“Running north to south” is a phrase used constantly by football coaches and analysts imploring running backs to get up the field as quick — and as straight — as possible. It is a running style embodied by Eastern Kentucky University’s Joshua Carter. The powerful running back from Navarre, Fla., has been effective in getting to the end zone with that style. Carter’s path to success, however, has been far from a straight line, but rather a twisting and winding journey. Coming out of high school, Carter was actually recruited for his prowess in stopping running backs — as a linebacker. At Navarre High, he concluded his senior season (2018) with the school record for tackles, tackles-for-loss, sacks and forced fumbles. Carter also showed off his raw strength in the offseason claiming two state titles in weightlifting at the 219-pound division. “Weightlifting for me was just another thing I could compete in. That’s why I wanted to do it,” Carter said. “It helped maintaining strength and discipline, and that’s what I pride myself on. I want to be a strong and disciplined person and that’s how I approach football.” Despite the performances on and off the field, many schools overlooked Carter, leaving him to take a preferred walk-on spot at South Alabama. “I really didn’t have the measurables that most people look for in a linebacker,” said the 5-foot-9, 207 pound running back. “There aren’t many schools that are looking for anyone that’s my height, but I wanted to take the opportunity at South Alabama and make the most of it. I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.” He took that challenge head on and earned a scholarship after playing in 10 games his freshman season of 2019. However, an ACL injury and change in coaching staff brought a new challenge to Carter. “Coming back from my ACL injury the coaches at South Alabama met with me and told me they were thinking about switching me to running back,” Carter said. That switch, while challenging, was nothing new to Carter, who comes from a proud family history of running backs. His father, Tony Carter, played running back at South Carolina State before later joining the military. His oldest brother, Dwayne, lettered as a running back at Harding (Ark.), and his other older brother, Michael, played four years at North Carolina before being drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. “Playing running back wasn’t new to me,” Carter said. “I had to knock the rust off because I had played the position a bit in high school, and obviously I knew a lot about it because of my family.” After taking a redshirt year in 2021, Carter entered the transfer portal as a running back in search for a place that would look not at his measurables, but the strength and discipline he had on and off the field. “Entering the portal was a shot in the dark because I didn’t have a lot of film as a running back,” Carter said. “It was difficult for me, personally, but I relied on the strength of my family and the strength they instilled in me like I always had. Both my parents were in the military, I’m a reflection of them ... and they always told me one decision can alter your life.” Carter made a life-altering decision between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, committing to EKU after he was invited on a visit by offensive coordinator and running backs coach Andy Richman. “When I came here, I really just liked what I saw from the start,” Carter said. “Richmond was a nice change of pace compared to where I grew up in Florida. It offered less distractions and really just fit my vibe as a person. I like how tight-knit everyone is here, but I can still have quiet time with myself to focus and reflect.” The grass was not immediately greener on the other side, though. Carter found himself at a relatively still new position, in an unfamiliar place, and in a room filled with talented running backs. So, it would be up to the Florida native to make his grass as green as he could. “I had to work my way up to get on the field when I got here,” said Carter. “There was not going to be a lot of reps just handed out. I had to work my way up to the field when I got here, but I know hard work pays off ... It’s that belief that I was raised on.” His hard work began to bear fruit last season as he tallied a career-best 714 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 120 rushing attempts. He also earned All-UAC recognition from FCS Football Central and Phil Steele. Now EKU’s No. 1 running back, Carter’s strength and discipline has led to success and celebration on the field. During the regular season, the redshirt senior racked up more than 1,100 yards rushing and also caught 20 passes for 181 yards. He has a team-best 13 rushing TDs on the season. And the running back is a big reason the Colonels (8-4, 6-2 UAC) won their final four games and got an at-large bid to the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. Carter had the game-winning touchdown for EKU in three-straight weeks, including in overtime on Nov. 16 at Austin Peay. Success and celebration has been hard-earned by the once overlooked and undersized linebacker who found his gap after patiently waiting, and now continues the Carter family legacy of running backs. Family remains at the center of Carter’s plans whenever football comes to an end as well. “I currently run a clothing brand with my brothers, named C3 Sports,” Carter said. “Whenever football ends for me and even before then I plan on continuing to work on that with them and build our success together as a family.” With his track record of patience, strength, and discipline it will be no surprise to anyone who knows him when the business becomes a success, even if it does not come in a straight line, going “north to south.” The Colonels are set to take on Villanova this Saturday in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs. Game time is set for 2 p.m. in Villanova, Penn.

