DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Harley-Davidson is increasing its support of American Flat Track’s AFT Production Twins class.

For the first time, authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships will now have the race-proven XG750R available for purchase, ensuring that more competitors will field these race-winning machines during the upcoming American Flat Track season.

To support the racing efforts of Harley-Davidson-mounted riders in the class, the Milwaukee-based marque has also posted a $250,000 contingency package.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Harley-Davidson XR750 next season, this expanded pledge of support shows our lasting commitment to the sport of flat track,” said Jon Bekefy, GM of Brand Marketing for Harley-Davidson. “Harley-Davidson dealerships fielding the XG750R will provide an opportunity for our community to rally behind this great American sport.”

Harley-Davidson has been synonymous with flat track racing since the inception of the sport. Throughout the golden era of pro flat track, powerhouse Harley-Davidson dealerships from around the country scored hundreds of wins aboard the legendary XR750. Moments of brilliance during the 2019 AFT Production Twins season hearkened back to that golden era, as Dalton Gauthier and James Rispoli made consistent podium appearances and scored two wins aboard a privateer XG750R backed by Black Hills Harley-Davidson.

With $7,500 awarded to XG750R riders for each AFT Production Twins race win plus a $25,000 championship bonus on the line, the contingency package offered by Harley-Davidson is sure to heat up the on-track action next season. A total of $15,000 will be up for grabs to XG750R riders at each AFT Production Twins round.

“We are delighted with this latest initiative from Harley-Davidson,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “This represents the latest in a long line of Harley-Davidson’s investment in our sport and it opens up a great opportunity for dealer teams and aspiring riders to challenge in our rapidly growing sport.”

As Adam Scott prepares for another shot at the Presidents Cup in front of partisan crowds, he has a word of advice for the throngs of Australian golf fans that will line the fairways and greens this month at Royal Melbourne: don't cheer for Tiger Woods.

Woods will be making a rare appearance in Australia, his first since the 2011 matches at Royal Melbourne, as he becomes the first playing captain in the biennial affair since Hale Irwin in 1994. While Scott concedes that Woods will be a big draw along the Sand Belt, whether he's playing a match or simply driving a cart, he told the Herald Sun in Melbourne that he hopes fans in attendance help to maximize the home team's edge.

"Last time it was too friendly," Scott said. "Quite bluntly, we want the home-crowd advantage, and I'll be disappointed if they are cheering enthusiastically for Tiger or anyone on the U.S. team."

On the verge of his eighth Presidents Cup appearance, Scott is well aware that his International side will likely need all the help they can get. While the two teams played to a memorable draw in 2003 during his debut appearance, Scott has since participated in seven straight matches without lifting the cup. That includes two years ago at Liberty National, when the Americans built an 11-point lead on Saturday and nearly clinched victory before Sunday's singles matches.

Scott will be a veteran presence in captain Ernie Els' International team room, as the 12-man roster will now feature seven rookies following the injury withdrawal of Jason Day and subsequent addition of Byeong-Hun An. Royal Melbourne remains the site of the lone International victory in the event's 25-year history, but that was in 1998 when many of the players on both rosters were in grade school.

Scott will participate in both next week's Australian Open and the Australian PGA around the Presidents Cup, which begins Dec. 12, but he remains eager to help turn the tide of an otherwise lopsided competition by any available means - including the behavior of those outside the ropes.

"I'm not saying be a poor sport, but one challenge our team has always had is gaining a home-soil advantage because it's rare that stars like Tiger and DJ (Dustin Johnson) come to Australia (2011) or Korea (2015) where we play these things and the locals are excited to see them as much as anyone on our team," Scott said. "But while we appreciate them very much, we don't have to cheer for them."

A victory against Aston Villa would have taken Manchester United up to fifth in the Premier League, but they were frustrated by a side that were good value for their point at Old Trafford.

