Uncategorized – Winnipeg Free Press

England's Brydon Carse, right, completes a caught and bowled on Australia's Michael Neser, left, on Day 2 of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

MCG curator admits Boxing Day pitch error after 36 wickets fall in 2 days

The Associated Press 3 minute read 1:04 AM CST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Melbourne Cricket Ground staff have admitted that the pitch prepared for the Boxing Day test was skewed too heavily in favor of bowlers, as an attempt to avoid a dull draw instead triggered a frantic two-day landslide of wickets.

Curator Matt Page, recruited to inject “life” into the MCG deck following a lifeless 2017 Ashes stalemate, conceded Sunday that leaving 10mm of grass on the surface proved excessive. The decision resulted in 36 wickets falling across just 142 overs of play, leaving the surface under intense scrutiny from players and officials alike.

“I was in a state of shock after the first day... to see 20 wickets in a day,” Page said. “I’ve never been involved in a test match like it and hopefully never involved in a test match like it again.

"It was a roller-coaster ride for two days to see everything unfold.”

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Weigman throws 4 touchdown passes as Houston beats LSU 38-35 in Texas Bowl

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Weigman throws 4 touchdown passes as Houston beats LSU 38-35 in Texas Bowl

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 12:59 AM CST

HOUSTON (AP) — Conner Weigman threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns as Houston rallied from an early deficit for a 38-35 victory over LSU in the Texas Bowl on Saturday night.

It was the final game for LSU before new coach Lane Kiffin takes over on the sideline next year. Kiffin was hired Nov. 30, leaving playoff-bound Ole Miss, but interim coach Frank Wilson III remained in charge on the field for the Tigers' bowl game.

LSU (7-6) finished 2-3 under Wilson after Brian Kelly was fired during the season.

Weigman finished 27-of-36 passing and rushed for 56 yards for the Cougars (10-3), who were playing about 6 miles from their campus at the home of the NFL's Houston Texans. He threw touchdown passes of 8 and 4 yards to Amare Thomas and 7 yards to Tanner Koziol to end the first half as Houston climbed out of a 14-0 hole to take a 21-14 lead into the break.

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Updated: 12:59 AM CST

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman (1) wears a cowboy hat as part of his MVP trophy after the Kinder's Texas Bowl NCAA football game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Teen boy facing theft, weapons charges after car rams into Winnipeg transit bus

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Teen boy facing theft, weapons charges after car rams into Winnipeg transit bus

The Canadian Press 1 minute read 12:15 AM CST

WINNIPEG - A teen boy in Winnipeg is facing over a dozen charges after a vehicle was stolen and a city transit bus was rammed.

Police say the 16-year-old's charges include vehicle theft, dangerous driving and possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm.

The charges come after officers in Winnipeg's north end tried to stop a 2014 Mazda 3 GT on Friday, but the driver sped off.

Investigators say the vehicle drove through a stop sign just a few blocks north and plowed into the side of a transit bus, but nobody was injured.

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12:15 AM CST

Photo of a Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge on an officer in Winnipeg Tuesday, November 5, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Comanche leads LawConnect, Scallywag 100 in Sydney to Hobart race

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Comanche leads LawConnect, Scallywag 100 in Sydney to Hobart race

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:43 PM CST

HOBART, Australia (AP) — Supermaxis Master Lock Comanche, SHK Scallywag 100 and defending champion LawConnect continued their close tussle Sunday as the finish line neared on the third day of the 80th running of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Just over two full days into the race that began Friday in Sydney harbor and ends on the island state of Tasmania, Comanche had a lead of about five nautical mile lead over LawConnect and Scallywag 100.

The leading yachts were off the east coast of Tasmania, neared the opening to the River Derwent which is the final stretch of the race which finishes at Constitution Dock in Hobart. Under current weather and wind projections the line honors winner should arrive Sunday evening — more than two days after the start and well outside the race record.

