Stricker, Kelly lead the pack

Steve Stricker returned from a long layoff to team with Jerry Kelly to take the first-round lead in the Franklin Templeton Shootout.

The Madison duo shot a 16-under 56 on Thursday in the scramble format for a one-stroke lead over

Harris English and Matt Kuchar at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.

The 49-year-old Stricker had not played since the Deutsche Bank Championship on Labor Day. He’s teaming with the 50-year-old Kelly for the record eighth time. They won in 2009, and Kelly also won with Rod Pampling in 2006.

Harris and Kuchar won in 2013 in their first start together and finished second the last two years.

Charles Howell III and Rory Sabbatini were third at 59, and defending champions Jason Dufner and Brandt Snedeker were at 60 with Kevin ChappellKevin Kisner and Luke Donald-Russell Knox.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson won the Walter Camp player of the year award Thursday night, beating fellow Heisman Trophy finalists Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Jabrill Peppers of Michigan.

The other finalists for the Walter Camp, which is voted by the sports information directors and head coaches from the 129 FBS schools, were Washington quarterback Jake Browning and Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.

Watson won the Davey O’Brien award as the nation’s top quarterback for the second year in a row, beating out Jackson and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.

D’Onta Freeman of Texas captured the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top college running back after rushing for more than 2,000 yards. Freeman beat out Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey. Wisconsin left tackle Ryan Ramczyk was named to the Walter Camp All-America second team.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Peter Jok scored 23 points and host Iowa upset 25th-ranked Iowa State, 78-64, snapping a threegame losing streak against its instate rival. Isaiah Moss had 14 points to help the Hawkeyes (5-5) beat a Power Five opponent for this first time this season. Former Milwaukee Vincent standout Deonte Burton finished with 10 points for the Cyclones (6-3).

AUTO RACING

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr., who missed the final 18 races of last season because of a concussion, has been medically cleared to return next year.

Hendrick Motorsports announced that Earnhardt will take part in the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 26.

SAILING

Paul Elvstrom, a yachtsman who won four straight Olympic sailing gold medals between 1948’60, died at the age of 88. Elvstrom was named Denmark’s sportsman of the century in 1996.