Dimitar Penev, coach who led Bulgaria to 1994 World Cup semifinals, dies at age 80

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Dimitar Penev, the Bulgarian coach who guided his country's team to the semifinals at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, has died. He was 80.

The Bulgarian Football Union announced Penev's death on Saturday saying he died after a prolonged illness.

Penev, who was named the best Bulgarian coach of the 20th Century, is one of the most celebrated figures in Bulgarian soccer history.

Bulgaria's fourth-place finish at the '94 World Cup remains its biggest success. The team's impressive run was halted in the semifinals with a 2-1 loss to Italy. It then lost to Sweden in the third-place match.

Regarded as one of his country's best defenders, Penev played 364 league matches and scored 25 goals for CSKA Sofia. He won a total of 13 domestic trophies and was twice voted Bulgarian Footballer of the Year.

He made 90 appearances for the national team and represented Bulgaria at three World Cups (1966, '70 and '74).

After retiring as a player in 1977, he coached CSKA Sofia, as well as Kuwaiti team Al-Yarmouk, and Saudi club Al-Nassr.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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January 03, 2026

Dimitar Penev, coach who led Bulgaria to 1994 World Cup semifinals, dies at age 80

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Dimitar Penev, the Bulgarian coach who guided his country's team to the semifinals at the 199...

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No. 7 Gonzaga rallies, avoids upset with OT win vs. Seattle

Braden Huff scored 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting as No. 7 Gonzaga survived an upset bid, rallying to defeat Seattle University 80-72 in overtime in a West Coast Conference game Friday night in Spokane, Wash.

Graham Ike added 24 points and 10 rebounds and fellow reserve Tyon Grant-Foster scored 19 as the Bulldogs (15-1, 3-0) recovered from a 13-point deficit in the second half to win their eighth consecutive game.

Brayden Maldonado scored 17 for the Redhawks (12-4, 1-2), who were seeking their first victory against a ranked team since beating No. 16 UNLV on Jan. 12, 1974. John Christofilis added 12 points for Seattle and Gonzaga transfer Junseok Yeo and Will Heimbrodt each scored 10, with Heimbrodt grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds.

Maldonado's 3-pointer gave the Redhawks a 59-47 lead with 8:38 left.

Gonzaga responded with an 8-0 run, with Ike scoring the last six points, to pull within four with 5:41 to go.

A turnaround jumper in the lane by Huff got Gonzaga within three with 1:43 left and Grant-Foster's driving layup made it 64-63 with 1:01 to go.

Yeo made one of two free throws with 33 seconds remaining to give the Redhawks a 65-63 lead before Gonzaga's Braeden Smith was fouled and made both attempts to tie the score with 21 seconds left.

Maldonado's 3-point attempt with three seconds left was blocked out of bounds by Grant-Foster. Maldonado got another attempt at the buzzer, but his shot went off the front of the rim.

Huff's free throw with 4:24 left in overtime gave the Bulldogs a 66-65 lead, their first since they led 9-8.

Maldonado made a three-point play with 3:35 to go to give the Redhawks a 68-66 lead.

Huff's tip-in tied it and Grant-Foster made a driving layup with 2:25 to go to put the Bulldogs ahead 70-68.

Grant-Foster drove the baseline for a layup with 1:37 left to extend the lead to four and scored off a fastbreak to make it 74-68 with 58 seconds to go.

Maldonado made a deep 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key with 49 seconds remaining to halve the Redhawks' deficit.

Ike made four free throws in the final 33 seconds to help clinch the victory.

Christofilis made three 3-pointers in the first half as the Redhawks overcame a 7-0 deficit to take a 37-29 lead at the intermission.

--Field Level Media

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January 03, 2026

No. 7 Gonzaga rallies, avoids upset with OT win vs. Seattle

Braden Huff scored 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting as No. 7 Gonzaga survived an upset bid, rallying to defeat Seattle...

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Patrick Mahomes rehabs in Oregon jersey after losing Orange Bowl bet to rookie Jeffrey Bassa

Patrick Mahomes' season is over.His NFL team's season is all but over.And now his college team's season is over. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback apparently had to pay a price for the latter.

