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HOUSTON — In the end, the “Michigan vs. Everybody” mantra that inspired the Wolverines all season long was quite fitting.

The Wolverines did indeed square off against everybody this season — from the NCAA to their own Big Ten conference to the No. 2 team in the nation Monday night on college football’s greatest stage. On and off the field, Michigan refused to let any opponent, any NCAA investigation or any of the six games head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for get in its way of winning a national title.

And Monday night, when it mattered the most, No. 1 Michigan did it again, beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 before an announced crowd of 72,808 at NRG Stadium to earn the school’s first national championship since 1997, when it shared the honor with Nebraska. The Wolverines asserted themselves from the opening kickoff and never trailed against the Huskies (14-1).

Michigan’s national title will always be entangled with what was the biggest story in college football this season, allegations of a wide-spread sign-stealing scheme allegedly led by former staff member Connor Stalions, who resigned Nov. 4. As polarizing as the program has been nationally, though, those within it have only been galvanized by the controversy and accusations.

In what was the first national championship game appearance for both teams (Michigan’s ’97 shared title with Nebraska was won one year before the first BCS National Championship game), Michigan became the sixth team in major college football history to finish 15-0 or better in a season and set the Big Ten’s record for the most wins in a season.

Michigan had all of the pieces in place for the perfect season — starting with a veteran quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who wasn’t flashy, but won the turnover battle against Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr., who threw two interceptions.

Michigan’s offensive line won the battle up front and paved the way for a dynamic duo at running back in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. They each ran for over 100 yards and together accounted for four touchdowns. Michigan’s stingy defense flustered Penix Jr. all night, making it far more difficult for the Huskies to have success in the deep passing game — or any real passing game at all.

This was arguably the most talented Michigan team in decades, one that built its success on not only a senior-laden roster, but also discipline, rarely racking up penalties and turnovers. It wasn’t, though, without its flaws.

There was the NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations during the 2020 season. A separate NCAA investigation into a widespread sign-stealing scheme. Coach Harbaugh’s three-game suspension to open the season, and another three-game suspension to end the season — the latter which was imposed by the Big Ten for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy.

With Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti watching from a suite with Big Ten staff and Big Ten Network staff and guests, Michigan did what it has done all season in spite of the controversy — it out-played its opponent.

Michigan averaged a whopping 19.3 yards per carry in the first quarter. The Wolverines won the battle up front and created confusion for Washington’s defense. Michigan had four plays of at least 35 yards, and the Huskies’ defense allowed 209 rushing yards in the first half — the most the program has allowed in a half since 2011.

Washington went to its locker room at halftime trailing 17-10, its biggest deficit of the season. Penix Jr. had a much more difficult time passing downfield than he did against the Texas defense in the CFP semifinal. There were also some uncharacteristic drops and some errant throws.

With 10:27 remaining in the first half, Rome Odunze, one of the top receivers in the country, was wide open and within scoring range when Penix Jr. overthrew him on a daring fourth-and-seven, a play the Huskies desperately needed to swing the momentum.

At one point in the fourth quarter, he had completed just 26.7% of his passes thrown at least five yards (4-of-15) and had thrown one interception. With 4:29 left in the game, he threw another interception, and Mike Sainristil ran it back 81 yards to Washington’s 8-yard line. The play set up Corum’s touchdown that sealed the win and put the Wolverines ahead 34-13.

It was the second time in the second half a touchdown by Corum provided some separation. With 7:09 left in the game, Corum ran 12 yards for a touchdown that put the Wolverines ahead 27-13. It was a Hollywood ending for Corum, who leads the FBS with 27 total touchdowns and is unlikely to return next season. He has now had a rushing touchdown in 15 straight games, the longest streak by a Michigan player in the past 20 seasons. McCarthy only completed 10-of-18 passes because he didn’t have to be a hero in the air with so much success on the ground.

The disappearing Pac-12 is now 1-4 in BCS/CFP national championship games, but this is the last time Washington will compete as a member of that conference.

The Huskies will join the Big Ten in August, and will face Michigan again in an October conference game.

