Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe Colts got back in the win column with a strong outing from Peyton Manning and a late field goal that held off the Titans.Career nights for three college stars and a redeeming performance for one of the NFL's greatest ever. Here's what you missed last night while you were organizing your Michael Jordan DVDs by year (just me?).
NFL: After jumping out to a 21-0 lead, it looked like Peyton Manning and the Colts would cruise to a Week 14 win over the Titans, but just before the half Tennessee decided to put up a fight. Running back Chris Johnson got his team on the board at the end of the second quarter with a one-yard score and the Titans went on to outscore Indy 21-9. In the end the deficit was too big, as Tennessee fell to the Colts 30-28.
Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, both to Pierre Garcon, extending his own record with a 13th straight season passing for at least 25 touchdowns. Perhaps more importantly, Manning managed to escape without a single interception after compiling 11 in his past three starts. Colts snapped a three-game skid to improve to 7-6 and remain just a half-game back in the AFC South.
Men's College Basketball: What a night for Ohio State rookie Jared Sullinger. The Columbus native set a Buckeyes freshman record with 40 points and added 13 boards in leading his No. 2 Ohio State team to a 75-64 win over IUPUI. Even those who hate THE Ohio State University have gotta feel a little warmth in their hearts (Grinch-style) after seeing Sullinger give the people of Ohio something to smile about on the hardwood for a change.
Women's College Basketball: In a shocking turn of events, No. 1 UConn's Maya Moore had a big night. I know, I know, hard to believe. The Huskies' all-time leading scorer put up a season-high 31 points in UConn's 79-47 win over Marquette. Connecticut is now only one win away from tying the Division I record 88-game winning streak set by the UCLA men's team in 1974.
No. 19 Iowa used a 19-6 run to start the second half to put away No. 15 Iowa State 62-40 in the rivals' first-ever meeting as ranked opponents. The win was only the Hawkeyes' second in their past six meetings with the Cyclones, who started out 5-0 but have now lost two of three. Iowa was led by Morgan Johnson, who put up 16 points and 10 boards, and Kelly Krei, who added 15 points of her own.
NBA: The Celtics won their ninth straight, defeating the 76ers 102-101 on a last-second Rajon Rondo-to-Kevin Garnett alley-oop bank shot. It looked like Philly was gonna pull off the upset, up one with less than seven seconds on the clock, but the Big Ticket came up really big when it counted most.
College Football Awards: Saturday night might be the biggest night of Cam Newton's life, but Thursday wasn't too shabby, either. The Auburn quarterback cleaned up at The Home Depot College Football Awards, winning the Davey O'Brien Award as the country's top signal-caller and the Maxwell Award as the nation's best all-around player. Earlier in the day he walked away with the Walter Camp Award, which honors the college player of the year, as voted by coaches and sports information directors. See the full list of the night's winners.