Villa opened the scoring when Jack Grealish curled a wonderful effort into the top corner after just 11 minutes but United equalised just before half time when Marcus Rashford's header went in via deflections off the post and visiting goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Victor Lindelof's 66th-minute header had Man United ahead before slack defending allowed Tyrone Mings to equalise just two minutes later leaving United down in ninth place, eight points outside the Champions League spots.

Positives

There were some really dangerous balls that were being played into the box, notably from Juan Mata and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. If the front three had been more alert they could have had some brilliant scoring opportunities but they were not up to the job.

Negatives

United's midfield was often overrun, with Villa's midfelders having far too much time on the ball to pick out their passes. Talking of passes, United were often so slow on the ball, making it easy for Villa to get into their shape and prevent them from creating opportunities.

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Manager rating out of 10

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 6 -- There were various points throughout the game where United could have done with some fresh new ideas from the bench, but Solskjaer was reluctant to make a change, holding off until the 74th minute.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK David De Gea, 6 -- There was very little the Spain international could do for either of Villa's goals, and there wasn't too much more that he had to do throughout the game. Some of his kicking was a little bit suspect.

DF Aaron Wan Bissaka, 6 -- Looked very shaky at the beginning of the game, but he grew into things, putting some good balls into the box.

DF Victor Lindelof, 7 -- He got away with one error of judgement when he allowed Grealish to float off his shoulder in the box during the second half, though he made up for it with a superb header to put United into the lead.

DF Harry Maguire, 6 -- Made things difficult for himself by picking up a yellow card after seven minutes, having been turned by Anwar El-Ghazi. Looked fairly dominant in his general play.

DF Brandon Williams, 6 -- Williams looked convincing in his overall play. He showed defensive solidity when he forced Trezeguet out wide to prevent a possible counterattack, though it was the teenager who played Mings onside for his goal.

MF Fred, 5 -- Picked up a yellow card in the 24th minute after fouling Grealish. He had a few moments of promise on the ball but was largely ineffective and really needs to work on his shooting if he is to have more of a presence going forward as his efforts often went well off target.

MF Andreas Pereira, 6 -- Worked hard to press Villa's midfielders, but was so sloppy with his tackling, fouling Grealish on numerous occasions. His one real moment of quality paid dividends, as his superb cross led to Heaton's own goal.

MF Juan Mata, 5 -- He often struggled to make his mark on the game, though part of that was arguably down to a lack of movement around him. There were a few moments that were pleasing on the eye, but the former Chelsea man showed very little cutting edge.

FW Daniel James, 5 -- He looked ineffective for large periods of the game against Sheffield United before sparking into life late on. His start wasn't much better this time around and while he picked up a bit in the last quarter of an hour, it wasn't enough to get the three points.

FW Anthony Martial, 5 -- Didn't manage to get into the game much during the first half, but looked far more dangerous during the second period when he started driving at the Villa defence. He had a great opportunity to secure the win but somehow scooped his effort over the bar.

FW Marcus Rashford, 5 -- There were so many times where Rashford was sloppy when opportunities arose. His afternoon was encapsulated by the goal that was later credited as an own goal; what should have been a certain strike for him ended up getting chalked under Tom Heaton after his effort was deflected.

Substitutes

Jesse Lingard, NR -- Replaced Juan Mata in the 74th minute and made some good runs behind the Villa defence.

Luke Shaw, NR -- Was left out for Brandon Williams and replaced the teenager in the 79th minute, before being booked for a foul on Grealish.

Mason Greenwood, NR -- Replaced Anthony Martial in the 82nd minute and was very quiet.

Karnataka 180 for 5 (Pandey 60*, Kadam 35, M Ashwin 2-33, R Ashwin 2-34) beat Tamil Nadu 179 for 6 (Vijay 44, Aparajith 40, More 2-32) by one run

Defending champions Karnataka survived a Baba Aparajith-Vijay Shankar scare to clinch the last-ball thriller as they beat Tamil Nadu by one run in the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019-20. Having won the Vijay Hazare Trophy a little over a month ago, they become the first team two win both white-ball titles in the same season. Incidentally, Tamil Nadu was the losing side in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final as well.