LawConnect, which was forced to contend with a broken mainsheet and halyard on Saturday but managed to fix both issues and remain in pursuit of Comanche, Scallywag 100 is third followed by New York Yacht Club entry, the 88-footer Lucky, skippered by Bryon Ehrhart in fourth.

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Yesterday at 10:43 PM CST

In this photo provided by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, LawConnect leads all competitors after the start in the Sydney Hobart yacht race in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (Kurt Arrigo/CYCA via AP)

No. 12 BYU outduels No. 24 Georgia Tech to win Pop-Tarts Bowl

The Associated Press 8 minute read Preview

No. 12 BYU outduels No. 24 Georgia Tech to win Pop-Tarts Bowl

The Associated Press 8 minute read Updated: 12:44 AM CST

ORLANDO (AP) — Jovesa Damuni scored on a 4-yard run with two minutes remaining and No. 12 BYU rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half for a 25-21 win over No. 24 Georgia Tech on Saturday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Damuni’s scoring run capped a nine-play, 70 drive by the Cougars (12-2), who were led by freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Bachmeier passed for 57 yards in the drive.

Bachmeier was 27 for 38 passing for 325 yards with a touchdown and an interception as the Cougars piled up 426 total yards. It was the freshman’s third 300-yard passing game of the season.

Georgia Tech (9-4) had a chance to tie the game when senior quarterback Haynes King found Eric Rivers down the sideline with a 66-yard pass on fourth-and-15 to the BYU 18-yard line with 35 seconds to play. Facing fourth down, King threw to the end zone for Jamal Haynes, but BYU’s Evan Johnson intercepted the pass in the end zone to secure the victory.

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Updated: 12:44 AM CST

BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) is tackled by a Georgia Tech defensive player during the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

No. 20 Virginia notches first 11-win season by beating 25th-ranked Missouri in the Gator Bowl

Mark Long, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

No. 20 Virginia notches first 11-win season by beating 25th-ranked Missouri in the Gator Bowl

Mark Long, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:04 PM CST

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Virginia coach Tony Elliott had a message for his team in the postgame locker room: Welcome to the 11-win club.

It's the most exclusive one in program history.

Harrison Waylee ran for a touchdown, Chandler Morris threw for 198 yards and No. 20 Virginia edged 25th-ranked Missouri 13-7 in the Gator Bowl on Saturday night.

The Cavaliers bounced back from a crushing loss to Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game — an overtime stunner that cost them a spot in the College Football Playoff — and reached 11 wins for the first time in the program’s 122 years.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:04 PM CST

Virginia running back Harrison Waylee (21) shows a stiff-arm to Missouri safety Caleb Flagg, left, during the second quarter of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Ebuka Okorie scores 30, Chisom Okpara has 20, and Stanford tops CSUN 88-80

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:42 PM CST

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Ebuka Okorie scored 30 points, Chisom Okpara added 20, and Stanford rallied in the second half to defeat Cal State Northridge 88-80 on Saturday night.

Okorie, a freshman who scored a season-high 32 points in a win against Colorado last time out, made 9 of 18 shots overall, including 4 of 9 3-pointers, and added 8 of 10 free throws.

Okpara was 4 for 11 from the field and made 11 of 14 free throws.

Stanford buried 5 of 6 3-pointers in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half, erasing a five-point halftime deficit and taking a 52-44 lead. The Cardinal's lead was 69-59 after Okorie hit a 3-pointer with 9 1/2 minutes remaining.

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No. 23 North Texas beats San Diego State 49-47 in high-scoring New Mexico Bowl

Glen Rosales, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:42 PM CST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Caleb Hawkins ran for two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass, Ashton Gray added a pair of rushing touchdowns and Cameron Dorner had two scoring catches as No. 22 North Texas beat San Diego State 49-47 in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday night.