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Bennett scores 2 as Panthers take 2-0 series lead

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Bennett scores 2 as Panthers take 2-0 series lead

RALEIGH, N.C. — Sam Bennett scored one of his two goals in Florida’s three-goal first period, Sergei Bobrovsky made 17 saves and the Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference final.

Gustav Forsling and Matthew Tkachuk also scored in another tone-setting opening 20 minutes for the reigning Stanley Cup champions, while Carter Verhaeghe had three assists.

Bennett scored a second time by skating in to clean up an attempt at the right post in the final minute of the second period to make it 4-0, ending a long shift in Carolina’s end prolonged by Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns being stuck on the ice after breaking his stick. Aleksander Barkov added a goal midway through the third as punctuation.

Bobrovsky had his third shutout of the playoffs this year and the sixth of his career, with Florida’s defense smothering a Hurricanes team that typically peppers the net with shots but found little daylight.

Florida had already ripped home-ice advantage away Tuesday night with a 5-2 win, the opener in a rematch of the 2023 conference final swept by the Panthers with four one-goal wins. Florida only tightened its grip on the series with this one and now heads back south to host Game 3 on Saturday night.

On the other bench, the Hurricanes found themselves on the receiving end of a crushing loss by a jarringly lopsided margin. And it marked their 14th straight loss in a conference final, going back to sweeps in 2009, 2019 and the ’23 tilt with Florida.

The Hurricanes managed just three first-period shots and just seven through two periods, prompting a typically rowdy home crowd to vent its frustrations with two chants of “Shoot the puck! Shoot the puck!” Carolina had a brief boost when Sebastian Aho scored on a turnover in the first minute of the second period to cut the deficit to 3-1.

But Florida successfully challenged that the play was offsides. It turned out Burns’ stick-check on Tkachuk near the blue line forced the puck back into the zone and right to Aho in the slot for the finish.

By the third period, Carolina had pulled veteran Frederik Andersen from net and went with backup Pyotr Kochetkov for the final period.

It wasn’t all great news for Florida. Veteran forward Sam Reinhart was knocked from the game in the first period after taking a hit from Aho in the left leg, causing Reinhart’s knee to bend awkwardly.

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Danes oust Canada at hockey worlds; U.S. wins

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Danes oust Canada at hockey worlds; U.S. wins

HERNING, Denmark — Nick Olesen scored with 49 seconds left as Denmark stunned Canada 2-1 at the ice hockey world championship Thursday to advance to the semifinals.

“I have no words, it’s unbelievable,” Olesen said after Denmark reached the last four for the first time. “The fans here were cheering for us the whole game and they helped us get the win. It’s crazy.”

Denmark, in the sold-out arena in Herning, had tied it with 2:17 remaining when Nikolaj Ehlers scored through traffic in only his second game at the tournament following his Winnipeg Jets being eliminated from the NHL playoffs.

The Danes had pulled goaltender Frederik Dichow for the extra attacker before Ehlers struck.

Canada outshot Denmark 30-11 in the first two periods but couldn’t solve Dichow, who made 39 saves in all, until 5:17 into the third when captain Sidney Crosby fed Travis Sanheim to score into the roof of the net. Canada was outshot 22-10 in the final period, though.

Denmark has only two NHL players at the worlds, while Canada has only two who don’t play at the NHL level.

“I’m disappointed,” Crosby said. “We got better as the tournament went on. I don’t think tonight was necessarily our best, but we still found a way to give ourselves a lead … but it turned pretty quick.”

Crosby returned to the worlds for the first time since 2015, when he captained Canada to gold. He was expected to do it again with teammates like Nathan MacKinnon.

Canada is the most successful nation at the tournament with 28 titles but has finished empty-handed in the past two editions after it was beaten by Sweden in the bronze medal game last year.

It was only the second win for Denmark over Canada at the worlds.

The semifinals are set for Saturday: Denmark will play Switzerland; and the United States will face Sweden.

Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. advanced by beating Finland 5-2 backed by Conor Garland‘s two power-play goals

Trailing 2-1 in the middle period, the Americans needed 71 seconds to turn things around when defenseman Zeev Buium put home a rebound at 23:53 before Garland’s second goal restored the U.S. lead.

