PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles' 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season opener was delayed 65 minutes because of lightning in the area around Lincoln Financial Field late in the third quarter Thursday night.
Behind two touchdown runs from Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl champion Eagles led 24-20 with 4:44 left in the third quarter when the game was delayed. Play resumed at 11:30 p.m. and ended at 12:18 a.m.
The Eagles had the ball following a fumble recovery just before the delay.
The Eagles posted on the scoreboard that a severe warning had been issued by the National Weather Service that could produce severe conditions, including lightning and strong wind. The Eagles urged fans to leave the open seating areas and seek shelter in the concourse. The teams went to their locker rooms.
The Eagles unveiled their 2024 championship banner before the game. Then the real fireworks began, when defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley gets past Dallas Cowboys defenders as Barkley scores a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
PHOENIX (AP) — Lauren Betts had 16 points and made a huge block late, and UCLA withstood a late charge by Texas on Friday night for a 51-44 win to reach the women's NCAA Tournament national championship game for the first time.
Manhandled by eventual national champion UConn in their first Final Four a year ago, the Bruins (36-1) dominated their way to another national semifinal with the best season in program history.
A chance at a first national championship game appearance had to go through the only team to beat them this season.
Overpowered in the first meeting, the Bruins turned the bully tables on Texas (35-4), shutting down All-American Madison Booker while building a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The Longhorns are one of the nation's best defensive teams and flexed their D during a 12-2 run that cut UCLA's lead to 47-44.
Betts swatted the Texas run to halt.
She blocked Booker's shot with 20 seconds left and Kiki Rice hit two free throws, sending coach Cori Close's crew into the title game.
The grinding win earns the Bruins a spot Sunday’s title game against South Carolina, the three-time national champions who ended reigning champion UConn’s undefeated season and left Huskies’ coach Geno Auriemma fuming.
So was Booker after a brutal finish to what was otherwise a stellar season. She hit her first shot, missed her next 17 and finished with six points on 3-of-23 shooting.
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) reacts after Texas lost to UCLA in a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UCLA forward Angela Dugalic, second from left, embraces UCLA guard Lena Bilic (9) after defeating Texas in a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UCLA head coach Cori Close motions towards the court during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game between UCLA and Texas at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) shoots against Texas during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer motions towards the court during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives against Texas guard Bryanna Preston, left, during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
