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DENVER — Gabriel Landeskog was back on the ice with his Colorado Avalanche teammates Thursday, his first time practicing since having cartilage replacement surgery on his right knee, but he’s nowhere close to returning to game action.

Landeskog is missing a second consecutive season because of the nagging knee injury, after taking the significant step to have the operation in May.

“He’s still a long ways out,” coach Jared Bednar said. “But to have him on the ice at this point, knowing that there’s still a lot of work to do, I think is a real positive step in the right direction.”

Landeskog has not played since helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup in June 2022. He tried to play last season but kept having setbacks.

“He was going to try and avoid a major surgery like that at all costs,” Bednar said. “[He] made great progress, but it just plateaued at a certain level that wasn’t good enough to be able to come back and play short term or long term, so then the next step was the surgery that he decided to have.”

The Avalanche have left open the possibility of the 31-year-old Swede suiting up for them in the playoffs this spring if he’s cleared to play. Landeskog having a clear rehab plan from the surgery through now has allowed him and the team to think that way.

“I think it’s different because he’s gone through the surgery and he’s gotten prepared,” Bednar said. “I’d say there’s more optimism this time around because it’s been surgically repaired.”

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Sources: UCLA QB Iamaleava out vs. Ohio State

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Sources: UCLA QB Iamaleava out vs. Ohio State

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will not play Saturday against No. 1 Ohio State because of a concussion, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Iamaleava was injured during last week’s loss to Nebraska. He began experiencing concussion symptoms after the game, according to On3, which first reported that Iamaleava would not play.

With Iamaleava out, redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan will make his first career start. Duncan has not attempted a pass in college as he tries to take down the top-ranked Buckeyes.

Iamaleava has thrown for 1,659 yards with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his first year with the Bruins after transferring from Tennessee.

He led UCLA to three straight wins in October, including a victory over then-No. 7 Penn State, but the Bruins (3-6) have lost two straight and need to win out to become bowl eligible.

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Sources: Virginia Tech in early talks with Franklin

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Sources: Virginia Tech in early talks with Franklin

Former Penn State head coach James Franklin and Virginia Tech are in early stages of talks, with some resolution on his candidacy expected in the coming days, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Virginia Tech is still running a full search, but it’s clear there is mutual interest between the parties, per sources.

Virginia Tech fired coach Brent Pry on Sept. 14, a day after a 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion dropped the Hokies to 0-3 to start the season.

Penn State fired Franklin on Oct. 12 after 12 seasons following three straight losses, culminating with the Nittany Lions dropping their second straight home game when they fell to Northwestern 22-21 in front of a stunned crowd at Happy Valley.

Less than a year removed from an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Franklin’s program appeared to hit a new low when the Nittany Lions traveled to Los Angeles two weeks prior to that only to lose to UCLA, a team that not only was winless but hadn’t previously held a lead all season.

Earlier in the season, when the three-game losing streak began against Oregon at Happy Valley, Franklin fell to 4-21 at Penn State against AP top-10 opponents, including 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten teams in conference games.

Franklin’s .160 winning percentage against AP top-10 teams is tied for the third-worst record by a coach (minimum 25 games) at a single school since the poll era began in 1936, according to ESPN Research.

Franklin won 104 games and reached double-digit wins six times in 11 seasons at Penn State, including the previous three.

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Oklahoma DE Thomas unlikely to play vs. Bama

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Oklahoma DE Thomas unlikely to play vs. Bama

Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas is unlikely to play against Alabama on Saturday because of a quad injury.

A final decision on Thomas’ availability isn’t expected until game time, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel, but he is listed as doubtful on the SEC availability report.

Thomas suffered the injury while returning a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown during the Sooners’ Nov. 1 win over Tennessee.

Oklahoma’s best defensive player, Thomas has a team-leading 6.5 sacks this season along with two forced fumbles and the scoop-and-score fumble recovery.

Starting cornerback Gentry Williams is also doubtful to play against the Crimson Tide. He is set to miss a third straight game with a shoulder injury suffered Oct. 18 against South Carolina.

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