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Tuesday Sports Update

By Tony Bianchi Jan 12, 2021 | 7:08 AM

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have agreed to terms with Head Coach Jeremy Colliton on a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2023 season. The Blackhawks season starts tomorrow on the road when they face defending Stanley Cup Champions The Tampa Bay Lightning.

 

Heisman winner DeVonta Smith exploded for 215 yards and three touchdowns on a dozen catches as first-ranked Alabama rolled past Ohio State 52-24 in Miami to win the National Championship.  Mac Jones went off for 464 yards passing and five touchdowns.  Najee Harris rushed for 79 yards and two scores on the ground and added seven catches for another 79 yards and a TD catch. DeVonta Smith was named the offensive MVP even though he exited the game early in the third quarter with a hand injury.

Coach Nick Saban now has more national championships than any other head coach in the modern era of college football by achieving his seventh career title and breaking a tie with the legendary Bear Bryant.  Saban won his first title with LSU and now has six with the Crimson Tide.

 

In college basketball, Northern Illinois looks for a win at home when they host the Akron Zips.  The Huskies are currently 1-9 this season.

 

The Illinois basketball game at Nebraska tomorrow night has been postponed. Nebraska announced it has paused full team activities due to positive COVID-19 results among personnel.  The 13th-ranked Fighting Illini host Ohio State on Saturday.

 

 

Former Eastern Illinois star quarterback Tony Romo and Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer highlight the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops is also part of the 13-member class that features 11 players and two coaches. The Enshrinement is in December. 

 

 

In the NBA

The Bulls-Celtics game tonight in Chicago is postponed due to COVID-19.  Seven Boston players are in the health and safety protocols.  The Celtics postponed their game Sunday against the Miami Heat when they couldn’t dress the minimum eight players required.  The Bulls don’t play again until they travel to face the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Friday.

Last night’s game between the Pelicans and Mavericks in Dallas was also postponed due to COVID-19.

 

Over in the NFL

The Doug Pederson era is over in Philadelphia.  The Eagles fired their head coach on Monday after finishing last in the NFC East at 4-11-and-1.  Pederson guided the Eagles to a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl 52 in February 2018.  He finishes 42-37-and-1 in five seasons 

 

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick won’t be accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  He says he’s flattered by the offer but cited the tragic events of last week as a reason.  

 

In Major League Baseball

The White Sox are signing top free-agent closer Liam Hendriks.  Multiple reports say the two sides have agreed to a three-year, 54-million-dollar deal. Hendriks had a 1.78 ERA for the A’s last season and received the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year award.  Major League Baseball is planning for an on-time start to spring training and a full 162-game regular season.  

 

 

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