JOHN MARSHALL Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, hits his tee shot at the 15th hole during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Matsuyama shoots 68 to take 1-shot lead at Phoenix Open with top-ranked Scheffler lurking

February 7, 2026

Hideki Matsuyama shot a 3-under 68 despite some missed opportunities down the stretch to take a one-shot lead in the third round of the Phoenix Open. Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is lurking five shots off the lead after shooting 67 in a bunched leaderboard that had four players a shot back. Matsuyama failed to get up-and-down from near the green on the short par-4 17th and left a 15-foot birdie putt on the lip at 18 to finish at 13-under 200 on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. Matsuyama was tied with Ryo Hisatsune after 17 holes, but took the outright lead when his countryman bogeyed 18 to shoot 70. Hisatsune was 12 under with Nicolai Hojgaard, Maverick McNealy and Si Woo Kim.

Chris Gotterup hits his tee shot at the 17th hole during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Gotterup shoots 63, Scheffler struggles in first round of Phoenix Open

February 5, 2026

Chris Gotterup shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 to take a two-shot lead in the first round of the Phoenix Open on a rare day when top-ranked Scottie Scheffler struggled. Warm weather led to some long drives and low scores at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick matched the back-nine record with a 29 to shoot 65, and Sam Stevens was among a group of four players who shot 66. Scheffler was not among those going low. The four-time player of the year flubbed two chip shots that rolled back to his feet during a 2-over 73 that put his streak of 65 straight cuts made in jeopardy. Brooks Koepka had just one birdie in a 75 in his second tournament since being reinstated by the PGA Tour.

Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot at the 17th hole during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pair of flubbed chips leave Scottie Scheffler in danger of missing the cut at Phoenix Open

February 5, 2026

Scottie Scheffler stubbed a chip shot on the par-4 18th and showed a rare bit of anger, repeatedly tapping the shaft of his wedge against his legs as the ball rolled back to his feet. When he did it again on No. 8, the world’s No. 1 player threw his hand up in disbelief before muttering to himself as he walked off with another bogey. Scheffler got off to a shaky start in his bid to win a third straight PGA Tour start, shooting a 2-over 73 in the first round of the Phoenix Open on Thursday. The frustrating round left Scheffler 10 shots off Chris Gotterup’s early lead and put him in danger of missing a cut for the first time in more than three years.

Arizona State guard Noah Meeusen (15) drives on Arizona forward Koa Peat during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Bully ball: Top-ranked Arizona manhandling opponents during undefeated start

January 15, 2026

Arizona has become the bully on the block. A program known for its free-flowing offense and efficiency, the top-ranked Wildcats have added a dose of bulk to beat teams down during their undefeated start to the season. Arizona has heft to go with its length and has used it to shut down one opponent after another. The Wildcats have been No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for five straight weeks and are off to their best start since opening 21-0 in 2013-14. Arizona is still efficient on offense, but has become more physical on defense to remain one of three remaining undefeated teams in Division.

Peat scores 24, No. 1 Arizona remains undefeated with 89-82 win over rival Arizona State

January 14, 2026

Koa Peat had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Tobe Awaka added 25 points and top-ranked Arizona remained undefeated with an 89-82 win over rival Arizona State. The Wildcats had a hard time shaking the Sun Devils in a physical first half before Peat came alive in the second. The 6-foot-8 freshman made all seven of his shots in the second half as Arizona built a 12-point lead. The Sun Devils kept hanging around behind Moe Odum, whose 3 with 55 seconds left pulled Arizona State within 87-82. Arizona’s Jaden Bradley followed with a short jumper and Arizona hit two free throws to join No. 8 Nebraska and Miami, Ohio as the only remaining undefeated Division I teams. Odum led Arizona State with 23 points.

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal yells from the sideline during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game against Mississippi, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Miami’s rise under Cristobal takes the Hurricanes home to play for a national title

January 9, 2026

Mario Cristobal’s goal when he was hired at his alma mater was to recreate the winning culture at Miami. Four years later, the Hurricanes will play for a national title in their home stadium. Miami clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff national championship with its 31-27 win over Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl. Cristobal built the Hurricanes to get into this position by re-instilling a winning culture and discipline to a program that had fallen out of national prominence. Miami did it with a defense that made huge strides from just a year ago and with quarterback Carson Beck, the Georgia transfer who just wins games.

