Orlando Entertainment News : December 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023

FSU’s perfect season ends in blowout loss to Georgia in Orange Bowl | Reserve big man Goga Bitadze stays ready as Magic head west | Dolphins face huge game at Baltimore

Sentinel Sports Final

Sunday, December 31, 2023

FSU's perfect season ends in blowout loss to Georgia in Orange Bowl | Reserve big man Goga Bitadze stays ready as Magic head west | Dolphins face huge game at Baltimore

FSU's perfect season ends in blowout loss to Georgia in Orange Bowl

But a short-handed FSU couldn't overcome a motivated Georgia squad that jumped out to a 42-3 halftime lead before cruising to a 63-3 win in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Reserve big man Goga Bitadze stays ready as Magic head west

Magic center Goga Bitadze told the Sentinel he didn't find out he was starting Friday against the Knicks until an hour before the home game. The reserve big man is ready to step up again if Wendell Carter Jr. isn't available Sunday at Phoenix.

High school sports scores and top performers from Saturday

Boys hoops tourney winners included Seminole and Olympia, while Winter Springs had 2 weight class winners in the Palm Bay wrestling event. Montverde Academy and Wekiva won in girls basketball, while Lake Highland Prep wrestling shined in a long-running Pennsylvania tournament.

UCF's John Rhys Plumlee to skip final season of baseball to focus on NFL draft

He wrapped up a five-year football career in which he completed 61% of his passes for 5,838 yards with 34 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Plumlee also rushed for 2,556 yards with 26 touchdowns.

Dave Hyde: Game of the year? Dolphins' day at Baltimore is their biggest in three decades

The Dolphins' top-scoring offense meets the Ravens' top-ranked defense. Lamar Jackson's MVP candidacy meets Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. And the No. 1 AFC playoff seed is on the line on Sunday.

Relatable Baker Mayfield was perfect QB to follow Tom Brady with Bucs

"I'm not going to go out and have beers with Tom,'' tackle Tristan Wirfs says. It's a different story with Mayfield bridging the generation gap.

As January looms, Bucs rookie Yaya Diaby hitting stride, not wall

The 270-pound edge rusher leads Tampa Bay with 6.5 sacks.

Richard scores 22 and Pullin adds 16 to lead host Florida's rout of Quinnipiac

Todd Golden's Gators (10-3) met their stated goal of going undefeated in December, having defeated Merrimack, Richmond, East Carolina, Michigan, Grambling and Quinnipiac.

Lipscomb builds 21-point lead in 2nd half and holds off host Florida State men

The Seminoles trailed by 21 points early in the second half before falling 78-75 on Saturday.

Lightning come up short at home vs. red-hot Rangers

The Lightning's 39 points through 37 games is one behind their total after the same number of games in 2016-17, which was the last time they missed the playoffs.

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Saturday, December 30, 2023

How Banchero, Wagner lifted short-handed Magic over Knicks | FSU enters Orange Bowl showdown with next-man-up mentality | Sellers and Avery power UCF men’s basketball past Bethune-Cookman

Sentinel Sports Final

Saturday, December 30, 2023

How Banchero, Wagner lifted short-handed Magic over Knicks | FSU enters Orange Bowl showdown with next-man-up mentality | Sellers and Avery power UCF men's basketball past Bethune-Cookman

Beede's Breakdown: How Banchero, Wagner lifted short-handed Magic over Knicks

The Magic were down to 10 active players against the Knicks on Friday but that didn't slow down Orlando in the home victory.

FSU enters Orange Bowl showdown with next-man-up mentality

FSU enters the game shorthanded with more than 25 players opting out either to enter the transfer portal or to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. A dozen of those were starters, including running back Trey Benson (905 yards), receivers Johnny Wilson (617) and Keon Coleman (658) and pass rusher Jared Verse (12.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks).

Hard feelings for CFP snub linger, but FSU trying to move forward

FSU has won 19 consecutive games dating to last season and claimed its first ACC title since 2014. It's a 180-degree change from when the Seminoles won 41% (19-27) of their games between 2018-2021. The turnaround can be attributed to Norvell, who has put the program on the verge of its first undefeated season since 2013.

Missouri pushes past Ohio State in Cotton Bowl

In a game with almost as many total punts (16) as points, the Tigers (11-2) scored touchdowns on consecutive drives after punting eight times before that, with Brady Cook throwing a 7-yard TD to Luther Burden III with 5:12 left to secure the 14-3 victory.

High school sports scores and top performers from Friday, Dec. 29

Among Boys basketball winners were Lake Highland Prep, Olympia, Oviedo, Mount Dora Christian Academy and Seminole. St. Cloud, Timber Creek and Boone added girls basketball wins.

Stumbling Jaguars 'ready to fight our way out of it' against Panthers without Lawrence

The Jaguars have been hesitant to call any previous game a must-win situation. They don't have much choice now. Jacksonville is downright desperate heading into its home finale against Carolina on Sunday.

Sellers and Avery power UCF men's basketball past Bethune-Cookman

UCF (9-3) earned its 15th straight victory in the series against B-CU (5-7).

UCF offensive tackle Marcellus Marshall returning in 2024

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Marshall joined the program after transferring from Kent State last December. He started 11 of the team's 13 games but really demonstrated his versatility this season, seeing time at left guard, right guard and right tackle.

UF football transfer tracker: veteran DB Jaydon Hill, G Micah Mazzccua leave Gators

The 30-day window for the NCAA transfer portal began Dec. 4. Coming off a 5-7 season, Florida will aim to address pressing needs with veteran players seeking a change of scenery and playing opportunity.

Mafah runs for 4 TDs as Clemson rallies to beat Kentucky in wild Gator Bowl

Clemson (9-4) outscored Kentucky (7-6) 28-14 in the 4th quarter.

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