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Daily Post Nigeria Arewa Professionals knock Atiku for criticizing Tinubu’s $2.2bn foreign loan Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Arewa Professionals knock Atiku for criticizing Tinubu’s $2.2bn foreign loan Published on November 23, 2024 By Matthew Atungwu The Arewa Professionals for Democracy and Development (APDD) has berated former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for criticizing the fresh $2.2 billion loan sought by President Bola Tinubu. DAILY POST reports that the $2.2 billion loan request, which was faulted by several Nigerians, was approved by the National Assembly on Thursday. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election, had slammed Tinubu for seeking the fresh loan, noting that recent loans taken by the President have become a big burden for Nigerians. Alleging that the loans are not being properly utilized, Atiku warned that they will place unbearable strain on the economy. He said, “These Tinubu’s loans are bone-crushing for Nigerians and are bringing insufferable pressure on the economy, especially when they are not properly negotiated or utilised.” However, the Arewa Professionals for Democracy and Development, APDD, on Saturday hit out at Atiku, berating the former vice president over his criticism of the loan request. In a statement signed by its President, Engr. Moses Odaudu, APDD condemned Atiku’s claim that the loan will be embezzled. According to APDD, while it is important to scrutinise government actions, it is equally vital to consider the broader context and potential benefits of the loans. The statement said, “He (Atiku) blatantly trivialised the strategic intent behind the loans by asserting that they are “bone-crushing” and bring “insufferable pressure” on the economy whereas when properly managed and invested in critical infrastructure and development projects, the loans can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve public services. “We believe what Atiku did was to project his value on the incumbent government with the implication that he concluded the loans would be embezzled because that is what would have happened if he were the President. “This is even as President Tinubu has assured that his government will ensure transparency and accountability in using these funds, which should have been Atiku’s focus instead of the infantile tantrums he threw in the public opinion space. “This is why we ask the former vice president to differentiate between constructive criticism aimed at improving governance and baseless accusations that can undermine public trust in Nigeria.” APDD added that Atiku’s criticism overlooked the complexities of international finance and the strategic decisions involved in securing favourable terms of borrowing, which caused him to dwell on the comparison of exchange rates while suggesting that the loans are poorly negotiated. The group said Atiku was being mischievous by denying the Tinubu administration’s efforts to boost revenue collection through reforms in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Customs as part of a broader strategy to enhance fiscal stability. The APDD accused Atiku of playing politics on the issue, and in the same vein advised him to drop his presidential ambition and quit politics. The statement said, “In his desperate drive for public validation, it is tragic that Atiku unashamedly references something that should be forgotten by saying the administration of President Obasanjo, under which he was vice president, took the country out of foreign indebtedness, without telling Nigerians the truth. “We challenge Atiku to deny that he was not a beneficiary of the commission on the loan repayment shared by Obasanjo’s economic team, which the former vice president once falsely claimed to have headed. “We conclude by urging Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to accept that the trauma of serial loss at the polls and his advanced age imply that he no longer possesses the mental acuity he had for analysing national issues a couple of decades ago. “Atiku must thus admit to himself that it is time to quit politics and refrain from intervening in national issues so that he does not allow his diminished capacity to lead some Nigerians astray.” Related Topics: arewa Atiku Tinubu Don't Miss Rate of criminality, illegality in Nigeria stem from drug abuse – NDLEA You may like Simon Ekpa’s arrest: Tinubu’ll end insecurity in Southeast – Nigerian govt Appointments: Karma’s real, even prayers will affect you – APC chieftain, Obun to Tinubu Why Nigerians are in pain, difficulties amid Tinubu’s reforms – Edun Tinubu asks Senate to confirm Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff 2027 presidency: We’re not in partnership with Tinubu – Labour Party Tinubu urged to grant amnesty to IPOB members Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltdtreasures of aztec casino 。

NoneAjit Pawar Outsmarts Estranged Uncle Sharad Pawar by Winning More Seats in Maharashtra Assembly Elections Results 2024LANSING, MI – Groups representing public educators are raising concerns about the Republicans' proposed $2.7 billion road funding plan that would siphon hundreds of millions of dollars from Michigan schools. Republican lawmakers, however, reiterated Monday, Nov. 25, that all dollars redirected from schools to fix the state’s roads would be replaced by other sources. “If there’s a hole in school funding, I’ll vote ‘no’ on my own bill,” said state Rep. Tom Kunse, R-Clare. “We’re not interested in cutting school funding. That is not going to happen on our watch.” Related : $2.7 billion would be pumped into Michigan roads under Republican plan Kunse was joined Monday by House Speaker-elect Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, and state Rep. Donni Steele, R-Orion Township, for a press conference in Lansing on the Republican road funding plan announced last week. The plan would pump an additional $2.7 billion into infrastructure spending