“I really liked how we stayed with it and built as the game wore on,” U.S. head coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “We got off to a bit of a slow start but really found our game as time wore on. I give our guys a lot of credit as they beat an excellent hockey team today.”

Garland had given the U.S. a 1-0 lead 4:50 into the game when he received a cross-ice pass from Logan Cooley to beat goalie Juuse Saros from the right circle.

Finland tied it at 1-1 on Eeli Tolvanen‘s power-play goal. Patrik Puistola scored from the slot on another power play 7:46 into the second period for Finland to take a 2-1 lead.

The Americans added two more goals in the third. Shane Pinto scored the fourth 5:52 into the final period and captain Clayton Keller finished the scoring into an empty net.

The U.S. team hasn’t won a medal since taking bronze in 2021. The Finns have been waiting for a medal since they won gold in 2022.

Sweden delighted the home crowd in the Avicii Arena in Stockholm by eliminating defending champion Czechia with a 5-2 victory.

Lucas Raymond and Leo Carlsson led the co-host with two goals each.

Earlier in Herning, last year’s runner-up Switzerland advanced by blanking Austria 6-0.

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Shanahan out as Leafs president after 11 seasons

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Shanahan out as Leafs president after 11 seasons

After 11 seasons, Brendan Shanahan will not have his contract renewed as president and alternate governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The organization announced its decision in a statement Thursday, ending months of speculation surrounding Shanahan’s future with the franchise.

The 56-year-old Shanahan, a Hall of Famer as a player, had held the position since April 2014.

“Over the past 11 seasons, Brendan Shanahan has made countless contributions to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the ice, off the ice and in the community,” Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president/CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement. “… Our responsibility and driving motivation, however, is to add a new chapter to the Maple Leafs’ championship history, and it was determined that a new voice was required to take the team to the next level in the years ahead.”

Pelley is scheduled to meet with the media on Friday.

In his own public statement, Shanahan said he was informed during a meeting Thursday of MLSE’s choice not to bring him back. He thanked the board for its support during his tenure in Toronto and shared his admiration for the Leafs’ remaining leadership group that he helped put in place, including general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube.

“I greatly enjoyed working with Brad and Craig, and I firmly believe they are excellent in their roles and have done a great job in their time with the team,” Shanahan said. “Also, I want to thank the players. They are committed and passionate about delivering a championship to this city and will do everything within their power to accomplish that goal. I wish them all the very best.”

The Maple Leafs, prior to Thursday’s announcement, had already granted permission to the New York Islanders to speak with Shanahan about a position with their team.

Shanahan, a native of the Toronto area, joined the Leafs as they prepared to enter a rebuilding phase, installing what publicly became known as the “Shanaplan.” He revamped the front office immediately, hiring former GM Lou Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock in 2015. Toronto posted a last-place finish in 2015-16 and won the NHL’s draft lottery, using the first overall pick in 2016 to select Auston Matthews.

The center jumpstarted Toronto’s retooling with the Leafs’ Core Four — along with Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. In Shanahan’s tenure, the Leafs enjoyed regular-season success that failed to transition into playoff wins, despite multiple changes to staff along the way.

Despite an impressive roster of talent, Toronto has bowed out of the first round in six of its last eight full-season playoff series.

The Leafs did advance to the second round this season and held a 2-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers, but they lost three of the last four, including blowout defeats at home in Games 5 and 7.

Toronto, which recorded seven straight losses in winner-take-all games under Shanahan, has not advanced to the third round since 2002, and its Stanley Cup drought now sits at 58 years.

Shanahan won the Stanley Cup three times with the Red Wings during his 21-year playing career from 1987-2009. He spent time with New Jersey, St. Louis, Hartford, Detroit and the New York Rangers.

A month after hanging up his skates, Shanahan went to work in the league office as VP of hockey and business development. There, he worked with Islanders co-owner John Collins and was later promoted to senior vice president and took over the NHL’s disciplinary responsibilities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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