A day afterMahomes' Texas Tech alma mater got shut out by Oregon in the Orange Bowl, Chiefs rookie Jeffrey Bassa posted the result of a jersey bet between the only Oregon and Texas Tech alums on the Kansas City roster: Mahomes, on a training table, wearing Bassa's Oregon jersey.

Looks like Patrick Mahomes lost a jersey bet to Chiefs rookie Jeff Bassa, when Texas tech lost to Oregon in the Orange Bowl yesterday. 😅😂 QB1 really having a go of it lolpic.twitter.com/ZoJVLhat9s

— Lexi (@lexiosborne)January 3, 2026

The Red Raiders didn't give Mahomes much reason for hope of reaching theCollege Football Playoffsemifinals. They couldn't get any momentum going on offense and committed four turnovers in a 23-0 loss, ending a season in which they ran through Big 12, then received a reality check.

Bassa is very familiar with the Ducks defense that shut Texas Tech down. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2023 and was part of the program's 2024 Big Ten championship team, which had its own disappointment in the CFP.

The Chiefs selected Bassa in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has appeared in all 16 games for the team this season, with zero starts. He has mostly appeared on special teams.

Mahomes' season is over after he tore his ACL last month, and his availability for 2026 will depend on how his rehab progresses.

byAdministrator

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January 03, 2026

Patrick Mahomes rehabs in Oregon jersey after losing Orange Bowl bet to rookie Jeffrey Bassa

Patrick Mahomes' season is over.His NFL team's season is all but over.And now his college team's season is over. The Kansas Ci...

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49ers playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for San Francisco to win NFC West

TheSan Francisco 49ersclinched a spot in the NFL playoffs in mid-December, but what seed they will be determined in Week 18.

The 49ers control their own destiny and have a chance to win the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 18. San Francisco will battle theSeattle Seahawksfor the No. 1 seed on Saturday night in Week 18 at Levi's Stadium, with the winner getting the first-round bye in the postseason.

The 49ers will enter the playoffs as either the No. 1, No. 5 or No. 6 seed, pending the results in Week 18.

Here's a breakdown of the 49ers' playoff picture and how they could win the NFC West for the third time in four seasons.

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

49ers playoff chances

The 49ers clinched a playoff berth back in Week 16 after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated theDetroit Lions.

49ers playoff scenarios

The 49ers will either win the NFC West and No. 1 seed or earn a wild-card berth. Here's a look at what it will take for San Francisco to win its division in 2025:

• 49ers win in Week 18 vs. Seattle Seahawks

San Francisco will face Seattle at home in Week 18 with the winner earning the NFC West title and the NFC's No. 1 overall seed. With a win, the 49ers will be the NFC's No. 1 seed and have a bye in the wild card.

A loss in Week 18 would mean they are either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture, pending the Rams' result against theArizona Cardinalson Sunday. If the 49ers lose and the Rams win against the Cardinals, they would each have a 12-5 record.

In that scenario, the tiebreaker goes first to head-to-head record, which is 1-1. Then, it goes to the division record, where both teams would be 4-2. Then, because they are divisional opponents, it goes to common opponent record. The Rams are 6-2 in those games, while the 49ers are 5-3. So, the Rams would get the No. 5 seed, and San Francisco would fall to No. 6.

NFC West standings

The 49ers are currently in second place in the NFC West standings. Below is a look at the pecking order within the division:

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

3. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

4. Arizona Cardinals (3-13)

The Seahawks won their Week 17 game against theCarolina Panthers. As a result, Seattle remains a game ahead of the 49ers even after San Francisco's "Sunday Night Football" win over the Bears in Week 17.

The Rams are now in third place and a full game behind the 49ers after Los Angeles lostto the Atlanta Falconson "Monday Night Football" in Week 17.

The 49ers hold tiebreaker advantages over the Seahawks and Rams. San Francisco beat Seattle head-to-head in Week 1 and will play the Seahawks again in Week 18 with the NFC West title on the line.

49ers remaining schedule

Below is a look at the 49ers' final opponent:

• Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

Seahawks remaining schedule

Below is a look at the Seahawks' final opponent:

• Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

Rams remaining schedule

Here's a look at Los Angeles' remaining schedule:

• Week 18: vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-13)

Who will 49ers play in playoffs?