Hawkins carried 30 times and gained 197 yards, scoring on runs of 9 and and 3 yards, along with a 23-yard TD reception. Gray ran for 152 yards on 16 rushes. Dorner had six receptions for 66 yards, including TD catches of 1 and 31 yards.

“When you play the game like Caleb plays, it was such toughness and physicality, you immediately earn the respect of everybody in the room,” interim head coach Drew Svoboda said of Hawkins. “And we really had a good blend. It wasn’t just driven by the guys that had all the experience. And there’s guys on both sides of the ball, really, all three phases where there’s just not a ton of weak links.”

North Texas (12-2) quarterback Drew Mestemaker was 27 of 47 passing for 250 yards and three TDs to help the Mean Green to a school record for wins.

No. 12 BYU, No. 24 Georgia Tech take roles in Pop-Tarts Bowl seriously

Philip Rossman-reich, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

No. 12 BYU, No. 24 Georgia Tech take roles in Pop-Tarts Bowl seriously

Philip Rossman-reich, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 8:16 PM CST

ORLANDO (AP) — BYU could have been disappointed it missed out on an invite to the College Football Playoff, and the Cougars could have let that disappointment carry over into their postseason.

Instead, the No. 12 Cougars (12-2) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half and beat No. 24 Georgia Tech 25-21 on Saturday in a far less meaningful bowl game.

BYU and Georgia Tech took their roles in the Pop-Tarts Bowl seriously, and it showed. The Cougars rallied to take the lead with two minutes left against the Yellow Jackets and then, with less than 10 seconds remaining, Evan Johnson picked off a pass by Georgia Tech's Haynes King in the endzone.

The Cougars hoisted Johnson onto their shoulders and carried him toward the bench to celebrate the victory.

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Yesterday at 8:16 PM CST

BYU defensive back Evan Johnson celebrates after intercepting a Georgia Tech pass in the endzone during the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Seven people treated for smoke inhalation after fire at Nanaimo, B.C., motel

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Seven people treated for smoke inhalation after fire at Nanaimo, B.C., motel

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 7:44 PM CST

NANAIMO - Seven people were treated for smoke inhalation in hospital after a fire broke out in a motel in Nanaimo, B.C.

Mounties in Nanaimo say officers and fire crews responded to the Value Lodge motel at around 3 a.m. on Friday for the fire.

BC Emergency Health Services says in a Saturday statement that seven patients were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation

Police say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Yesterday at 7:44 PM CST

Warner passes for game’s only TD, Lynch kicks 4 field goals and Fresno State wins Arizona Bowl

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Warner passes for game’s only TD, Lynch kicks 4 field goals and Fresno State wins Arizona Bowl

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 7:12 PM CST

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — E.J. Warner threw for 214 yards and a touchdown, Dylan Lynch kicked four field goals and Fresno State defeated Miami of Ohio 18-3 in the Arizona Bowl on Saturday night.

On defense, Fresno State kept Miami out of the red zone the whole game, except for the RedHawks' opening possession when they reached the 15-yard line before Dom Dzioban kicked a 33-yard field goal for their only points of the game.

The Bulldogs, one of 15 teams in FBS to keep their opponents under an average of 300 yards per game (293.5), allowed 192 yards.

After Miami's early field goal, Lynch made three of his 3-pointers in the second quarter, leading to a 9-3 halftime lead. That advantage held into the fourth quarter when Warner hit Richie Anderson III with a 2-yard touchdown pass. Looking for a 14-point lead, the Bulldogs went for two on the conversion, but Warner's pass failed, leaving the score at 15-3.

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Yesterday at 7:12 PM CST

Fresno State running back Brandon Ramirez (31) runs the ball against Miami in the first half of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

No. 12 BYU rallies to beat No. 24 Georgia Tech 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl

Philip Rossman-reich, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

No. 12 BYU rallies to beat No. 24 Georgia Tech 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl

Philip Rossman-reich, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:17 PM CST

ORLANDO (AP) — Jovesa Damuni scored on a 4-yard run with two minutes remaining and No. 12 BYU rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half for a 25-21 win over No. 24 Georgia Tech on Saturday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Damuni's scoring run capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive by the Cougars (12-2), who were led by freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Bachmeier passed for 57 yards in the drive.