each year with a focus on injecting needed funding into local roads. It would all be done without raising taxes. Funding for the plan would come from redirecting the sales tax on gasoline that mostly goes to schools and using corporate income tax dollars. In a letter to lawmakers Monday co-signed by the Michigan Education Association, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators and other groups, officials voiced concerns that the Republican plan doesn’t yet outline how schools would be made whole if the dollars are redirected. “As organizations committed to the success of Michigan’s students, families, and communities, we have deep concerns with any lame-duck proposal to eliminate the sales tax on fuel without a clear and specific plan to replace the more than $650 million it generates annually for public schools, about $480 per student,” the letter states. In unveiling the plan Friday, Hall assured that school funding would be unharmed by the maneuver. On Monday, he reiterated that lawmakers would replace the lost revenue from other sources. While Hall hasn’t proposed one specific plan for backfilling the School Aid Fund, some possible methods he floated Monday include using income tax or corporate tax revenues, dollars from restricted funds or funds currently dedicated to work projects that haven’t moved forward. “It’s not fair to say we’re going to cut schools,” Hall said. Part of the funding for roads plan would come from replacing the current 6% sales tax on motor vehicle fuel with an increase of the gas tax that would keep the overall amount of taxes paid the same. The sales tax on gas mostly goes to the School Aid Fund. The gas tax goes entirely to road funding, and Hall the move would result in $945 million more toward road funding. “We urge lawmakers to ensure any changes to the sales tax on fuel include a comprehensive plan to fully replace the funding schools rely on with new revenue,” the education groups wrote. “Failing to do so will undermine not just public education but the other crucial parts of our infrastructure that families and businesses rely on. That would jeopardize Michigan’s future and the success of its students.” The goups said the state’s schools are still recovering from years of underfunding and cannot absorb another large loss in dollars “without significant harm to students and families.” State Superintendent Michael Rice said school children “shouldn’t have to compete with roads for their school funding.” “The Speaker-elect’s proposal doesn’t make clear how schools will be held harmless, let alone how their funding will be improved to continue the strengthening of supports for students and teaching staff in Michigan schools,” Rice said in a statement. Democratic leadership – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and House Speaker Joe Tate – haven’t offered commented on the specifics of the Republican plan. However, in public statements they’ve each said that road funding is a priority and expressed a willingness to work across the aisle on the issue. Whitmer and Brinks additionally touted ongoing progress in repairing bridges, roads and other infrastructure under Democratic leadership. Related: Keep gas tax or adopt pay-per-mile system? Michigan residents are split Republicans flipped the state House on Nov. 5 and will hold the majority next session, with Hall at the helm. Democrats remain in control of both chambers through the end of the year The other dollars for the road funding plan would come from corporate income tax revenues. About $1.2 billion from the state’s 6% corporate income tax would be immediately put toward infrastructure funding, and an additional $600 million would be added in 2026. Hall said there’s room in the state’s General Fund for the manuever. He said General Fund spending has increased by $4 billion since 2018, a 40% increase, with “almost none of that increase going toward Michigan’s crumbling roads and bridges.” Most of the corporate income tax revenue would go to county and city road agencies, with Hall stating that they have been neglected in recent years. He said Whitmer’s $3.5 billion in bonds over the past six years have only supported state highway repairs. Related: Local road agencies ‘treading water’ due to funding constraints The remaining $600 million in corporate income tax revenue would be dedicated in the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The bulk of that additional $600 million would come from $500 million currently earmarked Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund that pays for corporate incentives. That funding is set to expire next year. While Democrats have proposed overhauling the SOAR Fund and continue funding it for another 10 years at $550 million annually, Hall and others have criticized the fund, with the speaker-elect likening it to “corporate handouts.” “I’m just saying, roads is a higher priority than giving the money to corporations,” Hall said. “Who needs it more, right? I would say the people need it for roads more than the corporations need it, many of which have had record years.” Hall went on to criticize General Motors and how GM and Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock are seeking $250 million in state support to downsize and redevelop the five-tower Renaissance Center complex into three towers, according to the Detroit News . “Does GM need it more or does your local county need it more?” Hall asked. “That’s the question that we have to make an answer to very soon.” Hall previously said road funding in the state is “hurtling toward a financial cliff in 2026,” saying that federal infrastructure dollars are drying up and Whitmer’s state highway spending is expiring. Related: Michigan roads are deteriorating faster than they’re being fixed Hall accused Democrats of neglecting road repair funding and instead using budget dollars for other priorities that, in his view, are less important. He touted road repairs, education and public safety as the Republicans’ top priorities.

