I Dig Sports
Arsenal remain well adrift of relentless Premier League leaders Liverpool despite a 5-1 hammering of Manchester City on Sunday, but midfielder Declan Rice said there is a determination to hunt the Reds down.
Rice provided two assists as Arsenal sent a reminder to Liverpool that the Gunners are not about to give up the chase.
Liverpool are six points in front of second-place Arsenal with a game in hand and have shown little sign of slipping up in their pursuit of a 20th league crown.
But Rice said there is still a long way to go.
"Liverpool are still quite far in front, especially with the game in hand, and with them winning yesterday you know going into the game that you have to win," Rice told Sky Sports.
"It's more disappointing the games like Aston Villa, when we were 2-0 up and dropped points, because we could be up there closer to Liverpool.
"But we will be there, and we will keep pushing. We do need others to help us, but we know what the goal is and that's to hunt them down and win the Premier League.
"We need to stay positive, and I'm sure we will be fine."
Arsenal had fallen just short in the last two seasons as City kept Mikel Arteta's side at bay to extend their title-winning streak to a record four in a row.
On Sunday, goals by Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri effectively removed City from the title equation.
"It is a great day for us, especially with the necessity that we had to win the game. The manner that we have done it I am really pleased," Arteta said.
"Overall, we scored some beautiful goals, and the team showed a high competitive level."
Arteta was full of praise for teenager Lewis-Skelly, whose impressive display was capped with his first Arsenal goal.
"You need big individual performances to beat [Man City]. Myles was certainly one of them, the maturity he showed and competitiveness as well," Arteta said.
"He plays with that personality, and he's scored a beautiful goal. He has been pushing us since he has been with us. We like his character and personality. He has so much courage."
Haaland's dad aims dig at Arsenal after City loss
Erling Haaland's father, former Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, has aimed a dig at Arsenal after the north London club thrashed Pep Guardiola's side 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.
Responding to a post on X by Arsenal after the full-time whistle, Alf-Inge Haaland aimed a dig at Arsenal's lack of silverware in recent years as he wrote: "This Team that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not."
Despite pushing City close for the Premier League title over the last two seasons, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been criticised for failing to convert their resurgence into trophies.
Arteta won the FA Cup during his first season in charge at Arsenal in 2019-20 but his team has failed to win another piece of silverware in the years since.
This Team that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not. https://t.co/B81Ais3J6a
Alfie Haaland (@alfiehaaland) February 2, 2025
The 24-year-old has developed a rivalry with Arsenal and centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, in particular, after Sky Sports' cameras recorded him getting involved in an altercation with Gabriel Jesus after the teams' 2-2 draw on Sep. 22 and telling head coach Mikel Arteta to "stay humble" as the Spaniard shook hands with players on the pitch.
Haaland also avoided punishment for throwing the ball at Gabriel in the aftermath of City's stoppage-time equaliser.
On Sunday, Gabriel was pictured celebrating Martin Ødegaard's opener in front of Haaland's face as the pair's long-running battle continued. Arsenal right-back Myles Lewis-Skelly later copied the City forward's trademark "lotus" pose yoga celebration after he scored the hosts' third in the 62nd minute.
Haaland scored City's goal with a guided header in the 55th minute.
Arsenal's victory means they are six points behind Liverpool, while City are fourth on 41 points, 15 adrift of Arne Slot's table-topping side.
Rashford saga ends as forward joins Villa on loan
Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season, ending the saga around the England international's future.
Sources told ESPN the deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent. Villa have agreed to cover a substantial part of Rashford's wage, and other performance-related bonuses have been built into the deal.
If Villa do not take up their option, Rashford will be expected back at Old Trafford in the summer.
"I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen," Rashford wrote in a post on Instagram after the move was confirmed.
"I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me, but Aston Villa was an easy decision -- I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager's ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."
Rashford had not featured for United since their Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen on Dec. 12 amid head coach Ruben Amorim's concerns about the player's application in training.
After United's 1-0 win over Fulham on Jan. 26, Amorim said he would rather pick 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than Rashford after concerns about the 27-year-old's standards.
