SPORTS SHORTS
NCAA: UCLA hires Chip Kelly
Chip Kelly is headed to UCLA with plans to create another Pac-12 powerhouse. The coach who helped changed college football with his groundbreaking offense at Oregon agreed to a five-year, $23.3 million deal on Saturday, his 54th birthday, to return to the sideline with the Bruins.
Kelly spent the past year out of coaching after four seasons in the NFL. He entertained serious overtures from Florida this month before deciding to take charge of UCLA, which hasn’t won a conference title since 1998. Kelly replaces Jim Mora, who was fired last Sunday after six seasons.
Nebraska fired football coach Mike Riley after three seasons. The Cornhuskers finished the season 4-8, their fewest wins since going 3-6-1 in 1961.
In Stony Brook, Joe Carbone threw for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Seahawks’ four running backs combined to rush for 361 more and six touchdowns in a 59-29 defeat of Lehigh in the opening round of the FCS playoffs. Jordan Gowins and Donald Liotine each ran for two scores as Stony Brook (10-2) won its sixth straight and will face top-seeded James Madison (11-0) on Dec. 2 in Harrisonburg, Va.
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, Eli Dunne threw for four touchdowns and Northern Iowa (8-4) had four interceptions to cruise past Monmouth 46-7 in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Hawks (9-3), who got a 19-yard TD pass from Kenji Bahar to Lonnie Moore, were outgained 520-202. NBA: Curry heats up, Warriors win
Stephen Curry bounced back after an 0for-10 start and scored 14 of his 27 points in the third quarter, Klay Thompson added 24 points and the Warriors held on to beat the Pelicans 110-95 in Oakland, Calif.
In Indianapolis, Kyrie Irving scored 25 points and Al Horford added 21 to lead the Celtics to a 108-98 win over the Pacers.
Playing without guard John Wall, who is expected to miss about two weeks with inflammation in his left knee, the Wizards fell to the Trail Blazers, 108-105, in Washington. NHL: Habs’ Price notches shutout
Carey Price made 36 saves in his return from a lower-body injury and the Canadiens beat the Sabres 3-0 in Montreal to snap a two-week long five-game losing streak.
In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel each scored twice and Pittsburgh beat Tampa Bay, 5-2, to end a season-high three-game losing streak.
In Toronto, Alex Ovechkin had a hat trick, scoring his 217th career goal to tie Jaromir Jagr for the most among active players, and the Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 4-2. GOLF: Day nabs lead in Sydney
Jason Day moved into position for his first Australian Open title after shooting a 2-under 69 in the third round to take a one-stroke lead at 10-under 203 in Sydney. Jordan Spieth shot 70 as he seeks a third title Down Under. SOCCER: Messi re-ups with Barça
Lionel Messi put Barcelona and its fans at ease by signing a new contract that will keep the Argentine forward at the Spanish club through 2021. According to El Mundo newspaper, Messi will receive 30 million euros ($35.8 million) per season along with a signing bonus of 50 million euros ($59.6 million).