Mississippi head coach Pete Golding runs on the field at halftime during the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Ole Miss and Miami to play for a spot in the FBS national championship game at Fiesta Bowl

January 8, 2026

Mississippi has kept winning despite its coach bolting for another program. Miami has rekindled the glory days of its 2001 national championship with a ferocious defense and steady quarterback. One will play for a national championship after Thursday night’s Fiesta Bowl. Ole Miss spent the last half of the regular season wondering if coach Lane Kiffin would stick around or leave for LSU. Once the coach did head out, the sixth-seeded Rebels kept winning. The 10th-seeded Hurricanes have done it with defense. Miami gave up its fewest points since the 2001 national championship team and has been even better in the playoffs.

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) warms up before the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game between Georgia and Mississippi, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

No. 6 seed Ole Miss, No. 10 Miami set up College Football Playoff game like no other

January 6, 2026

The Fiesta Bowl will be a College Football Playoff game like no other. Either No. 6 seed Mississippi or No. 10 Miami will play in the national championship game following a battle of teams left out of the CFP a year ago. The Hurricanes have rekindled some of the magic of their last championship in 2001 behind a stifling defense and steady quarterback Carson Beck. The Rebels have kept winning despite coach Lane Kiffin bolting for LSU. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been superb since taking over as the starter in the third game of the season.

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) celebrates after the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia in New Orleans, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathew Hinton)

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to return, pending NCAA ruling on eligibility

January 5, 2026

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to return to school next season if the NCAA approves his request for an additional year of eligibility. Chambliss announced his decision three days before the Rebels play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Chambliss took a redshirt his first season at Ferris State and another due to medical reasons his second season there. Ole Miss filed a waiver request with the NCAA in November. Chambliss threw for over 3,600 yards and 21 touchdowns after taking over as the Rebel’s starter the third game of the season. Ole Miss plays Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, which doubles as a College Football Playoff semifinal.

Miami’s Beck, Ole Miss’ Chambliss take different paths to College Football Playoff

January 5, 2026

Miami’s Carson Beck is the prototypical power-program quarterback, a former four-star prospect with a massive NIL portfolio who knows what it’s like to play on the big stage. Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss nearly gave up football, won a Division II national championship and has shined since being unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight. Their paths will converge in the desert at Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl with a spot in the national championship game on the line. Beck has been a perfect fit at Miami since transferring from Georgia, putting the Hurricanes in position for their first national championship since 2001. Chambliss won a Division II national championship at Ferris State before joining Ole Miss. He’s been superb since taking over as the starter.

Minnesota running back Darius Taylor (1) runs around New Mexico safety Austin Brawley in the first half of a Rate Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Smith’s diving TD catch in overtime sends Minnesota to 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl

December 26, 2025

Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl. Minnesota went up 14-6 when Darius Taylor scored on a 5-yard touchdown run, but Damon Bankston returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. New Mexico’s 2-point conversion on a trick play tied the game at 14-all. After a New Mexico field goal, Smith’s spectacular catch was upheld by a review. The Gophers’ bowl winning streak matches Southern California and Utah for second-longest all-time, behind Florida State’s 11 in a row from 1985-95.

FILE - Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsay looks for an opening to pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Oct. 4, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

Minnesota looks to stretch bowl winning streak to 9 when it faces New Mexico in Rate Bowl

December 26, 2025

In an era of bowl opt outs, Minnesota still finds plenty of reasons to embrace the postseason experience, even when the chase for a national championship ended long ago. The Gophers are pretty good at it, too, heading into Friday’s Rate Bowl against New Mexico on an eight-game bowl winning streak. That’s the Football Bowl Subdivision’s longest active streak, the longest ever by a Big Ten Conference team and the fourth-longest in college football history. New Mexico will arrive in the desert trying to cap a resurgent season. Coach Jason Eck has led the Lobos to their first bowl game since 2016 in his first year after closing the season on a six-game winning streak.

FILE - Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham encourages his players prior to an NCAA college football game against West Virginia Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham signs 5-year extension averaging $7.5M a year, AP source says

December 20, 2025

Arizona State has signed football coach Kenny Dillingham to a five-year contract extension that will raise his average annual salary to $7.5 million. That’s according to a person familiar with the contract who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because it was not yet announced. The deal also will increase Arizona State’s salary pool for assistant coaches to $11 million, one of the highest in the Big 12, the person said. The extension takes Dillingham out of the running for the top job at Michigan, which fired Sherrone Moore last week.

Ryan Blaney (12) leads Alex Bowman into the corner during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Ryan Blaney wins NASCAR Cup Series finale at Phoenix after missing Championship 4

November 2, 2025

Ryan Blaney’s bid to win a second NASCAR Cup Series championship came to an end with a bump by William Byron at Martinsville last weekend. The dejection didn’t deter the Team Penske driver once he arrived in Phoenix. Determined to finish his season with a win and put last week’s disappointment behind him, Blaney passed Brad Keselowski and used the late pass to win the NASCAR Series Cup season finale at Phoenix Raceway by 0.097 seconds. Kyle Larson won the Cup Series championship, but Blaney earned a little bit of redemption by winning the race at a track where he had come so close in the past.

Kyle Busch waves to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch sues insurance company for $8.5 million, alleging deceptive practices

November 1, 2025

NASCAR Cup Series drive Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha are suing Pacific Life Insurance Company for $8.5 million over alleged deceptive practices. The lawsuit says the insurance company failed to reveal the true risks of the policies, along with providing false and negligent representations of what was supposed to be tax-free income for retirement. An independent firm told Busch that his policy would expire in 16 months and the $10.4 million he invested would be gone. The lawsuit also names the agent who sold the policy for steering them into an unsustainable, high-risk product, along with charging an up-front 35% commission they were unaware of.

Arizona State wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) reacts after making a catch against Texas Tech in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona State hands No. 7 Texas Tech its first loss with late drive in 26-22 win

October 18, 2025

Raleek Brown bulled in for a 1-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left and Arizona State rallied after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to hand No. 7 Texas Tech its first loss of the season, 26-22. The Red Raiders labored most of the afternoon without starting quarterback Behren Morton (knee), finishing with 276 total yards after averaging an FBS-best 558.8 through the first six games. Will Hammond showed his mettle after failing to move Texas Tech’s offense through three quarters, orchestrating two late scoring drives. The freshman scored on a 1-yard run and, after Texas Tech’s defense held, found Reggie Virgil on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Arizona State answered behind Sam Leavitt, who it 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards to set up Brown’s TD run.

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) scores a touchdown as he jumps over TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Jevon McIver Jr. (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Jesus Gomez hits late 23-yard field goal to lift Arizona State past No. 24 TCU, 27-24

September 26, 2025

Jesus Gomez kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:14 left and Arizona State rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat No. 24 TCU 27-24. The Sun Devils were down 17-0 in the second quarter before rallying behind Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt threw his second touchdown pass to Tyson, from 4 yards with 1:50 left, and Prince Dorbuh followed with a strip sack of TCU’s Josh Hoover, setting up Arizona State at TCU’s 15. Gomez, who missed two earlier field goals, split the uprights after the Sun Devils originally lined up to go for it on fourth-and-inches. Arizona State’s Martell Hughes sealed it with the second interception of Hoover.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., right, catches a touchdown pass as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. shows mercurial side with TD, bobbled pass against Seahawks

September 25, 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr. soared above a defensive back, snagged the ball at the high point and pulled it down for a key touchdown in Arizona’s comeback attempt. The Cardinals’ second-year receiver didn’t celebrate, opting instead to kneel with an arm over the front of his helmet before jogging off the field. After the first half he had, Harrison seemed more relieved than excited about pulling down a highlight-reel touchdown. Harrison caught a touchdown pass and had a pair of key catches on Arizona’s final drive, but also bobbled a pass that led to a first-half interception in the Cardinals’ 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks

Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning during a baseball game, Sunday, Sept 7, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Precision and power: Boston’s Aroldis Chapman still dominating at 37

September 8, 2025

Aroldis Chapman has a reputation as a power pitcher, built through 16 years of routinely popping 100 mph on the radar gun. As Boston Red Sox closer has gotten older, the 37-year-old added craftiness to the power, baffling hitters by locating sliders and splitters that leave them flailing. The combination led to a rare four-strikeout inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks and one of the most dominating runs by a reliever in baseball history. Chapman joined elite company with his four strikeouts in the ninth inning against Arizona after Ildemaro Vargas reached on a wild pitch. The left-hander has not allowed a hit in 17 straight appearances over 14 2/3 innings, the third-longest run since 1901.

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins, left, defends against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Engine: Alyssa Thomas driving new-look Phoenix Mercury near the top of WNBA standings

August 20, 2025

Alyssa Thomas has been revving up the Phoenix Mercury. The player nicknamed The Engine has been the perfect fit for first-year coach Nate Tibbetts’ free-flowing offense, pushing the Mercury near the top of the WNBA standings even though they lost Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Thomas earned her sixth WNBA All-Star nod in her first season in the desert and has become a top MVP candidate. Thomas leads the WNBA with 9.0 assists and is third with 8.6 rebounds per game while averaging 16.1 points. She’s also racked up five triple-doubles.

JOHN MARSHALL Sports Writer.