Monday, 3 a.m.

Now, they wait.

The Tampa Bay Rays wrapped up their regular season Sunday in a 7-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, who finally clinched their playoff berth after spending days on the verge.

It was a play-out-the-string effort from the Rays, who had clinched the AL East days earlier. Nick Martinez started, but he wasn't himself. He gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings of work.

The Phillies jumped to a 7-0 lead.

The Rays made the score respectable largely because of Jonny DeLuca, who hit two home runs. He finished with 11 on the season. The other Rays' run came on a single by Victor Mesa Jr.

Liam Hicks also had two hits for the Rays.

The Rays now await the winner of the Yankees and Red Sox series, which starts Tuesday. Their first game would be on Saturday.

Sunday, 4 a.m.

So, weren't the Philadelphia Phillies supposed to be something fearsome?

The Phillies, on the verge of clinching the playoffs for a week, were clobbered by the Rays Saturday night. It ended up 12-1, and it was every bit as lopsided as it sounded.

The Phillies, shut out on Friday night, had just seven hits on Saturday. They didn't score until they managed an unearned run in the seventh.

The Rays, on the other hand, had one of their best nights offensively. They combined for 17 hits. Victor Mesa Jr. had four hits, his first four-hit game. Yandy Diaz had three hits. Junior Caminero, Liam Hicks and Richie Palacios each had two.

Caminero hit his 42nd home run of the season.

Palacios drove in four runs.

The Rays lost starting pitcher Griffin Jax in the third when he was struck by a line drive.

Philadelphia started pitcher Aaron Nola on two days rest. It didn't pay off. Nola gave up three runs in the first inning and was pulled.

The Rays and Phillies both conclude their regular season today at 3:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park. Nick Martinez (15-5) will start for the Rays against Zack Wheeler (13-5). If the Phillies win, they could reach the playoffs yet.

Sunday, 4 a.m.

The adage is that you never apologize for a victory.

But if it's okay with everyone else, can the South Florida Bulls at least blush a little.

The Bulls were horrible Saturday, having to come from behind in the fourth quarter to slip past winless Bowling Green, 14-6 on the road. It was good enough to lead USF to a 4-0 record, but it was completely devoid of style points.

Bulls' quarterback Michael Van Buren was sacked six times. He fumbled twice, and he ended up with only 52 yards passing.

The Bulls trailed 6-0 through three quarters. Their own defense dominated Bowling Green's offense.

That defense, and running back D.J. Crowther, led the Bulls' comeback. Crowther ran for 112 yards in the second half (after 31 in the first half).

The Bulls made a saving stand on Bowling Green's final possession. The Falcons drove 66 yards on 15 plays to the Bulls' 14 before losing the ball on downs with 37 seconds to play.

USF is home Saturday night against Temple.

Florida 52, Ole Miss 28: For all the surrounding noise, perhaps the best hire in the SEC this off-season wasn't Lane Kiffin.

Perhaps it was Jon Sumtall.

Sumrall’s Gators overwhelmed the fourth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels Saturday. Yeah, skeptics might point out that Ole Miss won a big game last week, or that they were on the road. Whatever, the Gators treated them rudely from the opening kickoff.

The Gators rushed for 302 yards and six touchdowns in their victory. Jaden Baugh, again, was the top runner with 142 yads and three scores. Duke Clark added 126 yards and another score.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 298 yards in the loss.

Florida is home Saturday against Missouri.

FSU 34, Central Arkansas 7: Four weeks in, and we still don't know how good the FSU Seminoles are.

They've played two good teams -- Alabama and SMU -- and have lost both times. They played two gimmie opponents, and won them both.

It has led to a disgruntled fan base, who probably won't be satisfied despite the easy win.

Quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 224 yards and two scores. Receiver Jayvan Boggs caught six passes fof 122 yards.

FSU is hone on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to face Virginia.

Miami 52, Central Michigan 3: It didn't last long, and few fans took it seriously. But there for almost four minutes of the first half, Central Michigan led the Hurricanes.

It was 3-0, long before the sixth-ranked Hurricanes blasted the Chippewas.

After that, it was business as usual for the Canes. Quarterback Darian Mensah threw for 338 yards and three scores. Running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey rushed for 104 yards and wide receiver Malachi Toney caught six passes for 120 yards.

The Hurricanes visit Clemson Saturday at a yet-to-be-determined time.