AWS to Invest $10B to Expand Ohio Data Center InfrastructureSpecial Counsel Jack Smith is dropping the Justice Department’s criminal election interference and classified documents cases against Donald Trump , according to motions filed Monday in D.C. court. The cases were unlikely to see a trial or resolution given Trump’s victory in November’s election, and the incoming administration’s imminent control of the Justice Department. Monday’s motions by Smith mark the end of the government’s furious and fraught saga seeking accountability for Trump’s involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The future of the cases — especially the election inference case — were also in question given a July Supreme Court decision granting Trump, and all presidents, immunity from prosecution for “official” acts taken while in office. In July, Florida Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the DOJ’s classified documents case against Trump, claiming Smith’s appointment as a special counsel was inherently unconstitutional. Trump stood accused of wrongfully retaining and mishandling hundreds of classified documents following the end of his first term. Trump has vowed retribution on Smith and other prosecutors involved in criminal cases against him. As previously reported by Rolling Stone , the president-elect has spent his years out of office building an army of attorneys prepared to punish members of the DOJ and other law enforcement organizations involved in the myriad of investigations into Trump. “There are almost too many targets to keep track of,” one Trump adviser told Rolling Stone . Smith is expected to step down as special counsel before Trump is inaugurated in January, but it’s unlikely to prevent Trump’s Justice Department — which will likely be helmed by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi — from going after him and those who worked on the cases against Trump.

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 12 contest against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Brock Purdy, who refrained from throwing during Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, resumed light throwing to team staff on Thursday. However, reporters noted the quarterback exiting the field during the media's open practice window, leaving his status for Sunday uncertain. Purdy sustained the injury during Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. "Brock Purdy, from everything I've been told, should be fine for this game on Sunday against the Packers ," NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported. "He's got a sore shoulder. I know he dove—I'm not sure if that's the play—but he dove for the pylon in the game last week, might have landed on it a little bit. But it's not anything that's like a major injury." Meanwhile, neither defensive end Nick Bosa nor left tackle Trent Williams were spotted on the practice field, mirroring their absence on Wednesday. Bosa is dealing with a new hip/oblique injury sustained against Seattle, while Williams continues to nurse an ankle issue. Both players could be game-time decisions. As expected, running back Christian McCaffrey returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, a planned rest day as he manages his recovery from Achilles tendinitis. Tight end George Kittle, limited on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury that sidelined him against the Seahawks, participated again Thursday. Kittle has expressed confidence that he will suit up against Green Bay. " Very excited ," Kittle said on Wednesday. "Can't pass up playing the Packers. So, no, I will be out there, for sure. Get to practice today—it'll be very fun and exciting." Below are Thursday's practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Packers, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff. San Francisco 49ers Thursday Practice Did Not Participate In Practice LB Tatum Bethune (knee), DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique), WR Jacob Cowing (concussion), DT Kevin Givens (groin), T Trent Williams (ankle) Limited Participation in Practice RB Christian McCaffrey (not injury related - resting player, Achilles), C Jon Feliciano (knee), TE George Kittle (hamstring), QB Brock Purdy (right shoulder), CB Charvarius Ward (not injury related - personal matter) Green Bay Packers Thursday Practice Did Not Participate In Practice CB Jaire Alexander (knee), LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) Limited Participation in Practice DT Kenny Clark (toe), RB Josh Jacobs (quadricep, calf), C Josh Myers (wrist), S Evan Williams (hamstring), DT Colby Wooden (shoulder) Full Participation in Practice G Elgton Jenkins (not injury related - resting player), T Rasheed Walker (knee) This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