NoneThe Apprentice star also argued that a lack of clarity from the Government on the ownership test is causing “significant uncertainty” for potential investors. This came as the House of Lords continued its scrutiny of the Football Governance Bill, which seeks to establish an independent regulator for the top five tiers of the men’s game. In the upper chamber, Baroness Brady said: “We are creating legislation which will profoundly affect 160 quite unique institutions, from Premier League clubs through to the National League community clubs, but it is important for everyone to understand that the consultation with these affected businesses by the current Government has been remarkably limited, almost unbelievably so. “Just seven Premier League clubs, I was one of them, was granted a brief half-hour meeting with the Secretary of State over the summer. “And following this cursory engagement, significant decisions were made that could fundamentally affect the future of English football, most notably with the inclusion of parachute payments within the backstop mechanism. “This is particularly concerning given that fundamental issues still remained unresolved, we still lack any clarity on Uefa’s position on state interference, for example, this clearly creates profound uncertainty for clubs competing in or aspiring to European competition, as well as our national teams.” “We don’t know what the ownership test will look like, this causes significant uncertainty for potential investors as to whether they are able to own a club,” she added. Lady Brady continued: “I have spoken to many of my colleagues across all of the football pyramid, we are all alarmed about and puzzled by the lack of discussion on the Bill with ministers. “Would the minister agree that we all want to get the detail of this Bill right? And can she see any downsides to providing meaningful opportunities to hear from all clubs across the football pyramid affected by the legislation?” Prior to this, Tory shadow sports minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay had tabled an amendment which he said would allow clubs to “make their views known on this legislation” by including specific competitions on the face of the Bill. Labour frontbencher Baroness Twycross told the upper chamber: “I don’t think the leagues are confused either on which leagues this legislation will apply to.” She added: “This power is both reasonable and the result of evidence-based consultation with all key stakeholders in the industry. “This power ensures that the competitions in scope can be amended in a timely manner and ensures the scope of the regime remains relevant.” The peer later said: “Over the past three years there have been countless opportunities for all affected and interested parties to make representations.” Lady Brady also raised concerns about the financial distribution backstop, which she said is “clearly designed as a mechanism to gain direct access to, and apportionate Premier League revenue, and no-one else’s”. “I might add the backstop will allow the IFR (Independent Football Regulator) to do this even if it was against the Premier League clubs’ will, or even without the clubs’ agreement, even if it was to have a detrimental effect on the clubs and the overall competition it removes revenue from,” she added. The backstop would allow the new IFR to intervene in the distribution of Premier League broadcast revenue down the leagues as a last resort. It could be triggered by the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) or National League to mediate the fair financial distribution of this revenue if they are not able to come to an agreement. Conservative peers later raised concerns over the cost implications to clubs of establishing the regulator, although they faced claims of “filibustering” – wasting time by making overlong speeches in a bid to delay progress. Watching opposition benches blatantly filibustering to destroy the Football Governance Bill is nothing short of sporting vandalism.Football is broken. Clubs are struggling. Now those seats have been lost, do they no longer care about likes of Reading or Southend? @FairGameUK — Niall Couper (@NiallCouper) December 4, 2024 Labour peer Lord Watson of Invergowrie questioned why Lord Parkinson was showing “confected outrage” at the Bill when the former culture minister would have been defending a similar proposal had the Tories remained in power. Lord Parkinson, in his reply, said: “We want to see this regulator established, we want to see it doing its work and doing so effectively, but we also see before us a Bill that is different because of the election that was called and the result that happened, and we’re interrogating particularly closely the changes that the Government have made to the Bill – of which there are many. “And we have more concerns on these benches than we did before