After being put in, Manish Pandey led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 60 to help Karnataka to a formidable 180 for 5. In response, Tamil Nadu were 80 for 4 at the end of ten overs before Shankar and Aparajith revived the chase by adding 71 in 43 balls for the fifth wicket.

It came down to 13 required from the final over with Vijay and R Ashwin in the middle. R Ashwin hit offspinner K Gowtham's first two balls for fours before playing a dot ball and taking a single to bring Vijay on strike. With four needed from two balls, Vijay was run out while returning for a non-existent second run; Pandey's throw from long-on found him short.

With two required off the final ball for a Super Over, non-striker R Ashwin removed his pads but his namesake M Ashwin could hardly get the ball off the pitch and the batsmen could run only one.

Tamil Nadu stumble after strong start

Tamil Nadu started their chase positively and moved to 64 for 2 at the end of seven overs with Washington Sundar and Dinesh Karthik looking well set. Karthik had hit just two fours off Shreyas Gopal and when Rohan Kadam failed to latch on to a rebound at the deep-backward square leg boundary in the eighth over, it looked like it was Tamil Nadu's night.

Karnataka though struck back by sending the duo back in successive overs. J Suchith got Karthik stumped and Gowtham castled Washington to peg them back.

Karnataka survive Aparajith, Vijay scare

Tamil Nadu needed 101 from the last ten overs and Vijay and Aparajith never let the asking rate go past 11. They found at least one boundary per over between oers 11 to 15 and reduced the equation to 52 required from five overs.

Aparajith then hit the first balls of the next two overs for a six each and took the side closer. But with 31 needed from 18 balls, Aparajith fell to Ronit More while looking for another six. Vijay and R Ashwin further brought it down to 25 from 12 and then 13 from 6 but in the end, they fell short by the narrowest of the margins.

Karnataka sail despite R Ashwin's double-strike

It was billed as a contest between Karnataka's batsmen and Tamil Nadu's bowlers. And the black-soil surface, contrary to its behaviour so far the in the tournament, did seem to aid spinners. Straightaway there was turn available, with a couple of balls coming slower off the pitch. Add R Ashwin and Washington's guile to it and you would back them to trouble most batsmen.

Karnataka's batsmen, though, just don't fall under that category. KL Rahul started the innings by cutting R Ashwin through point for four. While his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal didn't look at his best and was pinged on the helmet by a T Natarajan bouncer in the fourth over, the youngster stayed unperturbed and flicked the seamer for a six three balls later.

In the next over, Rahul used his feet against R Ashwin to hit him over long-on but the spinner had his revenge on the next ball. Rahul skipped down again but R Ashwin shortened his length this time and had the batsman caught at long-on. Mayank Agarwal fell for a first-ball duck, closing the face of the bat too early to offer R Ashwin a simple return catch.

But Padikkal hit Washington for a six and a four in the next over to take Karnataka to 57 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.

Pandey's unbeaten half-century leads Karnataka

Padikkal's scratchy innings came to an end when he played inside the line to a Washington delivery and had his off stump flattened. His 23-ball 32 took his run tally to 580, the most in a single edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

At the other end, Pandey stepped out against M Ashwin, hitting him for a six and four. He, in the company of Rohan Kadam, took the side past 100 in the 12th over.

Kadam too hit his strides after a slow start and struck back-to-back fours off left-arm spinner M Siddharth before hitting Vijay Shankar for three in a row in the next over. Manish Pandey kept putting away the loose balls and despite just 34 runs from the last four overs, Karnataka managed a total that proved just enough.

Just over a month after being elected BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly had plenty to sort through at his new administration's first annual general meeting (AGM), in Mumbai on Sunday. His team had to look at variety of issues dating back to 2016, when the previous AGM was held. After the meeting, Ganguly spoke on several of them. Here's a run through.