Rashford said that he was "ready for a new challenge" after he was omitted from United's squad for the derby against Manchester City on Dec. 15.
"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the rest of the season," the 13-time Premier League champions said in a statement.
Villa were searching for an option to reinforce their attack after sanctioning Jhon Durán's exit to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Jan. 31. Aston Villa coach Unai Emery can call upon Rashford's considerable experience for the second half of the season after they reached the round of 16 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Rashford's departure, albeit temporary for now, seems likely to end his 20-year association with United after he came through the club's academy and broke into the first team at the age of 18.
A source told ESPN that Rashford's initial preference was to move to Barcelona. However, the LaLiga side's financial constraints made a deal complicated.
Borussia Dortmund also expressed interest in Rashford, but his weekly wage of around 350,000 per week ($434,000) proved to be a major stumbling block.
Rashford scored 30 goals in the 2022-23 season, the most prolific of his career, but has not approached that level since. He has scored seven goals in all competitions this season.
In total, Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United. He has won the Europa League, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups during his time at Old Trafford.
He has also scored 17 goals for England. He has played in two World Cups and two European Championships for his country.
Rashford made a name for himself for his off-the-field work during the pandemic when his lobbying led to the British government agreeing to keep funding meals for students from low-income households after initial resistance.
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report
Transfer rumors, news on deadline day: Man United eye Bailey
Manchester United are looking for reinforcements before the transfer window closes following another home defeat on Sunday, with Leon Bailey among their targets. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip on deadline day from around the globe.
Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's January grades | Women's January grades
Window closes: Premier League, LaLiga (11 p.m. GM/6 p.m. ET), Ligue 1 (10 p.m. GMT/5 p.m. ET), Serie A (7 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. ET), Bundesliga: (5 p.m. GMT/noon ET)
TOP STORIES
- Rashford joins Aston Villa on loan from Man United
- Henderson snaps at Monaco transfer 'lies' after Ajax win
- Sources: Man United want Tel, Nkunku on deadline day
TRENDING RUMORS
- Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is a target for Manchester United, according to The Athletic. United have already added Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to their squad and, with their move for Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich reportedly stumbling, Bailey has emerged as the next priority. The Jamaica international has made 29 appearances for Villa this season, starting 13 Premier League matches and five times in the UEFA Champions League. However, he has not been at his best, scoring just once and adding three assists. Any deal for the 27-year-old would sit outside of the now-confirmed deal that has seen striker Marcus Rashford join Villa on loan until the end of the season. The Manchester Evening News believes that despite Sunday's setback in the hunt for Tel, he remains United's priority, with Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku another possible target.
- Ben Chilwell is expected to have a medical on Monday morning ahead of a loan move to Crystal Palace from Chelsea until the end of the season, according to The Telegraph. Chilwell, 28, has been out of favour under Blues boss Enzo Maresca and has played just 45 minutes this season, in a Carabao Cup match against Barrow. Eagles boss Oliver Glasner is hoping Chilwell can provide some depth in the left-back position.
- Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is on his way to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season, according to Sky Sports Germany. The 21-year-old will undergo a medical first thing on Monday, and Dortmund are expected to cover his full salary. Chukwuemeka has made just four appearances this season.
- Tottenham Hotspur are looking to add to their signing of Kevin Danso from Lens with a move for Axel Disasi from Chelsea, according to the Mirror. Spurs have been rocked by an injury to Radu Dragusin, and they're pushing to land the 26-year-old Frenchman to provide further defensive cover. Aston Villa also hope to sign Disasi.
- Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos will join Mexican club Monterrey on a free transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 38-year-old is due to undergo a medical on Monday having been without a club following the end of his contract at boyhood club Sevilla. Ramos joins two other Spanish players in the squad alongside Oliver Torres and Sergio Canales.
