This Day In Sports 1972 — The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Oakland Raiders 13-7 on Franco Numbers Game Harris’ “Immaculate Reception,” in an AFC Divisional playoff game. Antelope Valley Press, Monday, December 23, 2019 C3 Morning rush Dynamic receivers highlight CFB playoffs Valley Press news services By PETE IACOBELLI down,” he said. Palmdale Aerospace falls to Valley Associated Press HAPPY DANCE None of the four teams in the CFP are expected to slow down, Torah in Heritage League game A flick of the wrist, a slight LSU wide receiver NORTHRIDGE — The Palmdale Aerospace shift of the shoulder and they’re Ja’Marr Chase not with the pieces in place to Academy lost a Heritage League game, 48-30, off. celebrates his blow opponents out. against Valley Torah on Saturday at Heritage Chris- Talented receivers are a touchdown against LSU’s Chase won the Bilet- tian High School. big part of this year’s College Georgia during nikoff award as the game’s top CJ Tisdale led the Griffins (4-11, 2-3) with 10 Football Playoff. Never before the Southeastern receiver. His 18 touchdowns points. has there been four teams in Conference tied the Southeastern Confer- “I thought he played under control and shot the CFP so prolific at scoring championship on ence’s single season mark — the ball well,” Palmdale Aerospace Academy coach points. And it’s in large part due one its seems likely he’ll obliter- Keith Bennett said. “We just struggled with turn- Dec. 7. Chase has to a growing — think 6-foot or been a reliable ate with more games left. overs. That limited our chances.” taller — list of game-breaking “Ja’Marr is a special talent,” The Palmdale Aerospace Academy will help host target for LSU receivers keen on quick cuts, quarterback Joe Orgeron said. “Not only is he the AV New Year’s Classic, presented by Hunter Dodge, fast, but he’s very strong. starting on Jan. 2, when the Griffins will face Bishop. one-handed grabs and the abil- Burrow this season. ity to catch almost any pass Associated Press “He loves to win the one-on- thrown their way. one matchup,” Orgeron contin- Santa Anita postpones opening day “Not always sure how we do ons win their past 28 games. ries a contest to teams relying ued. “He’s physical. He works due to rainy forecast — And Oklahoma showcas- more on lightning fast, shifty hard. He catches everything. ARCADIA — Santa Anita is postponing the open- it,” said Clemson’s top receiver Tee Higgins. es CeeDee Lamb. All Lamb has pass catchers with sticky hands. He’s got big hands, a route run- ing day of its winter-spring meet by two days to Dec. done is average nearly 21 yards 28 ahead of next week’s forecast that calls for rain. Neither is anyone else who “There’s no doubt things ner. I think he’s a phenomenal The Southern California racetrack announced its has seen the impressive weekly a catch and haul in 14 touch- have changed,” he said. player.” decision on Saturday. It will be the first time since grabs by Higgins and the other down receptions. It was only four years ago Chase said his route-run- 1973-74 that the meet doesn’t open on its traditional receivers in the CFP who have It’s the first time the four LSU was a run-heavy team ning has improved consider- date of Dec. 26. Santa Anita last opened on Dec. 28 become must-see TV: CFP participants enter the with Leonard Fournette leading ably this season, particularly in 1971. — No. 1 LSU has a pair of national semifinals averaging the charge. His 22 touchdowns because he has gotten better at A total of 37 horses have died at Santa Anita 1,000-yard receivers in Ja’Marr more than 43 points a game — were more than the 13 the Ti- creating separation early when since last December, triggering intense scrutiny of Chase and Justin Jefferson, which gives offense-crazed fans gers passed for that 2015 sea- defensive backs try to disrupt the track and horse safety in the sport. who have combined for 32 the promise of two potential- son. his pass pattern. Aidan Butler, acting executive director of Cal- touchdowns this season. ly explosive showdowns when Now, Heisman Trophy win- “Executing coming off the ifornia operations for track owner The Stronach — No. 2 Ohio State features LSU faces Oklahoma in the ning quarterback Joe Burrow line most of the time has been Group, says Santa Anita’s commitment to safety K.J. Hill and Chris Olave. The Chick-fil-A Bowl and Ohio State has LSU in Air Raid mode with a big difference from last year to takes priority. He says it was important to make the duo has 21 touchdown catches takes on Clemson in the Fiesta his school-record 48 TD passes. this year,” Chase said. “It’s more decision as early as possible for the horsemen, fans between them. Bowl on Saturday. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron and employees. about footwork and hand-eye CBS Sports analyst Gary The California Horse Racing Board supported — Third-ranked Clemson acknowledged his defense has coordination.” Santa Anita’s decision. pairs Higgins with Justyn Hill, Danielson has seen the evolu- had to adjust sometimes to their All the talented receivers “We on the board indicated our concern for safety a combination that has helped tion of the game go from big, fast-paced attack. in the CFP have shown great when we provided Santa Anita 12 flex days in its up- the defending national champi- physical bruisers getting 35 car- “But we’re not going to slow hand-eye coordination. coming meet,” CHRB chairman Greg Ferraro said. “Those dark days will be determined by weather and safety conditions as the meet progresses. We are encour- NFL COLLEGE FOOTBALL NBA NHL SPORTS ODDS aged that Santa Anita, by canceling its first two days of AMERICAN CONFERENCE College Football Schedule WESTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE NBA racing, is placing the safety of horses and riders first.” West Friday, Dec. 13 Pacific Division Pacific Division Today W L T Pct PF PA FCS PLAYOFFS W L Pct GB GP W L OT Pts GF GA FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella says y-Kansas City 11 4 0 .733 420 287 Quarterfinals L.A. Lakers 24 6 .800 — Arizona 38 21 13 4 46 110 96 at DETROIT OFF (OFF) Philadelphia track officials are doing the right thing by pushing Oakland 7 8 0 .467 298 403 James Madison 17, N. Iowa 0 L.A. Clippers 22 10 .688 3 Vegas 39 20 13 6 46 119 111 at INDIANA 6 (209½) Toronto back the races. Denver 6 9 0 .400 266 301 Montana State 24, Austin Peay 10 Sacramento 12 17 .414 11½ Edmonton 39 20 15 4 44 115 120 at ORLANDO 4½ (209) Chicago L.A. Chargers 5 10 0 .333 316 314 Weber St. 17, Montana 10 Phoenix 11 18 .379 12½ Calgary 38 19 14 5 43 104 113 at NEW YORK 2½ (234½) Washington Last year’s opening day drew 41,373 and set a at CLEVELAND 2 (228½) Atlanta East Saturday, Dec. 14 Golden State 6 24 .200 18 Vancouver 37 18 15 4 40 120 113 record of over $20 million for all-time opening day W L T Pct PF PA Southwest Division at MIAMI 4 (212) Utah Navy 31, Army 7 Ducks 37 15 18 4 34 96 114 San Antonio 1 (226½) at Memphis wagering. y-New England 12 3 0 .800 396 198 FCS PLAYOFFS W L Pct GB Kings 38 15 19 4 34 98 120 at PHOENIX OFF (OFF) Denver The stakes races scheduled for Thursday will be x-Buffalo 10 5 0 .667 308 246 Quarterfinals Houston 20 9 .690 — San Jose 38 16 20 2 34 101 133 Houston 5½ (228) at Sacramento N.Y. Jets 6 9 0 .400 263 353 N. Dakota St. 9, Illinois St. 3 Dallas 19 10 .655 1 Central Division at Portland 6 (228½) New Orleans run on Saturday. Live racing will be held this Sat- Miami 4 11 0 .267 279 470 Friday, Dec. 20 San Antonio 11 17 .393 8½ GP W L OT Pts GF GA at Golden St. OFF (OFF) Minnesota urday and Sunday, along with Jan. 1, and Jan. 3-5. South Bahamas Bowl at Nassau Memphis 11 19 .367 9½ St. Louis 37 23 8 6 52 114 98 COLLEGE BASKETBALL W L T Pct PF PA Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9 New Orleans 7 23 .233 13½ Colorado 36 22 11 3 47 127 100 Today y-Houston 10 5 0 .667 364 350 Frisco (Texas) Bowl Northwest Division Winnipeg 36 21 13 2 44 111 101 FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG AP source: Ryu, Blue Jays agree to Tennessee 8 7 0 .533 367 317 Kent State 51, Utah State 41 W L Pct GB Dallas 38 20 14 4 44 100 97 at SIENA 6 Canisius Indianapolis 7 8 0 .467 341 335 Denver 20 8 .714 — Nashville 35 17 12 6 40 123 114 at SEATTLE U 4 Long Beach St $80 million, 4-year deal at GEORGIA 9½ Georgia Southern Free agent pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and the To- Jacksonville 5 10 0 .333 262 377 Saturday, Dec. 21 Utah 18 11 .621 2½ Minnesota 37 17 15 5 39 115 126 North Celebration Bowl at Atlanta Oklahoma City 15 14 .517 5½ Chicago 37 15 16 6 36 104 118 at SMU 8 Georgia St at FRESNO ST PK San Francisco ronto Blue Jays have agreed to an $80 million, four- W L T Pct PF PA Portland 14 16 .467 7 EASTERN CONFERENCE NC A&T 64, Alcorn State 44 National Hockey League year contract, according to a person familiar with y-Baltimore 13 2 0 .867 503 272 New Mexico Bowl at Albuquerque Minnesota 10 18 .357 10 Atlantic Division Pittsburgh 8 7 0 .533 279 275 EASTERN CONFERENCE Today the negotiations.