Increasing the infrastructure subsidy for members

The board has decided to increase the infrastructure subsidy for state associations from INR 70 crore (USD 9.7m approx) to INR 100 crore (USD 14m approx). This means that any association that is building new facilities in the state - stadiums, indoor facilities, academies etc - can get an additional INR 30 crore (USD 4.1m approx) to spend on such infrastructure.

The Lodha Committee had said earlier that states should get these funds on a case-by-case basis, not as a flat grant. Ganguly said on Sunday that once these funds are disbursed to the states going forward, the board will also "monitor" their progress in using the funds.

"We've increased because, as you know, the revenue of the BCCI has increased because of the new media rights," he said. "I'm talking about international cricket, not IPL. The money has gone up, so what we're trying to do is incentivise building of better infrastructure like indoor stadiums by the states - like Gujarat is building a new stadium, Himachal has one of the best facilities, in Chennai those new stands are back on track after they've got clearances, we're building the new National Cricket Academy, the nine new state [associations] need infrastructure...

"We will not just give money in one go, we'll compartmentalise it. Indoor stadium is one part, infrastructure is one. And the BCCI will monitor the progress of [use of] these funds. We've formed a committee headed by the three of us [the BCCI president, secretary and treasurer] to look at those states that need infrastructure and monitoring, and make sure that progress happens."

More pink ball Tests for India

The first pink-ball Test in India was a success, in terms of the increase in "eyeballs", Ganguly said. Going forward, he said, India will host more day-night Tests.

"Yes, different [state] associations will host [pink-ball Tests]," he said. "You saw the success [of the Kolkata Test against Bangladesh]; Star Sports [the host broadcaster] has sent us the feedback, the eyeballs were three times [higher than the figures for day Tests]. And that too India wasn't playing the strongest team in the world. When we are playing Australia, England or South Africa, it is going to be remarkable."

When asked if India could play a day-night Test overseas, Ganguly said, "When we tour, we will deal as per the request of the [host] board".

Ganguly was also asked if the Indian board will organise more pink-ball matches on the domestic circuit, like was done in the Duleep Trophy - India's first-class tournament featuring the top players - in the past. He said it would be considered for the next season, 2020-21.

"We'll see, we can't do anything this year," he said. "I'm sure you must have read Sachin [Tendulkar] wanted Duleep Trophy to be played with the pink ball. I've spoken to him but this year Duleep Trophy is over. We have time for next year."

Anti-corruption measures in T20 leagues

Four state associations - Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai and Saurashtra - host their own T20 leagues in India, and two of them have been marred by corrupt approaches made to several players. The Karnataka Premier League has been put on hold, and the Tamil Nadu Premier League has gone under the scanner of the BCCI's anti-corruption unit. Ganguly admitted that the board had to "get the anti-corruption systems right".

"We've dealt with it and spoken to the respective state associations," he said. "As you know the Karnataka Premier League is on hold now. There is one [league] in Chennai, one is Saurashtra and one in Mumbai. From Saurashtra and Mumbai there have been no complaints. It's very hard to stop tournaments on the basis of who gets approached. Even in [India's domestic T20 tournament] the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, I was told, a player was approached. That's not a problem or wrong, what is wrong is what you do after getting approached.

"It's very hard to stop tournaments if somebody is just approached. We are dealing with it, we've to get the anti-corruption systems right.

"The states have brought it to our notice. Nobody wants this. At present, on the basis of the two leads where this betting and fixing happened, one is on hold - KPL - and Chennai (the TNCA) has suspended two franchises. We'll deal with it, try and put the best anti-corruption system in place and make it stronger, and assess it next year. If it still doesn't go and doesn't stop, then we'll have to do something else."

Conflict of interest

This topic has come up nearly every time Ganguly has spoken since taking over as the board chief. Now, the BCCI has put off naming the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which is needed to pick new selectors for the men's senior team. Ganguly said that complications over conflict of interest were getting in the way of the board making major appointments that involved former players or administrators.

"The conflict clause stops everyone, like former cricketers and former administrators," he said. "That's why we can't make the CAC or [appoint] proper selectors. It [the rule] has to be practical, that's why we're going to court."