LIVE BLOG
Gambhir on India's approach: 'We want to try and get to 250-260 regularly'
"That's the kind of T20 cricket we want to play. We don't want to fear losing a game of cricket," Gambhir told the host broadcaster. "We want to play high-risk, high-reward cricket. And these guys have adopted that ideology, that policy really well. And I think the ideology of this T20 team is based on selflessness and fearlessness. And I think in the last six months, these guys have done it day in, day out.
"We want to try and get to 250-260 regularly. And in trying to do that, there'll be games where we'll get bundled out for 120-130. And that is what T20 cricket is all about. And unless and until you don't play that high-risk cricket, you won't get those big rewards as well. Most importantly, I think we're on the right track. Come those big tournaments, we want to still continue playing this way and we don't want to fear losing anything."
"I mean, this is what we've sat down and spoken about, what brand of cricket we want to play and we're just sticking to it irrespective of what's going to happen," Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation. "And it is a high-risk, high-reward game. But at the end of the day, what's working for us, we'll be doing that."
"I think his transformation from IPL to international T20 cricket has been phenomenal," Gambhir said of Varun. "And this series was probably the benchmark as well because England is a high-quality side. They've got some really quality cricketers and the kind of surfaces we've played on - I think they were fantastic batting wickets and the way he's bowled those tough overs has been phenomenal."
Suryakumar was also impressed with Varun's fielding. In Mumbai, he took two catches, including a tumbling grab running in from deep square leg to send back Harry Brook for two off four balls.
"I mean, he's one guy who's been relentlessly working hard with our fielding coach [T] Dilip sir," Suryakumar said. "And anywhere he gets an opportunity, he uses that time on the field during practice sessions. And it was good to see him putting his hand up and telling that 'I want to field in the outfield today'. And you saw the results. That's amazing."
Another major talking point in this series was India leaning heavily on spin and picking just one frontline fast bowler in each of the five T20Is. Gambhir explained that the team management wanted to pair Varun up with Ravi Bishnoi, to give themselves a stronger chance of striking in the middle overs, without compromising on batting depth.
"I think having Bishnoi and Varun bowling in tandem was very important, especially in the middle phase," Gambhir said. "We always knew that the kind of batting line-up England has, they will always come hard at us in the first six overs. But it's that phase between seven and 15. Can we have those two wicket-taking options in the middle?
"More importantly, we always wanted to have that No. 8 batter, even if he doesn't face too many balls, just because of the kind of cricket we are playing. We want to try and go as hard as possible. Sometimes that cushion of having that No. 8 [batter] allows the top seven to go out there and play even more freely."
Jos Buttler hails Abhishek's ball-striking as England succumb to record loss
Abhishek's stunning innings of 135 from 54 balls, the highest score ever made by an Indian batter in T20Is, proved to be 38 more runs than England's entire line-up could muster in reply, as they were routed for 97 in 10.3 overs, to succumb to a 4-1 series loss.
England's eventual 150-run defeat was their biggest in the format, and a crushing end to an intermittently competitive series. Though Buttler acknowledged his team had had their chances to turn the campaign in their favour, he was happy to bow down to one of the mightiest batting displays imaginable.
"We're obviously disappointed," Buttler said. "I've played quite a lot of cricket, and credit to Abhishek Sharma. That's as clean a ball-striking as I've seen. He played fantastically well. We always sit down and think what more could we have done. But some days, you have to give a lot of credit to the opposition. I thought he played brilliantly well."
Buttler said that Abhishek's display was a continuation of the full-blooded form he showed alongside Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad in last year's IPL. In such run-laden displays, he added, contests tend to go one of two ways.
"I've played in a few games like this," he said. "You either get somewhere near, or you fall in a heap, and today was that day. It can be difficult when a player gets on a roll, and plays as well as he did. Credit to us for sticking in there and fighting back, and keeping them down to 240, after the start they got."
England's reply got off to a misleadingly flying start, with Phil Salt cracking 17 runs off Mohammad Shami's first over, en route to a 21-ball fifty. But his was a lone hand as wickets continued to tumble at the other end, with the entire team being bowled out just after the halfway mark of their chase.
