Fulton Sun | Sports

Missouri men resume SEC play at Texas A&M After a five-day pause in program activities and two conference games postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test, the Missouri men's basketball team is back in action today at Texas A&M. The No. 17 Tigers and the Aggies tip at noon on SEC Network. by Colin O'Brien Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:55am

Chiefs aim for quicker starts as they begin title defense The Kansas City Chiefs have proven they can overcome just about any deficit in the postseason. That doesn't mean they want to keep doing it. Of all the points of emphasis this weekend, when the Chiefs play the Cleveland Browns for a spot in their third straight AFC championship game, perhaps none is as consequential as this: Kansas City wants to start fast Sunday, something it failed to do in falling behind by double figures in each of their playoff games last season. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:50am

Landeskog scores 200th goal, Avalanche rout Blues 8-0 Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals to reach 200 for his career, helping the Colorado Avalanche rebound from an opening-night loss with an 8-0 rout of the St. Louis Blues on Friday. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Mikko Rantanen scored the 100th goal of his career and added an assist, and Nazem Kadri also had a goal and an assist. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:45am

Browns' Garrett 'due,' wants to leave impression on Mahomes Myles Garrett has only respect for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a generational talent on another level from other players in the NFL. Reverence aside, Garrett hopes to make Mahomes remember meeting him in the playoffs. Forever. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:40am

Allen, Jackson set for playoff showdown as Bills host Ravens Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was immediately impressed by Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen's competitive fire following their first face-to-face encounter in an NFL setting. It happened in the 2018 season opener, when the then-raw rookie Bills quarterback was shoved into the Ravens' sideline. Allen hopped up and exchanged words with players and Harbaugh before officials stepped in to separate everyone. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:30am

Packers' potent offense faces big test from Rams' defense No NFL team scored more points during the regular season than the Green Bay Packers. Nobody has played better defense than the Los Angeles Rams. That sets up an intriguing showdown of strength vs. strength when MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers and the Packers host All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game today. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:30am

Falcons pick Titans offensive coordinator Smith as new coach The Atlanta Falcons have chosen offense and youth as the calling cards of their new coach. Atlanta agreed to terms with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Friday to become the team's head coach. Smith, only 38, has no experience as a head coach. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:25am

Commentary: Meyer faces tough adjustment heading to NFL Jaguars Before the good folks in Jacksonville get too fired up about the arrival of Urban Meyer, let's review a few cautionary tales. Like Nick Saban. And Steve Spurrier. And perhaps the biggest flop of all when it comes to college coaches going pro, Bobby Petrino. by Paul Newberry, AP Sports Columnist Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:25am

Browns' Bitonio back for playoffs after COVID-19 Joel Bitonio's neighbors set off fireworks late Sunday night after the Browns stunned the Steelers in the wild-card game. The loud bangs signified something more for the Pro Bowl guard — a second chance. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:25am

Taylor gets a break and a birdie and leads Sony Open Nick Taylor pitched in for eagle to get his round headed in the right direction, and he kept going until he finished with a good break and one last birdie for an 8-under 62 and a two-shot lead Friday in the Sony Open. It's still as crowded as the H-1 at the top, typical of this tournament. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:20am

Harden sees title chance, says he'll sacrifice shots for it James Harden used his final interview in Houston to say his team wasn't good enough. He has a whole new message now that he's in Brooklyn. Harden sees a roster that features Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, a coaching staff that includes a coach under whom he became the NBA's leading scorer, and an opportunity to win the title he still lacks. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:15am

More NBA games off, league continues struggles with virus Another three NBA games were postponed Friday, including one in Minnesota only a couple hours before game time, as the league's struggle with increasing coronavirus numbers continued. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:15am

Australian Open arrivals hit by two COVID positive tests Health authorities confirmed today two positive COVID-19 cases emerged from a charter flight from Los Angeles carrying tennis players and officials to Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:10am

FCS schedules nearly set with season starting in February One college football season just ended, and another one starts in just more than a month. All but a few teams in the Football Championship Subdivision shut down in the fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will play a spring season culminating with the NCAA playoffs in April and May. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:10am

Athletic trainers adapt to sports in a pandemic Collegiate athletic trainers are used to being the calm amid chaos. Screaming fans, blaring music from loudspeakers, coaches and players caught up in the heat of competition — all of it gets tuned out when a trainer is tending to an injured athlete. The coronavirus pandemic has added another constantly shifting layer to what they do. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:10am

Cardinals, Flaherty still without deal, swap arbitration figures The St. Louis Cardinals and ace Jack Flaherty have not agreed to terms on a 2021 contract and they swapped figures for salary arbitration Friday. by Associated Press Published Jan. 16 2021 @ 12:05am

High school boys' basketball: North Callaway 71, New Bloomfield 41 MOKANE — Senior guard Cody Cash produced a game-high 22 points as the fifth-seeded Thunderbirds eased past the No. 8 Wildcats in the consolation semifinals of the South Callaway Tournament on Thursday night. by Ryan Boland Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 6:00am

College men's basketball: Central Baptist (Ark.) 66, William Woods 57 CONWAY, Ark. — The Owls could not recover from a 15-point halftime deficit and had their two-game winning streak halted in an American Midwest Conference loss to the Mustangs on Thursday night. by Ryan Boland Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 6:00am

High school boys' basketball: Hornets move on to championship game at California CALIFORNIA — The Fulton Hornets made a prominent defensive statement in quieting the Southern Boone Eagles. by Ryan Boland Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 6:00am

Bieniemy's focus on Browns, not vacant coaching jobs Eric Bieniemy spent last week speaking to just about every NFL franchise with a vacant head coaching job. The Chiefs offensive coordinator doesn't want to waste a second on it this week. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:35am

AFC's young QB quartet, old NFC guard create huge age gap Andy Reid has been here before, with a young franchise quarterback on a team contending for the Super Bowl year after year. The Kansas City coach is at it again with Patrick Mahomes, and thrilled to see similarly youthful leaders among the AFC playoff teams in what is the biggest QB age discrepancy between conferences in the divisional round since the merger. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:25am

Stefanski out of his basement, return to Browns Browns coach Kevin Stefanski doesn't plan a trip downstairs to his basement any time soon. "Those walls were closing in on me," he said. Stefanski returned to the team's facility Thursday, 10 days after the first-year coach tested positive for COVID-19 and he was forced to miss Cleveland's playoff win Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:20am

Bucs, Browns, Bills out to follow footsteps of Chiefs Aside from winning the final Super Bowl before the merger in 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs' biggest claim to fame for more than half a century was team founder Lamar Hunt coining the phrase Super Bowl. by Associated Press Published Jan. 15 2021 @ 12:20am