Heartland for the holidays

COLUMBIANA — The Heartland Christian boys basketball team will host The Hoopin’ in the New Year Tournament on Monday and Tuesday.

The tournament tips off Monday with Crestview vs. United at 5:30 p.m., followed by Heartland Christian vs. Pittsburgh Christian at 7 p.m.

The tournament wraps up Tuesday with the consolation game at 5:30 p.m., followed by the championship game at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.

Hauser wins Ohio University job

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — John Hauser will be Ohio University’s head coach after having the interim tag removed on Friday.

Hauser was named the interim coach on Dec. 1 and led the Bobcats to a 17-10 victory over UNLV in the Frisco Bowl on Tuesday.

Ohio was in the market for a coach after it fired Brian Smith on Dec. 18 for what it called “serious professional misconduct.” That included having a four-month affair with an undergraduate student while he was getting a divorce.

Hauser came to Ohio in 2022 as safeties coach. He was promoted to defensive passing game coordinator in 2023 and defensive coordinator before the 2024 season. Hauser also was the associate head coach this season.

“Over the past four seasons, Ohio football has won 40 games, and John is a key piece in all that goes into our winning program. Additionally, he’s a proven leader, and his focus will be on the student-athlete experience, both on and off the field,” athletic director Slade Larscheid said in a statement.

The Bobcats (9-4) allowed only 295.2 yards per game this season, eighth best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The 17.46 points allowed per game was 11th nationally.

“This is a special place for my family and me, and we are proud to be part of a community that cares so deeply about Ohio University and its football program,” Hauser said in a statement. “I look forward to hitting the ground running with the team as we look to build on the program’s tradition of success in 2026 and beyond.”

Ohio will open the 2026 season at Nebraska on Sept. 5.

Hauser will be OU’s third coach in three seasons. Tim Albin left to become the coach at Charlotte after the 2024 season, and Smith was promoted.

Smith’s TD rates a 10

PHOENIX (AP) — Minnesota thrives in an era of bowl opt-outs, even when a national championship is out of reach.

These Golden Gophers dig the postseason.

Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown on a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in the Rate Bowl on Friday.

Minnesota’s bowl winning streak matches Southern California and Utah for second-longest all-time, behind Florida State’s 11 in a row from 1985-95.

Wildcats extend streak

DETROIT (AP) — Preston Stone threw three touchdown passes and Northwestern turned four turnovers into touchdowns and beat Central Michigan, 34-7, in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field.

The Wildcats (7-6) extended their bowl game winning streak to six. They haven’t lost in the postseason since a 45-6 loss to Pittsburgh in the 2015 Outback Bowl.

Central Michigan (7-6) is 0-3 against the Big Ten in bowl games, with all three losses coming at Ford Field. The Chippewas lost 51-48 to Purdue in the 2007 Motor City Bowl and 21-14 to Minnesota in the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl.