Advertisement

USF, UCF contribute to a first in football poll

 
OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times  South Florida Bulls cornerback Ronnie Hoggins (19) celebrates after his team makes the defensive stop on fourth down against the Tulsa offense in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, November 16, 2017.
OCTAVIO JONES | Times South Florida Bulls cornerback Ronnie Hoggins (19) celebrates after his team makes the defensive stop on fourth down against the Tulsa offense in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, November 16, 2017.
Published Nov. 19, 2017

The new Associated Press football poll produced some Florida history Sunday.

For the first time, UCF and USF are both ranked — and Florida State and Florida are both unranked — entering their respective season-ending grudge matches this weekend.

The No. 22 Bulls (9-1) and No. 13 Knights (10-0), who play for the American Athletic Conference's East Division title Friday in Orlando, both moved up one spot. Meantime, the Gators-'Noles noon showdown Saturday in Gainesville will mark the first time since 2011 that neither team enters the game ranked.

Elsewhere in the poll, Miami (10-0) held at No. 2. Wisconsin (10-0), the nation's only other unbeaten Power Five team, remained fifth, behind Oklahoma and Clemson, respectively.

Alabama (11-0) remains No. 1 entering its Iron Bowl showdown Saturday at No. 6 Auburn (9-2).

UCLA FIRES MORA: The Bruins fired coach Jim Mora, who went 46-30 in his first significant collegiate job. UCLA (5-6), on the brink of a second straight losing season, must pay more than $12 million to buy out Mora's contract, which runs through 2021. Chip Kelly, who is thought to be a top candidate for the Florida opening, would seem to be an attractive option for the Bruins. On Sunday, Kelly, an ESPN analyst, was asked on-air about the Gators' job. "Is this your way of firing me?" the former Oregon coach said jokingly. He then didn't deny interest: "I think Florida is an outstanding program and has had so much success there with Urban (Meyer), Steve Spurrier. I think whoever gets that job will be really lucky."

Men's basketball: USF falls at Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Robert Johnson scored 21 to help Indiana overcome a rough start and pull away from USF 70-53. Peyton Banks scored 18 for the Bulls (2-2) and Malik Martin had 11. The Hoosiers (2-2) won for the second time in three games, getting good free-throw shooting and a strong second-half defensive performance.

GATORS BATTLE TO WIN: Jalen Hudson scored 26, including a dunk midway through the second half that put host Florida ahead for good, and the No. 8 Gators battled past New Hampshire 70-63. UF (3-0) had been averaging a nation-leading 112 points per game, but shot just 32 percent. The score was tied at halftime, and New Hampshire took the lead with less than 10 minutes left. Hudson then dunked, and later scored nine straight to keep UF in front. The Gators next play Stanford on Thursday in the first round of the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland. They will play either Ohio State or Gonzaga on Friday and one more tournament game Sunday.

FSU PULLS AWAY: M.J. Walker came off the bench to hit five 3-pointers and score a career-high 22, Terance Mann added 20 and Florida State pulled away from Colorado State 90-73 at the Jamaica Classic. The Seminoles (3-0) went on an 11-0 run for a 76-60 lead with 6:28 to play. FSU's PJ Savoy left the game early in the first half after talking an unintentional elbow to the face from Robbie Berwick, who played his first two seasons at FSU. The Seminoles next host Kennesaw State on Wednesday.

NO. 2 MICHIGAN ST. 93, STONY BROOK 71: Miles Bridges scored 20 before limping off the court with a sprained left ankle for the host Spartans (2-1). Bridges is day to day.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

Women's basketball

NO. 1 UCONN 97, NO. 15 MARYLAND 72: Kia Nurse scored 21 to lead six players in double figures for the host Huskies (3-0).

No. 4 S.C. 94, Wofford 60: A'ja Wilson had 16 points and 13 rebounds, her fourth straight double double, for the host Gamecocks (4-0).

No. 5 Louisville 74, No. 10 Oregon 61: Asia Durr scored 26 and the host Cardinals (5-0) beat the Ducks (3-1).

No. 6 N. Dame 72, No. 18 Oregon State 67: Jackie Young had a career-high 21 points and eight rebounds as the visiting Irish (3-0) rallied.

No. 7 MISSISSIPPI ST. 91, SOUTHERN MISS 56: Roshunda Johnson scored 27 for the host Bulldogs (3-0).

No. 9 Ohio St. 85, Washington 76: Stephanie Mavunga had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the host Buckeyes (4-1).

No. 17 FSU 96, GRAMBLING ST. 53: Imani Wright made a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 22 for the visiting Seminoles (4-0).

Women's soccer

UF ADVANCES: Deanne Rose scored in the second overtime as host Florida beat Washington State 1-0 to advance to the NCAA tournament quarterfinals. The Gators (17-6) next play at South Carolina (18-2-1) at 6 p.m. Friday. The Gamecocks beat Santa Clara 1-0.

FSU OUSTED: Jordan Dibiasi scored in the 79th minute and host Stanford beat FSU 1-0 in the NCAA tournament. The Seminoles (13-7-1) were outshot 22-4.

Times staff writer Joey Knight contributed to this report.