Joe Burrow passed for 277 yards and one touchdown and the Cincinnati Bengals remained alive in the AFC playoff race by notching a 19-17 victory over the host Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.

What the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff ultimately proved is largely a matter of one’s point of view. The opening eight games offered plenty of fodder for the “schedules matter” crowd, but also proved pedigree and conference prestige offer little protection in the face of postseason randomness.

KA’UPULEHU-KONA — Five members of the World Golf Hall of Fame have committed to the season-opening 2025 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, set for January 16-18 on the Island of Hawaii.

When assessing NFL MVP candidates one year ago, I lamented the dearth of candidates producing at levels high enough for consideration.

NEW ORLEANS — Jayden Harrison had a record kickoff return for a touchdown, Notre Dame’s defense dominated and the No. 7 seed Fighting Irish defeated No. 2 seed Georgia 23-10 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Thursday.

HILO — UH-Hilo Vulcans softball will have a 49-game slate for the upcoming 2025 season, including 18 home contests at the on-campus Vulcan Softball Field.

ATLANTA — No. 5 Texas pulled away with a 39-31 double overtime win vs. No. 4 Arizona State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.

Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Carson Wentz wore a ball cap during practice stretches Wednesday, located in his customary position next to starter Patrick Mahomes.

This time, Ohio State left no doubt.

The Lakers have placed a wager as massive as LeBron James’ shoulders, and they have placed that wager on a former undrafted guard.

HILO — Waiakea girls basketball reached .500 on the season after a convincing 50-33 victory over the Lady Cougars on Monday at Kea‘au High School.

Josh McCray rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 7:29 left, to lead No. 20 Illinois to a 21-17 Citrus Bowl victory over No. 15 South Carolina Tuesday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

TAMPA, Fla. — The year began with a Michigan victory over Alabama, and on the final day of 2024, Michigan defeated Alabama again.

HILO — A week of elite hoops, community giving and family fun wrapped up Monday afternoon at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo town.

Welcome to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, where up is down, left is right and seed-line favorites are underdogs. In three of the four games, the higher-seeded team is getting points, including No. 1 Oregon against eighth-seeded Ohio State. And in the fourth game, No. 2 Georgia is favored by only 1.5 points against No. 7 Notre Dame. Perhaps the selection committee might want to take another look at its seeding criteria.