It’s Ucf’s First Big 12 Anniversary, And Greater Things Could Be Ahead And Come Quicker Than Anyone Expected

GAINESVILLE — When Florida hosts UCF on Saturday night, in-state bragging rights and midseason momentum on the line and the future of Gators coach Billy Napier in the balance. The schools’ long-awaited fourth meeting pits UF (2-2) struggling to re-establish SEC relevancy and UCF (3-1) aiming to ascend the Big 12 pecking order, an effort undercut by the Knights recent 48-21 loss to Colorado. “They are going to come out with a lot of juice,” Florida senior cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.

By COLLEEN LONG WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden had terse words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, and said he didn’t know whether the Israeli leader was holding up a peace deal in order to influence the outcome of the 2024 U. S. presidential election. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have,” Biden said.

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins have sympathized plenty with Jaelan Phillips this week after he had another season end prematurely due to injury. But now, after Phillips suffered a partial tear in the ACL in his right knee, they must come up with answers to fill his void at the edge defender position. “You have to prepare numerous people to fill a role like that,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said this week, “and I know the guys have a lot of motivation to accept that challenge because it’s a great one.” Miami still doesn’t have fellow outside linebacker Bradley Chubb practicing either, while he remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list due to last year’s season-ending knee injury. It’ll take heightened contributions from a veteran the team released for cap space this offseason before bringing back ahead of training camp in Emmanuel Ogbah, rookies in Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara, and former practice squad player Quinton Bell. It’s a far cry from what one would have imagined Miami’s pass-rushing unit looking like back in March or early April, with ideas of veteran Shaquil Barrett joining the team in free agency before his abrupt retirement and maybe having Phillips and Chubb together off their season-ending injuries from 2023.

Imagine spending day after day worrying whether you will find food and water. The internet and power are out. You don’t know what to do with the kids because schools may not reopen for weeks. Welcome to western North Carolina, a favorite vacation destination of Floridians, where simple things — taking showers, washing clothes — are absent luxuries. The misery could last for weeks or months.

By MICHAEL PHILLIS, JEFF AMY and BRITTANY PETERSON ASHEVILLE, N. C. (AP) — Nearly a week after Hurricane Helene brought devastation to western North Carolina, a shiny stainless steel tanker truck in downtown Asheville attracted residents carrying 5-gallon containers, milk jugs and buckets to fill with what has become a desperately scare resource — drinking water. Flooding tore through the city’s water system, destroying so much infrastructure that officials said repairs could take weeks.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State started 10 seniors on offense in the opener against Georgia Tech. Four losses later, the Seminoles could start four freshmen or sophomores on offense against No. 15 Clemson. Typically, starting a mix of veterans who are homegrown or transfers ensures a level of success. That has been far from the case in 2024 with FSU (1-4, 1-3 ACC). Through mostly injury to DJ Uiagalelei, FSU will turn to redshirt freshman Brock Glenn at quarterback to guide an offense that has scored in the teens in four straight games.