Colts hope for another late-season playoff push

The co-hosts of The View were at odds yet again over the post-election political climate on the talk show's most recent episode. On Monday, Nov. 25, Whoopi Goldberg , Alyssa Farah Griffin , Sara Haines and Ana Navarro weighed in on the differences between the country's reaction to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential win and the current state of affairs, recalling the widespread protests (including the massive Women's March in January 2017) that erupted eight years ago. "I think people are exhausted, I think they are looking at, you know, taking care of themselves before they take care of America," Navarro said. View the original article to see embedded media. 🤩🤩 SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about 🗞️🗞️ Haines agreed, suggesting that people might be taking the time leading up to the holidays to rest and focus on their mental health. She also noted that different types of protest can still be effective. For example, she referenced Matt Gaetz's decision to step down from Attorney General consideration after receiving significant backlash. "The public scrutiny of that and all of the coverage of that, even Mattt Gaetz said when he resigned, 'This became too big of a distraction,'" Haines pointed out. "That was resistance. It may just not look like what everyone is thinking it is," she continued. Goldberg offered her take, which is that people are taking a "wait and see" approach to the situation. “Wait to see what he’s going to do before you know what you can do and what you must do," she said. View the original article to see embedded media. Griffin—who was the White House director of strategic communications and Assistant to the President in 2020 when Trump was in office—had a different outlook from that of her co-hosts. “God’s honest truth, I kind of always thought Trump would win, until maybe the final days, just ’cause it felt like Kamala Harris had this real momentum,” she said. “But the signs were there.” "I'm shying away from this sort of apocalyptic, it's all, you know, we need to be losing sleep over it...I root for America, so I root for a smart, serious Donald Trump presidency, and I root for pushback when he doesn’t do things that are smart,” Griffin continued. "All those things are great to dream about,” Goldberg replied, which got a big laugh from the audience. Next: Whoopi Goldberg Scolds View Co-Hosts During Heated On-Air Political DebateDaniel Jones is free to sign with any NFL team after clearing waivers on Monday, which also means the team that signs the former New York Giants quarterback won't be on the hook for the nearly $12 million that was remaining on his contract this year or his $23 million injury guarantee. Jones was released at his request by the Giants on Saturday after the former first-round pick was benched last week. He reportedly wants to join a contender, and there are expected to be multiple teams interested. The two teams reported to have the most initial interest in Jones are also being offered as the most likely to sign him by one sportsbook. The Baltimore Ravens currently have journeyman backup Josh Johnson behind starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jones would potentially provide a third option, and one whose mobility could make him an intriguing fit in offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system The Ravens were installed as the 2/1 favorites to land Jones ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (5/2), who have veterans Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien behind starter Sam Darnold. They would likely view Jones as an upgrade. "I really can't get into too much about any short-term or long-term," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday when asked about Jones, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I can just say that I've been a big fan of Daniel's for a long time and I hope wherever his next step takes him, it's a good opportunity for him." The Las Vegas Raiders (5/1) don't fall into the category of contenders after falling to 2-9 amid a seven-game losing streak. However, they could provide the most immediate opportunity to play with Gardner Minshew suffering a season-ending broken collarbone on Sunday that is expected to end his season. Second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell is close to returning from a thumb injury, but coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged after Sunday's game that, "We're going to need somebody, right?" If O'Connell isn't ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Black Friday, Desmond Ridder is expected to get the start. The Dallas Cowboys (7/1) would fall into a similar category, with Dak Prescott out for the season following hamstring surgery and being replaced by Cooper Rush. Another intriguing possibility lies with Detroit, where the 10-1 Lions' offense is rolling with Jared Goff at the helm. However, should he go down to injury the only other quarterback on the roster is rookie Hendon Hooker. That has contributed to the Lions having 7/1 odds to sign Jones. DANIEL JONES NEXT TEAM ODDS* Baltimore Ravens (2/1) Minnesota Vikings (5/2) Las Vegas Raiders (5/1) Dallas Cowboys (7/1) Detroit Lions (7/1) Miami Dolphins (7/1) San Francisco 49ers (8/1) Carolina Panthers (10/1) Seattle Seahawks (16/1) Indianapolis Colts (20/1) New England Patriots (25/1) New Orleans Saints (25/1) New York Jets (25/1) Tennessee Titans (25/1) Atlanta Falcons (28/1) Arizona Cardinals (33/1) Chicago Bears (33/1) Cleveland Browns (33/1) Denver Broncos (33/1) Jacksonville Jaguars (40/1) Los Angeles Chargers (50/1) Los Angeles Rams (50/1) Pittsburgh Steelers (50/1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (50/1) Washington Commanders (50/1) Cincinnati Bengals (66/1) Green Bay Packers (66/1) Houston Texans (66/1) Philadelphia Eagles (66/1) Buffalo Bills (75/1) Kansas City Chiefs (75/1) Any CFL Team (80/1) Any XFL Team (80/1) *Odds provided by SportsBetting.ag are for entertainment purposes only. --Field Level Media

NASA's 2 stuck astronauts face more time in space with return delayed until at least late March