BRIEFLY McNichols scores 3 times, Boise State routs Huskies 55-7

BRIEFLY

McNichols scores 3 times, Boise State routs Huskies 55-7

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Northern Illinois won the coin toss and deferred, giving Boise State the ball first.

The Poinsettia Bowl was just beginning, yet it was essentially over.

Jeremy McNichols scored three touchdowns, the first one 58 seconds into the game, and finished with 189 total yards as Boise State embarrassed Northern Illinois 55-7 Wednesday.

The Broncos (9-4) took the opening kickoff and moved 75 yards in three plays for the fastest TD in the school’s bowl history. After completions of 7 and 39 yards by Brett Rypien, McNichols ran 29 yards for a touchdown just 58 seconds in.

Leonard, Spurs beat up Wolves for 7th straight win, 108-83

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kawhi Leonard’s expression never changed, from stretching in pregame warmups to shutting down prized Minnesota Timberwolves youngster Andrew Wiggins to stepping out of the shower and getting ready to head back home.

“Just another day for me,” he said.

And for the San Antonio Spurs, who are running roughshod over the rest of the NBA.

Leonard had 19 points and six rebounds, and the Spurs bullied the young Timberwolves in the paint during a 108-83 victory Wednesday night.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves (11-18). Zach LaVine scored 17, but the Wolves were 3 of 10 from 3-point range while the Spurs went 10 for 24.

Georgia Southern beats Bowling Green 58-27 in GoDaddy Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Georgia Southern quarterback Favian Upshaw blew past Bowling Green’s defensive line and linebackers and split two safeties, showing off impressive speed on his way to the end zone.

But as his 80-yard touchdown run neared completion he slowed down a little and was nearly caught.

“I started out pretty fast,” Upshaw said, grinning. “But I got a little tired there at the end.”

It’s hard to blame him. After all, he wasn’t used to running that much.

Usually the backup quarterback with a limited role, Upshaw ran for 199 yards and four touchdowns to lead Georgia Southern over Bowling Green 58-27 in the GoDaddy Bowl on Wednesday night.

Georgia Southern (9-4) won the first bowl game in school history in the first year it was eligible to go to the postseason. The program transitioned to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2014.

No practice for Peterson; he’s confident he’ll play Sunday

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says he’s confident he’ll play this weekend against the New York Giants despite a sprained left ankle that forced him out for part of the last game.

Peterson didn’t practice Wednesday, and was listed on the injury report with a shoulder issue as well, but said he’ll be fine Sunday. The NFL rushing leader was hurt in the second quarter last week against Chicago, returning for six carries in the second half.

Safety Harrison Smith (knee/hamstring), linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) and defensive tackle Linval Joseph (foot) were all limited participants in practice Wednesday. They’ve each essentially missed the last three games. Smith and Barr started Dec. 6