"The conflict issue stops us everywhere - to get good people and keep them longer, and it stops them from doing other things. It's very difficult."

The board is now hoping its proposed changes to the constitution for the conflict clause are approved by the Supreme Court, and it subsequently has a bigger pool of former players to choose from before appointing the next set of committees.

Shortly before the NFL announced that Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw was suspended through at least the 2020 season, the league sent a memo to all teams reaffirming that any employee found gambling on football would be terminated, league sources told ESPN.

The league has outlined its stance in the past, but in light of Shaw's recent suspension for betting on NFL games on multiple occasions this season, it felt the need to remind all 32 teams again.

The Cardinals were unaware the league was investigating one of its players, according to sources, because Shaw spent only a brief period of time with the team this past summer before being placed on injured reserve.

Since then, Shaw has not been around the Cardinals' complex, and they have not maintained any regular contact with him. So when the league publicly announced Shaw's suspension Friday, it surprised the Cardinals.

The NFL's investigation into Shaw did not uncover evidence that indicated he used inside information or that the integrity of any game was compromised. The NFL also announced that Shaw's teammates, coaches and other players around the league were not aware of Shaw's gambling.

Betting on football is one of 10 restrictions on legal gambling that the NFL laid out in its gambling policy.

"All NFL Personnel are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or indirectly through a third-party, on any NFL game, practice or other event," the policy states. "This includes betting on game outcome, statistics, score, performance of any individual participant, or any other kind of 'proposition bet' on which wagering is offered."

Shaw can petition for reinstatement on or after Feb. 15, 2021, if his potential appeal is denied.

Suspensions of NFL players for betting are rare. The highest-profile case was in 1963, when Paul Hornung of the Packers and Alex Karras of the Lions were banned for the entire season. Both were reinstated the following season, and Hornung was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In the most recent case, Baltimore Colts quarterback Art Schlichter was suspended in 1983 for betting on NFL games and other sporting events. He, too, was reinstated the following year.

The Cardinals signed Shaw on March 18 to a one-year contract worth $850,000. He has made more than $3 million in his career.

Shaw, 27, was drafted by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. After playing his first three seasons in Cincinnati, Shaw split time between the Chiefs and Buccaneers last season.

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

BALTIMORE -- Tight end Mark Andrews not only helped the Baltimore Ravens set a franchise record but also delivered a response to San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.

Andrews' 20-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter was the Ravens' 48th of the season, their most ever in a season. Immediately afterward, Andrews ran to the back of the end zone and got teammates Mark Ingram II and Hayden Hurst to re-enact a plant-the-flag celebration.

The Ravens and Niners taking inspiration from each others' TD dances ?? pic.twitter.com/Kb50F0dLFD

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 1, 2019

This was in response to Bosa's similar celebration against Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield on Oct. 7. Bosa later said that was "payback."

This celebration dates back to Sept. 9, 2017, when Mayfield planted an Oklahoma flag at midfield of Ohio Stadium after a win at Ohio State, where Bosa played.

Andrews, who also went to Oklahoma, is close friends with Mayfield and was in his wedding this year. This was Andrews' seventh touchdown catch this season, which ties the Ravens' season tight end record.

Alabama dropped to No. 9 in The Associated Press college football poll, snapping the Crimson Tide's record streak of 68 appearances in the top five.

The top four teams in the AP Top 25 presented by Regions Bank were unchanged, with LSU at No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia. Utah moved up to No. 5, followed by Oklahoma, Florida and Baylor.

The Crimson Tide lost to Auburn in a wild Iron Bowl on Saturday to give them two regular-season losses for the first time since 2010. The four-spot drop by Alabama broke a string of top-five appearances that began Nov. 8, 2015.

The week before the Tide's run started, it had been seventh, and it had been as low as 12th earlier that season. Alabama passed the old record for consecutive top-five appearances of 55 by Miami (Oct. 8, 2000-Oct. 26, 2003) last season.

