Arkansas takes on Troy

Troy Trojans (5-6) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-7) Asheville, North Carolina; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Arkansas faces Troy in Asheville, North Carolina. The Razorbacks are 6-7 in non-conference play.

From rugby league to the NFL: rookie loving each day despite Patriots’ woe

Jotham Russell switched from Tweed Heads Seagulls to the Pats’ practice squad and dreams of making the grade

By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required

Desperate to find breakthrough international stars, NFL talent scouts seem to have found two avenues well worth pursuing. Of the athletes in the league’s International Player Pathway (IPP) in 2024 and 2025, the latter group was announced last week, around half were rugby players of both codes from Australia or athletes with Nigerian heritage. In Jotham Russell, the NFL have both.

A year ago, Russell was pursuing his rugby league career at Tweed Heads Seagulls in Queensland’s Hastings Deering Colts competition. Identified as a potential NFL player, by January he was at trials for the IPP program at the IMG Academy in Florida. The Australian with Nigerian heritage survived the Rookie Camp in May and pre-season to sign for New England Patriots’ practice squad, watching an NFL game from the sidelines for the first time when the Pats lost to Jacksonville at Wembley in October. It has been a bewildering whirlwind.

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Davis scores 22, Washington wins 89-73 in 300th meeting with Washington State

DJ Davis scored 21 points, Mekhi Mason added 15 as six players scored in double figures and Washington thumped Washington State 89-73 in the 300th meeting between the cross-state rivals on Wednesday night. It was the first meeting since the Huskies, who lead the series 189-111, joined the Big Ten Conference, leaving the Cougars to play as an affiliate member of the West Coast Conference as the Pac-12 Conference tries to rebuild its membership.

Farrell scores 18 as Portland State downs Pacific 81-75

Cole Farrell's 18 points off of the bench led Portland State to an 81-75 victory against Pacific on Wednesday. Farrell added five rebounds for the Vikings (6-5). Shane Nowell scored 15 points, shooting 4 for 12 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line.

Agbo, Claude fuel USC past Cal State Northridge for 90-69 win

Chibuzo Agbo scored 23 points and Desmond Claude scored 21 points and USC distanced itself from Cal State Northridge in the second half beating the Matadors 90-69 on Wednesday night. Saint Thomas scored 16 points and Josh Cohen added 12 for the Trojans (8-4) who have won three straight following a three-game skid. PJ Fuller II and Keonte Jones scored 17 apiece for the Matadors (7-4).

Hargress scores 22, UC Riverside beats Montana State 83-80

Barrington Hargress' 22 points helped UC Riverside defeat Montana State 83-80 on Wednesday. Hargress added 10 assists for the Highlanders (8-4). Kaleb Smith scored 18 points while shooting 6 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line and added eight rebounds.