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The Georgia Bulldogs are again on top of the college football world after winning the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship.

UGA defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 65-7, fueled by an outstanding performance from Stetson Bennett. He finished with 304 yards passing, four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Bennett’s sensational outing helped Georgia secure its second straight national title — quite the turnaround after going 40 seasons without winning a championship (1981-2020).

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, only a few teams have won back-to-back titles in college football since 1990. Georgia’s consecutive championships put the school on a shortlist of programs who have achieved the feat.

Alabama Crimson Tide – 2011-12

Bama went 11-1 in the 2011 regular season, with its only loss against the LSU Tigers in overtime on Nov. 5, 2011. When the two teams met again in the BCS Championship Game, Alabama beat LSU 21-0 to win the national title.

In 2012, Bama again finished with an 11-1 regular-season record, the lone blemish was a loss against the Texas A&M Aggies on Nov. 10, 2012. The Crimson Tide outscored their opponents 172-42 the rest of the year, which included a 42-14 thrashing of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the championship.


USC Trojans – 2003-04

The 2003 Trojans offense was a machine, scoring 30 or more points in 11 of their 13 games that season. USC finished the regular season 11-1, its only defeat against the California Golden Bears in triple overtime.

After a 28-14 win against the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl, USC ended up splitting national championship rights with LSU. The Tigers defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the BCS national title game and earned the No. 1 spot in the coaches poll. But USC was ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, which produced the co-championship outcome.

In 2004, USC logged a 12-0 regular-season record and a place in the BCS title game. The Trojans trounced the Oklahoma Sooners 55-19, becoming the first team since the 1994-95 Nebraska Cornhuskers to repeat as AP national champions.


Nebraska Cornhuskers – 1994-95

Speaking of Nebraska, the Cornhuskers put together a historic two-year stretch. In 1994, they compiled a 12-0 regular-season record, scoring 40 or more points in six of 12 games, while the defense gave up 15 points or fewer in seven contests. In the national championship game at the Orange Bowl, the Cornhuskers were down 17-9 to the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter, but Nebraska orchestrated a memorable comeback to win 24-17.

Read more: Epic Miami-Nebraska games

The Cornhuskers had an 11-0 regular-season record in 1995. They faced little resistance from their opponents, winning by an average of 38.7 points per game. According to Nebraska’s 1995 team page, it led the country in rushing yards (399.8) and scoring (52.4).

In the national championship at the Fiesta Bowl, the Cornhuskers’ offense reigned supreme, scoring 62 points en route to a 62-24 win against the Florida Gators. The 86 combined points was a game record until the TCU Horned Frogs and Michigan Wolverines scored 96 in the 2022 CFP semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Nebraska’s 25 straight wins from 1994-95 became a school record.

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Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

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Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.

Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.

The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.

If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.

Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.

“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”

Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.

“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”

Carlos Rodón, Carlos Estévez and Casey Mize were named replacement pitchers on the AL roster.

The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.

“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”

The Kansas City Royals‘ Estévez replaces Texas’ Jacob deGrom, who is scheduled to start at Houston on Saturday night. Estévez was a 2023 All-Star when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.

Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.

The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”

Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.

Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.

San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.

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Twins SS Correa helped off with sprained ankle

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Twins SS Correa helped off with sprained ankle

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa had to be helped off the field after injuring his right ankle when Pittsburgh‘s Tommy Pham slid into him at second base.

Pham was trying to get to second on his liner off the wall in right field in the seventh inning of the Twins’ 2-1 victory Friday night. Right fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s throw beat Pham, whose batting helmet made contact with Correa’s lower leg.

Correa rolled over and stayed on the ground before leaving the game. Brooks Lee moved from second base to shortstop to replace Correa. The team said Correa had a mild ankle sprain.

Correa said X-rays were negative and that he expects to sit out Saturday’s game, adding that he “hopefully” can play on Sunday, according to MLB.com.

The 30-year-old Correa is already in his 11th big league season and has been a mainstay at shortstop for the Twins since signing as a free agent in 2022. He missed about half of last season with a concussion and a plantar fascia injury, the latter of which kept him from playing in the All-Star Game after he was chosen for the third time.

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Acuña replaced in HR Derby by teammate Olson

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Acuña replaced in HR Derby by teammate Olson

ATLANTA — Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t participate in the Home Run Derby, replaced Friday by Atlanta teammate and fellow All-Star Matt Olson.

Acuña is a starting outfielder for the National League and still is expected to play in the All-Star Game on his home field. Olson is a reserve infielder.

Instead of Acuña, Olson will try to become the first Atlanta player to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night. He could become the fourth to win at home. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night.

Olson competed in the 2021 Derby while with the Athletics. He was eliminated in the first round. The 31-year-old entered the weekend with 17 homers this season.

The other scheduled participants are Brent Rooker, the first for the Athletics since Olson, along with Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Yankees, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and James Wood of Washington.

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