA negotiations continue, but noted that her golfing career may be over.

"I put the golf clubs away now," she joked. "I'm truly focused on basketball. It makes my body a little sore, so I would rather just stick to basketball. But I love it and it's always great to be outside."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Caitlin Clark 'finally back to 100%' after injury-filled season

byDaniel Coleman

in

December 12, 2025

Caitlin Clark 'finally back to 100%' at Team USA camp after injury-filled season

Indiana FeverAll-StarCaitlin Clarkis finally feeling like herself again. After beinglimited to 13 games in the 2...

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Who's getting a white Christmas? Here are the national weather forecasts for the holiday

The National Weather Service has releasedtemperature and precipitation outlooksfor the week leading up to Christmas Day. Here's what to expect between December 19 and 25.

Average temperatures are forecast to be above normal across most of the continental U.S. In the south, a stretch of the country from Arizona to Georgia has an 80 to 90% chance of above-normal temperatures.

National Weather Service

Nearly all the rest of the country is forecast to have some chance of higher temperatures. Northern portions of some states bordering Canada may lean below their normal temperatures.

Hawaii is forecast to have above normal temperatures, while Alaska has a good chance of being colder than usual.

The South and Southeast are forecast to be relatively dry during the Christmas week. The Northwest could see more precipitation than usual, with parts of California, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon forecast to have a 60-70% chance of above-normal precipitation.

National Weather Service

Alaska and Hawaii are both forecast to receive a mix of above- and below-normal precipitation.

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If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, your best bet is higher elevations and northern latitudes. The NWS'historical snow probability mapshows northern states and mountainous regions are most likely to receive an inch or more of snow on December 25 every year.

byDaniel Coleman

in

December 12, 2025

Who's getting a white Christmas? Here are the national weather forecasts for the holiday

The National Weather Service has releasedtemperature and precipitation outlooksfor the week leading up to Christmas Day. Here's what to ...

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Federal judge orders FEMA to restore billions in canceled disaster mitigation funding

A federal judge in Massachusetts on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to restore billions of dollars in canceled FEMA disaster mitigation funding, siding with 22 states and the District of Columbia thatsued over the canceled grantsthis summer.

President Donald Trump's administration said in April it was "ending" the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which helped communities with predisaster projects to harden infrastructure and improve resilience against the increasing threats of climate change.

The administration called the program "wasteful and ineffective" and said it would halt $3.6 billion in funding awarded but not yet paid and would not award $882 million in grants for the following fiscal year.

The program's disruption upended projects across hundreds of communities in both Republican- and Democratic-led states, thwarting plans to improve stormwater drainage, harden electrical lines and even help relocate households living in areas most vulnerable to disasters.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Associated Press Thursday that DHS "has not terminated BRIC," but did not elaborate on the program's status.

"The Biden Administration abandoned true mitigation and used BRIC as a green new deal slush fund," the spokesperson said, referring to a Democratic plan to combat climate change. "It's unfortunate that an activist judge either didn't understand that or didn't care."

The order comes at a time of profound uncertainty over FEMA's future and on the same day that a long-awaited meeting of the FEMA Review Council to present a report recommending reforms to the agency was abruptly canceled by the White House because it had not been fully briefed on the latest version of the report, according to a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

RELATED STORY |Acting FEMA administrator resigns as agency faces sweeping changes

Congress funded BRIC during the first Trump administration through the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act, and FEMA launched the program in 2020. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act made an additional $1 billion available for BRIC over five years, though only about $133 million had been delivered to communities by April, according to FEMA.

The program was criticized by some for being difficult to access for rural and less wealthy communities due to a complicated application process and cost-sharing requirements. But even Republican lawmakers like Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana opposed the cancellations and called for BRIC's reinstatement.

"It protects families and saves taxpayer dollars in the long-run," Cassidy said on the Senate floor a week after the funding cancellation. "That's efficient in my book."

Judge Richard G. Stearns found that FEMA's actions were unlawful since Congress appropriated the money specifically for the grants and that there was an "inherent public interest in ensuring that the government follows the law."

"The BRIC program is designed to protect against natural disasters and save lives," Stearns wrote in the court order.

The Trump administration has slashed disaster preparedness dollars across multiple FEMA programs this year as part of its campaign to transfer more responsibility for disasters to states.

Since February, Trump has not approved any requests for hazard mitigation funding, a typical add-on that helps states, tribes and territories complete resilience projects after major disasters.

Emergency preparedness grants that states and local governments rely on to staff emergency management agencies and buy equipment are currently frozen after 12 states sued the Trump administration over unprecedented grant stipulations related to the administration's immigration agenda.

Multiple studies have shown that preemptive investments in disaster readiness can yield significant savings. A 2024 study funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found every $1 invested in disaster preparation saved $13 in economic impact, damage and cleanup costs.

byDaniel Coleman

in

December 12, 2025

Federal judge orders FEMA to restore billions in canceled disaster mitigation funding

A federal judge in Massachusetts on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to restore billions of dollars in canceled ...

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