the election from my colleagues behind me about the way we do it.” The Tory peer pointed to Labour frontbenchers fulfilling their duties to “properly scrutinise” then-government legislation when they were on the opposition benches. Lady Twycross, in an intervention, said: “While I agree that (Lord Parkinson) is correct that I would scrutinise legislation when I was sitting on those (opposition) benches, I have never sought to filibuster a Bill to which my party had committed, which my party had laid before Parliament, and intended to filibuster it to the point of getting us stuck in treacle.” Lord Parkinson replied: “That is not what we’re doing.” Niall Couper, chief executive of the campaign group Fair Game, wrote on social media site X: “Watching opposition benches blatantly filibustering to destroy the Football Governance Bill is nothing short of sporting vandalism.”

BY MIKE PETRO Dec. 4, 2024 Blasdell-headquartered startup building new plants in Texas and Washington With $20 million in grants secured from the U.S. Department of Energy, CleanFiber is opening new plants in Washington and Texas. These grants are part of more than $75 million in financing vehicles, grants, and tax credits the Buffalo-headquartered startup has secured in 2024. The company, which makes building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard supporting energy efficiency, moved to Buffalo after winning $500,000 in the 43North business competition in 2016. The company was founded in Massachusetts in 2013 and was originally named UltraCell. Production facilities will be built in Lewis County, Washington and Ellis County, Texas. CleanFiber employs more than 100 people in Western New York, and company officials say over 40% of them represent marginalized groups. Company officials plan to continue creating employment opportunities for all as CleanFiber continues its growth. “We are honored to have the DOE’s support in accelerating our growth,” said Jonathan Strimling, CEO of CleanFiber. “We are committed to delivering benefits not only to our customers, but also to disadvantaged and coal communities, where we’ll be creating employment opportunities, and, of course, reducing carbon emissions at the same time.” The company now known as CleanFiber celebrates at the 43North competition in 2016. Earlier this year, CleanFiber closed a $33 million Series B funding round led by Spring Lane Capital, which also established a $31.5 million project financing facility to support the buildout of the company’s new plants. In addition, CleanFiber received a $10 million Section 48C tax credit allocation, and is also being offered significant incentives via state economic development agencies. Last year, the company wrapped up a $5 million investment round that supported the completion of an expansion to its factory in Blasdell. CleanFiber’s $16 million expansion and machinery upgrade in Blasdell will bring the facility to 67,000 square feet. CleanFiber took ownership of that facility in 2022. The firm plans to establish additional facilities in Arizona and Michigan, with longer-term plans to also develop sites in the Southeast and across the border in Canada. Albion startup wins $500K in Grow-NY competition Agricultural startup Udderways of Albion won a $500,000 prize in the 2024 Grow-NY global food, agriculture & technology competition. Twenty finalists competed in the sixth annual pitch on Nov. 6 and 7, and Udderways was among the seven winners chosen by a panel of judges. UdderWays uses a brushless technology to gently stimulate cows and ensure clean and dry teats. With the startup’s patented vortex-style application, farmers can effortlessly promote milk letdown. The competition awarded $3 million – including the $1 million grand prize, as well as two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes. Each winning team will commit to operating in the region for at least one year, while also providing a modest equity stake to Cornell University, to fund future food and agricultural entrepreneurship programming. WNY companies earn ESD grants Four Western New York companies were among 35 chosen to receive funding from the Innovation Matching Grants program from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation. Graphenix Development, Inc., IBEX Materials, Atrevida Science, Inc., and Immunotolerx Therapeutics, LLC are now eligible for matching state grants of up to $200,000 to provide additional support for commercialization services not covered by their federal awards, such as marketing and legal assistance. Empire State Development awarded the 35 businesses more than $4.6 million in rounds 1 and 2 of its new matching grants program, which started in May. NYSTAR received more than 35 applications within a week of opening its first round of funding. The awarded projects span 18 strategic technology areas, and the program’s aim is to