Scouting combine shows NFL's global progress

INDIANAPOLIS | Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah knew nothing about the NFL when he was growing up. Now, he could be a first-round pick in April's draft.

Murray's 5 TDs lift Georgia by Nebraska in Cap One

ORLANDO, Fla. | Aaron Murray wanted nothing more this week than to send Georgia's senior class out with a game to remember.

No. 21 Northwestern ends drought in Gator Bowl

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. | The stuffed monkey spent the last year in storage, out of sight but still in everyone's mind.

JOHN DOHERTY: Before hitting new year, peruse biggest comebacks of 2012

Who shall it be now?

Liberty Bowl offers different kind of rematch

MEMPHIS, Tenn. | Iowa State and Tulsa don't necessarily think of the Liberty Bowl as a rematch, even though they faced each other Sept. 1 in the season opener for both teams.

Duke looks to end bowl drought vs. Cincinnati

CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Duke wide receiver Conner Vernon sees Thursday night's Belk Bowl against Cincinnati as a perfect opportunity to help the Blue Devils' football team emerge from basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski's shadow.

San Jose St faces Bowling Green in Military Bowl

WASHINGTON | Maybe they should call it the Transition Bowl.

Te'o leads Irish defense, key to perfect season

SOUTH BEND | If Manti Te'o's career at Notre Dame has seemed like something straight out of a Hollywood script, perhaps it is fitting the linebacker is cast as a underdog in the final two scenes of his collegiate career.

NFL INSIDER: Bears in do-or-die territory

It's the time of year when the men are separated from the boys in the NFL.

Purdue holds on over Illinois

CHAMPAIGN | Ralph Bolden and his Purdue teammates have been through a lot, but they're one win from bowl eligibility following a 20-17 victory at Illinois Saturday.

Colts new cornerback eager to get fresh start

INDIANAPOLIS | Vontae Davis spent the last three years hearing all about what he did wrong in Miami.

Irish must find a QB to make Kelly's offense go

SOUTH BEND | Brian Kelly steps into his third season at Notre Dame looking for a quarterback who can run his spread offense. Sure sounds familiar.

Colts' pass-rush tandem embraces position change

ANDERSON | Dwight Freeney thought he had seen everything in the NFL.

Vikings in limbo and expansion not on NFL's radar

MINNEAPOLIS | The Vikings are embroiled in a fight for a new stadium that may jeopardize the franchise's 51-year tenure in Minnesota.

49ers look like serious player in Manning pursuit

SAN FRANCISCO | Jim Harbaugh coaching Peyton Manning. In the Bay Area, they're beginning to think about the possibility and believe it truly might happen.

RG3 wins first Heisman Trophy for Baylor

NEW YORK | Robert Griffin III beat out preseason favorite Andrew Luck for the Heisman Trophy, dazzling voters with his ability to throw, run and lead Big 12 doormat Baylor into the national rankings.

JOHN DOHERTY: Fun is fast becoming forgotten facet of sports

Did you see that kickoff return for a touchdown by Bears return man Devin Hester on Sunday night?

Texans rout Manning-less Colts

HOUSTON | Hey, Peyton Manning. If there was ever a doubt about what you mean to Indianapolis, there isn't anymore.

Defenses scramble to catch up to hurry-up offense

STILLWATER, Okla. | When Oregon's no-huddle offense got rolling on the Ducks' way to the BCS title game opposing teams had no way to stop them except lay down.