Wisconsin moved up three spots to No. 10 after routing Minnesota. The Gophers dropped six spots to No. 15.

POLL POINTS

Alabama could still finish ranked in the top five with a victory in its bowl game, but it would need some losses by teams ahead of it to make that big of a jump. There will be one more regular-season Top 25 after next weekend's conference championship games and then the final poll after all the bowls and national championship game have been played.

The last time the Crimson Tide finished a season outside the top five was 2013, when it lost the Iron Bowl on the famous Kick-Six and then dropped the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma.

Other notable top-five streaks:

55 -- Miami, Oct. 8, 2000-Oct. 26, 2003 (30 weeks at No. 1).

48 -- Alabama, Preseason 2011-Dec. 8, 2013 (25 at No. 1).

48 -- Oklahoma, Nov. 16, 1953-Nov. 11, 1957 (23 at No. 1).

48 -- Ohio State, Preseason 1973-Sept. 20, 1976 (24 at No. 1).

Alabama did pass another milestone, extending its streak of consecutive weeks ranked to 210 (2008 preseason-present), moving past Florida for the third-longest streak in poll history. Florida was ranked for 209 straight weeks from Sept. 9, 1990-Oct. 5, 2002.

Nebraska has the longest streak at 348 weeks (Oct. 12, 1981-Sept. 22, 2002) and Florida State is second with 211 weeks (Sept. 24, 1989-Nov. 11, 2001).

IN

• No. 22 Virginia returned to the Top 25 after beating Virginia Tech on Friday to win the ACC Coastal Division for the first time.

• No. 25 Air Force is ranked for the first time since 2010. With Navy at No. 23, there are two service academies ranked at the same time for the first time since Oct. 14, 1985, when Air Force was No. 10 and Army was No. 19.

OUT

• Oklahoma State dropped out after losing to rival Oklahoma.

• Virginia Tech fell out after two weeks ranked.

CONFERENCE CALL

Big Ten -- 6 (Nos. 2, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18).

SEC -- 5 (Nos. 1, 4, 7, 9, 11).

American -- 3 (Nos. 16, 21, 23).

Pac-12 -- 3 (Nos. 5, 13, 24).

ACC -- 2 (Nos. 3, 22).

Big 12 -- 2 (Nos. 6, 8).

Mountain West -- 2 (Nos. 19, 25).

Sen Belt -- 1 (No. 20).

Independent -- 1 (No. 14).

RANKED vs. RANKED

Pac-12 championship: No. 5 Utah vs. No. 13 Oregon at Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday.

Southeastern Conference championship: No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Georgia at Atlanta.

Big Ten championship: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Wisconsin at Indianapolis.

Atlantic Coast Conference championship: No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 22 Virginia at Charlotte, N.C.

Big 12 championship: No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 Baylor at Arlington, Texas.

American Athletic Conference: No. 21 Cincinnati at No. 16 Memphis.

BALTIMORE -- Entering Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Baltimore Ravens had not allowed a point on every opponent’s opening possession all season.

San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel changed that less than three minutes into Sunday’s matchup.

Facing fourth-and-2 at Baltimore’s 33 on what, to that point, had been a choppy drive, Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo dropped back and let a deep pass fly down the right sideline.

"THAT'S MINE!" -@19problemz#SFvsBAL pic.twitter.com/EpBEzJcZhr

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 1, 2019

With multiple Baltimore defenders in the area, Samuel attacked the ball in front of a flat-footed Marcus Peters, snatched it out of the air and scurried into the end zone for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead.

Samuel, who has been one of the Niners’ most consistent offensive performers of late, now has at least 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in each of his past four games. Through the first seven games of the season, he had zero 100-yard games and one receiving touchdown.

Samuel’s touchdown was the fourth-longest fourth-down play by the 49ers since Colin Kaepernick completed a 51-yard pass to Michael Crabtree against the Saints in 2014.

The Ravens and Niners taking inspiration from each others' TD dances ?? pic.twitter.com/Kb50F0dLFD

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 1, 2019