The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____36 roulette strategy 。

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Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women's Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women's Soccer League championship, capping a league-dominating season that set a league record for consecutive unbeaten matches, while becoming the first professional sports team from Orlando to win a major league trophy. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride forward Marta celebrates with teammates their National Women’s Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women’s Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women’s Soccer League championship, capping a league-dominating season that set a league record for consecutive unbeaten matches, while becoming the first professional sports team from Orlando to win a major league trophy. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride Black Swans supporter group celebrate during the Orlando Pride National Women’s Soccer League championship victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women’s Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women’s Soccer League championship, capping a league-dominating season that set a league record for consecutive unbeaten matches, while becoming the first professional sports team from Orlando to win a major league trophy. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride Black Swans supporter group celebrate during the Orlando Pride National Women’s Soccer League championship victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women’s Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women’s Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women’s Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women’s Soccer League championship, capping a league-dominating season that set a league record for consecutive unbeaten matches, while becoming the first professional sports team from Orlando to win a major league trophy. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando Pride players celebrate their National Women's Soccer League championship during a victory parade on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The Pride beat the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday night to win their first National Women's Soccer League championship, capping a league-dominating season that set a league record for consecutive unbeaten matches, while becoming the first professional sports team from Orlando to win a major league trophy. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

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NoneQuarterback since taking over as the 49ers’ starting quarterback late in the 2022 season. And he could not come at . With the 49ers clinging to slim playoff hopes, Purdy will be sidelined for the team’s crucial game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field due to a right shoulder injury. Purdy , 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. The imaging did not show any significant damage, and Purdy has a chance to play against Buffalo in Week 13, Shanahan said. against the Packers, and Joshua Dobbs will serve as the backup, Shanahan said. In fact, the 49ers will take the field without, perhaps, their most important offensive and defensive players. also was ruled out with hip and oblique injuries, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Friday. The 49ers are scheduled to travel late Friday afternoon. is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who , was ruled out, along with wide receiver Jacob Cowing (concussion), defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin) and linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee). Tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey have been fully cleared to play in Sunday’s game. Purdy has made a start since becoming the 49ers’ starting quarterback with five games remaining in the 2022 season. He sustained a cracked rib in his first start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy did not throw any passes in practice the following week but still managed to play on a Thursday night in Seattle. This week, Purdy did not throw on Wednesday. He took a few short tosses before practice on Thursday but left the field before the start of practice. He was not on the field as the 49ers began practice on Friday. Allen, who won the No. 2 job over Joshua Dobbs, is . Allen, 32, entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. His NFL career consists of 16 appearances with nine starts. He has completed 149 of 263 pass attempts (56.7 percent) for 1,611 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. for Sunday’s game. Last season, Dobbs appeared in 13 games with 12 starts for Arizona and Minnesota. He threw for 2,464 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Bosa sustained a hip and oblique injury during practice on Nov. 6. He struggled through the 49ers’ game at Tampa, then sustained an injury to the hip and oblique on the other side. He said it was a matter of overcompensating for the discomfort of the original injury. Leonard Floyd has started every game at defensive end for the 49ers this season. The 49ers’ other defensive ends are Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal. Williams sustained an ankle injury in the 49ers’ Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After going through a workout before last week’s game, it was determined he could play with the help of a painkilling injection. Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowl performer, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Jaylon Moore took the first-team practice snaps at left tackle and would be expected to start in place of Williams. Moore has seven career starts in four NFL seasons. QB Brock Purdy (shoulder) DL Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) LB Tatum Bethune (knee) DL Kevin Givens (groin) CB Charvarius Ward (personal) WR Jacob Cowing (concussion) LT Trent Williams (ankle) OL Jon Feliciano (knee)Jarrod Bowen held Antonio’s number nine shirt aloft after scoring the winner in support of the Hammers striker, who is recovering after a horror car crash on Saturday. Boss Julen Lopetegui said: “He is not in his best moment but he kept his humour. It was a special moment for us. “I think we have a lot of reason to win matches but this was one reason more. He’s alive so we are happy.” MA9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fXwtdSQWYE — West Ham United (@WestHam) December 9, 2024 West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9′ shirts while warming up and walking out before kick-off. The shirts will be signed by the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK. Tomas Soucek headed West Ham into the lead and held up nine fingers to a TV camera. The Czech midfielder told Sky Sports: “He’s been here since I came here. He is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him. "He was here since I came and he's really my favourite" Tomáš Souček on dedicating his goal to Michail Antonio ❤️ pic.twitter.com/smNy26wmuX — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024 “I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.” Matt Doherty equalised for Wolves, and boss Gary O’Neil felt they should have had two penalties for fouls on Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, both of which were checked by VAR. But Bowen’s winner – O’Neil believed there was a foul in the build-up – condemned Wolves to a 10th defeat of the season and a third in a row. While under-pressure Lopetegui may have earned a stay of execution, O’Neil’s future as Wolves manager is now in serious doubt. “A lot of things went against us but ultimately we have not found a way to turn the game in our favour,” he said. “But the players showed they are still fighting for me, for the fans and the group. “Where does this leave me? In the same place I was. I’m aware of the noise. But if anyone expected this to be easy – I’m happy to be judged on results but it should be done in context. “Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it.” There was an acrimonious end to the match as captains Bowen and Mario Lemina scuffled after the final whistle, with the Wolves midfielder angrily shoving people including one of his own coaches, Shaun Derry. “I just went to shake his hand after the game,” Bowen said. “He didn’t want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say ‘well done’ after the game. “I know it’s difficult when you lose. I’ve been on the end of that situation.” O’Neil added: “Mario is calm now. He’s a passionate guy and something was said that upset him. “The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn’t get into trouble, but he took some calming down.”

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