• If 49ers defeat Seahawks Week 18: San Francisco earns No. 1 seed and a bye.

• If Seahawks defeat 49ers, and Rams win: The Seahawks earn the No. 1 seed, the Rams are No. 5 seed and 49ers are No. 6 seed. San Francisco would play the No. 3 seed on the road, either the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles.

• If Seahawks defeat 49ers and Rams lose: The Seahawks earn the No. 1 seed. The 49ers are No. 5 seed. San Francisco would play the No. 4 seed on the road, which would be either the Buccaneers or the Panthers.

NFL playoff picture

Here's how the AFC and NFC stack up for Week 18 (subject to change pending Week 18 results):

1. Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*

2. New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)

5. Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*

6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*

7. Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*

2. Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*

4. Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)

5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*

7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:49ers playoff picture: Who will San Francisco play in playoffs?

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January 03, 2026

49ers playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for San Francisco to win NFC West

TheSan Francisco 49ersclinched a spot in the NFL playoffs in mid-December, but what seed they will be determined in Week...

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Seahawks playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for Seattle to win NFC West

It's been weeks since theSeattle Seahawksofficially broke their playoff drought. Coach Mike Macdonald will be in the postseason for the first time with one of the best teams in the NFL this season.

The Seahawks have won 10 of their last 11 games to push hard into the playoffs behind the No. 2 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense. Seattle will be back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 NFL season.

But whether the Seahawks will be playing at home or on the road to open the playoffs is still undecided. It's now down to one final game in Week 18 to decide their postseason fate.

As is the case across the league, the Seahawks wrap up the regular season with a game against a divisional foe, theSan Francisco 49ers. Seattle controls their own destiny and will either be the No. 1 seed in the conference or the top wild-card seed.

Here's a breakdown of the Seahawks' playoff picture, how they could win the NFC West and the current NFC postseason picture:

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

Seahawks playoff chances

Seattle clinched a playoff berth in Week 16 thanks to their win over theLos Angeles Ramson "Thursday Night Football."

Seahawks playoff scenarios

Seattle will either win the NFC West for the first time since 2020 or be the top wild-card seed in the NFC. Here's how the Seahawks could win their division in 2025:

• Seahawks win in Week 18 vs. San Francisco 49ers

Seattle travels on the road to face San Francisco in a contest for the division crown and the No. 1 seed. With a win, the Seahawks secure the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

A loss to the 49ers would drop the Seahawks to the No. 5 seed regardless of the other results in Week 18. San Francisco has an advantage in the first two tiebreakers: head-to-head and division records. The 49ers winning in Week 18 would draw them even on overall win-loss record and they'd get the top seed thanks to those tiebreakers.

NFC West standings

The Seahawks lead the NFC West standings entering the season finale. Here's a full look at the division:

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3, 3-2 NFC West)

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 4-1)

3. Los Angeles Rams (11-5, 3-2)

4. Arizona Cardinals (3-13, 0-5)

The Seahawks' win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 keeps them a game ahead of the 49ers in the win column. Seattle's win over Los Angeles in a thrilling Week 16 game – followed by the Rams' loss to the Falcons in Week 17 – makes it a two-team race for the division crown.

Seahawks remaining schedule

Below is a look at the Seahawks' final opponent:

• Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

49ers remaining schedule

Below is a look at the 49ers' final opponent:

• Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

Who will Seahawks play in playoffs?

• If the Seahawks defeat the 49ers Week 18: Seattle earns the No. 1 seed and a bye.

• If the 49ers defeat the Seahawks Week 18: San Francisco earns the No. 1 seed and a bye. Seattle earns the No. 5 seed and will go on the road to play the NFC South champion, either Carolina or Tampa Bay.

NFL playoff picture

Here's how the AFC and NFC stack up for Week 18 (teams with an asterisk have clinched a playoff berth):

1. Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*

2. New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)

5. Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*

6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*

7. Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*

2. Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*

4. Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)

5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*

7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*

In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Seahawks playoff picture: Who will Seattle play in playoffs?

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January 03, 2026

Seahawks playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for Seattle to win NFC West

It's been weeks since theSeattle Seahawksofficially broke their playoff drought. Coach Mike Macdonald will be in the...

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