WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is honoring the national champion Ohio State football team, taking just a little bit of credit for the new playoff system that the Buckeyes mastered.

Ohio State won the first College Football Playoff in January, beating Oregon in the title game.

Obama noted that he first supported a playoff to determine college football’s national champion during his first campaign for the White House, in 2008. He jokingly talked about throwing his political weight behind the idea.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer thanked the president, noting that the Buckeyes probably wouldn’t have been eligible to play for the title under the previous system.

More than 200 guests and dignitaries packed the White House East Room for Monday’s ceremony, including former Ohio State players Archie Griffin and Cris Carter.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have signed quarterback Tim Tebow to a one-year contract, giving the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner his first shot in the NFL since the Patriots cut him before the 2013 season.

The team announced the deal Monday but did not disclose financial terms.

Tebow hasn’t played in the NFL since 2012 with the New York Jets. He worked as a television analyst last year with the SEC Network and ESPN.

The 27-year-old player is still highly popular after leading Florida to two national titles and spending two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Many fans follow Tebow because of his strong Christian beliefs.

The Eagles already have four other quarterbacks on their roster: Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne.

The North Platte Community College Knights softball team finished up their road schedule portion of the regular season by losing a pair of games to the Western Nebraska Community College Lady Cougars 10 – 3 and 21 – 2.

The Knights fall to 17 – 25 while the Lady Cougars improve to 46 – 12 on the season.

In game one the Lady Cougars opened the scoring early by scoring two runs in the first inning on a bunt single by Courtney Cloud who scored Kelsey Bernhardt who reached on a walk.  Cloud scored on a sacrifice fly by Alysa Linford.  The Lady Cougars added three runs in the second, one in the third and another one in the fifth to take a 7 – 0 lead.

Lady Cougar pitcher Jordan Smith allowed only three base runners through the first five innings, a single by Sara Villalobos, a walk to Sara Runia and Villalobos reached on an error.  In the sixth inning, the Knights scored three runs on five hits.  Villalobos doubled and Runia singled.  Shannon Lieber drove in Villalobos on a sacrifice fly.  Runia scored on a single by Brittney Odum and Shelby Clark scored on a single by Baileigh Oleson.

The Lady Cougars answered back with three runs of their own in the sixth.

Kinzie Sawyer led the Lady Cougar attack with two home runs. Bernhardt and Cloud each had three hits.

Game two started good for the Knights.  Jessica Jarvis singled to lead off the game.  Chang reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a home run by Villalobos to make the score 2 – 0.

That would be the only runs the Knights would score.  The Lady Cougars would score five runs in the first on home runs by Whitney Fields and Sawyer.   The Lady Cougars scored six runs in the second, highlighted by a grand slam by Jessica Ball. They scored six in the third and four in the fourth with the second home run of the game and fourth of the day by Sawyer.

The Knights return to action on Tuesday, April 21 when they host McCook Community College at the Wayne Dowhower Memorial Softball Complex.  It will be pink-out night.

The games will be live streamed on www.coachesaid.com.  Game times are at 5p.m. and 7p.m. CDT.

Tuesday, April 21          Softball                               Creighton                                                      Bowlin Stadium                     6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21          Baseball                             Kansas State                                               Hawks Field                           6:35 p.m.

Thursday, April 23          Track & Field                      at Drake Relays                                            Des Moines, Iowa                  4 p.m.

Thursday, April 23          Men’s Tennis                     vs. Michigan State (Big Ten Championships) Urbana-Champaign, Ill.        2 p.m.

Friday, April 24               Men’s Golf                          at Big Ten Championships                         Newburgh, Ind.                       7 a.m.

Friday, April 24               Women’s Golf                    at Big Ten Championships                         Indianapolis, Ind.                    7:30 a.m.

Friday, April 24               Track & Field                      at Drake Relays                                            Des Moines, Iowa                  9:30 a.m.

Friday, April 24               Men’s Tennis                     vs. Ohio State (Big Ten Championships)        Urbana-Champaign, Ill.        2 p.m.

Friday, April 24               Softball                                at Wisconsin                                                  Madison, Wis.                         5 p.m.

Friday, April 24               Baseball                              at Iowa (BTN Plus)                                       Iowa City, Iowa                       6:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 25          Men’s Golf                          at Big Ten Championships                         Newburgh, Ind.                       7 a.m.

Saturday, April 25          Women’s Golf                    at Big Ten Championships                         Indianapolis, Ind.                    7:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 25          Track & Field                      at Drake Relays                                            Des Moines, Iowa                  8:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 25          Men’s Tennis                     at Big Ten Semifinals                                  Urbana-Champaign, Ill.        Noon

Saturday, April 25          Softball                                at Wisconsin                                                  Madison, Wis.                         2 p.m.

Saturday, April 25          Baseball                              at Iowa (BTN Plus)                                       Iowa City, Iowa                       3:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 25          Volleyball                            vs. Kansas State                                           Grand Island, Neb.                 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 26             Men’s Golf                          at Big Ten Championships                         Newburgh, Ind.                       7 a.m.

