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The Latest: South Carolina coach Martin to miss game at LSU
FILE - Villanova head coach Jay Wright gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown in Washington, in this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo. South Carolina, 3-2 this season, has had seven scheduled games called off because of COVID-19. ___Xavier's scheduled men's basketball game Saturday at Seton Hall has been postponed because of COVID-19 related issues within the Xavier program. ___The Atlantic Coast Conference says Saturday’s men’s basketball game between Georgia Tech and North Carolina State has been postponed. ___Michigan State is postponing a second straight men's basketball game due to a COVID-19 outbreak within its basketball program.
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Successful season? College football played 500-plus games
“Do I think it would be a great matchup in college football, particularly in 2020? College football researcher and statistician Cody Kellner calculated 82 scheduled games were never played and 86.8% of the major college football season will be completed if no games are canceled Saturday. Teams played 52 of 55 potential regular-season games, including 43 of 45 conference games, plus a championship game. Teams played 85 of 90 potential regular-season games, including 70 of 75 conference games, plus a championship game. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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Sun Belt football championship game canceled
Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jaivon Heiligh (6) and teammate Will McDonald (66) celebrate Heiligh's touchdown against Troy during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)CONWAY, S.C. – The Sun Belt Conference football championship game Saturday between No. 9 Coastal Carolina and No. 17 Louisiana-Lafayette was canceled Thursday because of a positive COVID-19 test within the Coastal Carolina program. “We will honor both teams as 2020 Sun Belt Conference Co-Champions.”Both schools were in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl spot with a victory in the first Sun Belt title game featuring a matchup of ranked teams. “We are severely disappointed for our student-athletes and staff to not have the opportunity to play in what would have been a truly exciting championship game for the Sun Belt Conference,” ULL AD Bryan Maggard said.
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AP Top 25: Coastal breaks into top 10; Alabama still No. 1
25 San Jose State is this week's upstart. How they persevered through all kinds of challenges.”This San Jose State team showed progress last year, going 5-7 after winning three games total in Brennan's first two seasons. San Jose State had to relocate to practice at first and then to play. CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKENDNine of the 10 FBS conference championship games will feature at least one ranked team and six will match Top-25 teams. 25 San Jose State, Mountain West championship.
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No. 11 Coastal Carolina survives 42-38 scare against Troy
Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely (4) celebrates a touchdown with Coastal Carolina running back CJ Marable (1) against Troy during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)TROY, Ala. – Jaivon Heiligh caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Grayson McCall with 45 seconds left and No. 11 Coastal Carolina preserved its first perfect regular season with a 42-38 win over Troy on Saturday. Kaylon Geiger had 103 receiving yards for Troy and Reggie Todd had 101, including a 41-yard touchdown. Free led Troy down the field to stay alive, setting up Jamontez Woods’ 3-yard touchdown run with 2:48 left. He ran for a touchdown and added the two-point conversion with 30 seconds left last season to give Coastal a 36-35 victory.