support early-stage technology development and accelerate the path from research to market, which ESD says has contributed to business growth, job creation and stronger regional economies in the state. Kredit Academy partners with local credit union Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union is partnering with 43North winner Kredit Academy to help expand its accessible financial education services. Financial literacy platform Kredit Academy says the credit union will now be offering Kredit Quest, which delivers personalized learning content to customers that covers everything from finance basics to credit mastery. With Kredit Quest, Greater Niagara members gain access to interactive lessons and practical tools designed to build financial confidence. "We chose Kredit Academy as a partner for their proactive approach to financial education and look forward to our work together,” said Maggie Wilmore, who works in marketing for Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union. Founder Evan Leaphart has also been building a relationship with M&T, including working with the bank as part of the city’s exploration and financial education summer program, and the company has deals with other local credit unions are in the pipeline. 43North is hiring 43North is in search of a social media coordinator with an interest and background in venture capital and knowledge of the Buffalo startup ecosystem. The startup accelerator and incubator is seeking a candidate to help manage, optimize, and analyze 43North’s social media presence. It will soon welcome its 10th cohort to Buffalo in early January. Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News brings you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com . THE LATEST Ingram Micro is cutting 850 jobs across its operations , but isn't specifying the impact on its Western New York workforce. Federal regulators have lifted the consent order that Lake Shore Savings Bank operated under for nearly two years. Work is beginning this week on People Inc.'s latest housing project in Western New York. Hundreds of former Sumitomo Rubber workers flocked to the Lincoln Park Athletic Center in the Town of Tonawanda on Tuesday for a job fair. The City of Niagara Falls is seeking to buy a cluster of Main Street properties to keep them out of the hands of out-of-state investors. Developer Doug Jemal is tweaking the design of his project at Elmwood and Bidwell avenues. The snow put a damper on holiday shopping in the Southtowns. It's not like the old days, but some hardy souls were out in the darkness to start their Black Friday shopping . Two of Buffalo's top development officials have been ousted . New solar project starts construction in Great Valley. Scanlon, Poloncarz criticize land bank for delays and cost of homes on projects in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. How do the Bills believe they will ever get to the more than 5,000 potential season ticket holder accounts on their waitlist for the new stadium and why advertise for more of them? Developers battle over Tonawanda Island site but sewer capacity may hinder projects. What went wrong at Tonawanda's Sumitomo tire plant ? And why did Sumitomo's Japan-based parent decide to pull the plug now? Work has begun on venture studio built to fill void in Buffalo's entrepreneurial space . Artisans report as much as 50% of their annual revenue comes from the holiday shopping season. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Locally owned stores are pulling out all the stops to attract customers who may otherwise be lured in by the convenience of major retailers and online shopping. 2. The Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology has expanded in his mission to help local adults and teens pursue successful careers. 3. Get the story behind Evans Bank's hunt for a merger , which ended with the Amherst-based bank's acquisition by NBT Bank. 4. Buffalo officials are considering whether to impose more restrictions on short-term rentals. 5. How retailers try to entice shoppers to do their holiday buying early . The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!What a mollusc shell and fiber optic cables have in commonUS stocks surge to records, shrugging off upheaval in South Korea, France