Sunday, April 26             Women’s Golf                    at Big Ten Championships                         Indianapolis, Ind.                    7:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 26             Men’s Tennis                     at Big Ten Championship Match               Urbana-Champaign, Ill.        Noon

Sunday, April 26             Softball                                at Wisconsin (BTN)                                      Madison, Wis.                         Noon

Sunday, April 26             Baseball                              at Iowa                                                            Iowa City, Iowa                       1:05 p.m.

 

Husker Highlights

Baseball (29-13, 6-6 Big Ten)

Ohio State 5, #23 Nebraska 2 (10 innings), Sunday, April 19, Hawks Field

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210033625&DB_OEM_ID=100

Ohio State 2, #23 Nebraska 1 (10 innings), Saturday, April 18, Hawks Field

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210031677&DB_OEM_ID=100

#23 Nebraska 5, Ohio State 2, Friday, April 17, Hawks Field

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210030230&DB_OEM_ID=100

Nebraska 8, Omaha 6, Wednesday, April 15, Hawks Field

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210026001&DB_OEM_ID=100

Nebraska 7, Creighton 6, Tuesday, April 14, Omaha, Neb.

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210023996&DB_OEM_ID=100

 

Softball (25-19, 12-5 Big Ten)

Northwestern 5, Nebraska 3, Sunday, April 19, Bowlin Stadium

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210029053&DB_OEM_ID=100

Nebraska 9, Northwestern 5, Saturday, April 18, Bowlin Stadium

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210029052&DB_OEM_ID=100

Nebraska 10, Northwestern 2 (5 innings), Friday, April 17, Bowlin Stadium

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210029050&DB_OEM_ID=100

Nebraska 8, Omaha 5 (8 innings), Wednesday, April 15, Omaha, Neb.

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210025606&DB_OEM_ID=100

Women’s Gymnastics

Blanske Tumbles to Success at NCAA Event Finals, Sunday, April 19, Fort Worth, Texas

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=74&SPID=30&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210033605&DB_OEM_ID=100

#9 Huskers Close Season at NCAA Semifinals, Friday, April 17, Fort Worth, Texas

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=74&SPID=30&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210030271&DB_OEM_ID=100

Track & Field

Huskers Earn Five Titles at Michael Johnson Classic, Saturday, April 18, Waco, Texas

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210032090&DB_OEM_ID=100

Men’s Tennis (10-13, 3-8 Big Ten)

#11 Ohio State 4, Nebraska 1, Sunday, April 19, Lincoln Racquet Club

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=137&SPID=37&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210033421&DB_OEM_ID=100

#51 Penn State 4, Nebraska 2, Friday, April 17, NU Varsity Courts

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210030324&DB_OEM_ID=100

Women’s Tennis (12-12, 0-11 Big Ten – Season Complete)

#27 Northwestern 7, Nebraska 0, Sunday, April 19, Evanston, Ill.

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210033793&DB_OEM_ID=100

#51 Illinois 6, Nebraska 1, Friday, April 17, Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210031904&DB_OEM_ID=100

Men’s Golf

Nebraska – 11th/12 (896), Hawkeye Invitational, April 18-19, Iowa City, Iowa

https://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210033809&DB_OEM_ID=100

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Howie Kendrick, Scott Van Slyke and rookie Joc Pederson hit sixth-inning home runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers stretched their winning streak to seven by beating the Colorado Rockies 7-0 Sunday.

Brandon McCarthy (2-0) allowed three hits in six innings, struck out six and walked two to defeat the Rockies for the first time in five career starts.

Eddie Butler (1-1) allowed two runs and six hits over five innings. All three Dodgers homers came off rookie Scott Oberg, who allowed his first five batters to reach base after relieving Butler and was charged with five runs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals overcame five ejections to beat the Oakland Athletics 4-2 Sunday behind Kendrys Morales’ tiebreaking two-run double in a three-run eighth inning.

Royals manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Dave Eiland were ejected in the first inning after Lorenzo Cain was hit by a Scott Kazmir pitch and both teams were issued a warning by plate umpire Greg Gibson. After the warning was issued Sunday, Yost came out to argue and was immediately ejected by Gibson.

In the eighth inning, Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera was ejected after throwing behind Brett Lawrie. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu, who was acting as manager after Yost’s ejection, also ejected during the argument along with injured Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.

Lincoln – A 10th-inning RBI single off the bat of Aaron Gretz broke a 2-all deadlock, as Ohio State took the rubber game of the three-game series with a 5-2 win Sunday afternoon at Hawks Field.

OSU (26-10, 9-3 B1G) was held in check by the Husker bullpen for most of the afternoon, as NU relievers Jake Meyers, Jeff Chesnut and Colton Howell combined for 6.2 shutout inning of relief until the Buckeyes struck in the top of the 10th.

