Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas, leads by twoTROY – Earlier in the week, Troy coach Gerad Parker stated, “It’s 100 percent critical that we finish this season the right way.” Consider it done. The Trojans continued their late-season surge by absolutely demolishing Southern Mississippi 52-20 in the season finale at Veterans Memorial Stadium before a crowd of 19,521 on Saturday afternoon. It gave Troy wins in three of its final four games to complete Parker’s first season in charge at 4-8 overall, 3-5 in Sun Belt Conference play. “I couldn’t be more happier where it finished,” Parker said. “That will build momentum for our current roster as well as in recruiting, and we’re going to fight to get that done to make sure we start the right way in 2025. “I think you’re going to see a hunger when these guys get back on January 14 for the second semester of school. They’ll know what this wants to look like – more understand where we fell short and also what our momentum is. Troy's Jordan Stringer (7) and Ian Conerly-Goodly (39) pursue a USM running back. “I don’t think you’ll have to ask anybody in our locker room to prepare or be ready for offseason workouts, because they know what they want to accomplish in ’25.” It was a good day for individual accolades as well. Troy receiver Devonte Ross and running back Damien Taylor both went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season – Ross in receiving by catching five passes for 70 yards on Saturday and Taylor in rushing by gaining 169 yards on 23 attempts with three touchdowns. When Taylor scored on a 35-yard touchdown run with just under six minutes to play in the game, he had totaled 999 yards on the season. He was aware one more yard was needed to reach the 1,000-yard mark. “The defense looked at me and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to get you the ball back,'” Taylor said of conversations on the sidelines. "And then the offensive line looked at me and said, ‘Hey, one yard.’ I knew I had to get one more.” LJ Green got an interception for the Trojans on the ensuing possession and returned it 49 yards to the 16. Taylor went over the 1,000-yard mark with a carry on the next play for 11 yards – putting him at 1,010 yards for the season. On the next play, Jordan Lovett went in from 5 yards for a score, making it 52-20 after the PAT. It was the first time since 2012 that Troy had a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season. “It means a lot,” Ross said. “Being here three years and being around some great receivers ... showing me what it takes to be a great receiver. My teammates. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them pushing me hard and the O-line doing their job coming together at the end of the year and not allowing sacks.” Defensively, Brendan Jackson led the way with nine tackles, while Ian Conerly-Goodly and Phillip Lee each had seven. Lee also had two sacks and 3.5 tackles for losses and was seemingly in the Southern Miss backfield all game. “The last game of the season, I just wanted to put on tape what’s coming for next year,” Lee, a junior bandit linebacker, said. “For every team, I want to let them know, I’m eating and I’m not stopping.” Things didn’t start out so rosy for the Trojans. Troy tight end Trae Swartz can't come up with a catch against USM. Troy forced a three-and-out on the first series of the game, but the ensuing punt bounced off the helmet of Troy’s Joe Lott and the Golden Eagles recovered at the Trojans’ 41. On first down, quarterback Tate Rodemaker connected with Ti Mims down to the 1. Two plays later, Kenyon Clay went in for the score. The Golden Eagles then converted a try for 2 as Bryce Loften passed to a wide-open Kyirin Heath to make it 8-0. The Trojans scored on their first offensive series when Taylor ran in from 6 yards out on a third-and-goal situation. Scott Taylor Renfroe kicked through the extra point to pull Troy within 8-7 with 7:28 left in the opening quarter. Troy took its first lead of the game with just under three minutes left in the first quarter when Renfroe nailed a career-long 50-yard field goal, putting the Trojans ahead 10-8. Matthew Caldwell runs for a touchdown during Troy's win. Matthew Caldwell scored on a 14-yard keeper around the right side to make it a 17-8 Troy lead following the PAT with 8:50 left in the second quarter to complete a 13-play, 67-yard drive. In what was a scary incident in the first half, Troy senior safety Cecil Powell suffered a non-contact, non-football related medical emergency in the first quarter, was treated on the sideline and transported to a local hospital for evaluation. He was listed in stable condition Saturday afternoon and Parker said he was being moved from Troy to a hospital in Montgomery. Taylor got the scoring going in the third quarter with a 56-yard run one play after USM was stopped on a fourth-and-7 try when linebacker Jackson shot through to sack Rodemaker for a 7-yard loss. Renfroe added the PAT to make it 24-8 with 6:04 left in the third. Southern Miss wide receiver Ti Mims stretches for yardage after a catch. Southern Miss quickly answered when Rodemaker connected with Larry Simmons on a 75-yard touchdown pass, the longest completion of the year for the Golden Eagles. Simmons caught the pass at the USM 40 and then broke away for the score. USM failed on a try for 2, leaving the score 24-14 in Troy’s favor. Troy responded on its next possession, driving 75 yards in 10 plays to score when Caldwell spotted tight end Trae Swartz over the middle for a 10-yard TD. Renfroe’s PAT made it 31-14. For the game, Caldwell completed 14-of-26 passes for 187 yards and the one touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, Southern Miss got a TD on a 4-yard pass from Rodemaker to Mims. The extra point kick failed, but USM had pulled within 31-20 with 7:05 left. Taylor got Troy back on the scoreboard with a 35-yard TD run with just under six minutes left. Renfroe’s kick made it 38-20. The Trojans virtually put it away on the next USM possession when safety Conerly-Goodly intercepted a pass and returned it 31 yards for a score, making it 45-20 after the PAT before Lovett’s final touchdown run. Southern Miss ended its season at 1-11 overall and 0-8 in the league. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Morning Bid: China FX eyed, markets surge on Fed hopes - Reuters