Bachmeier was 27 for 38 passing for 325 yards with a touchdown and an interception as the Cougars piled up 426 total yards. It was the freshman's third 300-yard passing game of the season.

“Mistakes are part of the game, I just like the reaction that we had to the game overall," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. "We weren't hanging our heads, we were excited to play. When you give these guys that much time, we're never out of it.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:17 PM CST

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws the ball under pressure from the Georgia Tech defense during the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Snowfall warnings are in effect for northern B.C. and parts of Yukon

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Snowfall warnings are in effect for northern B.C. and parts of Yukon

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:45 PM CST

VANCOUVER - Environment Canada has issued several snowfall warnings for the southern parts of Yukon and northern British Columbia.

Snowfall warnings are in effect for Whitehorse, Teslin, Atlin, Watson Lake, and Cassiar Mountains, including Swift River and Jade City.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says an approaching storm will bring snow to these areas, starting on Saturday afternoon, intensifying throughout the evening, and lasting until Sunday.

The federal weather agency is forecasting 15 to 25 centimetres of snow to accumulate in Watson Lake and Cassiar Mountains, key northern landmarks connected by the Stewart Cassiar Highway in Yukon.

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Yesterday at 4:45 PM CST

People walk down the middle of a street as snow falls in Vancouver, on Sunday, December 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hellums accounts for 3 TDs, Nwawuihe rushes for 2 as Army beats UConn 41-16 in Wasabi Fenway Bowl

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:43 PM CST

BOSTON (AP) — Cade Hellums accounted for three touchdowns, and Godspower Nwawuihe rushed for two in a 41-16 win over UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Saturday.

Hellums tied the game 7-7 after an opening UConn score by finding Noah Short for a 40-yard strike. Short was the only Army player with a reception, finishing with seven for 108 yards.

Nwawuihe gave the Black Knights (7-6) their first lead of the day with 3:04 left in the second quarter, scampering for a 43-yard touchdown run. He broke free for a 70-yard score less than a minute into the second half, putting Army up by 10. He had 171 yards on 12 attempts.

Hellums added two touchdown runs of 1 and 6 yards in the second half. He was 7-of-8 passing for 108 yards with 45 on the ground. Jake Rendina had 14 carries for 87 yards, and Carson Smith had 49 yards and a touchdown in a 368-yard rushing day for the Black Knights.

One man is dead after crashing into a power pole in Chilliwack: RCMP

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

One man is dead after crashing into a power pole in Chilliwack: RCMP

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 4:36 PM CST

CHILLIWACK - A 27-year-old man is dead after crashing into a power pole in Chilliwack, B.C.

Mounties in Chilliwack say they responded to a call for a collision at the intersection of Yale Road and Banford Road on Friday.

Police say the man from Chilliwack, who was the only occupant of the car, lost control before striking a power pole.

The man was dead before emergency crews got to the scene, and police say his next of kin have been notified.

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Yesterday at 4:36 PM CST

Williams’ 16, Necas’ double-double lead Duquesne over Cleary 99-49

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 3:49 PM CST

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jimmie Williams' 16 points and a double-double from Jakub Necas helped Duquesne defeat Cleary 99-49 on Saturday.

Williams added six rebounds for the Dukes (8-5). Necas, Jake DiMichele and Stef van Bussel both added 11 points. Necas was 4 of 8 from the floor to go with 10 rebounds. DiMichele was 4 of 7 and van Bussel finished 5 of 5 from the floor.

Zane Kemp led the Cougars (5-8) with eight points and six rebounds off the bench.

Duquesne took the lead for good just 21 seconds into the game. The score was 51-25 at halftime, with Williams racking up 14 points.

December 28, 2025

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