"The way Phil Salt went out there and struck the ball, it was obviously a really good wicket," Buttler said. "He needed someone to go with him, and for one or two guys to catch fire. That's the way you're going to chase that down. You either get quite close in games like this and surprise yourselves, or it doesn't work.
"But we certainly won't change the way we want to play. We need to keep backing that, and be even more committed."
The final match got underway just 48 hours after the controversy at Pune, where fast bowler Harshit Rana stepped in as a concussion sub after a blow to the helmet for Shivam Dube. Dube declared himself "good to go" before the toss in Mumbai, despite the ICC's protocols stating that a seven-day lay-off should be mandatory in such situations, and Buttler hinted at his continued annoyance by describing his four non-selected players as "impact subs".
Speaking after the defeat, however, he struck a more conciliatory tone. "He's pulled up pretty well from a nasty blow on the head, hopefully he's okay," Buttler said, after Dube had scored 30 from 13 balls and claimed 2 for 11 in his two overs. "I'm sure he must have been happy with the risk he took or their medical staff were. Maybe a question for them."
Legspinner Varun Chakravarthy also played a key role in derailing England's chase with figures of 2 for 25, and was named player of the series for his 14 wickets at 9.85. England's struggles against spin have been a feature of all five matches, but Buttler said his players would be stronger for the experience.
"Playing against India, you know you're going to be faced with a lot of spin, but I'm not worried," Buttler said. "There's some really good players there and some guys having their first experiences in these conditions. Every day, you're learning, improving, working things out as you go along and gaining more experience and trying to accelerate that process.
"We certainly won't change the way we want to play, we need to keep backing that, be even more committed and be desperate to do well and execute that," he added. "If we're going to fall, I'd rather fall on the proactive side. Hopefully, over time you get more comfortable with that and play better."
The finisher: ODI icon Bevan elevated to Hall of Fame
Bevan, who featured in both the 1999 and 2003 World Cup wins, has been eligible for elevation for 15 years. But, until last month, the Hall of Fame's rules penalised him for a relatively-modest Test career that spanned 18 matches.
"It was Michael's exceptional playing record and public standing that pushed the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee to review its selection criteria," Hall of Fame chairman Peter King explained.
"To ensure players who excelled in one-day or Twenty20 Internationals were equally recognised as those who shone in the Test format. Michael without a doubt revolutionised white-ball cricket and became a household name for his masterful batting, amazing athleticism and ability to chase down runs."
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley described Bevan as an "icon and a pioneer".
"He was a favourite among fans with his incredible temperament and ability to deliver in pressure situations," Hockley said. He is a two-time World Cup winner and finished his career with one of best records in 50-over cricket. He was also one of the most prolific run-scorers in the Sheffield Shield during what was one of the strongest eras in Australian cricket."
Representing Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Yorkshire, Sussex, Leicestershire and Kent, Bevan played 237 first-class matches making 19,147 runs at 57.32 including 68 centuries and 81 half centuries with a top score of 216.
Bevan follows this season's previous inductees, Michael Clarke and Christina Matthews.
'In the zone' Abhishek salutes seniors for guiding him to century
"I was in a zone where I was going to react to the ball. I didn't even know my score," Abhishek said after the match. "I just asked Surya [Suryakumar] paaji' what do you think?'. He said 'since a wicket has fallen you can take your time, take a couple of balls.' That really helped me, because of him only I would say the hundred happened and my highest score happened. At that time, I didn't realise I was going to hit the fastest hundred [second-fastest for India]."
Abhishek got off to a swift start and crossed fifty in just 17 balls. He was on 94 off 32 balls after nine overs and had the Indian record for the fastest T20I century - off 35 balls by Rohit Sharma - in sights. He finished with a 54-ball 135, the highest individual score for India in men's T20Is.
"It never crossed my mind that I should play till the end," he said. "I react to the ball based on the team situation. Luckily today, when I was in the 80s or 90s, Surya paaji came in and said you've played well so far, worked hard, so you can take two-three balls. When the captain is [batting] with you and tells you something, I felt I should bat carefully. When Hardik [Pandya] came in, he said, 'since wickets are falling you have to play according to the situation and bat till the end since you are hitting the ball well'. Then Axar came in these three are senior players and have played well for India, so no better players to listen to in that situation."