One-out singles by Ronnie Dawson and Nick Sergakis set the stage for Gretz, who lined Howell’s 1-0 pitch to left, plating Dawson from second with the go-ahead run. OSU, which picked up its second-straight extra-inning win, tacked on two more runs later in the frame on Jake Placzek’s two-out throwing error, the Huskers only error in 29 innings on the weekend.

Nebraska (29-13, 6-6 B1G) got the leadoff runner on in the bottom of the 10th after a Tanner Lubach single, but could not sustain the threat, as Ben Miller grounded into a double play before Aaron Darby’s ground out ended the contest.

Trace Dempsey (8-1) earned the win with three shutout inning of relief, while Howell (1-3) took the loss.

The Huskers fell behind 2-0 early on as the Buckeyes pushed across runs in the first and third against NU starter Derek Burkamper, who was unable to get out of the third.

Trey Montgomery led off the game with a homer to right, sending Burkamper’s offering beyond the patio in right. In the third, OSU pushed the lead to 2-0 as Pat Porter singled with one out and moved to second on a walk before Sergakis’ single to left gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.

OSU eventually loaded the bases in the third, but Meyers got Craig Nenning to ground out to end the theat. Meyers and bullpen kept Nebraska in the game, as only two Buckeye runners reached scoring position until the 10th inning.

Nebraska began to chip away in the bottom of the third, as singles by Luis Alvardao and Ryan Boldt put runners on the corners with one out against OSU starter Ryan Riga. Placzek then lofted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Alvarado to make it a one-run game.

The Huskers would get the equalizer in the bottom of the sixth, as Miller launched Riga’s 3-2 pitch over the fence in right for this first homer of the season.

Riga pitched well in the no-decision, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings of work, and the Huskers had chances in both the eighth and ninth against Dempsey.

In the eighth, NU had runners on the corners with two outs, but the Buckeye right-hander struck out pinch hitter Christian Cox to end the threat. Pinch hitter Jake Schleppenbach opened the ninth with a single, but Dempsey retired the next three hitters – the top three hitters of the Husker lineup – to get the game to extra innings.

The Huskers return to action Tuesday night, hosting Kansas State with a first pitch time set for 6:30 p.m. The game will be carried on select Husker Sports Network affiliates and also on Huskers.com.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yordano Ventura has been ejected from Kansas City’s game against Oakland after hitting A’s third baseman Brett Lawrie with what appeared to be a retaliatory pitch.

Lawrie drew the ire of the Royals the previous night when he slid hard and late into Alcides Escobar at second base. Escobar wound up with a sprained left knee in the collision.

Ventura had already been pounded for five runs in the fourth inning when Lawrie stepped to the plate Saturday night. Ventura uncorked a fastball that hit Lawrie on the left elbow, and plate umpire Jim Joyce immediately ejected the hard-throwing right-hander from the game.

Both benches and bullpens emptied for the second straight night. No punches were thrown.

Yohan Pino replaced Ventura, who was cheered as he entered the dugout.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The championship banner fell out of the sky, accompanied by a skydiver, and the San Francisco Giants pregame ring ceremony began with a flourish Saturday.

The Dick Bright Orchestra serenaded the sellout crowd with Scott McKenzie’s 1967 anthem “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair).”

For the third time in five years, the Giants held a ceremony at AT&T Park to hand out World Series rings to players and staff.

“A lot goes through your mind,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s about all the special memories we had and the people who helped us. What’s special for me is a guy like Huddy, who gets a ring for the first time. It’s a time to remember what a special year we had.”

Bochy was among the first to receive his ring. The Giants also presented rings to five of their Hall of Famers in attendance: Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry.

World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner took the field to chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” and injured outfielder Hunter Pence received the loudest ovation as he trotted onto the field, emphatically waving his arms.

Catcher Andrew Susac, just recalled from Triple-A, and Travis Ishikawa, who is on a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment, also were in attendance. Ishikawa hit the home run that won the NL pennant for the Giants.

Tim Hudson, who made his major league debut in 1999, earned his first World Series ring and left-hander Javier Lopez his fourth ring, the most among active players. He also won with the 2007 Boston Red Sox.

Former Giants third-base coach Tim Flannery sang the national anthem. For the ceremonial first pitches, players throwing balls into the stands.

The Arizona Diamondbacks watched the ceremony and cheered.

“I just think it’s cool for them,” D-backs manager Chip Hale said. “It’s not easy to do and it’s something that everybody, when we start the season, is aiming for. We’re all trying to get there.”

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Luke Rockhold locked in a rear naked choke and made Lyoto Machida tap at 2:32 of the second round to win a main event showdown between two of the top middleweights in UFC on Saturday night.

Rockhold (14-2) should be next in line for a pay-per-view title shot in the 185-pound division. With a dominant win over the 36-year-old Machida, Rockhold positioned himself to take on the winner of the UFC 187 fight next month between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort.

Machida (22-6) never put up much of a fight in his brief stint in the cage.

Rockhold lost his UFC debut in 2013, then rebounded with wins over Costas Philippou, Tim Boetsch, Michael Bisping. He won his third straight fight via submission and looked at his best at the Prudential Center.