Florida State made official on Monday the hiring of Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator, confirming weekend reports that he would resign as UCF head coach to reunite with Seminoles coach Mike Norvell. UCF had confirmed on Sunday reports of Malzahn's exit but not his destination, and FSU had not made an announcement until Monday afternoon. "I am excited to be here at Florida State and to help us win championships," Malzahn said in a statement. "It's exciting to work with Coach Norvell, who is someone I believe in as a coach and leader." Norvell, who served as a graduate assistant under Malzahn at Tulsa in 2007-08, said on Saturday night after the Seminoles' 31-11 loss to Florida that he could not identify the new offensive coordinator until the hiring process was finalized. Florida State, which is 2-10 overall and 1-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is ranked No. 132 of 133 FBS programs in total offense (270.2 yards per game). The Seminoles are 130th in the nation in scoring offense (15.4 points per game). Norvell shook up his staff, including firing offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins on Nov. 10 after a 52-3 defeat at Notre Dame. "I'm extremely excited to have Gus Malzahn join our staff at Florida State," Norvell said in the school's statement on Monday. "He has one of the most innovative minds in college football and a proven track record of developing elite offenses everywhere he's been. "His offenses have consistently showcased a tremendous running game combined with explosive plays through the air. I'm thrilled to work side-by-side with Gus again as we elevate the Florida State offense back to one of the elite groups in college football." UCF also endured a tough 2024 season, going 4-8 after losing eight of its last nine games. During Malzahn's four-year tenure, the Knights went 28-24, including 5-13 in the Big 12 Conference the last two seasons. Malzahn, 59, is 105-62 in 13 seasons as a college head coach, highlighted by a 68-35 mark in eight seasons at Auburn -- which included a BCS title game appearance in 2013. He served as offensive coordinator and play caller when the Tigers won the national title in 2010. Malzahn will be tasked with revitalizing a Florida State offense that helped produce a 13-1 campaign in 2023, when the Seminoles were denied a spot in the College Football Playoff. Over the last three seasons at UCF, his rushing attack has been in the Top 10 in the nation. In his 19 seasons as a college head coach or offensive coordinator, Malzahn's teams have averaged 447.7 yards per game, and three of his teams eclipsed 7,000 yards in a season. --Field Level Media
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By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.Sam Hicks, defense lead Abilene Christian over Northern Arizona 24-0 to extend 1st trip to playoffs
BRISBANE, Calif., Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPST), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class 1 targeted and immune-mediated therapeutics to fight cancer, today announced that the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors granted one employee nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 9,450 shares of its common stock under the Company’s 2023 Inducement Plan. The stock options will vest over a four-year period, with 25% of each of the options vesting on the first anniversary of such employee’s start date, and 1/48th of the total shares vesting monthly thereafter, subject to continued employment on each vesting date. About Tempest Therapeutics Tempest Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a diverse portfolio of small molecule product candidates containing tumor-targeted and/or immune-mediated mechanisms with the potential to treat a wide range of tumors. The company’s novel programs range from early research to later-stage investigation in a randomized global study in first-line cancer patients. Tempest is headquartered in Brisbane, California. More information about Tempest can be found on the company’s website at www.tempesttx.com . Investor & Media Contacts: Sylvia Wheeler Wheelhouse Life Science Advisors swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com Aljanae Reynolds Wheelhouse Life Science Advisors areynolds@wheelhouselsa.com 1 If approved by the FDA
Meta is preparing for a groundbreaking infrastructure project: a 40,000+ kilometer subsea fiber-optic cable encircling the globe. The initiative, expected to cost over $10 billion, marks the first time Meta will own and operate a subsea cable exclusively. Sources close to TechCrunch confirmed the plans, which aim to secure seamless data flow for its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. A strategic step for Meta According to the report, the plan begins with a $2 billion budget, but as it scales, the cost could exceed $10 billion. The cable will follow a “W” route, connecting the US east coast to India via South Africa and returning to the US west coast via Australia. The route "avoids areas of geopolitical tension,” a source close to Meta revealed, the report said, referring to recent incidents where subsea cables were damaged by conflict, such as in the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea. India: A key landing point The technology media company highlighted India’s pivotal role