A new study reveals that the healthiest country to age in is Japan, a finding which reflects high quality of life, good healthcare and affordable living. The Netherlands ranks second with a life expectancy of 82.3 years. Portugal stands out with the best climate. A journalist research company Journo Report analysed 200 countries to identify the ones that are the healthiest to age in. The study takes into account life expectancy, age dependency, quality of life, safety, healthcare as well as climate index and happiness ranking. Each of these criteria were analysed to calculate the composite score, by which countries are ranked. The data is taken from open reports by the World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Worldometer. The top ten rankings were: Coming top Japan, with the maximum score of 100, has good healthcare and affordable cost of living. Japan is the second most affordable country on the list and has the longest life expectancy in the ranking with 84.8 years. The Netherlands ranks second in the list of the healthiest countries for aging, with the composite score of 95.1. The country ranks high when it comes to happiness and has the second highest quality of life in the ranking, earning its place in the list. Denmark takes third place, getting a score of 93.7. The life expectancy in Denmark is similar to the Netherlands but the health index is slightly lower. The high quality of life index, one of a few above 200, puts the country in the top-3. Switzerland follows closely with fourth positions and a score of 92.1. It falls behind Denmark or the Netherlands because of the higher cost of living but provides the citizens with solid quality of life and healthcare. Luxembourg is fifth in the ranking of the healthiest countries to age in, with a score of 91.6. The country ranks just above Switzerland in overall happiness and has the highest quality of life. Compared to other countries, it has a lower climate index influencing its place in the ranking. Spain ranks sixth, earning a score of 90.9. The average life expectancy here is 83.3 years and the country has the second most favourable climate in the top-10. Compared to Luxembourg or Switzerland, Spain falls behind in quality of life but compensates with a well-built healthcare system. In seventh place is South Korea, scoring 89.7. The age dependency ratio in South Korea is the lowest in the list at 10 percent, showing that older people rarely depend on the younger generation. Finland takes eighth place, with a score of 89.2. The country is considered to be happiest in the world, coupled with high quality of life and good healthcare. Austria is ninth, getting a score of 88.5. The life expectancy here is similar to Finland. Portugal closes the ranking of the healthiest countries for aging with tenth place and a score of 87. The country has the best climate in the ranking which is important for older people. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

Carson Beck completed 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns as No. 10 Georgia pummeled UMass 59-21 on Saturday in Athens, Ga. Nate Frazier ran for career highs of 136 yards and three touchdowns, while Arian Smith caught three passes for 110 yards and a score as the Bulldogs (9-2) won their second straight game and 30th straight at home, dating back to 2019. AJ Hairston completed 7 of 16 passes for 121 yards and a score for the Minutemen (2-9), who dropped their third straight. Jalen John ran for 107 yards and a score and Jakobie Keeney-James caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Peyton Woodring kicked a 53-yard field goal to extend Georgia's lead to 31-14 on the first drive of the third quarter. But UMass wasted little time responding, as Hairston hit Keeney-James for a 75-yard touchdown to get the deficit down to 10. Georgia then finished its sixth straight drive with a score, as Frazier's 9-yard run up the middle gave the Bulldogs a 38-21 lead at the 8:44 mark of the third quarter. After UMass punted, Georgia played add-on in its next possession, with Frazier scoring from 15 yards out with 1:39 left in the third to lead 45-21. Frazier stamped his career day with his third touchdown run, a 2-yarder with 6:33 left, before Georgia capped the scoring with Chris Cole's 28-yard fumble return with 3:28 remaining. UMass took the game's opening drive 75 yards down the field -- aided by Ahmad Haston's 38-yard run -- and scored on CJ Hester's 1-yard run with 9:15 left. Georgia answered on its ensuing drive, as Beck's 17-yard passing touchdown to Oscar Delp tied the game at the 5:05 mark of the first quarter. Following a short punt by UMass, Beck connected with Smith for 49 yards, and a roughing-the-passer penalty put the ball at Minutemen's 14-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-4 from the 8-yard line, Beck found Cash Jones for a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter. On UMass' next play from scrimmage, Raylen Wilson recovered John's fumble on the Minutemen's 28-yard line. Three plays later, Beck connected with Dominic Lovett for a 15-yard touchdown with 8:56 remaining. UMass then scored after a 14-play, 75-yard drive, finished off with John's 3-yard rushing score with 1:55 left in the first half. Georgia answered quickly, as Beck's 20-yard pass to Cole Speer set up a 34-yard touchdown pass to Smith with 43 seconds remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 28-14 halftime lead. --Field Level Media