UNDATED (AP) — AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo says college football needs a peacemaker. He says the administrators responsible for managing the College Football Playoff appear to be at an impasse when it comes to expansion. Nobody is against expanding the current field of four, but they now seem to be entrenched in opposing positions regarding how and when. The CFP’s management committee is scheduled to meet in Indianapolis this weekend to discuss a new format for deciding a champion. Russo says someone needs to have the authority to build consensus among the group.
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Lexie Hull had career-bests of 33 points and seven 3-pointers, and No. 2 Stanford held off a late Oregon rally on the way to a 80-68 win. Hull’s 3 with 4:05 to play put Stanford ahead 73-62 after Oregon had trimmed the Cardinal’s lead to single digits and made another timely shot from deep with 1:43 to play. The defending national champion Cardinal (10-3, 2-0 Pac-12) had turnovers that allowed the Ducks back into it in the fourth with a 14-2 run. Endiya Rogers scored 22 points and Nyara Sabally added 19 points and eight rebounds to lead Oregon (7-5, 0-1).
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Cate Reese had 20 points and No. 4 Arizona used a dominant third quarter to beat visiting Washington State 60-52 in its Pac-12 Conference opener and first game in three weeks. It was the 100th victory for Wildcats coach Adia Barnes, and it came as Arizona reached 11-0 for the second time in three seasons. Reese was 8 of 14 from the field and moved into 10th on the school career scoring list with 1,306 points. Krystal Legler-Walker led 9-5 WSU with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State has imploded the west side of Reser Stadium, beginning the next phase of a project to renovate the facility. Athletic director Scott Barnes set off the explosives that brought down part of the building. A crowd watched from a safe distance. The $153 million renovation project is expected to be finished ahead of the 2023 football season. The new addition will include a wellness center for students and faculty.
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Men’s and women’s basketball coaches across the country are coping with the challenge of physical conditioning that comes with COVID-19 pauses. After a program is down because of virus protocols, it’s about players getting back into “game shape” after an abrupt halt to the schedule. They also must avoid injuries from pushing too hard too quickly. No. 2 Duke, No. 5 UCLA and Florida are among teams on the men’s side. No. 11 UConn also faces that test as the Huskies return this weekend from a roughly three-week stoppage.
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