SPORTS digest

YSU football team Meet-and-Greet set

youngstown

The 2016 NCAA Division I-FCS National Finalist Youngstown State football team will have a meet and greet prior to the men’s basketball game against Milwaukee on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 6 p.m., the YSU Athletics Department announced. The student-athletes will greet fans, take pictures and sign autographs before the game in the general admission section on the West side of the Beeghly Center. Fans can also participate in the Rulli Brothers “Holiday Hoops” Ticket Special for the game. YSU is offering a buy-one-get-one free general admission game ticket. The Penguins face James Madison in the national championship game on Saturday, Jan. 7. It marks Youngstown State’s seventh appearance in the national title game.

Cavaliers’ Smith out with thumb injury

cleveland

Cavaliers starting guard J.R. Smith will miss at least three months following surgery on his right thumb, a major injury that will have a ripple effect for the defending NBA champions.

The team says Smith, who suffered a “complex fracture” earlier this week, will need 12 to 14 weeks of recovery time. The playoffs begin in mid-April.

Smith’s surgery was performed Friday by renowned hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham, with two other physicians assisting.

The loss of Smith, one of the team’s best outside shooters and top perimeter defender, will force coach Tyronn Lue to make adjustments with his rotations and general manager David Griffin to alter the team’s roster.

The Cavs have been looking for a backup point guard, but Smith’s injury could change their priorities.

DeAndre Liggins started in Smith’s spot on Wednesday against Milwaukee.

Jets coach Bowles hospitalized

new york

New York Jets coach Todd Bowles was hospitalized Friday with what the team called an “undisclosed illness,” and he did not travel for the game at New England on Saturday.

In a statement posted on the team’s website , the Jets said Bowles was in stable condition, but it was uncertain if he would eventually join the team in time for the game.

The 53-year-old Bowles fell ill early Friday afternoon and was taken to the hospital, where general manager Mike Maccagnan visited him. Maccagnan has remained in constant contact with Bowles, who wants to coach the game but will need to be cleared by doctors.

If Bowles is unavailable to coach, assistant head coach Mike Caldwell will fill in against the Patriots. Caldwell, who played linebacker for 11 seasons in the NFL, also serves as New York’s inside linebackers coach.

Caldwell ran the Jets’ walkthrough practice while Bowles was hospitalized. He was informed during the team’s flight to the Boston area that he would be the head coach if Bowles can’t make it to the game.

Mixon tearfully apologizes for actions

norman, okla.

Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon made a tearful public apology Friday, more than two years after punching a woman and breaking bones in her face.

Mixon was suspended for a year after his assault on Oklahoma student Amelia Molitor. He said at a news conference he wanted to apologize earlier, but his legal team advised him not to.

Mixon said it is never acceptable to hit a woman and if he were in the same situation again he would walk away. He said he was disappointed he let down his team and family, especially his mother.

His legal advisers released video of the punch last week. Since then there has been a backlash against Mixon, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and the university. Stoops said Wednesday that if such an attack had happened today, Mixon would be off the team.

Oklahoma plays Auburn in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2.

Associated Press