in the project. “India could become the training capital of the world,” the source was quoted as saying, citing Meta’s potential plans to build AI training facilities and data centers in the country. India is Meta ’s largest market, with more than 375 million Facebook users, 363 million Instagram users, and 536 million WhatsApp users. The country’s enthusiasm for emerging features like AI tools, combined with a growing data center market, underscores its importance in Meta’s strategy. Broader implications The project reflects a shift in the tech industry, with companies like Meta and Google increasingly investing in private subsea cables to control their data infrastructure. "Tech companies want direct ownership of the pipes needed to deliver content, advertising and more to users around the world," the source said as per the report. Beyond business advantages, geopolitical considerations are also driving the move, the report noted, saying recent attacks and damages to submarine cables have highlighted vulnerabilities in traditional routes, and Meta ’s cable seeks to mitigate these risks while ensuring uninterrupted service to its platforms. Future outlook Although the project is in its early stages, as per the sources cited in the report, Meta will announce details in early 2025. However, challenges loom, including limited availability of manufacturers which are already engaged with other major clients. " AI is part of Meta’s long-term infrastructure roadmap, .... it’s too soon to say whether AI is part of the equation for Meta in this project, describing it as part of the “long tail” of considerations and possibilities," the source was quoted as saying. Meta declined to comment on the project, the report added. However, as the tech giant aims to expand its global reach and cement its infrastructure dominance, this subsea cable could become a cornerstone of its future operations.
President of the NAACP Eugene Edge recalls discussions with President CarterScheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Fresh off one of its best showings of the season, the Baltimore defense now has another problem to worry about. Roquan Smith missed practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury. Although the Ravens didn't officially rule him or anyone else out — they don't play until Monday night — the All-Pro linebacker's status seems dicey. “Definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.” Although the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, Baltimore didn't allow a touchdown. That was an encouraging sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league in total defense. Baltimore is on the road Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens appear to have dodged one potential nightmare. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play almost every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh. But Smith was injured in that game and didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season high in tackles last weekend and figures to have a significant role if Smith can't go. “We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away to going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.” It's hard to tell whether last week can be a significant turning point for Baltimore's defense. The Ravens allowed only 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then yielded 38 against Cincinnati the following game. After allowing 10 against Denver, the Ravens were picked apart by the Bengals again a few days later. So they still haven't shown they can play a good game defensively and then build on it. “I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing," Hamilton said. "We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.” Hamilton's ability to make a difference all over the field is part of what makes him valuable, but positioning him deep is one way the Ravens can try to guard against big passing plays. Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore. That's after Joe Burrow passed for 428 and four touchdowns in the Ravens' previous game. “I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.” NOTES: In addition to Smith, WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle) C Tyler Linderbaum (back) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) missed practice Friday. WR Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to full participation after missing Thursday's practice. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Noah Trister, The Associated Press
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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Keller Boothby's 16 points helped William & Mary defeat Navy 82-76 on Sunday. Boothby went 6 of 8 from the field (4 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Tribe (6-7). Gabe Dorsey scored 16 points and added three steals. Noah Collier went 7 of 9 from the field to finish with 14 points, while adding seven rebounds. Austin Benigni finished with 16 points for the Midshipmen (3-10). Jinwoo Kim added 15 points for Navy. Donovan Draper had 14 points and seven rebounds. The loss was the Midshipmen's sixth in a row. Collier scored 10 points in the first half for William & Mary, who led 41-33 at the break. William & Mary took the lead for good with 3:03 left in the second half on a layup from Dorsey to make it a 73-71 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
US to transform white elephant destroyers by fitting hypersonic weaponsThe meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks.
Will Biden issue blanket pardons for Trump targets? The White House refuses to rule it outLetter writers call for action to help the homeless, encourage energy conservation, support the Newport News Airport, discuss water fluoridation, and worry about hardship caused by the Trump administration's efficiency initiative.