Given India do not play a T20I any time soon, it was a timely knock from Abhishek, who could jostle for spots in the team once Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill return. But he insisted none of that played on his mind.
"I had met Jassu [Jaiswal] and Shubman yesterday [at the BCCI awards]. There has never been a competition among us - we are playing together since Under-16. There was just one dream - to play for India. The three of us are playing now, so there is no better feeling."
Abhishek has been one of the flag-bearers of India's high-intent batting template. Since the start of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023-24, he has scored 1893 runs in T20 cricket. Only five batters across the world have more runs than that, none of them at a faster rate than Abhishek's 199.47. He was the Player of the Tournament in that SMAT which his domestic team, Punjab, won. His fast starts even helped runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. How did the transformation happen?
"I worked hard [to bat in a certain way] ahead of that season and when I saw the results, I thought I should back myself and express myself," Abhishek said. "I practiced a lot of match scenarios in open nets. Brian Lara had told me one thing - just play your shots but make sure that you don't get out. So that is what I had in my mind. That helped me and I felt I could hit shots off the first or second ball as well.
"When you are young, you don't explore much, but I did that and realised I could play with more intent and help the team. When you do well, you get the support of your team. So I thought that when it is my day, I have to play this way - whether for Punjab or my franchise. Obviously when it comes to India, it's a special and a big moment. I felt if I have the ability, I should nourish it. There are ups and downs, but you need to be clear about playing this way."
"Yuvi paaji was always there for me and put all these things in my mind and believed in me. When Yuvraj Singh tells you that you are going to play for the country and win games, you also try to believe in yourself and give your best. I talk to him after every game, he is the one I listen to. He knows me better than me.
When your captain and coach tell you that you have to play like this and we are backing you, we'll be there for you always, that is the biggest motivation for a young player in the team. In South Africa I remember Hardik paaji and Suryapaaji telling me, you are100% going to make some runs, just believe in yourself'. In this series Gauti [head coach Gautam Gambhir] paaji came back and I feel grateful that they believe in me, that's not normal and is the biggest motivation for any player."
S Sudarshanan is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Sudarshanan7
NFC tops AFC for three-peat in Pro Bowl Games
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The past three Pro Bowl Games have made one thing unmistakably clear: The NFC has a knack for flag football.
One week before the AFC's Kansas City Chiefs attempt a Super Bowl three-peat, the NFC completed a three-peat of its own in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, topping the AFC 76-63 after the completion of all events, including a 56-50 win in Sunday's flag football game.
The NFC has won all three years in the flag football format that began with the February 2023 event.
On Sunday, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff -- who started the game -- won offensive MVP after completing 10 of 11 pass attempts for 126 yards and three touchdowns, getting the AFC off to a fast start.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., playing in his first Pro Bowl, was named defensive MVP after he picked off New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and scored on an 8-yard return.
The flag format has seemingly increased the competitiveness of the event, seeing as how players harbor fewer fears about sustaining injuries than they did under the longtime tackle football version of the Pro Bowl.
But not to be overlooked was a particular incentive.
"We were trying to win," Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said. "They told us what the prize was, and I was like, 'We might need to do a little bit more.' So, that's what we did."
Robinson was referring to the $92,000 in prize money awarded to each member of the winning conference team. Members of the losing team receive $46,000.
After years of uncertainty about the game's future because of the lack of intensity in the tackle format, the Pro Bowl seems to have found a viable path forward, according to league officials. Players also support moving forward with the flag football approach.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who has played both tackle and flag football in the Pro Bowl, was clear which he prefers.
"I like this more just because it gives the fans a chance to see our faces and just kind of see who we are off the field," he said. "And we compete, but we keep it very civil."
Said Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold: "I think [flag] is really fun, especially after the season when guys have been kind of chilling for three weeks. It's good to just ease into a game of flag football."
In Sunday's skills events -- a continuation of Thursday night's skills show -- the NFC won the relay race and tug of war competitions, while the AFC won the "punt perfect" event.
Sources: Kelly leaving Ohio St. to be Raiders' OC
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Chip Kelly is returning to the NFL to become the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel on Sunday.
Kelly, 61, spent the past seven years in college football, including last season as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for national champion Ohio State, which averaged 35.7 points in going 14-2, including a 34-23 defeat of Notre Dame for the national title.
Previously, Kelly was head coach at UCLA for six seasons, going 35-34 with the Bruins.
Kelly last coached in the NFL in 2016, when he was the San Francisco 49ers head coach for one season, with the Niners going 2-14.
He had also been head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-15 and went 26-21 with one playoff appearance.
The addition of Kelly completes the coordinator staff for Carroll, who retained defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.
Carroll said he was hoping for a "combination" of coaches to fill out his staff when he was introduced last Monday.
"I'm really looking for people that have been with me, that understand the philosophy to some extent," Carroll said at the time. "I [also] want guys that have never been around me before so they have to learn what we're all about and we can watch the process of them learning what we're all about and what we expect. And then I'm hoping that we can maintain some of the terrific coaches that are on the staff, too, so we can have the benefit of the insights that they bring and the continuity that they can generate for us.
"We want ball people. We want guys that love the game...also, it's important to find people that can help us grow and challenge us and -- I know in my history -- I need people to keep me on track. As you can tell, I get pretty juiced up and I'm going to get going. I need people to keep me balanced."
Carroll, as coach of the Seattle Seahawks, went 3-0 in head-to-head matchups against Kelly's Eagles and Niners teams.
They met once in college, Kelly's Oregon Ducks beating Carroll's USC Trojans in 2009. Kelly went 46-7 over four seasons at Oregon, which included an appearance in the national title game, two Rose Bowl appearances and a Fiesta Bowl win.
Kelly becomes the third key assistant to leave the Buckeyes this offseason. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left Ohio State for the same role with Penn State and offensive line coach Justin Frye left for the same role with the Arizona Cardinals.
Carroll, meanwhile, is returning to the NFL after a one-year hiatus. The former Seahawks, New England Patriots and New York Jets head coach was hired in January to replace Antonio Pierce, who was fired following a 4-13 season.
In Las Vegas, Kelly will find a first-team All-Pro tight end in Brock Bowers, who was the No. 7 pick of the 2024 draft, and a receiver who just recorded his first career 1,000-yard receiving season in Jakobi Meyers.
The Raiders, though, have needs at running back and quarterback and hold the No. 6 overall draft pick, as well as an extra third-round draft pick from the Davante Adams trade to the New York Jets and more than $108 million in salary cap space as well as a new general manager in John Spytek.
Kelly has long been regarded as a gifted playcaller, having served as a longtime offensive coordinator and innovator at New Hampshire and Oregon. As Kelly moved on to become the head coach at Oregon (2009-12) and then in the NFL, he remained the play-caller, and along the way his offenses shifted from breakneck tempo to a more deliberate NFL style.
Wanting to be more football-focused and not have his time occupied by the myriad off-field responsibilities of a college head coach, Kelly left UCLA for Ohio State last year.
Kelly finished with a flourish as the Buckeyes averaged 36.3 points per game in the College Football Playoff in four games against Top 10 teams. His play-calling salvo came in the title game, when the Buckeyes called a go-route to freshman Jeremiah Smith on a third-and-11 late in the game that essentially sealed the game for Ohio State. The play hit for 56 yards and will be long remembered in Ohio State history.
Kelly's arrival came at a pivotal time for Ohio State as head coach Ryan Day played for Kelly in college at New Hampshire and the two are close friends. Day give up offensive play-calling and become more ingrained in the macro day-to-day running of the program.
Early in his career, Kelly had one of the most successful and transformative runs of a college coach this generation. His Oregon teams utilized a devastating tempo, that led to a cutting-edge strategic advantage that defined his time there.
ESPN's Pete Thamel contributed to this report.
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
